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
14 of the Hottest Summer Drugstore Launches - All Under $15
You could spend $90 on a new cream . . . or you could buy every single product in this budget beauty roundup for the same amount and walk away with a major haul. Yep, every single one of these summer drugstore launches clocks in at under $15 (though most are under $10), and we've made sure to only highlight the best. May your beauty stash and checking account thrive simultaneously.
How NYX Became THE Mass Brand at the Top of the Social Media Hierarchy
NYX Professional Makeup, a budget brand with the payoff of higher-priced alternatives, started as a line that catered to professionals in the industry. And it still does. But now, the power of social media has allowed it to appeal to a vast market of influencers and their makeup-loving fans. It's done this by creating affordable products for artists of all levels and by focusing on diversity within the makeup community.
You may know the brand's story, but if not, here are the Cliff Notes: NYX Professional Makeup was founded in 1999 by Toni Ko in Los Angeles, catering to the burgeoning makeup artist community in SoCal. Ko sold the brand to L'Oréal for $500 million in 2015, left her post at the cosmetics company, and is the brain behind millennial-centric brand Perverse Sunglasses. (She's clearly got a knack for creating successful brands.)
The brand sold to L'Oréal for $500 million in 2015
NYX provides professional, trend-driven products at a price point that won't break the bank. Think liquid lipsticks for $7 a pop, glitter pigments for $6, and eye shadow palettes around $15. Tribe Dynamics, a marketing technology company for lifestyle brands, reports that NYX was in the top five cosmetics brands for March 2017 when it comes to earned media value - a benchmark metric which determines the earned publicity through digital word-of-mouth. In layman's terms: people are talking up a storm about NYX online.
NYX (pronounced "niks") was initially only sold in CVS, Target, and Ulta Beauty before opening its first retail location at Westfield Santa Anita in Arcadia, CA, in 2015. In the past 18 months, the brand has opened over 100 retail locations, including shops in France and Thailand, and it just added a storefront at The Miracle Mile Shops in Las Vegas. The stores were created with social media in mind, featuring large vanities with digital tutorials led by influencers, so consumers can follow along while testing out products before they purchase. Lines for store openings frequently round the block and start overnight.
"What we wanted to do was bring the ultimate expression of brand to our fans," said Nathalie Kristo, global marketing manager of NYX. "What we were noticing, of course, was how they were interacting on social media and digital in this makeup world. We thought, 'Why don't we bring a place where we combine digital and social media with our 2,000 products and create a place where we can play with makeup, discover new looks, [and] follow tutorials on how to create the latest makeup looks?' We aimed to translate all of the energy that we've had with our online community into a physical place."
Bringing Democracy to Makeup
It's rare that a brand appeals to professional artists and also caters to YouTubers and the regular makeup junkie alike. For NYX, the focus has always been to create a space that celebrates artistry of all calibers.
"For us, it stems from the mission this brand has: artistry for all. This idea that everybody can have access to professional makeup products," said Kristo. "That everyone can have access to the latest makeup looks. And that's what social media has done. They've really helped democratize makeup artistry. It used to be a pretty closed circle - you used to have to go to school and gotten a certificate or certification. With social media, it's allowed people to teach each other and to learn and to become more DIY. It's about bringing creativity, artistry, and the passion for makeup to everyone."
Part of that passion led to the founding of The Fine Artistry of Cosmetic Elites Awards, or FACE Awards for short. "The NYX Face Awards is like the Olympics of makeup," said Nikita Dragun, whose YouTube channel has over 550K subscribers, and who appeared at the opening of the Miracle Mile Shops location.
"The NYX Face Awards is like the Olympics of makeup." - Nikita Dragun
The socially driven competition pits artists against each other through a series of makeup challenges. Many top YouTube talent are alumni of the awards, and semi-finalists and finalists from previous years have re-entered the 2017 competition. New talent is also welcomed into the pool - and it can help catapult their careers. The Top 20 were just announced for this year's competition, which culminates with a live event on Aug. 19, where the winner walks away with $50,000 and title of beauty vlogger of the year.
"The Face Awards, for example, has been a platform where a lot of upcoming makeup artists or influencers of today are alumni. We've known them since they've been starting out," said Kristo. "We've done what we can to advance them and their careers and we're really proud of that. We're really happy to see them grow and flourish." 2015's winner, Mykie of Glam & Gore, had 350,000 subscribers when she was announced as a Top 30 contestant; two years later, she currently touts over 1.98M subscribers and has worked with studios like Lionsgate.
Innovation Based on Consumer Hacks
NYX prides itself on producing trend-worthy products at a moment's notice, which allows them to easily get in on major social media moments while the iron is still hot. "When we see something brewing online, we quickly go into product development, and then we bring it to market as fast as possible. If we see people using products in interesting, different ways, it maybe tells us "Oh, there's a need for this,'" said Kristo. For example, the creation of Macaron Lippies, which feature vivid neon and pastel shades, were created after the team saw consumers using the Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk ($4) and layering bright eye shadow shades on top to create a pastel pop.
"[If] they're using a product in a way it's not meant to be used in order to do something else, it gives us an idea that maybe there's something we need to bring to market," said Kristo.
Inclusiveness in Product and Social Media
NYX, while mass market, isn't overshadowed by prestige brands. Tribe Dynamics reports NYX as ranking within the top five brands on almost all digital social channels (Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Blogs) in terms of earned media value, and it is the only mass brand within a sea of prestige like MAC Cosmetics, Benefit Cosmetics, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Too Faced, Tarte, and Urban Decay. In fact, no other mass brand is in the Top 10 ranking companies. According to Statista, NYX ranks as the No. 4 beauty brand in Instagram followers, thanks to its 11.1 million fans to date.
"We've built this community over many years. We were one of the first brands to understand the power of social media through makeup," said Kristo. "What we've done on social media is really celebrate the artistry of everyday people. Our Instagram account is a platform to celebrate, whether it's really sophisticated makeup artists, influencers, or everyday people that are interpreting makeup in different ways."
"What we've done on social media is really celebrate the artistry of everyday people." - Nathalie Kristo
The brand focuses on inclusivity and diversity, offering a variety of shades that caters to all races. The Lip Lingerie line features 24 shades of "nude" matte liquid lipstick; the Total Control Drop Foundation also features 24 shades, including fair, light, medium, and deep with varying undertones.
"NYX as a brand embodies every woman, every boy, anything - everything in between. That's what's made them so successful, lending to their creativity and self-expression. I'm a trans girl, coming from Virginia, and I found myself resonating with the brand and what they stand for. They cater to everyone," said Dragun, who came out on her channel as transgender in 2015.
This mission of inclusivity has helped take NYX to the top. "We've always been a social media brand. We know that our audience is everybody," said Kristo. "We are one of the brands that is one of the most well developed with every ethnic group. We've taken care of the products to have strong pigment load, to have all of the colors available in the different shades and undertones so people know that the product will work for them. And we've always represented diversity well on all of our platforms and social media."
Ariana Grande Arrives Back in the UK For Her Manchester Benefit Concert
Ariana Grande touched down at Stansted Airport in the UK on Friday morning following a heartbreaking and emotional week. After a terror attack left 22 dead and more than 100 injured at her concert in Manchester on May 22, the singer quickly flew back home to Florida, where she had an emotional reunion with boyfriend Mac Miller. But after speaking out about the tragedy and urging fans to never let hate win, Ariana promised to return to the "incredibly brave city of Manchester" to perform a benefit concert to raise money for the victims. The show, titled One Love Manchester, will take place on Sunday and feature performances by stars like Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Usher, Pharrell Williams, and Niall Horan. Many of the celebrities who are involved in the concert also offered their support for Ariana and the victim's families on social media shortly after the attack. In addition to Ariana's powerful message, her manager, Scotter Braun, also had an emotional response to how he plans to deal with the aftermath.
