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Gabi Gregg Talks Body Positivity & Getting the Fashion Industry's Attention

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When Gabi Gregg first started writing about body positivity in 2008, it wasn’t yet a mainstream term, and most of her support came from the online community. Now almost a decade later, she’s a leading voice not only on body acceptance, but also fashion – the very industry that initially shut her out.

More: Here's What Happened to that Body-Shaming Snow White Ad

“I was just a young fat girl who couldn’t find clothing and wanted to share the resources I did have with other people,” she told the audience at BlogHer17 in Orlando. “I wanted to share my struggle and my outfits at the same time.”

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bhs

For so long, Gregg explained, there wasn’t much in the way of fashion advice or guidance for plus-sized women, and what was there was “all about hiding and minimizing,” like saying to wear black and not stripes.

MoreSarah Hyland Responds to Concerns Over Weight Loss

Thanks to efforts from women like Gregg, even in a few short years, the options available in plus-size fashion – including swimwear – have increased exponentially. When her first swimwear line – a collaboration with Swimsuitsforall quickly sold out after it was launched, other retailers took notice.

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MoreKirsten Dunst Shuts Down Sofia Coppola's Request That She Lose Weight for a Movie

So what advice does Gregg – known to her followers as GabiFresh – have for other women who are looking to make a difference – and a profit – through blogging? “Find the void and stand for something.”


Jesse Williams Accuses His Estranged Wife of Keeping Him From His Kids

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Grey’s Anatomy star Jesse Williams is officially in a custody battle for his two children with his estranged ex-wife, Aryn Drake-Lee. Us Weekly reported that the 35-year-old actor is fighting for joint physical custody of his daughter, Sadie, and son, Maceo. In official court documents obtained by Us Weekly, his attorneys claim that Drake-Lee, a real estate broker, has refused more and more time that Williams has requested to spend with his children.

More: Don't just watch Jesse Williams' BET Awards speech - read it

Williams writes in the documents, “Aryn restricts my time with the children and decides when, and for how long, I have them. She has rejected, without any reason, each and every request I have made to have the children sleepover at my residence. On the few days that I have the children, Aryn has insisted that my time with the children be limited during the week to approximately two-and-a-half-hours per day, despite my requests for more time, including overnights with the children.”

Ouch. The two divorced this year in April after a 10 year relationship, five as a couple and five as married. Williams himself filed for the divorce citing irreconcilable differences. He has also said that he has “always been an active, involved, hands-on dad,” which makes the divorce all the more difficult, and this situation unbearable for the actor.

More: It's too bad Jesse Williams and Aryn Drake-Lee are divorcing, because she's a badass

Drake-Lee’s lawyer responded to Williams’ court filings with a curt statement about the state of affairs. “Protecting the privacy and well-being of their children is of paramount importance to Aryn Drake-Lee Williams,” lawyer Jill Hersh told Us Weekly. “It is unfortunate that Mr. Williams has chosen to draw public attention to this difficult time and transition for their family… Therefore, [Aryn] will not comment any further on Mr. Williams’ unilateral and unfortunate public allegations.”

It surely seems like a difficult time for the whole Williams family, but no word has been given on court dates or final filings. Hopefully a fair decision can be drawn, but in the meantime we hope the situation doesn’t escalate to a more hostile level.

Rihanna Slid into this Fan's DMs to Give Him Some Relationship Advice

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Rihanna, badass bish and queen of hospitality, recently slid into a random fan’s DMs and gave him private relationship advice on Twitter. It’s not likely that a celebrity will respond to any kind of random message from a fan, since celebs as big and popular as Rihanna get millions of messages daily. The most exciting, though, is when they do respond.

More: Rihanna disses her music, even though it launched her career

Celeb responses don't happen often but when they do, I can’t imagine that lucky person’s life is the same. This May, Taylor Swift got an invite to a graduation party. She didn’t go, but she did send flowers and a hand-drawn card to the lucky grad. And just last year, RiRi got in touch with another lucky fan when she helped him come out as gay with a series of private messages on Twitter.

You always hear about the lucky few who are put in touch with their idols. News like this is, well, news. BuzzFeed got in touch with Twitter user @WaladShami to cover the big event after he posted a picture of the conversation in a tweet.

Rihanna Tweet

Rihanna Tweet

Damn. That is some sound advice from a sound woman. The fan told BuzzFeed that it’s not actually the first time he’s been in contact with the popstar and singer. “I reached out to Rihanna because she’s given me advice many times - she’s wise n’ shit,” said the Twitter fan. “It was my first relationship ever and they ended it with me in January, but it’s been really hard for a multitude of reasons.”

More: Drake's emotional ode to Rihanna will go down in MTV VMAs history

Rihanna responded with some seriously important advice for anyone going through heartbreak. “Just believe that the heartbreak was a gift in itself!” she writes. “Cry if you have to, but it won’t be forever! You will find love again, and it will be even more beautiful! In the meantime enjoy all that YOU are!!!!!”

If anyone else out there is going through a tough breakup, now seems like the time to DM Rihanna for any and all relationship advice! Who knows, maybe she’ll even open her own love doctor hotline! We can dream.

Brendan Dassey To Be Released from Prison After Wrongful Life Sentence

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Finally, some good news in the justice world. Making a Murderer’s Brendan Dassey is getting let off after a federal appeals court upheld Dassey’s overturned conviction. So, instead of serving a life sentence in prison, the 27-year-old will be freed after 10 years already served.

This news comes a week after the wrongful innocence of Jeronimo Yanez, the police officer who shot Philando Castille seven times, and was found not guilty of murder even though there was substantial evidence to prove he did it, including his release from the police force the same day of his verdict. So, good news in the justice department was scarce until now. However, in the Brendan Dassey case, the state of Wisconsin still has a chance to try against Dassey again in the next 90 days, including appealing to the Supreme Court. But if that doesn’t happen, the poorly accused will be released from prison.

More: Making a Murderer: 8 things you need to know if you don't feel like watching it

One of the three judges in this case, William Duffin, stated that “Dassey’s age, intellectual defects, and the absence of a supportive adult” were reason to believe that Dassey’s 2005 confession when he was only 16 years old, as seen in the Netflix documentary, was “involuntary” and part of a tactful plan to frame anybody for the murder of Teresa Halbach.

Laura Nirider, Dassey’s lawyer and first time Twitter-poster, announced the good news today.

Dassey Tweet 1

Dassey Tweet 1

And Dassey’s other attorney, Steven Drizin, joined in on the congratulatory news.

Dassey Tweet 2

Dassey Tweet 2

More: Making a Murderer season 2 will give new hope to Brendan Dassey supporters

An interesting fact brought about by ABC News is that the court that released Dassey today is the very same that denied Dassey his freedom just one year ago. There’s no link as to what might have changed the court’s mind, but it’s not hard to put together the release of Making a Murderer on Netflix and the release of Brendan Dassey.

