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Pippa Middleton's 'Something Old' Was A Sweet Tribute To Sister Kate

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Pippa Middleton married James Matthews in England over the weekend and she looked picture perfect


The bride wore a classically stunning gown with a gorgeous, flowing train designed by Giles Deacon for her nuptials. But it was Pippa’s “something old” that caught our eye. For her big day, the 33-year-old wore the same gorgeous earrings she wore when she was a bridesmaid at her sister’s wedding. 


Here is Pippa wearing the earrings at Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding back in 2011:  




And here is Pippa in the same earrings on her own wedding day on May 20: 




Scroll through more gorgeous photos of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews’ wedding below: 

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Beyoncé's Most Iconic Beauty Moments Of All Time

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For W magazine, by Mia Adorante.



Since she made her debut in 1998 as a member of Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé has come a long way. And as many transformations as she’s undergone musically — from girl group ingénue to Dangerously in Love, to surprise album releases and Lemonade — her look has equally evolved. She’s gone from homemade costumes by her mother Ms. Tina Knowles to Givenchy muse, and from headband-wearing teen to sleek, styled music mogul and mother. Here, we celebrate Beyonce’s most memorable red carpet beauty moments, from her Destiny’s Child tour in 1998 to landing her domination of the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2016 and more.


1. As a member of Destiny’s Child in 1999, Beyoncé embraced a more natural look hair-wise — which made her purple eye shadow and shimmery lipgloss stand out all the more.


See the 7 looks that shaped Beyoncé’s career.



2. At the 2000 9th Annual MTV Movie Awards, Beyoncé wore her highlighted loose waves with a glossy, mauve lip.



3. Beyoncé 2001 MTV Movie Awards wears her highlighted blonde locks in tousled waves with a floral hairpiece and a golden smoky eye.



4. A look we wish she'd revive — Beyoncé appeared on TRL again in 2002 to promote Austin Powers in Goldmember, showing off the same hair style sported by her character Foxxy Cleopatra.



5. Beyoncé was glowing at the The Fighting Temptations film premiere in Hollywood in 2003 wearing a sleek, braided up do with a silver smoky eye.



6. Wearing a low, tousled pony with blunt bangs and a gunmetal smoky eye, Beyoncé attends the 2003 MTV Europe Music Awards.



7. Loose curls defined the look for all three ladies of Destiny's Child for their NFL performance before the Patriots vs. Colts game in Foxborough, Massachusetts in 2004.


See the rest of Beyoncé's Most Iconic Beauty Moments of All Time on Wmagazine.com


More from W Magazine:


Kendall Jenner’s Most Jaw-Dropping Looks


Throwback: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in Domestic Bliss


Kim Kardashian Goes Fully Nude in W Magazine


Gigi Hadid Is REALLY Well Connected



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How This Model Debunked The ‘Thigh Gap’ In A Simple Instagram Post

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Iskra Lawrence showed the world that anyone can have a thigh gap if you manipulate a picture correctly. 


The body-positive model posted a photo to her Instagram page last year debunking the mystery behind the once-coveted “thigh gap.” The post, which is making the rounds again, reminds us that most celebrity pictures have been distorted in some way. 


The post features two side-by-side photos, one of Lawrence with no thigh gap and one with a thigh gap. The picture on the left shows Lawrence farther away from the camera holding her legs together; in the picture on the right Lawrence is closer to the camera, sticking out her butt to give her a thigh gap and there’s better lighting. 


“I’ll be the first one to tell you pics are all about good lightening [sic] and angles,” Lawrence wrote in the caption. “Always remember social medias not real life never let anyone else’s pics make you feel insecure about yourself.”




The post has over 130,000 likes and 3,700 comments, with many of the commenters thanking the model for her body-positive message.  


“If you don’t look like her and she doesn’t look like you that’s how it’s meant to be,” she added in her Instagram caption. “You are meant to be YOU no one else, your body is your home so love and respect it. When you look after it beautiful things happens.”


We couldn’t agree more. 

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TLC Reveals Why We Saw Them Rocking Condoms Way Back When

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Whether you’re a TLC stan or just happened to come across the R&B trio in the 1992 “Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg” music video, you likely had some questions as to why you were watching three women wearing condoms. 


And in an interview on Monday with Teen Vogue, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, the two remaining group members since the 2002 passing of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, revealed the reasons behind the group’s incorporation of condoms into their iconic image. 


“We wanted to empower young girls to have their own stash of condoms and not to leave it up to the guys,” T-Boz told the magazine. “Some parents thought we were telling their kids to have sex. But we were making a fashion statement to make it easier to talk about sex,” she added. 


“Left Eye,” who took the whole condoms-as-fashion-statement idea to another level by wearing one over her eye in the video and a few public appearances, told the Los Angeles Times in 1992 that it was the group’s responsibility to spark discussion about important matters such as safe sex. 




“When kids see the condoms, they ask ‘why do we wear condoms and talk about condoms?’” “Left Eye” said at the time. “That brings up the issue of safe sex. The point is to make condoms something kids aren’t afraid of or ashamed of.”


