J. Crew is so into stripes, the retailer has decided we need an entire day devoted to the timeless print. A full-fledged, totally made-up holiday, in fact. This Friday, March 31, is the first-ever "National Stripes Day," and they've got a treat in store (literally) for those that want to flaunt their love of the pattern. (Hey, if there's a National Margarita Day and a National Pizza Day, why not one devoted to a perennially popular print?)
"It's really just to celebrate our love of stripes," Somsack Sikhounmuong, J.Crew's head women's designer, told Refinery29 of how the made-up holiday came about. "Stripes has always been part of our DNA here at J.Crew, whether it’s a deck striped tee, striped button up shirts, or a striped ball skirt. Stripes are such a classic for anyone’s wardrobe."
In honor of the lighthearted "holiday," which, of course, has its own hashtag, #nationalstripesday, the retailer is giving us all an incentive to add more of the nautical-ish, French girl-beloved motif into our closets. On Friday, J.Crew's offering a one-day-only gift with purchase when you buy any striped item in stores: an array of patches, including the ones pictured here, which a sales associate can affix to your new threads.
Plus, head over to the retailer's blog to see how four members of the brand's women's design team go about personalizing their striped garb. (Now, we're wondering why we've never considered tie-dyed stripes before.)
If you need a refresher on why stripes are reliably dope, check out the below video, in which J.Crew's president and executive creative director, Jenna Lyons, describes her whole aesthetic as "tomboy meets grandma." She accurately effuses about how versatile the print is: "as far as I'm concerned stripes are like denim; they go with everything." We concur, Jenna. Browse through J.Crew's extensive selection of the pattern to plot what you'll be buying in one of its brick-and-mortar locations on Friday to nab those sweet patches.
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By now, everyone should know not to mess with Chrissy Teigen on Twitter. The model and TV show host doesn't hold back. If she doesn't like you, she'll let you know — and now Fox News definitely knows. The network tagged Teigen in a tweet linking to an article about her response to the United Airlines leggings scandal, and she was not happy.
".@ chrissyteigen speaks out against @ united for banning girls from boarding their flight because they wore leggings," it read. Ten minutes later, she responded.
@FoxNews I respectfully ask you please don't ever tag me in anything, ever. Words cannot explain how much I detest you.
"I respectfully ask you please don't ever tag me in anything, ever," she wrote. "Words cannot explain how much I detest you."
While she definitely didn't want to be associated with a network she disagrees with, there's another reason someone might not want to be tagged in such a public tweet. She did speak out against United Airlines, but Fox News tagging her in a tweet sent to 13.9 million followers makes it much easier for those who disagree with her to harass her with hate. Instead of having to look her up, they can respond to the tweet and give her rude notifications right then and there. And they did. In fact, she retweeted some of her favorites.
@chrissyteigen@FoxNews Oh get a grip, Chrissy. You detest the truth? How many immigrants live in your houses? How many do you support? Joke
Being a working new mom is rewarding, but it can also be a challenge. You have a sweet baby to come home to every day. But then, while you're at work you might have to worry about pumping breastmilk.
Peta Murgatroyd, who welcomed her son Shai in January with husband Maksim Chmerkovskiy, shared a powerful photo on Instagram Monday. Before Dancing with the Stars aired, the dancer posted an image of herself pumping breastmilk in her DWTS trailer.
"My milkshakes do not bring all the boys to the yard/trailer 🤷🏼♀️ Oh the joys of motherhood! #setlife @dancingabc," Murgatroyd captioned the photo.
A post shared by Peta Murgatroyd (@petamurgatroyd) on
It's great to see a celebrity posting a candid photo about pumping, but that's not the only reason we're obsessed with Murgatroyd's Instagram post. The image shows her in full hair and makeup for the show — contrasted with the T-shirt she's wearing and the breast pump on the table. And, of course, on the other side of her sparkly costume closet, there's a mini-nursery for baby Shai. The dressing room is decked out with a changing area, along with several stuffed animals and a mobile.
Murgatroyd's fans were quick to comment in support of her work-life balance. "Love!! You are doing great!! Proud of you Momma!" one Instagram user wrote. "Work work work work work! Go Peta, kicking ass!" another commented.
Between dancing with Nick, planning a wedding, and running a lifestyle blog, Murgatroyd is doing a lot — all while being a devoted mom, too. Her fans are right — Murgatroyd is definitely kicking ass.
