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.
mercredi 16 janvier 2019
Mindy Kaling Bought Gabrielle Union a Luxury Baby Gift, but LOL, She Says It "Paled in Comparison"
In an Instagram Story all about the books her and her 1-year-old daughter Katherine love to read together, Mindy Kaling slipped in a very casual comment about Oprah Winfrey gifting Katherine with a baby library. Celebrity friends, amirite?
Thanks to her partnership with Protein One, snack bars that are perfect for "snack emergencies," I was able to chat with Mindy further about some of the best gifts she was given from celebrities for Katherine, when she mentioned a sweet gift she remembers being very grateful to receive.
"Shonda Rhimes sent over about nine of the most classy, beautiful Ralph Lauren outfits for my daughter. That was an insane gift," Mindy told POPSUGAR. "There are only a couple of people in this industry that I've felt confident enough to write to ask them questions about my career and how they do things, and she was someone who [actually wrote back to me]. I adore Shonda, besides just loving her TV shows, and then she sent all those clothes over and they're the most high-end, beautiful clothes. I love clothes, too, so I was very impressed and grateful for that . . . I was floored. It was awesome."
"I was like, OK, well, my gift clearly pales in comparison to this."
When it comes to giving baby gifts herself, Mindy's also a fan of going the fashion route. Most recently, she said she was excited to get a gift for Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade, who welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Kaavia, back in November.
"It's funny," she said. "For Gabrielle Union's baby - who is the world's cutest baby - I sent over a Dolce & Gabbana dress and shoes, and was like, 'Whoa, this is going to rock her world' - both the baby's and Gab's (and Dwyane Wade might even comment on how cool this is!) - and was so excited. And then she showed me the kinds of presents she was getting - I mean, when you're Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade, the kinds of presents that you're getting on the regular . . . I forget which celebrity sent them, like, six Fendi outfits for Kaavia, but I was like, OK, well, my gift clearly pales in comparison to this."
11 Big Teddy Bears to Give Your Little Ones This Valentine's Day
If you're anything like me, your little one is at the top of your Valentine's Day list. It's always nice to see their faces light up with a surprise gift on Feb. 14. And since you're not likely to buy your kids flowers (can you see the eye rolling now?), the next classic Valentine's Day gifts are jewelry and sweets. But why not think bigger (literally) and get them one of these huge teddy bears instead? Not only will your kids enjoy playing and cuddling with them, but these oversize stuffed animals are something the entire family can enjoy. Keep reading for some of the best big ol' teddy bears on the market, and get ready for your kids to thank you with a - yes - bear hug.
Shopping For a Baby Monitor? See What's Topping the Chart on Amazon
If you've started thinking about must-have items for your baby, the long lists of things to buy can feel overwhelming (do you really need those bath toys right away?). One thing you'll likely have a hard time arguing against, however, is the baby monitor. Being able to check on your baby regularly from anywhere in the house is incredibly useful - it means you can do so without waking them up unnecessarily, and it offers you peace of mind. See what monitors lead the pack on Amazon.
These Rainbow PJs Had a 6,000-Person Wait List, but You Can Get a Pair Right Now!
If you were to tell me there was a 6,000-person wait list for something, I'd imagine it was for a similarly priced designer handbag or a first-class ticket on a space shuttle to the moon. I would not, at any point, imagine that thousands of people were virtually lining up for a pair of baby PJs.
But that's just what they did. And, after one look at them, I can honestly see why. The coveted "Rainbow Heart" pajamas from Primary - the children's clothing company known for its simple, high-quality, gender-neutral styles in a rainbow of colors - are downright adorable and affordable. Retailing for $20, the newly launched footed PJs are made with 100-percent combed cotton and feature handy nonskid soles. Even better, if your kiddo has graduated the 24-month sizing, the brand also released PJ separates in the same print for sizes two through 12, with a total cost of just $32.
Because everyone on the wait list was notified immediately after they debuted on the site this weekend, I don't imagine they'll stay in stock for long.
This Is Bronson the Cat - He’s Nearly 30 Pounds, Has Thumbs, and Is About to Be Your New Obsession
When Bronson the cat met his new owners, Mike and Megan, he weighed 33 pounds and was in their local Humane Society shelter because his previous owner had passed away. Because Mike and Megan were drawn to Bronson immediately and fell in love with him just as quickly, they were committed to adopting Bronson to help him get healthy. Nearly nine months later, Bronson is well on his way to hitting his goals.
"When we adopted him, they asked us to wait on switching his food because of the stress of moving into his new home," Mike told POPSUGAR. "For the first couple of months, his weight loss was minimal because of needing to wean him off of his kibble and onto his grain-free, meat-based wet food diet. We took him into his vet right after we brought him home and had they gave us an exact number of calories to give him daily. It's been a bit tricky keeping track of his calories, because we have three other cats that are used to sharing food. Since we brought him home, he's lost a total of 5.4 pounds and we're really hoping things continue in this direction."
Since adopting Bronson - who happens to be a polydactyl cat, meaning he has pronounced thumbs in addition to his paws! - Mike and Megan have been sharing his progress on his Instagram account, @iambronsoncat. "Bronson's accumulated a large following, and they are amazingly supportive, give us advice, share their stories, and cheer him on. We really want to use the account to help raise awareness to feline obesity and the importance of a proper diet."
See some photos of Bronson below, from the early days after his adoption to now!
It's Totally OK to Have More Than 1 Shower For the Same Baby
Preparing to have your first baby is one of the most thrilling times of your life. Whether you're pregnant, adopting, or using surrogacy, your life is about to be flipped upside down in the best way possible. And in order to get ready for all that change, you have to do lots of prep work. From taking birthing classes to decorating the nursery, you have a lot on your plate. But one thing you shouldn't have to worry about is your baby shower. Yep, all you need to do is show up and enjoy every minute of what should be an incredibly special day. And for many parents-to-be, you'll have more than one shower for the same child. Some may think it's a bit selfish, but in many cases - like mine - it's necessary.
I come from a huge Greek family, and I knew I'd need two showers: one from my side of the family and one from my husband's. My real and faux aunts both had to invite their entire church congregation, and if we had to squeeze in women from my husband's side of the family, too, that would have been impossible. And honestly, the number of guests attending would have made it feel more like a wedding, which I in no way wanted. Thankfully, my gracious mother-in-law asked if she could throw me a separate, modest shower, too.
