Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
vendredi 11 août 2017
This Cheap Wine From Walmart Is Ranked as One of the Best in the World
If you're one of those people who orders the cheapest glass of wine on the menu because you can't tell the difference (no shame), this news is going to make your day. A $7 bottle of wine sold at Walmart has been ranked as one of the best in the world by Decanter Magazine, which covers wine and spirits. The award-winning red wine is La Moneda Reserva's Malbec, a Chilean wine whose description notes that it has a "deep purple color with violet tints, rounded and velvety tannins, complex plum, fig, and strawberry flavors and excellent length."
The wine earned the title of Platinum Best in Show at last year's Decanter World Wine Awards, where more than 200 experts tasted thousands of wines (blindly!), proving that a wine's price tag is not always associated with its quality. The best part is the wine is now available for the first time at Walmart locations in the US, after previously only being sold by Walmart's UK-based grocery brand, Asda. It's available in more than 500 Walmart locations in the country while supplies last, so be sure to scan your location's wine aisle. If you volunteer to bring the wine to dinner, you'll be able to impress your family and friends with this award-winning bottle - they'll never have to know the cost.
31 Asian Noodle Recipes That Are Better Than Takeout
Not that you need any excuse to eat pad thai or pho, but March is National Noodle Month. Naturally, we're celebrating with 31 better-than-takeout Asian noodle recipes - one for every day of the month. From spicy butternut squash ramen to ginger soba noodle salmon stir-fry, you're sure to find a recipe that speaks to you, and that you'll want to make long after March has passed.
How the Patties Are So Darn Juicy and 5 More Secrets From a Former Five Guys Employee
Five Guys may have just been named America's number one burger chain, but it turns out there's way more to the restaurant than grease-laden takeout bags and peanut-shell-covered floors. A former Five Guys employee, who worked at the burger and fries joint for a few months, recently did a Reddit AMA, and things got juicy (pun semi-intended). During the "Ask Me Anything" conversation online, the employee spilled details on the chain's french fries, burger meat, and so much more. Read on to get the insider scoop.
You can add literally anything you want to their grilled cheese.
When asked what the most popular menu items are, the former Five Guys employee said, "If I had to break it down, it would probably be 60 percent order some kind of burger, 25 percent order a dog, 10 percent a grilled cheese, and BLT/veggie is 5 percent. I would recommend the grilled cheese, you can add anything you want to it, even a patty!" Furthermore, they later added that grilled cheese is their personal favorite choice because "it's the safest thing to eat on the menu."
The meat may not be as great as you think.
On the quality of the meat used in burgers, the former employee said, "Honestly? Not very good. It's not even seasoned, and sometimes we served bad meat." When another user chimed in to ask for more details on this tidbit, they clarified by saying it was meat that "was unsafe to serve to guests. Gray, slimy meat that we were still forced to serve. Also, meat that fell on the floor." Hmm, I think I've lost my appetite.
About that "small" order of fries . . .
Another user asked, "What is the rationale behind ordering a 'small' fries, putting a tiny cup in the bag and then pouring four pounds of potatoes on top?" It turns out, it's actually mean to be a bit of an "illusion." The employee explained, "When you order a small fry (for example, but they do this for all sizes) you are paying for all of the fries that go into the bag. That 'extra' scoop is kind of an illusion, they told us during training that its to make customers think they're getting a big bargain. And you can ask for the cup with no topper if you want, you can do that."
There's a reason the patties are so freakin' juicy.
When one Reddit user commented on how fresh and juicy their burger patty was, the former employee replied that it's all about the cooking method. "We're not supposed to press down on it, that removes the juices," they said.
Why do they have free peanuts?
"The peanuts are to distract the customers so that they won't stare at us."
Plot twist: Some employees actually think In-N-Out is better.
Ah, the never-ending battle of Five Guys versus In-N-Out! When one Reddit commenter asked for the former employee's take on the matter, they said, "In-n-Out is way better, hands down." Moreover, they continued by saying, "As an insider, i can tell you In-N-Out is probably safer." Oh dear . . .
100 Real-Girl Tiny Tattoo Ideas For Your First Ink
If you're a little nervous about a permanent stamp, the best way to start is with something small. We can tell you firsthand that tattoo removal is no easy feat. Luckily, we have endless inspiration of real-girl tattoos that will leave you feeling less anxious about expressing something on your skin. Whether you're looking for a mark with meaning or just a fun design, keep reading to check out all of these teeny-tiny tattoo ideas.
- Additional reporting by Marina Liao
Mom Confession: My Family's Had Exactly 1 Dinner Together at Home
I grew up in a family that had dinner together almost every evening. My mom is admittedly neither an enthusiastic or an accomplished cook, but night after night, she'd make a pot roast, meatloaf, or the house specialty (breakfast for dinner) and gather us around a table, where, depending on how old my brother and I were, we'd either scarf down our food and beg to be dismissed or linger to discuss our day and soak in a few uninterrupted moments of family time.
The only phone was our landline, and if it rang, my father would answer and immediately tell whomever was on the other end that they'd have to call back because we were in the middle of dinner. Although we could see the television from our table, my mother would only allow it on if there was a particularly important game on that my dad didn't want to miss. I'm sure that if she was raising us now, she would have required him to DVR it and watch it after our family meal.
At the time, I just thought that's what families did: stopped everything to sit with each other for a daily meal. Now I know that it's not that easy, because my little family of four? We've sat together for exactly one dinner in our home . . . ever.
It's not that I don't see the value of a family dinner. In fact, I'm pretty confident that those dinners were a vital reason I look back at my childhood so fondly. They strengthened my connection to my parents and brother with every bite of overcooked chicken. But I just can't seem to figure out how to make them work for my own family, which includes a 6-year-old girl who prefers her meals come with sides of ketchup and ranch and a 3-and-a-half-year-old boy who I'm convinced is currently 60 percent composed of grilled cheese.
Most of my own family dinner problems are purely logistical. Despite eating decent-size breakfasts and lunches and approximately 100 snacks a day, my kids usually claim to be starving by about 4:45 p.m. My husband doesn't get home until around 6:30. So I can choose to either make that 101 snacks (a mom has to have her limits), feed my tiny monsters the chicken nuggets and corn dogs they want at 5 p.m., or hear them whine about how close they are to dying of starvation for 90 full minutes. You better believe I'm firing up that microwave every time.
Then there's the fact that both of my kids prefer to survive on a diet that mainly consists of fried and encased meats, cheese and bread products, and the occasional carrot or applesauce packet. The spicy, eclectic menu my husband and I prefer would never pass through their little mouths without some serious complaining, so basically, I'm making two dinners no matter when or where we all eat.
Meals out are a different story. When my husband and I can muster up the courage, we do occasionally take our kids to a restaurant, preferably one that doesn't mind temper tantrums and delivers food no more than seven minutes after we order it. In those moments, we might sit together and talk for a few minutes, until my son decides he wants to check out the public restroom for the eighth time or my daughter starts whining for us to move on to the nearest ice cream shop.
And then there's the universal palate pleaser, pizza, which we order at least once a week. While it's the one meal we're all equally excited to eat, for some reason, it's also the one we've decided should be consumed in front of whatever movie my kids can agree upon. While eating, the majority of our family conversation is limited to my children fighting about whose movie should win viewing rights.
I'm hoping that as my kids get older and more willing to eat foods that haven't been previously frozen, our family dinners will also naturally evolve into a regular habit instead of a rare occurrence. I'm hoping my husband and I can silence our phones and that my children will learn that 30 minutes without Disney Junior or YouTube won't kill them. I know it needs to happen, even if we're just eating my mother's less-than-stellar meatloaf. It's not about the meals; it's about the family bonds they create.
Alessandra Ambrosio Wore the 1 Monokini You Need to Show Off Your Curves
If you're after the monokini trend, look no further than Alessandra Ambrosio's display of chicness while vacationing with her girlfriends in Saint-Tropez. Back in the Summer, the Brazilian Victoria's Secret Angel posted an Instagram video featuring a peek at the Henna Blues Monokini One-Piece ($180) from her Ále by Alessandra swimwear collection.
