Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
lundi 8 avril 2019
Jadah Marie Reveals the Biggest Way She Relates to Her Descendants 3 Character, Celia
Disney Channel has produced a handful of iconic movie musicals over the years, and now the next generation of stars is taking the reins with the Descendants franchise. The film, which centers around the children of classic Disney heroes and villains, first premiered in 2015 to rave reviews and was eventually followed up with an equally successful sequel in 2017. While past DCOMs have failed to amount to the same success as The Cheetah Girls and High School Musical, the Descendants franchise has risen to the occasion with its catchy numbers and original storytelling, which is in large part due to director and choreographer Kenny Ortega.
Now, the franchise is taking things up a notch with the release of Descendants 3 this Summer. While all the original characters - or villain kids as the fandom calls them - will be back in action, there will also be a few new faces in the mix, including newcomer Jadah Marie as Celia, the daughter of Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog. Ahead of the release of the new trailer on Disney Channel this Friday, I had a chance to talk with the 13-year-old about joining the franchise, getting into character, and becoming part of the Disney family.
POPSUGAR: You were previously on the show Mann and Wife, but this is really your first starring movie role. What made you get into acting?
Jadah Marie: Well, I started [acting] because of my dad. My dad is an actor, Christian Redd, and I just love what he has done from the "Jesus Walks" video [by Kanye West] to working with Snoop Dogg. I was at a meeting with him and his agent, and I was doing the absolute most, and he was like, "Well, how about your daughter? Is she into anything?" And he was like, "I mean, we can try it if she likes it," and I ended up loving it.
PS: What was your first reaction when you found out you would be in Descendants 3? Were you already a fan of the franchise?
"Growing up loving the franchise to being in the franchise is a dream come true."
JM: Oh, yes. I knew all the songs. "Chillin' Like a Villain" is still my favorite song to this day. When I got the news that I was going to be in Descendants, I was with my sister and my best friend, Olivia, and I just started screaming and crying because growing up loving the franchise to being in the franchise is insane to think about. It's still a dream come true to this day.
PS: What was the audition process like?
JM: It was amazing. I got to see a lot of my friends on the way, because when you're an actress, you see a lot of people that you know [from] auditions. Honestly, I went into the character. I had a whole week. I had the outfit ready. I knew I was going to be Celia because I could just feel it.
PS: How was your first day on set? Were you nervous at all?
JM: I was more excited than nervous. I was probably too excited to even think about being nervous because I just wanted to go to dance rehearsal. I just wanted to meet all of [the cast]. I just wanted to be all of their best friends.
PS: Who do you think that you bonded with most on set?
JM: I bonded with all of them, honestly. We all bonded super quick. But I would probably say Anna [Cathcart] because she's close to my age. We would always hang and go to Daiso, our favorite store in Canada.
PS: What did you do to prepare for your role or get into character?
JM: Celia kind of reminded me of one of my friends, Olivia. Actually, [during auditions] her name was Olivia. [She also reminded me of] me because Celia is a daddy's girl, which I am too. She's very mischievous, she's very charismatic, she's very streetwise, and she's very funny. She's hilarious, as you will see in the movie. She will crack you up. But she's just an awesome person, honestly, and I feel like I relate to her so much.
PS: At the end of Descendants 2, the kids of the Isle of the Lost were kind of separated into two groups, those siding with Mal and those siding with Uma. What side is Celia on?
JM: Celia is very mischievous. In the Isle of the Lost, you do trust people, but I feel like Celia is the kind of person who doesn't pick sides. She loves all people. She's just about the green and girl power.
PS: POPSUGAR had the first look at Celia's costume, which is incredible. What was the inspiration for the look? Were there different iterations of it at first?
JM: Kara Saun, the costume designer, she made up a whole thing called tribal punk, and honestly, when I just saw the whole outfit, I was in awe. All of her work is amazing, and I love everything that she does. From Mal's outfit to Celia's to Hades's, it's so amazing. You could see the similarities, but also the differences for Celia. On the side, she has a little trusty sidekick, her little own voodoo doll, like her dad. On her top hat, there's a skull and there's patterns and there's bright colors. And the scene "Friends on the Other Side" - all those colors are on her outfit.
PS: Jamal Sims plays your father, and he's also the film's choreographer alongside Kenny Ortega. Did you two hit off right away during filming?
JM: Oh my gosh. Jamal is just the best. Working with him was awesome. He's so nice. When we were rehearsing [our dances], everyone was screaming, and I was like, 'Why is everyone screaming?' And they were like, 'We just found who is going to play your dad.' And I was like, 'Oh my gosh. Where is he? Where is he?' And I saw Jamal and was like, 'Helloooo.' And I gave him a big hug. I'll always remember that. That was the best moment ever.
PS: Kenny Ortega has directed so many iconic Disney films over the years like The Cheetah Girls 2 and High School Musical. What was it like getting to meet him and work with him?
JM: High School Musical was literally my favorite thing in the whole world. Me and my sister would always watch all the movies. So getting to work with Kenny was like a dream come true because he is a king, he's a legend. He's basically everyone's dad because everyone has known him for so long. He's a great person. He was always my number one person to go to [on set] and his passion is awesome. He was always there for everyone.
PS: Is there a specific scene from the film or a specific number that you're really excited for fans to see?
JM: All of it. All of it. As a Descendants fan at heart, I feel like everyone's going to love it because I loved it. It's all new, it's bigger, it's better.
PS: How different will this film be from the past two?
JM: It will be different from the past two because [there will be] all new dancing, all new fashion, and a whole new journey. And all the new songs, everything it's going to be bigger.
If This Theory About Bran Is True, It Will Completely Change Game of Thrones Season 8
When it comes to Game of Thrones, fans tend to focus on the flashier characters like Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, and Arya Stark. To be fair, it's hard for anyone to be cooler than a guy who came back from the dead, the Mother of Dragons, and a child assassin, but if this one fan theory is right, then Bran Stark might just be the most important character of them all. Bran is a bit of a sleeper character. Although Jaime Lannister shoving him out of a window is what kicks off the events of the entire series, his journey has been more of a mystical one. He's gone from a paralyzed young man to the Three-Eyed Raven who is capable of time travel. It's this last part which has led some fans to speculate that Bran is actually every Brandon Stark - including Bran the Builder, the man responsible for building Winterfell and the Wall.
Reddit user NightKingBran shared in a post that Bran being all of the Brandon Starks throughout history is one of their favorite theories, but this idea has been around for quite some time. The name Brandon is one that's been passed through the Stark line for hundreds of years. In addition to the show's Bran, there's also Ned's brother Brandon Stark, who is killed by the Mad King, a young Brandon that Old Nan came to Winterfell to care for many years prior to the events in the show, and, most notably, Bran the Builder.
