Donald Trump has a lot of opinions about what female journalists — and women in general — should look like. We’re expected to look young and beautiful and thin and smile sweetly and not ask hard questions. And for the love of all that is holy, there had better be no hint of blood.
In his most recent — but certainly not last — completely inappropriate tweet as president, Trump publicly shamed MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski for allegedly having a face lift and “bleeding badly” last year on a trip to Mar-a-Lago. And just to make sure not to waste one woman-hating opportunity, he also insulted her intelligence, saying she had a "low I.Q.," then topped it off with the most original way to take down a woman ever — calling her crazy.
For a second, let’s ignore the fact that the president of the United States should be doing a million more important things than tweeting about a woman’s appearance and focus on his underlying message: Women need to maintain a certain youthful look, but must be called out if they actually do something about it.
Women — especially those who dare to show their faces on television — are held to unattainable standards of beauty and youth. And no, this isn’t just for actors, but also journalists and hosts whose job it is to tell you what’s going on in the world — not entertain you or give you something nice to look at.
Back in simpler times — 2002, to be exact — the then-56-year-old real estate developer and guest star on The Nanny and Sabrina, The Teenage Witchtold Howard Stern that women become undesirable at the age of 35 as a result of “too much life experience.” Right, so aging isn’t an option.
Using that logic, he should be delighted that Brzezinski decided to do us all a favor and allegedly get her conventionally attractive face lifted so we have something nice to look at on TV. Not quite.
According to official White House statements (Twitter), Trump referred to Brzezinski as “Crazy Mika” and her fiancé, Joe Scarborough as “Psycho Joe," saying they came to his Mar-a-Lago property three nights in a row around New Year’s Eve and “insisted” on joining him. That’s when he remarked, “She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!”
Lest we forget, if there is one thing Trump is most horrified and repulsed by, it’s a woman’s blood — even, like in the case of Megyn Kelly — he can’t see it and it’s “coming out of her wherever.”
Although Brzezinski has yet to officially respond, she did tweet the following this morning:
m
m
Melania Trump did respond to her husband's vulgar comments — which, appropriately, is squarely in line with her official cause as first lady: speaking out against cyberbullying. The president, for his part, is doing his best to ensure that his wife has plenty of examples of bullying on social media to reference and combat.
"As the First Lady has stated publicly in the past, when her husband gets attacked, he will punch back 10 times harder," the first lady's communications director Stephanie Grisham said in a statement to CNN when asked about the tweets.
So to recap: Ladies — you are disgusting after the age of 35, but after that, don’t you dare get plastic surgery and under absolutely no circumstances should you bleed. Being a woman in 2017 is fun!
At a certain point in a relationship, you get comfortable with each other — and that’s a great thing. You no longer stress about whether your partner is into you and you reach a new level where you just get each other. But there’s a big difference between being solid with each other and being in a rut.
Settling in a relationship doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with it, per se, but it does mean that it’s not as great as it can be. And relationship psychologist Karin Anderson Abrell says this is incredibly common. “As with anything in life, once we have something, we tend to take it for granted and it loses its luster,” she says.
Dr. Brandy Engler, a licensed psychologist specializing in relationships, agrees. “We have to be mindful in our relationships,” she says. “Be conscious of it as if it's a living, breathing organism that will die without your care.” It’s easy to assume you fall more into the 'comfortable' vs. 'settling' camp, but ruts can be sneaky things.
Here are a few signs that it’s time to give your relationship a jolt.
You have the same conversation every day
It’s important (and polite) to ask about each other's days, but it’s key to ask more than just the basics. Engler advises practicing curiosity with your partner to understand them on a deeper level. That means following up basic questions like, “How was work?” with more in-depth questions like, “How did your co-worker's comment make you feel?” and actually listening to the response. You could learn something new about one another. “The discovery phase of early relationships gives way to thinking you know all about them, but you don't,” she says. “Make time for direct attention.”
You’re fine with orgasming every once in awhile when you have sex
While you may not be able to come every time, you’re selling yourself short if you settle for an O only once in a blue moon. “The aliveness of a relationship thrives on challenge, uncertainty, novelty and even danger,” Engler says. If you decide to take out the challenge aspect of your sex life — i.e., giving you an orgasm as often as possible — you’re essentially checking out of your sex life. If you’re having trouble orgasming but can do it just fine on your own, show your partner what works for you in bed and speak up about what doesn't. Sure, it takes more effort than not doing anything at all, but it’s so worth it.
You forget what spontaneous sex is
OK, so life can get busy and sometimes you have to take that cliché advice and literally schedule sex. But when you schedule so much that getting it on spontaneously never happens, you’re taking the heat out of your sex life. “Novelty is associated with attraction,” Engler says.
It sounds obvious, but Abrell recommends making it a goal to be spontaneous anytime the mood strikes. “Tell yourself at the beginning of the week that you’ll seize the opportunity for impromptu sex when it arises,” she says. You can even clue your partner in and make it a game. Either way, hopefully it'll lead to both of you getting laid in a fun, unexpected way.
You never argue or disagree with each other anymore
It sounds weird that not fighting would be a bad thing, but arguing here and there is totally normal and healthy. Despite that, plenty of couples get used to pushing their concerns aside because they don’t want the hassle of going through a fight or they just become complacent. “If there's no friction, there's no passion,” Engler says. “Healthy couples fight.” Plus, sharing your opinion — even though you know your partner doesn’t agree with you — is an important part of making yourself heard.
You can’t do something new and amazing every time you’re together, but going to “your” restaurant or doing the same thing during all your free time isn’t great for your bond. “Not only does this indicate you’re in a rut, it’s also killing off any remaining butterflies,” Abrell says. So make plans to do something new this weekend and surprise your partner with it. Then challenge your S.O. to do the same thing for you next time. It probably won’t be as comfortable as your regular plans, but that’s the whole point!
You’re co-dependent
Depending on each other for some things is important and healthy — that's called interdependence — and it’s easy to think that relying on each other for everything is a sign that you're super-close. But in fact, Engler says it can lead you down a bad path. “Co-dependency kills libido,” she says. If you notice that you’re not having sex as often as you used to and it correlates with you two doing everything together, it might be time to step out by yourselves a little more. That way, you'll actually be excited again when it's just the two of you having quality time.
Die-hard Gilmore Girls fans know that no day in Stars Hollow began or ended without a visit to Luke’s Diner and lots of joe. Part of the series' (and revival's) appeal was to imagine living in that cozy world where Lorelai and Rory talk super-fast and constantly caffeinate at Luke's.
The future is now. Scott Patterson, the actor behind Luke, is launching his own coffee brand. “We’re almost ready to launch, but we want to have our ducks in a row before we come out with it,” Patterson said in an interview.
