Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
mercredi 5 avril 2017
8 Magical Crystals to Introduce Good Vibes at Home
Whether you believe the hype or not, people have been using crystals for centuries to bring good vibes and positive energy into their lives. From dispelling negative energy to helping you feel more calm, their unique healing properties and stunning shapes and colours make them an ideal addition to your home. Here are some of our favorites!
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz is one of the most versatile crystals on the market, and can be used throughout your home to create positive energy. Its primary use is for attracting love of all kinds, from self-love to familial love to romance, so it's equally at home in your bedroom or in shared living spaces. It's also great if you suffer from anxiety, and can help promote peace, serenity and tranquility. The pastel pink hue is stunning too!
Citrine
For a pop of color, look no further than citrine. Don't let its rarity and high price tag deter you from this beautiful yellow stone! Placing it in your home can help you with mental clarity and even success. But the best way to be prosperous with citrine is to share your success, as it's very much associated with generosity. Put this crystal in your home office to reap the benefits!
Smoky Quartz
Do you have a hard time making decisions or prioritizing the things in your life? Put some smoky quartz in your office or bedroom and let it clear your mind. This dark and translucent gem will be a standout feature in any space, and can help to remove negative energies so you feel more grounded in your life.
Amethyst
This deep violet or purple crystal is a favorite of people who want to sleep more deeply. Placing this crystal on your bedside table or somewhere else in your bedroom can have a positive affect on your dream cycle, improving your REM sleep. Its other benefits include clearing your mind, making you feel more calm and balanced, and even more patient.
Selenite
Most crystals require cleansing and charging to keep their positive energies intact. Otherwise, they can take on opposite, negative energies - but not selenite. It's said to be immune to negative properties, and this wand-like crystal is itself cleansing and purifying. It would be at home in the bedroom, where it can promote harmony and peace.
Clear Quartz
Clear quartz is one of the most affordable options for crystals on the market - and its clear, light appearance makes it a great addition to any decor style or color palette. Clear quartz is associated with happiness and optimism, so place it anywhere in your home that you feel you need a bit of a pick-me-up!
Hematite
Crystals aren't just ideal for adult bedrooms - hematite is also a great option for children. If your child has trouble concentrating or tends to get overexcited, put some hematite in their bedroom to ground and center them. Hematite also has protective qualities, so it's perfect for this kind of space.
Black Tourmaline
To add some drama to your space - but just the aesthetic kind - consider black tourmaline. The rough, short, opaque crystal is excellent for repelling negative energies. Those suffering from fear, anxiety or obsessions will feel much better with this stone in their space. From bedrooms to home offices to living rooms, put it wherever you need protection against negativity!
So Is Zendaya Playing Mary Jane in Spider-Man: Homecoming or What?
In Sam Raimi's early 2000s Spider-Man franchise, Kirsten Dunst appears as the bubbly, popular, redheaded Mary Jane Watson, one of Peter Parker's most iconic love interests. With a new version of the teenage web-slinger's story on the way in the form of Sony and Marvel's Spider-Man: Homecoming, fans have been trying to determine if Zendaya, whose casting as "Michelle" was announced to much fanfare, is the next person to step into MJ's shoes. Shortly after The Wrap confirmed that Zendaya's role was indeed Mary Jane last Summer, we went on a visit to Spider-Man: Homecoming's Atlanta set, where we assumed we'd get a straight answer about the true nature of her role. The short version? We're still not totally sure who she's playing. The long version? Well, keep reading.
While speaking with Eric Carroll, coproducer and director of development for Marvel, he insisted that "Zendaya is playing a character named Michelle. And I promise you, when the movie comes out, that her name is Michelle." As you can see in the film's first trailer, Michelle could not look more different than Dunst's take on the character. She's in head-to-toe black, wearing little to no makeup, has a messy ponytail, is reading Of Human Bondage in their gym class, and seems to be a lone wolf. Oh, and she also isn't afraid to dish out insults to Peter and Ned (Jacob Batalon) while they ogle Peter's crush, Liz Allan (Laura Harrier). It would certainly be a new direction for the character (if she's truly MJ, of course), but a welcome one.
"I always thought of her as being a version of Ally Sheedy in The Breakfast Club, what Linda Cardellini is like in Freaks and Geeks," director Jon Watts told us about Michelle. "It's just a cool character, and it's cool for her to be that character I thought. She has a really cool wardrobe, really funny, lots of literary nods." Tom Holland, who plays Peter Parker, also had some interesting things to say about his costar. "Michelle is a very interesting character. She's very quiet. She's always reading these crazy books, like 'How to Murder Someone Without Anyone Knowing,'" he joked. "We'll be doing a scene with all the other cast members, and she'll suddenly just pitch in and all of us stop, like, 'That was a strange thing to say.' And then we continue on with our dialogue. . . . Z has really brought a lot of herself to the character."
If we take the cast and production team at their word and the K.C. Undercover star's character really is named Michelle, it still doesn't necessarily put her out of the running of being MJ. One of the biggest things that Carroll emphasized during our conversation was that Spider-Man: Homecoming is attempting to do something completely fresh and new, specifically that the goal "was not to see what's already been seen." With two Spider-Man franchises already in the can, the new film will require a bit of reinvention to be original. Maybe MJ's new name (Michelle J. Watson? Michelle-Jane Watson, only the "Jane" is silent?) and new personality are a part of that. Further adding to our suspicion that Michelle is MJ is the extremely cagey way everyone on set spoke about her character. A simple "Zendaya isn't playing Mary Jane" would have nipped the whole question in the bud. Instead, there was a lot of dancing around the subject.
After being asked about the racism Zendaya has experienced after internet trolls and fan boys decided Mary Jane could only ever be played by a white woman, Holland said that she's taking it all in stride. The comment would not typically be surprising (Zendaya is Twitter's reigning queen of clapbacks, after all), except for the way he describes her character. "She has such a large following on Instagram, and the majority of those people are all for her and all love her," he said. "I feel like our generation of people are all moving on past this whole 'you can't cast someone who's not the set right race for a character.' I think we're breaking through and changing that, and Z is perfect for it. Z is so powerful and strong-willed, it's not going to shake her at all."
As Bustle notes in its own dissection of the quote, why would Holland even bother discussing the Mary Jane haters going after her if she's not actually playing the character? Sony producer Amy Pascal was similarly evasive when questions came up about Michelle, noting that "Peter has lots of girls around him in this movie" and that "the story is about him and Liz." Watts would only acknowledge the existence of multiple Michelles in the comics but didn't want to further address any of the "weird rumors flying around."
Before Spidey swings into theaters on July 6, all we'll know for sure is that Zendaya's Michelle is going to play a huge part in Peter's life. She might not be Mary Jane, but that doesn't rule out an eventual nickname of "MJ," right? If we don't get a definitive answer to the mystery in Homecoming, here's hoping a juicy postcredits scene makes things a little clearer, at the very least.
Master Gingham Print With 14 Easy Outfits
Before you doubt the power of gingham, you'll want to scroll through your 'gram. The print is back in full force this season whether it's in the form of a ruffled blouse or an off-the-shoulder dress. Not only are bloggers loving the Spring trend, but we too are head over heels for the print again. One of our must-have items for April is even a gingham printed skirt.
Trust us, anyone can pull off these checks. All you need is a bit of inspiration to get you started. Ahead, we found 14 easy ways to style gingham for 2017 and included the trendiest print pieces to buy now. Get your gingham game on, ladies.
12 Things No One Tells You About Having a Second Baby
People throw so much advice at you when you're a first-time parent. Just the sight of your pregnant belly and a confirmation that it's your first brings an onslaught of unsolicited tips and sometimes helpful musings. Cut to the second time you expand and your family and everyone just assumes you've got it down. The only advice I got this time was: "If they both need you, help the older child first." (Good advice, by the way.) My general lack of mental preparation before doubling the number of children I had made for some surprising findings in my first few months as a second-time mom.
1. You Will Feel More Guilty Than You Ever Have
You'll feel guilty for spending too much time with your newborn and not paying enough attention to your older child. And then you'll spend more time with your older child and feel terrible for neglecting your newborn. You'll wish you could spend every second with each of your children while also wishing you could take 20 minutes to shower by yourself. It's a guilt-ridden cycle that I wish I could say goes away, but it really just gets a little less intense. Because what's motherhood without a little guilt, really?