Princess Diana Was the First Royal Bride to Have This Before Getting Engaged
Princess Diana's time as a royal was pretty groundbreaking. Aside from making a difference with her numerous charities and work in the community, the late mother of Prince William and Prince Harry proved time and time again that she was no ordinary princess (and not just because she wasn't afraid to stand up to the royal family). While her marriage to Prince Charles on July 29, 1981 was declared a national holiday by the UK, there's another reason why their nuptials were historic. Diana was the first royal bride to have had a paying job before her engagement.
After attending a finishing school in Rougemont, Switzerland, for one term in 1978, Diana returned to London. She took a series of low-paying jobs before finding employment as a kindergarten teacher at the Young England School. She continued to work at the school until her engagement to the Prince of Whales in February 1981. And this certainly paved the way for other royal brides. Her daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, was the UK's first royal bride with a university degree.
You'll Love the Floral Sneakers in Bloom This Summer
Everywhere I look, I see someone in floral print. Thanks to all of the brands who have put their own special stamps on the style, the budding perennial trend is stronger than ever. Whether the design is emblazoned on a bag, sewn onto pants, or dripping down from bauble earrings, it's everywhere. Need even more florals in your life? Step up your footwear with these fun sneakers.
You'll Love the Floral Sneakers in Bloom This Summer
Everywhere I look, I see someone in floral print. Thanks to all of the brands who have put their own special stamps on the style, the budding perennial trend is stronger than ever. Whether the design is emblazoned on a bag, sewn onto pants, or dripping down from bauble earrings, it's everywhere. Need even more florals in your life? Step up your footwear with these fun sneakers.
10 Too-Real Struggles of Being an Older Sister in a Latinx Household
My life was all set until my little brother came along. All of a sudden, everything revolved around this little human. It's not like my parents gave my 3-year-old self a choice, but I had to deal with it anyway. Now over two decades later, it still hasn't ended. When you are an older sister in a Latinx household, the struggle is real because it's not about you anymore, it's about you and your sibling. No matter where you go or what you are doing, you better know what the younger one is up to. Keep scrolling to see what scenarios will ring true.
10 Too-Real Struggles of Being an Older Sister in a Latinx Household
My life was all set until my little brother came along. All of a sudden, everything revolved around this little human. It's not like my parents gave my 3-year-old self a choice, but I had to deal with it anyway. Now over two decades later, it still hasn't ended. When you are an older sister in a Latinx household, the struggle is real because it's not about you anymore, it's about you and your sibling. No matter where you go or what you are doing, you better know what the younger one is up to. Keep scrolling to see what scenarios will ring true.
33 Things That Make Disneyland Better Than Disney World
Disclaimer: this is my personal opinion, and as a California native who has been to Disneyland countless times (far more than Disney World), I fully recognize my bias. That said, Disneyland is actually the best and way better than Disney World. Here's why.
Starbucks's New Chocolate Cake Topped Frappuccinos Will Make You Melt
As a follow-up to the American Cherry Pie Frappuccino, Starbucks Japan will release two new Chocolate Cake Topped Frappuccinos this Summer. The Matcha Shot flavor comes out first on June 14-July 13. According to the press release, the Frappuccino has almonds blended in the base and is garnished with a chocolate cake disc protruding from the cup. A matcha green tea sauce is poured on top, followed by whipped cream and a sprinkle of green tea powder. "It is advisable to mix the leading role chocolate cake with the base while breaking down with a straw." Um, yes, I think I can handle that.
If coffee and chocolate is more your style, the Coffee Shot version comes out June 23-July 13. Though there's no word on whether these limited-edition drinks will come out in the States, I'm thinking you could hack this by topping your own almond Frapp with a chewy chocolate cookie from the bakery case. Same thing almost, right?
12 Things You Never Knew About Orange Is the New Black
We're just weeks away from June 9, when the much-anticipated fifth season of Orange Is the New Black magically appears on Netflix, and we couldn't be more excited for the new episodes to drop. You still have tons of time to catch up on where your favorite characters leave off (or, if you'd rather, read exactly how things go down in the finale), but while we can only speculate at this point on what's to come, there are a few things we know for sure about one of the most loved Netflix series of all time. So, to hold you over until the new season: here are 12 things you never knew about OITNB.
- Jodie Foster has directed two episodes of the series. The legendary actress directed the third episode of season one (where Crazy Eyes falls for Piper) and the first episode of season two (when Piper is moved from Litchfield.)
- Katie Holmes almost played the role of Piper Chapman. But she was too busy. Creator Jenji Kohan said at the time that Holmes "had other things to do." But to be fair, she also added that "in the beginning, no one knew what this was." Oh, and Laura Prepon was almost Piper too.
- The actress who plays Yoga Jones is the voice of Patti Mayonnaise. If you close your eyes, you can almost pretend that she's the legendary love interest in the classic cartoon Doug.
- In the episode where Piper first meets Larry, he's watching Weeds - another show created by Jenji Kohan - and you can see it on the TV in the background. Seriously, go back and look for it. It's there.
- The real-life Larry actually did write a Modern Love column in the New York Times. And you can read it here.
- Nicky's scar from her post-overdose surgery is the real deal. Actress Natasha Lyonne suffered from the same issues with addiction as her character in the show.
- Laverne Cox's twin brother played Sophia in her pre-transition flashbacks in season one. Cox wanted to play the role herself, but "Jodie Foster, who directed the episode in which Sophia's backstory is explored, didn't think it would work." Cox's brother, M. Lamar, is a musician who described himself to The New York Times as being of the "gothic-devil-worshiping-free-black-man-blues tradition."
- The real-life Piper made a blog in 2003 about her time in prison. It's called The Pipe Bomb. Kerman ended up writing a memoir (also titled Orange Is the New Black) that inspired the show.
- All of the women in the opening credits were formerly incarcerated. There isn't a single actress in the entire sequence - and if you look really closely, you can see Piper Kerman in there too.
- Flaca has kissed Kourtney Kardashian. Yes, Jackie Cruz was on Keeping Up with the Kardashians in 2009.
- The same inmate is always crying behind Piper when she's on the phone. You didn't imagine it - Gerrman is always there, and most of the time she's weeping over her wrestler son.
- We still have no idea what the meaning of the eggplant joke really is . . . And we're still holding out hope that we'll find out in the future. But in the meantime, here's a pretty solid theory.
12 Things You Never Knew About Orange Is the New Black
We're just weeks away from June 9, when the much-anticipated fifth season of Orange Is the New Black magically appears on Netflix, and we couldn't be more excited for the new episodes to drop. You still have tons of time to catch up on where your favorite characters leave off (or, if you'd rather, read exactly how things go down in the finale), but while we can only speculate at this point on what's to come, there are a few things we know for sure about one of the most loved Netflix series of all time. So, to hold you over until the new season: here are 12 things you never knew about OITNB.
- Jodie Foster has directed two episodes of the series. The legendary actress directed the third episode of season one (where Crazy Eyes falls for Piper) and the first episode of season two (when Piper is moved from Litchfield.)
- Katie Holmes almost played the role of Piper Chapman. But she was too busy. Creator Jenji Kohan said at the time that Holmes "had other things to do." But to be fair, she also added that "in the beginning, no one knew what this was." Oh, and Laura Prepon was almost Piper too.
- The actress who plays Yoga Jones is the voice of Patti Mayonnaise. If you close your eyes, you can almost pretend that she's the legendary love interest in the classic cartoon Doug.
- In the episode where Piper first meets Larry, he's watching Weeds - another show created by Jenji Kohan - and you can see it on the TV in the background. Seriously, go back and look for it. It's there.
- The real-life Larry actually did write a Modern Love column in the New York Times. And you can read it here.
- Nicky's scar from her post-overdose surgery is the real deal. Actress Natasha Lyonne suffered from the same issues with addiction as her character in the show.
- Laverne Cox's twin brother played Sophia in her pre-transition flashbacks in season one. Cox wanted to play the role herself, but "Jodie Foster, who directed the episode in which Sophia's backstory is explored, didn't think it would work." Cox's brother, M. Lamar, is a musician who described himself to The New York Times as being of the "gothic-devil-worshiping-free-black-man-blues tradition."
