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 8 mai 2017
Bernie Sanders Can't Keep It Together After Hearing Trump Applaud Universal Health Care
President Donald Trump has a way with words, you could say: he's especially skilled at inadvertently blurting out opinions on subjects he apparently knows nothing about. During a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Trump praised the country's healthcare system - but he didn't seem to realize he was praising a universal healthcare system. Bernie Sanders, one of the most vocal single-payer proponents, was quite pleased with Trump's comment (even if the president was completely ignorant of Australia's health care).
Trump says Australia's (single payer) health care system is better. @BernieSanders: "Thank you Mr. President" https://t.co/wuQHu8ilkW
- All In w/Chris Hayes (@allinwithchris) May 5, 2017
MSNBC's Chris Hayes played a clip of Trump's comment while interviewing Sanders on May 4. In the clip, Trump simultaneously criticizes the American healthcare system and lauds Australia's. "We have a failing health care - I shouldn't say this to our great gentleman and my friend from Australia because you have better health care than we do," Trump said.
Following a familiar fit of laughter, Sanders jokingly takes Trump's comment at face value. "The president has just said it. That's great. Let's take a look at the Australian healthcare system, and let's move," Sanders said. "Maybe he wants to take a look at the Canadian healthcare system or systems throughout Europe. Thank you, Mr. President. Let us move to a Medicare-for-all system that does what every other major country does."
Sanders has previously said that he would introduce a Medicare-for-all bill into Congress as an alternative to the Republicans' disastrous American Healthcare Act. While it doesn't seem like the president will push for a single-payer healthcare system anytime soon, he's at least aware of its efficacy.
Menudo: Where Are They Now?
Menudo was the Puerto Rican boy band that rocked the world in the 1970s and beyond. The band released its first album in 1977 and was responsible for catapulting Ricky Martin and Draco Rosa into the spotlight. The group lost a lot of members through the years but also added a lot, giving us even more talent to swoon over. The group rendered hits like "Hold Me" and "Bésame" throughout its 22 years together. Keep reading to see what happened to all of the guys who belong to the original Latino boy band.
The It Remake Looks So F*cking Scary, You Guys
Watch the new trailer for Stephen King adaptation 'It' https://t.co/jicImUkZG5 http://pic.twitter.com/aR5nzMiAEr
- Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 8, 2017
Because we can't just let terrifying stories fade into obscurity, Warner Bros. is remaking Stephen King's It. The latest trailer, which premiered at the MTV Movie & TV Awards on Sunday, is a total nightmare. If you're familiar with the original film or the book, you'll notice several key scenes in both the new and old trailers, including the rain gutter incident. (Side note: f*ck that.) Bill Skarsgard (Allegiant) is playing Pennywise the clown, who will undoubtedly scar a new generation. The movie, also starring Stranger Things' Finn Wolfhard, will be out on Sept. 8. Check out the trailer and some stills below.
Nope.
NOPE.
NOPE NOPE NOPE.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOPE.
The Completely Addictive Method of Cooking Broccoli and Cauliflower
It won't be a challenge to eat your veggies if you try this easy technique for roasting cauliflower and broccoli. For months, a few women in our office have been praising roasted cruciferous veggies. I'm already a huge fan of baked kale chips, roasted brussels sprouts, and oven-crisped cabbage, so I'm not sure why it took me so long to try out roasted cauliflower and broccoli. Now that I have, I'm never going back to the steamed stuff. The oven morphed the little veggie trees into crisp nuggets that could almost pass for chips. They are addictive . . . don't be surprised if those around you fight for the last bites!
Here's what you'll do:
- Cut the broccoli and cauliflower into equally sized pieces.
- Spread across a rimmed sheet tray, leaving space between each floret. Drizzle olive oil across the veggies and salt and pepper to taste.
- Roast in a 400°F oven for 18-23 minutes, or until crispy to your liking.
If You've Dreamed That Your Teeth Fell Out, There's an Important Meaning Behind It
Have you ever woken up and remembered your teeth falling out or breaking in a dream? It could mean something important about what's going on in your life. It's also a very common dream that people remember on a regular basis. There are a few explanations for why you may be experiencing these types of visions, and we're breaking them down for you so that you can better understand what's happening in your mind.
The most likely meaning behind these dreams is that you're not taking good care of yourself and you know that. When your teeth are broken and gone, it takes away your ability to do many things like eat or talk normally. Your mind could be telling you that you need to start looking after yourself, whether it be mentally or physically, in order to clear your conscience.
It could also stem from your fear of getting older. If you've had any important changes or developments recently occur, you could be thinking about your life overall. If the idea of aging makes you nervous, it could be on your mind when you fall asleep, which is why you're having those dreams.
Thoughts of your teeth falling out could also be a sign that you need to be nurtured. You may not even realize it, but if you don't have anyone in your life to look after you, you could be longing for that. These dreams are your way of telling yourself that you want somebody in your life who you can count on.
As you can see, there are many ways to interpret this type of dream. The best thing to do is examine your life and see if any of these explanations apply to you. Once you correct what's happening in your life, those dreams should go away!
Menudo: Where Are They Now?
Menudo was the Puerto Rican boy band that rocked the world in the 1970s and beyond. The band released its first album in 1977 and was responsible for catapulting Ricky Martin and Draco Rosa into the spotlight. The group lost a lot of members through the years but also added a lot, giving us even more talent to swoon over. The group rendered hits like "Hold Me" and "Bésame" throughout its 22 years together. Keep reading to see what happened to all of the guys who belong to the original Latino boy band.
The Completely Addictive Method of Cooking Broccoli and Cauliflower
It won't be a challenge to eat your veggies if you try this easy technique for roasting cauliflower and broccoli. For months, a few women in our office have been praising roasted cruciferous veggies. I'm already a huge fan of baked kale chips, roasted brussels sprouts, and oven-crisped cabbage, so I'm not sure why it took me so long to try out roasted cauliflower and broccoli. Now that I have, I'm never going back to the steamed stuff. The oven morphed the little veggie trees into crisp nuggets that could almost pass for chips. They are addictive . . . don't be surprised if those around you fight for the last bites!
Here's what you'll do:
- Cut the broccoli and cauliflower into equally sized pieces.
- Spread across a rimmed sheet tray, leaving space between each floret. Drizzle olive oil across the veggies and salt and pepper to taste.
- Roast in a 400°F oven for 18-23 minutes, or until crispy to your liking.
Harry Styles Flies Through the Air (and Into Our Hearts) in "Sign of the Times" Video
No offense, but Harry Styles's "Sign of the Times" has kind of made us grateful that One Direction broke up. The sweeping, emotional ballad has a very Paul McCartney vibe to it and has quickly become one of our favorites. On Monday morning, he released the music video for the track, which has obviously hit us all right in the feels (and finally gives some context to those hilarious photos of him soaring through the air). Not only does he take flight like Superman, but he even walks on water at one point. Catch the trippy video in its entirety above.
Jennifer Morrison Confirms She's Leaving Once Upon a Time: "It's Time to Move On"
It's a very sad day for Once Upon a Time fans. On Monday, Jennifer Morrison (who plays lead heroine Emma Swan) announced in a heartfelt Instagram post that she will not be returning as a series regular in the event that the show gets renewed for season seven.
