It's amazing how wearing an "It" dress can rock your world.



For those of you who read my Huffington Post Wedding Blog:



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elisabeth-laurence/carolina-the-cake-and-me-_b_7788778.html


... and my Huffington Post Honeymoon Blog:



HERE.

...you know how easily I can fall in love with a perfect dress.

But can wearing an "It" dress change me?

I decided to find out.

So... when I attended Paris Fashion Week for Spring-Summer 2016 -- with 750 of the world's top fashion leaders -- I decided I'd wear a dress I knew would be an iconic one.

In this case, it was Louis Vuitton.



But then I thought, would wearing an "It" dress make me feel connected to the DNA of a brand?

You have to know -- if you've seen our show Lives of Style in San Francisco or L.A. -- that, after covering New York Fashion Week for 13 seasons, with designer stars like DVF



Donna Karan



Vera Wang



Jason Wu



and Narciso Rodriguez



-- with models like Estella Warren




and Petra Nemkova



We revel in runway -- including the celebrities --

Like Jennifer Lawrence



Kim and Kourtney




And Fergie



See: VIDEO...

but the pull and power of Paris is twenty-times greater.

I already had purchased the first look in Nicolas's Spring/Summer 2015 show -- see me here with my now-husband Frank:



But I wanted more...

So the day before the show -- with my go-to-Guru from Louis Vuitton -- Quentin Rubin:



I tried on scores of looks to find the one right "It" look for me.

It was -- however, the "It" look at least seven other women at the show were wearing.

Paris was agog -- they even had contests about "Who wore it best?"



I was less than thrilled.

But, even in an "It" dress sported by a cadre of others, as I walked over to say hello to friends in the fashion industry like Harper's Bazaar's Editor-in-Chief Glenda Bailey



Then spotted Marie Claire's Nina Garcia and spied Carine Roitfeld and scores more bellwether bastions of fashion, I stood up straighter, smiled more warmly, and literally sailed to my seat.



The dress wore me -- and I knew that, even with others in the same look, it was the "It" outfit of the day.

So when I chatted with Florence Masurel, Directeur General of Louis Vuitton France:



And Christophe Bertin, Directeur, Champs-Élysées original flagship store:



I felt, well, cool.

People around the world posed with me:



And even Anna Wintour gave a glance!

.

It made me realize that fashion is more than "It" looks--it is more than wearable art.

Iconic fashions take massive creativity, courage, consistent focus and excellent craftsmanship to "birth."

To that find out more, I was invited for a private visit to the Louis Vuitton Maison

VIDEO.



Where Louis Vuitton and his descendants:






Lived for a time. It is a gracious edifice:



Away from the bustle of downtown Paris.

And then I had a private tour of the original Louis Vuitton factory.



And the Louis Vuitton Museum.

At the factory (no photos allowed), they work on made-to-order pieces. I viewed fabrications of every conceivable leather -- master craftspeople -- one was even knighted -- carefully piecing together what will be cherished cases and trunks.

At the Louis Vuitton Museum I saw a through-line of creativity over generations of designers.



With pieces from the original ready-to-wear collections.



Handbags and trunks and photographs memorializing the history -- and DNA of the brand.

VIDEO.

It's these designers and craftsmen -- from Nicolas Ghesquière:



On down -- who take this storied brand and propel it to the "now," with an eye to the future.

So... I concluded, an "It" dress is more than a look -- it's a responsibility . I shared this with Andrea Di Lorenzo, Directeur of Louis Vuitton's Womenswear -- who works with Nicolas.



It's a carrying on of a creative tradition -- and an influx of talent and fresh ideas.

So, when I was invited again, to attend the Fall-Winter 2016/17 Louis Vuitton show Wednesday, I knew I'd be less focused on the thrill of wearing an "It" dress -- and thinking more about my connection to the people who created it.

It is an awesome responsibility -- this "It" dress thing.

I'm more than happy to carry the mantle again.

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The "hot convict." The "sexy felon." “Mugshot McDreamy.”

Whatever media nickname you associated with Jeremy Meeks, he’s out of prison.

Meeks, who rose to fame after his 2014 mug shot surfaced online and got the nation hot and bothered, is in a Sacramento transitional housing program until July, NBC Bay Area reports.

The viral star, who was serving a two-year sentence on a felony weapons conviction, also now has an agent.

"We have a lot in store regarding Jeremy’s new career. There are a multitude of offers on the table,” Jim Jordan of White Cross management said in a statement. He told BuzzFeed that there are even “movies on the table.”

And in case you need further proof that Meeks’ booking photo is worthy of the fawning it received, White Cross is actually using it on its website as Meeks’ headshot.

Which makes us wonder: While we’re not disputing that Meeks' cheekbones have a lot going for them, has anyone tried to track down that talented mugshot photographer?

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

If a Q-tip is part of your shower routine, you might be using the cotton swab to clean out the wax from your ear canal -- and boy, is that a satisfying feeling.

But this cleansing ritual is actually counter-productive and possibly dangerous, and Q-tips advises against it: While you might see some residue on the swab, you're probably pushing wax further into the canal.

In Tech Insider's video above, William H. Shapiro, an audiologist and clinical associate professor at NYU Langone Medical Center, explains how swabbing inside your ears can affect your hearing, as wax gets pushed up against the eardrums.

"Wax is a safety device that keeps our ear safe from insects," Shapiro says. Our bodies create wax for a reason, and prodding at it with a cotton swab is keeping it from doing its job. If you really feel as though your ears need a good cleaning, leave the work to the medical experts and schedule an appointment with your doctor. Watch the video above for more. 

H/T Tech Insider

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

On Friday, March 11, the New York-based fashion site dapperQ will present the first ever queer style panel at South by Southwest (SXSW) in conunction with SXstyle in Austin, Texas.

Called "Queer Style: Visual Activism and Fashion’s Frontier," the panel will explore the intersection of style and movements surrounding social change for the queer community, as well as the economics behind said style as an industry. Those involved with the panel include Anita Dolce Vita of dapperQ, Sonny Oram of Qwear, Leon Wu of Sharpe Suiting and Aja Aguirre of Fit for a Femme.

"Marriage equality is absolutely not the only issue important to queer liberation," Dolce Vita told The Huffington Post. "For example, there are states where you can still be fired for how you express your gender at work. This means, among other things, that, let's say, a butch identified lesbian can be fired if she chooses not to comply with an employer's request to dress more feminine! 

