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These Laundromat Horror Stories Put Boring Old Ghost Tales To Shame

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The only thing that's worse than doing laundry? The laundromat. At first it might seem like a "magical" place where you can either do your laundry in a communal setting stress-free, or you can drop off your intimates and turn a blind eye to the process. But the experience is rarely as straightforward.

So we reached out to our fellow editors here at The Huffington Post for some more first-hand terror tales, and they most certainly did not disappoint. Check out their shock-inducing experiences below that will make everyone who has washers and dryers in their homes feel even more lucky than they already should.

Have a terrible laundromat experience? Let us know about it in the comments below!



The Underwear Files



"I send my laundry out to a laundromat (so they do and fold it for me), and when it comes back, there's always at least one pair of underwear that definitely is not mine."
-Jessica Samakow, Senior Family And Relationships Editor

"My roommates and I decided to do drop off service at this laundromat located near our new apartment. When we picked up our clothes and started sorting them, we noticed that ALL of our underwear was missing. Just our underwear. We called the place but they knew nothing of it. Needless to say we were a little creeped out... and found a new place."
-Lindsay Holmes, Associate GPS For The Soul Editor

"One day my girlfriend found a strange pair of women's underwear tucked into my sock drawer. I had received them with the wash and fold and naturally assumed they belonged to her. Convincing her of that was not such an easy task. I don't think she fully believed me until a few months later when a pair of her own underwear went missing after being sent to the laundry and she realize just how often this happens."
-Oliver Noble, Video Editor


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The Unwelcome Guest



"I was traveling through Italy and ran out of clean clothes. Five minutes in the laundromat told me it was better to just stay dirty because... I put a load in, took a seat and in walks a guy who, without skipping a beat, opens his pants and begins touching himself in front of me. Straight faced, no shame. I will never be able to un-see that. Never."
-Julie Thomson, Taste Editor


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The Germaphobic Nightmares



"The moment I knew I needed to invest in a washer/dryer for my apartment was when I opened up a washing machine at the laundromat and found a broccoli floret sitting inside. How and why there might ever be whole pieces of broccoli mixed in with someone's laundry is still a mystery to me."
-Jessica Cumberbatch Anderson, Home Editor

"The horror story that happens every single time: When I'm taking out my wet laundry and putting it in that silver rolly-bin thing and the thing doesn't perfectly line up with the edge of the washing machine and one of my socks ends up falling on the disgusting, dirty laundromat floor and then I gasp and quickly pick it up hoping that the five-second rule applies to pieces of clothing."
-Renee Jacques, Associate Viral Editor


laundry 1950



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Nick Hogan Is The First Male Victim Of The Celebrity Photo Hacking Ring

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Hulk Hogan's son Nick Hogan has become the first male celebrity to have his personal photos stolen by a ring of hackers, reports TMZ.

Dozens of photos were stolen from the 24-year-old, including some in which he poses with various girlfriends from over the years, in various states of undress and sexual positions, according to the website.

Hogan told TMZ that some of the photos included in the leak are not his -- specifically a photograph of a penis, and another photo of his mother in a thong. The former reality star also warned hackers that several of the photos of his girlfriends were from his teenage years and taken while they were underage, and thus should be considered child pornography.

Hogan's leak is part of the fourth wave of stolen photos to be released since the end of August. It's believed that it's the work of the same group of hackers who released nude photos of Jennifer Lawrence, Kim Kardashian, Victoria Justice and many other female celebrities.

While the leaks continue week after week, the FBI has already said they were looking into the matter. And last week, Reuters reported that a lawyer representing about a dozen female celebrities who were hacked are threatening to sue Google for failing to remove the stolen photos from its websites.

Request for comment made to Hogan's rep was not immediately returned.

5 Seductive Scents to Spice Up Your Fall and Winter

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The chilly seasons are finally here. Most of us start preparing for fall and winter by reorganizing our closet - in search of scarves and tights, but; it is also important to revamp our fragrance collection. Swapping out light, airy summer scents for sensual, earthy fall and winter scents is a great way to get ready for the seasons ahead.

Moodier scents containing prominent, alluring notes of cardamom, sandalwood, amber, patchouli, musk and pepper are taking center stage. As temperatures continue to drop, these statement making fragrance notes will keep you warm.

Check out my top five seductive scents to spice up your fall and winter.

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image via BondNo9.com


Bond No. 9 Queens - Base notes of sandalwood, benzoin resin, musk and amber tango with bergamot, cardamom, blackberry, tuberose, champaca flower, osmanthus creating a deep, enchanting scent fit for the diverse borough. $195, BondNo9.com

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image via JoMalone.com


Wood Sage & Sea Salt - A wonderfully earthy, yet light fragrance of crashing salty ocean waves and driftwood. $120, JoMalone.com

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image via Nordstrom.com


Dahlia Divin - A sexy, deep, sultry scent courtesy of mirabelle plum, sandalwood, jasmine, patchouli and vetyver. $110, Nordstrom.com

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image via TomFord.com


Velvet Orchid - Notes of rum and honey come together with floral notes of orange blossom, narcissus, rose absolute, hyacinth and deeper base notes of myrrh, sandalwood, suede and vanilla creating a feminine, mysterious Asian-inspired fragrance. $159, TomFord.com

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image via GiorgioArmani.com


Si - Vanilla, musk, patchouli, wood and light airy florals create a slightly sweet, yet deeply aromatic fragrance. $115, GiorgioArmani.com

What do you think of the season's newest scents for fall and winter? Will you be wearing them?