Unfortunately for fans, the coffee will not be named after Luke (we assume he doesn’t have the rights), but rather will be called Scotty P’s Big Mug Coffee, and there’s no word yet on where it will be available and when we might expect to start drinking it in mass quantities.
The writing was actually on the wall. Last year, Netflix marked the release of the Gilmore Girls revival with Luke’s Diner pop-ups all over America, and they were a huge success. Why not make one aspect of that into a permanent (money-making) reality? We're down.
The new iteration of the classic is updated a little bit; it involves a video game instead of a board game this time. In the first Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle trailer, we see four high school kids stumble upon the game during detention and decide to start playing only to find themselves sucked into the jungle universe in which Jumanji takes place. They also become their avatars, played by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan.
The first trailer for the movie is out, and Johnson so kindly shared it on Twitter so we can all live in our nostalgia for a minute and also get hella psyched about the new Jumanji, which is set to hit theaters on Christmas Day.
1st trailer for new jumanji movie starring rock johnson
1st trailer for new jumanji movie starring rock johnson
The trailer shows that the meek, nerdy Spencer gets transformed in Johnson, but still struggles with not crying when he gets scared in the jungle, because hello, the jungle is a scary place. I mean, if those mosquitoes from the first Jumanji are anywhere around, I would totally cry — I'm not even ashamed to admit it.
Meanwhile, the pretty, popular girl is transformed into Black and has to grapple with the fact that she now inhabits "an overweight middle-aged man" bod. Gillan's character asks the very pointed question, "Why am I wearing half a shirt and short shorts in the jungle?" and every girl who has ever played video games will probably applaud at that trope being called out.
If Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle wants to live up to the legend that was the original, it has big shoes to fill. Based on that trailer, it looks like the writers have put enough of a new spin on the story to make this a fun, original way to revisit the Jumanji universe, which means we're totally into it.
If it’s strong, toned, lean legs you’re after, we have two words for you: Kayla. Itsines. Truly, have you seen this woman’s calves? Have you? The ultra-fit personal trainer and fitness entrepreneur (and her ripped body) is her own best marketing tool. Itsines also happens to have a casual 7 million Instagram followers who look to the 26-year-old for workout tips and a whopping 20 million who swear by her signature 28-minute circuit workouts, now also conveniently available on the Sweat with Kayla app.
So with the arrival of high-hemline season, we asked Itsines to share her favorite leg workouts with us, and she came back with this: Two circuits that you should repeat as many times as possible during a seven-minute session that will ultimately shape up your body in no time. Just follow four seven-minute sessions — two on each circuit — and “aim to complete the exercises in each circuit as many times as you can before the timer goes off,” she told us.
Once each seven-minute session is over, you’ve earned a short 30- to 60-second break. “While you’re aiming to complete each exercise as quickly as possible, it is important that you maintain proper technique throughout,” Itsines advises, so keep reading below for a full breakdown of the exact circuits.
Circuit 1:
Reverse lunge + knee lift: 24 reps (12 per side)
Close squat:15 reps
Tuck jump: 15 reps
Outward snap jump: 20 reps
Circuit 2:
Jump lunge: 24 reps (12 per side)
Sumo squat: 15 reps
Broad jump: 20 reps
Mountain-climber: 40 reps (20 per side)
Reverse lunge + knee lift: 24 reps
Image: StyleCaster
Plant both feet on the floor slightly further than shoulder-width apart. Carefully take a big step backward with your left foot. As you plant your left foot on the floor, bend both knees to approximately 90 degrees, ensuring that your weight is evenly distributed between both legs. If done correctly, your front knee should be aligned with your ankle and your back knee should be hovering just off of the floor.
Then, extend both knees and transfer your weight completely onto your right foot. At the same time, lift up your left foot and bring your knee into your chest. Release your left leg from your chest and place it back on the floor behind you.
Complete half of the specified number of repetitions on the same leg before completing the remaining repetitions on the other leg.
Close squat: 15 reps
Image: StyleCaster
Plant both feet on the floor a fist-width apart. Looking straight ahead, bend at both the hips and knees, ensuring that your knees remain in line with your toes. Continue bending your knees until your upper legs are parallel with the floor. Ensure that your back remains between 45 and 90 degrees of your hips. Push through your heels and extend your legs to return to a neutral standing position. Repeat for the specified number of repetitions.
Tuck jump: 15 reps
Image: StyleCaster
Plant both feet on the floor slightly further than shoulder-width apart. Looking straight ahead, bend at both the hips and knees, ensuring that your knees remain in line with your toes. Continue bending your knees until your upper legs are parallel with the floor. Ensure that your back remains between 45 and 90 degrees of your hips. Propel your body upward into the air and tuck in both your elbows and knees. Extend both your legs and arms to land in squat position. When landing, ensure that you maintain "soft" knees to prevent injury. Repeat for the specified number of repetitions.
Outward snap jump: 20 reps
Image: StyleCaster
Place both hands on the floor slightly further than shoulder-width apart and both feet together behind you, resting on the balls of your feet. This is your starting position. Quickly jump both feet outward so that they are wider than your hips, as shown. Quickly jump both of feet inward to bring them back together into starting position. Continue alternating between feet together and feet apart for the specified number of repetitions.
Jump lunge: 24 reps (12 per side)
Image: StyleCaster
Plant both feet on the floor slightly further than shoulder-width apart and take a big step forward with your left foot. As you plant your foot on the floor, bend both knees at approximately 90 degrees. If done correctly, your front knee should be aligned with your ankle and your back knee should be hovering just off of the floor. This is called a lunge position. Propel your body upward into the air. Whilst in the air, extend both legs and reposition them so that you land in lunge position with your right leg forward and left leg back. Continue alternating between left and right for the specified number of repetitions.
Sumo squat: 15 reps
Image: StyleCaster
Plant both feet on the floor further than shoulder-width apart. Point both feet slightly outward. Looking straight ahead, bend at both the hips and knees, ensuring that your knees point toward your toes. Continue bending your knees until your upper legs are parallel with the floor, ensuring that your back remains between 45 and 90 degrees of your hips. Push through your heels and extend your legs to return to a neutral standing position. Repeat for the specified number of repetitions.
Broad jump: 20 reps
Image: StyleCaster
Plant both feet on the floor slightly further than shoulder-width apart. Looking straight ahead, bend at both the hips and knees, ensuring that your knees remain in line with your toes. Continue bending your knees until your upper legs are parallel with the floor. Ensure that your back remains between 45 and 90 degrees of your hips. This is called squat position. Propel your body upward and forward into the air. Land back into squat position. When landing, ensure that you maintain "soft" knees to prevent injury.
