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.
lundi 1 janvier 2018
Why Snapchat Filters Are More Problematic Than Pretty
If I nailed a perfect cat eye, I couldn't resist photographing it for Instagram. The sun couldn't shine without me flipping on my front cam to test out the lighting, and I wouldn't dare take a bite of my Sunday brunch before documenting it first. To say I was an avid selfie taker was an understatement. But when I landed my first full-time job, my dedication to snapping these pictures diminished.
Waking up every morning for work with only a few minutes to get ready left no time to find my light and snap 50 photos from my best angle. Thus, my interest in Instagram and selfies began to dwindle. It was then that I decided to make a Snapchat account.
Joining Snapchat sparked my love for social media all over again. It was there I flaunted my most authentic self. I was comfortable recording my makeup-free trip to the grocery store or happy hour with my girls without the pressure for overly filtered faces or the fear of not getting any "likes." I posted what I wanted, not caring who was watching or what I looked like. The platform felt refreshingly real.
Not too long ago, Snapchat released a variety of facial-distorting filters that further solidified my love for the app. I would spend minutes hysterically cracking up at the sight of my face transformed into a frightening bunny - and don't even get me started on the sight of rainbow vomit when I opened my mouth. However, some filters were a little more troubling.
I have nothing against the use of Snapchat faces, but certain filters are more like instant retouchers instead of playful add-ons, becoming similar to the Facetune and Photoshop filters I personally despise. Makeup artists use apps like these to enhance their features in ways a standard camera probably wouldn't capture. However, they have gone from artistry-emphasizing tools to essentials for many everyday women, who blur out their faces until they no longer look real.
One filter in particular, which I refer to as the "catfish filter," instantly alters your entire face to create a more flawless version of you. At the press of a button, my rounded cheeks and nose are suddenly contoured and chiseled. Every pimple and imperfection vanishes - and I am no longer me. Instead, I'm transformed into a thinner, more refined version of myself . . . the more "socially desirable" me.
A variety of filters also exaggerate select facial features. Certain Snapchat enhancements can widen your nose, enlarge your lips, and even fabricate a double chin. As I hold my phone to my face, I wonder what someone who is actually self-conscious of his or her nose, lips, and weight feel seeing these features being altered.
Filters can be fun. But like any perfect photo on Instagram or on Snapchat, they are not reality. Celebrities and social media personalities like Lena Dunham and Kerry Washington have recently spoken out against retouching and photoshopping, and more women are making the choice to take a natural approach to beauty. But it seems like the more society vocalizes loving the skin you are in, the farther away from it we become. When I sign onto my social media profile, it's impossible to escape the overly contoured, "Botox Instagram faces" we are trying to move away from.
I always find myself thinking about the people using the catfish filter who would prefer to look like their retouched self. Or those who would think twice before showing off their filter-free face because it just doesn't look as good as it would enhanced. We all have insecurities, and many of us would change them if we could. But because we are constantly fed dosages of unrealistic perfection, our insecurities consume us. Instead of celebrating the traits that make us unique, we are constantly given new ways to hide them . . . and now one of those ways is through filters.
It is important to remember that while certain enhancements might give you a boost of confidence in a three-second story, you don't need them to be beautiful. Makeup and contouring are forms of artistry that can enhance what you naturally have and serve as a form of self-expression. Instagram, Snapchat, and their filters are another way to tell your story. But don't use them as a crutch that prevents you from being proud of what you see when the filters go off. Instead, celebrate who you are - made up or stripped down. You might be surprised at the way the "real" you will be received.
While I will find it hard to not excitedly transform my face into an alien-like creature or into an animated puppy at the press of a button, I will always remember my reason for joining Snapchat in the first place: to be the most raw, authentic (filter-free) version of me.
10 Beauty Commandments to Follow Before You Turn 25
Ah, to be a millennial! If you're of this class, you're probably already an overachieving social media star and winning at life, so it makes sense that you'd also have an A+ beauty regime. Thus, as I reach the end of my late 20s, I am looking back at my grooming hits and misses of the last decade. Here's what I learned and what I wish I'd known . . .
The 1 Foundation That Covered My Hives After an Allergic Reaction
A few weeks ago, I had an allergic reaction to a medication and woke up covered in hives from head to toe. I was completely freaked out that my usually clear skin had been taken over by large, red, splotchy bumps. I cried on the phone to my mom, sulked, and hid from the world.
When I realized I could no longer be a hermit (I'm a busy woman!), I panicked. I didn't want anyone, even my roommate, to see me like this. Eventually, I knew I had to stop being dramatic and accept my fate: I had to go out into public. In an effort to look less like a leper, I turned to Huda Beauty Faux Filter Foundation ($40), which promised to cover hyperpigmentation and redness, and prayed that it would cover my rash.
I grabbed my trusted Beautyblender ($20) and started dotting the liquid on my face, trying not to cry. To my surprise, it completely covered the hundreds of hives that had conquered my complexion. Although I still had a skin texture I can only describe as lumpy, I felt so much better. I thanked the makeup gods (and Huda Kattan) that this had worked, put on a hoodie, and went out in public for the first time in days.
Since then, my hives have thankfully gone away and I am no longer sick. However, my devotion to Huda's foundation is still going strong. The formula is silky-smooth, packed with pigment, and doesn't fade throughout the day. If it can cover hives, it can definitely handle my ordinary breakouts. I recently wore it for a photo shoot, and my skin looks incredible in the photos.
While I hope I never have hives again, at least I now know what product I can turn to in a skin emergency.
15 Ash-Blond Hair Ideas That Will Give Your Winter Look an Icy Edge
Rather than having to make your Instagram cooler every time (and we mean literally cooler), dye your hair ash blond. The blue-toned blond is edgy, and it definitely works for Winter with pale skin, lots of of mascara, and a grunge lip.
While this double of bleaching often entails double processing and a lot of maintenance, it's worth it if you want statement-making hair. Just ask your colorist to use a product like Olaplex to keep your strands healthy.
Keep reading to see how women on Instagram are showing off the It dye fad.
Literally Everything You Could Ever Want to Know About Double Process Hair Dye
Save for one balayage two years ago, I am a hair-dye virgin. For the past few years, I've lusted after denim hair. I'm talking full on Britney & Justin 2001 VMAs hair that matches the denim-on-denim I'm prone to wearing. But there was one glaring issue that kept me from swan-diving into a vat of blue dye.
I'm a brunette, and to lighten my hair would mean that I'd have to undergo the dreaded "double process" and bleach my entire head. Quite a few times, I'd pick up my phone to book a dye job, only to back out when the salon's receptionist asked me what process I wanted. Single? Double? I only know how to answer that question in regard to ordering an espresso.
So that's how I ended up actually sitting down to Google "What Is Double Process?" Alone at my kitchen table, illuminated only by the light of my MacBook Air (and the Fenty Beauty highlighter I tried at work), I shame-searched my questions away. I read everything I could about the process - and I was still confused.
My main qualm was that, while there are plenty of informative pieces on hair-dye techniques, many of the stories only show the "after photos." I am the type of person who won't go to dinner without obsessively Yelping the restaurant. I need the down-and-dirty, no-holds-barred explanation of a process - not just cute, curated Instagram pictures of a blowout.
I'd pick up my phone to book a dye job, only to back out when the salon's receptionist asked me what process I wanted. Single? Double? I only know how to answer that question in regard to ordering an espresso.
So with POPSUGAR's blessing, I booked a photographer, and a session at Seagull Salon with Jeanise Aviles in hopes of basically writing the post that I wanted to read before undergoing the process myself. With her electric green hair (and matching eyebrows!), Jeanse is known and loved throughout New York due to her ability to turn her clients into living, breathing rays of rainbow-haired sunshine. Indeed, her vibrant Instagram feed is honestly better at cheering me up than a thousand cute dog pictures.
I came in to what was supposed to be a five-hour appointment with chestnut-brown hair and left eight hours later with '80s-acid wash coloring all over my head. Ahead, here's everything I learned about the process, because knowledge is power, y'all!
