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 5 mai 2017
Why Millennial Women Are Embracing Atheism
Danielle Schacter never thought she would become an un-Christian. "I slowly became more and more disgusted by the way I saw people treating others," says the 32-year-old, who was raised Baptist. "I didn't want to be associated with a religion that preached so much hate."
Danielle Schacter, who identifies as agnostic, and one of a growing number of people who identify with no religion. Photo courtesy of Danielle Schacter.
Schacter, like so many millennials, has chosen a secular life, and she's not alone: according to the Pew Research Center, only four in ten millennials say that religion is very important to them, compared with six in ten Baby Boomers.
The numbers of religiously unaffiliated support this too: 23 percent of the population identifies with no religion. This number is up from 2007, when it was only 16%. Of older millennials, 35% are religiously unaffiliated - and they're driving the overall growth of the non-religiously affiliated in America.
"I didn't want to be associated with a religion that preached so much hate."This is a big deal. To be religiously unaffiliated means you not only avoid identifying as a Christian or Jew or Muslim, but that you eschew organized faith all together. From there, "non-religious" can be broken down into four categories: secularism (the belief in separation of church and state and that all beliefs are equal), agnosticism (the belief that it's impossible to know if there is a god), humanism (the idea that human reason drives us, not higher powers), and atheism (the belief that there is no god). This last group, the atheists, have become increasingly vocal in recent years. They are fighting to keep religion separated from laws that affect them and to shift society away from religious trappings.
Kayley Whalen, a queer transgender Latinx woman who identifies as "a humanist and an existentialist and an atheist." Photo courtesty of Kayley Whalen.
What's fascinating is that while millennials are moving away from religion, they are moving toward spirituality. This demographic considers itself just as spiritual as older demographics, even as they represent an exodus out of organized religion and into the throes of secularism. When you consider the issues facing young people today, the reasons for the exodus are easy to understand. In rejecting religion, millennials are asserting their progressive attitudes and passion for social justice. They're committed to the idea that they don't need religion to know the difference between right and wrong.
Perhaps no one represents this cultural shift better than millennial atheist women. While they may sit at the most extreme side of the non-religious spectrum, atheist women are fueled by the same concerns plaguing millennials in general: a quest for independence and a rejection of the status quo.
The Atheism and Feminism Connection
Lauryn Seering, 27, has never been religious, but she found atheism in high school in reaction to mainstream fundamentalist Christian ideas that condemn her lesbian mother."Millennial women want autonomy over their own bodies," says Seering, Communications Coordinator for the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which is dedicated to protecting the separation of church and state.
"They recognize that all the arguments against this autonomy (contraception, birth control, marriage) are religiously fueled," Seering continued. "Women aren't being pressured by society anymore to get married at a young age, have children right away, and tend house while their husbands work."
Lauren Seering, an atheist who works for the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Photo courtesy of Lauren Seering.
Schacter identifies as agnostic. She's based in Kansas City, MO, where she founded a digital marketing agency called Boxer & Mutt. To her, growing secularism is a sign of independent women. "It's becoming more socially acceptable for women to think for themselves and really question why things are the way they are, rather than blindly accepting them," she says.
Kayley Whalen, 31, is a queer transgender Latinx woman who identifies as "a humanist and an existentialist and an atheist." These different identities certainly influence how she approaches the world. "We have ethical values without the need for the supernatural," Whalen says. "We believe in social justice, that we can live a life with meaning, purpose, and dedication to social justice without the need for supernatural guidance." Unsurprisingly, Whalen's beliefs are tied up in her activist work: she's the digital strategy and social media manager for the National LGBT Task Force and is on the board of directors for both the Secular Student Alliance and the Trans United Fund.
As Whalen epitomizes, many young women who do not believe in god share a point of view that goes beyond just being atheist or just being a woman. The two are intertwined identities oppressed similarly in the United States.
"We have ethical values without the need for the supernatural.Lee Blackwolf, who runs the popular Facebook page Black Atheists, constantly copes with this intersection. "It's important to me because, as a black bisexual woman, there's not many of us who are atheist," explains Blackwolf, a 29-year-old stay-at-home mother in Twinsburg, OH. "We're not welcomed in most spaces that are atheists. We already have a lot of hurdles to jump through in life so it takes a lot of strength. I lost an entire family because of it. I actually have the luxury to say that I'm better off without them. It's not the same for most."
Blackwolf's concerns hint at societal assumptions about atheist women, which every women we spoke with touched on: being a woman who isn't religious breaks away from the social norms that frame womanness. Emily Greene, an artist and activist working in promotional marketing in Augusta, GA, summed it up best. "You're probably seen as less feminine," the 32 year old said. "You're definitely judged, looked at more harshly. It's an assumption that it's a negative thing."
Ironically, being atheist can mirror being religious, as it plays a role in many aspects of young life. "That was very important to me in choosing a partner," says Katherine, a 32-year-old HR manager in California. "I have gotten into some debate with friends before where they're like, 'If you're an atheist, why do you care if the other person is of faith?' I'm like, 'You - as, say, a Christian person - would not want to marry a non-Christian person."
Why Are Young Women Interested In Atheism?
Phil Zuckerman, professor of sociology and secular studies at Pitzer College, believes that young people are turning away from religion as a result of how closed-minded and conservative many congregations can be, particularly when they are responsible for enabling xenophobic and queerphobic mindsets. For instance, many churches reject the idea of same-sex marriage, while 71% of millennials support it (in comparison with only 46% of Baby Boomers).
"A lot of young people are being turned off of by that brand of Christianity," he explains. "They're just seeing religion as an institution and saying, 'Ah, screw it.' Even though that brand of Christianity is not the majority - most christians are decent, kind people who aren't anti-gay and aren't racist and aren't anti-Islamic. But they don't make the headlines. They're not dominating the news."
Molly Hanson, who grow up Catholic but is now an atheist. Photo courtesy of Molly Hanson.
The Internet is also serving as a conduit for less religion. As technology occupies more of our time, says Zuckerman, it chips away at "religion's ability to maintain a monopoly on truth...it's really corroding religion's ability to dominate our culture and dominate people's lives."
While there have always been religious skeptics - the farthest back is believed to be the Charvaka movement in 7th century, BC - the present shift away from religion is notable because the numbers of religiously unaffiliated and atheists are way up. Although the movement is still predominately male and white, more women are stepping forward as religion reveals itself to be optional in their lives - and sometimes to stand in the way of their independence.
Zuckerman believes this has to do with traditional organized religions' male-centrism: teaching women that they're second class, must remain virginal, and must stay out of leadership positions. Pair this with the amount of women in the workplace rivaling men, and the group doesn't need to turn to a church for social or financial support that churches typically offer.
Being an Atheist Is a Political Act
Molly Hanson grew up in a Catholic household but has always been skeptical of the "invisible man in the sky" who tells people what to do. The 23-year-old Hanson, like many atheists, finds that questioning faith and religion makes people wonder if something is wrong with her womanness.
"If a woman doesn't bow down to this god and lord, she must have an issue with that god or lord," says Hanson, an editorial assistant at the Freedom For Religion Foundation. "She must have been damaged. There's a reason why she decided to leave that god. She might have been morally corrupted by another man or might have - I don't know - been wronged."
This issue isn't confined to religious communities. One woman - a 30-year-old Indian American writer in New York who declined to give her name - finds this flaw in atheist leaders, too.
"The movement itself is really alienating toward women," she says. "Leaders like Richard Dawkins are pretty sexist and condescending and talk down to women. Women have been left out in those major discussions of atheism."
The non-religious believe that, once the church is taken out of the state, equality can be achieved.Whalen agrees: "It's really difficult that one person like a Richard Dawkins or a Bill Maher can be seen as the face of atheism. The difference between a woman who is an atheist, and a male, cisgender atheist is that a woman doesn't have the choice to be a single issue. She can't say, 'Oh, religious discrimination is the most important thing - and being a woman comes second.'"
For women who are atheists, discrimination is complicated further by the many ways their identities intersect. Gender as it relates to religious affiliation is complex, and it's even more complicated as it relates to black female atheists, as Blackwolf can attest. "A lot of black atheist men are often heard saying, 'Black women sure do love them some church!'" she says. "When we start having a discussion, there are implications about where my place in the community should be, and that's behind the man.'"
Atheist Women Want a Future of Equality
In speaking with young atheist and secular women, some throughlines appear, among them a hope for equality that could be stymied by religion's grasp on society. There is a desire to normalize differing points of view, from LGBTQ people to atheists.
Katherine sees public events like the inauguration of President Donald Trump as a perfect example. "I was really struck by so much praying happening," she says. "I'd like to see us move kind of away from that and use logic and science and that holistic definition of freedom."
