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 1 septembre 2017
Rihanna Just Dropped HUGE Fenty Beauty News and Product Sneak Peeks
Our hearts nearly stopped when Rihanna announced she'd be launching her own makeup collection, Fenty Beauty. We are now just one week away from the big reveal, and the superstar dropped her official campaign on Twitter.
"Spilling starts today! Who's coming to the tea poortyyy?!" she teased on Twitter after a fan asked her to give more info on Fenty Beauty. Hours later, she debuted a video featuring a diverse cast of models including Halima Aden (who famously walked in Kanye West's Yeezy runway show in a hijab), Paloma Elsesser, Duckie Thot, and Rihanna herself. Aside from being downright fierce, it also gave us flashes of what to expect from the highly anticipated products. It's all pretty minimalist with a big focus on lip glosses - you even see a model applying a nude-colored one on camera - as well as glistening highlighter and, best of all, gold glitter eye shadow.
Rihanna tweeted that Fenty Beauty will be start shipping globally starting Sept. 8 at 12 a.m. PT on fentybeauty.com and will also be available at Sephora. While she didn't give product reveals just yet, she did share some product names: Chili Mango, Trophy Wife, Yacht Life, and Confetti.
Meanwhile, Leomie Anderson, one of the models in the video, called Fenty "the beauty brand for girls who know who the f*ck they are and aren't afraid to show it" on Instagram. We don't expect anything less.
See more of the Fenty Beauty campaign ahead.
Maternity Leave in America Is So Bleak, Women Are Crowdfunding Their Time Off
The state of paid family leave in the US is woeful at best, even earning a scathing send-up on Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, a segment that starkly illuminates the hypocrisy surrounding America's sentiments toward motherhood. For example, things like Mothers Day practically fetishize motherhood, while many women who actually have babies are not provided with remotely enough time off from work to heal physically or bond with their new children.
There is no federally mandated paid leave policy for new parents, and while some companies lavish new parents with benefits (such as ample paid time off plus $4,000 in "Baby Cash" for new parents who work at Facebook), too many others offer meager parental leave, often at a percentage of the employee's salary (or totally unpaid). Facing the choice between taking longer unpaid leave or returning to work soon after giving birth, some new moms are now creating a third option for themselves: crowdfunding maternity leave.
Rather than curating traditional baby registries for diapers and cribs, new parents solicit money to supplement their parental leave on sites like Babylist. Since May 2016, over 200 "leave funds" have been created on Babylist, with an average cash goal of $2,000, according to The Atlantic's examination of this trend. The article continues:
Soon-to-be parents asking for money instead of gifts isn't new. But the practice of raising money specifically for parental leave has a different tone. Many women who started maternity funds spoke about the inadequate nature of paid leave in the US. Changes in public or company policy can feel far away, especially for expectant parents who have a more concrete deadline than politicians and HR offices. Establishing a maternity-leave fund to solicit help from family and friends is one market solution that feels immediate and tangible.
Critics may decry this tactic as coarse or tacky, in the same way that wedding cash registries and honeymoon funds have been criticized with the old argument, "Why do we have to pay for your vacation/time off from work?" But then again, if a family would prefer cash to offset an unpaid leave from work (instead of receiving nine more copies of Goodnight Moon), what's the difference? Rather than quibbling over whether or not it's crass to have a maternity leave fund, perhaps we should worry about the sad fact that new parents feel the need for one.
10 Things Anyone Who Runs in a City Needs to Know
Outdoor running is often associated with peaceful parks and secluded country roads, but the fact is, many major US cities are some of the most popular areas for runs. As such, there are many factors that should be kept in mind, when it comes to both your personal safety and consideration for the other people you're sharing the roads with, whether that's drivers, cyclists, or your fellow runners.
- Do: wear reflective gear, including clothing and shoes, especially if you are running before sunrise or after sunset. If there are cars out, you definitely want to be seen.
- Do: keep safety in mind and run in fairly populated areas like city parks, especially when running solo. Consider investing in a RoadID just in case someone ever did find you in need of help.
- Do: use good judgment if using headphones. In a perfect running world, everyone would keep headphone use to the treadmill. But if you must wear them out on the roads, keep them low enough that you can still hear the sounds of the people, cars, and possibly wild animals around you. If someone scares the crap out of you when they come around to pass, your tunes are definitely way too loud.
- Do: stay to your left, especially when running on the road versus the sidewalk. It's always good to be able to make eye contact with drivers in front of you than to let them sneak up on you.
- Do: always err on the side of caution whenever crossing the street, even if you know you've got the right of way. "You may be 'right' in trying to dart through traffic to beat that truck trying to turn left, but the end result could ultimately not be worth it," said Andre Laboy, a coach with The Run S.M.A.R.T. Project in New York City. "Never assume you're in the clear without making eye contact with a driver."
- Don't: run more than two abreast, especially on a narrow sidewalk or trail, especially if there are also cyclists on the trail. Similarly, move to the right side if you hear runners coming up to pass you from behind. "There's seemingly a never-ending war between runners and cyclists, especially in big cities like New York," Laboy said. "No run is so important that you have to prove a point about who's right. Share the road, and help to reduce the angry feelings when people may not be respecting each others' space."
- Don't: forget about hydration, especially if water fountains are few and far between on your route. In the hot Summer months here in Houston, I like to fill up and freeze a 12-ounce handheld bottle, which melts down fast and tends to last me at least five miles or so.
- Don't: get cranky if you get held up at a stoplight. Always better to be safe than sorry, and chances are you'll spend less than a minute standing there, which is negligible as far as your training and performance is concerned.
- Don't: obsess about your GPS data and pace, especially when running through urban areas with high buildings; busy areas are known to throw off GPS signals. You're likely going to come across this problem if participating in a major marathon such as New York, or another big city race, so just take it in stride.
- Don't: zone out so much that you miss trip hazards like potholes and cracked sidewalks. This is especially key if you're running in the dark. Slow down if you need to.
This Powerful Sticker Project Reminds You That Help Is Just a Text Away
Bathrooms are some of the most intimate spaces we visit every day, and there isn't really any way to avoid them. That's exactly why Speck and Crisis Text Line have partnered up to get a sticker up in every bathroom across the US that shows how to reach the Crisis Text Line. Dubbed "The Sticker Project," the campaign officially starts on Sept. 1, the first day of National Suicide Prevention Month.
Crisis Text Line (CTL) is a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week free anonymous texting hotline that offers support and help to anyone who is in a "crisis." To reach a crisis counselor, just text 741741 in the US. However, not everyone knows what number to text - or even that such a service exists. Enter The Sticker Project; a free sticker reveals exactly what CTL does and the number at which to reach crisis counselors. Getting the information up in bathrooms across the country makes it even easier for people to know help is always available.
With The Sticker Project, CTL founder Nancy Lublin wants people everywhere to know help is just a text away. "We want everyone to know that there is free, fast, and anonymous help available if they are in crisis," Lublin said in a press release.
Speck, the tech product case company, joined the cause to help people in need. "We want to get the word out about Crisis Text Line so more people know there is fast, free, and anonymous crisis support available to them any time," Speck CEO Irene Baran told POPSUGAR.
To get a set of stickers to put in the bathrooms you frequent most, you can fill out a request form here. Speck will then send 10 stickers and a poster for free. If you're a guidance counselor or work with a much larger community and need more stickers, Speck will work with you to send a bigger batch of stickers. It's incredibly easy to fill out the form and start spreading the word about CTL - and it could help save someone's life.
If you or a loved one are in need of any help, the National Suicide Prevention organization has several resources and a 24/7 lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Nicaragua: Tips For the Active and Adventurous
Nicaragua is a popular destination for vacationers and backpackers alike, and with good reason. The small country has a bit of everything - gorgeous beaches, incredible volcanoes, coffee and cocoa farms, colonial cities, and mystical lakes - the opportunity for adventure is seemingly endless. Whether you like surfing, hiking, or kayaking, Nicaragua has something to keep you outside and moving your body.
