Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
mercredi 6 septembre 2017
Dee Rees' Netflix Drama, Mudbound, Looks Like an Oscar-Worthy Masterpiece
Dee Rees' Mudbound took Sundance by storm, and now the epic drama is only a few months away from hitting Netflix. The sweeping, ambitious film stars Garrett Hedlund and Jason Mitchell as two soldiers who return home to the Mississippi Delta from World War II to find their families torn apart by the Jim Crow South in which they're struggling to make a livelihood. As both soldiers forge a friendship built on the shared trauma of war, they must face the brutal reality of the intense racism and poverty rooted in their rural town. Watch the trailer above, and catch it when it hits Netflix and select theaters on Nov. 17.
This Is the Dumbest Thing You Can Do on Venmo
Venmo is so easy, it seems too good to be true, right? As convenient as the money-sharing app is, it's also not necessarily the safest way to pay someone. The app, owned by PayPal, makes sending and receiving money quick and painless, but over and over, we keep hearing about people being scammed or people losing money, so we wondered if the app was actually safe at all. In short, if you're aware of the following four big issues with Venmo, you can definitely use it and be assured that you won't have any problems.
1. Your transactions default to being public.
In case you didn't notice, the default setting is for your transactions to show up publicly in Venmo. It won't necessarily show how much money was exchanged, but it will say your name, the name of the person you exchanged money with, and the note that was included. This is problematic for two reasons. First of all, that means everyone can see if your friend put a note on the money she sent you that is maybe a little racy or inappropriate. Secondly, this makes it easier for a hacker to imitate your account by copying your name and picture and requesting money from your friends, as reported in a paper published by MIT students in 2014. However, you can change this privacy level in your settings. You can switch it over to make it so that you are the only one who sees your transactions and make it so your friends can't share your transactions.
2. You might pay more than you bargained for.
If you're using your credit card to send a payment, you'll be paying an additional 3 percent fee on top. You can avoid that fee if you use your Venmo balance, debit card, or bank account for payment.
3. It's dangerously easy to set up with all your sensitive information.
If you're like me, you may have set up your Venmo account and connected it to your bank account without thinking twice. It's pretty much what the app asks you to do, and it makes it super easy to pay and withdraw money. But that also means all your banking information is stored in this little app, which is maybe not the greatest idea on a platform that is seemingly so public. Venmo reached out to me to assure me that it will not share your information publicly, but in a digital age, it's good to be extra careful with where you're storing your info.
4. The money isn't immediately transferred.
While it feels like the money lands in your Venmo account immediately after your friend sends it, it actually doesn't come through until the next business day. This may not be a big deal if you're exchanging money with friends or family, but you can easily be scammed by a stranger this way. This is why you should really avoid using Venmo with anyone you don't trust or know personally and why doing so is the dumbest thing you can do on Venmo. Say you sell something to a stranger and they Venmo you the money, it looks like it came through to you right away, yes? According to Time Money, that's not the case. The money "leaves" the sender's account immediately and you get a notification that you have the money. They then receive whatever you sold them and leave. On the off chance that the stranger used a fraudulent account or didn't actually have the money to pay you, once you attempt to transfer the money from your Venmo to your bank, you'll be on the hook for that amount.
While it's been noted in other places that users can cancel a Venmo payment from going through, according to Venmo's help center, that is not true. The root of the problem is using Venmo with people you don't trust, which is something Venmo strongly advises against.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bath & Body Works
Chances are, your local mall has a Bath & Body Works inside - and your nose draws you right in. We can't blame you! Each year, the company produces around 200 new fragrances (yes, really!) for its fans to hoard. If you're like us and a sucker for the gingham-detailed stores and its scented beauty products, read on. We talked to the Bath & Body Works team to dig up 15 facts you didn't know about the beloved shop.
31 People Who Are Maybe, Probably Still Screaming About American Horror Story: Cult
Let the nightmares begin, because American Horror Story: Cult is back. During the season seven premiere on Tuesday night, fans of Ryan Murphy's longtime show were treated to disturbing phobias, mysterious new characters, and some clowns. Like, a f*ck ton of clowns. Naturally, it didn't take long for everyone on Twitter to lose their damn minds over all of the horrifying imagery (as well as one extremely crooked bun).
Dancing With the Stars: Here's Who Is Joining the Season 25 Cast
Dancing With the Stars has finally revealed which celebrities will be hitting the ballroom floor this season. As the dance competition gets ready to celebrate a huge milestone with season 25, they are pulling out all the stops. Not only is a Pretty Little Liar joining the cast, but celebrity couple Nick and Vanessa Lachey will be teaming up with DWTS couple Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy. See the official cast ahead before the new season premieres on Sept. 18.
It's Time We Address How Overwhelmingly Cute Alexa and Carlos PenaVega's Family Is
In need of something to melt your cold, cold heart into a warm, mushy pile of joy? Allow us to direct your attention to the cutest effing family ever: Alexa and Carlos PenaVega and their baby son, Ocean. Ever since the couple welcomed Ocean into the world back in December 2016, the proud parents have flooded social media with the sweetest snaps of their family of three. Their little bundle of joy even has his own Instagram handle, @oceankingpenavega (with 286,000 followers and counting, might we add). To catch a glimpse of true love in its purest form, scope out the precious pictures of the PenaVega family ahead. But be warned: your heart may burst from a cuteness overload!
31 People Who Are Maybe, Probably Still Screaming About American Horror Story: Cult
Let the nightmares begin, because American Horror Story: Cult is back. During the season seven premiere on Tuesday night, fans of Ryan Murphy's longtime show were treated to disturbing phobias, mysterious new characters, and some clowns. Like, a f*ck ton of clowns. Naturally, it didn't take long for everyone on Twitter to lose their damn minds over all of the horrifying imagery (as well as one extremely crooked bun).
We'll Bet You Can't Watch the Trailer For the New Insidious Movie Without Screaming
If you've lived your life up until now without a paralyzing fear of house keys, I suggest you don't watch the new trailer for Insidious: The Last Key. The latest installment in the terrifying horror franchise moves on with Lin Shaye's Dr. Elise Rainier character, who now faces a threat even worse than the demons who plagued the Lambert family in James Wan's original 2010 film: a nightmarish force is now lurking within her own home. Be sure to get plenty of rest before the movie hits theaters Jan. 5, 2018, because you'll probably never sleep again after watching it.
Dancing With the Stars: Here's Who Is Joining the Season 25 Cast
Dancing With the Stars has finally revealed which celebrities will be hitting the ballroom floor this season. As the dance competition gets ready to celebrate a huge milestone with season 25, they are pulling out all the stops. Not only is a Pretty Little Liar joining the cast, but celebrity couple Nick and Vanessa Lachey will be teaming up with DWTS couple Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy. See the official cast ahead before the new season premieres on Sept. 18.
