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.
mardi 6 juin 2017
13 Chic Yet Effortless Outfits to Pack For Your Vacation
Packing for vacation can be kinda tricky, especially if you've waited until the last minute to get all your stuff together. But the best way to start? By planning out - or at least getting an idea of - the outfits you'll want to rock during your trip. And that's where our favorite fashion bloggers come in.
Considering many of these ladies are jet-setting pros, it's likely you'll find tons of on-trend, elevated, and easy vacation-ready looks on their feeds. Scroll through for a bit of inspiration, then check out some two-piece pairings to try all season long.
Disneyland's New Baby Groot Bread Just Might Be Too Cute to Eat!
Baby Groot is one of many reasons - besides Chris Pratt - to see Guardians of the Galaxy 2, and Disneyland is winning fans over with an insanely adorable new menu item: Baby Groot bread. It's a large piece of sourdough bread shaped exactly like Baby Groot's head, with black olives for eyes, and a jalapeño cheddar "hair" topping. While it definitely seems weird to eat Baby Groot, we have to admit the bread ($9 each) looks pretty damn tasty. The character-inspired bread is reportedly baked fresh at Disney California Adventure's Boudin Bakery, a San Francisco-based bakery known for sourdough bread.
Sold near the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout ride in California Adventure, the Baby Groot bread is understandably selling out quickly. While POPSUGAR wasn't able to try the bread during our Disneyland Summer of Heroes tour (it was display-only), it will be available for purchase again starting on June 6. Between this and the thrilling new Guardians of the Galaxy ride, you officially have two more important reasons to visit Disneyland ASAP!
13 Chic Yet Effortless Outfits to Pack For Your Vacation
Packing for vacation can be kinda tricky, especially if you've waited until the last minute to get all your stuff together. But the best way to start? By planning out - or at least getting an idea of - the outfits you'll want to rock during your trip. And that's where our favorite fashion bloggers come in.
Considering many of these ladies are jet-setting pros, it's likely you'll find tons of on-trend, elevated, and easy vacation-ready looks on their feeds. Scroll through for a bit of inspiration, then check out some two-piece pairings to try all season long.
17 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Throw on the BBQ For Your Family This Summer
Beat the heat by leaving your oven off this Summer and mixing up your family's dinner routine with some delicious grilled chicken recipes that can be thrown straight onto the BBQ. From pastas and salads to tacos and skewers, there are a bunch of different ways to spruce up a chicken breast for a family dinner al fresco.
Scroll through for 17 recipes we can't wait to make for our families this Summer.
The Receptionist Will Weigh In on You and 4 More Secret Tips From Recruiters
The interview process can be nerve-racking for a variety of reasons - not the least of which is the mystery element. What is the hiring manager thinking? What do they value most in a candidate? What is their biggest pet peeve (and am I doing it right now?!)?
Fortune recently rounded up some of the best tips from recruiters at the country's top companies to work for, so take heed of these rules during your next interview and you might end up landing a dream gig at an awesome company.
17 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Throw on the BBQ For Your Family This Summer
Beat the heat by leaving your oven off this Summer and mixing up your family's dinner routine with some delicious grilled chicken recipes that can be thrown straight onto the BBQ. From pastas and salads to tacos and skewers, there are a bunch of different ways to spruce up a chicken breast for a family dinner al fresco.
Scroll through for 17 recipes we can't wait to make for our families this Summer.
Say Thanks to Your Bridesmaids With These 25 Thoughtful Gifts
The moments leading up to your wedding are something you've probably been envisioning for quite some time. Celebrating love is a wonderful experience, but planning the party portion can get exhausting. Thankfully, you have your girls by your side. Show your supportive bridal party how much you appreciate them by getting them something special. Here are some choices your squad is going to love.
The Magic of Becca's Highlighters Is Now Coming in Lip Gloss Form
Fans of Becca's luminous highlighters are in for a sparkly treat - the brand is launching new kaleidoscopic lip glosses next week at Sephora!
The new collection of Liquid Crystal Glow lip glosses comes in six trendy shades that will sparkle on a variety of different complexions:
- Pearl x Gold - clear gloss with a hint of gold sparkle
- Rose Quartz x Seashell - pink gloss with iridescent shimmer
- Champagne Dream x Bellini - peachy gloss with rose gold accents
- Opal x Jade - oil-slick purple with an opal glow
- Amethyst x Geode - shimmery lavender with hints of blue
- Topaz x Gilt - bronze gloss with multicolored shimmer
Each hue gives a subtle sparkle similar to the brand's famous highlighters and features a blend of pearls that'll create a prismatic shine when your lips catch the natural light. Can you imagine how gorgeous these would look out in the Summer sunshine? Get a better look at them ahead, and get ready to shop 'em next week.
1 Woman Is Going Viral For Her Life-Saving Curly Hair Tips
Four year transformation, all from learning how to take care of my curls from curlyhair
Learning to properly care for and embrace your curly hair can be a bit of a struggle filled with endless trial and error. One woman finally has it down to a science, but it took her four years to get there. Reddit user capslockramen is going viral on Reddit for sharing the details of her dramatic hair transformation, along with her daily routine for keeping her luscious curls in check.
She posted before-and-after photos that show just how drastic her hair journey has been. The "before" snapshot was taken during her senior year of high school when she "hated" her curls so much that she "got a relaxed curl perm, bleached it blond, and straightened [her] hair five to six days a week, without using quality heat protectant." But that all changed when she went off to college, where she decided to let her blond perm grow out and started experimenting with different products until she found exactly what works best.
Four years later, she's mastered the art of taming her curls and finally loves her springy ringlets just as they are. "I've never felt more in love with my hair," she wrote in the Reddit post. She also shared her step-by-step styling routine, which is detailed below.
- After shower, squeeze excess water from hair.
- Flip head upside down.
- Apply generous amount of Cantu leave-in conditioner. Run fingers through hair to ensure even distribution.
- Scrunch in generous amount of Miss Jessie's MultiCultural Curls cream.
- Scrunch out excess water using a cotton t-shirt.
- Wrap hair in said t-shirt.
- Stand upright again and let hair sit in the shirt about 10 minutes.
- Flip head upside down again and remove t-shirt.
- Dry with hair drying facing toward the scalp. Use a diffuser! Put the heat settings on warm (not hot) with the speed on high.
- Scrunch hair with t-shirt while drying. This part usually takes me like 20 minutes (definitely have to take breaks so all the blood doesn't rush to my head and make me pass out).
- When it's close enough to completely dry, spray with medium-hold hairspray. Stand back up normally and fix where I want the part, hairspray that a little.
- Done!
Once her detailed routine went viral, amassing nearly 800 comments, the woman responded to other users' questions with various other tips and tricks for managing curls every day.
- Make sure your hairstylist cuts your locks while they're dry, and avoid using a razor to thin it.
- She opts for using a shampoo without sulfates three to four times per week.
- Worried about messing up your hair overnight? Try sleeping with a silk cap on or put it in a loose bun using an elastic ribbon as a hair tie.
- Brush out your locks before you shower, not after.
When celebrity hairstylist Oscar Blandi caught wind of this woman's viral hair hacks, he gave additional helpful recommendations for gals with curly manes. Instead of using a t-shirt to dry your hair like the Reddit user suggested, Blandi told Yahoo Beauty how a Turkish towel, which is highly absorbent, may be a better option. "Press the towel on your hair, don't rub it all over your hair," he said. "Rubbing your wet, curly hair will create frizz." After that, apply leave-in conditioner, and then a silicon oil-based product with just a dab of gel. "The combination will keep the hair soft and not crunchy," he said.
At the end of the day, experimentation is key for people with curly hair, but this woman's routine and tips seem like a great place to start if you're looking to kick-start a journey to embracing your ringlets in their gorgeous natural state.
