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.
vendredi 2 juin 2017
Kate Mulgrew Promises You'll Be "Gobsmacked" by OITNB Season 5
Galina "Red" Reznikov is not one to sit down or shut up. According to actress Kate Mulgrew, the mother hen of Litchfield is facing her biggest challenge yet in season five of Orange Is the New Black. Ahead of the June 9 premiere, Mulgrew hopped on the phone with us and dropped some major hints about what to expect from the new batch of episodes. Season four ends on a huge cliffhanger, and Mulgrew made it seem like that fever pitch of intensity will keep up all through the three-day arc of season five. "It's a pretty big season for me," she said. "At least, that's how I felt when I staggered home at the end of it." Here's what we learned from Litchfield's fiercest chef.
- For the first time, Red is out of her element. The final line of season four comes courtesy of Red, who sees the the gun in Daya's hand and mutters, "Sh*t, here it is." Mulgrew clarified what Red meant, saying, "Women who have been incarcerated for long periods of time have very little to lose or so they feel in a moment like this. So when I say, 'Sh*t, here it is,' [it means] in all of my years at Litchfield I have not seen this kind of rupture and I know that this kind of rupture can lead to nothing but something seismic and that's exactly that happens in season five."
- We're about to see everyone go their own way. "Everyone approaches a moment like this very differently; it's entirely subjective. What does it mean when a prison riots? Well, it means something different to each person. You're going to see Red probably take this personally. You're going to see somebody else take it politically.
- Red's season five storyline really begins in season four. "Red has something happen to her, the kernel of which is planted in season four. It's actually fairly developed toward the end of season four, with a particular CO." May she be referring to the power-mad Piscatella? "In this relationship, there lies a scarlet thread that she has not felt since she was devastated by her family, the Russian people. She meets this person and it's as if everything she has fought for, everything in her character, everything in her being that she has willed to overcome, this horrific sentence, is overturned and she is filled with a great need and almost a force, a power, a drive to negate that. So for Red, it's a battlefield."
- Red won't be in Mother Hen mode. "I would say it's not as familial as it has been in the past. It is far more isolated . . . Nicky is always there for Red. I love her, my love for her is constant and true. I'm always looking out for her and she is for me but something threatens even that. So I am looking at the greater evil and it is my mandate to myself to overcome this greater evil that I believe this person represents."
- Whatever happens to Red, it's BIG. "Audiences are going to be gobsmacked, mouths agape at what happens to all of us in this season, but in particular probably what happens to Red. It's no holds barred. There's very little I did not experience, endure, and overcome . . . Red is an extraordinary creature, but she is a woman of many flaws, which are evident in a way that we have never seen before. Her humanity is threatened in a way we have never seen before. Something bigger than she could even have thought of - and she thinks at a pretty high level - has come to darken her life."
- We'll see "a little bit" of Red's backstory. "The train is moving on a immediate track and I am in the front car," she said, confirming that most of the season is focused on the present. "There's just no question about it, it's moving and another train is moving toward it. That's what the audience is going to see for 13 episodes. A trainwreck is coming, but who will survive?"
- Someone won't make it to season six. While Mulgrew implied that Red would survive the season, she did say that heads would roll. "Not everybody does survive, I will say that."
Orange Is the New Black season four is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.
Kate Mulgrew Promises You'll Be "Gobsmacked" by OITNB Season 5
Galina "Red" Reznikov is not one to sit down or shut up. According to actress Kate Mulgrew, the mother hen of Litchfield is facing her biggest challenge yet in season five of Orange Is the New Black. Ahead of the June 9 premiere, Mulgrew hopped on the phone with us and dropped some major hints about what to expect from the new batch of episodes. Season four ends on a huge cliffhanger, and Mulgrew made it seem like that fever pitch of intensity will keep up all through the three-day arc of season five. "It's a pretty big season for me," she said. "At least, that's how I felt when I staggered home at the end of it." Here's what we learned from Litchfield's fiercest chef.
- For the first time, Red is out of her element. The final line of season four comes courtesy of Red, who sees the the gun in Daya's hand and mutters, "Sh*t, here it is." Mulgrew clarified what Red meant, saying, "Women who have been incarcerated for long periods of time have very little to lose or so they feel in a moment like this. So when I say, 'Sh*t, here it is,' [it means] in all of my years at Litchfield I have not seen this kind of rupture and I know that this kind of rupture can lead to nothing but something seismic and that's exactly that happens in season five."
- We're about to see everyone go their own way. "Everyone approaches a moment like this very differently; it's entirely subjective. What does it mean when a prison riots? Well, it means something different to each person. You're going to see Red probably take this personally. You're going to see somebody else take it politically.
- Red's season five storyline really begins in season four. "Red has something happen to her, the kernel of which is planted in season four. It's actually fairly developed toward the end of season four, with a particular CO." May she be referring to the power-mad Piscatella? "In this relationship, there lies a scarlet thread that she has not felt since she was devastated by her family, the Russian people. She meets this person and it's as if everything she has fought for, everything in her character, everything in her being that she has willed to overcome, this horrific sentence, is overturned and she is filled with a great need and almost a force, a power, a drive to negate that. So for Red, it's a battlefield."
- Red won't be in Mother Hen mode. "I would say it's not as familial as it has been in the past. It is far more isolated . . . Nicky is always there for Red. I love her, my love for her is constant and true. I'm always looking out for her and she is for me but something threatens even that. So I am looking at the greater evil and it is my mandate to myself to overcome this greater evil that I believe this person represents."
- Whatever happens to Red, it's BIG. "Audiences are going to be gobsmacked, mouths agape at what happens to all of us in this season, but in particular probably what happens to Red. It's no holds barred. There's very little I did not experience, endure, and overcome . . . Red is an extraordinary creature, but she is a woman of many flaws, which are evident in a way that we have never seen before. Her humanity is threatened in a way we have never seen before. Something bigger than she could even have thought of - and she thinks at a pretty high level - has come to darken her life."
- We'll see "a little bit" of Red's backstory. "The train is moving on a immediate track and I am in the front car," she said, confirming that most of the season is focused on the present. "There's just no question about it, it's moving and another train is moving toward it. That's what the audience is going to see for 13 episodes. A trainwreck is coming, but who will survive?"
- Someone won't make it to season six. While Mulgrew implied that Red would survive the season, she did say that heads would roll. "Not everybody does survive, I will say that."
Orange Is the New Black season four is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.
24 Celebrities Who Rocked the Bikini While Pregnant
For expectant mamas heading on vacation, swimwear selection is always top of mind, but when you're heading to the beach - or even the backyard - you may want to celebrate the day wearing a two-piece swimsuit. Fifty percent of our readers showed off their burgeoning bellies in a bikini while pregnant - and they're not alone. Take a look at some of our favorite expectant celebs who also sported bikinis while playing in the sun.
Here's What Happened When SNL's Writers Tried to Make Trump Play the Giving Tree
Considering how much material the Trump administration gives Saturday Night Live to work with each week, writing for the show isn't an easy task. HuffPost talked to two Saturday Night Live writers about writing during an election season - and what it was like working with Donald Trump when he hosted the show in November 2015, in the middle of the campaign.
The two writers are Tim Herlihy, who was with show from 1993 to 2000 and was present for the 1996 and 2000 elections, and Bryan Tucker. Tucker is still with SNL, after joining in 2005, and a writer for the 2008, 2012, and the 2016 elections. Herlihy, who covered tamer elections, spoke about how political sketches didn't necessarily "have to dominate the show" as they do now. "Now, if they did a Trump-less show, people would go bananas. That's a lot of pressure to have [political material]," Herlihy said. Tucker said this election was especially "exceptional because so many people were paying attention to it, and because passions were so deep and there were just a lot of characters, specifically Donald Trump being the biggest character of them all."
During the election, Tucker contended that the show tried to parody both Hillary Clinton and Trump. However, once the person elected is in power, it's the show's responsibility to make fun of them. "Our show is always trying to be a big tent, but before, we're making a very concerned effort to parody both sides because America is paying attention so much to both sides," Tucker. "But afterwards, when one side has so much power and one side has so little, we go after the people who have that power. We punch up."
Herlihy, who worked with previous presidential candidates on the show, thought of Trump as a "joke candidate" and not someone who would win the Republican nomination. "He's a public figure, and nobody thought there was a prayer of him being elected at that point," Herlihy said. Tucker, however, was able to see how Trump operated when it came to deciding what jokes he would make and wouldn't. According to Tucker, Trump only came with one security person, and decided everything himself.
