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7 Creative Ways Parents Revealed The Sex Of Their Baby

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When expectant parents learn the sex of their baby, they may decide to share the news in an exciting way (and even be surprised themselves). The tradition has become so popular, it’s spawned countless viral videos, photos and Pinterest boards.


Here are seven creative examples from real parents.


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Pregnant Blake Lively Wears The Dress Of Our Not-Pregnant Dreams

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Blake Lively: Master of maternity style and girl after our own hearts. 


Ms. van der Woodsen The glowing mom-to-be attended a launch event for Target in Brooklyn on Thursday night wearing a flowing, floral Lindsey Thornburg dress that we can just imagine ourselves living in all summer long. Here’s why.


The dress looks adorably comfortable with a pair of heels:



And just as cute (plus way more comfortable) with a pair of Converse. Milkshake in hand optional, but highly recommended. 




“Milkshake: check. Comfortable shoes: check. Having a slit in your dress to make you feel better about the aforementioned: check,” she captioned the photo on Instagram. 


Preach, girl. 


 

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Jenna Marbles Gifts Internet With The Ultimate '100 Layers' Video

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Don’t try this at home, kids. 


“100 layers” is the bizarre new trend challenging women to coat themselves in 100 layers of beauty product. Beauty vloggers have painted their nails with 100 coats of nail polish, applied 100 layers of foundation and put on 100 layers of liquid lipstick. But Jenna Marbles, the one vlogger to rule them all, just put these videos to shame with her ultimate “100 coats” video.


Marbles challenged herself to apply 100 coats of liquid lipstick, foundation, glitter nail polish, spray tan, hair spray and 50 pairs of fake lashes, totaling 100 fake lashes. And by God, she did the damn thing.





Over the course of 7.5 hours, Marbles painted her face with layer after layer of foundation and lipstick, eventually employing a hairdryer to speed up the drying process. She spray tanned her arm the color of burnt toast, built mountains of nail polish and sprayed her hair into a hard helmet. 


The video is rife with hilarious play-by-play commentary from Marbles and her boyfriend Julien. “It feels like a bush!” Marbles exclaims after layering on dozens of fake lashes.


“Your arm looks like a hot dog,” Julien marvels.


The end result is just as horrifying and glorious as you’d expect.





”It looks like you cut Jenna’s face off and used it as a face,” Julien says.


As one YouTube commenter pointed out, “She probably used 100 makeup wipes for that.”


This isn’t the first time Marbles has broken the internet, and it surely won’t be the last. But let this be the “100 layers” video to end all “100 layers” videos.

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Celine Dion Is The Undisputed Style Star Of Summer

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“A new day has come” ― at least for Celine Dion’s wardrobe.


Dion has spent the summer making countless appearances ― at the couture shows in Paris, on the Today Show, blessing us with her flawless Rihanna impression ― all while donning some killer duds.



The reason for her newfound sartorial savvy? None other than Zendaya Coleman. Style PeopleWatch reported earlier this month that after Dion saw Coleman’s sophisticated red carpet style, she reached out to Zendaya’s longtime stylist, Roach Law, directly.


Since then, the two have been spotted together in the front rows of fashion shows, backseats of cars and everywhere in between. The songstress has become a mainstay on the stylist’s Instagram, and with good reason. Her new high fashion look is something to be proud of. 



But while the songstress appears to be taking her new look seriously, she’s not above having a little fun. And by fun, we mean wearing an $885 “Titanic” themed sweatshirt.


Take a look at some of our favorite Celine styles below, and let’s hope that like our hearts, this great love affair with fashion will go on. 


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Let's Talk About The Dress Code For Muslim Men

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Written by Aya Khalil

We've all come across horrendous videos of "mashallah brothers" talking about how Muslim women should "dress properly" (whatever that means), and even famous imams and sheikhs critiquing the attire of Muslim women.

As a Muslim woman, I think I can safely say that we've had enough.

Why don't these imams and "mashallah brothers" ever talk about how men should dress and act?


Why don't these imams and "mashallah brothers" ever talk about how men should dress and act?


Yes, it is summer, and yes, it is hot outside, but Muslim men should adhere to Islamic attire, too. This includes covering everything from the navel to the knees.  Why are only women being advised and policed?

So no, those trendy swim trunks from J.Crew will not work, istaghfurallah, as you guys would say to us.

And while we're at it, if a Muslim brother is at the beach with his wife, and his wife is rocking her burqini, I think the brother should cover up a bit more, as well. Why don't Muslim men wear swimsuit tops along with their longer swimming trunks?

No, they don't have to, but they should, as a form of solidarity.

It's kind of like when non-Muslims don't eat in front of a Muslim coworker during Ramadan as a form of respect or when a meat-eater avoids eating a big, juicy steak when she goes out with her vegetarian friend.