The Newest iPad Pro Might Be the Best One Yet
Apple didn't slow down in announcing several new products at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), including a 10.5-inch iPad Pro. The newest member of the iPad Pro family might finally be the right size people are looking for.
The 10.5-inch iPad Pro includes the following details:
- It's 50 percent brighter and 20 percent larger, weighing in at 1 pound.
- The new iPad Pro can show a full-screen keyboard.
- It'll come with a new feature called ProMotion. It adjusts the refresh rate, so if you're playing a game, it'll be faster, but if you're reading something, it'll slow down.
- Apple is bringing drag and drop to the iPad, so you can drag files and drop them into other apps.
- A dock is coming to iPad, making it look even more similar to a Mac.
- Files is here! The new app will now let you search your files across different products like Dropbox and open them up.
- App switcher is getting a new look to resemble the Spaces feature you see on a Mac.
- You'll still see a 10-hour battery life, a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera, and a 7-megapixel front-facing camera on the new iPad Pro.
- The new iPad Pro will come in the following WiFi models: 64 GB for $649, 256 GB for $749, and 512 GB for $949. It also be available in the following WiFi and cellular models: 64 GB for $749, 256 GB for $879, and 512 GB for $1,079.
- You can buy the 10.5-inch iPad Pro in silver, space gray, gold, and rose gold.
You can preorder the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro today, and it will ship out next week.
- Additional reporting by Brinton Parker
Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Beauty Oils
The beauty market is flooded with all manner of miracle oils, some of which we can't even pronounce (kukui what?). But any experienced skin care mixtress knows the importance of having pure oils in your bathroom or kitchen cabinet. There's a reason these thicker liquids have been used since ancient times from head to toe. Since navigating the natural food aisle in your local health shop can be confusing, we've created this handy guide, below. In it, you'll learn the benefits of each oil as well as how to mix them properly for your next DIY beauty recipes.
First, base or carrier oils should make up the majority of your recipe because they have intensive hydrating properties. Then top that off with a treatment oil that targets specific ailments (like dry skin and swelling). Finally add the kicker - a few drops of an essential oil that's high in fragrance and potent in beauty benefits. If you're mixing these recipes at home, always make sure to do a test patch first to avoid any adverse reactions. In one quick trip to the health-food store, you could be well on your way to smoother skin and shinier hair. At the very least, you'll know which claims to believe when walking down the beauty aisle.
Jessica Alba, Denim Professional, Just Took the Her Love of Jumpsuits to a New Level
Jessica Alba knows a good denim look when she sees one. The 36-year-old actress and entrepreneur attended a Havaianas + Baby2Baby Beach Party in Santa Monica, CA, wearing one of the hottest trends of the year: a denim jumpsuit.
While Jessica's one-and-done look was comfortable, it wasn't that simple. Her The Great jumpsuit (currently sold out) featured two pockets at the waist, buttons down the middle that could be worn open or closed, and a loose boyfriend-style silhouette. Jessica went for a very boho vibe, pairing her jean jumpsuit with a pair of flip flops, simple gold hoops, and her hair in her signature beachy waves. Keep scrolling to see photos of Jessica and to shop a jumpsuit of your own.
Why Cutting Off All My Hair Was the Worst Decision I Ever Made
For a long time I joked about Lady Gaga's "Hair" being my anthem. I proudly told people that "I am my hair," yet I didn't realize how deeply I felt that until I cut it all off last year. I had just moved from California to New York and wanted to try something crazy and new, so my first thought was to change up my mane. I had already tried every color of the rainbow, so naturally I decided to go for broke and just cut it all off into a pixie. It's only hair, after all, right?
I liked my new cut initially. It was short and fun and so, so different from what I was used to. It took approximately three days for me to realize what a grave mistake I had made. I just kept telling myself, "It's only hair; it'll grow back."
I quickly learned that, despite thinking shorter is easier, it was actually a huge hassle. I had to wash it every morning, which is super unfortunate for someone who values sleeping in until the last possible second. I couldn't throw it in a ponytail when I was feeling lazy. It was impossible to keep it off my forehead at the gym. I tried bandanas and headbands, but I guess my head is too round for them to stay in place. And because my strands were short and just hanging out on my face all the time, it made my scalp really hot and made my forehead break out. These were all things I didn't even think about before chopping off a foot of hair.
But it's only hair; it'll grow back.
Before I knew it, I was in a downward spiral of hating my cut so much that I avoided even leaving my apartment. I worked from home a lot, stayed in on weekends, and ordered takeout many nights for dinner so I wouldn't have to go buy groceries. I invested in new hats that I was wearing almost daily, which gave me headaches, and I tried every possible method of bobby-pinning everything out of my face. I got highlights thinking it would help. It didn't. I dyed it darker thinking it would make me like it more. Wrong again. I still kept telling myself that my hair would grow back before I knew it, but I was having trouble believing myself anymore.
I have always loved my hair. As someone who dealt with problem skin and body-image issues for many years, it became the one thing I truly always appreciated about myself. As long as I had my hair, it didn't matter if my skin was a bit broken out or I felt like I was having a fat day. I was blessed with a good mane, and that was what gave me comfort. And with that mentality of loving my locks so much, I never thought I could do anything to it to make myself hate it. Style changes are fun, and if they suck, hey, guess what, it'll grow back. I was that person who would watch America's Next Top Model and laugh at the girls who freaked out on makeover day about making a drastic change. That season where the one girl cried profusely over cutting off her long length in favor of a pixie Tyra had chosen? Yeah, I laughed at her a lot. When she left the show and got extensions to feel more like herself? I laughed some more. Girl, it is just hair!
But now . . . girl, I feel you.
I spent eight months hating my hair. Cutting it all off wasn't empowering. It wasn't freeing. It didn't give me new perspective. It made me sad. So unbelievably sad, and truthfully, what was the hardest for me was feeling like I lost my femininity. I constantly felt like I needed to wear really girlie clothes and a good amount of makeup so that it was clear that even though I had a supershort style, I was, in fact, a woman. Basically, I felt ugly. I didn't feel like me.
But you know what? It's hair, and it grows back. Slowly but surely it does. The regrowing process has been more of a chore than I could have imagined. If I'm not careful, I end up with a weird little mullet. The day when I was finally able to get my strands into the tiniest of tiny ponytails I may have actually shed a tear or two of joy. I was finally on my way back to having my old look. I kept telling my poor mom, who had to listen to me complain almost every day this whole time, that once my hair was at a length I liked, I was going to have fun with it in hopes of truly loving it again.
I'm firmly on the path to being in love with my hair again thanks to some TLC from my new stylist. Am I well-aware that having such a meltdown over a haircut is a first-world problem? Absolutely. But am I allowed to have that meltdown? Yes, yes I am, because even though I always thought it was just hair, I now know that it means much more to me, and I will never, ever cut it all off again.
Find Someone Who Looks at You the Way Jonah Hill Looks at Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill formed quite a special bond while filming 2013's The Wolf of Wall Street, and honestly, how could they not? When you spend your days pretending to do hardcore drugs and have orgies with women aboard airplanes, we imagine you become friends pretty quickly. During the film's press tour and that year's award season, we got to see Leo and Jonah's bond in real life. They hit red carpets together, shared a few cocktails, and made each other laugh while goofing off during fancy events. But that was just the beginning. Leo made a surprise appearance during Jonah's Saturday Night Live opening monologue in 2014 (they re-created that famous "Jack, I'm flying" scene from Titanic), and he pulled an epic prank on Jonah when he pretended to be an excited fan taking pictures on the streets of NYC in 2016. Leo is known for his large group of guy friends, or the "P*ssy Posse," but his bond with Jonah is definitely one of our favorites.
