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Hilary Duff Tells Health Magazine She Was 'Way Too Skinny' As A Teen

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As cover star of Health's December issue, Hilary Duff told the magazine that she's at a very comfortable place in her life -- with motherhood, her career and her body. But the singer and actress, who rose to fame at a young age thanks to her leading role on Disney Channel's "Lizzie McGuire," says she didn't always feel that way. The 27-year-old got candid with Health about her struggles with her weight as a teen:

When I was 17, I weighed, like, 98 pounds. I was totally obsessed with everything I put in my mouth. I was way too skinny. Not cute. And my body wasn’t that healthy -- my hands would cramp up a lot because I wasn’t getting the nutrition I needed. That constant pressure of wanting something different than I had? I regret that. I feel like there was way too much time spent thinking about that.


Thankfully, these days the mother of one says she's confident with her body:

“This is the body that I have. I have a very athletic build, and I am so proud of what my body has done for me. I had the best, healthiest, strongest pregnancy. And I feel good about myself."

Read the full interview with Hilary Duff here, and pick up a copy of Health's December issue on newsstands November 14.

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3 Reasons Why Bra Brands Should Welcome Men With Breasts

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More and more men are struggling to find bras to support their developing breasts. Gynecomastia (male breast growth) is a well-documented medical condition linked to several causes, and is a side effect of many common prescription and over-the-counter drugs. According to some experts, nearly half of all men will experience gynecomastia at some point in their lives but will be too embarrassed to consult a physician about the problem. The only treatment options for men who grow breasts are (a) breast reduction surgery, or (b) wearing a bra.

Why should the intimate apparel industry pay attention to this non-traditional group of potential bra buyers?

First, their numbers are growing. While some choose surgery (over 20,000 annually, with male breast reduction surgeries up 13 percent since 2000), it's not an option for everyone. Many can't afford the cost or aren't medically eligible. Their stories can be found on the very active gynecomastia forums, where information on bra wear is shared. There's even a male blogger in Germany who posts helpful bra reviews. But men with breasts don't always know where to buy a bra, or if they'll be rejected by fitters or stores. Many find female friends or a compassionate spouse to help with basic bra issues.

Second, they have a real need. Men with breasts can't hide their breasts under extra baggy t-shirts and jackets. They work in all industries, represent a wide range of ages, and measure from B to H cups. Many are looking for relief from constant back aches, in addition to reducing everyday bounce. Some males look for sports-like compression or classic minimizers, while others appreciate more fashionable bras. Their tastes are as varied as those of female bra buyers.

Third, men with breasts look for quality construction and exhibit solid brand loyalty. They approach bra fit and buying in a very matter-of-fact way. Those who write to me or comment on my blog appreciate well-made bras. They are familiar with brand names like Playtex, Wacoal, and Panache and also Simone Perele, Empriente, and Prima Donna. Unlike some female bra buyers, they're not splurging on a new bra because they're dating someone new. (Quite the contrary, most men with breasts try to keep their bra wear hidden and often wear vests over shirts as extra camouflage.)

It's not clear whether this new bra wearer is taken seriously by the intimate apparel industry. In my conversations with brands at a recent lingerie trade show, no one seemed very interested in talking about this niche market. Instead they laughed off the issue with a "we'll take all customers" attitude. This may represent a willingness to allow men to buy their bras. But there's no real compassion for or focus on treating men as "normal" bra-buying customers.

How could this underserved group be helped? Bra brands could add a male bra fitter to their bra fitting team, if only on-line or as a phone resource. Brands might reach out to the female fitters who have fit men, and ask for their advice. Industry insiders could put together a focus group of guys who wear bras, in order to assess their needs. Bra retailers could train female employees or have policies about men who ask for bra fittings in their stores.

The bra industry could welcome this new group of bra wearers because of the very real medical reasons why men need to wear bras. As one 45-year-old male said, "it's about time that the world is accepting that men also have boobs, and some need to wear a bra."

What do you think? Should bra brands be doing more for the growing population of men who wear bras?

This article first appeared at Lingerie Briefs.

Taylor Swift Jams Out To 'Blank Space' In The Car, And It's Predictably Adorable

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By now, chances are you've seen Taylor Swift's delightfully crazy "Blank Space" video, but this other video of the song is just as much fun.

Instead of wielding knives in a mansion, Swift instead goes cruising with Greg James of BBC Radio 1. The two drive around London, dancing up a storm to Swift's single.

What we wouldn't give to be in the backseat, jammin' out with this duo.

19 Pieces Of Wedding Advice From Married People Who've Been There

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They say hindsight is 20/20 and that's certainly true when it comes to wedding planning.

When you're in the thick of it, it's easy to get bogged down in all of the tiny little details -- the save-the-dates, the favors, the centerpieces etc. That's why we asked married men and women to tell us what unconventional wedding advice they wish someone had told them before they walked down the aisle.

1. "Go for a walk after the ceremony and before the reception, just the two of you." - John Sipf

2. "Have a few disagreements along the way with your groom-to-be. Don't pick fights, but don't back away from them either. Wedding planning is likely one of the first stressful experiences you will have together as a couple. Life will throw many more hurdles along the way, so you might as well get familiar with how you will tackle problems together." - Jessica Wallace

3. "Have snacks delivered and ready when you get to your hotel room after the wedding. You'll probably be too busy to eat dinner!" - Audrey
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4. "Choose a wedding cake you actually want to eat." - Mary McDonough Clark

5. "Go simple! We got married at my parents' home and will celebrate 45 years next week!" - Melinda Greer Green

6. "Don't do a traditional wedding all the way through. Put quirky stuff in that's reflective of you as a couple to keep it interesting." - Lena Covington

7. "Do not spend money on favors for guests. They will never care about the token remembrance like you will!" - Suzanne McCormick

8. "Splurge the most on the honeymoon! It's one of the best parts!" - Jamasee Simms
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9. "When it comes to picking your wedding party, don’t be guilted into choosing a family member who doesn’t fit the bill." - @EarthAngel172 via Twitter

10. "Don't let Pinterest stress you out. You don't need to spend tons of money or DIY everything to have a beautiful wedding." - Julia Pavlovski, Wedding Wise

11. "Look at unconventional venues! Libraries, museums, art galleries etc." - Jamasee Simms
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12. "Stop obsessing. It's just one damn party." - Tamara E. Cohen

13. "Do your speeches before the meal starts. That way those speaking can actually enjoy their meals." - Jane Blacklock ‏

14. "Don't overspend on the dress. Check top name brands that sell evening gowns, not just bridal stores." - Anne P.