OMG, These 8 Metallic Liquid Lipsticks Are So Sparkly and Shiny
We love a good matte lip, but it's metallic lips that are truly capturing our hearts this Fall. There are all sorts of liquid lipsticks out there that will give you shimmer, shine, and plenty of attention. If you're looking for a way to update your pout, give these metallic liquid lipsticks a try. They just might be your new signature look.
You Might Freak the F*ck Out When You See What Pennywise the Clown Looks Like IRL
Image Source: Everett Collection, Getty / Jamie McCarthy
With a new iteration of Stephen King's bone-chilling It coming to the silver screen, that means a fresh take on Pennywise the Clown has also arrived. While the terrifying villain from the 1990 miniseries appeared more as a standard clown, just scarier (crisp white face paint, a red nose, bright red hair, Gwen Stefani in 2000-thin eyebrows), the latest version of Pennywise is significantly more horrifying. So, who's the man underneath the clown's fearsome veneer? Swedish actor Bill Skarsgard.
You might recognize Skarsgard's name thanks to older brother Alexander Skarsgard, famous for True Blood and Big Little Lies or their father, longtime actor and Thor star Stellan Skarsgard. It also isn't his first foray into horror. After racking up a host of roles in movies like Simple Simon (for which he was nominated for the Swedish equivalent of an Oscar), Anna Karenina, and Victoria, he starred on all three seasons of Netflix's Hemlock Grove as Roman Godfrey, a half vampire.
Since then, he's gone on to play Matthew in the dystopian YA series Allegiant and German informant Merkel in this Summer's spy thriller Atomic Blonde.
So, while you might feel your heart leap into your throat when you first lay eyes on the new Pennywise - who's grittier, scarred, and giving new meaning to the phrase "ten-head" - just know that there's a pretty sexy, normal Swedish guy underneath all those prosthetics.
James Cameron Needs to Sit Down and Take a Lesson From 1 of the Most Iconic Films Made For Women
Now that James Cameron has mansplained to all of us why his concept of a female heroine is better than Wonder Woman, I'd like to return the favor and womansplain something to him: the best way to tell stories about people unlike yourself may be to realize what you don't know and listen to people who do.
That's one reason why Wonder Woman, with its female director and star, spoke to a massive female audience, and that's also how it played out in the making of one of Hollywood's most iconic films starring women up to now, Thelma & Louise. Written by a woman, first-time screenwriter Callie Khouri, and starring two women, Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, Thelma & Louise created the sensation it did back in 1991 because it was so clearly a story that emerged straight from the heart of an actual female, addressing issues that drive females crazy in their actual lives. That the movie still feels fresh today is in part because the men involved in its creation listened to women like Khouri, Sarandon, and Davis, who understood how to keep it real.
It's instructive to study how this worked. Ridley Scott was an unlikely choice to direct the movie and didn't he know it. It perplexed people in Hollywood that Scott, a cigar-chomping man's man known for extravagant action/sci-fi spectacles, chose to make a relatively low-budget saga of ordinary women running amok on the road. But he listened to a young employee of his production company, Mimi Polk, who felt a profound connection to the story.
"The script flew," he said after he read it at her request. "It was very well written." He decided to produce, but, recognizing what he didn't know, he couldn't see himself directing such a 'women's picture.' It was too much from their point of view, full of their banter and a wrath about their place in society that he couldn't quite grasp. "It was a very much not my thing," he said.
But when other directors he approached - all men - didn't see the potential of the screenplay as he did, Scott went ahead, yet with an important caveat. He spent days combing through the script with Khouri so he could subsume his perspective with hers. Scott found it hard to believe, for example, that women had to listen to vulgar catcalls from characters like the truck driver in the movie. Khouri convinced him it happened all the time. She also assured him that the audience would get a kick out of it when the heroines blew up his truck.
Once Davis and Sarandon joined the cast, the film enjoyed the benefit of not one but two smart, outspoken female leads, a critical mass of female brainpower. Davis, for her part, showed an uncanny ability to understand what would appeal to the ladies in the audience when she urged Scott to cast an unknown named Brad Pitt for a small part as her love interest. She'd grown so flustered reading with him at his audition that she botched her lines. But she spoke up for him afterwards. "I saw her color up, and that was it," Scott explained.
Later, Scott suggested that Davis take her top off and wave it around to celebrate the characters' freedom as they sped along the road in their '66 Thunderbird convertible. It fell to Sarandon to tell him the idea didn't ring true. "That's exploitation," she said.
Instead of messing with the ending, they doubled down.
Audience members at the first test screening hated what they saw, especially the shocking ending. But studio head Alan Ladd Jr. listened to the production executive Rebecca Pollack, who urged the filmmakers to "hang on to why we made this film in the first place." They opted to hold tight to the original intent of Khouri's script. Instead of messing with the ending, they doubled down, removing a shot that had been intended to soften the blow.
The result was a production that women took to heart, just as they have Wonder Woman today. Thelma and Louise were imperfect characters making imperfect choices, but they looked like real women and talked like real women who could laugh in the open about the too-recognizable foibles of men and women, too.
Audiences recognized in them the texture and outlook of real women's lives, something we'd been craving on the screen. Wonder Woman is more idealized, as Cameron complained, but the mythical heroine, as played by Gal Gadot and directed by Patty Jenkins, embodies something we also had been yearning to see, a female heroine who is not only beautiful, but principled and brave.
With films carried by female leads so scarce, it's unfortunate that the few who exist are expected to be everything to everyone. But in the too-rare moments when Hollywood power brokers truly listen to women's voices and create stories and characters that touch us, lo and behold, an audience is there. It's a principle that applies to any workplace, really, but especially one charged with speaking to the rich array of humans around the world.
Becky Aikman is the author of Off the Cliff: How the Making of Thelma & Louise Drove Hollywood to the Edge.
25 Exercises You Should Be Doing If You Want a Stronger, Firmer Butt
If you're bored with basic squats and lunges, here are some new moves for working your backside. To start targeting your glutes, grab an exercise ball, weights, and a resistance band - your backside will be in tip-top shape in no time!
This Powerful Sticker Project Reminds You That Help Is Just a Text Away
Bathrooms are some of the most intimate spaces we visit every day, and there isn't really any way to avoid them. That's exactly why Speck and Crisis Text Line have partnered up to get a sticker up in every bathroom across the US that shows how to reach the Crisis Text Line. Dubbed "The Sticker Project," the campaign officially starts on Sept. 1, the first day of National Suicide Prevention Month.
Crisis Text Line (CTL) is a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week free anonymous texting hotline that offers support and help to anyone who is in a "crisis." To reach a crisis counselor, just text 741741 in the US. However, not everyone knows what number to text - or even that such a service exists. Enter The Sticker Project; a free sticker reveals exactly what CTL does and the number at which to reach crisis counselors. Getting the information up in bathrooms across the country makes it even easier for people to know help is always available.
With The Sticker Project, CTL founder Nancy Lublin wants people everywhere to know help is just a text away. "We want everyone to know that there is free, fast, and anonymous help available if they are in crisis," Lublin said in a press release.
Speck, the tech product case company, joined the cause to help people in need. "We want to get the word out about Crisis Text Line so more people know there is fast, free, and anonymous crisis support available to them any time," Speck CEO Irene Baran told POPSUGAR.
To get a set of stickers to put in the bathrooms you frequent most, you can fill out a request form here. Speck will then send 10 stickers and a poster for free. If you're a guidance counselor or work with a much larger community and need more stickers, Speck will work with you to send a bigger batch of stickers. It's incredibly easy to fill out the form and start spreading the word about CTL - and it could help save someone's life.
