Losing weight and getting in shape can be so hard. We all need a little help to do it sometimes. That's why I love This Is Us actress Chrissy Metz's attitude about her weight and her goals to get healthier.
In a new interview with Marie Claire this week, Metz revealed that she "would love" to compete on The Biggest Loser, but not because she's succumbing to the pressure Hollywood puts on her to be thin.
"I do want to lose weight. But not because anyone is telling me to do it," she said, adding that the rumors that NBC is forcing her to lose weight to stick to her This Is Us character Kate's storyline are completely false. "Nothing is mandated. It's not like, 'If you sign this contract, you have to do this.' We haven't even talked about an actual number with Kate. Ever."
Instead, Metz is getting her inspiration to lose weight from exactly where it should come from: She wants to be healthier for herself.
"My father is a big guy; he's had a quadruple bypass surgery, and that's scary," she explained. "Those are real things that happen in families with overweight people, and I don't want that."
That's part of why she says The Biggest Loser is appealing to her — while she's been slimming down a little with healthier snacks, she'd like to add in a strict exercise regimen.
Still, Metz is happy with how she looks now, and that's the most important thing. She's been an outspoken opponent of Hollywood beauty standards that push women to be thin above all else.
"Size doesn't equate beauty," she said. "I don't understand why that's a thing. Well, I do, because the media has told us thin is beautiful. But is it?"
The internet just loves Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The pictures, the rumors, the sly social media hints; everything about this pairing bodes well for celebrity gossip.
Watching the playboy prince finally fall in love — and with a biracial commoner, no less — has made for fascinating conversation and each new story is eagerly gobbled up by a public absolutely ravenous for details.
The most recent peek into the budding relationship of these two lovebirds came when Markle attended the Jamaican wedding of Prince Harry's friend. Photos emerged of Markle stunning in a long sleeveless floral dress sitting beside the ginger prince with one hand resting comfortably on his back.
Prince Harry Meghan Markle
Prince Harry Meghan Markle
We loved those photos because taking a new flame to a wedding is big deal. They'll be meeting your closest friends (and possibly a few family members) and immortalized forever in the wedding pictures of the happy couple. There's no way you're taking your "Ehh, he's OK" Tinder date to a wedding.
In other words, this outing is the latest in a string of solid evidence pointing to Prince Harry and Markle being in it for the long haul.
It's a juicy development, but according to a story from Lainey Gossip's Elaine Lui this morning, the juiciest pictures taken that weekend may never see the light of day if Kensington Palace has anything to say about it.
Lui says, "Sources tell me that the day before the wedding day photos were taken, the paps were able to get two different sets of photos of Harry and Meghan. According to my sources, they were outside on the upper balcony of their villa. And the images are sensational. They’re kissing, passionately. He has his arms wrapped full around her back, like a really romantic movie kiss. From these pictures, there’s no denying that their situation is SUPER hot. Then they go down to the beach. She’s in a dark green bikini. They’re holding hands in the water — the only word to describe what they’re doing is 'frolicking'. They’re frolicking in the ocean. And laughing."
Lui goes on to explain that the reason we haven't seen these juicy photos is because the hotel was declared private property for the three days that Prince Harry and Markle stayed there and thus, the paparazzi were violating their privacy in a massive way. Publishing them will mean a massive payday for a magazine, but also means they may be blacklisted by Kensington Palace.
Reading Lui's article took me through an interesting emotional journey, which I present to you now in the best format for expressing emotion, the humble GIF.
These pictures just went from titillating to gross. Here's why.
If you ask me if I want to see pictures of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle making out, my answer is a resounding "Yes, please." I'm pervy enough that I would love to analyze how into each other they are, how they kiss, whether it seems sort of humdrum or whether they're in the throes of that heady lust phase of a new relationship, unable to keep their hands off each other.
All of this shit is right up my alley. Love it
But, if you asked me if I wanted a paparazzo to lurk in the bushes around their resort with a wide-angle lens in order to get these pictures of two human beings engaged in a private moment on private property? Nope, nope, nope.
Fuck no.
When celebs make themselves public, I have (and will) eagerly analyze and opine about their behavior — whether it's a social media post, a press conference, an interview, an appearance at an awards show or a stroll around town. All fair game in my eyes.
But when two people are sharing an intimate moment on private property, it feels like too much. It's an invasion of privacy too much, no matter how much I want to see Hot Harry's make-out style.
After realizing that my post-divorce love life has been more fantasy than reality, I recently signed up for a love-coaching seminar to help get me back into the dating game. One of the first things the coach talked about was figuring out what we want in a partner, and I wasn't surprised to see "close with family" near the top of the "desirable qualities" list — at which point I couldn't help but groan. The thing is, I've found that dating someone who's close with their family is far from a guarantee that they'll be a great partner.
Coming from a divorced home, I always craved big, boisterous holiday celebrations. My ex-husband’s family promised that and more. Before we got married, they presented the image of happy, functional marriages on trips back to his hometown, but over the course of our marriage, the illusions faded and the truth came out.
Some family members had serious alcohol problems, including multiple DUIs, and others struggled with infidelity. His family was full of enablers. I saw this dynamic when his father instructed everyone else at a gathering not to give his brother alcohol but then handed him a beer an hour later. That seemingly perfect family I thought I’d married into hid a lot of secrets behind their happy, healthy facade.
According to mental health therapist Erik Bohlin, it's common in families with addiction or substance abuse problems to be “trapped in the idea that looking good is paramount… as long as we look fine, we’re OK.” While denial can be the coping mechanism that gets a partner through a rough childhood, it also makes it a big challenge for them to establish healthy relationships as an adult.
You might be thinking, "Well, your ex-husband's family could be the exception, and not the rule when it comes to unhealthy dynamics." But I’ve found that even if a romantic prospect's family isn’t hiding dysfunction, those who come from close families can be naive about conflict. For example, my first serious boyfriend (before I got married) thought our fights signified that we weren’t meant to be together.
