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Ben Affleck And Jennifer Garner Make A Glamorous Red Carpet Appearance

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Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner made quite the gorgeous couple in New York City Wednesday night.

Affleck and Garner hit the red carpet together for the Save the Children Illumination Gala at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan. She opted for a black Calvin Klein dress, while he looked dapper in a dark suit.

The actor was honored with the Global Child Advocate Award for his work with the organization.

"He works on Eastern Congo Initiative, and I work on the U.S. programs for Save the Children, and within that, I really work on getting kids started on the right foot from birth to 5, helping families get their kids up and ready for school and healthy," Garner said, per the Associated Press, adding: "We don't scatter our energy around."

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Anna Wintour Just Gave Kimye The Most Backhanded Compliment

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Kim Kardashian's spread in Paper magazine was her most recent attempt to #BreakTheInternet, but her April Vogue cover with husband Kanye West did some serious damage, too. While some people weren't happy with the decision to put Kimye on the prestigious cover, Vogue's editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, defended her decision yet again in a talk at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on Monday.

"If we just remain deeply tasteful and just put deeply tasteful people on the cover, it would be a rather boring magazine! Nobody would talk about us. It's very important that people do talk about us," Wintour said.

Wintour added that there might be another Kardashian cover in the future, saying, "I hope another Kim Kardashian comes along this year!"

This isn't the first time Wintour has spoken out about her Kimye choice. The venerable fashion icon released a statement to Us Weekly to slam the rumors that Mr. and Mrs. West "begged" her to be on the cover.

"As for the cover, my opinion is that it is both charming and touching, and it was, I should add, entirely our idea to do it," Wintour said in March. "You may have read that Kanye begged me to put his fiancee on Vogue's cover. He did nothing of the sort. The gossip might make better reading, but the simple fact of the matter is that it isn't true."

20 Dresses To Wear When You Don't Feel Like Getting Dressed In The Cold

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Winter is hard, especially when it comes to socializing with other people and getting dressed in the morning when it's 30 degrees outside. But since you have to leave the apartment sometimes, hibernating is not the answer. Cozy long-sleeved dresses make the daily routine of putting on something decent a lot simpler -- you can just pick one item from your closet, add shoes, and throw on your coat.

Duchess Of Alba, Wealthy Aristocrat, Dies At 88

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MADRID (AP) — The Duchess of Alba, one of Spain's wealthiest and most colorful aristocrats and recognized as the world's most titled noble, has died. She was 88.

Maria del Rosario Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart y Silva was related to Winston Churchill and shared toys with the future Queen Elizabeth — they were born less than a month apart — while living in England as a girl. Twice-widowed, the fabulously wealthy noble had an outspoken nature and a predilection for extravagantly colorful, almost hippy-style clothing even late in life. Known simply as Cayetana, she was for decades a mainstay of the gossip press.

She died at her Duenas Palace residence in Seville on Wednesday from pneumonia, a palace spokesman said. He declined to be identified, in line with palace policy.

"Cayetana always had Seville in her heart and for this reason she will always remain in Seville's heart. May she rest in peace," Seville mayor Juan Ignacio Zoido said in a message on his official Twitter account.

The duchess, known for her frizzy white hair and squeaky voice, raised eyebrows nationwide and outraged her six children in 2011 when at the age of 85 she wed for a third time, marrying civil servant Alfonso Diez who was 25 years her junior.

At the wedding, she thrilled a crowd of several hundred when she hiked up her dress and did some flamenco dance steps on a red carpet at the palace, a 15th-century residence in the cobblestoned old quarter of Seville.

Her children feared a potential gold-digger, although Diez renounced any claim to the family fortune. The duchess moved to appease her heirs by dividing up most of her vast estate among them a few months before the nuptials, handing out palaces and mansions to all.

With estates dotted across mainland Spain and on some of its islands, she was known for being able to crisscross the country without having to spend the night in a property that wasn't hers. She also had one of Spain's most dazzling art collections, including works by grand masters Goya, Rembrandt and Velazquez.

Forbes recently estimated her wealth to be in the region of 2.8 billion euros ($3.5 billion).

Fitz-James Stuart y Silva was born March 28, 1926, in the sumptuous Liria Palace in the center of Madrid.

A Grandee of Spain and the holder of six dukedoms, she could trace her noble lineage back 17 generations. She inherited her titles from her father, with whom she lived in London — where he was named Spanish ambassador — while hostilities raged in Spain's 1936-39 civil war. She took over the house of Alba, becoming its 18th leader as well as the 11th Duchess of Berwick, to mention just two titles, upon her father's death in 1953.

The future duchess married Luis Martinez de Irujo y Artacoz in 1947 in what was described as one of the costliest weddings seen in Spain. Newspaper El Pais later wrote that the wedding had cost 20 million pesetas — a fortune in a country still recovering from the ruinous civil war.