In fact, Chilli told Teen Vogue that “Left Eye” first inspired the condom idea. 


“We were on our way to the studio one day, and a condom and safety pin were on the dresser,” Chilli said. “And when ‘Left Eye’ came outside (T-Boz and I were waiting for her in the car), she had pinned the condom to her pants. From that day, it became part of our signature style.”



And, as the group’s popularity rose, so did the significance of the style statement.


“During that time, so many people were getting diagnosed with HIV,” Chilli said. “People were talking about it, but not really talking about it. As role models, we knew we needed to start the conversation.”


Watch the classic video below: 





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How To Remove Every Single Type Of Summer Stain

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You’re dining alfresco, enjoying a deliciously fresh Caprese salad (seasoned with olive oil, salt and pepper), when plop ― a rogue heirloom tomato spills right into your lap. And you’re wearing white. We’ve got you covered with this handy guide for how to remove every single summer stain.


Related: 10 Top-Rated Cleaning Products According to Real People



1. Avocado. Scrape off any excess green before rinsing your garment in cold water. Next, pretreat by rubbing dish soap into the stain before you toss it in the wash.


2. Sweat. A stain remover applied to your pit stains before you wash your shirt or dress should do the trick. Don’t have a stain remover? Lemon juice also works.


Related: A Genius $1 Trick for Treating Sweat Stains



3. Strawberries. Soak your shirt for 30 minutes in a mixture of water (one quart), white vinegar (one tablespoon) and liquid laundry detergent (1/2 teaspoon). Then, launder as usual.


4. Grass. These stains should actually come out on their own in the wash, but just in case: Pre-treat any green marks with stain remover and gently (we repeat: gently) scrub the stain before tossing it in the wash.



5. Rosé. Blot the stain and add table salt to absorb any excess liquid. Next, give your shirt/dress/white jeans a rinse in hot water before machine washing as usual.


6. Ice Cream. Spot treat with cold water and a clean cloth right when the stain hits your shirt. (A Shout Wipe also works.) Then, apply stain remover before soaking it in the sink with a teaspoon of an enzyme-based detergent--like Tide Stain Release--for 30 minutes. After that, you’re good to machine wash.


Related: 17 Surprising Tips for Wine Lovers You’ve Never Heard Before



7. Tomatoes. Rinse with cold water before using a sponge and white vinegar to buff out any hint of color. If it’s still there, pre-treat with stain remover before sticking in the wash.


8. Sunscreen. Since sunscreen tends to be greasy, your best bet is to pre-treat it with a product that’s up for the job like dish soap (one that’s a clear color) or Lestoil. Dab it on with a clean cloth, then machine wash in hot water.


Related: A Quick Guide to Treating Every Single Type of Stain



9. Bicycle Grease. Speaking of grease, to remove stains left by chains on your bike, start by applying baby powder and blotting with a paper towel to remove any excess grease. Next, pre-treat stains with dish soap on the front and back of the stain. Then, throw the garment in the wash by itself.


10. Ketchup. Dab it with cold water right away, then sponge with white vinegar. Next, machine wash it using a color-safe detergent with bleach.


11. Mustard. Scrape off any excess mustard before pre-treating with a stain remover and sticking it in the washing machine on hot.


Related: The 5 Dirtiest Things in Your Kitchen (and How to Clean them)



12. Popsicle. Start by giving the garment a soak in cold water, then spot treat with white vinegar (three parts water to one part vinegar is fine) before tossing in the wash.


Related:


10 Boozy Popsicle Recipes


9 Genius Tips for House-Training a Puppy


26 Ways to Turn Your Home into a Self-Care Haven


5 Kitchen Improvements That Will Bring You Serious ROI


How to Treat Every Type of Holiday Stain

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Another Day, Another Stunning Photo Of The Obamas Living It Up In Italy

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Michelle and Barack Obama are still living their best lives under the Tuscan sun.


The two were spotted out and about in Italy exploring Tuscany on Monday. For the outing, Michelle looked effortlessly cool in a $160 Jamia top from Club Monaco with green, wide-legged linen pants and tan slides.


Barack look stylish in a light blue button-up shirt with black pants and black shoes. 




Some lucky people spotted the two walking the streets!  





#obama #siena #tuscany #palazzopubblico #museum #theobamas #obamaintuscany #igersiena #travel

A post shared by Federica Damiani (@federicadamiani0) on




The former president, who arrived earlier this month for a talk about climate change, was spotted playing golf over the weekend. Michelle was also out and about, sightseeing with some friends. 







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Floral Bridesmaid Dresses Are The Wedding Trend That Will Grow On You

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These bridal parties are bringing the flower power


According to the 2017 Pinterest Wedding Report, searches for printed bridesmaids dresses are on the rise. And one of the most eye-catching iterations of this wedding trend is the floral dress. Below, 17 bridal parties who stylishly sported florals on the big day. 