Covering up a bit more than usual at the beach while your wife or sister is beautifully covered is a wonderful form of solidarity. It's also a great form of modesty.


Covering up a bit more than usual at the beach while your wife or sister is beautifully covered is a wonderful form of solidarity. It's also a great form of modesty.  Your wife or sister will appreciate it.

This post was originally published on muslimgirl.com.

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So THAT'S Why Men And Women Take Their Shirts Off Differently

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You’ve seen it happen ― a woman takes off her shirt by lifting from the front, elegantly crossing her arms over her chest and gracefully pulling her shirt over her head (at least that’s how it’s done in the movies). 


Men, however, just reach behind their neck and yank their shirt off, much less gracefully.


How men do it:





How women do it:  





But why? Social media (especially the Tumblr sleuths) has been on the case, trying to solve this mystery. And the Today Show’s Matt Lauer says we might finally have our answer.


“Men’s shirts have more room, so it’s easier to slip them off over your head; women don’t have that option,” he posits in the video above. “I think it’s that men aren’t as flexible and can’t, maybe, get their arms around like that.”


Al Roker has his own theory about why women do it: “I think it’s hotter.”


If you’re anything like Carson Daly, who says he does the “Houdini” method and slips it off through the sleeves so that he won’t stretch out his collar, might we offer a few more techniques:


The Wayne’s World:





The Nick Slip (it’s Nick Jonas):


 





Or The Right Hook:




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What Your Favorite Celebs Are Using To Get That Perfect Glow

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Highlighters have been having a moment for a while now, and we’re not mad about it. 


Outside of making us look like the glistening goddesses we’ve always wanted to be, they’re super fun to play with.


In our obsession with finding the newest and best highlighters from all over, we’ve noticed celebrities are totally on board with highlighting just about everything.


So, we creeped ... and we found out what all our faves are using to get that perfect shine on their chiseled cheekbones.


1. Khloe Kardashian: Golden Goddess Oil by Cocoa Brown, $20




 2. Ashley Tisdale: Illuminating Shimmer by Illuminate, $9



Got that @illuminatecosmetics highlighter ✨✨✨ #IlluminateByAshley #letitglow

A photo posted by Ashley Tisdale (@ashleytisdale) on




3. Serayah: Haloscope in Quartz and Topaz by Glossier, $22




4. Tess Holliday: High Beam by Benefit ($26) and Ambient Palette by Hourglass ($62)




5. Amber Rose: Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator in Gilded Honey by Laura Gellar Beauty, $26 




6. Brandy: Glow Kit in Golden Bronze by Anastasia Beverly Hills, $40




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Plus-Size Retailer Torrid Nails The Most Epic, Inclusive Denim Campaign Ever

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It’s not every day a perfect ad campaign comes along, but this one, recently released by Torrid, comes pretty close.


Starring a mix of actresses, models and even customers, the new denim campaign features 11 diverse women, each wearing one of the brand’s range of denim cuts and each looking downright gorgeous.The brand is known for selling affordable, fashionable clothing from size 10-30.



Among the women included in the ad are models Philomena Kwao and Georgina Burke and “Orange Is The New Black” star Adrienne C. Moore, who told The Huffington Post what she loved most about the experience.


“Meeting all these ladies following their dreams and passions, it was really empowering to hear all their different stories. From a fashion standpoint, it looked amazing. It was so interesting to see the array of denim and styles accentuating everyone’s beautiful curves. We had a blast,” she said.



Burke, who became the brand’s first face in 2014 and Kwao, who last year starred alongside Ashley Graham and Nicola Griffin in Sports Illustrated’s iconic Swimsuitsforall ad, have each posed for the brand before. But Kwao explained to HuffPost that this time, the experience was just as much about the people as it was the clothing.


“It is an incredible thing to be a part of an inspiring group of women, all of us different sizes, ages and races come together. We all looked amazing,” she said, adding, “It was like we were all old friends, united in the belief that every woman, regardless of size, age, race or sexuality should have access to affordable clothing that makes them feel beautiful and allows them to express themselves.”


Amen to that.


Head to Torrid to shop. 


 

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Artist's Photos Of Braided Hairstyles Show The Beauty Of Black Hair

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Chicago-based artist Shani Crowe’s photo exhibit “Braids” is a love letter to the beauty of black hairstyles. 


The exhibit, which was on display at the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts from April to July, included 10 black and white photographs of models adorning different braided hairstyles, all of which Crowe took and styled herself. 


While black natural hair has a fraught history in the United States, often facing inordinate scrutiny or deemed outwardly political, Crowe’s photos aimed to showcase the beauty of braids. In a new HuffPost Rise video, she said she drew inspiration from various cultures when deciding on the hairstyles, one of which took 12 hours to complete. 


“Some of them are inspired by gods and goddesses or presentations of divine people or divine beings,” she said. “Some of my inspiration is from Ethiopia, Eritrea, of course you have Ghana and Nigeria, [countries that] have very, very beautiful unique hairstyles.”




