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The Beauty Beneath A Pre-Owned Accessory

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Something old something new, something borrowed, something blue and a silver six pence in your shoe. This is an ancient but popular rhyme that brides-to-be have come to love. It almost feels like I'm reading the time off my pre-owned Rolex, with the wind in my hair and the words in my heart and my arms locked in those of a loving gentleman.

I'm thrilled at the idea of longevity that comes with the sound of the first phrase, "Something old". This means that years will come and go, trends, fashion and exotic watches will pass but we will remain even after. No doubt, my intense love for antique pieces and wristwatches will remain with me.

A great number of ladies and I dare say men, don't toy with their antiques. Cars, watches, artworks, send a certain rush down some of their spines. I could write on all of these exciting artifacts but I'll just droll a little over the dainty piece called a wrist watch. Men and women have been adorning this accessory for years and though designs, brands and colour change from time to time, the love for the age long fashion piece hasn't eroded.

Interestingly wrist watches are recorded to have been first worn by women. Not to argue, but we must thank Peter Henlein who is often credited as the inventor of the watch. However, the rate at which these fashion accessories and bespoke artifacts increase in price or go extinct could be alarming. A Rolex watch is rumoured to sell for thousands of dollars and though there is a market for that bracket, some lovers of the Rolex would rather spend a little less on a watch.

No wonder 80% of Singaporeans who live in one of the most expensive cities, buy pre-owned goods. Indeed some would rather pass on wearing an item that has previously been worn. I must say, owning a pre-owned watch is a wise decision in the sacks. It saves your pocket and credit cards a little stress. Stores, both online and brick and mortar stores that sell these items should be tagged live savers. Not only is it cheaper, most often, its quality isn't compromised.

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PhotoCredit

On the flip side, a Clement Messier vase lover, who may have searched through time to find a brand new version and given up, would be incredibly excited to see it in a collector's store. It's such an interesting concept to know that you could walk out of a store owning an Anglo-Indian ivory tortoise shell casket from the 19th century or a Rheinish Bellarmine jug from the 17th century when you thought you'd never see it. What a lovely experience that could be, having to carry such history in the pockets of your bag. There's an amazing rush that comes with being part of shared history. You may not be able to trace the history of the item but tales on the street could make your purchasing the item pretty exciting.

Though the 'something burrowed' poem speaks to brides-to-be, I can't help but believe something old, something new, or something borrowed could add some pence in your shoes.

-- 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.


Ariel Winter Slayed Prom With This Disney Princess Moment

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'Tis the season! By day, Ariel Winter stars on ABC's "Modern Family," but, by night, she's just another teenage girl soon to be disappointed by the overwhelming expectations of prom night. Eh? Maybe we're just projecting. 


Winter gave us a peek at the festivities on Monday with a series of Instagram photos from her pre-prom gathering with a group of friends and family. Rocking fiery red hair falling over one shoulder, her whole ensemble is giving us under the sea, head-to-toe Disney glamour. 


Winter opted for a strapless black lace mermaid-style gown and a gold clutch, complimenting her curves and Ariel-inspired (purple shell bra, Ariel) waves. Seriously, if Disney ever intends to modernize the Disney character for this generation, we're pretty sure this is the look she'd rock on prom night. 



Senior #prom #2016 :) Hair// @charles_dujic Makeup// @kipzachary

A photo posted by Ariel Winter (@arielwinter) on





From this to sitting in the car at 2am eating Dominos

A photo posted by Jennessa Rose (@jennessarose) on





Me and dad :) #prom

A photo posted by Ariel Winter (@arielwinter) on




From the photos, it looks like Winter attended the event sans her Eric (boyfriend Laurent Claude Gaudette), who escorted her to last year's prom. The two most recently made a splash together during a couple's vacation in the Bahamas. 



Shmoopberry and I take prom ❤ #prom #prom2015

A photo posted by Ariel Winter (@arielwinter) on




But who needs a boyfriend when you've got your squad on lock? Anyone who has done prom right knows that, at the end of the night, it's your friends, not the dress, the date or the crown that matters. 



Prom Squad

A photo posted by Ariel Winter (@arielwinter) on




Happy prom, Ariel!

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Whoopi Goldberg Is Producing A Show About Trans Models

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Whoopi Goldberg announced on Monday that she is in the process of producing a reality television show for Oxygen centering around transgender models.


"The View" co-host will have an executive producer credit on "Strut," a show focused on Slay Model Management -- the first modeling agency to exclusively represent transgender models, according to People.


"This show is important right now, because for all of the positive advances the community has made and continues to make, transgender is still a hot-button word that gets people hysterical,” Goldberg reportedly said in a statement. “People tend to focus on the stereotype instead of the person, and this series will give viewers a unique opportunity to spend time with real people who are struggling with the same challenges we all face as we make our way through the world."


