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The Reason Behind Taylor Swift's Style Choices Will Make You Love Her Even More

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Taylor Swift has admitted once and for all that she truly is a "man repeller," and the reason why is pretty amazing.

The 24-year-old, who seems to be just about everywhere these days, is Asos Magazine's January cover star. She looks fierce as usual in a supergirl pose (and unsurprisingly clad in coordinates). But it's what's inside the glossy that really caught our attention.

asos cover

The 24-year-old revealed to the mag that when it comes to choosing outfits, she always keeps one very particular set of people in mind -- her girlfriends. "When I’m getting dressed, it’s always based on what my friends will think. They are my number one priority and the opinions of girls are more important to me at this point in my life," she said.

If that sentiment sounds familiar to you fashion folk, it's because it's exact notion put forth by fashion blogger Leandra Medine. "Man repelling," as made famous by Medine, implies that women dress for other women and not for men.

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So we're guessing her friends are big fans of crop tops, then?

To see the entire interview, which goes live Nov. 26, head to Asos.

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Lady Gaga's Inflatable Dress Might Be Her Least Wearable Outfit Yet

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Lady Gaga decided to wear an inflatable dress in Paris on Monday, and let's just say it blew up in her face, literally. We can't tell if her serious expression is her (pa-pa-pa) poker face, or her why-did-I-leave-the-house-in-an-inflatable-dress face. Either way, it makes that meat dress look perfectly comfortable. Observe:

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H/T Buzzfeed

Gap's Black Friday Sale Is Worth Leaving The House For

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The store: The Gap

The time: Gap.com has posted specific hours for each store online, but most locations are open on Thanksgiving from 9am-6pm and then re-open at 8pm until close on Black Friday.

The deals: Not only can shoppers get 50% off the entire store, but Gap is also hosting the "Gap Getaway" contest. Shoppers earn a ballot for every $50 they spend (between 12:01am EST on Thurs. Nov. 27 until 2:59am EST on Dec. 7), with each ballot giving them a chance to win one of 100 trips to destinations like New York, Miami and Las Vegas. But there is no need to trek to the Gap on Black Friday, as you can also enter by mail, no purchase necessary.

Click here for Lord & Taylor's Black Friday sale.


What we love:





Check out other amazing Black Friday deals at:

Here's Why Online Shopping Is The Way To Conquer Black Friday

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This week marks the joyous (or not-so-joyous) occasion known as Black Friday. There are so many deals we want to nab, our heads are spinning -- and we haven't even set the Thanksgiving table yet.

The good news? Staying home in your turkey coma is a better way to get Black Friday deals than schlepping to a store. MUCH better.

"I do not recommend anyone going to a physical store on Black Friday," says Mark LoCastro of DealNews, a site that analyzes and confirms thousands of retail offers per day. "There's no need to. The vast majority of in-store deals will be online in some shape or form."

Wait, how is shopping online the way to win Black Friday? A few reasons:

1. "Doorbusters" exist in limited quantities.

Those big deals you hear about prior to Black Friday may not be all that plentiful -- it's likely that only shoppers who camp out for days or show up extra-early will get them.

Best Buy's 50-inch Panasonic TV is the deal that has shoppers hyped this year, LoCastro says. But, "if you're not one of the first twenty people in line, you're not going to get it." Indeed, a rep at our local Best Buy said she was "not allowed to disclose" how many of the TVs were in stock -- and we have a feeling this spells bad news.

2. There are comparable -- if not better -- deals online.

While Best Buy's big deal may be limited on the shelves, LoCastro points out, some of its other top deals -- like a 55-inch Samsung for $900 off -- are available online as early as RIGHT NOW.

Similar principles apply to many of the other housewares we're coveting: Retail expert Brad Wilson estimates that Kohl's stellar KitchenAid mixer deal will be even better online than in stores, as he expects the Kohl's website to offer an extra coupon for the mixer sometime on Thursday or Friday. And while crowds will mob Target for their Dyson vacuum doorbuster, you'll find a Hoover vacuum for 50 percent off, just sitting on their website. We call that a win.

3. You can hit tons of stores instead of just one.

When you line up for a doorbuster, Wilson points out, you're subjected to the few top deals at just one store. Online, the deals run far and deep -- and nothing is off-limits.

The one store you should hit, in fact, doesn't even exist in brick and mortar: Amazon is offering a series of lightning deals all week, in which customers can score huge discounts on electronics, clothing and toys as often as every 10 minutes. By setting price alerts for the item you want and using comparison sites to figure out where it's cheapest, you'll be a much more savvier shopper online.

4. And Thanksgiving is the new Black Friday, anyway.

Times have changed -- as the experts see it, Black Friday is no longer Black Friday. "The best deals are on Thanksgiving now," Wilson says. And since we aren't proponents of spending family holidays at the mall, we'll stay home and click our way to deals early on Turkey Day morning. Then it's on to the good stuff(ing)!

Weekly Roundup of eBay Vintage Clothing Finds

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No time to page through thousands of eBay listings? Then just sneak a peek at my Weekly eBay Roundup of top vintage clothing finds.

This eclectic mix of designer and non-designer vintage clothing and accessories caught my discerning eye because of its uniqueness, contemporary feel and highly collectible nature.

As always, buyer beware! Be sure to read the listings closely and contact the sellers with any questions.

This week's Roundup includes items by Issey Miyake, Lanvin, Oleg Cassini and Burberry. Be sure not to miss the 1990s Chanel handbag, the Bonnie Cashin cashmere maxi dress, the YSL reptile shoulder bag and the 1950s crochet dress.

ebay roundup of vintage clothing finds



GET READY, GET SET, BID!!!
(Click on Pic for More Info and Auction Links)



Which item is your favorite? Leave me a comment below to let me know.

To receive the eBay Roundup of Vintage Clothing Finds via email, sign up for Zuburbia's mailing list here. Your information will never be sold or shared and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.

DISCLOSURE: Editorial selections are made by Zuburbia with no direct promotional consideration from the featured eBay sellers however Zuburbia may receive revenue as an affiliate member of the eBay Partner Network.