While I felt a little odd having two showers thrown for the same baby, it also felt like an honor. I was humbled when my Greek aunts and mother-in-law wanted to watch me waddle into a party to open gracious gifts for our baby. My husband and I left both parties with full hands and full hearts, and I knew how lucky I was (and still am) to have so many people in my life who loved me and wanted to celebrate my growing family.
So if more than one person offers to throw you a baby shower, don't feel bad or guilty for saying yes. Enjoy it! People want to shower you and your baby to help prepare you for the wildest ride of your life, and you are not selfish for that. You're about to become a parent, so as far as I'm concerned, you can do whatever the heck you want.
17 Plastic Storage Boxes That Will Help You - Finally - Get Your Family in Order
If Marie Kondo's Netflix show Tidying Up has completely taken over your life, you're not alone - families all over the country have been searching for ways to implement her techniques within their own homes. If you're beyond the stage of sorting and throwing away and ready for the fun part, we have 17 clear storage boxes that will help you sort your stuff, your kid's stuff, and even the family dog's (if you have one!).
Why You Should Consider Doing a Sip and See Instead of a Baby Shower
Being pregnant was truly a wonderful time in my life. Besides the fact that I got to grow my favorite human on the face of the earth, I also got to prep and plan for his arrival. Friends, also excited for a squishy baby to play with, were so excited to throw a baby shower for me.
My Sip and See was perfect. I spent the entire afternoon actually talking with my guests instead of sitting in a special chair away from the conversation.
I'll admit that I was exceptionally fortunate in that I had two showers thrown for my baby-to-be: one was a traditional shower thrown by family, and one was a Sip and See thrown by friends. For those that aren't familiar, a Sip and See is a small party or "open house" where your friends and family can come over to meet (or "see") your new baby while sipping on a few refreshments. And after experiencing both, I can say without a doubt that I loved the Sip and See so much more.
Related: I'm a First-Time Mom-to-Be - Please Stop Terrifying Me
Growing a baby in your body is hard work and can be super stressful. Besides all the societal pressures put on pregnant women, from worrying about our careers to gaining weight "the right way," it also means that our whole lives are about to drastically change. Traditional baby showers, while thrown with the best intentions possible, can be super stressful for a lot of moms-to-be.
As someone who does not like to be in the spotlight, being seated in a chair in front of a hoard of people and opening up gifts is extremely uncomfortable. I felt like my every action and facial gesture was on display and if I didn't react appropriately, I would risk hurting someone's feelings. Of course, this may have just been in my head, but still, it wasn't ideal. I also felt bad for everyone who had to sit there and watch me open gifts. As someone who's been a guest at her fair share of baby showers, I know that's never fun. The "ohhs" and "ahhs" after every unwrapped box are exhausting (and boring) for the guests and the mom-to-be.
Related: Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Birthing Classes Aren't For Everyone
My Sip and See, however, felt perfect. Presents were unwrapped and on a table for everyone to see, clearly marked with who gave them, and guests walked around and socialized with one another and actually got to see my new baby. He was finally here, and I loved being able to celebrate him with him. Most importantly, I spent the entire afternoon actually talking with my guests instead of sitting in a special chair away from the conversation.
As a pregnant woman who was suffering from anxiety and fear over delivering a tiny human, I really needed that. Sure, I couldn't sip the mimosas, but my friends could, and I enjoyed hanging out with them - really hanging out with them. We were all so relaxed, and that was what I truly needed during that wild time.
My Parents Were So Strict Growing Up, and It Completely Backfired
Parenting is the hardest gig around. It comes with no road map, instructions, or other tools to help you in not screwing up your children. We try our hardest, but sometimes that just isn't enough. Some kids are a little tougher to manage than others. How do I know that, besides being a mom now myself? Because I was one of those kids. And while my parents did their best to tame me with strict rules, it ended up backfiring in a big way.
I spent most of my high school years grounded. So, when I was finally out of the house, I couldn't wait to let loose.
Growing up, my mom and dad needed to know my every move. I have three older brothers, so they knew all of my tricks before I even attempted to play them. To help prevent any unruly behavior, they tried to enforce endless rules on a daily basis. I always had the earliest curfew, which my friends hated because that meant they had to leave the party to drive me home. If my parents actually allowed me to go to a boy's house, they had to call every single time and speak to their parents (talk about embarrassing). And I was never, ever allowed to spend the night at a friend's house. I couldn't pull the "I'm sleeping at so-and-so's house" just so I could stay out all night. My parents knew better. They were always a few steps ahead.
But even with all of those strict rules, I always found ways around them. Their rules only made me want to rebel more. I earned two MIPs (minor in possessions) by age 16 because I got caught drinking. I got caught sneaking out. I got caught smoking. I got caught skipping school. I engaged in a lot of bad behavior, and this was all before I even left for college. I spent most of my high school years grounded. So, when I was finally out of the house, I couldn't wait to let loose.
Somehow, I still managed to keep my grades up throughout my time in school and got into a few colleges. When I finally picked one and showed up to my freshman dorm with all of my suitcases, I. went. crazy. Without my parents' constant rules, I was finally free. I was always the last to go to sleep, which meant getting to class the next morning was often a no-go. As a result, my grades plummeted, and in one semester, I managed to be on both social and academic probation. But with the love and support of my parents, I managed to get back on track. They didn't give up on me, and today I get in a lot less trouble - finally.
Now that I'm a mother myself, I often think back to my parents' strict rules. I'm not exactly sure how I'll choose to parent my own children once they hit those unruly teenage years, but I know it will look a little different than my upbringing. Strict parenting didn't work on me. I often felt stifled, and when I finally did break free, I didn't have the tools to handle being on my own. If anything, having so many rules made me more of a rule-breaker. I think if my parents had given me rules while also trusting me and giving me a little more freedom as I got older, I wouldn't have gotten into so much trouble. But I know it's easy to say that now. And I know they did the best they could.
Since I still have a few years to figure out my own strategies, one thing I do know is I'll always love my kids unconditionally, just like my parents did for me.
These Home Organization Gurus Create Swoon-Worthy Storage Solutions For Kids' Stuff, and We're Drooling
One of the biggest banes of any parent's existence is the ever-present clutter of kids' belongings - toys, crayons, shoes (only one of each pair), and Legos are always everywhere no matter how long it's been since you last picked up after your kids (we all know that they rarely get the job done themselves, who are we trying to kid?). If you're Type A like me, this reality is a true nightmare. It's possible you've spent hours reorganizing and categorizing your own belongings around your home - especially if you've binge-watched Marie Kondo's Tidying Up - but when it comes to kiddo crap, the challenge seems impossible to take on . . . until now.
Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin of The Home Edit can make any space - no matter how small or seemingly unusable - look beautifully organized, but the true feat is that they're able to make spaces for kids functional. Whether it's a child's closet or playroom, their craft supplies or their lunchbox snacks, Clea and Joanna can organize it! If you're committed to never stepping on a Lego again* and want to revolutionize your kids' space but aren't sure where to begin, start by drooling over some of The Home Edit's most gorgeous (rainbow!) storage solutions for babies' and kids' things that Clea and Joanna have shared to Instagram.
If considering beautiful storage as eye candy is wrong, we definitely don't want to be right.
*You will obviously continue to step on Legos - let's be real.
I'm a First-Time Mom-to-Be - Please Stop Terrifying Me
It was early in the evening in the middle of the Summer, just as the sun was beginning to set. I was standing in front of my bathroom mirror, sliding on my wedged heels and preparing to head out to a show with a friend. A moment later, I found myself frozen in front of the toilet, screaming my husband's name with such passion and vigor that the walls nearly shook, holding a positive pregnancy test in my hand.
We had been trying to conceive for several years, and had only recently pushed that dream away to focus on our careers and travels. I had taken the test as a mere precaution, certain my eyes were going to be met with the sadness of yet another gaping absence. But now my once elusive dream had attached itself to me, and that faint second line was asking to rearrange every puzzle piece of my life. I spent the remaining hours of that night in a confusing, sobering, and wonderful fog.
Little did I know at the time that the next few months would not only be spent swooning over sonograms and the thump of my baby's galloping heartbeat, but also gagging violently in response to anything remotely unsettling and racing out of gas stations and coffee shops to avoid smells that tortured every cell in my body. There was an abundance of loved ones eager to celebrate with us, and that was the most touching part of those early days, especially when it felt like surviving the flu. However, I didn't expect that so many long-lost acquaintances and strangers would be crawling from obscurity to terrify me with their cautionary tales. I quickly learned that never before had I had so much to fear, and never before had I had so many people eager to feed those fears.
Every woman's body responds uniquely to pregnancy and labor, and I don't see the merit in unpacking offerings of caution and terror for excited and nervous new moms-to-be - especially to those one doesn't intimately know.
There were the superficial warnings that threatened my vanity, sure, from, "Go ahead and make peace with the fact that your body will never be the same again," often delivered with a wink, to a hairstylist remarking on the size of my massively aching, expanding chest, saying, "Girl, you're going to need a lift after this." One family member reminded me of how another family member's face and nose had swollen to more than double its normal size throughout her pregnancy, and how I needed to be prepared that it might happen to me. Sweet, I thought. That'll be fun.
When my husband and I learned we are having a girl and announced it on social media, I'd never seen so much evidence of love in my comments and text messages. But there were also the people who had truffles of negativity they wished to serve up - usually on a shiny platter that, at first glance, appeared to boast the luster of a compliment. "Oh, mama, watch out! The old wives' tale says that girls steal your beauty, but thankfully you have a lot of it to spare," one person wrote, inserting a smiley face emoji. It was kind of like being poked by a marshmallow with a dagger at the end of it. Another friend said, "Oh, get ready to lose your husband forever. He'll be so smitten with her that you'll be invisible from now on. Haha." Awesome, I thought. I appreciate you giving me so much to look forward to. While mildly annoying, those warnings never bothered me nearly as much as the ones to come would.
When an excruciating bout of headaches plagued me toward the end of my first trimester, I reached out to seasoned moms on Instagram and Facebook, inviting their remedies. I was desperate - tossing and turning throughout the night, my eyeballs panged with agony every time they met the glow of my laptop. I quickly learned that perhaps this invitation for advice should not have been announced publicly. While a band of gracious friends lined up to encircle me with helpful tips, there were also lurkers jumping into my direct messages, attempting to diagnose me with everything from fibromyalgia to early signs of preeclampsia. "I don't know how to tell you this, honey, but I developed fibromyalgia during the middle of my pregnancy, and I still have it 20 years later," one former colleague said. "I think that may be what is happening to you."
As the gates of my second trimester parted, and especially after I entered into the realm of being visibly pregnant, the more discomforting symptoms subsided and I continued to encounter my fair share of sweet moments. There began adoring smiles from elderly ladies, thoughtful gifts from friends, and congratulations heard nearly everywhere I ventured. But, sadly, there appeared the bounty of "experts" who were not only vocal in comparing the size of my expanding bump to every other pregnant woman they knew, but eager to dissect my birth plan - as if monitoring it was their personal responsibility.
Mostly, and without invitation, they wished to school me against certain decisions, while enlightening me to their failed birth plans, as well as that of their cousin, their former coworker, and that fellow mom they met one time at yoga class. There were tales of epidurals not working, of debilitating infections from C-sections, of such severe vaginal tearing that no sex could be had for a year. There were disconcerting accounts of landing on negligent doctors, NICU nurses, and lactation specialists, and horror stories about everything from postpartum hospitalization to organ malfunction, often illustrated by a humiliating visual in the realm of fainting or peeing on oneself in public.
It seemed the more dramatic, the more eager everyone was to divvy out the details. In more vulnerable moments, many of those narratives tempted me with worries surrounding my baby, her birth, and its aftermath: what if I don't produce enough milk? What if I, too, come upon a mean nurse and can't avoid her? What if I hemorrhage? What if this person is insinuating that I might suck at this whole thing?
I realize some of the statements were made innocently and playfully, and I have enough of a sense of humor to laugh along with many of them. I'm also not naive to the fact that this journey isn't a glamorous one, and that some of the more harrowing incidents I learned about had been a traumatizing reality for many women. Horribly unfortunate things do happen, and I'm not immune to any of them happening to me. Still, every woman's body responds uniquely to pregnancy and labor, and I don't see the merit in unpacking offerings of caution and terror for excited and nervous new moms-to-be - especially to those one doesn't intimately know.
As I near the end of my pregnancy, I have begun to think about other new moms-to-be also hearing these warnings, and then coincidentally being forced to live out the dark side of them, later reflecting upon them as having been some ominous sign. While I believe that advice from experienced moms can be a godsend, I think we've got to stop stinging each other with unfair comparisons and, above all, unloading cautionary tales so freely, especially when unsolicited. We've got to stop using tales of mishap and terror as a bonding tool, or perhaps as a means to assert our wisdom and expertise - extending insight to our less-wise and unseasoned counterparts. Maybe we could even lose our addictions to not only scaring the hell out of ourselves unnecessarily, but others as well.
