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.
mercredi 10 mai 2017
Rob & Big's Christopher "Big Black" Boykin Was Hospitalized For Heart Issues Before His Death
This post has been updated with new information.
Christopher "Big Black" Boykin passed away at age 45 on Tuesday, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed. While Christopher's cause of death has yet to be officially revealed, TMZ reported on Wednesday that the star of MTV's Rob & Big was dealing with heart issues prior to his death. According to Christopher's ex-wife, Shannon Turley, Christopher was hospitalized in Plano, TX for several days while doctors monitored his heart, and already had a defibrillator implanted in his chest. Doctors tried to resuscitate him for 30 minutes when his heart gave out on Tuesday, and he died at 4 PM. Chris was not on the transplant list yet, but doctors said he was headed in that direction. Christopher is survived by his 9-year-old daughter Isis, whom he shares with Shannon.
This is Shannon, Big Black's ex-wife, I'm heartbroken to tell you of Black's passing. He's everything to me and Isis and we will miss him 💔😢
- Big Black (@BigBlack) May 10, 2017
Big Black is best known for his role in the MTV series and as Rob Dyrdek's bodyguard and close friend. His former costar, Chanel West Coast, confirmed the news Twitter moments after, writing, "RIP @BigBlack. My heart is crushed. I'll remember all the times you made me laugh and my prayers go out to your family." Rob also paid tribute to him in a beautiful way on social media shortly after, posting a series of photos of the pair along with a touching note. Our thoughts are with Christopher and his family.
RIP @BigBlack. My heart is crushed. I'll remember all the times you made me laugh and my prayers go out to your family ❤️🙏🏼😢
- Chanel (@chanelwestcoast) May 10, 2017
This Is the Beautifully Boozy Ice Cream You're Seeing All Over Instagram
It's official. New York has all the best food and drink spots. If the Do cookie dough shop didn't convince you sweets-lovers out there, let me introduce you to Tipsy Scoop. The boozy ice cream brand has been operating solely through the internet until this year. But now, its first-ever storefront is open in downtown New York.
Each flavor Tipsy Scoop offers - obviously - includes alcohol, which means you can't order it without proper ID. Fear not, though, youngins! The shop also offers virgin varieties so the whole family can enjoy their ice cream together. You can get your scoops in a standard bowl or in a cone bowl. Ice cream sandwiches and cakes are also an option, but the real star right now is the seasonal flavor of the month. Tipsy Scoop plans to partner with a new liquor provider every month to create a timely and delicious offering. This month, the shop teamed up with Patron to offer a margarita and sangria treat in a churro bowl. Yes, that is two of our favorite drinks housed inside a bowl made out of quite possibly the most delicious snack.
What's great about Tipsy Scoop is that the alcohol isn't overwhelming, because there's only about five percent ABV of it. A tease of it, if you will. You'll get a hint of the taste here and there, but you aren't hit in the face with the powerful taste of it anywhere. Instead, the alcohol perfectly pairs with the ice cream flavor it's with to provide the ultimate cocktail-inspired treat. A couple of my favorites that I tried included the Raspberry Limoncello, which was so refreshing and light, and the Spiked Mint Chocolate Chip, which was oh so creamy.
Scroll through for a few pictures of what Tipsy Scoop has on offer, and if you're in New York, check the shop out on 26th Street between Second and Third avenues. If you aren't in New York, good news - Tipsy Scoop ships anywhere in the US.
This Is the Beautifully Boozy Ice Cream You're Seeing All Over Instagram
It's official. New York has all the best food and drink spots. If the Do cookie dough shop didn't convince you sweets-lovers out there, let me introduce you to Tipsy Scoop. The boozy ice cream brand has been operating solely through the internet until this year. But now, its first-ever storefront is open in downtown New York.
Each flavor Tipsy Scoop offers - obviously - includes alcohol, which means you can't order it without proper ID. Fear not, though, youngins! The shop also offers virgin varieties so the whole family can enjoy their ice cream together. You can get your scoops in a standard bowl or in a cone bowl. Ice cream sandwiches and cakes are also an option, but the real star right now is the seasonal flavor of the month. Tipsy Scoop plans to partner with a new liquor provider every month to create a timely and delicious offering. This month, the shop teamed up with Patron to offer a margarita and sangria treat in a churro bowl. Yes, that is two of our favorite drinks housed inside a bowl made out of quite possibly the most delicious snack.
What's great about Tipsy Scoop is that the alcohol isn't overwhelming, because there's only about five percent ABV of it. A tease of it, if you will. You'll get a hint of the taste here and there, but you aren't hit in the face with the powerful taste of it anywhere. Instead, the alcohol perfectly pairs with the ice cream flavor it's with to provide the ultimate cocktail-inspired treat. A couple of my favorites that I tried included the Raspberry Limoncello, which was so refreshing and light, and the Spiked Mint Chocolate Chip, which was oh so creamy.
Scroll through for a few pictures of what Tipsy Scoop has on offer, and if you're in New York, check the shop out on 26th Street between Second and Third avenues. If you aren't in New York, good news - Tipsy Scoop ships anywhere in the US.
Cole and Dylan Sprouse Still Have a "Suite" Sibling Bond After All These Years
You're probably pretty familiar with Cole and Dylan Sprouse if you grew up in the '90s. The 24-year-old twins started acting when they were only 8 months old and haven't stopped since. They got their big break playing Ross Gellar's son Ben on Friends and the adorable Julian in Adam Sandler's Big Daddy, but gained a huge following with their Disney Channel show The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and its spinoff series The Suite Life on Deck. Even though they took some time off to attend NYU, Cole has recently returned to acting with his role as Jughead on Riverdale. They might not share the screen together anymore, but their sibling bond is still as sweet as ever.
41 Photos of Shakira and Gerard Piqué Proving They Are a Match Made in Heaven
Shakira and Gerard Piqué were destined to be together. The two are head over heels for each other, but that's not all. The couple shares a birthday 10 years apart, have two little ones, and are extraordinarily charitable people, making them a match made in heaven.
Gerard is a hottie with a body, and don't get me started on Shakira. Just take a moment to think about her belly dancing skills. We'll wait! Back? OK, time to look at the best photos of the hot couple. Keep scrolling to see these two lovebirds in action.
What Is the Secret to Goldie and Kurt's Romance? "Family, Fun, Laughs, and Sex"
Goldie Hawn is an open book when it comes to her 34-year-long romance with Kurt Russell. During an interview with People, the Snatched actress opened up about her instant connection with him on the set of their 1984 romantic war drama, Swing Shift. "He was so good-looking, but he had no pretense about him. I could tell right away he wasn't a womanizer," she said. At the time, Kurt had just finalized his divorce from Season Hubley and was already a father to his son, Boston, while Goldie had two kids, Oliver and Kate, from her previous marriage to Bill Hudson, but it didn't take long for their friendship to develop into something more. "What really got me was when I watched my kids when they'd come to the set and how he was with them," she added. "He was amazing with them. He was such a natural."
Even though the two have never officially tied the knot, they're still one of Hollywood's strongest couples, which Goldie credits to family, fun, laughs, and sex. "If you don't nurture that, and remember, you're done." Of course, she isn't naive to the challenges of monogamy either. "I'm sure I've been party to it, and Kurt's been - we're all normal this way," she admitted. "Would you want a man who doesn't look? Who doesn't feel inspired by the beauty or the curves of a woman's body? Or the way she is? I mean, come on. We're human beings. There is, I guess, an elasticity to the relationship. Otherwise it's going to break, just like a rubber band."
And the two are constantly growing in their relationship. After all these years, Goldie admitted that Kurt still surprises her, most recently at their joint Walk of Fame ceremony. "It turned out to be a love fest," she said. "The last thing he said was, 'I'll always cherish you.' I didn't expect him to say those things. I had no idea he was going to be so beautiful."
41 Photos of Shakira and Gerard Piqué Proving They Are a Match Made in Heaven
Shakira and Gerard Piqué were destined to be together. The two are head over heels for each other, but that's not all. The couple shares a birthday 10 years apart, have two little ones, and are extraordinarily charitable people, making them a match made in heaven.
Gerard is a hottie with a body, and don't get me started on Shakira. Just take a moment to think about her belly dancing skills. We'll wait! Back? OK, time to look at the best photos of the hot couple. Keep scrolling to see these two lovebirds in action.
Cole and Dylan Sprouse Still Have a "Suite" Sibling Bond After All These Years
You're probably pretty familiar with Cole and Dylan Sprouse if you grew up in the '90s. The 24-year-old twins started acting when they were only 8 months old and haven't stopped since. They got their big break playing Ross Gellar's son Ben on Friends and the adorable Julian in Adam Sandler's Big Daddy, but gained a huge following with their Disney Channel show The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and its spinoff series The Suite Life on Deck. Even though they took some time off to attend NYU, Cole has recently returned to acting with his role as Jughead on Riverdale. They might not share the screen together anymore, but their sibling bond is still as sweet as ever.
