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 26 décembre 2017
Why a Huge Time Jump For Star Wars: Episode IX Is Not Out of the Question
Love it or hate it, Star Wars: The Last Jedi subverts classic Star Wars tropes in new and refreshing ways. Instead of an epic revelation about the real (and seemingly important) identity of Rey's parents, we learn that they are complete nobodies who are wholly insignificant. And similarly, instead of revealing Snoke as a crucial figure from the past, he instead dies rather abruptly with no significant backstory to speak of. Outside of the actual plot and characters, there's one other major departure that we've never really seen in either of the preceding trilogies: there's no time jump.
The Last Jedi picks up mere moments after the end of The Force Awakens. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, director Rian Johnson gave his reason: "In every other case, Star Wars movies jumped forward in leaps of time. I knew I was supposed to do that, but the last image was intriguing. I knew I wanted to know where we were going next." And what Johnson says is true. Here's how it's all broken down so far:
- Time between Episode I (The Phantom Menace) and Episode II (Attack of the Clones): 10 years
- Time between Episode II and Episode III (Revenge of the Sith): Three years
- Time between Episode III and Episode IV (A New Hope): 19 years
- Time between Episode IV and Episode V (The Empire Strikes Back): Three years
- Time between Episode V and Episode VI (Return of the Jedi): One year
- Time between Episode VI and Episode VII (The Force Awakens): 30 years
- Time between Episode VII and Episode VIII (The Last Jedi): Like, two seconds
Before The Last Jedi, the shortest span of time that passed was still one year. What's more, when it comes to the upcoming Episode IX, a time jump actually makes sense, and not just because that's historically what Star Wars films do. Instead, it solves a lot of issues that seem to linger in the wake of The Last Jedi.
The biggest reason to leap forward in time is to give us closure on dear Leia Organa. Seeing as the late Carrie Fisher will not be able to reprise her role, and since her story is open-ended when The Last Jedi finishes up, a time jump could successfully wrap up her storyline. If a year or five years or even 10 years have passed since we last caught up with our crew, it gives space for a lot to happen. Leia's death could absolutely be included in that space.
And before you come up with all these reasons about how Leia could return, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy has already stated that she will definitely not be back. There will be no attempts to re-create Fisher's likeness in CGI, and it seems even cobbling together old footage is out of the question. Episode IX needs to find a way to gracefully write out Leia, and a time jump could help facilitate that process.
But there's another aspect to a potential time jump we need to address. Simply put, the passage of time allows the story to bloom. The characters need time to grow. Right now Kylo Ren is a big whiny baby still in the infancy of his rule as Supreme Leader. Rey has only just unlocked her powerful connection to the force. Poe is still hasty and reckless. Finn has only just shown himself to be a tried-and-true hero.
Launching forward allows for character development that we don't need to witness on screen. With a time jump, Kylo Ren can become a much more formidable foe and Rey a much more intimidating Jedi master. Poe can grow as a leader of the Resistance. Finn can train harder. By all accounts, the passage of time would only breathe new life into what seems like a story that has stalled.
I mean, not to return to the whole "that's how Star Wars movies work" argument, but a flash forward is a crucial aspect of a Star Wars film skeleton. The whole reason we have that iconic scrolling text at the beginning of each film is to set the stage for the story we're about to see! With decades in between each trilogy, the scrolls serve a very practical purpose: to catch us up on everything we missed. So, in a way, this would be the perfect way to wrap the series. To leap forward, to set the stage, and to plunge us into an entirely new story one last time.
This Hilarious Thread Nails Why Nitpicking Fans Should Be Thankful For The Last Jedi
It is a Star Wars truth universally acknowledged that any real fan of the franchise has at least a few issues with the critically disastrous prequel trilogy: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Episode II - Attack of the Clones, and Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. The three films, which came out between 1999 and 2005, feature dull storylines, Jar Jar Binks, and Midi-chlorians, among other sins. For the aforementioned reasons ( and many more), they fell far, far short of George Lucas's original movies.
Fortunately J.J. Abrams's Star Wars: The Force Awakens appeared to rectify the damage done by the prequels when it premiered in 2015. It blessed us with a fresh new storyline - OK, not that new if you've seen A New Hope - and an exciting cast of characters that made us forget all about Nute Gunray. Now that its sequel, Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi, has arrived, the reception has been much more mixed. In fact, the backlash has been so intense that over 53,000 fans have even started a petition to wipe the film from canon altogether.
In defense of The Last Jedi, Jesse McLaren hopped on Twitter to put riled up fans in their place with one hilarious thread. Do you guys even remember just how bad some of the plot points in Episode I, II, and III really were?! Let him remind you.
Oh no! Your Star Wars had some "inconsistencies"? So sad.
Listen here motherfucker. I saw Episode 1-3 in theaters. I sat through shit you couldn't imagine. Jar-Jar Binks. BackFlipping Yoda. Midichloreans. Space diners. That's right, a FUCKING SPACE DINER. AND YOU HAVE THE NERVE-- Jesse McLaren (@McJesse) December 20, 2017
No, this isn't a screenshot from a 1998 PC game that came in a cereal box. This shit was what I had to sit through. You get beautiful, imaginative fight sequences on salt sprinkled red planets. I got space diner. Go fuck yourself. http://pic.twitter.com/8XVKLsvKnI
- Jesse McLaren (@McJesse) December 20, 2017
Aww, you didn't get enough Luke Skywalker as you wanted??? So sad! You bastards, I sat through 9 hours spread out over the better part of a decade to see Darth Vader and when he finally showed up he basically only said one word. http://pic.twitter.com/7phFJzxSO5
- Jesse McLaren (@McJesse) December 20, 2017
You thought the bad guy was too two dimensional and **SPOILER** got disappointingly sabered in half before we could learn more about him? OH GEE. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THAT'S LIKE. http://pic.twitter.com/3xLzQWquJP
- Jesse McLaren (@McJesse) December 20, 2017
What's that? Carrie Fisher shouldn't have been able to survive in space? Yeah I guess that is unrealistic. Especially when you consider HER MOTHER DIED WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG AND HEALTHY BECAUSE SHE WAS IN A SHITTY MOOD ONCE. http://pic.twitter.com/exQQi07bvC
- Jesse McLaren (@McJesse) December 20, 2017
YOU ALL THINK IM JOKING. A DUDE WITH ANTENNA TRIED TO SELL OBI-WAN KENOBI SOME COKE. THAT HAPPENED AND I PAID MONEY TO WATCH. REAL MONEY. http://pic.twitter.com/xlfRz1iWCp
- Jesse McLaren (@McJesse) December 20, 2017
You all sicken me. http://pic.twitter.com/9YCpCON3gD
- Jesse McLaren (@McJesse) December 20, 2017
Oh god, I've upset the corner of the internet that loves the prequels, may the force be with me. http://pic.twitter.com/cueqzWyUsT
- Jesse McLaren (@McJesse) December 20, 2017
Betty’s Long-Lost Brother Appears in Riverdale's Ominous Midseason Trailer
Although Riverdale's midseason finale ended more with a disappointing whimper than the Black Hood bang we were expecting, we're still excited to see where the back half of season two takes us when it returns in 2018. In addition to hopefully finding out who the REAL murderer is (we refuse to believe it's Mr. Svenson), the trailer for the remaining episodes hints at a few more complications for our favorite citizens of Riverdale. Jughead runs into some issues while re-entering Riverdale High, and Alice Cooper has an emotional reunion with her long-lost son, Chic.
As you might recall from previous episodes, Alice got pregnant with Betty's older brother when she was still in high school and was basically forced to give him up for adoption. We'll just have to wait until Riverdal returns on Jan. 17 to find out exactly how Alice and Chic's tense interaction goes down.
I'm Sorry, but Ellen Deserved Way Better in Netflix's Christmas Inheritance
Netflix struck gold with their unintentionally hilarious original holiday romance, A Christmas Prince. Against all odds, it captivated audiences with its cheesy dialogue, fantasy royal family, entirely nonsensical plot, and heaping amounts of fake snow. When I saw that the streaming giant had another Christmas romance up its sleeve, A Christmas Inheritance, I decided not to fight the inevitable: I was going to watch this sure-to-be-terrible movie, whether I (or my two bottles of wine) wanted to or not. I regret to inform you that the movie, although it boasts a far better script and more established actors, disappoints for one annoying reason. Actually, a few reasons.