PLEASE NOTE that Zuburbia does not endorse the use of fur, feathers, leather or animal skins in fashion. Any of these selections are offered only as more thoughtful and eco-friendly alternatives for contemporary fashionistas who have not yet eliminated animal products from their wardrobes or for collectors who are seeking to preserve these items.

Paul Rudd Had Long '80s Hair Back When He Was A Frat Bro

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Everybody had big hair in the '80s -- even Paul Rudd, apparently.

Reddit user SmoothBread shared a photo of what looks like Paul Rudd's fraternity composite from his time as a Sigma Nu brother University of Kansas back in the '80s. Aside from those luscious locks, you'll see that Rudd really hasn't changed much over the years. That smile is just as adorable now as it was back when he was (probably) jamming out to Poison and Milli Vanilli in the frat house more than 20 years ago:

I Went to a Taylor Swift-Themed SoulCycle Class and We Need to Talk About It

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Anyone who has been within a five-foot radius of me (or follows me on social media) knows that I love Taylor Swift. And it's not just because we share the same name, birth year and penchant for red lipstick. We are kindred spirits. (But that is an entirely different post for another time, friends.)

What you might not know about me is that I am finicky when it comes to exercise. Historically, I've always been a Watch-Teen-Mom-While-on-the-Elliptical kind of girl and if I'm feeling particularly adventurous, I might partake in a Yoga to the People power vinyasa class in my neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The shirtless yogis with man-buns might be part of this motivation, but this is beside the point.

If you live in New York City as I have for over three years, you also probably know that SoulCycle has become A Thing here. But as a twentysomething who would rather spend $34ish on a night out with friends drinking whiskey gingers than sweating in a dark room while being yelled at, I've never found it all that enticing. Still, blame it on curiosity (or the knowledge that T-Swift herself is a frequent SoulCycler with BFF Karlie Kloss), I've always secretly wanted to try a class for myself. When I heard that SoulCycle was offering Taylor Swift-themed classes, I knew the time had come to pop my cherry.

So last Saturday, I called up the SoulCycle location in my neighborhood and reserved a bike for the following Monday. I was asked what seat I would like. When I told the receptionist that it was my first time, she recommended that I take a spot in the third row, so that I could see the instructor but it wouldn't be too intimidating. Bike #47 would be mine.

By Sunday evening, I was feeling excited, but nervous. I was glad to have the support of SoulCycle, though.




On Monday, the big day, I arrive 15 minutes early, as advised by a co-worker and SoulCycle enthusiast.



"Hi, this is my first time and I have no idea what to do," I tell the front desk.

The front desk ladies don't even bat an eyelash. Instead, they smile and introduce me to a bubbly redhead named Brooke. Brooke gives me a special pair of cycling shoes in my size and shows me to my locker, which happens to be #89. I am convinced that this is fate. Brooke then tells me that I can choose any four digits as my lock code, so naturally, I choose "1989" because duh. Once I have my snappy shoes on, I clickety-clack back to the front desk, where Brooke leads me into the dark studio and takes me to my bike.

"You're petite like me!" comments Brooke, as she adjusts my bike. Brooke is officially my new favorite person. I hop on it and she patiently waits while I attempt to click my special shoes into the pedals. Once I'm set, Brooke leaves me and I immediately want to call after her, "Wait, don't gooooooo." But she does. I am ridin' solo à la Jason Derulo in the third row. I am alone, but not lonely (because T-Swift is there in spirit, obviously).

Then our instructor enters the studio. Eve has washboard abs and is wearing tight, hot pink spandex leggings and a tie-dye sports bra. Her left arm is covered in tattoos. She looks like a badass DJ goddess who is ready to rave. I am wearing mismatched socks because they are the only clean ones I could find. Before we start, Eve prefaces our ride by joking that this Taylor Swift-themed class is "very out of character" for her, but that she's doing it for us. Everyone cheers.

"I Knew You Were Trouble": Our ride kicks off with a dub-step heavy remix from my beloved Red album. I am in a club and even though I do not like clubs (eff no I won't pay a $20 cover to freeze my ass off and wait in a line outside), this is my kind of party.

At first, I'm having a good time doing my thing. But soon, I notice that the cyclists in front of me are bending their elbows and chest in a weird way. I am confused. I have flashbacks to algebra class freshman year, where I would look desperately around the room with a does-anybody-get-what's-going-on? look. It is then I realize that we are supposed to be doing push-ups using the handlebars. OK. Right. I had heard about this push-ups business. I got this. However, I quickly learn that just as I cannot rub my stomach and pat my head at the same time, nor can I pedal 900 mph and do push-ups simultaneously with my arms. Not only does it seem like everyone else can do this movement seamlessly, but they are also pedaling on a beat. I look ahead at the mirror and I see myself grossly out of sync with everyone. In fact, it looks like I'm having a full-on body spasm. I should also mention that I am sweating profusely.

"Blank Space": "OK, even I love this song," Eve admits. Because we are in the dark and because I am obsessed with this music video, I take this opportunity to channel T-Swift and make as many ugly/insane/dramatic faces as possible. I hope there aren't hidden cameras in here. I try and sing the words, but it is very challenging so I mouth them instead. "You can tell me when it's over, if the high was worth the pain," sings Taylor. I don't know if this is worth the pain, but one of the Front Row Girls with long, blonde curly hair circa Fearless-era tosses her mane back and is straight-up smiling. [Side note: Who can SoulCycle with their hair down??] I am immediately suspicious of her.

"22": Taylor sings, "It feels like the perfect night to dress up like hipsters." One of the Front Row Girls lets out an enthusiastic "woo-hoo!" #williamsburg

"You're Not Sorry": I think. I can't actually remember, because this may have been the point where I blacked out. Eve encourages us to take a sip of water. I look down and see my bottle of SmartWater has fallen out of the holder and has rolled away on the floor along with my sanity. I feel panicked. Should I stop and attempt to disconnect my feet from the pedals so I can retrieve it? That sounds dangerous. But before I can make a decision, Eve yells out, "Give it another full turn!" LOL.

