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 2 juin 2017
How NYX Became THE Mass Brand at the Top of the Social Media Hierarchy
NYX Professional Makeup, a budget brand with the payoff of higher-priced alternatives, started as a line that catered to professionals in the industry. And it still does. But now, the power of social media has allowed it to appeal to a vast market of influencers and their makeup-loving fans. It's done this by creating affordable product for artists of all levels and by focusing on diversity within the makeup community.
You may know the brand's story, but if not, here are the Cliff's Notes: NYX Professional Makeup was founded in 1999 by Toni Ko in Los Angeles, catering to the burgeoning makeup artist community in SoCal. Ko sold the brand to L'Oréal for $500 million in 2015, left her post at the cosmetics company, and is the brain behind millennial-centric brand Perverse Sunglasses. (She's clearly got a knack for creating successful brands.)
The brand sold to L'Oréal for $500 million in 2015
NYX provides professional, trend-driven products at a price point that won't break the bank. Think liquid lipsticks for $7 a pop, glitter pigments for $6, and eye shadow palettes around $15. Tribe Dynamics, a marketing technology company for lifestyle brands, reports that NYX was in the top five cosmetics brands for March 2017 when it comes to earned media value - a benchmark metric which determines the earned publicity through digital word-of-mouth. In layman's terms: people are talking up a storm about NYX online.
NYX (pronounced "niks") was initially only sold in CVS, Target, and Ulta Beauty before opening its first retail location at Westfield Santa Anita in Arcadia, CA, in 2015. In the past 18 months, the brand has opened over 100 retail locations, including shops in France and Thailand, and it just added a storefront at The Miracle Mile Shops in Las Vegas. The stores were created with social media in mind, featuring large vanities with digital tutorials lead by influencers, so consumers can follow along while testing out products before they purchase. Lines for store openings frequently round the block and start overnight.
"What we wanted to do was bring the ultimate expression of brand to our fans," said Nathalie Kristo, global marketing manager of NYX. "What we were noticing, of course, was how they were interacting on social media and digital in this makeup world. We thought, 'Why don't we bring a place where we combine digital and social media with our 2,000 products and create a place where we can play with makeup, discover new looks, [and] follow tutorials on how to create the latest makeup looks?' We aimed to translate all of the energy that we've had with our online community into a physical place."
Bringing Democracy to Makeup
It's rare that a brand appeals to professional artists and also caters to YouTubers and the regular makeup junkie alike. For NYX, the focus has always been to create a space that celebrates artistry of all calibers.
"For us, it stems from the mission this brand has: artistry for all. This idea that everybody can have access to professional makeup products," said Kristo. "That everyone can have access to the latest makeup looks. And that's what social media has done. They've really helped democratize makeup artistry. It used to be a pretty closed circle - you used to have to go to school and gotten a certificate or certification. With social media, it's allowed people to teach each other and to learn and to become more DIY. It's about bringing creativity, artistry, and the passion for makeup to everyone."
Part of that passion lead to the founding of The Fine Artistry of Cosmetic Elites Awards, or FACE Awards for short. "The NYX Face Awards is like the Olympics of makeup," said Nikita Dragun, whose YouTube channel has over 550K subscribers, and appeared at the opening of the Miracle Mile Shops location.
"The NYX Face Awards is like the Olympics of makeup." - Nikita Dragun
The socially driven competition pits artists against each other through a series of makeup challenges. Many top YouTube talent are alumni of the awards, and semi-finalists and finalists from previous years have re-entered the 2017 competition. New talent is also welcomed into the pool - and it can help catapult their career. The Top 20 were just announced for this year's competition, which culminates with a live event on Aug. 19, where the winner walks away with $50,000 and title of beauty vlogger of the year.
"The Face Awards, for example, has been a platform where a lot of upcoming makeup artists or influencers of today, many of them are alumni of the face awards. We've known them since they've been starting out," said Kristo. "We've done what we can to advance them and their careers and we're really proud of that. We're really happy to see them grow and flourish." 2015's winner, Mykie of Glam & Gore, had 350,000 subscribers when she was announced as a Top 30 contestant; two years later, she currently touts over 1.98M subscribers and has worked with studios like Lionsgate.
Innovation Based on Consumer Hacks
NYX prides itself on producing trend-worthy products at a moment's notice, which allows them to easily get in on major social media moments while the iron is still hot. "When we see something brewing online, we quickly go into product development, and then we bring it to market as fast as possible. If we see people using products in interesting, different ways, it maybe tells us "Oh, there's a need for this,'" said Kristo. For example, the creation of Macaron Lippies, which feature vivid neon and pastel shades, were created after the team saw consumers using the Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk ($4) and layering bright eye shadow shades on top to create a pastel pop.
"(If) they're using a product in a way it's not meant to be used, in order to do something else, it gives us an idea that maybe there's something we need to bring to market," said Kristo.
Inclusiveness in Product and Social Media
NYX, while mass market, isn't overshadowed by prestige brands. Tribe Dynamics reports NYX as ranking within the top five brands on almost all digital social channels (Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Blogs) in terms of earned media value, and it is the only mass brand within a sea of prestige like MAC Cosmetics, Benefit Cosmetics, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Too Faced, Tarte, and Urban Decay. In fact, no other mass brand is in the Top 10 ranking companies. According to Statista, NYX ranks as the No. 4 beauty brand in Instagram followers, thanks to its 11.1 million fans to date.
"We've built this community over many years. We were one of the first brands to understand the power of social media through makeup," said Kristo. "What we've done on social media is really celebrate the artistry of everyday people. Our Instagram account is a platform to celebrate, whether it's really sophisticated makeup artists, influencers, or everyday people that are interpreting makeup in different ways."
"What we've done on social media is really celebrate the artistry of everyday people." - Nathalie Kristo
The brand focuses on inclusivity and diversity, offering a variety shades that cater to all races. The Lip Lingerie line features 24 shades of "nude" matte liquid lipstick; the Total Control Drop Foundation also features 24 shades, including fair, light, medium, and deep with varying undertones.
"NYX as a brand embodies every woman, every boy, anything - everything in between. That's what's made them so successful, lending to their creativity and self-expression. I'm a trans girl, coming from Virginia, and I found myself resonating with the brand and what they stand for. They cater to everyone," said Dragun, who came out on her channel as transgender in 2015.
This mission of inclusivity has helped take NYX to the top. "We've always been a social media brand. We know that our audience is everybody," said Kristo. "We are one of the brands that is one of the most well developed with every ethnic group. We've taken care of the products to have strong pigment load, to have all of the colors available in the different shades, and undertones so people know that the product will work for them. And we've always represented diversity well on all of our platforms and social media."
Wonder Woman: Blink and You'll Miss This Tiny Justice League Easter Egg
One of the great things about Wonder Woman (of which there are many), is that the origin story of Diana Prince is allowed to exist on its own. Rather than shoehorning in teases and Easter eggs for future DC movies like Justice League or Aquaman, director Patty Jenkins makes sure Wonder Woman remains the star of the show. There is, however, a very slight connection to the rest of the DC Extended Universe that actually explains a photo first seen in last year's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Wonder Woman begins with Diana Prince in modern-day Paris, heading to her office at the Louvre. She gets a package from Wayne Industries and opens it to find a black-and-white WWI-era photograph of her dressed in her full Wonder Woman ensemble alongside Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) and three other men. Attached is a note from Bruce Wayne (aka Batman aka Ben Affleck), who writes that he dug up the original copy.
As anyone who sat through Batman v Superman might recall, Bruce Wayne first stumbles on the photo after obtaining Lex Luthor's drive full of information about "metahumans" roaming around the world: Superman, Aquaman, The Flash, and Wonder Woman. As he peruses Diana's file, he sees the photo in question and deduces that she's an immortal of some kind (either that, or uses an incredible skincare regimen). In the background is a half-destroyed city that Diana, Steve, and the rest of the gang free from German occupation in Wonder Woman.
The image is virtually the only link to the rest of the DCEU in the film, and although it's subtle, it gives anyone who's loyally watched all of Warner Bros.'s preceding superhero movies a better idea of the photo's origins. Diana emails Bruce a thank you ("Thank you for bringing him back to me," a reference to her true love, Steve Trevor), which further solidifies the bond between the two that will likely lead to the Dark Knight convincing her to join the Justice League and fight for humanity once more.
McDonald's Just Announced the Chicken Big Mac Along With Another Secret Menu Item!
Whether it's the McDonald's curly fries in Singapore, the sweet taro pies in China, or even the macarons in Paris, the international McDonald's menu items never cease to amaze us, but the latest addition is so extraordinary we're just about to pack our bags and move to Australia! Meet the Chicken Big Mac - a menu item at McDonald's locations in Australia and New Zealand. The sandwich has lettuce, cheese, onions, pickles, and the notorious Big Mac sauce, but instead of beef patties, there's two pieces of juicy chicken.
"The iconic Big Mac and the McChicken are among our most popular burgers, so it made sense to mix up these two classics and give our customers a new and exciting product to try - the Chicken Big Mac," Jenni Dill, CMO of McDonald's Australia, said in a statement.