In season six, we learn that Bran's ability to warg can be combined with his ability to time travel. When the White Walkers attack the cave where he's being trained by the Three-Eyed Raven, Bran wargs into Hodor in the past, rendering him capable of only uttering one word, "hodor," which we discover is actually "hold the door," a command that allows the gentle giant to save Bran and Meera from being killed by members of the Night King's army. This proves that Bran's always had an effect on the past, he just doesn't realize it until he begins to understand his powers as the Three-Eyed Raven. It stands to reason that Hodor's life isn't the only one that Bran has had a profound effect on. The theory posits that he's warged into all of the Brandons throughout history in hopes of stopping the Night King before he marches on Westeros in the present.
This may sound far-fetched, but there's actually evidence in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of books that backs up this idea. As Inverse pointed out in 2017, early on in Game of Thrones the book, George R.R. Martin writes that Old Nan often gets all of the Brandon Starks mixed up. The passage reads:
"Sometimes Nan would talk to him as if he were her Brandon, the baby she had nursed all those years ago, and sometimes she confused him with his uncle Brandon, who was killed by the Mad King before Bran was even born. She had lived so long, Mother had told him once, that all the Brandon Starks had become one person in her head."
Martin is no stranger to foreshadowing, and neither is the show. The former Three-Eyed Raven tells Bran that "the past is already written" and that the "ink is dry." Now that Bran has inherited those same powers, he can see through time, and he may know that the future hinges on him fulfilling his duty of impacting the Stark line by playing his role as all of the Brandon Starks. This would mean that he's responsible for Winterfell's existence, and for building the Wall that keeps the Night King at bay. And if he is Bran the Builder, then he may know about the magic that's been said to have played a role in the Wall's construction. That magic could ultimately be the key to defeating the Night King once and for all.
The theory is cool not only because it adds another layer of depth to Bran's story, but because it makes excellent use of the show's time travel device. Bran knows he can't change the past, but his unique perspective on it could give him the tools necessary to impact the present in a way that helps Jon and Daenerys end the Night King's reign. It would also take the series full circle by proving that the little boy whose sad fate set so much of the story in motion is the most important character in the entire series. Hey, it's not quite as cool as dragons, but that still would be an undeniably fascinating character arc.
6 Insider Secrets For Living Life to the Fullest on Your Spring Getaway
OK travelers, real talk. Have you ever gotten home from a big trip only to think about all the little things you would've done differently? Or maybe it took a few days to shut off your brain and fully get into relaxation mode? Either way, sometimes it takes a little doing to find your vacation groove. (Been there!)
We call it Spring break because that's exactly what it's supposed to be - a break. It's a chance to escape any stresses of daily life and treat yourself to some much needed (and deserved) R & R. In fact, a recent study shows that taking a vacation helps to eliminate stress and can even prolong your life. So when you embark on this season's big getaway, remember the goal is to squeeze every ounce of enjoyment from your seaside escape, West Coast road trip, excursion to a new country, or whatever your plans might hold. It's for the sake of science, after all. To help you fully unwind, we linked up with travel experts to share their foolproof secrets for making the most out of the big Spring getaway.
Forgot Your iPhone Passcode? Here’s How to Get Back In
It happens to the best of us - you grab your iPhone to check your email or scroll through Instagram, but your brain completely blanks when it comes to your passcode. You've typed it in hundreds of times before, but having what seems like a million passwords for every site, portal, bank account, and channel can sometimes make them all melt into each other. Yikes! So what do you do?
Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you're worried about your phone falling into the wrong hands), Apple hasn't made it easy to get around a forgotten passcode. In order to get back into your phone, you need to perform a restore, which erases all the data on the phone, including photos (this is why backing up data on your phone is so essential!). If everything is backed up, which you can do through iTunes or by paying for Apple's iCloud service, your phone will look just like it did before the restore.
When you're ready to perform a restore, here's how:
- Connect your phone to your computer.
- Open (or download and then open) iTunes.
- While the device is connected, do a force restart (for iPhone 8 and iPhone X, this is done by pressing then quickly releasing the volume up button, pressing then quickly releasing the volume down button, then pressing and holding the side button until you see the recovery-mode screen).
- On your computer, you'll see the option to update or restore. Choose restore.
And voila! Your phone is back in service and you'll (hopefully) never forget your password again.
This Handy Little Trick Lets You Take Photos on Your iPhone Even When Your Storage Is Full
Raise your hand if this has happened to you at least once: you're at an exciting event or spending time with friends, you go to snap a quick photo, and you're greeted with one of the most annoying iPhone prompts ever - "iPhone Storage Full." You frantically go through your camera roll and delete old selfies and the thousands of candid photos you have of your sleeping pet to make some extra room. But it's too late - by the time you're able to take a photo, the moment has already passed.
Well, what if there was a trick to taking more photos on your iPhone even when it tells you its storage is full? As it turns out, there is an easy way to remedy this (if you don't have extra time to delete old content, that is). All you have to do is open up one of your social media apps - could be Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, click on the camera icon, and take a photo. The image will then be automatically saved to your camera roll - pretty great, right?
Of course, if you want to avoid getting the "iPhone Storage Full" message repeatedly, you're going to have to manage your iPhone storage so that it can free up more space, which isn't as complicated as it sounds.
I Was in an Emotionally Abusive Relationship, and I Didn't Even Realize It
At 23 years old, I fell fast and hard for an outgoing, charismatic man. When we began dating, he made me feel special, beautiful, and loved. I decided that any negative aspect of our relationship didn't matter because he loved me so much - there was a reasonable explanation for all of it. So when he proposed to me after almost a year of dating, I was overjoyed. I found a guy who wanted to commit his life to me. We were going to build a future together.
Six months into our engagement, that image of our life crumbled to pieces. My fiancé decided that he didn't want to marry me anymore, and it felt like a tragedy. I dreaded telling my friends and family; I was devastated. But their reactions to my news were not what I expected at all. One friend broke into tears. Another told me she was proud of me. My family felt guilty that they had let the relationship progress as much as it did.
They were relieved that my engagement to this man was over. Everyone had been scared for me, and I didn't get why. I was confused.
Everyone had been scared for me, and I didn't get why. I was confused.
This was the worst thing that had ever happened to me, wasn't it? But then, loved ones started telling me of times when they wish they had said something to me. Times when my fiancé would put me down or yell at me in public. And as more people stepped forward and told me that ending this relationship was a good thing (including this guy's own close friends), I came to a horrifying realization.
I was emotionally abused, and I could not admit to myself that it was happening at the time.
There were glimmers of problems from the beginning of our relationship, but I made the choice to ignore them. He would say little things to me or shout for a moment, but I brushed it off. It didn't become bad until we moved in together a month after our engagement.
My friends only saw what was happening in front of them, but behind closed doors it was even worse.