The romantic comedy tells the story of a smart, capable heiress named Ellen Langford (The 100's Eliza Taylor), who's about to inherit her father's gift company. That's right - a gift company, called Home and Hearth Gifts Incorporated. What exactly does a "gift" company sell? By the end of the movie I still hadn't figured that out. Anyway.
Even though Ellen is intelligent and has plenty of great ideas about how her father's company can grow, she's punished for her behavior at a charity event for Toys For Tots. A man attending the event offers to write her a massive check for the charity if she does a backflip across the room; she lands in a Christmas tree and the embarrassing photo dubbing her the "Party Heiress" is splashed all over New York City tabloids. Before she can take over the mysterious company (seriously, I have to know what they sell), her father forces her to prove her worth as a successor by delivering a special box of Christmas letters (Honestly, don't ask) to her dad's former partner, Zeke, in their small hometown, Snow Falls (a classic Winter romance movie town name, if I do say so myself).
Trailer for @MisElizaJane's new Netflix movie #ChristmasInheritance http://pic.twitter.com/n2nl1o5UQH
- Clexa Culture (@ClexaCulture) December 7, 2017
Her father takes away her credit cards and tells her that she isn't allowed to reveal who she really is to anyone in Snow Falls, since he wants to make sure she's not treated differently because of her famous family name. Her fiancé, a rude Wall Street businessman named Gray Pittman (Michael Xavier), is understandably annoyed - her ridiculous trip to Snow Falls cuts it extremely close to their scheduled Christmas vacation to Hawaii.
Regardless of the annoying trip, Ellen is dedicated to proving herself and heads to Snow Falls. It's there that she meets the manager of Zeke's bed and breakfast, Jake Collins (Zeke went on a spontaneous trip to the mountains and is nowhere to be found). Although he's played by very, very charming Girls actor Jake Lacy, Jake is, well . . . a huge d*ck. After a huge blizzard leaves her trapped in Snow Falls, a love triangle blossoms for Ellen when she finds herself falling for Jake, despite her fiancé back in NYC and the fact that Jake's hair looks like this:
It turns out that Jake once lived in New York City, too, where he was engaged to an accountant. But then one night around Christmas, she dumped him at dinner while "Silent Night" was playing in the restaurant. Now he has a hatred for 1.) the song "Silent Night," which he proves when he almost destroys a diner jukebox that's playing it, and 2.) women from New York City. Since Ellen is the latter, he gives her a tough time with just about everything, until she can prove to him that she's actually a nice person. Seems kinda judgmental for someone whose haircut is modeled after Anastasia's Dimitri, you know? Also, Ellen is a nice person, but Jake refuses to acknowledge it because she's committed the grave sin of being . . . from out of town.
Jake eventually starts to see just how nice Ellen is when she teams up with his aunt Debbie (Andie MacDowell) (Yes, Andie MacDowell is in this movie!) and helps save the Christmas Eve charity fundraiser he's organizing for Snow Falls. Later on, they share a private moment in the bed and breakfast's storeroom, where it's revealed Jake is an "artist." How do we know this? Because he's working on these sketches. Ellen thinks he's "very talented."
Girl, what?
These are on par with a series of paintings my little sister did in her fourth grade art class, which featured stick figures wearing comically large sombreros. Ellen - incredibly smart, kind, and savvy Ellen - is having to convince this guy that she is worthy of his time. OK. As if the terrible Santa drawings and his penchant for being mean to Ellen weren't enough to convince you how big of a jerk he is, he also attempts to put the moves on her IMMEDIATELY after she opens up to him about her mother's tragic death.
Ellen: My mom died when I was little and it completely destroyed me.
Jake: Is this the part where we're supposed to kiss?
They don't kiss, but poor Ellen, god love her, is still into this dude. But it's OK to have this emotional affair, because her fiancé Gray is a huge jerk. We're reminded of just how big of a jerk he really is when he inserts himself into this mess by coming to Snow Falls to demand Ellen leave to go on their expensive vacation to Hawaii (Patrick Dempsey in Sweet Home Alabama he is not).
He can tell there's something going on between Ellen and Jake straightaway, and he's not having it. Who can blame him? He's a wealthy businessman whose hair doesn't make him look like a pauper from a 1997 animated children's film. He doesn't understand, and in an effort to mess up her thing with Jake, tells him who Ellen really is. Jake might've judged her harshly for being from New York City, but finding out she's secretly been RICH this whole time infuriates him.
"This is why I left New York," he tells her. "Because of people like you." Kind, intelligent people who have shown over and over again how empathetic they are? C'mon Jake. Ellen, naturally, is devastated, especially because Jake refuses to deliver the letters to Zeke for her, and her future at the gift company is in jeopardy.
Gray, meanwhile, has given Ellen an ultimatum - leave with him to Hawaii, or they're over. She goes, but decides at the last second that her future life with her mean big city fiancé isn't for her. Instead, it's a life with a small town jerk that she's after! I know this is supposed to be a silly Christmas romance and I'm way too invested, but Ellen can do so much better than either of these guys.
She hops out of the car and into another blizzard (while wearing a skirt and stilettos, mind you) to race back to the Christmas Eve fundraiser. It turns out both Zeke and her father are there, who reveal they conspired this whole time to have Ellen be stranded in Snow Falls with no money in hopes that she would . . . learn about small town life? Fall in love with Jake? I truly don't know. She and Jake patch things up while Andie MacDowell sings in the background, and presumably live happily ever after.
A Christmas Prince might be one of the cheesiest romance movies I've ever endured, but its silly ending doesn't hold a candle to Christmas Inheritance. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go write a sequel to this movie that sees Ellen dumping Judgy Jake the day after the fundraiser, moving back to NYC, taking over her father's company, and becoming the successful HBIC CEO she deserves to be.
Here's How A Christmas Prince Stacks Up to These 3 Other Royal Holiday Romance Movies
Picture this: you're curling up on the couch after a long day at work, about to crack open a bottle of Trader Joe's finest $7 white wine. While a sleeve of Ritz crackers pairs nicely with such a luxurious personal happy hour, you're also going to need some entertainment. It's cold outside! (At least in some parts of the country!) What's cozier than a movie about a woman falling in love with a prince against all odds and plot conventions? Enter: A Christmas Prince.
Wait, hold on. Is it A Prince For Christmas? No, wait, it's A Princess For Christmas, right? Or is My Christmas Prince the one you're looking for?
Until very recently, I was blissfully unaware of a very specific subset of seasonal movies: the royal holiday romance. All of these movies share a core set of values and/or character stereotypes - the small-town girl who wasn't expecting to fall in love, a dashing prince bucking against his parents' rules, precocious kid(s), and dialogue so cheesy anyone with lactose intolerance should stop reading this immediately - and, in a rather impressive feat, have managed to rearrange the words "prince," "princess," and "Christmas" into dozens of title variations.
While most of these movies have lived happily ever after on Lifetime and the Hallmark channel, Netflix recently stepped into the game with A Christmas Prince, its unintentionally hilarious foray into the world of ridiculous (and ridiculously charming) holiday romance. Since there are tons of Christmas movies competing for your attention this season, I took the liberty of watching four royal holiday movies with confusingly similar titles to figure out which one truly reigns supreme. Each film is rated on a very scientific scale of zero to five snowflakes, so read on to see which one you should spend the night with.
The Crown, Peaky Blinders, and 50 Other Titles Coming to Netflix in December
Netflix is pulling out all the stops for December. Although the streaming giant is getting rid of one of our favorite Disney movies, they're also adding a ton of fresh titles that we can't wait to watch. On top of Netflix originals like season two of The Crown and the premiere of the ridiculously creepy Dark, there are also exciting movies like 8 Mile, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and more. Check out the full list of movies and TV shows ahead!
16 Moments That Show Rihanna Has Been Work, Work, Working Hard All Year
This is shaping up to be an incredibly busy year for Rihanna. In addition to finding love with Saudi billionaire Hassan Jameel, the singer really set out to conquer the world: releasing a beauty line, starring in a film, and expanding her Fenty x Puma fashion line. On top of it all, Rihanna also found time to make new music, and according to Entertainment Weekly, she and Lupita Nyong'o are teaming up for an upcoming film project with Netflix. We can't wait to see what Rihanna has in store for us in 2018!