Crowe added that it’s important to represent the black narrative of these hairstyles, which are unique to the black community, so the history behind them can be preserved and the story is told in the right way.


“When it’s in the hands of other people sometimes it’s not necessarily accurate,” she said. “And also it gives you something to be proud of when you take the time to study where you come from and really celebrate the qualities that you have.” 


Crowe, who was wearing braids herself in the video, said that “physical presentation” is a big part of some African cultures, and creating the exhibit gave her the opportunity to explore her own identity. 


“I’m creating myself according to my own image of myself. It gives me control and it gives me freedom,” she said.


Watch Shani Crowe discuss her beautiful exhibit in the video above. 


This video was produced by Choyce Miller, shot by Daniel Fox and Ian Macinnes and edited by Alfred Marroquin. 

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The Rochambeau Duo And Gabriela Hearst Win The U.S. Woolmark Prize

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Photo: Courtesy of BFA.com


Tuesday evening at New York's La Sirena Restaurant, Joshua Cooper and Laurence Chandler of Rochambeau were selected as the U.S.A. Regional Finalists for the 2016/17 International Woolmark Prize for menswear and Gabriela Hearst for womenswear.

Competing against a pool of impeccable talented designers such as Mayer the designer of Second Layer, and Kerby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss; designers were given a specific task of creating new looks that offered a fresh perspective on wool, which is a given; being that wool is Woolmark's pride and joy. The Rochambeau designers and Gabriela Hearst will each receive approximately $37,000 ($50,000 Australian dollars), along with the chance to compete on an international platform next year.

Before 7:30, the time at which the winners were announced. I mingled with two different notable guest such as CFDA President and CEO Steven Kolb, and Mayer "Designer of Second Layer". I also spotted guests like Jason Wu, Nick Sullivan of Esquire magazine, and more. Upon announcement of the menswear finalist you heard an outcry of very emotional congratulations from guest who stood around all waiting on their favorite to be announced. It was a special moment indeed, because before all the designers were rounded up backstage; I was introduced to both Joshua Cooper and Laurence Chandler of Rochambeau by Steven Kolb himself as we chatted about New York Fashion Week Men's. At that moment I felt I had just met the winners of the Fashion Olympics, not only was I introduced to the menswear duo, they even filled me in on how great NYFW Men's was for them. I was also able to get quotes from the duo, and here's what was said.

From Laurence:
Question; As far as what you think the CFDA, and Woolmark would help them accomplish.

"Growth! We are trying to show that innovative menswear can exist in the states. The US has been given an unfair commercial wrap for too long- it is one of the main reasons we launched Rochambeau.

The CFDA's launch of their NYFWM is allowing our business to grow here in our City. This is the first season we have sold more domestically then internationally! This is a huge win for us.

Our participation with Woolmark has not only been a our highest honor to date but has also resulted in expanding our business. The competition was amazing but even more so are the new fabric vendor relationships we have gained. We are working with a 100 year old company American Woolen Company based in CT that we would never have known if not for this competition.

We could not be more proud to represent our City on a international stage. It is where we are from, were we produce, and now where we show. ITS LIT."


From Joshua:
Question What's next? :
"haha...too much. Yesterday we did our first presentation for the CFDA/VOGUE Fashion Fund judging panel. This will be a long process but we are very excited and love being challenged....Laurence and I both excel when we are pushed to our limits so having a lot going on increases our productivity and motivates us to always push ourselves as far as we can go. Aside from that we now have to buckle down and start building our full Woolmark collection for the international competition. It is a huge honor to be representing the US on this international stage and we are humbled to have this opportunity. Simultaneously we are starting development of our Fall 17 collection, as well as working on something top secret."

As far as what they think the CFDA, and Woolmark would help them accomplish.
"Being recognized by the CFDA is a huge honor and creates awareness and opportunity in the fashion community that we always hoped to be acknowledged by. Its a bit overwhelming to think about the eyes that are now on us but its also very validating and assuring to know that the risks we have taken are appreciated and respected. Woolmark has opened up many doors for us and aside from being the US Menswear Winners (WHICH IS AWESOME!!!) we are very thankful for all of the opportunities that have come from this challenge. We essentially got a full education in wool over the past few months and it has allowed us to create relationships with new vendors and suppliers that will help us grow our business. The CFDA and Woolmark are helping our business grow and take the necessary steps to be a part of the larger global fashion conversation.

We are very excited for the next 6 months and look forward to showing the world who the Rochambeau boys are."


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Small But Mighty: How Independent Retailers Can Continue To Make A Big Impact

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With massive corporations dominating the market, thousands of retailers clamoring for attention, and a less than favorable economy to contend with, being an independent retailer can feel like being a little fish in a big pond. When we founded Rebel Nell, we learned very quickly that the list of challenges can be long. There are no sick days, no vacation days, and no applause when you show up rain-or-shine.

