If you’re a millennial and you’re thinking about adopting a dog, think again. At least so says controversial dog behaviorist Cesar Millan, who seems to think that millennials are too obsessed with their phones to be good dog owners. Uh, OK.
“The new generation brought the dog inside. But that's because the new generation don't have children. You need to fill that empty space,” Millan told the Daily Mail. “You need to love somebody and you need to touch somebody.” Well, first off, millennials are responsible for 80 percent of the 4 million annual births in this country according to one study, so this seems wrong.
Next, he said that millennials are inherently bad pet owners. “Millennials shouldn't adopt dogs yet,” he said. “They are always on their phone and have no idea how to relate on a personal matter.” Seeing as the millennial generation is between the ages of 20 and 36 at this point, this is a comment that has little basis in reality.
“They’re not ready to have a one-on-one relationship,” he continued. “A lot of millennials feel independent and can do their own thing, but they have no idea how to relate with other human beings.” Again — what??
If you’re thinking of getting a dog and you happen to be between the ages of 20 and 36, well, go for it. But if for some reason you want to know what Millan has to say on the subject, he has five questions for you first.
Do I get nervous, anxious or frustrated?
Do I do exercise every day before I have a dog?
Am I a disciplined person?
What dog is compatible?
What stage of a dog am I ready for? “First timers should foster at a senior stage, they’re slower and easier to manage,” Millan said.
His final golden nugget, which actually makes way more sense than everything else he told the Daily Mail: Think about fostering before committing to a dog. This makes sense — if you’ve never been a dog owner and you don’t know what it’s like, it’s a good idea to try it out before taking it on full-time. But then he ruined everything with this comment: “They’ve been given everything, how are they going to maintain a dog?”
No matter how well we think we know our partner, sometimes we end up missing signals and thinking they're saying, thinking or feeling one thing, when it's actually something entirely different. And the way we interpret — or rather, misinterpret — our partner's emotional cues can have a big impact on our relationship according to a study by researchers at Washington University.
The study, which followed a total of 120 heterosexual couples, found that many of us tend to "underestimate how often a partner is suppressing emotions and to overestimate a partner's ability to see the bright side of an issue that might otherwise spark negative emotions," said Lameese Eldesouky, study author and doctoral student in psychological and brain sciences at Washington University, in a statement.
Ultimately, it sounds like we’re just not listening to each other, and by not paying attention and picking up the right emotional cues, we’re not as in sync as we could be. A lot of us tend to suppress emotions in order to “play it cool” or try to look at the bright side in a bad situation, and this can cause crossed signals if one partner is able to “look at the bright side” and the other can’t (and doesn't admit it).
"This study suggests that suppression might be easier to judge than reappraisal because suppression provides more external cues, such as appearing stoic," said Tammy English, co-author of the study, in a statement. "Suppression is often considered a negative trait while reappraisal is considered a positive trait because of the differential impact these strategies have on emotional well-being and social relationships."
On top of all this, it turns out that women tend to see their partners in a more positive light than men generally do and assume people are less able to hide their emotions than they actually are (possibly because we women are naturally a bit more in tune with our emotions). The takeaway: Don't take your partner's poker face or insistent "I'm totally fine!" at face value. If you suspect he or she is still secretly fuming about that argument you had a few hours ago, dig a little deeper to make sure you've found real resolution or it could be a recipe for misunderstanding.
Begin this look by swooping all hair down onto the nape of the neck.
Step 2:
Make a low ponytail, but don't pull hair all the way through. There will be a loop of hair and a "tail" hanging underneath.
Step 3:
Divide the loop of hair into two sides.
Step 4:
With bobby pins, pin each side of the loop against your head. Make sure the sides look symmetrical. Don't worry about them being perfect though — our hair bow is a little loose and carefree.
Step 5:
Braid the "tail" hanging at the nape of your neck and tie off with a hair tie.
Step 6:
Bring the braided "tail" up and tuck under to hide the end. Bobby pin into place.
Step 7:
Tweak bow as needed and you're finished — so cute.
Fashionista ponytail
Step 1:
Begin by adding a light wave to your hair.
Step 2:
Next, make three ponytails stacking them top to bottom — one high at the crown of your head, the other in the middle and the last one at the nape of your neck. Be sure to give each ponytail a good tug to ensure it's tight.
Step 3:
Add a texture spray and lightly back-comb each ponytail to pump up the volume.
Step 4:
Take very small sections of hair and braid each section. Be sure to scatter the braids around sporadically so it doesn't look contrived (3-4 small braids are perfect).
Step 5:
You're finished. Making three separate ponytails keeps your hair looking full and long — you won't lose any length like you normally do with a regular ponytail — this ponytail is sassy.
Crown braid
Step 1:
Start a loose braid at your bang area. Keep this braid hugging the crown of your head. If hair falls around your face — leave it! We want this look to be easygoing.
Step 2:
Once the braid is complete, pin it low at the back of your head.
Step 3:
Add a matching braid on the other side and bring around to the back of the head to meet the first braid. Pin the second braid into place (be sure to hide the pins under the hair so they're not seen).
Step 4:
Take the ends of each braid and tie them in a knot like you're tying a shoelace — same concept. Double knot the ends (like you would a shoelace) and pin to hold into place — be sure to hide the pin.
Step 5:
Give hair a light spray of hairspray to hold. Next, prepare for compliments!
This article was originally posted October 2014, and updated March 2017.
Last week we talked all about cat tongues. Now it’s time to celebrate those awesomely adorable dog tongues.
Besides helping dogs eat and drink, dog tongues provide dog parents everywhere with a constant source of amusement. You need only look at the 25,000 Instagram #DogTongue posts or my own pup Fiona’s always-out tongue (below and on Instagram at #FionaTheTacoDog) to see why.
#FionatheTacoDog IG
#FionatheTacoDog IG
But did you know dog’s tongues are also amazing? Scientists at Virginia Tech found dog tongues can hit liquids with up to 8 times the force of gravity. For comparison, cat tongues only hit water at one or two times the force of gravity.
Dog Drinking NYT video
Dog Drinking NYT video
This fascination with the curious tongue leads to lots of questions from dog parents, so we combed through the PetCoach archives to answer some of the most common — as well as to celebrate some of the more unexpected functions the dog tongue performs.
What your dog’s tongue does
1. Saying, “I’m Stressed”: Does your dog sometimes lick its lips or flick its tongue in and out in the air? Those flicks of the tongue can actually indicate uncertainty or stress, according to PetCoach’s team. Check out more ways Fido tries to communicate with you.
Dog tongue IG 1
Dog tongue IG 1
2. Dental hygiene: Just like our own mouths, your dog’s mouth needs regular attention. Preventing plaque build-up by regular brushing minimizes the chances of gum disease, bad breath and tooth infections. However, it takes time to make the process of brushing your dog’s teeth properly enjoyable — and maybe even fun — for both of you. (Check out simple tips for brushing your dog’s teeth.) But thanks to your pup’s tongue, you don’t have to worry as much about the inner side of your dog’s teeth. “The inside of the teeth are kept much cleaner by your dog’s tongue,” notes PetCoach’s article "How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth Properly." Just don’t forget that Fido needs regular dental screenings with your vet at his regular checkup to catch things like cavities and tartar before they become bigger problems.
