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What exactly is vegan faux leather, anyway?

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Vegan leather is a phrase you see around a lot these days—on the hangtags of Zara bags, on the label of your new moto jacket, in an article about a new animal-friendly accessories line. But while we’re all pretty clear on what leather is (even if we don’t particularly like thinking about it), the “faux-leather” label isn’t necessarily so clear.

For one, the label is an umbrella term that covers several materials, including PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PU (polyurethane), and many other, more innovative synthetics. According to Joshua Katcher, an adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design and the founder of slow-fashion line Brave Gentleman, the field is constantly changing, so that the cheap, plasticky, unbreathable “pleather” of our parents’ generations bears little resemblance to the vegan-leather options in stores today.

More: 31 awesomely cool coats you won't want to take off

“The technology has advanced so that, in general, any faux leather is going to be better today than it was five years ago or 10 years ago, and especially 20 or 30 years ago,” says Katcher. “That’s the thing about synthetics—they’re always getting better. They’re always getting more refined, more efficient, more sustainable. And when it comes to leather, there’s only so much you can do to an animal.”

Ok, but won’t real leather last you longer? Not necessarily, says Katcher. Like anything in fashion, there are some pieces that are better-made and use higher-quality materials than others. “What we see in the cheaper stores tends to be what’s called a coated canvas—just imagine a piece of canvas with a liquid plastic that coats the top and makes it look like leather,” he explains. Naturally, something like this doesn’t have the same strength and durability of animal leather, especially if it’s poorly-constructed. No one’s denying the sturdiness of a good pair of leather boots or a well-made jacket, but the problem, Katcher says, is that the skins needed to make them are a finite resource, and the processes to turn that biological material into something that doesn’t decompose are incredibly harsh, both for the environment and for the people that work in leather tanneries, who, in places like Bangladesh, can be exposed to toxic chemicals and hazardous working conditions.

More: 21 Vegan Bags That Look 0% Crunchy

Plus, there are now sustainable alternatives that hold up just as well. “There’s nothing magical about skin,” says Katcher. “It’s a material that’s constructed of many, many little fibers that are intertwined. We can reproduce that synthetically, we can grow it in a laboratory, we can find different sources that will result in a similar effect. The only limit is our ability to innovate and right now we are just on the brink of so many exciting innovations.” This year, in fact, Brooklyn startup Modern Meadow raised $40 million to research and develop ways to scale lab-grown leather, which they first successfully grew in 2012. According to Business Insider, they plan to partner with fashion brands and tanneries to help bring the product to consumers in the next few years, a move that could majorly disrupt the $100 billion leather industry.

But aren’t synthetic materials bad for the environment, too? In certain cases, yes. PVC (otherwise known as vinyl), in particular, is “a toxic substance and a known carcinogen and a pretty nasty material,” says Katcher, who avoids the material himself but says other designers still use it thanks to certain aesthetic qualities. Greenpeace calls it “the single most environmentally damaging type of plastic”—though naturally, the vinyl industry claims otherwise. As for polyurethane, the environmental impact varies depending on how it’s produced. “There are many different ways to make it, and some of the methodologies are pretty benign and harmless and there’s other ways that aren’t.”

More: 10 Completely Vegan Makeup Brands to Shop Right Now

So, should you give up leather? Opt for vintage? The choice is yours, but investing in something well-made is the best way to ensure you won’t be throwing something out in a season or two just to buy something new—which, in the end, is really what will have the most impact.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.com


Miley Cyrus quiets the haters with a stunning performance on The Voice

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The Miley Cyrus hate train just keeps chugging along, to the point that several fans are actively rooting for someone, anyone to be kicked off Team Miley. Given all the talent Cyrus managed to gather on her very first team, it would be really sad if that all evaporated simply because people had a problem with the coach. Either way, Cyrus is not nearly as horrible as people think, as she once again demonstrated tonight.

More: Sundance Head's big risks are paying off on The Voice

The Voice's result shows can be downright excruciating, especially when your favorite lands in the bottom three. Thankfully, the coaches are on hand to provide a little stress relief for the viewers biting their nails back home. Tonight's performance was one of the best of the season, and that's saying something — the coaches have offered up some amazing performances thus far.

Miley Cyrus Jolene
Image: NBC

Tonight's performance was special, in part because it featured the heartfelt reunion of Cyrus and her godmother, Dolly Parton. The two have been close for a long, long time, and they proved it up on stage this evening. They weren't alone, however; they were joined by the amazing act Pentatonix. The ensuing blend of voices was perfect, and yes, Cyrus held her own alongside several of the industry's finest musicians.

More: Miley Cyrus reminds us that The Voice is about more than just singing

Interestingly enough, this isn't the first time Parton and Cyrus have teamed up to sing "Jolene" in front of a big crowd. They have a long history with the song, as evidenced by this video from Cyrus' Hannah Montana days.

Miley Cyrus Dolly Jolene Old

Miley Cyrus Dolly Jolene Old

As you may recall, Cyrus also stood up on stage to sing the catchy tune during the blind audition process on The Voice. She has a serious love affair with this song!

Miley Cyrus Jolene Blind Audition

Miley Cyrus Jolene Blind Audition

The Voice has had some pretty cringe-worthy performances from coaches in the past, but this was definitely not one of them. In fact, Cyrus pretty much always sounds great when she hits the stage on The Voice. She sounds especially amazing when singing her favorite song alongside Dolly Parton and Pentatonix — we're so glad this collaboration came together.

More: The Voice's Billy Gilman made the right choice by ditching country music

The voice Jolene

The voice Jolene

What did you think of Miley Cyrus' performance tonight on The Voice? Comment and share your opinion below.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

the voice contestants who shouldve won slideshow
Image: NBC

Sister Wives' Meri Brown foreshadows her exit from the family

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The Sister Wives family is slowly but surely crumbling it seems, and the show will be chronicling it the whole way through.

More: The Brown family may start censoring their lives more on Sister Wives

In a sneak peek of the upcoming episode, Meri Brown expresses her anger at Kody Brown, which she says fueled her catfish relationship.

"This catfish was just planting things in my head an telling me how horrible my family was and specifically how horrible Kody was," Meri explained in the clip. "That was one of the reasons why I didn’t want him around. I was just angry. I’m just angry at him."

She adds, "I just pushed Kody away. I did. He’s not the one I should’ve pushed away."

But it doesn't look like the couple is doing a good job of reeling it back since they're seen arguing in the clip.

More: Kody Brown's Sister Wives family falls apart as legal wife seeks divorce

"Is that what you’re waiting for me to do?" she demands of Kody. “Come crawling back on my knees? What are you waiting for? What do you want?”

To which Kody recommend they continue therapy, "I think I know what I want but we’ll have to discuss this with Nancy."

Sounds ominous...

It looks like Meri's anger hasn't dissipated and is now fueling another relationship. Rumor has it that she's dating a man in Hawaii and has consistently been traveling away from her polygamous family in Utah to spend time with her new man.

More: Kody Brown needs Sister Wives now more than ever — he's totally broke

Check out the new clip from this Sunday's episode below.

Sister Wives sneak peek 1

Sister Wives sneak peek 1

Sister Wives airs Sunday at 8 p.m. on TLC.

Do you think Kody and Meri Brown are finally headed towards their end after all their struggles or will they make it work?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Sister Wives rules slideshow
Image: TLC

And Ben and Lauren lived happily ever after... psych!

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What happens in Vegas to Ben Higgins and Lauren Bushnell wasn't really exciting enough to be worthy of staying in Vegas.

More: Ben and Lauren is giving us some serious whiplash

The finale of Ben and Lauren saw the two stars jet off to Sin City to celebrate their bachelor and bachelorette parties together with their fellow Bachelor Nation alum.

