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
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 ahead 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 catch his appearance in Charli XCX's "Boys" music video) to get your fix.
19 Jaw-Dropping Photos That Prove Lisa Vanderpump Lives Large
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Vanderpump Rules star Lisa Vanderpump makes no apologies for living a fabulous life, but it wasn't until we browsed Lisa's Instagram account that we realized just how fabulous her life really is. Her modern-meets-glamorous home - think glass everywhere accented by crystals and entirely decorated in the color pink - is so fancy that it has its own name: Villa Rosa. A menagerie of animals - including swans, mini horses, and a pack of lap dogs - roam her resort-like property. Take a look at the over-the-top life of Lisa Vanderpump ahead, but be forewarned: it looks more like a dream than reality.
Kat Von D's All-Black Flower Garden Is Magical AF
Kat Von D holds many titles: tattoo boss, makeup maven, animal rights activist, and now, goth gardener. If you follow her on Instagram, you've undoubtedly caught a glimpse of the all-black flower garden she's cultivating in her home. And while the idea of a colorless garden might sound dreary, it actually has the opposite effect. It feels pretty damn magical. Seeing a black sunflower, for instance, is like a unicorn sighting. Surrounded by lush greenery - and the occasional gargoyle - the garden feels almost mythical in its beauty. We've rounded up some of the most breathtaking moments from her epic garden. Take a virtual stroll and we promise you'll be a goth garden convert!
Dad Praises Simple Device That Saved His Son's Life: "We Caught It Before Any Side Effects"
New parents will do anything for their child's safety, but with tons of expensive devices on the market, it's almost impossible to know what is worth it and what isn't. For new parents Ryan Golinski and Kate Crawford, however, the Owlet Smart Sock was a life-saving purchase and was most definitely "well worth the money."
The smart sock tracks a baby's heart rate and oxygen levels while they are asleep and notifies the parents or guardians if there are any abnormalities. When Ryan's 4-week-old son's Owlet started alerting them at 3 a.m., they thought "it was a false alarm because it said his heart rate was reading 286," he explained in a Facebook post.
But after learning that this was by no means a false alarm, the first-time parents are eternally grateful for the device.
"We have spent the last 24+ hours at the hospital for something called SVT, and we caught it before any side effects," Ryan explained. "So everything is going well now and his heart is still extremely healthy. If we didn't catch it as early as we did with that sock, his heart wouldn't have been able to handle it and we could be dealing with something a lot more serious."
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a condition causing an unusually fast heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute, and because their baby was wearing the Owlet in the middle of the night, Ryan and Kate were notified of their son's accelerated heart rate before it was too late.
"I highly recommend new parents invest into this sock, it's well worth the money," Ryan closed his note.
Unicorn Lashes' New Millenial Pink, Glitter Makeup Brushes Fulfill Every Beauty Fantasy
UK-based brand Unicorn Lashes has been blessing us with mystical unicorn brushes for the last year. Now, they're launching Collectors Edition Platinum Brushes (approximately $68) and we've never wanted a brush set more.
The newest collection features silver glitter-adorned unicorn-horn handles and fluffy millennial pink-hued bristles. The package includes a total of 10 brushes, so you'll be able to apply a full face of makeup with just one set. Five brushes in the collection are best-selling brushes from their previous brush lines, and the other five brushes are brand new to this set.
When you purchase the magical collection, you'll also receive a glitter-adorned, diamond-shape carrying case, featuring a slot for each brush. Unfortunately, this collection is only available in limited quantities, so if you've got your magic-loving heart set on it, we suggest pre-ordering now it before it goes on sale.
Ahead, feast your eyes on the glistening array.
Robert Pattinson Might Not Be a Vampire Anymore, but We're Still Thirsty For Him
It's the (breaking) dawn of a new Robert Pattinson era, and the actor is honestly looking better than ever. Following his massive Twilight stardom, Rob starred in a few high-profile movies while managing to slowly fade from the forefront of the spotlight. But so far in 2017, he seems to be going out and about more as he promotes his upcoming project, Good Time. And it's been a good time, indeed. Aside from giving us sweet glimpses of his romance with FKA Twigs, the 31-year-old has been heating up the red carpet with his smoldering good looks, effortlessly sexy style, and yes, his perfectly tousled head of hair. We're only halfway through the year, but it's clear that 2017 is going to be a big one for Robert.
Selena Gomez's Fall Outfit Trick Will Impress Even Her Most Loyal Followers
As far as fashion is concerned, celebrities don't typically switch up their style from season to season. You see, when door-to-door service is available, baring your legs or tummy in a crop top (yes, even in the snow) becomes more manageable. But that's not how Selena Gomez operates - no sir. When we browsed through her most notable Fall outfits, we quickly identified the star's most trustworthy trick.
From late August to early December, Selena doesn't leave the building without either toting a coat, wearing one on her shoulders, or slipping into a long-sleeved sweater. Even when her hemline's short, Selena's either in tights or a cozy knit. Really, this is the most sensible - not to mention healthy - way to dress for the season. And since we're sure you'll be inspired by Selena's layers, we shopped out similar versions of her most practical pieces. Read on to take a look.
My Before-and-After Might Look Like Weight Loss, but I Gained Over 10 Pounds
Imagine cutting out sugar, eating cleaner than you ever have in your entire life, working out daily, running half marathons, lifting heavier weights, getting eight hours of sleep a night, drinking plenty of water, and following literally every weight-loss tip you've ever heard or read about - and then not only NOT losing a single pound, but gaining more than 10 percent of your body weight in pounds.
Until recently, I've been about the same weight since the ninth grade. I'm a pretty tiny human, and I've always been petite - at 26 years old and standing only 5 foot 2 (and three quarters!), I still get some clothes from the kids section. So when I began my fitness journey, I never set out to lose weight, but I guess I had anticipated that maybe I would drop a few pounds as a side effect of getting healthier.
About two and a half years ago, I started learning healthy recipes, eating cleaner, learning how to run (and what a burpee is), trying yoga, cutting down on alcohol (almost completely), and living a healthier lifestyle. I noticed changes almost immediately in my body and brain, and I felt fantastic.
This past year and a half, after moving to San Francisco and working as a fitness writer, healthy living became my main priority and focus. Workout classes have become my favorite pastime, and I love grabbing a smoothie or healthy bite with friends. I meal prep, am more conscious than ever of what goes in my body, and work out at *least* five times a week. I even gave up ALL sugar for six weeks this past Spring.
It was at that time that I was cutting out sugar that I also had an annual checkup with my doctor scheduled, which just so happens to be the only time I ever use a scale (I don't own one, and I have never weighed myself regularly). I didn't pay any mind when my doctor asked me to step on the scale for her as she took notes . . . until the arm on that clunky, nearly-ancient metal contraption shot way, way past where I thought it would. Roughly 11 pounds past.
"Before" and Now
While it might sound ridiculous to someone who's been on a mission to lose 20, 50, or even 100 pounds, gaining 11 pounds is quite a bit when you're my size. And when you've been the exact same weight for about 12 years, seeing such a significant change can feel jarring.
Like I mentioned, I wasn't trying to lose weight, but to gain such a significant percentage in spite of all the effort I had put into my body was a huge shock. It felt like a slap in the face or a gut punch - and then I was immediately ashamed of how devastated I felt. I'm constantly preaching body positivity. "Love yourself no matter what you weigh! Eff the scale! A number does not define you!" I do mean those things, but then the second I put a toe on the scale, I crumbled completely when the number caught me off guard.
It was at that moment I realized that without ever acknowledging it, I had been rooting such a large part of my identity in my weight . . . but why? Why did I tie myself to this one number?
I was so disappointed in myself for not being stronger mentally and emotionally. I felt a sense of responsibility to my friends, community, and women around me to be stronger, and I felt that I had failed everyone, including myself in that moment.
I anxiously looked back at my photos from the past year to try to figure out if I "looked" heavier, as I frantically texted my closest friends for affirmation. Long story short, I came to realize (through the help of friends and my personal trainer) that the weight gain was healthy, and I had lost pounds of fat yet gained pounds of muscle, and that I had nothing to worry about, physically. But that's not the point.