2. You Won't Remember as Much as You Think You Will
Prepare to go through the process of figuring it all out all over again. It does come back to you, but it's not as immediate as you might think. After the birth of my second son, I had to ask the nurse in the hospital how often I should feed him and when we got home I was shocked at how many diapers we went through. Don't be surprised if you and your partner look at each other with bewilderment when trying to remember what time you used to put your first to bed at night or how many ounces he would take from a bottle.
3. The Whole Experience Will Be Less Intense
This isn't to say it's not as special and important, but it's just not as life changing as that first time you brought a baby out into the world from inside of your body. You've already witnessed the insane and unimaginable miracle that is a tiny human created by you and your partner. It's not so much been there, done that, but it just doesn't quite shake you to your core the way having a baby the first time can. This is not to say your hormones won't still be all over the place. It just means that instead of being on a loopy, upside-down roller coaster at Six Flags, they'll probably be riding something more like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland.
4. Breastfeeding Will Still Be Hard
I was told so many times that breastfeeding is so much easier the second time. And I will say it's easier . . . but it's still hard. You might feel less overwhelmed by the idea if you've already been successful at nursing once before, but if you're like me, you'll still have to work on the latch at the beginning and you'll still be ordering nipple cream on Amazon from your hospital bed. The good news is that (for me at least) the nipple pain didn't last as long and it felt like we were in a better place feeding-wise much more quickly than the first time.
5. You'll Have Even Less Modesty Than Before
Seems impossible, I know, but everyone's already seen it all and now they've seen it all again. Especially your boobs. You don't have the luxury of timing your day around nursing schedules since your older one probably needs to leave the house at some point. So you get extremely comfortable, dare I say nonchalant, about nursing your baby in public. Anywhere, anytime. It's actually quite freeing if, like me, you spent the first go-around desperately seeking a hidden spot to feed on the go.
6. Your Maternity Leave Days Will Look Much Different
Remember lingering in bed for morning feedings and rocking your baby while he slept during the day? Maybe you even enjoyed some leisurely lunches with friends and a little daytime TV after having your first. You guessed it: unless you have live-in help or an older one in full-time preschool, those days are long gone. Get some help that allows you to have even just a few hours a week of sweet, uninterrupted newborn time. It goes a long way.
7. You Will Need More Help Than You Think
You now not only need someone to help you with your own recovery and with the tiny human, but you also need someone to entertain your older child and keep your house in order. Ask neighbors and friends to set up a dinner drop-off, schedule play dates for your toddler, and say yes to anyone who offers to help you around the house. You might even want someone to join you to tackle your first out-of-the-house adventure with both kids. Even if you think you've got it down, you'll be glad to have the extra hands.
8. There Will Be More Laundry Than You Thought Possible
It doesn't seem like a little person with teeny-tiny things would add that much more to the laundry pile already created by three people, but somehow, the baby seems to actually double it. If you don't do at least one load of laundry every day, you are already behind. See previous point.
9. You Will Appreciate Babywearing Like Never Before
Keeping your baby close is not only a sweet way to bond, but with the second, it's a necessity. It helps leave your hands free to deal with all things toddler and beyond throughout the day and also gives you a little peace of mind without having to follow your older one's every move. Because this time when you set your infant down, you not only risk crying that needs to be tended to, but also you have the added element of a toddler who may want to "play" with the baby by putting blankets on his face or driving cars over his soft spot while you take a quick bathroom break. It's just easier if the baby is with you.
10. You Will Become the Master of Logistics
One of the biggest question marks for me before I became a second-time mom had to do with how I would get both of them in and out of the house or car to go anywhere, ever. Does the toddler get out of his seat first and hold your hand so he can't run into the parking lot while you get the baby into the stroller? How do you take them both to Target and still have room in your cart to actually shop (see number eight)? It requires some trial and error, but you'll become the master of the juggling act and feel pretty accomplished after that first successful trip to the grocery store with two.
11. You Can Get By With Less Stuff
I tried to be pretty minimal with the "stuff" with my firstborn since we lived in a one-bedroom apartment. When the second arrived, it became apparent that I still had way too much gear, clothing, and blankets, despite having twice as much space. You just don't need as much with the second one since that nagging first-time-mom feeling that you MUST BRING EVERYTHING on your 15-minute walk around the block is replaced by less anxiety-fueled thoughts. Plus, there's just not enough room for all those toddler snacks and three outfit changes for the baby in your bag.
12. You Won't Care So Much About Screen Time
If your older one is at an age where TV is capable of capturing their full attention, you'll be more than happy to have the option of plopping them in front of a show while you nurse for the hundredth time. Trust me. I'm back to regulating screen time with my older one now that the little guy is 5 months old, but I wouldn't have gotten through the early days without a DVR full of Thomas and Friends.
7 Reasons Toddler Boys are Terrifying and Terrific
"Boys are different." It was refrain I heard many times when I was pregnant with my now 21-month-old son, Sam. My daughter was almost 3 when he was born, and because she was my first and only, I figured all kids were pretty much like her: adventurous but initially cautious of new situations, overtly emotional (or should I say erratic?), and in my mind, wild because she was into everything, was constantly dancing and gyrating, and was often seen wearing few, if any, clothes. But, almost two years later, I've learned there's a difference between spirited and wild. My daughter is the former, and my son is most definitely the latter. He's all boy, and man, boys are different. Here (in my experience, which has been corroborated with many a mom-of-boys friend) is why.
- Boys keep you running. My daughter was busy, but she didn't have nearly the speed my son has developed in his short life. And that's why, in the last few months, I've begun feeling real empathy for those parents who put their kids on leashes. Pretty much every mom and teacher at my daughter's preschool know Sam's first name because they see me darting around the halls yelling it at drop-off and pick-up every single day. Turn my head for two seconds to, say, kiss my daughter goodbye or hang up her school bag, and bam, he's gone, searching through classrooms, hiding behind desks, or finding a stray Sharpie. Parking lots are an even bigger disaster, but no matter our location, these days you'll most likely see me in ready position: knees bent, legs wide, and arms out.
- Everything's a weapon. My daughter loves stuffed animals and dolls. My son prefers any object, toy or not, that could be used to hit someone over the head with blunt force. Sticks, brooms, and plastic guitars are his personal favorites, but he'll make do with whatever he can find. If he can only score something round and small, he's not bothered. He'll just throw it at your head instead.
- Their motto: the dirtier the better. There's not a day that goes by that, at some point, I don't cringe when I pick up my son. Sometimes it's because he's decided to pour an entire glass of milk or juice down the front of his shirt. Other times, his finger painting project at our gym's childcare has gone seriously rogue, or he's found an open toilet and decided to sample the water . . . with his mouth. He prefers to eat yogurt by the handful and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches inside out, licking the jelly off first. At our house, bath time is never optional.
- They are fearless. It took my daughter almost three years to go down a slide by herself without a prolonged internal struggle. My son went down his first slide, which included a rather dangerous and extended climb up an open ladder, at 18 months. I didn't even notice until he was halfway down (mom of the year over here). Before his first birthday, he was quite happy to jump in a pool, whether an adult was watching or not, wildly approach animals of all shapes and sizes, and launch himself off coffee tables, beds, and stairs, confident that either someone would catch him or he'd survive the fall.
- Climbing is their favorite pastime. There's nothing in my house that my son hasn't tried to climb, including my own body. But he really hit the jackpot last week when he realized he could move our kitchen counter stools around the first floor to reach even greater heights. I took my eyes off him for 30 seconds and he had pushed his new find over to the refrigerator and was switching off pushing our refrigerator's ice and water buttons. Yet another fun clean-up project for mommy.
- They shake it off. While my daughter's favorite song might be "Shake It Off", my son literally embodies the spirit of the song. Fell down a few stairs? He'll walk it off. Ran head first into a table? He'll give it a quick rub, and he's off and running. Even the scariest spills warrant just a few tears and quick hug from mom, and that makes him kind of awesome.
- They love their mamas. I expected to immediately bond with my daughter (we have the same parts, and I could already imagine how fun our future shopping excursions would be!), but I wasn't as sure how I'd feel about my newborn son. Luckily he made it easy on me, deciding that I was his favorite person on the planet at first sight and sticking to that decision for good (or at least for the entirety of his 21 months). Add in the constant unsolicited hugs and kisses and the fact that he, unlike his sister, is totally fine with whatever outfit I decide he should wear and whatever hairstyle tickles my fancy, and he's won my heart for life. Even when he's beating me over the head.
