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.
vendredi 31 mars 2017
The Nightmare Birth Story That Most Women Will Actually Be Jealous Of
Instead of having to suffer through the agonizing pain of childbirth, simply sleeping through it and waking up to find your newborn might sound like the ultimate dream to some moms. For Alice Payne, this was her reality.
After doctors didn't realize how far along Alice was during labor because of a malfunctioning machine, they gave the soon-to-be new mom some medicine to ease her pain, but they didn't realize she was just about 10 centimeters dilated. The medication caused Alice to doze off and by the time she woke up an hour later, her baby boy was almost completely born.
Alice told the Daily Mail that she was medically induced at 38 weeks for Philip's birth and that doctors were "amazed" to see her pushing the baby out while still napping. "Because the contraction monitor wasn't reading me properly, doctors didn't realize that I was as far along as I actually was," Alice said. "So I was given some drugs to let me nap for a couple of hours, but 30 minutes later they realized I was ready to push."
As doctors were injecting a hormone, Syntocinon, every 30 to 60 minutes, they were tracking her contractions with an attached monitor. However, the machine read that the contractions weren't intensifying, only fluctuating between 20 to 40 percent of her muscles engaged, so they continued to increase the amount of hormone injections. Since Alice was in such a relaxed state, she was almost rushed to an emergency C-section, but instead, the doctors, midwife, and nurse witnessed the "weirdest thing" that they had ever seen.
While remaining asleep, Alice's body responded to her husband's voice telling her to push. Incredibly, Alice only woke up for the last 10-15 minutes of the delivery and fell back asleep shortly after the baby was born. "Though I'm pleased I missed the pain of labor, I do wish I had been more present for my first baby's birth," Alice said. "Now when he's older and asks me, I'll have to tell him I nodded off."
This post was originally published on Jan. 20, 2017.
Why I Hope Not to See Pretend Pregnancy Announcements on April Fools' Day
The following post was written by Becky Thompson at Scissortail SILK, her blog that speaks on hope, healing, and faith for women. Becky lives in NW Oklahoma with her husband, their three young children, and whatever critters wander in from the wheat field behind their house. Look for her first book scheduled for release this Spring. Here, she writes about disappointment when trying to conceive.
Last year, I wrote this article - and it spread like wildfire. I heard from people all across the globe who agreed, and others who used some pretty strong language to tell me how much they disagreed. But out of all of it, I noticed one thing. It started a discussion. And sometimes? All it takes for change and hope and forward thinking to take place is for one person to say, "Sure lots of people do it, but that doesn't make it right."
And that is why with April 1st here, I feel it necessary to speak about this once again.
We have all seen them - a happy couple posing with a picture of a sonogram or a pair of little shoes, a smiling woman holding her tummy, a shock of disbelief on a man's face gripping a pregnancy test. They are pictures that lead us to believe that there is a baby on the way. We have also seen the status updates on social media. "I'm expecting!" We are to assume that someone we know is pregnant. Only around April 1st, it's not often true. Once we read the comments, we discover that what is expected is actually a tax return, or a great day, or something other than a baby.
And all of these are done for the sake of a few laughs and a great April Fool's Day prank.
But here's the deal. I'm asking you not to, and beyond that, I'm asking you to ask your friends not to either. Because the truth is, we all have friends who are suffering silently.
It's true. We all have friends who would love to have a baby, and month after month, they find themselves still waiting… still hoping. It is what they think about constantly. It is what they hope for endlessly. And deep down, they face the often relentless fear that they might not ever naturally have a child of their own.
See, after sharing a little of our own struggle to maintain a healthy pregnancy, I have learned that those who face infertility rarely discuss it openly in casual conversation. There will be plenty of status updates about babies and toddlers and children. Moms to be will discuss pregnancy cravings and appointments and ailments. It's easy to see the journey of those who are currently or soon will be parents.
But those who wait? Those who have gone for months or years hoping for a baby of their own? Well, let's be honest. You likely have no idea.
After all, you won't see many status updates that say something along the lines of, "Still not pregnant. #whenwillitbemyturn" …because for many, the journey to pregnancy it is a deeply emotional process. It's not something that comes up in everyday discussions. And yet, with each photo of a happy couple who is expecting, those who struggle will fear that they might not ever know that joy.
So, my request is simple. Let's not make a joke of it this year… or ever. Not because I'm trying to censor you. Not because I'm trying to steal away your fun. But because I want to remind you that there are people that you know… people that you care about… people that you love, who you might be hurting with a simple prank without ever realizing it.
I'm asking you to not make a joke of it for their sake. I'm asking you to spread on this message… for them.
So, yes. I do understand that there are many who do struggle with infertility who would not be bothered by this joke. There are many who are walking out this road who are full of hope and joy and laughter, and they might say, "Don't let my story, stop your fun." But I'm asking on behalf of those who aren't in that place. I'm asking on behalf of those that you love, who might be fighting daily for hope… who might be hanging onto hope by a thread.
Let's decide together that this April Fool's Day will be different, and maybe together? We will start a discussion about why we want it to be…
Lane From Gilmore Girls Is in 13 Reasons Why, and It Blew My Mind
Image Source: Everett Collection
That gem of a lady above is Lane Kim, Rory's icon of a best friend in Gilmore Girls. She's played by Keiko Agena, who has gone on to appear in various TV shows like Shameless. Honestly, she'll always be Lane to me, which may be why I didn't register that she was in 13 Reasons Why until I was browsing the cast list on IMDb. I was already several episodes deep in the new show, which is why it was so embarrassing and also so mind-blowing. Here's the thing: at 43(!) years old, Agena is youthful AF, and the idea that she would be playing a teacher just didn't occur to me. She also has bangs and no signature Lane Kim glasses. Here she is as Mrs. Bradley, one of the teachers in the show:
Image Source: Netflix
I respect it, but I don't know if I like it.
Image Source: Warner Bros.
Your Local CVS Pharmacy Is About to Launch K-Beauty - See All 115 Awesome Products
This Spring, browsing the beauty aisles of your local CVS Pharmacy is going to become even more of an obsession. The drugstore has partnered with Alicia Yoon, founder of K-Beauty online retailer Peach & Lily, to bring more than 100 products from South Korean beauty brands to 2,100 CVS stores around the country (and online!).
Seven different brands are included in this exciting launch, including Yoon's brand-new line, Peach Slices. This range is loaded with affordable and easy-to-use treatments, like blemish-fighting patches and gel moisturizers.
Of course, the K-Beauty collection wouldn't be complete without trendy formulas and adorable packaging. Notable items include "after drinking" hangover-treating sheet masks, a hand cream that looks like a whoopie pie, pore packs, bubble masks, and more. Keep reading to see all 115 products in the lineup, then brace yourself for their online and in-store debut this April.
See What Too Faced's Magical "Unicorn Tears" Lipstick Looks Like on Different Skin Tones
Too Faced's iridescent lipstick came out months and months ago, but it seems that unicorn-beauty-lovers are just starting to fall in love. The magical Unicorn Tears shade ($22) boasts a holographic, bluish shimmer that is transcendent whether worn alone or layered on top of another shade. (Even better, pair it with Anastasia Beverly Hills's Moonchild Glow Kit on cheekbones for a mythical highlight.)
Though Halloween has long since passed, true #UnicornTribe members know that dedication to fantastical beauty is a year-round passion. Before you snag this gorgeous product, read on to see swatches and how it lights up different skin tones.
Photos of Mom Watching Her "Gentle" C-Section Birth Are So Damn Powerful
When Em Anthonisz gave birth to her new baby, it was important to this mom-of-five that her C-section was different than most. "I wanted to feel like I was giving birth, not having surgery," she shared on Belle Verdiglione Photography's blog.