Although we're understandably in awe of the fact that she's partying by a hot tub on a boat (seriously), we need a moment to take in how perfect the swimsuit she's wearing actually is. Adorned with a fun paisley pattern and edgy cutouts, the purple-hued suit is one that will never go out of style and always flatter your figure. Press play above to see it in action. Then, check out even more similar styles.
SNL Alum Says Working With "Moron" Host Donald Trump Was "Not Fun"
Way back when Donald Trump was a presidential hopeful in 2015, he hosted Saturday Night Live - exactly one year before Election Day. Taran Killam, who once impersonated Trump and later joined him on stage when he hosted, was stunningly candid about the now president in a recent interview with Brooklyn magazine.
Killam responded to a host of questions about his post-SNL career and joining the cast of Hamilton right after Mike Pence famously attended the show (and heard a compassionate message from the cast). President Trump was especially incensed by the incident, to which Killam replied with the utmost honesty. "Yeah, well the president is a moron," Killam told the magazine.
Later in the interview, Killam elaborated on what it was like to work with Trump on the show, and you might not be surprised by how difficult he said it was. "It was not fun, and most of the cast and writers were not excited to have him there," Killam said. "I didn't get the feeling that he was excited to be there, and it felt like a move for ratings from both sides."
Perhaps most unsurprising of all, Killam revealed how the president . . . struggled to read his lines. "What you see is what you get with him, really. I mean, there was no big reveal," Killam added. "He struggled to read at the table read, which did not give many of us great confidence. Didn't get the jokes, really. He's just a man who seems to be powered by bluster."
We're pretty sure Trump would write off Killam's account of his time on the show as "fake news."
Who Has Selena Gomez Dated? Here Are All the Lucky Guys She's Been Linked To
From releasing a new addictive album, aptly titled Revival, to stepping up her fashion game to immeasurable heights to taking a hiatus from the spotlight to concentrate on herself, Selena Gomez has had quite the past few years. Though the former Disney star turned superstar singer has said she'll be sharing less about her personal life, it seems like the total opposite is happening, most recently publicly engaging in a steamy kissing session with The Weeknd.
So, since Selena is just keeping us on our toes when it comes to her love life, we're taking a look back at her rumored and confirmed flames - yes, beyond the undying memory of Justin Bieber. Keep scrolling to remember all the guys Selena has been linked to.
- Additional reporting by Alessandra Foresto
Smoothies That Won't Leave You Hungry Before Lunch
When you're rushing to make it out the door on time in the morning, you don't have to skip the most important meal of the day if you take a few minutes to blend up a smoothie. These 18 recipes are perfect for on-the-go breakfasts, and the best part is they won't leave your stomach growling before lunchtime rolls around.
The Surprising Color Everyone Should Be Using on Their Brows
Just like the rest of the world, I have a serious case of eyebrow fever - but I have yet to achieve the brows of my dreams. I've tried a wide variety of arch-filling products to get brows on fleek, but even when emulating a natural look like Kiernan Shipka's, I still end up looking more like Groucho Marx. I turned to pro Brett Freedman, the master behind notable brows like those of Camilla Belle and Taylor Swift, and got a life-changing beauty tip.
"Your one ideal brow shade is actually two," explained Brett. When filling your brows, you first want to create depth with a lighter shade, then add definition to any patchy areas (or your brow's tail) with a darker shade. Finish your look by blending the shades together with your spoolie brush. Just like when contouring your face, you want a dimensional effect so your brows don't look painted on but natural (yet sculpted).
But don't assume that the color of your brows is the best filler shade for you! Brett uses a blond shade like Brett Freedman Beauty Brett Brow Duo-Shade Pencil in Medium Blonde ($18) on nearly all of his clients, including the raven-haired actress Catherine Zeta-Jones. When I asked why he wouldn't use a brunette shade on darker brows, he reminded me of their true purpose. "You don't want people to focus on the frame - you want them looking at the picture."
The Beautiful Reason John Cena Kept His Proposal to Nikki Bella a Secret From the World
Image Source: Tapout
John Cena is many things: a WWE superstar, an actor, a Tapout ambassador, and a husband-to-be. I recently got the chance to chat with him over the phone while he promoted Tapout's recent launch of body sprays and we talked about everything from what inspired him to get involved with Tapout to his relationship with longtime love Nikki Bella. Being that I'm a big fan of him and Nikki's, I tried not to melt over the way he spoke about her and their romance, but I have to admit, it was pretty damn hard. It's easy to see why people are so obsessed with him and his relationship with Nikki.
- On what inspired him to get involved with Tapout: "There's a crew of [WWE] superstars known for their dedication and work ethic to fitness and performance and it was a natural progression to go into all facets of performance and well-being."
- On what sets Tapout body sprays apart from other sprays: "First off, it's some kickass body spray. Second, sometimes in marketing with body sprays they showcase the weaknesses in the human facade, and with Tapout, we really want to empower [people] and [we] really want we offer a variety of scents for every portion of the day."
Image Source: Getty / Mike Pont
- On the moment he knew he wanted to propose to Nikki: "It was long before the last time we spoke [January 2017]. I just wanted it to remain a secret. So much of our lives has been an open book and so much is talked about by everyone, including ourselves. I knew quite a while ago. I just wanted to add some element of romance and a lot of the process of an engagement is the spontaneity and the romance. I just wanted to keep that. I'm glad it worked out the way it did. It was a tremendous surprise. It's a moment I'll have forever."
- On why he decided to propose at WrestleMania 33: "I messed around with the idea months before and I guess it was just me having the guts enough to do it on that stage. So many of our viewers know myself and Nicole from the WWE ring, and I've been in WWE for 15 years now, [so] they're my family. WrestleMania is the one day of the year that the entire family gathers together. So, I figured it was a great way for me to tell the woman I love that she's the one I want to spend the rest of my life in front of all the people that have followed us for all of these years."
- On getting to propose to Nikki in front of his mom: "My mom doesn't travel well and she was there by surprise. It was a pleasant surprise. I had no idea she was going to be there and she had no idea what was going down."
- On how the wedding planning is coming along: "It's going [well]. We're at the initial stages, picking invitations and save the dates and stuff, but I found myself more involved in that stuff than I thought I would be."
- On what he's looking forward to the most about his wedding: "I want it to be a special day for us so I don't want to rush into it."
- On whether he and Nikki are planning to televise their wedding: "I'm not sure. I'm going have to divert to her on that one. She's the boss. [Her] show is called Total Bellas, so it's kind of about [her] life and if she decides to open up that moment to the rest of the world, I certainly support her. At the same time, if she were to decide that wants that moment just for us, I'd certainly support her with that as well."
5 Photos of Your Kids That You Shouldn't Post to Social Media
If anyone knows how tempting it is to share our kids' hysterical, adorable, or unreal moments with our entire social networks, it's us. We get it. Proud parents want to shout their children's accomplishments - regardless of how big or small - from the (virtual) rooftop. But the Internet is a vast and potentially scary place, and it's our duty to protect our families. As nice as it would be if those privacy settings were a sufficient barrier, there are still caveats to every safety net that we have to be conscious of. Here, five times that parents should hold off on sharing their kids' snaps with the Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter-verse.
24 Halloween Movies For Kids Based on Their Age
The Halloween season is all about spooky decorations, creepy costumes, and, of course, horror flicks. Whether your child is a scary-movie-lover or not, there's a Halloween movie out there for every kid to enjoy based on their age and how much frightening media they can handle.
Read through to see which movies can go on your family Halloween watch list this Fall.
14 Tattoo Ideas For Parents Wanting to Honor Their Kids
When you have a child, it changes your life forever, and many parents decide to honor that permanence with a tattoo for their little one. From names and dates to blocks and elephants, the sky's the limit when it comes to ink representing your kiddo. Whether you're a new mom or a veteran in the game of parenthood, we rounded up 14 tattoo ideas to inspire you to keep a part of your child with you at all times.