To him, the fact that his parents never argued indicated a good relationship. However, when I met them, his mom spent the weekend directing passive-aggressive digs at her husband. To me, that behavior revealed suppressed anger and hinted that while their marriage had lasted, it was neither healthy nor happy. Eventually, that boyfriend broke up with me because we often had different opinions and our relationship didn't mirror his parents' — which was his ideal, though certainly not mine.
Wanting, consciously or unconsciously, to replicate your parent’s marriage can often lead people to put “pressure on themselves to show up perfectly or pressure the relationship or other person to look perfect,” says Kavita J. Patel, love coach and creator of the Soul Level Love program. Sometimes people see fighting as a problem or sign of incompatibility instead of “two people expressing themselves in the moment, which can be healthy,” she says.
The first man I got involved with after my divorce six years ago, David*, was also divorced. One night the subject of our exes came up. “We just kind of drifted apart,” he told me. “We had opposite schedules, we never saw each other or spent much time together, and gradually it faded.” I heard the undercurrent of pain beneath his words and refrained from pointing out that not spending time with your partner is always a choice — careers, schedules and kids notwithstanding. Not prioritizing and making time for each other is passively opting out of a relationship.
David’s family of origin resembled that of happy TV shows, and as far as I could tell, he’d never thought deeply about why his marriage ended. If your childhood doesn't involve upheavals like divorce, infidelity or substance abuse, many people choose not to delve into the hows and whys of successful relationships — perhaps because it's often difficult, ugly and unfamiliar. "My dysfunctional family motivated me to spend years in therapy learning about myself and my issues," says Bohlin, "but people from so-called 'normal' families sometimes don’t think that’s necessary."
After an intense few months with David, the texts slowed, the communication dwindled and his schedule grew busier. Eventually, he completely closed himself off to the relationship’s early potential and told me he had no romantic feelings for me. Ultimately, he repeated the pattern he’d established with his ex-wife with me, a perfect example of how, if you don't take the time to learn from what didn't work in previous relationships, you make the same mistakes.
I've also noticed that some people use family ties as proof of good character — implying that if they're a good son, daughter or sibling, you shouldn't question any of their other problematic qualities. Last spring, I dated a man whose offhand comments led me to text, half-teasing, “That wasn't very respectful toward women. Are you a player?” he responded with this: “I took time off from work to fly home and help my parents move. Would I do that if I was truly an asshole?”
Reassured, I ignored the gut instinct that told me to take a step back. I later regretted that decision when I found texts on his phone proving that he was dating and sleeping with several other women without being honest about it. While we weren't exclusive, I didn't appreciate my sexual health being at risk because of his lies.
While it might sound nice, being close with your family doesn't automatically mean you're a great person or partner. It’s easy to love people who raised you and treat you well and still compartmentalize sex and bring unhealthy expectations into relationships based on childhood dynamics. I no longer seek to date men on the basis of them being close with their family. Instead, I’ll ask about their familial relationships and listen carefully to the answers. I’m over the idea of a big and boisterous family; now, I want a partner who's self-aware and intentional. To me, that's worth more than an adjective — "close" — that, when used to describe relationships can mean both everything and nothing at all.
Fans of cereal milk, ice cream and fusion cuisine, prepare to totally lose it. Ben & Jerry's announced the release of three new ice cream flavors that ingeniously combine cereal with ice cream.
The sweet flavor of cereal milk is iconic. From slurping the bottom of your bowl as a kid to throwing handfuls of sugary cereal into homemade ice cream sundaes (#NoJudgment), people can't get enough of the stuff. So it makes sense that Ben & Jerry's is taking cereal milk and turning it into decadent ice cream, with three cereal flavors swirled throughout.
There's Fruit Loot, a cereal milk ice cream swirled with Fruit Loops; Cocoa Loco, a chocolate milk ice cream with crisp chocolate cereal; and Frozen Flakes, a simple but totally delicious take on Frosted Flakes. For best results? One scoop of each, please.
These cereal-flavored ice creams will be available at Ben & Jerry's scoop shops around the country starting in mid-March, though sadly, not in grocery stores. My only question is why in the world aren't they using Lucky Charms? Everyone knows that marshmallows make for the best cereal milk — take note, B&J!
Thanks to Carole Radziwill's time on Real Housewives of New York, I knew about her relation to John F. Kennedy Jr. They were cousins. But I didn't realize the extent of her involvement the night JFK Jr.'s plane went missing 17 years ago.
Carole Radziwill recounted her experience that night in a special episode of How It Really Happened with Hill Harper.
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, JFK Jr.'s wife, called Radziwill while they were in the plane, piloted by JFK Jr., on July 16, 1999, at 8:38 p.m.
"Carolyn called me from the plane right before they were taking off," Radziwill said. "I don’t remember anything really important from that conversation. I certainly didn’t think it would be the last time I would speak to my friend."
But she does remember one specific detail, "I remember at the end, she said, 'I love you.' For some reason, I didn’t say I love you back, and that always stuck with me."
Bessette Kennedy was supposed to call Radziwill again when they landed, but the call never came.
Instead, Radziwill received another call around midnight from Kennedy's friend Pinky, asking if Kennedy, Bessette Kennedy and Bessette Kennedy's sister, who was also onboard, had by chance arrived at Radziwill's house. Pinky was at the airport waiting to pick up the trio who never arrived.
"I just bolted out of bed," Radziwill explained. "I thought, I need to figure out this story and solve it someway. I need to figure out where they are, because they’re somewhere. One call led to another to another."
After hours of calling, Radziwill was the one who called the Coast Guard to report the plane missing.
Five days after the crash, the bodies of the three were discovered on July 21.
It may seem counterintuitive, but Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, the wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is celebrating International Women's Day tomorrow by celebrating her husband.
Her reasoning is uplifting and it's worth jumping on this social media bandwagon.