Find Someone Who Looks at You the Way Jonah Hill Looks at Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill formed quite a special bond while filming 2013's The Wolf of Wall Street, and honestly, how could they not? When you spend your days pretending to do hardcore drugs and have orgies with women aboard airplanes, we imagine you become friends pretty quickly. During the film's press tour and that year's award season, we got to see Leo and Jonah's bond in real life. They hit red carpets together, shared a few cocktails, and made each other laugh while goofing off during fancy events. But that was just the beginning. Leo made a surprise appearance during Jonah's Saturday Night Live opening monologue in 2014 (they re-created that famous "Jack, I'm flying" scene from Titanic), and he pulled an epic prank on Jonah when he pretended to be an excited fan taking pictures on the streets of NYC in 2016. Leo is known for his large group of guy friends, or the "P*ssy Posse," but his bond with Jonah is definitely one of our favorites.
Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Beauty Oils
The beauty market is flooded with all manner of miracle oils, some of which we can't even pronounce (kukui what?). But any experienced skin care mixtress knows the importance of having pure oils in your bathroom or kitchen cabinet. There's a reason these thicker liquids have been used since ancient times from head to toe. Since navigating the natural food aisle in your local health shop can be confusing, we've created this handy guide, below. In it, you'll learn the benefits of each oil as well as how to mix them properly for your next DIY beauty recipes.
First, base or carrier oils should make up the majority of your recipe because they have intensive hydrating properties. Then top that off with a treatment oil that targets specific ailments (like dry skin and swelling). Finally add the kicker - a few drops of an essential oil that's high in fragrance and potent in beauty benefits. If you're mixing these recipes at home, always make sure to do a test patch first to avoid any adverse reactions. In one quick trip to the health-food store, you could be well on your way to smoother skin and shinier hair. At the very least, you'll know which claims to believe when walking down the beauty aisle.
Why Cutting Off All My Hair Was the Worst Decision I Ever Made
For a long time I joked about Lady Gaga's "Hair" being my anthem. I proudly told people that "I am my hair," yet I didn't realize how deeply I felt that until I cut it all off last year. I had just moved from California to New York and wanted to try something crazy and new, so my first thought was to change up my mane. I had already tried every color of the rainbow, so naturally I decided to go for broke and just cut it all off into a pixie. It's only hair, after all, right?
I liked my new cut initially. It was short and fun and so, so different from what I was used to. It took approximately three days for me to realize what a grave mistake I had made. I just kept telling myself, "It's only hair; it'll grow back."
I quickly learned that, despite thinking shorter is easier, it was actually a huge hassle. I had to wash it every morning, which is super unfortunate for someone who values sleeping in until the last possible second. I couldn't throw it in a ponytail when I was feeling lazy. It was impossible to keep it off my forehead at the gym. I tried bandanas and headbands, but I guess my head is too round for them to stay in place. And because my strands were short and just hanging out on my face all the time, it made my scalp really hot and made my forehead break out. These were all things I didn't even think about before chopping off a foot of hair.
But it's only hair; it'll grow back.
Before I knew it, I was in a downward spiral of hating my cut so much that I avoided even leaving my apartment. I worked from home a lot, stayed in on weekends, and ordered takeout many nights for dinner so I wouldn't have to go buy groceries. I invested in new hats that I was wearing almost daily, which gave me headaches, and I tried every possible method of bobby-pinning everything out of my face. I got highlights thinking it would help. It didn't. I dyed it darker thinking it would make me like it more. Wrong again. I still kept telling myself that my hair would grow back before I knew it, but I was having trouble believing myself anymore.
I have always loved my hair. As someone who dealt with problem skin and body-image issues for many years, it became the one thing I truly always appreciated about myself. As long as I had my hair, it didn't matter if my skin was a bit broken out or I felt like I was having a fat day. I was blessed with a good mane, and that was what gave me comfort. And with that mentality of loving my locks so much, I never thought I could do anything to it to make myself hate it. Style changes are fun, and if they suck, hey, guess what, it'll grow back. I was that person who would watch America's Next Top Model and laugh at the girls who freaked out on makeover day about making a drastic change. That season where the one girl cried profusely over cutting off her long length in favor of a pixie Tyra had chosen? Yeah, I laughed at her a lot. When she left the show and got extensions to feel more like herself? I laughed some more. Girl, it is just hair!
But now . . . girl, I feel you.
I spent eight months hating my hair. Cutting it all off wasn't empowering. It wasn't freeing. It didn't give me new perspective. It made me sad. So unbelievably sad, and truthfully, what was the hardest for me was feeling like I lost my femininity. I constantly felt like I needed to wear really girlie clothes and a good amount of makeup so that it was clear that even though I had a supershort style, I was, in fact, a woman. Basically, I felt ugly. I didn't feel like me.
But you know what? It's hair, and it grows back. Slowly but surely it does. The regrowing process has been more of a chore than I could have imagined. If I'm not careful, I end up with a weird little mullet. The day when I was finally able to get my strands into the tiniest of tiny ponytails I may have actually shed a tear or two of joy. I was finally on my way back to having my old look. I kept telling my poor mom, who had to listen to me complain almost every day this whole time, that once my hair was at a length I liked, I was going to have fun with it in hopes of truly loving it again.
I'm firmly on the path to being in love with my hair again thanks to some TLC from my new stylist. Am I well-aware that having such a meltdown over a haircut is a first-world problem? Absolutely. But am I allowed to have that meltdown? Yes, yes I am, because even though I always thought it was just hair, I now know that it means much more to me, and I will never, ever cut it all off again.
The Pioneer Woman's Magazine Is Finally Out, and It Looks SO Good
It's been months since Ree Drummond announced the launch of The Pioneer Woman magazine, and the first issue is finally here! The Summer issue will be available at Walmart stores nationwide starting June 6 as well as at The Pioneer Woman's mercantile shop in Pawhuska, OK. Based on the cover, we know we can expect easy family dinner recipes, home decor inspiration, a personal and emotional story from Ree about losing her dog Charlie, and fashion advice (including a buyer's guide for cowgirl boots).
Ree shared a photo of the cover of the Summer issue on Instagram, writing, "It was really fun doing this magazine. Swipe right for a peek at one of my favorite spreads," which appears to be a feature about her daughter, Paige. The spread reads, "Ree loves building an outfit around a floral top. What happens when her teenage daughter Paige does the same?"
It's safe to say The Pioneer Woman magazine is not just for people who love to cook Ree Drummond's recipes, and there's something there for everyone who's inspired by her picturesque life on the ranch.
I Finally Found the Perfect Towel - and I'll Never Go Back
Now that my linen closet is stacked to full capacity, it feels safe and only right to share details about the towels I no longer want to live without. Full disclosure: I was first turned onto Hotel Collection's Ultimate MicroCotton Bath Towels through a PR pitch and had meager expectations, until I actually gave the free towel samples a try. Whoa.
From the first wash cycle to the first time I used them, I immediately noticed how much softer, fluffier, and more absorbent they were than any of the other towels I owned. After six months of heavy use and wash rotation - because who wants to use the crappy towels anymore? - I noticed another thing: they're remarkably resistant to mildewy funk. As someone making due in a tiny bathroom with limited ventilation and towel-hanging real estate, this was a problem for me - even with frequent laundering and vinegar cycles. These, however, are different.
The towels come in 21 shades, ranging from easy neutrals to pretty pastels and a handful of bold jewel tones. I've stocked up on vapor - a warm, pale gray that feels as versatile as white but doesn't show my makeup residue as easily. It's the lighter of the two gray options.
While the original price is $31 for a bath towel, you can score one for $15 on sale, which is what propelled me to finally stock up. Like sheets, buying high-quality towels at a price you can afford is an investment worth making. If you're looking for an affordable upgrade to your daily shower or bath routine, I highly recommend them.