Pregnancy is a delicate time of feeling foreign in one's skin - every obstacle and uncertainty is magnified by the hormonal saga one can no longer control. It's a season of submitting one's will to a biological agenda that transcends their own. Growing a human isn't easy, and the trek of new motherhood is full of peaks and valleys. Every birth represents a death to what one knows, and that can be an emotionally strange and rocky ground to navigate, no matter how beautiful and celebratory the destination may be. So, please, don't make it scarier for me.
Yikes! Kids' Clothing Company Gymboree Is Going Out of Business
San Francisco-based clothing company Gymboree is officially shutting its doors for good. According to a report, the company is planning to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week. (Gymboree also filed for bankruptcy back in June of 2017.) So far, Gymboree has closed 400 of its 900 stores in the US. Although it's believed the brand will shut all of its locations for good, reports indicate it hopes to sell off its high-end line Janie & Jack. And while the clothing stores are set to close, all Gymboree Play & Music locations - which were sold to another owner in 2016 - will remain open. As for all those gift cards you've been hoarding for your kids? Use them ASAP!
The #10YearChallenge Is Harder on Women Than You Think
One of the first internet challenges to go viral this year on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter is #HowHardDidAgingHitYou, or the #10YearChallenge. The challenge requires users to share a photo from 10 years ago side-by-side with a current photo. Millennials and Gen-Zers have participated with gusto - mostly because their decade-old picture is of awkward pubescence or wide-eyed youth, and though they are older, they are still "young." But this activity is likely a lot less fun for older women - especially those without access to a glam squad, or cosmetic procedures - because it reduces conversations about age to physical appearances. Recently, prize-winning French writer Yann Moix (age 50) sparked outrage for his, well, outrageous comments on:
1. How he was "incapable" of loving women over 50
2. How they were "invisible" to him (they are "too, too old")
3. And the pièce de résistance, "[t]he body of a 25-year-old woman is extraordinary. The body of a woman of 50 is not extraordinary at all".
The reality is that aging hits women harder than men in many aspects of modern life. In light of the way this year has begun, it's a good time to reflect on how women and men are forced to age differently.
"How aging actually hits women is far more insidious than feeling bad about wrinkles and stray grays (though that is harmful enough.)"
Let's start with appearance. For women, concerns with body image encompass being told we should look eternally youthful. We are taught to live at war with our age. The near-constant message we receive is to prevent and deny everything about aging. Lie about the number. Gray roots are dreadful. Your face must be as creaseless as a freshly starched shirt. Any natural signs of getting older are embarrassing and need to be combated immediately - from the smallest sag to the tiniest droop. Social media has been fundamental in perpetuating unrealistic body images, enabling and encouraging us to be constant voyeurs, and perpetuating Facetuned (touched-up) images that are unrealistic. Studies suggest this obsession has exacerbated mental health issues in younger users fixated on their body image, and it certainly doesn't help adult women feel better about themselves, either. Through targeted ads, Facebook and Instagram have profited from and enriched corporations that promise to help you regain your radiance (apparently, only the young are radiant) by erasing fine lines and wrinkles overnight. Booming market capitalizations owe much to the pillaging of women's insecurities.
I'm all for women making their own decisions, including about their bodies. Like every woman, I have internalized many social expectations around gender and age, and am certainly not shaming anyone for facelifts or Botox. These choices say little about them, but do speak volumes about the world we inhabit. In her book Hunger, Roxane Gay asks, "[W]hat does it say about our culture that the desire for weight loss is considered a default feature of womanhood?" Social media challenges like #HowHardDidAgingHitYou enable this culture to thrive, such that the desire to look young has also become a default feature of womanhood.
How aging actually hits women is far more insidious than feeling bad about wrinkles and stray grays (though that is harmful enough.) Older women face increased discrimination at the workplace, with gender-based mistreatment peaking for women in their 40s.They also suffer a hiring disadvantage. Older women get fewer callbacks than older men, or younger applicants of both sexes, seriously hampering their retirement security. As far as Hollywood is concerned, Amy Schumer's Last F*ckable Day sketch encapsulates how a woman's employability is directly tied to her sexual currency. Other biases around older women include the perception of them as sexless, even though sexual ability does not decrease with age for women.
A social change in our attitude toward aging - including dissociating it from physical appearances - is crucial for both women and men. But the myopic #10YearChallenge excludes the more profound experiences of growth and change that accompany getting older. Perhaps shows like Big Little Lies, movies like The Favourite and Girls Trip, all starring women in their forties and older, are signaling a shift in the way that women are represented. Nonetheless, older women remain at a social disadvantage - even our everyday language is more ageist toward women. A simple way to make getting older more holistic and inclusive for all women could be to rebrand it as the #LookHowFarYouHaveComeChallenge. This might seem trivial, but a linguistic overhaul may spark the cultural change we need.
This Heated Scarf Is Designed to Keep You Warm For 5 Hours, and I Already Feel Cozy
If you're like me, you can never seem to escape the feeling of being cold. Fuzzy socks and heated slippers are good friends of mine, but a heated scarf? I had never heard of such a thing until Dr. Scarf was put on my radar. A company called Dr. Battery, which is headquartered in British Columbia, claims to have invented the world's first heated scarf that warms you up as you wear it around your neck. Yep, I'm in.
The scarf is made of a soft material that combines polyester, anion fabric, and graphene fabric. It releases anions (and therefore heat) when turned on, and I'm no scientist, but all I need to know is that means it heats me up. Dr. Scarf has two adjustable heat settings that you can choose from (high and low), and it snaps together with magnetic buttons. It also comes with a power bank and a three-in-one charging cable that lets you also charge your phone(s), which is a plus.
Right now, the scarf has a Kickstarter page and has not yet met its goal. And not having tried it myself, I can't vouch for its effectiveness, but I can look forward to the possibility of any and all heated products keeping me cozy. See more photos of this life-changing scarf ahead, and learn more on the Kickstarter profile.
You'll Crack Up When You See What These Zodiac-Inspired Pencils Say About YOUR Sign
Sure, you could continue toiling away at work using a basic, uninspiring writing utensil . . . or you could stock your desk with colorful pencils inspired by your very own zodiac sign! These colorful astrology-themed pencils hail from Always Fits, an online boutique that sells an assortment of cheeky gifts like profane oven mitts and curse-word-adorned dish towels. Each set includes eight pencils with funny sayings that relate to all 12 of the zodiac signs and their signature traits.