15. "Take a moment alone together to absorb the magnitude and beauty of what you've just created!" - Charlotte R. Quider

16. "If you cannot personally afford it without borrowing or putting it on credit cards, then don't do it. Keep it small, intimate, memorable and manageable." - Carrie Pekarek

17. "Write thank-you notes as gifts come in. Don't wait!" - Mary Ellen
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18. "My advice would be keep it simple and romantic. My wedding was a simple occasion at the beach, with only relatives and a few close friends followed by a simple dinner at a local place." - Robert Lynn

19. "Make your wedding as personal as possible since it signifies the start of your new life together. Focus on the special touches that symbolize you, your partner and your lifetime together, more than anyone or anything else. Think of this as the kickoff to your lifetime of marriage, and make it a great day." - Abigail Wilson

*Some responses have been edited/condensed.

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

Tales Of Supermodel Natalia Vodianova's Childhood Left Her Therapist Speechless

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Natalia Vodianova's therapist thought he had heard it all, but according to the supermodel, stories of her impoverished childhood left him floored.

"The first time I went to see a shrink -- New Yorkers will like this story -- it was not a great experience," she told HuffPost Live in a Thursday interview. "The guy told me, 'I’ve seen rockstars, I’ve seen a lot of strange people, drug addicts, and all kinds of people in my life. I’ve never heard a story like this.'"

"It was very difficult," she continued, referring to her youth. "It was difficult, to say the least."

Vodianova, one of Glamour's 2014 Women Of The Year, spoke with HuffPost Live further about growing up in Russia while her mother struggled to make ends meet, often working up to four jobs at once. While her life posing for the world's most esteemed photographers certainly differs from that, Vodianova is committed to giving back to Russia's children with her foundation, Naked Heart, which raises money for playgrounds.

Watch Natalia Vodianova's full conversation with HuffPost Live here.

Sign up here for Live Today, HuffPost Live's new morning email that will let you know the newsmakers, celebrities and politicians joining us that day and give you the best clips from the day before!

6 Short Hairstyles That Won't Make You Look Older

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SPECIAL FROM Grandparents.com

f you're afraid your short hair is making you look older than you really are, you might be right. But odds are it's not your cut that's to blame. It has more to do with your morning routine — also known as styling.

Some short haircuts — like the pixie and the bob — are timeless and ageless, says Mario Russo, Boston hairstylist and owner of Mario Russo salon. But in order for these cuts to be flattering, they have to be styled correctly. "Stiff looking 'helmet hair' can immediately age you, no matter how old you are," says Russo. For softer, livelier looking hair, he suggests avoiding heavy products and embracing your natural texture.

Other youthful styling tricks include side parts, creating waves with a curling iron, and adding as much volume as possible. And even though these small changes barely take any time at all, they often determine whether your haircut is adding or subtracting years from your face.


Read more from Grandparents.com:
7 tips to get maximum benefits from your moisturizer
The 8 best hair removal methods, explained
7 home beauty treatments you can do with tea

Lorde Obviously Didn't Diss Kim Kardashian, She's Way Too Cool For That

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Leave it to Lorde to prove that she's the best and make us feel very old in the process.

The 18-year-old singer explained her monosyllabic comment on Kim Kardashian's Internet-breaking, butt-baring cover, insisting she wasn't dissing her at all.

The singer responded to a fan's question on her Tumblr asking why, if she considers herself to be a feminist, does she think it's okay to judge Kardashian for doing a naked photo shoot simply because she's a mother.

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Lorde explained that she retweeted Kardashian's "AMAZING" cover and wrote "MOM," not as a diss, but as a compliment, which is what the "youthz" are saying today, according to the wunderkind.

"It basically jokingly means 'Adopt me/be my second mom/i think of you as a mother figure you are so epic' (obviously I love my own mama and she is the best tho) but straight after that I think someone else called out the cover saying Kim has no right to look that sexy as she is a mother which is TOTAL trash -- why should that stop her?" Lorde wrote. "If anything I think she gets even more beautiful and sexy all the time like a fine-ass wine, and of course has every right to showcase that."

The singer went on to explain that she believes the problem is that her comments got lumped in with other celebrities who didn't appreciate Kardashian's cover quite as much.

"I am the biggest fan of Jean-Paul Goude and of Grace Jones, as you know, and there’s no way I could support one and not the other you know? It wouldn’t make any sense to worship [Rihanna] in her Swarovski crystal gown at the CFDAs, or Grace naked on the cover of Island Life (as shot by Goude!), and not Kim. To summarize -- Kim’s cover was pure heaven," she added. "So so beautiful. I’m proud to say it’ll be on my wall."

Additionally, Lorde left us with this mystery hanging over our heads:

"PS. I messaged our mutual friend straight away and made sure Kim understood, and she does and all is well. So I hope that’s cleared up. Next time I’ll go for a good old fashioned 'SLAY' instead."

Guesses on the mutual friend?







Coco Rocha Weighs In On Plus-Size Model Controversy: 'We're All Real Women'

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Calvin Klein sparked a debate with their new "Perfectly Fit" underwear campaign, with controversy surrounding the terminology used to describe one of their models, Myla Dalbesio.