Dog teeth 2
Dog teeth 2
3. Attention-seeking: It’s hard to ignore our puppies when they are showering our faces with slobbery kisses. We get love — and sometimes annoyed — and they get the attention they wanted. “Canine attention-seeking behavior often incorporates the tongue,” points out PetCoach veterinary technician, Debi Matlack. “Dogs often lick you to get your attention or as a simple greeting. As in, ‘Hey, I’m here. I’m cute. Pet me.’” Sometimes, however, the licking may be a sign of something a bit more sinister, like an obsessive-compulsive tendency. Check out some other reasons dogs might start licking too much.
Dog licking 3
Dog licking 3
4. Regulating body temperature: Us lucky humans sweat at almost every place on our bodies. Fido doesn’t, though. Dogs have very few sweat glands, mostly in their paws, and rely on their tongues for body temp regulation. That’s why we get that exhausted half smile and the panting tongue falling out of their mouths after a good walk or game of fetch.
Dog panting 4
Dog panting 4
Overall, tongues can indicate a lot about your dog's inner health (to a qualified professional). As you learn in pet first aid and CPR training, signs like white gums and tongue and other color or texture variations can spell trouble — yet another reason why regular checkups with the vet are essential, even when Fido seems to feel fine.
Which bring us to those doggy tongue FAQs
Here are a few of our favs. Do you have one to add? Ask in the module below.
Why do dogs’ tongues stick out?
Lots of reasons! The most common reason is panting from being hot, like we talked about earlier. But if you ever see those dogs, or maybe you’re the parent of one, who constantly has its tongue out or whose tongue doesn’t quite fit in their mouth, the dog may have hanging tongue syndrome. “These dogs have functional tongues, but because of genetics, the tongue may be too large for the oral cavity, an abnormal jaw bone doesn’t support the tongue or missing teeth allow the tongue to slip out through the gap,” says Dr. Kevin Wilson of Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital. Essentially, hanging tongue syndrome may be caused by things such as a malformed or misaligned snout, including overbites or a too-long tongue.
Should dog tongues be pink?
Not necessarily. Tongues can have other pigmentation, like black spots. However, if you notice changes in your dog's tongue, like color, shape or texture, it's time to take a trip to the vet. Only a professional can tell you if you’re looking at a taste bud or something more serious, like a tumor.
Dr. Jennifer Ladd over at PetCoach says, “Yes, in fact they do. [The tongues] are a bit different from ours in regards to the proportion of types of taste buds, but in general they are just like ours.” And the subtle differences are fascinating.
Humans may have 7,294 more taste buds, but the dog’s tongue can do something ours can’t — detect water. “Dogs also have taste buds that are tuned for water, which is something they share with cats and other carnivores, but is not found in humans,” writes Stanley Coren in his article, "How Good Is Your Dog’s Sense of Taste?" for Psychology Today. Psychologists believe this developed as a survival tactic to ensure the dog’s body keeps optimal fluid levels or that it has enough water to help digest the last meal it ate. “It certainly appears that when these special water taste buds are active, dogs seem to get an extra pleasure out of drinking water, and will drink copious amounts of it,” Coren notes.
Humans and dogs both share taste buds for sweet, sour and bitter tastes. But another difference is humans have taste buds designed to detect salt and dogs don’t. Because dogs were mostly carnivores in the wild, there was enough salt in their meaty diet, so they never developed the taste receptors for salt.
Can dogs having seizures actually swallow their tongues?
Nope! If you go to a mirror and check out the bottom of your tongue, you’ll see a piece that attaches the tongue to the bottom of the mouth. It’s called the lingual frenulum, and your dog has it too. This little piece ensures your dog’s tongue — and yours — doesn’t roll into the throat. Like all medical emergencies, seizures are scary. Learn more about seizures in dogs and debunk the myths around them.
Whew! That was a lot of information. Still have a question about dog tongues? Ask PetCoach using the widget below.
Remember that bronze, shimmery M.A.C. eyeshadow you had sitting in your online cart that you finally decided to buy after two months? The one that you immediately tapped over your lids without bothering to look in the mirror, as soon as it came in the mail? Now what if we told you there’s a chance that eyeshadow wasn’t a genuine M.A.C. product, but instead, a counterfeit? Welp, according to a recent Bloomberg investigation, massive amounts of counterfeit makeup are currently sold in America, and you might just be using some right now. Yay!
Like, yes, you already know that if you go to some shady story in a major city, you’ll probably find knockoff Louis Vuitton wallets and Beautyblenders. But what about the beauty products you buy from reputable sites online, like that Estée Lauder lipstick or that Bobbi Brown eyeliner you bought from Amazon, Alibaba, or Ebay? Turns out, they could be counterfeit, as Bloomberg discovered after following a 2014 sting operation that busted a mom-and-pop operation in New Jersey, where a husband and wife were ordering massive supplies of counterfeit M.A.C. makeup and then re-selling it on Amazon, as well as well as to wholesalers who distributed to New York City salons.
And what’s even worse than duping makeup lovers into spending money on crappy knockoffs is that counterfeit makeup can be incredibly dangerous, as it may contain harsh, unregulated ingredients that could be toxic to your skin. “The products often come from moonshine-style operations, with mud-caked floors and open vats of dye, and can contain paint thinner, mercury, carcinogens, and dangerous levels of bacteria,” reported the article, adding that “eyeshadow made with arsenic can seal your eyelids shut.” Excuse us while we try to permanently erase that mental image.
It goes without saying that no cheap sale is worth the risk of ending up with a counterfeit, so if you really want to avoid fakes, make sure to only buy directly from reputable, big-name companies (like Sephora, Ulta, or the brand’s website), rather than random, third-party vendors, like Ebay or Amazon (unless, of course, the seller on Amazon is the actual beauty brand). So even if you just found your favorite, perfectly pink eyeshadow at some random discount site, don’t buy it, despite how much your wallet begs you to. Trust us, your eyelids will thank you.
Ask multiple parents about ideal family size, and you’re likely to get multiple answers. But one trope that keeps coming up over and over is that having three kids is harder than having two because that’s the point at which the kids outnumber the parents. While every family’s experience is different, here are six reasons transitioning from two kids to three can — sometimes, at least — be easier than going from one to two.
1. You're not revoking anyone's celebrity status
For the nearly two years when my oldest was an only, she was pretty much the center of the universe that was our home. It wasn’t that we catered to her every whim, but babies and little kids can be pretty demanding, and they have a way of taking over for better and for worse.
From the kid’s perspective, transitioning from solo star of the show to one of a cast of (crying) characters can be really tough on the star. But if they're already part of a cast and a new member shows up? Eh, no biggie.
2. There are other forms of entertainment
An only child who wants to play and doesn't have a friend over only has two choices: playing alone or forcing an adult in their lives to join them. This means you may have to build a very high tower (but only with the red blocks) or demonstrate excessive admiration for the delicious "ice cream” they just concocted in the toy oven.
But once Baby 3 is ready for the world, there's a good chance Kids 1 and 2 are keeping each other entertained. Sure, that entertainment may involve a more colorful wall than you used to have or a tearful tussle over who gets to play with the Spider-Man ball, but hey, at least you have the luxury of changing the baby's diaper while the older two are off doing something else.
3. You've already got the toddler-wrangling skills
With your first kid, you're learning what in the world you're supposed to do with a baby. You learn that "slippery when wet" applies to babies at least as much as roads; that clipping the nails of a wriggling creature, while tough, is not quite as insurmountable a task as it seems; and that the biggest blowout will inevitably happen right after you've given the kid a bath.
With your second, you may have the baby hacks down, but now you realize you have no clue how to actually do all those baby things while simultaneously entertaining a toddler or paying attention to an older child. It's a whole new learning curve.
