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 4 juin 2018
5 Common Reasons You're Waking Up in the Middle of the Night
If you find yourself tossing and turning at night, there could be several possibilities for your disrupted slumber. It could be attributed to certain daytime habits, like drinking coffee too late into your day, or other underlying issues that are worth identifying. Regardless of what's preventing a restful night, it's crucial to think of sleep as a sign of your health, rather than as a means to an end. To figure out why you're waking up in the middle of the night, we looked to Terry Cralle, RN, a registered nurse and certified clinical sleep educator at The Better Sleep Council, for some answers.
1. You're not cutting off caffeine early enough.
If you work a normal 9-to-5 schedule, a good rule of thumb is to switch to noncaffeinated drinks by lunchtime. To many of us, that might not sound doable, especially as soon as that afternoon slump rolls around. But caffeine can remain in your system long into the day. Also keep in mind what that third cup of coffee is telling you.
"If you're relying on caffeine all through the day, you're not getting enough sleep," Cralle told POPSUGAR.
2. It's your nightcap.
Winding down with a glass of wine before bed may initially put you right to sleep, but nightcaps typically result in a restless night. Once you're awake, you stay wide awake long enough for it to affect the rest of your evening's quality of sleep.
"[Having alcohol close to bedtime] will disrupt your sleep later on and really cause it to be fragmented," Cralle said. "And then you can get in a vicious cycle of too much caffeine during the day, so you're going to sort of self-medicate with alcohol at night. Then you wake up exhausted, which requires more caffeine."
Instead, opt for herbal tea or warm milk.
3. It's your bed.
If there's one splurge you can justify, it's a quality mattress and/or pillow. Considering that we spend about a third of our life asleep, it's important to invest in your rest.
"I'm all for getting a really comfortable mattress because it really does make a difference," Cralle said. "You want to make sure you're optimizing your sleep in all ways possible - good sleep equals good wake."
4. It's your sleep environment.
Sometimes, having a supercomfy bed isn't enough. It's also important to consider how you're utilizing your bedroom space. Cralle suggests thinking of your bedroom as a "sleep sanctuary," free of exercise equipment and clutter. Just as how you'd optimize your office for productivity and focus, limit all other bedroom activity to sleep and sex. Keep as much light out of the room as possible at night (the darker, the better) and even consider painting your walls a soothing color.
It could also be factors like allowing your pets to sleep with you. "You've got to really drill down and look at everything to see what's going on," Cralle said.
5. You might have an undiagnosed sleep disorder.
To really identify the reason for your disrupted sleep, log your quality of slumber into a sleep diary as soon as you wake up in the morning. Or, if you have a sleep tracker, follow your progress for two weeks. According to Cralle, there are over 88 sleep disorders, and most people ignore sleep problems without realizing how important sleep is to your health.
"I tell people to view sleep as a vital sign," she said. "I think people should bring up sleep at every single healthcare provider encounter - it's that important and fundamental to our health. If your healthcare provider doesn't bring it up, you bring it up."
Once You Work Your Abs Standing, You'll Never Go Back to Crunches
It's time to the give up crunches to do some ab exercises that really work. Skip lying on the ground and give this 10-minute ab workout a whirl. Adding a dumbbell to the workout makes it even more effective. Grab your weight, between five and 10 pounds, then press play, and get ready to work!
These Are the 5 Best Plank Variations If You're Trying to Lose Weight
If you want to tone your arms and abs, plank is one of the most effective moves. But aside from building muscle, if you want to lose weight, like that extra fluff around your belly, doing cardio will help burn calories. So try these cardio plank moves to maximize the calorie-burning effects of this basic must-do move.
24 Easy and Healthy Prep-Ahead Breakfasts to Fuel Your Day
Even if you love breakfast foods, it can be hard to properly eat a hearty meal as you get ready for a busy morning. You're probably used to throwing away your hard-earned cash on protein bars or skipping breakfast altogether, since prepping morning meals can seem like an intimidating task. Luckily, meal-prepping your breakfasts can be fun, easy, and really affordable. Start your day energized with these 24 morning meals that are incredibly easy to make in batches to last you all week long. No more stomach rumbles heard across the office.
From savory meals packed with protein to colorful yogurts topped with your favorite fruits, these meals have something that every vegan, vegetarian, or meat-loving person will love.
These 50 Keto Recipes Will Have You Wondering Why You Didn't Start Your Diet Sooner
By now you've probably heard all about the high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet. Transitioning to a full-time keto diet may be difficult for the first few weeks as your body becomes acclimated to using fat instead of glucose as its main energy source. We know transitioning to any diet can be difficult, which is why we've rounded up the best breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes to start off your diet on the right foot. Check out all 50 of them ahead.
Your Butt Desperately Wants You to Do These 23 Squat Variations
Listen up, butt! You are about to get worked with these 23 glute-growing squat variations. Add a few of these moves to your leg day and let the soreness begin!
Let Your Abs Say Ahh With These Stretches
After an intense session of core exercises, your abs are screaming for relief. Here are some stretches you can do right after working your abs to help relieve soreness the next day.
These Naked Yoga Photos Are Gorgeous and Totally #SFW
Doing yoga can help make you feel clear, calm, and stripped of any negativity, anxiety, or insecurities. And to get you deeper into feeling pure and blissful, you might find practicing without clothes on can help you reach new levels of clarity, openness, and joy. Or you might think it's totally crazy and would rather find inspiration seeing other people do it. Here's a gallery of gorgeous yogis doing yoga in nothing but their skin. Don't worry! They've strategically placed their limbs and the camera so you won't see anything that might make you blush.
20 Songs That'll Get Everyone on the Dance Floor at Your Next Party
We like to party - we're sure we're not alone here - and that's why we know that for a get-together to be successful, good music is in order. To save you from agonizing over the perfect playlist, we've compiled 20 songs that could be the soundtrack of every one of your many upcoming celebrations.
The number one thing all of these Latin tunes have in common is how from the first beat they'll make you want to get up and dance. There's some Pitbull, Thalia, and 3BallMTY in here, so you can trust us when we say it will live up to your expectations.
