Watch The Best Man 'Speech' That Brought These Brothers To Tears

April 7, 2015, 2:35 pm

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This is what brotherly love looks like -- playful teasing on the surface and deep, genuine affection underneath.

On March 29, singer-songwriter Daniel Buccheri of Melbourne, Australia surprised his older brother Adrian with a wonderful best man "speech" at his wedding.

"I didn't want to write a conventional speech," Buccheri told The Huffington Post. "I do a lot of writing with my own music, so it only seemed fitting to do what I do best."

Buccheri wrote personalized lyrics to the tune of well-known songs like Sam Smith's "Stay With Me," The Police's "Every Breath You Take," R. Kelly's "Ignition," Elton John's "Can You Feel The Love Tonight, Train's "Hey, Soul Sister" and the Backstreet Boys' "As Long As You Love Me," alternating between moments of gentle mockery and heartfelt sincerity.


Daniel and Adrian at the wedding

After making jokes about his brother's snoring (among other things) in the first half of the performance, Buccheri used the last part of the song to "get a little bit serious."

"Sometimes I think we don’t express how we really feel about our loved ones, but I really felt like I needed to say those heartfelt things to my brother," Buccheri told HuffPost.

The lyrics he's referring to? “I’m so proud of you, and all you’ve done for me. Whether you realize or not, I’ve always looked up to you."

"There were few words spoken after the speech, as we were all pretty emotional," Buccheri said. "Just a lot of hugging and crying."

Watch the video above.

H/T Mashable

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Evocative Photo Project Counters Stereotypes Of What It Means To Be Black, Masculine And Stylish

April 7, 2015, 3:14 pm

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For black men, the world of fashion has often been one wrought with stereotypes, misconceptions and images of three-sizes-too-large T-shirts, baggy jeans and flashy chains.

But the ongoing photo series "The Dandy Lion Project" aims to change all that by speaking to the fact that black male fashion, and, by association, black masculinity, is diverse and not solely defined by the sort of images of black men who dominate mainstream media.

The project is organized by Shantrelle Lewis, a Philadelphia- and Brooklyn-based curator. Initially launched for a pop-up art space in Harlem in 2010, “Dandy Lion” has since been featured in shows throughout the world. Its latest exhibition, at the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago, opened Monday.

(Story continues below)

Daniele Tamagni, “Sapeurs posing in front of Memorial Savorgnan de Brazz, Brazzaville.” 2008. Digital print, 25.9 x 35.8 in.


Kia Chenelle, “The Waiting Man I.” 2013. Archival print, 8 x 10 in.

The show, titled “Dandy Lion: (Re)Articulating Black Masculine Identity,” explores the idea of the “black dandy,” who Lewis described as “a man of African descent who has assimilated and acculturated European fashion in terms of Edwardian-style fashion and tailoring and has African aesthetics.” The show features photos of young urban men dressed in the “dandy” style from all over the world, taken by photographers ranging from the renowned to the unknown.

But what exactly makes up the “dandy” style? The look is a carefully tailored one that often includes a suit, or a vintage sweater or varsity jacket and mixes that early-to-mid 20th-century style with an African aesthetic that is often bursting with bold colors, rich fabrics and flamboyant patterns. It is not simply, as the exhibition announcement noted, “an imitation of European high-brow society.”

Though the "dandy" concept dates back hundreds of years -- most carefully documented by Slaves to Fashion author Monica Miller -- the “remixed” style is especially befitting of today’s “hip-hop generation,” Lewis explained.

“It definitely goes against the norm in the industry,” Lewis told The Huffington Post. “It’s a way in which they meticulously take and borrow from different cultures that speaks to the diaspora experience in general. It’s also part of the hip-hop aesthetic, borrowing and sampling — that’s what these guys are doing when they get dressed.”

Museum of Contemporary Photography executive director Natasha Egan also found the subject timely -- which is part of the reason why they brought the show to Chicago.

“It’s a subject that people talk about in the contemporary art world, this sort of representation of urban black men, but you haven’t seen a show like this,” Egan said. “It’s a great marriage between photography and fashion, which also is often about politics and gender.”

While paying so much attention to one’s appearance might strike some as feminine, Lewis pointed out that the project is intended to push back against that stereotype too. The photo subjects are a mix of straight men as well as gay men, according to Lewis.

“I wanted to combat these limited and narrow ideas of masculinity,” Lewis said. “It’s refreshing to see men who can embrace femininity regardless of sexuality. I have consciously picked images that show and respect that delicate balance between masculinity and femininity — one doesn’t overpower the other and they operate in harmony.”

And at a time where media images of black men continue to reinforce stereotypes rather than offering a broader view of African-American experiences, exhibitions like Lewis's serve a powerful purpose.

“There’s something to be said about how images continue to perpetuate aggression and fear of black men in our society, images that are closely related to the commercialized image of the thug and the rapper, what we hear on the radio and what we see in films and on TV," Lewis said. "It’s a manufactured image. I think of those images as being controlled and I think it’s time we collectively as a society across races and demographics begin to really dismantle them."

Below, view more photos from Lewis’ “Dandy Lion” show, which is on display at the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago through July 12.


