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
Is Your Sunscreen Safe? You Better Read This Before You Apply
Not all sunscreens are created equal. Thanks to more educated consumers, there's a rising demand for "natural" or "safe" sunscreen. But what does it actually mean? We're here to help you protect your skin from dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays and potentially dangerous chemicals found in sunscreens themselves. Now is the time to get informed and ask yourself: is my sunscreen safe?
To understand what's at stake in each tube, we spoke to various experts, including Tata Harper, the founder of her own safe and natural skincare line. Harper was inspired to learn about safe personal care items after her stepfather was diagnosed with cancer. She realized we all use products with potentially dangerous ingredients. Sunscreen is one of them.
"Make sure the sunscreen you're using isn't actually doing more harm than good."
"Sun protection is so important, but many sunscreens contain ingredients that are absorbed into the skin and have been linked to serious health risks, and their labels can be very misleading," Harper said. "You need to make sure the sunscreen you're using to protect yourself isn't actually doing more harm than good."
Ingredients to Avoid
According to the Environmental Working Group, an organization that researches and educates consumers about toxins in personal care products, there are specific ingredients you should avoid in sunscreens. The most important is oxybenzone. It is known as an "endocrine disruptor," which means it can interfere with our body's normal hormone functions. EWG says that oxybenzone can act like estrogen in the body, and it's been shown to alter sperm production in animals. It is also associated with endometriosis and allergic reactions. The skin absorbs oxybenzone in significant amounts when we use sunscreen that contains it, and a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) detected it in more than 96 percent of the US population. Other troubling studies have found traces commonly present in mothers' breast milk.
Octinoxate should also be avoided for similar reasons. Like oxybenzone, it is a hormone disruptor commonly found in sunscreen and readily absorbed into our skin with traces also found in mothers' milk. When in our systems, it may interfere with reproductive functions and also cause moderate rates of skin allergies.
Those aren't the only two offenders: EWG cautions against retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A often listed as an "inactive ingredient" in sunscreens. There is evidence that it could heighten sun sensitivity.
Harper said she also stays clear of methylisothiazolinone, explaining: "it is a preservative that the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety said could not be considered safe in any concentration in any leave-on product, but is still allowed in the US." Research has found that it could cause extreme skin allergies. Unfortunately, methylisothiazolinone is becoming increasingly popular in US-sold sunscreens. Other ingredients homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene make EWG's list of UV filters with moderate toxicity concerns, including organ system toxicity, allergies, skin irritation, or hormone disruption.
There is a debate about whether sunscreens approved by the FDA and Drug Administration (FDA) are safe, even when they include these ingredients. One debate is over retinyl palmitate, a synthetic form of vitamin A or retinol. Dermatologist Dr. Neal Schultz, for example, isn't convinced that retinyl palmitate is dangerous. "The allegations of dangerous ingredients, like retinyl palmitate, have been proven to have no basis when subjected to peer review scientific studies," he said.
But EWG says its recommendation to avoid retinyl palmitate is based on results from a one-year skin cancer study performed by the FDA and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). "It found that experimental animals treated with retinyl palmitate cream and UV exposure had more skin tumors and lesions than animals treated with a cream that had no retinyl palmitate," explained Sonya Lunder, EWG's senior analyst and lead author of its sunscreens guide. She notes the agencies have initiated a follow up study to confirm and extend the findings. If you'd rather be safe than sorry, you'll want to avoid this ingredient until more conclusive evidence is found either way.
"Mineral sunscreens are a better alternative, since they create a physical barrier on the skin instead of absorbing."
In order to air on the side of caution, Harper and Lunder both suggest opting for for mineral sunscreens instead of chemical sunscreens. "Mineral sunscreens are a better alternative, since they create a physical barrier on the skin instead of absorbing," Harper explained. When shopping for mineral sunscreens, you should look for active ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Both will protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB radiation, without the added risks, as there is little evidence that the zinc or titanium particles penetrate the skin.
And don't be fooled by fluffy words that actually don't have any regulatory meaning, including: hypoallergenic, gentle, or natural. The FDA has no control over who can use those labels. In general, Lunder suggests checking EWG's online database for individual product assessments - even for mineral sunscreens.
Quality Is a Concern
Now that you know what ingredients to avoid and which to look for, it's time to learn about quality. According to EWG, a good amount of sunscreens for sale in America are of low quality. But you might not even notice. First, it's important to understand that there are two types UV rays. UVB rays cause sunburns and skin cancers, while UVA rays cause wrinkles and other signs of aging, in addition to skin cancers. Poor-quality sunscreens may shield you from UVB rays without shielding you from UVA rays - meaning you'll be sunburn-free, but not fully protected.
Schultz has this advice: choose a sunscreen that's marked "with UVA protection" or "with broad-spectrum protection." To be labeled that way," he explains, "the manufacturer has demonstrated to the FDA that it will shield the skin from UVA rays and damage, when used as directed."
While the broad-spectrum label is a good place to start, EWG is also advocating for higher UVA standards from the FDA. Lunder explained: "Europe requires stronger UVA protection, and we estimate that half of all US sunscreens would not be sold in the EU." That includes those marked "broad spectrum." So if you want to be sure about full protection, extra research is required. EWG's sunscreen guide can help.
The Truth About SPF
SPF "or sun protection factor" is another label you need to pay attention to (obviously!) - but it may not be as simple as you think. SPF tells you how good a sunscreen is at blocking UVB rays. According to Consumer Reports, SPF 15 blocks 93 percent of UVB rays specifically. SPF 30 blocks 97 percent. And SPF 50 blocks 98 percent. There's little upside after that. "Anything above SPF 50 is really just a marketing gimmick and can lead you to stay in the sun longer than you should," explained Harper. She notes that the FDA is even considering banning high SPFs because they are so misleading. Ironically, people may be more likely to get a sunburn wearing SPF 100 than SPF 50, because they think they're getting more protection than they actually are.
Application Matters, Too
You can have the safest and most effective sunscreen, but if you don't apply it properly it's worthless. Schultz cautions that protection from a sunscreen is only theoretically unless you use as directed: "If you don't apply enough sunscreen and reapply sunscreen after swimming, sweating, and otherwise every three to four hours, you won't get the potential protection." Even if a sunscreen is marketed as "water resistant," you must still reapply after time in the water, especially after towel drying.
We've all had a lobster moment. When you end up turning bright red after a day in the sun - even if you wore sunscreen. Schultz explains that most sunscreen failures occur from not reapplying often enough - or from forgetting certain areas. He explains: "That means the tops of ears, back of neck, and tops of feet."
Dr. Amy Wechsler, another dermatologist, offers this tip: "Apply while looking in the mirror so no spots are missed and reapply every two hours or after swimming or exercise." Taking the extra care during application will also help you avoid looking like a ghost. Rub it in!
If reapplying is key, those spray sunscreens that make it easy are probably a good idea, right? Wrong. EWG recommends avoiding sprays, which don't provide a thick and uniform coating on skin and pose inhalation concerns. And of course, sunscreen is only one step in protecting yourself from sun damage. Be sure to wear shirts and pants while you're out in the sun, and stay in the shade during the afternoon. As Harper said, when it comes to protecting your face "the safest and most effective method of sun protection is still wearing a hat!" It's the perfect excuse to get that wide-brimmed Panama hat you've been eyeing.
Tools to Help You Shop
In time for Summer, EWG has released its guide to sunscreens for the 11th year in a row. Researchers analyzed 1,500 sunscreens, moisturizers, and lip balms that advertise sun protection and found that 73 percent of the products don't work well, or contain worrisome ingredients such as oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate.
To help you find the good among the bad, you can can search its extensive list of sunscreens that do make the cut. The researchers also created a helpful interactive graphic (click below) to help you decode each bottle you encounter.
To recap, here's what you'll want to look for when shopping for sunscreen:
Look For
- Zinc oxide
- Titanium dioxide
- Broad Spectrum or UVA protection
- SPF 30 or 50
Avoid
- Oxybenzone
- Octinoxate
- Retinyl palmitate
- Homosalate
- Octisalate
- Octocrylene
- Methylisothiazolinone
- Spray-on sunscreens
We've selected 10 safe sunscreens that get a safe rating of one or two from EWG. We've either tested them ourselves or they've been recommended by the experts we spoke to. With these, there's no need to be afraid of the sun - or your sunscreen.
The Habit That Will Help You Lose the Extra Weight
Feel like you've got a little extra padding to deal with? The health experts at Harvard have an answer for you to help you shed the weight: keep your glycemic index (GI) chart handy.
In the December 2014 issue of Harvard Health Review, researchers note that it's not fat that you should be worried about if you are watching your weight - it's refined carbs. Recent studies have shown that refined carbs and simple sugars may be worse for your heart than saturated fats and that sticking to a low-carb, high-protein diet is the key to weight-loss success. But since we can't live off BBQ meats alone, here's a simple solution: when faced with carb choices, go with low-GI foods, which slow down the rate that glucose (sugar) gets introduced into your body. High-GI foods, in contrast, cause a spike in your blood sugar as well as insulin, causing you to crave more sugary foods when your glucose levels drop.