Mountain-climber: 40 reps (20 per side)
Image: StyleCaster
Place both hands on the floor shoulder-width apart and both feet together behind you, resting on the balls of your feet. This is your starting position. Keeping your left foot on the floor, bend your right knee and bring it in toward your chest. Extend your right leg and return to starting position. Keeping your right foot on the floor, bend your left knee and bring it in toward your chest. Extend your left leg and return to starting position. Continue alternating between right and left for the specified number of repetitions. Gradually increase your speed, ensuring that the leg that is moving does not touch the floor.
Growing up, I had dreams of becoming an editor and moving to the big city. I was all about the city life. My dream was to one day own an apartment in Manhattan’s Upper West Side and spend my free time strolling through Central Park and browsing vintage shops in SoHo. Well, the editor part of my dream came true.
Something strange started to happen when I went to college. I no longer wanted to travel to NYC every chance I got. No offense to New York. It’s fantastic, but I started to realize it just wasn’t for me. I no longer yearned to get dressed up to hit up the newest clubs and restaurants. Instead, I had this intense, almost primal need to get out in nature. It was a weird need. After all, I was the kid who would kick and scream every time my parents took my brothers and I camping when I was a kid, but the desire was intense, so I decided to explore it. I started hiking — just short hikes at first, 2 miles, 4 miles. Then a little bit longer — 6 miles, 8 miles. I was hooked. Being outdoors started becoming therapeutic, and I couldn’t get enough.
Astronomy is also a huge hobby of mine, and I wanted to get into astrophotography. In order to do that, I would need to camp, which was pretty scary to me at the time. The first time I camped, I was pretty terrified. I had a group of friends with me, but they all went to bed while I stayed up to get some shots of the Milky Way. Every little noise startled me, but as the night went on, I got more comfortable and quickly realized that I was just beginning a lifelong love affair with the outdoors.
Soon, I found myself solo backpacking through west and central Africa for weeks at a time. Now I live in Arizona, and I am backpacking through mountains and canyons every single weekend. So trust me when I say that even people completely new to camping and backpacking can get into it pretty easily.
To save you a whole lot of hassle, I have rounded up some of the things that I wish I had known before I set out on my first outdoor adventure.
1. Yes, you overpacked
You do not need three different outfit options. In fact, you do not need your iPad, makeup, hair brush, fancy PJs, half the pots and pans from your kitchen and three bins of toys for your kids. I guarantee you won't use half of that stuff when you get to your campsite, and it will just become a giant pain to lug it all around. Pack the essentials and maybe one or two comfort items if you need to. You're camping to get away from all the clutter, technology and convenience that we have in our everyday lives, so embrace the simplicity.
Brands will try to sell you ridiculous products. You know those water-resistant matches that cost $3.99? Well, in case you didn't know, the lighter you already own is also water-resistant and perfectly capable of lighting a fire. And speaking of lighting a fire, skip the expensive fire-starters and go for the free option: dryer lint stuffed inside an empty toilet paper tube. It's much lighter (and therefore easier to carry around in your backpack), costs nothing to make and honestly, it works better than any store-bought fire-starter I have ever used. Outdoor stores will try to sell you fancy footprints to put underneath your tent. Pro tip: Buy some Tyvek, cut it to the size of your tent and lay it underneath. It's much less heavy, a fraction of the cost and protects your tent the exact same way a pricey footprint would.
3. You do need some fancy products
The quality of your gear is important. When I first started backpacking, I thought I could save a few bucks by buying a cheap pair of sneakers and a cheap backpack. At the end of a 20-mile trek, I had lost four toenails and had to see a chiropractor because my backpack had taken a serious toll on my shoulders and hips. So no, you don't need fancy stuff like water-resistant matches, but make sure these five items are high quality and fit you properly:
Backpack
Sneakers/boots
Sleeping pad
Tent
Sleeping bag
Trust me. Losing toenails isn't fun. Invest in quality gear.
4. Start small
You don't want to get miles into the woods, set up your tent and realize you're totally not prepared to spend a night outside. So start in your backyard. Pack up everything you would for a real camping trip and take it out in your backyard. If you need to run to your house for something you forgot, make a note to bring that item with you when you camp. If you bring items with you that you didn't end up using, leave them at home next time. Plus, this is a great way to get used to sleeping outside while still being close to your comfort zone.
First, you need to consider what kind of camping trip you are looking for. Are you looking to drive up to a spot, unload your gear and set up? Do you need a campsite with bathrooms or are you down for digging cat holes? All campsites are not created equal, and you need to do your research beforehand to make sure you're choosing the best spot for you and your family or group of friends. Here are a few things to consider when choosing your campsite:
Make sure there is enough flat surface for your tent(s).
Check the weather before you leave and make sure you have the appropriate gear for the weather conditions.
Try to choose a spot with shade and soft ground. Take it from someone who frequently camps in rocky mountains — sleeping on rocks sucks.
Being close to a water source can come in really handy
6. Etiquette matters
Sure, you're out in the wilderness, but that's not an excuse to let go of all common decency and respect. One of the most infuriating things I run into is campers who disrespect the outdoors. There's a little saying that all campers, backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts live by: leave no trace. Simply put, this means that when you leave your campsite, it should look exactly as it did before you got there. If you packed it in, pack it out. Leaving garbage, food or any kind of waste is completely unacceptable. We are so lucky to be able to explore this beautiful planet, and it's absolutely necessary to treat it (and other campers) with complete respect.
Chrissy Teigen and Donald Trump don't have a lot of love for one another. Their Twitter interactions are all it takes to see that. This week, Teigen clapped back at one of Trump's signature vitriolic tweets with a pretty harsh admonishment.
Which is, you know, fine. None of the problems this country has are going to be solved by celebrities cursing at each other on Twitter, but if that's something that makes you feel better about the current state of politics, go for it, I guess. It's not any less vitriolic than Trump, so there's that whole thing about pots and kettles. But OK.
The thing Teigen doesn't seem to realize is how alike she and Trump are in this respect. She regularly uses Twitter to insult and harass people she doesn't agree with and justifies it in the name of being straight and having no filter. Trump does the same. Exact. Thing. Maybe we're too far gone as a country to get past this kind of name-calling and insult-slinging. But we can still wish that we weren't, and we can stop praising the people who engage in that kind of culture, like Teigen.
During menstruation, low to moderate pelvic pain is common. However, when it becomes severe over time, it turns into a chronic medical problem. And while it sometimes feels more comforting to dig your head in the sand and write off pain as a normal symptom, there are certain red flags you should look out for.
For instance, there are more serious conditions that involve severe pelvic pain, like endometriosis, adenomyosis, interstitial cystitis, recurrent urinary tract infections, pelvic inflammatory disease and irritable bowel syndrome, among others.
While treatments for pelvic pain can often involve prescription medication, hormonal treatments, antibiotics, and antidepressants, for some patients, physical therapy is the answer.