Bad Moms Christmas Trailer: Booze, Nudity, and a Child Saying "Oh My F*cking God"
Rejoice, because Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn are back as Amy, Kiki, and Carla, aka the world's best bad moms. "You know what makes Christmas so special? Moms," Kunis says in a (very accurate) voice-over for the first Bad Moms Christmas trailer. "Moms working their asses off, cooking, wrapping, decorating, and shopping." That's right - the moms are still boozing it up (in a mall food court, no less) and venting about their families, only this time it's during the holidays, and they're all about to get a stressful visit from their own mothers (played by Susan Sarandon and Christine Baranski, god bless). The raunchy comedy doesn't come out until Nov. 3, so in the meantime, check out the trailer above!
Teaser Trailer:
Queen Elizabeth II Did Something at Diana's Funeral That the Public Did Not See Coming
Princess Diana was honored with a public funeral on Sept. 6, 1997, seven days after her tragic death. The event brought in an estimated 2.5 billion viewers, while another three million crowded the streets of London to follow the route of Diana's coffin from Kensington Palace to her final resting place at the Spencer family home in Althorp. Diana's two sons, William and Harry, joined the funeral procession at St. James's Palace alongside their father, grandfather, and uncle Earl Spencer. The coffin, accompanied by eight Welsh Guards, passed Buckingham Palace, where members of the royal family waited outside. Queen Elizabeth II was one of them, and as Diana's coffin was carried past her, she made a very rare move: she bowed her head.
The queen's gesture is remarkable for a couple of reasons; first, while it is customary for others to bow (or curtsy) to her majesty, she is not technically required to bow or curtsy to others. She made a solemn, unexpected acknowledgment to her former daughter-in-law's casket that she rarely does for anyone else.
Second, there was a huge amount of drama within the royal family after Diana's death, including the fact that Queen Elizabeth II had insisted that Diana's ceremony be private - she faced "fierce resistance" from Prince Charles, and then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair also agreed that Diana should be laid out at St. James's Palace with a public funeral held at Westminster Abbey. Because the queen was so highly criticized for her silence and "business-as-usual" behavior in the wake of Diana's death, her bowing at the coffin attempted to send a message of compassion, honor, and genuine grief.
21 Books to Read Before They're 2017 Movies
Like any other year, many of 2017's big releases are based on books. To start thinking about what should be on your reading list - or to see books you've already read up on the big screen - take a look at all the adaptations coming in 2017!
Meet Bill Skarsgard, the Guy About to Terrorize You as Pennywise
Image Source: Getty
Bill Skarsgard is the hot man behind the horrifying face of clown makeup in the remake of Stephen King's It, and we don't even feel weird about being attracted to him. Sure, he's playing one of the most iconic supernatural villains of all time, but Bill IRL seems kind of great. While you may have noticed him as Matthew in the Divergent film Allegiant, he's popped up all over the place. With the release of It finally upon us, get the scoop on what you need to know about the up-and-coming actor.
- He's Swedish, in case you couldn't tell. Bill was born in Vällingby, a suburban area outside of Stockholm, Sweden.
- He comes from a famous brood. Those icy looks run in the family; Bill is the younger brother of Alexander Skarsgard, famous for True Blood and Big Little Lies. Their father is Stellan Skarsgard, a longtime actor who you may recognize from Good Will Hunting, Thor, and the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Alexander was initially worried about Bill coming to LA in pursuit of being an actor, but Bill ended up booking a major role in a month and a half.
- In fact, there are more Skarsgards than you think. Bill has five full siblings (Alexander, Gustaf, Sam, Eija, and Valter) and two half-brothers, Ossian and Kolbjörn. That's a lot of Christmas gifts to buy.
- He's been in creepy stuff before. Though his performance as Pennywise will undoubtedly haunt us forever and ever, It isn't Bill's first foray into horror. He starred on all three seasons of Netflix's Hemlock Grove as Roman Godfrey. He knows his way around the supernatural. Then again, that show never had a killer clown.
Image Source: Everett Collection
- His breakthrough role was playing a man with Asperger's syndrome. Bill starred in the 2010 Swedish film Simple Simon as a young man with the developmental disorder. He was nominated for a Guldbagge Award, which is basically the equivalent of a Swedish Oscar.
- Bill had big dreams of traveling the Trans-Siberian railroad. In an interview with his father, Stellan inquired about why Bill chose to act after graduation rather than stick with his initial plan of traveling. "The main reason why I didn't really pursue acting early was because I thought people would say, 'Yeah OK, here comes another one, he's been fed on a silver plate of course he's an actor,'" Bill said. "You know as well as anybody else you don't just 'get to' play parts, you need to prove yourself."
- He got his driver's license at 26 years old. It wasn't until Bill had been in Canada and America for a few years that he thought to get a license.
30 Reasons You Shouldn't Apologize For Having a Crush on Alec Baldwin
Why do you think the characters in Clueless called hot guys "Baldwins"? Back in the '80s and '90s, Alec and his brothers were the equivalent of today's Hemsworths when it came to serving up sexiness as a family. But Alec . . . oh, Alec. That strong jaw. The dark hair. Those piercing blue eyes that could just cut right through you. On shows like Knots Landing and films like Malice, The Hunt For Red October, Glengarry Glen Ross, and even Beetlejuice, Alec Baldwin was it. I refuse to sit here and pretend that he doesn't give off "daddy" vibes and that I don't still find him attractive (when he's not dressed up as Donald Trump or voicing a cartoon baby) - because, yes, his hair may be a shimmery shade of gray now, but those baby blues can still stare right into your soul. These 30 photos are all the reasons you need to keep harboring that Baldwin crush.
27 Utterly Charming Princess Diana GIFs
There was so much to love about Princess Diana: her resilience in times of struggle, her dedication to helping others, and her ability to make everyone she encountered feel like she was on their side. While her striking presence surely comes across in photos, we've rounded up the best Princess Diana GIFs so that you can see her beauty, charm, and sense of humor in action.
Princess Diana's London: Her Favorite Spots and Her Secret Social Life
Diana, Princess of Wales, wasn't born in London, but she loved the city that was her home for 20 years. She will forever be associated with Kensington Palace, where she set up home; St. Paul's Cathedral, where she married; and Westminster Abbey, where her funeral was held - but what about the places that aren't as well-known? The little corners and secret hideaways where she could still be herself, even though she was outside palace doors? Pizza dinners with William and Harry, raucous nights out, and main street favorites that she visited in disguise: we're taking a look at the London that Diana knew and loved.
The Sweet and Uplifting Way Princess Diana Told William About His Father's Affair
Prince William had an especially close bond with his late mother, Princess Diana, and has talked openly about their close relationship in recent months ahead of the 20th anniversary of her tragic death. While William hasn't been quite as outspoken about the impact that his parents' divorce had on him and his brother, Prince Harry, there are a few instances that likely influenced and cemented the connection he had with Diana at the time.