Rather than strippers and drunken shenanigans, though, the two just delved more into their relationship. They ended on a high note, of course, calling their wedding back on. I can't help but feel like there are going to be a lot more flip flops along the way, however, before these two find their way to happily ever after.

Even Higgins said it himself, when talking to his boys Jared Haibon, Tanner Tolbert and JJ Lane. He said he and Bushnell had issues that they needed to "take a step back and build [their] relationship." He added that their initial plan to get married as quickly as possible was, "a very unwise place for us to come to."

More: Ben Higgins has a lot to say about his wedding plans — or lack thereof

I agree and probably could have told him that before he decided to get engaged after only knowing Bushnell for six weeks was a terrifying and abrupt decision that doesn't have a track record of ending well.

In a recent interview, Higgins and Bushnell confirmed they're still in counseling, but also said that their relationship was better than ever.

Then, in an interview just yesterday, Bushnell said the couple still doesn't have a wedding date, but it seems like they're approaching it in a healthy way.

"I think at this point, Lauren and I are focusing on our relationship, which is obvious," Higgins said. "We're definitely together — we are happily engaged. The wedding in our mind — 'Where's your ring at?' — is still on, but we are just taking some time to help plan that where it’s not stressful or overwhelming."

More: Ben Higgins' wedding stress showcases his not-so-eligible Bachelor side

Bushnell echoed, "Any couple feels the same pressures — you get engaged, and everyone asks when is the wedding. … We’ve navigated it relatively well and [are] doing things on our own timeline, honestly."

Do you think Ben and Lauren should get a Season 2? Will these two ever actually get married?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

ben higgins slideshow
Image: Rick Rowell/ABC

Don't let your job overwhelm you during the holidays

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In an ideal world, the holiday season would be filled with celebrations, time with family, and minimal stress. In reality, holidays can be one of the most stressful times in our lives. In America, many people report feeling more stressed out during the holidays, and women, in particular, are affected. According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, "nearly half of all women in the United States experience heightened stress during the holidays at great risk to the health of their minds and bodies."

Running your own business takes a large amount of focus, time and energy. Fortunately, many business owners thrive in the fast-paced, high-pressure climate of "being in charge." Things can get even more hectic than usual during the holidays, however, and sometimes even the best managers struggle with the task of balancing increased work and home life pressures. Holidays can be a challenge for business owners for a variety of reasons, like tighter project timelines, or even worrying about childcare, as most children are not at school.

If you approach the holidays with the dread of everything you need to juggle, consider using the following strategies to manage your work/life balance during this hectic time.

1. Delegate responsibilities you would usually handle yourself. The holidays are a great time to give yourself a break and let someone else handle some of the work. For example, ask a family member or friend to bake the cookies you need to bring to the holiday party. On the business side, maybe you have considered increasing an employee's responsibilities at work. Now may be the perfect time to give the employee a chance to prove him or herself and take some of the load off your shoulders.

More: 3 reasons why a #GirlBoss makes the best business owner

2. Learn how to say "no." Learning to say "no" can be really hard for business owners. You take pride in your accomplishments and enjoy contributing to the world around you. Sometimes, though, you need to limit your commitments, especially when the holidays increase the directions you are being pulled. Prioritize what is important to you and say "no" to what you can. You do not have to volunteer to chair the party planning committee at your child's school, nor do you need to work 14-hour days so your business partner can take the week off. Declining events or tasks does not make you a bad parent, boss or friend.

More: I retired from my Wall Street job to open my own business — and I've never been happier

3. Create a schedule and stick to it. If you say you are going to leave the office at 5:00 pm, leave the office at 5:00 pm. In most cases, the work can wait. Likewise, schedule any plans you make with family and friends so that it is a set appointment in your routine. Treat non-work activities like you would a meeting with a client — do not skip out on plans if you can help it.

More: 5 questions you must ask before starting a business

Balancing work and life during the holidays may be easier said than done, but if you utilize the strategies above, you may find yourself a little less stressed this holiday season.

Jane Stein is the founder of Your Franchise is Waiting, a consultancy firm for men and women exploring franchising as an alternative career path.

How to tie the prettiest gift bows you ever did see

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For a lot of us, gift-wrapping in general can seem like a mystery — and perfecting a beautiful bow to top off a package is sometimes downright daunting. But gorgeous store-bought ribbon bows can get expensive, and tying the bow all by yourself just feels so satisfying.

So what do you do if your spirit is willing to create a fancy bow, but your hands just aren't able? Follow these simple video tutorials and you'll be amazed at how easy tying different kinds of festive bows can actually be.

More: How to keep your poinsettia plant thriving year-round

The simple bow

Tie this quick and easy bow on any one of your gifts this year. It is perfect for when you are crunched for time, or if you don't want to make an individualized bow for every single present that you are giving.

How to Tie a Bow on a Gift

How to Tie a Bow on a Gift

Next: More bow tutorials

Originally published December 2015. Updated November 2016.

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The layered bow

This bow is perfect for tree toppers or to put on holiday wreaths. The presentation of different colors gives it a nice "pop" over any background. You can also make it into an elaborate decoration on any present.

How to make a Large Bow in a Professional Way

How to make a Large Bow in a Professional Way

Next: More bow tutorials

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The flower bow

This is the perfect topper for any girly gifts that you might be giving this year. Attach a bobby pin by gluing it to the bottom of the bow and let them know that after they open their gift, they can put the bow into their hair.

More: Make your own candles in the colors and scents you've been dreaming of

Super Quick and Easy Flower Tutorial!!

Super Quick and Easy Flower Tutorial!!

Next: More bow tutorials

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The fluffy bow

Create this classic holiday bow in just a few easy steps. This professional-looking bow is perfect for any holiday gift and is super-simple!

How to Make a Bow with CC Crafts

How to Make a Bow with CC Crafts

Next: More bow tutorials

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The pom-pom bow

This bow is a little trickier than the rest, but the end product is worth it! This pretty pom-pom bow can be attached to any present. Group about three or four of them together to make a super pom-pom bow.

DIY: How To Make an Easy Pom Pom Ribbon Bow

DIY: How To Make an Easy Pom Pom Ribbon Bow

Next: More bow tutorials

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The Dior bow

The Dior bow is very simple and easy to create. It gives your gift a flashy, professional presence. Make your gift stand out from all the rest and use thick and glittery wired ribbon.

More: How to make a fall wreath so fabulous even your craftiest friend will be impressed

How to make a Dior Bow (aka Triple Loop bow)

How to make a Dior Bow (aka Triple Loop bow)

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

40 Christmas decorating ideas that would make Martha Stewart jealous

Image: rusticcharms/Instagram

Originally published December 2013. Updated November 2016.

And now, years after Jon & Kate Gosselin's divorce, the custody battle begins

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Jon and Kate Gosselin are headed back to court.

More: Kate Gosselin made some downright shocking claims about Jon to police

It's been seven years since their divorce was finalized, but the former reality show couple has spent most of it fighting over their kids. And now, Jon is asking a judge to reopen their custody battle.

In Touch Weekly reports that Jon is asking for joint custody of all eight of his and Kate's kids.

"So there will be a trial as soon as possible. The judge ordered it," a source told In Touch. "Jon’s been waiting for this for a very long time."

The insider continued, "The judge is ordering psychological evaluations of all eight kids and for both Kate and Jon before heading to trial. Jon hopes the judge will meet with all the kids privately in his chambers, without Kate, to find out [the truth] and what they really want."

Jon's request for custody comes on the heels of a public battle with Kate over their son Collin, who has special needs. Jon claims he hasn't seen Collin in 18 months and that Kate sent him to a special school and has refused to tell Jon where Collin is.