The non-religious believe that, once the church is taken out of the state, equality can be achieved. Hansen believes these roadblocks arise as the result of unequal representation. "Women understand what it's like to be oppressed by laws that are rooted in religious ideas that oppress women and their sexuality," she explains. "To get more women in government positions is going to be a challenge, especially right now."
When women hold elected office, it inspires more women to run - and more women in government has a powerful trickle down effect on women as a whole.
But what if these women leaders were atheists? Would they still succeed?
Surveys have shown that atheism is one of the traits in a leader that Americans are most biased against. "I cannot imagine a president who identifies as an atheist," says the Indian-American writer in New York. "I'm a woman and a person of color: a female, person of color who is an atheist could never be the president of the United States. It feels like another barrier."
Others, like Whalen, see these many layers as vital to change: "I want a woman politician to run and say that she's an atheist and that she's for reproductive justice, that she's for transgender rights, and win. I want a transgender woman to be able to do that."
Ultimately, for atheist women (and atheists in general) to succeed at changing society, they need to continue on the path they are on and not settle for being silenced. Zuckerman draws parallels to the LGBT community. "Coming out does have an effect," he says. "More and more people feeling comfortable saying 'I'm not that religious' has an effect." Atheists just want to be seen as starting from the same place as any other decent American.
Greene sums it up nicely: "We want to get up, go to work, and enjoy our friends and families and our lifestyles just the same way as the person who gets up on Sunday and goes to church. We have our own ways of self-care. A lot of people find religion and that's how they take care of themselves - and that's great. We just do things a different way and that's OK."
Looking at Darren Criss Showering in a Speedo Should Be Your No. 1 Priority
Darren Criss did the world a lovely service on Wednesday when he stepped out in a Speedo to film scenes for the upcoming season of American Crime Story. The former Glee star showed off his body in the tiny pink number while showering on the beach in Miami. While season one of the show focused on the O.J. Simpson murder trial, season two will deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and season three (which Darren is currently filming) focuses on the 1997 death of Gianni Versace. Darren plays Andrew Cunanan, the serial killer who murdered the fashion designer on the front steps of his Miami home. While the actor is portraying a horrific character on the small screen, we can still stare at these pictures of Darren in a tiny Speedo for as long as we want (which is a very long time).
In Defense of "Wasting Time" - and Why It Actually Makes You a Better Worker
Call it whatever you'd like - zoning out, lollygagging, daydreaming - the fact remains that spending time focusing on anything but work is typically seen as an embarrassing lack of productivity. There's a grueling prevailing belief in the American workplace that the more hours you log working, the better you are at your job, when the reality is that all work and no play really does make you a dull (or anxious/exhausted/resentful/depressed/sick) person.
What will make you a better worker? Zoning out and giving your brain some much-needed downtime. As Olivia Goldhill writes in a piece for Quartz, we live in "a culture of relentless productivity" to the point where we actually feel guilty for taking necessary work breaks or working fewer hours per day. If we do allow ourselves a break, we furtively spend it doing something joyless and unfulfilling: "Sitting at our desk, in front of our computer, browsing websites and contributing to neither our happiness nor our productivity."
Instead, we should truly "waste time" by going for a walk, lounging in a park, or just staring out the window and thinking about nothing in particular. Even binge-watching TV shows (as long as you really enjoy it and don't berate yourself for being "lazy") can have a psychologically relieving effect. Goldhill quotes psychologist Michael Guttridge, who says, "Wasting time is about recharging your battery and de-cluttering," which frees up precious space in your brain, allowing you to perform more efficiently at work.
The bottom line is that worshiping productivity and downplaying relaxation is not only unhealthy, it's also totally unnecessary. As Goldhill points out, "work expands to fill the time it's given and for most of us, we could spend considerably fewer hours at the office and still get the same amount done." So it's worth experimenting with this idea - adjusting the balance of time spent working and time spent "lounging around." Most likely your productivity level won't change, but your sense of calm and fulfillment just might.
Michael Fassbender Doesn't Just Believe in Aliens - He Thinks They're Here
This week marked the world premiere of Alien: Covenant, the latest installment in the iconic Alien franchise and a sequel of sorts to 2012's Prometheus. On Thursday night, POPSUGAR was lucky enough to land at the film's world premiere in London, where we popped onto the red carpet and even saw the full film in all its terrifying glory. Before we got all the blood and scares, though, we spoke to Michael Fassbender about his character(s), his personal beliefs, and one of the most terrifying movie monsters of all time.
In Covenant, Fassbender's on double duty, playing the part of not one but two different and unique androids. "I mean, David we already know," Fassbender told us, referring to the creepy and calculating character he played in Prometheus. "It's the same guy. His head is attached to his body again." David is more horrifying and villainous than ever in the new film, and now, he has the perfect counterpart. "Walter is the new character. He's on the Covenant," he revealed, referring to the titular spaceship that brings the latest round of alien horror. Walter is an updated version of David. He's much more dutiful and more like a robot, because it's noted that David's almost-human idiosyncrasies made the previous crew too uncomfortable.
Of course, we couldn't resist asking Fassbender why he thinks Covenant (and the monsters therein) is the most horrifying edition to date. All the terror, he explained, lies in the iconic Xenomorph (the giant-foreheaded alien you associate with these films) that first appeared in Alien, the original 1979 film. As we learned from the gory trailers, this version of the creature is set to make a terrifying return. "I think the Xenomorph itself is something that's a very provocative figure," Fassbender mused. "I think it's beautiful. It's repulsive. There's no eyes to it. I think that's terrifying in itself. And that it's a parasite of sorts, it uses us as hosts. I think that, again, is quite an unsettling thought." Having seen the film, if you think the Xenomorph looks scary, wait until you see some of the horrifying sh*t it does in Covenant.
"I think they're among us already."
All things considered, you have to wonder if Fassbender believes in aliens himself. Naturally, he has an equally unsettling answer: "I think they're among us already . . . I just believe that." Um, did we just get a pitch for season eight of American Horror Story?
Alien: Covenant hits theaters on May 19.
Why Millennial Women Are Embracing Atheism
Danielle Schacter never thought she would become an un-Christian. "I slowly became more and more disgusted by the way I saw people treating others," says the 32-year-old, who was raised Baptist. "I didn't want to be associated with a religion that preached so much hate."
Danielle Schacter, who identifies as agnostic, and one of a growing number of people who identify with no religion. Photo courtesy of Danielle Schacter.
Schacter, like so many millennials, has chosen a secular life, and she's not alone: according to the Pew Research Center, only four in ten millennials say that religion is very important to them, compared with six in ten Baby Boomers.
The numbers of religiously unaffiliated support this too: 23 percent of the population identifies with no religion. This number is up from 2007, when it was only 16%. Of older millennials, 35% are religiously unaffiliated - and they're driving the overall growth of the non-religiously affiliated in America.
"I didn't want to be associated with a religion that preached so much hate."This is a big deal. To be religiously unaffiliated means you not only avoid identifying as a Christian or Jew or Muslim, but that you eschew organized faith all together. From there, "non-religious" can be broken down into four categories: secularism (the belief in separation of church and state and that all beliefs are equal), agnosticism (the belief that it's impossible to know if there is a god), humanism (the idea that human reason drives us, not higher powers), and atheism (the belief that there is no god). This last group, the atheists, have become increasingly vocal in recent years. They are fighting to keep religion separated from laws that affect them and to shift society away from religious trappings.
Kayley Whalen, a queer transgender Latinx woman who identifies as "a humanist and an existentialist and an atheist." Photo courtesty of Kayley Whalen.
What's fascinating is that while millennials are moving away from religion, they are moving toward spirituality. This demographic considers itself just as spiritual as older demographics, even as they represent an exodus out of organized religion and into the throes of secularism. When you consider the issues facing young people today, the reasons for the exodus are easy to understand. In rejecting religion, millennials are asserting their progressive attitudes and passion for social justice. They're committed to the idea that they don't need religion to know the difference between right and wrong.
Perhaps no one represents this cultural shift better than millennial atheist women. While they may sit at the most extreme side of the non-religious spectrum, atheist women are fueled by the same concerns plaguing millennials in general: a quest for independence and a rejection of the status quo.
The Atheism and Feminism Connection
Lauryn Seering, 27, has never been religious, but she found atheism in high school in reaction to mainstream fundamentalist Christian ideas that condemn her lesbian mother."Millennial women want autonomy over their own bodies," says Seering, Communications Coordinator for the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which is dedicated to protecting the separation of church and state.
"They recognize that all the arguments against this autonomy (contraception, birth control, marriage) are religiously fueled," Seering continued. "Women aren't being pressured by society anymore to get married at a young age, have children right away, and tend house while their husbands work."