By the time you have your third, though, you've already taken your prereq classes and can finally move on to putting into practice what you've already learned. Plus, you've probably already got some ready-to-use instructions stored up, like "We only put baskets on our own heads, not the baby’s,” or "Wait! No, babies don't eat lollipops!”
4. You’re more confident as a parent
One bonus of having been around the block twice is that you may feel more confident in your parenting choices because you’ve been there and done that already, and your kids turned out OK so far.
Part of this is learning what you can let go of — and that may be a lot of the stuff you thought was essential the first or second times. It could be physical stuff that retailers want you to think is indispensable, like wipe warmers, or stuff you used to be convinced it was necessary to do. You know those memes about how parents boil the pacifier of their first baby every time it falls out but by the third baby they just pop it back in? Well, with your third, you may find there is some truth to that.
5. You know what you don't know
There is a flip side to all this increased confidence and skills. Even though in certain ways, you're smarter about parenting by the time Kid 3 makes an appearance, you also know enough to realize that you're not actually an expert in parenting, you're just an expert in parenting your specific kids.
As a baby, my oldest used to love being held stomach-down on our forearms and would often cry if she was being held a different way. The key information to retain was not that this specific position was magic, but that there might be some position that works like magic to help calm babies down — and it's up to the parents and the baby to figure out exactly what it is. By the time I pushed out my third child, I realized more fully that while I had a lot of good tricks up my sleeve that were well worth trying, ultimately, I might have to tweak or even ditch them if they didn't work with this specific baby.
6. It's not a zero-sum game
My oldest was at a pretty needy stage when my second was born, so I was constantly trying to make the right judgment call on whose needs should come first. Sometimes it felt like every decision was an anxiety-riddled zero-sum game.
“I should prioritize the baby because she's tiny and helpless and needs me more!” I would think. But the other gremlins in my head had opinions too. “No, I should give the toddler more attention because she's feeling displaced and needs emotional reassurance!” And then: “Wait, but no, I can't treat my second worse than I treated my first. I’ll be setting them up for a lifetime of sibling rivalry!”
When I had my third, making these judgments was so much easier because I wasn't constantly pitting one kid against another in my head. That’s when the numbers game worked in my favor. I still gave preference to the baby when her basic needs had to be met ASAP, but when I had to turn my attention over to the big kids, I felt more justified because, hey, I was helping the majority of the children in my care.
All told, it should go without saying that family size is a very personal decision that every family needs to make for themselves to the extent they can. But for those who want a third and are worried about being in the minority, it’s worth remembering that sometimes, a number is just a number.
A mom in Texas is celebrating the soon-to-be arrival of her two babies in a unique way.
Lauren Walker, a soon-to-be mom in Texas, posted a picture on Facebook that has since gone viral. The image is of two onesies surrounded by the needles and drug bottles she used during her fertility treatments in order to get pregnant.
“I thought we were just never going to be able to have kids. I was in such a horrible state of depression, and confusion, anger and bitterness,” Walker said, according to Yahoo.
In the United States, about 12 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 44 go through infertility according to the CDC. Walker’s Facebook post was her way of extending a hand to those who are going through the highs and lows of infertility the way she did.
“We also know that there are people out there still struggling,” she explains, according to Yahoo. “I remember on my hardest days seeing all the baby announcements it was hard. I would go look at fertility blogs and find someone who was like me having a baby. I wanted to be that reassurance for someone.”
Walker is now 13 weeks pregnant and happily expecting twins. Her pregnancy is the result of various rounds of in vitro fertilization — the process in which a woman’s egg is fertilized by a sperm and then placed back in her uterus. The overall chances of becoming pregnant via IVF are about 40 percent for women younger than 35 years old according to the CDC.
On the surface, the photographs are an aesthetic accomplishment all on their own, with RiRi serving the kind of futuristic, glam, punk rock vibe that’s been a street style staple for years and is finally seeping onto runways as well.
The shoot is also a nod to Rihanna’s undeniable ability to morph from look to look, be at the forefront of fashion and not give any fucks. She is the queen of not giving fucks. She gives fewer fucks than me, than you, than the queen of England. And she always looks immaculate doing it. Not to mention that ANTI was one hell of a record — dynamic, sexy and innovative all at once — and in my opinion the worst snub of the Grammys this year. But she shaded them back, doing shots from a flask through the whole show.
(Seriously, though, how cool Rihanna is should be the only argument necessary for legalizing weed.)
But also...
The Paper shoot wasn’t just fly; it was also a fiercely executed political statement. Rihanna made a nod to that fact herself today about how one look in particular, in which she sports green spiked hair, is reminiscent of a certain green statue we all know quite well.
It’s pretty clear how Bad Gal RiRi feels, and a mega celebrity, who also happens to be an immigrant, posing with a Statue of Liberty-styled look is a powerful statement.
Rihanna has been very vocal on her Instagram account as well (which should get the award for best celebrity Instagram account) about the current political climate and growing Trump-spurred animosity toward women and black, immigrant, Muslim and LGBT communities. She posted in support of the Women’s March. She also posted a sign that said “I’m Black Every Month” on the first day of Black History Month. And shortly after the immigration ban was announced, she posted this perfect middle finger of a photo:
Rihanna Immigrant Photo Fixed
Rihanna Immigrant Photo Fixed
But also there is another brilliantly subtle but overtly powerful statement in the photos, and that’s the fact that she’s posing in a bodega. Bodegas are not just sanctuaries where you can get cheap, delicious food, beer and novelty items and often pet a cat. Bodegas are becoming increasingly political spaces. After the immigration ban, bodegas, traditionally immigrant-owned institutions, staged a strike to draw awareness to the importance of immigrants in our country. The gals of Broad City put up this rad statement backing the strike:
Donald Trump’s new slogan should probably be "Bad for Democracy, Great for George W. Bush." When Dubya (Bush's nickname, ICYMI) dipped out in 2008, it was certainly with his tail between his legs. He left office with one of the lowest exiting approval ratings ever at 25 percent. And it didn't help Bush out to have a charismatic, politically savvy, change-heralding panty-dropper like Obama — you bet your ass I just called Obama a panty-dropper. Have you seen this video?
Obama Back From Hawaii
Obama Back From Hawaii
But with our flaming hot Cheeto in Chief blowing up headlines every day with scandals and Twitter rants, Georgie-boy, now 70, has been having something of a popularity renaissance.
Check this casual frat boy look, which would be extra on its own. But with the astronaut baby, which is his adorable future-feminist granddaughter... someone give his stylist and PR agent trophies.
George Bush With Granddaughter on Halloween
George Bush With Granddaughter on Halloween
He’s meme-worthy as all hell rn
George Bush Would Risk it All For Michelle Obama
George Bush Would Risk it All For Michelle Obama
When you endear yourself to Michelle Obama, you endear yourself to all of us. And it’s clear from their interactions over the years that there is an earnest rapport between the two. Like, one day they passed in the White House when he came in for a meeting, and she saw the sad "I totally fucked up the country" look on his face and gave him a kiss on the cheek and a cookie (because she’s the best, and you know George W. Bush loves cocaine cookies). Bush recently told Peoplehe has “genuine affection” for the former first lady (on camera, with Laura Bush sitting next to him being an incredibly good sport). He said of their connection, “She kind of likes my sense of humor.” They’re basically Noah and Ali.
Bush went on the Today show this past week, and although he wasn't too tough on Trump, he boldly said, "We need an independent media to hold people like me to account." When probed by Matt Lauer, Bush said that the media is "indispensable to democracy."
"Power can be very addictive," he also warned. "It's important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power." Interestingly, Bush mentioned that while he was president, he admonished Vladimir Putin — someone Trump has probably scissored with — for not having a free press. Snaps for Bush.
