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.
lundi 8 octobre 2018
Gracie's 110-Pound Weight Loss Began With the Simplest of Exercises: Walking
Three years ago, Gracie weighed 240 pounds, and she knew it was time for a transformation. She now weighs a healthy 130 pounds and has become a leaner, stronger, happier version of herself. Her weight loss began with something completely unexpected, though.
POPSUGAR talked to Gracie about how she lost all that weight in such a healthy way, and she said she simply "started walking at high incline and low speed" when she began her journey, and her fitness level just grew from there. "It was difficult to run or jog at the very start without my feet hurting, so speed walking had to do!" Gracie said. "Eventually, I was able to add more intensity to my workouts with jogging."
When she was overweight, her diet wasn't in a good place, so she started making some changes there as well. "With food, I didn't go too strict on myself because if I had gone to strictly eating clean, knowing myself, I would've gotten tired of the meals quickly," she told POPSUGAR. "So I cooked the meals that I love, but found ways to make them healthier."
Over the next three years, Gracie gradually revamped her whole diet. Now she's able to say no to "temptation foods" like fast food or packaged goods, and she meal preps as often as possible. "These days, I am eating clean meals," she said. The healthier the food, the better she feels and the better she can train at the gym.
"Here are some examples of meals I have throughout the day: grilled chicken salads with balsamic dressing, white fish with brown rice and veggies, and egg whites and whole eggs in the morning," she explained, "as well as protein shakes."
Gracie also works her ass off at the gym, where she loves to lift weights. In one of her recent posts on Instagram, she wrote, "There's just SOMETHING about lifting weights. The way it makes you feel. The confidence it gives you. The energy you have leaving the gym. Just . . . everything. I love it💪🏻."
For anyone who feels discouraged about their weight-loss journey, Gracie advises, "My number one advice I love to give is always stay positive throughout the entire process and take it day by day! Never wait until Monday comes around. Start whenever because there will never be a more perfect time to start but NOW."
She has more than 500,000 followers on Instagram, so clearly she's inspiring many people with her incredible transformation. We can't wait to see what Gracie does next!
The Easy Eating Formula For Getting Rid of Body Fat
If you feel soft in the middle, you can either thank your mother for inheriting her blessed genetic predisposition for belly flab or your sweet kiddos who were created there. Whatever the reason, if you'd much rather have a sleeker midsection, as a mom of two, I can totally relate.
Although it's impossible to spot-reduce fat from specific areas, we've enlisted the help of Christmas Abbott, CrossFit competitor and author of The Badass Body Diet ($28), to help us ditch our pinch-more-than-an-inch tummies. As a formerly "skinny fat" woman who transformed her body through CrossFit and a dialed-in diet, Christmas understands how real women feel and also what they need to do to get the body they crave. "Food is your foundation, and fitness is the accessory," says Christmas. She believes that every meal and snack needs to embrace the macronutrient trifecta of proteins, carbs, and healthy fats to help reduce overall body fat, which will aid in reducing stubborn belly fat.
Christmas explains that all food can be categorized into a protein, a carbohydrate, or a fat. "You can't go wrong by dividing your plate into thirds and filling each section with a primo protein, primo carbohydrate, and primo fat." There are only two foods Christmas says to avoid - processed foods and alcohol - since these contribute to unwanted fat. If you want to know specifics about how many of each to eat, The Badass Body Diet outlines a diet plan based on your personal body type and goals.
What about exercise? Short, high-intensity training sessions are proven to help reduce belly fat faster than steady-state cardio. Below are some great examples of this type of workout.
- 45-minute walk-run-sprint interval workout for beginners
- 10-minute HIIT video from celeb trainer Astrid McGuire
- 60-minute walk-jog workout
- 7-minute workout that targets belly fat
- 20-minute full-body HIIT video workout
- 30-minute pyramid interval workout for the treadmill
- Tush-toning interval workout with hill repeats
And once the belly fat begins to dissolve, you'll want to reveal a carved, toned core with this 10-minute ab workout. Working out three times a week is great if you're starting out, then you can add additional days as your body becomes stronger. As a CrossFit competitor, Olympic lifter, and head trainer at CrossFit HQ, Christmas also makes a point that your workouts should be fun so you stick with them longer.
Instant Pot Your Way to Chicken and Dumplings in Just 7 Minutes
Imagine it's a cold wintry night and you've come home from a long day. You have a whole crowd to warm up and not much time. Here's a recipe you're definitely going to want to rescue you when that time strikes. Chicken and dumpling soup! Cozy, filling, creamy, and so decadent - everyone will be going in for seconds. Think of this recipe as chicken noodle soup's older much more mature sister. She's got a lot of depth, flavor, and texture that will send you over the moon. The best part is that it can all be made in an Instant Pot in just seven minutes cooking time. It's time to upgrade your soup and try this chicken and dumplings recipe out.
The Best Way to Roast Pumpkin Seeds
One of the highlights of Halloween is carving a pumpkin, both because it's a perfectly festive Fall activity, and because there's a delicious snack hidden inside these gourds. Instead of tossing out the seeds as you carve, reserve and then roast them; it's an incredibly easy process. All you need are the seeds, an oven, a half-sheet pan, some olive oil, and salt.
Shopping For a Suitcase? These Are the 7 Best Choices on Amazon
If you're on the hunt for a new suitcase, look no further than Amazon. The popular retailer carries an array of affordable and quality choices that you don't even have to leave the house to shop for. We found it all, from the site's own popular brand to names like Samsonite and Delsey. Ahead, you'll find seven worthwhile choices that are perfect for your next vacation. Keep scrolling to find your match.
