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Beachside, Poolside, Summer Style Perfect

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If the warmer weather, longer days and all that embodies summer time doesn't make you melt, the first official day of summer surely will. Gone are heavy coats, grey skies, cold temperatures. Life seems to slow down, time seems to sift and change. Windows and doors stay open, even the food and drinks are a little different. It's summertime, and while every season has its own elements of style and fun, there's nothing quite like it.

The first item of order is to update the equipment. The summer months are all about chic totes that can carry all, simple flat sandals that work with everything and navigate sand, grass or other elements of nature with ease, and of course a few good reads to keep you busy while doing nothing but lounging and relaxing. If you've been working the thong or flip flop sandal from the past few seasons, update with any of the red-hot flat sandal trends this year -- slip on slides, lace up and gladiator to freshen up the look. H&M is a spot for the simple and affordable. If you're looking for an investment piece, Stuart Weitzman has been going strong for simple, summer flat sandals that are every bit as chic and cool.

No summer staple gets more work than the easy, breezy tote handbag that can transition from day to night, work to play, pool to beach, concert or whatever else is on your agenda. Shopbop.com has so many incredible options ranging from pricey to budget-friendly. We love the big, bold color and design of Mara Hoffman's collection. But just about anything can do.

When it comes to summer skincare, the essentials are not to be missed. A great gentle cleanser, a solid face sunscreen, and protection for the body, lips, hair, etc. Not Your Mother's haircare products are an editor favorite. Any of Suki skincare's cleansers are not likely to disappoint long after summer's easy days have made the fall transition. Sunscreen from Coola and SuperGoop are never far from reach here regardless of the time of year, but both have a range of products that are easy and perfect for all of the elements that the summer season throws at you.

To see more tips, ideas and amazing lifestyle products, check out this month's edition of Condiment Magazine at getcondiment.com

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On This Week's Cheap Celeb Finds List, Rihanna Wears Something We Can Actually Afford

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Get your credit cards ready, because after seeing this week's cheap celebrity finds list, you're going to want to go shopping.

Between Jennifer Lawrence's easy, breezy $60 dress, Rihanna's affordable blouse and Emmy Rossum's Ann Taylor steal, we were overwhelmed by all the cute items we saw in Hollywood over the past couple of days.

Check out the best cheap thrills below and let us know which ones you're lusting after.

Jennifer Lawrence's dress

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Wilfred Free Rosa Dress, $60

Christina Milian's dress




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Nasty Gal Digital Rage Knit Dress, $61

Bella Thorne's romper

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ASOS Romper with Cutout in Tile Print, $58

Emmy Rossum's dress

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Ann Taylor Tall Embroidered Trim Dress, $159 (50% off with code WEEKEND50)

LeAnn Rimes’ maxi dress

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Flynn Skye Scoop Back Maxi Dress, $132

Rihanna's top

A photo posted by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on




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Ines De La Fressange Paris Camisole, approximately $94 US (85€)




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I Am Addicted to Goodwill

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When I moved to the United States, I discovered a gold mine. Several in fact. I was in awe of my revelations -- I could not believe my eyes!

The concept of thrift stores does not really exist in Paris. There are a few places where you can buy vintage clothing, and of course the infamous weekend flea markets are good sources of deals, but somehow it is different to what I discovered first in Miami. And now I can barely go a month without shopping for bargains somewhere. One day I shall open a real thrift store in Paris.

I love clothes (and shoes, bags, all that jazz), and even though I always had a job all my life, meaning I could always afford to dress myself and my family decently, I still love a good bargain - and the pursuit of one is in fact one of my pastimes. I cannot afford Chanel bags and Dior couture dresses, but I can cloth myself in any season fashion quite well, for reasonable amounts.

I adore the chase of a good cheap piece. I am always looking for the real deals, the bargain items, and the recycled ones -- I always say that the day I win the Lotto, I'll still shop at Goodwill!

A Treasure Hunt.

