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 10 août 2017
The Surprising Reason Babies Everywhere Are Sleeping in Cardboard Boxes
It almost seems too simple to work, but for more than 75 years, Finland's government has provided all expectant moms - regardless of their economic status - with a maternity box filled with a selection of clothes, bedding, and products used in the first few months of a baby's life. And the government there says the box is the reason Finland has one of the world's lowest infant mortality rates - 3.4 deaths per 1,000 births - half the rate in the United States.
In addition to baby's layette and some bath products, the box comes with a small mattress that is placed in the bottom of the box to create baby's first bed. To get the box, all expectant parents need to do is attend a a prenatal appointment prior to their fourth month of pregnancy.
Although the box had been around for more than half a century, news of its existence spread a few years ago and a number of copycat boxes began cropping up - some government or charity-issued, and some for sale by entrepreneurial companies.
In South Asia, for example, the Barakat Bundle was created by a Harvard University doctoral student. Karima Ladhani developed the low-cost box to include a clean-birth kit that helps prevent infections during childbirth, a thermal kit, and a mosquito net to ward off malaria. "We wanted to provide low-cost life-saving solutions to new mothers - specifically targeted to causes of preventable infant and maternal mortality," Ladhani told the BBC. The box also includes health and hygiene information, as well as newborn essentials - including a safe place for the baby to sleep. In order to receive the box, mothers must attend a prenatal checkup.
Here in the US, Jennifer Clary and Michelle Vick were taken with the story of the Finnish baby boxes and set out to create a version that American parents could buy for themselves. The result is The Baby Box Company, a for-profit company that sells several different boxes that provide a safe sleeping environment for babies up to 8 months old. Depending on the box you buy, it can be simple with just the box, a mattress, a waterproof cover, and a sheet ($69) to luxurious with onesies, socks, bibs, sleep sacks, organic bath products, and more ($199). The company also works with government agencies and hospitals to distribute their for free.
And lest anyone think the folks in Finland are just watching other countries copy one of their signature products, Anssi Okkonen, Heikki Tiittanen, and Anton Danielsen - three dads who were impressed with the contents of the boxes they received for free from their government - have created the Finnish Baby Box that ships copies of the government-issued boxes to expectant parents around the world for approximately $450.
Read on to see what the boxes look like around the world.
14 Stars Who Have Been In on the Braless Trend For a Long Time
When Kendall Jenner posted on her app about going braless, it caused a case of internet chatter. No one was exactly surprised, since she's been baring hints of her nipple ring through sheer tops for a while, but Kendall isn't the only one.
Stars throughout history have walked the red carpet in glamorous gowns without a bra, some making for buzzy moments (see Gwyneth Paltrow at the Academy Awards in 2002), while others, like Kate Moss and Jennifer Aniston, casually showed off the look on the street in nothing but a fitted tee. One scroll through the undeniably sexy looks here, and you'll definitely understand the allure, even if you're not ready to ditch your bra just yet.
16 Photos of Riz Ahmed Being the Total Dreamboat He Is
You may know Riz Ahmed as the murder suspect in HBO's The Night Of, Hannah Horvath's baby daddy in Girls, or Bodhi Rook from Rogue One, but the sexy British-Pakistani actor is so much more than that. The star, who is also a rapper that goes by the name Riz MC, has a smoldering smile and chiseled jawline that rivals that of Channing Tatum. If he's not already on your celebrity crush list, these photos below will certainly seal the deal. And if your thirst for his glimmering eyes isn't quite quenched after this, be sure to binge on all of his latest movies (and his catch his appearance in Charli XCX's "Boys" music video) to get your fix.
We Found the 11 Best High-Waisted Jeans So All You Have to Do Is Shop
It's not always easy finding the right jeans for your taste or body type. From skinny cuts to baggy boyfriend fits, there is so much to choose from. No matter the style, high-waisted denim is an option that is comfortable with an added bonus: you don't have to worry about constantly pulling up the waist. The real struggle is shopping for the perfect pair. We searched for the best and most popular brands that everyone is wearing right now, so you don't have to. Check out our top choices, and pick up a pair for yourself.
19 Storage Solutions So Chic You Won’t Believe They’re From Ikea
Ikea has long been who we've thought of for inexpensive storage options for the closet, garage, or attic. But thanks to a recent reinvigoration from designer, style guru, and all-around home/life philosopher Ilse Crawford, Ikea now offers storage solutions so chic you'll be proud to bring them out of the closet.
The best storage options can be repurposed at different points in your life - changing with you as your needs change. So look for items that can do double duty, or items that could work in more than one room: living and bedroom, or bath and kitchen. The 19 Ikea products that follow feature organic materials, simple but elegant design, and an earth-oriented color palette.
25 Minimal Tattoo Ideas That Prove Less Is More
Minimalism isn't just about cleaning out your clutter. You can take a minimalist approach to anything, including your tattoos. (Remember, it was an art movement in '50s before it became a movement to simplify our lives). And if Marie Kondo asks, it just so happens they can spark a lot of joy too!
While most minimalist tattoos tend to be small, they aren't to be confused with tiny tattoos. A minimalist tattoo can be any size you like, as long as it has only the necessary amount of detail to get the design across. Check out these ideas for inspiration.
Prepare to Swoon Over These 13 Throw Pillows From Joanna Gaines's Pier 1 Collection
As if you needed another reason to love Joanna Gaines, the HGTV star has a decor collection at Pier 1 Imports that's to die for. We are loving the Magnolia Home pillows in particular - they come in durable fabrics, yet they're full of character, in rich taupe, rust, navy, and gray shades. We think these pillows will be the ideal addition to sofas and chairs for Fall. Take a glance at our favorite options and buy a few for the season.
72 Beautiful Wedding-Invite Printables to Download For Free!
Think you have a ton to spend on wedding invites? Think again. Wedding costs add up, so we've rounded up some of the best wedding-invitation printables out there, ranging from the artsy to the sweet, that might just change your mind on purchasing invites.
This 10-Minute Workout is Just 2 Moves, but It'll Have You on the Floor
Think you can't get in a good sweat session in just 10 minutes? Try this "up ladder" workout. In CrossFit, an "up ladder" workout means that after completing a round of exercises, the amount of reps increases on each subsequent round. Sounds simple, right? Simple definitely doesn't equal easy!
The below "up ladder" workout alternates between one cardio and one strength training move. That's it. So grab a jump rope and a pair of medium-weight dumbbells, and let's get started. If you don't have a jump rope, just do phantom jumping rope. If you're not a fan of jumping rope, do jumping jacks, high knees, or burpees instead.
Directions:
Alternate between the two exercises below for a total of 10 minutes. After each round, the number of reps of the first move stays the same, but the reps of the second exercise increases by two reps. Try not to take a break in between reps or exercises, unless you really need to. Remember it's just 10 minutes, and then you get to rest!
The Exercises:
- 50 jump ropes (or 50 jumping jacks, 50 high knees, or 10 burpees)
- 2 dumbbell thrusters
The Workout:
The routine will look like this: 50 jump ropes + 2 dumbbell thrusters, 50 jump ropes + 4 dumbbell thrusters, 50 jump ropes + 6 dumbbell thrusters, 50 jump ropes + 8 dumbbell thrusters, etc. Keep increasing until the 10 minutes is up. You can write down the number of reps 2, 4, 6, 8, etc and cross them off to help you keep track.
Keep reading for descriptions of each of the above exercises.
How 1 Mom Turned Leftover Cardboard Boxes Into the Most Incredible Play Kitchen You've Ever Seen
This mom proves that you don't have to go out and buy your little one the latest addition of every toy in order for them to have the coolest play area on the block!
Rodessa Villanueva-Reyes, a mother from the Philippines, gave her Facebook followers DIY envy when she posted before-and-after pictures of her 1-year-old daughter's new play kitchen - constructed by hand from old cardboard boxes.
Since her little girl loves playing in the kitchen, the resourceful and talented mama decided to utilize old boxes that she collected from friends to transform them into a mini gourmet kitchen fit for a chef-in-the-making.
Rodessa and her husband started the project off by setting up boxes to form the kitchen's main shape and then used a permanent marker to mark where they wanted to make cuts for the doors and the oven. She then cut sheets of vinyl stickers to easily cover the cardboard exteriors. To complete the formal feel, she created a custom "Audrey's Café and Restaurant" logo and added kitchen toys they already owned for some extra fun. The final product is not only realistic, it's beyond adorable!