The Top 25 Holiday Gifts That Will Be Flying Off the Shelves in 2018
Whether you like it or not, it's time to start thinking about the biggest task at hand for the holidays: gift shopping. We know it can be hard to find presents for the women in your life, so that's why we created the ultimate gift guide for you to browse through. These items are excellent for mothers, grandmothers, sisters, BFFs, friends, and any other gal you know. Whether she's a fashion girl, couch potato, techie, or makeup maven, we have something she'll be thrilled to receive.
Anthropologie's Holiday Decor Is Here, and We Want Every Cozy, Decadent Piece
Wave farewell to your savings, because Anthropologie has released holiday decor, and it's so damn whimsical and cozy we are losing our minds. From hand-blown embellished glass ornaments inspired by mermaids and cotton candy to luxurious faux fur stockings and tree skirts, Anthro is here to make your home a glistening Winter wonderland. It's a hygge holiday dream come true. See every single sequined, feathered, tasseled, and felted item ahead, and don't be surprised if you start humming Christmas carols under your breath.
20 Minutes Is All You Need to Fall in Love With This White Chicken Chili Instant Pot Recipe
Who says chili always has to be made with ground beef and tomato sauce? There are so many varieties of chili you can make that can be just as delicious and possibly even lighter. I think white chicken is amazing to try in your chili. Not only is it a leaner cut of meat, but you can even play around with the flavor profile of the dish, too.
Even though this white chicken chili is a play on the American classic, by no means does that mean it is not as hearty and warm to the soul. It's packed with protein, fiber, and, of course, lots of spices. So the next time you want to cozy up to bowl of chili, try this one out, and maybe it'll be a new favorite of yours. Bring the whole family together for this Instant Pot recipe too; that's if you have it in your heart to share something so good.
15 Houseplants That Can (Literally) Clean Your House
Household plants can help make any room seem more like home. Whether hung from a hanging basket, thoughtfully placed in a corner, or sitting on a windowsill, plants make any environment brighter. But did you know that household plants can also make the indoor air you breathe in healthier?
Back in 1989, NASA scientist B.C. "Bill" Wolverton carried out a study called The NASA Clean Air Study. Through this study, he conducted experiments to see if common household plants were able to purify the air of toxins. The findings were then released under a report titled "Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement," and the discoveries were fascinating. Wolverton concluded that many household plants did indeed hold the power to eliminate harmful toxins, such as formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and others. And although these names may not be part of your everyday vernacular, they are found virtually everywhere - plastics, rubbers, carpeting, glues, cleaning products, the list goes on. But how exactly does this happen?
"Plants filter the air in two ways - both physically and chemically," said Christopher Satch, head of plant science and education at The Sill. "Plants physically filter the air by acting as a dust cling. Living beings are statically charged and actually pull the dust out of the air. Ever notice how dusty your plants get compared to other objects? That's them doing a good job! Reward your plant by wiping it down so that it can cling more."
"Additionally, plants clean the air chemically," Satch said. "The objects that we interact with - computers, plastics, rubbers, paints, anything synthetic - breaks down over time and releases VOCs into the air like benzene and formaldehyde, which we breathe in. Plants literally rip these nasty compounds apart and turn them into inert CO2, water, and nitrogen gas. It's important to have plants in the home not only to improve your mental health and boost creativity, but also your physical health as well. Bear in mind that you will need several plants to be really effective."
If you are interested in learning more about the best plants to purchase to help purify your household air, then look no further. We pored over the NASA studies, looked through research, and connected with the brilliant plant experts at The Sill to help put together a list of 15 amazing air-purifying plants you can purchase today. Your urban oasis is just a click away.
This Couple Transformed a Dated Trailer Into a Dreamy Vacation Home on Wheels
Brianne, an RN, and Sean Walker, a firefighter and photographer, are a married couple living in San Diego with their three young children, and they also happen to be wizards when it comes to flipping trailers. Seriously, when you see how the Walkers transformed a "dark and stinky" RV into a bright and beautiful space that's both stylish and functional for a family of five, you'll be left asking, "When can I move in?" But as they'll attest, there was no magic involved, just a design-savvy vision and a helluva lot of elbow grease.
I asked the Walkers to share the story of how they got interested in renovating trailers (this isn't their first rodeo), what challenges they faced during the process of updating this one, the smart small-space tricks they incorporated, and their advice for anyone brave enough to take on fixing up a vacation home on wheels. Ahead, read what they told POPSUGAR via email, and see all the before and after photos of this mind-blowing renovation!
The 11 Trendiest Destinations to Visit This Fall, According to Experts
Fall is the sweet spot when booking a trip because, for many destinations, travelers will encounter fewer crowds, fun festivals, and pleasant weather. From Sweden to Argentina, India, and Bhutan, here's a list of the top 11 trending destinations to visit this Fall and why, according to travel experts.
14 Cute Maternity Essentials From Walmart - Starting at Just $5
There's something to be said about not having to spend a lot on maternity clothes
. It's likely a short period of time in your life, and the thought of spending more money than you need to on a piece you'll only wear for several months just isn't that enticing. We're happy to share that there are plenty of cute everyday options at Walmart for this very need. From your basic tunics to over-the-bump denim, these are our favorite maternity pieces from the retailer.
61 Costumes That Your "Too-Cool-For-Halloween" Teen Will Actually Want to Wear This Year
Just because your kid is already a teenager doesn't mean they're automatically going to be too old to indulge in some good ol' trick-or-treating, or, at the very least, attend a ghoulish party decorated in cobwebs and jack-o'-lanterns. So whether your high schooler will want to dress as something nostalgic and throwback (that potentially throws back to your childhood!), or they're more inspired by current pop culture happenings, we went through the spirited shelves and found 61 costumes that are perfect for All Hallows' Eve. We even have a few t-shirt and sweatshirt options if they're only willing to half commit.
