Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
mercredi 4 juillet 2018
Why Too Much Happiness Can Actually Be a Bad Thing, According to Science
When I was younger, my dad always used to tell me to be moderate in everything I did, and a BIG part of that was emotions. I would come running up to him with an A+ grade or the trophy for first place in a competition, and all he would do was smile gently and tell me to take everything lightly and not make a big deal of it. My 6-year-old self did not agree. But now, after passing through so many highs and lows throughout adulthood, I'm wondering whether there was any truth to what he said.
So, is too much happiness really a bad thing? Here's what I found out.
You Might Lose Your Creativity Boost
According to Mark Alan Davis's 2008 meta-analysis of the relationship between mood and creativity, when people experience intense, overwhelming happiness, they lose out on the creativity burst you get from moderate happiness.
What's more, psychologist Barbara Fredrickson has found that too much positive emotion - and too little negative emotion - makes people inflexible in the face of new challenges.
You Might Become More Reckless
Another study found that happiness can lead to reckless behaviors, which makes sense - haven't you always been less inhibited and more carefree when happy?
But think about this from another point of view and it can be dangerous.
Studies show that excessively happy people tend to engage in riskier behaviors and disregard threats, including excessive alcohol consumption, binge-eating, and drug use.
Even if all this seems a bit extreme, on a smaller scale, there's a good chance you'll regret some decisions you made when you were on a happy high.
You Might Be Less Productive and Driven
Happiness generally leads to a deep feeling of satisfaction, signaling to us that our goals are being fulfilled, so we generally tend to slow down and become more laid-back.
But negative emotions exist for a reason. Without the push that anger or unhappiness gives you, you might never get the motivation to keep going. After all, if you're content, why would you?
And studies back this up: Maya Tamir of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that happy people played worse than angry people in a competitive computer game.
You Might Become Gullible
Another study shows that happy people tend to be more trusting and gullible compared to their pessimistic counterparts. That's not to say that you should always go with the glass-half-empty approach, but maybe a bit less extreme?
You Might Become Unhappy
Yup, you heard that right. When you're experiencing intense joy, its only natural to seek more of it, a primitive response rooted in the evolution of mankind. However, the pursuit of happiness almost always leads to unhappiness. Research shows that the more one strives to be happy, the less likely they are to obtain it.
Iris Mauss of the University of Denver conducted a study in which people who read something that celebrated happiness felt worse than people who viewed something that never produced happiness at all. Researchers suggest that when people expect to feel better and don't, they may experience more negative emotions as a result of feeling as if they had failed.
Once the High Is Over . . .
Have you ever felt that underwhelming emptiness after you're done leaping up in joy? Like everything in the world suddenly seems disappointing in how trivial it is? Well, that's not just in your head. When you are excessively happy, you set high standards for situations that can induce happiness: everyday occurrences will cease to make you smile. To back this up, psychologists from the University of Massachusetts and Northwestern University in Illinois compared the levels of happiness between lottery winners and ordinary people.
There was no difference in overall happiness between the two groups; however, lottery winners were significantly less likely to take pleasure in everyday activities such as receiving a compliment and talking with a friend. They began to compare everything with the happiness of winning the lottery, and thus, nothing could keep up. This kind of happiness doesn't last forever, and when it's done, you might end up feeling worse than before.
So What Now?
Well, the point of this certainly isn't to tell you to be unhappy for the rest of your life. After all, extreme negative emotions certainly aren't doing you any favors either. Maybe, just maybe, what all of us need to consider is the moderate path: neither too much positive emotions nor too many negative emotions. And researchers are considering this too - that maybe pursuing happiness isn't the best idea. Instead, we should allow happiness to come by as a reward in the pursuit of another goal.
Imagine a life in which you never feel euphoric, but you never feel depressed either. All that's left behind is a sustainable, peaceful calm that you only experience when you're on stable emotional ground.
In the long term, sustainability is what we're looking at, and perhaps the moderate approach is best for sustainable happiness to last us through all the highs and lows throughout our lives.
Here's What Really Goes Down at a Clothing-Optional "Erotic" Couples Resort
My boyfriend and I excitedly opened the door to our gorgeous beachfront suite, unsure of what to expect when we entered. While away at dinner, our special selection from a "fantasy menu" at Desire Riviera Maya Pearl, a clothing-optional, couples-only resort in Mexico, was being set up for us.
We crossed the threshold in anticipation, thinking we were ready for what was next. I must stress, emphatically, that we were not f*cking ready for what was next.
Let's rewind.
We arrived a few days earlier to Desire Riviera Maya Resort, the sister to the resort where we finished off our trip. Both are "adult" escapes for couples, where clothing is optional and where anything goes. We certainly learned what "anything goes" can mean. The resorts describe themselves as places full of freedom, oases of "beauty and eroticism" (wholeheartedly agree) where "fantasies become reality" (reality, indeed).
I found myself in a pool-size sex spa full of guests - all completely nude - sandwiched in between one of the most attractive women I'd ever seen in real life and her boyfriend.
When I first read about both resorts, my curiosity was understandably piqued. Clothing optional? Great, no more tan lines. Couples only? My boyfriend was very down. Sexy shows every night, great food, and sensual experiences geared toward turning up the heat in your relationship? Sign us up.
Desire Riviera Maya and Pearl are all about creating an environment of openness, where people can explore their sexual desires in a safe, accepting place among like-minded people. Couples (mostly, but not all) in their 30s to 60s are able to escape the limitations of everyday society and embrace the lifestyle they seek, all against the backdrop of the beautiful Yucatán coastline.
I consider myself to be very open-minded, sexually adventurous, totally fine with nudity (love it, actually), and fully supportive of pretty much anything going on between consenting adults. I'm a Love and Sex editor, for f*ck's sake. Even if it happens to be on public display, as is the case at the resorts, I'm down. It can even be a turn on for many people.
On day two, however, as I found myself in a pool-size sex spa full of guests - all completely nude - sandwiched in between one of the most attractive women I'd ever seen in real life (not complaining one bit here) and her down-for-pretty-much-anything boyfriend, it occurred to me that my significant other and I were in way, way over our heads. We rolled with it, to an extent. But it wasn't exactly the experience we expected. For the first time in my adult life, I felt incredibly naive and unprepared - and it was pretty hilarious. For the most part.
Most guests coming to resorts like these are generally knowledgeable about what occurs there. In fact, one of the questions we were most frequently asked in the five days we spent at both places was "are you two lifestylers?" This is the question couples often pose in order to get a feel for whether another couple is open to swinging. We were told that around 60 percent of the people who come to the resorts are swingers - people who swap partners and/or engage in group sex - but I'm convinced based on our personal experience that the number is just a bit higher.
The resorts are beautiful and all-inclusive (drinks, too!), with spacious suites, multiple pools and hot tubs, countless restaurants and bars open all hours of the day and night, and extra amenities like spas, salons, and stores filled with all of the sexy outfits and accessories you could ask for. Forgot your lube? No problem. Everything is where you need it, when you need it. The staff is extremely friendly, helpful, and completely nonjudgmental, and overall were a highlight of the trip for us.
