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.
mardi 15 août 2017
My 6-Month CrossFit Transformation Isn't What I Thought It'd Be
I wasn't going to write this post. I didn't want to share these photos. I felt too embarrassed. But it was for that reason that I felt compelled to. You see, when I started my CrossFit journey to getting completely ripped, I was convinced that after six months, I'd have amazing transformation photos to share. But as you can see, I don't.
I could have chosen to not share them, to wait a year, or however long it took to get the six-pack abs I'm working so hard toward, but I feel like these transformation photos are even more important to share than ones that are jaw-droppingly impressive. Because they show that losing weight and getting toned takes time, and probably more time than you want it to.
Losing weight and getting toned takes time, and probably more time than you want it to.
But my husband talked me down off my "I hate CrossFit" ledge and said, "First of all, you look amazing. And I can totally tell you're getting stronger. But CrossFit isn't just about what it's doing to your body, it's how you feel." And that's true. I loved how badass I felt snatching bars over my head and slamming medicine balls to the floor, and how my heart thumped in my chest and sweat dripped off my nose while doing a bazillion burpees. I loved how energetic and confident I felt when I came home from class, and how that set the tone for my entire day. I'm happier when I work out regularly, and that spreads out into my life, my work, and my relationships.
I also talked to a ton of women about how I was feeling. I told them, "I've gained weight, everything has gotten bigger, including my butt, and my jeans are tighter." They felt the same way, that they didn't love their huge muscles at first, but now they do because it means they're strong. Some of the women even said they wished their muscles were bigger, and now they just care about what their bodies can do, and what their goals are like to squat more weight, or do higher box jumps.
Doing CrossFit for six months has taught me one unexpected lesson that I feel like I've been trying to learn my entire life. To love my body. To genuinely feel proud of what it can do, and to not poke and prod at it for what society tells me it's supposed to look like.
I just turned 40 years old, and it's taken me a lifetime and two pregnancies to get my body to this point, so how could I expect everything to change in just six months? Even though I don't see the physical progress I thought I would in half a year of intense workouts, five days a week, the progress I see in what my body can do is what's become my focus.
I've hit some pretty monumental goals like climbing a 15-foot rope, doing my first strict pull-up, and a handstand push-up, and that feeling of pride has overcome my feelings of insecurity about my flabby, wrinkly baby belly. It's given me this newfound confidence and inspiration to become even stronger. It feels like for most of my life, I've been in a constant battle with myself, to do everything possible to shrink down and take up less space, but I actually like the feeling of taking up more.
So what if I'm not where I want to be? I'm getting there, right? And I'll continue to take progress photos each month so that one day I'll look back on these six-month pictures and see how this was just one step in my journey to becoming the strongest, best version of me.
And even though sharing these photos of me not quite reaching my goals is a little mortifying, the one thing that makes it easy is to think that someone on their own weight-loss or fitness journey relates to my story, and finds inspiration to keep pushing themselves and celebrate every moment of progress, no matter how small they think it is.
These 2 Bloggers Travel the World to Get Photos of Exact Game of Thrones Locations
Whenever I think I'm a "huge" fan of something, the internet proves me wrong. There is always a more devoted fan out there, and two bloggers are traveling the world with a very unique goal prove it. Tiia and Satu, travel bloggers from Finland and the people behind Fangirl Quest, devote their time to seeking out filming locations of their favorite movies and TV shows, and then they visit the destinations. They take incredible photos of scenes from the movies and shows with shots that line up perfectly in real life - they call it scene framing. "We saw some of those historical ones where people put up photos against today's cityscapes and possibly even a couple TV show versions done with printed photos," they told Mashable.
While Fangirl Quest roams the world in the name of shows like Supernatural, The 100, and Peaky Blinders, they also have completely risen to the task of locating some of the coolest Game of Thrones destinations out there. They have a complete guide on their site of all of the places travelers who love the show can visit. Check out the photos ahead to see where they've visited, and if you're a Game of Thrones superfan, you better step up your game.
A Definitive Ranking of the Best Butts on Game of Thrones
We've been through a lot with Game of Thrones. So much, in fact, that we're pretty much irrevocably scarred for life because of all the damage it's done. It's so easy to forget, though, that we've had lots of good times too. We've already ranked the hottest guys on Game of Thrones, but there's one important thing we need to rank: all those butts. With excitement for season seven heating up and just a few episodes before the finale, we're remembering all the best bare bottoms on the show. Keep reading for the hottest booties in Westeros.
Game of Thrones: The Dangerous Evidence That Dany Is Her Father's Daughter
Few Game of Thrones characters are more beloved than Daenerys Targaryen. She is a total badass who defies all expectations to become a great conqueror and the Breaker of Chains. The Mother of Dragons stands by her people, protects them, and promises them she will build a better world. She's clearly the hero, right? Right? Allow us to play devil's advocate and suggest that Daenerys is not as heroic as we once believed her to be. With her obsession with burning her enemies alive, Daenerys is becoming more and more like her father every day. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean the Mad Khaleesi theory will come to pass, but it should give you pause.
The Mad King Aerys's paranoia grew to the point where eventually he saw everyone as the enemy, and his rallying cry was "burn them all." To her credit, Daenerys appears to be perfectly sane, but the ruthlessness of her behavior hints at the worst part of her Targaryen lineage. While all of the attention is being focused on Cersei's impending madness, there are plenty of signs that the Dragon Queen is the one that people should fear.
The Theory
The Mad Khaleesi theory suggests that Daenerys has been behaving like her father for years now, but because so much of the story is from her point of view, it's hard to see her actions as cruel. After all, the Dragon Queen never targets innocents. Her victims are vicious khals, slave traders, and the Lannister army. But there is an undeniable brutality in her tactics, and nowhere is that more evident than in the deaths of Randyll and Dickon Tarly. She burns the father and son alive when they refuse to bend the knee, just seconds after she claims she's not in Westeros to murder.
Daenerys isn't her father yet, but there are signs that she could follow in his footsteps if she does not take a closer look at her tactics.
The Evidence
- Varys has firsthand knowledge of what it was like to work for the Mad King, and in "Eastwatch," he shares his experiences with Tyrion. He recalls how he would find traitors to bring before the king, and then he would stand aside and watch as the Mad King burned them alive. His words clearly resonate with Tyrion, who is still rattled from watching Drogon incinerate Randyll and Dickon. Varys warns Tyrion that counsel is what will keep Daenerys from becoming her father, and as her Hand, it's up to Tyrion to make her listen.
- The Loot Train Battle sees Daenerys raining fire down on the Lannister army indiscriminately. She burns them all, leaving only a handful of men standing at the end. She offers those men an option: join her or die. The lack of middle ground hints at the same extremism of her father, who showed his enemies no mercy. What's most distressing is that Daenerys claims to give these men a choice, when in actuality their only option is to bend the knee. She's ruling with fear, and fear was her father's weapon of choice.
- King Aerys murdered Brandon Stark and his father, Rickard, in the throne room of King's Landing. His methods were beyond cruel - he boiled the elder Stark alive in his own armor while Brandon strangled himself trying to grasp the sword the King had put just out of his reach. Daenerys doesn't resort to sadism when she executes Randyll and Dickon, but there is still an eerie parallel to her killing the father and son.
- At the start of his reign, the Mad King was benevolent; it was only later that he began to distrust everyone around him. Likewise, in season six, Daenerys appears to trust Tyrion fully with the responsibility of being her Hand, but after two of his ideas fail, she grows weary of his clever plans and takes matters into her own hands. While the show doesn't discuss why she brings Tyrion along during the Loot Train Battle, it certainly looks like a test of his loyalty. Much like King Aerys grows to distrust his Hand and friend Tywin Lannister, Daenerys wants to see if Tyrion will stand by and watch his brother burn.
- Finally, there's her use of fire. Daenerys has always been fond of flames. It is fire that births her dragons, and fire that frees her from the khals. The Mother of Dragons doesn't just kill anyone who gets in her way: she burns them, just like her father did.
What It All Means
Daenerys is her father's daughter in many ways. Those who are firmly on her side have nothing to fear, but she demands absolute loyalty. If she receives anything less, she has no problem using her dragons to kill her enemies. In some ways, this is a show of strength, but in others, it is a warning sign that if she's not careful, Daenerys could still become known as the Mad Queen.