Diana and Prince Charles separated in 1992 amid rumors of infidelity on both sides, but particularly concerning Charles's ongoing affair with former girlfriend Camilla Parker-Bowles. It was in 1986 that Charles rekindled their romance, and when Diana caught wind of it, she didn't back down; the normally shy princess pulled a badass move when she confronted Camilla (at her sister's birthday party, no less) about the affair, destroying what little harmony was left in her marriage. By 1995, Diana made another brazen gesture when she did a sit-down, televised interview with BBC's Martin Bashir. In it, she not only made the infamous quote, "There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded," but she also revealed that she told William, then 13, about his father's extramarital affair. "I told William, 'If you find someone you love in life, you must hang onto it and look after it,'" Diana said. "'And if you are lucky enough to find someone who loves you, then you must protect it.'"
She went on to admit that she didn't want to end the marriage, saying, "I don't want a divorce, but, obviously, we need clarity on a situation that has been of enormous discussion over the last three years," adding, "I await my husband's decision of which way we are all going to go." In an unprecedented move, the queen sent letters to Diana and Charles requesting that they divorce immediately. The divorce was finalized on Aug. 28, 1996, and Diana was killed in a car accident almost one year later. And judging by William's picture-perfect relationship with wife Kate Middleton, we have to imagine that he has taken his mother's advice to heart.
The Real Reason Princess Diana Had a Public Funeral
Image Source: Getty / Anwar Hussein
Princess Diana's tragic death is one of the most heartbreaking news stories of the century; the 36-year-old former Princess of Wales was killed in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997, and seven days later, she was honored with a public funeral that remains one of the most watched events in history. An estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide viewed or listened to the funeral, while another three million crowded the streets of London to follow the route of Diana's coffin from Kensington Palace to her final resting place at the Spencer family home in Althorp. While the event brought in many well-wishers - and celebrity guests like Tom Cruise, Hillary Clinton, Anna Wintour, and Steven Spielberg - Diana's funeral was originally intended to be a private affair attended only by members of the royal family and her closest relatives and friends. So how did it go from a personal event to a history-making phenomenon?
Image Source: Getty / Anwar Hussein
Just hours after Diana's death, her ex-husband Prince Charles arrived in Paris with her sisters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, to take her body back to the UK. Her passing was met with an extraordinary outpouring of love and grief from the public, and Londoners began leaving tributes of flowers, candles, photos, and personal notes outside her home at Kensington Palace. But the reactions from the royal family had a different impact: they were at their Summer residence at Balmoral Castle at the time of Diana's death, and their initial decision not to return to London (nor to mourn the princess publicly) led to much criticism.
There was also allegedly a very heated discussion about Diana's funeral arrangements. Britain's Channel Four news reported that Queen Elizabeth II had insisted that Diana's ceremony be private, but that Charles put up "ferocious resistance." A senior official close to the circle said that it was "made very clear to Prince Charles" that Diana's body "was on no account to be brought to any of the royal palaces," adding, "The queen's desire was for her to be taken to a private mortuary and then to a private funeral." But when Charles traveled to Paris to pick up Diana's body, he spoke to then-Prime Minister Tony Blair, and the two agreed that Diana should be laid out at St. James's Palace with a public funeral held at Westminster Abbey. Between Charles's tenacious argument, the obvious emotion from people around the world, and an intervention from Tony Blair, Elizabeth eventually relented. Five days after Diana's death, she came back to London and acknowledged the public's outpouring of grief in a live video from Buckingham Palace, and the following day, Diana's public funeral took place.
Starting at 9:08 a.m. from Kensington Palace, Diana's coffin was taken on a route through the streets of London, along Hyde Park to St. James's Palace, where thousands waited in line to sign a public condolence book and where Prince Harry and Prince William joined the procession alongside their father, grandfather, and uncle, Earl Spencer. The coffin, accompanied by eight Welsh Guards, passed Buckingham Palace, where members of the royal family waited outside; Queen Elizabeth II bowed her head as it went by.
Image Source: Getty / AFP
Diana's ceremony at Westminster Abbey began at 11 a.m. and was attended by government officials, foreign dignitaries, and Hollywood celebrities. Elton John performed "Candle in the Wind," which was rewritten for Diana by Bernie Taupin, who originally penned the song in 1973 to honor Marilyn Monroe. Just six weeks before her death, Diana was photographed comforting Elton at the funeral of their friend, fashion designer Gianni Versace. Diana's brother, Charles, gave an infamous eulogy in which he admonished both the royal family and the global press for their treatment of his sister.
Diana was buried privately later that day. The only people present were a close friend, her mother and siblings, Prince Charles, William, Harry, and a clergyman. She wore a black dress by Catherine Walker and held on to a rosary given to her by Mother Teresa (who, sadly, died the same week as Diana). She was laid to rest on a small island in the middle of a lake at Althorp, her family's estate. Charles Spencer decided that her gravesite was better off there than at their family vault in the local church, because it could be more easily cared for and offered better privacy for William and Harry to visit. The island where Diana's grave sits is accessed by a path of 36 trees - one for every year of her life - and black swans and white roses float in the water. Despite the drama surrounding Princess Diana's funeral plans, the public event still has an impact on all of those who watched and attended it and speaks volumes about her influence around the world.
The Ultimate Wedding Cake Roundup: 100 Showstopping Sweets
With so many wedding cake options available, where do you even start? It's totally normal to feel overwhelmed, which is why we've done the work and rounded up the most beautiful, stunning cakes in existence. You'll find something for every taste, from supertraditional to ultramodern and everything in between. It's so hard to pick a favorite, but hopefully you'll find the look for you among the sweet inspiration. Get clicking, and start swooning!
- Additional reporting by Lisette Mejia
Craving Latin Food at the Disney Parks? Here Are the Best Dishes to Try!
Disney vacations are the perfect opportunity to indulge cravings - hellooooooo, seasonal ice cream and decadent doughnuts - and sometimes, that means we want nostalgic Latino food while visiting the parks. That's why there's no shortage of options in the US Disney park locations, ranging from comfort food (empanadas and chilaquiles) to experimental goodies (horchata margaritas and tajín-chamoy Popsicles).
We've selected the 14 best Latino eats and drinks to reach for when you're enjoying the Disney parks, so that you don't get stuck biting into a lackluster lunch. Check our selections ahead, then let us know if we missed your personal favorite!
Size 0 models banned by 2 French fashion giants
Two of France's biggest luxury conglomerates, LVMH and Kering, have joined forces with a charter to ban unhealthily thin models.
