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Cozy Hats, Cute Holiday Outfits And More Wonderful Cheap Celeb Finds

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There are two things on our minds this time of year: Staying warm and dressing up for holiday parties. And this week, on our cheap celebrity finds list, we saw a good mix of both.

Nina Dobrev snapped a photo of herself in a cozy $29 winter hat, Taylor Swift wore not one but two cute outfits perfect for any Christmas party, and for those of you who just want to stay inside and binge watch T.V., Victoria's Secret angel Candice Swanepoel found a great tank for lounging around.

Check out the best cheap finds of the week and let us know which ones have been added to your Christmas wish list.


Proof That Victoria's Secret Models Take The Ultimate Selfies

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The ultimate selfie? One taken by a Victoria's Secret angel, of course.

Yes, we know the biggest fashion show of the year is over, but that doesn't mean the stalking is. As always, we were keeping tabs and the angels were on top of their Twitter game. From plane selfies to backstage snaps, we got inside access thanks to the Victoria's Secret Twitter account. And just when we thought it couldn't get any better, Taylor Swift popped up.

Scroll down for all the shots you might've missed this week!






















































Best Tweets: What Women Said On Twitter This Week

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This week was almost exactly like last week except the non-indictment of a cop who killed an unarmed black man was from New York not Missouri. Twitter user Shauna summed up our feelings when she tweeted, "Watching the news lately makes me really miss the Ebola hysteria." Sadly, so true.

In a bit lighter news, the holidays are closing in and everyone's excited to enjoy some vacation. Twitter user lafix had a unique suggestion for relaxing over the holidays: "Give your teen your old WWJD bracelet and tell them the J is Jaden. Merry Smithmas!" You really can't go wrong with the Smith family.

For more great tweets from women, scroll through the list below. Then visit our Funniest Tweets From Women page for our past collections.





















































Follow HuffPostWomen's board Funny Tweets From Women on Pinterest.

7 Reasons Why You Go Blonde

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There are so many women today running to the hair salon to put blonde in their hair when it doesn't bring out their best. Perhaps you may be one of them.

It is one of my biggest pet peeves -- witnessing someone going blonde when blonde hair coloring is completely misaligned with their natural hair color and/or optimal hair color palette. A few celebrity examples include Rita Ora, Jessica Alba, Sarah Hyland and Kim Kardashian (when she had her blonde locks).

Why is this one of my biggest pet peeves? Because most women who go blonde when blonde is out of alignment with their coloring are unknowingly choosing a hair color that more often than not results in them looking duller, worn, outdated, odd, unbalanced and even older.

On an energetic level women who fit this scenario are unknowingly choosing to give off a lower energy vibration as well. Everything in the universe emits an energy vibration, including color. A great holistic practice to test someone's energy vibration as it relates to different colors is Energy Muscle Testing. This is a practice whereby muscles are tested to identify whether thoughts, actions, feelings and things are in vibrational harmony with an individual.

When someone is muscle tested wearing colors that are not in alignment with them, their muscles are weaker and therefore they are giving off a lower energy vibration into the world.

There are other colors women put in their hair that do not give off their best. I am soloing out blonde here because the intensity of the negative impacts of going blonde when it is not aligned with you are much more signficant than going from a dark brown to medium brown for example. Also note this works both ways -- if you should have blonde in your hair and are walking around with black hair for example the same negative impacts exist for you. Going lighter is just simply the more common scenario I witness.

Without a color analysis consultation, it may be a little tricky to tell if having blonde hair color gives off your best. However, here are some surface-level considerations that may indicate blonde is not in your most optimal color palette.

  • You've never in your lifetime had natural blonde hair.

  • There is a significant color discrepancy between your natural eyebrow color and bleached/dyed hair color.

  • If you've already gone blonde - when you look in the mirror or at a picture of you, your eyes are more naturally drawn to look at your hair over your face.

  • If you've already gone blonde - your face may look washed out and out of harmony with your hair color.


Why do you go blonde when blonde is not giving off your best? This is a question that has puzzled me for awhile, so I decided to investigate. Here are the seven reasons I uncovered (so far). I ask you to read these reasons with an open mind -- all, none, some of them may apply to you.

1. You don't know your most optimal hair color(s). You've been choosing your hair color blindly by following trends, scanning hair color swatch books, following what untrained individuals have told you to do (i.e. your friends/family) and/or mimicking what a celebrity is doing. You've never visited a hair color expert trained in revealing what your optimal colors are.

If this is your reason, I recommend visiting a color analysis professional in your area to discover what hair color(s) are best for you. Selecting a hair color while 'wearing a blindfold' is never a good thing for your image.

2. You're trying to snag a mate and/or keep a mate. It's a part of our evolution. A Discovery News article titled 'Why Do So Many Women Go Blonde' states that in Ice Age days, blonde hair was attractive to potential mates because it was rare.

Here's a quote from the article -- "As women came to outnumber the supply of monogamous men, they had to become more competitive for male attention. In evolutionary terms, this produced strong sexual selection for novel hair and eye colors. Women with unusually bright looks were eye-catching and appealing."

Is blonde so rare these days? I guess it depends on where you live and/or the circles where you spend your time.

3. You make more money. Blonde is seen as more attractive primarily due to our evolution described in #2 above. Depending on your job, where you live and/or the circles you hang around, it is very possible that being blonde could generate more money for you.

4. You consciously made the decision to hide. When you go blonde when blonde hair coloring does not align with you, we have trouble seeing you and your face. Your hair is overpowering the authentic you. Perhaps you've been going through or are going through some trying times and want to withdraw a bit from the world. Nothing wrong with that. But, please come back when you're ready! The world needs you and wants to see you.