Part of me, the environmentalist side, wants to re-use discarded items, as a good thing for the planet, and a part of me thrives in the challenge of not knowing what I will find that day! Like a game of treasure hunt or a box of chocolate for Forrest Gump: I never know what I'll find inside a thrift store. This also stands as a rebellion act for me against the consumerism society that I find totally abusive.

Why not buy used clothes? After all, we do purchase used cars, right? So it's the same, the minute you walk out of a clothing store, or the moment you drive out of the dealership lot, what you just bought brand new is already used! And with it comes depreciation and maybe even remorse.

My Own Rules.

I have a few rules when it comes to buying pre-owned clothes:

--I buy nothing black unless it's almost new, as faded black clothing is the worst thing ever.
--I never buy anything ripped or missing a button, as I very well know that I will never fix it.
--I do not buy anything a size too small, thinking that I would lose weight -- not happening. I am a size 8-10, which is the national average size for women, so there are plenty of things to be found in thrift stores for me.
--I never try anything on because after all, it is probably not clean, and I would rather lose a few dollars than try on something unsanitary. Mind you that if you go to any new clothing store, you never know how many women have tried the piece you are putting on before you!
--I never buy underwear, bathing suits or shoes in used conditions -- that just grosses me out.
--If I see a designer piece that is not my size, I still buy it because I know for sure I will sell it on eBay for much more than I paid for it.
--I never buy anything that I cannot wash in a machine, such as silk or cashmere. I know for a fact I will not wash it by hand. That is out of my realm of actions.

My Best Buys.

In Paris, at the modest Emmaus shop near La Bastille, I bought an UPLA messenger bag quite new for three Euros, which I instantly sold on eBay for $210 - they did not know what they had!

In a charity shop in Notting Hill (London), I bought a Stella McCartney dress for 35 pounds, usually sold for over $750. I still have it, it's classic and will never go out of style.

In Paris, I dug out of a large pile of... stuff a Courrèges Couture trench coat for 100 Euros, and sold it for 1,000 a few days later. That one helped pay my ticket. I had it cleaned for $15, so I made a good profit on it.

My Very Own World Address Book for Used Clothes.

Emmaus: this one in Paris is the only real thrift store in the city. You can find plenty of "vintage" stores around Montmartre, too many to list them here. (Buy). Paris has loads of vintage stores and second hand boutiques, especially around Montmartre, too many to list here. There is also a concept store called Kilo-Shop where you can buy clothes by the weigh .

Garage Sales, or Vide-Greniers like they are called in France. That is where everything goes! Some towns in France dedicate one weekend each year to hold those on a city-wide concept and this is a fun thing to do in the far away suburbs around Paris.

Plato's Closet: I only know the ones in Texas and in Florida, sometimes they have sales that bring down their items to $2 or $3 each piece. Otherwise still very affordable. For the younger crowd. (Buy/Sell system.)

Clothes Mentor: Bring your own clothes and they'll give you cash, which you can then use to buy new (to you) clothes right away. Their clothes are usually in better condition than other stores. (Buy/Sell.)

Buffalo Exchange: I love the store on Magazine Street in New Orleans. Fabulous bags and men's clothing. (Buy/Sell/Exchange.)

Goodwill Superstore (74th street and 74th avenue in Miami): this one is my favorite Goodwill of them all - it even has a designer section where you can find beautiful wedding dresses for $50. Just have it cleaned for $50 and it's still a bargain! (Buy.)

The Goodwills in North Florida, Pensacola and other locations have 99 cents Sunday sales, where a dedicated color will cost you only a buck - now this is almost like giving it away!

Charity Shoppes: that's what the thrift stores are called in London. Rather small and always geared towards giving the money to worthy causes. (Buy.)

Saint-Vincent de Paul: the used clothing stores of Australia. (Buy.)

Salvation Army: usually poorer choices than any other place, but still a few good items can be had. (Buy.)

Ebay and Etsy: I don't usually buy on auctions sites, because I still want to see the piece and feel it, even if I am not trying it on. That's definitely a personal choice. I do sell on eBay, but my things are always clean and in good shape, I would feel ashamed to do otherwise. But that's just me!