Although Dalbesio is "plus-sized" in the fashion industry, many people are saying the size 10 model is "healthy" and represents your "average woman." The campaign images led critics to take to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to bring up the industry's unrealistic beauty standards.

Despite the fact that Calvin Klein never referred to Dalbesio as "plus-size," the 27-year-old model told Elle in a recent interview: "It's kind of confusing because I'm a bigger girl. I'm not the biggest girl on the market, but I'm definitely bigger than all the girls [Calvin Klein] has ever worked with, so that is really intimidating." (This statement definitely didn't diminish the strong public reaction.)

The Huffington Post caught up with model Coco Rocha at the celebration of Autograph Collection's newest hotel Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas at the IAC building in New York City on Thursday, and she weighed in on the always-present "plus-size" model debate.

"I didn't really hear about the Calvin Klein thing ... but I have spoken out on the whole subject of plus-size models -- I don't even like a title: petite, short, high fashion, runway. It should all just be in one genre, it's just a model," she told HuffPost. "Even when they say 'real women.' I hate that too. We're all real. When someone tells me that I'm not real, I say to them, 'Well, what about me isn't real?' I have not changed my figure. This is who I am. My mom [has this body], this is genetics. So for anyone to be called plus-size, petite or 'not real,' it just frustrates me," she said.

Rocha is currently expecting her first child -- a baby girl -- and is looking forward to posing in all her pregnant glory. (That's a real woman right there!)

"I would like to do [a pregnancy shoot]. You always wonder when you get pregnant what projects and opportunities will come in or come knocking," she said. "So there's been some fun and interesting things and we'll see what pans out."

Coco Rocha Created 1000 Poses for Her New Book

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Coco Rocha, a supermodel known for her versatility, just released her first-ever published book, Study of Pose to show off her breathtaking talent and teach others the art of the pose.

The book showcases the 26-year-old Canadian model posing in 1,000 different ways wearing just a simple, tan leotard, which by the way only, "[Took] three days. Although, I keep saying I think we could have done it in one day," said Rocha in our interview last week. Blurring the worlds of fashion and dance over the years, her expressive body language quickly gained her the nickname "Queen of Pose", and her range of curves and contorted twists have featured her in campaigns for the likes of Chanel, Longchamp, Dolce & Gabanna and Christian Dior. The former Face coach, who worked with famed photographer Steven Sebring on the project, admits it was a challenging task but completely doable -- of course it was, she's the posing pro! Sebring shot all 1,000 poses on what he calls his "rig": a geodesic dome filled with cameras that shoot simultaneously, producing images that can be viewed from 360 degrees. The "rig" is the same camera that Rocha used to video her pregnancy announcement.

This December, Coco and Steven will be releasing an app version of the book -- which will include renderings of each pose visible from 360 degrees, and we cannot wait to download it. Last week, Modelinia spoke with the mother-to-be about details on the book, revealing her favorite pose and what she's most looking forward to about being a mother -- read her full interview below:

What inspired the book?

I met our photographer, Steven Sebring, a few years prior to making the book. At the time, he had come up with what we called "the rig," which is essentially a device with 100 cameras and me being shot from the middle. He hadn't yet announced to the world that he had fabricated this technology yet and we were just kind of playing around with it. In one of those sessions, he said that in the Nineties, he actually wanted to create an encyclopedia of poses, but he couldn't quite find the right model. I don't know, maybe models then didn't have a repertoire for posing. When he mentioned this to us, he was just kind of joking about it, but on the side, James and I were thinking 'wow,' this would actually be a really great idea. We could call it Study of Pose. Then for whatever reason,1,000 came up as the number of poses we could include in the book--why 1,000 I don't know, at the time it seemed like an achievable number, but also an aggressive number. And so a week after bringing it to Steven, we started shooting and that was about two years ago. In the book world, things definitely take a lot longer than in magazines, so it was definitely a learning curve for us. But we did it and I think by pose 800 I was done and I thought let's make this book just 800 poses, that's still a really good number, but they were like 'no, you can finish.' And so James and Steven really started to look up inspiration--we wanted to make sure the book was not just random poses, but also made reference to pop culture, art history, and film, all of that. We really wanted this to be more of a great reference book for future artists out there. Models yes, but also painters, sculptors, poets--you name it.

Was it a challenge coming up with those 1,000 poses, or did you find that most of them flowed out of you throughout the process?

When we started, we were really trying to figure out how we go from pose 1 to 1,000 without finding ourselves thinking, "Have we done this before?" So we would go in there and say "okay, let's start with cross legs and from cross legs shift your body in certain directions and do those different variations before moving on to the next thing." If we did ever get stuck at a point that's when James would be ready with a new idea or moment in time like Venus rising from the sea from art history, Michael Jackson from pop culture, or Charlie Chapman from film, to inspire us and have me copy the best that I could. Although, if you ask me, 800 was still the magic number of poses before we really had to start searching for the inspiration.

How long did it take you to actually shoot the 1,000 poses?

Three days. Although, I keep saying I think we could have done it in one day. The only reason it actually took all three days was because we were working with the rig, so not only is there just the book format, but we're also coming out with an app soon, which will show each of these poses in a 360 degree viewing. So with this technology, we would shoot a pose and then we'd have to wait 10-15 seconds for it to reboot, which is far unlike on normal photo-shoots where you could just keep going.

How does the app differ from the actual book?

The book and the app are two totally different experiences. What is so exciting about having both of these mediums, is that the book is an entity of authority--you look at it and it's timeless--but the app is this new way of experiencing an art book. I also keep thinking of a sculptor, who doesn't need a standing subject anymore because he could pick any position in the app and instantly be able to see the entire form right there. I think that's pretty unique in and of itself. They are both a great source of reference, but also two very different experiences.