Lauren Seering, an atheist who works for the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Photo courtesy of Lauren Seering.
Schacter identifies as agnostic. She's based in Kansas City, MO, where she founded a digital marketing agency called Boxer & Mutt. To her, growing secularism is a sign of independent women. "It's becoming more socially acceptable for women to think for themselves and really question why things are the way they are, rather than blindly accepting them," she says.
Kayley Whalen, 31, is a queer transgender Latinx woman who identifies as "a humanist and an existentialist and an atheist." These different identities certainly influence how she approaches the world. "We have ethical values without the need for the supernatural," Whalen says. "We believe in social justice, that we can live a life with meaning, purpose, and dedication to social justice without the need for supernatural guidance." Unsurprisingly, Whalen's beliefs are tied up in her activist work: she's the digital strategy and social media manager for the National LGBT Task Force and is on the board of directors for both the Secular Student Alliance and the Trans United Fund.
As Whalen epitomizes, many young women who do not believe in god share a point of view that goes beyond just being atheist or just being a woman. The two are intertwined identities oppressed similarly in the United States.
"We have ethical values without the need for the supernatural.Lee Blackwolf, who runs the popular Facebook page Black Atheists, constantly copes with this intersection. "It's important to me because, as a black bisexual woman, there's not many of us who are atheist," explains Blackwolf, a 29-year-old stay-at-home mother in Twinsburg, OH. "We're not welcomed in most spaces that are atheists. We already have a lot of hurdles to jump through in life so it takes a lot of strength. I lost an entire family because of it. I actually have the luxury to say that I'm better off without them. It's not the same for most."
Blackwolf's concerns hint at societal assumptions about atheist women, which every women we spoke with touched on: being a woman who isn't religious breaks away from the social norms that frame womanness. Emily Greene, an artist and activist working in promotional marketing in Augusta, GA, summed it up best. "You're probably seen as less feminine," the 32 year old said. "You're definitely judged, looked at more harshly. It's an assumption that it's a negative thing."
Ironically, being atheist can mirror being religious, as it plays a role in many aspects of young life. "That was very important to me in choosing a partner," says Katherine, a 32-year-old HR manager in California. "I have gotten into some debate with friends before where they're like, 'If you're an atheist, why do you care if the other person is of faith?' I'm like, 'You - as, say, a Christian person - would not want to marry a non-Christian person."
Why Are Young Women Interested In Atheism?
Phil Zuckerman, professor of sociology and secular studies at Pitzer College, believes that young people are turning away from religion as a result of how closed-minded and conservative many congregations can be, particularly when they are responsible for enabling xenophobic and queerphobic mindsets. For instance, many churches reject the idea of same-sex marriage, while 71% of millennials support it (in comparison with only 46% of Baby Boomers).
"A lot of young people are being turned off of by that brand of Christianity," he explains. "They're just seeing religion as an institution and saying, 'Ah, screw it.' Even though that brand of Christianity is not the majority - most christians are decent, kind people who aren't anti-gay and aren't racist and aren't anti-Islamic. But they don't make the headlines. They're not dominating the news."
Molly Hanson, who grow up Catholic but is now an atheist. Photo courtesy of Molly Hanson.
The Internet is also serving as a conduit for less religion. As technology occupies more of our time, says Zuckerman, it chips away at "religion's ability to maintain a monopoly on truth...it's really corroding religion's ability to dominate our culture and dominate people's lives."
While there have always been religious skeptics - the farthest back is believed to be the Charvaka movement in 7th century, BC - the present shift away from religion is notable because the numbers of religiously unaffiliated and atheists are way up. Although the movement is still predominately male and white, more women are stepping forward as religion reveals itself to be optional in their lives - and sometimes to stand in the way of their independence.
Zuckerman believes this has to do with traditional organized religions' male-centrism: teaching women that they're second class, must remain virginal, and must stay out of leadership positions. Pair this with the amount of women in the workplace rivaling men, and the group doesn't need to turn to a church for social or financial support that churches typically offer.
Being an Atheist Is a Political Act
Molly Hanson grew up in a Catholic household but has always been skeptical of the "invisible man in the sky" who tells people what to do. The 23-year-old Hanson, like many atheists, finds that questioning faith and religion makes people wonder if something is wrong with her womanness.
"If a woman doesn't bow down to this god and lord, she must have an issue with that god or lord," says Hanson, an editorial assistant at the Freedom For Religion Foundation. "She must have been damaged. There's a reason why she decided to leave that god. She might have been morally corrupted by another man or might have - I don't know - been wronged."
This issue isn't confined to religious communities. One woman - a 30-year-old Indian American writer in New York who declined to give her name - finds this flaw in atheist leaders, too.
"The movement itself is really alienating toward women," she says. "Leaders like Richard Dawkins are pretty sexist and condescending and talk down to women. Women have been left out in those major discussions of atheism."
The non-religious believe that, once the church is taken out of the state, equality can be achieved.Whalen agrees: "It's really difficult that one person like a Richard Dawkins or a Bill Maher can be seen as the face of atheism. The difference between a woman who is an atheist, and a male, cisgender atheist is that a woman doesn't have the choice to be a single issue. She can't say, 'Oh, religious discrimination is the most important thing - and being a woman comes second.'"
For women who are atheists, discrimination is complicated further by the many ways their identities intersect. Gender as it relates to religious affiliation is complex, and it's even more complicated as it relates to black female atheists, as Blackwolf can attest. "A lot of black atheist men are often heard saying, 'Black women sure do love them some church!'" she says. "When we start having a discussion, there are implications about where my place in the community should be, and that's behind the man.'"
Atheist Women Want a Future of Equality
In speaking with young atheist and secular women, some throughlines appear, among them a hope for equality that could be stymied by religion's grasp on society. There is a desire to normalize differing points of view, from LGBTQ people to atheists.
Katherine sees public events like the inauguration of President Donald Trump as a perfect example. "I was really struck by so much praying happening," she says. "I'd like to see us move kind of away from that and use logic and science and that holistic definition of freedom."
The non-religious believe that, once the church is taken out of the state, equality can be achieved. Hansen believes these roadblocks arise as the result of unequal representation. "Women understand what it's like to be oppressed by laws that are rooted in religious ideas that oppress women and their sexuality," she explains. "To get more women in government positions is going to be a challenge, especially right now."
When women hold elected office, it inspires more women to run - and more women in government has a powerful trickle down effect on women as a whole.
But what if these women leaders were atheists? Would they still succeed?
Surveys have shown that atheism is one of the traits in a leader that Americans are most biased against. "I cannot imagine a president who identifies as an atheist," says the Indian-American writer in New York. "I'm a woman and a person of color: a female, person of color who is an atheist could never be the president of the United States. It feels like another barrier."
Others, like Whalen, see these many layers as vital to change: "I want a woman politician to run and say that she's an atheist and that she's for reproductive justice, that she's for transgender rights, and win. I want a transgender woman to be able to do that."
Ultimately, for atheist women (and atheists in general) to succeed at changing society, they need to continue on the path they are on and not settle for being silenced. Zuckerman draws parallels to the LGBT community. "Coming out does have an effect," he says. "More and more people feeling comfortable saying 'I'm not that religious' has an effect." Atheists just want to be seen as starting from the same place as any other decent American.
Greene sums it up nicely: "We want to get up, go to work, and enjoy our friends and families and our lifestyles just the same way as the person who gets up on Sunday and goes to church. We have our own ways of self-care. A lot of people find religion and that's how they take care of themselves - and that's great. We just do things a different way and that's OK."
These Illustrations of Disney Princesses Going to the Doctor Without Obamacare Are Too Real
Belle, Ariel, and Elena of Avalor are all dealing with the effects of a world without Obamacare in these illustrations created by a duo of creative Latinas, illustrator Maritza Lugo and writer Danielle Sepulveres.
With the fate of the Affordable Care Act (popularly known as Obamacare) still up in the air, Maritza and Danielle decided to use everyone's favorite princesses to show off the devastating implications that the repeal will have for millions of Americans - specifically women.
"At the end of 2015, I contacted Maritza and asked if she'd be interested in drawing re-imagined Disney princesses to bring awareness for cervical cancer awareness month," Danielle told us via email. "This year, we decided to revamp that project and brainstormed how we could be most effective in showing the consequences of the repeal of ACA, looming ominously over essential healthcare for women." The results: Pocahontas being denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition, Belle having to pay for a new birth control prescription, and Elena facing protestors outside of Planned Parenthood. Scroll ahead to see the poignant illustrations and read what Maritza said about each of them on Instagram.
