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
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.
The Hottest Swimsuit of 2017 Was Quite Risqué - but You Probably Wore It Anyway
Lisa Marie Fernandez has been a popular swimwear brand among celebrities, bloggers, and really just stylish women everywhere since its launch in 2009. But in 2017, one of the label's suits seemed to reign supreme: the triple Poppy. Perhaps due to the recent rise of the one-piece, women were struck by a maillot with cutouts - something they could put on that felt unique and sexy without offering complete coverage, and eye-catching. (The Poppy makes for a great Instagram shot given the vibrant color options.)
While any girl would have to watch out for tricky tan lines wearing a row of bows, in 2017, beachside looks became way more style defining. They weren't solely constructed for the purpose of achieving a glow. To prove the Poppy's popularity, there's already a wait list for the newest iterations of the design, which feature polka dots and come in tomato red and cornflower blue.
It seems like many companies have picked up on the silhouette and reinterpreted it too, as we found plenty of inspired pieces to shop. Emily Ratajkowski recently launched her own line, Inamorata Swim, and the model was accused of copying the Poppy by Lisa Marie Fernandez with a cease and desist being ordered. If that's not enough to convince you that this was, in fact, the suit to buzz about in 2017, read ahead so we can prove our point even further - then see what we're prepared to scoop up in 2018.
Hailey Baldwin Wore 2017's Sexiest Swimsuits, and She Has the Bikinigrams to Prove It
It seems like Hailey Baldwin owns every style of swimsuit known to mankind. Or at least she knows an Instagram-worthy swimsuit when she sees one. Either way, it seems she hoards swimsuits by the drawer full, and we can't blame her when they look this good.
The model constantly posts Instagram shots of herself in various styles, causing thousands of followers to hit that "like" button. She loves swimsuits so much, she's been known to play favorites and even double up on certain designs.
Throughout 2017, Hailey has worn some of the hottest swimsuits of the year, which is why we're dubbing her the queen of swimwear. From a peach crochet two-piece to a white tie-front bikini, there's no style Hailey can't rock. Have a look for yourself and shop for similar swimsuits while you're at it.
A Guide to the Fabulous Fall Boots Your Favorite Power Women Own
Kate Middleton's tasseled Penelope Chilvers boots might have become iconic through the years, but she's not the only one with trusty, season-appropriate footwear. Plenty of the duchess's royal counterparts - including Queen Maxima, Queen Letizia, and Princess Charlene - own styles that feel fresh and modern.
These, along with the pairs that power women like Angelina Jolie and Michelle Obama keep in rotation, will inspire your on-duty wardrobe through Fall and Winter. Read on for a comprehensive guide to the boot silhouettes these trendsetters have worn to work, then shop inspired designs (and don't forget to check out these ladies' go-to sneaker brands!).
Candice Swanepoel's Sexy White 1-Piece Will Make You Say, "What Baywatch Suit?"
Can we get a color check on the official Baywatch suit? When you see Candice Swanepoel strolling across the beach in Brazil, you'll forget about that iconic red one-piece immediately. The expecting mom showed off her glowing figure in a white silhouette with tie straps and an open back.
Candice accessorized the look simply, with gold hoop earrings, giving us every reason to shop for a similar design. I mean really, how could you not admire this sophisticated look, complete with the most subtle flirty details? Read on for further confirmation that Candice truly is the go-to source for maternity style, with or without clothes.
43 Insanely Creative Cosplays to Inspire You
From historically accurate costumes to creative combinations of different fandoms, cosplayers always find a way to make their elaborate outfits stand out. At this year's WonderCon, held in Anaheim, CA, over the weekend, cosplayers from all over the country brought their A game. Don't let their hard work go to waste, so check out these incredible cosplays and start preparing for your next con.
This Limited-Edition Xbox Is the Video Game Console We've All Been Waiting For
Last year, a friend recommended that I spend some quality time with Minecraft to get my mind off of the constant Trump news cycle and onto something marginally more productive. As a lifelong gamer, I gave it a shot - and was completely underwhelmed by the complicated controls that maneuvered my avatar across the screen on my iPhone and laptop. Regardless of how many times I tried to change the controller settings to something easier to process, I was quite certain that the wildly popular block-building game, while visually appealing and a great way to waste time, was not for me. That is, until I discovered the altogether different experience that comes with playing the game on a console, and not on a web-connected device.
tl;dr: The limited-edition Minecraft Xbox One S made a Minecraft believer out of me - and it's a console that has the potential to turn even the most video-game-averse individual into a diehard fan. But let's take it one step at a time.
What is Minecraft and why do people love it so much?
"Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures," or so the official one-liner for the game reads. But Minecraft is, in far more broad terms, the most appealing gateway to STEM that a group of Swedish coders could have ever possibly imagined when they first released it in 2009. In a 2016 profile, The New York Times referred to those early preteen denizens of Minecraft as "The Minecraft Generation," describing in great detail how young people were using tech savvy and coding knowledge in order to "win" at Minecraft. Yes, the game is fundamentally a quest to mine resources with which to ensure your survival - shelter and protection are required to fight the baddies that come at you in the night - but there's a far more complicated level of know-how that's required in order to truly best play the game. Redstone, the Minecraft equivalent of electricity, can be mined easily by anyone - but it takes a certain kind of savvy to manhandle the engineering that's required to make it work. It's that quest for making the best, the most elaborate, the most intricate that really creates a Minecraft-lover out of your average gamer - and to say that it's addictive once you've figured it out would be a dramatic understatement.
