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.
dimanche 5 août 2018
I Had No Idea This Light Therapy Lamp Would Help My Postpartum Anxiety
When my therapist suggested I try a light lamp to handle my raging postpartum anxiety, I paused. It sounded a little bogus. A lamp? I'm around lamps all day long, from standing to overhead and everything in between. How was that going to calm my mind so that I could breathe?
It was eight days after I'd delivered my first baby. Exactly five days since we'd come home from the hospital. My daughter was healthy and hungry, and I was an absolute mess. My anxiety had soared to new, unfamiliar levels. Prior to delivering, I'd been working closely with my therapist on maintaining a good headspace, and to my surprise, I got through my entire pregnancy with manageable levels of anxiety and panic. It was there, ebbing and flowing right along aside me, but it was reasonable.
Nothing could have prepared me for the round-the-clock fear that I experienced once entering my home following delivery, though. There was a mixed bag of things at play. A series of new and very serious responsibilities, from trying - and failing - to breastfeed, to having to make constant decisions about the health and wellness of my baby, all cascading into one another.
It was the middle of Winter, and these paralyzing sensations, for whatever reason, were peaking around 4:30 p.m. every day just when the sun was setting-when the house was quiet, and I felt most trapped inside of it.
My therapist noticed the way light exposure was impacting my mood - I was having trouble eating anything at night because the anxiety was so debilitating it was giving me intense gastrointestinal issues - and among the many things we worked on together, she suggested I try a Verilux HappyLight ($99). She explained that light therapy at the right time of day could possibly improve my mood and energy, and reset my circadian rhythm to improve sleep. It could, at the very least, help.
Desperate, I ordered it immediately. Every day at 3:30 p.m. - about an hour before I'd typically trigger - I sat in front of the lamp. We started off slowly with just 20-minute sessions. I placed it on my bedside table (though you can put it anywhere) and sat next to it so that the light hit my eyes from the side. As much as I wanted to do other things while using it, it works best when you look forward. It wasn't exactly relaxing, but it was therapeutic. Like an extension of my healing.
The first day I completed a session I was noticeably energized immediately. More awake. I turned off the lamp and went on a walk, which was great to get outside and get some fresh air. I even walked to the market and ate dinner. Something about eating outside helped. And when I returned home from the walk I felt a little different, too. Rather than the suffocating feeling I was experiencing at home, I was a little less anxious. I looked forward to the next day, when I could use the light again. Whether it was the lamp or my belief in the lamp, I didn't care. That's the way anxiety works sometimes.
While the HappyLight doesn't make any medical claims, and I wouldn't have tried it without the guidance from my therapist, it was a useful tool in addressing and treating my postpartum anxiety. It gave me a regular thing to look forward to every day, and it reset how I felt about the evening. It didn't completely cure my postpartum anxiety, but it was a critical piece. It calmed me just enough, and I believed in it.
Yes, sometimes a lamp is just a lamp. But other times, though, it's kind of like Xanax.
Scotty McCreery Turned His Wedding Footage Into a Music Video, and Now We're Tearing Up
There's just something about country wedding songs that makes us incredibly emotional, and Scotty McCreery has officially taken it up a notch. After tying the knot with his girlfriend of six years, Gabi Dugal, on June 16, the country singer decided to turn his wedding footage into a romantic music video for "This Is It" from his album Seasons Change. Not only does the video showcase their nuptials at the scenic Twickenham House & Hall in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, but it also gives fans a glimpse of the couple's undeniable bond as Scotty tears up when Gabi walks down the aisle. Honestly, it will make you tear up as well. See the heartwarming video above, and get ready to add this song to your 2018 wedding music playlist.
I Was in an Emotionally Abusive Relationship, and I Didn't Even Realize It
At 23 years old, I fell fast and hard for an outgoing, charismatic man. When we began dating, he made me feel special, beautiful, and loved. I decided that any negative aspect of our relationship didn't matter because he loved me so much - there was a reasonable explanation for all of it. So when he proposed to me after almost a year of dating, I was overjoyed. I found a guy who wanted to commit his life to me. We were going to build a future together.
Six months into our engagement, that image of our life crumbled to pieces. My fiancé decided that he didn't want to marry me anymore, and it felt like a tragedy. I dreaded telling my friends and family; I was devastated. But their reactions to my news were not what I expected at all. One friend broke into tears. Another told me she was proud of me. My family felt guilty that they had let the relationship progress as much as it did.
They were relieved that my engagement to this man was over. Everyone had been scared for me, and I didn't get why. I was confused.
Everyone had been scared for me, and I didn't get why. I was confused.
This was the worst thing that had ever happened to me, wasn't it? But then, loved ones started telling me of times when they wish they had said something to me. Times when my fiancé would put me down or yell at me in public. And as more people stepped forward and told me that ending this relationship was a good thing (including this guy's own close friends), I came to a horrifying realization.
I was emotionally abused, and I could not admit to myself that it was happening at the time.
There were glimmers of problems from the beginning of our relationship, but I made the choice to ignore them. He would say little things to me or shout for a moment, but I brushed it off. It didn't become bad until we moved in together a month after our engagement.
My friends only saw what was happening in front of them, but behind closed doors it was even worse.
The first memory I have of definitive emotional abuse was an evening just a week or two after we moved into our apartment. We were sitting at the bar below our place having a drink when I noticed that he was getting Snapchats from a girl he nicknamed Kate Upton in his phone. I had mentioned to him once before that this made me uncomfortable, so when I saw that she had popped up once again, I questioned him about it. And he became furious with me.
He immediately stomped up the stairs to our apartment, and I quickly followed behind. He was livid. He told me I was ridiculous and jealous for questioning if he would be inappropriately interacting with another girl. And I felt terrible that I would ever question him - we were getting married, after all.
But the more I cried and apologized, the more he screamed at me.
But the more I cried and apologized, the more he screamed at me. I began to have a panic attack and I melted down to the ground, curled up in a ball in the hallway. But instead of stopping the yelling, he stood over me and continued to scream. I started hyperventilating. He told me I was faking it and I was pathetic. After he finished the shouting, he walked away from me. We were silent for about 20 minutes, then we got into bed and went to sleep. The next morning, he said he was sorry, but I needed to calm down with my emotions. So in the end, I was the one apologizing for what transpired the night before.
This was not a one-time thing. There were many more fights like this. And in the end I was always the one made to feel guilty. How dare I ever question him - he proposed to me. How could I do that to him? I was disgusted with myself for doubting him on a regular basis. I told myself that it was my anxiety making me paranoid.
