Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
vendredi 8 mars 2019
This Women’s History Month, the Equal Rights Amendment Is Unfinished Business
Marchers support the ERA at the annual Pride parade in San Francisco in 2017. Photo credit: Elijah Nouvelage / Getty Images.
As we celebrate Women's History Month this March, an unprecedented number of women now hold public office, and an unprecedented number of viable women candidates are running for president. For decades, feminists have been dismissed with arguments that we're already living in a "post-sexism society." Could it be that, in 2019, that argument rings true?
On a very surface level, it might look like our gender problems are fixed - or on the road to being fixed. But look closer, and institutionalized, sexist oppression, gendered violence, and workplace discrimination remains pervasive and everywhere. And this month especially, we all need to remember the Equal Rights Amendment still has yet to pass. The ERA, a proposed Constitutional amendment that would afford women equal legal rights and status to men, was introduced to Congress almost a century ago. Eighty-percent of respondents to one 2016 survey erroneously believed men and women already have equal rights under the Constitution. That's untrue - and exactly what the ERA was written to address.
Policies from the Trump administration - and many state governments emboldened by that administration - to see how society is harming women or pushing them out of public life by denying them life-saving reproductive health care and protecting sexual abusers. If anything, the ERA is just as necessary as it was when it was first introduced.
How the ERA Was Born
Originally written by the famous suffragettes Alice Paul and Crystal Eastman, the ERA was first introduced to Congress in 1921. After languishing for decades, it gained massive traction in the 1970s, and its ratification once seemed like a certainty. But in the face of a heated, highly effective resistance led by conservative women, the amendment ultimately failed to be ratified by a majority (38) of states before expiring. Despite that, state legislatures are still considering and voting on the ERA, and as of last summer, Illinois became the 37th state to ratify the ERA. (The Florida, Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia state legislatures are all currently considering bills to ratify the ERA.)
The National Organization For Women protests outside the White House in 1969. Protesters wore chains laced with flowers to fight for the passage of the ERA. Photo courtesy: Bettman / Getty Images.
In the 1970s, the United States saw landmark victories for women's rights, including the right of single women to legally access birth control in 1972, and the right to access safe, legal abortion in 1973. But despite coming close, the ERA was ultimately blocked by a salient, well-organized opposition movement, which relied on fear-mongering and gendered hypotheticals to persuade the American public. Conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly became the leader and face of the opposition, asserting the ERA would cause American women to be drafted to wars, lose "protective legislation" that accorded them safer working conditions than male laborers, and be forced away from their children and households.
Schlafly, a lawyer and housewife from Illinois, founded the Stop ERA group and led what's become known as one of the first grassroots conservative movements in the US Schlafly started by distributing pamphlets in the street, and publishing op-eds in local newspapers. Some of her op-eds included such choice lines as, "Women's libbers are promoting free sex instead of the 'slavery of marriage,'" and "They [feminists] are promoting Federal 'day-care centers' for babies instead of homes . . . abortions instead of families."
Phyllis Schlafly holds a "Stop ERA" pillow at her home in 1987. Photo courtesy Bettman / Getty Images
Schlafly's primary arguments were and are pretty easily debunked: Most feminists and ERA supporters oppose the draft for men and women; support fair and safe labor policies for male and female laborers; and support women making fully autonomous decisions in domestic life and child-rearing. But the gist of her argument - that the ERA would endanger women by necessitating sweepingly equal treatment of men and women - remains salient and controversial to this day.
Where's the Debate?
At the core of these historical and persistent arguments against the ERA is a debate over equality and equity: whether we should apply sweepingly equal treatment to people with vastly different experiences and needs, or simply accord people equal status and legal rights, while acknowledging differences in those experiences and needs.
For example, demanding equal treatment of women and men could be actively harmful to women, if it meant eliminating women's empowerment programs and scholarships or diversity standards meant to uplift and recruit women into fields where they are underrepresented. In the absence of such programs, which recognize the inherent place of disadvantage women come from in male-dominated fields, we build upon and expand existing inequality. But the ERA would crucially recognize American citizens as having equal status and legal rights regardless of gender, rather than mandate indiscriminate, equal treatment of men and women.
Why We Need the ERA Today
It's critical that we finally codify the equality of the sexes into the law of the land, and ensure our laws reflect today's increasingly - albeit strained - egalitarian culture through the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. The ERA could play a role in nearly every modern women's rights struggle, from the mounting war on reproductive rights and endemic sexual violence, to safety and equal pay and opportunity in the workforce.
Specifically, as legal advocates for the ERA have argued, the amendment could protect women from pregnancy and motherhood discrimination, guarantee equal pay, and formally recognize sexual assault and rape as sex discrimination. Lenora Lapidus, director of the Women's Right's Project at the ACLU, told Cosmopolitan: "The ERA would make it clear once and for all there can be no discrimination on the basis of sex. There can be no differential treatment of individuals based on their gender."
In recent years, access to reproductive health care has been steadily eroded to the extent that millennial women's living standards in the context of maternal health and maternal death rates are substantially worse off than their mothers'. Ninety percent of US counties lack abortion providers due to an influx of discriminatory laws enacted in the last decade. Since Roe v. Wade, 1,200 laws targeting women's right to abortion access have been enacted, and more than a third of these laws were passed between 2011 and 2018 alone.
The Equal Rights Amendment could be critical to reasserting women's equal right to safety and full reproductive decision-making power in their bodies, especially in the event that Roe is dismantled or reversed in the coming years. By granting women equal status and legal rights, the ERA could be used to grant women the same right to privacy and bodily autonomy that male citizens have.
Similarly, sexual assault rates remain high, targeting an estimated one in five women, while non-reporting rates stand between about 65 to 85 percent. Sexual harassment and misconduct remain prevalent in workplaces, forcing women out of jobs, industries, education, and public life. The ERA could play a critical role in supporting the rights of survivors, and protecting the safety and inclusion of women in public spaces - including offices, by asserting their equal legal right to safe, nonviolent workplaces. The amendment could also be central to combating the gender wage gap and protecting equitable options and opportunities, by requiring equal compensation for equal work, and formally recognizing the gender wage gap as discrimination.
Where Does the ERA Stand, Today?
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris stated explicitly last month that fighting for the ratification of the ERA would be a priority of her presidential administration. Harris is one of several leading Democratic lawmakers and feminist activists who have publicly shifted attention and public pressure back to the amendment.
Sen. Kamala Harris at the kickoff of her 2020 presidential campaign in January. Photo courtesy: Getty Images.
Now that we're just one state away from the 38 state requirement for ratification, the ERA is a very real possibility. There is, of course, one caveat: The deadline for the amendment to be ratified by 38 states was 1982 - almost 40 years ago. At the end of 1982, only 35 states had ratified the amendment. Upon being ratified by 38 states, the validity of the ERA would likely face legal challenges because of this deadline.
A Democratic-controlled House of Representatives could bode well for passing legislation to ratify or establish a new deadline for the amendment in the future, which should underscore the critical nature of voting. And as the ERA Coalition has stated in response to Harris's declared support for the amendment, it's crucial that up and down the ballot, candidates express support for the ERA, and a determination to fight for its ratification.