But - and there is a but - first-timers should be aware of what they're diving into. The golden rule that all guests must agree to upon arrival is that "no means no" - which should give you an idea of what kind of things go down daily. This isn't a nudist resort where people mostly keep to themselves. This is a full-on sex resort, with public rooms decorated with round pink and black leather beds dedicated to group sex, massive hot tubs where couples and groups can go at it to their hearts' desires, and where (in my case) attempting to casually rock a bathing suit bottom made me stand out among the sea of bare butts. This is absolutely what many people are looking for in a getaway - and I'm so glad that there's places that exist where couples can really be themselves and where this is celebrated.
Fast-forward back to the night we returned from dinner thinking we were getting a casual private dance in our suite . . .
The first thing I saw was the sex swing that had been drilled into our ceiling while we were gone for barely an hour. Impressive. Our bathtub was filled with bubbles and roses, our bed completely covered with the petals as well. A bottle of Champagne chilled nearby. We suddenly started having second thoughts about inviting our new couple friends along for what we (stupidly, in hindsight) believed to be the kind of silly striptease you see at bachelor parties that last all of 10 minutes. It was not.
We thought we'd chat and laugh with the husband and wife we'd brought along with us while we watched a sexy performance, sip Champagne, and be dancing at the resort's (actually very fun) disco in no time. Nope. It was the erotic preamble to what would've been sex with my boyfriend - guided by a beautiful (and amazingly sweet) woman decked out in black lace and silk. But (due to my own obliviousness) it turned into the preamble for what was essentially a foursome - since I'd invited our newfound friends along for the (literal) ride. I guess the rose petals on the bed should have been my red flag?
Did we know what we were getting ourselves into? Absolutely not. Did we have exciting sex in places and ways we never have before? Yup.
Needless to say, we skipped the group sex (wasn't really our ideal scenario, but totally great for other couples interested in something like this!), dipped out, and headed to the disco where we made it just in time to see a badass dancer perform one of the coolest aerial shows I've ever seen. Our friends, who laughed good-naturedly and incredulously asked how we didn't know what the deal was all along, joined us on the dance floor. Crisis averted. Our ignorance about what an "erotic couples massage" really means is a whole other story . . .
Did the resorts play a part in helping my boyfriend and me spice up the romance after more than five years of dating? Absolutely. We got closer not only because of our admittedly awkward roller-coaster ride, but also because the resorts really do foster a sense of eroticism and sexual openness that was entirely contagious. Did we know what we were getting ourselves into? Absolutely not. Did we have exciting sex in places and ways we never have before? Yup.
Bottom line, going to an erotic couples resort got my partner and me out of our comfort zones, but more importantly, the resorts allow others who visit to truly be in their comfort zones, whatever those may be.
Travel and expenses for the author were provided by Desire Riviera Maya and Pearl for the purpose of writing this story.
The 11 Best Sex Toys Found on Amazon
You can find everything from household appliances and clothing to brownie mix and bicycles on Amazon. But did you know the online retailer also sells sex toys? That's right.
You don't have to pop into a sex shop to buy your pleasure products - you can just scoot over to your Amazon account, choose from a variety of adult toys, and easily add them to your cart.
Not sure what to buy? Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer enormity of shopping on Amazon? We did the heavy lifting for you. Here are some of the best, most reasonably priced and highly rated sex toys you can buy on Amazon. Get your batteries fired up, because it's go time.
'90s Songs to Bump 'n' Grind To
How do we love the '90s? Let us count the ways. It's a time that brought us Sex and the City, JTT, and along with them, sexy tunes that were off the racy charts. Below, we've rounded up 50 of the hottest, heaviest songs - and as it turns out, some are a lot dirtier than we remembered. Have a listen, and don't be surprised if you start blushing once you hit play.
- "I Wanna Sex You Up," Color Me Badd
- "Erotica," Madonna
- "Let's Talk About Sex," Salt-N-Pepa
- "Pony," Ginuwine
- "2 Become 1," Spice Girls
- "Me So Horny," 2 Live Crew
- "I'm Too Sexy," Right Said Fred
- "Knockin' da Boots," H-Town
- "Laid," James
- "Nobody," Keith Sweat ft. Athena Cage
- "Bump n' Grind," R. Kelly
- "Sex and Candy," Marcy Playground
- "Red Light Special," TLC
- "Babydoll," Mariah Carey
- "Car Song," Elastica
- "Smooth," Rob Thomas and Carlos Santana
- "Human Nature," Madonna
- "O.P.P.," Naughty by Nature
- "I Don't Know Why I Love You," The House of Love
- "Don't Let Go," En Vogue
- "Bittersweet," Big Head Todd and the Monsters
- "Creep," TLC
- "Freak Me," Silk
- "Stutter," Elastica
- "Any Time, Any Place," Janet Jackson
- "Your Body's Callin," R. Kelly
- "Criminal," Fiona Apple
- "Closer," Nine Inch Nails
- "No Diggity," Blackstreet
- "Nice & Slow," Usher
- "U Can't Touch This," MC Hammer
- "Freek'n You," Jodeci
- "Boombastic," Shaggy
- "Genie in a Bottle," Christina Aguilera
- "Too Close," Next
- "Rico Suave," Gerardo
- "Hanky Panky," Madonna
- "California Love," 2Pac
- "I Touch Myself," Divinyls
- "I Want You," Third Eye Blind
- "Uhh Ahh," Boyz II Men
- "Thong Song," Sisqo
- "Giddy Up," *NSYNC
- ". . . Baby One More Time," Britney Spears
- "Gett Off," Prince and The New Power Generation
- "Freak Like Me," Adina Howard
- "All The Places (I Will Kiss You)," Aaron Hall
- "I'll Make Love to You," Boyz II Men
- "Baby Got Back," Sir Mix-A-Lot
- "What's It Gonna Be?!," Busta Rhymes ft. Janet Jackson
To listen to the playlist below, download the free Spotify software or app:
Don't Be Fooled - Trump's Female SCOTUS Nominees Are Just Another Attempt to Gaslight Us
Last week, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his intent to retire. Kennedy's decision sent shock waves across the country, as the loss of his swing vote spells an uneasy future for a number of key human rights issues - including the right to a safe, legal abortion in the US. And in the days following Kennedy's announcement, all eyes have been on potential nominees to replace Kennedy; particularly, the prospective women.
"Women aren't shields to deflect justified accusations of sexism and, in this case, the endangerment and punishment of women everywhere."
President Trump is considering nominees from a short list of candidates approved by the Federalist Society, a conservative legal group that maintains litmus tests for abortion, among other key issues. Notably, six of the 25 names under consideration are women.
Trump's callousness about the outcome of a ruling that - make no mistake - would be life or death for some women, is unsurprising. Since 2016, prior to being elected, Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have repeatedly expressed their intent to nominate a justice opposed to Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that made abortion legal on the federal level. Just this weekend, the president said we "could very well" see abortion rights "end up with the states" - or, in other words, Roe v. Wade reversed.
And yet, a female Supreme Court justice will not magically change the impact of reversing Roe. Any appointed woman who would support a government's right to subject other women to oppressive restrictions and unsafe living conditions is using her power to drag women's rights backward.
One potential nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, has perhaps drawn more attention than any other candidate so far. Like any judicial nominee approved by the Federalist Society, Barrett has been clear about her opposition to abortion rights.
Recent reports have indicated a quiet push among conservatives to see Trump's nomination be a conservative woman, in what would undeniably be an effort to "soften" the possible loss of Roe v. Wade, cynically reframing it as somehow "woman approved" or not as impactful as it really would be.