If you or a loved one are in need of any help, the National Suicide Prevention organization has several resources and a 24/7 lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
James Cameron Needs to Sit Down and Take a Lesson From 1 of the Most Iconic Films Made For Women
Now that James Cameron has mansplained to all of us why his concept of a female heroine is better than Wonder Woman, I'd like to return the favor and womansplain something to him: the best way to tell stories about people unlike yourself may be to realize what you don't know and listen to people who do.
That's one reason why Wonder Woman, with its female director and star, spoke to a massive female audience, and that's also how it played out in the making of one of Hollywood's most iconic films starring women up to now, Thelma & Louise. Written by a woman, first-time screenwriter Callie Khouri, and starring two women, Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, Thelma & Louise created the sensation it did back in 1991 because it was so clearly a story that emerged straight from the heart of an actual female, addressing issues that drive females crazy in their actual lives. That the movie still feels fresh today is in part because the men involved in its creation listened to women like Khouri, Sarandon, and Davis, who understood how to keep it real.
It's instructive to study how this worked. Ridley Scott was an unlikely choice to direct the movie and didn't he know it. It perplexed people in Hollywood that Scott, a cigar-chomping man's man known for extravagant action/sci-fi spectacles, chose to make a relatively low-budget saga of ordinary women running amok on the road. But he listened to a young employee of his production company, Mimi Polk, who felt a profound connection to the story.
"The script flew," he said after he read it at her request. "It was very well written." He decided to produce, but, recognizing what he didn't know, he couldn't see himself directing such a 'women's picture.' It was too much from their point of view, full of their banter and a wrath about their place in society that he couldn't quite grasp. "It was a very much not my thing," he said.
But when other directors he approached - all men - didn't see the potential of the screenplay as he did, Scott went ahead, yet with an important caveat. He spent days combing through the script with Khouri so he could subsume his perspective with hers. Scott found it hard to believe, for example, that women had to listen to vulgar catcalls from characters like the truck driver in the movie. Khouri convinced him it happened all the time. She also assured him that the audience would get a kick out of it when the heroines blew up his truck.
Once Davis and Sarandon joined the cast, the film enjoyed the benefit of not one but two smart, outspoken female leads, a critical mass of female brainpower. Davis, for her part, showed an uncanny ability to understand what would appeal to the ladies in the audience when she urged Scott to cast an unknown named Brad Pitt for a small part as her love interest. She'd grown so flustered reading with him at his audition that she botched her lines. But she spoke up for him afterwards. "I saw her color up, and that was it," Scott explained.
Later, Scott suggested that Davis take her top off and wave it around to celebrate the characters' freedom as they sped along the road in their '66 Thunderbird convertible. It fell to Sarandon to tell him the idea didn't ring true. "That's exploitation," she said.
Instead of messing with the ending, they doubled down.
Audience members at the first test screening hated what they saw, especially the shocking ending. But studio head Alan Ladd Jr. listened to the production executive Rebecca Pollack, who urged the filmmakers to "hang on to why we made this film in the first place." They opted to hold tight to the original intent of Khouri's script. Instead of messing with the ending, they doubled down, removing a shot that had been intended to soften the blow.
The result was a production that women took to heart, just as they have Wonder Woman today. Thelma and Louise were imperfect characters making imperfect choices, but they looked like real women and talked like real women who could laugh in the open about the too-recognizable foibles of men and women, too.
Audiences recognized in them the texture and outlook of real women's lives, something we'd been craving on the screen. Wonder Woman is more idealized, as Cameron complained, but the mythical heroine, as played by Gal Gadot and directed by Patty Jenkins, embodies something we also had been yearning to see, a female heroine who is not only beautiful, but principled and brave.
With films carried by female leads so scarce, it's unfortunate that the few who exist are expected to be everything to everyone. But in the too-rare moments when Hollywood power brokers truly listen to women's voices and create stories and characters that touch us, lo and behold, an audience is there. It's a principle that applies to any workplace, really, but especially one charged with speaking to the rich array of humans around the world.
Becky Aikman is the author of Off the Cliff: How the Making of Thelma & Louise Drove Hollywood to the Edge.
Coordinated Halloween Costumes For Twins, Triplets, and Siblings
Get set to hear "oohs" and "aahs" as your little ones make their way through the neighborhood this Halloween. With a little planning and some cooperative tots, it's easy to create a family theme for your kids' costumes. Whether they're favorite characters from a beloved book or foods that go together, we've found lots of costumes that work together like peas and carrots or Thing 1 and Thing 2!
Scroll through and check them out!
10 Tips to Snag a First-Class Ticket Upgrade
The majority of airline passengers fly coach, but a small percentage of the population regularly enjoys first-class accommodations on airplanes. While these passengers may be loaded and able to afford the costly tickets, the price is still beyond the bucket for a majority of flyers. So, how are those who may not be swimming in wealth able to snag the luxurious upgrade? Alex Matjanec, CEO of MyBankTracker, has compiled a list of 10 tips to secure a first-class airline ticket upgrade.
1. Be Loyal to One Airline
Loyalty always counts. Most people who join frequent flier programs don't actually fly very frequently. The typical thought process is to sign up for every frequent flier or loyalty program in hopes of saving money across the board. Frequent flier programs don't work like grocery frequent shopper cards, however.
So instead of being a frequent flier member who only racks up a handful of miles on any individual airline, focus all of your efforts on being loyal to one airline. The tickets may cost a little more every so often, but the long-term benefits of stockpiling miles for one company can upgrade your travel to first class.
2. Arrive Late/Early
Airlines recommend arriving at the airport and checking in at least 30-60 minutes before a flight (longer for larger international airports). This is because it takes time to check baggage, pass through security, and arrive at the departure gate.
However, showing up early allows you time to have a casual chat with the gate agent without a large crowd. This is the time where you can build a rapport and ask about an upgrade to first class without other people around whom the airline risks upsetting.
Flights are often overbooked, and by arriving late (though don't arrive too late), you'll probably be bumped to a later flight, at which time you can ask for a first-class upgrade to make up for the inconvenience.
3. Travel During Slow Times
Instead of flying near the holidays and weekends with everyone else, book your flights at the right time - such as in the middle of the week. FareCompare, an airline tracking website, points out the most unpopular days to fly are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, while dawn, dusk, and red-eye flights are the least popular.
These are the flights that are most likely to have empty seats, meaning there's availability in first class.
Also, look throughout the year for times people don't typically fly. For example, a flight on Thanksgiving Day is much more likely to have availability than flights on the Wednesday prior or Friday after. This, of course, assumes overbooked passengers from previous flights haven't already filled up the plane.
4. Complain About Something
At the end of the day, airlines are customer-serving businesses like any other. This means they'll go out of their way to please a customer and ensure you continue coming back to use their service. Complaining to the airline about any shortcomings is a first step to first-class accommodations.
Politely pointing out these problems and simply asking to be moved will get you an opportunity at a new seat. If the flight is completely booked, there's a good chance there's still an open seat in first class that you can sit in to make up for the problems.
5. Book Through Airline Websites
Travel booking sites like Kayak, Travelocity, Hotwire, and Expedia seek out the lowest possible rates, which has thinned profit margins for airlines and hotels. While these sites make searching for flights and comparing prices easy, don't use them for the final booking.
Instead, after determining which flight is the cheapest bet, log in to that airline's official website and book the flight directly through them. This shows up on their system when checking in, and you'll be treated as a loyal customer who appreciated the airline's marketing as opposed to just another value shopper booking through a discount digital travel agent.
6. Check Emails After Booking
After booking your flight, keep an eye on your emails. The airline will know ahead of time whether the flight is overbooked and will offer more and more aggressive discounts to those wishing to upgrade to first class via email.
Of course, the airline is unable to email customers who used a third-party travel booking site, so you'll be one of a small minority of people receiving these emails for your specific flight. Regardless of who sits where, the airline has to take off on a set schedule, so the closer an overbooked flight gets to departure time, the more drastic discounts are applied to first-class upgrades.