Allison Janae Hamilton, “Tell me no tales.” 2013. Digital photograph, 30 x 45 in.


Sara Shamsavari, “Randolph Matthews, London.” 2013. Digital C-print, 16 x 20 in.


Rose Callahan, “Ike Ude In His Studio, New York City.” 2013. Digital C-print, 20 x 30 in.


Daniele Tamagni, “Dixy, London.” 2009. Digital print, 25.9 x 35.8 in.


Harness Hamese, “Give thanks to thoughtful hands — Bafana Mthembu and Andile Biyana of Khumbula.” 2013. Digital archival print, 20 x 24 in.


Sara Shamsavari, “Odie Oputa, London.” 2013. Digital C-print, 16 x 20 in.


Rose Callahan, “Barima Owusu-Nyantekyi at the King’s Head Club, London.” 2013. Digital C-print, 20 x 30 in.

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Remember JoJo? She's All Grown Up Now

April 7, 2015, 3:21 pm

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Remember JoJo? Of course you do, but you probably remember her as the 13-year-old who sang "Leave (Get Out)” and "Baby It's You," back in 2004.

Lil thickums. #TBT

A photo posted by JoJo (@translucentbrownsugar) on Mar 19, 2015 at 1:38pm PDT

Well, 11 years later she's all grown up as time tends to have that effect on people:



After being absent from the airwaves for nearly a decade, JoJo sued her record company Blackground Records and its subsidiary, Da Family, for claiming she was still their artist, despite the fact that she was a minor when she signed on in 2003 and could only legally be under contact for seven years. In January 2014, the singer was finally released from her contract, and signed with Atlantic Records.

These days she's on Instagram:

selfie generation.

A photo posted by JoJo (@translucentbrownsugar) on Apr 3, 2015 at 11:50am PDT

A photo posted by JoJo (@translucentbrownsugar) on Mar 11, 2015 at 11:38am PDT

And working on her music:

A photo posted by JoJo (@translucentbrownsugar) on Nov 3, 2014 at 11:44am PST

A photo posted by JoJo (@translucentbrownsugar) on Feb 27, 2015 at 10:48pm PST

UPDATE: And she has a sense of humor:

What is JoJo even doing ?

— JoJo (@JoJoistheway) April 8, 2015

Is JoJo even alive?

— JoJo (@JoJoistheway) April 8, 2015

Bitch you guessed it!

— JoJo (@JoJoistheway) April 8, 2015

h/t: Elite Daily

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An Open Letter to the President of France

April 7, 2015, 3:39 pm

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Dear President Francois Hollande,

I want to start by thanking you for caring enough about women's well-being to make changes in France's policies. Banishing pro-anorexia websites and not allowing dangerously thin models to walk your nation's runways could help minimize the epidemic of body-hate and responsive self-harm that runs so rampant. I'm also grateful for the conversations your campaign to stop anorexia has spurred, and feel compelled to offer my own thoughts.

I realize I'm one voice amid countless, and it's likely this won't even reach you. For this reason, I'm sharing this letter publicly, with hopes its message might make a positive difference -- if not for a country or industry, then for someone.

These issues are dear to my heart. I modeled for years, and nearly died of anorexia while working in Paris. I've since fully recovered, and spent over eight years as a nutritionist, offering dietary therapy for people struggling with eating disorders and related issues. Now, as an experienced health writer, radio host and public speaker, I routinely interview experts in psychology and medicine, as well as women who've overcome severe self and body shame. As someone who can speak from multiple sides of the body-shaming epidemic, I thought my insight might prove helpful.

On BMI as the Determining Factor

Others have expressed concerns about your new law, prohibiting anyone from hiring a model with a below healthy BMI. I share those concerns. (For those who aren't familiar, Body Mass Index is a tool used to determine body fat content based on weight and height.) BMI is sadly inaccurate as a measure of health for many people, and I imagine many models will find ways to falsify their results.

Secondly, I've known models who were tall and lanky naturally, to the point of being bullied in their youth. Modeling gave them a sense of empowerment; finally, they weren't being ridiculed for their atypical thinness, but celebrated. These women would undoubtedly fail the "healthy" BMI test. Ostracizing naturally thin women isn't right.

Many women with eating disorders, including models, partake in dangerous tactics to maintain a slimmer physique -- yet aren't underweight by BMI standards.

In some ways, focusing on "the numbers" perpetuates the damaging notion that they matter most.

It's understandable why you and your associates have taken this route, given the fact that anorexia diagnostics are based on such numbers. (They shouldn't be, in my opinion.) But I side with others who've suggested alternate means of determining models' wellness, such as thorough health exams. While helpful, however, I don't think such measures would suffice.

More Effective Steps Toward Positive Change

Attempting to regulate the health of models, but still allowing the standards of thinness over all to carry on, won't solve this epidemic. The standards need to change. While this is a huge task, it's doable, in my opinion. Here are some powerful steps that would help:

• Require fashion shows and magazines to depict a broad range of body shapes and sizes, as well as ages.



• Encourage fashion designers to create clothing for those shapes, sizes and ages.



• Don't merely show women seducing cameras in editorial shoots. Show them working, creating art, raising kids, being human.