Spend Your "Me Time" Away From the Kids by Burning One of These Swear Word Candles
Sometimes, when our kids are driving us nuts and parenting is getting to be all too much (i.e., around the same time every afternoon, amirite?), we find ourselves daydreaming of having five minutes alone - maybe to pee, maybe to take a bath, or maybe just to burn a candle and put on some soothing music so we can f*cking unwind.
Whether you're looking to buy a present for yourself or you want to gift a mom friend who could use some "me time" with a little something, these curse word candles are the perfect balance between finding your chi and letting it all out with a solid swear word. (You can find us on Etsy, buying one of each of these.)
8 Rules I Always Give My Kids During the Holiday Season
Christmas is hands down my favorite holiday. The season is filled with so much joy, everyone is in a good mood, and there are usually an abundance of cookies and treats wherever you turn. Children, especially, are in a permanent state of excitement, because they know that Santa Claus will be making a stop at their house soon to bring them wonderful presents.
While it's easy for kids to get totally wrapped up (pun intended) in the gift aspect of the holiday, I try my best to remind them that the holiday season is about so much more than getting their favorite toys. To do this, I give them a set of rules to follow every year so they don't lose sight of what Christmas is all about. Keep reading to see them all now.
Are You Ready? 24 Toddler Halloween Costumes That Are Just Too Cute
If you knocked it out of the park with Halloween costumes when your little one was still spending Halloween in a stroller, you have your work cut out for you - you don't want to disappoint when they get older. Get ahead of the game this year, and sort out your family's costume plans early. We have 24 on-trend ideas that should help.
I Put Ice Cubes in My Dryer Instead of Ironing My Clothes, and the Result Blew My Mind
Although I own an iron and ironing board, they've pretty much been collecting dust in my closet over the years, and I've never been happier. Through a really "cool" hack (pun intended, and you'll understand it in just a moment) I've learned to do with my dryer, I haven't had to iron in years. And nope, I'm really not kidding!
By simply placing two to three ice cubes in your dryer and setting it on high heat for just a few minutes, the wrinkles in your clothes smooth out. By doing this, your dryer is essentially steaming your clothes, because the ice cubes melt into water, and it becomes hot enough to create steam. The steam mixed with the hot temperature takes the place of what an iron does. Just try not to overload your dryer, because this hack works best when you're working with just a few articles of clothing.
This fantastic hack is perfect if you are in a rush, busy, or if, like me, you hate ironing with a passion. When you have endless loads of laundry to do with kids, this can seriously save your sanity. And unlike other "hacks" that don't live up to the hype, this tested method actually works.
13 Cozy Walmart Products That Will Make You Stop Shouting "I'm So F*cking Cold" Every Winter
No one likes being cold. Whether it's wet socks from those huge snow banks you had to walk through on your way to work, or the draft in your house that always seems to find you when you're relaxing on the couch, feeling the bite of Winter can be brutal. Make this the year you vow to get ahead of those goosebumps. From heated socks to flannel sheets that heat up, we have 13 items that will make anyone feel ultracozy.
21 Advent Calendars For the Whole Family - Some Even Have Wine!
When it comes to getting the most bang for your buck during the holiday season, it's hard to beat the practicality of an Advent calendar. It's a single item that you buy once yet get to open for anywhere from 12 to 24 days. Plus, you can set it out as decor, making all of December fun, as opposed to just specific days of the month. Whether you want to fill one yourself for the little ones or are hoping to unwrap decadent sweets - or even wine - for yourself, here are the top 21 options for the year. Star Wars included, of course.
Gisele Bündchen Admits a Part of Her "Died" When First Becoming a Mom
While promoting her recent book, Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life, in an exclusive interview with People, Gisele Bündchen wasn't afraid to speak honestly about her not-so-easy transition to motherhood. And frankly, her candid take is super refreshing.
"When I became a mom, I kind of lost myself. It was like a part of me died," the 38-year-old mom of two admitted. "I'd been this very independent person. It was all about me. But now I had this little being, and I suddenly felt I couldn't do other things and that was very hard for me. All I ever wanted was to be a mom, but when you're actually experiencing that, it's a shock."
Gisele opened up about a classic conundrum most parents face: all-encompassing guilt about leaving their kids at home.
"I had all this horrible, self-imposed guilt. I thought what a terrible mother I was for leaving my child even for like a day," she said, explaining that the stress of bringing them on work trips was also hard to manage. "I was feeling guilty for that too. Like, 'Here we are on a plane and the baby is crying.'"
She also mentioned that after watching the kids for the bulk of the day - from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. - she didn't always have a ton of patience or energy left by the time the sun went down. And obviously, that routine can make navigating the ins and outs of marriage a little trickier.
"You're overwhelmed and tired and then you're not the nicest partner," she said, adding that hurdles like the Deflategate scandal in 2015 and husband Tom Brady's decision not to retire were especially tough. "When someone you love is happy, it makes you happy, or if they're sad it makes you sad. You suffer with them and you have joy with them."
Costco’s Halloween Costumes Will Have You Braving the Crowds Just to Get 1
Next time you head to the membership-only behemoth that is Costco to stock up on toilet paper and Tylenol, be sure to put your trick-or-treating hat on, too. The store is stocked with Halloween decor and costumes, and it's putting us in a spooky mood. From fireman get-ups for the little one to floor-grazing capes for adults, check out what's available online.
I’m a Special Needs Mom, and This Is Why I Hate Birthday Parties
When my girls were babies, I insisted on having elaborate birthday parties for them. Every year, I agonized about decorations, themes, guest lists, and food, while my friends with older kids would kindly hint that I should take it down a notch. They'd say things like, "The kids won't remember them anyway" and "Why waste the money and go through the hassle?" Still, I didn't listen. I wanted everyone I knew to celebrate my children. We'd invite almost everyone we knew, and the chaos and noise always ended up exhausting - and even frightening - our birthday girl.