5. You want something more funky or different to show off personality style. I totally get this reason. I am a creative type myself. Just be aware of reason #4 above along with the fact you are more than likely giving out a lower energy vibration into the universe. Consider countering by wearing clothing, makeup and accessory colors and styles that align with you to give off your best energy.

6. You're feeling down whether you realize it or not. Like attracts like. Your current point of attraction has a strong pull to want to keep you down by giving off a lower energy vibration into the universe. Your subconscious is driving your hair color decision.

This is where I strongly believe that changing your hair color to be in alignment with the authentic you could translate into a gateway to shift your feelings into a more positive direction. (e.g. feeling of worthiness, confidence, general happiness, energy etc.).

7. You want to hide the greys. See my blog post titled 'You've Got Grey Hair, Therefore You Need to Be a Blonde???' for more background on this reason. Going blonde when blonde hair coloring does not align with you, more often than not makes you look older, dull and magnify skin imperfections such as wrinkles.

There is no reason to go blonde just because you've gone grey. If you want to hide the greys, I always recommend choosing a hair color that aligns with your seasonal color palette.

So now you have the 7 reasons that came up in my investigation on why you're going blonde when it's not giving off your best. I'm sure there are more, by no means is the above an all-inclusive list.

The bottom line is my pet peeve is just that, a pet peeve. I encourage you to consider your reason(s) before making your next hair color appointment. It all comes down to 1) making yourself aware of your most optimal hair color(s) and 2) knowing and accepting your reason(s) for wanting to have blonde hair if blonde hair coloring is not aligned to give off the best you.

If you choose to transition from your blonde hair color to a color that is in more harmony with you, be prepared for a strong emotional reaction. I've seen a number of different reactions ranging from overwhelming joy to shock to tears. If you do experience some negative emotions, this is just your internal self going through a transition phase to align with your external self. Not to worry - just know more often than not this is temporary. I am grateful that you have decided to alleviate the expansion of my pet peeve :-)

I hope this blog post inspires you to wear your authenticity!

This Is The Minimalist Instagram Of Your Dreams

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Fifty shades of minimalist?

You would think Instagramming with only two to three colors might get repetitive, but Ivania Carpio gets creative. We came across the blogger this week and we can't seem to stop scrolling -- even her hair matches her perfectly-curated feed! We can't help but wonder how she finds all of these perfectly-white backgrounds to complement her perfectly-white clothing and shoes.

We love aesthetics too, Ivania. Scroll down for all white everything!








































Jenny Slate Looks Smokin' Hot On Our Best Beauty List

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Dear Jenny Slate,

You are not only super funny, but you are utterly gorgeous.

The stand-up comedian/actress attended the 24th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards in New York City looking fabulous and festive. Slate's brunette hair was styled in brushed-out curls that fell beautifully against her ruby red dress. And she added a pop of color to her milky complexion with taupe eyeshadow and a cranberry lip color.

Get holiday hair and makeup inspiration from Slate's look below and find out which other star's made this week's best and worst beauty list.

BEST: Jenny Slate

jenny slate

Someone give this woman a beauty campaign stat! We just can't stop staring at Slate's hair commercial-worthy mane, eye color-popping makeup and red lipstick shade.

BEST: Suki Waterhouse

suki waterhouse

The 22-year-old British model and actress does retro beauty like no other. Here, Waterhouse channels Brigitte Bardot with thick cat-eye liner, tousled blonde waves and a barely-there nude lip.

BEST: Emma Watson

emma watson

Hermione who? Watson is the picture of sophistication at the British Fashion Awards with her side-swept strands, well-groomed brows, just enough mascara to lengthen her lashes and a matte red-orange lip.

BEST: Naomie Harris

naomie harris

Harris's pink-hued is like a breath of fresh air during winter. Rocking a center part, her chocolate brown hair layers frame her face perfectly.

WORST: Ella Eyre

ella eyre

This English singer-songwriter's big body curls isn't the issue here. It's the heavy face makeup she applied that ended up clashing with her blonde highlights and that black and white fur. A lightweight foundation, brow filler and softer eyeshadow would have turned this don't into a do.

WORST: Aubrey O'Day

aubrey oday

We barely recognized the former Danity Kane band member with this platinum blonde hairdo. O'Day also went overboard with the bronzer, false eyelashes and ombre lip color. Less is always more, ladies!

WORST: Daphne Blunt

daphne blunt

The Disney star surely doesn't need to mask her natural beauty. The camera's flash highlights Blunt's misplaced skin luminizer and that unflattering raisin-colored lip gloss. For teens who'd like to experiment with makeup, we suggest keeping it simple with a tinted BB cream, touch of blush and mascara or eyeliner.

WORST: Tali Lennox

tali lennox

Lennox's unkempt hair and heavy orange eyeshadow reminded us of our college days when we'd roll out of bed, scrunch our hair and run to our morning class. While you don't have to go full glam for the red carpet, Lennox could've skipped the eye makeup and accentuate her lips with a richer pink gloss.

A Week In Kardashians Killing It

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It seems like a day doesn't go by where the Kardashian clan doesn't try and break the Internet -- and this week was no exception. While we may not have seen Kim's derrière on the cover of any magazines, we did see a whole lot of Kourtney. The mother of two posed nude (and pregnant) in a recent photo shoot for DuJour magazine and the results were stunning.

But Kourt wasn't the only one heating things up. Kendall Jenner wowed on the red carpet at the British Fashion Awards and on the runway for the Chanel’s Métiers d’Art show (we've got a supermodel in the making, people).

Of course Kim couldn't be left out -- Mrs. Kanye West showed up to two events looking as stylish as ever. And can we have a moment of silent reverence for Khlo in that amazing black jumpsuit?