She explained on Facebook, "Are you ready to ignite change? This week, as we mark International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the boys and men in our lives who encourage us to be who we truly are, who treat girls & women with respect, and who aren’t afraid to speak up in front of others. Take a picture holding hands with your male ally & share it on social media using the hashtag #TomorrowInHand. Together, we can create a movement that inspires more men to join the fight to build a better tomorrow with equal rights & opportunities for everyone… because #EqualityMatters."
sophie gregoire trudeau facebook post
sophie gregoire trudeau facebook post
International Women's Day isn't about just women, it's about all of us banding together for equality and involving men in the effort is pretty great. Especially because there are so many amazing, respectful, intuitive, caring men in this world who deserve recognition.
Of course, Grégoire Trudeau's post got its fair share of criticism, too, from women who thought we should stick to celebrating women for at least one day out of the year and let the men have the other 364 days. But my argument to that is why can't we all have all the days? It's about equality right? So share a pic with your man and another about the women who inspire you. There's no limit.
You betta believe I'll be posting a pic with my main squeeze tomorrow to celebrate him and his never ending support.
She's officially the longest running Live! host to host the show without a permanent co-host joining her at the table. It's been 298 days since Michael Strahan left the show, and Ripa is still flying solo and making female hosts look good.
Back in the archaic times of television, it was thought that women couldn't carry a show, that the public wouldn't tune in. And we're seeing the threads of that still today, what with the lack of diversity on late night television and, to a lesser extent still on the morning shows.
But Ripa is having no problem dominating all on her own.
I have no doubt the network is milking the co-host question for as long as they can, since it's done wonders to keep people buzzing about the show. The mystery has continued the conversation and made Live! a constant topic on the entertainment world's mind. Why not enjoy the free publicity for a while and let Ripa do her thing for at least a few more years?
Then, once the hoopla dies down, Live! will see another ratings high when they finally decide to put someone in the chair next to Ripa.
As the blind auditions for The Voicecontinue, the judges are getting choosier — and the contestants are getting more emotional. Thankfully, the aftermath of Malik Davage's remarkable audition involved tears of joy.
A talented 23-year-old singer from Washington D.C., Davage is a sensitive soul. This was immediately evident during the intro that aired prior to his audition. His story was certainly an emotional one; he grew up under tough circumstances, and now, he's determined to provide a better life for his little girl. The tears began as he spoke of his beloved daughter; he explained "I'm pushing hard...for her."
Image: NBC
Auditioning for The Voice was exciting not only because it could mean the next big step in Davage's burgeoning career, but also because it was the very first time his daughter had the opportunity to see him on stage. He wanted those chairs to turn not for himself, but for her.
Davage only convinced one coach to turn around (Levine) during his rendition of "Sure Thing," but that's all it takes to get your foot in the door on The Voice. Just as Levine was about to give Davage a rave review, he began tearing up. He eventually explained that he was emotional because of his desire to be the best father he could be.
Gwen Stefani may not have turned her chair around for Davage (her loss!), but she did offer moral support when he was overcome with emotion. She gave Davage a big hug and a shoulder to cry on. It was a lovely moment, and it reminded us why we're so happy to have Stefani back this season.
Malik Davage The Voice
Malik Davage The Voice
The moment didn't end with Stefani's hug. Davage also scored a hug from Levine, and the opportunity to sit on his comfy red chair. Most importantly, however, he was able to bring his daughter on stage for yet another hug.
We are touched by Davage's love for his family and his determination to give his daughter the world. Here's to more emotional performances on The Voice!
What did you think of Malik Davage's emotional audition for The Voice? Comment and share your opinion below.
The first time I saw a dog eating its own poop, I definitely came close to throwing up. Coprophagia, or dogs eating their own poop, is an unfortunately common phenomenon that frustrates dog owners all over the world.
What causes coprophagia?
Coprophagia can have medical causes, but it is also not quite as unnatural to dogs as it is to us. Female dogs eat their puppies’ feces, and many dogs eat poop and other nonfood substances as part of exploratory behavior according to experts. If your vet has ruled out a medical cause for your dog’s coprophagia, then there is only one thing that matters: stopping it. Because let’s face it. Coprophagia is gross.
Pick poop up immediately
The easiest way to eliminate coprophagia is to pick up after your dog immediately. For people living in apartment buildings or in cities, this is second nature, but for those of us with large yards and doggy doors, this can seem a little inconvenient. Just remember that your dog can’t eat poop if you pick it up first.
Most dogs poop on a regular schedule. Observe your dog to find out how often they poop and where they like to poop, and follow them. Once they go, scoop it up and dispose of it in a place where your dog cannot get to it.
Walk your dog on a leash
Walking your dog on a leash gives you control over where they go and what they eat. If you really want to get a handle on your dog’s unappetizing appetites, leash walking is the surest way to prevent it. Tie a baggy to your leash so you are always prepared to clean up after your dog too, and your dog won’t have any more chances to eat poop.
Dogs are intelligent animals, capable of learning commands. You can use this to your advantage. There are several different ways you can discourage coprophagia, so talk with a trainer or a veterinarian about the best technique for your dog.
Basic obedience training can help you overcome this nasty habit. Training your dog to potty on command is a good way to start. Once your dog has pooped, call him back to you and reward him, then have him sit and stay while you clean up after him.
Food additives
Some online sources recommend adding things to your dog’s diet or spraying feces with things like hot sauce. Veterinarians don’t necessarily recommend this, as dogs may become tolerant to the deterrent and it is not a very effective strategy. Adding a laxative like pumpkin might deter your dog from eating poop, as most dogs seem to prefer well-formed stool, but then you have to deal with cleaning up messy poop.
The best ways to stop coprophagia in dogs are prevention and behavior modification. Pick up after your dog and supervise him whenever possible, and use your obedience training to your advantage to stop coprophagia in its tracks.
Let’s get this out of the way: Save for a touch of highlighter or the addition of a new brow pencil, I’ve had the same makeup routine for the better part of the last decade. Sure, I’ll swipe on an extra coat of mascara if I’m headed to a wedding or I’ll throw a tube of lipstick in my bag if I’m truly feeling ambitious, but other than that, it’s the same six-minute routine every single morning: mist, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen, primer, BB cream, concealer, highlighter, brow pencil and done.
