Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
vendredi 15 juin 2018
I Look and Sound Like Selena - and Use My Talents to Honor Her Legacy
Tejano music was the soundtrack of my childhood. Growing up around Houston, in Texas City, as part of a Mexican family from Piedras Negras, I was introduced to Tejano music pretty early on. My parents were always playing the upbeat and catchy music, and whether we were hosting a cookout or family gathering or just chilling at home, Grupo Mazz, Intocable, and Ramón Ayala were always in the background.
A few years after losing my parents, I saw Selena Quintanilla on TV and was taken aback. Her resemblance to my mother was shocking. What she was wearing, the way she moved, her features - she looked so much like her. I knew right then I wanted to be a singer.
It was her 1994 Acapulco, Mexico, performance. I remember my family reacting to her outfit. She was wearing leather shorts, cowboy boots, and a white fitted tee with her hair down. I remember my tios and my tias going on and on about how beautiful she looked and my tias trying to dance like her.
I wanted to become someone great, humble, but ambitious. Just like Selena, I wanted to be a woman who owned her curves, was proud of her Latina roots, and oozed confidence. Selena was achieving the American dream by becoming an icon who reached all races and backgrounds and influenced with her charisma.
My career as a Selena tribute artist began by accident when I was 23. Strangers were always telling me how much I resembled the queen of Tejano music, and a friend pushed me to enter a Selena karaoke bar contest in Kemah, TX.
The karaoke contest was open to the public, and we knew the DJ of the event. Around 40 people entered the contest, and I was included in the top 10 and went on to compete for the final three. The competition continued the following weekend, and we each submitted one additional Selena song. Each contestant had two songs total: mine were "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" and "Que Creias." I made it to the top three, which gave me the courage to enter another karaoke contest during Cinco De Mayo in Houston. Wearing one of my mom's Selena-inspired outfits, this time I won first place.
I've been paying tribute to Selena since that day four years ago. I use my voice to carry the legacy of her music by performing at music festivals, birthday parties, and concerts all over Texas and the US. To represent this Latina icon and give fans the experience of having one more onstage Selena moment makes me emotional. I feel the love her fans had for her every time I step on stage in a bustier and high-waisted pants.
I especially value meeting the fans who met Selena while she was alive. I feel blessed to leave such an impression on them that they start crying during my performance, because I remind them so much of her. When families can share their memories of her with me, it makes what I do that more special, and I take it as such a compliment that I can help keep her memory alive in person. But Selena's memory isn't the only one I'm keeping alive, because ultimately, my tribute to Selena is also a tribute to my mother.
7 Bathroom Updates That Increased the Value of My Home
After buying our condo three years ago, my husband and I knew we'd eventually have to redo the guest bathroom in our hallway. It had a wobbly shower insert, dated finishes, and an impractical vanity without much storage. I hated going in there. So after a couple years of saving - and avoiding the room - we decided to bite the bullet and take on a small remodel project.
A before photo of my bathroom.
An after photo of my bathroom.
Creating a bathroom that reflected my own style was one of the main goals of the project. But I also wanted to stay in budget and avoid quirky updates that would decrease the value of my home. After doing some research, I discovered where I could save - and where I should splurge.
Don't just take my word for it. I caught up with HGTV star Scott McGillivray to check my work. After talking to him, I now know which updates gave me the most bang for my buck. McGillivray is the host of Income Property and wrote How to Add Value to Your Home. According to him, "next to the kitchen, the bathroom is the most important room in the house when it comes to resale."
That doesn't mean you have to spend more to make more. There are specific updates in the bathroom that are worth the investment, and others areas where a little goes a long way. Based on McGillivray's expertise these were the seven changes that had the biggest impact on my home's value.
Change the mirror.
"My number one suggestion is to get rid of the frameless builder grade mirror over the vanity," says McGillivray. Check! I did just that. We found this modern mirror ($240) that came with the bonus of a built-in shelf to hold candles, a small vase, or guest toiletries. It also acts as a statement piece.
Choose affordable tile.
What's the best place to save when you're redoing your bathroom? Tile, says McGillivray. "There are so many great, inexpensive tile options out there. I don't know why anyone would blow their budget on high-end tile." The marble hexagon floor tile is one of my favorite details in my bathroom, but it didn't break the bank. We were dedicated to getting an affordable price and limited ourselves to looking at wholesale warehouses - not even entertaining more expensive options.
Can't help yourself? "If there's a really expensive version that you've fallen in love with use it as a feature somewhere, like over the vanity, and then surround it with a less expensive version," recommends McGillivray. He also has this advice for making less-expensive tile last: "Make sure you've got a good waterproofing system like Kerdi board underneath it. This will ensure that whatever tile you choose it will last as long as you live in the house."
Get rid of 1980s wall texture.
I was determined to rid myself of that orange-peel look on the bathroom walls. But I wondered, was the more modern clean look worth the expense? "Yes," McGillivray reassures. "If it looks dated it indicates that it might not be well taken care of, and it might put potential buyers off." It's the same with those classic blue and pink fixtures, he says. "Some people like the retro feel, but they can be a nightmare for resale value."
Opt for frameless glass shower doors.
"Two things that are seriously worth considering are frameless glass shower doors and heated floors," says McGillivray. "I wouldn't go so far as to say they always add value, but I try to include them whenever possible." While we didn't need heated floors in San Francisco, we did change out our aging frosted shower insert for glass doors and blue glass subway tile.
Increase storage.
I decided to chuck my existing vanity, which was an awkward height and had no shelves or drawers inside. I traded it for the GODMORGON / BRÅVIKEN model from Ikea, which has deep drawers and a decent amount of space around the sink.
A vanity with storage must always be considered, according to McGillivray. "Don't get me wrong, pedestal sinks are nice," he says. "But they're really only practical in small powder rooms. Get as big a vanity as the room can handle and make sure it's got plenty of storage space."
Mix high and low.
"I've never believed that you have to spend a ton of money to make a room look great and to get a good return on investment," McGillivray reassures. "Spend money and invest in high-quality items when it comes to the items you touch everyday - like faucets and hardware."
I'm happy to say I took that approach. As mentioned, I opted for the GODMORGON / BRÅVIKEN vanity, which cost $479 from Ikea. It looks remarkably like the modern high-end vanities that go for thousands of dollars. I paired this "low" item with high-end hardware. We went for sink and shower pieces from the European brand Grohe. Chances are that potential buyers will notice the quality brand name, if and when we resell.