44 Style Secrets From Karl Lagerfeld's Royal Muse, Charlotte Casiraghi
Charlotte Casiraghi of Monaco isn't your average royal. She doesn't make as many appearances as Kate Middleton or Queen Letizia, but when she does step onto the scene, it's usually for a fashion event. That's because 31-year-old Charlotte is muse to none other than Karl Lagerfeld. But she's also good friends with designer Stella McCartney, a journalist in her own right, been published in both Above and AnOther magazine, and a front-row staple at runway shows. Oh, and Charlotte's also covered Vogue Paris.
Her look isn't so streamlined, as she experiments with bold colors, textured gowns, and colorful tweed suits on the regular - and girl makes riding a horse look seriously stylish in her equestrian uniforms, too. But Charlotte's good eye for fashion is actually in her genes - she is granddaughter to the glamorous actress Grace Kelly, after all.
Read on to see Charlotte's best style moments to date, plenty of which contributed to her spot on Vanity Fair's best dressed list, and watch as she quickly soars to the top of your list of icons. At least the Kaiser would approve.
13 Ingenious Ways to Use WD-40 Around the House
If you don't already have a can of WD-40 around the house, you'll soon want to! This wonder product was developed in San Diego, CA, in 1953 and started being sold for residential use in 1958. Originally developed as an antirust protector, it soon became a household staple.
It seems that the longer WD-40 has been around, the more uses people find for it. While it's still great at preventing rust, its cleaning and lubricating applications are seemingly endless! Check out some of our favorite ways to use WD-40 around the house.
Turn Your Tiny Bathroom Into an Organized Oasis
There's nothing worse than having one of those pedestal sinks that has no counter space - it can really make your morning routine a challenge. Aside from tiny countertops, sometimes having a smaller-sized bathroom makes it hard to keep all your products in place and looking neat. Luckily, there are so many cool hacks and storage items to make life easier. The Urban Outfitters home department always has the newest and cutest products, especially when it comes to its bathroom accessories. Check out some of our top picks that will make you fall in love with your space again.
The 7 Major Companies That Produce All Your Favorite Beauty Brands
We spend so much time agonizing over different brands and products in search of ones that perfectly fit our individual lifestyles, personalities, and beauty needs. So it might come as a surprise to find out that so many popular labels are owned by just a handful of companies.
From L'Oréal (mother of Kiehl's, Essie, and Urban Decay) to Proctor & Gamble (behind Aussie, Herbal Essences, and Secret), read on for seven megabrands that are dominating the beauty industry, along with the many brands that fall underneath them. MAC, Becca, and Too Faced might have more in common than you think.
11 New Slang Terms to Memorize If You Want to Stay Cool
Tumblr, YouTube, and Twitter have been leading the slang game recently. "Snatched" is officially the new "fleek," "sis" is the new "bro," and adding "boots" to the end of any adjective is totally a thing. Read on to learn all the new slang words the cool kids on the Internet are using.
The 13 Moms You Meet at the Grocery Store
For some, there is no greater joy than wandering up and down the aisles of their local grocery store. But add a child to that picture and it's an entirely different experience. While it's highly unlikely that you'll run into the future Queen of England at your local supermarket (but hey, you never know!), there are some other personalities you're sure to see. From the mom who's oblivious to what her tot is throwing into the cart to the one who is just there for the samples, read on to see the moms you're likely to find at your local store, Target, and even Costco.
Yes, You Should Be Lifting Weights - but Cardio Is Still Important
There are so many strong, powerful reasons for women to lift weights aside from just becoming strong and powerful. Weightlifting is a fantastic way to boost your metabolism, get lean, build a booty, and change your body. We love seeing the shift in mindset as more and more women are adopting weightlifting as part of their routine, but we can't totally abandon cardio! The two go hand-in-hand.
"At the end of the day, fitness is about total-body conditioning," said trainer and injury-prevention expert Liz Letchford, MS, ATC, PhD candidate. "You work so hard to make your skeletal muscles strong, so you should also care about making your heart and lungs strong."
We sometimes forget that cardio is short for cardiovascular, meaning you're strengthening your heart. "An efficient cardiovascular system helps to make all of the activities you love feel easier," said Liz. "Hiking, biking, weightlifting . . . even sex!"
And let's not forget the other health benefits of cardio - you'll reduce your risk of disease (including diabetes and cancer), improve your cholesterol, and live longer. You can also fight depression with a regular cardio sesh.
So, yes, grab those heavy weights, squat those barbells, and swing those kettlebells. But don't forget about your cardio routine, even if it's just once or twice a week. It's all about balance!
Model credit: @blairintheair
We Might Have Unlocked the Secret of Jennifer Lawrence's New Horror Film, Mother!
This week, the full trailer for Mother! was released, leaving us more intrigued by Darren Aronofsky's mysterious new film than ever. While the trailer does hint at the dangers to come, and we do have plenty of extra details, it's safe to say we have more questions than answers at this point. I decided to take matters into my own hands. With just the posters and the trailer at my disposal, I embarked on a quest that no one really asked for to discern what exactly the movie is about. Surprisingly, I actually unearthed some fascinating stuff. Take my hand and descend into this confusing labyrinth, won't ye?
Hints From the Title
Let's start with the most basic analysis. Mother! must have some sort of matriarchal structure to it. We just have to figure out who the "mother" is. Is Jennifer Lawrence an aspiring mother who wants to bring new life into the world? If this is the case, then perhaps all the events revolve around her attempts to get pregnant. Given the slight resemblance between Lawrence and Michelle Pfeiffer, it's not too far a jump to wonder if Pfeiffer plays Lawrence's mother. This could be a good twist if Lawrence was abandoned as a child.
The final theory will bring us deeper into the film: maybe the "mother" is some kind of entity. Could this mysterious group of people be trying to summon some sort of goddess or creature? This would explain some of the more disturbing things that appear in the posters and the trailer.
Hints From the Posters
Before we were able to see any footage of Mother!, two arresting and unsettling posters were released. The first shows Jennifer Lawrence with a gaping wound in her own chest. In her hands, she holds her own heart. Her expression is almost completely blank, but there's almost a sort of wonder or tranquility laced into it. There are other strange things to note. On the left side, one flower seems to house an octagonal door knob. Once you watch the trailer, you'll notice this shape appears in many different ways (windows, wallpapers, etc.) throughout the house.
On the right side, things get even weirder. Near Lawrence's shoulder is some sort of roughly cut crystal. Further down, you'll notice a frog, which could mean any number of things. If you want to go Biblical, the frog would have to be associated with the plagues. A frog could also signify some sort of transformation, since the amphibians have their own metamorphosis after being born as tadpoles. Also, if you zoom in on Lawrence's eyes, you can actually see the reflection of another person (Bardem?).
The poster featuring Javier Bardem is even stranger. The chair he's sitting on is breaking apart. He's bathed in flames that have hidden faces in them. If you zoom in on the mirrored ball he's holding, you can just barely make out the image of a baby. This again, would reaffirm that maybe this whole thing is about Jennifer Lawrence trying to get pregnant.
Then, we get to my favorite part of the poster(s): the little object with the strange symbol on it. I'm inclined to call it a lighter, since the shape seems to fit. The lighter actually also appears on Lawrence's poster, deep down on the bottom right side. After some serious internet digging, I discovered that the symbol is actually some sort of ancient rune called a Wendehorn. Are you ready to put on that tinfoil hat and strap the f*ck in? Here's where sh*t gets crazy.
Diving Into the Wendehorn
Before we dive into everything, let me explain runes. Runes were basically a set of letters in an ancient alphabet. (Kind of like how Russian uses its own alphabet.) They were used for Germanic languages before the Latin alphabet was adopted. That's why we're looking toward German history to understand this symbol. Actually, and more specifically, this ancient rune can be traced back to Nazi Germany.
Occultism has been loosely associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. A book called Hitler's Elite explains how they used runes in some of their documentation. In this diagram, you might recognize the symbol we're looking for. It has been split in two: The "Leben-Rune" and the "Toten-Rune," or in English, the "life rune" and "death rune." I'm not suggesting Mother! involves Nazis in any way (hey, though, never say never). I'm saying that, if you use the runes as a jumping off point, you get somewhere pretty wild.