What is so different about playing the game on a console versus on a phone, tablet, or computer?
There are two main reasons that the experience is so different. One is that it's much, much easier to play the game on a standard controller than it is to use your keyboard or fingers, and having some distance between your eyes and the screen is always a big plus. The second - and more important - reason is that it moves the game away from a solo experience and toward something you can play with friends, partners, or family. Sure, you could always play in co-op mode over your various devices, but having a split-screen game while you're sitting next to someone is so much more fun (and challenging!).
How exactly does playing with someone else work?
Depending on how competitive you are, you can either work in tandem - collecting resources, building up a town or village or city - or compete for the better house with the more advanced technology. Either way, it's easy to explore a map with someone else when you're playing in the console version, though it's highly recommended that you both have wireless controllers to make sure that you're not tied down to the console!
What are the visual differences between the Minecraft Limited Edition Xbox One S and the regular Xbox One?
Behold the true beauty that is the Minecraft console (and its matching Creeper-themed controller):
Can the Minecraft console play other games, too?
This might be my favorite part of the limited-edition console and what makes it so accessible. In addition to having a 1 TB hard drive, the Xbox One S itself comes with a free month of Xbox Game Pass and a 14-day trial of Xbox Live Gold. In other words: you've got several weeks to experiment with all of the games you've heard your friends talk about on your own, without any upfront commitment to actually buying the game in full. And it's not just recent titles, either - you can explore the wide range of options here. Suffice it to say that after years of resisting certain games on the basis that I didn't want to throw down the money on something I might not use, having a month to give all of those games test runs has resulted in my having quite a few new favorite games that aren't even remotely Minecraft-related.
Can I play Minecraft with friends who don't have an Xbox but play on PE or PS4?
Thanks to the recent Better Together update, now you can play cross-platform with most other types of devices, aside from the Nintendo Switch (the update hasn't rolled out to it yet, sadly, though it is in the works!).
What else does the console do?
Just as with any other Xbox console, the Minecraft edition can play all your favorite apps like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and Spotify - making the console more than just a way to play games, but to access all of your favorite media all in one place.
What sold you on being a Minecraft fan?
On a (very) personal level, having a low-commitment, low-violence game like Minecraft to play with my significant other has been a welcome addition to my household. It's also worth noting that as someone who has always been more of a Nintendo-and-Playstation gal, the price point and ability to test other games has meant that we've got a whole host of games to play as we head into the Winter months - something I've never really had the opportunity to experiment with, and couldn't be more excited about. It really is the console I've been waiting for Microsoft to come out with – and after decades of resisting the Halo-and-Borderlands-induced madness, it's made an Xbox fan out of me.
So how can I get my hands on one?
The Xbox One S Minecraft Limited Edition Bundle retails at $399 and hits stores on Oct. 3. But don't wait to pick one up - limited edition does in fact mean that there's a finite number of consoles being produced, so they're likely to sell out sooner rather than later.
Ta-Da! The Real Meaning Behind Those Vague Emoji
Rule number one of emoji: there are no rules. You can use those cute little symbols as much as you want. The only caveat is that sometimes they're a little . . . confusing. What's with the guy on his stomach, for instance? To get the meanings behind the most head-scratching characters, we looked to Emojipedia. Yes, it's a real thing, and all the names listed are official emoji character names. The meanings and descriptions, however, aren't necessarily accurate because Emojipedia isn't affiliated with the emoji makers. But it's better than nothing, right?
Source: Emojipedia
This Video Game Might Solve All of Your Relationship Woes
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone
It feels like forever ago, but last July I fell down an insane rabbit hole with Pokémon Go. And I didn't go alone. I took my boyfriend along with me, and we religiously followed all the great things that were happening in the world as a result of the game. But once Fall rolled around, I was totally over it and actively looking for the next great thing.
I'm one of those people who can't just passively binge-watch television on the couch in my off time. I'm always playing Two Dots, completing a crossword puzzle, or scrolling through Twitter. When I dropped Pokémon Go, I lost one important thing: the competitive spirit that was built between me and my boyfriend. We used to race through the streets and secretly drop cash on items to try to outpace each other in the game. It became my mission to find something that we found equally as satisfying - and I got really lucky when that search coincided with the release of the much-anticipated Civilization VI.
As of today, I can tell you unequivocally: Civilization VI is the best thing that's ever happened to my relationship.
What Makes Civilization VI Different Than Other Games
Civilization first debuted in 1991 as a computer game that enables players to craft, build, and protect an empire over the course of time. The game revolves around keeping your empire happy and making the right decisions for them. And though it's nothing like decorating a room for your Sim, it's just as addicting. I started playing it in school after I got bored of Oregon Trail and though it's been many years since then, I know several people who play it out of nostalgia, like my boyfriend.
These days, however, Civilization looks totally different. It's focused on urban development, religious spread, and a better life span for characters. This time around, Civilization takes on an entirely new generation of gamers by making it easier to engage with your citizens and harder to just stick to autopilot. There's also the fact that it's just so damn nice to look at, as the graphics have been significantly upgraded and the gameplay itself feels more like a video game than an old-school computer game.