His paintings, though
Since retiring from politics, Bush has begun painting. Which is so Bob Ross of him. And so. cute. But he took it to a whole new level by directing his artistic passions toward awareness for veterans. He just released his book Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors. The book is filled with portraits of veterans he's met, and proceeds will go to his foundation, the George W. Bush Presidential Center, which aids post-9/11 veterans in transitioning back to civilian life.
Think back to the last time you and your best friend made a pact to get “healthier.” Maybe you actually made it to yoga three times that week, or you bought a vegan lipstick and silently patted yourself on the back, or maybe you even lasted the full four weeks of Whole30. Hey, every little bit counts, right? But that also means your best friend definitely isn’t Cindy DiPrima, co-founder of CAP Beauty, because the last time DiPrima and her best friend decided to live a healthier life, they created one of the coolest natural beauty shops in New York City, and ever so swiftly established themselves as the new leaders of the beauty and wellness community.
Unlike you and your best friend, though, DiPrima and her business partner, Kerrilynn Pamer, didn’t just randomly decide to jump on the wellness train after finishing off a bottle of merlot and a bag of pita chips. “I’ve always been into natural beauty and holistic health, but all of those interests were really amplified when I had kids,” says DiPrima, whose two children are ages five and seven. “Babies lick you and kiss you, and I realized I didn’t even know what they were ingesting, because I didn’t know what was in my skin-care products. And that was kind of when I realized I needed to take ownership over my health and what I was putting on my body.”
Image: CAP Beauty
So when Pamer, who was already the owner of the fashion and jewelry boutique Castor and Pollux, which already carried a small collection of natural products, asked DiPrima in 2014 if she wanted to help her create a store solely devoted to natural beauty, her answer was easy. Within a year, the duo founded CAP Beauty (“it stands for clean and pure, though my very French husband pointed out that it also means destination, which is fitting”), an all-natural beauty website with a hyper-curated stock of hand-picked products, and in 2015, they opened their first brick-and-mortar store in the West Village in New York City.
“Kerrilynn and I decided early on that we were going to have high standards and a really tight edit with our selection of products,” says DiPrima. “Every product we carry has been tested by someone on our staff, and even then, we’ll only include it if it’s really, really excellent and is also filling some sort of void. Like, we’re not going to bewilder you with 20 choices of the same type of product—we’re going to give you the best ones at different price points, so you know you’re going home with the right product for you and your skin.”
Image: Cap Beauty
The rigorous vetting process, though, is somewhat necessary in a world of miscommunication about natural beauty. “People either think that natural beauty products are the less-effective stepsisters of mass-market products, or that they’re over-priced DIY recipes they could make in their own kitchen,” says DiPrima. “But a really excellent natural face oil, for example, wasn’t just slapped together; it’s been intelligently formulated to treat different skin types and issues using truly effective ingredients.”
And those ingredients really do make a difference. “99-percent of the time, synthetic ingredients in mass-market products aren’t actually making the product more effective—they’re generally just preserving the formula so it can sit on shelves for years without spoiling,” she says. “So maybe only 20-percent of the ingredients in your anti-aging cream are benefiting your skin, while the other 80-percent are fillers used to stabilize the product—all of which can be awful for your face in the long run.”
The ingredients in natural products, however, all serve a purpose: to better your skin. “Every single ingredient in the natural products we carry is there for a reason—whether it’s radish root ferment, which is both a natural preservative and an anti-inflammatory, or a botanical active that stabilizes the formula, while producing collagen in your skin,” says DiPrima. “Some of the best ingredients in the world are natural because they’re loaded with excellent nutrients, which makes them wonderful products on their own merit, even when stacked against drugstore favorites.”
Image: Cap Beauty
And if none of that sways you to try the natural-beauty life, maybe the fact that DiPrima’s own skin and hair now shine with the light of a thousand moons will entice you. “I have honestly never looked better since using all natural beauty products,” she says. “I’ve been using an oil treatment that turned my frizzy hair into this shiniest, silkiest hair I’ve ever had, and despite the fact that I’m always trying out new products, my skin-tone has totally evened out, my complexion is brighter, and I just look way glowier overall.”
Still, if you’re skeptical about sweeping your entire vanity into the trash can, DiPrima recommends starting small, but staying consistent. “The best way to adopt a natural lifestyle is to just be mindful and doing little things every day,” she says. “You don’t have to do a 21-day juice cleanse, but maybe try to have a green juice each morning. And you don’t need to abandon all of your favorite beauty products, but maybe try to swap two of them out for natural options.” In the end, though, DiPrima acknowledges that everyone needs to find a system that works best for her—“though I’m biased and think that system should be natural,” she says with a laugh.
Luckily, we got DiPrima to tell us her absolute favorite, holy-grail natural products, so you can test the natural life without feeling completely overwhelmed by the choices (or without buying a plane ticket to fly to New York and ask the CAP Beauty founders yourself). Click through to see her MVPs, and then get slathering. Your ridiculously perfect hair and skin will thank you.
“I know this is expensive, but their entire line is so, so good. This face wash has liquid silver in it, which has been shown to be regenerative and healing, along with a mix herbs that really help clarify your skin.”
“After cleansing, I follow up with a probiotic mist. Your skin has a microbiome that’s an immune system in itself, and, just like your stomach, the good bacteria needs help to fight the bad bacteria. So if your skin is ‘sick’ with topical conditions, this mist can help restore the balance.”
Marie Veronique Pre+Probiotic Daily Mist, $40; at CAP Beauty
“After the mist, I use this calendula oil, which gives my skin a really vibrant flush. Plus, you only need a few drops, so the bottle really lasts forever. I think everyone should be using facial oils, even if you have acne-prone skin. Our bodies produce extra oil when they feel they don’t have enough, so when you add more oil to your skin, you’ll calm down the oil production that can cause clogged pores and acne. For tougher, acne-prone skin, I’d suggest the Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum; for oily skin, I’d go with Dr. Alkaitis Organic Soothing Gel; and for dry skin, try the Pai Skincare Rosehip Bioregenerative Oil.”
In Fiore Calendula Solution Botanique, $175; at CAP Beauty
Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum, $185; at CAP Beauty
Dr. Alkaitis Organic Soothing Gel, $65; at CAP Beauty
the Pai Skincare Rosehip Bioregenerative Oil, $40; at CAP Beauty
“One of my favorite brands is Honey Girl. The company is in Hawaii, and they have their own holistically-managed beehives. They just make really great, amazing products, and this moisturizer is super rich and hydrating.”
On Wednesday, Survivor returns for its 34th season on CBS, this time with Survivor: Game Changers. The new season features some of the show's biggest strategic masterminds squaring off in Fiji in an attempt to outwit, outplay and outlast one another, as usual.
It also has longtime Survivor fans thinking, Another tropical location? More clear waters and sandy beaches? When will we get Survivor: Alaska? Or Survivor: Yukon? Or Survivor: Russian Steppe? As much as we love the show, we would also love some variety. Wouldn't it be cool to see everyone shivering, attempting to ice fish and fighting off frostbite? And wouldn't it be a fresh change to see snowy and icy physical challenges? Or to see Jeff Probst in something other than a button-down?
Sadly, while Survivor has changed up a number of different aspects of the long-running reality game show, it will probably never change its warm-climate locations. As producer and host Jeff Probst told Xfinity in 2012, very vaguely, "It seems quite unlikely that will ever happen." But why? Below, we take a look at some of the reasons floated by fans and producers that Survivor wouldn't survive a season out in the cold.