I discovered that, when you combine the life rune and death rune, it's called the Wendehorn. The nature of the symbol has been explored in plenty of different texts. The Wendehorn was thought to have been developed by an acclaimed occultist known as Guido Von List. It's said to be a "complex and yet austere symbol that symbolises the uniting and bonding of contrasts and disparities - 'life and death,' 'order and chaos,' . . . 'good and bad,' 'fire and ice,' 'mind and body,' 'light and dark.'"
Get this: the rune is also, according to List, associated with Freyja, the Norse goddess of "love, fertility, battle, and death." If we're thinking fertility, this brings us right back to Mother!, doesn't it? Perhaps this group of crazies is praying to Freyja to help Jennifer Lawrence bring a child into this world. Or, take it one step further - maybe they're trying to summon the goddess herself.
Hints From the Trailer
This brings us to the last piece of the puzzle: the trailer, which we have to pretty much take at face value for the time being. Here's what I know for certain: Lawrence and Bardem have built some kind of idyllic life in the countryside together. Lawrence has painstakingly put together the home of her dreams, and suddenly, two strangers show up: a man and his wife.
Bardem professes not to know them, but they have pictures of him. Then, more people show up. Lots and lots of people. Lawrence finds some f*cked up sh*t in the basement. A light bulb bleeds. Domhnall Gleeson inexplicably shows up. Kristen Wiig allegedly is in the cast, but she's nowhere to be seen. (Freyja, amiright?) By the end, it seems pretty clear that, in some kind of Rosemary's Baby twist, everyone is in on it except for Lawrence, and she's just trying to make it out of the whole thing in one piece.
That's all we have at this point. I do really think the Wendehorn might be the key to all of it. After all, in her new Vogue profile as part of the publication's September issue, Lawrence teased that "the themes are just huge." And what greater themes are there than life and death, light and dark, order and chaos? As a parting gift, consider this shot of the trailer. Could that be a half-painted Wendehorn? Maybe I'm just overthinking it. But, I mean, this is Darren Aronofsky. Anything goes.
For a Happy Work Life, Move to 1 of These States
Do you wake up every morning feeling energized and excited for your workday without even having a sip of coffee? Or do you have to drag yourself out of bed after snoozing two alarms, only motivated by your countdown to Friday? It turns out, a big factor in determining where you fall along that spectrum is where you live.
After compiling data from more than 250,000 US workers, Sokanu, a career matching platform, discovered which states have the happiest and unhappiest employees. Coming in at the top of the list for most satisfied workers is - drumroll, please - Hawaii. Apparently being surrounded by sunshine and saltwater 24/7 is cause for happiness, which probably surprises nobody. The No. 2 and 3 spots, however, go to West Virginia and Maine, respectively.
Find out if you're living in a state of happiness below:
Top 5 States With the Most Satisfied Workers
1. Hawaii
2. West Virginia
3. Maine
4. Nevada
5. Kansas
Bottom 5 States With the Least Satisfied Workers
46. New Mexico
47. Pennsylvania
48. Washington
49. Rhode Island
50. Vermont
The 5 Most Satisfying Jobs
1. Film director
2. Athlete
3. DJ
4. Choreographer
5. Video game designer
The 5 Least Satisfying Jobs
1. Debt collector
2. Postal service clerk
3. Janitor
4. Lab technician
5. Telemarketer
Check out the infographic below for a visual representation of the findings.
30 Breathtaking North American Natural Wonders You Have to See Before You Die
When it comes to traveling, Americans often feel like they haven't seen enough, despite the number of foreign countries they may be lucky enough to have already visited. You might be determined to visit the famed Seven Wonders of the World, but did you know there are actually dozens and dozens of natural wonders to see right here in North America? From the Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park to Hubbard Glacier in Alaska and Canada to Baja California Sur, you could easily take a road trip (or two or three) across our great continent, never ceasing to be impressed. Have a look at this gallery and start planning your next semilocal vacation.
Don't Let Trump's Tweets Distract You From Dwayne Johnson's New Salt and Pepper Beard
Dwayne Johnson has officially reached silver fox status. Sometime during the last few weeks, the Ballers star began popping up on Instagram with salt-and-pepper-flecked facial hair that had made us 1) do a double take and 2) cup our hands around our mouths and yell, "DAD!" We've rounded up all the photos and videos Dwayne has posted so far so you can see that sexy scruff in action and forget about all that other stuff going on for a second.
If Putting In Eye Drops Makes You Cringe, "Bling Waterlining" Might Make You Cry
If you can't put in eye drops without someone holding you down and the promise of ice cream afterwards, then perhaps you shouldn't follow Sofie Peterson on Instagram. The Danish 18 year-old makeup artist has created "Bling Waterlining," a look that is both cringe-y and chic. While we can't deny the teen's impressive artistry, the thought of wearing this trend ourselves reminds us of our least favorite movie makeover:
Image Source: Giphy
Peterson told Allure that she stumbled upon the trend while looking to get out of a creative rut. She needed a way to recycle an old chain necklace, and noticed that "The size and thickness were made for [her] waterline." When she placed the necklace on with surgical-like precision (for real, if the makeup artist thing doesn't work out, Peterson would probably have a bright future as an eye doctor), the trend was born.
While Peterson knows the look isn't for everyone (and not one to recreate at home!), she doesn't want controversy to be the focal point of her work. "I just don't understand how someone who doesn't know me at all can get so offended about something I put on my eye - my eye, my choices." While we're going to give a raucous "Hell yeah," to her badass mentality, we'll stick to eye drops when we're feeling adventurous.
A Quick and Handy Guide to All 3 of Daenerys's Dragons on Game of Thrones
While a lot of us might claim we watch Game of Thrones for the drama, the betrayals, and the shocking moments that still haunt us seven seasons later, let's be real for one second: we watch it for the motherf*cking dragons. There are few things as exciting as hearing Daenerys Targaryen utter the word "Dracarys" to her three fire-breathers who have given the show an extra something-something ever since rising from the ashes of Khal Drogo's funeral pyre in season one. Although we don't get to see them as often as we'd like (even HBO can't cough up all that CGI money), here's a quick guide to each of Dany's children.
The House Where Voldemort Killed Harry Potter's Parents Is Up For Sale!
If you've ever wanted to live in the iconic home where Harry Potter grew up, now's your chance. The De Vere House, first introduced in The Deathly Hallows Part One, has been listed on the market. The property, represented by British realtor Carter Jonas, is currently valued at 1.3 million. Although filming for the movie never actually took place inside of the six-bedroom house located in Suffolk, England, just imagine how cool it would be to say you live at the residence known as the resting place for Harry's parents!
The lofty details of the famous adobe isn't anything to scoff at, either. With two kitchens, a reception hall, a drawing room, and an outdoor dining terrace (to name a few), there's more than enough real-estate magic to make any muggle want to snag the home up for themselves. Read on to see more gorgeous photos of The De Vere House that will leave you spellbound.
The 1 Mistake Mila Kunis Made That Could Happen to Any Parent
Every day, men and women stumble through parenting making plenty of mistakes - this gig ain't easy. However, many mistakes go unshared, as it can be embarrassing to admit to the world that you're not a "perfect parent." Mila Kunis, though in the public eye, just proved she's like every other mom out there when she admitted to making one of the biggest mistakes a parent can make: she drove down a busy highway with her daughter not even close to strapped into her car seat.
It happened last year when Kunis was setting off on a road trip to visit her husband, Ashton Kutcher. Like any new parent, she stressed most over packing everything her daughter, Wyatt, could need (and then some). Setting off on the two-hour trip, Kunis felt like Supermom for getting everything into the car, that is, until she peeked at Wyatt in the rearview mirror and realized that her happy baby was completely unbuckled.
"I was like, oh, f*ck me," Kunis told Babble. "And I'm on the 101, and she's just like blah, like fine in her car seat, nothing, no strap whatsoever. And I think I just turned white."
She pulled over to quickly fix her mistake, but the incident has obviously stuck with her. Then a few weeks ago, about a year later, Kunis noticed that Kutcher made the same exact mistake on a family trip in the car. "And I was like thank God . . . I wasn't alone."
And isn't knowing that fact, that we're not alone in this wide world of raising kids and the mistakes that come with it, the thing that keeps us all sane?
17 Greyhound Bus Driver Employee Secrets to Read Before Riding
Do Greyhound drivers really see a "black dog" run across the road when they're tired? What are the prettiest routes in North America to take by bus? And what strange things do they see on the job? A former Greyhound bus employee did an IamA on Reddit, and they did not hold back on spilling all the secrets about what it was like to work as a driver. Read on to find out some behind-the-scenes juice about the job.