7. Use a Travel Rewards Card
Travel rewards credit cards are a great way to stockpile frequent flier miles without necessarily having to travel. Here are a few of the best travel rewards cards on the market:
With Capital One Venture Rewards Card, you earn two miles for any airline per dollar spent on any purchase, with a $35 annual fee, and with Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you earn two miles per dollar spent on travel and restaurants, with a $95 annual fee. Points are worth 25 percent more if booked through Chase.
Discover It Miles Card users earn 1.5 miles per dollar spent, which are doubled at the end of the first year for no annual fee. In addition, they receive an annual $30 in-flight WiFi credit and enjoy no blackout dates as points are tracked in-house by Discover, not any particular airline.
8. Phone a Friend
Employees of airlines receive great perks, including the ability to fly standby for free throughout the year and access to the airline's passenger systems. If you don't know someone who works for an airline, it's time to make that friend.
Many airlines have done away with (or severely restricted) these buddy passes in recent years, but working in the airline industry (or knowing someone who does) is still more likely to get you an upgrade to first class, regardless of which airline it is.
9. Fly Solo
Upgrading a single ticket is much easier than upgrading tickets for a family of four. If you're traveling with your family, your best bet is to work together to decide who should be upgraded to first class on each trip, rotating who gets the seat on each trip like a nonviolent Game of Thrones.
10. Fly on Your Birthday
Always remember that pilots, flight attendants, and the gate agent are all people just like you and I. A friendly conversation goes a long way, especially when mentioning special occasions like your birthday being today.
"On a recent trip to Hong Kong, we were upgraded to first class thanks to our charm," said John Heaton, managing director at The Heaton Group. "This can also work if it's your birthday, honeymoon, or anniversary. You won't be upgraded for no reason so make sure you let them know you have a genuine reason to be upgraded and with a bit of luck, they'll be listening."
The Easy Way to Keep Your Jewelry From Tangling While Traveling or Moving
A trick I learned when I worked in retail has stuck with me ever since college. To keep jewelry from tangling in customers' shopping bags, we'd fold the accessories into tissue paper. I was so mind blown by this easy hack that I've kept tissue paper around my house from that day on.
Jewelry boxes and pouches might protect your jewelry, but they're not ideal for transporting because your necklaces will jumble along the way. Wrapping them with tissue paper is such a fast and easy way to prevent tangling while traveling or even moving, especially because it requires minimal space. See how I do it with step-by-step instructions ahead!
A 70+ Recipe Salute to Summer Grilling
When the sun is shining, we can't help but spend most of our time hovering over our grills. After all, everything from burgers to pizza to skewers and even sweet things can be (and should be) made in this manner. Cooking food over the coals seems to kiss it with a fire-roasted flavor that pairs perfectly with a cold, crisp beer and the Summer heat.
- Additional reporting by Nicole Perry
This Illegal Hike in Hawaii Is Nicknamed the "Stairway to Heaven" For Good Reason
One of Hawaii's most epic hikes, known as the Haiku Stairs, is famous for its stunning views and illegal climb. Despite being a steep 3,922-step hike - and not to mention dangerous since becoming damaged by a storm in 2015 - the ladder remains a popular destination among hikers and visitors.
The "Stairway to Heaven" is an appropriate nickname as some of the peaks even tower above the clouds and offer incredible sights of the island of Oahu below. The almost-vertical ladder, which reaches the top of Pu'u Keahi a Kahoe, has a height of over 2,500 feet. Although it was built in 1943 during World War II, it wasn't until 1987 when the Haiku Stairs was deemed off limits to the public. But according to Instagram photos, it still looks like people trespass every day to experience the notorious hike for themselves.
Though we don't encourage anybody to endanger their lives or even risk receiving a fine, we do have to admit that the Stairway to Heaven looks pretty damn cool.
Check out the photos ahead!
William and Harry's Young Ages When Diana Died Are Still Shocking
When Princess Diana died in August 1997, she left behind two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. William and Harry were 15 and 12, respectively, at the time and were wrapping up their Summer with their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland when they found out about the tragic news. Now, 20 years later, William says he still feels the shock of his mother's death. "The shock is the biggest thing," he recently said in a BBC documentary. "I still have shock within me. You know, 20 years later. People go 'shock can't last that long' but it does. You never get over it. It's such an unbelievably big moment in your life that it never leaves you, you just learn to deal with it."
As the 20th anniversary of Diana's death approaches, William and Harry have set up a memorial at Buckingham Palace. They've selected most of the items on display, including a pair of Diana's beloved ballet shoes, a personalized school trunk, her old Kensington Palace desk, and a case full of her cassettes featuring albums by Diana Ross, Elton John, and George Michael. Will and Harry also released a handful of sweet photographs from Diana's personal photo album, which will be featured in their new documentary for ITV and HBO, Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy.
I Apologize For the Immediate Reaction Your Body Will Have to These Kit Harington GIFs
Let's just start with the obvious: Kit Harington is real f*cking sexy, and you definitely don't have to be a Game of Thrones fan to know that. The actor is obviously known for his role as Jon Snow on the hit HBO show, but when he's not flirting with his aunt or kicking ass in Westeros, he's just being his adorable self in real life. He's shown off his body in movies likes Pompeii, dished out hilarious pickup lines in interviews, smoldered the hell out of the cameras during photo shoots, and stripped down to his underwear during a play because he's just that generous. And just because I personally can't get enough of that face, I've rounded up some of his sexiest GIFs. Read through them slowly below, but be warned: your body will immediately react.
Uber Is Giving Away Free Ice Cream - And That's Not Even the Best Part
This Friday, Aug. 11, Uber is celebrating its sixth annual Uber Ice Cream Day and is kicking off "Free Cone Fridays," from now until the end of Summer (Sept. 22). As the name implies, every Friday until Summer ends, if you request and match up with an Uber Ice Cream Truck, you'll receive five ice cream cones plus a free silicone Uber-stamped cone. Whatever you do, don't toss that silicone swag! Uber partnered with McDonald's, so you can take this reusable Uber cone and get a free soft-serve refill at McDonald's every Friday for the next six weeks. There's only one caveat: you need to be living in one of the participating cities. This year, Free Cone Fridays will be available in Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, Washington DC, Boston, Miami, Toronto, Seattle, Atlanta, and Dallas.
The Ultimate "Sing at the Top of Your Lungs in the Car" Playlist
You know how there are songs that everyone knows (or pretends to know) the lyrics to? This is a list of just those. Tunes that will have you singing along from the first beat to the last, screaming every catchy chorus and hook at the top of your lungs. And what are those songs perfect for? A road trip, of course - when the confinement of a car makes it totally acceptable to display your karaoke skills.
So whether you're alone or driving with friends and family, get ready to seat dance your way through a couple of hours on the road with the following 46 songs (and handy Spotify playlist).
Sophie Turner Reveals Why Her Friendship With Maisie Williams Is So Special
Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner play the Stark sisters on Game of Thrones, but they also act like siblings in real life. The ladies first met while auditioning for the hit HBO show and instantly formed a bond. In addition to their adorable red carpet outings and matching tattoos, Maisie and Sophie say the sweetest things about each other. Trust us, you'll have a hard time not obsessing over them.
Maisie on Sophie
- On the first time she met Sophie: "I had gotten along really, really well with Sophie and I just remember her being super tall. I came out of the audition and said to my mum, 'Even if I don't get the part, I really want that girl to. She's really cool.'"
- On their unique bond: "It's nice to have her going through this industry and someone who just completely gets it. It's really lovely to have someone hold my hand through all of it."
- On what it's like working with Sophie on Game of Thrones: "It's funny because she's so not like Sansa in real life. She's a great lass, and we both like the same things. And then on screen, we have our little arguments and things, so you get to see a different side of each other. In real life, I've never seen the side of Sophie where she says, 'Oh, you're an idiot.' But I didn't find it difficult to hate Sophie on screen - I mean, I love her to pieces - but I didn't find it a challenge, really, as an actress."