But the screaming wasn't the only problem. This man would criticize me, put me down, and make me feel small constantly. If he didn't like something I was wearing, he would make sure I knew it. He told me I wasn't very funny and he didn't get why my friends laughed at me. He would constantly belittle me for being clumsy. I was afraid to spill something in front of him.
Another problem entirely was his lack of respect for people close to him. I watched him yell at his family on a regular basis over the tiniest things. He started off being incredibly close with my parents (they even helped him pick out my engagement ring), but as soon as we started planning the wedding, everything changed.
I started gaining weight. I became very quiet at work. I saw less of my friends. I felt bad about myself, but I didn't understand why. Wedding planning was not fun; I found it stressful. Like always, I told myself it was all in my head.
He had a lot of opinions about how he envisioned our wedding should be, and if my parents or I had a differing opinion, he was angry about it. We weren't putting a dime of our own money into the big day, so I felt weird about his resentment toward any ideas other than his own. When I tried to tell him that, he would tell me I was wrong. "Don't you love me because I have a lot of opinions?" he would say.
He stopped visiting my family with me. When I mentioned my parents, he would make snide remarks about them. I stopped talking about them altogether because it made me uncomfortable. My family loved me, and all they were trying to do was give us a dream wedding.
I loved this guy so much that I didn't care how I was feeling on the inside.
I loved this guy so much that I didn't care how I was feeling on the inside. I would do anything for him, and he knew that. So when he told me he was unhappy in our relationship, I asked him what I could do to fix that. All he could say was that he didn't know.
Eventually he told me that proposing to me was a mistake, but he wanted me to stay with him to see if we could work things out. More specifically, if I could fix all the things that were "wrong with me." And I did stay for a while. I so desperately wanted him to wake up and realize that no woman would love him the way I did. But he went about every day like things were normal, and I woke up every morning filled with dread, unsure of my future.
I asked him what was going on with our relationship a couple times, and each time it would result in an intense fight where we would part ways and stay with our families for a night or two. He told me I was impossible to talk to because I was too emotional.
After a weekend without hearing from him, I texted him asking if we could meet at the apartment and talk. His response - "Why?" I told him we needed to figure out what was going on, and he told me it wasn't a good thing for him personally to talk to me. We ended things.
I said I was moving out, so he went through everything I owned and put it in the middle of the family room. "I hope I made it a little easier for you," he said. While I sat at my parents' house (my new temporary home) and cried for a week straight, I received texts and calls from all over town - people told me he was out drinking most nights with his friends. They were confused by his actions. It hurt.
He blocked me and my friends from every social media platform. But that didn't stop the awful screenshots of his tweets bragging about going out and joking about needing a wingman. Even his friends were not loyal to him because they knew he turned me into a shell of the person I used to be.
A week later, on top of everything I had just gone through, I learned that he was not faithful to me. He was sending all sorts of photos of his penis to another girl before we were even engaged. Several people who knew about the exchanges informed me, even providing physical proof that the "other girl" admitted to all of it.
When I confronted him and his parents about his infidelity (bravest thing I've ever done, by the way), he pulled me to the side and asked me why I was trying to ruin his life. "We're done, Macy," he shouted at me. "You're trying to cause drama."
But I wasn't trying to cause drama. For the first time in my life, I was standing up to him. He had made me feel so guilty for questioning him all this time. And that feeling in the pit of my stomach was right all along. After trying to protect him and our relationship for a year and a half of my life, I was done. I missed who I used to be. I missed being happy. I realized that I had dedicated a huge period of my life trying to make sure I didn't make someone mad, and I was exhausted.
Why am I telling you this story? Because I know there are other people out there like me. People who lose themselves in the name of love, even if that love isn't healthy. Nobody deserves to be screamed at. Nobody deserves to be berated. I didn't understand that before, but I certainly know it now.
I was so scared to write about my experience, but now I feel empowered by it.
I was so scared to write about my experience, but now I feel empowered by it. I wanted to protect my former fiancé because a part of me still loves him, but I'm finished doing that now. I am trying to remind myself that yes, I am smart, funny, and strong. I didn't feel like I was any of those things for a long time. I'm having a hard time telling myself that now, but I will believe it again soon.
If you feel like you're being emotionally abused, trust your gut. Don't make excuses for it like I did. Learn from me. Talk to someone you trust. You may feel like you can't live without your partner, but you can. It will hurt. I'm still hurting every single day. But little by little, you will find yourself again. You won't believe you lived the way you did because of how happy you are now. And you will be stronger for it.
If you or a loved one are in need of any help, the Office on Women's Health has several resources here, including links to national hotlines.
The Dior Saddle Bag Is Nice, but This One's Named After Princess Diana
If you're a fashion girl, you're probably familiar with the classic Lady Dior bag and the signature Gancio clasp spotted on Salvatore Ferragamo Lady D chain-strap designs. But you might not have realized that these two creations were named after and popularized by the late Princess Diana.
While she collected an assortment of luxury handbags throughout the years, Diana's black quilted Dior satchel with gold hardware and her many Ferragamo crossbody pouches became iconic. Today, both brands still market these silhouettes with ties to the beloved royal. Read on to see Princess Diana wearing them, then shop the modernized versions.
I Was in an Emotionally Abusive Relationship, and I Didn't Even Realize It
At 23 years old, I fell fast and hard for an outgoing, charismatic man. When we began dating, he made me feel special, beautiful, and loved. I decided that any negative aspect of our relationship didn't matter because he loved me so much - there was a reasonable explanation for all of it. So when he proposed to me after almost a year of dating, I was overjoyed. I found a guy who wanted to commit his life to me. We were going to build a future together.
Six months into our engagement, that image of our life crumbled to pieces. My fiancé decided that he didn't want to marry me anymore, and it felt like a tragedy. I dreaded telling my friends and family; I was devastated. But their reactions to my news were not what I expected at all. One friend broke into tears. Another told me she was proud of me. My family felt guilty that they had let the relationship progress as much as it did.
They were relieved that my engagement to this man was over. Everyone had been scared for me, and I didn't get why. I was confused.
Everyone had been scared for me, and I didn't get why. I was confused.
This was the worst thing that had ever happened to me, wasn't it? But then, loved ones started telling me of times when they wish they had said something to me. Times when my fiancé would put me down or yell at me in public. And as more people stepped forward and told me that ending this relationship was a good thing (including this guy's own close friends), I came to a horrifying realization.
I was emotionally abused, and I could not admit to myself that it was happening at the time.
There were glimmers of problems from the beginning of our relationship, but I made the choice to ignore them. He would say little things to me or shout for a moment, but I brushed it off. It didn't become bad until we moved in together a month after our engagement.
My friends only saw what was happening in front of them, but behind closed doors it was even worse.