Mariah Carey Returns to the New Year's Eve Stage For "Take 2"
Mariah Carey, queen of the holidays, returned to the stage for Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest in NYC on New Year's Eve. Following last year's awkward performance, the singer announced this year's return on Instagram, writing, "Take 2." The big moment came on Sunday night, when she stepped into the spotlight to sing some of her biggest hits. After showing off her vocals with "Vision of Love," she spoke to the crowd and wondered aloud about the whereabouts of the hot tea she'd been promised, saying, "They told me there would be tea . . . we'll just have to rough it." Cue the opening notes of "Hero," which she went on to perform. What an icon.
35 Songs to Turn ALL the Way Up to This New Year's Eve
In spite of all the terrible things that happened, 2017 was filled with some pretty solid music. From the waterfall of Summer jams to all those sexy songs that had your hips moving, it seems the plenitude of bops was actually one of the bright spots of the last 12 months. And what better way to bid farewell to this garbage year than to remember some of the best pop songs it had to offer? This New Year's Eve, turn the volume all the way up, put your worries to bed, and dance. We even made a Spotify playlist for you. (You're welcome.)
You Have Less Than a Month to Watch All 6 Seasons of Lost Before It Leaves Netflix
We were so busy obsessing over all of the new titles hitting Netflix in January that we almost forgot to pour one out for the many, many movies and TV shows that are bidding the streaming giant adieu. In exchange for Love Actually, Bring It On, and The Godfather, it looks like Netflix is giving up the Saw franchise, Pulp Fiction, and all six seasons of Lost. Check out the rest of the titles you need to watch ASAP below!
Jan. 1
Chicago
Daddy Day Care
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
Dressed to Kill
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Forrest Gump
Four Brothers
Free Willy
Grease
Gremlins
I Am Sam
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: The Fifteenth Year
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: The Fourteenth Year
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: The Seventeenth Year
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: The Sixteenth Year
License to Drive
Made of Honor
Mean Girls
Miss Congeniality
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
Mona Lisa Smile
Police Academy
Pulp Fiction
Requiem for a Dream
Saw
Saw II
Saw III
Saw IV
Saw V
Saw VI
Saw: The Final Chapter
Someone Like You
The Addams Family
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
The Day the Earth Stood Still
The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel
The Inn of the Sixth Happiness
The Man With One Red Shoe
The Manhattan Project
The Mighty Ducks
The Parent Trap
The Secret Garden
The Switch
Three Coins in the Fountain
White Chicks
Young Mr. Lincoln
Jan. 3
VHS
Jan. 4
Lost, seasons 1 to 6
Jan. 5
Fantasia
Fantasia 2000
The Host
Jan. 15
Sirens, seasons 1, 2
Jan. 30
Futurama, seasons 7 to 10
7 Books That Are About to Become Your New Favorite TV Shows in 2018
Hear that? It's the sound of a rough year mercifully winding down, and while we can't exactly look forward to positive events IRL, thankfully, the land of make-believe is providing us with some much-needed respite in the form of movies and TV. Books, long the safe place for your brain, are also inspiring some of next year's most exciting movies and TV shows. This year's book-to-TV adaptations included Big Little Lies, 13 Reasons Why, and The Handmaid's Tale, so 2018 has some big shoes to fill. Looking at this list, you'll be pretty confident that these series are up to the task.
Have You Ever Noticed This 1 Song Plays in Every Season of Black Mirror?
"You can blame me, try to shame me, and still I'll care for you . . ."
If you're a Black Mirror fan, there's a chance the above lyrics have been burned into your memory, whether you realize it or not. In each season of Charlie Brooker's dystopian anthology series, Irma Thomas's "Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)" plays in one of the episodes. Most recently, the haunting, romantic ballad is a major part of the season four episode "Crocodile." It's also appeared in season one's "Fifteen Million Merits," season two's "White Christmas," and season three's "Men Against Fire." So, what's the deal with that song?
According to Brooker, it all started with a creative choice in season one, when Jessica Brown Findlay's Abi belts out the song during a reality competition show, "Hot Shot." It's her one chance to escape a life of endless physical drudgery, and the heartbreaking nature of the scene is greatly enhanced by her song choice.
"It was originally selected for ["Fifteen Million Merits"] because it was, it has the sound of a timeless haunting classic, yet wouldn't be familiar to most viewers," Brooker explained to The Wrap. "The idea was to have the character of Abi sing a song of earnest beauty."
The song pops up for the second time when Beth (Janet Montgomery) selects it as her karaoke bar song in the bleak season two episode "White Christmas," and again in season three's "Men Against Fire" when a character sings it while holding someone else at gunpoint.
Annabel Jones, Brooker's coshowrunner, revealed that the motivation behind bringing it back each season was because Brooker "liked the idea of nesting all the episodes together in an artistic universe of sorts."
"Oh, I think you know it is just - it's an Easter egg," Jones told The Wrap. "I think it's something we just love and find very emotive. And it's something that's really worked for us as a motif. And so if we can bring it back in and it adds to the overall sense of the universe or connection between some of the things that we're talking about, then that's great. But it is a lovely piece of music."
It might be lovely, but the song definitely adds an extracreepy vibe to season four's "Crocodile," as it plays over and over again while the episode's unhinged protagonist spirals out of control. Just another day in the life of Black Mirror, right? If your memory needs a refresher, listen to the original version of "Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)" below.
Get to Know More About Margot Robbie, Hollywood's Most Buzzed-About Leading Lady
Although Margot Robbie might have started off as the costar to actors like Leonardo DiCaprio and Will Smith, the Australian actress has become a leading lady in her own right. After bursting onto the acting scene in films like About Time and The Wolf of Wall Street, the gorgeous actress has been buzzed about a lot for both her high-profile role as Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad and her personal life - and she's garnering even more attention thanks to the handful of award nominations she's received after playing figure skater Tonya Harding in I, Tonya. Here's your chance to get to know the star as she completely takes over Hollywood (and you fall madly in love with her).
8 YA Books Becoming Movies in 2018
Of all the books becoming movies in 2018, there are a number of titles of the YA variety. Yes, young adult books are still hot, as are their adaptations, and this year promises a spate of not just postapocalyptic society tales but also a coming-of-age story about coming out and a classic novel from your childhood that's getting the epic Disney treatment.
Still Looking For an Adequate Seinfeld Replacement? Here Are 5 Options
Unless you've completely missed the pop culture memo, you've likely heard of (or avidly watched) Seinfeld. The classic sitcom about nothing has been off of the air for 19 years, but for those who diligently watched Elaine, Kramer, Jerry, and George live their New York lives (without soup but with muffin tops), there's a void that no amount of rewatching will fill.
The good news is that there's a lot of great television out there right now, and we've tracked down six currently running shows that have elements of Seinfeld that will leave you laughing, make you think, and yada yada yada, all the same.
20 Expert-Level Cameos to Spot in Star Wars: The Last Jedi
When it comes to Star Wars: The Last Jedi, there is so much to discuss. Naturally, there are very serious aspects of the film to unpack. Are Kylo and Rey destined to fall in love? And how will the franchise wrap up General Leia Organa's storyline in Episode IX? And what's the real deal with Rey's parents?! But for every serious takeaway, there's something equally fun to talk about, too. Like, for instance, that shirtless Kylo Ren scene, or the precious Porgs who appear early on. But nothing is more fun than counting the seemingly endless parade of cameos that seems to march along, without reprieve, throughout the entirety of the film. Let's go over some of the most notable (and delightful) bit parts from The Last Jedi!
23 Books Becoming Movies in 2018
2018 is the release year for a lot of book-to-movie adaptations, and there are a ton of novels we loved that will make it onto the big screen. Highly anticipated films include Where'd You Go, Bernadette, A Wrinkle in Time, and, of course, Fifty Shades Freed! Until these are out, check out what books are getting adapted in 2017. For now, you have plenty of time to read the following books before they're big movies!