As we celebrate Women's History Month, the Equal Rights Amendment is a central part of women's history, as it remains a piece of unfinished business within our lifetime. The ERA has the potential to fundamentally protect and expand women's rights, and promote tremendously important cultural shifts. And the amendment is entirely attainable if we remember and fight for it.
This New "Supremely" Hot Sauce - Get It? - Features 3 of the Most Badass Female Justices
What do Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan have in common besides the fact that they're talented, smart Supreme Court justices? They're all on bottles of hot sauce now. In honor of Ruth Bader Ginsburg's 86th birthday on March 15, Always Fits released the three new bottles of hot sauce called Supremely Hot Sauce - clever. There's Scathing Sotomayor, Roastin' RBG, and Kickin' Kagan, all spicy condiments inspired by each woman's on-fire intellect. If this looks familiar, you might remember Always Fits as the same brand that created the hilarious Golden Girls hot sauce based on four of our favorite sitcom ladies.
Get the lowdown on each flavor (Kagan is the mildest), and shop each hot sauce ahead.
- Scathing Sotomayor: a green habanero hot sauce made from processed green habanero peppers, prickly pear cactus, fresh garlic, lime juice, and spices
- Roastin' RBG: a red habanero hot sauce made with habanero peppers, carrots, fresh garlic, and spices
- Kickin' Kagan: a jalapeño hot sauce made with red jalapeños, garlic, vinegar, and spices
7 Types of Kisses and What They Reveal About How Your Partner Feels About You
There's nothing like a steamy, deep kiss, right? It's pretty easy to figure out whether a kiss is good or bad based on the chemistry you have, but it's not just about finding that passionate lip lock. There are a few other types of kisses that deserve some recognition and can pop up during a relationship. All of these kisses are special in their own ways, and they all hold distinct meanings. Here's how your partner might feel about you based on each one.
1. On the Forehead
"A forehead kiss shows your partner has a real emotional connection and thinks you're attractive and cute at the same time," David Bennett, a relationship counselor, tells POPSUGAR. "I consider a lot of forehead kisses to be a sign the relationship is genuine." Candice Smith, sex educator and cofounder of The KinkKit, added that it's also a way to show protectiveness and supportiveness. This kiss is more associated with emotional feelings than sexual intimacy.
2. On the Stomach
"A stomach kiss shows that your partner feels very comfortable and close to you, and is also sexually attracted to you, since kissing in the stomach area not only requires a lot of familiarity, but is getting pretty close to intimate areas," said Bennett. Someone who is just in it for a fling isn't likely going to pull out this kissing technique.
3. On the Neck
The neck is a very sensitive and vulnerable area (the carotid artery runs down it). "If they're kissing you on the neck, they're trying to tempt and tantalize, and they're asking you to show your vulnerability," explained Bennett. It's also a lusty, highly sexual spot, so it means your partner probably wants to rip your clothes off ASAP. It's purpose is to arouse you, added Smith, so it'll often be used during foreplay.
4. On the Cheek
You might be in the friend zone. "If you're getting exclusively cheek kisses, I would suspect they aren't that sexually or romantically into you," said Bennett. Cheek kisses combined with other types of kissing can be cute, though. "I would consider a peck the same way," he said. Smith added that it's more of a restrained kiss, saying, "Depending on the situation, it could mean that your partner has other things on their mind besides physical intimacy, or that you are in public."
5. All Over Your Body
This partner is super, super into you romantically. "Whole body kissing shows that your partner is sexually interested in you and very attracted," said Bennett. A full-body kiss, or kisses from head to toe, demonstrates an unbridled, passionate love with a real partner who fell for you hard. "Your partner wants to be deeply intimate with you, and is quite content to spend time familiarizing themselves with every inch of your skin," said Smith.
6. A Deep, Passionate Kiss
You know those steamy, sensual make out sessions in movies? That's intensity, strong chemistry, and devotion. This type of kiss just flows well. "Deep kissing a great sign that your partner is really into you, at least sexually and romantically," Bennett continued. "It's easy to fake interest with a peck on the cheek. Very few people will deep kiss someone they can't stand." Smith added: "This kind of kiss indicates a passionate intimacy that is difficult to fake, as it requires losing yourselves in the moment."
7. A Slobbery Kiss
Yikes. You know the kiss when someone is practically eating your face? Well, it could mean they just want to have sex with you (without real emotion) or that they're just plain bad at kissing. "An extra-slobbery kiss could mean that your partner needs a little kiss practice," said Smith. But perhaps they can learn?
If Cinderella Saw These Glittery Converse, We Bet She'd Trade In Her Glass Slippers
What is it about glitter? When we see it, we have to have it. From sparkly makeup to cool glitter shoes and everything in between, we're obsessed with having a little extra shine in our lives. And right now, our favorite classic sneakers, Converse, have been given a decidedly girlie glitter twist! So what are you waiting for? Get shopping before we beat you to it!
Calling All Adventurers! These Are the 5 Best Credit Cards For Travel Miles
Every traveler is different. Some like to indulge in great meals and save on hotels, while others would be willing to live on granola bars if it will get them a bed in a five-star hotel. Some would fly across the world in coach, while others would spend every penny they have to experience the Singapore Suites on Singapore Airlines. Credit cards have tons of travel benefits, and no matter your travel style, there's a card that can help you save on your next adventure. Here are this year's five best cards for those who love to travel.
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve
Don't be intimidated by the $450 annual fee on this one, because the Chase Sapphire Reserve practically pays for itself, as long as you take full advantage of its benefits. Besides the $300 annual travel credit (which can be applied towards almost any travel-related expense), you'll also earn three points per dollar on travel and dining. If you've always wanted to travel in style, this card gives you Priority Pass Select lounge access (which includes over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide), as well as a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, primary car rental insurance, and the ability to redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.5 cents apiece. The best part: if you spend at least $4,000 within the first three months of signing up, you'll receive 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points.
2. American Express Gold
Though the American Express Gold is the best card for dining (as it earns four points per dollar at grocery stores and restaurants, as well as $10 in monthly credit when you use the Gold card at dining partners), it also has plenty of travel benefits to offer. As well as a $100 annual airline fee credit, you'll earn three points per dollar on flights booked directly with airline or Amex Travel. Though this one also has an expensive annual fee at $250, it's worth your investment if you spend $2,000 in the first three months, which earns you 35,000 Membership Rewards points.
3. The Platinum Card from American Express
Coming in third is The Platinum Card from American Express, which is the best card on the market for purchasing airfare. At $550, the annual fee is steep, but if you take advantage of everything the card has to offer, it's absolutely worth the price. With this card, you'll earn five points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or Amex Travel (as well as prepaid hotels purchased through Amex Travel), and you can transfer your Membership Rewards points earned with this card to Amex's 20 airline and hotel partners. Travel will also be made way easier (and much more luxurious) with its rebate for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, and in addition to Priority Pass Select lounge access, this card will get you Centurion Lounge access and Delta Sky Club access when you're flying Delta.
Other benefits include a $200 annual airline rebate for incidental fees, up to $200 in annual Uber credits, a newly added $100 credit at Saks Fifth Avenue, and complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and SPG Gold status. Spend $5,000 in the first three months and you'll also get 60,000 Membership Rewards points (and earn an extra 25,000 points after you spend an additional $10,000 in the first three months).