Check out all the times the Kardashian-Jenner fam killed it this week.

kendall
Kendall Jenner at the British Fashion Awards


kimkris
Kim Kardashian & Kris Jenner at the Elizabeth Taylor Foundation/World AIDS Day


kendall
Kendall Jenner during the Chanel Metiers d'Art Collection 2014/15


kendall
Kendall Jenner during the Chanel Metiers d'Art Collection 2014/15


kourtney
Kourtney Kardashian poses nude for DuJour


khloe
Khloe Kardashian at the collaboration celebration of Pharrell Williams and Adidas


kim
Kim Kardashian at the Paper Magazine Break The Internet Issue Release Party


No, Thanks: The 30 Worst Possible Holiday Gifts

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The holidays are a time for coming together, celebrating, and unchecked pie-eating. What could be better? Oh, right -- the presents. You want to make sure your gifts elicit squeals of delight, not a tight-lipped grimace trying to pass for a smile.

The Hawaiian Shirt Is The Comeback Kid We're All Rooting For

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huffyi You might know them as Hawaiian shirts, but in Hawaii, they go by a different name: aloha shirts. And they have come a long way since the days when your always-golfing uncle tried to look like Magnum, P.I.

Today, they're not just worn by businessmen in Hawaii: Hawaiian-inspired patterns are showing up in department stores such as Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, and labels such as Prada, Saint Laurent, and Uniqlo have featured pieces this year.

It seems the storied style -- once seen as the equivalent of mom jeans for men -- is rising from the ashes.

Aloha shirts go back as far as the 1930s and have bounced between being cool and hideous for decades. In mid-century, as tiki culture raged through the country, celebrities like Elvis, Shirley Temple and Bing Crosby, as well as President Nixon, all donned the style, and it became emblematic of a happy, more relaxed attitude.

nixon hawaiian
President Nixon at a 1960 luau in Hilo, Hawaii.


But not just any shirt with flowers on it is an aloha shirt, says Dale Hope, a designer, shirt collector and author of "The Aloha Shirt: Spirit Of The Islands" with Gregory Tozian. What separates an aloha shirt from a patterned shirt is a degree of thoughtfulness and research.

"With an aloha shirt, it's all in the art," he told The Huffington Post. "It's done by artists as a tribute, with respect to the place. You can tell that homework was done in the print when they research the shape of the canoe or the details of the fish in the print. It's not just some stupid canoe; there are enough stupid canoes." A true aloha shirt is "something made with pride in Hawaii."

military in aloha shirts
This shirt was made for the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division, which is based on Oahu, and represents the military’s far reaching influence in Hawaii’s culture.


Threading The Needle: The Multi-Cultural Origins

So where did the aloha shirt come from? Although the invention is credited to Ellery Chun, a clothier in Honolulu during the '30s who was shrewd enough to trademark the phrase "aloha shirt" in 1936 or 1937, the shirt as we know it today was more likely the evolution of a bunch of things.

In the '20s and '30s on Oahu, underpaid plantation workers started looking for other ways to make a living. With sewing machines making their way across the Pacific, workers -- usually immigrants from the Philippines, Japan, China and Portugal -- saw they could make more money if they set up shops as tailors and clothiers.

The Native Hawaiian population had traditionally worn kapa, a cloth made from the bark of the paper mulberry tree that was pounded flat, bleached dry by the sun and dyed in bright reds and yellows using berries and kukui nuts. However, due to missionary influences, they had started wearing modest, more subdued clothing. Anthropologist Linda Arthur Bradley notes that kapa were traded out as it became "a mark of status to be able to wear new Western-style clothes." But the kapa's bold colors would resurface in aloha wear.

vintage kapa
Storytelling is important to an aloha shirt print. These depictions represent Hawaiian traditions of beating kapa, among others.


The shirt was further influenced by the untucked way shirts were worn in the Philippines, as well as kimono fabric from Japan and flower prints from Tahitian pareus. For the growing tourism industry in Honolulu in the '30s, the shirt became an emblem of all these exotic cultures and crossroads.

As Hope writes in his book, "nothing painted a more vivid picture of Hawaii than these bold shirts with their colorful Island images." That a shirt with island-based colors would come to represent the aloha spirit, "was probably just something that was in the air at the time," he told The Huffington Post.

Bursting At The Seams: The Trend Grows In Popularity

hawaiian shirts

The word "aloha" was thrown around a lot in the '30s as tourism grew, but Musa-Shiya Shoten, an inspired shirt-maker, was probably the first person to ever use "aloha shirt" in print. He ran an ad in a 1935 issue of the "Honolulu Advertiser" for "Aloha" shirts: "well tailored, beautiful designs and radiant colors: 95¢." Later, Ellery Chun noticed the hot trend and trademarked the phrase as a way to keep his store in business during the Depression.

According to Dr. Bradley, aloha shirts of the '30s were technically "hash prints," or a "hodgepodge of images [slapped] onto a shirt using linoleum stamps." During the war, stationed servicemen bought tons of these shirts, which served as a colorful antithesis to their uniforms, but it wasn't until a design house led by Alfred Shaheen hired salaried artists in the ‘50s that the style really took off.

robert sato shaheen
Textile designer Robert Sato created most of Shaheen’s designs in the art department.


"I masterminded the look," Shaheen is quoted as saying in "The Aloha Shirt." "I wanted a certain look that was different from everyone else's. I would not do hash prints or chop suey prints. I avoided bright or garish colors ... I wanted my stuff to blend into a man's pair of pants or into a woman's jacket or skirt."

alfred shaheen kilauea
This print, named “Kilauea Volcano,” typifies Shaheen’s style and storytelling.