"Clean": Oh, good, a "slow" song. Plot twist! Eve tells us to increase our resistance. My legs feel like I'm moving through a swamp. I think about what I'm going to eat for dinner. I think about things that make me happy, like strawberry-frosted Pop-Tarts and laundry fresh out of the dryer and Harry Styles' hair. I wonder if I'm hallucinating.

"Shake It Off": It is time for the weights. "I see the dirty looks on your faces," says Eve. I see my life flashing before my eyes, but I do not say this out loud. The way Eve is bouncing on her bike is akin to me having drunk two Four Lokos. A single bead of sweat rolls down my forehead and onto my nose but I can't wipe it away because my arms are becoming numb from lifting two-pound dumbbells above my head, which feel like bricks. Does the "But my elbows are double-jointed!" excuse from elementary school still work in this scenario? This song must be some weird extended version, because it literally goes on forever. I hate these weights. I hate this class. I hate everything. But not Taylor. I could never hate her.

"This Love": The room goes completely dark and Eve tells us to close our eyes. I obey. I think about Lena Dunham because this is the song Taylor supposedly wrote for Lena and her boyfriend, Jack Antonoff. I wonder if they will walk down the aisle to this song. I wonder if Lena will still have neon-green hair by then. Maybe Taylor will be a bridesmaid. I bet she'll get teary-eyed a little. Eve continues to give what I assume to be positive affirmations, but for all I know, they could be Wiccan incantations because I am in such a daze.

"Welcome to New York": "This is the end of our ride," says Eve and my ears perk up. I guess that wasn't so bad, I think to myself, the way I assume a pregnant woman who goes into labor and pops out a kid a million hours probably does. At this point, I give it my all, pedaling as hard as I can. My legs burn. I am Karlie Kloss. I am a supermodel. I am a Victoria's Secret Angel and I HAVE WINGS DAMMIT.

It's over. I whip my feet out of those pedals as if they've been set on fire. We stretch while listening to "Bad Blood." I locate my runaway water bottle and chug it like a frat bro shotgunning a beer.

Eve then says that we should make this T-Swift-inspired class "a thing," but alas she will be in the Hamptons next week. I will be in suburbia for the holiday weekend eating Chinese takeout and wearing flannel pajama pants, but that is neither here nor there.

Back in the locker room, my fellow cyclists (who are clearly regulars) talk about coming back on Thursday for the "Turkey Burn" class. They are brave women, but I am not one of them. Instead, I hobble outside into the abnormally warm November air feeling accomplished, slightly disoriented and extremely sweaty. At the same time.

We're Adding Beyoncé's '7/11' Video Crown By WXYZ Jewelry To Our Holiday Wish List

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If you're anything like us, you've probably watched Beyoncé's new video for "7/11" about a million times. Which also means you've been trying to learn every new dance move and coveting all the fly wares she was rocking.

From that "Kale" sweatshirt to those adorable boy-inspired underwear, we've added a ton of stuff to our holiday wish lists. But we were particularly blown away by the futuristic crown Bey was wearing toward the end of the video when she was so sweetly singing "I'm fresher than you." Yes, that is 100 percent true, Queen Bey -- you are fresher than us.

wxyz jewelry

However, we can thankfully try to be as fresh as Bey since we discovered that the leather-and-metal visor/crown and baseball cap/crown designs she donned are by WXYZ Jewelry. The Brooklyn-based company is helmed by Laura Wass, who designs each eye-catching piece.

We caught up with the crown's creator to get the scoop on bestowing her designs upon Beyoncé, how she comes up with her cool creations and more. Check it out...

HuffPost Style: Did you have any idea that Beyoncé would be rocking one of your pieces in her new video or was it a complete surprise?

Laura Wass: I knew we had a big pull for Beyonce - but details were murky because Beyonce's team keeps things on the downlow. Because there are so many factors that go into if a piece makes it into the final feature, my hopes were not too high. After hearing that the pieces were shot, I started to get excited - and told everyone in the studio that we would be having an all-Beyonce karaoke sesh if they made the cut of the final video. When the video came out, seeing Beyonce herself wearing the pieces so prominently was truly exciting - I think I'm still in shock! We are going to be singing a lot of Beyonce at karaoke! One of our mantras at the studio is the question: "what would Beyonce do?" Now it's cool to know that Beyonce would, and does, wear WXYZ Jewelry.

HPS: How long does it take to create a headpiece like that?

LW: For the baseball cap and visor, once the idea was born, product development for the metal form took over 150 hours of prototyping. Now that we have optimized the assembly sequence and made them in repetition, the metal weaving takes about 1.5 hours and 45 minutes respectively. But of course, there is a lot that goes into making the pieces pre-assembly as well. It's a true labor of love.

HPS: When, where and what were you doing when you found out Beyoncé was wearing your designs?

LW: I was actually chilling at home with a cold when the video came out on Friday night. The video definitely made me feel a lot better. :)

HPS: We know it's only been a few days since the video was released but have you seen an increase in business?

LW: We see an increase in traffic and sales and our Instagram following has tripled. I think that brand awareness will continue to grow as a result of the video, as people continue to find out that it's WXYZ who makes those pieces.

HPS: Are there any other celebs you'd like to see in your designs?

LW: Beyonce is truly a dream celebrity to deck out -- and I'm happy for the designs to be part of such a fun video. I would love to continue to design for musicians and performances. It would be super fun to make some custom performance pieces for Queen Bey. For every musician I have a different vision - for Bjork I see building molecular structures, for Rihanna I see our bucket hat and bustier, for Katy Perry rainbow animal headpieces. I would love to accessorize Lana del Rey as a contemporary Virgin Mary, and Ellie Goulding as an intergallactic warrior princess. Don't get me started on Yolandi from Die Antwoord...!

HPS: While your collections are anchored in your love for architecture, geometry, science and nature, you've created some really whimsical pieces like bunny ears and bows. How come?

LW: While the inspiration is serious and the design process is rigorous, it's important to me that there be a playful and lighthearted element to the brand for comic relief. Kind of like the "7/11" video for Beyoncé. She has created some of the most visually rich and epic music videos out there, and had the confidence to show her funny side with an ease that is irresistibly cute and sexy. I hope those pieces are like that for the collection as well.