4. Citi Prestige
Even if you don't travel frequently, the Citi Prestige more than pays for itself in its first year, despite its $450 annual fee. With this card, you'll earn five points per dollar on all air travel and restaurant spending, and three points per dollar on hotel and cruise-line bookings. Citi will reimburse you $250 annually for travel-related purchases, and you'll also get Priority Pass Select lounge access and a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Citi understands that travel doesn't always go according to plan, so they give you up to $500 for expenses for flights delayed over six hours, as well as the same credit for baggage delayed over six hours.
The most valuable perk of the Citi Prestige, however, is the fourth-night-free benefit: Citi will pay for the fourth night of your stay at virtually any hotel when booking through ThankYou.com or the Citi Prestige Concierge. When you sign up and spend $4,000 in the first three months, you'll receive 50,000 ThankYou Rewards points, and those points can be transferred to 15 airline partners or redeemed for airfare and hotels through Citi's travel portal.
5. Chase Sapphire Preferred
If you're skeptical of an expensive annual fee, this card may be the one for you. At only $95 a year (which will be waived your first year!), the Chase Sapphire Preferred will get you two points per dollar on travel and dining, as well as the ability to transfer points to 13 different travel partners. You'll also receive primary auto rental insurance, trip cancellation coverage, and no foreign transaction fees, which will definitely come in handy during international travel. This card allows you to redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.25 cents apiece, and - best of all - if you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months, you'll get 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points, which is the same bonus as the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Star Wars Land Isn't a Galaxy Far, Far Away Anymore! Here Are the Official Opening Dates
Buckle up, everyone! Disney's Star Wars-themed land is finally close to opening. After previously sharing drone footage of the land's extensive construction, Disney has now confirmed the opening dates for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: the land will open at Disneyland on May 31, and Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios on Aug. 29.
During the initial phase, visitors will be invited to tour the land, try all of the out-of-this-world food, and hop aboard the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride. Later this year, however, visitors will also be able to experience the highly anticipated 28-minute-long attraction Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
Heads up that if you're visiting Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland anytime from May 31 to June 23, you'll need to make a reservation, free of cost, while those staying at one of the resort's hotels will automatically receive a reservation. Check out Disney's fun and fast-paced announcement above, and get ready for an epic ride.
If You Turn Your Laptop Off to "Let It Rest," You Could Be Doing Some Serious Damage
Laptops are pretty amazing things. Not only can they help us get our work done, they can also keep us connected to family and friends and help make our lives a bit more convenient in just about every area. And that's not to mention they're perfect for binge-watching Netflix. If you're a laptop user, however, you may have thought of this question from time to time: how often should I completely power it down?
"The best thing you can do is never shut it off, ever," K. Alan Robbins, CEO of Moose Worldwide Digital, a digital interactive software development company, told POPSUGAR. Robbins, who has been in the computer industry since 1979, added that many of the discrete components in these types of devices run extremely hot and are designed to run at that temperature (i.e. don't be freaked out if it sounds like a fan is running). "Shutting it off, leaving it in a cold car overnight, or letting it bake in the sun on your dashboard will drastically shorten its life." And why does this happen? "The expansion/contraction leads to very small cracks in the plastic that eventually break connections," Robbins said. When a laptop is subjected to severe thermal shock - like being turned off every night - it will wear out quickly.
So, there you have it! Next time you're tempted to shut your computer down every time it's not in use, you may want to think again.
These Are the Best Honeymoon Destinations For Every Zodiac Sign
From African safaris to the Hawaiian islands, there's so many romantic honeymoon destinations to choose from. When seeking a spot to celebrate your first days as a married couple, you want a memorable trip that fits into both of your travel styles, and staying in tune with each of your personality traits is crucial. That's where zodiac signs come in. If you and your partner are big into astrology, you rely on your sign to help guide certain decisions in your life, and your honeymoon can definitely be one of them. But not sure where to start? We've done all the research for you and rounded up the best honeymoon destinations based off each zodiac sign. So, whether you're the same sign, have similar ones, or are polar opposites, there's a spot on this list that will definitely make everyone happy!
Need a Lyft? Here's How to Get Discounted Rides to Museums for Women's History Month
Celebrating Women's History Month just got easier, thanks to Lyft. The ride-sharing service is offering up to $10 off of one trip to historical monuments, museums, women-owned businesses, and other destinations across the US in honor of Women's History Month.
The promotion kicks off on International Women's Day, March 8, and continues through the end of the month. Lyft teamed up with former Senior Advisor to President Obama Valerie Jarrett to feature places in 33 cities around the country that have inspired her and other trailblazing women committed to public service.
"I think during Women's History Month, it's just so important that we take a moment and learn more about our nation's history and the important role that women have played in that history," Jarrett said in a statement shared with POPSUGAR. "I think Lyft can make a huge contribution to the national discourse and I'm delighted that we're engaged in this campaign."
To keep the celebrations going, Lyft is also launching a series sharing the stories of local heroes in communities where it operates. Some of the noteworthy destinations you can visit through the program include:
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Washington DC - use promo code: WHMDCA19
- The National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian
- Republic Restoratives
- The Capitol
- Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument
- Vietnam Women's Memorial
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New York City - use promo code: WHMNYC19
- Center For Women's History
- Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art
- Harriet Tubman Memorial
- Bulletin
- Lockwood
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Boston - use promo code: WHMBOS19
- Bagelsaurus
- CraftRoots Brewing
- Bella Luna & The Milky Way
- Bantam Cider
- Next Step Soul Food Cafe
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Chicago - use promo code: WHMCHI19
- Harold Washington Library Center
- Chicago History Museum
- The Dearborn Restaurant
- Fabiana's Bakery in Hyde Park
- The Legacy Walk in Lakeview
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San Francisco - use promo code: WHMSFO19
- Jane Warner Plaza
- The Tenderloin Museum
- Golden Gate Park
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Los Angeles - use promo code: WHMLAX19
- Golden Road Brewing, Los Angeles
- Golden Road Brewing, Anaheim
- Coolhaus
- Forest Lawn Museum
After learning about the vital role women have had in changing the course of history, get inspired by those who are paving the way today. Meet the badass women who are changing the game, disrupting the makeup industry, and redefining beauty standards.
5 Crucial Things You Should Know About Your Partner Before Getting Married
Maybe you're months into a new relationship or have been together for years. Whatever the case, and wherever you are in your journey, there are some important questions to ask yourself and your partner if you see yourselves being together long-term. Are you planning to get married? If so, what are your reasons for getting married? What are your partner's reasons? Are you ready for a life of unwavering commitment? And do you have the skills and desire to push through the inevitably tough moments alongside all the joyous ones?
To answer those questions, you really need to know yourself and your partner inside and out. POPSUGAR spoke with several relationship experts - including matchmaker Patti Stanger, clinical psychologist Dr. Dara Bushman, and psychotherapist Jason Eric Ross - and put together a list of crucial things to know about your partner before getting engaged and married. It isn't an exhaustive list, but consider it a guidebook as you enter a new chapter in your lives (or at least think about entering it in the future).
These Zodiac Signs Are the Least Likely to Marry
Marriage definitely isn't for everyone. When it comes to the white dress, romantic ceremony, and fancy flowers, some people want it and some don't. And that's totally fine! With domestic partnerships becoming more popular and people focusing on things like travel and career instead of marriage, saying "I do" isn't as common as it used to be. And there are certain traits based on the different zodiac signs that might make you more likely to get married than others. Maybe it's about your level of commitment or need for freedom. Or it could be about having a super intense checklist and comparing your relationship to that of others. Either way, some signs are more about marriage than others. Here are the signs least likely to marry, ranked from least to most.