Shaheen's mass-produced shirts were sold in 3,600 stores on the mainland, as well as stores in France, Hong Kong, London, Samoa and Cuba. Today, they fetch tens of thousands of dollars each at auctions. One of Shaheen's early designs, the Tiare Tapa, was worn by Elvis on the cover of "Blue Hawaii" in 1961.

elvis hawaii
Elvis wears a Shaheen shirt on the cover of "Blue Hawaii."


The 1960s also saw a huge shift in aloha shirt design: the reverse print, a more subdued style that looks like a shirt sewn inside out. Design house Reyn Spooner first put the reverse print out and locals loved them. "The reverse shirt was something special," Rochlen told Hope in "The Aloha Shirt." "It was for the kama'aina, not for the malihini tourists."

george clooney descendants
George Clooney and Shailene Woodley in 2011's "The Descendants."


When Shirt Hit The Fan: The Hawaiian Shirt's Fall From Grace

The 1970s and '80s were a dark period for aloha shirts. The popularity of a mustachioed Tom Selleck in the television series "Magnum, P.I." had every paunchy guy thinking he could look as macho as Magnum if he, too, wore aloha shirts. Rochlen told The Huffington Post that the Hawaii style presented in "Magnum, P.I." "wasn't about embracing unique fabrics, color, art, and imagery." For instance, Magnum's Jungle Bird shirt -- which is now included in the Smithsonian's collection -- was a basic print: a blue shirt with parrots on it. But as Rochlen points out, "it was Tom Selleck. He could have been wearing toilet paper and we would have chased the best toilet paper in the world."

hawaiian shirt
Tom Selleck wore many aloha shirts as Thomas Magnum for the television show, "Magnum, P.I.," in the '80s.


duane hanson
Artist Duane Hanson's "Tourists II" (1988) illustrates the aloha shirt at its campiest.


The real blow to aloha shirts' cred came later, according to Hope, who says you can pinpoint the date to August 1993, the month the brand Tommy Bahama was born.

Tommy Bahama ushered in a new era for island resort wear. It championed a Jimmy Buffett Parrothead lifestyle that confused the public's perception of aloha shirts, ultimately dooming the term to nothing more than kitsch.

That Is, Until Now:

According to the Wall Street Journal, aloha shirts are back in a big, and expensive, way. Bergdorf Goodman has invested heavily in Hawaiian-inspired prints this year; Hedi Slimane designed a $840 shirt for Saint Laurent this year and Prada is selling $1,500 long sleeve Hawaiian print shirts. (That's a bargain: Because long sleeve styles were printed for only a short time, an original long sleeve aloha shirt once sold at Sotheby's for $10,000.) Forbes has called the resurgence the "Hawaiian print redux," and GQ recently featured Pharrell Williams sporting a Prada aloha shirt in a story that wondered whether "Oahu is the new fashion capital of the world."

171236516
A model walks the runway at the Prada Spring Summer 2014 fashion show during Milan Menswear Fashion Week.


While these are beautiful Hawaiian-inspired shirts, most wouldn’t be considered true "aloha shirts" under Hope's definition because they lack the storytelling essence. For authentic styles, you can look to Sig Zane from the Big Island, whose designs incorporate Hawaiian ethnic motifs and tradition; Kealopiko, a manufacturer based on Molokai that sources inspiration from designs and materials locally; and legacy Hawaii-based resort wear labels such as Reyn Spooner and Tori Richards, which still sell to an international market. Dale Hope has collaborated on several lines, including one with Quiksilver and another with Kailua-based Mu'umu'u Heaven.


Big Island artist and designer Sig Zane describes his process of telling stories through his fabrics in the above video.




Whether people call them Hawaiian or otherwise, it seems the world is still in love with these shirts (Jared Leto, especially) and designers will continue to find ways to incorporate Hawaiian-style motifs into their products.

484737663
Jared Leto at the 2014 MTV Movie Awards.


Hawaiian shirt. Thai boxing shorts. Space tights. #weirdbutcomfy

A photo posted by JARED LETO (@jaredleto) on



But if the old stuff is what you really want, Bailey's Antique & Aloha Shirts in Waikiki has long been known as a Mecca for antique aloha shirts. The crowded store usually keeps more than 15,000 different pieces in house with originals that cost up to $8,000 each and replicas as high as $89.

Not convinced Aloha shirts are for you? At the very least, we all owe them a debt of gratitude. The tradition of wearing the shirts on Aloha Fridays in Hawaii introduced the concept of "casual Fridays" to the rest of the country.



Correction: An earlier version of this article misspelled designer Hedi Slimane's name.

A How-To Guide To Treating Those Annoying Hangnails

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As if dry skin and wind burn weren't enough, we've got yet another reason to wish it were summer again. Our latest gripe are hangnails, those pesky perpetrators that seem to ruin our weekly manicures.

Whether it's the throbbing pain of the hanging skin or the constant urge to rip them the eff off, everything about them just makes us want to scream. With that in mind we spoke with a dermatologist and a manicurist about everything hangnails: how to get rid of, treat and possibly prevent them for good.

First up...

What is a hangnail?
While it seems like hangnails are directly correlated with nails, they are more associated with the cuticle. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Maryann Mikhail of Spring Street Dermatology told us, "A hangnail is a piece of skin that separates from the side of the cuticle," meaning they have more to do with the surrounding parts of your tips.

What's the cause?
There are multiple issues that can trigger hangnails. "Nail clipping can lead to hangnails if the nail is trimmed along the lateral aspect of the nail," Dr. Mikhail says, which means cutting along the sides, rather than the top, of the nail. Mikhail also adds that "pushing back or cutting cuticles too aggressively," can also be irritating.