• Require medics and other health/safety measures at fashion shows and photo shoots. (Show models that their safety and wellness matters as much as that of Hollywood actors'.)



• Discourage modeling agents from making harsh comments about models' weight.

Placing the pressure on those who hire models actually puts more pressure on the models themselves. If someone had landed in jail for hiring me when I was anorexic, I'm not sure I would have forgiven myself -- and most women with anorexia are already crippled with shame.

One of the most important ways we can all contribute to a world that empowers, rather than shuns, women is by embracing ourselves.

I've personally boycotted fashion shows, publications and work I find de-powering. (The narrow definitions of "beauty" were a major reason I quit modeling, even though I had an ongoing career after healing.) I've stopped saying anything negative about my body, which has cultivated more positive thoughts. I've embraced my sexuality -- a lack of which is another issue underlying many women's body hate. And I've learned to pursue my passions, to stop living up to anyone else's standards, knowing that in doing so, I can live a happier and more meaningful, impactful life.

Here's hoping that no matter what efforts you and your administration prioritize moving forward, more women will start questioning whether those "extra" pounds are worth the time, tumult and energy making ourselves smaller requires -- and that living largely means recognizing the existing real-beauty inherent in ourselves.

Sincerely,

August McLaughlin

This post originally appeared on August McLaughlin's blog.

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17 Pieces To Help You Deal With Spring Storms

April 7, 2015, 5:00 pm

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These last two months haven't exactly been the warmest for the Northeast, but now that it's April, things are finally starting to thaw. While snow is thankfully no longer in the forecast, it will definitely be gloomy, clammy, and rainy. If you think that dinky black drugstore umbrella you have stashed in your desk will cut it, you're wrong.

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5 Pairs of Shoes You Need This Spring

April 8, 2015, 1:47 am

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The best thing about spring cleaning? The part when you get to your closet and decide it's time to freshen up your footwear. We've even done the research for you. Here are the five shoe styles you'll love to wear from now through September.

Related: A Guide To Spring's Standout Shoes

Lace-up flats
There's a reason all of the fashion bloggers are obsessed with these feminine, ballerina-inspired shoes. They're beautiful and you can wear them with anything.

Related: The Shoe Every Fashion Blogger Is Wearing


Image: Trend Survivor

Minimalist Sandals
For those warm, less-is-more days, slip your feet into a pair of smart, simple sandals from L.A.-based line The Palatines.

Related: The Sandal With A Secret



Cool Kicks
When all you really want to wear are your gym clothes, take the look up a notch with these killer white sneakers by Rodarte for Superga.

Related: How To Wear Gym Clothes All Day, Every Day



Comfortable Heels
There is such a thing as a pain-free stiletto, says Stuart Weitzman. The brand has scaled down the heel of its celeb-favorite Nudist style for everyday wearers.

Related: The Red Carpet Shoe You Can Wear Too


Image: Song of Style

Classic Slides
The classic slip-em-on style is back and better than ever. Think sleek and supple.

Related: Love It Or Hate It, Slides Are Making a Comeback



More From PureWow:

A Guide To Spring's Standout Shoes
5 Fashion Hacks For Lazy Spring Dressing
The Right Way To Cuff Your Jeans
How To Wear Springs Newest Fabric
The Ultimate Spring Beauty Guide
7 Beauty Hacks Every Woman Should Know

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This May Be The Least Healthy Way To Use Eyeliner

April 8, 2015, 5:07 am

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Tracing eyeliner onto your inner eyelids can give your eyes a bold, defined look.

Unfortunately, it's also the most unhealthy and uncomfortable way to use eyeliner -- especially if you wear contact lenses or suffer from sensitive or dry eyes.

A small pilot study published recently in the journal Eye and Contact Lens Science and Clinical Practice found that when eyeliner is applied to the inner lids, glitter and pigmentation make their way onto the "tear film" (the eyeball's protective coating) 15 to 30 percent more often than eyeliner applied outside the lash lines. Eyeliner applied on the inner lid also migrated onto the tear film faster than the eyeliner applied above or below eyelashes, and with either application, the glitter didn't stop migrating until two hours after application.

To document the eyeliner migration, Dr. Alison Ng of the Centre for Contact Lens Research at Waterloo (formerly of Cardiff University in Wales) used video to count and then compare the many different glitter particles that migrated onto the eyes after different eyeliner placements.



Eyeliner compounds like wax or oil can irritate sensitive eyes or stain and smudge contact lenses, leading to increasingly obscured vision throughout the day, Ng explained in a statement about her study. However, Ng's research didn't examine the potential for eyeliners to bacterially infect users if cosmetics are old or shared, although other studies have in the past. She also notes in her study that the participants were all caucasian, which may mean that eyeliner could have different migration patterns in other ethnicities who have different eyelid shapes.

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Giuliana Rancic Talks About The Future Of 'Fashion Police'

April 8, 2015, 11:05 am

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After Joan Rivers died in September, Giuliana Rancic went "back and forth" on whether "Fashion Police," the E! program she co-anchored with the comedy legend for four years, should continue on without her. Even today, the TV personality says she's "a little torn."

