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.
mardi 9 mai 2017
Teaching Your Kids to Unplug Doesn’t Stop Once They’ve Grown Up
The following post originally appeared on Thrive Global.
Most of the conversation in the media about parenting and screens is about babies and children - how soon is too soon for screens, how much screen time at what age, what kinds of parental monitoring tools are available.
But the challenge of parenting and screens doesn't go away when the kids head to college or leave the nest to start their own adult lives. Even when your kids are grown, as my two daughters are now, screens are still an issue. Your adult children may or may not have a serious romantic relationship, but they'll almost certainly have a committed relationship with technology. And preparing them, guiding them, and giving advice for that relationship is also important. Because whether they're back home visiting or not, the relationship with technology they have is going to be a part of your family.
So bringing a bad relationship with technology into the family can be just as bad as bringing in a disruptive girlfriend or boyfriend - OK, maybe not quite that bad, but still bad!
Giving relationship guidance about technology can be harder than for other relationships, since, in most cases, younger generations are more adept at technology than their parents. But as any parent knows, knowledge isn't the same thing as wisdom. And technology is much better at giving us all what we want than what we need.
My own two daughters are obviously digital natives in a way I'm not, but they were still already teenagers when the iPhone hit the market. So all three of us have learned to navigate the social media ecosystem that has grown up around mobile phones together.
And even if that weren't the case, even if they had grown up in the mobile world and were only just now hitting their teen years, the fundamental principle still applies: that you're transitioning from a period of controlling their technology and mandating rules to one of increasing independence in which you hope you've taught them enough to navigate that relationship in a healthy way.
To borrow from the old proverb: give a child a fish and you've fed her for a day, but teach her that she doesn't always have to Instagram every beautifully prepared plate of fish, and you're feeding her for a lifetime. (Sorry, my two daughters would ask that I insert a rolled-eye emoji here for them).
But the point stands: our technology diet - what we take in, our ability to moderate, knowing the difference between what we really need and what's just going to make us crash - is just as vital to our long-term health and well-being as our food diet. And we wouldn't want to send our young adult children off to make their way in the world with no ability to make their own choices about what will keep them healthy.
And, of course, as any parent who has ever read a parenting book knows, modeling a behavior is the best way to teach - showing rather telling. Which, ironically, is itself easier said than done - especially with technology. After all, technology is just as addictive (by design) for adults as it is for children and teens.
A survey released last year by Common Sense Media found that parents of tweens and teens spend about the same amount of time in front of screens - around nine hours a day - as their children. Over half the parents said they were worried their children might become addicted to the internet, but at the same time, 78 percent thought they were serving as good role models for how to use technology. "So there's a tension there," Michael Robb, director of research for Common Sense Media said.
Tension, of course, being the operative word for parenting at all stages.
But it's true: as hard as it is, the best way to teach your children - adult children included - how to have a healthy relationship with technology is to have one yourself. For some, this might serve as an additional motivator; for others, it might just increase the pressure and guilt of parenting.
The best way to teach your children - adult children included - how to have a healthy relationship with technology is to have one yourself.
One thing that makes it easier when they're adults is that they're most likely already aware of the downsides of how ubiquitous technology is in our lives. They know how everybody looking at their phones during dinner limits conversation and connection. They know what it's like at a concert when everybody's holding up their phones instead of being in the moment and having a common experience. Even if they're also doing these things.
That's how our relationship with technology is now - we're all addicted, even when we know what it's costing us. A 2015 PEW study found that 89 percent of mobile phone owners had used their phone in their last social encounter, but that 82 percent say that when this happens it damages the interaction.
So our relationship with technology is something we're all struggling with. And, as with any relationship, the key is communication and being proactive. If you want a better relationship with technology, be deliberate, talk to your children about it, and take steps to make that happen together. That will also make the habit changes a lot more likely to stick since it's hard to change a habit in isolation.
A few years ago, I decided to do a weeklong unplugging challenge while on a Christmas vacation in Hawaii with my sister, ex-husband (yes, we still vacation together) and daughters. The rules I set up were two email check-ins per day, but that's it. I tried to rope them in, but I had clearly not adequately prepared the case for why we should do this. So I was solo off the grid. It was definitely not easy at first. But, I have to say, by the end of the week, ignoring the urge to take photos of the amazing sunsets, or selfies at the beaches, or Instagrams of our meals, and instead just be in the moment had a powerful effect not just on me but also on them. I felt more connected to them, which meant they felt more connected to me. Though they weren't part of the challenge, they could see the benefits in ways I wouldn't have been able to simply describe to them.
And there are ways to incorporate those benefits short of going on a week-long digital detox. You can mutually agree to a no-phones policy at dinner, for instance. This becomes easier when you're an empty-nester parent because you see your children so much less than you used to, so it's easy to see the benefits of not letting the rest of the world barge in on your time with them.
I've also been successful (mostly, I think) at getting them to adopt my policy of not sleeping with phones in the bedrooms. Our phones are repositories of everything we need to put away to allow our bodies and minds to wind down and sleep - our to-do lists, our inboxes, our anxieties. And young adults have plenty of all three. Plus, putting their phones to bed before they go to bed will serve as good practice for when they have children (more rolled-eye emojis; I don't really tell them that).
The point is that our relationship with technology is a lifelong one, for all of us. And it's something you're going to have very much in common with your adult children. We're all in a period of transition with technology. We're at an inflection point where people are waking up to how much of our time, our attention, and our lives we've ceded to screens. We need to rebuild those barriers - not just around ourselves but our families. That's what makes recalibrating your relationship to technology such a great project to do along with your adult children - the stakes are high and right in front of us.
Teaching Your Kids to Unplug Doesn’t Stop Once They’ve Grown Up
The following post originally appeared on Thrive Global.
Most of the conversation in the media about parenting and screens is about babies and children - how soon is too soon for screens, how much screen time at what age, what kinds of parental monitoring tools are available.
But the challenge of parenting and screens doesn't go away when the kids head to college or leave the nest to start their own adult lives. Even when your kids are grown, as my two daughters are now, screens are still an issue. Your adult children may or may not have a serious romantic relationship, but they'll almost certainly have a committed relationship with technology. And preparing them, guiding them, and giving advice for that relationship is also important. Because whether they're back home visiting or not, the relationship with technology they have is going to be a part of your family.
So bringing a bad relationship with technology into the family can be just as bad as bringing in a disruptive girlfriend or boyfriend - OK, maybe not quite that bad, but still bad!
Giving relationship guidance about technology can be harder than for other relationships, since, in most cases, younger generations are more adept at technology than their parents. But as any parent knows, knowledge isn't the same thing as wisdom. And technology is much better at giving us all what we want than what we need.
My own two daughters are obviously digital natives in a way I'm not, but they were still already teenagers when the iPhone hit the market. So all three of us have learned to navigate the social media ecosystem that has grown up around mobile phones together.
And even if that weren't the case, even if they had grown up in the mobile world and were only just now hitting their teen years, the fundamental principle still applies: that you're transitioning from a period of controlling their technology and mandating rules to one of increasing independence in which you hope you've taught them enough to navigate that relationship in a healthy way.
To borrow from the old proverb: give a child a fish and you've fed her for a day, but teach her that she doesn't always have to Instagram every beautifully prepared plate of fish, and you're feeding her for a lifetime. (Sorry, my two daughters would ask that I insert a rolled-eye emoji here for them).
But the point stands: our technology diet - what we take in, our ability to moderate, knowing the difference between what we really need and what's just going to make us crash - is just as vital to our long-term health and well-being as our food diet. And we wouldn't want to send our young adult children off to make their way in the world with no ability to make their own choices about what will keep them healthy.
And, of course, as any parent who has ever read a parenting book knows, modeling a behavior is the best way to teach - showing rather telling. Which, ironically, is itself easier said than done - especially with technology. After all, technology is just as addictive (by design) for adults as it is for children and teens.
A survey released last year by Common Sense Media found that parents of tweens and teens spend about the same amount of time in front of screens - around nine hours a day - as their children. Over half the parents said they were worried their children might become addicted to the internet, but at the same time, 78 percent thought they were serving as good role models for how to use technology. "So there's a tension there," Michael Robb, director of research for Common Sense Media said.
Tension, of course, being the operative word for parenting at all stages.