And surprise, surprise: winter also has something to do with them as cold weather exasperates dry skin.

How do we get rid of them?
Two words: Don't rip. And we mean it. Why? Ripping "can leave an open wound and introduce bacteria, which can result in an infection called paronychia," Mikhail says. And you probably know that throbbing feeling that comes with the raw, red territory after you've accidentally pulled off a hangnail.

Instead, do it the gentler way. Paintbox manicurist Beatrice Nemiro says "to soften [the hangnail] a little by soaking in warm water for five minutes," beforehand. Both Nemiro and Mikhail recommend cleaning your hands with an antibacterial soap, then cut the sucker off from the base with a cuticle or nail clipper. Then add an anti-bacterial ointment and patch it up with a Band-Aid.

What to do when you can't remove it:
If a nail clipper isn't available, try something else. After washing your hands, Dr. Mikhail advises to apply "either Vaseline or a Bacitracin ointment and cover it with a Band-Aid." If there's a first aid kit laying around nearby, check to see if it has any medical adhesives that could help keep the dangling piece in place. The last think you want is a hangnail catching on something.

How can we prevent them?
Moisturize. "Cuticle oil is your friend," Nemiro says, adding that "it is not only amazingly nourishing for your cuticles but it helps in the overall health of your nail." She mentions that once a day, preferably before bed, is great for use.

Nemiro and Dr. Mikhail advise regular use of lotions for added moisture, as well as vitamin E, which is hydrating and great in treating nicks and scars.

Finally, Nemiro says that it is perfectly fine to express hangnail concerns with your manicurist and let them know if you don't want your cuticles cut. Mikhail notes: "The cuticle is meant to protect the root of the nail from invasion by bacteria, fungus and viruses." So, if that area is damaged by a tool, especially a dirty one, you could be looking for trouble that goes deeper than a hangnail.

If you have any questions regarding hangnails, please consult your doctor or dermatologist.

See more winter tips and remedies on HuffPost Style's Pinterest!

Follow HuffPost Style's board Tender, Love & Care on Pinterest.

The Best Non-Book Gifts For Bookworms

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It's hard to believe this has happened, but it's already December, and the holiday shopping season is slipping by. What will you get your book-loving beloveds? Sure, they always seem to appreciate a book, but giving a book to a reader carries certain risks. What if you pick the one author they simply loathe? What if you write a heartfelt Christmas message on the front leaf of the crisp new volume, only to watch helplessly as they unwrap the same book from someone else before yours? What if they just already own it?

In short, what do you get the bookworm who has everything? We're never against taking a risk on a book as a gift, but these book-themed doodads and trinkets should offer a different kind of thrill to the voracious reader on your shopping list.

For Artsy Readers
Many readers don't just love books -- they love beauty. Anything that combines words and beauty is a big old win for us.

Art prints
A bookish piece of art is the perfect gift for the aesthetically minded reader. Like this one, a gift and a benediction. (via Etsy)
bookprint1

We will never stop recommending these gorgeous quote illustrations from ObviousState. (via Etsy)
artprint2

If you can't decide on just one, why not a calendar -- a stunning new quote for every month. (via Etsy)
calendarart

That's our mantra, and probably your loved one's mantra too! (via Etsy)
artprint3

For your favorite Kerouac fan. (via Etsy)
kerouacprint

The building blocks of our favorite things. (via Etsy)
aeiouprint

Stationery
A lovely notebook allows your artsy-fartsy reading friend to express their innermost thoughts through poetry or heartfelt journaling. How about this one, inspired by Jane Austen's Emma? (via Kate Spade)
emmanotebook

Or, for a journal of your recipient's reading activity, a personalized book diary! (via Etsy)
bookjournal

For Domestic Readers
Reading can be done anywhere, but it's generally a sedentary activity. If you know a reader who loves to curl up on the couch or in a snug nook at home, consider making that experience even more cozy.

Throw blanket
As Gwyneth Paltrow would tell us, "It's really hard to go wrong with a cashmere throw blanket." We say, "It's pretty hard to go wrong with a regular non-cashmere throw blanket." A cuddly blanket is perfect for Sunday afternoons curled up with a stack of books, and we love this handsomely pleated take on the throw. (via West Elm)
throwblanket

Or, for the more literally literary-minded. (via Houzz)
literaturethrow

Throw pillow
Your dear reader must rest his or her head somewhere while dreaming over a good classic. Why not a beautiful and alphabetical set of throw cushions? Select several to spell out a favorite word (READ, BOOK, WRITE -- just some ideas), or go for your recipient's initial. (via Urban Outfitters)
pillow

Or, for a Lord of the Rings fan, a full quote. (via Urban Outfitters)
tolkienpillow

Reading lamp
As your grandmother would say, "Why are you reading in that dim light? It's bad for your eyes!" Show your favorite reader how much you care about eye health and proper illumination with a reading lamp, like one of these adjustable, vintage-inspired models:

(via Target)
lamp

(via Urban Outfitters)
lampreading

Mug
Reading and drinking a piping hot mug of coffee or tea -- what could be cozier?

For the polite but firm bookworm. (via Zazzle)
readingmug

For Austenites. (via ShopPBS)
austenmug

For literary rebels. (via ShopPBS)
bannedbookmug

For the classic type. (via Penguin)
woolfmug


For Stylish Readers
Combining books and clothing can result in some rather nerdy fashion statements, but choose carefully and your book-loving fashionista friends will be proud to wear your gifts.

Jewelry
Literary jewelry is tough to pull off, but this Bell Jar-inspired necklace is lovely, not cheesy. (via Out of Print)
plathnecklace

Gorgeous. (via Etsy)
origamiearrings

T-shirt
A literary T should be clever, comfy, and stylish enough to wear on a casual day around town, like these contenders.