Did you learn anything new while doing this project?

I think there can no longer be such a thing as hitting a wall on a photo shoot. If I ever hear a photographer say to me 'ok, what else?' I should retire, because that should never happen now having experienced just how much the body is capable of doing. Yes, there are a lot of quirky, fun, ridiculous poses in this book and maybe fashion doesn't want all of that, but on the other hand, I've always been the model that doesn't take herself too seriously and with this project, I've realized that I can go even further with that.

What do you hope up-and-coming models and artist take away from this book?

An experience, if anything. If you think of any past artist, there was something that they looked at that inspired them to make their most famous pieces, whether it be the Mona Lisa or Venus Rising. There was something that made them project those paintings or those photographs, so I would love to think that this book would be that to the future artist or the future models. I love to think that they would look at this and something would click and inspire them to make that next great piece of art hanging in the Louvre. I would like it to be something that is studied in this industry and the art industry as something that artists must-have as if it were studied as part of their curriculum. I think that would be pretty cool.

Do you have a favorite pose out of the 1,000?

Pose 1,000 is pretty hilarious. If only because about halfway through the book we said 'wouldn't it be funny if for the last pose it looked like I was ripping my hair out and my makeup was all smeared because I had been pushed to my limit and just couldn't give you anymore.' So I think that's my favorite pose, but honestly there are a lot of really beautifully pieces in there that I look at now and think, 'how did my body do that?' Even now people will open the book randomly and say 'ok, no repeat that one,' and I look at it and think, 'I don't even know what I'm doing there.' There are some very interesting poses in there for sure.

You announced your pregnancy to the world using the same technology as you used to create the book. What inspired you to announce it in that way?

I think these days there are just so many ways to announce a pregnancy that I just really wanted it to be different. I always like to be a little different and plus, having Steven as a friend and this rig at your fingertips it was just kind of like 'well, why not?' As for now, we're hoping go back each month to take a photo on the rig so that after nine months you can see this little bump growing and spinning into the image of the baby finally being there.

Have you come up with a special pregnancy pose yet? Pose 1,001 perhaps?

No, not yet. Although, maybe there is a pregnancy pose in there somewhere--we'll have to figure that out. It's funny though because when we were filming the pregnancy video I kept thinking 'how am I supposed to hold my hands?' It's actually a really funny thing to think about in the moment. So yeah, I'm going to have to see how this posing with a bump works out.

Has your approach to fashion and style changed at all since learning of your pregnancy?

Not yet. Of course, the pants and shirts are starting to get a little tighter, but I actually can't wait until I actually have to go out and buy new maternity outfits. I'm excited to see what I'm actually going to wear with this little bump. That's what I'm most excited about--showing off my bump. I always remember seeing Heidi Klum and other celebrities walking the red carpet in these perfect red carpet gowns with their baby bumps and thinking, 'will I have the chance to wear a really cool gown like that?' Otherwise, I don't think my style will really change in any way. I always think that some of those moms who are rocking cool fashion looks while walking their little babies in a stroller is just the bomb. You don't have to all of a sudden have to transition into 'mom' outfits from the '90s just because you became a mom.

Speaking of your style, what are some of your key off-duty pieces right now?

I have a huge amount of white button-down shirts right now. They're just really fun to be able to dress up or dress down depending on the occasion. I do tend to wear black heels almost every day. I think it's fun to dress up, although sometimes you do get a little tired of it, but I definitely try to have a different look every day. Like today, today is my menswear-inspired tie day and last night at the K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers Gala was my Zac Posen gown day. It's all about changing it up and having fun it.

Have either your mother or mother-in-law shared any parental words of wisdom with you since learning of your pregnancy?

It's funny because when I first announced that I was pregnant, I was a little afraid of how much advice people were going to share with me, which you take but on the other hand, you're afraid it might just end up overwhelming you. But almost everyone that has given me advice so far has said 'don't listen to anyone's advice.' So I've actually asked my mother and mother-in-law for advice more than they have given me, which has been very nice.

Have you already started shopping?

My mother and mother-in-law are actually in town right now, so they just went to American Apparel and picked up a little zip-up sweater and matching sweater pants and a little black t-shirt--it's adorable. I also have a 'Coco Made Me Do It' tee that I gave to James, which his mom later made into a 'James Made Me Do It' shirt for our wedding and now she's getting a little black t-shirt for the baby that's going to say 'Mommy and Daddy Made Me Do It.' So it's all very cute.

Have you already started nesting?

We're starting to do that very soon. We find out soon if it's a boy or a girl, so once that happens then I'm sure we'll really hone in on the room and stocking up on little boots and pants. I'm one of those people who likes to plan everything out, so for right now I'm just waiting to see what we're having before starting any decorating.

What are looking forward to most about being a mother?

Wow, I don't know, everything! I'm excited to see who this little person is, what he or she is going to look like, will they have his [James] lips--I hope they have his lips--whose personality will they have? I think all of that is really interesting.

More on Modelinia.com:

Heidi Klum is the Face of Sharper Image's Holiday Campaign!


Drink Up! Alessandra, Coco and Lindsay Share Their Smoothie Recipes

What Is Going On With Robert Pattinson's Hair?

Naya Rivera Pokes Fun At Her Kim K Diss: 'Instagram Got Me In Trouble'

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Well, Naya Rivera seems very pleased with herself.

The "Glee" actress made headlines on Wednesday after she shared her disapproval of Kim Kardashian's butt-baring Paper magazine cover. On Friday, the 27-year-old decided to add a little more fuel to the fire by posting a pic with Instagram co‑founder and CEO Kevin Systrom, and writing "#instagramgotmeintrouble" (though it's less about what she wrote and more about expression on her face).