From now until July 18, the Chicken Big Mac will be available at all McDonald's locations in Australia and New Zealand, but that's not all! The fast food company has decided to add ANOTHER item from its drool-inducing secret menu: Shaker Fries.
Cheeseburger-flavored Shaker Fries are the ultimate upgrade for your McDonald's French Fries. The fries come in a special "shaker bag," which you pour the "shaker seasoning" into and shake it up for maximum deliciousness. Because why wouldn't you want your fries to taste like a cheeseburger?
Looks like we're heading to Australia for the Chicken Big Mac and Shaker Fries - who's coming with us?
Mom's Plea About the Overlooked Pool Danger That Almost Killed Her Girl
When it comes to pool safety, teaching your child how to swim isn't enough. Even if your child knows to walk on the pool deck and only swim when a lifeguard or adult is watching, there's another serious danger that's often overlooked. But after Alex Morgan's daughter almost died while on a family vacation, this furious mom is warning parents of another danger to look out for before their kiddos hit the pools this Summer.
When 6-year-old Darcey was enjoying a dip in the pool, she swam by a waterfall water feature. While the child's head was underwater, her hair got caught in the pool's filter and she got stuck. Unable to reach the surface, Darcey nearly drowned. "She was kept under the water for over two minutes," Alex shared on Facebook. "Some incredibly brave people saved our little girl's life that day. Her hair was pulled and pulled before it was ripped. Darcey was unconscious and had to be given CPR at the poolside."
Darcey was taken to the hospital, where she was kept overnight for low oxygen levels and fluid in her right lung. "This was the worst day of our lives. We are still suffering to come to terms with it all now but also feel incredibly lucky to still have our beautiful, brave little girl," Alex wrote. "Myself and Gareth don't want any other parents or family members to go through what we experienced that day. We will never get over what happened but if this post can raise some awareness, save someone's life, then we will be happy."
According to Elizabeth Klinefelter, Pool Safely campaign lead, parents should be aware of drain entrapment dangers at both public and private pools. "The federal government's drowning prevention program strongly recommends that children be taught to stay away from drains, suction outlets, and filters in swimming pools and spas," Elizabeth told POPSUGAR. "Children's hair - along with limbs, jewelry, or bathing suits - can get stuck in a drain or suction opening. In addition, parents and caregivers should never allow children to enter a pool or spa that has a loose, broken, or missing drain cover."
She also recommends that parents always locate the emergency vacuum shutoff before getting in a spa so that they know where and how to free someone if stuck.
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act was mandated in 2008 after a 7-year-old drowned due to a drain cover, and this federal law requires that all public pools, including hotels, schools, and apartment buildings, have the safer drain covers. According to a new Consumer Product Safety Commission report, there have still been 17 victims of entrapment from 2012-2016 and the majority of these cases involved kids.
"Children under the age of 15 are at risk of experiencing an entrapment incident, with higher fatality rates occurring in residential pools and spa settings," Julie Walsh, Pool Safely associate vice president, told POPSUGAR. "Parents can never be too vigilant when their children are in or around the water to ensure everyone has a safer swimming experience."
Elizabeth also pointed out that residential pools are encouraged to install them but are not currently required to. This eye-opening video explains not only why pool drains can be so dangerous for kids but also that many pools across the country still have the flat drain covers and not the antientrapment version.
Every parent should take a minute to watch this video before their child's next trip to the pool:
Wonder Woman: Blink and You'll Miss This Tiny Justice League Easter Egg
One of the great things about Wonder Woman (of which there are many), is that the origin story of Diana Prince is allowed to exist on its own. Rather than shoehorning in teases and Easter eggs for future DC movies like Justice League or Aquaman, director Patty Jenkins makes sure Wonder Woman remains the star of the show. There is, however, a very slight connection to the rest of the DC Extended Universe that actually explains a photo first seen in last year's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Wonder Woman begins with Diana Prince in modern-day Paris, heading to her office at the Louvre. She gets a package from Wayne Industries and opens it to find a black-and-white WWI-era photograph of her dressed in her full Wonder Woman ensemble alongside Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) and three other men. Attached is a note from Bruce Wayne (aka Batman aka Ben Affleck), who writes that he dug up the original copy.
As anyone who sat through Batman v Superman might recall, Bruce Wayne first stumbles on the photo after obtaining Lex Luthor's drive full of information about "metahumans" roaming around the world: Superman, Aquaman, The Flash, and Wonder Woman. As he peruses Diana's file, he sees the photo in question and deduces that she's an immortal of some kind (either that, or uses an incredible skincare regimen). In the background is a half-destroyed city that Diana, Steve, and the rest of the gang free from German occupation in Wonder Woman.
The image is virtually the only link to the rest of the DCEU in the film, and although it's subtle, it gives anyone who's loyally watched all of Warner Bros.'s preceding superhero movies a better idea of the photo's origins. Diana emails Bruce a thank you ("Thank you for bringing him back to me," a reference to her true love, Steve Trevor), which further solidifies the bond between the two that will likely lead to the Dark Knight convincing her to join the Justice League and fight for humanity once more.
How NYX Became THE Mass Brand at the Top of the Social Media Hierarchy
NYX Professional Makeup, a budget brand with the payoff of higher-priced alternatives, started as a line that catered to professionals in the industry. And it still does. But now, the power of social media has allowed it to appeal to a vast market of influencers and their makeup-loving fans. It's done this by creating affordable product for artists of all levels, and by focusing on diversity within the makeup community.
You may know the brand's story, but if not, here's the Cliff's Notes: NYX Professional Makeup was founded in 1999 by Toni Ko in Los Angeles, catering to the burgeoning makeup artist community in SoCal. Ko sold the brand to L'Oreal for $500 million in 2015, left her post at the cosmetics company, and is the brain behind millennial-centric brand Perverse Sunglasses. (She's clearly got a knack for creating successful brands.)
The brand sold to L'Oreal for $500 million in 2015
NYX provides professional, trend-driven product at an price point that won't break the bank. Think liquid lipsticks for $7 a pop, glitter pigments for $6, and eye shadow palettes around $15. Tribe Dynamics, a marketing technology company for lifestyle brands, reports that NYX was in the top five cosmetics brands for March 2017 when it comes to earned media value - a benchmark metric which determines the earned publicity through digital word-of-mouth.In layman's terms: people are talking up a storm about NYX online.
NYX (pronounced "niks") was initially only sold in CVS, Target and Ulta Beauty before opening its first retail location at Westfield Santa Anita in Arcadia, California in 2015. In the past 18 months, the brand has opened over 100 retail locations, including shops in France and Thailand, and it just added a storefront at The Miracle Mile Shops in Las Vegas. The stores were created with social media in mind, featuring large vanities with digital tutorials lead by influencers, so consumers can follow along while testing out product before they purchase. Lines for store openings frequently round the block and start overnight.
"What we wanted to do was bring the ultimate expression of brand to our fans," said Nathalie Kristo, Global Marketing Manager of NYX. "What we were noticing, of course, was how they were interacting on social media and digital in this makeup world. We thought, 'Why don't we bring a place where we combine digital and social media with our 2,000 products and create a place where we can play with makeup, discover new looks, follow tutorials on how to create the latest makeup looks. We aimed to translate all of the energy that we've had with our online community into a physical place.
Bringing Democracy to Makeup
It's rare that a brand appeals to professional artists and also caters to YouTubers and the regular makeup junkie alike. For NYX, the focus has always been to create a space that celebrates artistry of all calibers.
"For us, it stems from the mission this brand has: artistry for all. This idea that everybody can have access to professional makeup products," said Kristo. "That everyone can have access to the latest makeup looks. And that's what social media has done. They've really helped democratize makeup artistry. It used to be a pretty closed circle - you used to have to go to school and gotten a certificate or certification. With social media, it's allowed people to teach each other and to learn and to become more DIY. It's about bringing creativity, artistry, and the passion for makeup to everyone."
Part of that passion lead to the founding of The Fine Artistry of Cosmetic Elites Awards, or FACE Awards for short. "The NYX Face Awards is like the Olympics of makeup," said Nikita Dragun, whose Youtube channel has over 550K subscribers, and appeared at the opening of the Miracle Mile Shops location.
"The NYX Face Awards is like the Olympics of makeup." - Nikita Dragun
The socially-driven competition pits artists against each other through a series of makeup challenges. Many top Youtube talent are alumni of the awards, and semi-finalists and finalists from previous years have re-entered the 2017 competition. New talent is also welcomed into the pool - and it can help catapult their career. The Top 20 were just announced for this year's competition, and it culminates with a live event on August 19th, where the winner walks away with $50,000 and title of Beauty Vlogger of the Year.
"The Face Awards, for example, has been a platform where a lot of upcoming makeup artists or influencers of today, many of them are alumni of the face awards. We've known them since they've been starting out," said Kristo. "We've done what we can to advance them and their careers and we're really proud of that. We're really happy to see them grow and flourish." 2015's winner, Mykie of Glam & Gore, had 350,000 subscribers when she was announced as a Top 30 contestant; two years later, she currently touts over 1.98M subscribers and has worked with studios like Lionsgate.