To the untrained eye, nine steps seems like seven steps too many for someone who refers to themselves as low-maintenance, but still, I don’t fuss with eye shadow palette, I’ve never walked outside with a smoky eye, and I couldn’t imagine fiddling with lip liner or worse, liquid liner at 8 in the morning. I mostly can’t be bothered with concealing my under-eye bags, and if my skin looks truly tired, I’d rather go without makeup than piling it on in an attempt to disguise. This generally results in me looking some version of the same, save for the days I’m really tired. Those days, I don't look good. I’ve learned to live with it.
So imagine my delight when I discovered a way to make myself look more awake as I’m literally walking out the door — no mirror needed. It started a few weeks ago when I realized I had to run out to a meeting in the middle of the workday — I was already late so I didn’t have time to freshen up, and all I had on me was my Glossier Balm Dotcom in Cherry. As I was in the elevator, I dabbed some on my lips, and then my cheeks and then my eyelids. I’m not totally sure what compelled me to do the latter — especially considering I don’t wear eye shadow — but when I got to the meeting, the PR rep swiftly complimented my look: She told me, the palest olive-skinned woman alive, that I looked well-rested and sun-kissed, which I laughed off because I cower in fear of the sun.
But when I caught a glimpse of myself, I had to agree: The all-over hint of color left me looking cohesive and put-together in a modern way, rather than the clownish nightmare I’d imagined. And sure, lip gloss on the lids isn’t a new idea, but for regular folk like myself (see: not an editorial model), it always seemed like one of those things that was better in theory. Not so, reader. Not so.
Image: ImaxTree
The best part of the look is that it works well for everyday wear, especially if you keep the color concentrated on the center of the lid, extending just above the crease. I’ve since played around with it a bit and found that a touch of highlighter, then red lip balm (I’ve used both Glossier’s iteration and Rosebud Salve) and then NYX’s Lid Lacquer makes it look both intentional and downright pretty.
In fact, during a recent date night for Valentine’s Day, I got extra-ambitious and applied the lip balm around my eye à la Au Jour Le Jour’s spring 2017 show (as seen above), and though it looks unbearably sticky, it feels pretty similar to having a thin face mask on. My boyfriend didn’t even mention the new look throughout the date, but when we went out again this weekend, he looked at me and said, “You look great babe, but aren’t you gonna do that eye thing again tonight?”
They've both moved on and maintain full, happy lives and successful careers, but it seems like no matter how much time passes, Kristen Stewart gets asked about the years she spent dating Robert Pattinson. Sigh.
Stewart revealed that she learned plenty from dating Pattinson and that while it wasn't always pretty, it was an important moment in her lives. While the aura of celebrity and total desirability was mapped onto the Twilight co-stars, their love life was pored over, obsessed over and scrutinized by the press and public alike. Remember those crazy days? You couldn't pick up a magazine or safely scroll through the internet without seeing their twee faces staring back at you.
Now, Stewart is speaking out about her relationship with Pattinson, which lasted for the duration of the time they filmed the Twilight franchise and then some. The relationship defined them, their public personas and arguably the success of each of the Twilight films, a hefty weight to bear. The pair broke up after a cheating scandal involving Stewart and her Snow White & The Huntsman director, Rupert Sanders, papered tabloids and news columns.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Stewart opened up: "I hated it that details of my life were being turned into a commodity and peddled around the world. But considering I had so many eyes on me, I suddenly realized [my private life] affects a greater number of people than just me. It was an opportunity to surrender a bit of what was mine, to make even one other person feel good about themselves. [...] When I was dating Rob, the public were the enemy — and that is no way to live."
That feeling of commodified love appears to have colored her entire relationship with Pattinson, but it did not break it. That said, now Stewart is a bit more guarded about revealing the details of her personal life to others. What we can gather of Stewart's personal life now is typically gathered from paparazzi photos or the occasional hint dropped in an interview.
March 8 marks International Women’s Day, a holiday celebrating the successful journey women have taken in the pursuit of equality. But as we saw in January’s Women’s marches, we’re not quite finished yet. The holiday also serves to plan where the ambitions of women should be headed next, and you can (and should!) be involved.
If you’re looking for a way to support women’s health, but don’t have the opportunity to get out to a planned march or event, we’ve rounded up the best organizations that are in need of your helping hand.
This organization focuses specifically on marginalized women in countries experiencing war by providing health, business and legal support. You can Sponsor A Sister this IWD, which provides a woman in need with food and clean water, while educating her about nutritious and sustainable health practices. The sponsorship will also provide your sister with a support group to begin the healing process from the horrors of war, physical abuse and sexual violence. And as a special bonus, you get to exchange photos and written letters with your new sister — you give a human connection, rather than just a check.
World Relief
By working with local churches, World Relief helps to build sustainable communities by providing immediate financial and educational support and by working to instill the values of equality and respect within its people. This IWD, their goal is to create a better world for women; World Relief vows to support women with proper health care and knowledge of their health care rights and to train women to be future health educators for their community. So your donation’s impact has the potential to grows exponentially.
ONE is running a campaign specifically for IWD with the goal of providing an equal education to women in impoverished countries. Beyond what it would mean for her financial security, an education also provides a young girl with the promise of a healthier life; in fact, along with the independence that can come with sexual health education, ONE’s research suggests that children who finished secondary school are seven times less likely to contract HIV. With this campaign, you can simply sign a letter to show your support or make a donation toward a specific cause, such as the alleviation of infectious diseases or the support of maternal and child health.
UN Women
This organization is working to establish worldwide standards of gender equality to ensure every woman has and is aware of her human rights. When it comes to women’s health, UN Women uses donations to provide services to particularly vulnerable women, which include protecting and emotionally supporting survivors of sexual violence while facilitating injured women’s access to police and medical care.