HPS: What's the best thing about your job?

LW: My main goal as a designer is to create pieces that empower the wearer to express themselves in an interesting way, and be cause for interaction. When you walk into a room wearing a piece like the Gio Baseball Cap or Visor that Beyonce wore in the video, all of the most interesting people are drawn to you like magnets, and you hold a certain power over the space. The best thing about my job is hearing from people who own WXYZ designs how much they love the jewelry, and that they are constantly approached by people wanting to touch the jewelry -- with inquiries about what they are wearing. It's amazing to hear how many conversations and connections have been sparked because of the jewelry.

HPS: Any advice for aspiring jewelry designers?

LW: Articulate your vision, and then it becomes achievable.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Bill Cosby Allegedly Leaked Story About Daughter's Drug Problem In 1989

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Now that more than a dozen women have publicly accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault, Hollywood insiders are also coming forward with claims that continue to chip away at the notion that the actor was anything like the character America fell in love with on "The Cosby Show."

As Page Six's Richard Johnson relayed on Monday, a former National Enquirer reporter told Johnson that in exchange for the tabloid killing a story about Cosby "swinging with Sammy Davis Jr. and some showgirls in Las Vegas," the actor allegedly leaked information about his daughter Erinn, then 23, and her battle with drugs and alcohol.

“My editor told me that daddy Cosby was the source. He ratted out his flesh and blood,” said the reporter, who Johnson did not name on the record.

It's true that in October 1989 the National Enquirer ran a story on Cosby's daughter's drug problem, in which the actor told the tabloid, "Tough love is the only way of dealing with this. We love her and want her to get better, but we have to take a very firm, very tough stand that forces her to realize that no one can fix things for her. She has to beat this on her own."

The same week that story ran, the actor's representative, David Brokaw, confirmed to The Associated Press that Erinn was seeking treatment for her issues, and stated that the actor would not comment again on the topic.

The National Enquirer piece is "the only interview that he's been willing to give on the matter,'' Brokaw told the AP. ''He has a relationship with them. He has found them to treat him fairly.''

Cosby did comment again, two months later in an interview with The Los Angeles Times. "We have four other children. This particular daughter appears to be the only one who is really very selfish," he said. "She's never held down a job, never kept an apartment for more than six months. She uses her boyfriends. She wants the finer things, but she can't stand anybody else's dirt." It was an interview that prompted Washington Post columnist William Raspberry to write, "Bill Cosby, actor and entertainer, is not Cliff Huxtable."

Meanwhile, Cosby's biographer, Mark Whitaker, tells a very different story in "Cosby: His Life and Times."

According to Whitaker, it was the National Enquirer who tracked Erinn down in Boston, where she was living with a cousin after a five-week stay at Edgehill Newport hospital in Rhode Island. "As usual, [Cosby's] representatives did everything they could to keep the scandal out of the press," Whitaker wrote.

The Huffington Post reached out to Brokaw and Cosby's lawyer, Martin Singer, for comment on the claims; this post will be updated if they respond.

In the wake of the sexual assault allegations, additional unflattering claims about Cosby's interactions with the press have come to light.

Journalist Dana Kennedy wrote on Raw Story about her "uncomfortable" experience interviewing Cosby for the AP in February 1992. "If it doesn’t go well, I’ll give you a piece of fruit," Cosby told Kennedy. "I’ll give you an apple or pear and you can be on your way.” Kennedy claims that less than a week after the story ran the actor sent her a "dried and withered" apple, along with a sheet of paper and the words, "Here’s your apple.”

Current TV Guide Los Angeles bureau chief Michael Schneider relayed a similar story. An interview journalist Kathleen Fury did with Cosby for the magazine in 1984 was described as "unpleasant."

"He made no attempt to be amiable," Fury wrote in the piece, which Schneider scanned and put online, "and was by turns combative, defensive, challenging, threatening and hostile."

For more, head to Page Six.

Anna Kendrick Says People Have To 'Fight Back And Own' The Word 'Feminist'

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As we've said over and over again, "feminist" isn't a bad word -- and Anna Kendrick agrees.

In an interview with The Daily Beast published on Nov. 25, Kendrick talked about her upcoming role in the film "Into The Woods." She told The Daily Beast's Marlow Stern about how her character, a reimagined Cinderella, puts a feminist twist on the traditional damsel in distress princess narrative.

When the Stern brought up Time Magazine's recent list of words to ban in 2015, which included the word "feminist," Kendrick replied:
That’s a fucking bummer. It’s hard because words confuse me sometimes. There isn’t a word for a member of an ethnic minority who is pro-equal rights for all races, but there is a word for gender equality -- and that’s feminism. It’s a very female-centric word. I understand that the implication is that “I’m a woman who supports women” and not “I’m a person who supports gender equality.” I feel like the word can be appropriated by the wrong people for that reason and misinterpreted by those people, but you just have to fight back and own that word. It’s practically become a curse word. Somebody says, “Oh, you’re being such a feminist,” and you’re supposed to be like, “No I’m not.” Why are we afraid of that word? It exists and we can’t get rid of it, so let’s fight for it and embrace it. That is truly a bummer.


Kendrick also discussed some of the misogyny she encounters on Twitter, telling The Daily Beast that she gets "crazy shit" tweeted at her. "But I look at some of those girls who are involved in Gamergate and I think, 'I don’t know how they do it. I don’t know how they handle it,'" she said. "When I’m feeling bad, I look up some of the girls involved in Gamergate and I think, 'You know, I feel very, very lucky and supported.'”

Anna Kendrick, FT(Feminist)W.

H/T Jezebel

10 Tips to Save Big on Holiday Shopping

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Nothing says I hate my life like shopping for holiday gifts at the last minute. Last year I vowed to NEVER find myself in a line that snakes all the way to the back of the store, to buy over priced crap because I'm in a last-minute-pinch. So I made a plan. A really good plan to not only save time, but money too! Here are my best 10 tips to save BIG on holiday shopping... and not find yourself crying in a mile long line holding overpriced junk.