Does James Corden Have a Cameo in Star Wars: The Last Jedi? A Lucasfilm Exec Has the Answer
Image Source: Everett Collection and Getty / Steve Granitz
Star Wars: The Last Jedi was filled with celebrity cameos from Justin Theroux to Carrie Fisher's adorable French Bulldog, Gary, but there's one potential cameo that has the internet totally confused: James Corden. After seeing the film, fans immediately took to Twitter wondering if that screaming X-wing pilot was actually Corden. The pilot in question only appears on screen for a few quick seconds before sadly being blown up.
Although we'd love to see the late-night host in the movie, a creative executive at Lucasfilm has weighed in on the suspected appearance, and it appears that Corden was not in the movie, but someone who looks very similar to him was. Pablo Hidalgo responded to the Twitter suspicions, writing, "Sounds like they're confusing Mr. Corden with the pilot played by Jamie Christopher." Jamie Christopher is named as the first assistant director of the film, so that definitely makes sense.
Sounds like they're confusing Mr. Corden with the pilot played by Jamie Christopher.
⚡️ "Does James Corden have a cameo in 'The Last Jedi'?" by @PopCrushhttps://t.co/Q4Cu254Fi0- Pablo Hidalgo (@pablohidalgo) December 16, 2017
There's no evidence of a cameo on Corden's IMDb page, yet Christopher's does credit his role as X-Wing Pilot Tubbs. (If we were Corden, we'd totally go along with the suspected appearance.) Check out the fan tweets below, and if you haven't seen The Last Jedi yet, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for a Corden look-alike.
i am 99% sure James Corden was a cameo in star wars though
- beep beep (@dannyjpg) December 14, 2017
Best kept secret in #LastJedi ? James Corden from the @latelateshow flies and dies in an X-Wing. Please, @JKCorden , confirm or deny. Thanks in advance, kind sir.#LukeDeservedBetter #SoDidHamill
- You Serious, Clark? (@RichardBluetwig) December 15, 2017
WAIT I JUST REMEMBERED WAS JAMES CORDEN IN STAR WARS OR AM I TRIPOING BALLS
- 𖤐 ia (@holyackIes) December 16, 2017
@JKCorden, It may only have been a flash, but I knew it was you mate. #thelastjedi #STARWARS
- Matthew Koyak 🇺🇸 (@mattkoyak) December 18, 2017
So either there is a random X Wing fighter guy in the new Star Wars that looks exactly like James @JKCorden or he made a 2 second cameo...
- Mackenzie Tolk Music (@MackenzieTolk) December 16, 2017
The New Trailer For FX's The Assassination of Gianni Versace Is Absolutely Chilling
A new trailer for American Crime Story's second season, The Assassination of Gianni Versace, is here. In addition to getting a solid glimpse of Edgar Ramirez and Penelope Cruz as iconic brother-sister designer duo Gianni and Donatella Versace in the first clip FX has shared (below), we now have a much more gruesome look into the life of Gianni's eventual killer, Andrew Cunanan (Glee's Darren Criss). Along with some exciting new footage from the upcoming season, the clip also dives into why the drama's producers chose this crime in particular, and how it could have been avoided. Check it out before season two premieres on Wednesday, Jan. 17.
98 Romance Movies You Can Netflix in January (Spoiler: You'll Want to Cancel All Your Plans)
Netflix is kicking off 2018 with an impressive lineup, especially in the romance category. Expect favorites like Love Actually, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and more to keep you from leaving your couch all month. See every romantic flick you won't want to miss ahead!
- Additional reporting by Tara Block
The Best Romantic Comedies of 2017
We've been in a strange time for romantic comedies - though not as prevalent as they were a decade or two ago, there are still diamonds in the rough to be found. That's certainly true for this year's films, and the movies we can call best in show all have heart, sweet romance, and a healthy does of unconventionality. There are varying levels of critical approval, but for us, it all comes down to the films that make you feel, that entertain, and that have you rooting for two humans you just know need to be together.
You Won't Believe the Insane Real Story Behind Molly's Game
Image Source: Getty / Mike Coppola
A movie about a 26-year-old woman running a high-stakes poker ring that leaves high-powered men vying for a seat at her table? And it's true? Yes, please.
I, personally, have been dying to see Molly's Game, the real-life story of Molly Bloom's rise to power in the gambling world, since I saw its first previews. The screenplay is based on Bloom's memoir, Molly's Game: From Hollywood's Elite to Wall Street's Billionaire Boys' Club, My High-Stakes Adventure in the World of Underground Poker, and stars Jessica Chastain.
Exactly how did Bloom go from pouring drinks and smiling politely at someone else's poker game at the Viper Room in Hollywood to running her own show in New York City? It was quite the journey. Here's the true story.
Molly's Background
The Loveland, CO, native started out life as a skier with Olympic dreams and the talent and family ties to back it up.
"The motivations I had for being successful were somewhat dysfunctional," she said in a recent interview with Fortune.
One of Bloom's brothers is a two-time Olympian who was drafted by the NFL and went on to be named one of the 30 most influential people in technology under the age of 30 by Forbes in 2011. The other is a Harvard Medical School graduate and is now training to be a heart surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital.
"Literally, if you weren't the best in the world in my family, it wasn't impressive," she said. "I was looking for this thing that was going to make me feel fulfilled inside."
But it wouldn't be skiing for her, even after beating scoliosis at the age of 12 with a seven-hour surgery that involved fusing together 11 of her vertebrae with the help of metal rods. She eventually fought her way onto the US Ski Team, only to have an accident (which is featured at the beginning of the film) dash her hopes of ever competing in the Olympic Games.
That unrelenting need to do more is what her led her to call her nightclub manager out on his hypocrisy for trying to cut her pay in half because she was being tipped so well at his poker games and what motivated her to make her own thing happen.
Molly's Rise to Poker Princess
In the trailer, Bloom confronts her Viper Room boss head-on, saying, "You're gonna stop paying me because I'm making too much doing my second job, and if I say, 'No,' I'll lose both jobs because it doesn't seem fair?"
That was not gonna fly with the real Bloom, whose ambitions fueled her to start a game where she had the final say over Hollywood's elite, prominent professional athletes, CEOs, and, unknown at first to her, the Russian mob.
"I finally had that thing," she told Fortune. "And I think that's what led to the compulsiveness to chasing it so far down the line."
The lines of credit she extended to her players, which included Wall Street financiers and the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, and Ben Affleck, sometimes reached six figures. One regular game Bloom ran in Manhattan had a $250,000 buy-in.
"One night, I saw someone lose $100 million," Bloom said. "I was bankrolling the games, vetting the players, extending the credit. My life was really stressful."
It was stressful, but it was also making her a lot of money.
"In 2009, my tax returns showed over $4 million," Bloom said. At that time, it wasn't from the game itself, though. It was from the tips from her players. She didn't say exactly how much she made in tips, but she did say, "Sometimes those tips were really big."
Image Source: Getty / Mike Marsland
Molly's Fall From Grace
Once the Russian mob caught wind of her operation and got into the game, things took a turn for the worse. Bloom started getting stiffed on debts - and worse.
"I didn't have the traditional resource to collect on debts and I'm certainly not going to be violent about it," she said. She became addicted to drugs, and in the last seven to eight months of her operation, one of her hosts convinced her to start taking a percentage of the pot, known as a "rake" in the poker world.
"That's where I crossed that little gray line," Bloom told Fortune. Soon after that, her cards really took a turn for the worse. It was around Christmastime in 2010 when a man broke into her home and beat her so savagely that she thought she would be permanently "deformed," Bloom told The Times.
The man punched her in the face repeatedly and shoved a gun in her mouth. He told her she was to blame for the attack, because she thought she could "still call the shots" and had been "such a b*tch to [his] friends." He emptied her safe and then told her that he knew where her mother lived, in "a real pretty house in the Colorado mountains." Before leaving, he warned Bloom not to report the beating to police and said, "We could have a good relationship - just don't disrespect us ever again."
Bloom said she immediately thought back to an encounter she had with two men a few weeks before that, where they offered to protect her in exchange for money, but she turned them down. After hiding out for 10 days waiting for her "mangled" face to heal, Bloom got right back to work.