25 Images That Will Make You Feel Better About Your Kids Today
Misery loves company, and there's no better a place for it then when you're having one of those days as a parent. If your kids are pushing you over the edge right now, keep in mind that while your kiddos might be testing the waters, there are other parents going through it too (and perhaps even a bit worse) - and well, let's be honest, that is oddly comforting. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone's child here, because Lord knows my children have done their fair share of destruction and I'm sure even Prince George could do some damage with a royal sharpie.
But if it's a bad day in your mommy world then there's no harm in taking a minute to laugh at a couple of kids who've definitely pushed their parents to the limit as well.
Amal Clooney's Dress Is the Epitome of Summer Style - But Not at All Typical
It seems Amal Clooney has the right outfit for everything, especially when it comes to dressing for Summer nights in Italy. That's to be expected, given she spends an enviable amount of time there with her husband, George Clooney. But it's looks like this one - Amal's off-the-shoulder floral dress that she wore to dinner in Como - that strike the perfect balance between easy seasonal dressing and her signature elegance.
OK, part of that is clearly just Amal being Amal, but the other part is the particular kinds of pieces she's collected. Dresses like this one pull double duty, making gorgeous statements for special occasions and dinners, or work just as easily dressed down with sandals on the beach. It's the dress you might have overlooked adding to your wardrobe - something long and comfortable, but not too casual. In fact, it may just be the ideal Summer dress you didn't think to shop, till now.
Blue Liner Is the Cool Summer Trend Taking Over Instagram
If Instagram is any indication, blue is definitely the new black (at least when it comes to eyeliner). From Gwen Stefani to Khloe Kardashian, more and more of your favorite celebrity and beauty influencers are ditching the dramatic effects of smoky liner in favor of breezy turquoise and sultry indigo.
"A vibrant blue on the eyes (spotted on the likes of Emily Ratajkowski) is a youthful, sexy way to incorporate color into your look. Blue also tends to make eyes appear whiter, so you come across as more refreshed," said celebrity makeup artist Ashlee Glazer, who uses the Smith & Cult Book of Eyes Ice Tears Eye Quad Palette ($44) to create her looks.
Glazer suggests using an eyeliner or a shadow applied with a small angled brush. "You can layer it over a black pencil to make the blue darker while easing in to the trend. You can also start by using it in on just the top or bottom of the lid and sticking to your regular black or espresso for the other," she explained.
Whether you line your whole eye, or stick with a streak (some have also been experimenting with negative space graphics and glitter), swapping in a blue hue is one of the easiest ways to sizzle this Summer.
Keep reading to see inspiration for that next pool party.
I Lost My Husband 3 Days After Welcoming Our First Baby
There I sat, my 3-day-old infant in my arms, trembling in fear as chaos and horror played out in my living room. Muffled by my bedroom door were sirens, chattering voices, and screams that will forever haunt my dreams. Frozen and in a state of shock, all I could see in my mind was the lifeless face of the only man I ever intended to love, his lips white and his body lying on the floor in an unnatural state. "I couldn't feel a pulse, but he has to be alive," I told myself. A police officer slowly opened my door and disturbingly made his way to my bed. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the willing arms of family members reaching out for my infant son. As the words "He's deceased" came out of the officer's mouth, all went black.
A stray bullet is how the news reported the story, but we will never know the whole truth. The bullet that killed Justin went against pure logic and had a statistical probability of one in infinity. In a drunken stupor, my backyard neighbor fired his 9mm semi-automatic handgun. The bullet managed to travel through his screen door (dodging dozens of trees) over 200 feet to our home. It crashed through our glass door and blinds, continued across our living room, and finally stopped when it hit Justin in the head at the very second he jumped up from our sofa.
We tend to refer to the next day as "the day the music died." I had a 3-day old-baby and now a dead husband.
I was barely a teen, a 14-year-old girl in the eighth grade, when I first met and fell in love with Justin Ayers. He could play the guitar like Jimi Hendrix and crack a joke like Jerry Seinfeld. He was a smart, talented, adorable, funny, passionate boy, and I took notice. As I think back on our love story, a specific song lyric comes to mind: "Each night I ask the stars up above, why must I be a teenager in love?" I would sob, "Why can't we just get married today?" My friends and family (with the exception of my mom) would chuckle at the idea, dismissing us as kids who would grow up and realize it's just the hormones. But I never once doubted. In 2003 (one year after I graduated high school), we finally tied the knot.
Over the next 10 years, Justin and I made our own rules in life. We had several goals we wanted to pursue, so we decided to wait to start a family, knowing we needed time to grow up. We formed multiple bands, traveled for leisure and work, and wrote and recorded an album together. It was definitely outside the norm, but it was our norm, and we savored it. Then one morning, I woke up and suddenly felt different. I wanted a baby! And Justin agreed. We'd been married for 10 years, and we both knew we were ready to become parents. We got busy between the sheets and in September 2013, I became pregnant with our son, Jax.
On June 14, 2014, I remember looking at my infant son and realizing, "I finally understand!" His hair was thick and silky, his lips were bright red, and his eyes were captivating. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, bringing a child into this world has to be one of the most incredible feelings a woman can experience in life. A few minor birthing complications cost us an extra day in the hospital, but on the third evening, we were released and went home to be a family.
We tend to refer to the next day as "the day the music died." I had a 3-day-old baby and now a dead husband. I was a brand-new mother and now a widow at only 31 years old. I never had a chance to tell Justin goodbye or tell him how much I loved him. I like to think he already knew.
We buried Justin on a Saturday, exactly one week after Jax was born. The day after his funeral, the crowds were starting to disperse, and my support system was dwindling down to a much smaller group. It seems incomprehensible to try to portray the level of darkness I slipped into. A darkness that is so scary, I wasn't "allowed" to be left alone for one second. Not even to take a shower.
Life is a series of choices, and this choice to live started with my decision to get up off the bathroom floor and feed my infant son.
I could hear multiple voices in the hallway, all pleading for me to open the door. But in the distance I could hear a tiny voice that resonated in my heart. It was Jax, he was hungry, and I knew I was his source for food. "We are sending someone to the store for formula," my mom said to me. That was the defining moment when I had to make a choice, life or death. I realized that even though the life I'd worked so hard for was gone, I could try and start a new one. My son needed me to survive, and I needed him. It took me over 10 minutes to actually stand to my feet, but once I did, I felt a little hopeful. Life is a series of choices, and this choice to live started with my decision to get up off the bathroom floor and feed my infant son.
Over the next year, I was like a chameleon. I became so many different versions of myself that I didn't know who I was anymore. Was I Justin's wife or his widow? Was I a stay-at-home mom who used to be a musician or would I sing again? Would I ever have the opportunity to have another child? I had always wanted three. The endless questions and constant wonder consumed me from the inside out. For close to 10 months, I disappeared from any social scene, social media, or social circle that didn't include a few select people. I was hiding from the world and wasting away to nothing, a shell of my former self. Then it happened again. I looked at my now-10-month-old baby and felt ashamed. That hungry infant, once crying for mommy's milk, was now starting to talk, walk, and think. Looking at my gorgeous baby boy, I once again realized that it was time for me to make another choice between life or death.
Looking back on the last two years of my life, I realize how many choices and decisions I had to make to arrive where I'm at today. I needed to find "me" again, and that required throwing myself back into my biggest passion, which had ironically become my biggest fear: music. My love for performing and music was something I shared with Justin, and it was now something I was forced to explore on my own. By sheer circumstance, I reconnected with a former bandmate and was presented with the opportunity to fill in on a few gigs. With much hesitation, I accepted. Declining the opportunity and turning my back on what I used to love would have been the much safer bet. But I knew it would mean I would end up spending the rest of my life running away from the pain and the joy it would bring.
The roller coaster of emotions I go through during a live show are endless. However, I choose to face them every night because in the end, the good outweighs the bad. I maintain the idea though that the happiness I experience day to day is by my own choosing. Every single day I wake up like everyone else and I'm faced with a choice. Some days I hate life and choose to be sad, angry, hurt, scared, resentful, and lonely. Other days I feel blessed and choose to be happy, optimistic, thankful, forgiving, and compassionate. Each day is a new decision, and with each decision brings a new outcome. I can only hope I'm making the right choices for my future, especially for Jax's.