EMILY's List president Stephanie Schriock offered a strong rebuke to that line of thinking this week on MSNBC when former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele referenced "playing the abortion card" in the SCOTUS nominee discussion. Schriock fired back on live TV and in a later tweet, saying, "I never want to hear someone call it the "abortion card" ever again. This isn't a game. This a real fear that women across the country share - and their lives could be at risk if Roe is overturned."
WATCH: Emily's List @Schriock1 takes issue with the term "abortion card" pic.twitter.com/phUPWGgT78
- Kasie DC (@KasieDC) July 2, 2018
In a July 2 appearance on The Daily podcast, Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who identifies as pro-choice and is expected to be a key swing vote in the process of confirming Trump's nominee, seemed to distance views on abortion from gender, and stressed how many women oppose abortion. This is a fair and accurate appraisal and the debate around whether "pro-life" ideology and feminism can coexist isn't a new one.
But with everything at stake in this political moment - including the living standards of generations of women to come - it seems worth clarifying that feminism and the condition of women has never been tied to the advancement of one individual woman or class of women. Women aren't shields to deflect from justified accusations of sexism and, in this case, the endangerment and punishment of women everywhere. Their actual words, stances, and actions matter, just as those of men do, and we can't allow gender to be a distraction in what promises to be a contentious, high-stakes battle for the rights and dignity of women and all marginalized people in this country.
And yet, this administration and its supporters have a long history of attempting to deflect from any and all accusations of sexism by pointing to Trump's female cabinet members. This cabinet is the least diverse in recent history, with fewer women than the Obama and Clinton administrations. And despite the White House's celebration of female cabinet members and, notably, the cabinet members' wives - who outnumbered them - on International Women's Day in March, women of this administration have been active players in attacking women's rights.
Ivanka Trump has long marketed herself as an advocate for women and families. But she's supported slashing an Obama-era policy to address the gender wage gap by demanding transparency from companies, allegedly attempted to bribe former Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards to reduce abortions offered by the organization, and has faced legal backlash for the treatment of women and children workers in factories that produce her clothing line. That's not feminism.
"Women who are complicit in advancing policies that put the lives of other women at risk and uphold this misogynist worldview deserve our criticism. Full stop."
Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders has used her podium to aggressively defend anti-women policies and rhetoric from the president. Last year, she suggested sexual assault cases should not be investigated or treated seriously unless the male perpetrator had confessed, when asked about the myriad allegations against President Trump. That's not feminism either.
Yet the Trump campaign is quick to claim that feminists who critique the actions - or inactions - of the Ivankas and Sarahs of the world are hypocrites, which they are not. The reality is that feminism must be intersectional. It is about the broader fight for what will benefit and empower women as a whole. This week, activists and journalists alike have shared objective research and reports about what this country would look like without Roe v. Wade. Think: a spike in already shockingly high maternal death rates and unsafe abortions, steep increases in costs to travel to a state where abortion is legal, and women and doctors in jail for seeking and administering health care, to name a few consequences.
Trump's anti-family-planning and anti-abortion stances expose the right's broader agenda of forcing women to give birth. It's an agenda that inherently reduces women to second-class citizens and says women's lives and bodily autonomy are collateral damage that can be sacrificed for the mere hypothetical life of a fetus. Women who are complicit in advancing policies that put the lives of other women at risk and uphold this misogynist worldview deserve our criticism. Full stop.
In recent years, we have seen the full protections of Roe v. Wade - the right to an abortion with undue burden, until fetal viability - gutted in many states. Almost 90 percent of counties across the country lack an abortion provider, and more than a quarter of the roughly 1,200 restrictions enacted since 1973 were passed just between 2011 and 2016. But that doesn't make this new threat to the Supreme Court any less dire or existential - and neither will a female justice.
EMILY's List has a litmus test, itself: that candidates must support abortion rights. The fight for women's representation requires an added dimension, in order for that representation to mean anything positive for women. And that's because the election or appointment of anyone who threatens women's fundamental human rights, no matter their gender, is a loss for women everywhere.
14 Things You Forget to Do Before Leaving For Vacation
You have a million things to do before you leave for a trip, so it's very easy to let some important to-dos slip through the cracks. Read through our list of things people often forget to do before bidding adieu to their homes to make sure you're ready for your next travel adventure!
Is CBD Oil Allowed on Planes? Here's What You Need to Know About Traveling With It
If you have anxiety and/or you're a nervous traveler, consider using CBD oil to help ease your symptoms. Described by one of our POPSUGAR fitness editors as "liquid Xanax from Mother Nature," CBD oil is derived from the nonpsychoactive component of cannabis. It won't get you high like THC will, but it will chill you out. But since it is still technically an active cannabinoid, can you legally travel with it? The answer is yes, but know how much and what you're carrying on.
CBD oil is natural and completely legal to purchase and consume (as long as it is specifically hemp-derived), meaning no card required. But to ensure passing security is a breeze, stay within TSA requirements (3.4 oz. or smaller) and read the labels before packing it. Most CBD oils are pretty straightforward because they should be only composed of CBD. Some edibles like gummies or chocolates, for example, might be CBD-dominant but contain enough THC to be flagged. Remember, THC classifies as an illegal compound under federal law regardless of whether you have a valid medical card or if it's legal in the state that you're traveling to. So be sure to check the CBD-to-THC ratios on the product label.
As long as you follow TSA's guidelines, you should be fine.
The Best Type of Weed to Smoke For Your Zodiac Sign
Cannabis-lovers know that smoking certain strains can enhance different sensations and highlight different qualities of the smoker - our zodiac traits are no different. Each zodiac sign has unique characteristics that make them special, as do the hundreds of different strains of marijuana. There is a weed strain that will complement your sign perfectly, enhancing your positive traits and minimizing your less favorable ones. Here are my picks for the perfect cannabis match for your sign, so you can get high in perfect harmony with the stars.
Aquarius
Aquarius is the most original and authentic of all the signs - you're the humanitarian and social reformer of the zodiac. You care deeply about people and their rights. Smoke a strain that enhances your creativity, like Blue Dream, to brainstorm and develop your next world-changing idea. This sativa-heavy hybrid helps you focus; you can sort your thoughts and put your energy into what really matters to you. Another benefit that's great for this air sign? The heavy-body high. You'll be relaxed and present, not lost in another dimension, like Aquarians tend to be. Blue Dream is the perfect match for this progressive, idealistic sign.
Pisces
Pisces are ultrasensitive beings and can easily get lost in the depths of their emotions. A blissful sativa hybrid like Sour Dream is the perfect strain to uplift your mood, clear your mind, and spark your imagination. The euphoric effects will bring you back to earth - a common challenge for this dreamy, fluid water sign. Sour Dream is a cross between Blue Dream and Sour Diesel: it mixes the body relaxation from the former with the dreamy and imaginative cerebral effects from the latter. It'll keep you grounded while inspiring you to get creative and tap into your more passionate, spiritual side.
Aries
Aries are the thrill seekers of the zodiac, full of energy, confidence, and courage. Adventure is great, but you can also be impulsive and impatient at times - you should smoke an indica that will chill you out, like Granddaddy Purple. This strain is a cult favorite for a reason: it'll bring you down to earth and make you feel more levelheaded. Your friends will thank you for your mellower, less intense energy, even if it's just momentarily.