Let's be frank. The biggest thing that stops better television from being made is money. Filming Survivor is already very expensive in comparison to many other shows (and to the vast majority of reality shows): you have a million-dollar prize, medical crews, exotic locations and a huge production team. Adding a cold, rugged environment would only make many of these costs go up. The entire filming team would need to be kept warm and healthy, the location would be more difficult to access and the producers would need to spend more money on safety.
In addition, another aspect of a cold-weather location would likely add costs: Survivor often benefits from filming in countries that help the show financially, either with tax credits or a very favorable exchange rate. It's no coincidence that Survivor has often returned to the same locations over the years. It might be difficult to find a good cold-weather bargain, even in places like Canada.
There would be no bikinis
One of the reasons that Survivor has endured for 17 years is that it is sexy. You have a bunch of scantily clad people running around on beaches, encrusted in sand, rapidly losing those stubborn extra 10 pounds. It's just good television. If you suddenly put these people in puffy, formless snowsuits, many viewers might suddenly feel the need to channel surf. More than that, it could even be difficult to tell contestants apart if everyone was just a pair of sad eyes peeking out from under hats, scarves, hoods and earmuffs.
The terrain itself would also be less of a feast for the eyes. While snowy mountains would be pretty, shots of those mountains would probably be outnumbered by bleak, boring shots of a vast snowy wasteland — and lots of shelter interiors. On the other hand, tropical locations offer bright colors, lots of wildlife and a virtual vacation for viewers.
Just as with most reality TV shows, Survivor is more about relationships than anything else. And while lots of people make friends and enemies over the course of the show, viewership always increases with sex and romance. These two things can be hard enough when the cast is hungry, tired and sunburned, but they might be even harder in cold conditions. Sure, maybe a couple or two would start cuddling for warmth, but we aren't convinced more relationships would blossom in such harsh conditions. And let's not even think about the shrinkage.
It would be more dangerous
Survivor is already one of the most dangerous reality game shows, if not the most dangerous, and its 34-season history has a fair number of evacuations and medical interventions. You could argue that a cold-weather season would offer even more opportunities for safety and health concerns, including frostbite and hypothermia. Contestants would probably also have significantly more trouble foraging for food, making and fueling fires, and generally enduring the elements. While many of these issues would be fun and novel in a way, they would also present a lot of worry for producers.
At the same time, the show's film team would also be in more danger from the elements. And probably just generally pretty miserable.
Finally, we have to admit that while we think a cold-weather Survivor season would be utterly rad, it might be more boring in reality. As we've seen when contestants get cold during rainy tropical nights, people who are cold and miserable don't move around much, and they certainly aren't very interested in forming alliances, falling in love or causing drama. Instead of featuring daring team members running after seals with clubs or sledding down mountains, cold-weather Survivor would more likely feature huddled masses in a shelter, waiting for the whole thing to be over.
After thinking it over, cold-weather Survivor probably wouldn't be much fun for anyone. It might be better for all of us to sit back and enjoy another sunny season in Fiji — and maybe rent The Revenant if we need our fill of watching people being cold.
Would you watch (or participate in) a cold-weather Survivor season?
The week begins with ardent drives perfectly supported — Mars and Saturn offer the ideal ingredients for realistic self-propulsion on Sunday and Monday, so press lift-off on your dreams!
Tuesday brings clarity, but also tension and a struggle of wills. Challenges can be overcome with compassion, flexibility and ingenuity. Find your way out of any situation that seems gridlocked with a sensitive touch.
Starting Thursday evening, we begin to tread more stable ground as energy planet Mars plows into the bull’s sign, Taurus. A slower pace sees us build up to a full moon in fellow earth sign Virgo.
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Image: SheKnows
Your initiatives are supported as the week begins, but be mindful not to tread on other people's toes. Taking action is easy; however, personal relations still need a little oil. Soften the tension by focusing on your own interests behind the scenes and use all the sensitivity you can muster.
The mood lifts Thursday and the pace evens out; embrace practical thinking, affirming your ideal agenda. There’s cause for celebration on the weekend, as efforts toward positive habits and hard work become apparent.
Embrace the depths. Early this week, you’re prompted to lift the veil between present and past, so take a peek and get to work releasing old ways. Understanding discussions can follow and though it may seem overwhelming, friends deliver the perfect respite.
You’ll be fierce on Thursday, regaining a sense of stamina in time for a highly passionate weekend — do something for the one you adore or flex your creative muscles in a cathartic exercise that unleashes pure, unbridled energy.
Tuesday offers clear thinking around your public image and profile. This is an incredible day to make an authoritative announcement or to be clear on career goals — get them down on paper. Don’t doubt your place or question your sense of security; the strong rapport you’ve cultivated shines through early in the week, and your place within a crowd is cemented.
Starting Thursday, you could be inclined to go off the radar. Thankfully, a gorgeous weekend lies ahead at home.
You’re recognized for your hard work and dedication on Monday, yet you might not feel the warm sense of validation you’d expect. There’s tension building, and by Wednesday evening, you could feel you're being pulled in a million directions. Your unwavering faith sees you through, while deep breaths keep you grounded.
It’s a great time to join group activities as your spirit for teamwork grows on Thursday. Information can come to light over the weekend that delivers a dose of realism to your plans.
Private resources and power dynamics are highlighted this week, revealing what each of you brings to the table — you’ll have the utmost clarity on Monday, while on Tuesday, the details of the issue might sap your energy.
Beginning Thursday, you’ll be compelled to broaden your horizons, learning something new or embracing travel or another kind of adventure, in weeks to come. Use your special talents to enhance your journey — you might find the weekend delivers the boost of income to make it possible.
There’s great clarity in relationships this week, particularly on Monday. It’s a great time to pen a relationship ideal — write down what you want your union to look like with those you’re closest to across business, love and friendship. You have the foundations in place to deep-dive into intimate matters, so brave the waters.
There may be power struggles this week, yet they’re fleeting. Over the weekend, it’s your time to shine, so highlight achievements and be proud of the position you hold.
Your social side helps relationships progress early in the week; however, there’s the propensity for exchanges to go awry — Tuesday presents a struggle of wills, with lots of conflicting interests to satisfy. Clear thinking is possible, so set about accomplishing all you need, and the emotional storm shall pass.
Rest up over the weekend, turning your focus inward toward your private affairs. In weeks (and months) to come, you’ll be inclined to pursue common interests — and merge — with a partner.
With support available early in the week, you’ll get ahead using your unrivaled reserves of energy; however, routine matters may require a little extra attention and care, so anticipate minor setbacks. Tuesday could be volatile. Know that kindheartedness helps recover a tense exchange. Quick thinking is a timely remedy.
A shift on Thursday evening sees partnerships become your priority. Over the coming weeks, you’ll enjoy highly engaging rapport in all your dealings. Romance and passion continue to delight — embrace the fun!
Sunday and Monday are truly special for personal passions — you’ll drive creative or romantic ventures with ease. Anything that makes your heart flutter has wind behind its sails, although Tuesday’s challenges could suck some of the fun out.
A productive phase commences at the end of this week. You can look forward to a renewed enthusiasm for health, wellness or sticking to a work regime. Over the weekend, you might find yourself celebrated on a public platform so look your best.
You can gain considerable ground on Sunday and Monday on a home-based project you’ve been working on behind the scenes. Your actions are supported; however, tension may rise on Tuesday when others get involved. Your way with words can get you unstuck on this occasion. Remember to be kind and gentle, wise owl.