This Beauty Vlogger Is Hard Of Hearing, And She's Stepping Up Her Game On YouTube

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Rikki Poynter may have begun her YouTube career as a beauty vlogger, but her work on camera has recently broadened to include an issue that's close to her heart.

In honor of September's Deaf Awareness Week, the makeup enthusiast from North Carolina recently uploaded a 20-minute-long video addressing some frequently asked questions about the deaf and hard of hearing community. It's the first video Poynter has made in which she talks about being hard of hearing herself.





In the video, she delves into a range of challenges facing the deaf community. Some of those challenges are specific to YouTube; others, like harassment and employment discrimination, are very much not.

For example, Poynter says she's been applying to jobs for four years and has only gotten a single interview. Her experience, she suggests, is representative of what many other deaf and hard of hearing job applicants may face in their lives.

So far, she says, she's been well-received.

"I’ve wanted to do a video like this for a while, but I [was] too scared of how it would be received. I was afraid of so many audist comments so I figured I should just stick with makeup videos," Poynter told The Huffington Post via email. "Surprisingly and fortunately, all the feedback I’ve gotten is positive!"

Poynter's focus might be shifting, but don't expect her to abandon eyeliner and eyeshadow entirely.

"I love how makeup can look so cool, so pretty, and really change a person’s face. I love how creative you can get with it. Before I actually got into makeup, I thought it was just putting on some foundation and calling it a day, but there’s so much more," she told HuffPost.





If one of her goals is to raise awareness for what she calls a "hidden disability," her online presence, mixed with the vibrant colors showcased on her Instagram page, makes it pretty hard to look away.

You go, girl.

H/T Franchesca Ramsey

Pregnant Kelly Rowland Poses Topless In Black And White Photo Shoot For Elle

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Kelly Rowland, who is expecting her first child with husband Tim Witherspoon, posed topless for a black and white photo shoot to be featured in the pages of Elle magazine.

Rowland, 33, took to Instagram on Monday to share a snap from the session with photographer Lance Gross:



"It's really -- I won't say amazing -- it's Godmazing, [Laughs] watching your body carry a human," Rowland told Elle of her decision to include the photos. "I took a birthing class and I was amazed by all the things this woman was saying to me about birthing and what the body does naturally. Why wouldn't you want to celebrate that? The body should be celebrated."

For more Kelly Rowland (and more photos), head on over to Elle.

Nashville's Two Old Hippies

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Today, so many of us crave the "Hippy" look because the life of a hippy is often romanticized. Don't we all dream of riding in Volkswagen busses, wearing flowers in our hair, playing guitar and singing about world peace? I certainly do!

Often people are wondering where to get a look that is a representation of that, but still appears authentic and modern. The Two Old Hippies boutique, located in Nashville, Tenn., is your spot. Nashville couldn't be a more perfect location for this boutique since Nashville is one of few places where a cowboy-esque style still stands strong. It's a city who's music lifestyle is extremely vibrant and while walking through the streets of Nashville you may hear anything from rock & roll, to folk, to bluegrass, to country. The eclectic city of music attracts a young hip crowd, and Two Old Hippies is a wonderful reflection of that.

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Shoptiques: Tell us about your location, what inspired you to make Nashville home?

Two Old Hippies: Nashville is a fantastically exuberant city. There's so much to do, but in such relaxed way. There's no rush! We're in the Gulch neighborhood, only 5 blocks from the downtown bustle of Nashville and the music strip for tourists. The Gulch has great dining experiences and new retail shops, among other attractions. We loved the vibe of the old brick and mortar building. It was once an old printing company, then a local bakery. Across the street is the Historic Station Inn, home to country and bluegrass music since 1974. There is also an amazing Juice bar, wine store and organic grocery store.

S: How would you describe Two Old Hippies' style?

TOH: Two Old Hippies is about a lifestyle. The brand was built on the attitude of my affinity of being comfortable in my daily wear, but stylish. We chose this style as it reflects how we live each day. I'm a jeans and button down shirt kind of girl, cashmere sweaters, funky jackets, boots. Our boutique is a reflection of how I have always lived my life and my own personal style, but mindful that not everyone wants to dress like I do. So we seek unique finds that appeal to most women, so I want our experience to be a unique one too! I think the fact that they will not see what they buy from us in every store in town makes them return. We truly produce a laid-back environment.

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S: What experience do you try to create for shoppers at Two Old Hippies?

TOH: We want our guests to arrive and say wow, spend a little time in the store with our amazing team of co-hippies, and leave as one of our friends. Walking into our store is really an experience. If you visit our store, you will have a great time, experience, and be welcomed. We encourage people to have fun. There is something in everyone's price point, not only high priced items, so there are opportunities to shop! If you visit our store, you will have a great time, experience, and be welcomed. We encourage people to have fun.

S: What is Two Old Hippies' most unique quality? So, what sets it apart from the crowd?

TOH: We are unique in that we have created a lifestyle experience. There is a separate men's area, women's, shoes, accessories, home, and we house The Vault, which holds our collection of premium acoustic instruments. We have two playing rooms for guests to test out our Bedell, Breedlove, or Weber guitars and mandolins, Martin, and other boutique brands. We also have live music on our stage, complete with one of the best back lines in town. Our walls are lined with rock n roll' memorabilia from many famous photographers. It's a hip mini department store of sorts. We also offer a stylist program and do in-house styling for artists.