1. Tell me about this "black dog." Is it some urban tale?
"There's a movie with Patrick Swayze, Meat Loaf, Randy Travis, and Gabriel Casseus where Patrick Swayze is a truck driver. He talks about the black dog you see after you've been on the road for too long and start getting too tired. It'll come out of nowhere in the middle of the night and dart out at you, and you'll think it's real and try to avoid it. I thought it was just some made up movie plot till the first time I saw it when I was really tired on an overnight. Not necessarily a dog, but any hallucination of something darting out in front of the bus. Happened quite a few times, very scary."
2. What's that one story you always tell?
"Pick your poison. There's my last night of training driving blind through a blizzard (16 inches of snow, zero visibility) all night long on an interstate that was shut down at 25 mph for 10 hours. Had an inch of ice frozen onto some parts of the windshield . . .
There was another time at Greyhound where I was doing NYC to Springfield, MA the day the tornadoes hit there. Passenger asked me as we left New Britain, CT, what do we do if one hits. I said, park the bus under a bridge and hope for the best. Then as I got ready to leave Hartford, after clearing with central dispatcher in Dallas that it was OK to proceed, the passengers all freaked out that it had just hit downtown Springfield. I called Springfield directly, and they said stay put. Finally 30 minutes later, I got the all clear. Downtown was a mess, but we thought it was over. I offload and go into the drivers room and hear over the TV 'we now have a confirmed touchdown on the Massachusetts Turnpike.' I walked up to the dispatch booth and said, load me up I'm getting the fuck outta here now!"
3. Why do you think Greyhound kind of has a bad reputation?
"The clientele. Even in training they tell us we'll be driving the nations bail jumpers, fleeing felons, ex cons, pimps, and prostitutes. In my experience though, most of my passengers were pleasant and just wanted to get from A to B. A lot of the stations are a hub of homelessness, beggars, and especially in NYC, the mentally ill. The ones Greyhound owns though largely employ some sort of security that keeps it restricted to ticketed passengers and those waiting for them (Philly for example) . . . between riding and driving, I've never had an issue that was truly concerning.
The bad rep also comes from the way they operate. Just because you have a ticket with a specific time and specific date, it doesn't mean you're guaranteed a seat on that bus. They just keep selling tickets regardless of how many seats are available . . . If there aren't enough seats, you gotta wait for the next one, which can be several hours.
You also hear of drivers getting lost a lot. That's because they give us these paper directions that are often wrong or haven't been updated since god knows when . . . Even when they are right, we're trying to drive the bus, read the directions, and watch for the street sign signs . . . It's honestly a miracle getting lost doesn't happen more often."
4. Are you not allowed to bring a smartphone?
"The problem is that the mapping software on them will often send you ways that buses aren't allowed to go (look up any video of an 18-wheeler on the Northern State Parkway on Long Island and see what happens) and also that Greyhound has their own in-house company-prescribed routing they want you to take. If you get into an accident off-route, it's instant termination. They also follow you on GPS and sometimes by car and will call you if you're off-route (even though we aren't supposed to talk on the phone while driving)."
5. What's the nastiest thing that's happened in your bus?
"Toward the end of my training, probably the fifth week or so, I was doing a schedule from NYC to Harrisburg, PA. Before we even got to Easton, PA, some guy threw up the entire big gulp of Kool-Aid he was drinking when he boarded all over the second row."
6. What made you want to become a Greyhound driver, convenience or you wanted to travel?
"I had always been fascinated with the road and big trucks. All throughout college, I knew I was gonna at least try out some sort of job where I could just have the road and my music, a sort of place of peace for me. After I graduated, a financial situation came up that was ultimately what pushed me into filling out the application. I got the job and fell in love with the daily adventure and how soothing the combination of the highway and my music really was for me."
7. Why are buses kept so unreasonably cold? Low heat in Winter and very high air-conditioning in the Summer.
"For me, it was to stay awake on the overnight runs. Also, the windshield reflects the sun like crazy, so I always gotta crank the AC to compensate during the day."
8. Ever fall asleep while driving?
"It's something that most of us would never admit, but yes, unfortunately, and I'm sorry for all the lives I put in danger when it happened. I'd say legit eyes closed asleep happened twice, maybe three times. But that eyes-wide-open sleep, where you're there but not there, is what happens most. It took me seven overnight runs to Montreal to be able to really handle the long night driving. Now I'm good, and I know when I can push on, when I know it's time to call it quits."
9. When broken down in an area with no cell reception, do you usually have some sort of radio coverage or a book with local frequencies or are you stuck using CB?
"No CBs on Greyhound buses, no radios either. No cell service means walk to the nearest highway emergency phone. I was getting ready to walk it once on I-87 in the Adirondacks but the northbound bus showed up and pulled over and we shouted across the highway at each other troubleshooting ideas."
10. What are some of the prettiest routes you've taken?
"Daytime NYC to Montreal during Spring thaw, no debate. It's the run that made me fall in love with driving."
11. When you get to your destination, do you get to just hang out in that city for a while or do you get right back on the bus and go on your next drive?
"It all depends; no two days are ever the same unless you have enough seniority to bid a regular run. Sometimes it's load up right away to either go back or to somewhere else; some days you have to wait around for a few hours to find out what you're doing next; some days you know what you're doing next and have some free time to kill and can walk around cuz you don't need to be at the yard or terminal for them to tell you what you're doing next; some days they put you to bed and you can kinda enjoy an hour or two out waking around; and sometimes they leave you up there for days and kinda forget you exist.
It also depends on the city. Philly, Harrisburg, Montreal, you're right there in the heart of town, so it's easy to go walking around . . . If they put us to bed in Atlantic City, it was a mile to the nearest bar (and believe me, we'd walk it!) . . . Montreal was the place I consistently got the most free time to really enjoy the area."
12. What do you mean by put you to bed?
"Going to bed means going to either the hotel or the dorm to get a minimum of nine hours off duty before they call you back in. Sometimes they call you exactly nine hours from when you pulled in, sometimes you'll be sitting there for days.
That's when it really sucks because you'll go to sleep, wake up and stay up all day, then finally when you're nice and tired and ready to go back to sleep, they're like, hey come in and do this eight-hour overnight run. You can look at the board for that city online and try to guess when they're going to call you, but oftentimes something comes up that messes up what time you think they're gonna call you. Oftentimes I'd keep myself cooped up in the hotel room trying to match my sleep to what I was reading on the board so I'd be ready to work a 15-hour day, but you can only force yourself to sleep so much. That's when the job starts getting depressing and messing with your head."
13. So they only require you to be off duty for nine hours between shifts? They don't require that you get some sleep in that time? Doesn't sound very safe.
"Yup. When in the hotel or dorm, it's nine hours + one hour to report . . . they can only mandate you be off duty, they can't mandate that you sleep during that time off. They urge you to sleep, but we've all got things that need to get done, sometimes during our time off. And then, yeah, the varying schedule means your body's internal clock is all f*cked up . . . There's a reason most of Greyhounds' severe accidents are fatigue-related. You can of course always call out sick or fatigued, and they'll book you off for another 12 hours or so, but you can only do it so much before it starts causing problems with management."
14. Any fun/good tips you would give to travelers that might not be thought of right away?
"Just keep your eyes on your stuff at all time. The Austin terminal is one of the sketchier ones I've been to. If you see the guy with one hand about twice the size of the other who will offer to do a one-handed handstand for some vodka, walk away, fast. Also, it's way different from flying. A bit more lax, but with a more sketch vibe."
15. How was the pay?
"When I started it was 16 and change an hour for driving with passengers, and by the time I left seven months later, I was at $18.64/hr. But they pay you less for other things, like deadheading (driving an empty bus to another city), cushioning (riding a bus to another city where they need drivers), and sitting on protection (sitting around at a terminal, waiting to be told what to do). There's also layover and meals, which kicked in after I think 16 hours laying over at a foreign city and then again I think at 24 hours. The problem was oftentimes they liked to "forget" to put those things in your check, and so in your limited time off, you gotta spend time filing pay claims. In total, I'd say they owe me about $3,000 in unpaid stuff that added up in seven months. The hourly pay was also part of why I left."
16. As a city bus driver, I warn people that this job sucks your social life to a minimum. Did you have to deal with family issues while at GH?