How I Got Hooked
Image Source: Giphy
As I mentioned earlier, I was on the hunt for a new game to play and the timing couldn't have been more perfect. The game only costs $60, a justifiable amount that was equivalent to a rowdy night out, so of course, my boyfriend and I downloaded the game. We started off in our own separate games at first but later found that one of the best parts of Civilization VI is the ability to play a game over your local network and that we could build our empires side by side without existing in our separate worlds.
Within hours, it became clear that this was a good thing for us. We shouted at the barbarians who tried to mess up our developments, warned each other about the computer players who were gathering at the borders we couldn't see past, and gloated about our respective abilities to pull ahead of the pack. It was pure and simple fun.
Was It Really That Fun Playing With Your Boyfriend?
Image Source: Giphy
Real talk: the first couple rounds we played together, I got creamed. I'm more of the build-up-your-city-type player, whereas my boyfriend is a warmonger in the extreme, and he got an incredible amount of pleasure out of coming out of nowhere and tearing down my civilization. To be fair, I found myself constantly checking the stats to make sure that I was focusing my resources on one-upping him in our shared world.
After a while, though, we realized we were spending a whole lot of time trying to trick each other and not focusing on what was going on around us. I started to leave a lot more dirty dishes than usual for the first few nights and accidentally "forgot" to take out the trash just so I could peep at his screen!
Ultimately, though, we both came to our senses. It took us a couple of days, but we figured out that the best way to approach the game was to try to beat out the computer players instead. By baiting them and sharing intel, we could quickly rise up the ranks and tackle progressively harder levels of play.
How Does This Game Make Your Relationship Better?
Image Source: 20th Century Fox
Never underestimate the ability of joint gameplay in bringing you and your significant other together. With Civilization VI specifically, you feel like you're learning something about the world you're creating and ways to improve. When you're playing side by side with a partner, you'll find yourself talking through the moves you're considering or the things you wish you'd done first. It creates an entirely different level of conversation that serves as an incredible escape from everyday life.
There are few games that allow you to do what you want and in the same universe, a feature Civilization VI has. As I mentioned, my focus in the game and the focus of my boyfriend are completely different, yet I can periodically direct my scouts over to where he's set up shop and investigate what he's got going on. It allows us to put something on Netflix, sit side by side, and not feel like we're ignoring each other. And while that sounds like such a First World problem, it's something you need to consider and often don't when there's social media to browse or solo games to play instead.
But Couldn't You Just Talk to Each Other?
Image Source: NBC
My boyfriend has a theory: the appeal of a movie or a long drive is that you don't have to make eye contact and constantly look at someone else while you're talking - and it opens up a new type of intimacy. As we're existing virtually in the game, we open up to each other more, discussing our lives freely as we scroll through our maps and saying things we might not have said otherwise if we were just sitting there trying to fill empty space. I'm not advocating a complete and utter surrender to a second screen, but there are few things more appealing than a quick round of a video game on a night where it's too cold to go out or you come home late from work. It's a break that we've woven into our lives that has helped us open up to each other more.
So Should You Try It With Your Significant Other?
Image Source: Courtesy of Chelsea Hassler
Civilization VI is the game that you never knew you needed, and it will surpass your expectations at every turn. It's a delightful, nonpolitical, only semiviolent escape that can foster a competitive relationship that enables you and your partner to achieve something individually but not alone. As we head into Winter and there's less to do outside, I can't recommend enough that you sacrifice the cost of one wild night out for many nights snuggled up on the couch together playing this game. Civilization VI can be downloaded via Steam, iTunes, or Amazon at any time, from anywhere.
Every Single Glorious Tech Gadget From Oprah's Favorite Things List
Oprah's Favorite Things list for 2017 is finally here, which means the holiday season has officially begun and it's time to get shopping! Ahead, we've pulled out each and every one of those must-have tech gadgets that our favorite gift-giver has highlighted this year - and remember, you can always buy two of each and keep one for yourself. 'Tis now (officially) the season to treat yourself, after all!
25 Awesome Experiences Today's Kids Will Never Understand
Some children alive today have never used a phone with buttons or a bulky computer. The internet has been available to the public for more than 20 years.
If those facts don't make you feel old, think about this: most of your favorite childhood activities have become completely obsolete thanks to modern technology! Today's kids will never experience the glories of Game Boy, a VCR, a boombox, or even a physical encyclopedia. Whether they're better off gone or you'll think back with fondness, let's remember these 25 childhood experiences that technology has made extinct.
11 Free Organizational Apps to Help You Get Your Sh*t Together
It's not easy staying on top of all your to-dos, errands, and files, but luckily, there's an app for each of those. If you're looking to stay organized or get a grip on your busy life, you've come to the right place. For anything from prioritizing projects and scheduling tasks to storing all your brilliant ideas, we've found the best mobile apps that make managing your day-to-day a bit easier. The best part? The features mentioned here are free! Make life seamless on and offline by downloading these 11 helpful productivity and organizational apps ahead - you'll wonder how you ever surived without them.
