Because it's widely acknowledged that Sir and Rumi are probably the greatest celebrity babies to have been born in 2017, the internet is already buzzing with theories about hidden meanings and possible Illuminati symbols hidden in the photo of them Bey shared on Instagram. It was only a matter of time, right?
Beyonce finally shared a photo of the twins on Insta 1
Beyonce finally shared a photo of the twins on Insta 1
As far as the Illuminati involvement goes, the photo itself doesn't have a whole lot of blatant Illuminati imagery. Nobody is throwing up any hand signs, the flowers aren't shaped into anything Illuminati-esque, etc. There are some Illuminati colors in there, though — the organization's colors are red, white and black. There are red and white flowers in the arch and on Bey's robe, but there's not a lot of black going on.
What's really symbolic is all of the colors Beyoncé chose for her outfit for this photo shoot. There may not be too much Illuminati imagery, but as Romper points out, the meanings of the different colors definitely tell a story.
According to Romper, the purple that makes up most of Bey's robe "combines the calm stability of blue and the fierce energy of red." Purple is also "a rare color in nature" and "represents meanings of wealth, extravagance, creativity, wisdom, dignity, grandeur, devotion, peace, pride, mystery, independence, and magic," so it's like if you turned the offspring of Queen Bey and Jay Z into a color.
Oh, and her blue veil? Obviously, it's a nod to Blue Ivy, making her a part of the twins' reveal without sacrificing the family privacy that's so important to the Carters. #Flawless.
Goodness knows Beyoncé doesn't do anything by half-measures these days, so this is probably just the beginning of the hidden meaning rabbit hole she's leading us down. Have you spotted anything particularly intriguing in the photo that we haven't?
There are some actors I avoid like the plague. Show me an Adam Sandler movie, for example, and I'll show you a 33-year-old woman walking out on your Netflix and chill night faster than you can say, "Little Nicky." There are also actors who I love. Actors who I will gladly see in any movie they appear in. We're talking Meryl Streep, Ryan Gosling, and yes, Will Ferrell.
I don't know how to explain it, but despite avoiding man-children as a general rule, I love every bananas man-child that Ferrell plays in every movie, TV show guest role and SNL skit he's ever done. Maybe it's his unhinged intensity, maybe it's the fact that with his curly hair and blue eyes, he kind of looks like an overgrown toddler. Whatever the reason, Ferrell's comedic chops mean that basically, any line he utters becomes instantly quotable.
Well, since everybody's favorite man-child turns the big 5-0 on July 16, we thought we'd celebrate the many characters he's played over the years — and you can test your Will Ferrell fandom too.
Just how well do you know this comedic powerhouse? To find out, try to correctly match the quote with the Will Ferrell character who said it. Good luck!
Here's something you probably never knew: If you're in a crisis, Justin Timberlake isn't a bad guy to have around. By that, I don't mean that like, he's any better equipped to deal with a crisis than any of the rest of us, but he will spring into action with his good-natured attitude if you do at all require his help. Honestly, I can't think of too many crises where his help wouldn't do the trick.
Case in point: JT was golfing in the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship Wednesday when someone hit a ball off the tee and straight into the crowd of spectators alongside the 17th hole. The result of this wild hit was that some poor woman was nailed right in the stomach. Timberlake probably should have hung back for a minute so everyone wouldn't think he was the one who hit the lady, but instead, he jogged right on over to try and comfort her with what looked like jokes and high five.
What's even better than that? A Sacramento Bee reporter got it all on tape. Observe:
Justin Timberlake jumps to the rescue of woman hit
Justin Timberlake jumps to the rescue of woman hit
But, as I already mentioned, he might have been a little slower to action. His celebrity golf partner, Tony Romo, explained at a press conference what went down, including the part where everyone thought it was JT who hit the rogue ball.
"I told Justin, I said, 'You don't want to be the first one to get there because if you are she's going to think you hit her,'" Romo explained. "He didn't catch that part. And sure enough he showed right up and he was right there, right at the end she's like, "Can she talk to you afterward because you hit her.' He's like, 'I didn't hit her. Like I was coming to be nice, like help.' Then he turns and tells the crowd, 'I want everyone here to know I didn't hit her.'"
Let’s just face it — when it comes to style, the French do it better. Hell, they pretty much do everything better. They eat better, they drink better, and they definitely dress better. Find yourself staring at photos of Parisian it-girls like singer Lou Doillon or actor Clémence Poésy and wondering how they look so utterly perfect all of the time? You aren’t alone.
Break down the wardrobes of these women, and the style rules they live begin to crystalize. Forgo a trendy embellished sweatshirt for a perfectly fitted LBD you’ll wear for years, for one. Invest in a few classic luxury items, like a Hermès Kelly, knowing it will ultimately be a value spread over time. And above all, work to perfect a unique style all your own, because half the battle when it comes to dressing well is feeling good in what you are wearing.
To that end, we’ve compiled the 12 fashion rules that the most stylish Parisian women live by. Just because you aren’t French doesn’t mean you can’t dress like you are.
1. Say no to most trends, and develop a signature look
“Please don’t ask me about trends,” style-setter Julia Roitfeld told Vogue. “I’m into buying clothes that make me feel pretty, that flatter me, but I have never cared about having the latest thing.” Parisian fashionistas develop a signature look and stick with it. They might update their wardrobe with a few trends, but they always stick to a similar aesthetic. This also makes shopping a heck of a lot easier.