For this Australian mom, that meant that she would have a "gentle" C-section and would be able to watch her baby's head being delivered. Her obstetrician agreed to deliver the baby's head and then stand back so that the newborn could begin to breath on its own before being fully delivered. "I can't even begin to describe what I felt watching our baby lie on my stomach, seemingly asleep!" she said. "It was the most beautiful, raw, magical, and amazing experience I could have ever imagined."
Em's previous three C-sections didn't go the way that she had hoped, but thanks to the support of her doctor and her photographer's talent, she will forever be able to cherish these memories. "Birth, in itself, is such a raw, honest, and emotional journey and I am filled with gratitude that I was finally able to bring a baby earth-side in a way that felt completely 'right' for me," she said. "My wish for the future is that other women are able to have positive birth experiences, no matter which way their baby enters our world."
The Photo of This Baby Will Make You Do a Jaw-Dropping Double Take
Source: Reddit user bretstar
Why, oh why, is this beautiful baby squished into a tube?!
Your first thought upon stumbling onto this photo might very well be, "This has to be a photoshop joke . . . " But it's not a joke at all - this baby is sitting in a very real contraption called a Pigg-O-Stat, and it leaves a lot of room for questions about life, the world, and everything we have come to understand about modern medicine.
The Pigg-O-Stat is an X-ray machine for babies, designed to position and hold infants during the scan without significant complications and to attempt getting a clear image the first time, resulting in less exposure to radiation.
Although the idea is kind of genius, the photo, which was submitted on Reddit, has elicited a lot of confused - and hilarious - comments. Our favorites: "It looks like that baby is about to be sent through the tubes at the bank drive through," and, "Augustus Gloop: The Early Years," a casual Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory reference.
Source: Paramount Pictures
So what do you think about the Pigg-O-Stat? Would you let your baby in one?
This post was originally published on June, 22, 2015.
The Best Designer Brands to Shop For on eBay
Frequent eBay users know you can buy and sell almost anything online. But fashion girls are concerned with one topic: designer goods. The e-commerce site offers a range of new and vintage luxury items from bags to clothes and more accessories.
We discovered a system for scouting out the best pieces. It mainly involves doing your research on the jacket or handbag you seek and stalking your item on eBay for the best quality and price before closing the deal.
To help you even further, we narrowed down the designer brands you should actually pay attention to and suggested the right pieces to shop for. Hopefully, this handy guide will make your next eBay hunt even easier.
Mom's Letter to a Celebrity About Her Son: "His Very Self Brightened Our Day"
Sitting at the airport with her four children just a day after learning her youngest son has autism, Adrian Wood of Tales of an Educated Debutante had an unexpected, perspective-altering experience with a celebrity mom's son. However, she didn't realize Egypt's famous ties to mom, Alicia Keys, and dad, Swizz Beatz, until after discovering what a polite, friendly, and caring young boy he is.
To say thank you to Alicia for raising such a wonderful boy, Wood took to her Facebook page to write a heartfelt letter to the singer-songwriter, from one mom to another. "I quite like it when someone reaches out to share a compliment regarding my children and so, I'm extending the same courtesy to you," she starts. "We mothers, no matter our background, try to instill kindness in our children. Like me, do you wonder if the endless instruction is sticking? Yours is sticking."
The mom then jumps into a recount of her stressful experience at the airport following Amos's diagnoses, and how Egypt changed everything about her day.
I was waiting on a delayed flight and trying to keep my four rambunctious children entertained in the confined space. It was impossible to miss the boy playing with an amazing fun mother that secretly made me annoyed. I felt anything but fun in that moment, leaking quiet tears over the word autism, a diagnosis my 3-year-old son received yesterday. Anyways, I was quite relieved when the overly fun mom divulged her role as nanny.
Your son, Egypt, shared strawberries and race cars. Perplexed, he watched Amos . . . Amos has autism, I said aloud, for the very first time. Not unlike my big three, he shrugged his small shoulders, moved on quickly and asked my middle son to play war. My big two gathered to watch, all crouched on the airport floor and I heard my daughter ask your son's age. "I'm 6," he said and she gloated quite happily, "Russell, how does it feel to get beat by somebody in kindergarten?!" I needed that chuckle and my children needed a diversion from a grieving mother, one they don't know so well and truthfully, nor do I.
Once their flight started boarding, Wood recalls her children appearing reluctant at having to leave their new friend, so they all took a photo together, and one of Wood's boys handed Egypt a card with her email on it. Because he didn't have his own business card, he shared a photo of his family on an iPad, which is when Wood admits "the plot thickened in a way [she] could not have imagined." She then shared with her kids that "their new friend with the big smile and kind heart was quite famous."
Wood finishes her story with kind words aimed at the famous mom and her family: "I don't know you, Alicia Keys, but I know the kind of mom you are and I see the kind of children you're raising and though we live polar opposite lives, you'd be someone I would be honored to call a friend. And your son, Egypt? Please tell him thank you from the Wood family. His very self brightened our day."
Princess Diana's Charitable Legacy Is Celebrated on National Kindness Day
Princess Diana dedicated much of her life to bettering the lives of others, a legacy that has lived on in her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. On Friday, all of the UK will attempt to replicate her charitable contributions to the world by celebrating National Kindness Day. The Diana Award charity set up the national event in hopes of achieving a record 20,000 "tangible" acts of kindness over the course of 24 hours, which is a nod to the 20th anniversary of the late royal's untimely, tragic death. The charity was originally created to campaign against bullying and is still supported by Harry and William.
According to the Diana Award charity, 56 percent of the British population has experienced a random act of kindness in the last year, ranging from random compliments to giving directions to someone when they're lost. "It's heartening to see that as a nation we're kind and caring – but these new statistics also highlight there's much more we can do to make us even kinder," chief executive of the charity Tessy Ojo explained. "That's why we're kick-starting a campaign of kindness on National Kindness Day in memory of Princess Diana. We're encouraging everyone to do something kind for someone else and let us know about it."
So far, the charity has raised money for an antibullying program that encourages peer-to-peer communication through a gala performance of the West End's Kinky Boots. There's still plenty of time left for UK citizens to make a profound difference today, so let's hope they make Princess Diana proud.
Someone Call the Fire Department, Selena Gomez's Sexy Orange Makeup Is HOT
Selena Gomez has already made 2017 her year for new looks - first came her stunning short haircut and now we're obsessing over her ability to pull of Spring's hottest makeup trend like a total boss. Selena stepped out at the premiere of her new Netflix show, 13 Reasons Why, rocking bold orange and peach eye makeup.
We already know that peach is the hot Spring makeup trend, but Selena took it to the next level with an orange fiery cat eye covering her top lid and a peachier color gorgeously lining her bottom. Her makeup artist Hung Vanngo tied the whole look together with a pink lip and a matching highlighter. If you had any doubt that you could pull off the new trend, let Selena inspire you to try it.
Keep reading to see photos of her stunning look and see what products you should purchase to nail the smoking Spring trend.
Every Single Item You Need to Snag During Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty Sale
Ulta Beauty junkies, brace yourselves: the much-anticipated 21 Days of Beauty sale has arrived. During this magical time of year, the beauty emporium hosts three weeks of amazing deals on everything from skin-care devices to cult-favorite mascaras.