The show comes at an important cultural moment for transgender visibility, when trans and gender-nonconforming people are being subjected to a wave of anti-queer legislation in Southern states, such as North Carolina's House Bill 2.


Transgender models are also nothing new, though the cultural fascination with transgender people are certainly giving them a more visible platform. A number of other agencies specifically catering to trans models have established themselves in the past years, including Trans Models agency in NYC.


Carmen Carrera also became one of the most well-known trans models in the world when she transitioned after her time on "RuPaul's Drag Race." Carrera went on to become the subject of a petition to make her the first openly trans Victoria's Secret Angel.


Speaking about "Strut," Goldberg added, "You may even be surprised to discover that you have been seeing and interacting with transgender men and women in ways you didn't even realize!"


"Strut" is slated to premiere on Oxygen later this year.

-- 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.

Hey Haters, Two Years Later, Kim Kardashian And Kanye West Are Still Going Strong

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Despite divorce rumors peeking out from newsstands and articles on the Internet advertising their looming divorce, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are celebrating their second wedding anniversary on May 24. 


Say what you will, but this power couple doesn't look like they're dissolving their vows (or disappearing from the spotlight, for that matter) anytime soon. Kardashian marked their two-year anniversary by taking to social media to celebrate their union. 


"Happy 2 year anniversary to the love of my life! You make me so happy! I love you so much!!!" Kardashian wrote, accompanied by a loved-up photo of the couple. 



Happy 2 year anniversary to the love of my life! You make me so happy! I love you so much!!!

A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on




The 35-year-old also Instagrammed an enhanced (?) photo of her ginormous ring casting rays brighter than the sun itself. Blinding! 




On her app, Kardashian shared a behind-the-scenes photo from their wedding, writing, "These Polaroids remind me of the sweetest memories. Having North be a part of our day was so special. It was truly one of the best days of my life. It's crazy to see how much our family has grown since then!" 



Kardashian and West were married at Forte di Belvedere in Florence, Italy on May 24, 2014. The bride and groom both wore Givenchy and, naturally, took four days to edit their wedding photo. 



A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on




Kardashian shared the secret to a happy marriage with West just a few months after tying the knot. 


"I feel as though we'll always be in the honeymoon period," Kardashian told MailOnline. "I try to treat him like it’s his birthday every single day. I think we’ll always be like that." 


Sounds like a party to us. 


 

-- 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.

5 Social Media Apps to Fill Your Date Card

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Are you swiping right or left on your mobile dating apps while looking for an alternative?

I know that looking for love online and IRL can be challenging and tedious.

When you've tried every mobile dating app and website out there and feel you've exhausted all of your options when nothing works out, it's time to switch things up a little and move on to something a bit more unconventional.

Since you're hanging your digital hat more often on your social media apps, why not add a romantic twist to your search?

By dating and flirting using Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, you can connect with friends, long lost friends (and loves), and even friends of friends. This was exactly how the love of my life found his way back to me after 16 years apart!

Related: Love Reunited: Our Second Chance at Love

Aside from the most popular social media sites, there are a few others for you to consider.

Here's a list of five non-traditional dating apps.

1. Snapchat

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Snapchat is a fun messaging app for sharing moments with your friends and is one of the hottest social media apps. It's playful and flirty.

How it works:

You can take a photo or video, add a caption, and send it to a friend or add it to your Story to share with all of your friends. Snaps sent directly to friends can last up to 10 seconds, while posts on your Story last up to 24 hours.

Snapchat may not seem like a conventional way to find love, considering most of the people you may have on Snapchat are your friends, but just think about if a friend of yours has ever posted or sent you a Snap and you noticed someone cute in the background. What would have happened if you'd Snapped them back and asked for that person's name? Maybe they would have added you on Snapchat if they were single and thought you were cute too. It's worth trying.

Available on iOS and Android

2. Yik Yak

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Popular on college campuses, Yik Yak is a free social networking app that's completely anonymous and you don't have to create an account to use it and is perfect for missed connections.

How it works:

Users can post brief comments to a message board accessible by any user within a 5 mile radius. For example, if you walked past someone cute on campus, smiled at each other and kept walking, but you noticed they were wearing a t-shirt supporting your favorite sports team, you can post a "Yak" and say "To the girl wearing a Dodgers shirt I walked past in the quad earlier, I thought you were really cute. Want to meet in the same place tomorrow to grab coffee?"

You might think this wouldn't work, but Buzz Feed reports that app does have some success with unintentionally helping potential couples meet up through the help of the Yik Yak community.

Available on iOS and Android

3. Yelp

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Yelp is an extremely social website and easily allows you to connect with singles in your area. All you have to do is search for your favorite bar or restaurant and scroll through the reviews until you find a particular reviewer that piques your interest. Yelp allows you to look at reviewers' profile pages, which is good for finding out a little more about your potential crush. If you find someone who looks interesting to you, send them a message through Yelp and you could just end up on a date at that bar you both reviewed!