However, the challenges are counterbalanced by great payoff. By focusing on what we have to offer the community, I've come to realize that small business is big business. The success of an independent retailer has huge benefits. Every dollar spent at an independent retailer circulates 6 to 15 times before it leaves the community, generating $5-14 in value, according to the South Dakota Rural Enterprise, Inc (via IndieRetailerMonth.com). When you shop at locally-owned businesses, that money will stay in the community 3 times longer, creating a multiplier effect. Shopping with an independent retailer supports local traders and suppliers they depend on to run their businesses. Detroit has a bustling independent retailer scene with local gems like Peacock Room, City Bird, and Artisan's Bench, who have proved to be pillars of the Detroit community.


This July as we celebrate the 6th annual Independent Retailer Month, I've taken some time to reflect on the important lessons every independent retailer should know:

Know What You Stand For
Before Rebel Nell began, I had a goal to help the disadvantaged women living in Detroit shelters get out of their current living situation and back on their feet. Today, our brand has grown into a movement that's empowering women and helping them find their voice. Knowing that you're creating a product and serving a purpose that you and your employees can be proud of is key. When the challenges come--and they will--knowing your brand and what you stand for will keep you going.

Embrace and Encourage Evolution
If you're doing it right, your brand is going to grow. I've watched as our goals, jewelry, and the women who make our work possible have evolved and changed. Recognizing and rolling with this change has been vital to our success. Recently, we carved out some time to regroup and re-brand with Gyro Creative Group. Like a yoga retreat for our brand, this breathed fresh life and clear vision into Rebel Nell. If you can't remember the last time you considered how your business and its story have evolved, it is time to hit the pause button, reset, and embrace your brand's evolution.

Make Yourself Heard
One of the biggest challenges for an independent retailer is finding a way to stand out in the crowd. There's so much noise and clutter from competitive brands that it's easy to get drowned out or overlooked. When you don't have a big marketing budget, the key is using what you've got to get what you want. One of the most effective low-cost marketing tools is right at our fingertips: social media. Not only is it affordable and accessible, it breaks down the barrier between you and your customers. At Rebel Nell, we take the people-centered approach of our brand into our marketing as well. Recently, we launched a digital campaign called #IAmRebelNell, where we ask our customers to post a photo on social media captioning why they are a Rebel Nell, and what they're doing to make their lives and the lives of others feel more empowered.


Recognize the People Who Count
Rebel Nell wouldn't exist without the women behind it. No brand, big or small, functions without the employees who keep it running or the customers who support it. At Rebel Nell, I've made it a point to give these people my ear and value their input. When our customers talk, we listen. Every year, we poll our designers to give them a voice in how our business works. Always remember to appreciate and acknowledge the people that have allowed you to bring your dream into reality.

Play Your Role
If I could change anything about the way we ran our business in the early stages, I'd hire an accountant much sooner. Like a lot of business owners, I was reluctant to delegate, but you're better off handing certain responsibilities to a pro so you can free your mind to focus on the things that made you start your business in the first place. It may seem like a hassle to have to walk employees through their mistakes, but for the sake of their growth and your own sanity, learn to trust the people you employ.

Before defaulting to a big-box retailer, I urge you to visit your local boutiques. Remember, your dollar goes a long way to support the community where you work and raise your family. In Rebel Nell's case, every dollar is directly supporting our programs that help our designers take the necessary steps to becoming financially independent. Even if that means just getting their driver's license renewed, or paying for the children to go to summer camp.

Sure, big-box retailers make a larger footprint in the global economy, but we should celebrate the deep impact that we independent retailers have in the local community. Let's celebrate not just this month but every month, the work we do and the difference we make every day.

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This Nurse Had The Best Response When Asked If Her Rainbow-Colored Hair Affects Her Job

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Personal style is a great way to express one’s individuality ― even in the workplace.


Mary Walls Penney said her rainbow-colored hair has never interfered with her all-too-important job as a nurse at a West Virginia nursing home, but that didn’t stop a complete stranger from questioning her work because of her looks.


During a shopping trip in her uniform earlier this month, Walls Penney said she was surprised when the cashier noted her name tag and asked, “So what do you do there?” After replying that she was a nurse, the cashier said, “I’m surprised they let you work there like that. What do your patients think about your hair?” 


Walls Penney took to Facebook to share her powerful response, along with a picture of her technicolor locks.





“I can’t recall a time that my hair color has prevented me from providing life saving treatment to one of my patients,” she wrote. “My tattoos have never kept them from holding my hand and as they lay frightened and crying because Alzheimer’s has stolen their mind.” 


She continues, offering further evidence that her personal style doesn’t affect her ability to do her job. 


“So, please explain to me how my appearance,” she wrote, “paired with my cheerful disposition, servant’s heart, and smiling face, has made me unfit to provide nursing care and unable to do my job!”