"When we would present him an idea, he would just go from his gut and say, "I like that" or "I don't like that." Sometimes we could persuade him. Sometimes he would lean out of the door and ask his security guy, "Do you think this is funny? Do you think this is a good idea?" But that was, to me, an insight into him that I hadn't gotten before: He really makes decisions by himself, and although he had people he was talking to throughout the week, there was very little back-and-forth with other people."
The only sketch Trump wouldn't do is one that involved him playing the Giving Tree. He didn't enjoy standing in a tree with his head sticking out of it and the sketch itself didn't get many laughs.
This year's Saturday Night Live is now over, but the show's record ratings clearly indicate viewers aren't sick of political sketches.
Exactly What to Eat 2 Weeks Before Your Wedding to Lose Weight
When it came to starting a wedding diet, I procastinated. Hard. In fact, a month before the big day I went on a work trip to Morocco and Paris where I ate all of the bread, butter, and chocolate my appetite desired (as one does). Which is all part of the how I found myself muffin-topping over the sides of my strapless Reem Acra gown (pictured, top left) at my last fitting, just two weeks before I was supposed to walk down the aisle.
I'll admit, I was bloated at the time from my period, so when it ended a few days before my wedding, my body tightened. But, I was also up a few pounds. Instead of accepting it, I took about four private workout sessions per week with celebrity trainer David Kirsch. The pro is responsible for sculpting the bodies of celebrities (like Jennifer Lopez and Heidi Klum) and has a wealth of fitness and health knowledge (to recap, he's written five books, has his own line of shakes and supplements, and owns a top-notch NYC gym). He put me on a routine that was a mix of cardio, strength training, HIIT, and TRX. Every time we met up, the moves and sequences were different, which kept my body guessing and metabolism revved.
But anyone who has successfully lost weight knows diet is more than half of the battle. And pre-getting "Kirsched," I had been working out almost every day anyways. So I do credit his eating plan for partly pushing those five extra pounds off of my body.
Here, I am going to share exactly what I ate - and most importantly, did not eat! - to shed the lbs, so my dress fit perfectly (top right). Note, the dress was not taken in or out between the two images, but my body actually transformed in two weeks!
"In my experience working with a bride-to-be, the last couple of weeks leading up to the wedding is uber stressful," Kirsch told me. "As you can attest to personally (Lauren), slight tweaking of your diet will go a long way to keeping you optimally energized, fueled, and looking your very best on the big day!"
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lauren Levinson
Let's start with the hard part, things to avoid according to Kirsch:
Say goodbye to pizza, because you will not be eating processed carbs (bread, pasta, crackers, etc.) or dairy. "I have found that dairy can cause bloating, and who wants to be bloated on their day?" Kirsch said. And no whole grains or potatoes either.
I have personally eliminated both gluten and dairy for weeks and added them back to reveal that I am not intolerant to either. I can have a slice of pizza and feel like a peach, but kicking them out of my diet definitely made my belly flatter. After three days of no carbs, I was craving them! So I texted Kirsch asking if I could have a sweet potato. He told me to crunch on celery instead. It took willpower to follow his advice, but it was worth it. I surely enjoyed sliding into my bathing suit when I arrived at my tropical honeymoon a few days after my wedding.
You'll also need to revamp your drinking game. That means, no alcohol (NONE!). While this meant sitting through events, family dinners, and bar nights totally sober, I enjoyed the mental clarity and increased energy in the mornings. "Save the glass of champagne for after you walk down the aisle!" he said. And yes, I got to enjoy a few flutes of well-earned bubbly at my affair . . . and a margarita!
I also had to limit the amount of coffee I drank. Kirsch recommends having one espresso in the morning. While I stuck to brewed coffee beans, I drank it black. I didn't even add almond milk, and I swear it makes a difference in better digestion.
Kirsch believes that "too much coffee can lead to belly bloat!" Think about it, coffee dehydrates you, so you retain water to hold on to it. Instead, switch over to green tea, which has both caffeine and antioxidants. Every morning, I also had one of his A.M. Detox Drinks (it's yummy and fantastic for your skin!). You can see it in the mason jar above.
Finally, the hardest (for me, since I have a sweet tooth): no sugar. Even dark chocolate. OK, I may have had a handful of dark chocolate-covered almonds one rough night, but for the most part (like 95 percent) I kissed my beloved cookies, ice cream, and cupcakes goodbye. In fact, my husband hid the chocolate on a very high shelf so I could not reach or find it in our apartment. Do what you need to do to survive, brides!
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lauren Levinson
Now onto what you can eat. Disclaimer, this was not Kirsch's exact plan but one loosely based off his advice and what I know works best for my body.
For breakfast I stuck to two options. The first, two eggs and sauteed spinach, all cooked in EVOO. Earlier in my wedding prep, I enjoyed that dish with a side of avocado, but the last two weeks I cut it based on Kirsch's recommendation to limit my fat intake (even healthy ones!). Otherwise, I had an antioxidant-rich bowl of unsweetened coconut yogurt with a handful of raw almonds, chia seeds, flax seeds, cacao nibs, and blueberries. While Kirsch recommended no fruit (remember, no sugar!), I know blueberries are good for eliminating belly fat and making skin glow, so I had some anyways. If you're going to have sugar, eat it in the morning so you can burn it off throughout the day.
When it came to snacks, I sipped on dark green pressed juice (the kind without fruit) and crunchy veggies (Kirsch likes celery, red peppers, and jicama sticks). I also ate GoMacro bars, which were referred to me by another trainer I'd been working out with, Steve Pasterino. I bent the rules a little since these are made with brown rice syrup, but it ensured that I had an option when I was on-the-go.
Dinner and lunch were pretty similar. I'd either have what I dubbed a "Sad Salad" of spinach, crunchy water veggies (cucumber and snow peas), and lean protein (homemade chicken or salmon with no sauces) - all drizzled with EVOO and a lemon squeeze. Snooze. Otherwise, I would cook veggies (such as steamed green beans or asparagus) and have it with the aforementioned lean meat or fish. Sometimes, I would even have the eggs (see: breakfast!) for dinner, which I found very easy to digest. Occasionally, I'd enjoy a green smoothie (kale, spinach, blueberries, almond milk) with pea protein powder.
Image Source: Bruce Plotkin Photography
And for our grand finale, what to eat during your actual wedding weekend:
By then being a bride had taken over my identity (it happens to the best and most chill of us ladies in white). So I brought my own food to the weekend destination, including unsweetened coconut yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, green juice, nuts, seeds, bars, etc. I made sure my hotel room had a fridge to store it in.
"The day before is a day that you want to make sure to put the finishing touches," said Kirsch. "You have planned hard, sweated hard, and stayed away from the obvious no-nos. What else can you do? I suggest a relaxing massage, sauna, and steam. Eating foods like asparagus and celery will help keep you full and debloat you."
So I couldn't resist a taste of homemade pasta during our rehearsal dinner at a delicious Italian restaurant, but by 7 a.m. the next day, I was back on it.
"The day of, I would have a couple of eggs in the morning and oatmeal as you will need the energy and fuel for the rest of the day," Kirsch recommended. "A protein shake for lunch and water for the rest of the day. Save the drinking and eating for after the ceremony, or better yet, for the honeymoon!"
Here's what I consumed for breakfast on my wedding day: I had the antioxidant yogurt and seed bowl as well as black coffee; for lunch I ate a simple salad with grilled chicken provided by my venue; and for snack, I went with a GoMacro bar. After the ceremony, my husband and I sat in a separate room and ate every single appetizer (including pork buns, pulled BBQ chicken, mini grilled cheese sandwiches, and more!) and drank champagne. Diet. Over. As the evening went on, I enjoyed the goat cheese salad (CHEESE!), the short rib and sweet potato entree, wedding cake, homemade cookies, and apple cider donuts. There was pizza at our afterparty. I ate that, too.
Was dieting fun? No. Was it satisfying? Absolutely not. Was it worth it? Hell yes! For two weeks, you can do this! And you likely will lose inches, but you have to stick to it almost perfectly. We all have our handful of dark chocolate almonds here and there, but make sure you get right back on track. The best part in addition to your tight bod? You can pig out on your honeymoon! (On mine, I sure did my job consuming all of the noodles and dumplings Southeast Asia had to offer . . . and that is another story. Next up: How to get back your hot wedding bod of yesteryear.)
Workout sessions for the author were provided by David Kirsch for the purpose of writing this story.
45+ Sweet Products For Kids Who Are Doughnut Obsessed
We're feeling a little bit doughnut crazy around here, and it looks like we're not alone. From toys and pajama sets to graphic tees and backpacks, the internet is full of products covered in glazed, frosted, and sprinkled doughnuts.
If your child and you are obsessed with those sweet, round treats, look no further than these 47 items they're going to love.
