I won't lie to you, dear reader — the past few weeks have been rough. And I do mean rough. In addition to facing some difficult challenges in my personal life, I — along with the rest of the country — endured the conclusion of Campaign 2016. It wasn't just any presidential election. It was a big, mean, ugly one that ended in a way many of us did not expect or want. But even if you got your way in the end, you can't deny that this one was especially full of stress.
So maybe I shouldn't have been surprised that my period decided to switch things up a bit, too, showing up way later than usual.
And it turns out I'm not the only one dealing with election-related period woes: A quick Twitter search turned up a bunch of other people complaining that their periods were temporarily MIA, thanks to stress leading up to — and following — the presidential election.
My period tracker app keeps telling me not to worry about my late period, too bad I can't add "went into post-election survival mode" 🙃🙃🙃
Although it's a little worrying when your cycle doesn't go according to schedule, stress is actually one of the most common (and normal!) causes of a late or missed period. That's all thanks to increased levels of cortisol, commonly referred to as the "stress hormone." Our bodies produce more cortisol in response to stressful situations, which helps regulate our fight-or-flight responses. Along with worsening asthma or causing digestion issues, prolonged stress can delay or even temporarily suppress ovulation. And when that happens, you'll have a late period — or no period.
the stress of trump's election made my period start a week late; not even in office yet & he's already controlling my body, this is bullshit
So it's pretty normal to have a missed or delayed period every once in a while. But if you have three missed or otherwise irregular periods in a row, that's a sign something else may be going on — and you should probably check in with your doctor.
And, of course, the most common cause of a skipped period is pregnancy. So if you're more than a week late, it's worth getting a test just to make sure you know what is or isn't cooking. In the meantime, though, let's all take this opportunity to practice our deep breathing, huh? Oh, and our activism.
election stress is making my period late. thanks @realDonaldTrump
Germany is the latest country to take a stance against burkas. The country's chancellor, Angela Merkel, called for a ban on the full-coverage, face-obscuring veil during a speech as part of campaign for another term in her role as chancellor. "The full face veil should be banned, wherever legally possible," Merkel said during her speech, eliciting ample applause, per The Telegraph.
The possibility of imposing a ban on the modest Muslim garment cropped up in August, when Thomas de Maizière, Germany’s interior minister, proposed a partial ban on the controversial garment. The politician suggested a burka ban be instated in select public places, such as schools and public offices.
As for de Maizière's rationale for prohibiting (or at least limiting) the full-coverage veils, it's because the garment "doesn’t fit with our country and does not correspond to our understanding of the role of women," he said, per The New York Times. Concurrently, Merkel spoke out against the ultra-modest veils, telling local newspapers that "a fully veiled woman scarcely has a chance at full integration" in German culture.
Beyond Germany, a region of Switzerland deemed it illegal for women to don face coverings, with fines as steep as $10,000. In 2010, France enacted a law prohibiting any face-concealing coverings, following a 2004 law forbidding students in state-run schools from donning any religiously symbolic garb. Belgium also banned full-face veils in 2011, a year after France did so.
More recently, in mid-August, the summertime-specific modest head covering — the burkini — was banned in Cannes, in addition to 30 other coastal French Riviera towns. The ban was then overturned by French courts within a matter of weeks; ironically, sales of burkinis reportedly spiked during the period that the ban was in place.
The burka and burkini often get criticized for oppressing women. Yet banning full-coverage garments that are religiously symbolic (and often mandated) is also considered by some to be institutionalized Islamophobia. Stay tuned as to whether Germany will, in fact, go forward with legislation to outlaw the burka, and what that means for its citizens and visitors.
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Paper magazine is known for delivering some of the most jaw-dropping covers in the game. (Remember that now-infamous Kim K. edition?) So, we should have known better than to think we’d see Bella Hadid make her debut for the mag looking...like Bella Hadid. Sure enough, in this month’s issue, the model's long dark hair, dewy skin, and all-around New York-by-way-of-Malibu aura are all but erased. In their place, a look that would make even the biggest fans do a double take.
For starters, Hadid trades in her signature dark hair for platinum blond, and her dripping-wet style is slicked-back. Her makeup for the shoot makes "edgy" seem like an understatement: She wears multicolored and rhinestone-encrusted lips in one look; the other features deep-malachite lips and eyes.
The vibe is about as far away as you could get from last night’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show — or any pictorial, runway, or campaign she's ever been part of. And we’re here for it — surprise piercings and all.
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When you picture what a blind person sees, what do you imagine? Do you see light and shadows? Do you see colors? Do you see nothing at all? An all-too-common misconception is that all forms of visual impairment have the same effects. But in reality, vision loss is an incredibly variable experience, both in terms of its causes and how it affects one's sight.
To better understand what it's like to live with vision loss, we spoke with five visually impaired women with very different conditions. Some women see shapes and shadows; others sees complete darkness. Some acquired their impairments as children; others lost their sight in adulthood. They discussed their everyday lives, how they navigate the world, and, most importantly, how their blindness has helped shaped who they are, but hasn't held them back.
In addition, photographer Melody Melamed shot the women's portraits to show how others see them. Then, artist Liz Nielsen created images inspired by how these women see the world in order to present their unique perspectives.
Click through to meet each of these extraordinary women, and discover what it's really like to live with a visual impairment.
Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.
Eilyn, counselor and part-time graduate student.
Can you describe your visual impairment?
"I have Sturge-Weber Syndrome, which is a more neurological condition, but that’s been pretty stable. My visual impairment came about because I got seizures when I was a very tiny baby, so my optic nerve became pretty compromised, to the point I had some visual loss over a time. I have glaucoma, my visual impairment, and I am legally blind from my left eye, but I do have some vision from my right eye."
What can you see?
"I can see from a pretty close distance. I can't see at all from afar. Everything is clearer from close proximity. Though I don’t see anything from my left eye, I do perceive lighting and color contrast."
How would you describe the way you move through the world?
"I perceive a lot with my senses. I try to rely a lot on my hearing, and not to really focus on my eyes and exhaust them. I also use other assistive technology. Like, my laptop has software that will speak to me. So I find a balance between technology and using my hearing and other senses, and that's how I get a sense of what's going on around me."
How do you think that ability to really focus on listening has helped you in your career and your schooling ?
"I think it has really allowed me to not just pay attention, but to be mindful. You have no choice but to understand other people and to demonstrate that you're genuinely caring about what they're telling you and that someone can help them."
As a counselor, what groups do you enjoy working with?
"It's challenging, but I like working with young adults and adults. It's very easy for me to engage and get a sense of where they're coming from, depending on their own disability... My own disability became an asset in a way, where it was just really easy just to observe and listen to what people were telling me. It just helps to put yourself outside of yourself. You learn so much."
Is this the career you always wanted?
"I always wanted to do human service. At first, I was convinced I wanted to be a social worker, but I realized that, as fun and as really rewarding as social work is, I really like helping people one on one, more individually."
What do you like to do for fun when you're not in school?
"We're always going out with friends or exploring, going out for coffee, we're going sightseeing, meeting people. I really like to be in touch a lot with nature, but socialize with other people and always get to know people. I'm all about trying new things and just using creativity."
Photographed by Melody Melamed.
From the Liz Nielsen:
"Eilyn is a highly compassionate person. Her empathy emanates from her. She loves community. She loves adventure. She loves to be near water. She has a fiery and dynamic spirit. Eilyn can see some yellows, oranges, and reds. In her piece, there is a circle, a group of friends in the foreground, connected through gift energy, a glowing line, and there is a landscape on the top half, made up of several horizon lines, including sky and grass, fire, and sand."
Illustrated by Liz Nielsen.
Eliza, 30.
Can you describe your visual impairment?
"I've been blind since I was three. I was born with a lot of eye problems, so my vision deteriorated. I can see bright light, so I can see if it's sunny or cloudy, and sometimes I can see if the lights are on at home, but that’s about it. I don’t see shadows or colors or anything. It's just light or dark."
Is there a specific name for your impairment?
"No, I just had glaucoma and cataracts and I had some cornea transplants. So, I had a variety of conditions. The actual cause ended up being a rare infection that spread from one eye to the other, just by coincidence. A whole hodgepodge of things."
Do you have any memory of before you were three?
"I was in the middle of preschool when I lost my sight. And I remember that there was like a yellow slide at my preschool, but I don’t really know what yellow is. Like, I know yellow is a brighter color or can be, but I don’t know how accurate my concept of yellow would be."
How would you describe the way you move through the world?