This Little Prince Beauty Line Is Out of This World
Many of us fell in love with the sweet story of The Little Prince as a child, which points out the silly nature of adults. The imaginative story has captured the hearts of people all over the world, and has now even inspired a Korean beauty collection with Swiss Pure.
The line included a selection of skin and hair care items, eye shadows, and soaps adorned with the beloved novel's adorable illustrations and quotes from the book.
Unfortunately, these products were never sold in the US and seem to be sold out everywhere, including our go-to methods of getting K-beauty, Amazon and eBay. We'll have to admire this collection via Instagram and hope that the next K-beauty collaboration will be stateside. Read on to see the charming products.
You Haven't Lived Until You've Tried Sephora's 15 Bestselling Foundations
So many important factors go into buying (and falling in love with) a particular foundation. For starters, you need a hue that actually matches your unique skin tone. Then, you have to consider how it works with your skin type. You'll have to decide the type of finish and coverage you're seeking. And then there's a bevy of ingredients and skin care benefits to also take into consideration.
Needless to say, picking a foundation out isn't easy - especially if you prefer to shop online for beauty products. But this is why it's important to do research, and thanks to the millions of makeup-lovers who shop and review products on Sephora.com, the most complicated research is done for you.
If you're in the market for a new foundation, we've rounded up the bestselling options from Sephora.com. These top-tier complexion formulas have all been given a prestigious four or more stars by avid foundation-lovers, and include a variety of formulas for all preferences (including full cover, natural, and powder)! Keep reading to check them out.
If a Reporter Has to Explain a Bill to You, Maybe You Shouldn't Have Voted For It
Perhaps it's best to keep the fact that you didn't fully read the health care bill projected to leave nearly 26 million Americans uninsured before you voted for it - or perhaps your intention is to be unseated. Either way, House Representative Chris Collins of New York proved he is ill-equipped to represent the people of his district not once, but twice, this week.
Rep. Collins admits he wasn't able to read entire health care bill and had to rely on staff https://t.co/5NN39ElZAj https://t.co/UmK3tuCfFC
- CNN (@CNN) May 4, 2017
Just before the American Healthcare Act went to vote on April 4, Collins confessed on CNN that he had not read this proposal in its entirety. "We have to rely on our staff. I had many meetings within Energy and Commerce, with the Chairmen of Energy and Commerce, as we discussed how this plan will effect Americans," Collins told Wolf Blitzer. "I'm very comfortable that we've got a solution to the disaster called Obamacare."
As if the admission that he didn't read the bill or its amendments wasn't bad enough, Collins doubled down on his ignorance when pressed by a reporter from the Buffalo News. After the journalist told Collins that the American Healthcare Act would suspend the $3 billion New York state receives for Medicaid, the congressman suggested he did not know its repercussions.
"Explain that to me," Collins asked the reporter who then explained that 19,000 citizens of his district receive healthcare under the Essential Health Plan. Collins then admitted he was unaware that the proposed bill would end the program. "But it doesn't surprise me for you to tell me that there were two states in the nation that were taking advantage of some other waiver program and New York was one of the two states," Collins added.
Collins spokesperson Micheal McAdams released a statement claiming that admission was once again "twisting a Republican's words to fit its out-of-touch liberal narrative." Let's not mince words: there's really nothing to twist in Collin's continued confession that he's not exactly doing his job and his constituents will certainly take notice.
It's Hard to Miss the Symbolism Behind Melania Trump's Yellow Christian Dior Dress
There is often a lot of symbolism behind Melania Trump's wardrobe choices. From the very first time she sparked controversy, opting for a pink Gucci pussy-bow blouse days after Donald Trump's infamous Accesss Hollywood conversation tape was leaked, we began reading into her well-considered looks.
While meeting the Australian prime minister in New York, Melania wore an asymmetrical Christian Dior dress. But it wasn't the silk crepe dress that caught everyone's attention, it was the shade of the dress that sparked conversation. It seems like Melania strategically chose the Dior number because it was Australia's national color - similar to the time she wore Valentino red upon meeting with China's president. Scroll to see Melania's yellow Christian Dior dress for yourself.
This "Hello" Parody Video Is a Sepia-Toned Display of Mom-Life Realness
By now you should immediately be able to sense an Adele parody coming on when you spot a (now iconic) sepia-toned video pop up on your Facebook feed. Singer/songwriter Emily Mills's "Hello From the MotherSide" parody is no exception to the sepia rule, but it's definitely standing out to us among the rest due to its comical relatability (and her killer voice).
From her own personal mama woes ("I must've tried a thousand times to tell her this homework is really breaking my heart") to her understanding that her mom friends are down in the trenches with her ("Mama, how you been? I can tell you've been stress-eating from the Cheetos on your hands"), Emily has created a parody that will for sure resonate with every mother out there.
If you're on the MotherSide as well and "think you might break down and cry" basically all the time, watch the video and prepare to feel truly understood.
This "Hello" Parody Video Is a Sepia-Toned Display of Mom-Life Realness
By now you should immediately be able to sense an Adele parody coming on when you spot a (now iconic) sepia-toned video pop up on your Facebook feed. Singer/songwriter Emily Mills's "Hello From the MotherSide" parody is no exception to the sepia rule, but it's definitely standing out to us among the rest due to its comical relatability (and her killer voice).
From her own personal mama woes ("I must've tried a thousand times to tell her this homework is really breaking my heart") to her understanding that her mom friends are down in the trenches with her ("Mama, how you been? I can tell you've been stress-eating from the Cheetos on your hands"), Emily has created a parody that will for sure resonate with every mother out there.
If you're on the MotherSide as well and "think you might break down and cry" basically all the time, watch the video and prepare to feel truly understood.
If You're Shamelessly Dinosaur-Obsessed, You'll Love These 11 Desk Accessories
Dinosaurs are back! Well, not literally, that would be pretty scary, but they're back as a trend! If you want to get in on the prehistoric fun (yes, that's a thing now), we found some awesome desk accessories. Your office will look pretty cool, if you ask us.
Adele's Makeup Artist Reveals How to Get the Singer's Signature Cat Eye
There are a lot of beauty tricks that we'd love to learn from Adele - like where she finds the perfect rosy lipstick, or the techniques she uses to sculpt her cheekbones to perfection - but her signature cat eye is at the top of our must-know list. Celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge tracked down the colleague who created Adele's famous retro-chic beauty style, Michael Ashton, and enlisted him to create a DIY on her YouTube channel.
Utilizing a close doppelgänger for a model, Ashton breaks down every step of Adele's now-iconic look and even divulges which products he uses to achieve them. Of course we're thrilled to finally learn exactly how he crafts that razor-sharp cat eye! Watch the above video to discover his tricks, then grab Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink ($26) so you can practice re-creating it yourself.
12 Baby Groot Moments That Make You Want to Squish His Twiggy Little Face
There are so many reasons to see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - cough, Chris Pratt's abs, cough - but the biggest one of all is the return of Baby Groot. We first met the lil' nugget in Guardians of the Galaxy, when Big Groot gets "killed" but just starts growing all over again as a root. We're not the only ones who are obsessed; parents have been dressing kids up as Baby Groot, and there's even a way to make your own version! Here are 12 moments that have made us love the plant, and make sure you've caught his appearances in the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 trailers.
If a Reporter Has to Explain a Bill to You, Maybe You Shouldn't Have Voted For It
Perhaps it's best to keep the fact that you didn't fully read the health care bill projected to leave nearly 26 million Americans uninsured before you voted for it - or perhaps your intention is to be unseated. Either way, House Representative Chris Collins of New York proved he is ill-equipped to represent the people of his district not once, but twice, this week.
Rep. Collins admits he wasn't able to read entire health care bill and had to rely on staff https://t.co/5NN39ElZAj https://t.co/UmK3tuCfFC
- CNN (@CNN) May 4, 2017
Just before the American Healthcare Act went to vote on April 4, Collins confessed on CNN that he had not read this proposal in its entirety. "We have to rely on our staff. I had many meetings within Energy and Commerce, with the Chairmen of Energy and Commerce, as we discussed how this plan will effect Americans," Collins told Wolf Blitzer. "I'm very comfortable that we've got a solution to the disaster called Obamacare."
As if the admission that he didn't read the bill or its amendments wasn't bad enough, Collins doubled down on his ignorance when pressed by a reporter from the Buffalo News. After the journalist told Collins that the American Healthcare Act would suspend the $3 billion New York state receives for Medicaid, the congressman suggested he did not know its repercussions.
"Explain that to me," Collins asked the reporter who then explained that 19,000 citizens of his district receive healthcare under the Essential Health Plan. Collins then admitted he was unaware that the proposed bill would end the program. "But it doesn't surprise me for you to tell me that there were two states in the nation that were taking advantage of some other waiver program and New York was one of the two states," Collins added.