After her first husband died in 1972, the duchess married former Jesuit priest Jesus Aguirre y Ortiz de Zarate in 1978. He died after a long illness in 2001.

She spent much of her time in the southern city of Seville and was named a Favorite Daughter of the Andalusia region in 2006.

The honor caused protests by a small group of local farm workers who felt she did not deserve the title, having spent her life living in luxury. The feisty aristocrat reacted by calling the protesters "delinquents" and "a handful of nuts that I don't care about." The farmers took her to court; she was initially ordered to pay a fine, but was later acquitted on appeal.

In late October 2011, weeks after her wedding to Diez, the Duchess slipped on a rug at her Seville palace and cracked her pelvis. She suffered a fall while visiting Rome with her husband in mid-April 2013, and was operated on there for a broken femur.

Guinness World Records said the duchess's more than 40 titles made her the world's most titled noble. She is succeeded by her son Carlos Fitz-James Stuart y Martinez de Irujo and also survived by sons Alfonso, Jacobo, Fernando and Cayetano, and daughter Eugenia.

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Associated Press writer Jorge Sainz in Madrid contributed to this report.

17 Book Lovers' Gift Ideas For The Women In Your Life Who Can't Stop Reading

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If you have any book snobs on your list this year, we've got you covered.

From actual books (unputdownable, of course) to Virginia Woolf-inspired tote bags, here are 17 gifts the book lovers in your life would love to receive:

The Stories Behind These Emotional Wedding Photos Are So Full Of Love

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Weddings are capable of bringing even the most hardhearted among us to tears.

And when you're the one walking down the aisle, you better have lots of tissues handy -- not just for yourself, but also for your nearest and dearest family and friends.

Below are five teary-eyed wedding moments we love from Maura Kutner Walters' "Pass The Tissues" piece in the Winter 2015 issue of New York Weddings.



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

High Heels Have A Strange Effect On Men, And Here's Proof

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Listen up, ladies.

Flats may be all the rage these days, but a provocative new study from France suggests that high heels do a better job of helping women get what they want from men.

Women’s shoe heel size exerts a powerful effect on men’s behavior,” Dr. Nicolas Guéguen, a psychologist at the Université de Bretagne-Sud in Rennes, and the scientist behind the study, said in a written statement.

The finding might not come as a huge surprise to women, but Guéguen said his is the first scientific study to test the effect.

For the four-part study, Guéguen asked four female confederates to wear flats or two- or four-inch heels and make note of their interactions with unfamiliar men.

In one experiment, the women stood on the street and asked passersby to complete a survey. When the women were wearing flats, 25 out of 60 men (42 percent) agreed to pause and take the survey. When the women wore two-inch heels, 36 of 60 men (60 percent) agreed to take the survey. And that number spiked to 49 out of 60 men (82 percent) when the women wore the four-inchers.

Female passersby stopped to complete the survey around a third of the time, no matter how high the confederates' heels were.

In another experiment, the confederates dropped a glove on the street and noted whether men retrieved it for them.

What happened this time? Again, the same pattern emerged--with men playing the gentleman about 62 percent of the time when the confederates wore flats, and a whopping 93 percent of time when they wore high heels.

As for why high heels have this power over men, Guéguen offered a simple explanation: heels simply make women more attractive to men. And he proved this hypothesis in a follow-up study, as yet unpublished, in which men shown the body profiles of women in flats or heels tended to think the heel-wearing women were more attractive.

"High heels were associated with greater sexiness, overall physical attractiveness, breast attractiveness, beauty, attractiveness to other men, and willingness for a date," he told The Huffington Post in an email.

Previous research has shown that high heels change a woman's gait and posture to make her appear more feminine, signaling she's fit for reproduction. And according to Guéguen, exposure to media images associating high heels to glamour and sexuality may also shape men's preferences.

"The over-association of high heels with women’s sexiness and sexual content could lead men to misinterpret the sexual intent of women with high heels," Guéguen wrote in a paper describing his resarch, which was published on Nov. 19 in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior.

Why The 'Body-Positive' Lammily Doll Is Anything But

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I hate to criticize Lammily -- the new "normal" looking doll for little girls -- as challenging the all-mighty Barbie and her size negative-four standards is a commendable act.

That said... I'm about to criticize Lammily.

The doll's much-heralded creator, Nickolay Lamm, has just unveiled "Lammily Marks," a collection of 38 reusable stickers that can be used to customize a more "regular"-looking doll; options include cellulite, stretch marks, freckles, acne, glasses, moles, a temporary tattoo, a cast and scars. The idea behind the sticker pack is simple, and easy to superficially appreciate: Women have flaws! Let's acknowledge them and help little girls find beauty in the imperfections!

But here's the rub: Packaging such features only works to enforce their status as imperfections... and controllable ones at that. Want to get rid of ugly cellulite? Peel it off! Don't want a doll with stretch marks? Don't stick them on in the first place! Little girls are already taught that they can and should manage how "perfect" their body is, and these stickers only work to enforce that dangerous and false message. If the intent was to show that average bodies have things like freckles and scars and stretch marks, why not build those features into the fundamental design of the dolls?