Creative juices and your passions flow late in the week as you enter a hotly romantic cycle. Ideas about your journey are spotlighted and challenged over the weekend.
The potential for seamless connection is off the charts on Sunday and Monday, so reach out and prosper among your established network — it’s the best time to develop friendly rapport. Navigate conversations just a little more mindfully on Tuesday, as exchanges can be blown out of proportion.
You might be inclined to spend more energy on your home base from Friday onward, while a private matter comes to light to be celebrated over the weekend. Resources are due to come your way.
If you’ve been waiting to really push ahead in your role, then seize the day — Sunday and Monday hold opportunities for validation, so drive home your ideas. With Tuesday’s challenging mood, you could be a soothing influence, with others turning to you in their hour of need.
You have the energy to connect on Friday, socializing more readily in a crowd and absorbing information with vigor — remember, curiosity’s the best teacher. The weekend puts partnerships in the spotlight when your other half takes center stage.
Those were the first words out of the doctor’s mouth as he entered the room to deliver my second child. My primary doctor was out of town, so I was at the mercy of the doc on call (something I naively assumed would be OK). Knowing there was no way this baby was staying in until he scrubbed up and put on his gown, I turned to my doula with a look of panic, and she very calmly told me exactly what I needed to hear: “If you feel like pushing, keep pushing — this baby doesn't know to wait for the doctor.”
To say this experience was drastically different from my previous childbirth would be an understatement. During my first pregnancy and birth, I had an OB-GYN who was willing to work closely with my gifted doula (same one who told me to keep pushing), and together, they assisted my husband and me throughout pregnancy and childbirth. While at the hospital, I did everything from bouncing on an exercise ball to laboring in the tub. And when it came time to push, my OB looked at my doula, gave a head nod and allowed her to continue coaching me until my daughter was born. They were the perfect example of teamwork and respect.
According to Doulas of North America, a doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother (and her partner) before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.
Any woman who has had a baby can tell you giving birth is one time when extra support can be a life-changer, And that’s where doulas come in. Unlike midwives, doulas are not medical professionals and don’t physically deliver babies (although mine almost did!). Instead, they are there solely to provide emotional and physical support to women (and their partner) at the end of their pregnancies, throughout labor and beyond.
And now, new recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists about limiting medical interventions during labor and birth underscore the importance of having a doula present during birth:
"Evidence suggests that, in addition to regular nursing care, continuous one-to-one emotional support provided by support personnel, such as a doula, is associated with improved outcomes for women in labor. Benefits found in randomized trials include shortened labor, decreased need for analgesia, fewer operative deliveries, and fewer reports of dissatisfaction with the experience of labor.”
What a doula can do for you
Physical Support
Doulas have the ability to provide hands-on comfort measures like comforting touch, counter pressure, breathing techniques, massage, laboring positions and other “doula magic” for families. Because your medical team (doctor and nurses) may be in and out of your room while you labor, the close physical proximity that a doula can provide both before and after birth helps the mother relax and feel empowered during the process.
Emotional Support
Doulas help families feel supported, easing the emotional experience of birth and also helping to create a space where the hormones of labor can work at their best. Whether a birth is completely unmedicated or medically very complex, every family can benefit from the nurturing and connection a support person can provide.
Partner Support
Whether it’s a romantic partner, a friend or another family member, the birth partner’s experience matters during birth. Because of this, doulas are there to support every birth partner in being as involved as they'd like. And for those with partners who want to actively participate in the labor and birthing process, it’s important to note the role of the doula is never to take the place of partners, but rather to complement and enhance their experience.
Postpartum doulashelp “mother the mother” and nurture the entire family as they transition into life with a newborn. Since many birth doulas stay to support the mother after childbirth, they often become the postpartum support for the family. They have advanced training in newborn care and breastfeeding support and provide evidence-based information on things such as infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, mother-baby bonding, infant-soothing and basic newborn care. Additionally, postpartum doulas often offer nighttime service to help the family transition more smoothly into the challenges of nighttime parenting.
Antepartum doulas help during circumstances of a high-risk pregnancy. Usually, the mother is confined to bed, so antepartum doulas provide advice on bed rest, stress reduction activities and the various complications during a high-risk birth.
Having a doula present before, during and after birth transformed my experience of pregnancy and childbirth. If it hadn’t been for my doula’s guidance and constant reassurance, those frustrating and disappointing interactions I had with the doctor during my second delivery would have been all that I remembered. Having my doula by my side was the best decision I could have ever made.
If you are interested in finding a doula in your area, DONA International has a Find a Doula feature that let’s you search for birth and postpartum doulas in your area.
What were you doing when you were 12? While I was busy reading the Babysitter's Club and gearing up for a battle with acne, Clara Polito was selling her homemade vegan baked goods at punk rock shows around Los Angeles. The girl was motivated, and it's come to fruition in a big way. At 19, she's releasing her first cookbook. Clara Cakes: Delicious and Simple Vegan Desserts for Everyone! will be available on March 7, and to honor this awesome young woman, we're sharing a few of her recipes.
If your only experience with vegan desserts is the bland tofu pie your well-meaning aunt brings to Thanksgiving each year, you're in for a treat. The book features recipes like strawberry blood orange bars and an Inception cookie that involves an Oreo cookie baked inside a chocolate chip cookie — but our favorite is the irresistible-looking Butterfinger pie Good luck not polishing these off in one sitting...
All recipes in this article adapted from Clara Cakes: Delicious and Simple Vegan Desserts for Everyone!
“Back when I was experimenting for one of my pop-up brunches, I thought of a really yummy pie crust idea: Cap’n Crunch crust. Originally, I paired it with the banana cream filling, which was super-delicious, but then I thought, ‘What if I pulse Cap’n Crunch, butter, aaaand peanut butter together?’ So I tried it and the flavor was surprisingly familiar. It tasted just like the crispy, peanut butter cookie in Butterfingers. From there, this recipe was a no-brainer, Butterfinger pie it is.” — Clara Polito
Ingredients:
Crust
6 cups Cap’n Crunch cereal
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup melted vegan butter
Filling
8 ounces vegan cream cheese*
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
9 ounces vegan whipped cream*
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon soy milk
Sauce
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup soy milk
1 tablespoon vegan butter
*Specialty ingredient, buy ahead
Directions:
Crust
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a food processor, pulse the Cap’n Crunch until it’s mostly crumbs.
Add the peanut butter and butter and pulse for about 3 minutes. The mixture should just about stick together. Set aside about 1/2 cup of the mixture (Butterfinger crust mixture) for the topping later on.
Press the pie crust into a pie tin and bake for about 3 – 5 minutes. When the crust looks like it’s cooked together nicely and is slightly browned, it’s ready. Place it on cooling rack.
Filling
In an electric mixer using the whisk attachment, cream together the peanut butter and cream cheese. Blend until smooth.
Add the whipped cream, soy milk, vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Mix until completely smooth, light and fluffy.
Sauce
Cook soy milk in small saucepan until it just starts to boil. Remove from the heat and stir in chocolate chips until they’re completely melted. Mix in the butter. Set aside.
Pour the peanut butter filling into the crust. Spread evenly. Drizzle the chocolate sauce over. Sprinkle the reserved Butterfinger crust mixture on top. Chill in the fridge for a few hours or overnight before serving.