Any questions? Or comments! Contact me: sidoniesawyer@gmail.com.
See more of my stories here.

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How Do You Know When a Beauty Product Is 'the One'?

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(Photo: SuperStock/Corbis)


By Jean Godfrey June

Both the dazzling appeal and the sinking horror of being a beauty editor is that a flood of shiny new products wash over your desk each day, free of charge. Your job is to try and try and try them -- forever in search of something better. Even if you start to fall for something, fidelity is a sort of death, in terms of constantly coming up with new things to recommend to your readers. But in spite of it all, you still somehow manage to find the Infallible, the Kryptonite, the Desert-Island-Can't-Live-Without, the One, the Undying.

Related: 25 Famous Women on the Best Advice They've Ever Given -- or Received

Many of the items in my makeup bag have been there, faithfully replenished, for at least a decade: Secret Weapon hair cream from John Frieda, Secret Concealer from Laura Mercier (I know, so many secrets), Extra SPF 25 Tinted Balm from Bobbi Brown, YSL's Volupté Sheer Candy Glossy Balm (the name has lengthened over the years, but the gorgeousness has in no way abated), Skin Food by Weleda.

How did they get to (and maintain) their Significant Other status?

As in love, there's the slow-burn route: In the dead-middle-utter-misery of the last recession, I heard about this shampoo called Russian Amber from Philip B. It came in a tub and smelled like fantastic, exotic honey mixed with an oud-inflected perfume ... and it cost $140. I didn't even bother trying it -- I figured the only people even remotely pleased to hear about such a thing were the mostly male-patterned-bald bankers who'd just plunged the world into economic disaster and gotten away with it; even if some of them did have hair, I was in no mood to make a single one of them happy.

But my friend with flat, unvolumizable hair started exclaiming over it, exclaiming and exclaiming and exclaiming anew. Then another friend with overcolored, slightly frizzy hair started raving, too -- her daughter chimed in: "Mommy's hair is finally smooth and pretty." My hair is sort of normal, but I had to try it. And: It made my hair -- better. A touch of volume, a touch of smoothness, some shine ... However ineffable its effects, I'd be standing in the shower and I'd think, Well, do I NEED to look especially good today? If the answer was yes, I went with the Russian Amber.

Related: How to Get Miley Cyrus's Glitter-Streaked Hair

This is how you know. If you have to have it on the day you need to look better than you do on all the other days (and are willing to fork over the billions it costs) it's the One, for sure.

Desperation, then, is the ultimate test. If I must have fantastic skin on a particular morning, I put Prevage Night from Elizabeth Arden on the night before; I only use it rarely, lest the magical effect (glowier, smoother, mystically dewy-fresh skin, reportedly powered by proprietary antioxidants in the formula) fade. Not that I haven't tried every supposed skin miracle that's come along; it's just the Prevage -- also in Philip B price territory, at $136, though you go through it less quickly -- is always better.

I also believe in love at first sight. The minute I applied the YSL Sheer Candy in Pomegranate -- it looks like a chic French lipstick in the vein of Catherine Deneuve, but is inexplicably both transparent and intensely pigmented so it brightens anyone's entire face, without looking like ... lipstick -- I knew it was a forever thing. Every so often I force myself to try something that vaguely resembles it, and it's never as good.

And sometimes the romance is based on the irrefutable evidence that it's just plain good for you: Even though I have breakout-prone skin, I threw some serious fuel on the face-oil fire in its early days. The Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil convinced me that oils could actually benefit the greasy-complected; I tried every oil I could find, when one day I happened upon Intelligent Nutrients (the all-organic line from Aveda-founder Horst Rechelbacher) Oil Serum. Not only did it make my skin look and feel better, I somehow developed the practice of dabbing a bit of it on over my makeup whenever I looked tired before going out, instead of adding more makeup. I liked it, but it was only when I gave some to a friend recovering from a botched Mohs surgery on her face -- she'd been told there was no way she'd escape a major scar -- and it utterly obliterated any sign of surgery whatsoever that I fell fully and irreparably in love. Since then, the world has embraced the face oil, but still, there is only one for me.