11 Truly Masterful Horror Films That Came Out in 2017
We're finally closing the door on 2017, and the force of the horror movie genre is stronger than ever. With a sizable slate of scary flicks this year, we expected a haul of quality movies to keep us going. The final months of the year have yielded some standouts, but we were pretty much screaming from the get-go thanks to Jordan Peele's searing first film, Get Out. That said, there are plenty more that have blown us away since January! We're covering the year's best horror films, from the f*cked-up madness of Split to the simple brilliance in Gerald's Game.
24 Sad Songs From 2017 That Will Turn You Into an Emotional Wreck
If you're going through a breakup or just in need of a good cry, we have the ultimate lineup for you. From Noah Cyrus's "Make Me (Cry)" to Kygo and Selena Gomez's "It Ain't Me" to "Issues" by Julia Michaels, we were treated to some really amazing sad songs this year. Trust us, these tracks will have you bawling your eyes out all through next year.
Winter Reading List: 47 Books to Curl Up With Before They're Movies
There's nothing more hygge than grabbing a good book and reading in front of a roaring fire during this cold weather - but you need tools for that. While you will have to figure out your own fireplace situation, we can furnish you with reading inspiration. There are some excellent books being made into movies and TV shows next year, and we have a big, handy list of all the books that are in the process of being adapted. Some hot recent titles like The Hate U Give are in here, along with titles from authors of other successful adaptations, like Big Little Lies' Liane Moriarty.
Lady Gaga Gets Pushed Around in a Shopping Cart at the Grocery Store, Like the Queen She Is
Lady Gaga is a queen, and in case you somehow forgot, her latest outing should remind you. While most people (including celebrities) do their grocery shopping on foot, Gaga proved once again that she isn't like most people when she was photographed casually being pushed around by her fiancé, Christian Carino, in a shopping cart at a grocery store in Malibu, CA, on Thursday. In addition to her unique mode of transportation, Gaga was dressed in a fur coat, a black dress, and matching heels - you know, as one dresses for the occasion.
Gaga and Christian first struck up a romance earlier this year and reportedly got engaged over the Summer. It's been a while since we've seen them out together, but from the looks of it, they're doing great.
The 19 Best Christmas Movies You Can Watch on Netflix
If you're anything like us, your holiday viewing begins the minute the Halloween pumpkins are thrown away. So in preparation, we've rounded up some of the best holiday movie options on Netflix. From classics like The Grinch and White Christmas to alternative options like Gremlins and The Ref, there's a little something for everyone . . . whether you're on Santa's naughty or nice list.
Why the Reveal of Rey's Parents in Star Wars: The Last Jedi Matters
Warning: spoilers for Star Wars: The Last Jedi ahead!
Star Wars: The Last Jedi finally answers one of the most pressing questions of the new trilogy: who are Rey's parents? Rey spends half the movie trying to figure it out, even as she trains with Luke - she visits creepy caves and looks into never-ending mirrors, bemoaning her lack of an answer to Kylo Ren in one of their Force-connected heart to hearts. In the end, Kylo tells Rey he's seen her parents in a vision . . . and that she has as well but doesn't want to acknowledge it.
As it turns out, Rey's parents are, well, nobodies from nowhere.
If this is actually true and not just a ploy on Kylo Ren's part to bring her over to his side, it's a bit of a letdown to longtime fans. We've spent so long trying to find the answer to this mystery, and, like Rey, we expected something amazing. There were theories that Rey is related to Luke or that she is related to Obi-Wan Kenobi - the stuff of Star Wars legends! Instead, Rey is bitterly disappointed to know her true parents sold her off for money and ended up dead on Jakku anyway.
But here's the thing: Rey may be a nobody from nowhere, but so was Anakin Skywalker in the beginning. So was Luke Skywalker before that infamous reveal of his father. In fact, in a way, being so makes her more important than ever.
Despite the title of the movie, there is no such thing as the last Jedi - and there won't be when nobodies and legacies alike wield the Force. Rey herself takes the Jedi tomes from the tree on Ahch-To (before Yoda burns it, obviously) to continue the legacy. The last shot of the movie further drives it home, as the young boy in the Fathier enclosure in Canto Bight seemingly uses the Force to move his broom into his hand. The Force flows through the universe and people regardless of bloodlines (especially since indicative midi-chlorians, if you want to get into it, aren't passed down genetically).
If Rey is a nobody from nowhere, but she revives the Jedi Order or balances the Force anyway, it demonstrates that heroes are not chosen: they're formed. They rise to answer the call, like Admiral Holdo and Rose Tico. Rey and the stable boy, neither of whom are part of the epic family drama playing out across the galaxies, open the story to a future. Because of this, there can be no last Jedi. Anyone could be the next hero. There is no Chosen One anymore (he was lightninged to death and then cremated, remember?). Rey's background matters because it doesn't matter.
While previous films look back to lost parents or origin stories, The Last Jedi turns its sights forward to a new future, just as Yoda instructs Luke. (And for all of you screaming, "BUT STAR WARS IS ABOUT THE SKYWALKERS!" . . . well, you still have Kylo Ren, aka Ben Solo, aka Leia's son, so, uh, enjoy that whole "Skywalker" thing.)
The Best Movie Kisses of the Year So Far
This year's movie kisses bring out a variety of emotions: swooning, lust, envy . . . it's sort of the huge reason we go to the movies. Though some of these kisses are sweeter and some are on the very steamy side, all of them are worthy of reliving (and maybe some will end up as all-time best movie kisses).
Does Timothée Chalamet Look Familiar? Here Are 7 Places You've Probably Seen Him Before
Timothée Chalamet is making a big splash in Hollywood, thanks to his breakout role in Call Me by Your Name. In addition to the film, Chalamet was recently nominated for his first-ever Golden Globe. Even though that's obviously a major accomplishment, the 21-year-old has actually been around for quite some time now. Chalamet has been starring in films and TV shows since 2008 and has even made guest appearances on Royal Pains, Law & Order, and The Adderall Diaries. Take a look back at some of his most notable projects.
The Most Precious Photos of Louis Tomlinson's "Little Lad," Freddie
Louis Tomlinson welcomed his first child, a baby boy named Freddie Reign, in January 2016 with friend Briana Jungwirth, and since then, we've been treated to snippets of the happy little boy's life. In addition to the One Direction singer sharing snaps of him and his "little lad," Briana also frequently takes to social media to share the joys of motherhood. Take a look at all the pictures we've seen so far, then get to know Louis a little better.
Grab Your BFF For a Movie Date Because Regal Theaters Now Have Cheetos Popcorn!
It's a good thing there are so many good movies to see right now, because we now have a very convincing reason to frequent the theater: Cheetos Popcorn. Let's say that again: Cheetos Popcorn! This is an official concession stands item available at Regal Cinemas nationwide starting on Friday, Dec. 15 (which, reminder, is the day that Star Wars: The Last Jedi premieres). The satisfyingly orange snack not only comes with Cheetos-dusted popcorn, but has Crunchy Cheetos in the mix, too. Talk about the ultimate movie-watching fuel.
Humanity has peaked. http://pic.twitter.com/d4kKr0s2YY
- Chris Branch (@cbranch89) November 16, 2017
In the official press release announcing the collaboration between Cheetos and Regal, John Curry, senior vice president of food service for Regal Cinemas, said, "Cheetos Popcorn is our gift to Regal fans enjoying their favorite movie this holiday season. We are thrilled to partner with an iconic brand like Cheetos to deliver blockbuster snack choices to moviegoers." A true gift indeed, Mr. Curry. Excuse me while I go see Lady Bird for the third time!
20+ Hello Kitty Kitchen Gifts That Offer a Daily Dose of Happiness
If you have a friend whose love of Hello Kitty (and food) knows no bounds, you've come to the right place. From Hello Kitty toasters to baking supplies and, best of all, wine, there's an impossibly cute kitchen gift that any fan will appreciate! Get ready to find the purrfect gift that will bring a dose of happiness to your Hello Kitty-obsessed friend.
More Than 30 Lush, Chocolaty Desserts For Busy People
Just because you're busy doesn't eliminate the want need to indulge in something sweet and chocolaty when a craving hits. If time is truly of the essence, pick up a chocolate bar at the store; when you have a bit more wiggle room, you can do no better than these 30-plus easy, chocolate-rich recipes. Keep reading for a solid selection of brownie, cookie, hot chocolate, pudding, and other cacao-loaded treats that even the busiest or most beginner of bakers can tackle without breaking a sweat.