"I wanted to just continue running games," she said. "That's how sick I was."
The Government Comes Knocking
In March 2011, the FBI busted a game that Bloom had organized. Luckily for her, she wasn't there. Her assets were seized by the government, but she managed to flee to her home state of Colorado without being taken into custody. Investigators asked her to be interviewed about organized crime related to her gambling ring, but partially out of fear of retaliation, Bloom declined.
Two years after the pots had paid out, the feds came knocking on her door at 5 a.m. She got herself a defense attorney named Charlie Jaffey, who helped her keep her word not to name names to authorities and also negotiate a deal for the book upon which the movie is based.
Her memoir wouldn't name names, either, even though the movie accurately shows that she was offered a lot more money up front from her book dealer if she would.
"There are two categories of information that I have: one is crimes, and the other one's gossip," Bloom told The Times. "I don't tell the stuff of a criminal nature because I want to stay safe. I don't tell the gossip because . . . it's not me."
The only names mentioned in the book are those that were already made public due to court depositions, Bloom said. Even with all of the danger involved, in addition to the obvious draw of the money, Bloom said it was ambition and credibility that drove her to take things so far. "I was in way too deep," she said, "trying to hang onto this thing that had established and legitimized me."
Molly's Life Now
In the end, Bloom, now in her late 30s, ended up with one year of probation and a $1,000 fine and was ordered to perform 200 hours of community service for her "minor role" in the Russian-American betting ring that authorities believe helped launder more than $100 million, USA Today reported in May 2014. She was also ordered to repay $125,000 in profits. More than 30 people were charged for their involvement in Molly's game.
At her sentencing, the judge asked if anything in her memoir would conflict with the remorse she showed for her actions or if there was anything that would "trouble" him. Bloom said that would not be the case and that she had "made mistakes" but that the entire experience, including the criminal trial, had "been a great opportunity for growth."
"If I had to do it all over, would I choose the same path? My answer is yes, a thousand times, yes," she wrote, in the epilogue to her memoir. "I had a grand adventure. I was brave and I went big. I was also reckless and selfish. I got lost along the way. I abandoned the things that mattered and traded them for wealth and status. I lusted for power and I hurt people. But I was forced to face myself, to lose everything, to fall on my face in front of the world."
While Bloom has been on the upswing financially since her sentencing and her book came out, she remains more than $2 million in debt, she told The Times, and hopes the film will help her erase that line item from her books for good.
Molly's Game opens in theaters on Dec. 25.
1 Look at Queen Letizia's Gorgeous Collection of Ball Gowns, and You'll Be in Love
Even though modern royals prefer affordable dresses from brands like Zara and trendy pieces like comfy track pants, a queen isn't a queen without a serious collection of ball gowns.
In true frugal form, Queen Letizia, who often repeats outfits from head to toe without a care in the world, has worn the same party dresses to royal weddings, galas, dinners, and award ceremonies for the past 10+ years. In fact, since 2004, we've spotted Letizia in only 26 different gowns - hey, for the Queen of Spain, that's not that much! Scroll ahead to ooh and aah over all of them.
Demi Lovato's Sexy Swimsuit Draws Your Eyes Straight to the Front
Demi Lovato was in love with her swimsuit (and so were her 3 million-plus fans) when she took a selfie in a plunging one-piece. It featured black-and-white stripes with a retro cherry print, and the deep-V in the front was daringly sexy. It takes confidence to pull off such a look, and Demi appeared to be feeling it. She captioned her Instagram snap, "In [love] with this bathing suit . . ."
We loved the swimsuit so much, we tracked down the Solid & Striped number ($168), which is still available to shop. The cherry print even comes in a bikini version ($88), so take your pick for your next tropical vacation.
Boy, 12, overcomes limited mobility and inspires friends to form sledge hockey team
Riley Oldford was once the only kid in Yellowknife, NWT, who played hockey sitting down. But after encouraging friends to give the growing sport a try, he has inspired the formation of Yellowknife's first sledge hockey team.
dimanche 31 décembre 2017
Shop Cheryl Blossom's Exact Red Lipstick From Riverdale - Plus Some Dupes
Hey Riverdale Vixens: we have a treat for you. If you want to channel Cheryl Blossom from The CW's Riverdale - who is brilliantly portrayed by Madelaine Petsch - all you need is the perfect red pout, and of course a dose of sass to go with it.
Madelaine previously told Teen Vogue about her character's iconic red lipstick look, naming Lime Crime's Matte Velvetine in Red Velvet as the lipstick shade Cheryl can't live without. "I'm obsessed with Lime Crime because it doesn't rub off," Madelaine told the publication before noting that when she wants a little more gloss and pout, she adds Nivea chapstick on top. "When we need something glossier to transfer onto something - or someone. We're on The CW. Of course there's going to be some of that!"
Although some of her tactics have been a little over the top in both season one and season two, we can't help but want to take boss lessons from the Queen Bee of Riverdale High, and of course raid her closet . . . and her makeup stash. The good news is you can actually rock Cheryl's ruby, red matte lip color - complete with ChapStick gloss finish - and we're here to help you do it.
Check out all of the lipsticks that are both Cheryl approved and can help you show off your fierce side now, and get ready to turn heads with your red matte lips!
Exactly What Causes Hormonal Acne, and How to Clear It Up
Your period is swiftly approaching, and that all-too-familiar feeling of an underground, painful cystic bump bubbling under the surface of your skin is here to ruin the day. Trust us when we tell you that you're not alone in this little hormonal acne dance.
"When we say 'hormonal acne,' we mean acne that occurs or gets worse in cyclic flares along with monthly menstrual cycles," explained Dr. Jennifer MacGregor, an NYC-based dermatologist. "It's typically worst during the week right before your period starts when progesterone, [a hormone], is at its peak." She said that some signs that you have hormonal acne are cyclic flares each month and distribution along the lower face, including your jawline and around the mouth. They also tend to be deeper, painful pimples, as opposed to blocked pores, blackheads, and whiteheads.
Fortunately, several treatment options exist that can leave you with clearer skin and, most importantly, reduced pain and discomfort.
Is losing weight your New Year's resolution? You might want to rethink that
Plus: Weight-watching for your dog; the year's top scientific retractions; and lauding a life-saving Canadian invention.
Top health news of 2017
The health unit at CBC News picks its top health stories for 2017: the opioid crisis, legalization of marijuana, a ban on artificial trans fats, a year of assisted dying and CRISPR.
35 Secrets to Marriage Success
For many married couples, falling in love and saying "I do" was the easy part. Living happily ever after is the part that takes a whole lot of work.
My family history doesn't have the best track record when it comes to the vow "until death do us part." My parents divorced when I was 18, and on my mom's side alone, not one single marriage has lasted (keep in mind, she's one of eight siblings). One might think this would make me a cynic when it comes to marriage - but for some unexplainable reason, that's not the case. Maybe I'm an idealist, but I think you can fall in love with your best friend, grow old together, and even live happily ever after.
I sought out some honest advice from real people who might have insight as to what makes a marriage stand the distance. I reached out to all the married couples and divorcées I knew and asked them the burning question, "What's the secret to making a marriage successful?" Read their words of wisdom below:
- Share everything with each other. Most importantly, everything you are feeling. There is no way to be on common ground if you don't communicate how you're feeling.
- Whatever bad stuff happens, remember this, too, will pass.
- Affection breeds more affection. Touch each other, kiss each other good morning, and have plenty of sex (even when you're old!). It's too easy to get out of the habit, which makes you feel distant. Intimacy and physical affection really help keep you connected.
- Children can be stressful, but they, too, will grow up.
- Let the little things go and think big picture. Since you're in it for the long haul, are you really going to care who did or didn't run the dishwasher when you look back in 10 years? Remind yourself that your relationship is much, much bigger than any one minor incident.
- Fill the fridge with his favorites - it's easy to do, so just do it.
- Take time for yourself to do what you love, what makes you happy and gives you energy - being successful as a couple will only work if each of you is strong and fulfilled as an individual.
