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.
jeudi 14 février 2019
This Hilarious "7 Rings" Lisa Kudrow Mashup Works So Well, It Could Be Part of the Song
I never thought Lisa Kudrow would make an appearance in an Ariana Grande video, but this fan's mashup is too good not to share. The catchy lyrics "I want it, I got it" from Grande's "7 Rings" song on her new Thank U, Next album happen to pair perfectly with a clip from The Comeback, a former HBO comedy Kudrow starred in. The Comeback was a beloved series that followed Valerie Cherish, a former B-list sitcom actress who's itching to get back in the spotlight and agrees to chronicle her return to television after landing a new role. The show was revived for a second and final season in 2014 years after its 2005 cancellation, and any fan of the satirical series will appreciate this absurd and hilarious video idea.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson shared the video, which was originally made by YouTuber David Levitz. In it, we see Grande in her sexy pink outfits from the "7 Rings" video spliced with footage of Kudrow's character shouting "I got it!" from the pilot episode. It's pretty freakin' genius, and I personally can't stop laughing. Check out the mashup ahead, and then watch each of the full videos for more context.
This Valentine's Day Brain-Teaser Is So Puzzling, It Might Break Your Heart
It's time to test your brain with a quick brain-teaser - but don't let this one break your heart. This adorable Valentine's Day illustration from Gergely Dudás is actually a hidden-image search that's pretty damn difficult if you ask me. The instructions ask followers to look for a "tiny heart" within a background of pink flowers, butterflies, and the occasional cute animals.
If you get stuck, don't worry! Simply swipe left to get a peek at the solution. You may groan out loud once you realize the heart has been lying in plain sight all along. If you're a fan of Gergely's puzzles, you can find more on his Instagram page and in his book Bear's Springtime Book of Hidden Things.
These 11 Lingerie Sets Look Fancy . . . but They're All on Amazon and Under $13
You never need an excuse to wear lingerie. You also don't need to have a significant other to buy it, obviously. Treat yourself to sultry things, girl. There's something sexy and empowering about slipping into something for yourself, whether you're rocking it under your clothes or wearing it to bed. If you're on the hunt for lingerie that's both sexy and affordable, we've got you covered. Amazon has all sorts of pretty options, and we rounded up our favorite designs for under $13. With prices this low, you can stock up. You obviously deserve it, so drop these goodies in your virtual shopping cart now!
Jessica Rothe and Her "Badass, B*tchy, Messy" Journey in Happy Death Day 2U
Back in late 2017, Happy Death Day stormed into theaters with its fresh and thrilling take on a well-worn story device: one person living the same day over and over again, à la 1993's Groundhog Day. Not long after the film's release, we were delighted to learn that, like Tree, we'd be remaining in this strange universe. Writer-director Christopher Landon already had an idea for a sequel by the time he finished the first film, and shortly thereafter, he was given the green light. Even though it feels like the blink of an eye, Happy Death Day 2U is about to hit theaters. And luckily, I had the chance to sit down and speak with the big star, Jessica Rothe.
While chatting with Rothe about the film, she presented more as the fully realized Tree, who has been through some serious sh*t and is kind, gracious, and open-hearted because of it. We sat down, and I immediately commended her for adding so much depth to a lead female character. Such a complex and three-dimensional character can be hard to find in Hollywood in general, and that's especially true for horror films, comedies, and horror-comedies. Tree isn't a hapless first victim, a prop, an easy kill, or a sex object. She's not just one thing: she's not the mean girl, or the girl next door, or the final girl. She's everything; she's the hero of the story, and she goes through an incredible emotional arc that really makes you care about her.
"I love that this is a girl who sees the killer, and instead of running away, picks up an ax and runs toward him screaming."
When I mentioned to Rothe how impressed I was by Tree's incredible journey (and range!), she really commended writer-director Landon. "I'm still amazed every day that Chris wrote and created such an amazingly vibrant, complex, three-dimensional, badass, b*tchy, messy, lovable human being. And that arc is something you don't see - not only in genre, but in movies for young women. You don't really get to see women start out despicable and then transform into their own hero . . . I love that she is her own hero. I love that this is a girl who sees the killer, and instead of running away, picks up an axe and runs toward him screaming."
This kind of "no f*cks" Tree is dialed up to 100 percent in Happy Death Day 2U. In one hilarious montage, Tree has to die a bunch of times in order to figure out what the hell is going on. This leads to that one unforgettable scene in the trailer, in which Tree jumps out of a plane in just a bikini. As it turns out, that was Rothe's favorite death to film, and it was pretty complicated to pull off. "It was a trust fall. Because I was just up in a plane shell, and they had mats below me, and I just had to not scream too much." Then, of course, they had to shoot her landing separately.
You don't see Tree "stick the landing" in the preview, but it basically culminates in this slow-motion shot of our fair lady, grinning and flipping off the camera while plummeting into the ground at a deadly speed. "I couldn't be on a harness because I was wearing a bikini, so the only way they could get me to do it was by building this platform," Rothe recalled. "I was on it, and they had to drop me. They had to almost dunk tank me off the platform. But in order to get the pose, I had to strike it before they dropped me, even though I was being dropped seven or eight feet. So I had to tense my body, and flip off, and make a crazy face, and then they'd count three, two, one and the floor would just drop out from under me, and I'd land on a bunch of pads, but it was oddly difficult."
Going back to that whole thing about being emotionally invested in Tree, Rothe also revealed a shocking fact about the first film: Tree was supposed to straight-up die at the end. Like, for realsies. "I die. I make it to Tuesday the 19th. I wake up - it's on the DVD extras. I filmed the scene. I wake up, and everyone's at the hospital with me, my dad's there, I'm super happy, and then Gregory's wife comes in and poisons me because I was sleeping with her husband, and I die," Rothe told me. Test audiences were furious because they had grown so attached to the character. "They were pissed. They were like, 'You made us care about this person. You can't do this. We went on this journey. We love her.'"