“Unfortunately, what motivates women to seek physical therapy for pelvic pain is ongoing pain that nobody is listening to,” explains licensed physical therapist and pelvic pain expert Dr. Sallie Sarrel. “If a doctor says go home and do a Kegel, all you’re doing is strengthening a muscle spasm and just causing more pain. I do internal physical therapy both to strengthen and lengthen the muscles inside of a woman.”
In her job, she often acts like a gateway, helping patients access treatments and validating their ignored pain. Sarrel works to minimize the root pain as well as the side effects that can come with it, like painful sex, bowel dysfunction, urinary pain and back pain. She considers her care to be multidisciplinary that “isn’t just about diet or just about surgery.”
According to the Atlantic, women’s pain is often invalidated and dismissed by doctors and other health care professionals. For instance, a University of Oxford study reports a significant delay in endometriosis diagnosis (of up to a 12 years), which could speak to the gender-based discrimination female patients face when pursuing health care.
“Pain that persists longer than six weeks can be a signal something is wrong,” she explains. “Six months of pelvic pain is too long to wait because by then, there is already cortical changes in the cortical sections of the brain.”
Some common red flags include pain during sexual intercourse and menstrual cramping that is so painful that interferes with everyday life.
“A physical therapist will work on you one-on-one for an hour, who will primarily listen to you,” she elaborates. “As physicians, we are committed to treating and healing patients.”
Additionally, patients are motivated to seek physical therapy if they are either preparing or recovering from a pelvic surgery, like the removal of their uterus.
“If you’ve had extensive surgery, this particular technique helps the body re-sense how the organs should work versus being in pain all the time,” she adds.
According to the American Physical Therapists Association, any patient in the United States, regardless of state, can see a physical therapist without a referral from a primary care provider. However, restrictions on how physical therapists can pursue treatment plans for their patients vary from state to state. For instance, in Sarrel’s practices in New York and New Jersey, patients can visit a physical therapist without a referral from a primary care provider up to a certain amount of visits.
If physical therapy doesn’t help, there’s also laparoscopic surgery and hysterectomy as well as structured pain rehabilitation programs. Otherwise, not many other options are available, unfortunately.
Oftentimes, patients wait too long to pursue physical therapy to treat their severe pelvic pain. But it’s not always these patients’ fault. As Sarrel emphasized, many doctors dismiss and invalidate female pain, which leads to misdiagnosis and serious conditions left untreated.
I associate leather with my carnal desires — the sleek material, the tightness around my waist and my choice of charcoal black, they all embody my sexuality. Dark is dynamic. More specifically, kink-wear in general has been at the center of my identity since I was fairly young. As an adult, the correlation between leather, PVC, latex and fetish-wear are now a staple in my everyday ensemble. Whether it’s visible or not, the physical restriction of fetish-wear mentally empowers me and feeds into my desires for control and domination.
The desire of fetish-wear goes beyond my aesthetic attraction. Perversions excite me, especially when exhibited in public. Introducing kinky clothing into my public appearance has been an essential aspect of my identity since discovering my sexuality. It’s about the restraints in the bedroom or the strap-ons used for penetration. It’s about finding a femme-affirming outfit, feeling sexy in my harness and falling in love with my reflection. It’s about projecting that love and desire onto my partner. It’s about tying them up and reaching for my leather whip — fetish accessories are the linchpin of my sex life.
Freud, per usual, explained that fetishes were a substitute for a phallus. The fetish protects the penis from castration. This, of course, isn’t convincing. My body isn’t envious of a penis, my body is envious of itself. In a way, kink-wear has made me my own fetish — what I wear has enhanced my appreciation and love for myself.
Kink-wear, leather, PVC and latex are incredibly rooted in the hyper-masculine gay culture, aka “leathermen.” In the 1940s, gay leather culture grew out of World War II motorcycle culture, with the first gay leather bar opening up in Chicago in 1958. New Yorkers in the 1980s wore kink-wear and leather to AIDS protests. Only recently has leather culture been associated as a subset of BDSM. As a queer person, the dark fetishism makes me feel my most femme-affirming self. Although historically masculine, kink-wear is being donned by the wider queer community.
On a surface level, we know that fashion contributes to narrative, identity and empowerment, but as a clothing fetishist, that meaning can go much deeper. While there is, of course, an orgasmic and sexual connection to kink-wear, the personal weight, touch and feel of the materials utilized are what really move me.
Contrary to belief, kink clothing doesn’t always have to involve sex. In a recent interview with GNAT Kink Wear on the Slutist, Gnat Madrid explained, “When someone puts on my work, I want them to feel activated in a certain way and tap into their own desires, their own pleasure, their own sense of self.” Fashion is a turn-on, wearing items for the purpose of yourself is a form of being charged and empowered. If being into yourself turns into more intimate moments with a partner, then that’s incredible, but it’s important to remember that it doesn’t have to be that way.
Madrid goes on to say, “I think of fashion as a fetish. I think that my work goes even deeper into explicitly making that fetish a reality. All fashion, when you’re putting it on, is a fetish. You’re tapping into something.”
For many, BDSM and kink are something that is shared privately behind closed doors. The stigma surrounding BDSM culture is still negative. However, when I wear my fetish-wear in public, I’m exposing that secret. My sexuality is not a sin when I wear my fetish-wear in public. It isn’t taboo, it’s celebrated. Wearing something as simple and subtle as a collar excitedly exposes my erotic kinkiness.
This isn’t to say that being a more reserved kinkster doesn’t validate you. But as someone who can’t shut up about kink, being a dominant or anything related to sex, wearing fetish-wear to brunch, to the bar, to the grocery store and on a coffee date are essential to my identity.
My PVC harness rests on top of my shirt, as my latex skirt constricts and pulls. The celebratory introduction to my eroticism is forever prevalent and noticeable. My boots are heavy and loud. I cannot be unseen.
In a world that has already given us Barack Obama and young Joe Biden (swoon), we are hashtag blessed when it comes to having hot politicians to drool over. Add Justin Trudeau into the mix, and how can we even care about things like policy? Too busy fangirling, TBH.
And now there's yet another hot world leader to swoon over. Newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron released his official portrait on Twitter today and, all together now: Hot damn.
Emanuel Macron official portrait released and hot damn
Emanuel Macron official portrait released and hot damn
That smoldering gaze. That cheeky half smile. That hairline. That well-tailored suit and fashionable skinny tie. Be still my heart. All of our hearts.
All of the replies to Macron's tweet are in French, and I do not speak a word of French, but I imagine they read something like this: "Suck it, rest of the world, because France has the hottest leader on the planet. Look at him. Keep looking at him. Think about all the mistakes you've made, like electing a president who looks like a lump of half-baked cookie dough (looking at you, USA). Canada, you gave it your best shot, but we win. Go France!"