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By Shoptiques Staffer Paige

The Right Way to Care For Sweaters

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By Kerri Winick for GalTime.com

Each winter, there always seems to be one sweater that's sacrificed to the fashion gods. It's been shrunk to doll-size proportions because you swore you could wash it yourself, or it ends up warped and faded in the back of your closet.

It can be downright maddening -- especially when you saved up forever for that amazing Marc Jacobs sweater you had to have, like, yesterday. (Can you tell I'm just a little bitter?)

Here at KnowMore, we're working hard to minimize sweater-catastrophes, so we chatted with Mary Marlowe Leverette of About.com's Guide to Laundry for tips on keeping your garments in fighting shape.

IT'S A CASHMIRACLE:

Contrary to popular belief, cashmere sweaters don't always need to be dry-cleaned. Save some dough by learning when to drop them off and when to drop them in the washing machine.

If cashmere is used to make a structured sweater or coat, the garment should be dry-cleaned.

For soft, unstructured, cashmere sweaters, hand wash in cool water using a mild detergent. Cashmere is, after all, the hair of a goat and is used to being wet!

When hand washing, rinse well and never wring.

Dry your sweater flat and reshape during drying.

Got wrinkles? Iron the garment inside out and while its still damp.

Be sure to place a press cloth between the iron and the cashmere. What's a press cloth, you ask? Basically, it serves as a protective barrier between the iron and the sweater. You can buy one, but clean, household items work just as well. Think cotton towels or dish cloths.

Almost all fabrics can be washed gently, but sometimes it's the inner linings and construction that can't get wet. So if the care label says "dry clean only," believe it!

CLEAN MACHINE:

We know, we know. While it would be amazing to have a sweater stash that's purely cashmere, most of us don't have the luxury. When debating how to wash the other fabrics in your wardrobe, ask yourself these questions:

Are there spots or stains that you don't know how to treat?

Is the garment made from acetate or rayon? Both can shrink or become misshapen in water.

Is there a special finish on the garment? Stiff fabrics have a stabilizing finish to help them hold their shape that water can ruin.

Is the garment difficult to iron? Structured garments, such as suits, can be difficult to iron and often lose their shape when washed.

Is the garment leather or suede?

Is the garment made of a fiber that you're not familiar with and have never successfully washed at home?

Is the garment special to you?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, take your prized fashion possession to a professional dry cleaner.

STAIN SOLUTIONS:

Always remember to treat a stain as quickly as possible after it happens.

Begin by removing any solid matter (like that leftover onion dip -- yuck!) using the dull edge of a kitchen knife.

Never rub the stain because you will push it deeper into the fabric.

Blot the area with clear water and a clean white cloth.

PAGING DR. PILL:

Sometimes it seems like you practically need to be a surgeon to remove pills without leaving a gaping hole in your sweater. Here's how to do it right (sans scalpel, I might add):

Weigh the value of the garment before you attempt to slice. Is it really worth it? Will anyone really notice the pills, or are they simply bothering you?

If they're an eye sore, pull the fabric taught on a curved surface and carefully cut or shave the pill from the fabric.

For a more hi-tech solution, try D-Fuzz-It. It costs about $3.00 and won't harm the fabric.

STORAGE SECRETS:

Always fold sweaters and knits. Placing them on any type of hanger will eventually allow their weight to warp and stretch them.


Need more GalTime?

Hot Colors for Fall
6 Ways to Do Turtlenecks Right
Office to Happy Hour: Switch Up the Accessories

The Best College Street Style Snaps From UCLA & USC

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We found a bevy of UCLA and USC students (as well as one doctor!) who are handling this fall heatwave in the coolest of ways. Follow their lead, and you won't have to worry about showing up to class (or the office) looking red-faced and overheated.

Presenting Kim Kardashian's Look-Alike

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It's official: Kim Kardashian has a real-life doppelgänger.

Her name is Marianna Hewitt and she is the beauty and fashion guru behind the blog La La Mer. One look at Hewitt's Instagram photos and it's hard to deny the jaw-dropping resemblance between her and the reality star, regardless of whether they're blond or brunette.

In a May blog post, Hewitt recounted the time she interviewed Kardashian in 2011.

"I have long been a fan of Kim Kardashian since 2006," she wrote. "She is so beautiful, hard working and such a sweet person."

Hewitt made headlines Tuesday when TMZ reported she was photographed out with Michael Strahan Monday night.



































7 Eco-Friendly Fashion Brands to Rock Now!

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Summer is now officially over, and by now your Instagram feed and fashion magazines, are taking up lots of space for your visual pleasure, displaying this season's "hautest" looks. There are a myriad of choices of course, but why not narrow them down with style AND sensibility that also happens to leave a lighter footprint? Here are a few that seem to finesse being sustainable while fashionably chic.

STELLA McCARTNEY: 100% best high-fashion designer consistently solely vegan and is always cruelty-free. She seems to demonstrate her brilliance and innovation with this concept year after year. Her designs met with her innovative eco-friendly fabric technology. She is after all the exemplar, in segueing the fashion world to obtaining fashion-forward design met with her unending use of creativity and originality all while encompassing glamour with consciousness.

EDUN: Brilliant job to say the least when it comes to Ali Hewson and her husband Bono who make a stellar team of designing denim that truly makes a difference. Not only is the line aesthetically pleasing, but also a socio-economic brand that is mainly produced in Africa. Bono and Ali have made African welfare and justness their life's mission, so their clothing line is also completely sourced and manufactured in Africa. Alexander Wang's design director, Danielle Sherman has also rejoined the team for extra designer impact.