Queer style is also starting to challenge mainstream normative beauty standards that the community often replicates, such as accepting masculinity as the gold standard example of radical transgressive style, particularly for bodies assigned female at birth (AFAB). Femme fashion is radical and deserves space in the queer style narrative because it challenges the racial, ethnic, cultural, age and size beauty norms set forth by the fashion industry. Queer style blogs like Fit for a Femme and Qwear are providing space for femmes to leverage style to create positive social change."

"Some might argue that fashion is inherently queer, since gay men have dominated the fashion scene since long before anyone came out of the closet," Wu continued. "But their motivating vision in fashion has been to masculinize men, and through their designs, dictate to women what is feminine and beautiful. As gender-queer identities become more socially accepted, we can already see the androgynous trend being appropriated by famous designers all over Europe and the U.S. While this is in many ways a good sign, it’s important to remember that queer style was originally meant to be subversive, and it’s only recently that queer women (for lack of a better term) have been able to decide, for ourselves, how we wish to express our identities and be seen within the wider world."

"Queer Style: Visual Activism and Fashion's Frontier" will take place at SXSW on Friday, March 11 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Westin Austin Downtown. Head here for more information.

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The nude photo Kim Kardashian posted on Monday is still making headlines as celebrities continue to take sides praising or criticizing the reality star, but Kylie Jenner is definitely on team Kim. 

The 18-year-old first tweeted that her sister was a "legend" and continued to show support on Wednesday with a snap that appeared to recreate Kim's body-baring photo without actually stripping down herself. Jenner mimicked the censor bar in her sister's bathroom selfie, by wearing a black bandeau top -- and save for the bikini bottoms, the effect is pretty much the same. 

The photo seems to prove Kylie's solidarity with her sister, who took heat from Bette Midler, Chloë Grace Moretz and Piers Morgan before Pink appeared to chime in, as well. Though the singer didn't name Kardashian directly, her comments praising women who use their brains and strength rather than their "tits and asses" seemed pretty targeted. 

Pink's comments were swiftly torn apart by Kim's one time enemy, Amber Rose, who called the singer out for her hypocrisy. "Pink, We've seen u damn near naked swinging from a rope (Beautifully) but what's the difference between a rope, a pole and a pic on Instagram?" she wrote. 

Meanwhile other celebs, including Demi Lovato, Ariel Winter and Bella Thorne got into the mix to defend Kardashian. 

And celebs like Emily Ratajkowski took it a step further by posting their own nude photos in support of Kardashian.

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

Congratulations to the happy couple! 

Singer Adam Levine and his wife of nearly two years, Victoria's Secret model Behati Prinsloo, are expecting their first child together, both People and Us Weekly confirm. We're already looking forward to songs about Jane this baby. 

Us Weekly reports that 26-year-old Prinsloo is about three to four months along already, though neither the singer or model have publicly commented on the news. 

Levine and Prinsloo wed in July 2014 in Mexico after getting engaged in 2013. The Maroon 5 frontman and "Voice" coach has looked forward to having kids for a long time, previously telling Ryan Seacrest that he wants "to have 100 kids." 

"I want to have more kids than would be socially responsible," Levine said to Seacrest in 2014. "I don’t know when we’re going to do it. We can’t do it right now. I think it’s absolutely in the works for some future date."

Though we don't know that future due date just yet, one thing is for sure -- this child will be loved. 

The Huffington Post has reached out to Adam Levine and will update this post accordingly. 

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

We all know that beauty addles the mind -- but an interesting, though lesser known fact is that it's our motor cerebellum that's activated in the presence of something gorgeous. What that means is: you see something desirable, and while the pleasure centers of your brain certainly light up, it's not so much the addictive parts or the warm and fuzzy feeling parts that are first and foremost set humming -- it's the part of your brain that literally controls fine motor skills.

As in reaching out and grabbing.

Maybe that uncontrollable physical impulse, the one that comes before thought and reason, helps explain why throughout history, the prettiest of pretties; jewelry and gems, have been the objects most often coveted and most frequently stolen.

We've all been known to behave badly in the presence of beauty -- but some people take it a little far. From carefully laid plans to simple crimes of opportunity -- and even the occasional impulse grab and dash (blame your motor cortex), the following is a count down of the 9 boldest, strangest, and in some cases, stupidest gem heists on record.

9: Is That a Scepter In Your Pants?

http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/The-Theft-of-the-Crown-Jewels/

I guess if you're gonna steal jewelry, the crown jewels of England are sort of the brass ring. Not just because they're so great -- although they are pretty great -- but because they're held in the fortress-like Tower of London, and surrounded by more guards than the Pope.

You've gotta have a lot of confidence to think you can steal from the Tower. In 1671 an Irishman named Thomas Blood decided that he was up to the challenge. He engaged in an elaborate plan so ridiculous that it almost qualifies as performance art, with or without a successful jewel heist. His shameless plan involved costumes, fake titles, whole fake daily routine, a fake life and a fake family: his fake wife (really a hired prostitute), helped him convince Talbot Edwards, the 'Keeper of the Jewels,' that their fake nephew would definitely for real marry his homely spinster daughter.

Score -- if you're Edwards.

Because Thomas Blood and his cohorts were (fake) aristocrats, and because they were just, you know, practically family at this point, Talbot Edwards let them in to the inner sanctum, totally unguarded, to see the jewels. It was a super special private viewing -- during which the theives knocked the Keeper out cold. While Edwards drooled on the floor, Blood and his gang didn't just steal the jewels, they smashed them as soundly as they had Talbot Edwards' head.



Using mallets they crushed the crown jewels; flattening the crown itself and sawing a scepter in half, making them supposedly portable enough that they could (I kid you not) shove them down their pants. Their bright idea was to then just casually stroll out with them. Obviously it didn't work. Maybe having a load of destroyed treasure in your shorts makes you walk funny. Or maybe it was all the smashing and banging that tipped off the other guards. Either way, the thieves were almost immediately tackled and apprehended while trying to leave the Tower.

Thomas Blood was arrested, and the now seriously trashed Crown jewels were recovered. But, oddly enough, Blood wasn't executed. In fact, in the end, he didn't even walk away empty handed. King Charles II found the whole caper was so amusing that he gifted Blood his own genuine title and estate in Ireland.

I guess there's no telling what some people will find funny.

8: The Hope-You-Can-Hold-On-To-It Diamond

The Hope diamond has been stolen more times than the plot of Romeo and Juliet.