Mila Kunis Gave Her Parents the Surprise of a Lifetime With a Home Makeover
Mila Kunis is a hilarious actress and a wonderful mother, and now she can add talented home renovator to her résumé! In a recent episode of My Houzz, Mila surprised her parents with an incredible home makeover. It's the condo Mila grew up in and where her parents, Mark and Elvira, have lived for 20 years, but as the Bad Moms actress said for herself, it was time to give it an upgrade.
When Mila was just 9 years old, the Kunis family moved from the Ukraine to Los Angeles, and they have lived in the same condo since, but the living, dining, and kitchen areas of the home needed work. "Knowing how hard I work now for what I have puts things into perspective for how much harder my parents had to work to have given us the life my brother and I had," she said. "So I desperately want to give them something they deserve."
She teamed up with LA-based designer Breeze Giannasio to transform the kitchen and living room into an open-space floor plan, making it ideal for family gatherings. Mila wanted to make sure whoever was in the kitchen would not feel isolated from the rest of the group hanging out in the living room. Her husband, Ashton Kutcher, actually remodeled his mom's basement in a previous My Houzz episode, but that didn't stop him from making a tear-jerking toast during the reveal of the home.
Watch the episode above and prepare to be amazed at how even at nine months pregnant, Mila was determined to give her parents the surprise of a lifetime. (And yes, that involved knocking down walls.)
10 Essentials Every Small Home Should Have
There's an art to living thoughtfully in cramped quarters, but there's a science to choosing pieces that will make the most of your square footage. These decorative essentials seem to pop up in the most stylish small spaces again and again. So tell us, are these space-saving pieces in your home?
Source: A Beautiful Mess
The Cutest Pictures of Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía of Spain
It seems like just yesterday when King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain announced the birth of their first daughter, so it comes as a total shock that it was 11 years ago that Princess Leonor, the heir to the throne, was born in Madrid. From day one, the little royal graced us with the sweetest pictures (and the most adorable outfits) at family outings and official events.
Then, in 2007, the cuteness doubled with the birth of her sister, Infanta Sofía, and thus began a time of matching outfits, coordinating hairstyles, and mischievous sisterly smiles. Keep scrolling to see the best pictures of the two royals through the years.
26 Decor Pieces That Prove Lauren Conrad Has Great Taste
If you've taken a peek inside one of Lauren Conrad's homes, then you already know she has great taste. But what you might not know is that you can shop Lauren's adorable decor picks - and feel good about doing it. The former reality star and mom-to-be partnered with Hannah Skvarla to found The Little Market, an independent nonprofit that empowers women around the globe. The online retailer sells only fair-trade items handmade by local artisans in a multitude of countries, helping these skilled workers generate meaningful income for themselves and their families. The mission is great and so is the decor, seriously: millennial pink baskets, soy candles customized by zodiac signs, towels in on-trend aqua, and accent pieces with charm to spare. Take a look at some of our favorites ahead.
The Cutest Pictures of Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía of Spain
It seems like just yesterday when King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain announced the birth of their first daughter, so it comes as a total shock that it was 11 years ago that Princess Leonor, the heir to the throne, was born in Madrid. From day one, the little royal graced us with the sweetest pictures (and the most adorable outfits) at family outings and official events.
Then, in 2007, the cuteness doubled with the birth of her sister, Infanta Sofía, and thus began a time of matching outfits, coordinating hairstyles, and mischievous sisterly smiles. Keep scrolling to see the best pictures of the two royals through the years.
7 Myths Nutritionists Wish You'd Stop Believing
There's a lot of misinformation out there, but dietitian Julie Upton, MS, RD, of Appetite For Health, is here to shed light on seven nutritional myths that could mess with your weight-loss efforts and your health.
The Internet is like the Wild West when it comes to nutrition information: anything goes. Websites are rife with less-than-accurate nutrition facts, which only fuels food myths and adds to consumers' confusion about which picks are the healthiest. At best, you can hope there's a kernel of truth in what you're reading, but more often than not, there's no scientific basis for these myths. Below are seven of the most popular nutrition myths and the real deal on each.
Myth 1: You need to detox your body with a juice cleanse.
Fact: From celebrities to personal trainers, there's no shortage of so-called experts advocating fasts or juice cleanses to detox. If you Google "detox," you'll get nearly 64 million results for diet programs and treatments that are supposed to help "flush out your system," "remove toxic substances from the body," "give your GI tract a rest," or "speed up your metabolism" and "enhance your overall health." But despite all the hype and popularity, there's little proof that fasting or following a deprivation diet for several days actually delivers on any of the above promises.
While an occasional short fast or a day of following a "juice diet" won't cause harm for most healthy people, it will likely leave you feeling cranky and hungry. If you really want to be and feel your best, eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, get adequate sleep, and don't drink more than one alcoholic beverage per day.
Myth 2: Diet sodas make you gain weight.
Fact: While you may have read that diet beverages make you gain weight, a recent clinical trial found just the opposite. In the 12-week study, published in the journal Obesity, dieters who drank diet beverages lost 13 pounds on average - 44 percent more than subjects drinking water only, who lost an average of nine pounds. What's more, the diet-soda drinkers reported feeling more satisfied. This study adds to a substantial body of research demonstrating that low-calorie sweeteners and the diet beverages that contain them do not hinder but can in fact help with weight loss. Two peer-reviewed studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition by researchers from the University of North Carolina in 2012 and 2013 randomly assigned subjects to drink either water or diet beverages (without making any other changes to their diet). After six months, the diet-beverage group had a greater likelihood of reaching a meaningful amount of weight loss - five percent of one's body weight - compared to the control group. These studies reinforce that if you're trying to lose weight, diet beverages may help you peel off pounds, as they can help you achieve and maintain a lower-calorie eating plan.
Myth 3: Canola oil is made from rapeseed plants, which are toxic.
Fact: Canola oil comes from the crushed seeds of canola plants - not rapeseed plants, which are, in fact, harmful. Rapeseed oil contains high levels of erucic acid, which is linked to heart disease and therefore is not allowed to be sold in the US. While the two plants are cousins, they're distinctly different in their composition. In the 1960s, farmers used breeding methods to help eliminate the erucic acid from canola plants, and canola oil is now regulated to contain negligible amounts of the compound, ensuring that canola oil is 100 percent safe. In fact, it also happens to be one of the healthiest oils (behind olive oil) because it has less saturated fat and more heart-protective omega-3s than other vegetable oils. Canola oil is just seven percent saturated fat compared to olive oil, which is 15 percent saturated fat.
Myth 4: Sea salt has less sodium than table salt and is mineral-rich.
Fact: Run-of-the-mill Morton table salt and gourmet Himalayan sea salt contain essentially the same amount of sodium per teaspoon - 2,300 milligrams. As for minerals, neither contains enough of any mineral to make it a clear winner over the other. For instance, a teaspoon of table salt has just 1 mg calcium compared to 12 mg in sea salt. Since 12 mg is just one percent of your daily needs, it's not a very healthy way to get calcium into your diet.
Most people believe that sea salt tastes better and, in some cases, you may be able to use less of it (and therefore reduce your sodium intake), but it is by no means a lower-sodium and more mineral-rich option. Keep in mind, sea salt lacks iodine - and not getting enough of this compound can lead to goiter, intellectual impairments, growth retardation, and much more. In fact, iodine deficiency is a serious health threat, especially among pregnant women, according to Boston University researchers, so don't use sea salt exclusively in your diet.
Myth 5: Some foods, like celery, have negative calories.
Fact: When something sounds too good to be true, well, it probably is. Take "negative-calorie foods" as an example. The notion is that digesting certain foods burns more calories than those foods provide. The faulty logic of this urban legend is based on the scientifically proven thermic effect of food (TEF), which simply means the amount of energy the body uses to digest a food. The thinking goes, if you were to eat a very low-calorie food - common examples include celery, apples, and limes - then you'd actually create a calorie deficit. In other words, these foods would end up costing less-than-zero calories.
