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.
jeudi 8 juin 2017
How My Unlikely TV Habit Gives Me Newfound Hope For Democracy
2017 has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year for democracy.
Amidst a flurry of rollbacks, repeals, and pull-outs from the Trump administration, I've found myself searching for signs of the checks and balances I was taught to expect - hell, demand! - from our government. At the very least, some semblance of the (mostly) rational thinking that has traditionally been put forth by from the people in charge would be nice. Our legislative, executive and judicial branches feel exceedingly broken; it's as though the very ideals they were founded on are on the chopping block. Amidst all the chaos, however, there's one clear, shining beacon of hope. And despite how insanely boring it may sound, it comes in the form of congressional hearings.
Before your eyes glaze over, hear me out.
I've never been one of those people who actively seeks out the inner workings of government for entertainment. That is to say, you'll never catch me cross-checking the expected budget against realistic targets, or angrily shaking my fist at clauses in the full text of the AHCA, or hosting watching parties for bill votes. I'm more of a cable-news-and-internet gal, and the simple act of trying to watch hearings on CSPAN nearly put me off entirely. I don't get the channel in HD, and the pixelating images and distorted audio tends to make me feel like I've gone back in time. But once I discovered that I could stream the channel on my phone, the game instantly changed.
Almost overnight, I found myself becoming the kind of person who calls up friends and family and rants about how crazy and tunnel-visioned one senator was, or how one tiny detail that was maybe said offhandedly might actually be the truth we'd all been searching for. Congressional hearings were like the real-life version of Law & Order, except instead of being ripped from the headlines, they were making the headlines. As I said to my boyfriend a couple weeks ago, the congressional hearings were giving me life. They were a reminder of how things are supposed to work - and how two sides of the aisle can coexist in a way that feels like there's an end to all these means.
The Senate and House Select Committees on Intelligence have held several open, televised hearings on the Russia investigation over the last few months. And it's here that members of both chambers - and both parties - call witnesses to the stand and interrogate them on the things that we, the public, deserve to know the truth about. The witnesses can't reveal everything in open testimony, but the things that we're allowed to hear outside of the closed doors of briefing rooms have been some of the most incredible television I've ever watched. From Sally Yates telling the world that there was a "compromised situation" in the White House with Michael Flynn, to James Clapper's sassy clapback on the definition of leaks, to John Brennan's uncertainty about whether there was collusion - it was all pure, unadulterated infotainment.
Ultimately, it's the products of the quest for truth - and often, the direct acknowledgement of things that feel like they can't be right or just - that I've found solace in. To be clear, it's not a perfect process. The politics of both sides shows through in ways that are often cringeworthy. The leading questions, direct jabs across the aisle, and blatant disrespect to certain individuals almost always lead to an awkward silence thereafter, which is both completely intolerable and totally gripping. But at the same time, the fact that I ams watching something that feels like a defense against a broader insanity sweeping the country makes me feel like maybe, somehow, there is a reason to believe we'll get through these insanely dark times.
In just a few days, former FBI Director James Comey will give testimony in front of members of the Senate for the second time this year. It's a big deal: since he first took the stand back in May, he's been fired by the president and has been the center of wide-ranging questions about what's gone down - not just since Trump took office but in the lead-up to the election itself. And Comey is no stranger to the theatrics inherent to these hearings.
It was almost exactly 10 years ago that Comey testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on NSA surveillance. It was there that he dropped the bombshell that then-President George W. Bush had attempted to get Attorney General John Ashcroft to sign off on a wiretapping program from his hospital bed - and the only reason that they weren't able to pull it off was that Comey himself had run to the hospital and interceded in the nick of time. Not only was this "improper conduct" something that would stain the Bush administration for years thereafter, it also established Comey's reputation as a top-notch storyteller, buttressed by the fact that all of his stories were 100 percent verified truths.
Comey's testimony in early May was somewhat of a show-stopper in and of itself, with his now-infamous revelation that the fact that he may have influenced the election in any way made him "mildly nauseous." And while many of us may still question the motivation behind the timing and presentation of his announcements on the Clinton email scandal, it only adds to the dramatic tension that will play out when he takes the stand on Thursday to finally tell the story that's been years in the making. (Plus, as we now know, Comey is a meticulous note taker, and the man has receipts.)
Ultimately, we have no idea what will come of Thursday's hearings, or if any charges will be brought as a result of the investigations which the special prosecutor and the congressional committees are undertaking. But what I can definitively say, without a doubt, that in a year full of unexpected and disappointing developments, congressional hearings have given me hope for democracy. And for now, that's enough for me.
Prepare to Lust After Urban Decay's New Naked Heat Palette - Swatches Included!
Raise your hand if you blindly buy any and all Urban Decay palettes. (Raises hand.) For me, it doesn't matter what shades come in the palettes, because I know that there will be several shades that flatter my eye color, even if every one isn't the perfect match. As someone with hazel eyes, though, I'm psyched with the reveal of Naked Heat ($54), the newest addition to the Naked palette family, which includes varying shades of amber, orange, and sienna - all perfect for enhancing the green in my eye color. And it's perfect timing, too: these shades are popular on Instagram and the red carpet.
The 12 new shades include En Fuego, a matte red; Ounce, an ivory shimmer; Sauced, a terra-cotta matte; and Ember, a deep metallic copper-burgundy. According to Urban Decay, this palette is the most "shade-driven" one the brand has done. It was built off the popularity of shades from other palettes, like Bitter from Vice4.
If you want to try the fiery trend but aren't in the market for another palette, the brand also launched three new limited-edition Vice Lipsticks ($17) and two 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils ($20) to correspond with the eye shadow. Note that this is the first time UD has done something like this - releasing a palette and other products inspired by it at the same time! The warmer lipstick shades include Fuel, Heat, and Scorched, plus Alkaline and Torch liners.
You can pick up all the products during a limited pre-sale on June 12 at UrbanDecay.com; it officially launches June 30. Take a look at the gallery to see swatches of each product, and let us know in the comments which is your favorite!
44 Popsicle Recipes to Keep Your Kiddos Cool All Year Long
On the hottest days, nothing sounds more appealing than an icy-cold popsicle. A warm-weather favorite of grown-ups and little ones alike, we've rounded up 44 recipes that are especially kid-friendly. From the supremely simple, like easy strawberry-banana pops, to the unexpected and exotic - coconut bubble tea, anyone?! - there's something for everyone.
There's No Denying That Melania Trump Has Been Looking to This Former FLOTUS For Wardrobe Inspiration
Ever since Melania Trump stepped out in a light blue coat and white gloves during Trump's inauguration, we couldn't help but notice a resemblance between her outfit and a certain former first lady. But the similarities between Melania and Jackie Kennedy's style didn't stop there. From her trip to Saudi Arabia to her visit to the Vatican, it seems like Melania is continuing to channel Jackie Kennedy's iconic style.
With her classic tailored skirt suits and chic pillbox hats, Jackie Kennedy is often viewed as one of the best dressed first ladies in history. Melania's looks, on the other hand, have been receiving mixed reviews, with some designers even refusing to dress her. With that in mind, it makes sense that Melania might want to steal a page out of Jackie's book. Read on to have a look at the similarities below.
44 Popsicle Recipes to Keep Your Kiddos Cool All Year Long
On the hottest days, nothing sounds more appealing than an icy-cold popsicle. A warm-weather favorite of grown-ups and little ones alike, we've rounded up 44 recipes that are especially kid-friendly. From the supremely simple, like easy strawberry-banana pops, to the unexpected and exotic - coconut bubble tea, anyone?! - there's something for everyone.
Land a Higher Salary by Pivoting This 1 Crucial Interview Question
"So, what's your current salary?"
This is a tricky interview question that might even make you blush. In theory, it's meant to get a sense for whether or not your salary expectations are aligned with the salary for the open role, but it almost feels somehow . . . intimate. And the problem with this kind of question is that it doesn't account for the fact that the new role might be more demanding or otherwise warrant a higher salary than the interviewee's current one. Also, it can sentence you to staying within your same old pay bracket - even if you deserve to make more. This is exactly how the wage gap is perpetuated.