#instagramgotmeintrouble @kevin

Naya Rivera Dorsey (@nayarivera) tarafından paylaşılan bir fotoğraf on



The trouble Rivera might be talking about is what Kardashian's best friend Jonathan Cheban had to say about her after she dissed the reality star.

"After a year-long tour of impersonating Kim, she decided to come out of her shell and make a real statement about Kim's Paper cover (which has to be one of the hottest, if not the hottest cover all year). As expected, she's getting some press and when all else fails, use Kim," Cheban wrote on his blog The Dishh. "I'm personally disgusted that after badgering Kim all year and trying to hang out and do business together, she goes and tries to make a statement like this. Yes, Kim is a mother, BUT WHO CARES ... have you ever heard of a MILF?! The world wants to see her all day like 1010 Wins. Paper is one of the artsiest magazines and has a legendary reputation for being creative and edgy. Who the f*ck is Naya to throw in her meaningless comments??"

Cheban added, "We all know you want to be Kim, but you don't got it boo, and the only cover you will be gracing is the Single White Female 2 straight to DVD box set. Here are some of your legendary impersonations!"

Going Grey? Think Pink!

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There is so much ironic about this post title, I don't know where to start.

Perhaps at the top.

I love to eat pink food -- cotton candy, Pink Popcorn (those stale bricks of faded red popcorn sold at carnivals and state fairs, typically lined up in the sun in front of the register), gummy hearts, cherry-frosted donuts. But I never, ever wear pink. Pink screams, or rather whispers, girly. And pink or any flower pastels transform me into a mental wall flower, a bland brand of a woman that just washes into the background until I don't even exist.

However.

As I've noted in prior posts, I'm deep in the trenches in my battle against grey hair, and losing. Badly. By ground attack, water assault and drone strikes, those greys keep advancing, destroying my dome. My poor brown follicles have surrendered and now don the drab, grey uniform of the old enemy.

It's not even a fair fight. Somehow men with grey temples look distinguished, sexy even. Women are not blessed with "going grey" as a positive older attribute, especially people like me, who work in marketing around people half my age. And truth be told, I look awful with grey hair. I just do. I'd kill to be one of the many women who look stunning with grey hair, but you can't have everything.

But wait, why not? Since when do I give up so easily? This means war.

So I stormed into Hair Candy in the Mission to see Jubilee, my hair stylist and comrade, and we plotted our attack. Our strategy involved pressing the most benign of colors, pale pink, into action to win the fight against grey. And you know what? It's winning!

Why?

• Pink plays well with the in-coming greys, so I don't have those awful days between appointments when my dark hairs just give up. Less contrast = more alluring.

• Speaking of contrasts, I do love the contrast between light pink hair and my dark eyes. I now play them up by darkening my eyebrows, and wearing a little eyeliner, which I love.

• Surprisingly, pink works well with most skin tones, and softens me up considerably. As I've gotten older and my lines and features have hardened, soft = good.

• And to that end, I've been told I look "more youthful". Which never gets old.

• My pink hair makes me feel fun, pretty, different, and more me than I think I ever have. Pink? Yeah, pink!

I'm not saying everyone should try pink, but maybe it's time to use this time of our lives to experiment with color, since our own hair is experimenting on us against our will. Lavender, light green -- hell, maybe it's time to a turn becoming a "blue haired lady" into a complement, a fashion statement, a, "hell yes, I am!"

So now that I've invited pink to my head, I'm obsessed with inviting pink into my closet, where grey holds court. Yes, while I loathe my grey hair, I do love grey apparel. Go figure.

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1: Moschino skirt, Net-A-Porter. 2: Issey Miyake pink Bao Bao Bag, Matches. 3: Wildfox pink kitten sunglasses, Bloomingdales. 4: Pink Birkenstocks, Modcloth. 5: MSGM faux fur jacket, Farfetch. 6: Vivetta oversized pink coat, Avenue 32.

For more of our style musings where we "Give Father Time the Finger", please visit us at Blank Stare, Blink.

Earlier on Huff/Post50:



Neil Patrick Harris And David Burtka Star In London Fog's Holiday Fashion Campaign

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Two months after their fairytale nuptials, newlyweds Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka are suiting up once again.

The dashing pair have been tapped by London Fog as the stars of the iconic brand's holiday marketing campaign. Released on Nov. 14, the stunning, black-and-white ads show Harris and Burtka sharing a playful embrace while wearing a series of smartly tailored pieces from London Fog's signature outerwear collection, and will launch in January issues of fashion and lifestyle magazines.

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The campaign, Harris said in a press release, is the couple's first. "We've done photo shoots before, but have never represented a brand," he added.

Calling London Fog "a brand rich in heritage," Burtka noted, "It’s nice to be a part of that history now."

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Earlier this year, similarly stylish duo Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent starred in a Banana Republic fashion campaign.

Burtka is set to hit the stage of New York's 54 Below later this month in "Burtka, David," a new cabaret show directed by Harris, who nabbed a Tony Award for his role in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" on Broadway.

View images from the campaign, as well as some color behind-the-scenes shots, in the slideshow below:

Tina Fey Summed Up Kim Kardashian's Nude Photo Shoot 3 Years Before It Even Happened

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No, Tina Fey isn't clairvoyant, but she did hint at why so many of us can't take our eyes off of Kim Kardashian's recent nude photo shoot with Paper Magazine in her book Bossypants three years ago.

As Twitter user Ryan Nelson pointed out on Nov. 13, Tina Fey briefly discussed Kim K's booty in her best-selling memoir Bossypants and summed up why we're all so enamored with it better than any blog, think piece or news article has in the last three days.

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If you're reading this on a mobile device, here's the full text:

"I think the first real change in women’s body image came when JLo turned it butt-style. That was the first time that having a large-scale situation in the back was part of mainstream American beauty. Girls wanted butts now. Men were free to admit that they had always enjoyed them. And then, what felt like moments later, boom—Beyoncé brought the leg meat. A back porch and thick muscular legs were now widely admired. And from that day forward, women embraced their diversity and realized that all shapes and sizes are beautiful.