Image: Getty Images
2. Perfect the tousled, sexy bedhead look
Ever notice how French women never seem to have hair that looks fussy? When fashion editor Carine Roitfeld shows up on the red carpet in an evening gown, she always wears her hair down, it barely seems brushed, yet it looks utterly perfect and sexy. Get the look yourself with Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, which will add a sexy wind-blown look to your hair or try your luck simply waking up and not going to the trouble of styling your hair. If Roitfeld can do it, why can’t you?
3. You can’t go wrong with a Breton striped shirt
A French woman in a Breton striped shirt is a bit of a stereotype, but for good reason — nothing looks quite as effortlessly cool. Pair one with a pair of skinny dark-washed jeans and a pair of flats for a weekend of errands or with a print skirt for a more dressed-up bohemian look. The classic Breton striped shirt is the Saint James Galathée, but less expensive options abound at places like H&M, Gap and Zara.
Image: Getty Images
4. Live in a wear-with-anything trench coat
Parisian women have made the trench coat into their BFF. Wear it on the weekends with jeans, over gowns to formal events, layered with a fur stole when the weather gets colder, over your shoulders during the spring — the possibilities are endless. It’s no wonder that French style icons like Brigitte Bardot and Françoise Hardy were rarely photographed out of a trench.
5. It’s all about the fit
“French women wear clothes that flatter their bodies, regardless of trends,” designer Sophie Theallet told Oprah.com. Step one is buying clothes that fit your body well. Step two is finding a great tailor to make sure that everything in your closet fits to a T — from your everyday black pants to your go-to black-tie gown.
6. Think in a neutral palette
For the most part, French women dress in a grown-up neutral palette of black, white, beige and brown and add pops of color to their look with accessories — say a red handbag or a brightly patterned scarf. It makes mixing and matching from within your closet pretty effortless, not to mention sticking within this palette makes it hard to make a fashion mistake.
Image: Getty Images
7. Have a signature pair of shoes
Actress Catherine Deneuve wore a single pair of Roger Vivier buckled low-heeled pumps throughout her 1967 classic Belle de Jour, which got us thinking — you don’t need a thousand pairs of shoes to look fabulous. You just need one or two really great pairs to get the job done. Karl Lagerfeld muse Inès de La Fressange is carrying on the tradition today, regularly wearing Roger Vivier Gommette patent-leather ballerinas with just about everything. In the words of Coco Chanel, “A woman with good shoes is never ugly!” It’s a sentiment that’s hard to argue with.
8. Investment shop when building your closet
A big part of why French women get it so right so often is that they tend to investment shop rather than buying into trends. Lou Doillon told T magazine, “I have a huge scarf from Hermès that I bought the day I signed my record deal.” Save up for the pieces that you know you’ll have for life — that Hermès scarf, a Chanel bouclé jacket or a string of Mikimoto pearls if that’s your style. It might seem like a big investment, but divided over a lifetime of wear, a big-ticket purchase that you love can actually turn out to be a value when compared with an endless string of disposable purchases.
Image: Getty Images
9. Wear a menswear-inspired tuxedo for evening
In 1966, Yves Saint Laurent invented his famous Le Smoking tuxedo suit for women. It is a style that has been in fashion ever since. So do as Parisian girls like Lou Doillon continue to do and swap your gown for a tuxedo for your next evening event. Sexy and sleek, you’ll definitely stand out in a crowd of over-the-top evening-wear.
10. Go from day to evening with the perfect red lip
A quick update that French women have mastered to take their look from day to evening is the perfect red lip. No need to bring a change of clothes to work. Lipstick is all it takes to add a little evening glamour to your outfit. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in Rouge Neon is a shade you can’t go wrong with, but we advise spending some serious time at the makeup counter finding the perfect shade of red and then stocking up.
Image: Getty Images
11. When in doubt, ask yourself what a modern Coco Chanel would wear
She redefined the way that women dressed in the early 20th century, but the look that Coco Chanel created is just as significant today. No wonder some of the most stylish Parisian women like Clémence Poésy have made jeans and a Chanel jacket their uniform. Other Chanel standards you can’t go wrong with? A perfect little black dress and black and white cocktail attire.
12. Dress for yourself and yourself only
It’s a rule that not just stylish French women, but pretty much all stylish women have mastered — great style is about dressing for yourself and yourself only. “You should dress to feel good, not show off,” Inès de la Fressange says. “It takes life to learn that.”
Are we living in the golden age of frozen, microwavable snack cakes? First there was Walmart's frozen Deep Fried Twinkies. Now, the breakfast market is getting in on the game, with General Mills' new Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bites. Some might call them glorified doughnut holes, but these li'l suckers have way more going for them than you see at first glance.
The Bites are filled with a sweet, creamy cinnamon filling that gets warm and delicious after just 30 seconds in the microwave. Tucked inside of the cinnamon-sugar pastry exterior, it makes for a treat that's probably better served for dessert than breakfast (but honestly, we're not here to judge).
It sounds like a pretty tasty snack, one that brings to mind Taco Bell's Cap'n Crunch Delights -—a Cap'n Crunch Berry dough filled with warm milk icing. Now, I'm not saying that General Mills ripped them off... but I'll let you come to the logical conclusion yourself.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bites are available in stores now, though there's no word on whether this is a limited-time deal or if we can expect a lifetime of warm and gooey snack-cake indulgence.
So, as any good doomsday prepper would do, it's time to stock up on these babies just in case. Hey, the apocalypse won't seem that bad if you still have junk food in your generator-powered freezer to heat up in the solar oven after a particularly exhausting day of foraging for supplies at the abandoned shopping mall, amirite?