REFORMATION: Honestly every time I've gone to an art gallery opening, or to a fun dinner with friends, the one designer that when I've courageously asked that stylish stranger of the clothing item they're wearing -- the answer always seems to end up with "I got it at Reformation." If you are not knowledgeable with this brand, be prepared to be blown away. They come out with new items for purchase from recycled fabrics and dead stock almost daily. Even fashionista extraordinaire Alexa Chung has constructed a classy collaboration with them.

SUSAN HOLMES SWIM: (Yes my line, that also donates a portion of proceeds to various earth friendly charities, such as The Surfrider Foundation for cleaner oceans and beaches and was a campaign model for PeTA "Ink Not Mink" campaign)... Colorful and beautiful tunics to swimwear from sustainable mill end fabrics will keep you looking alluring while traveling this resort season. Being eco-friendly also means eliminating manufacturing waste, and Susan Holmes Swim does this, by manufacturing our products on a made to order basis and in Los Angeles. This keeps control and fairness with regards to ethics/wages. I like to keep a holistic approach with my brand, by also donating any left over fabrics and/or notions to schools and women's shelters.

H&M Conscious Collection: Has a Conscious Exclusive Collection, landing April 10th. It's a limited line that visually is a bit more red carpet or special events worthy, than their fast fashion chain de rigueur. It will be available online and in 150 select H&M stores worldwide.

Top Shop: "Reclaim To Wear" Collection, is beyond cool... I was shopping with my daughter a few days ago, and noticed a few signs that displayed the message, along with some appealing items. Investigating a bit further, I come to find this is their inaugural step towards the creation of zero-waste collections. They are upcycling their items construed entirely of discarded materials. Materials stemmed from production off cuts and surplus stock, otherwise headed off for the landfill -- all of which production is made in the UK, where this fashion giant is based.

ASOS GREEN ROOM: Another great label shying away from disposable fashion, at an especially affordable price. They're an online shop, with a platform preserved for collections with an ethical narrative to convey. Their site has a very hip and fun "reclaimed vintage" section that in all honesty is the best way for us all to be utmost ethical when it comes to acting kinder to our planet. Shop vintage and scour thrift stores, and shop these lines to help save our Mother Earth one action and/or one garment at a time.

Sex With Your Ex: Appealing or No Way?!

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Everyone I know says they've heard of couple, who on the day their divorce was finalized, went straight from the courthouse to a hotel room, where they secretly met up and had sex. Sounds like a great movie scene, but in reality, I've never known anyone who actually told me firsthand that he or she did that. So, is it an urban myth? Is it something that everyone thinks goes on but really doesn't? Or, is sex with your ex a fantasy for some?

The emotions that go with divorce are intense, especially at the beginning, when one or both of the people still thinks there's a chance it could work. Many couples get back together and break up several times before they finally decide to split up permanently. I think that is very normal -- and, in many cases, necessary. After all, who wants to have any doubt that they did the right thing? Back and forth really is okay, and might help you figure things out.

But even in the midst of a divorce, when the time of doubt has passed and both people know it's for real, I think some couples still have physical desire for each other for a few possible reasons:

1. The two of you made babies together. That's a really big deal. The sex you had led to the people you love most on this earth, so isn't it natural to be sentimental about it? Plus, it feels safe to have sex with the father (or mother) of your children.
2. The happy times run through your mind. If you think about how great the sex was at the beginning of your relationship, it's possible you might try to recapture what you once had, even if in your heart you know it won't last. It could serve as a temporary Band-Aid for your broken heart.
3. Hate and anger can drive desire. There is actually a scene in my novel, Free Gift With Purchase, where a couple is broken up, and the girl, though very angry with her ex calls, and asks him to come over to have sex. I think there are certain situations where people think angry sex is a turn-on, and that's it's fun and sexy. I've always believed there is a very thin line between anger and hate, and sexual desire, and I know I'm not alone. Think Melrose Place, the 1990s mega-hit TV show where an entire apartment complex hated each other, yet they all managed to get naked with one other!
4. You might be seeking closure. "I'll just sleep with him (or her) to reiterate to myself the fact that we really are doing the right thing," could be someone's thought process. They want to reassure themselves they are doing the right thing, and hoping the sex will be so bad, they will walk away from it feeling confident in their decision to be divorced.
5. You're sad and lonely. I could see this happening when the two people are separated and still living in the same house. Both are experiencing the same loss, so they might turn to each other for comfort, rationalizing in their own mind, "Maybe it could still work."

The thing is, friends will tell you it's wrong or stupid to hook up with an ex, and that it will only prevent you from getting over the person. But I don't think that stops people. I think when it comes to the person you are divorcing, you never really lose all the love, no matter how much you tell yourself what a horrible person he or she is. And where there is even the tiniest bit of love, there is potential for sex.

In certain cases, sex with an ex is sexy and fun and exciting. Temporarily, that is. I have to believe that nine times out of 10 the after effects are disappointment, hurt, sadness and regret. So, be careful.

Lastly, I'm sure there are plenty of readers who think I am nuts for even writing this piece, as they would hook up with their ex only when and if hell freezes over.

Every divorce situation is different. But, if you are thinking of hooking up with your ex, be careful. Doing so could cause you extra pain during a brutally difficult time to begin with, and might prevent you and/or your ex from moving on.