I Was Today Years Old When I Learned This iPhone Hack For Closing All Safari Tabs at Once
If you're anything like me, you collect iPhone Safari tabs like it's your freakin' job. A handful of Thai restaurant menus here and a few randomly googled celebrity factoids there, and next thing you know, you're 174 tabs deep and in serious need of a cleanse. Sound familiar?
Luckily, you don't have to cramp up your thumb while exiting out of your endless tabs, because there's a little-known iPhone and iPad feature that lets you delete 'em all at once - yes, really! As pointed out by Twitter user Joey Taralson, all you have to do is open up your Safari app and hold down the tab icon in the lower right-hand corner until a window pops up giving you options to close all your tabs, close just the current one, open a new private tab, or open a regular tab. Genius!
As it turns out, Joey isn't the only one who's just now discovering this nifty tab-closing shortcut. Tons of people have recently tweeted in amazement while sharing the trick with their equally mind-blown followers. It's safe to say this feature is a total game changer, just like that handy-dandy space bar hack that went viral last year, despite the fact that it's been around for ages.
If You Always Get the "Storage Almost Full" Message on Your Phone, You Need to Read This
If you're an iPhone user, chances are the following may have happened to you probably one too many times: you're busy scrolling through Instagram or downloading an app when this dreaded "Storage Almost Full" prompt pops up - or the even worse, "Not Enough Storage." Maybe you're like me and you quickly hit one of the two: "Done" and "Not Now," and put off dealing with iCloud storage yet another day. But what do you do when you finally want to face the iCloud storage dilemma head on?
Turns out managing the cloud is much simpler than you may think. First, you can better manage your iCloud storage by checking to see how much space you may have available to use. To do this, if you're using iOs 10.3 or later, go to Settings, tap on your name, choose iCloud, and select either iCloud Storage or Manage Storage. If you're using iOs 10.2 or earlier, all you have to do is go to Settings, tap iCloud, then tap Storage. When you set up iCloud, you're automatically given five GB of storage and are given the option to purchase more, too. Plans begin at 50 GB and cost $0.99 per month. If you choose a 200 GB or two TB plan, you can share your storage with family, which is a pretty good deal (unless someone downloads everything and takes up way too much space).
However, you can also manage your storage better by easily creating more room in your iCloud account. For instance, you can do this by going through your phone and deleting content you may not need any more - this could be old texts, photos, apps, videos, and emails. It's also important to remember that image or file attachments that are found in text messages also take up room, so be sure to delete those if you have no use for them any more. People may also forget that apps automatically get backed up to iCloud once they're downloaded. To help minimize the amount of room apps and their memory take up, go to Settings and manually choose which apps you would like backed up to iCloud.
Another great tip for freeing up more iCloud storage space is by minimizing the sizing of photos you may have on your device. You can do this by going to Settings and turning on Optimize Storage. By doing this, your phone frees up space by replacing original photos and videos with more storage efficient, device-sized versions. Don't worry though, your full-sized photos and videos will still be backed up in iCloud and are available to download at any time.
Getting that notification may be intimidating and annoying (is it really almost full?), but it doesn't have to be. With a quick visit to Settings and a few taps of your iPhone screen, you'll be able to download more apps and take more videos in Snapchat in no time.
Can't Get Your Kids in the Tub? This Shower Curtain With Tech Pockets Might Sway Them
Some kids love splashing around in the tub so much, it's impossible to get them out before they look like a giant prune - others, not so much. If you have a kid who could use some coaxing to get into the tub, this genius shower curtain is ready to serve. The Better Than Bubbles Tech Friendly Shower Curtain is a clear liner that has pockets large enough for any of your devices - phones, tablets, Kindles, baby monitors - and yes, you can use the touchscreens through the plastic.
It's a $21 solution to a multitude of problems: getting your hesitant kid into the bath with the promise of a show, distracting a child who doesn't love the shampoo rinsing process, keeping an eye on the napping baby through the monitor while taking your first shower in days, holding up the tablet playing your Netflix queue while you soak in the tub, and so much more.
Consider the fear of your phone falling into the tub (or worse, the toilet) overcome as of now. Check out how the curtain works and purchase one for each of your showers ahead.
Rent the Runway Is Teaming Up With West Elm to Give Your Home an Instagram-Worthy Update
Thanks to Rent the Runway, renting clothes has become a pretty familiar concept to many over the years, and soon enough, home decor rentals will too. The fashion brand that lets customers rent designer clothing items for affordable prices is partnering with West Elm to apply the same concept to home goods like blankets, decorative pillows, and shams.
"This is a monumental moment for Rent the Runway and the sharing economy as a whole," RTR's CEO, Jennifer Hyman, said in a statement. "We know that clothing is often a vehicle to help people feel confident and expressive, and this new partnership will unlock that feeling through home decor."
According to Business of Fashion, home decor options will be available to customers through their RTR subscriptions. A standard subscription allowing members to rent up to four items costs $89 a month, while unlimited members pay $159 a month. Customers hoping to spruce up their bedrooms or living rooms can choose from 26 different "home bundles" - one bundle that includes a quilt, a blanket, shams, and decorative pillows counts as one item - that they can keep in their homes for as long as necessary and purchase later at a discounted price.
The bundles will be available to rent beginning in June. Read ahead for a peek at a few items that will be included.
How Riverdale Will Honor Luke Perry With Each and Every Episode to Come
Riverdale has made certain it will honor its late patriarch for seasons to come. Following Luke Perry's death on March 4, the show dedicated its most recent episode to the actor who portrayed Fred Andrews. Not only that, but the show's creator and executive producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa revealed all future episodes will also be dedicated to Perry.
In a sentimental tweet featuring an old photo of the cast, Aguirre-Sacasa described Perry as the heart of the show and added, "Tonight's episode of Riverdale finds Fred doing what he does best - helping Archie. It is dedicated to Luke, as all episodes will be for the rest of our run."
Going through pictures on my way to set. From the early days. With Luke in the middle. Our heart, always. Tonight's episode of #Riverdale finds Fred doing what he does best--helping Archie. It is dedicated to Luke, as all episodes will be for the rest of our run. 💔❤️🏆 pic.twitter.com/Nx8iCFBoMe
- RobertoAguirreSacasa (@WriterRAS) March 6, 2019
The news comes after executive producers, Warner Bros. Television, and The CW collectively released a statement honoring the loss of a "beloved member" in their family. The statement read, "Luke was everything you would hope he would be: an incredibly caring, consummate professional with a giant heart, and a true friend to all. A father figure and mentor to the show's young cast, Luke was incredibly generous, and he infused the set with love and kindness." Production on the show also shut down in the wake of his death.
Several cast members also shared touching tributes. In addition to offering her condolences to his family, Lili Reinhart shared a profound poem about grief, which read, "I pray that he's silently moving in tandem with us. Guiding us through the waves even when we can't swim." Cole Sprouse also opened up about what it was like to work with Perry during an interview with POPSUGAR. Sprouse said, "He was an incredibly passionate, well-loved person, and I think the whole world is lamenting his passing."