Sophie on Maisie
- On their matching tattoos: "She's one of my best friends in the whole world. We got matching tattoos. That's the date that we both heard we got Game of Thrones on."
- On why their bond is so special: "Our other friends don't 100 percent get it. Sometimes it's nice to just be with the one person who does."
- On their close friendship: "Maisie and I have the purest form of true, true friendship. She's been my rock. We are kind of the only two people who know what it feels like to go through this very scenario from pretty much the same background and ending up where we are and kind of finding ourselves as we go."
- On what it was like shooting their first Game of Thrones scene together: "We couldn't keep a straight face! Our relationship is so close, but it's only that fun side, never the business side. I was nervous. It just terrified me. It's like performing for your mom. When somebody is watching, you don't do it quite as well. But in the long run I think it benefits us because we can be free with each other in our acting. We're not afraid to go there with each other because we feel so comfortable around each other."
- On why she and Maisie click: "I've always seen Maisie as this rebellious, cool kid, while I'm more passive-aggressive, or else just passive. I hate that about myself, and I love that Maisie is just who she is. We spent the past five years basically sharing a hotel room (even though we each had our own), having endless sleepovers, lots of line rehearsals, and lots of food and messing about, too."
16 Celebrities You Forgot Played Taylor Swift's Music Video Boyfriend
Taylor Swift has had some pretty high-profile romances, but we're far more interested in her music video boyfriends. Over the years, the singer has basically played out our "wildest dreams" as she stars alongside big heartthrobs for her singles. Remember when she cried over One Tree Hill's Tyler Hilton? What about when she had a steamy makeout session with Scott Eastwood? Check out every single piece of eye candy featured in Taylor Swift's videos over the past 10 years.
A Guide to Diana's Royal Titles
Princess Diana was many things to many people, but at her core, she was a devoted and adoring mother to two boys, Prince William and Prince Harry. The brothers, who were just 15 and 12 years old when their mother tragically passed away in August 1997, have been opening up more and more about the impact her death has had on them as grown men and members of the royal family, most recently in a televised documentary called Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy. Also looking back on Diana's life in the film is her younger brother, Charles the 9th Earl Spencer, who reflected on their childhood growing up at the family estate at Althorp, the same place where Diana's body is now buried. Contrary to popular belief, Diana wasn't exactly a commoner when she met and married Prince Charles. Here are the royal titles she held throughout her life.
- Lady Diana Spencer: Diana was born Diana Frances Spencer to John Spencer, Viscount Althorp and the 8th Lord Spencer, and Frances Roche. She was 7 years old when her parents divorced, and when her father inherited the title of Lord Spencer in 1975, she became known as Lady Diana Spencer. Her father moved the family to Althorp, the Spencer estate in Northampton, England. It was this title that earned Diana the nickname "Lady Di."
- Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales: During her marriage to Prince Charles, Diana held the HRH and was officially known as the Princess of Wales. Throughout this time, she also held the title of Duchess of Cornwall, which now belongs to Charles's current wife, Camilla.
- Diana, Princess of Wales: After her divorce from Prince Charles was finalized in August 1996, Queen Elizabeth II reportedly wanted to let Diana keep the style of her royal highness, but Charles was "adamant" that she give it up - instead, she was given the title Diana, Princess of Wales. The loss of the honorific separated Diana from the rest of the family in such a way that she had to curtsy to those who had it, including her own children. Prince William, then 14, is said to have comforted his mother after the loss of her title by saying, "Don't worry, Mummy, I will give it back to you one day when I am king." At the time of her death and to this day, she is officially known as Diana, Princess of Wales.
4 Guys You Probably Didn't Know Dated Emilia Clarke
Game of Thrones fans understandably lost their sh*t when Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) and Jon Snow (Kit Harington) finally met this season. While Emilia and Kit are only friends in real life (Kit is currently dating his former GOT love interest, Rose Leslie), we can't help but wonder about Emilia's love life. The 30-year-old London native has previously admitted that her past movie roles and hectic schedule have made it difficult for her to date, but she certainly hasn't lost hope. "I'm soppy, and I do like to believe that when the right person comes along, it will work, because you want to make it work," she told UK's The Sun in May 2016. "Everyone else seems to manage it." Take a look back at all the men she's dated.
The Gutsy Way Princess Diana Used the Press to Her Advantage
Image Source: Getty / Tim Graham
In honor of the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's tragic death, many documentaries probing into her life, legacy, and untimely passing have been airing across the globe. One of them, NatGeo's Diana: In Her Own Words, aims to tell the princess's story from a different side: her own. The film is the only recent Diana documentary that is narrated entirely by the princess herself, using the taped conversations that would go on to be published in the controversial 1992 book Diana: Her True Story by Andrew Morton. From her tumultuous upbringing to her even more tumultuous marriage to Prince Charles, nothing seemed to be off-limits; Diana also touched on her complicated relationship with the press and paparazzi, something that would ultimately come into question after she was killed in a car accident in 1997 while being chased by photographers.
I spoke to the man behind Diana: In Her Own Words, Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker and journalist Tom Jennings, and - as a huge fan of the princess - one of the things I was most interested in getting his perspective on was Diana's relationship with the press and whether or not she would have been able to adjust to the changing face of media (as we all know, social media wasn't even a thing when Diana was alive). Would she have moved with the times? Would she have worked with the press? Would she be on Twitter?
"There was a point in the film where [Diana] realizes that the press isn't going away," Tom told me. "She was 26, 27 years old when she recounts going up to Balmoral, the royal family's Scottish estate, and she sat down by some water to contemplate - that was her thing. And she's telling herself, 'OK, Diana. You're going to have to do something, because you can't live your life like a normal 26- or 27-year-old. Something has to change. So it's time for you to turn all this press and publicity around.'"
"She made a conscious decision to say, 'Well, if they're going to follow my every move, I'm going to have them follow me to places that I want to call attention to,' and soon thereafter, she was going to an AIDS hospice in London," Tom continued. "People were afraid to breathe the same air as someone who had HIV or AIDS, and she made headlines because she hugged one of the patients. She said, 'Who needs a hug more than this poor person suffering from this terrible disease?' and made the choice to care about things that were not necessarily the most popular causes at this time - but she cared about them because she saw herself almost as an outlier in the royal family, and she had come from a broken home herself." Tom added, "She decided, 'Fine, guys and members of the press, if you're going to follow me around, we're going to this hospital now,' and it was a key turning point. The fact that she was conscious even then of the idea of, 'Well, if they're going to follow me ad nauseam, I might as well get some good out of it.'"
Diana's decision to work with the press on her own terms was something that set her apart from other royals; it popularized her in a way like never before, and in turn, she had a huge role in bringing the royal family into a more modern way of thinking. So, would she have joined the rest of us on social media? "I think she probably would have figured out social media and Facebook. I don't know that she'd be tweeting all the time," Tom said. "No, but I think she would recognize that what we have today is a very valuable tool in order for her to continue what she saw to be important work, so I think she would be [using it] in that sense. She knew then, long before social media, that, 'OK, if the world is going to pay attention, then I can have them pay attention to the things that I believe in.'"
16 Celebrities You Forgot Played Taylor Swift's Music Video Boyfriend
Taylor Swift has had some pretty high-profile romances, but we're far more interested in her music video boyfriends. Over the years, the singer has basically played out our "wildest dreams" as she stars alongside big heartthrobs for her singles. Remember when she cried over One Tree Hill's Tyler Hilton? What about when she had a steamy makeout session with Scott Eastwood? Check out every single piece of eye candy featured in Taylor Swift's videos over the past 10 years.