A Definitive Ranking of the Best Butts on Game of Thrones
We've been through a lot with Game of Thrones. So much, in fact, that we're pretty much irrevocably scarred for life because of all the damage it's done. It's so easy to forget, though, that we've had lots of good times too. We've already ranked the hottest guys on Game of Thrones, but there's one important thing we need to rank: all those butts. With excitement for season seven heating up and just a few episodes before the finale, we're remembering all the best bare bottoms on the show. Keep reading for the hottest booties in Westeros.
The Royal Gardener Just Revealed the Touching Reason Princess Diana's Garden Is All White
A garden has been erected in Kensington Palace, Princess Diana's former home, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of her tragic death. And the garden is absolutely breathtaking. One of its most striking features is the monochromatic white color scheme. Country Living UK spoke with the man behind the garden's design, Kensington Palace Head Gardener Sean Harkin, who revealed how the garden and palette came to be.
Sean explained to Country Living that the idea for the garden was inspired by the Diana fashion exhibition inside the palace. They decided to coordinate an outside celebration of the princess's life by transforming the Sunken Garden, one of her favorite spots, for the occasion. The color scheme is a nod to Diana's love of white and creams, which are highlighted in her elegant wardrobe choices, many of which are seen in the preserved outfits and Mario Testino pictures featured in the fashion exhibit. The palace website echoes those sentiments, writing that the White Garden was "planted with flowers and foliage inspired by memories of the beloved Princess's life, image, and style."
As for what specific flowers visitors will find in the White Garden, Diana's favorite forget-me-nots reign supreme, while lilies, white roses, tulips, narcisii, and Cosmos daisies also abound. The overall effect is nearly as ethereal as the princess herself.
lundi 14 août 2017
Game of Thrones: The Dangerous Evidence That Dany Is Her Father's Daughter
Few Game of Thrones characters are more beloved than Daenerys Targaryen. She is a total badass who defies all expectations to become a great conqueror and the Breaker of Chains. The Mother of Dragons stands by her people, protects them, and promises them she will build a better world. She's clearly the hero, right? Right? Allow us to play devil's advocate and suggest that Daenerys is not as heroic as we once believed her to be. With her obsession with burning her enemies alive, Daenerys is becoming more and more like her father every day. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean the Mad Khaleesi theory will come to pass, but it should give you pause.
The Mad King Aerys's paranoia grew to the point where eventually he saw everyone as the enemy, and his rallying cry was "burn them all." To her credit, Daenerys appears to be perfectly sane, but the ruthlessness of her behavior hints at the worst part of her Targaryen lineage. While all of the attention is being focused on Cersei's impending madness, there are plenty of signs that the Dragon Queen is the one that people should fear.
The Theory
The Mad Khaleesi theory suggests that Daenerys has been behaving like her father for years now, but because so much of the story is from her point of view, it's hard to see her actions as cruel. After all, the Dragon Queen never targets innocents. Her victims are vicious khals, slave traders, and the Lannister army. But there is an undeniable brutality in her tactics, and nowhere is that more evident than in the deaths of Randyll and Dickon Tarly. She burns the father and son alive when they refuse to bend the knee, just seconds after she claims she's not in Westeros to murder.
Daenerys isn't her father yet, but there are signs that she could follow in his footsteps if she does not take a closer look at her tactics.
The Evidence
- Varys has firsthand knowledge of what it was like to work for the Mad King, and in "Eastwatch," he shares his experiences with Tyrion. He recalls how he would find traitors to bring before the king, and then he would stand aside and watch as the Mad King burned them alive. His words clearly resonate with Tyrion, who is still rattled from watching Drogon incinerate Randyll and Dickon. Varys warns Tyrion that counsel is what will keep Daenerys from becoming her father, and as her Hand, it's up to Tyrion to make her listen.
- The Loot Train Battle sees Daenerys raining fire down on the Lannister army indiscriminately. She burns them all, leaving only a handful of men standing at the end. She offers those men an option: join her or die. The lack of middle ground hints at the same extremism of her father, who showed his enemies no mercy. What's most distressing is that Daenerys claims to give these men a choice, when in actuality their only option is to bend the knee. She's ruling with fear, and fear was her father's weapon of choice.
- King Aerys murdered Brandon Stark and his father, Rickard, in the throne room of King's Landing. His methods were beyond cruel - he boiled the elder Stark alive in his own armor while Brandon strangled himself trying to grasp the sword the King had put just out of his reach. Daenerys doesn't resort to sadism when she executes Randyll and Dickon, but there is still an eerie parallel to her killing the father and son.
- At the start of his reign, the Mad King was benevolent; it was only later that he began to distrust everyone around him. Likewise, in season six, Daenerys appears to trust Tyrion fully with the responsibility of being her Hand, but after two of his ideas fail, she grows weary of his clever plans and takes matters into her own hands. While the show doesn't discuss why she brings Tyrion along during the Loot Train Battle, it certainly looks like a test of his loyalty. Much like King Aerys grows to distrust his Hand and friend Tywin Lannister, Daenerys wants to see if Tyrion will stand by and watch his brother burn.
- Finally, there's her use of fire. Daenerys has always been fond of flames. It is fire that births her dragons, and fire that frees her from the khals. The Mother of Dragons doesn't just kill anyone who gets in her way: she burns them, just like her father did.
What It All Means
Daenerys is her father's daughter in many ways. Those who are firmly on her side have nothing to fear, but she demands absolute loyalty. If she receives anything less, she has no problem using her dragons to kill her enemies. In some ways, this is a show of strength, but in others, it is a warning sign that if she's not careful, Daenerys could still become known as the Mad Queen.
12 Celebrity Couples You Probably Forgot Were a Thing
We all know how fascinated we are with celebrities and their relationships. But even if while they were together and in love you knew everything about them, chances are you've forgotten about a few romances that happened back in the '90s and 2000s - we don't blame you! That was the age of relationships, when neither you nor us could keep track of who was on and who was off.
Who could ever forget when Wilmer Valderrama and Lindsay Lohan were a couple and even ended up getting engaged? Or when Jennifer Lopez and Diddy were a thing for a minute in the early 2000s? Some of these might shock you, while others might not surprise you at all.
Finally - Stylish Fall Maternity Dresses That Are All Under $50
Whether you're just entering your second trimester or well into your third, there's one thing that many moms-to-be can agree on: wanting to find cute clothes without breaking the bank. If you're in need of an office-appropriate piece or something you could wear to a cold-weather wedding, we found stylish maternity dresses that are not only Fall-friendly, but wallet-friendly. It's true. These all ring in under $50.
The Real Annabelle Is Actually a Raggedy Ann Doll - and It's Terrifying
Image Source: Flickr user volvob12b
This Friday marks the release of Annabelle: Creation, which is the second Annabelle movie and, technically, the fourth movie that traces back to famed paranormal researchers Ed and Lorraine Warren. In its Hollywood context, the Annabelle doll first appears in 2013's The Conjuring (but, sadly, not in The Conjuring 2) as a pretty gnarly little object with some quite impressive drag queen eyebrows. What you might not know is that the doll has been totally creeped up for the big screen, and, in actuality, is just a vintage Raggedy Ann doll. Believe what you will, but the real-life Ed and Lorraine Warren have a full account of Annabelle on their official website. Ahead of Annabelle: Creation, we're presenting the highlights of the haunting tale.
1. The Beginning
According to the Warrens, the story of the Annabelle doll began in 1970 when a woman purchased an antique Raggedy Ann doll from a hobby store. The doll was a gift for her daughter Donna, who had just graduated from college. Within a few days, the doll began to move. At first, it just made slight changes in position, but the doll eventually began moving to entirely different rooms.
Things quickly escalated. Donna would find parchment paper with notes scribbled on it. They would say things like "Help us" in childish writing. When Donna found blood inexplicably dripping out of the doll, she called a medium.
According to the medium, they were dealing with the spirit of a little girl named Annabelle Higgins. Apparently, young Annabelle had lived on the property before it became Donna's apartment building. She was found dead at just 7 years old. She wanted to be kept and loved by Donna and her roommate.
Image Source: Warner Bros.
2. The Haunting
Donna had a friend named Lou who faced Annabelle's wrath the most. Lou apparently was not a huge fan of the doll and repeatedly told Donna that it was evil. One night, he said he spotted the doll at the foot of his bed. It floated up from his feet and began to strangle him. He blacked out from the oxygen deprivation and didn't wake up until the next morning.
In another instance, Lou believed that someone had broken into the apartment but only found the doll in Donna's room. When he turned his back, he suffered scratches that yielded seven burning claw marks. At this point, Donna decided to seek expert help. She tried to contact a member of the church but was quickly referred to the Warrens.