Toddler Shuts Down a Cashier Who Told Her to Pick Out a "Different" Doll
After Sophia successfully pooped on the potty for an entire month, she was allowed to pick out a special prize. Not surprising to her parents, Brandi and Nick, Sophia wanted a new doll.
As her mom explained, "the obsession is real" when it comes to dolls for this little girl, but a cashier at the store threatened to ruin her excitement - simply because of the color of her new toy's skin. While Sophia and Brandi were checking out, the employee asked the toddler if she was going to a birthday party. Both the mom and daughter gave the woman a blank stare. She then asked if Sophia picked the doll out for a friend.
"Sophia continued to stare blankly and I let the cashier know that she was a prize for Sophia being fully potty trained," Brandi shared on the Love What Matters Facebook page. "The woman gave me a puzzled look and turned to Sophia and asked, 'Are you sure this is the doll you want, honey?'"
Sophia found her voice and replied, "Yes, please!" but the woman still didn't back down. "But she doesn't look like you. We have lots of other dolls that look more like you," the cashier said, according to Brandi.
Brandi immediately became angry, but before she could say anything, Sophia began explaining all of the ways she and her new doll are alike. "Yes, she does. She's a doctor like I'm a doctor. And I'm a pretty girl and she's a pretty girl. See her pretty hair? And see her stethoscope?" Sophia told the stranger.
The cashier finally dropped the conversation, but the unexpected exchange had a lasting impact on this mom. "This experience just confirmed my belief that we aren't born with the idea that color matters," she wrote. "Skin comes in different colors just like hair and eyes, and every shade is beautiful."
This California University Has a Vending Machine For Plan B - Seriously!
What if you could get the morning-after pill with the press of a button? At University of California Davis, one student is making that possible. Parteek Singh, a 21-year-old senior, was running for the student government senator position when one of his friends suggested the idea of a Plan B vending machine.
Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania has had one for a few years, and students have really appreciated the accessibility. "Here at Davis we only have one pharmacy that is open 24/7, and a couple of my friends shared incidents when the pharmacy has ran out of emergency contraceptives on a Friday night and they weren't getting a new shipment until Monday," Singh said. It's these kinds of situations that inspired him to get a health and wellness vending machine as a resource on campus.
"After seeing that other campuses have these resources, it made the idea seem more realistic for me," he said. As a senator for UC Davis, Singh made the vending machine happen. It's located at the Activities and Recreation Center - one of the few buildings on campus that's open 18 hours a day. The Plan B costs $30 for students, when it would normally be about $50 at a drugstore. The vending machine also contains pregnancy tests, condoms, feminine products, and other over-the-counter medications.
"The students are really excited to see this resource on campus," Singh said. "There's been nothing but positive feedback so far." This kind of accessibility to emergency contraceptives should be available on all college campuses. The vending machine will undoubtedly promote productive conversations about sexual health among students.
It's so much easier to walk across campus for the items you need than go to a pharmacy with limited hours. It takes the stress and anxiety out of preventative care. Here's to hoping for many more Plan B vending machines on college campuses throughout the country!
An Open Letter to Anyone Considering a Unique Name For Their Baby
Dear parents considering a unique name for their child:
My name is Alessia, nice to meet you.
Chances are, you just saw my name and either stopped to read it again, you tried to sound it out but were definitely unsure of yourself, or maybe, because of the recent fame of pop star Alessia Cara, you knew exactly how to read and pronounce it (though I'm not too optimistic about that).
My name, which is actually fairly common in Italy, where my family is from, is not common at all in the US. I like having a name that reflects my cultural heritage and reinforces a sense of identity, as many others do, but parents who may be considering a complex name - especially one that's purely to be trendy or unique - should know that doing so could come with consequences they don't even realize.
I'm 26 years old and I can probably count on two hands the number of times a person has gotten the pronunciation of my name right on the first go - a surprising minority, considering it has the word "less" right in it. Whenever someone does get it right, my jaw drops, because these moments are few and very far between - I often consider hugging the person for making me feel so normal. But the other 99 percent of the time, people get my name wrong.
Your name goes hand in hand with your identity, and when it's consistently messed up, it makes you feel less validated.
Over the years, I've made it a habit to introduce myself to people by saying my name slowly - careful to enunciate all four syllables - only to have them repeat something totally incorrect back. After the initial correction, I usually get an "I'm so sorry!" or "That's such a beautiful name!" in response. But that doesn't help the situation much, especially when not long after that they make another unsuccessful attempt at my moniker.
I know what you're thinking . . . what's the big deal, right? The big deal is that your name goes hand in hand with your identity, and when it is consistently messed up, it makes you feel less and less validated as a person.
When I was younger, I'd dread the first day of school, knowing that I'd have to correct my teacher in front of the entire class when they inevitably mispronounced my name off the roster.
When I was a soccer player, I had to listen to my coach call me Alicia for years because eventually my correcting him became pointless.
When I graduated from college, my name was butchered - and thanks to bad acoustics, echoed several times - in front of thousands of people (including my parents who named me).
When interviewing for jobs, I worried about being dismissed in the first few seconds of the interview because I had to correct a potential employer after they read my name incorrectly off my résumé.
All of these incidents gave me social anxiety, made me feel like my feelings didn't matter, and put dampers on some of the most important moments of my life.
If someone mispronounces my name, can't remember it because it's less common than Emily or Nicole, or decides on the spot that instead of making an effort to get it right they'll come up with a nickname, that totally sucks. I don't want you to call me a variation of my first name that I didn't offer or refer to me by my last name - I want you to use my actual name, because that's what I introduce myself as.
Being called by your actual name is the smallest courtesy that a person shouldn't have to ask for.
Being called by your actual name is the smallest courtesy that a person shouldn't have to ask for.
As someone who often writes posts full of unique, differently spelled, and modern baby names, I totally understand the appeal of choosing a name for your child that isn't mainstream. Do I envy those with common names who have to go by Kate S. or "red-headed Sarah" because there are so many people sharing the same moniker? No - it's nice to have a name that isn't so ubiquitous.
One of my favorite bloggers wrote something about choosing her daughter's name a few years ago that really stood out to me:
My favorite girl's name over the past couple of years has been Soleil. I love the sound of it, I love the spelling of it, I love the meaning of it. But after running it by my friends and realizing not everyone immediately knew how to pronounce it, I decided it would be far better suited as a middle name. Luckily, John's favorite name, Briar, complemented Soleil perfectly. The name Briar was unique; it felt modern and classic at the same time. It was unlike anything we had ever heard before, but not so outlandish that it would haunt her forever.
I remember reading this post and thinking, "YES. She gets it! They get it! They're parents of the year!" They chose a name for their little girl that I've never come across in my own personal connections, but there is literally no question in my mind that anyone who reads it will be able to do so without fudging it up.
So please, when you're considering a unique name for your baby, think ahead. Is the name spelled phonetically and easy to read? Can people understand it after hearing you say it once? If you speak it out loud, would most people know how to write it out without asking you how?
These may seem like tiny, inconsequential details, but I cannot stress enough how these incidents build up and drive a person crazy over time. If you still choose to go unique with your baby's name, godspeed. Hopefully your child owns their name better than I have.
But you've been warned.
Signed,
Alessia (which, for the love of god, is pronounced uh-LESS-ee-uh)
22 Times Empire's Trai Byers Made Hump Day the Hottest Day of the Week
Empire still reigns as one of the hottest shows on TV right now. With all of the jaw-dropping drama, fashion, music, and eye candy it provides every Wednesday, it's easy to see why. One of the sexiest stars on the hit show is Trai Byers, who plays Andre Lyon, one of three brothers vying to inherit their father's megasuccessful record label. You may recognize the 32-year-old actor from the movie Selma or the CW series 90210, but there's no denying that this show is his breakout role. Keep scrolling to see 22 times Trai made hump day the hottest day of the week.
The Best 50+ Gifts For 5-Year-Olds
The kindergartener on your list is no longer a tot. Somehow, moving into kindergarten helps kids express themselves more than ever before, so finding toys and games that help them build on the skills they are learning at school can also help them express themselves even more. From concentration games and early reading skills, to Lego sets and Barbies, there's something on this list for every 5-year-old you know.