When I close my eyes at night, I like to tell myself three things: I will be eternally grateful for you, my mommy! I will forever worship you, my Justin! And I will always love you, my Jax!
Some of the greatest quotes in life come to us in the form of song lyrics. So, I will leave you with these words from Aerosmith: "Life's a journey, not a destination. And I just can't tell just what tomorrow brings."
Jessica Ayers recently founded a foundation for young widowed mothers. For more, visit her website, The Singing Widow, where she blogs about life, loss, and motherhood.
20 Braids to Inspire a School Morning 'Do
You've chosen the outfit, purchased the school supplies, and readied the backpack. Now what to do with the hair?! We have 20 unique styles that are sure to turn heads - while making your daughter's hair more beautiful - at school.
14 Times Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello Were the Best Couple Ever
Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello have been married for just a little over a year, and they are still in the honeymoon phase. These two love supporting each other and don't shy away from showing their passion for each other out in public and social media. We love stalking their feeds to see what cute picture, video, or moment they are going to have next.
What we're saying is we're obsessed, so we've rounded up some of our favorite moments between the hot couple that made us wish for the love that they have. See them all ahead, and then check out all of the times they were almost too adorable together.
71 Bikini Photos That Show Alessandra Ambrosio's Amazing Body
Alessandra Ambrosio's Instagram is reliable for a few things: bikinis, gorgeous beaches, and sexy photos. The Brazilian supermodel is not shy when it comes to getting in a skimpy swimsuit and posing for the camera - she did make her fame by walking down the runway of the hottest show in Victoria's Secret lingerie - and we don't blame her. The mom of two has a crazy-toned body. Need proof? See her sexiest bikini pictures, then check out her workout style.
17 Solo Travel Tips From Real People Who've Been There, Done That
You haven't truly traveled until you've done it alone. Traveling solo changes the entire experience; stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing an adventure by yourself is unlike anything else. If you're planning to take a trip alone, there are definitely some things to keep in mind, and if you're an expert solo traveler, you'll totally agree with these helpful tips from a recent Reddit thread.
- "Don't keep all your money in one place. Have copies of important documents." - Reddit user ldzk
- "Have scans of all your important documents on Google Drive. This way, even if you lose any physical copies, you can still access them." - Reddit user hotbrokemess
- "Download offline maps of the places you plan to visit in Google Maps. This is particularly handy if mobile data access is of an unknown quantity where you're traveling." - Reddit user The_Master_of_LOLZ
- "Put yourself out there. Walk up to that random group of people your age at a hostel, introduce yourself, and make friends/have people to go out with. Traveling solo can be super lonely, and if you're an introvert at home, chances are you'll avoid meeting people while abroad too without intentional effort." - Reddit user PinstripeMonkey
- "Send a copy of everything to 1-2 trusted friends you can reach. Being locked out of your regular email can be a pain, and not having easily accessible copies can instantly throw a wrench in your plans. If need be, you can create a new email and have them send all your trip confirmations there. I've had more tech issues than any other troubles on my travels." - Reddit user Xcopa
- "Write down the info for the consulate(s) somewhere. Or know where to find the info easily, especially if you go to countries that are known to be a bit less safe. - Reddit user BonBref
- "If you want to meet up with other travelers, seek out an Irish pub. Pretty much every big city on earth has one and they will usually have English speaking travelers and expats who have advice on where you are and possibly will invite you on adventures. If life is a video game, Irish pubs are where you find side quests." - Reddit user Mr_Saturn1
- "Do your best to look like you know what you're doing or where you're going. It's all nice and good to use common sense but I've always found it much easier to travel when people think you know what you're doing." - Reddit user BonBref
- "Give yourself extra time for layovers. A couple hours sitting reading a book or getting a bite to eat is a lot less stressful than running through the airport trying to catch your next flight." - Reddit user CoolMondays
- "Look for a 'free walking tour' in the city. They usually meet in a popular touristy area at like 10 or 11 a.m., and then head off. Usually they are 2-3 hours long with a 15-30 minute break in the middle for lunch. They are 'free,' but you're expected to tip the tour guide. They can also make all sorts of awesome suggestion for dinner, shows, places to go, etc." - Reddit user somedude456
- "Whenever you go somewhere, don't immediately take out your camera to snap a photo. Take in the majesty of where you are and remember the effort it took to get there. Enjoy the view and listen to the sounds. Since you're with nobody, see your destination with your eyes before you take out your camera." - Reddit user IVTD4KDS
- "Give yourself a day of rest. You might think is stupid and a waste of time, but knowing you're kicking back and relaxing in a foreign place feels amazing compared to 'gotta make sure I do this.'" - Reddit user dsmei
- "Learn a few phrases in the local language. Even if you don't sound great, most people will appreciate your effort and it may open more doors to you." - Reddit user meiyoumayo
- "Don't book all your flights and accommodation. I thought it was smart to plan everything out but eventually you skip flights and change plans to hang out with other people or go to places you didn't know about." - Reddit user 4thegreenbeast4
- "Consider a hostel instead of a hotel. If you're not into sharing a room with people, you can usually pay a bit more for a private room. Make sure you stay at one with a bar, it's such an easy way to meet people and have a good time." - Reddit user ihopeyoulikeapples
- "Don't worry too much about loneliness. I had a lot of concerns about loneliness before my first time I traveled alone. In hindsight I can say that I have met the most interesting personalities and had the most memorable experiences of my life during my solo travels. Enjoy the feeling of personal freedom. Go and live the story you will be telling to your grandchildren." - Reddit user hanshumbert
- "Keep a diary of some sort that you can reflect on. There won't be others to remember the small things, and you find it much easier to delve into deep thoughts when by yourself for extended periods. It's like a mental pallet cleanse." - Reddit user Xcopa
Is It Ever OK to Apply For Multiple Positions at One Company?
When you're excited about a company, it's natural to want to apply to several different positions there. But job hunters might be worried about the impression it gives off. If you're wondering if it reeks of desperation, the answer is . . . it depends.
Applying for different positions in the company works if you are truly qualified for the positions you're applying to. It also helps if you are tailoring your résumé for each position. Another factor you must consider is the size of the company. If the firm is huge, then chances are you might not be getting the same HR person looking at your application.
Most importantly, even if you're applying for multiple positions, try to limit yourself and be realistic. Applying to two or three positions you qualify for is acceptable, but submitting your résumé for every single position listed can be a turnoff.
Some recommend applying to one job at a time and, if you don't hear back and some time has passed, applying to another position later. However, the danger of this strategy lies in the fact that the jobs may be gone by the time you're ready to apply again. You'll have to weigh the risks on your own to see which approach to take in different situations.
This 2-Ingredient Nighttime Mosquito Repellent Is So Easy to Make
If you're like me, mosquitoes eat you up anywhere, anytime, any season. There's just something about us that lure those bloodsuckers, especially during our sleep. I almost gave up on warding them off and accepted the fact that I was going to wake up every morning with bites - until I found an effective solution. Lavender oil is about to be your new best friend; it smells lovely to us and keeps those pesky insects away. After spritzing this all-natural spray over my body and bed each night, I wake up bite-free. It also doubles as a relaxing sleep mist since lavender oil works amazingly for aromatherapy.
What You'll Need:
- 3-ounce spray bottle (For nightly use, I suggest purchasing a larger bottle to avoid having to refill every few days. Remember to maintain the same ratio of ingredients.)
- 30-40 drops lavender essential oil
- 3 ounces distilled water
Directions:
- Add lavender essential oil drops to your empty spray bottle. Start with about 30 drops and continue to add depending on how strong you want the scent to be.
- Fill your bottle up with enough distilled water just before topping off.
- Twist the nozzle back on, shake, and spray!
If You're Bumped From a Flight Involuntarily, Here's What the Airline Must Do
Lost baggage, long security lines, and annoying fellow passengers - traveling isn't always as glamorous as we make it out to be in our heads, and unexpected inconveniences are pretty common, especially with air travel. One of the most frustrating - and trip-altering - things that can happen is getting involuntarily bumped from your flight. Didn't know that was a thing? Oh, yes, it most definitely is.