Believe the Hype: Glossier's New SPF Is Seriously Amazing
Glossier has achieved what I had believed to be impossible: created excitement around wearing sunscreen.
SPF has traditionally been a less-than-fun product to wear. It's typically greasy (making it a challenging base for makeup), chalky (not ideal for women of color), and all around dissatisfying to use. And because of these characteristics - and despite the horrifying risks of skin cancer - many women have opted to skip applying it for years. I am one of those women, and I feel guilt every single morning because of it.
But now, I have absolutely no excuses. That's because after a great deal of speculation from its fans, Glossier released its very first SPF, Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen+ ($34). Just like the rest of the items in the millennial beauty brand's lineup, it was carefully developed - over the course of two years! - and its launch painstakingly planned, resulting in hype from fans around the world even though it's only available in the states. I've been watching redditors on the /r/SkincareAddiction subreddit posting about it for a while, getting excited about the product's prospects and theorizing about the formula. It seems to me that most will be deeply satisfied by Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen+, as I am.
Its purpose is two-fold. It features broad spectrum SPF 35 protection with chemical sunscreens to provide defense from UVA/UVB rays. However, it's also loaded with tons of antioxidants, including vitamin E, vitamin P (flavonoids), broccoli, and aloe leaf extracts to shield your skin from free radicals and pollution.
The benefits are obviously stellar, but it's the formula itself that makes it stand out. It's a completely clear gel that feels silky upon application but absorbs practically immediately, leaving no residue or tint behind. This is great news for women with deeper complexions – no chalkiness to speak of, here! Bonus: that same silky texture lends itself beautifully to layering makeup on top.
As a packaging junkie, I'm also really pleased by the container Glossier chose for Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen+. It's a lightweight tube with an airless pump with a completely opaque exterior, so no external factors like air, sunlight, or bacteria can get inside and spoil the formula.
If you are looking for a completely odorless SPF, this formula is not it. Invisible Shield has a subtle citrus aroma that fades as quickly as the product dries, leaving behind a classic (albeit light) sunscreen smell. It's also a little on the pricey side, however, its texture and feel are so satisfying that I doubt its scent will keep you from buying it. I personally plan on using this Glossier launch all Summer long and hope that a full-body formula is in the works!
You can buy Glossier Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen+ ($34) now on Glossier's website.
The Unexpected Thing This Mom's Toddler Said While Trying on Bikinis
More often than not, we're impressed by what our kids pick up from us and the entertainment they consume - words, phrases, mannerisms. After an afternoon at the mall with her daughter, Brittney Johnson realized just how much her girl is picking up from her. In Starbucks, at dinner, and after riding the carousel, Johnson's little girl exhibited her best manners and proved to be a truly kind little girl, but it wasn't until the pair were in a dressing room at Target trying on bikinis that she really discovered how important it is to set a good example for our monkey-see, monkey-do kids.
"We walked into Target and she helped me pick out a few swimsuits. We picked out 11. Yeah. ELEVEN. Walked into the dressing room and she sat down her baby and started unhooking the swimsuits from the hangers and yelling 'I can see your butt!' for the whole dressing room to hear," Johnson wrote in a post to Facebook detailing the duo's mall trip. "And then I put on a suit, and then a second one, and a third one. I snapped pictures of them to send to my girlfriends and say 'yes or no?!' because girls are wired weird and that's just what we do. And then I snapped this one."
The photo, which she shared along with the post, features Johnson in a coral bikini and her daughter in the bottom corner with half her dress on and the top of a leopard-print bikini.
"I stopped for a second to see what she would say and when she turned to the mirror, she said, 'Wow I just love cheetah print! I think I look beautiful! Do you think I look beautiful too?!' . . . when it hit me that she only says what she hears. What she sees. I tell her that she is beautiful every single day. She is kind walking through the mall, because I tell her she is kind everywhere else. She is polite at the order counter because she hears me when I'm polite to strangers everywhere. She gives compliments to people she doesn't know because she loves how it feels when she hears them. And when we are in a dressing room, with swimsuits of all God forsaken things, there is a split moment when I have the power to say 'Wow I have really gotten fat this year' OR 'Wow I love this coral color on me!' And those are the words burned into my daughter's brain."
Johnson continues her revelation with a message for everybody, especially other parents: "When it comes to manners, be an example. When it comes to kindness, be an example. And when it comes to body image, be an example."
She added, "I am not a size zero. I never will be. . . . But this body made a whole other body. I am strong. I am able. And I am happy. I don't have to be beautiful like you, because I am beautiful like me. And as my daughter gets older, and she faces judgment and criticism, I will always remind her that the girls who look the prettiest in a two piece, or a body suit, or a freaking Snuggie, are the ones who are happy. Because that's ALL that matters. And I want her to look at herself every single day and say 'Oh wow! I think I look beautiful!' because EVERY girl deserves to feel that."
Nicki Minaj and Nas Spark Dating Rumors With Cuddly Instagram Snap
- More details on their recent night out - Us Weekly
- Here's what Taylor Swift has been up to - Lainey Gossip
- Actor Michael Parks dies at 77 - HuffPost Celebrity
- Kelly Clarkson may be returning to American Idol - Dlisted
- Miley Cyrus will be debuting new music at the Billboard Music Awards - JustJared
- Ariel Winter gets festive on Snapchat - Hollywood Tuna
- Are Lana Del Rey and G-Eazy dating? - The Superficial
The Unexpected Thing This Mom's Toddler Said While Trying on Bikinis
More often than not, we're impressed by what our kids pick up from us and the entertainment they consume - words, phrases, mannerisms. After an afternoon at the mall with her daughter, Brittney Johnson realized just how much her girl is picking up from her. In Starbucks, at dinner, and after riding the carousel, Johnson's little girl exhibited her best manners and proved to be a truly kind little girl, but it wasn't until the pair were in a dressing room at Target trying on bikinis that she really discovered how important it is to set a good example for our monkey-see, monkey-do kids.
"We walked into Target and she helped me pick out a few swimsuits. We picked out 11. Yeah. ELEVEN. Walked into the dressing room and she sat down her baby and started unhooking the swimsuits from the hangers and yelling 'I can see your butt!' for the whole dressing room to hear," Johnson wrote in a post to Facebook detailing the duo's mall trip. "And then I put on a suit, and then a second one, and a third one. I snapped pictures of them to send to my girlfriends and say 'yes or no?!' because girls are wired weird and that's just what we do. And then I snapped this one."
The photo, which she shared along with the post, features Johnson in a coral bikini and her daughter in the bottom corner with half her dress on and the top of a leopard-print bikini.
"I stopped for a second to see what she would say and when she turned to the mirror, she said, 'Wow I just love cheetah print! I think I look beautiful! Do you think I look beautiful too?!' . . . when it hit me that she only says what she hears. What she sees. I tell her that she is beautiful every single day. She is kind walking through the mall, because I tell her she is kind everywhere else. She is polite at the order counter because she hears me when I'm polite to strangers everywhere. She gives compliments to people she doesn't know because she loves how it feels when she hears them. And when we are in a dressing room, with swimsuits of all God forsaken things, there is a split moment when I have the power to say 'Wow I have really gotten fat this year' OR 'Wow I love this coral color on me!' And those are the words burned into my daughter's brain."
Johnson continues her revelation with a message for everybody, especially other parents: "When it comes to manners, be an example. When it comes to kindness, be an example. And when it comes to body image, be an example."
She added, "I am not a size zero. I never will be. . . . But this body made a whole other body. I am strong. I am able. And I am happy. I don't have to be beautiful like you, because I am beautiful like me. And as my daughter gets older, and she faces judgment and criticism, I will always remind her that the girls who look the prettiest in a two piece, or a body suit, or a freaking Snuggie, are the ones who are happy. Because that's ALL that matters. And I want her to look at herself every single day and say 'Oh wow! I think I look beautiful!' because EVERY girl deserves to feel that."
This Pearlescent Hair Trend Will Make You Shout "Mother of Pearl!"
These days, pearls aren't just for engagement rings - they're also for inspiring majorly gorgeous beauty looks! Pearl hair has taken over Instagram and dominated Pinterest hairspiration boards, capturing hearts of beauty babes aiming for an under-the-sea hair hue.
The defining characteristics of this color trend are a supershiny pearlescent effect and cool, multidimensional blond tones, but otherwise the fad is very much up to individual interpretation. Just like pearls themselves range in color, this look ranges from platinum, silvery blonds with a pearly sheen to mother-of-pearl rainbow hues . . . and just like highly prized gems themselves, the color trend is friggin' beautiful.