To Everyone Hoping For Twins, Be Careful What You Wish For
Dear Aspiring Parents,
First of all, thank you for your kind words and unsolicited advice when you see me with my girls. To save us all some time, let me quickly answer all your questions: Yes, twins run in my family (on my mom's side). Yes, I carried them to term. Yes, I exclusively breastfeed both of them (and no, not always at the same time). Yes, they are fraternal. Yes, I know that I have my hands full. No, I don't have round-the-clock help. And yes, I know exactly how lucky I am to have two healthy, beautiful little girls.
But the one thing that really gets me? When you tell me you wish you'd had twins or hope to someday have them. I usually can't help but laugh. Look, I get it. Twins are cute, sweet, and fun. And who doesn't love a good two-for-one deal? But at the same time, twins are not for the faint of heart, so let me tell you what you're actually hoping for.
For starters, being pregnant with twins is the absolute worst. That's coming from someone who isn't a habitual complainer and has a pretty high threshold for pain. (I mean, I get all of my dental work done sans anesthesia, so I'm pretty sure that counts as a high threshold.) And I had easy, uneventful pregnancies. That is, until I hit 30 weeks with the twins. That's when my body gave up. Discomfort is expected in the third trimester of any pregnancy, but that's not what I had. I was in constant pain. It hurt to walk and stand; sitting for an extended period of time was excruciating; and the mere thought of lying down made me cringe. I was so swollen that my legs were shiny and sore to the touch, and the top of my enormous bump felt like it was shredding me from the inside out. I gained 13 pounds of fluid in one week alone, and on delivery day, it took the anesthesiologist nine tries before she was able to find the right spot to administer my spinal because there was so much excess fluid. The amount of pain I was in also took away from the experience of welcoming my girls into the world. When my older daughter was born, her first cry literally took my breath away. With my twins, all I could focus on was the feeling of relief when they were finally out.
In spite of how painful that pregnancy was, it didn't escape me that I was one of the lucky ones. According to the March of Dimes, almost 60 percent of twins are born prematurely. My girls were full term, weighing in at 7 pounds each and perfectly healthy. More than half of mamas of twins aren't nearly as fortunate, and I counted my blessings as I left that hospital with both of my babies.
But then the terrifying reality of being home with a toddler and two newborns set in. Thankfully, my husband - who is a phenomenal, hands-on dad - was able to be home with us for the first two weeks and my parents came over with dinner almost every night for the first two months. But it was still tough. And now that we're finally clawing our way out of hibernation (gotta love having babies in the middle of an epic flu season), it's a whole new set of challenges - like going anywhere that doesn't have a drive-through. My first solo trip to Target quickly turned into a total sh*tshow when both babies started screaming. It ended with me singing, loudly, to keep my toddler happy while I sat in the dressing room breastfeeding both babies at the same time without my trusty nursing pillow. Side note: exactly three weeks after this trip, Jessica Alba made headlines for doing the exact same thing, but you won't. No one will care if you do it.
Other things no one will care about? Holding the door open for you as you navigate your bus of a stroller into Starbucks for some desperately needed coffee, making an appointment for one baby but being charged for two since they smiled at both of them, and personal space. But no, it's not all bad. One big perk is I've been invited to cut an awful lot of lines thanks to my overly full hands. I think you get my drift. It's awesome, but just hard. Really, really hard.
I'm hoping that the crazy settles as they get older and (hopefully) start to entertain each other. And if not, that's OK too, because I love the little traveling circus that our family has become, and I wouldn't have it any other way. But then again, I have a very, very high tolerance for what most find intolerable. So thank you for your kind words and advice, but now let me give you some advice: be careful what you wish for!
Love,
A Mom of Twins
10 Tips For Raising a Smart Child
It's easy to assume that our children are either born with a high level of intelligence or they're . . . not, and as parents, there's not much we can do to influence how brainy they'll turn out to be. However, research has shown that intelligence is about a 50/50 split when it comes to nature vs. nurture, meaning that parental influence can have a great impact not just on how smart our kids believe themselves to be, but also on how intelligent they actually are.
That doesn't mean you need to inundate your children with math drills and foreign-language classes before they're out of diapers. Rather, focus on behaviors that foster a developing mind and intellect instead of praising a child's innate acumen or talent. Yep, intelligence can be grown in your children, and here are 10 ways to start planting those smart seeds.
- Talk to them from day one. Talking to your kids, even when they're small babies, is key to getting those mental wheels turning. Even when kids are too young to understand what you're saying or to know what the sophisticated words you're using mean, with repetition they'll eventually use context to figure it out. Also, asking your kids open-ended questions will help them develop opinions and a sense of self, and it will also let them know those opinions and their individuality matter.
- Crack the books early. Reading is a huge predictor of school success, so start reading with your babies long before they know what the words mean. Reading stimulates the brain, builds a knowledge base about the world, and acts as the foundation of all future learning, including math and science. Make sure books are easily accessible in your home, model good reading habits by making sure your child sees you reading often, and talk to your kids about what you're both reading to build conversational and reading-comprehension skills.
- Teach your kids to think through problems and create solutions. Don't solve your children's issues for them. Instead, encourage them to focus on a single goal or problem and figure out how to achieve or solve it through creative thinking. This act both stimulates the brain and teaches them that they're capable of working through obstacles on their own.
- Praise effort and results, not simple action. We live in a world full of participation awards, but teaching kids that they're always and naturally the best at everything makes it hard for them to accept life's inevitable failures and disappointments. Instead, praise their efforts and hard work rather than their natural abilities. Doing so creates kids who are more motivated and capable of moving forward when they encounter a skill that doesn't come easily to them. Kids who are told that they're naturally smart or talented are more likely to get frustrated and even give up when they're faced with difficult tasks.
- Set expectations early and reinforce them often. Don't turn into a drill sergeant - "You will get an A on every single test" - but by setting some overarching goals for your children (i.e., graduating college, participating in extracurriculars or volunteer work) from a young age, they're likely to see those goals as important and achievable.
- Encourage exercise. Not only does physical exercise make your kid stronger and healthier, but it also has mental benefits, building brain cells and increasing blood flow to the brain.
- Seek out teachable moments. Simply encouraging your children to use their brains during downtime can help develop mental acumen. Have them count limes in the grocery check-out line, start a conversation about wind energy when passing a windmill, or look for letters or numbers on signs while driving.