Collins spokesperson Micheal McAdams released a statement claiming that admission was once again "twisting a Republican's words to fit its out-of-touch liberal narrative." Let's not mince words: there's really nothing to twist in Collin's continued confession that he's not exactly doing his job and his constituents will certainly take notice.
12 Baby Groot Moments That Make You Want to Squish His Twiggy Little Face
There are so many reasons to see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - cough, Chris Pratt's abs, cough - but the biggest one of all is the return of Baby Groot. We first met the lil' nugget in Guardians of the Galaxy, when Big Groot gets "killed" but just starts growing all over again as a root. We're not the only ones who are obsessed; parents have been dressing kids up as Baby Groot, and there's even a way to make your own version! Here are 12 moments that have made us love the plant, and make sure you've caught his appearances in the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 trailers.
How to Get Sexy, Cellulite-Free Legs This Summer - According to Top Derms
Image Source: Popsugar Photography / Sheila Gim
INTRO OPTION 1:
On the first warm-weather day of Spring, I went to work in a sundress for the first time since last year. As I sat at my desk, I looked down at my previously pants-covered legs and was horrified. They looked like they were covered in dust, were paler than any other part of my body, and somehow had become uneven and splotchy. Winter had done quite a number on my normally smooth, carefully buffed and bronzed legs.
If you recently had a similar experience, don't freak out. I turned to dermatologists Dr. Dendy Engleman and Dr. Heidi Waldorf to find out how to treat some common skin issues, like cellulite and varicose veins. You and I won't have to wear jeans in 85 degree weather to hide the damage cold weather did to our stems.
Keratosis Pilaris
You know those raised bumps you see on the back of your arms, legs, and sometimes even your butt? That isn't acne but actually keratosis pilaris (KP), sometimes referred to as chicken skin. The bumps are caused by a buildup of keratin in hair follicles, causing rough plugs.
According to Dr. Engleman, treating these harmless but unsightly bumps isn't difficult. "The most important concept of controlling KP is moisturizing the skin" Engleman explains. She also expressed that products containing chemical exfoliants can also help the problem. "My favorite products involve ingredients that can break up that excess keratin build up such as alpha hydroxy acids, like lactic acid and glycolic acid, and beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid."
If the problem persists, Dr. Engleman suggests trying retinoids, which are vitamin A-derived and promote cell turnover. "Retinoids can gently exfoliate to remove dead skin cells if hydroxy acids don't give a noticeable improvement."
Dry, Scaly Skin
If you've noticed an uneven, scaly texture on your legs, it means the skin cells aren't falling off like they're supposed to. This can happen during cold weather or from using products with drying or irritating ingredients. Dr. Waldorf suggests exclusively using gentle products to prevent this. "The best way to prevent and treat scaly skin is to use a gentle cleanser that won't strip your skin like Dove Body Wash ($6), followed by a moisturizer like Eucerin Smoothing Repair Lotion ($9)."
Discoloration
Sometimes a dark mark can be left behind on our skin from a cut or bug bite, known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. After your skin is red, itchy, or swollen, the skin can heal and look brown afterwards. Unfortunately, dark marks on our legs fade slower than on our face and can last months.
Although you can use laser treatments to get rid of them, Dr. Waldorf suggests waiting until the Fall or Winter for these treatments. Instead, there's an easier route for even skin tone, "In the meantime, moisturize, use alpha hydroxy acid, and acid moisturizers to improve the pigment. [You can also] cover the spots with leg makeup or self tanner."
Varicose Veins
Varicose Veins are dilated blood vessels caused by increased pressure on the veins. The causes of the pressure can range from standing for too long, to pregnancy, or even obesity. Dr. Engleman explains that there are two procedures available to get rid of these veins depending on the severity. "Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment and it involves injecting a solution into the vein that forces it to collapse, which stops blood flow. The vein will turn into a scar and fade after a few weeks."
If you have smaller spider veins, Dr. Engleman suggests laser treatment because these veins are harder to inject.
Image Source: Popsugar Photography / Benjamin Stone
Cellulite
Cellulite happens when pockets of fat beneath the skin becomes squashed against tissue and creates a dimpled appearance. Almost everyone has some amount of it, and according to Dr. Waldorf, it isn't connected to being overweight. If you'd like to reduce the appearance of cellulite however, there are a few procedures and methods to remedy the appearance.
Injections
Dr. Waldorf suggest a filler such as Sculptra or Radiesse in conjunction with a procedure like ulthera. "[The filler]s stimulate improvement and filling of the dimples, [while] Ulthura tightens tissue.
Dry Brushing and Exfoliation
If injections sound too extreme, Dr. Engleman suggests trying to exfoliate the area. "Exfoliation helps to smooth the appearance [of cellulite] by increasing blood flow to the area and reduce inflammation." One method the doctor suggests is dry brushing.
Ingrown Hairs
More frequent hair removal during the Summer months leads to a lot of painful, red ingrown hairs. Dr. Engelman has some suggestions for those more prone to razor bumps and irritation. "You may want to exfoliate the area to ensure that the hair can come cleanly out. Also, try shaving the way your hair grows. Shaving against hair growth gives you a closer shave but the blunt-tipped end of hairs can grow back into the skin rather than up and out."
If those tips don't help, it may be time to try depilatory creams, laser hair removal, or electrolysis.
If you already have razor burn or ingrown hairs, Dr. Waldorf has a solution. "If you have redness or irritation, rub in an over the counter 1% hydrocortisone cream" the doctor explains.
Bruises
Some of us bruise like a peach. The black-and-blue marks that are a result of our clumsy behavior are a result of pooled blood under the skin due to trauma that causes blood vessels to burst. Dr. Engelman suggests a few oils that can improve the appearance, "If you're prone to bruising, topical arnica or helichrysum oil can help with the swelling and bruising by aiding the reabsorption of the blood."
How to Get Sexy, Cellulite-Free Legs This Summer - According to Top Derms
Image Source: Popsugar Photography / Sheila Gim
INTRO OPTION 1:
On the first warm-weather day of Spring, I went to work in a sundress for the first time since last year. As I sat at my desk, I looked down at my previously pants-covered legs and was horrified. They looked like they were covered in dust, were paler than any other part of my body, and somehow had become uneven and splotchy. Winter had done quite a number on my normally smooth, carefully buffed and bronzed legs.
If you recently had a similar experience, don't freak out. I turned to dermatologists Dr. Dendy Engleman and Dr. Heidi Waldorf to find out how to treat some common skin issues, like cellulite and varicose veins. You and I won't have to wear jeans in 85 degree weather to hide the damage cold weather did to our stems.
Keratosis Pilaris
You know those raised bumps you see on the back of your arms, legs, and sometimes even your butt? That isn't acne but actually keratosis pilaris (KP), sometimes referred to as chicken skin. The bumps are caused by a buildup of keratin in hair follicles, causing rough plugs.
According to Dr. Engleman, treating these harmless but unsightly bumps isn't difficult. "The most important concept of controlling KP is moisturizing the skin" Engleman explains. She also expressed that products containing chemical exfoliants can also help the problem. "My favorite products involve ingredients that can break up that excess keratin build up such as alpha hydroxy acids, like lactic acid and glycolic acid, and beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid."
If the problem persists, Dr. Engleman suggests trying retinoids, which are vitamin A-derived and promote cell turnover. "Retinoids can gently exfoliate to remove dead skin cells if hydroxy acids don't give a noticeable improvement."
Dry, Scaly Skin
If you've noticed an uneven, scaly texture on your legs, it means the skin cells aren't falling off like they're supposed to. This can happen during cold weather or from using products with drying or irritating ingredients. Dr. Waldorf suggests exclusively using gentle products to prevent this. "The best way to prevent and treat scaly skin is to use a gentle cleanser that won't strip your skin like Dove Body Wash ($6), followed by a moisturizer like Eucerin Smoothing Repair Lotion ($9)."
Discoloration
Sometimes a dark mark can be left behind on our skin from a cut or bug bite, known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. After your skin is red, itchy, or swollen, the skin can heal and look brown afterwards. Unfortunately, dark marks on our legs fade slower than on our face and can last months.
Although you can use laser treatments to get rid of them, Dr. Waldorf suggests waiting until the Fall or Winter for these treatments. Instead, there's an easier route for even skin tone, "In the meantime, moisturize, use alpha hydroxy acid, and acid moisturizers to improve the pigment. [You can also] cover the spots with leg makeup or self tanner."