Available on Desktop, iOS and Android

4. GolfMatch

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This new app is designed to help golf lovers connect to each other and set up tee times for a round of golf together, or maybe more.

How it works:

GolfMatch helps you find like-minded golfers at local courses to share your experiences with. You can find golfers you're compatible with based on age, skill level, location and home courses. Your profile will display all of your posts and your golfing background, and you can even post pictures and videos of your golf experiences - think of it like Instagram for golfers!

Maybe your golf date will grab you close to protect you when someone on the green yells "fore."

Available on iOS

Related: 5 Dating Apps That Aren't Tinder

5. Venmo

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Venmo allows you to send and receive money with friends quickly and without charging you a fee, making it easy to split dinner, send a birthday gift, pay your roommate for bills, or pay friends back for buying you drinks.

Andy Verderosa from Thrillist says that "In addition to being one of the most game-changing apps of the last half-decade, Venmo boasts arguably the best social feed on any network."

How it works:

The platform operates like a social media feed and shows you your friends interactions with each other, as well as with their friends that you don't know. Switch over to your friend feed and look at interactions between friends of friends. When you find someone that suits your fancy, check to make sure they're in your area, then send them a private transaction. The only way to message someone is by sending them money, so you'll have to send them a small amount (maybe enough for them to buy coffee), then say they caught your eye and you were wondering if they'd be interested in meeting. There's always the possibility they could deny you, but at least you tried.

You can always get it a refund if they turn you down, so just make sure you set the transaction to private so your friends won't see your attempts in case you don't find a match for a date.

Available on iOS and Android

At the end of the digital day, any social media platform can be a dating platform if you like. Just remember to be respectful toward others and make sure you don't come across as pushy or stalker like. Keep in mind, you might not know someone's relationship status from these social apps, so they might not have an interest in being approached by you.

Wishing you much love and joy in cyberspace, or wherever you may roam.

Find out how our Irresistible Profiles dating programs will help you find your dream date and how Swiping Right on mobile apps will fill your date card.

Julie Spira is America's Top Online Dating Expert and the founder of Cyber-Dating Expert. She's the author of the bestseller, The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online and has been successfully coaching singles for over two decades.

Follow @JulieSpira on Twitter Instagram and Facebook

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Forget Nude Selfies, Kim Kardashian Is Queen Of The Nude Dress

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Kim Kardashian-West declared her ongoing commitment to taking nude selfies at the Webby Awards earlier this month, but her dedication to naked dresses doesn't appear to be slowing down, either. 


Kardashian-West has time and time again befuddled us with her ability to wear completely sheer clothing without straight up exposing it all. Monday at the Vogue 100 festival in London, an event that celebrated 100 years of British Vogue, her embroidered Roberto Cavalli gown was no exception. 



The elaborate gown, which came with a large figure-accentuating belt and a scarf, left very little to the imagination -- and yet somehow, she still looked elegant and more sophisticated than ever.


Perhaps her new affinity for a less-is-more look has something to do with it?


Kardashian-West asked her Snapchat followers whether or not she should wear the neck piece hanging down or as a choker, but let's be real, no one was looking at the scarf. 



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Father's Day Gift Ideas 2016

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It's time to mark your calendars for Fathers Day on June 19th. The holiday will be here before you know it. The good news is that there is still plenty of time to figure out what to get for the dads in your life. Below is a list of my top Fathers Day gift ideas for 2016.



Related Garments

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This is an awesome gift for any guy with great style. Related Garments is the new way for men to chicly match their boxer briefs and knee-high socks. These sets are sharply tailored & extremely comfortable. They vary from neutral shades to brighter pops of color. These sets also include a second set of no-show socks that are perfect to wear with shorts in the spring and summer months. I personally love the package options. Related Garments offers weekend packages all the way through long week packages. My favorite is the week package, offering options for everyday of the week! This is a great way to dress you man under his daily wear.


Mission Belt

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This is a no-holes belt that is great for the no fuss guy. Mission Belts adjust every 1/4" unlike traditional belts that only have holes every 1". Because of the release lever this belt is easy on and easy off every time.

The best part about the Mission Belt is that a dollar from every belt sold goes to fight hunger and poverty worldwide through micro-lending.


Chris Reeve Carbon Fiber Sebenza 25

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Do you know a dad that likes to DIY everything? For some, Father's Day is all about cool new tools and accessories to add to their collection. The Sebenza 25 is a great gift for the outdoorsy and handyman dads. I am particularly impressed by the build quality and attention to detail that is put into this knife. This is the type of knife that will last forever.