"As I reached the end of my 6 year contract on ONCE UPON A TIME, I was faced with a significant decision. ABC, Eddy Kitsis, and Adam Horowitz very generously invited me to continue as a series regular. After very careful consideration, I have decided that creatively and personally, it is time for me to move on. Emma Swan is one my favorite characters that I have ever played. My 6 years on ONCE UPON A TIME has changed my life in the most beautiful ways. I am absolutely blown away by the passion and commitment of the Oncer fans. I am so honored to have been a central part of such a special show. I will be forever grateful to Adam, Eddy, and ABC for giving me the gift of playing Emma Swan. As I move on to other creative endeavors, I will continue to attend the fan conventions whenever my professional schedule allows. I always look forward meeting the fans. If ABC Network does in fact order a season 7, I have agreed to appear in one episode, and I will most certainly continue to watch ONCE UPON A TIME. The creativity of the show runners has always inspired me, and I cannot wait to see the ways that they continue to develop and reinvent the show. #Onceuponatime #EmmaSwan#UglyDucklings"
The news comes just a few days before the show's two-hour finale, which will air on Sunday. While some actors like Lana Parrilla, Robert Carlyle, and Colin O'Donoghue are still in negotiations to extend their contracts, showrunners Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis recently confirmed that the next season would take a new direction from a narrative standpoint by "hitting the reset button." We can't help but wonder what this means for the Savior as she preps for the final battle.
25+ Hilarious Mother's Day Gifts For the Moms of Toddlers
Being the mom of a toddler is a struggle. It means dealing with not only their best moments but also their worst, and there isn't enough coffee or wine in the world on some days to get through toddler-mom life in one piece. However, for the mamas to a toddler (or two), these unique and hilarious gifts may just make their crazy days with their little ones a bit easier.
Ahead, our favorite gifts for moms of toddlers for literally any occasion (especially just to celebrate the fact that they got through another day with their kids).
4 "Rules" For a Husband's Friendships With Other Women
Krista J.'s husband is hanging out with another woman. Is that wrong? "He told me they are just friends, but he has been leaving me to go hang out with her," she frets.
As readers offer Krista advice, another question emerges: can married men have female friends? Ideally, they say, the members of a couple should be able to maintain individual friendships with the opposite sex, but in reality, a friendship like the one Krista's husband is developing is often a slippery slope.
Friendship can lead to flirtation, and what once seemed harmless can grow and grow. So how do you prevent this? Here, readers share some ground rules for a spouse's opposite-sex friendships.
1. Make sure there's no double standard.
"If he can, I can," is the guideline many members live by. But when Carol M. proposes this approach to her husband, his response was the very definition of the double standard and one that many members feel spells trouble: that while it's OK for a husband to talk to women, it's taboo for a woman to have friendships with men. "No guy is just a friend," he insists.
In contrast, Jill says that, in her marriage, both she and her husband have friends of the opposite sex. "The rule in our marriage is what is good enough for you is good enough for me," she says. "If he wants to talk to girls. Fine. I get to talk to guys. It works both ways."
2. Agree on appropriate boundaries.
Makena D. feels that "interaction between people of different sexes even after marriage is part of life," and that because male/female friendships outside of marriage are inevitable, a wife should not only "limit the kind of talk [she has] with other men," but let her husband know that "he needs to do the same."
Explaining further, she shares that "your partner comes first."
3. Give (and expect) the benefit of the doubt.
Many readers feel comfortable with their husbands' female friendships because they trust each other completely. "There is no way I would tell my husband who he can and can't talk to and vice versa," says Michelle W. "I've even met up with an old school friend (male) for coffee. My husband trusts me completely, and I trust him."
Megan R. agrees, sharing that she has no problem with her husband's female friend. "One of my husband's closest friends is a woman," she says. "I also have some guy friends, and my husband knows about them. I trust my husband enough to know he won't cheat on me."
4. Include one another in the friendship.
Many readers believe that if your husband wants to cultivate a friendship with a woman, whether a colleague or someone from his past, he should invite you and the woman's spouse (if she has one) to dinner or into the circle of friendship, too. This kind of transparency makes everyone more comfortable.
When It's More Than "Just Friends"
All of this said, some members simply won't abide a spouse's opposite sex friendships, no matter what. Tabitha R. points out that it's very difficult to watch your spouse have female friendships if he has a history of cheating: "I honestly think once someone has cheated that we lose respect for that person, and it makes us think that every woman they are talking to they are sleeping with."
Lisa P. agrees, but for different reasons: "I don't think a married man should be hanging out with another girl or woman even if they are supposedly 'just friends.' He should be home with his family. If his priorities are elsewhere and not with you and your family, then you should be questioning the marriage."
Where do you draw the line on your husband's female friendships?
Paris Jackson's Met Gala Dress Might Have Meant More Than You Think
Paris Jackson arrived at the Met Gala with the Calvin Klein crew, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Julianne Moore, and, of course, Raf Simons. She was dressed in a Calvin Klein By Appointment dress, a sleek black midi belted with a slash at the midriff, and Tiffany & Co. jewels. Just a few days later, Page Six reports that 19-year-old Paris, who recently signed with IMG Models landed a seven-figure contract with Calvin Klein.
It wouldn't be too far off, since Paris was also spotted hanging out with Millie Bobby Brown, the current face of Raf's By Appointment campaign. We reached out to the brand for a statement and will update when we receive confirmation on the news. Until then, let's just admire Paris's Met Gala dress one last time from every angle.
Ben Affleck Hires a Limo to Take Seraphina to a Father-Daughter Dance
When you become a teenager, the most important guys in your life become your crush, your boyfriend, and that hot actor in your favorite movie, but when you're 8, your dad still holds the No. 1 spot. Ben Affleck took full advantage of this fact when he took his daughter Seraphina to a father-daughter dance in LA on Saturday night. According to E! News, the Justice League actor pulled out all the stops to make his little girl feel special, including renting a limousine to take them to the dance. Ben, who donned a sharp suit for the special occasion, also gave Seraphina a flower corsage to match the boutonniere she gave him. Once they arrived, the duo stayed close and had a great time. "The two were walking around holding hands and he was very sweet with her," E! News reports. "They both had a lot of fun dancing and hanging out with their friends." Despite Ben and his ex, Jennifer Garner, officially filing for divorce in April, the two, who are also parents to Violet and Samuel, remain a tight family unit.
Hearts Melt Everywhere as Dylan Minnette Arrives at the MTV Movie and TV Awards
Dylan Minnette sure knows how to work a red carpet! Just hours after it was officially confirmed that 13 Reasons Why would be renewed for a second season, the breakout actor posed at the MTV Movie and TV Awards. Although Dylan is dating Ray Donovan actress Kerris Dorsey, he posed solo on the red carpet and had everyone melting with his adorable smile. He and other members of the 13 Reasons Why cast showed up, even though the show is not nominated for any awards. However, they will be presenting, and we can't wait for the onstage reunion.