The first memory I have of definitive emotional abuse was an evening just a week or two after we moved into our apartment. We were sitting at the bar below our place having a drink when I noticed that he was getting Snapchats from a girl he nicknamed Kate Upton in his phone. I had mentioned to him once before that this made me uncomfortable, so when I saw that she had popped up once again, I questioned him about it. And he became furious with me.
He immediately stomped up the stairs to our apartment, and I quickly followed behind. He was livid. He told me I was ridiculous and jealous for questioning if he would be inappropriately interacting with another girl. And I felt terrible that I would ever question him - we were getting married, after all.
But the more I cried and apologized, the more he screamed at me.
But the more I cried and apologized, the more he screamed at me. I began to have a panic attack and I melted down to the ground, curled up in a ball in the hallway. But instead of stopping the yelling, he stood over me and continued to scream. I started hyperventilating. He told me I was faking it and I was pathetic. After he finished the shouting, he walked away from me. We were silent for about 20 minutes, then we got into bed and went to sleep. The next morning, he said he was sorry, but I needed to calm down with my emotions. So in the end, I was the one apologizing for what transpired the night before.
This was not a one-time thing. There were many more fights like this. And in the end I was always the one made to feel guilty. How dare I ever question him - he proposed to me. How could I do that to him? I was disgusted with myself for doubting him on a regular basis. I told myself that it was my anxiety making me paranoid.
But the screaming wasn't the only problem. This man would criticize me, put me down, and make me feel small constantly. If he didn't like something I was wearing, he would make sure I knew it. He told me I wasn't very funny and he didn't get why my friends laughed at me. He would constantly belittle me for being clumsy. I was afraid to spill something in front of him.
Another problem entirely was his lack of respect for people close to him. I watched him yell at his family on a regular basis over the tiniest things. He started off being incredibly close with my parents (they even helped him pick out my engagement ring), but as soon as we started planning the wedding, everything changed.
I started gaining weight. I became very quiet at work. I saw less of my friends. I felt bad about myself, but I didn't understand why. Wedding planning was not fun; I found it stressful. Like always, I told myself it was all in my head.
He had a lot of opinions about how he envisioned our wedding should be, and if my parents or I had a differing opinion, he was angry about it. We weren't putting a dime of our own money into the big day, so I felt weird about his resentment toward any ideas other than his own. When I tried to tell him that, he would tell me I was wrong. "Don't you love me because I have a lot of opinions?" he would say.
He stopped visiting my family with me. When I mentioned my parents, he would make snide remarks about them. I stopped talking about them altogether because it made me uncomfortable. My family loved me, and all they were trying to do was give us a dream wedding.
I loved this guy so much that I didn't care how I was feeling on the inside.
I loved this guy so much that I didn't care how I was feeling on the inside. I would do anything for him, and he knew that. So when he told me he was unhappy in our relationship, I asked him what I could do to fix that. All he could say was that he didn't know.
Eventually he told me that proposing to me was a mistake, but he wanted me to stay with him to see if we could work things out. More specifically, if I could fix all the things that were "wrong with me." And I did stay for a while. I so desperately wanted him to wake up and realize that no woman would love him the way I did. But he went about every day like things were normal, and I woke up every morning filled with dread, unsure of my future.
I asked him what was going on with our relationship a couple times, and each time it would result in an intense fight where we would part ways and stay with our families for a night or two. He told me I was impossible to talk to because I was too emotional.
After a weekend without hearing from him, I texted him asking if we could meet at the apartment and talk. His response - "Why?" I told him we needed to figure out what was going on, and he told me it wasn't a good thing for him personally to talk to me. We ended things.
I said I was moving out, so he went through everything I owned and put it in the middle of the family room. "I hope I made it a little easier for you," he said. While I sat at my parents' house (my new temporary home) and cried for a week straight, I received texts and calls from all over town - people told me he was out drinking most nights with his friends. They were confused by his actions. It hurt.
He blocked me and my friends from every social media platform. But that didn't stop the awful screenshots of his tweets bragging about going out and joking about needing a wingman. Even his friends were not loyal to him because they knew he turned me into a shell of the person I used to be.
A week later, on top of everything I had just gone through, I learned that he was not faithful to me. He was sending all sorts of photos of his penis to another girl before we were even engaged. Several people who knew about the exchanges informed me, even providing physical proof that the "other girl" admitted to all of it.
When I confronted him and his parents about his infidelity (bravest thing I've ever done, by the way), he pulled me to the side and asked me why I was trying to ruin his life. "We're done, Macy," he shouted at me. "You're trying to cause drama."
But I wasn't trying to cause drama. For the first time in my life, I was standing up to him. He had made me feel so guilty for questioning him all this time. And that feeling in the pit of my stomach was right all along. After trying to protect him and our relationship for a year and a half of my life, I was done. I missed who I used to be. I missed being happy. I realized that I had dedicated a huge period of my life trying to make sure I didn't make someone mad, and I was exhausted.
Why am I telling you this story? Because I know there are other people out there like me. People who lose themselves in the name of love, even if that love isn't healthy. Nobody deserves to be screamed at. Nobody deserves to be berated. I didn't understand that before, but I certainly know it now.
I was so scared to write about my experience, but now I feel empowered by it.
I was so scared to write about my experience, but now I feel empowered by it. I wanted to protect my former fiancé because a part of me still loves him, but I'm finished doing that now. I am trying to remind myself that yes, I am smart, funny, and strong. I didn't feel like I was any of those things for a long time. I'm having a hard time telling myself that now, but I will believe it again soon.
If you feel like you're being emotionally abused, trust your gut. Don't make excuses for it like I did. Learn from me. Talk to someone you trust. You may feel like you can't live without your partner, but you can. It will hurt. I'm still hurting every single day. But little by little, you will find yourself again. You won't believe you lived the way you did because of how happy you are now. And you will be stronger for it.
If you or a loved one are in need of any help, the Office on Women's Health has several resources here, including links to national hotlines.
I Meal Prepped Every Meal For 5 Days - These Recipes Made It Super Easy
In college, meal prepping every Sunday night was a huge part of my healthy routine. It saved me not only time but also money. It kept me on track to meet my healthy goals, because I knew I had no excuse to grab something unhealthy on the go. All I had to do on a weekday was go home, and a nutritious meal would be waiting for me.
If you're looking to live a healthy lifestyle, meal prepping can be a huge step in the right direction. A few minutes cooking meals for the week on a Sunday night might be your savior when you feel tempted to turn to processed and fattening foods. To make things easy for you, I've gathered my favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes to prep for the five-day workweek.