Add non-permanent personality.
"When it comes to resale value, you always want to keep the major elements clean and simple. Stick with neutral colors," says McGillivray. But let's be honest, I wasn't selling my place tomorrow and wanted to have a little bit of fun. According to McGillivray, it's safe to personalize things like lighting, hardware, and accessories. That's what we did with our light from Cedar & Moss ($269) and print from Minted ($165).
"There's no particular accessory that adds value," McGillivray explains. "It's more about how they work together to make the space look fresh and updated." Admittedly, when it came to our accessories my husband and I didn't worry about matchy-matchy. We wanted accessories that had the same overall feel, without obsessing over whether the wood or metals matched. And here's the beauty: if the next buyer doesn't like those non-permanent details, they can always change them.
11 Supersimple Ways to Make Your Home Smell So Fresh and So Clean
Have you ever come home from a long day of work, stepped through your door, and noticed that your home smells a little musty? Between lingering food smells from the kitchen, damp towels in the bathroom, and other day-to-day activities, there are lots of things that contribute to your home smelling a little less than fresh. It happens to the best of us, but luckily it's an easy fix! DIY air fresheners, houseplants aplenty, and some essential cleaning tips are some of our favorite ways to get a fresh home that smells amazing.
Skip the Gas Station Junk and Pack 1 of These Road Trip Snacks Instead
If hopping on a plane to an exotic destination isn't in the cards for you, fret not. Road trips (especially to America's top food cities and other culinary destinations, like food festivals) can be just as fun. Even if you can't afford to take a massive vacation, you can still enjoy peak travel season by getting in a car and driving somewhere fun. But as the old adage goes, sometimes the journey is the destination, so if you've ultimately got your sights set on good eats, then don't overlook the ever-important car snacks. Here are a few nibbles that are just as appetizing as they are portable and transport-resistant.
- Additional reporting by Nicole Perry
13 Freezer Hacks That'll Make Your Life Much Easier
If you're only using your freezer to store microwave-ready meals, frozen pizza, ice cream, and popsicles, you're missing out. Thanks to its superchilly nature, your freezer can be used to preserve many mealtime staples, keeping everything from bananas to cooked whole grains fresh far longer than refrigerated or at room temperature. Aside from preparing freezer-friendly dinners, you can make your life easier by divvying up oatmeal, freezing chicken broth, and more unexpected foods. These tricks ensure that your fresh groceries last a whole lot longer than their "best by" dates, which will save you money. The more you know!
14 Grocery Staples I Always Have as a 20-Something on a Budget
As a 25-year-old who has just started out in the professional world, I know how hard it can be to get your life together. You're supposed to find a job, live on your own, cook for yourself, and find the time to exercise, which, unfortunately, I don't think includes walking to the kitchen for snack breaks in between TV episodes. When you have so much going on - especially when you're on a budget - one thing that some people dread is grocery shopping. I personally love it, but it took a little practice to figure out a routine and a grocery list that worked for me. As someone who loves to cook, there are certain things I like to have on hand all the time. These are 14 budget-approved staples I always have stocked in my kitchen.
This Hack Will Forever Change the Way You Peel Potatoes
Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Nicole Perry
When I saw a trick for removing potato skins by slipping them off without using the dreaded vegetable peeler, I knew I had to try it immediately to see if it worked. YouTube user Foody Tube's amazing potato hack video claims you can skip the peeling process before boiling the potatoes and, instead, squeeze the skin straight off the potatoes once they're fully cooked. It sounds almost too good to be true, but guess what? It works.
Here's how to do it right:
Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Erin Cullum
Using a sharp knife, pierce the skin only and draw a line all the way around the center of the potato. Do this quickly by twirling the potato around with one hand while keeping the knife steady in the other.
Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Erin Cullum
Transfer the potatoes to a giant pot of cold water (cover the potatoes by at least an inch of water). Boil the potatoes until they are fork tender, then drain them. Once they're cool enough to touch, peel the potato skin from each side of the punctured line you created. And voilà - the skin will slide off effortlessly! Not only does this drastically speed up the process for making mashed potatoes, but it also makes cleanup a lot less stressful. Once you try this cooking method, you'll probably never go back. You're on your way to the quickest and best mashed potatoes of your life.
Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Erin Cullum
7 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Make Light in a Blackout
Image Source: StockSnap / Nicola Fioravanti
Power's out and in a pinch to create some lighting ASAP? Don't panic (yes, I know, easier said than done when the world suddenly becomes pitch-black and eerily quiet) - with these makeshift lighting solutions, you'll be able to safely move about your surroundings in no time. So instead of aimlessly rummaging through that drawer where you could have sworn you stashed a flashlight, shed some light into your darkness by checking out these surprisingly simple ideas below!
- Glow sticks: Not only are glow sticks a great source of long-lasting light, but let's face it, they're also pretty fun. They can be propped in corners, tucked in shirt pockets, or attached to objects and will immediately provide hands-free, ambient light. My advice? Stock up on these items after Halloween. That's when they're almost always on clearance.
- Shining sardines: As strange as it might sound, check your pantry for cans of fish packed in oil. You know, cans of sardines, tuna, salmon, or anchovies. Once you have your can in hand, poke a hole in the top with a screwdriver. Make sure to spread the oil through the top of the hole. Then, insert a wick, light it, and voila!
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Image Source: StockSnap / Evan Kirby
- Glowing crayons: Who said crayons were just for kids? Because crayons are basically colored wax, these items can be quite resourceful when it comes to power outages. Simply break off the point and light the paper label at the end of the tip. As the wax begins to melt, this hack should provide you with about 30 minutes of crayon-candle light.
- Jug lamps: Of course, headlamps are also helpful to have on hand in case of emergencies. But if you want to take this makeshift lighting solution to the next level, grab a water-filled plastic jug (or any other clear container filled with water) and invert the headlamp, strapping it around the bottle. By having the headlamp face inward toward the bottle, the light will refract through the liquid, transforming your jug into an illuminating glow-lamp.
- Kindling Crisco: When it comes to an unexpected blackout, Crisco will also have your back. Just as with butter, place a wick into a can of Crisco, light it, and bam - light will be shining bright. The best part? This candle hack will have your back for at least a month. Yes, you read that correctly: 30 days! To get the best burn, make sure to smear a little bit of Crisco on the top of the wick.