Innovation Based on Consumer Hacks
NYX prides itself on producing trend-worthy products at a moment's notice, which allows them to easily get in on major social media moments while the iron is still hot. "When we see something brewing online, we quickly go into product development, and then we bring it to market as fast as possible. If we see people using products in interesting, different ways, it maybe tells us "Oh, there's a need for this,'" said Kristo. For example, the creation of Macaron Lippies, which feature vivid neon and pastel shades, were created after the team saw consumers using the Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk ($4) and layering bright eye shadow shades on top to create a pastel pop.
"(If) they're using a product in a way it's not meant to be used, in order to do something else, it gives us an idea that maybe there's something we need to bring to market," said Kristo.
Inclusiveness in Product and Social Media
NYX, while mass market, isn't overshadowed by prestige brands. Tribe Dynamics reports NYX as ranking within the top five brands on almost all digital social channels (Instagram, Youtube, Facebook and Blogs) in terms of earned media value, and is the only mass brand within a sea of prestige like MAC Cosmetics, Benefit Cosmetics, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Too Faced, Tarte and Urban Decay. In fact, no other mass brand is in the Top 10 ranking companies. According to Statista, NYX ranks as the #4 beauty brand in Instagram followers, thanks to its 11.1 million fans to date.
"We've built this community over many years. We were one of the first brands to understand the power of social media through makeup," said Kristo. "What we've done on social media is really celebrate the artistry of everyday people. Our Instagram account is a platform to celebrate, whether it's really sophisticated makeup artists, influencers, or everyday people that are interpreting makeup in different ways."
"What we've done on social media is really celebrate the artistry of everyday people." - Nathalie Kristo
The brand focuses on inclusivity and diversity, offering a variety shades that cater to all races. The Lip Lingerie line features 24 shades of "nude" matte liquid lipstick; the Total Control Drop Foundation also features 24 shades, including fair, light, medium, and deep with varying undertones.
"NYX as a brand embodies every woman, every boy, anything - everything in between. That's what's made them so successful, lending to their creativity and self-expression. I'm a trans girl, coming from Virginia, and I found myself resonating with the brand and what they stand for. They cater to everyone," said Dragun, who came out on her channel as transgender in 2015.
This mission of inclusivity has helped taken NYX to the top. "We've always been a social media brand. We know that our audience is everybody," said Kristo. "We are one of the brands that is one of the most well-developed with every ethnic group. We've taken care of the products to have strong pigment load, to have all of the colors available in the different shades, and undertones so people know that the product will work for them. And we've always represented diversity well on all of our platforms and social media."
McDonald's Just Announced the Chicken Big Mac Along With Another Secret Menu Item!
Whether it's the McDonald's curly fries in Singapore, the sweet taro pies in China, or even the macarons in Paris, the international McDonald's menu items never cease to amaze us, but the latest addition is so extraordinary we're just about to pack our bags and move to Australia! Meet the Chicken Big Mac - a menu item at McDonald's locations in Australia and New Zealand. The sandwich has lettuce, cheese, onions, pickles, and the notorious Big Mac sauce, but instead of beef patties, there's two pieces of juicy chicken.
"The iconic Big Mac and the McChicken are among our most popular burgers, so it made sense to mix up these two classics and give our customers a new and exciting product to try - the Chicken Big Mac," Jenni Dill, CMO of McDonald's Australia, said in a statement.
From now until July 18, the Chicken Big Mac will be available at all McDonald's locations in Australia and New Zealand, but that's not all! The fast food company has decided to add ANOTHER item from its drool-inducing secret menu: Shaker Fries.
Cheeseburger-flavored Shaker Fries are the ultimate upgrade for your McDonald's French Fries. The fries come in a special "shaker bag," which you pour the "shaker seasoning" into and shake it up for maximum deliciousness. Because why wouldn't you want your fries to taste like a cheeseburger?
Looks like we're heading to Australia for the Chicken Big Mac and Shaker Fries - who's coming with us?
Techie Gifts For the Dad Who Doesn't Know Internet
Earlier this year, I bought my dad a nice up-to-date computer, which was a huge step up from his old 2001 Gateway. Now on a weekly basis, I field calls left and right that involve questions like, "how do I stop typing in big capital letters?" or the classic, "how do I comment on my Facebook page?" If you also have a dad like this, you know it's not always easy getting them on track with the current technology. This Father's Day, gift him with a cool techie gadget that he might be able to use. It will most likely involve you overseeing the introductory tutorial and maybe more phone calls, but getting him something he can learn to love is totally worth it. Check out some of these devices and see which one is right for your dad.
6 Theories About How Orange Is the New Black Season 5 Will Start
Last season of Orange Is the New Black ended with a bang, almost literally. In the final moments of the finale, everything descends into chaos as the inmates riot. Daya gets a hold of CO Humphrey's gun and points it at his face, and that's all we know. In the months since we finished season four, we've locked in on new season five details. Now, with a handful of new pictures and an intense new clip that shows the gripping first minute of the premiere, we're determined to figure out how this all ends up. Let's go over all the possibilities.
1. Daya Shoots Humphrey
This has to be the most obvious outcome. She's already pointing the gun, and Humphrey is right there. Everyone knows Humphrey is an awful, awful man. Plus, I mean, we're sure Daya still has some hard feelings after Bennett broke her heart. Maybe she's got some issues to work out. So, for all those reasons, she fires.
2. Someone Else Fires an Entirely Different Gun
Just because we hear a gun fire, it doesn't necessarily mean it's Daya's. After all, with such an intensely escalating situation, it's possible someone calls for backup. Perhaps there's a chance someone else arrives on the scene with another gun, deems Daya a danger, and fires to put her out of commission.
3. Daya Shoots the Ceiling to Shut Everyone Up
In the first minute, it's clear Daya is overwhelmed. It seems like it's so loud, she can't hear herself think. Maybe she just fires the gun into the ceiling so everyone stops screaming at her. Then, with a clear head, she can make her choice - which, really, could be any of these other options.
4. Another Inmate Grabs the Gun and Shoots Humphrey
With so many angry, riled up inmates surrounding Daya, what's to stop someone else from grabbing the gun and shooting Humphrey? After all, he's forced Maritza to eat dead flies at gunpoint, and he's just forced Suzanne and Maureen into a crazy brutal brawl. It's safe to say a lot of these inmates want him dead, so if Daya doesn't do it, someone else will.
5. Daya Accidentally (or Deliberately) Shoots Someone Else
Daya has been underestimated and marginalized by many other inmates for plenty of seasons. That might explain why she just might snap and shoot someone else entirely. Then again, as we mentioned above, this is a high-stress situation, and she's clearly overwhelmed, which is why she might just shut her eyes and fire at will, no aim required.
6. No One Fires a Gun
Listen, we hate to bring this up, but it's a possibility. Maybe it's all just a fake-out, just a juicy sound effect to keep us on our toes. Since the teasers have yet to show Daya (or anyone) firing a gun, we have to consider the possibility that it doesn't happen. Since Daya is taking so long to decide what to do, maybe she gets intercepted by someone else before she has a chance to make her decision. It would certainly be the lamest outcome, but it's not impossible.
One way or another, we'll have our answer when Orange Is the New Black returns on June 9.
14 New Nonfiction Books By Women You'll Want to Read This Summer
Don't love reading fiction? I get it. Sometimes I have the urge for something real, something true, something . . . nonfiction. And this Summer, there are lots of great nonfiction titles to choose from. We've got deeply personal memoirs, books about books, and a guide to living your best self. So, are you ready to fill your beach bag? I've got you covered.
40 Tiny Tattoos For Travel-Lovers
For travel-lovers, the next adventure is always just around the corner. Sometimes that adventure involves hopping on a plane and flying to your next destination, but other times it means doing something a little more permanent. If you are a true travel-lover, these tiny travel tattoo ideas will help fuel your wanderlust and commemorate the experiences you've already had.
11 Black Sneakers to Match Your Cold, Dark Soul
Does your all-black aesthetic need some sneakers to match? We're here for you. Sometimes your dark soul needs comfortable shoes, and we have found some excellent options. Take a look at our favorite black sneakers and snag yourself a pair. What have you got to lose? They'll match everything.
11 Black Sneakers to Match Your Cold, Dark Soul
Does your all-black aesthetic need some sneakers to match? We're here for you. Sometimes your dark soul needs comfortable shoes, and we have found some excellent options. Take a look at our favorite black sneakers and snag yourself a pair. What have you got to lose? They'll match everything.
6 Theories About How Orange Is the New Black Season 5 Will Start
Last season of Orange Is the New Black ended with a bang, almost literally. In the final moments of the finale, everything descends into chaos as the inmates riot. Daya gets a hold of CO Humphrey's gun and points it at his face, and that's all we know. In the months since we finished season four, we've locked in on new season five details. Now, with a handful of new pictures and an intense new clip that shows the gripping first minute of the premiere, we're determined to figure out how this all ends up. Let's go over all the possibilities.