But it's true: as hard as it is, the best way to teach your children - adult children included - how to have a healthy relationship with technology is to have one yourself. For some, this might serve as an additional motivator; for others, it might just increase the pressure and guilt of parenting.
The best way to teach your children - adult children included - how to have a healthy relationship with technology is to have one yourself.
One thing that makes it easier when they're adults is that they're most likely already aware of the downsides of how ubiquitous technology is in our lives. They know how everybody looking at their phones during dinner limits conversation and connection. They know what it's like at a concert when everybody's holding up their phones instead of being in the moment and having a common experience. Even if they're also doing these things.
That's how our relationship with technology is now - we're all addicted, even when we know what it's costing us. A 2015 PEW study found that 89 percent of mobile phone owners had used their phone in their last social encounter, but that 82 percent say that when this happens it damages the interaction.
So our relationship with technology is something we're all struggling with. And, as with any relationship, the key is communication and being proactive. If you want a better relationship with technology, be deliberate, talk to your children about it, and take steps to make that happen together. That will also make the habit changes a lot more likely to stick since it's hard to change a habit in isolation.
A few years ago, I decided to do a weeklong unplugging challenge while on a Christmas vacation in Hawaii with my sister, ex-husband (yes, we still vacation together) and daughters. The rules I set up were two email check-ins per day, but that's it. I tried to rope them in, but I had clearly not adequately prepared the case for why we should do this. So I was solo off the grid. It was definitely not easy at first. But, I have to say, by the end of the week, ignoring the urge to take photos of the amazing sunsets, or selfies at the beaches, or Instagrams of our meals, and instead just be in the moment had a powerful effect not just on me but also on them. I felt more connected to them, which meant they felt more connected to me. Though they weren't part of the challenge, they could see the benefits in ways I wouldn't have been able to simply describe to them.
And there are ways to incorporate those benefits short of going on a week-long digital detox. You can mutually agree to a no-phones policy at dinner, for instance. This becomes easier when you're an empty-nester parent because you see your children so much less than you used to, so it's easy to see the benefits of not letting the rest of the world barge in on your time with them.
I've also been successful (mostly, I think) at getting them to adopt my policy of not sleeping with phones in the bedrooms. Our phones are repositories of everything we need to put away to allow our bodies and minds to wind down and sleep - our to-do lists, our inboxes, our anxieties. And young adults have plenty of all three. Plus, putting their phones to bed before they go to bed will serve as good practice for when they have children (more rolled-eye emojis; I don't really tell them that).
The point is that our relationship with technology is a lifelong one, for all of us. And it's something you're going to have very much in common with your adult children. We're all in a period of transition with technology. We're at an inflection point where people are waking up to how much of our time, our attention, and our lives we've ceded to screens. We need to rebuild those barriers - not just around ourselves but our families. That's what makes recalibrating your relationship to technology such a great project to do along with your adult children - the stakes are high and right in front of us.
20 Songs That Will Get You Pumped to Break a Sweat This Summer
It's time to get that body all snatched up and ready for the beach. We are hooking you up with the ultimate playlist to get your heart rate going and the sweat streaming down your face. Working out to these songs will get you in the mood to keep going even when you want to give up. The upbeat tempo of the tracks is all you need to stay motivated - plus, adding a little dance break in between moves will keep the calories burning. Get ready to get your heart rate pumping by listening to Enrique Iglesias, Daddy Yankee, and many more.
7 Questions to Ask Yourself (and Answer Honestly!) Before Buying a Home
Growing up, each of us was taught one lesson that we never forgot: becoming a homeowner is the ultimate American dream. As kids, we assumed that owning a home meant that you're mature, capable of being financially independent, and ready to start your family.
But eventually, we grew up - which shortly led to the realization that life is expensive and homes are, well, even more expensive. Reality Bites isn't just some '90s rom-com, it's also your mind coming to grips with the fact that you need to be ready to buy a six-figure property.
It's easy to say you need to be ready, but what does that even mean?
For a couple of years, I was anti-home-ownership forever. I figured, "Why should I buy a home that may or may not increase in value when I could rent for less and put the extra income I was saving toward investments?" I mean, wouldn't I be better off continuing to rent? I'd be avoiding stressors, like potential repairs, increases in mortgage rates, real estate crashes - the list goes on and on.
So why did I have a sudden change of heart? Was it our leaky fridge, the lack of office space, or the fact that our dinner table sits on white carpet? (I mean, who puts white carpet in an eating area?! How can I trust myself with red wine? Answer: I can't.)
I had to admit, it would be nice to come home to:
- An office.
- A guest bedroom for when friends and family visit from out of town.
- A backyard for my niece to play in.
- A backyard for my future adorable puppies to play in.
- A large enough space to entertain.
- My own everything. Me. Mine. Oh, and my husband's. I guess.
It was time for me to start looking at whether home ownership was something I could truly afford, both financially and mentally. That's when I broke out the checklist. I asked myself the following tough questions to consider when it comes to home ownership. Do you know your answers?
The 5 Biggest Cliffhangers From 13 Reasons Why Season 1
Major spoilers for 13 Reasons Why below!
If you were one of the many, many people who binged 13 Reasons Why on Netflix, 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 may be wrapped up now that season two is on the way. Let's take a minute to reflect on the biggest questions season one leaves us with.
8 Ways Anyone Can Make Running Feel Easier
Running can be an endorphin-loaded energy boost to your day with just a little creativity and willingness to experiment. If your runs feel sluggish, uncomfortable, or just too difficult, it may be time to try something new.
1. Meditate
If you've been looking for a reason to meditate, this is it. Meditation is all about controlling and observing your breath. Often a run feels difficult because the breath is out of sync. A short meditation to visualize your run before you head outdoors will help you return to an effortless breathing pattern when a run starts to feel difficult, making the rest of your run far easier and more comfortable.
2. Fuel Properly and Cautiously
Nothing derails a run faster than stomach cramps or the sudden sprint to find a public restroom or quiet, tree-lined corner of the fitness trail! Avoid an unnecessary pit stop by fueling cautiously by your run. You can enjoy a healthy snack of easily digestible carbs, but avoid anything that looks, smells, or tastes like grease or junk.
3. Get the Gear That Fits Your Body and Goals
The right pair of shoes and gear can make all the difference in the quality and comfort of your run. Take the time to visit your local running store for customized advice on the shape of your foot and your mileage goals. Having the right gear not only makes running easier but also keeps your feet happy and healthy.
4. Sign Up For a Race
If you want to be a runner but have a hard time motivating yourself to hit the pavement, it's probably time to sign up for a race. Whether you run a local race and discover the local running community or pick a destination race that lets you experience a new place, adding a race to your calendar may reignite a passion for running. If you don't feel ready to race, consider volunteering to support a local charity race. Just being around runners can be motivating!
5. Find Your Distraction
If your standard playlist is getting stale, consider experimenting with podcasts or audiobooks for longer runs. Getting wrapped up in a murder mystery or an inspirational audiobook might distract you enough that the miles fly by with less effort. No matter what audio distraction you choose, keep the volume low enough that you can remain alert to your surroundings and traffic on your route.
6. Roll It Out
According to Natalie Carey, a certified personal trainer at DIAKADI in San Francisco, CA, runners should be foam rolling after every single run. During a run, microtears form in the muscles. It's not as scary as it sounds, according to Carey, but is perfectly normal. Improper running form can lead to microtears healing imperfectly, causing knots to form in the muscles runners most rely upon. Foam rolling breaks up the knots and allows the muscles to hear properly, leaving them stronger than before.
Carey advises her running clients to use the foam for 15 to 30 minutes after a run, and to make use of their time by foam rolling while watching television. If you're pinched for time, make sure you at least roll out your IT band, the muscle that runs on the side of your leg from your glutes to your knees. That one simple move could eliminate most of the recurring running injuries that keep runners sidelined.
7. Celebrate Every New Milestone
Some days you celebrate a PR or a marathon finish line, some days you celebrate running a mile in the rain. Whatever your level of fitness or whatever your long-term goals might be, there's something to celebrate in every run. Some days you may just celebrate the fact that you went for a run instead of hitting happy hour!