Tyler Florence's Hack Will Forever Change the Way You Make Mashed Potatoes
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Nicole Perry
Food Network chef Tyler Florence shared his mashed potatoes recipe with us, and I immediately had to try it. Traditionally, potatoes are cooked in water before being mashed together with butter and cream (or milk). However, Tyler suggests cooking the potatoes in the cream itself, so no potato-y flavor is lost. He explains, "Potatoes have a really delicate, beautiful minerality to their flavor profile, and when you cook potatoes in water and you pour that water down the drain, you've extracted all the flavor of the potato. So what I do with mashed potatoes - because you finish them with cream and butter anyway, right? - is I'll take that same cream and butter and add that to the potatoes and cook the potatoes in cream and butter." Would that actually work? Would it actually taste good? I had to find out.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts
As Tyler instructed, I added "cold, peeled, chopped potatoes, cream, butter, and olive oil" to a pan. He also told us, "I like garlic. I like sage and rosemary flavor combinations, and a little bit of thyme." To my pot of 3 pounds of potatoes, I added enough half and half to just barely cover the potatoes. Frankly, I was scared about using straight cream, which is why I deviated slightly from his instruction. I then added about 3 tablespoons of salted butter and 3 tablespoons of olive oil. I added a few cloves of peeled garlic and half a bunch each of sage, rosemary, and thyme. I also included a significant amount of salt (at least a teaspoon) so the potatoes could absorb some of the flavor while cooking. I covered the pot and allowed it to simmer on medium until the potatoes became fork tender, about 20 minutes. The aroma in my kitchen was unbelievable.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts
Here's what Tyler told us to do next: "When the potatoes are tender, I put a bowl on the counter and a colander inside that bowl. I pour the potatoes through the colander, and the cream will collect on the bottom. Then I'll put the potatoes back into the pot and take the potato-infused garlic cream and fold that back into the potatoes, and it's the most incredible flavor profile. It's the best mashed potato you'll ever taste in your entire life." And so, I did just that. I drained the potatoes, collecting the rich liquid while discarding the herb stems. I then mashed the potatoes, adding back in the liquid until I created velvety smooth mashed potatoes with little specks of garlic and herbs. I salted and peppered to taste and served up with my lemon-garlic-parsley roast turkey and gravy. These mashed potatoes are pure heaven. I can now agree with Tyler's affirmation; they really are the best mashed potatoes I've ever tasted in my entire life. And even though I was scared it would be a huge flop, I'm never going back to any other method again.
Bad Moms Christmas Trailer: Booze, Nudity, and a Child Saying "Oh My F*cking God"
Rejoice, because Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn are back as Amy, Kiki, and Carla, aka the world's best bad moms. "You know what makes Christmas so special? Moms," Kunis says in a (very accurate) voice-over for the first Bad Moms Christmas trailer. "Moms working their asses off, cooking, wrapping, decorating, and shopping." That's right - the moms are still boozing it up (in a mall food court, no less) and venting about their families, only this time it's during the holidays, and they're all about to get a stressful visit from their own mothers (played by Susan Sarandon and Christine Baranski, god bless). The raunchy comedy doesn't come out until Nov. 3, so in the meantime, check out the trailer above!
Teaser Trailer:
20 Chapter Books to Read Aloud With Your Kids
POPSUGAR has joined Thrive Global in celebration of Screen-Free Week, May 1-7, 2017. Check out our Digital Detox Challenge and inspiration for offline activities like this post.
Reading with your child is a great way to increase her interest in books and create a bonding experience. But sadly, 250 million children aren't learning basic reading skills, and today's International Literacy Day is shining a light on the issue. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, reading aloud daily to children helps build language acquisition and literacy skills. With every passing paragraph, you connect with your child through new worlds, crazy characters, and shocking plot twists. When they start to progress from picture books to more complex stories, the themes found in literature become even more vital to your kids' personal development. To ensure an amazing time during your readings, choose books that entertain both you and your child; when both reader and listener are fully engaged, the valuable lessons found in literature become much more captivating! Here are the very best chapter books to read as your kids grow.
Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich's Labor Day Weekend Could Double as Another Honeymoon
Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich don't need the tropical shores of Seychelles to show off their sweet love. The couple, who tied the knot in Idaho in early July, enjoyed some fun in the sun as they hit up Manhattan Beach, CA, with friends and family on Labor Day. While Brooks donned a pair of blue shorts, the Dancing With the Stars judge showed off her washboard abs in a polka-dot bikini. Aside from braving the waves, the newlyweds enjoyed a nice walk on the beach as they greeted friends with a warm hug. They even had a friendly competition with Julianne's brother, Derek Hough, as they played games in the sand. See more of their fun-filled outing ahead.
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.
The Sweet, Somber Significance of Princess Diana's Final Resting Place
Image Source: Getty / Anwar Hussein
Seven days after Princess Diana's tragic death in August 1997, she was honored with a public funeral that remains one of the most watched events in history. Millions of people crowded the streets of London to follow the route of Diana's coffin from Kensington Palace along Hyde Park to St. James's Palace, passing Buckingham Palace and observing her memory in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Later that day, Diana was taken to her final resting place at her childhood home, the Spencer estate in Althorp.
Image Source: Getty / Barry King
Though many attended her funeral, the Princess of Wales was buried privately; the only people present were a close friend, her mother and siblings, Prince Charles, William, Harry, and a clergyman. Diana wore a black dress by Catherine Walker and held on to a rosary given to her by Mother Teresa (who, sadly, died the same week as Diana). She was laid to rest on a small island in the middle of a lake at Althorp. The family estate is located about 70 miles from London in the town of Northampton, UK, and spans nearly 13,000 acres. Built in 1508, then-Lady Diana Spencer moved to the lavish home when her father, John Spencer, inherited the earl title in 1975. When he passed in 1992, Diana's brother Charles took the title as well as operation over the estate.
Image Source: Getty / Barry King
After her death, Earl Spencer decided that her gravesite was better off at Althorp than at their family vault in the local church, because it could be more easily cared for and, most importantly, offered better privacy for William and Harry to visit. Before his wedding to Kate Middleton in April 2011, William is said to have brought Kate to visit Diana's gravesite, where they reportedly laid flowers. The island where Diana's grave sits is accessed by a path of 36 trees - one for every year of her life - and black swans and white roses float in the water. It also holds a tall monument dedicated to the princess, as well as a temple for visitors to pay their respects. On either side of the template is a tablet; one is engraved with the tribute Prince Charles gave at her funeral, and the other has quotes from Diana about her love and commitment to charity work. In 2015, Earl Spencer and his wife, Karen, Countess Spencer, set forth a huge revamp of the property where Diana is buried - the first in 350 years. It is scheduled to be done just before the 20th anniversary of her death in August 2017.
CMA head calls small business tax change a 'heart-wrenching' prospect for female doctors
Female doctors are warning that the Liberal government's proposed changes to the small business tax regime could force physicians to leave the profession.
You'll Never Frost Cupcakes Another Way Again After Learning This Trick
Beautiful frosted cupcakes are Magnolia Bakery's bread and butter (it's this sweet treat that was popularized by Sex and the City, after all). So when the bakery extended an invitation to a cupcake decorating class focused on flower cupcakes, I had to check it out. Keep reading to see exactly how these pastry pros do it.
Here's what you'll need: cupcakes, buttercream frosting, a pastry bag, a coupler and Ateco's #104 petal tip, luster dust (optional), and some patience.