- Avoid giving the silent treatment. Talk about things that bother you as soon as possible; don't let your emotions build up, because you'll likely explode.
- Let go of hurts more easily, and try not to dwell on things that annoy you.
- Don't be afraid to compromise. It sounds like a bad word and like you are giving up on your "ideals," but in reality it's about the push and pull of a relationship. Try rating how much you want something on a scale from one to 10 and have your partner do the same. So if eating out is a five for you and staying in is a nine for him, then you should stay in that night.
- Don't take each other for granted. You have to work at it all the time.
- Be spontaneous. Change things up every once in a while, whether that means a last-minute vacation or a card for no special occasion. Grand gifts and the smallest gestures can go a long way when you're with someone for a very long time.
- Be nice! This can be harder than it seems sometimes, but remember that you (hopefully) love the person more than anyone else on the planet and you chose to marry them, so treat them with kindness.
- Be patient. You both might grow together at different times and in different ways, so you need to give and take to make it last forever.
- Celebrate when good things happen, and be expressive about it.
- Find new things, new hobbies to do together like road biking, a cooking class, or starting a garden. It's just another reason to spend time together building your bond, and it keeps the excitement going.
- Marry someone you like killing time with.
- Tell them what you need. As much as you want them to, they can't read minds. Tell them that you feel disconnected and that you want a day alone together or date night.
- Speaking of date nights, go on them and have fun! It's important to set time alone regardless of how busy either gets - especially when you have kids. Even if you're overworked, overtired, or low on funds, it doesn't take much time or money to reconnect. It can be as simple as going for a walk or cooking dinner together.
- Make a budget together. It's a great way to talk about your plans and dreams for the future and how to make them happen.
- Surprise each other like you used to do when dating with special notes, small gifts, baking them a favorite recipe, or planning a weekend away. It lets the other person know you're still in love with them, and it makes you feel the love, too.
- On the other end, when your spouse does do something special for you, show appreciation. They may know that you think all those positive things, but it's nice to hear them out loud.
- Build your partner up and support them to be all they can or want to be.
- Take time to put yourself in your spouse's shoes before judging. You want to avoid unnecessary criticism or negativity as much as you can.
- Make each other laugh. Try not to take everything so seriously.
- Communication is key. When your marriage hits certain speed bumps, remind yourself that when you come out on the other side, your relationship should be better and more evolved. Make sure the tough times lead to improvement, and if you keep making the same mistakes, reevaluate why.
- Have couple friends but also your own friends who you hang out with on a regular basis, without your spouse.
- Be more generous with time and money.
- Be happy yourself. If you're in a slump, there's a tendency to take it out on your spouse or want them to fix it. You have to fix yourself.
- Don't get defensive. Try to come at things from a place of love and kindness, and don't assume you're being attacked.
- Trust and be trustworthy.
- Try to always remember why you fell in love with your partner. Whether it was their sense of humor or ambition - always remind yourself.
- Say "I love you," and tell your partner they look attractive.
- Appreciate what you have and realize that marriages at times can be fragile and need to be taken care of.
- Enjoy the NOW. Add a house, kids, etc. to the plate, and things just keep getting more complicated. Whatever phase you're in, embrace it and enjoy it.
Princess Margaret's Most Badass Moments From Season 2 of The Crown
The star of The Crown is, unquestionably, Queen Elizabeth II. We watch the young monarch, played by Claire Foy, traverse the crucial ups and downs of the reign that helped shape her into the British icon she is today. That being said, when it comes to the new slate of episodes for the series, the scene-stealing Princess Margaret sashays off with both season two and my heart.
The first season of Netflix's $130 million drama delves into Princess Margaret's whirlwind romance with Peter Townsend, a divorcee 16 years her senior. But by season two, Princess Margaret - played with aplomb by the captivating Vanessa Kirby - is in recovery from her heartbreak, which she buries deep within herself by moodily chain-smoking, partying, and applying a copious amount of black eyeliner (who among us . . .). Stand-out episodes like "Beryl" and "Matrimonium" feature the rebellious royal's early days with enigmatic photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones (Matthew Goode) - whom she marries by the season finale - and end up being some of the most memorable parts of The Crown's run.
Queen Elizabeth's trip to Ghana and dinner with John F. Kennedy might have been gorgeous set pieces to anchor the season around, but it's the quiet scenes, like Tony shooting Margaret's "nude" photo and drunken, human breakdowns, that really breathe life into the season. From her best one-liners to her almost-sex scene with Tony, read on to see why Margaret is season two's true queen.
The Easy Eating Formula For Getting Rid of Body Fat
If you feel soft in the middle, you can either thank your mother for inheriting her blessed genetic predisposition for belly flab or your sweet kiddos who were created there. Whatever the reason, if you'd much rather have a sleeker midsection, as a mom of two, I can totally relate.
Although it's impossible to spot-reduce fat from specific areas, we've enlisted the help of Christmas Abbott, CrossFit competitor and author of The Badass Body Diet ($28), to help us ditch our pinch-more-than-an-inch tummies. As a formerly "skinny fat" woman who transformed her body through CrossFit and a dialed-in diet, Christmas understands how real women feel and also what they need to do to get the body they crave. "Food is your foundation, and fitness is the accessory," says Christmas. She believes that every meal and snack needs to embrace the macronutrient trifecta of proteins, carbs, and healthy fats to help reduce overall body fat, which will aid in reducing stubborn belly fat.
Christmas explains that all food can be categorized into a protein, a carbohydrate, or a fat. "You can't go wrong by dividing your plate into thirds and filling each section with a primo protein, primo carbohydrate, and primo fat." There are only two foods Christmas says to avoid - processed foods and alcohol - since these contribute to unwanted fat. If you want to know specifics about how many of each to eat, The Badass Body Diet outlines a diet plan based on your personal body type and goals.
What about exercise? Short, high-intensity training sessions are proven to help reduce belly fat faster than steady-state cardio. Below are some great examples of this type of workout.
- 45-minute walk-run-sprint interval workout for beginners
- 10-minute HIIT video from celeb trainer Astrid McGuire
- 60-minute walk-jog workout
- 7-minute workout that targets belly fat
- 20-minute full-body HIIT video workout
- 30-minute pyramid interval workout for the treadmill
- Tush-toning interval workout with hill repeats
And once the belly fat begins to dissolve, you'll want to reveal a carved, toned core with this 10-minute ab workout. Working out three times a week is great if you're starting out, then you can add additional days as your body becomes stronger. As a CrossFit competitor, Olympic lifter, and head trainer at CrossFit HQ, Christmas also makes a point that your workouts should be fun so you stick with them longer.
25 Celebrities Who Became Mothers This Year
Several celebrities rang in their very first Mother's Day last year, and this year was no different. Stars like Irina Shayk, Amanda Seyfried, and Cheryl all gave birth to beautiful babies, while Brie Bella and Christian Serratos also became moms to adorable kids. Today, we're paying homage to the new celebrity moms of 2017.
The Beautifully Creepy Nutcracker and the Four Realms Trailer Will Take Your Breath Away
Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms might not hit theaters until Nov. 2, 2018, but we can already tell we won't be able to stop thinking about it until then. The first trailer is a beautifully creepy look at the magical world young Clara (Twilight's Mackenzie Foy) finds herself in, which includes a dashing soldier (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gang of mice, the Sugar Plum Fairy (Keira Knightley), and a tyrannical Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren). Will Clara be able to locate the strange and mysterious key that can restore harmony in this parallel world? Considering real ballet superstar Misty Copeland has a starring role, we have high hopes for this. Watch the trailer above!
Forget Trump, Let's Just Look at Pictures of 3 Former Presidents Watching Golf Together Forever
Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton came together for the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey, and spoiler alert, THERE ARE PHOTOS.
In what can only be described as a welcome respite from the normal news cycle of increasingly frantic crazy, on Sept. 28, our three most recent presidents got together to watch some golf. To be clear, they weren't playing golf - like a certain other president we know - but Clinton, Obama, and Bush were all present for the opening round of the four-day event, which features the best male golfers from the US facing off against the most lauded international figures in the sport.
