Women have been grabbing hold of the megaphone and altering the fashion industry's idea of "normal" for the better over the last few years. But even with all the recognition that's been made about a gap in mainstream retailers providing an adequate representation of sizes, or plus-size bloggers and models proving a size 22 can look just as a chic as a size two, and even body-positive campaigns with brands that are adopting inclusivity, the shopping experience for women sizes 10 and up still remains, disappointingly, underrepresented. Ask any woman above a size 10 whether shopping is easy, and the answer will likely be a resounding no. But four former Gilt executives are setting out to rectify this with a new e-commerce site, CoEdition.
Offering women's sizes 10 to 26, CoEdition, launching March 20, will be a retail haven meant to be a tool for women to buy stylish options without questioning whether it will be available in their size. CoEdition self describes itself as "a curated selection of stylish options at accessible price points frequently under-served in the traditional retail landscape," and the site will feature popular contemporary brands and fashion across most categories including apparel, intimates, active, swim, accessories, and footwear. With the site's initial launch partners including the likes of Stuart Weitzman, Tahari, Rachel Roy, and more, CoEdition is well on its way to being a premiere destination for women who fall out of "straight sizing." As if sourcing popular retailers wasn't enough, expect a flurry of exclusive collaborations to be on the horizon as well. CoEdition tells us that the release of a Splendid partnership is not far off.
Leading the helm are Brooke Cundiff, CoEdition co-founder and chief merchandising officer, formerly head of brand acquisition at Gilt, and Keith George, co-founder and CEO, who previously sat as Gilt's chief merchandising officer. The two are coming in hot with decades of consumer experience under their belts. After years of heading up the fashion division of a luxury e-commerce site, they know a little bit about what women want — and what women want is a shopping experience that's driven by an inclusive community and industry. Of her inspiration for diving into CoEdition, Cundiff said: “I’ve always believed that all women deserve access to great style options and solutions and that was my mission when we came up with this idea, to break down the barrier in retail and transform the industry."
But it's about more than just giving their consumer the power of size availability. With their background in mind, they're setting out to help women with an essential tool: discovery. Cundiff and George have big plans for CoEdition, which include seeing the site grow to feature nearly 150+ contemporary fashion brands by the end of 2018. (For reference, the site is currently on-boarding new brands and products every day and expects to have 5,000 items on the site within two-to-three months.) George explains: “We always say that this woman has great taste she just hasn’t always had great options. She has an incredible sense of style...there’s been a lot of brands that Brooke has been working with out of the U.K. and Australia and other places that frankly, people don’t even know about, and providing access to those brands [for CoEdition customers] is going to be a game changer."
As an added cherry on top, CoEdition will include community driven aspects to help shoppers make buying decisions. Putting a focus on user-generated content, the site will prompt and allow product reviews based on fit specifics — which George points out are about more than just an overall fit but also focuses on waist, butt, arms, etc. — and image submissions. Through this, CoEdition customers will have genuine product feedback that can go so far as sharing styling tips, tricks, and solutions. And in case peer guidance is a little too forum-like for you, the site will also be heavy on influencer inclusion. At the start, CoEdition will feature biweekly partnerships with influencers (kicking off with Alex Michael May) that include their selection of curated products.
We're here for any site that ventures into normalizing inclusivity and body diversity, and while a small step for the plus-size community, CoEdition is one giant leap for the retail industry finally embracing the women who have been there all along.
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Update: The FBI says an explosion inside a FedEx facility near San Antonio could be connected to the Austin blasts, though investigators are still trying to determine whether there's a link.
A FedEx team member sustained minor injuries when a "single package exploded" in Schertz, TX, a San Antonio suburb about an hour southwest of Austin.
"We suspect it is related to our investigation," Michelle Lee, spokesperson for FBI San Antonio, told CNN.
This story was originally published on March 19, 2018.
Police warned Austin residents about a "serial bomber" on Monday after a fourth explosion rocked the city Sunday night.
The previous bombings are said to have targeted prominent Black families, with police acknowledging that they could have been racially motivated. While this fourth explosion injured two white men, the first two bombs killed two Black people and the third bomb seriously injured a Hispanic woman. Some have questioned whether there would have been more response to the initial blasts had they happened in a mostly white, affluent neighborhood.
There's also a question swirling around of when President Donald Trump will address the bombings — so far, he has said nothing about them. The FBI and officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are currently investigating the case.
The latest blast injured two men who were walking down a road on Sunday night, according to TheWashington Post. Residents were asked to stay in their homes while police complete the investigation. The fact that the bomb was set off by a tripwire has led police to believe that the perpetrator(s) had "a higher level of sophistication, a higher level of skill" than they had initially believed, said Brian Manley, the interim Austin police chief. The three previous bombs, all set off earlier this month, exploded at people's homes.
"What we have seen now is a significant change from what appeared to be three very targeted attacks to what was, last night, an attack that would have hit a random victim that happened to walk by," Manley said. "So we’ve definitely seen a change in the method that this suspect…is using."
Hours before Sunday's explosion, Austin police made a public appeal for information on the case and increased the reward for intel to $100,000. They addressed the bomber: "These events in Austin have garnered worldwide attention," Manley said. "And we assure you that we are listening. We want to understand what brought you to this point, and we want to listen to you."
The president of the local NAACP told NBC News that the first two victims were both members of prominent African-American families, and they knew each other. "They have a long history and go to the same church," Nelson Linder said of 39-year-old Anthony Stephan House and 17-year-old Draylen Mason. Mason's mother, Shamika Wilson, was injured in the bombing. The Wesley United Methodist church was founded 152 years ago by newly freed slaves.
Mason was a talented musician who had recently been accepted to the selective University of Texas Butler School of Music. His grandmother, LaVonne Mason, is a cofounder of the Austin Area Urban League. House was the father of an 8-year-old girl, the president of his homeowners' association, and a project manager who had graduated from Texas State University. Linder said that House's stepfather, Freddie Dixon — a longtime pastor at Wesley United Methodist — was a close friend of Draylen Mason's grandparents.
"It's not just coincidental. Somebody's done their homework on both of us, and they knew what they were doing," Dixon told The Washington Post. "My diagnosis: Number one, I think it’s a hate crime. Number two, somebody’s got some kind of vendetta here."
This is my friend Anthony Stephan House. He was killed by the first bomb on March 2. A beautiful soul whose life was ended too soon. Photos provided by & credited to his brother brother, Norrell Waynewood (wearing yellow shirt in last pic). #AustinBombingspic.twitter.com/98BfILuAe9
— ❄️Space Force Captain Tiffany❄️ (@tiffanyclay) March 14, 2018
Draylen Mason was the 17 year old musician who was tragically killed this week from a package bomb on his doorstep in Austin, TX.
Our graveyards are filled with unrealized potential. This violence and hate must stop. Say his name #DraylenMason We will not forget you. It’s time to protect our communities from hate. #BlackLivesMatter
My heart goes out to Draylen Mason’s family. Yesterday, we lost a bright young man. At 17, he attended East Austin College Prep & had a budding musical career as a bassist. Draylen's grandparents Dr. Norman & LaVonne Mason have contributed so much & we owe them our love & support pic.twitter.com/vAWWu3Vzb1
Investigators said they believe Esperanza Herrera, 75, the victim of the third bombing, picked up a package that may have been intended for someone else, since it had someone else's address on it. "The intended target was another person who might be connected to the House and Mason families," Linder told NBC, though he did not elaborate.
Herrera was taking care of her 90-year-old mother and was found outside bleeding on the ground after the third explosion last Monday. Reports say she suffered critical injuries and is recovering.
This is our family friend Esperanza Hope Herrera who was the victim of the 2nd package bomb that day. 75 years old,taking care of her 90 year old mother. Fighting for her life. Shattered face, broken shoulders, possibly leg amputation and both hands. Our condolences. pic.twitter.com/EiRq3rLLir
Neighbors say family doesn’t want to return home after a suspicious package explodeded sending Esperanza Herrera to the hospital last Monday. The neighbor says the 75-year-old victim is recovering and ok. @KENS5@KVUEpic.twitter.com/wEKjCj0yPH
There are a few versions of an ancient Laotian legend about the origins of Centella asiatica out there, but this is our basic understanding: A young man, in love with the beautiful daughter of a wealthy landowner, has been slashed in the stomach by the girl's father, who deems him an unworthy suitor. The only way he can marry her, says the father, is if he proves his strength by coming back the next day with a healed scar.