"I went to Greyhound the month after graduating college, so I was single with no kids, but they tell you in the interview that the job destroys families. I don't know how people do it unless they just flat out hate their family."
17. What's the strangest thing you've ever seen on your travels?
"Aside from the multiple times I thought I saw something dart out in front of the bus . . . I watched what looked like an 18-wheeler approaching in my mirror very fast. It was a blizzard, dead of the night, up in the Adirondacks. I kept watching him because I thought he was gonna rear end me. The headlights got closer and closer and all of a sudden they were gone. There had been no exit ramp or anything. I don't know if he went into the ditch or what. I never found out."
10 Stunning Space Photos That Will Make You Rethink Your Existence
If you're a space geek who dreams in constellations, auroras, and stars or just someone who loves looking at incredible photography, don't waste any more time and take a look at this year's shortlist for the Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest.
The contest, which was open for submissions from Feb. 27 to April 7, includes nine different categories: Aurorae; Skyscapes; People and Space; Our Sun; Our Moon; Planets, Comets, and Asteroids; Stars and Nebulae; Galaxies; and Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year. The grand prize winner wins £10,000 and will have their photos in an exhibition at the Royal Observatory Greenwich beginning Sept. 16.
The shortlisted photos ahead (which were chosen from a list of more than 140 photos) include a title and a description from Insight about the image. The winners will be announced on Sept. 14.
Why This Celebrity Mom's Postbirth "Month of Silence" Is a Bad Idea
Actors Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder, who tied the knot in April 2015, are about to welcome what will probably be one of the most gorgeous babies of all time. The Twilight star recently opened up to Fit Pregnancy about how much she's loving pregnancy (if I looked as radiant as she does in my third trimester, I would have, too!) and some very specific plans about how she and her husband plan to welcome their newborn with "a month of silence."
Before you start giggling, experienced mamas - because, come on, newborns are freaking loud - here's her explanation of what that Hollywood-esque term means:
"We'll take the baby's first month for ourselves," she says. "Just the three of us, no visitors, and we're turning off our phones too, so there's no expectation for us to communicate. Otherwise, every five minutes it would be, 'How are you feeling? Can we have a picture?' You don't get those first 30 days back, and we want to be fully present."
Listen, I'm all for new moms making the rules about newborn visitors, but am I the only one who finds this plan just a tad misguided, not to mention elitist? I would have loved to have my husband home the entire first month of my firstborn's life, but unfortunately, that child was born in America and my husband was expected back at work just a couple of days after we got home from the hospital. But, hey, enjoy that movie star life. I know I would.
However much this "month of silence" plan highlights the discrepancy between most new parents and highly paid, famous ones, the real issue I have with it lies more with the universal issue of expectations vs. reality of new motherhood. Yes, we all assume it will be a magical, love-filled time when we can't stop staring at our baby, feel more fulfilled than ever as human beings, and want to enjoy every moment of the miracle of life we have created.
However, in reality (in my experience at least), that first month is at a minimum harrowing and often absolutely horrendous. It's an exhausting, overwhelming time full of nothing but feeding, rocking, feeling desperate for sleep and a shower, and not understanding how women have been doing this baby-making thing forever without going completely nuts. (Hint: like most women, I started blocking out my kids' first few months right away; I'm convinced it's the only way our species has continued.)
Sure, there are beautiful moments when you feel overwhelmed with love for your newborn, but it's just as likely that the bond you expect to happen instantaneously will actually take a lot longer to form. I used to describe my relationship with my babies as a sliding scale of responsibility to keep them alive vs. a love-fueled desire to care for them. Most days, I'm still somewhere in the middle of that scale, and my kids are now 6 and 3 and a lot more interactive, fun, and independent than a 2-week-old.
Because those first few weeks are so unbelievably tough, moms need help . . . a lot of help.
Whether it comes friends who stop by to meet the baby, bring you lunch, and remind you that you are a human woman and not a milk-factory/diaper-changing machine, parents and siblings who are willing to do laundry, buy groceries, make dinner, and clean your toilets, or even a night nurse who's paid to let you get the sleep you desperately need to recover from the bodily trauma of childbirth, postbirth help doesn't feel like a burden, weakening the bonds you're trying to create with your new baby. It feels like a lifeline.
But hey, I support every new mom, however naive she might be. So good luck with that month of silence. I promise I won't judge you when you make that first call for help.
Bikini Blowout: We Found the Most Tried and Trusted on the Internet
If we had to name a few qualities we look for in a bikini, we'd start with flattering and well-crafted. We pinky promise you that all of the suits below will get you both. But we went one step further, shopping our most trusted swim labels to uncover the coolest, most eye-catching designs from the bunch.
These two-pieces are also unique. They're offered in unexpected colorways and finished with look-at-me frills. Some of them even come from covetable brand collaborations, making them limited-edition styles. Trust us when we tell you that you're about to settle on a handful, not just one or two. Don't say we didn't warn you.
Chocolate Mauve Is the Delicious New Color Trend You Should Try This Fall
As we seek out dye inspiration for our next salon appointment, we're keeping very specific characteristics in mind. The style should be luminous, blend well with our natural hair hue, and flatter our complexion. Bonus points if the color verges on subtle, making it appropriate to rock in the workplace. We've just found the Fall color trend of our fantasies: chocolate mauve hair.
Instagram user @HannahThePainter aka Hannah Edelman, who owns the Bushwick-based studio Brush In Hand, took to Reddit to flaunt the above color masterpiece.
Using colorful hues of Pravana Vivids, she re-created natural brown tones mixing purple, orange, pink, and other shades. "The darkest brown started with red, yellow, and green. Then I added orange and purple and other random sh*t until I liked what I saw," Edelman explained.
Her client (Marlena) is naturally a brunette and had the roots to match, so the colorist custom-blended five different tints: dark brown, a warm medium brown, mauve, and two different pink tones.
"I took irregular sections of her hair, always on some kind of diagonal, and painted them. Most of them are color melted," Edelman told POPSUGAR via email. By melting the different brown hues into mauve, or mauve into pink, she created delicate variations of the original five shades. "That gave this look a subtle dimension, almost an iridescence," she said.
As for the placement of the color, Edelman painted light brown around Marlena's face per her request, then painted mauve and light pink on her top layers of hair, concentrating darker colors on lower layers. "Even though the color is unnatural, following the light/dark placement that occurs naturally is always a good idea," she shared. "I think that's what makes this toe the line of natural and unnatural."
That said, you may need some prior color experience to achieve this look. (Edelman noted this color would work well on "lucky people who are naturally light blond.") Otherwise, you'll need to transition your strands to a paler shade. Edelman had lifted the majority of Marlena's hair to a level 10 blonde, the lightest possible hue. After the client had grown about three inches of dark roots, Edelman used the balayage technique to connect her natural color to rainbow hues.
"The balayage transition makes this color low maintenance," she told POPSUGAR. "She won't have to worry about roots for at least three months." Edelman remarked that this type of look will fade back to blond in about this amount of time, making it ideal for someone who always wants to switch up their style.
According to Edelman, her client was looking for a "toned-down but not totally normal" hue as she'll soon be job hunting. We think she totally nailed it! If you're now on a quest for a salon that can dye your hair a similar color, this colorist advises that you search for someone who specializes in using Pravana Vivids. "Vivid work isn't something many people care to specialize in because it's a niche," she noted. Alternatively, you can ask your colorist for a full head of balayage, then a mauve toner or a color melt using semi-permanent light brown and mauve tints. Keep reading to see this gorgeous look from all angles!
29 No-Bake Desserts That Are All About the Chocolate
Warmer weather calls for no-bake desserts (who wants to deal with a superhot oven?), but my one complaint with these desserts is they're usually fruit-focused. If you're like me, you'd rather have a chocolate dessert over a fruity one any day, so these are the no-bake recipes you'll actually look forward to making. From edible cookie dough to chocolate-covered Oreo truffles and more, these desserts are all about the chocolate - and none require an oven.
How Smart Parents Respond When They Find Out Their Kid Has Found "Adult" Content Online
Most kids have access to a computer, so it's not unlikely that your child might stumble upon some inappropriate content on the internet. That's why our friends at YourTango provided us with tips on how to teach our kids about what you don't want them looking at online.
Our kids will find things we don't want them to see, so use it for the good . . .
I was recently asked how parents can respond with age-appropriate information when they find out their children have been prematurely "exposed" to adult material online despite their best efforts to establish Internet security protocols for their kids via parents control apps and the like.