And France does win. Coming into this article, I really didn't want to have to choose a side between my one true love Justin Trudeau and this super-hot new kid on the block, but I think it's clear where my allegiance lies. I'm sorry, Justin. It was fun. It was real. It's not you; it's me. Well, me and Emmanuel Macron.
Y'all, when it comes to hot guys, we're not about to discriminate. Especially when we're talking about height.
While it may be true that some people dig the company of a tall drink of water, they're totally missing out on a huge group of super-sexy guys. Those of us who are into short men know that they are just as hot — sometimes even hotter — than men who tower above the rest.
Radcliffe may be on the shorter side, but he DGAF.
"Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise have very different careers, and they’re both about the same height as I am," he told Playboy. "I could play a soldier. The minimum height for a marine is five feet, and I’m well above that. If you’re asking, ‘Can you play a really (bleeping) tall person?’ No, obviously not."
The younger brother of James Franco, Dave has appeared in several comedies, including 21 Jump Street and Neighbors, alongside Zac Efron (who we'll get to soon enough).
Elijah Wood will always be Frodo Baggins to us — and we're in love with the fact that he's a larger-than-life presence, despite his reported height of 5 feet, 6 inches.
Freakin' Iron Man is even on the short list. The comeback kid of Tinseltown hasn't let his shorter size stop him from being a heavy hitter in Hollywood. With already classic performances in the Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes franchises, and Oscar nominations for Chaplin and Tropic Thunder,Downey shows us that height plays no role in becoming a movie legend. Does it really matter he barely gets to 5 feet 8 inches?
While ego apparently doesn't count for physical size (we're only kidding, Kanye!), most fans are shocked to hear that Kanye isn't as tall as he seems, pairing well with his shorter wife, Kim Kardashian, who is at 5 feet, 3 inches.
McAvoy has stated he's on the shorter side, but we could never say a bad thing about this handsome, handsome man. So we won't. Just watch his GIF for the rest of the day. You won't regret it.
When it comes to people you care about, it’s pretty much a given that any time money enters the equation, things might start to get a little sticky, especially when it comes to wedding gift etiquette. Most of us are thrilled to be giving our just-married friends and family presents to start their lives together, but it can be confusing to the nth degree to pinpoint the exact amount we’re supposed to give.
To lift the mystery a little, we enlisted Anja Winikka, site director at The Knot, who offered 10 tips about wedding gift etiquette, including how much to give for a wedding gift if you’re going the money route, when to give it and when it’s OK not to give money at all.
If I want to give money, how much is customary if I’m invited as a single?
Anja Winikka: How much you give really depends on your relationship with the bride and groom. Here’s a useful breakdown:
If you’re a co-worker or a distant family friend or relative: $100-plus
If you’re a relative or friend of the bride or groom: $100 to $125-plus
If you’re a close relative or a close friend: $150-plus
Image: Wander Woman Collective/Getty Images
How about if I’m invited with a guest?
There’s no hard-and-fast etiquette rule on this one, but it’s customary to give a bigger gift since the couple is now hosting (read: paying for) two guests to eat and drink rather than one.
What’s the deal with a wedding gift if I’m also giving presents to the bride for her pre-wedding activities?
Determine how much you want to spend total on wedding-related gifts and then break it down this way:
Is it acceptable to give an actual present as opposed to money? Does it have to be something from the couple’s registry or can I get creative?
We strongly recommend sticking to the registry. The couple created it for a reason and you’ll definitely be getting them something they’ll love. If you really want to go off registry, though, think of their personalities and find a gift that’s geared toward their likes and hobbies. If all else fails, you can never go wrong with a crystal ice/Champagne bucket from Tiffany's.
Fact or myth: I have a year to give to a wedding gift?
Fact. Guests technically have up to one year after the wedding to send the couple a wedding gift, but you really should give it sooner if you can. That way, you won’t forget, and it’ll be off your plate.
I always feel awkward shoving an envelope in the bride/groom’s hand at the wedding. What’s the right time to do it during the wedding?
At the wedding, consider giving the gift to a close family member — one of the bride's or groom’s parents is ideal — they’re likely holding on to everything or they’ll know who is. The bride and groom have so much going on, it will be difficult for them to figure out where to put it and who to give it to for safe keeping. Otherwise, give it to the bride or groom at brunch the next day if it’s a weekend affair.
Do I have to bring the gift to the wedding, or is sending it acceptable?
You can definitely send a check in the mail. This one’s all about your comfort level — if you prefer to mail it and not have to worry about it at the wedding, then do that! If you’d rather give it in person, then that’s OK too.
If I’m traveling to a destination wedding, is it acceptable to give less as a gift?
Generally, if you’re spending a good amount of money to get to the wedding, then it’s OK to give less than you normally would. But make sure that you do give a gift. Although a destination wedding can be extra-expensive for guests, you should give something. The couple will understand you’ve spent a lot between the travel and hotel, so don’t feel pressure to give an overly generous gift.
Image: Digital Vision/Getty Images
If I’m married, should I always give the same thing as I received?
Not necessarily. The gift should directly relate to your now-relationship with the couple and how much you can personally afford.
Is it in bad taste to give cash?
It falls along the same lines as giving a check, as both are giving money, but if you personally feel there’s a stigma, just write a check.
Women consuming their own placentas following the birth of their child has all the makings of a clickable health story: intrigue, dodgy science and a potential gross-out factor. Over the past few years, we’ve heard from celebrities like January Jones, Kim Kardashian and Alicia Silverstone, who have all been open about taking their own placentas in pill form for various health reasons.
In addition to swallowing encapsulated placenta, people have also incorporated it into smoothies, truffles and soups with the view that it will help a woman recover after giving birth and could possibly prevent or treat postpartum depression.
Now is probably a good time to mention that there really isn’t any published medical evidence suggesting that eating your placenta has any proven health benefits. And up until now, proponents of the practice have been able to overlook the lack of medical evidence, pointing to the fact that sure, they may not help, but they’re also not harmful.
But according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control, this may no longer be the case. A case study released today describes a baby born in Oregon in 2016 becoming seriously ill with a strep infection that caused breathing difficulties. When doctors looked for the cause of the infection in the newborn but couldn’t find one, they eventually tested the dried placenta capsules the mother of the baby was taking daily. The capsules contained bacteria that were strep positive and were very likely the cause of the baby’s infection according to the authors of the report.
There are currently no existing standards for the processing or preparation of placenta for consumption, the report pointed out. Specifically, the process of turning placenta into capsules does not necessarily involve heating it at 130 degrees F for the 121 minutes required to reduce the type of bacteria that made the baby sick. So, the authors recommend that “placenta capsule ingestions should be avoided.”
Although the CDC has not yet taken an official position on placenta pills, this warning from the authors of the report sends a strong message in the meantime.