There’s no question about it — having kids changes your life. It’s normal to experience anxiety after the birth of a child, but how do you know when your anxiety about keeping your new tiny creature safe has taken a dangerous turn?
As women speak out about their experiences with postpartum depression, it’s becoming less stigmatized. We can now do a better job of supporting folks with PPD and understanding that it’s far more complicated than just being sad and has nothing to do with how much you love your kid. But other postpartum mental health issues exist that we’re not talking about, including postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder.
PPOCD manifests in intrusive, repetitive and hyper-vigilant thoughts regarding the safety and well-being of your child. You know these thoughts are bizarre, you’ve never experienced them before, and you want them to go away, so you do things to stave off the anxiety, such as never leaving the side of your child’s crib, refusing to take the baby outside for fear of germs, etc.
You do not need to have had a previous diagnosis of OCD to experience PPOCD. PPOCD is associated with changes in serotonin levels, which are in flux after you give birth, but it’s not limited to folks who have been pregnant. Postpartum mood disorders can impact those who have adopted children as well as dads.
Samantha was diagnosed with PPOCD in 2009. Her obsessive thoughts came in the form of being afraid someone would murder her and her baby. “I was afraid to leave the house and would check the locks repeatedly,” she told me. “Sometimes I would have panic attacks as well. It finally was so upsetting to me that I called my doctor crying one day and was given a prescription and referred to a therapist, which started the healing process.”
“People laugh it off — you’re a new mom, you’re neurotic,” says Kimberly Hershenson, a clinical social worker in New York City who works with issues with pregnancy. “The difference is when it starts impacting the functioning of the mother’s life and the baby’s. You can’t shower because you’re afraid to leave the baby; you can’t let anyone else hold them.” She reports seeing PPOCD more often with a first child, but also with those who have a baby after experiencing a miscarriage or a high-risk pregnancy.
Angela Wurtzel, a marriage and family therapist in California, emphasized that PPOCD is not the same as postpartum psychosis, a rare thought disorder in which a mother experiences delusions and hallucinations that can lead to suicide and/or infanticide. It’s not knowing the difference between these two that can prevent folks from seeking help for PPOCD.
“Thinking about harm is not the same thing as wishing harm,” says Wurtzel. “PPOCD is about taking actions to avoid repetitive, unwanted thoughts — you’re afraid of drowning the baby, so you don’t give them a bath.”
It’s not uncommon for those suffering from PPOCD to know something is wrong, like Samantha did, or to have maladaptive behaviors pointed out to them by family or friends. Because PPOCD is often related to hormonal imbalances, it can go away once postpartum hormones resolve themselves.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is often used to address PPOCD, helping the patient to dismantle patterns of thinking and behaviors that cause stress and anxiety. For example, if you constantly think your baby is going to die, a CBT-trained therapist will ask that you produce evidence contrary to this, like that your baby has been to the doctor and is healthy, and that you have access to resources to help keep her growing and thriving. Wurtzel also recommends postpartum support groups, finding a therapist who can address prenatal and postnatal concerns and talking about your anxiety in general, whether or not you have a diagnosis.
“The women I work with want to be good mothers,” says Wurtzel. “That’s why they might not want to talk about these thoughts they’re having — they think it makes them horrible people. We have to normalize the fact that some days you feel great about being a mother, about your baby, and some days you don’t. That’s normal, and without it, you’re not seeing your baby, or yourself, as a whole person.”
Drop everything, including your usual GTL (gym, tan, laundry, duh) routine! I've got big news for all you guidos and guidettes, so you probably need to take a seat. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jersey Shore is the next show that is getting the revival treatment.
The one minor caveat here is that the new show won't be an exact revival of the original, but the old cast is getting back together for a "reunion-centered docuseries," the latest report details. It will be called Reunion Road Trip, so it only makes sense that there will be some road tripping action involved, and it will reportedly air on E! instead of Jersey Shore's original home, MTV. Hello, can you imagine the Jersey Shore cast packed into a couple of cars and hitting, like, the Midwest? I gotta admit I was getting pretty sick of revivals, but this one I am fully behind.
Here's how THR describes the new series: "The unscripted entry will capture an epic show reunion as the cast drives down memory lane, making familiar stops along the way — sharing stories, revisiting hot spots and catching up on each other's current lives. Viewers will follow the lifelong friends as they come together to gossip about each other's lives, what has been said about them in the press, the juiciest moments and stories from behind the scenes that we never saw, and most of all talk about the pop culture hit that has bonded them forever." The cast will have a sort of reunion special, which will serve as the pilot for the series. Here's hoping it's done Real Housewives style, with all of them rehashing their drama.
The original Jersey Shore ran from 2009 to 2012, with 71 episodes over six seasons. It was also a pop culture moment, as everyone who tuned in already knows. Are you as excited as I am? This is truly going to be one the most amazing revivals to ever hit our TV screens.
Life is busy — for adults and kids. Quality time as a family is often something that has to be scheduled in between work and school and meetings and health checks, which makes family vacations the ideal opportunity to leave all that at home and really reconnect.
So I understand the sentiment behind the blog post that's stirring up the online parenting community right now, accusing parents who use hotel kids' clubs during family vacations as "dumping" their offspring. Why would parents go away with their kids and not want to spend time with them?
But as a mom who has benefitted from hotel kids' clubs herself, I need to set a few things straight. The idea isn’t to “dump” kids and not spend any time with them whatsoever. Instead, isn't it possible that parents may be looking for a way to achieve balance on vacation and meet the needs of all family members?