Yes, that is the entire text of Ulysses printed on this shirt! Plus, there are more to choose from. (via Litographs)
ulyssestshirt

Help your friend show which author's team he or she is really on with these baseball T-shirts. (via Novel-T)
novelt

Brilliant combination of pop culture and modernism. H/T Buzzfeed. (via marisaso)
shewoolft

Tote
Ye shall know your readers by their totes full of new reading! This styling plays off of the title of the Louisa May Alcott classic. (via Out of Print)
littlewomenbag

Adorable. (via Society6)
giraffetote

Every reader should have this Bartleby-inspired tote -- does your loved one? (via Melville House)
melvillehousetote

Book clutch
For the high-end shopper, we present these covetable clutches modeled off of hardcover books. We found this "guide to the stars" particularly adorable. (via Kate Spade)
bookclutch1


For Practical Readers
All this ascetic book-lover needs to properly enjoy his or her latest novel are the necessary tools -- so make sure your friend or loved one has the very finest one at hand.

Bookweight
Any multitasking reader knows the struggle of trying to read while brushing teeth, eating dinner, or crocheting an afghan. This bookweight holds the book open, leaving hands free for cutlery or craftwork -- far more effectively than makeshift weights like a half-used toothpaste tube or a bottle of ketchup. This version is monogrammable, for an even more elegant touch. (via Levenger)
bookweight

E-reader Case
E-reader users may gloat that they don't have that spontaneous book closure problem -- but how do they protect their fancy piece of equipment? A case is the perfect opportunity to blend practicality with a bit of flair. For a retro touch, get your friend a case crafted out of a real hardcover; they can read Fifty Shades of Grey but still appear to be reading Jane Austen. Win-win. (via Etsy)
ereadercover

Too flashy for your nearest and dearest? Every literary nerd has a fondness for the sober and understated Moleskine notebook, so let them sheath their e-reader in the same classy cover. Bonus: these cases come with notebooks tucked inside for easy note-taking. (via Moleskine)
moleskinecover

Bookplate Stamp
No one likes a book thief (bestseller of that name aside). For friends who hate seeing their books disappear into the hands of exes and unscrupulous borrowers, a stamp bearing their name may not be a panacea, but it should at least ease the process of recovering their precious possessions. (via Etsy)
bookstamp

Bookmark
Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer or Secret Santa trinket? This eminently practical bookmark not only saves the reader's page, it points right to the line where he or she stopped reading. (via MoMa)
bookmarkpoint


For Giving Readers
Some of us hate receiving donations in our name as gifts (ahem, George Costanza). But maybe there's a reader on your list who's more compassionate, even philanthropic, who'd love to know a worthy literary cause received a boost in their name. #WeNeedDiverseBooks got deserved attention after the recent Daniel Handler kerfuffle at the National Book Awards -- and there are still a few days left to contribute to their campaign! (via Indiegogo)

As protests continue in Ferguson, Missouri, consider a donation to the Ferguson library, which has been a refuge for local kids and families. And help support your local library or another library in need.

Help provide books to underprivileged children through the wonderful nonprofit First Book. (via FirstBook)

Kaley Cuoco Posts 'Before And After' Photo From Her Makeup Chair

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Kaley Cuoco has a big sense of humor about the rather large amount of beauty prep required before becoming red carpet ready.

Kate Middleton Kicks Off New York Trip With A Burgundy Bang

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They're here!

We've been counting down the days until Kate Middleton and Prince William's trip to New York City was announced in November. And even though we're pretty bummed that Prince George isn't here to up the visit's cute factor, there's at least one thing we're (unsurprisingly) not disappointed about: the duchess' epic maternity style.

kate and will

The royal couple arrived at NYC's Carlyle Hotel on Sunday evening, and in true Kate form, she looked radiant as ever in a burgundy coat by Seraphine, a favorite label from her first pregnancy.

The duchess only has about 72 hours in the Big Apple, and now we're just wondering what she plans on wearing to the Brooklyn Nets basketball game Monday night.

kate and will 2

Unforgettable Celebrity Weddings Of 2014

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Ah, 2014. The year of the celebrity wedding.

Not only did Hollywood's most eligible bachelor, George Clooney, tie the knot, possibly the most famous couple in the world, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, did too. And how could we forget about Kimye? (Now that was an extravagant affair.)

Here are all the celebrities who said "I do" this year:

These 17 Minimalist Instagram Accounts Are Pure Eye-Candy

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Modern life hardly encourages simplicity. And yet, that most modern invention, Instagram, is awash with clean lines and dichromatic palettes. We scoured the platform's most pared down accounts to find our favorite documentarians of the simple life. From the candy-colored to the just plain stark, there's a feed to suit every design snob on the Internet.

1. Patricia Romero: A Venezuelan living in Madrid, Romero has mastered the art of minimal minimalism. Her painterly shots make ingenious use of white space to highlight the action.

#latergram

A photo posted by Patricia Romero (@patriromero) on






2. Dennis Schoof: If a vicarious stroll through the river-bounded Ruhr region of Germany sounds good to you, this feed's your ticket. Schoof photographs a range of shots, often featuring his bicycle (#bikeporn).

#berlin

A photo posted by dennis schoof (@densschoof) on




#halfofabike

A photo posted by dennis schoof (@densschoof) on






3. Janske Kaethoven: The Belgium-based photographer takes sweeping outdoor shots that may as well be in magazines.






4. Valentina Loffredo: Shooting in the geometric paradise that is Hong Kong, Loffredo favors minimalism with a healthy dose of color.