21 Homemade Recipes You Can Realistically Cook For Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Even as someone who writes about food all day, I completely get that the struggle to cook at home is real. By the time I get home from a long day, I'm ready to put on sweatpants and satisfy my ravenous hunger immediately, which means I'm not about that elaborate-recipe life. I've definitely spent a fair chunk of change on overpriced salads for lunch, and as for the morning? I consider myself productive if I have enough time to set up my coffee maker and heat up Trader Joe's frozen oatmeal before rushing out the door. What I'm really saying is that cooking is hard. But it doesn't have to be.
Everyone needs a reset sometimes, and these recipes are here to help. In this list of 21 recipes - seven breakfasts, seven lunches, and seven dinners - you won't find bucket-list items like Gordon Ramsay's famous beef wellington; ain't nobody got time for that. What you will find are meal-prepped breakfasts, mason-jar lunches, and 20-minute dinners that barely require lifting a finger. Challenging yourself to cook at home more often doesn't have to be intimidating, and these recipes that you'll realistically have time to cook are proof.
Prince Charles Made a "Joke" After Harry's Birth That Actually Broke Diana's Heart
Princess Diana was many things to many people, but above all else, she was an adoring and doting mother of two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. While much is known about Diana's special connection with her boys, there's one thing people may not know about Harry's birth in particular: Prince Charles "desperately" wanted a little girl, and Diana, knowing that she was carrying a baby boy, kept the secret from her husband throughout her entire pregnancy.
About a year after Prince William was born in June 1982, Diana was under pressure to produce a spare to the heir. In September 1983, Buckingham Palace announced that Diana was pregnant for a second time, but sadly, she suffered a miscarriage later that week while at the Balmoral estate in Scotland. Cut to early 1984, when Charles and Diana found out that they were expecting again. During her difficult pregnancy, Diana told friends, "I don't think I'm made for the production line, but it's all worth it in the end."
In September 1984, Diana gave birth to a baby boy, Henry Charles Albert David Mountbatten-Windsor, after nine hours of labor and zero drugs. In Andrew Morton's Diana: Her True Story, the princess revealed her husband's "dismay" after welcoming their second child: "Charles always wanted a girl," she said. "Harry was a boy. His first comment was, 'Oh God, it's a boy.' His second: 'And he's even got red hair.'" Charles discounted the comment as a joke, but Diana was extremely hurt and offended: not only had she just endured nine f*cking hours of natural birth, but her older sisters and younger brother, Earl Spencer, all happen to have red hair, a trait that runs in the Spencer family. What's worse, at Harry's christening in December, Charles reportedly told Diana's mother, "We were so disappointed - we thought it would be a girl."
Diana went on to explain that she and Charles were "the closest we've ever, ever been and ever will be" in the weeks before Harry was born, adding, "Then, suddenly, as Harry was born, it just went bang, our marriage. The whole thing went down the drain." She went on to admit that "something inside me closed off," after Harry's birth - especially because Charles had picked up his longtime affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. "By then, I knew Charles had gone back to his lady," she said of the rekindled romance.
Harry's red hair led many to believe that his biological father was actually James Hewitt, an English Army captain who was hired to teach Diana, William, and Harry horseback riding. While Diana and James did carry on an affair in the late '80s, they didn't meet until two years after Harry's birth. And Charles's desire for a baby girl has held strong after all these years, as evidenced by his excitement over the birth of Princess Charlotte in 2015. "I was hoping for a granddaughter - someone to look after me when I am very old," he told reporters during a public engagement that year. "I am really rather thrilled."
Yes, I Studied Abroad on a Floating Campus
Four months, 13 countries, hundreds of students, and a seemingly endless piggy bank of stories. That was my study abroad experience. In the spring of 2015, I disembarked from the MV Explorer - a renovated cruise ship turned college campus - after going around the world and back, exploring Hawaii, Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, Myanmar (Burma), India, Mauritius, South Africa, Namibia, Morocco, and England. The "Around the World" voyage was as mind-expanding as it was unconventional, and it goes by the name of Semester at Sea.
Change was constant. Adapt, accept, and then do it all over again.
Imagine attending class in the middle of the ocean, waking up in a new country week after week, disconnecting and tuning into what is right in front of you, connecting with the beauty of the experience that you are living, getting to know the people that will become lifelong travel companions and motivators . . . . The ability to unplug will result in an abundance of made-up games, exchanging of photos, music, stories, and conversations that will wander through your thoughts for years to come. You study relevant coursework and apply it to your experiences in port. You pay back debt with yen, dong, and dirhams. You take a meditation class, do yoga with nothing but blue sky and sea as your backdrop, and spend free time poolside with a smoothie in hand and star-filled nights with friends tackling all of the things that set your soul on fire.
The feeling that I had each time the ship pulled into port remains unmatched. There was growing anticipation as each foreign land approached and I was reminded to expect the unexpected. Change was constant. Adapt, accept, and then do it all over again. Time slowed down and days of the week faded into distinguishing between right now or tomorrow. I got lost in Japan, walked along the Great Wall of China, spent sunrise at Angkor Wat, rode through the hills of Myanmar on the back of a motorcycle, met my rickshaw driver's family in India, bungee jumped in South Africa, and made a last-minute decision to skydive in the Namib Desert. A deep sense of accomplishment overtook me each time I returned to my floating home in one piece.
If you know someone who has experienced Semester at Sea, you probably know that we can never seem to keep quiet about it. There's something about being at sea and watching the hues of the ocean change day by day that seeps into your blood. We become undeniably in love with traveling. My days spent crossing oceans led to a relentless curiosity for distant places and cultures, and a newfound understanding that we are all unfathomably similar at our core. The trajectory of my life was altered because I chose to spend 112 days throwing myself gracefully into the unknown.
21 Books to Read Before They're 2017 Movies
Like any other year, many of 2017's big releases are based on books. To start thinking about what should be on your reading list - or to see books you've already read up on the big screen - take a look at all the adaptations coming in 2017!
Why You Might Want to Reconsider Dressing Up as a Día de los Muertos Skeleton This Halloween
Pan de muertos, la catrina, flor de cempasúchil, traditional colors, dishes, and altares or altars: all of these play an important role in what many know as Day of the Dead, but what my culture and family refer to as Día de los Muertos.
"Hija, preparemos el altar" or "Honey, let's arrange the altar" are words my mother would say days before Nov. 1. Usually the preparation begins on Oct. 31, the same day Halloween is celebrated in the United States, and while the holidays almost overlap in date, it's important to understand they are different.
I was born and raised in California, but my heart and culture come from Mexico. Like many other Latinos or Mexican-Americans, dates such as Day of the Dead are important and celebrated in my family. So what exactly is behind this day? Let me break it down.
Día de los Muertos is celebrated in many Latin American countries but emphasized in the Mexican states of Michoacán, Jalisco, and Oaxaca. Traditionally, this festivity traces back to the Aztecs and was at one point a month-long commemoration. Have you ever heard of Día de los Angelitos or All Saints' Day? This plays part in what Day of the Dead celebrates today.