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Some people say the only way to stop online harassment is to stop going online. Well, we aren't going anywhere. Reclaim Your Domain is Refinery29's campaign to make the internet (and the world outside of it) a safer space for everyone — especially women.
Congresswoman Katherine Clark is no stranger to online abuse. She has had Twitter users call her an "absolute pussy," tell her they will "kick her in the cunt," and instruct her to "resign, rear some children, and find the beckoning empty kitchen."
These attacks are standard territory for female politicians, especially one like Clark, who is making it her mission to combat online attacks.
"Any woman who has run for office is certainly no stranger to online abuse," Clark told Refinery29. "But what I quickly realized was that as a member of Congress, I had resources and law enforcement tools at my hand that a typical woman online doesn't have."
Three of the issues she regularly addresses — swatting, doxxing, and sextortion — are ones that still haven't become part of our common vernacular. For the uninitiated, doxxing is when someone posts private information about someone online as a form of revenge. Sextortion is a form of sexual blackmail, in which someone threatens to post sexually explicit photos of another persona online if sexual favors aren't performed. Swatting is a cybercrime that involves prank calling the police and reporting a false emergency with the intent of bringing armed officers to someone's home. In 2016, Clark looked outside her window to see a large police force, long guns out, on her lawn. Before realizing that she, too, had been targeted in a swatting attack, "there was just this moment of real terror about what was happening," she says. "Was there a threat to my family that I was unaware of?"
Today, Clark faces a unique challenge. Because swatting, doxxing, and sextortion are terms that members of Congress are less familiar with, any attempts to introduce and enact new legislation requires a certain amount of education. Nevertheless, Clark is starting to gain ground. We spoke with her about her own experience with swatting, what all victims need to remember, and what's next in the fight against online abuse.
Where does your interest in fighting online abuse stem from?
"It really came out of when we first came into Congress and Gamergate was dominating the headlines. We started hearing from constituents and working with advocates on how to address this. And it became obvious that this was more than coarse language — this was an economic issue that was driving women in particular offline and was really making their personal safety in their own homes of great concern to them.”
Why do you think that women are victims of online abuse more often than men?
“I think misogyny is still thriving, unfortunately...And I think that feminists and journalists are particularly targeted online for espousing feminist views.”
What challenges do victims of swatting, doxxing, and online abuse face right now in the legal system?
"What we're finding is that many of the local law enforcement are very well intentioned and want to be helpful, but simply don't have the tools, training, or understanding that something that is happening online can have very real effects in person. It can be such a devastating occurrence to be swatted or to have your personal information released through doxxing online.
"There is still a cultural change that needs to take place that says, even if you don't have a swatting incident at your house, online abuse and those threats are disruptive to victims’ careers, to their professional lives, and to their social lives. They can be very damaging as far as money spent on security, and also psychologically, to feel that there is no safe place because you don't really know who the threats are coming from or when they may come out of the virtual world and into the real world."
Why do you think it has taken so long for us to see real legal action taken in this arena?
"Unfortunately, I think our judicial system, our law enforcement system is just not geared and trained to look for this type of online abuse that rises to the level of a crime. So much of the legislation and advocacy that we've been doing is to give the FBI and local law enforcement the training and the resources so they know how to collect evidence, how to work with this new type of crime and threat, and to be sure that they are prosecuting at much higher rates so that it really reflects the level of abuse that women in particular are experiencing online."
What progress has been made?
"I think we are seeing changes. It's been a very positive thing to have many of my bills be bipartisan. I think there is an understanding and education that needs to happen...but I feel like we are starting to increase that education and have people understand that the Internet needs to remain free and open to everyone, and that we can do a small part by making sure our laws are up-to-date and using our public voices in this advocacy to ensure there are more prosecutions and that we are really being proactive in how to combat online abuse."
Is there anything that victims need to remember to do if they want to bring something to law enforcement?
"We've seen a lot of victims delete really offensive and horrible Twitter messages or Facebook posts, and unfortunately you need to keep a record of those. We are really trying to work with the developers and companies of many of these social media platforms so that it's easier for users to know what to do if they are the victims of online abuse."
What's next in this fight?
"We have put together a package of bills and proposals that we’ve been working on to combat severe online threats and abuse, and we are actively seeking co-sponsors and moving on with that legislation. And at the same time, we are working with advocates and with companies in the social media space to see what we can do to further develop resources and training for local law enforcement."