Taurus
The symbol for Taurus is a bull for good reason: you can't tell a Taurus anything. Anyone with this stubborn sign would benefit from smoking something that's leveling, opening up their mind to other people's opinions. Cherry Lime is a balancing blend: it'll enhance your warmhearted and loving attributes and keep you uplifted and engaged for a spirited debate. You'll still be ready to go toe to toe, but you'll be in a much chiller mindset and won't piss off your opponents as easily.
Cancer
Cancers are one of the most sentimental, intuitive, and sympathetic signs of the zodiac. You have a tendency to be overly emotional, though, and have a hard time letting sh*t go - you'd rather retreat back into your shell than address things head on. Purple Haze is your perfect cannabis match. This sativa-heavy strain provides a euphoric feeling, encouraging you to socialize and come out of your shell. Its calming effects encourage you to let go of your defensive tendencies and let your loving nature shine through.
Gemini
Gemini are incredibly social beings - you're best known for being witty, intellectual, and lively. You'd do best smoking a strain that spotlights your outgoing personality while minimizing your more tense, anxious attributes. Silver Haze is a sativa-heavy strain that will give you a smooth-head high, keeping you engaged in your social circles and clearheaded enough to pop off your clever one-liners. It's a strain that's famous for its antianxiety effects, which is perfect for when you're feeling nervous or unfocused.
Leo
A Leo's perfect cannabis match is a strain that makes you feel like your most sexy and confident self - not that you need any help with that. Cali Queen is a sativa-dominant hybrid of Blue Dream and King Louis that will have you smoking like the queen (or king) you are. You're the boldest, most luxurious sign of the zodiac, so you can handle (and might even love) the potency of this hybrid - it is very potent, FYI. Since Leos are known for being the life of the party, your friends won't be too surprised.
Virgo
Virgo is the sign of perfection: you analyze (or overanalyze) everyone and everything around you. An indica blend, like Girl Scout Cookies, is the perfect strain to chill you out and help you let go of your incessant need for perfection. It'll help keep you grounded, which is the ideal mindset for Earth signs. A Girl Scout Cookie high is peaceful and calm, a perfect balance for your more neurotic side.
Libra
Libras are known for their fun-loving and social nature; you love to surround yourself with glamorous things. Cherry Pie is your ideal strain, as it's known for its beautiful flowers and an addictive aroma. Libra is a charismatic and spontaneous sign, so you should smoke a strain that helps keep you balanced - your symbol is a scale, after all! Cherry Pie allows your mind to stay engaged and productive for socializing, but it will have your body feeling extra relaxed. This is the perfect strain to satisfy your self-indulgent side.
Scorpio
Scorpios are often a mystery to the people they meet. You're intense, intellectual, seductive, and often misunderstood. Your sign rules the sexual organs of the body, so your sensuality and allure are truly unmatched. You should smoke a strain that complements your deep, overwhelming nature. Sour Diesel is such a versatile strain - it's the perfect match for such a mysterious sign. It's great for anxiety, so it'll help curb your edgy, often jealous side and help lift your mood. This is an amazing strain to have sex on, another reason it's the perfect match for the hypersexual Scorpio.
Sagittarius
You're the explorer of the zodiac, always down for adventure and always craving expansion. Your optimistic outlook helps you to inspire others to dream bigger, but you can sometimes be a little too intense for those who don't also see the world as their playground. Black Jack is the perfect weed match for a Sagittarius. It's a sativa that'll give you a euphoric vibe, which will enhance your positive and encouraging attributes but won't hype you up enough to bring out your preachy side. Your less ambitious friends will thank you.
Capricorn
Capricorns are the most disciplined, ambitious, and composed of all the signs. You're practical and grounded, but you can be so uptight sometimes! Smoke a fun strain that will help you forget about your responsibilities for a minute and let loose. Jack Herer is an energizing, sativa-dominant strain that helps relieve stress and uplifts moods. Capricorns could use a break from all of the pressure they put on themselves. Smoking this strain will have your stress melting away so you can just chill - something that can be foreign to this extraresponsible sign.
Let This Margarita-Drinking, Jacuzzi-Chilling Bear Inspire You to Live Your Best Summer Life
World, prepare to meet my personal hero: a Southern California bear who was caught wandering into a suburban backyard to relax in the hot tub, drink a margarita, and take a post-cocktail nap. Caught in the act of reaching peak chill by homeowner Mark Hough on a hot Friday afternoon, the bear can be seen in the video above floating around in an unheated jacuzzi and, quite frankly, living his best life.
"He was playing having a grand old time," Hough, an Altadena, CA resident, told The Associated Press of the bear's relaxing day at the backyard spa. After taking a dip in the jacuzzi, the bear beelined over to an abandoned margarita that Hough had left behind in his yard, knocked it over, then leisurely lapped up the cocktail before wandering away to take a nap in a shady tree nearby. Talk about a summertime inspiration!
Now, you might be thinking, "Hey! Sure, it's relatable, but that's still breaking and entering!" Well, don't worry: according to AP, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. failed to find the bear after it woke up from its nap, so we can presume that it wandered back into the wilderness with no harm done. Plus, Hough made up for the stolen margarita by mixing two more for himself! I call that a win-win scenario.
Unsurprisingly, the internet has dubbed the margarita-sipping, jacuzzi-chilling bear an icon - and the reactions to the video are downright hilarious. Ahead, see what people have to say about their newly discovered hero, then channel the bear by trying a new margarita recipe for yourself.
Which Tattoo Should You Get Based on Your Zodiac Sign?
Thinking about getting inked? Look to the stars! Your sign says something about your personality, so depending on whether you're a Pisces, Sagittarius, or Virgo, there's an ideal tattoo for you. Here are some ideas to get you started.
This Wedding Proves You Can Go Festive Without Making It All About the Fourth of July
When the bride's a wedding planner, you know she won't skimp out on any of the details. Cassandra and Ryan celebrated their big day on the Fourth of July at the Large Theatre in Ohio's historic Columbus Athenaueum. Even though the two tied the knot on Independence Day, the holiday theme didn't overwhelm their wedding. Aside from American flag socks for the groomsmen and a giant flag photo backdrop, the reception featured pink flamingos and other colorful elements. The bride and groom even got their own wedding cakes to reflect their styles.
Check out their photos ahead!
Paola Ramos's New Vice Series Asks: What Does It Mean to Be Latinx?
In the first episode of her new Vice series Latin-X, Paola Ramos heads to Brownsville, Texas, a town where 90 percent of the population is Latino, and where a serious HIV epidemic has taken hold. It's a testament to the activist and former Hillary Clinton campaign staffer's empathy that she elicits so much openness when it comes to talking about a crisis that is both deeply personal and widely felt in the community - and that's true whether she's speaking to a grandmother at home in her kitchen or a drag queen who's about to put on a show dedicated to sex education.
"These are people that are out there, and they're brave, and are putting their face on these issues," Ramos tells POPSUGAR. "And even now, with everything that's happening with family separation, they're also the ones that are helping these families. They work for other groups. So it's not only the HIV crisis - obviously, that's the story - but it's people who are literally stepping up for their communities in many different ways."
Ramos, the daughter of famed journalist Jorge Ramos, says upcoming episodes of her series will likely focus on immigration, from the mistreatment of transgender detainees under ICE to the aforementioned family separation crisis. But the questions these episodes seek to answer go beyond of-the-moment realities. "Right now, we're just really focused on not only what's happening at the border, but how does one rebuild their life beyond the border, or beyond these detention centers, and make it in the country?"