The bigger issue, though, is Lammily herself, a doll that -- despite being peddled as normalized and body-positive -- ultimately ascribes to a very narrow definition of beauty. Lamm claims he modeled his doll after the average proportions of a 19-year-old... yet those proportions appear to be suspiciously thin.

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If this doll were real, she would fit right into the pages of Cosmo, or on a Fashion Week catwalk. This is not a "normal" doll; this is a skinny doll that's not quite as skinny as Barbie. Sticking a scar sticker on her sexy midriff as a way to make her seem even more "normal" is an offensive and insincere stab at body positivity that hasn't been earned.

In fact, it's Lammily's very mission to serve as a more realistic doll that is its greatest fault. At least with Barbie, there's a cultural understanding that she has an unrealistic body. By marketing Lammily as an "average" doll, it becomes all too easy for girls to assume they must really have a problem if they don't look like her.

And Lammily's fat-starved body assures that many girls will feel just that.

It's also worth noting, of course, that Lammily shares Barbie's lily whiteness. To be fair, there are plans in 2015 to introduce more diversity. But the fact remains that the company's flagship doll is a skinny white girl. This makes her, essentially, the exact same as Barbie -- and a few stickers can only go so far to obfuscate this truth.

This story first appeared at Ravishly.com, a community for women that strives to foster a dialogue between disparate voices and experiences.


Why I Wear All Black, All the Time

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In the words of Yohji Yamamoto, "Black is modest and arrogant at the same time. Black is lazy and easy -- but mysterious. But above all black says this: "I don't bother you -- don't bother me.""

Not long after I moved to New York three years ago, a young gentleman stopped me on the platform at the Wall Street stop on the 5 train. "Miss," he said, timidly. "Could you please tell me where the nearest Goth club is?" I looked up, quizzically, from beneath my mop of unruly blonde hair. I hesitated before bursting into laughter. He was serious. Perplexed as I assured him I was not a Goth, he gave me and my patent black Doc Marten's (OK, OK I get it...) the once-over before retreating. I stepped onto the train and headed to my internship writing for a fashion magazine. He stood there, bemused.

On any given day, I can be found swathed in head-to-toe black. It's sharp, it's chic and it's powerful. The only color I consistently wear is red, on my lips (MAC Lady Danger, to be precise). I feel entirely out of place in bright colors, verging on excess; like a lightbulb attracting every gnat in town. Black, on the other hand, allows one to be fully absorbed into anonymity, especially while living in one of the largest, most extroverted cities in the world. Defined as "the absence of light," black allows me to find equilibrium paired with my bright disposition and bleached white hair, like Yin and Yang.

Over the years, my penchant for the color back has dubbed me all the nicknames: Elvira, Wednesday, Morticia, Casper, Rosemary Cullen, Sarah Sanderson (my abnormally fair skin admittedly does nothing to help my case here). I was recruited to play a small role in True Blood, and have been referred to as "Little Stevie [Nicks]" (my muse, and arguably the most flattering of the aforementioned). But unlike Nicks, who ditched her all-black ensembles for two years to combat those rumors of witchcraft, I won't be abandoning my monochromatic uniform anytime soon, no matter how many brooms I am accused of riding through the skies of Manhattan.

I am completely addicted to black. Something about it, for me, is so positively delicious. Certain tastemakers will eschew my choice to wear a head-to-toe black look, frown upon it as being boring, unoriginal, lazy. To each their own, I say. I wouldn't have it any other way. Style is about self-expression, is it not?

I was not always this way, though, as I was raised in a somewhat waspy family. But growing up Roman Catholic, I was always very fascinated by the black garments worn by the priests and nuns. My studies in Italy as a teen quickly replaced my rainbow of Lacoste polo shirts, seersucker shorts and ribbon belts with black turtlenecks, black capes and fine leather goods in -- you guessed it -- black. I was trying to avoid having my cover as a foreigner immediately blown, so I quickly learned to dress the part. It worked -- nobody crossed me. (Presumably out of sheer terror that I would stomp my last-season Prada shoes on them. Fair enough.) It was at this time in my life that I fully realized the magnitude of one's sense of dress; how it can speak louder than words, or not say anything at all.

Black, somehow, allows me to do both at once. As an animated, optimistic, dry-humored person who is simultaneously and very quickly exhausted from overstimulation, I get my energy from being alone and greatly enjoy solitude. I despise conflict; I avoid it and when possible, I run from it. I always have. More often than not, I will let personal calls ring through to voicemail unless it's a family member or very close friend. And while I can certainly be verbally articulate, I would much prefer to express myself through writing, art, and dress. I spend the vast majority of every day inside my own head: thinking, ruminating, creating, analyzing. I am a complete introvert.