Related: The 50 Best Movie Beauty Moments of All Time


Once you find it -- after swiping your way through the beauty aisles, experimenting furiously, staying open, and perhaps risking your rent check for it -- true love is the greatest. It's that confidence-a-bottle you've been searching for, that dream you thought never really existed.

So, can you live without it? It's not the One. Keep looking.

More from The Cut:
Meryl Streep Helpfully Reminded Congress We Still Don't Have an Equal-Rights Amendment
15 Famous Women on Their High-School Cliques
How to Take Care of Your Hair Like Catherine Deneuve
25 Famous Women on Female Friendship
Marriage Equality Is a Win for Single People, Too

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The BET Awards 2015 Red Carpet Is Filled With Super Stylish Stars

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The BET Awards has no doubt one of the most highly anticipated red carpets of the year. And Sunday night was no exception.

The annual event, which is being hosted by "Black-ish" stars Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson, has promised a slew of stunning stars including Nicki Minaj, Janelle Monáe, Kelly Rowland, Ciara, Zendaya, Laverne Cox and more.

But perhaps the biggest star of the night is Janet Jackson, who is being honored with the Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award. We can't wait!

Check out our continuously updated slideshow below for all the red carpet awesomeness. Who do you think is best dressed? Tell us in the comments section below.


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The Disgusting Truth Behind Those $40,000 Hermès Bags

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You wanted the Birkin bag, that exclusive handbag by Hermès that costs thousands and thousands of dollars. And now you have it.

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Busting Sunglasses Myths: How To Pick Protective (And Cool!) Shades

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Picking a pair of sunglasses is about more than just shape or shade, especially if you want to protect your eyes. In honor of national sunglasses day we're joined by doctor Annie Negrin, and ophthalmologist, who's going to bust some myths about sunglasses and the protection they can provide.

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Tessa Metcalfe: Pigeon Perfect (Video)

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Disclaimer: No animals were harmed during the shoot. All of the animals involved have died form natural causes.

There's something extremely delicate and very raw about Tessa Metcalfe's jewellery. Gold and silver pigeon claws adorn the young designer's fingers, each one distinctly different from the other. Some clasp onto precious jewels while others are embellished with miniature rings of their own. Each one has it's own story.

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Born in Hackney, East London, Metcalfe grew up in a metropolis where the only wildlife present was pigeons. Commonly referred to as "rats with wings" the often, hated birds, captured the young Tessa's fascination.

Her exposure to dead animals, her father frequently collected road kill, gave her the opportunity to study pigeons more closely and she experimented with taxidermy in an attempt to capture the bird's overlooked beauty.

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After her experience with taxidermy, Tessa Metcalfe got the idea of making jewellery out of the pigeon feet. She then learned how to cast, and that was the beginning of what is now a successful jewellery brand, that is being worn by celebrities like Rita Ora and Pixie Lott.

Text by Precious Mahaga and Roxanne Bagheshirin Lærkesen for Crane.tv

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The 11 Emotional Stages Of Shopping At Sephora

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Shopping at Sephora is an emotional roller coaster. One minute we're happy and excited, and the next we're broke and overwhelmed. The cosmetics giant sure knows how to tug at our heartstrings and whenever we step inside those hallowed doors, we can expect to experience high highs and low lows.

Behold, the 11 emotional stages of shopping at Sephora:

1. Excited by all the aisles of makeup and the possibility that you can finally buy the right things to contour your face to Kardashian levels of perfection.


2. Overwhelmed by all the scents of the many fragrances and the mosh pit-like crowds.


3. Pissed that you can't find a single staff member to help you.


4. Panicked when you can't figure out if your skin tone is vanilla, buttercream, nude or warm ivory.



5. Disgusted when you see people testing products straight from the tubes.


6. Disappointed when you realize you can't afford half the things in your basket (bye Clarisonic).


7. Confused by how you went into the store looking for a moisturizer and left with eight other things.


8. Annoyed that you now have makeup all over your forearm.


9. Regret that you literally spent half your paycheck on luminizing foundation and lip tints.


10. Joy because now you can spend all week playing with your new products.


11. Longing for another trip back ASAP.





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How To Get Oprah's Iconic Hairstyles

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The expert advice on how you can wear three of Oprah's most memorable looks.