This year, the sale starts March 19 and runs through April 8. Not only are there daily deals and specials, but each week, Ulta Beauty will offer major discounts on its own range of products. Week one (March 19 through 25) foundations, powders, face brushes, and luxe bath products are only $6. Week two (March 26 through April 1), you can get Ulta Bath and Romance Collections, single eye shadows, and mascaras for $4 and eye liners are $3. Finally, on week three (April 2 through April 8), lipsticks, lip glosses, and hand soaps are $3.
The items lined up for this year are extra special and include items from Too Faced, Clarisonic, Urban Decay, It Cosmetics, and many more. Read on to see what to shop every day of the sale, and make sure to visit Ulta's website daily to get in on the deals.
The Charitable Legacy of Princess Diana Is Celebrated on National Kindness Day
Princess Diana dedicated much of her life to bettering the lives of others, a legacy which has lived on in her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. On Friday, all of the UK will attempt to replicate her charitable contributions to the world by celebrating National Kindness Day. The Diana Award charity set up the national event, in hopes of achieving a record 20,000 "tangible" acts of kindness over the course of 24 hours, which is a nod to the 20th anniversary of the late royal's untimely, tragic death. The charity was originally created to campaign against bullying, and is still supported by Harry and William.
According to the Diana Award charity, 56 percent of the British population has experienced a random act of kindness in the last year, ranging from random compliments to giving directions to someone when they're lost. "It's heartening to see that as a nation we're kind and caring – but these new statistics also highlight there's much more we can do to make us even kinder," chief executive of the charity Tessy Ojo explained. "That's why we're kick-starting a campaign of kindness on National Kindness Day in memory of Princess Diana. We're encouraging everyone to do something kind for someone else and let us know about it."
So far, the charity has raised money for an anti-bullying program that encourages peer-to-peer communication through a gala performance of the West End's Kinky Boots. There's still plenty of time left for UK citizens to make a profound difference today, so let's hope they make Princess Diana proud.
Kendrick Lamar's Music Video For "Humble" Is Powerful For Both Men and Women
Kendrick Lamar is back! The rapper dropped the music video for his first single, "Humble," from his highly anticipated new album on Thursday night. While the song includes lyrics like "B*tch, be humble," Lamar is sending a clear message with the video that he's actually talking to his competitors and letting them know that the real god of rap has returned ("Tell 'em that God comin'"). In addition to dressing up as the pope, Lamar sits at what appears to be a re-creation of the "Last Supper," rolls around in money, and wears a white suit in a sea of men in black suits. His lyrics also shame Photoshop ("Show me something natural like afro on Richard Pryor / Show me something natural like ass with some stretchmarks") while the video shows women showing off their natural beauty.
Kendall Jenner's Ankle Wrap Shorts Will Make You Rethink Your Basic Cutoffs
Kendall Jenner's street style never disappoints. She seamlessly manages to mesh edgy and chic styles all while looking unbelievably comfortable, and her latest ensemble is no different. Kendall was spotted out in Los Angeles, CA, wearing what we're calling the hot new denim trend for warmer months. Or is it?
The supermodel stepped out wearing short jean shorts embellished with "Spice Wear" and a tiny British flag, but where the hemline stopped, the stitching continued down the side of her leg, eventually wrapping around her ankles. These could be the coolest new denim trend or the most destroyed ripped jeans in denim history. We're going with both.
She paired the shorts with an oversize red and white striped button-down shirt with subtle cutouts under the arms, performing a slouchy side tuck on one side. The Kardashian-Jenner sisters are no stranger to daring denim trends and Kendall's might be the trendiest yet. Keep reading to see her unique style and let us know if you'd be into trying the look.
Gigi Hadid Loves Wearing the Shoes Every Fashion Girl Has on Her Wish List
In case you forgot just how popular the Gucci fur-lined loafers are with the fashion crowd, Gigi Hadid was spotted rocking her very own pair in NYC. The versatile flat is one of Fall's trendiest items, with many iterations popping up on the 'gram and on your favorite street style stars. Of course, Gigi got her hands on an embroidered floral version, which appears to be sold out online.
It makes sense why Gigi would pack the shoe for her travels - the furry loafer not only goes with any outfit, but also keeps the feet nice and toasty against the cold. We say it's probably about time everyone invests in a pair, so shop similar loafers below.
- Additional reporting by Nikita Ramsinghani
40 Stylish Small Tattoos You'll Want to Flaunt Every Day
Choosing a great outfit takes time and careful consideration - a tattoo, well, the fact it's permanent means it takes even more thinking. Even a woman with a great sense of style sometimes needs a little inspiration to figure out what she wants and where.
So if fear of buyer's remorse has kept you from getting your first ink, why not start with something small? These 40 tiny tattoos are stylish enough to show off but are also discreet so you can tuck them away. Just scroll to see them all!
You'll Be Obsessed With Swatches of the Jeffree Star x Manny MUA Collaboration
After some major anticipation, we've finally got the official scoop on the Jeffree Star x Manny MUA launch, and boy, is it good! In a video on Manny's channel, the two got together for a reveal. We knew that the collab would include some liquid lipsticks and a highlighter, but we know what the shades inside are.
As you know, the packaging (including the boxes, compact, and tube) is black, and this is a first for Jeffree's range. The accent is holographic, which is so hot right now. We're particularly enamored that both Jeffree and Manny's signature logos - a star and a moon, respectively - are on every aspect of the products, including the sticker on the back of the highlighter compact and pressed into the powder itself.
The collection officially launches at 10 a.m. PT on April 8, and you'll be able to purchase all three items in a bundle for $50. However, if you'd rather buy items one piece at a time, the liquid lipsticks will cost $18 and the Skin Frost will be $29. In another first, Jeffree is allowing the use of a discount code on his website. Enter MANNYMUA at checkout and you'll be able to get 10 percent off individual items from the collaboration.
Watch the video above to see the products in action, then keep reading to see the products themselves and swatches of each shade.
This Mom's Poem Is So Damn Relatable You'll Think You Wrote It Yourself
"What's my name again?" starts Hollie McNish, an award-winning poet and mother, as she reads a poem about a mom's identity from her book, Nobody Told Me. The whole book is a memoir full of poems about parenthood, but this one in particular is so completely relatable, you'll think you wrote it yourself.
"I lost my name at toddler group," she continues. "From Hollie, or Hols, or Hollie McNish. I'm now known as so-and-so's mom." However, the mom isn't complaining about this loss of her name, as she does the same to others when she says she "got a drink with Izzy's dad" or "ran into Molly's gran." Once a person becomes a parent, they are forever labeled as "mom" or "dad," that's just how it goes.
But Hollie's poem seeks to shed light on that bit of herself that does want to just be "Hollie" every now and then, though she usually can't be.
It's only when the stars are out and everything's dark that my own name creeps out from under the table and I'm able to remember the person I am, with a hot cup of tea and a book in my hand and a two hour slot to remember my own plans before I turn off the light.
Cinderella's clock strikes at midnight each time, my clock strikes loudly at nine, until she cries out for me, or needs her next wee, or shouts in her dreams, or pleads for a fiftieth cuddle from me, or I sneak into her room just to look at her sleep. And the label shifts quickly to mom again. From Hollie to Mom, Hollie to Mom.
But one word cannot sum up the things we've all done, the ways that we love, the stories we tell. No bouquet of roses are thrown on our stages. Under-paid. Over-worked. Us feeders, us nappy-change divas, us breeders, us milk-makers, milk strainers, cracked-nipple, swell-painful, bottle-fed, guilt ridden.
The poem continues, touching on the way a mom spends her days and nights post-kids worrying about their care and needs, forgoing her own individuality. "Someone said that moms are the rocks that never crumble," she reads. "I don't think that's true, 'cause I do. . . . We are parents, but we are people. . . . We are rocks crumbling sometimes in love that's so heavy. We are storytelling experts and our stories are many."