8. Run More
Sorry, but the harsh reality is that you simply have to keep running for running to get easier. The more you run, the more efficient your body becomes at the process. Your legs will get stronger, your mind will be tougher, and your lungs will become more efficient. Some day you'll realize that what was once your goal distance is now your warm up.
20 Songs That Will Get You Pumped to Break a Sweat This Summer
It's time to get that body all snatched up and ready for the beach. We are hooking you up with the ultimate playlist to get your heart rate going and the sweat streaming down your face. Working out to these songs will get you in the mood to keep going even when you want to give up. The upbeat tempo of the tracks is all you need to stay motivated - plus, adding a little dance break in between moves will keep the calories burning. Get ready to get your heart rate pumping by listening to Enrique Iglesias, Daddy Yankee, and many more.
This 2-Year-Old Survived After Being Knowingly Left in a Hot Car, but It's Not a Happy Ending
If you've seen one video of a baby being rescued after being left in a scorching hot car, you've seen one too many. So when a YouTube video from the scene of a similar rescue in New Jersey was posted last night, we almost didn't want to watch. But we did, and so should you. Why?
Because as long as it keeps happening, we - not just moms or dads or grandparents - need to be reminded about the very real consequences. Because although this video had a "good ending," as one commenter noted, we can't help but wonder if "good" is the best description. Yes, the 2-year-old boy left inside a minivan on a hot July day in a Costco parking lot survived. Police noted that he was drenched in sweat, and when the mother - who, judging by the vehicle's windows being rolled down an inch, knowingly left the toddler - returned to the car with another child and a full cart of groceries, all she said was "sorry."
Chaeyoung Lim-Kim was arrested and charged with child endangerment and released on her own recognizance. Her son was taken to the hospital and is now in the custody of his father. This family's life has been turned upside down.
So if any "good" can come from this, let it be that you will always remember your baby in the backseat and that you will always, always stop to help a child in danger.
8 Ways Anyone Can Make Running Feel Easier
Running can be an endorphin-loaded energy boost to your day with just a little creativity and willingness to experiment. If your runs feel sluggish, uncomfortable, or just too difficult, it may be time to try something new.
1. Meditate
If you've been looking for a reason to meditate, this is it. Meditation is all about controlling and observing your breath. Often a run feels difficult because the breath is out of sync. A short meditation to visualize your run before you head outdoors will help you return to an effortless breathing pattern when a run starts to feel difficult, making the rest of your run far easier and more comfortable.
2. Fuel Properly and Cautiously
Nothing derails a run faster than stomach cramps or the sudden sprint to find a public restroom or quiet, tree-lined corner of the fitness trail! Avoid an unnecessary pit stop by fueling cautiously by your run. You can enjoy a healthy snack of easily digestible carbs, but avoid anything that looks, smells, or tastes like grease or junk.
3. Get the Gear That Fits Your Body and Goals
The right pair of shoes and gear can make all the difference in the quality and comfort of your run. Take the time to visit your local running store for customized advice on the shape of your foot and your mileage goals. Having the right gear not only makes running easier but also keeps your feet happy and healthy.
4. Sign Up For a Race
If you want to be a runner but have a hard time motivating yourself to hit the pavement, it's probably time to sign up for a race. Whether you run a local race and discover the local running community or pick a destination race that lets you experience a new place, adding a race to your calendar may reignite a passion for running. If you don't feel ready to race, consider volunteering to support a local charity race. Just being around runners can be motivating!
5. Find Your Distraction
If your standard playlist is getting stale, consider experimenting with podcasts or audiobooks for longer runs. Getting wrapped up in a murder mystery or an inspirational audiobook might distract you enough that the miles fly by with less effort. No matter what audio distraction you choose, keep the volume low enough that you can remain alert to your surroundings and traffic on your route.
6. Roll It Out
According to Natalie Carey, a certified personal trainer at DIAKADI in San Francisco, CA, runners should be foam rolling after every single run. During a run, microtears form in the muscles. It's not as scary as it sounds, according to Carey, but is perfectly normal. Improper running form can lead to microtears healing imperfectly, causing knots to form in the muscles runners most rely upon. Foam rolling breaks up the knots and allows the muscles to hear properly, leaving them stronger than before.
Carey advises her running clients to use the foam for 15 to 30 minutes after a run, and to make use of their time by foam rolling while watching television. If you're pinched for time, make sure you at least roll out your IT band, the muscle that runs on the side of your leg from your glutes to your knees. That one simple move could eliminate most of the recurring running injuries that keep runners sidelined.
7. Celebrate Every New Milestone
Some days you celebrate a PR or a marathon finish line, some days you celebrate running a mile in the rain. Whatever your level of fitness or whatever your long-term goals might be, there's something to celebrate in every run. Some days you may just celebrate the fact that you went for a run instead of hitting happy hour!
8. Run More
Sorry, but the harsh reality is that you simply have to keep running for running to get easier. The more you run, the more efficient your body becomes at the process. Your legs will get stronger, your mind will be tougher, and your lungs will become more efficient. Some day you'll realize that what was once your goal distance is now your warm up.
This 2-Year-Old Survived After Being Knowingly Left in a Hot Car, but It's Not a Happy Ending
If you've seen one video of a baby being rescued after being left in a scorching hot car, you've seen one too many. So when a YouTube video from the scene of a similar rescue in New Jersey was posted last night, we almost didn't want to watch. But we did, and so should you. Why?
Because as long as it keeps happening, we - not just moms or dads or grandparents - need to be reminded about the very real consequences. Because although this video had a "good ending," as one commenter noted, we can't help but wonder if "good" is the best description. Yes, the 2-year-old boy left inside a minivan on a hot July day in a Costco parking lot survived. Police noted that he was drenched in sweat, and when the mother - who, judging by the vehicle's windows being rolled down an inch, knowingly left the toddler - returned to the car with another child and a full cart of groceries, all she said was "sorry."
Chaeyoung Lim-Kim was arrested and charged with child endangerment and released on her own recognizance. Her son was taken to the hospital and is now in the custody of his father. This family's life has been turned upside down.
So if any "good" can come from this, let it be that you will always remember your baby in the backseat and that you will always, always stop to help a child in danger.
These Are 23 of the Hottest Beauty Launches For May 2017
As you shop for Mother's Day gifts this month, make sure to pick up some beauty swag for yourself. May is bringing us tons of fantastic hair care, skin care, and makeup launches - from a sunscreen mousse to an edgy perfume (that comes in a skull-embossed case) and an ice-cream-inspired lip gloss. Keep reading to see which items POPSUGAR editors are loving and using right now.
Unproven homeopathic remedies for kids still promising relief despite new label rules
Two years after Marketplace exposed how Health Canada was approving children's homeopathic remedies that promise relief from for cough, cold and other ailments without any evidence to back up the claims, the government’s promised crackdown is hard to spot on drugstore shelves.
Refugees once again have full health benefits, but some practitioners still don't know that
It's been over a year since the Trudeau government reversed cuts to refugee health care. Some still aren't getting the services they need.
The Queen Reportedly Wants Harry and William to Do Less "Soul-Baring" to the Press
As Prince Philip preps for retirement this Fall, Queen Elizabeth II is setting some ground rules for the rest of the royal family, especially Prince William and Prince Harry. According to the Sunday Times, the queen has suggested that her grandsons put more emphasis on state duties. Over the past few months, the royal brothers have opened up about the death of their mother, Princess Diana, as part of the Heads Together mental health campaign, but a royal source claims that "soul-baring" isn't what Buckingham Palace wants from them. "The direct impact [of Prince Philip's retirement] will be that the Cambridges will be expected to step up and undertake more state business and do less of their campaign work." We, for one, think the younger royals are doing a great job decreasing the stigma surrounding mental illness and ultimately carrying on their mother's legacy.
How Nikki Bella's Life Has Changed Since Getting Engaged to John Cena
Nikki Bella is looking forward to walking down the aisle with John Cena. The WWE wrestler got engaged to her longtime love last month, and she recently told E! News how her life has changed since becoming engaged. "It does feel different because I guess now there's a sense of security," she said. "I feel like I have a bigger smile and I'm like, 'Yeah I'm taken.'" Despite John's previous protests against marriage, Nikki revealed, "He told me the other day, 'You know Nicole, I never thought like I would have done this again, but I know I'm gonna be with you forever.'"