Scroll through for 51 of our favorite finds for the 5-year-old on your list!
12 Things No One Tells You About Having a Second Baby
People throw so much advice at you when you're a first-time parent. Just the sight of your pregnant belly and a confirmation that it's your first brings an onslaught of unsolicited tips and sometimes helpful musings. Cut to the second time you expand and your family and everyone just assumes you've got it down. The only advice I got this time was: "If they both need you, help the older child first." (Good advice, by the way.) My general lack of mental preparation before doubling the number of children I had made for some surprising findings in my first few months as a second-time mom.
1. You Will Feel More Guilty Than You Ever Have
You'll feel guilty for spending too much time with your newborn and not paying enough attention to your older child. And then you'll spend more time with your older child and feel terrible for neglecting your newborn. You'll wish you could spend every second with each of your children while also wishing you could take 20 minutes to shower by yourself. It's a guilt-ridden cycle that I wish I could say goes away, but it really just gets a little less intense. Because what's motherhood without a little guilt, really?
2. You Won't Remember as Much as You Think You Will
Prepare to go through the process of figuring it all out all over again. It does come back to you, but it's not as immediate as you might think. After the birth of my second son, I had to ask the nurse in the hospital how often I should feed him and when we got home I was shocked at how many diapers we went through. Don't be surprised if you and your partner look at each other with bewilderment when trying to remember what time you used to put your first to bed at night or how many ounces he would take from a bottle.
3. The Whole Experience Will Be Less Intense
This isn't to say it's not as special and important, but it's just not as life changing as that first time you brought a baby out into the world from inside of your body. You've already witnessed the insane and unimaginable miracle that is a tiny human created by you and your partner. It's not so much been there, done that, but it just doesn't quite shake you to your core the way having a baby the first time can. This is not to say your hormones won't still be all over the place. It just means that instead of being on a loopy, upside-down roller coaster at Six Flags, they'll probably be riding something more like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland.
4. Breastfeeding Will Still Be Hard
I was told so many times that breastfeeding is so much easier the second time. And I will say it's easier . . . but it's still hard. You might feel less overwhelmed by the idea if you've already been successful at nursing once before, but if you're like me, you'll still have to work on the latch at the beginning and you'll still be ordering nipple cream on Amazon from your hospital bed. The good news is that (for me at least) the nipple pain didn't last as long and it felt like we were in a better place feeding-wise much more quickly than the first time.
5. You'll Have Even Less Modesty Than Before
Seems impossible, I know, but everyone's already seen it all and now they've seen it all again. Especially your boobs. You don't have the luxury of timing your day around nursing schedules since your older one probably needs to leave the house at some point. So you get extremely comfortable, dare I say nonchalant, about nursing your baby in public. Anywhere, anytime. It's actually quite freeing if, like me, you spent the first go-around desperately seeking a hidden spot to feed on the go.
6. Your Maternity Leave Days Will Look Much Different
Remember lingering in bed for morning feedings and rocking your baby while he slept during the day? Maybe you even enjoyed some leisurely lunches with friends and a little daytime TV after having your first. You guessed it: unless you have live-in help or an older one in full-time preschool, those days are long gone. Get some help that allows you to have even just a few hours a week of sweet, uninterrupted newborn time. It goes a long way.
7. You Will Need More Help Than You Think
You now not only need someone to help you with your own recovery and with the tiny human, but you also need someone to entertain your older child and keep your house in order. Ask neighbors and friends to set up a dinner drop-off, schedule play dates for your toddler, and say yes to anyone who offers to help you around the house. You might even want someone to join you to tackle your first out-of-the-house adventure with both kids. Even if you think you've got it down, you'll be glad to have the extra hands.
8. There Will Be More Laundry Than You Thought Possible
It doesn't seem like a little person with teeny-tiny things would add that much more to the laundry pile already created by three people, but somehow, the baby seems to actually double it. If you don't do at least one load of laundry every day, you are already behind. See previous point.
9. You Will Appreciate Babywearing Like Never Before
Keeping your baby close is not only a sweet way to bond, but with the second, it's a necessity. It helps leave your hands free to deal with all things toddler and beyond throughout the day and also gives you a little peace of mind without having to follow your older one's every move. Because this time when you set your infant down, you not only risk crying that needs to be tended to, but also you have the added element of a toddler who may want to "play" with the baby by putting blankets on his face or driving cars over his soft spot while you take a quick bathroom break. It's just easier if the baby is with you.
10. You Will Become the Master of Logistics
One of the biggest question marks for me before I became a second-time mom had to do with how I would get both of them in and out of the house or car to go anywhere, ever. Does the toddler get out of his seat first and hold your hand so he can't run into the parking lot while you get the baby into the stroller? How do you take them both to Target and still have room in your cart to actually shop (see number eight)? It requires some trial and error, but you'll become the master of the juggling act and feel pretty accomplished after that first successful trip to the grocery store with two.
11. You Can Get By With Less Stuff
I tried to be pretty minimal with the "stuff" with my firstborn since we lived in a one-bedroom apartment. When the second arrived, it became apparent that I still had way too much gear, clothing, and blankets, despite having twice as much space. You just don't need as much with the second one since that nagging first-time-mom feeling that you MUST BRING EVERYTHING on your 15-minute walk around the block is replaced by less anxiety-fueled thoughts. Plus, there's just not enough room for all those toddler snacks and three outfit changes for the baby in your bag.
12. You Won't Care So Much About Screen Time
If your older one is at an age where TV is capable of capturing their full attention, you'll be more than happy to have the option of plopping them in front of a show while you nurse for the hundredth time. Trust me. I'm back to regulating screen time with my older one now that the little guy is 5 months old, but I wouldn't have gotten through the early days without a DVR full of Thomas and Friends.
7 Reasons Toddler Boys are Terrifying and Terrific
"Boys are different." It was refrain I heard many times when I was pregnant with my now 21-month-old son, Sam. My daughter was almost 3 when he was born, and because she was my first and only, I figured all kids were pretty much like her: adventurous but initially cautious of new situations, overtly emotional (or should I say erratic?), and in my mind, wild because she was into everything, was constantly dancing and gyrating, and was often seen wearing few, if any, clothes. But, almost two years later, I've learned there's a difference between spirited and wild. My daughter is the former, and my son is most definitely the latter. He's all boy, and man, boys are different. Here (in my experience, which has been corroborated with many a mom-of-boys friend) is why.
- Boys keep you running. My daughter was busy, but she didn't have nearly the speed my son has developed in his short life. And that's why, in the last few months, I've begun feeling real empathy for those parents who put their kids on leashes. Pretty much every mom and teacher at my daughter's preschool know Sam's first name because they see me darting around the halls yelling it at drop-off and pick-up every single day. Turn my head for two seconds to, say, kiss my daughter goodbye or hang up her school bag, and bam, he's gone, searching through classrooms, hiding behind desks, or finding a stray Sharpie. Parking lots are an even bigger disaster, but no matter our location, these days you'll most likely see me in ready position: knees bent, legs wide, and arms out.
- Everything's a weapon. My daughter loves stuffed animals and dolls. My son prefers any object, toy or not, that could be used to hit someone over the head with blunt force. Sticks, brooms, and plastic guitars are his personal favorites, but he'll make do with whatever he can find. If he can only score something round and small, he's not bothered. He'll just throw it at your head instead.
- Their motto: the dirtier the better. There's not a day that goes by that, at some point, I don't cringe when I pick up my son. Sometimes it's because he's decided to pour an entire glass of milk or juice down the front of his shirt. Other times, his finger painting project at our gym's childcare has gone seriously rogue, or he's found an open toilet and decided to sample the water . . . with his mouth. He prefers to eat yogurt by the handful and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches inside out, licking the jelly off first. At our house, bath time is never optional.
- They are fearless. It took my daughter almost three years to go down a slide by herself without a prolonged internal struggle. My son went down his first slide, which included a rather dangerous and extended climb up an open ladder, at 18 months. I didn't even notice until he was halfway down (mom of the year over here). Before his first birthday, he was quite happy to jump in a pool, whether an adult was watching or not, wildly approach animals of all shapes and sizes, and launch himself off coffee tables, beds, and stairs, confident that either someone would catch him or he'd survive the fall.