Walls Penney’s post has been liked more than 272,000 times. She’s living proof that in a world full of plain old horses, we should all strive to be sparkly rainbow unicorns.

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Bikinis: Musings And One Crazy Fact

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I really think I've got enough to worry about as the number of birthday candles on my cake soon reaches 69.

First it's adjusting to the sagging pouches of skin adorning each side of my mouth -- then it's the dark circles under my eyes. Add to that, cocoa brown age spots on my checks and slight loss of hair follicles on the right side of my forehead and more significant loss on the crown of my head.

And that's only from the neck up.

I really think I've got enough to worry about: Terrorist attacks. Airport security. The upcoming conventions. The Zika virus. Freak thunderstorms killing campers. But here's another little tidbit to stress about in the summer months: BIKINIS.

Bikinis didn't hit American shores until the 1960's -- about the same time I was a teenager. I admit I bought my share of gingham, velour, and wildly printed skimpy tops and bottoms. But somehow, over the years, childbearing and child rearing relegated my bikinis to the Goodwill Box.

And even though I pride myself on keeping up with trends, I never realized the ubiquitous bikini was still a viable option for my age-banded group. Apparently not all us aging baby boomers are embracing more modest swim attire -- many are still wrapping themselves in strings and things.

Shocking.

After all, I reason, what woman over 50 would even have a strong enough streak of masochism to propel her to the bathing suit rack in the first place -- much less into the dressing room? In the privacy of my own bedroom, I peruse catalogs showcasing models with flawless bodies flaunting the newest abbreviated staple in swimwear. It's hard to take.

And who are these people kidding? What sane, functioning woman over 50 would expose herself to the shocking reality of seeing her tush, midriff, back of thighs, front of thighs, upper arms and shoulders fully exposed in front of the mirror? And how about the public scrutiny of actually wearing a garment the size of a Cracker Jack box outside the confines of her home?

It seems I am in the minority. Not only is the bare-it-all bathing suit embraced by young women my nieces' ages, but it's being embraced by those women who were in junior high school when The Beatles debuted on the Ed Sullivan Show. My contemporaries.

Okay, I understand that liposuction, breast implants and the fitness trend has sculpted many middle-aged female bodies so they appear more trim and slim than their mothers and grandmothers did at their same age. But a bikini?

I have a creeping reluctance to expose my body to the world. I want a little cover. A little mystery. A little protection. A little help. A little skirt.

But I'm not turning away from all trendy apparel. Tummy-tucking, oversized undies are making a ubiquitous entrance into the undergarment fashion scene. Sarah Thomkins, of British retailer Marks and Spencer, called these briefs "flattering for the tums and buns." And I intend to buy those little buggers by the truck full.

Too bad I can't wear one under a leopard print bikini or even under an orange crocheted one. Come to think of it, maybe I can. I could call is "a girdled bikini brief" and the brief itself could come in different flesh tones. Perhaps it will start a hot, new trend among the baby-boomers-who-think-they-will-never-get-old group.

PS: A French engineer invented the bikini in 1946 while running his mother's lingerie business. He named his new swimsuit design the bikini, in hopes that its revealing style would create an "explosive commercial and cultural reaction" similar to the 1946 nuclear explosion at Bikini Atoll -- an island that is part of the Marshall Islands. When I learned this fact, I almost lost my cookies. In light of today's ever mounting terrorist attacks and escalating worldwide violence, it's hard to imagine any designer capitalizing on nuclear bombing power to sell an article of clothing.


Iris is available to speak on a variety of topics, focusing on self-help, self-improvement and self-empowerment. For more information, contact her at irisruthpastor@gmail.com


If you want more information about Iris's forthcoming book Tales of a Bulimic Baby Boomer, or to sign up for her weekly newsletter, visit www.irisruthpastor.com or follow her on Twitter @IrisRuthPastor.

You can find more from Iris on LinkedIn.



Earlier on Huff/Post50:

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Comic Con Cosplayers Reveal What Goes Into Their Amazing Costumes

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Movie studios and TV networks use the San Diego Comic-Con to promote new products, but attendees like Bethany Jones use the four-day event to truly be themselves ― and that often means dressing up in costume.





“I wish I could dress up all the time,” Jones, 21, told HuffPost. “There’s something freeing about it.”


Jones has a collection of 15 costumes, and is wearing a different one each day during the Con. 





On Friday, she dressed up as a twi’lek Jedi, an obscure Star Wars character with green skin and long horns. On Saturday, she plans to dress up as Black Panther.


The Jedi costume has long been a dream of hers, one that took a year to put together. The payoff is seeing other people’s reaction.


“One woman clapped at me and said, ‘You have dedication,’” Jones said. “The woman at 7-11 wanted to take my photo.” 