"Before" and Now
In one moment, with one number, I allowed myself to be distracted from all the amazing things that I accomplished in the past year.
My resting heart rate is lower. My VO2 max is higher. My mile time is nearly HALF of what it was just three years ago. I ran more half-marathons and didn't get as tired. I can do two SoulCycle classes in a row and keep up the whole time. I can finally (almost!) get that full extension of Bird of Paradise in my yoga classes. I'm lifting heavier weights than I ever could've imagined. I learned proper deadlift form. I can see my abs without flexing (whaaat!). I'm healthier overall. I feel good. I feel strong.
The scale will never be able to tell my story.
It's clear I need to work on my self-esteem; I want to be stronger so I can be a better example for the people I love and for the women who look to me for strength. Looking back at my moment on the scale, feeling that sense of disappointment in my lack of emotional fortitude, I'm trying to channel what I learned from my chat with Tracee Ellis Ross: self-acceptance can be more forgiving than self-love. She told me, "Self-acceptance for me makes space for me to still be a whole person and to be compassionate and kind and loving to myself, even in moments that have pain in them."
I also truly feel that culturally, we need to shift our focus away from "how many pounds up or down" we are to how we feel and to all the commitment and work we put into loving ourselves and treating our bodies right. Before-and-after weight-loss stories DO tell this, but oftentimes our fixation is on the weight - the "goal" - rather than the journey itself. We're taught that weight loss is good and that weight gain is bad, regardless of what we did to get to that point or what kind of shape we're in.
I heard a quote at this year's Dare to Bare SF (a body-positivity festival hosted by Movemeant Foundation) from SoulCycle instructor Kamelle Mills: "Your body is telling a story about your soul . . . your spirit. What kind of story are you telling?" I know my body is telling a WAY better story than that stupid scale.
This Japanese Manga Makeup Artist Paints Your Worst Nightmares on Her Face
Remember that creepy demon child who haunted your dreams after you watched The Ring or The Grudge? The one famous for crawling out of TV sets, the schoolgirl-ish student who was simultaneously the creepiest thing you've ever seen and also hair goals?
Image Source: DreamWorks
Like, EEEK! But also, what supplements is she taking? That hair is thick as hell, and we're into it.
Anyway, the nightmare woman in question is Yurei, and according to Japanese folklore, she's an undead spirit who haunts Earth and wreaks havoc on manga characters and our peace of mind. And a supertalented makeup artist named Mamakiteru has begun painting these scenes on her face, because who needs sleep anyway?
Luckily for Mamakiteru (and unluckily for the faint of heart), she's a pretty good actress, too. Not only do we get her spine-tingling makeup looks, but we also see her embody these ghoulish ghosts in terrifying fashion.
Hardcore horror fans, consider your Halloween sorted. Read on for our favorite looks, but be sure to grab a friend for moral support first.
Help! Does My Kid Have Too Much Homework?
Get your no. 2 pencils out – it's time for a pop quiz. Homework is a) an effective tool that helps kids learn, b) a complete waste of time, or c) a worsening problem for kids and their families.
Answer: it depends on how old they are.
So when your kids come home with backpacks loaded up with at least 25 pounds of books and hours of assignments, do you say something? And at what point do you tell your kid to go to bed rather than pulling long hours to finish the work?
Researchers have mixed opinions, but one thing's for sure: students with more hours of daily homework tend to have higher stress levels and sleep less - which isn't ideal when it comes to both learning and test performance.
For a clearer picture of what you should expect, here's how much homework kids tend to have at each grade level and what it really means for their overall development.
11 Things Your Uber and Lyft Drivers Wished You Knew - Before Getting in Their Cars
Just because you know how to open the app on your phone and request an Uber or Lyft doesn't mean that you're a pro - or even a well-liked passenger. Once you get out of the car, drivers talk, and there are many things that riders have in common: they make the same car-service "mistakes."
We chatted with 13 different Uber and Lyft drivers who, with the promise of anonymity, got real about the most annoying things passengers don't know and what they want riders to learn before requesting their next pickup. From simple assumptions to serious faux pas, find out what these strangers hope you know when you get in their personal cars - unless you want to be one of those riders.
1. Their cars aren't magical.
Four-passenger vehicles will only fit four people. Period.
2. Don't be a rude, and you'll get picked up faster.
If your rating falls below 4.5, many drivers will be hesitant to pick you up, and it will take longer for the app to match you.
3. Don't just look for their cars - be aware of where you're standing.
Especially in crowded cities or busy streets, don't wait in a ridiculous spot that makes it impossible (or dangerous!) for them to stop in get you. "I had a guy refuse to cross the street for me. We yelled back and fourth, and I let him know in no uncertain terms that I wouldn't be picking him up in a clearly marked BUS ONLY lane. He became more and more belligerent until I told him to hang on a second, got my phone out of the car, and had him watch me cancel and get the fee," a driver said.
4. You have until 30 days after a ride to give a tip so "forgetting" isn't an excuse.
"To tip your driver using the app, you must download the updates. I've learned that most passengers haven't updated so I remind them and share that that they have 30 days to tip. Guess what - I'm getting several tips days after complete rides."
5. All laws still apply - including car seats and open containers.
Their cars aren't a place to extend your pregame or get the party started, and little ones need their car seats at all times (and no, your lap doesn't count). "No parent is ignorant of car seat laws, I hate it when they argue about it."
6. They are driving you in their family car.
So please, just respect it!
7. Age really does matter.
"No one under 18 is allowed to use the service unless someone 18 or over is riding with them, so please don't allow your 12-year-old to have an Uber account."
8. The driver had to pay for everything, so don't be a jerk.
"Some passengers actually believe that Uber provides things for drivers like our phones or GPS, or that they pay for the gas or repairs," a driver said. "We own our cars and all expenses that come with it. All gas, maintenance, and repairs are all on the driver - Uber and Lyft pay absolutely nothing toward that."
9. Bad things happen when you get too comfortable.
"Sometimes they pass out, and you can't wake them up. We legally aren't allowed to touch them, so we have to call the police when people don't wake up."
10. You, and the person before you, has the power to change a driver's day.
"Be forewarned that there are a lot of very angry and cynical veteran drivers out there that have been burned by these companies and by passengers who behaved badly."
11. Only request an Uber Pool or Lyft Line when you're actually OK with sharing your ride.
Passengers not knowing what they're getting into before requesting shared rides is a big problem for drivers. "Many passengers don't understand how it works, and they get angry when you have to pick up another passenger or if the passenger picked up after them is dropped off first," a driver said. "Sometimes passenger don't respect other passengers and are loud or disrespectful. People end up getting mad at the drivers, and their ratings go down because of it."
Cast a Magical Spell With These Descendants Birthday Party Ideas
In Disney's Descendants, classic characters like Maleficent and Belle get revamped and given a new storyline for their children. Ben, the son of Beast and Belle, believes in the good in people. With the sequel becoming just as popular as the original, celebrate the good in your child with these spellbinding party ideas. You don't need Maleficent's book to put together a party fit for a coronation.
The Truth About Getting Your Home Renovated on Property Brothers
We would be lying if we said that in all the hours of Property Brothers watching we have under our tool belts, we hadn't pretended it was us on screen. It's nearly impossible not to imagine what it would be like to create our dream home with Drew and Jonathan; what outdated house would we have Drew put an offer in on? How many walls would we demand Jonathan knock down to create our open concept living area? What personalized wall art project would the brothers thoughtfully surprise us with? Would we meddle during the renovations? Cry at the reveal? The only way to know is to be on the show, and now we know exactly what producers look for when picking the homeowners. Think you have what it takes to be cast on Property Brothers? Keep reading to find out.
You Must . . .
- Have a Sidekick
No solo Sallys allowed. They want a dynamic duo, be it you and your spouse, partner, friend, whatever.
- Have a Reno Budget of at Least $65,000 USD
Jonathan might be a magician, but he still needs some moolah to work his magic.