- Encourage curiosity and exploration. Preschoolers are naturally curious, but that inclination can decrease as kids get older - unless it's practiced and encouraged. Start by engaging them in topics that are of personal interest to them, even if it involves their favorite YouTube star or set of action figures. Ask questions to spark conversation, and share your own interests, explaining why they're appealing to you. You can also plan experiences like trips to museums, sporting events, or the movies that will help you find mutual likes and inspire new discussions.
- Teach your child to have a growth mindset. Encourage your kids to see learning as a process through which hard work encourages results; they'll start as novices but gradually become better over time. Then, when they're presented with hard tasks, they'll see them as opportunities for growth . . . instead of seeing themselves as failures for not immediately being experts.
- Be proactive. Don't wait for new learning opportunities to present themselves to your children. Seek out activities outside of school that will develop different mental muscles.
What to Do When Your Baby Has a Fever
While you might get nervous the first time your baby or child has a fever, typically it's just your child's immune system responding to a mild infection or perhaps reacting to a recent shot. Babies, like adults, need fever as a way to fight and defend against infection, so don't panic when you feel that warm head!
Here's what you should do when your baby has a fever, and of course, always consult a physician before administering any medical care.
First, try giving your baby a lukewarm bath. Whatever you do, do not put your baby in a freezing cold bath, as this may cause your baby to shiver and then elevate his or her fever even higher. Second, dress the little one in lightweight clothes. Do not bundle up your baby! It may be tempting to, especially if your baby has the chills, but bundling up a baby with a fever may keep the fever from retreating or worse: make it go higher. Be mindful of your baby's environment. Is your baby's room stuffy or warmer than other parts of the house? Either move your baby to a cooler spot or turn on a fan.
Hydration
Whether it's breast milk, formula, or water (if your baby is old enough to drink water), keeping your baby hydrated is key. If you notice these signs, your little one may be dehydrated:
- None or very few wet diapers
- No tears! Your poor baby cannot produce tears.
- Dry mouth
Food
If your baby is on solid foods, you may notice that he or she is not very hungry. Don't force your little one to eat, but if he or she will, try popsicles, bread, crackers, and other bland foods.
Medication
Medications used for fevers include: acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, and ibuprofen, commonly known as Advil. On occasion, your pediatrician may advise you to alternate between the two medicines. Here are some guidelines to administering medication:
- If your baby is under 3 months of age, call your pediatrician first before giving your little one any medicine.
- Do not give Aspirin to your child. It could cause Reye's syndrome, which affects the liver.
- If your baby is under 6 months of age, do not give your baby ibuprofen or medicines containing ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin.
- Know your baby's weight in order to give your child the right dosage of medication.
- Commonly, the dosing is as follows: acetaminophen every four to six hours; ibuprofen every six to eight hours.
- If your doctor recommends treating your baby with alternating doses of the two medicines, be sure to note doses and times and follow your doctor's advice.
- Keep in mind that ibuprofen may cause stomach irritation.
When to Call the Pediatrician
- If your baby is newborn to 2 months old and has a fever, call the doctor right away.
- If your baby is younger than 3 months and has a fever higher than 100.4°F (taken rectally).
- If your child is from 3 to 12 months old and has a fever of 102.2°F or higher.
- If your little one has other symptoms, such as a sore throat or vomiting.
- If your child has recently had a shot and has a fever.
- If your child's temperature skyrockets over 105°F.
- If your child has fevers that continue to come and go for more than a few days at a time.
Signs It's Time to Call 911 or Go to the ER
- If you have a child who cannot be awakened easily or seems disoriented.
- If your child is crying and you are unable to calm them down.
- If the baby's soft spot is sunken - the baby may be dehydrated.
- If your baby turns blue (lips, nails, or tongue).
- If your child is unable to walk or shows stiffness in his or her neck.
- If your child has a seizure (rolls eyes, twitches, vomits, etc.).
Source: US National Library of Medicine
The Only Thing Cuter Than This Matching Boy and Dog Is Their Adoption Story
If you're anything like us, your Instagram notifications are a revolving door of friends tagging you in photos of cute dogs. Although we've come across the adorable Reagandoodle account countless times, we had no idea that there was such a touching story behind the photos of a little boy and his matching pup. Reagan and Little Buddy were both 11 months old when they came into each other's lives, and they will forever be best friends.
Reagan (the dog) is owned by Sandi Swiridoff, and her daughter took in Little Buddy as a foster child more than two years ago. Sandi told Love What Matters that Reagan and Little Buddy "bonded instantly and have been besties ever since." They share everything - birthdays, outfits, naps, dinner, and more!
However, their bond is deeper than just adorable photos. Since Little Buddy came into the family's lives years ago, they have used the dog's popular Instagram feed as a way to raise awareness for foster children and families. Sandi has even been working on a book about Reagandoodle and Little Buddy's story, which will donate all proceeds to an Oregon-based non-profit called Foster Parents' Night Out for parents of foster children.
Sandi also revealed that her daughter and son-in-law have begun the adoption process for Little Buddy! Although it's been two amazing years, this is only the beginning of the duo's special bond.
Keep reading to see some of the sweetest photos of Reagan and Little Buddy in their matching outfits.
The 10 Best Places to Go For Moms Who Want to Vacation All by Themselves
I was kayaking around Anacapa Island off the coast of Ventura, CA. The setting was stunning, but I was more focused on what - or rather, who - wasn't there: my 2-year-old daughter, Lucy, who was over 3,000 miles away in New Jersey with her babysitter. I felt guilty when I initially decided to go on the trip, but there was no way I could say no. I had always wanted to visit, and while the islands are family friendly, I knew Lucy wouldn't be up for things like hiking or kayaking. Besides, I didn't want to take the trip for her. I wanted to take the trip for myself.
I'm a single mom, and I don't have family nearby. That meant I needed to hire a babysitter for three days. I went back and forth about going a ridiculous number of times, but as I sat on the water, the waves lapping at my kayak, I was so thankful. Sure, I missed Lucy, but I hadn't realized how much I had missed myself. I hadn't kayaked since well before she was born, even though I used to lead kayak expeditions when I was in college. I had missed allowing my thoughts to unfold without interruption. I had missed letting myself set the schedule.