The Dos and Don'ts of Healthy Shopping at the Farmers Market
It's a great idea to take advantage of farmers markets in the summertime, as the produce is fresh and packed with nutrients, showcasing what the season has to offer. Eating in season is not only great for your wallet (it's a lot cheaper to eat what's currently at its peak in ripeness and growth), but also for your health and taste buds. Yet, there are a few dos and don'ts when it comes to making the most out your purchases, and sticking to your healthy goals. Here are a few tips from dietitians.
The 8 New Trends You Need to Make Friends With Before Fall 2018
If you're the type to shy away from new trends out of fear they're too eccentric, welcome Fall 2018 with open arms. Throughout Fashion Month, all we saw were familiar patterns, colors, coats, and layering tricks, perhaps just worn in new ways. The eight most prominent style statements are ones virtually anyone could pull off - and they're all ridiculously flattering, too. Brush up on the standout takeaways from the Spring 2018 season, then read our fresh report from start to finish and prepare for an eye-catching wardrobe this year that's actually remarkably comfortable.
Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and McDonald's Monopoly Are a Perfect Combo For This New Movie
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are teaming up again for a McMovie. That's right, the best friends are making a movie about the man who managed to rig the biannual McDonald's Monopoly game back in 2001.
Jeff Maysh wrote and published the true-crime report for The Daily Beast on July 28. The article tells the story of ex-cop Jerome Jacobson, who used his job as a security officer at the firm that printed the game pieces to rig the Monopoly game. Over several years, Jacobson managed to steal over $24 million and share it with his network of "mobsters, psychics, strip-club owners, and drug traffickers."
The movie will follow the FBI operation titled "Operation Final Answer" that worked to uncover the criminal ring. Damon is tapped to star in the film with Affleck attached to direct. Both actors will produce through their Pearl Street banner with Maysh and David Klawans to be executive producers. Deadpool writers Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese will adapt the story for the screen. The two have already won an Oscar together for their 1997 film Good Will Hunting, maybe they're going for their second joint award? Either way, we can wait to see what the besties cook up!
Ramin Djawadi Watches Game of Thrones Before Anyone Else - Here's What He Thinks About Season 8
Over the last seven years, it's become clear that the Game of Thrones theme song is on track to become as iconic as John Williams's highly recognizable themes for Star Wars or Jurassic Park. It's not uncommon to be walking through a grocery store when all of a sudden someone's ringtone blasts the sounds of Westeros through the aisles, or you find yourself absentmindedly humming the opening notes as you drive along the highway. In fact, it's in exactly the latter scenario where composer Ramin Djawadi - who has worked on everything from shows like Game of Thrones and Westworld to blockbusters like A Wrinkle in Time - first came up with the song, a theme that will play for the last six times when GOT airs its eighth and final season next year.
But in the meantime, the German-Iranian musician is keeping busy. The score for the HBO series has become so popular that he tours the country with a full orchestra for Game of Thrones Live, a sensory concert experience that brings many of the show's most exciting scenes to life with the help of colorful smoke, blasts of fire, and elaborate costumes. Getting to play his songs on stage himself, as green flames explode around him in front of thousands of screaming fans, has become just as normal for him as, say, figuring out how to play a Shamisen in hopes of giving a well-known modern song a brand-new spin for his other big HBO project, Westworld.
When I hopped on the phone with Djawadi recently, it was clear that though his career has split into what seems like a thousand different directions, it all boils down to one thing: sharing his passion for music with the world. Ahead, see what he had to say about everything from those wildly popular Westworld covers to his thoughts on Game of Thrones season eight.
POPSUGAR: So I wanted to start off by talking a little bit about Westworld, since the finale was a few weeks ago. Your music has kind of become a character in and of itself within the show, especially with elements like the player piano. Was that something that you anticipated when you started composing for it?
Ramin Djawadi: Not at all, actually. And I think that's probably . . . most of the things that I do when I'm writing, I never really anticipate anything or think about what it is that music will trigger. And this one definitely, for sure, was a pleasant surprise. I always looked at it like, "Oh, this is going to be a little subconscious Easter egg that people maybe might not notice." And then when the episodes started airing, I saw how excited people got about it. It was mind-blowing. It was absolutely incredible.
PS: And kind of similar to that, every time that there's been a cover of a modern song that you've slipped in there, fans kind of freak out about it. In a good way, obviously. Can you tell me a little bit about your process for how you narrow down which modern covers to mix in with the classical music?
RD: I have to give full credit to Jonathan Nolan, our showrunner, actually. He's the one who usually comes up with the songs and placement. And then he sends me off and says, "OK. Do an arrangement and play around with it." Then I get to be creative with it. And especially, the second season now, it's been a lot of fun with pushing the season further. Not only having the player piano, but doing the Indian version, or being in Shogun World using shamisen and shakuhachi, just even different instrumentation. I feel like we really pushed it further this season. It's been a lot of fun doing it.
PS: For the different worlds the show dove into this season, did you have a personal favorite to write for?
RD: They're all fun, but I really had fun with the Shogun World. I've never used the shamisen. It's almost like a banjo-type instrument, I guess you could say. I've never used that, ever before. I actually got one for myself, and just started exploring the instrument. That's something that's exciting as a film composer, when you get to use new instruments and learn about new instruments. I love that process.
PS: I mean, all of the instruments that you've used over the years, including in Game of Thrones - I think there was one song that used a didgeridoo, no?
RD: Yeah, a didgeridoo.
PS: At this point, is there any instrument out there that you haven't used thus far that you would like to give a try in upcoming episodes?
RD: That's a good question, actually. The instrumentation has definitely become very wide over the years now. I'm sure there is something that I have not used yet. A lot of it is also triggered by when I actually have the visuals in front of me. And then I can assess what I actually need or what's the new thing to do. Yeah, let's see what's next.
PS: So when you're approaching doing the score for a show like Westworld versus Game of Thrones, is the process relatively the same?
RD: I would say they're pretty much the same. In terms of my approach, I like to talk to the showrunners. Sit in a room with them. It's really a lot of just talking and conversations, first off. What is it they envision with their show, and musically what do they want? Many times they have ideas of what they want to incorporate. And I feel like it's my job to put that into music. So, I really treat every project the same that way. And then actually once you conceptually talk about it, then it really gets into the, "Okay, now what are the notes I'm actually going to write? What instrumentation?" And then you get into that whole part. And yeah, Game of Thrones and Westworld, they couldn't be more different in that field, musically. But that's also something I enjoy when you have projects that are really quite different from another.
PS: I imagine for these high-profile shows, which are so secret to the point that scripts supposedly self-destruct now, that getting the chance to actually watch these scenes before they premiere is pretty cool. Do you watch the footage before you start composing, or is it more of conversations with the showrunner to get the feel for things, and then later on tweaking after you see it?