1. Daya Shoots Humphrey
This has to be the most obvious outcome. She's already pointing the gun, and Humphrey is right there. Everyone knows Humphrey is an awful, awful man. Plus, I mean, we're sure Daya still has some hard feelings after Bennett broke her heart. Maybe she's got some issues to work out. So, for all those reasons, she fires.
2. Someone Else Fires an Entirely Different Gun
Just because we hear a gun fire, it doesn't necessarily mean it's Daya's. After all, with such an intensely escalating situation, it's possible someone calls for backup. Perhaps there's a chance someone else arrives on the scene with another gun, deems Daya a danger, and fires to put her out of commission.
3. Daya Shoots the Ceiling to Shut Everyone Up
In the first minute, it's clear Daya is overwhelmed. It seems like it's so loud, she can't hear herself think. Maybe she just fires the gun into the ceiling so everyone stops screaming at her. Then, with a clear head, she can make her choice - which, really, could be any of these other options.
4. Another Inmate Grabs the Gun and Shoots Humphrey
With so many angry, riled up inmates surrounding Daya, what's to stop someone else from grabbing the gun and shooting Humphrey? After all, he's forced Maritza to eat dead flies at gunpoint, and he's just forced Suzanne and Maureen into a crazy brutal brawl. It's safe to say a lot of these inmates want him dead, so if Daya doesn't do it, someone else will.
5. Daya Accidentally (or Deliberately) Shoots Someone Else
Daya has been underestimated and marginalized by many other inmates for plenty of seasons. That might explain why she just might snap and shoot someone else entirely. Then again, as we mentioned above, this is a high-stress situation, and she's clearly overwhelmed, which is why she might just shut her eyes and fire at will, no aim required.
6. No One Fires a Gun
Listen, we hate to bring this up, but it's a possibility. Maybe it's all just a fake-out, just a juicy sound effect to keep us on our toes. Since the teasers have yet to show Daya (or anyone) firing a gun, we have to consider the possibility that it doesn't happen. Since Daya is taking so long to decide what to do, maybe she gets intercepted by someone else before she has a chance to make her decision. It would certainly be the lamest outcome, but it's not impossible.
One way or another, we'll have our answer when Orange Is the New Black returns on June 9.
Selena Gomez's New $2.25 Million Home Has a Massive Pool Perfect For Instagram Selfies
Selena Gomez is moving on. After putting her Texas mansion on the real estate market earlier this year, the 24-year-old singer and actress purchased a 3,188-square-foot house in Studio City, CA, that will serve as her new abode. The four bedroom, four bathroom home was built in 1951 and includes a massive pool, so we can (probably) expect to see more sexy bikini selfies from the "Bad Liar" singer this Summer. Read on to see photos of Gomez's new digs ahead.
Why People Are Losing Their Cool Over 1 Mom's Wall of Clocks
If you were to step into Yolanda Knox's new home, you might notice something different about her choice of decor. Hanging from her living room wall, you'll find not one but four clocks and their purpose isn't to make sure that her family of six keeps track of the current time.
Instead, each clock hangs above a baby picture and is set to the exact time of that child's birth. Above the clocks is a picture of Yolanda and her husband on their wedding day as well as the words, "In these moments, time stood still . . . " When Yolanda's nephew stopped by her home, he was blown away by this sentimental idea and tweeted a snapshot that quickly went viral.
The memory wall is a unique way to celebrate Yolanda's blended family and is bringing chills (as well as major design inspiration!) to those who come across it. "My husband and I have a blended family, both having two children from previous relationships, which is the reasoning behind the wall decor. If asked how many children do we have, we say four because together we are a one and there's no separation," Yolanda told POPSUGAR. "Sometimes in the blink of an eye, your children grow up so fast and you sit back a think I sure wish I could make time stand still!"
How Might Prince William Have a Say in Meghan Markle's Engagement Ring?
If the rumors are to be believed, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be engaged sooner rather than later, and all eyes would be on the prince's choice of ring. Harry would have his pick of options and could source a vintage piece, splash out on a something by one of Meghan's favorite jewelers, or have the ring custom-made. However, the most likely option by far is that he would turn to his mother's jewelry collection so that there will be an unbreakable and fitting connection between his two great loves - his mother and his fiancée.
After Princess Diana's death, her jewelry was inherited by both of her sons, and therefore if Harry were to use one of his mother's pieces, he would be sure to run it past William first - even though the gesture would mainly be a formality. But which piece would Harry choose? There are rings that he could select, but perhaps the most likely option would be repurposing another piece of jewelry to transform it into an engagement ring.
The stone most often associated with Diana is the sapphire - not only did her engagement ring contain one, but she also owned many other pieces featuring the deep blue jewel, including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and watches. Since the Duchess of Cambridge now wears Diana's most famous sapphire, it seems unlikely that Harry would choose the same stone for Meghan. However, since sapphire engagement rings have long been popular with the royal family - both of Princess Anne's engagement rings contained the stone - it might not be totally out of the question.
Harry's more likely choice could be an emerald. The queen gave Diana an emerald necklace as a wedding present - which the princess famously wore as a headband - so perhaps one of the stones could be set in a ring. Additionally, Prince Charles gave Diana an emerald bracelet and earrings as a wedding present, so the ring could be worn with these other meaningful pieces . . .
A Blogger Found a Way to Get the Shiplap Look For a Fraction of the Price
Fixer Upper star Joanna Gaines may have started the shiplap wall craze, but it's design bloggers who are making it affordable, like Jenny of Little Green Notebook. She recently gave her daughter's bathroom a dramatic makeover that will leave any modern-farmhouse-lover swooning. And the best part of the room isn't the charming shiplap on the walls - it's how little Jenny paid for it: $2.57 per board, which makes the entire room well under $100, inclusive of all materials.
How did she do it? The genius design blogger discovered a shiplap look-alike at Home Depot that's actually thinner and more pliable than the real thing, making it perfect for layering over existing wall surfaces. "Because it is such a thin product you can lay it right over the existing drywall and butt it up against your tile and door and widow casings the same way I did here," Jenny wrote in her blog post. So what is this cheap shiplap alternative called? Visit Little Green Notebook to find out. Your walls will be happy you did.
Alessandra Ambrosio Is Here With All the Swimwear Inspiration You'll Ever Need
Brazilian supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio lives in a permanent state of vacation. When she's not posing for famous photographers or walking in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, she's at the beach or by the pool with family and friends. She even uses the hashtag #foreveronvacation, so you know she takes her time under the sun pretty seriously.
Those should be credentials enough to trust her swimwear choices and want to copy her every look, but to top it off, she also designs bikinis and one-pieces for her line Ále by Alessandra. So scroll ahead to check out all the beachwear Alessandra has been wearing this year - it's sure to be everything you need to hit the sand in style.
How Kylie Jenner Reacted to Rihanna's Makeup Line - According to the Internet
As soon as news broke about Rihanna's hotly anticipated makeup line, Fenty Beauty, we've been keeping our eyes peeled for any details on when it hits shelves. On May 31, the singer finally put our curiosity to rest and confirmed on social media that the line will launch this Fall (*cue excessive cheering and tears of joy*). But it seems like not everyone's sharing our same excitement about Bad Gal RiRi's upcoming line.
Some have been speculating that one person in particular - Kylie Jenner - is probably not too thrilled to have another celebrity makeup mogul burst onto the scene to steal her spotlight. Many witty Twitter users are taking to social media to share what they believe Jenner really thinks about Fenty Beauty, and their predictions are pretty darn hilarious.
Some imagined Kylie was just straight-up not pleased when she heard about the launch.
Kylie Jenner when she saw Rihanna posted about Fenty x Beauty http://pic.twitter.com/m0UcbxusKK
- Rihanna's lips (@badgal4rihanna) May 31, 2017
@KylieJenner and @rihanna become beauty rivals. Here's Kylie's reaction when she heard about Riri's new Fenty Beauty makeup line #salty http://pic.twitter.com/VlB5WY9C9r
- Maria Rios (@mriosesc) June 2, 2017
Others thought she probably started searching for a new job - as a fast-food restaurant employee.
kylie jenner when fenty beauty launches http://pic.twitter.com/bQVjd0e9U1
- sean (@lanadeIfenty) May 31, 2017
Many predicted she had an over-the-top meltdown about the situation.
Actual footage of Kylie Jenner when she heard Rihanna was launching Fenty Beauty http://pic.twitter.com/josMDV556k
- Luke (@HausOfLukee) June 1, 2017
kylie when she saw rihanna's post about fenty beauty http://pic.twitter.com/9tkePQFL0v
- dani (@runwayrih) May 31, 2017
And one genius Twitter user couldn't help but bring up that patented ugly-cry that all members of the Kardashian-Jenner clan apparently do.
Kylie Jenner's reaction after Rihanna posted a pic about FENTY BEAUTY ! http://pic.twitter.com/9lECZ59jC1
- Rihanna (@VFT6Anti) May 31, 2017
So, how do you think Kylie reacted IRL?