The first memory I have of definitive emotional abuse was an evening just a week or two after we moved into our apartment. We were sitting at the bar below our place having a drink when I noticed that he was getting Snapchats from a girl he nicknamed Kate Upton in his phone. I had mentioned to him once before that this made me uncomfortable, so when I saw that she had popped up once again, I questioned him about it. And he became furious with me.
He immediately stomped up the stairs to our apartment, and I quickly followed behind. He was livid. He told me I was ridiculous and jealous for questioning if he would be inappropriately interacting with another girl. And I felt terrible that I would ever question him - we were getting married, after all.
But the more I cried and apologized, the more he screamed at me.
But the more I cried and apologized, the more he screamed at me. I began to have a panic attack and I melted down to the ground, curled up in a ball in the hallway. But instead of stopping the yelling, he stood over me and continued to scream. I started hyperventilating. He told me I was faking it and I was pathetic. After he finished the shouting, he walked away from me. We were silent for about 20 minutes, then we got into bed and went to sleep. The next morning, he said he was sorry, but I needed to calm down with my emotions. So in the end, I was the one apologizing for what transpired the night before.
This was not a one-time thing. There were many more fights like this. And in the end I was always the one made to feel guilty. How dare I ever question him - he proposed to me. How could I do that to him? I was disgusted with myself for doubting him on a regular basis. I told myself that it was my anxiety making me paranoid.
But the screaming wasn't the only problem. This man would criticize me, put me down, and make me feel small constantly. If he didn't like something I was wearing, he would make sure I knew it. He told me I wasn't very funny and he didn't get why my friends laughed at me. He would constantly belittle me for being clumsy. I was afraid to spill something in front of him.
Another problem entirely was his lack of respect for people close to him. I watched him yell at his family on a regular basis over the tiniest things. He started off being incredibly close with my parents (they even helped him pick out my engagement ring), but as soon as we started planning the wedding, everything changed.
I started gaining weight. I became very quiet at work. I saw less of my friends. I felt bad about myself, but I didn't understand why. Wedding planning was not fun; I found it stressful. Like always, I told myself it was all in my head.
He had a lot of opinions about how he envisioned our wedding should be, and if my parents or I had a differing opinion, he was angry about it. We weren't putting a dime of our own money into the big day, so I felt weird about his resentment toward any ideas other than his own. When I tried to tell him that, he would tell me I was wrong. "Don't you love me because I have a lot of opinions?" he would say.
He stopped visiting my family with me. When I mentioned my parents, he would make snide remarks about them. I stopped talking about them altogether because it made me uncomfortable. My family loved me, and all they were trying to do was give us a dream wedding.
I loved this guy so much that I didn't care how I was feeling on the inside.
I loved this guy so much that I didn't care how I was feeling on the inside. I would do anything for him, and he knew that. So when he told me he was unhappy in our relationship, I asked him what I could do to fix that. All he could say was that he didn't know.
Eventually he told me that proposing to me was a mistake, but he wanted me to stay with him to see if we could work things out. More specifically, if I could fix all the things that were "wrong with me." And I did stay for a while. I so desperately wanted him to wake up and realize that no woman would love him the way I did. But he went about every day like things were normal, and I woke up every morning filled with dread, unsure of my future.
I asked him what was going on with our relationship a couple times, and each time it would result in an intense fight where we would part ways and stay with our families for a night or two. He told me I was impossible to talk to because I was too emotional.
After a weekend without hearing from him, I texted him asking if we could meet at the apartment and talk. His response - "Why?" I told him we needed to figure out what was going on, and he told me it wasn't a good thing for him personally to talk to me. We ended things.
I said I was moving out, so he went through everything I owned and put it in the middle of the family room. "I hope I made it a little easier for you," he said. While I sat at my parents' house (my new temporary home) and cried for a week straight, I received texts and calls from all over town - people told me he was out drinking most nights with his friends. They were confused by his actions. It hurt.
He blocked me and my friends from every social media platform. But that didn't stop the awful screenshots of his tweets bragging about going out and joking about needing a wingman. Even his friends were not loyal to him because they knew he turned me into a shell of the person I used to be.
A week later, on top of everything I had just gone through, I learned that he was not faithful to me. He was sending all sorts of photos of his penis to another girl before we were even engaged. Several people who knew about the exchanges informed me, even providing physical proof that the "other girl" admitted to all of it.
When I confronted him and his parents about his infidelity (bravest thing I've ever done, by the way), he pulled me to the side and asked me why I was trying to ruin his life. "We're done, Macy," he shouted at me. "You're trying to cause drama."
But I wasn't trying to cause drama. For the first time in my life, I was standing up to him. He had made me feel so guilty for questioning him all this time. And that feeling in the pit of my stomach was right all along. After trying to protect him and our relationship for a year and a half of my life, I was done. I missed who I used to be. I missed being happy. I realized that I had dedicated a huge period of my life trying to make sure I didn't make someone mad, and I was exhausted.
Why am I telling you this story? Because I know there are other people out there like me. People who lose themselves in the name of love, even if that love isn't healthy. Nobody deserves to be screamed at. Nobody deserves to be berated. I didn't understand that before, but I certainly know it now.
I was so scared to write about my experience, but now I feel empowered by it.
I was so scared to write about my experience, but now I feel empowered by it. I wanted to protect my former fiancé because a part of me still loves him, but I'm finished doing that now. I am trying to remind myself that yes, I am smart, funny, and strong. I didn't feel like I was any of those things for a long time. I'm having a hard time telling myself that now, but I will believe it again soon.
If you feel like you're being emotionally abused, trust your gut. Don't make excuses for it like I did. Learn from me. Talk to someone you trust. You may feel like you can't live without your partner, but you can. It will hurt. I'm still hurting every single day. But little by little, you will find yourself again. You won't believe you lived the way you did because of how happy you are now. And you will be stronger for it.
If you or a loved one are in need of any help, the Office on Women's Health has several resources here, including links to national hotlines.
You’ll Totally Get These 10 Things If You’re a Middle Child
Growing up between an older and a younger sibling takes a special kind of survival skill that only people in the über-exclusive middle child club will ever be able to fully appreciate. There's a unique art to holding court at the center of it all, and strictly out of necessity, we learn to use that prime position to our advantage. The lessons we learn during that time stay with us our entire lives and show up in distinct ways once we become adults. Here are 10 traits that are dead giveaways that you're a middle child.
- You get incredibly excited whenever snacks, pizza, or any kind of treat is divided up at a family function, and you end up with the "extra" piece, because your whole life it's either been snatched up by the older one or reserved for the baby of the family.
- You then immediately offer it to your younger sibling, because that's your job. And really, you're not that into the treat anyway, because no one asked you what you wanted when it was time to pick it out.