When the girls were in preschool, we tried hosting smaller groups, but that just felt exclusive in the invite-the-whole-class culture. We also tested out various birthday party package deals at offsite locations, all of which were ridiculously expensive and not much easier to manage. When I did finally figure out that throwing these parties was a huge money waster and time suck, my kids were old enough to really, really want them. I was stuck.
Parties can be difficult and overwhelming for her at best, and downright dangerous at worst. She can't safely navigate bouncy houses or climb walls and tree houses without someone to help her.
Our younger daughter, Freyja, also has a severe physical disability, which was a lot easier to manage at said parties when she was small. Everyone was crawling or toddling around with her, and she was light and easy to carry when needed. We partied on without giving her needs much thought, but as she got older, that changed.
By the time she was in kindergarten, throwing parties completely overwhelmed me, but I did it anyway, because it's what my kids wanted. After a lot of trial and error, we'd ended up more or less back where we'd started: inviting everyone to our house for a couple hours of stressful chaos. But after the most recent of these, as I closed the door behind the last departing child, I vowed that would be the last party we'd ever host. And it was, but still, the invites from classmates and friends kept coming.
For most people, attending other people's parties should be easier than hosting, but for us it's not. Having an elementary school-aged child with a serious physical disability makes attending able-bodied kids' parties very challenging for two reasons. First, parties – especially package-based offsite parties – seem to be designed not only to keep the children busy, but to thoroughly exhaust them, so they're packed full of one physical activity after another. And the locations are almost never accessible, which means if my daughter is to participate, she needs someone – usually me - to help her, and at her age, she no longer wants anyone's help. Second, parties are almost always drop-off. This means that not only does my kid not want me there, but the parents don't want me there, either. Since I'm an introvert, this would usually be ideal, but with Freyja, I have to be there to watch and help her.
And I won't stop bringing her to these parties, because she absolutely adores them. She loves to socialize and be with her friends, but now that she's in first grade, she wants to do all of this without me. And who can blame her? However, because of her disability, she walks with a walker on her most energetic days and uses a wheelchair when she's fatigued. Parties can be difficult and overwhelming for her at best, and downright dangerous at worst. She can't safely navigate bouncy houses or climb walls and tree houses without someone to help her. I feel like the Grinch telling her she can't go, so I suck it up. But not without complaining about how unaccommodating they usually are to myself.
The last birthday party we went to was a perfect example of why I hate them so much. It was at a big indoor gym full of bouncy houses, elaborate rope and tire swings, colorful ball pits, and a labyrinthian climbing structure to scale and slide down. It was an able-bodied first grader's dream come true kind of party, and Freyja wanted to go. I called the location to see if it was accessible and was told it wasn't and that no one on their staff was equipped to assist my daughter. They strongly recommended I attend with her, so I reluctantly reached out to the family to make sure it was OK that I tag along. It was, so we went.
I was the only non-relative adult there. No one talked to me. I tried to make myself invisible, standing in a corner watching Freyja interact with the other kids, ready to spring into action to help her at any moment, and pretending it was the most ordinary thing in the world to be the only mom hanging around this party while the birthday girl's parents, grandparents, and extended family stood together on the other side of the room chatting.
The first activity was a series of bouncy houses, which are both irresistible and terrifying for Freyja, who has terrible balance and struggles with vestibular issues. If she moves backwards too quickly, she gets dizzy and disoriented, and she isn't strong enough to right herself when another kid bounces too close. I moved to get on the line with the kids, but Freyja wouldn't let me approach. She didn't want my help. "No, mama!" she yelled at me. She was embarrassed. She pointed back toward the wall where the birthday girl's family stood. "You stay over there with the grownups. I want to do this by myself!"
She couldn't do this by herself. I wanted to respect her wishes, but I was afraid for her safety. It was her turn, and I didn't know what to do, so I stood there for a moment, while everyone watched and waited. We were both relieved when the birthday girl's fourth-grade sister – the oldest kid of the bunch - left her place in line to help. Freyja let this girl she'd never met help her into the bouncy house as I watched from the sidelines, grateful that she saved us, at least for that activity.
Society as a whole should be more aware of and thoughtful towards people's physical differences. So little is truly inclusive.
Proving my theory that parties like this one were designed to poop the kids out, the activities were spread out over three different floors accessible by staircase, and there was a new activity every fifteen to twenty minutes. Just as Freyja was getting settled in the routine of the bouncy houses, one of the staff members blew a whistle and the entire horde of children went tearing up a flight of stairs, moving on to the next thing. My daughter stood still, unsure of what was happening. I knew there was an elevator somewhere, but it was so far away from the fun that Freyja would have lost precious party time walking over and waiting for it. I also knew that she didn't want to be carried up and down the stairs like a baby, but the railing was too tall for her to climb them safely alone. I didn't want to carry her and her walker up and down the stairs anymore than she wanted me to, but it seemed like our only option.
The birthday girl's family watched as we struggled. I knew they weren't sure whether to help or let me do it alone. I'm never sure either. Help from others is sometimes not very helpful at all, but resisting help makes me feel like a martyr, which is such an ugly feeling that I've trained myself to allow people to pitch in whenever they offer. It makes everyone feel better about the situation, at least in the moment, and allows us all to save face. But now, no one moved, and for a moment I felt rage flare up inside me as I watched them watch me, hating them, hating everyone involved for being so ableist, for having an easy option for their kid's party that was anything but easy for me and my kid.