Regardless of how you feel about each of our last three presidents, it's hard not to look back fondly at the times that once were - so ahead, bask in the glory of the most nostalgic set of photos you'll see all day. And be sure to read through to the end for a bonus shot of one Barack Obama and a very well-known fan.
The 4 Pieces of Advice Barack Obama Gave Donald Trump on Inauguration Day
As President Donald Trump prepared to take office on Inauguration Day, Barack Obama quietly vacated the West Wing. But Obama left something behind during his exit: a letter, one that traditionally passes between two presidents as the highest office in the land changes hands. "We just went to the Oval Office and found this beautiful letter from President Obama. It was really very nice of him to do that," Trump bragged to the press several days later, adding, "We won't even tell the press what's in that letter."
On Sept. 2, CNN finally obtained that letter, exclusively. The missive is a reminder of the grace and well-spoken nature of the 44th president and a testament to the time he spent reflecting on the state of the union. Most notable, however, are the incredibly astute pieces of advice that Obama wanted to pass on to the new commander-in-chief. From a tip on leadership to a reminder about the importance of those you surround yourself with, the gracious "reflections" feel like a stolen moment between two incredibly powerful men.
Below you'll find the four items Obama put forth to Trump in the note he left on the Resolute desk of the Oval Office.
Remember those less fortunate than yourself.
"We've both been blessed, in different ways, with great good fortune. Not everyone is so lucky. It's up to us to do everything we can (to) build more ladders of success for every child and family that's willing to work hard."
Lead by example, and lead the world.
"American leadership in this world really is indispensable. It's up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that's expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend."
Protect the American democracy and its institutions.
"We are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions - like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties - that our forebears fought and bled for. Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it's up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them."
Spend time with your loved ones.
"Take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They'll get you through the inevitable rough patches."
To Maximize Fat Loss and Muscle Gains, Follow the 10 Commandments of Weightlifting
You have your sights set on booty gains! Or a six-pack. Or chiseled arms of steel. You've heard so much about how weightlifting is a must, and you're finally ready (although a little nervous) to get your hands on a barbell. If this sounds familiar, follow these 10 rules to make weightlifting fun, burn the most fat, reap muscle gains faster, and prevent getting hurt.
1. Thou Shalt Use Proper Form
Whether you work with a personal trainer or take a class, proper form is the absolute most important thing when lifting weights. Proper form ensures that you're not only doing the moves correctly to get the most out of them, but also lifting the most amount of weight you can, which will make you stronger, faster. Proper form will also prevent injuries that could sideline you from the gym. Whether exercises are old or new, have someone critique your form, perform in front of a mirror, or take a video so you can check form for yourself.
2. Thou Shalt Commit to Three Times a Week
Three times a week is the minimum amount of days you should strength train if you're focusing on total-body moves during those sessions. If you like working one part of the body at a time, fitness instructor John Kersbergen says to aim for three to five sessions per week. The same with running, cycling, or dancing - the more you do it, the better you'll get at it.
3. Thou Shalt Work All Parts of the Body
Maybe you're all about growing your booty, but that doesn't mean you should forget about your arms! Or your back, or your abs, or your legs. Your sessions should address all parts of your body. Lucky for you, moves like thrusters, deadlifts, and overhead squats work multiple parts of the body, so they're great to do if you're short on time.
4. Thou Shalt Use a Variety of Equipment
Barbells are essential for lifting heavy and doing basic, effective moves like squats and deadlifts, but they're not the only piece of equipment in the weightlifting sea. Explore using dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls, and machines if you have access to them. You can also use other types of equipment, like pull-up bars and rings, for moves that involve your own bodyweight. Or use weights in conjunction with a box or resistance bands for a double whammy.
5. Thou Shalt Perform a Variety of Exercises
The basic squat may be the perfect, basic move to target your legs and butt, but don't forget about other moves that work your lower body, like squat variations, lunge variations, hip thrusts, and step-ups. Make a point to try one new move every week to challenge your muscles in different ways, which will make them stronger and prevent weightlifting burnout.
6. Thou Shalt Push Thyself
Don't worry about getting bulky! Women have way less testosterone than men, so it's impossible for us to get huge muscles, unless we train for hours and hours a day and take extreme supplements. That means you can push yourself to lift heavy - that's where you'll see the fastest results when it comes to losing body fat and gaining muscle. Record your progress in a notebook and celebrate every time you hit a new PR (personal record).
7. Thou Shalt Not Eat Like Crap
While weightlifting burns calories and puts on calorie-burning muscle, if you eat unhealthy foods or too many calories a day, you won't be able to perform your best, and you could end up gaining fat instead of losing it. Exercising once a day doesn't give you the liberty to go nuts in the kitchen, so make sure you're still keeping tabs on your diet, whether you prefer tracking your portions or your macros. If you keep in mind that you can't out-train a bad diet and that food is fueling your workouts, it'll inspire you to stay on track.
8. Thou Shalt Take Rest Days
Weightlifting technically doesn't build muscle; it tears up your muscle fibers - it's the rest days that help them repair and get stronger. So rest days are essential! A beginner may need three rest days, while a more experienced lifter may only need one per week. Rest days don't have to mean sitting on your butt binging on Netflix. Do active recovery, like going for a walk or taking a yoga class.
9. Thou Shalt Not Give Up Cardio
If you're trying to decrease your body-fat percentage, cardio is still a must to burn more calories and offer faster results. Huffing and puffing is also essential for the health of your heart and brain, so include cardio a few times a week as a complement to your strength-training sessions (sorry if you hate it!).
10. Thou Shalt Stretch and Foam Roll
After all your hard work pumping iron, take time to take care of your newborn baby muscles. Stretch, foam roll, and massage - make this a priority so your muscles will heal well and avoid injury.
Finally Find Out What the F*ck Brut Means on Bottles
As you're looking around the Champagne aisle for the perfect type of bubbly to bring to a party, you are confronted with an array of choices: sweet, brut, dry, extra dry, and a few more. While some of these are easy to make assumptions about, brut can definitely stump a Champagne or sparkling wine drinker. So, what exactly is brut?
"The term brut refers to a style of sparkling wine or Champagne, based on how sweet it is," Melissa Rockwell, direct-to-consumer sales manager at Long Island, NY, -based Sparkling Pointe, told POPSUGAR via email.
Developed in the 1800s, brut is a dry, crisp style of Champagne or sparkling wine, compared to the sweeter extra dry, sec, demi-sec, and doux. Those Champagnes or sparkling wines that are members of the brut variety have between zero and 12 grams per liter of residual sugar.
According to Rockwell, brut and the other terms used to describe sweetness levels originated with Champagne in France.
"The sweetness comes from a step in the méthode champenoise process, called the dosage. This is a small amount of sugar added back into the wine after disgorging and before corking. It is the last step of the méthode champenoise process and is used to balance the natural high acidity in Champagne and sparkling wine to a desired amount of dry or sweet," she said.
Brut tends to pair well with a plethora of food flavors, from caviar and oysters Rockefeller to heavier dishes like pot roast and potatoes. Additionally, bottles can range from $9 to more than $50, depending on the brand of Champagne or sparkling wine.
This Little Girl in a Pantsuit Met Hillary Clinton, and Yes, You Will Cry
Look who wore her pant suit to meet @HillaryClinton !! #WhatHappened http://pic.twitter.com/0Rd3ZJ8H8p
- GregHale1 (@GregHale1) September 27, 2017
Hillary Clinton spent several months this Fall flying across the country as part of a massive multicity book tour for her memoir, "What Happened," as well as the picture book version of her 2006 book "It Takes A Village." As one might expect, the former first lady and presidential candidate has made headlines more than a few times as a result of interesting tidbits she's share at these events - but on Sept. 27, the spotlight very much belonged to someone else: an adorable girl named Grace.