As it's changed hands over the centuries, its disappeared on and off. It's had its name and even it's shape changed, again and again- and overtime it 's lost a significant amount of its weight to re-cutting. But long before it was the infamously cursed 'Hope diamond' it was someone's eye. And not just anyone's- it belonged to a God. Famous, if appalling, gem dealer Jean Baptiste Tavernier, actually stole the stone from the third eye of a sacred a Hindu idol, so the story goes, and managed to escape with it and his life (somehow) and fled with it back to France.

Supposedly that was the beginning of the curse -- because you know, you really shouldn't desecrate temples. But it was nowhere near the end of the thefts. It was most famously stolen from Marie Antoinette and her husband Louis XVI during the reign of terror.



At that point it was called the French Blue, and was one of the most valuable of the crown jewels. It was seized by the revolutionaries, and locked up in the Garde Meuble along with all the other seized treasures, while the king and queen were locked up in prison, losing their heads over the French Revolution.

But rather than being safe in it's revolutionary gem prison, it was then stolen again from the room where the treasures were locked up along with the rest of the jewels by some of the more drunken citizens of France.

One night, while it's previous owner was awaiting trial (read: execution), jewel thieves broke into the vault and absconded with part of the Royal treasure. They found the task so easy that they came back again the next night with some friends for a second helping. But word got around, (though apparently not to the police), and by the third night, over 30 revelers showed up to rob the treasury again -- bringing music, food and copious amounts of wine with them. It was such a rager that when the gendarme showed up the next morning to investigate complaints, the not only was the vault cleaned out, some of the thieves were still passed out on the ground.

While their very French approach to the theft had turned pillage into a party, it also made it fairly easy to recover the gems. The French Blue was one of the only pieces not recovered... until it turned up decades later in England, cut down by third and reshaped to disguise its illicit origin, in the collection of Henry Philip Hope.

7: Waiter, There's Something in my Soup

This story is about Joeseph Grizzard, a jewel thief who wasn't actually drunk- although you'd never have guessed it if you met him.

In 1913 a British jeweler named Max Mayer was the lucky owner of an exquisite and ultra-rare strand of priceless, matched pink pearls. But not for long. The necklace was referred to by the New York Times as the "Mona Lisa of Pearls," and it was just too tempting a target for Grizzard- the era's most notorious but uncatchable jewel thief.

The theft of the famous pink pearl necklace took place that summer in London, and when all was said and done, what Grizzard had pulled off was more like to a magic trick than a robbery. Grizzard stole the necklace from inside of a sealed box, a box identical to thousands of others, and buried in one of hundreds of identical bags of mail. Not only did he find it, and snag it, without getting caught- he managed to steal the necklace from within the still-sealed box, and then replace the priceless contents with eleven French sugar cubes, wrapped in shreds of French newspaper.

What was the significance of the weirdly specific and aggressively French replacement contents? Nobody really knows. Maybe it was a private joke. Maybe he was trying to frame a Frenchman. But ultimately, Grizzard did a lot of crazy things for totally inexplicable reasons.

Like stealing.

Unlike most thieves, Grizzard didn't need the money. He couldn't have needed it less, in fact- he was a very rich man. One who actually enjoyed both great wealth and great status, and it was never clear why he compulsively stole jewels. Supposedly he did it just for the fun of it. And like a serial killer, he delighted in the fact that police knew but couldn't charge him. He once invited the cops into his mansion during a posh dinner party to search for a large diamond necklace they were sure he'd also stolen. After the frustrated detectives finally left, he pulled the necklace out of his bowl of soup and laughed his ass off in front of a table full guests. Many of whom had been served drinks from a huge sold gold Ascot Cup commissioned by the King. And stolen by Grizzard.

He may or may not have been crazy, but his dinner parties certainly sound like a good time.

6: Murf the Surf

Jack Roland Murphy, or Murf the Surf, as he was known, was a fun loving guy. He was a was a national surfing champion, a concert violinist and a tennis pro. But mostly he was a professional nonprofessional; he threw parties, hung with his bros and traveled the world surfing and generally having a good time... and also stealing jewels. He probably could have hung out with Grizzard -- if they hadn't been separated by more than half a century.

On the night of Oct. 29, 1964, Murphy and two of his surfing buddies pulled off one of the most famous -- and in retrospect, stupid -- jewel heists in American History. The broke into the Gems and Minerals Hall in New York's American Museum of Natural History, and stole most of the vast J.P. Morgan Jewel Collection -- which included such baubles as massive, sunshine colored Eagle diamond, the 116.75-carat, deep purple-violet 'Midnight Star Sapphire,' the 100 carat DeLong ruby.

The "Jewel Heist of the Century," as it was dubbed by the press, was no violent crime, brilliant con, or masterful coordinated theft. If fact, it was a crime so simple a pro surfer could do it. Maybe only a pro surfer. What Murphy and his equally physically fit friend did was exploit the fact that the Gem Hall is on the upper floor of the gargantuan, castle like museum. The fortress was so seemingly insurmountable that no one had ever previously bothered to guard the room from outside the building. In fact, Murphy noticed a few days earlier that the windows were actually left slightly ajar at night -- for ventilation...

So that night they scaled the side of the stone building, swung over a ledge and let themselves in.



According to Murphy, "Just like mountain climbers and skiers, as a jewel thief, you go for the challenge. It's dangerous, it's glamorous, there's an adrenalin rush." In this case, it was exactly like mountain climbing, and once they summited, they hit pay-dirt. Upon entering the unguarded Gem Hall, they found the alarm batteries dead in their cases (more over confidence on the Museum's part) and they simply took what they liked. And what they liked included nothing less than the world's biggest star sapphire, the Star of India, which at 563-carats is about the size of a golf ball.



It was a dumb plan. But it worked because in this instance the museum was just as dumb. Dumber, really. But in the end, the way they finally got caught was probably the dumbest part of the whole adventure. Murf and his two buddies had been planning the heist while throwing raucous, nonstop parties at the posh Cambridge Hotel for weeks, and continued to do so after the theft- throwing money around like it was stolen, and bragging about their various exploits. Once the Museum opened and all the jewels were found missing the news spread like wildfire. It was all New York could talk about, and even if a nosey bellhop hadn't turned them in, another party guest surely would have. To say that they were indescret would be an understatement.