Debra Messing Calls Out Ivanka Trump: "It's Time to Do Something"
Debra Messing isn't done resisting Donald Trump's contentious presidency. The Will and Grace actress delivered a moving - albeit hilarious - acceptance speech at the 28th annual GLAAD Media Awards on Saturday and addressed the "very bad, and very orange man in our White House . . . at least a few days a month," she joked.
Messing, who took home GLAAD's Excellence in Media Award, called on all Americans to resist Trump's controversial policies and even urged them to text the Congressional switchboard in Washington DC. "Don't be shy, I know all of your cell phones are open because you've been taking selfies all night," she quipped.
Messing then spoke directly to Ivanka Trump, whom she referred to as "the secretary of state," saying, "It is not enough to simply say that women's issues are important to you. It's time to do something." Watch her full nine-minute acceptance speech above to hear her empowering call for action that will inspire you.
Jennifer Morrison Confirms She's Leaving Once Upon a Time: "It's Time to Move On"
It's a very sad day for Once Upon a Time fans. On Monday, Jennifer Morrison (who plays lead heroine Emma Swan) announced in a heartfelt Instagram post that she will not be returning as a series regular in the event that the show gets renewed for season seven.
"As I reached the end of my 6 year contract on ONCE UPON A TIME, I was faced with a significant decision. ABC, Eddy Kitsis, and Adam Horowitz very generously invited me to continue as a series regular. After very careful consideration, I have decided that creatively and personally, it is time for me to move on. Emma Swan is one my favorite characters that I have ever played. My 6 years on ONCE UPON A TIME has changed my life in the most beautiful ways. I am absolutely blown away by the passion and commitment of the Oncer fans. I am so honored to have been a central part of such a special show. I will be forever grateful to Adam, Eddy, and ABC for giving me the gift of playing Emma Swan. As I move on to other creative endeavors, I will continue to attend the fan conventions whenever my professional schedule allows. I always look forward meeting the fans. If ABC Network does in fact order a season 7, I have agreed to appear in one episode, and I will most certainly continue to watch ONCE UPON A TIME. The creativity of the show runners has always inspired me, and I cannot wait to see the ways that they continue to develop and reinvent the show. #Onceuponatime #EmmaSwan#UglyDucklings"
The news comes just a few days before the show's two-hour finale, which will air on Sunday. While some actors like Lana Parrilla, Robert Carlyle, and Colin O'Donoghue are still in negotiations to extend their contracts, showrunners Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis recently confirmed that the next season would take a new direction from a narrative standpoint by "hitting the reset button." We can't help but wonder what this means for the Savior as she preps for the final battle.
25+ Hilarious Mother's Day Gifts For the Moms of Toddlers
Being the mom of a toddler is a struggle. It means dealing with not only their best moments but also their worst, and there isn't enough coffee or wine in the world on some days to get through toddler-mom life in one piece. However, for the mamas to a toddler (or two), these unique and hilarious gifts may just make their crazy days with their little ones a bit easier.
Ahead, our favorite gifts for moms of toddlers for literally any occasion (especially just to celebrate the fact that they got through another day with their kids).
4 "Rules" For a Husband's Friendships With Other Women
Krista J.'s husband is hanging out with another woman. Is that wrong? "He told me they are just friends, but he has been leaving me to go hang out with her," she frets.
As readers offer Krista advice, another question emerges: can married men have female friends? Ideally, they say, the members of a couple should be able to maintain individual friendships with the opposite sex, but in reality, a friendship like the one Krista's husband is developing is often a slippery slope.
Friendship can lead to flirtation, and what once seemed harmless can grow and grow. So how do you prevent this? Here, readers share some ground rules for a spouse's opposite-sex friendships.
1. Make sure there's no double standard.
"If he can, I can," is the guideline many members live by. But when Carol M. proposes this approach to her husband, his response was the very definition of the double standard and one that many members feel spells trouble: that while it's OK for a husband to talk to women, it's taboo for a woman to have friendships with men. "No guy is just a friend," he insists.
In contrast, Jill says that, in her marriage, both she and her husband have friends of the opposite sex. "The rule in our marriage is what is good enough for you is good enough for me," she says. "If he wants to talk to girls. Fine. I get to talk to guys. It works both ways."
2. Agree on appropriate boundaries.
Makena D. feels that "interaction between people of different sexes even after marriage is part of life," and that because male/female friendships outside of marriage are inevitable, a wife should not only "limit the kind of talk [she has] with other men," but let her husband know that "he needs to do the same."
Explaining further, she shares that "your partner comes first."
3. Give (and expect) the benefit of the doubt.
Many readers feel comfortable with their husbands' female friendships because they trust each other completely. "There is no way I would tell my husband who he can and can't talk to and vice versa," says Michelle W. "I've even met up with an old school friend (male) for coffee. My husband trusts me completely, and I trust him."
Megan R. agrees, sharing that she has no problem with her husband's female friend. "One of my husband's closest friends is a woman," she says. "I also have some guy friends, and my husband knows about them. I trust my husband enough to know he won't cheat on me."
4. Include one another in the friendship.
Many readers believe that if your husband wants to cultivate a friendship with a woman, whether a colleague or someone from his past, he should invite you and the woman's spouse (if she has one) to dinner or into the circle of friendship, too. This kind of transparency makes everyone more comfortable.
When It's More Than "Just Friends"
All of this said, some members simply won't abide a spouse's opposite sex friendships, no matter what. Tabitha R. points out that it's very difficult to watch your spouse have female friendships if he has a history of cheating: "I honestly think once someone has cheated that we lose respect for that person, and it makes us think that every woman they are talking to they are sleeping with."
Lisa P. agrees, but for different reasons: "I don't think a married man should be hanging out with another girl or woman even if they are supposedly 'just friends.' He should be home with his family. If his priorities are elsewhere and not with you and your family, then you should be questioning the marriage."
Where do you draw the line on your husband's female friendships?
Ben Affleck Hires a Limo to Take Seraphina to a Father-Daughter Dance
When you become a teenager, the most important guys in your life become your crush, your boyfriend, and that hot actor in your favorite movie, but when you're 8, your dad still holds the No. 1 spot. Ben Affleck took full advantage of this fact when he took his daughter Seraphina to a father-daughter dance in LA on Saturday night. According to E! News, the Justice League actor pulled out all the stops to make his little girl feel special, including renting a limousine to take them to the dance. Ben, who donned a sharp suit for the special occasion, also gave Seraphina a flower corsage to match the boutonniere she gave him. Once they arrived, the duo stayed close and had a great time. "The two were walking around holding hands and he was very sweet with her," E! News reports. "They both had a lot of fun dancing and hanging out with their friends." Despite Ben and his ex, Jennifer Garner, officially filing for divorce in April, the two, who are also parents to Violet and Samuel, remain a tight family unit.
Alessandra Ambrosio Wore the 1 Monokini You Need to Show Off Your Curves
If you're after the monokini trend, look no further than Alessandra Ambrosio's display of chicness while vacationing with her girlfriends in Saint-Tropez. Back in the Summer, the Brazilian Victoria's Secret Angel posted an Instagram video featuring a peek at the Henna Blues Monokini One-Piece ($180) from her Ále by Alessandra swimwear collection.