Grace wore her very own tiny pantsuit to a Brooklyn event centered on the children's book, and when it was her turn to get the book signed by Clinton her father, Greg Hale, snapped a photo. After Hale shared the photo on social media it went viral - and how could it not? It's a sight that gives hope in a situation that has felt so bleak for so long - plus, Grace could not possibly be more adorable. Clinton, for her part, shared the photo as well, with a quick caption that read "Great to be back in Brooklyn sharing #ItTakesAVillage with readers of all ages!" spent
Great to be back in Brooklyn sharing #ItTakesAVillage with readers of all ages! https://t.co/ytalprhN5p
- Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 28, 2017
But if Grace's adorable-ness hasn't caused you to tear up just yet, you've got one more shot: another photo was taken of her just outside the event, and it shows that the spirit of being with her is still alive and well in even the youngest Americans.
Took this photo of Grace outside and told her you would love to see her! ❤️ http://pic.twitter.com/JYjikIAisE
- Jennifer McCann (@jen4hillary) September 28, 2017
Mark Hamill Regrets Criticizing The Last Jedi: “All I Wanted Was to Make a Good Movie”
Whether you think Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a pile of garbage that should be removed from Star Wars canon or it's the best addition to the series yet, one thing is for sure: the film has fans all riled up. It seems many are divided on a lot of the film's central stories. Is that Kylo Ren shirtless scene hot or hilarious? Will the franchise be able to adequately wrap up Leia's storyline? Will Rey and Kylo fall in love?! And it's not just fans who are puzzling over the new film. Even Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill, feels pretty conflicted.
After the film was released, Mark Hamill began voicing his concerns about Luke's storyline in the film. If you're not familiar - you should really have seen the movie if you're reading this, just saying - Luke spends a lot of the film moping around before ultimately saving the Resistance and "sort of" dying. In interviews, Hamill revealed his behind-the-scenes struggle with a character who had more or less given up. "I said to Rian, I said, 'Jedis don't give up,'" he explained. "I mean, even if he had a problem, maybe take a year to try and regroup . . . but if he made a mistake he would try and right that wrong . . . I still haven't accepted it completely, but it's only a movie. I hope people like it, I hope they don't get upset, and I came to really believe that Rian was the exact man that they needed for this job."
After Hamill's thoughts on the film spread around like wildfire, the Star Wars legend seems to regret being so open with his personal take on the character. Hamill quoted another tweet - an image set of a press interview he did for The Last Jedi - and retracted his original statement. In this case, he acknowledged that the character choice brought him out of his comfort zone and, ultimately, gave us a fresh perspective on the iconic Luke. "I regret voicing my doubts & insecurities in public," he wrote. "Creative differences are a common element of any project but usually remain private. All I wanted was to make good movie. I got more than that - [director Rian Johnson] made an all-time GREAT one!"
I regret voicing my doubts & insecurities in public.Creative differences are a common element of any project but usually remain private. All I wanted was to make good movie. I got more than that- @rianjohnson made an all-time GREAT one! #HumbledHamill https://t.co/8ujJfBuEdV
- @HamillHimself (@HamillHimself) December 26, 2017
We may never know whether he did so because of some behind-the-scenes coercion from the bigger forces behind the film (lookin' at you, Disney) or because he actually felt compelled to follow up. Either way, it's easy to see how protective fans (and even the original stars) can get when it comes to the source material.
Selena Gomez's Swimsuit May Be Basic - but That's Not a Bad Thing
With all the fun in this one snap from Selena Gomez's vacation, it would be easy to overlook her swimsuit - but don't. The star, who's enjoying a New Year's getaway with some girlfriends, showed off a classic-looking black one-piece that's subtle, but sexy where it counts. Like a great basic, this one comes with a twist in the form of a lower-cut neckline and sexy open sides - the kind of details that will make you want to wear and rewear it time and time again. In fact, while we have no clue how many suits Selena may have packed for this beach vacation, with this one in her arsenal, she really just needs the one.
Read on to see the suit in full, then shop inspired picks to add the classic-meets-sultry style to your own swimsuit wardrobe.
Find Your Perfect Curling Iron, No Matter What Style You Want
We get it: sometimes shopping for the perfect curling iron can be a chore. Between the different barrel lengths, the hot curlers, and that rumor that you can get beach waves with a flat iron, how are you supposed to make heads or tails? Quit scratching your head. We've broken down what each size curling iron does (with pictures to match!) to help you find your new iron BFF.
Tenor's 4 Most Popular Memes of 2017
2017 may have been a year of turmoil politically, but boy has it been a damn good year for memes. The last 12 months have featured more insanely viral moments than ever before, and it's become something of a coping mechanism to use those images and ideas to represent what we're going through at any given time.
In order to take a look back at the year that was, the good people at Tenor - the top GIF keyboard across iOS and Android, as well as many of our most used social media apps - have pulled together the most shared memes on the platform in 2017. Just like our list of the best GIFs this year, the winners embody a whole lot of feelings that we've all experienced with each passing news cycle and trend.
So, without further ado, scroll through the top four memes of 2017 ahead.
This Expert Explains Why Yoga Should Be Part of Your Self-Care Routine in 2018
Self-care is the new name of the game. You can't feel healthy and happy without some quality time with the most important person in your life: you. While self-care looks different for everyone, there are some general practices that can bring good to just about anyone. POPSUGAR spoke with Ashleigh Sergeant, certified yoga teacher and head of yoga content at GAIA.com, who laid out all the reasons you should give yoga a shot in the new year, no matter how flexible you may be.
"Yoga is a lifestyle that brings a whole host of physical and mental benefits," Ashleigh told POPSUGAR. "A consistent yoga practice (even as little as 15 minutes a day) will strengthen your body, sharpen your mind, boost energy, and bring some calm and peace into your life."
Ashleigh cited a recent national survey showing that "Americans who practice yoga are healthier in many ways, including improved sleep, healthier eating habits, and increased motivation to exercise more regularly, among many other benefits." You can't argue with that!
"Yoga can help with digestive issues because it calms the parasympathetic nervous system, which governs the body's capacity to create homeostasis and balance."
The whole purpose of self-care is to reduce your stress and to lay out a healthy daily routine that will help you feel your very best. Ashleigh says yoga can do just that, because it's "proven to directly impact your stress and anxiety levels." Regularly practicing yoga can also "reverse stress-related changes in genes linked to poor health and depression."
Other physical benefits include a stronger immune system (to fight off the cold that seems to going around) and better digestion. "Yoga can help with digestive issues because it calms the parasympathetic nervous system, which governs the body's capacity to create homeostasis and balance," Ashleigh explained.
As you put together your own personal self-care package for 2018, consider adding some yoga into the mix. You don't have to go gung-ho and practice every single day. You don't even have to leave your house to do it! Even practicing for a few minutes at home will get you closer to reaping the benefits.
If you've tried yoga before and you just didn't like it, perhaps you haven't found the right style of yoga or the right instructor. "Some beginners assume all types of yoga are the same, but that isn't the case," Ashleigh explained. "If you take a yoga class and do not like the specific style, you shouldn't assume yoga is not for you. Not all teachers are the same, and there are many styles of yoga that create different experiences."
You may want to try Yin yoga, which features postures that are held for a longer amount of time, Vinyasa yoga, which is focused on flow and movement, or Hatha yoga, which is basic yoga postures without the flow that comes with Vinyasa. "It can take a few classes to find the right fit for your intention," she said. "Stick with it and you will find the right teacher, style, and flow for you."
"I highly recommend a daily yoga practice for everyone, from beginners to advanced practitioners."
One common mistake Ashleigh sees people making when they're just starting with yoga is that they "jump right into hard-core physical hot yoga or fast, power practices." She recommends starting with a beginner yoga practice so you can learn the basics, prevent injury, and set yourself up for a long-lasting, sustainable practice. "You will reap the benefits of yoga quickly and safely - even without dripping sweat."
"I highly recommend a daily yoga practice for everyone, from beginners to advanced practitioners," Ashleigh advised. "I personally recommend beginners start with GAIA's brand-new series Yoga Every Day: The Beginner Series, which is designed especially for new yogis." This 10-class series is available on Dec. 22, and it gently guides you through the foundations of yoga - and the best part is, you don't even have to leave your house!