When I came back, I felt happy to see Lucy and happy in my own skin. I felt more energized, more relaxed, and absolutely certain that a solo mom trip isn't bad - it's wonderful. To be totally honestly, I think that alone time made me a better parent. It made me more aware of my own needs, more appreciative of the bond Lucy and I have, and thankful that the "old" me is still there. And I can't wait to plan another trip, so if you're also in need of a little getaway, keep reading for 10 of the best places you can travel to - all by yourself.
How This Mom's YOLO Moment Disrupted the $13 Billion Lingerie Industry
"I was always skipping to work," Michelle Cordeiro Grant told me when talking about her job at Victoria's Secret as senior merchant director. "I was one of those annoying people on the subway smiling for no reason." But in 2012, she began to lose that pep in her step. "I started to love my job less and see the politics of corporate life, which is why I ultimately left Victoria's Secret," she continued. "I wasn't having fun anymore, and I needed to figure out how to have fun again."
"I knew that I wanted to start a company but needed to learn how because I had no idea." Grant took a job at startup company Thrillist Media Group soon after to see how to evolve a business firsthand. "I was able to see the business grow exponentially. I learned what to do, what not to do, and I was able to formulate how to create my own version of what startups can be," Grant explained. After three years at Thrillist and securing financial backing from investors, she went after her YOLO moment by starting her own company.
Grant walked into her new office on day one as her own CEO and only employee. With just four plain white walls and no company name, she started with a vision board. "I spent a lot of time visualizing and building out the aesthetic of the company so that when I recruited my team, I had stuff to show. I made a list of things I was fearful of and created a network. I made those people my best friends. So when something went wrong in one of my fearful areas - such as a customer service nightmare - I knew exactly who to call," she explained.
Soon after, inspired by women with wild hearts and boss brains, Lively was born.
"I wanted to start a brand where consumers actually talk about brand and community and not where they found the best markdown. I want women to wear Lively and feel something - to live passionately, to live confidently, to feel sexy and unique," Grant said. One bra has more than 40 components, which translates to 40 different suppliers. When Lively launched in 2016 exclusively online, bra styles offered were manufactured in 22 different sizes. "Not only do I want our products to be accessible in price, but also accessible to women of all shapes and sizes," she explained.
On her own terms, Grant has a goal to create a brand without any sales, markdowns, or Black Friday participation. "We want brand-lovers first and foremost, and we don't talk about price or sales in our marketing. Instead, we talk about empowering our consumers to feel sexy and beautiful," she said.
"Once we started development in China, our partners saw how unique our product actually was. We were literally cutting yoga pants and stapling them to bralettes during ideation," Grant said, laughing. "Opening our new factory this past Summer, we wanted to build a bigger factory but also incorporate our Lively ethos into everything we do."
In 2016, Lively launched with impressive sales. "I never expected to grow as fast as we did. On launch day, I was all dressed up for the press, but when we saw all of the orders coming in, I changed outfits, put on my sneakers, ran over to our warehouse in Secaucus, NJ, and spent the entire first week - morning to night - with my team packaging orders," she said.
Lively has kept its word and has not marked down any products since the site launched. Now, the brand has customers from coast to coast and an all-female staff of 14 in New York. The brand continues to build a community of strong, smart women who feel empowered and always sexy when wearing Lively's products.
Two months after launching Lively, Grant, whose daughter, Lydia, was 2 1/2 at the time, found out she was pregnant. Just a few weeks after the birth of her son, Jack, she came back to work to check on her team. "To launch a company while pregnant is bananas," Grant said, laughing. "But looking back, it was the best thing to ever happen to me."
Lively is currently going on a tour city by city to spend time with the women who have been supporting the brand. After its Dallas pop-up in January, Lively's customer base in the same location increased by 200 percent online.
Grant concluded, "A lot of people told me not start my own business. A lot of people. But I'm glad I did, because I'm skipping to work again, and I strive to create an environment where my team is, too."
14 Cool and Comfortable Sneakers Your Kids Will Love to Wear
If your kids are in need of new kicks this season, you've come to the right place. Shoe shopping for yourself can be hard as it is, so when it comes to your little ones, make it easy and get them a pair of cool and comfortable sneakers. We did the browsing for you and rounded up a list of our favorites. From Disney-inspired options to a mermaid glitter pair, we kind of want some for ourselves. Take a look.
13 Wonder Woman Cakes to Inspire Your Daughter to Be the Strong Girl She Is
The success of Wonder Woman last year proved that audiences were more than ready for a female-lead superhero film, and we're already looking forward to the sequel. But Wonder Woman has been a beloved character for decades, with her inspiring message of being a strong and empowered female. Since so many little girls harnessed their inner power because of their love for the film, it also makes a great theme for birthdays! While we can't be Diana, princess of the Amazons, we can fulfill our dreams of feeling like a badass superhero with a Wonder Woman cake. Click through to see some of our favorite Wonder Woman cakes that would make the perfect centerpiece for your little superhero's birthday party.
10 Reasons Being a Divorced Mom Is Actually Kind of Awesome
I recently overheard some of my married mom friends discussing how they can't remember the last time they slept past 6:30 a.m, as if their kids waking them up at the crack of dawn was a universal mom problem. As I listened, I suddenly I found myself unexpectedly smirking. I sleep late every other weekend and every Tuesday morning. Divorce sure does have its perks, I thought.
As is often the case with life, I have been pleasantly surprised to discover that divorce is not nearly as awful as I had first anticipated. Once I got through the initial sadness and mastered the art of acceptance, I adjusted nicely to life as a divorcee. I soon caught myself smiling and laughing more often. On the weekends, when the kids were at their dad's house, I discovered creative methods of self-care that helped me embrace my time without the kids rather than sit in misery missing them. All of the pieces started to fit together, and just a few short years after the divorce was finalized, I fell in love with my life again. Here is what I love about life after divorce.
- The B Word (Balance) - A shared custody agreement comes with built-in balance for both parents. I'm forced to take time to myself, away from my children. I've learned to cherish my "off" days and take good care of myself with things like mani-pedis, visits to the gym, and a table for one at the nearest fine-dining establishment.