Rob Lowe and his sons, Matthew, 23, and John Owen, 21, have their own reality show titled The Lowe Files. It will soon air on A&E and follows the family traveling across the country as they look into mysterious phenomena.
It's kind of similar to what John, Sam and Dean Winchester do, except the Lowes will not actually be hunting and/or killing supernatural creatures. They will, however, be exploring supernatural locations, the paranormal and urban-legend sites.
The Lowe Files
The Lowe Files
It will be interesting to see Lowe in this kind of light, especially when people are so used to seeing him as an actor. As for his sons, well, they definitely aren't famous like their father, but their docuseries will be a great way to get to know them.
Until then, here are a few things about Matthew and John Owen Lowe to get you acquainted with them even better.
1. John Owen was in The Grinder
Image: Fox
He played Joel Zadak, who dated Lizzie Sanderson. John Owen shared many memorable scenes with his dad's character, Dean Sanderson, aka "The Grinder," including when Dean said to Joel, "#TeenLife."
Apparently, he knows the former One Direction member. Any 1D fans jealous?
5. Matthew adores his girlfriend
Matthew Lowe girlfriend
Matthew Lowe girlfriend
As you can see from the Instagram caption, Matthew loves his girlfriend. Her IG is blocked, but her name is Christina Turnbull and she attends Duke.
6. They aren't afraid to take jabs at their dad
John Owen & Matthew
John Owen & Matthew
The Lowes appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in April, where Matthew and John Owen didn't hold back about Rob. Matthew said, "Anytime we’re out, if anyone will ask to take a picture or if we’re taking a family picture, he’s like: 'No, this can’t be done here. The light is not right. Not at all.' It’s a candid picture, man!" John Owen added, "He likes selfies a little too much."
7. They seem pretty close
John Owen & Matthew #2
John Owen & Matthew #2
Matthew and John Owen appear to get along well. Matthew also seems to be thankful for The Lowe Files since it gave them more time to spend together. "I’m in law school, my brother is in school and my dad is always working, so the three of us don’t get to be together that often,” Matthew told People in June. "It really just felt like a fun trip we were on, and cameras just happened to be around."
8. Matthew can't get enough of fishing
Matthew Lowe fishing
Matthew Lowe fishing
Seriously, most of his Instagram is filled with fishing photos.
How great is this photo of a young John Owen with Taylor Lautner? Do you want another? Here you go.
11. They find their dad embarrassing
Rob Lowe & his sons #2
Rob Lowe & his sons #2
During their Ellen DeGeneres Show appearance, John had the following to say about Rob: "He’s just like… He’s a man-child. He’s a teenager trapped in a 53-year-old’s body. One of the worst things is if I’m in a crowd and he’s anywhere nearby, he will scream at the top of his lungs my least favorite nicknames. And they’re really embarrassing!"
Y'all, kids are complicated — and when it comes to extracting information from them about how their day away from home was, it turns out a simple "how was your day?" is pretty much the worst thing to ask if you really want them to dish. It seems like a benign question — and it pretty much is — but its just not going to get you results. In fact, it's a quick way to shut down.
You: "So, how was school today?"
Your kid: "Fine, I guess."
You: "Well, what did you learn? What did you do?"
Your kid: "Nothing."
You: "Really? Eight entire hours have elapsed since I last spoke to you. It was morning, and now, magically, it's the afternoon. Not one thing — not one single thing — occurred in the 480 minutes between then and now?"
Your kid: *shrugs*
Getting information about the school day from a child who's attention is most likely focused on a snack, a little homework and, if the gods and their parents are kind, an hour or so of Mario Maker, often feels like an exercise in futility and espionage.
Later, if you're very lucky, your kid might let it slip that they started learning fractions or that the gym teacher farted during lunchtime line-up, and it was hilarious.
But if you try to get them to elaborate, they'll clam up quick. Don't they know that you're just trying to ensure they don't grow up to sell speakers out of the back of a truck by valuing their education and investing in their futures through the magic of vital parental involvement?
Yeah, they probably don't. Can you really blame them? They're usually all schooled out by the time you get them back, and the last thing that they want to do is provide an expository oral report about the trivialities of their day.
Even so, you should keep trying, because there's a whole slew of evidence to suggest that parental involvement is key to a child's educational success. Being genuinely interested and invested in what they're learning definitely qualifies.
Bottom line, you just have to switch tactics. Asking open-ended questions and being more conversation (as opposed to interrogation) minded is much more likely to get the words flowing. Need a place to begin? Try these:
Tell me about today's "thorn" (a not-great thing that happened) at school.
Now tell me about the "rose" (the best thing that happened).
Did anyone say something funny or tell a good joke?
Was it a "play with your friends at recess" kind of day? Or a "chill by yourself on the swings" kind of day?
You had art/music/computer today, right? What kind of project are you working on?
Tell me something that you learned today that I don't know. If you can stump me, I'll do a goofy dance/read to you for an extra 10 minutes/watch an entire Minecraft YouTube video with you (insert whatever works here).
Tell me something kind that you did for someone today.
Tell me something kind that someone else did for you.
Tell me two things you learned today and one thing you didn't. I'll try to guess which one is the imposter.
If you could have one subject all day, what would it be?
If you and your teacher were body-swapped, what's the first thing you would do?
If you could switch classroom jobs with someone this week, who would it be?
If you could pick what you learned in social studies what would you pick? Math? Science? Reading?
If you could interview the principal, what would you ask her?
If we had a time machine that went back one day, would you change anything about today?
If the librarian said you could keep one book forever, which one would it be?
You may have noticed that some of these questions aren't particularly direct, and that's the beauty of it. The further away you can start from tasking your child with rattling off a blow-by-blow of the day's events, the more likely they are to get there organically.
It's the same with questions that focus on the social workings of your child's day — like "did your friends get along?" They might not give you an academic syllabus to work with, but the interactions your kid has and whether or not they are good or bad can be valuable information to have.
Finally, if you decide to try one of the silly game questions — like "stump me" or "two truths and a lie" — remember that there's no shame in pretending to be stumped once in a while, if only to incentivize the continuation of the game.
But chances are, you won't need to pretend. Unless you already know that T. Rex had a mouth so riddled with bacteria that he could literally kill his prey with bad breath and a septic bite, or that pioneers used little patties of cow poop to start their campfires, of course.
Image: Design via Karen Cox/SheKnows; Image via Getty Images
Originally published January 2016. Updated June 2017.
It's pretty much any home cook's worst nightmare. You're knee-deep in a baking project when you reach into the fridge, pull out a carton of milk — and come to the horrible realization that someone stuck that puppy back in with only a few drops left.