Jackie Pilossoph is the author of her blog, Divorced Girl Smiling, and the comedic divorce novels, Divorced Girl Smiling and Free Gift With Purchase. She also writes feature stories, along with the weekly dating and relationships column, "Love Essentially" for Sun-Times Media local publications. Pilossoph lives in Chicago. Oh, and she's divorced.

We'll Show You How To Live The Lush Life

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Marco Ovando recently teamed up with The Underwear Expert for an exclusive photoshoot featuring model Barrett Pall. He soaked up the last rays of summer in Central Park, bright pairs of 2(X)IST contrasting with the foliage. Bread & Boxers kept him cool despite the warmth, and M8 Mate had Barrett blending deep into the park.

It takes a special type of guy to brave these cliffs in nothing but his underwear. Luckily these styles kept Barrett cool, calm, and collected -- not to mention looking on point. Check out some of the images from the shoot below.



For the rest of the story, and to shop the looks featured, head over to The Underwear Expert.

Does Social Media Ruin Relationships?

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Although online dating sites have been around for about 20 years, until the popularity of smart phones and mobile dating apps, they really were not accepted as a mainstream way of meeting. The iPhone has only been out since 2007, but has dramatically changed the way people communicate with each other.

As one who studies the marriage of love and technology, with texting, tweeting, Facebook Instant Messenger, and chat features on Internet dating sites, all of the rules of changed and a new form of dating, called social dating has emerged. From swiping right or left on Tinder to flirting with an old college pal on Facebook, the ability to be digitally connected to boost your ego or dopamine levels has never been easier.

On the positive side, I like to think about the couples who've found love on Facebook, or those who have met offline and have fallen in love with the help of iMessage or SMS texts while using flirty text messages as digital foreplay, have benefited many a relationship.

With all of the tools at our digital fingertips, singles should be falling in love with the help of technology in record numbers, but is that always the case?

In my book, The Perils of Cyber-Dating, I talked about the serial dater, the commitment-phobe who used technology to boost his ego, while telling seven women at the same time how much he loved them. His addiction to technology prevented him from having a meaningful relationship, as he spent over five hours a day carefully crafting text messages and emails with the goal of making each woman the only one.

Meanwhile on one side of town, he was proposing marriage to a woman, who in her heart knew that something was very wrong. A woman's intuition is quite powerful. Typically once a woman suspects there's a problem in the relationship or another woman is sharing time with her guy, it's already happened. When she saw his iPhone's text messages to other women scheduling romantic vacations, he was busted. One-by-one she contacted the women via text or on Facebook to do her digital due diligence, hoping she was wrong. She ended their relationship once the pieces of the puzzle were put together, completely heartbroken and felt very duped.

It turns out that her almost-fiancé was addicted to technology to woo as many women as possible. Every Friday, he'd text a half-dozen women to see what they were up to that night and the first one who replied he'd schedule a date with to hookup. It was that easy for him, but for the girls, they were just in rotation. He promised marriage and monogamy and slept with his iPhone in bed with him waiting for the responses from women.

I'm here to tell you that flirting via text messages is addictive. Since you don't hear the sound of someone's voice, often the texts are taken out of context. If texting and tweeting weren't huge disrupters of relationships, situations like the Anthony Weiner scandal wouldn't have happened.

Flirting via text messages can bring you to the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Getting that happy face good morning text can make your day. Having someone ignore your messages can change the moods of many.

A technology study conducted by online dating sites JDate and Christian Mingle of 1500 smartphone users aged 21-50 who were dating, looked at the expectations that singles have on the response times of text messages. In this study, 50% said they believe anything over four hours is an inappropriate response time to a text to someone they're dating or are interested in dating (25% believed 1 hour was appropriate and 25% believed 1-4 hours was appropriate).

I've gone on record saying the cell phone has replaced the teddy bear to keep singles warm at night. No longer for emergency purposes, the cell phone now plays a key role in dating and relationships, 24 hours a day. I do believe that singles are suffering from an unofficial condition called "mobile dating anxiety disorder" or MDAD, with 44% of singles surveyed checking their mobile phones for emails, texts and voicemail messages before taking a shower.

Some say that flirting via text messages or on social media when you're either in a committed relationship or are married is considered emotional cheating. I take the viewpoint that if the person you're communicating with does not know about your relationship status with your significant other, there is merit to this.

Texting, tweeting, and other digital communications have replaced flirting by the water cooler and the occasional glance of someone attractive from across a crowded room. While looking and flirting with someone of the opposite sex is considered normal behavior, where do we draw the line between having your ego boosted when you hear the customized chime from the object of your affection on your mobile phone, to sneaking in the bathroom to read your text messages so your partner doesn't know you have a digital crush?

My message to you is, if your online and digital behavior are ones in which you think your partner would be uncomfortable with, don't push the send button. Remember that anything digital can be shared, forwarded, or a screen shot can be taken. Assume that if you don't want your parents, children, boss, or significant other to read your digital communications, then stop the insanity now.

You might recall Spreadsheet Guy, the Wall Street financial guy who documented of all of the women he met online. He ranked them and made comments about each woman. A few were complimentary, but most were insulting. Spreadsheet Guy made the mistake of emailing his spreadsheet to one of his dates and with the flick of her keyboard, she got her revenge. His personal critiques of women went viral. It was a creepy at best.