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16 Teens Who Wore Their Moms' Prom Dresses And Looked Just As Stunning

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They got it from their mama: Instead of heading to the mall or ordering online, these teens decided to wear the prom dresses their moms wore years ago. 


It just goes to show, everything old eventually comes back in style ― and it definitely pays to raid your mom’s closet. 



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Polka Dot Eye Makeup Is Popping Up All Over Instagram

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For Allure, by Devon Abelman.



For the minimalists out there, there’s dot eyeliner. With a single spot or two, you can try the Instagram trend without looking like you’re several months early for Halloween in the middle of spring. For the maximalists, meet polka dot eye makeup. It’s the latest take on the spotted Instagram makeup trend. Makeup artists are covering their lids with clusters of dots in cut crease and winged shapes.


We’re living for the trend because dots are the easiest way to explore the world of crazy Instagram makeup. Why? The spots take seconds to create. You can either use the rounded end of a makeup brush or a nail dotting tool to create precise dots of liquid eyeliner or eye shadow. However, if you just want black or brown dots, we love the Flirt Cosmetics Dot Dot Dot Dual Ended Liner ($22).


As for the arrangement of your dots, the most popular look happening on our feeds right now is polka dotted cut creases. 25-year-old makeup artist Molly Bee, who is better known as @beautsoup on Instagram, originally created a blue-and-purple look using colorful Kat Von D, Jeffree Star, and Black Moon liquid lipsticks along her creases.


Other makeup artists loved the creative take on cut creases so much that they recreated the look on their own lids.










Winged liner is another classic look getting polka-dotted.










Also, if you've been wanting to try out the colorful freckles that have been taking over Instagram, too, without going all out, you can try polka dot eye makeup along your lower lashes.






Or you can just dot around your eyes wherever your heart desires, like makeup artist Ida Ekman.




More from Allure:


The 10 Best Mascaras Under $20


The 9 Prettiest Date-Night Makeup Looks


Find the Best Haircut for Your Face Shape


20 Celebrities Who Look Surprisingly Different Without Their Signature Looks


7 Weird Tricks for Looking Great in Photos


10 Celebrity Hairstyles That Make You Look 10 Years Younger



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Charcoal Hair Is Trending On Instagram

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For Allure, by Devon Abelman.



Feeling rainbow hair fatigue? We have the perfect antidote. The latest hair color trend blowing up Instagram will ease your unicorn-trampled heart and speak to your inner dark goddess. Colorists on Instagram have been dying their clients’s hair a deep gray shade, calling it charcoal hair. The result is everything pastel hair is not. It’s smoky, sultry and isn’t inspired by a Starbucks drink.


Celebrities have been embracing the gray hair trend for years now. Earlier this week, Blac Chyna even slipped on a lilac gray wig and totally slayed us. However, this is the first time we’ve spotted this ashy shade. It’s not quite black, and it’s not quite silver, but it also has a hint of blue. Maryland-based colorist Maayan Birnstein tells Allure, “The balance between blue and grey is really key.” And to make the color look its best, “The hair needs to have no orange remaining in it,” she adds. To make sure this happens, Birnstein recommends asking your colorist for a bleach and tone.








Birnstein uses Schwarzkopf Igora Royal Absolutes Silverwhite for charcoal hair, but many of the colorists on Instagram credit L.A.-based colorist Guy Tang's #mydentity hair dye for helping them achieve the smoldering hue. He literally makes a direct dye called charcoal. Sometimes colorists mix it with the metallic silver dye. We recommend locating a salon near you that stocks the dye if you want to get the look. Also, be sure to show your colorist some of these Instagram posts as reference. You can also scroll through #charcoalhair on Instagram for more inspiration. One thing is for sure, though, you can't get this color out of a box.








And if you can't resist having a bit of rainbow in your life, you can add a hidden ray of color underneath your hair, like Birnstein did in a collab with colorist Kasey O'Hara. O'Hara says she "was inspired by the opalescence of rainbow pastels with charcoal tones." If you do end up going for this look, she suggests washing your hair as little as possible. And when you do, be sure to use a cleansing conditioner or sulfate-free shampoo and cold water "for longevity."




More from Allure:


The 10 Best Mascaras Under $20


The 9 Prettiest Date-Night Makeup Looks


Find the Best Haircut for Your Face Shape


20 Celebrities Who Look Surprisingly Different Without Their Signature Looks


7 Weird Tricks for Looking Great in Photos


10 Celebrity Hairstyles That Make You Look 10 Years Younger



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This Photo Reveals Exactly How Unreal Retouched Images Are

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Iskra Lawrence recently posted a photo of herself to Instagram. The weird thing about it? It looks nothing like her. 


“You might be wondering who that random blonde girl is. Well it’s me! About 6 [to] 7 years ago,” she wrote in the caption. 


Lawrence, a model and body-positive advocate, posted the photo on Monday to show the dramatic effects of Photoshop. It’s clear from the image the effect retouching can have: Lawrence looks like a completely different person.