Within a few days the guys were in lockup, and most of the stolen jewels were found hidden at a Miami bus station. Minus nine big ass diamonds that had already been sold off. In the end, after an hilarious trial that involved multiple grand juries and Murphy actually jumping through a window, they were finally convicted.

Ultimately, the professional party boys did serve a few years in prison. But hey man- it's all good. Murf learned to play the guitar.

5: Uh... It was here a minute ago

Speaking of embarrassingly unsecured rooms; one actually vanished from the Catherine Palace in Russia during WWII. Not the contents of the room, mind you, the structure itself. The Nazis stole a lot of shit: art, gold, jewels... But an entire structure?

The Amber Room, as it's been called for the last 300 years, was exactly what it sounds like - a room made out of Amber. But it was a pretty dope room, in a palace. And it was constructed entirely of precious stones, amber and gold. And it wasn't a small room either; elaborately carved like a giant piece of jewelry, the structure was made of several tons of gemstone. The beautiful room itself was primarily constructed of of solid amber, carved and inlayed into panels, backed with pure gold, making the walls glow from within.

The Amber Room was designed and constructed in 1701 in Prussia -- and then given as a gift to Peter the Great of Russia in 1716 to celebrate peace between the two nations. He liked it. Catherine the Great liked it even more and had it moved to her palace a few centuries later. It was the wonder of Russia, and the most treasured treasure of the Czars for centuries, in a country known for its Imperial loot.



But guess who else decided they liked it? Hitler-- that creepy hoarder.

Famous for (among far worse acts) seizing anything shiny and trying to drag it back to Berlin, on June 22, 1941 Adolf Hitler initiated operation Barbarosa sending 3 million German soldiers into the Soviet Union. While this would ultimately prove to be a really bad idea, as all land wars in Asia are, the invasion was successful enough that it resulted in the looting of massive amounts of Russian art treasure, not the least of which was the Amber Room.

As the Nazis approached the Catherine palace, where the Amber room was installed, the residents attempted to hide it behind wallpaper. Sadly it didn't work -- probably because you can only wallpaper real walls. So the Amber Room was unceremoniously torn down, panel by panel, and packed up in 27 crates to be shipped to Konigsberg Germany. Unfortunately like a lot of art and treasure stolen by the Nazis in the final months of the war, those crates mysteriously disappeared and haven't been seen since.



The moral of this story is; if you have enough gold and gemstones to build an entire ballroom, hide it from Nazis.

4: Cops and Robbers

So what about the cops who catch all these thieves; where do they come from? In fact, modern law enforcement, as we know it anyway, all started with a jewel heist.

Napoleon Bonaparte, one of the most corrupt men who ever lived, and François Eugène Vidocq, a notorious French criminal, were brought together by the theft of a set of "sorry I cheated on you" jewels. And as a result, together they inadvertently created the first modern police bureau, and eventually, most of the science of modern criminology.

Right before Napoleon dumped her, he gave his wife Josephine a large emerald 'parure' -- a lavish set of jewels. One of Josephine's last acts as Empress was having her official portrait painted wearing the rocks. As soon as it was completed, she put it on display. Shortly thereafter, he divorced her and married one of his mistresses. She left the palace, and Paris, and was relegated to the countryside. Supposedly he was still desperately in love with her. The story goes that, years later, after his final defeat and exile, on his death bed, his last, whispered word was Josephine. Obviously the feeling wasn't mutual -- because releasing the portrait of herself in the emerald parure on the eve of her abandonment was quite the publicity stunt; right after the painting (and the divorce) was completed, the emeralds were stolen from her chateau.

Napoleon was frantic to get Josephine's jewels back because he was terrified of scandal. Public opinion (mostly influenced by her) was still against him for leaving her, and he was paranoid that his political enemies would take advantage, by convincing people that he had orchestrated the theft himself (when in reality, she probably did it herself, for that very reason). Josephine was a far more astute media whore than her husband.

Napoleon had no shortage of henchmen. He also had a practical army of secret police--not to mention an actual army. But even with those considerable resources at his disposal, he was as loss as the fate of her jewels. None of his troops had even the faintest familiarity with basic police work.

Because it didn't exist yet...

François Eugène Vidocq was was, to say the least, a colorful character. He rose to infamy in France as a criminal: a master thief, a conman, and yet another really fun guy. His life, though well documented, seems like a work of fiction. He's been posthumously credited as an inspiration for both Sherlock Holmes and some of Conan Doyle's more interesting villains. When all of Napoleon's resources failed him, he made a bold move. He hired a criminal.




Employing only so-called 'deductive reasoning,' observational skills, and previously unheard of techniques of undercover investigation, Vidocq tracked down Josephine's emeralds, the thieves, and their buyers in less than three days. After successfully locating the jewels, Vidocq earned both a formal pardon and the Emperor's continued favor. In keeping with Vidocq's rather warped sense of humor, he asked to be made a police officer.

He argued that crimes were better investigated using science, deductive reasoning. Most important of all, he insisted on implementing his own invention: cops in plain clothes; because nothing makes people (guilty or innocent) as nervous as seeing a uniform. A favorite of Napoleon's, Vidocq was given permission to open the Brigade de la Sûreté in 1812. Over the next twenty years, he and his handpicked team of fellow "detectives" (all former criminals as well) invented most of the foundations of modern criminology. Profiling, forensics, and what we think of now as by-the-book investigative techniques (like taking notes and keeping files) were all pioneered by Vidocq and la Sûreté.

Vidocq was celebrated throughout France as a national hero, as crime rates dropped by 40% in those two decades. He later went on to open the world's first private detective agency, Le Bureau des Renseignements, in 1834, where he would further refine his methodology. The success of these agencies led Britain's Scotland Yard to create the Criminal Investigation Department in 1842, and Alan Pinkerton to establish his famous Pinkerton's Agency in the US in 1850.

Think about that next time you play cops and robbers.

3: Cleaning Up

In 1989 a Thai gardener named Kriangkrai Techamong kicked off a chain of events that ended in an international incident when he stole a ton of jewels from the palace of a Saudi prince. One day, while working at the palace, he slipped into Prince Faisal's room, where he helped himself to 200 pounds of jewelry, including an approximately a 50-carat gemstone known simply as the "Blue Diamond." Not only was the Blue Diamond the prized possession of the prince -- it was one of the largest in the world. Significantly larger than the Hope.