16 Books That Every Introvert Needs to Read
If you're an introvert, one of the best ways to recharge is with a good book. There's nothing better than a storyline that really speaks to you, so we rounded up 16 books with themes and characters that introverts will really appreciate. Read on for literature real introverts need to read.
16 Essentials For a Long Car Ride
Going on road trips is one of the best parts of Summer. An abundance of travelers on the road could mean a longer car ride, so if you're going to embark on a lengthy road trip, then remember to bring these essential items with you.
20 Stylish AND Affordable Watches - Just in Time For the Holidays
When the big hand's on nine and the little hand's on six, what time is it? Trick question, because no matter what hour it is, when it's already mid-December, every minute is holiday shopping time in our book.
The countdown is on for gift-giving, and one present that will last far into the future is a stylish watch. Whether the recipient's taste runs sporty, glamorous, or minimalist, there's a surprisingly inexpensive and fitting pick on our list of 20.
19 Insanely Cool Car Hacks You Should Try Out
Your trusty car has taken you on a lot of journeys, so check out these smart hacks that will make your car owner experience even better. From cleaning DIYs to smart storage ideas, these tips are straight-up GENIUS.
- Additional reporting by Kaitlin Goldin and Emily Co
27 Ways to Be More Positive in 2018
We know, we know, 2017 has been rough. Definitely not our favorite year. But it's time to leave it all behind us and look forward to 2018. It's a fresh start and we are so excited for the opportunities the future has in store. If you're searching for ways to amp up your positivity as we make our way into the new year, you have come to the right place. Any of these practices will boost your mood and leave you feeling happier than ever.
- Write down a list of everything you're grateful for.
- Join an organization that supports a cause you care about.
- Make a conscious effort to cut down on social media.
- Listen to this upbeat playlist.
- Create a photo collage of your favorite moments in life.
- Practice self-care.
- Cut negative people out of your life.
- Laugh every day.
- Find the silver linings in all the bad situations that you face.
- Call someone who makes you feel good every week.
- Embrace the practice of hygge and make it your way of life.
- Read books with hopeful messages.
- Write a good review online for a business.
- Tell yourself a positive affirmation in the mirror every day.
- High-five someone who looks like they need it.
- Be confident that you can overcome challenges.
- Meditate.
- Keep a journal of one big accomplishment you make every day.
- Listen to motivational podcasts.
- Avoid media sites that make you feel dread or negativity.
- Help someone else feel good by paying them a compliment.
- Write an open letter to someone who inspires you.
- Exercise regularly to feel physically happy.
- Plan a trip that will expand your cultural horizons.
- Read inspiring quotes that remind you of what's important in life.
- Send out thank you notes on a regular basis.
- Spread your positivity to the loved ones that surround you.
12 Destination Spas to Visit in the US to Recharge and Relax
There's no better time than now to recharge and reboot - and meet your goals to start eating healthier, getting into shape, and treating your body more like a temple and less like a garbage dump.
If you're looking to make 2017 your best year yet - and finally feel like you're back in charge of your mind and body - then it's time to take a look at (and plan a trip to) these US destination spas. From a luxury dude ranch in Colorado to a secluded estate in Connecticut, these are the best places to recharge. We'll see you in the relaxation room.
10 Game of Thrones Filming Locations That You Can Visit
Now that another season of Game of Thrones has come and gone, we're ready to experience a taste of Westeros in any way we can. According to top travel site TripAdvisor, interest in GOT-inspired vacations has skyrocketed, with 10 filming locations from the show topping travelers' bucket lists. Appropriately, at the tippy-top of the list sits the filming location for Meereen, the pyramid city where Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons get their first taste of ruling a large civilization.
If you're planning a Game of Thrones pilgrimage, don't worry about consulting a maester for advice - TripAdvisor's findings will help you go beyond the Wall and more (minus the White Walkers, of course). Add these 10 spots from Westeros and Essos to your travel agenda ASAP!
This Math Problem Will Make You Question Everything You Ever Knew About Algebra
Math isn't everyone's best skill - and even those who are good at it are questioning everything after trying this algebra problem.
The question originally went viral in Japan, after a study discovered that only 60 percent of 20-somethings could actually solve it. Are you already feeling frustrated and hopeless at trying to know what the answer is? Watch the video below, posted by YouTube user MindYourDecisions, a popular math puzzle channel. In it, Presh Talwalkar, the mastermind behind this question, will guide you to the right answer.
As you can see, not even a calculator can help you, as it will read the problem wrong and arrive at the answer of 9. To solve it correctly in a calculator, you need to write it out like this: 9-3/(1/3) + 1, which will lead you to 1 as the correct answer. The problem tests your knowledge of PEMDAS, the order of operations formula, which says you must get to the answer by following these steps in this order: parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, subtraction. In this question, that means dividing 3 by the 1/3 first, which is the same as 3x3. That will then lead you to 9-9+1. From there, 9-9=0 + 1 = 1. Ta-da!
If you arrived at 3, 7, or 9 as your answer, you're not alone. Most people have forgotten how to use PEMDAS or interpret the fraction of 1/3 the wrong way. Still not feeling much of a challenge? Try this other math question that not even parents could solve.