But here's the best part of that story: Landon decided to change the ending so audiences wouldn't have to endure Tree's permanent death. During that editing process, he had an epiphany about the sequel. "We changed it. We reshot it, and then about a month before the first one came out, Chris called me and was like, 'I have a crazy idea for you,' and he told me about it. I said, 'You're insane, but you're also the only person who could pull this off. So if you're in, I'm in.' And that's where it came from. And Chris didn't know; he said until he was in the editing bay and then he would pick up on certain little things in the film and be like, 'Huh. I wonder what a fun way to explain this would be.'"
Of course, I don't want to give away the big twist. But just know that there really is a moment in the first film that directly correlates to the secret! And so, the second film was born. And shot. And reshot. And edited. And finished. After two rounds, I wondered if Rothe was sick and tired of shooting the same thing over and over again. As a matter of fact, the opposite is true: she lives for it. "I'm a perfectionist. So, I love it. It scratches this deep itch inside of me. I would even tell Chris, I'd be like, 'I need one more take,' and he'd be like, 'We've got it.' I'd be like, 'No, but just one more,' and he'd be like, 'You're going to do this 70 more times. You don't want it.'"
Then again, Rothe wasn't the one repeating her own actions over and over again. Tree does all kinds of crazy sh*t while everything else stays the same. Rothe simply had to replicate Tree's sleeping pose. "The only thing that I experienced that was super, super technical was the wake-up on the pillow. And it was even down to like, 'OK, you had this curl in front of your eye, and we need more drool on the pillow, and your lips were pushed up a bit more, and tilt your chin.' We really tried to match stuff," Rothe told me.
This is the part where she dropped another shocking tidbit: "Chris never reused a shot. So, everything you see in the film was shot new. It's not like he was like, 'Oh. We did Carter's wake-up once. We'll just use that forever.' It's different every time." It's that kind of attention to detail that really makes the film seem so special in the first place.
And finally, the obvious question I know you wanted me to ask: what about Happy Death Day 3? Oh, it's more than a possibility at this point. Of course, Universal Pictures has to green light it first. "It's very dependent on how this one does, so go see the movie!" Rothe said to me with a laugh. Then, she gave up the goods, saying Landon has definitely been marinating: "I think he has the whole idea in his head, but he's keeping it close to the chest. All I know is, whatever I'm expecting, it will be completely different from anything I could ever imagine, but I also know and trust that it will be the appropriate bookend to this wonderful journey we've gone on with these crazy people."
11 Chic Travel Pants So You Never Sweat in Your Skinny Jeans on the Plane Again
Every time I pack for a trip, I always end up taking a pair of skinny jeans that I never wear, and I've decided to give up the habit this season. During those hot Summer months, tight pants are the last thing that sound comfortable. Instead of suffering on a long plane ride or walking around a scorching city in unbearably rigid jeans, I'm going to try wearing cropped wide-leg trousers or linen pants. These pant styles can be both professional and paired with sandals and taken to the beach. If you're interested, check out these comfortable options to keep you cool.
This Woman Did Her Makeup With Only $1 Products - Talk About Being Resourceful
Makeup can get a bit pricey, as we all know, but there's also a wide selection of hidden gems sitting in drugstore aisles and places you'd never think to look when buying products. Take it from YouTuber JuicyJas, who recently uploaded a video of herself creating a full face using only products from Dollar General.
The 26-minute video shows the beauty guru challenging herself to replicate her everyday look using a bunch of products from brands L.A. Colors and Broadway Colors, both of which are sold at Dollar General. Not to spoil the video for you or anything, but the result was actually pretty impressive. Check it out above to see how it all turned out.
You Heard It Here First: These Will Be the Most In-Demand Hair Colors Come Spring
Spring is a complex, mysterious citadel of delights. Sometimes it rains. These days, it also sometimes snows. One minute you're KonMari-ing your apartment to the brink of extinction, and the next you're wondering how you'll possibly make that salon appointment you forgot to cancel without a raincoat. The seasonal confusion is coming at you from every angle, but the solution here is simple: dye your hair.
Yeah, you heard us. Dye it a color that brings the sunshine, sparks some joy, and, most importantly, won't change by 5 p.m. (Hello, it's me, stability.) "The mood for Spring is always lighter, brighter, and a lot more fun," said George Papanikolas, Matrix celebrity colorist. If the clouds would part for long enough, you'd see that the hair color forecast looks like the return of vivid colors, creamy shades of blond, and more - but you can just read all about it ahead. Umbrellas are, obviously, welcome.
These Are, Hands Down, the Best Valentine's Day Beauty Gifts Under $100
With the love-themed holiday just days away, you might be scrambling to find the perfect present for your val- or galentine. If that's the case, don't worry, we've got you. Ahead, see our picks for the prettiest beauty gifts under $100 - ones so good, your date will never guess you bought them last minute.
Victoria Beckham Is About to Spice Up Your Life, Because She's Launching Her Own Beauty Brand
After years of dropping hints, Victoria Beckham finally announced she's launching a beauty line. The fashion designer has now turned her attention to the beauty business to launch Victoria Beckham Beauty, which will sit alongside fashion on Victoriabeckham.com.
Given her previous track record of success with her Estée Lauder collection, it seems like a perfect fit. In a statement, Beckham said, "I want to take care of women inside and out, providing them with the must-have items in make up, skincare, fragrance, and wellness that I feel I need in my own life." Sarah Creal, who worked with Beckham on the Estée Lauder collection, will help with the launch and will be cofounder and CEO of Victoria Beckham Beauty.
Beckham is no novice in the online beauty world, either. Back in November, she announced the launch of a YouTube channel where she'll share beauty tutorials and styling tips. We might even see budding makeup artist Harper Beckham feature on her new channel. The collection is rumored to launch later this year, and it's what we want, what we just really, really want. In the meantime, make sure you're signed up to receive all the information you need about the upcoming launch.