I long for meaningful conversations with those to whom I am closest. It's not that I am not social; just selectively so. I adore people, though I have considerably more alliances than friends. I trust precious few. I crave authenticity in my interactions and while I'm outgoing, I much prefer listening to talking. I like to play my cards thoughtfully. Black is a subconscious means for me to put people off, in a way, to stay somewhat hidden, to hold on to secrets, to preserve the unknown. Call me old-fashioned, but I believe there is no sexier quality than to uphold an air of mystery, both in terms of self-disclosure and in terms of dress. Never tell all; never show all. It keeps people guessing.

Black has become my armor, because nobody interrupts a woman for directions or small talk (except for Wall Street platform guy) that appears to be more likely to cast a spell with her black umbrella than discuss a forecast for lightning.

The First Look at the 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Looks

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Are you ready for this? There are just 13 days to go until we see some of the world's most beautiful women take to the VS runway for the lingerie brand's annual fashion show, and we can hardly stand the wait! While the casting news alone had kept us entertained in the weeks leading up to the big event, this week gave us the first look at a number of the Angels' runway looks (aka wings, wings and more wings!)

So, what can we expect from this year's show? To start, Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio, the brand's longest-reigning Angels, will make history in the brand's Dream Angels Fantasy Bras (that's bras, plural) valued at $2 million apiece. The Brazilian bombshells will walk side-by-side in the Exotic Traveler portion of the show-- other categories include Gilded Angels, Dream Girls, Fairy Tale, University of Pink and Angel Ball.

As for the gilded gals, both Candice Swanepoel and Lindsay Ellingson will take the stage adorned with giant golden wings and matching knee-high gladiator-style boots. "I love all the gold, I'm obsessed with gold because it matches my skin tone and my hair," Lindsay told us at her fitting. "I think it's gorgeous and I have to say it's my favorite look of all time."

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Walking in the Dream Angels section will be all-American stunners Lily Aldridge and Karlie Kloss. In her behind-the-scenes interview with Hollywood Life, Lily reveals a first look at her outfit which feature large, black feathery wings, a white corset and black thigh-high stockings, while over at InStyle Karlie showed off her dragonfly-inspired look that was custom designed for her by famed wing designer Serkan Cura.

Meanwhile, Behati Prinsloo and Doutzen Kroes showed off their black lacy looks for The Coveteur and Harper's Bazaar respectively. Behati for one looks particularly stunning in a black and blue tulle skirt and corset look, while Doutzen's dramatic feathered train and giant wings are heavenly to say the least.

Finally, while she's not technically an Angel, Lily Donaldson will have the honor of wearing this year's main Swarovski piece. Featured in the Fairy Tale section, the British model will walk the runway in a purple-winged fairy costume, comprised of 150,000 Swarovski crystals, which Cura revealed to WWD weighs about 40 pounds. Now that's a workout!

Of course, we'll continue to keep a close eye on any developing news regarding the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. In the meantime, head here for an updated list of the models confirmed for the show thus far and scroll down for a first look at the Angels's runway looks!

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Alessandra Ambrosio (via Elle)


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Candice Swanepoel (via E!)


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Doutzen Kroes (via Harper's Bazaar)


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Karlie Kloss (via InStyle)


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Lily Donaldson (via WWD)


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Lindsay Ellingson (via Modelinia)


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Behati Prinsloo (via The Coveteur)


More on Modelinia.com:

See What it Takes to be Cast in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show!

Cindy Crawford's Daughter Lands Her First Major Magazine Shoot!

Happy 69th Birthday Goldie Hawn! The Sexy Star's Greatest Moments On TV And Film

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Happy birthday, Goldie Hawn! Our favorite blonde bombshell turns 69 today and we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than by taking a look back at her best moments over the decades.

And no -- we assure you, that's not Goldie's lookalike daughter, Kate Hudson. Yes, Hawn and her daughter, 35, still look a lot alike -- even though Goldie is nearing 70. With her feathery, blonde hair and those bright-blue doe eyes, it's easy to see why.

Hawn originally started her career in dance, quickly landing a role in Disney's "The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band," where she met Kurt Russell, who would later become her long-time love. She also appeared regularly on Rowan & Martin's "Laugh-In" in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It wasn't long before Hollywood was taking notice of her vivacious, bubbly persona. She went on to win an Oscar for her performance in "Cactus Flower," and enjoyed other memorable roles in films like "The First Wives Club" and "Private Benjamin."

But Hawn's personal life has been just as intriguing as her professional career -- most notably, her long-term romance with fellow actor, Kurt Russell. They've been together over 30 years -- a Hollywood anomaly.

She's also, of course, known for her bombshell good looks (she posed for Playboy in the '80s). But earlier this year, she was scrutinized for her appearance at the Oscars -- with speculation that she'd gone overboard with plastic surgery.

But we'll repeat now what we said then, Goldie, we love you just the way you are.