These champions for equality have the goal of making sure women know exactly what their rights are and ensuring that countries and communities honor them. Their scope includes providing women with a life free of fear and violence — including domestic abuse, sexual assault and genital mutilation — along with the sexual health care necessary for a safe pregnancy and childbirth. You can make single or monthly gifts to the future of women worldwide.
And of course, after helping a woman in need, take some of those feel-good hormones and do something good for your own health. Make that doctor's appointment. Go on a walk to destress. Bask in the power of women helping women and the unmatched healing it brings.
Did you ever ask yourself why there's a day in a year that's called Women's Day? It's a fantastic idea to celebrate our gender and the idea that we are stronger than what we think, of course... But why do we need a day for it?
I think that the core of this idea puts us — strong and powerful women — in a position where we need to prove it. And we don't. I believe we have to be present and strong and smart and active and sensitive 365 days a year.
Every day in our mind and body and soul is a reason to celebrate. Each and every one of us can make a difference by starting the day with a wide smile to the world.
It starts with the way she writes and expresses herself and ends with the path she's walking on — all the way from Dorset in southwest England to the whole world. She's loyal and true to her inner voice, and the most important thing: She keeps evolving all the time, never more of the same. "And it's the best thing, such a beautiful feeling."
About Ninet Tayeb: NINET has definitely made a name for herself and it all started back when she was first known for winning Israeli Idol. Her debut album took less than a day to go platinum and yielded five No. 1 singles — not to mention a long-running TV series (which she starred in) based on her life. Now, she is releasing her fifth album Paper Parachute, a collection of hefty rock songs with deep resilience, fierce determination and disarming vulnerability.
Within the past decade, gray hair has transformed its awful, tired connotation from something that you frantically try to cover up before anyone notices to a hairstyle you might like — and even embrace.
Because women such as Linda Rodin, Stacy London and Jamie Lee Curtis have shown off their naturally gray strands proudly over the past few years, it’s opened doors for celebs including Rita Ora, Rihanna and Lady Gaga to play around with the trend — as well as countless other women who went gray before they’d have liked.
In any case, there’s no reason that a man’s natural aging process should make him look distinguished, while the very same thing makes a woman look like they’ve given up. So whether you’re a natural gray or your silver strands are the result of a good dye job, here are 12 quotes that prove gray hair is majorly chic.
Image: Michaela Early/SheKnows
“It's great to have gray hair. Ask anyone who's bald.” — Rodney Dangerfield
“I want to be who I am now. I rock my gray hair because it is a blessing. I colored mine for many years, but I've gotten compliments from so many men and women about being brave enough to sport the gray. I even wear it on the cover of my record. I am comfortable in my skin and I want listeners to feel that as well.” — Regina Belle
“I love to see old women. I love wrinkles. I love gray hair.” — Alber Elbaz
“There’s a reason why forty, fifty, and sixty don’t look the way they used to, and it’s not because of feminism, or better living through exercise. It’s because of hair dye.” — Nora Ephron
Image: Michaela Early/SheKnows
“It never occurred to me to be like 'Oh now my hair is gray, I had better adapt to that.'”— Linda Rodin
“There was a deep sense of insecurity that I traded the gray streak in for as sort of a badge of honor. Now, I even have a gray clause with Pantene, where I said, ‘You can do whatever you want to my hair but you can't dye my gray streak.’ It’s a part of me!” — Stacy London, Into The Gloss
“In a time when so many men are dyeing, I think these guys see a silvery still-in-the-game dame as a kind of relief, like they could let their hair down, too, should they have any.” — Kathleen Rockwell Lawrence
“After getting a buzz cut — I style my hair short, so this was an easy transition — we discovered that my natural gray color was light, bright, and becoming. I began to feel lighter, younger, and sassier. I started to feel more authentic, — Dawn Doherty
Image: Michaela Early/SheKnows
"It is not by the gray of the hair that one knows the age of the heart." — Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton
“I’m extremely low-maintenance with my hair. It’s either long or short. I started going gray at 26, but I wasn’t confident enough to let that happen yet. When I was 37, I moved to France and I thought, ‘I’m anonymous here. I can do this.’ And I let it go gray, cold-turkey.”— Catherine Walsh Coty
"Nobody has said ohmygodyouwentgray!! Because the thing is, it isn’t. It isn’t white, either, or silver — not quite, not exactly. But it is a glorious color.” — Vicki Woods
“I called my brother, who is 10 years older than me, and he said, ‘At last! You accept!’ Accept what? ‘You accept your own beauty!’ He said, ‘I like white hair.’ And I said, “I thought men hate white hair!’ And he said, ‘No! Men hate women who hate themselves.’”— Sophie Fontanel
It’s a one in a million situation, but that doesn’t mean it’s not on the rise…
Posthumous sperm retrieval — yeah, it’s exactly what it sounds like. PSR is a medical procedure in which a man’s sperm is extracted after death. The wife or legal partner of a male can sometimes opt to extract sperm postmortem in order to undergo intrauterine insemination, become pregnant and in turn, create an heir.
If this sounds like the plot of an excessively dramatic Lifetime original movie, you’re not misguided. But believe it or not, PSR is a medical decision more and more women who suffer the heartbreaking loss of a partner are considering.
From its inception, posthumous sperm retrieval has been a controversial process, but also adding to its surrounding cloud of mystery is its abundant lack of government regulation. It’s that very absence of precedents that urges many controversial questions about the ethics of PSR. Medically, it is possible to extract sperm within the reasonable time frame (10 to 36 hours postmortem) of men who have died. But despite the medical capability to do so, the vexed question remains: Should we? Is it ethical to decide a man can father a child without being alive to consent to it?
There is much to consider regarding postmortem conception, including the various reasons it becomes an option, the potential legal ramifications, and the couple's plans for their future.