Read on for our conversation with Ramos on how she stays hopeful in trying times, why the breadth of the Latinx identity is also part of its power, and the role of protest in this political moment.
These Photos From the Loveland Theme Park in South Korea Will Make You Blush
Jeju Loveland: A place in Korea where sex-themed art and eroticism meet. The Loveland Theme Park opened up in 2004 and boasts 140 works of art that may make you blush - but are undeniably interesting to look at. The park also runs sex-education films and has some interactive pieces as well. And of course, there are ample photo opportunities featuring various phallic sculptures and depictions of people in moments of extreme pleasure.
All penis jokes aside, Loveland is pretty remarkable in that, being the only sex-themed park in Korea, it aims to break down traditional taboos about sex. While sometimes graphic, the overall experience is one of a kind. Visitors must be 18 to enter, and admission is just a little under $10 USD. Take a look at the kinky photos of the park ahead.
This Illegal Hike in Hawaii Is Nicknamed the "Stairway to Heaven" For Good Reason
One of Hawaii's most epic hikes, known as the Haiku Stairs, is famous for its stunning views and illegal climb. Despite being a steep 3,922-step hike - and not to mention dangerous since becoming damaged by a storm in 2015 - the ladder remains a popular destination among hikers and visitors.
The "Stairway to Heaven" is an appropriate nickname as some of the peaks even tower above the clouds and offer incredible sights of the island of Oahu below. The almost-vertical ladder, which reaches the top of Pu'u Keahi a Kahoe, has a height of over 2,500 feet. Although it was built in 1943 during World War II, it wasn't until 1987 when the Haiku Stairs was deemed off limits to the public. But according to Instagram photos, it still looks like people trespass every day to experience the notorious hike for themselves.
Though we don't encourage anybody to endanger their lives or even risk receiving a fine, we do have to admit that the Stairway to Heaven looks pretty damn cool.
Check out the photos ahead!
13 Hot Guys Who've Completely Longbottomed Over the Years
We've had the pleasure of witnessing Harry Potter's Neville Longbottom transform into the sexiest wizard (no Polyjuice Potion required), so it was only right that we found others who've Longbottomed over the years like Matthew Lewis. Turns out, many of our favorite male stars started from the (Long)bottom before becoming Hollywood eye candy. Some changed so drastically that you'll hardly even recognize them in their younger years. See 13 guys who went from duds to studs ahead!
I Was in an Emotionally Abusive Relationship, and I Didn't Even Realize It
At 23 years old, I fell fast and hard for an outgoing, charismatic man. When we began dating, he made me feel special, beautiful, and loved. I decided that any negative aspect of our relationship didn't matter because he loved me so much - there was a reasonable explanation for all of it. So when he proposed to me after almost a year of dating, I was overjoyed. I found a guy who wanted to commit his life to me. We were going to build a future together.
Six months into our engagement, that image of our life crumbled to pieces. My fiancé decided that he didn't want to marry me anymore, and it felt like a tragedy. I dreaded telling my friends and family; I was devastated. But their reactions to my news were not what I expected at all. One friend broke into tears. Another told me she was proud of me. My family felt guilty that they had let the relationship progress as much as it did.
They were relieved that my engagement to this man was over. Everyone had been scared for me, and I didn't get why. I was confused.
Everyone had been scared for me, and I didn't get why. I was confused.
This was the worst thing that had ever happened to me, wasn't it? But then, loved ones started telling me of times when they wish they had said something to me. Times when my fiancé would put me down or yell at me in public. And as more people stepped forward and told me that ending this relationship was a good thing (including this guy's own close friends), I came to a horrifying realization.
I was emotionally abused, and I could not admit to myself that it was happening at the time.
There were glimmers of problems from the beginning of our relationship, but I made the choice to ignore them. He would say little things to me or shout for a moment, but I brushed it off. It didn't become bad until we moved in together a month after our engagement.
My friends only saw what was happening in front of them, but behind closed doors it was even worse.
The first memory I have of definitive emotional abuse was an evening just a week or two after we moved into our apartment. We were sitting at the bar below our place having a drink when I noticed that he was getting Snapchats from a girl he nicknamed Kate Upton in his phone. I had mentioned to him once before that this made me uncomfortable, so when I saw that she had popped up once again, I questioned him about it. And he became furious with me.
He immediately stomped up the stairs to our apartment, and I quickly followed behind. He was livid. He told me I was ridiculous and jealous for questioning if he would be inappropriately interacting with another girl. And I felt terrible that I would ever question him - we were getting married, after all.
But the more I cried and apologized, the more he screamed at me.
But the more I cried and apologized, the more he screamed at me. I began to have a panic attack and I melted down to the ground, curled up in a ball in the hallway. But instead of stopping the yelling, he stood over me and continued to scream. I started hyperventilating. He told me I was faking it and I was pathetic. After he finished the shouting, he walked away from me. We were silent for about 20 minutes, then we got into bed and went to sleep. The next morning, he said he was sorry, but I needed to calm down with my emotions. So in the end, I was the one apologizing for what transpired the night before.
This was not a one-time thing. There were many more fights like this. And in the end I was always the one made to feel guilty. How dare I ever question him - he proposed to me. How could I do that to him? I was disgusted with myself for doubting him on a regular basis. I told myself that it was my anxiety making me paranoid.
But the screaming wasn't the only problem. This man would criticize me, put me down, and make me feel small constantly. If he didn't like something I was wearing, he would make sure I knew it. He told me I wasn't very funny and he didn't get why my friends laughed at me. He would constantly belittle me for being clumsy. I was afraid to spill something in front of him.
Another problem entirely was his lack of respect for people close to him. I watched him yell at his family on a regular basis over the tiniest things. He started off being incredibly close with my parents (they even helped him pick out my engagement ring), but as soon as we started planning the wedding, everything changed.
I started gaining weight. I became very quiet at work. I saw less of my friends. I felt bad about myself, but I didn't understand why. Wedding planning was not fun; I found it stressful. Like always, I told myself it was all in my head.
He had a lot of opinions about how he envisioned our wedding should be, and if my parents or I had a differing opinion, he was angry about it. We weren't putting a dime of our own money into the big day, so I felt weird about his resentment toward any ideas other than his own. When I tried to tell him that, he would tell me I was wrong. "Don't you love me because I have a lot of opinions?" he would say.
He stopped visiting my family with me. When I mentioned my parents, he would make snide remarks about them. I stopped talking about them altogether because it made me uncomfortable. My family loved me, and all they were trying to do was give us a dream wedding.
I loved this guy so much that I didn't care how I was feeling on the inside.
I loved this guy so much that I didn't care how I was feeling on the inside. I would do anything for him, and he knew that. So when he told me he was unhappy in our relationship, I asked him what I could do to fix that. All he could say was that he didn't know.
Eventually he told me that proposing to me was a mistake, but he wanted me to stay with him to see if we could work things out. More specifically, if I could fix all the things that were "wrong with me." And I did stay for a while. I so desperately wanted him to wake up and realize that no woman would love him the way I did. But he went about every day like things were normal, and I woke up every morning filled with dread, unsure of my future.
I asked him what was going on with our relationship a couple times, and each time it would result in an intense fight where we would part ways and stay with our families for a night or two. He told me I was impossible to talk to because I was too emotional.