Nikki also touched on their relationship, saying, "We're best friends. We literally love to just hang out together and have drinks or go swimming." As far as the wedding goes, Nikki said she's going for "classic bride . . . black-tie wedding," adding, "I'm just happy to be marrying my best friend." Could these two be any cuter?
Kit Harington and Rose Leslie Have Had It With Winter, Strip Down in Greece
Kit Harington (aka Jon Snow) has clearly had enough of Winter because he recently whisked girlfriend Rose Leslie away for a sunny vacation in Santorini, Greece. On Thursday, the Game of Thrones actor was spotted taking a quick dip in his hotel pool before toweling off and heading out for a day of sightseeing with Rose on a pair of ATVs. The two looked adorable in their matching helmets and sunglasses and appeared to be making the most of their time on the beautiful island.
Kit and Rose have been keeping a low profile as of late, though they did attend the Olivier Awards in London last month (the place where they made their romance red carpet official in 2015). Kit is currently busy filming BBC's new drama Gunpowder and recently wrapped up filming for Game of Thrones' seventh season (which premieres on July 17), while Rose plays the lead role in The Good Wife's spinoff, The Good Fight, so it makes sense that they'd want to take a break and spend some quality time together.
Why One Mom Empowered Her Daughter to Dress Herself
I loved dressing my baby girl in sweet little onesies. I chose colors I liked, patterns that struck me as cool and not baby clichés, and I put her in the occasional dress-and-bloomers combo because, really, is there anything cuter?
But by the time she was 3, this girl had her own taste. It wasn't classic, it wasn't practical, but it was distinct. And I figured out that it wasn't my place to deny her. I'm doing my best to raise my daughter to trust her inner voice and understand her individual power - how could I do that if I nixed her clothing picks?
I decided that as long as what she chose was weather appropriate, I was game. I put the out-of-season stuff up high so it wasn't even an option, and she was free to rifle through drawers to her heart's content. She's 5 now, and she picks out her own clothes regularly. Even though it's just fashion, it feels like an early place for her to take a stand and find her voice. And luckily, the styles she loves are comfy to wear, easy to wash, and durable even through the most active play days.
How Nikki Bella's Life Has Changed Since Getting Engaged to John Cena
Nikki Bella is looking forward to walking down the aisle with John Cena. The WWE wrestler got engaged to her longtime love last month, and she recently told E! News how her life has changed since becoming engaged. "It does feel different because I guess now there's a sense of security," she said. "I feel like I have a bigger smile and I'm like, 'Yeah I'm taken.'" Despite John's previous protests against marriage, Nikki revealed, "He told me the other day, 'You know Nicole, I never thought like I would have done this again, but I know I'm gonna be with you forever.'"
Nikki also touched on their relationship, saying, "We're best friends. We literally love to just hang out together and have drinks or go swimming." As far as the wedding goes, Nikki said she's going for "classic bride . . . black-tie wedding," adding, "I'm just happy to be marrying my best friend." Could these two be any cuter?
Jason Momoa Bikes on the Beach, Because He Can Do Whatever the F*ck He Wants
Jason Momoa has been busy filming Aquaman in Australia lately, and ironically, our thirst for the star continues to grow with every new photo we see of him. After stepping out shirtless and showing off his insane muscles with his equally large trainer, the father of two squeezed in a little personal time on Saturday. Jason hit the beach in a less-than-typical sense when he rode a bike around the sand and snapped a few photos of the beautiful water. Since the actor is so large and sexy, seeing him be at one with nature and taking in Australia's beautiful scenery is kind of a hilarious sight to behold. If he were to post his personal photos of the beach on Instagram, we imagine the captions being something along the lines of, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it," or, "All I need are some tasty waves and a cool buzz, and I'm fine."
Jimmy Kimmel Gives an Update on His Newborn Son's Heart Condition
After revealing that his newborn son William is battling a serious heart condition, Jimmy Kimmel returned to his late-night show on Monday night with some good news to share. Billy is "doing very well," eating, sleeping, and getting bigger. He also thanked those who made donations to the Children's Hospital Los Angeles following his monologue, but also called out those who "had not-so-nice things to say online." "I can't even count the number of times I've been called an 'out of touch Hollywood elitist, creep' this week," he said. "Which, I have to say, I kind of appreciate because, when I was a kid, we had to drink powdered milk because we couldn't afford the liquid variety. Our orange juice came frozen out of a can, it would squeeze out."
Jimmy previously stated that that Billy underwent one of likely three open-heart surgeries a few days after he was born on April 21, and that he had to be hooked up to numerous IVs after the procedure. His wife, Molly McNearney, also spoke out by sharing a precious snap of Jimmy and Billy on Twitter, writing, "I am thankful to love and be loved by these two brave guys. Both criers." We're happy to hear Billy is doing better!
26 Adorable Beauty Products to Pick Up on Your Next Forever 21 Trip
You probably already head to Forever 21 when you want affordable and on-trend clothes, but you might be neglecting one of the best areas of the store: the beauty section. The fast-fashion retailer has been seriously upping its beauty game in recent years, adding sheet masks, K-beauty products, and affordable brands that you already love (like NYX and E.L.F.!) to its selection.
Recently, there have even been rumors of the chain considering opening free-standing beauty stores, solidifying the brand's foray into beauty girls' hearts. Next time you're heading to your favorite store, don't overlook the goodies ahead.
Jimmy Kimmel Gives an Update on His Newborn Son's Heart Condition
After revealing that his newborn son William is battling a serious heart condition, Jimmy Kimmel returned to his late-night show on Monday night with some good news to share. Billy is "doing very well," eating, sleeping, and getting bigger. He also thanked those who made donations to the Children's Hospital Los Angeles following his monologue, but also called out those who "had not-so-nice things to say online." "I can't even count the number of times I've been called an 'out of touch Hollywood elitist, creep' this week," he said. "Which, I have to say, I kind of appreciate because, when I was a kid, we had to drink powdered milk because we couldn't afford the liquid variety. Our orange juice came frozen out of a can, it would squeeze out."
Jimmy previously stated that that Billy underwent one of likely three open-heart surgeries a few days after he was born on April 21, and that he had to be hooked up to numerous IVs after the procedure. His wife, Molly McNearney, also spoke out by sharing a precious snap of Jimmy and Billy on Twitter, writing, "I am thankful to love and be loved by these two brave guys. Both criers." We're happy to hear Billy is doing better!
The Meaning Behind That Tiny Jar Symbol on All of Your Beauty Products
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Emily Faulstitch
Sadly, beauty products are not immortal. In case you didn't know, makeup and skincare products have varying shelf lives. It's important to know their respective expiration dates so that you don't end up wasting your time with a dud or - even worse - irritating your skin. Fortunately, most brands will let you know exactly when a product expires thanks to a handy symbol you might not have known about.
On each beauty product, you can find a tiny little jar symbol with a number on it. That jar is referred to as the "period after opening" symbol, and it indicates how many months you can safely use a product after opening it. Is your mind blown yet?
The European Commission made the symbol mandatory in 2003, however, the United States currently does not require all cosmetics to state the expiration date via the PAO symbol. That being said, the Food and Drug Administration does encourage it. In a statement online, the FDA explained, "Manufacturers are responsible for making sure their products are safe. FDA considers determining a product's shelf life to be part of the manufacturer's responsibility."
So next time you find yourself questioning whether a product is past its prime, just look out for that tiny jar to know for certain.
14 Chic Beauty Vanities For Absolute Decor Minimalists
Every beauty-lover deserves a space to leisurely apply their makeup, unwind, and call their happy place. Whether you're dreaming of a glamorous white number or you favor a wooden bohemian vibe, there are stylish vanities out there for makeup mavens of all styles.
We've scoured Instagram for the chicest vanities that will inspire you to create the beauty battle station of your dreams. But these are not over-the-top beauty corners; these are organized sections - perfect for the minimalist. (We bet these folks read the KonMari method.)
Read on to see the glamorous makeup stations!
Dove's Viral New Campaign Features Body Washes Shaped Like Curvy Women
Dove! It's just like . . . us? In the iconic drugstore brand's latest #RealBeauty campaign, it features a lineup of body washes that oddly resemble the Kardashians. Seriously. Dove creative pros have made over the packaging of its famous shower essential to look like women's bodies. All bodies. All sizes. All shapes. You get the idea.