RD: I actually get the episodes, so I can really write specifically to the scene and to the picture. And we do what's called a spotting session, where they come in and we sit down and actually watch it together. That's really when a lot of the conversation starts. It's very detail-oriented, where we even decide where music should start and stop. That all gets discussed. And then I get to write all the music, they'll come back, and then I play them all the music again. Then we tweak it together. So, it's a big process for all the episodes we do. But yeah, I definitely get to see it early.
PS: You've done such iconic work for Game of Thrones thus far, so was there any stress on your part about how you were going to elevate the score for the final season? I don't know if you've started writing the music yet or not . . .
RD: Actually, I haven't started yet. I haven't seen anything yet, either. No, it's . . . I'm still in the dark about how it's going to end. I'm honestly also super excited about it. I'm super pumped about writing. Musically, obviously, this is it now, right? So I have to see how . . . I'm curious to see what the story will tell me of how I'm going to write the music, and how I will put the final touches on it. This amazing eighth season run. I'm very, very curious.
PS: Personally, the Game of Thrones season six finale score, "Light of the Seven," is one of my favorite television scores in recent memory. I was just wondering if you had your own personal favorite, from either Westworld or Game of Thrones? Whether that's writing or performing it.
RD: That's definitely one of them. I think that one just also stands out because it is so, so different from the rest of the scores. So automatically, it really is like a stand-alone piece. I would say the main title is also one of them. Same in Westworld. The main title is very close to my heart.
PS: For the Games of Thrones live show, one of the things that I think is so incredible about it is that it brings in people who might not have considered themselves fans of classical or orchestral music, necessarily. Has that been exciting to see for you as a composer?
RD: Yeah, I think that was always part of my intention. I'm glad to see it working, actually, because I always wanted a little bit of a hybrid show. It is orchestral instrumental music, but we kind of beast it up a bit, I feel. We put pyro in and lighting, and all kinds of things happen on stage. I was hoping that that would get people excited and come in and see a great summary of their favorite show.
PS: I was blown away seeing all of the pyro, especially the green smoke effect that happens for "Light of the Seven." I know you actually get to perform for that one, which must be special for you.
RD: "Light of the Seven" is definitely one of my favorites. The rest of the show, most of the show, I conduct. But this one I actually get to play myself. When the smoke starts and that whole stage blows up, I'm actually right in the center of it. That's fun to do every night. And, yeah again, the intention of the show was always to get this immersive experience. Really make the fans feel like they're there, and make the scenes and the moments really come alive. So with these effects, like blowing up the stage like that, even for myself it really puts me right in it. I get to enjoy it every night, too. It brings a kind of contemporary element, I think, to a live show like that.
PS: So with Game of Thrones ending - I know that you've done scores for everything, TV, movies, and you're doing the live show - but when Game of Thrones ends, do you have any plans for your next project? Maybe something totally different?
RD: Well, I always try to do different projects. I really like to jump around, stylistically quite a bit. We'll see what comes next, if there's another tour. I mean, a lot of people actually have asked me, "Hey, the Game of Thrones tour is so much fun. It's so cool. You should do a Westworld tour." So that's definitely been something on my mind, because performing live is something I usually don't really do, but it's been so much fun. Being out there and being with the audience, it's something I really enjoy. Westworld season three's coming up, so there's definitely something that comes after Game of Thrones. Let's see what the future brings.
Orange Is the New Black: This Is Why Maritza Is Missing From Season 6
The inmates of Litchfield Penitentiary had their worlds rocked following the prison riot in season five of the Netflix hit Orange Is the New Black, but when the latest season dropped, Maritza, one of the original and most easily lovable inmates, is noticeably absent from all 13 episodes. So what happened to our favorite inmate-turned-social-media-influencer?
By the end of season five, the inmates have taken over the prison, and BFFs Maritza and Flaca have become social media darlings overnight thanks to their prison beauty tutorials. In the season finale, an officer captures the duo and shoots a rubber bullet toward the ceiling, causing debris to fall and go into Maritza's eyes as they are escorted out of the prison. As Maritza and Flaca line up to board buses leaving the prison, they are separated by a guard and sent to different locations. By episode three of season six, we know Flaca is with a few familiar faces at Litchfield Max, but there's no sign of Maritza.
Throughout the season, we find out that Litchfield inmates have been sent to prisons across the country, and while we never learn Maritza's exact whereabouts, Flaca does briefly share that her best friend is thousands of miles away near the end of the season. There's no way to tell if she'll return for the seventh (and probably final) season of the show, but Orange Is the New Black has a history of weaving characters in and out, so don't rule it out!
Diane Guerrero, the actress who has played Maritza on Orange Is the New Black from the very beginning, has been keeping busy, starring in two seasons of the now-canceled CBS comedy Superior Donuts. She was also recently cast in the upcoming DC Universe show Doom Patrol as an unlikely hero called Crazy Jane who possesses 64 personalities, so if you're simply missing Guerrero, you'll definitely see more of her soon.
OITNB: The Reason Daddy Is in Prison May Not Surprise You After Watching Season 6
They say old habits die hard, but they die even harder in Litchfield Maximum Security Prison. During season six of Orange Is the New Black, fans are introduced to yet another charming leading lady of lock-up, and she goes by the name of Daddy - well, Dominga Duarte - played by actress and The Voice competitor Vicci Martinez. During episode six, "State of the Uterus," we learn more about Daddy's background and what lands her behind bars in the first place. Surprisingly enough, she's *kind of* doing the same thing in Litchfield that she was doing before prison, and let us be clear: it is still very illegal.
Daddy's smooth yet felonious former ways of life are revealed during one of the many season six flashbacks, and well, there's no better way to put this . . . she was a pimp. She may have said, "Nobody f*cks with Daddy. And nobody f*cks with Daddy's girls" in the present-day story after having to explain to an itchy and withdrawal-ridden group of girls why there is a holdup on the drug delivery, but we have a feeling it's those very antics that got her into Litchfield.
Back in the day, Daddy ran an independent escort service. Surrounded by a group of attractive young girls, she'd arrange for said ladies to spend time with wealthy, older businessmen, and she'd lure them into this promiscuous, drug-filled gig by promising them a life of no monetary worries. She does not imply that the women have to have sex with the men, but she does say, "If you want to make more, you do more." The story takes a dark turn when we see that one of Daddy's girls is dead after spending the night with a wealthy client. Instead of calling 911, she surprises viewers by detailing how the man and his security guard need to get rid of the body and come up with an alibi. It's not explicitly stated that this specific death landed her in max, but we're assuming it had something to do with her scheming life as something of a procuress . . . and probably also how she got the nickname.