Instead of telling dad he's a complete lunatic, the young man ventures into the forest, where he's seen tigers rolling in the grass to heal their battle wounds. He rubs the magic plant on his stomach and by morning, the skin is good as new. He gets the girl, the village discovers the power of Centella asiatica, everyone lives happily ever after.
Fake news? Probably, but according to dermatologist Whitney Bowe, MD, the antioxidant-rich herb does work wonders (within reason) on burns, psoriasis, dermatitis, and generally itchy/dry/red/irritated/sensitive/blah skin, thanks to its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and highly moisturizing properties. "It's often recognized for its anti-aging ability to protect your skin molecules from degradation and bolster the skin’s healthy barrier," she says.
And in the midst of a March that still has 12-16 inches of snow in the forecast, your face needs all the extra protection it can get, so it's a good thing Centella asiatica is starting to pop up everywhere — from drugstores to Sephoras — under the nickname "cica."
Ahead, the cica creams that'll keep your skin in fighting shape when you need it most. (But only against the elements — you'll need a restraining order for the violent in-law.)
No matter whether your skin's inflammation comes by way of rosacea, breakouts, -20 ° wind chill, or your late-night picking habit, this overnight mask (which isn't your typical heavy cream that greases up the pillowcase) is the answer. Don't change your nightly skin routine — just smooth on a layer of this non-sticky, sinks-right-in, green jelly as the final step before bed and let the Centella asiatica, chlorophyll, and botanical oils calm your face down by morning.
Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Nightly Re.Pair Mask, $48, available at Sephora.
Dr. Bowe says that while more human studies are needed, available research suggests that Centella's ability to stimulate collagen production, as well as its anti-inflammatory and protective properties, make it an ideal complement to retinol. This cream, which goes on before your regular moisturizer, has both ingredients and can be used morning and night.
L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Cicacream Anti-Wrinkle + Skin Barrier Repair, $17.99, available at Ulta.
These pads come pre-soaked in the good shit: a soothing, gently exfoliating blend of Centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid, allantoin, and trendy PHA gluconolactone that's somewhere between a toner and an essence. Swipe one on dry skin after cleansing, pat in the remaining product, and go straight to your serum and moisturizer. (Or you could just go to bed — the lightweight hydration will be enough to keep oily and combination skin types satisfied.)
Neogen Dermalogy Real Cica Pad, $20, available at Soko Glam.
There's sensitive skin, which most of us have to some degree, and then there's "holy shit, I just hugged someone wearing perfume and now my face is on fire" skin — and the latter has been screwed by products claiming to be gentle. This lightweight gel moisturizer offers genuine assurance: It's zero-10, meaning it's formulated without the 10 biggest irritants in skin care (including parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, artificial color, fragrance, benzoic acid, triclosan, and more), and has a whopping 68% Centella asiatica.
It's Skin Tiger Cica Gel Cream, $19.59, available at Jet.
A cica cream by any other name would feel as soothing, which holds true for this antioxidant-rich serum that doesn't advertise its CC status but lists centella right up there with ferulic acid and vitamin E.
Lancôme Advanced Génifique Sensitive Antioxidant Serum, $78, available at Sephora.
Centella, green tea, and chamomile are just a few of the seven herbs that make up this exfoliating cleanser. It babies your skin as it buffs all the dead, dull stuff away, so you'll get the results of a light peel without any of the stinging or dryness.
Erborian Crème Scrub Beautifying Exfoliating Pearls, $28, available at Sephora.
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Welcome toMoney Diaries, where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar.
Today: an IT professional who makes $65,400 per year and spends some of her paycheck this week on Aesop roller perfume.
Occupation: IT Professional Industry: Higher Education Age: 31 Location: Seattle, WA Salary: $65,400. (My husband and I keep our finances separate, but we do have one joint savings account.) Paycheck (2x/month): $1,997, after taxes, health insurance, retirement contribution, and transportation.
Monthly Expenses Rent: I pay $1,225 and my husband pays $750. (We live in a two-bedroom apartment and split rent proportional to income.) Student Loan Payments: $0. (I had scholarships that covered my tuition.) Health Insurance: $45 Transportation: $25 for a monthly bus pass Car Insurance: $80 Utilities: $150 Hulu, Netflix & HBO: $0. (My husband pays for these.) Internet: $0. (My husband pays.) Phone: $0. (I'm on my family's plan.) Roth IRA: $478 Long-Term Savings: $1,120. (My husband and I both contribute to this.)
Additional Expenses Therapy: $11.20/week
Day One
6 a.m. — Alarm goes off and I'm up. Brush my teeth, throw on sweats, and immediately take the dog for a walk. I walk my dog for 30 minutes every morning, which is a great way to start the day. She's a 40-pound rescue mutt and the vet estimates she's around six or seven years old.
6:30 a.m. — Get home and get ready for work. For my morning skincare routine, I use Cetaphil cleanser followed by Paula's Choice liquid BHA and then sunscreen. I try to make breakfast most days, but today I'm just not hungry today, so I throw leftovers in a bag to eat at work. I also drink a ton of water and take vitamins in the morning. Right now I'm taking vitamin D, vitamin C, N-acetyl cysteine, and BioSil, plus B complex whenever I eat. When I'm ready for work, I give the dog a Kong filled with pumpkin and tell her to kennel up. Then I walk to the co-op and buy a kale Caesar salad and a passionfruit LaCroix for lunch later ($5.24). (I buy all my groceries at a food cooperative.) I stop next door and buy a double bone-dry cappuccino from Starbucks ($4.35) before catching the bus to work. $9.59
9 a.m. — Eat Thai leftovers for breakfast and take my B complex. A coworker gets in about an hour after me and since it's a slow morning, we decide to do a coffee run. He treats me to another cappuccino. (I'm addicted.)
3 p.m. — I leave a little early. I always answer emails in the evening (both faculty and students expect it), so to balance things out, I try not to stay in the office very late. I stop by the co-op for groceries and buy coconut milk, fish sauce, shrimp, curry paste, broccoli, cauliflower, avocado, ginger, garlic, onion, red pepper, oranges, and a grapefruit. $51.33
5 p.m. — Wanted to go for a run, but it's raining super hard and I'm starting to catch a cold from my husband, J.*, so I just get into bed. He does the evening dog care shift and comes home soaking wet. Neither of us feels like cooking, so J. goes out to pick up a pizza — and he brings home candy to entice me out of bed.
Daily Total: $60.92
Day Two
5 a.m. — Husband's alarm goes off. I wake up and chat with him a bit. Decide to go to work late because I feel sick. It evens out because I have to stay late at work today anyway. I email my coworkers, say goodbye to my husband, and go back to bed.
8:30 a.m. — I rouse myself and walk the dog. Then I make myself avocado toast with an egg on top and orange slices for breakfast. I also take my vitamins. My vitamin D levels are always really low due to the Seattle climate. Watch an episode of The Good Place while eating breakfast.
10 a.m. — Realize the sun is shining, so I walk to Starbucks and buy a cappuccino before catching the bus to work. $4.35
12:30 p.m. — I grab a sesame seed bagel with strawberry cream cheese for lunch and start to feel a little better. I also refill my water bottle. $4.26
6 p.m. — Catch the bus and head home. I was supposed to start a new dance class tonight but I just don't have the energy. On my way home, I pick up hot food from the co-op deli for dinner: rice, steamed veggies, sautéed greens, butter chicken, and mac and cheese. I also grab a can of passionfruit LaCroix. J. and I eat dinner together while watching The Bachelor. Then I take a shower and go to bed. $22.35
Daily Total: $30.96
Day Three
5 a.m. — Alarm goes off because I have to be at work early today. I make breakfast to-go, take my vitamins, and get dressed for work while J. takes out the dog and feeds her. When I'm ready, I take her out for a 30-minute walk, scramble to get all my things together and run to catch the bus.
7:30 a.m. — Work, work, work. My job is always changing and the needs vary from person to person, so it's definitely never boring, although sometimes it is stressful. I eventually take a break from working to eat oatmeal with frozen blueberries, honey, chia seeds, and smashed pecans that I brought from home. I also get a drip coffee. (It's cheaper and sometimes just cozier than a cappuccino.) $2.15
11 a.m. — I eat lunch early today (leftovers from last night) because it's just an early kind of day. After I. finish, I decide to take a walk through my building because it's still cold and rainy outside. I'm feeling much better, so perhaps I've successfully warded off a cold!