Exactly What to Eat 2 Weeks Before Your Wedding to Lose Weight
When it came to starting a wedding diet, I procastinated. Hard. In fact, a month before the big day I went on a work trip to Morocco and Paris where I ate all of the bread, butter, and chocolate my appetite desired (as one does). Which is all part of the how I found myself muffin-topping over the sides of my strapless Reem Acra gown (pictured, top left) at my last fitting, just two weeks before I was supposed to walk down the aisle.
I'll admit, I was bloated at the time from my period, so when it ended a few days before my wedding, my body tightened. But, I was also up a few pounds. Instead of accepting it, I took about four private workout sessions per week with celebrity trainer David Kirsch. The pro is responsible for sculpting the bodies of celebrities (like Jennifer Lopez and Heidi Klum) and has a wealth of fitness and health knowledge (to recap, he's written five books, has his own line of shakes and supplements, and owns a top-notch NYC gym). He put me on a routine that was a mix of cardio, strength training, HIIT, and TRX. Every time we met up, the moves and sequences were different, which kept my body guessing and metabolism revved.
But anyone who has successfully lost weight knows diet is more than half of the battle. And pre-getting "Kirsched," I had been working out almost every day anyways. So I do credit his eating plan for partly pushing those five extra pounds off of my body.
Here, I am going to share exactly what I ate - and most importantly, did not eat! - to shed the lbs, so my dress fit perfectly (top right). Note, the dress was not taken in or out between the two images, but my body actually transformed in two weeks!
"In my experience working with a bride-to-be, the last couple of weeks leading up to the wedding is uber stressful," Kirsch told me. "As you can attest to personally (Lauren), slight tweaking of your diet will go a long way to keeping you optimally energized, fueled, and looking your very best on the big day!"
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lauren Levinson
Let's start with the hard part, things to avoid according to Kirsch:
Say goodbye to pizza, because you will not be eating processed carbs (bread, pasta, crackers, etc.) or dairy. "I have found that dairy can cause bloating, and who wants to be bloated on their day?" Kirsch said. And no whole grains or potatoes either.
I have personally eliminated both gluten and dairy for weeks and added them back to reveal that I am not intolerant to either. I can have a slice of pizza and feel like a peach, but kicking them out of my diet definitely made my belly flatter. After three days of no carbs, I was craving them! So I texted Kirsch asking if I could have a sweet potato. He told me to crunch on celery instead. It took willpower to follow his advice, but it was worth it. I surely enjoyed sliding into my bathing suit when I arrived at my tropical honeymoon a few days after my wedding.
You'll also need to revamp your drinking game. That means, no alcohol (NONE!). While this meant sitting through events, family dinners, and bar nights totally sober, I enjoyed the mental clarity and increased energy in the mornings. "Save the glass of champagne for after you walk down the aisle!" he said. And yes, I got to enjoy a few flutes of well-earned bubbly at my affair . . . and a margarita!
I also had to limit the amount of coffee I drank. Kirsch recommends having one espresso in the morning. While I stuck to brewed coffee beans, I drank it black. I didn't even add almond milk, and I swear it makes a difference in better digestion.
Kirsch believes that "too much coffee can lead to belly bloat!" Think about it, coffee dehydrates you, so you retain water to hold on to it. Instead, switch over to green tea, which has both caffeine and antioxidants. Every morning, I also had one of his A.M. Detox Drinks (it's yummy and fantastic for your skin!). You can see it in the mason jar above.
Finally, the hardest (for me, since I have a sweet tooth): no sugar. Even dark chocolate. OK, I may have had a handful of dark chocolate-covered almonds one rough night, but for the most part (like 95 percent) I kissed my beloved cookies, ice cream, and cupcakes goodbye. In fact, my husband hid the chocolate on a very high shelf so I could not reach or find it in our apartment. Do what you need to do to survive, brides!
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lauren Levinson
Now onto what you can eat. Disclaimer, this was not Kirsch's exact plan but one loosely based off his advice and what I know works best for my body.
For breakfast I stuck to two options. The first, two eggs and sauteed spinach, all cooked in EVOO. Earlier in my wedding prep, I enjoyed that dish with a side of avocado, but the last two weeks I cut it based on Kirsch's recommendation to limit my fat intake (even healthy ones!). Otherwise, I had an antioxidant-rich bowl of unsweetened coconut yogurt with a handful of raw almonds, chia seeds, flax seeds, cacao nibs, and blueberries. While Kirsch recommended no fruit (remember, no sugar!), I know blueberries are good for eliminating belly fat and making skin glow, so I had some anyways. If you're going to have sugar, eat it in the morning so you can burn it off throughout the day.
When it came to snacks, I sipped on dark green pressed juice (the kind without fruit) and crunchy veggies (Kirsch likes celery, red peppers, and jicama sticks). I also ate GoMacro bars, which were referred to me by another trainer I'd been working out with, Steve Pasterino. I bent the rules a little since these are made with brown rice syrup, but it ensured that I had an option when I was on-the-go.
Dinner and lunch were pretty similar. I'd either have what I dubbed a "Sad Salad" of spinach, crunchy water veggies (cucumber and snow peas), and lean protein (homemade chicken or salmon with no sauces) - all drizzled with EVOO and a lemon squeeze. Snooze. Otherwise, I would cook veggies (such as steamed green beans or asparagus) and have it with the aforementioned lean meat or fish. Sometimes, I would even have the eggs (see: breakfast!) for dinner, which I found very easy to digest. Occasionally, I'd enjoy a green smoothie (kale, spinach, blueberries, almond milk) with pea protein powder.
Image Source: Bruce Plotkin Photography
And for our grand finale, what to eat during your actual wedding weekend:
By then being a bride had taken over my identity (it happens to the best and most chill of us ladies in white). So I brought my own food to the weekend destination, including unsweetened coconut yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, green juice, nuts, seeds, bars, etc. I made sure my hotel room had a fridge to store it in.
"The day before is a day that you want to make sure to put the finishing touches," said Kirsch. "You have planned hard, sweated hard, and stayed away from the obvious no-nos. What else can you do? I suggest a relaxing massage, sauna, and steam. Eating foods like asparagus and celery will help keep you full and debloat you."
So I couldn't resist a taste of homemade pasta during our rehearsal dinner at a delicious Italian restaurant, but by 7 a.m. the next day, I was back on it.
"The day of, I would have a couple of eggs in the morning and oatmeal as you will need the energy and fuel for the rest of the day," Kirsch recommended. "A protein shake for lunch and water for the rest of the day. Save the drinking and eating for after the ceremony, or better yet, for the honeymoon!"
Here's what I consumed for breakfast on my wedding day: I had the antioxidant yogurt and seed bowl as well as black coffee; for lunch I ate a simple salad with grilled chicken provided by my venue; and for snack, I went with a GoMacro bar. After the ceremony, my husband and I sat in a separate room and ate every single appetizer (including pork buns, pulled BBQ chicken, mini grilled cheese sandwiches, and more!) and drank champagne. Diet. Over. As the evening went on, I enjoyed the goat cheese salad (CHEESE!), the short rib and sweet potato entree, wedding cake, homemade cookies, and apple cider donuts. There was pizza at our afterparty. I ate that, too.
Was dieting fun? No. Was it satisfying? Absolutely not. Was it worth it? Hell yes! For two weeks, you can do this! And you likely will lose inches, but you have to stick to it almost perfectly. We all have our handful of dark chocolate almonds here and there, but make sure you get right back on track. The best part in addition to your tight bod? You can pig out on your honeymoon! (On mine, I sure did my job consuming all of the noodles and dumplings Southeast Asia had to offer . . . and that is another story. Next up: How to get back your hot wedding bod of yesteryear.)
Workout sessions for the author were provided by David Kirsch for the purpose of writing this story.
45+ Sweet Products For Kids Who Are Doughnut Obsessed
We're feeling a little bit doughnut crazy around here, and it looks like we're not alone. From toys and pajama sets to graphic tees and backpacks, the internet is full of products covered in glazed, frosted, and sprinkled doughnuts.
If your child and you are obsessed with those sweet, round treats, look no further than these 47 items they're going to love.
The Stunning Way New York City Is Standing Against Trump's Paris Climate Accord Decision
On June 1, President Donald Trump announced his decision to pull the United States out of the Paris Climate Accord - and the world visibly reacted. Buildings in cities from Boston to Paris lit up in green that night to show support for the agreement and a commitment to battling climate change. In NYC, One World Trade went green (seen above), as did City Hall.
Trump's decision to exit the agreement will make the US one of just three countries not to participate, along with Syria and Nicaragua. (Notably, Nicaragua chose not to sign on because they thought the climate agreement did not go far enough to meaningfully combat global warming.)