- Pick the Four Rooms You Want Made Over
With a six- to seven-week shooting schedule, they don't have time to gut whole houses! Applicants must pick four rooms they want their renovation budget to cover.
- Decide Between Renovating the Kitchen or the Bathroom - Not Both
You can't have it all. You must pick between these two expensive and time-consuming house hot spots.
- Throw In a 25 Percent Contingency Fee
Things inevitably go wrong (leaky roof, termite infestation, bad electrical wiring) and when they do, the Property Brothers want a homeowner who can survive the unbudgeted overages.
- Tell Them What House You're Already Looking At
The application asks you to give the address of a house you're interested in and even provides a space for you to tell them when you're closing on a house if you've already purchased one.
- Be Free to Film Eight Weekdays
If you want to be on the Property Brothers, you better make time for them - they need you to be available to shoot for eight days total over the course of six to seven weeks.
- Make Quick Decisions
Dilly-dalliers need not apply; the Property Brothers are busy and they need to keep your reno moving along.
- Have Funding Already Lined Up
No point in casting you if you can't actually purchase a home. They want to know exactly how you're going to finance this major purchase.
98 Degrees Is Releasing a New Christmas Album - and Going on a Christmas Tour
Is it too early to start getting excited about holiday music? On Friday, 98 Degrees announced that the group will be releasing a Christmas album on Oct. 13 called Let It Snow, their first new album in four years and a follow-up to their original holiday album, This Christmas, which came out in 1999. Along with the new music, 98 Degrees is also setting out on a 31-date Christmas tour that kicks off on Nov. 10 in Larchwood, IA, and ends on Dec. 23 in Primm, NV. In the meantime, let's all just remember this '90s gem.
7 Signs You're Too Old to Be at a Music Festival
There's a lot to consider before you go to a music festival, but one of the biggest questions you should probably ask yourself before copping those three-day tickets is: am I too old for this? Since turning 30 a couple of years ago, I've been faced with this dilemma quite a few times, but while attending Outside Lands in San Francisco last year, it hit me: I'm probably nearing the end of my music festival days. Here are seven ways to know for sure, straight from someone who very recently realized that she is, in fact, getting too old for this sh*t.
- There are a good number of performers on the lineup you don't recognize or can't pronounce. After expressing interest in checking out a band called "Div," a friend and I were casually informed that they were actually pronounced "Dive." I decided in that moment that I was too old to see them, because I don't like being tricked.
- You can look around at any given time and be the only person reasonably dressed for the weather. This is because you A) had the common sense to check the weather before leaving the house and B) are old enough to know that running around in sneakers and covered in layers is more satisfying than running around in a tiny dress and covered in goosebumps. I had my days of prioritizing fashion over function, and they were a blast - but now I'm just too old for it.
- It doesn't matter if you're wearing your most comfortable shoes - your feet still hurt. You could be wearing Ugg boots. You could be wearing actual clouds. It doesn't matter! Your feet hurt, and they hurt a lot, and when did they start always hurting?
- You find ways to enjoy the music as far from the stage as possible. I gave up on being front row years ago, but these days it's like I don't care about being anywhere near the stage at all. I spent the entirety of The Knocks' Saturday afternoon set bopping along from roughly 1,000 feet away at a beautiful location called The Wine Club. I stayed posted up at the Back Wine miniature golf course with the ladies of Cannonball Wines and drank multiple glasses of their new Rosé. I could hear the music perfectly! And I wasn't being jostled by dozens of 20-somethings in flower crowns! It was an old gal's music festival dream!
- When I say "as far from the stage as possible," I'm not joking. You want to know how far away I stood to see Lionel Richie's performance on Sunday night? I was standing in my apartment, singing along to "Hello" while watching his set on a very high-quality live stream via the Outside Lands app. I brushed my teeth to "Endless Love" and shoulder shimmied to his closer, "All Night Long," while tucked into bed at a smooth 9:30 p.m. And you want to know where I WASN'T? I wasn't fighting a crowd of strangers just to get out of the park and into a Lyft, nor was I cursing myself for getting home "way too late."
- Trying to meet up with friends is a nightmare. I overheard one girl on the phone asking her friend if she was "standing near the balloon or the person holding the balloon" because (and I quote), "the balloon keeps moving." I've spent many a music festival happily watching performances by myself because looking for people was too much damn work, and you just can't always trust standing near those totems, you know? After all, they move around.
- Everything bugs you, and so does everyone. No matter what's happening, it's annoying. Why is this person standing so close to me? Why is this line so long? Why is this "shorter line" still SO LONG?! Then there's that moment when you've found the perfect spot to hang out and enjoy the show, only to be ambushed by a group of sloppy drunk frat boys whose only dance moves are moshing and grinding on innocent girls around them. It's too much. I'm too old.
Find Out How Much You Should Really Be Tipping at the Salon
Tipping is a custom that allows you to express appreciation for a job well done. But when it comes to salon, spa, and nail services, it can be hard to decide who and how much to tip - especially on a color job gone wrong. And while tipping is at your discretion, here are a few suggestions on amounts to give in a variety of circumstances. See the guidelines below.
My Heart Kind of Skipped a Beat When I Saw These Satin Sneakers
I consider myself a sneakerhead - a sneaker enthusiast, if you will. I've stood in long lines before just to get my hands on the latest styles, and I've shopped more than a few pairs from the men's department. That's why when I saw the white and pink sneakers from Vans x Opening Ceremony's Satin Pack collection, I knew I had caught a case of the shopping bug yet again.
The two brands have teamed up many times before with their successful Glitter Pack collection (still kicking myself for missing out on these) and their floral-motif Qi Pao slip-ons. Their latest line, which features luxurious satin uppers, comes in four shimmery colorways: Yellow/White, Black/Yellow, White/Pink, and White/Black/Red. Have a look at the entire collection, and buy them now for $100 exclusively at Opening Ceremony. Now, who's going to come with me to get a pair?
98 Degrees Is Releasing a New Christmas Album - and Going on a Christmas Tour
Is it too early to start getting excited about holiday music? On Friday, 98 Degrees announced that the group will be releasing a Christmas album on Oct. 13 called Let It Snow, their first new album in four years and a follow-up to their original holiday album, This Christmas, which came out in 1999. Along with the new music, 98 Degrees is also setting out on a 31-date Christmas tour that kicks off on Nov. 10 in Larchwood, IA, and ends on Dec. 23 in Primm, NV. In the meantime, let's all just remember this '90s gem.
7 Signs You're Too Old to Be at a Music Festival
There's a lot to consider before you go to a music festival, but one of the biggest questions you should probably ask yourself before copping those three-day tickets is: am I too old for this? Since turning 30 a couple of years ago, I've been faced with this dilemma quite a few times, but while attending Outside Lands in San Francisco last year, it hit me: I'm probably nearing the end of my music festival days. Here are seven ways to know for sure, straight from someone who very recently realized that she is, in fact, getting too old for this sh*t.
- There are a good number of performers on the lineup you don't recognize or can't pronounce. After expressing interest in checking out a band called "Div," a friend and I were casually informed that they were actually pronounced "Dive." I decided in that moment that I was too old to see them, because I don't like being tricked.
- You can look around at any given time and be the only person reasonably dressed for the weather. This is because you A) had the common sense to check the weather before leaving the house and B) are old enough to know that running around in sneakers and covered in layers is more satisfying than running around in a tiny dress and covered in goosebumps. I had my days of prioritizing fashion over function, and they were a blast - but now I'm just too old for it.
- It doesn't matter if you're wearing your most comfortable shoes - your feet still hurt. You could be wearing Ugg boots. You could be wearing actual clouds. It doesn't matter! Your feet hurt, and they hurt a lot, and when did they start always hurting?
- You find ways to enjoy the music as far from the stage as possible. I gave up on being front row years ago, but these days it's like I don't care about being anywhere near the stage at all. I spent the entirety of The Knocks' Saturday afternoon set bopping along from roughly 1,000 feet away at a beautiful location called The Wine Club. I stayed posted up at the Back Wine miniature golf course with the ladies of Cannonball Wines and drank multiple glasses of their new Rosé. I could hear the music perfectly! And I wasn't being jostled by dozens of 20-somethings in flower crowns! It was an old gal's music festival dream!