Airlines often overbook flights because no-shows are relatively common, and by overbooking, they can ensure that they're getting the most money per flight by booking full flights so that even if some people back out, they are still filling those empty seats. Because the US Department of Transportation has cracked down on what airlines are required to do in a overbooking situation, getting bumped from a flight is less common now but still possible. Ever heard an airline employee asking for volunteers who are willing to be bumped in exchange for vouchers or other compensation? It's because that bidding war will often still cost the airline less than if they didn't get enough volunteers and then have to resort to bumping passengers involuntarily.
As a customer, you are entitled to compensation - sometimes monetary - for being bumped if you didn't volunteer to be. The whole thing is pretty complicated, so buckle up and read on for what to do if your flight (departing from the US) is overbooked and you're voted off the island . . . I mean, the plane.
You must be given a written statement of your rights.
Airlines are required to give a passenger being bumped a statement of their rights. The document will also explain how the carrier decides who gets to fly on an overbooked flight and who doesn't.
You don't get any compensation AT ALL if . . .
If the airline is able to rebook you on a flight that gets you to your destination within one hour of when you would have gotten there anyway, then you will not receive any compensation.
If you want cash, ask for it!
Assuming the airline can't rebook you on a flight that gets you to your destination within an hour of the original time, you should ask for cold, hard cash if you want it. Airlines are more likely to offer vouchers or plane tickets for future flights, but you can also receive monetary compensation in certain cases.
The airline must pay you an amount equal to 200 percent of your original one-way fare if . . .
According to US Department of Transportation, if the airline is able to arrange substitute transportation that arrives at your destination between one and two hours after your original arrival time (between one and four hours on international flights), then "the airline must pay you an amount equal to 200 percent of your one-way fare to your final destination that day, with a $675 maximum."
The airline must pay you an amount equal to 400 percent of your original one-way fare if . . .
If the rebooked flight gets you to your destination more than two hours later (four hours internationally) OR if they don't make any alternative arrangements for you, then you're entitled to 400 percent of your one-way fare, with a $1,350 maximum.
You can also get reimbursed for any other additional services you paid for.
If, on your original flight, you paid for any extras (such as seat upgrade or checked baggage) and you didn't receive those services on your rebooked flight - or if you had to pay for these services again in order to receive them - then the airline that bumped you must refund you that amount.
Ask for vouchers!
Airlines will sometimes offer vouchers for food, hotels, and transportation if you are going to have a long layover as a result of getting bumped. Make sure to explore your options so you can get the most out of a sh*tty situation.
You don't get ANYTHING if you missed your check-in deadline for your original flight.
If you snooze, you majorly lose. Make sure you know (and follow!) your airline's check-in rules, because if you miss your check-in time and are involuntarily bumped, "you may have lost your reservation and your right to compensation if the flight is oversold," says the US Department of Transportation.
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.
A Gay Cafe Owner Had the Perfect Facebook Response to a Homophobic Couple
We've updated this story with comments from Horne.
Homophobia, despite progress toward equality, unfortunately remains alive and rampant. A gay cafe owner in Cairns, Australia, named Jay Horne posted his tale of prejudice (and how gracefully he handled it) on Facebook, and it's since gone viral.
🤔 I'm curious... 🤔
Do you think you are going to turn gay (if you're not already) if you eat and drink at a gay owned...
Posted by Jay Horne on Thursday, March 16, 2017
In the post shared on March 16, Horne explains that a couple who frequent his restaurant, Paradiso Cairns, recently decided not to return after discovering it was gay owned and operated. "Do you think you are going to turn gay (if you're not already) if you eat and drink at a gay owned and operated cafe?" Horne hilariously asked in the post.
"One of our regular 'straight' couples have stopped frequenting our cafe because we are gay owned and operated and they had no idea," he went on to detail. "All I can say is . . . their loss!"
POPSUGAR spoke to Horne about the experience and community response via Facebook messenger. "I don't want the world to think that Cairns is a homophobic city, as it's definitely not," Horne said. "I have been living here for eight years and proudly promote the Cairns region as an LGBT hot spot to both national and international travelers."
Horne told us that he's witnessed an outpouring of support from the community in Cairns following his post. "One gentleman came in on Saturday who was so thankful that he broke down in tears," Horne wrote. "Another couple who sat in the cafe in hope the old regulars would walk by so they could confront them. I know I don't stand alone."
He also added that using his profile to fight homophobia is important. "Cairns has one of the highest if not the highest youth suicide rate in Australia, which is often related to fear of not being accepted in the community as being gay," Horne said. "If I have helped one person or saved one person from taking their own life through sharing my experience, I am happy [sic]."
While incidents like this are widely reported in the United States, Horne's experience demonstrates that homophobia is an international issue. It's also an applaudable instance of responding to intolerance with dignity and a dash of humor.
Someone Get This Girl an Award For Her Sign Comparing Viagra and Birth Control
We've updated this post to acknowledge a Facebook user's observation.
Ever since the Affordable Care Act mandated the coverage of birth control in 2010, there's been a fair amount of backlash to the provision. But as one Twitter user named Tammi pointed out in a glorious protest sign, why is the government subsidy for Viagra not contested?
Facebook vs. twitter #iwdla2017 http://pic.twitter.com/rjw7J3xzly
- tammi (@taammiiM) March 6, 2017
Tammi's sign, which she shared on March 5 just days before A Day Without a Woman, has gone viral for saying, "Viagra is gov't funded ($41.6 mil/yr). If pregnancy is God's will, so is limp d*ck."
Her sign refers to how much money the Department of Defense spent paying for active or retired military personnel's erectile disfunction drugs in 2014. The Department's Health Agency did, in fact, subsidize $41.6 million for Viagra in 2014 and $42.6 million on other erectile dysfunction drugs.
It's worth noting that the Department of Defense also covers birth control and other contraceptives, according to the military insurance website. And erectile dysfunction drugs also treat heart conditions; some women even take their equivalents for such conditions.
Similarly - as a Facebook user rightfully pointed out - those against government-subsidized birth control should know that birth control is prescribed to treat other conditions like endometriosis and severe menstruation pain in women.
Tammi's viral sign reveals a systemic issue and striking discrepancy: why is it that birth control coverage is vilified while coverage for drugs whose primary purpose is erectile dysfunction are not?
These Are the Best Bodyweight Moves You Can Do For Leg Day
We are going to apologize to your legs right now, because these bodyweight moves are going to make them insanely sore. But that's what you want, right? Add these exercises to your workout to strengthen and tone your lower half!
These 32 Tandem Breastfeeding Photos Prove That Moms Are Badass
The female body is incredible - it allows you to grow and birth humans, feed those humans, and then spend a lifetime (or at least the toddler years) running after them. Never thinking twice about doing a million things at once, moms are always ready to put their babies first, even when that means two of their children want to eat at the same time - and they both still nurse.
Scroll through for 35 photos of tandem breastfeeding that prove moms and their bodies are absolutely incredible.
Kesha Tears Up While Reading a Letter to Her Younger Self: "There Is Beauty After the Storm"
Kesha has come a long way since her chart-topping single "Tik Tok." While her journey to stardom has been filled with uphill battles, including her ongoing legal battle against record producer Dr. Luke, the "Learn to Let Go" singer is now insisting on finding happiness again. In a segment on CBS This Morning, the 30-year-old wrote a moving and heartfelt letter to her younger self about the pressures of fame, being her true authentic self, and finding the rainbow after a storm. You will no doubt openly weep over her powerful words about self-love and acceptance. Read her full message below:
Dear Kesha,
At this very moment, you may be wondering if it was really a good idea to drop out of high school and move to LA with nothing but your grandpa's Lincoln town car and a demo tape.
I've got good news and I've got bad news, and I know you're a tad impatient so we'll start with the good news. You made it! And thank God because the best plan B we ever came up with was waitressing and we will soon find out that is not really our forte.