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Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts
- Burning butter: If you're lacking in the candle department, turn to butter. Yes, butter, aka the simplest candle you'll ever come across. All you need to do is cut off a rectangular chunk of butter, insert a wick, and light it. Although this hack couldn't be easier, remember to always place the butter on a glass or metal surface.
- Homemade orange candle: Another emergency candle hack can come from two simple household items: an orange and a tidbit of cooking oil. To make this candle, slice the orange all the way around. You'll want to cut deep enough to go below the skin, but no further than that. Then, peel away the skin carefully with your hands, but make sure to keep the stalk in the center of the orange attached. Pull both halves of the orange and place to the side. (Or eat it, your choice!) If what you have leftover looks a bit like an upside-down mushroom, you're well on your way to light. Next, pour a little oil in the peel and on the stalk. Light the stalk, and ta-da - another form of light. This time, no wick or wax required. Although any size of orange will work, the larger orange you use, the longer-burning candle you'll have.
Other important items to have on hand: batteries, matches, and wicks. In fact, did you know you can make a DIY wick by using a cotton string from a mop head? It will absorb the needed oil and work like a charm. Lastly, don't forget the built-in flashlight on your smartphone.
A final tip: always keep a close watch on any and all makeshift lighting solutions. Just as candles can have a bad reputation for causing house fires, as you might guess, candle hacks can be just as dangerous.
Don't Waste Any More Time - Experience These Amazing Adventures Right Now
Life's short, so don't waste any time checking things off your bucket list. There are so many amazing experiences that everyone should have at least once, and now is your chance to start a new adventure.
11 Things You Will Regret in Your 30s
What better way to learn than from those who have been there and done that? A Reddit thread had people chiming in on things they regret doing (or not doing) in their 30s. Whether you are about to embark on the exciting journey of your 30s or nearing the tail end, learn from those in the know.
You Need to Try These Mouthwatering Recipes From Joanna Gaines’s Cookbook, Magnolia Table
Anyone who's ever watched HGTV's Fixer Upper will immediately recognize Joanna Gaines's style in her new cookbook, Magnolia Table. It looks like the homes she designed on the show: clean lines, a lot of white space, bright pages and photography, and a general black-and-white aesthetic.
And it's perfect timing for this book too! Fans who were sad to hear there won't be new episodes on HGTV anytime soon, since the finale aired in April, can bring a dose of the Gaines family into their kitchens.
Magnolia Table is filled with family stories and memories surrounding meals; individual favorites (for Chip, it's anything breakfast); diverse recipes that celebrate Joanna's diverse background: Texan (queso dip, fried chicken, Gaines chili . . .), Korean (her mom's bulgogi - find the recipe below), and Lebanese (her grandfather's recipe for Syrian doughnuts and fatayer); and some recipes that are used in their restaurant by the same name in Waco, TX, like her specialty biscuits and chocolate chip cookies (see below for the original recipe).
In the introduction, Joanna shares her own food journey, from the first meal she made for Chip in their first home (a spaghetti-and-meatballs dish with bread and butter that didn't go so well) to how she began to explore recipes from his family, like the Gaines's chili, and sharing recipes from her family with him, like the "Stevens family breakfast tradition: toasted peanut butter and jelly sandwiches dipped in black coffee" . . . which sounds delicious. Everything she describes sounds delicious. When she's writing about food and recipes, it's like she's staging them for readers in a way, just like she staged homes at the end of each episode of Fixer Upper for the full effect.
Fast-forward to when Chip and Joanna had four children under four who they had to feed and she turned to casseroles, slow-cookers, and "big pots of hearty soup that could simmer for a while." These types of meals are still her go-tos when she's having a busy week.
As her kids grew, they began to voice what they liked, and so meals became more elaborate. The kitchen counter and dining table are a focal point of their home. Joanna tries to tailor meals every week based both on the family's schedule and what's growing in their garden.
Even after Fixer Upper exploded, their family gained international fame, and their businesses continued to expand, she still prioritized time to cook meals from scratch in the evenings. In fact, that's how she de-stresses. "I stick my hand in a bowl of flour to begin to make pie crust, or peel some potatoes, and all of a sudden my thoughts slow down. I begin to unwind," she writes.
Cooking isn't a chore to her, and she suggests that a change in perspective can make it something we all look forward to.
She divides her cookbook into several simple and useful sections. She begins with what she usually has in her pantry and the essential tools for cooking, from measuring utensils to biscuit cutters, spatulas to a large cast-iron skillet. Then she has her recipes divided by meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizers and starters, and dessert, along with two special sections dedicated to soups and salads and side dishes.
"I've learned to approach planning dinner the same way I plan interiors," she writes. She always thinks about layers and textures. First, she'll choose a main dish, and then the sides that would complement it. And always, always dessert, like her favorite lemon pie recipe!
Try out Joanna's original recipes from Magnolia Table ahead.
Mom's Bulgogi With Cucumber Kimchi Salad
"My mom grew up in Seoul, South Korea, with a mom who was an amazing cook. I can personally vouch for this because in the 1980s my grandmother and uncle moved in with us in our home in Wichita, Kansas, where I grew up. What I remember most about that time is my grandmother cooking amazing food nonstop. When my grandmother passed away I know my mom regretted never having really learned from her how to cook proper Korean dishes. She ended up adopting a much more American style of cooking and by the time my sisters and I were on the scene, she had long since perfected a few dishes for my steak-and-potato-loving dad. But around that same time she had a lot of Korean friends living nearby, and she learned enough from them that by the time my kids were born, she was often preparing traditional Korean dishes for them, like seaweed soup.
It's funny to me that they're growing up eating much more authentic Korean food than I ever did. Mom's bulgogi, though, is more of an American-Korean hybrid, much sweeter than traditional bulgogi, and she serves it on a bed of white rice. Mom has us over once a month and this is what she always makes. It's my kids' very favorite food in the world, so I knew I had to include it in this book. Getting the recipe on paper was a bit of a challenge. My mom had no idea what the measurements were or how to describe what she does, because, as she said, she just does it. (Writing this book made me realize just how alike we are in this way.) But eventually, we figured it out, and I'm so glad we did because now I've captured the blueprint to what will always be a beloved meal for my kids.
We've never had Mom's bulgogi with anything other than her cucumber kimchi salad, which has a clean, fresh flavor that perfectly complements the sweet barbecued beef."