After a weekend without hearing from him, I texted him asking if we could meet at the apartment and talk. His response - "Why?" I told him we needed to figure out what was going on, and he told me it wasn't a good thing for him personally to talk to me. We ended things.
I said I was moving out, so he went through everything I owned and put it in the middle of the family room. "I hope I made it a little easier for you," he said. While I sat at my parents' house (my new temporary home) and cried for a week straight, I received texts and calls from all over town - people told me he was out drinking most nights with his friends. They were confused by his actions. It hurt.
He blocked me and my friends from every social media platform. But that didn't stop the awful screenshots of his tweets bragging about going out and joking about needing a wingman. Even his friends were not loyal to him because they knew he turned me into a shell of the person I used to be.
A week later, on top of everything I had just gone through, I learned that he was not faithful to me. He was sending all sorts of photos of his penis to another girl before we were even engaged. Several people who knew about the exchanges informed me, even providing physical proof that the "other girl" admitted to all of it.
When I confronted him and his parents about his infidelity (bravest thing I've ever done, by the way), he pulled me to the side and asked me why I was trying to ruin his life. "We're done, Macy," he shouted at me. "You're trying to cause drama."
But I wasn't trying to cause drama. For the first time in my life, I was standing up to him. He had made me feel so guilty for questioning him all this time. And that feeling in the pit of my stomach was right all along. After trying to protect him and our relationship for a year and a half of my life, I was done. I missed who I used to be. I missed being happy. I realized that I had dedicated a huge period of my life trying to make sure I didn't make someone mad, and I was exhausted.
Why am I telling you this story? Because I know there are other people out there like me. People who lose themselves in the name of love, even if that love isn't healthy. Nobody deserves to be screamed at. Nobody deserves to be berated. I didn't understand that before, but I certainly know it now.
I was so scared to write about my experience, but now I feel empowered by it.
I was so scared to write about my experience, but now I feel empowered by it. I wanted to protect my former fiancé because a part of me still loves him, but I'm finished doing that now. I am trying to remind myself that yes, I am smart, funny, and strong. I didn't feel like I was any of those things for a long time. I'm having a hard time telling myself that now, but I will believe it again soon.
If you feel like you're being emotionally abused, trust your gut. Don't make excuses for it like I did. Learn from me. Talk to someone you trust. You may feel like you can't live without your partner, but you can. It will hurt. I'm still hurting every single day. But little by little, you will find yourself again. You won't believe you lived the way you did because of how happy you are now. And you will be stronger for it.
If you or a loved one are in need of any help, the Office on Women's Health has several resources here, including links to national hotlines.
5 Reasons The Parent Trap Is Disney's Most Twisted Film
As a Hollywood powerhouse, Disney is very good at heralding its successes and hiding its oddities. Sure, we've all seen Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. But tucked deep inside the Disney Vault are more obscure titles, like The Black Cauldron, In Search of the Castaways, and The Three Lives of Thomasina. Some are merely bad. Others are weird. In some cases, like the gloriously campy The Watcher in the Woods, it's both.
Yet Disney's strangest movie was also one of its biggest hits. I'm talking about The Parent Trap, the 1961 comedy starring Hayley Mills. During its initial theatrical run, the film earned $25 million, which amounts to roughly $200 million today. That's a lot of money for a movie that, while on its surface is a fun family romp, is actually bonkers.
It's so bonkers that when it came time to write The Last Time I Lied, the follow-up to my bestselling thriller, Final Girls, I chose to set it at an all-girls Summer camp not unlike the one in The Parent Trap. It seemed fitting for a book about secrets and lies, considering how the movie is the most twisted thing Disney's ever made.
Just how twisted is it? Let me count the ways.
(Author's note: In all cases, I'm referring solely to the 1961 film and not the 1998 version starring Lindsay Lohan.)
- Based on a 1949 German novel, Das Doppelte Lottchen, The Parent Trap is about two girls named Susan and Sharon who meet for the first time at Summer camp. They look exactly alike. They sound exactly the same. Yet no one in camp seems to find this strange, least of all the girls themselves. Rather than just approach each other and say, "Hey, we look like twins - what's up with that?" the girls embark on a series of escalating pranks that lead to chaos during a fancy formal dance with a nearby boys' camp. As punishment, Sharon and Susan are forced to bunk together in an isolated cabin. It's only then, during a rare moment of bonding, that they realize, "Hey, we look like twins because we are!"
- It turns out that Susan and Sharon's parents divorced when they were infants. Because the divorce was so acrimonious, those same parents decided that rather than share custody, it was best to split the twins up and never tell them that they have a sister. I can't stress how mind-bogglingly messed-up that is. We're talking Lois Duncan levels of twistedness. In fact, it's just one incestuous brother away from entering V.C. Andrews territory.
- Instead of confronting their parents about lying to them all their lives, Susan and Sharon decide the best course of action is to impersonate each other at Summer's end. So posh bookworm Sharon pretends to be Susan and goes to live with hunky dad Brian Keith in California. Cool kid Susan, meanwhile, is whisked to Boston to live in haughty splendor with elegant mom Maureen O'Hara. And while that scenario has all the trappings of a wonderfully juicy YA thriller, the movie goes a different route. Hijinks ensue, suspicions are raised, and all parties involved reunite.
- Again, rather than confront their parents, Sharon and Susan hatch a new plan: to get the family back together by ending their father's engagement to a younger woman. At no point do the girls stop and say, "Hey, seeing how they hated each other so much that they decided to separate us at birth, maybe getting our parents back together isn't a good idea." Nor do they stop to consider that, seeing how she's the only adult in their lives who hasn't lied to them, maybe the fiancée isn't so bad after all. Instead, they drive her away with the same pranks they used at camp.
- Both parents, meanwhile, display an odd lack of remorse for, you now, spinning a lifelong web of lies. You'd think one of them might feel guilty about agreeing to never see one of their daughters again. But other than a few throwaway lines, it's never addressed in depth. What the whole family needs is decades of therapy. What the movie gives them is a catchy duet between Hayley Mills and Hayley Mills and another camping trip before coming in for a hasty, happy ending. If you want realism, this isn't the place to find it.
Bonus Cultural Oddity
"Let's Get Together," the song Sharon and Susan sing for their parents, truly is a winner. Radio listeners at the time agreed, turning it into a Top 10 hit for Hayley Mills in the Fall of 1961.
Bonus Conspiracy Theory
No one - and I mean no one - notices that even though Susan and Sharon grew up in California and Boston, respectively, both speak with a British accent. The movie fails to bring it up as well, leading me to think Sharon and Susan's parents split them up and never told them about each other because THEY AREN'T THEIR REAL PARENTS.
Think about it. There's zero reason not to tell Sharon and Susan that they have a twin sister unless there's more to cover up. Perhaps the girls were abducted at birth, probably from a London hospital, and smuggled overseas. Back in the US, their kidnappers decided the best chance of not getting caught was to split up the twins and live on opposite coasts. Their only mistake was accidentally sending them to the same Summer camp at the exact same time.
I, for one, love this theory. It yanks the movie from the realm of family-friendly fun into the YA thriller genre where it rightfully belongs, making it not just twisted but truly devious.
Riley Sager is the author of the international bestseller Final Girls. His latest novel, The Last Time I Lied, is out July 3.
101 Ideas For a Summer Camp Wedding
Right now the kids are romping in the great outdoors to get some fresh air (and possibly a crush) at Summer camp. Who doesn't have fond memories of the warm days and nights spent among pine trees, at the mess hall, and around the campfire? Campgrounds harken to a simpler time, making us sentimental in the process, so it's no wonder that they've become a big trend for weddings.