- When I say "as far from the stage as possible," I'm not joking. You want to know how far away I stood to see Lionel Richie's performance on Sunday night? I was standing in my apartment, singing along to "Hello" while watching his set on a very high-quality live stream via the Outside Lands app. I brushed my teeth to "Endless Love" and shoulder shimmied to his closer, "All Night Long," while tucked into bed at a smooth 9:30 p.m. And you want to know where I WASN'T? I wasn't fighting a crowd of strangers just to get out of the park and into a Lyft, nor was I cursing myself for getting home "way too late."
- Trying to meet up with friends is a nightmare. I overheard one girl on the phone asking her friend if she was "standing near the balloon or the person holding the balloon" because (and I quote), "the balloon keeps moving." I've spent many a music festival happily watching performances by myself because looking for people was too much damn work, and you just can't always trust standing near those totems, you know? After all, they move around.
- Everything bugs you, and so does everyone. No matter what's happening, it's annoying. Why is this person standing so close to me? Why is this line so long? Why is this "shorter line" still SO LONG?! Then there's that moment when you've found the perfect spot to hang out and enjoy the show, only to be ambushed by a group of sloppy drunk frat boys whose only dance moves are moshing and grinding on innocent girls around them. It's too much. I'm too old.
12 Brands You Need to Know For High-Waisted Swimsuits
"Are high-waisted swimsuits still a thing?" We get this question a lot and the simple answer is yes, they most definitely are. People often write them off as just another trend that only celebrities like Taylor Swift can rock, but they're actually one of the most flattering swimsuit styles out there. Not only do they elongate your legs, but they enhance your curves. Who wouldn't want that? But because not all swimsuits are made the same, we came up with a list of 12 brands that make the best high-waisted swimsuits. Scroll down to shop our top picks.
16 Stylish Swimsuits That Will Elongate Your Torso
We all struggle with finding the right swimsuits for our body types, and the struggle is most definitely real if you have a short torso. The key to elongating a short torso lies in finding a flattering swimsuit that will trick the eye into adding a couple of inches to your frame.
Stick to string bikinis bottoms and one-shouldered one-pieces that will help elongate your frame and draw attention to your best assets. Ahead, we've curated 16 of the best swimsuits that will give you the illusion of a longer torso.
Step Is About to Become Your New Favorite Documentary
In Bowie, MD, the Lethal Ladies of BLSYW stomp ferociously across the stage. Once they're in formation, they throw their arms in the air and chant, "Hands up! Don't shoot!"
The dancers on stage, aged 14 to 17, are from the inaugural class of the Baltimore Leadership School For Young Women, a charter school that aims to place every one of its low-income students in college. Led by Gari McIntyre - also known as Coach G - they're also the school's first step team. They struck and thumped their bodies through a powerful Black Lives Matter-themed routine at a Maryland state step competition, mere months after the brutal death of Freddie Gray at the hands of Baltimore police officers.
The Lethal Ladies are the focus of Step, a highly anticipated documentary from Tony Award-winning Broadway producer Amanda Lipitz, that opens on Aug. 4. The trailer for the film has been watched more than 1.3 million times in the four months since it appeared on YouTube and garnered glowing reviews following its premiere earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival.
The film centers on three specific team members: Cori Grainger, Tayla Solomon, and captain Blessin Giraldo. Their mothers, teachers, and, of course, the coach are also heavily featured, helping to shape the dancers through their crucial senior year of high school. The pressure to succeed at step is central to the narrative, but the stress of college applications is added in as well, along with the devastating reality that tens of thousands of tuition dollars are not readily available. "You have to find $40,000 for yourself," Paula Dofat, the school's college counselor, tells one student. The film offers an informative look at differing family situations and college prospects; while Grainger has her heart set on Johns Hopkins University, Giraldo works to find her way out of a 1.1 GPA and 53 missed days of school. But, as Giraldo says, "Step is life."
"Step is life."
Stepping originated in West Africa and was brought to the US through the transatlantic slave trade. Today, it's associated with fraternities and sororities at HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), and some US high schools also have teams. McIntyre says she hopes the film will encourage other cultures to recognize stepping for the multidisciplinary art form that it is. In an interview with POPSUGAR, Giraldo added that stepping represented "the perfect opportunity for something to impact my life and keep me attached to school." Giraldo began practicing at age 11. "Step is my life because it was my first creative endeavor," she said.
In addition to personal challenges, the death of Freddie Gray looms large as a backdrop throughout the film. The Lethal Ladies even visit Freddie Gray's memorial, laying flowers for their fellow Baltimorean. One team member goes so far as to speak out about how she didn't like CNN's portrayal of the city, lamenting that she only saw the network cover the riots and violence that occurred in the aftermath of Gray's death.
Giraldo says the step team did not participate in the riots, instead opting to help clean up the day after. Her team members, she said, have long been seen as resources and community figures for their friends and others. They received questions about the incident; Giraldo recalled speaking to "little boys and girls about why the CVS was burned down." It's important, she said, to "go out into the community to talk about fixing this issue without violence."
"It taught me a lot about discipline and being a leader. You become the beat. Step is a whole other level of dancing."
Education, as well as the step team, are seen as paths away from violence for Giraldo and her teammates. "For us, focusing on stepping helps us correlate something with a deeper meaning," said Giraldo. "It taught me a lot about discipline and being a leader. You become the beat. Step is a whole other level of dancing."
McIntyre still lives on Gilmor Street, the road where Gray was arrested. An all-around mentor to the team, she's had conversations about life skills, such as personal hygiene and credit, but also about police brutality. In reference to Gray's death, she told the Lethal Ladies that: "It could have been you any time of the day."
While the content of a step performance depends on the choreographer, McIntyre leans toward the political with her routines. She was the mastermind behind the Black Lives Matter routine and one she calls Black Girl Magic, which incorporates parts of actor Jesse Williams's landmark speech at the 2016 BET Awards. "Just because we're magic doesn't mean we're not real," Williams said during the speech, inspiring both the title and theme behind the routine.
"I wanted the conversation to change," said McIntyre. "These are young people, they're shooting for higher education, and even if they weren't, they're people and they have value."
"Joy, hope, disgust, anger. Because you're stomping and clapping and using your entire body, these are the reasons why stepping is a revolutionary fervor."
It's mesmerizing to watch these young women perform, their bodies moving as one unit and creating music. "Stepping is really a way to channel a lot of feelings, and the students use it for coping," said McIntyre, who stressed that step is not dance - it's a release of emotions. "Joy, hope, disgust, anger. Because you're stomping and clapping and using your entire body, these are the reasons why stepping is a revolutionary fervor."
Giraldo, who has just finished her first year of college, hopes the government will review the education budgets again and recognize how the arts, something that changed her life, are vitally important. Unfortunately, that seems unlikely given President Donald Trump's plan to not only slash $9.2 billion from the Department of Education, but to dismantle most federal arts funding. But optimism never hurts.
Though they're on the edge of stardom and have even been featured in Vogue, Giraldo and her fellow Lethal Ladies are excited about representing the positivity and possibility of Baltimore. "Step the movie is going to show what guys and girls are capable of when people pay attention," she said.
"Baltimore has a different sense of pride when you get there. When I come home now, I feel empowered. I feel amazing."
8 Things You Never Knew About Target Food, Straight From an Insider Employee
Since you spend so much time shopping at Target, you want to know as many secrets as possible, right? You're in luck, because we reached out to a Target representative for the official inside scoop on all things food shopping, from the return policy to the best money-saving tips. Keep these insider secrets in mind the next time you take a quick - or not so quick, probably - trip to Target.
You can return anything.
If you buy any item (including food) and decide you don't want it, you can return it for a full refund or exchange. "Guests can return anything, including grocery items. Most unopened items in new condition, returned within 90 days, will receive a refund or exchange." If it's a Target-owned brand item, you can return it within a whole year.