Sadly, there are no negative-calorie foods. The TEF generally ranges from 10 percent to 20 percent of the calories in a food. So let's say a celery stalk has seven calories. Even if you assume a 20 percent TEF, that means you're still left with about five and a half calories.
Myth 6: It takes 21 days to break a bad habit (or form a new one).
Fact: Popular self-help gurus and many diet plans claim that it will take 21 days to form a new healthy habit - or break a bad one. The truth is, there is no magical time frame for breaking bad habits. One study that evaluated behavior change found that creating a new habit, like eating a piece of fruit daily, took an average of 66 days. However, there were wide variations - anywhere from 18 days to 254 days. The authors found the adaptation time was a function of how hard the new behavior is as well as the individual. If you're trying something new, like daily exercise, give yourself time to make it a routine. It may not happen overnight - or even in 21 days!
Myth 7: Muscle can turn to fat ( . . . and vice versa).
Fact: You'll often hear someone at the gym say something like, "Since my injury, my muscles have turned to mush." But this isn't the case because muscle and fat tissues are entirely different, and therefore they can never transform from one to the other. It's the equivalent of saying you can turn water into wine or lead into gold.
What really happens when you stop exercising is that your muscle mass declines. And how you gain fat tissue is when you eat more calories than you burn off, which is much easier to do when you're not exercising. And likewise, when you up your exercise routine, you'll add lean tissue and might start burning excess body fat, but your fat didn't turn into muscle.
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.
7 Myths Nutritionists Wish You'd Stop Believing
There's a lot of misinformation out there, but dietitian Julie Upton, MS, RD, of Appetite For Health, is here to shed light on seven nutritional myths that could mess with your weight-loss efforts and your health.
The Internet is like the Wild West when it comes to nutrition information: anything goes. Websites are rife with less-than-accurate nutrition facts, which only fuels food myths and adds to consumers' confusion about which picks are the healthiest. At best, you can hope there's a kernel of truth in what you're reading, but more often than not, there's no scientific basis for these myths. Below are seven of the most popular nutrition myths and the real deal on each.
Myth 1: You need to detox your body with a juice cleanse.
Fact: From celebrities to personal trainers, there's no shortage of so-called experts advocating fasts or juice cleanses to detox. If you Google "detox," you'll get nearly 64 million results for diet programs and treatments that are supposed to help "flush out your system," "remove toxic substances from the body," "give your GI tract a rest," or "speed up your metabolism" and "enhance your overall health." But despite all the hype and popularity, there's little proof that fasting or following a deprivation diet for several days actually delivers on any of the above promises.
While an occasional short fast or a day of following a "juice diet" won't cause harm for most healthy people, it will likely leave you feeling cranky and hungry. If you really want to be and feel your best, eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, get adequate sleep, and don't drink more than one alcoholic beverage per day.
Myth 2: Diet sodas make you gain weight.
Fact: While you may have read that diet beverages make you gain weight, a recent clinical trial found just the opposite. In the 12-week study, published in the journal Obesity, dieters who drank diet beverages lost 13 pounds on average - 44 percent more than subjects drinking water only, who lost an average of nine pounds. What's more, the diet-soda drinkers reported feeling more satisfied. This study adds to a substantial body of research demonstrating that low-calorie sweeteners and the diet beverages that contain them do not hinder but can in fact help with weight loss. Two peer-reviewed studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition by researchers from the University of North Carolina in 2012 and 2013 randomly assigned subjects to drink either water or diet beverages (without making any other changes to their diet). After six months, the diet-beverage group had a greater likelihood of reaching a meaningful amount of weight loss - five percent of one's body weight - compared to the control group. These studies reinforce that if you're trying to lose weight, diet beverages may help you peel off pounds, as they can help you achieve and maintain a lower-calorie eating plan.
Myth 3: Canola oil is made from rapeseed plants, which are toxic.
Fact: Canola oil comes from the crushed seeds of canola plants - not rapeseed plants, which are, in fact, harmful. Rapeseed oil contains high levels of erucic acid, which is linked to heart disease and therefore is not allowed to be sold in the US. While the two plants are cousins, they're distinctly different in their composition. In the 1960s, farmers used breeding methods to help eliminate the erucic acid from canola plants, and canola oil is now regulated to contain negligible amounts of the compound, ensuring that canola oil is 100 percent safe. In fact, it also happens to be one of the healthiest oils (behind olive oil) because it has less saturated fat and more heart-protective omega-3s than other vegetable oils. Canola oil is just seven percent saturated fat compared to olive oil, which is 15 percent saturated fat.
Myth 4: Sea salt has less sodium than table salt and is mineral-rich.
Fact: Run-of-the-mill Morton table salt and gourmet Himalayan sea salt contain essentially the same amount of sodium per teaspoon - 2,300 milligrams. As for minerals, neither contains enough of any mineral to make it a clear winner over the other. For instance, a teaspoon of table salt has just 1 mg calcium compared to 12 mg in sea salt. Since 12 mg is just one percent of your daily needs, it's not a very healthy way to get calcium into your diet.
Most people believe that sea salt tastes better and, in some cases, you may be able to use less of it (and therefore reduce your sodium intake), but it is by no means a lower-sodium and more mineral-rich option. Keep in mind, sea salt lacks iodine - and not getting enough of this compound can lead to goiter, intellectual impairments, growth retardation, and much more. In fact, iodine deficiency is a serious health threat, especially among pregnant women, according to Boston University researchers, so don't use sea salt exclusively in your diet.
Myth 5: Some foods, like celery, have negative calories.
Fact: When something sounds too good to be true, well, it probably is. Take "negative-calorie foods" as an example. The notion is that digesting certain foods burns more calories than those foods provide. The faulty logic of this urban legend is based on the scientifically proven thermic effect of food (TEF), which simply means the amount of energy the body uses to digest a food. The thinking goes, if you were to eat a very low-calorie food - common examples include celery, apples, and limes - then you'd actually create a calorie deficit. In other words, these foods would end up costing less-than-zero calories.
Sadly, there are no negative-calorie foods. The TEF generally ranges from 10 percent to 20 percent of the calories in a food. So let's say a celery stalk has seven calories. Even if you assume a 20 percent TEF, that means you're still left with about five and a half calories.
Myth 6: It takes 21 days to break a bad habit (or form a new one).
Fact: Popular self-help gurus and many diet plans claim that it will take 21 days to form a new healthy habit - or break a bad one. The truth is, there is no magical time frame for breaking bad habits. One study that evaluated behavior change found that creating a new habit, like eating a piece of fruit daily, took an average of 66 days. However, there were wide variations - anywhere from 18 days to 254 days. The authors found the adaptation time was a function of how hard the new behavior is as well as the individual. If you're trying something new, like daily exercise, give yourself time to make it a routine. It may not happen overnight - or even in 21 days!
Myth 7: Muscle can turn to fat ( . . . and vice versa).
Fact: You'll often hear someone at the gym say something like, "Since my injury, my muscles have turned to mush." But this isn't the case because muscle and fat tissues are entirely different, and therefore they can never transform from one to the other. It's the equivalent of saying you can turn water into wine or lead into gold.
What really happens when you stop exercising is that your muscle mass declines. And how you gain fat tissue is when you eat more calories than you burn off, which is much easier to do when you're not exercising. And likewise, when you up your exercise routine, you'll add lean tissue and might start burning excess body fat, but your fat didn't turn into muscle.