I know this is not anyone's fault. Birthday parties are hard for everyone, and the fact that they're harder for Freyja and me is nothing personal. Nobody chose specifically to have a party that would be difficult for us, but society as a whole should be more aware of and thoughtful towards people's physical differences. Everything is either ableist or it's adaptive. So little is truly inclusive. I resent being told a place is accessible when it turns out that we have to use the back door, or take the freight elevator, or they forgot about the three stairs up, or the doorway is not wide enough, or the chairs sturdy enough. These institutions and businesses either retrofitted as an afterthought because they were legally required to, or not at all, and I navigate them anyway to accompany my child into what should be a kid-only zone she deserves to play in without me. And because it's not on anyone's radar other than my own to provide an option that works well for my child, I resent being put in the position of having to announce her disability everywhere we go, having to apologize for inconveniencing them by her presence and mine, and feeling somehow obligated to make everyone else feel comfortable and selfless for hosting the crippled kid.
I was thinking about this as I stood at the bottom of the steps, strategizing. I was sweating. Eventually, the birthday girl's uncle – a well-intentioned man I did not know – ran over to help us. It felt like an eternity had passed when we finally caught up to the next activity, this time a jungle gym of netting, ropes, mats, and 14 hyper kiddos, screaming excitedly to each other. Freyja, immediately over the indignity of being carried up the stairs, screamed, too, wide-eyed with anticipation. I put her down and righted her in her walker, and she ran toward her pals. This time she let me come with her, and as I lifted her body and put her into the netting with her friends, I felt a crazy surge of love for my kid. She made it to the top level and slid down the curved slide by herself, shrieking with joy, landing in a foam ball pit and forgetting her differences just for a moment. And in that moment, my anger evaporated, too, because I knew she felt like a part of the gang. In that moment, and just for that moment, it was all worth it.
Girl Writes Letter to Tooth Fairy Asking For Proof, and, Welp, Her Parents Are F*cked
Everyone thinks their kid is brilliant, sure, but Kristen Hewitt might not be exaggerating when she claims that her 9-year-old daughter Lila is.
The Miami-based mom had tiptoed into her 6-year-old daughter Emy's room to play the part of Tooth Fairy when she discovered a note from Lila.
"She hijacked our little one's tooth fairy visit and is asking for proof," Kristen wrote in a Facebook post alongside the letter - which was written in both script and print styles in case the fairy "can't read cursive."
Turns out, Lila demanded the tooth fairy use her iPad - she even provided the password - to "take a selfie" as a form of verification.
Kristen, as any parent in such a predicament would, panicked.
"My husband and I talked about me putting on a wig, wings, and adding a bright light behind me to actually take a selfie," she admitted. She also looked into tooth fairy apps, but those "just made the lie even worse." She decided to write a note back:
"I went with the old line, 'What's an iPad?!' because a note from Tabitha the Tooth Fairy totally isn't lying," she wrote sarcastically.
Although she said she felt guilty about carrying on the ruse with these mythical creatures, she is going to hold out a little longer before revealing the truth.
"This is the magical part of childhood I love SO much," she said. "Th unexpected ways their minds work, their curiosity, their trust, and their pure innocence."
And their tooth fairy interrogation skills, of course.
Why I Won't Let My Daughter Dress Up as Just Another Disney Princess For Halloween
One of the most exciting parts of being a mom is getting to experience the holidays through your children's eyes. There are a few early years where you don't have to worry about a power struggle over Halloween costumes, but once your child is able to voice their opinion, it's tough to tell them "no" when they have their heart set on something. And while I'm not entirely shutting down my eldest daughter's costume request this year, I do have some parameters.
[I told her that] dressing up as something nobody else will be dressed in would make her feel more like an actual princess. I want to encourage her to be as creative as she can.
I've always loved the fact that Halloween allows you to be something or someone else for a night. When I was growing up, I made sure my costumes were not only unique from my everyday self, but also different from every other costume I would see while out trick-or-treating. I never wanted to wear store-bought outfits, and it's something I hoped my daughter wouldn't want, either, especially since I love a good DIY challenge. She wears her Elsa costume from Frozen all year long, so for Halloween, I want her to dream bigger. But this year, we're already having an issue.
First, she said she wanted to be a princess. When I asked her what kind of princess she wanted to be, in hopes this would get both our creative juices flowing to make her ordinary choice extraordinary, her answer was "Elsa!" Instead of saying "OK" right away, I decided to have a conversation with her. I told her that Elsa is a really cool princess, is strong and smart, and has supercool ice powers, but what's also pretty cool is dressing up as something nobody else will be dressed in, which would make her feel more like an actual princess.
She didn't immediately shut me down, so I know there's some wiggle room. I told her that maybe we can come up with our own type of princess - one that carries a sword, has a magical dolphin friend, and wears light-up sneakers. I do still think it should be her choice now that she has her own interests and opinions, but I want to encourage her to be as creative as she can on the one night anything goes. I did make her wear a sparkling sushi roll on her first Halloween, complete with matching family costumes of dad as a sushi chef and mom as a bottle of soy sauce, so I know I owe her one in the costume choice department (it was really cute, though). And if she is truly longing to be Elsa, Elsa she will be. But I'll be dammed if I just let any ordinary Elsa go door-to-door asking for candy on Oct. 31. If she still chooses the Disney princess, she'll be the most amped Elsa they've ever seen. And it will be because we worked on her costume together, making it totally unique to her.
14 Creative Gifts For the Mom Who Always Has a Wine Glass in Her Hand
Everyone has their "thing" - that subject that they're really passionate about. Some people are foodies. Others can't stop decorating their home. And, well, some people are flat out winos. If there's someone in your life who sips reds in the Winter, Rosé in the Summer, and whites only in very specific situations, then this is the gift guide for you. We found 14 unique presents for the one in your life who likes their varietals.
Kate Middleton Approved of Pippa's Maternity Coat Without Even Having to Say a Word
Pippa Middleton, who's been flaunting her sophisticated maternity style for months, stepped out in London wearing a blue felt coat from The Fold with a center sash and pockets. She let a graphic-print dress peek out from underneath, a move her sister, Kate, has been known to make. But when we laid eyes on Pippa, we were instantly reminded of a cobalt Goat jacket Kate sported during her own pregnancy with Louis in February 2018. The shades of their Fall-friendly outerwear are nearly identical, and Kate's design even featured a wrap-effect collar.