Although we're understandably in awe of the fact that she's partying by a hot tub on a boat (seriously), we need a moment to take in how perfect the swimsuit she's wearing actually is. Adorned with a fun paisley pattern and edgy cutouts, the purple-hued suit is one that will never go out of style and always flatter your figure. Press play above to see it in action. Then, check out even more similar styles.
Watch Camila Cabello, J Balvin, and Pitbull Perform "Hey Ma" For the First Time
Hey, Camila Cabello, J Balvin, and Pitbull! We see you. The trio performed their hit song "Hey Ma" at the 2017 MTV Movie and TV Awards for the first time ever, and it was everything we needed for the rest of the night.
The music video has over 92 million views and to finally see the Latin hit-makers bringing their tune to life was worth the wait.
From J Balvin's dance moves and palm-tree-printed leather jacket to Pitbull's beats, and, finally, Camila arriving in style by dropping from the sky, the performance celebrating the Fast and the Furious franchise's generation award brought the house down! Watch it all go down in the video above.
Hysterical Dad Tweets Priceless Conversations Between Him and His Daughters
Comedian James Breakwell makes sure that every tweet he sends is absolutely hilarious - by recounting conversations he has with his wife and four daughters under the age of 6. His account, XplodingUnicorn, is full of priceless 140-character encounters with his little ladies, all of whom seem to have been passed down a bit of their father's comedic ability and give new meaning to the phrase "kids say the darnedest things."
Scroll through for some of his tweets, which will undoubtedly give you stitches in your side.
Princess Beatrice of York Hangs With Kate Middleton, but Her Style's on Another Level
You might have heard Princess Beatrice's name with ties to Uber executive Dave Clark. The longtime couple made headlines recently with news of their split, but we're here to prove the Royal Highness of York can hold her own. Not only does the princess regularly attend family events alongside her younger sister, Eugenie; her grandmother Queen Elizabeth II; and Kate Middleton, but she also participates in charity work and is developing a career in business.
From a fashion perspective, Beatrice is a natural. Her wardrobe consists of key pieces that turn heads on the red carpet, at fashion shows, and on the street, but it's the way she wears them that counts. While the princess favors Peter Pan collars, avant-garde fascinators, and all sorts of embellishments, every outfit includes an element of surprise. Read on for 73 lessons you can learn just by studying her style.
Princess Beatrice of York Hangs With Kate Middleton, but Her Style's on Another Level
You might have heard Princess Beatrice's name with ties to Uber executive Dave Clark. The longtime couple made headlines recently with news of their split, but we're here to prove the Royal Highness of York can hold her own. Not only does the princess regularly attend family events alongside her younger sister, Eugenie; her grandmother Queen Elizabeth II; and Kate Middleton, but she also participates in charity work and is developing a career in business.
From a fashion perspective, Beatrice is a natural. Her wardrobe consists of key pieces that turn heads on the red carpet, at fashion shows, and on the street, but it's the way she wears them that counts. While the princess favors Peter Pan collars, avant-garde fascinators, and all sorts of embellishments, every outfit includes an element of surprise. Read on for 73 lessons you can learn just by studying her style.
Hysterical Dad Tweets Priceless Conversations Between Him and His Daughters
Comedian James Breakwell makes sure that every tweet he sends is absolutely hilarious - by recounting conversations he has with his wife and four daughters under the age of 6. His account, XplodingUnicorn, is full of priceless 140-character encounters with his little ladies, all of whom seem to have been passed down a bit of their father's comedic ability and give new meaning to the phrase "kids say the darnedest things."
Scroll through for some of his tweets, which will undoubtedly give you stitches in your side.
Don't Even Think About Buying a House and Other Expert Money Advice For New Grads
As a new college graduate, you might feel a surge of exhilaration after leaving school - after all, you're a total boss ready to take on the world! But financially? You might actually be a hot mess, swimming in student loan debt, unsure of what the heck a 401(k) is, and spending your limited funds willy-nilly without budgeting.
Indiana University's director of financial literacy, Phil Schuman, points out that the first year after college will be one of the most tenuous, uncertain periods of your life, but there are some crucial actions you can take (or avoid taking) that will set you up for financial success down the road. Keep scrolling for Schuman's best money advice for new grads.
Zendaya Channels Jackie O With Her Chic Hair at the MTV Movie Awards
Zendaya ditched her edgy beauty style to look classically gorgeous at the 2017 MTV Movie and TV Awards. The young Hollywood It girl channeled Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis with her short, sophisticated hairstyle featuring voluminous curls flipped out.
She modernized the look with her signature bold brows, winged-out eyeliner, and of-the-moment nude lips. Do you like Zendaya's grown-up look or do you prefer something edgier?
Announcing the Winners of the 2017 MTV Movie and TV Awards!
MTV mixed up their annual awards show by including categories for the small screen, which made us just about twice as excited for the MTV Movie and TV Awards. After a rainy red carpet in Los Angeles, the show kicked off. Emma Watson took home the first award of the night, giving a speech about the importance of MTV's new categories, which are no longer defined by gender. Take a look at all the winners below!
MOVIE OF THE YEAR
Beauty and the Beast
BEST ACTOR IN A MOVIE
Emma Watson, Beauty and the Beast
SHOW OF THE YEAR
Stranger Things
BEST ACTOR IN A SHOW
Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things
BEST KISS
Ashton Sanders and Jharrel Jerome, Moonlight
BEST HERO
Taraji P. Henson, Hidden Figures
BEST VILLAIN
Jeffrey Dean Morgan, The Walking Dead
BEST HOST
Trevor Noah, The Daily Show
BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE
Lil Rel Howery, Get Out
TEARJERKER
This Is Us, Jack and Randall at karate
BEST DOCUMENTARY
13th
BEST REALITY COMPETITION
RuPaul's Drag Race
NEXT GENERATION
Daniel Kaluuya
BEST DUO
Hugh Jackman and Dafne Keen, Logan
BEST AMERICAN STORY
Black-ish
BEST FIGHT AGAINST THE SYSTEM
Hidden Figures
TRENDING
"Run the World (Girls)" Channing Tatum and Beyoncé, Lip Sync Battle
BEST MUSICAL MOMENT
"You're the One That I Want" by Ensemble, Grease: Live
What I Wish I Had Known Before Becoming a Landlord
For the first year of our married life together, my husband and I were still living with roommates in a small three-bedroom apartment in San Francisco. The astronomic cost of living in the city and the knowledge that we were planning to move soon meant that we were fine with our living situation.
At least we were. When an opportunity came up to buy a duplex in Chicago, my husband's hometown, the thought of being homeowners and not having roommates anymore was too good to pass up. Had we not been so eager for our own place, maybe we would have stopped to think about what owning a duplex and being a landlord actually entailed.
Legalities
First, we had to become familiar with our new city's ordinances and renter protections. We had been very familiar with those in San Francisco, but Chicago was totally different. This meant sorting through legal documents to suss out our responsibilities and rights, contacting our accountant since the rental income would go to our household income, and drafting a comprehensive lease. None of these things I am particularly skilled with, but thankfully my husband is.
The cost of getting the place rented, luckily, wasn't too extravagant, and once we got a handle on the legal requirements of being a landlord, things got easier. It was just a lot of legwork in the beginning since we were essentially embarking on a new journey.