Princess Diana Wanted to Be This Before Becoming a Princess
Princess Diana is known for her fascinating life as a British royal, but she led an equally interesting life before marrying Prince Charles. Diana grew up in an affluent household in Norfolk, England. Her father's family, the Spencers, were closely allied with the British royal family, while her maternal grandmother, Ruth Roche, was a member of the court of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. After being homeschooled by her governess, Gertrude Allen, she began her formal education at Silfield Private School in Gayton, Norfolk, before moving to an all-girls boarding school when she was nine. In 1973, she joined her sisters at West Heath Girls' School, and although she didn't excel in academics (she failed her O-levels twice), she was a talented athlete.
Aside from swimming and diving, Diana was incredibly passionate about ballet, even going as far as to study it in school. Even though her height made her too tall to become a professional ballerina, her love for the art continued well into her days as a royal. She would often attend various performances in London and was a big supporter of the English National Ballet until her death in August 1997. It's clear to see where Prince William and Harry get their sporty side.
Alessandra Ambrosio Is Here With All the Swimwear Inspiration You'll Ever Need
Brazilian supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio lives in a permanent state of vacation. When she's not posing for famous photographers or walking in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, she's at the beach or by the pool with family and friends. She even uses the hashtag #foreveronvacation, so you know she takes her time under the sun pretty seriously.
Those should be credentials enough to trust her swimwear choices and want to copy her every look, but to top it off, she also designs bikinis and one-pieces for her line Ále by Alessandra. So scroll ahead to check out all the beachwear Alessandra has been wearing this year - it's sure to be everything you need to hit the sand in style.
How Might Prince William Have a Say in Meghan Markle's Engagement Ring?
If the rumors are to be believed, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be engaged sooner rather than later, and all eyes would be on the prince's choice of ring. Harry would have his pick of options and could source a vintage piece, splash out on a something by one of Meghan's favorite jewelers, or have the ring custom-made. However, the most likely option by far is that he would turn to his mother's jewelry collection so that there will be an unbreakable and fitting connection between his two great loves - his mother and his fiancée.
After Princess Diana's death, her jewelry was inherited by both of her sons, and therefore if Harry were to use one of his mother's pieces, he would be sure to run it past William first - even though the gesture would mainly be a formality. But which piece would Harry choose? There are rings that he could select, but perhaps the most likely option would be repurposing another piece of jewelry to transform it into an engagement ring.
The stone most often associated with Diana is the sapphire - not only did her engagement ring contain one, but she also owned many other pieces featuring the deep blue jewel, including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and watches. Since the Duchess of Cambridge now wears Diana's most famous sapphire, it seems unlikely that Harry would choose the same stone for Meghan. However, since sapphire engagement rings have long been popular with the royal family - both of Princess Anne's engagement rings contained the stone - it might not be totally out of the question.
Harry's more likely choice could be an emerald. The queen gave Diana an emerald necklace as a wedding present - which the princess famously wore as a headband - so perhaps one of the stones could be set in a ring. Additionally, Prince Charles gave Diana an emerald bracelet and earrings as a wedding present, so the ring could be worn with these other meaningful pieces . . .
Why Leaving Everything to Move Abroad Is the Best Decision I Ever Made
Wanderlust.
Not all those who wander are lost.
I just want to travel the world with my best friend.
These are phrases that I literally see popping up on my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter every day. Why? Because we all love the idea of seeing something new, stumbling into our destiny, and living a life that's extraordinary. If you're stuck in your college class or office cubical and hoping this article will tell you that travel isn't all it's cracked up to be - sorry, it really is.
When I was 21, I finished my bachelor's degree, overtly confident that I would find a job doing exactly what I wanted to do within months, but as many of you can likely relate, that wasn't the case. After six months of selling workout gear at Nordstrom, I decided on a whim to go to grad school - in the Middle East. By the next January I had shipped off to Israel, right in time for my 22nd birthday. It was the best decision I have ever made.
Since then, I've learned two new languages, earned a graduate degree, traveled to over a dozen countries, gotten an amazing career, and met my husband (I know - who would have thought?). Perhaps more importantly, though, I became who I am today through those experiences. I've learned that I can survive in virtually any airport, bus station, or city in the world and still find my way. I've learned that I can stand up for myself, that I love meeting new people with different experiences than mine, and that I'm actually really good at learning languages (who knew?).
The question you should really ask yourself is, "How am I willing to suffer to get there?"
On paper, my story sounds like the perfect experience. I took a major risk by leaving everything I knew for a country with an entirely different language and culture, and I actually liked it. The truth is, there were times when I desperately wanted the comfort of my favorite Starbucks drink, my best friends, and a hug from my mom. Needless to say, I'm glad I didn't give up on a dream for a vanilla latte.
I've read before that when considering what you want to do with your life, the question you should really ask yourself is, "How am I willing to suffer to get there?" For me, my love for adventure meant that I had to get by for years on freelance work without having a work visa in Israel - all while my friends were climbing the career ladder. I also had to deal with the sheer terror of arriving in a place and realizing that I didn't know a single soul and then choosing to stay anyway and roll with the punches.
No two people have the same travel story, and I think that's what makes traveling so special. There's something about leaving everything you know behind and starting with a totally clean slate that makes you take a good, hard look at who you are and who you want to be. My advice to you: if you're not waking up every day and loving the life you're in, don't wait. We only get one shot at this, and if it's your dream to see the world, then find a way to do it. I promise you, the only thing you will regret is not trying.
12 Things You Should Know Before Traveling Across the Country on Amtrak
I have always fantasized about traveling across the country by train, so when my boyfriend suggested that we take Amtrak from San Francisco to New York City, I was all in. There have been many conversations around the web about what it's really like to take Amtrak for long trips, so I want to give you the most accurate and true depiction.
We decided to get a roomette for the first and longest leg of our travel on the California Zephyr. We had the small room from Emeryville (the Amtrak station right outside of San Francisco) to Chicago for two days and two nights. After a seven-hour stop in Chicago, we rode the remaining 17 hours of our journey to NYC in coach seats. In total, our tickets for two people came out to $772. Not bad considering we were traveling for three and a half days and our meals were included with the roomette.
To get all the details on what it's like to sleep, eat, and basically live in an Amtrak train while chugging across America, keep reading. There are lots of interesting details that will take you by surprise.
Theory Alert! Could Ser Davos Actually Be the Secret Hero on Game of Thrones?
Caution: the following contains spoilers pertaining to Game of Thrones season six!
Between seasons of Game of Thrones, we've obsessed over theories predicting the secret savior of Westeros. Could it be Jon Snow - nay, Jon Targaryen - who might unite the Seven Kingdoms and defeat the White Walkers? Or might it be his fiery aunt, Daenerys? Hell, it might even be Sansa or Arya Stark, according to the theories we consume so ferociously to fill the void. But all this time, we've been overlooking some serious foreshadowing about one unexpected character: lovable Ser Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight.
According to an utterly convincing Reddit theory by Redditor FollowTheBeard, Davos may be Azor Ahai, or the "Prince That Was Promised." We know, crazy, right? After spending six seasons supporting another man (Stannis) who claimed to be Azor Ahai, it seems wild that it may have been Davos himself all along who can fulfill this ancient prophecy. But hear us out; the Easter eggs that have been strewn throughout the series, when combined, make an excellent argument for Seaworth as the Prince That Was Promised.
The Theory:
In typical Reddit fashion, FollowTheBeard's full theory begins with a succinct explanation for skimmers: "TL;DR: Davos drew Lightbringer from the fire. Davos was reborn amidst salt and smoke under a bleeding star. Davos resurrected Jon Snow and woke the dragon from stone. Davos is the savior that will protect the world from darkness. Davos is the Prince that was Promised."
"Davos is the savior that will protect the world from darkness. Davos is the Prince that was Promised."
Each of these moments, wherein Davos merely blends into the background, not focusing on his own exceptional qualities in favor of serving a greater good, add up to foretell the Onion Knight as an unexpected savior.
First, explains the internet theorist, is Davos's early encounter with a flaming sword. At the beginning of season two, Melisandre proclaims: "In the ancient books it is written that a Warrior will draw a burning sword from the fire, and that sword shall be Lightbringer. Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Light, your sword awaits you." While Stannis ceremoniously withdraws a sword from the flames, Davos observes from the background; after the pomp and circumstance ceases, the knight walks over and picks up the formerly flaming sword himself, casually walking away with it.
The next piece of evidence is part of the prophecy, which predicts that "When the red star bleeds and the darkness gathers, Azor Ahai shall be born again amidst smoke and salt." Now, recall the conclusion of season two, when Davos and his navy are bombarded by Tyrion's Wildfire in the Battle of the Blackwater. The entire fleet is destroyed, and most of Stannis's soldiers perished in the battle . . . most, except Ser Davos. FollowTheBeard goes on to explain:
"Water is used pervasively in literature as a metaphoric mechanism of cleansing and rebirth. Fire is also widely used as a symbol for rebirth, renewed life, burning away corruption, etc. Davos 'comes back to life' in the Season 3 premiere as he wakes up on an island, rescued by Salladhor Saan, who even says:
'You've only just come back to life. Stay alive a little longer, my friend.'