One of the best vacations we ever took as a family was when my daughters were 8 and 5 years old. At the time, I was a stay-at-home mom and my husband worked long hours. We were both happy with our roles — but also exhausted. Neither of our extended families was able to assist us with child care, and we chose not to employ a nanny or any type of help. Occasionally, we hired a high school sitter so we could go to dinner at a restaurant, but otherwise, we didn't go out much as a couple.
For our trip to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, we specifically chose a hotel with a very highly-rated kids’ club. The first day, both daughters were slightly reluctant to go to the club, but we asked them to give it a try for a few hours. When we returned later that morning, they were begging us to let them go back for the afternoon session.
This kids' club was incredible. It had several different age groups and wide range of activities, from scavenger hunts to cooking classes to a Harry Potter night. Both of my girls had an amazing time. They loved the counselors, who were all well-trained and extremely attentive to all the children. My daughters also liked the kids they met at club and chose to play with these children when they saw them at the beach or pool when club was not in session.
I completely agree that family vacations are about spending time with your family. Our daughters did not stay at the club all day and night. Instead, they went for several hours during the day and a few of the evening programs. But we did not "dump" them. They went willingly and happily. After trying it the first day, they asked to go because they had so much fun. If they weren’t having a good time, we would never have forced them to attend.
During the hours they went to kids’ club, my husband and I each enjoyed some alone time and also had time as a couple. A chance to work out, read a book, go for a walk together on the beach — these were luxuries that we didn't have at home. I did not have a grandma that could watch my child at home and kids’ club was providing high-quality child care.
When we picked up our daughters from the club, they were exuberant and excited to tell us about everything they did. Their experience gave us a great balance of vacation time: alone time, couple time, family time and time for our daughters to socialize with their peers. The girls woke up at 7 a.m. and didn’t go to bed until after 9 p.m. Even if they spent five hours in the camp program, that left nine hours for us to spend together as a family — plenty of time for us to go for a swim, discuss cloud formations and share meals together.
Not all kids’ clubs are created equal. If you plan to send your children to the kids’ club, I recommend doing some research in advance. Travel websites and friends who have traveled with their kids can be useful resources for information about club programs, staffing, etc. We did once have a bad experience at a kids’ camp in Florida that was recommended. It wasn’t unsafe, but it my kids didn't enjoy it. So we didn’t send them back after their first visit.
The few hours my husband and I spent away from our kids on vacation benefited all of us. I felt recharged, and that feeling continued beyond the vacation when we got back home. Sending my children to the kids’ club doesn't make us lazy parents. In fact, taking a little time for ourselves made us more engaged, more present and ultimately better parents.
Jenny Slate may be part of an unintentional cohort of hilarious women who are dominating the TV comedy scene, but that doesn't necessarily mean she wants to be grouped with them. And before you bristle a little bit at that, like I did, hear her out. Slate has great reasons for not wanting to be lumped into a group with the likes of Abbi Jacobson and Lena Dunham.
"It’s lovely to be put into a group with these women," Slate said, acknowledging what was clearly a New York Times Magazine reporter's attempt at a compliment. But, she added, "I also don’t think that we’re very similar other than that we’re women and we all have vaginas and we don’t seem to be very scared of that. It’s annoying to be oversimplified."
Listen: Jacobson, Dunham and Slate are all talented women working on high-quality projects. But their projects, styles and formats are not similar at all. The only thing they really have in common is that they work in comedy — and they have vaginas, as Slate pointed out.
It's kind of like asking Zach Galifianakis how it feels to be grouped among the likes of Alec Baldwin and Jason Bateman. They all do comedy. They all have penises. But their styles and projects are so vastly different, how can you even compare the three of them? Also, no reporter would ever draw that comparison, so you can see why Slate was low-key offended.
Still, she handled that graciously because she's a boss-ass queen, and here we are loving her even more than we already did. We didn't even know that was possible.
While coffee is always an important part of life's agenda, as summer peaks, we're even more into getting our caffeine chilled, and iced coffee is absolutely where it’s at. But, as with everything else, when one chain pops up with a fun innovation on a favorite, everyone else follows suit. So it's no surprise that the coolest coffee on the block this summer is cold brew.
Cold brew is essentially iced coffee, but made by pouring room temperature or cold water over coffee grounds and then letting it sit for hours or even days. This coffee is often poured over ice, and the result is smoother and less acidic than traditionally brewed coffee.
Starting this week, Starbucks Reserve Roasteries has launched two new Nitro Cold Brew drinks, the Nitro Cascara Cloud and the Nitro Dirty Chai. Cascara Cloud is made of cascara, the dried fruit of the coffee cherry, and includes Starbucks cold brew, which brings out it’s “dark chocolate body, berry notes, and rich, port-like flavor,” according to a statement from Starbucks. The Dirty Chai mixes classic chai, cream and the same Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew.
For those who do not have a budget for a Starbucks habit, Trader Joe’s is now selling a delicious cold-brew variant of their own, and to make it even better, it’s infused with coconut flavor. Can you get more refreshing than that? We don’t think so. Trader Joe’s Coconut Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate is 100 percent Arabica, the same blend they use for their original Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate, and then mixed with coconut flavors. If you like adding coconut milk to your iced coffee, this will be a perfect pair.
There’s no getting around it: Cheating on an S.O. when you're in a committed, monogamous relationship is terrible. And unfortunately, cheating comes in several forms. There’s the obvious, like a sexual encounter, and then there’s the kind of cheating that can fall into a gray zone, like an emotional affair.