3:30 p.m. — Head out of the office to my therapy appointment and realize I am starving. I'm early, so I grab a slice of pizza from across the street ($3.58). I've been seeing my therapist once a week for over a year. She's in my health insurance network, so I pay $11.20 for each visit, and she bills me at the end of each month. If she didn't take my health insurance or if my insurance didn't cover mental health, each visit would cost $170, so I feel incredibly fortunate. I wish there were fewer access barriers to good care in this country. My therapist gives me a bill for the past few sessions and I put it in my purse to look at later. $3.58
5 p.m. — Miss the bus home and decide to walk, since it's still kind of light out (yay!) and not raining (double yay!). Walking is my main source of exercise and a great way to meditate. Because I live in Seattle, every walk involves a sizable hill. When I get home, J. has cleaned the kitchen and I decide to finally make the shrimp soup curry I've been wanting to try. (I bought the ingredients a few days ago.) The recipe method is weird: it's soup, but I'm supposed to steam the broccoli separately and mix the coconut milk with chicken stock in a different bowl. I ignore the instructions and put everything into a soup pot like I normally would. It ends up being delicious! Husband and I eat dinner together and catch up on our days.
9 p.m. — Jump in the shower and go to bed. J. is still recovering from his cold, although he sounds way better than he did a few days ago.
Daily Total: $5.73
Day Four
5 a.m. — Husband's alarm goes off and no one is excited about getting up. I feel the dog burrow deeper into my leg. They groggily get up for their morning routine and I immediately fall back asleep until 6.
6 a.m. — Get up, walk dog. We meet a puppy on our walk and are both stoked. My dog absolutely loves other dogs – puppies in particular. She was chained up in a backyard for the first five years of her life and had multiple litters of puppies without getting the care she needed. When we got her, she had broken teeth (from chewing on a chain), long claws (from never getting nail trims), a fear of men, and horrendous leash behavior. We walk her so much, regardless of weather, because it gives her consistency and gives us all a chance to practice leash-walking. She has come a long way since we got her two years ago. She sits patiently and quietly when she first sees a dog and I can see her using all her little willpower to be good so she can say hello. If you'd told me two years ago that she would learn how to do this, I would have never believed it.
6:30 a.m. — Get home and do my morning routine. While I put lunch together, I remember that I have lunch plans today with a friend I used to work with at my previous job. This means I don't have to lug a giant bag of Tupperware on the bus!
8 a.m. — It's a gorgeous morning (read: light outside and raining slightly, Seattle's version of 80 degrees and sunny), so I walk to Starbucks and get the egg-white bites and a bone-dry cappuccino. My philosophy about money is that if I'm hitting my savings goal and paying my bills and rent responsibly, I can spend the rest of my paycheck on whatever I want. $8.48
11:30 a.m. — Walk to meet up with friends from my old job. It's great to catch up with them and hear updates on the department and their personal lives. We meet for cheap conveyor belt sushi with student prices. Walk back to the office to put in more werk. $16.97
3:30 p.m. — Get home and immediately start brown rice to go with curry soup leftovers for dinner. I clean the apartment a little and look for past billing statements from my therapist. I checked my bill this morning and notice I'd been overcharged, so I rifle through my extremely disorganized filing "system" (a.k.a. the drawer where I put bills after I pay them) and find the past statements. I'll bring everything to my next appointment and get it sorted out.
5 p.m. — Husband and I eat dinner and put on Ocean's Eleven. I saw it years ago when it came out but haven't seen it since and I forgot that it's actually really good! (I'm excited for the next one because Rihanna.) I also take a hit from J.'s weed vape pen that we occasionally smoke throughout the week. Because weed is legal here, the stigma around marijuana use is virtually nonexistent. It's nice to live in a place that's ahead of the curve on this subject, but we keep an eye on the federal government. Halfway through the movie, the munchies hit and we start to crave sweets. It's pouring outside so J. orders us cookies to be delivered. Perks of living in the city.
Daily Total: $25.45
Day Five
6 a.m. — I didn't hear J.'s alarm, so I wake up at 6 a.m., drink a ton of water, take my vitamins, and take the dog for her walk. I have a huge headache that's verging on a migraine. I hope water and fresh air will help. We go straight back to bed afterward.
8 a.m. — Friday is the best because it's my telework day! Teleworking is extremely common in the tech field, but higher education hasn't quite caught on yet. I'm lucky to have a boss who wants to retain good tech talent and has incorporated this option. I open my laptop and start on emails. Once my inbox is under control, I take a break to do a yoga flow and get ready to meet a friend nearby.
10 a.m. — I take my dog out and get her settled in her bed with a Kong and some balls to keep her occupied. She has never destroyed anything in our house, so I trust her to be out of her kennel occasionally when she's home alone. I head up to the coffee shop, get settled with my friend, and order a cappuccino and avocado toast with an egg and pickled cabbage. It's delicious, and my headache subsides! $15.40
12:30 p.m. — After catching up with my friend and working a little bit, I get up for a break and order another item. I try not to camp out at coffee shops for too long without buying anything because I think it's rude. My general rule is to purchase one menu item per hour. So I get their pear and cranberry shrub. $5.13
1:30 p.m. — I pack up and head back home to do more work. My neighbor texts me to see if I'm around for a dog playdate. Our dogs love playing together, and my neighbor has a nice-sized fenced yard, so the dogs can really party. While the dogs play, my neighbor and I have a glass of wine on her patio and enjoy the sunshine. J. texts and asks me out on a date tonight. We've been married for two and a half years, but I still get butterflies.
5 p.m. — J. comes home and takes care of dog duty. Then we decide to walk to a new place for dinner that we've been wanting to try called How To Cook A Wolf. My headache has subsided, but the rain is back, so we take a bus there. We walk in without a reservation but get a spot at the bar because we're so early. I order spaghetti and a glass of wine, and J. gets the gnocchi. It's all absolutely delicious! He picks up the tab.
7 p.m. — We stop by Trader Joe's and get snacks for our drive tomorrow. J. pays for those too. The rain has lessened a little bit, so we walk home. Living in the Pacific Northwest in the winter is like living in a rain cloud.
9 p.m. — We get home and take the dog out. Then we have romantic quality time, which is the best! I stay in bed and read while J. goes out to the living room and watches TV.
Daily Total: $20.53
Day Six
6 a.m. — Dog alarm! She doesn't care about sleeping in on Saturdays; she's just hungry, so I feed her breakfast and we go for a long walk.
7 a.m. — Get home, make peanut butter toast and coffee for breakfast, start laundry, and pack. We booked an Airbnb for the night in a town outside the city where most of our friends live. Our plan is to move there one day, but there aren't as many career opportunities in that area, so for now, we're saving for a down payment and keeping an eye on job postings.
9:30 a.m. — We take the dog to her annual vet appointment. Our dog is strange in that she absolutely loves the vet and gets very excited in the car once she recognizes the vet office's street. She gets a Bordetella vaccine, a complimentary nail trim, a six-month supply of Trifexis, and most importantly, a clean bill of health. A couple of years ago, census data showed that more dogs than children live in Seattle, so we don't skimp on the vaccines or parasite protection. The cost for the visit comes out of our savings, earmarked for dog costs. $234.72
10:30 a.m. — We get home and J. gets himself ready for the weekend while I walk to the UPS store. I have a care package to send my sister, who's in college. The total for packing supplies and shipping comes to $15.24. Then I pop into the used bookstore down the block. Their inventory is excellent and they have a hilarious shop cat who yells at every customer. She won't stop until you greet her so I chat with her a little while I browse. I pick up My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante and The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant ($18.72). $33.96
11 a.m. — There's an Aesop store on my way home, and I've been thinking about getting their Marrakech Intense rollerball for the past two months. (I stop in once a week to use the tester.) At $95, it's an expensive splurge for me, but today I walk in and decide to just buy the dang thing because I really do love it. $104.60
11:15 a.m. — Starbucks is right next door, so I figure since I've already spent hundreds of dollars today, I may as well get a cappuccino. $3.58
1:30 p.m. — We pack up the car and get on the road! My car is 15 years old and I take very good care of it. We could probably get by without a car where we live, but it's nice to have for large grocery trips, hauling the dog around, and getting out of the city. I drive while J. coordinates plans with our friends, and by the time we've reached the Airbnb, he has evening movie plans figured out and tickets bought with gift cards we had.