- Dating at 40? Hell, Yeah! - Dating is fun and exciting. I have new confidence in myself and zero expectations, which makes for a pretty good combo when swiping right. My life is full and complete, and I love myself, so I have nothing to lose in the world of dating. It's exciting to think that The One may still be out there, and that, at 40 years old, the best is yet to come.
- I Like My Ex a Lot More Now That He Isn't My Husband - I consider myself lucky, because I can honestly say that I get along well with my ex-husband. He's the only other person in the universe who loves our three kids as much as I do, and our interactions are restricted to children-related topics and activities only. We coparent and put the kids before everything else, so I'd say we get along about 92 percent of the time, which is pretty good considering our track record.
- Sleep Is Amazing - I may never get married again because I love (like, love with a capital L Love) sleeping alone. I can't ever imagine wanting to sleep in the same bed with another grown adult every single night for the rest of my life. I love my bed, my covers, and my pillows at the temperature of my choice. No snoring. No sleep talking. No one else waking up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, or, God forbid, hitting snooze five times on his alarm clock in the morning. No. Thank. You.
- I Love My Last Name Again - I reverted to my maiden name when I got divorced and it was a decision that plagued me for months. I didn't want to throw salt on the divorce wound and tell the kids, "I'm not a Walsh anymore." It was, however, something I needed to do to remain true to myself and thus it feels right, I have no regrets, and the kids are just fine. Sure, their friends still call me Mrs. Walsh, but hey, IDGAF. I will always be a Hayes.
- Like Destiny's Child, I'm an Independent Woman - I have fixed toilets, hung pictures, packed up moving trucks, painted walls, shoveled the snow, and paid my own bills. I load the dishwasher however I want, leave dishes in the sink overnight, and watch whatever Netflix series I want by myself. Independence feels good.
- I Found Myself - Being a wife and a mom at a young age, I lost myself. I fell into the mom role, not really knowing who I was or what I wanted out of life. Only after I got divorced did I truly find myself. I discovered hobbies that were all mine, I learned my strengths and weaknesses, and I created new goals for myself all because I had the freedom and independence to explore all things me.
- I Can Do It - There were days when I felt as though I could not get it all done. Sometimes the emotional toll of being a divorced mom was too much to bear. But the more I got through those days, the more I learned I could do it, and I would do it. No matter what. I look back on a handful of hard times and I'm proud of myself for getting through it all with strength, courage, and integrity. I use that to power through the next challenge.
- The Kids Are Closer to Each Other - I catch glimpses of my children comforting one another, laughing over private jokes, and even reading bedtime stories to each other. I know they're closer to one another because of the divorce, and for that I'm grateful. They have learned to be there for each other through thick and thin, laughter, and tears, and they're creating bonds that will last a lifetime.
- Silver Linings - Life after divorce has taught me to look for the silver lining in everything. If I can get through the end of a marriage and find blessings in the ultimate failure, well, damn, I can find silver linings in just about anything.
Once You See the Back of Hailey Baldwin's Swimsuit, You'll Go, "Damn, Girl!"
Hailey Baldwin is never one to shy away from rocking a sexy swimsuit or two. Whether she's wearing a bikini while spending time with loved ones or just showing off how she styles them, Hailey is the queen of swimwear in our hearts!
The 21-year-old proved that exact fact while wearing a fun and flirty one-piece in Hawaii. The swimsuit featured a tropical floral print, but it was the back that had us needing a very tall glass of water. The thong-style of the one-piece was totally unexpected but a delightful surprise. It fit her body like a glove, and the color perfectly complemented her tan. Keep reading to see Hailey living it up on the beach, then shop similar options.
Iskra Lawrence Calls This Sexy 1-Piece Her "Favorite" - See the Cutouts and You'll Agree
If there's such a thing as a queen of swimsuit snaps, Iskra Lawrence would likely take the crown. The 27-year-old model posted a throwback swimsuit snap to Instagram on June 3, and it'll make you crave the Summer sun.
Iskra's high-leg one-piece suit hugs her curves in just the right way, fitting her body like a glove. In her caption, she calls this style her "favorite" pink Aerie suit, which says a lot - she's worn quite a few swimsuits. It's understandable that this suit made it to the top of her list, those sexy low-cut sides set this one-piece apart from the rest.
50 Perfect Summer Outfits That Aren't Just Easy, but Also on Trend
With warmer weather finally here, you don't want to waste any time indoors trying to figure out what to wear. You probably already have a few signature summertime looks, like a simple wrap dress or your go-to t-shirt and jean short combo. But if you feel like you are in need of a style revamp, just look to street style stars for some fresh Summer styling ideas.
Bloggers, editors, and influencers alike have found new ways to mix and match the warm-weather staples you've probably already secured. Whether you rock a flirty frock over a pair of skinny jeans or dress up your favorite tee with a sleek skirt, follow these ladies' lead when it comes to Summer style. Ahead, you'll find 50 inspiring outfit ideas that will keep you looking stylish all season long.
Wow, Wow, Wow - These 60 Cute Dresses Are a Summertime Dream
Right now, we're all about building up our Summer dress collection. We love throwing on just one item of clothing and being ready to walk out of the door. They're stylish, comfortable, and and an easy way to stay cool in the heat. That's why we created your ultimate guide to dresses for the season. We searched through every corner of the internet to bring you the very best options. Whether you like maxis or minis, there is definitely something for everyone. Take a look at our must haves, and treat yourself to something new. Pretty designs like these won't stick around for long, so it's time to get your shop on.
Kendall Jenner Wears a Full Rainbow's Worth of Dresses For Elle - Seriously, ROYGBIV
Kendall Jenner opened up to close family friend Lana Del Ray for Elle's June 2018 issue. The two stars talked about relationships with people in the music industry, that time Lana performed at Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's wedding, and the stresses of anxiety - especially in Hollywood. Kendall obviously kept her cool for the accompanying photo shoot, where she slipped into countless vibrant designer dresses and the most memorable look of all: a royal PVC Balmain pantsuit that's definitely NSFW.