How Much Menstrual Bleeding Is Too Much?

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When you hear the term “bleeding disorder,” you probably think of hemophilia, an inherited condition that can lead to dramatic bleeding from the smallest of wounds. Hemophilia, also known as “the royal disease” because it afflicted so many of Queen Victoria’s descendants, has three types — A, B and C, all caused by the degree to which clotting factors are absent in the blood. While men are diagnosed with bleeding disorders via regular nosebleeds and intense post-surgery bleeds, they’re more complicated to diagnose in women because, well, a lot of us bleed regularly and significantly.

“Every time I’d tell a doctor that my periods were terrible, they’d say, ‘Everyone thinks their periods are terrible,'” Ashley says. It wasn’t until 2012 when she began trying to get pregnant that she learned the cause of her hellacious periods: a genetic bleeding disorder called factor XI deficiency, otherwise known as Rosenthal syndrome or hemophilia C.

More: What getting your period at an early age means for your health as an adult

FXI interferes with clotting and is a shortage of the protein that traps platelets and makes sure the clot stays in place. Ashley’s other symptoms include nosebleeds, bruising easily and bleeding gums. During her pregnancy, due to the risk of bleeding, Ashley was given infusions of fresh and frozen plasma. As for her periods, she finds great power in knowing that her period is terrible for a reason.

“It’s super-frustrating, but now there’s a why, and I can get medication to slow the bleeding,” she explains.

FXI is one kind of bleeding disorder in a category known as “rare factor deficiencies” because of the clotting factors that are absent, creating a longer than normal bleed. Rare platelet deficiencies, which are also genetic or acquired at birth, occur when platelets don’t do their job (to form a clot).

The most common bleeding disorder is von Willebrand disease according to the National Hemophilia Foundation. The disease, also hereditary, occurs when there’s either a deficiency of a protein in the blood, known as von Willebrand factor or vWF, or when what’s there doesn’t work. Folks usually aren’t diagnosed with vWD because the symptoms are often mild except in certain circumstances.

Anna was diagnosed with vWD in 1994 after hemorrhaging multiple times during various surgeries. Now, she says, “I insure that all procedures are properly handled to prepare for surgery,” which means she receives an infusion of Factor 8, a protein that you need to clot blood. “What a difference that treatment has made.”

More: What’s the Deal With Menstrual Suppression?

VWD is common in teens and young women, who are often diagnosed when they visit the doctor complaining of heavy periods.

What constitutes a heavy period, though? How do you know if your level of bleeding is normal?

According to Dr. Veronica Flood, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist in Wisconsin, if your periods lasts longer than seven days (menorrhagia), you need to change your pad/tampon/empty your menstrual cup more often than every two hours, and you’re iron deficient because of your period, you should see a doctor. Genetics also plays a role in vWD, so when girls are diagnosed (it takes a series of blood tests to arrive at the vWD conclusion), usually their mothers learn they have it as well.

If you do have a bleeding disorder, you have more options for managing heavy periods, but Flood says most of her clients do well on birth control pills. Other ways to manage vWD include desmopressin, an inhalable synthetic hormone that stimulates your body into producing more of the von Willebrand factor that’s already in your body, clot-stabilizing medications and replacement therapies like those Anna and Ashley use.

More: These Two Life Events Could Predict Early Menopause

“If people are worried, they should talk to someone,” Flood says. “People think, oh, it’s a woman’s issue, just deal with it, but I don’t want people to think this is a taboo subject. Nobody should have to suffer if they don’t have to.”

By Chanel Dubofsky

Originally published on HelloFlo.

13 Store-Bought Items That Seem Vegan-Friendly, but Aren't

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If you think eliminating all meat and dairy from your diet seems restrictive, that's only the tip of the iceberg for vegans, my friend. Wait 'til you have to cut out candy, nuts, some store-bought juices and — here's the kicker — beer and wine.

That's right. There are tons of hidden animal products in foods that on the surface seem completely safe to consume for those who lead a plant-based lifestyle. In short, there are a ton of store-bought items that seem vegan that vegans really have to avoid.

To remedy the situation, all you need to do is learn how to read labels and root out these undercover foods.

1. Some sugar

sugar
Image: bchiku/iStock/360/Getty Images

White sugar gets its color from a refining process that often involves the use of bone char, meaning even though it's not directly an animal product, it's not vegan. But don't opt for brown sugar, powdered sugar or even raw sugar. All of them are made from refined white sugar. Some sugar manufacturers are certified vegan, so check the company's website or PETA to find out. Or just opt instead for maple syrup or agave nectar as a sweetener.

2. Jell-O, marshmallows, gummy bears, etc.

marshmallows
Image: bhofack2/iStock/360/Getty Images

These sweet treats are typically made with gelatin, which is made from collagen that comes from animal byproducts. You should avoid any product made with gelatin. That said, a quick internet search will reveal vegan versions of these and many other gelatin-containing foods. If you're making something from scratch, try substituting an equal amount of agar-agar.

More: 20 Vegan Caramel Recipes That Are Decadent & Wholesome — Yes, Both

3. Other candies

candy
Image: Tamelyn Feinstein/Moment/Getty Images

While we're on the subject of sweets, be careful of candies in general. That shiny coating comes from a resin excreted by a bug (the lac bug). Of course, "lac bug juice" would gross out even non-vegans, so they usually just call it "confectioner's glaze."

4. Red foods

red candy
Image: Robert Daly/OJO Images/Getty Images

How 'bout them fake red apple candies? There's nothing wrong with the red things Mother Nature makes, but most red candies and a lot of red foods in general get their color from red pigments from a female cochineal insect. On the label, it will say "cochineal," "carminic acid" or "carmine."

5. Soy cheese

soy cheese
Image: Alasdair Thomson/E+/Getty Images

That can't be true, right? Actually, it can. We can't explain the decision of some manufacturers to add casein (milk protein) to a product most likely to be purchased by vegans, but it happens. Check the label before you buy.

6. Sauces and dressings

salad dressings
Image: svetlana foote/iStock/360/Getty Images

Worcestershire sauce, in addition to many others, contains anchovy. The same is true of many salad dressings, like Caesar. And it goes without saying that cream-based dressings should be avoided unless they're specifically vegan. These are just the obvious ones, though. There are so many flavors out there, you should always check the label and know what every single ingredient is.

7. Peanuts

peanuts
Image: This is the best temple in mumbai suborn,/Moment/Getty Images

Unless you crack the nuts yourself, skip the packaged, shelled peanuts. Some brands may use gelatin as an additive.

Next up: Chips

Originally published November 2013. Updated June 2017.

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8. Chips

chips
Image: Alasdair Thomson/E+/Getty Images

Many chips, especially barbecue flavor, contain chicken fat.