- The real-life Piper made a blog in 2003 about her time in prison. It's called The Pipe Bomb. Kerman ended up writing a memoir (also titled Orange Is the New Black) that inspired the show.
- All of the women in the opening credits were formerly incarcerated. There isn't a single actress in the entire sequence - and if you look really closely, you can see Piper Kerman in there too.
- Flaca has kissed Kourtney Kardashian. Yes, Jackie Cruz was on Keeping Up with the Kardashians in 2009.
- The same inmate is always crying behind Piper when she's on the phone. You didn't imagine it - Gerrman is always there, and most of the time she's weeping over her wrestler son.
- We still have no idea what the meaning of the eggplant joke really is . . . And we're still holding out hope that we'll find out in the future. But in the meantime, here's a pretty solid theory.
12 of the Biggest Character Departures in the History of Grey's Anatomy
Why are the doctors of Grey's Anatomy always breaking our hearts?! Every season is an obstacle course of emotional trauma as our favorite characters survive near-death experiences, fall in and out of love with each other, and just generally try to keep themselves together. We find ourselves experiencing every loop and sudden drop on their crazy emotional roller coasters. These feelings are at their peak when a doctor exits the show, through willful departure or a sudden death. We're going over the biggest character departures that still hurt to think about.
Starbucks's New Chocolate Cake Topped Frappuccinos Will Make You Melt
As a follow-up to the American Cherry Pie Frappuccino, Starbucks Japan will release two new Chocolate Cake Topped Frappuccinos this Summer. The Matcha Shot flavor comes out first on June 14-July 13. According to the press release, the Frappuccino has almonds blended in the base and is garnished with a chocolate cake disc protruding from the cup. A matcha green tea sauce is poured on top, followed by whipped cream and a sprinkle of green tea powder. "It is advisable to mix the leading role chocolate cake with the base while breaking down with a straw." Um, yes, I think I can handle that.
If coffee and chocolate is more your style, the Coffee Shot version comes out June 23-July 13. Though there's no word on whether these limited-edition drinks will come out in the States, I'm thinking you could hack this by topping your own almond Frapp with a chewy chocolate cookie from the bakery case. Same thing almost, right?
Fall TV: See When Your Favorite Shows Are Premiering This Year
Unfortunately, some of our favorite TV shows have already been canceled this year, but luckily, there's something we can all look forward to: Fall TV premieres. Both new and existing shows will be coming back in a few months, from the debut episode of Young Sheldon to the second season of Stranger Things. A few networks have released their lineups, and now we have a better idea of when some of the season's most anticipated premieres will happen. Grab your calendar and check them out!
CBS
Monday, Sept. 25
8 p.m. - The Big Bang Theory
8:30 p.m. - Young Sheldon (special season debut)*
9 p.m. - Kevin Can Wait
9:30 p.m. - Me, Myself & I*
10 p.m. - Scorpion
Tuesday, Sept. 26
8 p.m. - NCIS
9 p.m. - Bull
10 p.m. - NCIS: New Orleans
Wednesday, Sept. 27
8 p.m. - Survivor
9 p.m. - Seal Team*
10 p.m. - Criminal Minds
Friday, Sept. 29
8 p.m. - MacGyver
9 p.m. - Hawaii Five-0
10 p.m. - Blue Bloods
Sunday, Oct. 1
8:30 p.m. - Wisdom of the Crowd*
9:30 p.m. - NCIS: Los Angeles
Monday, Oct. 2
8 p.m. - The Big Bang Theory
8:30 p.m. - 9JKL*
9 p.m. - Kevin Can Wait
9:30 p.m. - Me, Myself & I
10 p.m. - Scorpion
Sunday, Oct. 8
10 p.m. - Madam Secretary
Monday, Oct. 30
8 p.m. - Kevin Can Wait
8:30 p.m. - 9JKL
9 p.m. - Me, Myself & I
9:30 p.m. - Superior Donuts
10 p.m. - Scorpion
Thursday, Nov. 2
8 p.m. - The Big Bang Theory
8:30 p.m. - Young Sheldon (regular time period)
9 p.m. - Mom
9:30 p.m. - Life in Pieces
10 p.m. - S.W.A.T.*
HBO
Sunday, Sept. 10
10 p.m. - The Deuce
Netflix
Tuesday, Oct. 31
12 a.m. - Stranger Things
(* = new shows)
Fall TV: See When Your Favorite Shows Are Premiering This Year
Unfortunately, some of our favorite TV shows have already been canceled this year, but luckily, there's something we can all look forward to: Fall TV premieres. Both new and existing shows will be coming back in a few months, from the debut episode of Young Sheldon to the second season of Stranger Things. A few networks have released their lineups, and now we have a better idea of when some of the season's most anticipated premieres will happen. Grab your calendar and check them out!
CBS
Monday, Sept. 25
8 p.m. - The Big Bang Theory
8:30 p.m. - Young Sheldon (special season debut)*
9 p.m. - Kevin Can Wait
9:30 p.m. - Me, Myself & I*
10 p.m. - Scorpion
Tuesday, Sept. 26
8 p.m. - NCIS
9 p.m. - Bull
10 p.m. - NCIS: New Orleans
Wednesday, Sept. 27
8 p.m. - Survivor
9 p.m. - Seal Team*
10 p.m. - Criminal Minds
Friday, Sept. 29
8 p.m. - MacGyver
9 p.m. - Hawaii Five-0
10 p.m. - Blue Bloods
Sunday, Oct. 1
8:30 p.m. - Wisdom of the Crowd*
9:30 p.m. - NCIS: Los Angeles
Monday, Oct. 2
8 p.m. - The Big Bang Theory
8:30 p.m. - 9JKL*
9 p.m. - Kevin Can Wait
9:30 p.m. - Me, Myself & I
10 p.m. - Scorpion
Sunday, Oct. 8
10 p.m. - Madam Secretary
Monday, Oct. 30
8 p.m. - Kevin Can Wait
8:30 p.m. - 9JKL
9 p.m. - Me, Myself & I
9:30 p.m. - Superior Donuts
10 p.m. - Scorpion
Thursday, Nov. 2
8 p.m. - The Big Bang Theory
8:30 p.m. - Young Sheldon (regular time period)
9 p.m. - Mom
9:30 p.m. - Life in Pieces
10 p.m. - S.W.A.T.*
HBO
Sunday, Sept. 10
10 p.m. - The Deuce
Netflix
Tuesday, Oct. 31
12 a.m. - Stranger Things
(* = new shows)
Rihanna, LeBron James Superfan, Can't Resist Trolling Kevin Durant at the NBA Finals
Image Source: Getty / Thearon W. Henderson
Are Rihanna and Kevin Durant currently engaged in a bitter feud? Probably not, honestly, but whatever was going down between them at the NBA Finals game on Thursday night was extremely entertaining. The singer and Bates Motel actress attended Game 1 in the finals series at Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA, where the LeBron James superfan cheered on the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Golden State Warriors. She supported #23 at the start of the game by dabbing courtside and even told off a Warriors fan complaining about her blocking their view. It was great:
Amazing.
Rihanna bows to LeBron then hits a dab and small waves a Warriors fan telling her to sit down.
💀 http://pic.twitter.com/q0IyIPIbGK- Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) June 2, 2017
Unfortunately for both Ri and LeBron, it soon became pretty clear that Kevin Durant was leading the Warriors to a big win. Naturally Rihanna wasn't pleased, so she and personal assistant Jenn Rosales engaged in some light heckling as he shot a free throw:
Listen: Rihanna yells "BRIIIIIICK!!!" at Durant during free throw, he stares her down twice 😂 (h/t @tshent) http://pic.twitter.com/XYdFOv9mc3
- Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) June 2, 2017
As a potential response to her yelling, Kevin appeared to stare her down after he hit a three later on in the game, which you can see below (at the :36 minute-mark):
The Warriors won 113-91, and at the postgame press conference a reporter asked if the staredown was on purpose, since "social media was buzzing" about it. "I don't even remember that," Kevin responded, while teammate Steph Curry joked, "Don't get in that trap." For her part, Rihanna was filmed walking out of the arena after the game seeming decidedly unbothered, saying that the loss "doesn't matter, b*tch. The king is still the king." Here's hoping Rihanna shows up for Game 2.