Thus, Davos is reborn amidst smoke (wildfire) and salt (seawater). The metaphorical implications of Davos's rebirth can be thoroughly examined, but that's for another post."
Finally, Azor Ahai is foretold "to wake dragons from the stone." While Davos certainly hasn't interacted with any massive reptilian beasts a là Daenerys, he was in the room when Jon Snow (who we now know is a Targaryen) was resurrected atop a stone slab. According to this theory, it was no coincidence that Davos was the only one present when Jon awoke from death:
"During the resurrection scene, Jon Snow is laid out on a stone slab. Melisandre performs the ritual and . . . nothing happens. Tormund leaves, Melisandre leaves, Edd leaves. Only Davos stays. He lingers, as seen from this clip here. He approaches Jon, internally begging, pleading, willing, praying for his return. Shortly after, Jon gasps his first breath.
The delay between the ritual and first breath was not a dramatic pause. Melisandre did not resurrect Jon Snow. She never believed she could, nor did she have any faith left in the cause. Davos did. Davos, not Melisandre, brought Jon Snow back to life. Davos woke the dragon from stone."
These three pieces of evidence, along with Ser Davos actor Liam Cunningham's cryptic hints about knowing a secret straight from George R. R. Martin himself, are quite convincing. We'll definitely be playing close attention during season seven for more indicators that Davos is actually intended to save Westeros, not just serve it.
Not bad for a former smuggler who recently learned how to read, eh?
30 Breathtaking North American Natural Wonders You Have to See Before You Die
When it comes to traveling, Americans often feel like they haven't seen enough, despite the number of foreign countries they may be lucky enough to have already visited. You might be determined to visit the famed Seven Wonders of the World, but did you know there are actually dozens and dozens of natural wonders to see right here in North America? From the Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park to Hubbard Glacier in Alaska and Canada to Baja California Sur, you could easily take a road trip (or two or three) across our great continent, never ceasing to be impressed. Have a look at this gallery and start planning your next semilocal vacation.
6 Things You Might Not Know About the Blue Lagoon, Iceland's Not-So-Natural Wonder
Many of us have the Blue Lagoon on our bucket list for its icy-blue steaming waters, but there's so much more the Iceland hot spot has to offer. Guests are promised a memorable and unique experience complete with food and drinks, spa services, and cool facilities. There's more to it than a hot soak, though that's definitely worth going for alone.
The Blue Lagoon is only 20 minutes from Keflavik International Airport (50 minutes from Reykjavik), so it's best to stop by first thing or before your flight back. You might even be surprised about the six things you learn ahead. See everything you need to know about making the most of your visit.
Theory Alert! Could Ser Davos Actually Be the Secret Hero on Game of Thrones?
Caution: the following contains spoilers pertaining to Game of Thrones season six!
Between seasons of Game of Thrones, we've obsessed over theories predicting the secret savior of Westeros. Could it be Jon Snow - nay, Jon Targaryen - who might unite the Seven Kingdoms and defeat the White Walkers? Or might it be his fiery aunt, Daenerys? Hell, it might even be Sansa or Arya Stark, according to the theories we consume so ferociously to fill the void. But all this time, we've been overlooking some serious foreshadowing about one unexpected character: lovable Ser Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight.
According to an utterly convincing Reddit theory by Redditor FollowTheBeard, Davos may be Azor Ahai, or the "Prince That Was Promised." We know, crazy, right? After spending six seasons supporting another man (Stannis) who claimed to be Azor Ahai, it seems wild that it may have been Davos himself all along who can fulfill this ancient prophecy. But hear us out; the Easter eggs that have been strewn throughout the series, when combined, make an excellent argument for Seaworth as the Prince That Was Promised.
The Theory:
In typical Reddit fashion, FollowTheBeard's full theory begins with a succinct explanation for skimmers: "TL;DR: Davos drew Lightbringer from the fire. Davos was reborn amidst salt and smoke under a bleeding star. Davos resurrected Jon Snow and woke the dragon from stone. Davos is the savior that will protect the world from darkness. Davos is the Prince that was Promised."
"Davos is the savior that will protect the world from darkness. Davos is the Prince that was Promised."
Each of these moments, wherein Davos merely blends into the background, not focusing on his own exceptional qualities in favor of serving a greater good, add up to foretell the Onion Knight as an unexpected savior.
First, explains the internet theorist, is Davos's early encounter with a flaming sword. At the beginning of season two, Melisandre proclaims: "In the ancient books it is written that a Warrior will draw a burning sword from the fire, and that sword shall be Lightbringer. Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Light, your sword awaits you." While Stannis ceremoniously withdraws a sword from the flames, Davos observes from the background; after the pomp and circumstance ceases, the knight walks over and picks up the formerly flaming sword himself, casually walking away with it.
The next piece of evidence is part of the prophecy, which predicts that "When the red star bleeds and the darkness gathers, Azor Ahai shall be born again amidst smoke and salt." Now, recall the conclusion of season two, when Davos and his navy are bombarded by Tyrion's Wildfire in the Battle of the Blackwater. The entire fleet is destroyed, and most of Stannis's soldiers perished in the battle . . . most, except Ser Davos. FollowTheBeard goes on to explain:
"Water is used pervasively in literature as a metaphoric mechanism of cleansing and rebirth. Fire is also widely used as a symbol for rebirth, renewed life, burning away corruption, etc. Davos 'comes back to life' in the Season 3 premiere as he wakes up on an island, rescued by Salladhor Saan, who even says:
'You've only just come back to life. Stay alive a little longer, my friend.'
Thus, Davos is reborn amidst smoke (wildfire) and salt (seawater). The metaphorical implications of Davos's rebirth can be thoroughly examined, but that's for another post."
Finally, Azor Ahai is foretold "to wake dragons from the stone." While Davos certainly hasn't interacted with any massive reptilian beasts a là Daenerys, he was in the room when Jon Snow (who we now know is a Targaryen) was resurrected atop a stone slab. According to this theory, it was no coincidence that Davos was the only one present when Jon awoke from death:
"During the resurrection scene, Jon Snow is laid out on a stone slab. Melisandre performs the ritual and . . . nothing happens. Tormund leaves, Melisandre leaves, Edd leaves. Only Davos stays. He lingers, as seen from this clip here. He approaches Jon, internally begging, pleading, willing, praying for his return. Shortly after, Jon gasps his first breath.
The delay between the ritual and first breath was not a dramatic pause. Melisandre did not resurrect Jon Snow. She never believed she could, nor did she have any faith left in the cause. Davos did. Davos, not Melisandre, brought Jon Snow back to life. Davos woke the dragon from stone."
These three pieces of evidence, along with Ser Davos actor Liam Cunningham's cryptic hints about knowing a secret straight from George R. R. Martin himself, are quite convincing. We'll definitely be playing close attention during season seven for more indicators that Davos is actually intended to save Westeros, not just serve it.
Not bad for a former smuggler who recently learned how to read, eh?
14 Celebrities You'd Be Surprised to Know Got Their Start on Broadway
When it comes to talent, these celebrities are triple threats. While stars like Sarah Jessica Parker and Meryl Streep are known for their groundbreaking TV and movie roles, you'd be surprised to know that they got their start singing and dancing on the stage. In fact, many of them still raise their incredible voices from time to time (looking at you, Anna Kendrick). Whether or not you're a theater nerd, you'll definitely appreciate some of these stars' humble beginnings on Broadway.
How My Boyfriend and I Vacationed in Cabo For 5 Days For $621 Each
Travel isn't the easiest expense when you're young and broke, but it's not impossible. I spontaneously booked a five-day trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with my boyfriend, and we returned home to San Francisco without having blown all our money. Not only that but we were able to fully enjoy ourselves and even splurge a little throughout our vacation. Our entire trip - including airfare, hotel, and daily allowance - came out to be a doable $621 per person. Not bad, right? We honestly had the best time together, and what made it even more incredible was the amount of money we were able to save. See how you too can vacation in Cabo on a budget with these seven tips.
1. Travel during off-season months.
One of the best times to visit Cabo is during May (especially in the beginning of the month) because you miss Spring breakers and families have yet to arrive for Summer vacation. Not to mention the weather is fantastic with average highs at 89 degrees Fahrenheit and lows at 61.
Flights and accommodations are typically cheaper during the slower months around this time and between July and September when the heat really starts rising. Our flights (on Virgin America) were about $135 each way, totaling $280 round trip per person after taxes and fees.
2. Book your hotel through travel sites.
Immediately after we purchased airfare, we looked on Hotels.com to find accommodations within our budget. I prefer booking through travel search sites because I can easily filter by price range and rating. And that's when I landed on a quaint and cute boutique inn that seemed too good to be true: Cabo Vista Hotel. I am not joking when I say that we scored a nightly rate of $35. Obviously, you can't expect it to be anything like the Four Seasons at that price point, but we were surprised at how clean the rooms were and how friendly their staff was. Each room is equipped with TV, free Wi-Fi, a kitchenette (stove top, sink, and microwave), bathroom, and most importantly, AC. The only caveat was that it's about a 10- to 15-minute walk to downtown, which was actually not bad. Four nights and five days only cost us $183, including tax.