9. Cake mix

cake mix
Image: Robert Rowe/EyeEm/Getty Images

You may think cake mixes are vegan because they just contain the dry ingredients and you add the fat and eggs, which you can substitute for vegan options, but this may not be so. They may contain sugar (which, as we already mentioned, could be an issue), milk products and even lard!

More: 20 Vegan Cheesecakes That Are Every Bit As Creamy As the Real Thing

10. Refried beans

refried beans
Image: zkruger/iStock/360/Getty Images

You can buy vegan refried beans, and many restaurants use them as well, but traditional refried beans are made with lard.

11. Margarine

margarine
Image: milanfoto/E+/Getty Images

Though many margarines are made with vegetable oil rather than dairy products, they may also contain gelatin, casein (milk protein), whey or gelatin.

12. Orange juice

orange juice
Image: violetkaipa/iStock/360/Getty Images

That's right! Even things that seem like they should come from Mother Earth could actually be hiding a dark secret. Some OJs are fortified with additional omega-3s that are derived from fish.

13. Beer and wine

beer and wine
Image: MarkWagonerProductions/iStock/360/Getty Images

Many breweries and wineries use a membrane that comes from the bladders of tropical fish to filter their beverages. So before you make a purchase, check the internet to ensure that brand is vegan.

What's a vegan to do?

Checking the labels is a great start, but many non-vegan additions may have surprisingly misleading names. If there's an ingredient you don't recognize, look it up to find out how it's made. It should be free of animal products but also free of anything a vegan might consider an exploitative product, like milk or honey. If worse comes to worst, send the recipe you plan to use to your vegan friend. They have a lot more experience!

foods vegans can't eat
Image: SheKnows Design;Image via Getty Images

4 Bottles of Wine for the Price of 2? Yes, Please!

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Your search for the perfect wine club is over. Winc delivers curated selections from around the world at a very reasonable price point — just $26 for four bottles.

Wine experts at the California-based startup use a simple survey to asses your taste and varietal preferences, then match you with corresponding bottles. Each Winc Winery bottle comes with flavor notes, vineyard backstories and food pairing suggestions. Already a connoisseur? Choosing your own bottles is an option too.

With complimentary shipping and home delivery, you can enjoy four Winc Winery bottles for 50 percent off the normal price. Visit the SheKnows Shop now to get tasty wines for less than $7 a bottle delivered right to your door!

This post is brought to you by StackCommerce

The Names of Beyoncé & Jay-Z's Twins Might Have Been Revealed

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Is it possible that Beyoncé has done something...lackluster? Could she and husband Jay-Z have made decision so offbeat and unexpected that it sours people's opinions of them? Probably not, but the reported names of the littlest Carter additions, Beyoncé and Jay-Z's twins, is really dividing the Beyhive right now.

More: 57 Celebs Who Are Parents of Twins

Reports came out on Thursday that Beyoncé and Jay-Z might have named their twins Shawn (which is Jay's real first name) and Bea (pronounced "Bee," and presumably after Beyoncé). While the power couple has yet to release an official statement about the names of the twins or even confirm the sex of the twins (they'll do it when they're good and ready, people), those multiple sources seem convinced that the names are Shawn and Bea.

The possibility that Bey and Jay have named their twins after them has inspired some strong and mixed feelings among their fans. Some think that this move to name their children after them is inspired, a show of their own greatness. Why not give your children the names of already-iconic humans, right? There are others, however, who feel that it's not exactly the kind of creativity they were hoping for from the Carters; their oldest daughter is named Blue Ivy, so the bar was set high.

More: All Hail the Twins! Beyoncé's Dad Confirms the Birth

Fans have taken to Twitter to air their feelings about the names of the twins. I have to admit, these reactions are pretty great and, as it happens, they match my own mixed feelings about the twins' names.

Some were pretty stoked about the names Shawn and Bea, even going so far as to defend Beyoncé and Jay-Z about the possible name choices.

Beyonce Jay Z Twins Names Tweet 1

Beyonce Jay Z Twins Names Tweet 1

Beyonce Jay Z Twins Names Tweet 2

Beyonce Jay Z Twins Names Tweet 2

More: The Sex of Beyoncé & Jay Z's Twins May Have Been Uncovered

Beyonce Jay Z Twins Names Tweet 3

Beyonce Jay Z Twins Names Tweet 3

Other fans were pretty annoyed or disappointed.

Beyonce Jay Z Twins Names Tweet 4

Beyonce Jay Z Twins Names Tweet 4

Beyonce Jay Z Twins Names Tweet 5

Beyonce Jay Z Twins Names Tweet 5

One Twitter user offered up her own ideas for names for the twins, which are admittedly a lot jazzier than Shawn and Bea.

Beyonce Jay Z Twins Names Tweet 5

Beyonce Jay Z Twins Names Tweet 5

Finally, one Twitter user put the kibosh on all the speculation so perfectly. I'll just let the tweet speak for itself.

Beyonce Jay Z Twins Names Tweet 7

Beyonce Jay Z Twins Names Tweet 7

A+ work, guys.


8 Ways to Bang Out an Orgasm With a Partner Without Actually Having Penetrative Sex

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Sometimes you're in the mood to get some action but don't actually feel like having anything inside you. Whether you're on your period, have a UTI or just plain aren't in the mood for it, the good news is, there are plenty of other ways for you and your partner to get off together without having old-fashioned intercourse.

In fact, let's be real. There's a huge number of us out there who can't even reach an orgasm from penetration alone, not to mention the fact that there are also a ton of us who have partners who weren't born with the equipment to have hetero sex. But all that doesn't matter.

"The most valuable thing you can do is find ways to bring more clitoral stimulation into your sex life," says sex therapist Vanessa Marin, who is actually launching an online training program to teach women how to orgasm (bless her heart). Work on finding adventurous positions and activities that stimulate the clit, and you'll be opened up to a whole new world of possibilities.

Here are some of our favorites to get you started.

1. Masturbate in front of one another

Instead of treating your partner like a machine whose job it is to give you an orgasm, heed the advice of Dr. Carlen Costa, a sexologist and relationship expert from Canada, and change your attitude first. "You're supposed to own your orgasm," Dr. Carlen says.

And the number one way she suggests increasing your sexual confidence and taking control over your orgasms is by partaking in a naughty bit of adult show-and-tell and masturbating in front of one another. Whether you choose to discuss in advance the fact that you're about to give your partner the thrill of their life or surprise them by letting them come home and "catch" you rubbing yourself on the Jennifer Convertible sofa, is entirely up to you. And though you may be tempted to let them jump in and finish the job, Dr. Carlen suggests restraining your passions and enforcing a no touching rule for as long as possible — which will only make things hotter.

2. Sex toys

Sex toys have come a long way since your mother's dildo (sorry, not a sexy image). Marin suggests trying a couples' toy like the We-Vibe or, if you prefer going at it alone, the Eva by DAME products, which is an actual hands-free vibrator that stimulates the clitoris with zero effort — yay for that!