Kate went on Entertainment Tonight following Jon's claims, basically saying that Jon needed to stop talking publicly about Collin.

"We are both court-ordered not to speak about the care and custody of our children in detail," she said. "I've known all along where [Collin] is, but the world doesn't know, and I'll leave it at that."

Jon's lawyer fired back, "Unfortunately, Kate has shown very little regard to the order, choosing to ignore it if it suits her. Jon will strictly abide by the order unless and until it is lifted. My client is a loving and caring father who is acting within the scope of the law to do what is best for his kids."

More: The Jon vs. Kate Gosselin he-said-she-said battle continues

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Kate Gosselin allegations slideshow
Image: WENN

How Texas' fetal burial rule undermines women

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Starting on Dec. 19, Texas will require hospitals and reproductive health clinics to cremate or bury all fetal remains resulting from natural or induced miscarriages. Unsurprisingly, this isn’t sitting well with many in the medical community and reproductive rights advocates, who have been opposing this regulation, originally proposed in July.

More: Why the Texas abortion case is so terrifying for moms of girls

At that time, the health commission — headed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott — argued that the new rule is necessary to ensure the “enhanced protection of the health and safety of the public,” the Texas Tribune reported. However, the version of the proposal adopted on Monday does not require the burial of fetal material resulting from miscarriage or abortions that take place at home, citing concerns over confidentiality, and undermining the argument in favor of fetal material burial for public health purposes. In other words, supporters of the new regulations say that fetal remains coming from hospitals and clinics pose a threat to public health, but for some reason, remains resulting from miscarriages at home do not.

More: 2016 has been a crappy year for women, and we're only 5 months in

"This regulation has no basis in public health, and it's just a pretext for putting an additional burden on women who choose abortion or who suffer miscarriage," David Brown, a senior staff attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, told Broadly.

What is being challenged yet again is women’s ability to make decisions regarding their own bodies. Following a miscarriage or abortion, some women may choose to cremate or bury their fetus. If doing so brings comfort or closure, then she should by all means be permitted to do so. The problem arises when the element of choice is taken away, as it is for the women of Texas, who may find a federally mandated burial for their fetal remains traumatizing.

More: My abortions aren't shameful secrets no matter what you say


Creator of McDonald's Big Mac dies: Long live the Big Mac

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Believe it or not, McDonald's founder Ray Crock did not invent the Big Mac. It was Michael "Jim" Delligatti who dreamed up the iconic burger, and who just died at the age of 98.

bigmac inventor

bigmac inventor

Delligatti was a franchise owner in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, when he invented the two-tier sandwich with its special sauce in 1967. It was such a hit, it went nationwide just a year later. Today, McDonald's sells over 900 million Big Macs in over 100 countries worldwide. They've never changed the recipe.

Now sing with us:

Two all-beef patties

Special sauce

Lettuce, cheese

Pickles, onions

On a sesame seed bun.

You're totally craving one now, aren't you? We are too. RIP Delligatti.

I delivered my own baby in my car

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Before our first baby was due, our Bradley Method instructor told us there was a time in every labor when the frustrated mother would declare, “I can’t do it!” When that time came, the instructor said, the laboring mother’s partner should simply remind her: “Of course you can do it, because you are doing it.” 

This line — you can do it because you are doing it — is now a stock bit of encouragement in our family, but I’ve never clung to it quite so fiercely as I did this past August when I had to deliver our third baby, unassisted, in the backseat of a car.

How did such a thing come to pass? Well, castor oil and denial, mostly.

I was overdue and didn’t want to be induced for the third time running, so I tried to start labor with the folk prescription of two tablespoons of castor oil. It worked to my amazement, but I clung to a certain skepticism about the reliability and authenticity of home-induced contractions. I was on the couch watching Anthony Bourdain investigate Japanese tentacle porn when I finally broke down and called UCLA to report the state of my labor.

I told the midwife that the contractions were coming every two or three minutes and that I had started selecting the “moderate intensity” radio button on the UCLA baby contraction-tracker app. The midwife told me, “Oh yes, you should come to the hospital now!” and I was surprised by the urgency in her voice — didn’t she know how long it takes to have a baby? I called out to my husband Andrew and told him it was time to go. When he emerged from the back room where he’d been working, his expression showed that he was as doubtful as I was about our chances of getting this birth underway without medical assistance. Our first two labors had left us both with a firm conviction that labor itself is elusive and birth is a long, grueling endurance challenge.

More: Pooping during childbirth was far from the worst thing about my delivery

We loaded the kids into the car, threw the hospital bag in the trunk and set off from our home in Culver City, north up the 405 Freeway. Our first destination was my parents’ house in Brentwood, where the older boys, ages 6 and 3, were going to stay for the duration. As we approached the Wilshire Boulevard exit of the 405 — the fork in the road between my parents’ house and UCLA’s Ronald Reagan Medical Center — I told Andrew, “If the next contraction is like this one, maybe we should go straight to the hospital.” The next contraction, however, was tolerable; so even though I distinctly felt that my cervix was opening, as if being winched apart by mechanical means, we fatefully went toward the ocean, away from the hospital.

The westbound lanes of Wilshire were open, but the opposite side of the street was bumper-to-bumper gridlock. Increasingly distressed in the passenger's seat, I clung to that useless handle above the door and cursed through the contractions. (When our older son saw me again after the birth, he reminded me: “Mom, you said the S-word a lot!”)

By the time we made it to my parents’ house, I was past the point of being able to cheerfully unload kids. There was certainly no time for niceties like parallel parking, so we pulled into the alley adjacent to my parents’ house and ordered the kids to jump ship. Although they were clearly bewildered by this unusual abandonment, the boys managed beautifully. My parting message to them as we backed out of the alley was as a military leader to soldiers on a mission: “We’ve trained for this! You can do this! Go!”

Once we released the boys from the car, my body released whatever psychic brakes it had placed on the birth process. I instantly slammed into the final stage of labor: transition.

Let the record show that at no point did either of us acknowledge, either to each other or ourselves, that we were going to have a baby in our banged-up 2008 Honda Fit. As far as we knew from our previous two births, labor begins when the nurse starts the IV drip of Pitocin, and babies are born only after their heart rates have decelerated on the monitor and the midwives have gotten quietly anxious and a by-request episiotomy (“Cut me!”) becomes the only apparent detour around an emergency C-section.

Nonetheless, as we merged into mid-afternoon traffic on Sunset Boulevard — where cars regularly sit immobile between the hours of 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. — we did start to suspect that we were in big, big trouble.

By this time, because the baby’s head had advanced ever more forcefully downward, I continuously hoisted myself up off the seat in pain. I even kicked the gearshift out of place by accident as I desperately tried to settle into a comfortable position.

Finally I announced, “Honey, I think I have to poop,” and in his typically unflappable manner, my husband said, “Don’t worry about it. Go get in the backseat; get comfortable. We’ll buy a new car if we have to.”

I climbed in the backseat, unstrapped the boys’ car seats, shoved them out of the way and pulled off my yoga pants. Reader, I pooped in the car, and I invite you to try to make a different decision next time there is a human skull ramming against your rectum.

Next: Best status update of the year

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I looked around, wondering if there was any prospect of rescue. We tried and failed to reach a 911 operator. We were only four blocks away from where we’d dropped off the kids. Technically, we were surrounded by people, but it felt as if we were totally isolated. No one would get to us in time. There was nowhere to go and there was very possibly nothing that anyone could do that we weren’t already doing.

I briefly considered getting out to deliver on the grass strip beside the road, but somehow that didn’t seem better.