It all begins with the altares or the altars. Being from Jalisco, it's tradition for my family to begin preparing the altar of the person we are commemorating three days prior to the actual holiday on Oct. 31. Together, we begin gathering ofrendas or offerings that remind us of the person who has passed. This can be anything from food to drinks, clothing, music, photos, colors, and religious images or representations. Altars are decorated and placed in either the person's home or a tomb in the cemetery. Papel picado (literally punched or perforated paper) is seen on the altars usually with cutouts of skulls and skeletons.
Once you've prepared the altar, you can welcome the souls of those who passed. Children are celebrated on Nov. 1. The next day is dedicated to the adults, and the festivities are similar on both dates. Imagine a cemetery filled with people, music, colorful decorations, food, and lit candles.
While in the US, many paint their faces on Halloween as skeletons to mirror death, the same is done in Mexico on Día de los Muertos but with a different essence. La catrina, which translates to "the lady in the hat," is a female skeleton and is probably the most recognized symbol of the holiday. She wears an elegant bright-colored dress, which many women wear as a way to mock death. In comparison to how a skeleton is portrayed on Halloween in the states, there is nothing scary about la catrina. In fact, she represents the upper-class outfit of the Europeans.
The same goes for the cemetery. While in the US, the cemetery is home to scary stories and haunted houses, the cemetery in many Latin American countries is home to everything just the opposite. Even the word skeleton has a different meaning. Calaveras refer to funny rhymes on that day. For example: "Comadre pelona, me alegro de verte. No andemos con chanzas, que yo soy la muerte". Translation: "Bald lady, I'm glad to see you. Let's not joke around, I am death."
The holiday, which at one point only existed in Mexico, has now migrated to other countries including the US. You don't have to be in Mexico to celebrate, but you do need to know the meaning behind the celebration to appreciate its culture and know that it's a traditional event not related at all to Halloween. The beauty behind Día de los Muertos is its symbolism. As a family and with your community, you celebrate death.
A Former Disneyland Photographer Revealed Some VERY Interesting Secrets About the Job
They snap hundreds of shots a day, but what are they really seeing through their camera lens? Disneyland photographers have a unique job, and they get to experience the parks from a perspective that no one else does. From touching moments to interesting behind-the-scenes stories, a former Disneyland Photopass photographer did an IAmA on Reddit and revealed all.
1. Where do you think the best spot for taking photos is?
"In the daytime I would say Fantasyland or Adventureland in Disneyland side. Disney California Adventure side would be Buena Vista St. and the trail. At night Main Street is really nice as well as the side of the castle. Buena Vista is also nice at night but the Tower of Terror or whatever it's called now is pretty sweet."
2. Your favorite part of year to work?
"Christmas time is without a doubt my favorite. Getting to see the park all decorated and seeing the trees and scenery change is so nice. I also love the cold weather."
3. What was the most touching/heart-wrenching guest moment you were a part of?
"I was working Princess Fantasy Faire one day and we were told we had a special guest coming in for a private meet and greet. Just before they came in we were told it was going to be a family of three. A mom, dad and a 4-year-old daughter. The family had just lost their 7-year-old daughter to cancer. The family came in and was super nice and grateful to be there. When they finally to got to my location the girl was going on about her sister and then she called her a 'sky princess.' It was really tough to hear and everyone in the room got a bit emotional."
4. Did you have prior experience as a photographer before working at Disneyland? If so then was there any difficulty adapting to their style of "take the photos our way"?
"I had several years experience taking photos before going to Disney. So yeah, it was a bit tough to adapt to what Disney wanted. They wanted close ups and photos that were dead centered and had flat lighting. I had been shooting concerts for a while so I was used to shooting super wide and maybe tilting the camera just a bit. I constantly got told to zoom in. Luckily for me they were nice about it and I was able to adjust quickly. However, just a few months before I left, they started letting photographers do more creative shots."
5. Do you get to interact with the characters during their after hours? How are they in real life?
"I got to interact with them during our downtime and after work. Most of them are pretty cool. They can be a bit loud at times. Singing and dancing randomly but it's all fun. They love to talk too. Some of the princesses can be kinda bratty. They were all nice to me but I've seen them be petty to others. Chip n Dale are my favorites. They love to cause mischief and play jokes. Who couldn't love that!"
6. Do you make commission on photos? Do you have a quota?
"We don't make commission on photos or sales or anything. There isn't much of a quota but the leads can check how many photos you've taken and if it's a low number they may come out to talk to you to see whats up. However, It was rarely if ever enforced until about a month or two before I left."
7. It's my understanding that the Disney photographers will always take a photo with your cell phone if you ask them, is that true? Did most folks do that?
"All the Photopass Photographers in Disneyland will take a photo with your phone and/or camera even if you don't get a photo with ours. It's just a guest courtesy thing and they're all happy to do it. Although a lot of guests will still get photos on our camera just to be nice."
8. Any interesting interactions with celebrities?
"One morning at Plaza Inn Matt Damon came in with a huge group of about 20 or so people. They were about to take a group photo and I saw his wife had her phone out ready to take a picture. So I offered to take it for her. I guess I took one to many photos and someone in his group made a joke about me being a paparazzi. Everyone in the group including Matt had a big laugh.
"I met Mike Starr once, he plays Joe in Dumb and Dumber. I sold him his photos at Goofy's Kitchen and he was really nice and was having a blast seeing the characters interact with his kids. We had a short conversation about how he knows how uncomfortable it can get in the costumes. I also shook hands with Johnny Depp and Eric Stonestreet the guy who plays Cameron in Modern Family."
9. The line to visit with the characters is mostly pose for your photo and move on, the character doesn't interact with you (or the kid) at all. When I was a kid it seemed like they would ham it up with you for a minute so you could have a memory and an experience, and the photo was a bit of an afterthought. Can you comment on that?
"I believe a big reason why characters don't interact that much with kids is because they were told to speed it up. A lot of the times when the characters would have to leave set for their break and there would still be a huge line as they didn't get through a lot of guests since they were taking their time. And it got even worse as the crowd size increased. So it might be due to management telling characters to rush through the line.
"It's unfortunate because a lot of guests miss out on a fun interaction. I also believe that a lot of guests, maybe most, go to see a character only for the photo. The parents will push a crying kid in front of the character and try to force them to smile. Other times people might just walk up and without saying a word take a photo with them. Some people really do treat characters as if they're just a prop or a statue and I think the characters sometimes get used to that and just expect it, as well as the photographers. The best way for a good interaction is to go to the character dining restaurants. The earlier the better because you get the characters all to yourself or at least mostly to yourself."
10. Which park did you prefer and why?
"I really preferred working Disneyland side. The locations were better, made for better pictures, the vibe was a bit different too on DL side as opposed to DCA side. The leads on DL side were usually much more professional and active in their jobs. Also, there was more shade."