Emotional affairs are tricky because people can form an intense bond with someone outside their relationship and not fully realize they’re doing anything wrong since they never cheated physically. But these kinds of affairs can still be incredibly damaging. “In some ways, emotional affairs can take a greater toll than sexual affairs,” says licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Ramani Durvasula, author of Should I Stay or Should I Go? “It feels like a betrayal of trust and an outsourcing of the very important connective tissue of a relationship.”
Obviously, you and your partner are going to have friends outside your relationship, as you should. And it’s understandable that you might form deeper connections with some people over others — but it’s crucial to shut things down before they become intimate in a way that can threaten your relationship.
Here are some of the top things that can lead people to fall into emotional affairs so you can get your radar up.
You just had a baby
Kids are wonderful, but they can also be tough on relationships. If one or both of you is always absorbed in your little one, it can leave you both feeling a little neglected, and if it gets bad enough, you may find yourself looking elsewhere for that attention. That's why you should make it a point to connect with your S.O. on a daily basis, says LA-based psychologist Dr. Brandy Engler, author of The Women on My Couch: Stories of Sex, Love and Psychotherapy.
Maybe you can create a Netflix ritual or make sure that you always have coffee together in the a.m. Whatever it is, be as present as possible during those times to make sure you and your partner know that you value each other outside your role as parents.
Career success is exciting and good for both of you, but it’s easy to feel like you're being left in the dust when your partner suddenly gets a massive career boost and you’re doing the same old thing (or vice versa). That’s especially true if that new job comes with longer hours, more travel and late nights that keep you apart while the other person has to pick up the slack at home. “A relationship is a living thing, and it needs care, feeding and attention,” Durvasula says.
When one of you feels taken for granted, that's a risk factor for seeking emotional fulfillment with someone else. If you’re the one who's killing it at work, check in with your partner about your new schedule and how you both can work together to make the new status quo feel fair. If your S.O. got the new gig, congratulate them and let them bask in the success for a few days. Then have a check-in about how you can work together to make sure you’re not taking on too much and how you can find quality time together amid the demands of the new job.
Work is nuts for both of you
Sure, there are probably times when you’re both swamped at work and feel like you're living that old cliché about ships passing in the night. But failing to communicate when you’re both busy leaves an opening for you to get validation from someone else. That’s why Durvasula says it’s still important to check in with each other and be a presence in each other’s lives, even if you physically have less time together. Try sending a text listing out a few reasons why your S.O. means so much to you or talk about a weekend getaway you’ll take when things calm down. Reinforcing that connection is crucial, even when you can’t be together, and lowers the odds you’ll both seek emotional intimacy elsewhere.
When someone is sick, their illness can overshadow everything — and that makes sense, especially if it’s a serious illness. But it’s important to foster an environment where you can talk to each other about your concerns and fears and not try to tiptoe around each other. If you’re the one who is sick, talk to your partner about your concerns and let them know how much you appreciate them and their help (Engler recommends letting your S.O. know three things every day that you appreciate). And if your partner is going through a health struggle, make sure they know that you’re there to listen if they want to talk.
There’s a death in the family
It’s understandable to want to step outside your inner circle and get a different perspective when you’re dealing with grief, especially if other members of your family are grieving too, but Durvasula says it’s important to keep your conversations with a new confidante in check. “It’s easy for even the steadfast to slip and get into flirtatious exchanges that can quickly expand to more,” she says.
You’re bored
It can seriously be that simple. Striking up an intense connection with someone outside your partnership is exciting, and if you feel like your day-to-day life is meh lately, it can be appealing. “Sometimes emotional affairs begin as mere escapism,” Durvasula says. “In fact, for the players involved, it may feel like things are under control until the messages or the content of the relationship are seen by another.” That’s why Engler recommends making a point of having fun and laughing together. While it’s always fun to go to “your spot” for dinner, try out someplace new and challenge your S.O. to create a new, different date for you as well. Mixing it up a little can go a long way.
Again, you and your partner can and should have good, healthy, meaningful relationships with other people. But if you find that you’re relying on outsiders more for the support that should be inside your relationship, you’re crossing a line. “Always take a moment to think ‘How would this make my partner feel?’” Durvasula says. “If the answer does not feel good, then don't do it.”
As if it wasn't torturous enough that we still have to wait a year for more Westworld episodes to hit our TV screens, there's also some more information being teased by the show's star, Evan Rachel Wood. Wood spoke about Westworld Season 2's themes while she was reacting to the show netting 22 Emmy nominations — yes, 22, guys — on Thursday.
Wood sounded pretty excited and somewhat surprised by Westworld clearly becoming one of the major players in the 69th Emmy Awards race. "It’s wonderful. I’ve been speaking to my castmates all morning and I’m so proud of them and the show, and everyone involved works so hard on it and loves it so much. It’s just a wonderful feeling when it’s a perfect storm like this."
It's not a surprise that a show as complex and compelling as Westworld, which spawned a massive fandom full of fans ready to unpack its themes and meanings in Season 1, would garner so many nominations. Following this excitement, it's only natural that Wood's remarks would move into a discussion about Season 2.
She repeated some very interesting information about what fans can expect, saying that Westworld's showrunners Jonah Nolan and Lisa Joy "summed it up really well: The first season was defined by control, and the second season will be defined by chaos. From the little that I know, they are not kidding. It’s even more ambitious than the first season, so get ready."