"When Joan passed away and the show came back, there was no way it could succeed," she told HuffPost Live in a conversation on Tuesday. "You can't just have the driving force behind the show, and the reason for the show being the way it is, not be there anymore and expect the show to do well. She was unique."

But Rancic is trying to stay optimistic about the future of "Fashion Police" for Rivers' sake, insisting she knows the late comedienne "would've wanted the show to go on."

"So we were all just -- all of us, the cast, the crew -- we so badly wanted to put a show on the air that she would've been proud of and that people would love, but I think maybe we did it too quickly," she confessed. "Maybe we should've taken more time."

This may have contributed to the sudden departure of fellow co-anchors Kelly Osbourne and Kathy Griffin, both of whom criticized the show.

The Going Off Script author hasn't been in touch with the two and says she can't speak to "what they meant by those comments." Rancic will admit, however, that the cast felt a "pressure to step it up and be a little bit funnier" without Rivers holding court.

Her nostalgia for the veteran comedienne hardly ends there.

"She was such a warm, loving, nurturing person," Rancic reflected. "It's hard to believe she's not here. It really is. It's still really surreal."

Watch more from Giuliana Rancic's conversation with HuffPost Live here.


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

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22 Mother's Day Gifts Better Than A Last-Minute Bouquet

April 8, 2015, 11:20 am

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When it comes to Mother's Day, we don't mess around. On May 10, we'll be honoring the women who bathed and fed us until we could do it ourselves -- and a text with a flower emoji just will not do.

But no need to stress -- this year, spare yourself from the sad, wilted grocery store bouquet and nonsensical card in a mismatched envelope. Take a few minutes to scour the card racks early and scroll through some gift ideas below. From the touching to the quirky to the touchingly quirky, here are 22 Mother's Day gift ideas that are better than breakfast in bed.*
*Unless breakfast is served with items 10, 14 or 17.

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How An Underwear Brand Is Trying To Change The Conversation About Periods

April 8, 2015, 11:48 am

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Period stories have traditionally been relegated to the "most embarrassing moment" section of teen magazines. Now, a women's performance underwear brand is trying to change that.

Dear Kate's "First Time" video, directed by Process Media's Mary Harron, includes short interviews with over 20 women about the first time they got their periods. Instead of being shrouded in shame or the "ick" factor, the anecdotes are funny, honest and varied.

"It was definitely pink, it wasn't red like it is now -- and it looked kind of stickyish," says one woman. "And I thought, 'huh, how did melted candy get into my underwear?'"

"I sort of looked down and my immediate thought was, 'Oh shit! This is where I'm gonna die,'" quips another.

Dear Kate founder Julie Sygiel told The Huffington Post that the idea for the video was born out of personal experience. "It's surprising that even though I've had my period for 16 years and consider myself comfortable with the topic, I still find myself whispering at the office to ask if someone has a pad or tampon if I'm in need," she said. "Why is there an uncomfortableness surrounding periods? When we talked with friends, we realized that it started when we first got our period."



The discomfort about menstruation many women grow up with is furthered by the fact that honest depictions of menstruation in advertising, the media and pop culture are few and far between. Menstrual pad and tampon ads often use blue liquid to represent blood, and just last month artist Rupi Kaur's photograph of a fully-clothed woman bleeding through her sweatpants was removed from Instagram twice.

It's this stigma that the women behind Dear Kate hope their video can challenge.

"By sharing our stories, we can reframe the way periods are talked about and eliminate the shame that often accompanies them," said Sygiel.

Cheers to that.

H/T BuzzFeed

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7 Commercials These Stars Would Rather We All Forgot About

April 8, 2015, 12:47 pm

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We all have embarrassing home movies. But for celebrities, who often grow up under the limelight, cheesy childhood moments tend to be a little more public.

Check out seven early commercials from the '80s and '90s these stars--from Jennifer Lawrence to Leonardo DiCaprio-- might not want to remember... but the Internet never forgets.

When Jennifer Lawrence was a super sweet 16-year-old.



When Cameron Diaz starred in this incredibly weird Coke ad.



When Jennifer Aniston tried her hardest to make Lynx deodorant sexy.



When a very young Russell Crowe showed off his poofy hair in a commercial for an Aussie bank.



When Anne Hathaway made an adorkable argument for landline phones.



When a very young Naomi Watts got passionate about tampons.



When Leonardo DiCaprio revealed that his childhood diet was mostly made of Kraft cheese.




A version of this post appeared on HuffPost Germany.

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25 Photos of Epic Beards and the Men that Make Them Look Good

April 8, 2015, 12:50 pm

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No shave November is nowhere in sight, but if you take a look around any major metropolitan area you'll realize that people no longer need an excuse to grow copious amounts of well-groomed (or not so well-groomed) facial hair.

Beards are everywhere. Something of a symbol of the modern day hipster and definitely an "in-style" bit of facial accoutrement, it's no surprise they've started popping up all over 500px Prime.

From the lumberjack, to the well-groomed Van Dyke, to the deceptively unkept layer of scruff, here are 25 of our favorite beard-y photos taken by 500px photographers and up for sale in the 500px Prime licensing marketplace.



















































25 photos not quite enough to scratch that bearded itch? No problem! You can see many more photos like these on 500px or license them for your next project through 500px Prime.