In a recent Forbes piece, career coach Lelia Gowland revealed how one woman made a small adjustment to the salary discussion during her interview and succeeded in landing a salary that was 30 percent higher than her current one. How did she do it? By pivoting the question around to what she would like to earn in the new role, rather than revealing the meager amount she was making. In her article, Gowland continued:
"If the HR manager continued to push for her salary history, Sasha could act like a political candidate and pivot to the question she wish they'd asked. If it came up, she planned to say, 'Based on my experience, the city, size of company, and type of work, I'm seeking a salary range of XYZ.' . . . Sasha planned to reference being underpaid directly and say: 'I accepted my current salary in part because the company provides extensive other benefits like stipends for my car, cell phone, etc. At this point in my career, I'm only considering positions in the range of XYZ.' . . . Because Sasha recognized her nervousness and practiced (out loud!), she was able to successfully avoid the salary history question completely. Each time she was asked later in the interview process, she pivoted to the more relevant question: what salary she was seeking."
So, in summary:
- Do your research. Find out the average salary range for the new role so you'll know how to steer salary negotiations.
- Pivot the question. If the question of how much you make arises, gently redirect it so that you're discussing how much you'd like to make in the role - not how much you're making today.
- Practice! Face it, salary questions are going to be uncomfortable. Practicing your answers to these questions can make it more likely that you won't be overcome with jitters and back out of advocating for yourself.
Selena Gomez Can't Stop, Won't Stop Wearing the Most Amazing Outfits
Last year was all about rediscovery for Selena Gomez, but 2017 is all about owning who she is. The "Bad Liar" singer is already having an incredible year with the launch of her show 13 Reasons Why, a hot new relationship with The Weeknd, and some new music in the works. While she's killing every angle of her professional and personal lives, it's her fashion that has really made a turn for the best.
In 2016, Selena wore tight-fitting, skin-showing looks, but in the past few months she has opted for comfort, still choosing stylish pieces (like cool jackets from Coach, flared jeans, and floral day dresses) while looking more at ease with what she wears. Scroll ahead to see what we mean by taking a look at her best looks of 2017 so far.
Jason Momoa Jokes That He "Kinda Stalked" Wife Lisa Bonet Before They Met
Ever daydream about meeting your celebrity crush and making them instantly fall in love with you? While that seems like a lovely thought for most people, that's exactly what happened for Jason Momoa and wife Lisa Bonet. The pair has been making us swoon with their romance for more than 11 years now, and the beginning of their love story is just as magical as the memories they've shared in the years since they met. After watching her on The Cosby Show while growing up, the Justice League actor admits his crush on her stayed with him until they were finally introduced in 2005. "I was definitely . . . that was the first time when I was like, 'I want that one. I want her. I'm going to get her,'" he told Katie Couric of watching the show in 2014. "I didn't tell her until after we had our two children. But I told her . . . 'I kinda stalked ya. I was going to find ya.'"
Jason also opened up about the exact moment they crossed paths in 2005, telling The YBF, "We met through mutual friends. But when I first met her, she didn't know I was a stalker, but I was. I was with one of my best friends and when I turned around, and they were going to introduce us, literally, like, fireworks. She said, 'Hi, I'm Lisa,' and I said, 'Hi, I'm Jason,' and I just turn around to my buddy like . . . [freaking out]. Inside, I was like a little girl and I [deepened my voice] and tried to pull it together. She definitely makes me shy." It's official: nobody will ever be as romantic as Jason Momoa.
The Best Way to Store Tomatoes
Although we typically recommend storing tomatoes at room temperature as it best preserves their flavor and texture, it's not quite as simple as that. Here are the best practices depending on how ripe your tomatoes are:
- Keep unripe green tomatoes, stem side down, in a paper bag or in a cardboard box in a single layer. Place in a cool area until they turn red in color.
- Perfectly ripe tomatoes should be kept at room temperature on the counter away from sunlight. Make sure they're in a single layer, not touching one another, and stem side up. Consume within a couple of days.
- Overripe tomatoes that are soft to touch with very red flesh are best kept in the fridge. The cold air will keep the tomatoes from ripening more, and they should last for another three days. Before eating refrigerated tomatoes, take them out of the fridge and let them come to room temperature. This will allow the fruit to develop some of the flavor it has lost due to refrigeration.
This 1 Trick Will Ensure You Never Wear the Wrong Lipstick Again
Great things can come from experimenting with beauty (like rainbow hair, for instance), but playing with makeup doesn't always yield flattering results. Even if you and your best friend are both porcelain-complected, that doesn't mean you can share the same red lipstick - her favorite orangey hue makes you look sick, and your go-to red-blue formula makes her appear washed-out. Not sure why? It all comes down to your skin's undertone.
This has nothing to do with whether you wear fair, medium, or deep foundation. According to Joel Canales, the director of artistry for Hourglass Cosmetics, "skin naturally has a variety of underlying colors." He's right - just take a quick look at your bare arm! You can observe the underlying hues in everything from your veins to your actual complexion. Discovering the dominant shade in your skin is essential in determining which lip colors will best flatter you.
Once you've taken this quiz to figure out your skin's undertone, read on. We had beauty pros break it down for us, and they offered recommendations for three common undertones: warm, cool, and neutral. Warm complexions have a golden cast, cool ones have a blue-pink tint, and neutral undertones are perfectly balanced between the two. Canales explains that you can use these tints as an excellent reference point for buying lipstick - just look for corresponding colors. If you're still not sure where to start, keep reading - your lipstick soul mate is just a few clicks away!
It's Time Americans Got Serious About Taking Their Vacation
It wasn't always this way. In 1973, one in two families took at least two and a half weeks off annually, according to William D. Chalmers, the author of America's Vacation Deficit Disorder: Who Stole Your Vacation? Between 1976 and 2000, Americans took an average 20.3 vacation days each year. Coinciding with the rise of the internet in the new millennium, that number dropped to 16 days from 2001-2013, representing a "lost week." Today, Chalmers notes that American workers give back about $70 billion worth in vacation days a year when they forfeit unused accrued time off. That's as if the average worker wrote a check to their company for about $525 each year. Then there are the workers (one in four) who don't even have access to vacation benefits, since US law doesn't require employers to provide paid time off.
The Skift survey also found a gender disparity. Women were more likely than men to take no vacation. "Among people who took no vacation days, nearly 60 percent were women," explained Skift's executive editor, Dennis Schaal. Yet among people who took more than 20 days off per year, the majority were also women - 56 percent. When it comes to paid time off, it's either feast or famine for women in America. And perhaps many of these women are taking long periods of vacation to make up for a lack of paid family leave or because they are largely responsible for caring for older children, too.
Why Women Suffer More BurnoutConsidering women are less likely than men to take any vacation, it's not surprising professional women burn out at a rate faster than their male counterparts. A Fast Company article on millennial women burnout went viral in 2016, revealing just how many women could relate. In the piece, writer Kelly Clay cites statistics that show many women head for burnout by age 30. Clay points to a McKinsey study that found women make up 53 percent of entry-level jobs but only 37 percent of midmanagement roles and 26 percent of vice president or senior manager roles. Somewhere along the line, they're dropping out. Only 11 percent of women in the study said they chose to leave the workplace to have a family, so it's not just because they're having children. An additional study from the University of Kansas found similar results. It looked at attrition rates of journalists and found that women reported higher levels of overload and intention to leave the field.
Clay blames burnout on the unrealistically high expectations of both female workers and employers in general, as well as the "always on" nature of work in our modern society. She noted that much of these expectations are self-imposed, like the idea that we should never really disconnect at night or while on vacation. Employers reinforce the message that this is what is expected to succeed. To illustrate the point, Clay quotes a former Google employee, Jenny Blake, who burned out after trying to balance her job with writing a book on the side:
"We are in unprecedented times in terms of the global, always-on organization. It takes a tremendous amount of discipline not to check email at night or first thing in the morning, and not all office cultures (or managers) endorse or demonstrate that restraint themselves. Work comes in at all hours, and it can be hard to create boundaries that keep it contained and allow for proper rest and renewal.