While Kendall didn't touch on many facets of the fashion industry in her interview, aside from being excited about Virgil Abloh's placement at Louis Vuitton (Kendall wore Virgil's brand Off-White to the 2018 Met Gala), her full feature provides enough fodder for you to officially retire your Pinterest board. Styled by Anna Trevelyan, the stylish adventure is one we want to scroll through again and again . . . and again. We'll just be here all day, you?
These Are the Biggest Fashion Trends For 2018 - Are You Ready?
We're always looking a season ahead to find the next It item or trend. It's part of our DNA as fashion-lovers. If you're like us, you've been paying close attention to what's been popular on the streets during Fashion Month - that's what gives us a good indication of what to expect in 2018.
While we definitely know glittery boots are "in" right now and so is wearing red, we took things one step further and predicted the next big need-to-know trends. That way, you can adequately prepare your shopping list. Read on to see the 10 major styles we think every fashion girl should know for 2018.
Wow! Free People's New Swimwear Is So Sexy, We Want It All
We love Free People for its bohemian-inspired clothes, cool workout gear, and killer accessories, but its ever-evolving swim department is what has our attention this season. The trendy retailer has a wide variety of its own swimwear in addition to carrying popular brands like Solid & Striped, Mara Hoffman, and For Love & Lemons. As you hunt for the perfect suit this year, look no further than this affordable store. It has everything from sexy one-pieces to cherry print bikinis. We rounded up a list of our favorites right now, so all you have to do is shop. Take a look ahead.
6 Reputable Places to Sell Your Wedding Dress Online
After you've had the wedding of your dreams, what do you do with your wedding dress? You can't exactly wear it again. Instead of putting them in storage, more and more brides have been opting to sell them to recoup some of the costs of the wedding. While thrift stores may have been a popular place to resell a wedding dress in the past, listing it online is now the easiest route to take. Selling your gown on the internet will help you reach a larger amount of customers and allow you to be in control of setting the price.
With so many resale sites on the internet, finding the right one can feel daunting, especially when you're selling such a special item like your wedding dress. To help you navigate through the tricky world of selling your gown online, we've rounded up six of the top sites that will help you get the best deal for your dress. Whether you want to make room in your closet or could just use the extra cash, if you are going to sell your dress online, do it with one of these websites!
You Don't Know the Meaning of Sexy Until You've Seen Halsey in a Bikini
When she isn't busy firing out hit songs, Halsey is prone to slipping into her pretty desirable swimwear collection - and her bikinigrams are just as fire as her tunes. Whether she's sizzling up in yellow Calvin Klein swimwear, reclining like a rock star in a skimpy black number, or giving us a flash of her cheeky white thong bikini, we can always count on Halsey to bring the heat to our Instagram feeds. While we attempt to recover from that slitted black dress she wore earlier on in the year, read on for all the fiery moments Halsey has blessed us with - so far! Then you have our permission to lie down.
15 Reasons You Should Trade In Your Jeans For Stylish High-Waisted Pants
Squeezing into your denim jeans on a hot day isn't always ideal, so this season, trade them in for a pair of cool high-waisted pants. These versatile trousers are easy to wear with everything you already own. You can dress them up with heels and a silky top or go for a more casual look with a crop top and sneakers. We rounded up a list of our favorite finds right now. From affordable brands like H&M, Topshop, and Express, take a look ahead.
Small Bust? Shop 20 Figure-Flattering Suits to Enhance What You've Got
Swimsuit shopping is a unique battle for anyone, especially if you're self-conscious about being smaller up top. Arm yourself with tricks and you'll be able to stroll seaside with confidence.
- Flaunt what you have, and fake what you don't. If you're looking to create more cleavage, opt for an underwire bra top (or padding). A structured top will shape what you have, while padded cups can actively fake more if that's the look you're after.
- Distract, distract, distract. Ruffles, bold prints, and splashes of color are all far busier than a simple, solid suit and can claim an onlooker's attention.
- Embrace what you can wear. Tiny tops and unique shapes are cute but often spell disaster for women with larger chests. Trendy styles are easy to conquer when support isn't mandatory, so go ahead and play around with fun cuts.
Now that you're up to speed, just read on to shop the cutest suits for small-busted beach babes.
- Additional reporting by Sarah Wasilak and Leah Melby
Oh My! This Bride's Supersheer Wedding Dress Is What Dreams Are Made Of
Shanina Shaik is officially married! The stunning model married Gregory Andrews aka DJ Ruckus on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. The beautiful ceremony took place next to the ocean with friends and family cheering from the sidelines. The gorgeous Victoria's Secret model wore not one but three breathtaking gowns. (Side note: you need to see her hexagonal-cut engagement ring if you haven't yet!)
For the welcome dinner, Shanina wore a beautiful Zimmermann dress that featured long sleeves, a low neckline, and a sheer skirt. The bride switched into a supersheer Ralph & Russo gown and Aquazzura heels for her walk down the aisle. In an exclusive with Brides, Shanina revealed, "I wanted it to be simple, bohemian, and elegant. I love a boho style and I wanted to give it a little twist by incorporating lace."
Shanina's stunning off-the-shoulder wedding gown featured a scoop back and a long train. For her final look of the weekend-long celebration at her reception party, the bride changed into a sheer Michael Costello dress and danced the night away in a pair of Jimmy Choo heels. Read on to get a closer look at the couple's gorgeous wedding.
Um, So, Demi Lovato Can't Stop Showing Her Hot Swimsuit Collection on Instagram
Sorry not sorry, but Demi Lovato has one of the sexiest Instagram feeds around. If you are one of her 67.4 million followers, you know the singer loves nothing more than to show off her curves in an array of sexy, swimsuit-clad snaps. And with a killer body like that, can you really blame her?
We not only love her bikinigrams because they are equal parts sultry and empowering, but also because the swimsuits she wears in them are super trendy! From plunging one-pieces to retro high-waisted bikinis and cheeky thong maillots, Demi has basically worn every swim trend there is. Prepare yourself for some major swimsuit envy, and read through to see all of the sizzling suits that Demi has rocked so far this year.
20 Stylish Ways to Wear Kitten Heels This Season
Kitten heels aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Since hitting the runways of designers like Dior and Stella McCartney, these comfortable heels have been spotted everywhere. Rather than struggling in sky-high stilettos, it's time to turn your attention to this versatile style.