Have social media and cell phones helped or hurt your relationships?

Julie Spira is America's Top Online Dating Expert and Digital Matchmaker. She was an early adopter of Internet dating, having created her first profile 20 years ago. Julie's the founder of CyberDatingExpert.com and the author of The Rules of Netiquette: How to Mind Your Digital Manners. Follow @JulieSpira on Twitter and at Facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert.

Get Plastic Surgery or Buy a Car?

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After I stumbled into midlife, my body began to fall apart and I didn't have a guaranteed warranty to fix anything. I reached a pathetic level of body betrayal when I needed to wear reading glasses so I could see close enough to pluck my chin hairs. I also felt chagrined by the transformation of my once-adequate body into a clone of Jabba the Hutt from the Star Wars movie. I really wanted to be Princess Leia, but that body was a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.

I was embarrassed about my body because I had willingly given birth to monster babies: my first child weighed almost ten pounds at birth, and the second was eleven pounds. I didn't have any more children after that. During pregnancy, my fifty-inch belly was so big that buttons popped off my maternity blouses. Never one to miss dinner, I had to wedge my dinner plate on top of my belly and beneath my gigantic boobs that had morphed into two bulging bags of the baby's instant meals.

My legs remained normal, so I looked like a gigantic blob wobbling about on two spindle. I couldn't turn sideways while going through a doorway, and I forgot what my feet looked like. It was a minor miracle that I could sit down without popping. By the ninth month, getting out of a chair required a hoist and a greased pulley system. Strangers would touch my belly with the same shock and fascination used to examine a beached whale. I remember some of the more interesting comments:

"Looky here, Wendy. Aren't you glad you never got THAT big?"

"Good Lord! You got triplets in there? You're the biggest woman I've ever seen!"

"Your belly's going to drag on the floor after that one comes out! My cousin was huge like you, and she never walked right again. Then her husband left her. She died soon after."

As a result of my pregnancies, I had two marvelous children but a damaged body. My waist refused to go back where it came from, and, after two years of nursing, my breasts were like swaying punching bags. In a strong wind, I was in danger of toppling over, never to get upright again. I could store books and snacks in my cleavage, and I haven't worn a button-up blouse in thirty years. My bra was a size 42-Long.

I signed up for a free consultation with a leading plastic surgeons to obtain information about how to tighten up my sagging belly and maybe raise my breasts up off the floor. At the doctor's office, I was greeted by a gorgeous young woman with a perfect body. I knew instantly that she was a walking billboard for the plastic surgeon, mainly because she looked plastic. Her face was so tight she couldn't change her expression even if she sat her skinny butt on burning coals.

And her flat stomach would show a bump if she swallowed an olive. My granddaughters have paper dolls that are thicker. I immediately hated her--and she looked at me and returned the same opinion. She told me to put on a pair of teeny panties that were sized for a stripper and wait for the doctor. I don't usually undress for strangers unless plied with expensive liquor, but I did as I was told.

The doctor entered with a dashing flair of haughty perfection; he had a chiseled jaw, tight skin, and not an ounce of body fat. He looked at me and caught his breath. I was the perfect candidate for his advertisements that revealed the "before" photograph...the one that shows just how grotesque the human body can become. And his imagined "after" photo would reveal his amazing skills that could save all of humanity from the offensive sight of me!

As if to magnify my humiliation, he turned on a spotlight and brought out a Sharpie pen. Then with the flair of a great artist he drew circles all over my matronly body, humming to himself with each new design until my body looked like the distorted hide of a spotted giraffe. Then he added arrows--as if plotting a map of hidden treasure buried somewhere within the undulating folds of fat. During this time, I was imagining how I could vanish and then reappear in a wine bar.

He finished his artwork and took photos, assuring me that my face wouldn't be in the photographs. I objected because at that point, my face was by far cuter than my body. Then he told me to turn around so he could get shots of my backside. I assumed he had a wide-angle lens. Finally the doctor left the torture room, so I dressed quickly and was ushered into his elaborate office. It reeked of excess, and so did my body. I felt like crap.

The doctor explained the various procedures I needed and offered a special deal if I had more than one. That special deal cost enough money to buy a car. I sat up straight, sucked in my offensive belly, and marched my imperfect, Sharpie-stained body out of his office. And I cancelled any further appointments. Then I left to visit my favorite car dealer.

Michelle Obama Graces Redbook Cover, Makes Striking Statement About Unemployed Female Vets

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Michelle Obama will grace Redbook’s November cover, but her most striking pose is the centerfold image. In it, the first lady embraces five female veterans who are struggling to find work.

The women’s magazine is centering its upcoming issue entirely around the female veteran employment crisis and Obama was the obvious face for the cause. Since entering the White House, the first lady has made supporting veterans a focal point of her advocacy work by growing her nonprofit, Joining Forces, taking a strong stance on vet homelessness and urging companies to hire former servicemen and servicewomen.

But in Redbook’s November issue, Obama puts the spotlight solely on the unemployment plight of women veterans, a military group that often feels abandoned by the system.

"A lot of people think you guys come out of the military and the country is taking care of you, but the transition is tough,” Obama told the five women with whom she met during the Redbook interview.

michelle obama redbook

The figures alone speak volumes.

Last year, post-9/11 female veterans struggled with a 9.6 percent unemployment rate. Their male counterparts faced an 8.8 percent unemployment rate, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

A major obstacle, experts say, is that the VA is encountering an unprecedented number of female veterans in need of specific services, The Wall Street Journal reported last month.