For younger women in particular, it can be hard to say no, especially in competitive jobs or industries where there would be a (perceived) line out the door for their replacement."
This always-on mentality isn't getting us ahead at work. As Clay points out, it may be holding women back from getting promotions and achieving career goals. Truly disconnecting on a vacation is one way to counteract burnout. When you take a vacation, you give your mind a chance to be creative and refresh. "Studies show that you need at least six consecutive days to get the full and lasting effect of even taking a vacation," Chalmers explained. And he warns that short weekends away may actually cause more stress and anxiety than they relieve. "Like fast food, there are a lot of calories but no nutrients."
Long hours and little leisure also lead to poor health. John de Graaf, the author of Take Back Your Time: Fighting Overwork and Time Poverty in America, explains that women are at a higher risk for some of the negative physical effects. "Long stretches without vacation time increase men's risk of a heart attack by a third and women's by a half." In addition, women who don't take regular vacations are two to eight times more likely to suffer from depression than women who do.
Women who don't take regular vacations are two to eight times more likely to suffer from depression than women who do.Chalmers imagines a different world where everyone you know takes two weeks of uninterrupted Summer vacation - every Summer - just like they did in the 1970s. "Some packed the kids in the car and drove to a National Park, some went across country, and some went to their family cottages with family and friends. But everybody did it." There are many reasons to make this fantasy a reality. Chalmers notes that among people who take vacation, 65 percent come back feeling rested, rejuvenated, and reconnected with their families; 77 percent believe that their overall health improves after a vacation getaway; and over 80 percent report having a more positive outlook. Overwhelmingly, travelers say they feel less stressed, more energized, and more connected to loved ones. It also has intangible benefits, like making us more interesting, engaging people and better storytellers, he says. And of course, travel helps broaden our understanding of the world and leads to more empathy.
The US economy would also benefit from the return of lost vacation time. Chalmers notes the lack of time off costs the economy more than $1 trillion a year in side effects. "It comes in the form of on-the-job issues like taking more sick days, being unmotivated, low morale, depression, absenteeism, presenteeism, job turnover, and lost productivity, and of course all the associated healthcare and mental care costs." While time off would increase overall output, it would also be a boon to the US travel sector, potentially creating new jobs.
What's Causing This Crisis? Vacation is a win-win. So why are so many Americans working nonstop without meaningful time off? Chalmers blames multiple factors. For many, it's concerns about job security. "The thinking goes like this: 'If I took a vacation, I don't think they could get along without me. Or, if I took a vacation, I don't want them to know that they could get along without me,'" he explains. Others just can't afford it. They have the time but not the money, which Chalmers calls the "great travel paradox." And then there are those who have the money but no time, due to work, family, or pet obligations. There is a cultural disdain for leisure. American culture constantly praises "hard work" and being busy.Trying to understand the big-picture factors at play, Chalmers identifies a few major societal changes since the height of America's vacation era of the 1970s. Middle-class incomes have stagnated or declined, leaving today's workers with less disposable income. Meanwhile, the average cost of a vacation has risen. There's also been a decline in union membership, making it harder for workers to negotiate time-off benefits. And technology makes it difficult for us to disconnect. Finally, Chalmers thinks American values have changed. The fact that we spend 98 percent of our time working shows that we value it over leisure. And many of us now compare our lifestyles to the rich and famous, rather than our middle-class neighbors, adding pressure to always make more money.
De Graaf agrees there is a "cultural disdain for leisure." He points out how American culture constantly praises "hard work" and being busy. Workers who take little time off are considered more dedicated. But considering productivity goes down when people are overworked, it's simply a myth that people who don't take vacation are better workers.
How America Stacks Up to the Rest of the Word - Hint: It's Not GoodAmerica's lack of legal protection for vacation also leads to the stigma against it. Leisure is considered a luxury, not a right. If you take too much time off, you're lazy or not serious about your job. But we're one of the few countries who see it that way. "Only five countries, including the US, do not require that workers receive some paid vacation time," de Graaf explained. More than 20 years ago, the European Union established a legal right to at least 20 days of paid vacation a year. In Australia and New Zealand, workers have the same protection, while Canada and Japan mandate at least 10 days. Some countries even require employers to pay workers an added stipend to fund vacation. In Austria, for example, your employer will pay you a "13th month" salary during your month-long vacation, and the government will tax it at a lower rate. These countries have decided that leisure time off is valuable to the citizens and companies and are willing to support it with public policy.
Because there is no right to paid time off, many American workers get zero vacation. Employers voluntarily give private-sector workers an average of 10 days of paid time off and six paid holidays, which is less than the minimum required in most developed countries. And of course, many don't even take it.
You Can Do Something About ItConsidering the state of American politics right now, the creation of a new federal right to vacation doesn't seem likely. We can't even get paid time off for new parents. But you can still change the sad state of vacation by overcoming your own biases against taking it. There are promising signs that Americans are at least starting to discuss prioritizing downtime. Business leaders like Arianna Huffington, who published The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life One Night at a Time in 2016 and started a new well-being company called Thrive Global, are speaking up about how overwork is hurting our health, creativity, and overall success. And earlier this year, The New York Times declared sleep "the new status symbol." This growing appreciation for more work-life balance could create space for the average American to begin claiming their time off.
"Sometimes the barriers to taking time off are real, and sometimes not. It's important to know the difference," de Graaf explained. "If employers set an example by taking time off and encouraging it, workers need not fear taking it and should take it." On the other hand, he concedes, some employers may not see the value of vacation time. "In this case, it's important to meet with HR personnel and talk with them about why time off will be good for you and the company." And like Chalmers, de Graaf recognizes that in some cases, the cost of travel gets in the way. "Vacations need not be expensive. Consider camping or a road trip closer to home."
If you're a manager, you should set an example by taking your own time off and praising employees who do. If you're a manager, you should set an example by taking your own time off and praising employees who do. Also do your best to not contact employees while they're out. ("Liking" their Instagram photos doesn't count.) De Graaf has these other simple but effective tips for office leaders: Ask employees to share photos from their vacations at lunch time. Crosstrain employees so they can fill in for others who are gone. And encourage employees to schedule vacations well in advance, so airfares and hotels are cheaper and the team has more time to prepare. By prioritizing real time away from the office, you'll have a happier, healthier, and more productive workplace - a place you can look forward to returning to after a vacation.
This 1 Trick Will Ensure You Never Wear the Wrong Lipstick Again
Great things can come from experimenting with beauty (like rainbow hair, for instance), but playing with makeup doesn't always yield flattering results. Even if you and your best friend are both porcelain-complected, that doesn't mean you can share the same red lipstick - her favorite orangey hue makes you look sick, and your go-to red-blue formula makes her appear washed-out. Not sure why? It all comes down to your skin's undertone.
This has nothing to do with whether you wear fair, medium, or deep foundation. According to Joel Canales, the director of artistry for Hourglass Cosmetics, "skin naturally has a variety of underlying colors." He's right - just take a quick look at your bare arm! You can observe the underlying hues in everything from your veins to your actual complexion. Discovering the dominant shade in your skin is essential in determining which lip colors will best flatter you.
Once you've taken this quiz to figure out your skin's undertone, read on. We had beauty pros break it down for us, and they offered recommendations for three common undertones: warm, cool, and neutral. Warm complexions have a golden cast, cool ones have a blue-pink tint, and neutral undertones are perfectly balanced between the two. Canales explains that you can use these tints as an excellent reference point for buying lipstick - just look for corresponding colors. If you're still not sure where to start, keep reading - your lipstick soul mate is just a few clicks away!
Selena Gomez Can't Stop, Won't Stop Wearing the Most Amazing Outfits
Last year was all about rediscovery for Selena Gomez, but 2017 is all about owning who she is. The "Bad Liar" singer is already having an incredible year with the launch of her show 13 Reasons Why, a hot new relationship with The Weeknd, and some new music in the works. While she's killing every angle of her professional and personal lives, it's her fashion that has really made a turn for the best.
In 2016, Selena wore tight-fitting, skin-showing looks, but in the past few months she has opted for comfort, still choosing stylish pieces (like cool jackets from Coach, flared jeans, and floral day dresses) while looking more at ease with what she wears. Scroll ahead to see what we mean by taking a look at her best looks of 2017 so far.