Bring Tissues to Captain Marvel, Because Its Bittersweet Stan Lee Tributes Will Make You Sob
Heads-up: very minor Captain Marvel spoilers below.
There's a lot about Captain Marvel that will make you ooh and ahh: its dazzling CGI fight scenes, Nick Fury's hilarious one-liners, and, yes, Goose the "cat." But there are also two specific points in the movie that will leave Marvel fans in a pile of emotions, all thanks to the film's bittersweet nods to comic-book legend Stan Lee.
The comic-book writer, editor, publisher, and producer created some of our favorite superheroes, which is why the 95-year-old's death in November 2018 came as such a devastating blow to longtime fans. But fortunately much of Lee's legacy continues to live on, including one of his cheekiest traditions: his many, many cameos in superhero films. Over the years, Lee has racked up well over 30 appearances in films like X-Men, Iron Man, and even 2018's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, ranging from blink-and-you'll-miss-them moments to quirky bit characters. Now we can add a brief appearance in Captain Marvel to the list.
Earlier on in the movie, soon after Brie Larson's Carol Danvers crash-lands on earth, she engages in a dangerous chase with a Skrull - a shapeshifting, intergalactic enemy - across Los Angeles. They end up on an above-ground train together, where the alien takes the form of an older woman (which you can see in the film's trailer). But before she spots the Skrull-in-old-woman-clothing, Carol stares down an elderly man reading a newspaper. Who is it? None other than Stan Lee, of course, who lowers the paper to grin at the ass-kicking female hero.
However, it's also important to note that the train scene isn't Captain Marvel's only tribute to Lee. Before the movie even begins, it's revealed that Marvel's usual intro - which sees comic strips flip on screen before highlighting specific MCU heroes - has been tweaked to honor the comic legend. Rather than adding Carol to the lineup of heroes who usually flip across the screen, all of them were replaced with images of Lee from his various MCU cameos, including Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain America: Civil War, and Thor: Ragnarok.
It's an unexpected and surprisingly touching moment that has already reduced plenty of Marvel fans to tears. People who have seen the film have been sharing their emotional reactions to seeing Lee on screen in both Captain Marvel moments, which you can take a peek at, ahead.
Everything You Need to Know About Captain Marvel Scene-Stealer Lashana Lynch
We've closed in on Marvel's latest release, Captain Marvel, which gifts us with tons of cool revelations about the incredibly powerful superhero. Even all those trailers and special looks weren't enough to properly prepare us for her greatness. But along with Carol Danvers's very fuzzy new sidekick, Goose, the film introduces us to Maria Rambeau, played by the brilliant Lashana Lynch, who is Carol's best friend and former copilot.
In Summer 2018, POPSUGAR visited the LA set of Captain Marvel with a group of other journalists. During our time in the thick of the action, we were treated to an interview with Lynch. The fact that she'd joined the Marvel universe is huge; not only is she a fresh face in the superhero world, but she's a pretty recent newcomer in Hollywood, too. And here she is, kicking ass alongside a badass female superhero in one of Marvel's most important releases in the past decade! To introduce you to the rising star, we've scribbled down a handful of fun facts about the character . . . and the delightful woman who plays her.
1. She Plays the Mother of a Well-Known Marvel Comics Character
"I play Maria Rambeau, who is the mother of Monica Rambeau, who we know from the comics," Lynch revealed. In Marvel's official database, Monica Rambeau notably takes the Captain Marvel namesake after she joins the Avengers, but she's only 11 in the film and hasn't quite developed her own superpowers yet (though she clearly worships her Aunt Carol). It seems like the perfect way to segue into the Captain Marvel sequel, no? But back to Maria!
The comics don't seem to give a lot of information about Monica's mother. Luckily, we had Lynch to fill us in: "We are going from the beginning, so we're going from before Carol Danvers got her powers. We have us being set in the mid-'90s, which is nice because we have lots of flashbacks. You know, memories that we all know and love." Although we would've loved to see meatier flashbacks in the film to get a better sense of Maria's friendship with Carol, the bond between them is still very much genuine, and a high point of the film.
"My character, along with Carol Danvers, is a fighter pilot, so you catch a lot of us being the strong, driven, bold females in the workplace, in a male-oriented environment," Lynch continued. "It's nice to flash back and see that - see how women can really burst through being in that environment and still holding their own, and not having to have a man telling them what to do, where to stand, how to look. And also not be glamorous at work: not having to wear heels and the pencil skirt and be on their Ps and Qs, just being a complete badass going to work."
2. Carol's Relationship With Maria Actually Runs Deeper Than You Think
Not only were Maria and Carol best friends as fighter pilots before Carol disappeared, but they also grew up together! "They were best friends in the beginning. Absolute best friends," she said. "They were in and out of each other's houses. Carol was very close with Monica." The film hints at how tight the pair were in a scene when little Monica is showing a recently resurfaced Carol a ton of photos from her former life. She mentions how Carol wasn't close with her biological family (her father is very briefly shown as domineering and cruel) and tells her that instead, "We became your family."
Because of that time together, Lynch revealed, Maria and Carol do have a pretty incredible bond. She said they give each other "strength, mainly, and spiritual strength. In order to do the job that we do - and especially with me being an African-American female fighter pilot - any other woman just gets you, understands the journey. It gives you enough power [to] just go to work."
3. Maria Is the Key to Captain Marvel's Reverse Awakening
Once Carol returns to Earth, Maria and Monica help spark a major change in our hero. "There's a certain energy that you share with your friends that you can't get anywhere else, and she has these flashes of the feeling," Lynch told us. "The feeling of being herself through seeing her friend, the feeling of being at home through being in a home - which is mine - and the feeling of being normal and accepted, able to be herself without being an object, which I think is kind of what happens when she gets her powers." That's a pretty impactful piece of Carol's fragmented puzzle of a life.
4. Maria Can Absolutely Hold Her Own With Nick Fury
In the film, we witness a team-up of sorts between Carol, Maria, the young Nick Fury, and the fuzzy little Flerken known as Goose. Nick Fury totally factors in majorly; Lynch said he's "there to be Nick Fury, to save and support and make things happen" when Carol Danvers starts to come to terms with her own identity." While we were on set, we witnessed the scene in which Nick, Maria, and Captain Marvel all board an alien spacecraft. Now that we've seen the completed film, we couldn't imagine the story without Maria, you know?
5. Fun Fact: Lynch Auditioned For Black Panther and Almost Got Picked
In the midst of our interview, Lynch revealed that she's a longtime Marvel fan and had made it a goal for herself to get into a Marvel movie. She really had her sights set on Black Panther. "Literally, I was begging my manager to get me in Black Panther. I was in LA and they hadn't started yet, because they were just finishing up on Spider-Man," she recalled. "And I said, 'Gut I'm here now, and I could just do a tape. I'll make up sides, and I'll just do an audition, and it'll be great.'"
By now, the end of the story should be clear. "It didn't happen. I was shooting a series at the time and sent them the tape, and they loved [it] . . . and then there was an age issue; like, I looked too young for one and too old for the other, and that didn't happen. I'm really happy, because in the end, Letitia Wright got it, and she is bombastic."