I found it impossible to sit or lie down comfortably, so I finally knelt on the seat. I thrashed around, gnawing on the seat back during the worst of it. Looking out the back window, I noticed an electric-blue BMW behind us and wondered if the driver could see through our tinted windows, and if he could, what he imagined was going on. I reached down to feel my baby’s head, which is what they tell you do in the labor and delivery room. It’s supposed to give you hope that your marathon’s finish line is in sight.

I remembered the nurses at my last birth telling me not to scream. “It doesn’t help,” they said. This time I screamed anyway.

When I reached down again I could feel more of my daughter’s head crowning. Finally, all at once, my water broke and she simply fell out.

“Baby’s here,” I said to my husband.

“Wait, really?”

Yes, really. I gathered up my daughter’s slippery body, nestled in its broken amniotic sac, and wrapped her in my shirt to keep her warm. Andrew, ever stalwart in the driver’s seat in motionless traffic on Sunset Boulevard, turned around to take a photo of us with his iPhone. In the picture, the baby looks purple, while I appear exhilarated, laughing with relief.

With my own phone, I took a snapshot of the slimy newborn in my arms and had it posted on Facebook within the hour, because, come on, best status update of the year.

Baby born in car
Image: Jennifer Arrow

More: 30 gloriously messy photos that show what really goes down when a baby is born

Traffic cleared up a few blocks further on and we made it to the hospital about 25 minutes after she was born. Naked and with the baby still attached by the umbilical cord, I was awkwardly maneuvered from car to wheelchair to gurney in front of the 60-odd people in the packed lobby of the UCLA emergency room. The attending physician did a cursory check to make sure no one needed resuscitation, and the ER nurses collectively cooed at the good news of a healthy newborn.

I had tried to deliver my placenta in the car, but I knew from Call the Midwife that if you tug too hard on the umbilical cord you risk uterine damage, so when it didn’t come easily I let it be. That turned out to be a wise strategy from a paperwork standpoint. When babies are born in the wild, the Social Security Administration requires a special review before they assign an ID number. Our daughter’s unusual birth certificate lists “automobile” as the birth location, but apparently delivering the placenta at the hospital added enough legitimacy to her medical records that she was approved for an SSN as of last week.

Ironically, my unassisted delivery was the least physically traumatic of my three births. I had no vaginal tears, and I don’t even pee a little when I sneeze.

Two months down the line, the baby is thriving and I carry a sense of achievement as a result of my birth experience. I relearned the lesson that the only way to do anything in this life is to push through — sometimes literally.

Even when you’re ready to lie down in defeat and declare you can’t do it, remind yourself — because there’s no other choice in this world than to keep going — that you are doing it.

Son's illustration of mom giving birth in car
Image: Jennifer Arrow // The bloody nature of an unattended, unplanned baby delivery was clearly on my 6-year-old son's mind into October, when he brought home the schoolwork pictured above. "Mom," he told me, "I drew a scary picture for Halloween: It's you giving birth in the car. And a vampire."

The Walking Dead's Alanna Masterson is going after online body-shamers

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The Walking Dead's Alanna Masterson has been body-shamed online, and she's not here for it.

More: A love letter to Dascha Polanco's thighs at NYFW

Masterson gave birth to her daughter just over a year ago, and says she's been shamed online ever since. On Tuesday, she posted a message to her haters on Instagram alongside a photo of her now-1-year-old daughter.

Alanna Masterson on body shamers online

Alanna Masterson on body shamers online

"Dear Instagram trolls, body shamers, and the men and woman who think it's ok to comment on my weight," she wrote. "I hope that you don't have children. And if you do, I hope you teach them about kindness and acceptance. I hope they learn that it isn't ok to make fun of people or call people names. I hope one day YOU learn what it takes to be a parent. A kind, selfless parent. A working parent. A parent that puts themselves in someone else's shoes."

More: Iggy Azalea's voluptuous booty — and how she got it — is nobody's business

She continued, "Maybe you can't get it through your thick fucking skull, but nursing a baby for a year (and pumping in a van between takes, in the dead of summer in Georgia) is a lot of work, determination, and scheduling. So before you decide to make a comment about my chest being 'too large' or how 'fat' I've become, just know that this little girl got the best start to life. I wouldn't have changed it for a second. I would've gladly continued to eat enough calories to produce milk for her little bones to grow. Also, grow the fuck up. Your mother should be ashamed for raising such a judgmental bully. I'm sure she knows how 'courageous' you must be for trolling and hiding behind your Iphone and computers."

She ended her note, "P.s. I would LOVE to see any man or woman give birth to a baby, nurse the baby, and then work 17 hour days and NAIL their own stunts. P.s.s. Be kind to each other. We need it now more than ever."

Masterson's followers were immediately behind her message, leaving their support in the comments.

"First . . your daughter! All the squeeees. She's adorable. Second. You do you. And you doing you is amazing and beautiful," one wrote. Another added, "Amen! I feel you girl, I breastfed 4 happy and healthy boys with being back to work within 6-8 weeks. It is tough but worth it for them. You go girl!"

More: I decided to stop being a victim of body-shaming and you can too

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

fat-shamed male celebs slideshow
Image: Kento Nara/Future Image/WENN.com

6 things you need to know about the Zika case in Texas

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Yesterday, health officials in Texas confirmed their first homegrown case of Zika, making it the second state where the virus is being transmitted by mosquitos locally. Here’s what you need to know about this case and the ongoing situation in Florida.

1. The woman who contracted Zika is not pregnant

The woman infected in Texas is not pregnant, so if she is among the estimated 20 percent of those with Zika who experience symptoms, they may include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes, lasting up to one week.

More: Microcephaly: What moms need to know about the condition caused by Zika

2. She hasn't traveled or been exposed to Zika

Health officials determined that was a locally transmitted case because the woman infected has not traveled anywhere affected by Zika nor has had any other known exposure to the virus.

3. It can't be spread from her by a mosquito

Lab results found genetic material for Zika in the woman’s urine, but not her blood, indicating that the virus cannot be spread from her by a mosquito.

4. It happened near the Mexican border.

The confirmed case of Zika was reported in Brownsville, Texas, near the border with Mexico, where the virus has been reported in multiple communities.

More: 'How long is it active?' and five more tough questions we still have about Zika

5. Keep putting on that bug spray, Texas

As we head into winter, mosquitoes will become less common in many parts of the United States, but health officials in Texas cautioned residents in areas that remain warm year-round to continue Zika-prevention measures, including wearing EPA-approved insect repellent, covering exposed skin and avoiding standing water.

6. There are 240 confirmed locally transmitted cases of Zika in Florida

Florida is the only other state where it has been confirmed that Zika is spreading locally. As of today, the Florida Department of Health has confirmed 240 locally transmitted cases of Zika in addition to 958 travel-related infections.

More: How worried should women who aren't pregnant be about Zika?

Women entrepreneurs wish their younger selves had been more fearless

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With the recent celebration of the third annual Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED), and a new year just around the corner, reflection and goal setting will soon be top of mind.

More: Don't let your job overwhelm you during the holidays

Awareness, education and support for women in business are important and can help empower future female founders. As 2016 comes to a close, many women will be thinking about the new year and making that leap of faith into entrepreneurship. Starting a business is a worthy goal and can lead to an incredible life-long journey. But let’s not forget that the endeavor is not always glamorous. Grit, perseverance and fearlessness will be key components to your success.

I had a chance to talk with three prominent entrepreneurs about their journeys and what piece of advice they would give their 24 year old selves about starting a business:

Wendy Diamond, Founder of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day

“I would say the most important thing is to do what you love and then have a side job to pay the bills. And to always follow your dream, meaning, it’s not going to be easy and will be one of the hardest thing you ever do…"

Katia Beauchamp, CEO & Founder of Birchbox

“The time you spend agonizing over decisions, being afraid, being worried, it’s impossible to bypass them, but I wish, even for my young employees, that I could give them the perspective that everything is going to be OK and there’s no such thing as one right answer. The most important thing is that you make decisions, you move forward and when they’re the wrong decisions, you act quickly… It’s given me a lot of fearlessness to feel less tied to “there’s one specific way of doing this…” It’s allowed me to move faster and move freer."