Kait Scalisi, a sexual and reproductive health educator, writer and consultant, is also a huge fan of toys like the We-Vibe Touch, as well as G-Spot toy Je Joue Uma and arousal oils like ON Arousal Oil, which she says brings blood flow to the vaginal area and makes it easier to become aroused and achieve orgasm.

"I highly recommend all women have a high-quality lubricant," Scalisi said. "Water-based lubes like Sliquid Organics are great for toys while silicone-based lubes like the one by Pjur are better for intercourse, oral sex and fingering. The amount of natural lubricant a woman produces is not indicative of her level of arousal as everything from stress to dehydration to medications can affect the body's ability to get wet."

3. Direct stimulation

How many times have we been told the number one way for women to achieve orgasm is by getting oral sex? But that's not necessarily so. Look, we're not saying to stop your partner when they want to go down on you because cunnilingus can be one of the most pleasurable experiences on the planet. But so much attention has been put on oral sex that Dr. Carlen says it's easy to forget that women don't always come this way.

"More women are more self-conscious when they have someone in between their legs," Dr. Carlen says. "They worry about what they taste or smell like. Instead, direct stimulation is the number one way women orgasm."

Chances are, you're well versed on all things clitoris-related and know both light touching and applying more pressure to this sensitive spot can result in orgasm. But Dr. Carlen reminds us to encourage our partners to explore the entire vagina — including the labia and vulva, which has the second-most nerve endings after the clitoris and the U-spot, the area on and around the urethra.

4. Dirty talk

The brain is our largest sex organ and we're doing ourselves a huge disservice if we ignore this fact. It's completely possible to orgasm or get so worked up you could come in seconds without any physical contact at all by taking the time to engage in a little filthy talk before or even instead of sex.

More: 5 Sex Positions That Prime Women for Orgasm

If you've never tried this before with your partner, Dr. Carlen says to take your time and take it slow. "You don't have to jump in with the dirtiest thing because it can come across as awkward or unauthentic," she says. Instead of whispering in his ear that you want to have an orgy with him and 15 members of a football team, Dr. Carlen says tried-and-true dirty talk includes saying things like "I love it when you do (fill in the blank)," and the universally hot, "Oh, baby, I'm coming."

And if you're feeling shy about it, the expert says a great way to build your sexual confidence and test the waters is by sexting your partner. Setting up a scenario via text like, "When you get home tonight (fill in the blank)" is a surefire way to fan the flames.

Next Up: Frottage

Originally published December 2015. Updated January 2017.

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5. Frottage

Nope, this isn't the name of a decadent dessert; it's something many of us probably did when we were teenagers. I'm talking about good ole dry humping, rubbing and grinding — the kind that takes place when both partners are either fully or partially dressed — or, oh what the hell, totally naked works too.

The beauty of frottage is that it's exciting because it's an unexpected thing to do with your partner when you're over the age of 21. There's no pressure to perform, no worries about birth control (assuming all of your clothing is on!) and a rare opportunity for both you and your partner to get off at the same time from the same act.

6. Tantric sex

If you haven't heard of the ancient Indian tradition of tantra, brace yourself: There are some fortunate individuals and couples out there who have tapped into sexual energy in a way that can result in them having an orgasm within minutes — with absolutely no physical contact. But Patricia Johnson, who has 15 years of experience teaching tantra with her husband Mark A. Michaels and with whom she has written a book called Partners in Passion: A Guide to Great Sex, Emotional Intimacy and Long-Term Love, says anyone can learn how to channel that energy we all have into a powerful orgasm.

More: 5 Ways to Have Sex While on Your Period

"First of all, imagination is the key," Johnson said. "Studies show that orgasm actually originates in the brain, so attitude matters more than technique. Imagine that you're having an orgasm and that will get you on the road to the real thing. Tantra is more about attitude than a particular skill or past experience."

7. Breast orgasms

We pay so much attention to how our breasts look that some of us forget these babies are not only lovely, but — regardless of our cup size — functional and one of our very best friends when it comes to orgasm. Our breasts actually swell up to 25 percent when we feel aroused and even change color, according to Dr. Carlen. When our partner stimulates our nipples by licking, massaging or even tapping them rhythmically, it can have the same exciting effect on our brain as clitoral and vaginal stimulation.

8. Spanking/role playing/BDSM

Big fan of Fifty Shades? If you've been wondering how it feels to get spanked or act out your submissive fantasies, Scalisi highly recommends that women fill out a yes/no/maybe list of options that exist in order to get ideas about what they could do in the bedroom and decide if it's right for them. Thanks to Christian Grey, Scalisi says there's never been an easier time to broach this topic with a partner.

You don't have to go to extremes while experimenting, either. A great pair of leather handcuffs provide the thrill of being tied up without it being too intense. It's all about doing what makes you comfortable and exploring a side of you that you didn't know existed — and that can tip the excitement scale to orgasm.

Here’s Our Problem With Women in the Transformers Franchise

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On the eve of yet another Transformers film — Transformers: The Last Knight — hitting the cinemas nationwide, I'd like to remind everyone that where Transformers and its female characters intersect, these films are basically garbage. That's right. The Transformers films treat their women like gross male fantasies come to life, and I'm high-key over it. Director Michael Bay is probably the one to point a finger at here because as director, he can make the executive decision on how he'd like to film and depict his main female characters in this franchise, Mikaela Banes and Carly Spencer.

More: Brian Austin Green & Megan Fox Would Have Ridiculously Adorable Kids

Bay treats these women, frequently, like props for the audience to drool over and for their respective shared love interest, Sam Witwicky (a very average-looking guy, might I add) to enjoy and save from trouble. They definitely deserve better from their blockbuster scripts, and yet they languish in a world dominated by dudes.

Here are some of the worst offenses perpetrated against Carly and Mikaela: 

They're scantily or provocatively clad for no reason

Transformers Mikaela Car Scene

Transformers Mikaela Car Scene

Nowhere is this more apparent that Mikaela's wardrobe in the first Transformers film. Some of her first scenes feature her in the flimsiest crop top and Daisy Dukes. What's even more laughable is that, while she is wearing this outfit and the car (aka faithful Transformer Bumblebee) "breaks down" on the side on the road, Mikaela proceeds to do actual fucking car repairs on a super-hot engine with her bare skin exposed. That's just a major injury waiting to happen, and for what? So we can ogle her exposed body? I'll pass.

The movie camera is weirdly focused on their bodies

Transformers Carly Bed Scene

Transformers Carly Bed Scene

The idea of the movie camera being representative of the male gaze is a popular film theory, and nowhere is there a better modern example of this than they way Bay uses the camera to introduce Carly and Mikaela. Consider how Carly is first introduced to audiences in Revenge of the Fallen. It takes a good 30 to 40 seconds before we see her face. Before that, the camera focuses on her feet, pans up to her legs, then keeps her butt front and center in the shot. Why do we need to look at her body and not her face for so long? It makes no sense and it only devalues Carly as a female character.