11 Disney Baby Shower Themes That Are Beyond Magical
There's always a way for Disney fans to incorporate a touch of magic into their special days, whether it be through a wedding theme or a baby's gender reveal. However, a Disney theme really shines when it comes to planning a baby shower for a mama-to-be who has a soft spot for Disney classics. Whether she's an Aladdin-lover or obsessed with Cinderella, there are a variety of enchanting, Disney-inspired baby shower theme ideas that will leave her speechless.
Check out these 11 celebrations that are nothing short of magical.
13 Monogrammed Gifts Your Bridesmaids Will Love
Show your bridesmaids how much you appreciate their participation with a sweet gift. Something personalized will demonstrate how much the women in your life mean to you. We found monogrammed present ideas that are both pretty and thoughtful. Your bridal party will love how special these items are, plus they will be usable long after the wedding. Take a look!
Wonder Woman Is an Important Step Forward For the DC Universe - and Women Everywhere
She couldn't have been more than 7, maybe 8 years old. She bounced into the movie theater to see Wonder Woman rather than walked, excitedly hopping from one foot to another as her dad followed close behind. She wore a homemade costume, complete with a glittering gold crown, a baby blanket tied around her neck as an impromptu cape, and some wrist wraps made out of tinfoil. Smiling from ear to ear, she sat down a few rows in front of me, and I couldn't get her face out of my mind for the film's entire run, which clocks in at a lengthy but enjoyable two hours and change.
Yes, director Patty Jenkins's take on the beloved female superhero has finally arrived, and praise Hippolyta, it's fantastic.
Over the last few years, Warner Bros.' attempts to bring DC Comics characters to the big screen haven't exactly gone well, critically speaking. After Christopher Nolan's stellar run with his Dark Knight trilogy in the early aughts, Zack Snyder's joyless Man of Steel fell flat in 2013. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (also directed by Snyder) and David Ayer's Suicide Squad came along three years later, and though they raked in some serious cash for Warner Bros. - Batman v Superman earned an astounding $873 million, while Suicide Squad pulled in $745 million - the reviews were unkind, to say the least (they hold 26 percent and 25 percent ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, respectively).
When Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman briefly popped up in 2016's Batman v Superman and effortlessly stole the show from Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill, a lot of fans' excitement rightly came with a trace of trepidation - would DC let us down again with another dark and dour trudge? The answer is a resounding no.
Even though Wonder Woman is still in the same DC Extended Universe as its predecessors, the film lacks their cynical tone and style in favor of showcasing an endearing and earnest superhero. Diana's naiveté has yet to be dimmed by the gritty realities of defending a humanity that doesn't necessarily deserve her, and Gadot brings a surprising amount of levity to the role. The fiery demigoddess from the island of Themyscira, which is inhabited solely by a race of female warriors called the Amazons, is steadfast in her beliefs that peace can be achieved for mankind if only she can destroy Ares, the god of war.
She gets her chance to save the world when the film's damsel in distress - Steve Trevor (the ridiculously charming Chris Pine), an American spy working undercover for British intelligence during WWI - crashes just off the shore of her island. After recovering from the shock of meeting a guy for the first time, Diana convinces him to take her to the land of man (erm, London) as a favor for saving his life, so she can kill Ares and put an end to the war she believes he's responsible for.
Diana approaches customs of modern civilization with a wide-eyed curiosity. She questions Steve about things like why a man and woman are holding hands on the sidewalk, and a memorable sequence sees her kicking and punching her way out of the restrictive, frou-frou 1900s outfits he wants her to wear to blend in. At the same time, she's unrelentingly fierce and highly skilled when it comes to combat (being raised by Amazonian women will do that, I imagine) and refuses to let (or even bother to understand why) her status as a woman might hold her back in Steve's world. She charges into a room full of all male military generals with the same ferocity she has on the battlefield. She also has a refreshingly frank (and positive) approach to sex and never once falters or pauses to question her own self-worth. In other words, she's literally and figuratively smashing the patriarchy.
All of this is, of course, owed to both Gadot's performance and Jenkins's smart decisions behind the camera. There's a seamless streamlining of years of comic book history and a straightforward introduction to the Greek mythology that is woven into the fabric of Wonder Woman's mythos. Absent are clunky tie-ins to Justice League or other DC characters (save for two quick references to Bruce Wayne and Wayne Industries at the beginning and end of the film), which gives Wonder Woman a sense of individuality and lightness. Rather than shoehorning in teases or Easter eggs for future movies, Jenkins tells Diana's origin story simply. Diana is the star, and it's all the better for it.
Along with its pivot away from the feel of other DC properties, it's hard not to notice the parallels to Marvel's Captain America: The First Avenger. Like Steve Rogers, Diana is idealistic and passionate about what she believes in, and much of Wonder Woman is wrapped up in the carnage of war. The action scenes are excellent (slo-mo for days), and the era of "the war to end war" provides the perfect backdrop for Diana's strength and freedom to rail against. In the 1910s, women couldn't vote, were barely a part of the workforce, and certainly weren't allowed to be a part of government; Diana is the antithesis of those values in every way.
This is never more apparent than in her first real tangle with the Germans, who are posited as one of the film's big bads. Uninhibited by the restraints of an average human body, she ignores the pleas of all the men around her to stay down, instead stepping bravely out into the no man's land of the trenches to save an occupied village on the other side. Flinging machine gun bullets off of her armor with a steely determination and advancing on the enemy in a way none of the other soldiers ever could, it ends up being the film's biggest stand-up-and-cheer moment.
As I watched Diana in this scene, I found myself truly moved, struggling to keep the rising lump in my throat at bay. I couldn't help but think of that little girl dressed in her homemade costume, staring up in wonder at an empowering female character dismantling the rules of what women can be and what they can do. She, and tons of other young women out there, finally have a superhero of their own to grow up with and be inspired by in a time when they need it most. It's because of this that Wonder Woman transcends being just a really good superhero movie - it's so, so much more than that. What Jenkins and Gadot have accomplished, carving out a space for women in a fandom that has long been dominated by men, is incredibly important. In an age when Black Widow can't even get her own action figure, let alone a solo film, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Wonder Woman is here, and she's here to stay.
11 Disney Baby Shower Themes That Are Beyond Magical
There's always a way for Disney fans to incorporate a touch of magic into their special days, whether it be through a wedding theme or a baby's gender reveal. However, a Disney theme really shines when it comes to planning a baby shower for a mama-to-be who has a soft spot for Disney classics. Whether she's an Aladdin-lover or obsessed with Cinderella, there are a variety of enchanting, Disney-inspired baby shower theme ideas that will leave her speechless.
Check out these 11 celebrations that are nothing short of magical.
Demand for mental health care growing at Canadian universities
A recent investigation shows that demand for mental health care at UBC and universities across Canada is growing, but some students say universities services aren't enough.
Cracker Barrel's Oozing S'mores Dessert Is All You Need This Summer - No Campfire Required
Nothing says Summer like a campfire-cooked dessert, and Cracker Barrel has unveiled a new oozing treat to answer all of our s'mores needs. The new Campfire S'more dessert starts with a graham cracker crust under a chocolate fudge brownie and is topped with a toasted marshmallow (of course) and melted Hershey's milk chocolate on top. The sweet treat is completed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and Hershey's chocolate drizzled over it. If it sounds incredible, that's because it is.
This over-the-top dessert is the creation of our Summer dreams, and the best part is, we don't have to do any of the work to get the perfect s'more! The chain has also announced new Summer meals like Campfire Chicken, Campfire Beef, and more, all of which are wrapped in tin foil and served with Cracker Barrel's famous flaky biscuits or corn muffins.
The drool-worthy Cracker Barrel Campfire Meals will be available through Aug. 6, which gives us plenty of time to get our s'more on!
Remember Zima? The Clear, Alcoholic Soda From the '90s Is Back!