Before I get started, I need you to repeat after me...

I will not pay full price this holiday season

1. Plan ahead. Everyone's been naughty, just make the list already! Probably the biggest mistake I make is heading to the stores with a loose list of people to shop for, and a vague idea of what I want to get them. Nothing says FAIL faster! Make a list of anyone and everyone you may want/need to buy gifts for, then add your vague gift ideas... maybe even go so far as to just come out and ask them what they want. Then use this as your master list. Stick to it, and when that person has been taken care of, write down what you got them, and cross them off the list.

2. This is not about you! I am so bad about shopping for myself during the holidays. So bad. As much I am a huge fan of retail therapy, there are two major flaws with this:

1. My holiday shopping time and budget is limited.
2. The post holiday clearance sales in January are way better.

It's best to leave yourself out of the equation until after the holidays. Plus, won't it feel so much better trading in Auntie Nell's ugly sweater for the one you've had your eye on since the holidays... that's now half price!?

3. Leave the distractions at home. When possible, avoid taking your child(ren) with you. Even if this means trading all of your lunch breaks until January. Brown bag it and shop in peace. We all know, kids not only complicate the mission, they can make it costly needing extras... and don't forget the chance for meltdowns and diaper blowouts.

4. Price shop from home. There are way too many apps and websites available today to not to compare prices, both online and in stores. Pull out the list you made and start going through it before you start shopping. Write down where the best deal is, then check your list once finished for stores or websites that overlap. This can save you a bundle on shipping and time. Between the coupon apps and the compare-and-save apps, there is no reason to pay full price anymore.

Example: I needed a big ticket item from a big box hardware store. I went to their website, found what I wanted, then searched for a coupon code. I was able to save 20% at checkout with a coupon code I found on RetailMeNot.com. What made the deal even sweeter was that I opted for in-store pickup. This was fast, seamless and saved me time and money. DO THIS!!!

5. Crowd-Sourced Deals. There is a new trend going on where websites are crowdsourcing for cheaper deals. Basically, if 10 people show interest in an item, then the website reaches out directly to the manufacturer for a bulk buy rate, then passes the deal on. Look for theses deals on those big ticket items.

6. Coupon like a crazy person. Coupons are everywhere these days, don't buy without them! Don't just rely on coupon specific websites and apps, check the website for the store you are heading to. Many are offering in-store coupons.

7. Don't discount the discount sites. Websites like Amazon, Groupon, Zulily, Overstock, Wayfarer... all will be fighting for attention this season, so capitalize on it! Most are even offering free shipping on the smallest orders. I have each bookmarked this time of year to check quickly for steals on things on my list.

8. Shop Secondhand. What does every parent have in common at 2am on Christmas Eve/Hanukkah? They're putting together toys. So, if you are going to give your child a fully assembled toy anyway, why not just buy it secondhand, shine it up and slap a bow on it? Secondhand children's stores and higher end consignment shops have incredible deals on gently used items.

9. Hit up Pinterest and get crafty. Make something for the person that has everything. Every year I knit hats and scarves for family and friends. They all look forward to them now; some even put in orders for specific colors.

10. Regift it! Before you do any of the things on this list, grab a box and walk around your house filling it with crap you don't want anymore. Remember, your crap is another person's treasure. Somehow. Once you have filled the box, sit down and decide which friend/family member or what holiday party's Secret Santa you can gift the goods to.

Eva Mendes Opens Up About Her Baby Girl With Ryan Gosling For The First Time

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Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling kept their baby news a secret up until the very end of Mendes' pregnancy, but it appears the parents are bending their privacy policy a bit these days.

Mendes opened up about the couple's two-month-old daughter in Violet Grey‘s digital magazine, The Violet Files, revealing why they decided to name her Esmeralda Amada.

"We were really excited about naming her," the 40-year-old explained. "We both love the Esmeralda character from the Victor Hugo novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame and just think it’s a beautiful name. Her middle is Amada, which was my grandmother’s name. It means 'beloved' in Spanish."

As for motherhood, Mendes says it's been pretty eye-opening. "People always told me that [it was tough]. But I’ve learned that it’s way harder to be a baby," she said. "Everything is a struggle for her. For instance, I haven’t thrown up since the ‘90s and she’s thrown up twice since we started this interview. Motherhood is cake compared to what it’s like to be a baby."

Mendes and Gosling, who have been dating since September of 2011, made an effort to keep their baby news under wraps after realizing that fame was probably going to have a big effect on their child.

"Whether we like it or not, privacy is going to be very difficult for Esmeralda. I think it’s unfair but that’s our reality. So Ryan and I decided early on to give her as much privacy as we could. And my pregnancy was the first opportunity to give her that," Mendes told The Violet Files. "It’s such an intimate time for the mother, too. I know that it seems all very innocuous when you’re flipping through a tabloid at the doctor’s office or see a photo of a pregnant lady online, but I find the media’s 'bump watch' obsession to be both intrusive and stressful. So I made a decision to eject myself from it completely. I was like, 'Annnnd I’m out.'"

For more with Eva, head over to VioletGrey.com.

Laci Green On Her New MTV Series And Dealing With Backlash As A Feminist On The Internet

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What does it take to get to the top -- without losing your center? Our “Making It Work” series profiles successful, dynamic women who are standouts in their fields, peeling back the "hows" of their work and their life, taking away lessons we can all apply to our own.

Laci Green is only 25 years old, but she has a YouTube channel with over 1 million subscribers, a partnership with Planned Parenthood and a new MTV web series.

The sex-positive video blogger, peer sex educator and YouTube celebrity is based in the San Francisco Bay area, where she created her YouTube channel Sex+ during her first year at UC Berkeley in 2008. The channel, which Green started as a hobby, now reaches over 5 million people in 100 countries each month who watch the watch the Sex+ host discuss topics like sexuality, feminism, pop-culture and body image.

Green was born in Utah but moved to Portland, Oregon and, later, to California. She grew up in a Mormon household and after moving to California became very involved in the church. As she got older however, she started questioning the faith and the traditions it endorsed.