CLINIQUE Great Skin To Go Kit



CLINIQUE for men is a new line that is made especially for the beloved men in our lives. This set features incredible hydrating products from exfoliating tonic, to cleanser, and moisturizing lotion. Help dad get that skincare routine going for a fresh and rejuvenated face!


Working Rose Gold Watch Cufflinks


This is a thoughtful gift idea for anyone who is into watches. These are actually working skeleton watches with jewels and moving gears! These eye catching cufflinks are the perfect eye candy for dads dress shirts.

-- 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.

Summer Care for Hair Color ... Make It Last!

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Let's just suppose for a moment that those aren't your natural highlights.

We all color, right? And we're all going lighter for summer. What we don't all do is take care of that color.

Think of it as an investment. Hair coloring can be pretty expensive and it can take a lot of time to do right, at a salon or DIY at home. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of that investment, to keep that color looking great as long as you can:

• Wear a hat when you're outside, even when you're in the water. Look for them at your local sports store. If you're just goofing around in a pool, a ball cap is perfect, but you can also get them now for everything from kayaking to surfing. These will protect your skin and your hair from damaging, fading rays.

• Don't want a hat? Try some of the hair products now that have sunscreen built in.

• Healthy hair is beautiful hair. Going light can be hard on your lovely locks, requiring some harsh chemicals to make it happen. After you color, go with some protein-rich deep conditioners each day for a few days and then continue with a nourishing, quality conditioner after you regularly shampoo.

• Use a professional shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair, and definitely NOT a clarifying shampoo. You could end up watching that lovely color go swirling down the shower drain.

• Have some fun. No worries. Play with temporary colors. You can find sprays, rubs and bars that will all give you a bright splash of vibrant color and then disappear after body surfing or a shower, just in time for work Monday morning.

It is summer. Life is supposed to be fun. Don't sacrifice too much of that summer excitement for hair color. Sure, if you're a bridesmaid at a resort wedding you may want to avoid the pool but most of us need to jump in. That'll be the best thing for our souls.

If you haven't gone for that big summer color change yet, here is another recommendation: get your hair in great shape BEFORE you sit down for that appointment. Use a cleansing shampoo, or make a cream of water and baking soda, a couple days ahead and follow with a high quality conditioner. And remember, do NOT use a cleansing shampoo after you color, particularly if you've gone darker.

Love change!

-- 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.


Jessica Simpson Dives Into Super-Sexy Territory To Reveal New Swimsuit Collection

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Jessica Simpson knows how to work a one-piece! 


The 35-year-old singer and billionaire businesswoman took to Instagram on Monday to promote swimsuits from her Jessica Simpson collection. Sporting beachy waves and a sultry stare, Simpson looked absolutely stunning in a black low-back bathing suit.


Simpson captioned the photo, "Get your suit on! Never-been-seen footage from my Spring '16 photoshoot is on the website," complete with the hashtag #sunsoutbunsout.




More photos of the singer wearing her own swimsuit line can be seen on her company's website. 




During an interview with The Huffington Post in April, Simpson revealed that she's working on a lot of exciting new projects with her company, along with some new music. 


"I’m obviously continuing to expand the Jessica Simpson Collection and we’re looking into building stores, which is extremely exciting," the singer told HuffPost. "I’m back in the studio — I’ve been in the studio all week. It’s been a very exciting time to rediscover music and I definitely have so much inspiration." 


New clothes and new music? Sign us up!

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How One Israeli Hair Salon Brings Jews And Arabs Together

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Jews and Arabs live largely segregated in Israel, but you wouldn't know it spending an afternoon at Fifi's hair salon in Haifa. 


The salon is the subject of a new documentary, "Women in Sink," by Israeli filmmaker Iris Zaki, who captured an unlikely place where cultures come together in harmony. The New York Times featured a clip on Tuesday called "The Shampoo Summit," adapted from Zaki's documentary, with commentary from the filmmaker.


"I had initially set out to make a film about Israeli Arabs, a community which I believe is treated unequally in this country," Zaki wrote. "I never expected that to do that, I would find myself in a hair salon of all places."


Owned by two Christian Arab women and frequented by Jewish and Arab women alike, Fifi's stood out to Zaki as a bastion of coexistence in a place where different groups often remain insular.


"My hometown, Haifa, in Israel, is very proud of its legacy of peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs. But I think it is more divided than it can seem. For example, as a Jew I don’t remember ever chatting with my Arab neighbors growing up," she said.


But Fifi's is different. To go behind the scenes, Zaki got a job washing hair at the salon and filmed herself chatting in Hebrew with the women of varied faiths and backgrounds who filed through her chair.


Many of the women bemoaned the distrust and antagonism that exists between Jews and Arabs in Israel.


"Let me tell you," one woman told Zaki, "if women were running things here, including the politics, we would have lived in peace with our neighbors ages ago."