But before you let desperation set in, these easy substitutions will help your baked goods come out just as moist and flavorful as if you had used real milk, and you probably even have them sitting around in your refrigerator or pantry.
Water
You can use water in most baking recipes that call for milk. Use 1 cup of water and 1-1/2 teaspoons of butter for every 1 cup of milk called for in the recipe. The extra butter will help your baked goods stay moist.
Evaporated milk or dry milk
Check the back of your pantry for evaporated milk or dry milk powder. To replace 1 cup of regular milk, use 1/2 cup evaporated milk mixed with 1/2 cup water, or make the equivalent of 1 cup of milk using the dried milk powder.
Canned coconut milk will sub beautifully for regular milk in your baked goods while imbuing a subtle coconut flavor to your food. Use 1 part coconut milk for every 1 part of regular milk called for in the recipe, skimming any coconut solids from the top of the can before measuring.
Nut, rice or oat milk
Even if you don't have any nondairy milk in your fridge, if you keep oats, cooked rice or unsalted nuts on hand, you're in luck. For simple almond milk, blend 1 cup of soaked almonds with 4 cups of water, then strain. Oat milk is easy and cheap too — just blend 1 cup of rolled oats with 3 cups of water, then strain. For rice milk, blend 1 cup of cooked rice with 3 cups of water, then strain.
Yogurt will add moisture and a slight tang to your baked goods. Plain yogurt is best, as Greek yogurt's high protein content can change the texture of your food. Use the same amount of plain yogurt as you would milk in your recipe. You can also use kefir, a drinkable yogurt, as a 1:1 substitute for milk.
Image: Becci Burkhart/SheKnows
Originally published June 2016. Updated June 2017.
Labels on food are supposed to help us make better, healthier decisions, but all the different terminology — gluten-free, certified non-GMO, organic — can make it even harder to choose the foods that best fit within our budget and lifestyle.
As part of a discussion at #BlogHer17 on decoding food labels, a panel of all-female farmers and agriculture experts gave tips to help us navigate “grocery cart confusion.” Consisting of Kristen Reese, a lifelong farmer and blogger behind Local Farm Mom, Lori Anne Carr of Titan Farms (the largest peach grower on the east coast), Michelle Miller, better known as The Farm Babe, and dietitian Leah McGrath, the panel answered questions and offered tips for getting the most out of your food.
GMOs — or genetically modified organisms — get a lot of press these days, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we understand what they are. Technically, GMOs are any organisms — including plants, animals and microorganisms — in which the genetic material (the DNA) has been altered in a way that would not occur naturally.
This may sound like something new or even out of science fiction, but it’s not at all. Humans have been tinkering with plants for millennia by selectively breeding crops that have desirable traits. What differs is the technique, which today takes place in a lab rather than farmers trying to hand-pollinate blossoms.
Also, “GMO isn’t an ingredient,” Miller said, adding “literally everything we eat has had its genes modified by humans.”
Miller also noted that there’s a reason why around 95 percent of farmers in the United States are growing GMO varieties — “because it helps us be better farmers.” For example, she said that planting GMO vegetables with traits that make them less prone to insects means that less pesticide is necessary, which is better for the environment and our health.
2. “Organic” doesn’t mean “pesticide-free”
One misconception each of the women on the panel wanted to put to rest was that organic produce means that it is grown without the use of pesticides or chemicals.
“Organic farms use chemicals too — they’re just organic chemicals,” Carr, whose farm includes 7,000 acres of fruits and vegetables, explained.
And for the record, just because something is “organic” doesn’t mean that it’s not genetically modified. This also seems to be a source of confusion.
3. Just because a food is labeled “organic” or “non-GMO,” it doesn’t mean that it’s healthy
Organic, non-GMO junk food is still junk food — these designations don’t add any nutritional value to the foods. (See: Basically all of Trader Joe’s snack food aisle.)
4. Labeling something as “Non-GMO Project Verified” is partially a marketing strategy
You’ve probably seen the Non-GMO Project label with the butterfly logo while shopping in the supermarket, but do you know what it actually means?
Yes, it means that the product does not contain GMOs, but it is also a marketing technique.
Given all the distrust of GMOs and questions of safety, “the brands hear fears of consumers and take action,” McGrath said.
“Fear is the new sex when it comes to selling products,” Miller added.
The Non-GMO Project Verified label is not simply awarded to qualifying products. It’s something that must be purchased. The costs vary depending on whether the farmer is applying for a product with a high-risk ingredient, like soy or corn.
The label is also slapped on products that cannot be genetically modified (because they don’t contain any genetic material). Examples include sea salt and cat litter. In these cases, there are no health benefits to being labeled as Non-GMO Project Verified, and in reality, all salt and cat litter is non-GMO. But a way they can differ is by charging higher prices.
“Labels on the front of the package are like makeup,” McGrath said. “A lot of times they make products look better than they are.”
5. Pay attention to the country of origin on produce
One label Carr does suggest paying attention to is the country of origin. This isn’t as much out of concern to “eat local” (more on that in a minute), but because of the fact that the USDA has strict guidelines for produce and holds farmers to standards that may not be met in other countries.
According to Carr, her biggest fear is that someone will get sick because of the food she grew, so she takes all precautions possible to ensure that her fruits and vegetables are safe.
6. You still need to wash organic produce
Washing all fruits and vegetables — regardless of where they came from and whether or not they are organic — is an important part of food safety. McGrath cautioned that extra attention should be paid to produce purchased from roadside stands. She also said that people have told her that they don’t think they need to wash organic produce — something she said is definitely not the case.
Consumers who would like more information on pesticide residue can visit SafeFruitsAndVeggies.com.
7. “Local” can have a broad definition when it comes to food
“Local” is another food buzzword of the moment, encouraging people to eat foods produced near where they live. But it’s not that simple. According to McGrath, labeling something as “locally grown” doesn’t necessarily mean much. Sometimes it just means that it was grown somewhere else in North America.
Let's be real. Even for those of us who have a generally open-minded, been-there-done-that attitude about sex, the thought of anal sex can still seem a little scary if you've gone there. For one reason or another, anal is usually the final frontier sexually — and there can be a whole lot of buildup.
But our greatest fears often lie in anticipation, and once you give anal a go, you might just find that you've been missing out on something that can actually be really hot and satisfying. We checked in with some experts and asked them to take the mystery out of anal sex, and they schooled us on some positions that can help ease you into your first time to actually make it an enjoyable experience.
Arm yourself with these tips and a lot of lube, and you're on your way to one kick-ass time.
1. Cowgirl (or cowboy)
Image: SheKnows Design
In the traditional cowgirl position, your partner lies down while you mount on top — yeehaw! As the partner on top, you can ease into anal penetration by moving up or down as needed. Pro tip: Make sure your bottom partner does not begin to thrust until you're good and ready.