3 p.m. — Check into the Airbnb and I immediately lock myself in the bathroom to take the longest, hottest bath of my life while J. takes the dog on a long walk. There's a lot to love about our Seattle apartment, but the bathroom situation is not on that list. We have a small hot water heater, which means really short showers. It's good for the environment, but showering at home is not a relaxing part of my day. I luxuriate in the bath and use a toner sample from Aesop. When I finally leave the bathroom, J. puts on the Frozen DVD we found (it's a family-friendly Airbnb) to entertain me while I sit on the couch and do my makeup.
5:30 p.m. — Dog is exhausted from her long day and passes out in her kennel. We always travel with it so doesn't roam around new spaces unattended. We meet friends to watch Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and holy hell, it is amazing. Highly recommend. It's super cathartic to watch Frances McDormand embody this angry character who says and does whatever the hell she wants. It's not a perfect movie, but dang is it truly a movie for our times.
8 p.m. — We go to a new restaurant in town with some friends where another friend manages the bar. I get three tacos and a beer; the food is insane, the company is the best, and I never want to leave. J. and I go dutch. $16.70
10 p.m. — Say our goodbyes and head back to the Airbnb after a busy and fun day. J. and I hang out, get intimate, goof around, and just enjoy each other's company.
Daily Total: $393.56
Day Seven
8 a.m. — Everyone sleeps in, and it's heaven. J. gets up first because he's meeting up with some dudes for breakfast. He's really good at maintaining friendships with great people, which I love about him. Dog and I get out of bed eventually. I feed her, do my morning routine, and then we drive to a park nearby. It's raining heavily and the park is completely empty. I feel my brain stem relax – this solitude is impossible to find in Seattle. We hike the trails and enjoy the quiet, the rain, and the mud.
10 a.m. — We get home and clean up. I start packing up the Airbnb and a friend texts me for a spontaneous coffee date. The dog has passed out in her kennel, so I leave her a Kong and go see my friend. She buys coffee for both of us and we catch up.
11:30 a.m. — Head back to the Airbnb and finish packing up before checking out and heading back home. We drive through Starbucks on the way and I get egg-white bites. J. treats. I'm crying a little about having to leave my friends and the town I love.
1:30 p.m. — Back in the city. We unpack and unwind on the couch a little bit, and then get intimate, which lifts my spirits greatly. We go for a run to Trader Joe's, which is a mile straight uphill, so I stretch a little before we go. The sun is shining and I need sunglasses. It feels so great to be outside, feeling healthy and using my body. At Trader Joe's we stock up on dried fruit and nuts and get sandwich fixings for dinner. J. pays.
2 p.m. — We walk back to the apartment, but I continue on foot to the co-op to buy spinach, tomatoes, tangerines, two grapefruits, a bottle of wine, a chocolate protein Odwalla, garlic-stuffed green olives, and pickled cherry peppers. $30.71
3 p.m. — Get home and feel motivated to do a Gorilla Workout. The workouts on this app are super well-designed; I highly recommend it for something cheaper than a gym membership that you can do in a small apartment. I focus on time and can generally complete one workout in 15 minutes. I get this one done in 10 and am immediately starving afterward, so I snack on olives and cheese.
5 p.m. — J. makes sandwiches for dinner while I jump in the shower with a glass of wine. I've actually gotten pretty good at three-minute showering, and it's just fine for a quick rinse after a workout. Then I hype myself up for a phone call with my mom. My relationship with her is not very good, and the phone convo produces a lot of material that I mentally file away for my next therapy appointment in a couple of days.
8 p.m. — I do my evening skincare routine and jump into bed with my new Elena Ferrante book. I previously read The Days of Abandonment in one day because her style is so captivating. I'm exhausted, so I don't get too far into My Brilliant Friend. Fall asleep with the light on and J. eventually comes to tuck me and the dog into bed.
Daily Total: $30.71
* Name has been changed for anonymity.
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No matter how often you switch up your style, there are a few true wardrobe essentials that keep the beat. We're talking about those faithful staples you've never had to question whether or not it "goes." And, in the genre of bags, that basic is our leather tote. Sure, there's a time and place for minaudières and clutches so pretty they're worth sacrificing your hand for the evening. But, the kind of bags really worth that intensive pre-splurge research are the ones that can carry all our necessary goods: a cell phone, your favorite lipstick, a crushed copy of The New Yorker, a wallet, that other little pouch-y thing for spare change, and 13 floating receipts. Necessities, people.
So, we turned to Rank & Style to help track down exactly the kind of no-BS, well-made, carry-everywhere bag that can live up to such a challenge. Using an algorithm that measures customer reviews, hype, and editorial mentions, the site found that Cuyana tops the tote list. The San Francisco-based brand not only earned glowing editor reviews, but — how's this for a bigger picture — produces its products from ethically sourced materials. Priced at a cool $195, the tote is roomy enough for storing all the things that will take you from morning to night, but it's also made of a quality leather making it feel like it's worth way more than its price. Trust, this is a bag to tote proudly, not just schlep around.
Of course, if you need a bit more persuasion, the similar options ahead may do the trick, too. Check them out, ahead.
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When People asked a mini Selena Gomez to describe her style back in 2009, she answered, “80-year old woman.” She was kidding, but also not completely. And, as beauty trajectories go, the advanced M.O. has served her well.
Unlike many of her peers, Gomez's red carpet evolution is noticeably absent of rainbow hair or fleeting makeup trends. Instead, she opts for classics like old-Hollywood waves, soft updos, smoky eyes, and crimson lips. Still, she’s managed to pull off sophisticated beauty without appearing pearl-clutchingingly conservative. The secret? Modernizing the looks with an edgy outfit, like this Atelier Versace number.
The strategy has served as a best case scenario for transitioning from Disney tween to graceful megastar. Ahead, the unexpected leader of old school shows us how it’s done, 29 different ways.
Loose curls around the face, glossy red lips, and flushed cheeks kept Gomez looking youthful but glam at a 2009 movie premiere.
Photo: Jean Baptiste Lacroix/Getty Images.
So nice, she wore it twice: For this 2009 red carpet, Selena softened the look with bigger curls and more natural-looking makeup.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/TCA 2010/Getty Images.
A fresh take on old-Hollywood waves and tightlined eyes made for a radiant red carpet look at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/TCA 2010/Getty Images.
In 2011, Gomez jumped on the ombré lob train — but in the softest, most subtle way. A rosy flush on lips and cheeks made her complexion glow.
Photo: Marcel Thomas/Getty Images.
We love how Gomez offset her romantic makeup look with a messy, textured updo at the 2011 MTV Movie Awards.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images.
At the 2011 American Music Awards, Gomez took the elements of a classic red carpet look (smoky eye, full lashes, glossy waves) and upgraded them by replacing typical red lips with a fresh coral shade.
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/AMA2011/Getty Images.
We love the orange statement lip almost as much as the off-the-charts confidence that Gomez exuded at the 2012 MuchMusic Video Awards.
Photo: George Pimentel/Getty Images.
Is it just us or can you actually see your reflection in Gomez's glossy mane? Her 2013 strands had us Googling “how to get really shiny hair now.”
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images.
The Selena super-braid made us fangirls back in 2013 — and it’s giving us a similar feel now. Even if we don’t have the length (or extensions) to replicate this long, reverse-French number, it’s motivating us to get our braid on (the easy way).
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images.
We're nominating this copper-kissed balayage (from the summer of 2013) for Gomez's hair hall-of-fame.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images.
Her slit-up-to-there Versace gown was a serious showstopper and so was the makeup. A bright berry lip, softly bronzed skin, and clean, flicked-out liner made this look 100% Selena.
Blowdried strands and a deep part are beauty gold on Gomez.
Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images.
Simple, center-parted hair (worn here in 2014) not only became a major trend during 2015’s award season, but the look serves as a perfect compliment to a bright red lip and mega lashes. Oh, and can we talk about those matching earrings for a sec?
Photo: JB Lacroix/Getty Images.
Gomez shocked Instagram fans when she chopped her waist-length hair into a layered lob in 2015. When styled with Kim Basinger-like, peek-a-boo bangs weeks later, we were instantly smitten.