She noted in the caption that although she may have been “a few dress sizes smaller” when this photo was taken, there are other big differences that show just how retouched the images were. 


“That smooth a$$ skin? Not mine ― a computer programme did that. The full thick hair ― extensions,” she wrote. “...Waist + legs + arms slimmed with a photoshop tool. No eye bags, well actually no nothing that makes me resemble the real me. And the WORST thing about it... I WANTED TO LOOK LIKE THIS!!!”




Lawrence wrote that she thought “perfected images” like this one would lead to a success and happiness. Unfortunately, it led to neither. 


“In reality seeing retouched images of myself gave me even more insecurities and body image issues because I couldn’t even look like or relate to the image of myself!” she wrote. “So please NEVER EVER compare yourself to images you see, many aren’t real. Perfect does NOT exist so trying to achieve that is unrealistic and editing your pictures will not make you happy.”


What will make you happy? Being “your imperfectly perfect self,” Lawrence wrote. “That’s what makes you magical, unique and beautiful.”




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Here's Why Melania Trump Wore Black To Meet The Pope

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President Donald Trump met a sad-looking Pope Francis at the Vatican on Wednesday, along with his wife, Melania, daughter Ivanka and others. 


Melania and Ivanka both wore black dresses with long sleeves and black veils (Melania’s dress was Dolce & Gabbana, a possible nod to Italy). Although Pope Francis has not enforced dress code rules for women at private Vatican audiences as strictly as his predecessors did, both women kept to old-school protocol. 


This traditional rule holds that most women wear long black dresses with sleeves and mantillas, and only a very select handful of women enjoy an exception. These ladies have the “privilège du blanc,” or “privilege of the white,” which means they’re allowed to wear white if they choose. According to the World Heritage Encyclopedia, the queens of Italy, Belgium and Spain, grand duchesses of Luxembourg, and princesses of the House of Savoy have been hereditarily allowed to exercise the “privilège du blanc” at the Vatican.  


There’s a common theme: Those are all Catholic royal houses, though not all Catholic royals automatically enjoy the privilege. And modern first ladies, at least, have strictly adhered to the traditional mandate.


“Per Vatican protocol, women who have an audience with the Pope are required to wear long sleeves, formal black clothing, and a veil to cover the head,” the first lady’s communications director, Stephanie Grisham, told CNN in a statement.



See what other first ladies and royals have worn for audiences with the Pope:



CORRECTION: Due to an editing error, the event at which Queen Sofia and Queen Paola are pictured above was mischaracterized. The women were attending a canonization ceremony. 


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Danielle Brooks To Her Teenage Self: Your Stretch Marks Are 'The Roadmap Of Your Strength'

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Danielle Brooks is full of amazing advice ― and she just shared a few pieces with the world.


The “Orange Is the New Black” star recently wrote a poignant essay for Refinery29 that details some of the advice she wishes she could give her 15-year-old self. 


“A lot of blessings and disappointments will come your way this year, and in the years to come, but I want you to continue to practice patience,” Brooks wrote to her teenage self. “Let God write your story. It will always be brighter than you could ever dream ― so trust her.” 


Published on Tuesday, the essay is a heartwarming message about the trials and tribulations so many teen girls face: fights with parents, high school crushes, learning to love your body and figuring out how to be comfortable and happy in your own skin.  


“Love your stretch marks, Danie. They are the roadmap of your strength,” Brooks wrote for number 5 on the 11-point list. 


Number six? Don’t cry too much when you’re not asked out to prom. 


“One day that boy you had a crush on, you’ll run into him at the grocery store and discover he has three baby mamas and works at Verizon. Not even as a manager,” Brooks wrote. “And the other dude, you’ll realize he doesn’t even have enough courage to pursue his dreams. How would he ever be able to handle yours? Again, be patient. One day you will bring all the boys to the yard. They will be sliding in those DMs, girl. That phrase will make more sense in 2017.”


The OITNB actress is no stranger to preaching self-love and body acceptance. Brooks modeled for Lane Bryant for the clothing company’s body positive campaign #ThisBody in 2016. The actress is also a spokesperson for R29’s The 67% Project, a multimedia initiative promoting body positivity and plus-size visibility that launched in September. 


In her R29 essay, Brooks reminded her teenage self that no matter what happens in life, she always needs to “operate out of love.” 


“You are not an ordinary 15 year old, and that is okay. That doesn’t make you better or less than anyone. But what you must not do is dim your light,” she wrote. “You have a lot of love to give and believe it or not, it is not as easily accessible for others to give the same. People have a lot of hang ups that will make them guarded, but continue to operate out of love. It will always win.”


Head over to Refinery29 to read Brooks’ full essay. 


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How To Make The Most Of A 3-Day Weekend

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The weather is finally heating up in many areas of the country, just in time for Memorial Day. A season of lake trips, barbecues and sunny days is on the horizon. So, to spend the first long weekend in front of the television would be almost criminal. 