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One Size Fits No One

April 8, 2015, 1:13 pm

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As a personal stylist, mommy and wife, I'm rarely in a clothing store by myself. Last Sunday, I treated myself to a trip to my favorite store, stoked about getting some new dresses for Spring. My eyes caught a fantastic little black dress that I LOVED, but when I browsed the sizes, I wasn't sure what my size was.

Now, you might be thinking, "Why would a stylist, who is in stores all the time, not know her size?"

Here is the deal: It's precisely because I'm always in stores and working with women in (countless) dressing rooms that I have realized it's necessary to try on a lot of different sizes. Sizing is completely different depending on the store and the designer. Let's repeat that for a little more oomph: Sizing is completely different depending on the store and the designer.

I mean it! No one can ever just be a Size 8 everywhere they go. A Size 8 in one store is a Size 6 in another. High-end designers usually size down, so a woman with a 27'' waist would be a Size 8, while that same tiny waist would be a 0 in a less high-end store.

There is also something called "vanity sizing" that adds to this ever-changing number on the tag. Clothing sizes are not standardized in the United States, therefore stores are free to choose the size that they want, based on what they think will make their client feel the best.

Why are we so attached to that little number? When I am shopping with a client, it's always a goal of mine to make them see that going a size up (if that's what the garment calls for) will not only make them look thinner and feel more comfortable, but also that it doesn't necessarily mean their body has changed at all.

Whatever size you are in any particular piece of clothing, that's the size you are in that one store ONLY. Let's let this soak in and realize that if we are a bigger size in one store, that it does mean ANYTHING about us. Instead, it's about reframing our outlook. If you go into a dressing room with the mentality that you might need to go a size up or down, instead of saying "I'm a size 6," your shopping experience will be much more pleasurable.

Another reason we may have to change sizes is depending on the 'wear' of the item. For example, some jeans have a lot of stretch in them. If you've ever bought a pair of legging jeans, you'll notice that after a few wears, they usually stretch. Since I know this fact, I tend to buy them a little snug, knowing they will conform and stretch pretty quickly.

I want you to know that even if your body has changed, that doesn't mean anything negative about you. We are so used to bashing ourselves when we try on a piece of clothing that isn't the size we've decided we are in our head. I want you to try to remember the next time you are in the dressing room that going a size up literally means nothing about your body, and everything about a decision the store made. You are beautiful and a number on a tag shouldn't change how you feel about yourself. Try not to take it to heart and don't read into it. Trust that you are where you need to be, and if an item of clothes doesn't look good on you, or you need to change sizes that only good can come from it.

Oh, and just in case we've forgotten, here is a little reminder: No one sees that insignificant tag but you.

Image Credit: Krista Marie Photography

For more from Melanie, head to her blog headoverheelswithmelanie.com.

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Frances Bean Cobain Says She's Not Really Into Nirvana

April 8, 2015, 2:08 pm

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Sorry to anyone out there who expected Frances Bean Cobain to be a raging Nirvana fan.

Speaking to Rolling Stone magazine about the new HBO documentary "Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck," the 22-year-old revealed she's (gasp) not really a fan of her father's music.

"I don't really like Nirvana that much [grins]. Sorry, promotional people, Universal. I'm more into Mercury Rev, Oasis, Brian Jonestown Massacre [laughs]. The grunge scene is not what I'm interested in," she told the magazine, adding that "Territorial Pissings" off Nirvana's "Nevermind" album is "a fucking great song." And she said that "Dumb," which is on "In Utero," is a tear-jerker that she described as "a stripped-down version of Kurt's perception of himself – of himself on drugs, off drugs, feeling inadequate to be titled the voice of a generation."

When asked if she felt awkward as a teen, for not being interested in Nirvana, she said it would have been more awkward if she had been a fan.

"I was around 15 when I realized he was inescapable. Even if I was in a car and had the radio on, there's my dad. He's larger than life. and our culture is obsessed with dead musicians," Frances explained. "We love to put them on a pedestal. If Kurt had just been another guy who abandoned his family in the most awful way possible . . . But he wasn't. He inspired people to put him on a pedestal, to become St. Kurt. He became even bigger after he died than he was when he was alive. You don't think it could have gotten any bigger. But it did."

Meanwhile, "Montage of Heck" is set to premiere on HBO on May 4, roughly a month after the 21st anniversary of Cobain's death. Frances, who acted as executive producer on the documentary, also told the magazine that working on the film also helped bridge her rocky relationship with her mother, Courtney Love. According to Frances, the first time Love saw the film, a particularly emotional scene, in which a clearly intoxicated Cobain holds a then-infant Frances in his lap while getting a haircut, brought the Hole frontwoman to tears.

"My mother held me, cried on me and just said, 'I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," Frances told Rolling Stone. "Just kept saying it over and over. But then she said, 'Do you realize how much your father loved you?' And I said, 'Yeah, I do.'"

For more with Frances Bean Cobain, head over to Rolling Stone.

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My First Bald Photoshoot!

April 8, 2015, 2:13 pm

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A casual inner monologue on a Thursday:

Jackie. You are bald now. You look different now. You are different now. Therefore, you should begin to accept who you've become today.