Perfection-seeking Virgos will definitely be drawn to the "Let Me Overthink That" pencil, whereas fun-loving Leos will likely giggle at the "My Aura Shoots Rainbows & Glitter" one. Check out all the spot-on phrases ahead, and buy yourself or your fellow astrology-lover a set of pencils before they sell out!
45 Stylish Vacation Clothes So Comfy, You'll Never Travel Without Them Again
Packing for your next vacation doesn't have to be stressful. To make it easier, we shopped for the comfiest and cutest clothes that are lightweight, easy to pack, stylish, and, most importantly, cozy. Ahead you'll find our top picks of dresses, tops, skirts, crossbody bags, sandals, and more, so you'll be ready in no time. Keep scrolling to pick your favorites and plan your next getaway.
33 Valentine's Day Gifts So Sweet, We Might End Up Buying a Few For Ourselves
On the hunt for the perfect Valentine's Day gift for the special lady in your life? We have you covered. To make sure she feels extra loved this year, we searched and uncovered the best gifts of 2019, and no doubt they'll put a smile on her face. From pretty jewelry pieces to designer bags and thoughtful trinkets, take a look at our top picks ahead.
Here's How to Convert Slow-Cooker Recipes to Your Instant Pot
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts
The Instant Pot and the slow cooker may look alike, but they function a lot differently. The name of each appliance says it all - slow-cooked food takes hours, while the Instant Pot knocks it out quickly. So when you're converting a slow-cooker recipe to an Instant Pot, there are a few things to consider. Keep these conversions in mind the next time you whip out your Instant Pot for a quick and easy dinner.
1. Lower the Meat-Cooking Time
One of the best things about the Instant Pot is its ability to cook meat insanely fast - even when frozen. If you're converting meat from a slow cooker to an Instant Pot, follow this rule: if the meat dish cooks in eight hours on low or four hours on high in the slow cooker, it will cook in 25-30 minutes in the Instant Pot. Make sure the Instant Pot setting reads "sealing" and not "venting" to ensure it's cooked properly. The "meat/stew" button is great for red meat recipes like bolognese, and the "poultry" button can be used for chicken dishes like garlic chicken soup. If you're cooking meat from frozen in an Instant Pot, just add five or 10 more minutes to the total cook time until it's done.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Nicole Perry
2. Add More Liquid
Instant Pots need more liquid to function properly, so if your recipe doesn't already call for at least a cup of liquid (such as broth or water), add it.
3. Skip Certain Ingredients
A pressure cooker or Instant Pot won't handle certain ingredients the same way a slow cooker would. If you're making an Instant Pot meal with milk or dairy, don't add it in the beginning. It can be stirred in or simmered at the end, but it won't cook successfully under pressure. If you're using a thickener, such as a cornstarch slurry, whisk it in at the end as well.
If you have even more specific questions about your recipe, follow this complete guide to converting slow-cooker recipes to an Instant Pot.
Starburst Duos Are Finally Here, and Our Taste Buds Are Tingling With Anticipation
When Starburst released an all-pink bag of its fruit chews back in 2017, we thought we'd reached the peak of candy heaven. Little did we know, the brand's candy-making wizards were busily concocting an even better treat torn straight out of our wildest dreams: Starburst Duos. These colorful fruit chews, which finally launched this month, combine two flavors into one square-shaped candy, making for quite the mouthwatering explosion. There are two different flavor combinations - Blue Raspberry Lemonade and Strawberry Watermelon - which sound equally tempting.
Starburst Duos are now available in both 2-ounce single packs and 14-ounce lay-down bags for $1 and $3, respectively. Cue up "The Best of Both Worlds" by Hannah Montana, and make your way to the nearest convenience store to try out these colorful candies before other sweet-toothed foodies snatch up the whole stock.
Um, Hi, Can I Interest You in These Supercute Organization Products From Urban Outfitters?
If getting organized is on your list of things to do, you're not alone! There's no better feeling than getting your tiny apartment, messy desk, and whole life completely in order. But enough with the bulky boxes and ugly storage bins; dorm rooms and cramped apartments don't have enough room for those! You need something cute, chic, and totally clutter-free.
So luckily for you, Urban Outfitters has some amazing products that will change the way you stay organized, while doing so with sensible style. Take a peek at some of its best products, and don't be alarmed if they change your life. Hey, we aren't being dramatic, we are just saying that being organized is truly life-changing (just ask Marie Kondo).
16 Valentine's Day Gifts For Men So Brilliant, He'll Never Guess They're Under $50
Feeling a little nervous about what to get your significant other for Valentine's Day? It can be a stressful holiday to plan for, no doubt. We've rounded up the best gifts for your boo that will surely make the big day a success. Make sure to check out these present ideas for men.
The Pioneer Woman's 10+ Most Popular Casseroles Will Inspire You to Cook
You know you can always count on the Pioneer Woman for easy and delicious recipes. Some of Ree Drummond's most popular recipes are her casseroles, and it's easy to see why: these one-pan wonders are layered with flavor and guarantee that dinner gets on the table fast. If you're looking to get out of your dinner rut or desperately need some inspiration to cook, look no further than Ree Drummond's top 14 most popular casserole recipes from Food Network, including hash brown casserole, cheesy turkey tetrazzini, broccoli wild rice casserole, and chicken tortilla casserole. The rave reviews don't lie!
Urban Outfitters Has the Coolest Home Decor of 2019, and These 35 Pieces Prove It
If you're looking for a simple way to upgrade your home in 2019, look no further than Urban Outfitters. We love the retailer for its stylish clothes and lush beauty products, but it also carries an array of cool home products we just can't get enough of. We shopped and uncovered its 35 best picks of the year, so all you have to do is shop. From sofas to planters and kitchen gadgets, it will be hard to not want it all. Take a look.
mardi 15 janvier 2019
Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Birthing Classes Aren't For Everyone
When I got pregnant for the first time, I followed every piece of my doctor's advice to a T. I took prenatal vitamins religiously, avoided every food and activity that carried even the slightest risk, and of course, scheduled a series of birthing classes through the hospital where I planned to deliver. I believed vehemently that these courses would be crucial in teaching my husband and me what to do when I went into labor. It's not like anyone could actually give birth without taking a class, right? Except, oh wait, women did for centuries, and after sitting through hours of classroom instruction on how to have a baby, I realized how unnecessary - and frankly, scary - childbirth classes were for me.