“If we don’t plan our weekends, they just kind of go by,” Phoenix-based productivity expert Nicole Bandes told HuffPost. “Be intentional with the time you’re going to have for the three days.”


The key here is balance. You certainly don’t have to plan each moment of the long weekend. But making time for a few activities can leave you recharged and happier once the holiday has passed.


Here are some expert and research-backed ideas on how to make the most of your Memorial Day Weekend while improving your wellbeing in the process:


1. Enjoy a staycation.


Sure, adventures like camping can be fun, but they also require a lot of work to plan. This may lead to feeling the opposite of relaxed, Bandes said. (Unless, of course, you are a hardcore camper and you wait all year to go. You do you!) 


Instead of tackling a big trip, she recommends trying activities that are close to where you live. For example, visiting a local winery, going to the zoo or checking out a nearby waterfront are all low-effort ways to recharge your batteries. 



2. Tackle a big project.


A three-day weekend is a great opportunity to tackle the “never-quite-get-to” projects, Bandes said. This could come in the form of painting a room, clearing out the garage, working on the car or finally getting around to organizing your closet using the Konmari method (which comes with its own added wellness perks).


3. Host a group gathering.


Invite family or friends over for a meal over the weekend. A meal-centric hangout with your crew can bring some perks: Not only are there psychological benefits to baking for other people, research shows that being around a best friend can help lower stress.



4. Take a digital detox.


Some research suggests that too much time on your devices is correlated with more negative thoughts, anxiety and depression. 


Bandes recommends putting your phone away for a few hours or even half a day. It’ll pay off: unplugging every so often can increase focus, lower stress, increase sleep quality and help you think more creatively. 


5. Volunteer for a worthy cause.


Carve out some time this weekend all in the name of generosity. 


A 2013 study found that people who volunteer are more likely to improve their overall wellbeing and life satisfaction than people who aren’t altruistic. Giving and unselfishness is also associated with having a lower risk of early death, a stronger marriage and decreased depression







6. Catch up on sleep.


Schedule in some rest. An estimated 1 in 3 American adults are not getting enough sleep on a regular basis, according to a 2016 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Good sleep makes your memory sharper, improves mood and focus and literally clears your mind: Neurological science shows that proper sleep clears toxins which build up in the brain


7. Plan your next vacation.


The happiest part of vacation isn’t necessarily the vacation itself: Research shows wellbeing boosts with the anticipation prior to leaving. Use a couple of hours over the three-day weekend to get yourself pumped for the next big trip you’d like to take. Search for locations, places to stay, how much it will cost and what you might need to save in order to go.



8. Go dancing.


Busting a move isn’t just fun ― it’s actually really good for your health. Dancing contributes to a healthy heart, improves stamina, strengthens bones and muscles and keep illnesses at bay.


You don’t have to be Fred Astaire, either. Turn up the beats in your living room, grab your partner, kids or go for it solo. You need little more than your favorite song to do something good for your body, and let’s be real, just let loose. Here are some happy tunes that can help get the dance party started.


9. Optimize your back-to-work-plan.


Many people feel stressed out by their workload after a few days out of the office. It’s actually a major reason Americans say they don’t want to take off in the first place. But streamlining your tasks can help you feel empowered walking back into work, rather than anxious.


Set aside a little time to get organized the day before you head back into the office. List high-priority tasks to take care of first thing so you can hit the ground running ― and refreshed.


Because truly feeling refreshed is the whole point of enjoying a long weekend. 


“From a productivity standpoint, [you want] to be able to do a thorough recharge,” Bandes said.


Recharge and refresh? Challenge accepted. 






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This Teen's Senior Portraits Were Taken In A Taco Bell, And They’re Perfect

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Most high school students choose a photo studio or tranquil outdoor setting for their senior portraits. 


Andrew McBurnie chose Taco Bell.


The student from Bourbonnais, Illinois posed for his glamour shots at the table where he sat with his friends throughout high school, he told BuzzFeed. And the images are magazine worthy:




McBurnie had his photographer friend Wesley Taylor set up the shoot, and Taylor says T-Bell was totally cool with it.


“We ordered a taco and a couple drinks at first and then realized we needed way more, so went back and got more tacos and nachos,” Taylor told HuffPost. “Fortunately we were able to polish it all off at the end! Andrew loves his Taco Bell.”


The setting turned out to be the perfect complement to McBurnie’s suit and bowtie.


“I loved combining the fashion magazine aesthetic with the retro vibes of the restaurant ― plus, Andrew’s basically a model,” Taylor said.





McBurnie’s not the only one with memories from chalupa-land: Other high schoolers have taken Taco Bell-themed portraits in years past.


But then again, they didn’t brave nacho cheese while sporting crisp white suit cuffs. Congrats, Andrew!



H/T Buzzfeed

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Miss USA Reminds Young Women That They Have A Seat At The Table In STEM

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Recently-crowned Miss USA Kára McCullough has some powerful words for women and girls who wish to pursue a career in STEM. 