In 2013, women accounted for only 4 percent of the World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam-era veterans. But women accounted for 20 percent of veterans who served on active duty since September 2001, according to the BLS.

The VA appears to be unequipped to take on the medical needs of female veterans, which could affect their job-seeking efforts.

For one, female veterans often experience post-traumatic stress disorder -- more so than their male peers. Women in need of prostheses require varying adjustments, particularly during pregnancy, and one-third of VAs don’t have a gynecologist on staff, according to The Journal.

Sonia Whipp, a veteran who enlisted right out of high school and deployed three times to Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq, is one of the five female veterans featured in the Redbook piece who has had trouble finding work.

"No one needs my skills," she told the magazine. “I want my 5-year-old daughter to see me with a career. She didn't see me when I was at my strongest, and I want her to -- but I don't know if she ever will.”


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Gloria Steinem On The Great Part Of Feminism: 'We Have Each Other's Backs'

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Two of feminism's biggest icons chatted, reminisced and debated Monday night with a theater full of people listening in.

On Oct. 6 feminist author and scholar-in-residence bell hooks interviewed her old friend Gloria Steinem at The New School about how far the feminist movement has brought women, and how much further we have to go.

The two women, who are among the pioneers of second wave feminism, noted that the feminist identity can sometimes be a difficult label to wear. When hooks asked what has helped Steinem on her long journey of feminism and what has become the most important, she answered simply: "You, bell."

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Gloria Steinem and bell hooks in conversation at Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts.


"[Feminism is] about friends and sisters and community," Steinem went on. "The good part and the great part is that it's about chosen family. We have each other's backs and that is so precious. It's not that our birth families aren't important it's just important in a different way. In the movement and in friendships we get to pick people with similar interests and values."

Both hooks and Steinem agreed that the continued support from one another has helped the feminist movement make progress. As hooks said early in the interview, "If you can buy shoes together, you can do politics together." In other words, similar interests and values forge paths and movements -- and bring support to one another when it's most needed.

Towards the end of the talk, a young woman in the audience asked Steinem how she unfailingly attempts to dismantle the patriarchy day in and day out. "Everyone worries about what we should be doing. Do whatever you can," Steinem urged the woman.

Whether it's joining an activist group or getting involved on a local level, Steinem reminded the audience that change doesn't happen when looking at the big picture, it starts with small steps.

Steinem finished the discussion by telling the crowd to tackle feminist issues "one situation at a time. If you think about it all at once you will become paralyzed. Go for the particular."

'Rich Kids Of Tehran' Instagram Raises Eyebrows

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An Instagram account called Rich Kids of Tehran is prompting headlines for more than just its subject matter.

The account, which is modeled on the popular profile Rich Kids Of Instagram, posts photos of what appear to be members of Tehran's young elite galavanting around the Islamic Republic with fancy sports cars and designer watches. Since its first posting on Sept. 13, the profile has gathered over 50,000 followers.

The account is raising eyebrows, in part, for showcasing alcohol and young women who appear without the traditional hijab, or headscarf -- and, in several cases, clad only in bikinis. The BBC notes that Iranian law mandates that women cover their hair with a headscarf while in public and dress modestly; however, those rules are not enforced in private places, where some of the photos appear to be set. And though drinking alcohol is forbidden in the country, many members of the wealthy class imbibe in the privacy of their homes, according to The Independent.

(Story continues below.)

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Be Different #RichKidsOfTehran #Tehran #Iran #Style #Fashion #Persian #Lifestyle Ax Az: @sigarpapi

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Gathering in Tehroon #RichKidsOfTehran #Tehran #Iran #Persian #Luxury #Lavish #Lifestyle #Gathering Ax Az: @miiityy

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Vakhte Estakhr Hads Bezanin Kojast Inja #RichKidsOfTehran #Luxury #Lavish #RKOI #Richkidsofinstagram #Pool #Persian #Tehran #Iran Ax Az: @seyednima

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In the Streets of North Tehran ♦️ #RichKidsOfTehran #Tehran #Iran #Persian #Ferrari #458 #Luxury #Lifestyle #Lavish #Elite #Richkidsofinstagram #Richkids #RKOI #Supercars

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Mazeharo Amade ✌️ #RichKidsOfTehran #Iran #Luxury #Lifestyle #Party

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The lavish displays of wealth and skin are a side of Iran seldom shown, but the account is also drawing attention because it was created on the heels of a government crackdown on social media activities. Last month, for example, seven young Iranians received suspended sentences of jail time and 91 lashes for posting a video online of themselves dancing to Pharrell’s “Happy.”

Many of those photographed are reportedly the offspring of the country's ruling class, leaving little room for fear of repercussion.

“Most of them have fathers who are untouchable,” an IT consultant in Tehran told the London Times. “If they get in trouble it will disappear.”

"Of course, as with everything else in Iran, there’s always a way to get what you want," wrote Egypt-based analyst Holly Dagres in the Middle Eastern news site Al-Monitor. "And as is made clear by this Instagram account, Iran’s elitist youth couldn't care less what rules are being implemented; they’ll just break them and continue being their spoiled, rich selves and party the night away."

In a posting Tuesday, the person or people behind the account announced that its purpose is apolitical -- and said not everyone who appears in its photos are residents of Iran.