Certified Master Sex Expert and Educator, Sex Coach and "So Tight" Sensual Fitness Personal Trainer Nikki Ransom endorses the cowgirl position for anal newbies. She explains, "This position will allow you to control the pace and depth that his penis goes inside of you. Remember to go at an easy pace and stay relaxed. It helps to have had an orgasm already and be highly aroused."
Jessica O’Reilly (a.k.a. Dr. Jess, Ph.D.), author, international speaker and PlayboyTV's sexologist, offers an alternative to the cowgirl in her book The New Sex Bible, "If she doesn’t like the sensation of deep penetration, but he desires more stimulation against the base of his shaft, she can reach backwards with a warm, wet hand to grasp the lower half of his shaft. Her hand becomes an extension of her butt while providing a physical buffer to ensure only shallow penetration."
2. Doggy style
Image: SheKnows Design
This position is most often associated with anal because it has major advantages. As the partner on the bottom, you can stay loose as you control penetration to increase pleasure. Getting busy on all fours may be your best bet if you have attempted and found anal painful in the past.
Patricia Johnson and Mark Michaels, co-authors of Designer Relationships, Partners in Passion, Great Sex Made Simple, Tantra for Erotic Empowerment and The Essence of Tantric Sexuality, recommend doggy style for first-timers and those who may have had an unpleasant experience before. The couple says, "Anal sex should never be painful. Always use plenty of lube and proceed slowly and gently." Ransom adds, "Rub and stimulate your clitoris too to make it even more pleasurable."
In The New Sex Bible, Dr. Jess has a different take on doggy-style anal sex. She recommends the modified doggy to give the receptive partner more control, support intimacy and provide the opportunity for double penetration. Dr. Jess explains, "She assumes a kneeling position with her butt cheeks on her heels and her knees spread wide open. She places her hands on her knees or the bed for support. He assumes the same position behind her and adjusts his height so that the head of his [penis] rests below her bum. He remains static as she lowers herself onto his head and takes a few deep breaths before sliding farther down his shaft. She drives her butt and hips up and down at her own pace as he reaches around to fondle her breasts or rub her clitoris."
3. Face to face
Image: SheKnows Design
This position is preferred if you are looking for extra intimacy during the act. Start with your partner sitting as you mount his lap, face-to-face. Once again — as the partner on top, you can control depth of penetration to stay comfy. Face-to-face anal has the added bonus of extra stimulation for a woman: breasts, clitoris, go crazy!
Johnson and Michaels love face-to-face anal for the toe-tingling intimacy it provides. They confirm, "This position facilitates using eye contact and breath to build even more arousal."
Dr. Jess agrees. She says, "I like this position as it allows the 'mounter' to exercise a good amount of control of the depth and rhythm of penetration. Wear a vibrating c*** ring for this one to provide extra pleasurable sensations as the top partner grinds against his shaft."
Originally published January 2015. Updated June 2017.
{pageBreak}
4. Good old missionary with a twist
Image: SheKnows Design
When it comes to anal, missionary will never steer you wrong. Approach this favorite vanilla sex position with a backdoor twist: In the missionary position, place your legs on his shoulders. With the right amount of lube and relaxation, even initial penetration should be pleasurable.
Missionary is easy-peasy for most maiden voyages, but Johnson and Michaels caution that this anal move may not work for everyone, "Some people may not be sufficiently flexible for this position." For those who are flexible and looking to try new things, Dr. Jess explains her take on missionary, "Better yet, place the soles of your feet against his shoulders so that you can push back and release according to your preferences."
5. On the stomach
Image: SheKnows Design
Anal on the stomach is comfortable and easy, with the right prep work beforehand. First-timers can relax and make penetration enjoyable by lying on top of a pillow placed under the stomach. For women, this elevates the backside nicely and still gives enough room to stimulate other body parts.
Johnson and Michaels recommend incorporating sex toys into the act to keep things interesting, "This is a great position for stimulating your own clitoris or using a vibrator."
Because of the opportunity for sex toy play, Dr. Jess adds that on-the-stomach anal can be especially favorable to the ladies. She says, "This is one of the best anal sex positions for women (as the receptive partner), as she can reach down to stimulate her pubic mound and clitoral shaft with her hand or a flat vibrator (try the We-Vibe Touch). The dual stimulation helps to increase arousal, which heightens relaxation to create a cascade of orgasmic sensations."
6. Spooning, with a twist
Image: SheKnows Design
We are all familiar with spooning for some great side-by-side action. Spooning is also a top choice for anal since both partners are more likely to be relaxed. As the "little spoon," you can make penetration easier by curling up and pulling your upper legs slightly toward your upper body. And while you're at it, here's a naughty little secret to double your pleasure — use a vibrator to get to the finish line.
According to Dr. Jess, spooning is the perfect first-time anal position for lovers. Johnson and Michaels add a helpful tip from their own bedroom experience, "You can give your partner a better view of the action by holding your upper leg just below the knee and opening up."
Ransom also believes that spooning is ideal for a pleasurable beginner anal experience. "This is a great position to stay relaxed in. It also allows for clitoral stimulation and vaginal stimulation for a trigasm." She advises, "Stay relaxed — your partner should enter you an inch at a time. Then, allow your anus to become accustomed and relax around his penis. Then [he can] enter you another inch and another, and continue until he is all the way in. Be sure to have plenty of lubrication with any anal penetration."
In recent years, some of the world's most highly sought-after information has fallen into the wrong hands. Unfortunately, our cellphones, laptops and other electronic devices are just as susceptible to being compromised. Looking for a simple way to protect your identity and privacy? Consider a VPN solution.
VPN Unlimited, currently 90 percent off its normal sale price, provides lifetime protection of your Wi-Fi and cellular connections and secures your online activity with the click of a button. Once downloaded and activated, your VPN protects your devices from hackers and other potentially harmful parties (including internet service providers who can legally sell your private data). The VPN Unlimited Package also comes with a DNS firewall to block ads, malware and tracking systems.
Consider your connections and content insured and your identity safe for just $49.99.
Braids can be a tricky hairstyle to wear. Not because the majority of them require superhuman dexterity and 15 fingers on one hand, but because the “wrong” style can give you the appearance of either a third-grade schoolgirl or an 82-year-old librarian, which, hey, no shade at either of them, but it’s not exactly what we’re going for on a Saturday afternoon. And that’s why we’re so obsessed with the half-up, half-down braid for summer.
Yes, it’s an incredibly specific hairstyle, but it’s one you’re about to see everywhere this month thanks to its soft yet refined finish — basically, the this-ol’-thing? of hairstyles. Plus, it’s a style that works on pretty much every hair type, texture and length, so you’ve got no reason not to try out all of our favorite tutorials, below, on yourself today. Keep reading (and watching!) to find your new summer style.