In a video for Now This posted on Wednesday, McCullough talks about how much she loves her position as emergency preparedness specialist with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, but how it wasn’t an easy journey to get there. 


“Being a woman in the science industry is truly empowering,” she says. “I walk into my agency knowing that I am meant to be here.”


McCullough, who majored in chemistry in college, touches on her struggles with math and how having those struggles inspired her to push herself even harder. 


Prior to being crowned Miss USA, she started a community program, Science Exploration for Kids, to encourage young girls and boys to get enthusiastic about STEM subjects, especially those who, like her, struggle with certain aspects of it. 


McCullough hopes to use her platform as Miss USA to encourage young girls to explore the STEM fields, and stay confident even if they feel out of place. 


“Don’t ever give up on yourself,” she says in the video. “I struggled with math as a child but I allowed myself to not be limited by those inabilities.”


Hear, hear. 


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Watch This Disabled Burlesque Performer Own Her Sexuality

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Jacqueline Boxx is a burlesque performer, dancer and cat-owner. Oh, and she also happens to be disabled. 


The Scene recently featured Boxx in a short documentary where the burlesque dancer discussed her love for performing and how she deals with her disability on and off stage. 


“As a disabled person, I have a body that isn’t often celebrated,” Boxx told The Scene. “A lot of times it feels like disability means that your body should be hidden. Like I shouldn’t be pleased and happy and feel sexual as a disabled woman.”


When Boxx was in college, she was diagnosed with a rare and incurable syndrome called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which makes the joints in her body dislocate easily. She had always been a dancer, and was actually teaching dance at the time of her diagnosis. Boxx had to stop dancing and accepted the fact that she would never perform again.


It wasn’t until a few years later that she went to a burlesque show and remembered how much she missed dancing.   


“I went to a burlesque show and I thought how much I missed being there,” Boxx told The Scene. “I remembered the glitter and the rhinestones and how powerful I felt; and I thought ‘Man, it would feel really nice right now to feel powerful.’” 


So, Boxx started choreographing a burlesque performance ― from a wheelchair. She quickly found out that performing burlesque made her look and feel damn good.  








“When I’m performing I am showing that I love and accept my body as it is,” Boxx told The Scene. “The way in which burlesque is so in-your-face-aggressive about owning your body is inspiring. I think that the time has come for that to include disabled bodies.”


Boxx hopes viewers take away two things from the video. For disabled people, she hopes they can “start viewing their own bodies as sensual and sexual and confident.”


And for everyone else? “I don’t necessarily want to be know as the disabled burlesque performer,” Boxx said. “I want to be known as a burlesque performer who is a disabled women who lives authentically and encourages others to live authentically.” 

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The Candid, Honest Reasons These Women Called Off Their Engagements

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K.J., a single mom, had been in a relationship with Ben for three years before deciding that enough was enough: He didn’t seem to want to move in together, let alone get married.


“With a broken heart, I went to break it off with him, and in a panic, he asked me to marry him,” she told HuffPost. “Our engagement was more stressful than ecstatic.” 


In the end, the engagement didn’t pan out. But she’s not alone; many women and men call off relationships with people they they seriously considered marrying. 


A common reason is fear of commitment, according to Elisabeth LaMotte, a couples’ psychotherapist and founder of the DC Counseling and Psychotherapy Center in Washington, D.C.


“Fear of commitment can either be consciously or unconsciously hesitating to take a healthy relationship to the next level because you’re not ready, because you have something to work out in your own life,” LaMotte told HuffPost. “What also could be fear of commitment is a pattern of choosing either unavailable or unsuitable partners, so that as you get closer to committing, it’s clear that it’s just not going to work.”


We asked women who read HuffPost if they’ve ever ended an engagement. Read what they had to say ― and the reasons they called off the relationships ― below.


1. I was succumbing to my family’s wishes instead of what I wanted.


“When I was a senior in high school, I dated the son of a very prominent member of our church. Both of our families were emotionally invested in our relationship and pushed for an engagement. So naturally, we followed through with their wishes.


I was pretty involved in my school choir and musical theater program. During the production, I became very close to the actor that portrayed my husband. It was our chemistry, the decision that I was much too young to be engaged to anyone and my separation from the church that led me to break the engagement.” ― E. Holloway


2. He developed a substance abuse problem.



“I was engaged when I was 19 years old after dating a guy for six months. About a month after we got engaged, his surgery for a serious medical issue caused him to develop a pill addiction. I watched his attitude and behavior change and decided to call the engagement off three months later. 


About a year after our break up, we reconnected and I decided to give him another chance. We dated for another three months before I broke up with him again, and I have never looked back.


I am 25 years old now. I am so glad I called off that engagement and didn’t end up marrying him. That relationship was quite the learning experience for me. It taught me more about myself and what I’m willing to put up with and what I’m not.” ― R.S


3. He was financially irresponsible and immature. 


“I came home one night and my fiancé had bought an excavator. I didn’t have a problem with the machinery ― he was a contractor.