- Speaking of your younger sibling, it's also your job to periodically check in on them to ensure they're truly living the very best life possible. They're the one person in the family who you outrank, so it's important to keep them in check and on task.
- Along those same lines, you're excellent at dodging those similar unwanted questions directed at you from your older sibling, who might be only a few years your senior, but somehow seems light years ahead of you in terms of locking down a great career, a perfect family, a picturesque house, and the ideal healthy lifestyle.
- When it comes to those major life decisions, though, you feel a lot less pressure than your siblings because you're not expected to be the first one to do anything, and you don't have to live up to the pressure of being anyone's "last chance." So, while you sometimes might feel like the family isn't taking notice of you, it's more like you have the ultimate edge in terms of complete acceptance.
- You're the one who always ends up planning family get-togethers, because you're the bridge between all the family members, and the only one who can actually coordinate everyone's calendars.
- You've developed the remarkable skill of successfully mediating any argument, between both your siblings and your parents, and sometimes all of them at once. This comes in very handy at all of those family functions you organize.
- You also have the uncanny ability to remain in the loop about every single thing that happens to anyone in your immediately family. You're in the know, and everyone knows it.
- If something somehow miraculously escapes you, you immediately assume everyone has completely forgot about you . . . again. Now it's time to get to the bottom of who knew what and when, and who didn't include you when the details were made known.
- Even though you're bothered at being left out at first, you quickly get over it when it rarely happens because in this family, everyone knows you're the center of it all, even if they don't say it all the time (or ever).
12 Things You'll Relate to If You're the Baby of the Family
I was the oldest of three kids, so I'll admit I never really understood the plight of the youngest child until I had children of my own. As I see my youngest daughter growing up, it is clear that her birth order totally affects her personality. And oh, does she fit pretty much every stereotype associated with being the littlest one. Since she has two older sisters, she's much (much) louder than they are, because she has to speak up just to be heard. She's also growing up faster than her sisters, mostly due to the fact that she just wants to keep up with them. Cue the mini heels and asking to wear makeup! Did I mention she is only 5 years old? If you, or someone you know, is a youngest child, you'll relate to these signs that your birth order really does play a role in who you are, and how you go through life.
- You'll always be the baby.
Even when you're an adult. My little sister is getting married at the age of 30, and I'm still like, "Isn't she way too young to be someone's wife?" Similarly, I'm still in denial that my little girl is ready for kindergarten. She graduates to the first grade in two months. AH! - You are a pacifist.
My husband is also the youngest of three kids, and his motto is, "Can't we all just get along?" - You are kind of easy-going, but no, you really have to get your way.
Youngest children are often thought of as followers, because their older sibs tell them what to do. Underneath that go-with-the-flow attitude is a rebellious spirit, the same one that supplies that superloud voice. And in my experience, youngests use the favor they've earned being the baby to stealthily get what they want. - You are super self-sufficient, out of necessity.
Your mom didn't have time to help you learn how to tie your shoes, so you taught yourself. This is a great life skill, so thanks, birth order. - You get into a hobby or activity because your older siblings love it. Then, you do something completely different.
Youngest kids need their own thing. Which is why my older daughters are on the swim team, while my little one just quit to do gymnastics. - You do everything way earlier than your older siblings.
Like get a phone. Because your parents are over it. I mean, putting off the older kids took enough of their energy. There's nothing left! - Sometimes, you don't even notice, or get offended, that when you're talking, no one is listening to you.
You're used to it! - You may be super emotional.
Because when being really, really loud didn't get your family's attention, you cried. Really, really loudly. Which usually worked like a charm, so why stop now? - You're a major smarty pants.
You always try to keep up with your older siblings, so you read sooner and maybe better! Now you're just waiting for someone in your family to notice you being an overachiever. - You are also a major sweetie pie.
Since your family treats you like the baby of the family (because you are), you have been the object of a lot of compassion and love. Which you promptly mirror to everyone else. Whenever I'm feeling blue, the first kid in my family to come over and ask if I'm OK is my little one. - You are very independent.
This one goes along with being a self-starter. You aren't afraid to try something new, or go out on your own. Because mom and dad couldn't always make it to your practice or scout meeting, you went in solo. And totally rocked it. - You have a lot of friends.
Being the youngest means you are good at getting along with all different types of people. If you have always been popular, with a large circle of friends, it might be because you're a youngest. See, it's not all bad!
10 Signs You're Most Definitely the Oldest Child in Your Family
As the oldest of three children, there's no denying the perks that come with the title: you're the first one to push your parents' boundaries, you get to be the first one to try things, and, hey, bossing around your siblings is pretty fun. And while the pros of being the oldest certainly outweigh the cons for me, sometimes I can't help but be jealous of all the things my brother and sister got away with back in the day. Does this sound like you? Then keep reading to get a look at the tried-and-true signs that anyone with younger siblings can relate to, and enjoy a good chuckle in the process.
Related: 17 Signs You're the Oldest Sister
If You Want to Raise Honest Kids, Harvard Researchers Suggest These 3 Tips
Raising a child who is honest, trustworthy, and open is every parent's goal, but with the white lie ever-present in everyday life (especially for parents - sometimes you just have to tell your kid their favorite pizza spot is closed to get a vegetable in them), how do you ensure you're raising your child to be truthful? Rick Weissbourd, Co-Director of Making Caring Common and Senior Lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Education, has a few suggestions for how to talk to your kids about lying, and in turn, how to be honest.
Although his first, more informal tip is "don't freak out" when your child does or says something dishonest, Weissbourd has three additional tips for parents to follow to ensure their child is one who values the truth and knows that lying isn't right.
1. Encourage Honesty
It's no surprise that the first step to making sure your child is honest is by encouraging honesty in the first place. However, there is a caveat to this: sometimes lying for a good reason or not telling the entire truth may be necessary.
First, talk to your kids about why it's important to be truthful in the first place - if they want their friends and family to trust them and believe what they say, they need to tell the truth all the time, even when it's difficult. Promise to be honest with them in turn, so that you both have the opportunity to build trust with each other (If you have an example, tell them about a time that you got caught in a lie or weren't honest, and what the repercussions were). Let them know that even if they've done something wrong or have made a mistake, that they should still come to you with the truth instead of trying to cover their actions up by fibbing.
On the flip side, sometimes a white lie can be OK, especially when someone's feelings or their own safety comes into play. A few examples you can give your child of when it's OK to lie are when someone asks them for personal information they don't want to share (especially if it's a stranger), if someone gives them a gift they don't like, if someone is telling them a story that they think is boring, or if they know the truth about Santa but their friends or siblings don't.
2. Model Honesty
Monkey see, monkey do, particularly when your kids are very young. "We can't tell our kids to be honest and then undercut it by doing what a lot of us do, which is telling white lies or exaggerating the truth on display for them," Weissbourd says. Take extra care to model the behaviors you'd like your own child to display, but be self-aware enough to realize when you aren't being a perfect role model and acknowledge these moments with them.