Even Mary Poppins Couldn't Design a Home Nicer Than Emily Blunt and John Krasinski's Townhouse
Emily Blunt and John Krasinski have proven themselves savvy real estate flippers time and time again, but their latest project takes them away from the sleek California properties they're used to - who could forget the sexy modern home they remodeled and sold to Kendall Jenner? - and into historic NYC territory. Last Fall, the duo purchased a spacious four-story 1909 townhouse in the hip Brooklyn neighborhood of Park Slope for $6 million. And just a year later, they've completed renovations and relisted the French Renaissance Revival-style property for a whopping $8 million.
So what did they do to justify the crazy price increase? For starters, it seems they've expanded the living space nearly 1,000 square feet to a palatial 5,200 square feet and added a couple of bedrooms. Beyond additions, they've modernized the home in the most luxurious way, updating primary living spaces like the kitchen, dining room, and family room with top-of-the-line appliances and bright and airy design touches. During the reno, they've clearly taken care to maintain the home's period charm, leaving original details such as stained glass windows, built-in leaded glass cabinets, artisan crown moldings, and more intact. "No expense was spared in this historical and pedigreed renovation," says the real estate listing, held by Corcoran agents Karen Talbott and Kyle Talbott. Take a look at all the stunning design details in the photos ahead.
7 Flannel Sheets That Are So Cozy, You'll Never Want the Leave Bed Again
It's no secret that having the perfect sheets on your bed can make all the difference. During Summer, most people use thin cotton fabric because it's super breathable. As the weather starts getting colder, it's smart to invest in sheets that will keep you warmer. Flannel sheets are cozy and keep you warm because they're also made from cotton, but what makes these different is that they're blended with wool, poly-wool, or polyester. Adding those thicker materials helps to lock in heat and keep you warm while sleeping. Switching to these sheets in colder times can also save you money because you might even be able to use your heater less! Shop our top picks that you'll love sleeping in this Fall.
Does Donald Trump Have a Dog? No - and That’s Not Even the Craziest Part
Presidents tend to have a lot in common. They are married to spouses who work to carry on American values, with whom they live in the same house and with whom they assumedly sleep in the same bed. They raise largely successful children who don't work for them and who they've never mentioned wanting to sleep with. They are hardworking and smart, available at all hours to fight for America. They rarely take time off for leisure save for brief reprieves with literature. And they have a dog - or two.
Much of the same cannot be said of our current president, Donald Trump. In fact, Trump is the first president in more than 100 years to be dogless. This gaping hole in Americanness shouldn't be that shocking given Mr. Trump's contrarian, "Drain the swamp!" style.
Several presidents have gone dogless, but the last president to be without a dog was William McKinley, who was commander in chief from 1897-1901. However, according to the Presidential Pet Museum, McKinley did have pets: he had a parrot, two angora kittens, and roosters. Does Trump have any pets? The Presidential Pet Museum believes not.
Also of note before McKinley is Andrew Johnson. He didn't have a dog, was impeached in 1868 and apparently "left flour out at night for a family of white mice playing in his room" amidst the political drama. Pet food for thought.
One fluffy, silver lining is that Trump has reportedly attempted to get a dog in recent months, specifically a goldendoodle named Patton. As the New York Post reported in January, Trump was set to adopt the pup from friend Lois Pope, but Pope kept the dog after forming a connection with it herself. Pope claims Trump listed his constant traveling as a reason why he'd be a poor owner. Hmm.
Further proof that Trump seems to be anticanine? He loves insulting people by saying they failed or choked "like a dog" on Twitter.
Mitt Romney had his chance to beat a failed president but he choked like a dog. Now he calls me racist-but I am least racist person there is
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2016
.@EWErickson got fired like a dog from RedState
and now he is the one leading opposition against me.- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2016
Wow was Ted Cruz disloyal to his very capable director of communication. He used him as a scape goat-fired like a dog! Ted panicked.
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 23, 2016
Union Leader refuses to comment as to why they were kicked out of the ABC News debate like a dog. For starters, try getting a new publisher!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2016
.@GlennBeck got fired like a dog by #Fox. The Blaze is failing and he wanted to have me on his show. I said no - because he is irrelevant.
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 17, 2015
I hear that sleepy eyes @chucktodd will be fired like a dog from ratings starved Meet The Press? I can't imagine what is taking so long!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 13, 2015
Obama called Reverend Wright his friend, counselor & great leader--then dumped him like a dog!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 3, 2012
Robert Pattinson should not take back Kristen Stewart. She cheated on him like a dog & will do it again--just watch. He can do much better!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2012
Egypt is a total mess. We should have backed Mubarak instead of dropping him like a dog.
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2012
We're anxious to know what will become of Trump's presidential pet ownership, but we do know one thing: getting a dog might help solve his failing disapproval ratings. As the Washington Post observes, a presidential dog offers good publicity and bipartisan relatability. They also provide personal benefits like stress reduction and loyalty.
Might not want to let that sleeping dog lie, President Trump.
10 Mind-Boggling Facts That You Probably Don't Know
There is so much we don't know, and a recent Reddit thread featuring the most mind-boggling facts just reminded us. Users contributed little-known facts about everything from outer space to crocodiles, and we chose 10 of the most surprising ones. Get ready to get schooled on things you'll probably never need to know unless you are on Jeopardy.
12 Times This Is Us Star Justin Hartley's Offscreen Home Looked as Good as He Does on Screen
Justin Hartley is easy on the eyes as Kevin in the hit show This Is Us, but where does he go when he's off set? The busy actor and dad to 13-year-old daughter Bella lives a stylish SoCal life. From his contemporary abode to his sexy getaway spot, Justin gives us a peek inside his home life ahead.
Did You Know Netflix Has Secret Movie Categories? Here's How to Find Them
Your Netflix hunting just got so much better. Turns out, there are a ton of secret movie categories on Netflix, and there's an easy hack for finding them. To access one of the hidden categories, you'll just need to type out the following in your browser:
http://ift.tt/2hSdKdR
So, for instance, 67673 is the code for Disney, so to see all the movies in that category, you'd type:
Cool, right? What's on Netflix has all the categories, which include very specific genres such as sci-fi thrillers (11014), foreign films from places like Scandinavia (9292), and even for children's age ranges from 0 to 2 (6796) and 11 to 12 (6962). Check out some of the ones that grabbed our interest here!
- 10118 - Comic Book and Superhero Movies
- 10702 - Spy Action and Adventure
- 11146 - Anime Fantasy
- 26 - Mockumentaries
- 10944 - Cult Horror Movies
- 1159 - Travel and Adventure Documentaries
- 6384 - Tearjerkers
- 29764 - Art House Movies
- 8646 - Slasher and Serial Killer Movies
- 75405 - Zombie Horror Movies
- 36103 - Quirky Romance
- 972 - Steamy Thrillers
- 1164 - British Crime Dramas Based on Books
- 2077 - Witty Independent Movies
- 502 - Gritty Political Thrillers
- 394 - Critically-Acclaimed Coming-of-Age Movies
Whoa! Target Is Revamping Its Entire Beauty Department With an Upscale Remodel
Earlier this week, the Makeup Addiction page on Reddit was in a frenzy over changes at an Arizona Target store's beauty section. "A round of applause for Target's beauty remodel," the post read with a photo of the sleek new look. Hundreds of questions about the what, where, why, and how of this recent change immediately followed. After reaching out to Target, we've got the full scoop.
Throughout 2017, Target is launching an elevated new "beauty experience." Beyond a fresh floor plan and design that make shopping easier and more enjoyable, it's also introducing new and improved Beauty Concierges. The concierges originally launched in 2012 and already exist in several hundred stores, but now there will be an actual service counter where they can help with swatching and color-matching products, doing skincare consultations, and providing samples. They're "brand-agnostic," meaning they're not just there to push a specific brand's products but rather will give suggestions based on your wants and needs.
More on the exciting redesign: the beauty products will now be displayed in an open-concept layout, with illuminated black and white fixtures, enhanced lighting, digital boards, and mini "shops" organized by trend categories like natural beauty products, bath products, cosmetic tools, and beauty accessories. The most prominent addition is probably the central fixture of 100 low-priced, trial beauty products including masks, skin care, hair care, and makeup.