2 BTS Members Arrived at the Grammys With Pastel Hair, and BRB, I'm Calling My Colorist
It's no secret that the guys of BTS love experimenting with their hair, but two members truly made waves on the Grammys red carpet. Park Jimin rolled up with lavender hair while Kim Taehyung wore a mint green look. We've been seeing tons of pastel hair inspiration on Instagram, but this award show appearance was exactly what we needed to try the look ourselves.
Make sure to check out every angle of BTS's red carpet arrival, then shop some affordable pastel hair dyes for yourself. Spring is around the corner, after all.
Don't Fly to Tokyo to Get These Japanese Beauty Products - They're All on Amazon
Japan produces some of the best and most innovative beauty products in the world, and fortunately, you no longer have to hop on a plane to add them to your collection. Although Japan is totally worth a visit, if you are eager to get some new and interesting beauty buys, Amazon has some of the very best.
Silky smooth sunscreens, sheet masks that hydrate, and superpowerful foot peels are all available to be shipped straight to your door. Ahead, you'll find the very best available on the site.
This $9 Rose Water Facial Mist Instantly Woke Up My Dull, Dry Skin
The flower behind the key ingredient of Garnier's SkinActive Soothing Rose Water Facial Mist ($9) is one that has inspired the strokes of now-legendary Monets, and Romeo's plea for Juliet's love. But rose water isn't just something that sounds beautiful: it also has pretty impressive effects on the skin.
A spritz of this pale pink liquid quickly wakes you up - as a burst of cool water to the face often does - but it also leaves skin feeling silky smooth and plump with moisture. I use it to instantly calm my dry cheeks when they're feeling a little too tight. A quick glance at this mist's label shows that its main ingredient is in good company. Not only does it contain rose water, it also contains acne-fighting salicylic acid and skin-softening glycerin (a moisturizing ingredient) that the brand derived from soybeans.
Ahead, see the pleasantly scented, elegantly concocted face mist that only costs $9.
Laura Prepon Has Tried Every Hair Color, But What Is Her Natural Hue?
Orange Is the New Black star Laura Prepon has tried every hair color in the book. She's gone jet-black while playing Alex Vause and both blond and red as Donna on That '70s Show. Considering how good she looks in every shade, you might be wondering which one is her natural hue. Luckily, the actress shares plenty of childhood throwback photos on Instagram, like the one above, so it's safe to say she's definitely been a redhead from the start.
Check out all the hair colors she's worn, ahead.
8 Go-To Nail Sets For When You're Feeling Indecisive About Which Color to Wear
For those of us who have trouble picking a shade of polish - meaning, anyone who spends what feels like hours staring at the wall of our nail salons - there's a way to try on an array of colors for a lengthy period of time (and for a low, low price).
Ahead, see our picks for our favorite nail sets, and remember: you've got options.
Wet n Wild's Newest Collection Looks Like a Dark Retelling of Beauty and the Beast
Wet n Wild's latest collection, Rebel Rose, is one Beauty and the Beast's Belle would fall head over heels for. The gothic rose-themed lineup includes moody hues and floral-scented products that look like they came straight out of Beast's castle. Among the enchanted options in the lineup are liquid lipsticks, creamy eye shadows, and rose-petal-shaped makeup brushes you're sure to adore. Check out each magical hue ahead, but be careful of the thorns.
The Emotional Reason Alyson Stoner Shaved Off All Her Hair
A drastic hair change often signifies a life-altering moment. For Alyson Stoner, her new buzz cut was a way of leaving her uncertainties behind. In her new music video for the song "Stripped Bare," the multitalented artist is shown cutting off pieces of her medium-length hair before ultimately taking hair clippers and shaving it off.
But there was a deeper meaning behind the hairstyle. "Shaving my head is an act of mental health and confidence, not self-destruction," Stoner told People in a recent interview. "I can't tell you how many beliefs and opinions and insecurities fell to the floor with every tuft of hair, and I'm leaving them there." See her new music video ahead.
Cardi B's Nails For the Grammys Had Almost 200 Swarovski Crystals on Them
Underneath Cardi B's long, blush gloves is a manicure that's shining. The artist's go-to manicurist Jenny Bui told POPSUGAR that Cardi B chose OPI Gel Polish in Machu Peach-u ($11) for her base to match the different dresses that she would be wearing for the evening.
Then, Bui carefully placed 15-20 small Swarovski crystals that framed one larger, centered crystal on each of her fingernails. "She wanted the nails to look elegant," said the "Bling Queen" (as Bui is known on Instagram), adding that Cardi B actually had the look on since the night before. "We worked from 10 pm to 4:30 am, but that's because we kept stopping," said Bui, who explained that creating the nails would have really only taken an hour if they didn't stop to chat as much as they had.
Ahead, see Cardi's sparkling nails.
100+ Pictures of Pretty Nails That Will Have You Thinking Pink
Bubblegum pink, millennial pink, baby pink, Barbie pink - the list could go on. Because pink comes in so many shades and hues, it is one of the best nail color choices for even the most indecisive manicure-getters. Whether you want a chic and subtle manicure or a hot-pink masterpiece, the options are endless when you go with this classic shade.
Take a look at these nails that embrace the definition of "pretty in pink."
Kim Kardashian Is Coming Out With a Wedding Line Inspired By Her Own Bridal Look
While there aren't a lot of photos of Kim Kardashian's makeup from her 2014 wedding to Kanye West, it looks like it was natural and of course, included a nude lip. Luckily, when Kardashian attended makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic's Master Class in LA last weekend, the star let news of an upcoming KKW Beauty collection slip: a bridal collection.
Dedivanovic mentioned that he gets asked a lot about her 2011 wedding look (to Kris Humphries) because there are so many photos from the event, but based on Kardashian's comments, he'll likely get asked about her 2014 wedding look going forward. According to Harper's Baazar, Kardashian said, "My five-year anniversary is coming up so I might have a little re-creation collection in the works."
Although the brand has no more to share at this time, Dedivanovic told The Cut in 2014 which products he used on Kardashian for her wedding day, so fans can get an idea of which hues might be included in the new line. Ahead, check out a few photos of the look and the products used for Kardashian's wedding look.