Prep: 20 minutes, plus 4 to 5 hours marinating
Cook: 10 to 20 minutes
Cool: none
Servings: Makes 6 to 8 servings
Bulgogi Ingredients
3 cups packed light brown sugar
1½ cups soy sauce
5 tablespoons sparkling dessert wine, such as Banfi Rosa Regale, or sparkling grape juice
3 tablespoons sesame oil
2 green onions (light and dark green parts), chopped, plus 1/4 cup sliced for serving
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 to 5 pounds beef tenderloin, rib-eye, top sirloin, or sirloin steak, thinly sliced (see Note)
Cucumber Kimchi Salad Ingredients
2 English cucumbers, peeled if desired, cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 green onions (light and dark green parts), thinly sliced on the diagonal
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 to 2 teaspoons gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes; see Tip)
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 to 1 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste
For Serving
Steamed white rice
1 to 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion (light and dark green parts) as needed, for garnish
3 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted, for garnish
- Marinate the bulgogi: In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, wine, sesame oil, green onions, garlic, and pepper until well combined. Add the beef and coat it completely in marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 4 to 5 hours.
- To make the cucumber kimchi salad: In a medium bowl, combine the cucumbers, green onions, garlic, gochugaru, sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, and salt to taste and stir gently. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Prepare a hot grill. If the pieces of beef are so small that they may fall through the grates, use a grilling skillet or place a sheet of foil on the grill.
- Grill the beef on both sides until medium-well, 3 to 5 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. Don't crowd the skillet or foil, so do this in batches if necessary. As you finish each batch, transfer it to a serving platter and continue with the remaining beef.
- Serve the bulgogi on top of steamed rice. Garnish with green onion and toasted sesame seeds and spoon the cucumber kimchi salad alongside.
- Store the leftover bulgogi and cucumber kimchi salad in separate covered containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
NOTE: My mom usually has the butcher slice the beef for this dish when she buys it. If you live near a Korean market, they often sell packages of sliced rib-eye or top sirloin; sometimes they're even marked specifically for bulgogi. If you buy big pieces to cut yourself, freeze the meat for about 30 minutes before cutting so that it's easier to slice thinly and cut against the grain.
TIP: Gochugaru, or Korean red pepper, is commonly used in kimchi. It adds precisely the right amount of heat and unique flavor to the cucumber salad. Authentic Korean brands are readily available at Asian grocery stores or online, and the McCormick spice company packages it as well.
From Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines. Copyright © 2018 by Joanna Gaines. Reprinted by permission of William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
"My dad has an intense sweet tooth, just like me. One afternoon when I was around ten years old, Dad got a hankering and he enlisted me to help him make Toll House chocolate chip cookies. That was the first time he and I had ever baked together. Since then, whenever I make chocolate chip cookies, including the ones from this recipe, I think of him and that special afternoon we spent together in the kitchen. I developed this recipe over the years, after experimenting with a few classics and having them come out flat every time. I wanted something that was chunky, beautiful, and also delicious. In the end, one big change I made was to cut back on the butter. I do truly believe that butter makes everything better and no one is more surprised than I am about how amazing these taste even though they're made with less of the good stuff than most traditional chocolate chip cookies."
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: Under 30 minutes
Cool: 1 hour
Servings: Makes about 40 cookies
Ingredients
2½ cups all-purpose flour
1 heaping teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon sea salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1½ cups semisweet chocolate chips (see Tip)
- Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer), beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the eggs and beat until blended. Add the vanilla and beat until blended.
- Turn the mixer off and add the flour mixture to the bowl. Mix on medium just until the flour is mixed in, then turn the mixer to high speed for a few seconds to pull the dough together; it will be chunky.
- Add the chocolate chips and beat on high for about 5 seconds to thoroughly and quickly mix in the chips.
- Drop by large spoonfuls on the lined baking sheet; don't flatten them. Bake until lightly browned on top, 10 to 11 minutes. Cool on the pan on a rack for 1 minute, then transfer the cookies to the rack to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Store the cookies in a tightly covered container at room temperature for up to three days.
TIP: Depending on what you're in the mood for, you can add ½ cup more or less chocolate than what is called for.
From Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines. Copyright © 2018 by Joanna Gaines. Reprinted by permission of William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. All images (c) Amy Neunsinger.
I Have Misophonia - and It's Not the Joke Everyone Thinks It Is
"If I can hear you chew, I have fantasized about your death." It's a meme that I've been sent more times than I can count, along with viral videos of people losing their minds over someone slurping spaghetti and jokes about how A Quiet Place was written especially for me. I get it; seeing someone get bent out of shape over nothing can be hilarious. But being the one who's losing their mind? That's not quite the joke that everyone thinks it is.
In a report published in the journal Current Biology, misophonia is defined as "an affective sound-processing disorder characterized by the experience of strong negative emotions (anger and anxiety) in response to everyday sounds, such as those generated by other people eating, drinking, chewing, and breathing." The word misophonia itself actually means hatred of sound, and for sufferers, those trigger sounds can evoke physiological responses such as sweating, shaking, and increased heart rate. It's anything but funny. Misophonia has ruined everything from family dinners to potential relationships and nights out. And sadly, it's only gotten worse with age.
I've had an issue with sounds since I was in elementary school. My earliest memory of it is staring down a girl in my class who compulsively cleared her throat. By the time I got to college, I couldn't focus during exams thanks to my inability to tune out my classmates' incessant sniffling and mouth breathing. And that's the problem: I can't tune the sounds out. In fact, once I hear them, they're the only things I can focus on.
Gum chewing is the worst for me. Once, I sat in the waiting room of my doctor's office for close to 45 minutes with a couple who were completely oblivious to the impact that their gum chewing and snapping was having on me. By the time my name was called, I was a mess. I was shaking, sweating, and had tears streaming down my face. My heart was pounding as I apologized to the very concerned yet very confused nurse for the state I was in and did my best to explain that this is the effect prolonged exposure to noises has on me. She clearly didn't know what to make of the situation, but they did tell me that I no longer have to wait in the waiting room. The other problem with gum is that I don't even have to hear it in order to get worked up. Watching someone chew gum with their mouth open sends me into a fit of rage if I don't get away quickly enough. The pickup line at my daughter's preschool, for instance, becomes my personal hell if I happen to get stuck too close to one of the two moms who is always, without fail, chomping away. I can't hear them, but I can see them and I know that we will never be friends.