Taylor Jenkins Reid on the Scandalous Hollywood Stories That Inspired Her Latest Novel
Taylor Jenkins Reid returns with this Summer's juiciest beach read, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (out June 13), and I promise you won't be able to put it down. I laughed, I cried, I couldn't stop thinking about the empowering, relatable, and flawed women at the heart of this story long after reading it.
On the surface, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is about the scandalous history of Old Hollywood with a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of glamorous celebrity couples - but beyond that, it touches on issues of sexuality, race, and what it means to be a strong woman, both now and in the '40s and '50s. I spoke with Taylor about the fascinating true stories that inspired her novel, the problem with "women's fiction," and why she's nervous to put this book out there. Read the interview now!
Warning: minor spoilers ahead.
POPSUGAR: What initially drew you to this story?
Taylor Jenkins Reid: It was a book called Ava Gardner: The Secret Conversation. In the '80s, Ava Gardner hired a ghostwriter and told him everything, and he had all of these tapes of their conversations. She was going on record about so many things. She was talking about her marriages to Mickey Rooney and Frank Sinatra, and Artie Shaw and Lana Turner. She was just spilling every bean. Toward the end of them preparing for this biography or autobiography, Ava Gardner got cold feet. Supposedly, Frank Sinatra had called her and said, "No. No. No. You can't do this. If you need money, I'll give you money." And she called the whole thing off. Then in 2013, once both Ava Gardner and the ghostwriter had passed, the book got published.
They [posted] an excerpt of it in Vanity Fair, and I remember reading that article and thinking, "How great if you could do an entire book that feels like the juiciest part of this Ava Gardner book?" So I started to think about this idea of a fictional memoir of a Hollywood star. Then I got really into the idea that you have a device of her telling her story to someone else and those two stories intersecting in interesting ways. I started doing all this research about Hollywood and actresses and various scandals and coverups and all that, which is maybe the most fun research I've ever done in my life.
PS: Were there any other celebrities who inspired her story?
TJR: The most obvious comparison is Elizabeth Taylor. Evelyn had seven husbands, and Elizabeth was married very many times. There's one or two other things that she ends up having in common with Elizabeth Taylor. Also, Rita Hayworth is a really big inspiration because she was Spanish, and she came to Hollywood and she was getting roles that weren't leading roles the way that she wanted. So she changed her name, and she became Rita Hayworth. She went red, she curled up her hairline [to look like] a white woman. She also had that famous line, "Men go to bed with Gilda but wake up with me." Those two things I thought could really inform Evelyn's life, given Evelyn is Cuban and she has that same decision to make. Does she want to be seen as a Latina woman? Or does she want to be a leading woman? At that point in Hollywood, those were the choices. You weren't necessarily going to be a mainstream leading lady unless you fit a very narrow understanding of beauty and identity.
PS: Were there any other fascinating tidbits in your research?
TJR: The book that I think was the most helpful was Scandals of Classic Hollywood by Anne Helen Petersen, who is now a writer for Buzzfeed. I read some fascinating stuff, specifically about Elizabeth Taylor's friendship with Montgomery Clift. He was gay, and the two of them were essentially best friends. Their relationship over the years, and this tenderness between them, is really a beautiful thing. Then Monty Clift gets in a car accident in Benedict Canyon, leaving Elizabeth Taylor's home one night. I didn't even know about this heartbreaking story, where she finds her best friend in this car crash and is the first one at the scene with him. He went on to live, but he had a very, very difficult life after that. When we talk about Elizabeth Taylor, we talk about Richard Burton, right? That was a fascinating part of Hollywood history that I feel like is a little bit forgotten about.
PS: Without giving too much away, there are some LGBTQ themes and issues in this novel. What inspired the storylines that dealt with Hollywood and homosexuality?
TJR: One of the books that I read that informed this idea of what it was like for LGBTQ people in Hollywood during that time was an autobiography by Tab Hunter. He was very similar to [one of the husbands in the book]: a matinee idol, a very clean-cut guy who happened to be gay. He spent a lot of his career actively trying to hide that and in fear that people would find that out. They made a documentary of the autobiography. It was so compelling when it comes to that question of "What do you sacrifice about yourself to get where you want to go?" And the question of whether it's right or wrong to lie about who you are in order to navigate these oppressive systems. I put a lot of what [he went through] into Harry's story. That feeling of "I am what I am. I'm not personally ashamed of it, but I have to be aware of what people's reactions are going to be and what that is going to cost me."
I would rather be respected than liked, and I think my characters are going in that direction.
PS: Evelyn clearly has her flaws, and her life story is far from perfect. Could you talk about the idea that characters need to be likable and whether or not you feel like there's more pressure for female characters specifically to be likable?
TJR: I think when we talk about characters needing to be likable, we're almost only talking about women needing to be likable. I don't think I've ever heard someone say that they put down a book or turned off the TV show or walked out of a movie because the man was so unlikable. It just doesn't happen. Look, I've curated my entire personality to make sure that I'm likable. We do that. All women are given this message that we have to be palatable, that even the uglier sides of us - our anger, our sadness - they all need to be packaged in a way that feels nonthreatening and cute in some way. I've lived my life like that for a long time. I've written books like that for a long time. I'm keenly aware. I've written four books before this. I certainly thought my main characters were likable. One of the things I've learned in publishing books is that even people that I think are likable, even actions that I think are relatively tame, people are going to have an opinion about. Sometimes I get emails from readers being like, "That's really wrong, what that woman did. Why did you have to do that?" I'm a people pleaser. I've been that way my whole life. Writing books has taught me that you cannot please everybody, and I struggled with that for a while, and I finally just decided that that is freedom. I can't please everybody, so why try?
I just decided that what I wanted to do was tell a heartbreakingly honest story, and you might like Evelyn and you might not like her. My guess is most people, regardless of whether they like her or not, will respect her. That's another thing that, as I get older, I'm realizing can be diametrically opposed when it comes to being a woman. Being likable and being respected are sometimes something we have to choose between. As I grow as a person, I'm trying to err towards the latter, that I would rather be respected than liked, and I think my characters are going in that direction.
I know there are people that are going to be very put off by the things that Evelyn does. I wrote her with the intention to be honest and not the intention to be liked. I'm nervous with the book out there; I know that it's a different book than anything I've ever written. Evelyn and the other main character, Monique, both struggle at different times to come into their own and demand to be respected and get their due and see themselves as powerful women. I'm writing about that because I'm going through that, because I'm trying to become that. My hope is that other women are in that same place that I am, and that when they see these women doing it, they feel like they can do it. Like me, like the book, like Evelyn, or not, but hopefully, it starts a conversation.
PS: I thought Monique's struggles, especially, as a modern working woman were really relatable.
TJR: Monique was an exercise in writing about what's in my own heart, maybe more than any other character I've written before. She's at this point in her life where she's trying to figure out how powerful she is and maybe how she has undermined herself in the past. At some point, everyone says to her, "The world doesn't give things. You take things," and women traditionally are not takers. Women are givers. What does that look like to be a woman and to take? It's not something that comes to me naturally. I'm trying to teach it to myself, basically. Monique's going through it, and hopefully, other women that are feeling that way too can come one step closer to getting there themselves.
It's called women's fiction because we want to make sure, in no uncertain terms, men know "don't read this," which is just absurd.
PS: The idea of this whole "women's fiction" category is constantly debated. How would you describe your genre?
TJR: Anytime I meet someone and they ask me what I do and I say, "I'm an author," and they say, "Oh, what kind of books do you write?" I say, "I write fiction." And they say, "Well, what does that mean?" What I choose to answer is, "I write book club books. I write books that you would read in a book club." What I mean by that is I write commercial fiction that is hopefully accessible to anybody that wants to read it, but they can be thought-provoking and give you something to talk about. But that's a very long answer to a small question, and the short answer is I write women's fiction, and the reason why it's called women's fiction is because we want to make sure, in no uncertain terms, men know "don't read this," which is just absurd.