Kate Reid, renowned colorist and design director for Kevin Murphy's Color.Me, told POPSUGAR that the journey to achieving truly pearlescent hair is not a quick one. "It's a slow process to create pearliest hair well," said Reid. "It's a long-term commitment to have this color, not a quick fix." In order to achieve the trend, Reid suggests bringing your stylist photos of the shades that appeal to you and discussing the process.
"Treat your hair like a silk dress, always handling it delicately."
Because pearl hair requires megalight blond hair without any warmth, walking away from the salon with your ideal pearlescent shade after a single visit isn't likely for most people - but according to Reid, clients should be able to work with colorists to create a maintenance program specifically designed for your hair's needs to maintain and brighten your color. She also says that healthy, well-conditioned hair is a necessity when going pearly. "It reflects light better and creates luminous shine," Reid noted.
And according to Reid, at-home maintenance is just as important as the salon service itself. "Treat your hair like a silk dress, always handling it delicately and following the care steps recommended by the hairdresser," she advised, suggesting a purple color-enhancing shampoo like Kevin Murphy's Blonde Angel to prevent any warmth from appearing in pearl hair. Reid also advised using heat protection when styling, as heat can damage strands and fade color.
So, who can pull off this hair hue? According to the following photos from real Instagram users, just about anybody! Pearl hair especially complements cooler skin tones, observes Reid, but because the hair trend is so varied, it can be executed in a wide range of ways. Read on to see several stunning iterations of pearl hair, then head to your colorist stat to get started on the process.
This Pearlescent Hair Trend Will Make You Shout "Mother of Pearl!"
These days, pearls aren't just for engagement rings - they're also for inspiring majorly gorgeous beauty looks! Pearl hair has taken over Instagram and dominated Pinterest hairspiration boards, capturing hearts of beauty babes aiming for an under-the-sea hair hue.
The defining characteristics of this color trend are a supershiny pearlescent effect and cool, multidimensional blond tones, but otherwise the fad is very much up to individual interpretation. Just like pearls themselves range in color, this look ranges from platinum, silvery blonds with a pearly sheen to mother-of-pearl rainbow hues . . . and just like highly prized gems themselves, the color trend is friggin' beautiful.
Kate Reid, renowned colorist and design director for Kevin Murphy's Color.Me, told POPSUGAR that the journey to achieving truly pearlescent hair is not a quick one. "It's a slow process to create pearliest hair well," said Reid. "It's a long-term commitment to have this color, not a quick fix." In order to achieve the trend, Reid suggests bringing your stylist photos of the shades that appeal to you and discussing the process.
"Treat your hair like a silk dress, always handling it delicately."
Because pearl hair requires megalight blond hair without any warmth, walking away from the salon with your ideal pearlescent shade after a single visit isn't likely for most people - but according to Reid, clients should be able to work with colorists to create a maintenance program specifically designed for your hair's needs to maintain and brighten your color. She also says that healthy, well-conditioned hair is a necessity when going pearly. "It reflects light better and creates luminous shine," Reid noted.
And according to Reid, at-home maintenance is just as important as the salon service itself. "Treat your hair like a silk dress, always handling it delicately and following the care steps recommended by the hairdresser," she advised, suggesting a purple color-enhancing shampoo like Kevin Murphy's Blonde Angel to prevent any warmth from appearing in pearl hair. Reid also advised using heat protection when styling, as heat can damage strands and fade color.
So, who can pull off this hair hue? According to the following photos from real Instagram users, just about anybody! Pearl hair especially complements cooler skin tones, observes Reid, but because the hair trend is so varied, it can be executed in a wide range of ways. Read on to see several stunning iterations of pearl hair, then head to your colorist stat to get started on the process.
Nicki Minaj and Nas Spark Dating Rumors With Cuddly Instagram Snap
- More details on their recent night out - Us Weekly
- Here's what Taylor Swift has been up to - Lainey Gossip
- Actor Michael Parks dies at 77 - HuffPost Celebrity
- Kelly Clarkson may be returning to American Idol - Dlisted
- Miley Cyrus will be debuting new music at the Billboard Music Awards - JustJared
- Ariel Winter gets festive on Snapchat - Hollywood Tuna
- Are Lana Del Rey and G-Eazy dating? - The Superficial
Kendall Jenner's Taken the '80s Trend Way Further Than Fishnets
There is perhaps no supermodel more on board with an '80s throwback look than Kendall Jenner. Kendall has certainly been keeping track of the runways, and while she could still be rocking flannels and chokers in '90s fashion, Kendall has moved on (or backwards, we should say), pairing fishnet tights with fanny packs and investing in loose denim that bunches at the waist and tapers at the ankle.
Kendall's sunglasses are small and rectangular shaped and her blazers and coats have exaggerated shoulders. A scroll through her latest round of looks won't just convince you Kendall's taken a trip back in time; it will encourage you to do the same. Once you're feeling inspired by her style moves, shop a bunch of '80s pieces available now - believe us, there are plenty.
1 Scene in Alien: Covenant Will Change How You See Michael Fassbender
When it comes to a film like Alien: Covenant, you can count on a few things. First, there will be blood, guts, and terrifying alien monsters bursting out of human bodies. (In fact, you can tell that much just from the film's trailers and the other miscellaneous details we've gotten about the film in the past couple of months.) Second, you can guess that that there's going to be a bleak and twisted ending. But the one thing you might not predict is an awkward kiss, let alone an awkward kiss between Michael Fassbender . . . and Michael Fassbender.
Yes, you read that right. In Covenant, Fassbender reprises his role as David, the almost-too-human artificially intelligent being we first meet in Prometheus. He also plays Walter, a new and improved version of David with the exact same likeness but an entirely different personality. Interestingly enough, Walter and David are so opposite, they almost represent the opposite ends of good and evil spectrum. David reviles human beings and thinks they need to be destroyed. Walter swears by his duty to the crew of the Covenant, and will do anything to protect them. This leads to some pretty interesting scenes between the two androids, but the weird part is the strange, almost sexual tension between them.
Warning: Spoilers follow.
The first time they're alone, David shows Walter how to play the recorder flute. This involves a very intimate lesson in which David says he'll help Walter with the "fingering." Walter puts his hands on David's and guides him through a little, too. It's very Patrick Swayze helping Demi Moore make pottery in Ghost. But in their last scene together, David realizes Walter is not on board with his plan to kill all the humans and decides to kill him. Right before David kills Walter, he plants a very sensual kiss on Walter's lips and stabs him in the neck.
Anyway, that's it. It's a very strange, almost out-of-place moment, and it's very disorienting. But hey, David is a maniac. It makes sense a little bit, too. Here's hoping Michael Fassbender and Michael Fassbender win best kiss at next year's MTV Movie and TV Awards, right?
7 Times Trump Proved He Knows Nothing About History
During an interview with SiriusXM, President Donald Trump demonstrated, once again, that he lacks a basic understanding of American history by suggesting former President Andrew Jackson could've stopped the Civil War had he been the president at the time.
"I mean, had Andrew Jackson been a little later, you wouldn't have had the Civil War. He was a very tough person, but he had a big heart," Trump claimed. "And he was really angry that . . . he saw what was happening with regard to the Civil War. He said, 'There's no reason for this.'"
Trump followed with another bizarre assertion. "People don't realize, you know, the Civil War - if you think about it, why," Trump wondered. "People don't ask that question, but why was there the Civil War? Why could that one not have been worked out?"
There's only one problem with Trump's postulation: Jackson died a decade before the Civil War started, so he couldn't have had an opinion on the crisis. Perhaps even less shocking than Trump's erroneous contention about Jackson is Trump's constant and consistent misunderstanding of history. Prepare to shake your head at six other times Trump proved he knows very little about the country he is supposed to run, nor much about countries he is supposed to liaise with.
1. When he seemed to think Frederick Douglass was alive.
During Trump's speech honoring Black History Month on Feb. 1, he suggested that the abolitionist was still alive. Trump described Douglass as "someone who has done a terrific job that is being recognized by more and more people." His comments were ridiculed across social media.
2. When he appeared to forget that Richard Nixon resigned because he broke the law.
In an interview on April 2 with The Washington Post's Bob Woodward, who broke the Watergate story that lead to Nixon's impeachment, Trump implied that Nixon failed because of his personality. Woodward asked Trump why he thought Lincoln succeeded and Nixon didn't. Trump blamed Nixon's temperament.
"Nixon failed, I think to a certain extent, because of his personality," Trump told Woodward. "It was just that personality. Very severe, very exclusive. In other words, people couldn't come in. And people didn't like him. I mean, people didn't like him."