Despite all of her very illegal behaviors, Daddy appears to truly care about the people closest to her. She steals Daya's heart by the likes of companionship and Oxycontin, and while we're not so down with the latter, Daddy still ends up being one of our favorite new characters this season (sorry, Badison).
The London Hair Color Trends That Are Going to Be HUGE This Fall
Summer hair color trends tend to involve beachy blond or sun-kissed highlights, with Fall getting left with the grown-out aftermath. But this season, Londoners are trying a few new looks for the seasonal transition. We spoke to four hair pros to find out what clients are really asking for this time of year and what the stylists are personally loving, too. While lots of people are still raving about balayage, it's a barely there version of the technique that clients are requesting the most, in addition to lilac hues, warmer tones, and a few other surprises.
Read on to find out what they had to say about the hair color trends that are going to be huge in London.
Related: The Biggest It Haircut London Girls Are Getting This Summer
Add These 20 Crunch Variations to Your Routine and Chiseled Abs Are on Their Way!
While doing 100 crunches won't diminish belly fat, once you dial in your diet and lower your body fat percentage, you'll want to reveal your strong, chiseled abs! These crunch variations are basic yet effective, and if you want defined abs, these ab-busting moves will help make it happen!
Unicorns, Rainbows, Mermaids, Oh My! The Ultimate Shopping Guide For a Magical School Year
If you've noticed that your eager student typically loves all things iridescent and rainbow, it might be a good idea to fuel their inner sparkle during the school year. Instead of picking up boring pencils and drab notebooks this Fall, get them something that will resonate with their passion for unicorns, rainbows, or mermaids . . . you know, school supplies that have special powers. From journals that sprinkle magic to notepads filled with flair, we found 29 dazzling academic goodies that they'll love carrying around campus.
Get a Sexy, Sculpted Back With These 5 Moves
When you think of the body part that makes you sexiest, your back probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind, right? But picture the sexiest red-carpet looks you've seen lately - many of our favorite celebs opt for super-low-cut dresses to reveal their stunning backs, and the result is supremely sexy.
The good news is that you don't have to get bulky to have a sculpted back, but you do have to do exercises that target your back from top to bottom. We teamed up with Sarah Chadwell, NASM-CPT, to bring you five of the best back exercises to add to your workout routine.
"Not only is a strong back sexy, but it's important for your health. Back injuries are devastating and will impact your everyday life," said Chadwell. Here's how to keep your back both healthy and sexy, and get ready to rock that backless dress you've been saving!
7 Lipsticks Named After Your Favorite Celebrities
Our favorite celebrities can inspire fashion trends, haircuts, and even lipstick hues. Women admired for their beauty - like Penélope Cruz - have inspired several shades in Charlotte Tilbury's iconic line, and even Drake has moved Tom Ford to name a lipstick after him.
Considering the boost of confidence a good lipstick can provide, channeling your favorite celebrity just might give you the right amount of attitude to conquer your day.
Keep reading to shop the celebrity-inspired hues.
Hailey Baldwin Just Turned a Raincoat Into the Sexiest Outfit You've Ever Seen
Hailey Baldwin and Justin Bieber have been enjoying some time in NYC, and the model's street style has never been better. After having shown us how to make an outfit date-night ready, Hailey transported us back to the '70s with a pair of breezy linen pants - and on July 30, she stepped out in one of the sexiest outfits we've ever seen.
The 21-year-old star wore a short colorblock raincoat by Heron Preston, which was cinched in at the waist with a utility belt. She finished her outfit with a simple pair of white trainers, black sunglasses, and gold jewelry, replacing her stunning engagement ring with a stackable diamond band. Ahead, get a closer look at Hailey's outfit, then shop a similar jacket for yourself.
Teen Stars Weigh In on How to Realistically Portray Acne in Film
Stockard Channing was 33 when she played the high school senior Rizzo in Grease. Tobey Maguire was 32 during his stint as teenage Spider-Man. Michael J. Fox was in his late 20s, moonlighting as a 17-year-old, for Back to the Future. All three performances are beloved by fans of coming-of-age films, but there's one crucial thing missing from fictional high schools of the past: acne. Lately, directors of movies like Eighth Grade and Ladybird have opted to go light on makeup, showing their teen actors as they truly are - zit and acne scars included. Because of this, critics and audiences alike have predicted that these two films are heralding a more realistic era of high school films.
Sofia Wylie, a 14-year-old who plays a character just one year younger than her actual age on The Disney Channel's Andi Mack, believes that teen movies are entering the no-filter movement. "I think directors of my show want us to look like regular kids," she told POPSUGAR. "But movies and TV can go further. I think the acne element in Ladybird made the performances so much more relatable."
Of course, Ladybird and Eighth Grade are two indie movies that don't represent the industry as a whole. We asked Wylie and other young actors what it's like to work on mainstream sets like It and Riverdale with teen acne.
The Surprising History Behind Rihanna's Skinny '90s Eyebrows
Though it's pretty much universally agreed that Rihanna can do no wrong, a palpable cringe flashed through Twitter with the release of her British Vogue cover. While stunning, the vintage-inspired photo drew hesitation from some due to her pencil-thin eyebrows. For the past few years, big, bushy brows have dominated both red carpets and Instagram (sometimes for better or for worse). But is Rihanna coming for Cara Delevingne's best-eyebrow throne?
If Rihanna makes those eyebrows a trend then I give up on y'all
- . (@_renaey_xx) July 31, 2018
I'm not making my eyebrows skinny and Rihanna can't make me
- Amanda Mull (@amandamull) August 1, 2018
We can NOT let thin eyebrows return I don't care what queen Rihanna tries to subject us to. Resist pic.twitter.com/P9KZqFz4xx
- Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) July 31, 2018
Despite how tiny they are, skinny eyebrows have a quite hefty history. Many on Twitter were quick to point out that South African women have been wearing the style before it began "trending" again earlier this week. In the early days of Hollywood, actresses like Marlene Dietrich, Carole Lombard, and Joan Crawford would overpluck, or even shave, their arches. Decades later in the 1990s, Kevyn Aucoin, one of beauty's first famous makeup artists, rebelled against the minimalist grunge trend and accidentally started one of the most talked-about brow phases in history.
In the new documentary Larger Than Life: The Kevyn Aucoin Story, fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi recalled how the late makeup artist first brought back the trend. "He decided that everyone needed to look like Carole Lombard and have really skinny eyebrows. Next thing I knew, he was plucking everyone's eyebrows." In one specific instance, Aucoin tweezed Cindy Crawford's arches. "I had no eyebrows left," Crawford said in the film.