More: I Applaud Megan Fox for Saying No to Porno-Like Roles & Taking Back Her Body

The women have interests that align with their love interest's, not their own

Transformers Carly You Matter
Image: Giphy

One of my primary annoyances with the Transformers films is that Mikaela and Carly are largely defined by Sam, their shared love interest. We know that Carly is a career-driven woman and we know Mikaela is a math-loving mechanic who is capable of helping run a business. Each of these women indicates they're much smarter and driven than Sam; so why does Sam get such a big spotlight? Carly and Mikaela are never really fleshed out, instead typically around when Sam is around so he can not only keep the spotlight but look better as a dutiful boyfriend. Meh.

They're damsels in distress

Transformers Saving Carly Scene

Transformers Saving Carly Scene

I mean, whenever possible, Sam has to save his girls. It's tiresome.

More: Michael Bay Giving Transformers a Major Makeover

They represent a patriarchal standard of beauty

Transformers Mikaela Motorcycle Beauty
Image: Giphy

No shade to Megan Fox (Mikaela) or Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (Carly), but they are every man's wet dream. Thin, white, long-haired, demure, full-bosomed: This is the "women of Transformers" mold. Ugh. It's not Fox or Huntington-Whiteley's fault that they got cast (more props to them) for their looks, and Lord knows they make every attempt to do their best with the material they're given. However, it's hard to ignore that only one "type" of woman is perceived as desirable in the Transformers universe.

You get a feel for their self-agency, but they never get a chance to shine

Transformers Last Knight Trailer

Transformers Last Knight Trailer

Mikaela is actually a surprisingly handy and capable mechanic. She's smart, independent and doesn't really deal with nonsense. You can see it come through frequently in her run in Transformers, but it's like the films don't know how to handle her when she isn't existing in direct relation to Sam. Ditto for Sam's other love interest, Carly. Carly is rad as hell, but is overshadowed by the fact that she works for tech mogul Dylan Gould. She's always relegated to and defined by the men in her life — secretary or girlfriend, never just a working woman. Sigh. Let's hope that in The Last Knight, Vivian Wembley (played by newcomer Laura Haddock) actually looks as independent, intelligent and badass as the trailer portrays her to be.

If there are any more Transformers movies (and dear God, I hope there aren't), let's hope Bay gets his shit together and treats his female characters better.

National Take Your Dog to Work Day Is Today & Every Day for These Companies

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A world that isn't filled with puppies isn't a place we want to live in. Heck, we don't even want to work in a place that isn't crowded with cute dogs. Facing a hard day of endless tasks without a furry creature at our feet just feels so bleak.

But if you work for a progressive company that allows you to bring your dog in with you, you don't have to live like that. Some studies suggest that workplaces that allow dogs are more likely to have employees that are less stressed and more creative, leading to a happier workplace environment — and bosses who have tested out the theory wholeheartedly agree.

"Having [dogs] by our side makes us happy, lowers our stress levels, and creates an environment that is comfortable, open, and flexible," Chris Meiering, director of innovation at a natural pet treat company, told the American Animal Hospital Association. "Some offices have water cooler conversations; we have dog playtime conversations. Their presence really builds camaraderie in the office."

More: My Dog Helps Me Cope With My Political Anxiety

If taking your dog to work sounds like a dream come true, it might be time for a change of scene. Here is a list of dog-friendly companies that allow their employees to bring their dogs to work every day.

1. Kimpton Hotels

Kimpton Hotels

Kimpton Hotels

Kimpton lets you bring your dog to work — but watch your back, because they might steal your next promotion. Pets that come to work with their owners are given the title director of pet relations and even greet guests in the lobby.

Kimpton has also offered pet insurance to their employees since 2005.

2. Replacements LTD

The China retailer in Greensboro, North Carolina, regularly features their employees' dogs on their website.

"I started bringing Buster to work to alleviate his loneliness, and he is loving it!" employee Julie Robbins said of her dog. "He thoroughly enjoys the attention he gets from other employees, and he loves lying in my lap for the last hour of the day while I work at my desk."

3. Salesforce

Puppyforce

Puppyforce

Salesforce created the "Puppyforce" program, which is basically a communal workspace where employees can bring their pets. The only hitch is that reservations are required, and the room is often full, according to Fortune.

4. Tito's Handmade Vodka

Tito's vodka

Tito's vodka

The Austin, Texas-based company doesn't limit its pets policy to canines — you can bring in pretty much any animal that brings you comfort. They also provide an outdoor play area for dogs.

"Our team feels having their furry companions by their side during the work day contributes to a very productive and happy environment," Beth Bellanti of Tito’s told Trupanion. "Tito built his distillery with a very beloved dog by his side 16 years ago and that culture of having dogs around us at Tito’s Handmade Vodka and helping other dogs has always been a comfort."

5. Mars Petcare

Mars Petcare

Mars Petcare

Home to many popular brands of dog food like Pedigree and Royal Canin, Mars welcomes dogs in all of its office locations across the world. Their Instagram feed is literally filled with adorable pics of dogs hanging out at work.

6. Google

Google dog

Google dog

Google has allowed dogs to accompany its employees to work for several years, and it is clearly stated on its code of conduct page that "Google's affection for our canine friends is an integral facet of our corporate culture. We like cats, but we're a dog company, so as a general rule we feel cats visiting our office would be fairly stressed out."

7. Embrace Pet Insurance

Embrace Pet Insurance

Embrace Pet Insurance

One of the leading brands of pet insurance, Embrace absolutely allows dogs in its offices. Employees just need to get approval from a supervisor and make sure their dogs display good manners when on the job.

8. Ben & Jerry's

It should come as no surprise that this sweet and tasty company wants to keep its employees as relaxed and creative as possible to be able to come up with all those awesome ice cream flavors. Ben & Jerry's has allowed dogs in its offices for many years, but don't worry, there is no paw dipping going on there — but you can meet 23 of the Ben & Jerry's office dogs on their website!

More: 12 Surprising (and Sometimes Creepy) Signs Your Cat Doesn't Actually Hate You

9. Etsy

Etsy dog

Etsy dog

Etsy has allowed employees to bring their dogs to work since it first began in 2005, and it even has a canine operations team. Having dogs in the office is one way that Etsy tries to keep the atmosphere creative and inspiring.

10. Build-A-Bear Workshop

For about the last 10 years, the Build-A-Bear company has allowed employees to bring their dogs to work. Employees are allowed to have their dogs by their sides at their desks and accompany them to meetings, but they cannot bring them to the cafeteria.

Build-A-Bear loves pets so much, they've also partnered with Petfinder Foundation to help guests of all ages learn about the responsibilities of pet ownership.