But the problem was that he was using it to dig out a hole in our newly purchased backyard. Inside the hole there was a refrigerator, on fire. I didn’t know that large kitchen appliances burned.


I just couldn’t stay with a man whose Friday night entertainment was roasting a perfectly good appliance while his friends hooted and hollered. Yes, the police showed up. He told them it ‘accidentally’ fell in and caught on fire. I moved back to D.C. and married another man.


In my defense, the sex was really good. Not-appliance-burning-in-your-waterfront-backyard-good, but, good. ”― Lauren M. 


4. I met another woman. 



“I proposed to my girlfriend of three years on a trip to Ireland. We had been living together for about two years at that point and went months without having sex. I guess I thought being engaged would change things. We were pretty much glorified roommates.


After a few months I started talking to a woman from Tumblr. She lived in another state but things escalated quickly. I’d talk to her on the phone and lie to my fiancée. I didn’t feel good about it.


Eventually my fiancée became suspicious and confronted me about it, and we broke up. I also quickly ended things with the other woman, knowing I was not in a good place. I stayed single for a while but now I’m with the most amazing woman. Our relationship is polyamorous, which is also something I learned I needed to pursue.” ― Annie K. 


5. The relationship was abusive.


“I spent over six years with my ex. We lived together, he bought a ring, our families were intertwined and we had a dog. One day, in counseling, I was reflecting on my life and our relationship, and the progression of abuse I suffered was just staring me in the face. I realized that it was escalating with every day that passed. I knew I wouldn’t want a friend or my sister in a relationship like this, so why was I in it? I felt paralyzed and trapped and like I couldn’t leave.


Then I got hired for a temporary job that lasted four months and allowed me to sail around the world ― literally circumventing the globe. He was planning on going with me but, honestly, the thought of sharing a tiny cabin with him, being in the middle of the ocean... I really believed in that moment that if he came with me, there was a good chance I wouldn’t come back. So I took his name off the itinerary and kicked him out of the apartment. A month later I left on the voyage that I believe literally saved my life.” ― Nicole L. 


6. I met another man.



“We met in graduate school and dated for three years. We started to save for a home and received permission to use my grandmother’s heirloom wedding and engagement rings.


I never second guessed that he was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, until that March when I met someone by a chance encounter. I had literally grabbed my coat and had my hand on the door to leave an event when he ran up to me.


I never did date the man I met by chance, but meeting him was like one of those corny rom-com scenes where they look at each other and the rest of the room seems to fade away. It was a short amount of time before I realized that while [the new guy] wasn’t the perfect man for me or ‘The One,’ he was significantly closer to my perfect match than who I was with. Sometimes it just takes one small moment in time, as small as someone catching you at the door, to completely realign your life.” ― Maria D.


7. He couldn’t commit.


“I had just turned 30 years old; Ben was 40. Although we had been in a relationship for over three years, he wasn’t showing signs of wanting to move in together, let alone propose. With a broken heart, I went to break it off with him, and in a panic, he asked me to marry him.


Our engagement was more stressful than ecstatic. The plan was to put my parents’ diamond in a new setting, and he stalled on it. 


We were also in the process of buying a house. Time was of the essence; I had already sold the house I lived in with my kids. But much to my embarrassment, Ben didn’t show up for the appointment to sign the papers to make the home officially ours. Later, he said he was sleeping. It was the middle of the day.


Ben made another appointment to sign. The morning of the new appointment, I called him and said I would be busy that day looking for a different house, this one just for me and the kids.


To this day, ten years later, he has still never married. But I’m happily married to my best friend David ― also a single parent ― who I met just a few months after calling off the engagement.” ― K.J.


These stories have been edited and condensed.

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Single Dad Hosts Class For Men To Learn To Do Their Daughters' Hair

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When Darious Bland became a single father seven years ago, he was at a loss as to how to go about doing his daughter’s hair. He’s since picked up a few tricks, and now the Alabama native is sharing them with his fellow dads. 


On May 21, Bland held a hair workshop titled “Can Daddy Do My Hair?” in Hunstsville, AL. 


The event allowed 12 dads to come with their 3- to 10-year-old daughters as Bland guided them in navigating the understated difficulty of styling black hair.


“These dads are learning a lot; not only about hair but what many moms go through,” he told WHNT. “They didn’t understand the frustration that mothers have to go through while doing their daughters’ hair.”


Videos of fathers doing their daughters’ hair have made their rounds on the internet throughout the years. And an April BBC News video showed health and well-being guru Khembe Clarke hosting a similar event for black fathers in England.


As for Bland, he admits he still has a thing or two to learn.


“I’m learning how to do flat twists, bantu knots, I want to learn how to braid,” he said.


For those who couldn’t make the workshop, Bland also posts video tutorials on the event’s Facebook page. 