Former President Barack Obama spoke out about his strong belief in the power of other nation's leaders to combat climate change, and Mayor Bill de Blasio is standing with the former president. De Blasio took to Twitter to share a photo of City Hall radiating green to prove NYC's dedication to respecting the standards of the agreement. "City Hall shines green tonight because New York City will honor the goals of the #ParisAgreement," he wrote, seen below.
City Hall shines green tonight because New York City will honor the goals of the #ParisAgreement. http://pic.twitter.com/BV0IIZYPpA
- Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 2, 2017
Check out Boston, New York, and more cities around the world showing support for the Paris Agreement.
World: the Empire State stands with you. New York shines green for our planet, our health and our children's future. #ParisAgreement http://pic.twitter.com/Ubw7WSPgu0
- Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 2, 2017
City Hall is green tonight. Boston stands with the environment. We must protect our future. #ParisAccord http://pic.twitter.com/yTL5albn2f
- Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) June 2, 2017
Montreal salutes your leadership. You have our full support.Cities will making sure to reach goals #ParisAccord. No Plan B for planet http://pic.twitter.com/WfrpB3ILjD
- DenisCoderre (@DenisCoderre) June 2, 2017
🇲🇽Mexico City lighted city hall & monuments green to express his commitment to the #ParisAgreement 🇲🇽 #Cities4Climate http://pic.twitter.com/EQHXBC8fBb
- C40 Cities (@c40cities) June 2, 2017
American Is Reducing Your Legroom - Find Out How Other Airlines Compare
The last thing any traveler wants is less legroom on their flight. However, American Airlines is reportedly cutting down on the front-to-back space between economy class seats on its upcoming Boeing 737 Max jetliners. Every inch counts when you're trying to stretch out, and these new planes will be cutting out two inches of legroom - from 31 inches to 29 on three rows, and from 31 to 30 on the rest.
The amount of legroom is called a plane's seat pitch - and can vary greatly depending on the airline and on the type of plane you're flying on. Low-fare airlines like Spirit and Frontier typically have lower seat pitches since they are more budget-friendly and basic, but airlines like JetBlue, Virgin, and Southwest boast larger seat pitches (30+ inches of legroom per seat in economy) that passengers love.
United Airlines is expected to follow American in decreasing seat pitch on some of its aircraft. "Fliers will still pay regular economy fares for the 18 seats with two inches less leg room," reported CNN. "Two of those three rows of 29-inch pitch will be in the back of the plane and a third farther forward. These seats won't be part of its new basic economy fares, which sell for less because fliers don't get access to overhead bins, a seat assignment or frequent flier miles."
So, what's a "normal" or "good" amount of legroom? Read on to see what the seat pitch is for each one of these major US airlines.
A Thank You Letter to Betsy DeVos From a Public School Teacher
Thank you, Betsy.
That sounds strange coming from a public school teacher of 15 years. Indeed, after a day of teaching fourth graders, who are diverse in every way and whose future is now in your control, saying thank you is the last thing I thought I'd say today. But thanks. On Feb. 7, 50 Republican senators voted for you, you who would not have made the cut to be hired as a tutor for their own children. Thank you, Betsy, for showing me money has power, but not over all.
I don't know if I feel worse for the senators who sold out because of the money you gave them or for the ones who sold out for free. But not everybody let their vote be bought, and that gives me hope.
Thanks, Betsy, for by showing me my fears, you clarified my beliefs. Yes, you inspire a lot of fears in me . . . will class size grow? Will Title I be cut? Will English For Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services disappear? Will special education be decimated? How will my job change? Will my students have the same opportunities for college as my generation?
Through clarifying my beliefs, you triggered my actions. Thank you for giving me more solidarity with my co-workers, friends, family, and world. In our mutual sorrow at your lack of credentials, we came together. On Tuesday, I did not eat while grading papers or planning lessons. I sat with my co-workers as we mourned the loss of our voice. During the fight to block your confirmation, so many teachers, students, and parents spoke up while calls and letters to senators were ignored and protests delegitimized.
My union never lit a fire beneath me - but you did. Thank you.
Thank you, Betsy, for inflaming my disappointment in our government. Mr. Rogers taught us to look for the helpers in any time of darkness. But it was you who made it dark enough for me to look.
I watched hours of CSPAN listening to thoughtful testimony of so many education advocates and became obsessed with ordering a bound copy of Monday night's incredible congressional record. I have never before felt so political or so united behind my party. Now I want to donate money, support the candidates I believe in, organize . . . the sky is the limit. My union never taught me this, never lit a fire beneath me - but you did. Thank you.
More than anything, I want to teach. I want to continue to teach my fourth graders that citizenship means respect for all and a responsibility for each other, to read critically, to value being informed. I want to teach them that a million small efforts will eventually be more powerful than one large campaign check. And I want to teach them that America will always return to freedom, no matter how much corruption tries to reign.
So, thank you, and good luck to you. You have no clue what you just signed up for.
This post was originally published on February 20, 2017.
7 Tips to Negotiating the Raise You Deserve
If you're upset about your pay or the promotion you've been wanting for a while that never came, it's time to ask for it! Make sure your manager knows that you're gunning for a raise this year and bring it up at your annual performance review, which should be coming up for many of you. Jim Hopkinson, author of Salary Tutor: Learn the Salary Negotiation Secrets No One Ever Taught You, shared a couple of tips for savvy professionals to use when negotiating for a pay bump. Here they are:
- List your achievements. "From your first day of employment, you should maintain a simple document that lists your accomplishments. Keeping this updated will give you ammunition to use during a performance review – or bullet points for your resume if you decide to move on."
- Be seen. "Get noticed by volunteering for new and high profile projects and becoming more involved in the company as a whole."
- Find the money position. "When negotiating salary in a bad economy put yourself in a position to work on revenue-generating projects with incentives for bonuses."
- Emphasize your work performance. "When asking for a raise, don't complain about your bills being high or what someone else in the company makes. This is about your on-the-job performance. You earn a raise by making the company money, saving the company money, or doing a task that no one else can do."
- Consider the schedule. "You must know the process by which your company gives reviews. Is it once at the end of the fiscal year for everyone? On a rolling basis based on individual hire date? Knowing when operating budgets are created and approved is important so you can make your pitch for more money before funds are allocated."
- Figure out your style. "Also, adapt to your boss' style. If they're the buttoned-up, no-nonsense, bottom-line type, you better make sure to back up any proposal with facts and figures to support your argument. If their style is laid-back and big-picture, present your case in terms of how you fit in with the company as a whole, how you interact with fellow employees on the team, and what your vision is moving forward."
- Make yourself heard. "Make sure to increase communication in the weeks and months leading up to your review. Did you sign a new client? Hit your deadline? Bring a project in under budget? Go head and CC: your boss - and in some cases, their boss - so that they're aware of your recent accomplishments."
The Stunning Way New York City Is Standing Against Trump's Paris Climate Accord Decision
On June 1, President Donald Trump announced his decision to pull the United States out of the Paris Climate Accord - and the world visibly reacted. Buildings in cities from Boston to Paris lit up in green that night to show support for the agreement and a commitment to battling climate change. In NYC, One World Trade went green (seen above), as did City Hall.
Trump's decision to exit the agreement will make the US one of just three countries not to participate, along with Syria and Nicaragua. (Notably, Nicaragua chose not to sign on because they thought the climate agreement did not go far enough to meaningfully combat global warming.)
Former President Barack Obama spoke out about his strong belief in the power of other nation's leaders to combat climate change, and Mayor Bill de Blasio is standing with the former president. De Blasio took to Twitter to share a photo of City Hall radiating green to prove NYC's dedication to respecting the standards of the agreement. "City Hall shines green tonight because New York City will honor the goals of the #ParisAgreement," he wrote, seen below.
City Hall shines green tonight because New York City will honor the goals of the #ParisAgreement. http://pic.twitter.com/BV0IIZYPpA
- Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 2, 2017
Check out Boston, New York, and more cities around the world showing support for the Paris Agreement.
World: the Empire State stands with you. New York shines green for our planet, our health and our children's future. #ParisAgreement http://pic.twitter.com/Ubw7WSPgu0
- Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 2, 2017
City Hall is green tonight. Boston stands with the environment. We must protect our future. #ParisAccord http://pic.twitter.com/yTL5albn2f
- Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) June 2, 2017
Montreal salutes your leadership. You have our full support.Cities will making sure to reach goals #ParisAccord. No Plan B for planet http://pic.twitter.com/WfrpB3ILjD
- DenisCoderre (@DenisCoderre) June 2, 2017
🇲🇽Mexico City lighted city hall & monuments green to express his commitment to the #ParisAgreement 🇲🇽 #Cities4Climate http://pic.twitter.com/EQHXBC8fBb
- C40 Cities (@c40cities) June 2, 2017
A Thank You Letter to Betsy DeVos From a Public School Teacher
Thank you, Betsy.