Image Source: Everett Collection
3. The Warrens' Involvement
After a local priest put them in touch with Donna, Ed and Lorraine conducted an investigation and quickly decided that the doll was not attached to the spirit of a little girl at all. In fact, in the Warrens' expert opinion, a violent demonic entity was using the doll as a conduit. Since demons can't possess inanimate objects, this spirit had hoped to hang around long enough to possess one of the occupants of the apartment. The Warrens decided to exorcise the apartment and take Annabelle home with them.
Even on the way home, the Warrens claimed that the entity became hateful and angry. They almost swerved into multiple accidents, their brakes and power steering failed, and their car completely stalled out. After Ed Warren splashed the doll with holy water, things quieted down.
The next few weeks yielded more of the same for the Warrens. Annabelle would appear to levitate or switch rooms. Even after locking her away in their office, she would move to the living room. At one point, they hired a Catholic exorcist who verbally and physically assaulted the doll and got into a serious car accident shortly thereafter. Eventually, the Warrens had a special case made for Annabelle, and she's remained there ever since.
The cool thing is, 2013's The Conjuring pays homage to this story. In the first scene, we meet the women who have been dealing with the terrible wrath of Annabelle. They are being interviewed by Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga). The couple decides take her home and lock her in her case. Of course, she does some really intense stuff from there, but we'll leave all that to the movies.
Obama's Former Photographer Just Owned Trump in the Most Ludicrously Perfect Way
Cmon Twitter. It's time.... http://pic.twitter.com/dxN0YTHV4J
- Pete Souza (@PeteSouza) August 11, 2017
Former White House photographer Pete Souza has once again delivered the most scorching presidential commentary of the week. But this time, he's done it via President Donald Trump's most favorite medium.
Souza, whose post-Washington fame is a result of pitch-perfect Instagram posts critiquing the Trump presidency, switched to Twitter Aug. 11 in order to put forth an entirely different message than what we've seen from him lately. Instead of a calmly delivered burn, Souza instead honed in on a subtweet of epic proportions: a screenshot of one of the seven "abusive behaviors" that can lead to suspension from Twitter. Souza joins an ever-increasing group of individuals calling for the president to either stop tweeting or be pulled off the platform, a group that includes Trump's own voters and an overwhelming majority of American citizens.
"It's time. . ." the tweet's caption reads, and at this point, we're all very much in agreement on that indeed.
If You Only Have 10 Minutes to Work Out Today, Do This 4-Move Workout
If you love a good booty burn, you're going to be all over this 10-minute butt workout. You better get some quarters ready because your butt is going to be so fricking firm!
The Moves:
Squat thrust
Squat with overhead reach
Alternating forward lunge (one on each side counts as one rep)
Sumo squat jump
The Workout:
Set the timer for 10 minutes and begin this up-ladder-style workout by doing three reps of each exercise, then six reps, then nine reps, then 12 reps, and so on until the 10 minutes are up.
29 Times Prince Royce Showed Off His Superhot Muscles and We Got Weak in the Knees
Prince Royce is known for his sexy lyrics and swoon-worthy singing voice, but his buff physique is our new obsession. The 28-year-old bachata singer, whose romantic performance at Premios Juventud took our breath away, has recently been spending a lot of time in the gym - and his supertoned biceps are proof of all his hard work.
Lucky for us, Prince Royce loves sharing his progress with his millions of Instagram followers. Whether he's snapping a quick mirror selfie in the weight room or wearing a muscle tee on stage, his feed is seriously an endless source of fitspiration (read: eye candy). Keep scrolling for a look at his hottest pictures yet (adorable dimples very much included).
The Real Annabelle Is Actually a Raggedy Ann Doll - and It's Terrifying
Image Source: Flickr user volvob12b
This Friday marks the release of Annabelle: Creation, which is the second Annabelle movie and, technically, the fourth movie that traces back to famed paranormal researchers Ed and Lorraine Warren. In its Hollywood context, the Annabelle doll first appears in 2013's The Conjuring (but, sadly, not in The Conjuring 2) as a pretty gnarly little object with some quite impressive drag queen eyebrows. What you might not know is that the doll has been totally creeped up for the big screen, and, in actuality, is just a vintage Raggedy Ann doll. Believe what you will, but the real-life Ed and Lorraine Warren have a full account of Annabelle on their official website. Ahead of Annabelle: Creation, we're presenting the highlights of the haunting tale.
1. The Beginning
According to the Warrens, the story of the Annabelle doll began in 1970 when a woman purchased an antique Raggedy Ann doll from a hobby store. The doll was a gift for her daughter Donna, who had just graduated from college. Within a few days, the doll began to move. At first, it just made slight changes in position, but the doll eventually began moving to entirely different rooms.
Things quickly escalated. Donna would find parchment paper with notes scribbled on it. They would say things like "Help us" in childish writing. When Donna found blood inexplicably dripping out of the doll, she called a medium.
According to the medium, they were dealing with the spirit of a little girl named Annabelle Higgins. Apparently, young Annabelle had lived on the property before it became Donna's apartment building. She was found dead at just 7 years old. She wanted to be kept and loved by Donna and her roommate.
Image Source: Warner Bros.
2. The Haunting
Donna had a friend named Lou who faced Annabelle's wrath the most. Lou apparently was not a huge fan of the doll and repeatedly told Donna that it was evil. One night, he said he spotted the doll at the foot of his bed. It floated up from his feet and began to strangle him. He blacked out from the oxygen deprivation and didn't wake up until the next morning.
In another instance, Lou believed that someone had broken into the apartment but only found the doll in Donna's room. When he turned his back, he suffered scratches that yielded seven burning claw marks. At this point, Donna decided to seek expert help. She tried to contact a member of the church but was quickly referred to the Warrens.
Image Source: Everett Collection
3. The Warrens' Involvement
After a local priest put them in touch with Donna, Ed and Lorraine conducted an investigation and quickly decided that the doll was not attached to the spirit of a little girl at all. In fact, in the Warrens' expert opinion, a violent demonic entity was using the doll as a conduit. Since demons can't possess inanimate objects, this spirit had hoped to hang around long enough to possess one of the occupants of the apartment. The Warrens decided to exorcise the apartment and take Annabelle home with them.
Even on the way home, the Warrens claimed that the entity became hateful and angry. They almost swerved into multiple accidents, their brakes and power steering failed, and their car completely stalled out. After Ed Warren splashed the doll with holy water, things quieted down.
The next few weeks yielded more of the same for the Warrens. Annabelle would appear to levitate or switch rooms. Even after locking her away in their office, she would move to the living room. At one point, they hired a Catholic exorcist who verbally and physically assaulted the doll and got into a serious car accident shortly thereafter. Eventually, the Warrens had a special case made for Annabelle, and she's remained there ever since.
The cool thing is, 2013's The Conjuring pays homage to this story. In the first scene, we meet the women who have been dealing with the terrible wrath of Annabelle. They are being interviewed by Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga). The couple decides take her home and lock her in her case. Of course, she does some really intense stuff from there, but we'll leave all that to the movies.
Game of Thrones: The Twisted Reason Cersei Let Jaime See Tyrion
On Game of Thrones, Qyburn is the new Master of Whispers in King's Landing and he has certainly proven himself up to the task of feeding Queen Cersei information. As she tells Jaime after his supposedly secret meeting with their younger brother, Tyrion, "Do you think anything of importance happens in this city without me knowing?"
The only question is, if Cersei knew Jaime was going to meet with Tyrion, whom she hates with every fiber of her being for (in her mind) killing her mother, her son, and then her father, why would Cersei let Jaime be hoodwinked by Bronn into seeing their younger brother?
The answer is something the late Tywin Lannister would be proud of - Cersei has realized that she needs to meet with Daenerys Targaryen . . . not to align together in the face of an even graver threat as the Night's King and his army of the dead march into Westeros, but in order to win a war she cannot win on the battlefield.
After Dany's massacre of the Lannister men at Highgarden, Jaime comes home and tells Cersei that not only are the Dothraki incredible fighters, but he saw a dragon burn hundreds of men and supplies with his own eyes - and that was just one dragon.
"Her dragon burned 1,000 wagons," relays Jaime. "Qyburn's scorpion fired bolts bigger than you, they couldn't stop it - and she has three of them. This isn't a war we can win."
At first Cersei thinks they can just keep hiring mercenaries with their newly acquired fortune, but at some point she realizes that to take out Daenerys, Cersei needs home-field advantage to defeat the Dragon Queen.