While we highly doubt Kate and Pippa sat on the phone discussing the best color of coat to invest in, sapphire is a look that's worked for Kate time and time again, and we're sure Pippa's taken note through the years. Read on to see how Pippa accessorized her own ensemble with white low-top sneakers, Ray-Ban sunglasses, and her stunning engagement ring, then check out Kate's iteration and see all the times Kate and Pippa have been on the same wavelength before, at least from a style standpoint. While Pippa's number is sold out, we rounded up some similar pieces for you to shop too.
Kendall Jenner's Minidress Gives Off Renaissance Vibes in the Best Way Possible
See ya later, '90s and '80s fashion! Kendall Jenner's throwing it way back with her Fall fashion look - like all the way back to the 14th century. The 22-year-old model recently stepped out for the Ninth-Annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in Los Angeles and chose a powder-blue, round-neck Philosophy Di Lorenzo minidress, cinched tight around the middle with a corset-like appearance. Factor in the floral detail with subtle puffed sleeves, and you've got yourself a Renaissance fashion vibes - but this powerful lady's waiting for no one.
Kendall paired her daring minidress with modern accessories like her white slingback heels, a By Far leather shoulder bag ($365), and Peter and May sunglasses. Ahead, see more snaps of Kendall's sweet and sultry ensemble, for your own closet inspiration.
All the Stylish Coats We're Buying For Less Than $100
When investing in a new coat for the season, you'll want to be sure it's something you love and can mix and match with everything. That said, one thing you don't have to do is overspend. While there are so many luxe pieces to shop, there are also tons of stylish and affordable finds worth owning. We went on a mission to uncover this season's best coats that cost less than $100. From fuzzy leopard prints to chic plaid choices, you won't be disappointed. Keep scrolling to shop our favorites.
Great Fall Jackets Don't Have to Break the Bank - We've Got Proof!
Jacket season is officially alive and well. Whether you're braving dropping temperatures or blasting AC in the office, having a chic, comfortable jacket on hand is a must. Right now, we're inspired by seasonal fabrics like denim and corduroy, as well as chic, sophisticated silhouettes. But the best part about finding a great jacket is when you can score one that still keeps your wallet smiling; these 10 picks are all under $50, so shop ahead!
Queen Elizabeth's Wedding Guest Outfits All Have 1 Thing in Common - Have You Noticed?
As one of the longest-reigning monarchs in the world, it's fair to say that Queen Elizabeth II has had time to perfect her wedding guest style. Even as a young princess, Elizabeth always looked demure yet incredibly elegant, and sometimes quite glamorous. But as the years went by, she developed her penchant for the bright and colorful ensembles that she is now known for.
However, there is one thing in particular that's never changed: the addition of pearls to her wedding guest outfits. In fact, Queen Elizabeth is very rarely seen without her three-strand pearl necklace, which, according to Leslie Field, author of The Queen's Jewels, was a gift from her grandfather George V for his Silver Jubilee in 1935. And it's easy to see why.
After all, pearls are an elegant, feminine, and classic accessory and immediately add a sophisticated flair to an outfit - just ask Kate Middleton. Ahead, read on to see all the outfits Queen Elizabeth has ever worn to weddings, including the one of Princess Diana's parents and the one of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Our 31 Favorite Fall Sweaters of 2018 Are Cute and Cozy
As soon as there's a chill in the air, my massive sweater collection comes out of hiding. Much like shoes, you can never have enough sweaters. This year my pile of knits is going to turn into a mountain because there are so many pretty new choices. Whether you like a loose off-the-shoulder cut or a bold, vibrant pattern, you'll be impressed by these picks. They're both stylish and comfortable, so you'll want to live in these cozy options all Fall long. Take a look at our top sweaters for the season and stock up on a few before they disappear. They're equally great for work and weekends, so think of them as a smart investment.
I Copied Someone Else's Street Style For a Week, and Guess What? I Didn't Love It
Just like you, I can click through street style shots for inspiration all day. But how many women actually challenge themselves to re-create the looks they admire that get photographed on the street at Fashion Week? Could this be an easy task to take on without shopping at all? I had to know.
After NYFW wrapped in September, I browsed through shots of editors, influencers, and models and chose outfits I liked that I could actually picture myself wearing. I stayed away from over-the-top, avant-garde dresses or outerwear that didn't feel like "me" and arrived at six Fall ensembles I could make my own. I didn't try to match up everything perfectly. After all, I was going about this without purchasing new pieces for my closet.
Instead, I took away certain little hacks (like wearing embellished socks with Mary Janes or layering a wrap dress over jeans) and pulled them off my way. Ultimately, I came to two conclusions: the first is that I have so many clothes I never wear! When I saw Farfetch's Yasmin Sewell in her pink blazer, I thought, "Wait, I have a pink blazer too, albeit slightly different in shade, that I haven't worn since 2014!" And I'm sure that if you dared yourself to copy these looks, or any looks for that matter, you'd find yourself reaching for old jackets and skirts you forgot about too.
But I also realized something else: I feel most proud to wear a combination I dreamed up myself. I think it's awesome to find that two different women can take on the same trend in two very different ways, don't get me wrong. But as I stepped out of the house each day, I sort of felt like I was flaunting someone else's great discovery. When people gave me compliments at work - they loved that I paired my graphic-print dress with the aforementioned '80s vintage blazer, for example - I thought to myself, "Uh-huh, that was Yasmin Sewell's idea."