Ah ha ha. No. I’m totally messing with you. All Beyoncé and JLo have done is add to the laundry list of attributes women must have to qualify as beautiful. Now every girl is expected to have Caucasian blue eyes, full Spanish lips, a classic button nose, hairless Asian skin with a California tan, a Jamaican dance hall ass, long Swedish legs, small Japanese feet, the abs of a lesbian gym owner, the hips of a nine-year-old boy, the arms of Michelle Obama, and doll tits. The person closest to actually achieving this look is Kim Kardashian, who, as we know, was made by Russian scientists to sabotage our athletes."

Truth. Tina, FTW:




H/T Time

You Could Become A Millionaire If You Visit Old Navy On Black Friday

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The store: Old Navy

The time: 4 p.m on Thanksgiving until close on Black Friday (check your local store for hours).

The deals: The entire store will be 50 percent off during the unprecedented 31 hours of shopping and Old Navy is bringing back their “Overnight Millionaire” giveaway. The first 100 customers to line up in the more than 800 Old Navy stores across the U.S. at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving will receive a game card, loaded with the chance to win $1 million.

Click here for H&M's Black Friday sale.


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Stylish Twins From Cincinnati

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Two of my friends from college (The Oylers from Cincinnati, Ohio) are always posting picture of their adorable twins (Izzy & Gabby). Of course, parents are always posting pictures of their children to their social media outlets. What really caught my attention is the stylish clothing worn by these little girls. Izzy and Gabby must be the best dressed twins in the Midwest!

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photo credit: Kristen Oyler

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photo credit: Cream-n-Cocoa-Photography

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photo credit: Cream-n-Cocoa-Photography

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photo credit: Cream-n-Cocoa-Photography

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photo credit: Kristen Oyler

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photo credit: Cream-n-Cocoa Photography

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photo credit: Kristen Oyler

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photo credit: Kristen Oyler

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photo credit: Kristen Oyler

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photo credit: Cream-n-Cocoa-Photography

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photo credit: Kristen Oyler

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photo credit: Cream-n-Cocoa-Photography

My Mom's Sari(s): Worth More Than Its Weight in Gold

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The NPR piece, "Love is Saying 'Sari'" made me reflect on my connection to the sari as well as my own experiences with potential loss and the importance of leaving a legacy.

My sister and I sit in my parent's bedroom as my mom looks through her sari(s), gently touching the fabric and examining the borders of each almost as if she is looking at a collection of dolls, elephants or other knickknacks that someone collects. She sighs about not having anywhere to wear them as she has worked two jobs...days, evenings and weekends...most of her adult life. She finally says to us, matter of fact, this is the sari I want to be buried in.

My dad calls to tell me that he is going to ask my cousin for the number to a lawyer so he and my mom can put together a will. My mother was diagnosed with late stage ovarian cancer four years ago and I feel incredibly lucky (privileged) that she has lived long enough to see me get married, finish my doctoral degree, and meet my little one. I don't want to think about losing a parent let alone end of life logistics related to what my mother will pass onto my siblings and I. My thoughts turn to the countless number of saris that she has painstakingly folded and stuffed in a number of places, in a suitcase or bureau. Stuffed so tightly, that if I pull one out, an endless rainbow of brightly colored sari(s) fall out on the floor, magenta, green, red and yellow. Each of the sari(s) tell a story...the faded off white wedding sari, the geometric patterned sari that she wore when she first came to the U.S., and the stiff Kerala sari that one of her brothers bought her.

As a Malayali, born in India but raised in the U.S., I have had an interesting relationship to the sari. In college, it was some sort of cultural badge of honor for my friends and I to know how to properly put on a sari. And if you knew different styles of draping, Gujarati, South Indian or Bengali, then you were a bonafied sari expert. The sari has also represented some sort of class equalizer. To the naked eye you would not see any clear socioeconomic distinctions between me and my friends or my mother and other aunties. You can always hide a cheap pair of shoes under the endless folds of material. And in professional or social spaces, I can always count on continual "oohs" and "ahhs" over me if I don a sari. In these moments, I reluctantly play the part of a cultural tour guide talking about bindi(s) and mendhi. The sari also has a meaning for me related to bodies and body image. I grew up seeing aunties of all sizes and shapes wearing a sari, many times proudly exposing stomach rolls and back fat.

There are many unexpected lessons I have learned from six to nine yards of cloth. As I carefully fold and put away my wedding sari and my manthrakodi in my modest NYC apartment, I think about my mom. When my mom's time comes, she will have passed along more to me than she will ever know.

The Plus Sized Thang

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There's a whole lot of fuss in the fashion world right now about this lady, Myla Dalbesio. She is Calvin Klein's new lingerie model. All the ruckus over her stems from the fact that this 27-year-old stunner is a size 10 and she's not on Calvin's plus sized campaign but in their regular sized marketing.

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Oh my god! The horror! A size 10 in her underwear on regular ads for regular girls. How could they? Call me nuts, but I think she looks crazy hot in her Underoos.

I have a whole lot of opinions when it comes to plus size versus regular size because I have a whole lot of experience. Over the course of two years, I have lost half of my body weight. I went from a size 28/30 to a 12/14 so this kind of stuff pisses me off in a way that unless you have been there, you cannot possibly comprehend.

This is a self-portrait with my friend Payton from a few years ago. (That's me there on the right)

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This is a self-portrait of me from September.

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You don't get to live in a body like that without developing some hard-core body image issues. Even with all of the work I've done to get to this size I still have a hard time. Seeing stories like this in the news doesn't help. I mean really, if someone who looks like Myla can be judged and told she's "plus sized" then there is no hope for me. What was the point of going through everything I did to get here? If she's too fat, then I'm seriously fucked.