The GI index ranks foods on a zero to 100 scale; in general, a GI of 1 to 55 is low, 56 to 69 is medium, and 70 to 100 is high - you should limit these high-ranking foods in your diet. If you know your GI values, you'll know that you need to avoid white rice, white flour, and packaged cereals, and choose whole grains, whole fruits, and other complex carbs instead. You can also choose foods that are low on the glycemic load scale, which measures the blood-sugar-raising power of that food. A glycemic load of 10 or less is low, 11 to 19 is medium, and 20 or more is high.
Following the glycemic index isn't a new concept, but it's a useful way to keep your eating habits in check when on the go. Knowing your numbers is a quick way to help ensure that you're making smarter choices whether you're at a party or just looking to get back on track. Check out a handy GI chart of a few foods below, and check out a list of GI and glycemic load values of 100 common foods here.
| Food | Glycemic index | Glycemic load per serving |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | 39 | 6 |
| Baguette, white, plain | 95 | 15 |
| Banana, ripe | 62 | 16 |
| Brown rice | 50 | 16 |
| Carrots | 35 | 2 |
| Dates, dried | 42 | 18 |
| Cranberry juice cocktail | 68 | 24 |
| Graham crackers | 74 | 14 |
| Grapefruit | 25 | 3 |
| Green peas | 51 | 4 |
| Ice cream | 57 | 6 |
| Instant oatmeal | 83 | 30 |
| Milk, full fat | 41 | 5 |
| Milk, skim | 32 | 4 |
| Orange | 40 | 4 |
| Orange juice, unsweetened | 50 | 12 |
| Parsnips | 52 | 4 |
| Potato, russet, baked | 111 | 33 |
| Potato, white, boiled | 82 | 21 |
| Quinoa | 53 | 13 |
| Spaghetti, white, boiled | 46 | 22 |
| Spaghetti, wholemeal, boiled | 42 | 17 |
| Sponge cake, plain | 46 | 17 |
| Shortbread | 64 | 10 |
| Sweet potato, average | 70 | 22 |
| White rice | 89 | 43 |
| White basmati rice, quick-cooking | 67 | 28 |
| Whole-wheat bread | 71 | 9 |
| Yam | 54 | 20 |
This Drool-Worthy Churro Sundae Is What Your Life Has Been Missing
You might be tired of trendy desserts popping up on your Instagram, but we say bring 'em, specially if they're going to be as delicious as this churro sundae.
Horchateria Rio Luna in Paramount, CA, is responsible for this new viral beauty, sure to be packed with plenty of calories - but who cares? The dessert spot uses its vegan cinnamon and sugary churros, horchata ice cream, whipped cream, and a drizzle of either Nutella, strawberry, cajeta, guava, or Lechera (that's condensed milk) to tantalize your palate, all for only $8.
Other items you can feast on at Horchateria RL: a concha ice cream sandwich, horchata with a scoop of sorbet and marzapan frappe. We've said enough, scroll ahead to check out more photos of the churro sundae and its other amazing creations.
This Drool-Worthy Churro Sundae Is What Your Life Has Been Missing
You might be tired of trendy desserts popping up on your Instagram, but we say bring 'em, specially if they're going to be as delicious as this churro sundae.
Horchateria Rio Luna in Paramount, CA, is responsible for this new viral beauty, sure to be packed with plenty of calories - but who cares? The dessert spot uses its vegan cinnamon and sugary churros, horchata ice cream, whipped cream, and a drizzle of either Nutella, strawberry, cajeta, guava, or Lechera (that's condensed milk) to tantalize your palate, all for only $8.
Other items you can feast on at Horchateria RL: a concha ice cream sandwich, horchata with a scoop of sorbet and marzapan frappe. We've said enough, scroll ahead to check out more photos of the churro sundae and its other amazing creations.
The Habit That Will Help You Lose the Extra Weight
Feel like you've got a little extra padding to deal with? The health experts at Harvard have an answer for you to help you shed the weight: keep your glycemic index (GI) chart handy.
In the December 2014 issue of Harvard Health Review, researchers note that it's not fat that you should be worried about if you are watching your weight - it's refined carbs. Recent studies have shown that refined carbs and simple sugars may be worse for your heart than saturated fats and that sticking to a low-carb, high-protein diet is the key to weight-loss success. But since we can't live off BBQ meats alone, here's a simple solution: when faced with carb choices, go with low-GI foods, which slow down the rate that glucose (sugar) gets introduced into your body. High-GI foods, in contrast, cause a spike in your blood sugar as well as insulin, causing you to crave more sugary foods when your glucose levels drop.
The GI index ranks foods on a zero to 100 scale; in general, a GI of 1 to 55 is low, 56 to 69 is medium, and 70 to 100 is high - you should limit these high-ranking foods in your diet. If you know your GI values, you'll know that you need to avoid white rice, white flour, and packaged cereals, and choose whole grains, whole fruits, and other complex carbs instead. You can also choose foods that are low on the glycemic load scale, which measures the blood-sugar-raising power of that food. A glycemic load of 10 or less is low, 11 to 19 is medium, and 20 or more is high.
Following the glycemic index isn't a new concept, but it's a useful way to keep your eating habits in check when on the go. Knowing your numbers is a quick way to help ensure that you're making smarter choices whether you're at a party or just looking to get back on track. Check out a handy GI chart of a few foods below, and check out a list of GI and glycemic load values of 100 common foods here.
| Food | Glycemic index | Glycemic load per serving |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | 39 | 6 |
| Baguette, white, plain | 95 | 15 |
| Banana, ripe | 62 | 16 |
| Brown rice | 50 | 16 |
| Carrots | 35 | 2 |
| Dates, dried | 42 | 18 |
| Cranberry juice cocktail | 68 | 24 |
| Graham crackers | 74 | 14 |
| Grapefruit | 25 | 3 |
| Green peas | 51 | 4 |
| Ice cream | 57 | 6 |
| Instant oatmeal | 83 | 30 |
| Milk, full fat | 41 | 5 |
| Milk, skim | 32 | 4 |
| Orange | 40 | 4 |
| Orange juice, unsweetened | 50 | 12 |
| Parsnips | 52 | 4 |
| Potato, russet, baked | 111 | 33 |
| Potato, white, boiled | 82 | 21 |
| Quinoa | 53 | 13 |
| Spaghetti, white, boiled | 46 | 22 |
| Spaghetti, wholemeal, boiled | 42 | 17 |
| Sponge cake, plain | 46 | 17 |
| Shortbread | 64 | 10 |
| Sweet potato, average | 70 | 22 |
| White rice | 89 | 43 |
| White basmati rice, quick-cooking | 67 | 28 |
| Whole-wheat bread | 71 | 9 |
| Yam | 54 | 20 |
The Absolute Best New Trader Joe's Foods You Need This Month
Trader Joe's has tons of new items worthy of trying this year, and this month is no different. TJ's is stepping up its game this June with all-natural fruit snacks, addictive cookies, and more unique items you'll want to add to your shopping list. Read on to hear our reviews of each new item that we'd recommend trying for yourself this month, plus the ones we wouldn't.
The Absolute Best New Trader Joe's Foods You Need This Month
Trader Joe's has tons of new items worthy of trying this year, and this month is no different. TJ's is stepping up its game this June with all-natural fruit snacks, addictive cookies, and more unique items you'll want to add to your shopping list. Read on to hear our reviews of each new item that we'd recommend trying for yourself this month, plus the ones we wouldn't.
Mario Batali Says This Is Exactly How Long You Should Cook Dried Pasta
In a recent interview with MyDomaine, Mario Batali shared exactly how long we should be cooking pasta, and you better believe it's precise to the second. He explained:
"I just read the pasta package, and then I take it out exactly one minute short of what they tell you to cook it on the package, and I cook it for 40 seconds in the sauce. Never put the sauce on top of the pasta in the bowl. Put the pasta in the sauce into the pan, cook it 40 seconds, and then put it down. I prefer it about 15 to 20 seconds less than they think Americans want it at - which is a little on the crunchy side, but not crunchy hard - just nicely al dente. Perfectly cooked pasta tastes really good even with Campbell's cream of mushrooms!"
While I'm not sure if perfectly cooked pasta truly tastes good with anything, I can confirm that you don't need much to dress up good pasta. Italians will go as simple as a hefty drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, a sprinkle of oregano, and red pepper flakes. I'm a big fan of olive oil, parmesan, and freshly ground pepper. Just make sure you do as Mario says and mix those ingredients in with the pan. And always remember the golden pasta sauce ingredient: pasta water. A little splash ties everything together.
Go Inside The Pinktastic Home of Kitten Kay Sera
You definitely wouldn't have a problem spotting the legendary Kitten Kay Sera on the street. A vision in pink, Kitten has been living an exclusively pink life since she moved out to Los Angeles from her hometown of Houston Texas over twenty years ago. She sold her pink barracuda car to pay for her move to the city of angels, where she dreamed of making it as a singer. Since then, her pink presence has acted as her calling card. You can catch her in commercials, singing Dorris Day covers at The Dresden Bar, or just walking in Hollywood with her pink pup, Kisses. She even has a song with Beyoncé, who she has known since she was 15 years old!
Find out what makes her tick, and of course her perfectly-pink beauty secrets!