So how'd he do it? According to the Washington Post Kriangkrai Techamong had simply stuffed the jewels -- including "rubies the size of chicken eggs" -- in his vacuum-cleaner bag. How he carried a 200 pound bag is unclear. Maybe the vacuum's wheels helped, but the truth is, no one is totally sure, because as a servant he was all but invisible to the people he passed in the palace. Loot in hand, or vacuum, as it were, the unnoticed servant just casually strolled away.

Of course once he'd made it out of the palace he high-tailed it back to Bangkok, where he tried to sell the jewels. All pretty standard, right? But that's where the story gets really absurdly larcenous. Practically everyone in Thailand got in on the windfall. (Ok -- that's an obvious exaggeration. Thailand is an entire country, full of lots of people.) But the shadow of the crime did become insanely over populated. First the Prince's stolen jewels started to brazenly appear on the elite of Bangkok, on their wives and their mistresses. Not re-cut, not even reset. Just redistributed. Obviously the Saudi's noticed and got really pissed off. They demanded them back, but got no traction until they sent a sort of enforcer to get it done. After the mysterious kidnap and murder of the wife and son of a Thai jeweler, Santi Sithanakan, the Thai Police finally recovered a lot of the jewelry. In fact, people had been so terrified, that they anonymously left whole sacks full of the stolen treasures on the police's front steps, sometimes actually flung at the station from moving vehicles.

Unfortunately, it seems that even the Thai Royal Police were susceptible to the corrupting influence of such beautiful jewels. Because the Saudi Royal family eventually got their bling back (minus the Blue Diamond, which has never been seen again) but it didn't take them too long to realize that the jewelry, which the Thai Royal Police had recovered and returned to them, was the originals, but the diamonds and jewels had all been removed and replaced with fakes.

To this day, Thailand and Saudi Arabia are still not on friendly terms.

2: Playing Dress-Up

Hey, remember that time Lupita Nyong'o went to the Oscars looking for a little extra attention in a Calvin Klein dress made entirely of pearls? She was the belle of the ball, and the designer made (or at least enjoyed) a great fuss over the fact that the dress was made of 6,000 genuine and costly gems, and was quite literally priceless. (Watching her try to sit down in it was also priceless). The dress was designed to get attention, and it did excite the interest of everyone on or watching the red carpet. Nyong'o herself called the dress "a timeless and priceless piece of art."

But I guess you have to be careful who hears you bragging...

It would seem she attracted the wrong kind of attention, and the dress was stolen from her hotel room almost as soon as she took it off to change. The media, and no doubt everyone remotely involved with the dress, became totally hysterical. They just short of issued an Amber Alert for a dress. But the joke was on the thieves in the end (and the rest of us) -- because it turned out that their big score was really a sham. It seems when they removed a few of the pearls and tried to sell them in the LA jewelry district, they were told the truth and turned away. After all that hype -- most of the "pearls" were worthless.

Two days after the much publicized theft, the dress was returned to the hotel in a black plastic garbage bag. Evidently, a dress made of fake pearls just wasn't worth their time. An anonymous tip lead authorities to what turned out to be the not-so-priceless, not-so-jewel-covered dress, right where the thieves had left it for them.

Oh, Hollywood -- how do you make shamelessly fake look so good?

1: The Affair of the Necklace

Marie Antoinette earned herself a bad rep -- she's remembered as a vain and greedy woman, whose love of jewels and parties were matched only by her indifference to human suffering. Never mind that most of it wasn't true: the French people's hatred for her was the primary catalyst in the onset of the Revolution. And the match that lit the fuse was a scandal surrounding the theft of a massive diamond necklace -- one that Marie Antoinette never even laid eyes on. It all started when Jeanne de Saint-Remy, convincingly claimed to be, claimed to be a member of the aristocracy, but she was, in fact, a flat broke, con artist, whose greatest scam, and maybe the greatest jewel heist, the "Affair of the Diamond Necklace," hastened the fall of the French monarchy.

The French jewelry firm Boehmer and Bassenge had been commissioned by Louis XV to create a freakishly massive diamond necklace he intended to give his trashy mistress, Madame du Barry. Unfortunately, he died shortly before he paid for it. The jewelers, left on the hook for 2,000,000 francs, (over $100 million in today's market) tried to sell it to the new queen, Marie Antoinette. Unfortunately for them, Marie knew that the necklace had been made for Madame du Berry, whom she had always snobbishly found disgusting, and she wanted nothing to do with it. Desperate, the indebted jewelers did an end run around her and instead tried to sell the jewels to her husband -- as a gift to his wife.

She shut them down hard.

It was at that point that the necklace then became the centerpiece of a convoluted political intrigue. Another aristocrat, Cardinal de Rohan was out of favor with the queen. (He had trash-talked both her and her mother at one point). Seeking a way back into her good graces (and thus the It-crowd that was court), he approached the con-woman, who had led him to believe that she and the queen were BFFs, and that she could fix the social and societal mess he found himself in. She encouraged the him to write to the queen, but the friendly replies she delivered to him were actually forged by her boyfriend. But the deception worked like a charm on the Cardinal. She eventually topped it all off by arranging an actual in-person meeting for the Cardinal with Marie Antoinette herself! In reality, the woman he met was just a prostitute/look-alike in very low lighting. So clearly he would believe anything Jean said at that point. Seizing her moment, she confided in her deluded fall-guy that the queen really wanted this giant, weird diamond necklace, but she didn't want word getting out that she had spent such an appalling sum on jewelry. Oh, what to do?



Simple! The Cardinal to buy the necklace on the queen's behalf -- for appearances sake. Jean convinced him to pay with an aristocratic IOU, claiming that the queen would pay for it shortly (and quietly). The Cardinal and the jewelers were both so thrilled with the prospect of a way out of their respective pickles they didn't think to hard about how weird the whole situation was, or bother confirming any of this in advance with the Queen. Notes were signed and the necklace was handed over to the scammers for delivery. The deception inevitably came to light when the jewelers were never paid. But by then Jean had removed the 28,000 carats of diamonds and sold them abroad, and the necklace was never seen again.



The king and queen had everyone involved was thrown in the Bastille to await trial. Though the truth of the entire absurd affair came out, the case had already scandalized both public and the court. It was the trial of the century -- and ended up being as much about the queen and her character as it was about the missing necklace. Even though she was officially declared the victim, the whole circus actually did Marie Antoinette more harm than good. By the time it was over, most of the French people believed that Marie Antoinette had slept with Cardinal Rohan, embezzled state money, and tried to steal the necklace from the jewelers herself. The rest believed she had had the necklace stolen in a plot to frame, bankrupt and destroy her enemy, the Cardinal.