Gordon Ramsay Reveals the 1 Place You Should Never Eat
Sure, Gordon Ramsay has high standards, but is there really anything he would never eat? Turns out it's more of a place where he would never eat rather than one specific food - and that's on a plane. In an interview with Refinery29, Gordon revealed his feelings about airplane food and why those feelings might be justified. "There's no f*cking way I eat on planes," he said. "I worked for airlines for 10 years, so I know where this food's been and where it goes, and how long it took before it got on board." Yikes. The man has a point - there's no denying that airplane food is not the best.
So what's a traveler to do to avoid midflight hunger, according to the world-renowned chef? If you're like him, you'll make time to stop at a nice Italian restaurant for a little meat and cheese. "A nice selection of Italian meats, a little glass of red wine, some sliced apples or pears with some parmesan cheese," Gordon says of his ideal airport snack.
Alternatively, of course, you could eat at Gordon Ramsay's very own Plane Food, a restaurant in Terminal 5 of the London Heathrow Airport. There, you'll find truffle mac and cheese, Szechuan squid, and spicy tuna tartare . . . certainly nothing that's reheated in convection ovens on an airplane.
The Perfect Cocktail For Your Zodiac Sign
Ever feel like there's that one cocktail that just speaks to you? It just might be your perfect zodiac match. And, hey, even if you don't read your horoscope every day, it doesn't hurt to find a new go-to cocktail recipe for every occasion. We've tapped cocktail expert Kat Odell, author of the recently published cookbook Day Drinking: 50 Cocktails For a Mellow Buzz ($11), for her advice on all things cocktail-related astrology. Read on to discover which cocktail you should stir up based on your zodiac sign, and learn why it's the best match, according to Kat herself. And, yes, as the name of her book implies, you have permission to drink it any time of day!
Newsflash: THIS Is How You Should Actually Be Cutting Your Round Cakes
Well, it looks like we've been cutting our birthday cakes the wrong way all this time. The viral video above has brought our wrongdoing to the light of day and provides us with an unexpected alternative - one that involves rectangular slices instead of the tried-and-true triangular ones. Mathematician Alex Bellos begins the clip by explaining that cutting a cake into wedges causes the sugary dessert to dry out if left in the refrigerator overnight. Instead, he advises making your first slice right down the middle so you can push the cut halves back together to preserve your leftovers' moistness overnight - because there's nothing more disappointing than a dried-out cake!
Watch the video above to see Bellos describe why it's about time you adopt this scientifically proven cutting method. You'll definitely want to add this genius tip to your list of must-know food hacks.
ThredUp Goody Boxes Will Change Everything You Thought You Knew About Thrift Shopping
Technology can be one hell of a glorious thing. Thanks to the supersavvy innovations of the last few decades, some of the most aggravating, time-consuming tasks faced by modern womankind have been transformed into a recurring iPhone reminder and a few simple clicks of a mouse. And now one of the biggest time sucks in history joins the ranks of "things made way easier by technology": thrift shopping.
On Dec. 12, online thrift-and-consignment giant ThredUp launched Goody Boxes, a streamlined way to make firsthand style out of secondhand goods. Here's how it works: You take a quick quiz about your personal style and the brands you love, which is then processed through an algorithm that scans 35,000 brands and over 2 million items to come up with the pieces that fit you best. Then you choose how many items you want to include in your box (10 to 20, all of which get up to an 80 percent discount), and the in-house ThredUp stylists sign off on the items that they think you'll love the most. It's worth noting here, too, that you can choose the type of box you want - from "work wear" to "fancy," it's all covered in individual boxes available for purchase.
Once you've completed that process, the box is then shipped straight to you for final approval - and you have seven days to decide what you love and must have, and what you can absolutely live without. The best part? The whole process costs $20! That includes the initial shipping, the return shipping of the items you don't want (with an easy-to-use prepaid label), and a $20 credit that goes against the total price of the items that you ultimately decide to keep.
In the lead-up to the Goody Boxes launch, I gave the "work wear" box a spin. It was delivered in just one day, straight to my office and chock full of amazing thrift-store finds that would have taken hours - if not days - to find in stores or online. Inside the packaging, I found a mix of brands: an Alice + Olivia blouse, a funky French jumpsuit, a little black dress from J. Crew, and a pair of sensible Cole Haan flats alongside a Kate Spade purse. In other words: it was the perfect combination for a mini in-home fashion show before it was time to make real decisions.
While half of the items I received were not the right fit for me - although maybe in my dreams! - everything was reasonably priced and in perfect condition, and I wound up keeping quite a lot of what was sent in the box. Most importantly, though, the whole process was thrilling - one that I would recommend to anyone who loves to shop the secondhand circuit but just can't find the time. My tl;dr? The concept had me sold from the get-go, but the fact that I was sent a like-new version of my favorite Michael Kors coat that I had desperately been trying to replace was the real clincher.
Ultimately, not knowing what you're going to get makes it exciting, but giving the information that can best tailor the products to you makes it a thoroughly enjoyable experience. And for just $20, what do you have to lose? You, too, might find exactly what you're looking for - and it's all just a few clicks away.
According to the Internet, 2017 Was the Year of Activism
Say what you will about the terribleness of 2017, but know this: it was actually a banner year for the activist in all of us. As end-of-year stats are being rolled out, myriad online resources have found that people got motivated, helped each other, and did their best to be their best in 2017 - and used the internet to facilitate this. These findings suggest what we all have suspected: this year handed us a lot of lemons (as well as one giant orange) and we made the best possible juice with what we were given.
This fact becomes immediately obviously when you look at what we searched for. Google's 2017 global recap showed that we were not only searching for world problems (Hurricane Irma was the most Googled item of the year) but for truths. And that extends from sexual harassers like Matt Lauer topping the most-searched people, all the way to Ariana Grande and the Manchester shooting being the most-searched music-related topic. We also searched "how" to do things more than ever this year, a fact that Google CEO Sundar Pichai explained in a Tweet as "our desire to understand, and ultimately improve the world around us."
Scanning social media year-in-reviews, you find similar empathetic expressions from the most popular posts. Two out of three of the "top moments" discussed on Facebook were International Women's Day and the Las Vegas shooting. The top five Tweets of 2017 included two thoughts from President Obama, two thoughts on disasters (Houston and the Manchester shootings), and one call for help procuring chicken nuggets. (Also of note: none of President Trump's "iconic" Tweets broke the top 10 Tweets of 2017, and the top activism related hashtag was #resist.) The most popular Reddit AMAs maintained a similar timbre with the majority of the top 10 being attributed to philanthropists and activists like Bill Gates, West Virginia Senate candidate Paula Jean Swearengin, Dr. Jane Goodall, and an environmental lawyer who took Trump to court.
"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion..." http://pic.twitter.com/InZ58zkoAm
- Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 13, 2017
If you think all these online happenings have no real significance or are happening in a digital void, this simply isn't true - just ask event organizing platform Eventbrite. In Eventbrite's 2017 year in review findings, the site reports a 30 percent increase of activist events with event attendance of activist happenings rocketing by 93 percent. Polling conducted by Eventbrite found that the motivation for this shift toward activist events was largely due to people hoping to promote positive change followed by a hope to express political opinions, learn about issues, and support those in need. Many of these events also effectively built communities and facilitated online organizing, from petition signing to making donations.
It's easy to rag on 2017 for being so undisputably awful, but the moral of this downer year is that it woke many of us up and catalyzed real action. While we certainly hope the upcoming year will be more chill, here's to 2018 maintaining a sense of urgency and awareness. It's what the world needs now.
A Judge Called a Rapist a "Good Man" While Sentencing Him For 11 Counts
One would imagine that a repeat history of sexually abusing and assaulting family members would disqualify a person from being considered "extraordinary" and "good." But Fourth District Judge Thomas Low used those exact words to describe the convicted rapist standing before him on Wednesday in Provo, UT.
According to The Salt Lake City Tribune, Low "became emotional as he handed down a prison sentence" to former Mormon Bishop Keith Robert Vallejo, who was convicted of 10 counts of forcible sexual abuse and one count of object rape.
The judge stated: "The court has no doubt that Mr. Vallejo is an extraordinary, good man. But great men sometimes do bad things," reports The SLC Tribune. Vallejo's repeat abuse of two women (including his sister-in-law) is certainly extraordinary . . . in the disturbing, negative sense of the word.