Postmortem sperm retrieval itself refers to the invasive procedure in which a surgeon cuts into a deceased male’s glands and collects the secretion. Postmortem conception itself has much broader parameters, which could include cancer patients who provided samples before receiving chemotherapy treatment. When males who sperm bank provide samples, they fill out paperwork in which they have to specify: If he should die, should his sperm be destroyed or left to a beneficiary to use to conceive a baby?
Another potential situation in which postmortem conception is often an option or at least a topic of discussion is if a male has to complete a military deployment. Sometimes, a man will decide to freeze sperm prior to deployment; other times, if sperm banking was not done before death, his surviving partner could legally have the sperm procured.
One such potential legal ramification of birthing a child with a deceased father is the issue of proving paternity. Since the father has passed, one would have to legally establish paternity before being able to list him as the biological father on the birth certificate, making it impossible for the child to collect social security benefits until paternity is verified.
After the sperm is obtained, it will likely undergo thorough testing to ensure the motility, viability and overall health of the specimen. Once cleared, it will be “cleaned,” meaning, the semen will be separated from the excess seminal fluid. Once preparation is complete, an infertility specialist can begin the first round of intrauterine insemination. During IUI, a catheter will directly deliver the cleaned sperm to a woman’s uterus, shortening the sperms’ journey, getting them closer to the fallopian tubes and therefore upping chances of pregnancy. Success rates for IUI can be as high as 20 percent per cycle depending on several factors, including age and potency of the specimen.
While still considered rare, strange and unconventional by many, various postmortem conception processes are gaining traction in the public eye and in turn, popularity. Since the death of a partner also means grieving the prospect of future children, postmortem conception — however unusual or controversial it is — can provide comfort in the manifestation of a legacy for a grieving partner.
What are your thoughts regarding posthumous sperm retrieval and other branches of postmortem conception? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
OK, so we have to admit we've had some mixed feelings when it comes to the onslaught of '80s and '90s revivals and remakes that have been relentlessly coming at us over the past couple years. And when ABC announced they were redoing Dirty Dancing last year, it didn't seem like the best of ideas. Let's be honest: No one can replace Patrick Swayze, and Colt Prattes — who ABC has cast in the role of Swayze's Johnny Castle — has some huge dancing shoes to fill.
But the more we learn about Prattes, our confidence in his ability to bring our beloved Johnny to life grows. And did you see the new promo poster that just came out? Total blast from the past.
Colt Prattes insta 1
Colt Prattes insta 1
Here are some of his qualifications and fun facts that you might not have heard about him.
"Growing up I watched this movie almost every weekend," Prattes wrote on Instagram of Dirty Dancing. "It inspired me to start dancing and still inspires me every time I see it."
2. He was in the Las Vegas cast of Rock of Ages
Colt Prattes insta 2
Colt Prattes insta 2
If you look at Prattes' photo and think, "Wow, I would love to hear this man serenade me with '80s power ballads," sadly, you just missed the boat. He was in the Las Vegas company of Rock of Ages for over a year as rocker Stacee Jaxx, and belted out classics like "Wanted Dead or Alive," "I Want to Know What Love Is" and "Renegade." His last performance was in March of 2016.
3. You probably recognize him from the music video for Pink's "Try"
Colt Prattes_Try
Colt Prattes_Try
It's no wonder Prattes was cast in Dirty Dancing when you watch his moves in Pink's music video for her hit song "Try." Their chemistry is unstoppable and his moves are undeniably impressive. Pink was so taken with Prattes that he performed with her at the Grammys and even danced on tour with her after "Try" was released.
And just how does Prattes manage to stay in such top shape? He's a CrossFitter. His Instagram feed is filled with workout pics, and he even participates in CrossFit competitions! Fitness is incredibly important to him, with good reason.
5. His wife is fellow dancer and actress Angelina Mullins
Colt Prattes_Married
Colt Prattes_Married
Sorry, y'all — Prattes is taken. He's married to Angelina Mullins, a dancer with Broadway credits. She also performed on Smash back in the day. And from the looks of it, these two couldn't be more in love.
Prattes comes from a family of Marines, and he makes a point of vocally supporting service members whenever he's able.
7. He is definitely a dog person
Colt Prattes_Dogs
Colt Prattes_Dogs
Prattes and Mullins aren't the only members of their family — his Instagram feed has plenty of pictures of his adorable four-legged children.
7. When he's not dancing, working out or spending time with his family, he's a writer
Colt Prattes_Writing
Colt Prattes_Writing
Seriously, what can't this man do? Somehow, Prattes manages to find the time to write for New Age Gents, a forthcoming men's lifestyle blog. He is passionate about being a positive embodiment of masculinity and his writing is an interesting glimpse into what that means for him.
Are you excited to see Prattes in the Dirty Dancing remake? Do you think he will be able to fill Patrick Swayze's shoes?
Awareness that consumption of foods could lead to mercury poisoning began in the 1950s when people and animals in and near Minamata, Japan, began to exhibit unexplained neurological symptoms, such as tremors, staggering, muscle weakness and seizures. Eventually, the symptoms were traced back to the consumption of fish and seafood from the nearby bay, which served as a dumping ground for the wastewater from a local chemical company. The wastewater contained large amounts of mercury, and thousands of people and animals were sickened and died from the exposure.
Cats that ate the fish from the bay at Minamata were dubbed “dancing cats” because of the symptoms they exhibited. So can seafood and fish in today’s cat foods and treats be dangerous to your cat? Read on to get educated about mercury in cat food.
Mercury originates from three sources. About 30 percent of mercury in our environment is there as a result of human activities, such as coal burning, iron mining and cement production. Natural sources of mercury account for 10 percent of the mercury in our environment, from volcanoes and geothermal vents. And finally, the majority of the mercury in our environment — a whopping 60 percent — comes from a phenomenon known as reemission, which means mercury that is released into the environment from soil during floods or from burning plant life in a forest fire.
How does mercury in the environment get into cat foods?