"If we want to beat her, we have to be clever. We have to fight her like Father would have. Dead men, dragons, and dragon queens - whatever stands in our way, we will defeat it," Cersei vows, revealing that she and Jaime have another reason to fight so hard. She's pregnant, and this time, she's going to be honest and unabashed about who the baby's father is.
It really says something about Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's acting chops that a character who has done some pretty awful things finds out he's having another baby with his sister and it's actually a beautiful moment. It's touching to see the emotions play over Jaime's face as he realizes he'll get to be a true father to this baby, which he was not able to be with his other three children, all of whom are now deceased. So, kudos to Nikolaj for making us care about such a totally bonkers and gross situation.
But now Dany, Tyrion, Jon Snow, and Ser Davos will be walking into the lion's mouth when they travel south to King's Landing with a White Walker, if Jon and his raiding party can manage to capture one and bring it home. Will they all make it out of Cersei's throne room alive? Or will she take a page out of Mad King Aerys's book and kill them all in horrible ways? She has already shown a penchant for Aerys's tactics.
It seems likely that at least one of the four won't survive meeting with Cersei, and Dany and Jon are too important to be killed off at this point, so things probably aren't looking too good for Tyrion and Ser Davos. We predict Ser Davos will meet his end at Cersei's hand and then Jaime will have to sacrifice Cersei to save his brother.
How Jon's Targaryen Identity May Lead to His Death on Game of Thrones
The latest episode of Game of Thrones reveals a truth about Jon Snow that will inevitably change his life forever: he's not truly a bastard son - he is the legitimate child of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. Before he can become aware of his heritage, all of the pieces of Jon's story, from the names of his true parents to the fact that they were legally married before his birth, need to come together. Until that happens, Jon will continue to believe he is the bastard son of Ned Stark and act accordingly. The story of his supposed illegitimate birth has shaped how the King in the North sees himself and others. Jon is the man he is today because of the life he has had led. Learning that Rhaegar Targaryen is his father will likely mean more to others than it will to Jon - at least at first.
Before Jon learns of his Targaryen heritage, it's important to remember his past, because it is the totality of his history that will inform what happens to him next. There are many possible repercussions that could come from the revelation that the King of the North is the trueborn son of Rhaegar and Lyanna, and how Jon faces them will in large part be determined by the realities of being raised as Ned's bastard son.
Jon Will Always Be a Stark
One thing that tends to get lost in the conversation about Jon's parentage is that he is still a Stark, and even though Ned is biologically his uncle, Jon will always be his son. From his stubbornness to his unyielding sense of duty, none of Ned's children are more like him than his nephew. Before Jon leaves for the Wall, Ned tells him, "You might not have my name, but you have my blood." And that remains true. Jon's mother is Lyanna, and his childhood cannot be erased by words. Learning who his birth parents are will alter his future in unknown ways, but it won't change his loyalty to the Stark name or to the North.
Being a Bastard Will Remain Part of His Identity
High Septon Maynard's diary reveals Rhaegar had his marriage to Elia Martell annulled, and the show suggests he married Lyanna afterward. That means, legally, Jon is not a bastard, but the legality of his birth cannot change how he grew up. As one of the most noble men in all of Westeros, people were shocked when Ned returned from Robert's Rebellion with a son, and no one was more appalled by this "shame" than his wife, Catelyn.
Catelyn always treated Jon as an outsider. After Bran's fall, she barely holds her contempt for Jon at bay as he says farewell to his little brother. It's true that ultimately Jon's life is much better than the one most illegitimate children lead in Westeros, but knowing that no matter how much you love your family, you will always be on the outside looking in is bound to leave a person with emotional scars. As a result, Jon tries to reject the label at first before ultimately embracing it after a conversation with Tyrion in season one. Tyrion tells him, "Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor, and it can never be used to hurt you."
From that point on, Jon begins to own his illegitimacy, and it stops being a weapon that can be used against him. If anything, it makes him stronger and more accepting of others, like the Wildlings. Because he has been treated as an "other," he recognizes the humanity and potential in all people, especially those that society deems different.
Will Jon Ever Find Out the Truth About His Parentage?
Yes. Barring a truly shocking twist of fate, Jon will reunite with Bran and learn who his parents were, and with Sam, who will at some point realize the importance of what Gilly reads in the High Septon's diary. There's no reason to tell the audience and not tell Jon. His Targaryen heritage has to come into play at some point before Game of Thrones ends.
Jon's reaction to this news will be telling. Don't expect him to embrace the idea that Ned had lied to him for years. If anything, this revelation will leave Jon angry, confused, and deeply saddened. He is going to have to find a way to live with knowing that he almost led a different life entirely and accept the weight of what being Rhaegar and Lyanna's trueborn son means. Jon technically has the strongest claim to the Iron Throne, but his focus isn't on being the king - it's on stopping the White Walkers.
How Will Jon React to Discovering He's the Rightful Heir to the Iron Throne?
His family and friends are sure to be far more focused on this news than Jon will be. At this stage in the game, Jon cannot split his focus. He has to stop the White Walkers, and that may mean making the ultimate sacrifice. If he survives the battle, then he may ultimately believe he can be the kind of ruler that Westeros needs. It seems more likely that the revelation about his heritage will be tied to the show's most pressing prophecy though, and have little to do with the Iron Throne.
The Prince That Was Promised
There's always a prophecy in Game of Thrones, isn't there? And it's the prophecy of the prince that was promised that Jon Snow is almost certain to fulfill. While there is much debate about whether Azor Ahai reborn and the prince that was promised are the same person, the two actually have different qualifiers (although that doesn't mean they're two separate people - prophecies are tricky that way).
It is sad that the prince that was promised's coming will be heralded by a bleeding star, and they will have a song, the Song of Ice and Fire. The Tower of Joy birth scene sees Jon born under a bleeding star (Ser Arthur Dayne's sword has a star on the hilt, and it is literally covered in blood), and he is the son of ice (Lyanna) and fire (Rhaegar). More importantly, he is the only person in Westeros who is actively preparing for the war with the Night's King, and the ultimate role of the prince is to stave off the darkness during the long Winter. In the books, Rhaegar also happens to be convinced his son, Aegon, is the one who will fulfill the prophecy. It now appears that his second son is the one who is destined to be Westeros's greatest hero.
As heartbreaking as it is to contemplate, Jon's gift to the world may be his death, and his entire life - the circumstances of his birth, the prophecy, being raised by Ned, his journey as a bastard - has been preparing him to sacrifice everything to save the people of Westeros. You might want to stock up on tissues now, just in case this turns out to be true.
When It Come to Bikinis, Demi Lovato Definitely Has a Type
Demi Lovato's personal style can't be categorized. The risk-taking multi-hyphenate frequently switches up her style and embraces bold trends. When it comes to her swimsuits and bikinis, however, she definitely has a type. Most of her poolside shots prove that Demi favors neon swimwear with lots of eye-catching cutouts. Additionally, Demi's body-positive activism makes her snaps that much more special and inspiring. Look ahead for all of her confident bikini shots.
A Brief History of Ellen DeGeneres's Amazing Halloween Costumes
When it comes to sexy Halloween costumes, Paris Hilton's consistent looks and Kim Kardashian's seductive ensembles really take the cake, and you just know you can always expect adorable family costumes from Neil Patrick Harris. But when it comes to cleverness, Ellen DeGeneres has everyone else beat. From her spin as Sia last year to her Dr. Phil look all the way back in her talk show's first season, Ellen has proven she can surprise and delight us with her Halloween costumes.
S'mores, Bellinis: 9 of Bath & Body Works's Best-Smelling PocketBacs to Shop Now
As beauty junkies, we all have fond memories of Bath & Body Works from childhood. Those fruity-scented mini hand sanitizers, called PocketBacs, were the only product our moms would let us have - and we wanted them all.
Fortunately, those brightly colored disinfectants haven't disappeared and come in many scents we still love today. They're the perfect little product to stash in your purse when you don't have a convenient way to wash your hands.
We suggest keeping them handy when you're at music festivals, on airplanes, or simply eating after a ride on public transportation. While the PocketBacs are only available to purchase individually in stores for $2, you can buy packs of five on the Bath & Body Works website for only $5.
Read on to find out which scents are worth running out to your local store for.
100 Beautiful Japanese Baby Names
If you're looking to celebrate your Japanese heritage by giving your little one a traditional name, you probably already know the options seem endless. With so many variations of classic monikers, your list of favorites is probably only getting longer, instead of shorter. In an attempt to ease your stress a bit, we've compiled a list of our favorite 100 names for boys and girls for you to use as a starting point.