Image Source: Getty / Jim Smeal
At first, the supermodel feared for her career because of the new look. "Her agent saw her and called Kevyn, saying 'What have you done?' It was a real crisis," Mizrahi remembered. "Then, literally overnight, it just changed. She started getting more bookings because she had skinny eyebrows." More celebrities like Drew Barrymore and Gwyneth Paltrow followed suit. "Kevyn invented so many things that we look at today as stuff that exists," Mizrahi said.
Keep reading to see the long (and skinny) road brow trends have followed over the past 70 years.
Benefit is Launching a 4-in-1 Brow Product - And It's Giving Us Major Nostalgia
Remember the multi-ink pens from the '90s? They epitomized the "business in the front, party in the back" state of mind by fun offering shades like pink and purple in addition to the super professional blue and black. You probably wrote all over your favorite notebook or Trapper Keeper with them.
Now, the genius of those pens has been incorporated into a brow product: the Brow Contour Pro ($32). Essentially a "brow wardrobe" for you to contour your arches - a trend that even myself, a curmudgeon when it comes to most trends, practices - this 4-in-1 tool makes carving a sculpted brow easy and makeup bag-friendly.
There are four tools within the pen: two shades to fill in the brow, an "edge definer," and a highlighter. There's a light and deep brow shade, meant to create a natural look by giving the brow dimension. The brand is careful not to refer to this product as a pen or pencil, which is accurate, because the consistency of the product within it does not apply like an ink or with a pencil stroke. In fact, it's a pomade, so it's important to note that this tool isn't going to create hair strokes; it's meant to be blended. Benefit's Global Brow Expert Jared Bailey suggests creating a fine line at the base of your brow and brushing the pomade upward with a spoolie, but in my experience with the product, I just applied it similar to how I'd use my regular brow pencil and it works just the same. Admittedly, it does take some practice, as using any new product does, but after a few tests you get the hang of it. Bailey explained that many people are nervous or don't feel comfortable using a brow pomade or gel, which is why they put the formula in pen form - it's a familiar feeling to something people might find hard to master.
After you fill in your brow, define and clean up with the "edge definer," which is essentially a concealer. Use it underneath the hairs, from the inner start of your brow to the arch, and then above the brow from the arch to the end - like a stencil. Finish by using the highlighter underneath the arch. And voila - your sculpted, dimensional brow is ready to be 'grammed.
After using this product for the past month, I'm convinced people with thicker brow hairs and a few sparse spots will love it. Personally, I don't need to create a longer or thicker brow, so I tend to fill in my brow rather than draw hair strokes. If that's your thing, you might want to combine this product with a pencil to add more detail. If you simply need to hide any gaps and make your brow look more even, Brow Contour Pro has you covered.
Benefit Brow Contour Pro launches on August 7 online.
The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Running: 20 Tips Every Runner Needs to Know
If you're ready to lace up those sneakers and hit the ground running, whether it's for general health, weight loss, or to reduce stress, read through this guide first. You'll learn must-know tips and get expert advice on all things running. Pretty soon, you'll be calling yourself a runner!
Your Ultimate Guide to Fall's Biggest Bag Trends
If you're bummed about putting all of your favorite Summer pieces away, remember that the start of a new season means that you get to try out a whole bunch of new trends. Want to know what we're most excited about? Refreshing our handbag collection with fresh, seasonal picks.
While wicker baskets and colorful beaded bags were all the rage this Summer, our attention has now turned to finding pieces that will go with our leather jackets and cozy sweaters. Think vintage logo bags like Dior's Saddle bag, which has made a resurrection, and shopper totes that have enough space for all your belongings and then some. Read on to see seven of the biggest Fall bag trends, and shop them out at every price ahead.
Just For Kicks: Our Editors Chose 34 Cool Sneakers They're Wearing All Year Long
When in doubt, always gift people with shoes. You can never have enough kicks - plus, who would be disappointed to unwrap a brand-new pair of sneakers? A crazy person, that's who. We enlisted our editors to choose the designs they are longing for this holiday season, and OMG, they're good. Whether you want something cheeky and playful or sporty and modern, we have uncovered the best of the best. See for yourself!
A Sad Reminder of How Taystee Ended Up in Prison on Orange Is the New Black
Orange Is the New Black has been on for so long at this point that you'd be forgiven if you've forgotten how and why all the characters got into prison in the first place. The reasons range from standard infractions (getting caught with small amounts of weed, like Poussey) to the downright tragic (Suzanne's involvement in the accidental death of a young boy). But when it comes to Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson, things are a little murkier.
At this point in the show, which is now in its sixth season, Taystee has emerged as the undisputed MVP. She's fierce, loyal, hilarious, and capable of delivering spectacularly heartbreaking speeches. Between actress Danielle Brooks's phenomenal performance and the nuanced writing, Taystee nearly always acts as the passionate voice of reason in pretty unreasonable situations, which is likely the result of her upbringing.
Taystee gets bumped from foster home to foster home throughout her tumultuous childhood after being born to 15-year-old parents who are unable to raise her themselves. This leads her to cross paths with Yvonne "Vee" Parker (Lorraine Toussaint) at a group home adoption fair. Although it initially seems like Vee is saving Taystee from a life on the streets, her room and board comes with a steep price: Taystee has to start working as an "accountant" for Vee's drug-dealing operation since she's so good at math.
As we see in a season six flashback, Taystee also worked at a fast-food joint called Storky's. The money and benefits clearly weren't as good as what Vee was offering, which convinces Taystee to keep associating with her (to be fair, she's a teenager who doesn't have anywhere else to go). Taystee is eventually arrested and sent to Litchfield, and although we never find out her exact reason for incarceration, it's safe to assume she gets put away for trafficking heroin in Vee's drug ring.
In season one, Taystee does manage to score an early release. She leaves Litchfield and meets up with someone she used to be in foster care with, as well as her rude second cousin, but the familiar surroundings are not enough; the fast-paced real world is too overwhelming for her, as are the strict rules that come with probation. Since she can't find Vee, Taystee purposefully violates her probation so she can go back to Litchfield.
Without spoiling anything, the current season doesn't provide much hope that Taystee will be getting out anytime soon. But still, if we have to put faith in any inmate to defy the odds, it's her.
If Nick and Priyanka Were in High School, They'd Totally Win the Couple Style Superlative
Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra have been showing off their love for quite some time, but never did we expect the news of their engagement to come so quickly! That said, it seems like 'tis the season to make things official when you're certain about a relationship (Hailey Baldwin and Justin Bieber are reveling in their whirlwind romance, too).
From a fashion perspective, if Hailey and Justin are the athleisure champions, then Priyanka and Nick are the cool and sophisticated alternative. Even when Nick goes casual on date night, Priyanka keeps it classy in a dress and heels. More often than not, the two are coordinated, especially when they're traveling to, say, India to meet up with Priyanka's parents or Atlantic City for a fancy-shmancy wedding.