"From curvaceous to slender, tall to petite, and whatever your skin color, shoe size or hair type, beauty comes in a million different shapes and sizes," read a statement on dove.com. "Our six exclusive bottle designs represent this diversity: just like women, we wanted to show that our iconic bottle can come in all shapes and sizes, too."
After the pros behind Dove conducted a Global Beauty and Confidence Report, it revealed that "one in two women feels social media puts pressure on them to look a certain way." Hopefully these kitschy body wash bottles will offer a reminder to be comfortable in your (hydrated!) skin.
Sorry to Break Your Heart, but Harry Styles Is Reportedly Off the Market
It appears love is in the air for Harry Styles. According to People, the "Sign of the Times" singer is reportedly dating UK chef and blogger Tess Ward. Harry's rep declined to comment to People, but The Sun claims "there was an instant spark between" Harry and Tess when they first met. "They really bonded over their mutual love of quirky fashion and food – and things turned romantic quickly."
Tess is a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, and she released her first book, The Naked Diet, in 2015. The UK publication also reported that the couple met through Harry's stylist Lou Teasdale and has "been on a number of dates while Harry has been in London." He's even "introduced Tess to some of his close friends." While Harry told Nick Grimshaw on BBC Radio 1 last month that he's been single for more than a year, the two were spotted driving around London together over the weekend. Harry previously dated Taylor Swift and Kendall Jenner.
Sorry to Break Your Heart, but Harry Styles Is Reportedly Off the Market
It appears love is in the air for Harry Styles. According to People, the "Sign of the Times" singer is reportedly dating UK chef and blogger Tess Ward. Harry's rep declined to comment to People, but The Sun claims "there was an instant spark between" Harry and Tess when they first met. "They really bonded over their mutual love of quirky fashion and food – and things turned romantic quickly."
Tess is a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, and she released her first book, The Naked Diet, in 2015. The UK publication also reported that the couple met through Harry's stylist Lou Teasdale and has "been on a number of dates while Harry has been in London." He's even "introduced Tess to some of his close friends." While Harry told Nick Grimshaw on BBC Radio 1 last month that he's been single for more than a year, the two were spotted driving around London together over the weekend. Harry previously dated Taylor Swift and Kendall Jenner.
Is Once Upon a Time Ending? Here's What We Know
Once Upon a Time could be reaching its final chapter. As the fairy-tale drama approaches its season six finale on Sunday, the two-hour episode - ominously titled "The Final Battle" - could also serve as the series finale. With the uncertainty of a season seven renewal, showrunners Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz have assured fans that the episode will offer closure. Not only will it wrap up the main storyline, but it will also tie up any loose ends from this past season. "We understand that this could be the last year," Kitsis told Entertainment Weekly. "We feel like we completed this story and the next chapter of Once Upon a Time will be completely different."
Completely different, indeed. Earlier this year, ABC Chief Channing Dungey explained that the series would take a new direction from a narrative standpoint, if renewed. Aside from hitting "the reset button" on the story, some of our favorite characters could be leaving as well. "We've been telling a story for six years now for these characters and now we're trying to complete that story, but that doesn't mean they don't have other stories," Horowitz added. Even though Jennifer Morrison will not be back as a regular, she has agreed to appear in one episode if the series is renewed.
So, how will the show continue without its main heroine? Some fans think the "new direction" could signal a significant time jump. In fact, many people have theorized that the finale's mysterious guest-star, Andrew J. West, will actually play an adult Henry. According to EW, The Walking Dead alum is set to appear in the last episode with "the potential for more" if the show is renewed. While details about his character are scarce, TVLine recently reported the series was looking to cast a man who "once was optimistic but has since become a cynical recluse." Perhaps something happens in the final battle that makes Henry lose hope. It certainly be one of the show's biggest twists . . . yet.
Cara Delevingne Is Rocking a New Tattoo on the Back of Her Shaved Head
Since mega model Cara Delevingne shaved her head, everyone has been talking about it . . . like how she dyed it silver for the Met Gala. And while that fantasy red carpet moment was awesome, what she did for the MTV Movie and TV Awards is something more wearable.
Cara got a large but fashion-forward "tattoo" designed on the back of her head for the award show. The look was created by hairstylist Mara Roszak, who said on Instagram: "I am in awe of this incredible creature. The beautiful #CaraDelevingne with a little head design drawn by me."
The geometric head tattoo perfectly complements the boho real ink art she has on the back of her neck. It also adds spice to, well, a plain shaved head. A deep, burgundy lip and her signature bold eyebrows pulled together the downtown vibe from the front.
All you need to try this at home is a friend with some artistic skills and longwear, waterproof eyeliner pencil!
Debra Messing Calls Out Ivanka Trump: "It's Time to Do Something"
Debra Messing isn't done resisting Donald Trump's contentious presidency. The Will and Grace actress delivered a moving - albeit hilarious - acceptance speech at the 28th annual GLAAD Media Awards on Saturday and addressed the "very bad, and very orange man in our White House . . . at least a few days a month," she joked.
Messing, who took home GLAAD's Excellence in Media Award, called on all Americans to resist Trump's controversial policies and even urged them to text the Congressional switchboard in Washington DC. "Don't be shy, I know all of your cell phones are open because you've been taking selfies all night," she quipped.
Messing then spoke directly to Ivanka Trump, whom she referred to as "the secretary of state," saying, "It is not enough to simply say that women's issues are important to you. It's time to do something." Watch her full nine-minute acceptance speech above to hear her empowering call for action that will inspire you.
11 ColourPop Makeup Products Everyone Should Own - and Can Afford!
If you're new to ColourPop, the beauty brand's site can be a little overwhelming. Since launching in 2014, the crazy-affordable brand has expanded its line to offer creamy and matte lipsticks, pigmented eye shadows, shimmery highlighters, and more - yep, way more. With product prices ranging from $5 to $6 for most individual products and up to $35 for some sets, it's also easy to buy in bulk. There are even reoccurring sales! So where do you start? Take a deep breath and keep reading to see which products you should add to cart.
Asia Kate Dillon Is the Change-Maker the Beauty Industry Needs
In a Donald Trump presidency era, where many social issues seem to be moving backwards in time, it's more important than ever to celebrate the change-makers breaking barriers. Actor Asia Kate Dillon is one of those leaders, whose initiatives to normalize nonbinary gender identity in Hollywood are rewriting history. (FYI, nonbinary gender means a person is not exclusively male or female and would usually use the pronoun "they" instead of "him" or "her.")
Asia is credited for playing the first genderqueer character in a mainstream TV show for their role of Taylor Mason in Showtime's Billions. Off-screen, Asia also identifies as genderfluid.
"My assigned sex is Female," Asia recently clarified on Twitter. "My gender identity is Non-binary. Anatomy and biology are complicated. I said sex, only as in anatomy . . . Sex is between legs. Identity is between ears."
This year, Asia made headlines when they submitted their name for an Emmy Award and choose "actor" instead of "actress," because the former is a more gender-neutral word. The public move to push gender boundaries prompted MTV to combine previously male-and-female-separated categories at the MTV Awards, and Asia will take the stage to present the award for best actor in a movie.
"I'm proud of MTV for joining the conversation about breaking down binaries," Asia told W. "Binaries, whether it be man or woman or black or white, they were created to separate us, to create an us and a them. Without binaries, there's only us. Which means we're actually all equal. So to be presenting the first acting award in history that is based solely on performance and not on sex or gender identity is a historic moment and it's a moment that will go down in history, and that is a history I share not only with my family, friends and coworkers, but with all the trans, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people, particularly people of color, who have been leading the way for change long before I was born."
But that is not the only reason we want to watch Asia. They're also a beauty inspiration - rocking a badass shaved head, seriously gorgeous eyebrows, flawless skin, and unique tattoos. If their career keeps up (Asia has also appeared in Orange Is the New Black, Younger, and Master of None), landing a beauty campaign is only a matter of time. Oh, and if you were wondering, Asia told Ellen DeGeneres their romantic partner identifies as male.
Keep reading to see more reasons why Asia is our latest beauty idol.