11. Amazon

Amazon dog

Amazon dog

This internet sensation allows dogs in its offices as long as they remain on a leash or safely behind a baby gate to ensure the work area is safe and happy. Rumor has it that an easy dozen dogs or more can be seen at the offices on a single day.

12. Moochie & Co.

Moochie & Co.

Moochie & Co.

This pet retail shop allows employees to bring their dogs to work in both retail locations and at its corporate offices in Columbus, Ohio. Dogs must be properly vaccinated, well-behaved and promise to wag their tails at every customer.

13. SheKnows

Bet you didn't know that SheKnows is also dog-friendly! On any given day, you will find pups tagging along to our main headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona, as well as our offices in New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Watch this office dog takeover:

Office takeover

Office takeover

Originally published June 2014. Updated June 2017.

Make Your Own Candles in Your Favorite Colors & Scents

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A candle is such a simple thing, but for some reason, lighting one up can suddenly make us feel like we're sitting in the lap of luxury. Maybe it's the smell — or maybe it's the romantic glow — but we're all twitterpated over a nice, strong scented candle.

What we don't love is how frickin' expensive the things are! You're telling me it costs $30 plus for some wax and essential oils that are going to last about a week? Hard pass. Enter this easy candle tutorial. It's pretty much everything you you want in a store-bought candle, but the supplies aren't going to cost you an arm and a leg. And the end product is even better than the store-bought variety because you can personalize it with your favorite scents and colors. They're perfect for decorating your own home, and they make for great gifts too.

How to make scented candles

Supplies:

  • Wax flakes
  • Pre-waxed candle wicks
  • Containers for candles
  • Nontoxic crayon or candle color block
  • Essential oils
  • Glass container
  • Saucepan or pot
  • Skewers or chopsticks
  • Tape
  • Stove
  • Scissors

Directions:

Note: You’ll want to start off by cleaning your glass containers. Using regular dish soap will do the job; just make sure you dry them thoroughly when you’re done.

Step 1: Setting up your wicks

DIY scented candles: Setting up your wicks
Image: Eileen Chow/SheKnows

To set up the candlewicks in your containers, you’ll want to lay the metal piece flat against the bottom. Then, use your chopsticks/skewers to hold up the wicks, and tape the ends of the chopsticks to keep everything in place.

More: DIY Homemade Bath Bombs in Six Easy Steps

Step 2: Measuring the wax flakes

DIY scented candles: Measuring wax flakes
Image: Eileen Chow/SheKnows

Measure out the amount of candle wax flakes you’ll need for each of your containers. The rule of thumb is two times the amount of wax flakes to fill each container.

Step 3: Melting the wax

DIY scented candles: Melting wax
Image: Eileen Chow/SheKnows

Fill a saucepan with water to about the halfway mark. Place your measured amount of wax flakes in the glass container. Then place the glass container in the saucepan. Be sure the water level is low enough, so it won’t splash into the wax flakes when it starts to boil. Turn your stove on to medium-high, and use a metal spoon to stir occasionally.

Step 4: Adding color to your candles

DIY scented candles: Add color to your candle
Image: Eileen Chow/SheKnows

This is an optional step. Your candles will come out a naturally milky white, but if you’d like to add a little color, you can use a nontoxic crayon or candle color block. I typically use 1/8-inch of red crayon per 16-ounces of wax flakes to get a soft pastel color. Want a brighter color? Use a little bit more, only adding color a bit at a time. Like food coloring, a small amount goes a long way. Simply melt your color along with your wax flakes. Warning: The color will look a lot brighter in the melted mixture but will turn a milky color as it cools.

Next Up: Add scent

Originally published December 2015. Updated June 2017.

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Step 5: Add scent

Add scent
Image: Eileen Chow/SheKnows

Once all the wax is completely melted, remove the wax mixture from the stove. My rule of thumb is 10 drops of essential oil per 16 ounces of wax. It makes for a moderately scented candle. Use less or more depending on taste, and feel free to experiment and mix oils to create a scent of your own. Add the measured amount of essential oil to your wax mixture and give it a good stir to make sure it’s well mixed.

Step 6: Pouring the wax

DIY scented candles: Pouring wax
Image: Eileen Chow/SheKnows

Make sure your containers are in a good location where they won’t need to be moved for a few hours. Then slowly pour your melted wax mixture into your containers.

More: This DIY Hot Air Balloon Mobile Is Perfect for a Baby's Room

Step 7: Setting your candle

DIY scented candles: Setting your candle
Image: Eileen Chow/SheKnows

Allow 3 to 4 hours for your candles to cool and solidify. It’s best to let them solidify at room temperature, so the cooling process is gradual. This prevents cracks in the wax.

diy scented candle
Image: Eileen Chow/SheKnows; Graphic: Tiffany Egbert/SheKnows

These Twin Baby Names Are Perfect for Your Darling Duo

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Naming a baby can be a difficult task. While some parents-to-be know even before conception what they'll name their baby (or come to an agreement super-fast), other parents aren't so sure and find themselves making huge lists and debating the perfect name for months. If you're expecting twins, it can be double the fun — or double the stress!

The rhyming twin-naming method of decades past isn't super-common today even though it's pretty easy to do. Instead of giving twins names that rhyme, like Chad and Thad, parents are instead considering names with a similar feel or origin and pairing them up together to see how they roll off the tongue.

More: Unique baby names for boys & girls we wish we'd thought of first

If you have twins on board, consider these name sets for your baby name list.

Popular twin boy names

Every year, the Social Security Administration puts out a list of the top baby names for that year. While the SSA no longer publishes the most popular twin sets, we can still drum up a ton of perfect pairs for the most popular boy names.

Popular twin girl names

For twin girls, we looked at the top 20 girl names in 2016 and paired each up with a similar name for her twin.

Fraternal boy/girl twin names

Since the SSA's twin name data went bye-bye, so too did the popular fraternal twin matchups. Don't fret, though — we have you covered here with boy-girl sets that aren't too obscure (and also aren't too matchy-matchy.)

Same first letter

Another tactic to take when choosing twin names is to pick names that begin with the same letter. This allows you to individualize the names while also linking them together, so they're more matchy-matchy, but overall, they're less rhyme-y. Here are a few ideas for twin names that begin with the same first letter.

Celeb twin names

If all else fails, look to the stars — those of the celebrity sort, that is. These celebs had babies two at a time, and maybe you'll find inspiration in their children's names.