Given that Woodward published the story which lead to Nixon's resignation, Trump's error is fairly astounding - and Woodward had to remind Trump that Nixon was a criminal. "And he broke the law," Woodward added.
Trump's response is hesitant, but he acknowledged Nixon's crimes. "And he broke the law, yeah. Yeah. He broke the law. Whether that's insecurity . . ." said Trump.
3. When he didn't realize that the Republican party used to be called "The Party of Lincoln."
At a rally in Louisville, KY, on March 20, Trump apparently did not realize the Republican party is often referred to as Lincoln's party. "Great president. Most people don't even know he was a Republican," Trump said. "Does anyone know? Lot of people don't know that."
4. When he confused North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with his grandfather, Kim Jong Il.
While being interviewed on Fox & Friends about North Korean aggression on April 18, Trump conflated current leader Kim Jong Un with his predecessor and grandfather Kim Jong Il.
"They've been talking with this gentleman for a long time," Trump said of America's dialogue with North Korea. "You read Clinton's book, he said, 'Oh, we made such a great peace deal,' and it was a joke." Later, Trump continued to assert his misunderstanding. "Everybody has been outplayed, they've all been outplayed by this gentleman, and we'll see what happens," Trump added with reference to Obama's negotiations.
Trump was evidently unaware that Kim Jong Un has only been in power since 2011 - after the death of his grandfather. So, both Clinton and Obama have deliberated with both leaders - not just one "gentleman" as Trump insinuates.
5. When he said that North Korea used to be a part of China.
Following Trump's meeting with the President of China Xi Jinping, Trump revealed yet another misunderstanding of global history on April 12. Describing his meeting with Xi and their discussion of North Korea, Trump asserted that North Korea was once a part of China. Not only was he wrong, Trump implied that Xi delivered this information. Koreans were outraged by Trump's comments.
6. When the administration failed to mention Jews specifically in its statement for Holocaust Memorial Day
On January 27, Holocaust Remembrance Day, the White House released a particularly tone-deaf statement. While it acknowledged "the victims, survivors, heroes" of the Holocaust, the White House's release did not specifically recognize the six million Jews who died. Many Americans took the administration's omission as an act of anti-Semitism.
Kendall Jenner's Taken the '80s Trend Way Further Than Fishnets
There is perhaps no supermodel more on board with an '80s throwback look than Kendall Jenner. Kendall has certainly been keeping track of the runways, and while she could still be rocking flannels and chokers in '90s fashion, Kendall has moved on (or backwards, we should say), pairing fishnet tights with fanny packs and investing in loose denim that bunches at the waist and tapers at the ankle.
Kendall's sunglasses are small and rectangular shaped and her blazers and coats have exaggerated shoulders. A scroll through her latest round of looks won't just convince you Kendall's taken a trip back in time; it will encourage you to do the same. Once you're feeling inspired by her style moves, shop a bunch of '80s pieces available now - believe us, there are plenty.
7 Times Trump Proved He Knows Nothing About History
During an interview with SiriusXM, President Donald Trump demonstrated, once again, that he lacks a basic understanding of American history by suggesting former President Andrew Jackson could've stopped the Civil War had he been the president at the time.
"I mean, had Andrew Jackson been a little later, you wouldn't have had the Civil War. He was a very tough person, but he had a big heart," Trump claimed. "And he was really angry that . . . he saw what was happening with regard to the Civil War. He said, 'There's no reason for this.'"
Trump followed with another bizarre assertion. "People don't realize, you know, the Civil War - if you think about it, why," Trump wondered. "People don't ask that question, but why was there the Civil War? Why could that one not have been worked out?"
There's only one problem with Trump's postulation: Jackson died a decade before the Civil War started, so he couldn't have had an opinion on the crisis. Perhaps even less shocking than Trump's erroneous contention about Jackson is Trump's constant and consistent misunderstanding of history. Prepare to shake your head at six other times Trump proved he knows very little about the country he is supposed to run, nor much about countries he is supposed to liaise with.
1. When he seemed to think Frederick Douglass was alive.
During Trump's speech honoring Black History Month on Feb. 1, he suggested that the abolitionist was still alive. Trump described Douglass as "someone who has done a terrific job that is being recognized by more and more people." His comments were ridiculed across social media.
2. When he appeared to forget that Richard Nixon resigned because he broke the law.
In an interview on April 2 with The Washington Post's Bob Woodward, who broke the Watergate story that lead to Nixon's impeachment, Trump implied that Nixon failed because of his personality. Woodward asked Trump why he thought Lincoln succeeded and Nixon didn't. Trump blamed Nixon's temperament.
"Nixon failed, I think to a certain extent, because of his personality," Trump told Woodward. "It was just that personality. Very severe, very exclusive. In other words, people couldn't come in. And people didn't like him. I mean, people didn't like him."
Given that Woodward published the story which lead to Nixon's resignation, Trump's error is fairly astounding - and Woodward had to remind Trump that Nixon was a criminal. "And he broke the law," Woodward added.
Trump's response is hesitant, but he acknowledged Nixon's crimes. "And he broke the law, yeah. Yeah. He broke the law. Whether that's insecurity . . ." said Trump.
3. When he didn't realize that the Republican party used to be called "The Party of Lincoln."
At a rally in Louisville, KY, on March 20, Trump apparently did not realize the Republican party is often referred to as Lincoln's party. "Great president. Most people don't even know he was a Republican," Trump said. "Does anyone know? Lot of people don't know that."
4. When he confused North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with his grandfather, Kim Jong Il.
While being interviewed on Fox & Friends about North Korean aggression on April 18, Trump conflated current leader Kim Jong Un with his predecessor and grandfather Kim Jong Il.
"They've been talking with this gentleman for a long time," Trump said of America's dialogue with North Korea. "You read Clinton's book, he said, 'Oh, we made such a great peace deal,' and it was a joke." Later, Trump continued to assert his misunderstanding. "Everybody has been outplayed, they've all been outplayed by this gentleman, and we'll see what happens," Trump added with reference to Obama's negotiations.
Trump was evidently unaware that Kim Jong Un has only been in power since 2011 - after the death of his grandfather. So, both Clinton and Obama have deliberated with both leaders - not just one "gentleman" as Trump insinuates.
5. When he said that North Korea used to be a part of China.
Following Trump's meeting with the President of China Xi Jinping, Trump revealed yet another misunderstanding of global history on April 12. Describing his meeting with Xi and their discussion of North Korea, Trump asserted that North Korea was once a part of China. Not only was he wrong, Trump implied that Xi delivered this information. Koreans were outraged by Trump's comments.
6. When the administration failed to mention Jews specifically in its statement for Holocaust Memorial Day
On January 27, Holocaust Remembrance Day, the White House released a particularly tone-deaf statement. While it acknowledged "the victims, survivors, heroes" of the Holocaust, the White House's release did not specifically recognize the six million Jews who died. Many Americans took the administration's omission as an act of anti-Semitism.
We Found the Most Outrageous Sneakers on the Internet
When I first laid eyes on Margiela's Future Destroyed High-Tops, I immediately murmured, "What the . . . ?!" I mean, these sneakers look like they've been through the garbage disposal once or, I don't know, 12 times. They've been pulled apart, poked and prodded at, and the leather has been shaved away. But don't worry, because these guys have been resecured with plenty o' staples. Do you know what else has been slapped onto these shoes? A whopping $1,425 price tag. NBD.
But here's the thing: just as the current Met Gala exhibit - which focuses on Rei Kawakubo's extremely avant-garde pieces pieces for Comme des Garcons - has spotlighted the topic of fashion as art, some might consider these shoes a prized possession based on their intricacies alone. After all, Belgian designer Maison Margiela has been known to challenge the definition of typical silhouettes and produce apparel that's not so much "ridiculous" as it is absurdly striking, and even impressive.
Inspired by my bafflement over these sneakers, my research led to other pairs that can be similarly appreciated for their outrageous details, and yes, more often than not, the shocking sticker price. Once you scroll through, I'm sure you'll agree with me that a wild imagination obviously calls for quite a lot of materials and a pretty hefty budget.
The Sweetest Pictures of Grant Gustin and His Fiancée, LA Thoma
Hearts broke around the world when The Flash's Grant Gustin proposed to his girlfriend of more than a year, LA Thoma, but we have to admit, they're pretty darn cute together. Other than their adorable engagement announcement, the pair has shared a number of heartwarming photos together on Instagram. Whether they're taking mushy vacation selfies or just relaxing at home, we can't get enough of their quirky, sweet romance, and neither will you. See their best moments below.