Varicose Veins
Varicose Veins are dilated blood vessels caused by increased pressure on the veins. The causes of the pressure can range from standing for too long, to pregnancy, or even obesity. Dr. Engleman explains that there are two procedures available to get rid of these veins depending on the severity. "Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment and it involves injecting a solution into the vein that forces it to collapse, which stops blood flow. The vein will turn into a scar and fade after a few weeks."
If you have smaller spider veins, Dr. Engleman suggests laser treatment because these veins are harder to inject.
Image Source: Popsugar Photography / Benjamin Stone
Cellulite
Cellulite happens when pockets of fat beneath the skin becomes squashed against tissue and creates a dimpled appearance. Almost everyone has some amount of it, and according to Dr. Waldorf, it isn't connected to being overweight. If you'd like to reduce the appearance of cellulite however, there are a few procedures and methods to remedy the appearance.
Injections
Dr. Waldorf suggest a filler such as Sculptra or Radiesse in conjunction with a procedure like ulthera. "[The filler]s stimulate improvement and filling of the dimples, [while] Ulthura tightens tissue.
Dry Brushing and Exfoliation
If injections sound too extreme, Dr. Engleman suggests trying to exfoliate the area. "Exfoliation helps to smooth the appearance [of cellulite] by increasing blood flow to the area and reduce inflammation." One method the doctor suggests is dry brushing.
Ingrown Hairs
More frequent hair removal during the Summer months leads to a lot of painful, red ingrown hairs. Dr. Engelman has some suggestions for those more prone to razor bumps and irritation. "You may want to exfoliate the area to ensure that the hair can come cleanly out. Also, try shaving the way your hair grows. Shaving against hair growth gives you a closer shave but the blunt-tipped end of hairs can grow back into the skin rather than up and out."
If those tips don't help, it may be time to try depilatory creams, laser hair removal, or electrolysis.
If you already have razor burn or ingrown hairs, Dr. Waldorf has a solution. "If you have redness or irritation, rub in an over the counter 1% hydrocortisone cream" the doctor explains.
Bruises
Some of us bruise like a peach. The black-and-blue marks that are a result of our clumsy behavior are a result of pooled blood under the skin due to trauma that causes blood vessels to burst. Dr. Engelman suggests a few oils that can improve the appearance, "If you're prone to bruising, topical arnica or helichrysum oil can help with the swelling and bruising by aiding the reabsorption of the blood."
The Full, Funky Soundtrack For Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
One of the biggest reasons we all fell for Guardians of the Galaxy back in 2014 is its retro soundtrack that possibly made you feel like you were at a rowdy wedding reception in 1982. We're happy to report that the soundtrack for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is just as fun. The 14-track collection includes hits from Fleetwood Mac, Electric Light Orchestra, Cheap Trick, and Cat Stevens. Listen to all the songs here, and scroll to the end for a Spotify playlist!
11 New Books Worth Reading in May
You know what I love about the Spring and Summer seasons? It's suddenly socially appropriate to break out the chick lit (a term I use endearingly). Fall and Winter are for heavy books; when I head to the admittedly shady part of the beach, I like to bring a fun, easy novel with me. Maybe I got it at the airport. Who knows? This May, plenty of new books are being released, and amongst the recipe compilations and self-help guides, there are a handful of truly interesting reads. Here are my picks for the month ahead!
44 Disney Cruise Hacks You Need to Know Before Sailing
We've all got it wrong, because the happiest place on earth is not a Disney park, but a Disney cruise. Yep, I said it. I love Disneyland and Disney World as much as the next Disney devotee, but there are some drawbacks to the parks (like hordes of people, inescapable heat, and long lines) that you just don't deal with while sailing blissfully on blue seas. I recently took the Disney Fantasy's Western Caribbean trip for seven nights, and while I went in a little hesitant about the whole affair, my skepticism about being on board a ship with thousands of people - many of whom barely reached my waist - was checked at the entrance of the ship and buried deeper as the days went by.
Disney fans, book your cruise ASAP. Non-Disney fans, book your Disney cruise ASAP, because you can embrace Disney entirely aboard the ship or avoid it, and still have a VIP experience either way. Star Wars buffs, book your cruise on the Fantasy and have a special day at sea that biggest fans can only dream of.
10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting a Divorce
Now that I'm nearing the end of the divorce process (it's a marathon - not a sprint!), I'm starting to reflect on the things I wish I had done differently or, perhaps, the things I wish I had known before getting a divorce, period. I don't think there is any real book to prepare you for divorce, as each person's experience is so unique. But as you're headed down the aisle - that's the court aisle - of divorce, there are some things it wouldn't hurt to know as you sever your formerly "forever" relationship.
1. How It Would Affect My Toddler
My daughter was just turning 3 when her dad and I split, and no matter how often I googled toddlers and divorce, there wasn't a ton of information on how she might be affected by the experience. I ended up pushing for her to try play therapy, and when my ex agreed, we had her attend for a while. It was the best choice to make, but it would have been great had I known of the potential issues she might have had and the ways to help our child through it ahead of time. The reality is no one can predict how a divorce will impact your kids.
2. Don't Use Friends
Don't use friends for legal advice - meaning, don't hire a friend to handle the divorce even though your friend will cut you a break financially. My ex and I started out this way, and the friend was truly lovely and magnanimous at heart to want to help two broke people divorce, but we ended up switching counsel (to mediators) for various reasons, which derailed finalizing the divorce. It's been 20 months, and it's still not final. Lesson learned!
3. Make It Clear
Our mediator now was shocked when he saw our divorce agreement. Everything was completely vague and open to interpretation. No, no, no! Don't do it! It doesn't matter if you and your ex are cozy now, because down the line, you may not be. Have everything written in detail, and leave no topics untouched, especially when there are children involved. Too much flimsy or vague language in your divorce agreement can kill you later on.
4. The New Partner Will Be a New Adjustment
Even though my ex and I decided together to divorce, when he had a new girlfriend and wanted to introduce her to my child, it was hard for me simply knowing there would be a stranger around my kid. Even if you have zero feelings left for your partner, if you have kids, knowing a new person will be around them can be hard and . . .
5. A New Partner May Change Your Ex
Even if your ex is nice or you are good friends now, a new partner could change things. Reality bites.
6. It Takes Time
I thought a year later I would be fine after separating from my ex. In truth, I am happy and don't want him back. However, it has still taken time to adjust to all the changes a divorce can bring, like new partners, new homes, custody schedules, etc. As much as I am ready to meet someone (even dating now!) and I am happy with my life, from time to time, I get sad and still find sharing my child difficult. It takes time, and everyone grieves at his or her own pace.
7. Imputed Income
I was aware of this upon consulting with a legal advisor, but before speaking to someone, I didn't realize that, even though I was a very part-time working mother, the court would assume I could make a particular amount of money even if the job market stunk. Thankfully, I found full-time work and built my freelance practice, but had I not, the court would assume I could make more money than I was.
8. Separation Should Be Separation - Period
I didn't realize that being nice meant the door would be open for my ex to revisit and for us to question our choice constantly. When you separate, close the door unless the knock is so strong that you're willing to consider the changes that have been made and work to save the marriage.
9. It's More Common to Do 50/50 Custody These Days
I love that my child has an active and loving dad, although admittedly, I find our 50/50 custody situation to be a lot for a young child to manage. This scenario, however, is rather common. Your friends or family from the old days may find this rare, but if you're divorcing with kids, it's common today.
10. Spending Time Together Could Be Awful
For our kid.
When we separated, my ex and I didn't want to miss out on milestones, traditions, and activities, so we did stuff together now and then, thinking it would be great for our daughter. Our intentions were truly altruistic and wonderful, but it didn't help our child. It only confused our little one, who was too young to comprehend what divorce really means. Make things clear in developmentally appropriate ways for your children so they understand that mommy and daddy's marriage is over - for good.
No one can truly prepare you for divorce, but before you decide to end your marriage, talk to divorced people and educate yourself. That way, if you do take this road, you will be prepared as best as possible, for better or for worse.
How to Stay Stylish For Life, According to 1 Very Chic New Yorker
Claire Distenfeld is one of those quintessential New Yorkers you'd trust for styling advice immediately upon meeting her on the street. Her outfits always look effortless, but they have a chic, old-time appeal. That's usually because Claire's incorporated one standout, special piece. Whether it's a magnificent pair of earrings or a brightly colored duster with intricate stitching, Claire shops for items that appear "otherworldly" and unique.
That approach to fashion has become her signature and it's allowed her to curate the luxury destination Fivestory, which is located uptown and shoppable online. Fivestory boasts a collection of the latest and greatest in fashion, art, and home goods. So while a quick browse through the site will let you know what's "in," we thought it even better to talk to Claire directly. Ahead, you'll find her guide to Spring's biggest trends, along with general styling tips and tricks she swears by. Scroll for a lesson in elevating your wardrobe this season, complete courtesy of Claire.