We have a society in which woman have learned to read about men and to find interesting things about the inner lives of men, and we have not done that same service for men. We have told men that women in their lives are not interesting to them, that the stakes of domestic fiction is not relevant to them - all of these things are completely untrue. Books about love and family are just as important and can be just as skillfully and beautifully written as books about war. I don't know why, so often, we put such a larger value on the story areas that men are interested in than what women are interested in. I also just don't buy the conceit. I think we just haven't allowed for men to admit when they're interested in these things, to open themselves up to be interested in these things. We've said, time and time again, to men, "What goes on in a woman's mind is not relevant to you." And that's just crazy. What goes on in every man's mind is relevant to me. We exist in the world together. I'm married to a man. The world is full of men. We should be doing that same thing for men. I think we're fixing it slowly. Big Little Lies was such a great example of a story, exclusively about women and about issues that directly affect women, that men watched. They cared. We're at the beginning of it.
PS: What is the one thing that you hope readers come away with after reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo?
TJR: I want them to feel like if, at some point, they want to pull an Evelyn Hugo that they're ready and capable of doing it. As complicated as Evelyn Hugo is, I think Evelyn Hugo can teach us a lot about how to get what we want out of this world. It's time for women to get ours. We've got to go up there and take it. It's going to be uncomfortable, but I think that the rewards will be there for us. We need to find the confidence in ourselves to say, "Pay me what I'm worth. Promote me when I deserve it. Don't take advantage of me. Don't underestimate me."
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo hits bookshelves on June 13 and is featured in the June POPSUGAR Must Have box.
The Best Way to Store Tomatoes
Although we typically recommend storing tomatoes at room temperature as it best preserves their flavor and texture, it's not quite as simple as that. Here are the best practices depending on how ripe your tomatoes are:
- Keep unripe green tomatoes, stem side down, in a paper bag or in a cardboard box in a single layer. Place in a cool area until they turn red in color.
- Perfectly ripe tomatoes should be kept at room temperature on the counter away from sunlight. Make sure they're in a single layer, not touching one another, and stem side up. Consume within a couple of days.
- Overripe tomatoes that are soft to touch with very red flesh are best kept in the fridge. The cold air will keep the tomatoes from ripening more, and they should last for another three days. Before eating refrigerated tomatoes, take them out of the fridge and let them come to room temperature. This will allow the fruit to develop some of the flavor it has lost due to refrigeration.
It's Time Americans Got Serious About Taking Their Vacation
It wasn't always this way. In 1973, one in two families took at least two and a half weeks off annually, according to William D. Chalmers, the author of America's Vacation Deficit Disorder: Who Stole Your Vacation? Between 1976 and 2000, Americans took an average 20.3 vacation days each year. Coinciding with the rise of the internet in the new millennium, that number dropped to 16 days from 2001-2013, representing a "lost week." Today, Chalmers notes that American workers give back about $70 billion worth in vacation days a year when they forfeit unused accrued time off. That's as if the average worker wrote a check to their company for about $525 each year. Then there are the workers (one in four) who don't even have access to vacation benefits, since US law doesn't require employers to provide paid time off.
The Skift survey also found a gender disparity. Women were more likely than men to take no vacation. "Among people who took no vacation days, nearly 60 percent were women," explained Skift's executive editor, Dennis Schaal. Yet among people who took more than 20 days off per year, the majority were also women - 56 percent. When it comes to paid time off, it's either feast or famine for women in America. And perhaps many of these women are taking long periods of vacation to make up for a lack of paid family leave or because they are largely responsible for caring for older children, too.
Why Women Suffer More BurnoutConsidering women are less likely than men to take any vacation, it's not surprising professional women burn out at a rate faster than their male counterparts. A Fast Company article on millennial women burnout went viral in 2016, revealing just how many women could relate. In the piece, writer Kelly Clay cites statistics that show many women head for burnout by age 30. Clay points to a McKinsey study that found women make up 53 percent of entry-level jobs but only 37 percent of midmanagement roles and 26 percent of vice president or senior manager roles. Somewhere along the line, they're dropping out. Only 11 percent of women in the study said they chose to leave the workplace to have a family, so it's not just because they're having children. An additional study from the University of Kansas found similar results. It looked at attrition rates of journalists and found that women reported higher levels of overload and intention to leave the field.
Clay blames burnout on the unrealistically high expectations of both female workers and employers in general, as well as the "always on" nature of work in our modern society. She noted that much of these expectations are self-imposed, like the idea that we should never really disconnect at night or while on vacation. Employers reinforce the message that this is what is expected to succeed. To illustrate the point, Clay quotes a former Google employee, Jenny Blake, who burned out after trying to balance her job with writing a book on the side:
"We are in unprecedented times in terms of the global, always-on organization. It takes a tremendous amount of discipline not to check email at night or first thing in the morning, and not all office cultures (or managers) endorse or demonstrate that restraint themselves. Work comes in at all hours, and it can be hard to create boundaries that keep it contained and allow for proper rest and renewal.
For younger women in particular, it can be hard to say no, especially in competitive jobs or industries where there would be a (perceived) line out the door for their replacement."
This always-on mentality isn't getting us ahead at work. As Clay points out, it may be holding women back from getting promotions and achieving career goals. Truly disconnecting on a vacation is one way to counteract burnout. When you take a vacation, you give your mind a chance to be creative and refresh. "Studies show that you need at least six consecutive days to get the full and lasting effect of even taking a vacation," Chalmers explained. And he warns that short weekends away may actually cause more stress and anxiety than they relieve. "Like fast food, there are a lot of calories but no nutrients."
Long hours and little leisure also lead to poor health. John de Graaf, the author of Take Back Your Time: Fighting Overwork and Time Poverty in America, explains that women are at a higher risk for some of the negative physical effects. "Long stretches without vacation time increase men's risk of a heart attack by a third and women's by a half." In addition, women who don't take regular vacations are two to eight times more likely to suffer from depression than women who do.
Women who don't take regular vacations are two to eight times more likely to suffer from depression than women who do.Chalmers imagines a different world where everyone you know takes two weeks of uninterrupted Summer vacation - every Summer - just like they did in the 1970s. "Some packed the kids in the car and drove to a National Park, some went across country, and some went to their family cottages with family and friends. But everybody did it." There are many reasons to make this fantasy a reality. Chalmers notes that among people who take vacation, 65 percent come back feeling rested, rejuvenated, and reconnected with their families; 77 percent believe that their overall health improves after a vacation getaway; and over 80 percent report having a more positive outlook. Overwhelmingly, travelers say they feel less stressed, more energized, and more connected to loved ones. It also has intangible benefits, like making us more interesting, engaging people and better storytellers, he says. And of course, travel helps broaden our understanding of the world and leads to more empathy.
The US economy would also benefit from the return of lost vacation time. Chalmers notes the lack of time off costs the economy more than $1 trillion a year in side effects. "It comes in the form of on-the-job issues like taking more sick days, being unmotivated, low morale, depression, absenteeism, presenteeism, job turnover, and lost productivity, and of course all the associated healthcare and mental care costs." While time off would increase overall output, it would also be a boon to the US travel sector, potentially creating new jobs.
What's Causing This Crisis? Vacation is a win-win. So why are so many Americans working nonstop without meaningful time off? Chalmers blames multiple factors. For many, it's concerns about job security. "The thinking goes like this: 'If I took a vacation, I don't think they could get along without me. Or, if I took a vacation, I don't want them to know that they could get along without me,'" he explains. Others just can't afford it. They have the time but not the money, which Chalmers calls the "great travel paradox." And then there are those who have the money but no time, due to work, family, or pet obligations. There is a cultural disdain for leisure. American culture constantly praises "hard work" and being busy.Trying to understand the big-picture factors at play, Chalmers identifies a few major societal changes since the height of America's vacation era of the 1970s. Middle-class incomes have stagnated or declined, leaving today's workers with less disposable income. Meanwhile, the average cost of a vacation has risen. There's also been a decline in union membership, making it harder for workers to negotiate time-off benefits. And technology makes it difficult for us to disconnect. Finally, Chalmers thinks American values have changed. The fact that we spend 98 percent of our time working shows that we value it over leisure. And many of us now compare our lifestyles to the rich and famous, rather than our middle-class neighbors, adding pressure to always make more money.