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For Years, Photographer Charlie Engman Has Been Taking Photos Of An Unlikely Muse -- His Mother

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We often assume that most people who take photos of their mother do so under specific circumstances: family vacations, celebratory occasions, or a candid selfie with mom, to name a few. So we were surprised to encounter the beautiful and jarring portraits Charlie Engman captured of his mother and muse, Kathleen McCain Engman.

Before her son's lens, Kathleen transforms into a magnetic force, more alien vision than maternal figure. Her blunt orange hair, confrontational gaze and sculptural poses generate an intoxicating depiction, one unlike most family portraits we encounter.

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"When I was first getting excited about photography and thinking about it on its own terms, I took pictures of everything," Chicago-born Engman explained to The Huffington Post. "Everything was visually interesting. You're like a baby, chewing on things and deciding what is delicious and what is painful and what is hard and what is soft."

Engman didn't have any grand epiphany alerting him to the hidden potential looming inside his own home. He initially started taking pictures of his mother while living at home after college graduation, mostly because he could. "My mother was just an available subject, so I took a lot of pictures of her," he said. "At the time I didn't really think a lot about it. She was there, so I was using it."

Shortly after, however, Engman noticed something in the photographs he could not shake off. "There was something about those images that was kind of itchy for me. Obviously my mother is someone familiar to me; she's someone I've been engaging with my whole life. But in these images I sort of stopped being able to recognize her. She transformed in a way that confused and intrigued me. The image had a life of its own, in a way."

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Engman has now been photographing his mother for years, both for fashion editorials and personal projects. Whether posing in avant-garde couture or partially nude, Kathleen gives off the impression she is unshakeable with confidence. "She's really game," said Engman. "It's really hard to make her uncomfortable. She knew in this interaction we were having there was a mutual level of respect or understanding. So even if I was asking her for things that were rather extreme or pushed some boundaries of modesty or whatever, she knew me. She knows me."

Charlie and Kathleen have a different foundational relationship than most photographer-subject duos, and the distinction affects their creative process respectively. "With a mother-son relationship there are very specific dynamics at play that are kind of reversed when someone becomes a subject, but she’s also a very active participant," Engman told It's Nice That. "She does what I ask her to do but she also suggests a lot and she pushes back when she feels like things aren’t working."

While Engman tries not to categorize his work as addressing a singular issue, he's well aware of the importance of adding to and diversifying the visual lexicon of female beauty. "You look at mainstream imagery and the representation of females, and there is, at least in the Western world, a certain code of beauty and a certain expectation. And so of course if you are photographing a woman of a certain age you think of what that means in a wider social context. Family too, has a lot of connotations and associations that have been established. These are things I take into consideration, that inform the work to a certain extent. But it's the same as if I took a photograph of garbage on the street, that also has some baggage about commerce and use and misuse."

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Both Engman and his mother have received widespread praise for their unusual family collaboration. As a result, Kathleen was recruited to star in a television commercial with Courtney Love. He's also received criticism, with some of his mother's friends calling the work exploitative. However, the most widespread reaction according to Engman is one of pure surprise.

"The main reaction I get from people is, 'I could never do that,' or, 'How are you okay with that?' That's always kind of been funny to me. I'm not going for a shock factor, that's not my motive at all. I think our comfort level with each other has always been extremely high, and also our comfort level with ourselves. Obviously you only have the family that you have, and that's the lens that you see the world through, so it's been really interesting to watch how people react."

As for Kathleen's perspective, she seems far too busy for your reservations. When Engman asked for her perspective on his practice during an interview in Editorial, she responded: "I think you’re a rebel, I have to poop."