For example, if you are talking to your partner about plans you want to avoid following through with and you ask them to say "just tell them we're busy" when your kids know you aren't, try to catch yourself in that moment to explain why you chose to lie and what you could do better next time.
3. Praise Honesty
Once you've discussed honesty with your kids, praise them for being truthful, especially in a situation where you know it might have been hard for them to tell the truth. Weissbourd notes: "Sometimes being honest is really tough for them - it takes real courage. And we need to honor that courage."
I Lie to My Kids All the Time, and I'm a Better Mom For It
Lies - we all tell them every day; little lies, big lies, and those in between. They're just a part of life. We even lie to our kids. We sometimes have to.
Yes, we choose honesty, too. Just the other day, for example, my preschool-age daughter asked, "Mommy, how did I get out of your belly?" "My vagina," I told her. "You came out of my vagina." But, sometimes, to survive motherhood on a daily basis, we have to fudge the truth a bit, right moms? I know I certainly do.
Just today, I've told several lies to my small children.
"Mom, can I have one more piece of candy? No, you'll get a bad bellyache and horrible diarrhea."
"Mom, can we go to the Playland at McDonald's? No, they're closed."
"Mom, can I invite Suzy over for a sleepover? No, her family went out of town this weekend."
See how easy that was? Ahh, and such a relief, too. By telling those quick little lies, I maneuvered my way around the potential for World War III in our house. If I simply would have said, "No," my children would have persisted, and pressed on. Tantrums would have ensued. Tears would have rolled down their cheeks. My ears would have split. And the cork in my wine bottle would have been popped much sooner than it needed to be. I needed to tell those lies and didn't think twice about it.
Some lies, usually the big ones, are to protect my kids' innocence. I pretend Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Elf on the Shelf, and even leprechauns exist. We lie straight to our kids' faces about them because we want to preserve the magic of childhood. We want to witness the mystery and joy in our children's eyes, so we never hesitate to pretend certain things are a reality.
There's also lies we tell to protect them. The world is a nasty place. Guns and violence are hitting our kids' schools, so when the news is on (because I always forget to turn the TV off when my kids come into the room), and they see some "scary bank robber" with a black mask over his face and ask, "Who's that scary guy, mommy?" I never hesitate to say, "Oh, he's just dressing up for a costume party." My young child does not need to wrap his head around terrorism or gang violence at such a young age. He should be concerned with how he's going to catch that money-hungry leprechaun or get the Tooth Fairy to give him more money instead.
No, I'm not instilling dishonesty into my children. It's just that motherhood is challenging enough. Those white lies help me from fighting every single battle with my strong-willed children. So, if lying can save the entire family from yet another tug of war, another argument, or another cry fest, then I do it. Why encourage yells to echo and bounce off of the kitchen walls if I don't have to? Thank you, but I choose my sanity instead. No, I choose our family's sanity instead.
I Caught My Kid in a Massive and Serious Lie, and It's Making Me Question Everything
Last Thursday, I was out for a rare girls' dinner when my phone started pinging like crazy. In a long series of texts, my husband explained that our almost-7-year-old daughter, whom I'd spent four hours with that afternoon before heading out for a long-overdue margarita or two, had confided in him that something awful had happened at school that day. "She just told me that Jay punched both her and her friend Molly six times each in the stomach because he was mad they did better than him on the math test. They all had to go to the principal's office, and Jay was sent home from school," one of the texts read.
"Ya, that's a lie," was my immediate response. I didn't even have to think about it. I mean, not only did I know Jay to be a sweet kid that she'd always played well with (until a few weeks before, when he became her table mate and started borrowing her stuff without asking, a state of affairs that she'd been complaining about regularly), but I was fairly certain that such a dramatic occurrence would have sparked some sort of communication from the school. Plus, six times exactly?! Come on.
My husband balked at my quick dismissal: "She's really upset." "Why didn't she tell me about this after school?" I countered. "She says she was waiting to tell me because she admires me so much," was his reply. I almost spit out the large gulp I'd just taken of that precious margarita. "Now I'm sure it's a lie," I wrote back, also impressed with my daughter's ability to know her audience. "I'll talk to her about it tomorrow."
My jaw dropped. One lie told on one day I could understand. But a lie that persisted for months? That's truly alarming.
When I confronted her about the incident the next morning, she stuck to her story . . . kind of. But there were enough deviations from the original tale that I was pretty certain my bullsh*t detector had been triggered correctly. I became certain of it when I told her I was going to email her teacher. "I don't think you should sit next to someone who punches you, honey," I told her. "No, no, no, Mommy, I'll deal with it myself. Don't email Mrs. M. I can handle it." Considering this is a girl who can't handle picking out her own clothes without asking for help, I knew what I had to do.
Feeling a bit like I was narcing my own kid out, I emailed her teacher to ask her about the alleged incident, making it clear that I was fairly certain it was fictional. She, of course, talked to my daughter, who quickly realized she had been caught and eventually fessed up to the whole thing being a lie, created, she said, because she wanted attention. You've never seen a head hung as low as hers when she walked off her school bus that afternoon. Before we even got inside, she'd offered up her iPad and her favorite stuffed animal as punishments for her untruth. Instead, I sat her down to talk about why she had come up with the story and what the ramifications of telling lies can be: people not believing her even when she's telling the truth, getting innocent people in trouble, losing friends, and so on.
She seemed to take it all well, but just when I was about to pat myself on the back for earning a parenting gold star that day, she hit me with this shocker. "Remember how I told you Max was making fun of me for not being able to tie my shoes?" she asked. Considering she talked about his shoelace-related teasing at least once a week for months while she was learning, yes, I absolutely did, and I had silently hated that little bully ever since. "I made that up, too," she continued. "He never made fun of me."
My jaw dropped. One lie told on one day I could understand. But a lie that persisted for months, ending with a story about Max giving her a high-five to celebrate that she'd finally mastered the art of shoe-tying? That was truly alarming. With a much firmer tone, I went back into my spiel about the importance of telling the truth and not making up stories about other people. I told her how, for months, I'd thought Max was a mean kid, and he didn't deserve my judgment. I told her how disappointed I was in her behavior and how she'd have to earn back my trust.
In the last week, I've been questioning every drama that comes out of her mouth. "Is that true?" has become my much-too-regular response to her. I know she's only 6 and still learning about how the world works and how she should navigate through it. I have to believe that she's just testing her boundaries, not turning into a tiny sociopath. But trusting the dramatic tales she brings home from school? That's going to take a while.