These are the three main points I advise parents to keep in mind in such situations:
1. Breathe
If your child has seen adult content, the first thing to do is BREATHE. Stay calm. Don't do more harm by freaking out.
Think of it this way: Just like when your toddler falls, it is best to stay cool. A toddler sometimes seeks out their parent to gauge how severe their own fall was; they can register it from the look on your face or the pitch of your voice. When you take it seriously while staying calm, your child is assured that you can handle the situation.
Now is not the time to go into questions like, "Who showed you this?" or "Why did you do this?" or "What were you thinking?" Asking those types of questions will NOT help the child process what happened. You can deal with these questions later if you then still believe it's important to do so.
Also, don't get hyper and allow your voice go to a range that only dogs can hear. That is confusing for children and not helpful.
2. Ask
Ask your child what they felt and thought. Most likely your child was grossed out by what they saw. You can start by validating that. Lots of the adult content available is strange even to adults. Imagine if you were seeing the one it for the first time!
If you don't know where to start, the easiest thing to do is to ask your child what they already know. Often this includes some misconceptions you can simply correct, like "the man pees inside the woman."
You can also ask what they were looking for. Sometimes children stumble on adult images or videos unknowingly. Other times they know exactly what they want to see. Maybe your child knows about sex already. Maybe they're older and already starting to think about sex. Maybe they're even considering having sex for the first time. Asking the questions allows you to respond directly at your child's own maturity level.
3. Share
It's crucial to communicate to your children (of any age) that searching the web, and more specifically, searching for pornographic content, is NOT the best idea when looking for sex education. What they'll find online is terrible sex ed! Just like a romantic comedy, these movies are fantasies created for adults and then put on film, not instructional videos.
Another important point of info to share with your kids is that "there are things you can't unsee."
You can relate this to something you know they were already scared or affected by seeing and ask them if they wished they hadn't been exposed to it in the first place (for me it was the movie Alien).
Also, you can share that viewing this kind of content isn't good when you're not ready for it. Children don't know how to process it, especially when no one around them is willing to talk about sexuality.
I've heard people use the excuse that generally telling kids about sex "breaches the firewall of innocence." I argue that NOT telling them about sex keeps them ignorant about a very basic human behavior, which only leads to unnecessary confusion and leaves kids at risk of being exposed to sexual behavior, imagery and concepts without the ability to process it.
There's a big difference between acknowledging something and encouraging it. I am merely suggesting you acknowledge sexuality as one of the facts of life.
Make sure to follow up with real information about what sex is and what it is not. Most parents look for age-appropriate information, but the fact is that all children are different.
Even within the family, siblings can be vastly different in mental, emotional, and intellectual readiness for information about sexuality, regardless of their specific age. Unless someone knows your family history and background, relating specifics is tough. Information from books or sites gives a range of ages because there can be huge variance (e.g., first menstruation can be between ages 9 and 16 with an average of 12).
It's of the utmost importance to find information that is useful and pertinent for your specific child.
And on a final note, I'd like to reflect on the way we use the word "exposed" in relation to children and adult content.
Our kids are exposed to far worse imagery all the time, and many of us don't think twice about it.
Violence in cartoons for children comes to mind (e.g. Bugs Bunny and Road Runner). What does the depiction of violence do to our children long term, when they see characters who repeatedly harm each other but suffer no real consequences? As a society, we don't think about that much. Yet, when it comes to sex and nudity we are terrified of the perceived long-term consequences.
In my mind, and according to some solid research in the area, repeated viewing of violence is more damaging for all of us than repeated viewing of (most) sexual acts.
Some of the adult content that is out there is scary and confusing and bizarre, to be sure.
The important point is to make the whole situation as much of a non-event as possible, but also enough of a lesson that children learn not to do it again.
And my bottom line is that it isn't what kids see that is ultimately so damaging, but rather the reaction of adults that can be problematic.
Check out more great stories from YourTango:
Low Cow's Low-Cal Ice Cream Is Here to Rival Halo Top - For Only $4
Kroger's comin' for Halo Top. The grocer's Simple Truth brand that retails in stores nationwide (2,800 grocery retail stores including Kroger, Ralph's, Foods Co, etc.) just launched its Low Cow low-cal ice cream brand that's strikingly similar to the Halo Top model consumers have come to know, love, and obsess over.
Here's the kicker - it's $4.49 per pint as opposed to Halo Top's $6. But does it taste as good? We let our colleagues decide in a taste test of all six flavors. Each pint ranges between 240 and 280 calories, with 24 grams of protein and only 6 grams of fat and 46 grams of carbohydrates (reminder: that's per pint - not per scoop). It's sweetened with erythritol and stevia, so there are 12 grams of sugar per pint and 20 grams of sugar alcohol.
The general consensus was pretty darn positive. The texture, though, was definitely not that of regular ice cream and left a little something to be desired. Clear winners in terms of flavor were Birthday Cake and Sea Salt Caramel. Here's a quick breakdown of what they've got in stores:
Birthday Cake
Summary: Real confetti sprinkle bits, good flavor, the crowd favorite, and "SUPER BOMB!!!" Some points docked for powdery texture.
Sea Salt Caramel
Summary: Another favorite flavor. "Wonderful, such a good caramel flavor," and "The salt is a good addition because low-cal ice creams can be cloying."
Chocolate
Summary: Solid "Fudgsicle" flavor. One of the favorites. Same issues with texture. "So chocolaty."
Vanilla
Summary: Good flavor, weird texture. Ranged from "LOVE, would purchase" to "tastes like soy milk with a punch in the face of fake sugar."
Mint Chip
Summary: Lightly minty, kind of grainy. Bit of an "aftertaste of fake sugar," but still got a couple "Wonderful!" responses.
Lemon Cake
Summary: Responses ranged from "creamy floor cleaner" to "flavor is refreshing/good," but "texture is weird" was the main feedback.
Bella Hadid Has a Thing For Miniskirts, and We Don't Blame Her
When she's not twinning with Kendall Jenner at the beach, it seems like you can always find Bella Hadid wearing some iteration of a miniskirt. The supermodel has been making a very strong case for this wardrobe staple, proving that if it's styled correctly, you can wear it all year round. From a neon skirt with the phrase "Handle With Care" written along the zipper to a classic denim skirt with a black bodysuit, have a look at Bella's best looks. Then shop similar versions for your closet too.
When You Realize Why Arya and Brienne's Fight Scene Felt Familiar, Your Heart Will Break
Game of Thrones's season seven episode "The Spoils of War" is full of emotional reunions for House Stark. Not only does Arya finally reunite with her brother and sister, Bran and Sansa, at their childhood home of Winterfell, but she also gets to see Brienne of Tarth. Their meeting obviously hasn't been as anticipated as the one between the Stark siblings, but the scene they share actually has a pretty heartbreaking connection to season one.
Arya watches Brienne try to teach Podrick how to duel at Winterfell for a short while but then steps in and challenges the legendary knight herself. After a moment's hesitation, Brienne agrees, and the two begin to sword fight. Arya quickly gains the upper hand time and time again (looks like the nine million years she spent in Braavos were good for something, right?), and Brienne is obviously impressed, but she's not the only one watching the duel. Looking down on the two of them from a balcony above are Sansa and Littlefinger.
While the latter might have some more nefarious motives behind keeping tabs on Arya's sword skills (when does he not, honestly), Reddit user IMovedYourCheese pointed out that the way Sansa observes Arya's sword play is undeniably similar to a season one scene featuring her father, Ned Stark, who looked on during one of Arya's sword lessons with Syrio.
[EVERYTHING] Another cool throwback I noticed in the last episode from gameofthrones
BRB, calling Sam to come mop up all of my tears (we have a feeling he wouldn't mind after all that poop . . . ).
It's been hard not to draw similarities between the late Stark patriarch and his remaining children as the series has gone on. Jon Snow takes after his father the most by far (even if Ned isn't his biological dad), from the armor he wears to his habit of tying his hair back, as well as his personality (like Ned, he's a brooding but fantastic leader). Arya, too, has gotten some comparisons to Ned lately, and now it seems Sansa is subtly channeling her father's legacy as well.
With Jon off in Dragonstone, Sansa is the temporary Warden of the North, and her leadership in the position has never wavered (though her motivations feel more on par with her mother, Catelyn Stark). At this point, the only person who doesn't seem to be taking after Ned in some way is Bran. Then again, now that he's basically an emotionless robot, we can't necessarily blame him.