Some costumed Con attendees purchase their costumes. Others, like Liz Edwards, a registered nurse from Rancho Cucamonga, make them from scratch.


Edwards made a stormtrooper outfit using armor she commissioned from a professional.


“There’s bragging rights,” she explained. “You have to make adjustments though. The armor is made for a man and the crotch rides a little low.”


A choice of costume is a very personal thing and some attendees worry others won’t know who they are.



Steve and Pat, a cosplaying couple from Dallas, were afraid that dressing up as Fred and Wilma Flintstone might confuse millennials who don’t remember the series.


“We are shocked,” Pat said. “The younger ones think of the movie, and the really little ones think of the vitamins.”


Dressing up as the Flintstones wasn’t Steve’s first choice.


“I wanted to be a dragon, but it would have taken a year to put that costume together,” he said. “I wanted my wife to be the mother of dragons from ‘Game of Thrones.’”


Pat said no.


“I told him I’m a little old for that,” she said. “That’s a job for a 21-year-old, not a 55-year-old.”



As you might expect, Pokemon costumes are more popular than recent years, but dressing up as one had unintended consequences for a cosplayer from Carson, California, who called herself Julia Pikachu.


“People are throwing plastic balls at me,” she laughed.


Check out other costumed cosplayers at the Con below.


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This 52-Year-Old's Secret To A Youthful Complexion

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At 52 I can already see the signs of aging on my skin. It's not always easy to embrace a new fine line or wrinkle and a sagging neck. It's a tad unsettling to look at my hands and see how they tell the truth about my age. But I also realize that I'm lucky. I have a pretty healthy-looking complexion. And this is the result of a lifetime of taking care of it.

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(c) Phillippe Diederich

I got really sensible beauty and skincare advice early on: never go to bed with your makeup on. Get regular facials. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. And use sunscreen.

In my teens, I used face and body moisturizer daily, a habit I keep up to this day. My dad -- ah, men! -- would jokingly ask me if I was using so many products at 15 what would I do in my 40s? Well, my 40s have come and gone and I simply adapted my beauty routine to my changing needs. Something I still do.

So, when people ask me what my secret to glowing skin is, I say it's all of the above, plus drinking a lot of water, exercising, and not smoking. No matter what your age is now, I would urge you to take skincare seriously, as seriously as you take brushing and flossing your teeth. You will thank me down the road! If you never paid attention to your complexion, well, it´s never too late to start.

I'm not perfect, of course, and perhaps the biggest faux-pas I made in my youth was using sunscreen but frying in the sun anyway. Back then it was fashionable to have a deep tan. Skin cancer or photo-aging were not a big concern. If I could go back in time that's the one thing I would reverse.

2016-07-16-1468675320-4694279-LorraineTargetNoFoMoIG.jpg
(c) Phillippe Diederich

I'd wear a hat and sunglasses and sit under an umbrella at the beach, like I do now! It's also what I tell my young daughters to do. I love it when they watch me during my morning or evening beauty routine and ask me what each product I use is for. I let them play around with my skin-care serums and lotions and read the ingredients.

So my tried and true habits to arrive in my 50s looking and feeling comfortable in my skin have been and still are:

Getting enough sleep. --
I've always managed to make sleep a big priority, even when I had babies, I always found ways to nap. Now that I'm menopausal some days fatigue takes over and the only way I can recover is by snoozing during the day.

Drinking lots and lots of water. -- I don't like soda, lucky me, so I pretty much drink water all day, every day. I do start my day with coffee, but after I'm fully awake, that's the end of that!

Exercising in one form or another. -- Whether it's running, swimming, dancing, or practicing yoga, I have always engaged in some form of weekly exercise routine. For life. This all adds up. It helps destress and also oxygenates the body and skin.

Moisturizing daily. -- Aside from moisturizing my face and neck morning and night, I also apply moisturizer on my body after every shower or bath. I also keep hand and foot cream by my bedside and incorporate it into my winding-down routine. In fact, my daughters (a teen and a tween) and I often share this moment together.

There is no reason to look and feel defeated after a certain age. On the contrary, all the more reason to celebrate being vibrant and alive. And if we can renew, repair and make our skin appear radiant, well, all the better!

What is the one beauty habit you wish you'd taken up earlier in life? What skincare habit are you willing to take up now?

[This post first ran on LorraineCLadish.com]

Earlier on Huff/Post50:



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What Not To Wear On Vacation

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Sue Groenewegen is dressing conservatively. Dan Church plans to blend in. And Robin Smith is wearing “less bling.”


It was bound to happen, with all the recent incidents of terrorism and dire State Department warnings. The last thing anyone wants to do this summer, it seems, is to look too American, even when traveling domestically. But how do you avoid it?


As it turns out, clothing designers have anticipated this trend and are offering stylish summer threads that don’t stand out. The options go beyond low-key shirts, pants and dresses in dark or muted colors; some of the attire is designed with security in mind. These clothes could save your life.