DJ Khaled Just Teased a New Music Video With Cardi B, and We’ve Got All the Beauty Details
DJ Khaled and Cardi B are cooking up something big. The producer posted a photo teasing his new music video with the newly minted Grammy winner, who had her hair up in three Bantu knots and eyes swept in cool blue shadows.
The inspiration for Cardi B's makeup look was simple, according to her makeup artist Erika La Pearl: it was "good vibes and happiness," intensified by Cardi's big Grammy win last Sunday, she told POPSUGAR. To create it, La Pearl first prepped the skin using three products from Ole Henriksen including the brand's Banana Bright Eye Cream ($38), Balancing Force Oil Control Toner ($26), and C-Rush Brightening Gel Crème ($44). Then for her complexion La Pearl used Beautyblender Bounce Foundation ($40) in shade 3.75 and Prime Beauty Brownzer in Bronzeville ($21) to enhance her glow.
For Cardi's icy blue lids, "I mixed Lovesick from the Pinky Rose Cosmetics Exotic Peacock Palette ($25) and blue shadows from the Be Bella Cosmetics After Dark Palette ($28)." She finished the look with the 506 Lashes by Flawless Lashes by Loreta ($17).
Ahead, see a preview of the look, and join us in our excitement for the new video.
This Video of a Girl's Grandpa Doing Her Makeup Is the Most Wholesome Thing on the Internet
Pure. Endearing. Downright adorable. There truly aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe what I'm about to show you. London-based vlogger Megan Margot recently shared a video in which her grandfather does her makeup from start to finish, and the entire montage deserves a spot in the Wholesome Content Hall of Fame.
In the video, Margot's granddad begins by using his fingers to smear foundation all over her face while exclaiming, "That looks good actually!" (Editor's note: it does not, in fact, look good.) Then he moves onto her eyebrows, eye shadow, eyeliner, and false lashes, the last of which he hilariously describes as "two dead spiders in a box." After caking on the blush, bronzer, and concealer and completely dousing her in setting spray, her grandpa says, "Time for a drink! I deserve that after that, don't I?" Umm, can we be friends with him, or . . . ?
Watch the full video above to see Megan's reaction when she finally takes a peek at the final product of her grandpa's makeup skills. We're bookmarking this one for days when we need a heartwarming pick-me-up.
BRB, Shopping the New Nordstrom Beauty Launches
Significant others and gal pals aside, we believe in celebrating someone else during the month of love: ourselves. And nothing says "I love me" like a shiny new beauty product. From recent skincare launches to limited edition palettes, there are plenty of self-love goodies to check out at Nordstrom this February. We've gathered them for you ahead so you don't even need to do the work - all you need to do is sit back and get pampering.
My 2000s Chi Straightener Didn't Spark Joy, So I Decided to KonMari All My Hair Tools
Back in the early 2000s, during the reign of Uggs and Juicy Couture, I begged my mom to buy me a hair straightener - namely, a Chi. Since middle school, I've only replaced my beloved Chi flat iron once, maybe twice, because I recently discovered I had three in a tangled mess shoved in the bottom of my drawer. After having my family home torn apart by Marie Kondo Jr., aka my mom, it felt like now was finally the time to see what "the life-changing magic of tidying up" was all about, and the drawer stuffed full of vaguely labeled "hair products" - brushes, spare bobby pins and hair ties, curlers, a missing cap, and a ball of cords - felt like a good place to start.
The KonMari method has two parts: discarding and, only then, deciding where to store things. Here's how I KonMari'd my hot tools, ahead.
These New Beauty Products Are So Sexy and Perfect For Your Valentine's Day Date
Just in time for Valentine's Day is a wave of beauty launches that are equal parts seductive and high-impact. Each one has an intensely pigmented, long-lasting formula and a shade name that is sure to make you blush. Ahead are our picks for the sexiest new products.
This Kristin Ess Gloss Gave My Hair Shine I Thought I Could Only Get From a Salon
If the volume and length of hair was directly proportional to the number of secrets it held, mine would rival that of Gretchen Wieners. One of my secrets to keeping it looking shiny is getting a gloss at the salon every few months. Between these treatments, my hair loses its sheen, and when you add the harsh cold weather of Winter, you get my dull, frizzy ends. To restore its luster, I decided to skip my salon visit and try the new Kristin Ess Signature Gloss Temporary Hair Color in Crystal Quartz ($14) - her version of an at-home, clear gloss - and the results were unbelievable.
This product comes in two parts: the shine-boosting potion and its activator. To use it, I hopped in the shower, mixed the two, and combed it through from the root to the tip of my hair. I waited twenty minutes before washing it out and going about my regular hair cleansing routine. As it slipped through my strands, I noticed that they felt heavier than they normally did and had slightly more grip, which made it feel like it was impossible to wash it out completely. Once I was finished, I blow dried and styled my hair with a tapered curling wand.
The treatment didn't affect the texture of my hair at all (it didn't strip nor moisturize my hair), but left it looking like it would if I'd gone to the salon to get it professionally done. I immediately ran to my roommate's room - who is also a beauty editor - and she told me that my hair's luster was so brilliant, it looked like I was wearing a wig.
Ahead, see the results, and be wow'd at the impact of this $14 treatment.
This Valentine's Day Brain-Teaser Is So Puzzling, It Might Break Your Heart
It's time to test your brain with a quick brain-teaser - but don't let this one break your heart. This adorable Valentine's Day illustration from Gergely Dudás is actually a hidden-image search that's pretty damn difficult if you ask me. The instructions ask followers to look for a "tiny heart" within a background of pink flowers, butterflies, and the occasional cute animals.
If you get stuck, don't worry! Simply swipe left to get a peek at the solution. You may groan out loud once you realize the heart has been lying in plain sight all along. If you're a fan of Gergely's puzzles, you can find more on his Instagram page and in his book Bear's Springtime Book of Hidden Things.