I hate that there is even plus-sized versus regular-sized in the first place. It's one of the last acceptable forms of segregation and judgment. Yes, I said segregation. It's only been in the last couple of years that women over a size 14 were even allowed to shop with everyone else. Before that, we had to shop in our own stores.

Oh, and the choices! If you were lucky you might live in a town with one or two places to buy clothing. Mostly though you were stuck with crap you found online or you saved up for a trip to a city where you might just get lucky and find three or four places to shop.

Trick here is that even our own industry screwed us. The clothes were (and still are) exorbitantly priced when compared to regular clothing and the quality was (and still is) shit. "Fashion", for the most part is a hilarious term for plus sized clothing. Especially when you get into a size 20 or larger. It's primarily all Mumu's and knit separates. And it's all the exact same cut. I guess every woman over a size 16 must have a huge ass, be 5'5 and have enormous breasts, because that's the cut. Straight across the board.

That in itself is infuriating, because I'm tall. I've got ridiculously long, skinny, bird legs and I have no ass at all. It's flat as a pancake. Even when I was a size 28 I had no ass. I didn't wear pants for a decade because every single pair of pants in my size made me look like I was waiting on the big flood and in the meantime, had taken a shit the size of Detroit in my jeans. Not good.

All bodies are different. They are like fingerprints. We are not all built alike and it sucks that over half the population of women are stuck shopping at three or four boutique shops that only carry that same short, wide cut while there is an endless supply of stores that carry every imaginable cut and style as long as you are a 14 or smaller.

I'm lucky now because at my size, there aren't any options that are not available to me. I can shop in the regular sized stores or the plus sized ones. And it's getting better. More stores are carrying "plus-sized" sections. Target, H&M and Forever 21 are some of my favorites. They actually have some really "fashionable" things for bigger gals. And all-hail the Forever 21 skinny jean in a size 14! First pants ever that not only fit my flat ass, but actually make me look like I have a little bedonk going on back there.

But even as great as that is, it still feels really segregated. The plus sized sections are always located way in the back, in a dark corner. Completely hidden from the windows, entrance or anywhere really that shoppers might have to encounter the dreaded fat girl. And the pickins are painfully slim. There are only a few racks; so few that you can literally turn around in H&M's section and that's it. You've seen it all. This fall you have your choice of three sweaters, two pairs of leggings, one pair of jeans and a single coat. Ah yes, thank you for this vast and stunning display of colors, textures and fabrics in which to cloak my hideous body!

I digress; we are getting better. As a society we are getting better. Victoria's Secret just took a rash of backlash for it's latest campaign. There were eight rail thin models lined up on their tippy toes (Why they are on their tippy toes, I am not sure) with the words "The Perfect Body" splashed across the front of it.

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Whoa! Hang on a second. That's it. That's the perfect body. No other bodies are perfect, just the women who look like this. People got pissed about it and I get it. There were 26,000 signatures on a Change.org petition for the company to pull the ad. They complied... a little. It's the same ad, but they changed the wording to "A Body for Every Body."

But that doesn't make sense at all. It's the same girls. So now these are all the bodies? There are no other body shapes or sizes? It's still offensive if you ask me. Even smoking hot Myla doesn't stand a chance against these girls. Which means that I, in my size 14 skinny jeans am still super fucked!

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Myla and her underwear... I really do think she looks great. She doesn't look "plus sized" to me, and it breaks my heart into a million tiny pieces to think, "If there is outrage over her size 10 self, then what the hell kind of hideous monster must people think I am every time I walk out the door." It makes me feel ugly and ashamed of myself. I hate that.

I hate it because I know a whole lot of women of all sizes and shapes feel the same way. I know there is a girl out there right now who saw an article about Myla or the Victoria's Secret ad and just said, "fuck it" and ate that leftover cupcake. There is a girl out there who threw in the towel and skipped the gym. There are women who felt like I did and thought, "What's the point? I'll never be good enough." and just gave up.

But I didn't give up. I felt like shit for a minute and then I sat down and blogged all this out for you. I leashed up the dogs and took a walk. I picked out something pretty to wear tonight and I decided to do something to really piss people off.

If Myla in her lingerie ad caused such a big commotion, then I can't wait to see what the world thinks of me in mine. I'm no Myla, but I'm a real goddamned woman. And I think I look fucking great!

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Take that fashion industry! Take that Calvin Klein! Take that Victoria's Secret! Take that America! Take that shit in. Take it all in. Put me in any category you want, but you can't make me feel bad about myself any more and I beg the rest of you not to let them take you down either. I am the perfect body and so are you.

Epiblog: A place for paying it forward and supporting artists, entrepreneurs and people who inspire me. I hope you find some inspiration here too.

This weeks Epiblog is dedicated to Payton Kemp. Payton herself went from a size 14 to a size 6 over the last two years. She still struggles with the same issues we all do, but she is so body positive for women of all sizes that she is an inspiration. She works in the fashion industry as a stylist, model and wardrobe person. She is also a great blogger. You can find some inspiration from Payton at her blog "Paytons Place"
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Embracing Who You Are

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For many years I've been blessed by my friendship with Pamela Ferrell, one of the country's leading experts on natural Black hair. Pamela and her husband Taalib-Din Uqdah co-founded the Washington, D.C. hair salon Cornrows & Co. in 1980, pioneering the natural hair care movement with African-inspired braids and hairstyles. They point out that their philosophy and the natural product line they created for their styles long predated today's green movement: Cornrows & Co. has always featured a chemical-free salon with plant-based products, focusing both on protecting each client's health and using products that are locally made and safe for the earth. Today, using chemical-free products and embracing "natural beauty" have gained traction in many mainstream circles -- yet both are still sometimes considered countercultural for African Americans, especially when it comes to Black women's hair. But that tide has been slowly but surely changing, and over the years Pamela has been a leading and persistent voice championing Black women -- and girls, and boys and men -- embracing who they are.

