'Ghoster's Paradise' Is Every Wronged Woman's New Anthem

March 21, 2014, 11:19 am

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Yes, it's a thing. It's not just you.

You know what we're talking about: From the urban sludge of un-dateable men you've unearthed a potential gem. You have a few great dates and then homeboy vanishes into thin air. You feel confused and rejected, experiencing something in between psychological warfare and emotional blue balls.

There are a few names for it: the fade out, the fade away, getting "ghosted." When comedy writer Hannah Vanderpoel identified the trend and confirmed its prevalence among 20-something women, she decided to make a video about it.

Quick synopsis: Girl dates guy. Guy ceases all contact. Girl consults girlfriends. Girlfriends compose a rap opera condemning every stage of the fade out.

Part public service announcement, part poetry for the straight single girl, the video is a warm embrace for anyone who's received the ghost treatment. Coolio's '90s hit "Gangsta's Paradise" provides a fitting beat and lyrical guideline. "Been spending most our lives, living in a Ghoster's Paradise. Go out maybe once or twice, no call after an amazing night."

What's wonderful about "Ghoster's Paradise" is that it doesn't get its kicks solely from the desperation of single women, but lampoons the men who can't be bothered to let a woman know if they plan on seeing her again. It's not a ballad -- it's lyrical roast.

While our mothers waited for a guy to call, millennial women have access to multiple social media outlets to confirm or deny any and all factors that could account for delayed communication. We put enough faith in technology to fly us in the air and take pictures of our bones, but in a state of relative lust with an unrequited text in play, we lose all confidence in a phone's ability to deliver a text message.

In the unlikely event our protagonist's devices are perfectly healthy and he actually hasn't contacted her, she wonders "Were you kidnapped or did you die?" (When the alternative is "he's just not that into you," we definitely prefer the abduction theory.) In a later verse, she exclaims: "You posted a Vine, so I know you're not dead!" Ugh, sorry girl.

At the end of the video, the aggrieved -- draped in animal fur and slick shades with her lady crew by her side -- addresses unfinished business with this ghost. Unlike the ghost, we're not gonna front: The ending is victorious.

[h/t The Gaggle]

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Hilarious Everyday Makeup Tutorial Is Painfully Honest (VIDEO)

March 21, 2014, 11:52 am

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Looking for a makeup tutorial? The Internet has a cajillion, but if you are looking for an honest tutorial you may have to do some digging.

Well, lucky for you Akilah Hughes is here to tell it like it is. With an establishing shot of her Forever 21 makeup bag and supplies, we immediately know this is going to be good. Because let's get real, your foundation brush is probably $1.50 too.

She shows us how to cake our faces with that weird powder we were bullied into buying at our local Walgreens, and then how to get some of it in our hair.

Two points for Akilah for not opening up her mouth as she puts on mascara -- a true makeup guru.

TK Maxx Casts 'Regular' People In Ad, And The Results Are Great

March 21, 2014, 12:40 pm

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Well, this is a "real" pleasant surprise.

TK Maxx (TJ Maxx's UK counterpart) announced Friday that their Spring/Summer 2014 campaign would feature a group of 12 actual shoppers, including 62-year-old Olga Nicole, who was scouted while out on a shopping trip at one of their London locations.

The campaign, titled "Me By Me," aims to prove that "people are at their happiest and most confident when they are their true selves," the retailer stated in a release.

This is not the first time the U.K. company has chosen a mature model to star in their ads. In fact, just last year they commissioned 85-year-old Daphne Selfe, "the world's oldest supermodel," to model for the brand.

The news comes just a few days after Vogue UK editor Alexandra Shulman was quoted as saying no one wants to see "real people" on the cover of Vogue. Of course, TK Maxx and the glossy are not exactly the same thing, but this move by the retailer at least proves that there is room for "real" in the fashion industry.

We have to say, Olga looks pretty fantastic in the ad. Not to mention, we are totally digging that seafoam green button-down.

Click here to see the entire campaign, and check out the photo. What do you think about the decision to use real people as models? Sound off below!

11 Afros That Make It Impossible Not To Love Black Hair

March 21, 2014, 1:42 pm

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The afro is a legendary hair style, the pinnacle of natural black hair that has graced the craniums of entertainers, athletes, historical and political figures alike.

Girth, texture, and color may vary in the world of afro’s, but our love for the people that rock them is unwavering. In no particular order, here is a list of afro-liscious icons of today and yesterday.

Warning: the following photographs may just inspire you to rock your very own 'fro!

Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson



"My last haircut was on June 2, 1989." -Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson

Angela Davis



Davis' afro is so widely known in pop culture that her particular style has it's own sub category within the hair style; the 'Angela Davis Afro'.

Davis is usually too busy talking about something important to comment on her hair. Other people do that for her.

Jackson 5



The beloved boy band was well-known for their 'dos bobbing up and down during their dance move. Years later in 1984, during a Pepsi commercial shoot, Michael Jackson's hair caught on fire, but by then he had ditched the afro for a jheri curl.

Pam Grier



“You go to sleep looking gorgeous, and you wake up and it’s all flattened on one side like a brick wall. No amount of picking is going to pull it out. You need to take a garden rake to that shit.” -Pam Grier

Jimi Hendrix



Even before Andre 3000 of Outkast took the role of playing Hendrix, he sported his own afro:



Diana Ross



The Motown diva's style has such widespread inspirational power, you can find Diana Ross hair how-to videos on YouTube.

Erykah Badu



"My hair is an aesthetic choice... At the same time, how you wear your hair is a political statement as well." -Erykah Badu

Julius "Dr. J" Erving



Like his legendary skills on the court, Erving's hair remains in the minds and hearts of his adoring fans. LeBron James rocked an afro in honor of "Dr. J", who he says is one of his all-time favorite players.

Solange Knowles



“I think many people, especially from other cultures, just don't understand the role hair plays in black women's lives. I can now transform the energy surrounding my hair into something way more productive." -Solange Knowles

Sly Stone



He may be known for his 'fro, but Sly Stone has had so many colors and textures in his head over the years that he even gives Nicki Minaj a run for her money:



Frederick Douglass



The legendary abolitionist apparently has his own claim to the iconic hairdo. Urban Dictionary insists upon the existence of a subculture of afros entitled "The Frederick Douglass." Apparently, it's all about the placement of the part.

We Are Taking Notes From The Stars Who Made This Week's Best-Dressed List

March 21, 2014, 1:48 pm

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This week, the stars who made our best-dressed list proved that less really is more. Emma Watson looked impeccable in a simple black-and-white jumpsuit, while Naomie Harris killed it in a plain white skirt suit.

Check out our picks for best-dressed and let us know what you think.

Ashley Benson in Saint Laurent and Alexander Wang



There are few things that are hotter than a woman wearing menswear -- especially when it's done right. Here, Benson expertly paired her fitted blazer with ankle length trousers and high pumps so her outfit still retained a feminine edge.

Jourdan Dunn in Topshop and Burberry



Way to mix high and low, Dunn! This outfit embodies everything we love about fashion. The model's cheap and cheerful Topshop skirt looks amazing in this emerald hue, while her boxy Burberry leather jacket is a nice contrast to her sexy skirt.

Emma Watson in J. Mendel



Watson is on fire! Even in something as simple as a black-and-white jumpsuit, the actress has managed to land on the best-dressed list. The relaxed fit of her ensemble is what makes it so chic and effortless. And her hair and makeup are stunning, too.

Naomie Harris in Burberry



This single-button suit is all kinds of amazing. Not only is the fit spot-on, but Harris really let her white outfit shine by pulling back her hair, and wearing minimal accessories.

Ashley Judd in Elie Saab



Well, it looks like Judd has found her color. This blue gown is a great silhouette for the actress. The deep-V draws attention towards her glowing skin, while the defined waist highlights her most narrow part.

Alyssa Milano Pregnant With Second Child With Husband David Bugliari

March 21, 2014, 1:51 pm

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Alyssa Milano is pregnant with baby number two!

Us Weekly was first to break the news and a rep for Milano has confirmed it to The Huffington Post.

Milano, 41, and husband David Bugliari are already parents to 2-year-old son, Milo. Last month, Milano told "Access Hollywood Live" that she and Bugliari are "actively trying" to give Milo a sibling.

Back in December, the former "Who's the Boss" star was unwillingly caught in controversy when actor and comedian Jay Mohr made a tasteless comment about her post-pregnancy appearance. In an interview with "EXtra" a month later, Milano addressed the issue, saying: "I just think he was trying to make a joke and not think about it, but I heard it actually on Christmas Day and it hurt me, I was affected by it and I wanted to remind him that I'm a human being and that this hurts."

Mohr later apologized, writing on his blog that "Alyssa is a mother, a wife, an actress, and a class act that should always be celebrated. Sometimes comedians go too far. I went too far. I cannot change what I said, but I can assure you that my heart is broken that I hurt her. I am very sorry."