Flash back to me, bright-eyed and pregnant, waddling into my first childbirth class with my husband, who had rushed out of work to meet me, by my side. I had my notebook and pen at the ready, convinced I'd need to jot down every nugget of important information to review later at home. I remember the instructor started by explaining where to go when you went into labor. As in, where exactly the labor and delivery ward was located. I was a little annoyed, since I wanted to hear about so much more than this, but since I figured things can get a little frenzied during labor, I knew it was good to know exactly where to go. I let this one slide.
I want other parents who feel pressured into taking birthing classes to know that it's OK not to do it. You won't miss any big secrets to childbirth. You'll be fine.
The next topic was a lot more helpful, since we discussed where a woman's perineum is located. I'm not sure I'd ever heard that word before, but it turned out, I already knew how to find said spot (the area between the anus and the vagina). Our instructor suggested my husband massage the area with olive oil to stretch and prepare it for birth. And oh boy, did that lead to hilarity back at home. "Will we ever cook again without thinking about this?" I joked. Several weeks later when I delivered, I can assure you my perineum still tore like hell while pushing out our baby, despite the oil massage. But hey, what works for some might not work for others, right?
Other moments that stand out from our birthing classes include the time our instructor demonstrated how to labor on a birthing ball, sound effects and all. To give you an idea of her vocalization, which went on forever, just watch that clip of Meg Ryan in the diner from When Harry Met Sally and you'll get the idea. Then, there was the experiment with ice, which basically involved us holding frozen cubes in our fists for as long as possible to practice dealing with pain, like one experiences during labor. The whole thing felt a little silly, and after giving birth, I can assure you contractions feel nothing like palming an ice cube for a few minutes. Similarly, her suggestion to bring videos, candles, and scented lotion to make the birthing experience more personal ended up not being for me. I barely had time to put on a hospital gown before I was crowning, let alone enjoy my favorite episodes of Sex and the City and a foot rub with Bath & Body Works jasmine vanilla cream. (If anyone can do that, please tell me all your secrets.)
In our last birthing class, I remember watching a video of a woman giving birth and feeling completely horrified. That's where the laughs ended and my fears set in. I think I would have preferred to erase that video from my mind right along with the cooking oil perineum massage, and just wing the whole thing instead. I ended up feeling totally overwhelmed by all the information we received in the class, most of which was either TMI or not very helpful for me.
That being said, I know birthing classes help so many parents-to-be. Whatever prepares a woman in both mind and body to have her baby is what she should do. For me, that wasn't taking birthing classes. And I just want other parents who feel pressured into taking birthing classes to know that it's OK not to do it. You won't miss any big secrets to childbirth. You'll be fine. It's whatever works for you personally.
The next times I was pregnant, doing yoga with a focus on breath control was much more helpful as I prepared for delivery. I also moved away from any attachment to a birth plan, which we'd been encouraged to formulate in the birth classes, and tried to embrace the fact that you can't control every aspect of birth. You can, however, light some pleasantly scented candles. That I'll do.
Editor's Note: This piece was written by a POPSUGAR contributor and does not necessarily reflect the views of POPSUGAR Inc. Interested in joining our POPSUGAR Voices network of contributors from around the globe? Click here.
You’ll LOL at Mindy Kaling’s Verdict on Marie Kondo’s Tidying Up on Netflix
I walked through Target yesterday and stopped for a second in the Home Organization aisle just to gape at the sheer number of people piling storage bins and boxes into their carts. I nudged my boyfriend and said, "They all just binge-watched Tidying Up on Netflix, no question." Sure, in January of every year more people tend to get serious about overhauling their entire lives and organizing everything they own, but with the release of Marie Kondo's show on Netflix so early in the year, it's clear that the eight-episode series has had a hand in people's organizational mentalities this year.
Thanks to her partnership with Protein One, snack bars that are perfect for "snack emergencies," I was able to chat with Mindy Kaling, who just celebrated her daughter Katherine's first birthday in December and recently talked about all the books the pair loves reading together (which no doubt come off a disorganized bookshelf, because toddlers). The actress has already checked Tidying Up off her to-watch list, but her reaction to the show is a little different than most.
"I've watched the show," Mindy told POPSUGAR. "I just don't feel like there's enough time in the day! I love it, but I almost want to hire someone to go through my house so I can be like, 'Does this bring you joy? You throw it out.' I think that's kind of the power of the show though, because unlike all these other reality shows, she actually makes the people do it themselves rather than bringing in a team of people like on Extreme Home Makeover or Queer Eye, where they just change it all for them. I know that's probably why it's effective, but also . . . I am too lazy."
Same, to be honest.
Although she may not be heading to Target to stock up on storage bins as of yet, when it comes to Marie Kondo as a person, Mindy is definitely a fan. "I'm completely enamored with her," Mindy said. "She's so adorable - she's like a Christmas ornament [editor's note: actual LOL], and I think she's brilliant."
I've Been on 67 Solo Flights With My Toddler - Here's What I've Learned
The first time I flew with my daughter, Lucy, was when she was 4 months old, and it was a four-hour direct flight from New York City to Denver. I was so panicked from the endless parenting threads on Facebook about airport disasters, mean flight attendants, and packing lists that I decided to do a dry run the day before. For four hours, I sat in the corner of my local coffee shop with Lucy hanging out on my lap. And you know what? Nothing happened.
And nothing happened on that first plane ride, either. As a single mom, I was always the only one traveling with her, and I always had her in my lap. Children are free (with the exception of taxes for international flights) as lap infants until their second birthday, and I wanted to maximize our savings while we could.
At 3 1/2, my daughter has now been on 63 flights. That's counting connections and puddle-hoppers and international and domestic trips. And even when it's stressful, I remind myself how lucky I am to be traveling with my favorite plus-one. Some perspective: the worst flight I ever took was when I was in my 20s, hungover and sad from a breakup and sure I was going to throw up. Even a flight with a cranky toddler I love is a million times better than that sad, nausea-inducing flight - and I try to remember that whenever we hit a rough patch.
I know that my daughter represents a grand sample size of one. But I also know how scared I was before that first flight and wish there had been words of encouragement in the midst of all the praying emoji on those Facebook groups. Here's what I've learned.
- Altitude isn't some sort of attitude changer. In general, I think how infants behave on land is how they behave in the air. Sure, there are air pressure changes, which can cause discomfort (which can be minimized by breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or sucking on a pacifier), but in general, kids don't go through some profound personality change just because they're at 45,000 feet.