- Climbing is their favorite pastime. There's nothing in my house that my son hasn't tried to climb, including my own body. But he really hit the jackpot last week when he realized he could move our kitchen counter stools around the first floor to reach even greater heights. I took my eyes off him for 30 seconds and he had pushed his new find over to the refrigerator and was switching off pushing our refrigerator's ice and water buttons. Yet another fun clean-up project for mommy.
- They shake it off. While my daughter's favorite song might be "Shake It Off", my son literally embodies the spirit of the song. Fell down a few stairs? He'll walk it off. Ran head first into a table? He'll give it a quick rub, and he's off and running. Even the scariest spills warrant just a few tears and quick hug from mom, and that makes him kind of awesome.
- They love their mamas. I expected to immediately bond with my daughter (we have the same parts, and I could already imagine how fun our future shopping excursions would be!), but I wasn't as sure how I'd feel about my newborn son. Luckily he made it easy on me, deciding that I was his favorite person on the planet at first sight and sticking to that decision for good (or at least for the entirety of his 21 months). Add in the constant unsolicited hugs and kisses and the fact that he, unlike his sister, is totally fine with whatever outfit I decide he should wear and whatever hairstyle tickles my fancy, and he's won my heart for life. Even when he's beating me over the head.
Master Gingham Print With 14 Easy Outfits
Before you doubt the power of gingham, you'll want to scroll through your 'gram. The print is back in full force this season whether it's in the form of a ruffled blouse or an off-the-shoulder dress. Not only are bloggers loving the Spring trend, but we too are head over heels for the print again. One of our must-have items for April is even a gingham printed skirt.
Trust us, anyone can pull off these checks. All you need is a bit of inspiration to get you started. Ahead, we found 14 easy ways to style gingham for 2017 and included the trendiest print pieces to buy now. Get your gingham game on, ladies.
20 Spring Recipes For Those Who Favor Heartier Meals
The days are longer, the temperatures are milder, and the crocuses are starting to poke their fragile little heads out of the soil. It must be Spring! Soon everyone's farmers markets will be stocked with fresh Spring produce, from asparagus and leeks to peas and beets. But just because Spring veggies typically inspire lighter fare doesn't mean that you have to give up your comfort foods. Here are 20 recipes featuring Spring produce that are just as meaty, carby, and hearty as your favorite Winter meals.
10 Documentaries About Cults That Will Shock and Fascinate You
Over the past several decades, modern-day cults have become a phenomenon. Whether religious or spiritual, rich or poor, open or private, these groups usually have a few things in common: a morally questionable leader, mysterious goals and practices, and a body of members who strongly believe in their way of life. It's these things in particular that make these groups fascinating, but as interesting as cults may be, they can sometimes be dangerous, and even deadly.
For those who foster a curiosity about these groups, here are 10 documentaries that get to the bottom of life inside a cult. Note: Many of these groups wouldn't identify themselves as a "cult," but each group is categorized by some type of extreme belief system and/or way of life.
So Is Zendaya Playing Mary Jane in Spider-Man: Homecoming or What?
In Sam Raimi's early 2000s Spider-Man franchise, Kirsten Dunst appears as the bubbly, popular, redheaded Mary Jane Watson, one of Peter Parker's most iconic love interests. With a new version of the teenage web-slinger's story on the way in the form of Sony and Marvel's Spider-Man: Homecoming, fans have been trying to determine if Zendaya, whose casting as "Michelle" was announced to much fanfare, is the next person to step into MJ's shoes. Shortly after The Wrap confirmed that Zendaya's role was indeed Mary Jane last Summer, we went on a visit to Spider-Man: Homecoming's Atlanta set, where we assumed we'd get a straight answer about the true nature of her role. The short version? We're still not totally sure who she's playing. The long version? Well, keep reading.
While speaking with Eric Carroll, coproducer and director of development for Marvel, he insisted that "Zendaya is playing a character named Michelle. And I promise you, when the movie comes out, that her name is Michelle." As you can see in the film's first trailer, Michelle could not look more different than Dunst's take on the character. She's in head-to-toe black, wearing little to no makeup, has a messy ponytail, is reading Of Human Bondage in their gym class, and seems to be a lone wolf. Oh, and she also isn't afraid to dish out insults to Peter and Ned (Jacob Batalon) while they ogle Peter's crush, Liz Allan (Laura Harrier). It would certainly be a new direction for the character (if she's truly MJ, of course), but a welcome one.
"I always thought of her as being a version of Ally Sheedy in The Breakfast Club, what Linda Cardellini is like in Freaks and Geeks," director Jon Watts told us about Michelle. "It's just a cool character, and it's cool for her to be that character I thought. She has a really cool wardrobe, really funny, lots of literary nods." Tom Holland, who plays Peter Parker, also had some interesting things to say about his costar. "Michelle is a very interesting character. She's very quiet. She's always reading these crazy books, like 'How to Murder Someone Without Anyone Knowing,'" he joked. "We'll be doing a scene with all the other cast members, and she'll suddenly just pitch in and all of us stop, like, 'That was a strange thing to say.' And then we continue on with our dialogue. . . . Z has really brought a lot of herself to the character."
If we take the cast and production team at their word and the K.C. Undercover star's character really is named Michelle, it still doesn't necessarily put her out of the running of being MJ. One of the biggest things that Carroll emphasized during our conversation was that Spider-Man: Homecoming is attempting to do something completely fresh and new, specifically that the goal "was not to see what's already been seen." With two Spider-Man franchises already in the can, the new film will require a bit of reinvention to be original. Maybe MJ's new name (Michelle J. Watson? Michelle-Jane Watson, only the "Jane" is silent?) and new personality are a part of that. Further adding to our suspicion that Michelle is MJ is the extremely cagey way everyone on set spoke about her character. A simple "Zendaya isn't playing Mary Jane" would have nipped the whole question in the bud. Instead, there was a lot of dancing around the subject.
After being asked about the racism Zendaya has experienced after internet trolls and fan boys decided Mary Jane could only ever be played by a white woman, Holland said that she's taking it all in stride. The comment would not typically be surprising (Zendaya is Twitter's reigning queen of clapbacks, after all), except for the way he describes her character. "She has such a large following on Instagram, and the majority of those people are all for her and all love her," he said. "I feel like our generation of people are all moving on past this whole 'you can't cast someone who's not the set right race for a character.' I think we're breaking through and changing that, and Z is perfect for it. Z is so powerful and strong-willed, it's not going to shake her at all."
As Bustle notes in its own dissection of the quote, why would Holland even bother discussing the Mary Jane haters going after her if she's not actually playing the character? Sony producer Amy Pascal was similarly evasive when questions came up about Michelle, noting that "Peter has lots of girls around him in this movie" and that "the story is about him and Liz." Watts would only acknowledge the existence of multiple Michelles in the comics but didn't want to further address any of the "weird rumors flying around."
Before Spidey swings into theaters on July 6, all we'll know for sure is that Zendaya's Michelle is going to play a huge part in Peter's life. She might not be Mary Jane, but that doesn't rule out an eventual nickname of "MJ," right? If we don't get a definitive answer to the mystery in Homecoming, here's hoping a juicy postcredits scene makes things a little clearer, at the very least.
An Open Letter to Anyone Considering a Unique Name For Their Baby
Dear parents considering a unique name for their child:
My name is Alessia, nice to meet you.
Chances are, you just saw my name and either stopped to read it again, you tried to sound it out but were definitely unsure of yourself, or maybe, because of the recent fame of pop star Alessia Cara, you knew exactly how to read and pronounce it (though I'm not too optimistic about that).
My name, which is actually fairly common in Italy, where my family is from, is not common at all in the US. I like having a name that reflects my cultural heritage and reinforces a sense of identity, as many others do, but parents who may be considering a complex name - especially one that's purely to be trendy or unique - should know that doing so could come with consequences they don't even realize.
I'm 26 years old and I can probably count on two hands the number of times a person has gotten the pronunciation of my name right on the first go - a surprising minority, considering it has the word "less" right in it. Whenever someone does get it right, my jaw drops, because these moments are few and very far between - I often consider hugging the person for making me feel so normal. But the other 99 percent of the time, people get my name wrong.
Your name goes hand in hand with your identity, and when it's consistently messed up, it makes you feel less validated.