11 Chic Travel Pants So You Never Sweat in Your Skinny Jeans on the Plane Again
Every time I pack for a trip, I always end up taking a pair of skinny jeans that I never wear, and I've decided to give up the habit this season. During those hot Summer months, tight pants are the last thing that sound comfortable. Instead of suffering on a long plane ride or walking around a scorching city in unbearably rigid jeans, I'm going to try wearing cropped wide-leg trousers or linen pants. These pant styles can be both professional and paired with sandals and taken to the beach. If you're interested, check out these comfortable options to keep you cool.
14 Instagram Accounts For Blerd Girls Who Are Looking to Invigorate Their Timeline
Back in the day, "nerd" was one of the worst things someone could call you. Nowadays, there's a little piece of nerd pie for everyone to get in on. Folks are embracing their nerd-dom, and a lot of black people are claiming space in a community that we haven't always felt invited to. As blerds - aka black nerds - we've been building communities that center the black perspective on all things nerdy, whether that be anime, video games, or comic books.
As black women, it can be a little harder finding our ground in those communities, because there's still a stigma in being a nerdy woman - yes, this is where those pesky intersecting identities come into play. While there are definitely people and groups that appeal to all blerds, it's always nice to learn about the blerd women who are out there giving us the content we want and need. Ahead, we've rounded up a few Instagram accounts that will satisfy all your blerdy needs, and give you the community you've been looking for.
13 Romantic Books With Reluctant Heroes Who Are No Match For Love
We all know the story: two people meet, fall in love, and live happily ever after. But there's another story that us women, and women in romance, know far too well: the reluctant hero - the man who makes us swoon but won't give in because of a misfortuned past, a misconception of what it means to commit, or really any myriad of reasons. And while in reality it may make us want to pull our hair out, in fiction, it can be quite the endearing quality. So here I give you 13 reluctant heroes just waiting to be won over!
The Quirky Charm in This Wedding Will Absolutely Warm Your Heart
Do you remember that feeling of joy at the end of a really great movie? Well, Rebecca and Ryan encapsulated that in their wedding, and these cute photos are the proof. "We wanted something personal, quirky, and different. Our color palette was millennial pink with navy and splashes of other colors," said Rebecca. "We didn't have a specific theme, but we wanted to pull inspiration from the imagery of Wes Anderson's films and midcentury kitsch."
They certainly achieved this with their stunning decor, which included a hanging chuppah with real and large paper flowers. The floral arrangements did not end there, as each table had an array of vases and jars filled with flowers. Rebecca wanted to add some personal touches to the wedding, so she embroidered Ryan's pocket square, designed the invitations, and even created handmade pins for all the guests!
One of the most special parts of the ceremony was when the couple recited their vows. "Ryan had spent probably a year writing his, and I wrote mine the night before the ceremony. They were perfect and made everything so much more special," confirmed Rebecca.
This wedding had everything from a dog in a tux to doughnuts for dessert, and we are obsessed with the bride's custom denim jacket. Keep reading to see the amazing photos; the hanging floral chuppah is a showstopper!
15 Alternative Valentine's Day Date Ideas Way More Romantic Than Going Out to Eat
In case you were wondering and have not heard the subtle whispering in your ear from your significant other or seen the obnoxiously large plush teddy bears in your local grocery store, Valentine's Day is right around the corner. You need to get a move on planning something romantic ASAP. Like most romantic holidays, Valentine's Day can feel repetitive year after year, and people begin to dread planning anything at all. As one of the most heavily overrated holidays after New Year's Eve, it's easy to feel disenchanted with the underwhelming chocolates, long-stem rose bouquets, and stuffy restaurants that have become overly predictable.
Fear not, we're got you covered with date ideas to impress your partner - they're better than an overpriced dinner reservation. After all, what's romance without a little surprise, adventure, and mystery? Try out these 15 alternative Valentine's Day dates that are far from cliché. These ideas will provide infinite opportunities for you and your beau to celebrate love your way. Because seriously, whoever invented those chocolates with the gross cherry liquor in the center clearly knew nothing.
Why Being Single on Valentine's Day Is the Best
Every Valentine's Day, I get texts from a few of my married friends that say things like, "I know Valentine's Day can be rough. Thinking of you!" I always respond with, "Awww. Love you! Happy V-Day," but if I'm being honest, I don't really get their sympathy. While I know they mean well, to me, being unattached is the way to go on Valentine's Day.
It's not that I think my loved-up friends have made a mistake, it's just they're the ones I feel a little bad for. Valentine's Day is one when expectations are extremely high and prix fixe menu prices are even higher.
I always have a great time on Valentine's Day because I don't have to deal with any of that pressure and still get showered with love. Yep, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: being single on Valentine's Day means you can have your cake and eat it too (literally!). So, if you're also riding solo this February, here are a few of the best perks to enjoy the day of love without a partner.
1. You Still Feel the Love
Sharing the love is one of the best parts about this day, and the fact that you don't have a designated valentine means you can spread your love far and wide! Text those kissy emoji to your gal pals, your grandma, your nieces and nephews, your longtime crush, and whoever else makes you smile. Blow a kiss to a firefighter, a businesswoman, or a random dog on the street. It's Valentine's Day, you're adorable, and you're completely free.
Putting this energy out there also isn't just good for your soul, you'll probably get it back in droves. By firing up your dating apps or heading out with friends, you're opening yourself up to receive that same love. On what some pessimists call "Singles Awareness Day," other nonvalentines are very much down to clown. A Tinder spokesperson confirmed this surge to POPSUGAR, saying, "Globally, Tinder saw a 10 percent increase in downloads on Valentine's Day in 2018." Hinge's Head of Communications Jean Marie McGrath also told POPSUGAR that the app sees a 10 percent uptick in dates being set up the week of Valentine's Day. Long story short? Get your flirt on and let the compliments roll in!