Christie Brinkley To Launch Skincare Line

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Over the past 40 years, 60-year-old Christie Brinkley has appeared on more than 500 magazine covers, launched her own fragrance and costume jewelry and served as the longest-running face — more than 25 years — of Cover Girl.

Now she’s adding product development to her résumé with a new skin care line. Called Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare, the eight stockkeeping unit range is, she insists, the reason for her largely unlined skin.

Five More Reasons To Love Pirelli Calendar's Plus-Size Star Candice Huffine

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We've been girl-crushing on Candice Huffine from the moment she landed on the cover of Vogue Italia back in 2011. Now, Yahoo Style has given us a few more reasons to love the gorgeous Pirelli calendar star.

In a new interview with the website, Huffine opens up about everything from how she unwinds to how she really feels about her body. Her candid and authentic responses only make us love her even more, and we think you should, too. Here's why:

She keeps it real.

“I get a lot of messages saying, 'I like how you dress because you have my shape and I never knew how to dress for my shape." People want to know the model as a person. I'm not just a voiceless mannequin."

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She's the best of both worlds.

"I'm straddling both worlds and markets. I'm relatable as a bubbly catalog girl next door, but I can fit in seamlessly in the high fashion world."

Her first modeling photos (shot by her mom) sound amazing.

"I am standing in the back of my red pickup truck in bootie shorts and a tank top. I thought I was so fly... a diva in a truck!"

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She loves to sleep just as much as we do.

"I love a glass of wine to unwind, my husband and I have a cozy home. When it's cold we stay at home and have a wooden dartboard and play darts. I'd sleep until noon if it wasn't for my husband waking up so early."

She loves Candice Huffine.

"The point is, I love my body and am happy in it, if me showing it to the world can help other ladies in any way, then game on."

Head to Yahoo Style to see the entire interview.

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Journalists Told Not To Wear Jeans If They Want To Cover Prince William and Kate Middleton

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As Prince William and Kate Middleton prepare for their December trip to New York City and Washington, D.C., U.S. journalists are having a strop over the very specific style guidelines laid out for them by Buckingham Palace.

Basically, if you want a shot at covering the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the monarchy said in a Wednesday email to media outlets, don't even think about showing up in jeans.

"Journalists wishing to cover Royal engagements, whether in the United Kingdom or abroad, should comply with the dress code on formal occasions out of respect for the guests of The Queen, or any other member of the Royal Family," reads the monarchy's guidelines for overseas visits.

"Smart attire for men includes the wearing of a jacket and tie, and for women a trouser or skirt suit," instructions continue. "Those wearing jeans or trainers will not be admitted and casually dressed members of the media will be turned away. This also applies to technicians."

American journalists aren't exactly thrilled with these guidelines:







The monarchy didn't immediately return a request for comment. But as The Daily Beast's Tom Sykes points out, the guidelines for covering royals don't end there: photographers have long been instructed not to capture members of the royal family eating, drinking, or "in prayer," among other unusual rules.

Portland Is The Beauty Capital You've Been Missing

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We've written about our love for natural beauty products in the past and after a recent rabbit hole down some of Etsy's most promising-looking products, we noticed that a good number of the brands were based in Portland, Oregon.

It got us thinking. We usually consider locales like Paris, Tokyo and New York City as beauty industry meccas, but there's long been a robust community of handmade and natural beauty companies that have made their home in Stumptown. To outsiders, Portland may seem like the hipster landscape depicted in IFC's comedy Portlandia. Yet the city famously thrives on individuality, which fuels its sense of community. Combine that with residents' interest in natural and healthy lifestyles and you've got an environment where handmade, natural beauty companies can flourish.

BT Livermore and Evan Dumas started Man’s Face Stuff in 2008. The company specializes in handmade male grooming products, including its Gin & Tonic moustache wax, and in making men take pride in their facial hair. Instead of following what Livermore calls "ironic hipster mustache" trends, Man's Face Stuff spreads its feel-good philosophy around town -- encouraging men to take care of (and feel their best) with their preferred style of mustaches and beards.

"Portland culture is strongly linked with facial hair," Livermore said, describing how their product was quickly supported by local barbershops and retailers. He added that the city fosters a sense of community among small business owners, where their hard work, commitment and creativity are supported.

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The Portland Business Alliance, which is greater Portland's Chamber of Commerce, helps small businesses in the area get their ideas up and running with classes and scholarships. Meanwhile, MercyCorps Northwest provides grants and loans, along with counseling sessions. Farmer's markets and craft fairs are also popular hubs for selling and networking.

Kim Damio of Portland Black Lipstick Company was on a quest for a non-toxic black lipstick in the '90s. When she couldn't find one, Damio decided to make her own. Portland residents, she says, welcomed her handmade product with open arms.

"People really did not balk at the idea that I made lipstick," she said, adding that the local mall started selling her eccentric lip colors, serving as a ticket to her success. "I never saw that anywhere else I lived," she said, attributing some of her success to what she called the city's "positive environment."