Why You Should Never, Ever Check Your Luggage on a Plane
If you check luggage on your flight, you're inviting disaster along for your trip. It's not always that dramatic - sometimes it's just a mere inconvenience - but other times you're asking for more trouble than those extra pairs of shoes that made you upgrade to a larger bag are worth. As a frequent traveler, I avoid checking luggage at all costs - because I've learned the hard way. Unless I'm going on a trip spanning several weeks in the dead of Winter and need bulky sweaters and jackets to stay warm, I'm flying stress-free with just my trusted carry-on. I've had my luggage damaged. I've had my luggage lost and received it days later. I've had to switch flights/airlines last minute in order to make a connection at my next destination city and would not have been able to do so if my luggage was already on its way to be loaded onto my original plane. I've experienced the Hunger Games-like rush to grab my bag off the belt in order to make it through customs at an international airport so that I could catch the next leg of my flight. I've dealt with it all, and you probably will too if you check your bags frequently.
I know, there are exceptions to my "no checked bag" rule - if you're traveling with young children who can't lug their own bags (start them young, I say!), then you may not be able to avoid checking. Strollers, car seats - I get it. There are understandably circumstances when it can't be avoided, but if you can avoid checking, don't hesitate to. It's possible, I promise. Here's why you should keep your luggage with you on your next flight.
1. You save money.
This is a pretty significant reason to skip checking a bag, especially depending on what airline you're flying. While some airlines (looking at you, JetBlue and Virgin!) let you have your first bag (as long as it's not oversize) for free, many costs range from $25-$50 per bag for checking. Paying for a bag you have to wait in a long line to check (and one that may get lost or damaged) really feels like adding insult to injury.
2. You'll get through the airport faster.
Carrying on your luggage means avoiding the lines for checking your bags before you go through security. Many airlines allow you to check in to your flight 24 hours ahead of time (international flights can have different policies since passports are involved). You can get your mobile boarding pass and skip the wait to drop your bags by breezing past the kiosks and heading straight for security. Getting through the airport will be much less painful.
3. Your belongings are in safe hands.
You can rest assured that your valuables are in safe hands, because they are in your hands. When you need to bring items on your travels that have great worth to you, you'll have peace of mind knowing where they are at all times because you'll have control over how they are stored and transported.
4. Your luggage itself will be more protected.
It's no secret that your luggage isn't necessarily being handled with care. It's tossed on a conveyor belt and haphazardly transferred (after a roller-coaster ride) to the underbelly of your plane, where it will be crammed among countless other bags. While it's normal for luggage to go through some wear and tear on your travels, carrying it on means keeping it in better condition for longer.
5. It's easier to travel with less-bulky items.
If you plan on traveling from destination to destination instead of staying in one place, having a small carry-on bag is much more manageable than toting around a 50-pound bag full of things you probably don't even need.
6. You are forced to bring only what you need.
Not checking your bags means becoming a smarter packer. Because you have to optimize your bag space, you'll be more inclined to pack just the basics. You can avoid bringing along things you will inevitably realize in hindsight were unnecessary, and soon packing will be like an art form to you. Having an efficient packing system can make air travel so much less stressful.
7. You have everything you need for delays and long layovers.
If you have to camp out in the airport due to unforeseen delays, flight cancellations, or long layovers, having a carry-on with all of your belongings means having access to everything you could need during that time.
8. You don't have to wait for your bag once you deplane.
After hours of a long flight, the last thing anyone feels like doing is waiting around for that beautiful (or shrill, depending on how you look at it) beeping noise that indicates your bags are on their way down the belt. It seems like no matter how early or late you arrive to check in luggage, your bag is always the very last to come trundling down the slide. If it comes at all. Skip this process altogether and head straight out of the airport with your carry-on.
This Hot Guy's 89-Year-Old Neighbor Moved in With Him and They're the Cutest
Chris and Norma are our new favorite duo. Four years ago, 31-year-old Chris moved into the Hollywood apartment complex right across the hall from 89-year-old Norma, according to Today. She offered for him to come in for a glass of Champagne and they hit it off right then and there. Norma considers Chris to be the grandson she never had.
After Norma had to have an extended stay at the hospital, the doctors said she couldn't go back to her apartment without around-the-clock care. Chris immediately started a GoFundMe page to raise money for Norma's care, and in a month it raised over $50,000! This wouldn't be enough to take care of Norma, however, so Chris invited her and her cat, Hermes, to come live with him in his apartment.
They are so happy to be able to spend time together, and Norma is grateful for Chris's care. Take a look at all the funny and sweet moments from their time together!
11 Disturbing Things You Notice While Watching The Santa Clause as an Adult
When I sat down to watch The Santa Clause recently, I expected to see the same funny, family-friendly Christmas classic I remembered loving in the '90s. Instead, I came away from viewing the holiday flick about Tim Allen reluctantly taking over Santa Claus's job with a whole bunch of new insights that soared way over my head as a kid.
43 Insanely Creative Cosplays to Inspire You
From historically accurate costumes to creative combinations of different fandoms, cosplayers always find a way to make their elaborate outfits stand out. At this year's WonderCon, held in Anaheim, CA, over the weekend, cosplayers from all over the country brought their A game. Don't let their hard work go to waste, so check out these incredible cosplays and start preparing for your next con.