6. Maria's Costume Has a Cute Little Easter Egg
A close look at Lynch's costume revealed a very cute little detail: she wears a necklace that spells "Monica" in gorgeous gold-plated lettering. "That was my idea," Lynch said, glowing. "Yeah, it says Monica, because it's the '90s." How very Carrie Bradshaw of her.
On My Block's Dramatic Season 2 Trailer Teases Ruby's Tragic Fate
On My Block's season two trailer has arrived, and with it comes a few answers to the first season's dramatic cliffhangers . . . JUST KIDDING! We're still more confused than ever, and worried about the fate of both Ruby and Olivia. In the trailer, which confirms that the new episodes will drop on Netflix on March 29, we follow a camera through Monse, Ruby, Olivia, Jamal, and Cesar's neighborhood, which is dotted with heartbreaking sidewalk memorials to children and teenagers who have died from violence in their area.
The end of the new footage is what fans of the show should keep an eye out for. The trailer wraps up with brief glimpses of Monse and Cesar preparing for a funeral, Jamal excitedly bathing in his windfall of cash, and Ruby's mother and grandmother tearing up while looking at a photo of Olivia and their son. So, are they both dead? Or did just one of them perish after getting shot at Olivia's quinceañera?
The very last shot of the trailer sees Ruby lying in what looks to be a casket with his eyes closed, but then he opens them at the very last second. What does it all mean, Netflix?! Luckily we won't have to wait too long to find out.
The Jonas Brothers Performed Their Greatest Hits on Carpool Karaoke, and I Am a Puddle
This is an SOS: the Jonas Brothers's Carpool Karaoke segment finally aired on Thursday, and it's a full-on nostalgia fest! After announcing their reunion and their new single, "Sucker," last week, the boys took things a step further by hitting the road with James Corden and having a mini jam session with some of their greatest hits.
The 15-minute video starts out with the group singing "Burnin' Up" and "Year 3000," before opening up about their breakup and their experience going to therapy before officially reuniting. Things later took a hilarious turn when James hooked them all up to lie detector tests to determine if they're really ready to be back together. Watch the video above to see Nick admit (twice) that he "broke the band up" and to find out which brother gets on Joe's nerves the most.
You'll Feel Inspired as Hell to Show Off Your Postpartum Body After Seeing These Moms' Photos
Just in the way no two bodies look alike prebaby, no postpartum mom looks the same following the birth of her baby - which is why so many moms and photographers have been trying to make the "real" postbaby body something that's seen and can be admired as is rather than something that hasn't "bounced back" just yet. From stretch marks and loose skin to both fresh and healed C-section scars, the moms below are baring all to prove that women's bodies are incredible and deserve to be showcased for their beauty and strength no matter what they look like.
Prepare to feel inspired as hell thanks to these awesome moms.
See How This Divorced Couple Live Together With Their New Partners and Combined 6 Kids
Katie Blackmer and her ex-husband Stephen had to work hard at coparenting their children, Gracelyn, 11, Kaylynn, 10, and Colston, 5, after their divorce. But you wouldn't know it now, as Katie, Stephen, Katie's husband Ben, Stephen's girlfriend Brandy, and their combined six kids all live happily under the same roof. The family, which calls itself the "Blended 10," live together in one two-story home in Tennessee and couldn't imagine their situations being any different.
In 2016, following her and Stephen's divorce, Katie married Ben, who has a 19-year-old son named Hunter from his previous marriage. The blended family of six then welcomed Stephen into their home in 2017, after injuries from a fatal car crash that tragically killed his brother required him to have around-the-clock care. Then, shortly after Stephen began dating Brandy in late 2017, she and her two kids, 7-year-old Jaxson and 9-year-old Kayleigh, moved in, and the group became one happy family.
When asked the best part of this unique living situation, Katie didn't hesitate. "That Stephen and I get to see our children every day," Katie told POPSUGAR. "It was so hard for me to have to give up my days with them at the beginning. I didn't want to share them, but I had to."
"We are a team, we are number one fans for all of our children, and each other's support systems!"
Another benefit centers on having very active kids. With each of the five younger kids in sports, it's been a huge help to Katie, Ben, Stephen, and Brandy to have all of them together so it's easier to keep a schedule and get the kids to and from their various activities. "Our whole life is run from a calendar that hangs on the front door," Katie said, adding of her and her coparents: "We are a team, we are number one fans for all of our children, and each other's support systems!"
However, having a full house wasn't always so easy. "We have conquered [this], but in the beginning, the challenging part was getting all the children on the same page, like with rules and sharing. Now all the girls wear the same clothes, share shoes. And the boys have learned to share all their toys. They still have their moments when they fight over little things, but everyone has adjusted very well. We love the way our household is now! We wouldn't change it for the world," Katie said, adding that actually, "the only change I see in the future is a bigger house."
Before We Get Caught Up in Endgame Mania, Let's Remember Where We Last Saw the Avengers
With the release of Avengers: Endgame practically right around the corner, there's a lot to remember. We're not 100 percent sure what's going to happen, but we have ideas, and even they're a lot to process. But the most important thing we definitely need to know before Endgame is where everyone ended up when we left them in Avengers: Infinity War. I know this is gonna hurt, but be strong, guys. Let's take this painful trip down memory lane together and go over where we last saw all the Avengers.
Monica Rambeau Doesn't Have a Huge Role in Captain Marvel, but She's Pretty Damn Important
One thing we can't help but love about Marvel films is how often they drop Easter eggs for us to enjoy. While Captain Marvel is sure to have more than we can count (just kidding, there will be plenty of Easter egg roundups in your future), one especially delicious aspect of the movie is the presence of the first woman to hold the Captain Marvel mantle: Monica Rambeau.
Before you wonder if I'm getting my Marvels and Mar-Vells confused, let me explain a few things. Yes, in the comics, the original Captain Marvel was a man, but after Marvel trademarked the name, it wanted to give it to another character. That character was Monica Rambeau, a lieutenant in the New Orleans harbor patrol who gained the ability to convert her body to energy after exposure to extra-dimensional energies. Monica went on to become the first black member of the Avengers and eventually replaced the Wasp as their leader. She also gave up the Captain Marvel name to Genis-Vell, the son of the original Captain Marvel, out of respect for her predecessor.
Monica would go on to use several other names, most recently Spectrum, but she'll always be the first woman in the comics to wear the Captain Marvel mantle. Now, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, things have gone a little differently. Carol Danvers - who was originally Ms. Marvel in the comics - adopts the moniker for the film, and Monica makes her first-ever cinematic appearance as the 11-year-old daughter of fighter pilot Maria Rambeau.
Maria is not only the very best friend of the MCU's Captain Marvel, but she's also the key to the Kree-human hybrid remembering her past. When Carol returns to Earth after six years of fighting in the Skrull-Kree war and wants to find answers to the missing pieces in her memory, she finds Maria and Monica (portrayed by Akira Akbar), two women who represent her past and future, respectively. Maria helps Carol regain the memories of her life, and Monica represents what Carol could have in the future: a protégé. As we see in the film, Monica is unsurprisingly fascinated with her "Aunt Carol" and her amazing abilities. Considering their relationship, it isn't far-fetched to believe that Marvel could find a way to bring Monica further into the Avengers fold, especially under the tutelage of such a close family friend. Particularly since Avengers: Endgame is on the horizon, and with it comes the dawn of Marvel's mysterious Phase Four.