Check out the clip from "Women in Sink" above.

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Partying in Havana, Chanel's Fashion Show Faux Pas

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Photo credit CHANEL


After failing to close Guantanamo Bay, President Obama may leave office succeeding in opening up the rest of Cuba. This historic, monumental shift in public policy will have implications for not only politicians but brands and marketers, as well.

And what better way to mark a new beginning between Cuba and the United States than with Gisele and Vin Diesel? Hey, it's better than using a taco bowl to connect with Hispanics, right?

Last week, Chanel landed in Havana, their first show in Latin America. From the moment their boat docked, loaded with aforementioned celebrities and models, Chanel put out all the stops for its "Cruise 2017" collection. Designer Karl Lagerfeld said he looked to Cuba for inspiration, but what came out of this was a Frankenstein's monster of stereotypes.

Cuba is best known for feeling like a time capsule, with colorful streets filled with cars from the 1950s, before the U.S. embargo halted any imports to the island nation.

But what some can enjoy from afar as quaint and colorful buries a very dark reality of Cuban history.

What Chanel did was less groundbreaking than they think. A fashion show with models wearing military fatigue and Che Guevara berets is pretty offensive to Cubans, Cuban-American refugees, and anyone with an understanding of 20th century history.

Outside of Cuba, we have the luxury of idealizing Che Guevara from a distance. We ironically sell t-shirts and posters of one of history's staunch opponents of material capitalism. While Chanel meant no harm in their appropriation of the Castro regime, they turned their runway in the stress of Havana into a mockery of a very intense period of mass torture and execution of political prisoners. Parading models around wearing "sexy" military berets is grossly offensive to those who were forced to flee Cuba and brave the 90-miles of shark infested waters to safe haven in Florida.

But this was a party that the Cuban people were not invited to. The streets of Havana were lined with foreign photographers and journalists, but the actual Cuban citizenry were held back behind metal barricades and a small army of police officers.

And that's about as close as most will ever come to a Chanel product. With the average Cuban earning just twenty dollars a month, it would take over 10 years to be able to afford the average Chanel bag.


This isn't about one fashion show. When brands come to Cuba, they have to do it right, and they have to do it right by the people of Cuba. Otherwise, in an attempt to be kitsch and playful, brands risk reinforcing the legitimacy of the very autocracy that reformers have been fighting against for decades. When Cuba opens up to America, it's not doing so for our abject entertainment. These are real people, who are part of real families that are facing severe challenges.

If we ever get to a time when Ford and GM are selling new cars in Cuba, we should not grieve over the loss of 1950s hotrods. To the outside world these vestiges of a bygone era may be appealing, but they also represent an economic system that deprives the Cuban people of an opportunity to make a decent living.

Cuban culture is rich, vibrant, and should be celebrated as the country opens its doors to consumerism and outside investment.

But like the mojitos that Vin Diesel was sipping, it's best enjoyed responsibly.

-- 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.

Facebook Comes Under Fire For Banning Ad Featuring Plus-Size Model

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Facebook has apologized after banning a photo of a plus-size model the social network originally said depicted "a body or body parts in an undesirable manner."

-- 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.

'If You Can Make My Heels Comfortable, I'll Listen"

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That will usually get any women's attention! Every woman is looking for the perfect high heel shoe, hot, sexy, goes with their favorite outfit and of course supportive, comfortable and does not hurt. The last three being the most important, lol! But if there was a shoe product that was easy to place in a shoe that would take pressure off the ball of the foot, make the arch feel more supportive and not make the shoe tighter or visible when wearing them that would get the attention of most women. The problem with most shoe accessory products today is that they are too big and bulky, uncomfortable or just doesn't work that well in their shoes and eventually end up in a bag in their dresser drawer. So women continue to buy shoes that they love and can't live without hoping they can get through the day or evening without being crippled.

As a podiatrist we are always faced with the questions such as, "how can you make my shoes more comfortable and supportive without telling me you can't wear those shoes anymore or buy a larger size". We are also asked "why do I continue to develop these things on my foot" or "why do the balls of my feet burn when I wear my heels"?

They are referring to the painful corns, callouses and blisters found on their toes, back of the heels and ball of the foot. The answers are friction created from your feet moving and sliding in your shoes as well as how steep the pitch of your high heel is. The steeper the pitch or angle of your heel height the greater the downward force on the ball of your foot. The ball of your foot grinds into the floor of the shoe and that will cause of the burning when you walk.

As we know, feet come in different sizes and shapes but our favorite dress shoes only come in different sizes and heel heights. The shape of your foot will unfortunately dictate the type of shoe you can wear comfortably. The shape of your foot is predetermined genetically by the bone structure you were born with, that's right, mom, dad or your grandparents. Depending on how flexible the joints in your foot are will tell the tale of whether you will have flat feet, a normal type arch or a high arch. Combine the two and that is the reason for wide or narrow feet. These are the keys to being able to buy your favorite high heel shoes and wearing them all day and night with or without pain. It is that simple!