Here's What You Need to Know About Trump and the 25th Amendment
Back in May, Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland introduced the Oversight Commission on Presidential Capacity Act, seeking to tap into a little-known clause in the 25th Amendment to set up an nonpartisan committee tasked with evaluating the fitness of the president for office. The bill had about two dozen cosigners, but seemed to be dead in the water - that is, until Trump decided to take to social media for several straight days, sending a barrage of hateful messages at the media and leaving many in Washington wondering about the president's current mental state. As the American people geared up to celebrate the Fourth of July, something completely unrelated to the birth of the country was trending on Twitter: #25thAmendment.
This tweet is evidence of mental deterioration. The President needs a psych evaluation. I mean that seriously and literally. #25thAmendment https://t.co/1w97stPB1e
- Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) July 2, 2017
In the most basic sense, the 25th Amendment deals with what happens after the president is no longer able fit to serve office due to "death, removal, resignation or incapacitation." Added in 1967 as a direct response to the lack of Constitutional guidance on who took over the presidency and vice presidency after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (as well as the chaos and instability that ensued as a result), it had originally been proposed after it was discovered that President Dwight D. Eisenhower had been suffering from multiple illnesses that could have left him incapacitated. The amendment therefore ensured that there were firm guidelines for both the removal of a sitting president, as well as a clear line of succession each time a new president took office - and has only been used a total of six times since its inception, mostly to ensure an interim president while the elected president is under anesthesia during surgery.
Raskin's proposed bill utilizes a relatively obscure article in the amendment which allows the vice president and the majority of the president's cabinet or "such other body as Congress" to oust the president if he or she is "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office." The congressman is proposing to introduce an independent panel - theoretically composed of former members of the US government - as the "other body," which would eliminate the need to get two-thirds of a divided Congress on board with the plan. It would, however, require Vice President Mike Pence's support.
Please RT if you agree the cabinet must invoke the 25th Amendment, TODAY, and immediately remove @realDonaldTrump from the presidency.
- Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) July 2, 2017
But the discussion of the 25th Amendment is no longer limited to Congress, or to the new bill. All across the country, people are calling for increased scrutiny on President Trump's mental health after he tweeted a video of himself violently wrestling with an opponent labelled CNN and launched a series of misogynistic barbs at MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski. Ultimately, the appeal of the 25th Amendment is that it serves as a measure that's slightly more plausible than a full-on (and basically impossible) impeachment process, and serves as a beacon of hope for those who are frustrated by the lack of recourse for the president's actions. And given the president's "modern-day presidential" habits, this is not a scenario that is going to disappear overnight - in fact, it's something that may gain even more momentum as Trump continues to take to Twitter to vent his own frustrations.
Invoking the amendment would be an incredibly difficult undertaking, though, and would require a whole lot of people agreeing on a course of action. Despite the unity we've seen around condemning the president's recent outbursts, when it comes to the actual politics of an action like this, it would likely come down to traditional party lines and stall out. But as we've seen over and over again, nothing is impossible in 2017 - so we'll certainly be keeping a close eye on the situation as it develops in the coming weeks and months.
This Limited-Edition Xbox Is the Video Game Console We've All Been Waiting For
Last year, a friend recommended that I spend some quality time with Minecraft to get my mind off of the constant Trump news cycle and onto something marginally more productive. As a lifelong gamer, I gave it a shot - and was completely underwhelmed by the complicated controls that maneuvered my avatar across the screen on my iPhone and laptop. Regardless of how many times I tried to change the controller settings to something easier to process, I was quite certain that the wildly popular block-building game, while visually appealing and a great way to waste time, was not for me. That is, until I discovered the altogether different experience that comes with playing the game on a console, and not on a web-connected device.
tl;dr: The limited-edition Minecraft Xbox One S made a Minecraft believer out of me - and it's a console that has the potential to turn even the most video-game-averse individual into a diehard fan. But let's take it one step at a time.
What is Minecraft and why do people love it so much?
"Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures," or so the official one-liner for the game reads. But Minecraft is, in far more broad terms, the most appealing gateway to STEM that a group of Swedish coders could have ever possibly imagined when they first released it in 2009. In a 2016 profile, The New York Times referred to those early preteen denizens of Minecraft as "The Minecraft Generation," describing in great detail how young people were using tech savvy and coding knowledge in order to "win" at Minecraft. Yes, the game is fundamentally a quest to mine resources with which to ensure your survival - shelter and protection are required to fight the baddies that come at you in the night - but there's a far more complicated level of know-how that's required in order to truly best play the game. Redstone, the Minecraft equivalent of electricity, can be mined easily by anyone - but it takes a certain kind of savvy to manhandle the engineering that's required to make it work. It's that quest for making the best, the most elaborate, the most intricate that really creates a Minecraft-lover out of your average gamer - and to say that it's addictive once you've figured it out would be a dramatic understatement.
What is so different about playing the game on a console versus on a phone, tablet, or computer?
There are two main reasons that the experience is so different. One is that it's much, much easier to play the game on a standard controller than it is to use your keyboard or fingers, and having some distance between your eyes and the screen is always a big plus. The second - and more important - reason is that it moves the game away from a solo experience and toward something you can play with friends, partners, or family. Sure, you could always play in co-op mode over your various devices, but having a split-screen game while you're sitting next to someone is so much more fun (and challenging!).