27 Editor-Approved Lip Balms You Need in Your Collection
Chapstick. Lip balm. Salve. Life-saving, pout-perfecting nectar of the gods. Call it what you want, but there's no debating it's the one item I refuse to leave my apartment without. Seriously, sometimes I even accidentally hustle out the door sans my phone and keys, but you bet your ass I've got my trusty Baby Lips stashed safely in my purse. I knew I wasn't the only one with an unquenchable balm obsession addiction, so I reached out to my fellow editorial team members to see what they had to say about the beauty essential.
Not so surprisingly, I was bombarded with a load of emails claiming their go-to choices were "the best." From drugstore classics to more high-end formulas, the suggested products are all perfectly qualified candidates for keeping your lips soft, smooth, and moisturized all day long. Read on to find the newest addition to your endless collection of lip balms.
Is Copper the Eye Shadow Color of the Summer? This Trendy Palette Suggests So
Natasha Denona worked as a makeup artist at both the editorial and celebrity level for over a decade before launching her own eponymous makeup line - so you know her stuff is legit. Though she's known for her extensive eye shadow palettes, you might also recognize her popular Face Glow Cream Shimmer, which has a coveted five-star rating on Sephora. Now, Natasha is launching a gorgeous, summery palette that's been met with much excitement.
The Sunset Eyeshadow Palette consists of 15 different shades that range from copper, warm brown, burnt orange, and more. The shadows also vary in their finishes, with some of them being matte and others having a glittery metallic finish.
Now, this palette is definitely a splurge. At $129, it is pricier than other eye shadow palettes. The quality and range of shades, however, do make it a worthwhile investment if you're looking to find that one product to transform your makeup collection this Summer. Ahead, scope out the product before its official launch on May 12.
Al Franken Shut Down Bill O'Reilly Back in 2003 and It's Just So Satisfying
Before Google, it was a lot easier to lie about your success and get away with it. But if you're Bill O'Reilly and Al Franken is on your case, it wasn't so simple. Back in 2003, then-comedian Al Franken was promoting his satirical book about the conservative media, Lies: And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right and he happened to share the stage with O'Reilly at BookExpo.
The clip begins with O'Reilly aptly explaining how he didn't have to "retract one story" throughout his six and a half years on The O'Reilly Factor. "If I'm going to be accused of being a liar, now you better have something there," said O'Reilly.
Well, as it turns out, Franken did have ample evidence to proclaim O'Reilly a liar - and he does it on stage, right in front of a fuming O'Reilly. Taking the stage after O'Reilly's remarks, Franken described how he heard O'Reilly repeatedly laud his then-show, Inside Edition, for winning three Peabody Awards. O'Reilly was defending the show from being labeled as "tabloid TV." Franken, astounded by Inside Edition's journalism achievements, decided to investigate.
"So I go to the Peabody website and look for Inside Edition Peabody Awards and there aren't any," Franken explained. "Then I call the Peabody people and I said, 'Did you guys give Inside Edition a Peabody?' and there was some laughter."
After following a lengthy trail of sources, Franken discovered that neither O'Reilly nor Inside Edition ever won a Peabody. Inside Edition did win another journalism award, the Polk Award, a year after O'Reilly left however. "Usually I find that if you find someone made a mistake, if you ask them to correct it, they do correct it," Franken joked. "Not in this society anymore. So Bill, I'm sorry to call you one of the many people who do lie in my book."
"See, this is why you don't retract things," Franken bashed. "You just continuously lie." When Franken's comments conclude, O'Reilly attempts to defend himself by silencing Franken, there's a brief spat, and it's clear Franken has gotten under O'Reilly's skin: he's only capable of responding by telling Franken to "shut up."
It's also clear that Franken has a point: pundits, particularly on the far right, have long manipulated information when it benefits them or their cause. Alternative facts are not new; they simply have a new name.
See the Faces of Huda Kattan, Manny MUA, and Jeffree Star Drawn as Swatch Art
When we learned that these incredibly realistic portraits of beauty bloggers were created entirely out of makeup, we had to pick our jaw up off the floor. Known as Lanaartisry on her social media channels, Lana is a self-taught makeup artist from Australia who is amazing makeup mavens everywhere with her artistic talent.
Lana uses a base of concealer to start her impressive portraits, which she paints on her arm. She then adds shading with pencil and a variety of colored cosmetics to fill in eye and hair color, as well as applying makeup to the drawn blogger's face. The results are eerily realistic, and Lana even has been reposted by a few of the bloggers she's drawn.
Although Lana has only recently started her blogger portrait series, they're amazing to look at, and we hope she continues making these beautiful pieces of artwork for us to admire.
Nicki Minaj Just Became a Real-Life Fairy Godmother and Offered to Pay Fans' School Tuition
Nicki Minaj is paying it forward . . . literally. On Saturday, the rapper struck up a deal with a few of her fans on Twitter that she would pay part of their school tuition and loans if they could provide proof of their good grades. Nicki was originally answering questions about a lip-syncing contest surrounding her "Regret in Your Tears" music video when a fan asked if she would pay her college tuition.
Show me straight A's that I can verify w/ur school and I'll pay it. Who wants to join THAT contest?!?!🤷🏽♀️ Dead serious. Shld I set it up? https://t.co/czH715u64a
- NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) May 7, 2017
It didn't take long for the requests to start pouring in, and Nicki happily obliged. Among the many fans to catch her attention were an immigrant, a student with no family support and a minimum-wage job, and a fellow Queens, NY, native with a single mother. According to TMZ, at least two people have already received payments from the "Super Bass" singer.
U want to go to college but can't? How much do u need to get u in school? Is that the only thing stopping u? https://t.co/A3mYQHgPNX
- NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) May 7, 2017
If u give me a 4.0 then I'll keep my end of the bargain. https://t.co/Esqs9rwfPn
- NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) May 7, 2017
Done. Dm https://t.co/8Fb8laOoyP
- NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) May 7, 2017
Got u https://t.co/TMlEx5H5Gk
- NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) May 7, 2017
After generously dropping more than $20,000, the rapper called it a night, adding that she might do it again in the near future. Nicki is a saint, you guys.
Ok u guys. It's been fun. Let me make those payments tmrw then see if I have any money left😂. I'll do some more in a month or 2. 😘😘😘💋💋💋💕💕🎀🎀🎀
- NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) May 7, 2017
Al Franken Shut Down Bill O'Reilly Back in 2003 and It's Just So Satisfying
Before Google, it was a lot easier to lie about your success and get away with it. But if you're Bill O'Reilly and Al Franken is on your case, it wasn't so simple. Back in 2003, then-comedian Al Franken was promoting his satirical book about the conservative media, Lies: And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right and he happened to share the stage with O'Reilly at BookExpo.
The clip begins with O'Reilly aptly explaining how he didn't have to "retract one story" throughout his six and a half years on The O'Reilly Factor. "If I'm going to be accused of being a liar, now you better have something there," said O'Reilly.
Well, as it turns out, Franken did have ample evidence to proclaim O'Reilly a liar - and he does it on stage, right in front of a fuming O'Reilly. Taking the stage after O'Reilly's remarks, Franken described how he heard O'Reilly repeatedly laud his then-show, Inside Edition, for winning three Peabody Awards. O'Reilly was defending the show from being labeled as "tabloid TV." Franken, astounded by Inside Edition's journalism achievements, decided to investigate.
"So I go to the Peabody website and look for Inside Edition Peabody Awards and there aren't any," Franken explained. "Then I call the Peabody people and I said, 'Did you guys give Inside Edition a Peabody?' and there was some laughter."
After following a lengthy trail of sources, Franken discovered that neither O'Reilly nor Inside Edition ever won a Peabody. Inside Edition did win another journalism award, the Polk Award, a year after O'Reilly left however. "Usually I find that if you find someone made a mistake, if you ask them to correct it, they do correct it," Franken joked. "Not in this society anymore. So Bill, I'm sorry to call you one of the many people who do lie in my book."
"See, this is why you don't retract things," Franken bashed. "You just continuously lie." When Franken's comments conclude, O'Reilly attempts to defend himself by silencing Franken, there's a brief spat, and it's clear Franken has gotten under O'Reilly's skin: he's only capable of responding by telling Franken to "shut up."
It's also clear that Franken has a point: pundits, particularly on the far right, have long manipulated information when it benefits them or their cause. Alternative facts are not new; they simply have a new name.