Future goals, people.






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Jennifer Lawrence Steps Out In A Crop Top And Pencil Skirt

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Jennifer Lawrence looked stunning in the city on Sunday.

Lawrence donned a black crop top and matching skirt by Michael Kors with strappy stilettos when she stepped out in New York City's Tribeca neighborhood over the weekend. Paparazzi snapped her photo as she headed into a waiting SUV.

The 24-year-old star is reportedly apartment hunting and the New York Daily News claims she has her eye on a condo at 443 Greenwich Street. A two-bedroom unit in the building can cost as much as $7 million.

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jennifer lawrence

jennifer lawrence

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Taylor Swift And Calvin Harris Take A Romantic Boat Ride, With One Of Her Ex-Lovers

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Taylor Swift's got a long list of ex-lovers, and she counts some of them as current friends.

Fresh off a star-studded performance in London's Hyde Park, Swift cuddled up to beau Calvin Harris for a romantic boat ride down the River Thames. As evidenced by an adorable Instagram photo shared by Swift, they also invited pal and "unofficial historian/London tour guide" Karlie Kloss, Swift's ex-boyfriend Joe Jonas and his rumored girlfriend Gigi Hadid.

Little known fact: Karlie is secretly an unofficial historian/London tour guide. Kind of.

A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on




Jonas also shared a photo from the Good Ship Taylor Swift, captioning his snap "#IMONABOAT."

#IMONABOAT

A photo posted by J O E J O N A S (@joejonas) on




Last week, Forbes named Swift and Harris the highest-earning celebrity couple. The duo dethroned Beyonce and Jay Z for the distinction.

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This Rainbow Nail Art Is A Celebration Of Gay Pride 2015

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Gay Pride Month 2015 finished off with a bang as the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage across the nation, although that's not all that went on. The entire month gave celebration to the LGBTQ community with parades and events in cities like Boston, New York and San Francisco -- which means one of many things was present: rainbow nail art!

The ROYGBIV spectrum definitely lends wild creativity to manicures, with a wide range of colors allowing for any and all types of designs and styles.

Get inspired to celebrate Pride year-round (because one month is not enough!) and check out the amazing rainbow manis below.

























A photo posted by Lauren (@laurenthenomad) on





A photo posted by Rhian C (@nailsfromwales) on

















A photo posted by Noir Concept (@noir.concept) on









A photo posted by M. Scott (@not_happening) on









A photo posted by Tresscove (@tresscove) on













A photo posted by Teresa (@fingernailedblog) on







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Emily Ratajkowski Soaks Up The Sun In A Tiny Bikini

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Summer is officially here, and Emily Ratajkowski knows there's no better way to embrace the season than to get a little Vitamin D courtesy of the sun's rays.

The model, who hit it big after appearing in the "Blurred Lines" music video, took the time to share a couple of photos of herself relaxing in a tiny bikini this weekend with her 2.6 millions of followers.

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A photo posted by Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata) on




FYI snapchat @emrata

A photo posted by Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata) on




Not a bad way to spend a Sunday.

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Fascinating Facts About Diamonds Straight From Tiffany & Co's Chief Gemologist

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Photo credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Diamonds might be a girl’s best friend, but how much do you actually know about them? Beyond their blinding dazzle and swoon-worthy appeal, diamonds are more than just bling deep.

For instance, did you know that a young diamond is about 900 million years old and an older diamond is around 3 billion years old? Or that there are more Picasso paintings in the world than there are colored diamonds?

Mind blown.

We learned those pearls of wisdom and more from Tiffany & Co.'s chief gemologist, Melvyn Kirtly. For over 30 years, Kirtly has worked with the luxury jewelry company and helped curate its world-renowned collection of gems. When we were asked if we wanted to pick his brain about all things diamonds, we obviously said, "I do."

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Are there specific diamond cuts or shapes that make the stone look bigger than it really is?