Ahead, scroll to see Nick and Priyanka's most memorable style moments, at least in our opinion, and just imagine the potential guest list at this duo's wedding ceremony. Priyanka's seen how the royals do it, and she wore quite the intricate outfit for that momentous occasion. Just try to picture how regal and thoughtful her bridal look would be.
Princess Eugenie's Baby Blue Wedding-Guest Dress Comes With Daring Side Cutouts
Princess Eugenie seems to favor a certain color when it comes to dressing up for a wedding. The British royal wore a stunning baby-blue dress at the wedding of Charlie van Straubenzee and Daisy Jenks. She previously wore the hue at Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding back in May.
While Meghan Markle opted for a Club Monaco pleated dress with a sexy lace camisole at the wedding, Princess Eugenie opted for a baby-blue number styled with a short white jacket and round sunglasses. Don't be fooled by the chic midi dress because when she removed her jacket, we realized it actually had two daring side cutouts. Read on to see all angles of her gorgeous wedding-guest dress ahead.
Emily Ratajkowski Will Make You Think Twice Before Slipping On Stilettos With That Minidress
Emily Ratajkowski strutted her stuff following a shoot in New York City, and her outfit was completely effortless. She wore a body-con gray dress with spaghetti straps - the type reserved for major humidity and scorching temperatures - along with one of her go-to accessories as of late: the Emily Levine Knot Basket Bag ($165). While you can always expect Emily Ratajkowski to aim for sexy when it comes to styling a look, for her that calls for a pair of trainers. Make that the Adidas Yeezy 500 in Super Moon Yellow ($219).
Emily even rocks dad sneakers with barely there bikini bottoms on the regular. The model might not be doing it on purpose, but we kind of think she's single-handedly sending out a subtle message to her followers and women everywhere: sneaks can be just as hot as strappy stilettos. Not to mention, they're easier to get around in, too. Read on to check out Emily's street style moment, then shop her exact kicks, along with similar options, and coordinate them with the sultriest little number you've got in your closet.
Related: Emily Ratajkowski's Wearing Desert Boots With Her Minidress, Do You Blame Us For Breaking a Sweat?
J Lo Went From Thigh-High Boots to a Modest Blouse, and BAM! She Looks Just as Sexy
Sure, there's something to be said for showing a slip of skin in the Summer and feeling romantic about it. Whether you're in a shirred tube top or a slinky silk tank, flaunting your glow seems to come so effortlessly. But J Lo, who's known for her sexy sense of style - heck! The superstar gave up pants for denim boots just the other day - just made the case for a romantic floral blouse with supermodest details.
While out with her beau ARod in NYC, Jennifer sported a Gucci pussy-bow design ($1,600), which she tucked into high-waisted trousers, cinched at the waist with an eye-catching Chanel belt. Quay Australia aviators were a casual touch, but J Lo's luxe accessories (those diamond jewels! That Hermès bracelet and Birkin! Those chunky platforms!) turned up the glam factor.
Although J Lo's famous curves weren't necessarily on display, they were perfectly accentuated by her flattering outfit, and we'd argue that this sort of look is all it truly takes to stun. Ahead, scope out J Lo and Alex's fab moment skirting around the paparazzi and fans in the Big Apple, then shop her amazing shirt along with similar options.
Meghan Markle's Birthday Dress Is Damn Near Perfection
Meghan Markle proves that she knows how to dress for the occasion. The Duchess of Sussex stepped out on her 37th birthday to attend a wedding of one of Prince Harry's closest friends, Charlie van Straubenzee. The birthday girl looked absolutely effortless at the happy occasion wearing a colorblock ensemble and a chic hat.
Meghan's wedding-guest dress by Club Monaco featured a colorful pleated skirt. She left a couple of buttons on the top open to reveal a sexy lace camisole underneath. She accessorized with a black belt that cinched in her waist, a woven clutch, and her go-to Aquazzura Deneuve slingbacks. Read on to get a closer look and buy the exact dress ahead.
25 Comfortable Fall Transition Outfits That Are Easy to Copy
Dressing for those in-between days when it's not really Summer anymore but not quite Fall yet can be a real nightmare. If you're panicking about finding a comfy outfit for those transitional months, we've got you covered. Ahead, we found fresh and stylish ways you can continue to wear your favorite Summer staples well into the cooler months. Read on to see 25 comfortable Fall transitional outfits you'll be wearing on repeat.
These 9 Dresses (With Pockets!) Are So Cute, You'll Add Them All to Your Shopping Cart
What makes an ordinary dress become extraordinary? Pockets, obviously! There's something about adding that functional element that gets us more excited than anything. The idea of being able to carry my phone and lipstick hands-free is pretty amazing. If you agree, you'll love these beautiful dresses from Nordstrom. Let's shop!
I Thought About This Kim Kardashian Dress For 2 Years, and Basically Just Found It at Zara
I remember thinking, "She nailed it" when I saw Kim Kardashian step onto the 2016 VMAs red carpet. Even for someone who usually finds the Kardashian brand of sexy so far from what us mere mortals can pull off in real life, I was struck by the effortlessly cool allure she was giving off. It had something to do with the wet, towel-dried hair, and sultry lace-up shoes, but mainly, her dress. That black vintage Galliano minidress. Truly, I have thought about that fashion moment for basically the two years since.
Then, something crazy happened: while browsing Zara's "new in" section (as I'm prone to do almost daily), I came across a dress so similar, it felt like someone at Zara had been reading my mind - or maybe staring at the same impossibly cool pictures of Kim. There are subtle differences - puff sleeves and brown, non-sheer fabric - but on the whole, it's giving me déjà vu and begging me to click purchase. You too? Then we'd probably both hit "add to cart" before everyone else does. Suffice it to say, prepare to see this Zara dress all over Instagram and everywhere else in a matter of weeks.
Deal Hunters! Your Guide to the 38 Best Shoes From the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
Shoppers, it's time to get serious. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is in full swing. We created an ultimate guide to every shoe you can get for cheap, so shop through them today. If you hesitate, they'll disappear before you know it!
Amazon Has All the Fall Clothes You Need For Less Than $25
Just because we're in the midst of Summer doesn't mean we're not already daydreaming about the perfect Fall wardrobe. The days we can lounge around in cozy sweaters and chic dresses are coming soon, and we're ready to shop. If you want to give your closet a mini makeover on a budget this season, we have you covered. We looked to Amazon because the mega retailer has everything you could ever dream of. From comfy trousers to versatile tops, keep scrolling to shop our favorite finds of the season. The best part: they're all under $25.
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