Lip smacking, crunching, and gulping throw me into fits of rage. I have to move my seat in a restaurant if I'm sitting within earshot of a loud chewer, and I avoid the movie theater like the plague thanks to the crunchy nature of popcorn. When my daughter was born, the hospital gave me a roommate whose labored breathing had me so hysterical that they begrudgingly moved me to a new room, and at 4 years old, my daughter already knows that munching with her mouth open is bound to get her beloved Pirate's Booty taken away. I can't be on the same floor in our house when my husband clips his nails or flosses his teeth, and I've spent hours trying to train my dog to eat and drink quietly (we have not had success).
No one knows better than I do that I sound crazy if not downright obnoxious. Melting down toddler-style over someone's gum chewing or breathing seems insane. And embarrassing. Seeing my 4-year-old try so hard to keep her mouth closed because she knows doing otherwise is bound to have me leap out of my skin is heartbreaking (although watching her tell an offender that only animals chew with their mouths open may be my proudest moment to date). There's no treatment and no cure for misophonia, but if one ever pops up, then I will be first in line to try it. But until then, if everyone could just remember to chew with their mouths closed, that would be great . . .
What I Learned About Swedish Death Cleaning After Experiencing My Own Loss
As I stood atop a makeshift ladder, an old door atop two sawhorses, with a mask over my face, pulling down pieces of wood that were covered in dust that may have been there from the 1920s Dust Bowl, I found myself resenting my grandparents and their parents for holding onto all this junk. I then promptly felt guilt and shame for thinking such a thing while also knowing the resentment was, and is, in many ways misplaced grief. Indeed the emotions are as layered as the dust that was raining down on my head from the eaves of the garage of my grandparents' house in southwest Kansas.
Along with my mother and aunt, we are döstädning - death cleaning, in Swedish.
It's the latest idea and trend in organization, coming from Margareta Magnusson's The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Make Your Loved Ones' Lives Easier and Your Own Life More Pleasant. The principle is that people who are aging should begin to clean their homes and rid them of unwanted items in the hopes that when they pass away, their families will be spared the task. It follows neatly in many ways after the organizing trend started a few years ago with Marie Kondo's book The Life-Changing Art of Tidying Up.
And it's an activity I'd never thought about doing, much less considered giving it a name, until my father passed away unexpectedly not so long ago.
At the time that he died, I wanted to hold onto every single scrap of anything about him - if I could've bottled the air he'd breathed, I would have done it. Every letter or note or even text message, I was sure I needed to hang onto forever and always. As if holding on tight enough would mean he wasn't gone from my life. I couldn't fathom getting rid of anything of his. And he may have had the same idea. His father also died relatively young and our house has boxes of ephemera from a generation past; my dad had never been able to go through and get rid of the condolence cards sent after his own father died. Both of us had fathers who died unexpectedly when we were in our early 30s. With my mother still alive, there was no reason to cull my dad's things, and with the shock of it, we just didn't really do anything.
Then her father, my grandfather, died, and his house was left empty and needed to be cleaned out. That more pressing need has seemed to spur on my mom to look again at the collections of things her husband, my father, left behind. So we mobilized and are currently tackling the unenviable task of "death cleaning" in two places at once. And what seemed impossible slowly became possible - and even helpful. Here are some things I have learned, and am still trying to learn, about the process.
It's ridiculously hard emotionally.
"Many adult children do not want to talk about death with their parents." This. Most definitely this. I highlighted this quote in Magnusson's book, and it's so achingly true. It's not something your brain wants to process, so it's much easier to pretend it won't ever happen.
I don't want to envision going through my mother's stuff, and facing down the one thing that we'll all come to - death - is remarkably difficult. But if you bring it up when you can or think about it for yourself and your own belongings, you get a chance to think about what's actually important and where you'd like treasured heirlooms to go. "Send that rug to Aunt Dottie, she's always loved it," and "It's OK to get rid of that lamp," etc.
I'm working to cherish the memory of loved ones without clinging tight to all of the stuff left behind.
I didn't and don't want to go through any of this stuff, literally and figuratively. It's unfathomable still that my dad and grandpa won't be coming back into the house, and surely they'd be asking where their shoes, hats, and books were if they did.
But wishful thinking does nothing, and I'm working to cherish the memory of loved ones without clinging tight to all of the stuff left behind. And it's also OK to hang onto some special things as memory touch points.
I also had a share of irritation with the sheer volume of stuff and decisions to make, and then felt/feel guilt about that irritation. I know that the burden left behind wasn't an intentional one, but it's OK to feel tired and stressed with it all. Be prepared to be overwhelmed and uncertain.
Having gone through and done our best to organize the two-car garage, filled with old wood scraps, tools, buckets, and odds and ends from the past hundred years, my mother, aunt, and I were pretty much immobilized in physical and mental exhaustion, and it wasn't long after sunset that we packed it in for bed. And that was just for the garage, where nothing had much sentimental value to it.
Many items are likely to spark memories and laughs and tears, some all at the same time.
And what I may have seen as ready for the thrift store or dumpster, others may not and vice versa. A tattered shirt or blanket may bring back all kinds of memories for someone else, and prying it from their hands because you think it's trash isn't going to help anyone.
The weight of making decisions on item after item will wear you out. That's a large part of why Magnusson advocates for doing such cleaning not only before you pass (if you can), but to do it a room at a time, and slowly.
Stories. Ask for and find out stories.
The ideal way to go through the stuff and things of someone's life is to do it with them or with those who know the stories. Before my grandmother passed away, she made notes on many of the handmade quilts that she had in her house, and those notes and stories make the quilts so much more meaningful.
But then there's things like the 18-inch-braid of brown hair in a trunk in my grandparents' basement. Whose was it? Why it was saved? Questions that no one has any answers for. We put it back in the trunk, shut the lid, and left that conundrum for another day.
Which brings me to the next thing.
Be ready to let go.
Think of what's in your own attic, basement, garage, storage unit, file cabinets, and drawers. The things you've curated to make your life comfortable. The things you've saved - appliance instructions, old screws and nails, bank statements, solitary socks - the "stuff" that may not "spark joy" as Kondo puts it, but the stuff that you think will come in handy one day. Or your childhood collections, in my case of postcards and dolls.