I didn't expect to feel this way, trust me. But this experiment reminded me of the reason I fell in love with fashion in the first place: fashion allows YOU to be the inventor; to be a creator, even if you aren't an artist, per se. I enjoy the process of picking out something I like at the store, trying it on, bringing it home, and welcoming it into my wardrobe to be coordinated with whatever the hell I'm in the mood for. I want to call the shots. When someone tells me they like how I styled my look, I want to feel good about taking all the credit.
That doesn't mean that I didn't have fun trying to emulate the gorgeous ladies ahead, and it also doesn't mean that you won't like to get dressed with a "Pinterest board" of sorts. In fact, sourcing street style might be the perfect way to get ready in the morning for some of you. There is, of course, room to reinterpret what you see and make it work for you. Plus, this tactic is definitely a time saver in the morning when you're staring at your closet and you don't know where to start, I won't deny it.
Let me show you how I went about my daily routine each morning, all starting with one snapshot and the clothes I already owned. My outfits might not be 100 percent original if you want to be matter of fact about it, but at the end of the day, what is fashion if not one big cycle of trends that are refreshed and reinterpreted by us all, season after season, day after day?
Need Some Outfit Inspiration? Try One of These 17 Cool Fall Jackets
Jackets are our one Fall staple. They complete our outfits and make us look polished, even if we're just rocking basic jeans and a T-shirt. No matter how many jackets you have in your closet, you could always use another. This season, try a mix of trendy pieces like teddy coats and classic staples, aka your go-to leather jacket. Happy shopping!
Believe It or Not, These 15 Adorable Jackets Are All Less Than $100
It's time to face the fact that those cold gusts of wind are coming, and you need to be prepared. If you aren't fully stocked up on cute jackets, now is the time to get shopping. We searched every corner of the internet to find the very best options at affordable prices. Shop our editor-approved choices and invest in something new.
32 Ways to Wear Plaid That Are So Very 2018
Calling plaid a trend is a little like saying denim is having a moment. Jeans will always be a thing, just like plaid always seems to be in our wardrobe rotation. Still, admittedly, there's an uptick in checks and tartans lately. The traditional prints may not be groundbreaking, but the styling is. With nods to our middle school uniforms, Cher Horowitz, and the iconic Burberry plaid, the sartorially with-it women of the world are giving us new ways to bring the pattern into 2018. Some rely on subtlety, others layer on the look in multiple pieces and colors. In each of these 32 cases, the effect is refreshed. So, while the print is nothing new, you can certainly sell your friends on the new-ish appeal it has when worn with dad sneakers, rainbow-bright hues, and many, many mixed prints.
Here, discover the ways to upgrade your plaid game.
100+ Brides Wearing Their Real Wedding Gowns - It's All the Inspiration You Need
You've made the biggest wedding decision so far - you said yes to a partner for life - so why is choosing a wedding dress tripping you up so much? It might feel like a lot of pressure to find a gown that fits your personality and style and makes you feel like yourself at your very best. With so many styles out there, we're telling you there's a perfect match for you somewhere. These 100+ brides are proof of that.
Their picks range from short to very long, from cap-sleeved to bell-sleeved, and even from white to black, and no matter what, they made their wearers feel beautiful on their big day. Looking through these photos is sure to bring some inspiration for your very own wedding dress.
10 New Topshop Dresses Our Shopping Editors Are Loving For Fall
Have a seat - Topshop just released a ton of new Fall dresses. The fashion retailer always has its finger on the pulse of each season's hottest trends, and we're so excited to take advantage of its latest designs. Whether you want something comfy and casual or detailed and formal, we found an option for every occasion. Shop through our Autumn must haves before they're out of stock.
26 Outfits That Prove Sequins Are Actually Really Easy to Wear
Yes, it's easy to wear a sequined gown if you're going out to a fancy dinner or a gala, but when you're trying to incorporate sparkle into your everyday wear, it gets a bit tricky. If you're looking for a way to give your outfit a fun, shimmery spin, it's time to give sequins a shot.
After looking at these street style outfits, you'll quickly realize that it's actually pretty easy to wear sequins in the daytime. From a crisp white blouse paired with a pink sequined skirt to a strapless sparkly dress worn over a pair of jeans, we're counting down 26 ways you can wear sequins this season. Read on to take a look and get inspired.
11 Work Tops That Will Make You Excited to Head For the Office - All Under $50
Picking out an outfit for work can be ridiculously hard - sometimes people spend hours mulling over what to wear. That's where we come in. We curated a collection of the cutest office-appropriate tops for under $50. Shop our favorite picks and get something new for yourself. It will be so much easier to get ready in the morning.
9 Velvet Dresses That Are Going to Be the MVP of Your Fall Closet
Velvet has come back to the collective consciousness as a luxurious yet ultimately wearable fabric. It's the perfect choice for a Fall outfit. This season, we're loving slip dresses and asymmetrical hemlines, plus rich, deep hues. These are the nine velvet dresses we can't wait to wear, and we think you'll love them too.
Reformation Teamed Up With a Chic European Label to Create Your Dream Fall Shoes
It's no secret that we love all things Reformation. But its latest launch has us seeing stars and reaching for our wallets. It has collaborated with By Far, the cult-favorite Bulgarian shoe brand that's been spotted on the likes of Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Priyanka Chopra. No big deal. The collection of shoes includes chic lace-up boots, modern mules, and a silver sandal that's made for dancing. This collection is sure to sell out quickly, so start shopping!
31 Celebrity Couples Who've Already Made Their Love Official This Year
Last year was certainly the year of love, given how many celebrity couples tied the knot, but 2018 definitely seems to be the year of surprise weddings. In January, Ellen Page shocked us all when she revealed on social media that she secretly tied the knot with dancer Emma Portner. That same month, Ricky Martin also casually revealed in an interview that he and Jwan Yosef had already exchanged vows, and then Amy Schumer wed chef Chris Fischer in a star-studded beach ceremony after almost three months of dating. I guess when you know, you really know, right?