Consider adding more yoga to your New Year's resolutions list, because your self-care routine will likely be more powerful and well-rounded than ever.
Brace Yourselves, Potterheads - A Ton of New Fantastic Beasts 2 Photos Are HERE
We might have to wait one more year for the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them sequel - Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - to hit theaters, but thankfully the studio has blessed us with plenty of magical distractions to keep us busy. The latest is a bunch of new photos of the cast, which we can't get enough of. There's a closer look at the movie's exciting new characters (including another shot of Jude Law's dashing young Dumbledore), as well as a glimpse of the film's controversial villain, Grindelwald.
This isn't the first time we've gotten a sneak peek at the sequel, either. Warner Bros. has been releasing some key details about the new movie over the past few months (like what the plot will be about back in July), but these photos are far and away the most revealing look at the next installment in Newt Scamander's (Eddie Redmayne) story. Take a look at every gorgeous image we've gotten so far before Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald hits theaters on Nov. 16, 2018.
15 Times Kesha Proved She Was Back and Stronger Than Ever This Year
Kesha made a triumphant return to the spotlight this year after taking a five-year hiatus from music. Not only did she release her third studio album, Rainbow, but she also hit the road for the accompanying Rainbow tour. In addition to her music career, Kesha also seemed to focus more on expressing herself and making a difference in the world. In January, she joined a bevy of stars at the Women's March in LA and she even hosted a workshop in Texas to fight against cyberbullying two months later. Celebrate Kesha's monumental year by taking a look back at some of her best moments from 2017.
Meet Jeanne Chavez, the Latina Cofounder of Supercool Beauty Brand Smith & Cult
Anyone who painted their nails in the '90s remembers Hard Candy nail polish. If thinking about that array of shades and those matching jelly rings makes you feel nostalgic, then you can thank Latina businesswoman Jeanne Chavez, who cofounded the brand with Dineh Mohajer.
She's now the president and cofounder of multimillion0dollar beauty brand Smith & Cult, which is designed to appeal to the Hard Candy girl all grown up. We spoke to Chavez about her decades-long career and what it's like to be an inspiring Latina who's created not one, but two successful businesses.
POPSUGAR: Can you start by telling us a little bit about your personal background? Where is your family from?
Jeanne Chavez: I'm from the Bay Area in Northern California. My mom is Italian and Portuguese, and my dad is Spanish and Mexican. I grew up in a huge multicultural family with probably 80 percent females. It's probably what made me fall in love with the beauty business in the first place. I just grew up in this environment with a lot of women who all had different ideas of what beauty looks are all about.
PS: How did you get started in the business?
JC: I got started because I was just obsessed. Even when I went off to college, I was that girl who did everyone's hair and makeup. I was always giving advice, and people would come to me for advice. After college, I went to beauty school. I ended up being the oldest girl in beauty school because I was with all these cute little 16-year-olds. I didn't know another way, so I got my esthetician's license because it gave me the chance to go out and talk the talk.
PS: What was your first job after beauty school?
JC: I took a job as the lead esthetician-in-training at the Orlane Institute in San Francisco. It was kind of a big job for someone who had just come out of beauty school in the late '80s. After doing that for a while, I quickly realized that LA was the place to be if I really wanted to have a lot of variety and experience in the cosmetic industry.
I got a job with La Prairie and moved to LA, and it was fantastic. La Prairie was a small company at the time, and I was there to see the expansion of the brand. It was probably one of the best learning experiences of my life. I started going to makeup school while I was still working with La Prairie, which was eye-opening! I needed to learn everything about how to be an authority in the industry.
PS: When you were working at these places, were you constantly thinking about what kind of product you wanted to create and what kind of brand you wanted to have?
JC: I think the end goal was always to own my own business, but the timing is everything. I got engaged and was traveling to New York quite a bit. My husband wanted me to find something I could do from home so I could stop traveling so much.
It was 1994 and so much was happening in the beauty industry. Philosophy was just starting, Bobbi Brown was also coming up, and there was an opening for indie brands. A buyer at Nordstrom told me there was a girl named Dineh Mohajer hand-making nail polish out of her apartment and that I should talk to her about the whole process. We hit it off the minute we shook hands, so we decided to start working together, and that became Hard Candy. I called everyone I knew in the industry and we launched quickly. In three months, it all came together and we were in major stores.
PS: Then obviously it blew up! Everyone had a Hard Candy polish back then, and now it's such a nostalgic thing. People probably remember key moments of their life and what Hard Candy polish they were wearing.
JC: Or which matching jelly ring they were wearing! Again, it was just a magical time where we weren't inhibited by lack of funding. The buyers loved the story and they loved the product. I mean, I think at the end of the day it was the product more than the story that brought us into those stores. Those were fun times!
PS: Did you sell the brand? What happened to it?
JC: We actually only had the brand for three years and expanded into every category. We had nails first, then lips, eyes, face, and fragrance; in total we had about 150 products. We ended up with all these big companies wanting to acquire Hard Candy. It was a really exciting time for us because while most companies have a whole portfolio and business plan, we had nothing. We were acquired in year three by LVMH, stayed on for two years, and went on to have a noncompete for a couple of years. So that was really the life cycle of Hard Candy.
PS: Now the two of you partnered up again and came up with Smith & Cult. Do you see it as a continuation of Hard Candy, like the girl who was using Hard Candy before is now using Smith and Cult, or do you see it as like a totally different brand?
JC: It's exactly what you said. It was unfinished business because as much as we loved building Hard Candy, three years is nothing, so we came up with Smith & Cult. It's really about the girl who's grown up with that Hard Candy memory and continued to have that edgy lifestyle. We really wanted to give a brand to that girl who's still searching for something that's unique and different. She doesn't necessarily have to be 100 percent loyal to us, but she really wants those one or two pieces that are really cool. Smith & Cult is definitely more luxe because of the packaging. It just looks more elegant, and that's intentional because we wanted elevated luxury with an edge.
PS: You've talked a lot about the importance of having freedom in creating a brand. Is that a suggestion you give to people who are coming up with their own brands? Enjoy it while you can run it on your own with no strings attached?
JC: I think that's the beauty of innovation, right? Your freedom comes from doing it with your best friend, your mother, whoever. It all comes from your heart first, and then you have to start thinking like a businessperson. And that's when I think you have to hold onto what your heart tells you.
I know a lot of people who come to me for advice are always telling me, "Well, this person wants to help me" or "This person wants to invest," and my advice is always: do it on your own first. Make all of your mistakes first before anyone is telling you that you should've done it another way. When you're sitting in a room full of people, and you're all discussing what you should've done, it defeats the whole purpose of your creativity and your ambition. I think there's an upside to staying independent for as long as you possibly can. That would be my goal.
PS: You mentioned building a brand with your mom, your best friend, or your partner. You've had this really amazing partnership. What is the number one most important thing about finding a partner?
JC: I think the most important thing is to respect your qualities. Be really upfront about the quality that you're going to bring. My partner Dineh is highly creative and unconventional. We respect each other's lifestyles, and it feels like a gift because I have a partner that's really creative. If she chooses to work in the afternoon instead of the morning, what's the big deal? I think she's the same with me. We always talk about the different qualities we bring to the table that make it work. Being really honest about what you want to do in the business is important.
This Is What 25 of Your Favorite Celebrities Looked Like in the Year 2000
The beginning of the millennium was a big year for Latinx - we were in the height of the Latin explosion, after all. One celebrity in particular made everyone's jaws drop when she solidified her stance as a fashion icon. Yes, we are talking about Jennifer Lopez and that now-famous green Versace dress at the Grammy Awards. That is not only a moment that we will never forget, but one that changed history - did you know it's the reason Google Images exists today?
But J Lo wasn't alone in the spotlight. There were so many other stars carving out their place in Hollywood. Do you remember what they all looked like back then, 17 years ago? Well, we are about to show you. Prepare to be shocked (particularly by Enrique Iglesias's baby face)!
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