That sounds strange coming from a public school teacher of 15 years. Indeed, after a day of teaching fourth graders, who are diverse in every way and whose future is now in your control, saying thank you is the last thing I thought I'd say today. But thanks. On Feb. 7, 50 Republican senators voted for you, you who would not have made the cut to be hired as a tutor for their own children. Thank you, Betsy, for showing me money has power, but not over all.
I don't know if I feel worse for the senators who sold out because of the money you gave them or for the ones who sold out for free. But not everybody let their vote be bought, and that gives me hope.
Thanks, Betsy, for by showing me my fears, you clarified my beliefs. Yes, you inspire a lot of fears in me . . . will class size grow? Will Title I be cut? Will English For Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services disappear? Will special education be decimated? How will my job change? Will my students have the same opportunities for college as my generation?
Through clarifying my beliefs, you triggered my actions. Thank you for giving me more solidarity with my co-workers, friends, family, and world. In our mutual sorrow at your lack of credentials, we came together. On Tuesday, I did not eat while grading papers or planning lessons. I sat with my co-workers as we mourned the loss of our voice. During the fight to block your confirmation, so many teachers, students, and parents spoke up while calls and letters to senators were ignored and protests delegitimized.
My union never lit a fire beneath me - but you did. Thank you.
Thank you, Betsy, for inflaming my disappointment in our government. Mr. Rogers taught us to look for the helpers in any time of darkness. But it was you who made it dark enough for me to look.
I watched hours of CSPAN listening to thoughtful testimony of so many education advocates and became obsessed with ordering a bound copy of Monday night's incredible congressional record. I have never before felt so political or so united behind my party. Now I want to donate money, support the candidates I believe in, organize . . . the sky is the limit. My union never taught me this, never lit a fire beneath me - but you did. Thank you.
More than anything, I want to teach. I want to continue to teach my fourth graders that citizenship means respect for all and a responsibility for each other, to read critically, to value being informed. I want to teach them that a million small efforts will eventually be more powerful than one large campaign check. And I want to teach them that America will always return to freedom, no matter how much corruption tries to reign.
So, thank you, and good luck to you. You have no clue what you just signed up for.
This post was originally published on February 20, 2017.
12 Things to Pack in Your Carry-On Bag
I'm all about making my flights as smooth as humanly possible. I've started packing more like a minimalist, and I've slowly but surely discovered some airport hacks that have made my life a lot easier. I think the key to a perfect flight is having what you need all in one spot: in your carry-on. If you're checking a bag, you need to know what's important to bring on board the plane with you and what's OK to leave behind in the bag you're sending off into the literal hands of strangers and metaphorical hands of machines. Here's what you should always have in your carry-on bag when flying.
Work Out, Don't Break Out: Here's How to Wear Makeup Without Messing Up Your Skin
If you were ever going to try wearing a little makeup during a workout or exercise event, a Disney race is probably the best place to do so. While at Disneyland for the Tinker Bell Half-Marathon, I attended runDisney's Glamour Running Make-Up Clinic with Sephora, and talked to makeup artists Abi Mayfield and Angie Corona on how to get "the pixie dust flair" for race day without ending up with a face full of acne.
And these tips extend well beyond race day - if you're made up for work and hitting the gym at lunch time, or just need a confidence boost from a little extra coverage, we feel ya, girl! Don't let anyone makeup shame you if that's the way you like to sweat. Just remember to take care of your skin afterward.
Angie and Abi called this the "double-cleanse and mask" method. It takes a little extra work, but it's essential for maintaining clear, fresh skin and preventing breakouts. Here's how you do the three-step skincare routine that's imperative for glammed-up active girls. (Tip: ensure you do this as quickly as possible after your event or workout . . . and photos!).
Step 1: Wipe It Off
Phase one of your cleanse can be done with a wipe, some makeup remover, micellar water, or as Abi and Angi suggest, a cleansing oil.
Just remember, you're not done there! You might feel cleansed, but your skin needs a little extra TLC.
Step 2: Do Your Cleansing Routine
Abi and Angi recommend using your normal or gentle cleanser, or an acne-targeting cleanser if you're usually prone to breakouts. They also recommended using a Clarisonic or brush, as it "leaves your skin six times cleaner." After you scrub it up, use your favorite toner, follow up with a serum, and use a moisturizer if you're feeling dry.
Step 3: Mask It Up
Grab a sheet mask - they suggested one that is "detoxing and nourishing." You've just put your skin through a lot, with makeup, lots of sweat, maybe even some sunshine, and then your scrub-down, so it's time for a little self-care for your face. Need some suggestions? POPSUGAR Beauty rounded up the best sheet masks of 2017 (so far!), so you can choose your favorite from great steals to splurge-worthy treats for your skin.
Guys, You Need to Know About This Under-$100 Premium Denim Brand
Finding the right pair of jeans is never an easy task. You have to try on a million pairs before finding one that actually fits you, and on top of that, you have to cough up almost $200 for a single pair of jeans - what's the deal with that? Thus, my mission of finding an affordable yet trendy pair of jeans began. After a little digging, I stumbled upon the Los Angeles-based brand DSTLD, which designs premium denim for under $100.
Side note: I actually faced my fears and gave its "Mom Jeans" a try. Despite previously hating how the style looked on my body, I was surprised how well these particular jeans fit. At the risk of sounding like an infomercial, I can truly say that the style hugged my curves in all the right places and didn't make me look frumpy or make my butt look flat like other brands had in the past. We spoke with the brand's design director, Paul Roughley, to learn more about why its jeans are so popular.
POPSUGAR: What makes the perfect pair of jeans?
Paul Roughley: Most importantly fit; without a good fit, premium fabrics and washes are redundant.
PS: Is there a particular style of jeans that looks good on every body type?
PR: I don't believe so; that's why it's paramount to have a representation of fits to cover all body types.
PS: Is there a trick to crafting a pair of "Mom Jeans" that are flattering?
PR: There's no magic formula - just attention to detail and quality technique. We start out with a photo or vintage sample of a style. Then, through a series of fittings and exhaustive analysis of proportions, details, wash color, and hand feel, we attain our goal.
PS: What's the ultimate secret for getting the perfect balance/fit in a pair of jeans?
PR: A premium fabric that has good recovery, meaning the fabric will return to its original form even after being stretched out for hours at a time when worn. A superstretch fabric usually has a Lycra T400 fiber in it, which has a permanent, coil-like structure that helps the jean return to its original shape. Our Black Powerstretch denim is a good example of that.
PS: What trends are you looking at this season?
PR: While we don't look at trends, we're inspired by the authentic vintage washes we're seeing everywhere this season, as well as the "Mom" fit.
Scroll on to shop some of its best styles without worrying about creating a dent in your wallet.
Guys, You Need to Know About This Under-$100 Premium Denim Brand
Finding the right pair of jeans is never an easy task. You have to try on a million pairs before finding one that actually fits you, and on top of that, you have to cough up almost $200 for a single pair of jeans - what's the deal with that? Thus, my mission of finding an affordable yet trendy pair of jeans began. After a little digging, I stumbled upon the Los Angeles-based brand DSTLD, which designs premium denim for under $100.
Side note: I actually faced my fears and gave its "Mom Jeans" a try. Despite previously hating how the style looked on my body, I was surprised how well these particular jeans fit. At the risk of sounding like an infomercial, I can truly say that the style hugged my curves in all the right places and didn't make me look frumpy or make my butt look flat like other brands had in the past. We spoke with the brand's design director, Paul Roughley, to learn more about why its jeans are so popular.
POPSUGAR: What makes the perfect pair of jeans?
Paul Roughley: Most importantly fit; without a good fit, premium fabrics and washes are redundant.
PS: Is there a particular style of jeans that looks good on every body type?
PR: I don't believe so; that's why it's paramount to have a representation of fits to cover all body types.
PS: Is there a trick to crafting a pair of "Mom Jeans" that are flattering?
PR: There's no magic formula - just attention to detail and quality technique. We start out with a photo or vintage sample of a style. Then, through a series of fittings and exhaustive analysis of proportions, details, wash color, and hand feel, we attain our goal.
PS: What's the ultimate secret for getting the perfect balance/fit in a pair of jeans?
PR: A premium fabric that has good recovery, meaning the fabric will return to its original form even after being stretched out for hours at a time when worn. A superstretch fabric usually has a Lycra T400 fiber in it, which has a permanent, coil-like structure that helps the jean return to its original shape. Our Black Powerstretch denim is a good example of that.