"I use everything. I'm always paying attention to the texture of the ground and what's happening, whether the sidewalk is cracked or it's smooth, and whether it's going up or down under my feet. And then I'm always listening to track where people are and where they're moving, as well as using echolocation, which is the idea that even when I snap my fingers I can tell, okay, there's a bit of an echo in this room.
"And then I'm using smell. That can help me pick out all sorts of things — if there's a flower shop or a grocery store that has fruit out on the sidewalk or the Dunkin' Donuts that’s near the train station or the train station itself sometimes. All those things."
How did you learn echolocation?
"I didn’t. It was just sort of something I always used. And then at some point I learned that it had a name. So I've actually learned that like, oh, that’s called echolocation, I use that all the time."
I know you do improv. How does improv help you build out your world?
"So there are a few things. One of the things about improv is that you don’t use props. Instead, you pretend like you're using them — they call that object work. So, if you're faking like you're in a bar scene, you should be holding some sort of drink or pouring one. And this is stuff I never think of. Like, I couldn’t see for long enough to where I developed the idea of using my hands to talk. That makes no sense to me. So learning about how to pretend to use objects was fascinating, even in the sense that like, okay, let's say you're in a bar with your friends, are you holding like a shot glass or are you holding a beer?
"And the main basis of improv is that whatever someone says, you have to back them up. So, if I said, 'That’s a huge cup of coffee you have,' you couldn’t say, 'No, I'm not a coffee drinker. This is tea.' You have to be like, 'Yes, well, I need 10 cups a day or I fall asleep all the time.' They call that 'yes, and?' So you build on every concept by saying, 'yes, and?' What I realized was that no matter what happened, no matter whether I tripped on the edge of the stage or I bumped into someone when I was trying to walk by them, they would have to build it into the scene. That made improv one of the most freeing things that I've ever done, because they would just build it in. And if they wanted me to like be in a certain place or go a certain way, they would just like drag me over and it didn’t matter."
What would you say to someone who might be in a similar situation as yourself, who is interested in doing something like improv, but thinks it might be impossible or too scary?
"So, I think the key is that improv is all about trusting in your seeing partners to collaborate with you and make a scene that is interesting or entertaining or amusing. Everybody who does improv has to take that risk and assume that everyone will just take them for who they are and build something great with them. I think it's really a safe place to risk being yourself, because your partners and the people you're improvising with won't let you fail."
Photographed by Melody Melamed.
From the Liz Nielsen:
"Eliza is an athlete. She runs, swims, and bikes, with swimming being her favorite. Eliza's piece has a few layers. When she swims, she can see which direction she is going because she can make out extra light where the sun is. The two circles in the photograph represent Eliza and something or someone outside of Eliza. Both look like swimmers, both wear swim caps, also, the two circles spell out letters in a flattened Braille E, and also if you cover up one, there is an A. Eliza had a sister named Alexandra who passed away. She has a tattoo on her that includes a drop shadow. The two circles hold this drop shadow, this shift in light. They are sun and swimmer. They are both swimmers. They are sisters. They are light and shadow. Eliza holds a poem inside her heart by Charles Ghinga. It was once said to her. It reads, 'If I could hold light, in my hands, I would give it to you, and watch it become your shadow.'"
Illustrated by Liz Nielsen.
Emilie, artist.
Can you describe your visual impairment?
"My left optic nerve was severed in an accident. I was riding my bike in Brooklyn, and I got hit by a truck in 2010, when I was 21. They don’t know what happened with my right eye, because only my left side of my face was hit from the impact, but the right side was not, so they think maybe it's a TBI, a traumatic brain injury, that has caused the blindness, because my head swelled up like a watermelon after the accident. I was in the hospital at Bellevue ICU for six weeks before I came out of my coma. And then, I had to go through a lot of physical and occupational therapy, and then find rehabilitation training."
Can you describe for me what you see?
"I don’t see anything. So I have no light perception, that’s the medical term for it, NLP, which means there is no light at all."
How do you map out your world? What do you use sensory-wise?
"My hearing is a big one. Also, touch, like tactile. When I walk down the sidewalk with my dog, London, she's guiding me, but I can feel my feet when I'm getting to a curb, and I know when it's time to stop, because I feel the curb underneath my feet. Or I have that time and distance judgment where, when I'm crossing the street, it's almost like another sense. It's not, like, tactile or anything. It's like, you know in your body that you're coming up to the curb, and you need to step up, based on how many steps you take and how long you were walking. But it's not like I'm counting my steps. I can just feel it in my body.
"Even when I'm walking inside my apartment, I don’t count my steps, like, oh, from the bathroom to the couch I have to walk 15 steps. I just tilt my body a certain way, because it's like you're sensing your body's movement, and you can feel when you're about to get to the couch, like magnetism or something."
What was the adjustment period like, between the accident and now?
"It's been six years since the accident, and I guess the adjustment was like something like two and a half years or three years, because I wasn’t up and walking for a year after my accident. Getting a sense of my surroundings and how to move independently in the world did take a lot of training. It was scary, but I never doubted myself. I never said I couldn’t do it. Part of it is just practice and learning to trust your instincts. You get that gut feeling where you feel like, oh, there must be a trashcan over here, I can smell it. You know or, oh, there's a pizza place a couple doors down, I can smell it."
What do you think is the biggest difference in the way people interact with you now?
"Everyone is different. With my friends, when they introduce me to people, they don’t even mention I'm blind. When I found out that my friends thought of me that way, I thought, that is such a huge compliment, and I really like that they understand that your disability isn't what labels you, you know?
"And I feel like a lot of people who meet me feel sorry for me or maybe just can't see past the disability to think there's a person who is living her life to the fullest, like everything that she's doing is in her control, you know? The first thing a lot of people want to do is try to help me, which is fine, but I don’t always necessarily need it."
Do you make art full time?
"I do. I work in a studio in Long Island City. I try to work there maybe like twice or three times a week, because I'm also a museum educator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and I teach classes and I give tours there sometimes. And I proofread books in Braille. So those are my side gigs."
What has been the biggest change in the way you make art?
"Before I went blind, my work and my sculptures and paintings were very monochromatic. I only used black and white or gray scale or really neutral colors, but very little color at all. And now I'm so inspired by colors and I like thinking about color relationships and how colors react to each other visually. I have a really good memory of color, and I can still see it if someone describes the color to me really specifically. That’s my favorite thing, when people describe color to me. I use a lot of color in my sculptures now. When I mix colors together, I ask people, does this look like watermelon green to you or does this look like banana yellow to you, you know? And they’ll tell me honestly, but yeah, so that’s something that I like to get help with."
Photographed by Melanie Melamed.
From the Liz Nielsen:
"Emilie is a visual artist, and she and I talked about her own artwork and how I could make a piece that related to some of her ideas mixed with some of my ideas. Emilie has been thinking about watermelons and also palm trees. These things remind her of home. I ended up making two pieces for her, a stacked still life of fruit, because she wanted her piece to be close to human scale. And then the palm tree as seen through a window — like a postcard or portal back in time — to evoke nostalgia. Additionally, we discussed a color she can sometimes make out behind her eyes. She said what she sees is like a black curtain and occasionally there are flecks in it, the color she said is like a raw sienna mixed with a burnt umber. I made this color in light atop the watermelon."
Illustrated by Liz Nielsen.
Abigail, 24.
Can you describe your visual impairment?
"I have retinitis pigmentosa. It's often referred to as RP. It's a degenerative condition of the retina, so a gradual loss of vision over time. And I was diagnosed when I was four, already having a pretty severe loss at that point. It's said to be hereditary, but nobody in my family has it, so I got the wildcard."
Could you describe exactly what you see?
"A lot of it depends on lighting. Eyes are a lot like cameras, and the retina gauges light, depth perception, and color. Those are the main areas. So if there's more lighting, then I can see better. But if there's too much light, then stuff gets to be glare-y. So I wear sunglasses a lot of the time, both in and outdoors, if the lighting is too bright inside.
"Then, there's also a narrowing of the field of vision with RP. I have severe tunnel vision, and what I can see is only central. And at nighttime, I have night-blindness. Since it's darker, I can't really make out anything except lights and silhouettes of things if I'm outside. I have to get around with either a guide dog or a cane, otherwise I wouldn’t go very far."
How do you map out the world? What senses do you use and how do you use them?
"I use a lot of my hearing. When I'm getting around in the city, I listen to the traffic when I'm crossing the street to know if it's safe to cross or not. If traffic is moving with me parallel, then I know that it's okay to cross."
I know you like to run. Do you consider yourself a runner?
"I am. I just did a triathlon on Sunday and I'm gonna be competing in a championship for other disabled athletes in California in August. I like endurance sports. I find them really fun and rewarding."