3. Set your budget beforehand.
In a Google doc, I planned out a day-to-day itinerary to get an idea of how much we'd spend. This helped us figure out the exact amount we needed to exchange into pesos when we got to Cabo and how much we were allowed per day. You're also more likely to spend less when you have a figure in your head. What I knew I wanted to splurge on was dinner, so we gave ourselves the highest allowance on days we had dinner reservations. We wanted to check out Cabo dining staples like The Office and Edith's and were fine with being more frugal with other meals and expenses for the days we ate there. Dinner at both spots came out to be a little over $100 for both of us, and we filled up on local fare for breakfast and lunch. Food is extremely affordable at nontouristy places, and we were able to feast on tacos and beer for $15 total per meal.
4. Cash out at ATMs.
The best way to get the most for your buck when exchanging currency is to withdraw from ATMs. Avoid airport kiosks (rates are terrible) and frequent transactions, as your bank is likely to charge a foreign transaction fee every time. As soon as we landed, I headed straight to the airport's ATM and took out half of what we needed for the trip. Not only will you save on debit/credit card fees by sticking to cash but you're also more likely to stick to your budget. We took out the remaining amount we budgeted for halfway through our trip, and this prevented us from being charged for multiple unnecessary withdrawals.
5. Walk or bus as much as you can.
Taxis in Cabo are ridiculously expensive but luckily, Cabo San Lucas isn't a huge city to navigate. The walk from our hotel to anywhere within downtown and Medano Beach was totally manageable, so we set out on foot for most of our trip. The main bus, Ruta del Desierto, takes off from Puerto Paraiso (the main mall downtown) and is your best method of transportation to anywhere outside the city. It was only a $2 bus ride to get to Santa Maria Beach (great for snorkeling), which was too far to walk (20 minutes driving). Since Los Cabos International Airport is located in San José del Cabo, about 35 to 40 minutes from Cabo San Lucas, the best method of transportation is the bus if you want to save money. Shuttles can cost around $20 per person, while taxis can set each person back $40 to $60 one-way. Bus fare is significantly cheaper at a little over $4 (80 MXN) each.
6. Don't be afraid to barter with locals.
There are tons of vendors approaching you on the main Medano Beach trying to sell you everything you can imagine from excursions to fruit. You can almost always bring it down from the asking price. We took a boat tour from Medano to Lover's Beach for $10 each when they originally offered it at $15. They work with tourists all day, every day, and the worst they can say is "no."
7. Take advantage of timeshare presentations.
Yes, my boyfriend and I fell for a timeshare presentation when that was exactly what we wanted to avoid. We didn't even make it out of the airport because companies bombard you, asking you how you're planning on getting to your hotel. Despite saying "no gracias" and avoiding eye contact, we somehow got stuck with one for the following morning at a resort. Their hook? We'll take you to your hotel on a private taxi for free and pick you up to bring you to the resort tomorrow. The catch? Give us $80 now and you'll get it back in full after you sit through the 75-minute presentation. Look, I was resistant as hell. But I did want to get to our rooms as quick as possible and head to our dinner reservation. They eventually got me.
The next morning, we got to their resort where we enjoyed a free breakfast and a spiel that lasted way longer than they advertised (two hours!!). At one point, my boyfriend and I looked at each other half laughing, half crying because we realized we were never leaving. They do booze you up during it all to try to break you down, but we remained strong. I also specifically planned to do it early enough in the day so that we still had a full day ahead of us. After it all, we got back our $80 as promised, breakfast, free transportation, a three-day VIP pass to their beach and facilities, and 50 percent off of activities. We definitely could've milked it more, but we just wanted to get the f*ck out of there. Other resorts often give you a bottle of tequila to take home, some even spending cash to ease the offer. If you're OK with giving up some of your time - it's not 75-minutes long no matter what they tell you - you can definitely get some perks.
18 Sexy Swimsuits For Your Honeymoon, Because Now Is the Time to Flaunt It
If your nuptials are coming up and there's a warm-weather honeymoon in sight, then that probably means you're on the hunt for a new swimsuit. Something that screams "I just got married" while also also being slightly more salacious than you're used to (come on, it's your honeymoon). Whether you want something traditionally white, or are looking for a revealing monokini, we have 18 suits for you to check out.
Read 'Em and Weep! 49 Tattoos Inspired by Famous Books
The things we read in the books we love often stay with us for a long time, but for some, they stay forever - literally. Tattoos based on books are a beautiful way of keeping our favorite literary memories, characters, and quotes alive even after we've turned the last page. We've rounded up some artistic interpretations of famous works - from the Harry Potter and Hunger Games series to Pride and Prejudice and The Little Prince. Read 'em and weep!
For Me, Marching in Pride Isn't an Option - It's a Responsibility
Growing up, I was always the "weird kid" at school. I wore (mostly) girls' clothes, because I preferred girls' clothes. I was obsessive about dressing like the Spice Girls, which meant bell-bottoms, tube tops, and platform shoes. I had shaggy hair and my nails were always painted. As I grew older, and thanks in part to years of bullying, I became self-conscious about not fitting in. The older I got, the meaner my peers got, and eventually I broke. I was sick of getting sh*t for being different, so I laid to rest all of the quirks and queer tendencies and worked on blending in. I wore my older brother's clothes: baggy pants from PacSun, boxers, AirWalk skate shoes. Everything four sizes too big. It felt heavy. It became drag for me, a part to play to survive from grades five through nine.
But still, underneath all those layers, I was always queer.
In the Spring of my freshman year in high school, sitting in rehearsals for Urinetown: The Musical, I fell in love with a guy for the first time. His name was Will; he had the voice of an angel and helped me come out. At that point, I was the only out gay kid in my grade, but he made me feel less alone in school.
I tried not to make the coming-out process into a big deal. My mom and dad knew, as they've said, from the time I "came out of the womb, jazz hand first." Instead of telling people in school, I simply changed my Facebook info. I enjoyed hearing whispers in the hallway about it, an undercurrent of gossip from my peers. Instead of verbal confirmation, I used clothing and mannerisms attached to stereotypes of how I thought gay people were meant to act and dress. Overnight, I became as G-A-Y as possible. It was liberating. In an instant, I realized I could be anything I wanted, and for the rest of those very formative years, I wore many different hats. Assimilated and tried on different facets of queer culture, working through things to find my authenticity. Not even 24 hours after graduating high school, I got the f*ck out of Atlanta and moved to New York.
I saw it as an opportunity for all facets of the LGBTQ+ community to come together, allies in tow, and march in support of each other, our ancestors, our future.The first time I went to Gay Pride was by accident. I was rehearsing a play at a small, run-down theater on Christopher Street. I stepped out on one of my breaks and found myself in the middle of the parade. I took those breaks as opportunities to observe, from the sidelines, the wonder that is Pride, in all of its messy, beautiful glory. I saw it as an opportunity for all facets of the LGBTQ+ community to come together, allies in tow, and march in support of each other, our ancestors, our future.
I continued, after that Summer, to participate in Pride from afar. I didn't feel driven to fully immerse myself in it. However, post-Trump America has emboldened me to get involved in new ways. It's become clear that our rights aren't guaranteed. In general, I've started to remove myself from the sidelines and immerse myself in my community, engaging with all facets as much as possible to try to understand how I can best improve intersectionality and support those who are more marginalized than myself. I am more aware of my privilege as a cis-passing, white, queer person who gets to create art as a profession; that I've been granted rights that others fought for me to have and lived very comfortably as a queer person up until this point. Now, I feel a responsibility to fight to keep the rights I inherited and, more importantly, do my best to support other members of the LGBTQ+ community who haven't had it as easy.
That's what my Pride really boils down to: this fight. Our rights. Unabashed pride in ourselves and all the diverse facets of our community.
35 Things You'll Regret Doing in Life
"Life is too short" is so cliché, but also so true. Not to sound morbid, but our days are limited and we never know when our time will be up. We tend to think we're invincible, especially when we're young and don't often live to the fullest because we don't think of the bigger picture. We let ourselves get caught up in such trivial things that seem silly when we look back, or we don't take care of ourselves until our bodies give us a clear and scary sign to. Mindfulness is one way to practice living in the present, and all it really takes is to step back every once in a while to reflect on your choices. You only live once, after all, so why not make this a life without any regrets? See 35 things you'll regret doing down the line and consider changing a few things for yourself.
- Holding grudges.
- Not going to the dentist regularly.
- Losing touch with friends.
- Stressing yourself out so much.
- Letting fear stop you from trying something.
- Not traveling enough.
- Burning bridges.
- Keeping toxic people in your life.
- Being overly strict with your diet.
- Hating yourself.
- Not being there when someone needed you most.
- Treating your parents poorly.
- Worrying about money so much.
- Letting the little things get to you.
- Living life based on what someone else wants.
- Staying angry at someone.
- Not saying "I love you."
- Ignoring your body.
- Overworking yourself.
- Not spending enough time with family.
- Listening to haters.
- Not taking that much-needed vacation.