All that you hold dear or find valuable in terms of the stuff of your life, at one point and inevitably, it will be meaningless. And that's OK. The memories are still there, and it's not a purge of them from your life. It's a way to move forward, it's giving yourself space to breathe, because as much as you don't want to, the forward motion has to happen.
Give things a place of honor and joy as best you can.
It's hard to know what to do with things that aren't sentimental but that are still in good shape and don't deserve to be flung to the dump. Maybe no one you know needs another bed frame or dresser, not stylish enough to be vintage, but just old-fashioned. Towels and sheets are easy enough to donate. But what do you do with things like yearbooks? Half-finished sewing projects?
I don't collect baseball cards, stamps, or Boy Scout stuff, but I flirted briefly with the idea that I should start collecting all those things my dad had. Holding onto those collections wouldn't do a thing to bring him back, though, and there are people in the world who surely would find more value in them than I could.
Schools and universities may be on the lookout for old yearbooks - we found an old friend of my dad's who was overjoyed to have some of his old Boy Scout stuff, a distant relative was stoked on the idea of getting some of the stamp collection, and my dream is that someone at the local thrift store will find a way to put together the quilt blocks into a cozy, warm comforter.
It's time-consuming to do more than just chuck things in the dump, but it feels right to be able to see things that brought joy and value into my dad's and my granddad's lives find new homes where they'll be appreciated.
Pssst! Here's the Best Place to Score a Trendy Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree For Cheap
While there are a handful of trendy plants dominating design-driven Instagram accounts, there's no denying the staying power of one in particular: the fiddle leaf fig tree. Even popular plant ladies like Joanna Gaines can't resist this pillar plant of the design world. I myself can't seem to quit this large-leaf beauty. If you're like me and your love for this overused plant has trumped your desire to avoid being basic, welcome to the club. Now that we're owning it, let's talk about the silver lining of the increasing popularity of this omnipresent plant: better availability and more affordable prices.
Gone are the days where your only option of owning a fiddle leaf fig tree involved a triple-digit price tag and stalking local nurseries for refreshed inventory. We've caught wind of fiddle leaf fig trees being sold at Costco for $47, but I've had even better luck finding them at another affordable retailer: The Home Depot. Besides being able to score smaller fiddle leaf fig trees for as little as $10, The Home Depot also has an unbelievably fantastic plant return policy. I purchased a five-foot fiddle leaf fig tree from The Home Depot for $50 a few months ago and it's going strong, despite the fact that I have a subpar green thumb. If you're in the market for one, be sure to check out your local Home Depot and follow these pro tips for keeping your fiddle leaf fig tree healthy.
12 Tiny Homes That Prove Small Is Beautiful
There's a lot to be said for living in a small house. Less wasted space, cheaper energy bills, and fewer chores . . . it almost makes you wonder why anybody would prefer a large home! Not to mention, one of the best features of a minuscule living space is the fun of decorating your limited square footage. In a world that would like you to believe that bigger is better, it's hard to imagine drastically downsizing your home, but the benefits can be worth it. Here are 12 tiny dwellings that will inspire your itty-bitty aspirations.
Step Up Your Dinner Game With These 21 Ina Garten Recipes
While Ina Garten may only have eyes for Jeffrey, the rest of the world has eyes for the dishes the Barefoot Contessa seems to easily whip up in no time.
Dinner is the time where families sit around and talk to each other about their days, or the time where they gather on the couch and bond around a television show or even a game. For singles, it may be their downtime, whether cooking for themselves or savoring the meal and the quiet that comes with it. Dinner looks different in every household, but one thing is for certain - we all want the most delicious meal we can have in the least amount of time we can spend prepping and cooking.
Well, as usual, Ina is here to save the day. Check out this roundup of some of her best - and easiest - dinner dishes and see if you can keep your mouth from watering.
41 Affordable Gifts For Men in Their 20s
If you're shopping for a 20-something dude and want to get him something cool and useful, don't overwhelm yourself trying to figure out what! Be it your brother, friend, boyfriend, son, or husband, any guy navigating his 20s would seriously not mind shredding through wrapping paper to open up these bad boys. Each one is $50 or less, so they're easy on your bank account, too!
- Additional reporting by India Yaffe
The Ultimate Travel Bucket List For Water-Lovers
Being near water equals instant relaxation for some of us, so a swimmable destination is much preferred when vacationing. You can't really call a trip a success if you're not pruney the entire time, can you? If you, too, are basically a mermaid IRL, we've rounded up some of the most incredible spots around the world that will give you your fix of H2O. Picturesque beaches and once-in-a-lifetime experiences only begin to describe what's ahead. Check out 35 places around the world that make up the ultimate water-lover's bucket list.
20 Chicken Recipes That Take Summer Dinners to New Heights
Give your chicken a summertime spin with these recipes that go beyond grilling and take advantage of the season's produce. From caprese-like tomato, basil, and mozzarella chicken to lighter spins on chicken salad, these recipes will get you through the warm months and get you out of your chicken-cooking rut.
Clear Your Closet - We Found Every Single Shoe and Bag Worth Owning This Summer
If you haven't been shopping at Loeffler Randall, you're missing out. We can't get enough of the superstylish brand, known for its trendy shoes and enviable bags. It just dropped its latest Summer items, and we want them all. From woven handbags to adorable beach-inspired stripes, we have a feeling you're going to fall in love with these hot picks too. Whether you're on the hunt for a comfortable wedge, a cool pool slide, or the perfect clutch to carry to a wedding, we have you covered. Keep scrolling to shop our favorites.
12 Chic Skirts That Are Perfect For Your Spring Wardrobe - All Under $30 on Amazon
If you're on a mission to upgrade your wardrobe this season, try picking up a few new skirts. These versatile pieces come in so many varieties that you can wear year round. You can mix and match miniskirts with tights and boots to stay warm or wear long skirts with sandals. We made it even easier and did the shopping for you on Amazon. The online site has so much to offer. From plaid minis to floral maxis, prepare to want it all.
Beyoncé's Wedding Vow Renewal Dress Was Inspired by an Actual Queen - Fitting, Right?
Beyoncé and JAY-Z's On the Run Tour II is shaping up to be one of the most buzzed-about tours ever. After sharing some adorable home videos with their kids - Blue, Rumi, and Sir - on the screen, the couple also revealed that they had a vow renewal. The pair, who tied the knot in April 2008, reportedly had a vow renewal ceremony to "wipe the slate clean" after JAY-Z admitted to cheating on Beyoncé.