  • Ella and Alexander, children of Amal and George Clooney
  • Knox and Vivienne, children of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
  • Emme and Max, children of Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony
  • Phinnaeus and Hazel, children of Julia Roberts and Danny Moder
  • Marion and Tabitha, children of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick
  • Moroccan and Monroe, children of Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon
  • Dolly and Charlie, children of Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell
  • D'Lila and Jessie, children of Sean Combs and Kim Porter
  • Gideon and Harper, children of Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka
  • Matthew and Gregory, children of Ray and Anna Romano
  • Olivia and Malcolm, children of Denzel Washington and Pauletta Pearson
  • Matteo and Valentino, children of Ricky Martin
  • Eddy and Nelson, children of Céline Dion and René Angélil
  • Stella and Grace, children of Dave Matthews and Jennifer Harper
  • Honor and Xavier, children of Tilda Swinton and John Byrne
  • Olivia and Lucas, children of Wanda Sykes and Alex Niedbalski
  • Dakota and Danilee, children of Chuck Norris and Gena O'Kelley

Why Democrats Lost & Will Continue to Lose According to Ana Navarro & Joy Reid

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Nicaraguan-born American political strategist and Republican journalist for CNN Ana Navarro joined MSNBC reporter Joy Reid onstage at the #BlogHer17 conference in Orlando Friday morning, and the two had some strong advice for Democrats.

MoreChelsea Clinton Has Major Feelings About the Senate's New Health Care Bill

The discussion was moderated by John Avlon, editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast, and he posed several candid questions for Navarro and Reid. To start, Reid and Navarro pointed out exactly how Republicans have become so powerful. Reid stated, "They have traded all their principles for power... Unfortunately, we have one party that has decided that Donald Trump is worth it. That it's worth it to have total power in Washington, even to look away from what Russia did to our election... No one is willing to reign this president in because he is a Republican and they are Republican."

Navarro added, "The idea that they can get some Republican agenda out of this is making them look the other way on things that for me are unacceptable. I am an American before I am a Republican."

Essentially, Republicans have decided that power in Washington is more important than having a moral president in office despite any personal conflicts or issues they may have with Trump. Navarro continued to express that this has had at least one positive impact.

More: Gabi Gregg Talks Body Positivity & Getting the Fashion Industry's Attention

"The good news is a lot more people want to run and are expressing that interest of running more than ever before. One of the silver linings of Donald Trump — and you know, there’s only, like, three — is that he has woken something in America and hopefully that woken-ness translates to running for office and better candidates."

So what advice did the two journalists have for Democrats?

"There is no unrequited love and desperation like the desperation of Democrats to get Republicans to become Democrats and vote for Democrats. Republicans vote for Republicans; it’s what they do... And the idea that Democrats are literally tearing their hair out and looking for a compromise and reboot because they couldn’t win races in Kansas, South Carolina, Montana and Georgia — all red states, red districts... Give me a break," Reid said. "Democrats need to calm down, stop panicking all the time and start thinking about the 72 districts that are more Democratic-leaning."

She continued, "Republicans are only good at one thing. Republicans only do base politics; they don’t do persuasion politics. You don’t see Republicans sitting around whining about why they can’t get Democrats to vote for them. They look at their race, they know who they are, what they want, what will scare them, what will excite them, and they just do that. Democrats are chasing Republicans rather than getting Democrats to the polls."

More: Margaret Cho Encourages Masturbation Because It's the "Ultimate Revenge"

Democrats need to take some notes from the Republican Party if they want to gain some power in 2020. Navarro and Reid agree that Democrats trying to convert Republicans is a waste of time and effort. In order to establish real change, Democrats need to focus on their base and getting that base out to the polling stations.

This Hack Lets You Shop at Costco Without a Membership (or Pants)

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Going to Costco requires an inner strength and sense of purpose more suited to a knight of the roundtable than a late millennial like myself. Nothing else in my life requires the same intense strategy and willingness to throw myself into the madding crowd, and this is coming from someone who still has, like, eight different student loans to keep track of and regularly attends music festivals.

Luckily, Costco seems to realize that if it has any hope of holding onto the younger generation, it has to become more accessible, and it's doing so by partnering with Instacart to offer online ordering and delivery. The best part is that you don't even need a membership card to start shopping. Finally!

More: Secrets to getting in and out of Costco fast

While Costco has paired with other delivery services in the past, unlike those, Instacart doesn't require a membership fee. You can simply sit in bed, pants-free, and order bulk La Croix, Nutella and toilet paper, all while lifting nothing more than a finger (or a few).

Instacart does charge a delivery fee, and similar to Uber's surge pricing, the cost can fluctuate depending on the time of day and the availability of the drivers.

More: Costco's Finally Caught On to the Delivery Trend — & We're Into It

Still, if you only drag yourself to Costco twice a year because you can't stand elbowing your way through families unraveling from the stress of bulk shopping just to get your hands on a free sausage pizza sample, chances are you'll still end up spending less on Instacart delivery than you do on your membership. And honestly, holding onto your sanity is priceless no matter what you eventually rack up in delivery fees.

Now, time to go clear out my pantry. Hey, that industrial-size vat of cookie butter isn't going to make space for itself!


Johnny Depp Jokes About Assassinating Donald Trump

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Oh, Johnny Depp, you should know better. After the year Depp has had with his divorce from Amber Heard and his lawsuit against his business managers, he probably should have kept his mouth during a recent public appearance; "should" being the operative word. But it appears he just couldn't help himself.

More: Johnny Depp's Managers Air His Dirty Laundry About Reckless Spending Habits

Depp was at the Glastonbury Festival in the U.K. on Thursday when he decided to mouth off about President Trump in front of the packed crowd. Seemingly out of the blue, he commented, "Can we bring Trump here?" as the audience booed.

They also responded with a loud "No." The crowd stayed with Depp and laughed after he said, "I think he needs help." Speaking out against President Trump didn’t seem so bad until Depp stepped over the line and went for it.

“This is going to be in the press, and it will be horrible," he said. "But I like that you're all a part of it. When was the last time an actor assassinated a President?"

More: Johnny Depp's New Japanese Beer Commercial Is Here & Confusing

While the audience appeared to listen attentively to Depp through his entire rant, he did make a few things clear to those attending the festival.

Depp clarified his statements with some mystifying comment about who he is precisely. "I want to clarify. I'm not an actor,” Depp stated. “I lie for a living.” Say what?

If Depp doesn’t have enough problems plaguing his life, any threat against the president — joking or not — is investigated by the Secret Service. CNN inquired with the agency and they are definitely aware of the situation. "For security reasons, we cannot discuss specifically nor in general terms the means and methods of how we perform our protective responsibilities," said Secret Service staff assistant Shawn Holtzclaw. Does Depp really need a federal agency looking into his statements about President Trump while he’s trying to keep his head above water financially? Probably not.

More: Ellen DeGeneres Called Johnny Depp Out on His BS

The White House isn't too pleased with him either. ABC News White House correspondent Katherine Faulders tweeted out the administration's official statement.

White House statement on Depp

White House statement on Depp

He clearly knew his remarks were going to get him in hot water with the press. There are plenty of ways to criticize the president without dropping the assassination word. Hasn’t Depp heard of Twitter? He may not be in his right mind these days, so making rational decisions most likely hasn't been at the top of his list.