Renters
Trying to find easygoing tenants was more difficult than we had anticipated. Chicago has a lot of rental options so renters have many choices. Having the cost of the mortgage payment dangling over our heads was doubly stressful. We needed to find the right tenants quickly, all within a competitive market.
It became practically a full-time job trying to rent out the apartment. With taking and editing photos, cleaning, staging, writing the Craigslist advertisements, handling the showings, and verifying applications, we were pulled in a ton of different directions. At the same time that we were trying to create our own home, we were expected to do the same for someone else.
In the time that we've owned the building, we have had two different families as renters, both of whom were found through Craigslist. Since we would live below our tenants on the first floor, it was imperative that we choose families that we would get along with and be comfortable sharing the space with, and the familiarity of Craigslist helped with that. I had reminded myself that having tenants above us wouldn't be all that different from living in an apartment. At least this way, we'd get to pick who those tenants were. It turns out that decision was harder than I had expected.
"Live-In" Landlord
As a renter, when the people above you are obnoxiously throwing a tap-dancing party and practicing the drums, you can storm upstairs and complain. As a landlord, it was never that simple. If our tenants were being loud, there wasn't much we could do. Sure, we could have stormed up to the second floor and chastised them for their midnight yodeling, but then they could just as easily lodge a complaint against us.
Every city is different when it comes to tenant law, with some places more strict than others about what each person's responsibilities are. Because we were going to be "live-in" landlords, there was more flexibility, but there were still protections in place. This meant that we couldn't be terrible people and deny renters based on any protected reasons, and if we were horrible landlords, they still had a way to be heard and respected. Thankfully, none of our renters practiced sumo wrestling, so we were able to shake off most noise issues, but they were still annoyances. Just because we were on a particular schedule, it didn't mean that our tenants were. Since they had young kids, when they were up and playing ring-around-the-rosy, we were up and sulking at our forced early rising. Since we picked them, we had only ourselves to blame.
One of the potential negatives of being a landlord is handling any maintenance request that arises. With one of our tenants, it felt like every little task - toilet clog, light bulb out, and sink dribble - was of immediate concern. Another tenant didn't notify us for any repairs and preferred to do it all themselves or let things go unfixed. For us, it was really a crapshoot, with the ideal balance being somewhere between the two approaches.
When it came to major repairs, we weren't as prepared to work quickly and to lose a lot of money. During the first cold snap after we bought our house, the boiler broke. So while we were desperately trying to get it fixed as quickly as possible so that we could stay warm, we also had to consider giving our renters a reduction in their rent to offset the inconvenience of frigid indoor temperatures. Thankfully, almost everything else in the building was new, so we were only saddled with one outlandish surprise repair.
Trust and Privacy
When you buy a home, it's reasonable to expect access to all areas of the building. Having tenants meant that we had to trust half of our home to what were essentially strangers. Of course we had them sign a lease and give us a deposit, and we chose people who we thought were likely to treat the building with respect. Yet, even with the best renters, there is still the chance that minor accidents may lead to permanent damage. Even with damage being covered by the deposit, it's still your time and effort being spent to fix it.
Then there was the issue of privacy. In our heads, we had bought a single family home, which meant that we would have total access to the yard space. If we wanted to drink mojitos in our backyard in our underwear, it would be weird, but no one would stop us. Having tenants who were equally entitled to the outdoor space meant that we weren't as free in our own home as we would have liked. Sometimes we would wait to leave the house because we knew that they were coming in. I don't remember caring about these little issues when I was a renter, but for some reason they consumed me as a landlord.
Benefits
While being a landlord was problematic and stressful, buying the building that we did proved extremely beneficial for our future. As a result of purchasing the duplex, we were able to buy a nicer home in a better neighborhood. We also felt like the building was more protected because if we were to go on vacation, there would still be people there to keep an eye on things.
Additionally, while rents will likely continue to go up, our mortgage stays fixed. This means that within a few short years, we may actually be mortgage neutral from the rental income. With that kind of prospect, it's pretty easy to set aside stresses and complaints and focus on our long-term goals.
The 13 Reasons Why Cast Celebrated Season 2's Renewal at the MTV Awards
It was certainly a great weekend for the 13 Reasons Why cast. After getting the official green light for season two, the stars of the Netflix drama celebrated by attending the MTV Movie and TV Awards in LA on Sunday. Aside from sharing videos of themselves getting ready together on their Instagram stories, a few of the actors also walked the red carpet before the downpour of rain and hail. Miles Heizer (who plays Alex) looked dapper in a black and white suit, while Dylan Minnette (who plays Clay) adorably admired a few rain drops. Of course, one of the best moments was when the entire group united on stage to present Stranger Things with the best TV show award.
8 Swimsuit Trends You're Going to See Everywhere in 2017
Another season of frigid weather has come and gone (thank god!), which means warmer weather is finally in sight. We're not sure about you, but our Summer plans include a whole lot of hanging out by the pool or on the beach, which brings us to the top our to-do list: shopping for new swimsuits.
Before you start rummaging through your drawers to check out your swimsuit stash, only to realize the inevitable, we're gonna save you the trouble and tell you that yes, it's time to add a couple of new pieces to your collection. But don't worry, because we've done all the hard work for you by listing this year's best swimsuit trends you're going to see filling your social media feeds. So, without further adieu, here are the eight best swimsuit trends of 2017.
For even easier shopping, click below to get the style you want.
When Times Are Tough, These 12 Empowering Quotes Will Get You Through
At the 2015 Golden Globes, actress Gina Rodriguez left us all in tears and nodding our heads in agreement. Her speech had touched on the message of encouragement we use ourselves while looking in the mirror every morning, the one we turn to when championing our friends and their dreams - "This award is so much more than myself; it represents a culture that wants to see themselves as heroes. . . . Today is going to be a great day. I can and I will." So much yes!
That's the great thing that happens when Latinas in the spotlight use their platform to celebrate their successes and determination (and why we need more representation). These 12 quotes spoken by badass women in government positions and Hollywood will carry you through any hard day when self-doubt and the world get to ya. Let this be a reminder of all that is possible!
3 Instagram-Worthy Flower Services to Use This Mother's Day
Flowers are a beautiful and elegant gift for any time of year and for any occasion, but when it comes time to shower all of the moms in your life with love on Mother's Day, flowers are the perfect chic gift. Rather than spend a fortune buying subpar blooms at the grocery store, we've looked into three online services that make the most gorgeous, Instagram-worthy bouquets that any mom would love (read: would love posting to her social media).
Read through to learn more!
When Times Are Tough, These 12 Empowering Quotes Will Get You Through
At the 2015 Golden Globes, actress Gina Rodriguez left us all in tears and nodding our heads in agreement. Her speech had touched on the message of encouragement we use ourselves while looking in the mirror every morning, the one we turn to when championing our friends and their dreams - "This award is so much more than myself; it represents a culture that wants to see themselves as heroes. . . . Today is going to be a great day. I can and I will." So much yes!
That's the great thing that happens when Latinas in the spotlight use their platform to celebrate their successes and determination (and why we need more representation). These 12 quotes spoken by badass women in government positions and Hollywood will carry you through any hard day when self-doubt and the world get to ya. Let this be a reminder of all that is possible!