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Emily Silverstein, creator of the organic skincare line, Urban Oreganics, was also searching for less toxic beauty products while she was pregnant with her son. That's when she started crafting her own organic, handmade products, like her popular Oats + Clay Facial Cleanser. The product includes kaolin clay, organic gluten-free oats and optional essential oil.

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Silverstein and Damio's desire for natural beauty products seems like a popular one among some Portland residents. Schmidt’s Deodorant’s CEO Jaime Schmidt punctuated this, adding, "The customer base has really high standards for health-conscious products." Speaking to this demand, Schmidt also noted that handmade products can be steps above the competition in quality.

"I started to realize that the stuff I was making" -- handmade, vegan deodorants sprinkled with lavender and cedar wood scents -- "is just as good if not better than some of the conventional stuff that’s out there."

And for many of the business owners who spoke with HuffPost, owning their own handmade beauty company allowed them to live their best lives. "Hardly a day goes by where I don’t talk to someone who isn’t at least trying to turn their passion into a living," Livermore said.

Well, it looks like everyone could use a little dose of Portland in their lives.

What Do Your Dance Moves Say About You?

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In my new book, Finding Mr. Brightside, Juliette gets dragged out onto the dance floor by twerking dervish Heidi and instinctive robot buster-outer Abram. What does any of that even mean? You're about to find out.

Here are the 8 known dance floor archetypes (that I can currently think of):

1. Twerking dervish. Has a tendency to indiscriminately rub butt upon the fronts and/or backsides of others. Can often be heard encouraging fellow dancers to do the same/return the favor ("Get it!!!"), as is the case with lovable scene-stealer Heidi in Finding Mr. Brightside.

2. This-is-my-song claimer. Known to exhibit irrational possessiveness whenever familiar with a song. Doesn't matter if everyone else has heard it, they believe themselves to have been the first (well before the DJ). Can be heard shouting "This is my sooooong, you guys!" several times throughout the song's duration -- the half-hearted acknowledgment of others does not seem to deter additional claims.

3. Ironic snapper. The too-cool-for-Ke$ha type who hides enthusiasm for guilty musical pleasures underneath a veil of sarcastic dance gestures. Snaps fingers as a signal to others who are enjoying themselves that he/she could really take it or leave in the next 15 minutes.

4. Awkward giraffe swayer. A genuinely nice person of above-average height who wants to be involved in the fun but pretty much just stands there not bringing anything to the table. Moves shoulders in swaying motion every once in a while -- the only move in their arsenal -- in a way that says, "Hi, I'm still coming to terms with my body type."

5. Lonely love-song ruiner. Uses a variety of "I'm single but not by choice" distraction tactics whenever the DJ slows things down. Known to grab someone who they're obviously not dating (e.g., a fellow dancer who's much younger or older) in an attempt to beat judgmental onlookers to the punch with self-deprecating humor.

6. In-it-for-the-long-hauler. Someone who's been waiting for this night for-e-ver, and nothing is going to stop them from dancing it away, including visible sweat stains on dancing-friendly clothing. Disappointed if not the first to arrive and last to leave. Does not take water or alcohol breaks unless it's possible to keep dancing while doing so. Will dance with anyone -- does not care, just wants to dance, it's been so long.

7. Instinctive robot buster-outer. Has a knack for the absolute perfect time to bust out the robot. Usually inspires one or two others to follow suit, but they're rarely as naturally good at it. Not to be confused with the Ironic Snapper, who will use the robot as a sarcastic defense mechanism to remind everyone that, at the end of the day, we're all still adults here.

8. Electric Slide specialist. Will not stop requesting the you-know-what until it's played. Usually disappears shortly after song's conclusion, only to reemerge requesting the Cha Cha Slide when enough time has passed that they think they can get away with it. Impervious to the groans of others.

Am I missing anybody? Post your archetype in the Comments section before the Electric Slide specialist requests the Macarena!

And don't forget to enter my Finding Mr. Brightside giveaway!

This Genius Dinner Plate Will Change The Way You Entertain

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We've all been there: You're standing at a cocktail party chatting with friends, juggling your wine glass and finger food the very best you can. And it's not fun.

Thankfully, Closer plate is here to help (that is, if it reaches its Indiegogo goal).

Take a closer look:

closer

Genius! The plate's Indiegogo page says that the plate is "designed to make you a better party host" and "make your guests love your parties." And we have to agree.

Bonuses abound, too. The plate is shatterproof and can securely hold more than just finger food. Hooray to no more embarrassing party fouls! It's also dishwasher safe, non-toxic and 100% recyclable. The plate even has a convenient spot for your thumb so it's easier to hold, and it has two designs for left and right-handed people.

closer

closer

The plate was designed by Marco Guadarrama, a design strategist who's currently on a Fulbright Scholarship at California College Of The Arts, who likens his design to an "artist's palette."

It's at least more aesthetically pleasing than the GoPlate, and to be honest -- we're really just excited we don't have to wear wine glass holders anymore.