Rubik's Cube

A photo posted by @thatsval on






5. Jan Ove: The Norwegian designer captures unreal panoramas using only his iPhone.

Parkinglot.

A photo posted by Jan Ove (@janove) on






6. Mariana Ito: All the usual suspects populate this feed: kitties, children, and food. But Ito's shots stand apart from the crowd thanks to her skill at interweaving the colors of Brazil, where she lives.

#fdsbrinquecomacomida para @instagrambrasil

A photo posted by Mariana (@mariana_ito) on




Popcorn

A photo posted by Mariana (@mariana_ito) on






7. Davide: Going only by his first name, Davide fills his feed with clean slices of European architecture.




Stalking on Heaven's Door.

A photo posted by Davide (@omniamundamundis) on






8. Andrew Zonzini: The Italian graphic designer likes to pair bright backgrounds with quirky subjects.

Campagna di sensibilizzazione per un corretto uso di questo misterioso organo chiamato cervello.

A photo posted by Andrew Zonzini (@perrycolante) on




BOOOOM

A photo posted by Andrew Zonzini (@perrycolante) on






9. Serge: The Lebanese lawyer somehow finds time to discover strange and beautiful buildings around Beirut.

A photo posted by serjios (@serjios) on




A photo posted by serjios (@serjios) on






10. @palomaparrot: Companion to another photographer on our list, Dennis Schoof, this Ruhr-based Instagrammer stages surrealist shots often featuring herself.

the witch #whpalterego

A photo posted by palomaparrot (@palomaparrot) on




another bathtub shot

A photo posted by palomaparrot (@palomaparrot) on






11. Matt Crump: The creator of #candyminimalism delivers a feed that's bigger than the sum of its parts. Together, the neon-tinged images merge into the ultimate dream of summer.

Suspension #WHPnearandfar #linemeetscorner

A photo posted by Matt Crump (@mattcrump) on




#roofline_envelope #candytecture

A photo posted by Matt Crump (@mattcrump) on






12. Killerminimal: Created by @rarabro, the account's mantra is simple: "Feature a variety of killer minimals from #killerminimal."

#killerminimal of the week time everyone! Please join me in congratulating this weeks winner _______________________________________ @oliviermorisse @oliviermorisse @oliviermorisse @oliviermorisse _______________________________________ This weeks feature goes to this amazing shot, I can't stop looking at it! I mean, where was it taken... The freakin moon?! this artist is a filou it must be said, but he's talented, creative and a big bag of French fun.... Please let's hear it for the one, the only @oliviermorisse ...o la la!! _______________________________________ Image selected by - @twtsi _______________________________________ #killerminimalcolour #killerminimalurban #minimal #minimalism #minimalist #simplicity #instaminim #minimalcorner #mh_minimalhunter #mo_minimalobsession #ig_minimalaysia #feature #igminimal #ig_minimalismo #jj_minimalism #minimalmood #basic #soft_tones #popyacolour #candyminimal #instaminimal #shoutingsam #amselcom

A photo posted by killerminimal (@killerminimal) on









13. @wejude: It's mostly monochromatic architectural shots, but it's all beautiful.









14. Irini Giotopoulou: Based in Greece, architect Giotopoulou favors the many shades of white, with a few powdered blue pigments mixed in.

Soft

A photo posted by irini giotopoulou (@irini_ioto) on






15. @otije: A physicist and self-professed photography lover, this account is full of minimalist facades, and more facades.

Green moment

A photo posted by otije (@otije) on






16. Tony Hammond: Take it from Hammond: "I like minimalism. I only use an iPhone. I'm in the UK."






17. @wk.ai: The biography is as stark as the account. If you're looking for art and architecture reduced to its necessary elements, you've come to the right place.

A photo posted by kai. (@wk.ai) on




A photo posted by kai. (@wk.ai) on



31 All-Black Outfit Ideas That Are Seriously Creative

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It may be the one type of outfit you’ll never see Anna Wintour wearing, but we’re convinced that all-black can make even the skeptics downright giddy. After all, some of the most creative minds in fashion have been known to keep it monochrome. Grace Coddington, Rei Kawakubo, and Carine Roitfeld are just the tip of the iceberg.

If You're Not Already In The Holiday Spirit, FLOTUS' Dress Will Get You There

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It seems that not an event goes by where FLOTUS doesn't steal the show in an amazing outfit and/or beauty look. Whether it's at the Inauguration Ball, visiting the queen at Buckingham Palace or simply attending a press conference, Mrs. Obama never fails to hit it out of the style park.

And Sunday night at the 37th Kennedy Center Honors was no exception. The first lady sparkled (literally) in a Monique Lhuillier blush embroidered column gown with an illusion tulle skirt, big statement earrings and a light pink lip (can you say holiday party ready?). Although other big names were in attendance -- like Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda and Melanie Griffith-- the best-dressed of the night still goes to our girl FLOTUS.

Check out Michelle's look below and tell us it's not awe-inspiring.

michelle obama

obama

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Art Basel Miami Beach Street Style Is A True Masterpiece

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Wondering what to wear to an art fair? Wonder no more.

We've pulled some of our favorite looks from among hundreds snapped by photographers at this year's Art Basel Miami Beach and Miami Art Week, a days-long extravaganza of mega art fairs, exhibitions, sales, parties, jet-lagged gallerists chugging energy drinks, frantic scenesters in FOMO mode, Miley Cyrus in pasties and lots and lots of walking.

After the past week, we can safely conclude this: Anything goes. There are art dealers in basic black, socialites turning the sidewalks of South Beach into one giant walk-off, culture scribes in extravagantly patterned men's suits and locals ready to party in bright colors and bold hemlines.