Boys
- Aito
- Aki
- Daisuke
- Eichi
- Eiko
- Genki
- Haru
- Haruki
- Haruto
- Hiroki
- Hiroto
- Hitoshi
- Ikki
- Issey
- Itsuki
- Jiro
- Kai
- Kaito
- Katsumi
- Kenji
- Kentaro
- Kenzou
- Kosuke
- Michi
- Mitsue
- Naoko
- Natsuo
- Nikko
- Reiji
- Ren
- Reo
- Riku
- Satoshi
- Seiji
- Shin
- Sora
- Soshiro
- Tadashi
- Taishiro
- Taro
- Tatsuya
- Tenchi
- Tomo
- Touma
- Tsukiya
- Yo
- Yoshi
- Yoshimi
- Yuuma
- Yuuto
Girls
- Aiko
- Aimi
- Akari
- Akemi
- Akiko
- Ami
- Aoi
- Asami
- Ayumi
- Chiyo
- Etsuko
- Fumiko
- Hana
- Hanako
- Himari
- Hinata
- Hiro
- Hiromi
- Ichika
- Ishi
- Ito
- Kaiya
- Kameko
- Kanna
- Kaori
- Kayoko
- Keiko
- Kumi
- Mariko
- Mika
- Miki
- Miya
- Nariko
- Niko
- Nomi
- Nori
- Nozomi
- Rin
- Rumi
- Ryu
- Sachi
- Sakura
- Sana
- Sara
- Suzu
- Tamika
- Tomoko
- Yui
- Yuri
- Yuuna
There's a Theme Park Inspired by The Little Prince, and We're Crying With Joy
Growing up, one of my favorite books of all time was The Little Prince, and I still feel the same way as an adult. The story transcends age; there is something for everyone in its message. After all this time, I still can't stop the tears that flow upon reading that final page, and I still think of quotes from the book that apply to so many aspects of my life.
Now, fans can relive the magic of The Little Prince at a theme park in Alsace, France. Le Parc du Petit Prince has rides and attractions inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry famous book, such as The Snake ride (TOO SOON), 3D experiences exploring "planets," and even hot-air balloons representing The Lamplighter and The Drinker who the Little Prince encounters during his travels.
Guests can even meet foxes and sheep and see butterflies while they're at the park - the animals are all in reference to more of the story's plotline. There's a rose garden with a very "important" flower encased in the center under glass. See a video of the park and photos of the special location ahead.
Are You Left-Handed? You'll Totally Relate to These 17 Struggles
The left-handed life is a rough life. Yes, we only make up 10 percent of the population, but we're still here, so get used to it, righties. And guess what, right-handed rulers of the world? We got struggles. Some serious struggles. If you're left-handed, congratulations on having a higher IQ and more creative mind. However, my condolences to you on basically doing everything else in life. Do you ever face these problems?
Mila Kunis Stands Up For Nursing Mothers After Being Shamed For Breastfeeding in Public
As a celebrity, Mila Kunis can count on receiving some attention and double takes from strangers during her daily life. But when these people stare not out of recognition but out of disgust because she's nursing her child, this soon-to-be mother of two draws the line.
While Mila urges people to accept every woman's choice of when, where, and how they feed their child, she shared with Vanity Fair that she opted to breastfeed everywhere. "There were many times where I didn't bring a cover with me, and so I just did it in a restaurant, in the subway, in the park, at airports, and in planes," the Bad Moms actress described. "Why did I do it in public? Because I had to feed my child. She's hungry. I need to feed her whether it's out of a bottle or out of my boob no matter where I was."
While Mila received support from her husband, Ashton Kutcher, while breastfeeding her daughter, Wyatt, they were both surprised and uncomfortable by other people's reactions to the natural act. "It always made my husband and I feel a little weird," she added. "It took us a little back because people actually looked at us in a shameful [way], and we were like, 'Oh my God,' because it's so not a sexual act."
While Mila is the first to open up about not being a perfect parent, she's proud of this decision to breastfeed her daughter - even in a public setting. Despite the onslaught of stares whenever she would nurse Wyatt without covering up, Mila isn't going to let judgment from others impact how she parents. "That's what I chose to do, but I think it's unfortunate that people are so hard on women who choose to do it and do it in public," she explained. "In the States and in our culture, we sexualize the breast so much that there's an aspect of it that people just don't know how to wrap their head around the idea of showing your breast in public. But I respect the opinions on both sides. If it's not for you, don't look."
It Took Me Weeks to Find the Perfect Bridal Lipstick - but This Is It
It's funny the things you fixate on when you're planning a wedding. Two months before my big day, I was having a meltdown about which lipstick to wear. What product would last through a ceremony, pictures, toasts, dinner, and dancing - without getting all over my new husband's face? What formula will give me a matte finish without drying out my lips? What color won't draw all the attention to my lips but instead will highlight my natural beauty?
I spent hours of my life online (I'm not proud of this) trying to figure out what would be the best option, and finally I decided to try a little experiment. Over the course of the weeks leading up to my wedding, I would just try all the top contenders, documenting what stayed on. The ground rules:
- I wanted a semineutral shade, but I was open to corals and pinks.
- I would apply the lipstick at 8 a.m. and take pictures of the lipstick at noon (before lunch) and 4 p.m.
- No touch-ups, reapplications, or secondary lip products. The product had to survive on its own.
Weeks later, I can confidently say I have the lipstick I'll be wearing to my wedding in my hot little hand and a better understanding of my most flattering selfie angles. Here are the best options on the market (this is only a small selection of the large batch I tested)!
The Royal Rule That Keeps Prince Philip From Being a King
Prince Philip became a member of the British royal family when he married then-Princess Elizabeth in November 1947. Born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, he gave up his titles on their wedding day and was instead named Duke of Edinburgh. When Elizabeth became queen after the death of her father in 1952, Philip did not become a king - and there's a longstanding rule that explains why.
In the UK, the husband of a reigning queen is called a prince consort, no matter what. Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901, wanted to make her husband, Albert, king consort, but the British government wouldn't allow it because he was technically a foreigner. Instead, he was given the title of prince consort. Technically, there is no automatic right to any title when marrying a monarch; it wasn't until five years after her succession to the throne that Elizabeth II made Philip a prince of the United Kingdom, and he has never formally been designated a prince or king consort title, which is purely symbolic anyway.
On the flip side, the wife of a king normally gets the title of queen, but it too is only ceremonial; Queen Elizabeth I became queen consort when George VI became king, and the same rule goes for Kate Middleton, who will also earn the title when Prince William becomes king. An exception to this will be made when Prince Charles takes the throne, as Clarence House announced after their wedding that his wife, Camilla, will be known as princess consort, saying, "It is intended that Mrs. Parker Bowles should use the title HRH The Princess Consort when The Prince of Wales accedes to The Throne." However, when the time comes, Charles will have the power to upgrade her title to queen consort if he so chooses. And here's another plot twist: should Prince Philip outlive his wife and see his son Charles become king, he would be able to retain the style "his majesty" and could also be given the title king father, like that of Queen Elizabeth I when Elizabeth II took the throne.
Game of Thrones: What Is the Vale and Why Is Littlefinger in Charge of It?
Let's be real: if you're the sort of Game of Thrones fan who feels confused about the show all the damn time, then you might have some questions about a phrase that's tossed around a lot. Especially in seasons six and seven, Sansa and Littlefinger often mention "the Vale" in conversation, which obviously might prove confusing if you have no idea WTF that even is. Is it a hair accessory? A location? A group of people? Don't worry - we have all the answers you need about the Vale, except what its leader's fate might be.
The Vale of Arryn is a northeastern kingdom in Westeros historically ruled by house Arryn . . . or, as you might remember them, Catelyn Stark's crazy sister, Lysa Arryn, and her creepy mama's-boy son, Robin. The capital of the Vale is the Eyrie, the skyscraper of a castle where Tyrion is held prisoner in a wall-less cell back in season one and where Littlefinger eventually pushes Lysa to her death through the "moon door." As you might recall, the region is surrounded by mountains and "hill tribes" of savages, who Catelyn Stark and Tyrion scuffle with when Tyrion is still Stark's hostage. Also contained within the Vale is Littlefinger's home territory of the barely habitable rocky islands, The Fingers.
Why Does the Vale Matter?
The Vale has maintained strong forces through remaining neutral, staying out of conflicts thanks to Lysa Arryn's isolationist tactics.
Who Are the Knights of the Vale?