What Your Sleeping Position Says About Your Health
When it's time to get some shut-eye, not all sleeping positions have the same positive impact on your body. In some cases, the way you sleep could negatively affect your body's well-being - far outside the bedroom. While it's tough to change your habits at first, it's best to know if your preferred sleeping style is supporting or hindering your health.
Sleeping on your back
The pros: This position is great for balancing out your body weight, keeping your internal organs aligned, and preventing neck and back pain. Just be sure to keep a pillow under your knees to help maintain proper alignment of your back.
The cons: If you're a snorer, then you might want to turn to one side; sleeping on your back may make your snoring even worse.
Sleeping on your side
The pros: Lying on your side in the fetal position with your knees bent and a pillow between your legs can help take stress off your back. It's important to use a pillow to keep your head in a neutral position, so your head won't drop and affect your posture. An added bonus is that sleeping on your left side also reduces heartburn pain.
The cons: You're in luck - there aren't really any, since this position follows the natural curvature of the spine.
Sleeping on your stomach
The pros: When you have lower back pain, occasionally sleeping on your stomach can relieve pressure on your disc spaces. I know when I've been leaning over all day, falling asleep like this feels fantastic, since it resembles the Cobra yoga position (lots of pillows required).
The cons: Even if you love to sleep on your stomach, this is the position with the most risk. According to Jonathan FitzGordon, an alignment specialist from NYC, "Sleeping on your stomach flattens the natural curve in the lower back and keeps your head turned to one side all night, which distorts the alignment of the spine in your neck." This position can also exert unnecessary pressure on your nerves, which will cause pins and needles when you wake up.
Mario Batali Says This Is Exactly How Long You Should Cook Dried Pasta
In a recent interview with MyDomaine, Mario Batali shared exactly how long we should be cooking pasta, and you better believe it's precise to the second. He explained:
"I just read the pasta package, and then I take it out exactly one minute short of what they tell you to cook it on the package, and I cook it for 40 seconds in the sauce. Never put the sauce on top of the pasta in the bowl. Put the pasta in the sauce into the pan, cook it 40 seconds, and then put it down. I prefer it about 15 to 20 seconds less than they think Americans want it at - which is a little on the crunchy side, but not crunchy hard - just nicely al dente. Perfectly cooked pasta tastes really good even with Campbell's cream of mushrooms!"
While I'm not sure if perfectly cooked pasta truly tastes good with anything, I can confirm that you don't need much to dress up good pasta. Italians will go as simple as a hefty drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, a sprinkle of oregano, and red pepper flakes. I'm a big fan of olive oil, parmesan, and freshly ground pepper. Just make sure you do as Mario says and mix those ingredients in with the pan. And always remember the golden pasta sauce ingredient: pasta water. A little splash ties everything together.
Go Inside The Pinktastic Home of Kitten Kay Sera
You definitely wouldn't have a problem spotting the legendary Kitten Kay Sera on the street. A vision in pink, Kitten has been living an exclusively pink life since she moved out to Los Angeles from her hometown of Houston Texas over twenty years ago. She sold her pink barracuda car to pay for her move to the city of angels, where she dreamed of making it as a singer. Since then, her pink presence has acted as her calling card. You can catch her in commercials, singing Dorris Day covers at The Dresden Bar, or just walking in Hollywood with her pink pup, Kisses. She even has a song with Beyoncé, who she has known since she was 15 years old!
Find out what makes her tick, and of course her perfectly-pink beauty secrets!
What Your Sleeping Position Says About Your Health
When it's time to get some shut-eye, not all sleeping positions have the same positive impact on your body. In some cases, the way you sleep could negatively affect your body's well-being - far outside the bedroom. While it's tough to change your habits at first, it's best to know if your preferred sleeping style is supporting or hindering your health.
Sleeping on your back
The pros: This position is great for balancing out your body weight, keeping your internal organs aligned, and preventing neck and back pain. Just be sure to keep a pillow under your knees to help maintain proper alignment of your back.
The cons: If you're a snorer, then you might want to turn to one side; sleeping on your back may make your snoring even worse.
Sleeping on your side
The pros: Lying on your side in the fetal position with your knees bent and a pillow between your legs can help take stress off your back. It's important to use a pillow to keep your head in a neutral position, so your head won't drop and affect your posture. An added bonus is that sleeping on your left side also reduces heartburn pain.
The cons: You're in luck - there aren't really any, since this position follows the natural curvature of the spine.
Sleeping on your stomach
The pros: When you have lower back pain, occasionally sleeping on your stomach can relieve pressure on your disc spaces. I know when I've been leaning over all day, falling asleep like this feels fantastic, since it resembles the Cobra yoga position (lots of pillows required).
The cons: Even if you love to sleep on your stomach, this is the position with the most risk. According to Jonathan FitzGordon, an alignment specialist from NYC, "Sleeping on your stomach flattens the natural curve in the lower back and keeps your head turned to one side all night, which distorts the alignment of the spine in your neck." This position can also exert unnecessary pressure on your nerves, which will cause pins and needles when you wake up.
The Average Cost of Attending a Wedding Will Make You Shake Your Damn Head
Weddings make me want to cry, and not just because of the touching joining of two people I love, but because they cost so much it brings tears to my eyes just thinking of my dwindling bank account. Thank God for the free booze on the big day, at least. While weddings are almost always a blast, the average cost of attending a wedding is not fun at all. In fact, it's pretty absurd. The Knot did a study of wedding guest costs for 2016, and the numbers will shock you - unless you've been to a wedding recently and learned firsthand just how everything adds up and you're nodding your head in despair right now. Here's a breakdown of the costs (and a reminder that throwing a wedding certainly isn't cheap either!).
Average bridesmaid and groomsmen spend per wedding: $1,154
- Wedding gift spend: $177
- Wedding attire: $207
- Wedding travel: $342
- Wedding accommodations: $293
Average wedding guest spend per wedding total: $888
- Wedding gift spend: $118
- Wedding attire: $81
- Wedding travel: $321
- Wedding accommodations: $322
And that's not even counting wedding party costs if you're attending events in addition to the actual wedding day! Friends and family who are in the wedding or take part in the prewedding festivities often end up spending hundreds of dollars on things that don't even pertain directly to the big day.
Bachelorette party attendees spend $472, while bachelor party attendees drop way more: around $738, just for the party itself. If travel and accommodations are required for the prewedding celebrations, then bachelorette parties ring in at an average of $1,106 and bachelor parties majorly tip the scale at an average attendee spend of $1,532. The costs they face include the price of the party, gift, travel, and accommodations.
Prince Charles May Never Have Married Diana If This Hadn't Happened
Image Source: Getty / Anwar Hussein
On July 29, 1981, Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in a royal wedding watched by 750 million people. Charles and Diana would go on to have an unhappy marriage filled with scandal, including Charles's widely reported affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. We all know how it ended: Charles and Diana divorced in 1996. Diana died tragically in 1997. And by 2005, Charles and Camilla had made things official and married.
But this whole saga may have been avoided, if it weren't for Camilla's shady father. Almost a decade before his wedding to Diana, Charles had already fallen for Camilla. In the Summer of 1972, the two began spending lots of time together. Camilla's longtime on-again-off-again boyfriend Andrew Parker Bowles was out of the country on army service, and she struck up a romantic relationship with Charles. According to the new biography Prince Charles by bestselling author Sally Bedell Smith, Charles felt at ease around Camilla, and they would spend evenings dancing at London nightclubs or have dinners together at Camilla's flat. That Fall, Camilla would stay with Charles at his uncle's estate so they could have "privacy" - and they became even closer.
Prince Charles and Camilla after a polo match during the Summer of 1972. Image Source: Getty / Hulton Deutsch
At 24, Charles worried he was too young to settle down. And since Camilla didn't at least "appear virginal," he hesitated to propose. At the time, anyone who "had a history" was not considered marriage material for royals. Yet in early January 1973, when Charles set sail for the Caribbean for naval duty, he still had strong feelings for her. Meanwhile, Camilla's former beau Andrew was back in London. That's when Andrew's brother and Camilla's father conspired to make them marry. Here's what Bedell Smith writes:
They intervened by publishing an engagement notice in The Times on March 15. His hand publicly forced, Andrew proposed to his girlfriend of nearly seven years.
By publishing an untruthful engagement notice, Camilla's father may have changed the course of history. When Charles was back in port a few days later, he heard the news of Camilla's engagement and was understandably shocked. According to Bedell Smith, "he couldn't understand how 'such a blissful, peaceful, and mutually happy relationship' had ended so abruptly, after such a promising start." If Andrew hadn't been forced to propose, Charles may have married Camilla first - instead of carrying on a disastrous affair with her during his marriage to Diana. Then again, we wouldn't have Prince William and Prince Harry or unimpressed Prince George and adorable Princess Charlotte.
The 21 Traditions to Look Out For at a Royal Wedding
It's no secret that the Royal Family is big on tradition. Some of them go back centuries - the Garter ceremony and celebratory gun salutes - while others are more recent - such as Christmas at Sandringham. However, as times change and things move on, perhaps some of the most personally meaningful traditions adhered to by the family are those associated with royal weddings. Here's what to look out for.
Prince Charles May Never Have Married Diana If This Hadn't Happened
Image Source: Getty / Anwar Hussein
On July 29, 1981, Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in a royal wedding watched by 750 million people. Charles and Diana would go on to have an unhappy marriage filled with scandal, including Charles's widely reported affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. We all know how it ended: Charles and Diana divorced in 1996. Diana died tragically in 1997. And by 2005, Charles and Camilla had made things official and married.