Have you always been doing sports?
"No, I only started running four years ago. Where I used to live, I did a lot of backpacking and hiking and yoga. And I can't really go hiking in the conventional sense in New York, so I was trying to find free ways to get exercise. And actually Eliza told me about this group called Achilles. Their mission is to promote mainstream athletics for people with all different types of disabilities. The New York chapter meets up twice a week, and volunteers and athletes come together, and they just run through Central Park. I started running [with them], and I've been running ever since. I was convinced to do a triathlon two years ago, so Sunday was my fifth triathlon.
"Our Achilles chapter has a triathlon team. Even though it's a sport you do kind of solitarily, each athlete works with a guide. On the run, I have a sort of fabric tether that my guide will hold one end and I hold the other. And they’ll just give me verbal cues when we're in the park or on a road, saying we're going to move around a person or there's a pothole like three feet away. Then for the biking portion, we go on tandem cycles, so I just have to pedal. I don’t have to worry about where we're going. For the swim, we also use a system of tethers. In the world of athletes with disabilities, there aren't standards for tethers. Everybody kind of uses their own thing. I use three race belts and my guide and I both wrap one around our upper thigh and then we link them in the middle, so when we're in the water we stay together that way. And if I'm pulling a complete 180 from whichever direction they're going, they’ll be like, hey, we're going this way."
Do you like to camp, too?
"Yeah, I love camping. I did a week-long trek on the Appalachian Trail a few years ago with some friends and I used my guide dog. She would guide with just the leash. And then I used one hiking pole to tap out what's around me. We hiked in like a single file line, so whoever was in front of me would tap out with their own hiking stick, like, 'Hey, there's a boulder here.'"
What would you say to someone who might be in a similar position as yourself, but too intimidated or daunted by the prospect of getting into triathlons and camping?
"I think it's just a matter of being willing to do things unconventionally. I think some people are scared of that sometimes. Even with choosing to use my cane, I didn’t want to use it because my friends weren't using it — and like, oh my God, everyone will know I'm blind. And then, when I started using it, I realized that people are nicer than we tend to think they are. We often have unrealistic expectations of other people and what they're going to think of us. So, I would just say that you should be willing to do something that’s unconventional, and if it makes you happy and you have fun and there's some sort of barrier, that there's probably a way for you to get around it if you just think outside of the box."
Photographed by Melanie Melamed.
From the Liz Nielsen:
"Abigail is a classically trained musician. She is also a runner. She is also a cancer survivor. She has incredible integrity in her spirit. She has a good sense of humor. She enjoys harmonies is a natural connector. She likes to balance combinations of flavors. Her piece is a road, a mountain, a beautiful night sky, and a finish line that is made up of celebration flags. All of it is composed with triangles, to echo classical compositions and lead the viewer into her world."
Illustrated by Liz Nielsen.
Nefertiti, 30, employee at the New York Public Library and full-time student.
Can you describe your visual impairment?
"I had a brain tumor as a child, called an astrocytoma, and luckily it was benign. It was removed and luckily there was no brain damage, just a blood flow stopped to my optic nerve, and that caused my visual impairment, which is known as retrograde optic atrophy. Basically, it just means that my optic nerve and brain don’t communicate, yet I have some usable vision. My eyes are totally healthy. It's just they don’t communicate well with the brain."
What do you see exactly?
"Well, I see there's somebody standing behind you. When I first came in, I was struck by the light over here, the window is back there.
My trouble is more with print, reading print. Even when it's large, I'm just not efficient with it. So I am a Braille reader. I'm faster. When it goes dark, I might as well not have any vision at all. If there's lighting and stuff, then that helps."
So you can see shapes and colors, generally?
"Yes. Doctors have not been able to explain it, because atrophy means dead, basically. You know? So to have optic atrophy would imply that I was totally blind, but I'm not. So we don’t know. I've never really explored it maybe to its full extent. I've just always been sort of grateful to have what I have. And I just leave it at that."
You're like a walking miracle.
"Oh, that’s the least of it. I'm also a kidney transplant recipient. My family was told that once I hit puberty I was gonna experience some hormonal imbalances and things like that, but never was it predicted that my kidneys would fail or anything that drastic. Yet, at 19 they found that I was really, really, really sick, and by 20, I needed a transplant. My mother matched, and here I am 10 years later."
"They say that people with disabilities or that blindness can cause a lot of other disabilities. I don’t have any evidence to back that up; it's just what I've heard. So a lot of people aren't what I call vanilla blind, meaning just blind and that’s it. A lot of people have secondary or tertiary disabilities, and I just happen to be one of those people. As a result of the immune suppression medication I'm on to keep my body from rejecting the kidney, they have an adverse effect on my pancreas, so it makes me diabetic too."
How do you map out your world? Do you use other senses?
"Definitely. I rely very heavily on my cane to tell me physically what there is, but I also rely on my sense of hearing very much. Smell, touch, although I don’t go around touching things out on the street, if I can help it. Banisters and things like that, that’s a different story, but you know it's dirty out there."
Do you have any memory of being able to see?
"No. The brain tumor was found when I was three, three and a half, or so. And I actually spent my fourth birthday in the hospital getting the brain surgery done, so I don’t really remember what it's like to see fully. This is all I know."
When you're not in school, what do you like to do for fun?
"Read, listening to music, I love to sing. I sang most recently for a benefit, and two of the girls here were there, my teammates at Achilles, Eliza and Abbi. I do that, too, at a triathlete level. I've yet to do a triathlon, because always something comes up. So I've only gone through the training, I've never actually followed through or been able to follow through and do a triathlon like Abbi and Eliza. They are beasts with it. They are amazing.
"And I love hanging out with friends and going to new restaurants, new experiences that I've never experienced before. I love amusement parks. I love them. I love anything with, like, very intense sensations. Because I can't see fully, I'm probably not as afraid as someone who can, maybe? The closer to danger I am, the more alive I feel. So I love roller coasters, anything that goes fast, anything that makes me feel. Anything that allows me to feel."
Do you have anything else you'd want to add?
"Blind people are like anyone else. We just happen to not be able to see properly. It's been rough, you know, accepting my blindness, but once you do and once you accept your lot in life, I think that you can really go far and the sky is the limit and I hope that other people start to recognize that more and more.
"It wasn’t until I was like 27 that I said, 'You know what, enough is enough. This is how I am and it's not gonna change and it has to be okay.' I guess without getting too deep into it, it took me leaving my ex. That’s one huge thing. I found myself on my own and literally needing to just fend for myself. And I had to do it as a blind person, so that’s part of it. Also, I was just tired of being miserable all the time and trying to hide something that everybody knew. Like everybody can see it, you know? It's like trying to hide something that’s right out in the open. It's pretty silly."
What specifically has changed since then?
"I go out more. I'm more confident now. If people try to grab me or something, I speak up for myself now. I'm willing to ask for help when I need it and not be ashamed of it. The shame has gone away. I still struggle with my health issues, but my blindness, that’s a thing of the past. I'm cool with it now. If anything, I'm pretty proud of the fact that I can handle it."
Photographed by Melanie Melamed.
From the Liz Nielsen:
"Nefertiti sees in parts. Her vision is like a tunnel where one fragment or shape can be seen at a time. Then, in her mind, she collages these shapes together to make up a whole object, a whole face, a whole body. I made her a diptych, because holding several fragments together in one's mind could seemingly result with different images. I also like the idea of looking in a mirror when you are zoomed-in, like when putting on mascara — how everything else falls away and becomes abstract shapes."
Illustrated by Liz Nielsen.
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If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the internet’s current fixation on all things gilded and glittery, it’s that you’re never too old to completely obsess over rainbow highlighter or shimmery lipstick named after unicorn tears. And if you, too, have fallen head over horn for anything that will inject a little magic into your day, we’ve got some very good news.
A photo posted by Lottie London (@mylottielondon) on
According toAllure, U.K. beauty brand Lottie London is coming to the U.S. in January. The brand is beloved overseas for its brightly colored brushes and trend-conscious new releases, which means you'll soon be able to get your own Mermaid Glow rainbow highlighter. You can also expect shimmery Strobe Stix, the Insta Filter Pore Eraser Stick, the adorably named Believe In Your #Selfie palette, and countless other Instagram-ready goodies, all under $15. We repeat: All under $15! Sign. Us. Up.
A photo posted by Lottie London (@mylottielondon) on
A quick rundown, in case the brand’s products haven’t quite made their way onto your must-try list just yet: Lottie London debuted two years ago as a small collection of brushes available exclusively at British drugstore chain Superdrug. It’s since grown into a treasure trove of exactly the kind of high-quality, low-price essentials we all love, and if its new stateside outpost is any indication, we’re not the only ones.