For the ceremony, Beyoncé wore a breathtaking couture gown by Israeli designer Galia Lahav. According to Bey's mom, the singer actually didn't like her wedding dress so in a way she got a do-over. Beyoncé wore the brand's Thelma gown from its Victorian Affinity collection. The stunning off-the-shoulder gown features a sheer back made of lace, billowing sleeves, and embroidery with Swarovski crystals and pearls. The corseted gown was created to pay homage to Queen Victoria's wedding dress which seems pretty fitting since Bey is a queen in our minds. Read on to get a closer look at the gorgeous gown ahead.
POPSUGAR Play/Ground Was Plenty Inspiring, and the Celeb Outfits Kicked It Up a Notch
In addition to the enlightening panels, outrageous shopping, and unbelievably fun workouts, we found one more way to get inspired at POPSUGAR Play/Ground: staring at the celebrity red carpet.
When stars like Mindy Kaling and Kate Hudson walked up to the event's step and repeat, we got a good look at some new must-have items, like Kate's gorgeous, powder blue Preen dress, which highlighted her growing belly (and also happened to sync up with our company color), and Martha Hunt's Michael Kors Collection coordinates, which had just the right amount of schoolgirl influence.
We don't like to pick favorites around here - especially when the powerful messages we got from all the stars, models, and leaders are still playing equally over and over in our heads - but Yara Shahidi's quirky Prada ensemble might stick with you the longest. Read on to see what everyone wore and shop pieces that are still available, too.
Whoa! Kanye West's Racy Yeezy Desert Rat Campaign Shakes the Internet to Its Core
You'd think that after releasing two back-to-back albums, Kanye West would take some time off, but he clearly had another plan in mind. The singer/designer revealed his new Yeezy Desert Rat campaign, and let's just say you're going to want to take a look. The series, which is shot by Eli Linnetz, features a bunch of models posing in Kanye's Yeezy 500 Supermoon sneakers paired with the brand's trademark muted athleisure pieces.
The racy campaign has plenty of NSFW images that shook the internet, and it even stars adult film actress Lela Star, who bears a strong resemblance to Kim Kardashian. Much like his Season 6 campaign that featured an array of Insta-celebrities like Paris Hilton and Jordyn Woods, Ye did another round of social media advertisements. Keep reading to take a look at the eye-catching campaign and let us know what you think.
We Found the Tops You'll Want to Wear All Summer Long - All Under $20 on Amazon
If you're in the mood to spice up your Summer wardrobe, we have a solution for you. Instead of splurging on a ton of new clothes, treat yourself to a few stylish tops. These versatile pieces are easy to mix and match with everything you already own and will make those jeans feel like new. You don't have to spend a fortune, either. We shopped on Amazon and found a handful of choices, plus they're all under $20, so you don't have to feel bad about getting more than just one (or three!). Keep scrolling to shop our favorites.
Related: 11 Must-Have Accessories You'll Want to See in Your Closet This Summer
11 Pretty Dresses You Can Wear to a Wedding and Everywhere Else in Life
It's no secret that finding the perfect wedding outfit is no easy feat. This season, don't throw on that old dress you've overworn or end up splurging on something you'll never wear again; instead treat yourself to an investment piece you'll treasure. We looked to Reformation because this sustainable retailer is known for its eco-friendly and flirty dresses that have a touch of sex appeal. If you've been hesitant about spending on the brand before, use this as an excuse to get that perfect pick you can rock to a wedding, the office, on date night, during vacation, and beyond. In case you need more convincing, we rounded up a few of our favorites. Take a look.
Where's Waldo? Busy Shopping All These Adorable Striped Shirts From Nordstrom!
In our opinion, there are few things quite as summery as a striped shirt. They're the perfect cross between sophisticated and playful. Plus, they go with pretty much everything. We have more striped shirts than we care to admit, but there's always room for a few more. From classic t-shirts to flowy blouses, there's a style for everyone. Channel your inner French girl with a striped shirt this Summer; we promise your wardrobe will thank you. Just keep reading to shop our picks!
Wow! Free People's New Swimwear Is So Sexy, We Want It All
We love Free People for its bohemian-inspired clothes, cool workout gear, and killer accessories, but its ever-evolving swim department is what has our attention this season. The trendy retailer has a wide variety of its own swimwear in addition to carrying popular brands like Solid & Striped, Mara Hoffman, and For Love & Lemons. As you hunt for the perfect suit this year, look no further than this affordable store. It has everything from sexy one-pieces to cherry print bikinis. We rounded up a list of our favorites right now, so all you have to do is shop. Take a look ahead.
If You Still Think Kate Middleton's Royal Wedding Look Is a Repeat, Check Out the Sleeves
When Kate Middleton made her much anticipated appearance at the royal wedding in an Alexander McQueen coat dress, we weren't surprised that her outfit felt so familiar. Kate is a huge proponent of repeating silhouettes that are comfortable. When reports trickled in that Kate was actually in a design she'd worn to Princess Charlotte's christening and then again in Belgium in 2017, we were delighted by Kate's no-fuss wedding guest attire. Why create buzz about a new outfit when Meghan's Givenchy gown deserved the spotlight?
Only, Kate's canary yellow ensemble, complete with Jimmy Choo pumps and a fabulous Philip Treacy hat, did cause quite the stir - because it was actually a slightly different shade from the old ivory look people mistook it for. Blogger Royal Addicted, a true Kate Middleton fan, called out yet another important detail: Kate's new McQueen featured buttons on the sleeves, while her christening number most certainly did not. Ahead, read on to compare the looks and zoom in on the details.
Related: Let's Count All the Amazing Outfits Kate Middleton's Worn So Far in 2018, Shall We?
Whoa! For Love & Lemons' New Swimwear Is So Sexy, We Want It All
If you're on an endless hunt for the perfect swimsuit this season, we have good news for you. We looked to LA-based brand For Love & Lemons because it offers so many adorable picks, we have no doubt you'll find your next Summer suit. Lucky for you, we did the hard work and rounded up a list of our favorites. From sexy lace one-pieces to cherry print bikinis, take a look ahead.
20 Pairs of Heels Melania Trump Will Be Remembered For - For Sure
Melania Trump has had some unforgettable fashion moments since becoming FLOTUS. Whether it was her $51,000 Dolce & Gabbana coat or her controversial Delpozo dress, Melania's sartorial choices sure know how to grab headlines. While her outfits always turn heads, it's her highly talked-about shoe collection that's caught our attention.