8 Swimsuit Trends You're Going to See Everywhere in 2017
Another season of frigid weather has come and gone (thank god!), which means warmer weather is finally in sight. We're not sure about you, but our Summer plans include a whole lot of hanging out by the pool or on the beach, which brings us to the top our to-do list: shopping for new swimsuits.
Before you start rummaging through your drawers to check out your swimsuit stash, only to realize the inevitable, we're gonna save you the trouble and tell you that yes, it's time to add a couple of new pieces to your collection. But don't worry, because we've done all the hard work for you by listing this year's best swimsuit trends you're going to see filling your social media feeds. So, without further adieu, here are the eight best swimsuit trends of 2017.
For even easier shopping, click below to get the style you want.
9 Stylish American Women Who Married Royals
Imagine meeting your future husband (aka your prince charming) and he actually turns out to be a prince. Well, for these nine lucky women, that was actually the case. Meghan Markle has already got people buzzing about her relationship with Prince Harry, having accompanied him to a wedding in Jamaica wearing a dazzling maxi dress.
People are already speculating whether the couple might get married in the near future. If that were the case, Markle wouldn't be the first American woman to marry into a royal family. In fact, some of the most fashionable non-royals who have married princes are American. From Grace Kelly to Lee Radziwill, have a look back at nine fashionable American women who have style fit for a queen.
Make No Mistake, These Disney Bikinis Are For Grown-Ass Women ONLY
Calling all Disney-lovers: Enchanted Bikinis is making your fairy-tale dreams come true with these supersexy Disney-inspired bikinis. "Our mission is to let the princess in you glow and enchant everyone and everything around, when you wear your Enchanted bikini," a statement on the company's official website reads. "We believe that every woman can feel this way without putting on a costume." Ahead, see all of the irresistible bikini looks up close, and then find out where you can preorder them before your epic Summer beach days begin.
The MTV Awards Red Carpet Was Packed With Style
Though we doubt the Met Gala left you pining for celebrity looks, just one week later, movie and TV stars gathered to celebrate their latest projects. The stars lined up in everything from one-shouldered jumpsuits to sheer, flirty dresses. The looks were definitely a mixed bag when it came down to it, but tracking every glamorous arrival will be well worth your time. Scroll to see what we mean, then zoom in on the most impressive beauty looks of the evening.
Kendall Jenner's Vogue India Cover Is Facing Major Backlash
To celebrate Vogue India's 10th anniversary, editor Priya Tanna enlisted two very iconic fashion forces to come together for a shoot. Mario Testino brought Kendall Jenner to Samode Palace near Jaipur, India, which is even more beautiful than you might imagine. Bright, beautiful architecture is the backdrop to a series where Kendall wears monochrome outfits in breezy silhouettes, all of which are not just Pinterest-worthy but also spot-on trend inspiration for the season. Mario is even offering the most gorgeous pic of the bunch up for sale on his site, Mira Mira, in support of the charity Girl Rising India.
Still, since the issue's release, Kendall and Vogue India have been facing major backlash from readers as they were shocked that the magazine hadn't chosen an Indian model for such an important cover. This reminds us of a similar situation Kendall's pal Gigi Hadid faced for her Vogue Arabia cover. Ahead, have a look at the cover and editorial that's now at the center of some drama.
- Additional reporting by Nikita Ramsinghani
I'm That Mom Who Stays With Her Kids Until They Fall Asleep Every Night
I didn't plan to be the kind of parent that stays in bed with my children until they're safely off to dreamland. In truth, my husband and I didn't put any real thought into at all. We simply didn't plan not to be those parents, and the rest just happened. My kids, now ages 3 and 6, have never known a night when they didn't fall asleep next to their parents or grandparents, and if that makes me crazy, well, I'll plead guilty to the charge, and I'll do so happily.
Because guess what? My kids might have a high-maintenance bedtime routine, but they're also well-adjusted, happy, and intelligent, with only the normal levels of parental attachment. In my book, that means our system is working for us.
I don't tell every mom I meet that my husband and I spend hours in our kids' beds every night - sometimes because they're fighting sleep, sometimes because we give into it ourselves. I learned my lesson after the first few times, when I realized that my confession received only two responses: judgment-filled advice on how to stop the practice or a speech about how their own children are such easy sleepers, delivered with a thinly veiled tone of superiority. One mom told me her children were like slow cookers at bedtime: set it and forget it.
Our routine is a little more like preparing a six-course meal. For my 6-year-old daughter, it's a delicious one. After bath, pajamas, and teeth and hair brushing, we pick out books together. Then we snuggle up in her bed, she tells me details about school that she refused to divulge earlier in the day, maybe we watch a music video together on my phone (currently, we're rotating between Meghan Trainor, Taylor Swift, and Michael Jackson), then she reads to me until she gets too tired and asks me to take over.
After a couple of books, it's lights out. Often she's down for the count immediately, but if she's feeling fidgety, she'll ask me to take her on a "cloud journey," a meditation exercise I revived from my decades-old camp counselor days, that involves her relaxing every part of her body, then floating around the world on a cloud. She never makes it past our neighborhood without passing out. After I hear her deep breathing for a few minutes, I might catch up on email while lying next to her, or often, I fall asleep for a half an hour or so, then wake up and move to my own bed.
My 3-year-old son's bedtime process is a little more annoying (what isn't with a 3-year-old?), often involving a dozen books, trips downstairs for bedtime snacks and drinks, blatant lies about not being tired ("look how open my eyes are, Mommy!"), and the making of various forts in his bed, which he rolls around in like a puppy. But the end result is still the same. Eventually, he relaxes, his body gets heavy, I tell him a soothing story, and he falls asleep, leaving me feeling relieved, and honestly, with a sense of accomplishment that I have helped this crazy kid submit to a biologically imperative need.
Witnessing that moment when our children turn from wild, demanding creatures into slumbering, angelic tiny humans, might be why my husband and I keep up our admittedly draining nighttime routine. It's magical, and it's fleeting. There will be a day when they no longer want us in their rooms at all, when they definitely have no interest in spending hours cuddling, reading, and talking with us before bed. So, yes, staying with my kids until they fall asleep is a burden - mostly on my sex life and prime time live TV viewing opportunities - but to me, it's also the biggest blessing.
10 Latin American Beauty Brands You'll Want to Add to Your Vanity
Growing up Latina, there's a good chance that the women in your family taught you the ways of beauty early on, passing on their lists of tried and true products they can't live without and their impressive DIY secrets, and maybe even telling you to replace your favorite drugstore and Sephora buys with brands that they knew and loved back home.
While you may be too attached to your Urban Decay Naked Palette (we don't blame you) to abandon all your usuals cold turkey, we rounded up some favorite Latin American brands that are hands-down worth a try and could easily become your new beauty go-tos. Grandma will be so proud!
- Additional reporting by Alessandra Foresto
I'm That Mom Who Stays With Her Kids Until They Fall Asleep Every Night
I didn't plan to be the kind of parent that stays in bed with my children until they're safely off to dreamland. In truth, my husband and I didn't put any real thought into at all. We simply didn't plan not to be those parents, and the rest just happened. My kids, now ages 3 and 6, have never known a night when they didn't fall asleep next to their parents or grandparents, and if that makes me crazy, well, I'll plead guilty to the charge, and I'll do so happily.