Like me, you may have been too young to drink Zima in the '90s, but who can forget those strange commercials? Or, more accurately, they were zomething different. The clear, citrusy malt soda made by Coors positioned itself as a refreshingly cool beer substitute. Though it was discontinued in 2008, it's coming back (exclusive to Walmart) thanks to the current craze for hard seltzers. Though Zima's entering a tough, competitive market in 2017, we're thinking nostalgia is on its side. After all, everyone has freaked out about the return of Clearly Canadian!
Why Do the Most Inclusive TV Shows Get Canceled?
Image Source: Netflix
This week, Netflix did the unthinkable and canceled its cult hit show Sense8. A statement from VP of Original Content Cindy Holland said, "It is everything we and the fans dreamed it would be: bold, emotional, stunning, kickass and outright unforgettable. Never has there been a more truly global show with an equally diverse and international cast and crew, which is only mirrored by the connected community of deeply passionate fans all around the world." And in this aspect, Holland would be right. Sense8 was and is arguably one of the most inclusive and diverse shows in TV history. It depicts a staggering variety of races, sexualities, and cultures.
To make matters worse, there's a sort of salt-in-the-wound effect here that has fans extra angry. The first season of the show dropped in June 2015, meaning its audience had to wait nearly two years to see how the story continues. Netflix announced the cancellation just a month after dropping the second season . . . on June 1. Which, as you may or may not know, is the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month. As one fan noted on Twitter, several of the show's narratives are currently only half-finished.
As much as we could harp on Sense8 for eight or so more paragraphs, the show isn't the only one to receive what seems to be a premature cancellation. Just last month, The Real O'Neals got the ax from ABC, thus eliminating another series with a gay main character. Furthermore, when you look over this season's other canceled shows, you realize it's not just about the LGBTQ community, it's also about shows that prominently feature people of color. Freshman series Pitch, with a black woman as the lead, didn't earn a second season. The Get Down, another Netflix darling, only got one season. Other diverse shows, like American Crime, Dr. Ken, and Rosewood, were all nipped as well. All of these shows made powerful strides toward inclusion in their own various ways, and they also all had something else in common: loyal, passionate fan bases that didn't want to see their shows go.
In the past few months, Pitch fans rallied behind the #KeepHerinTheGame campaign, and avid viewers of The Real O'Neals got in on a movement called #TheRealReason. The latter was met with an outpouring of tweets: fans revealed how the show had educated them and their families. LGBTQ youth expressed how much it meant to have someone they could relate to on mainstream TV. When it comes to Pitch, it wasn't just about impassioned fans. The show premiered with stellar reviews in the Fall. So, why the hell are we still losing these shows?!
Image Source: Fox
It boils down to numbers. When it comes to the cancellations of Pitch and The Real O'Neals, it's all about viewership. In January, Fox CEO and Chairman Gary Newman said the network was very happy with Pitch, but they "would've loved to see a bigger audience." Ratings from The Real O'Neals hovered around three million in season two, making it ABC's lowest-performing comedy.
Truth be told, Netflix doesn't typically share that kind of data and didn't cite it as a reason for cancellation, but it's a safe bet something similar was at play. After all, Netflix is notorious for canceling very few of its original series. The Get Down and Sense8 are among the first. It just goes to show: you can have an exceptional show with noted critical acclaim, and that still won't be enough. These networks want money.
That's the real tragedy here, and that's why it's so upsetting. Each of these three shows did something magnificent for the LGBTQ community and minorities. They were diverse and inclusive. As groups of people who are constantly erased in mainstream media, who struggle every year to get their stories on TV and in movies, shows like The Real O'Neals, The Get Down, Sense8, and Pitch really, really matter. Doesn't this kind of representation, excitement, enthusiasm, and positive feedback mean more to a network than revenue?
Image Source: Netflix
The real bullsh*t is that these underrepresented communities will always be the minority population in the United States. We're a smaller group of individuals, so even when we're all excited about something, we just can't make the same impact as a wider audience. And yet, we'll always be held to the same standard. We'll always be expected to deliver the same kinds of ratings as a show like The Big Bang Theory.
Netflix, with its generosity and openness and willingness to give niche audiences a chance, seemed like the media champion of content for marginalized individuals of our society. It never seemed like numbers mattered all that much, as long as they were making a stunning impact. But now that Sense8 and The Get Down are gone, we're not sure.
Cracker Barrel's Oozing S'mores Dessert Is All You Need This Summer - No Campfire Required
Nothing says Summer like a campfire-cooked dessert, and Cracker Barrel has unveiled a new oozing treat to answer all of our s'mores needs. The new Campfire S'more dessert starts with a graham cracker crust under a chocolate fudge brownie and is topped with a toasted marshmallow (of course) and melted Hershey's milk chocolate on top. The sweet treat is completed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and Hershey's chocolate drizzled over it. If it sounds incredible, that's because it is.
This over-the-top dessert is the creation of our Summer dreams, and the best part is, we don't have to do any of the work to get the perfect s'more! The chain has also announced new Summer meals like Campfire Chicken, Campfire Beef, and more, all of which are wrapped in tin foil and served with Cracker Barrel's famous flaky biscuits or corn muffins.
The drool-worthy Cracker Barrel Campfire Meals will be available through Aug. 6, which gives us plenty of time to get our s'more on!
Mom Shares the Sheer Heartbreak of Having Stillborn Identical Twins at 37 Weeks
When Jacqueline Hoy and her husband found out that they were expecting third and fourth children, these Australian parents were shocked. Neither had twins in the family, and after the initial surprise wore off, they began happily making plans for their expanding family.
According to Jacqi, who is also mom to 8-year-old Lachlan and 2-year-old Edward, her third pregnancy was uncomplicated. The couple decided early on to name their identical twins Henry and William, and the boys were healthy at every doctor's visit. However, when Jacqui woke up one morning near the end of her pregnancy, she knew something was different.
At this point, Jacqui was 37 weeks pregnant, and the doctors planned to induce her in a few days. "I saw the boys two days earlier during a scan and they were kicking and had normal heartbeats," Jacqui told POPSUGAR. "There was absolutely no indication that it would end the way it did."
Jacqui explained that her pregnancy was considered "high risk" because she was carrying multiples but never dwelled on that label any further. Until she woke up on that Monday morning, dropped her oldest off at school, and noticed that her twins were unusually quiet. "I drank a glass of ice and lay down on the lounge as this normally gets them moving," Jacqui wrote in a post for Whimn. "But after an hour I wasn't sure that I was feeling them at all. I then had a sudden urge to throw-up, so I called the hospital to come in."
When the midwife had a hard time finding the heartbeats, she wasn't too alarmed because she knew it could be difficult with twins, but when her obstetrician came in, he delivered the devastating news: Henry had died. "The overwhelming pain that took over my body was uncontrollable," she wrote. "I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare and I needed to wake up. But I couldn't escape."
The doctor found William's heartbeat and immediately performed an emergency C-section. "I remember lying on the table surrounded by what felt like 30 people working on me, telling me that I was okay and to keep breathing," she wrote. "But the whole time I wanted to yell and scream, 'Please just put me out. Make this pain stop.'"
When she started to wake up after the surgery, the first thing she registered was hearing her husband crying. She immediately understood what that meant and didn't want to open her eyes. She knew that as soon as she did, she'd be hit with the news that William didn't make it either. "The week that followed, all I had was questions, too much pain and the most unbelievable broken heart. I remember that somebody once said to me, 'You won't know love until you have a child.' I don't disagree with that statement," she wrote. "But I can assure you, you won't know heartbreak until you lose a child."
Since the devastating end to her pregnancy, Jacqui said that each day is difficult and surviving "the firsts" has been the hardest part. She explained that in the weeks that followed, her body didn't know that her babies had died. "It had to run its natural pre-birth course: of the milk coming in and recovery from a major surgery. Only I wasn't holding my two precious rewards at the same time," she wrote.