Photo: Angela Weiss/Getty Images.
A side ponytail is a never-fail hairstyle that Selena pulls off flawlessly.
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/AMA2011/Getty Images.
Deep, luscious locks paired with smoldering smoky eyes makes for a red carpet look for the books.
Our favorite part about Selena’s 2016 Grammys look? It was created with drugstore makeup — and the genius hands of makeup artist Linda Hay.
Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images.
Selena went lighter for summer this year and we're more than here for it.
Photo: AKM/GSI.
Gomez's '70s-inspired bangs complemented her honey blond highlights and wavy texture‚ which she wore for the rest of her Revival tour.
Photo: Via @selenagomez/Instagram.
Gomez chopped her hair — and then lopped off a few more inches to her collarbone shortly thereafter. We hadn't seen the star like this since her Wizards of Waverly Place days — and we dig it.
Photo: Via @tranterjustin/Instagram.
Are we all getting the sense that this shoulder-grazing lob is Gomez's favorite? And when she adds this beachy texture, it might just be ours, too.
Photo: JB Lacroix/GC Images.
A month later at We Day California, we spotted Gomez with face-framing caramel highlights. (The lob: still intact.)
At first, we thought Gomez got bangs, but by the time the red carpet rolled out for the 2017 American Music Awards, the "Wolves" singer appeared with a newly-dyed, platinum bob.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
Is that Gomez or Debbie Harry? Just weeks after the AMAs, she added messy fringe to the blonde-hair mix.
Photo: Neil Mockford/GC Images.
Re-emerging as a brunette, Gomez attended a fashion show in New York with waist-grazing extensions and wispy bangs. Still, the look was very temporary...
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images.
By March, paparazzi caught Gomez out in L.A. rocking an even fresher blunt bob that sits just above her shoulders. Does this mean the sci-fi haircut is officially back?
Photo: Backgrid.
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There’s a meme making the rounds on Instagram that reads, “How to clean up glitter: 1) burn your house down 2) move 3) the glitter followed you. There’s no escape” And it’s not wrong. So when we started noticing an influx of the dopest, glittery-est makeup looks pop up on our favorite celebrities as of late, we were perplexed: Each look shows clean strokes of KiraKira+ shine only in the places where it was intended — without a wayward speck in sight. How the eff? Have celebrity makeup artists like Pati Dubroff and Fiona Stiles — who created recent sparkling looks for Margot Robbie and Katherine Langford, respectively — tapped into some newfangled form of glitter that magically stays put? It turns out, they have.
It’s from a brand called Lemonhead LA, which makes SpacePaste, SpaceJam Luxe, and other high-wattage glitter-packed formulas for body, face, and hair. “The amazing thing about the Lemonhead LA formula is there is no fallout like with loose glitters,” Dubroff says. “The clean up is also easy. After the gel drys, just use a spoolie or brush to flick away unwanted flecks. I will never use traditional loose glitter again.”
Stiles gives the brand similarly glowing reviews: “Since this glitter is encapsulated in the gel base, each piece is coated — unlike using a glitter adhesive with loose glitter — which is more hit or miss and it’s guaranteed to travel. I promise you, I’d never send a client off to a red carpet event using loose glitter. I’d be having multiple heart attacks,” she says.
Finally, a glitter makeup without a mind of its own? Sign us up. Ahead, the makeup pros best tips for creating Lemonhead LA looks, (which, wouldn’t you know it — are right on time for festival season).
Dubroff created this celestial look for her client Margot Robbie by doubling up on Lemonhead LA glitters. “I used SpacePaste in Adult Film, then SpaceJam Luxe in Midnight Society, ” the makeup artist says. She used her finger to swipe glitter gel onto the lid, then tapped glitter gel onto the lids and inner corner of the eyes with a small brush.
“This looks so effortless and modern because the rest of the face is so clean, though I did give Margot a strong brow, which gives the face strength,” she says. “Mascara is minimal and the tones for blush and lips are soft and feel flushed and natural.”
“For this eye, I used a rusty/coppery eyeshadow as a base so that the glitter looked really dense and filled in,” says Stiles, who used Lemonhead LA SpacePaste in Mulholland on Langford. “Then, I popped the glitter all over the lid and up to the crease with a flat synthetic brush. If you’re doing a look where the whole lid is covered in glitter, it’s best to do a base that matches in color so that you don’t have to pack the glitter on too thick.”
Stiles rounded out the look with a wash of pink all around the eyeline, adding a touch of taupe in the crease and outer corners of the eyes to keep them from looking too sickly. Then, she broke one of her guidelines: “As a rule I tend to pair a strong feature with more subdued makeup elsewhere, but in this case I played with a statement eye and statement lip,” she says. "The reason it didn’t feel too overwhelming is because they both lived in the same color family. Since it was monochromatic, it feels cohesive and complimentary.”
For the 2018 Emmys, makeup artist Elle Favorule offset actress Lauren Lapkus’ emerald lids with a hint of Lemonhead LA glitter on the lower lashline.
David Livingston/Getty Images.
Makeup artist Loft Jet tapped Lemonhead LA glitter to add high shine to Tove Lo’s makeup look. Copping a similar look — however pristine — may be easier than you think. “The great thing about this glitter is that it’s in a base that’s really easy to manipulate,” Stiles says. “I love using it for strong statement looks or graphic shapes because you can sort of boss the product around with the edge of flat synthetic brush.”
Notice the ultra-clean face that contrasts this glittery eye look? Makeup artist Alexa N Hernandez seems to have followed a rule touted by both Dubroff and Stiles: Let glitter rule. “I prefer to let the glitter do the talking and not make it about other makeup,” Dubroff says.
Singer Bonnie Mckee shows a surefire way to update monochrome makeup: by pairing it with two-toned glitter on the eyelids. Though she did not create this particular look, Dubroff notes that using glitter paste is “about getting creative and being fearless.” Mission accomplished.
Densely-packed chartreuse glitter on the eyelids (Lemonhead LA SpacePaste in Jailbait), makes a no-makeup makeup look pop. The effect indicates that makeup artist Robin Black didn’t hold back when covering the lids. Still, the overall vibe is fresh and clean. “Glitter isn’t for the faint of heart, so you may as well just go for it,” Stiles says. “But that said, I do like the skin to feel touchable and not heavily painted, so it still feels youthful.”
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Blondes, particularly those of the unnatural variety, have long been using purple shampoo as an in-shower secret weapon to keep their color looking fresh. It's proof that the color wheel does come in handy outside of elementary-school art class: The cool tones in purple cancel out any unwanted warmth and keep bleached hair looking freshly dyed.
Brunettes, meanwhile, have had no such magic solution to stop their colored hair from turning brassy... until now. Blue toning shampoos are the latest beauty product being championed by and for brunettes, and it's going to be a game-changer for the lasting power of your color. The same way purple shampoo is used to neutralize yellow tones, blue works by following the theory of complementary colors. It promises to banish red and orange tones, leaving dark hair cooler and with more depth — and shinier, too.
"In the same way that blonde hair can turn brassy, brunette hair is also prone to oxidizing, which can bring out orange or red tones," says stylist Ken O'Rourke, an ambassador for Charles Worthington, which has just come out with its own line of blue shampoo available on the UK high street. O'Rourke recommends using a blue toning shampoo once a week, or alternating it with your regular shampoo as needed.
Another solid pick is Aveda's Blue Malva Shampoo, which has actually been on the market for years, but has been unfairly overshadowed by its purple counterparts. Its star ingredients, sustainably-gathered blue malva and Centaurea cyanus extracts, are responsible for the natural bright-blue tint that neutralizes brassiness in chemically treated hair. Joico's Color Balance Blue Shampoo promises similar results, especially on darker brunettes with salon highlights. It guards against color fade and keeps hair nourished while warding off those warm tones. Matrix's Total Results Brass Off Shampoo deposits blue-violet pigments as it works, and you can even leave it on for up to three minutes for the most dramatic results. Say it with us: Blue on, brass off.
Ciara's already got talent, a hot loving husband, gorgeous children, and insane dance moves. (I'm still trying to hit the Matrix nearly 10 years later.) All of which are a tiny bit unattainable. Her makeup bag, however, is something that we can get behind. Turns out, the "Dance Like We're Making Love" singer is a drugstore girl like the rest of us — and none of her picks will cost you more than $15.