Because guess what? My kids might have a high-maintenance bedtime routine, but they're also well-adjusted, happy, and intelligent, with only the normal levels of parental attachment. In my book, that means our system is working for us.
I don't tell every mom I meet that my husband and I spend hours in our kids' beds every night - sometimes because they're fighting sleep, sometimes because we give into it ourselves. I learned my lesson after the first few times, when I realized that my confession received only two responses: judgment-filled advice on how to stop the practice or a speech about how their own children are such easy sleepers, delivered with a thinly veiled tone of superiority. One mom told me her children were like slow cookers at bedtime: set it and forget it.
Our routine is a little more like preparing a six-course meal. For my 6-year-old daughter, it's a delicious one. After bath, pajamas, and teeth and hair brushing, we pick out books together. Then we snuggle up in her bed, she tells me details about school that she refused to divulge earlier in the day, maybe we watch a music video together on my phone (currently, we're rotating between Meghan Trainor, Taylor Swift, and Michael Jackson), then she reads to me until she gets too tired and asks me to take over.
After a couple of books, it's lights out. Often she's down for the count immediately, but if she's feeling fidgety, she'll ask me to take her on a "cloud journey," a meditation exercise I revived from my decades-old camp counselor days, that involves her relaxing every part of her body, then floating around the world on a cloud. She never makes it past our neighborhood without passing out. After I hear her deep breathing for a few minutes, I might catch up on email while lying next to her, or often, I fall asleep for a half an hour or so, then wake up and move to my own bed.
My 3-year-old son's bedtime process is a little more annoying (what isn't with a 3-year-old?), often involving a dozen books, trips downstairs for bedtime snacks and drinks, blatant lies about not being tired ("look how open my eyes are, Mommy!"), and the making of various forts in his bed, which he rolls around in like a puppy. But the end result is still the same. Eventually, he relaxes, his body gets heavy, I tell him a soothing story, and he falls asleep, leaving me feeling relieved, and honestly, with a sense of accomplishment that I have helped this crazy kid submit to a biologically imperative need.
Witnessing that moment when our children turn from wild, demanding creatures into slumbering, angelic tiny humans, might be why my husband and I keep up our admittedly draining nighttime routine. It's magical, and it's fleeting. There will be a day when they no longer want us in their rooms at all, when they definitely have no interest in spending hours cuddling, reading, and talking with us before bed. So, yes, staying with my kids until they fall asleep is a burden - mostly on my sex life and prime time live TV viewing opportunities - but to me, it's also the biggest blessing.
Vin Diesel Gave a Shout-Out to Paul Walker, and Our Hearts Hurt
Vin Diesel pays tribute to Paul Walker while accepting the 'Fast & Furious' Generation Award: "We hope you're proud." #MTVAwards http://pic.twitter.com/cCxSm3Zrzg
- Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 8, 2017
Vin Diesel accepted the generation award on behalf of his Fast and Furious family at the MTV Movie & TV Awards on Sunday night, and we still can't help but tear up watching him talk about his "brother Pablo." Costars Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, and Tyrese Gibson flanked Diesel on stage as he talked about how 15 years ago, he and Paul Walker accepted the MTV Movie Award for best duo. The team has come a long way, but Walker's absence will always be painful.
Sen. Gillibrand and Rep. Jayapal Offer Insider Tips on How to Run For Office
The onslaught of destructive, antiwoman actions coming from the current White House administration only underscores what we already know: we are in desperate need of more female representation in public office, and we can't wait long for it.
So what can you do to help ensure women's voices are amplified and our rights are defended from inside our government? Glad you asked. If you're passionate about your community and determined to effect real change, you're just the woman we've been waiting for - seriously. Make the choice to be defiantly confident in your own leadership potential, and count yourself in: consider running for office.
If entering the world of politics sounds intimidating, don't let that deter you from taking on the challenge. There are so many fabulous organizations and individuals just waiting in the wings to help your campaign succeed. But don't just take it from us! Check out our conversation below with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from New York, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal from Washington's seventh district, and the team at Emily's List (an organization that helps get pro-choice Democratic women elected) on everything women should know about launching a run for office, from how to handle the unique challenges you'll face on the campaign trail to the resources you'll want to tap into in order to win. And then get out there and run!
9 Stylish American Women Who Married Royals
Imagine meeting your future husband (aka your prince charming) and he actually turns out to be a prince. Well, for these nine lucky women, that was actually the case. Meghan Markle has already got people buzzing about her relationship with Prince Harry, having accompanied him to a wedding in Jamaica wearing a dazzling maxi dress.
People are already speculating whether the couple might get married in the near future. If that were the case, Markle wouldn't be the first American woman to marry into a royal family. In fact, some of the most fashionable non-royals who have married princes are American. From Grace Kelly to Lee Radziwill, have a look back at nine fashionable American women who have style fit for a queen.
10 Latin American Beauty Brands You'll Want to Add to Your Vanity
Growing up Latina, there's a good chance that the women in your family taught you the ways of beauty early on, passing on their lists of tried and true products they can't live without and their impressive DIY secrets, and maybe even telling you to replace your favorite drugstore and Sephora buys with brands that they knew and loved back home.
While you may be too attached to your Urban Decay Naked Palette (we don't blame you) to abandon all your usuals cold turkey, we rounded up some favorite Latin American brands that are hands-down worth a try and could easily become your new beauty go-tos. Grandma will be so proud!
- Additional reporting by Alessandra Foresto
Full House Star Lori Loughlin's $35M Home Will Take Your Breath Away
If Lori Loughlin's Holmby Hills, CA, home looks like it's straight out of the pages of a design magazine, that's because it is. Trulia reports that the Full House star just listed the breathtaking six-bedroom, nine-bath estate that was featured in Elle Decor last year for a whopping $35 million. But one look inside, and it's easy to see how the property can command such a high price.
Lori and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli (he founded and later sold the eponymous Target brand), have a penchant for flipping houses. They've been busy artfully renovating the mansion down to the last painstaking detail since purchasing it for a mere $14 million two years ago.
The sprawling, light-filled home is now equipped with every state-of-the-art update and luxury material imaginable. The master suite has dreamy his and her closets and bathrooms, while the outdoor space includes not just the usual pool and spa combo but also several patios for entertaining and an open-air bar with a massive, mirror-covered island - we've never seen anything like it! For staying in shape, there's a gym, and for staying pampered, there's a private staff room.
We love the Tanners' San Francisco Victorian, but it's hard to deny that this mansion is quite an upgrade. Check it out for yourself ahead.
Why Every Working Woman Needs to Know About Impostor Syndrome
"Impostor phenomenon" may sound like the name of a little-known Tom Clancy novel, but it has become a serious issue among professionals, and it's especially adept at infesting the minds of young women. It can masquerade as low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression, but those are all just manifestations of a phenomenon first observed by psychologists Dr. Pauline R. Clance and Dr. Suzanne Imes in 1978. Also commonly known as "impostor syndrome, the phenomenon occurs when individuals convince themselves that their accomplishments are not due to their own intelligence or hard work. They feel as though their success should be credited to luck or forces beyond their control, and they believe that at any moment, their friends and colleagues will discover them for the fraud they truly are. In short, it's twisted.