The rule, in other words, is to just go all in -- whatever the look. After all, as Artnet News overheard among patrons at one VIP reception, "In Miami, these three-inch heels are considered flats."



(Photo, fashion inquiry by Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images)

Who: Rachael
Where: Outside the Scope show
What: Free People top and vintage bag
Why we love it: A statement bag is a joy forever, and THAT is a statement bag.



(Photo, fashion inquiry by Melodie Jeng/Getty Images)

Who: Christina Steinbrecher
Where: On the street
What: An outfit she designed herself, a Mulberry bag and flats from Italy
Why we love it: This DIY look reminds us of Tilda Swinton, dreamy naps, "The Simpsons" and never showing up wearing the same thing as someone else.




(Photo, fashion inquiry by Timur Emek/Getty Images)

Who: Marta Pozzan
Where: Wynwood Walls
What: Dress from Fifth Label, shoes from Soludos and a bag from Yves Saint Laurent
Why we love it: All the walking begs for flats, but dress down? Never.




(Photo, fashion inquiry by Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images)

Who: Caroline Johnson
Where: Art Basel Miami Beach
What: Zara dress, bag and shoes from a boutique in Italy
Why we love it: She dressed like a painting and IT WORKED.




(Photo by Timur Emek/Getty Images)

Who: Andre 3000
Where: On the street
What: Unspecified
Why we love it: Because Andre 3000 in overalls is always a good look.





(Photo, fashion inquiry by Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images)

Who: Rita Navalinskete
Where: Art Basel Miami Beach
What: Stella Jean shirt, pants and necklace and a Louis Vuitton purse
Why we love it: It's a little Palm Beach, a little Caribbean, and definitely not black. Thank goodness.




(Photo, fashion inquiry by Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images)

Who: Christen Wilson
Where: Art Basel Miami Beach
What: Christian Dior dress
Why we love it: A perfectly cut Christian Dior dress -- with sneakers.




(Photo, fashion inquiry by Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images)

Who: Regina Moody
Where: Art Basel Miami Beach
What: Zsega pants, Brione top and Jimmy Choo shoes
Why we love it: Fierce. Classic. Formidable.




(Photo, fashion inquiry by Timur Emek/Getty Images)

Who: Francesca Todisco
Where: On the beach
What: Chanel bag, Nike sneakers, a top from Marvel and a Leith skirt
Why we love it: A little bit health goth and a whole lot of striking.





(Photo, fashion inquiry by Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images)

Who: Irena Sidorova
Where: Art Basel Miami Beach
What: Marni dress, Celine bag, Aquazella shoes
Why we love it: Perfection.





(Photo, fashion inquiry by Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images)

Who: Cait Munro
Where: Art Basel Miami Beach
What: The Reformation dress, Alexander Wang bag, United Nude shoes
Why we love it: No one in Miami's ever done stripes, skin, a red lip and platform wedges before in any way that could be considered understated. Ground: broken.




(Photo, fashion inquiry by Melodie Jeng/Getty Images)

Who: Barbara Garcia
Where: On the street
What: Leather Zara shorts, a Loewe purse, Anton Heunis necklace, ASH sneakers and G-Star RAW
Why we love it: There are limited ways to do leather in Miami, even in December. This is just about the only one, so kudos for accuracy.



Want more? Check out dozens and dozens of looks from all around Miami's Art Week:




Tracee Ellis Ross: '2014 Was The Year I Saw My Hair On TV'

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One promising TV trend in 2014? The abundance of natural hair, as seen on black female characters from network TV to Netflix. Annalise Keating shed her wig and shattered narrow beauty standards on How to Get Away With Murder. The inmates’ textured hairstyles inspired emotional story lines on Orange Is the New Black. In Scandal‘s season premiere, Olivia took a rest from her silky-smooth D.C. blowouts. And Dr. Johnson’s hair on black-ish is exactly like Tracee Ellis Ross’ hair in real life: natural. Ross spoke to EW about what the boom in un-relaxed hair means to her.

Celebrity Aliases Revealed By Sony Hackers

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The massive hack of Sony Pictures continues to reveal confidential information, from salaries and social security numbers to the aliases stars use to check into hotels and reserve car services.

Hackers claim to have stolen 100 terabytes of data in total, and in the latest batch of files leaked by the a group calling itself Guardians of Peace, Fusion discovered a folder containing “publicity bibles” for many of the studio's recent films. The documents contain contact information for directors, actors and crew members, as well as some of the fake names celebrities come up with when they don't want people to know where they are staying.

Since it's not hard to come up with a new alias, we have no problem sharing a few of the phony names stars have used in the past:

  • Tom Hanks: "Harry Lauder" and "Johnny Madrid"

  • Sarah Michelle Gellar: "Neely O'Hara"

  • Tobey Maguire: "Neil Deep"

  • Natalie Portman: "Lauren Brown"

  • Clive Owen: "Robert Fenton"

  • Rob Schneider: "Nazzo Good"

  • Taye Diggs: "Scott Diggs" (His real name)

  • Jude Law: "Mr. Perry"

  • Daniel Craig: "Olwen Williams"

  • Jessica Alba: "Cash Money"

  • Ice Cube: "Darius Stone" and "O'Shea Jackson" (His real name)

  • Debra Messing: "Ava Harper"




The Guardians of Peace first hacked Sony on Nov. 24. While some amusing information has come to light, such as the fact that a few of Sony's employees are tired of making terrible Adam Sandler movies, things took a scary turn last week.

According to Variety, the hackers struck again on Thursday, sending a threatening email to employees that read in part:

Please sign your name to object the false [sic] of the company at the email address below if you don’t want to suffer damage. If you don’t, not only you but your family will be in danger.
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