As of now, the plate still has 32 days left to get fully funded. One things for sure -- we're NEED IT to get made so we can add it to our entertainer starter pack next holiday season!



(h/t Laughing Squid)

What to Get Your Girlfriend for the Holidays (You Know She's Already Planning Your Gift, Right?)

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As if Christmas shopping needed to get more stressful, finding just the right gift for your girlfriend is kind of an imperative. That doesn't mean you need to go crazy, but it definitely requires some thought. If you aren't sure how to approach the situation (maybe the relationship is still young or maybe you don't feel like you have a knack for buying her gifts --it's ok, we've been there too!), the key is to not back yourself into a corner with a gift that's too presumptuous of her. Likewise, finding the right something isn't about spending as much money as you can reasonably afford -- it's about picking what's most likely to resonate with her, her interests and her style.

We've put together the following guide to help you discover what's out there -- you might actually be surprised at all your options. Whether you've been together for a while, or haven't but see yourself together for a while longer, here are the best Christmas gifts for girlfriends.


Stuhrling Watch

2014-11-21-StuhrlingWatch.jpg

23K gold plating and a genuine leather double-wrap strap -- in red -- make this a stand out watch from Stuhrling. Not to mention that it's 76% off the original price.


Philosophy Moisturizer

2014-11-21-PhilosophyMoisturizer.jpg

For a nourishing skin treat, Philosophy's anti-oxidizing properties and gentle exfoliants will leave her skin feeling strong and supple. Also, not a bad last-minute gift.


Butter London Nail Polish

2014-11-21-ButterNailPolish.jpg

For a gift that's casual but fun, this "British Spice" themed nail polish set will do the trick. It's also small enough to be used as a stocking stuffer, should the need be.


Honeycomb Earrings

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With their delicate detailing and golden coloring, these honeycomb earrings are a simple accessory that will look good on any girl. Plus they remind us of the warmer summer days ahead.


Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow

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If she likes makeup, even just a little bit, she'll be into this creamy bronze shadow, which can be applied to her lookers, cheekbones or wherever she feels needs a little sparkle.


Malin+Goetz Starter Kit

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For the traveller, this Malin+Goetz starter kit is a perfect addition to her overnight bag. It comes with four skin products (including cleanser and moisturizer) and hair care.


MeUndies

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You don't have to spend a lot to give someone the gift of luxury underpants. Made from modal (spun from beech tree pulp!) and designed for maximum comfort, MeUndies are so soft you might want to get yourself a pair too.


Anne Klein Watch

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A watch is a gift appropriate for all kinds of recipients -- including girlfriends, of course. We like this one for its unique dial and bling-like link bracelet.


Kate Spade Pebble Grain Clutch

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An item that looks as good as it is useful. This leather pocket from Saturday is just large enough to fit all the essentials for a night out, yet small enough to fit into a larger bag if needed.


Aveda Botanical Kinetics

2014-11-21-Aveda.jpg

Winter can be hard on skin, but the truth is that a pampering bundle from Aveda needs no excuse. The coconut and jojoba cleanser will leave her skin soft while the camomile and lavender moisturizer will leave her smelling over-the-moon good.

Are you a girl reading this, trying to figure out what you actually want to ask for this year? We've all been there! It's hard enough to know what you want, let alone what everyone else wants. Unfortunately, this list is of no use when trying to figure out what to get the special men in your life -- it can be overwhelming to know what to get for dads, friends and significant others, but you'll totally get inspired by this list of Christmas gifts for guys.

For other gift ideas, check out:
- Gifts For Boyfriends
- Unique Christmas Gifts
- Stocking Stuffers For Kids
- Gifts For Parents

10 Ways To Shop Charitably This Holiday Season

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There are plenty of companies that make an effort to give back all year long. From footwear to eyeglasses, more and more brands are -- thankfully -- making an effort to put its profits to good use.

But it's not only big names who are charitable. It seems like these days, you could check off all the items on your holiday shopping list by supporting smaller labels or lesser-known initiatives, all the while providing meals, clothing or jobs to people in need.

Here are ten of those companies that we're especially excited about right now.

echo hat
The brand: Echo Design
The dates: Nov 17 - Dec 17
The price point: $32 - $78
The 411: For their second annual Share The Warmth campaign, Echo Designs has partnered up with three organizations to support those in foster care and foster parents. For every hat, muffler or pair of gloves purchased, two comparable cold weather items will be donated to Together We Rise, Midwest Foster Care & Adoption Association and Episcopal Social Services.

blue united
The brand: United by Blue
The dates: Ongoing
The price point: Accessories start around $8; apparel at $150
The 411: For every item purchased from United By Blue, the company vows to clean up one pound of trash from the ocean by organizing company hosted cleanups. To date they have removed over 200,000 pounds.