She was called a jewel thief and a whore, and L'Affaire Du Collier, as it was referred to in the papers, was not only the end of the French people's tolerance for the woman they began to call "the Queen of Debt," it was also the beginning of the end of the monarchy.

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One of the highlights of the 88th Academy Awards was watching a number of pregnant celebrities rule the red carpet in high fashion fit for two. With many of them expecting soon, we can imagine they kicked off their shoes after the show and dove into some intense nesting the minute the eveningwear came off.

There are always things to prep for the nursery with a baby on the way!

Looking at these five expecting stars below who've each styled their celeb-bumpities uniquely -- Chrissy Tiegen, Emily Blunt, Liv Tyler, Ivanka Trump and Anne Hathaway -- I've distilled the essence of their maternity style and made the following nursery-inspired recommendations. As they prep for their bundles of joy to arrive, perhaps you too can find inspiration.

CHRISSY TEIGEN: THE LUXE

Only a fashion-forward nursery will do for supermodel Chrissy, who throughout her pregnancy has donned body-con dresses and stylish ensembles that have put her bump front and center. A cozy room complete with chandeliers like you'd find from Trend Lab, pink touches for her expected baby girl and music-inspired art like "You are My Sunshine" for daddy John Legend will be perfect for the soon-to-be styled mini-me. (I just want to be a fly on the wall to hear the lullabies!)

EMILY BLUNT: THE FEMININE TOUCH

Already a mama to daughter Hazel, Emily is known for her impeccable red-carpet looks, and she didn't disappoint while pregnant with her second at the recent Oscars in an embellished Prada gown. Was the blush hue a hint to the baby's gender within? She isn't spilling! But a nursery embracing soft pastels, Sweet Melody Designs artwork, floating butterflies and bird motifs and a faux-fur rug will speak to Emily's sweet side.

LIV TYLER: THE FOREST

In her third pregnancy, Liv Tyler knows how to rock an effortlessly elegant, bohemian look that features drape and flow. With her sons Milo and Sailor to teach the baby the ropes, a forest-themed nursery with bedding from brands like Lolly Gags and rustic charm for child number three will speak to mom's laid-back style (as well as her role as Arwen in Lord of the Rings), and give the brood a fun place in a teepee to play...when the baby is, of course, awake! (The toddler bed pictured converts to a crib.)

IVANKA TRUMP: THE TRADITIONAL

This real estate mogul has spent the entirety of her pregnancy on the campaign trail and shown her timeless taste in business chic attire. Having grown up in the gilded halls of the Trump empire, a classic shabby chic nursery done in traditional furnishings with all the frills by a vendor like Rockingham Road for Ivanka's third child will hopefully inspire the next generation's Midas Touch!

ANNE HATHAWAY: THE MOD CONTEMPORARY

This expectant mama has been playful with her blossoming bump in wearing everything from a sequined, mod mini-dress to a high-shine, Naeem Khan gold-and-black dress to the Oscars. A geo-print nursery with crisp zigzags, polka dots and a diamond pattern would go along with the actress' love of clean lines, with gender neutral colors of black, white and green -- a hot trend.

Photos courtesy of retailers.

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After mom Maria Corry shared a breastfeeding photo on Facebook, she was surprised to learn that it was reported for containing nudity five times.

Though the photo did not violate Facebook's nudity standards and remains on the social networking site, Corry was frustrated with Internet users' apparent perception of breastfeeding.

The North Carolina mom struck back with a statement-making Facebook post.

Corry shared another breastfeeding photo, but this time covered her nursing baby with a picture of a lingerie-clad Victoria's Secret model.

"I bet this won't be reported, because you can see this picture in every mall you step into, huge and blown up outside the store," the mom wrote in the caption, highlighting the problematic way society views women's breasts. While sexualized images of cleavage and breasts are acceptable under the male gaze, women nursing their babies in public are often subject to criticism and shaming.

"This is not frowned upon, or ever reported, as it is seen everywhere," Corry added in the caption. "But a women nurturing and feeding their baby is looked down on. That is completely absurd!"

Corry encouraged other moms to share their breastfeeding selfies in the comments and to freely nurse in public.

"Breastfeeding is natural, it's what our breasts were meant for!" she continued. "In other countries, breastfeeding is praised, and welcomed everywhere! In America, people have so much negative things to say about it! I'm done with this stupid nonsense."

The Facebook post with the Victoria's Secret photo received over 31,000 likes, and the comments section is filled with "brelfies" from fellow breastfeeding moms. 

Corry's husband Ben also expressed his support, sharing his wife's post and some additional words of encouragement.

"There are so many women out there that are discouraged and end up giving up breastfeeding early on," he wrote in his caption. "She is trying to stand up for all the breastfeeding moms out there and show support to those who need it most."

Cheers to women supporting other women.

H/T PopSugar

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Leonardo DiCaprio was an undeniably adorable toddler, but his childhood photos are more controversial than you'd expect. 

Facebook page "History in Pictures" recently shared a cute photo of the Oscar winner (!) with his parents George DiCaprio and Irmelin Indenbirken from the 1970s and it has the Internet in an uproar. 

The picture shows a very blond Leo in a pinstriped shirt, balancing on his lookalike mom's shoulder and his dad's hand. But instead of people focusing on the overall happiness exhibited in this family photo, many started to draw attention to his mother's unshaved armpits. 

Commenters began attacking Indenbirken's hygiene, and subsequently, her appearance, calling her armpit hair "gross" and "disgusting." Funny how quickly people seem to forget that women had, and have, the right to decide if they want to shave or not.

We say, who cares? Indenbirken is gorgeous and glowing in the picture, just as she is at the Oscars with Leo today. For anyone who can't seem to get over her armpit hair, we say: Get a life. 

The Huffington Post has reached out to Leonardo DiCaprio's reps and will update this post accordingly. 

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Twitter has been buzzing this week. Kim Kardashian spawned a major feud with a single nude photo, and now Chrissy Teigen has taken to the social media platform to clap back at her critics, namely VH1. 

The media site posted a story online Thursday calling Teigen a hypocrite for posting a series of passionate tweets yesterday. The Sports Illustrated model was seemingly responding to one hater individual who said, "she seems hungry for the spotlight." 

(Note: Teigen probably gets thousands of negative tweets every day, so to say she was responding to just one person is probably incorrect.)