In September 2014, Pamela was honored at the Pentagon for her admirable work. As an experienced business owner and published author, she assisted the Army's review of hairstyle policies by providing valuable information and samples of natural hairstyles before a panel of Army personnel leaders reviewing new grooming rules that had declared twists and locks unauthorized. Her presentation covered the factual differences between "circle" and "straight" hair types and the negative results that can come from policies restricting natural hairstyles made by authorities with no actual expertise on hair, "like women being forced to straighten their hair with caustic chemicals while in remote places like Iraq where running water is unpredictable." The Army ultimately revised its guidelines. Pamela gave similar testimony in 1993 when the Navy banned braids, and over the last thirty years her company initiated lawsuits against Hyatt and Marriott Hotels, American Airlines, the Smithsonian Institution security guards' supervisors, and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department in support of allowing braided hairstyles in the workplace. She's said that she believes her role supporting "hair diversity" is to educate corporations and organizations so they can make grooming policies based on factual knowledge about hair instead of uninformed or racially-based generalizations about "bad" hairstyles. But as a hairstylist specializing in natural Black hair, Pamela has understood from the beginning that much of her work involves changing her clients' own misguided stereotypes about what their hair is "supposed" to be and do and what constitutes "good" and "bad" hair.

2014-11-14-cornrows.jpgIt's hardly secret that the straighter hairstyles once considered the main standard for professionalism -- and beauty -- for Black women often came from changing their hair's natural texture to mimic the texture of White people's hair. Ironically, as difficult as it was for natural braids and similar styles to become widely accepted for Black women, those styles have always been the standard of beauty for young Black girls. Many Black women still remember the hours they spent sitting between a mother's or grandmother's knees having their hair braided. I certainly do. The elaborate styles decorated with beads, barrettes, and bows have long showcased the creativity and love that goes into caring for Black girls' hair. But for many little Black girls, the day finally came when a bowl of lye or a straightening iron from the stove turned their rows of braids into straight ponytails or short little bobs. Abandoning styles based on their natural textures in favor of "Whiter" styles was a rite of passage on their way to Black womanhood.

With the "Black is beautiful" mantra that emerged in the 1960s, those attitudes slowly started to change. I was among many who proudly wore an "afro." Long, straight hairstyles were no longer the universal standard as more and more Black and multiracial women celebrated the individuality, creativity, beauty, and diversity of their natural God-given textures. Pamela has been at the forefront of this movement since the beginning; her book Let's Talk Hair is a classic for Black women dedicated to having healthy, natural hair, and her follow-up Kids Talk Hair, for which I had the privilege of writing the foreword, emphasized how important it is to teach all of our children to love their hair and themselves exactly as they are. But the fact that in 2014 Pamela Ferrell is still being invited to appear before authorities just to affirm that natural Black hairstyles have a right to exist shows we still have a way to go.

Today, teaching Black children that they don't have to have straight hair or look like anyone else or stop being who they are in order to be accepted is another way of reaffirming that they are already perfect exactly the way God made them. This is a critical message for Black children and parents, and at the same time it's a message every child needs to hear. It's a message about self-confidence, self-acceptance, tolerance, and celebrating difference that is much bigger than choosing a hairstyle.

This Jewelry Brand Has Destroyed 40,000 Illegal Weapons Through Its Charitable Giving

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Peter Thum saw preteens carrying rifles while he was in Kenya and Tanzania. Disturbed by the sight, the social entrepreneur decided to become a catalyst for change.

And to use jewelry to do it.

Thum is a co-founder of Fonderie 47 -- a brand of watches, bracelets, rings and other accessories helping rid Central Africa of deadly weaponry. The brand's items are in part created with melted down and recycled metal from AK-47s seized through disarmament efforts in the region, according to NPR.

Although not everyone may be able to purchase Fonderie 47's high-end items, a portion of each sale helps support Mines Advisory Group -- an international organization that removes and destroys weapons that remain after conflict. For example, one $195,000 watch ensures the demolition of 1,000 weapons, according to Fast Track.

Thum is not new to the humanitarianism scene. About 13 years ago, he founded Ethos Water -- a bottled water brand that donated a share of its profits toward sanitation and clean water efforts in the developing world. Ethos Water was sold to Starbucks in 2005.

Thum's eye-opening experience in Africa occurred while the entrepreneur was visiting safe water projects in the region.







According to Mines Advisory Group, the Cold War created arms supply routes across the globe. As a result, many regions around the world are now home to surplus amounts of weaponry. The United Nations said illegal weapons in Central Africa increase cross-border crime and complicate international relations in the region, Voice of America reported.

"This is a very tangible action," Thum told NPR of supporters buying jewelry to help the cause. "It's not a peace conference. Let's take a device that makes people dead and get rid of it."

Because of Fonderie 47, more than 40,000 weapons have been confiscated through the Mines Advisory Group, Fast Track reported, with the majority being from Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Thum's success spurred him to bring his international idea home through Liberty United -- a jewelry company where "every purchase helps stop gun violence in America." The company, launched last year, uses jewelry sales to support local efforts curbing gun violence -- such as the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, CeaseFirePA, and the Newburgh Armory Unity Center -- according to Fast Track.

On Oct. 16, Liberty United announced a partnership with Cook County, Illinois -- which encompasses Chicago -- allowing the company to repurpose illegal guns collected by law enforcement. A portion of profits will boost area nonprofit efforts fighting gun violence, according to a press release.

"Our gun violence epidemic is destroying communities and setting back an entire generation of young Chicagoans," Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart said. "With this partnership, we're taking guns that would otherwise be incinerated and turning them into something beautiful, while benefiting a local organization working on the front lines to stop the bloodshed."

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