We wish the expecting family all the best.

The Stars Who Made This Week's Worst Dressed List Need New Spring Wardrobes

March 21, 2014, 1:55 pm

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Spring may be in the air, but some of our favorite celebs are dropping the ball now that the weather has finally gotten a little warmer. Shailene Woodley flopped in an over-embellished gown, while Rosario Dawson could have seriously benefited from a trip to the tailor before she wore her jumpsuit on the red carpet.

Check out our picks for worst-dressed of the week, and let us know if you agree.

Emma Stone



There are a lot of things that are wrong with this ensemble. Her white slip is distracting against the stripes on her dress and the lace hemline, while her yellow pumps are too harsh for this delicate outfit. Her hair and makeup could also use a little attention.

Rosario Dawson



This color is washing Dawson out. But even if we ignore the unflattering beige hue for a minute, the fit of her jumpsuit isn't great and looks like it could use a good steam.

Zoe Kravitz



This looks very bridal. White satin and lace is never a good call unless you're walking down the aisle.

Shailene Woodley



We know Woodley can do better than this. Her bronze dress is just ugly. The color is doing nothing for the actress' complexion, the silhouette skews a little Greek goddess, but we have to admit, the hair and makeup are perfection.

Gwendoline Christie



The black satin detail at her hip is bizarre, it looks like it was extra material that was meant to be cut off before the "Game of Thrones" star stepped onto the red carpet.

Being A Hot Dude Still Really, Really Great, Study Finds

March 21, 2014, 1:59 pm

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Despite what you may have heard from conservatives about the supposed "War on Men," being a guy is still a pretty good deal. Especially if you're hot.

A new study finds that attractive men are much more likely than women to convince people that they have a worthy business idea. The study by a team of researchers out of the business schools of Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania and MIT was published online by the journal Proceedings for the National Academy of Sciences.

For the study, the researchers analyzed three real-life "entrepreneurial pitch competitions" and performed two controlled experiments on a group of men and women. They classified each person as hot or not -- using the terms “attractive” or “unattractive” because science -- and found that there's a pretty clear hierarchy when it comes to figuring out who's the best at making a successful business pitch:

1. Hot dude.
2. Not-so-hot dude.
3. Woman, and it doesn’t really matter how you look.


Let's all admit that if Mr. Cooper pitches you, he's getting that cash.

In one experiment angel investors watched pitches and then handed out start-up money. The researchers tracked how each group fared, and attractive men were more likely than unattractive men and even more likely than women to succeed:



In another experiment, participants were asked to rank (on a scale of one to seven) pitches made via video by men and women of various attractiveness levels. Although the pitches were identical, according to the researchers, the results were not:



All of this, of course, is horribly depressing for multiple reasons. One is brought up by the researcher themselves: that the people choosing the investments might not be sexist themselves, but simply picking hot men because other “investors and future customers are most likely to prefer” them. Great job, everyone!

Full disclosure: The writer of this post would describe his physical appearance as passable, but nothing to write home about.

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Navy After Midnight

March 21, 2014, 2:04 pm

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While it is somewhat universally recognized that pastels (along with florals, of course) are designated spring staples, we over at The Underwear Expert want to introduce another wardrobe must-have into your collection. We all know about "the little black brief;" and now, the navy brief is quickly becoming a modern classic as well. We've picked some of our favorites from brands we just can't get enough of. Check them out.



1. N2N, Campfire Thermal Brief
Made out of 100 percent cotton, this brief is sexy, comfortable, and athletic. Perfect for everyday wear.

2. Lupo, Seamfree Microfiber Brief
These briefs, created from a blend of nylon, elastane and polyester, are moisture wicking and prevent chaffing.

3. aussieBum, EnlargeIT Brief
Featuring a new ergonomic pouch, this brief by aussieBum works to maximize comfort and give you a lift where it counts. It also gets bonus points for being super soft and flexible.

4. Papi, Microfusion Perfomance Low-Rise Briefs
These guys come in a 2-pack and are made from a blend of 88 percent polyester and 12 percent spandex. Low-rise, roomy, and ultra comfortable.

For more suggestions, visit The Underwear Expert.

Anna Wintour Speaks Out About Kim Kardashian's Vogue Cover, Clears Up The Rumors

March 21, 2014, 2:08 pm

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When news broke that Kim Kardashian finally landed the coveted Vogue cover of her dreams, the Internet immediately went abuzz with both kind and not-so-kind words, a whole bunch of hilarious #worldsmosttalkedaboutcouple memes and ... some more not-so-kind words.