The most important facet of Littlefinger's newfound control is his access to the Knights of the Vale, a legendary force of soldiers from the region. The Knights of the Vale are a particularly formidable force because of their experience in nontraditional battle scenarios - they often fight the mountain clans surrounding the Eyrie - and their sheer numbers. You see, while other noble houses in Westeros have suffered massive losses in the War of the Five Kings, the Vale has maintained strong forces through remaining neutral and staying out of battles thanks to Lysa Arryn's isolationist tactics.
These Knights of the Vale are known for their loyalty and are legendary as fearsome fighters, so when Littlefinger finally decides it's time for the Vale to declare for House Stark, his armies swoop in at the last minute to easily help Jon Snow and win the Battle of the Bastards.
So, What's Next For the Vale?
This is particularly important to note when watching Littlefinger's dealings with Sansa. If he were to marry her - as he so clearly wishes to do - she would become Lady of the Vale, gaining access to this fearsome army. If she were to scorn Littlefinger instead, he could revoke the Vale's support for Jon Snow, returning to the Eyrie with his knights and leaving the North woefully ill-prepared for the Great War.
Littlefinger is clearly plotting something, but we'll have to wait and see how the Knights of the Vale play into it. In the meantime, read up on the best Game of Thrones theories to predict what's next!
How to Save Money in Every Stage of Life
Your financial needs change drastically in each stage of life, and adjusting to the differences can be difficult. One of the most challenging adjustments to your financial life is the evolution of savings based on income level, personal commitments, and long-term goals. Priorities change over time, and it's important to reflect your ever-changing personal life in the way that you save. Here are a few simple ways to save wisely in every life stage and situation.
These tips are just a few basics to get you started on the right track - remember that for comprehensive savings plans, individual research is extremely important!
Teens to 20
- Save gift money: A lot of major life events at this age result in cash gifts from loved ones. Rather than spending every penny, think long-term and save any money given for birthdays and graduations.
- Apply for obscure scholarships: If you're going to college, apply for obscure scholarships. Even if the amount is small, any reduction of your student debt is a penny saved in the future!
- Cut social costs: Because maintaining a vibrant social life can be such a major expense in your younger years, try to save money by planning inexpensive activities with friends. Of course it's impossible to get out of spending money all the time, but whenever possible you should organize a dinner party at home instead of in overpriced restaurants.
- Budget what you can: While most jobs at this age don't pay well, try to budget anyway. Set aside your waitressing or coffee shop tips as a "fun fund," then save whatever of your paycheck that's not going to bills.
- Live with family: As lame as it can be to live at home while your friends are moving into impressive apartments, sometimes it's better than accruing debt. If your situation allows, save on rent costs by living with family until you're financially stable enough to pay rent debt-free.
- Learn to say "no": This is a time in your life when many people will start asking you for a lot of things, whether it's a donation to your alumni association or to lend $20 to a friend. Get into the practice of gracefully turning others down.
Your 20s
- Practice moderation: At this age, you've probably found a more steady career. It's important for you to learn moderation in the face of higher income and refrain from rashly spending your excitingly high paycheck.
- Live below your means: While you could spend your entire paycheck on rent, food, and transportation, you should strive to spend far less and live a frugal life. Save the remainder of your income, or use it to pay off debt from any existing student loans.
- Start retirement savings: If your company offers 401k matching, strive to put in at least their maximum match percentage to ensure that you're getting the most for your money. Even if you can only put forward a tiny percent of your income due to other financial obligations, establish retirement savings now. Your future self will appreciate it!
- Compromise spending wherever possible: Do this wherever you can, whether by using public transportation or piling into an apartment with roommates. You'll never be this young or free again, and it gets harder to do these types of things as you grow older.
- Put money into an emergency fund: Don't touch it! A safe amount to have on reserve is six months' pay, and if that's not possible, try to put away as much as you can.
- Decide your must-haves: Do you absolutely want to drive a new car within the next few years? If so, you should find ways to cut costs in other areas of your life. Is travel your main goal? Perhaps you should bike to work instead of paying for a car, insurance, and gas. Do you dream about a huge, big-budget wedding? You'd better start setting aside some bridal funds.
Your 30s
- Increase your retirement savings: As your longstanding debts (hopefully) dwindle, you should step it up big time. This is around the time when many graduates finally pay off their 10 years of student loans, so celebrate by preparing for the future!
- Ignore everybody else's journey: "Keeping up with the Joneses" is a dangerous trap to fall into, and can lead you to spend excessively on totally unnecessary things. Just because your coworkers are buying boats and huge TVs doesn't mean that you need to do the same.
- Start good habits with your children: Teach them to save their money, from allowances to birthday gifts. Now is also a great time to start saving for their future college expenses!
- Live small: Remember that bigger isn't always better. A large house means buying more furniture, more time spent cleaning, and more distance from your family.
Your 40s
- Work hard now: If your kids are a bit older and are okay with distance from you, consider advancement opportunities within your career. You could also work on the side to bring in more funds to save for leisure or retirement!
- Beef up your emergency fund: You're at an age when medical emergencies become a bit more commonplace, either for you or your older kids. It's important to have liquid funds available if something unfortunate arises.
- Keep on contributing to your retirement savings: It's getting closer! You should be contributing as much as you can spare into your 401k at this point in life, as well as investing elsewhere if you're interested in that.
Your 50s (and Beyond!)
- Use empty nesting as a savings opportunity: Now that your kids are out of the house (or at least independent), you should use their absence as a way to save more for the coming years. All the money that was previously spent on their food, clothes, school activities, and entertainment costs can now go towards your retirement!
- Enhance your benefits: In these years, it's extremely important to have the best possible medical, dental, and vision coverage. Your physical well-being is nothing to skimp on, so use some of your saved funds to beef up your benefits.
- Make a retirement roadmap: Plan out the average amount that you'll need per month over the next 30-40 years, get life insurance and healthcare issues straightened out, and document everything. Make sure that you're set to retire! If not, kick retirement savings into high gear. Remember that you're entitled to catch-up contributions after the age of 50.
- Downsize: The older you get, the less space you'll need or want to care for. Save yourself the headache by moving into a smaller home that's more appropriate for a near-retiree.
You Need to See These Photos If Your Child Sits in a Car Seat
An awful car crash in Tacoma, WA, could have ended in serious tragedy last week, but due to proper car seat installation, two children - and their mom - are doing so much better than the photos suggest.
Kylee Barrett was taking her 5-year-old son, Kolton, to school one morning with her 2-year-old, Hunter, also in tow when the car hit a patch of black ice. As the car slid, Barrett swerved to avoid hitting another car head-on, which forced them into a tree that crushed Hunter's side of the car. The impact caused the seat to bend but absorb the force, which kept Hunter safe even though the car flipped upside down.
Had Hunter's rear-facing Safety 1st seat not been properly installed, this family could be dealing with much more than a totaled car, Hunter's broken left femur, and a few bruises and scrapes. Facebook user Heather Viers is using the photo of Hunter's crushed seat to spread the word about proper car seat use: "This specific seat retails for $100. It's NOT a 'nice' seat, but it further illustrates the point that you don't have to spend a fortune to keep your child safe. Get your car seats checked by a CPST. Use it properly every.single.time. The life of your child relies on it."
Barrett has started a GoFundMe page to help with some of the costs that insurance isn't covering but is mostly focused on sharing her story to inform other parents. She says even though she's sore and bruised, her kids are still here to drive her crazy, and she "couldn't be happier."
If you own a car and a car seat, you need to read through and see these photos for yourself.
This post was originally published on Jan. 19, 2016.
This New Beauty Brand Makes Conchas Bath Bombs So You Can Smell Dulce
You are about to lose your cool at the sight of Loquita Bath and Body's bath bombs and soaps inspired by Mexican desserts. The beauty brand, created by Mira Perez in California, is getting attention on Instagram for its incredible pan dulce, flan, and unicaca (that's unicorn poop) bath bombs, as well as its churro bath salts, mango con chamoy soaps on a rope, and Selena Quintanilla-inspired Como La Flor and Bidi Bidi bath bombs.
The operation is small - Mari recently announced on Instagram she's taking some time to cook up the products and fulfill orders - so most of the items are currently sold out or available only for preorder. We're thinking the products are worth the wait! Scroll ahead to shop our favorites.
10 Cute and Classic Back-to-School Essentials From Pottery Barn Kids
Ah yes, do you hear it? That's the sweet sound of the morning bell ringing, because it's finally time for the kids to go back to school. Moms, we know it's hard to contain your glee, but before you enjoy some alone time, you need to make sure the kids are prepared. Pottery Barn has some genius products that will help your little ones kick off the school year right. Whether you're hunting for good backpacks, lunchboxes, or desk accessories, the brand has you covered. Take a look at our favorite options, then get to stocking up.