De Graaf agrees there is a "cultural disdain for leisure." He points out how American culture constantly praises "hard work" and being busy. Workers who take little time off are considered more dedicated. But considering productivity goes down when people are overworked, it's simply a myth that people who don't take vacation are better workers.
How America Stacks Up to the Rest of the Word - Hint: It's Not GoodAmerica's lack of legal protection for vacation also leads to the stigma against it. Leisure is considered a luxury, not a right. If you take too much time off, you're lazy or not serious about your job. But we're one of the few countries who see it that way. "Only five countries, including the US, do not require that workers receive some paid vacation time," de Graaf explained. More than 20 years ago, the European Union established a legal right to at least 20 days of paid vacation a year. In Australia and New Zealand, workers have the same protection, while Canada and Japan mandate at least 10 days. Some countries even require employers to pay workers an added stipend to fund vacation. In Austria, for example, your employer will pay you a "13th month" salary during your month-long vacation, and the government will tax it at a lower rate. These countries have decided that leisure time off is valuable to the citizens and companies and are willing to support it with public policy.
Because there is no right to paid time off, many American workers get zero vacation. Employers voluntarily give private-sector workers an average of 10 days of paid time off and six paid holidays, which is less than the minimum required in most developed countries. And of course, many don't even take it.
You Can Do Something About ItConsidering the state of American politics right now, the creation of a new federal right to vacation doesn't seem likely. We can't even get paid time off for new parents. But you can still change the sad state of vacation by overcoming your own biases against taking it. There are promising signs that Americans are at least starting to discuss prioritizing downtime. Business leaders like Arianna Huffington, who published The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life One Night at a Time in 2016 and started a new well-being company called Thrive Global, are speaking up about how overwork is hurting our health, creativity, and overall success. And earlier this year, The New York Times declared sleep "the new status symbol." This growing appreciation for more work-life balance could create space for the average American to begin claiming their time off.
"Sometimes the barriers to taking time off are real, and sometimes not. It's important to know the difference," de Graaf explained. "If employers set an example by taking time off and encouraging it, workers need not fear taking it and should take it." On the other hand, he concedes, some employers may not see the value of vacation time. "In this case, it's important to meet with HR personnel and talk with them about why time off will be good for you and the company." And like Chalmers, de Graaf recognizes that in some cases, the cost of travel gets in the way. "Vacations need not be expensive. Consider camping or a road trip closer to home."
If you're a manager, you should set an example by taking your own time off and praising employees who do. If you're a manager, you should set an example by taking your own time off and praising employees who do. Also do your best to not contact employees while they're out. ("Liking" their Instagram photos doesn't count.) De Graaf has these other simple but effective tips for office leaders: Ask employees to share photos from their vacations at lunch time. Crosstrain employees so they can fill in for others who are gone. And encourage employees to schedule vacations well in advance, so airfares and hotels are cheaper and the team has more time to prepare. By prioritizing real time away from the office, you'll have a happier, healthier, and more productive workplace - a place you can look forward to returning to after a vacation.
Jason Momoa Jokes That He "Kinda Stalked" Wife Lisa Bonet Before They Met
Ever daydream about meeting your celebrity crush and making them instantly fall in love with you? While that seems like a lovely thought for most people, that's exactly what happened for Jason Momoa and wife Lisa Bonet. The pair has been making us swoon with their romance for more than 11 years now, and the beginning of their love story is just as magical as the memories they've shared in the years since they met. After watching her on The Cosby Show while growing up, the Justice League actor admits his crush on her stayed with him until they were finally introduced in 2005. "I was definitely . . . that was the first time when I was like, 'I want that one. I want her. I'm going to get her,'" he told Katie Couric of watching the show in 2014. "I didn't tell her until after we had our two children. But I told her . . . 'I kinda stalked ya. I was going to find ya.'"
Jason also opened up about the exact moment they crossed paths in 2005, telling The YBF, "We met through mutual friends. But when I first met her, she didn't know I was a stalker, but I was. I was with one of my best friends and when I turned around, and they were going to introduce us, literally, like, fireworks. She said, 'Hi, I'm Lisa,' and I said, 'Hi, I'm Jason,' and I just turn around to my buddy like . . . [freaking out]. Inside, I was like a little girl and I [deepened my voice] and tried to pull it together. She definitely makes me shy." It's official: nobody will ever be as romantic as Jason Momoa.
Zara's Summer Home Collection Is Powder-Pink Perfection - and You Need It Now
There's something about the delicate blush color of Rosé wine that we can't get enough of - in bottle or decor form. So when we saw that this innately feminine hue was a theme in Zara's Summer 2017 Home collection, we wanted to buy basically everything. Instead, for the sake of our wallets, we've narrowed it down to a selection of gorgeous pastel linens and playful season accent pieces sure to turn any home into a breezy Summer paradise nearly as delicious as an ice-cold glass of Rosé. Check them out ahead.
TV Scorecard: Which Shows Have Been Renewed or Canceled in 2017?
Image Source: CBS
We are smack in the middle of the exciting, sometimes heartbreaking, time of the year when TV shows are either given the green light for a new season or axed forever - until the reboot eventually gets underway in 2036. Take a look to see what fates have been decided, and if the show you're looking for isn't on this list yet, check our 2016 scorecard.
What's Been Renewed
CBS
- Code Black: The medical drama lives to see another season.
- Elementary: The Sherlock-inspired drama will return.
- The Amazing Race: As if you had any doubt that this competition series would be back!
- Law & Order: SVU: Season 19 is on the way!
- The Big Bang Theory: The hugely popular series will be back for at least two more seasons.
- Blue Bloods: The family drama will return for season eight.
- Hawaii Five-0: Season eight is on the way.
- Life in Pieces: The 30-minute family comedy will be back for season three.
- Madam Secretary: Another season of Tea Leoni's drama is coming.
- Mom: Anna Faris and Allison Janney will return.
- NCIS: Los Angeles: The spinoff will be back for season nine.
- NCIS: New Orleans: Scott Bakula's spinoff is also returning.
- Scorpion: The tech drama has earned a fourth season.
- Bull: Season two is on the way!
- Kevin Can Wait: CBS wants another season of Kevin James's sitcom.
- MacGyver: The reboot lives to see another season.
- Man With a Plan: Matt LaBlanc is a man with a job for another year.
- Superior Donuts: The new series has gotten a second season.
- Survivor: Lucky season 35 is on the way.
- 60 Minutes: Of course, the veteran news series will return.
- 48 Hours: The investigative show will also be back.
- Criminal Minds: The procedural will get a 13th season.
NBC
- This Is Us: NBC has greenlit the show for seasons two and three.
- The Good Place: We will be getting season two of Bell's comedy.
- Superstore: The comedy will return for a third season.
- Blindspot: Season three is on the way.
- Timeless: After being saved from cancellation, the drama will be returning for a second season.
ABC
- Once Upon a Time: The fantasy drama will come back for season seven.
- Modern Family: The Emmy winner will return for seasons nine AND 10.
- Grey's Anatomy: Season 14 is on the way.
- Scandal: Olivia Pope and company will return for season seven.
- How to Get Away With Murder: Shonda Rhimes's TGIT will stay intact another year!
- The Middle: The family comedy has been renewed for season nine.
- Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: The Marvel property will come back for season five.
- American Housewife: The freshman drama will get a second season.
- Designated Survivor: The political drama with Kiefer Sutherland will get another shot.
- Black-ish: The family sitcom will get another season.
Fox
- New Girl: The Zooey Deschanel comedy has been granted one final season.
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine: The comedy is coming back for another season.
- The Exorcist: Shockingly, Fox renewed the show for season two.
- Gotham: The Batman-inspired tale will return.
- Last Man on Earth: Will Forte's smart comedy will be back.
- The Mick: Kaitlin Olson will be back with a second season of the comedy.
- Lethal Weapon: Fox has renewed the action-packed drama for round two.
- Empire: The hip-hop drama has been renewed for a fourth season.