These Kids Reacting to Their Mom Having a Third Baby Are So Sweet, We're Sobbing
Surprising The Kiddos!"I was 17 and still in High School when our daughter was born. I wasn't sure how I would do it but I was determined to be the best mom I could be. My now husband stepped in when she was very young and has been a wonderful Daddy to her ever since. She is 13 now and is a beautiful dancer with a kind heart. When she was 9, her spunky, sweet, and hilarious little brother was born. It felt like the first time all over again but our family felt complete. He's 5 now and being a working mom with both kids involved in sports and a very busy life, I have always maintained that I was done having babies. 6 weeks ago we found out that I am pregnant. Once the initial shock wore off all we could think about was telling the kids. Last week, my husband picked up our daughter from a 2 week-long trip to visit family. When they came home, we gave each of the kids a little gift bag to open and their reactions were priceless! Our daughter sobbed in excitement and our son was in disbelief until he finally proclaimed YAY! I couldn't have asked for a better reaction.
Parenting is HARD. It is long nights, fevers and skinned knees. It is sewing dance costumes at 11 PM, math problems you don't understand and tears…so many tears. It is by far the hardest yet most rewarding thing I have ever done and I can't wait to do it all over again. We are so blessed."
#LoveWhatMatters
A Love What Matters Original Story
Submitted by A.C.
Posted by Love What Matters on Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Once the initial shock of finding out she was pregnant with her third child wore off, Alicia Tebbetts Capello and her husband couldn't wait to announce the news to her 13-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son. At nine weeks pregnant, Alicia wrapped up t-shirts for her two kids, one that read "Biggest" for Lexi and a matching one for Nicky that said "Middlest." As soon as she read her little brother's shirt, Lexi didn't even need to see the matching "Littlest" onesie her mom was holding out to realize what the gifts meant.
In a video posted to Facebook, the teen immediately breaks down into tears while her brother stands off to the side, convinced the news is a total joke. "We gave each of the kids a little gift bag to open and their reactions were priceless!" Alicia shared with the Love What Matters. "Our daughter sobbed in excitement and our son was in disbelief until he finally proclaimed 'YAY!' I couldn't have asked for a better reaction."
Although Alicia was convinced that after having Nicky she was done with babies, the mom could not be happier about baby number three being on the way. "Parenting is HARD," she wrote. "It is long nights, fevers, and skinned knees. It is sewing dance costumes at 11 p.m., math problems you don't understand, and tears . . . so many tears. It is by far the hardest yet most rewarding thing I have ever done and I can't wait to do it all over again. We are so blessed."
Posted by Alicia Tebbetts Capello on Wednesday, August 9, 2017
You Are Better Than a Smoky Eye - So Don't Ask For It Again
After being a makeup artist for over a decade, I can pretty much size you up the minute I see you coming. I can quickly assess you by your outfit, your bag, your hairstyle, and your jewelry and know immediately that you want only a tinted moisturizer. I know that, even when you say you want something more than that, you won't like it.
I know that you use retinol everyday without you telling me. I know that you have botox and fillers. I know that you only wear chapstick on your very chapped lips. When you say "Um yeah, I have an eye cream," with hesitation, I know that you are referring to the free Clinique sample that has been in your drawer for at least a year. I also know that you are compulsively plucking your brows that "just never grow!"
I don't judge. I really don't care what you do at home. Please, I am asking you to just be honest.
I can also tell as soon as you sit in my chair, if you can handle a lot of makeup or not. But without fail at least once a day, a preppy, non-makeup wearing woman will sit down and look me straight in the face and say "I think I would like a smoky eye."
I don't know who came up with this clever term, but if I ever meet him I will punch him in the face.
You don't want a smoky eye. You like the idea of it. You see Kim Kardashian on Pinterest and you fantasize about having this sultry look the next time you are attending a wedding or bar mitzvah. You imagine yourself as a much younger, sexier version of yourself, and you think that at the ripe age of 37 you are now ready to look like that sexy woman on Instagram with fake eyelashes and "contour" and black eyeliner rimming every inch of your eyeball.
Sometimes you have a Naked Palette from Urban Decay so you think you are edgy, but if you were to be honest you would admit you only use the lightest shades in the palette and the darker colors are untouched. You may have watched the tutorials on YouTube on "how to create a smoky eye," so you think you are ready for it.
You're not.
I know it.
You will have to learn the hard way.
"So do you normally wear a lot of eye makeup?" I ask innocently, while I prep your skin. I start with a soft fleshy tone on your lid and then I add a little bit of a darker tone. Never a true smoke color, because I don't want you to cry or run away. You will clutch the hand mirror and ask if you can look. I will let you.
I know. Please stop saying this. I don't even know how to make someone look like a clown. If you hired me to do clown makeup I would have to decline the job. I am not in the clown business. I am simply attempting to do what you requested me to do.
PS. We haven't created any "smoke" yet.
You will clutch your mirror and try to watch what I am doing, as you give me permission to proceed. I will add some dark brown or smoky color in your crease. I add some smudgy black liner and some mascara. You don't even have two layers of fake lashes on yet like a Kardashian. I see that you are clutching your hand mirror and your knuckles are white so I let you take a peek.
You don't. But you also don't look like yourself.
I ask if you would like me to take off some of the makeup and gently remind you that you are nowhere near the amount of makeup featured in the Instagram photo that you showed me when you first sat down. You sheepishly say that you would like to take off some of the liner . . . and maybe some of the dark shadow.
I take off the makeup.
You say "Maybe just do what you think looks best?"
Now we can get along.
I suggest a more realistic "eye look" that will allow you to feel comfortable while still making you look good. I say "Let's create a look that shows off your eye color and makes you look like a better version of yourself." The tension in your shoulders lessens and the grip on the hand mirror relaxes a bit."Yes, let's do that." you say with relief.
Because you are not Kim Kardashian, nor do you want to be. You will not be followed by the flashbulbs of the paparazzi and you will not spend your days taking selfies. You simply want to look like a better version of yourself and a "smoky eye" does not do that for most women.
You will leave with hydrated glowing skin and makeup that makes your blue eyes pop and your cheekbones glow. You are simply a better version of yourself, and you will walk out the door with your head held high and a little bit of a skip in your step.
You are better than a smoky eye. So don't ask for it again.
The Term "Rainbow Baby" Has Been Around Much Longer Than You Thought
As metaphors go, describing grief as a storm is pretty accurate. Where happiness and clarity once were, now everything seems dark, volatile, and all-consuming. For families who have experienced the loss of a baby, the storm can be especially dark; they are mourning not just the loss of a life, but also what could have been. In truth, the storm that comes from the death of a baby is something that never goes away, but slowly, over time, beams of happiness can begin to peek through. For some families, a rainbow baby helps the healing process.
A rainbow baby is the child that a woman births after the loss of a previous baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant mortality. In essence, the new baby is supposed to signify light at the end of (or during) the storm of grief.
Coined deep in the comments section of baby blogs and message boards around 2008, it's easy to see the appeal. In contrast to the darkness of the family's grief, a new baby is a burst of optimism and hope. There is also a possible religious connection from the story of Noah. According to the Bible, God tells Noah that the rainbow will appear after a storm as a symbol of God's covenant and love for all those living.
The phrase seems to have gained momentum recently, stepping out of the message boards and into the public consciousness. Rainbow-baby-centric maternity photo shoots, op-eds, and custom special onesies are now a common part of the pregnancy experience.
This uptick in exposure seemingly coincides with an increased awareness about miscarriage and stillbirth. Long believed to be a silent struggle, now women are more vocal about their experiences with the death of a baby. Considering that 25 percent of all pregnancies end in either miscarriage or stillbirth, it's something that affects a lot of women.
"All women handle grief differently and may or may not find the term helpful based on their own loss."
POPSUGAR spoke with Lara, a woman who is currently pregnant with her rainbow baby who wishes to use a pseudonym since her family does not yet know. With her previous pregnancy, at seven weeks she endured a miscarriage. While she understand the purpose behind the term, she doesn't feel connected to it.