Market this woman you see now.

Guys, I'm an actor. A full-blown singing-dancing-acting-New York living-broke ass-musical theatre actor seeking a job on Broadway. Actors are vain, I admit it. We market our talents, voices, and very, very, very much our looks.

Six months ago, I was finishing up a musical in North Carolina when all of my hair started falling out due to Alopecia. By September, I was completely bald. Honestly, prior to being diagnosed, I didn't even know what the hell Alopecia was. So few people know what it is. Every inch of my identity began to peel away from who I was. My femininity felt like it was slowly fading, my confidence wilting, and my future as an actor was unknown. With your image being a humongous part of your career, I began to feel helpless.

This is me exactly 10 months ago:



I never dyed my hair, took great care of it, and it became somewhat of a comfort that I had a healthy head of thick Vietnamese hair.

After I was diagnosed, I wrote a blog that described the very beginning of my journey. The ups and the terrible downs, my biggest fears and insecurities.

When I posted the blog, the renowned Backstage Company reached out to me and offered services to help me along my obstacles. If you are any actor, you know of Backstage.com. It is a mecca for actors! It's where we obtain all audition information, find classes and remains a major tool for us. The fact that Backstage reached out to me was tremendous. I fangirl'd REAL hard.

Tom Lapke, who is the director of education and events, came across my blog and reached out to me. What he offered next to me would change my life! Backstage would offer me classes with casting directors, free admission to the biggest Networking parties in New York City, and the big kahuna: FREE HEADSHOTS.

Like.. what in the world, right?! WHAT IS MY LIFE. How could I not drop dead from the shock and utter gracious hearts of others; strangers, even!

This is the adorable Tom Lapke.



Every actor in New York must go through the quintessential photoshoot to capture their essence in an image: our headshot. This is our calling card! Our really pretty and really expensive business card that gets thrown away 70% of the time.

Some actors love these photoshoots and others hate them. I usually love them. Besides spending my life savings on them, I get really excited to market myself and to feel like I'm super cool getting my pictures taken professionally. However, as I began auditioning as a bald woman again, I felt that a few casting directors seemed a little confused about me bringing in an old image of me with my long hair versus seeing me in person with a bald head.

A few weeks ago, I went to the gym and ran on the treadmill. By my second mile, I started having a nervous breakdown in the middle of my gym in Astoria.

Why am I going through Alopecia?

What is the overall lesson I'm being given?

Should I retake my pictures?

Why the hell am I going to take pictures of me bald?

Am I really bald and is this actually a real life situation?

Fast forward to yesterday. After lots of journaling, meetings with my agent and amazing advice from professionals from the industry, even to my hesitation, it became time for a new chapter. Time to take some new headshots, goddamnit!

The luminous Lauren Toub was my photographer. (Check out her amazing work here.)

To describe the experience is almost impossible. It was one of the best days of my life. Because I knew I needed some support, my hunky boyfriend and best friend accompanied me and were even included in my shoot. It was the best gift I had ever been given, hands-down! Not only did I not have the stress of financially not being able to afford new headshots, but I felt compassion and support from all sorts of networks. I felt loved. I felt strong. I felt like a super hero.

Check out some of my shots!











My photographer, Lauren. Thank you for your generosity and for being the sweetest peach in the world! Her photography is unreal and her heart is undeniably huge.





Tom Lapke with Backstage: thank YOU for ultimately reaching out and helping a lost actor find her way again. Your gift was one that I could never repay and will cherish for the rest of my life.

As for me, I am still figuring things out. As I approach more auditions, dance classes and even a walk down 8th avenue, I am gaining more perspective about this switch in gears. What shows will accept this "new me"? When will I accept this "new me"? I don't know quite yet. This path is not easy but there are people out there who will lift you up in ways that you couldn't imagine. And that gives me hope.

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Road Tripping: The Worn Wear Tour

April 8, 2015, 2:37 pm

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Recently I've been doing long road trips by myself, starting last August with a cross-country trek from LA to NY and again this past December from NY to LA.

Each trip takes on it's own characters and it's been fantastic to reconnect with myself alone as well as with all the incredible people I've met along the way. Last weekend I drove up to Moab Utah for a few days of glamping at Under Canvas, doing a photoshoot along the way and in various spots throughout the city.

I fell in love with the red hills and the people we met, so I was really excited to hear about the Worn Wear road trip tour Patagonia just embarked on, starting last week in Ventura, CA and moving throughout the country all the way to NYC, with a stop in Moab on Saturday and Sunday April 18th and 19th. Patagonia's vibe is so much in tune with my own; their love of adventure, the open road, and a respect for the environment which they incorporate at every turn.

When I was I high school in the late '80s I started a recycling club, which still functions to this day, and have always supported the recycling ethos: reduce, reuse, recycle. A day after Governor Brown of California announced the new water restrictions for the state I think it's timely to note anyone anywhere who is already doing their part to lighten the load we place on our natural resources on a daily basis. The Worn Wear Wagon, created by artist/surfer Jay Nelson, encourages people to fix their clothes rather than replace them at the drop of a trendy hat. Check out the full tour schedule here and visit the staff from Patagonia's repair facility who will be traveling in the truck for the next few months, and they will fix up whatever treasures your closet holds, no matter what the brand, no matter how used, all amidst food, drinks and live music. I am jealous, I so want to go back out on the road with them.