If you're planning an outdoor wedding, then having it at a campground or a Summer camp - like this California big day or this Moonrise Kingdom-themed wedding (officiated by a camp scout!) - could be an affordable and fun option. The natural setting, be it redwood trees or a glistening lake, requires little more than some handpicked wildflowers to make it wedding-ready. But really, the sky's the limit. So check out these rustic camp ideas for your big day and don't forget your canoe and binoculars!
mardi 3 juillet 2018
16 Ways to Make Your Backyard a Magical Place For Your Kids This Summer
Creating lasting memories with your kids doesn't necessarily have to involve a weeks-long, extravagant trip of a lifetime. In fact, if you have any kind of outdoor space, you're already one step closer to creating a special place for your kids to enjoy. By adding small touches to your backyard, or completely transforming it into a magical oasis, you can really encourage your kids to make the most of their active imaginations. Whether their interests lay in the solitary, like reading, or in hanging out with friends, these magical backyard ideas are perfect for kids of all ages.
9 Sleepover Games You Mastered Back in the Day That You Can Teach Your Own Kids
Sleepovers are a quintessential part of being a kid. Even though you're under the watchful eye of the hosting parent or parents, the chance to bond with friends, stay up past your bedtime, and play silly games feels like the best night of freedom. If you have fond memories of your own slumber parties as a kid, we're wiling to bet you try to bend over backwards to make them magical for your own little ones. Since wrangling half a dozen children and keeping them entertained is no small feat, be prepared with all the games you played and loved when you were a child. These nine nostalgic sleepover activities will keep them happy and you reliving your past.
The 30 Best US Cities to Visit With Kids in Tow
Traveling with children is, well, different than traveling without them, but that doesn't mean it's worse! While family travel presents plenty of challenges, it also presents lots of fun opportunities for discovery for kids and parents alike. If you have the travel bug and want to take your kids along for the journey, there are so many great options besides Disney World (though Disney World is pretty great, to be honest). These 30 US cities offer plenty of options for families with kids, from sprawling parks to children's museums to free outdoor concert venues. So, what are you waiting for? Hit the road!
Swimsuits and Accessories With SPF - So Your Kids Never Go Out in the Sun Unprotected
When shopping for new swimsuits for your little ones, there's more to think about than just an adorable print - swimsuits now come with added UPF protection! If you're new to the world of UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) ratings, here's what you need to know. Think about it the way you would for your skin; it's essentially an SPF rating for clothing. The ratings range from 15 all the way up to 50+, and they indicate how effective the clothing will be toward protecting against harmful UVA and UVB rays. Even with applying sunscreen on your child, skin can still end up getting exposed, so a swimsuit or rash guard with UPF can keep a lot from passing through the fabric. Here are our top picks for the season - all from Amazon.
How a Stranger Helped a 12-Year-Old With Lawn-Mowing Business Who Had the Cops Called on Him
After hiring 12-year-old Reginald "Reggie" Fields - who runs "Mr. Reggie's Lawn Service - to mow her lawn on June 23, Lucille Holt-Colden praised the boy and his entrepreneurial spirit in a video to Facebook captioned, "When you see some young people at the store with their equipment and you tell them to follow you home." The woman's voice can be heard in the video as she compliments Reggie and his siblings and cousins, and tells her followers to "support our babies" doing big things like Reggie. Minutes later though, Lucille's attitude and tone changed as she shared a second video captioned, "This is RIDICULOUS!!!" - her neighbors called the police to say that Reggie had cut a bit of their grass.
After reading about the episode in Maple Heights, OH, Shawn Revay's husband Joe, who owns his own landscaping business, reached out to Reggie's mother.
"A little boy on the news in Maple Heights was mowing lawns and had the police called on him for 'mowing a piece of the neighbor's lawn' . . . We were so pissed. Here's a 12-year-old trying to make some money and keep busy, so my husband decided to step in. You don't discourage kids or anyone doing the right thing!! Especially in today's world," Shawn wrote in a post to Facebook alongside a photo of Joe, Reggie, and his brother.
"He then went and bought him a blower and surprised him with it while Reggie and his crew were out at a job," Shawn told POPSUGAR. "He was very excited. It touched me so deep. I love my husband and think he is one in a million. We always try to pay it forward and spread love."
Shawn said that seeing her husband get so upset over Reggie's story, and his subsequent actions, "touched her so deep," especially because Joe, who is a stepdad to Shawn's 16-year-old twins, is about to become a father to a little boy. "It just validated even more that he is going to be such a wonderful father!"
Although Reggie's story started out rocky, for us, Joe's actions restored our faith in humanity and assured us that there are good people out there who want to inspire this generation's kids.
Attention, Disney Moms! You Need These 30+ Disney Swimsuits and Beach Accessories For Your Kids
You don't have to save all the Disney magic for your visit to the parks - though, providing you're a savvy Mouseketeer, there's nothing better than a day at Disney World. Instead, take your love for Mickey on every vacation - and especially those to warm destinations ± by stocking up on Disney-themed swimsuits, flip flops, goggles, and more, all designed to make your kids the most Disney-fied ones at the beach, pool, or splash pad. From one-pieces featuring a smiling Minnie to swimming trunks with Stormtroopers, these items are sure to make your kids happy on your next swim-centered outing. While we love a Disney tee or accessory, the following 33 swim-friendly items might be the cutest category of Disney swag yet. Totally beach-ing!
29 Things Parents Are Shopping on Amazon For Back-to-School - Starting at Just $3
Whether you'll be sending your pre-teen or curious toddler back to school this Fall, you can get a bulk of the shopping done online. In fact, staple items you know your young student will need can all be bought on Amazon. Not only can you get things delivered within two days if you have Prime, but by shopping it all online, you can avoid the ostensible in-store hassles entirely (good luck finding parking at your neighborhood office supply store come September!).
From bento boxes to backpacks, we found 29 back-to-school items that will help you get ahead of the game.
3-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Was Flower Girl at Bone Marrow Donor's Wedding - Be Still, Our Hearts
When 25-year-old Hayden Hatfield Ryals first walked by the Be the Match booth on her way to class at Auburn University in 2015, she immediately felt the need to sign up as a bone marrow donor. Little did she know the selfless gesture would actually be the one thing that saved Skye Savren-McCormick, a 1-year-old with a rare form of childhood leukemia, from dying nearly a year later. Flash forward to 2018, and Hayden extended a sweet offer to Skye, who's now 3 years old, by asking her to be the flower girl in her wedding.
Hayden told POPSUGAR that she was set on having Skye be the flower girl, and officially invited her and her family this past March despite never having met her before.
"I sent Skye a birthday gift and included our wedding invitation because I wanted them to know they were THAT special to me and at least have one. I wanted them to know I always think of them," she said. "I had written in the birthday card that I thought it would be amazing if they could not only come but also have Skye as our flower girl."
"I cannot describe the emotions that flooded my mind when I got to hug her and her family in person."
Although Hayden was well-aware that getting Skye's family to make the trip down to Alabama from California was easier said than done, she was determined to give it a shot.
"I knew that was a far-fetched idea, but I wanted them to know how honored I would be and that they're that special to my heart because I've felt a special connection with her since the transplant date," she said. "They told me they would be honored, but they weren't sure if Skye would be able to travel due to her immune system but that they were not saying 'no' and would let me know."