11. Was working at Disneyland a life goal or dream for you? Did you do it just because you needed a job?
"Working at Disneyland was never a goal and I never felt drawn to working there. For most of my life I didn't even have a desire to go there. A friend talked me into going one day and I went because it was free (his sister who worked there got us in) and I noticed they had photographers working there. Being that I was a photographer who was in need of a part time job I decided to apply. I was offered a job and took it because I needed one. But I stayed because it was such a fun place and I made a lot of friends and was able to create special moments for people."
12. What is one of the most vivid moments that you can still imagine right now?
"There's a few but I think the night when I was closing the photo store is very vivid. It was Christmas time and I had just finished my shift on Main Street Photo. My friends and I clocked out and walked through the park which was already closed. The lights were still on and it was a lot of fun just walking through without anyone else in the park."
22 Nude Nail Art Ideas to Mix Up Your Basic Manicure
Decking your nails out in seasonal and patterned designs is fun, but there's nothing more chic and timeless than a classic nude manicure. But if you occasionally want to give your manicure an understated punch, pale nails aren't limited to one solid coat. We've rounded up simple yet inventive neutral nail art ideas for when your minimal lacquer needs a little excitement. Look through to get inspired.
7 Times Princess Charlotte Proved She's Definitely a Mama's Girl
Shortly after Princess Charlotte made her grand entrance into the world in May 2015, it became obvious that she looks so much like her great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II. But as she's gotten older and made more and more public outings, we've gotten to see just how much she takes after her mom, Kate Middleton. Not only do the two immediately become the center of attention whenever they walk into a room, but their personalities and quirky facial expressions are perfectly in sync. From their goofy reactions to their judgmental stares, Kate and Charlotte are two peas in a royal pod.
23 Sweet and Savory Crockpot Recipes For Fall
Rev up your crockpots! It's officially time for hearty Fall meals - both savory and sweet. Although slow cookers are most commonly used for soups, stews, and hearty casseroles, the crockpot can also be the perfect vehicle for a hot breakfast or a sweetly satisfying dessert.
Read through for 23 slow cooker recipes your family is going to love.
Disney's New Halloween Mickey Ears Will Light Up Your World!
In case you haven't noticed, it's never too early to start celebrating Halloween. Disneyland knows this, too. That's probably why the beloved theme park is now selling light-up Mickey ears to get visitors in the Halloween spirit. The new Halloween Mickey ears feature a cluster of blinking animated bats on each side and come in two colors: green and orange. One Instagram user noted that the spooktacular ear accessories cost $19 and are "kinda hidden near the door" at World of Disney in Downtown Disney, so you'll have to make sure you look closely to find them. Another Instagram user said they will be available at the Disney parks, so keep an eye out at Walt Disney World as well!
Read on to see the mesmerizing Mickey ears that will light up your world, then check out the rest of the epic Halloween merchandise Disneyland just unveiled.
Jennifer Lawrence Makes Her First Red Carpet Appearance With Darren Aronofsky
Jennifer Lawrence arrived at the Venice Film Festival this week to promote her upcoming psychological thriller, Mother!. The 27-year-old actress was seen leaving the airport with her boyfriend - and the director of the film - 48-year-old Darren Aronofsky. Jennifer then attended a press conference with fellow cast members Javier Bardem and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Though the couple have been photographed together in the past, the star-studded event marks their first official red carpet appearance. As they continue to promote Mother! leading up to its release on Sept. 15, it's likely that they will attend plenty of events together. That being said, they kept it pretty professional at the Venice Film Festival and didn't pose directly next to each other - leaving Michelle hilariously stuck in the middle.
26 Crazy and Delicious Casserole Recipes That Are Definitely Not Your Grandma's
While the word 'casserole' might make you cringe, remembering mushy tuna noodle casserole your grandma used to make, rest assured there are foodie-approved ones out there - quinoa risotto with truffle oil, pizza lasagna rollups, and chicken florentine artichoke bake, just to name a few. Not many things are more reliable for a fast and easy dinner than casseroles, but you shouldn't be afraid to branch out and get creative. There's nothing average about these unique recipes, from the ingredients to the flavor.
This Touching Moment From Princess Diana's Funeral Almost Didn't Happen
Image Source: Getty / AFP
Princess Diana's funeral was an unforgettably tragic and touching event watched by billions around the world. Almost 20 years later, the images still conjure up emotions, especially those of her two young sons, Princes William and Harry. Among the most iconic is the picture of the boys walking behind Diana's horse-drawn casket with their father, grandfather, and uncle, Earl Spencer, Diana's brother. Atop the casket, Harry had placed a card addressed to "Mummy."
Image Source: Getty / Anwar Hussein
The story behind the procession provides insight into the royal family dynamic ahead of the funeral. Sally Bedell Smith relays the details in her new biography of the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles. The day before the funeral, the royal family had arrived back in London after grieving privately at the queen's Scottish estate Balmoral. Bedell Smith explains that "the one lingering question about the funeral was whether William and Harry would walk in the procession behind their mother's horse-drawn gun carriage." Charles wanted his sons to walk because it was a tradition for royal men, but the boys were reluctant.
Finally, it was their grandfather, Prince Philip, who helped William and Harry make the decision. Bedell Smith writes that Prince Philip told William, "If you don't walk, you may regret it later." He went on, "I think you should do it. If I walk, will you walk with me?" Thanks to that conversation, William and Harry joined the procession at St. James's Palace, providing history with a moment we won't soon forget.
Hilary Duff Says Goodbye to Summer With a Scorching-Hot Bikini Outing
Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end to Summer, and Hilary Duff decided to go out with a bang. The Younger actress showed off her insanely toned body while hitting the beach in Malibu on Monday. Hilary, who rocked a black bikini, soaked up the rays as she relaxed with her son, Luca, and ex-husband, Mike Comrie. In addition to taking a walk in the water, the star played a little game of football in the sand. The outing is just the latest time this Summer that Hilary has wrecked us with her perfect curves. The actress, who frequently vacations in Hawaii, most recently jetted to the tropical island in August.
What to Know About the Crippling Phobia That's Plaguing American Horror Story: Cult
This season, American Horror Story is ramping up to new levels of terror to scare its loyal audience. With the premiere of AHS: Cult, we're introduced to the dark, postelection world. While much of it seems to be rooted in the troubling realities surrounding the 2016 election of President Donald Trump, it wouldn't be American Horror Story without a few added elements. In this case, we're talking about clowns. We're also talking about tiny holes and home invasion, but let's stick to the clowns for the time being. With the return of Twisty from Freak Show and all the other clown-laden teasers for season seven, it's clear that the show is playing off one of the world's oldest fears.