Be prepared to remedy your post-holiday blues with Lottie London’s eye-popping pigments and other cheeky, trend-inspired picks. But fair warning: If you want to get your hands on that on-point rainbow highlighter, you’d better have your “Add to Cart” trigger finger at the ready next month.
We will keep you updated as we learn more.
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Drugstore beauty sections can be just as plentiful as the aisles of Sephora. And whether or not you’re a splurge snob, it’s hard to resist the quality products at the corner shop that stocks your toilet paper. Even if you’re not trying to stick to a budget, there are plenty of cheap options that beat the pricey ones. But how to know which ones are worth picking up and testing?
Friend recommendations are cool; celebrity endorsements (especially non-sponsored ones) are nice. But supermodels, those magical creatures with smooth skin who spend all day on set in a million different foundations, hairsprays, and lipsticks? They really know what's up. And they all seem to have a favorite for us to try. Click ahead to see models’ go-to picks, then get ready to save big.
Stella Maxwell
Photo: Michael Stewart/FilmMagic.
When it comes to mascara, this Victoria's Secret Angel knows her stuff, according to Byrdie. Even better? Her must-have formula is way cheaper than you'd expect.
Taylor Hill
Photo: Gary Gershoff/WireImage.
Full voluminous hair is a hard look to master, but starting from step one can totally help. According to Taylor Hill, this drugstore option is her genius trick, "I have really wavy hair, and it tends to be dry because of that, so I use curl shampoo," she told Allure.
Nuance Salma Hayek Agave Curls and Waves Shampoo, $6.37, available at CVS.
“I always use that one,” Hill told Harper’s Bazaar about this L’Oréal mascara. And seriously, it will make your lashes so much fuller.
L’Oréal Voluminous Excess Mascara, $8.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Candice Swanepoel
Photo: Grant Lamos IV/Getty Images.
“I swear by Palmer’s Cocoa Butter lip balm,” Swanepoel told Harper’s Bazaar. And at $4, we do, too.
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Swivel Stick, $3.79, available at Walgreens.
Joan Smalls
Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic.
We’ve talked about our love for L’Oréal’s Total Repair 5 Shampoo, but using this mask in tandem takes your hair to another level of awesome. Smalls told Harper’s Bazaar in 2014 that she loves to save on these “big tubs” of deep conditioner. We do, too!
L’Oréal Total Repair 5 Damage-Eraser Balm, $6.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Kendall Jenner
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images.
If someone told you Jenner's favorite shampoo is under $4, would you roll your eyes? Probably. But, turns out, it’s true. “Kim likes Finesse shampoo, and now so do I. I’ve tried all the expensive things, too. It just works for my hair and makes it so silky,” she told Allure. We picked it up after and have to agree.
Finesse Moisturizing Shampoo, $3.69, available at Target.
Mari Agory
Photo: D Dipasupil/WireImage.
This was our first facial cleanser, and we still love it. We're not the only ones: According to PopSugar, Agory is a big fan and uses it to remove makeup post-runway.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Cleanser, $5.59, available at Target.
Anastasia Ivanova
Photo: Timur Emek/Getty Images.
No one likes a dry patch. Ivanova told PopSugar that this classic cream is her favorite to “moisturize wind-worn cheeks.”
Affordable, natural products are hard to find, but Lima did it. “I love natural oils, so I always have argan oil with me that I can use on my whole face, my hair, and my whole body basically,” she told Harper’s Bazaar. And, it’s under $20.
Nourish Organic Replenishing Argan Oil, $19.99, available at Nourish Organic.
Isabella Lindblom
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
This volumizing shampoo is a must for Lindblom. You'd think something loaded with sweet-smelling ingredients would cost big bucks, but it's under $9. Score!
Avalon Organics Volumizing Shampoo Rosemary, $8.99, available at Walgreens.
Emily Ratajkowski
Photo: Tara Ziemba/Getty Images.
Ratajkowski told Bustle that her favorite do-it-all product is Aquaphor’s healing ointment. And who could challenge her on that? The brand has been around for years, and the formula is fast-absorbing, soothing, and gives us baby-soft skin.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment, $6.29, available at Walgreens.
Juana Burga
Photo: Noam Galai/Getty Images.
Burga is a big fan of Papaw Ointment, telling PopSugar she uses it on her lips and nails. A softening salve like this is worth having two (or four) of.
Lucas' Papaw Remedies Papaw Ointment, $12, available at Beautylish.
Karlie Kloss
Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic.
Kloss told Harper’s Bazaar in 2014 that her favorite drugstore pit stop is Boots in the U.K. “They have really good, basic pharmaceutical-type products. I load up on little tubs of Vaseline for lips and dry skin,” she explained. And we can attest to its power — we can't live without it in the winter.
Vaseline Lip Therapy Cocoa Butter $1.89, available at Walgreens.
Jana Knauerova
Photo: Penske Media/REX/Shutterstock.
Knauerova told us that her go-to beauty product is her moisturizer from Bio-Oil. “I use it on my face and body. It’s amazing for the plane. I always carry a tiny travel-size bottle of it with me on board.”
Bio-Oil PurCellin Oil Facial Treatment, $16.49, available at Target.
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, $13.29, available at CVS.
Gigi Hadid
Photo: Darren Gerrish/WireImage
Hadid told us that her favorite shampoo is part of the Sheer Blonde collection, which enhances light color and helps you extend the time between salon appointments.
John Frieda Sheer Blonde Everlasting Blonde Shampoo, $5.29, available at Target.
Martha Hunt
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.
There are some moisturizers you always go back to, no matter how many you’ve tried. Hunt raved to Harper’s Bazaar about how much she adores Aveeno’s gentle, hydrating options.
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer, $11.69, available at Target.
Betty Adewole
Photo: Erickson/BFA/REX/Shutterstock.
Adewole told us that these face wipes are her favorite: “I love them because they come in handy small packets and can remove any type of makeup with minimal irritation.”
Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes, $4.49, available at Target.
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Update:Black tights: Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em. Since winter is coming (even though it might not feel like it), we tested out five pairs (of varying prices, textures, and fits) to know exactly which ones you should be adding to your wardrobe this season. And, for any that have sold out, we've provided some similar alternatives. Consider this your cheat sheet to keep your legs warm as the weather gets cold.
This story was originally published on October 29, 2014.
It doesn't matter if you only wear black tights when you really need to or if you've advanced to Zooey Deschanel-levels of doesn't-matter-if-it's-July-give-me-my-tights levels of obsession: No one likes a flimsy pair of hose. And, if you're a woman who falls on the clumsier end of the spectrum, holding onto a pair of tights for an entire season feels like a feat that deserves a merit badge.
We've adopted habits to get around accidental snags (raise your hand if you only file your nails after cutting them during black tights season). We've avoided buying certain clothes and shoes, and even choose to avoid suspect seats out of a fear of snags. Add to that our insistence on only wearing truly opaque tights that 1. don't give us crotch sag, and 2. can actually make it through a spin cycle without unraveling, and you're dealing with a set of variables that can make one seriously consider the Taylor Momsen school of style.
The hosiery market isn't a small one, and there are literally thousands of weaves, blends, elasticities, and fibers to confound you. But, among them all are a handful of cult faves to which tights-wearers have sworn allegiance (and if you know a tights-wearer, you know that she's fanatical). We stretched these tights to the limit, committed ourselves to abusing our legs, and provided our honest-to-Lycra reviews.
Ahead, the no-bull truth about tights that'll never fail you.
The Durability: These felt much sturdier than drugstore tights, but there was enough inelasticity in the material that I immediately felt like I needed to be careful with these (and after catching a knee on a coffee table edge and starting a tiny rip, it was evident that being careful is necessary). If you're a tights-abuser, the weave on these will snag easily enough, and you'll end up with long, thick runs that'll render them useless. However, the real pro to these are Heattech technology. It wasn't cold enough when I was testing these out to really see it work its magic, but I have friends who swear that Uniqlo Heattech tights are warmer than jeans during NYC winters.
The Opacity: These are very black and very, very matte, but if there's any sign of stretch (especially at the knees), you'll come across some sheerness issues.
The Sag-Factor: Uniqlo tights only come in two sizes (S/M and L/XL), which is unfortunate, because both run short. For me, that's not too much of an issue (the control top keeps them hiked up and in place all day). But, for my longer-legged sisters, you'll definitely have drop-crotch issues.
The Verdict: Uniqlo has four pairs of non-Heattech tights that are half the price, which is just cheap enough where you might feel blasé about errant rips and runs (prices also drop significantly during sales). But, if fit and longevity is a big concern, you might want to skip Uniqlo.