But this whole saga may have been avoided, if it weren't for Camilla's shady father. Almost a decade before his wedding to Diana, Charles had already fallen for Camilla. In the Summer of 1972, the two began spending lots of time together. Camilla's longtime on-again-off-again boyfriend Andrew Parker Bowles was out of the country on army service, and she struck up a romantic relationship with Charles. According to the new biography Prince Charles by bestselling author Sally Bedell Smith, Charles felt at ease around Camilla, and they would spend evenings dancing at London nightclubs or have dinners together at Camilla's flat. That Fall, Camilla would stay with Charles at his uncle's estate so they could have "privacy" - and they became even closer.
Prince Charles and Camilla after a polo match during the Summer of 1972. Image Source: Getty / Hulton Deutsch
At 24, Charles worried he was too young to settle down. And since Camilla didn't at least "appear virginal," he hesitated to propose. At the time, anyone who "had a history" was not considered marriage material for royals. Yet in early January 1973, when Charles set sail for the Caribbean for naval duty, he still had strong feelings for her. Meanwhile, Camilla's former beau Andrew was back in London. That's when Andrew's brother and Camilla's father conspired to make them marry. Here's what Bedell Smith writes:
They intervened by publishing an engagement notice in The Times on March 15. His hand publicly forced, Andrew proposed to his girlfriend of nearly seven years.
By publishing an untruthful engagement notice, Camilla's father may have changed the course of history. When Charles was back in port a few days later, he heard the news of Camilla's engagement and was understandably shocked. According to Bedell Smith, "he couldn't understand how 'such a blissful, peaceful, and mutually happy relationship' had ended so abruptly, after such a promising start." If Andrew hadn't been forced to propose, Charles may have married Camilla first - instead of carrying on a disastrous affair with her during his marriage to Diana. Then again, we wouldn't have Prince William and Prince Harry or unimpressed Prince George and adorable Princess Charlotte.
Amazon, the ACLU, and Others Join Forces to Protest in Favor of Net Neutrality
With the fate of net neutrality in question - thanks to the FCC's efforts to eliminate regulations that protect it - major tech companies are fighting back. A few days before the public comment period closes on the FCC's net neutrality new proposal, companies like Amazon, Etsy, Reddit, and nonprofits like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) plan on protesting the ruling.
The demonstration is being organized by Battle For the Net, a project from three organizations, will take place on July 12, five days before the public comment period closes on July 17. These companies are hoping that by protesting, consumers will learn why net neutrality is so important. Net neutrality guarantees internet service providers (ISPs) can't slow down or block a particular website for any reason. Each website gets the same type of speed and freedom, meaning so do consumers using them. But if the FCC does away with these net neutrality rules, it could mean your ISP can start charging you to use Netflix at a regular speed or block you from viewing Twitter. The possibilities are endless.
In 2014, when the FCC was debating whether to "reclassify" ISPs under the Title II of the Telecommunications Act, websites like Netflix, Easy, and Kickstarter staged a similar protest. Some of these companies installed a widget from Battle For the Net that showed a slow spinning icon, indicating how the internet could like if net neutrality didn't exist.
It's not clear what this year's protest will look like yet, but with some of the biggest corporations and civil rights groups coming together to fight this, prepare to see something noteworthy.
At Bars in DC, News Hounds React to the Comey Hearing With “Awws” and Outrage
By the time Shaw's Tavern opened at 9:30 this morning for its Comey hearing "covfefe" party, more than 200 people were in line for the 148 capacity bar in DC's hip Shaw neighborhood. The line stretched to the end of the block for most of the hearing, full of people with flexible schedules, teleworkers standing with their laptops out, and a few patrons who joked about falling "mysteriously sick."
As the hearing got started, the mostly 20- and 30-somethings still in line checked social media feeds and news outlets and listened to the livestream on their phones, updating the people around them. They leaned into the tavern's few open windows to hear the restaurant's echoing televisions.
They were just some of the millions of Americans who tuned in to catch the former FBI director's testimony on June 8, as bars nationwide opened their doors early to host viewing parties and serve up cheekily named drink specials.
Andrew Rogin, who trekked from the DC suburbs to meet his friend Alison Farmer for the hearing, described it as a community event. He wanted to watch the hearing around like-minded people and come out for "strength in numbers to piss off Trump."
People looked forward to 11:00 a.m., when Shaw's Tavern would be allowed to serve alcohol, including "Comey covfefe" specials made with Stoli Russian vodka flavors. Alison, an executive coach who lives a few blocks from the Tavern, explained the popularity of the event by joking about DC's heavy drinking habit. More seriously, she said, "We're all a little politically nerdy, living so close to it." She added that, since the election, "Anytime there's a chance to stand up and show up, people are."
It's patriotic. If you can't play hooky for this, you're not doing it right.
Matt and Gabrielle, who couldn't use their last names because they took off work to watch the hearing, compared the investigation to Watergate. Gabrielle said: "It's patriotic. If you can't play hooky for this, you're not doing it right. We haven't seen anything like this in our lifetime."
Both admired James Comey. "James Comey's unimpeachable, pardon the pun," Matt said. Gabrielle called Comey, "a smart do-gooder" and said she didn't think Comey was out to get Clinton or Trump. "He's out to protect the nation. That's the job of the FBI: to be nonpolitical."
Samantha Riemer, a 25-year-old consultant from DC, said she wanted to "take in what could be a historical event." She said, "everyone's looking for Comey to roll Trump," but she said she was looking longer term. Even though she didn't think there were any Trump supporters at Shaw's, she said group gatherings like the viewing are important to "spew ideas and exchange different viewpoints and knowledge bases."
Inside Shaw's Tavern, the crowd watched and listened intently and quietly, their overall mood expectant and hopeful. Strangers encouraged each other to order Bloody Marys, despite the early hour. Thirty-four-year-old Radha Pate - an account manager for a technology company - welcomed me to a table of four saying "Come, join our community."
Radha, visiting from Chicago for the weekend, said she joked with a friend that she should go to the hearing, and her friend told her about the "covfefe." She called politics "a passion," saying "it feels amazing to be in DC right now. I'm in the action. Nowhere else in the country would this many people be this interested in this."
Recent college graduates Aviana Vergnetti, Eliza Funk, and Will Deeheeger drove in from Northern Virginia. Eliza said that she would be spending money going out anyway, so she would rather do it while talking politics and supporting a civic-minded local business like Shaw's Tavern. Aviana said the covfefe "sensationalizes the hearing, but that's kind of a good thing." She said the hype engages people who normally wouldn't be, "especially people who weren't here." She said it intrigues people outside DC to want to find out what kind of Senate hearing could make people line up outside a bar on a Thursday morning.
The crowd laughed at references to the President's Twitter habits and at an exchange in which Senator Marco Rubio asked Comey about being "loyally honest" to the president, and Comey clarified that he had agreed to be "honestly loyal."
Senator Martin Heinrich asked Comey about the president's claims that reports of Russia's involvement in the US election are "fake news." When Comey responded with uncharacteristic passion, saying "It's not a close call. That happened. That's about as unfake as you can possibly get," the crowd cheered and applauded. Another roar went up when Comey clarified that, although he'd never had a conversation with Trump about how to prevent Russian interference in US elections, he had "attended a fair number of meetings on that with President Obama."
But the loudest reaction was to Comey's account of the president calling at lunchtime to ask him to dinner that night. Comey said: "I hung up and had to call my wife and break a date with her. I was supposed to take her to dinner that night." The tavern exhaled a collective, "Aww."
10 Signs You Grew Up With a Dominican Grandmother
Take it from my experience, growing up with a Dominican mom is hard, but growing up with a Dominican grandmother, don't even get me started. If like my abuela yours has no filter, will tell it like it is without worrying about hurting your feelings, and is hard on you "because she loves you," then you know exactly what I mean. Although you and I, I'm sure, love our abuelas with every fiber of our beings, we know they are handfuls. Even so, we've picked up some of their behaviors through the years and embrace them proudly. Keep reading for the telltale signs that you grew up with a Dominican abuela.
Fingerprint Wedding Bands Will Give New Meaning to the Phrase "I Do!"
The shift away from traditional wedding practices continues with a new, modernized wedding trend on the rise: fingerprint wedding bands! Reddit user Im_High_Tech recently uploaded a stunning photo of his sentimental wedding band he got customized with his wife's fingerprints engraved on it, writing,
"Several years ago, I saw some guy made a similar design using wood and I thought it would be great to make my wedding band more unique than the stuff you buy at the store. So I got in contact with a company online that designs custom jewelry, and asked them to make it out of white gold with black plating on the ridges."
In total, the customized wedding band cost "just under a $1,000," according to the Reddit author. And now you're probably wondering how he managed to get an exact replica of his wife's fingerprint transferred onto his wedding band. The thoughtful husband said it took a lot more effort than you might expect. "I did have her dip her thumb into ink like 70 times to get the perfect fingerprint. I then had to photoshop the crap out of it because apparent on a microscopic level, a fingerprint is very messy," he wrote.