Not only are these chic kitten heels surprisingly comfortable, but this year we've also seen an array of new styles come to light. Tiny details like the addition of side bows and jewels make this once-retro style feel fresh and modern. Whether you're going to work or attending a wedding, you can walk in these heels all day long without worrying about getting blisters. Keep reading to see 20 unique ways of styling your kitten heels. Then, check out our favorite options and shop a pair for yourself.
Every Single Sexy One-Piece You Need to Own - All From Urban Outfitters
It's no secret that Urban Outfitters is stocked with trendy clothes and lush beauty products, but this year its supersexy swimwear collection is what caught our eye. The megastore carries a wide array of popular brands, in addition to its own affordable line. So if you're looking to show off a little extra skin this season, we found a handful of picks that will flaunt your best assets. From pretty prints to cutout monokinis, take a look ahead.
Queen Letizia's Style Deserves a Crown of Its Own, So Start Taking Notes
We aren't even halfway through 2018 and Queen Letizia's already reigning supreme in the fashion department. The Spanish royal isn't afraid to repeat outfits, show off some serious bling, or push the boundaries with her looks. Her love of wearing different pieces truly shines whenever she steps out for an event.
Whether she's wearing a gorgeous ball gown, a head-to-toe red ensemble, or just upstaging Queen Elizabeth during a state visit, Letizia knows exactly what to wear and does it with confidence. Keep scrolling to relish in Queen Letizia's best outfits this year.
Forget Sweating in Denim This Summer - These 10 Chic Shorts Are All Under $20 on Amazon
We all know the feeling: sweating in uncomfortable denim shorts you can't wait to take off. This season, avoid that dreaded moment by investing in a pair of cool and comfy shorts. You don't have to spend a fortune, either, because we looked to Amazon. The megasite carries a plethora of stylish fashion finds we can't get enough of. From sporty picks to floral prints, all these choices are less than $20 - so you can treat yourself to more than just one. Take a look.
10 Inspiring Bloggers Who Redefine Society's Beauty Standards
This year, we've been inspired by some incredible beauty influencers who've documented their journeys to self-love on Instagram and YouTube. Whether they've faced a rare disease or celebrated their body hair (or lack of hair!), these 10 bloggers don't let their unique looks let them feel any less beautiful and encourage us to be confident in our own skin, too.
Get to know the new faces defying conventional beauty standards, ahead.
How I Got Rid of a Massive, Painful Pimple 2 Days Before My Wedding
The Thursday before my wedding, I woke up at 6 a.m. panicked. The right side of my face was throbbing thanks to a "lurker." We refer to "lurkers" as those painful, cystic acne pimples that live under the skin. I had cut alcohol, gluten, dairy, and sugar from my diet for two weeks and was drinking one dark green juice every day. My skincare game was on point (I only used oil-free products for the last few weeks to avoid breakouts), and I received plenty of facials. My period even ended the day earlier, which is the usual suspect for these hormonal pimples. So why the F was there a massive - and painful! - critter eating away at my skin?
That I can't answer, but likely it was from nerves and stress. What I can tell you is how I successfully got rid of it. After researching the case, I decided to try an at-home product containing sulfer (the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Clarifying Colloidal Sulfur Mask) and had a Joanna Vargas esthetician zap the area with an antibacterial wand. Yet the pimple did not budge. I had two days until I needed to walk down the aisle, and I needed it gone.
All of the advice I kept receiving from pros was that I needed to get the pimple injected with cortisone. So I called in a favor and made an early-morning dermatologist appointment with Dr. Neal Schultz.
Dr. Schultz is a trusted NYC doctor (another beauty editor recommended him) with an impressive background, being the host of DermTV.com and creator of BeautyRx. Even though he is experienced, I was nervous! I had never done this procedure before. His calm demeanor was soothing as he popped the zit, sucked out the pus (he said there was enough to feed a family!), and then gave me a light cortisone injection (half the amount he normally would as per my request).
He was also honest with me. I had heard that this treatment can leave an indent in your face, and he told me earnestly that it does sometimes happen and there's no clear answer why, but he had not seen it happen in his practice in a few years. The procedure completely worked for me, and in two days - as promised - the skin was completely flattened. The area where the pimple had been was darkened, but makeup easily covered it. You can see in the photo up top of my makeup-free skin that the right side of my face looks clear! About a month later, there was no trace of it (and thankfully, no indent).
When I returned from my honeymoon - acne-free! - I emailed him to find out the science behind why this works.
"If you find yourself with a monster zit on the days leading up to your wedding, go directly to your dermatologist to get it opened, have the pus drained (so it doesn't dilute and thereby reduce the efficacy of the cortisone shot), and have the cyst injected with cortisone (which will shrink the swollen wall of the cyst)," he explained. "That will do the most to improve it in the next 12-24 hours."
Dr. Schultz emphasized that for results this quick, a derm needs to physically extract the pus. Normally the gunk would take about a week or longer to be absorbed by the body on its own. Under your skin there is a hard swollen wall of cyst, and it can clear up naturally, but it takes time. "No oral or topical medicines can work this quickly," he added.
He described the process from beginning to end for me:
"We start by taking an alcohol-soaked pad and wipe the skin to make sure that everything is as sterile as it can be. With a sterile needle, I make a hole in the middle of the cyst. With an instrument called a comedone extractor, I push the pus out of the cyst. To shrink the cyst so it goes away much faster, I inject a tiny amount of cortisone into the wall and cavity of the emptied cyst. A bandaid is then applied (it stays on for an hour)."
After receiving the morning treatment, I was able to get an hour-long facial with Joanna Vargas that afternoon. I felt no pain or inflammation, and she simply avoided the area.
According to Dr. Schultz, you see results from the procedure within 12-24 hours.
"If you squeeze it yourself, you may as well cancel the photographer," he advised. I'm a classic face picker, and I pay the price with acne scars. "Don't take matters into your own hands. Seek out your derm."
I felt relief the morning of my wedding, which you can see below, getting my makeup done knowing my Big Fat Pimple was demolished!