We Found the Most Outrageous Sneakers on the Internet
When I first laid eyes on Margiela's Future Destroyed High-Tops, I immediately murmured, "What the . . . ?!" I mean, these sneakers look like they've been through the garbage disposal once or, I don't know, 12 times. They've been pulled apart, poked and prodded at, and the leather has been shaved away. But don't worry, because these guys have been resecured with plenty o' staples. Do you know what else has been slapped onto these shoes? A whopping $1,425 price tag. NBD.
But here's the thing: just as the current Met Gala exhibit - which focuses on Rei Kawakubo's extremely avant-garde pieces pieces for Comme des Garcons - has spotlighted the topic of fashion as art, some might consider these shoes a prized possession based on their intricacies alone. After all, Belgian designer Maison Margiela has been known to challenge the definition of typical silhouettes and produce apparel that's not so much "ridiculous" as it is absurdly striking, and even impressive.
Inspired by my bafflement over these sneakers, my research led to other pairs that can be similarly appreciated for their outrageous details, and yes, more often than not, the shocking sticker price. Once you scroll through, I'm sure you'll agree with me that a wild imagination obviously calls for quite a lot of materials and a pretty hefty budget.
Is Forever 21 Opening a Beauty Boutique? All Signs Point to "Yes"
In recent years, Forever 21 has noticeably expanded its beauty section, as well as its own cosmetics line. Not only has the retail giant has taken in widely known brands like NYX and Sun Bum, but it's also appealed to millennial shoppers with its impressive K-beauty selections. Now, Forever 21 is reportedly considering opening a chain of standalone beauty boutiques.
According to market sources who spoke with WWD, Forever 21 is in the early stages of planning a beauty boutique chain called Riley Rose. Much like its parent retailer, Riley Rose will likely have a bubbly Instagram-friendly aesthetic tailored for younger shoppers. It's also been reported that Forever 21 will open 10 Riley Rose locations nationwide by the holidays. If it ends up being successful, they might then open an additional 10 stores by the Spring of 2018.
The exciting news comes shortly after the rumor that Anthropologie would be opening a freestanding beauty boutique. In a statement to WWD, an Anthropologie spokesperson clarified that the store will be expanding its beauty range, however, it does not have existing plans for a beauty store. Forever 21 has yet to officially address the report. Stay tuned for updates on Riley Rose as they become available.
5 Things Organized People Do Every Day
Becoming organized is easier said than done, but it's possible to maintain it if you make a few changes to your daily routine. Organized people are more productive as a result because they're more able to easily focus on their tasks. By following suit with their regular habits, you too can get and keep it together like a pro. See what organized people do every day.
1. Wake up and think about the day ahead.
Scrambling out the door and diving right into your tasks can be hectic. You also waste time trying to figure out what to tackle first. Before fully starting your day, look ahead at your schedule and to-dos to mentally prepare yourself. That way, you can manage your time efficiently.
2. Maintain a calendar or planner.
It's hard to stay organized if you only store things in your head. Organized people note events electronically or on paper. It's easy to refer to when making future plans and you can better prioritize by knowing what's ahead.
3. Have to-do lists.
Writing out what you need to get done on a daily basis makes it easy to keep track. It's satisfying to be able to cross things off your list and you'll always know what's left to be done.
4. Keep their email inbox under control.
There are three kinds of people in this world: those with hundreds (or thousands) of unread emails, those with zero unread emails, and those in between. Be the person in between. Reading every single email that comes through can be time-consuming, but letting them sit forever doesn't do too much for you, either. Scan subject lines as they come in and use your email tools to help you group them. Flag less urgent but important ones to read later, move ones that require action to task lists, and so forth. Your life will be so much easier.
5. Reflect on what still needs to be done by the end of the day.
Go over what's left on your to-do list and move things around as needed. All you'll need in the morning is a quick refresher.
This Family's 3 Generations of Female Graduates Are Something to Celebrate
Although LaWanda Flennoy is an excited mom and grandma during this year's graduation season, her daughters and granddaughter are equally proud of their dedicated role model's accomplishment.
Three generations of women in this family are graduating in 2017, including their hardworking matriarch, LaWanda. Their photo, complete with graduation caps, captures the magnitude of this occasion; as LaWanda and her two daughters graduate from college, her other daughter graduates from high school and her granddaughter completes kindergarten.
Mom Thanks Her Son For All the Nights He "Slept in the Library" While She Worked For Her Degree
Although LaWanda didn't originally plan on being in her family's graduation photos, she did want to prove that education is important at every age and was ready to celebrate their achievements. "I wasn't aware that LaWanda was graduating until a day or two before the photo shoot; she wasn't going to participate in the shoot because it was all about her daughters and granddaughter," the family's photographer, Darryl Hammond, told POPSUGAR. "But her daughters forced her! When I uploaded the photo onto my computer, I just stared at it, looked at my wife, and told her that this is a great photo and a wonderful memory."
This Family's 3 Generations of Female Graduates Are Something to Celebrate
Although LaWanda Flennoy is an excited mom and grandma during this year's graduation season, her daughters and granddaughter are equally proud of their dedicated role model's accomplishment.
Three generations of women in this family are graduating in 2017, including their hardworking matriarch, LaWanda. Their photo, complete with graduation caps, captures the magnitude of this occasion; as LaWanda and her two daughters graduate from college, her other daughter graduates from high school and her granddaughter completes kindergarten.
Mom Thanks Her Son For All the Nights He "Slept in the Library" While She Worked For Her Degree
Although LaWanda didn't originally plan on being in her family's graduation photos, she did want to prove that education is important at every age and was ready to celebrate their achievements. "I wasn't aware that LaWanda was graduating until a day or two before the photo shoot; she wasn't going to participate in the shoot because it was all about her daughters and granddaughter," the family's photographer, Darryl Hammond, told POPSUGAR. "But her daughters forced her! When I uploaded the photo onto my computer, I just stared at it, looked at my wife, and told her that this is a great photo and a wonderful memory."
How to Practice Self-Care Once You're a Mom, Without Guilt
However crazy it might seem, it's alarmingly easy to relegate yourself to second-class-citizen status after you become a mom. Your kids become the kings of your castle; you, their servant, court jester, driver, and cook. Without any conscious decision-making on your part, suddenly "Mom" is your defining role, and all those other things you used to be before kids - employee, voracious reader, lover of animals, long-distance runner - seem like distant memories.
But they don't have to be, and moreover, they shouldn't be. Self-care is just as important for moms as it is for anyone else on the planet, but it can be so much harder to achieve when you've placed the happiness and comfort of the tiny humans in your house above your own.
Here are some ways to rediscover your own premotherhood self-identity and take time for the self-love and -caring you so deserve.
- Start prioritizing your own happiness. It may sound simple, but it can be extremely hard for busy, overextended moms to take account of what is and isn't bringing joy to their lives. If driving your kids around to a million activities is making you nuts, tell them they each get to pick only one. Say "no" to that PTO post. Have a glass of wine with dinner. Let Grandma watch your baby while you ignore your to-do list and get your nails done. Reconnect with your own needs and desires and prioritize them.
- Make a list of the five activities that gave you the most joy in your prebaby life. Mine were probably writing, practicing yoga, having wine-fueled dinners with girlfriends, binge-reading, and traveling to new places, and for years after having my kids, I didn't do much of any of them. Once you make that list, find a way to reintroduce the ones you're missing most, or even better, bring all of them back into regular rotation.
- Discover a new hobby or rediscover an old one. Humans thrive on new experiences, so why not try a new sport, take up gardening if getting your hands dirty feeds your soul, or volunteer for a cause that means something to you? If you've given up a much-loved hobby because motherhood didn't allow time for it, find a way to bring it back into your life in some way.
- If you love your career, find a way to work, even if it's just a little. If you've left a career you were passionate about to be at home with your kids, it can feel like a real loss. Although you might not be able to work in the same job you had before without changing your childcare situation, look into freelancing, contract work, or job sharing. There are ways to keep one foot (or at least one toe) in the professional world while the rest of you is rooted at home.
- Make time for kid-free date nights and girls' nights out. Sometimes, moms need to get out of the house without kids in order to stop thinking about that never-ending to-do list that's constantly running through our heads. Make a date to go out to dinner with your partner or your best friends, have the sitter come an hour early so you can get ready alone, and don't worry about the mess you'll find at home.
- Ask for help, especially from your partner. No mom can do it all alone, and trying to be the first one to accomplish that feat is just plain silly. Hire helpers. Enlist grandparents. And remember that your spouse is just as capable of taking care of the kids as you are, despite how much they might complain about it.
- Find some quiet (even if it's just for five minutes). Downtime can be hard to find when you're a mom, so when you have a few minutes before the school bus arrives, while you're waiting for the dryer cycle to finish, or before karate class lets out, resist the urge to check your Instagram feed and let yourself have a moment of peace.