- So You Think You Can Dance: Fox's competitive dance show is coming back for season 14.
- Lucifer: The drama is getting a third season.
The CW
- iZombie: The series will return for season four!
- The Originals: The spinoff will continue without its TVD predecessor.
- The 100: The CW has renewed the series for a fifth season.
- Riverdale: The Archie reboot was granted a second season.
- Supergirl: The DC show was handed an early season three renewal.
- The Flash: The speedster will return for a fourth season.
- Arrow: Oliver and his merry band of vigilantes will come back for season six.
- DC's Legends of Tomorrow: Season three is on the way.
- Jane the Virgin: Jane will return for season four.
- Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: The Golden Globe-winner is coming back for season three.
- Supernatural: And finally, the Winchester brothers will be back for a 13th round.
Netflix
- Stranger Things: The megahit will return on Halloween.
- The OA: The sci-fi show will return for season two.
- Love: Judd Apatow's romantic comedy series has scored a third season.
- A Series of Unfortunate Events: The show will be back for a second season.
- Grace and Frankie: Season four is on the way, and Lisa Kudrow has joined the cast!
Showtime
- The Affair: The sexy series is coming back for a fourth season.
Freeform
- The Fosters: The show has been picked up for a fifth season.
FX
- Baskets: The comedy will be back with season three.
- American Horror Story: The popular show has been renewed through season nine.
- Taboo: FX and BBC have ordered a second season of Tom Hardy's dark drama.
HBO
- Silicon Valley: Another season is coming our way.
- Veep: No surprise here; the Emmy-winning comedy will return.
- Westworld: HBO's breakout hit has been renewed for a second season.
- Divorce: Sarah Jessica Parker's NYC-set series will be back for season two.
- Insecure: HBO has also renewed Issa Rae's comedy for season two.
- Ballers: Dwayne Johnson's show will return for season three this Summer.
- Curb Your Enthusiasm: Larry David has agreed to do a ninth season.
- Crashing: Season two of Pete Holmes's comedy series is on the way.
Hulu
- The Handmaid's Tale: The critically acclaimed adaptation is returning for season two.
- The Mindy Project: The show has been renewed for a sixth and final season.
- The Path: Hulu has renewed the cult drama for a third season.
Amazon
- Mozart in the Jungle: Amazon has renewed its critical hit for season four.
- Red Oaks: Amazon announced that Red Oaks's third season will be its last.
AMC
- The Night Manager: A second season of the miniseries is in "early development."
- Fear the Walking Dead: AMC has greenlit a fourth season, with new showrunners.
SyFy
- 12 Monkeys: The time-travel series will return for a fourth and final season.
- The Magicians: Season three is incoming.
CMT
- Nashville: The resuscitated drama will come back for a sixth season on CMT.
IFC
- Brockmire: IFC has ordered season two of the half-hour comedy.
- Portlandia: The quirky comedy is getting one final season.
What's Been Canceled
Image Source: The CW
Fox
- Scream Queens: Ryan Murphy's horror-comedy is over after two seasons.
- Making History: The time-travel comedy is history.
- Son of Zorn: The live-action/cartoon hybrid is done after one season.
- APB: The futuristic cop drama starring Justin Kirk is dead in the water.
- Pitch: After one season, Fox is pulling the plug on this sports drama.
- Rosewood: Two seasons in, and Fox is done.
- Sleepy Hollow: Fox is calling it quits after four seasons.
ABC
- The Real O'Neals: After two seasons, the show is over.
- Dr. Ken: Ken Jeong's medical comedy is history.
- Imaginary Mary: Viewers didn't tune in for Jenna Elfman's show, and now they never will.
- American Crime: Though critically acclaimed, the anthology drama is through.
- Secrets and Lies: After a solid first season, rating dipped in season two and ABC has canceled the drama.
- The Catch: The sexy crime thriller is no more.
- Last Man Standing: Tim Allen's show has been canceled.
- Time After Time: After five episodes, ABC has pulled the low-rated drama.
NBC
- The Blacklist: Redemption: NBC has pulled the plug on the spinoff.
- Powerless: The superhero comedy is officially done.
- Emerald City: We hardly got to know this Wizard of Oz adaptation before it was canceled.
CBS
- The Odd Couple: CBS is calling it quits after three seasons.
- Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders: Say goodbye to the Criminal Minds spinoff.
- The Great Indoors: Will Arnett's comedy is over after a single season.
- 2 Broke Girls: After six seasons, CBS canceled the comedy.
- Doubt: CBS pulled Katherine Heigl's legal drama after just two episodes.
The CW
- Frequency: The time-travel drama failed to catch on after one season.
- No Tomorrow: The CW also axed this whimsical romantic drama.
FX
- Man Seeking Woman: The show has been canceled after three brilliant (but low-rated) seasons.
Disney Channel
- Girl Meets World: The reboot was the first show of 2017 to get a cancellation slip.
Netflix
- The Get Down: Baz Luhrman's mesmerizing hip-hop drama got the boot after just one season.
- Sense8: After two seasons, Netflix decided to cancel The Wachowskis' bold sci-fi show.
OWN
- Love Thy Neighbor: OWN canceled the Tyler Perry-produced show.
- For Better or Worse: This show, also from Perry, is ending with its current season.
WGN
- Outsiders: After two seasons, the drama has been shut down.
- Underground: WGN has canceled the historical drama after two seasons, but Sony Pictures Television (who produces the show) is reportedly working to find it a new TV home.
7 Fascinating Facts About Princess Diana's Life After Her Divorce
Princess Diana and Prince Charles separated in late 1992 after 11 years of marriage, but it wasn't until August 1996 - after multiple affairs, scandals, and one explosive TV interview - that the royal couple's divorce was officially finalized. Here are seven things you may not have known about Diana's life after splitting from Prince Charles.
- She lost her royal title. . . . Queen Elizabeth II reportedly wanted to let Diana keep the style of her royal highness, but Charles was "adamant" that she give it up - instead, she was given the title Diana, Princess of Wales. The loss of the honorific separated Diana from the rest of the family in such a way that she had to curtsy to those who had it, including her own children. Prince William, then 14, is said to have comforted his mother after the loss of her title by saying, "Don't worry, Mummy, I will give it back to you one day when I am king."
- . . . But got to keep her home. Diana was allowed to keep her apartment at Kensington Palace - which now serves as the official residence of William, Kate Middleton, and their two children - as "a central and secure home for The Princess and the children."
- She had to ask the queen's permission to use other perks. Diana was given access to the royal family's jets and was able "to use the state apartments at St. James's Palace for entertaining," as long Queen Elizabeth gave the OK.
- Her jewelry box got a little lighter. Diana was permitted to keep all the jewelry she amassed during her marriage, with the exception of the Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara, which Elizabeth gave to her as a wedding present after only wearing it once. It is now in the queen's possession and was lent to Kate Middleton in both 2015 and 2016.
- She and Charles managed to coparent their boys despite lingering drama. The former couple was granted equal access to Prince William and Prince Harry, who were 14 and 11 at the time, respectively. The boys alternated holidays with each of their parents when they weren't attending boarding school. Things seemed to be civil between Charles and Diana as they worked together to coparent their boys after the divorce and up until Diana's death in August 1997.
- She dated around after the split. Diana technically began a relationship with surgeon Hasnat Khan while she was separated from Charles in 1995, and she even met his parents and introduced him to William and Harry. Following her split from Hasnat, Diana began dating Egyptian heir and film producer Dodi Fayed in 1997. The two dated for a couple months and vacationed in the French Rivera before their lives were tragically cut short by the Paris car accident.
- Overall, Diana was still considered a royal. Buckingham Palace publicly stated that as the mother of heirs to the throne, Diana would continue to be regarded as a member of the royal family and "will from time to time receive invitations to state and national public occasions" at the invitation "of the sovereign or the Government." During a January 2007 inquest into her tragic death, Deputy Coroner of the Queen's Household Baroness Butler-Sloss said, "I am satisfied that at her death, Diana Princess of Wales continued to be considered as a member of the Royal Household."