Fortunately, once April rolled around, Skye was no longer on oxygen, and that meant one thing: the Savren-McCormick clan could watch Hayden say "I do" on June 9.
"I met Skye and her family face-to-face Friday night before rehearsal," explained Hayden. "I cannot describe the emotions that flooded my mind when I got to hug her and her family in person. I had a rehearsal outfit as a gift for her, and watching her pull the tissue paper out of the bag and helping her open it made me melt. Skye's mom, Talia, asked her who I was and she said 'Hay Hay' - I could've cried an ocean of tears hearing those words in her sweet voice."
Scroll through to see the tender moments from Hayden's big day and try to keep the tears from rolling down your cheeks.
The Reason Why 1 Mom Breastfeeds Her 7-Year-Old Son Will Make Critics Swallow Their Words
Lisa Bridger, a single mom of five from Australia, knows just how beneficial breastfeeding can be. Coupled with her job at Occupy Breastfeeding, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping mothers "take back" the concept of feeding their children, it's no surprise Lisa is a big proponent of extended breastfeeding. And while Lisa has been nursing on-and-off for decades - her oldest daughter is 22 years old - Lisa admits that she's been breastfeeding her 7-year-old-son Chase, who has autism, longer than usual.
She told POPSUGAR that she often tandem feeds Chase alongside his 4-year-old brother for several reasons, including the fact it helps soothe him when it seems like absolutely nothing else will.
"It helps him reconnect after a meltdown; he won't take medication," she said. "My milk contains melatonin, which helps him get to sleep."
Related: Photographer Snaps Stunning Photos of 2 Moms Tandem Breastfeeding Their Triplets and Toddler
Is There a "Best" Time of Year to Travel With Kids? The Answer Will Make You Say, "Ugh, Figures"
It doesn't matter if you're traveling by train, plane, or automobile, vacations with children are anything but cheap. Going in the off seasons may save money, but it also has its downsides. Besides the problem of removing children from school, weather might be less than ideal and some activities geared toward children may be closed. Finding the "best" time to travel with children is more complicated than just nailing down a time of year.
After a long school year, Summer break is clearly the most desirable time to travel. But while it may be the best for scheduling, it's not necessarily the best time for your pocketbook. During the middle of Summer, some hotels and flights can be more than double their standard fare.
If summertime travels are your real goal, the closest you can get to the end and beginning of school (early June and late August) may be the best. At this time, hotels haven't reached their peak pricing and the weather is most likely going to be tolerable. While this may mean having to pack your suitcase the same day you're also unloading their backpacks, it could save you a ton of money.
Outside of the Summer months, the cheapest times to travel are January and February. Many kids have a break around Christmas, so it may line up that the time just after New Year's is the best time to fly. Yet that doesn't give families a lot of time, and thanks to a little thing called "snow," it limits where people want to travel.
At the end of the day, traveling with kids is going to require some flexibility. Finding long weekends in the off months can help save money but might have other complications. Picking the best time to travel for your family requires a balance of schedules, locations, cost, and weather. Of course, watching their faces explode with joy at seeing the beach for the first time or their favorite Disney characters makes it all worth it.
A Town in Italy Switched to "Silent" Fireworks to Calm Anxious Pets - and We Want In
I used to love fireworks. I loved the high-pitched whirring as a hint of something was catapulted into the night sky, then a crackle and a pop before a kaleidoscope of booming colors exploded in the air high above me.
Then, I got a dog.
Every Fourth of July, and every night of the week leading up to it, we go through the torture of watching our pup have a persistent panic attack.
Listen, I still love fireworks. But my anxious fur baby doesn't. Whenever she detects them (which is often well before I hear them), she starts shaking so much that she looks blurry. She'll run to her nearest hiding place - behind a toilet in the bathroom or under my bed. That is, after she's peed herself in fear. I've tried anxiety-reducing weighted vests and "Thunder Shirts" on her tiny 14-pound frame, but she won't stop vibrating, panting, and twitching until hours after the last firecracker has been launched.
And so now, every Fourth of July, and essentially every night of the week leading up to the firework-ridden holiday, we go through the torture of watching our pup have a persistent panic attack. I know we aren't alone - the explosions caused by fireworks have been reported as giving pets heart problems, nausea, tremors, and light-headedness, nevermind undue "acoustic stress."
This year, my vet recommended some all-natural mood-calming chewable doggie sedatives that I'm going to try, but I have a feeling that nothing short of puppy Prozac (which I'm strongly considering at this point) is going to help.
Turns out, there is one other option: I could move my family to the Italian town of Collecchio, where the local government enforces a law requiring all citizens to use "silent" fireworks out of respect for animals, both domestic pets and wildlife (did you know chickens produce fewer eggs after a firework display?).
These silent fireworks aren't even new - the town of Collecchio has used ones produced by a company called Setti Fireworks for years, but the technology has been in existence for at least three decades. Many mainstream firework shows even employ some quiet ones to offer additional visual effects alongside the loud banging explosions.
OK, I'm not actually going to relocate to Italy, but animal owners, wouldn't it be amazing if this trend caught on? I know that the likelihood of my local firework display switching to silent mode this year (or next) is as unlikely as those chewable doggie sedatives working, but if you've got an anxious pet - or, say, an infant with a 6 p.m. bedtime or a toddler with audio-visual sensitivities ± it's important for you to know that a solution to the triggering effect of fireworks does exist.
And if you want it for your beloved baby, fur or otherwise, that's something you shouldn't be silent about.
26 Rainbow Swimsuits For Kids That Might Just Turn Them Into Real-Life Unicorns
Summer is too short to not sprinkle a little magic into everything you do as a parent. For kids, that might just mean you gifting them with a colorful and magical rainbow-themed swimsuit to splash around in all Summer. These vibrant suits are stylish and fun, perfect for the little one who wishes they could get around by riding a unicorn (Same, kid. Same.). And best of all, most of them are under $20! Keep reading for 26 rainbow swimsuits that will instantly put you and your kid in an awesome mood (and make them pool-ready).
25 Ariana Grande Video Moments That Are So Mouthwateringly Sexy, You Won't Be Able to Look Away
Ariana Grande is getting ready to tie the knot with Pete Davidson, and it's easy to see why the comedian is head over heels in love with her. Not only is she one hell of a singer, but she also has some pretty damn sexy music videos. Have you watched the one for "Love Me Harder?" Or better yet, what about her recent teaser with Nicki Minaj for their new single, "Bed?" Yep, Pete is one lucky man! Take a look at some of Ariana's hottest video moments ahead.
Pink Breaks From Her World Tour to Enjoy Some Quality Time With Her Family in Bali
Pink is currently in the midst of her Beautiful Trauma world tour, but she recently took a break to enjoy a well-deserved family vacation in Bali. Over the weekend, the singer shared a handful of Instagram photos featuring her husband, Carey Hart, and their two beautiful kids, 7-year-old daughter Willow and 1-year-old son Jameson. One of the images shows the family of four posing together on a set of steps, while another features Willow standing in front of the ocean. "What you seek is seeking you - Rumi #adventureseeking," Pink wrote.
Carey also documented the brood's adventures on his account, captioning his album, "Photo dump from our jet lag stop in Bali!!" Raise your hand if Pink and Carey's family trip is giving you serious vacation envy!
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