More: The future of the growing cannabis industry is female

Ramya Joseph, CEO & Founder of Pefin

You should’ve had more confidence to do this sooner. And the reason for it is a lot of it came from how I was brought up. You grow up in a middle class family, you see the family go through ups and downs financially and you realize, oh, getting a job at corporate, getting benefits, getting that salary, it means so much. Like that itself was a successful thing. And then you see this idea in your head where you can help millions of people, but then you don’t do it because you’re scared. You’re scared of all the risks, you see how hard other people have struggled and then wonder, “Am I giving up what other people would love to have?” 

“So I would say to my 24 year old self to take that risk and it’s far worse to have that regret that you never did it."

Women’s Entrepreneurship Day has funded nearly 100,000 microloans through their Choose Women platform, which is an online shop that dedicates proceeds to helping women start their businesses in impoverished areas. You can support this global initiative on “Choose Women Wednesday, on November 30, by visiting ChooseWomen.org.

More: Microloans for women entrepreneurs provide some serious good karma

Jennifer Aniston: ‘It’s up to us what makes us happy'

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Jennifer Aniston is tired of being told that she should fit into certain boxes, and she aired her grievances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show today. Discussing Aniston’s op-ed for the Huffington Post addressing the insane pregnancy rumors earlier this year — which DeGeneres called “a beautiful reaction” and “so eloquently written” — Aniston had some more to say on the matter.

Jennifer Aniston discussion about tabliod news of Ellen

Jennifer Aniston discussion about tabliod news of Ellen

“I think these tabloids, all of us, need to take responsibility on what we ingest into our brains,” she told DeGeneres. “Just because we are women, we have a uterus, we have a vagina, we have ovaries, we need to like, ‘Get to work, lady!’ As opposed to, hello, Freedom Medal. We as women do a lot of incredible things in this world other than just procreate — and not that that is not — but it's like we just get boxed in.”

This alone deserves a round of applause, but Aniston wasn’t done yet. She railed against tabloids, expressing that their rumor-starting abilities are out of control, and need to be given a closer look. “They love the narrative, they love the story, they love the — ‘She's jealous of this person, she's depressed and oh my god she's never going to have a…’” she said. “Whatever the horrible little headline is, we've just got to break out of that and go, 'whoa, whoa.'”

This is not just an issue of the patriarchy here. Aniston added that women writers are behind lots of these hurtful articles. “Women, I have to say, are many of the authors of these horrible articles that are written in these BS tabloids,” she said. “We have to stop listening to them, we have to stop buying them because we have to support each other, especially at this time, to love each other, to support and to be proud of women, of whatever your choice is in life. It's up to us what makes us happy and fulfilled.” Truth.

Aniston noted that she initially wrote her HuffPo article for herself — “You know how we kind of write, but don’t necessarily send it?” she said — but said that she and husband Justin Theroux were vacationing in the Bahamas during a difficult moment in her life, and they were mobbed by paparazzi (“I kept thinking, ‘Is Kim Kardashian behind me?”) when pregnancy rumors started swirling, and that was it. Article published. And we have to say, we’re so glad it was.

Your kids will love making these simple and fun Christmas crafts

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Christmas is such a joyous and festive time of year, and helping your kids tap into their creativity to make decorations for the season brings that much more fun to the holidays.

More: Printable Christmas coloring pages for kids

And the best thing about Christmas crafts that your kids create? You'll both have a sweet momento of their childhood holidays when they are older. Here are some crafting how-tos to brighten up your family's December.

1. Pinecone Christmas tree ornaments

Image: SheKnows

Pinecones can be found at most crafting stores or, if you're lucky, in your own backyard! Your kids will love this Christmas craft that produces their very own ornaments for the tree this year.

Materials:

  • Pinecones
  • Yarn
  • Craft glue
  • Water
  • 2 shallow bowls
  • Glitter

Directions:

  1. Fill one shallow bowl with a mixture of craft glue and water (three-parts glue to one-part water).
  2. Mix the glue and water together.
  3. Fill the second shallow bowl with a thin layer of glitter.
  4. Dip the ends of the pinecone into the glue mixture.
  5. Hold the pinecone over the bowl containing the glitter and sprinkle glitter over the wet glue.
  6. Let dry.
  7. Tie a piece of yarn near the top of the pinecone in a loop.

Tip: Pinecone Christmas tree ornaments make great gifts for teachers and family members.

Next up: Christmas reindeer pot

Originally published December 2012. Updated November 2016.

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2. Christmas reindeer pot

Image: SheKnows

This Christmas reindeer pot is an easy craft that your kids can make in minutes. The pot is a cute way to store candy canes or other Christmas treats, and can even be a creative package for a small gift.

Materials:

  • Terracotta pot
  • 2 large googly eyes
  • 4 brown pipe cleaners
  • Red pom pom
  • Craft glue
  • Scissors

Directions:

  1. Start by using the craft glue to glue the eyes to the terracotta pot.
  2. Next, glue the red pom pom to the pot beneath the eyes to form the reindeer's nose.
  3. Cut one of the pipe cleaners in half. Wrap the two short pieces of pipe cleaner around a long piece of pipe cleaner to form the antlers. Repeat for the second set of antlers.
  4. Glue the antlers to the inside of the pot, one on each side.

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3. Beaded Christmas garland

Image: SheKnows

This easy Christmas craft improves your child's fine motor skills while creating something enjoyable for your Christmas tree or home.

Materials:

  • Shoelaces
  • Beads (with large center openings)

Directions:

  1. Tie a large knot at one end of a shoelace.
  2. Thread beads onto the shoelace.
  3. Repeat the first two steps as many times as you want.
  4. Tie all the shoelaces together to form one long garland.
  5. Hang your garland on your tree, above the fireplace or above a doorway.

Next up: 3-D snowman

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4. 3-D snowman

Image: SheKnows

This Christmas craft can get a little messy, but children love playing with cotton balls and glue, so sit back and enjoy as your child's eyes light up — and then light up again at the sight of his or her finished craft project.

Materials:

  • White cardstock paper
  • Black cardstock paper
  • Orange cardstock paper
  • Cotton balls or white pom pom craft balls
  • Craft glue
  • Water
  • Shallow bowl
  • Popsicle stick or hard paintbrush

Directions:

  1. Cut three circles from the white paper — small, medium and large.
  2. Cut one square, one thin/long rectangle and five tiny circles from the black paper.
  3. Cut one triangle from the orange paper.
  4. Fill the shallow bowl with a mixture of craft glue and water (three-parts glue to one-part water).
  5. Glue the three white circles together to create the snowman's body.
  6. Glue the black, thin large rectangle and black square together to make the top hat.
  7. Glue the top hat to the top of the snowman's head.
  8. Dip the popsicle stick in the glue and coat the white circles with the glue mixture.
  9. Place the cotton balls or pom poms all over the snowman's body.
  10. Glue the tiny black circles on the snowman's face as eyes.
  11. Glue the orange triangle on the snowman's face as a nose.
  12. Glue the remaining tiny black circles on the snowman's body.

Next up: Foam Christmas ornaments

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5. Foam Christmas ornaments

Image: SheKnows

These oversized glass ornament replicas are fun to look at — plus they are totally unbreakable!