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Uniqlo Women Heattech Tights, $9.90, available at Uniqlo.
The Durability: Full confession: These were my go-to brand of tights before this experiment. As a cheapie-pair-only wearer for years and years, I was forced into buying a pair on a very cold November day since the shop didn't sell anything else. That was four years ago. I still own these tights. I have gone hiking in them, assembled furniture in them, and bruised myself against pointed corners in them. They developed two small rips in the left toe and upper thigh during Year Three, but because of the weave, they haven't gotten any bigger than a quarter inch.
The Opacity: They're a true, deep black — completely opaque — but have a slight sheen to them that gets shinier with wear.
The Sag-Factor: They're vise-like, to a fault. For the first two months of wearing them in, your hips might be sore at the end of the day. For that reason, don't buy the extra-high waist one unless you have masochistic tendencies (or don't need your diaphragm to breathe). However, after dozens of washings, they're still very elastic and never budge.
The Verdict: No pain, no gain, right? I'm constantly amazed at how durable these tights are, but the break-in period can be brutal. I now own two pairs of these, and I made sure to size up two sizes…but still. Ow. Out of all the tights I tried, these are (probably) the only ones that allow you to jump into a swimming pool filled with steel wool and emerge sans snag.
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Spanx Luxe Leg Blackout Tights, $38, available at Spanx.
The Durability: Soft, but still snug (you definitely get the feeling that you're in a pair of tights with these), the DKNY felt like a hardy pair that don't immediately snag. However, after a week's wear with ankle boots, I did develop slight pilling around the ankles. Also — and I take full responsibility for this because it says on the package that they're hand wash-only — I machine-washed and -dried these tights. When brusquely pulling them on in a sleepy haze the next morning, my fingers ripped clear through the left side. Oops.
The Opacity: Slightly sheer. There's no sheen to these, but they weren't as aggressively opaque as I like.
The Sag-Factor: No sagging! If anything, there was a bit of extra length in these (for reference, I'm 5'3" and typically wear a size 25 pant). The feet are slightly squarer than most, and might leave you with paddles for toes, which means you can't wear them with open-toed shoes.
The Verdict: These aren't a bad choice of tights for women who are a little more delicate with their clothes and don't maul their stockings when they put them on. And, for $16, you're getting a ton of quality for the price. These tights also come in a huge range of sizes, unlike most brands out there.
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
DKNY Opaque Coverage Control Top Tight, $16, available at DKNY.
The Durability: It rained hard the first day I wore these tights and since I somehow managed to leave all my rain boots at the office, I had to wear an old pair of waterproof boots with a ragged edge that has a reputation for completely destroying cheap tights. After a day of abuse, I stripped off the wet tights, quickly washed them, and hung them up to dry. In the morning, they were like new. Seriously!
The Opacity: Despite what the name might say, they are not "perfectly opaque," though they are perfectly matte. The weave of these tights is also of high quality, and so fine and silky (without been shiny) that I could nearly overlook the slight sheerness.
The Sag-Factor: Commando's whole thing is that their products feel invisible. And, these tights were, out of the bunch, the softest, gentlest tights I tried. However, that also meant that they weren't very good at controlling my top and started sagging by mid-day of the first wear. Throughout the day, I ended up with a one-inch gap, which — while not terrible — was pretty annoying.
The Verdict: For ladies who hate the feeling of wearing pants, you'll probably appreciate Commando's tights for how soft and non-pinchy they are (a couple hours in, I forgot that I was even wearing tights…and that's while they were still wet from the rain). If you've got longer legs, you might have issues with sagging, but size up if you suspect that's the case.
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Commando Ultimate Opaque Control Tights, $38, available at Commando.
The Durability: For how soft these are (and they are definitely luxuriously soft), these were also surprisingly resilient. TMI alert: I put these on after clipping my finger and toenails, which would have normally decimated a cheap pair of tights, but there was nary a fray. After running them through a washing machine spin cycle, they emerged exactly like new.
The Opacity: Here's the thing. These are opaque, and don't have even a hint of shine. However, the Mat Opaques are not perfectly black (in certain light, they look navy or brown). This can drive some people crazy, and yet be totally cool for others. Different strokes.
The Sag-Factor: As someone used to The Squeeze (see: review for Spanx), I was completely perplexed when I put these Wolford tights on for the first time. They were so stretchy, so lightweight, and so soft that they barely felt like I was wearing tights as all. However, by the end of the day, they were beginning to show signs of crotch sagging. By the end of the week, I was tugging at the hemline every time I stood up because they kept sliding southward.
The Verdict: For those that prefer a more luxurious-feeling tight that won't fritz out on you, these are your pair. They'll last you years, but if you're on the taller end or have a narrow waist, be forewarned that you might have crotch-fit issues. For $55, these are definitely expensive. But, I know women who've had their Wolfords for half a decade — think about all the cheap $5 hose you've destroyed in that long a time.
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Wolford Matte Opaque 80 Tights, $61, available at Neiman Marcus.
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Is there any beauty move as symbolic as getting a haircut after a significant life event? The impulsive post-breakup chop may be the most universal proof that a fresh 'do goes hand-in-hand with a fresh start. And who better to demonstrate that than Selena Gomez?
The singer made an emotional comeback a few weeks ago at the American Music Awards, after taking a break to focus on her health. And so, it feels fitting that Gomez — who is pretty much the poster girl for luscious (read: shiny, wavy, thick) hair — is marking her return with a subtle new look. The self-professed fan of extensions was spotted yesterday doing her thing in L.A., and it looks like she’s taken a good few inches off since the last time we saw her.
The change, while it's definitely on the less dramatic side of the spectrum, is still worth noticing. With long layers and a rich, dark-brown base, this cut has winter perfection written all over it. We can only hope that Gomez's re-entry into the world of paparazzi photos will be as bright as her hair is glossy.
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I don't know about you, but I apologize all the time. It was when I caught myself last week mumbling "sorry" to a guy who nearly knocked me over on the street (let that sink in) that it occurred to me that this was getting out of hand. Like most women on planet Earth, I would have been way more productive this week had I not spent most of it apologizing.
I don’t know why we do it. I’m so sorry. I'm guessing there are millions upon millions of us, compulsively murmuring "sorry" to our pets, our children, our partners, and total strangers in the supermarket as we muddle our way through our daily lives. Maybe we apologize because we really thought we'd amount to, well, more somehow. Maybe we apologize because we haven't yet figured out that we're enough, as is. Maybe even more than enough.
And maybe, just maybe, it's time we knock it off. Because seriously? What a waste of time. I decided to keep a running tally — every apology that crossed my lips or mind — to see just how bad I've got apologitis. Ahead, check out all the things I was truly sorry for in the last week.
Illustrated by Anna Kovecses.
Monday
Dear dogs, I know, I know — I’m sorry. I see you both over there, drooling listlessly on the couch. You’re wondering how it’s come to this, and you’ve correctly ascertained that it’s MY fault — the lazy, vice-ridden human who just binge-watched TV for four hours instead of taking you on a hike.
I know you’re disappointed I adopted you. I don’t give you enough long walks, and I have never once attempted to bake you organic, fire-hydrant-shaped dog biscuits from scratch. Come to think of it, I haven’t gotten you store-bought dog biscuits in a long time, either. And I never wrap your Christmas gifts — because I always forget to give you Christmas gifts. I’m sorry. I deserve the “presents” you leave me. I really do. Maybe I can make it up to you? Would you like your own Instagram accounts? I just saw a miniature poodle who won a cruise.
Tuesday
Dear guy blocking the kosher baby dill pickles while yammering on your phone, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I stupidly said, “I’m sorry,” when you finally bothered to turn your head to acknowledge my presence. You looked annoyed and vaguely freaked out, in an oedipal kind of way. So I’m sorry if I gave you a flashback to the time your mother walked in on you and your, uh…pickle. I’m not proud of it, but sometimes I count carbs, and pickles (supermarket and otherwise) have zero. We do what we gotta do. But, you know, really sorry things got weird in aisle 4.Illustrated by Anna Kovecses.
Wednesday
Dear Mom, I’m sorry I didn’t feel like helping you slide the secondhand mattress and box spring you just bought into your brand-new, bedbug-repelling cover. I have no excuse for not helping you, except (1.) I’m lazy, and (2.) I am a horrible daughter who thinks if you buy a secondhand mattress and box spring, you probably already have bedbugs, so...