That's right: for those who may have missed it the first time, Wood reiterates that Westworld Season 2 is going to be all about chaos. It's not much to go off of because, presumably, Wood is contractually obligated to keep her lips zipped about the precise details of Season 2, but it certainly is enough for right now.
It's not exactly a stretch to imagine that with a chaotic turn in the show coming up, things will get more and more ambitious. The Westworld Season 1 finale ended with chaos coming out of the shadows in the form of the Westworld robots becoming more and more sentient. With their consciousness seemingly unlocked, how they use their newfound capabilities to their advantage against their human oppressors will be interesting to see. Never mind that aside from the chaos presented by newly sentient robots, we also have strong hints that chaos and ambitious vision could be coming in the form of new theme park worlds being explored in Season 2; this could be one hell of a wild ride.
All things considered, if Season 1 of Westworld is so good that both audiences and Emmy Award voters agree it's worthy of recognition, then it's totally exciting to think about what lies in store for us in Season 2.
Yes, we've all developed a love affair with Lululemon over the years — but our bank accounts are finally started to revolt. What are we supposed to do when we can't get enough of Lulu's cute styles and oh-so-perfect fit, but just can't bring ourselves to pony up 200 bucks for a pair of leggings anymore?
We find some less expensive alternatives that are just as good, that's what we do. Believe it or not, they're out there.
Go ahead, cling to that $150 hoodie you've got chillin' in your closet for as long as you can, but expand your activewear wardrobe by opening yourself up to some of these other brands that are pretty impressive.
If you're looking for the cutest prints ever, Yoga Democracy will totally be your jam. A butterfly sports bra and birds of paradise leggings? Yes, please. But our current favorite is the Artezen yoga crop pictured above, which are moderately priced at $70. And not only is Yoga Democracy super cute and affordable, but they're also eco-friendly: 95% of what they produce is made from recycled fibers, and their suppliers adhere to high standards of sustainability in water use and greenhouse emissions.
I bless the day I discovered Kira Grace. Their clothing is simple, but oh-so beautiful. The fabric they use is thin enough for hot yoga, but also stands up to pounding it gets from running. The fits are flattering and the tops are supportive. I can't say enough about this brand. The above leggings are $98, which is steep, true. But the quality is high and the price point is similar to Lulu and what you get feels like a whole lot more. These are outfits you truly want to wear to coffee after yoga is done.
Om Shanti is really just for yoga. If you want clothing that also will take you on runs and through a spin class or two, this is probably not the brand. But what they lack in versatility, they make up for in style. These pants have flair for days. My two pairs of these pants get more attention than any other pants I own. They are beautifully cut and their weight, while not versatile, really is perfect for hot yoga — and since I take at least one class daily, that makes them perfect for me. The above pants are $75, but they also have crops that run about $70 and loose fitting tank tops and other great clothing to help bring out the inner yogini.
This company makes absolutely stunning sports bras with fancy backs that would make any one want to try out a backless top. But they also make perfect leggings for hot yoga that manage to be both effortlessly comfortable as well as highly stylish. I get compliments on my Onzie pants all the time. The skull print, in particular, has been a big hit.
Before YogaSmoga, I mostly wore yoga tops with built in shelf bras. These are fantastic for running as well. But what I loved about the tanks I got from YogaSmoga is the fact that they worked almost entirely for yoga. They have tight bottoms that stay put when you invert, but they have loose middles that feel flowing and cool in hot yoga. I also like the open backs that show off pretty sports bras. It's a win all around!
Simple yoga clothing that feels good on, moves with the body, and makes you look hot, too? Sign me up! The pants featured here (Lea Leggings in lilac grey, $74) are incredibly comfortable and also lift and firm the butt in ways I never knew possible. Their comfy tops and sports bras round out the look and their simple covers are effortless and incredibly stylish. Plus they are less expensive than Lulu.
These leggings feel sturdy, which makes them perfect for both running and yoga. They also have a great length, as in, no bagging at the ankles, but they are not crops, either. They have tons of fun patterns and at $89 feel like a little bit of a saving. Liquido also has great tanks, some with writing, that will make you feel perfectly yogic, indeed.
These leggings are as versatile and as high quality as anything Lululemon puts out. If you are looking for an all-around great legging, look no further. Their capris seem pricey at $92, but they really seem like they will last a few years and will carry you through hard cardio, hot yoga and more.
Image: Tiffany Egbert/SheKnows
Originally published March 2016. Updated July 2017.
I get it. We have a lot of stuff going on down there. It’s complicated. It’s scary. It’s sex. Fragments of what to do and how we do it may be something that we try to understand, but in the moment, all is lost. Fingers are jumbled, erogenous zones aren’t found and orgasms are abandoned.
Well, I’m here to tell you that there are four additional erogenous zones other than the G-spot. Just when you thought you had the equation — the orgasm formula — all figured out, we are introducing to you the PS-spot, the O-spot, the K-spot and the U-spot.
Claire Cavanah, co-founder of Babeland, says, ”There is a seemingly endless supply of new erogenous zones in and on the female body. I think stemming from the lack of popular understanding of how female sexuality and sexual pleasure works.”
Around 75 percent of people with a vagina never reach an orgasm from intercourse alone, while, 10 to 15 percent have not reached an orgasm at all. For those people who struggle, exploring alternative erogenous zones can possibly result in what they are looking for.
Think of them as options. For those of us with vaginas, take this new information, process it, and remember that there is no reason we shouldn’t be coming after each conquest.
HelloFlo has touched on the A-Spot in the past — a zone that can result in multiple orgasms and is best found in the cowgirl or missionary position — but here’s our take on what else you can feel around for.