11 Latino Life Hacks You (and Your Grandma) Swear By
Resourceful is probably one of the best words to describe Latinx. From very early on, you learn how to use all the tools at your disposal to make life easier for you and your family. I'll admit that at times it was pretty funny that every single butter container in my fridge had anything but butter in it, but now it's one of the most cost-effective life hacks I know. These are the things that your abuela and mama always knew you would thank them for one day . . .
GOT Is on the Cusp of Repeating the Dreaded "Long Night" - Here's What That Means
Ever since Game of Thrones first premiered back in 2011, we've heard the phrase "Winter is coming" over and over again. Not only is it the ominous motto of House Stark and a reference to the literal change of season, but it's also a nod to an ancient legend in Westerosi history: the Long Night. At the conclusion of season seven's fifth episode, "Eastwatch," Jon Snow's forces and the Night King's army of wights inch even closer to another showdown, which hints that a repeat of the dreaded Long Night might not be too far off. Here's what that could mean for our heroes.
The Original Legend
Around 8,000 years before Aegon I Targaryen conquered most of Westeros, a winter season known as the Long Night lasted for an entire generation and almost wiped out the human race. According to ancient legends, this dark period gave rise to the Others (aka the White Walkers and the wights). People living in Westeros at that time were weak from cold and famine, which made the Others' descent from the Lands of Always Winter (as far north as Westeros goes) hard to defend against.
In the first season, Old Nan tells Bran a terrifying story about what it was like to live through it. "Oh my sweet Summer child, what do you know about fear? Fear is for the Winter, when the snows fall a hundred feet deep. Fear is for the long night, when the sun hides for years and children are born and live and die, all in darkness. That is the time for fear, my little lord, when the White Walkers move through the woods," she says. "Thousands of years ago there came a night that lasted a generation. Kings froze to death in their castles, same as the shepherds in their huts. And women smothered their babies rather than see them starve, and wept and felt the tears freeze on their cheeks." Ever heard of Goodnight Moon, Old Nan?
How to Stop It From Happening Again
As legend has it, the Westerosi soon discovered that dragonglass can destroy White Walkers, and humanity was able to fight back with the help of the Last Hero - Azor Ahai, the Prince Who Was Promised - in the Battle For the Dawn, which included the first members of the Night's Watch. Once defeated, a character named Bran the Builder (the founder of House Stark) supposedly teamed up with the Children of the Forest to build the Wall, putting a near-impenetrable barrier between Westeros and the Lands of Always Winter.
Even if you don't know about the Long Night, the name Azor Ahai should be familiar to you after hearing Melisandre bring it up every chance she gets. After figuring out that no, it wasn't Stannis Baratheon, the Red Priestess has begun suggesting that Jon Snow is actually the Prince Who Was Promised. The prophecy states that during the next long Winter, when the White Walkers rise again to take the seven kingdoms, Azor Ahai will return as "the prince that was promised," a hero born "amidst salt and smoke" who will "draw from the fire a burning sword." It is Azor Ahai who will drive back the dark army and save Westeros.
At this point, the identity of the reincarnated Azor Ahai has yet to be revealed. On top of Jon Snow, Daenerys has also been cited as a strong candidate, and even Ser Davos's name has been tossed into the ring. All we know for certain is that, whether the characters want to admit it or not, Winter has officially come to Westeros. Azor Ahai better reveal themselves before it's too late.
15 Latinx Sandwiches That Will Have You Salivating
Who doesn't have those days when you just want to make yourself a sandwich and plop on the couch and watch some TV? We all do! And that's why it's important to have a favorite sandwich recipe at hand that will not only fill you up, but also put a smile on your face (and your belly, if that was possible). Imagine yourself chowing down on a drowned carnitas sandwich or one with a touch of spice thanks to some jalapeño poppers as bread. Now grab a napkin to wipe the drool off the corners of your mouth, because it'll all be a reality thanks to the recipes ahead.
Dunkin' Donuts' Fall Menu Is Here - and It Includes Pumpkin AND Maple!
Very, very soon, it might start feeling like Fall, and Dunkin' Donuts is ready for that moment. Coming to a Dunkin' Donuts near you by the end of this month are your favorite pumpkin products from years past and a brand new line of maple goodies. Pumpkin-lovers will be able to enjoy pumpkin coffees, doughnuts, Munchkins, muffins, and a brand-new Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread made with real pumpkin, but what's even more exciting is the debut of the maple line.
This season, Dunks is debuting new maple-pecan-flavored coffees and lattes with a sweet and nutty flavor. The maple-pecan flavor will be available in all of Dunkin's coffees, including hot or iced coffee, espresso beverages, Frozen Dunkin' Coffee, and Cold Brew coffee. Also available will be a new Maple Sugar Bacon Breakfast Sandwich, which will have a double portion of sweet caramelized maple sugar cherry-wood smoked bacon on a freshly baked croissant with egg and cheese.
The last treat to make an appearance this Fall will be a festive doughnut, with red icing and chocolate and orange sprinkles, which is a solid classic. That, along with the pumpkin and maple treats, will be available no later than Aug. 28 for a limited time in your favorite Dunkin' store.
This Dad's Viral Disney Photo Captures How Magical Coparenting Can Be
Photographer Joe Hawkey captures tons of photos for clients, but his most recent photo of his own family at Disney World is going viral for all the right reasons. The dad - who is raising his 7-year-old daughter, Maddie, with the help of her mom, Tiffany Bankert, and both of their partners, Maddie's stepparents - isn't afraid to share with the world what successful coparenting can look like.
In the family photo, each of Maddie's parents can be seen wearing a shirt with their relation to Maddie on the front and "#co-parenting" written on the back, while Maddie's shirt says her name with "#bestdayever" on the back. Joe says Disney World is Maddie's favorite place and that "she was beyond thrilled to have everyone there." Maddie had no idea that her mom and stepdad were going to surprise her at Disney, and Joe added, "It made it that much more magical."
However, things weren't always completely magical between Maddie's parents. After things didn't work out between Joe and Tiffany, there was some tension, but when Maddie's stepparents, Luke and Brianna, each came into the picture, things started improving and the group was able to successfully coparent. When asked the best part about coparenting, Joe told POPSUGAR that it's "all of us able to understand the love we have for the same child. We all want her to succeed in life. She is our number one priority."
15 Times Game of Thrones's Daniel Portman Was Just Over-the-Top Adorable
Game of Thrones is full of gorgeous eye candy, but there is one unsung hero who deserves a little more attention: Daniel Portman. While his character, Podrick Payne, may not be the rightful heir to the Iron Throne like Jon Snow, the Scottish actor certainly makes our stomach do flips whenever he has a scene. When he's not serving Brienne of Tarth on screen, he's flooding our Instagram feed with his adorable snaps with animals. And don't get us started on those big puppy-dog eyes. See some of his hottest moments here.
Game of Thrones: What Is the Vale and Why Is Littlefinger in Charge of It?
Let's be real: if you're the sort of Game of Thrones fan who feels confused about the show all the damn time, then you might have some questions about a phrase that's tossed around a lot. Especially in seasons six and seven, Sansa and Littlefinger often mention "the Vale" in conversation, which obviously might prove confusing if you have no idea WTF that even is. Is it a hair accessory? A location? A group of people? Don't worry - we have all the answers you need about the Vale, except what its leader's fate might be.
The Vale of Arryn is a northeastern kingdom in Westeros historically ruled by house Arryn . . . or, as you might remember them, Catelyn Stark's crazy sister, Lysa Arryn, and her creepy mama's-boy son, Robin. The capital of the Vale is the Eyrie, the skyscraper of a castle where Tyrion is held prisoner in a wall-less cell back in season one and where Littlefinger eventually pushes Lysa to her death through the "moon door." As you might recall, the region is surrounded by mountains and "hill tribes" of savages, who Catelyn Stark and Tyrion scuffle with when Tyrion is still Stark's hostage. Also contained within the Vale is Littlefinger's home territory of the barely habitable rocky islands, The Fingers.
Why Does the Vale Matter?
The Vale has maintained strong forces through remaining neutral, staying out of conflicts thanks to Lysa Arryn's isolationist tactics.
Who Are the Knights of the Vale?