Not much is known about Phase Four at the moment, but we do know that it will feature films like Spiderman: Far From Home, Black Panther 2, and the Black Widow solo movie. We also know we'll be saying goodbye to some OG Avengers, so there's definitely room for Marvel to introduce new heroes.
Considering the timeline, Monica would be right around the perfect age to don a suit and start kicking ass, whether with the Avengers themselves or with the Young Avengers. It would be awesome to see her join a crew after being inspired by her Aunt Carol; and since her old name is taken, she can use her other alias, Photon (which just so happens to be Maria's pilot nickname in Captain Marvel).
Honestly, the possibilities are endless! Here's hoping we get to see more of the legendary Monica Rambeau, especially in the (inevitable) Captain Marvel sequel.
Put Your Sneakers On - We're Going For a Run With This Year's Hottest Songs
Who doesn't love changing up their workout playlists from time to time? The start of a new year is a great time to do that, but you have to keep it fresh in the months that follow, too! This year, we've already gotten some incredible new workout music to help you power through your next run. We've compiled our favorite 2019 releases so far - as well as some from late 2018 - to create the ultimate running playlist. Cue up these songs the next time you hit the treadmill or suit up and head outside, and be sure to check back throughout the year to see what else makes the cut.
Remember: you'll need to download the free Spotify software or app to listen.
Jump-Start Your Closet Tidy-Up With the Help of These Jaw-Dropping Wardrobe Pictures
You know how the saying goes: "out of sight, out of mind" . . . and this phrase is particularly true when it comes to our messy closets. However, with the influence of Marie Kondo's Tidying Up Netflix series, this year really put a magnified spotlight on organization and all of the ways it can bring joy. Therefore, if you're about to jump into a Spring clean or are waist-deep in an organization frenzy, then these wardrobe pictures are the push you need. Examine all of the refined and polished closets ahead!
- Additional reporting by Lisette Mejia
If You're Already Hoping For a Captain Marvel Sequel, You're (Probably) in Luck
Carol Danvers has only just made her entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but we're already wondering when we're getting more.
We've been waiting for the hero to make her debut since Nick Fury made that urgent call in the postcredits scene of Avengers: Infinity War and Captain Marvel's insignia flashed across our screens. With the release of Captain Marvel on March 8, we finally get to learn her story. Now we want to know what comes next!
While there have been no official plans for a sequel announced by Marvel Studios, we already know this isn't the last we'll be seeing of Captain Marvel. The human-Kree hybrid will be making her next appearance in Avengers: Endgame, where she'll hopefully be helping to kick some Thanos ass. Her appearance in Endgame also means that she will be an essential part of paving the way to the MCU's phase four, which will feature films like Spiderman: Far From Home, Black Panther 2, and the Black Widow solo movie. As The Hollywood Reporter noted, actress Brie Larson has signed a seven-picture deal that "locks her into multiple franchises," which means she's bound to appear in Avengers movies that aren't just her own standalone films.
But when it does come to her standalone films, the chances of there being a Captain Marvel 2 are pretty high. As much as Captain Marvel strays from the standard origin formula, it's still an introduction to a new Marvel hero. Carol's entire journey in Captain Marvel deals with her remembering who she truly is and discovering the full extent of her powers, which means there is still so much territory to cover in future films. While the movie doesn't exactly have an open ending, it does end on a note that could segue into a follow-up.
Warning: SERIOUSLY HUGE spoilers for Captain Marvel ahead!
After Carol gets her memory back, she realizes that Yon-Rogg (Jude Law) and the Kree are actually the villains of the whole situation. Back in 1989, Yon-Rogg killed Mar-Vell (whose face Supreme Intelligence has been wearing) to stop her from helping the shapeshifting Skrulls develop light-speed tech that would aid them in finding a new home. The device just happens to use the Tesseract (seriously, does Asgard ever keep ahold of that thing?), which gives Carol her powers when she tries to destroy it. It also happens to take away her memories, so Yon-Rogg is able to steal her away and make her think the Skrulls are in the wrong for six years.
Carol later realizes that Yon-Rogg and Supreme Intelligence have been suppressing her full powers and unleashes them, defeating the two, as well as Ronan the Accuser, the Kree extremist that Yon-Rogg calls upon to destroy Earth. But Carol's work is far from over. She tells Nick Fury to watch over Goose (the Flerken who looks like a cat and also managed to swallow the Tesseract) and gives him that special pager to call her in case of emergencies. Carol explains that she's going back into space to end the Kree war against the Skrulls and to help find a new planet for the latter. Which, hello, plot for the sequel!
Obviously, the next time we'll see Carol will be in Endgame. The first postcredits scene in Captain Marvel has her showing up at the Avengers compound, much to the shock of Captain America, Black Widow, and the Hulk. But since Endgame takes place almost 30 years into her future, the Captain Marvel sequel could focus on any of Carol's adventures before then. Does she ever actually end the Kree-Skrull war? We known Ronan manages to escape her clutches long enough that he gets tangled up with Thanos and is eventually killed by the Guardians of the Galaxy, but what about Yon-Rogg?
Also, does she ever head back to Earth to hang with Maria, Goose, and Fury, making fun of all Fury's outdated (but actually current for the time) tech? There are so many questions we need answers to! Luckily, we're pretty sure Marvel already knows that it'll need to give us more of Captain Marvel in the future. The only question, really, is how much more can we get of Goose?!
Parents, Your Kids Can Bowl For Free All Summer Long
Need something to do to complement your kid's Summer camp plans, or do you simply find that sending them away for a full day of activities is just too costly? You're in luck, because kids 15 and under can bowl for free this Summer with the annual Kids Bowl Free Program. Offered at over 1,500 bowling centers in the United States and Canada, each child is allowed to bowl for two free games daily throughout the Summer.
To register your family, select a location near you from this list of bowling centers, then sign up. This is valued at over $500 worth of fun!
Captain Marvel: The Way Nick Fury Loses His Eye Is Kinda Perfect (Don't Tell Him I Said That)
Warning: eye-related Captain Marvel spoilers below!
You might sit down to watch Captain Marvel and think you're going to see a movie all about ass-kicking human turned ass-kicking alien Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) and how she learns to fully embrace her jaw-dropping powers, but the true heart of the film is actually a love story - a love story between one Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Goose the "cat." But theirs is a tragic love story, one that ends with Fury losing an eye. So, you know, not exactly ideal.
Not long after Carol, a Kree alien, crash-lands on earth and begins investigating the scientist who an enemy alien race, the Skrulls, are after, she bumps into blossoming S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Nick Fury. Although they don't exactly get along at first - he sees her as a Blockbuster-ruining criminal dressed to play laser tag, to be fair - they eventually become thick as thieves, helping each other out of sticky situations as they come to realize the full scope of how the Kree-Skrull war has affected both sides, as well as the truth behind Carol's origins.
But anyway - back to Goose.
Related: Captain Marvel: Don't Forget About This Important Item - It Plays a Big Role
The scientist that Carol is investigating is actually her former Air Force commander (Annette Bening), whom she doesn't recognize at first since her memories were wiped upon becoming an alien six years earlier. As she looks into the woman's past, she has memory flashes of the woman having a cat that was fond of Carol. She meets the same cat, Goose, when she goes to a government facility with Fury to find files about the scientist, which is where Fury and Goose's love affair is born.