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The word 'slut' is right up there with 'moist' on the list of words in the English dictionary we loathe. But it just might be getting a new life, as 'pussy' recently did, because one woman is taking back the word — through beauty, of all things. Meet Lipslut, a matte, mauve-y pink lipstick with a political spin.
Deeply upset by the election, Katie Sones, a college student in San Luis Obispo, California, sought out ways to fight the good fight in the name of feminism, Teen Vogue reports. She polled her followers on social media for a favorite lipstick shade, and gave the winning pink (no surprise there, considering it was also the color of choice for the Women's March in January) a name that gets straight to the point: "F*ck Trump." Sones says the product, which is priced at $20, will be "50% toward charity, 100% against tyranny, and of course, 100% cruelty free."
Half of the lipstick's sales will go to a woman's organization of the customer's choice — Planned Parenthood, the National Organization for Women, and Human Rights Campaign are among the options — which will be donated once the campaign is over. All you have to do is vote for the charity you'd like to support at checkout. The popular vote wins (for once).
“People are going to buy lipstick either way, so if you could do that and have the money go somewhere that you support, that would be perfect,” Sones told her college newspaper, Mustang News. She's currently deciding on a cruelty-free manufacturer to create the Lipslut lipsticks in the coming weeks. We'll keep you posted.
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In a world as wide and complex as astrology, we'd like as many guides as we can find. And thanks to social media, you can find soothsayers of all stripes spouting wisdom on Twitter, Instagram, and, yes, YouTube. It can just be a little tricky to know where to start.
So, if you've been looking for something to supplement your weekly Astrotwins reading, you've come to the right place. We've rounded up 10 of our favorite astrologers on YouTube. Whether you're looking for a quick and dirty forecast or a deep dive into what makes your sign tick, there's a channel for you.
Read on to discover your next astrological guide. Did we forget your favorite? Let us know in the comments.
Nadiya Shah For the stargazer who wants a weekly horoscope, plus in-depth explanations of upcoming lunar events and retrogrades.
Shah's forecasts are highly relatable and pick out specific themes to watch out for in the week to come.
Video via YouTube.
Kelley Rosano For the stargazer who wants everything in a single 'scope.
That doesn't mean that Rosano only takes a surface-level look at the stars — she offers a detailed analysis of each sign's month to come, focusing on actions we should or should not take, according to the celestial bodies.
Video via YouTube.
The Quietest Revolution For the stargazer who wants their horoscope to broaden their horizons.
Astrologer and tarot reader Amber Khan incorporates both crafts into her forecasts, which always have an overall message of healing and empowerment.
Video via YouTube.
Grace Astrology For the stargazer who isn't looking for a basic horoscope channel.
Grace takes on topics like compatibility, birth charts, and each sign's core personality traits. This channel is perfect for anyone looking for an accessible way to learn more about astrology.
Video via YouTube.
Debra Silverman For the stargazer who wants their horoscope with a side of humor.
As if her near-daily horoscopes and incredibly thorough reference videos weren't enough, Silverman takes the time to joke about astrology, too. We highly recommend her hilarious Signs series, where she plays an exaggerated version of each member of the Zodiac.
Video via YouTube.
Steve Judd For the stargazer who wants to be an astrological scholar.
Judd covers monthly and yearly star forecasts, but it's his videos that discuss the complexities of astrology (planets, elements, aspects, and more) that keep us coming back for more.
Duncheva frequently features other astrologers, tarot readers, and psychics in her videos, welcoming new perspectives on subjects like the phases of the moon, numerology, and sign compatibility.
Video via YouTube.
StarsMoonAndSun For the stargazer who is always watching the moon.
Danielle is our go-to source for moon info — and we love that she usually posts her videos at least a week ahead of the lunar event's date. She also tackles astrological houses and the signs' common personality traits.
Video via YouTube.
Michele Knight For the stargazer who wants to cut to the chase.
Knight's weekly horoscope videos are only three minutes long, but she uses that time to hone in on the most important parts of the week to come and always punctuates her forecasts with some refreshingly real advice.
Gregory Scott For the stargazer who wants more of everything.
Scott posts once a day (and sometimes more) on the topics of astrology, tarot, and numerology. He may seem like a bit of a spiritual Renaissance man, but he uses his knowledge in all three of these areas to offer concrete, actionable advice.
Video via YouTube.
Looking for more signals from the all-knowing heavens? Check out this episode of "Try Living With Lucie," where we experimented with our sign for 5 days.
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Dating isn't easy — anyone who's been through a torrid, on-again, off-again cycle will tell you that relationships can be rough. One little girl, however, is refusing to fall into that cycle with her ex-boyfriend.