10 Things to Know About 13 Reasons Why's Christian Navarro, aka Tony
Christian Navarro is the up-and-coming actor stealing our hearts right now. The 25-year-old plays the part of Tony in Netflix's hit 13 Reasons Why, and we are in love with him just as much as you are.
Tony might be a very mysterious character on the Selena Gomez-produced show, but we are cracking the door wide open on the man who plays him. With only little Instagram stalking on Christian, we learned everything you need to know about your new crush. Keep scrolling to learn more about this hottie and what he's all about.
The Blade Runner 2049 Trailer Is Way Grosser Than Anticipated
While most of us are worried that the world will end by 2020, apparently the real problems won't start until 30 years from now, according to the full trailer for Blade Runner 2049. The Blade Runner sequel kicks off three decades after the events of the first film, following a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K (Ryan Gosling), as he gradually uncovers a secret that might mean the end of humanity as he knows it. Fans of the original need not fear: the trailer looks promising, and Harrison Ford's Rick Deckard character is back in action. Blade Runner 2049 also costars Jared Leto and Robin Wright and has Arrival's Denis Villeneuve as director and futuristic horror king Ridley Scott as executive producer. The movie is out on Oct. 6!
Texas Might Lower Its Standards For Detention Centers So It Can Detain Children
The GOP-led Texas state legislature has made its anti-immigrant position abundantly clear. After passing a "show me your papers" law through the state Senate, Republican senators are advancing a new bill to legalize "baby jails." The bill would allow day-care immigrant detention centers in the state.
Senate Bill 1018, passed on April 26, seeks to counteract a federal judge's mandate that children cannot be held in facilitates that aren't up to day care standards. Texas currently houses 3,200 immigrants and asylum seekers in private prison facilities; families are held together in detention centers that critics describe as reminiscent of Japanese internment camps.
If the proposed legislation passes through the full senate, SB1018 would exempt private prison facilities from having to adhere to the standards for day cares. The bill has picked up an eerie nickname: "baby jail."
A Presbyterian pastor, Jim Rigby, spoke with The Texas Observer about his interpretation of bill. "Just by having the conversation of whether it's OK to keep children in prison, we're damaging the state of Texas," Rigby said.
After the bill's introduction, an Associated Press investigation revealed that the bill had been authored by a lobbying firm, The GEO Group, which represents a detention center in Texas, The Karnes Residential Center. Republican state representative John Raney openly admitted that the GEO Group wrote SB1018. "I've known the lady who's their lobbyist for a long time," Raney told the Associated Press. "That's where the legislation came from. We don't make things up. People bring things to us and ask us to help."
The bill was approved by the Senate on April 30 and will now be voted on by the House, despite protests from activists and Democratic lawmakers.
Can You Spot These Beautiful Celebrity Tattoos From the MTV Movie Awards?
There are a lot of obvious elements to admire when a celebrity walks the red carpet at an award show - her gown, her hair, her makeup - but make sure you don't miss the details. And by that, we mean her tattoos! Stars often cover their body ink for different movie and TV roles, but everything gets exposed when they rock those sexy dresses.
Also, because celebrities get access to top tattoo artists, they often have chicer-than-average designs. So if you're thinking about getting inked, you may want to look for some Hollywood inspiration. Keep reading to see all of the tattoos we spotted at the Golden Globes, People's Choice Awards, SAG Awards, Grammys, Oscars, Met Gala, and MTV Movie and TV Awards.
Jennifer Lopez New Favorite Pair of Sunglasses Is Only $55
Jennifer Lopez has always been a queen at mixing high-end and budget-friendly fashion, and the last few days in New York City have been no exception.
Scrolling through J Lo's Instagram (we do this often, clearly), we noticed she has been rocking the same pair of $55 Quay Australia sunglasses day after day. She had them on when she gave us a sneak peek of her new song "Ni Tu Ni Yo" with Gente de Zona off of her upcoming Spanish album and also when she lip synced to another to-be-hit "Amor, Amor, Amor." She even wore them with a fancy silk jacket while out in the streets of New York.
We can see why Jennifer can't get enough of the glasses. They are a classic oversize aviator that flatter almost every face shape. Keep scrolling to see more pics of Jennifer wearing her favorite accessory and to shop her look.
Here's What Barack Obama Has Been Up to Since He Walked Out of the White House - and Our Lives
Barack Obama officially left the White House on Jan. 20, and he did so faster than we could say, "Don't go!" Since his departure, Barack has been fulfilling his passion for adventure and settled into permanent vacation mode (really, though, can you blame him?). While many of us are still longing for his return, the sad truth is that Barack is gone and off living his best life.
What It's Like When Your Wife Is Pregnant - at the Same Time as You
Usually, when a couple says "we're pregnant," it's a figure of speech. But for married pair Lindsay Lanciault and Toby Fleischman, they mean it quite literally.
The two sit across from each other at a busy cafe sharing tomato soup and bread on a cloudy Saturday. Lanciault, 34, is a speech-language pathologist at UCLA while Fleischman, 41, is a celebrity makeup artist with clients like Evan Rachel Wood, Ellen Page, and Gabourey Sidibe. Both women are brunette with a California-cool style and similar toothy smiles. They've been married for almost three years, live in Los Angeles with their Shih Tzu Lemon (short for Liz Lemon), and have stumbled into a unique circumstance several years in the making: they are both pregnant at the same time.
Given the tangle of legal and medical processes, there simply aren't many women who have experienced what they are going through.
"There was definitely a time in my life where I didn't think kids really fit into my plan," Fleischman says. "Then, when I met Lindsay, it was absolutely clear that she was someone that I wanted to raise children with."
A Unique Situation
Stories like New York's coverage of Kate Elazegui and Emily Kehe last year and Discovery Health specials like Quads With Two Moms illustrate how parallel pregnancies for lesbian and queer couples can be not only rare, but difficult - and oftentimes sensationalized. And, as FiveThirtyEight reported in 2015, the odds of this situation are so slim, it's hard to even gather data on it. Neither the CDC nor the Society for Artificial Reproductive Technology record comprehensive statistics on intrauterine inseminations. And because a large number of women decide to undergo insemination in the privacy of their own homes - like Lanciault and Fleischman did - or at a clinic, their successful pregnancies aren't always reflected in the data that is collected, anyway. Given the tangle of legal and medical processes that come with two women in a relationship trying to get pregnant, there simply aren't many women who have experienced what Lanciault and Fleischman are going through.
Dr. Kristin Bendikson, fertility specialist at University of Southern California Fertility, says the situation is as unlikely as it sounds. "The only time I've seen it happen is when I was a resident - and that was, like, 20 years ago," Dr. Bendikson explains. "The overwhelming majority of lesbian couples that I see are usually focused on one person getting pregnant at a time." In fact, so were Lanciault and Fleischman when they started their journey.
The process of getting pregnant seemed easy enough when Lanciault and Fleischman started to explore their options. The couple decided in August 2015 that Fleischman should try to get pregnant first, since she's the oldest of the pair and her window for motherhood seemed slimmer. Lanciault supported the decision and aided in finding a sperm donor. With a donor in place, Lanciault tried at home via the "syringe method" - more technically known as intravaginal insemination (or, as Fleischhman laughingly refers to it, the "turkey baster" method.)
Fleischman and Lanciault's insemination process was a lot simpler than you might assume; with guidance from their doctors, the two used menstrual cups (Diva Cups, specifically) as their syringe-method vehicles for inserting their donor's sample. It was as easy as that.
"First try at home, I got pregnant," she says. That pregnancy ended in miscarriage, however. Over the next year and a half, they kept trying, though complications arose. They faced the miscarriage and medical complications. It also became clear that their original donor's samples were not going to be viable moving forward, which forced them to seek out a new donor. All of this kept them from achieving their dream of motherhood.
The process took a toll on their relationship. "It was probably the most stressful thing," Lanciault says. "Not that we were going to get divorced over it, but . . . I didn't want to come home. We were at odds."
Deciding to Try Together
Due to the series of blocks standing in the way of motherhood, the two made the choice to shift focus from Fleischman to Lanciault after they successfully landed on a new donor. This brought up a lot of complicated feelings - the shift wasn't as easy as passing a natal baton from one wife to another.