I spoke to Dr. Imes and a fellow expert, Dr. Valerie Young (who quite literally wrote the book on it) about the phenomenon, and what - if anything - people can do to overcome their negative feelings.
What Is the Impostor Phenomenon?
The phenomenon can appear in different ways and in many different types of people, but the bottom line is that the individual doesn't feel responsible for her own success. Perhaps she gets a promotion, but she tells herself that it's only because her boss got a promotion and they needed to fill the space - not because she's earned the position. Not only does she feel she doesn't deserve the new gig, but she is also certain that her peers will discover that she doesn't know what she's doing at all.
"There's a cycle that people go through that we see as a superstitious cycle to ensure achievement," said Dr. Imes. "You get very anxious, you fear that you're going to fail, you either work extremely hard or you procrastinate, because you're afraid that you're going to fail, then you work really, really hard, then when you succeed, you feel good for a while, but not for very long. The next thing comes along and then you go through that cycle again."
"It's not just low self-esteem," she continued. "And there are a lot of research studies that show it is a phenomenon - not a syndrome . . . it's not depression, it's not anxiety, but it can have components of all those things in it. It's not a psychological or psychiatric diagnosis."
Are You Affected?
Did the previous paragraph ring any bells? Then you may be experiencing "impostor feelings." Dr. Pauline Rose Clance's test will give you a good idea of if or where you stand on the scale. While Dr. Clance and Dr. Imes's first study was primarily focused on women, psychologists are finding that the phenomenon also occurs in men. In fact, no one is exempt; people from all backgrounds, races, gender identities, and social classes have all reported these feelings. It's not limited to professionals, either. It can strike new parents who feel as though everyone knows how to raise kids but they don't, or students who don't feel worthy to be in a certain class - virtually any time a group is together with a common interest or goal, impostor feelings can strike.
"At first we thought it was more prevalent among women than men, but research has shown since then that men suffer with impostor feelings just as much as women do," said Imes. "It may be for different reasons . . . it's just a speculation but it may be because men are expected to achieve and therefore have fears that they can't achieve at much as they're expected."
Dr. Young pointed out that if you're a minority of any kind in a given situation, you're more prone to the feelings: "Any field - and certainly science, technology, engineering, or math - where there is a a distinct minority of women or any group. It could also be people of color. A sense of belonging fosters confidence, so when you walk into a conference or a meeting room, to the executive level in an organization, the more people that look like you, the more confident you feel."
How to Combat the Feelings
There's no cut-and-dry solution to impostor feelings, but both Dr. Imes and Dr. Young had the same suggestion when it came to combating the feelings: vocalize them. "When people can start to talk about it, they can start to say, 'Oh, I'm not alone with this, this is not a strange feeling for me to have,'" Dr. Imes said.
"[There are] three core things that I tell people," said Dr. Young. "The first thing is to normalize impostor feelings. Normalize is different than just talking about it. Just talking about it is often very confessional. There's still shame attached to it. Normalizing it is treating it in a matter-of-fact, off-the-cuff kind of way . . . It's about taking the shame out of it. What people want is to feel comfortable 24/7 . . . That's not how confidence works, and if you think that's how it works, you're always going to feel shame."
"The second thing is to reframe. You have to reframe three things: competence, failure, and fear. For example, a woman told me she had been asked at the last minute to put together a presentation because the person who was supposed to do it couldn't do it. So she did, and everyone thought it was fabulous, she got a lot of kudos. She said, 'All I kept thinking was that that was just a bunch of bullsh*t that I threw together at the last minute.' She dismissed it. The reframe is: 'Wow, how good am I that I can pull together information at the eleventh hour that people genuinely find useful.' That's how a non-impostor would look at it. When a thought goes through your head, stop and go, 'If I could call in the scriptwriters and get someone else to play me, what would they say to themselves?'"
"Number three is to keep going regardless of how you feel. Keep going regardless of whether you're the only African-American woman in the room."
Will the Feelings Ever Go Away Completely?
"I think it can become a background issue," said Imes. "You can begin to remedy some of the anxiety and fear that you go through and some of that stress by saying, 'OK, I did fine last time, I don't have to go through all this trauma to succeed, and I'll probably be fine.'"
"Be very honest with yourself about what your abilities are, what your strengths are, what your weaknesses are, and accept that 'I am not good at everything.' Because a lot of high achievers think they're supposed to be good at everything."
The reality is that no one is good at everything, and the sooner we stop beating ourselves up, the better.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Share a Sweet Kiss After His Polo Match
Meghan Markle basically turned into the heart eyes emoji on Saturday, and it's all thanks to Prince Harry. The Suits actress and activist traveled to the Cowarth Polo Club in Ascot, England, over the weekend to watch her boyfriend of over six months compete in the Audi Polo Challenge, where she couldn't help but flash a huge smile. It marks the first time that Harry (who looked equally smitten, by the way) and Meghan attended a public event together.
The polo match raised money for Harry's charities, Sentebale and WellChild, and boasted A-list guests like Harry's former classmate Eddie Redmayne, Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell, and The Crown actor Matt Smith (who coincidentally plays Harry's grandfather Prince Philip in the Netflix drama). While Meghan cheered Harry on from the stands, she bonded with Mark Dyer, a former Welsh Guards officer and close friend of Harry who helped set up his Sentebale charity. Harry and Meghan then shared a sweet kiss by their car after the match.
Meghan and Harry have been jetting all over the world to be with one another over the last few months, including trips to Canada (where Meghan films Suits) and to Jamaica to celebrate a friend's wedding. The pair will be wedding dates once again in just a few weeks, when they they attend Pippa Middleton's high-profile nuptials. Kate Middleton's sister reportedly has a "no ring, no bring" policy for her ceremony, so Meghan will join Harry at the reception later on that night.
The ColourPop x Sonya Esman Collection Is Here - With Completely New Products
Our drawers are already jammed full of highly pigmented, beautifully packaged, affordable ColourPop products. Just when we swore we wouldn't spend another dime on makeup, ColourPop announced their collaboration with blogger Sonya Esman would include two completely new products.
The ColourPop x Sonya Esman collaboration includes three products that are perfect for sexy, smoldering, Summertime looks. The Gemini by Night Pressed Powder Shadow Palette ($18) contains four brown and red hues in a variety of finishes, allowing the user to get multiple looks in one palette.
If that wasn't enough to get excited about, the Perks of Being a Wildflower Mini Stix To Go ($18) set includes the Lippie Primer and introduces the new Multi Stix, which have a matte, easy-to-blend formula that can be used on eyes, lips, or cheeks. The last product in the collection is the Here Comes the Sun Super Shock Face Duo ($16), which has the perfect face powders for a fresh Summer look: a coral blush called Matryoshka and a champagne highlighter in Summer Bonfire.
We're not surprised that an influencer as effortlessly cool as Sonya Esman created such a wearable, versatile line of products, and we're so glad she did. Read on to see the hot collection.
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