Over the years, I've made it a habit to introduce myself to people by saying my name slowly - careful to enunciate all four syllables - only to have them repeat something totally incorrect back. After the initial correction, I usually get an "I'm so sorry!" or "That's such a beautiful name!" in response. But that doesn't help the situation much, especially when not long after that they make another unsuccessful attempt at my moniker.
I know what you're thinking . . . what's the big deal, right? The big deal is that your name goes hand in hand with your identity, and when it is consistently messed up, it makes you feel less and less validated as a person.
When I was younger, I'd dread the first day of school, knowing that I'd have to correct my teacher in front of the entire class when they inevitably mispronounced my name off the roster.
When I was a soccer player, I had to listen to my coach call me Alicia for years because eventually my correcting him became pointless.
When I graduated from college, my name was butchered - and thanks to bad acoustics, echoed several times - in front of thousands of people (including my parents who named me).
When interviewing for jobs, I worried about being dismissed in the first few seconds of the interview because I had to correct a potential employer after they read my name incorrectly off my résumé.
All of these incidents gave me social anxiety, made me feel like my feelings didn't matter, and put dampers on some of the most important moments of my life.
If someone mispronounces my name, can't remember it because it's less common than Emily or Nicole, or decides on the spot that instead of making an effort to get it right they'll come up with a nickname, that totally sucks. I don't want you to call me a variation of my first name that I didn't offer or refer to me by my last name - I want you to use my actual name, because that's what I introduce myself as.
Being called by your actual name is the smallest courtesy that a person shouldn't have to ask for.
Being called by your actual name is the smallest courtesy that a person shouldn't have to ask for.
As someone who often writes posts full of unique, differently spelled, and modern baby names, I totally understand the appeal of choosing a name for your child that isn't mainstream. Do I envy those with common names who have to go by Kate S. or "red-headed Sarah" because there are so many people sharing the same moniker? No - it's nice to have a name that isn't so ubiquitous.
One of my favorite bloggers wrote something about choosing her daughter's name a few years ago that really stood out to me:
My favorite girl's name over the past couple of years has been Soleil. I love the sound of it, I love the spelling of it, I love the meaning of it. But after running it by my friends and realizing not everyone immediately knew how to pronounce it, I decided it would be far better suited as a middle name. Luckily, John's favorite name, Briar, complemented Soleil perfectly. The name Briar was unique; it felt modern and classic at the same time. It was unlike anything we had ever heard before, but not so outlandish that it would haunt her forever.
I remember reading this post and thinking, "YES. She gets it! They get it! They're parents of the year!" They chose a name for their little girl that I've never come across in my own personal connections, but there is literally no question in my mind that anyone who reads it will be able to do so without fudging it up.
So please, when you're considering a unique name for your baby, think ahead. Is the name spelled phonetically and easy to read? Can people understand it after hearing you say it once? If you speak it out loud, would most people know how to write it out without asking you how?
These may seem like tiny, inconsequential details, but I cannot stress enough how these incidents build up and drive a person crazy over time. If you still choose to go unique with your baby's name, godspeed. Hopefully your child owns their name better than I have.
But you've been warned.
Signed,
Alessia (which, for the love of god, is pronounced uh-LESS-ee-uh)
16 Reasons Bruno Mars Is Beautiful Just the Way He Is
Bruno Mars has been making us swoon since his debut single, "Just the Way You Are," in 2010. From the moment we first saw him, it's been a nonstop love fest with the Hawaiian native of Puerto Rican descent. Bruno has already proven himself to be a formidable artist in pop culture with catchy songs like "Grenade" and "Uptown Funk" in his musical catalog, but the 31-year-old singer, whose real name is Peter Gene Hernandez, is also proud of his Hispanic heritage, which makes him even hotter in our eyes. Keep reading to see all the reasons Bruno is beautiful just the way he is.
19 Reasons the New Spider-Man Movie Will Be Unlike Anything You've Seen Before
Like many other superhero movie fans out there, I suffer from a serious, life-altering condition known as Spider-Man Fatigue (SMF). I'm a fan of the early-2000s franchise starring Tobey Maguire, and I willingly sat through Andrew Garfield's take on Peter Parker in 2012 and 2014. But when I heard Marvel and Sony had combined forces to tell a new version of the young web-slinger's story for a third time, I audibly groaned. Another one? Seriously? Then, I saw Captain America: Civil War. This Spider-Man, played by 20-year-old British rising star Tom Holland, is only in the movie briefly but seems immediately lighter and funnier; he meshes perfectly with Tony Stark and the rest of the gang. Could it be? Could Marvel have finally found a way to stop my skeptical eyes from rolling at each mention of a new installment to his story?
To figure out, once and for all, whether I'd be able to enjoy a sixth Spider-Man movie, I flew down to Marvel's Pinewood Studios in Atlanta, where the team behind Spider-Man: Homecoming filled me and a group of other journalists in on what's in store for Peter Parker this time around. We arrived on production day 46 of 74 and were treated to tours of a few sets - including a massive portion of the Washington Monument that Peter climbs and a full-size (but still partial) replica of the Staten Island Ferry designed to split in two for a fight scene - and an enlightening conversation with Eric Carroll. The coproducer and director of development for Marvel explained to us the basic story of the film and what Homecoming is trying to achieve with this iteration; chiefly, they want it to feel fresh and new while still going back to basics in terms of Peter's story.
Later on that day we got a better idea of just how basic Carroll meant, when we watched Michael Keaton and Holland film a scene in an old, empty warehouse, where Peter Parker confronts the Vulture dressed in a very, very basic version of his suit (which you can see above). After chatting with Keaton, Holland, Carroll, director Jon Watts, and more members of the production team who've helped bring this movie to life, I can confirm that any fellow sufferer of SMF needs not fear: Spider-Man: Homecoming is going to leave us all with our jaws on the floor.
- This will be the youngest Peter Parker yet. At just 15 years old, Marvel has given us a glimpse at Peter in all of his awkward, nerdy, angsty glory. As we saw in Civil War, he's not only figuring out the limits of his powers, but also learning how to balance his life as a student and friend, as well as a superhero. "[It's] the whole aspect of keeping him grounded and making sure the audience sees a kid as a superhero," Holland explained. "Because we've seen the sort of Norse god, we've seen the billionaire, we've seen the soldier, now we get to see the kid. And one of the most important themes of the movie is, what would a 15-year-old boy do with superpowers? So, sort of opening act to the movie, you see Peter really trying to discover who he is, what he can do, which is something I feel like we haven't really explored massively in the previous movies - is seeing Peter make mistakes and try and rectify them and try and learn exactly what he can do."
- They're staying true to his Queens, NY, roots. If you hear "Spider-Man" and immediately conjure images of him slinging his way around Manhattan's tallest skyscrapers, think again. "If you think of New York, you always think of Manhattan, so it's a very conscious tonal choice to say he is not in Manhattan," production designer Oliver Scholl told us. "Manhattan is always across the river, it's where he aspires to be. That's where the Avengers' tower is - across the river looming in the sunset. But he's not there yet."
- So, no skyscrapers for Peter? This Spider-Man is still unsure of his powers and therefore isn't keen on jumping off 40-story buildings. "Spider-Man starting out - he's not irrationally afraid of heights, but he has the fear of heights that all well-balanced people do," Carroll said. "So he's going to work up to becoming the Spider-Man we know he will someday. But we will not see him swing down Fifth Avenue in this movie. We will not see him 40 stories off the ground acting like that is not the most terrifying thing he will do that day." Luckily he'll be much more at home in the low-rises in Queens.
- Aunt May is getting a face lift. Following in the footsteps of Rosemary Harris and Sally Field, Marisa Tomei is the next Aunt May. She won't be wearing a white wig or sitting for hours in the makeup chair to make her look older, though; this Aunt May is "more of a big sister" figure to Peter, who encourages him to go out and be social.
- Uncle Ben will be basically nonexistent. Although Holland kept information about Uncle Ben's role in this Peter's story under wraps, Carroll confirmed that the character will be alluded to at best. Here's hoping we never have to see Uncle Ben bleed out on a sidewalk somewhere ever again, right?