Fury can't help but stoop down and immediately cuddle with and compliment Goose, who takes an instant liking to him.
A few scenes later, in the facility's file room, we discover that Carol's Air Force superior wasn't actually human but an undercover Kree named Mar-Vell. Oh, and her former pet, Goose, isn't actually a house cat, but a Flerken, aka an alien race that presents as an average-looking tabby. But Flerkens actually have a myriad of incredibly long (and strong) tentacles that can extend from their mouths, which have the power to incapacitate full-grown soldiers.
Despite knowing that a terrifying intergalactic beast is housed within his insanely cute exterior, Fury gets on great with Goose, who only ever chooses to sick his tentacles on the bad guys. But toward the end of the film, after a few stressful fight scenes, Fury holds up Goose in front of his face to coo at him. That's when Goose decides to let his annoyance at being held be known by swatting Fury across his left eye - something my own cat has attempted to do to me on more than one occasion.
Related: Both of Captain Marvel's End Credits Scenes Are Important, but For Very Different Reasons
Fortunately my cat doesn't have the kind of bacteria in her claws that, when it comes in contact with a human eye, will result in a serious, incurable infection. The same can't be said of Goose, whose split-second scratch ends up being the reason Fury loses his eye a few days later. But Goose and Fury's love runs deep, because the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent still adopts the little troublemaker, even putting a cat bed in his office so Goose can come to work with him. Rather than select one of the many glass eyes that a young Phil Coulson presents him with in his office, Fury decides to rock an eye patch instead.
At first, I found myself surprised at how remarkably chill he is about the fact an alien furball took out his eye, but then I remembered Goose's face and it all made sense. Thanks for the history lesson, Captain Marvel!
Lionel Richie Breaks Down in Tears After Hearing a Blind Singer's American Idol Audition
Is someone cutting onions? Did a piece of dust just fly into my eye? Or am I full-on crying because of a deeply moving audition on the most recent episode of American Idol? (Spoiler alert: it's the latter.)
During the most recent episode of the singing competition, judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan were treated to the jaw-dropping voice of Shayy, a high school student who belted out Andra Day's emotional single "Rise Up." But before she launched into the stirring tune, she relayed to the judges why she was holding a cane - a year earlier she began complaining to her mother about not being able to see the white board in school, and a few doctor's appointments later, Shayy was told that she had a brain tumor. While the doctors were able to save her life, the tumor took her sight. But that hasn't stopped her from doing what she loves most: singing.
After Katy told Shayy that she sang like "an angel," a very teary-eyed Lionel took a moment to hug her and praise her for her strength. "You have wrecked me," he said, visibly emotional. "Thank you for that . . . you're a lesson to us all, OK? Because it's the power of the spirit, and you're the reminder of just how blessed we are."
Like another contestant from the same episode whom the judges called "genius," Shay was sent through to Hollywood with multiple hugs and applause from Katy, Luke, and Lionel. Watch her performance, above!
Say Goodbye to Long Lines - Marshalls Is Launching an Online Store
Marshalls has some exciting news that might spell some serious trouble for your online shopping problem. The discount retailer is (finally) following in TJ Maxx's footsteps and launching an online store, which means that bargain shopping is about to get a whole lot easier.
According to People, TJX Companies CEO Ernie Herrman mentioned in a conference call on March 6 that Marshalls will be dipping its toes in the e-commerce pool and launching the store later this year. An exact launch date has yet to be specified, but it looks like the company is aiming to have it all out there by the latter half of 2019.
As convenient as online shopping can be, the company still has plans to make sure its digital ventures won't have a negative impact on sales in its brick-and-mortar locations. Herrman explained that Marshalls will differentiate its online offerings with its in-store items in the same way that its sister store TJ Maxx did when it went digital in 2013. "We really believe it drives incremental store traffic given large percentage of returns online is in stores," Herrman said, comparing the two brands. "It is going to encourage cross-shopping. That has worked really well for us."
It might be a minute until we get further details on an official launch date, but until that day comes, you can find us still taking advantage of ALL of the deals in-store.
This Is What Makes HIIT Cardio Different Than HIIT, According to a Trainer
There's HIIT, high-intensity interval training that's a mix of maximum-effort exercise and short rest periods. There's cardio, steady and rhythmic exercise that keeps your heart rate at a high but steady rate. And then there's HIIT cardio, which . . . combines the two? We talk about HIIT and cardio as two different concepts, but HIIT cardio is something we're seeing more and more of. On the scale between cardio and HIIT, where does HIIT cardio fall, and what exactly is it?
HIIT Cardio Is HIIT - With Cardio Exercises
According to Ashley Kelly, NASM, a certified personal trainer at Bach in New York City and 2016 Olympian in track and field, HIIT cardio is cardio exercise, like biking, running, or walking, performed in the trademark HIIT pattern: a maximum-effort interval followed by a rest or less-intense interval. Unlike regular cardio, which keeps your heart rate high but steady, HIIT cardio repeatedly pumps the heart rate up fast, then drops it back down. But it doesn't include any of the bodyweight exercises we typically associate with HIIT, like burpees, jumping lunges, and tuck jumps; HIIT cardio involves just the pure cardio exercise. A HIIT cardio workout, Ashley told POPSUGAR, might look something like this:
- Run on a treadmill for two minutes at 6.5-7 miles per hour
- Run for one minute at 3.5 miles per hour
- Repeat the intervals three more times, or until you hit 12 minutes.
"HIIT and Cardio" Is Different
Ashley pointed out that there's a difference between HIIT cardio, which is cardio exercises performed in HIIT intervals, and "HIIT and cardio." The latter, she said, "is when you combine cardio with any heart-increasing and heart-decreasing HIIT exercises." In practice, that can mean using cardio as the rest interval during a HIIT workout. You could jog at a slow, steady state for a one-minute rest interval, for example, then transition to jumping squats, lunges, or burpees for two minutes. "I employ this a lot with my Bach clients at their homes," Ashley said; it's a great way to get in both cardio and high-intensity exercise with nothing more than your bodyweight, although she said you could also use weights to up the intensity of the strength training.
Cardio and HIIT are different forms of exercise, but that doesn't mean you can't combine them or use them in tandem. In fact, Ashley said, "any movement can be considered HIIT training as long as you alternate between high- and low-intensity training zones." HIIT cardio could be a good way to mix up and shorten your usual cardio workouts, and you might want to try HIIT and cardio, where you use low-intensity cardio as a rest period during HIIT, to increase your HIIT calorie burn even more. If you love cardio but want the efficiency and weight-loss benefits of HIIT, one of these combined workouts might be the perfect solution.
Ahead of the Netflix Revival, Check in With the Original Baby-Sitters Club
These days, it seems like every iconic '90s property is getting rebooted. The latest addition to the reboot mania: The Baby-Sitters Club, the 1995 movie based on the novel series by Ann M. Martin. Netflix announced in February that they are producing a 10-episode live-action series based on the beloved novels; casting has yet to be announced. The young actresses who played the seven friends at the heart of the 1995 adaptation have had wildly varying careers since we last saw them on screen: some have become easily recognizable names, others are steadily working actors, and others have chosen to leave the industry altogether. Check out our gallery below to see what your favorite member of the BSC is up to now!
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