Sky-high stilettos have, without a doubt, become Melania's signature. She owns them in all types of animal prints and floral patterns, and she seems to favor Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin. Click through to see Melania's most memorable pumps, from her infamous Hurricane Harvey Manolo Blahniks to her snakeskin designs.
Kate Hudson Has a Fun Shopping Date With Goldie Hawn, but It's What She's Holding That You Need to See
Kate Hudson showed off her adorable baby bump while out shopping with boyfriend Danny Fujikawa and her mom, Goldie Hawn, in Brentwood, CA, last month. Kate and Goldie gave us major mother-daughter goals while they laughed and browsed through The Velvet Store. We love Kate's casual, laid-back maternity style; this Lauren Moshi army jacket is the perfect transitional piece for expecting moms. We especially adore the star's teal wallet and Beauty by POPSUGAR Be the Boss Lip Gloss she had in tow.
If you dig Kate's look too, make sure to check out her exact lip gloss as well as similar wallet and jacket styles ahead. We've got your ultimate shopping guide covered!
OMG! Stella McCartney Is Releasing a Replica of Meghan Markle's Reception Gown For You to Buy
After wearing a sophisticated yet elegant Givenchy gown for her wedding ceremony, Meghan Markle slipped into her party dress. This look, a bespoke Stella McCartney number, was truly fabulous - a halterneck design that skimmed the floor as she stepped into a blue Jaguar with Prince Harry for the drive to Frogmore House, where the newlyweds greeted their well-dressed guests.
Stella McCartney sat for an interview with BBC, in which she explained the process of making the dress. "We worked together. When you come to a wedding, you don't just just go, 'Here, this is what you're wearing.' That person has to feel a million dollars; they need to feel like they own it . . . It was the last moment that she could reflect sort of the other side to her - the joy and the human within her," Stella said of the gown.
To celebrate the launch of her new global flagship store, Stella designed a capsule collection, which consists of evening dresses that are identical to the Duchess of Sussex's reception gown. The "Made with Love" gowns are each crafted from sustainable viscose and will cost around $4,663 each. The collection will be available to view by private appointment for one week from June 13 onward within the "Members and Non Members Only" club located in the store. If you're hoping to snag one, you'll have to email 23oldbond.store@stellamccartney.com and receive a personal reply from Stella inviting you in.
This moment was also when Meghan revealed her "something blue" - just check out that gorgeous square, gemstone ring that glowed from the front seat, which is also a "something borrowed" from Princess Diana. Meghan accessorized her evening ensemble with Aquazzura heels, the soles painted blue, and Cartier white gold diamond drop earrings that emitted pure glamour. Read on to catch a glimpse from every single angle.
- Additional reporting by Nikita Ramsinghani
Sandra Bullock's Sequined Jumpsuit Will Give You Disco Fever Before You Even Know What Hit You
Sandra Bullock joined the cast of Ocean's 8 for the UK premiere, and we can promise you that despite the metallic finish on Rihanna's Poiret number, the volume of Sarah Paulson's tiered Valentino dress, and the unexpected feathers on Cate Blanchett's Louis Vuitton top, Sandra's jumpsuit stole the show. The striped sequined Zuhair Murad number (which retails for $7,150) featured a plunging neckline that extended to her midriff and jewel-tone colors that played up her Lorraine Schwartz gold and ruby earrings.
Sandra stood tall in Stuart Weitzman Nudist sandals and showed off all angles of her glitzy ensemble, which makes for the perfect going-out look in the Summer - that is, if you're feeling particularly bold. Read on to digest the flashy outfit from all angles, then shop the exact piece or similar, more affordable options.
Thanks, Queen! The Monarch Let Meghan Markle Borrow This Gorgeous Pair of Earrings
Queen Elizabeth and Meghan Markle stepped out for their first royal engagement together, and boy did they dress to impress. The queen went for another one of her signature bright outfits while Meghan kept it demure but chic in a cream Givenchy dress, matching clutch and Sarah Flint pumps.
Although our eyes were glued to Meghan's outfit, which reminded us of her custom wedding dress from the same designer, one detail we couldn't help but notice were her gorgeous earrings. The pearl and diamond drop studs actually belong to Queen Elizabeth, but she let her new granddaughter-in-law borrow them for the occasion. The pair bear a striking resemblance to the ones the monarch had on herself, just smaller. Keep scrolling to get a closer look and shop similar options.
11 Must-Have Accessories You'll Want to See in Your Closet This Summer
If you haven't tried shopping at Clare V., you're missing out. The growing name is known for its chic Parisian aesthetic mixed with chill Cali vibes. We've been seeing its fun and colorful accessories pop up left and right. Just recently, the brand teamed up with TOMS for a line of stylish shoes that donated to a good cause. So if you're looking to pick up a new bag or wallet this season, we have you covered. From convenient totes to cute clutches and even a fashionable phone case, take a look at our favorites ahead.
We Guarantee You'll Want This $28 Sexy Summer Dress - It Comes in 22 Colors and Has Pockets!
If you're looking to spruce up your Summer wardrobe, we have a solution for you! Instead of buying a ton of different-style dresses, get one that works for every occasion. We discovered this Eliacher Sleeveless Summer Dress With Pockets ($15-$29) trending on Amazon, and we can see why.
The versatile piece is easy to wear with just about anything you already own. Headed to an event? No problem, simply add a pair of heels and a cute clutch. Going on vacation? Style it with comfortable sandals and the perfect straw bag. The best part: this dress come in 22 colors; seriously! So if you love it, you can own it in all your favorite shades.
Its sexy, backless design will instantly spice up any look no matter where you're headed. Plus, who doesn't love a dress with pockets? In case you need more convincing, keep scrolling to shop our favorite colors and get one (or five!) for yourself.
34 Sexy Dresses That Will Turns Heads Everywhere You Go
Planning a night-out look when it's the Summer can be such a hassle. With the humidity and high temperatures, the one question that stays on our mind is how do you show some skin while still looking classy? If you want an eye-catching one-and-done outfit that's easy to slip on in a moment's notice, turn your attention to a sexy dress.
There are plenty of elevated yet cheeky ways to show off what you've got this season. Think slinky silhouettes, keyhole details, and daring, thigh-high splits. Ahead, we've gathered 34 of the sexiest dresses that will most certainly spice up your wardrobe.
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