My Siblings and I Don't Get Along - but It's Taught Me to Love Myself
I can't count how many times I've heard that your relationship with your siblings is one of the most meaningful relationships you'll ever have. I'm the youngest of six children, and I can't say I agree. My relationship with my siblings was a roller-coaster ride, filled with breathtaking highs and debilitating lows. That ride came to a screeching halt when my father died, and I made the difficult decision to get off. And it was one of the best things I've ever done.
Our relationship was toxic for many years, and I came to realize that it kept me from being the version of my self that my husband and son deserved. It was an agonizing decision, but I learned that you don't have to be stuck in a relationship if it's not working for you, no matter what the relationship is. I also learned how important it was to sometimes put my feelings and my mental health first, even if it may have hurt someone else.
Things weren't always bad. In fact, my childhood memories with my siblings were filled with love, laughter, and lots of fun. They were all much older than me, and I idolized them as a kid. Being the baby sister in such a large family seemed great! My siblings and I have different mothers - my father's first wife passed away from cancer, and he remarried my mother; I'm the only child of my parents. And although our dad worked really hard to build a strong, unified family unit, things weren't as solid as they appeared.
I started feeling like my siblings' hidden animosity and resentment surfaced when I was a grade schooler. My sister often teased me about only being their half-sibling. As I grew into my teens, I really struggled to fit in with my family, which was so heartbreaking, especially after I spent years idolizing and loving my older siblings. Had our relationship been poor from the start, I probably wouldn't have been affected much. But it struck deep, and as a result I believe it played a role in my struggle with mental health issues and alcohol use.
The roller-coaster relationship continued into adulthood. I got married, and my husband and I had a son. I fit perfectly in my own family, but I was still trying hard to fit in with my siblings. And I still thought everything was my fault, so I forgave them and continued to work on our relationship. The thing is, when things weren't bad, we were actually pretty close. I enjoyed spending time with them. But when we got into disagreements, it was devastating, and it began to take away from my relationship with my husband and my son.
When our dad died, I realized that part of the reason I allowed our toxic relationship to continue was because he worked so hard to build a strong family unit. I began to think back on some of our fights and recognized that I accepted their poor treatment of me for my dad's sake. At the time, I didn't realize how much not getting along with my siblings was impacting me, but looking back, the pattern is clear. The fact that they didn't seem to like me anymore made me hate myself. I thought I was the source of everything bad in our family and there was something wrong with me that caused them to feel this way - which I believe deeply affected my mental health. I decided it was time to worry about myself, and when I truly understood the impact of our relationship on my life, I knew I had to walk away. Doing so was the hardest and kindest thing I've ever done for myself. And I tried my best to make sure that I didn't purposely hurt them in the process.
Thanks to therapy, personal development, and self-care practices, I've come to accept everything that's happened. When I think about my relationship with my siblings, I'm not bitter. I'm grateful. I'm grateful for the good times we shared, but I'm also grateful for the hard times. It's those difficult times that molded me into the stronger, braver person I am today. Not getting along with my siblings took me from a place of deep, dark, emotional self-destruction to a place of acceptance where I found my true self-worth. I learned that I'm worthy, I'm important, and I'm loved. That realization alone has made all the ups and downs worth it. It has been the greatest gift of my life because it allowed me to be a better wife and mom to the two people who deserve the best of me.
I'm Not Planning on Having Kids - and Feel Guilty Because I'm an Only Child
Growing up, I loved being an only child. The bountiful, unshared Christmases. The peaceful, unshared teen years. The relaxing, unshared visits home as an adult. Notice a theme here? I hate to reinforce the stereotype that only children don't share - but usually, we don't have to divide up anything, from dad's hugs to Halloween candy. But now that I'm in my 30s, there's one thing I would happily split with brothers or sisters: the "burden" of giving my parents grandkids.
"I've just . . . kind of accepted that I'll never have a grandchild," my mom recently sighed, more glumly than she'd meant to. I was heartbroken. I had always assumed that a yearning for a baby would kick in for me, but it hasn't. Oh sweet-cracker-sandwich do I want a dog, but a baby? Eh. Meh. I just don't feel that tug - not yet, anyway. And while I want to give my mom everything she wants - I won't even use a laundry detergent she vetoes - should it come at the expense of what I want?
Besides, I've always believed that no child should be born into this world as part of an agenda: not to fix a marriage, not to force someone to grow up, and certainly not to spice up a grandparent's retirement. Yet the idea of so profoundly disappointing my family isn't easy. Especially because if I had a sibling, I'd have written off kids a long time ago.
I can't help but feel like I owe my parents a baby.
I fill with envy when I hear my friends talk about how fun it is to be an aunt - to breeze in with gifts and cuddles and then skedaddle right around meltdown o'clock. I'd give anything to have a brother who's happily procreating, or a sister who just can't wait to make Mama into Meemaw. Then I'd be able to just enjoy my child-free adult life.
And, in a way, my parents could relax and stop worrying about me, too. With a child of my own, I would finally seem like a full-grown adult. They could pass the parental baton; the generations would have continued, their work here would be done. Instead, I feel selfish and guilty, like I've doomed them to eternal parenthood.
All this is made even worse by the fact that I don't even have any cousins, either. Both my parents, and all four of my grandparents, were only children. So the entirety of so many family lines comes down to me. It's a genetic burden I wasn't thinking about when I was riding a pony at one of my over-the-top childhood birthday parties. But I sure am now, and I can't help but feel like I owe my parents a baby.
In the end though, my parents lived the life they chose, and I think I have the responsibility to do the same, no matter who it appears to disappoint. What worked for one generation may not work for the next one. I know that my parents only want me to be happy, and right now I am - but as a daughter, not a mother.
No Matter How Many Times You Ask Me, I'm Not Going to Give My Son a Sibling
After more conversations that I can count, my husband and I are decided: we're not having any more children. We have one son, a kind and goofy almost 4-year-old who loves The Beatles almost as much as he loves playing with his Dad. We adore our son and love being his parents, but we came to realize that, for a variety of reasons, we're OK with having only one kid. Of course, every family is different, and I support any mom who chooses what's best for her family. But for those of you wondering, here's why my family decided that we're one and done.
A Big Family Was Never Our Dream
Some people have a vision of what they want their life to look like. From sprawling houses in their dream city to their ideal job and number of kids. Me, not so much. In a general sense, I always knew I wanted to have a child, but I've never had a particular desire for a large brood. My husband felt the same way. Though we have different backgrounds (he comes from a large family and I'm an only child), neither of us feels like our life will be incomplete without more children.
Related: 10 Tips For Raising an Only Child
Our Tripod Is a Lot of Fun
We're very happy with just the three of us. My son enjoys our threesome, often comparing us to characters he sees in children's books and on TV. To him, we're like the three musketeers; to me, we're able to live a nearly stress-free lifestyle. We outnumber him, making it easier to parent and be wholly present because our resources aren't split between multiple siblings. I've also been able to do things with him that I wouldn't have been able to do otherwise. I took two years off to be a stay-at-home mom, bringing him to parks, museums, playdates, and even train adventures. Plus, we can afford one kid, but I honestly don't know what we would do if we had a second. With daycare in my area costing around $2,000 a month, we would go into debt just trying to provide basic childcare. With only one, we're lucky enough to not have to worry.