“I rarely ate traditional s’mores growing up because: 1. Marshmallows have gelatin, and 2. I’ve never been camping in my life. What I can remember of all these sweet snacks is that the marshmallow always swallowed up all the other flavors. It was too sweet to be able to enjoy the perfect graham cracker and melty chocolate combo. These s’mores bars give you a balanced ratio of a lot of graham-cookie-bar crust, just enough chocolate chips, and a bit of melty marshmallow to tuck it in. I honestly don’t have much of a desire to ever go camping since I can just make these bars in my oven…
“If you can’t find Nabisco plain graham crackers, you can sub Golden Grahams. I think they pack even more flavor in! You’ll want to purchase Dandies Marshmallows from a health food store or online ahead of time.” — Clara Polito
Ingredients:
1 cup crushed Nabisco plain graham cracker crumbs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup Dandies Marshmallows, torn in half
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vegan butter, melted
1 tablespoon coconut vinegar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, stir together the vinegar and baking soda with a fork. The baking soda will dissolve. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, flour and baking powder.
Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add the vinegar and baking soda mixture to the butter and beat on high until the vinegar is fully incorporated, about 2 minutes.
Slowly add in the dry ingredients on medium speed and beat until it looks like cookie dough.
Reserve 1/4 of the dough and set aside, you’ll use this later for the topping. Press the remaining dough into the baking pan.
Sprinkle chocolate chips and marshmallows evenly onto the cookie dough layer.
Take the cookie dough you set aside and scatter grape-sized pieces over the marshmallows and chocolate chips.
Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Place on cooling rack and serve warm.
“Growing up around and in LA, you grow accustomed to seeing those big plastic jugs with iced horchata among a bunch of other colorful juices and lemonades on the street, at restaurants, at farmers’ markets, etc. There are many different variations of horchata, some naturally vegan, some not. I love this horchata cake because you can get away with eating it for breakfast. It’s like a heartier, more delicious Cinnamon Toast Crunch! A heads up, if you wanna make this cake, plan ahead. When making homemade horchata, you have to soak the rice overnight.” — Clara Polito
Yields 12 cupcakes or one 9-inch cake layer (double recipe for a compete cake)
Ingredients:
Horchata
1 cup white rice
2 cup water
4 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
2 cup soy milk
Horchata cake
1 cup horchata (see above)
1/2 tablespoon coconut vinegar
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 tablespoon baking powder
2/3 cup sugar
Directions:
Horchata
Mix together the rice and water in a big bowl. Cover and let soak overnight.
Blend the water and rice on high for about 3 minutes. The rice should be really blended. The grain won’t go away completely, but for the most part, it should be gone.
Pour into a large bowl and mix in the soy milk and sugar until completely combined. Keep refrigerated.
Horchata cake
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Trace a 9-inch round cake pan on parchment paper with a pencil. Cut the circle out. Coat the cake pan with nonstick spray and flour and place parchment paper circle on top.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the horchata and coconut vinegar. Set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl, sift flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder together.
Once the horchata and vinegar have curdled for at least 3 minutes, add the oil, sugar and vanilla to the mixture. Whisk until frothy. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet, and mix until only small lumps remain.
Bake the cake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when poked in the center of the cake.
To take the cake out, place a cooling rack on top of the cake so the tiny legs are sticking up and not toward the cake, then flip the cooling rack and pan altogether, place on a surface and remove the cake pan and parchment paper, slowly. Allow to fully cool before frosting.
If you thought Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel were swoonworthy at the Oscars, just wait 'til you see Timberlake's latest Instagram post.
Biel celebrated her 35th birthday on Friday, but Timberlake didn't just wish her a happy birthday. He wrote her a post that he should absolutely put to lyrics because it's gold.
"You make me laugh. You make me smile. You make me LOVE. You make me want to be BETTER. Speaking of, it doesn't get any BETTER than you... Now, I know for sure that it's BETTER to be lucky than good. Ask me who the luckiest guy in the world is and I will tell you that you are looking at him. Happy Birthday, my heart," Timberlake said in the post.
justin timberlake instagram for jessica biel
justin timberlake instagram for jessica biel
The notoriously private couple has been more public lately, specifically during award season and the Oscars. Timberlake was nominated and opened the show with Biel by his side the whole night. He even went down to her seat in the audience during his opening number and finished the song as she danced and clapped along.
The happiness was like a fog around them, and I personally loved seeing a couple who clearly weren't too cool for school despite their high-profile status. They just came to have a good time.
Clearly, judging by the post above, that's how they're approaching life together — and so far, so great.
Women, don't settle down until you have a man who loves you like Justin Timberlake loves Jessica Biel.
Granted, I was in high school and wasn't old enough to vote against him, but I was still pretty confident I knew exactly what I was talking about. I was in AP World History, after all, and Bush didn't know what he was talking about.
I still maintain that Bush wasn't our history's best president, but I do think I judged him too harshly. And I would take him back any day over Donald Trump.
I'm far from the only liberal hippie snowflake (I kid, I kid) who is realizing the error of her ways in thinking George W. Bush was as bad as it could get.
In fact, according to Us Weekly, Bush is experiencing quite the influx of love as of late. Especially after that whole poncho thing. I mean, come on, that was freaking adorable.
president george w. bush on ellen
president george w. bush on ellen
His friendship with Michelle Obama also put him into a new light for people.
Not to mention Laura Bush doting on him during their interview with People as she explained his newfound love for art.
president george w. bush on ellen
president george w. bush on ellen
George W. Bush is like America's new favorite grandpa, and he's crushing the role.
I think Aziz Ansari put it best during his Saturday Night Live monologue:
"I was sitting there and I’m watching this speech and I’m like, 'What the hell has happened? I’m sitting here wistfully watching old George W. Bush speeches?' Just sitting there like, 'What a leader he was!' Sixteen years ago, I was certain this dude was a dildo. Now, I’m sitting there like, 'He guided us with his eloquence!'"
Trump blasted off a hate-filled tweet at the Governator, saying Schwarzenegger didn't leave of his own accord but was fired. And because Trump can't let any tweet go without a good ol' insult, he threw in that Schwarzenegger's ratings while on the show were "pathetic."
Schwarzenegger was on his Twitter game because he quickly responded to the president, encouraging him to get himself a new fact checker. This might be a good move just in general for the health of our country. Forget Celebrity Apprentice.
arnold schwarzenegger donald trump response 1
arnold schwarzenegger donald trump response 1
arnold schwarzenegger donald trump response 2
arnold schwarzenegger donald trump response 2
Schwarzenegger announced he was leaving the NBC show on Friday in a statement, explaining, "I loved every second of working with NBC and Mark Burnett. Everyone — from the celebrities to the crew to the marketing department — was a straight 10, and I would absolutely work with all of them again on a show that doesn't have this baggage."
He didn't specify what he meant by "baggage," but not even Trump needed a translator to get Schwarzenegger's drift.
This isn't the first time Schwarzenegger and Trump have come to Twitter words over Celebrity Apprentice, but I'm guessing it will probably be the last, because Schwarzenegger is wiping his hands of the whole thing.
For awhile there, The Walking Dead was introducing so many new characters that it was hard to keep them straight — not to mention the fact those new faces meant less time for some of our favorite OG ones. Not this week, though. This week Richonne took center stage.
In that respect, we're entering an interesting phase in TWD's history, whereby we're almost getting mini-movies with some of the core characters. Remember last week's Eugene-centric episode? Or, the week before that, the episode that centered mainly on Daryl (with a dash of Carol)?
What's great about this is that, although we've obviously already been introduced to these characters before, we're exploring them now in a different light. They aren't the same people they once were. Case in point? Rick and Michonne, who now famously form the 'ship "Richonne."
In this week's episode, the pair go off on a supply run in search of more guns, and they come across an old carnival that — as luck would have it — is filled with military walkers still wearing their guns. Rick and Michonne move in to get a closer look, and by closer look I mean scaling the building to stand on the clearly unsound roof.