"I didn't have many pregnancy symptoms, I never heard a heartbeat or saw an ultrasound, I didn't feel the baby kick inside me, I didn't have a bump. Other than two pink lines on a stick, I barely experienced pregnancy at all," she tells POPSUGAR. "That said, the minute you find out you're pregnant, you immediately start planning the future. You think about names, you start planning a nursery in your head, a gender reveal, and telling loved ones. Although I grieved and was incredibly disappointed when I miscarried, I didn't feel like I lost a baby, but more the possibility of a baby."
The relationship that women and families have with the term is incredibly personal and connected to their own healing process. Some believe the term shouldn't apply to them, and others believe that it belittles the grieving process. When a baby is taken away from a parent, the process of grieving is a long and deeply personal journey that never fully heals. By labeling a baby as a "rainbow," some feel that it diminishes the experience of loss or implies that the new baby has completely healed the heartache.
"All women handle grief differently and may or may not find the term helpful based on their own loss," Lara continued. "Many women will blame themselves after such tragedy, going through so many moments of self-doubt and depression."
Yet for many women, the phrase is a signifier of hope. After experiencing such a deep and intimate loss, this little bit of bright color can begin to draw them away from the darkness.
What Editors Just Won't Buy From Fast Fashion Stores
While stores like H&M, Zara, and Forever 21 are regular stops for our style-obsessed editors, there's a limit to our love for fast fashion. In some cases, quality wins out - you can't beat the craftsmanship of a real leather bag or heels that won't kill your feet - and we're willing to shell out a little more for a piece that'll truly last.
If you've ever experienced the regret that comes with a fast-fashion impulse buy, read on as our editors reveal the clothing and accessories they're willing to invest in time and time again, despite the temptation of a shiny new Zara bag or heels that ring in under $50. As we've learned, some things really are worth the money.
11 Cami Bras For Small-Busted Girls Who Don't Even Really Need One
As a small-busted girl, I haven't worn an underwire bra in years. I used to wear those trendy, extrapadded push-up bras until I realized they didn't do much for me in the end. So, I started wearing cami bras years ago and haven't looked back since. They provide just enough coverage and support to get me through my day while still feeling like I'm wearing nothing. The best part: there are endless numbers of colors and styles to choose from. If you're also on the smaller side, check out some of these cozy picks perfect for everyday wear.
Your Guide on Doing a Whole30 Diet
Tens of thousands of people have taken on the Whole30 program, a monthlong clean-eating program that promises a bevy of health and emotional benefits. Developed by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig, a husband-and-wife team with backgrounds in sports nutrition, anatomy, and physical therapy, the program aims to reset your metabolism and reshape your relationship with food.
After a co-worker read the essential Whole30 text, It Starts With Food, and took on the challenge, I was interested to see what all the hype surrounding this monthlong "diet" was really about.
What Can I Eat?
On the surface, the Whole30 menu looks a lot like the Paleo diet (low carb, high protein), but think of it more as an elimination diet, except there's no 80/20 balance either - no cheating, no indulgences for one month. For one month, it completely strips away "hormone-unbalancing, gut-disrupting, inflammatory food groups," considered to be grains, sugar, dairy, alcohol, and legumes. Equally as important as eliminating these groups is not to be tempted to "junkify" their old favorites - for example, a meaty "Paleo pizza" or "coconut-flour pancakes" are off-limits. For Whole30 participants, it's not about stretching the rules of the diet to their furthest limits. It's about learning to enjoy whole, clean, simple foods that fuel your body.
The Promises
The program promises a laundry list of potential benefits, such as improved body composition, higher energy levels, better quality of sleep, improved athletic performance, and a reduction of food cravings, particularly when it comes to sugar and carbs. Participants have chimed in with their testimonials, crediting the Whole30 program with everything from clearing up acid reflux to complete elimination of autoimmune disorders. Beyond the physical benefits, the Whole30 program aims to reshape "long-standing, unhealthy patterns related to food, eating and your body image."
The Verdict
While a rigid diet with no allowance for indulgences is not sustainable over time, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to push yourself for a month - sometimes drastic times call for drastic measures! The Whole30 program could be a good option for individuals looking to give themselves a healthy reset or discover what food sensitivities they might have. But before you sign on board, it's essential to read their book that outlines the program to make sure it's right for you.
If You Want to Raise Good Kids, Harvard Researchers Suggest These 7 Tips
Every parent wants to raise a good kid - someone who is caring, understanding, polite, ethical - but your little ones can't do it alone; they need help and guidance from the adults in their lives. According to human development researchers at Harvard, there are some guidelines supported by research studies that parents can look to for help raising a caring child, as well as seven tips to help put it all into action.
These Brutally Honest Parenting Comics Will Crack You Up
Brian Gordon - a cartoonist and dad of two - has been making fun of being a parent since he became one. In an attempt to keep himself sane and bond with other parents, he shamelessly started creating funny-because-it's-true parenting comics - and we can't stop laughing at them.
As soon as he brought his first child home from the hospital, Brian convinced himself that he was the worst parent ever, that is, until he started sharing his insecurities with other parents, who completely identified with his struggles. From there on, he decided to start documenting anything and everything about parenting - from being exhausted to being spit-up on for the hundredth time - through cartoons, and it's now his favorite thing to do.
"Being a parent can be incredibly frustrating, and I think sharing those frustrations and laughing with other parents is the best thing we can do to keep each other sane," Brian told us. And keeping us all sane, he is. His comics have been so successful in the parenting world that he was able to compile his comics into his first book, which should undoubtedly be centered among the pile of kid crap on every parent's coffee table.
Read through to see some of Brian's hilarious comics, preorder his book before its March 22 release, become a patron of his work to see behind-the-scenes strips, shop his designs at Society6 and Zazzle, and visit him regularly for new comics.
No, You're Not Losing It: Dickon Tarly Definitely Has a New Face on Game of Thrones
When we first meet Dickon Tarly, Samwell's pompous brother on Game of Thrones, he's at a very awkward Tarly family dinner in season six. He openly mocks his brother about his claims of killing a White Walker and is generally a big assh*le (no wonder Sam has all those self-esteem issues). He's played by Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince actor Freddie Stroma in the episode (pictured above), who confirmed not long after it aired that he would not be returning to the series in season seven due to scheduling conflicts with his now-canceled show, Time After Time.
Although we were sad to see Stroma go, the actor was soon recast with a (very hot) replacement. Meet the new Dickon Tarly: Tom Hopper. Hopper, who's appeared in Black Sails and Merlin, made his debut in season seven's second episode during a tense conversation with Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) in King's Landing.
We know Dickon is the favored Tarly son and heir to Horn Hill since his older brother, Sam, was asked (aka forced) to join the Night's Watch by their father, Randyll Tarly, and is now at the Citadel training to be a Maester. We have only love for Sam, but we can't say we'd mind seeing more of Dickon in season seven, for obvious reasons. (His face. It's his face.)
29 Photos That Prove Hunter McGrady Is One Bodacious Lady
Hunter McGrady was named the "curviest" model to grace the pages of Sports Illustrated's annual Swimsuit Issue when she appeared in nothing but body paint for her photo shoot in the 2017 installment. It's a huge feat for the 23-year-old, who spent much of her teenage years in the gym and starving herself, trying to whittle away her 5-foot, 11-inch frame for modeling jobs. Since then, Hunter has made a name for herself in the world of curve modeling, becoming a part of Wilhelmina International's Curve division and appearing in campaigns for Lane Bryant, though the industry comes with its fair share of misconceptions.
"I think people think that we can get away with looking however we want," Hunter told POPSUGAR. "They're like, 'Whatever, she's a curve model. She doesn't have to work out; she doesn't have to eat well.' Which isn't true. I have a personal trainer, I eat clean. But on the other spectrum, there is a pressure to have the Coke bottle body, to be really tight. Someone's always going to want you to be thicker." In our humble opinion, Hunter's "thickness" is just perfect. In celebration of her bodacious body and killer curves, we've rounded up her sexiest pictures.
This 1-Piece Might Give You Funky Tan Lines, but It'll Boost Your Confidence Instantly
We all have that one swimsuit we turn to when we want to feel our best. While I often shy away from trying a daring swimsuit trend, there is one slightly revealing style I turn to time after time: a black one-piece with cutouts. Not only does this classic style look great on every body type, but it's also an easy way to show off a little skin without opting for a bikini.
After a little digging, it seems like this flattering silhouette is also beloved by bloggers. From a halter with side cutouts to one that doubles as a bodysuit, scroll on to get a dose of swimsuit inspiration from your favorite influencers. Then shop similar one-pieces for your Summer swimwear rotation.
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