Materials:

  • Red and green craft foam
  • Decorative foam stickers
  • Scissors
  • Hole punch
  • Ribbon

Directions:

  1. Cut out a large ornament shape from your craft foam.
  2. Have your child stick foam stickers on to the craft foam to decorate the ornament.
  3. Use your hole punch to create a hole in the top of the ornament.
  4. Cut a 4-inch piece of ribbon, thread it through the hole and tie a knot to create the hanger.

More: Edible Christmas crafts kids can make with a little help from Mom

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

40 Christmas decorating ideas that would make Martha Stewart jealous
Image: rusticcharms/Instagram

I am raising my white children to stand up against racism every single day

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On the day after the election, I picked up my four-and-a-half year old daughter from school with my fourteen month old in the baby carrier and told her that we were headed to Manhattan to a protest Trump’s election. Armed with leftover Halloween candy and melt-in-your-mouth dehydrated yogurt bites, we made our way to the subway and got on the C train to Columbus Circle.

More: How I explained President-elect Donald Trump to my daughter

I had brought paper and crayons to make a sign for the protest, and in light of our conversation that morning trying to explain Trump to my daughter, she asked me to write “NO MORE JAILS” in bubble letters, which she diligently colored in, while fellow subway riders looked on. (My daughter had developed a three-step plan for closing jails, which was, as stated by her: “1.) Open the jails. 2.) Get all the people out of the jails. 3.) Close the jails.”)

Image: Sachi Feris

The protest had already started when we arrived, so we stuck to the back of the crowd and learned a chant that my fourteen-month old has since “requested” quite often, by showing us a chanting fist: “We won’t let hatred win, this is where the fight begins!”

My daughter showed off her sign, checked out some other peoples', chanted, and after twenty minutes needed to use a bathroom and was hungry. Thus ended our participation in the day’s action, but it was where I needed to be, and I was happy to have shared the event with my children.

A few days later I overheard my daughter singing “Eeny Meeny Miny Moe” (which has racist origins, as do so many other childhood songs including, “Shoo fly, don’t bother me,” “Five Little Monkeys,” and “Oh Susanna” among others) with her stuffed animals to decide who would get a first turn.

More: I took my son to see Donald Trump and immediately regretted it

“You know, I really don’t like that song because it has a very ugly history that uses a word that is very hateful towards people who have brown skin, in this case people who are black. When something is hateful towards a group of people just because of their skin color, it is called racism, which is a very ugly and sad. So I really don’t like the idea of singing a song that has a racist history. I wonder if we could find another version of a song to choose whose turn it is –maybe one in Spanish, or we could make one up!”

We ended up doing both. My daughter first instructed me to message my mother-in-law in Argentina.

While we waited for her reply, we made up our own chant.

“How about we start with something like ‘Silly billy?’” I suggested. My daughter jumped on board. Here’s what we came up with:

“Silly billy willy boo.

We will pick a person who.

Really likes to eat some goo.

Silly billy willy woo.”

My daughter later suggested we change the word “goo” to “shoe” and the line became, “Really likes to eat a shoe!”

I suggested that when other children sung “Eeny meeny,” my daughter could teach them her version of the song instead.

“I want you to come to my classroom and teach all the children our new song," she said.

“And you’ll help me, right? Can we also explain why we made up this new song?”

My daughter concurred.

An hour or so later, a message arrived with a Spanish version, which my daughter put to memory immediately:

“Ta, te, tí,

Dame suerte para mí,

Si no es para mí, será para tí,

Chocolate con maní”

(Literal translation: Ta te ti, Give me luck for me, If it’s not for me, it’ll be for you. Chocolate and peanuts!)

All of a sudden we had two songs to teach her class, and two other options to avoid reproducing a racist history by singing “Eeny meeny…”

On that cold, rainy day after the election, Columbus Circle is where I wanted to be with my children. But as a parent, it feels even more urgent to take the daily opportunities for interrupting racism and standing up to white-washed history that often stands in silence as “harmless” nursery rhymes are reproduced by generation after generation.

If there is anything I want to teach my white children, it is not to stay silent. It is that words matter, and today, they matter more than ever.

More: The "village" we've been looking for is in volunteer parents

Sachi Feris is a blogger at Raising Race Conscious Children, an online a resource to support adults who are trying to talk about race with young children. Sachi also co-facilitates interactive workshops/webinars on how to talk about race with young children. Sachi currently teaches Spanish to Kindergarten and 1st grade at an independent school in Brooklyn. Sachi identifies as White and is a mother to a four-year-old daughter and one-year-old son.

Moana's real fight isn't against a demigod, but the patriarchy itself

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Watching the newest Disney movie Moana, was very much like watching women pounding their fists against glass ceilings in feeble attempts to be heard, as they follow their instincts for solving real-life problems. Moana is a young princess from the South Pacific, destined to follow in her father’s footsteps as chief of her tribe, and while her father entrusts her with this responsibility, he does everything in his power to stunt her efforts at individuality and independence.

More: 12 dystopian novels where women kick the future's ass

Since she was a toddler, Moana was chosen by the sea to save her people, who are facing famine and destruction. Her instincts tell her that the sea is the path towards finding herself, her power, and the solution to her tribe’s ills. Her father however, keeps standing in her way, telling her she doesn’t know what she’s doing, that it’s dangerous, and that her place is among her people, collecting coconuts and tending to the needs of her tribe. He wants her to be a caretaker, a mother to her land and followers, and not the adventurer she discovers is in her blood and in her tribe’s history.

But the father is not the only hulking male figure of patriarchy that stands in her way. Another is Maui, the demigod who ruined her tribe’s future when he stole Te Fiti’s heart (a green pounamu stone). Te Fiti is the goddess that created all life, and when Maui stole her heart, she became vengeful, cursing all the islands she created and their natural resources. Moana resolves to find Maui and force him to return the stone he stole to Te Fiti so that all will return to the way it should be.

According to directors Ron Clements and John Musker, “We saw this as a hero’s journey, a coming-of-age story, in a different tradition than the princess stories…I don’t know that any of the other princesses we’ve been involved with we’d describe as badass." Moana is badass. She is the antithesis of all the princess stories that Disney has profited from. And thankfully, this is a story that does not revolve around love and romance, as most Disney stories usually do. But what these directors are not aware of is that they set her up not against natural forces, but rather, patriarchal forces. And these are forces that all women have to contend with — in the home and in the workplace — as they endeavor to find their own place in life and in the professional world.

Moana’s character, despite her teenage status, is strong, confident, and determined. Throughout the story, she has to combat monsters and gigantic crabs out to kill her, violent seas that make her voyage difficult, and natural forces that impede her travels. As difficult as these seem to be for us, they’re the easiest parts of a journey designed to save her people. Her most difficult challenges are grappling against patriarchal forces that remind her she is just a girl or just a princess. This was the most difficult part to watch, for it was very much like watching a vibrant light get flicked off by very large, masculine, and entitled thumbs.

Both Maui, the demigod, and her father, are hulking, masculine figures. They’re tall, muscularly built, and their voices and words garner submission. They both represent the authoritative power and command that comes with patriarchy — with men in power. They each take turns constantly pressing her down, suppressing her voice and volition, with physical and verbal force. Moana’s greatest struggle is to fight against them for her own voice to be heard, her strength to be realized, and their negative and overpowering resistance to her problem-solving tactics. Throughout the film, Moana knows how to solve the problem of decaying land and food, and she knows the answer lies in going beyond the reef, but her father's fears attack her resolve again and again with such compulsion that she is forced to submit to him.