Selena Gomez Wore Every Fashion Girl's Favorite Earring
It's a fact that no star has ever pulled a style switch-up like Selena Gomez. The singer/actress showed off her grown-up glam style at the premiere of the Netflix series she executive-produced, 13 Reasons Why.
Her stylist, Kate Young, gave us a sneak peek of the details of her full look, posting pictures on Instagram account. While her orange Oscar de la Renta dress was stunning, her orange pom-pom earrings were the real statement-makers. Selena chose an orange ombré pair by Les Bonbons to continue her monochrome look. Even her eye makeup matched. If these earrings look familiar, it's because you've seen them on every fashion girl from Lily Aldridge to Lupita Nyong'o . Have a look at Selena's full look ahead and shop the earrings.
A "Macho" Man Taught 1 Mom Flying With a Toddler a Major Lesson in Empathy
When a new mom was flying from Fort Lauderdale to Toronto, she was nervous about how her toddler would deal with the nighttime flight. Her little one's only previous flight experience was the week before and it didn't ease her nerves when she saw who would be sitting next to her child during the journey.
"The moment I saw you (a big, macho-looking guy in probably your late 20s), I was worried that you wouldn't take kindly to and would be off put by sitting beside a small child," she shared on the Love What Matters Facebook page. "I was completely wrong, and for that I am so grateful."
Due to prolonged turbulence, the seat belt sign remained on for a large portion of their flight. "[This] meant that instead of sitting and being comforted on mine or grandpa's lap, he had to be belted in beside you instead," she wrote. "Although my son is generally well behaved and quiet, I was anxious and concerned about how these first departure and arrival flights would go for him. People can be unkind and impatient, especially with small, overtired children."
However, instead of getting irritated or ignoring the child, this stranger went out of his way to make sure that the little boy sitting next to him was having a happy flight.
I didn't get your name, but thank you so much for grabbing his blanket the numerous times he dropped it, half asleep. Thank you for making sure to point your cabin light away from him when he finally did fall asleep. Thank you for being kind and engaging him even though you weren't obligated to do so. Thank you for offering him (and us) candy and gum for his ears. Thank you for letting him rest his little tired legs and feet on you. And thank you for offering to get down all of our overhead luggage so he wouldn't be disturbed.
The anonymous mom wants the stranger who showed her unexpected understanding to know not only what a wonderful dad he'll make one day, but also what a great example he's already setting. "Thank you for making our flight experience a lesson in compassion and empathy for others," she wrote. "That little boy will grow into a man one day (hopefully like you) and he will get a lot more out of your simple actions than you realize."
Seeing the New It Trailer Side by Side With the Original Is Double the Terror
Were you not traumatized enough by the trailer for the It remake? Do you want something that will scare you even more, perhaps into an early grave? MoviePilot brilliantly put the new trailer next to shots from the original 1990 film, and it's uncanny how well the reboot captures the essence of the 1990 miniseries. There are some differences - the kid bangs his head rather than ducking under the road block, they're looking at a projector slideshow rather than a photo album, etc. - but it's pretty spot-on.
How Your Makeup Could Cause a Deadly Infection - and Ways to Prevent It
If you have the budget and the storage space to hoard beauty products to your heart's content, we say go for it . . . as long as you're responsibly keeping them clean. We don't mean occasionally dusting off their cases or wiping off any prominent fingerprints. We're talking sanitizing the formulas themselves. This is likely a step you've completely disregarded in the past (we have!), but proper hygiene is both imperative for your health and the shelf life of your favorite items.
We consulted Lijha Stewart, Make Up For Ever's director of education and artistry, on how to decontaminate every type of product in your stash to make sure they stay bacteria-free. (Remember, that bacteria could lead to breakouts or worse, deadly infections.) Once you master this process, learn when you should throw out old makeup out here.
Pressed Powders
Good news: all those limited-edition eye shadow palettes, bronzers, highlighters, and other pressed-powder formulas in your stash are safe. According to Stewart, these formulas don't hold any harmful bacteria and have an infinite shelf life. However, you still need to keep them hygienic. "The sanitary process is simple," she said via email. You can wipe with a tissue to remove the top layer." This will remove any contamination that's sitting on the very surface of the product, leaving the rest of it clean. Learn more about how to clean pressed powders here.
Cream Compacts
"Ninety-nine percent alcohol is best for sanitizing cream-based formulas," Stewart shared. She advises that you dip the exposed makeup directly into the alcohol, but if that is not possible due to bulky packaging, you can use a product like Beauty So Clean Cosmetic Sanitizer Mist ($16) to disinfect the formula without damaging it.
Lipstick
Just like other cream formulas, you should clean your lipsticks with alcohol. Wind up your lipstick bullet so most of it is exposed, then fully submerge the pigment in a small cup of alcohol for about 30 seconds. Once you remove the product from the cup, it will be completely bacteria-free.
Liquid Formulas
This category includes everything from lip gloss and mascara to foundation. Because these formulas are so hard to clean, Stewart doesn't recommend sharing them. "If you do share, don't 'double dip,' and instead use a disposable wand," she advised. (You can buy in bulk! You can snag 500 disposable mascara brushes on eBay for $36.) She added that liquid foundations should be pumped or squeezed out of their bottles before use. "Avoid using hands, which can transfer germs," she noted. Using a brush is ideal, but you can also get single-use sponges. We like this 40-piece pack of sponges from Make Up For Ever ($49).
Loose Powder
As long as you always use a clean brush or puff for these types of formulas, you're in the clear. Try spilling out what you need into the product's cap and working from there. This way, you avoid double-dipping your brush onto the packaging of the sifter, which can be hard to clean.
Karlie Kloss Predicted the White Pantsuit Trend Way Before It Started
Karlie Kloss smiled knowingly as I asked her the question she'd clearly heard before: was the white pantsuit she designed for Express inspired by Hillary Clinton? The supermodel teamed up with the brand on a line of 17 essentials to be worn 100 different ways, and debuted the full range in her hometown of St. Louis. She enlisted her models on Instagram, choosing women who uploaded inspiring videos about how they live their "best life."
When I talked to her before the show, Karlie confirmed that she lives her own best life in a pantsuit - it's her power outfit, after all - but in her mind, the look had reached "boss-lady status" way before Hillary Clinton paid homage to the women suffragists' uniform on stage, and #PantSuitNation formed shortly after in support.
"We started designing this collection a year ago, so everything was already in production long before [Hillary Clinton] wore [that Ralph Lauren suit]. But she rocks a pantsuit. Power to her. I just feel more powerful when I wear clothes that flatter my body and that I feel extra confident in. You feel like you can conquer the world. This white power pantsuit is a boss-lady look. I definitely love a high-waisted trouser that's flattering and gives you a nice little nipped waist, but is also long and well-tailored. There's something about pants that I just feel like, 'I'm not messing around.' I can move fast in these things. I love a power pant."
Rest assured, when a handful of Karlie's models took the catwalk in the sleek trouser, and Hannah Bronfman performed her DJ set in the same pair, everyone looked good, every girl standing at a different height with a different figure. The editors I was with quickly came together to agree: this is the must-have item from the collaboration, but it's not the only one worth shopping.
Scroll for a look at Karlie's gorgeous new Express campaign then scoop up some of our favorite key items online or in select stores today, ranging in price from $25 to $168.