The VH1 story tries to prove that by responding, Teigen is just "adding momentum" to the cyberbullies. 

Naturally, Teigen responded like a boss: 

Preach!

Obviously this isn't the first time the model and cookbook author has hit back at her haters. She's basically a pro. 

In December of last year, she gave the middle finger to her pregnancy critics online with a simple photo, and in April 2014, she went on off on body-shaming commenters. 

Most recently, she's had to defend her choice to choose the sex of her unborn baby, because everyone has an opinion. In that sense, Teigen can never win. People want her to engage, but when she does, someone will always have something to say about it. 

But at the end of the day, Teigen's aim is never to bully people. She's just trying to keep her followers entertained. 

"I mostly try to do it for entertainment purposes," she admitted to HuffPost Live last September. "I don't ever do it to bully somebody."

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A few days ago, Ebony Magazine debuted it's latest cover fiercely titled "The Body Brigade," featuring four beautiful plus sized women we love: style blogger Gabby Fresh, singer/songwriter Jazmine Sullivan, Orange is the New Black star, Danielle Brooks, and another well loved recording artist, Chrisette Michele.

The twitterverse and Instagram world lit on fire with praise, clearly for very distinct reasons. Not only is the cover necessary, it's also groundbreaking. Here's why:



1. Body positive movements are in, but plus size black women aren't receiving equal representation in the typical mainstream conversation surrounding the phenomenon.

"If you Google body positive, most of the images show white folks -- even the cartoons," Quita Tinsley wrote in an article for TheBodyIsNotAnApology.com. "When spreading the message of body positivity, we have to be sure that we are including the voices of people of color. As a fat Black woman, this piece for me is very important. When fighting against body terrorism and oppression, we have to address racism and its impact on people's self-esteem and body image."

Last year, Sesali B, resident sexpert and cynic at Feministing.com also weighed in on this issue in a thought-provoking piece. She wrote:

"The legacy of fat/body-positivity is turning out to be not much different than the history of the feminist movement that it relies on to support its stances: one that prioritizes and privileges white women. Representations of fat white women have become commercially accessible and visible - for example reality shows to reveal the complexities of their lives and magazine covers intended to convince women that they can indeed be fat and confident. Meanwhile, fat Black women's representation in mass media is relegated to comedy (where our bodies become part of the act itself); and we all hold our breaths, waiting for the latest Precious joke to pass while simultaneously praying that Gabby Sidibe's current major role won't be her last. And while trendy fashion bloggers like Gabi Fresh and Essie Golden are certainly beginning to push the boundaries on fat Black girl visibility in a way that isn't strictly satirical/degrading, they are limited to the beauty subgenre (because for us the presentation must always be on point). Meanwhile, Rebel Wilson graced the cover of ELLE."

2. Ebony's cover story touches on the fact that reports often cite that black women are the most obese group in the country, as 80 percent of black women are considered over weight or obese, yet there's barely any mention of black men who also rank high when it comes to the so-called "battle of the bulge." According to Ebony:

"It's worth noting that nearly 70 percent of Black men are overweight or obese as well, compared with 71 percent of White men and 63 percent of White women."

This is further proof that black women are constantly held under a microscope when dealing with issues of body image and beauty.

3. This cover is so on point because, well, how many times have you seen beautiful plus sized black women grouped together on the cover of any magazine, including the ones that target people of color? Ebony is not only ahead of the curve, they've also embraced that fact that stories like this need to be pushed in order to change the lens through which society views beauty.

Hats off to Ebony for yet another amazing and provocative cover story.

Visit BeyondClassicallyBeautiful.com to read more content that celebrates the diverse beauty of black women.

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President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama hosted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau for a state dinner at the White House on Thursday night.

It was the first time a U.S. president has hosted Canada's prime minister at a state dinner since 1997. There was poutine! There was Canadian whisky! There was butterscotch ice cream! And there was FLOTUS, in a stunning Jason Wu gown. 

The custom-made strapless dress, which appears to be embroidered with a colorful, floral pattern, looked absolutely beautiful paired with a loose hairdo just a bit shorter than her cut at the China state dinner last year. While the first lady has worn designs by Wu in the past, the choice is especially notable for the Canadian dinner, as Wu was raised in Canada. 

Obama's dress wasn't the only style win of the night.

Sophie Trudeau looked absolutely stunning in a fuchsia gown with pink and orange beaded detailing by Canadian designer Lucien Matis that almost coordinated with the first lady's as they posed for photos together.

Sigh. To be a fly on that fancy, fancy wall.

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Rumors have swirled for months that Caitlyn Jenner was in talks with H&M about a potential modeling campaign. It seems that gossip was rooted in truth.

On Thursday, Jenner announced on Twitter that she had been working with the Swedish mega-retailer on a new H&M Sport campaign. The “I Am Cait” star offered few details, though she did provide a behind-the-scenes shot featuring her dressed in athletic leggings, a jacket and white-soled sneakers:

H&M USA followed up with a teaser of its own:

Citing unnamed sources, E! News confirmed that Jenner was indeed the new face of H&M Sport, becoming the second Jenner to model for the retail giant. (Her daughter, Kendall, was the first.)

The news came just two weeks after the 66-year-old former Olympian announced a collaboration with MAC Cosmetics.

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If we could look sun-kissed year-round, we'd be ecstatic. But in reality, we're either layering on thick moisturizers or exfoliating with scrubs to stave off dry, dull and flaky skin. Our skincare goals may require a lot of work, but we know it's all worth it when we see celebs with radiant complexions that are actually easy to achieve. 

Victoria's Secret model Jasmine Tookes looked like she just returned from a tropical vacation to attend the brand's Swim viewing party in New York City. "The Danish Girl" actress Alicia Vikander sat front row at the Louis Vuitton show during Paris Fashion Week with her lustrous locks and skin. And Jessica Alba embraced spring beauty to celebrate the launch of The Honest Company's Springtime in Paris Diaper Collection. 

Check out these celebrity beauty looks below and more along with our tips to get your glow on. 

Do you want to be more mindful about eating healthy foods that’ll keep your mind and body at their best? Sign up for our newsletter and join our EatWell, Feel Great challenge to learn how to fuel your body in the healthiest way possible. We’ll deliver tips, challenges and advice to your inbox every day. 

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This week, Olivia Palermo landed on our best-dressed list basically in sweats. Yes, that's right. The 30-year-old style maven outdid herself in what could be the comfiest (and chicest) outfit of 2016. 