In an interview with Allure, Ciara admits that she starts her routine with an unconventional cleanser. "It's really bad, but I wash my face with my body soap," she said of her beloved Dove. "I was telling a dermatologist that, and they thought I was crazy. They were looking at me like I had four eyes or something. Whatever I wash my body with, I will use for my face. I don't know if that's the smartest thing." Hey, if it ain't broke...
After that, she slathers on Cetaphil and Aquaphor Healing Ointment, plucked right from her kids' diaper bag. (Ciara just welcomed her first child with Russell Wilson, Sienna Princess Wilson, in February.) "It's actually kind of three-in-one for me, 'cause it's really for my babies, but I use it as well," she told Allure. As for glam, the Revlon ambassador reaps the benefits of having access to some of the best from the line. She slicks on Ultra HD Lip Color in Seduction, and fills her brows in with the ColorStay Brow Pencil.
So if you add up her body/face wash, moisturizers, and makeup essentials — it rounds up to less than $50 total. Which is a pretty good steal for looking flawless, if you ask us.
Oh, the recklessness of youth. Everyone remembers the first time they went ham on their eyebrows, whether it was an attempt to emulate your older sister's perfectly tweezed arches (without your mom's knowledge, of course) or getting an equally clueless friend to wax them with the drugstore's finest at-home strips (ouch).
Perhaps eyebrows were so alluring to us as teens because they were less intimidating than other body hair; or perhaps it was their ability to change the way our face looked — even if it rarely worked out the way we wanted. The '00s was a particularly rough patch, with celebrities and mere mortals alike launching a full-throttle attack on their eyebrows.
Our unscientific theory: In the '90s, genuinely cool women like Drew Barrymore and Janet Jackson successfully worked pencil-thin brows, which led to a generation of teens hacking away at their own with whatever tool was to hand. By the time the '00s came around, we'd gone too far. There were patches, length issues, regrowth impossibilities, and straight-up getting hooked on the oh-so-satisfying pluck.
With big, bold, and bushy the shape du jour, it's a frustrating time for teens of the '90s and '00s. Regrowth isn't easy, and for some of us, all hope of rocking thick, luscious brows died with our very first Tweezerman. But your outlook is about to change: The hilarious Instagram account @historyofoverplucking is here to soothe your nonexistent brow woes and prove that, actually, less can be more. Who needs gels and tints and threading?
Click through to see the best examples of teeny, tiny, skinny brows, modeled by the coolest women out there. They'll make you feel so much better about the damage that's already been done — but don't even think about picking up the tweezers again. That was the old you, remember?
The inimitable Naomi Campbell in a Fendi eyewear ad from 1993, proving that baby bangs and bold brows were as much of a look back then as they are now.
Courtney Love and Pamela Anderson, badass blonde bombshells of the '90s, making a case for tiny brows and extra eyeshadow, and for always having a buddy system before leaving the club.
Zooey Deschanel plays William's cooler, vinyl-touting older sister in cult film Almost Famous. We loved her as much for her dissatisfaction with her humdrum hometown as for her relatable brows.
If Aretha approves...
Even the ladies of yore kept their brows on point, as this fresco proves.
A '90s Kate Moss championed the skinny brow, in line with the minimalist aesthetic of the decade.
Janet forever and ever, amen. Bonus points for those extreme arches.
Ah, Kristin Cavallari: bad girl of The Hills, bad girl of brows.
Anjelica Huston can pull off just about any look, but this one in particular is pure pastel-eye inspiration.
Pearl choker? Check. LBD? Check. Slicked-back, bleached-blonde 'do? Check. Mauve lips? Check. Drew's brows are the cherry on top of her stellar '93 Golden Globes look.
Bigger brows would only draw attention away from Diana Ross' magnificent eyes.
This look is pretty much everything we strived for circa 2000.
Lil' Kim needs no introduction.
It wouldn't be a nostalgia trip without Gwen — brows thinner than your liner is no mean feat.
Even Renaissance babes had mega thin brows — it's a trend that has spanned centuries.
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First, it takes a bit of courage to wear head-to-toe yellow — so to spend the almost-$200 on this outfit, you need to be up for the challenge. Second, with it's retro-inspired notched lapel, double-breasted front, and matching wide-leg pants, it's a power suit statement waiting to happen. Oh, and did I mention it's corduroy (another one of the season's biggest trends)? It's a win, win, win, so there's no wonder I'm not the only one who's fallen hard for it.
Of course, it's always a bit of a bummer when someone (erm, at least 10 other people) has the same Zara outfit as you do, but with a suit this cool, can you really blame any of us? Click on to see the set in action and shop it before it's gone — because nothing at Zara ever lasts long, especially something this good.
On Monday, Ivanka Trump toured a job-training and science facility in Waukee, Iowa, in order to promote the president's infrastructure plan, which was released in February. The plan includes funding for federal job-training programs.
As part of her tour, she participated in a series of experiments, like measuring the nicotine content of "vape juice" in an electronic cigarette.
"This is so amazing. This is such a cool place to come," Trump said, according to Business Insider. "It's going to be hard to get rid of us."
She tweeted a photo of herself in safety goggles, a lab coat, and gloves. "I can't promise that I'll get this right, but at least we'll look the part, right?" she said.
"Hey @IvankaTrump it's great that you like to cosplay as a scientist on Instagram but some of us are an #ActualLivingScientist. Tell us about what you're doing in this picture. I'm making a battery. #ILookLikeAnEngineer," a NASA engineer wrote.
Others felt the photo was begging to be meme-ified.
Ok, here’s my meme; I hope everyone looks at it, cause I’d love some opinions. There was so damned much material to choose from. pic.twitter.com/Ko2XSUWI4H
— never claimed i was funny (@veronicamariez2) March 20, 2018
Cosplaying aside, these photos seem even stranger when you think about the Trump administration's hostile stance toward science. The administration has pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Accord, and has been skeptical about climate change despite all scientific evidence to the contrary. Paying lip service to "science" in this way is similar to tweeting about #TimesUp but not doing a thing about it.
This isn't the first time Ivanka has caught flak for not exactly knowing what she's talking about. She was booed at the W20 Summit in Berlin last April, where she was invited by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. There, she called the president "a tremendous champion of supporting families and enabling them to thrive" while talking about paid family leave, to which many objected.
Ivanka entered her White House senior adviser role with zero political experience, having spent most of her career on her fashion and accessories line. In Michael Wolff's explosive book Fire and Fury, Steve Bannon said the following about her intelligence: "She became a White House staffer and that's when people suddenly realized she's as dumb as a brick. A little marketing savvy and has a look but as far as understanding actually how the world works and what politics is and what it means — nothing. Once you expose that, you lose such credibility."
Rappers with puppies are cute. But rappers with tattoos dedicated to their adorable stepdaughters win by a landslide. Waka Flocka, who has ink on nearly every inch of his body, just added a very special piece to his collection: a huge arm tattoo of his 12-year-old stepdaughter Charlie's face.
While on tour in Europe, the "No Hands" musician made a pitstop at artist Myrrhe Esmeralda 's private studio. There, she sketched a selfie that Charlie posted only one day ago, and got to work. "Favorite tattoo now," Waka captioned the Instastory post once Esmeralda finished the detailed piece.
Waka's wife, Tammy Rivera, also posted a side-by-side image of the new ink, with a sweet caption: "When he love your child more than he [loves] you... that’s when you know it’s real! Stepfather would be an insult," she wrote. And of course, Charlie posted the photo as well — because being a muse for a giant face tat is definitely grounds for 7th grade bragging rights if you ask us.
If you're a fan of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, then you're likely familiar with the rollercoaster ride of Waka and Rivera's relationship. The couple, who married in 2014 and separated in 2016, have had their share of splits and reunions — and Flocka himself is no stranger to controversy. But one thing that has always remained the same was the care that Waka has for Charlie... and it's a beautiful thing to watch. Waka's new addition is a little bolder than the tiny butterflies Travis Scott and Kylie Jenner got for Stormi, or Beyoncé's three dots (presumably for Blue Ivy, Rumi, and Sir), making the sentiment that much more heartwarming.
If you’re Selena Gomez, every haircut and vacation day is tracked in tabloids and on social media. For better or worse, it’s something that comes with global super-stardom (and an Instagram following that exceeds the entire population of Japan). But when the steady stream of Selena updates come with a nasty side with body shaming? Well, that’s when our girl straight-up shuts it down.