And now, as expected, Anna Wintour has put out a statement of her own, in response to fans and haters alike, Us Weekly reports. Vogue's head honcho comments on the relevancy Kimye has in today's society and her thoughts on the photo itself. She even went so far as to clear up those "begging rumors:"

"Part of the pleasure of editing Vogue, one that lies in a long tradition of this magazine, is being able to feature those who define the culture at any given moment, who stir things up, whose presence in the world shapes the way it looks and influences the way we see it. I think we can all agree on the fact that that role is currently being played by Kim and Kanye to a T. (Or perhaps that should be to a K?)"

"As for the cover, my opinion is that it is both charming and touching, and it was, I should add, entirely our idea to do it; you may have read that Kanye begged me to put his fiancee on Vogue's cover. He did nothing of the sort," she explained. "The gossip might make better reading, but the simple fact of the matter is that it isn't true."

We'll leave it up to you to decide whether or not Kanye had something to do with the cover, but in the meantime, check out the cover again ... just in case you missed the Internet explode with images earlier today.

Top Celebrity Fragrances -- Celebrating National Fragrance Day

March 21, 2014, 2:26 pm

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What do Katy Perry, Jay-Z, and the late Elizabeth Taylor have in common? They all have their own signature perfumes that were top sellers in 2013. According to industry sources, in department stories alone, just those three fragrances took in more than $19 million in sales. In fact, Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds was launched back in 1991, but continues to be a hit. Since its debut, the perfume has made more than $1 billion, and in 2013 alone, earned a cool $10 million.

Even before White Diamonds, celebrities had their own fragrances, but they weren't nearly as common as they are now. Sophia Loren debuted "Sophia" in 1981. In 1986, Catherine Deneuve, who was the face of Chanel No. 5, came out with her own "Deneuve." And Cher launched a musky Uninhibited in 1987.

These days loads of celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston, Tim McGraw, Sarah Jessica Parker, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Adam Levine, Bruce Willis and even Alan Cumming have created their own scents. "I don't think it's a case of people wanting to smell like 'me,' but I think that people think celebrities are selling a sort of spirit, an essence or a perception of themselves, so if people like you and people have an interest in you, then it makes sense that people would want to buy a perfume you've created," Cumming told racked.com after launching 2nd (Alan) Cumming, his second scent, in 2011.

"For a celebrity, having your own perfume creates a legacy," explains fragrance industry veteran, Donald Loftus, who has launched many perfumes including those for Cher, Jay-Z, Pitbull, Rihanna and an upcoming one for Sofia Vergara. "It's also an opportunity for a celebrity to give more connection to fans -- for people to take home a piece of you." The perfumes can also be uniquely personal. As Loftus explains, many celebrities are incredibly passionate about the process and involved in every aspect: Creating the scent, the packaging, advertising and even how the perfume is presented in stores. Sofia Vergara, who will launch Sofia in Apri, was determined to pay homage to her Colombian roots, and included notes of Colombian rose in her scent.

So in honor of National Fragrance Day today, it seemed only fitting to spotlight some best selling celebrity perfumes in 2013. Read the full story at Parade. Take a whiff.

Woman Spends $99,000 To Look Like Blow-Up Sex Doll

March 21, 2014, 3:15 pm

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Being a natural beauty doesn't appeal much to Katella Dash.

The 38-year-old massage therapist from Minneapolis says she has spent an estimated $99,000 trying to look as fake as possible.

"I love to look plastic -- most people hate me for my extreme appearance but it fuels me to get more work done," she said, according to the Mirror. "I think I do have an obsession with plastic surgery, but being over the top and extreme feels normal to me. The look I am going for is a walking blow-up sex doll -- it's about as fake a person as you can be."



She started her transformation at age 23, when she had male-to-female gender reassignment surgery in Thailand.

"When I was younger, I felt too feminine for a boy -- I was more feminine than most females," she told Barcroft TV. "The way I would talk, the way I would move my hands, the way I spoke. I had the operation and I've never looked back. Now I want to achieve a hyper-feminine, extreme look."

Dash spends three hours each day on hair and makeup. She's had numerous plastic surgeries on different body parts, but has focused on her breasts which she's had pumped up to a whopping size H.

"Right now, the only thing stopping me going to a size L or M is that no surgeons in the U.S. are willing to operate on me," she said, according to the Daily Mail. "I have gone abroad for surgery before so I might have to do it again."