You can offer feedback and request items you'd like to see in the store.
Target really does listen to customers' concerns. "Because we are always eager to hear about our guests' experiences, Target.com encourages guests to create product reviews, add photos and videos, and interact with other guests." You never know if your idea might inspire the next snack in Target's aisles. "We have a test kitchen at our headquarters filled with expert chefs and trend watchers that create recipes and Target-owned innovations."
You can save a lot of money using Target's Cartwheel app.
Seriously, if you don't have Cartwheel by Target on your phone yet, download it now. It's an incredibly user-friendly app that makes your shopping experience even better. Cartwheel offers daily deals on items all over the store, from food to cleaning products. If you're feeling lazy, you don't even have to search the app - just scan the bar code of your product in the app and Cartwheel will tell you if it's on sale (pro tip: Archer Farms and Up & Up products usually are). "Since launching the app three years ago, more than 25 million guests have signed up for Cartwheel and saved more than $500 million on their Target purchases," the Target rep said.
You should take advantage of the price-match guarantee.
If you find something at a lower price within 14 days of your purchase, Target will match the price. "We'll match the price if you buy a qualifying item at Target then find the identical item for less at Target.com."
Some of the top-selling groceries are . . .
Archer Farms Monster Trail Mix, Simply Balanced Blue Corn Tortilla Chips, and Simply Balanced Vanilla Nut Clusters. Those are just a few of the bestselling snacks from Target.
Kids get free cookies at SuperTarget bakeries.
Kids who are 12 and younger can get a free cookie at SuperTarget store bakeries. The company recently added the option of getting a free piece of fruit instead.
You can get Archer Farms coffee beans ground at any in-store Starbucks for free.
Since most Targets have a Starbucks inside, this perk is incredibly convenient and desirable for coffee-lovers. While you're ordering your coffee for the day, you can also get a bag of whole beans ground to take home for the week. Archer Farms's coffee selections include French Roast, Cinnamon Vanilla Nut, and Café Mosaica.
You get a free "smash cake" when you purchase your child's first birthday cake from a Target baker.
While the rest of the party enjoys a separate, intact birthday cake, your baby can dive into a (free) smash cake.
- Additional reporting by Anna Monette Roberts
29 Quotes That Prove Bronn Is the Funniest - and Crudest - Man in Westeros
No matter where your personal loyalties lie within the Game of Thrones universe, Bronn (Jerome Flynn), who has been a friend and ally to both Lannister brothers over the course of seven seasons, has easily been one of the best sources of comic relief in Westeros. From his snappy one-liners to his crude sarcasm, Bronn has always kept it real, for which we are eternally grateful.
Following the cliff-hanger ending of season seven's fourth episode, "The Spoils of War," we may be a little unsure of Bronn's fate, but for the sake of comedy, we really hope we haven't heard Bronn's last zinger just yet. Find some of our favorite Bronn quotes of all time ahead, and pray with us to the old gods and the new that there will be more to come.
What I Did to Get (Permanent) Eyebrows on Fleek
It's a beauty woe that's all too familiar. It started in middle school, when I couldn't stand to look at the tiny feather boas sprouting above my eyes. Gwen Stefani was rocking pink parentheses, and I looked like Harrison Ford. I had to tweeze them. Because, you know, when you're in middle school you make responsible and wise decisions. Little did I know that tweezing was a gateway to overtweezing. I ended up looking like Clara Bow when all I wanted was a clean Audrey Hepburn.
Eventually I stared at my superskinny arches and realized that (believe me, I tried) there was little waxing or threading could do to help my already barely there brows. I watched YouTube videos of women filling in theirs like they'd been doing it since the dawn of man. But I wasn't exactly a makeup connoisseur. Probably more like a festival face-painter . . .
But I turned to makeup nonetheless - pencils for sketching my misaligned arches, powders for filling in those sexy bald spots, gels to keep unruly hairs in line, and waxes for building up color. Do you know how much time that takes? If I'm being honest, it takes up most of my morning routine. I could shave my entire body faster than it takes to create one perfectly arched brow.
After all that time each morning, I still found myself catching reflections of them in the rearview mirror. I looked like I'd passed out at a party too early and got attacked by a Sharpie. I had to switch up my morning eyebrow-creating routine. "Eyebrows" and "trial and error" are now so synonymous to me that I fear the bad brow days and cherish the good like loved ones.
While, naturally, perusing #eyebrowsonfleek on Instagram, I discovered microblading. The clouds opened above me, and light poured down on my thirsty arches. My brow-brush-wielding hands prayed for a paid vacation. So I decided to look into the technique.
This alternative tattooing method produces semipermanent results. However, unlike the block-like and harsh traditional eyebrow tats, microblading creates subtle, natural-looking brows by mimicking the strokes of eyebrow hairs.
Microblading requires a manual tool featuring several tiny needles in a row to deposit dye into the dermal second layer of the skin. The pen-like device yields amazingly natural-looking arches because the needles etch hyperprecise strokes that actually look like your brow hairs. Or, in my case, my would-be hairs.
Needless to say, I was intrigued, so when I got the opportunity to visit brow specialist Piret Aava for microblading, I decided to take the plunge and get my eyebrows tattooed. What? Tiny tattoos are in style. It's 2016. And I needed some fly eyebrows, stat.
Stressed? Kat Von D's New Easy-Peasy Guide to Contouring Will Chill You Out
If you're like us, you probably have zero chill when it comes to makeup products. Sometimes we stress out over our contour. And if you're a powder-lover, the idea of switching to cream contouring may seem slightly traitorous (not to mention difficult!).
Luckily, Kat Von D's new tutorial for her popular Shade + Light Crème Contour Palette($49), makes it look not only easy, but also relaxing. Seriously, if you're stressed, this video is even better than those kinetic sand ones. Ahead, find the video's best tips, step by step.
Sansa Stark's Outfit This Season Is Basically a Message For Littlefinger to Back the F*ck Off
cSansa Stark has been making her mark as the new Lady of Winterfell, and her outfit this season is meant to reflect that. Game of Thrones costume designer Michele Clapton reveals that Sansa's costumes actually feature a very powerful message to the men who have wronged her in the past.
"All the characters's costumes are a consequence of the journey and lifestyle," Clapton states in an interview on the Making Game of Thrones site. More specifically, Sansa's belt is supposed to serve as a warning against any men who are trying to mess with her now (cough cough, Littlefinger).
"This is her taking back control of her body. I designed it to wrap around, over her side-laced dress to represent the absolute removal of any possible physical touch," Clapton said. "Her dresses are also tightly laced on, incredibly difficult to remove; it's a message to Littlefinger."
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.
6 Details About Season 2 of The Crown That Will Make You Royally Excited
It didn't take long for audiences to get swept up in The Crown, Netflix's decadent dramatization of Queen Elizabeth II's first few years on the throne, and it's pretty obvious why. Although there are a few things in the hit series that didn't actually happen, it still captures the essence of what it was like for the young royal to take over for her father, King George VI, after his shocking death in 1952. With season one in the bag (which reportedly came at a $130 million price tag), it's time to look forward: what do we know about season two?
The Main Cast
Lead actress Claire Foy took home multiple best actress trophies this award season for her spot-on, layered performance as the queen, so it should come as no surprise that she's signed on for season two. She and costar Matt Smith, who plays Elizabeth's husband Prince Philip, are already halfway through filming the next 10 episodes of the show, though they'll be recast for seasons three and four due to the amount of time those seasons will span. "I feel that when we reach 1963-64 we've gone as far as we can go with Claire Foy without having to do silly things in terms of makeup to make her look older," creator Peter Morgan told Screendaily in February. "She can't help the fact she's as young as she is, and if we were to go further forward we'd probably need to think about the issue of recasting everybody and so those conversations are happening now and I couldn't tell you where we'll come out."