Doctors officially diagnosed Henry's death as an "unexplained stillbirth" and explained that William died due to their shared placenta. It's been three months since this unimaginable turn of events, and Jaqui's family of four is still trying to recover. "The constant reminders of the hopes we had for our family are often really difficult as well and seeing little bubbas when out and about pulls at the heart strings like you wouldn't believe," she said. "Some days my husband is my rock and other days I am his rock but we have found that we need to be really open and honest with each other about how we are feeling otherwise the partnership doesn't work."
In addition to publicly sharing their story, the parents have also become ambassadors for Stillbirth Foundation Australia in order to help prevent other families from enduring similar pain. "Six babies every day are stillborn in Australia, that's one every four hours," Jaqui said. "We are hoping that by coming forward, other families will feel confident in doing the same and this can help to create the awareness needed."
She also hopes that unity among families who have suffered this loss and being vocal about their tragedies will help to put pressure on governments for research funding. "Not having a reason why our babies aren't here with us breaks my heart every day," she said. "If more research is done, maybe we could then be given reasons why and they will be able to find out strategies to prevent it from happening to others."
Why Do the Most Inclusive TV Shows Get Canceled?
Image Source: Netflix
This week, Netflix did the unthinkable and canceled its cult hit show Sense8. A statement from VP of Original Content Cindy Holland said, "It is everything we and the fans dreamed it would be: bold, emotional, stunning, kickass and outright unforgettable. Never has there been a more truly global show with an equally diverse and international cast and crew, which is only mirrored by the connected community of deeply passionate fans all around the world." And in this aspect, Holland would be right. Sense8 was and is arguably one of the most inclusive and diverse shows in TV history. It depicts a staggering variety of races, sexualities, and cultures.
To make matters worse, there's a sort of salt-in-the-wound effect here that has fans extra angry. The first season of the show dropped in June 2015, meaning its audience had to wait nearly two years to see how the story continues. Netflix announced the cancellation just a month after dropping the second season . . . on June 1. Which, as you may or may not know, is the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month. As one fan noted on Twitter, several of the show's narratives are currently only half-finished.
As much as we could harp on Sense8 for eight or so more paragraphs, the show isn't the only one to receive what seems to be a premature cancellation. Just last month, The Real O'Neals got the ax from ABC, thus eliminating another series with a gay main character. Furthermore, when you look over this season's other canceled shows, you realize it's not just about the LGBTQ community, it's also about shows that prominently feature people of color. Freshman series Pitch, with a black woman as the lead, didn't earn a second season. The Get Down, another Netflix darling, only got one season. Other diverse shows, like American Crime, Dr. Ken, and Rosewood, were all nipped as well. All of these shows made powerful strides toward inclusion in their own various ways, and they also all had something else in common: loyal, passionate fan bases that didn't want to see their shows go.
In the past few months, Pitch fans rallied behind the #KeepHerinTheGame campaign, and avid viewers of The Real O'Neals got in on a movement called #TheRealReason. The latter was met with an outpouring of tweets: fans revealed how the show had educated them and their families. LGBTQ youth expressed how much it meant to have someone they could relate to on mainstream TV. When it comes to Pitch, it wasn't just about impassioned fans. The show premiered with stellar reviews in the Fall. So, why the hell are we still losing these shows?!
Image Source: Fox
It boils down to numbers. When it comes to the cancellations of Pitch and The Real O'Neals, it's all about viewership. In January, Fox CEO and Chairman Gary Newman said the network was very happy with Pitch, but they "would've loved to see a bigger audience." Ratings from The Real O'Neals hovered around three million in season two, making it ABC's lowest-performing comedy.
Truth be told, Netflix doesn't typically share that kind of data and didn't cite it as a reason for cancellation, but it's a safe bet something similar was at play. After all, Netflix is notorious for canceling very few of its original series. The Get Down and Sense8 are among the first. It just goes to show: you can have an exceptional show with noted critical acclaim, and that still won't be enough. These networks want money.
That's the real tragedy here, and that's why it's so upsetting. Each of these three shows did something magnificent for the LGBTQ community and minorities. They were diverse and inclusive. As groups of people who are constantly erased in mainstream media, who struggle every year to get their stories on TV and in movies, shows like The Real O'Neals, The Get Down, Sense8, and Pitch really, really matter. Doesn't this kind of representation, excitement, enthusiasm, and positive feedback mean more to a network than revenue?
Image Source: Netflix
The real bullsh*t is that these underrepresented communities will always be the minority population in the United States. We're a smaller group of individuals, so even when we're all excited about something, we just can't make the same impact as a wider audience. And yet, we'll always be held to the same standard. We'll always be expected to deliver the same kinds of ratings as a show like The Big Bang Theory.
Netflix, with its generosity and openness and willingness to give niche audiences a chance, seemed like the media champion of content for marginalized individuals of our society. It never seemed like numbers mattered all that much, as long as they were making a stunning impact. But now that Sense8 and The Get Down are gone, we're not sure.
Remember Zima? The Clear, Alcoholic Soda From the '90s Is Back!
Like me, you may have been too young to drink Zima in the '90s, but who can forget those strange commercials? Or, more accurately, they were zomething different. The clear, citrusy malt soda made by Coors positioned itself as a refreshingly cool beer substitute. Though it was discontinued in 2008, it's coming back (exclusive to Walmart) thanks to the current craze for hard seltzers. Though Zima's entering a tough, competitive market in 2017, we're thinking nostalgia is on its side. After all, everyone has freaked out about the return of Clearly Canadian!
49 Islands You Must Visit Before You Die
There's a big world out there filled with islands just waiting for your arrival. We curated the 49 best islands across the globe that you absolutely must visit before you die. Time to get out the bucket list.
Jelly Donut Oreos Are Surprisingly Not the Worst!
Our first reaction after hearing about Jelly Donut Oreos was not exactly, "Can't wait to try!" But, adhering to our strict Oreo-investigating rules, we set out to try them with low expectations. Though this is certainly not the best Oreo flavor of all time - Marshmallow Crispy forever claims that title - we are happy to report it's definitely not the worst! The Golden Oreo cookies with a raspberry center and "custard outer ring" (which doesn't taste much different than Oreo's regular cream filling) are surprisingly good. You don't have to be a fan of jelly doughnuts to willingly devour a couple of these cookies.
Judging by the aroma of artificially flavored raspberry-jelly icing, we braced ourselves for our first bites. But despite the strong smell, the flavor is not nearly as artificial tasting. Some of us got Pop-Tart vibes from the fruity flavor, which we definitely didn't mind. Here's a sampling of our editors' initial reactions during our taste test:
- "The smell is off-putting, but they don't taste as bad as anticipated."
- "Way better than my reaction to 'eww' when I saw the flavor."
- "Wow! Such a huge surprise. Tastes like raspberry jam! Super tasty with the golden cookie."
You've got a limited time to try this Walmart-exclusive flavor, so pick it up the next time you spot it at the store, and catch up on the best new Oreo flavors of the year so far.
Game of Thrones: Who's About to Get Down in Season 7?
Yeah, yeah, there's a "Great War" coming on Game of Thrones. Blah, blah, blah. In the initial trailers, it's all anyone talks about. We get it. But let's forget all the blood and the battle and the dragons for just a moment. What about all the sex?! It's like the other half of the unshakable Game of Thrones formula! Luckily for all of us, we've already gotten a few hints about some romance that's potentially brewing in the show's seventh season. Let's break down who's flirting, who's making out, and who's totally going to get it on once the next chapter begins.
Jelly Donut Oreos Are Surprisingly Not the Worst!
Our first reaction after hearing about Jelly Donut Oreos was not exactly, "Can't wait to try!" But, adhering to our strict Oreo-investigating rules, we set out to try them with low expectations. Though this is certainly not the best Oreo flavor of all time - Marshmallow Crispy forever claims that title - we are happy to report it's definitely not the worst! The Golden Oreo cookies with a raspberry center and "custard outer ring" (which doesn't taste much different than Oreo's regular cream filling) are surprisingly good. You don't have to be a fan of jelly doughnuts to willingly devour a couple of these cookies.