Dash's friend, Michel Voeller, hopes that's not the case.

"Her obsession with surgery is scary, especially considering the risks involved," he said, reports the Daily Star. "It's definitely getting out of control and could be dangerous."

Minneapolis plastic surgeon Dr. Greg Mesna is also warning Dash against bigger boobs because "extremely large implants can erode through the tissues and become exposed," he told the paper.



Dash is not the only person with intentions of becoming a living doll.

Ukrainian model Valeria Lukyanova is so obsessed with becoming a real-life Barbie doll that she has apparently made it her goal to survive "on air and light alone."

Justin Jedlica, a 32-year-old from New York City, has spent an estimated $100,000 trying to become what he calls a human Ken doll.





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We Know Marriage Material When We See It (And Now We've Seen It)

March 21, 2014, 3:43 pm

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There are plenty of super serious factors that make someone marriage material. But there are other not-so-serious things that matter just as much, in our humble (read: expert) opinion.

Below are 10 sweet gestures from significant others who are totally winning at the whole relationship thing. Take notes.




Keep in touch! Check out HuffPost Weddings on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Why I Share My Closet With Hundreds of Women

March 21, 2014, 4:12 pm

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For TueNight.com by Margit Detweiler


Gwynnie Bee CEO Christine Hunsicker (Photo: Margit Detweiler/TueNight)

"I'd size down, for sure -- it runs big," says Mara, a Gwynnie Bee staffer. She sits behind a makeshift checkout table eyeing me as I hold up a sheer, floral-patterned top. "We're about the same size I think?"

I'm trying on a handful of shirts, at bargain basement prices, here at Gwynnie Bee's second anniversary party in founder Christine Hunsicker's Manhattan apartment. I can't resist a good deal. More often I'm perusing online, on Gwynnie Bee's near-revolutionary shopping site for plus-sized women.

The two-year-old company (three if you count the years Hunsicker spent conceiving it) is like Netflix for clothing; your "closet" is akin to your "queue." You choose a one-10-piece-out-at-a-time plan and closet the clothes you like. (Yes, in the GB community parlance, "closet" is used as a verb.) When you're done wearing an item, you toss it back in a USPS, pre-postage-paid blue bag they provide (no washing necessary) and they'll ship you your next item. They launder everything meticulously and retire clothing when it's even slightly worn, so if you don't mind sharing clothes with strangers, you're good.

Actress Ashlie Atkinson (Rescue Me, Bored to Death and the forthcoming Us & Them), whom I met at the last GB event, shared a tip with me:

"I tend to accumulate things wherever I go," says Atkinson. "So in order to have cute things to wear on trips and extra room for souvenirs, I always pack as many Gwynnie Bee items and blue mailer bags as I can."

Before she returns home she just uses the prepaid mail bags to return the worn clothes. "Voila! More room in the suitcase!"

At the risk of sounding like an ad, I've been a member for the last year or so, so I'll vouch for being 100 percent biased. I freaking love it. As a woman who wears plus-sized clothes, it's always a struggle (or at the very least, time-consuming) to find clothing that looks good, for a good price that has any sense of style. Friends say, "I got such a deal at Uniqlo!" or "Have you been to Joe Fresh?" -- seemingly oblivious to the fact that those stores carry no higher than a 14 (and a skinny 14 at that). Shopping is often a carefully strategized, often stressful trip to a department store's dowdy collection or an expensive and time-consuming online perusal.

Enter Gwynnie Bee, the monthly clothing subscription service that stocks sizes 10-34 and curates a collection of trendy mid-market finds. You can choose from designers like DKNY, Three Dots and IGIGI to pricier Anna Scholz and Kiyonna to Canadian vintage-look designer Cherry Velvet. The prices aren't cheap (e.g. you can have three garments out at a time for $79 a month), but comparatively you can move more pieces of clothing through your wardrobe than the cost of one dress.

As a fan of GB, I wanted to chat with the 36-year-old Hunsicker -- turns out she's a fellow Pennsylvanian girl -- and find out more about the brain behind the brand.

A Princeton grad, Hunsicker started her career in tech start-ups. (Gotham Gal has a great write-up on Hunsicker's background, pre GB). Ambitious and hungry for experience, she worked her way to the top at advertising company Right Media, until Yahoo acquired them in 2007 for $850 million dollars. She describes a "quick turnaround project" at Drop.io, which was acquired by Facebook after only five months. Ready for her own project, she soon turned her attention to something more hive-minded.