Now that I have your attention let's make those challenging high heels, wearable, comfortable, supportive and pain free! There are arch products and soft insoles available on line that can fit into your heels and make those shoes more comfortable. A soft thin insole placed in your heels will provide instant comfort and cushion for your feet and may be all you need. There are also arch products that are placed in the arch area of your heels which provide instant arch support, take pressure off the ball of the foot, stop the foot from slipping forward, help eliminate pain in the great toe joint and reduce abnormal foot pronation. Use these key words to find products to help make your heels fit better. Instant arches, arch supports for high heels, orthotics for high heels, foot support, foot arch support, arch support inserts, arch support shoes, dress insoles and arch supports for backless heels. You can also go to your local shoe repair shop and ask them to stretch your shoe a tiny bit to see if that helps.
"And she walked happily ever after"!

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Carrying These Stylish Backpacks Could Be A Great Move For Your Health

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If you're anything like us, you stuff your purse with anything and everything under the sun. On any given day, you probably carry around your wallet, keys, cellphone, makeup bag, laptop, water bottle, Advil, hair brush, tampons ... and the list inevitably goes on.


While it's great to have easy access to all the essentials, they are undoubtedly taking a toll on your back and shoulders. According to the American Chiropractic Association, half of working Americans admit to having back pain. Contributing to this, heavy purses can create stiffness in your upper back, causing you to develop arthritis in your neck and even leading to tension headaches. 


Ideally, we'd all start lightening our loads, but the reality is, it's not always possible. So, instead of carrying a one-strap tote, why not opt for a backpack to help distribute the weight more evenly? 


If you're thinking that only middle-schoolers carry backpacks, think again. Designers are coming out with trendy options for adults, too. Check out a few of our favorites below ... your back will thank you. 


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GRAY IN L.A.: UNITED HAIRLINES -- Too Old For Long Hair?

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GRAY IN L.A.

"Your hair is really -- pause - long, don't you think?" said a girlfriend the other day while gliding her fingers demonstratively through her own neat and practical chin-length bob.

"Too long!" was what she really meant, with that little addendum "for your age" in mind that follows a woman over 50 around like a homeless puppy. But since she knows me well and wants to live, she cleverly skipped it.

But there it was: The warning. The limitation. The control. Brought to us by UNITED HAIRLINES, that secret organization of ruthless hair-tamers whose strict rules will not allow any hair frivolity on older women, like hair that moves and actually looks alive. What nerve some of us still have! What's next? A mind of one's own? Boundless confidence and drop-dead style?

I have long gray hair and I love it because it looks good, is well-tended and easily manageable. The length is perfect for all kinds of hairstyles, like ponytails, fancy upsweeps, even braids. I'm lucky, of course, I'm a freelancing creative creature and would get away with a razor-cut like Pink's (who I totally adore), but pity the not-so-young women with powerful jobs in politics and corporate America. Because their days are bad hair days forever. One cut fits all.

Of course, we've all noticed that Hillary Clinton (68) presents herself for months now with the classic helmet hairdo that is supposed to project that she's about nothing but business; it even looks to me as if the hair gets frightfully stiffer by the week. After a few freewheeling seasons of nice-looking hair that grazed her shoulders she's back in the firm grip of UNITED HAIRLINES' helmet-hair-headquarters that already put the hairspray on a long line of female politicians from Maggie Thatcher to Angela Merkel. You are only as credible as your hairdo.

The truth is that the length of hair isn't supposed to match the type of person a woman is, but rather the years she is on the planet. Once you hit 50 you are automatically enrolled as a member of UNITED HAIRLINES. Because that's usually when "older" women are supposed to shorten their hair to a bob, so that nobody will mistake them for Beyoncé or Rapunzel. Apparently, something is still "wrong" with hair that grows well past 50-plus-year-olds' shoulders. This is only topped by being gray and long-haired -- which is pure provocation.

I find it perplexing and almost funny that five inches longer than the prescribed "modesty law" for hair gets many people as angry as if these women have betrayed society and revealed themselves to be practically hair sociopaths that need to go to re-training camp. The whole thing is a sad ritual that reeks of censorship and penitence. The sacrificial lamb. The robbed hair. Whenever women are too wild, too independent, too intelligent -- the reaction has always been: off with the hair, literally cutting them down to size.

But enough of hard-hitting disturbing questions. The real question is here: why on earth would anybody want to have short hair at any price and emanate brisk efficiency by giving in to a dowdy do like poor Hillary Clinton's, no matter what age? No, there is no law against short hair! We are not talking stylish pixie-cuts a la Sharon Stone, or Helen Mirren's always-reasonable bob. Rather we are talking too well-behaved, invisible hair.