lole
The brand: Lolë
The dates: Nov 22 & 23 (donations will be accepted through Dec. 1)
The price point: Pre-loved coats priced between $10 - $50. All those who donate will receive a $50 toward a new Lolë coat and celebrity donations (from the likes of Liv Tyler and Madeline Stowe) will have a starting bid of $50.
The 411: As part of their Yellow Label Program, Lolë will sell pre-loved coats at NYC's Brooklyn Flea, as well as auction off coat previously owned by celebrities. 100 percent of proceeds will be donated to Ample Harvest, which works to eliminate hunger in America.

calypso
The brand: Calypso
The dates: Nov 3- Nov 23 (just a few days left!)
The price point: $200-$350
The 411: The Calypso Cares initiative invites customers to donate gently worn sweaters, and in return receive 25 percent off their purchase. Online shoppers can also qualify for the discount by donating a monetary value on the website. All sweaters will be donated for Clothes4Souls, an organization that provides clothing to people in need, as well as 100 percent of the monetary donations given online.

twillory
The brand:Twillory
The dates: Ongoing
The price point: $79 per shirt (except on black Friday, when 2 shirts are $99 and 4 are $189)
The 411: Twillory is a menswear start up with a twist. When you purchase a shirt from their website, you are sent a pre-paid mailer bag. You can send your gently-used garments to Career Gear, a charity that provides not only clothing but support to low-income men for interviews.

body shop
The brand: The Body Shop
The dates: Throughout the holiday season
The price point: $3- $60
The 411: The beauty goods retailer has teamed up with War Child to provide children affected by war with an education. For every specially marked gift set sold, they will make a contribution that funds a class. They aim to provide 6 million classes.

kiehls
The brand: Kiehl's
The dates: Through the holiday season, while supplies last.
The price point: $38-$48
The 411: The skincare powerhouse has teamed up with Norman Rockwell and Feeding America to provide 1,000,000 meals to families this holiday season. 100 percent of net profits, up to $100,000 will be donated to the food assistance program, which has a presence in all 50 states.

lady killer
The brand: Theodora & Callum
The dates: Beginning in November, while supplies last
The price point: $155
The 411: Scarf retailer Theodora & Callum has linked up with Barbra Streisand on an exclusive "Fight the Ladykiller" scarf. 50 percent of profits for each scarf sold will be donated to the Women's Heart Alliance, to combat heart disease.

ten thousand villages
The brand:Ten Thousand Villages
The dates: Ongoing
The price point: Varied, starting as low as $9
The 411: Ten Thousand Villages is one of the world's largest fair trade organizations, whose profits directly benefit underprivileged artisans. All products sold on the site (from jewelry to home decor) pay for food, education, housing and healthcare for tens of thousands of people.

krochet kids
The brand: Krochet Kids Int'l
The dates: Ongoing
The price point: Varied by apparel and accessories, starting around $20
The 411: Krochet Kids is an online apparel website that provides careers, education and mentorship to women in Northern Uganda and Peru in an effort to take their families out of poverty. Every product purchased allows the site to continue creating a sustainable product.

My Son, Draculaura

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My son Max is the most confident person I've ever met in my life. This year, for his school Halloween party, he went as Draculaura (Dracula's daughter) from Monster High. Choosing to dress as a female character is nothing new for him. At only 7 years old, he's already gone in costume as Princess Leia and Padmé Amidala from Star Wars, Clawdeen Wolf from Monster High and Catwoman. When he was younger, he wasn't the least bit worried what his peers might think of his "girlie" choices, but as he's gotten older he's starting to worry.

2014-11-19-MySonDraculaura1.jpg


Kids (and some adults) can be so cruel, and it's finally starting to take a toll on him. Being a boy in a "girls'" costume makes him an easy mark for bullies, and great gossip for the mommies. I know that I'm feeding him to the wolves when I let him go to a school function dressed as the opposite sex, but what's my other option? Tell him he can't be who he is because some dipshit little kids and their parents feel awkward around my son? Not gonna happen on my watch. Not while I'm his mommy.

Needless to say, he ended up having a blast at the Halloween party. Max's friends and their parents are amazing, and have always accepted him with with open arms, no matter how sparkly and fabulous he is. Yes, there were a few stares and whispers (mostly from parents), but as I've always tried to instill in my son, we can't worry about what everyone else thinks. My kid is polite, sensitive, loving, and has a heart of gold. He is perfect.

Is my son straight, gay, bi, trans or a metrosexual in the making? I have no clue, but I do know whatever God (or whatever higher power) has intended him to be, he is incredible. He is stronger and more secure with himself than most adults. I can't wait to see what beautiful costume he has in store for next year. I'm sure it will be fabulous.

2014-11-19-MySonDraculaura2.jpg


For information on gender-related issues, visit: www.myhusbandbetty.com

Follow Jill's children's blog, including more on her inspirational and fashionable son Max, at:
www.supergoodybag.com

Follow Jill Topol through Super Goody Bag on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SuperGoodyBag



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