The 10 Most Epically Bad Items Ever Found at HomeGoods
HomeGoods is an obsession for us. There's nothing we like more than finding on-trend decor at the low-low prices, and the thrill of the bargain hunt gets our heart beating faster just upon entering the store. What will we find today amid the aisles of overflowing items? It could be an on-trend armchair from a big-name designer - or it could be a life-size mirrored elephant. For as much fabulous decor as there is to discover at HomeGoods, there's even more comically bad pieces. We've rounded up a few of the most epically mind-boggling items ever sold at HomeGoods ahead.
30 Summer Dresses to Show to Show Off Your Favorite Features
We all have that one part of our body that we want to show off and put on full display when Summer finally arrives. For some, it's their toned legs while for others, it's their waistline.
Summer dresses are a great way to highlight your favorite features, effortlessly. They're easy enough to throw on during those lazy mornings when you don't want to spend hours trying to figure out what to wear; but you'll look so put together, nobody will know it took you mere minutes to get ready.
For even easier shopping, click directly on the part you want the dress to accentuate.
30 Summer Dresses to Show to Show Off Your Favorite Features
We all have that one part of our body that we want to show off and put on full display when Summer finally arrives. For some, it's their toned legs while for others, it's their waistline.
Summer dresses are a great way to highlight your favorite features, effortlessly. They're easy enough to throw on during those lazy mornings when you don't want to spend hours trying to figure out what to wear; but you'll look so put together, nobody will know it took you mere minutes to get ready.
For even easier shopping, click directly on the part you want the dress to accentuate.
Stepdad Completely Breaks Down When 10-Year-Old Asks to Be Adopted
ᴍʏ sᴏɴ ᴀsᴋᴇᴅ ᴍʏ ʜᴜsʙᴀɴᴅ ɪғ ʜᴇ ᴄᴀɴ ᴀᴅᴏᴘᴛ ʜɪᴍ!!! ɪ sᴡᴇᴀʀ ᴛʜɪs ᴡᴀs ᴏɴᴇ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇsᴛ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛs sɪɴᴄᴇ ᴡᴇ'ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴛᴏɢᴇᴛʜᴇʀ. ᴛʜᴀɴᴋs ғᴏʀ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏs ʟᴏᴠɪɴɢ ʜɪᴍ ᴜɴᴄᴏɴᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟʟʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʀᴇᴀᴛɪɴɢ ʜɪᴍ ᴀs ʏᴏᴜʀs ғʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇɢɪɴɴɪɴɢ!! ᴜs ᴀɢᴀɪɴsᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ!!! ғᴏʀᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏs!! ʟᴇᴛ's ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ɪᴛ ᴏғғɪᴄɪᴀʟ!!!
Posted by Porsche Williamson on Sunday, April 30, 2017
Kalani Watson has had his stepdad, Brandon Craig Williamson, in his life since he was just 2 years old. Brandon has been there for Kalani through a lot - school programs, parent conferences, sick days, sporting events, family vacations - and the boy rationalizes that all of these things make Brandon his real dad, right? In a sweet letter written to Brandon, which Kalani read aloud at his 10th birthday party, the young boy says to Brandon: "I have three questions to ask you: do you love me? Do you love [my] mom? Can you live without us?" And after two yeses and a no, Kalani suggests they "stop playing," and adorably "pops the question" to Brandon, asking, "Will you adopt me?" Get ready to break down into tears with Brandon, y'all.
Put Your Best Foot Forward This Summer With These 7 Shoe Trends
Every Summer, I find myself looking for a new pair of shoes that feel both fresh and on trend. I've learned that flip-flops are solely reserved for the beach, and as much as I'd like to be one of those girls who can wear heels every day, they are impractical and almost always leave me with painful blisters.
We've already covered the most comfortable Summer sandals of the year, and now, we're listing the best shoes of the season. From tie-up ballet flats (we see you, Miu Miu) to mules (don't worry, there's more than just the Gucci Princetowns), here are the best shoes of the Summer.
Here's the Scoop on That Collagen Powder You're Seeing All Over Instagram
If you follow anyone remotely trendy (in terms of wellness, health, fitness, etc) on Instagram, you've seen collagen powder, a Vital Proteins canister, Bulletproof collagen coffee, or a collagen smoothie recipe of some sort. And if every time one of those images or stories has popped up on your phone screen you've said, "WTF," then we're here to break it down for ya. Let's back it up a little.
What Is It?
Everyone's talking about collagen supplements. If you've ever cooked or baked with unflavored gelatin, it's kind of like that, but a finer powder, and doesn't solidify the way gelatin does. It comes from animals (NOT vegetarian, important to know) like chicken, cows, or fish. It's often sold as a loose powder in canisters or bags, and you can do a whooole lot of things with it. Just you wait.
Why Is Everyone Obsessed With It?
For one, some seriously great health benefits:
- Gives your hair, skin, and nails a boost
- High in protein (could replace your protein powder)
- Aids in a healthy gut, which helps with mood, digestion, and immunity
- May help with weight loss due to high protein content and promotion of a healthy gut
- Promotes healthy bones and joints
- Has BCAAs for athletic recovery and reduced soreness
Sounding like a miracle food yet? Hold on to your pants. Back to that "replace your protein powder" thing - if you're *not* a protein powder person, then this might be your lucky day. Collagen is unflavored, and there's no there's no chalkiness - think about adding protein powder to almost all your food and drinks without making anything taste like protein powder. Amazing, right? It blends into both hot and cold drinks without affecting the taste or texture (unless you opt for a flavored variety, of course). That means you can give your morning coffee an instant boost of protein and nutrition (often things like probiotics, hyaluronic acid and vitamins), and it still tastes like . . . well . . . coffee. We're all for efficiency, and collagen really helps you kill at least three to seven birds with one unflavored stone.
How Do You Eat It?
As mentioned, this powder can go into hot and cold drinks, but it can also go into your food. Here are some ideas to get those collagen wheels turning . . .
- Mix it into your juice
- Blend it into a shake or smoothie
- Make a matcha latte with it
- Bake some into your favorite goodies
- Whip up some protein packed pancakes
- Stir it into water
- Make cookies with it
- Add some to your golden milk
- Upgrade your overnight oats or chia pudding
- Boost your Bulletproof coffee
- Pour a protein-packed smoothie bowl
- Heat up a savory soup
- Make a pie with a protein kick
- Mix some into a veggie dish
- Try a healthy Bloody Mary
. . . are you catching our drift?
Where Do You Get It?
Brands like Vital Proteins and Bulletproof sell their product directly from their websites, but you can find collagen supplements at health food stores (we've seen it at locations like Earth Bar in LA), or on Amazon Prime (gotta get the most out of that membership, you know?). Prices range from the twenties to $75-ish, depending on the amount you get, and if you opt for an unflavored straight-up collagen, or something fancy like Madagascar vanilla bean (TBH, that flavor is pretty damn good).
We Were Pretty Over Unicorns, Until We Laid Eyes on This Unicorn Tamale
Years before the unicorn craze would influence Starbucks and other major brands to put out products inspired by the mythical creature, a small Mexican restaurant in Tlaquepaque did the same. In 2014, Los Mitotes de María created a joyful rainbow dessert tamale meant to celebrate the local LGBTQ community. Now, due to the latest unicorn mania, the specialty menu item is newly trending after being spotted by Mitú.
In a video for Canal 44 in Mexico, chef Alberto Rebolledo shared the making of the bright tamale. Because it's a dessert tamale, the process basically just involves dyeing different buttery fruit pastes with edible food coloring and wrapping them in the traditional corn husk. Ahead, watch Alberto break down the special dessert and enjoy some colorful pictures of it.
Stepdad Completely Breaks Down When 10-Year-Old Asks to Be Adopted
ᴍʏ sᴏɴ ᴀsᴋᴇᴅ ᴍʏ ʜᴜsʙᴀɴᴅ ɪғ ʜᴇ ᴄᴀɴ ᴀᴅᴏᴘᴛ ʜɪᴍ!!! ɪ sᴡᴇᴀʀ ᴛʜɪs ᴡᴀs ᴏɴᴇ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇsᴛ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛs sɪɴᴄᴇ ᴡᴇ'ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴛᴏɢᴇᴛʜᴇʀ. ᴛʜᴀɴᴋs ғᴏʀ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏs ʟᴏᴠɪɴɢ ʜɪᴍ ᴜɴᴄᴏɴᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟʟʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʀᴇᴀᴛɪɴɢ ʜɪᴍ ᴀs ʏᴏᴜʀs ғʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇɢɪɴɴɪɴɢ!! ᴜs ᴀɢᴀɪɴsᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ!!! ғᴏʀᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏs!! ʟᴇᴛ's ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ɪᴛ ᴏғғɪᴄɪᴀʟ!!!