Moments after deciding to pick off all the walkers and make off with the ample haul of guns, the couple crashes through the roof.
At first, we were all definitely like, "Oh shit!" But fast forward to a few seconds later, when we find Richonne had landed on an actual bed and they were laughing about the whole hilarious life-threatening ordeal.
Their moods improve even more upon finding, like, a metric ton of MREs, canned goods, bottled water and other supplies. And then it happens: they proceed to have the cutest gosh-damn zombpocalyptic date ever. Candlelight. Chili and mac-n-cheese MREs. If that's not an aphrodisiac, I don't know what is.
Later that night, after some implied bow-chicka-wow-wow-ing, we see Rick sitting on the side of the bed in a moment of insomnia. The moment feels very real. This is a man who is struggling. There are moments of levity, sure, but these people have been through some heavy stuff.
On the subject of things that feel real, or rather DON'T... that deer, though.
Basically, in the middle of Rick and Michonne going ninja on a bunch of walkers, Rick catches sight of a deer Michonne wanted to kill earlier. He apparently owes her one (did I miss that convo?), so he tries to climb a ferris wheel to get a clear shot.
And this is where things get kind of campy. I mean, c'mon, AMC. You guys can make a spiky walker of death look real, but you can't manage a deer that doesn't look like a CGI phantasm? Get your lives together.
But I digress. Part of the ferris wheel breaks and Rick falls into the horde of walkers. By the time Michonne makes it to where he fell, the walkers are ripping in flesh with reckless abandon. Michonne loses it and, for the second (or third or fourth) time of the episode, we're all thinking, "Oh shit!"
Not to mention having major Glenn flashbacks. However, moments later Rick bursts out of hiding and we realize the poor deer was being devoured. Whew.
Rick and Michonne manage to make it safely back with the new supplies and arsenal of guns, but not before twisting the knife in our hearts one last time with a conversation about Glenn ("He saved me right at the start, and I couldn't save him." *BRB, bawling*).
Overall, a decent — if at times a bit sluggish — episode. The worrisome part, though, is the fact that Rick and Michonne are so damn adorable and happy together. Such bright spots can't exist in this universe for long, can they? Just look at what happened to Maggie and Glenn.
Is TWD trying to prepare us for a Richonne split? Or has the zombpocalypse just turned us into paranoid skeptics? Only time will tell, my friends.
What do you think? Is Richonne headed for Splitsville?
The world has Trump fatigue, and yet, we just can't stop talking about him.
True, there's no ignoring the president of the United States, but as John Stewart made clear during a recent visit to Stephen Colbert's Late Show, it's time for the media to dump Trump and start highlighting other important issues. That's exactly what Last Week Tonight did this episode, and we couldn't be more grateful.
That's not to say that John Oliver outright ignored Trump. It would be impossible not to mention his latest unproven allegations against the Obama administration. But instead of dedicating the entire show to the same Trump complaints we've heard time and time again, Oliver highlighted an issue that we've been far too quick to forget: the horrible abuses of human rights still taking place in Tibet.
Image: HBO
As Last Week Tonight points out, Tibet was a pet cause of celebrities in the 1990s, but has since been largely forgotten. This is a shame, as the region has one of the world's worst rankings in terms of human rights and freedom. In fact, a recent Freedom House ranking placed Tibet below North Korea, which as we all know, has an appalling human rights record.
In an effort to learn more about the situation in Tibet and the Dalai Lama's efforts to remedy it, Oliver actually met with the spiritual leader for a fascinating interview. The discussion covered a lot of ground, with the Dalai Lama mentioning everything from how he's perceived as a demon in China to his success in weaning the Mongolians off vodka. It was an amusing interview and exactly what we needed to see after a crazy week of White House antics.
It's great to see John Oliver continue to fulfill his promise of shining a light on forgotten issues. This is certainly not an easy thing to do in the age of Trump, when seemingly every media outlet prioritizes outrage at the president. But as Oliver reminds us, there is much more going on in the world than a disastrous presidency; we cannot let Trump and his ilk distract us from the many pressing issues that require our attention.
What do you think of John Oliver's effort to shift the focus of his show away from President Trump's antics? Comment and share your opinion below.
We’ve learned over the years that if we’re going to invest money in anything, it had better be on skin care and on products to help preserve the image and health of our faces and skin. And although we’ve taken the necessary precautions to start building up our arsenal of products, there are some things that we need to look out for.
Oftentimes, labels with golden promises reel us in and have us spending more dollars than time reading into what they really mean. Most labels don’t accurately describe the products we buy, and this could lead to more harm than good in the long run. So here are five things to look out for before buying your next skin care product, which will help work in your favor for smarter investments and beautiful, healthy skin.
Sometimes we’re hypnotized by labels that say “all-natural.” But don’t be fooled. Just because a label says “all-natural” doesn’t mean that the ingredients in that product are all organic or natural. Cosmetics companies are given a lot of leeway in terms of product language.
Board-certified dermatologist Rajani Katta brings up the very important point that so many different things can be considered all-natural — even things like poison ivy, but we wouldn’t want that on our faces, would we? And sometimes, even if an all-natural ingredient is good for your skin, companies could mix that ingredient together with more harmful preservatives, negating those positive effects while still marketing it as an all-natural product.
2. Factor in fragrance
We all know fragranced products have a tendency to be irritating to the skin. So naturally, we’ll gravitate toward products that say “fragrance-free” or “unscented.” But, beware — such a simple phrase can also be completely misleading labeling language.
According to Katta, manufacturers are completely allowed to call a product fragrance-free if the fragrance chemicals in that product are used for non-scenting purposes. Not to mention, if the product is used to mask strong odors or smells that already exist instead of trying to create a new one, that product can also be deemed unscented — even though that fragrance ingredient still exists.
3. Test for sensitive skin
A lot of products will claim to be hypoallergenic or made for sensitive skin to give people the idea that they’ll be gentle. But these claims are not guaranteed, even when they’re on the packaging. The best way to figure it out is to always test the product on a small patch of skin on your forearm for about a week to give time for any adverse reactions to come about. That way, you can figure out for sure if it was really made with sensitive skin in mind or if you should avoid the product altogether.
Sometimes, those words give us the idea the product has a professional recommendation. But just because something says it was tested by dermatologists doesn’t mean it was done the way that we think it was. Oftentimes, this just means that a dermatologist did a patch test similar to the one we suggested for sensitive skin products to see if there were any bad reactions, but not to see if the product did what it claimed to do (like be anti-aging, brightening, oil-controlling, etc.). So, this claim definitely doesn’t guarantee a dermatologist’s recommendation or even it’s safety for use.
5. Plan for percentages
Numbers always draw us in, and when we see that something contains 99 percent vitamin C, we’re hooked. But that percentage doesn’t mean that the product is made up of 99 percent vitamin C with the 1 percent being something else. Sometimes, manufacturing companies can get away with using just one drop of a solution that contains 99 percent of that active ingredient and then giving the product that percentage as a whole. But that math clearly doesn’t add up, and instead really leaves us with a mere 1 percent of whatever that active ingredient is. These skin care companies also commonly put a lower percentage of whatever the active ingredient is than what was actually proven to be effective in testing, leaving much to be desired for the product’s claims.
So while we’re all on that quest for beautiful, youthful skin, some of these companies are really working against us. We owe it to ourselves to keep a sharp eye on those labels to make sure we’re getting what we pay for and to have all those careful efforts pay off in the results that we truly want.