After all the things Depp said at Glastonbury, I wouldn't be surprised if the Secret Service came knocking at Depp's door. Oops!

Kate Middleton Saved a Countess From Falling Out of a Carriage

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If you already love Kate Middleton, get ready to love her even more after this candid moment on Tuesday at the Royal Ascot in England. It was one of those human moments that was spectacularly captured by the cameras.

More: The Best of Kate Middleton's Hats Through the Years

The Duchess of Cambridge was seated in a carriage when Countess Sophie of Wessex was attempting to climb in and join Middleton. The countess was decked in a green dress with a geometric-shaped wicker hat on her head.

Kate Middleton breaks fall

Kate Middleton breaks fall

More: Princess Charlotte's Birthday Portrait Is Our Royal Ray of Sunshine

As she stepped into the vehicle, the Countess fell off balance. Luckily, there was no major mishap thanks to the hero who saved the day, the Duchess herself. Middleton was captured by the paparazzi photos grasping on to her friend mid-fall while both women laughed at the spontaneous moment.

Everyone deserves a friend like the Duchess who will break your fall and laugh it off. Instead of being worried about possibly dirtying her white lace Alexander McQueen dress, Middleton took it all in stride.

The ladies, along with Prince William and the Earl of Wessex, rode in a parade together at the horse race, which has also become a huge fashion event. The men come in traditional tailcoats and top hats, but the women go all out with fascinators and other headpieces for Royal Ascot.

More: Kate Middleton Was the Royal Discipliner at Pippa's Wedding

This isn't the first time cameras have caught the Duchess of Cambridge in a candid moment. In April, Middleton was seen smirking in the best way possible after her husband was splashed with water in his face at the London Marathon. In prior years, the royal family might have reacted negatively, but with the Duchess around, everyone just plays these moments off.

So the truth is the Duchess of Cambridge is a real-life superhero. If the cameras had caught a major fall on camera, it would be all over the press. Middleton did the Countess a solid by breaking the fall and keeping the small accident exactly the way it should be — playful and just a passing moment in time.

Lime Skittles Are Back, & the Happy Tears Won't Stop

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Skittles is one of my favorite candies, but they've severely betrayed my love in the past. About four years ago, they did the unthinkable and swapped lime Skittles for green apple Skittles. All this time later, people are still not pleased.

Surprised by green apple skittles

Surprised by green apple skittles

Standing up for lime Skittles

Standing up for lime Skittles

Moving to France for skittles

Moving to France for skittles

More: Skittles' New Mother's Day Ad Is Horrifying

Get it together, Skittles! I don't want to taste the rainbow if the G in your ROYGBIV is green apple and not lime. Who even decided that anyone would prefer green apple to lime? Which apple-loving corporate bigwig infiltrated Skittles' ranks in order to pull that charade off?

Angry at green apple skittles

Angry at green apple skittles

More: Spicy Skittles & Starbursts Are Here to Make You Break a Sweat

Apparently, a lot of folks feel just as impassioned as I do about this injustice, because Skittles is bringing back lime for a limited time this summer.

"Long Lost Lime" packs of the chewy fruit candy will be sold at Walmart all summer, and people are soooooo excited.

Lime skittles are back

Lime skittles are back

Yay for lime skittles!

Yay for lime skittles!

More: Nooo! Nestlé Candy Bars Could Disappear From Stores Soon

If you for some reason love green apple, the regular packs of Skittles will still have them. But if you're a lime fiend, this is your chance to stock up. Opportunities as sweet as this don't come every day.

Dancing with the Stars' Edyta Sliwinska Welcomes Baby Girl

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Two Dancing with the Stars dancers will be dancing around the living room with a newborn for a few months — Edyta Sliwinska and Alec Mazo welcomed a 7-pound baby girl on June 18 according to People. And we love her name: Leia Josephine. (The Force will definitely be strong with this one.)

Sliwinska's rep told People, "The new family of four are over the moon and absolutely in love with their little princess."

A photo Sliwinska posted to Instagram said it all.

leia

leia

We are thinking there is no way this kid is getting out of dance classes and tutus. Or a middle part and Princess Leia ear buns — at least for Halloween.

More: Dancing with the Stars' Peta Murgatroyd has big baby news

Little Leia is Sliwinska and Mazo's second child — big brother is Michael Alexander, 3, who actually chose his baby sister's name.

Sliwinska's rep confirmed, saying, "He picked the name and insisted for months that it would be baby Leia." We're guessing there must be an excellently cool Star Wars-themed nursery at the Sliwinska-Mazo house.

More: These two Dancing With the Stars stars hope their kids don't grow up to be dancers

Sliwinska has been very candid on social media about her pregnancy, with an announcement last Christmas alongside a picture of her rocking a bikini and huge belly bump.

edyta

edyta

"40 weeks! Never actually expected to last this long, but our little girl is no rush," Sliwinska captioned the pic. "She does like to poke mommy's tummy if you look close."

We're happy the family's wait is over — and can't wait to see more photos of the foursome.

Jennifer Lopez Accused of Photo-Editing Those Killer Abs

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Is there really enough time in the day to be worried about whether Jennifer Lopez photo-edited her abs in an Instagram pic? Apparently, there is for some J.Lo haters who have all of the time in the world.

More: Here's Definitive Proof That Jennifer Lopez Never Ages

It all started on Thursday when J.Lo posted a mirror selfie of her fit body in a crop top. Her abs were exposed and looking really amazing.

JLo's amazing abs

JLo's amazing abs

That’s when the internet trolls started to come of the woodwork to complain about J.Lo altering the image and deceiving fans about her lean midsection.

Comments like “Photoshop detected!” to “Nice Photoshop girl!!! You also look good without it. Don't be insecure,” started rolling in on her Instagram account. Why do people even care to comment when they weren’t there to witness J.Lo uploading the photo in person? Is everyone suddenly a Photoshop expert?

More: J.Lo & A-Rod Are Already Blended Family Goals

The big issue at hand for some commenters was the fact that a small section of her back looks like it is missing on the right-hand side. If you inspect the photo carefully, you will see that there is a large smudge on the mirror by her back, her forearm and to the right of her body.

Did people really think J.Lo was that bad at photo-editing that she would take out a chunk of her back? Come on, people!

Well, J.Lo wasn’t interested in anyone having the last word anyway. She clapped back at the accusations by making a rare move and commenting in her feed. “Omg… Just a smudge on the mirror… lol… not photoshop. #lordblessthehaters #gymrat #youshouldtryit #wishtherewasphotoshopforhaters,” wrote J.Lo in the photo's comment thread.

More: Is It Too Early to Take Bets on Jennifer Lopez & Alex Rodriguez's Engagement?

Boom! She dropped it on the haters that they should try a gym workout or two. While we don’t all have the financial means to hire a trainer, adopting a clean diet and taking a walk or two each week might do us and our abs a world of good. Just ask J.Lo.

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