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The 7 Injuries Doctors See Most On Summer Weekends

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Warm weather and longer days will bring many Americans outdoors for cookouts, pool parties and more. But long weekends ― we’re looking at you, Memorial Day ― also lead to more trips to urgent care or even the emergency room, according to experts. In fact, a 2015 study from researchers at Brown University found that heat-related illness alone can ratchet emergency department visits in the summertime. 


The risk for issues like drowning and sports injuries go up in the hotter seasons, according to Dr. Christopher M. McStay, chief of clinical operations and associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. And they’re usually all preventable.


We asked doctors to explain the most common reasons why patients end up in their offices during summer months ― and what can be done to prevent you or a loved one from being among them.


1. Heat-related illness.


During summer months, people often show up at the doctor with a heat-related condition, from mild dehydration to severe heatstroke, says Dawne Kort, an emergency medicine doctor and attending physician at CityMD Urgent Care Walk-In Medical Clinic. 


Fewer than 1,000 Americans die each year due to heat-related illness, according to a 2014 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But plenty more experience the more mild symptoms of too much sun exposure, which include nausea, dizziness, headaches and confusion. 


“Be mindful of the temperature, stay hydrated and avoid being outside for prolonged periods of time if the temperature is high ― especially during the hottest time of the day,” Kort told HuffPost, noting that the warmest hours are usually between 2 and 4 p.m.



2. Swimming injuries and drowning.


Memorial Day weekend is the first time many people will head out for water-related activities.


“We see a fair amount of swimming-related [injuries],” McStay told HuffPost. “Trauma related to jumping into a body of water, small children who are not being supervised, boating injuries.” 


Joseph Perno, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, says these water-related dangers definitely increase when the weather gets warm.


“We see a big spike in drowning,” Perno told HuffPost. “When you have a lot of adults together, you’d think there would be more people watching the kids but what happens is people are distracted: Talking, drinking, partying, having fun and no one is watching the kids.” 


Drowning is the second most common cause of death by unintentional injury, behind car accidents, among children ages 1-4 years-old, according to the U.S. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention. Children are also more likely to drown in a swimming pool than anywhere else. 


It’s so easy for a child to fall into water without someone realizing, Perno says. If you’re having a pool party, rotate having a designated adult to supervise water activities, he suggests.


3. Burns and cuts.


There are numerous hospital visits for burns associated with grilling and camp fires, as well as cuts from kitchen knives, according to McStay. 


Children may try to touch the fires and adults make the common mistake of squirting lighter fluid onto hot coals. Be safe about it: Apply lighter fluid to coals when they aren’t lit, letting the fluid soak in, McStay suggests. 



4. Food poisoning and gastroenteritis.


Gastrointestinal issues frequently bring people to the emergency room during warmer months, according to Kort. In fact, food-borne illnesses peak in the summer months, since hot temperatures and humid conditions provide the optimum breeding ground for bacteria to multiply rapidly, according to the U.S Department of Agriculture. 


“[It’s] commonly seen after a summer barbecue, where the food has not been properly cooked or may have been left out in the heat. Or when fruits and vegetables have not been washed properly,” Kort said. 


Be especially wary of food that’s been sitting out in the sun all day and wash your hands properly before eating, Kort advises. 


5. Sports injuries


Sports-related injuries from playing frisbee, football and outdoor activities are also a bigger issue. Sprained wrists, twisted ankles and broken bones are common sights in urgent care clinics and emergency rooms between spring and summer, according to the experts.


Treatment for these injuries typically requires a little home care, Kort said. Rest the body, ice the injury, compress the body part and elevate the injured area. But if something feels seriously wrong or keeps getting worse, head to the doctor as soon as possible.  



6. Skin irritations and insect bites.


With long days spent outdoors, it’s common to see irritations from wild plants like poison ivy, sumac and oak. Insect and tick bites are also common and, in some cases of infection, may require an antibiotic, Kort said.


This year, in particular, may bring with it more tick bites and tick-borne diseases than previous summers. And Zika virus, though currently out of the news cycle, may be poised to come back in some states.


Keep an eye on any bumps or swelling that does not go away or grows in size. And learn some expert-backed tips to keep yourself safe from ticks and mosquitoes


7. Sunburns.


While most sunburns don’t require a trip to the hospital, some do. In 2013, there were nearly 34,000 emergency room visits in the U.S. due to serious sunburns, according to recent research in Dermatology. Go to the doctor if your sunburn results in blistering or is accompanied by nausea, confusion, headache, extreme pain or chills. You should also head to the doctor if at-home remedies such as applying aloe vera or taking a pain reliever like ibuprofen does not help after a couple of days.


But even if you can take care of your burn at home, it’s an uncomfortable mishap that’s easy to avoid.  


Practice good sun protection habits for yourself and especially watch out for children you’re supervising, since they are unlikely to remember to reapply lotion. 


“Having a sunburn is uncomfortable and painful,” McStay said. “And the chronic risk of sun exposure and skin cancer is something to think about everyday.” 


So walk into the long, warm weekend a bit more alert. Better to be safe than sorry. 






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