It occurs through a process known as bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation happens when a substance accumulates in the body faster than it can be excreted. Mercury is a great bioaccumulator. Tiny organisms like krill and plankton take in ocean water, which contains mercury from the environment, and it builds up in their bodies. They are then consumed by bigger fish. This process continues on up the food chain, and the relative amount of mercury increases at each level. When cats consume these fish and shellfish, they’re consuming the accumulated mercury in the flesh.
Small fish and seafood have, on average, the smallest amount of mercury in their bodies. Large predator fish have the most. A shrimp has about 0.001 parts per million of mercury, salmon has 0.008 ppm and sharks come in close to 1 ppm. Bioaccumulation is responsible for this phenomenon.
So just how much mercury is dangerous?
Suspected mercury toxicity is rare to see in cats, but there are veterinary laboratories that can perform the test to measure mercury levels in the blood. Normal levels are considered to be 0.1 to 0.3 ppm, high are between 0.3 and 5.0 ppm, and toxic levels are between 6 and 20 ppm. It’s when the cat’s blood measures in the toxic range that we would expect to see the types of signs that were seen in the “dancing cats” in the 1950s in Japan.
Are there dangers to your cat having lower levels of mercury in its blood than those levels that are considered toxic? The truth is we don’t know. We’ve tried to pin a number of maladies on mercury exposure, most recently the development of autism in children after vaccination, but so far, no definitive links to any specific illnesses in cats has been established.
How much mercury is my cat getting in its food?
This is a tough question to answer. While we know the levels of mercury in the fish itself, no data exists on the amount of mercury in cat foods and treats. Obviously, it’s likely a lot less, since foods and treats aren’t made solely of fish, but we don’t have exact numbers.
If you know that a shrimp contains 0.001 ppm and the toxic level of mercury in a cat begins at 6 ppm, you can see that it’s highly unlikely that your cat will build up enough mercury in its body to get mercury poisoning from eating fish-flavored cat foods and treats.
OK, but I’m still worried about mercury in my cat’s food
And you have every right to be. There are quite a few unknowns in this whole picture, and since we don’t routinely measure mercury levels in cats, we don’t have a good understanding of how much mercury the average cat is walking around with. It’s also possible that we’re actually seeing mercury poisoning in cats from time to time, but because it’s not on our radar screen, we don’t test for it and we miss the diagnosis.
If you want to keep your cat’s mercury exposure as low as possible, don’t feed any whole fish and limit or completely avoid feeding any fish-containing foods or treats. If you give your cat fish oil as a supplement (and it’s a great idea!), buy fish oil that is tested for mercury levels.
What about an occasional treat of tuna? It’s OK as long as you keep it small and occasional. Canned salmon is probably a better choice. And be sure to avoid albacore tuna, since as a bigger fish there are much higher mercury levels present in it.
If George Clooney weren't already married to Amal Clooney, I would be.
She's the perfect embodiment of a boss ass lady. She gets shit done. She's smart. She works for human rights for people all over the world. And the obvious: she's super hot. It's no wonder she locked down George, who previously insisted he would never get married.
Now, she's representing the Yazidis, a Kurdish ethnic group in Iraq, fighting for a formal investigation into a genocide she says has been targeting them. Her work is admirable as hell. But what might even make it better is her attitude about her famous husband and how he's helping her get it done.
"There is lots of my work that takes place behind closed doors that is not ever seen," she told the BBC when asked if George's fame giver her a better platform for her own work. "I think if there are more people who now understand what's happening about the Yazidis and ISIS and if there can be some action that results from that, that can help those clients, then I think it's a really good thing to give that case the extra publicity that it may get."
Amal Clooney talk about how Georges fame helps her work
Amal Clooney talk about how Georges fame helps her work
This is such a perfect way to fire back against the media's tendency to constantly reduce women to the men they are with. Instead of being referred to as Amal Clooney, all-around badass lawyer who's actively making the world a better place and just so happens to be married to George Clooney, she's so often referred to as just George Clooney's wife. She's maybe the smartest woman on the planet, though, so it's no surprise she figured out a way to work that to her advantage.
Being an adult is weird. By now, you’re expected to automatically know some stuff about life, like how to file your taxes, jumpstart your car, cook at least a semi-respectable meal, and, according to every junior-high kid on social media with Kardashian-level contouring, be really, really good at makeup. And sometimes, it can feel like all of that beauty knowledge skipped your brain and infiltrated your friend’s or co-worker’s, and now you’re stuck with a whole bunch of basic questions, and the tiniest bit of shame about asking them.
But, hey, we don’t care. Like, at all. We don’t care if you still aren’t sure how to use concealer, or what face primers do, or why your foundation keeps melting off your face by noon. That’s why we’re here—to educate your ass, so you can feel a little bit more informed. So we answered your most-confusing, semi-embarrassing, WTF-worthy makeup questions, below, with the hope that you’ll feel a little less out of the loop next time you’re doing your makeup. And, if you have any other beauty questions you’re dying to have answered, make sure to ask us in the comments below! Keep reading to have your brain blown.
Image: Imaxtree
Q: “OK, do I really need to use primer? What does it even do?”
THE ANSWER: Oh, my god—yes. Yes, yes, yes. We can’t scream yes enough. Not using a primer before applying your makeup is like putting shoes on wet feet, or painting an un-sanded house, or, uh, wearing your bra over your shirt. It just doesn’t make sense, OK? Because makeup primers are filled with silicones that transform every skin type into a silky, smooth, fine-line-free canvas for makeup to literally glide over, like an airbrushed portrait. It also keeps your concealer (and tinted moisturizer and eyeliner and eyeshadow and everything else) from sliding throughout the day, and also, it’s pure magic.
THE FIX: Buy a freaking primer! Now! You can go high-end with the cult-favorite Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, or get similar results for cheap with our favorite drugstore dupe: Monistat Chafing Gel (no, it has nothing to do with your vagina; the anti-chafing gel is filled with the same active ingredients as Smashbox’s version, for a quarter of the cost). Just smooth a rice-sized blob of primer over you clean, dry skin, wait a minute, and apply your makeup as usual.