Speaking from experience, having a service that's solely dedicated to the plus-size market is pretty special.  I always have to break it to straight-sized pals that this isn't for them. What made you decide to focus on this market?

The choices for plus are horrible. Plus-size women are three times more likely to shop online, not by choice, frankly, but because there are very few brick and mortar options -- and they're pretty crappy experiences. When you look at the statistics, and realize how much of the population actually fits in size 10 and above, and that it's the overwhelming majority of the population? It doesn't make any sense. Everyone else is focused everywhere else. We can really make an impact.

There have been a couple of other ah-ha moments. When you're putting on 10-15 lbs and your clothes don't fit the way they did before but you really don't want to go out and buy anything, because you're not accepting the extra weight? It's convenient to move up and down in sizes seamlessly but it's also a self-esteem thing. If it looks good because it fits properly, I feel better about myself.

You've been able to build a strong community of members and supporters for your site it seems. The comments in the ratings section of the site are sometimes hilariously insightful  -- they don't hold back.

We really look at our members as an extension of our product group. We're pretty good at letting our members be totally transparent with us. You can tell us we screwed up shipping. You can tell us you don't like our styles. You can tell us we've let you down because you haven't had the color green three launches in a row. And you can post it publicly. What you can't do is say anything bad about another member. A lot of our staff are members and we hired some of our members to come in and do customer service because they were so enthusiastic about stuff it carried us forward.

What appealed to you about the sharing economy model?

Two reasons -- one that's emotional and another that's utilitarian. On the utilitarian front, you can't buy all the things you want. Even if you could, it's wasteful. It's just so much cheaper to have a much bigger wardrobe and share it among other people. Essentially you're raising the utilization of the core good in the economy; each person can pay a sliver in order to get the same kind of value out of it. I like the efficiency.

From an emotional standpoint, the fact that you can wear so many more clothes in so many different prints and take more risks? It makes clothing so much more fun.

When you think about whether you're going to buy something, there's a pretty high consideration barrier. Does it fit perfectly? Can I afford it? Does it go with other things that I have? What does this piece of clothing say about me? How many more months can I wear it before the season turns over. Are people going to recognize over and over again? With our model all you have to do is say, "Do I like it enough to try it?" And that to me is such an easier question to answer.

You certainly have the business plan nailed down. And you never got an MBA?

No, I did a bunch of start-ups instead. In my opinion you can get an MBA in a classroom, which is usually valuable from a networking standpoint, or you can get one on the job. If you're willing to take a ton of risk, you can join a three-person startup that may totally fall on its face -- you can get an MBA that way too. I remember calling home to my parents after I quit my first job. I was a strategic financial analyst -- a very steady job but very stressful in its own way. My mom and dad understood that career path. When I told them I was joining a start-up, they were like "what are you doing? You're taking a 50 percent cut in salary!" They couldn't understand the risk element. I was like it's ok, I'll eat ramen noodles and Campbell's soup -- it's fine. It was such a foreign concept to them. Every week they'd call and ask how the company was doing and I'd say, "It's failing, it's failing spectacularly." You can learn a lot that way and have the scars to show for it. That was my approach.

When we first met, you told me about how an ever-changing closet of clothing was kind of in your DNA?

My aunt was a seamstress and she would make outfits for her daughter and me. My cousin and I would swap and trade clothing -- this went on essentially until I went to college. We never wore anything twice. We would then take our clothes to a consignment shop and sell it, get money to buy more material at Jo-Ann's fabrics and my aunt would make us something new. So I grew up around patterns and sewing and experimentation with clothing. I never knew my size because my aunt would just buy patterns and tweak them for me. Everything always fit so I never had that experience of going in and trying on clothes that weren't going to work for me. They weren't fancy clothes, but I was very very spoiled. When I left for college and I suddenly had to start buying clothes, I hated it. Nothing fit!

You're not plus-sized yourself are you?

I'm a big weight fluctuator. I've been in sizes 16 and 18 before. I'm happy to be where I am now, but I have no illusions that it's a permanent thing. My best friend is plus-size and I know how hard it is for her to find clothing. I still actually can't convince her to become a member. She's still in this, "I don't want any clothes" kind of mindset. I don't think women need to feel bad about themselves -- and that's what we're trying to change. We want to promote a very body positive culture.

And the name Gwynnie Bee -- where did that come from?

Not a great story around that. I wanted to do a children's book series. The main character was named Gwynstance. I was a strong-willed seven-year old.