Here's What the Label "Nontoxic" REALLY Means For Beauty Products
If you've noticed an avalanche of new beauty products on the market that are touting "nontoxic" ingredients or formulas, you're not imagining things. The focus on eliminating harmful chemicals from our lives continues to intensify as research consistently shows the hormone-disrupting impacts of ingredients commonly found in beauty products (stuff like phthalates, parabens, and triclosan).
It's especially concerning because the FDA doesn't actually regulate the beauty and cosmetics industry as stringently as many consumers assume. That means companies are able to pad products with potentially harmful chemicals simply to increase shelf life.
Your skin is capable of absorbing anywhere from 60 to 80 percent of whatever you put on it, so it's crucial to actively avoid toxic ingredients - but what does "nontoxic" even mean? Unfortunately, since the term is not regulated by the FDA, technically it means nothing. Or more specifically, it means whatever the makers of a product deem as nontoxic. Any beauty product that claims to be nontoxic can simply be greenwashing you, so don't be fooled by the label, and make sure you read thoroughly through about the ingredients involved.
Familiarize yourself with the important chemicals to avoid such as phthalates, parabens, triclosan, formaldehyde, synthetic colors, and chemical sunscreens. Anytime you spot these being used in your products, switch them out with safer alternates, because these offenders can cause all sorts of health problems like an increased risk of breast cancer or weakening of the immune system.
For an eye-opener, check out the Skin Deep Database by the Environmental Working Group. There, you can search through over 74,000 beauty products and see how your favorite products rate in levels of harmful chemicals. And resist the impulse to buy any beauty products labeled nontoxic until you've gone through the list of ingredients and made sure for yourself!
11 Acne Products For Your Clearest Skin Ever in 2018
Gave up on those New Year's resolutions already? No judgment. Here's one goal that will be relatively easy to commit to this year: clear skin. No doubt, there will be breakouts that just won't let you be great - but chances are there's a product for that.
This crop of newbies (and some not so new) will do all the pore-clearing, bacteria-zapping, and skin-smoothing you need to reach your skincare goals. There's still some work involved on your part (the products won't slather themselves on!) but these powerhouse acne products have all that you need to get rid of problematic skin.
Gwen Stefani, Best Wedding Guest EVER, Jammed to "Hollaback Girl" on the Dance Floor
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate . . . Gwen Stefani's dance moves! While the 48-year-old singer evades wedding rumors of her own, she joined Blake Shelton and attended a friend's nuptials in Fort Worth, TX, on June 2, and things took a very fun turn toward the end.
Gwen served as a great photographer throughout the event, sharing snaps of the celebration on her Instagram story during the night. The pics ranged from cute selfies of her and Blake to a video of her dancing to "Hollaback Girl." That's right, the singer took the dance floor back to 2004, although according to her caption she was "pulled" out there. She's such a good sport!
Ariana Grande Debuts a New Song Featuring Nicki Minaj at Wango Tango: "I'm So Nervous!"
Ariana Grande continues to dish out new music, and we're ready for more, more, more. The 24-year-old singer premiered her latest song "The Light Is Coming" at the iHeartRadio Wango Tango 2018 on June 3 and announced it'll be part of her new album Sweetener, available to download on June 20.
While she was "so nervous" to perform the song live for the first time, it's already in the running as the catchiest tune this Summer. Grande's new boyfriend, SNL's Pete Davidson is definitely a fan, he shared a snap of the singer's performance on his Instagram story, writing, "Are you f*cking kidding me? So f*cking lit!"
Grande's song features "big sister" Nicki Minaj, throwing back to their "Side to Side" days. Think this newest track will result in an iconic music video too? Watch the video above to see her full performance and then keep reading to see even more snaps from Grande's high-energy Wango Tango performance.
North West and Penelope Disick Had a Magical Unicorn Birthday Party - See All the Photos!
Happy (almost) birthday, North West and Penelope Disick! The cousins celebrated their birthdays together on June 3, like they have in years past, and Kim Kardashian shared all the sweet snaps to her Instagram story.
North will turn five on June 15, while Penelope will celebrate her 6th birthday on July 8, so naturally the duo teamed up for a unicorn-themed birthday party. How fun! From the pics we've seen so far, the party included a variety of themed desserts, rainbow pool floats, DJ Livia, and "real-life" unicorns! It's basically a mystical dream come true. Ahead see the pics Kim and others shared of the girls' special day, including a sweet snap of Kylie Jenner and Stormi Webster.
Meghan Markle's Ex-Husband Announces His Engagement 2 Weeks After the Royal Wedding
Well, here's something to sip on. Two weeks after the world watched Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tie the knot at Windsor Castle in England, Meghan's ex-husband, Trevor Engelson, shared the news of his engagement to his girlfriend, Tracey Kurland, Us Weekly reports. The 41-year-old film producer popped the question in Napa, CA, after dating the dietitian for three years and revealed the news on his private Instagram account on Friday, June 1.
"Luckiest guy I know! Get ready to party!" Trevor reportedly captioned a photo of the happy couple. According to the outlet, the celebratory photo also shows Tracey's left hand resting on Trevor's shoulder showing off her diamond rock. Talk about timing!
Trevor and Meghan dated for six years before wedding in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, in September 2011. The former couple was married for two years before filing for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split. The rest, as you know, is British royal history. Congrats to Trevor and Tracey!
This Is Without a Doubt 1 of the Most Emotional Moments on 13 Reasons Why Season 2
Warning: spoilers for 13 Reasons Why season two below.
13 Reasons Why season two is full of emotional moments, but one of the most moving scenes has to be Hannah's memorial service. Not only is it a beautiful moment between the Liberty High classmates as they come together after a tragedy, but it also closes the book on Clay and Hannah's star-crossed love story, once and for all. After struggling with Hannah's death all season long, Clay finally finds the strength to let his former love go when he gets up to make a speech at her service.
Even though he admits he's still angry and confused about her death, he knows that one day those feelings will fade until he's left with only love. As he envisions Hannah sitting in the church, he looks her in the eyes and quotes back Skye's very words to him: "I can love you and I can let you go." Not only is it incredibly bittersweet, but it also shows the heartbreaking reality of grieving the loss of someone who died from suicide. Grab some tissues and relive his gut-wrenching speech above.
Articles