Multiple Children Can Be Stressful
I love my son and his sweet face, but when he decides that he doesn't want the dinner he just begged me for, my head feels like it's going to explode. With only one child, I'm able to be the kind of parent I want to be - one who is patient, child-centric, and fun - when he has his outbursts. Because I'm not stressed out, I'm able to resist his demands and battles. Plus, I'm better able to lead with love and humor and defuse the situation.
My Son Doesn't Need a Sibling to Be Happy
Yes, many people love their siblings and I think that's wonderful. My husband is one of them; he adores his sisters, but he and I both agree that having siblings doesn't make someone any more or less happy. The myth that only children are selfish, spoiled, and unhappy is just that - a myth. My son is being raised to be a kind and considerate person who happily shares. We don't need a second child to teach him good behavior.
Related: Why I'm Glad I Grew Up an Only Child
The Age Gap Is Getting Too Big
My son is nearing the bend of 4 years old, and I know that if I wanted to get pregnant again, it could take me a while. At best there would be a five-year age gap between him and any sibling, if not more. And to me it seems like the chances of them playing with each other become slimmer and slimmer the wider that age gap gets. Sure, he may be close to the hypothetical second kid as they got older, but for the bulk of their lives we would be dealing with two kids with completely different needs. Just as our son's getting old enough to stay up later and enjoy the world, we would suddenly be tied to the house again, obeying the bed times and strict schedules of a baby.
I Want to Focus on Different Parts of My Life
After over two years as a stay-at-home mom, I'm enjoying being back in the workforce, too much to put that on hold for another kid. I know it's possible to work with multiple children, and I commend all the parents that do, but after spending so much time and energy focused on my son, I'm really enjoying the ability to think about myself and my needs. I feel fulfilled at work, I've been able to exercise more regularly, and just as importantly, I get a lot of quality time with my husband. A second child would change these situations and relationships, and I'm not ready to give that all up. So while there's nothing wrong with having multiple kids, for my family, it's just not the right fit. Besides, we're happy just the way we are.
Why I Need My Big Brother, Even as an Adult
For me, the best part of my childhood was sharing it with my older brother. Although we were three years apart and had different interests as kids (I loved my Care Bears and he collected Magic: The Gathering cards), when it came to playing together, we always managed to find common ground. From classics like Candy Land and Monopoly, to Nintendo hits like Duck Hunt and Super Mario Brothers, I knew I could always count on my big bro to be my game partner. We were also great at recreating scenes from our favorite movies, like 3 Ninjas (anyone else remember Rocky's epic dunk?), and inventing fantastical adventures for his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures. He would even include me when his cute friends came over, which made me feel so cool. Plus, I knew I could count on him to lend a hand with my homework and stick up for me whenever I had a problem with bullies.
But as an adult, I value his support even more. Having someone who completely understands how you're feeling and what you're going through (like when our grandparents died) is such a blessing. It's also reassured me that when the day comes when we lose our parents, as utterly devastating as it will be, we'll be lucky enough to have each other to lean on.
Through the years, we have seen each other grow up, get married, and start our own families. When my young daughter was battling with depression, I was heartbroken, but my brother was there for me through it all. And when his son was diagnosed with ADHD, I was there to offer him reassurance that everything was going to be okay. We have always had each other's backs, and always will.
I admit that I worried our close childhood relationship would fade with time. To a certain extent, I suppose it has. But while we no longer wake up early on Saturdays to watch our favorite cartoons together, my brother is still one of the first people I text when I want advice, need a venting session, or have a funny moment to share. We have countless inside jokes and, more importantly, so much dirt on each other. It's ridiculous. It's also the best.
Many people, including our family and friends, have commented on how lucky my brother and I are to have remained close throughout the years. They often ask us what our secret is, but there really isn't one. To us, there is nothing more special than family. I ended up with two daughters and my brother ended up with two sons. Our children see how my brother and I are always there for one another, in good times and in bad, and it is our hope that they too will have the same type of special relationship with their sibling for the rest of their lives.
Out of all of the many wonderful blessings my parents have given me, my brother is the best one. Our relationship is like no other. And I'll forever be grateful.
Having More Than 1 Child Was the Best Gift We Gave Our Daughter
My husband and I always knew we wanted more than one child. We're both close with our siblings, and wanted our future kids to experience that kind of relationship. While every family is different, and that's totally OK, this was an important choice for my husband and I. It probably also has something to do with the fact that both of us are the youngest (I have two older brothers and he has one older sister) and we really looked up to our older siblings. Neither of us could imagine life without them . . . and that's only partially because we never actually knew a life without them.
After our daughter was born, we wanted to take a minute to enjoy this first tiny little miracle we brought into the world, so we decided that we wouldn't start trying for our second child until she was 3 years old, when she'd be out of diapers and much more self-sufficient. We also wanted her to be old enough to understand what was going on, even though we knew we could never prepare her for what it would mean to bring a new baby home.
Related: Having Grown Up Without Siblings, I Refuse to Have Just 1 Child in the Future
They'll always have someone standing by them who knows exactly what it's like to have us as their parents.
It took us three rounds of fertility treatment to become pregnant the first time, so I went back to the clinic early to tell them we were ready to try again. But I got some unexpected news: I'd have to stop breastfeeding my daughter in order to try getting pregnant again. I loved breastfeeding and wasn't ready to give it up. Cue the mom guilt. I struggled to decide which was more important to me: continuing to breastfeed my current baby or becoming pregnant with her sibling. Even though I knew I would be stopping for a really good reason, I couldn't bring myself to quit nursing. And after talking things through with my husband (who I'm thankful supported my breastfeeding journey), we decided that I would continue to nurse for a few more months before starting the journey to become pregnant again. To this day, though, I still feel guilty that I pushed my daughter into ending nursing not because we were both ready to give it up, but because we wanted a second baby.
But seeing her face when she came to the hospital to meet her baby brother reassured me that it was all worth it for her, too. She loves her brother fiercely, even when he's screaming in her face, throwing her toys, or wrecking her perfectly designed block building. If someone messes with him on the playground, they better be ready to meet the wrath of his big sister. And he looks up to her with such admiration, copying her every move. A bow in her hair for school in the morning? He needs one, too. A crazy kick that has been her signature dance move for years? He's working hard to perfect it himself. And the best part? She's right there giving him pointers.