More: Literary female characters who will always be in my girl squad

Similarly, once she’s past the reef and on her own, she has to fight against the powers and selfish forcefulness of the demigod that entombs and abandons her in a cave, steals her sailboat, throws her into the sea more times than is imaginable — all the while laughing. He uses his physical strength against her, reminds her of her flaws throughout the story, and abandons her again when he fears his magic shape-shifting hook will be destroyed by her ambition to correct his mistakes. Child-like and petulant, this demigod becomes the greatest challenge that she has to overcome in order to solve the problems of her people. Standing up to him, she is fighting against patriarchy and masculinity alike, wrangling against the constant badgering and belittling that is every woman’s surest battle in life. Moana’s struggle is no different, as he continually renders her to tears and self-doubt. Her greatest power comes not in solving problems or battling monsters, nor is it her ambition or gumption, but rather it is her fight against the men that stand in her way with physical and emotional force just to shut her up, stunt her growth and potential, and put her in her place.

The only two people that support Moana and see the full extent of her potential are her mother and her grandmother. Her mother helps her pack food the night she decides to leave the island, and her grandmother confirms that their people are voyagers, and that Moana’s unspoken call to the sea is part of her heritage. If not for these two women, and the grandmother in particular who kept returning to remind Moana of her strength, Moana would not have been able to overcome the ferocity imposed upon her by the two fiercest men in her life.

Clements and Musker believe that they have put together a film with an empowered princess for girl audiences, but they still designed this film through the relentless male gaze that plagues all works created by men. They don’t see what we girls and women see: One girl set up against the will of two powerful and patriarchal figures. In many ways, this is what many females experience as they come of age. Our most persistent battle is not finding ourselves or solving our problems, but fighting against patriarchal norms that come at us from every male, every male-dominated industry, reminding us that we have to fight harder, yell louder, work longer just to be heard, and to achieve what we know is rightfully ours: free will and volition.

Originally published on BlogHer

More: 9 organizations committed to helping girls kick butt in tech fields

9 media mavens share their best skin care tips for living in a big city

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Anti-aging anything isn’t exactly easy when our skin is up against pollution, practically unable to escape chemical pollutants, free radicals and God knows what toxins. Chemical pollutants are known to damage skin, linked to dark spots and wrinkles. UV radiation and free radicals trigger inflammation and break down collagen. Exposure to all of these things skyrockets when you live in urban areas. So what’s a city girl to do?

Well, take it from these hardworking media pros who work, live and breathe in big cities, where pollution runs high. This is how they scored healthy skin despite everything trying to offend it.

1. Erika Kirschner, SheKnows client services manager, New York

When you’re relaxing, so is your skin. Make sure you give it what it needs. Kirschner wears her favorite serum, even if she’s laying in bed all day. “I’d never go a day without it,” she says. Healthy skin requires diligence, my friends. Wear serums, even when you Netflix and chill.

2. Lauren Swanson, editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Scottsdale Magazine, Scottsdale

Why add to the list of chemicals doing a number on your skin? Check labels and do your research. Make sure the ingredients are working for you, not against you. Swanson says, “I recently started using a moisturizer that is made of organic ingredients, like jojoba oil, aloe vera, extra virgin coconut oil and this stuff called Queen of Hungary's water. It's a blend of rosemary and vodka (yes, vodka!) and it tightens fine lines like a dream.” 

Uh, how cool does it sound to say that you use queen water on your skin? Yes, please.

3. Adriana Velez, SheKnows food editor, New York

Take it from a food editor, your diet matters. Velez says, “I consider eating a lot of fresh produce part of my skin care.” Why? Because antioxidants fight free radicals, and they win. (Hint: Blueberries, kidney beans and cranberries are just a few examples of foods high in antioxidants. And let us not forget about wine.)

More: It's official: these are the very best products for exfoliating you skin

4. Erica Miller, SheKnows client services manager, New York

Air pollutants can cause dry skin and that goes for your lips too. Miller says, “I like to use a lip scrub once a week before bed and then use petroleum jelly nightly. I have found that this keeps my lips feeling hydrated.”

5. Kenzie Mastroe, SheKnows branded content and pets editor, Scottsdale

Just because you live in the sunniest state in the U.S., doesn't mean you should be basking in the sun's glorious glow every day. Mastroe told us, "It's sunny just about every single day in this city, so it would be easy enough to go outside and tan, but to save my skin from a lot of UV damage, I get a spray tan about once a week."

6. Melissa Kirsch, SheKnows deputy editor, New York

There’s no time for no SPF. In addition to applying sunscreen daily in the morning, Kirsch reapplies mineral powder sunscreen before going back outside. “You’re outside so much in the city, and it’s easy to forget that you’re always, always, always exposed to the sun,” she says.

Bonus tip: She also cleanses with micellar water, which is basically oil molecules in a cleansing water that removes city grime makeup like a charm.

7. Ilana Levin, SheKnows director of west coast sales, Los Angeles

You may actually need to wash your skin less. “I try to wash my face as little as possible (assuming I'm not wearing makeup),” says Levin. Her reason: Soap can be too drying. And she may actually have a point. Overcleansing can strip and dry skin — not exactly what your skin needs in the already dry winter weather. As long as you’re #makeupfree, you may be able to get away with just rinsing. This doesn’t mean you should ditch cleanser for good because, rest assured, there are consequences to going too many days without a cleanser.

8. Lauren Caruso, StyleCaster site director, New York

It’s all in the mist for Caruso. She follows her exfoliator with a facial mist and thena serum. But why? To replenish moisture, of course. Winter is brutal on our skin. Facial mists can make it right again.

More: Insanely easy DIY exfoliating scrubs your skin will thank you for

9. Crystal Lewis Brown, SheKnows director of editorial operations, Phoenix

Believe it or not, living in a big city often means living (and bathing!) with hard water. If you're not among those, count yourself lucky — washing your face in hard water can leave it dry and flaky. "I religiously moisturize day and night," said Brown. "And my family also invested in a water softener. My skin and my hair are all the better for it."

This post was sponsored by Elizabeth Arden.

Adam Klein pulls off big Survivor move with surprise from his pants

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Survivor has done it again. After a head-spinning Thanksgiving double elimination, viewers were taken on a roller coaster ride of emotions. From tears to a jaw-dropping conclusion, it was another satisfying 60 minutes of TV.

More: Survivor delivers double elimination with epic tie-breaking Tribal Council shocker

It started when the final nine castaways were reunited with their loved ones. The tears immediately started gushing as each relative ran onto the beach. Jay expressed his deep bond with his sister. Zeke's father said his son is his hero. Hannah was thrilled to see her mom, who had survived cancer.

Jay Starrett with his sister during loved ones visit on Survivor: Millennials Vs. Gen-X
Image: CBS

That brings us to Adam. His journey on Survivor has been a wicked wave of nerves filled with wonder of how his mom was doing back home as she battled cancer. When his brother rushed out for a warm embrace, he sobbed as he sought answers on his mom's health. He could have easily earned all the answers he wanted by using his Reward-stealing advantage. But he announced right there on the sand before the challenge even started that he could never rob somebody the opportunity to spend time with their family.

Sadly, Adam lost the challenge to Jay.

More: Jessica Lewis recounts that amazingly awesome Survivor Tribal Council

Adam Klein cries with his brother during loved ones visit on Survivor: Millennials Vs. Gen-X
Image: CBS

As expected, Jay was asked to bring along two castaways to join him on the Reward, which involved a barbecue with loved ones back at camp. Jay fought through tears as he explained his decision was based on promises made earlier in the game to bring Will and Sunday. Ugh. Both sucked in the challenge and are possibly the two people I thought deserved the prize the least.

But wait, there's more.

When Jeff Probst told Jay to invite one more castaway, he did the right thing and picked Adam. After all, Adam could have forced a reversal on the Reward by stealing it all, but he didn't. It was the right move for Jay. Game aside, Adam clearly needed that family visit more than anybody else in the competition.