13 Latino Bridal Designers You Should Consider Wearing at Your Wedding
It should go without saying that weddings are a big deal in Latin culture. They're a day full of many traditions that celebrate the new chapter you're about to embark on. While your reception's menu, gorgeous cake, and dance playlist might already reflect your proud heritage, you might decide to opt for a dress that also connects to your family's roots.
That's why we've rounded up 13 designers that tie in Latin culture and style into their gowns so that you have a little piece of home with your something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.
This Genius Beauty Blender Cleaning Hack Only Takes 1 Minute
This is honestly the best way to get all make up off a beauty blender.
Put it in a cup with water and fairy liquid then microwave for 1min! http://pic.twitter.com/9pIR2l5ALE- 2CHINZz (@2chiinzzz) 6 June 2017
The majority of the beauty world bows down to beauty blending sponges. Despite a few good efforts at using household products to apply makeup, none quite come close to the reliable, good old Beautyblender.
However, although our love for the sponges that gave us a flawless base runs deep, cleaning them is the worst chore of them all. But fear not fellow beauty enthusiasts, one Twitter user has blown all of our tiny minds with a surprisingly simple but effective hack.
Laureen puts her Beautyblender in hot water mixed with dish soap, then zaps it in the microwave for one minute, ringing it out once the water has cooled. The foundation should be completely removed from the sponge, killing all of the bacteria in the process. You'll be left with a nearly new blender.
So far the post has reached 2,900 retweets and 9,100 likes. And many have replied with their own photographic evidence saying it really does work. Laureen also noted that it may possibly work with a tanning mitt too!
Made me realise I actually have a purple beauty blender 😅 http://pic.twitter.com/cmRofocnPc
- Lauren✨ (@LozzaMannn) 6 June 2017
Give this quick hack a go for yourself and watch your blenders go from grim to grand. As one Twitter user replied "this was the knowledge I didn't know I needed." We're with you, girl!
I Rubbed Snail Goo on My Face and It Obliterated My Acne
Image Source: StockSnap / Sajjad Ghanavati
Some partners call their lovers "bae" or "boo." But my boyfriend? He calls me "Snail Face."
Technically, he's correct. Twice a day, every day, I rub a tablespoon of snail mucin - also called snail secretion filtrate - over my face and neck. Even though it tastes bitter - my boyfriend learned this first-hand by trying to kiss me on the cheek - it's the only thing that has worked to clear up my adult-onset acne.
I wasn't a pimply teenager and never had problems with it until I hit my early 20s. Suddenly, I was forming blackheads seemingly overnight, and I had a particularly difficult time battling zits on my cheeks. I had every kind of pimple you could imagine: stubborn whiteheads, deeply embedded pustules, pus volcanos, and fiery-red bumps.
Though I'd been using a Cetaphil face wash for years with positive results, it obviously was no longer working. I turned to other tactics, and over the course of the next five years, I tried a number of zany and not-so-zany treatments. I used Proactive, which worked relatively well, except for the fact that it dried my skin out. I saw multiple dermatologists who recommended myriad ointments, like Differin and Tazorac, as well as prescription antibiotics, all of which I dutifully used, to no avail. Facials became a monthly ritual, and I tried everything from intense extractions to LED Blue light treatments and glycolic-retinol masks.
After meeting a woman who claimed using oils on her face rid her of acne, I did the same, rubbing coconut, avocado, and rose hip oils all over my face. (Note: This tactic didn't work and only made me more pimple-y.) Somehow 3 percent hydrogen peroxide got added into the mix, and I started swiping that on my skin after washing. It worked well in preventing breakouts, but it bleached my eyebrows blonde, which wasn't a good look. I swapped the hydrogen peroxide for apple cider vinegar, which also made an impact, but it was too smelly.
I also experimented with my makeup, switching to pore-friendly brands like Bare Minerals, Origins, and Cover FX, and taking days off from wearing products at all. I started using primers and washing my brushes obsessively. I even stopped using a washcloth to clean my face, opting instead for konjac sponges and paper towels to dry my skin.
While some of these treatments worked, none solved my acne problems entirely. Maybe my skin would be clear, but my nose would be peeling or still full of blackheads. I'd still get breakouts every now and then, and I had a few pores that were hell-bent on getting clogged and flaring up on a regular basis.
Fast-forward to today, and getting acne is but a distant memory. My trick: I started using snail mucin. At this point, I was willing to try anything to get rid of my pimples, so even though using a product made out of snail slime sounded a bit gross to me, I was game. I first learned about it through the Korean beauty website, Soko Glam, but I didn't take the plunge and buy any snail products until my facialist recommended one to me by the skincare brand Biopelle.
The first two topicals I tried were Biopelle's Tensage Daily Serum ($125) and Cosrx's Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence ($21). After cleansing and washing my face, I applied both creams to my dry skin in lieu of lotion. They differ in texture, color, and feel.
The Tensage Serum is thick and white, and leaves your skin feeling slightly tingly, while the Advanced Snail Mucin is clear, sticky, and hydrating. Within a week, my skin was almost entirely clear of pimples, and now, after a using snail mucin for a year, I feel confident enough to go out in public without foundation on.
The funny thing is snail mucin isn't even intended to treat acne.
Made of hyaluronic acid, glycoprotein enzymes, antimicrobial and copper peptides, and proteoglycans, it's marketed as an anti-aging tool that helps diminish fine lines, reduce inflammation, and increase fibroblasts and collagen. The fact that it reduces pimples, is just a lucky addition.
Snail mucin is also not cruelly obtained. There is no one way to collect it. Different companies use diverse methods, as well as different species of snails. And the snails aren't killed or injured in the process.
Biopelle uses a species of snail native to the Mediterranean called Cryptomphalus aspersa, and the secretion is collected through stimulation. Several hundred snails are put into a five-gallon bucket and they're lightly swung around for a few rotations. This activity agitates the snails, who release the secretion. Biopelle president Elliott Milstein said this secretion is different from the mucin they produce for mobility.
"It's not like you can just put a snail directly on your face and have it move around to get those results," Milstein said. He explained that the secretion produced by the snail's movement does not contain the glycolic proteins and growth factors that the secretion acquired through agitation has.
After going through a few swings in the bucket, Biopelle's snails then get to rest for a couple of weeks in "a sanctuary," where they basically get to eat and have a lot of sex. Biopelle collects their eggs and uses them in its Tensage Stem Cell line, which helps produce new skin cells that can reduce signs of aging. The snails get a break in the Fall and Winter and are taken to a swamp in northern Spain to hibernate. According to Milstein, the average lifespan of their snails is twice that of snails living in the wild, which translates to about eight years instead of four.
Image Source: Courtesy of Jessie Schiewe
The snail mucin used in the products Soko Glam sells is acquired differently, and most of the companies they work with are based in Asia.
According to Charlotte Cho, Soko Glam's cofounder, the snails are placed over a mesh net in a dark and quiet room and left to slither about for a good half-hour before their trail of mucin is collected. Unlike Biopelle's snails, the snails used to create Soko Glam's products do not get agitated or stressed because Cho said, "optimal mucin production occurs when snails are well rested and comfortable in their habitat.
There are different theories about how the healing qualities of snail mucin were discovered. Cho explained that Chilean farmers were the first to recognize snails' beneficial traits. "They noticed that their hands were visibly smoother and their cuts were healing quickly after handling snails," she said.
Milstein had another take. He said that radiologists discovered the mucin's healing effects after subjecting snails to x-rays and noticing that the substance they secreted helped heal their burns.
Snail mucin still has a ways to go before it catches on in mainstream formulas and loses its "ew" factor, but there are a fair amount of products on the market already. Quality varies, and Milstein warned that there are some companies that "actually just grind up the snail and don't use the extract." In other words, if a 12-ounce jar of snail mucin for $5 seems too good to be true, it probably is. While snail products aren't as expensive as, say, a La Mer cream, you've got to remember that you're paying for something that takes a lot of time (and a lot of snails) to make. But generally snail products cost anywhere between $20 and $200.
By now, I've recommended snail mucin to many friends and family, and of those who have been brave enough to try it, I've only heard positive results. Sure, it might deter your partner from kissing you on the cheek, but who cares? Your skin will look fantastic.
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