“While I was learning how to sew and do crafts and babysit, my male friends were becoming leaders in the church,” Green explained in an April 2013 video. When she asked one of her teachers why she couldn’t be a leader, Green said her teacher told her that God wanted her to have a different, "special" job: "Having lots of babies.”

“It started to feel like the church was actually not what I used to think it was and I left. And I felt free," she said.

During college, Green partnered with Planned Parenthood in 2012 as a sex educator giving lectures at colleges across the U.S. And on Nov. 4, she debuted her new MTV web series "Braless," which, as Green described it over the phone, brings "an academic take on pop-culture issues" to its viewers.

Green spoke to The Huffington Post about how she defines success, why she does the work she does and how she keeps the haters at bay as a feminist on the Internet.

I’ve seen the first episode of “Braless” and it's awesome. What's the overall goal of the project and what sort of topics are you planning to talk about?

The main overarching theme is that we’re doing a pop-culture analysis through the lens of gender and sexuality studies. It’s more of an academic take on pop-culture issues. I’m not sure what all of the topics will be yet but we’re kind of playing around with it to see what works. It’s really exciting. MTV is very cool about it, they really want to start these conversations and engage their audience.

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Green on the set of MTV's "Braless," via Facebook



Why do you do the work that you do?

Well, because I think that it’s really important. I think that these kinds of issues affect everyone in society in any number of ways. For some people it’s really overt and some people have trouble facing it. "The issue of equality affects everyone’s quality of life." You don’t really realize it until someone points it out to you. The issue of equality affects everyone’s quality of life. My long-term philosophy about it is that by working together -- and not just me, but lots of other people who are voices in this space -- we can make a positive change so that the world’s a little bit better when we leave it.

Green reminding us why we all need to be feminists in one of her Sex+ episodes.



How do you define success?

Success would be any number of things. From starting a conversation at a university who has a campus rape problem, to just starting a conversation on someone’s Facebook wall. I think that anytime people are talking, that is success. And the more people that are talking, the more successful it is.

So by that definition, I would assume you consider yourself successful?

Yeah, I do think that I’ve been successful in trying to accomplish that goal.

Sorry I just tricked you into a humblebrag, but you’re doing great so you should be able to say so.

You gotta own it, right?

Most definitely. You discuss feminism a lot on your YouTube channel Sex+. I'm wondering how you deal with the seemingly inevitable backlash. Do you deal with a lot of trolls and hate mail?

Anyone who talks about these issues online -- especially in spaces where nobody is held accountable for what they say or do -- faces a number of different issues, from being trolled (even though I really don’t use "I think the fact that when people attack [feminists], it’s a sign of our own power. We are obviously threatening them in some way and threatening that ideology." that term) to being harassed all the time. I’ve had to move, I’ve had restraining orders -- there’s been a lot of messed up stuff that’s happened behind the scenes. And my perspective is that I just have to do what I can to stay safe, because otherwise they succeed at exactly what they’re trying to do, which is to silence me and keep me from talking about these things. I think that when people attack [feminists], it’s a sign of our own power. We are obviously threatening them in some way and threatening that ideology. I just try to stay positive about it.

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Green shrugging off the haters, via Facebook



On HuffPost Women we closely followed the Sam Pepper controversy back in September, when he "pranked" unsuspecting women by grabbing their butts and filmed their reactions. As a feminist and a sex-positive vlogger who’s also in the YouTube world, what was it like to watch that all go down, and what made you decide to respond to him directly in a video blog?

The whole thing started out as horrifying, with tons of confusion and stress about what to do. And then when I realized what needed to be done it was a terrible pain in the ass, honestly. The problem with the Sam Pepper thing was that no one was really willing to say anything about it. It was about to be brushed under the rug. And I started getting these really heartfelt emails and having these conversations with women about how deep this problem really went. It’s one of those moments where you’re like, “This really sucks, but I have to do it. I have to handle it.” So it was really stressful and it’s still stressful, but I’m glad to be helping the people who are involved in it. And I just hope that it’s made some difference for them and that it’s going to change the way that people think about people like Sam Pepper. Hopefully it helps people attract a more critical eye toward their actions, especially in person.

Who is your role model?

I don’t think I have any one particular person. I think that I see traits in lots of different people that I like from bloggers to TV personalities. I’ve never been one to idolize, I guess. Just a head down, get it done type of mentality.

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Green at Vidcon in June 2014, via Facebook



What would you say to people who choose not to identify as feminists?

I think it depends on their reasons. I think that anyone who understands what feminism is, if they’re a decent human being, there’s really no reason not to identify as a feminist. But I do understand that it comes with baggage for people; that it can be alienating for some people who live in communities where the word feminist is still viewed as a bad word. I think it’s OK to identify however you want. I would, however, urge them to be critical about why they don’t identify as feminists. If they agree with the causes of feminism, but they don’t necessarily call themselves a feminist then I’m OK with that too.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

I don’t know who this quote is from, I’ve seen it attributed to Jesus which is funny because I’m not Christian or anything but it’s something that comes up again and again in my work. The quote is “I never said it was going to be easy, I only said that it would be worth it.” When I’m feeling kind of down, that’s a really good way to keep things in perspective. It’s a really great way to keep your eye on the big picture and try not to get too involved in the little challenges that happen along the way.

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Green "sharing the secrets of perfect condom application," via Facebook



What’s next for you in your career and what are you most excited to do?

There’s definitely going to be some branching out to other forms of media. That’s about the extent of what I can say about it right now. I think that YouTube will always be a part of my work and a part of my life, but I hope that I can get onto other platforms where these messages and conversations haven’t been started yet.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

Give the Gift of Sleep: Ten Dream Inspiring Presents by Rank & Style

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You snooze, you win...with these ten dream-inducing gifts for the sleep lovers in your life! From friends who swear by their daily 8 hrs to family members who love spending weekends sleeping, we've got just the gifts for every category of 'sleepyhead' in your life. Browse through our top ten list of the best PJs, slippers, lotions and potions and give the gift of sleep this holiday season!