The bad news is, you nearly killed yourself on the road to success, fueled by fear of failure, crippling anxiety, and insecurity. You will become severely bulimic and anorexic and the worse your disease gets, the more praise you will get from some people in your industry. And this will really, really mess with your head. But when you're trying to live up to an unrealistic expectation, it's never going to be good enough. No matter what you do.
Right now, you're killing it on Myspace, but beware because the internet will get way less innocent real fast. Just save yourself some anxiety and a few years' worth of therapy and just skip the comment section. Skip it all together. It's a breeding ground for negativity and hate. And don't let people scare and shame you into changing the things about yourself that make you unique and interesting. Those are the qualities that will make your life so magical. That bad girl, I don't give a sh*t attitude, it'll work for a while, and you will get a dollar sign tattooed on your hand that will last forever probably. But the truth is, you don't need to put on an act. You can just be Kesha Rose Sebert and guess what? Apparently that's good enough.
People will listen to your music and come to your shows as long as the art is honest and good and you're just being yourself. You're still in a society that worships photoshopped super models. We all still feel the pressure to look like them because that's a symptom of a society that emphasizes all the wrong things and this will be an everyday struggle -- and you must be strong 'cause over time you will gain confidence and you will learn that words and art do matter.
You will meet kids who tell you that they struggle with many of the same things you've struggled with, or more. And they're gonna tell you that your music helped save their life, and that will change you. You're gonna learn that art can heal people.
I know you are very inspired by Bob Dylan and he's your favorite. Bob Dylan is one of the reasons you play music and one day you're gonna meet him and you're going to weep hysterical happy tears at the thought of it.
One day you're gonna write a song called "Rainbow" and you're gonna be really proud of it because there is light and beauty after the storm, no matter how hard things get. You're going to write this song so you remember to make it through. You're going to remind yourself to love yourself and if you have truth in your heart, there will always be a rainbow at the end of the storm.
Kourtney Kardashian Suffered From Acne Until Switching to This Under-the-Radar Foundation
With her access to all the best beauty products, you might think Kourtney Kardashian has always had flawless skin. This isn't the case. She revealed in a post on her app that she actually struggled with acne and has had difficulty finding a foundation that doesn't aggravate her sensitive skin.
Luckily, Kourtney found a solution . . . not with a face wash or prescription, but with a switch over to Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation ($66). "I recently discovered the best breathable foundation from Oxygenetix," she explained. "I have it in a few shades, so it matches my skin if I'm tan."
As for spot concealing, Kourtney uses the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer ($30), which she also has in multiple colorways. This combination hides her blemishes and banishes breakouts.
Take Kourtney's story as a cue to not only fight your breakouts with good skin care, but to take a closer look at what's in your makeup bag, too.
Harry Potter Fans Will Freak Out Over This Magical Sorting Hat Bath Bomb
When you're in need of a little rest and relaxation, few things are as soothing rereading a favorite book (it's like an old friend!) or hopping into a steaming tub and adding a bath bomb. If you turn to Harry Potter during difficult times, then you know how easy it is to combine your adoration for the series with your bath fizzy obsession. There are plenty of Potterhead products on the market - especially on Etsy! - including a golden snitch bomb and one filled with a love potion.
However, the team at Seventeen alerted us to an even more ingenious take on the Harry Potter bath bomb: this Sorting Hat fizzer, developed by Created by Rebecca Lynn.
Decorated with stripes of red (Gryffindor), green (Slytherin), blue (Ravenclaw), and yellow (Hufflepuff), the white bomb holds a little secret inside. Just drop it into your tub and wait for it to dissolve: you'll soon see one bright hue, which is meant to denote your chosen house. Magic!
While Rebecca's Etsy shop is currently unavailable, you can buy similar fizzers from Soak and Fizzles Bubble Co. ($4) and the Slippery Suds ($7). See the mesmerizing product in action when you read on.
Queen Letizia Wears Outfits No Other Royal Could Pull Off - You'll Want to See Them!
Queen Letizia of Spain, who normally likes to wear the same classic pieces time and time again, has been showing off some new additions to her wardrobe in 2017. It all started with an embellished Felipe Varela teal gown you need to see from the side, moving then to a new office-ready tweed dress and most recently a layered look a fashion stylist would clap for. Keep reading to see those and more outfits the journalist-turned-royal has expertly worn this year so far.
17 of Selena Gomez's Sexiest Bikini Photos
You already know Selena Gomez is super sexy, and with even the most minimal insight, you probably also deducted that some of her hottest moments have come to us while she's been at the beach or by the pool in a skimpy swimsuit. And that's because the "Hands to Myself" singer, who is currently on her Revival tour, isn't shy about showing off her gorgeous figure, often sharing sultry bikini photos on her Instagram for all of us to feast on.
Ahead we present to you those pictures and more, without further commentary - because they really don't need it and, let's be honest, you weren't going to read it anyway. Get ready to be sizzled by Selena's hottest bikini photos yet!
Dior's Newest "Squeezable" Mascara Is Basically Falsies in a Tube
I am no stranger to Dior's iconic range of mascaras. After all, I consider myself a lash junkie, and the highly celebrated Diorshow formula has been a cult classic since 2002. But the brand's newest formula, Pump'N'Volume ($30), romanced me like no other in the company's mascara lineup . . . and I daresay it's the best one to date.
You see, this product has a completely genius tube that hasn't been seen before stateside. (Amore Pacific Korea won an award for this packaging in 2015.) It appears like your everyday Dior mascara at first glance, but it features a silicone tube that can be gently squeezed. This allows users to "pump" the formula into the molded brush, boosting volume in an already intensely voluminous formula. (The idea was actually inspired by makeup artists: many pros working on set warm makeup between - or on! - their hands to make the product smoother and easier to apply.)
Not only is the tube badass, the actual mascara is impossibly amazing. I am annoyingly picky about lash formulas and this one has earned itself a permanent place in my rotation. Diorshow fans already know that even the skimpiest of fringes can be transformed into a lush rainforest of lashes with the product, but this one is on another level. The brush grabs and coats every hair, defining them without clumping. The formula dries fully - unlike some brands that leave lashes feeling slightly sticky - but never makes your fringe feel stiff. This allows for lashes that are densely voluminous yet still fluttery, like a strip of falsies.
If you don't believe me yet, good news: I have photographic evidence that this mascara is the stuff of dreams. Keep reading for before and after shots, then grab your own tube.
Dubai's Hottest Vegan Makeup Line Just Launched in the US - Here's What to Buy!
Luscious Cosmetics is as enticing as it sounds. By definition, the word "luscious" means sexy and rich - and that's exactly what Dubai-based entrepreneur Mehrbano Sethi achieved when she created the brand. But there's a catch: even though the makeup battles some of the most expensive picks on the market, it's all affordable ranging around $20 a piece. And after developing a following in the Middle East, it's finally launching Stateside on Aug. 10.
"We are thrilled to finally be in the US!" Sethi told POPSUGAR. "I have wanted to enter the US market for years, but as an independent beauty brand, it took some time for us to grow organically around the globe and create enough inventory for the largest beauty market in the world. Also, with the rise of homegrown, independent beauty brands and a new focus on diversity and multiculturalism, we feel it's the perfect time to introduce ourselves as a brand whose DNA is modern, global, beauty."
Luscious Cosmetics features beauty essentials like the perfect mascara for naturally curled lashes, a brow pencil so longwear you could run a marathon with it on, and a contour kit that takes the guessing out of the intimidating technique. Everything is housed in chic black packaging with a touch of kitsch. Think MAC Cosmetics meets Benefit.
Sethi explains what makes her line so unique: "Luscious Cosmetics brings a multicultural, truly international perspective to beauty. Our product development team is spread over three continents. We have been vegan and cruelty-free since we launched, before it was trendy to do so, and most importantly, our pricing is affordable, taking into account all these additional features. We are quirky and believe in the timelessness of glamorous packaging and the sheer joy of applying makeup. There is a definite South Asia meets Hollywood flavor to our formulations: they're built to look fabulous but tested to withstand extreme humidity and heat."