Lime Crime Is Launching Rainbow Dye So You Can Fully Morph Into a Unicorn
If you're a fan of the cult-favorite brand Lime Crime, you know that it's not just the cosmetic range's formulas that are rainbow-hued. The founder, Doe Deere, has been sporting cotton-candy-esque strands for many, many years. As it turns out, the self-professed "Unicorn Queen" has been using her own hair as inspiration for Lime Crime's newest launch! After three years of development, the company will be launching Unicorn Hair, a range of 13 semi-permanent hair dyes.
While we're not sure when the product line will launch yet, we can expect it's coming soon - Unicorn Hair already has a landing page on the Lime Crime website. Therefore, we know plenty of other information about the product. The colors range from baby pink to stone gray and feature fun names like Salad (a light green) and Leeloo, a vivid orange that pays tribute to Milla Jovovich's character (and her punchy hair) in The Fifth Element. The formulas are also vegan and cruelty-free.
Even more intriguing is the fact that you can choose from two different formulas: full coverage and tint. While full coverage is designed to add deep, rich pigment to strands, tint should be used to create a pastel glaze on platinum blonds. (Overall, the company recommends you use these dyes on medium blond or lighter colors.)
As with all semi-permanent rainbow color, the life of your dye job will depend on how you care for your hair, but if you're very cautious, it will likely last up to six weeks. Keep reading to see all 13 shades in their gorgeous glory, and stay tuned for more updates on this launch as they become available.
Alicia Keys on Wearing Makeup: "I Do What the F*ck I Want"
Alicia Keys famously took a strong stand against makeup in June 2016, but for some reason, her personal choice to go bare is still a topic of conversation. The 15-time Grammy winner has been embracing her imperfections and natural beauty for a while but has made no secret of the fact that there are still some products she incorporates into her skin-care routine.
Apparently, Alicia's cohost on The Voice Adam Levine thought ditching the makeup meant she used zero products whatsoever. It wasn't until Adam caught her applying a little makeup while on set that he had some questions. Adam recently sat down with Howard Stern to talk about what goes on behind the scenes of their NBC show, where Howard asked him about Alicia's stance on going makeup-free.
Adam jokingly brought up the time he walked in on Alicia doing the unthinkable, and her applause-worthy response is going to make you smile. "She was putting on a little bit of makeup, I was like, 'Oh, yeah, I thought Alicia doesn't wear makeup,'" he recalled with sass. "And she's like, 'I do what the f*ck I want.'"
BOOM! Adam said that he replied to his cohost saying, "I love you so much," and we couldn't think of a better comeback. Alicia has been defending her natural glow since she decided to ditch the heavy makeup, but it's her personal decision to go bare and she's right, she can do whatever she wants!
Check out Adam's hilarious clip from The Howard Stern Show below.
Prince Harry Literally Needs a Permission Slip to Marry Meghan Markle
Image Source: Getty / Pool
Prince Harry's relationship with Suits actress Meghan Markle has many people pining for another royal wedding, but zero bells will be ringing for the couple until Meghan impresses his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II - and gets it in writing. Due to the Royal Marriages Act 1772, the monarch has the right to veto the marriage of a member of his or her family and is required to give formal consent to any family marriages in order to guard against those that could "diminish the status of the royal house." The fact that Meghan is a divorcée - she was married to Trevor Engelson from 2011 to 2013 - has been widely speculated to hurt her chances, but it actually won't. Not only have modern royal marriage rules become more lax than in previous years, but the queen has technically dealt with that kind of drama before.
Image Source: Hugo Burnand / AFP / Getty Images
While the Royal Marriages Act originally meant that all royal family members needed consent from Queen Elizabeth in order to marry, a change in the law in 2013 now only applies to the six people closest in line to the throne - Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Harry, and Prince Andrew - who need to seek out the queen's permission before popping the question. With the birth of Charlotte in May 2015, Princess Beatrice of York became seventh in line and her sister Eugenie slid down to eighth, so they can essentially marry whoever they want without checking with their grandmother first.
Before proposing to Kate Middleton in October 2010, Prince William had to get the thumbs up from Queen Elizabeth, and according to BBC News, she "readily gave her consent." Elizabeth signed an detailed notice of approval to the union of "Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, K.G. and Our Trusty and Well-beloved Catherine Elizabeth Middleton." The notice was dated Feb. 9, 2011, just two months before Kate and William tied the knot.
Though it's been reported that Harry is "besotted" with Meghan and that she's met his father, brother, and sister-in-law so far, she has yet to meet the queen. If Harry is looking to propose, he'll likely need to earn the queen's blessing sometime soon; and if she objects to Meghan as a worthy wife or feels that she isn't a good addition to the family, she has the right to rule their marriage "invalid." That's right - Harry's grandma could literally say "Nah" and his plans to tie the knot could come crashing down.
Contrary to popular belief, there are no rules that require a prince to marry someone of royal or aristocratic blood, or even a British citizen - but religion is where it gets dicey.It's not something she has ever done, and she likely wouldn't start with an American actress. Contrary to popular belief, there are no rules that require a prince to marry someone of royal or aristocratic blood, or even a British citizen (and in the case of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, an incoming royal can even be divorced) - but religion is where it gets dicey. There is no legal barrier that keeps a royal from marrying someone of Jewish, Buddhist, or Muslim faith, or even an atheist, but under the Act of Settlement of 1701, no one in the direct line of succession could marry a Catholic and keep their right to the throne. This is because the monarch also serves as Head of the Protestant Anglican Church of England, which was established back in the 16th century by Henry VIII. In 2015, amendments were made that now allow royal family members to marry a Roman Catholic and become king or queen - however, a Roman Catholic royal still cannot become the monarch. For instance, if Prince George marries a Catholic and raises his children in that faith, they could be prohibited from taking the throne.
Image Source: Odd Anderson / AFP / Getty Images
Where her divorce is concerned, Harry's girlfriend shouldn't be too worried. There have been a handful of royal family members who have past marriages and those who have carried on relationships with divorcées. Perhaps most famous was Elizabeth's uncle, Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry his divorced American socialite mistress Wallis Simpson, which resulted in Elizabeth's father George VI becoming king. In the '50s, the queen's sister, Princess Margaret, ended her relationship with divorced Group Captain Peter Townsend in favor of her royal status (and went on to get divorced some 30 years later). And as we all know, the queen's eldest son Prince Charles split from Princess Diana and went on to marry his mistress, Camilla Parker Bowles. It was Elizabeth who, likely fed up with doing damage control for Charles and Diana's extramarital affairs, urged the couple to divorce. In December 1995, Buckingham Palace announced that the queen had written separate letters to the couple advising them that "an early divorce is desirable" - an unprecedented move at the time. Their divorce was finalized in August 1996, but as the mother of heirs to the throne, Diana remained an official member of the royal family until her death the following year.
Prince Charles sought the approval of his mother before proposing to Camilla, and their engagement was announced in February 2005. The following month, the queen released her official letter of consent to their union, and the two were married at Windsor Guildhall in England on April 9, followed by a Church of England Service of Prayer and Dedication at St. George's Chapel. Charles is the first member of the royal family to have a civil ceremony rather than a religious wedding, and his parents were not in attendance for their town hall event. It was reported that because the queen "does take her role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England very seriously," she felt it would "be inappropriate to attend that particular part of the wedding." She and Philip were there for the prayer and dedication service and also held a reception for the newlyweds in Windsor Castle.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are still quite a new couple by most relationship standards, but should they start talking marriage, she'll likely have a pretty easy time becoming a princess - because while marrying into the royal family isn't exactly a piece of cake, there are fewer hoops to jump through than most would think.