IF there is something like "too long hair" at all, then it has rather something to do with proportions and hair quality, not with age or conventions. I would always follow a simple rule: as long as you have a full head of hair, enjoy it while you can! Especially, since it is well known that after menopause hair tends to go into retirement and hangs around lazily like a pensioner before his nap. For that reason alone one should treasure great hair.

Luckily, we see an increasing amount of these stunning and confident women with longer gray hair -- smartly cut, worn with panache. To them it translates into pride, experience and chic.
And since no woman is an island, allow me to introduce most men's views on longish silver manes: they love it. So, go for it, cancel membership at UNITED HAIRLINES, take off the helmet, let your hair grow and let it flow.

long hair

Earlier on Huff/Post50:



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There Are No Words To Describe This Little Steven Adams Fan

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Lil Stache Bro in Thunder Alley.

A photo posted by Oklahoma City Thunder (@okcthunder) on




Look at this little girl. She is almost too amazing. She is, of course, in costume, pretending to be the Oklahoma City Thunder's Steven Adams, the seven-foot sensation that has helped push the team to a 3-1 series lead over the Golden State Warriors. You may see her as cute, and she most certainly is that, but we prefer to see her first and foremost as tough.


Look at her glorious mustache. Take in her intimidating sleeve. Weep at the altar of her bun. She is and always will be a Lil' Stache Bro, ready for the world, just as her own personal hero will be ready for Game 5 on Thursday. 











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100 Years Of Hijab Styles Video Brings A Century Of Fashion And Politics To Life

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The popular "100 Years of Beauty" videos are known for highlighting how fashion trends in a specific country change over time. Now, MuslimGirl.com has released its own twist on this format by focusing on an article of clothing that, because of its spiritual nature and history, is much more than a fashion trend -- the hijab, a headscarf worn by some Muslim women.


Muslim Girl recently released a video that aimed to illustrate 100 years of hijab fashion in one minute. The creators featured styles from a range of places in the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. Starting in Egypt in the 1910s, the video passes through Kurdistan, Palestine, Pakistan, Algeria, Yemen, Iran, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Iraq before ending in Syria in the 2010s. 





Amani Al-Khatahtbeh, founder and editor-in-chief of MuslimGirl, told The Huffington Post that her team dreamed up the video after realizing that the hijab was being "commodified" by the Western fashion industry during a time when Muslim women are being discriminated against for wearing it. In fact, fashion brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Uniqlo have started to cash in on modest fashion by releasing their own lines of apparel targeted at Muslim women.


"The hot trend of modest fashion is neglecting the rich history and nuance of the hijab and how it relates to Muslim women’s identities," Al-Khatahtbeh told HuffPost in an email. "It’s more than just a cloth on our heads. It is a symbol of our power, history, and agency."





Al-Khatahtbeh explained that the hijab styles in the video are meant to represent a moment in each country or region's political history that is central to its present-day reality. For example, the producers chose to highlight Pakistan during its movement towards independence, Algeria during its revolution against French rule, and Egypt during its revolution against British colonization.


The Muslim Girl team put the hijab styles in the video within the political context of their decade by layering a historical image into the background. The purpose, according to Al-Khatahtbeh, was to underscore that Muslim women have always been driving forces in their societies -- getting involved in politics, protesting on the front lines, and making sacrifices for their countries.


But the fact is that these revolutions haven't always had a positive impact on women. For example, Iranian women today have mixed feelings about whether the Iranian revolution, which is highlighted in Muslim Girl's video, helped bring progress to women's rights in that country.





Al-Khatahtbeh agreed that women’s demands are often neglected in times of political upheaval. But she wanted to emphasize that women were still a force in those movements.


"They still organized in public and private spheres of life and made tremendous sacrifices for the country’s fate and future," she wrote. "And that is more important than anything else in my opinion: the long legacy of Muslim women speaking truth to power that is rarely highlighted, but should be."


The producers also said that they intentionally included times and countries in which wearing the hijab wasn't a free choice for Muslim women because, as Al-Khatahtbeh noted, "that is an important part of the hijab's history and also discourse surrounding it today." 


"The politicization of the hijab, both by Muslim governments as well as Western governments that are outlawing it, reinforces that our freedom lies in our choice," Al-Khatahtbeh wrote. "Ultimately, we want to reclaim the headscarf, from politicization just as much as commodification."





The video isn't without its critics. On Facebook, some users have questioned why the video focuses on the MENA region when there are vibrant Muslim populations in other parts of Africa and Asia. 


Al-Khatahtbeh explained to HuffPost that the team is working on another video focusing on hijab styles in Sub-Saharan Africa. For this first version, they were aiming to "include a selection of countries that has defined the average understanding of the Middle East region." 