Not really. But some cuts have a different look and effect on the finger depending on the setting. I think that can give the ring the appearance of looking bigger. Cuts like a pear shape, for instance, you get the lovely effect of elongating the finger with the point of the pear. And [when there are] small diamonds surrounding the center stone, it gives the ring more heft, more appeal, and a bigger sense of size. So, there are ways you can set a diamond that give it the appearance of being a little bigger. But it’s not an optical effect, it’s more about the overall setting.

diamond facts

Which one of the 5 Cs (carat weight, cut, color, clarity and certification) is the most important?

Cut is the one that’s really the most critical, with so many nuances that either make the diamond special or make it just sort of OK. Not only is the cut giving proportion to the stone, it’s the polishing, it’s the way the facets are aligned, it’s the sharpness of the facets, it’s all of those elements together that give that sparkle and scintillation -- light bouncing off the top and light coming from the interior.

What is the most popular diamond cut/shape for engagement rings? Has it changed over the years?

Round brilliant is by far the most chosen and the most bought. I think people are open now to really think about other shapes, like emerald cut, for instance. And because we have some setting styles that add diamonds around emerald cuts we’re making them in a way that is more wearable. But the classic, classic round brilliant is one that is so beautiful in the Tiffany setting that it never looks aged -- it always looks so fresh.

tiffany diamond

What are your feelings about vintage diamond rings?

I’m not against buying something that has been previously owned, if it’s of good quality. I think some people quite like the vintage look and there’s nothing wrong with that. New, of course, is very nice for an engagement ring because it’s a new life, a new beginning, a new start and it’s yours forever. That in a way is what it’s all about

What reservations, if any, do you have with vintage diamonds?

It could be that the stone has been worn in a way where over its lifetime it could have been scratched, it could be abraded, there could be issues with the setting. I think there are a lot of things to check. But again, I’m certainly not against it. One has to be more cautious and more careful.

Why are colored diamonds so darn expensive?

They are so incredibly rare. Colored diamonds are even rarer than colorless diamonds. And when you get into colors like pink or very intense shades of pink or green or blue or even red, which is very very rare -- the amount that is available in the world is next to nothing. There are more Picassos in the world then there are colored diamonds. The rarity is enormous, so the value is incredible.

What is the most sought after color?

Pink. Vivid pink. Colored diamonds are a very interesting world, because there are nuances of color -- you’ve got the body color and then you’ve also got secondary colors that work together. So you can have a blueish-green diamond or a greenish-blue. There’s a whole color wheel and they can come in all the colors of the rainbow.

Are there faux colored diamonds? In other words, white diamonds that have been manipulated to make them colored?

Yes there are, but there are way for testing them. We don’t accept any of those diamonds. Tiffany’s will have our diamonds tested by outside and then we also have our own laboratory team test them too. But diamonds can be bombarded with radiation which with cause similar effects of what Mother Nature does to create various colors. But you can test for that and know if it’s artificial radiation that’s creating that hue.

You’ve seen plenty of diamonds in your lifetime -- what is the most beautiful diamond you’ve ever seen?

A diamond the color of Tiffany blue. We called it the Tiffany anniversary blue. It was a 2.5 carat oval cut. You could see that diamond from a mile away. It’s the most special and rare diamond we’ve ever had. It was the color of the bluest, bluest sea you will ever look at in your life.

tiffany blue diamond

Is it in the Tiffany & Co. archives?

We sold it. And the people that have it are the most lovely people in the world -- the wife wears it every day. It was an engagement ring.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.




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Taylor Swift Hangs With Gwyneth Paltrow And Her Son Moses In London

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What we wouldn't give just to get a peek at Taylor Swift's contact list, because it's official, she's friend with everyone.

The singer played London's Hyde Park on Saturday, and in addition to bringing out a few super famous members of her squad to say "hi" to fans as she performed her hit "Style," a few more friends were waiting for her in the wings.

We learned that Emma Watson was watching Swift kill it on stage, and it seems that Gwyneth Paltrow and her son Moses Martin were there, too.