As for the design of his wife's ring, Im_High_Tech said he opted to keep things "more traditional," surprising his wife with a wedding ring with three diamonds in the middle.
"This will also be my most prized possession," Im_High_Tech shared about his fingerprint wedding band, and we wouldn't agree more. Nothing says "forever" like wearing your spouse's fingerprint on your own finger, right?
At Bars in DC, News Hounds React to the Comey Hearing With “Awws” and Outrage
By the time Shaw's Tavern opened at 9:30 this morning for its Comey hearing "covfefe" party, more than 200 people were in line for the 148 capacity bar in DC's hip Shaw neighborhood. The line stretched to the end of the block for most of the hearing, full of people with flexible schedules, teleworkers standing with their laptops out, and a few patrons who joked about falling "mysteriously sick."
As the hearing got started, the mostly 20- and 30-somethings still in line checked social media feeds and news outlets and listened to the livestream on their phones, updating the people around them. They leaned into the tavern's few open windows to hear the restaurant's echoing televisions.
They were just some of the millions of Americans who tuned in to catch the former FBI director's testimony on June 8, as bars nationwide opened their doors early to host viewing parties and serve up cheekily named drink specials.
Andrew Rogin, who trekked from the DC suburbs to meet his friend Alison Farmer for the hearing, described it as a community event. He wanted to watch the hearing around like-minded people and come out for "strength in numbers to piss off Trump."
People looked forward to 11:00 a.m., when Shaw's Tavern would be allowed to serve alcohol, including "Comey covfefe" specials made with Stoli Russian vodka flavors. Alison, an executive coach who lives a few blocks from the Tavern, explained the popularity of the event by joking about DC's heavy drinking habit. More seriously, she said, "We're all a little politically nerdy, living so close to it." She added that, since the election, "Anytime there's a chance to stand up and show up, people are."
It's patriotic. If you can't play hooky for this, you're not doing it right.
Matt and Gabrielle, who couldn't use their last names because they took off work to watch the hearing, compared the investigation to Watergate. Gabrielle said: "It's patriotic. If you can't play hooky for this, you're not doing it right. We haven't seen anything like this in our lifetime."
Both admired James Comey. "James Comey's unimpeachable, pardon the pun," Matt said. Gabrielle called Comey, "a smart do-gooder" and said she didn't think Comey was out to get Clinton or Trump. "He's out to protect the nation. That's the job of the FBI: to be nonpolitical."
Samantha Riemer, a 25-year-old consultant from DC, said she wanted to "take in what could be a historical event." She said, "everyone's looking for Comey to roll Trump," but she said she was looking longer term. Even though she didn't think there were any Trump supporters at Shaw's, she said group gatherings like the viewing are important to "spew ideas and exchange different viewpoints and knowledge bases."
Inside Shaw's Tavern, the crowd watched and listened intently and quietly, their overall mood expectant and hopeful. Strangers encouraged each other to order Bloody Marys, despite the early hour. Thirty-four-year-old Radha Pate - an account manager for a technology company - welcomed me to a table of four saying "Come, join our community."
Radha, visiting from Chicago for the weekend, said she joked with a friend that she should go to the hearing, and her friend told her about the "covfefe." She called politics "a passion," saying "it feels amazing to be in DC right now. I'm in the action. Nowhere else in the country would this many people be this interested in this."
Recent college graduates Aviana Vergnetti, Eliza Funk, and Will Deeheeger drove in from Northern Virginia. Eliza said that she would be spending money going out anyway, so she would rather do it while talking politics and supporting a civic-minded local business like Shaw's Tavern. Aviana said the covfefe "sensationalizes the hearing, but that's kind of a good thing." She said the hype engages people who normally wouldn't be, "especially people who weren't here." She said it intrigues people outside DC to want to find out what kind of Senate hearing could make people line up outside a bar on a Thursday morning.
The crowd laughed at references to the President's Twitter habits and at an exchange in which Senator Marco Rubio asked Comey about being "loyally honest" to the president, and Comey clarified that he had agreed to be "honestly loyal."
Senator Martin Heinrich asked Comey about the president's claims that reports of Russia's involvement in the US election are "fake news." When Comey responded with uncharacteristic passion, saying "It's not a close call. That happened. That's about as unfake as you can possibly get," the crowd cheered and applauded. Another roar went up when Comey clarified that, although he'd never had a conversation with Trump about how to prevent Russian interference in US elections, he had "attended a fair number of meetings on that with President Obama."
But the loudest reaction was to Comey's account of the president calling at lunchtime to ask him to dinner that night. Comey said: "I hung up and had to call my wife and break a date with her. I was supposed to take her to dinner that night." The tavern exhaled a collective, "Aww."
These 4 Insane Makeovers Prove Your Brows Can Transform Your Face
We've heard about the importance of well-groomed brows for years, but we've never been as convinced as we are after seeing these insane brow makeovers from Benefit. The beauty brand teamed up with Ouai to show us how to rock four very different brows and hairstyles this Summer, and the results have persuaded us to switch up our look.
Benefit Global Brow Expert Jared Bailey and Ouai founder Jen Atkin show us step by step how to get these different styles, so you can mix and match to create your own custom look.
The best part is that the brands have collaborated to bring us an awesome deal that will get us Instagram-worthy brows and hair. When you spend $50 on either Ouai's or Benefit's websites, you'll receive a gift of travel-size versions of Benefit Gimme Brow ($12) and Ouai Rose Hair & Body Oil ($32 for full size).
Read on to find out how to achieve these brow styles, or head on over to a Benefit Brow Bar to have an expert style them for you.
12 Times Lea Michele Ditched Her Clothes For the Camera
Lea Michele has no problem flaunting her figure for the camera. The actress is well-known for playing the conservative Rachel Berry on Glee, but since the series wrapped in 2015, she has been amping up the sex appeal with her NSFW photos. Aside from posing nude and revealing her tiny "Finn" butt tattoo - in tribute to her late boyfriend Cory Monteith's Glee character, Finn Hudson - for Women's Health UK, she is constantly shedding her clothes on Instagram. Whether she's lounging in bed or basking in the sun, Lea loves to show off every inch of her body. Keep reading to see some of her most scandalous snaps yet.
These 4 Insane Makeovers Prove Your Brows Can Transform Your Face
We've heard about the importance of well-groomed brows for years, but we've never been as convinced as we are after seeing these insane brow makeovers from Benefit. The beauty brand teamed up with Ouai to show us how to rock four very different brows and hairstyles this Summer, and the results have persuaded us to switch up our look.
Benefit Global Brow Expert Jared Bailey and Ouai founder Jen Atkin show us step by step how to get these different styles, so you can mix and match to create your own custom look.
The best part is that the brands have collaborated to bring us an awesome deal that will get us Instagram-worthy brows and hair. When you spend $50 on either Ouai's or Benefit's websites, you'll receive a gift of travel-size versions of Benefit Gimme Brow ($12) and Ouai Rose Hair & Body Oil ($32 for full size).
Read on to find out how to achieve these brow styles, or head on over to a Benefit Brow Bar to have an expert style them for you.
10 Signs You Grew Up With a Dominican Grandmother
Take it from my experience, growing up with a Dominican mom is hard, but growing up with a Dominican grandmother, don't even get me started. If like my abuela yours has no filter, will tell it like it is without worrying about hurting your feelings, and is hard on you "because she loves you," then you know exactly what I mean. Although you and I, I'm sure, love our abuelas with every fiber of our beings, we know they are handfuls. Even so, we've picked up some of their behaviors through the years and embrace them proudly. Keep reading for the telltale signs that you grew up with a Dominican abuela.
What You Need to Know Before Quitting the Pill
Between reports of health complications and more women thinking about IUDs, you might be considering a break from birth control pills. If you're concerned about what this change will do to your body, here's some information and advice from a board-certified physician who practices in southern California.
Dear Doctor,
I have been taking birth control pills for 10 years and things have shifted in my personal life and I no longer need to worry about getting pregnant. I want to go off this pill but am worried what will happen to my body and my cycle. Can you tell me what I should expect when I stop taking the pill? Will I gain weight? Will I break out? Will my period be just awful? Also, how long will it take for my hormone levels to return to normal?
- No More Pill For Me
Let me take off my lady doctor cap for a moment and share with all of you that I went through this very same issue last year. After years on the pill, I stopped taking it and will give both some professional and personal advice on this matter with you.
To begin, the birth control pill works by preventing ovulation. Once you stop taking the pill, the hormones are out of your body quickly, usually within a couple of days (this is why women who miss a couple days of pills on birth control have a chance of ovulating and getting pregnant!). Another important point to make is that it does not matter how long you were on the pill, from 10 weeks to 10 months to more than 15 years, your body will still be rid of the hormones within a couple of days!
Once the hormones are out of your system, your body will begin to start producing hormones to initiate menstrual cycles. Some women will begin to ovulate in a couple of weeks, whereas it may take several months for other women to begin to ovulate. Generally speaking, your body should be back to "normal menstruation mode" within two to three months after stopping the pill. It is important to emphasize that if you had problems with ovulation prior to starting the pill, you may continue to have irregular ovulation/periods after stopping the pill. Most women with normal ovulation/periods prior to starting the pill will continue to have normal ovulation/periods after stopping the pill. But some women who had regular periods prior to starting the pill may have irregular ovulation after stopping the pill. The key point here is that everyone's experience with ovulation/periods after stopping the pill is different!