What makes Sethi's story so interesting is that the brand combines her family heritage with her own need to create. She started Luscious Cosmetics in college, giving budding brand owners hope. "I have been obsessed with makeup and beauty products since I was a toddler, marveling at (and wreaking havoc on!) my grandmother's dresser full of powder compacts, lotions, and lipsticks," she said. "As a college student in Boston, I often reverse-engineered lipstick and foundation shades to suit my friends' varied skin tones. It was the late '90s, and although we wanted matte, bolder shades, drugstore beauty brands largely carried lots of pale and sheer colors. I used to mix lipstick shades together to de-stress at the student union premidterms. Later on, faced with the question of starting a business where I could do what I love, makeup was what I chose. Luscious Cosmetics was launched in 2007 with a quirky, fun approach to makeup, but with user-friendly products that give serious results."
Ready to take a deep dive and learn more about the brand? Keep reading for the top 10 Luscious Cosmetics products to buy and quotes from Sethi on how to use them.
1 of Obama's Top Aides Reveals a POTUS Story She's Never Told Before
As President Obama's former deputy chief of staff for operations, you better believe Alyssa Mastromonaco has some stories to tell. In her new memoir, Who Thought This Was a Good Idea: And Other Questions You Should Have Answers to When You Work in the White House, she shares a moving, funny, and sometimes heart-wrenching look back at the years she spent in politics and by POTUS's side. We caught up with Mastromonaco to find out what it was really like to be one of the youngest people - and one of the few women - to ever hold her position in the White House, discuss sexism's impact on politics, and get her to share her personal hopes for what's next for Barack and Michelle Obama. She even told us a pretty charming story about President Obama's meddling in her romantic life she's never told anyone - and that includes her husband.
POPSUGAR: It's pretty clear from your book that you have a deep admiration and respect for Obama. Is it fair to say working for him made you a better person? Better at your job?
Alyssa Mastromonaco: I would say that Barack Obama not only made me a better person but made me better at my job. He's one of the most intellectually curious people you'll ever meet and really brings that out in other people. When I first got to the White House, I was super anxious all the time about not knowing the answer to every question. And Obama was actually the person who let me be me. He was like, "Alyssa's not the person who wears the Ann Taylor suit. She's not the kind of person who always says the exact right thing." And I'm a bit of a wild animal. I brought a different perspective and I was a little bit more irreverent and casual.
PS: I teared up when I got to the end of the book and read the passage about him calling you after your beloved cat died. It was well after you'd resigned from your White House post.
AM: Just so you know, I had to reread that portion of my audiobook three or four times, because I cried every time. I, more than anybody, saw all the things that were on his plate every day. I felt other people maybe didn't realize how much a note meant that he wrote them or a phone call. But I saw his thought process behind the few moments of free time he had and how he used them. So, I knew that him taking the time to call me meant he really cared and really deeply understood how upset I was. That's what made it so meaningful.
PS: I love the anecdotes about Barack trying to set you up. It happened more than once, if I recall!
AM: There's a story I tell [in the book] about leaving Iowa, when he's telling me to email a guy that he said was into me. There was a thunderstorm, and we ended up having to drive from Ames, IA, all the way back to Chicago. So Gibbs [then Obama's senior adviser] and I were in the backseat of the PT Cruiser, and Obama kept turning around like, "Email him. Email him right now. He was not a bad-looking guy."
PS: So wait, you were driving Senator Barack Obama around in a PT cruiser?
AM: He was in a PT Cruiser. It was gray.
PS: What's the biggest way you saw the presidency and everything that comes with it - the responsibility, the celebrity - change Barack and Michelle?
AM: I think the external perception made them much more aware of making sure they stayed themselves. We win and it's super heady, and then a couple months later you are awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, but the one thing that we all believed - and that the president believed - is that you can never really buy into your own hype. Because as much as the world loves you one minute, they can be way down on you the next. I think that you would say if you looked at both of them, they kept it pretty even-keeled throughout the eight years, and he expected the same of us.
Someone on the campaign came to me and said, "You better get in line, because the people in South Carolina are just going to think you're a real bitch."
PS: Do you keep in touch?
AM: Oh, yeah. I saw them both in Chicago [on Jan. 7], and I saw the president at Marvin Nicholson's wedding down in Florida [on Jan. 10].
PS: I know a lot of people are very excited to see what he and Michelle do next. What do you hope to see them do?
AM:There are so many kids in the world who have only grown up knowing that an African-American first family is a part of life. I think the next couple of years are going to be pretty hard to get through, so I hope that they're super visible and that FLOTUS keeps up all of her work with young women.
PS: You explicitly say part of your motivation in writing this book was to get more women interested in pursuing political careers. What in your own experience proved the need for that?
AM: I didn't have a ton of role models back in 1998. So, when I was looking to get in, it was really just looking up at all the men who were out there. When you're not seeing women - when you're breaking into anything - it's like, "Well, this is what the men do and how they act, so we're going to just emulate that behavior." I wanted young women to know that I was very lucky that I worked for people who literally let me be me. If I had ever been anyone other than me, I would have come off as a fake, a phony, a fraud, and never would have gotten where I ultimately ended up. You can be yourself and be in politics, and they should know that. That was kind of why I wanted to do it - because I didn't see any freaks in politics like me.
PS: Was there a particular moment you remember facing blatant sexism in the political world? How'd you handle it?
AM: There was a moment. It was the very beginning of the Obama campaign in January or February of 2007. I was asserting myself and someone on the campaign - who wasn't David Plouffe or Axelrod or anyone like that - but someone came to me and said, "You better get in line, because the people in South Carolina are just going to think you're a real b*tch." It was a man. I was just like, "Wow." I didn't say it, because I was so stunned, but in my head I was like, "Wow, and you're a real d*ck." That's the one moment I can really think of where I was like, "I don't think anybody would have said that to one of the guys." I wasn't even being aggressive. They were just wrong and I told them they were wrong.
I think that what you saw during those eight years, and in those last few weeks, was that the Obamas love people and they are going to miss them.
PS: I'm sure you have a fascinating perspective on how sexism impacted the 2016 election and Hillary Clinton- who you worked alongside when she was Secretary of State.
AM: I don't think that Donald Trump treated Hillary any differently than he treated Ted Cruz or Marco Rubio. He is a deeply disrespectful person who didn't have enough reverence for the office he was running for to act humane. I never like to oversubscribe to sexism. I'd love to say "Donald Trump is just sexist." And I do believe he's sexist, but I also believe that he also treats anyone who is his opponent in a very insane and disrespectful way. Saying "lock her up!" - which is insane - and calling him Lyin' Ted and him Little Marco . . . it's all really bad.
PS: What was it like from your perspective to witness the entire election cycle, this time from the outside in? Did you have FOMO?
AM: It was really hard. But the whole time, I think that we all thought that she was really going to win. So, you didn't feel that kind of FOMO like, "Oh my god, I should be there because I could make such a difference." I think we all kind of thought it was handled and then, when she didn't win, I did feel like, "Oh, god, now I really need to be an activist." I want to be out marching all the time. I want to wear "Feminist AF" t-shirts.
PS: How did the Obamas seem in January when you saw them? I know Michelle Obama has been pretty open about feeling a sense of relief about being able to step away from the White House.
AM: The times I saw them, they were pretty nostalgic. I'll tell you two things: if you look at the video of the farewell speech the president gave on Jan. 10 in Chicago, and you look at the very end, you can tell he's taking in the moment. The thing that I think is so depressing, fundamentally, about Donald Trump, is that he doesn't appreciate what's happening right now. He doesn't seem to think it's an honor. He doesn't seem to understand why we're actually super blessed to have the government we have. I also don't ever get the sense that he loves Americans. If you look at POTUS [Obama] - and I will always call him POTUS - I think that what you saw during those eight years, and in those last few weeks, was that they really love people and they are going to miss them. And that they deeply appreciate the opportunity they were given.
Most women will want to only give their opinion only when it's almost fact in their mind - whereas dudes will pontificate a lot more. And I will tell you, I've started pontificating a lot more.