20+ Must-Read Books For Your Dinosaur-Obsessed Child
Dinosaurs may be extinct, but when it comes to the interests of little kids, these reptiles are very much alive. Whether your little one has been obsessed with dinosaurs since before they could talk or not, there are plenty of exciting stories about dinos that your child will want you to read over and over again before bedtime or even at the beach this Summer. From fun nonfiction fact books to silly fiction stories about dance-loving dinosaurs, there's something on this book list that every kid will love.
Ahead, our favorite dinosaur-related stories for little kids and big kids alike.
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.
20+ Must-Read Books For Your Dinosaur-Obsessed Child
Dinosaurs may be extinct, but when it comes to the interests of little kids, these reptiles are very much alive. Whether your little one has been obsessed with dinosaurs since before they could talk or not, there are plenty of exciting stories about dinos that your child will want you to read over and over again before bedtime or even at the beach this Summer. From fun nonfiction fact books to silly fiction stories about dance-loving dinosaurs, there's something on this book list that every kid will love.
Ahead, our favorite dinosaur-related stories for little kids and big kids alike.
Dr. Harvey Karp Thinks He Knows What May Lead to Autism in Some Children
In the years since the link between autism and vaccines was proven to be based on fraudulent data, study after study has proven that vaccines are not to blame for autism spectrum disorders. But what they haven't done is explain what does cause the disorders and why the number of children diagnosed each year is skyrocketing.
At a Healthy Child Healthy World and Environmental Working Group luncheon designed to raise awareness about pollutants in our food and environment, Dr. Harvey Karp - the pediatrician probably best known for his wildly popular The Happiest Baby series of parenting guides - turned to the topic on many parents minds and addressed concerns about autism.
He said:
"Something has changed and we all know about all this discussion about immunizations and is it mercury in immunizations, all this kind of stuff. Doesn't seem so. Lots of studies [are] being done now, as much as you can know something in science, [and] we know that immunizations are really good and they're not associated with autism.
So the question is: well then what is going on? And there's two explanations currently. One is that we're just calling things autism that we didn't used to call autism - there's a shift in diagnosis. That clearly has happened; it might be attributed, maybe, to half of the cases. But, it seems that there's another half of cases that never existed before, that are new and that shouldn't be happening. And so, we have to ask ourselves why.
And one theory, is it's an exposure to a certain class of chemicals that are called endocrine disrupting chemicals . . . It turns out that there are many different types of chemicals that are endocrine disrupting chemicals that are in plasticized plastic. You've heard of BPA, that's an endocrine disrupting chemical. BPA was first created to be an estrogen. Then they found they could put it into plastics. Every single one of you have BPA in your bodies just from all the exposure you have. You have phthalates, which are plastic parts, as well which are in every new car...things like that. All of those have a hormonal effect and there are dozens of others; all different classes. The weird thing is that hormones are signalers, they tell cells 'Do this, don't do that' and what can happen is these hormonally active chemicals make it into the brains of young babies or even before birth and shift the brain's development.
The reason I think that this could be related to autism is because it's something that isn't split evenly between boys and girls. Boys get more autism, boys get 4 times more autism, they're diagnosed 9 times more with Asperger's Syndrome. So it could be that if we just pushed it a little bit further, that may be the reason that we're seeing this increase. I don't know the answer, but I do know that we have to find the answer. Scientists are looking for that now, but we need to do more research on it."
So just what is BPA and why did it seep into our kids' brains?
According to the EWG, it was invented 120 years ago and was most recently used to manufacture hard plastic water bottles, baby bottles, and epoxy linings of metal food cans. "BPA can mimic the hormone estrogen in the body and disrupt the endocrine system, a danger to developing humans and animals." In 2009, studies showing that BPA was leaching out of baby bottles and infant formula cans and into humans pressured leading bottle manufacturers to stop using the chemicals in their manufacturing processes, and over the next year, most states banned the use of BPA in children's products, but it is still used in many canned foods. But according to Dr. Karp, BPA's replacement, BPS, may be just as dangerous. A recent study shows that "in utero exposure to BPS might lead to neurodevelopmental disorders later in life" and "that male hormones might be particularly disturbed by this abnormal cell development."
So what's a parent to do?
BPS is not clearly marked on products and can actually be found in BPA-free products. According to The Soft Landing, parents will want to:
- Steer clear of any plastic containers marked with #7. These BPA-free products appear to be made with BPS.
- Eat as many fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables as possible. Cans used for canned fruits and veggies can be lined in BPA and BPS.
- Choose silicone storage products. They're BPA and BPS free.
- Sign up for EWG's alerts that will keep you up to date on all the latest studies and findings.
Dr. Harvey Karp Thinks He Knows What May Lead to Autism in Some Children
In the years since the link between autism and vaccines was proven to be based on fraudulent data, study after study has proven that vaccines are not to blame for autism spectrum disorders. But what they haven't done is explain what does cause the disorders and why the number of children diagnosed each year is skyrocketing.
At a Healthy Child Healthy World and Environmental Working Group luncheon designed to raise awareness about pollutants in our food and environment, Dr. Harvey Karp - the pediatrician probably best known for his wildly popular The Happiest Baby series of parenting guides - turned to the topic on many parents minds and addressed concerns about autism.
He said:
"Something has changed and we all know about all this discussion about immunizations and is it mercury in immunizations, all this kind of stuff. Doesn't seem so. Lots of studies [are] being done now, as much as you can know something in science, [and] we know that immunizations are really good and they're not associated with autism.
So the question is: well then what is going on? And there's two explanations currently. One is that we're just calling things autism that we didn't used to call autism - there's a shift in diagnosis. That clearly has happened; it might be attributed, maybe, to half of the cases. But, it seems that there's another half of cases that never existed before, that are new and that shouldn't be happening. And so, we have to ask ourselves why.
And one theory, is it's an exposure to a certain class of chemicals that are called endocrine disrupting chemicals . . . It turns out that there are many different types of chemicals that are endocrine disrupting chemicals that are in plasticized plastic. You've heard of BPA, that's an endocrine disrupting chemical. BPA was first created to be an estrogen. Then they found they could put it into plastics. Every single one of you have BPA in your bodies just from all the exposure you have. You have phthalates, which are plastic parts, as well which are in every new car...things like that. All of those have a hormonal effect and there are dozens of others; all different classes. The weird thing is that hormones are signalers, they tell cells 'Do this, don't do that' and what can happen is these hormonally active chemicals make it into the brains of young babies or even before birth and shift the brain's development.
The reason I think that this could be related to autism is because it's something that isn't split evenly between boys and girls. Boys get more autism, boys get 4 times more autism, they're diagnosed 9 times more with Asperger's Syndrome. So it could be that if we just pushed it a little bit further, that may be the reason that we're seeing this increase. I don't know the answer, but I do know that we have to find the answer. Scientists are looking for that now, but we need to do more research on it."
So just what is BPA and why did it seep into our kids' brains?
According to the EWG, it was invented 120 years ago and was most recently used to manufacture hard plastic water bottles, baby bottles, and epoxy linings of metal food cans. "BPA can mimic the hormone estrogen in the body and disrupt the endocrine system, a danger to developing humans and animals." In 2009, studies showing that BPA was leaching out of baby bottles and infant formula cans and into humans pressured leading bottle manufacturers to stop using the chemicals in their manufacturing processes, and over the next year, most states banned the use of BPA in children's products, but it is still used in many canned foods. But according to Dr. Karp, BPA's replacement, BPS, may be just as dangerous. A recent study shows that "in utero exposure to BPS might lead to neurodevelopmental disorders later in life" and "that male hormones might be particularly disturbed by this abnormal cell development."
So what's a parent to do?
BPS is not clearly marked on products and can actually be found in BPA-free products. According to The Soft Landing, parents will want to:
- Steer clear of any plastic containers marked with #7. These BPA-free products appear to be made with BPS.