On top of all that, Target also plans to launch a men's grooming destination. While further details are under wraps, we know it'll be similar in concept to the new beauty department.
These changes have already happened at 40 stores so far, and 70 within 17 US states will have them by the end of 2017. In 2018, the new beauty experience will roll out in "hundreds" more stores, according to the brand. Here's the full list of locations where you can find the revamped beauty department: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin.
This Is Why Daenerys May Be the Last Mother of Dragons
More than any other season, this seventh season of Game of Thrones illustrated just how powerful dragons can be in this universe. Daenerys's "children" are instrumental in the Loot Train Battle and in the rescue mission beyond the Wall. And there's no denying that the fallen Viserion is proving to be an invaluable asset to the Night King as he marches South. These remarkable creatures can win wars, bring down the Wall, and, perhaps even return the Targaryens to power. But are Daenerys's dragons the last great beasts that will ever fly over Westeros? Upon their birth, the Mother of Dragons bestows her children with male names, but that doesn't necessarily mean that none of them are female.
There is much debate about dragons and how they reproduce, particularly in the books. In A Feast For Crows, Sam says, "Dragons are neither male nor female, Barth saw the truth of that, but now one and now the other, as changeable as flame." However, some dragons in the past did seem to have a fixed sex and were referred to by male and female names. Even if one of Daenerys's children has the capacity to become female, the nuances of dragon reproduction aren't well known.
Many believe the only way to hatch a dragon is through fire and blood magic - which is exactly how Daenerys returns dragons to the world at the end of season one. The hatching of Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion comes at a great expense. Both the body of Khal Drogo and the witch Mirri Maz Duur are burned upon the pyre, and Daenerys herself goes into the flames as well.
The khaleesi's dragon eggs were not the last ones in the world. In fact, dragon eggs are considered to be a valuable form of currency, with people in Westeros and beyond willing to pay large sums to get their hands on even the most ancient of eggs. In the books, there's even rumored to be a cache of eggs hidden beneath Dragonstone. Having a dragon egg doesn't guarantee a dragon, though.
Even with other eggs in existence, the chances of more dragons hatching are slim. Magic seems to have returned to Westeros thanks in part to Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion, but just because there's more magic in the world doesn't mean more dragons will follow. The ritual sacrifice is a high price to pay to birth the beautiful creatures, and it may be something only Targaryens can do. (If it's not, then you can bet Cersei's mad scientist, Qyburn, will try to figure out how to give his queen some dragons of her own.)
On the upside, now that Jon is confirmed to be a Targaryen, the former ruling dynasty has the potential to grow, and with Drogon and Rhaegal still alive and eggs scattered around the known world, the potential for more dragons is always there. But even if Jon and Daenerys have children, unless someone figures out a less tragic way to hatch dragon eggs, Jon and Dany's offspring aren't guaranteed to spend their childhoods learning how to train their very own massive pets. At this late stage of the game, Daenerys's "children" will likely be the only dragons we ever see take flight over Westeros.
This Is Why Daenerys May Be the Last Mother of Dragons
More than any other season, this seventh season of Game of Thrones illustrated just how powerful dragons can be in this universe. Daenerys's "children" are instrumental in the Loot Train Battle and in the rescue mission beyond the Wall. And there's no denying that the fallen Viserion is proving to be an invaluable asset to the Night King as he marches South. These remarkable creatures can win wars, bring down the Wall, and, perhaps even return the Targaryens to power. But are Daenerys's dragons the last great beasts that will ever fly over Westeros? Upon their birth, the Mother of Dragons bestows her children with male names, but that doesn't necessarily mean that none of them are female.
There is much debate about dragons and how they reproduce, particularly in the books. In A Feast For Crows, Sam says, "Dragons are neither male nor female, Barth saw the truth of that, but now one and now the other, as changeable as flame." However, some dragons in the past did seem to have a fixed sex and were referred to by male and female names. Even if one of Daenerys's children has the capacity to become female, the nuances of dragon reproduction aren't well known.
Many believe the only way to hatch a dragon is through fire and blood magic - which is exactly how Daenerys returns dragons to the world at the end of season one. The hatching of Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion comes at a great expense. Both the body of Khal Drogo and the witch Mirri Maz Duur are burned upon the pyre, and Daenerys herself goes into the flames as well.
The khaleesi's dragon eggs were not the last ones in the world. In fact, dragon eggs are considered to be a valuable form of currency, with people in Westeros and beyond willing to pay large sums to get their hands on even the most ancient of eggs. In the books, there's even rumored to be a cache of eggs hidden beneath Dragonstone. Having a dragon egg doesn't guarantee a dragon, though.
Even with other eggs in existence, the chances of more dragons hatching are slim. Magic seems to have returned to Westeros thanks in part to Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion, but just because there's more magic in the world doesn't mean more dragons will follow. The ritual sacrifice is a high price to pay to birth the beautiful creatures, and it may be something only Targaryens can do. (If it's not, then you can bet Cersei's mad scientist, Qyburn, will try to figure out how to give his queen some dragons of her own.)
On the upside, now that Jon is confirmed to be a Targaryen, the former ruling dynasty has the potential to grow, and with Drogon and Rhaegal still alive and eggs scattered around the known world, the potential for more dragons is always there. But even if Jon and Daenerys have children, unless someone figures out a less tragic way to hatch dragon eggs, Jon and Dany's offspring aren't guaranteed to spend their childhoods learning how to train their very own massive pets. At this late stage of the game, Daenerys's "children" will likely be the only dragons we ever see take flight over Westeros.
In Memoriam: 46 Stars We've Lost This Year
We lost so many famous figures in 2016, and while we're all hoping that the last few months of this year are a little brighter, a handful of stars have already left us too soon. From Mary Tyler Moore to John Hurt, we're paying our respects to all the celebrities we've said goodbye to in 2017.
We're Getting an All-Female Lord of the Flies Movie Written by Men - What Could Go Wrong?
In "We Never Asked For This, but Hollywood Is Giving It to Us Anyway" news, another Lord of the Flies movie is on the way, but unlike William Golding's classic 1954 novel and the 1963 and 1990 film adaptations, this version is replacing the young male castaways with girls. Oh, and Deadline reports that it will be written and directed by two men, Scott McGehee and David Siegel, for Warner Bros.
*pause for exasperated sigh*
While the move to replace a large cast of male characters with female ones is gender progressive, in a way, the story - a plane carrying a group of British schoolboys is shot down during wartime and they're left stranded on a remote island, where they eventually devolve into a toxic society - basically negates all hope that this movie will be empowering for women in any way. Do we really need to watch a bunch of young girls destroy each other as they regress into female stereotypes within their vicious, self-contained community? Even Golding himself pointed out that his novel's story could only work with men, noting that "women are foolish to pretend they are equal to men, they are far superior and always have been."
While all-female versions of movies like Ghostbusters and the upcoming Ocean's Eight make sense, redoing Lord of the Flies in this way (which will essentially be the opposite of Wonder Woman's Themyscira) seems like a pretty obvious misstep. We've already seen similar situations play out in movies like Mean Girls, Heathers, and Jawbreaker, but the fun, campy elements of those films will presumably be absent from McGehee and Siegel's screenplay. Fortunately for everyone irritated by the news, Twitter did not hold back in sharing all the reasons the concept is a huge bummer.
imagine having such little interest in seeking out original stories about girlhood by women that you remake LORD OF THE FLIES with girls
- JamesHurleyVEVO (@soalexgoes) August 30, 2017
The climax of the all-female Lord of the Flies: One girl is beaten to death by the others for not using exclamation points in her email
- Jessica Valenti (@JessicaValenti) August 31, 2017
I am all for diversity in Hollywood but.....all female Lord of the Flies is a no from me http://pic.twitter.com/PCrZa5pvFb
- Age N. (@_BetterWithAge) August 31, 2017
An all women remake of Lord of the Flies makes no sense because... the plot of that book wouldn't happen with all women.