Jeff Probst with final 9 castaways on Survivor: Millennials Vs. Gen-X
Image: CBS

Once at camp, Adam's brother broke the news that their mom's cancer treatments weren't showing any progress. "She's getting so much of her strength from you," Adam's brother said. The tearful moment was tough for me to watch on a personal level having lost my own mother to cancer at a young age. Stay strong, Adam. Sadly, we have learned that Adam's mom passed away just a few days after filming this season wrapped.

Viewers were all over Twitter admitting they couldn't stop crying throughout the episode.

Survivor viewer posts Oprah tears

Survivor viewer posts Oprah tears

Survivor viewer says episode is tear jerker

Survivor viewer says episode is tear jerker

Viewer says Survivor makes grown men cry

Viewer says Survivor makes grown men cry

Survivor viewer says episode made her cry like a bitch

Survivor viewer says episode made her cry like a bitch

Survivor viewer tweets tearful gif

Survivor viewer tweets tearful gif

To show his gratitude, Adam surprised again by gifting his Reward-stealing advantage to Jay. Smart strategy. Jay is somebody who clearly appreciated the gift, and now Adam doesn't have to worry about it putting a target on his back any longer.

Will finally wakes up to play

Week after week, Will has been almost invisible this season. Suddenly, the 18-year-old high schooler realized it was time for him to start playing the game or he would never have enough reasons to win. Well, duh! His plan was to target Zeke out of fear he was the biggest threat.

Will Wahl on Survivor: Millennials Vs. Gen-X
Image: CBS

Here's where things got very interesting. When Zeke's alliance started tossing around the scheme of blindsiding Ken, Will went and warned him. Ken, obviously, didn't like what he was hearing so he confronted Will's ally, Jay. Suddenly, the plot was in shambles with Will in the middle of two different alliances: Zeke, Sunday, Jay and Bret vs. Ken, David, Hannah and Adam.

At Tribal Council, Will proudly boasted he was there to play hard with big moves. But his declaration was overshadowed by what happened next. As Probst went to tally the votes, Hannah whispered to Adam that she was worried. Unexpectedly, Adam rose to his feet and shoved his hand in his pants. As he scrounged around his crotch, Adam whipped out his hidden Immunity Idol and handed it over to spare Hannah.

Adam Klein pulls out Idol on Survivor

Adam Klein pulls out Idol on Survivor

While it was definitely a huge strategic play, Adam's Idol truly didn't have an impact because five votes -- including Will's -- went against Zeke while Hannah only had four.

But still, what a moment!

More: Survivor's Chris Hammons says many contestants don't deserve to win

Zeke Smith on Survivor: Millennials Vs. Gen-X
Image: CBS

With only eight castaways remaining, this season is winding down fast. Who do you think is most deserving of winning? Join the conversation by leaving a comment in the section below.

7 things that are aging your skin and what you can do about it

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Take a minute and look in the mirror. What do you see? A gorgeous woman, of course, but does your skin look a bit older than you want it to? If so, it's time to reassess your skin care and lifestyle habits.

The reason: Every choice we make has the potential to impact our skin, for better or worse.

And the hard truth is if you don't protect your mug from these skin care enemies, you'll see the fine lines, wrinkles and sunspots show up a lot sooner than they should.

1. Sun damage

We all love the sun, but it's not good for your skin. In fact, the sun is one of the biggest reasons for skin to show signs of aging prematurely.

Thankfully, you don't have to hide from the sun to avoid its aging effects, but you should always use anti-aging products like Elizabeth Arden PREVAGE® Anti-Aging Daily Serum ($162). This high performing serum reduces the appearance of lines, wrinkles, sun damage and uneven skin texture. It has idebenone, a powerful antioxidant, to help fight environmental threats including pollution, UV rays, and smoke — all of which can make you look old well before your time.

More: 12 expert-approved steps to smoother skin

2. Diet

What you put in your body affects the function of every organ in your body, including the biggest one: your skin. Loading up on foods full of refined sugars, carbs and fats can have an inflammatory effect on your skin, leaving your skin looking sallow and sad.

Instead, loading up on fresh, whole foods full of nutrients like zinc, vitamin C and beta carotene can help keep your skin looking bright and firm thanks to their collagen-boosting ways. And don't forget the protein: Research shows that a lack of protein can cause the skin to tear and wrinkle.

3. Smoking

It's time to kick the habit, for the sake of your lungs and your skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, the 4,000 chemicals in cigarettes damage the natural elastin and collagen fibers in your skin, leaving you with sagging, wrinkled skin on your face and body. It's especially noticeable around the mouth since the act of smoking causes you to constantly purse your lips.

Not to mention, the nicotine narrows blood vessels near the outer layers of your skin and blocks important nutrients like oxygen and vitamin A.

4. Free radicals

Free radicals might sound the like name of a band, but it's actually the name for an atom or group of atoms with an unpaired electron, according to the International Dermal Institute. This electron finds another electron and steals it, creating another free radical and a chain reaction that can damage tissue membranes and lead to inflammation and early aging.

More: It took ages to nail my skin care routine, but I've done it

Where do these free radicals come from? A number of places, including pollution and the sun's UV rays. Your best line of defense against these free radicals is a healthy diet full of antioxidants and environment-fighting skin care products like Elizabeth Arden PREVAGE® City Smart Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Hydrating Shield ($68). This invisible shield combines pollution and UV protection as it packs in plenty of hydration to help skin look younger, longer.

5. Sleep

A lack of sleep wreaks havoc on your productivity (and your coffee consumption), but it can also do a number on your skin. A 2015 study conducted by The Sleep School and Bensons for Beds in the U.K. found women who averaged six hours of sleep for five nights experienced a number of skin problems. The biggest? Fine lines and wrinkles increased in number by 45 percent, while blemishes increased by 13 percent and red areas increased by 8 percent.

“Sleep deprivation is endemic in British society, with almost half of U.K. people regularly sleeping for 25 percent less than the recommended seven to eight hours," Dr. Guy Meadows, founder of The Sleep School, concluded in the study. "As the results of this study show, not only does this have serious effects on mood, cognitive ability and concentration, but also on appearance and self-esteem.”

6. Excessive exfoliation

Wait — aren't we supposed to exfoliate? Yes, but scrubbing and scraping your skin on a daily basis can lead to microscopic tears in the fibers — that collagen and elastin we talked about — and lead to find lines and wrinkles.

But don't give it up for good. Just keep the exfoliating to once or twice a week and amp up your skin care routine with products formulated to fight aging on a daily basis.

More: I finally listened to my mom and started going makeup-free

7. Stress

Stressing about work, relationships and financial woes can have a pretty significant — and immediate — impact on your skin.

"When we’re under ongoing stress, it creates that fight-or-flight reaction in an unrelenting way, and as a result, stress chemicals are released into the body. What we know so far is that the release of those stress chemicals creates biological changes," Dr. Vivian Diller told The Huffington Post.

A 2012 study published in the journal PLOS One found that people with chronic stress had shorter sections of DNA called telomeres. The shorter the telomere, the sooner a cell becomes damaged or dies altogether, speeding up aging in your body and on your skin.

Diller said it best when she told The Huffington Post, "It’s very possible that if you have a life filled with that constant stress, little by little the body is breaking down."

When stress gets the best of you, reach for a makeup that will make a difference, like Elizabeth Arden's PREVAGE® Anti-Aging Foundation Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30 ($65). This breakthrough makeup repairs skin’s appearance for an instantly perfected look—smooth, firm and naturally radiant. Hydra-Pigments help skin retain moisture while delivering long-wear color and blurring imperfections stress leaves behind.

This post was sponsored by Elizabeth Arden.

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