Related: How to pack for your next trip.


That’s important to people such as Groenewegen, an interior designer from Woodbridge, Calif. Before she left for a recent trip to Buenos Aires, her tour leader warned her to “dress conservatively,” and she complied, choosing darker colors and more-subdued styles. She didn’t pack any of her real jewelry (“costume jewelry only,” she says), to minimize losses.


Smith has gone a step further. “I am wearing less bling,” says the manager for a school district in Saxton, Pa. Part of the reason is to draw less attention to herself, but another part is to speed up the travel process. “I recently flew to Tampa, and because my sweatshirt had sequinlike embellishments, I was pulled by security for an extra check,” she recalls. “I had to go through the pat-down because of all the metal on my shirt. Lesson learned. Wear plain clothing with nothing shiny or flashy on it.”


Church, a retired newspaper editor, is more aware than ever of his appearance when he travels, “particularly when I see fellow tourists clad head to foot from chain outlets in U.S. malls,” he says. This summer, his intent is not so much to mask his national origin — after all, he says, when he’s in Asia, there’s not much he can do about being Caucasian — “but rather to respect prevailing clothing norms.”


So what to wear?


“With all that is going on in our world today, travelers have many concerns,” says Brian Thompson, general manager for the Seattle-based travel apparel company ExOfficio. “Their clothes shouldn’t be one of them.”


ExOfficio offers several new products that are finding favor with the down-dressing crowd this summer. They include a women’s Air Space shirt ($70), which comes in black, has a hidden security pocket and an understated style; and a men’s Corsico shirt ($75), also lightweight, with sun protection and a security pocket.


Products like the new Cubed Travel Jacket ($380), developed by New York apparel manufacturer Clothing Arts, are also resonating with security-conscious travelers. Adam Rapp, the company’s founder, rolled out the minimalist, waterproof jacket at the beginning of the summer travel season, and says interest has been strong. One of the main selling points is that it looks inconspicuous, allowing travelers to blend in wherever they are.


The Cubed jacket offers copious pockets to protect your devices and valuables from thieves. “The protection, however, would be pointless if you looked like a tourist or were dressed in attention-grabbing colors,” Rapp says.


But does fitting in mean giving up your sense of style?


No, says Sarah Thies, a manager for adventure outfitter Orvis in Sunderland, Vt. “Dressing conservatively does not mean that you have to forgo fashion,” she says. For example, Orvis has several lines that are both stylish but not too in-your-face, including its women’s guide pants ($89), which come in neutral colors and are lightweight for warmer temperatures, and its stretch-linen utility jacket ($159), which offers full cover without too much bulk.


“One of the standard things I tell women to travel with, from an accessory standpoint, is a pareo or large scarf,” says Lori Hirons, who founded the New York apparel company Island Contessa. “It has multiple uses, including keeping you warm on a frigid plane, dressing up a more casual travel outfit and serving as a head scarf in Muslim countries where you don’t want to stand out so much as a Westerner, out of respect.” (Naturally, Island Contessa sells scarves that come in midnight blue, with an understated design, for $40.)


In addition to headgear, Maria Pinto recommends packing clothes that are functional but discreet. Pinto, who founded and designs the Chicago-based label M2057, advises wearing a long coat paired with a simple shift dress or a pair of comfortable pants. She recommends her Reefer coat ($645 list) for its clean lines, and also her Diana dress ($325 list). They make an elegant match but don’t stand out.


Safety isn’t the only reason to try to fit in. “I also want my focus to be on absorbing the place and the people,” she says. “If you’re dressed to draw attention to yourself, you might be missing what you’ve come to see.”


All of which brings us to the things you should not wear this summer. If you’re traveling overseas, avoid T-shirts and sweatshirts, particularly those with college or high school names. Often, they identify you as an American — and a target. Baseball caps are out, too, unless — maybe — you’re Michael Moore.


“No fake nails. No golf visors. No khakis,” says Louise Lague, editor of the “Expat Almanac,” a guide for international travelers. “No fleece. Labels like Columbia and North Face are a dead giveaway.”


Those rules will serve you well even when you’re just motoring across the country. Draw as little attention to yourself as possible. And if you happen to pack your favorite neon green fleece, anyway?


“You can always say you are Canadian,” Lague jokes. “Nobody knows the difference.”


After you’ve left a comment here, let’s continue the discussion on my consumer advocacy site or on Twitter, Facebook and Google. I also have a newsletter and you’ll definitely want to order my new, amazingly helpful and subversive book called How to Be the World’s Smartest Traveler (and Save Time, Money, and Hassle).

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Jennifer Lopez Wears A Nearly Naked, Skintight Birthday Suit

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Jenny from the block? More like Jenny in the incredibly revealing frock.