Low's description of the convicted felon as "good" is a slap in the faces of his victims. That's why one of those victims, Julia Kirby, plans to file a judicial complaint against Judge Low.
"If he really, really cared about me or about the fact that this person was a criminal, he wouldn't have that kind of sympathy. It was shocking to me for that reason," Kirby said following Low's shocking courtroom comments.
Judge Low has faced criticism for his handling of the Vallejo case since before the inappropriate sentencing hearing commentary, particularly after allowing the former bishop to return home on bail to be with his wife and children, even after he was found guilty. Low's behavior regarding this specific case has resulted in a reported 40 emails, six voice mails, and multiple Facebook messages to the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission.
All of the 2017 Apple Gadgets – And How Much Each Will Set You Back
There are few things in the tech world that are as highly anticipated as an Apple Event. The 2017 edition - which took place on Sept. 12 in the Steve Jobs Theater on Apple's newest Cupertino, CA, campus - was no exception, and four brand new models of four much-loved Apple products were introduced to the world during the two hours in which the event elapsed. But let's be honest: you're here for the tl; dr version, so we'll skip past all the details and dive straight into what you're looking for.
Ahead, you'll find a complete rundown of all four of the new lines. From the iPhone 8 to the iPhone X, and from Apple TV 4K to Apple Watch Series 3, we've put together exactly when you can expect each device and how much it's going to cost you to take 'em all home.
The Pope Flawlessly Called Out Trump's Hypocritical Antiabortion Views
Pope Francis has never been one to shy away from expressing his thoughts, especially when it comes to President Donald Trump's administration. Back in February, he threw shade by calling out Trump for his travel ban without even mentioning his name. This time, however, the Pope felt the need to address the president on a far more personal level about his decision to rescind the Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, leaving about 800,000 young immigrants subject to deportation and without a path towards citizenship.
As the pope wrapped up a press conference in Colombia on Sept. 10, he spoke about DACA - and how it doesn't match up with Trump's antiabortion views. "The President of the United States presents himself as pro-life and if he is a good pro-lifer, he understands that family is the cradle of life and its unity must be protected," he said. Though the pope admitted he wasn't too well-versed in what DACA was and how it came about, he expressed that he was hopeful that Trump might reconsider his move to rescind it, saying, "I think this law comes not from parliament but from the executive. If that is so, I am hopeful that it will be re-thought."
The Pope isn't alone in this sentiment, or in having sympathy for the DACA recipients who are also known as Dreamers. On Sept. 5, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) announced that the Catholic Church would always support the group. "As people of faith, we say to DACA youth - regardless of your immigration status, you are children of God and welcome in the Catholic Church," USCCB said in a statement. "The Catholic Church supports you and will advocate for you." The group also asked Congress to come up with a solution that would help the Dreamers.
As Pope Francis expressed in a TED Talk in April, "We can only build the future by standing together, including everyone." Trump would serve to learn from this statement, as well as the compassion towards Dreamers and immigrants that the Pope and frankly, many Americans, have shown.
The Twitter Response to the FCC's Vote to Repeal Net Neutrality Is Anything but Neutral
For some Americans, the reaction to the FCC's Dec. 14 vote to repeal net neutrality was asking "what's next?" - but for others, the natural response was to crack jokes. So amid much of the chaos, frustration, and confusion about what the repeal vote actually means for us all, there were a few bright spots to laugh about despite the discouraging vote news. And since we likely won't feel the effects of the repeal for quite a while, there will be plenty more opportunity for Twitter users to roast the FCC over the next few months - so strap in, because it's sure to be a wild ride.
Read some of the best reactions to the vote, then make your voice heard to oppose the FCC's decision and put up a fight for net neutrality.
The Internet Is in a Tizzy Over What Color These Sneakers Actually Are
Move over, The Dress. There's a new optical illusion in town, The Sneaker, and it's blowing minds and starting fights all across the internet.
Weird!! I can see both pink and white or grey & teal depending on where I focus my eye first. So trippy. This beats the dress. http://pic.twitter.com/J1hWY3JUZ3
- Jen Lilley (@jen_lilley) October 13, 2017
It's been more than two years since The Dress divided households around the world into two camps: those who saw blue and black and those who swore it was white and gold. In the second week of October, however, it became instantly clear that there was a far more polarizing argument to be had. When you look at The Sneaker, do you see gray and teal? Or do you see pink and white? And, more importantly, is it even possible to see what it is that the opposing side sees?
Naturally, the internet had a lot of feelings about it. Here are some of the strongest arguments we came across on our Twitter travels:
If you said "pink and white" instead of "mint and gray" look at this pic for a second... http://pic.twitter.com/ViQXsomfgA
- Branden Hampton (@CEO) October 12, 2017
THE REAL SHOE IS PINK & WHITE OKAY⁉️
The second pic was with flash & darkened, so it looks teal & gray. (depends on what lighting ur in) http://pic.twitter.com/FlbO3OEEuC- alisha🎃 (@dolansmalik) October 11, 2017
I feel like the people who say this shit is pink and white are just trying to fuck with everyone https://t.co/wbJhawb7UL
- Bella Fiori (@IsabellaLFiori) October 12, 2017
To be fair, a quick Google Image search will pretty solidly point to these shoes being pink and white Vans. But what if all this time, what we've considered pink and white has really been gray and teal? As the internet continues to rage on about what it is that it sees, we'll leave this up to you to decide. Just don't let it get between you and your loved ones, OK?
The 1 Reason Trump Has Made So Many Cameos, According to Matt Damon
One of the truly bizarre parts of life in 2017 is that feeling you get when you're innocently watching a television show or movie and President Donald Trump suddenly appears on screen, well before he was president and well before anyone thought to hold their tongue about the bloviating real estate mogul. From Sex and the City to Home Alone 2, it's one of those things that we should all expect when we consume any entertainment set in New York City but are never quite prepared for. But while the references to Trump are usually very well-placed and timely, it can often feel like his drop-ins are last-minute additions that serve nobody more than Trump himself.
Now, thanks to Matt Damon, we know exactly why those cameos took place. In a revealing interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Damon spoke candidly of using the Trump presidency as inspiration for his role in the George Clooney-helmed Suburbicon. The big real reveal came when the actor was asked if he had ever met the president - the answer was no - and he went on to explain a bit more about the way that Trump interacts with Hollywood.
"The deal was that if you wanted to shoot in one of his buildings, you had to write him in a part," Damon said. "[Director] Martin Brest had to write something in Scent of a Woman - and the whole crew was in on it. You have to waste an hour of your day with a bullsh*t shot: Donald Trump walks in and Al Pacino's like, 'Hello, Mr. Trump!' - you had to call him by name - and then he exits. You waste a little time so that you can get the permit, and then you can cut the scene out. But I guess in Home Alone 2 they left it in."
The moral of this story? Trump has been very concerned with micromanaging his portrayal in the media for far, far longer than the two years since he announced his run for office. And if Hollywood is any indication, there are a lot of ways to deal with it that don't involve giving in to his demands.
This 1 Accessory Makes Any iPhone Take the Best Photos Ever - No Upgrade Required
It's that time of year once again. All of the new phone models have just been announced, and as a result, we're all pinching pennies to avoid FOMO and score that coveted upgrade. But if what you're really after is a better-quality camera for your old iPhone, look no further: the DxO One camera ($499) will solve all your problems for about half the price.
Boasting 20.2-megapixel resolution, the world's smallest one-inch format sensor camera, and a wide-format lens, the DxO One connects directly into your iPhone's lightning port and integrates directly into the Apple iOS - giving you the power of a pricey DSLR camera, but letting you instantly drop your photos into your group iMessage or chuck them up on Instagram. Oh, and did we mention that it will solve every single one of those low-light problems you've got with your three-year-old phone?
Ahead, check out some of the features of this game-changing device - and be sure to check out the DxO website for additional information on what it can do.
The 4 Pieces of Advice Barack Obama Gave Donald Trump on Inauguration Day
As President Donald Trump prepared to take office on Inauguration Day, Barack Obama quietly vacated the West Wing. But Obama left something behind during his exit: a letter, one that traditionally passes between two presidents as the highest office in the land changes hands. "We just went to the Oval Office and found this beautiful letter from President Obama. It was really very nice of him to do that," Trump bragged to the press several days later, adding, "We won't even tell the press what's in that letter."