PS:What's your advice for young women who might be interested in getting into politics, but are feeling deterred - whether it's because it's still a male-dominated field, or they just don't know where to start?
AM: Find someone who you really believe in - that can be at a state level. The one thing I can encourage women to do the most is to start at the state level. It is the biggest reason that the Democratic party is behind. Women generally have to start building the bench, and right now our bench is a little thin. If I were to ask you who you think will run in 2020, we're like, "I don't know. Maybe Elizabeth Warren? Maybe?" Because there aren't five or 10 people. I would encourage young women to find that person, give it your all, and leave it all on the field. The one thing I have found is that, if you are sitting at a table, most women will want to only give their opinion only when it's almost fact in their mind - whereas dudes will pontificate a lot more. And I will tell you, I've started pontificating a lot more, which is very satisfying. They should not be afraid to speak.
PS: What's a piece of advice, or something Obama said to you over the years, that really stuck with you?
AM: Here's something nobody knows. When I had been dating my husband for a while, the president said to me, "When is he going to put a ring on it?" And I was like, "Oh, come on. We are so busy. We don't need to think about that." He said, "He needs to put a ring on it because you're worth it." And the thing is, I'm not even kidding you, it was about a week or two later that we got engaged. I've never told that story to my husband, either. It would be news to him. Also, what, are you going to go back to your boyfriend and say, "The president told you to put a ring on it"? The lamest thing ever.
The 1 Royal With Better Bling Than Kate Middleton - Seriously!
In 10 years, the woman who was christened Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano went from news anchor to queen of Spain, and just one of the ways in which her life has changed can be charted by the contents of her jewelry box.
As she inched into royal life on the arm of her boyfriend and then fiancé, Prince Felipe VI, she gradually flashed some of her new baubles, along with some subtle pieces borrowed from her mother-in-law, Queen Sofía. As soon as she became princess of Asturias on her wedding day, it was all about the tiaras, suites of vintage jewels, and lavish designer gifts. However, since her husband became king in June 2014, the newly minted Queen Letizia has moved forward with increasingly quirky and colorful pieces that include elements like brass mesh and semiprecious insects. Here we take a look at some of her most important, impressive, and interesting items.
65 of the Best Baby Shower Themes
Moms-to-be love to be showered with love - and lots of baby gear - at their baby showers, and we've discovered themes to suit every expectant mom's interest. From celebrations inspired by baby animals, classic storybooks, and vintage finds to sprinkles for experienced moms and gender-reveal parties for mamas who want to add even more excitement to their showers, these 65 amazing ideas are sure to please everyone on your guest list, including the mom-to-be! Keep clicking to find the shower that speaks to you!
Whoa! Essie's New 6-Piece Fall Nail Polish Collection Is Totally '90s
Grab your old Walkman, press play on La Bouche, and hang up your old Zack Morris poster, 'cause the '90s are back, baby! OK fine, this is nothing new. The decade has been trending for a few seasons now. But that doesn't mean we're not embracing another round of baby tees, chokers, grunge lipsticks, and combat boots for Fall 2017.
Essie is bringing the throwback fad to your nails with its '90s-inspired Fall lineup. The collection include six shades that would've made DJ Tanner, Kelly Kapowski, and Brenda Walsh run to the nail salon. POPSUGAR has an exclusive first look at every color, as well as nail art tutorials featuring the hues, before it all launches in September ($9 a bottle, essie.com).
"This six-shade collection embodies that rebel spirit with colors that range from light baby pink to saturated dark purple to a deep wine red that evokes the lipstick shade beloved by an entire generation," explains Essie's press release. "With every stroke of the brush, each color takes you back in time. These six sleek shades are the perfect accessory to your 'so don't care' attitude; making getting dressed to the nineties so simple and so very chic."
Keep reading to see all of these totally tubular shades!
Kate Hudson Just Shaved Her Head - And It's Actually Pretty Hot!
Image Source: Backgrid
Kate Hudson may be known for her gorgeous, blond beach waves, but she just completely changed up her hairstyle with a fresh buzz cut. The stunning actress was spotted on the set of her new movie rocking the badass new look alongside Sia.
Kate often switches up her hairstyle with a messy bun, and she even rocked a bob last year, but this is hands down her most extreme hair change yet - and we love it! Following in the footsteps of stars like Cara Delevingne and Kristen Stewart, Kate looks gorgeous with a shaved head.
Image Source: Getty / Steve Granitz
This Animated Film About Natural Hair Is the Cutest Thing You'll See Today
There's something so specifically cute about father/child beauty moments. We stop everything and watch when a father and son play with makeup together. Photos of daddy/daughter hair-braiding classes leave us as puddles of emotional goo underneath our desks. And this photo of a father gently combing his daughter's natural hair warmed our hearts. (We're not crying, you're crying.)
So this morning we all shared tissues and watched the Kickstarter video for Hair Love from filmmaker Matthew A. Cherry. According to Cherry, Hair Love "is a Pixar-style animated short film that centers around the relationship between an African-American father, Stephen, his daughter, Zuri and her hair." Zuri's mom usually does her hair, but Stephen steps up to the plait on the night of a big event. Of course, this presents some challenges to Stephen, but he works with Zuri to get everything just right.
The director states that he was inspired in part by cute YouTube videos of fathers tackling their girls' natural hair, but also because of "a lack of representation in mainstream animated projects." He hopes to empower young people of color and teach them to love their hair.
Cherry and codirector Jason Marino have set up a Kickstarter to help with production funds. Their goal is to raise $75,000 by Aug. 9. If you'd like to contribute, or just watch the video over and over again like we plan to do for the rest of the day, the crew is offering some fun incentives like a Hair Love pin and children's book.
Prince Charles Made a "Joke" After Harry's Birth That Actually Broke Diana's Heart
Princess Diana was many things to many people, but above all else, she was an adoring and doting mother of two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. While much is known about Diana's special connection with her boys, there's one thing people may not know about Harry's birth in particular: Prince Charles "desperately" wanted a little girl, and Diana, knowing that she was carrying a baby boy, kept the secret from her husband throughout her entire pregnancy.
About a year after Prince William was born in June 1982, Diana was under pressure to produce a spare to the heir. In September 1983, Buckingham Palace announced that Diana was pregnant for a second time, but sadly, she suffered a miscarriage later that week while at the Balmoral estate in Scotland. Cut to early 1984, when Charles and Diana found out that they were expecting again. During her difficult pregnancy, Diana told friends, "I don't think I'm made for the production line, but it's all worth it in the end."
In September 1984, Diana gave birth to a baby boy, Henry Charles Albert David Mountbatten-Windsor, after nine hours of labor and zero drugs. In Andrew Morton's Diana: Her True Story, the princess revealed her husband's "dismay" after welcoming their second child: "Charles always wanted a girl," she said. "Harry was a boy. His first comment was, 'Oh God, it's a boy.' His second: 'And he's even got red hair.'" Charles discounted the comment as a joke, but Diana was extremely hurt and offended: not only had she just endured nine f*cking hours of natural birth, but her older sisters and younger brother, Earl Spencer, all happen to have red hair, a trait that runs in the Spencer family. What's worse, at Harry's christening in December, Charles reportedly told Diana's mother, "We were so disappointed - we thought it would be a girl."
Diana went on to explain that she and Charles were "the closest we've ever, ever been and ever will be" in the weeks before Harry was born, adding, "Then, suddenly, as Harry was born, it just went bang, our marriage. The whole thing went down the drain." She went on to admit that "something inside me closed off," after Harry's birth - especially because Charles had picked up his longtime affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. "By then, I knew Charles had gone back to his lady," she said of the rekindled romance.
Harry's red hair led many to believe that his biological father was actually James Hewitt, an English Army captain who was hired to teach Diana, William, and Harry horseback riding. While Diana and James did carry on an affair in the late '80s, they didn't meet until two years after Harry's birth. And Charles's desire for a baby girl has held strong after all these years, as evidenced by his excitement over the birth of Princess Charlotte in 2015. "I was hoping for a granddaughter - someone to look after me when I am very old," he told reporters during a public engagement that year. "I am really rather thrilled."
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