- Don't just post pictures of/shop for/talk about your kids. There's a fine line between loving your kids so much that you want to show them off, dress them up, and brag about their accomplishments and losing yourself to them entirely. Make sure you make an appearance in your social media accounts and family stories, too, and go buy that dress you've had your eye on. You deserve a wardrobe boost, too.
- Understand that while guilt might be a natural emotion, it doesn't make it a valid one. One of the biggest obstacles of self-care for moms is it often comes with a heavy side of guilt. It's an emotion every single mom has felt when they leave their children for a weekend away with the spouse, sneak out for an early meeting before their kids have woken up, or really to take time to do anything that involves prioritizing themselves over their kids. Realize that guilt is an emotional reaction, not a true indication of what kind of mother you are, so shrug it off and get back to enjoying yourself.
The Completely Addictive Method of Roasting Potatoes
While I love roasting fingerling potatoes with rosemary and bacon (when I'm feeling particularly gluttonous), nothing beats the basic technique done well. While some claim preboiling the potatoes prior to roasting them is the best way to go, I simply can't bring myself to dirty more pans than necessary. So, I present the easiest-ever method of roasting potatoes using only one pan.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Meanwhile, rinse then cut about a pound of fingerling potatoes on the bias (diagonally). Exposing more of the white of the potato will help them brown and crisp up in the oven.
- Transfer the cut potatoes onto a half-sheet pan. Drizzle olive oil across the potatoes, and use your fingers to coat each piece evenly in the oil. Pat your hands dry, then season potatoes with salt and pepper from about a foot's distance. Be sure there is plenty of space between each potato, or else they will steam rather than crisp up in the oven.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until potatoes are golden and crisp to your liking and are easily pierced with a fork.
- Cool slightly before serving with a spatula.
Try these roasted potatoes with steak, with rotisserie chicken, or even folded into a hacked curry recipe. You can pair them with burgers like makeshift french fries. They taste incredible solo, drenched in meaty juices, or dipped liberally into a mound of ketchup. Roasted potatoes simply make every meal a little bit better.
This Impossibly Chic Fragrance Line Is the Best-Kept Secret of Kate Middleton and Other Royals
I love a good secret, but I find beauty secrets particularly invigorating. Celebrity makeup preferences divulged by artists, intel on undetectable lash extensions, and A-list-approved dermatologist recommendations are all facts that I collect and hoard like a magpie. That's why I was completely bowled over when I discovered iconic fragrance brand Krigler - how had I never heard of it before?
Krigler started in 1879 when brand founder Albert Krigler mixed up his first scent, Pleasure Gardenia 79, as a gift for his fiancée. In 1904, he opened his first shop, and by 1931, when the company opened its first American outpost in New York City's Plaza Hotel, it had already become a favorite of celebrities, politicians, and royalty around the world.
For example, John F. Kennedy wore the brand's America One 31, a blue-tinted cologne with notes of vetiver, mandarin, and cedar that smells powerful but not overwhelming. (According to Ben Krigler, the brand's fifth-generation owner and perfumer, fraternities at Ivy League universities provide bottles of this scent to their members on graduation day.) The delicate white floral English Promenade 19 was Audrey Hepburn's favorite fragrance. And Grace Kelly's signature scent, Chateau Krigler 12, is an elegant concoction of rose, mimosa, and lily of the valley. Need even more name dropping? One of its most noteworthy current fans is Kate Middleton (who loves Extraordinaire Camelia 209); the current royals of Monaco are as well.
One of its most noteworthy current fans is Kate Middleton, who loves Extraordinaire Camelia 209.
The brand is still producing new scents to this day, using the same meticulous blending methods and high-quality ingredients that made its products so beloved. This year, Krigler is reintroducing Subtle Orchid 10, a scent originally developed in 1910 that blends the sweet scents of a patisserie with the heady aroma of a flower shop. Vanilla-lovers will covet this one, as a true baker's vanilla anchors other notes of patchouli, coffee, and blossoms.
It was hard to pick a favorite from Krigler's hundreds of legendary perfumes, and I didn't - it picked me. I've never been inclined to wear a male fragrance before and have typically only worn white florals or citrusy scents, which is why I was shocked that I was immediately captivated by Oud For Highness 75. This was originally a bespoke fragrance made for King Hussein of Jordan in 1975. After he passed away, the Jordanian royal family allowed Krigler to add it to its permanent collection.
It's warm, woodsy, and covertly sensual, with a zippy top note of bergamot that opens into lush patchouli, rose, and (of course) oud wood. There's a subtle sweetness from honey with a spicy heat from saffron. It's the kind of fragrance that makes me feel like a grown - but not overly mature - woman who can take on the world, just like royalty.
My new obsession will end up being a pricey one, as a 1.7-ounce bottle will run me back $425. But it seems reasonable to me that being a part of one of the beauty industry's best-kept secrets should come at a cost. Luckily, you can snag samples of Krigler's legendary fragrances for a fraction of the cost of a larger bottle on the brand's website. And, if you're lucky enough to live near The Plaza, I highly recommend you stop into the company's atelier, just like Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn did. Beauty shopping doesn't get much chicer than that.
The Sweetest Pictures of Grant Gustin and His Fiancée, LA Thoma
Hearts broke around the world when The Flash's Grant Gustin proposed to his girlfriend of more than a year, LA Thoma, but we have to admit, they're pretty darn cute together. Other than their adorable engagement announcement, the pair has shared a number of heartwarming photos together on Instagram. Whether they're taking mushy vacation selfies or just relaxing at home, we can't get enough of their quirky, sweet romance, and neither will you. See their best moments below.
How to Practice Self-Care Once You're a Mom, Without Guilt
However crazy it might seem, it's alarmingly easy to relegate yourself to second-class-citizen status after you become a mom. Your kids become the kings of your castle; you, their servant, court jester, driver, and cook. Without any conscious decision-making on your part, suddenly "Mom" is your defining role, and all those other things you used to be before kids - employee, voracious reader, lover of animals, long-distance runner - seem like distant memories.
But they don't have to be, and moreover, they shouldn't be. Self-care is just as important for moms as it is for anyone else on the planet, but it can be so much harder to achieve when you've placed the happiness and comfort of the tiny humans in your house above your own.
Here are some ways to rediscover your own premotherhood self-identity and take time for the self-love and -caring you so deserve.
- Start prioritizing your own happiness. It may sound simple, but it can be extremely hard for busy, overextended moms to take account of what is and isn't bringing joy to their lives. If driving your kids around to a million activities is making you nuts, tell them they each get to pick only one. Say "no" to that PTO post. Have a glass of wine with dinner. Let Grandma watch your baby while you ignore your to-do list and get your nails done. Reconnect with your own needs and desires and prioritize them.
- Make a list of the five activities that gave you the most joy in your prebaby life. Mine were probably writing, practicing yoga, having wine-fueled dinners with girlfriends, binge-reading, and traveling to new places, and for years after having my kids, I didn't do much of any of them. Once you make that list, find a way to reintroduce the ones you're missing most, or even better, bring all of them back into regular rotation.
- Discover a new hobby or rediscover an old one. Humans thrive on new experiences, so why not try a new sport, take up gardening if getting your hands dirty feeds your soul, or volunteer for a cause that means something to you? If you've given up a much-loved hobby because motherhood didn't allow time for it, find a way to bring it back into your life in some way.
- If you love your career, find a way to work, even if it's just a little. If you've left a career you were passionate about to be at home with your kids, it can feel like a real loss. Although you might not be able to work in the same job you had before without changing your childcare situation, look into freelancing, contract work, or job sharing. There are ways to keep one foot (or at least one toe) in the professional world while the rest of you is rooted at home.
- Make time for kid-free date nights and girls' nights out. Sometimes, moms need to get out of the house without kids in order to stop thinking about that never-ending to-do list that's constantly running through our heads. Make a date to go out to dinner with your partner or your best friends, have the sitter come an hour early so you can get ready alone, and don't worry about the mess you'll find at home.
- Ask for help, especially from your partner. No mom can do it all alone, and trying to be the first one to accomplish that feat is just plain silly. Hire helpers. Enlist grandparents. And remember that your spouse is just as capable of taking care of the kids as you are, despite how much they might complain about it.
- Find some quiet (even if it's just for five minutes). Downtime can be hard to find when you're a mom, so when you have a few minutes before the school bus arrives, while you're waiting for the dryer cycle to finish, or before karate class lets out, resist the urge to check your Instagram feed and let yourself have a moment of peace.