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10. COSABELLA BELLA PJ SET AND ROBE
Price: Robe $98 / PJ Set $130, Buy at Nordstrom and Shopbop

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9. EBERJEY GISELE PJ SET
Price: $97, Buy at Nordstrom

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8. MADEWELL SILK BEDTIME TOP IN PENGUIN PLAY
Price: $88, Buy at Madewell

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7. C. WONDER BUFFALO CHECK DOG TRAVEL SET
Price: $58, Buy at C. Wonder

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6. BAREFOOT DREAMS BAMBOO CHIC DRAPE FRONT CARDIGAN
Price: $90, Buy at Nordstrom

Find out what tops our list of the best sleepy time gifts and while you're at it, consult our lists of the best monogrammed gifts, accessories for city girls, and fitness gadgets for everyone on *your* list!

'Troop Beverly Hills' Is Coming To Netflix, What A Thrill


This Is What A 400-Pound Wedding Dress Looks Like

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Here's a wedding dress for the bride that has everything.

Minnesota artist Gail Be spent the last three-plus years creating a 400-pound wedding dress made entirely of beads -- over 1 million of them. The dress features a 20.5-foot train that was constructed with seven miles of beading wire, 500,000 glass pearls and over 400,000 crystals.

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gailbe.com

The design, which the 57-year-old beading pro hopes will be featured in a movie and ultimately a museum, took over 833 days to complete.

“I kept going and going,” Be, who worked with 23 other women on the project, told ABC News. “It’s in my warehouse and when it finally got to the back I stopped and said, ‘It’s done,’ and everyone got up and clapped.”

As you might expect, the gown -- which Be named "Fantasy" -- is impossible to walk in.

“It hurt and I couldn’t move, but I felt like a fairy-tale princess. It’s truly like a fantasy,” Jessica Collette, a model who tried on the dress, told the Star Tribune.

Hey, anything to feel like a princess on your wedding day, right? (We kid, we kid.) Check out more photos of the dress below.



H/T Bustle

Follow HuffPost Wedding's board Wedding Dresses on Pinterest.

Crush Cyber Monday With These 3 Tricks

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If you plan to go online on Cyber Monday to score some deals for your holiday shopping, you're not alone. Last year, 131 million people shopped online during the Monday following Thanksgiving, according to USA Today, spending nearly $2.29 billion.

For this year, we tested out some of the best online tools to make Cyber Monday a little less hectic for you. We also spoke to consumer expert Andrea Woroch to get some tips on how to optimize your online shopping.

1. Prepare Sunday Night

Do some research over the weekend before you go online on Monday. You can start your search with our partners at DealNews, a site that spends all year researching the best sales.

Make a list of what you want in a draft in your email or as a Google Doc. Woroch recommends bookmarking pages and saving your payment information on sites you’ll know you’ll be using.

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Visit a site like Gift Card Granny if you plan to spend a lot at one store for Cyber Monday.


If you know you'll be shopping at a certain site, one way to save money is to buy a discounted gift card ahead of time. Sites like Gift Card Granny sell people's unwanted gift cards, and you can save anywhere from 3 to 70 percent.

2. Download A Price Comparison Tool

Even with a bunch of research into the best deals on Cyber Monday, you may still be spending too much. Make sure you’re truly getting the best price by downloading a price comparison browser extension. One of the best free ones out there is PriceBlink -- not only because it browses the most number of trusted online merchants, but also because it combines many functions of other sites into one single tool.

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PriceBlink automatically checks prices on an item you're viewing.


Whenever you are on a product page, a yellow bar will pop up and notify you if your item is listed for less on over 11,000 stores across the web. Where PriceBlink stands out from other price comparison extensions is that it also shows a chart of price trends, so you can see if it’s truly the right time to buy.

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PriceBlink lets you click directly to cheaper retailers and view price history.


If you add an item to your Wish List (another button in the browser), PriceBlink will notify you if the item's price drops in the future -- something PoachIt.com, an app and browser extension, is also well-recognized for. PriceBlink also gives you coupon codes. It's available for Chrome, Firefox or Safari.

3. Look For Automatic Coupon Codes

A lot of sites offer discount codes in the lead up to Cyber Monday. You can find some of them using PriceBlink, but other extensions are helpful in this department as well. Honey for Google Chrome or Coupons Helper for Firefox are two we recommend. Both browser extensions will automatically apply coupons to items in your cart.

Woroch said her favorite coupon site is Coupon Sherpa because it allows you to search by store and product categories. While many sites have outdated codes that don't work anymore, Coupon Sherpa is backed by a team that curates and categorizes sales, she said.

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Coupon Sherpa offers in-store and online discount codes.


If you're going to be buying a lot and often, you might want to sign up for a service like Freeshipping.com. The subscription service is similar to Amazon Prime, and offers free shipping from retailers like Best Buy, Walmart and Sears and cash back for a monthly fee of $13.

And if you need to meet a minimum order to get free shipping from a major retailer, Woroch suggests checking whether the company offers in-store pickup for free.

Happy shopping!

My Favorite Things List Even Though I'm Not Oprah

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I'm not Oprah but who says she's the only one who can have a favorite things list!! Now I don't have an audience that I'm going to hand these gifts out to but this is MY list of favorite things for this holiday season!