From the surprising nuptials to the more over-the-top affairs - Harry and Meghan, we're looking at you - keep scrolling to see all the happy couples who've gotten hitched in 2018, so far.
Related: Is It Hot in Here or Is It Just These Sexy Celebrity PDA Moments?
Why the Reveal of Maggie's Son on The Walking Dead Is Especially Bittersweet
Warning: Minor, terribly sad spoilers for the season nine premiere of The Walking Dead below!
In a break from the norm, The Walking Dead's season nine premiere doesn't make us sit through the gut-wrenching death of a beloved character. Instead, we get to silently, morbidly cheer as Maggie finally puts an end to Gregory's devious plans at sabotage once and for all by sentencing him to the gallows. But that's not to say that the episode doesn't have us feeling emotional for another reason.
Before Maggie gets revenge on her Hilltop rival in the Greg Nicotero-directed premiere, "A New Beginning" finally introduces us to her bouncing baby boy with her late husband, Glenn: little Hershel Rhee. After what seemed like an eternity of pregnancy, the zombie drama (wisely) chooses to skip over Maggie's delivery altogether and pick up with her two-person family when adorable Hershel is already a few months old (and reportedly "a little stinker," according to Maggie).
If you've been a loyal fan of The Walking Dead since the start, then Maggie's choice in name for her son shouldn't come as a surprise; it is, of course, in honor of her late father, Hershel Greene. The former vet and widowed owner of the Georgia farm where Rick and company arrive in season two stayed on the show until the mid-season premiere of the fourth season, in which he's heartlessly decapitated by the governor in front of his family outside the prison.
What makes the nod to the character even more bittersweet is that the actor who played Hershel, Scott Wilson, passed away at the age of 76 on Saturday night, just a day before the show's premiere.
"Scott will always be remembered as a great actor, and we all feel fortunate to have known him as an even better person," AMC said in a statement over the weekend. "The character he embodied on The Walking Dead, Hershel, lived at the emotional core of the show. Like Scott in our lives, Hershel was a character whose actions continue to inform our characters' choices to this day. Our hearts go out to his wife, family, friends and to the millions of fans who loved him. Scott will be missed."
Now, excuse us as we watch this GIF on repeat and sob for a few more hours.
Wondering What Happens to King Ezekiel in The Walking Dead's Comics? Here's What to Know
Image Source: AMC
It feels like we've only just met the charismatic King Ezekiel on The Walking Dead, and we're already terrified of losing him. Carol and Morgan meet the charismatic leader at a new community called the Kingdom in season seven's "The Well"; this settlement is a little more rose-tinted than Rick's Alexandria or Negan's Sanctuary. In fact, Carol insists Ezekiel is selling his people a fairy tale. But as we know in the universe of The Walking Dead, nothing stays pristine for too long, and the Kingdom is already organizing with Rick to take down the Saviors.
Now that season nine has premiered, Ezekiel has become an important and integral character within the show - not only does his community help strengthen the group as a whole, but his romantic relationship with Carol provides some much-needed sweet, corny moments in each episode. It's the latter development that has us so worried, in fact; we've watched TWD too long to know that a character professing their love for another is almost always foreshadowing their own painful death.
If you can't wait to see what becomes of him, we're outlining everything that happens in The Walking Dead comic books.
Now, we know that King Ezekiel is well acquainted with the Saviors. In fact, he was already participating in Negan's infamous "arrangement," where his men come and take a share of nearby groups' supplies on a frequent basis. In the comic books, King Ezekiel becomes romantically entangled with Michonne, not Carol. Like in the show, he also teams up with Rick and the members of the Hilltop community to take Negan and the Saviors down. Together, they launch a massive attack on the Saviors' main compound, but they're quickly overwhelmed by Negan's men. After the attack, Ezekiel attempts to overtake another Savior compound and tragically loses Shiva to a hoard of walkers.
As the casualties pile up in the brutal war with the Saviors, Ezekiel loses his footing as a leader. He spirals into a depression. He eventually recovers in time to help everyone fight off the Saviors when they attack Hilltop. This is the last big battle among all the groups once Negan is finally taken into custody. King Ezekiel returns home to the Kingdom, and Michonne goes along with him.
Image Source: Image Comics
So, how does King Ezekiel meet his tragic end? At one point, Michonne leaves him, and upon hearing that her feelings for him are still there, Ezekiel goes after her. (In the season nine premiere, Carol tells him that although she loves him, she needs to stay behind in the Sanctuary to help Daryl run things, rather than return home to the Kingdom with him.) Ezekiel eventually encounters Alpha, the leader of a terrifying new group called the Whisperers. Alpha decapitates Ezekiel and puts his head on a wooden stake. He's later discovered by Rick and the rest of the group.
If you thought that was the end of Ezekiel's nightmare, there's just a bit more. Perhaps the most tragic part is that Ezekiel's head reanimates while it's on the stake. So, when everyone encounters him, his head has become that of a walker's. Michonne, overwhelmed with emotion, can't bring herself to finish him off. So, Andrea (who's still alive in the comics) steps forward and does it instead.
Image Source: Image Comics
To put this storyline into perspective in terms of the show, the Whisperers are definitely going to emerge at some point this season. Diehard fans were quick to call out the connection when the show's official Instagram posted a snap of a severed head on a stake just before the season seven premiere two years ago - doesn't the snap look eerily like the frame of Ezekiel's head in the comics?! In July 2018 it was revealed that Samantha Morton will play Alpha, and Sons of Anarchy star Ryan Hurst has been cast to play Beta, second in command of the Whisperers. Ozark's Cassady McClincy was also recently cast to play Lydia, Alpha's daughter.
So, there you have it! King Ezekiel may be making us all swoon with his romantic overtures to Carol now, but there's a high chance his death will be just as bleak as the rest of the apocalypse.
Articles