Vanessa Kirby (Princess Margaret), Jeremy Northam (Anthony Eden), and Victoria Hamilton (the Queen Mother) are also set to return, although John Lithgow (whose portrayal of Winston Churchill earned him a few awards of his own) will likely not make an appearance due to his character's resignation as prime minister. Foy admitted how upset she is about not having him on set during a recent chat with Vulture. "It's awful!" she said "Me and Matt [Smith] did a Skype chat the other day and John was there on the end in LA. It was so amazing just to see his face! I just love and miss him so much. But saying that, I can't be unfaithful. I do have some amazing new prime ministers - Jeremy Northam, who plays Anthony Eden, and then Harold Macmillan - so I'm a very lucky girl."
The Guest Stars
New additions to the cast include Michael C. Hall as US President John F. Kennedy, whom the show's creators describe as "a natural leader and excellent public speaker who does not take kindly to being upstaged by anyone, especially his wife." Quarry actress Jodi Balfour plays the wife in question, Jackie Kennedy, who is "a seemingly natural First Lady, but whose charming exterior of confidence and glamour hides a shy woman who loathes public life." Joining Hall and Balfour is Matthew Goode, who's set to play Antony-Armstrong Jones, the Earl of Snowdon (aka Princess Margaret's future husband).
The Timeline
The second installment of the show will pick up with the monarch where season one left off, in 1955. We'll get to see how she tackles global events like the 1956 Suez Crisis, as well as matters of the royal family, like young Charles's education, the birth of Prince Andrew (born 1960), and Princess Margaret's marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones. Morgan also revealed that season two will cover John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy's visit to Buckingham Palace and that it will conclude just as Britain is on the cusp of electing Harold Wilson as prime minister (and right about the time when JFK was assassinated).
The Story
Season two will kick off with soldiers in Her Majesty's Armed Forces fighting an illegal war in Egypt, and conclude during the scandalous downfall of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. While speaking at the Royal Television Society's "The Crown: Deconstructing the Coronation" event in London in March, Morgan noted that the focus of season two will not be heavily on Elizabeth. "Its soul is about Prince Philip's complexity," he said. "He's a strong flavor. I find him extraordinarily interesting - his childhood, again, you couldn't make it up. The soul of season two is about his complexity."
Not to be outdone by her sister's husband, Princess Margaret's adventures through royal politics will also be heavily featured. Kirby told Vanity Fair that her relationship with Snowdon is "exciting, dangerous, volatile, and dysfunctional" and that he "starts this whole trail of a more bohemian life outside. Margaret was best friends with Elizabeth Taylor, and she had loads of American actress friends and singers. You see these two worlds collide - hers and Tony's, who is a member of the public and was a creative, liberal, dark horse. Meanwhile, she is this epitome of the establishment." In between the ups and downs of their roller-coaster relationship, they'll presumably find time to wed (in 1960) and welcome their two children, David and Sarah, in 1961 and 1964, respectively.
The Teaser Trailer
Queen Elizabeth II has some troubles ahead of her.
The Premiere Date
Season two will hit Netflix on Friday, Dec. 8.
Concerns about integrity of public health-care system prompt audits in B.C
Three B.C. health clinics are being audited over concerns of over-billing.
Sephora Is Now Offering FREE Loyalty Points, So Get Those Wallets Ready
Image Source: Getty / Andreas Rentz
We nearly lost our minds last month when it was revealed that our precious Sephora Beauty Insider points expired, but the makeup gods have spoken and delivered some especially redeemable news. According to Insider, Sephora will be giving away extra loyalty points to specific Beauty Insider members between Aug. 11 and Aug. 19. The site reports that only certain member groups can receive the benefits on specific days.
Beauty Insiders can receive two times the points per online and in-store purchases Aug. 12 through Aug. 19. VIB members can receive three times the points per online and in-store purchases Aug. 12 through Aug. 19. VIB Rouge members can snag four times the points per purchase from Aug. 11 through Aug. 19. Time to get spending!
With the amazing 50 percent discount on Anastasia Beverly Hills, Stila, and Tarte palettes currently going on with the new Weekly Wow Sale, we have even more of a reason to fill up our black baskets.
Image Source: NBC
You'll Be Obsessed With Sephora's New Reddit-Esque Beauty Insider Community
Let's take a moment to pour one out for that friend we go to for all of our beauty questions. Or maybe, you are that friend. Since you can never have too many makeup-junkie pals, Sephora has launched a new online community full of them. It's called the Beauty Insider Community, and you're probably going to get addicted to it. This online forum aims to be your new go-to for all your burning hair and makeup questions. And yes, it wouldn't be a hot new Sephora announcement without some pretty awesome perks.
If you've ever lost hours on Reddit's Beauty Addiction page (totally busted), Sephora's new launch will be second nature to you. The platform features several sections, starting with the home page, where you can access your profile, peruse groups, and join a conversation. There are 42 themed groups, from the basic "Everything Eyes" to the tips-based "Acne-Prone Skin" and the fabulous "Glitter Enthusiasts."
The sky's the limit in terms of finding inspiration, asking questions, and connecting with other people
Along with using those pages to meet and discuss things with like-minded beauty junkies, there's also a "Gallery" feature where you can post pictures to show off your recent Sephora haul or post an on-point makeup selfie to your adoring fans.
But don't think this is just another online forum. Bindu Shah, VP of digital marketing at Sephora, tells POPSUGAR that the Beauty Insider Community is an "evolved ecosystem" that "Enables [shoppers] to easily connect with people who share [their] beauty interests so they feel supported throughout their beauty journey." It's also a great place to discover new products for future purchases, which, of course, will lead to raking in more Insider points. "The sky's the limit in terms of finding inspiration, asking questions, and connecting with other people," Shah says.
We're particularly excited about the "Trending Now" group, which teases sneak peeks of new products. While we might go broke keeping up with all the news and exclusives, at least it will all be for a cause we know and love (hoarding makeup!). And, after you score that new highlighter or eye-shadow palette, you'll want to tell the Beauty Insider Community all about it. Shah's pro tip is that, "It's fun to visit Community after you've been in store so you can share reviews on products you've tried."
All you need to participate is an opinion and a Beauty Insider membership. The site is up now to play around with, but if you create your profile between Sept. 1 and 30, you'll actually receive 50 BI points just for showing up. Participation medal!
You'll be happy to know that, although the Beauty Insider Community just officially launched today, there is already a conversation dedicated to one of life's most important questions:
Open Letter to the Sun in Advance of the Solar Eclipse From Parents Everywhere
Sorry, guys. We have to reschedule the eclipse because it conflicts with this person's schedule. http://pic.twitter.com/ae72z3sUgQ
- Juli Caldwell (@ImJuliCaldwell) August 8, 2017
Hey Sun,
I know I don't reach out to you unless I want something (we both know I was a bit needy during that weeklong rain spell this past Spring, and sure, I'm all-out dreadful during pretty much every Chicago Winter), but hear me out on this one.
As you know, this month there'll be a total solar eclipse - a once-in-a-lifetime event. OK, once-in-a-human-lifetime . . . I get this is, like, an every-weekend kinda thing for you. But, here's the rub: it's taking place on Aug. 21. A Monday.
Lame, right? Like, for me to attend the celebration, I'm going to have to take off work. I only have so many days, and I have that big week at the lake coming up that I'd hate to cut short. And, like, three more weddings this Fall where you kind of have to take off a Friday for travel.
Not to mention, I'll have to drive the five-plus hours to St. Louis with my husband, two kids, and dog in order to see the totality. Doing that and then driving back home on a Monday night does not really make a ton of logistical sense, you know?
And, listen, it's not just me that you're inconveniencing. The mom who responded to the Solar Eclipse Party Facebook invite has good reason to ask you to reschedule. It's the first day of school! Come on, Sun. That's just poor planning on your part and you know it.
So, please, if you can, just talk this over with Moon (I don't have her email . . . can you forward?), and maybe push the Eclipse up a day. Or two, even. Saturday would really be great because then we can have a barbecue and not have to worry about getting up superearly the next morning.
Oh, and last teeny-tiny request: if it's not too much trouble, could you, like, not make staring at the eclipse damaging to our eyes? I think I mentioned I've got kids - a toddler and a baby - and you have to know how impossible it is to tell them not to stare at the thing you are staring at. And trust me, no matter how many cool Eclipse glasses I buy, my kid is not going to keep them on for more than a minute at a time. So . . . Yeah, you'd really be doing us all a big favor.