- The Avengers are responsible for creating the Vulture. Remember all of that talk about how superheroes are never held accountable for all of the destruction their giant battles cause? Well, Keaton's Adrian Toomes (aka the Vulture) is a direct side effect of The Battle of New York. Toomes owns a salvage company, which is hired to clean up the Avengers' damage around Stark Tower. He's elated over scoring such a big contract, only to be told another company - called "Damage Control" - is handling the job instead. As a blue-collar family man just trying to get by, he's furious. This is what eventually sends him on a collision course with Peter.
- The Vulture salvages his gear from The Battle of New York. Although Toomes and his men are kicked off the project pretty soon, it's still enough time for them to steal some alien tech they find amid the detritus. This is how Toomes is able to build wings for himself, and how some of his men - who later become Marvel villains the Tinkerer and the Shocker - get their own powerful tools.
- The Vulture is a totally new kind of Marvel villain. Loki and Ultron might have been hell-bent on taking over the world, but the Vulture has smaller goals in mind. "He's somewhat of a victim," Keaton said Toomes's motivations. "He takes things in to feel like a victim. And some of it is justified actually, because he believes that there is an upper echelon of society and people who are getting away with a lot and have everything, and there was a whole lot of folks who are working hard and don't have much. Does that sound familiar to anybody, given the political climate?" In the same warehouse where we watched Keaton and Holland film, we got to take a stroll through Toomes's workshop, which is covered in crayon drawings from his children.
- Holland's performance is inspired by both of the previous Spider-Mans. Holland is definitely doing something new with his character, but he wasn't afraid to pick and choose elements from Maguire and Garfield. "It's difficult to not take any influence from Toby and Andrew because they both had such great versions of the character," he said. "I think from Toby, I'm taking the kind of less cool side of things, whereas Andrew is very cool and very sort of contained. I thought his Spider-Man was fantastic. When he was in that suit, I thought he really came to life, and so those are the two things I'm taking from both people. But for me, it's just making sure I feel like a kid on set and really, really be the kid that everyone wants to be, you know? To just have fun with it, and see a superhero really enjoy having his powers."
- A classic '80s comedy inspired a key fight scene. Bueller? Bueller? That's right, there will be a sequence of Peter chasing bad guys through a neighborhood worthy of Ferris Bueller. Hopefully he'll use his web to get around instead of stealing his best friend's father's Ferrari.
- The cast had to watch a John Hughes movie marathon to prepare. Spider-Man: Homecoming is first and foremost a coming-of-age tale, so Watts turned to the master of such stories: John Hughes. "He gave us a lot of movies to watch," Holland said. "God there's so many movies, and we basically just all sat down in my house in Atlanta, all the cast, and we just watched them all in one day and just had like a Dominos day. It was amazing . . . Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Pretty in Pink, there were loads of them."
- Which is good, since the characters will be in high school for a while. High school will be "a big aspect" of these films, according to Carroll, which Watts echoed. "In the (Sam) Raimi one, he's only in high school for like 10 minutes," Watts said. "But I wanted to make a high school movie, so the opportunity to do it with Spider-Man was pretty exciting." Homecoming takes place in Peter's sophomore year, which means a trilogy might end with Peter graduating. Fingers crossed Spider-Man: Prom is next.
- Holland went undercover at a high school in the Bronx to get the full experience. "I sent him to the Bronx High School of Science, because that's the kind of school that Peter Parker would go to," Watts revealed. "He was so blown away by how hard the kids worked, how smart everyone was, and the thing he remarked on was just everyone was exhausted, and that's what I remember from high school." Holland went all-in on the experience, too, donning a fake name and accent to blend in. "I am in no way a science student, and some of the teachers would call me up in front of the class and try and get me to do equations and stuff. It was so embarrassing," he recalled. "But it was actually really, really informative, because schools in London are so different. I would go to school every day in a suit and tie, it was just boys, and to be in a school where you can be free and let loose and be with girls was so different." Holland swears that no one figured out his secret identity, but we have a feeling he's going to have a harder time being anonymous once Homecoming premieres.
- Tony Stark is an important part of Peter's growth. "Their relationship is so great in Civil War that you kind of feel you have to keep exploring that," Watts said of his choice to make Tony a big part of Peter's story. Holland says Tony is "more like a big brother than he is a father figure" to Peter because of their banter. "He picks on him," he explained. "And he kind of is down on him quite a lot, but then there is that level of him caring about him like his own. And Robert [Downey Jr.] has really brought something lovely to the character. A very different side to Stark than we've ever seen before."
- Tony is a little too overprotective of Peter, according to Peter. After seeing how clumsily Peter handled certain aspects of his team-up with Tony in Berlin, "he doesn't feel that [Peter is] ready yet to be an Avenger," Holland said. "I think he might have thought that what happened in Germany was too much for Spider-Man at that time, so he is very persuasive and he's constantly trying to get Peter to stay in Queens, and save cats out of trees, and stop the burglar, and blah, blah, blah, and nothing of this scale."
- Say goodbye to Harry Osborn. In an effort to make Homecoming feel fresh, Carroll said that "our goal was not to see what's already been seen." This means Peter's BFF-turned nemesis will be missing, along with Oscorp and the Daily Bugle. Fortunately Peter finds a friend and confidant in classmate Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon), who will no doubt ground the blossoming superhero.
- Say hello to a sick new suit. According to Carroll, Peter's suit (courtesy of Tony) will include features like "a heater, lights, surveillance data, airbags, taser-webs, and mutliweb shooters." Not too shabby for a 15-year-old from Queens, right?
- Holland does not share Peter Parker's reflexes. There's a scene in Homecoming that sees Peter handling liquid webbing, but it didn't take long for Holland to be barred from playing with it. "As soon as they gave it to me I dropped it and it smashed everywhere. It's literally day one," he laughed. "It was this clear liquid and then I poured this yellow liquid into it, then mixed it, and it would go fluorescent white. I was like 'Oh this is the coolest thing ever' and just smashed it everywhere. So, they immediately took it off me and I wasn't allowed to play with it."
- Holland confirms that Zendaya is the perfect actress for the job. When news first broke that Zendaya might be playing iconic Spidey love interest Mary Jane Watson (although she's been referred to as "Michelle" so far), some despicable corners of the internet decided to throw a tantrum over the fact she isn't white. Fortunately Holland can attest that of anyone tasked with dealing with these particular haters, Zendaya probably does it best. "Z is so powerful and so strong-willed that it's not going to shake her at all," he said. "She has such a large following on Instagram, and the majority of those people all love her. I feel like our generation is moving past this whole [idea] that you can't cast someone who's not of the right race for a character, and I really think we're breaking through and changing that, and Z is perfect for it." We have to agree.
See Spider-Man: Homecoming when it hits theaters on July 6!
20 Spring Recipes For Those Who Favor Heartier Meals
The days are longer, the temperatures are milder, and the crocuses are starting to poke their fragile little heads out of the soil. It must be Spring! Soon everyone's farmers markets will be stocked with fresh Spring produce, from asparagus and leeks to peas and beets. But just because Spring veggies typically inspire lighter fare doesn't mean that you have to give up your comfort foods. Here are 20 recipes featuring Spring produce that are just as meaty, carby, and hearty as your favorite Winter meals.
16 Reasons Bruno Mars Is Beautiful Just the Way He Is
Bruno Mars has been making us swoon since his debut single, "Just the Way You Are," in 2010. From the moment we first saw him, it's been a nonstop love fest with the Hawaiian native of Puerto Rican descent. Bruno has already proven himself to be a formidable artist in pop culture with catchy songs like "Grenade" and "Uptown Funk" in his musical catalog, but the 31-year-old singer, whose real name is Peter Gene Hernandez, is also proud of his Hispanic heritage, which makes him even hotter in our eyes. Keep reading to see all the reasons Bruno is beautiful just the way he is.
100 Essential Songs For Your '90s Dance Party
Around here, we have a ton of nostalgia for the '90s, and part of that is due to the incredible music from the decade. There are so many unforgettable hits of the era, but right now we're thinking about the tunes that made you put your Beanie Babies aside, turn your boombox up, and get on the floor. If you're looking for the perfect mix of dance songs from the 1990s, look no further, because we've got 100 of them for that theme party you know you want to have.
Parents Be Warned: The Latest Social Media Challenge Is Sending Kids to the Hospital
A bizarre and dangerous internet challenge is making a resurgence on social media and kids are ending up in the hospital from participating in the trend.