2. You Get to Do Whatever You Want
While couples everywhere stare intently into one another's eyes over a pricey meal in a crowded restaurant, us singles will be busy doing whatever the heck we want. I prefer a night out with some fellow single ladies, but if you're not in the socializing mood, a great way to participate is to celebrate glorious, wonderful you. Do something indulgent like buying yourself expensive sheets, taking a bubble bath, or ordering ice cream to be delivered to your doorstep (yep, that's a thing). What better way to remind yourself how great you are than to treat yourself the way you'd like to be treated? Sure, a special someone may not be in your life right at this moment, but setting expectations for how you want to be adored is a healthy, productive, and, most importantly, fun exercise that's perfectly fitting for Valentine's Day.
3. You're Guilt-Free
I don't know about you, but I've definitely known I was with the wrong person on past Valentine's Days, but stayed with them anyway because I didn't want to break up on the most romantic day of the year. I'm older and wiser now, which means I know that a mud mask and bubble bath for one is a lot better than arguing over a dinner reservation with someone who doesn't treat me well. If you're with the wrong person leading up to Valentine's Day, end it and don't feel bad or guilty about it. That might seem a little dark, but your own self-care and happiness should come first. Decide to love yourself, and that will always feel better than not being loved properly by someone else.
4. You Don't Have to Force It
You know when you get home from a nice dinner and you take off your jacket, give your date a suggestive glance, then scan the room and wonder how you can ditch your Spanx and simultaneously kill the lights so no one sees your after-dinner bloat? Sometimes you just don't feel that sexy after a big meal, which you inevitably had to have, because it's one of the many traps of a traditional Valentine's Day. We singles don't have to deal with that. Instead, we either find ourselves happily bloated with our pants unbuttoned in the comfort of our own homes or out with our buds having a relaxed time while maybe catching the eye of a stranger (if we feel like it). There's no end-of-night pressure to get busy or even look good. We can come home and let it all hang out.
So, whether you're single or attached this Valentine's Day, remember that both ways have it made. Being with a partner you truly love is awesome, but being single is pretty awesome, too.
This Video of Marie Kondo Packing a Suitcase Will Make You Rethink All the Junk You Normally Take on Vacay
If you've ever gone on vacation and overpacked, you know how frustrating the experience can be upon arriving when you open your bag to find everything crumpled. We've all made efforts to kick this bad habit to the curb, but still, there's a big difference between shoving stuff in packing cubes, and packing a suitcase correctly. In this video shot for Apartment Therapy last year, organizing luminary Marie Kondo shows us how to fix a messy suitcase. She starts by taking everything out, creating order, folding each item as tiny as possible, and then repacking it. I don't even have any upcoming travel plans but I'm tempted to book something just so I can try this.
100+ Heart Tattoos So Cute You Can't Handle It
We're loving the ladies who have taken the leap, made the commitment, and gotten marked with some permanent heart-shaped ink, big and small. There's a huge variety of designs that are making our own hearts skip a beat. Check out these stunning tattoos!
- Additional reporting by Macy Williams
12 Valentine's Day Gifts That Will Win You Points For Creativity
Ready or not, Valentine's Day is upon us, and finding the perfect gift is half the battle. While flowers are always lovely, finding something personal and creative will make your SO smile and know that you thought of them. If you're looking to do something a little different this year, try one of these 12 gifts.
15 Awesome Kid-Friendly Resorts to Take Your Family to This Spring Break
When you picture a relaxing and beautiful resort, it's hardly ever one with kids (and all their baggage) in tow. But that's all starting to change, because more and more hotels are working hard to accommodate both adults and their little ones on the never-ending quest for a fun-for-all vacation.
These fabulous resorts offer an abundance of relaxation opportunities for parents and a ton of adventures for kids. In addition to warm and sunny locations, you'll also get plush accommodations and activities such as kids clubs, children's dining, spa treatments, and golfing. Keep reading to find your perfect stress-free Spring break haven for the whole family.
Coachella Will Have Amazon Lockers This Year, So Don't Stress If You Forget Sunscreen
If you've ever been caught at a festival without sunscreen, a portable phone charger, or - God forbid - a flower crown, you probably wished for a quick delivery service to save you. Well, Amazon is going to provide a solution to that pesky problem at Coachella in the form of delivery lockers. For the first time ever, Coachella ticket holders can order their festival essentials ahead of time, or day-of, to an onsite Amazon Locker at no additional cost.
Amazon has a selection of delivery lockers established in permanent locations, but this will be the first time a "pop-up" locker of this kind has made its way to an event. You can select one of the lockers within the Coachella property as your shipping address and then claim your package using a barcode sent to your email address.
Coachella takes place April 12-14 and April 19-21 this year, but you can always prep ahead of time. In addition to the lockers, Amazon will have a curated storefront featuring recommended concert supplies in the weeks leading up to the festival.
"We want customers to make the most out of their weekend at Coachella," said Patrick Supanc, Amazon's worldwide director of lockers and pickup. "Bringing the convenience of Amazon Lockers to Coachella will help customers focus on their experience instead of worrying about forgetting something at home or having to carry it in with them."
It's Not Too Late! Here Are 102 Last-Minute Valentine's Day Gifts That We Know He'll Love
If you've procrastinated Valentine's Day shopping for your man this year, there's no reason to panic. Just thank the internet and modern-day technology, because these gifts will be at your doorstep quicker than your trip to the store! I know - it sounds too good to be true, but Amazon's two-day shipping is one big boxed blessing for those in a crunch. Find all of the presents that will trick your boyfriend or husband into thinking you remembered . . . because you did, obviously.
– Additional reporting by Macy Cate Williams and Lauren Harano
A 10-Song Introduction to the Infectious Power of Lizzo
Like everyone else who has a brain and two functioning ears, I've decided to dedicate my life to spreading the gospel of Lizzo.
The 30-year-old rapper, singer, and talented flautist - if playing flute and twerking on stage isn't instantly iconic, I don't know what is - dropped her debut album, Lizzobangers, in 2013, and she's been pumping out bop after bop ever since. Although it's long overdue (in my not so humble opinion), Lizzo is finally getting the mainstream shine she deserves, from flawless appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Tonight Show to seeing her latest single, "Juice," chart on Billboard's Hot R&B.