Such was the case this week, after paparazzi published shots of Gomez hanging out on a yacht on Australian waters with friends — a totally innocuous way to spend a sunny day in Sydney, but something that sparked all kinds of commentary about her body on social media.
Just hours after the flurry of inappropriate comments started to circulate the internet, Gomez took a stand in an Instagram post that seems to speak directly to body shamers. The star posted another version of the day’s events, a much more intimate look at her life than the invasive paparazzi shots zoomed in on her kidney-transplant scar: a vintage-filtered video of her friends on a boat, smiling, snuggling, and basking in the sun with avocado snacks on standby.
Her accompanying comment spoke directly to the shamers: "The beauty myth- an obsession with physical perfection that traps modern woman in an endless cycle of hopelessness, self consciousness, and self-hatred as she tries to fulfill society’s impossible definition of flawless beauty. I chose to take care of myself because I want to, not to prove anything to anyone,” she wrote. "Wind in her sails."
This isn’t the first time Selena has used her platform to respond to bullying. Nor is it the first time Gomez has been the brunt of online body shaming — and it’s likely not going to be the last. But each time people are compelled to throw impossible beauty standards in her face, Selena has a hell of an arsenal with which to fight back: a strong sense of self and an astounding 134 million followers on Instagram with whom she can set things straight. And to that we say: Slay, Selena, slay.
Call us late to the game, but we’ve suddenly come to the realization that Queen Elizabeth II, is, maybe, a closeted Fashion Person™? During London Fashion Week, she sat next to the reigning queen of the industry, Ms. Anna Wintour, at Richard Quinn’s fall 2018 presentation, after which she presented the designer with the first-ever Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. Kate Middleton even shies away from wearing wedges because, apparently, HRH “isn’t a fan” — see, she gets it.
Photo: Jeremy Selwyn/WPA Pool/Getty Images.
On Tuesday, we learned the Queen has a bit of street style cred, too. The 91-year-old was on-hand at the Royal Academy of Arts in central London to celebrate its completion of a major renovation. For the event, which coincided with the first day of spring, she chose a bright orange winter coat, matching hat, and, wait for it, Gucci leather horse-bit loafers.
After a bit of photo research, it appears HRH has been a fan of her Gucci loafers for quite some time; she's been wearing them since before the Italian fashion label’s major resurgence, partly because they look just like her beloved patent leather Anello & Davide loafers. Only the biggest difference between street style stars who wear the shoes and the Queen is that she has someone whose sole job is to break them in; the employee walks around Buckingham Palace in beige cotton ankle socks to ensure the shoes won't give the Queen blisters.
Designer Stewart Parvin, the queen's wardrobe couturier of 12 years, told The Telegraph, "The shoes have to be immediately comfortable…she does get someone to wear them [in]. The Queen can never say ‘I’m uncomfortable, I can’t walk any more.' She has the right to have someone wear them in." And to that we say, life in the Queen’s shoes, is in fact, Gucci.
Have you ever walked out of Whole Foods Market for less than $100? Us neither — and certainly not after browsing the beauty aisle, which is stocked with clean beauty goodness as far as the eye can see. But this week? This week, friends, our bank accounts will prevail, as nearly the entire department is marked down for the store’s fourth annual beauty week.
Starting tomorrow and running through March 27, all makeup, facial care, hair care, nail polish, and makeup brushes can be had for 25% off, across the board. That means stocking up on the brand’s top-selling finds, like Acure Hydrating Moroccan Oil Shampoo, Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream, Mad Hippie Vitamin C Facial Serum, Naturtint Hair Color, and Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner, for the lowest prices ever.
Also in the offering: a limited-edition Piece & Co beauty bag made by artisans in developing countries and stocked with $100 worth of products from brands including Alba, Dr. Hauschka, evanhealy, Mineral Fusion, Trilogy, Weleda, W3LL People, and more. The best part? It’s being sold for a mere $20. (We’d take that for the evanhealy Rose Cleansing Milk and Dr. Hauschka Lip Care Stick alone.) The limited-edition bags will be available this Friday, March 23, only. Though a Whole Foods Market spokesperson tells us they will be available at each of the company’s 457 US stores, something tells us these suckers won’t last.
Whether nabbing one of these well-stocked bags or not, those with an eye on clean beauty can rest assured that whatever score they find has passed the store’s strict ingredient standards — which weeds out all products containing any of the 100-plus ingredients that the company considers iffy for health (stuff like phthalates, microbeads, triclosan, BHT, BHA, and aluminum chlorohydrate, to start). Shopping for beauty products already vetted for clean ingredients while they’re on major sale: How’s that for a deal within a deal?
Update:Cynthia Nixon has officially confirmed that she's running for governor of New York, challenging incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo on issues such as public education and the ailing subway system. She held her first campaign rally on Tuesday.
This story was originally published on August 9, 2017.
From Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger, to President Trump and Kid Rock, we've seen male celebrities run for political office for decades. They are fearless, confident, transparent about their political aspirations, and more often than you might expect, they win. But as we gear up for the 2018 and the 2020 elections, it's worth asking: Where are the female celebrities?
Cynthia Nixon, beloved for her role as attorney Miranda Hobbes in Sex and the City, made headlines last week after The Wall Street Journal reported she was considering running against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the 2018 Democratic primary. (Her representative declined to comment for this story.)
On Tuesday, Nixon said she was aware of the reports, saying on the Today show, "I think there are a lot of people who would love me to run. " However, she wouldn't confirm whether she really is interested in running for office or not. Other women, like Oprah Winfrey and Caitlyn Jenner, suggested earlier this year they could throw their hats in the ring for president and the Senate, respectively. But while Jenner doubled down on her comments last month, Winfrey changed gears during a podcast with The Hollywood Reporter and said, "I will never run for public office."
In contrast, male celebrities aren't holding back. Kid Rock announced his bid for the U.S. Senate seat currently occupied by Michigan Democrat Debbie Stabenow. And even though Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson hasn't launched his 2020 presidential bid (yet), he has certainly capitalized on the possibility by joking about it on Saturday Night Live and saying it's "a real possibility" in an interview with GQ.
In a country where a real-estate-mogul-turned-reality-show-host can become president, the Terminator can become the governor of California, and a cast member of The Real World can end up in the U.S. House of Representatives, there's a curious void of female celebrities in the political landscape. While male celebs represent a small fraction of all people running for public office at any given moment, female celebrities are largely absent. So we set to find out: Why aren't they running?
Refinery29 reached out to Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics, to ask whether the reasons everyday women chose not to run for office apply to female celebrities.
"If I think about the challenges women face when they think about running for office, or who gets recruited: Research shows that [with] men and women with the same kind of resumes, the men are more likely to run than women," she said. "That might be true for celebrities!"
Female celebrities, after all, belong to a group that's underrepresented in government: Women currently hold 20% of the seats in Congress, only six states have female governors, and women make up about 24% of all state legislators in the country. What this all means is that gender parity in politics won't be a reality until 2117 if we continue electing women at this rate. (Yes, you read that right: A full century.)
"On one hand, you have these [gender disparity] issues, even among celebrities. [Women] might want to get some policy accomplished but they might not look to government to do it," Walsh said. "But you also probably have this idea of being qualified."
Research has shown there are many reasons for this disparity, among them the fact that women are more likely to run if they're recruited, instead of coming up with the possibility themselves like men often do; women tend to believe that if they're interested in a policy aspect, they can get more done outside of government; and there's a presumption that men are automatically qualified, even if they don't have a political background, while women have to prove they have the qualifications to hold office.
"It's maybe even more complicated for women celebrities, to be able to kind of prove that they're not 'just' an actress, 'just' a comedian ... that you also bring qualifications, smarts, policies, opinions, and beliefs."
Nixon may be well perceived as qualified by certain groups, even though she's never held political office. She's an education activist and has been outspoken about the issues with Gov. Cuomo's education policies. Nixon has also been a staunch supporter of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio since he first ran for office. Her wife Christine Marinoni joined the administration in 2014, and after de Blasio's re-election, Nixon was named to the advisory board for the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City.
“She’s an out-of-the-box candidate with progressive credentials who would excite people,” Billy Easton, director of the public-education advocacy group Alliance for Quality Education, told The Wall Street Journal.