PS: What trends are you looking at this season?
PR: While we don't look at trends, we're inspired by the authentic vintage washes we're seeing everywhere this season, as well as the "Mom" fit.
Scroll on to shop some of its best styles without worrying about creating a dent in your wallet.
You Can Use FastPass at Pandora - but Here's Why You Might Not Want To
If you plan on visiting Walt Disney World's Pandora in the coming months, be prepared to wait. Since the so-called World of Avatar opened on May 27, there have reportedly been massive lines to simply enter the land. Inside, both rides have had wait times upward of four hours. The unusually long wait times have prompted many to turn to Disney's popular FastPass reservation service.
Namely, the big question on everyone's mind is: can you book FastPass reservations for Avatar Flight of Passage and Na'vi River Journey? Fortunately, yes! On the official Walt Disney World website, it states that FastPass reservations can be made for Pandora's rides. Unfortunately, reservations can only be made for one Pandora ride per day. Once you select your ride of choice, you'll be able to select a limited window of time to claim your reservation. Visitors are then allowed to make reservations at two other attractions within Animal Kingdom.
Naturally, there's a little strategizing that can be done. For starters, Avatar Flight of Passage will certainly be the more popular ride as it is the thrill ride. The line also moves slower because it doesn't accommodate as many people as Na'vi River Journey does. If you plan on riding the immersive 3D ride, then you should use the FastPass service for Avatar Flight of Passage and just bear the Na'vi River Journey line.
Oh, but there's another obstacle: FastPass reservations sell out crazy-fast. If you're planning your trip in advance, set a reminder to make your reservation as soon as you're able to. Disney allows you to make a reservation 30 days before your visit or 60 days in advance if you're staying at an official Disney Resort hotel.
If you're unable to make a reservation for either attraction, that is just fine. The lines for both rides are actually filled with cool features that should make your wait a little less excruciating. Check out some select pictures from the respective lines to see what we're talking about.
If You Have a Middle Child, Please Spend 2 Minutes Reading This Mom's Message
There's a reason Middle Child Syndrome exists, and one mom just turned her guilt at neglecting her second-born kid into a must-read message for all parents of three.
Claire Deane's second child plays camogie, an Irish stick-and-ball game, and had won player of the week at the latest game. The 5-year-old girl even got a trophy.
"I missed it," Deane wrote in a sweet Facebook apology letter to her daughter. "I missed it because I was [at the doctor] with your brother, both of us crying - him because he didn't want the nurse or anybody else to even 'look' in his direction, me because I had an awful feeling I was the worst mother in the entire universe."
Turns out, she not only missed something important for "Child 2," as she calls her. But her son was absolutely fine, so she had missed Child 2 getting her trophy for no good reason.
"This happens quite frequently, more than I care to admit," she wrote. "You see, Child 2, well, she's pretty much perfect. You would think that's a good thing. I mean it is, it's just in between her sister's ever-growing list of after-school activities, playdates, and general stroppy cow syndrome, and her brother's ability to lose his mind along with copious amounts of sh*t throughout the day."
Deane admitted that Child 2 gets "the least of my attention throughout the day," and that it worries her so much that she ends up "staring at her as she sleeps, riddled with guilt, taking in every inch of her perfect, happy-go-lucky, non-sh*t-giving little self, promising to be better."
And then, the mom said what all moms of middle children think:
I see you. I see you in the mornings, your big smile as you go with the flow, humming and without complaint completely oblivious to the other two scalds who by 8 a.m. have usually been the cause of me cursing under my breath 465,000 times . . . I see you never fighting over what's on the television - always just happy if their happy,
I see you share every single thing you own without question, I see you always thinking of your brother and sister. No matter what you get you always make sure you're not empty-handed for them coming home. I see you sometimes get anxious before school or in crowds, I see you breathing with me and taking me in, I see you watch me wipe your tears, I see you then bravely walking in.
I see you worry when your sister once again slams her door, I see you negotiate with your brother when he's mid-sh*t-losing and crying and kicking on the floor, I see you dance and sing . . . you actually have no idea of the joy you bring.
I see your eyes widen with enthusiasm every day at dinner when everyone's talking about their day, you have such an amazing little way. I see you blossom when it's just me and you, I know it's not nearly often enough and sometimes it goes long overdue. But yes my sweet, sensitive, funny, caring beauty . . . I see you.
This DIY Deck Is So Affordable Anyone Can Build It
If you've been dreaming of a beautiful wooden deck for your yard but the cost of this pricey home addition is more like a nightmare, then we have the perfect DIY for you. Blogger Liz of Hoosier Homemade found the perfect deck hack: wooden pallets. Piecing together six of these super affordable surfaces, she created the perfect outdoor living space. While this DIY takes a little elbow grease - the pallets need to be sanded and stained and the ground must be leveled and prepped - the final result is picture perfect. Head to Hoosier Homemade for the full tutorial and check out some snaps of the DIY below.
Work Out, Don't Break Out: Here's How to Wear Makeup Without Messing Up Your Skin
If you were ever going to try wearing a little makeup during a workout or exercise event, a Disney race is probably the best place to do so. While at Disneyland for the Tinker Bell Half-Marathon, I attended runDisney's Glamour Running Make-Up Clinic with Sephora, and talked to makeup artists Abi Mayfield and Angie Corona on how to get "the pixie dust flair" for race day without ending up with a face full of acne.
And these tips extend well beyond race day - if you're made up for work and hitting the gym at lunch time, or just need a confidence boost from a little extra coverage, we feel ya, girl! Don't let anyone makeup-shame you if that's the way you like to sweat. Just remember to take care of your skin afterward.
Angie and Abi called this the "double-cleanse and mask" method. It takes a little extra work, but it's essential for maintaining clear, fresh skin and preventing breakouts. Here's how you do the three-step skincare routine that's imperative for glammed-up active girls. (Tip: ensure you do this as quickly as possible after your event or workout . . . and photos!).
Step 1: Wipe It Off
Phase one of your cleanse can be done with a wipe, some makeup remover, micellar water, or as Abi and Angi suggest, a cleansing oil.
Just remember, you're not done there! You might feel cleansed, but your skin needs a little extra TLC.
Step 2: Do Your Cleansing Routine
Abi and Angi recommend using your normal or gentle cleanser, or an acne-targeting cleanser if you're usually prone to breakouts. They also recommended using a Clarisonic or brush, as it "leaves your skin six times cleaner." After you scrub it up, use your favorite toner, follow up with a serum, and use a moisturizer if you're feeling dry.
Step 3: Mask It Up
Grab a sheet mask - they suggested one that is "detoxing and nourishing." You've just put your skin through a lot, with makeup, lots of sweat, maybe even some sunshine, and then your scrub-down, so it's time for a little self-care for your face. Need some suggestions? POPSUGAR Beauty rounded up the best sheet masks of 2017 (so far!), so you can choose your favorite from great steals to splurge-worthy treats for your skin.
The Things You Should Never Wear to a Wedding
So your fridge is decorated with save the dates and wedding invitations that all fit snugly between the months of May and September? Yep, it is officially wedding season. And with it comes the question: what to wear? While rules don't seem to apply in fashion anymore - we're wearing white all year round and mixing our stripes with cheetah prints - when it comes to weddings, there's nothing worse than a fashion faux pas on Cousin Jill's big day.
In a world without an Emily Post to lean on, it's hard to distinguish between the dos and do-nots of proper wedding attire. So we're designating ourselves as your guiding light for every soirée on the books. As we begin our deep-dive into the fast-approaching season, we turn to the laws of etiquette to stay within the lines of appropriate. In this case, we're looking at what not to wear. The list isn't long, but it is accurate, with one statute always top-of-mind. In polite society, one never draws attention away from the bride.
The Things You Should Never Wear to a Wedding
So your fridge is decorated with save the dates and wedding invitations that all fit snugly between the months of May and September? Yep, it is officially wedding season. And with it comes the question: what to wear? While rules don't seem to apply in fashion anymore - we're wearing white all year round and mixing our stripes with cheetah prints - when it comes to weddings, there's nothing worse than a fashion faux pas on Cousin Jill's big day.
In a world without an Emily Post to lean on, it's hard to distinguish between the dos and do-nots of proper wedding attire. So we're designating ourselves as your guiding light for every soirée on the books. As we begin our deep-dive into the fast-approaching season, we turn to the laws of etiquette to stay within the lines of appropriate. In this case, we're looking at what not to wear. The list isn't long, but it is accurate, with one statute always top-of-mind. In polite society, one never draws attention away from the bride.