Judging by the aroma of artificially flavored raspberry-jelly icing, we braced ourselves for our first bites. But despite the strong smell, the flavor is not nearly as artificial tasting. Some of us got Pop-Tart vibes from the fruity flavor, which we definitely didn't mind. Here's a sampling of our editors' initial reactions during our taste test:
- "The smell is off-putting, but they don't taste as bad as anticipated."
- "Way better than my reaction to 'eww' when I saw the flavor."
- "Wow! Such a huge surprise. Tastes like raspberry jam! Super tasty with the golden cookie."
You've got a limited time to try this Walmart-exclusive flavor, so pick it up the next time you spot it at the store, and catch up on the best new Oreo flavors of the year so far.
Can You Spot the Kid Drowning in This Public Pool Before the Lifeguard Does?
A day at the pool isn't all fun and games - and no one knows that better than the lifeguard.
Drowning can happen in the blink of an eye and even when people are within arm's reach of the victim. As much as we think we might notice someone struggling in the water, drowning is often a silent killer.
Thankfully, in this real-life video taken at a public wave pool, a boy is spotted drowning within seconds by a resourceful lifeguard - likely well before anyone watching this footage, even knowing what to search for, could spot him.
The lifeguard sounds her whistle, swims out to the boy who lost hold of his floating ring, and carries him to safety.
One important factor to note is that this video includes sound, but you never hear the boy's cries for help. That's because when someone is drowning, contrary to what many assume, they can't call out - there isn't time to inhale or exhale. Often, they aren't able to wave their arms, which was a lucky ability for the child at this particular pool.
So can you find him?
If You're Thinking About Sticking Around For a Wonder Woman Postcredits Scene, Don't
Superhero films and Easter-egg-filled postcredits scenes practically go hand in hand these days. Marvel is particularly fond of the trend, recently packing in a whopping five end-credits scenes in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. For anyone annoyed by the practice (and I'm with you, because the bathroom line is crazy by the time all of those names go by), Wonder Woman skips out on including a postcredits scene entirely. It's not exactly surprising, either, since the DC Universe hasn't exactly embraced adding extra scenes. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice neglected to include one, although Suicide Squad did (as well as Man of Steel back in 2013).
Wondering why? "I'm not going to say we'd never do one," producer Chuck Roven explained to Cinemablend recently. "There was one in Suicide Squad. But I don't think that we want to feel that we're forced to do something just because we didn't in the past." Luckily, director Patty Jenkins's take on the kickass female superhero is strong enough to survive excluding a gimmicky tease for Justice League. As of Wednesday afternoon, Wonder Woman is sitting pretty at 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, which is higher than its Marvel counterparts (The Avengers scored 92 percent, and Iron Man has 94 percent) and leaps and bounds above Batman v Superman (which has 26 percent) and Suicide Squad (25 percent). If you want to stick around just to enjoy the incredible theme song playing over the credits, though, feel free.
This Beloved Lush Product Is Back in Stock Thanks to Your Demands
Some spread awareness to save the bees; Lush fans worked hard this Spring to #SaveScrubee! Not the same thing - making sure bees are preserved is a very important global cause - but we still support beauty fans fighting to bring back a limited-edition product.
Here's what happened: For Mother's Day, Lush launched this adorable Scrubee bar ($8). The buzzy bar was an instant hit. It offers rock star ingredients: exfoliating ground almonds with coconut shell pieces married with hydrating honey, cocoa, and shea butter. It's the perfect duo for soft, cleansed skin.
Scrubee fans campaigned on Twitter and Instagram to make sure the bar became a mainstay product in Lush's offering, and it was just announced that their bathing dreams are coming true. Lush confirmed that it will launch at the end of July!
"Our fans like to keep us on our toes," says Brandi Halls, Lush's Director of Brand Communications, said in a press release. "We were so blown away by their demand to #SaveScrubee that we had to do right by them. Scrubee has officially been saved and is part of our year-round lineup."
See? You do have power on social media, people! Congrats to all of the Scrubee lovers out there.
J Balvin Just Released a Very "Bonita" Song That Screams Summer Hit
J Balvin along with the Puerto Rican duo Jowell and Randy just released their new song "Bonita" with a music video that will grab everyone's attention. Balvin is always rapping about pretty ladies and this time it's no exception.
The music video is very different from other's that Balvin has released before. It features a lot of animations and is filled with emoji and references to Instagram. In the video, Balvin rocks a bunch of different looks that show just how much he loves to play around with his style. The upbeat tempo of the song is sure to have everyone dancing the night away. Watch it all go down in the video above.
How to Apologize to Your Kid When You Screw Up
There's power in a sincere apology. Our friends at Fatherly break down why it's important to teach your kids this skill and how it starts with you.
Love means always having to say you're sorry. Couples get this. They understand apologies are necessary in order to ensure they keep doing stuff like having sex and not sleeping on the couch. Parents, however, no matter how often they say sorry to each other, are often loathe to extend the courtesy of an apology to their kids. Apologies, after all, can erode authority, and making amends via gifts produces more consistent results. But there's a practical reason for showing remorse: Unapologetic parents raise unapologetic kids.
"What we're doing as parents is teaching kids how to be good human beings," says Dr. Laura Markham, author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids. "It doesn't happen through lectures, but what they actually experience."
Markham explains that when a kid has a parent that never apologizes, they're likely to conclude that apologies are unimportant. And that learning sticks, even if a parent consistently insists that their child apologizes to siblings or a friend. A sorry-less parent shows by example that apologizing causes a person to lose status or prestige. Kids, in turn, learn that sorries are a bad thing.
"By modeling an apology we're saying one of the most meaningful things in life is your connection with other humans with whom you share a bond of love," says Markham.
But parents screw up all the time. If they're not stumble-bumming around and breaking toys, they're forgetting to read a story, or leaving the juice in the kitchen, or forgetting to buy more goldfish crackers. Apologizing for all of those things would be pretty exhausting. It's not necessary, but Markham suggests that it might actually be the easiest approach.
"In fact, I would advocate for apologizing for small things so it feels less loaded," she explains. Still, she notes that apologies don't have to be some heartfelt, eye-to-eye concession full of weight and portent. In fact, it only has to be three words: "Oops, I'm sorry."
This approach is effective because it acknowledges that kids and adults perceive social interactions in very different ways because of their very different brains. As a kid grows, the small slights, like a change of plan or a forgotten promise, are regarded as full-on betrayal. There's a reason for this: Children lack the executive functions to regulate emotions because their prefrontal cortex is still under construction. Some children overreact and it's important to put the brakes on that, but an upset kid is probably not showing signs of being "spoiled," just symptoms of neurological development.
"At that point, you do have to acknowledge the kid's feelings with the apology," says Markham. "You're not just doing it to make them feel better. You're helping them express themselves and solve the problem."
Suddenly the apology becomes a normalized courtesy. It becomes an acknowledgment that something was missed and that's totally okay because people aren't perfect. In that environment, imperfection and graciousness are not at odds. Neither are conflict and love.
Parents can start this trend as early as toddlerhood. For the twos and threes, communication barriers present natural instances for conflict. As a kid struggles to show a parent they want, it's easy for an adult to get frustrated as they try to address a kid's desires (You want the red one? The blue one? The cookie? What!?). But once the toy or snack is retrieved, Markham notes that there's a fine opportunity for parents to acknowledge the difficulty of the situation, with a simple "I'm sorry, I couldn't understand." She notes that this isn't some major issue. So no need to invest in guilt. The point is making the "sorry" part of life.
Markham also suggests that parents fight the urge to buy their kids off. As tempting as it might be to throw candy or cheap toys at the problem, it's not really teaching them right values.
"Buying people off is not a message we want to give kids," says Markham. "You want to make an emotional repair."
Because the important part of apologizing to a kid has nothing to do with redress. It's about repairing the perceived rupture in the relationship while teaching them empathy and grace. It's an act of love.
18 Sex-Filled Films to Stream on Netflix
For when you want some good, clean onscreen lovin' that's not porn, I've found an array of sexy films available on Netflix. There are foreign flicks, romantic comedies, period pieces, and everything in between (the sheets) - perfect for solo watching or date night. So hop into bed with one of these steamy movies tonight!