"We Love our city of Tehran. We are in no way trying to put a difference between rich and poor. We are trying to show the world how beautiful Tehran and people from Tehran are. The Middle East is always on TV receiving negative attention and we just wanted to show that Tehran is not like that. This page is in no way political and we never had any bad intentions. We never thought the page would make headlines all over the world. Some of the people featured in this Instagram account don't live in Iran. #richkidsoftehran #welovetehran"


The flashy page has inspired counter social media accounts, including one called Poor Kids of Tehran. That account showcases life for some other resident so of the capital. Although the Iranian government generally refuses to provide poverty statistics, according to PBS, government researchers said in 2011 that about half of Iran's urban population lives below the poverty line.

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Faghat be ehterame onayi ke hatta maniye luxury va lavish o in chiza ro nemidonan va ba jooneshon noon dar miyaran #PoorKidsOfTehran #Tehran #Iran #Persian #Savings #Lifestyle #PoorKidsOfTehran Ax az : ......

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See Who Got Married This Weekend!

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There's something about autumn that makes you want to pucker up and give your boo a kiss. Check out all of the sweet smooches from our readers who tied the knot this weekend below:





If you go to a wedding or get married yourself, tweet a photo to @HuffPostWedding or email it to us afterwards so we can feature it on the site!

Check out more of this week's Real Weddings photos in the slideshow below:



Keep in touch! Check out HuffPost Weddings on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Wearing Fall Fashion Trends as a Plus-Size Woman

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Leaves are turning, mornings are chilly again and you're not sure if you want to buy a pumpkin spice candle or drink a pumpkin spice latte. It's fall! The season also heralds the beginning of a new year for fashion. You might have already dog-eared some pages of your favorite fashion magazine's September issue. You're just like any other woman enjoying fall fashion trends -- except you're plus-size.

Until recently, plus-size girls who wanted to wear the trends had to wait at least two full seasons to find them. If you wanted a sculptural blazer or were questionably drawn to harem pants (weren't we all), you scoured your usual haunts only to come back home with your bank balance intact. Two years later, there they'd be on a rack before you. But by then, both you and fashion world had moved on to other things. The tide is turning though.

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Yes, those are faux leather trousers. It's easier than ever to find current trends in your size. Somewhere, there is a robe coat or oversized, drop waist dress with your name on it. You will probably have to shop online for it, but it's a step in the right direction. I share outfits and tips on my style blog, Jay Miranda, the ethos of which is that great plus-size outfits are the result of savvy shopping, creativity and a bit of moxie. Great style is not about blending into the crowd, but about standing out in the best way possible. None of the fall fashion trends are off limits to plus-size women, but here are a few of my favorites and a few tips.

Robe Coats: Good for wrapping around yourself on chilly days, this also happens to be the most essential piece of clothing to wear to your meet-cute at the local café. Ladylike silhouettes work well, but choose your coat slightly oversized so you have enough room for a sweater while looking like a trendsetter.

Plaid: Cast aside any schoolgirl memories. This season, plaid is one of the most popular and elegant patterns you can wear. I got the plaid coat I'm wearing in the photo above from a client I've worked with in the past, plus-size fashion shop Navabi, which stocks some of my favorite labels like Carmakoma and Manon Baptiste. The Europeans currently have the edge when it comes to fast fashion too, as seen in the continued success of UK plus-size fashion retailer ASOS Curve.

Bright Fur: If I could find a magenta faux-fur cropped jacket in my size, I'd certainly add it to my closet. For now, I am happy with a pair of calf hair ankle boots in a plumy hue. Remember, accessories like shoes, bags and jewelry can be an easy way to add trends to your fall outfits without worrying about sizes.

Knits on Knits: The coziest of fabrications, knits are notoriously plus-size friendly and this can be one trend you shop in both straight and plus-size. My favorite iteration of the trend is wearing a knit skirt and semi-slouchy sweater. Or, you can try a set that features a knit trouser, but wear a fancy flat or heeled shoe to ward off any loungewear connotations.

Fall Colors: There is no singular fall color, but some of the trending tones that made the biggest impression on me are: gray, black and white, cobalt and mauve.

For more plus-size fashion, outfits and tips, visit my blog jaymiranda.com or find me on Instagram @pinklip.

This Perfume Is What A Well-Traveled Woman Smells Like

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A bit about me, dear reader: I'm a woman who loves manly fragrances. So when I walked into Barneys New York and got one whiff of Maiyet, the latest scent in their designer fragrance collection, I was completely enamored.

What Is It?

The musky fragrance is a unique collaboration between Maiyet co-founders Paul van Zyl and Kristy Caylor and master perfumer Ralf Schwieger. The trio bottled up exotic notes like saffron from India, patchouli from Indonesia, vanilla from Madagascar and bergamot from Italy for a perfume that I imagine smells like a well-traveled woman.

maiyet fragrance
Miayet Eau de Parfum, $195, Barneys.com


How I Wore It

There's a whole lot going on inside this perfume's frosted glass bottle. But that didn't stop me from wearing it along with Degree Men's Deodorant for a bold, yet not overpowering, aroma.

It took just one quick spritz in the morning for Maiyet to cling to my skin and not to my clothes for the entire day. I also found it quite pleasurable whenever I rested my face against my hand and could smell a trace of it along the inside of my wrists and side of my neck.

Rating: 5 out of 5. This striking scent is like the passport of perfumes -- the journey it takes your senses on is well worth the cost.

Barneys New York provided a sample of the Maiyet fragrance for review purposes.
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