- Eat as many fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables as possible. Cans used for canned fruits and veggies can be lined in BPA and BPS.
- Choose silicone storage products. They're BPA and BPS free.
- Sign up for EWG's alerts that will keep you up to date on all the latest studies and findings.
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.
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."
This Secret Indian Hair-Growth Formula May Finally Give You a Mermaid Mane
Anyone who has unsuccessfully tried to get their hair to grow may roll their eyes at this video in which Prachi (the vlogger behind Super Wow Style) shares a family recipe for lengthier locks. Could a simple mix of natural ingredients really make hair grow up to 30-40 percent as Prachi claims? We were a bit skeptical, too, and while we have not tried this remedy, a look at Prachi's long shiny mane and reading the reviewers' testimonials is making us reconsider. Perhaps this is the holistic answer to getting the mermaid mane of your dreams. In fact, Prachi challenges viewers to take before and after images when they test the treatment.
"People ask, 'How does you hair grow?' and I give them the same answer," she says in the video. "I learned it from my mom, and she learned is from her mother. It's an old Indian secret."
To DIY it, you'll need: coconut oil, castor oil, vitamin E, aloe vera leaves, and two bowls (one small and one large). Start by cutting up the aloe vera leaves, and then scratch it with a knife or fork to scrape out more gel. Rub the leaf on your scalp and massage the aloe gel into your roots. Use your fingers to make sure it's all over your head.
Then, in a small bowl, combine one tablespoon of castor oil with 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Pierce the vitamin E capsule with needle, extract the oil, and add it to the formula. Place the small bowl with the three oils in a larger one containing hot water. Warning: do not place the oil directly on a fire (including a stove) or in microwaves, since it can catch fire immediately.
After five minutes, the hot oil should be ready. Use your fingertips to apply it onto your scalp. Lay down on a sofa or the like and gently massage it into your scalp for two to three minutes. "This is very important to increase blood circulation for hair growth," she explains.
Once you're done, weave your hair in tight braid and sleep on it. Wash you hair in the morning. According to Prachi, you will start seeing a difference in your hair length "very, very soon."
While she does not specify how often to do the treatment, reviewers offer their successful trials.
"I tried this method exactly as she explained to and it WORKED!" one commenter said. "My hair grew about 4 to 5 inches in about 3 months! I did it 2 x per week for a month. Then 1 x per week for the next 2 months. It made my hair so healthy and strong. Everyone kept commenting on how fast my hair grew and how long it is. Before I started my hair was bra strap length. Now it is to my hips! I don't have photos to post, because I seriously hate taking photos of myself since I have gained weight (next thing to work on) but I will consider it."
Another commenter said, "I watched your video and used these products! And it works like MAGIC. I don't know how but my hair grew in a week. I used it two times a week though aloe vera was not available! But castor oil is super! Hats off!"
A third remarked, "It's amazing . . . I've seen results in just 2 wash[es] . . . My hair [ha]s became more silky and the best part it made my hair 2.5 cm longer."
So, what do you think? Is this a hoax or the most genius hair hack ever?
The 33 Best Moments From Jensen and Jared's Supernatural Bromance
We've gotten so used to seeing Jensen Ackles's epic facial expressions and Jared Padalecki's swoon-worthy stares on Supernatural, sometimes it's easy to forget they have a whole separate life off screen. We've taken plenty of time to look at pictures of Jensen through the years and all of Jared's adorable family photos. Even so, as we dug up even more facts about Jensen, we realized the two are actually very close. Keep reading for a handful of their most adorable buddy moments.
Sorry, Haters, Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley Were Destined For Each Other
Ginny Weasley: annoying little sister, expert Quidditch player, queen of the Bat-Bogey Hex, and as we all know, the lucky lady who locked down Harry Potter for life. I've always had mixed feelings about Ginny and Harry ending up together. As a character, I think Ginny is actually a pretty amazing witch. She doesn't have it easy living in the shadow of her older brothers, but she consistently proves herself to be unique, brilliant, and extremely powerful. She's an asset to Dumbledore's Army, and once she got over the whole fangirl crush on Harry, she became an integral part of the inner Potter circle.
Did I, at some point, secretly ship Harry and Hermione? Maybe. Was I a huge fan of how Ginny was portrayed on screen? Not so much. Still, speaking from the books perspective, Ginny does make sense as a match for Harry. Most importantly, J.K. Rowling herself thinks so. Years ago, in an interview, Rowling revealed her feelings about Ginny Weasley and explained why she wanted Harry to end up with her. Here's the wisdom she shared with fans.
"He needs to be with someone who can stand the demands of being with Harry Potter, because he's a scary boyfriend in a lot of ways. He's a marked man."
". . . The plan was, which I really hope I fulfilled, is that the reader, like Harry, would gradually discover Ginny as pretty much the ideal girl for Harry. She's tough, not in an unpleasant way, but she's gutsy. He needs to be with someone who can stand the demands of being with Harry Potter, because he's a scary boyfriend in a lot of ways. He's a marked man. I think she's funny, and I think that she's very warm and compassionate. These are all things that Harry requires in his ideal woman. But, I felt - and I'm talking years ago when all this was planned - initially, she's terrified by his image. I mean, he's a bit of a rock god to her when she sees him first, at 10 or 11, and he's this famous boy. So Ginny had to go through a journey as well. And rather like with Ron, I didn't want Ginny to be the first girl that Harry ever kissed. That's something I meant to say, and it's kind of tied in.
One of the ways in which I tried to show that Harry has done a lot of growing up - in Phoenix, remember when Cho comes into the compartment, and he thinks, 'I wish I could have been discovered sitting with better people,' basically? He's with Luna and Neville. So literally the identical thing happens in Prince, and he's with Luna and Neville again, but this time, he has grown up, and as far as he's concerned he is with two of the coolest people on the train. They may not look that cool. Harry has really grown. And I feel that Ginny and Harry, in this book, they are total equals. They are worthy of each other. They've both gone through a big emotional journey, and they've really got over a lot of delusions . . . together. So, I enjoyed writing that. I really like Ginny as a character."
The queen spoke, and who are we to question her?
Rose Gold Blond Is Still One of the Trendiest Hair Colors You Can Get Right Now
Rosé season might be ending - but not when it comes to hair color. We recently got word from Butterfly Studio colorist Tamara DeFelice that rose gold blond hair is one of the hottest hues you can get right now.
"For a modern touch, keep most brightness around the face while staying a bit deeper in the roots throughout the crown," DeFelice said. "Concentrate highlights around the middle to ends of the hair. This keeps maintenance lower and adds instant depth to the look."
Though it is easier for blondes to add some pink to their hair, it is also recommended for brunettes with warm undertones. "This color will accentuate the peach and gold tones in women with warmer skin tones," she said. "Also, it will bring out the honey tones in their eyes."
The shade has been interpreted in diverse ways from Emma Stone's deep "desert rose" shade to subtle pink highlights and ombré fades.
"Play up your blond by asking [your stylist] to add in hues of rich rose gold and butterscotch," DeFelice suggested.
Keep reading to see how gorgeous rose gold blond looks on Instagram's finest.
A New Harry Potter Theory Suggests Hagrid Is More Powerful Than You Thought
Anyone who read Harry Potter knows that Rubeus Hagrid is a half-giant wizard whose magical abilities are oftentimes flawed, but his courageous spirit is always strong. One recent fan theory gaining traction on Reddit, however, purports that Hagrid is much more powerful than the series lets on.
The theory brings up some compelling points about Hagrid's resistance to magic, sheer strength, and telling relationship with Dumbledore. For example, his ability to remain unfazed by Stunning Spells might point to him having the strength characteristic to full giants.