Also, totally sorry I didn’t become a doctor like my little brother, because then I wouldn’t have had to borrow money for my new dishwasher (which is no longer new but I still owe you for). I’m also sorry I laughed when you couldn’t think of the word for that thingie, because now I can’t think of the word for it either. If it makes you feel any better, my kids are now laughing at me because yesterday I called a paper towel a "potato chip." This is my punishment for being a lousy daughter.
Thursday
Dear daughters, I’m sorry, girls. I knew when I made the choice to let your Canadian puppeteer father knock me up that there was a good chance we’d be passing down some spectacularly weird genetic material to you. This has proven to be the case, as evidenced by your crooked bottom teeth (sorry), teenage acne (double sorry), anxiety in crowds (agh! apologies), and bizarre sense of humor (oops). I also apologize for your weakness for papier-mâché, poutine, and excessive quantities of maple syrup. Yes, I know that the last three are entirely your father’s fault, but I was the one who opted to mate with a man who was living out of a lime-green camper van when I met him, so I’m pretty sure that’s my bad.
I’m sorry, too, that we got a divorce and broke your brains and hearts in your tender formative years. (I hope you will take some solace in the fact that said divorce means you have a 40% better chance of writing a best-selling memoir than your boring classmates with intact families.)
Illustrated by Anna Kovecses.
Friday
Dear future husband, I’m sorry I cry even after you’ve sent me more than 17 kissy-face emojis in a 24-hour period. I have no excuse, except that I have never before been engaged to a kind-hearted, old-school gentleman who knows how to communicate. You really seem to like me. It’s all very confusing. Plus, in my defense, you’re so hot it’s completely freaking me out. I’m sorry that I am not a super-flexible, relentlessly optimistic yoga instructor like your ex-wife or a blonde camping enthusiast like your ex-girlfriend. I’m sorry I post things on Facebook that your mother hates.
I’m also sorry I cry when I’m sad, happy, and when I can’t even tell you why — like the time you found me bawling beside a half-empty bottle of merlot while sitting on your kitchen floor in front of the stove and the soggy risotto. I hope you’ll take it as a good sign that I cry this much around you. It means my heart survived the apocalypse of online dating, which is pretty miraculous, come to think of it. I also hope that you’ll take me up on my offer to do "that thing," unless you don’t want to do "that thing," in which case, I apologize for bringing it up — because ew! Who would even?! Sorry!
Saturday
Dear hair, I'm sorry for what you might have been had I not permed you to a crispy, premature death in the '80s. And while I'm at it: Dear vagina, I'm sorry I gave birth without a C-section. Twice.
Sunday
I just started it off by taking the Lord’s name in vain. So sorry, God. I'm also sorry that I am totally not living up to my potential — I didn’t get everything done this week that needed to get done, not even close. But, uh, you probably already noticed that from your “I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed” vantage spot, peering down on this gnarly human race you hath wrought. I'm so sorry — for us all.
WatchGood Behaviorevery Tuesday at 9/8c on TNT. See the trailer below.
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As a native New Yorker living in Los Angeles, one of the (only) things I miss about East Coast weather is snow. Not the kind of snow that turns gray and gross on the street mere hours after settling. I'm talking about the kind of thick, fluffy powder perfect for sledding. SoCal simply doesn't have that — but that didn't stop Sarah Michelle Gellar and husband Freddie Prinze Jr. from giving all of us #sleddinggoals.
The Cruel Intentions star recently posted an Instagram video that will give anyone in a warm climate hope for some fun in the snow. Captioned, "how [Prinze Jr.] and I do snow in California," the video features the I Know What You Did Last Summer co-stars, who wed in 2002, cruising down a slope seemingly made of snow plopped on top of hay.
A video posted by Sarah Michelle (@sarahmgellar) on
This snowy hill is pure genius, and if any celebrity were going to find a way to make a winter holiday tradition like sledding possible in Los Angeles, it was going to be Gellar. The actress adores Christmas so much that she is already snapping photos of her Elf on the Shelf in a variety of circumstances. I, personally, find nothing scarier than the prospect of an elf watching my every move, but apparently Gellar doesn't even mind if they mess around with her makeup.
A photo posted by Sarah Michelle (@sarahmgellar) on
Thanks to Gellar's inspirational Instagram, I will be searching tirelessly for my own faux-snow day in California. It's hard to get into the holiday spirit without one!
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A lot of our shopping habits can be explained by the internet. We end up buying that one bag we see all over Instagram; we end up succumbing to that additional 30% off all sale items, and so on. Most of our deepest fashion desires can be found in one place: Polyvore 's search history. Each year, the platform compiles user data to determine the top industry trends of the prior 12 months. Its findings for 2016 might not be totally surprising for anyone who's shopped online or followed street style quite closely.
For instance, if you would characterize yourself as a "fashion girl" (it's okay, it doesn't have to be a moniker you'd say out loud), Polyvore bets you procured a pair of Adidas Superstars in 2016. The comeback kicks ranked as the top fashion must-have for the year on Polyvore, with a 286% spike in searches over the course of 2016. Or maybe you added some of the other most sought-after items to your wardrobe this year, like Nike Air Max Theas (No. 2) or a tulle skirt (No. 3) or, perhaps, a bomber jacket (No. 4) to your outfit rotation: Those all ranked on the list of items Polyvore considers the most sought-after, respectively.
As far as style inspiration goes, there's one Kardashian-Jenner to rule us all: Kylie, the youngest member of the reigning family of Calabasas, is the top fashion icon for 2016, according to Polyvore.
She's making a comeback on the ranking after earning a spot on the 2014 list, before a brief hiatus on 2015's report. Kendall Jenner nabbed third place in the A-List Style Inspiration category this year. Rihanna, Fenty designer and champion of unexpected accessories, came in second, while Gigi Hadid and Selena Gomez rounded out the top five.
The biggest difference between the 2016 list and the past couple of years' recap is the price bracket of its most popular fashion brands. This year's top five are all luxury labels: Gucci, Chanel, Valentino, Fendi, and Givenchy. Two years ago, this category was dominated by fast-fashion labels; in 2015, there was a mix of athletic labels and high-end houses. In 2016, though, it seems like old-guard fashion is back on top.
Check out the full report over at Polyvore to see how many of those trends have defined your 2016 #OOTDs.
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Getting up almost every morning and heading into work can sometimes be a bit of a drag, no matter how much you may love your job. When you're slogging away over your computer, seeing client after client, or whatever it is you do all day in exchange for a paycheck, you might find yourself momentarily comforted by a daydream about retirement, when your time is all your own, and there's nothing to do but play bridge and eat cake all day long. That may sound ideal for some, but U.K.-based 89-year-old Joe Bartley wasn't interested in that life.
Bartley retired six years ago, and after his wife passed away two years ago, he found retirement lonely and boring. So, he set out to make a change. He posted an ad in his local newspaper, The Herald Express, and it quickly went viral. The ad ended with a funny plea from Bartley, "Save me from dying of boredom!"
His efforts paid off, and he was hired to work at the Cantina Bar and Kitchen. BBC News followed Bartley as he started his new job, and one of his first tasks was serving mince pies to patrons. Waking up every morning to go to work — that thing many of us complain about — is exactly what the 89-year-old is looking forward to most with this new job.
Let's be real: 2016 has been kind of a shit show. From political upheaval to losing beloved pop culture figures and more, we're ready to pack this one away and start again with a clean slate. (Or as close to one as possible, anyway.) But the last 365 days have been exceptional in at least one awesome way: the new titles that hit bookshelves, both IRL and otherwise.
December doesn't break from the trend. This month traditionally sees a lighter roster of new releases, but we tracked down the novels and nonfiction you should consider curling up with in front of a fire in the weeks to come. (Or hey, maybe at the beach, lucky ducks!)
Some of them, like Whatever Happened to Interracial Love? — a posthumous collection of powerhouse Kathleen Collins' stories — dole out tantalizing tales that also set your brain ticking. Others, like Amy Poeppel's Small Admissions, fall more in the just-plain-fun reading camp. But no matter which one of these books you pick up, you'll have snagged a good one. And there are plenty more where these came from, too.
Kate is...kind of a mess. After an unexpected breakup, she can't pull herself off the couch — let alone start the post-graduate-school job hunt. But when an interview at a prestigious day school lands in her lap and she snags the gig, she gets all caught up in a totally foreign world, defined by moneyed parents who don't take "no" for an answer.
Fans of Primates of Park Avenue and Curtis Sittenfeld's Prep will get a kick out of this novel, which is also a story about how women help one another get back on their feet.
Photo: Courtesy of Atria/Emily Bestler Books.