"The countries in the video have been recipients to some of the worst American foreign policies of the past century. We also wanted to make it a point to highlight the history of colonization and imperialism that has greatly impacted Muslim women’s resistance through the ages," Al-Khatahtbeh wrote.


Watch MuslimGirl's video above and let us know what you think in the comments below.

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Amy Schumer Reminds Trolls She's 'Strong And Healthy' With Swimsuit Picture

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Amy Schumer has a few words for trolls that want to leave comments on her Instagram account: be nice. 


The comedian shared what looks like a paparazzi photo of herself in a black swimsuit walking on the beach in Hawaii. The "Trainwreck" star has been vacationing there with her boyfriend of six months, furniture designer Ben Hanisch, and clearly has no time for negative comments. 


"I meant to write 'good morning trolls!'" Schumer said in her caption on Tuesday. "I hope you find some joy in your lives today in a human interaction and not just in writing unkind things to a stranger you've never met who triggers something in you that makes you feel powerless and alone. This is how I look. I feel happy." 


Schumer added some self-deprecating humor, writing, "I think I look strong and healthy and also like miss trunchbull from Matilda. Kisses!" 




Other than getting stalked by paps on the beach and trolls on the Internet, it looks like Schumer and Hanisch are having a pretty great trip: 



Ewwwwww

A photo posted by @amyschumer on





A photo posted by benhanisch (@benhanisch) on





6 months with this babe and I couldn't be any happier

A photo posted by benhanisch (@benhanisch) on




It's pretty clear these two love each other. As Schumer said above, "Ew." 

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This Teen SLAYED Prom With Her 'Coming To America' Themed Gown

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Teens have been showing up and showing out this prom season and this "Coming To America" inspired trio is no exception.


Jawana Young, of Benton Harbor, Michigan, payed homage to the classic film, starring Eddie Murphy, by channeling her inner princess-in-training of fictional country Zamunda. 


From head to toe, Young and her date, Jaylin Lee, perfectly replicated Imani Izzi and Prince Akeem in the "Queen-to-be" scene from the 1988 film. Young donned a sky-high pony-tail and a flawless golden gown with a train that stretched beyond your wildest dreams while Lee sported a tux and fur stole in the likeness of Akeem with a modern twist (because the kids love Ferragamo belts). 


Young's friend, Ardale Clark, also accompanied her dressed as Oha, Akeem's personal assistant, to carry her train. Clark even sang the iconic entrance song as Young strut down the red carpet in the videos, which her mom posted on Facebook May 21, below.








There's no doubt that this teen committed to the role, even hopping on one foot and barking like a dog in one video and, of course, she SLAYED.


We see you, young queen!





H/T Vibe

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Kick-Off Summer with a Chic White Party

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For my crew and I, it's been a rather slow start to spring soirées. With one rainy thunderstorm after another, I've managed to kill the basil I actually planted early this year: it's simply been a sloppy, drippy mess outside.

That's why for the holiday weekend, it's finally time to start with a fresh slate...and I mean blank. If you are a traditionalist, it used to be that Memorial Day signified in the fashion world the time when you could officially bring out your white clothing and wear em'. So unfold your brighter-than-bright whites and let's throw an all-white, color-themed party.

Here's how you can do so keeping true to current trends while using elements you have from around the house to get the job done either now or throughout the summer. Let's pop open that bubbly and if the rain decides to fall? We'll have a white patio umbrella ready for that too!

TOUCH OF GOLD
Use inviting white décor with gold accents.
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SEASONAL BLOOMS
Grab lush, garden flowers and make your own centerpiece.
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COOL SEATING
Invite guests to congregate and chat on fun, white patio furniture that doubly provides superior weather resistance (read: easy to clean if there's a spill!).
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BRING THE BEACH
All-natural soy candles in a variety of island scents like sea salt (pictured) and ocean breeze will transport guests to relaxing waters even if waves aren't within reach.
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$18, assorted fragrances; surfsupcandle.com

BE ENVIRONMENTAL
Skip the white paper plates and bring out your all-white place settings. Borrow a set from friends to supplement if you need more in quantity. Make a vignette.
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CLOSELY KNIT
Keep your company warm on chilly nights.
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$59.99, moss-knit throw; hm.com

FIT IN
Be a stylish hostess and dress the part with crisp whites.
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$185, white safari shirt dress; islandcompany.com

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$49.50, fedora; anntaylor.com

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A sleek jumpsuit makes every summer evening cooler.

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$149, floral mesh sheath dress; anntaylor.com

SMALL SPACES
Repurpose canisters you already own to set the tone in smaller spaces.
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All visuals courtesy of retailers.

Read on for tips on cool finds for your beach bag, surviving your family road trip and how to enjoy every ounce of summer.

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