How exactly does playing with someone else work?
Depending on how competitive you are, you can either work in tandem - collecting resources, building up a town or village or city - or compete for the better house with the more advanced technology. Either way, it's easy to explore a map with someone else when you're playing in the console version, though it's highly recommended that you both have wireless controllers to make sure that you're not tied down to the console!
What are the visual differences between the Minecraft Limited Edition Xbox One S and the regular Xbox One?
Behold the true beauty that is the Minecraft console (and its matching Creeper-themed controller):
Can the Minecraft console play other games, too?
This might be my favorite part of the limited-edition console and what makes it so accessible. In addition to having a 1 TB hard drive, the Xbox One S itself comes with a free month of Xbox Game Pass and a 14-day trial of Xbox Live Gold. In other words: you've got several weeks to experiment with all of the games you've heard your friends talk about on your own, without any upfront commitment to actually buying the game in full. And it's not just recent titles, either - you can explore the wide range of options here. Suffice it to say that after years of resisting certain games on the basis that I didn't want to throw down the money on something I might not use, having a month to give all of those games test runs has resulted in my having quite a few new favorite games that aren't even remotely Minecraft-related.
Can I play Minecraft with friends who don't have an Xbox but play on PE or PS4?
Thanks to the recent Better Together update, now you can play cross-platform with most other types of devices, aside from the Nintendo Switch (the update hasn't rolled out to it yet, sadly, though it is in the works!).
What else does the console do?
Just as with any other Xbox console, the Minecraft edition can play all your favorite apps like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and Spotify - making the console more than just a way to play games, but to access all of your favorite media all in one place.
What sold you on being a Minecraft fan?
On a (very) personal level, having a low-commitment, low-violence game like Minecraft to play with my significant other has been a welcome addition to my household. It's also worth noting that as someone who has always been more of a Nintendo-and-Playstation gal, the price point and ability to test other games has meant that we've got a whole host of games to play as we head into the Winter months - something I've never really had the opportunity to experiment with, and couldn't be more excited about. It really is the console I've been waiting for Microsoft to come out with – and after decades of resisting the Halo-and-Borderlands-induced madness, it's made an Xbox fan out of me.
So how can I get my hands on one?
The Xbox One S Minecraft Limited Edition Bundle retails at $399 and hits stores on Oct. 3. But don't wait to pick one up - limited edition does in fact mean that there's a finite number of consoles being produced, so they're likely to sell out sooner rather than later.
Forget Trump, Let's Just Look at Pictures of 3 Former Presidents Watching Golf Together Forever
Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton came together for the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey, and spoiler alert, THERE ARE PHOTOS.
In what can only be described as a welcome respite from the normal news cycle of increasingly frantic crazy, on Sept. 28, our three most recent presidents got together to watch some golf. To be clear, they weren't playing golf - like a certain other president we know - but Clinton, Obama, and Bush were all present for the opening round of the four-day event, which features the best male golfers from the US facing off against the most lauded international figures in the sport.
Regardless of how you feel about each of our last three presidents, it's hard not to look back fondly at the times that once were - so ahead, bask in the glory of the most nostalgic set of photos you'll see all day. And be sure to read through to the end for a bonus shot of one Barack Obama and a very well-known fan.
36 Celebrity Friendship Moments That Will Make You Feel Better About 2017
2017 may not have been all that we hoped for, but thankfully, we have plenty of celebrity friendship moments to be grateful for. From Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet's Titantic reunion with Billy Zane to Jimmy Fallon "bro-biking" with Justin Timberlake, this year definitely taught us what true friendship looks like. Take a look back at some of the best moments from 2017.
There Was 1 Big Star Wars: The Last Jedi Easter Egg Hidden in Rogue One This Whole Time
There are a bunch of spoilers for Star Wars: The Last Jedi lurking below, FYI!
One of the major plot points in Star Wars: The Last Jedi involves the First Order acting like a bad Tinder date that just doesn't get the hint: no matter how many times the Republic's fleet appears to escape their ships via hyperspace, they just can't shake the enemy. Thanks to the brilliant minds of Finn and Rose Tico, they eventually come to the conclusion that the First Order has devised a way to track the resistance's starships through hyperspace travel, which was previously assumed to be impossible. While the concept might be new to the characters in The Last Jedi, there's another set of Star Wars personalities who were already (at least somewhat) aware of the possibility.
As pointed out by Reddit user rhodetolove, who clearly has a memory like a steel trap, the concept is actually first brought up in 2016's standalone Star Wars story, Rogue One. Jyn Erso is searching for the Death Star plans in one scene when she inadvertently stumbles upon other Empire files that detail something called "hyperspace tracking."
With the knowledge that the events in Rogue One precede those in A New Hope, it means the Galactic Empire has been working towards hyperspace tracking for quite some time. It's not until The Last Jedi, decades later, that they appear to have finally succeeded in their mission. Lucasfilm executive Pablo Hidalgo confirmed the retroactive Easter egg on Twitter with a screenshot of text that explains hyperspace tracking was first explored by the "Tarkin Initiative," a secret think tank put together by the Advanced Weapons Research division of the Galactic Empire's intelligence agency.
http://pic.twitter.com/0fgqFX8vy4
- Pablo Hidalgo (@pablohidalgo) December 18, 2017
Pretty cool, huh? At the very least, it's something else to think about other than Kylo Ren's shirtless scene.