There is a condition called post-pill amenorrhea (or lack of menstruation) that can occur after stopping the birth control pill. According to the Mayo Clinic, the reason for lack of menstruation in these women is that the body is just taking longer to produce the hormones necessary for ovulation and menstruation. If you still haven't had a period after three months, they recommend taking a pregnancy test. It would be prudent to also schedule an appointment with either your primary care physician or gynecologist for evaluation. Some women never get a period after they stop taking the pill because they ovulate and conceive right away after the discontinuation. If you do not want to become pregnant, use another form of contraception such as condoms or a diaphragm.
Many women take certain birth control pills to regulate their acne. Once you stop using birth control, you may notice an increase in acne on your face or on other parts of your body. When your body's hormone levels regulate again, the acne can subside in some cases. As far as weight fluctuation is concerned, it has been shown that birth control pills that are higher in estrogen may cause weight gain and water retention. Therefore, your body may adjust after stopping the pill and some weight loss may occur due to a decrease in water retention. Again, each woman's experience may be different. Case in point, I did gain some weight after I stopped the pill, but it may have been because of other factors due to the stress of trying to conceive, which is why I stopped taking the pill. Many birth control pills are designed especially to help treat exaggerated premenstrual syndromes or, in certain women, premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Thus, some women will notice increased breast tenderness and other premenstrual symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and fluctuating emotions.
I'll finish by telling you more about my experience with stopping birth control. I had regular menstrual cycles before I started the pill, but this was not the case after I stopped the pill. It took approximately two months to get my first period off the pill, and they were very irregular after that (ranging from five weeks to 12 weeks between periods). After seeking consultation with my gynecologist after one year of irregular cycles, I was diagnosed with oligo-ovulation, which basically means I ovulate very infrequently. They could not find any medical cause for this problem after an extensive workup. At first, I felt like something was wrong with me or that I had done something in my lifetime to cause this. But I now realize I am not alone and that there are many women out there going through the same problems I am going through! Hopefully, if any of my readers are going through the same problem as me, they can feel better knowing that there are many women out there (including myself) that are going through it as well!
DrSugar posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.
How to Move Beyond Your Administrative Assistant Role
There's a reason why the adage "you have to start somewhere" has stuck around. Perhaps it's only mildly comforting to hear when you're in a job-hating state of mind, but the truth is most people have had to work their way into their successful careers. A common role for recent graduates is that of administrative assistant, a position with a job description that usually doesn't do it justice. This jack-of-all-trades job has more of a career growth track than it did five years ago, according to a survey of executives, and several experts shared information with The New York Times on how to make the most of an administrative position.
- What career paths are open if you join a company as an administrative assistant? The most common opportunities for advancement are in marketing, human resources, operations and facilities management.
- One key to advancement is showing that you can handle more challenging responsibilities. How can you do that? Begin by thinking about what areas of the company you're interested in and figure out how you'll add more responsibilities to your current duties. Volunteer to help with projects that are related to your areas of interest but add these activities in slowly so you don't spread yourself thin.
- You don't want to appear uninterested in your job as soon as you are hired, so how long should you wait to start looking for additional responsibilities? Excel in your administrative assistant position for six months to a year so your boss sees that you are invested in your job.
- How can you convince your boss to support you in your efforts to move up in the organization? And if you can't get that support, how can you make sure that others know what you've accomplished? Make it clear to your boss that you are serious about making a career in the industry and be prepared with examples of how you can make yourself more valuable to the company. Keep a record of everything you've accomplished in case your boss isn't willing to help you move up the ladder.
I Tried the Viral Farsáli Unicorn Essence, and I'm Never Looking Back
Scroll through your Insta feed and you're bound to come across a beauty guru wielding the dropper tool of Farsáli's cult-status, much-hyped-about Unicorn Essence ($54), formerly known as Unicorn Tears. The moisturizer-meets-makeup primer is typically applied under the eyes in a sweeping motion to create the effect of shimmering pink tears, and beauty queens swear that it creates a flawless, unparalleled finish.
Intrigued, I had to try it out myself. First, though, a quick bit of history on the brand. Farsáli was launched in 2014 by a man named Sal Ali. His mission was to create products for his wife, Farah, who felt like something was missing in her beauty and skincare regimen.
If you noticed that the name Farsáli is a fusion of the couple's names, you get a gold star. And also, can we take a second to double high-five this proactive, take-charge man?
Anyway, after working with a group of cosmetic scientists, Farsáli's Volcanic Elixir ($37), a luxe nighttime moisturizer, was bestowed upon the world, followed by its Rose Gold Elixir ($54) – which contains 24-karat gold, by the way. With that, the brand was catapulted to fame.
Next came the product we're talking about today, Unicorn Essence, which launched at Sephora in December 2016 as a special-edition product and sold out immediately. The brand smartly decided to keep it around for good, and the beauty community hasn't quieted its rejoicing yet!
I Tried the Viral Farsáli Unicorn Essence, and I'm Never Looking Back
Scroll through your Insta feed and you're bound to come across a beauty guru wielding the dropper tool of Farsáli's cult-status, much-hyped-about Unicorn Essence ($54), formerly known as Unicorn Tears. The moisturizer-meets-makeup primer is typically applied under the eyes in a sweeping motion to create the effect of shimmering pink tears, and beauty queens swear that it creates a flawless, unparalleled finish.
Intrigued, I had to try it out myself. First, though, a quick bit of history on the brand. Farsáli was launched in 2014 by a man named Sal Ali. His mission was to create products for his wife, Farah, who felt like something was missing in her beauty and skincare regimen.
If you noticed that the name Farsáli is a fusion of the couple's names, you get a gold star. And also, can we take a second to double high-five this proactive, take-charge man?
Anyway, after working with a group of cosmetic scientists, Farsáli's Volcanic Elixir ($37), a luxe nighttime moisturizer, was bestowed upon the world, followed by its Rose Gold Elixir ($54) – which contains 24-karat gold, by the way. With that, the brand was catapulted to fame.
Next came the product we're talking about today, Unicorn Essence, which launched at Sephora in December 2016 as a special-edition product and sold out immediately. The brand smartly decided to keep it around for good, and the beauty community hasn't quieted its rejoicing yet!
What You Need to Know Before Quitting the Pill
Between reports of health complications and more women thinking about IUDs, you might be considering a break from birth control pills. If you're concerned about what this change will do to your body, here's some information and advice from a board-certified physician who practices in southern California.
Dear Doctor,
I have been taking birth control pills for 10 years and things have shifted in my personal life and I no longer need to worry about getting pregnant. I want to go off this pill but am worried what will happen to my body and my cycle. Can you tell me what I should expect when I stop taking the pill? Will I gain weight? Will I break out? Will my period be just awful? Also, how long will it take for my hormone levels to return to normal?
- No More Pill For Me
Let me take off my lady doctor cap for a moment and share with all of you that I went through this very same issue last year. After years on the pill, I stopped taking it and will give both some professional and personal advice on this matter with you.
To begin, the birth control pill works by preventing ovulation. Once you stop taking the pill, the hormones are out of your body quickly, usually within a couple of days (this is why women who miss a couple days of pills on birth control have a chance of ovulating and getting pregnant!). Another important point to make is that it does not matter how long you were on the pill, from 10 weeks to 10 months to more than 15 years, your body will still be rid of the hormones within a couple of days!
Once the hormones are out of your system, your body will begin to start producing hormones to initiate menstrual cycles. Some women will begin to ovulate in a couple of weeks, whereas it may take several months for other women to begin to ovulate. Generally speaking, your body should be back to "normal menstruation mode" within two to three months after stopping the pill. It is important to emphasize that if you had problems with ovulation prior to starting the pill, you may continue to have irregular ovulation/periods after stopping the pill. Most women with normal ovulation/periods prior to starting the pill will continue to have normal ovulation/periods after stopping the pill. But some women who had regular periods prior to starting the pill may have irregular ovulation after stopping the pill. The key point here is that everyone's experience with ovulation/periods after stopping the pill is different!
There is a condition called post-pill amenorrhea (or lack of menstruation) that can occur after stopping the birth control pill. According to the Mayo Clinic, the reason for lack of menstruation in these women is that the body is just taking longer to produce the hormones necessary for ovulation and menstruation. If you still haven't had a period after three months, they recommend taking a pregnancy test. It would be prudent to also schedule an appointment with either your primary care physician or gynecologist for evaluation. Some women never get a period after they stop taking the pill because they ovulate and conceive right away after the discontinuation. If you do not want to become pregnant, use another form of contraception such as condoms or a diaphragm.
Many women take certain birth control pills to regulate their acne. Once you stop using birth control, you may notice an increase in acne on your face or on other parts of your body. When your body's hormone levels regulate again, the acne can subside in some cases. As far as weight fluctuation is concerned, it has been shown that birth control pills that are higher in estrogen may cause weight gain and water retention. Therefore, your body may adjust after stopping the pill and some weight loss may occur due to a decrease in water retention. Again, each woman's experience may be different. Case in point, I did gain some weight after I stopped the pill, but it may have been because of other factors due to the stress of trying to conceive, which is why I stopped taking the pill. Many birth control pills are designed especially to help treat exaggerated premenstrual syndromes or, in certain women, premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Thus, some women will notice increased breast tenderness and other premenstrual symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and fluctuating emotions.