This Sweet Photo Session Shows a Cool Couple in Their Natural Element
Shortly after their wedding, Kaitlin and Cody invited their photographer over to their home for an intimate couples photo session. She captured the two in their natural element with photos that really showed their real life, not posed portraits. They included their dog and cat, and some pizza, which made the shoot even more relatable and the couple more lovable. Kaitlin and Cody's love for each other completely shines through in each picture. See them ahead!
If You Have a Middle Child, Please Spend 2 Minutes Reading This Mom's Message
There's a reason Middle Child Syndrome exists, and one mom just turned her guilt at neglecting her second-born kid into a must-read message for all parents of three.
Claire Deane's second child plays camogie, an Irish stick-and-ball game, and had won Player of the Week at the latest game. The five-year-old girl even got a trophy.
"I missed it," Deane wrote in a sweet Facebook apology letter to her daughter. "I missed it because I was [at the doctor] with your brother, both of us crying – him because he didn't want the nurse or anybody else to even 'look' in his direction, me because I had an awful feeling I was the worst mother in the entire universe."
Turns out, she not only missed something important for "Child 2," as she calls her. But her son was absolutely fine, so she had missed Child 2 getting her trophy for no good reason.
"This happens quite frequently, more than I care to admit," she wrote. "You see, Child 2, well, she's pretty much perfect. You would think that's a good thing. I mean it is, it's just in between her sister's ever-growing list of after-school activities, playdates, and general stroppy cow syndrome, and her brother's ability to lose his mind along with copious amounts of shit throughout the day."
Deane admitted that Child 2 gets "the least of my attention throughout the day," and that it worries her so much that she ends up "staring at her as she sleeps, riddled with guilt, taking in every inch of her perfect, happy-go-lucky, non-shit-giving little self, promising to be better."
And then, the mom said what all moms of middle children think:
I see you. I see you in the mornings, your big smile as you go with the flow, humming and without complaint completely oblivious to the other two scalds who by 8 a.m. have usually been the cause of me cursing under my breath 465,000 times...
I see you never fighting over what's on the television - always just happy if their happy,
I see you share every single thing you own without question, I see you always thinking of your brother and sister. No matter what you get you always make sure you're not empty-handed for them coming home. I see you sometimes get anxious before school or in crowds, I see you breathing with me and taking me in, I see you watch me wipe your tears, I see you then bravely walking in.
I see you worry when your sister once again slams her door, I see you negotiate with your brother when he's mid-shit-losing and crying and kicking on the floor, I see you dance and sing... you actually have no idea of the joy you bring.
I see your eyes widen with enthusiasm every day at dinner when everyone's talking about their day, you have such an amazing little way. I see you blossom when it's just me and you, I know it's not nearly often enough and sometimes it goes long overdue. But yes my sweet, sensitive, funny, caring beauty...
I see you.
Lauren Conrad Says Goodbye to This Pacific Palisades Mansion - Bye, Epic Waterslide
You might remember Lauren Conrad from her glory days on Laguna Beach, but this California girl has come a long way since then, and her most recent real estate sale can attest to that. Lauren and her husband William Tell recently sold their Pacific Palisades, CA, mansion for $5 million. The couple purchased the home back in 2015 for $4.4 million, but it looks like Lauren revamped the 5,871-square-foot Spanish mansion with some of her impressive interior decorating skills.
The five-bedroom, six-bathroom home has been updated with a strikingly beautiful white paint job, giving the home the open, beachy feel we'd expect LC to create. If the massive master bathroom wasn't enough to convince the new buyers, maybe it was the circular dressing room with French doors that open up to a balcony. Keller Williams' Linda Ferrari and Main Beach Realty's Cary Glenn were responsible for the listing, which also boasted the swimming pool and waterslide.
The two are expecting their first child together, and we have a feeling that the baby is going to be mad his or her parents gave up such an epic waterslide. Keep reading to see photos of the beautiful Pacific Palisades mansion, and let Lauren's style inspire your own interior design.
After His Daughter Ripped Her Michael Kors Bag, This Dad Tried to "Fix" It
Dad Replaces Daughter's Bag With 'Unique' ModelAfter she ripped her Michael Kors bag, her dad replaced it with a 'one of a kind' design... 😂😂😂
Posted by Pretty 52 on Monday, May 29, 2017
A dad was recently shocked when his daughter completely ripped her brand-new Michael Kors tote bag in a fit of inexplicable rage just a few minutes after leaving for school in the morning. Oh, but he had a solution. In a video shared with Pretty 52, the dad presented his very special DIY re-creation of the Michael Kors bag in question.
As you'll see in the hysterical video, he simply grabbed a plastic shopping bag and attached the strap and logo charm from the real Michael Kors bag. Totally the same thing, right? Moments later, he's shown giving the "one-of-a-kind" bag to his daughter. Though her parents couldn't stop cracking up, let's just say she was stunned into silence. Watch the whole prank unfold gloriously in the video above.
15 Zumba Videos That Will Pump You Up With Some "Gasolina" and Make You Sweat
When Daddy Yankee's "Gasolina" was released 10 years ago, it became an instant hit, but the popular song has serious long-lasting power, continuing to rock our worlds even now. It makes sense: the beat of the song instantly makes you want to get up and dance the night away, which is why Zumba instructors on YouTube have combined it with amazing choreography. Grab a towel and keep scrolling to get some of the best Zumba videos to "Gasolina."
Add a Little Nostalgia to Your Life With These JanSport Disney Backpacks
If there are two things that come to mind when we think of our childhood, it's JanSport backpacks and fun-filled trips to Disney. But now that our passion for Disney has only increased through the years, the popular backpack company has released an incredible collection that lets us show our love for the characters wherever we go. You don't even need to take vacation days to experience the magic of the first-ever JanSport Disney collection!
The bags range from $44-$90 and feature some of our favorite characters alongside beautiful patterns. Think: Minnie Mouse with roses and Mickey Mouse on a tropical background. Keep reading to see the backpacks, and make sure to shop the collection ASAP.
After His Daughter Ripped Her Michael Kors Bag, This Dad Tried to "Fix" It
Dad Replaces Daughter's Bag With 'Unique' ModelAfter she ripped her Michael Kors bag, her dad replaced it with a 'one of a kind' design... 😂😂😂
Posted by Pretty 52 on Monday, May 29, 2017
A dad was recently shocked when his daughter completely ripped her brand new Michael Kors tote bag in a fit of inexplicable rage just a few minutes after leaving for school in the morning. Oh, but he had a solution. In a video shared with Pretty 52, the dad presented his very special DIY recreation of the Michael Kors bag in question.
As you'll see in the hysterical video, he simply grabbed a plastic shopping bag and attached the strap and logo charm from the real Michael Kors bag. Totally the same thing, right? Moments later, he's shown giving the "one-of-a-kind" bag to his daughter. Though her parents couldn't stop cracking up, let's just say she was stunned into silence. Watch the whole prank unfold gloriously in the video above.
These 11 Bestselling Tents Will Elevate Your Camping Experience
Summer is the ideal time to unplug and go camping. You can get some good relaxing in, and the weather is ideal. So make the adventure as convenient as possible by selecting the right tent to suit your needs. Whether you are on a one-person mission, a couple under the stars, or a family of six, there is an option for you. We filtered through Amazon reviews and ratings so you don't have to - these are the best buys out there right now.
Freddie Prinze Jr. Reveals the Secret to His 14-Year Marriage to Sarah Michelle Gellar
Image Source: Getty / Vincent Sandoval
Freddie Prinze Jr. is many things - he's an actor, a husband, a father - but did you know that he's also an amazing cook? After releasing his cookbook, Back to the Kitchen, in 2016, Freddie is partnering with Palmolive to create messy recipes - aka "messipes" - to make mealtimes more memorable with your loved ones. And his passion for food certainly runs in the family. Not only is wife Sarah Michelle Gellar an avid baker, but he also spent a huge portion of his childhood in the kitchen with his mom. "We would spend time in front of the stove together," he tells POPSUGAR, adding that she would often tell him stories about his late father, Freddie Prinze, who died nearly one year after he was born. Not only did she teach him how to cook Miso soup from scratch, but he also learned some important life lessons. He recalls one specific moment when he got turned down by a girl he liked in high school. "She said, 'Son, girls your age don't want to date nice boys, and you're a nice boy. They want to date jerks.' Only she didn't say the word 'jerk.' She said, 'So, if you want to date these girls, you're gonna have to work real hard to be a jerk, and I don't want you to do that.'"