18 Lavish Holiday Gifts Stars Have Received
Celebrities spare no expense when it comes to holiday gifts. Throughout the years, we've seen stars receive everything from massive engagement rings to giant cheese wheels (we're looking at you, Chrissy Teigen). In 2014, Justin Bieber treated himself to his own private jet, and who could forget Drake's stripper pole from 2012? At the end of the day, what's the point of having money if you can't spend it, right?
Finally Find Out What the F*ck Brut Means on Bottles
As you're looking around the Champagne aisle for the perfect type of bubbly to bring to a party, you are confronted with an array of choices: sweet, brut, dry, extra dry, and a few more. While some of these are easy to make assumptions about, brut can definitely stump a Champagne or sparkling wine drinker. So, what exactly is brut?
"The term brut refers to a style of sparkling wine or Champagne, based on how sweet it is," Melissa Rockwell, direct-to-consumer sales manager at Long Island, NY, -based Sparkling Pointe, told POPSUGAR via email.
Developed in the 1800s, brut is a dry, crisp style of Champagne or sparkling wine, compared to the sweeter extra dry, sec, demi-sec, and doux. Those Champagnes or sparkling wines that are members of the brut variety have between zero and 12 grams per liter of residual sugar.
According to Rockwell, brut and the other terms used to describe sweetness levels originated with Champagne in France.
"The sweetness comes from a step in the méthode champenoise process, called the dosage. This is a small amount of sugar added back into the wine after disgorging and before corking. It is the last step of the méthode champenoise process and is used to balance the natural high acidity in Champagne and sparkling wine to a desired amount of dry or sweet," she said.
Brut tends to pair well with a plethora of food flavors, from caviar and oysters Rockefeller to heavier dishes like pot roast and potatoes. Additionally, bottles can range from $9 to more than $50, depending on the brand of Champagne or sparkling wine.
45 Red Carpet Beauty Looks That Took Our Breath Away in 2017
Say what you will about 2017, but it's blessed us with some pretty unbelievable red carpet beauty looks. From the Golden Globes to the Cannes Film Festival and many, many award season soirées in between, celebrities served hair and makeup inspiration like it was their dang job. (Because it sort of is!) Ahead, find the 45 hands-down hottest beauty looks to walk down red carpets this year.
Find Your Perfect Curling Iron, No Matter What Style You Want
We get it: sometimes shopping for the perfect curling iron can be a chore. Between the different barrel lengths, the hot curlers, and that rumor that you can get beach waves with a flat iron, how are you supposed to make heads or tails? Quit scratching your head. We've broken down what each size curling iron does (with pictures to match!) to help you find your new iron BFF.
Want to Know What the Star Wars Cast Is Up To? Follow Them on Social Media!
Star Wars: The Last Jedi officially hits theaters on Dec. 15. But if you're like us and can't wait for the premiere, you can get your fix by following the cast on Twitter and Instagram. Sadly, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, and Adam Driver aren't on social media, but there are plenty of other stars who are, like John Boyega, Mark Hamill, and Lupita Nyong'o. Keep reading and get ready to click "follow."
Nobody Gets More Excited About Christmas Than Reese Witherspoon
In case you don't already know, Reese Witherspoon loves the holiday season, especially Christmas. Not only did she recently unveil a Draper James holiday collection in 2016, but the actress, who is best known as "Wreath Witherspoon" during the cold Winter months, also makes it a point to blow out the holiday as soon as Thanksgiving is over. In 2015, Reese posted a bright and festive Instagram photo of herself sitting by a plate of gingerbread cookies 24 days before Christmas, writing, "Never too early to wait for Santa ... Am I right?? #AnyMinuteNow." We can't say we don't admire her dedication. Sleigh on, Reese, sleigh on.
An Exhaustive Guide to the Complex Web of Characters in Netflix's Dark
Netflix's Dark, an intriguing sci-fi series that's been labeled with an unfair comparison to Stranger Things, weaves a complex, time-traveling mystery throughout its 10-episode first season. The show opens in 2019 and introduces a large group of characters, only to begin a series of flashbacks to two other time periods: 1953 and 1986. That means that while you're trying to solve the mystery of where when Mikkel Nielsen disappeared to, the pool of characters is only widening and getting more confusing.
If you have trouble keeping track of the 1953, 1986, and 2019 iterations of each major player, you're definitely not alone. To make things easier for you (and for ourselves, let's be honest), we went ahead and made a handy guide to who (and when) everyone is, for the characters who exist in multiple time periods. But be warned, this gallery gets more spoiler-y the further you scroll.
15 Times Kesha Proved She Was Back and Stronger Than Ever This Year
Kesha made a triumphant return to the spotlight this year after taking a five-year hiatus from music. Not only did she release her third studio album, Rainbow, but she also hit the road for the accompanying Rainbow tour. In addition to her music career, Kesha also seemed to focus more on expressing herself and making a difference in the world. In January, she joined a bevy of stars at the Women's March in LA and she even hosted a workshop in Texas to fight against cyberbullying two months later. Celebrate Kesha's monumental year by taking a look back at some of her best moments from 2017.
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