Prince Harry Literally Needs a Permission Slip to Marry Meghan Markle
Image Source: Getty / Pool
Prince Harry's relationship with Suits actress Meghan Markle has many people pining for another royal wedding, but zero bells will be ringing for the couple until Meghan impresses his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II - and gets it in writing. Due to the Royal Marriages Act 1772, the monarch has the right to veto the marriage of a member of his or her family and is required to give formal consent to any family marriages in order to guard against those that could "diminish the status of the royal house." The fact that Meghan is a divorcée - she was married to Trevor Engelson from 2011 to 2013 - has been widely speculated to hurt her chances, but it actually won't. Not only have modern royal marriage rules become more lax than in previous years, but the queen has technically dealt with that kind of drama before.
Image Source: Hugo Burnand / AFP / Getty Images
While the Royal Marriages Act originally meant that all royal family members needed consent from Queen Elizabeth in order to marry, a change in the law in 2013 now only applies to the six people closest in line to the throne - Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Harry, and Prince Andrew - who need to seek out the queen's permission before popping the question. With the birth of Charlotte in May 2015, Princess Beatrice of York became seventh in line and her sister Eugenie slid down to eighth, so they can essentially marry whoever they want without checking with their grandmother first.
Before proposing to Kate Middleton in October 2010, Prince William had to get the thumbs up from Queen Elizabeth, and according to BBC News, she "readily gave her consent." Elizabeth signed an detailed notice of approval to the union of "Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, K.G. and Our Trusty and Well-beloved Catherine Elizabeth Middleton." The notice was dated Feb. 9, 2011, just two months before Kate and William tied the knot.
Though it's been reported that Harry is "besotted" with Meghan and that she's met his father, brother, and sister-in-law so far, she has yet to meet the queen. If Harry is looking to propose, he'll likely need to earn the queen's blessing sometime soon; and if she objects to Meghan as a worthy wife or feels that she isn't a good addition to the family, she has the right to rule their marriage "invalid." That's right - Harry's grandma could literally say "Nah" and his plans to tie the knot could come crashing down.
Contrary to popular belief, there are no rules that require a prince to marry someone of royal or aristocratic blood, or even a British citizen - but religion is where it gets dicey.It's not something she has ever done, and she likely wouldn't start with an American actress. Contrary to popular belief, there are no rules that require a prince to marry someone of royal or aristocratic blood, or even a British citizen (and in the case of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, an incoming royal can even be divorced) - but religion is where it gets dicey. There is no legal barrier that keeps a royal from marrying someone of Jewish, Buddhist, or Muslim faith, or even an atheist, but under the Act of Settlement of 1701, no one in the direct line of succession could marry a Catholic and keep their right to the throne. This is because the monarch also serves as Head of the Protestant Anglican Church of England, which was established back in the 16th century by Henry VIII. In 2015, amendments were made that now allow royal family members to marry a Roman Catholic and become king or queen - however, a Roman Catholic royal still cannot become the monarch. For instance, if Prince George marries a Catholic and raises his children in that faith, they could be prohibited from taking the throne.
Image Source: Odd Anderson / AFP / Getty Images
Where her divorce is concerned, Harry's girlfriend shouldn't be too worried. There have been a handful of royal family members who have past marriages and those who have carried on relationships with divorcées. Perhaps most famous was Elizabeth's uncle, Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry his divorced American socialite mistress Wallis Simpson, which resulted in Elizabeth's father George VI becoming king. In the '50s, the queen's sister, Princess Margaret, ended her relationship with divorced Group Captain Peter Townsend in favor of her royal status (and went on to get divorced some 30 years later). And as we all know, the queen's eldest son Prince Charles split from Princess Diana and went on to marry his mistress, Camilla Parker Bowles. It was Elizabeth who, likely fed up with doing damage control for Charles and Diana's extramarital affairs, urged the couple to divorce. In December 1995, Buckingham Palace announced that the queen had written separate letters to the couple advising them that "an early divorce is desirable" - an unprecedented move at the time. Their divorce was finalized in August 1996, but as the mother of heirs to the throne, Diana remained an official member of the royal family until her death the following year.
Prince Charles sought the approval of his mother before proposing to Camilla, and their engagement was announced in February 2005. The following month, the queen released her official letter of consent to their union, and the two were married at Windsor Guildhall in England on April 9, followed by a Church of England Service of Prayer and Dedication at St. George's Chapel. Charles is the first member of the royal family to have a civil ceremony rather than a religious wedding, and his parents were not in attendance for their town hall event. It was reported that because the queen "does take her role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England very seriously," she felt it would "be inappropriate to attend that particular part of the wedding." She and Philip were there for the prayer and dedication service and also held a reception for the newlyweds in Windsor Castle.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are still quite a new couple by most relationship standards, but should they start talking marriage, she'll likely have a pretty easy time becoming a princess - because while marrying into the royal family isn't exactly a piece of cake, there are fewer hoops to jump through than most would think.
Charlie Hunnam Looks Good Enough to Eat During an Outing in Las Vegas
Seeing Charlie Hunnam in Las Vegas suddenly makes us realize why they call it Sin City, because we're currently battling inappropriate thoughts. ANYWAY . . . The Lost City of Z actor popped up at CinemaCon's Big Screen Achievement Awards at Omnia Nightclub at Caesars Palace on Thursday night. After hitting the red carpet in a sharp suit (and showing off those piercing eyes), Charlie headed inside to accept his award for male star of the year. While we would have slightly tweaked that title to "male star of our lives," he looked very pleased nonetheless. Charlie was being recognized for his starring role in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, and after he got his hands on his trophy, he seemed determined not to let it go. We understand that feeling very well, Charlie. We do.
Charlie Hunnam Looks Good Enough to Eat During an Outing in Las Vegas
Seeing Charlie Hunnam in Las Vegas suddenly makes us realize why they call it Sin City, because we're currently battling inappropriate thoughts. ANYWAY . . . The Lost City of Z actor popped up at CinemaCon's Big Screen Achievement Awards at Omnia Nightclub at Caesars Palace on Thursday night. After hitting the red carpet in a sharp suit (and showing off those piercing eyes), Charlie headed inside to accept his award for male star of the year. While we would have slightly tweaked that title to "male star of our lives," he looked very pleased nonetheless. Charlie was being recognized for his starring role in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, and after he got his hands on his trophy, he seemed determined not to let it go. We understand that feeling very well, Charlie. We do.
*NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick Is Expecting His First Child With Wife Karly
Chris Kirkpatrick is going to be a dad! The *NSYNC alum and his wife, Karly, who tied the knot in 2013, are expecting their first child together. The couple confirmed to People that the baby is due in October and shared an adorable photoshopped snap of a poster for The Boss Baby that reads "Baby Kirkpatrick." "Karly and I are over the moon excited that we are welcoming a new addition to the family," the 45-year-old singer revealed. "We are both looking forward to becoming parents, and learning how much fun having a child will be." Let's hope the baby doesn't inherit Chris's taste in hairstyles.
This Is Already Turning Out to Be Selena Gomez's Sexiest Year Yet
Selena Gomez is back from her 2016 hiatus with a vengeance. Not only is the singer working on a new album (and collaborations with Paulina Rubio and Kygo), she also teased a Wizards of Waverly Place reunion, landed a new hot relationship with The Weeknd, posed for a now-deleted topless and thong-clad photo, and covered her first issue of Vogue - wow, right?
If all of that is any indication, Selena will surely have her hottest year ever. We predict she'll show off an even more revealing sense of style, give us more sultry Instagram selfies and magazine spreads, and probably come out with the most sensual album cover she's yet to give us. Scroll ahead for her sexiest moments so far.
*NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick Is Expecting His First Child With Wife Karly
Chris Kirkpatrick is going to be a dad! The *NSYNC alum and his wife Karly, who tied the knot in 2013, are expecting their first child together. The couple confirmed to People that the baby is due in October, and shared an adorable photoshopped snap of a poster for The Boss Baby that reads "Baby Kirkpatrick." "Karly and I are over the moon excited that we are welcoming a new addition to the family," the 45-year-old singer revealed. "We are both looking forward to becoming parents, and learning how much fun having a child will be." Let's hope the baby doesn't inherit Chris's taste in hairstyles.
The Clothes on Big Little Lies Are Also Full of Secrets
Aside from an unbeatable soundtrack, here's one more thing the Big Little Lies HBO series has that the book doesn't: a very talented costume designer, Alix Friedberg, who's behind the wardrobe of every character on the show. Friedberg depicts so much about the women of Monterey, CA through their outfits alone. Inspired by her own life as a mother as well as the story she's helping to tell, Friedberg understands the importance of her role: "My job is to give an actor the second skin they need to become another person," she told W Magazine.
Friedberg even goes as far as to assign Madeline, Celeste, Renata, Jane, and Bonnie - played by Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley, and Zoe Kravitz respectively - favorite fashion labels, proving she's got a true grasp on each lady's image. Scroll for a full breakdown, along with our own take on the clothes that bring these strong spirited women to life on screen.
Selena Gomez and Mom Mandy Show Off Their Unbreakable Bond in 1 Very Cute Way
Without Selena Gomez and her mom, Mandy Teefey, Netflix's 13 Reasons Why would not exist. The unstoppable mother-daughter pair celebrated their roles as executive producers on the teen drama at the show's LA premiere on Thursday, where they hit the red carpet in style. Selena rocked a gorgeous, glowing orange gown, while her mom stuck with classic black, and both sported a matching shade of bright blue nail polish. Cute, right? The "Only You" singer then posed for photos with lead actors Dylan Minnette and Katherine Langford before giggling in a group photo with the rest of the cast. We can't wait to see where the globe-trotting pop star shows up next!
Selena Gomez and Mom Mandy Show Off Their Unbreakable Bond in 1 Very Cute Way
Without Selena Gomez and her mom, Mandy Teefey, Netflix's 13 Reasons Why would not exist. The unstoppable mother-daughter pair celebrated their roles as executive producers on the teen drama at the show's LA premiere on Thursday, where they hit the red carpet in style. Selena rocked a gorgeous, glowing orange gown, while her mom stuck with classic black, and both sported a matching shade of bright blue nail polish. Cute, right? The "Only You" singer then posed for photos with lead actors Dylan Minnette and Katherine Langford before giggling in a group photo with the rest of the cast. We can't wait to see where the globe-trotting pop star shows up next!
How My Daughter Became a Rainbow Baby to Herself
After trying for years, we decided to go to a fertility specialist to help us start a family. The long and short of it is that there were lots of biological challenges, so we headed down the IVF road with the leading specialist in the country. We were lucky and our first round of treatment was textbook; two embryos were placed and we crossed our fingers.
Fast forward to testing day, and yes, I totally cheated and took a home pregnancy test the day before - and it was positive! You can imagine the relief and excitement. Then we were off to the doctor, where blood tests and a scan confirmed there was one fabulous little bun in the oven ready to cook.
Then, after constant blood tests and monitoring, another scan showed a little flickering heartbeat at six and a half weeks. There were no words to describe what it felt like to see that. At seven weeks and two days, we had our final scan appointment with our specialist before being released to the care of a midwife.
And that's when it all unraveled.
His words were clear but not what we expected. "No heartbeat, not viable, the baby has arrested, very sorry, I'll send you through to the nurse and she'll explain the options from here." Feeling numb, we listened as the nurse said we could either wait for "it" to happen naturally or they could arrange for a dilation and curettage procedure (D&C).
Driving home, through my tears, all I could think was I didn't feel different. I know they had said I had a miscarriage and they were the experts, but how could that be?
That week was full of grief, but in the back of my mind, I couldn't shake still feeling pregnant. When more blood tests came back with increasing hormone levels, I questioned the nurses, but they said, "Sometimes that happens." I must have seemed like a complete lunatic; I questioned the nurses at every turn, and my best friend, family, and husband (while amazing and supportive) were all starting to wonder if I was completely losing the plot.
I just couldn't believe the diagnosis; either I was in denial or going crazy. I swung between grief and disbelief.
In the insanity of that week, I was referred to the miscarriage clinic at our public hospital. I had asked for another scan, but the specialist was resolute and we were now in the "public" system. I'll never forget reading the words on his referral letter requesting an "immediate evacuation of the uterus" because I wasn't "coping."
There I was at the clinic being given the same options: wait it out or schedule a D&C. But I needed them to check. I needed to know I was doing the right thing, so I asked for a scan. Reluctantly and with a "well, if that's what you need to feel comfortable, we can arrange that," the clinic doctor agreed.
I headed back to the public hospital the next day for the ultrasound. I remember saying, "I think we're probably just confirming the inevitable but I need to check," as I handed over the referral documents.
She started scanning. A couple of minutes later she stopped, cocked her head a little, leaned into the screen, scanned more, looked closer, and then turned to me and said: "I don't know what he was looking at, but what I see here is a perfectly viable baby with a good heartbeat. And it appears to be measuring ahead of expected."
I felt my heart drop. WHAT? She reread my notes and asked if I would wait for a moment while she went to get her boss. While she was out of the room, I rang my husband. I could hear his jaw hit the floor. No sooner had I hung up than the head of the department came in. They scanned again and got the same result. At that point I'm not sure who looked more shocked or happier, them or me. "Well, I don't know how this happened, but you are definitely pregnant. We'll be sending the doctor a report, but would you like to ring and tell him, or would you like us to?"
Calling the fertility clinic that afternoon was awesome, and yes they were as shocked as everyone else. It was nice for me to know that after being treated like I was crazy, I was actually right.
I met again with the doctor who had misdiagnosed my miscarriage, and he asked if he could do a scan too so that he could see, but of course I said no. I didn't trust him anymore. He apologized and said he wasn't sure how it happened. He suggested maybe there were two and he just hadn't seen the other one. I really didn't want to hear his excuses. He had made a terrible, terrible mistake, one that would have killed my child if I had gone along as he recommended and had that D&C.
What I found out through this process is that when you are diagnosed with a miscarriage and booked for a D&C, no further scanning is done before the operation. They simply take the report as correct and proceed. If I hadn't insisted on another scan, my beautiful little girl wouldn't be here. Sure, I'd be none the wiser, but knowing what happened and how close we were to losing her is something I can never forget or forgive.
I'd love to say that the pregnancy was problem free, and medically it was, but having already "lost" her once made it an emotional horror story. I was completely paranoid every single day. From renting a fetal doppler to employing an expensive obstetrician and insisting on regular scans, I just couldn't relax and enjoy it. I'm probably one of the only mothers who has been relieved to have a breech baby and an early C-section, but honestly I just wanted to have her out alive. I couldn't stand the thought that something might still go wrong.
I guess this is what it's like for most women who are pregnant after loss; pregnant with rainbow babies. The only difference is that mine was essentially a rainbow baby to herself.
I know that most of the time a miscarriage is just that and my situation is rare, but if you find yourself in this terrible, heartbreaking situation, don't rush into a decision. Please always get a second opinion, and trust yourself.
This Woman's Makeup Looks Date-Night Ready, but She's Actually in Labor
While we've heard of some women getting delivery-room blowouts and prelabor lash extensions, we've never seen someone give birth looking as glam as Instagram user makeupbyalaha. The New York-based makeup artist shared images of herself propped up in a hospital bed surrounded by palettes as she applied a full face of product . . . despite contractions.