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Karlie Kloss Announces #KodeWithKarlie Scholarship So Teen Girls Can Learn To Code

April 8, 2015, 2:43 pm

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Coding classes have made such an impact on Karlie Kloss' life that now she wants teen girls to have the chance to take them, too. Thanks to her latest project, a handful of them will get that chance without worrying about the cost.

The model announced on Instagram that she is partnering up with the Flatiron School to offer 20 girls the #KodeWithKarlie Scholarship. According to the scholarship website, the money will cover tuition for recipients to take Flatiron Pre-College Academy’s two-week Intro to Software Engineering course, the same one Kloss took herself a year ago.

I had fun learning how to fly drones with code today at @flatiron school ❤️ thanks @aviflombaum for the lesson, this will simplify the logistics for all future @karlieskookies deliveries!!!

A video posted by @karliekloss on Nov 8, 2014 at 9:15pm PST

During the summer course, students will study a programming language called Ruby and learn how to create an app. Ten of the scholarships are available at the school’s New York City location, while the other 10 are available in locations across the country. Girls 13 to 18 in high school can apply by uploading a video telling Kloss why they want to learn to code.

I am spending the last week of august learning how to program in ruby #girlswhocode #nerdalert

A photo posted by @karliekloss on Aug 25, 2014 at 4:24pm PDT

For Kloss, learning to code is especially important for women. In a video announcement of her scholarship, the healthy cookie expert (and Taylor Swift's bestie) explains that extending this experience to young girls will impact their lives now as well as help them have a say in their future.

“Code is only going to continue to play a major role in defining our future. I think it’s crucial that young women learn to code as early as possible to ensure that we, as young women, have a voice and a stake in what the world looks like.”

H/T BuzzFeed

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Finally, Ice Cream That Understands The Struggles Of PMSing

April 8, 2015, 2:52 pm

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Finally, there's an ice cream that feels your (menstrual) pain.

College student Parker Jones created a series of fake ice cream flavors that every menstruating woman can fall in love with: "Ice Cream That Understands PMS." The project features three fictional ice cream flavors that truly understand the struggle of having your period with names like "I Need Some More," "I Think I'm Dying" and -- our favorite -- "Don't Come Near Me." Sounds familiar.

The 21-year-old graphic design student told The Huffington Post she created the project for a senior capstone class. "The idea was simply what I wish I could say when I'm PMSing," Parker said.

Each flavor features seven stages of that emotion on its label. For "Don't Come Near Me" the emotional stages include anger, rage, whining, crying, anxiety, laughter and repeat. Been there, done that.

For every woman who's ever suffered from menstrual mood swings to chocolate binges and period cramps -- we've found your companion.

Check out Jones' delicious creations below.





Head over to Jones' website to check out more of her work.

H/T BuzzFeed

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I On Exceptional Living: The Exceptional Lives of William Yates, Beverly Johnson and More

April 8, 2015, 3:30 pm

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Photo from the collection of Irene Michaels.

From supermodel to suburban-supermom, the I On Exceptional Living series continues with more special individuals whose lives are leaving a mark on the world in a variety of ways. The following six people are especially deserving of recognition for their achievements, and I'm excited to share a snippet of their stories with my readers.

Dr. William Yates

Dr. Yates has been making people feel more confident and beautiful for over ten years. By advancing hair restoration surgery techniques, he has not only become a leader in his field but also a beacon of hope for those suffering from the emotional stress of hair loss. Dr. Yates has an impressive educational background and expertise which he shares with others through his writing and lectures, which disseminate this valuable information so that it can be more widely used to help a greater number of people. The doctor's facilities implement the most cutting edge technology available, developing and utilizing Restoration Robotics and ensuring that patients receive the very best care possible.

Beverly Johnson

Beverly Johnson was the first black supermodel to grace the cover of Vogue. She has been an unstoppable force ever since. Paving the way for other minorities to push into what was once a very narrow fashion field, she has become a role model to be reckoned with. A public figure, television host, writer and entrepreneur, this beautiful woman has stories to tell. Beverly is now about to release a memoir of this journey which will take readers from her highest moments to her most horrifying encounters, including the infamous attempted rape by Bill Cosby.

Yvonne Barteau

Yvonne Barteau is an inspiration to me. Anyone who has followed my work for any length of time knows what an avid horsewoman I am. Yvonne is a premier dressage performer, trainer and coach who has choreographed award winning routines and performed for national audiences. Her students compete (successfully!) at the highest levels of the sport. She has also been so kind as to impart her wisdom through two books, Ride the Right Horse and The Dressage Horse Manifesto, the latter of which is due for release later this year.

Sandra Costa

Sandra Costa does not just have an eye for style. Her keen business sense and innate understanding of cultural interplay gives her the ability to bring style, culture and class together in well-designed spaces that inspire. Her motto is simple: DESIGN IT SMART, BUILD IT STRONG, FINISH IT RIGHT! With this philosophy, Costa works with artisans, craftsmen and engineers, and has successfully built a global company that brings her client's desires from ideas on paper to highly customized spaces.