1. Keds sequin gyms by Kate Spade sparkly comfy and they go with sooooo much they are a no brainer to add to your wish lists. Available at Kate Spade
2. The Charity Pot this moisturizing lotion has a light floral smell and is packed with cocoa butter but the best part of this is that LUSH donates 100 % of the sales (minus taxes) to organizations that work in environmental conservation , Animal welfare and human rights. Available at Lush
3. Cookies from the Honolulu Cookie Company . I just recently tried these cookies while in a Tommy Bahama store and OMG I have not stopped thinking of them since ! You can buy in Tommy Bahama locations or order online at www.honolulucookie.com
4. I am definitely a purseaholic, so of course no list is complete without one. I could at anytime come up with 20 purses I long for but right now the Kate Spade Street Floral Maise Satchel at Von Maur is definitely a beauty that I wouldn't mind seeing under the tree (well that and the large pink Balienciaga at Neimans. )
5. Dolce by Dolce and Gabanna is on my list as favorite fragrance right now Available at Sephora, Nordies, Von Maur and more.
6. The Glambox makeup organizer and display. This should really be at top of my list because I adore it so .With its acrylic body and roomy drawers it makes finding all your beauty supplies a snap. Can't wait to add one to my bathroom vanity. There are several brands that make these and they are all pricy but keeping your makeup in order will be worth the splurge.
7. Rose Champagne and/or Prosecco. Our family loves to indulge in these two drinks instead of typical wines on the holidays. You can also add a little cranberry juice or pomegranate juice to either to make a festive cocktail.
8. Buon Natale dinnerware from Sur La Table. I wait all year to pull out these festive dishes and serving ware. The fun holiday Italian scene makes me smile and is a tradition in my house. Sur La Table has carried this line for several years but when I need a piece to match any of my existing sets and can't find I head to www.replacements.com They have endless patterns and you will be able to add to any collection.
9. Mac brush set Every year at the holidays I add to my Mac brush collections by picking up one of the holiday sets. It's an affordable way to update your brushes because you can grab a set for the price of normally one brush ! You can't beat these holiday set deals. This year I'm eyeing Keepsakes/M•A•C Studio Brush Kit It gives you near-endless options and includes Powder Blush Brush,Foundation Brush,Tapered Blending Brush, Fluff Brush and Eye Liner Brush. All come packaged inside a limited-edition cream glitter makeup bag with pearl beaded trim and a cameo-encrusted zipper pull. Available at Nordstrom, Macy's or Mac stores.
10. Dipytique candles. Yes you can buy candles much cheaper than these but you will never find a candle with the intoxicating scent these fill your home with. They come in a variety of gorgeous scents and I find it hard to narrow down my fav. Available at Neiman Marcus or www.dipytique.com

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shopping Tips

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It's the biggest shopping season of them all, but Santa isn't the only one who should be checking his list twice. If you were planning on shopping for an amazing holiday outfit or thoughtful gifts for friends and family? This is a great time to do it. However, a successful weekend of shopping is all about planning. It can mean the difference between the satisfaction of getting all your holiday shopping done a month in advance and waking up on Tuesday with a shopping hangover or buyer's remorse. Here are 10 things to consider as you move into the weekend.

  1. What is Black Friday?
    It's the day after Thanksgiving. This year, that's November 28th. The day is marked by major sales and discounts. It's called Black Friday because the day puts retailers "in the black" e.g. making a profit.


  2. What is Cyber Monday? Before the internet, we only had Black Friday. People would wake up extra early to go shopping for deals. There was coffee involved. That still happens but Cyber Monday started as a day of online deals for people who don't want to brave the crowds or cold on Friday. However, most shops have Black Friday sales online now too, so it's worth checking out online deals early Friday morning.


  3. Which one should I shop, Friday or Monday? Here's my advice. Some discounts go live Friday and some items will sell out. If you have your heart set on something and it goes on crazy sale Friday? Buy! If you are shopping in general, are flexible, and want the deepest discounts? Wait until Monday!


  4. What is this Small Business Saturday I heard about? It's a day to support local businesses. Is there a small shop in your town you love? They might have great after-Thanksgiving sales too. Check them out because small businesses keep communities thriving.


  5. What makes a good discount? Because I'm a fashion blogger, I've had a sneak peak at many of the best deals in fashion during this year's shopping weekend. Many of the discounts I've seen are 30-50 percent off. I personally wouldn't accept less than this range. Like many others, I will be posting my favorite deals on my blog at the stroke of midnight on Friday.


  6. I am against the commercialization of holidays and this post offends me. I totally understand, however it still stands that this is a great time for deals. If you were going to shop anyway, this is a way to stretch your dollar. I personally don't like the idea of shopping on Thanksgiving and think it's perfectly fine to avoid stores that make their workers miss the holiday. Thanksgiving should be spent with loved ones, not fighting with a stranger over a BluRay player. Friday, Saturday, and Monday are more than enough, and you can do much of it from your home in your pajamas.


  7. I'm definitely shopping, what can I do in the meantime? Plan ahead. Who are you shopping for? Yourself? Friends? Family? First, decide on an overall budget and stick to it. Remember, the weekend should be about shopping smart.


  8. What's a good Black Friday or Cyber Monday shopping strategy? Pull up your favorite shops and compare the deals. The internet is always open so Black Friday starts at midnight. If you find something you absolutely love, buy or risk it selling out. If you're just window shopping, keep looking so you make the best choices. Keep notes of all purchases and expected packages. Don't make impulse purchases. If you're shopping in-store, bundle up and wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Be kind to others; you're not going into battle. At the end of the day, it's just shopping.


  9. Help, I'm scared to shop for clothes online! Know your measurements and use the size charts. If you are like me, you'll be grabbing that extra serving of stuffing (my favorite) the evening before - and the morning after. So know your size before then so you can ensure a perfect fit.


  10. Stay Connected Follow me Instagram @pinklip or visit my blog, jaymiranda.com to get updated about the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday fashion deals of the year. Ready? Set. Shop!


How You Can Donate To Charity This Season Without Even Opening Your Wallet

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There's no easier time to donate to charity than around the holiday season.

During this time of year, many stores make it so simple to donate by giving part of their profits to charitable organizations -- so while you're buying the things that you need, you can also feel good about giving back. But not all retailers require you to spend money to help a good cause.

Enter Aritzia. The Canadian retailer, which opened stores stateside a few years ago, is starting a new campaign where you can help those in need without opening your wallet. The fashion brand has launched a charitable initiative starting now until the end of the holiday season for the Cause We Care Foundation, a charity founded by women to assist disadvantaged single mothers and their children. All you have to do to participate is post a photo on social media of someone (a friend, sister, mother) who you love, with the hashtag #FullofHeart, and Aritzia will donate a brick to help build a subsidized housing complex in Vancouver to aid mothers and children in need.

That's right, there is no purchase necessary -- all you have to do is post a photo with the caption "I am #FullofHeart for X (person)" and you will be giving back.

Now if that's not effortless style, we don't know what is.


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