- roxane gay (@rgay) August 31, 2017
A thousand words on how they already did an all-girl Lord of the Flies and called it Mean Girls.
- Courtney Enlow (@courtenlow) August 30, 2017
[flies into frame on a broom]
the thing about lord of the flies is that it's about systemic male violence + how it replicates
[flies away]- #rachelsyme (@rachsyme) August 30, 2017
"all-female Lord of the Flies remake" SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE MISSED THE FUUUUUCKIN POINT OF LORD OF THE FLIES
- Gavia Baker-Whitelaw (@Hello_Tailor) August 30, 2017
We're literally living an all-male "Lord of the Flies" right now, but sure, let's see two male writers describe how women would be worse.
- Charles Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) August 31, 2017
The Lord of the Flies movie feels like a studio had a big jar of "Make with Chicks?" ideas & just picked the one that made the least sense.
- Sam (@unegrandefemme) August 31, 2017
A female lord of the flies where everything goes fine and they create a society on a secret island wait this is the start of wonder woman
- TechnicallyRon (@TechnicallyRon) August 31, 2017
This Kettlebell Workout Will Burn a Ridiculous Amount of Calories
Get ready, because this five-move kettlebell workout will torch tons of calories. The workout, created by KettleWorx director of programming Laura Wilson, features basic kettlebell moves that should be in anyone's strength-training repertoire.
When learning these exercises, it's important to start with a light weight first - Laura recommends a five- or 10-pound kettlebell. You can increase the amount of repetitions as you become stronger, but first focus on your form and only increase the weight after you can do 20 reps of these moves correctly with a lighter weight. Once you've hit 20 reps, increase the weight but bring your repetitions back down to 10 until you've acclimated to the heavier weight. "It's about pacing yourself and listening to your body; it will tell you what's right," Laura says.
Repeat the following five-move circuit three times in order to work your entire body and keep your heart rate up. Click through to see Laura in action and learn how to do the workout!
20 Items That Will Help Make This Month the Healthiest Yet
Goodbye, Summer. Hello, Fall. If autumn is your favorite time of year, here are some amazing items to inspire you in the gym and the kitchen. With these items, you'll head into the holiday season feeling your absolute healthiest.
Colton Haynes Makes a Searing Point About Being an Out Gay Man in Hollywood
This week, Colton Haynes fired off a series of heated tweets about being gay in Hollywood, calling the industry "so f*cked up." "So much of the focus is on your personal life & has nothing to do with the talent you have to bring to the table," he wrote on Tuesday. There doesn't necessarily seem to be any sort of event precipitating the tweets - at least, not on the outside. But seeing as Colton came out last May in an Entertainment Weekly profile, it's highly likely he's faced his fair share of adversity in the time since. After all, the fact that it's difficult to be an out gay man or lesbian in Hollywood is no secret.
Plenty of stars have opened up about the huge stigma surrounding the LGBTQ+ community in Hollywood. Rock Hudson, who rose to fame in the '60s and died from AIDS-related causes in the '80s, never publicly came out because it was so controversial. According to Lee Garlington, who dated Hudson for a few years at the height of his fame, "Nobody in their right mind came out. It was career suicide. We all pretended to be straight."
"Nobody in their right mind came out. It was career suicide. We all pretended to be straight."
Ellen DeGeneres just celebrated the 20th anniversary of her sitcom's coming-out episode, which also marked her personal coming out. To honor the occasion, she spoke to her audience about how taboo it was, saying, "I can't describe to you how challenging it was to get this episode made. At the time, it was so controversial."
Now, in 2017, the stigma hasn't changed much at all. Amber Heard came out as bisexual in March despite revealing that "everyone around me strongly advised me against it." In 2016, Chiwetel Ejiofor posited that it might be harder to be gay in Hollywood than it is to be black in Hollywood. "I think sexuality is still marginalized in a way that is pretty open," he said in 2016.
So disappointed in how Hollywood cant understand that playing a character has nothing to do with how u live your personal life
- Colton Haynes (@ColtonLHaynes) August 30, 2017
In another tweet, Colton disparaged these same Hollywood tendencies, adding echoes to decades-old frustrations. At this point, it's clear Colton is joining the chorus of people who are hoping to speak out and change the way things work in Hollywood. Luckily for him, there are some strong allies on his side. In a second tweet, he went on: "Thank god for Ryan Murphy, Greg Berlanti, & Jeff Davis. They believe gay actors are more than just their personal lives." Colton is referring to the creators of American Horror Story, Arrow, and Teen Wolf, respectively, all of whom have cast him in various TV roles.
In the end, it might take more than forward-thinking and progressive directors to change the tides. We need more actors to come out in order to more actively normalize sexuality. As Amber put it, "If every gay man that I know personally came out in Hollywood tomorrow . . . then this would be a non-issue in a month. We'd be hard-pressed to point the finger at anyone."
Dad's "Maternity" Photos Are Nothing Short of Hilarious
The internet is no stranger to sets of beautiful and unique maternity photos, but paternity photos are a whole new concept that is giving us so much life. In a hilarious photo shoot from 2016, a dad named Paco posed for his friend, photographer Martyn Wilkes, five weeks before his daughter, Noelia, was expected to arrive. In nothing but a skirt and flower crown, Paco beared his belly, which was painted with flowers and his daughter's name, while Martyn snapped him in typical maternity shoot positions.
Although Paco is the star of the shoot, the vision was all Martyn's. "I had been shooting lots of normal mommies and wanted to do something a bit different," he told POPSUGAR. After sharing his idea with Paco, Martyn organized the outfit, accessories, and poses, and says, "Paco nailed it!"
Scroll through to see the silly - and honestly, really adorable - photos of Paco.
Let Your Inner Princess Elena of Avalor Shine This Halloween With These Makeup Tutorials
Elena of Avalor won over our hearts the minute she debuted as Disney's first Latinx princess. We rejoiced the moment the first photo of her gown was released and immediately wondered how we could copy her impeccable makeup, especially that perfect cat eye and rosy lip color.
This Halloween, we finally have an excuse to release our inner Disney princess by dressing up as Elena, though we'll admit we'll probably wear her natural look way past Oct. 31.
Prepare to Freak Out, Potterheads: You Can Finally Explore Hogwarts on Your Own
After learning that you can actually get a personalized Hogwarts letter sent to you, we thought nothing would ever get better than that. But Pottermore is proving us wrong, because now fans can actually visit the castle itself. The site has launched an immersive digital experience that allows users to explore the school and its grounds - including the Quidditch Pitch, Forbidden Forest, and Hagrid's Hut.
Hogwarts and the grounds have "hotspots," which are clickable points that expand and provide special details about the famous wizarding school. You'll get a first-person look at Harry Potter's old stomping grounds.
"We've seen many interpretations of Hogwarts - from the artwork in the illustrated editions of the books to the eight feature films from Warner Bros.," said Henri Stuart-Reckling, global digital director, Pottermore. "This new feature on our website marks the first time fans will have the opportunity to explore the famous wizarding school any time, any place and at their own pace. It's a unique, mobile-first experience using bespoke visual assets allowing anyone to 'visit' Hogwarts on-the-go."
Check out the photos ahead, and click on the video to get a peek at what the magical experience is really like.
76 People Every Fashion Girl Should Be Following on Snapchat
Sure, we get a glimpse into the stylish lives of models and celebrities on Instagram, but if you're looking for some real, real-time action? Snapchat's the way to go.
The social media platform continues to rise in popularity, with a many of our favorite influencers taking us behind the scenes of their day-to-day. What campaigns are they shooting? What are they wearing? Did they really eat those eggs and that bacon? Find out the answer for bloggers, brands, and more as we run down our must-follow list ahead, and be sure to add us - popsugar - while you're at it!
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