On Sept. 2, CNN finally obtained that letter, exclusively. The missive is a reminder of the grace and well-spoken nature of the 44th president and a testament to the time he spent reflecting on the state of the union. Most notable, however, are the incredibly astute pieces of advice that Obama wanted to pass on to the new commander-in-chief. From a tip on leadership to a reminder about the importance of those you surround yourself with, the gracious "reflections" feel like a stolen moment between two incredibly powerful men.
Below you'll find the four items Obama put forth to Trump in the note he left on the Resolute desk of the Oval Office.
Remember those less fortunate than yourself.
"We've both been blessed, in different ways, with great good fortune. Not everyone is so lucky. It's up to us to do everything we can (to) build more ladders of success for every child and family that's willing to work hard."
Lead by example, and lead the world.
"American leadership in this world really is indispensable. It's up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that's expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend."
Protect the American democracy and its institutions.
"We are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions - like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties - that our forebears fought and bled for. Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it's up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them."
Spend time with your loved ones.
"Take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They'll get you through the inevitable rough patches."
Gun Safety Is a Women's Issue - and These Congresswomen Are Fighting For It
Shock. Profound sadness. Grief. Outrage. Calls for action. Silence. Inaction. It is a cycle that has become all too familiar on Capitol Hill in response to mass shootings. A cycle dozens of female lawmakers are fed up with.
With every passing day, there is a chorus of women warning of the heavy price being paid for Congress's inaction regarding the passage of what they call "common sense" gun legislation such as universal background checks and closing of the gun show loophole. When our daily news is dominated by the threat of nuclear war by North Korea, the investigation into whether President Donald Trump's campaign colluded with Russia, and sexual harassment and assault by members of Congress, their message on gun violence prevention struggles to be heard.
Gun control is a women's issue. All you have to do is look at the numbers to see why: the latest report from the CDC shows that 54 percent of women killed in homicides were killed by a gun, and in 55 percent of the cases they were murdered by their former intimate partner. Advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety found that, when a woman's partner has a gun in a domestic violence situation, she is five times more likely to be shot and killed.
Democratic women have long been leading the way on gun control and championing legislation to address the issue. While Democratic women make up less than 17 percent of Congress, with 16 in the Senate and 62 in the House, they have the support of the majority of American women. A recent poll from Gallup shows 60 percent of American women believe we need stricter gun laws.
"This Is Where Women's Voices Matter"
Dec. 6 brought another setback for gun control advocates - and a win for the gun lobby - with the passing of the Concealed Carry Reciprocity bill in the US House of Representatives. Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-14) tells POPSUGAR the bill puts more women at risk by making it easier for domestic violence offenders to get guns: "It would allow domestic violence offenders and those convicted of violent misdemeanors in certain states to bring concealed weapons into California, including our school zones."
Congresswoman Speier is one of two current members of Congress who is a victim of gun violence. Congressman Steve Scalise from Louisiana is the other - he was shot this past July while playing softball with his colleagues. Congresswoman Speier was shot while traveling to investigate the Jonestown Massacre in 1978, with her former boss, Congressman Leo Ryan, who died in the shooting.
Many congresspeople pushing for more gun laws hoped the targeting of their colleagues this Summer on a softball field - notably, by a man previously accused of domestic violence - might be the trigger needed to invoke Republicans to make it harder for abusers to get guns. But instead, they have loosened restrictions with the Concealed Carry Reciprocity bill.
Coupled with the bill was a bipartisan measure called Fix NICS, which was introduced in response to the mass shooting at a Texas church in November and requires federal and state authorities to comply with current law and report accurate information to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
Rep. Elizabeth Etsy in her office.
"The fact that the NRA is pushing to combine these two should make us all very wary, and this is where women's voices matter," said Congresswoman Elizabeth Etsy, who was a cosponsor of Fix NICS. Congresswoman Etsy said the NRA wanted to merge the bills because, with Fix NICS, they see that people do want to do something. "There's really no excuse for not fixing the way the systems work, but they combined it with something that is really terrible in the hopes that they can get some loosening in some very strong protections," Etsy said.
The passing of the bill came mere days before the five-year anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, where Congresswoman Etsy represents. The shooting has shaped her career as a congresswoman, she tells POPSUGAR, as she describes the green bracelet she has worn every day on her wrist since joining Congress.
"I've gone through three of these, it's a reminder, and looking around my office, the reminders are all here of why we fight," Congresswoman Etsy said, as she referenced pictures of victims and family members hanging in her office. While there has been no real change on the issue since the shooting, she's more resilient in her fight than ever before, determined to see results for the families of the 26 people who were brutally killed.
"We need to all take responsibility to change hearts and minds," Etsy said, "and to bring people in to help us actually address this and not make it a partisan battle."
While she's yet to see the hearts and minds of her GOP colleagues change on the issue, she has noticed some progress in the way of gun owners coming to the table and being a part of the conversation on change.
"We need to bring responsible, lawful gun owners in from the cold, who have sat back and allowed the gun lobby speak for them in pretty radical terms," Congresswoman Etsy added. "It's not a partisan battle, it is a battle for a safer America, and we all have a stake in that." She is continuing to engage gun owners in the discussion, recently holding a press conference and day of advocacy with some, as well as reaching out to the younger generation and women, who she believes will be the change on the issue. "This is why we need more women in Congress, but we need them in all levels of government, we need a pipeline."
"The Club You Don't Want to Be In"
On Capitol Hill, they call it "the club you don't want to be in" - and US Representative Jacky Rosen, who represents parts of Las Vegas and is now running to unseat US Senator Dean Heller, has found herself in that club after the deadliest mass shooting in US history happened during a country concert in October.
"I supported gun safety measures before this mass shooting," Congresswoman Rosen told POPSUGAR, "but it was a stark and personal reminder of the cost of inaction in Washington."
Congresswoman Rosen speaks about the Las Vegas Shooting on the Capitol steps.
"Struggling to Move Forward"
Following the Las Vegas shooting, there were loud calls to ban bump stocks, the device used to enhance the killer's gun. A bump stock is a device that you attach to a semi-automatic gun that will allow it to fire at the speed of an automatic rifle and can be bought for around $50. The device is what allowed the Las Vegas gunman to kill 58 people in a matter of minutes. Congresswoman Rosen cosponsored a bill to ban bump stocks that received bipartisan support, and even had the support of the NRA, but since its introduction, there's been no forward movement of the bill. It has yet to be introduced in committee.
"It's a shame that so many politicians in Washington keep putting special interests and lobbyists ahead of the safety of their constituents," Congresswoman Rosen said, "that's why we're struggling to move forward on even something as straightforward as banning bump stocks."
This is where women's voices can make an impact - whether it's by supporting candidates or running for office themselves, Rosen says she and her colleagues need more women to actively join them in the fight.
"We need to stand up against it and say in the face of all these mass shootings, in the daily shootings that happen, and the military suicides and the veterans suicides," she said. "We have to be able to do better as a country than this."
In the face of constant setbacks, failed legislation, and the tens of millions of dollars the gun lobby brings in every year, these women aren't slowing down - because the cost of not fighting is too high.
How to Join the Fight
Aside from running for office, there is much women can do to help be the change:
- Support advocacy groups: Many groups, like Everytown for Gun Safety, The Brady Campaign, Americans for Responsible Solutions, The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Sandy Hook Promise, and others, are on the front line of this fight and need your support, whether it is volunteering or making a small donation to the cause.
- VOTE! And know WHO you are voting for: Every election does matter, from your city council person to your senator. Pay attention to who is on the ballot and who supports this issues you support.
- Call your member of Congress: Make your opinion on the issue known by calling your member of Congress or by tweeting and Facebooking at them. Click here your member of Congress.
Embracing My Scars as a Transgender Man
Aron A. Moe Macarow is a writer, web developer, and public speaker.
Before I had top surgery, I always assumed that I'd parade my newly flat, masculine chest around outside at every opportunity. But that wasn't quite how it happened. Although I was out as transgender, I had little experience being seen as trans in the way that I forever would be after surgery. While I was less noticeable as a trans man in many respects, going shirtless presented new vulnerabilities that took time to fully appreciate. I was proud of my chest. But my scars? They were another matter entirely.
The first time I took off my shirt in public and had someone ask me about my chest scars, I was on a group trip in Israel with my partner. It was a warm Spring night, and six of us were on a beach at a kibbutz in the Galilee. The company was mixed; not mixed as in men and women (although that was true as well), but the more significant kind of "mixed." I was the only transgender person present.