The Glass Universe
By Dava Sobel
Out December 6
We've been hearing a lot about women in STEM these days. But the truth is, the science wouldn't be what it is today without the ladies of yesteryear, and The Glass Universe takes a compelling look at specific proof of that fact.
In the mid-19th century, women were employed as "human calculators" at the Harvard College Observatory, interpreting observations about space that male scientists were making via telescope. As photography evolved and became a part of that process, women played an integral part in groundbreaking discoveries about the stars.
An omniscient memoir by way of letters, original documents, and investigative reconstruction, Sobel's latest delves into the lives of women who were at the forefront of discovering the universe, and how their contributions shaped the field of astronomy as we know it.
Photo: Courtesy of Viking.
A Woman Looking At Men Looking At Women
By Siri Hustvedt
Out December 6
You probably know the concept of the "male gaze." Well, this collection of essays — traversing art, sex, what shapes our minds, and so much more — is the female gaze point of view on the male gaze. And while that's a cheeky way to put it, the book is downright brilliant. Hustvedt is both a critically acclaimed chronicler of the human condition and an accessible writer with a skill for making plain what might otherwise be drawn out into a semester-long lecture series.
Photo: Courtesy of Simon & Schuster.
The Private Life of Mrs. Sharma
By Ratika Kapur
Out December 13
Ratika Sharma — dutiful wife, mother, and daughter-in-law — is working as a receptionist in Delhi while her husband handles the family's financial future in Dubai. She dreams of a bigger life, both literally and figuratively, and wonders when the Sharmas will finally get to participate in their version of the New Indian Dream.
But when Ratika strikes up a conversation with a magnetic stranger at a Metro station, she realizes that perhaps it's time to try some new things all on her own. India is changing. So why shouldn't she do some soul-searching of her own?
Photo: Courtesy of Bloomsbury Publishing.
Whatever Happened To Interracial Love?
Stories by Kathleen Collins
Foreword by Elizabeth Alexander
Out December 6
A never-before-published collection from a literary powerhouse, Whatever Happened to Interracial Love? has been getting high praise from some high places, including Zadie Smith ("from the first page you know you're in the hands of an exceptional writer") and Miranda July ("sexy and radical and intimate").
Collins' stories might seem quotidian when you first break the surface, but each wends its way to powerful themes on gender, family, sexuality, and race. Smart and sometimes wrenchingly composed, her work will both move you and make you wish the author were around to write more.
Photo: Courtesy of Ecco.
The Ornatrix
By Kate Howard
Out December 6
Born with a bird-shaped birthmark across her face, Flavia has spent much of her life hiding from the world, including her family. But when she sabotages her sister's wedding in a fit of jealous rage, Flavia is banished to serve in a convent, which turns out to be a blessing in disguise. There, she meets another exile: a former Venetian courtesan, to whom Flavia becomes a personal hairdresser and handmaid.
As Flavia is pulled further into the courtesan's glamorous world, she discovers that there is a way to cure the mark to her face — that is, if she's willing to betray all and risk everything.
Photo: Courtesy of The Overlook Press.
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Do you remember the first time you ever flew on an airplane? If you were a kid, you may not have been aware that flying can actually be pretty scary, and perhaps, by the time you reached the age where you realized this, you had already flown so many times that it seemed like no big deal. But, imagine how strange and unsettling it might feel to take your first flight in your 60s.
Earlier this week, Elaine Filadelfo boarded a Virgin Airlines plane for the short flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco. After boarding, she met her row-mate, Sue, an elderly woman who was flying for the very first time. Sue was heading to S.F. to surprise her daughter who had recently moved there. Filadelfo recognized how rare it was to see someone's first experience with the craziness of air travel, so she decided to live-tweet the journey. Throughout the trip, Sue experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. She was excited, anxious, and even shed a few tears, but overall, she took the whole thing like a champ. Follow the flight, here:
Sitting next to a 60+ yr old woman who's taking her first flight ever. She's so excited. Her daughter moved so she's flying to SURPRISE her!
Airline upgraded her, pilot came to say hi, staff showing her how to do everything & taking pics for her. Great work @VirginAmerica. https://t.co/aHUyWTjdt2
Whether it becomes law is now in Kasich's hands. But that doesn't mean your hands are tied when it comes to fighting back.
Here are three ways you can take action if you oppose this measure.
ContactKasich'soffice:
This is the simplest and most effective way of making your voice heard. It's true that Kasich does have a pro-life record, but that doesn't mean that he is automatically in agreement with the language in the heartbeat bill.
Donate to groups set to fight the policy if it passes:
Organizations committed to supporting reproductive rights need your backing now more than ever. If you have the resources to do so, consider donating to groups like Planned Parenthood and NARAL. Their local and national chapters are at the forefront of the battle for abortion rights.
Tell people in your social media spheres about the heartbeat bill. Explain to them what it is, what it could mean for women, and how can they can join you to help put a stop to it.
Remember that there's a lot of misinformation on the internet about abortions. Sharing accurate, credible sources and information can help combat that spread. The bottom line: You should discuss reproductive rights with your family and friends. Here's a list of important questions surrounding this topic, and here's a guide on how to talk about abortion with your family.
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Remember when booking the presidential suite was as good as it got? Now, thanks to Airbnb and some adventurous celebrities who are willing to forgo room service and a concierge, vacationing like the stars has never been easier. (Note: "Easier" is not synonymous with "cheaper" — you may still need to splash out your life savings to afford the experience.)
But oh, what an experience it will be. Swim in an infinity pool like Gwyneth Paltrow in Mexico. Be on top of the world like Beyoncé and Justin Bieber in San Francisco. Make the most of Malibu like Selena Gomez. Why settle for free Wi-Fi and a king-size bed when you can indulge in private gyms, outdoor dining rooms, orchards, and Egyptian cotton linens?
Read on to see seven real Airbnbs that these mega-stars have stayed in — and then book one for yourself.
Jamie Foxx just took a "spiritual" journey down to Miami, Fl. While he was there, Airbnb put him up in a luxurious waterfront mansion. The home can accommodate up to 10 guests and normally costs $2,200 a night.
With eight bedrooms and seven and a half baths, this place has plenty of room for friends. Although the listing does note that this place has a strict no partying policy.
The model recently flew to L.A. to shoot her new talk show. Airbnb generously offered to let her crash at a gorgeous, $10 million Beverly Hills mansion free of charge. That's pretty nice, since you'd normally have to pay $1,650 a night to stay there. The home has five bedrooms and six baths and is in a prime location just north of the Sunset Strip.
Photo: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images.
The pool and patio area come complete with a grill and wet bar, perfect for Kloss to throw parties with her famous squad.
Photos: Courtesy of Airbnb.
This is just one of two modern living rooms the home has to offer.
Photos: Courtesy of Airbnb.
Kloss gave a shout-out to Airbnb on Instagram, thanking it for the complimentary stay. She said in the video, "I live out of a suitcase most of the time, so it's really nice to have a real house."
Earlier this year, the actress and her family spent MLK weekend making the most of this luxurious Mexican villa. The six-bedroom space skirting the Pacific Ocean doesn't come cheap; it's currently priced at $10,300 per night.
Photo: Chelsea Lauren/WWD/REX/Shutterstock.
Paltrow's pad came with two infinity pools, not to mention close proximity to the sea.
Queen Bey prepped for her epic performance at this year's Super Bowl from the comfort of this sprawling hilltop estate, about 30 miles outside San Francisco. And Justin Bieber followed her lead, also staying at the home in March. Listed for $10,000 a night, the net zero energy home boasts incredible views and a vanishing-edge pool.
Photo: MediaPunch/Rex/Shutterstock.
Both Bieber and Bey Instagrammed shots of themseles enjoying the pool and stunning views. The rooftop garden and outdoor fire pit aren't too shabby, either.
Sick of that same old hotel? Make like this pop star and book a stay at Malibu's M Beach. Gomez enjoyed the vacation property's private beach and other luxe amenities on a recent spring getaway. You can, too, if you're willing to fork over $3,433 a night.
Photo: Chelsea Lauren/Rex/Shutterstock.
The master suite boasts a private deck with views of the ocean and organic Egyptian cotton linens. Pure bliss.
The new oceanfront deck comes with sun beds, a fire pit, and high-tech speakers. According to the house rules, however, no wild parties and DJ sets are allowed.
Calling all Golden Girls fans! The 7,000-square-foot space in Thunderbird Heights comes with a lanai, not to mention a home cinema, fire pit, and a pool table that doubles as a ping-pong table.
According to Harper's Bazaar, the Aloha star has vacationed in style at Diamond Head Villa, a four-bedroom home with views of the Gold Coast. Priced at $4,000 a night, the villa boasts a home cinema, a heated pool and spa, and SMART home technology.