- Don't just post pictures of/shop for/talk about your kids. There's a fine line between loving your kids so much that you want to show them off, dress them up, and brag about their accomplishments and losing yourself to them entirely. Make sure you make an appearance in your social media accounts and family stories, too, and go buy that dress you've had your eye on. You deserve a wardrobe boost, too.
- Understand that while guilt might be a natural emotion, it doesn't make it a valid one. One of the biggest obstacles of self-care for moms is it often comes with a heavy side of guilt. It's an emotion every single mom has felt when they leave their children for a weekend away with the spouse, sneak out for an early meeting before their kids have woken up, or really to take time to do anything that involves prioritizing themselves over their kids. Realize that guilt is an emotional reaction, not a true indication of what kind of mother you are, so shrug it off and get back to enjoying yourself.
The Completely Addictive Method of Roasting Potatoes
While I love roasting fingerling potatoes with rosemary and bacon (when I'm feeling particularly gluttonous), nothing beats the basic technique done well. While some claim preboiling the potatoes prior to roasting them is the best way to go, I simply can't bring myself to dirty more pans than necessary. So, I present the easiest-ever method of roasting potatoes using only one pan.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Meanwhile, rinse then cut about a pound of fingerling potatoes on the bias (diagonally). Exposing more of the white of the potato will help them brown and crisp up in the oven.
- Transfer the cut potatoes onto a half-sheet pan. Drizzle olive oil across the potatoes, and use your fingers to coat each piece evenly in the oil. Pat your hands dry, then season potatoes with salt and pepper from about a foot's distance. Be sure there is plenty of space between each potato, or else they will steam rather than crisp up in the oven.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until potatoes are golden and crisp to your liking and are easily pierced with a fork.
- Cool slightly before serving with a spatula.
Try these roasted potatoes with steak, with rotisserie chicken, or even folded into a hacked curry recipe. You can pair them with burgers like makeshift french fries. They taste incredible solo, drenched in meaty juices, or dipped liberally into a mound of ketchup. Roasted potatoes simply make every meal a little bit better.
This Impossibly Chic Fragrance Line Is the Best-Kept Secret of Kate Middleton and Other Royals
I love a good secret, but I find beauty secrets particularly invigorating. Celebrity makeup preferences divulged by artists, intel on undetectable lash extensions, and A-list-approved dermatologist recommendations are all facts that I collect and hoard like a magpie. That's why I was completely bowled over when I discovered iconic fragrance brand Krigler - how had I never heard of it before?
Krigler started in 1879 when brand founder Albert Krigler mixed up his first scent, Pleasure Gardenia 79, as a gift for his fiancée. In 1904, he opened his first shop, and by 1931, when the company opened its first American outpost in New York City's Plaza Hotel, it had already become a favorite of celebrities, politicians, and royalty around the world.
For example, John F. Kennedy wore the brand's America One 31, a blue-tinted cologne with notes of vetiver, mandarin, and cedar that smells powerful but not overwhelming. (According to Ben Krigler, the brand's fifth-generation owner and perfumer, fraternities at Ivy League universities provide bottles of this scent to their members on graduation day.) The delicate white floral English Promenade 19 was Audrey Hepburn's favorite fragrance. And Grace Kelly's signature scent, Chateau Krigler 12, is an elegant concoction of rose, mimosa, and lily of the valley. Need even more name dropping? One of its most noteworthy current fans is Kate Middleton (who loves Extraordinaire Camelia 209); the current royals of Monaco are as well.
One of its most noteworthy current fans is Kate Middleton, who loves Extraordinaire Camelia 209.
The brand is still producing new scents to this day, using the same meticulous blending methods and high-quality ingredients that made its products so beloved. This year, Krigler is reintroducing Subtle Orchid 10, a scent originally developed in 1910 that blends the sweet scents of a patisserie with the heady aroma of a flower shop. Vanilla-lovers will covet this one, as a true baker's vanilla anchors other notes of patchouli, coffee, and blossoms.
It was hard to pick a favorite from Krigler's hundreds of legendary perfumes, and I didn't - it picked me. I've never been inclined to wear a male fragrance before and have typically only worn white florals or citrusy scents, which is why I was shocked that I was immediately captivated by Oud For Highness 75. This was originally a bespoke fragrance made for King Hussein of Jordan in 1975. After he passed away, the Jordanian royal family allowed Krigler to add it to its permanent collection.
It's warm, woodsy, and covertly sensual, with a zippy top note of bergamot that opens into lush patchouli, rose, and (of course) oud wood. There's a subtle sweetness from honey with a spicy heat from saffron. It's the kind of fragrance that makes me feel like a grown - but not overly mature - woman who can take on the world, just like royalty.
My new obsession will end up being a pricey one, as a 1.7-ounce bottle will run me back $425. But it seems reasonable to me that being a part of one of the beauty industry's best-kept secrets should come at a cost. Luckily, you can snag samples of Krigler's legendary fragrances for a fraction of the cost of a larger bottle on the brand's website. And, if you're lucky enough to live near The Plaza, I highly recommend you stop into the company's atelier, just like Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn did. Beauty shopping doesn't get much chicer than that.
How to Tell the True Difference Between Prada and Miu Miu
When asked about the difference between her two lines, Prada and Miu Miu, Miuccia Prada once said:
"Designing for me is a very complex process. There are many ideas that I want to express in one object, very often contradictory. The creative process in Miu Miu is completely different from that of Prada. Rather than being young, Miu Miu is immediate. Prada is very sophisticated and considered; Miu Miu is much more naïve. The solution, when I am working on Miu Miu, has to come immediately, instinctively, spontaneously with whatever is available at the moment. If I think three times, I stop."
The designer was quoted in System Magazine two years ago, and when I read her explanation, I understood it immediately. But that's not the only reason I appreciate the distinction between the two labels. Aside from the fact that Miuccia Prada explains her art so clearly, she also executes, maintaining very specific aesthetics for each brand season after season. It's not only noticeable on the runway, where the Prada model is mature and equipped with all the essentials, and the Miu Miu girl is playful, her outfit a bit more carefree and thrown together as if to say, "why not?"
You can notice the difference between Miu Miu and Prada when it comes to ad campaigns, the It bags or shoes, and the front-row celebrity staples at Fashion Week. Read on to learn more about each label, and by the time you're studied up, you'll have arrived at the line that's truly right for you - are you a Prada lady or a Miu Miu girl at heart?
Save Mother’s Day by Amazon Priming This Cute Fitness Gear For Mom, STAT
It's OK. You forgot Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday. You're here now, you're fine, this is fine, we're all fine. In fact, we're Prime. Amazon Prime. Get where we're going with this?
Gear your mom up with cute fitness essentials like a yoga mat, outdoor workout shoes, high-waisted yoga pants (moms love those!), and even a fitness tracker. Amazon Prime will get it to you in two days or less, so you're really covered. It'll look like you've been planning this for months.
Save Mother’s Day by Amazon Priming This Cute Fitness Gear For Mom, STAT
It's OK. You forgot Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday. You're here now, you're fine, this is fine, we're all fine. In fact, we're Prime. Amazon Prime. Get where we're going with this?
Gear your mom up with cute fitness essentials like a yoga mat, outdoor workout shoes, high-waisted yoga pants (moms love those!), and even a fitness tracker. Amazon Prime will get it to you in two days or less, so you're really covered. It'll look like you've been planning this for months.
How to Tell the True Difference Between Prada and Miu Miu
When asked about the difference between her two lines, Prada and Miu Miu, Miuccia Prada once said:
"Designing for me is a very complex process. There are many ideas that I want to express in one object, very often contradictory. The creative process in Miu Miu is completely different from that of Prada. Rather than being young, Miu Miu is immediate. Prada is very sophisticated and considered; Miu Miu is much more naïve. The solution, when I am working on Miu Miu, has to come immediately, instinctively, spontaneously with whatever is available at the moment. If I think three times, I stop."
The designer was quoted in System Magazine two years ago, and when I read her explanation, I understood it immediately. But that's not the only reason I appreciate the distinction between the two labels. Aside from the fact that Miuccia Prada explains her art so clearly, she also executes, maintaining very specific aesthetics for each brand season after season. It's not only noticeable on the runway, where the Prada model is mature and equipped with all the essentials, and the Miu Miu girl is playful, her outfit a bit more carefree and thrown together as if to say, "why not?"
You can notice the difference between Miu Miu and Prada when it comes to ad campaigns, the It bags or shoes, and the front-row celebrity staples at Fashion Week. Read on to learn more about each label, and by the time you're studied up, you'll have arrived at the line that's truly right for you - are you a Prada lady or a Miu Miu girl at heart?