Whether she'll end up running in 2018 remains to be seen. This is also true for Caitlyn Jenner, who has already caught the eye of organizations such as the LGBTQ advocacy group Log Cabin Republicans. As a high-profile transgender woman who has never held public office before and would run as a Republican in a deep-blue state such as California, Jenner is an interesting case. If she's able to secure a Senate seat, it would be a huge win for LGBTQ and female Republicans.
"Any time we have transgender voices in the conversation about LGBT nondiscrimination is a win for the community. And it's even more so when you have Republican transgender voices advocating on behalf of the community, especially when you have a Republican transgender voice that has the celebrity that Caitlyn Jenner does," Gregory T. Angelo, national president of Log Cabin Republicans, told Refinery29.
We need more women in office — women of color, queer women, transgender women, mothers, women with no kids, single women, married women, widows, women of all religions, women of all political backgrounds — and female celebrities can help the ratio.
Adding women like Nixon and Jenner to the roster of governors and senators would be a win for female representation. As more women consider running for office (Emily's List reports a record 16,000 potential candidates for upcoming elections) maybe we'll see more female celebrities give it a shot, too.
After all, their male peers aren't hesitating to run for public office.
It's one day into her campaign for governor of New York, and it's already obvious that Cynthia Nixon wants to make fixing the ailing subway a huge priority. As luck (or probability) would have it, she experienced the MTA's soul-deadening delays firsthand on the way to her first campaign rally on Tuesday.
Nixon was late due to major delays that likely happened because of an early-morning fatality on the tracks. Police said transit worker St. Clair Ziare Richards-Stephens fell in a subway tunnel and suffered trauma to his head. He was pronounced dead on the scene. As a result, the city's lagging infrastructure caused service suspension and chaos in some of its major transit hubs.
"It should have taken 30 minutes. It's now an hour and 10 and we are still not there," Nixon toldAM New York. It's unclear if Nixon knew at the time what was causing the delays.
Cynthia NIXON speaks about her no good commute to her first event: “A quintessential moment in Cuomo’s MTA” pic.twitter.com/XJVg6ysSw1
“I literally had to get off three separate trains, and that doesn’t include when we were able to stay on the trains but just sit in the tunnel,” she told a New York Times reporter.
She added that this was "a quintessential moment in Cuomo's MTA."
When she finally arrived at the rally in Brownsville, Brooklyn, she wasted no time in criticizing her opponent, incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Nixon is running on a populist message, aiming to improve the public school system, enforce minimum wage laws, and fight against "mass incarceration and the over-policing of communities of color."
But at the rally, it was #CuomosMTA that really got her fired up.
"We need to fix our broken subway. You know that and I know that because we are on it every day, unlike Governor Cuomo," Nixon said. "The subway is the lifeblood of our city. If the subway dies, so does New York and right now our subways are on life support."
“If the subway dies, so does New York, and right now our subways are on life support,” Nixon says, criticizing Gov. Cuomo’s handling of the MTA #tictocnewspic.twitter.com/YVFT6Qmm5T
Cuomo and Nixon will face off in the New York Democratic primary on September 13. The criticisms from Cuomo's camp are already coming: On Tuesday, former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn slammed Nixon in an interview with the New York Post for endorsing Bill de Blasio over her in the 2013 Democratic mayoral primary.
"Cynthia Nixon was opposed to having a qualified lesbian become mayor of New York City. Now she wants to be an unqualified lesbian to be the governor of New York. You have to be qualified and have experience. She isn’t qualified to be the governor," Quinn said.
She added: "She’s an accomplished actress, a supporter of political causes and that’s a good thing. Participating in rallies is important. But she’s never run an organization. Being an actress and celebrity doesn’t make you qualified for public office. This is a time to move away from celebrity and toward progressive leadership."
Oh look the candidate was on my train! She’s talking to the other stuck commuters. Debating now what to do — do we walk? Or wait and hope the train comes? pic.twitter.com/nQZMQPkn1B
Nixon, meanwhile, maintained that the state needs an outsider to wade through what she called a "cesspool" in Albany. The race, she said, is about "the corruption in Albany. It’s time for an outsider. I’m not an Albany insider."
There was no need to mention her sexual orientation, but Quinn (who identifies as a lesbian) may have just inadvertently handed Nixon a gift: It's a memorable phrase that could be used in the candidate's favor. (For the record, Nixon has at one point said she identifies as bisexual, even though she seems to prefer not to put a label on it.)
"Her being a lesbian and my being a lesbian" is not the point, Nixon said.
We've reached out to representatives for Nixon and Cuomo, and will update this story when we hear back.
Instead, the 36-year-old tells Vogue she now spends most of her time in a nightgown. “It’s tricky because as a mother, you don’t take as much risk with your style,” she says. “I think when I was younger I took so many risks and really went for it. There was no planning what I wore, and it was like, okay, I am just going to put on the most outrageous thing. I think as a mother you hold back from that out of fear of embarrassing your kids and out of respect for them.”
Not to be confused with someone who doesn’t get what the youth deem cool to wear, Spears says “there is something very courageous about the younger generation just wearing whatever they want all the time, but I don’t know if I could do it at this point,” she tells the magazine. “I think I would go and hide under a rug or something, because I’ve been dressing a certain way the past 15 years and I wouldn’t know how to react to a big change.”
Luckily for the singer’s sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James, who are 12 and 11, respectively, Spears says part of being a good mother is allowing them to discover who they are and how they want to dress. “As a mother, I used to be very strict about what they wore, but, at this point, they are growing up and becoming their own people. I want them to do their own thing — I respect that.”
If you've ever had the jitters going into an important job interview or big presentation, chances are you've been delivered the old adage to picture the rest of the room in their underwear. Speaking singularly, I can easily say that picturing a group of strangers (or worse, higher-ups) in next to nothing doesn't exactly settle my stomach. Thinking on it a little further, I'm left with a question: What if the real key to calming nerves, or simply giving us that added boost of fearlessness to take on the day, isn't to picture others in their undergarments — but ourselves?
Hear me out: While the quick fix may not be to directly envision ourselves rocking an almost-birthday-suit in front of the whole world (though, to each their own), instead, maybe there's something to be said about channeling that stripped-down, totally authentic version of ourselves — as in, at home, feeling totally at ease in our favorite lacy bras or sheer bodysuits. To explore, I tapped five women in partnership with DKNY to see whether they believe that what they don underneath it all actually holds the power to improve their daily outlook. Spoiler alert: They don't call 'em lucky pairs for nothing.
"I recently got back into the dating game after a bit of a hiatus, and I can confidently say the best first-date advice I've ever received was to wear underwear you feel sexy in, even if no one but you will see it. I gave it a shot and wore my favorite supportive, sexy bodysuit to drinks with my latest right-swipe. Lo and behold — the date was a total slam dunk. Who knows if we'll see each other again, but if we do, I'll definitely be wearing that bodysuit." —Jacqueline
"While pink may not be your typical 'sexy' color, it's by far the one that makes me feel most on point, so most of my undergarments tend to be that hue. When I interviewed for my current job, I was wearing my all-time-favorite pink set, and just having it on underneath my business look gave me an added burst of confidence. While I don't want to say that it was all thanks to my lucky pair, I did get the job." — Jen
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"My everyday style is typically pretty sporty and chill, so I'd like to think what I wear underneath (ahem, bralettes all day, every day) is a reflection of that. Being authentic to myself and my own unique style is what makes me feel sexiest. As far as hidden superpowers go — last time I wore my favorite matching bralette and underwear set, I found a five-dollar bill on the ground on my way to the subway. If that doesn't scream lucky, I don't know what does." —Katie
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"Because my style mantra is comfort over everything else, a slightly high-waisted brief with a sports-bra-like top is my ultimate undergarment situation. I feel my sexiest in a full-coverage panty because not only does it smooth me out all over, but it also makes me feel reminiscent of a 1950s pinup star — and what could make a girl feel more confident than that?" —Alison
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"When it comes to undergarments, two things are really important to me: style and support. I'm a little more on the busty side, which doesn't make finding bras that are supportive and cute easy, so when I do find the perfect combo, that feels like a lucky streak in and of itself. Case in point: I bought my recent favorite in three shades, and every single time I wear it, I get compliments on my outfit." —Marissa
DKNY, $38, available at DKNYDKNY, $18, available at DKNY
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