- Having enemies.
- Treating someone badly.
- Worrying so much about what others think.
- Not going for that dream job.
- Not taking care of your physical and mental health.
- Being close-minded.
- Doing the bare minimum.
- Being afraid to take more risks.
- Not enjoying life more.
- Being selfish.
- Closing people off.
- Not giving back.
- Letting someone other than yourself be in charge of your happiness.
You'll Want Wonder Woman's Powerful Theme Song on Your Gym Playlist ASAP
While watching Wonder Woman, you'll probably come away with a lot of thoughts - "holy sh*t, that was good," likely being chief among them - but there was one thing I couldn't get out of my head: Diana's intense theme song. Anytime the Princess of the Amazons was about to kick some serious ass, a powerful, familiar cello song would play. It's the same basic theme Hans Zimmer composed for Wonder Woman's action scene in Batman v Superman, called "Is She With You," only this time it's gotten a metal makeover from Tina Guo.
As io9 recently pointed out, Guo is a classically trained musician and electric cellist, who also plays bass and guitar (she even performed with the Foo Fighters at the 2008 Grammy Awards). She and Zimmer worked together to develop the initial theme, and now her solo version can be heard in full as Gal Gadot takes down enemy after enemy in the new film. Listen to the finished product above, and check out Guo in action below!
Recording #ElectricCello for my new #WonderWoman single.... coming soon! #Metal #PizzaPower #Pizza 🍕🍕🍕🎸🎸🎸🎻🎻🎻 http://pic.twitter.com/Z5WtkULWCK
- Tina Guo (@Tinaguo) March 5, 2017
Metal Wonderwoman 😳🎸#WonderWoman #Bass #Cello #TinaGuo http://pic.twitter.com/fwoC7C3qUs
- Tina Guo (@Tinaguo) March 5, 2017
14 Celebrities You'd Be Surprised to Know Got Their Start on Broadway
When it comes to talent, these celebrities are triple threats. While stars like Sarah Jessica Parker and Meryl Streep are known for their groundbreaking TV and movie roles, you'd be surprised to know that they got their start singing and dancing on the stage. In fact, many of them still raise their incredible voices from time to time (looking at you, Anna Kendrick). Whether or not you're a theater nerd, you'll definitely appreciate some of these stars' humble beginnings on Broadway.
18 Sexy Swimsuits For Your Honeymoon, Because Now Is the Time to Flaunt It
If your nuptials are coming up and there's a warm-weather honeymoon in sight, then that probably means you're on the hunt for a new swimsuit. Something that screams "I just got married" while also also being slightly more salacious than you're used to (come on, it's your honeymoon). Whether you want something traditionally white, or are looking for a revealing monokini, we have 18 suits for you to check out.
Here's What Happened When SNL's Writers Tried to Make Trump Play the Giving Tree
Considering how much material the Trump administration gives Saturday Night Live to work with each week, writing for the show isn't an easy task. HuffPost talked to two Saturday Night Live writers about writing during an election season - and what it was like working with Donald Trump when he hosted the show in November 2015, in the middle of the campaign.
The two writers are Tim Herlihy, who was with show from 1993 to 2000 and was present for the 1996 and 2000 elections, and Bryan Tucker. Tucker is still with SNL, after joining in 2005, and a writer for the 2008, 2012, and the 2016 elections. Herlihy, who covered tamer elections, spoke about how political sketches didn't necessarily "have to dominate the show" as they do now. "Now, if they did a Trump-less show, people would go bananas. That's a lot of pressure to have [political material]," Herlihy said. Tucker said this election was especially "exceptional because so many people were paying attention to it, and because passions were so deep and there were just a lot of characters, specifically Donald Trump being the biggest character of them all."
During the election, Tucker contended that the show tried to parody both Hillary Clinton and Trump. However, once the person elected is in power, it's the show's responsibility to make fun of them. "Our show is always trying to be a big tent, but before, we're making a very concerned effort to parody both sides because America is paying attention so much to both sides," Tucker. "But afterwards, when one side has so much power and one side has so little, we go after the people who have that power. We punch up."
Herlihy, who worked with previous presidential candidates on the show, thought of Trump as a "joke candidate" and not someone who would win the Republican nomination. "He's a public figure, and nobody thought there was a prayer of him being elected at that point," Herlihy said. Tucker, however, was able to see how Trump operated when it came to deciding what jokes he would make and wouldn't. According to Tucker, Trump only came with one security person, and decided everything himself.
"When we would present him an idea, he would just go from his gut and say, "I like that" or "I don't like that." Sometimes we could persuade him. Sometimes he would lean out of the door and ask his security guy, "Do you think this is funny? Do you think this is a good idea?" But that was, to me, an insight into him that I hadn't gotten before: He really makes decisions by himself, and although he had people he was talking to throughout the week, there was very little back-and-forth with other people."
The only sketch Trump wouldn't do is one that involved him playing the Giving Tree. He didn't enjoy standing in a tree with his head sticking out of it and the sketch itself didn't get many laughs.
This year's Saturday Night Live is now over, but the show's record ratings clearly indicate viewers aren't sick of political sketches.
9 Gorgeous Patio Decorating Ideas Straight From Your Favorite Design Influencers
Are you cooped up inside your stuffy home instead of luxuriating outside in the Summer sun? Could be that your backyard is inhospitable. And the antidote to an icky outdoors space is thoughtful design. From garden ideas that will work in even the smallest yards to cozy DIY furniture, here are nine ways our favorite design influencers have made their outdoor spaces the number one places to hang this Summer.
24 Celebrities Who Rocked the Bikini While Pregnant
For expectant mamas heading on vacation, swimwear selection is always top of mind, but when you're heading to the beach - or even the backyard - you may want to celebrate the day wearing a two-piece swimsuit. Fifty percent of our readers showed off their burgeoning bellies in a bikini while pregnant - and they're not alone. Take a look at some of our favorite expectant celebs who also sported bikinis while playing in the sun.
Kate Mulgrew Promises You'll Be "Gobsmacked" by OITNB Season 5
Galina "Red" Reznikov is not one to sit down or shut up. According to actress Kate Mulgrew, the mother hen of Litchfield is facing her biggest challenge yet in season five of Orange Is the New Black. Ahead of the June 9 premiere, Mulgrew hopped on the phone with us and dropped some major hints about what to expect from the new batch of episodes. Season four ends on a huge cliffhanger, and Mulgrew made it seem like that fever pitch of intensity will keep up all through the three-day arc of season five. "It's a pretty big season for me," she said. "At least, that's how I felt when I staggered home at the end of it." Here's what we learned from Litchfield's fiercest chef.
- For the first time, Red is out of her element. The final line of season four comes courtesy of Red, who sees the the gun in Daya's hand and mutters, "Sh*t, here it is." Mulgrew clarified what Red meant, saying, "Women who have been incarcerated for long periods of time have very little to lose or so they feel in a moment like this. So when I say, 'Sh*t, here it is,' [it means] in all of my years at Litchfield I have not seen this kind of rupture and I know that this kind of rupture can lead to nothing but something seismic and that's exactly that happens in season five."
- We're about to see everyone go their own way. "Everyone approaches a moment like this very differently; it's entirely subjective. What does it mean when a prison riots? Well, it means something different to each person. You're going to see Red probably take this personally. You're going to see somebody else take it politically.
- Red's season five storyline really begins in season four. "Red has something happen to her, the kernel of which is planted in season four. It's actually fairly developed toward the end of season four, with a particular CO." May she be referring to the power-mad Piscatella? "In this relationship, there lies a scarlet thread that she has not felt since she was devastated by her family, the Russian people. She meets this person and it's as if everything she has fought for, everything in her character, everything in her being that she has willed to overcome, this horrific sentence, is overturned and she is filled with a great need and almost a force, a power, a drive to negate that. So for Red, it's a battlefield."
- Red won't be in Mother Hen mode. "I would say it's not as familial as it has been in the past. It is far more isolated . . . Nicky is always there for Red. I love her, my love for her is constant and true. I'm always looking out for her and she is for me but something threatens even that. So I am looking at the greater evil and it is my mandate to myself to overcome this greater evil that I believe this person represents."
- Whatever happens to Red, it's BIG. "Audiences are going to be gobsmacked, mouths agape at what happens to all of us in this season, but in particular probably what happens to Red. It's no holds barred. There's very little I did not experience, endure, and overcome . . . Red is an extraordinary creature, but she is a woman of many flaws, which are evident in a way that we have never seen before. Her humanity is threatened in a way we have never seen before. Something bigger than she could even have thought of - and she thinks at a pretty high level - has come to darken her life."
- We'll see "a little bit" of Red's backstory. "The train is moving on a immediate track and I am in the front car," she said, confirming that most of the season is focused on the present. "There's just no question about it, it's moving and another train is moving toward it. That's what the audience is going to see for 13 episodes. A trainwreck is coming, but who will survive?"
- Someone won't make it to season six. While Mulgrew implied that Red would survive the season, she did say that heads would roll. "Not everybody does survive, I will say that."
Orange Is the New Black season four is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.
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