The 1 Popular Beauty Product That Could Be Ruining Your Skin
In recent years, oil cleansing has surged in popularity, with many acting as if it is the holy grail of skin care techniques. To be fair, washing one's face with oil can have incredible benefits, including a hydrated complexion, a reduction in (or total disappearance of) blemishes, and a lit-from-within glow. But according to Kazumi Toyama, global SK-II senior manager of technical marketing and scientific communications, cleansing oil is not necessarily the cure-all method many believe it to be.
"Cleansing oil is very good at removing lots of oil," she explained. "But it's not so good for the skin." Kazumi found that in her research of Japanese consumers, women were not properly using this type of cleanser and were completely stripping their complexions of all natural oils. "The way they are using the cleansing oil, it's like, 'Oh, no, no, no.' It dries out the skin."
That's because the very mechanism that makes this type of cleanser so effective also makes it potentially harmful. Think back to your high school chemistry class. Do you remember learning about solubility, or "like dissolves like"? Oil and water do not mix (think of a bottle of salad dressing), but two kinds of oil will easily mix, which is what happens when you're applying cleansing oil to your face.
The specially designed product dissolves sebum and then emulsifies so it's easy to remove with water. However, if your face feels dry and tight after oil cleansing, you've overdone it. Not only will removing all that moisture from your skin dry it out (duh!), but it will also make your complexion look dull, sallow, and wrinkly, and can even cause breakouts.
If you're a new convert to oil cleansing, let your skin be your guide. A formula specially designed for this, like SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil ($70) (vs. DIY with carrier and essential oils), should not leave you with a sensitive or stripped sensation. Use three pumps of product to start with and massage it into dry skin using circular motions. You will see the texture transform from an oil to a milk - after it's fully emulsified, rinse your face with water. At this point, your complexion should feel soft and dewy, never squeaky clean (if your face feels a bit tight, use less next time you cleanse).
It's essential that you finish your cleansing ritual by adding additional "good" hydration to your skin via an essence or moisturizer. This will ensure that your complexion doesn't dry out or retaliate by overproducing sebum. Shop the best cleansing oils for your skin type here, then learn about why you should try an essence.
Travel and expenses for the author were provided by SK-II for the purpose of writing this story.
A Trainer Gets Brutally Honest About Why You Aren't Seeing Results
I have some tough love for you today. It's about your workouts. You go to the gym several times a week, sometimes twice in one day, and yet you aren't as fit as you should be.
As a certified group exercise trainer and indoor cycling instructor, I've taught hundreds of classes. Based on what I see, I think a lot of you are shortchanging yourself. Taking a step back and getting honest about your approach will help you work out smarter, and maybe even harder.
1. You Aren't Paying Attention
Some instructors are better than others, but let's assume you aren't wasting your time with bad trainers. When you go to a class, are you listening to what you are being asked to do? Do you pay attention to alignment cues in yoga? Do you check your form in weight training?
Listen to what the people in spandex wearing microphones are saying. They are certified experts who take continuing education classes and spend hours creating quality workouts. They have taken on the burden of exercise selection, interval timing, choreography, and sequencing.
Sometimes the key to success is recognizing that you can't get there on your own. You wouldn't ask an accountant to do your taxes and then scribble all over the return as she was filling it out would you? Trust your instructors. They want to get you there as badly as you do.
2. You Aren't Working Hard Enough
Here's a dose of tough love: instructors know how hard you are working, and that you aren't always tapping your potential.
Example: you are in an indoor cycling class and your instructor asks you to add resistance. Everyone adds gear, except for you because you don't want it to be "too hard." When the music picks up and the entire class is straining to get up that hill, there you are, pedaling like a demon, barely breaking a sweat.
Another example: you are in a weight-training situation and even though you've been doing the same moves for months, you're still using the same weights. You wonder why you aren't getting stronger. Guess what? You aren't challenging your muscles when you always choose the same weights. Pick up something heavier. What's the worst thing that can happen? It's too heavy and you have to switch to lighter weights to finish? Do that every time if you want to see results.
Final example: you are in a HIIT class. There are people that are going to go half-speed the entire time. And there are people that are going to stop working halfway through the interval. You know how I know? Because I CAN SEE THEM! Don't be self-conscious; no one is staring at you while you work out. But the instructor is scanning the room for safety reasons and can see how hard you're working. I promise that you'll see better results when you put in the effort.
3. You Aren't Competing With Yourself
Stop comparing yourself to the other people in class. Who knows what they had for breakfast? How many workouts a week they do when you don't see them? It's not about them. It's about you and what you can achieve. Whenever I teach class, I want my students thinking, "Today I am going to do more than I did last time. I am going to add more gear. I am going to hold my sprint longer. I am going to pick up the eight-pound dumbbell instead of the five."
You go to your classes to improve yourself. You have special strengths and abilities. You may struggle at push-ups but you can plank for two minutes. You may have spaghetti arms but can crush squats all day long. Be you. Don't worry about anyone else. Stay on your own mat, mentally and physically. Your fitness will blossom.
4. You Don't Accept What You Can't Change
You have to set reasonable expectations. You can't do 1,000 burpees in 10 minutes and you will never change the biology of your body. If you're bottom heavy, you will likely always trend that way when gaining weight. If all the women in your family get saggy underarms by the time they are 40, you probably will too. However, you can tone and shape that bottom, heavy or not. You can strengthen and tighten your triceps to help that underarm sag. But remember: there is no amount of exercise that will completely transform you into someone else - and you shouldn't want it to. You were made to be you, unique and special. You can be the best you possible, and that should be your goal. Once you accept that, you can stop fighting your body and start working with it to achieve your goals.
5. You Reward Workouts With Food
We all do it. Now that I've worked out, I can go have that bin of pasta I've been craving. I can hit the drive-through for that burger and fries "because I've earned it." You haven't though. You've earned the right to refuel your body. You've worked so hard to achieve a higher level of fitness, to lose weight, to feel good about yourself. And yet you sabotage it, sometimes daily, by rewarding your workouts with food.
It's time we stepped back from food. Instead of it becoming a reward system, it should be a means to an end. The reward for the work is not a consumable. It's an intangible. It comes from within us. It's called pride. Satisfaction. Self-confidence. You can't get those things from a drive-through. If you want the burger, eat it. But don't confuse yourself about why you are having it. You haven't "earned" it. You've allowed it. And that's OK, once in a while. The next time you see that neon sign calling to you, though, think about where you are really headed, physically, and whether that detour is worth it on your path to well-being. If not, keep driving.
Best of luck on your path to greater health and wellness. Remember, you can start each day fresh. Take each class like it's your last. And be kind to yourself: you've only got the one body, so help it go the distance.
The 1 Popular Beauty Product That Could Be Ruining Your Skin
In recent years, oil cleansing has surged in popularity, with many acting as if it is the holy grail of skin care techniques. To be fair, washing one's face with oil can have incredible benefits, including a hydrated complexion, a reduction in (or total disappearance of) blemishes, and a lit-from-within glow. But according to Kazumi Toyama, global SK-II senior manager of technical marketing and scientific communications, cleansing oil is not necessarily the cure-all method many believe it to be.
"Cleansing oil is very good at removing lots of oil," she explained. "But it's not so good for the skin." Kazumi found that in her research of Japanese consumers, women were not properly using this type of cleanser and were completely stripping their complexions of all natural oils. "The way they are using the cleansing oil, it's like, 'Oh, no, no, no.' It dries out the skin."
That's because the very mechanism that makes this type of cleanser so effective also makes it potentially harmful. Think back to your high school chemistry class. Do you remember learning about solubility, or "like dissolves like"? Oil and water do not mix (think of a bottle of salad dressing), but two kinds of oil will easily mix, which is what happens when you're applying cleansing oil to your face.
The specially designed product dissolves sebum and then emulsifies so it's easy to remove with water. However, if your face feels dry and tight after oil cleansing, you've overdone it. Not only will removing all that moisture from your skin dry it out (duh!), but it will also make your complexion look dull, sallow, and wrinkly, and can even cause breakouts.
If you're a new convert to oil cleansing, let your skin be your guide. A formula specially designed for this, like SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil ($70) (vs. DIY with carrier and essential oils), should not leave you with a sensitive or stripped sensation. Use three pumps of product to start with and massage it into dry skin using circular motions. You will see the texture transform from an oil to a milk - after it's fully emulsified, rinse your face with water. At this point, your complexion should feel soft and dewy, never squeaky clean (if your face feels a bit tight, use less next time you cleanse).
It's essential that you finish your cleansing ritual by adding additional "good" hydration to your skin via an essence or moisturizer. This will ensure that your complexion doesn't dry out or retaliate by overproducing sebum. Shop the best cleansing oils for your skin type here, then learn about why you should try an essence.
Travel and expenses for the author were provided by SK-II for the purpose of writing this story.