The P-spot
The posterior fornix is located near the cervix on the posterior wall. If you’re having trouble envisioning or finding the P-spot, it’s located just opposite of the G-spot. If you utilize a curved sex toy, alternate it in an opposite, downward position. If you are considering accessing this area during intercourse, try a position where the phallus is directly in contact with your back lower wall.
Doggy-style probably works best or anal sex, where you're pushing toward the front of your body. This area could also be linked to female ejaculation, but that in itself is still up for debate.
The U-spot
This zone is very sensitive tissue located above the urethra and between the clitoris and the urethra, which is where we urinate from. This area is typically called the female prostate and can be stimulated by gently stroking or tapping. Since this area is very sensitive, as with majority of the vagina and vulva, don’t apply too much pressure.
By moving your fingers horizontally and vertically, stimulate the U-spot with extra saliva or lube. Mimic the same motion that you employed with your fingers when using a toy or phallus. Combining clitoral stimulation with the U-spot can result in an orgasm.
The O-spot can also be found when using the longest fingers in a come here motion farther and deep into the vagina.
The K-spot
This is the area above the anus, where the top of your cheeks separate. The K-spot can be massaged with deep pressure and create a relaxing and euphoric sensation when stimulated. Use a middle finger to simply press down on the area above the anus.
What’s great about this zone is that it can be accessed outside the body in addition to penetration. It can be rubbed, tickled, stroked and massaged for pleasure. Pressure on this area can create intense arousal, whether that’s with a finger, toy or penis is up to you.
Long penises are not necessary to access these areas of the vagina, either. An average vagina’s length is less than 3 inches, and sizes vary from vagina to vagina. Remember to experiment with different positions in order to understand what works for your body and what doesn’t. Solely relying on penetration does not typically lead to an orgasm for people with a vagina — a little extra work is required for a successful climax.
Additionally, there are orgasms that you can have other than stimulating these four zones. Nipple, throat, urinary and anal orgasms are all possible when touched, licked and stimulated.
Don’t consider this a daunting discovery. Instead, have fun experimenting with consensual and fun sex next time you’re under the sheets.
On Saturday, Carrie Fisher was inducted into the Disney Legends Hall of Fame for her iconic role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise, and it turns out this might have meant more to Fisher than most of her other accomplishments.
Though Fisher's daughter, Billie Lourd, couldn't attend the ceremony, she did write a letter, which was read by Disney CEO Bob Iger.
"We went to Disneyland so much that I now realize that she might have even loved it more than I did," Lourd wrote. "So, becoming a part of the Disney family was truly an amazing moment for her. She secretly always wanted to be a Disney princess, so getting to be a Disney princess and a Disney legend would have been her ultimate dream."
Fisher's co-star in the Star Wars franchise, Mark Hamill, was also honored as a Disney legend this weekend.
This is far from the first time Lourd has publicly honored her mother since her death. At Star Wars' 40th anniversary celebration in April, Lourd made an appearance in a custom Tom Ford gown, fashioned in the style of Princess Leia's iconic white look.
Lourd has also paid tribute to her mother on social media with some throwback pics that are sure to tug at your heartstrings.
Fisher may have wanted to become a Disney princess, but I would say she became something greater. As Princess Leia, she was also a general, and in both roles, she was a hero for girls to look up to and an icon for women. Now that is definitely a legacy worth remembering.
"I miss you," Venus told Serena, who didn't compete this year because she is expecting her first child. "I tried my best to do the same things you do, but I think there will be other opportunities, I do."
venus williams bbc wimbledon tweet
venus williams bbc wimbledon tweet
She was greeted to plenty of cheers and applause from a supportive audience at her words.
Venus was defeated by Garbiñe Muguruza in the finals on Saturday in a 7-5, 6-0 victory. Muguruza previously lost to Serena in the 2015 competition.
While Venus may be leaving disappointed, the spanish community, including fellow tennis pro Rafael Nadal, is celebrating Muguruza's victory.
rafael nadal wimbledon tweet 1
rafael nadal wimbledon tweet 1
Meanwhile, Serena has yet to speak out about her sister's performance at Wimbledon. No doubt, she's supporting her sister from afar, though. These two have a healthy record of sticking by one another's side, despite being competitors.
It has been a rough summer for Venus, who was involved in a fatal car crash in June. When asked about the accident, which left a man dead, at a July 3 press conference, Venus called it, "Completely devastating," before getting choked up and leaving the conference.
After her win at Wimbledon, Muguruza spoke out, explaining what it meant for her to win against Venus, "When I was a little girl, I was watching these finals. I was watching Venus. I know it sounds incredible. To be able to play against her and now hold the big trophy, it means a lot."
Irregular bowel movements, shoulder pain, gas buildup in the abdomen — these are just a few of the discomforts that women might experience after a caesarean section.
But according to a recent study, researchers from Our Lady Valme hospital in Spain found that breastfeeding could be an effective way to reduce a woman’s risk of experiencing pain after a C-section. 185 mothers who underwent C-sections between January 2015 and December 2016 were interviewed about their breastfeeding habits and the degree of pain they experienced around the incision 24 and 72 hours after the initial procedure. The women were then interviewed once more four months later.
Results of the study indicate that 23 percent of mothers who breastfed for less than two months after their C-section continued to experience chronic pain at the site of the incision nearly four months later. Even after accounting for a number of potential other factors, such as a mother’s age, the results of the study remained the same — the rate of chronic pain was higher among mothers who breastfed for a shorter duration of time.