Joyce Selander

Joyce Selander is the author of Joyce, Queen of the Mountain, a memoir that captures the exciting life of a fearless woman who transformed herself from an "average" student to the first female to brave the pits of the Commodity Future Trading Markets in Chicago. Her story is exhilarating, engrossing readers as she recounts her meetings with presidents and dignitaries. This isn't just a book about business and know-how. Joyce's life is multidimensional and touches on topics as dark as the Taliban and murder.

Vicki Reece

Vicki Reece is the perfect suburban mom that the even the Jones's have trouble keeping up with. Vicki shares enthusiasm and inspiration with moms around the world through her project, Joy of Mom, which includes a thriving website and strong social media presence. Vicki has earned 17 million followers through sheer passion and the determination to impart experience-gained wisdom for moms seeking to be ever more present in their children's lives. What began with a mission to create better, nonviolent entertainment for children has blossomed into an impressive holistic endeavor.

Follow Irene on Facebook, Twitter and IOnTheScene.com!

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13 Reasons To Have Sex With Your Spouse Every Night

April 8, 2015, 4:58 pm

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When life gets busy, one of the first things to go in a relationship is sex. Couples are too tired, too full, too stressed, too distracted. Simply put: not in the mood.

We get it -- there are a million and one legitimate reasons not to have sex tonight, tomorrow or the day after that. But there are plenty of couples out there who are doing the deed five, six, seven or more times a week. We recently asked married HuffPost readers who have sex every night (barring things like sickness, business trips or other extenuating circumstances, of course) how it has improved their lives and relationships. Below are 13 good reasons to get it on with your spouse on a near daily basis.

1. It provides some much-needed couple time.
"My husband and I have sex every night because it's a moment in the day that is just about the two of us. We are parents to a toddler, so when we lay him down for bed each night, we can then spend the rest of the night expressing how we feel about each other physically. Having sex allows us to be passionate, to show affection and we enjoy pleasing each other." - Christie M. of Arkansas; married 3 years

2. It leads to more PDA outside of the bedroom.
"We're very physically expressive with one another, even when we're not having sex. We hold hands a lot, he slaps my butt when I'm working in the kitchen, I nuzzle his neck when he's working on research papers at the desk." - Jesse N. of Ontario, Canada; married less than one year

3. It can be a workout if you do it right.
"When you have four kids and no time, sex is the best exercise." - Tera M. of Oklahoma, married less than one year

4. It gets you out of your head for a little while.
"Sex for me, and now for my husband since we’ve gotten together, is a complete escape from reality. We are both very much into role-playing and it’s such a wonderful feeling to not have to be me for a while, to completely shut off from our crappy day-to-day existence and strictly be about ourselves and our enjoyment." - Sara C., of Panama City, Florida; married one year

5. It builds trust.
"New positions and sexual frontiers take a lot of trust in your partner to not screw it up, and that kind of trust is best earned after several years of personal and joint bodily exploration." - Kristena M. of Richmond, Virginia; married 10 years

6. It's a way to connect without speaking.
"Sex is a vital part of marriage. It brings couples together in a way that other things don't. What I mean is that it promotes togetherness, snuggling and cuddling, and it's a way to connect without words." - Teresa F. of Nashville, Michigan; married 37 years

7. You might end up arguing less.
"We know when something is off with each other. And most importantly, we don't fight, argue or bicker! We sit down and talk things out. Staying connected like that helps us communicate better outside of the bedroom." - Libby S. of Indianapolis, Indiana; married 2 years

8. It forces you to get creative.
"Being intimate so often, and sharing what each person needs and wants allows the freedom of creativity. There is no position or situation either of us has ever denied the other. This makes us each feel more and more comfortable to share [fantasies] or point out a hot girl or guy, and say what we’d like to do with them in bed." - Arlene B. of Monterey, California; engaged for 3 years

9. It's easier to schedule than a formal date night.
"I think it's the easiest way to have some romance since we really don't do date nights or vacations alone. Plus, I know my husband enjoys it." - Emily D. of Pleasanton, California; married 12 years

10. One word: Orgasms.
"The benefit for me is that it feels simply amazing. I also love to see how my husband gets lost in the moment. Being able to see that level of complete satisfaction on his face is so satisfying to me." - Stacia L. of Texas; married 11 years

11. It improves self-esteem.
"It has brought a new level of happiness for me personally, and has helped my self-esteem knowing that after two kids, my husband still thinks I'm sexy." - Karri H. of Alaska, married 6 years

12. It's a guaranteed mood booster.
"He sings in the shower after morning sex, nearly every time. This is all the proof I need that sex is a mood enhancer for him. And I'd like to think that good mood carries over into other parts of his day. I love knowing that I'm the reason he's smiling at work." - Jesse N. of Ontario, Canada; married less than one year

13. If you use it, you won't lose it.
"If sex is such a large part of your routine and a big priority, it never becomes low priority or gets weird or awkward. And you won't have to worry about how to resume or reconnect. Just don't ever stop doing it!" - Lara G. of Austin, Texas; married 24 years

Some responses have been edited and condensed.

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