The theory also suggests that Hagrid could have a rare ability comparable to that of Tonks, who is able to effortlessly change her physical appearance as a metamorphmagus. Though Hagrid might not be aware of his own prowess, it's possible that Dumbledore is. This is evident in the very fact that Dumbledore trusts Hagrid with protecting Harry from the very beginning and possibly knows that his powers extend beyond his half-giant status.
Read ahead for a detailed breakdown of the theory that might leave you believing it to be true.
15 Zumba Videos to Luis Fonsi's "Despacito" That'll Have You Sweating Pasito a Pasito
"Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee (and the remix featuring Justin Bieber) has easily become everyone's favorite song. And since you're already listening to it on repeat all day long, and probably creating your own dance moves in front of the mirror, why not workout to it, Zumba style?
We collected the most popular dance workout videos to the hit, and we're here to tell you the choreographies are fun and perfect for anyone who doesn't want to be bored while paving the way to getting toned. Keep scrolling to start moving more than just "despacito."
10 Makeup Mistakes You Need to Stop Making at the Office
At the workplace, beauty gals face a tough challenge: expressing their individuality (and love of makeup!) while looking professional and sophisticated. Just like the outfit you wear to the office, the choices you make with your beauty routine can dramatically affect your colleagues' perspective of you.
In fact, it's the sad truth that your appearance could make you appear less competent. It was recently confirmed in a study that women who don't wear makeup make less money than those who do, and we predict that shoddy cosmetic application can also result in the same wage gap. So rather than let a fun hobby affect our salary, we consulted a pro for advice. Jerry Johnson, global makeup artist for Laura Mercier, schooled us on the biggest office beauty mistakes to ensure our makeup always looks polished and professional in the workplace.
- Not seeking out the best lighting in the office. If you put makeup on at work, this tip is essential. There's a good chance that you have fluorescent lightbulbs throughout your office. If that's the case, you already know that they're not particularly flattering and can make you look sickly.
"Fluorescent lighting can be terrible for makeup application," confirmed Johnson, who advised you head to the ladies' room for touch-ups instead of sticking at your desk. "Many office bathrooms have windows with natural light, or even just better lighting than the office." This will prevent you from overapplying foundation, blush, or bronzer to counteract the washed-out effects of the fluorescent bulbs.
If your bathroom's lighting is just as bleak, seek out a window elsewhere. Sun on a cloudy day is still an improvement over crummy indoor lighting!
- Using too much metallic formulas in your routine. "Just say no to shimmer!" Johnson declared. "When you wear shimmer and sparkle makeup, it reads like you're going out for the evening." If you opt to add a bit of luminosity to your appearance, focus on a bit of glimmer in your blush or strobing with a very light hand to give your complexion a healthy glow. Double-check your face in the office lighting to make sure you don't look too Vegas-ready overt - above all, you want to look like a professional at work, not a party girl.
- Not rocking a power lip for presentations. Even if a bold pout isn't usually in your beauty wheelhouse, consider it if you'll have a starring role at your next meeting. "When speaking in front of a crowd, you want people to pay attention to you and what you're saying," Johnson pointed out. "A bright shade draws attention and your colleagues will be more apt to listen to you." Try a confident, tomato-red shade like Laura Mercier Velour Lovers Lip Colour in Foreplay ($28).
- Wearing too much foundation. "Stick to a natural, reasonable amount of coverage," Johnson suggested. Excess cream foundation and setting powder can look especially heavy and chalky under fluorescent lights. Instead, try just covering dark circles, blemishes, and other imperfections with concealer, then evening out your skin tone with a sheer foundation or tinted moisturizer.
- Checking yourself out too frequently. Unless you're a fellow beauty editor, your boss probably won't appreciate if you test out your most recent lipstick purchases or dust on bronzer on company time - especially at your desk. Restrict your touch-ups to the ladies' room and save them for moments that matter, like before a meeting or happy hour.
- Forgetting to fill in your brows. By simply defining your arches, you'll look more groomed, polished, and professional. "I've seen many women put on an entire face of makeup and then forget about the eyebrows!" Johnson lamented. "Your eyebrows shape your face."
The finished result of a filled brow is also supersubtle, so those who don't want to wear a full face of makeup or work in environments that frown on cosmetics should definitely try it out. Lightly sketch in the sparse parts of your brows and improve their shape using a pencil like Laura Mercier Eyebrow Pencil ($24). Be wary of making them look too heavy; you don't want your new office nickname to be "Groucho Marx." Learn how to pick the right shade for your arches here, then master how to fill them in.
- Slicking on lip gloss. "Leave the shiny glosses for a night on the town," Johnson advised. Lacquered lips can look overly youthful or too casual, so opt for matte-, cream-, or balm-textured formulas instead. Consider stashing one of these innovative pout formulas in your bag.
- Aggressively contouring. "We all know that contouring is super popular, but be sure to do a soft contour," Johnson warned. He recommended sculpting with a product that is only one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone. "It doesn't matter if you use a cream or powder," he said, "just as long as it's not harsh looking!" Learn how to properly contour here (and save the aggressive cheekbone-carving for the 'gram).
- Skipping blush. "Many women think that if they contour, they won't need blush," Johnson shared. "This is such a huge mistake! Blush brings color into your face." And a little rouge can quickly counteract a sallow-looking complexion under fluorescent lights. Not sure which shade is best for your skin tone? Once you figure out your undertone (warm, cool, or neutral), you'll be better prepared to shop!
- Going through your entire beauty routine at your desk. Let us be clear: intermittent lipstick applications and dabs of powder are fine, but doing your whole 20-step regimen at your computer is not. "There's no need to overdo it! Just bring the necessities - lipstick, pressed powder, and mascara," Johnson pleaded. If you'd rather wear more makeup to work, apply it before you get to the office. You may have to set an earlier alarm (and forgo hitting snooze), but losing that extra 15 minutes is worth gaining a boost in professionalism.
The 33 Best Moments From Jensen and Jared's Supernatural Bromance
We've gotten so used to seeing Jensen Ackles's epic facial expressions and Jared Padalecki's swoon-worthy stares on Supernatural, sometimes it's easy to forget they have a whole separate life off screen. We've taken plenty of time to look at pictures of Jensen through the years and all of Jared's adorable family photos. Even so, as we dug up even more facts about Jensen, we realized the two are actually very close. Keep reading for a handful of their most adorable buddy moments.
15 Zumba Videos to Luis Fonsi's "Despacito" That'll Have You Sweating Pasito a Pasito
"Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee (and the remix featuring Justin Bieber) has easily become everyone's favorite song. And since you're already listening to it on repeat all day long, and probably creating your own dance moves in front of the mirror, why not workout to it, Zumba style?
We collected the most popular dance workout videos to the hit, and we're here to tell you the choreographies are fun and perfect for anyone who doesn't want to be bored while paving the way to getting toned. Keep scrolling to start moving more than just "despacito."
Rose Gold Blond Is Still One of the Trendiest Hair Colors You Can Get Right Now
Rosé season might be ending - but not when it comes to hair color. We recently got word from Butterfly Studio colorist Tamara DeFelice that rose gold blond hair is one of the hottest hues you can get right now.
"For a modern touch, keep most brightness around the face while staying a bit deeper in the roots throughout the crown," DeFelice said. "Concentrate highlights around the middle to ends of the hair. This keeps maintenance lower and adds instant depth to the look."
Though it is easier for blondes to add some pink to their hair, it is also recommended for brunettes with warm undertones. "This color will accentuate the peach and gold tones in women with warmer skin tones," she said. "Also, it will bring out the honey tones in their eyes."
The shade has been interpreted in diverse ways from Emma Stone's deep "desert rose" shade to subtle pink highlights and ombré fades.
"Play up your blond by asking [your stylist] to add in hues of rich rose gold and butterscotch," DeFelice suggested.
Keep reading to see how gorgeous rose gold blond looks on Instagram's finest.
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