Read more of Margit Detweiler's "MidgeMadge" column on TueNight. You can find her on Twitter @Margit.

About TueNight:
TueNight is a weekly online publication for women to share where they've been and explore where they want to go next. We are you, part two. www.tuenight.com

10 Shopping Rules To Live By

March 22, 2014, 6:05 am

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We've all been there before: You're stuck in the middle of a store, not sure what to buy, how to master sizing, or where to score the best deal. Major panic, right? In these moments, it seems like the easiest solution to your shopping dilemma is to just drop everything and run out screaming rather than face your sartorial rut head on. Well, we’re not going to let that happen to you anymore -- especially not now, when you've got a spring wardrobe to pull together.

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We Bet Reese Witherspoon Regrets This '90s Hairstyle

March 22, 2014, 6:10 am

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Oh, the '90s! Our family photo albums are filled with Polaroids of us sporting trends we thought were so cool from that decade, but now regret. And not even celebrities are exempt from such embarrassing moments, as we see in this throwback photograph of Reese Witherspoon.

Before her "Cruel Intentions" and "Legally Blonde" days, the blue-eyed actress got her bearings on the red carpet in the late 1990s. While Reese experimented with dark lipstick, belly-baring shirts and loads of black, this look she wore to the Los Angeles premiere of "Nowhere" in 1997 stands out the most.

Yes, those are hair knots (aka bantu knots) à la Gwen Stefani and Miley Cyrus. But instead of having them take over her entire head, Reese opted for an awkward half-up, half-down hairdo. *Kanye shrug*. Her smokey blue-gray eyeshadow, choker necklaces and spaghetti strap tank top just makes this even more '90s-tastic.

Thankfully, Reese has settled into her signature sleek and sexy hairstyle. And we can only hope that like us, she can look back at photos like this and have a good laugh.

Happy 38th birthday, Reese! Here's to better hair days.

You'll Shop Until You Drop After Seeing This Week's Cheap Celeb Finds

March 22, 2014, 6:14 am

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It has finally happened, it's finally here: Spring!

Goodbye heavy coats and winter boots, it's time for crop tops and dresses. And what better way to get excited for the warm weather than to go shopping?

This week, we took inspiration from hot young stars who seems to be even more excited than us that the temperatures are heating up. Jourdan Dunn rocked an adorable (and affordable) Topshop skirt that has already been added to our wish list, while Emma Roberts stepped out in a $68 crop top. BRB, we're going shopping.

A Q&A With 'Girls' Hairstylist Sherry Heart, A Retrospective Of Hair In Season 3

March 22, 2014, 6:18 am

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Sherry Heart know her share of hair, as she styles the ladies (and gents) of the HBO show "Girls." As season three comes to a close, we thought it would be great to go back in time and find out some details behind the small screen.

Whether you're a diehard fan of Shosh's eclectic up-dos, or still considering your thoughts about Hannah’s pixie, Heart answers all of our questions about the role of style on the show, and whether or not Marnie is getting the ombre dye job of our dreams.

Before you watch the season three finale, check out all of the hairy details on Hannah, Marine, Shoshanna and Jessa.

As a hairstylist based in New York, Heart gets her creative juices flowing by looking at the landscape around her. "I get many of my inspirations off the streets in Brooklyn," she begins, adding "I mix that with what I see in magazines and I come up with pretty creative hair."

We'd have to agree; from the various looks we've seen on the show, there were some important things we JUST HAD TO know.

First of all, the women of the show are very much like the style of their hair.
If you haven't noticed throughout the three seasons, there seems to be a link between long hair, short hair and etc. to the plot arcs. "Being that women usually have more hair than men, it is very representative of how they view themselves and what journey they see themselves on," Heart says, noting that each character comes alive in part of because of their styling choices.

"Hannah is trying to get a writing career going and doesn't have time for her hair – hence a very simple style for her. Marnie has taken to wearing her hair long and often looks more polished as part of her effort to appear as if her life is well put together when, in fact, it's quite the opposite. Jessa has always been a free spirit and uses her hair as a goddess art form. I think Shoshanna has always considered her hair as an interpretation of what is happening in fashion magazines. Now, as school has become her main focus, her hairdos have become less about fashion and more about what works with her busy schedule."

Speaking of which, Hannah's hair represents her character's laziness.
During Hannah's dark plunge into her old obsessive compulsive tendencies in season two, she eventually gives herself a haircut that goes majorly wrong. But, Heart doesn't regret the DIY disaster. "I think it worked with the direction that Hannah was going and the OCD story line. The end result is the great haircut that she is wearing this season, which looks so great on her."