"If it's not too personal, can I ask what your scars are from?" a guy on our trip politely asked partway through our conversation. He didn't know that I'd transitioned yet. Neither did most of the other couples on our bus.
"Double lung transplant," I deadpanned. My answer might have been a mildly panicked attempt at humor; I'm still not sure. It was definitely all that came to mind.
Before we flew out of Los Angeles to Tel Aviv, I had meant to think through an answer to that question. During an 11-day tour with 38 other people, I knew my scars would invariably come up. But I'd put it off. While thrilled to finally have my top surgery - I would be able to float shirtless in the Dead Sea! I wouldn't have to wear a chest binder while hiking in Petra's sweltering heat! - I also dreaded the questions that my surgical scars would birth. And even though nearly eight and a half months had passed since my procedure, I'd somehow managed to avoid planning for those inevitable conversations.
I was ecstatic with my results, but taking pride in them was something else. That pride seemed like a public comfort that was out of reach. Instead, I simply felt exposed - and nervous.
This might come as a surprise to those who know me, and why wouldn't it? I've written and spoken openly about my experience as a transgender man, and I'm out as queer and trans in most areas of my life. I was even fairly open about my journey toward top surgery itself. Even the moniker I assigned my fundraising campaign, "Operation Hipster Tank Top," came from the sleeveless shirts that I had always ogled but could never wear without a telltale binder showing.
Still, it was one thing to be happy with my new chest privately and entirely another to have my scars in full view. Those 19 inches split into two red lines shouted to any passerby that I was once seen in the world as a woman. Scars tell stories, and that visceral reminder wasn't one I was ready to share yet.
That's starting to change.
Looking in the mirror today, about two years after that first question about my scars and almost three years after the surgery, I still see both incisions that clearly mark me as transgender, although they've since faded to a soft pink. But as they've softened, they've also seeped inward, developing a significance I couldn't have predicted before surgery. I'm beginning to grow proud of my scars.
In the United States, the average top surgery can range anywhere from $3,500 to $9,000, and some well-known surgeons command even higher rates. Because these gender-affirming surgeries are frequently not covered by medical insurance, this can leave transgender people to cover the large sum themselves. I was one of those people, with the total bill from my surgery exceeding $14,000.
How does a 20-something afford a surgery like this without the help of insurance? It often takes a village, and that's what I encounter every time I look at my scars - the love of my community. I imagine the signatures from all 58 backers of my fundraising campaign, like tattoos on my skin. I see the support of my partner and my family. I acknowledge the skill of plastic surgeons who have devoted their careers to making a small population's lives immeasurably better. I recall the years of multiple jobs that I took to save up the first $10,000 of the payment.
Instead of looking past my scars to the chest that I want, I choose to confront them directly now. And through them, I've found a portal that reminds me of some of the best of what the LGBTQ community and our allies are capable of when we all band together.
Scars tell stories, and to my surprise, mine have begun to say more than I expected. I just had to learn how to listen.
Michelle Obama Just Perfectly Summed Up the Hypocrisy of the GOP
If anyone is going to expertly shred the current administration without so much as a single mention of our president's name, you can bet that it's going to be Michelle Obama.
Speaking at a Sept. 22 tech conference in Utah, the former first lady answered questions in an hour-long moderated conversation that shed light on her true feelings about the current state of American politics. As initially reported by the Salt Lake City Tribune, Mrs. Obama took the opportunity to address the flaws she sees in the nationalist, "America-first" rhetoric that's played a central role in Donald Trump's rise to power. "We live in a big country and a big world," she said before noting that her husband's White House was one built on hope while the current administration is one built on fear.
Obama also expertly called out the hypocrisy that often surrounds the conservative discourse on health care. "You can't just want to help someone in a hurricane and not make sure they can go to the doctor when they're sick," she said to an audience over 1,000 people. But while it's refreshing to hear Michelle Obama's take on our current political climate, she also made it very clear that she's not interested in a run for office anytime soon. When a member of the crowd shouted out that Obama should run for president, she was quick to shut it down. "That's still shocking. Like, what?" Obama said, adding, "Are you kidding me? No."
Even if Michelle Obama isn't ready to run for president yet, we can only hope that she throws her wit and sass into helping to get one of these highly qualified women into office in 2020.
These Are the Songs That Alexa Was Asked to Play Most in 2017 - by Their Unforgettable Lyrics
Amazon's Alexa is a digital assistant of many talents. Alexa can turn on your lights, tell you the news, rope you into a rousing bout of Jeopardy!, or play any song you've ever listened to in your digital library - all with a simple sentence and in just a matter of seconds. But as we found out this Fall, one of the best features of the Echo version of Alexa is that her remit isn't limited to playing a tune by its proper title. Regardless of how much you butcher the title, so long as you belt out one accurate lyric with which to track it down, Alexa can scan the massive Amazon Music library and instantly start playing the exact song you're looking for.
Naturally, the lyrics most frequently requested are a sight to behold. Back in October, Amazon took note - and treated us to the very first chart of Alexa's most requested songs.
Now, as we count down the final days of 2017, Amazon has released the definitive ranking of the top Alexa lyric requests of the year . . . and boy is it one hell of a list! And you're in luck, because we've pulled it all together for you for easy consumption - and, of course, oodles of giggles. So, without further ado, behold the top 40 lyric requests of 2017. But be forewarned: we can't promise that you won't have these one-liners stuck in your head for days to come.
1. ". . . I just wanna Roley, Roley, Roley . . ." - Ayo & Teo, "Rolex"
2. ". . . I'm a rebel just for kicks . . ." - Portugal. The Man, "Feel It Still"
3. ". . . swish, swish, bish . . ." - Katy Perry feat. Nicki Minaj, "Swish Swish"
4. ". . . push me to the edge, all my friends are dead . . ." - Lil Uzi Vert, "Xo Tour Llif3"
5. ". . . I'm in love with the shape of you . . ." - Ed Sheeran, "Shape of You"
6. ". . . I'm weak, and what's wrong with that?" - AJR, "Weak"
7. ". . . I want something just like this . . ." - The Chainsmokers & Coldplay, "Something Just Like This"
8. ". . . I'm in love with your body . . ." - Ed Sheeran, "Shape of You"
9. ". . . I finally found something I'm good at . . ." - Brett Eldredge, "Somethin' I'm Good At"
10. ". . . love like there's no such thing as a broken heart . . . " - Old Dominion, "No Such Thing as a Broken Heart"
11. ". . . I don't wanna be alive . . ." - Logic feat. Alessia Cara & Khalid, "1-800-273-8255"
12. ". . . that's how you speak to a girl . . ." - Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, "Speak to a Girl"
13. ". . . that's what lovers do . . ." - Maroon 5 feat. SZA, "What Lovers Do"
14. ". . . wake up in the morning, then I dab . . ." - ILoveMemphis, "Lean and Dabb"
15. ". . . if we go down, we go down together . . ." - The Chainsmokers, "Paris"
16. ". . . I'm blue, if I was green I would die . . ." - Jay-Z, "4:44"
17. ". . . promise me no promises . . ." - Cheat Codes feat. Demi Lovato, "No Promises"
18. ". . . drivin' with my eyes closed . . ." - Sam Hunt, "Body Like a Back Road"
19. ". . . hit me like a hurricane . . ." - Luke Combs, "Hurricane"
20. ". . . baby, I'm sorry, not sorry . . ." - Demi Lovato, "Sorry Not Sorry"
21. ". . . I feel like my life ain't mine . . ." - Logic feat. Alessia Cara & Khalid, "1-800-273-8255"
22. ". . . this is how we do it down in Puerto Rico . . ." - Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber, "Despacito (Remix)"
23. ". . . send me your location . . ." - Khalid, "Location"
24. ". . . I'm ready to jump out the window . . ." - Big Sean, "Jump Out the Window"
25. ". . . there's no crying in the club . . ." - Camila Cabello, "Crying in the Club"
26. ". . . why is everything so heavy?" - Linkin Park feat. Kiiara, "Heavy"
27. ". . . you'll always be by my side . . ." - Zara Larsson & MNEK, "Never Forget You"
28. ". . . don't be afraid to catch feelings . . ." - Calvin Harris feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, & Big Sean, "Feels"
29. ". . . the clock is ticking . . ." - Zedd & Alessia Cara, "Stay"
30. ". . . you wrecked my whole world when you came . . ." - Luke Combs, "Hurricane"
31. ". . . strip that down for me . . ." - Liam Payne feat. Quavo, "Strip That Down"
32. ". . . I make money moves . . ." - Cardi B, "Bodak Yellow"
33. ". . . give me some good news, baby . . ." - Ocean Park Standoff, "Good News"
34. ". . . I was busy thinking about boys . . ." - Charli XCX, "Boys"
35. ". . . my left stroke just went viral . . ." - Kendrick Lamar, "HUMBLE."