It's those same fond memories he hopes to share with his own children - Charlotte, 7, and Rocky, 4, - one day. Even though he'll be the first to admit to his kids that he's not perfect (what parent is though?), to them, he's like a superhero. "Even with all those flaws, they still think I'm a Jedi master," he says. No matter how corny it may sound, he reveals that every day feels like Father's Day, which is in part due to the fact that he didn't grow up with his own father. "When you don't have a dad, it's all you think about," he says. "You start fantasizing things that you wish you could get. So, Father's Day is a great day at my house, but it's more about the kids. Like for my birthday, we go to Disneyland because I want to see the kids. Whatever the kids want to do, we'll do."
Image Source: Getty / Handout
Freddie definitely has a great partner to raise his children with. He and Sarah first met on the set of I Know What You Did Last Summer and started dating three years later. Since tying the knot in 2002, the two have made us melt with their sweet family moments and enduring love. So, what exactly is the key to their 14-year marriage? The simple answer is laughter. "In Hollywood, and in life, a lot of pretty people get married when they're really young," Freddie says. While he admits it's important to be attracted to the person you're with, it's also vital to have that laughter and connection with each other. "Sarah and I like different things, but she respects me and she loves me, and 17 years later, she still makes me laugh at dinner or when we're watching TV and see something stupid," he says. "That's our secret and that's what works for us. When I'm 60 years old, she'll still be making me laugh, so we'll still be together."
Freddie Prinze Jr. Reveals the Secret to His 14-Year Marriage to Sarah Michelle Gellar
Image Source: Getty / Vincent Sandoval
Freddie Prinze Jr. is many things - he's an actor, a husband, a father - but did you know that he's also an amazing cook? After releasing his cookbook, Back to the Kitchen, in 2016, Freddie is partnering with Palmolive to create messy recipes - aka "messipes" - to make mealtimes more memorable with your loved ones. And his passion for food certainly runs in the family. Not only is wife Sarah Michelle Gellar an avid baker, but he also spent a huge portion of his childhood in the kitchen with his mom. "We would spend time in front of the stove together," he tells POPSUGAR, adding that she would often tell him stories about his late father, Freddie Prinze, who died nearly one year after he was born. Not only did she teach him how to cook Miso soup from scratch, but he also learned some important life lessons. He recalls one specific moment when he got turned down by a girl he liked in high school. "She said, 'Son, girls your age don't want to date nice boys, and you're a nice boy. They want to date jerks.' Only she didn't say the word 'jerk.' She said, 'So, if you want to date these girls, you're gonna have to work real hard to be a jerk, and I don't want you to do that.'"
It's those same fond memories he hopes to share with his own children - Charlotte, 7, and Rocky, 4, - one day. Even though he'll be the first to admit to his kids that he's not perfect (what parent is though?), to them, he's like a superhero. "Even with all those flaws, they still think I'm a Jedi master," he says. No matter how corny it may sound, he reveals that every day feels like Father's Day, which is in part due to the fact that he didn't grow up with his own father. "When you don't have a dad, it's all you think about," he says. "You start fantasizing things that you wish you could get. So, Father's Day is a great day at my house, but it's more about the kids. Like for my birthday, we go to Disneyland because I want to see the kids. Whatever the kids want to do, we'll do."
Image Source: Getty / Handout
Freddie definitely has a great partner to raise his children with. He and Sarah first met on the set of I Know What You Did Last Summer and started dating three years later. Since tying the knot in 2002, the two have made us melt with their sweet family moments and enduring love. So, what exactly is the key to their 14-year marriage? The simple answer is laughter. "In Hollywood, and in life, a lot of pretty people get married when they're really young," Freddie says. While he admits it's important to be attracted to the person you're with, it's also vital to have that laughter and connection with each other. "Sarah and I like different things, but she respects me and she loves me, and 17 years later, she still makes me laugh at dinner or when we're watching TV and see something stupid," he says. "That's our secret and that's what works for us. When I'm 60 years old, she'll still be making me laugh, so we'll still be together."
Excited for Wonder Woman? Brush Up on Her Story From the Comics
The long-awaited film adaptation of DC's Wonder Woman hits theaters on June 2. As the character has been around since the 1940s, the original source material is predictably chock-full of various characters, storylines, and all kinds of other information that can seem intimidating to get through. Don't quite know where to begin? If you want to brush up on your Wonder Woman knowledge before catching the movie this Summer, here are some highlights from the comics.
Origin Story
Wonder Woman's classic origin story is heavily rooted in Greek mythology. She is the daughter of Hippolyta, Queen of an Amazon-occupied island called Themyscria (or, earlier on, Paradise Island). Hippolyta, who wishes for a child, forms her out of clay from the shores. The gods of Olympus then bring the clay to life as Diana and bless her with gifts, such as beauty, strength, wisdom, speed, and flight. Her superhuman abilities assist her in her role as an emissary in Man's World. In the New 52 reboot (DC's 2011 relaunch) and the DC Extended Universe, Diana is not created from clay. Instead, she is the daughter of Hippolyta and Zeus, making her a demigod.
Notable Nemeses
Wonder Woman goes head-to-head with several enemies in the comics. Among the most notorious is Circe, a powerful witch and sorceress who's based on her namesake in Greek mythology. Notably, she sets up the War of the Gods, an epic war between numerous pantheons. Another one of Wonder Woman's well-known adversaries is Cheetah. Several people have donned this title, but the most prominent is possibly Barbara Ann Minerva, an archaeologist who gains an interest in besting Wonder Woman in battle after a failed attempt to take the hero's Lasso of Truth. Wonder Woman has also fought Ares (yes, the God of War), a misogynistic occultist called Doctor Psycho, and the size-manipulating Giganta.
Love Interests
Though Wonder Woman has quite a few love interests over the years, her most notable one is Steve Trevor. He originally debuts as the first man she ever meets, after his plane crashes on her island during World War II. She nurses him back to health, falls in love with him, and easily wins a competition to escort him back to Man's World (aka Earth) and assist in the country's battles. Other iterations of Steve remove his romantic relationship with Wonder Woman, but fans are still very familiar with it. In fact, Chris Pine is playing him in the film. Other than that, Wonder Woman also has trysts with characters including Nemesis, Aquaman, and Superman.
Team Affiliations
Wonder Woman starts off as a member of the Justice Society of America - though she mostly appears as the team's secretary and doesn't get in on the action much until later on. She's more famously a part of the Justice League of America, a superhero team consisting of several heroes like Batman, Superman, Aquaman, and the Flash. The JLA has undergone tons of changes to its origin story, but Wonder Woman is almost always a founding member.
The Most Flattering Swimsuit Print Comes in All Colors and Styles
You've probably heard about the debate on what types of stripes - vertical or horizontal - makes you look slimmer. While the research out there is a mixed bag, we're betting our money on vertical stripes. The print draws your eyes up and down, making you appear taller, and it doesn't highlight your widest points.
Keeping in mind this little detail, we turned our attention to vertical striped swimsuits. It's the one classic print that's never hurt our style, whether we go with a bandeau bikini or multicolored one-piece. If you're looking for the most flattering print ever, go ahead and scoop up one of the striped swimsuits below.
15 Zumba Videos That Will Pump You Up With Some "Gasolina" and Make You Sweat
When Daddy Yankee's "Gasolina" was released 10 years ago, it became an instant hit, but the popular song has serious long-lasting power, continuing to rock our worlds even now. It makes sense: the beat of the song instantly makes you want to get up and dance the night away, which is why Zumba instructors on YouTube have combined it with amazing choreography. Grab a towel and keep scrolling to get some of the best Zumba videos to "Gasolina."
You Guys, Octopus Buns Are SO In Right Now
As the sun is shining outside the POPSUGAR office and people are starting to clear out for their first Summer Friday, the edit team is still hard at work. But since we editors are always on top of the coolest trends, our eagerness to leave for the weekend does not stop us from having the latest viral hairstyle: the octopus bun.
The octopus bun is the perfect marriage of the millennial normcore aesthetic and creature-inspired beauty. Who wants to look like a magical, luminescent unicorn when they can look like a creepy-crawly, tentacled creature from the depths of the sea?
To achieve this high-fashion look, grab your stretched-out scrunchie or hair-tying apparatus. Proceed to form a ponytail on the top of your head, and the last time you put your pony through the loop, don't pull it all the way through. Let the ends hang out the front haphazardly. The result makes a hair mound with tentacles and the chicest bun you've ever seen.
This look works best when your hair is dirty, your makeup is fading away, and your friends are all hanging out without you at a rooftop bar for happy hour. Bonus points if they're already on their way to the Hamptons or another weekend destination.
Octopus buns have already become the favorite Summer hairstyle at the POPSUGAR office, and they will for you too . . . whether intentionally or not.
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