And she wasn't the only star whose look we envied. Kate Hudson changed it up in a long, white gown, Queen Latifah wowed in a sheath dress and Naomi Watts rocked black and blue with much success. 

Check out our favorite looks of the week and let us know what you think: 

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Apparently, sleeping in your underwear is quite a divisive issue. Or so we were led to believe, based on the arguments that broke out in our office over the hot topic.  

So, what's the deal? Is it better to go to bed in panties or fall asleep commando? 

"I often tell my patients to sleep without underwear," Dr. Alyssa Dweck, co-author of V is for Vagina, told Shape. "If [the area] is constantly covered -- especially by a fabric that’s not moisture-wicking or absorbent -- moisture collects, [creating the] perfect breeding ground for bacteria or yeast,” she continued. 

This is especially true for women going through menopause. "The more you wear, the more you have to take off when you get night sweats,” Dr. Raquel B. Dardik, clinical associate professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYU Langone Medical Center told Grandparents.com. 

And if you're a lady who is prone to itching and irritation down there, gynecologist and blogger Dr. Kate really recommends skipping the underwear to let your nether regions breathe.

Does the same go for men, too?

Pretty much. Brian Steixner, M.D., a urologist based in Atlantic City, N.J., told MensHealth.com, "Your drawers keep heat and moisture in -- and bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments. More bacteria makes for a higher likelihood that any chafed or irritated skin down there becomes infected."

But for guys, sleeping commando could also be better for sperm production. "Your scrotum needs to be just the right temperature in order to optimize sperm production," says Dr. Steixner. When men sleep in underwear, their testicles can become too warm, thus compromising the quality of their sperm. 

However, If you're married to wearing underpants to bed, make sure you opt for breathable cotton options, or loose boxers. 

So, do you wear underpants to bed?

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By: Rosie Osmun

It's easy to feel the short-term benefits of good rest, but science shows that making a habit of sound shut-eye pays dividends years down the road.

We know that getting a good night's rest helps us feel better in the morning, but what may be even more important is how consistent sleep habits might predict future health. From smoother, glowing skin to a sharper mind and a healthier heart, mounting research shows that quality rest can help us all age a little more gracefully. Here's how.

Regular Sleep Reduces Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
Those planning on powering through early adulthood and middle age with little sleep and resting in old age might want to take particular notice. One recent review from Baylor University examining decades of data, suggests that getting good sleep in middle age and young adulthood protects against age-related cognitive decline during senior years.

Deep sleep plays an important role in memory, and research shows that missing out on rest can contribute to a build up of beta-amyloid protein in the brain, associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease. In middle to older age, continuing to practice good habits is further associated with healthy brain function and reducing risk of dementia.

Deep Sleep Protects Skin Against Damage and Aging
During sleep, our bodies repair and renew at a cellular level. For example, growth hormone peaks during deep sleep, which plays an important role in aging and metabolism. Even a single night of sleep deprivation can affect how attractive and healthy we appear to other people.

A study conducted by Estee Lauder and University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, found that middle-aged women with poor sleep habits showed more advanced signs of skin aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, unevenness, and saggy skin compared to good sleepers. Poor sleepers also showed slower recovery from damage and had less confidence in their own looks.

Restful Sleep Lowers Risk of Obesity
Staying fit is about more than just appearances; maintaining a healthy weight reduces risks of conditions such as diabetes, stroke, and certain cancers. Healthy sleep is believed to affect weight in a couple of different ways: A lack of it affects metabolism mechanisms, increases hunger and overall calorie intake, and increases fatigue. Being well-rested makes it easier to choose healthier foods and stick to workout routines, which can make a big difference over the long term. Studies have found that people with poor sleep habits, including too little rest and irregular schedules, are more prone to gaining weight as they age.

Related: The Surprising Connection Between Meditation and Weight Loss

Good Sleep Protects Your Heart
Heart disease remains the leading cause of mortality both men and women in the United States. Along with an active lifestyle and balanced diet, sleep plays an important role in minimizing risk. Good sleep habits are associated with lower cholesterol, healthier blood pressure, healthier weight, reduced diabetes risk, and other positive lifestyle habits (like exercise and eating well) -- all of which encompass the leading risk factors for developing heart disease.

Studies have found that short-term sleep deprivation increases blood pressure and inflammation while affecting hormones and gene expression. When a lack of rest becomes habitual, these changes can affect health. One large study of middle-age female nurses found that both sleeping too little and too much was linked with higher risks of developing heart disease over a 10-year period compared with normal sleepers.

Heart disease does not solely affect the elderly; everyone is at risk, including teenagers. Research shows that teens who don't get enough rest have higher cholesterol, blood pressure and body weight, which makes them high risk for heart disease later in life.

Find more articles, yoga sequences, video tutorials, and mindfulness content like this on Sonima.com.

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President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle hosted a small, intimate dinner party at their home Thursday night, as they've done many times over the course of his presidency.

But, unlike the state dinners that have come before, this one was different. For the first time, Sasha and Malia Obama were invited to join the festivities. 

Looking absolutely stunning and so grown up, Malia, 17, and Sasha, 14, sat through their parents' boring party with poise and elegance. Sasha wore a braided updo with a red gown with sheer paneling:

And Malia took a cue from her mom in a strapless, embellished dress and side-swept hair: 

While we sit here and admire the girls from afar, the Washington Post reports they got an especially sweet shout-out from the guest of honor, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 

“I admire you very much, both of you, for your extraordinary strength and your grace,” Trudeau told Sasha and Malia during his speech, adding that their childhood in the White House will give them “strength and wisdom beyond your years for the rest of your life.”

Now, all we want to know is, what did Malia and Sandra Oh (above, seated to Malia's right) talk about?!

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Oh, Serena van der WoodsenBlake Lively. Only you could pull off this look with such ease. 

The 28-year-old and her Vancouver-bred husband Ryan Reynolds attended the state dinner honoring Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at The White House Thursday night, looking as regal and beautiful as ever. 

Clad in a low-cut silver wrap dress with cutout shoulders from Ralph & Russo's spring/summer 2016 collection, it almost looked like Lively might have forgotten to change out of a wonderfully chic silk robe before the event. 

She paired the dress with some huge earrings, a huge ring, a small clutch, and one very dapper Reynolds, who wore Burberry.

Quite the fine looking couple, eh?

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