Thanks,
Kate
P.S. Do you know offhand if taking a picture of you during an eclipse will break my iPhone? Because if I can't Instagram this, I might just skip it.
Dad Proves That His Love For His Kids Is More Important Than Any Issues With His Ex-Wife
On his ex-wife's birthday, Billy Flynn woke up early to buy flowers, cards, and gifts for his boys to give their mom. He then helped his two kids make her breakfast and surprise her with the treats.
Despite his kind actions, though, this dad still receives criticism on a regular basis, so he's explaining his actions to those who don't understand why he does nice things for his ex. "I'm raising two little men. The example I set for how I treat their mom is going to significantly shape how they see and treat women and affect their perception of relationships," Billy shared on Love What Matters Facebook page. "I think even more so in my case because we are divorced. So if you aren't modeling good relationship behavior for your kids, get your sh*t together. Rise above it and be an example. This is bigger than you."
This isn't the first time someone was confused by Billy being on good terms with his ex, so this dedicated dad realizes that he is setting the example both for his children and other adults. "Raise good men. Raise strong women," he wrote. "Please. The world needs them, now more than ever."
Thanks to This Male K-Pop Star's Beauty Tricks, I'm Not a Sweaty Mess Anymore
If you knew me, or even just sat next to me on the subway, you would know that I sweat. A lot. In fact, at the height of my awkward stage (before it was cool to incorporate menstrual pads into your beauty routine), I would put Always Infinities under my armpits to cure pit stains. (Holler at me, boys.)
Because of this, I've always been insanely jealous of those people who manage to glisten dew instead of drip sweat. One of the reasons I love the K-pop star G-Dragon is because he can jump around under bright lights on stage without anyone seeing a lick of sweat. (The other reason I love him is because he rocks a bedazzled gas mask in this music video.)
I reached out to vlogger Sydney Kim, a dewy goddess herself, on the how I could stop my face sweat. To me, beauty is a gender-fluid concept, and I don't believe there's a difference between "men's" and "women's" makeup (we all just want to look good, after all).
But when we met at NYC's Korean Cultural Center, Sydney pointed out that there are some fundamental differences between the two skin types and knowing these nuances will keep me dry. "Men tend to sweat more because they have bigger pores. If they don't apply any products, their pores will get bigger." But that doesn't mean we should just start slathering on anything.
It might seem counterintuitive, but Sydney says that male K-pop singers shy away from anything that promises "dewy" or "glowing" skin. "Girl groups go for [those products]. That wouldn't be ideal for men, because it would slip away."
So what should us sweaty women hoard during our next K-beauty shopping spree to channel G-Dragon's fresh look? Read on for Sydney's favorite gender-fluid and swelter-proof products - there's even one for your brows!
This Latest Instagram Hair Trend Was Definitely Inspired by Hannah Baker
When you think of shows with iconic hair moments, you probably think of Game of Thrones or Gossip Girl. Well, no disrespect to Blair Waldorf, but I happen to take hairspiration from a less glamorous show. Call me superficial, but one of the only reasons I first turned on the Netflix show 13 Reasons Why was due to my obsession with promo images of Hannah Baker's choppy, wavy bob.
Turns out, I'm not alone - Vanessa Hudgens, Rita Ora, and now Khloé Kardashian have seemingly all found style inspo from this fictional character. Yup, months after the series's release, "Hannah Baker hair" is a definite thing. And it's so cute, you just might bring the 13 Reasons Why poster to your next cut and color.
We all remember how Hannah, tragically, gets the now-iconic cut mere days before committing suicide. After leaving the salon, Hannah says, "I am giving life one more chance." Clearly, the look is dramatic, emotional, and physically gigantic. It's also unapologetic about the amount of space it takes up, which makes it feel like an exclamation point for her head.
Hannah's blunt, almost triangular style was given a playful, puffy update by Jen Atkin for Khloé's cut on Aug. 7 (which, as explained on Snapchat, was actually created via snipping off her extensions - the Kardashian sister is notoriously scissor-averse).
If you thought beach waves were the peak of our obsession with laid-back locks, wait until you see Hannah Baker hair. The little, dare we say it, crimped waves give the illusion of damp, sandy hair. If you have wanted to get on the wet-hair-to-work trend but break out in hives at the thought of ditching your dryer, then you're a natural for this style.
If you need any more proof that Hannah Baker hair is as good as it gets, look at it this way: Amber Rose took a break from rocking her (often gloriously) bare head to wear a wig of this style. Read on for more style inspiration that will also make you want to rewatch season one.
This Strange Yet Genius Hack Ensures You Can Take a Shower and Keep Your Cat Eye
It's a pretty common dilemma we all face at one point or another: It's Friday evening and you rush home after work to freshen up before happy hour. You take one look in the mirror and realize dry shampoo just won't do the trick and that you desperately need to wash your greasy hair. But that means you run the risk of totally botching your makeup in the shower, and you don't possibly have enough time to perfect your cat eye again before dashing off for your discounted margarita. So what's a gal to do?
One genius girl has the perfect solution: wear goggles in the shower! Lauren, a 22-year-old student who lives in Texas, made the internet simultaneously LOL and say "why didn't I think of that sooner?" when she shared her no-brainer makeup hack online. In her first picture, she donned a pair of swimming goggles and captioned it "when u have to wash your hair but ur makeup is fly af," while the second snapshot captured her post-shower with her flawless makeup perfectly intact sans smudges and smears. Genius!
When she posted her hack on Tumblr, it went totally viral, amassing more than 90,000 notes to date, which means nearly 100,000 people either liked or reblogged her images. She told Buzzfeed News
how she got mixed reviews from other Tumblr users (some praised her creativity while others said she should've just used dry shampoo in the first place). Regardless, we give Lauren an A+ for innovation, and we'll definitely be trying this trick in the near future.
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A Vet's Urgent Warning Against Leaving Dogs in Hot Cars Needs to Be Shared Immediately
If you're a pet owner, you've probably been in the following scenario at one point or another: it's a Sunday afternoon, and you're in the middle of a whirlwind of errands. You just took your dog by the vet for a quick checkup and still have to swing by the grocery store, get your nails done, and make it home for family dinner. As you pull into the grocery-store parking lot, you vow to make your trip quick because you'll be leaving your pup in the car - with the windows cracked, of course. Seems innocent, right?
Dr. Ernie Ward, a veterinarian and self-proclaimed pet advocate, is certainly familiar with the aforementioned situation. But Ward has made it his personal mission to ensure that dog owners know that while it may seem like an innocent thing to do, leaving an animal in a parked car on a steamy Summer day is actually incredibly dangerous. To demonstrate this, Ward decided to videotape himself sitting in a parked vehicle to see just how hot it would get inside over time. Spoiler alert: it got really hot, really fast.
Though the outdoor temperature was 95 degrees, the inside of the car reached a staggering 117 degrees during the 30 minutes Dr. Ward was inside. While he could see that it was breezy outdoors by observing the swaying trees, Ward said he couldn't feel any breeze in the car despite the slightly cracked windows, and it provided no relief from the quickly rising temperature. The vet explained how "helpless and frightening" a situation like the one he was in would feel for a dog left in the car. "Everything in my body is saying 'get out, get out, get out,'" he said.
Oh, and let's not forget the sweat factor. "I can just feel rivulets of sweat careening down my body . . . and I can do that; a dog can't. A dog can't perspire," Ward said. The fact that dogs are unable to sweat is what makes it so hazardous - and potentially fatal - to abandon one in a parked car when it's hot out. "You can make all the excuses you want. You can say, 'It'll just be for a second, and I'm gonna leave the windows cracked . . . but those excuses are meaningless unless you've sat in that car during that same time."
Watch the video ahead to hear what else Dr. Ward has to say about this hot (pun semi-intended) topic.