Posted by Porsche Williamson on Sunday, April 30, 2017
Kalani Watson has had his stepdad, Brandon Craig Williamson, in his life since he was just 2 years old. Brandon has been there for Kalani through a lot - school programs, parent conferences, sick days, sporting events, family vacations - and the boy rationalizes that all of these things make Brandon his real dad, right? In a sweet letter written to Brandon, which Kalani read aloud at his 10th birthday party, the young boy says to Brandon: "I have three questions to ask you: do you love me? Do you love [my] mom? Can you live without us?" And after two yeses and a no, Kalani suggests they "stop playing," and adorably "pops the question" to Brandon, asking, "Will you adopt me?" Get ready to break down into tears with Brandon, y'all.
This Gorgeous Island Off the Amalfi Coast Looks Like a Dolphin - and You Can Visit!
Italy's Amalfi Coast is a magical destination in itself, but there's even more reason to make the trip. A dolphin-shaped island called Li Galli is a small private archipelago made up of three atolls between Capri and Positano. The island is also known as Le Sirenuse because of its mythological background. It's believed that this is where Odysseus from Homer's Odyssey escaped the voices of the Sirens who would lure sailors to their death.
It wasn't until the 1920s when a Russian ballet dancer and choreographer named Léonide Massine bought the ancient Roman site, bringing it to its current fame. Another acclaimed Russian dancer, Rudolf Nureyev, purchased Li Galli in 1988, nearly a decade after Massine's death. One of the villas Rudolf redecorated has been maintained since, complete with Turkish mosaics and tiles and lavish details. Though the island has only been recently opened to the public, it mainly serves as a luxurious and private rental property for the extremely wealthy. The resort features Rudolf's three-bedroom mansion, a ballroom-turned-villa, a chapel, an infinity saltwater pool, and more - all of which can be rented for a humble $109,932 (€100,000) to $142,900 (€130,000) a week. Though, prices could've even been raised since those figures were released in 2015.
In addition to a private helicopter available for use, there's also a motorboat and a yacht in case you get island fever. And the best part of all is your small staff there to serve your every need from breakfast to dinner, at any time of day.
Us normal people can still enjoy the beauty of Li Galli (at least for a day) from the fancy restaurant and bar. But hey, we'll take it. If you're looking for a more attainable island to rent, check out this private property in Belize that's available for less than $500. See the amazing photos!
Put Your Best Foot Forward This Summer With These 7 Shoe Trends
Every Summer, I find myself looking for a new pair of shoes that feel both fresh and on trend. I've learned that flip-flops are solely reserved for the beach, and as much as I'd like to be one of those girls who can wear heels every day, they are impractical and almost always leave me with painful blisters.
We've already covered the most comfortable Summer sandals of the year, and now, we're listing the best shoes of the season. From tie-up ballet flats (we see you, Miu Miu) to mules (don't worry, there's more than just the Gucci Princetowns), here are the best shoes of the Summer.
Here's the Scoop on That Collagen Powder You're Seeing All Over Instagram
If you follow anyone remotely trendy (in terms of wellness, health, fitness, etc) on Instagram, you've seen collagen powder, a Vital Proteins canister, Bulletproof collagen coffee, or a collagen smoothie recipe of some sort. And if every time one of those images or stories has popped up on your phone screen you've said, "WTF," then we're here to break it down for ya. Let's back it up a little.
What Is It?
Everyone's talking about collagen supplements. If you've ever cooked or baked with unflavored gelatin, it's kind of like that, but a finer powder, and doesn't solidify the way gelatin does. It comes from animals (NOT vegetarian, important to know) like chicken, cows, or fish. It's often sold as a loose powder in canisters or bags, and you can do a whooole lot of things with it. Just you wait.
Why Is Everyone Obsessed With It?
For one, some seriously great health benefits:
- Gives your hair, skin, and nails a boost
- High in protein (could replace your protein powder)
- Aids in a healthy gut, which helps with mood, digestion, and immunity
- May help with weight loss due to high protein content and promotion of a healthy gut
- Promotes healthy bones and joints
- Has BCAAs for athletic recovery and reduced soreness
Sounding like a miracle food yet? Hold on to your pants. Back to that "replace your protein powder" thing - if you're *not* a protein powder person, then this might be your lucky day. Collagen is unflavored, and there's no there's no chalkiness - think about adding protein powder to almost all your food and drinks without making anything taste like protein powder. Amazing, right? It blends into both hot and cold drinks without affecting the taste or texture (unless you opt for a flavored variety, of course). That means you can give your morning coffee an instant boost of protein and nutrition (often things like probiotics, hyaluronic acid and vitamins), and it still tastes like . . . well . . . coffee. We're all for efficiency, and collagen really helps you kill at least three to seven birds with one unflavored stone.
How Do You Eat It?
As mentioned, this powder can go into hot and cold drinks, but it can also go into your food. Here are some ideas to get those collagen wheels turning . . .
- Mix it into your juice
- Blend it into a shake or smoothie
- Make a matcha latte with it
- Bake some into your favorite goodies
- Whip up some protein packed pancakes
- Stir it into water
- Make cookies with it
- Add some to your golden milk
- Upgrade your overnight oats or chia pudding
- Boost your Bulletproof coffee
- Pour a protein-packed smoothie bowl
- Heat up a savory soup
- Make a pie with a protein kick
- Mix some into a veggie dish
- Try a healthy Bloody Mary
. . . are you catching our drift?
Where Do You Get It?
Brands like Vital Proteins and Bulletproof sell their product directly from their websites, but you can find collagen supplements at health food stores (we've seen it at locations like Earth Bar in LA), or on Amazon Prime (gotta get the most out of that membership, you know?). Prices range from the twenties to $75-ish, depending on the amount you get, and if you opt for an unflavored straight-up collagen, or something fancy like Madagascar vanilla bean (TBH, that flavor is pretty damn good).
The Best Pictures From the MTV Movie Awards Over the Years
The MTV Movie Awards are this weekend, and it might just turn out to be the best show yet. How do we know? Well, it's combining with TV for the first time ever, so fans of shows like Game of Thrones and Pretty Little Liars will get to vote. Adam DeVine is set to host and there are already some incredible presenters lined up, including This Is Us's Milo Ventimiglia and the cast of 13 Reasons Why. Get ready for the big night with a look at some of our favorite photos from all the golden-popcorn ceremonies, including Kristen Stewart sharing the stage with Chris Hemsworth, Cameron Diaz and Victoria Beckham in their younger years, and much more.
The Best Pictures From the MTV Movie Awards Over the Years
The MTV Movie Awards are this weekend, and it might just turn out to be the best show yet. How do we know? Well, it's combining with TV for the first time ever, so fans of shows like Game of Thrones and Pretty Little Liars will get to vote. Adam DeVine is set to host and there are already some incredible presenters lined up, including This Is Us's Milo Ventimiglia and the cast of 13 Reasons Why. Get ready for the big night with a look at some of our favorite photos from all the golden-popcorn ceremonies, including Kristen Stewart sharing the stage with Chris Hemsworth, Cameron Diaz and Victoria Beckham in their younger years, and much more.
Noah Cyrus's "Stay Together" Is the Perfect Summer Anthem
Noah Cyrus is back with another banger. Ahead of her performance at the MTV Movie & TV Awards this weekend, the singer dropped a music video for her single "Stay Together," and it's incredibly catchy. Not only do the lyrics about staying up all night make for the perfect Summer jam, but the beat definitely reminds us of a slowed-down version of Miley Cyrus's "Party in the USA." With new music coming from both singers later this year, the world better get ready for a Cyrus takeover.
We Were Pretty Over Unicorns, Until We Laid Eyes on This Unicorn Tamale
Years before the unicorn craze would influence Starbucks and other major brands to put out products inspired by the mythical creature, a small Mexican restaurant in Tlaquepaque did the same. In 2014, Los Mitotes de María created a joyful rainbow dessert tamale meant to celebrate the local LGBTQ community. Now, due to the latest unicorn mania, the specialty menu item is newly trending after being spotted by Mitú.
In a video for Canal 44 in Mexico, chef Alberto Rebolledo shared the making of the bright tamale. Because it's a dessert tamale, the process basically just involves dyeing different buttery fruit pastes with edible food coloring and wrapping them in the traditional corn husk. Ahead, watch Alberto break down the special dessert and enjoy some colorful pictures of it.
Articles