It's not just that clowns are set to appear in Cult. Sarah Paulson's character, Ally, actually suffers from what is known as coulrophobia; according to the Oxford English Dictionary, it's an "extreme or irrational fear of clowns." Ally's debilitating mental reaction to clowns is clear very early on in the first episode. While it's true that AHS's clowns are more of a metaphor for American paranoia and anarchy, the inclusion of the impish circus creatures stretches back for centuries. Yep, clowns have been feared for pretty much as long as they've existed.
According to the Smithsonian, clowns appear in some cultures stretching back as far as 2500 BCE. While their initial purpose was to inspire laughter and joy, they "have always had a dark side." David Kiser, who at the time was director of talent for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, noted that clowns are meant to "reflect a fun-house mirror back at society," meaning some of our most hedonistic and manic tendencies were amplified and laid bare before us . . . in a comedic way. Even so, this aspect of "clownery," if you will, represents an "impish spirit." So, even though clowns come from a origin of entertainment, there's always been a blurry line between laughter and terror.
It's not just the dark origins that make clowns scary, though. There's actually psychological evidence behind the terror. According to psychologist Rami Nader, we feel like we can't trust them. "They have these large, artificial, painted-on expressions, which you know don't actually represent how that clown is feeling because nobody can be happy all the time. And yet, the clown has a big happy smiling face . . . in essence, you sort of know that it's lying to you." According to psychologist Frank McAndrew, it's also the mischievous history of clown behavior that puts us on edge. Their tendencies to pull pranks and throw pies and turn unsuspecting individuals into victims creates a general mistrust and unease.
Then, of course, there are the terrifying iterations of clowns that have appeared in horror movies and scary stories over the years. Consider, for instance Stephen King's It: having a monster like Pennywise certainly isn't doing the clowns of the world any favors. So just know, while you're gripping your couch and trying to white-knuckle your way through all the clowns in American Horror Story: Cult, there's a logical reason you (and Ally) are so scared.
10 Fantasy Series Your Child Should Read After Harry Potter
If your child has read the Harry Potter series - more than once, even - and is trying to cast spells on the cat, then it's time to dive into a new book! Here are 10 more beloved science fiction and fantasy books that make great follow-ups to the magical world of Harry Potter for your little reader to devour.
3 Smart Tips For Anyone Feeling Out of Place at Work
Have you ever excitedly accepted a job offer only to spend your first few months (or longer) at the new office feeling uneasy or out of place? The experience is called belonging uncertainty - and you're not alone.
When employees feel insecure in their work environment, it affects their confidence and productivity, as they expend mental energy trying to figure out whether or not they belong. Paradigm, a consulting agency focusing on workplace diversity and inclusion, is currently studying belonging uncertainty, specifically as it pertains to women in tech roles, since tech has long been a male-dominated industry in which female tech professionals understandably experience these feelings.
For companies seeking to foster a sense of inclusion, it helps to create a sense of "ambient belonging" - subtle cues in the physical environment that send a message of valuing and celebrating diverse perspectives. This can take the form of wall art, design selections, or even the snacks available in the break room. For example, "consider the names of conference rooms in your office: if they're named after people, how many of these people are men? How many are white? Are they named after sci-fi movies, computer games, or sports teams?" Even small efforts to be more inclusive can go a long way.
But what if you experience belonging uncertainty as an employee? What can you do to combat these feelings? For advice, we turned to Lauren Aguilar, a partner at Paradigm and one of the world's foremost scientific experts on diversity and inclusion. Here's what she suggests:
Know that you're not alone.
Research shows that a lot of people experience belonging uncertainty, especially when they start new jobs or a new role. It takes time, but these worries do dissipate.
Connect with others when you're struggling.
Often we try to bear challenges alone, working late into the night trying to figure things out on our own so that others don't see our struggle. However, this just piles on more work and more stress, while the isolation leads to more belonging uncertainty. Instead, ask a trusted co-worker for advice. And if you're brand new and you don't know anyone yet, asking for advice is a great strategy to build your network.
Embrace a growth mindset.
This is the belief that skills and talent can grow and develop over time and are built up through practice and effort. Learn to love your mistakes and shortfalls rather than taking them as evidence you don't belong. Research has shown that people who see mistakes, dead-ends, and confusion as opportunities to learn, make the most progress in their work and feel more secure in their belonging.
The Stunning View You Get at Horseshoe Bend Is Unlike Any Other in the World
The Grand Canyon is a natural wonder that can literally take your breath away when you first lay eyes on it. It holds secrets you could spend a lifetime discovering, and travelers from around the world have it at the top of their bucket lists for good reason. One of the most unique - and photo-worthy - parts of the canyon is just seven miles north of mile zero. Horseshoe Bend, a rocky island-like formation of sandstone surrounded by the Colorado River, stuns in beauty.
You can walk to the edge of Horseshoe Bend and look down 1,000 feet of the sandstone to the river (and then take your fill of photos). Hiking to the edge is relatively easy; the trailhead is located just outside of Page, AZ. Check out the gorgeous images ahead.
A Home Editor's Secret Source For Incredible Area Rugs
Something happens to me when I hunt for a new rug. I get tunnel vision. I detour into every decor shop I pass on the street. I spend hours staring at my laptop scrolling through page after page of rugs for sale online, until, late into the night, bleary-eyed and head pounding, my husband forces me to go to bed.
I can't tell you what I'm looking for exactly, short of a general color palette, but I'll know it as soon as I see it. And so I search. Limited only by the amount of time I have to shop online and my conservative budget (with how quickly rugs get trashed in my busy house, I refuse to invest big bucks into them ) and motivated by the thrill of the hunt, the satisfaction of the finding "the one."
Over the course of several moves and redesigns, I've consistently had success with three online rug stores. From the magenta oriental in my living room to the perfectly faded leopard-print rug in my bedroom to the vibrant blue kilim in my son's nursery, these online shops are my go-to destinations when I want an on-trend, unique, affordable area rug. Check them out ahead.
You'll Want Every Piece of This Land of Nod Care Bears Collection For Your Kid's Room
There's rarely a time we don't want to buy every single thing off The Land of Nod website for our kids (and us, to be honest), but its three new, limited-edition collections for Fall are the most tempting - and nostalgic - of all. Featuring room decor, clothing items, toys, accessories, and bedding in designs inspired by Care Bears ($6-$250), Paul Frank ($34-$249), and Dylan's Candy Bar ($9-$199), these collections will have your kid begging you to hit "Add to Cart."
Scroll through to see a sneak preview of items from each of the three collections, all available now.
8 Scrambled Egg Recipes With a Secret Ingredient You'd Never Guess
Scrambled eggs can be completely boring or exciting, depending on how you cook them. If you don't know the best way to scramble eggs, you're at risk of winding up with a plate of dry, rubbery, flavorless mush. With a little help from some secret ingredients, however, you can take your plain old scrambled eggs to new heights and totally upgrade your breakfast routine. Each of these eight recipes features a secret ingredient you'd never guess when eating the eggs that makes a world of difference in how they're cooked. You might never make scrambled eggs the same way again after discovering these tips.
Articles