I'll finish by telling you more about my experience with stopping birth control. I had regular menstrual cycles before I started the pill, but this was not the case after I stopped the pill. It took approximately two months to get my first period off the pill, and they were very irregular after that (ranging from five weeks to 12 weeks between periods). After seeking consultation with my gynecologist after one year of irregular cycles, I was diagnosed with oligo-ovulation, which basically means I ovulate very infrequently. They could not find any medical cause for this problem after an extensive workup. At first, I felt like something was wrong with me or that I had done something in my lifetime to cause this. But I now realize I am not alone and that there are many women out there going through the same problems I am going through! Hopefully, if any of my readers are going through the same problem as me, they can feel better knowing that there are many women out there (including myself) that are going through it as well!
DrSugar posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.
Camila Cabello Almost Sang on The Chainsmokers' Hit Song "Closer" - Listen Here!
Camila Cabello recently sat down with Elvis Duran for an interview where she revealed her dream collaboration (Ed Sheeran and Alejandro Sanz), her hopes of finding "a Spanish boyfriend," and, oh yeah, that she was almost featured on The Chainsmokers' hit song "Closer." Camila told Elvis that she recorded a demo with the group, but the timing was off while she was still with Fifth Harmony.
"I loved the song," she said on the Elvis Duran Show. "But I had to turn it down because I was with the group at the time, and we were about to put an album out. I always tried to do my solo stuff off cycle, so that was super on, and so I had to say no, and then that was the number one song in the world."
While Halsey was featured on the official song with The Chainsmokers, it's so awesome to hear what the song would've sounded like with Camila. Watch the clip above to hear her version of "Closer."
Ellen Pompeo's Sweet Family Photos Will Make You Feel Anything but Grey
When she's not running Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital on ABC's hit medical drama Grey's Anatomy, Ellen Pompeo (who plays Meredith Grey) is a full-time mom. The actress and her husband Chris Ivery, whom she married in 2007, are loving parents to three adorable children; daughters Stella, who was born in 2009; and Sienna, who arrived via surrogate in 2014; and their 5-month-old son, Eli Christopher. Over the years, Ellen has given us tiny glimpses of her adorable family by posting pictures (and a few sweet videos) on social media. See some of her best mom moments here.
Ellen Pompeo's Sweet Family Photos Will Make You Feel Anything but Grey
When she's not running Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital on ABC's hit medical drama Grey's Anatomy, Ellen Pompeo (who plays Meredith Grey) is a full-time mom. The actress and her husband Chris Ivery, whom she married in 2007, are loving parents to three adorable children; daughters Stella, who was born in 2009; and Sienna, who arrived via surrogate in 2014; and their 5-month-old son, Eli Christopher. Over the years, Ellen has given us tiny glimpses of her adorable family by posting pictures (and a few sweet videos) on social media. See some of her best mom moments here.
Camila Cabello Almost Sang on The Chainsmokers' Hit Song "Closer" - Listen Here!
Camila Cabello recently sat down with Elvis Duran for an interview where she revealed her dream collaboration (Ed Sheeran and Alejandro Sanz), her hopes of finding "a Spanish boyfriend," and, oh yeah, that she was almost featured on The Chainsmokers' hit song "Closer." Camila told Elvis that she recorded a demo with the group, but the timing was off while she was still with Fifth Harmony.
"I loved the song," she said on the Elvis Duran Show. "But I had to turn it down because I was with the group at the time, and we were about to put an album out. I always tried to do my solo stuff off cycle, so that was super on, and so I had to say no, and then that was the number one song in the world."
While Halsey was featured on the official song with The Chainsmokers, it's so awesome to hear what the song would've sounded like with Camila. Watch the clip above to hear her version of "Closer."
You Want to Run Faster? Here's How You Need to Train
When you first start running, it's important to think of yourself as a tortoise and not a hare, slowly easing yourself into running two to three miles a day, three to five days a week for about two months at a comfortable pace. This way, you can cover a lot of ground yet still build endurance while minimizing injuries. No one wants to get hurt while trying to do something good for themselves - right?
Once you've found your pace, you'll notice that you feel stronger and in better shape. But, to avoid hitting a plateau where you stop progressing, it's a good idea to move out of your now-comfortable cruising pace and push yourself to run faster by doing tempo runs. This type of speedwork challenges you to run beyond of your normal pace for a steady period of time (rather than in short bursts like interval training). To start training with tempo runs, we suggest 10-minute tempo runs for beginners, 20 minutes for intermediate runners, and 40 minutes for advanced athletes. Pushing your pace with a tempo runs makes you run faster but at a speed that you can handle for an extended period of time.
When you do your first tempo run, find that comfortable yet hard pace that will force you to challenge yourself while listening to your body. Experiment until you find a pace you can sustain without beginning to struggle. Help figure the pace out by giving yourself a talk test - asking a question like "Pace OK?" should be possible, but a conversation shouldn't be. You should aim to do a tempo run every seven to 10 days, but as you progress, keep this simple formula and add a couple minutes to the tempo run portion of your workout.
Motivating yourself to get past your comfortable running pace is important, but it's also important to make sure you aren't hurting yourself in the process. Feeling faint, lightheaded, nauseous, or shortness of breath are just a few of the symptoms that could indicate something serious, so it's important to stop running if you experience any of these.
You Want to Run Faster? Here's How You Need to Train
When you first start running, it's important to think of yourself as a tortoise and not a hare, slowly easing yourself into running two to three miles a day, three to five days a week for about two months at a comfortable pace. This way, you can cover a lot of ground yet still build endurance while minimizing injuries. No one wants to get hurt while trying to do something good for themselves - right?
Once you've found your pace, you'll notice that you feel stronger and in better shape. But, to avoid hitting a plateau where you stop progressing, it's a good idea to move out of your now-comfortable cruising pace and push yourself to run faster by doing tempo runs. This type of speedwork challenges you to run beyond of your normal pace for a steady period of time (rather than in short bursts like interval training). To start training with tempo runs, we suggest 10-minute tempo runs for beginners, 20 minutes for intermediate runners, and 40 minutes for advanced athletes. Pushing your pace with a tempo runs makes you run faster but at a speed that you can handle for an extended period of time.
When you do your first tempo run, find that comfortable yet hard pace that will force you to challenge yourself while listening to your body. Experiment until you find a pace you can sustain without beginning to struggle. Help figure the pace out by giving yourself a talk test - asking a question like "Pace OK?" should be possible, but a conversation shouldn't be. You should aim to do a tempo run every seven to 10 days, but as you progress, keep this simple formula and add a couple minutes to the tempo run portion of your workout.
Motivating yourself to get past your comfortable running pace is important, but it's also important to make sure you aren't hurting yourself in the process. Feeling faint, lightheaded, nauseous, or shortness of breath are just a few of the symptoms that could indicate something serious, so it's important to stop running if you experience any of these.
5 Things to Know About James Comey's Wife, Patrice Failor
James Comey got one of the only chuckles during his otherwise fairly tense Senate testimony on June 8 when he publicly regretted canceling plans with his wife to have his now-infamously awkward dinner with Donald Trump. (You know, the one where Trump reportedly - and repeatedly - demanded Comey's "loyalty.")
James Comey says he had to "break a date" with his wife when Pres. Trump invited him to the White House for dinner https://t.co/oWfQ0jkiXG
- CNN (@CNN) June 8, 2017
Almost immediately after the shout-out, the internet wanted to know who, exactly, Comey is married to. Her name is Patrice Failor - and she's pictured to the right of Comey in the photo below, which was taken during his swearing-in as FBI director back in 2013. Read on to learn more about Comey's wife of 30 years:
1. She says she met Comey at a "daiquiri party" in college - he disputes this
In a 2014 interview with Flat Hat News, the student newspaper of the College of William and Mary - where Failor and Comey first met - Comey disputed his wife's story about how they first crossed paths. Comey said he doesn't "recall meeting her" at that particular event. He did remember that she nominated him to run for president of their dorm council, soon after which they were introduced by a friend. "She let me talk about myself for three hours," Comey remembered. "Naturally, I walked away deeply in love with her, because she let me talk about myself, a habit which she has since fixed." No word as to whether Failor confirms or denies the fact that this habit has, in fact, been nipped in the bud.
2. She has her own impressive professional credentials
Failor has a master's degree in counseling and has worked as a court-appointed special advocate in juvenile court. In 2016, Comey attended to watch her testify in front of the Connecticut Judiciary Committee about the need for greater support for neglected children. Failor and Comey have also been foster parents to several children over the years.
3. She once wrote a heartfelt op-ed about the death of their son
In 1995, Failor wrote a very personal essay, published in The Baltimore Sun, about the loss of her infant son Collin. The baby died at just 9 days old of a bacterial Group B Strep infection. She penned the article, she said, to help inform other parents of the risk. "I do not want to frighten anyone with my story," Failor wrote. "But I cannot allow the death of my beautiful boy to become just one in a long line of GBS tragedies." Failor and Comey are parents to five other children
4. She's apparently a fan of LGBTQ stories and Broadway . . .
Shortly after Comey was fired by President Trump, he and Failor attended a matinee of Fun Home, an acclaimed Broadway show about a woman scrutinizing her identity as a lesbian and her own father's life as a closeted gay man. A producer on the show later told The New York Times that both Comey and Failor were so moved by the play, they were wiping away tears as they headed backstage to greet the cast.