Like many others, a lot of what appeals to me about Lizzo, other than her infectious beats, is her inclusive, empowering message. But in an age when feminism and self-acceptance are often hollowed out by big brands in order to sell everything from body wash to pink hats with the help of a cheeky hashtag, Lizzo continues to prove that her message is authentic. She lives what she raps; she puts immense thought into her lyrics, ensuring that they're not empowering for empowerment's sake.
For instance, in her 2017 track "Truth Hurts," she sings, "I will never ever, ever be your side chick," but that wasn't the original lyric. During Allison P. Davis's recent (and fantastic) profile of Lizzo in The Cut, the musician notes that the original lyric was "I could never ever, ever be a side chick," but she decided to tweak it to be more inclusive.
"B*tch, what about side chicks! I don't want to exclude them! I don't want to make them feel bad. I think that's why this feels brand new. I'm trying to be inclusive," she explains. "Could this song ["Like a Girl," her new track that's about throwing dollars at strippers "like a girl"] be in a Dove commercial? Yes, but it won't. They aren't thinking about everybody. . . . The old heads aren't ready for that."
While "the old heads" might not be ready for Lizzo's brand of confidence just yet, there's nothing standing in the way of falling in love with her yourself (if you haven't already). Check out her most essential songs ahead before her next album, Cuz I Love You, drops in April.
Grey's Anatomy: If This Video Doesn't Make You Ship MerLuca, We Don't Know What to Tell You
Sometimes you just need to put on some Ariana Grande and get to jamming - whether you're at work or not. Ellen Pompeo clearly understands this, since the 49-year-old Grey's Anatomy star posted a video to her Instagram page of her doing exactly that. Joined by her costar Giacomo Gianniotti, who plays DeLuca on the series, Pompeo channeled her inner Fly Girl and put her moves to work for Grande's new song "Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored" while on a break from filming.
"Sometimes . . . on set antics make you channel @arianagrande you're welcome," Pompeo captioned the video, which was filmed by Sam Hellmann.
Of course, Grande - who is a well-known Grey's fan - caught wind of the video and responded with sheer incredulity. "HELP ME JESUS," the 25-year-old singer commented - which, to be fair, is the only proper response to seeing Meredith Grey getting down to your song. Grande also posted the video to her Instagram, writing, "Guys if I'm honest ......... this is the best thing that's ever happened to me. @ellenpompeo I love u sm. I cant breathe. I'll never be the same."
We can't blame Grande for being overwhelmed considering she just dropped the single on Feb. 8, as well as an entire fifth album, and won her first-ever Grammy for best pop vocal album for Sweetener on Sunday. She's obviously on an emotional roller coaster right now.
As for Pompeo and Gianniotti, their sweet on-set moment definitely ignited the MerLuca love among Grey's fans. The big question now is will they have an official couple song and will it be one from Grande's impressive collection of love songs? Make it happen, Shonda!
I'll Admit AJ McLean and His Wife Are Really Cute - Even Though I Wish It Were Me
As a huge Backstreet Boys fan, I always dreamed of being Mrs. AJ McLean. I still remember when I bought the Backstreet's Back album and would fast-forward through it to get to AJ's verses. Even though things didn't exactly pan out how I'd hoped, I'm glad there is another woman out there who is able to make him happy. The woman in question is none other than AJ's longtime love, Rochelle DeAnna McLean. The Backstreet Boy and hairstylist first got together in 2009, and they made things official in 2011 with a goth-themed wedding. The two have been going strong ever since and are parents to two beautiful daughters, 6-year-old Ava and 1-year-old Lyric. Most recently, they stepped out together at the Grammys, but if you take a look at their Instagram accounts, you'll notice it's overflowing with cute moments. Things may not have worked out between AJ and me, but Rochelle clearly knows the shape of his heart.
This Hilarious "7 Rings" Lisa Kudrow Mashup Works So Well, It Could Be Part of the Song
I never thought Lisa Kudrow would make an appearance in an Ariana Grande video, but this fan's mashup is too good not to share. The catchy lyrics "I want it, I got it" from Grande's "7 Rings" song on her new Thank U, Next album happen to pair perfectly with a clip from The Comeback, a former HBO comedy Kudrow starred in. The Comeback was a beloved series that followed Valerie Cherish, a former B-list sitcom actress who's itching to get back in the spotlight and agrees to chronicle her return to television after landing a new role. The show was revived for a second and final season in 2014 years after its 2005 cancellation, and any fan of the satirical series will appreciate this absurd and hilarious video idea.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson shared the video, which was originally made by YouTuber David Levitz. In it, we see Grande in her sexy pink outfits from the "7 Rings" video spliced with footage of Kudrow's character shouting "I got it!" from the pilot episode. It's pretty freakin' genius, and I personally can't stop laughing. Check out the mashup ahead, and then watch each of the full videos for more context.
Jessica Rothe and Her "Badass, B*tchy, Messy" Journey in Happy Death Day 2U
Back in late 2017, Happy Death Day stormed into theaters with its fresh and thrilling take on a well-worn story device: one person living the same day over and over again, à la 1993's Groundhog Day. Not long after the film's release, we were delighted to learn that, like Tree, we'd be remaining in this strange universe. Writer-director Christopher Landon already had an idea for a sequel by the time he finished the first film, and shortly thereafter, he was given the green light. Even though it feels like the blink of an eye, Happy Death Day 2U is about to hit theaters. And luckily, I had the chance to sit down and speak with the big star, Jessica Rothe.
While chatting with Rothe about the film, she presented more as the fully realized Tree, who has been through some serious sh*t and is kind, gracious, and open-hearted because of it. We sat down, and I immediately commended her for adding so much depth to a lead female character. Such a complex and three-dimensional character can be hard to find in Hollywood in general, and that's especially true for horror films, comedies, and horror-comedies. Tree isn't a hapless first victim, a prop, an easy kill, or a sex object. She's not just one thing: she's not the mean girl, or the girl next door, or the final girl. She's everything; she's the hero of the story, and she goes through an incredible emotional arc that really makes you care about her.