The pair posed together with the 25-year-old singer in an Instagram photo Paltrow shared on Monday. She captioned the snap, "#taylorswift thanks for giving me and my little man our best date night ever. #hydepark ❤️"

#taylorswift thanks for giving me and my little man our best date night ever. #hydepark ❤️

A photo posted by Gwyneth Paltrow (@gwynethpaltrow) on


-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.


Avril Lavigne Breaks Down During Interview About Lyme Disease

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Avril Lavigne made an emotional appearance on "Good Morning America" on Monday, as she opened up about her battle with Lyme disease.

The 30-year-old singer broke down in tears as she revealed she was bedridden by the disease last October and frustrated as she saw specialist after specialist, each unable to properly diagnose her Lyme disease.

"They would pull up their computer and be like, 'Chronic fatigue syndrome.' Or, 'Why don't you try to get out of bed, Avril, and just go play the piano?' It's like, 'Are you depressed?'" she explained to "GMA" special contributor Jesse Palmer.

The singer added, "This is what they do to a lot of people who have Lyme disease. They don't have an answer for them so they tell them, like, 'You're crazy.'"

The "Complicated" singer told "GMA" she's now about halfway through her treatment and is doing "a lot better," and believes that she will make a full recovery.

Lavigne first opened up about her battle with Lyme disease in April in a People magazine cover story.

"I felt like I couldn't breathe, I couldn't talk and I couldn't move. I thought I was dying," she told People. "There were definitely times I couldn't shower for a full week because I could barely stand. It felt like having all your life sucked out of you."

Now, Lavigne says she's getting her life together again and the ordeal has given her new perspective on life.

"I think, for me, it's a second shot at life," she told "GMA." "I want to go out there and truly do what I love, so I'm so excited for life after this."

Next, the Canadian singer is expected to perform at the Special Olympics Opening Ceremony in LA on July 25.




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Chrissy Teigen Goes Topless In W Magazine (NFSW)

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Privacy not guaranteed.

Chrissy Teigen went topless in W magazine's shoot with the 10 sexiest supermodels on social media titled "Privacy Settings," wearing just white Dolce & Gabbana underwear with thigh-high Altuzarra boots. The spread, published in the mag's August Pop issue, features the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Emily Ratajkowski in various states of undress alongside their social stats.

Teigen has made one or two headlines for her social media prowess. With 2.5 million Instagram followers and 805,000 Twitter followers, the 29-year-old doesn't mind sharing. (She posted the W photo Monday in spite of the platform's no-nipple policy.)

"The most uncomfortable I’ve ever been on set was having to model coats," she told W. "I actually am better in less clothing.”

NSFW PHOTOS BELOW.

The sexiness of the spread was purposeful, both because of the subjects -- and how those subjects choose to let the rest of the world in on their lives.

"With social media as their platform for expression, models captivate audiences in new ways, their power to seduce --fans and brands alike -- stronger than ever," W Fashion Director Edward Enninful said. "As we conceptualized this portfolio for our Pop issue, we wanted to explore this theme, commenting on the ideas of voyeurism, privacy, and censorship versus self-expression on social media."

emily ratajkowski

rosie

chrissy

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Definitive Proof Haters Should Not Mess With Zendaya (Again)

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Give it up, haters. Zendaya doesn’t care about what you say.

After the singer and actress sported a pixie-cut wig and a glittery shirt dress at the 2015 BET Awards on June 28, many Twitter users praised the "Shake It Up" star for her look.







Others used the platform to offer unfriendly commentary on her hairstyle.




In response, Zendaya shut down the haters with a flawless tweet.




Zendaya is known to use social media to vocalize her views. Earlier this year, she posted a powerful note on Instagram after "Fashion Police" panelist Giuliana Rancic made racist comments about her dreadlocked hair at the Academy Awards. She also slammed a woman-shaming Twitter account earlier this month with a pitch perfect selfie.

Her message of self-love and body acceptance frequently shines through on her social media accounts:




Just real quick.... #behappy

A video posted by Zendaya (@zendaya) on





Don't let the haters get you down. Zendaya definitely doesn't.

H/T Seventeen

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