Although the "salt and ice challenge" has made its rounds more than once over the past few years, it's gaining popularity again among kids and teens, but many are ending up with accidental chemical burns. The seemingly simple challenge calls for kids to place salt and ice together on their skin. However, salt lowers the temperature of ice to as low as negative 17 degrees Celsius or 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit, and the effect on skin can be similar to frostbite. However, because of the redness and numbness from the ice, kids often don't realize that they are giving themselves potentially second-degree burns.
As a part of the "game" kids are seeing who can stand the pain the longest and are posting photos of their burns to social media as proof. The National Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in the United Kingdom issued a warning to parents about the craze.
"It is important for schools keep a close eye on all emerging trends and we welcome the warning to parents [sic]," a NSPCC spokesperson told the Huffington Post UK. "The rise of social media has contributed to increasing peer pressure among children. This 'craze' [salt and ice challenge] is another clear example of the risks."
See All 170+ Brand-New Toys Your Kids Will Be Begging For This Year
Toy Fair: an annual event that kids would find to be even cooler than Disney World . . . if only it were open to the public. Thankfully, we attended and are reporting back on everything we saw - namely, what your children are going to be begging for come the holiday season this year. Even before the doors opened, there was already buzz about several new toys - including Disney's newest princess (hint: she has ties to Sophia the First), new mashups from Thomas the Tank Engine, and some pretty amazing educational toys for preschoolers - and after walking through the huge event, we saw so much more that we have to share with you!
Read on for your sneak peek at what are sure to be the hottest toys of 2016.
Additional reporting by Alessia Santoro and Lauren Levy
22 Times Empire's Trai Byers Made Hump Day the Hottest Day of the Week
Empire still reigns as one of the hottest shows on TV right now. With all of the jaw-dropping drama, fashion, music, and eye candy it provides every Wednesday, it's easy to see why. One of the sexiest stars on the hit show is Trai Byers, who plays Andre Lyon, one of three brothers vying to inherit their father's megasuccessful record label. You may recognize the 32-year-old actor from the movie Selma or the CW series 90210, but there's no denying that this show is his breakout role. Keep scrolling to see 22 times Trai made hump day the hottest day of the week.
100 Essential Songs For Your '90s Dance Party
Around here, we have a ton of nostalgia for the '90s, and part of that is due to the incredible music from the decade. There are so many unforgettable hits of the era, but right now we're thinking about the tunes that made you put your Beanie Babies aside, turn your boombox up, and get on the floor. If you're looking for the perfect mix of dance songs from the 1990s, look no further, because we've got 100 of them for that theme party you know you want to have.
5 Big Questions We Have About the 13 Reasons Why Finale
Major spoilers for 13 Reasons Why below!
If you were one of the many, many people who binged 13 Reasons Why on Netflix over the weekend, then you're probably still in the throes of processing it all. The 13-episode-long drama about a group of teenagers dealing with the messy aftermath of the suicide of their classmate, Hannah Baker, is heavy, to say the least. The series was adapted from Jay Asher's 2007 YA novel of the same name and concludes in roughly the same way, but there are a few storylines in the finale that seem to hint at a possible second season. Although fans of the book would probably argue that the story works best as a single-season TV show - what would episodes without Hannah's narration even look like? - let's take a minute to reflect on the biggest questions season one leaves us with.
Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" Suddenly Sounds Sexier When You Watch This Dance Routine
Ed Sheeran released his single "Shape of You" in January, and while we love the song a lot, "let's dance to this" was not exactly a thought that crossed our minds - until now.
Choreographer Kyle Hanagami shared a video to YouTube recently showing a group of dancers performing an upbeat, sexy routine to the song, and it might change the way you listen to it from now on - much like these Irish dancers did, too.
Are you dancing along yet? Be sure to check out even more of our favorite routines!
14 Times Norman Reedus and Andrew Lincoln's Bromance Was Too Adorable to Ignore
The Walking Dead features two of the hottest men on television - yes, we're talking about Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus. Besides the fact that they're both sexy in their own right, their epic friendship is yet another reason fans can't help but feel all "heart eye emoji" for these two. Keep reading to see 14 times Norman and Andrew's bromance was very much alive.
Watch All of James Corden's Carpool Karaoke Sessions
Every single time James Corden delivers another "Carpool Karaoke" session on the Late Late Show, it makes our day. It all started with an epic Mariah Carey singalong in March 2015, and since then, we've fallen back in love with Justin Bieber and even cried because of Stevie Wonder. More recently, James has really upped the ante with the likes of Adele, who famously slayed that Nicki Minaj verse from Kanye West's "Monster," Bruno Mars, who never fails to put on an amazing show, and Steph Curry, who knows Disney songs very well. To keep the joy coming, we've collected all of the installments that have happened so far. Check them out!
It's Not Selena Gomez's Outfit That'll Catch Your Eye - It's Her Alice in Wonderland Bag
When Selena Gomez took her family to Disneyland, she was casually dressed down in a navy Adidas pullover and matching sweats. The athleisure ensemble was cute and cozy, but it didn't exactly scream "I'm at Disneyland!" That is, until we saw a glimpse of the grooviest Alice in Wonderland bag. The '70s-style graphics, printed on the front of her shoulder bag, referenced several characters and important items (the potion bottle!) from the animated film, and it was this accessory that completely changed the direction of Selena's theme-park look.
She may not have worn Mickey Mouse ears like some other celebs who have gone to Disneyland, but the whimsical bag proved she's truly a Disney girl at heart. Not a bad choice as a carryall to one of the happiest places on Earth. Selena then topped off her comfy look with her trusted Converse x Jack Purcell low tops. Scroll on to have a closer look at the Alice in Wonderland piece yourself.
Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" Suddenly Sounds Sexier When You Watch This Dance Routine
Ed Sheeran released his single "Shape of You" in January, and while we love the song a lot, "let's dance to this" was not exactly a thought that crossed our minds - until now.
Choreographer Kyle Hanagami shared a video to YouTube recently showing a group of dancers performing an upbeat, sexy routine to the song, and it might change the way you listen to it from now on - much like these Irish dancers did, too.
Are you dancing along yet? Be sure to check out even more of our favorite routines!
Parents Be Warned: The Latest Social Media Challenge Is Sending Kids to the Hospital
A bizarre and dangerous internet challenge is making a resurgence on social media and kids are ending up in the hospital from participating in the trend.
Although the "salt and ice challenge" has made its rounds more than once over the past few years, it's gaining popularity again among kids and teens, but many are ending up with accidental chemical burns. The seemingly simple challenge calls for kids to place salt and ice together on their skin. However, salt lowers the temperature of ice to as low as negative 17 degrees Celsius or 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit, and the effect on skin can be similar to frostbite. However, because of the redness and numbness from the ice, kids often don't realize that they are giving themselves potentially second-degree burns.
As a part of the "game" kids are seeing who can stand the pain the longest and are posting photos of their burns to social media as proof. The National Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in the United Kingdom issued a warning to parents about the craze.
"It is important for schools keep a close eye on all emerging trends and we welcome the warning to parents [sic]," a NSPCC spokesperson told the Huffington Post UK. "The rise of social media has contributed to increasing peer pressure among children. This 'craze' [salt and ice challenge] is another clear example of the risks."
See All 170+ Brand-New Toys Your Kids Will Be Begging For This Year
Toy Fair: an annual event that kids would find to be even cooler than Disney World . . . if only it were open to the public. Thankfully, we attended and are reporting back on everything we saw - namely, what your children are going to be begging for come the holiday season this year. Even before the doors opened, there was already buzz about several new toys - including Disney's newest princess (hint: she has ties to Sophia the First), new mashups from Thomas the Tank Engine, and some pretty amazing educational toys for preschoolers - and after walking through the huge event, we saw so much more that we have to share with you!
Read on for your sneak peek at what are sure to be the hottest toys of 2016.
Additional reporting by Alessia Santoro and Lauren Levy
These Naked Yoga Photos Are Gorgeous and Totally #SFW
Doing yoga can help make you feel clear, calm, and stripped of any negativity, anxiety, or insecurities. And to get you deeper into feeling pure and blissful, you might find practicing without clothes on can help you reach new levels of clarity, openness, and joy. Or you might think it's totally crazy and would rather find inspiration seeing other people do it. Here's a gallery of gorgeous yogis doing yoga in nothing but their skin. Don't worry! They've strategically placed their limbs and the camera so you won't see anything that might make you blush.
Articles