She remembers thinking: "We can't be pregnant together. What are we, crazy?"
"I wasn't ready to stop," Fleischman remembers. She remembers thinking: "'We can't be pregnant together. What are we, crazy? We can't do that.'"
With the help of Danica Thornberry, acupuncturist and author of Stick It To Me Baby!, the two were able to physically and emotionally anchor the process by focusing on fertility. "Women who identify as being infertile deal with a lot of jealousy and negativity as they see friends and sister-in-laws, family members, getting pregnant and they're not," Thornberry shared by phone. "To have 'the enemy' - a pregnant woman - in your house, when you're not able to get pregnant and that's your wife, that's what made this case so unique."
Fleischman can speak directly to this: "During that time, Danica was really helpful in emotionally dealing with some of these issues and trying to think about the process in an emotionally healthy and positive way, and not trying to control it, and not trying to be crazy about it, and not trying to be negative."
"While [Lindsay]'s saying, 'I think that I should start - you should stop,' another birthday was nearing and there was kind of this mental block of that birthday," Flesichman says. "I had to let go."
Fleischman followed Thornberry's The SEED Fertility program, a diet Thornberry says "optimizes fertilization," and credits it with helping make her insemination after two years of struggles a success. "After a month and a half on this diet, I had this perfect, beautiful, normal ovulation - and that's the month I got pregnant. I'm very lucky I got pregnant 'naturally' at home by syringe method."
"Is This the Right Thing to Do?"
The two found out Fleischman was pregnant the same week Lanciault was starting her efforts in November 2016. Instead of abandoning the work she had put into her own attempt to become pregnant, Lanciault attempted to get pregnant, too, via the same donor and method - and it worked. Quickly. She, too, was pregnant by December.
The two have just a three-week difference between their due dates - Lanciault is four months along; Fleischman is five - and found out about Lanciault's pregnancy the week following the election of Donald Trump, which placed a shadow over the news.
"There was this level of 'Is this the right thing to do? Bring children into this world?'" Lanciault says. "We were so fearful."
These fears aren't entirely unwarranted. Emily Hecht-McGowan, chief policy officer at the Family Equality Council, says the process of non-traditional parenting is complicated to begin with, and that the Trump administration's stances on LGBTQ issues could further hinder the process. That potential future aside, she finds that this all has to do with a handful of roadblocks that LGBTQ persons face in trying to start a family.
"Information is probably the first barrier," she says. "Lots of same-sex couples (or prospective single parents or LGBTQ people) generally don't know the host of options that are available to them. The other piece is financial. All of these processes cost money, whether it's adoption through foster care or hiring a surrogate to help you create a family. Nothing is free." That cost, according to Dr. Bendickson, can range from hundreds of dollars for a sperm sample to tens of thousands for more advanced treatments like in vitro fertilization.
Policies and practices on a state and national level also stand in the way of LGBTQ persons becoming parents since laws do not exist to protect them. This leaves queer parents and their children vulnerable and can make starting a family impossible for some.
Beyond this, Emily sees actions like a reported religious freedom executive order as validating for anti-LGBTQ attitudes - especially as they relate to potential queer parents. She advises all potential queer parents to talk to an expert who understands the laws in their state - and warns that simply being married might not resolve all the issues that LGBTQ families can face in their day-to-day lives.
While Lanciault and Fleischman are concerned, they're confident in their state's policies and legal protections and feel very fortunate to be where they are in America. "We're really lucky that we live in Los Angeles," Lanciault says. "Hopefully, our kids won't feel like they're different because they have two moms."
But being Californians hasn't meant there has been any relaxing regarding LGBTQ parenting rights. As Lambda Legal advises, all same-sex and queer parents today must take the proper steps toward adoption as soon as possible, particularly second-parent adoptions.
Lanciault and Fleischman aren't taking such advice lightly. "We're very eager to adopt each other's children as soon as legally possible just to solidify that aspect of it . . . just in case!" Fleischman says. "You just don't know. We live in this lovely world of California but you just don't know."
Rising to the Challenge
Still, Fleischman sees starting a family as a welcome challenge - especially considering that the couple will be birthing a set of boys. The couple were very confident with the idea of raising strong women, because they themselves are strong women. But men? This is a challenge they admit they didn't initially think through. "We have this huge responsibility to raise respectful, compassionate, feminist men," Fleischman says.
As far as her advice for other lesbians who want to start a family? Fleischman believes women should figure out their fertility standing as soon as possible. "The top headlines of advice have been to go to a fertility specialist early, no matter how old you are or how regular you are or how healthy you think you are," she says.
Lanciault also takes the opportunity to remind people to be aware that many women - straight or gay - face fertility challenges. "People think it's okay to ask a woman who is maybe of childbearing years or who just got married, 'Are you going to start trying soon?' But you don't know if they actually have been trying. You don't know what their situation is. We've gotten that 'When are you going to start?' question and it's like . . . we've been trying for six months. You don't know what somebody's going through."
"If she's feeling something that I've gone through, I can validate it and say that that's normal."
Lanciault concurs. "As a lesbian couple we have that extra, added 'How do we do this?'," she says.
While they look forward to being mothers, Lanciault says they're "a little nervous" about the potential for dueling labors, and Fleischman knows caring for two children while they're both recovering from birth will require some assistance; "We're going to have to get a nurse for the first month."
Overall, though, sharing the experience of pregnancy has brought the pair even closer together.
"If she's feeling something that I've gone through, I can validate it and say that that's normal," Fleischman says. "But, like I said, there are a lot of hormones in the house and we go through waves - in one day - of being obsessed and in love with each other and so euphoric, to 'I don't want to be next to you. Please don't talk to me.'"
Till Death-Defying Climb Do Us Part - Couple Weds on Mt. Everest
Some couples opt for a casual wedding with no frills and little stress. Some couples don't. James and Ashley decided that instead of your average nuptials, they'd do something a little more adventurous. They were married at a Mt. Everest base camp and became the first couple to exchange vows in an actual wedding dress and tuxedo on the mountain.
"We trained for the year and planned to be on the mountain for two to three weeks in order to acclimatize our way up to base camp so James and Ashley can get married and get a few photos," said Charleton Churchill, the adventure photographer who shot the breathtaking photos. "I had attempted base camp with another in 2015, but the devastating earthquake of Nepal including the massive avalanche that swept EBC turned everyone around off the mountain. I wasn't sure if I would find another couple to get married on Everest anytime soon," he added.
James and Ashley, however, were ready to try it. The couple reached out to Churchill and were prepared to do what it took to hike to the base camp and say their "I dos" against the backdrop of the tallest mountain in the world. If there's any way to test the strength of a relationship, we'd bet it's by forging upward through snow and ice, facing high altitudes, physical stress, and unpredictable weather - together.
"There's no glory without suffering."
"Now saying this was an epic and amazing trip is true, but I would be remiss if I didn't share it came with some suffering, doubt, fear, anxiety, and physical pain. Often times when striving for something great, there's usually a cost. There's no glory without suffering. We worked hard for these images with much less time to photograph a short wedding than we planned. It started snowing hard a few days into the journey. According to our Sherpa guide, it dumped more snow on us than it had all winter. The temperatures ranged from -8 degrees to 10 degrees Fahrenheit from 14,000 ft. camp and above," Churchill said on his site. James also had a scare when he woke up having trouble breathing and had to sleep with an oxygen mask on the rest of the night. They ended up carrying the oxygen with them to the site of the photo shoot. "When we arrived to base camp, we were told we have 1 hour and 30 minutes to eat, get married, pack up, and get on a helicopter. So, we ate, drank, and got married in an hour. James and Ashley exchanged vows at Mt. Everest Base camp right in front of the famous Khumbu ice-fall where people use ladders to maneuver over crevasses, and with the beautifully carved Nuptse Face in the backdrop. Their epic wedding was surrounded by all these famous mountains."
The couple said their vows to each other and exchanged rings at around 17,000 feet. "It was truly a moment of awesomeness, knowing where we were at that time, and how hard we worked to get there, this moment was finally happening," said Churchill. "They were getting married surrounded by an orchestra of mountains. The Khumbu ice-fall right behind them, the starting point in climbing to the summit of Mt. Everest. Truly unreal."
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