"I love that this is a girl who sees the killer, and instead of running away, picks up an ax and runs toward him screaming."
When I mentioned to Rothe how impressed I was by Tree's incredible journey (and range!), she really commended writer-director Landon. "I'm still amazed every day that Chris wrote and created such an amazingly vibrant, complex, three-dimensional, badass, b*tchy, messy, lovable human being. And that arc is something you don't see - not only in genre, but in movies for young women. You don't really get to see women start out despicable and then transform into their own hero . . . I love that she is her own hero. I love that this is a girl who sees the killer, and instead of running away, picks up an axe and runs toward him screaming."
This kind of "no f*cks" Tree is dialed up to 100 percent in Happy Death Day 2U. In one hilarious montage, Tree has to die a bunch of times in order to figure out what the hell is going on. This leads to that one unforgettable scene in the trailer, in which Tree jumps out of a plane in just a bikini. As it turns out, that was Rothe's favorite death to film, and it was pretty complicated to pull off. "It was a trust fall. Because I was just up in a plane shell, and they had mats below me, and I just had to not scream too much." Then, of course, they had to shoot her landing separately.
You don't see Tree "stick the landing" in the preview, but it basically culminates in this slow-motion shot of our fair lady, grinning and flipping off the camera while plummeting into the ground at a deadly speed. "I couldn't be on a harness because I was wearing a bikini, so the only way they could get me to do it was by building this platform," Rothe recalled. "I was on it, and they had to drop me. They had to almost dunk tank me off the platform. But in order to get the pose, I had to strike it before they dropped me, even though I was being dropped seven or eight feet. So I had to tense my body, and flip off, and make a crazy face, and then they'd count three, two, one and the floor would just drop out from under me, and I'd land on a bunch of pads, but it was oddly difficult."
Going back to that whole thing about being emotionally invested in Tree, Rothe also revealed a shocking fact about the first film: Tree was supposed to straight-up die at the end. Like, for realsies. "I die. I make it to Tuesday the 19th. I wake up - it's on the DVD extras. I filmed the scene. I wake up, and everyone's at the hospital with me, my dad's there, I'm super happy, and then Gregory's wife comes in and poisons me because I was sleeping with her husband, and I die," Rothe told me. Test audiences were furious because they had grown so attached to the character. "They were pissed. They were like, 'You made us care about this person. You can't do this. We went on this journey. We love her.'"
But here's the best part of that story: Landon decided to change the ending so audiences wouldn't have to endure Tree's permanent death. During that editing process, he had an epiphany about the sequel. "We changed it. We reshot it, and then about a month before the first one came out, Chris called me and was like, 'I have a crazy idea for you,' and he told me about it. I said, 'You're insane, but you're also the only person who could pull this off. So if you're in, I'm in.' And that's where it came from. And Chris didn't know; he said until he was in the editing bay and then he would pick up on certain little things in the film and be like, 'Huh. I wonder what a fun way to explain this would be.'"
Of course, I don't want to give away the big twist. But just know that there really is a moment in the first film that directly correlates to the secret! And so, the second film was born. And shot. And reshot. And edited. And finished. After two rounds, I wondered if Rothe was sick and tired of shooting the same thing over and over again. As a matter of fact, the opposite is true: she lives for it. "I'm a perfectionist. So, I love it. It scratches this deep itch inside of me. I would even tell Chris, I'd be like, 'I need one more take,' and he'd be like, 'We've got it.' I'd be like, 'No, but just one more,' and he'd be like, 'You're going to do this 70 more times. You don't want it.'"
Then again, Rothe wasn't the one repeating her own actions over and over again. Tree does all kinds of crazy sh*t while everything else stays the same. Rothe simply had to replicate Tree's sleeping pose. "The only thing that I experienced that was super, super technical was the wake-up on the pillow. And it was even down to like, 'OK, you had this curl in front of your eye, and we need more drool on the pillow, and your lips were pushed up a bit more, and tilt your chin.' We really tried to match stuff," Rothe told me.
This is the part where she dropped another shocking tidbit: "Chris never reused a shot. So, everything you see in the film was shot new. It's not like he was like, 'Oh. We did Carter's wake-up once. We'll just use that forever.' It's different every time." It's that kind of attention to detail that really makes the film seem so special in the first place.
And finally, the obvious question I know you wanted me to ask: what about Happy Death Day 3? Oh, it's more than a possibility at this point. Of course, Universal Pictures has to green light it first. "It's very dependent on how this one does, so go see the movie!" Rothe said to me with a laugh. Then, she gave up the goods, saying Landon has definitely been marinating: "I think he has the whole idea in his head, but he's keeping it close to the chest. All I know is, whatever I'm expecting, it will be completely different from anything I could ever imagine, but I also know and trust that it will be the appropriate bookend to this wonderful journey we've gone on with these crazy people."
Just TRY to Look Away From Normani's Celestial Beauty in the Otherworldly "Waves" Video
We have a lot of feelings about Normani's "Waves" music video with 6LACK, but mostly we want to know: how does she looks so good? Is it the natural glow from being a carefree and unproblematic queen? Is it Fenty Beauty's Body Lava? Drop the skincare routine, sis!
But I digress. Normani dropped the official music video for her latest single, "Waves," on Feb. 12, several months after the record was dropped in November 2018. "Proud to finally share this with you guys. There was SO much love and hard work poured into this video. Hope you like it," Normani tweeted out when the video was released. "I kept y'all in mind the whole time working on this visual. I thank you for being patient with me. Y'all deserve it ✨"
The dreamy video features Normani and 6LACK as the two passionately pine for each other in a galaxy far, far away. The 22-year-old singer shows off her sultry signature moves with a group of four dancers, reminding us of how we could have had it all a few seasons of Dancing With the Stars ago. It's the first music video from Normani, and she has soundly proved that the wait is definitely worth it. We can't wait to see what else she'll be putting out there as her solo career launches!
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