Today James Comey and his wife Patrice joined us at #FunHome in Washington, D.C. http://pic.twitter.com/W5HLrgKaPi
- Fun Home (@funhomemusical) May 13, 2017
5. But she didn't "dig" living in NYC
In a 2003 profile in New York Magazine, Comey said his wife encouraged their move to Virginia in the early '90s. "My wife wasn't digging New York," he said. "We wanted to live in a place where we'd both be happier raising our kids. She knew northern Virginia, because she'd grown up there and in Iowa, but we liked Richmond as a place to live."
Dad-to-Be Ian Somerhalder Is Adorably Attentive to Pregnant Wife Nikki Reed
Have we mentioned lately how adorable Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed are together? The couple, who are currently expecting their first child together, enjoyed a sweet day date on Tuesday as they grabbed a bite to eat at Gjelina in Venice, CA. While Nikki showed off her growing baby bump in a blue jumper, Ian wore a casual gray shirt and jeans as he carried her purse around town. And the cuteness didn't stop there. Like a true gentleman, the Vampire Diaries star helped his wife cross the street by lending his arm and cuddling up to her as they waited for traffic. His beloved character, Damon Salvatore, may be dead, but Ian proves time and time again that chivalry isn't. If you need us, we'll just be flipping through these photos and swooning over Ian and Nikki's sweet, sweet love.
Openly, Honestly, Publicly: How We Live Our Lives With Pride
Matt Dallas: When it comes to my upbringing, I have a very large family. We're kind of a very motley crew as it is, and I was very fortunate that I was just . . . comfortable. I was raised to be very much who I was. I always found myself off with my female cousins, whether that meant dressing up, having dance parties, or whatever. That was the world that I immersed myself into, and I think I was lucky that I didn't have a father who was trying to pull me out of it.
The Summer before my freshman year of high school, I made two guy friends. They were gay, and I basically just spent that Summer hanging out with them, and that was when I realized like, "Oh, gay is a thing. That's what's happening here." That's when I knew I was different, and as I entered into high school, it all started really clicking and making a lot more sense.
Blue Hamilton: As for me, I grew up in a very small town called Florissant in Colorado. I think, even today, the town has like 100 people in it. It's a very small community up in the Rockies, and so there was no LGBTQ community to speak of. I literally only remember one woman there that we suspected was a lesbian. I didn't have the resources. The internet wasn't there.
Yeah, but you know what's really interesting? I've been a huge Madonna fan my whole life, because my sisters were into her and, you know, it was the '80s. She was a huge influence on my life, because I was a big fan. And I mean, look at who her audience is.
It's just funny to me that I had the power of an artist with a voice - and the impact that she made in my life - when I didn't have anybody else. To bring it back to what Matt and I do as far as being out there and being visible, that's another reason I feel like it's really important. Even though the internet's out there and the world is a great big open oyster now, there are kids in towns who don't have those people around them. So at least they have these resources to go out and look at.
MD: In terms of Pride, I've been to two, and they were both in San Diego. I have to be really honest, I was really turned off by LGBTQ Pride, even in my early 20s. It just didn't feel like it necessarily represented me. Don't get me wrong, it was cool to see everybody coming together. I remember I saw Cyndi Lauper, and to have someone who's that famous that's there and supporting us was very meaningful to me. But as I got older, I just started to feel conflicted.
I celebrate my pride in a different way. Pride is something that we live every day.BH: I've been to a couple, and I have to echo you. I think that the Pride festivities that I've been to do represent a specific portion of the community, but they didn't necessarily represent me. I went in LA, and it was years ago. It was fun, and I didn't really see anything that I was appalled by, but I didn't feel like I fit in. What I took out of it was that pride, for me, was not going to a parade. I celebrate my pride in a different way. Pride is something that we live every day and I don't need to go to a parade. That's how I felt at the time. To me it means to just being true to who you are and living by example.
MD: Of course, I want to say that I don't mean to pass any sort of judgment on somebody who enjoys Pride. You should be who you are and do what makes you happy, but that just wasn't me. I obviously feel the same way as Blue: my pride is about living openly and honestly and publicly and living by example.
That being said, I do think there's something very powerful in like a giant mass of people coming together, like the Women's March. That sent a huge message, and I think that that's very impactful. So, I think a Pride parade sends a very loud, important message, and it's a very powerful tool. But I also think it's time that we reconsider what that looks like in the context of Pride.
I think a Pride Parade sends a very loud, important message.I will say I regret that I wasn't able to be at a Pride after the Pulse nightclub shooting. I wanted to be able to be a part of that. To come out and show the support and say, like, "We, as a community, are coming together to say that we will not stand for this."
Like I said, though, my pride is in my life. I felt the best when I came out publicly. I had spent so many years so afraid of coming out. It had been about 10 years that I spent really conflicted about who I was and being open and honest publicly. When I did come out, I remember sending the tweet and then just like refreshing. Like, "Oh, there's no taking it back now." Even though there was like fear and nervousness in the moment, there was a huge release, and I felt very proud of myself that I was able to fight back and take a stance for who I was. It really was a moment of "Wow, I did something really cool and I'm really proud of myself." It felt special to get to be a part of something, to stand up for something that I had been so afraid of, that I had been hiding for so many years.
BH: I mean, there's nothing that necessarily comes to mind for me, nothing that big. But there's one huge memory that sticks out for me. We were at Disneyland last year waiting in line. A 13-year-old kid came up to us with his mom, and they basically told us that this kid came out and feels comfortable because of watching us on YouTube.
MD: And it was the mother's reaction!
BH: I mean, yeah, but I guess it was more the kid for me. But the mom was very emotional and, like, teary-eyed and was just super appreciative and nice. It was her story, I guess, but it was about the kid.
MD: For me what I thought was cool was that the mom was saying that, as supportive as she was of her son, she was just always so fearful for what his life might look like, and she just was afraid that he wouldn't be able to find happiness, but when he made her sit down and watch our videos, she was like, "Oh, my son will be able to have this life and will be able to have the life I always dreamed he would have." And she felt like she didn't have to be afraid anymore.
As much as I've shared to the contrary, I am excited for Pride this year. I feel more open and honest with who I am than I ever have been in my life, and I feel like we are at such a crossroads in our society. I mean, we've had so many breakthroughs. You see this real shift in society, so it is exciting to see where the next Pride Months over the next few years are going to take us. I think it's an exhilarating time because it can go any direction, and I think there are now so many voices that it can be something really interesting and special.
BH: I'm actually excited for it. I feel I'm more aware of it than I've been in the past, and I feel we're able to make an influence and be a part of it on a different level than before. It's time to get started.
As told to Ryan Roschke
4 Places Men Shouldn't Touch During Sex (Unless She Tells You To)
A woman's body is a wonderland - one that should be explored when and how she wants you to. Dr. Fran Walfish, a Beverly Hills family and relationship psychotherapist, author of The Self-Aware Parent, and costar on We TV's Sex Box, tells us the four places men should avoid unless women give them explicit permission to explore.
Great sex is all about spontaneity and exploration - assuming, of course, you have her consent - but there are a few parts of her body you shouldn't touch willy-nilly. Here are four such spots you're better off avoiding (unless you've agreed to go there with her):
1. Her cervix.
If you reach her cervix during sex, recognize that something is wrong. Remember, this is the narrow canal that connects the vagina to the uterus - where babies grow. That isn't a place you want to go, so don't knock on the door. For starters, it's painful for her to have something rammed against her cervix, and it could be a sign that you need to shift for a position with shallower penetration. But it could also mean that she isn't warmed up enough. Her uterus will actually "lift" upward when she's sexually aroused, making her vaginal cavity a few inches deeper than when she isn't turned on. So don't skimp on foreplay, and don't service her cervix.
2. The head of her clitoris.
This might seem counterintuitive, but the clitoris - which is full of supersensitive nerve endings - can sometimes feel too intense when it's stimulated directly. Touching the clitoris head-on, especially if she's really aroused, can feel too severe. Think about that feeling when you gulp an ice-cold beverage and your teeth start to tingle - it's just not pleasant. Instead, try going for the shaft of her clitoris or rubbing circles around it, which will engage the nerve endings without overstimulating her. We won't tell you to never touch her there, but it's worth checking in with your partner to see if she has a sensitive C-spot.
3. Her feet.
Especially if she's sporting socks. A study from Johns Hopkins University showed that wearing socks in the sack can increase orgasm potential, for both men and women. One potential reason: in order to orgasm, women need to be totally relaxed and anxiety-free, and cold feet can interfere with their ability to really get into sex. Though we usually recommend knocking her socks off, leave them on this time.
4. Her anus.
Unless you're all lubed up, that is. Anal play can take plenty of warming up, but even when she's totally aroused and ready to get it on, nothing should go in there without a generous helping of lubricant. The anal opening is small enough that even a finger can feel uncomfortable. While you've got the KY bottle handy, you should probably go ahead and use it for all other acts. A study from the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that women rate their sexual satisfaction much higher when lube is involved.
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