Q: “Why does eyeliner leave marks in the crease of my eye or smudge underneath my eyes?”
THE ANSWER: You can blame your eyelids for your liner troubles. Hooded eyelids cause your lash lines to smash against your upper eyelids each time you blink, leaving a stamp-like smudge on your skin. And, if your lids are especially oily (hey—it’s not gross; even those with dry skin can have oilier lids), the liner will slowly slide down your face throughout the day.
THE FIX: No, you don’t need to get eyelid surgery to wear eyeliner—you just need to turn your eyelids into a smooth, dry canvas for makeup, which means keeping the area free of moisturizers and eye creams in the morning, then loading up on primers and powders. First, smooth an eyelid primer over your lids (we’re obsessed with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion) to create a smooth, matte base, then dust a translucent loose powder or neutral-toned eyeshadow over your lids to set the primer. Then, and almost as importantly, you need to examine your eyeliner. If you’re using kohl or crayon, which are meant to smudge, swap them for a long-wear gel eyeliner, L’Oréal Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner or Make Up For Ever Eye Pencil, then “set” your liner by dusting the line with eyeshadow of the same color.
Image: Imaxtree
Q: “How do I actually conceal a zit without it looking cakey or obvious?”
THE ANSWER: With the patience of a war-zone negotiator, and the care of a Faberge-egg decorator.
THE FIX: If your skin is red and irritated from breakouts, smooth on a green color-correcting face primer (we love Givenchy Acti’mine Color Correcting Primer in Acti Kiwi) to tone down the redness, then apply your foundation as usual, avoiding the zit itself. With a small concealer brush, dab a thick, dry concealer (the drier a concealer is, like those found in pots or tubes, like Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, the better it’ll adhere to skin) over the very center of the pimple, gently twisting the brush to make sure the concealer fills your skin’s nooks and crannies. Gently tap the center of the zit with your finger to blend the concealer into the surrounding skin, then lightly dust the zit with a fluffy brush dipped in finishing powder to keep the concealer from sliding off.
Q: “Why does my makeup always cake up around my nose?”
THE ANSWER: Two things that don’t mix: foundation and oily skin. Or, really, any type of makeup and oily skin. If your base is slippery with oil (which can come from a super-rich moisturizer, or your skin’s natural production), your makeup will inevitably slide around, caking around your nostrils, creasing under your eyes, and settling into the fine lines on your forehead.
THE FIX: Stick with thin layers of lightweight moisturizers in the morning, like Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer SPF 15, and give all skin-care products at least 10 minutes to sink in before applying your makeup. Smooth a mattifying face primer, like Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector, over your skin to stave off midday oil and give your makeup something to adhere to, and then blend sheer layers of concealer and foundation over your face, making sure to really buff around the crevices of your nose where makeup tends to cake. Finish by dusting your T-zone with translucent setting powder, like Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Pressed Setting Powder.
Image: Imaxtree
Q: “Why do my dark circles always look so obvious, and how do I cover them up?”
THE ANSWER: Ugh, genetics, right? Unfortunately, those dark rings below your eyes are as much a part of you as your left hand or your deep affinity for cheese, so we’re sorry to say that you’re stuck with them. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still lessen their appearance through concealer, drugs (not those kind), and good, ‘ol-fashioned sleep.
THE FIX: If your dark circles have only surfaced in the last few weeks—and brought with them a few bags—try popping an antihistamine (reduces the puffiness that can come with allergies) and get to bed earlier (helps decrease water retention). But if under-eye circles run in the family and have plagued you for years, your best bet is to learn the art of camouflage, which means finding a creamy, peach- or red-toned concealer (peach neutralizes blue-hued circles, while red neutralizes green-hued circles), like Benefit Erase Paste Brightening Concealer for light-to-medium tones, and Becca Backlight Target Color Corrector for dark-to-deep tones, and avoiding anything that looks even remotely yellow (yellow-toned products—a.k.a. most concealers—make circles look more obvious). With a damp Beauty Blender or sponge, dab the concealer over the shadows, on the inner corners of your eyes, and down the sides of your nose, then tap your regular concealer on top.
Those are the two words the daughter of comedian Patton Oswalt wrote on the postcard she made for President Donald Trump. The 7-year-old also handpicked two emojis: the cool sunglasses face, representing her ("me," she wrote) and the freaked-out face, representing, well, Trump ("you," she wrote).
Patton Oswalt Alice tweet
Patton Oswalt Alice tweet
We like this kid's succinct, no-nonsense approach to political activism. And the emojis? A very nice touch for this particular president, we think. Talk to him in a language he understands!
Oswalt posted a photo of Alice on Twitter holding up her handmade postcard addressed to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. “Alice just made this postcard for President Trump,” Oswalt tweeted. “I just mailed it.”
Oh snap! It certainly won't take long for Trump to read the message — definitely not as taxing as, say, an intelligence briefing. Maybe Alice will single-handedly persuade our president to take a chill pill — and keep his finger away from the doomsday nuke button. Maybe Alice will save us all!
It's no secret that Alice's dad has been a big critic of Trump. The week before the inauguration, Oswalt wrote, “And just like that, Trump isn’t funny anymore. That press conference was…terrifying. We’re fucked. Go be with your families. Hoard food.”
The father and daughter are slowly building a new life without Michelle McNamara — Oswalt's wife and Alice's mom — and it hasn't been an easy road. McNamara died suddenly last April at 46, leaving the comedian and his daughter completely lost and bereft.
“This is my first time being a single father. I’ve missed forms for school. I’ve forgotten to stock the fridge with food she likes. I’ve run out of socks for her. I’ve run out of socks for me. It sucked and it was a hassle every time, but the world kept turning. I said, ‘Whoops, my bad,’ and fixed it and kept stumbling forward," he wrote.
Clearly, Oswalt is doing something right, as Alice seems to be turning out just fine. Better than fine — maybe this determined, outspoken young lady will wind up in the Oval Office herself someday. We'd be more than cool with that.