36. ". . . I'm not looking for somebody with some superhuman gifts . . ." - The Chainsmokers & Coldplay, "Something Just Like This"
37. ". . . you woke up with me . . ." - Bryson Tiller, "Don't Get Too High"
38. ". . . I just want some ice on my wrist so I look better when I dance . . ." - Ayo & Teo, "Rolex"
39. ". . . just stop your crying . . ." - Harry Styles, "Sign of the Times"
40. ". . . live it up for the weekend . . ." - Brantley Gilbert, "The Weekend"
Getting Robbed at Gun Point Was Apparently a Walk in the Park For This Jimmy John's Employee
Sometimes, life hands you a bad day and you need to just let it ride out. That's how one Jimmy John's employee seemingly approached a robbery at gunpoint as he stoically handed the gunman money from the register.
The robbery took place at a Jimmy John's in Kansas City, MO, on April 26 at 9:15 p.m. In a video uploaded to YouTube by the Kansas City Police Department, the suspect, wearing a blue hoodie, enters the store and orders an item. As the cashier tells him his total, the suspect pulls out a gun. The Jimmy John's employee then takes off his gloves, hands him all the money, and even tries to give him the drawer with all the change. You can watch the encounter ahead.
The video quickly went viral on the internet, with some people on Twitter noting that the gun looks like it was jammed and that's why the cashier was so chill. According to the Kansas City Police YouTube page, police have the suspect in custody and they wrote, "Investigation is continuing." We hope the cashier and anyone else working during the robbery are home safe and sincerely OK.
Trump Won the Presidency IRL, but He Lost to Mark Cuban For Sharknado 3
The fifth(!) Sharknado movie premieres this month, and the internet is awash with nostalgia for previous entries in the legendary franchise. This time around, though, an extremely interesting tidbit about our current president surfaced: just months before he announced his real-life presidential candidacy, Donald Trump was going to play the role of president in Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!
"A contract was drawn up and sent to Trump attorney Michael D. Cohen - the same attorney currently under FBI investigation in connection with the Russia inquiry," The Hollywood Reporter reports, adding that the negotiations fell through when one of the founders of the production company behind the franchise, David Latt, was told by Cohen that Trump was considering a run for president in 2016. Trump was quickly replaced by Mark Cuban of Shark Tank fame (more on this later) and Team Trump went bananas - as to be expected, they immediately threatened to sue. "Then we immediately heard from Trump's lawyer," recalls Latt. "He basically said, 'How dare you? Donald wanted to do this. We're going to sue you! We're going to shut the entire show down!'"
While the lawsuit never came to fruition, the Trump-Cuban rivalry is real - and in fact, this new anecdote explains a whole lot about the tension that we've all witnessed between the two of them since Trump announced he was running for office. The now years-long spat has featured Cuban questioning Trump's actual net worth, Cuban calling Trump the "Zoolander president," and Trump claiming that Cuban doesn't have the intellectual prowess to run for office like he did (among many, many other back and forths that are easily found via Twitter.) But what we can take away from this intriguing bit of information from the Sharknado producers is that Trump may have spoken too soon in dismissing Cuban offhandedly - and perhaps should consider the fact that he has beaten him to the presidency once, so who's to say that all the speculation about a 2020 run being in the cards for Cuban might not mean that he's once again face-to-face with his rival, albeit on a far more national stage? After all, it wouldn't be the first time that Sharknado has taught us something about American politics.
Check out Cuban's performance as the president on the small screen ahead.
Behold, Reddit's 10 Most Upvoted Posts of 2017
More than 12 billion upvotes were made on Reddit this year, a figure that almost doubles the total number of living, breathing human beings on planet Earth. In other words, you'd be hard pressed to find a platform that gets quite as much engagement on the stories of the day, every day - and why its annual year in review is essential reading for any reasonable person who spends time on the internet.
So in order to properly bid adieu to 2017, ahead you'll find the top 10 most upvoted posts of 2017. These are the subjects that attracted the most Redditors over the course of the year and are a testament to the power of shared passions and feelings. And, of course, it wouldn't be a Reddit year in review without a couple of posts that left us LOLing for days, too.
lundi 25 décembre 2017
Bella Hadid's Sweatshirt Is an Arts-and-Crafts Project Gone Wrong - but, Boy, Do We Like It
As Bella Hadid's style has progressed, there's one thing she's held onto, and that's the slashed shirt. She repped Nike when she stepped out in New York City styling a ripped logo hoodie (distressed by The Vintage Twin) with a long-sleeved tee, I.AM.GIA trousers ($84) cinched with a Chrome Hearts x Bella belt, Off-White hiking boots ($899), an Alyx Studio fanny pack, and oversize hoops. The off-duty outfit was statement making for sure - this was Bella's own sporty take on the aviator uniform, if you will. But we zeroed in on the safety pins hanging off her sweatshirt. You can easily DIY the look with your own tools at home, or shop some of the goodies ahead to pull it off on brand.
Bella Hadid Couldn't Decide on an Outfit For a Basketball Game, So She Brought Them All
It doesn't really matter what you wear to a basketball game as long as you're comfy. But if you want some outfit inspiration, well, we suggest checking out Bella Hadid. The model caught a game between the Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 12 and wore not one but three different outfits. She showed up first in a low-cut white crop top, blue jeans, and a sporty pair of sneakers. Once the game got started, Bella changed into a white jersey that read "New York" on the front, letting us all know who she was rooting for.
Bella later wore a red jacket over the jersey for her third and final look. Once we decoded all of her minor style switch ups at the game, her ensembles actually seemed quite easy to re-create. The star stuck to a casual and cozy theme for the night, and that's right up anybody's alley. Read on to see all of Bella's outfits, then check out that time Kendall Jenner sat courtside in a pair of $10,000 boots.
Booties Are Forever, But These 23 Ways to Wear Them Are Brand New
In theory, it shouldn't be too tough to style the classic bootie. But as seasons progress and silhouettes change, our wardrobes are practically begging for an uplift. So while you could just cap off your skinnies with the shoe, we're offering up 23 outfit ideas that actually benefit from the foundation of a bootie - rather than a thigh-high or a to-the-knee shape. Ahead, brush up on your bootie game, then shop some of our favorite pairs available now.
25 Holiday Party Dresses That Will Make You Look Like a Million Bucks - All Under $100
There's no doubt that shopping during the holiday season can be stressful when it comes to how you spend your money. As you're busy gifting your loved ones it, doesn't leave much left in the budget for you to treat yourself to something new. But you shouldn't have to sacrifice on dressing up at your holiday party. This year, try buying something more affordable so you can feel your best at your next soirée.
We did the shopping for you and found various styles and silhouettes to choose from, and they're all under $100. Now you can give something special not just to your friends and family, but to yourself too. Take a look at our favorites.
Don't You Dare Throw Out These 17 Items - You'll Need Them For 2018
Chances are, you already own a handful of the 17 fashion items we listed below. And if you don't, it's about time you read up on the trends, take a glance at the 2018 runways, and ask yourself why you're still missing out. If it's because some of these looks seem too challenging to pull off - like over-the-knee boots or checked print - we have styling advice. And if you were just about to chuck some of these clothes, hold the damn phone. Basket bags, sequins, puffer coats . . . these styles are not about to retire. Read up on what's staying in before you go HAM cleaning your closet out.
11 Chic Travel Pants So You Never Sweat in Your Skinny Jeans on the Plane Again
Every time I pack for a trip, I always end up taking a pair of skinny jeans that I never wear, and I've decided to give up the habit this season. During those hot Summer months, tight pants are the last thing that sound comfortable. Instead of suffering on a long plane ride or walking around a scorching city in unbearably rigid jeans, I'm going to try wearing cropped wide-leg trousers or linen pants. These pant styles can be both professional or paired with sandals and taken to the beach. If you're interested, check out these comfortable options to keep you cool.
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