Related: Why You Should Have More Than 1 Child If You Can Help It
For my husband and I, there's nothing better than seeing our kids' love for one another. We'll never get over the joy of knowing that they will continue to learn from each another and will love each other unconditionally. Our son and daughter will be able to work together to get through the things they believe us parents will "never understand." They'll be mad at us together, then convince each other not to be mad at us, love us, and roll their eyes at us forever. They'll always have someone standing by them who knows exactly what it's like to have us as their parents, someone raised the same way as them, held to the same expectations, loved the same, and taught to love the same. They'll learn there's nothing better than a sibling, the only people who know what it's really like to share an unbreakable, lifelong bond.
Try to Keep Up With Kourtney Kardashian's Massive Designer Bag Collection
Kourtney Kardashian's handbag collection is, in a word, extensive. The eldest of America's most famous sisters has no shortage of designer duds at her disposal - and the same clearly goes for her arm candy. Seemingly every time she steps out, Kourtney is toting a bag from high-end hitmakers like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, and Fendi.
Kourtney's style is arguably the least over-the-top, compared to the rest of her siblings: she keeps it sexy but (mostly) wearable and carries handbags that veer on that same sleek and classic-meets-trendy side, often repeating her favorites. And aside from travel gear, she clearly prefers styles that are small to mini size. Whether a member of her entourage is carrying all her extra stuff or she manages to fit it all into her teeny purses, we may never know. What we do know: you're going to want to scroll through Kourtney's enviable assortment of bags ahead and shop some of her best investments for yourself.
We Forgot How Good Jennifer Garner's Red Carpet Style Is - Until We Saw These Dresses
The world seemed to stop when Jennifer Garner arrived on the 2018 Oscars red carpet in this rich blue Atelier Versace number. She instantly made our best dressed list, and not just because her color choice was bold but because she carried herself with confidence and looked superbly graceful. "Does she always appear so elegant at events?" we wondered. The answer is yes.
If you backtrack through Jennifer's style history, you'll find that even when she's in a neutral shade, such as black or champagne, Jennifer slips a silk scarf around her shoulders or opts for a delicate bag instead of something fierce. Her expression is always soft, but with a toned body like hers, she strikes a sexy tone when she's in the mood for something formfitting. Ahead, catch a glimpse of some of her finest fashion moments.
27 Easter-Perfect Pieces That You Can Wear All Spring Long
Whatever your Easter Sunday plans - Linner at your SO's? A casual brunch with the fam? - you'll need to stay stylish. But with the promise of good food, plenty of time to relax, and OK, maybe a speedy egg hunt, you'll want to be comfortable. Of course, when you pull out feel-good closet staples in light hues, you'll be impeccably dressed for Spring.
If a frilly pink dress isn't your game, that's fair. We've got tie-dye trousers, standout jumpsuits, and even a sequin sneakers that just might speak to you. Read on for an entire wardrobe that looks just right for the holiday but will get you so much further.
- Additional reporting by Sarah Wasilak
Related: 11 Heels You'll Want to Wear This Spring - All Under $50
Emma Watson's Style Transformation Is as Magical to Relive as All the Harry Potter Movies Combined
We'll always have fond memories of Emma Watson as the precocious Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, but the actress has accomplished a lot in her career since then. Emma's become a strong activist with her He For She campaign, championed eco-friendly fashion brands, modeled for Burberry, and starred in other highly raved movies like Beauty and the Beast. Just like her vast portfolio of accolades, Emma's style, too, has evolved over time with her career.
Now more than ever, the star attends major red carpet events, and fashion houses such as Dior and Alexander McQueen are right there to dress her. Emma's not shy about experimenting with dress silhouettes - she's worn everything from minis to poufy ballgowns - and she rocks pantsuits on the regular. Even her outfits from eight years ago show she was willing to take fashion risks. No matter what Emma puts on, she can rock the hell out of it. Take a trip down memory lane by looking at some of her memorable outfits.
Hmm . . . Is Joe Jonas's Game of Thrones Nod in "Cool" a Hint About the Show's Final Season?
In case you haven't heard yet, the Jonas Brothers are back, and it's pretty clear their significant others inspired a huge part of their comeback. Following the release of "Sucker" in February, the boys dropped another single on Friday titled "Cool," and if you listen closely, you'll catch Joe Jonas's special nod to fiancée Sophie Turner and Game of Thrones.
In the second verse, the 29-year-old sings, "Oh, I feel like Post Malone when I get home / Sittin' there, winning like it's Game of Thrones / And now that we've made it, how complicated was last year?" Turner famously plays Sansa Stark in the HBO series, though it's unclear what he means by "winning" since there are a lot of deaths on the show. Hmm . . . perhaps Jonas knows something we don't know? After all, Turner did tell him how the series ends but made sure to make him sign an NDA. Guess we'll just have to tune in when Game of Thrones returns to HBO on April 14 to find out what the heck he is talking about!
Why Game of Thrones Fans Believe the "Aftermath" Poster Reveals Who Will Die in Season 8
We're drawing nearer to the final season of Game of Thrones, and it's gotten to the point where fans are obsessing over everything for a clue of what's to come. When HBO released three new teasers for the upcoming season premiere, you better believe fans gave each one an intense inspection - especially the eerily ominous teaser titled "Aftermath."
The teaser doesn't contain any actual footage from the final season, but it's full of enough imagery to have us shaking. As the camera pans over a completely desolate Winterfell, several objects are pointedly shown buried in the snow, like Tyrion's Hand of the Queen pin, Arya's sword (Needle), Bran's chair, and Jon's sword (Longclaw).
The poster that comes along with the teaser is similar to the footage, except a little more direct - everyone of importance is shown lying dead in an icy pile of bodies that's shaped to resemble the Iron Throne. Even the ol' Night King is in the pile! The poster is enough to worry even the most optimistic GoT fan, to the point where it's led one Reddit user to wonder if it's actually a map to who will live and who will die by the end of the season.
Redditor Jnemo412 helpfully pointed out who is who on the poster, so we have a pretty good lay of the land.
[SPOILERS] Who's who in new season 8 poster from r/gameofthrones
In a theory posed by Reddit user JimmyNice, what if everyone placed on the Night King's side of the poster (the right) is meant to die? Before you feel personally attacked because your favorite character just happens to be pictured there, hear them out - the fact is that nobody is safe and the folks on that side of the photo are more likely to perish than others. There's Cersei (who we know has that icky prophecy hanging over her head), Varys (who has also been told he will die in Westeros), the Mountain (who is already dead, but needs to be put down permanently), and poor, sweet Podrick (someone innocent has gotta die!).
Of course, there are some outliers that need to be taken into account. Sansa and Dany are both on the right side, and they're definitely in the running for making it until the end of the season. Plus, Melisandre is on the left, when we all know that Red Witch has got to go. It's not as far fetched of a theory as it may seem, even though we really hope Pod doesn't bite the big one. He's already been through so much!
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