Leslie Jones Freaks the F*ck Out When a Game of Thrones Cast Member Surprises Her
You might think you're a big Game of Thrones fan, but few people can compare to the enthusiasm displayed by Leslie Jones each Sunday. The Saturday Night Live comedian stopped by Late Night With Seth Meyers on Wednesday for episode two of their "Game of Jones" segment, which proved once again that there is truly nothing more enjoyable than watching Jones lose her damn mind over the show. She and Meyers watched season seven episode "The Spoils of War" together, where she had some incredible observations about Game of Thrones characters:
- "Bronn is the dude in the hood who knows where all the $1 cigarettes are."
- "Man, he's high. Always out here by the tree. Spaced out. What is you smokin', Bran?"
- "Theon is a coward. He's a coward! I don't care if you got no dick. You did wrong!"
- "Varys is like the girlfriend who you don't really know if she's your homegirl or not. One minute she's supporting you and got your back, but the next minute you hear about some bullsh*t she said to someone else about you."
After making her comment about Varys, the late-night host gave her the mother of all surprises when he brought out real-life Varys, actor Conleth Hill, to watch the rest of the episode with them. Helpful tip while you're watching: don't drink anything, because you'll immediately spit it out from laughing so hard.
Kristen Bell on Anna Faris's Split From Chris Pratt: "It's Really Hard"
The world is still reeling from the devastating news that Chris Pratt and Anna Faris are separating after eight years of marriage, but Kristen Bell is here to tell you that there's a different, more beautiful way to look at it. While celebrating the launch of Naked Juice's #DrinkGoodDoGood campaign this week, the actress spoke to E! News about what she thinks can sometimes contribute to broken celebrity marriages when asked about Anna and Chris. "I don't necessarily know that it's 'Hollywood' that gets in the way," she said. "The reality is when you're working in this industry, you're sometimes shooting a movie in China for four months. You're away from your family for four months. I think it's more the separation than anything that can weigh on people. The truth is, it's really hard. You should say, 'Oh, they tried. But that doesn't discount the lovely years they had together.'"
Kristen went on to say that her own marriage to Dax Shepard is far from perfect, and that the two work their asses off to make sure they stay together. "I love my husband, and I love my marriage, but it is very hard, and we work at it," she continued. "We go to couple's therapy. We make sure that we're talking with respect to each other. When we sit down to have a disagreement, it's a disagreement, not an argument." She also revealed that if she and Dax were to ever separate (please don't, we honestly wouldn't know what to do), she would look back on their time with love and fondness, saying, "If I ever get divorced, I'm still going to be like, 'Wow, I loved being married to that man.'"
Everything We Already Know About Game of Thrones Season 8
We're still in the midst of the seventh season of Game of Thrones, but we're already setting our sights on what's going to happen in season eight. A little premature? Maybe. But the good folks at HBO have graciously been dropping hint after hint about how the final season is going to shape up, so we might as well start obsessing over it all now.
This Season 1 Quote From Robert Baratheon Eerily Foreshadowed That Epic Dothraki Battle
Warning: spoilers for Game of Thrones below!
A lot of lives might have been spared during the epic, climactic battle at the end of fourth episode of Game of Thrones season seven, "The Spoils of War," if only the Lannisters had taken some advice from Robert Baratheon to heart.
The late King of the Seven Kingdoms might have been a pretty terrible ruler, but there's no denying that he was an incredibly savvy commander. He proves how perceptive he is in terms of battle strategy in season one during a conversation with then-wife Cersei, who is unconvinced that Daenerys Targaryen or the Dothraki pose a threat to King's Landing. Robert goes on to explain exactly how the invaders could take the Iron Throne, and one line he utters in particular eerily foreshadows the battle Jaime and the Lannister forces lose against Daenarys and the Dothraki in "The Spoils of War," as pointed out by Reddit user Execute-Order-66.
"I do know this: If the Targaryen girl convinces her horselord husband to invade and the Dothraki horde crosses the Narrow Sea . . . we won't be able to stop them," he says. "Let's say Viserys Targaryen lands with 40,000 Dothraki screamers at his back. We hole up in our castles. A wise move. Only a fool would meet the Dothraki in an open field."
[MAIN SPOILERS] Even in death, Robert's advice lives on from gameofthrones
Cersei tries to counter by pointing out the widespread Westerosi belief that "the Dothraki don't sail" (which we now know to be false), and Robert further lays out a possible battle plan for the Targaryens/Dothraki. "They leave us in our castles. They go from town to town, looting and burning, killing every man who can't hide behind a stone wall, stealing all our crops and livestock, enslaving all our women and children," he says. "How long do the people of the Seven Kingdoms stand behind their absentee king, their cowardly king hiding behind high walls? When do the people decide that Viserys Targaryen is the rightful monarch after all?"
Not only does Robert's sage advice potentially foreshadow how Dany's Dothraki and Unsullied armies might sweep through King's Landing and take the Iron Throne, but it also reiterates how far Cersei has strayed from her late-husband's warning that "one army, a real army, united behind one leader with one purpose" is stronger than five. She shows time and time again that she's willing to do anything to remain in power, even if that means filling the people of Westeros with fear rather than a sense of unity.
Robert might be dead, but clearly his words still ring true.
Ashley Graham Used a Simple Styling Trick to Make Her Sexy Blue Bikini Pop
By now, we're sure Ashley Graham could write a book about all of the tricks she's learned while on the set of her photo shoots. And her latest bikinigram proves just that. The model, who was shooting her new Swimsuits For All campaign in Jamaica, posted a picture of herself in a sexy blue bikini. She found an easy way to make the swimsuit's bright blue color pop even more by styling it with a pair of matching sunglasses. Have a look at her brilliant styling hack ahead, and shop similar versions of her sunglasses if you want to give this trick a try too.
10 Workout Tops You Can Wear Without a Sports Bra
We're forever on the hunt for affordable, functional workout clothes, especially the kind that work double time. That's why we rounded up some useful athleisure tops that allow you to go about your workout sans sports bra. These tops either have built-in breast support or they're designed in a way that doesn't require a sports bra if you just don't feel like putting one on. By opting in for these double-duty pieces, you might save a few extra bucks on your overall fitness wardrobe.
20 Easy Vegan Breakfast Recipes You Can Make When You're in a Hurry
Breakfast is the meal we're most likely to skip on the weekdays. Mornings get really busy and it's hard enough to remember to pack a granola bar as you're flying out the door, let alone make time to cook a full meal. All it takes is a little extra effort, though, and you've got a nutrition-packed breakfast that will give you all the energy and nutrients you need for your day. Whatever your dietary needs are, these easy vegan breakfast recipes will carry you through the week.
15-Minute Beginner Low-Impact Cardio
You can burn serious calories without all that jumping around. We don't have anything against bouncing, but sometimes you want to give your joints a rest, and with this low-pact workout, you can. We give you 15 minutes of heart-thumping cardio, no equipment or jumping required. Press play and get ready to work - your downstairs neighbors just might appreciate this low-impact workout, too. If you're looking for a longer low-impact sweat sesh, check out this 30-minute workout.
The 1 Home Trend the Property Brothers Wish Would Go Away
On their HGTV Show Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott often have to sell homebuyers on the merits of a fixer upper - but there's one type of property they'll never advocate for: tiny homes.
We recently caught up with the bros to hear about their hilarious collaboration with Esurance (hint: it involves rapping), and they told us that they wish the tiny home trend would just go away. "I don't like it because most of the tiny houses we've seen, they're not built to code; they're not actually functional," Jonathan said, adding "I've only ever seen a couple tiny home spaces that are actually a clever use of space and multi-functioning spaces."
The brothers spent a night in a tiny house - accompanied by Jonathan's dogs - and, beyond having to deal with Drew's snoring, they found the entire experience to be chaotic. Drew explains, "Our whole philosophy is that your home should make your life easier, and as soon as you start tripping over each other and trying to squeeze too much into a space for it to work, then you're not making your life easier. You're making your life more hectic."
When you put it that way, we have to admit they have a point. Looks like we won't be seeing a tiny home reno on Property Brothers any time soon!
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