Researchers also found that more than half of the mothers interviewed reported experiencing anxiety, which may affect chronic pain and increase a woman’s risk of suffering discomfort around the incision. At this time, it is still unknown how exactly anxiety and breastfeeding influences the pain following a C-section, but researchers are continuing to gather new data due to these interesting early results.
The study’s co-author, Dr. Carmen Alicia Vargas Berenjeno of the Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Valme in Spain and her colleagues reported their results at the Euroanaesthesia Congress 2017, which was hosted in Geneva, Switzerland.
The authors of the study hope that these early findings will help ease some troubles for new moms.
“Our study provides another good reason to encourage women to breastfeed. It’s possible that anxiety during breast-feeding could influence the likelihood of pain at the surgical site 4 months after the operation,” they wrote.
The trans advocate, Republican and former decathlete responded to a recent rumor that she has considered running for a Senate position. “I have considered it,” Jenner told radio host John Catsimatidis on AM 970. “I like the political side of it. The political side of it has always been very intriguing to me. [I] gotta find out where I can do a better job.”
This comes only a few days after rumors of a Kid Rock Senate run. So, it seems like Republican reality stars think they can take a shot at politics and succeed! Hmm, I wonder where that comes from?
Jenner made the biggest of headlines in 2015 when she announced that she is a transgender woman and made her public transition. Since then, Caitlyn has had her own reality show, I Am Cait, about the trials of her transition, and has stood as a trans advocate while being an active Republican.
“Can I do a better job from the outside?” Jenner said on AM 970. “Kind of working the perimeter of the political scene, being open to, you know, talk to anybody? Or are you better off from the inside, and we are in the process of determining that. And yeah, but I would look for a senatorial run.”
It’s been about three months since the last time Jenner mentioned anything about a political position. In April, she chatted with CNN about her possibilities. “At first I thought I would never run for office. Why? 'Cause I got way too many secrets. Now I have no more secrets. They’re all out. I’ve got nothing the media [could] go crazy over because they know everything. I would seriously look at it.”
Even though Jenner has grappled with her position as both a member of the GOP and a trans advocate, her political leanings still don’t necessarily mesh with her personal endeavors, since the GOP is notoriously weak in LGBT support. So, will Jenner's spot in the Senate make a difference, if she gets that far? Or will her gender identity and her personal life get in the way of a Republican-led Washington right now? We’ll just have to see.
Sometimes, the most tragic circumstances have the biggest impact on a person's success. That can certainly be said for Naomi Watts, who recently opened up in an interview with The Guardian about her childhood and how her father’s death affected the rest of her life.
In 1976, the actress’s father, Peter Watts, a sound engineer for Pink Floyd, was found dead from a heroin overdose in London when he was 31 and Naomi was 7. The rest of the family was forced to bounce from home to home so that Naomi's single mother could find a career for herself. They finally settled in Australia when Naomi was 14 years old.
So, how does this tragedy and tribulation make an Oscar-nominated actress? According to Naomi, a move to Australia was difficult to comprehend, and the only way the blow could be softened was when her mother offered to pay for acting lessons when they got there. A teenage Naomi, with lots to learn and a successful life ahead of her, got on the plane.
Before all the moving and hard work from Naomi's mother, Pink Floyd decided to give condolences for the loss by helping the family get started. “My dad hadn’t saved any money,” Naomi told The Guardian, “and I guess my mum didn’t have any. So they — the band — very kindly... ‘Trust fund’ doesn’t sound right at all. I think they gave my mum a few thousand dollars to help get things under way. It was kind that they did that.”
In Australia, the young aspiring actress made a friend who really made a difference, socially and professionally: Nicole Kidman. The two were acting partners and drinking buddies in Sydney and were cast in their first project together in 1991, a comedy called Flirting. Since then, the two have kept in touch but have (obviously) molded their own careers separate from one another.
Through that successful Hollywood career, Naomi still experiences surprises about her father. Because she and her father were so young when he died, she understands him on a more photographic level than one based on memory.
“You’ve got to understand, I’ve got maybe three photos of my dad, and all of the photos of him are either out of focus or he’s a tiny speck in the background,” Naomi said. When a Pink Floyd fan recently gave her a picture of her father that she had never seen before, she got more emotional than she had in years.
No matter what tragedy might be part of a person's life, they can use it for good — even when it forces a move to Australia in exchange for acting classes.
The first episode of Game of Thrones Season 7 was surprisingly soft given the literal explosion that ended Season 6. Everyone was just kind of positioning themselves for the action to come.
BOOM. Welcome to GoT scene history, Frey Massacre.
The way Arya took down the Freys lit the internet on fire, and for good reason. Dany better watch her back, because Arya might be the one fire that'll scorch even The Unburnt.
Oh, and then she galavanted off to kill Cersei. NBD. I think we're all past the point of doubting her.
got arya kill the queen twitter 1
got arya kill the queen twitter 1
got arya kill the queen twitter 2
got arya kill the queen twitter 2
got arya kill the queen twitter 3
got arya kill the queen twitter 3
Not gonna lie, though — I was really hoping Arya would head off to Winterfell to reunite with Jon and Sansa, especially with Bran back south of the Wall.
Also, things on this show are going to get real interesting for Arya if Cersei decides to leave King's Landing to go meet Daenerys or Jon. Of course, she's so paranoid at this point, the woman will probably keep herself barricaded inside with the Mountain on guard and make Jaime do all the dirty work. Let's be real.