"I was pausing during contractions and picking up where I left off once the contractions passed," she explained to her followers. She even revealed which of her favorite makeup items made the cut into her hospital bag. You'll notice that there are at least 15 brushes, a 35-pan shadow palette, contouring products, Beautyblenders, and more.
While not all moms would go this far with their prebaby beauty routine, we have to applaud Alaha's dedication to her craft - and her ability to create such a gorgeous makeup masterpiece while in pain! Read on to see all the photos.
This post was originally published on March 15, 2016.
John Cena Meets His Biggest, Cutest Fan: a 12-Year-Old Boy With Cerebral Palsy
John Cena might have muscles for miles, but the pro-wrestler is actually a big teddy bear at heart. At a recent wrestling match, the Trainwreck actor continued his reign of being one of earth's most lovable humans by making the night of a young superfan with Cerebral Palsy. Payton Marion, 12, traveled to meet John - who currently holds the title for the most wishes granted by a celebrity for the Make-a-Wish Foundation - with his devoted dad, Justin, who told E! News that Payton is obsessed with John because "he always seemed to be the winner." (Same, Payton.) Justin was actually the reason why Payton fell in love with the sport to begin with, since he wanted to share an interest with his son. "Payton and I have always been very competitive. We would wrestle each other at home and Payton just had to win," he continued. "It started a few years ago when he got too old for cartoons. I introduced him to what I used to watch at his age."
Not only does Payton just enjoy watching John do his thing on TV, but the wrestler plays a major part in the pre-teen's physical therapy, since Justin plays videos of John's moves to inspire his son to exercise his arms. When the WWE's tour was on its way to Tennessee, Justin made it his mission to have Payton meet his hero, and started a GoFundMe page to raise enough money to pay for VIP tickets. They received enough donations within two days to go, and as you can see in the video above, Payton loved every minute. "The fact that I could make one of his dreams come true and not let him down was amazing," Justin said. "I literally felt like Superdad." Superdad is probably an understatement.
47 Trends Every '80s and '90s Girl Remembers
Between listening to new wave and boy bands and staring at our posters of Rob Lowe, Leonardo DiCaprio, and JTT, we somehow managed to style ourselves up in acid-washed jeans, biker shorts, jellies, and other semihorrific pieces way back when. Even though we shudder to think of some of the things we wore, many of those styles have come back with a vengeance (chokers and slip dresses are everywhere, and we all remember where we were the day American Apparel started selling scrunchies). Since there's nothing we love more than a fashion flashback, we've rounded up 47 of the biggest and best trends to come out of the '80s and '90s. Look through now to relive your fashion past.
John Cena Meets His Biggest, Cutest Fan: a 12-Year-Old Boy With Cerebral Palsy
John Cena might have muscles for miles, but the pro-wrestler is actually a big teddy bear at heart. At a recent wrestling match, the Trainwreck actor continued his reign of being one of earth's most lovable humans by making the night of a young superfan with Cerebral Palsy. Payton Marion, 12, traveled to meet John - who currently holds the title for the most wishes granted by a celebrity for the Make-a-Wish Foundation - with his devoted dad, Justin, who told E! News that Payton is obsessed with John because "he always seemed to be the winner." (Same, Payton.) Justin was actually the reason why Payton fell in love with the sport to begin with, since he wanted to share an interest with his son. "Payton and I have always been very competitive. We would wrestle each other at home and Payton just had to win," he continued. "It started a few years ago when he got too old for cartoons. I introduced him to what I used to watch at his age."
Not only does Payton just enjoy watching John do his thing on TV, but the wrestler plays a major part in the pre-teen's physical therapy, since Justin plays videos of John's moves to inspire his son to exercise his arms. When the WWE's tour was on its way to Tennessee, Justin made it his mission to have Payton meet his hero, and started a GoFundMe page to raise enough money to pay for VIP tickets. They received enough donations within two days to go, and as you can see in the video above, Payton loved every minute. "The fact that I could make one of his dreams come true and not let him down was amazing," Justin said. "I literally felt like Superdad." Superdad is probably an understatement.
March Man-ness 2017: Which Guy Wins Your Heart?
It's time for our sexy spin on the NCAA's annual March Madness Tournament - March Man-ness! From the guys who steam up your TV screen every week to the ones who rock your body with their soulful tunes on stage, we've narrowed it down to the 23 hottest guys in the game. Who will join previous March Man-ness winners Robert Pattinson, Jamie Dornan, and Tom Hiddleston? Scroll down now to vote before the poll closes at midnight on April 2.
16 Indian Chicken Recipes That Are Better Than Takeout
Dilemma: you really want Indian food but really don't want to go out. Instead of spending too much money on delivery, why not learn to master your favorite Indian recipes yourself? They're easier than you think and even better than takeout, partly because homemade always tastes better and partly because cooking in your pajamas with wine makes everything taste better too (it's a fact). The next time you need some chicken tikka masala or chicken curry in your life, turn to these 16 recipes.
Related: 16 Takeout Recipes You Can (and Should) Make in a Slow Cooker
March Man-ness 2017: Which Guy Wins Your Heart?
It's time for our sexy spin on the NCAA's annual March Madness Tournament - March Man-ness! From the guys who steam up your TV screen every week to the ones who rock your body with their soulful tunes on stage, we've narrowed it down to the 23 hottest guys in the game. Who will join previous March Man-ness winners Robert Pattinson, Jamie Dornan, and Tom Hiddleston? Scroll down now to vote before the poll closes at midnight on April 2.
The Immigrant-Led Clothing Brand You've Been Seeing All Over Instagram
Kids of Immigrants recently emerged as a celebrity-approved clothing brand. However, the story behind the brand is what has people talking. Following Donald Trump's election, Daniel Buezo and Weleh Dennis launched the brand as a medium for channeling their fears and frustrations into something creative. Now, the first-generation Americans from Honduras and Liberia, respectively, have amassed a notable following and plenty of celebrity clientele.
On the official website, the brand story states, "Kids of Immigrants is a movement to recognize that we are all cut from different fabrics but together make a whole," adding, "With their individual style and experiences, Buezo and Dennis aspire to showcase their culture by creating. Culture instilled by ingenuity and the will to make something out of nothing."
From a fashion perspective, Kids of Immigrants offers unique hoodies, sweaters, and perfectly worn-in t-shirts with prices ranging from $25 to $135. Many of the designs feature empowering slogans and words like "support your friends," "spread love," and "immigrants love." As of late, celebrities like Kehlani and Big Sean have supported the timely and socially conscious brand. Look ahead for pictures and more insight into Kids of Immigrants.
The 18 Types of The Walking Dead Fans
Anyone who watches The Walking Dead will tell you that the show's fandom is pretty intense. We're constantly teeming with theories about tiny details, our undeniable crush on Rick Grimes, and, of course, our endless shipping of Daryl and Carol. Suffice it to say, as we gear up for the season seven finale, we need something to cut the tension. We fans are at our wits' end. To help you forge the sad, Walking Dead-less Summer ahead, keep reading for all the types of TWD fans to be aware of during this trying time.
14 Sweet Ways to Use Your Leftover Easter Candy
The Easter bunny left your kids with a large basket with a lifetime supply of candy, and if it were up to them, they'd feast for days on the sweet stuff. To avoid sugar highs, stomachaches, and potentially some cavities, skip the candy binge and whip up one of these delicious desserts to help you ration everything out while still letting them enjoy their stash.
Your kids will be so happy with one of these 14 treats, that they'll forgive you for making them wear super cheesy Easter outfits.