Jennifer Lopez went out in Las Vegas Saturday night for one of her 47th birthday celebrations, wearing a strategically cut-out, skintight brown Balmain jumpsuit that pretty much just served to accentuate her unbelievable figure.



About last night... Pre birthday turn up!! @balmain @walik1

A photo posted by Jennifer Lopez (@jlo) on




The bold look, which Lopez paired with stilettos and a tousled ponytail, was coincidentally worn by Kendall Jenner during the fashion house’s spring 2016 runway show last October:



Lopez was joined at her birthday fete by a pretty interesting combination of people, including Calvin Harris, whose video of the star showed off the ensemble’s equally revealing backside:



Happy birthday Jennifer Lopez, legendary icon - and your show in Vegas is next level

A video posted by Calvin Harris (@calvinharris) on




Hey, if you’ve got it ― and Lopez certainly does ― you flaunt it, right?

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Kristen Bell Shares First Photos From $142 Wedding To Dax Shepard

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Here comes the bride, all dressed in black! 


In an interview with CBS’ “Sunday Morning,” Kristen Bell spoke about her intimate October 2013 wedding to Dax Shepard and shared pictures from the couple’s tiny ceremony for the first time. 


As seen in the above video, the “Frozen” actress is pictured wearing a black top with black pants, paired with a large silver necklace and simple straight hair. Shepard chose a black tux for the occasion. 


“We got married in a tiny room in the Beverly Hills courthouse and it was still one of the best days of my life,” Bell said. 


The couple, who began dating in 2007 and got engaged in 2010, didn’t waste any time or money with their low-key wedding. Shepard has spoken about their wedding before and said that their ceremony only cost them $142


“Friends of ours came to the courthouse and it was just Kristen and I at this lonely courthouse, so they brought us this cake afterwards,” the actor said on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in 2013. “‘The World’s Worst Wedding.’ How many people can say they threw ‘The World’s Worst Wedding’?”



Despite having “The World’s Worst Wedding,” Bell and her husband appear to have one of Hollywood’s strongest relationships. While talking to CBS about the new movie “Bad Moms,” the actress gushed about Shepard’s parenting abilities ― which were shaped by his struggle with addiction. 


“He’s a wonderful father,” she said. “He knows the value of things. He was an addict for many, many years and he pulled himself out of it and he’s been sober for 11, 12 years now. And he knows how many times he’s messed up and how many times he’s been really close to losing everything.”

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Prince Harry Regrets Not Opening Up About Diana's Death For So Long

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These days, both Prince William and Prince Harry are quite vocal about the influence their late mother, Princess Diana, has on their lives and their work



But that willingness to talk about her in the years following her death in 1997 did not always come so easily ― at least, not for Harry, and not when it came to talking about how her death affected him. 


The younger royal hosted a barbecue at Kensington Palace Sunday for athletes who have struggled with mental health issues, and the BBC reports he also opened up about struggles of his own.


“You know, I really regret not ever talking about it,” Harry told a group of attendees, suggesting that he didn’t start addressing his own mental health until three years ago. 


Among those present was Rio Ferdinand, a former professional soccer player and father of three whose wife died in 2015. Ferdinand explained to the BBC how helpful it was to hear the prince chat about his own experience losing a parent.




“He’s gone through many stages in his life that my kids are going to be going towards. So to get some of his experiences is very, very rewarding for me and very educational in many ways for me in knowing what to expect from my children going forward,” said Ferdinand.


The event was held in an effort to educate and inform people that no one, regardless of status, occupation, wealth or otherwise, is immune to struggling with depression or other mental health challenges. 




“Everyone can suffer, everyone’s got a different story, everyone’s got a different reason,” Harry said, adding, “for people to turn around and go ‘Oh, you’re in that position, therefore you’re fine,’ is a completely ridiculous suggestion.”


As he has done alongside his brother and sister-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry continues his hard work toward de-stigmatizing mental health struggles. 


Check out video from the event above and head to the head to the BBC to read more.  

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Of Course Kanye West Is The Star Of The New Balmain Campaign

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It doesn’t get much more on-brand than this. 


Kanye West, a proud member of the #BalmainArmy, has once again landed an ad campaign for the French fashion house. 


This time, however, he stars without Kim Kardashian




Posing alongside supermodel Joan Smalls, West appears in the first released image from the campaign wearing a shredded, studded denim look similar to his “best dressed”-winning Met Gala ensemble. The shot appears to be the first in a series, as the brand teased out a cryptic “BE READY” video just minutes after releasing the image above. 


West, who recently inked a serious deal with Adidas, pretty much epitomizes the caption Balmain’s creative director Olivier Rousteing typed when he posted the photo of West and Smalls. “MUSIC MEETS FASHION,” he wrote.


The entire Kardashian/Jenner contingent has deep ties to Balmain, from matching family wardrobes to ad campaigns to plenty of runway shows. We have a feeling there will be plenty more for us to keep up with in the near future. 

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