- You don't need a seat for your child. Sure, it's nice to have. But you truly can sit for seven or eight hours with a 30-pound child sprawled on your lap. Use each other as pillows!
- You need two extra changes of clothes for them . . . and for you. Feeling poop leak onto your jeans and being powerless to stop it because the seat belt sign is lit is a million times worse when you know there are no clean jeans in your future.
- You don't need a ton of toys. On one trip from New York to California when my daughter was about 1 1/2, I had been in such a hurry that I hadn't packed any toys. We had a mini stuffed pony, a toothbrush, and some stickers. Was it the best flight ever? No. Did we make it where we needed to be? Sure did.
- You don't need to give presents to your seatmates. I don't believe in goody bags to apologize for an infant on board. I do believe in a friendly smile, an introduction, and recognizing we are all just trying to get from point A to point B.
- Try to have fun in the terminal. You're going somewhere! It's an adventure! I grab food, let my daughter pick a treat at the news kiosk, and just generally de-stress and walk around. When my daughter was crawling, I tried not to worry about germs as she crawled around the gate. My philosophy: the more tired they are at the gate, the more tired they'll be on the plane.
- It's OK to judiciously play the kid card. Sometimes, having a kid with you works better than Global Entry. In general, I've found that asking for what you need politely and respectfully can help you get it - including allowing you to a skip a line.
Finally, and I think this is the biggest thing I'm still learning: your experience is different than your child's experience. You might be stressed about flight delays and gate changes, but they could be totally chill. For example, when my daughter and I were waiting for an endlessly delayed flight from Budapest to London, I was checking my watch, trying to assess how many hours we would have to sleep when and if we ever got to our hotel. She had found a little girl about the same age as her and had begun happily playing with her Peppa Pig figurines. For her, a delay was fun. I'm not quite there yet, but I'm trying to find that perspective.
It's not all sunshine, rainbows, and clear skies. Some flights will become family legend. But I think the best thing to aim for is an unremarkable trip. But you don't need the gear, the note cards, or the precision-level planning to have an amazing trip with your child. Just enjoy the ride.
You Know What Sparks Joy in Me? Not Doing Marie Kondo's Folding Method
I'm currently watching Marie Kondo's show on Netflix, Tidying Up, and I'm just as obsessed as everyone else. So many of the organizational guru's ideas to declutter your life are inspirational. I mean, who isn't prompted to clean out a few drawers after watching just five minutes of an episode? I also adore the idea that you shouldn't have anything in your life that doesn't spark joy (something that was hard but necessary to apply to my old, low-rise jeans).
Does anyone actually have time to fold clothes so flawlessly every time they do the laundry? Anyone?
But as much as I love Kondo and think she's the cutest, most positive, and most aspirational person ever, that laundry folding method she demonstrates on the show goes in the pile of stuff that doesn't serve me, right along with a half-broken apple slicer and an ill-fitting old bra. As I watched Kondo meticulously fold shirts and pants along imaginary lines only she can see, then arrange each item in a perfect little stack, I couldn't help but laugh. With four kids, I'm lucky to get through a load of laundry a day, let alone fold every article of clothing like it's going on display at The Gap.
Watching Kondo, who is a mother of two herself, fold everything into perfect little rectangles brought on copious amounts of stress . . . all while a daunting pile of laundry sat beside me and four kids yelled for my attention. I immediately felt like the expectation to KonMari my family's clothes - which is what Kondo's method of tidying is called - placed way too much pressure on me and parents in general. I mean, we already deal with too much! Sure, it's awesome to open a drawer and be able to see everything that's in there, but does anyone actually have time to fold clothes so flawlessly every time they do the laundry? Anyone? If I had that kind of time, it wouldn't have taken me three days to get through just one episode of Tidying Up. And if I did manage to fold everything just once, will those clothes stay like that after one morning dash to get out the door and get to school on time? Definitely not in my house.
As much as I would love to, I can't and won't make my family's dresser drawers photo-worthy every day. If I expect this of myself, I'll feel like I'm failing when it doesn't happen. And trust me, I already feel like I'm failing most of the time. Grocery shopping - because I've fixed microwave pizza for dinner three night in a row - has to trump rectangular clothing mastery. And my kids finishing their homework - because I've asked them numerous times to please get it done - takes precedence over me teaching them how to KonMari their unicorn pajamas.
So, Marie, while I love you and your wonderful ideas, I have to say that that's all they're going to be for me - ideas. At least right now. I've learned that one of the most satisfying feelings in my house is getting my kids to just put their clothes in their drawers after I've washed them. And if I want to see everything that's in my baby's drawer, I'll stick to just rummaging through it until I find what I'm looking for. It may not spark joy, but it's definitely less stressful than folding everything perfectly every time, and that's good enough for me.
You'll Want to Put This Video of a Baby Hearing Her Sister's Voice For the First Time on Repeat
Carol Dianne Benjamin, a mom of two from Madison, GA, has always wanted the best for her daughter Scarlet. But after she was born premature, Carol knew that the road to recovery following a few complications was going to be long for her little girl. However, at 11 months old, Scarlet's life changed forever when she got her very first hearing aids, and her reaction to her big sister's voice is absolutely everything. Carol shared the touching video to Facebook on Jan. 10, and it's since gone utterly viral.
"As everyone knows, when Scarlet was born she was three months early," Carol captioned the clip. "She ended up getting [necrotizing enterocolitis (NES)], a certain stomach infection, and the antibiotics that she needed cause hearing loss."
Although Scarlet had a rough go early on, her mom thought she could hear fairly well. It wasn't until Scarlet got her hearing aids that Carol realized that wasn't the case. "It has been a LONG and emotional experience," Carol confessed. "She reacted to most sounds so we thought she could hear fairly well. After what I witnessed today, it was not as well as I thought. Hearing aids make a WORLD of difference!"
So far, the sweet video has been viewed 161,000 times and has racked up more than 1,000 reactions on Facebook. And it's easy to see why: Scarlet's baby giggles will warm your heart right up!
22 Valentine's Day Crafts Your Kiddo Can Make
Arts and crafts with toddlers can get a bit messy - but it's always lots of fun, especially when there's some kind of theme present. Valentine's Day is a perfect occasion to create pink and red heart-shaped projects with your little one, so break out the construction paper, glitter, paint, and glue, and get creative with these 22 Valentine's Day crafts for tots.