And if you're wondering why Hannah's style is always a little unkempt, Heart explains the reasoning and not-so-secret details about it. Heart prefers Hannah's cropped look, because "it works for her character," explaining "I leave it on the messy side to try and convey that Hannah can't really do her own hair well." Well, we can't say we're surprised about that.

Who had the most interesting hair this season? Well, Shoshanna of course.
"So many of the hairdos we do on the characters are unconventional," Heart shares, but there's one person who gets the BEST of the best looks. In episode three, "She Said OK," Heart created a gem for Shosh. "It's the four messy topknots across her head and a side-swoop bang. We pretty much had it mapped out before we did it and it went really fast." Whoa, Shosh needs a map for her hair, everyone.



If you watched this past season, you know that Shoshanna also changed a bit since season two. But it wasn't just about her brutal honesty. "She is on a journey and quest to find out who she is and her hair reflects her steps along the way," Heart says.

While Heart mentioned that in terms of hair, season four will be different, don't expect any crazy changes for Marnie. "Her hair has never seen a color bottle and it is such a beautiful color all by its self," she says, so it would be a shame to do an ombre to it now.

It wouldn't be a conversation about hair if there was no mention of Jessa.
"I wish I were blessed with her strong, healthy long hair," Heart expresses about actress Jemima Kirke's leghnthy locks. We could play with Kirke's hair all day, and Heart agrees. "It's a blank canvas and I am the artist."



But who is really the most fun to style?
There doesn't seem to be one clear winner. Heart responds, "It's a tie between Jessa and Shoshanna. They both are the most creative I can get."

Heart also mentioned that all of the actresses and actors have a say on their appearance on the show, no matter how low-key the look is. "There are so many elements involved with choosing a hairdo for a television," she says, things like “Wardrobe, action, director and weather all will have a say in what I end up doing with the girls."

And we feel like that sometimes, especially with warmer weather (hopefully) around the corner. Heart gave us some suggestions of how to beat the heat troubles we get during the spring and summer seasons. "This summer, do not be afraid of pulling your hair up into some kind of messy bun on top of your head. Don’t over think it for style but let it lay and be a mess -- usually those are the cutest hairdos I see on the streets."

Now you have another perspective to think about while you’re watching the finale this Sunday. And we don’t know about you, but we might be making some alterations to our own ‘dos this weekend.

Have more hair questions for Sherry Heart? Join her @sherryheart for her pre-“Girls” Twitter chat with Scunci (@scuncihair) on Sunday, at 9:30 PM EST, followed by her live tweet session of “Girls” which begins at 10 PM EST.

This has been edited for clarity and length.

Michelle Obama Stresses Freedom Of Speech In China Visit

March 22, 2014, 7:20 am

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BEIJING (AP) — U.S. first lady Michelle Obama told Chinese professors, students and parents on Sunday that she wouldn't have risen to where she was if her parents hadn't pushed for her to get a good education.

Mrs. Obama made her comments before hosting a discussion about education on the third day of her visit to the country aimed at promoting educational exchanges between the U.S. and China. "Education is an important focus for me. It's personal, because I wouldn't be where I am today without my parents investing and pushing me to get a good education," said Mrs. Obama.

"My parents were not educated themselves, but one of the things they understood was that my brother and I needed that foundation." She said she and her husband wanted as many young people as possible in the United States and the world to have access to education.

She then hosted a roundtable with a handful of Chinese professors, students and parents at an event at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing that was attended by new U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus and closed to media.

Mrs. Obama plans to visit the Great Wall later Sunday and have lunch with her mother and daughters at a restaurant in a former school near a section of the wall.

On Saturday, she gave a speech at China's prestigious Peking University in which she promoted the free flow of information and freedom of speech, the only time during her trip that she has brought up a contentious issue. China routinely filters out information deemed offensive by the government and silences dissenting voices.

Those remarks by Mrs. Obama were absent from China's state media but were circulating in social media, where they were widely praised.

James Franco And Seth Rogen Continue Bromance With Photoshopped Vogue Cover

March 22, 2014, 7:49 am

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The world's second most talked about couple, James Franco and Seth Rogen, have photoshopped themselves on to the cover of Vogue, replacing the heads of Kim and Kanye with their own. This follows the pair's vaguely homophobic "Bound 2" parody: "Bound 3." Prepare yourselves for a phoned-in satirization of E!'s two-part wedding special.