Photo: John Salangsang/BFAcom/REX/Shutterstock.
If you tire of the home's immaculate heated pool, you're just steps away from the sea, as the gorgeous property is right on the beach.
When you're engaged to a billionaire (in this case, Australian businessman James Packer), only one vacation destination will do: Malibu's so-called Billionaire's Beach. Carey stayed at this four-bedroom, four-bathroom beachfront villa (priced at $10,000 a night) last year.
Photo: Palace Lee/Rex/Shutterstock.
Despite its perch on the Pacific, the house's decorating theme skews Mediterranean.
TheVampire Diaries star knows how to super-size a ski holiday. She and her family reportedly rented this Equinox Deer Valley property outside Park City for the holidays last December. You can recreate the experience for $5,560 per night.
Photo: John Salangsang/Variety/Rex/Shutterstock.
In addition to offering incredible views of the mountains, the slope-side space features a home cinema, gourmet kitchen, wet bar, hot tub, and spa in the master bathroom suite.
Olivia Palermo doesn't really ever look not put-together. She could be walking her dog, she could be attending Fashion Week: Looking at her getups without any context of locations or occasions, it's hard to tell where she is or where she's headed, because they're all so damn polished. Palermo has made it easier for us mere mortals to cop her style over the years. One element of the street-style star's impeccable fashion record is her knack for coordination. While we might stop at matching, say, our belts to our shoes, Palermo takes it to a whole new level — and here's proof.
Photo: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera/Harpers Bazaar.
Palermo was on hand to celebrate designer Carolina Herrera at the annual Lincoln Center Corporate Fund's annual gala in NYC, co-chaired by Harper's Bazaar editor-in-chief Glenda Bailey. Much like her unorthodox Herrera wedding ensemble, Palermo eschewed a princess-like ball gown in favor of a long-sleeved, sparkly black sweater and seafoam green-hued layered tulle skirt.
Palermo's knack for coordination crops up twice in one outfit. First, there's the matching top-and-footwear. (Although she does get some extra points for opting for silver jewelry, which plays off her glittery knit.) But Palermo really shows off her matching prowess via a much more subtle pairing: She managed to find an eyeshadow in the exact shade of greenish-blue as her ankle-grazing skirt. Well, color us impressed.
We're going to have to defer to her pooch, Mr. Butler, as to whether her flair for coordination is indeed Palermo's secret to perpetually good style. Regardless, we're just admiring her commitment to an outfit color palette.
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There's a scene in the third season of Mozart in the Jungle that should be required viewing for all young women.
Hailey Rutledge, (Lola Kirke), having taken an interest in conducting, is working with the New York Symphony's former maestro, Thomas Pembridge (Malcolm McDowell), on his latest composition. As he's playing, she stops him with a request. When he doesn't quite get it, she giggles nervously. You know that giggle. It's the apologetic sound young women make when they're trying to be assertive, but don't feel they have the right to be.
"Oh, please, please, ugh," he moans. "Don't do that."
As a woman who has giggled my way through a number of interactions, I cringed. Why do we do that?
To make matters worse, Hailey apologizes (double cringe), prompting Pembridge to give it to her straight: She's being too nice. If she wants to conduct, she has to command the room. "By all means, you can be pleasant," he says, "but your players want to be told what to do." Later, he adds: "Stop asking for permission. Get yourself some musicians and a piece of music, and just conduct."
Almost a year ago, Mozart in the Jungle beat out out Transparent, Casual, Veep, Orange Is the New Black, and Silicon Valley at the Golden Globes for Best TV Series — Musical or Comedy. At the time, the reaction was one of collective surprise. " Mozart In the Jungle? What the hell is that?"
I definitely felt that way when I sat down to watch the two first seasons to prepare for this review. A show about a classical music orchestra felt daunting, out of reach. It took me about 2.5 seconds to get hooked. That's because Mozart in the Jungle isn't just a show about a mad genius conductor and his orchestra — it's a how-to guide for millennial women, with a killer soundtrack.
A show about a classical music orchestra felt daunting, out of reach. It took me about 2.5 seconds to get hooked.
The third season, which premieres on Amazon on December 9, opens in chaos for the main characters. Hailey is doing some major soul-searching. Her gig with the Andrew Walsh Ensemble, which she took at the end of last season — partly to get some space from her can't-quit-you-can't-live-without-you conductor and love interest Rodrigo de Souza (Gabriel Garcia Bernal) — has not panned out. She's out of money and stuck in Venice, with no way to get home.
As it happens, Rodrigo has run off to Venice to work with retired opera legend Alessandra a.k.a. La Fiamma (Monica Bellucci), and avoids dealing with the New York Symphony strike. The two reconnect, rekindling their on-again off-again sexual tension that is both toxic and highly entertaining.
Okay, I get it —so far, none of this seems relatable to your life, or mine. But bear with me.
The early episodes of this season kind of feel like a step backwards for Hailey. In the past two seasons, she's gone from being a private oboe instructor to wealthy Upper East Side prep schoolers, to Rodrigo's assistant, to substitute player in the New York Orchestra, before taking a job as an independent player. Now, she's back to keeping Rodrigo energized on maté and making sure he shows up on time for appointments. (Not to mention her new position as La Fiamma's dresser, which provides her with as much scandal and drama as the orchestra ever did.)
I may not know much about Bach, but I can definitely relate to being a woman in the workplace.
But rather than rest on her laurels, Hailey rolls with the punches. She moves into La Fiamma's palazzo, where she sees firsthand what a strong, talented woman is capable of. It's no coincidence that Venice is where Hailey starts to take an interest in conducting, which, so far — in this show and in life — has been a role primarily reserved for men. I may not know much about Bach, but I can definitely relate to being a woman in the workplace.
Hailey isn't the only awesome lady in this particular ensemble: There's Cynthia (Saffron Burrows), the too-cool symphony cellist who must come to terms with the potential consequences of an injury; there's Gloria (Bernadette Peters), the impeccably-dressed socialite and president of the New York Symphony; there's Monica Belucci as La Fiamma, drop-dead sexy at 52. And let's not forget Lizzie (Hannah Dunne), Hailey's New York roommate who decides to dump her hipster boyfriend and open her own 1930s-style cabaret after a sudden inheritance windfall.
They're all passionate, strong, intelligent women, and while their personalities vary wildly, they provide a blueprint for how to navigate some of life's toughest situations, set to some of the best music ever produced.
Hailey ends the season faced with a huge life decision. I'm sure that she'll get through it with her usual style, aplomb, and a dash of clumsiness, and I'll be there for the ride.
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Blac Chyna is facing a roadblock in becoming an official Kardashian.
According to People, the Rob & Chyna reality star is seeking to trademark the name "Angela Renée Kardashian." Chyna reportedly wants to protect the name she'll take upon marrying Rob Kardashian as she wants to share the last name of her new daughter, Dream. However, the trio of Kardashian sisters are apparently blocking the trademark.
Documents obtained by TMZ state that the name is being blocked because Khloé, Kim, and Kourtney would “suffer damage including irreparable injury to their reputation and goodwill” should Chyna take the name. That seems particularly cold, considering the Kardashians have seemingly made peace with Chyna after having a falling out due to the relationship between sister Kylie Jenner and Tyga, Chyna's ex.
However, the trademark block might not mean the Kardashians are shunning Chyna, or even saying she can't take their last name. A source for People claims that the sisters may not have known about the trademark block at all. States the source:
“The Kardashians own their trademarks in most categories worldwide, and the trademark attorneys’ standard practice is to oppose anyone who tries to file anything. They probably didn’t even know it was happening.”
Hopefully the Kardashians are serious about welcoming Chyna into their family, which, yes, includes having her trademark what will soon be her legal name.
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Don't expect to see Olivia Munn dancing on tables any time soon. The actress has a strict drinking policy. It's a pretty standard rule, and one that I personally will take into consideration this festive holiday season. Munn cuts herself off after only one (yes, just one, so make it strong) drink, according to a source who spoke to Page Six.
At the premiere of Munn's new movie Office Christmas Party, the source heard the actress joke that she cuts herself off after one drink, "because it’s way more fun to remember everything than to...black out." The joke is obviously a nod the plot of the film, which centers on a wild and crazy holiday party that gets incredibly out of control. It seems Munn doesn't want moviegoers to get the wrong idea about her real-life party lifestyle.
So, good for her for setting some limits for herself. Not to mention that avoiding a holiday hangover from sugary seasonal cocktails sounds ideal. (But in case that does happen to you, because it totally happens, read this.)
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