Netflix's You Is Definitely Not For Kids - Here's What to Know If Your Teen Is Asking to Watch
If you've avoided the internet's collective obsession over one of the latest shows added to Netflix - You, starring Penn Badgley of Gossip Girl as Joe, a psycho stalker - you're actually missing out. The creepily addictive thriller, which first aired on Lifetime but is getting a second season thanks to Netflix, is dark, twisted, and gripping . . . but it's definitely not one for kids to get engrossed in.
The show begins with a woman named Beck (Elizabeth Lail) who walks into the bookstore Joe works in. As soon as we see her, we hear Joe's immediately obsessive inner commentary of her, and so the story of him stalking her and eventually dating her unfolds - but it's not without its obstacles. Joe goes to incredible lengths to make sure no one dates Beck but him, which includes - but is not limited to - murdering anyone who gets in his way.
If your teen has been expressing interest in watching the popular show or you have a feeling this might be the kind of series they'd click on if it came up on their Netflix homepage (which is exactly what happened to me, and once I hit "play," there was no looking back), there are a few things you should be aware of first. You know your teen best, but You is a heavy show with a lot going on, so read ahead to know what your teen is getting into before they start (and get hooked on) the series.
Warning: plenty of panic-inducing spoilers for You lie ahead.
The 28 Days of Romance and Sex Challenge For Moms and Dads
For some, romance and sex may be just "metaphorical concepts" when you've got little children running amok in your house, but intimacy shouldn't be nonexistent. In fact, if you let your sex life die with your partner, your relationship will suffer down the line. And really, is it even possible to make a whole relationship sweet (romance) and spicy (sex) in just one day, aka Valentine's Day? Not really. That's a huge task for one "24-hour" period of time. It's best to take things slow (it's more fun that way!) and do little things every day to bring back that just-started-dating excitement.
Between wiping your kids' mouths and butts and making never-ending to-do lists, step away from parent duty for a minute and take our 28-day romance and sex challenge. It's full of simple yet fun things you can do in the month of February to spice up life with your significant other. While some things may push you way out of your comfort zone, don't rule them out and try to give everything a chance. Get ready to play!
I Ate Only Instant Pot Meals For a Week - Here's What I Learned
As a person who loves to cook but doesn't have unlimited money to spend on ingredients or hours to dedicate to creating a three-course meal every night, my Instant Pot is my go-to kitchen appliance. It's perfect for people who don't typically meal plan for the entire week because you can cook a hearty meal - like beef stew, for example - in an hour, compared to eight in a traditional Crock-Pot.
In an effort to get a little more organized and stick to a budget in 2019, I decided to fully test my Instant Pot loyalty by only eating meals I made in it for an entire week. While there were definitely some bright spots in my little experiment, like everything tasting amazing, I also met a few challenges along the way. Read through to see what I've learned by going full-on Instant Pot for a week.
Kim Kardashian Just Confirmed She and Kanye West Are Expecting Their Fourth Child
Kim Kardashian just confirmed that she and Kanye West are expecting their fourth child via surrogate. On Jan. 14, Kim shared the happy news with Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen during his Bravo show. The soon-to-be family of six are expecting the baby early May, confirms Us Weekly. It was revealed back in August that the couple still had one embryo left, now confirmed to be a male.
The couple welcomed 11-month-old Chicago via a gestational carrier after Kim experienced a "disgusting" and "traumatic" birth with her first two children.
The Wests are already busy looking after North, Saint, and Chicago, and with another baby on the way, we're sure they'll have a busy Summer ahead of them. Congratulations to the couple!
Heather Martin Is Way More Than Just The Bachelor's "Never Been Kissed" Girl
Much has been made of Colton's virginity on this season of The Bachelor, but he's not the only one with a limited sexual past. Heather told Colton that she's never kissed anyone before, and he, well, could relate.
Even though Heather was nervous on the second episode of the season to tell Colton she'd never smooched anyone, she wasn't exactly hiding it on the show. Her official Bachelor contestant bio lists her job as "Never Been Kissed." In reality, though, Heather is gainfully employed - in an Instagram post about the show, she added the hashtag #ihaveajob, just so everyone was on the same page.
In fact, according to Heather's LinkedIn profile, she's an assistant program manager at a company called Aethercomm. The California-based company makes products to be used in combat, according to its own LinkedIn page. Impressive and so much more than that show tagline gave away.
So what else don't we know about Heather? Here are a few things we've learned about the sweet Bachelor contestant so far.
Hannah B. and Caelynn Didn't Get Along Way Before The Bachelor - Here's Why
The only thing more dramatic than drama on The Bachelor is previous drama that carried over to become drama on The Bachelor. Still with us? Two contestants after Colton Underwood's heart knew each other before the show, and let's just say they didn't start filming on good terms.
Hannah Brown and Caelynn Miller-Keyes, aka Miss Alabama USA 2018 and Miss North Carolina USA 2018, respectively, competed for the title of Miss USA 2018. Not only that, but the two were roommates during the competition. During the second episode of season 23, both women separately commented on the tension that started at the pageant and carried over to the show.
"Hannah. B and I know each other, and we're not necessarily the best of friends," Caelynn said. "We competed at Miss USA together. She's Miss Alabama, and I'm Miss North Carolina. We were roommates at Miss USA. We were super close, and then she was not happy that I was first runner-up. She was mad she didn't place. For sure, there were a lot of hurt feelings. With Hannah, there's a facade, and then it starts to crumble. Hannah kind of snapped. She flipped a switch, and I was like, 'Wow, this is a whole new Hannah.' So being in this environment, it's pretty similar." Caelynn thinks that switch will be flipped again on the show and that it will happen pretty quickly.
Hannah B. also had some choice words about Caelynn, saying: "I'm not happy that Caelynn's getting time with Colton. If I start thinking about it, I'll turn into a crazy woman. I think I definitely have more insight to, like, what type of person she is. Like, she's fake." Yikes! If only that room they shared could talk.
"It's just so funny because there's not one person in the world that I have a problem with, except her," Hannah B. said to Hannah Godwin about Caelynn. "It totally scares me for Colton."
While we don't know the full story yet about what happened during the big pageant, the ladies must know each other pretty well from sharing a room.
"My relationship with Colton was solidified last night that there is definitely something there," Hannah B. said. "But now, I'm really scared that she's gonna say something to him to really screw it up."
There's still some social media evidence of the contestants' friendship on Instagram, but the last photo of just the two of them was posted by Hannah B. in February 2018. Keep reading to see pictures of the pageant beauties from, uh, better times.
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