10 Latina-Owned Beauty Brands You Want to Get Your Hands On ASAP
Behind every great makeup brand there's an innovative creative mind, and in the case of these 10 beauty companies, the lead has been taken by a Latina.
Each woman is dedicated to empowering anyone who wears makeup to look and feel their best, and each brand features trendy products you'll want to add to your everyday routine. From your beloved Beautyblender to that Kat Von D Studded Lipstick in Lolita you wear all the time, these are the brands and beauty buys you should know.
There Are So Many Transgender Stories to Tell - and I'm Hell-Bent on Telling Them
Before I moved to NYC, a good friend of mine lent me one final word of advice: "If there is anything - anything at all - you can do in this world besides acting, do that instead." Film and television are industries notorious for churning out iconic silver-screen legends and spitting out the rest who couldn't make the cut. Actors routinely face rejection and criticism in the audition room and are constantly compared to their contemporaries, from their skills to their looks. The stakes feel even higher when you find yourself grouped into a niche typecast. That is to say, you are easily lumped with other actors who fit a particular descriptor - blond, tattooed, old, or in my case, transgender.
As a transgender actress, opportunity comes on a double-edged sword. If a film or show is seeking transgender talent, you have a considerably better chance of getting the audition than the majority of cis actors out there. However, the roles available to transgender artists, while certainly growing and improving, are often limited to archaic stereotypes and unsavory characters. It was not until my fourth or fifth audition as a downtrodden, junkie, crossdressing prostitute that I fully understood the gravity of my friend's earlier advice.
Typecasting, frustrating and limiting as it can be, has also allowed me to meet just about every other trans actress working on the East Coast, because we all end up at the same casting calls. There is comfort in being able to confide in other women who not just relate but empathize and experience the exact same struggles. It is a tight and fiercely supportive community to be a part of, because each of us knows that our only chance to make change in this competitive and cut-throat world is if we speak as a unified whole. Progress is an often slow and uphill battle, but just in the past year alone we have seen amazing trans-positive and trans-collaborated works like Her Story and Transparent rise to recognition. It is deeply affirming to see girls like myself making headway, but there is still so much work to be done.
It was about this time last year I felt particularly defeated about my career and seriously considered abandoning acting, the city, and the dream I followed so far from Missouri. I questioned my strength to face another stereotype or demoralizing role and doubted my ability to bring face and change for my community. I was beside myself, but then, all golden bright and shiny, there was the 2016 Emmys. When Jeffrey Tambor was awarded for best actor in a comedy series for Transparent, he took his place on stage to say:
"To you people out there - you producers and you network owners and you agents and you creative sparks . . . Please give transgender talent a chance."
My heart shook.
"Give them auditions, give them their story. Do that . . . We have work to do. I love you."
It was as though Hollywood embodied was speaking directly to me and every other transgender actor and creative alike, validating our work and our fight. It felt, at the very least, that we mattered, and our talent was worth celebrating.
Later, Laverne Cox, dressed and glowing like the award show itself, carried Tambor's call-to-action in her own words while presenting another award.
"Give trans talent a shot. I would not be here today if somebody didn't give me a chance."
I was in absolute hysterics, sobbing and laughing all at once. I cheered at my television and cried into my boyfriend's arm. If only in this short moment on a single television award broadcast, I knew the world was listening. I was proud to be one of those people Mr. Tambor was advocating for and in love with my identity as a transgender woman. I'm not sure if the universe was listening or if God was watching, but everything I needed to know was given to me in that moment, and I knew I was far from giving up my dreams.
The Safe Place Prince Harry and Prince William Were When Diana Died
Princess Diana passed away in a tragic car accident in Paris in August 1997, and the abrupt loss of her life is still felt by both her family and the public that loved her. Diana, who had a tumultuous marriage to Prince Charles and a complicated relationship with the royal family in general before her death, didn't bring her children, Prince William and Prince Harry, with her during that fateful trip. Instead, the two boys, who were 15 and 12 at the time, were with their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
William and Harry were wrapping up spending the Summer with the queen at Balmoral Castle, a royal residence in Scotland. Since Diana's accident happened after midnight, the queen instructed her staff to not disturb the boys and to let them sleep in before telling them the news. She also reportedly had them remove all TVs and radios from the castle so the boys wouldn't hear gossip about their mother's death and could grieve in private.
Despite Queen Elizabeth receiving harsh backlash for the way she handled Diana's death, William later opened up about just how much his grandmother's consideration meant to him all those years ago. "Having lost my mother at a young age, it's been particularly important to me that I've had somebody like the queen to look up to and who's been there and who has understood some of the more complex issues when you lose a loved one," he said in the Sky News's documentary The Queen at 90. "She's been incredibly supportive and I've really appreciated her guidance."
Sizzle the Calories Away With This Dance-Party Workout
Is this a dance party or a workout? You tell us, but when it comes to torching major calories, we're partial to dance cardio. Join us for this 45-minute workout from Simone De La Rue, creator of Body by Simone - the hottest workout in Hollywood. If you're not in the mood to jump, we provide low-impact modifications through the entire workout. Put on your dancing shoes, press play, and get ready to get down.
On Anna: Alo Yoga, Onzie, and APL (Athletic Propulsion Labs)
On Simone and Dancers: Jonathan Simkhai X Carbon38 and Body by Simone Newton Shoes
J Balvin Just Released a Very "Bonita" Song That Screams Summer Hit
J Balvin along with the Puerto Rican duo Jowell and Randy just released their new song "Bonita" with a music video that will grab everyone's attention. Balvin is always rapping about pretty ladies and this time it's no exception.
The music video is very different from other's that Balvin has released before. It features a lot of animations and is filled with emoji and references to Instagram. In the video, Balvin rocks a bunch of different looks that show just how much he loves to play around with his style. The upbeat tempo of the song is sure to have everyone dancing the night away. Watch it all go down in the video above.
10 Latina-Owned Beauty Brands You Want to Get Your Hands On ASAP
Behind every great makeup brand there's an innovative creative mind, and in the case of these 10 beauty companies, the lead has been taken by a Latina.
Each woman is dedicated to empowering anyone who wears makeup to look and feel their best, and each brand features trendy products you'll want to add to your everyday routine. From your beloved Beautyblender to that Kat Von D Studded Lipstick in Lolita you wear all the time, these are the brands and beauty buys you should know.
This Beloved Lush Product Is Back in Stock Thanks to Your Demands
Some spread awareness to save the bees; Lush fans worked hard this Spring to #SaveScrubee! Not the same thing - making sure bees are preserved is a very important global cause - but we still support beauty fans fighting to bring back a limited-edition product.
Here's what happened: For Mother's Day, Lush launched this adorable Scrubee bar ($8). The buzzy bar was an instant hit. It offers rock star ingredients: exfoliating ground almonds with coconut shell pieces married with hydrating honey, cocoa, and shea butter. It's the perfect duo for soft, cleansed skin.
Scrubee fans campaigned on Twitter and Instagram to make sure the bar became a mainstay product in Lush's offering, and it was just announced that their bathing dreams are coming true. Lush confirmed that it will launch at the end of July!
"Our fans like to keep us on our toes," says Brandi Halls, Lush's Director of Brand Communications, said in a press release. "We were so blown away by their demand to #SaveScrubee that we had to do right by them. Scrubee has officially been saved and is part of our year-round lineup."
See? You do have power on social media, people! Congrats to all of the Scrubee lovers out there.
Sizzle the Calories Away With This Dance-Party Workout
Is this a dance party or a workout? You tell us, but when it comes to torching major calories, we're partial to dance cardio. Join us for this 45-minute workout from Simone De La Rue, creator of Body by Simone - the hottest workout in Hollywood. If you're not in the mood to jump, we provide low-impact modifications through the entire workout. Put on your dancing shoes, press play, and get ready to get down.
On Anna: Alo Yoga, Onzie, and APL (Athletic Propulsion Labs)
On Simone and Dancers: Jonathan Simkhai X Carbon38 and Body by Simone Newton Shoes
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