The most important facet of Littlefinger's newfound control is his access to the Knights of the Vale, a legendary force of soldiers from the region. The Knights of the Vale are a particularly formidable force because of their experience in nontraditional battle scenarios - they often fight the mountain clans surrounding the Eyrie - and their sheer numbers. You see, while other noble houses in Westeros have suffered massive losses in the War of the Five Kings, the Vale has maintained strong forces through remaining neutral and staying out of battles thanks to Lysa Arryn's isolationist tactics.
These Knights of the Vale are known for their loyalty and are legendary as fearsome fighters, so when Littlefinger finally decides it's time for the Vale to declare for House Stark, his armies swoop in at the last minute to easily help Jon Snow and win the Battle of the Bastards.
So, What's Next For the Vale?
This is particularly important to note when watching Littlefinger's dealings with Sansa. If he were to marry her - as he so clearly wishes to do - she would become Lady of the Vale, gaining access to this fearsome army. If she were to scorn Littlefinger instead, he could revoke the Vale's support for Jon Snow, returning to the Eyrie with his knights and leaving the North woefully ill-prepared for the Great War.
Littlefinger is clearly plotting something, but we'll have to wait and see how the Knights of the Vale play into it. In the meantime, read up on the best Game of Thrones theories to predict what's next!
10 Make-Ahead Meal Prep Hacks That Will Make You Feel Really Good Later
#MealPrep is all the rage on Instagram and with good reason: who wouldn't love a fridge and freezer full of meals they can simply whip out and reheat on the fly? We've gathered our favorite meal prep ideas from eggy muffins to chicken freezer packs. Suddenly cooking at home doesn't seem like such a laborious chore.
7 Things Your Kids Will Remember About You When They're Grown Up
There are plenty of times my friends or family reference specific moments in my childhood, and I just can't for the life of me remember what they're talking about - it's very interesting what we end up remembering about our lives. There are, however, certain things I can perfectly pinpoint about my childhood, no matter what age I was at the time, like how my mom reacted to my grandfather passing, the chunk of time my dad was working in another state at a new job and missed my school play, and the way my mom would greet my dad when he got home from work.
Because there are certain things that tend to stick with kids as they grow up, these seven things are worth thinking about as you raise your littles.
A Comprehensive Account of Robert Pattinson and FKA Twigs's Extremely Private Romance
Image Source: Getty / Jon Kopaloff
Robert Pattinson and FKA Twigs have been going strong for three years now, but as of late, the couple have been plagued by split rumors. It all began in July when Howard Stern asked Rob if he and Twigs are still engaged, and he replied, "Yeah, kind of." Shortly after, Rob was spotted having dinner with pal Katy Perry and Twigs was photographed hanging out with French model Brieuc Breitenstein in Spain. While neither Rob nor Twigs has publicly addressed any of the reports, it's also worth noting that the last time these two hit a red carpet together was in February at The Lost City of Z's premiere in London. However, a source recently told People that Rob and Twigs are "definitely still together." We're not entirely sure what is going on here, so we'll let you be the judge.
Image Source: Getty / Alo Ceballos
- August 2014: The pair were first spotted together in NYC. While Rob and Twigs steered clear of any PDA, it didn't take long for Us Weekly to report that the two were indeed dating.
- September 2014: Rob and Twigs appeared to confirm their romance when they were photographed holding hands while taking a stroll though Venice Beach, CA.
- November 2014: In an interview with USA Today, Twigs addressed the racist messages she received following her new romance with Rob, saying, "I really enjoy the fun of putting something out and people liking it or hating it or talking about it, but vacuous attention, it feels disgusting. It's like a hangover . . . The positivity that I get from [my relationship] makes the more challenging aspects . . . very worth it."
- April 2015: Rob and Twigs got engaged. In an interview with Vulture, rapper T-Pain talked about working with Twigs on his upcoming album and also revealed that Rob had popped the question. "I don't know if she wanted anybody to know that," he said. The rapper later shared an Instagram photo claiming that the comment was an April Fools' Day prank, writing, "Added a little #AprilFools to my interview with Vulture Magazine today. Check it out!!!!" However, Twigs was spotted wearing a thin gold band on her ring finger at an Alexander McQueen exhibit just a month before.
Image Source: Getty / Mike Coppola
- May 2015: Rob and Twigs made their first-ever red carpet appearance together at the Met Gala in NYC.
- October 2016: After keeping a low profile for a little over a year, breakup rumors started to swirl. Those reports were quickly laid to rest when Rob and Twigs resurfaced together at LAX.
- July 2017: Rob reignited those split rumors nearly a year later when he was questioned about his relationship on The Howard Stern Show. When asked if he was engaged to Twigs, Rob responded, "Yeah, kind of."
Image Source: Getty / Jamie McCarthy
- August 2017: Rob then added more fuel to those rumors when he stepped out for dinner with pal Katy Perry in LA. While a source told People that Rob and Katy are "just friends" and "super cuddly always," Twigs was later spotted hanging out with French model Brieuc Breitenstein while vacationing in Ibiza, Spain. According to People, Rob and Twigs are "definitely still together."
13 Ingenious Ways to Use WD-40 Around the House
If you don't already have a can of WD-40 around the house, you'll soon want to! This wonder product was developed in San Diego, CA, in 1953 and started being sold for residential use in 1958. Originally developed as an antirust protector, it soon became a household staple.
It seems that the longer WD-40 has been around, the more uses people find for it. While it's still great at preventing rust, its cleaning and lubricating applications are seemingly endless! Check out some of our favorite ways to use WD-40 around the house.
17 Photos of Elvis and Priscilla Presley That Will Have You Humming "Love Me Tender"
Elvis Presley was a rock 'n' roll superstar by the time he met 14-year-old Priscilla Ann Wagner Beaulieu during a party at his home in Bad Nauheim, Germany. Despite being 10 years her senior, the two struck up a close friendship that, over time, blossomed into love. In May 1967, when Priscilla was 21, they tied the knot in a 10-minute ceremony at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas; photos from their laid-back wedding would go on to become some of the most iconic images of the couple (if not only because of Priscilla's bangin' hair and makeup).
In February 1968, nine months to the day of their wedding, Elvis and "Cilla" welcomed their first and only child, Lisa Marie. Elvis was, by all accounts, a doting and loving dad who spoiled his little girl rotten. But plagued by the singer's drug addiction and infidelity, the relationship began to crumble. The couple separated in early 1972, and their divorce was finalized in October 1973. The 72-year-old actress opened up about her decision to split from Elvis in a 2016 interview, revealing that they "truly lived in a bubble" and that she "just kind of followed what he did." "I needed to find out what the world was like," Priscilla said. "I didn't really know who I was." The two still had a lot of love for each other, though - they even left the courthouse holding hands. Look back on Elvis and Priscilla's nostalgic relationship in these sweet photos.
29 Dumbledore Quotes That Will Inspire You to Do Magical Things
In the Harry Potter books and movies, Albus Dumbledore can do spells that make ordinary wizards' heads spin, he can defeat dark wizards in duels, but most of all, he can drop gems of wisdom that are pure magic. Throughout the series, Dumbledore is known for his impeccable wit and insights - when he speaks, wizards and Muggles alike listen. We've gathered up some of his most inspirational, funny, and moving quotes about life, friendship, hope, and love that are all bound to brighten your day and inspire you to make your own kind of magic.
This Baby Had a McDonald's Cheeseburger Smash - and (Ba Da Ba Ba Bah) We're Lovin' It
The whole baby "cake smash" tradition has evolved into a trendy photo-shoot opportunity involving any number of tasty treats. Donuts and pie make for cute send-ups, but what really whets our appetites are the quirkier alternatives – from BBQ to a giant vat of Nutella to Taco Bell tacos.
So when we saw that photographer Laura Stennett staged a McDonald's cheeseburger "smash" for Lauren Ashcraft's 9-month-old son Liam, we were hungry for more.
The happy-meal-themed shoot, however, got criticism from the internet's most loud-mouthed mommy shamers.
"It's not as though he actually ate 20 cheeseburgers," Stennett told POPSUGAR. "The kid liked the pickles, and gummed the rest. That's what babies do."
Instead of letting it get them down, Stennett and Ashcroft teamed up for an epic response, featuring Liam's twin sister, Lola.
The followup shoot featured little Lola surrounded by "all-organic fruits, veggies, and health food products" – and they even plopped a produce sticker on the girl's cheek.
"Could we have used organic, grass-fed, GMO and cruelty-free burgers for the session? Sure," Stennett said. "But that would have been crazy expensive, and who has the time to make 20 burgers for a silly photo shoot?"
Now that's some smart fast-food logic!
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