In a video posted to Twitter by Nana Jibril, a little girl recounted the dramatic tale of what happened when her boyfriend broke up with her and then decided he wanted to get back together.
"My boyfriend, right?" she says. "The one that dumped me? He wants to get back with me and I’m gonna be like, No, no, no!”
A voice off-camera can be heard asking her, "So you told him no and then what happened?"
According to the little girl, her ex attempted to win her back with a beaded bracelet — and she had the perfect response.
"I will take the bracelet but I won’t take you!"
As she's telling her story, her friend also chimes in from time to time to add her own commentary, at one point adding, "Hold up! Hold up! Hold up! Say whaaat?" We can't agree more. A bracelet to smooth over a breakup? As if.
If anything though, this video goes to show that the trials and tribulations of dating are so much easier to go through when you have a BFF to back you up. If you'll excuse us, we'll be bookmarking this video for the next time we're tempted to get back together with an ex we know isn't good for us.
Related Video:
8 Generations Of Women Talk About What Dating Is Like
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Traveling can cost a pretty penny, especially if you want to venture outside the U.S. and explore the far reaches of the world. But not every destination has to break the bank. Sure, the flight might set you back, but once you arrive in certain places, it’s budget-friendly all the way.
We’ve rounded up 10 inexpensive countries to travel to this year, from Vietnam to Bolivia to Greece. And while we picked these places because they're relatively affordable, no matter where you go, the memories will be priceless.
Vietnam
Asian destinations like Japan and Singapore can be pricy, but Vietnam is notably budget-friendly. The food, which is just as good from a street cart as it is from a sit-down restaurant, is cheap (usually less than 10 bucks a pop) and hotels are reasonable, with luxury properties averaging around $80 per night. There’s a lot to see, too, from Ho Chi Minh City to Halong Bay, so you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to explore the country. Don’t be afraid to sample the street food, which includes signature dishes like beef pho and bun cha, and make sure to spring for a countryside bicycle tour from Hoi An, which run $17 and up.
Photo: Getty Images.
Romania
The Eastern European country of Romania stills shows traces of its communist past in the architecture, but the nation is full of vibrant, modern cities, and small, interesting countryside towns. It’s also totally affordable, which means you could book a winter escape to a ski resort in the CarpathianMountains for far less than the Alps or Rocky Mountains. The average lift ticket cost? About 30 bucks a day. In Bucharest, most hotels are less than $100 per night, including three or four start hotels, and restaurant meals run between $5 and $15. Romania is an incredibly interesting country, especially when you venture outside of the main city. Be sure to visit Brasov, which is known for its medieval walls, and stop by Bran Castle, the one-time home of the real Count Dracula.
Photo: Getty Images.
Bolivia
The South American nation of Bolivia is a good alternative to places like Argentina and Brazil. There, a nice mid-range hotel will cost you a mere $50-60 per night, and a day’s worth of meals less than half that. Start your journey in the hillside city of La Paz and then venture to Lake Titicaca, which is nestled along the border of Bolivia and Peru. You can visit Incan ruins and hike around the water; it is one of South America’s largest lakes. Be sure to try the street food, too — it's both delicious and budget-friendly.
Photo: Getty Images.
Kyrgyzstan
Let’s be honest: You’ve probably never considered taking a vacation to Kyrgyzstan. But you should. The Central Asian country is incredibly interesting, both in history and culture, and is known for its natural beauty (think: sprawling mountain ranges and green pastures). You can spend time in the capital city of Bishkek or explore the countryside, which is home to nomadic shepherds. Cholpon Ata, a resort town, is the place to be in the summer. The lakeside Balykchy is also worth a visit. You can find really nice hotels in Bishkek for less than $70 per night (although there are more luxurious – and pricy – options), which means you’ll have more funds to spend on souvenirs.
Photo: Getty Images.
Mexico
The current exchange rate between the U.S. and Mexico ($1 = 18.87 Mexican pesos) works in our favor, meaning your money can go a long way south of the border. Some of the more popular destinations, like Tulum or the Riviera Maya, can be costly due to the chic hotels, but you can seek out more affordable accommodations in cities like Mazatlan, Guadalajara, and Mexico City. Once there you don’t need much cash – just enough to lounge on the beach with a few margaritas and some tacos.
Photo: Getty Images.
Portugal
The dollar is strong against the Euro right now, which makes Portugal one of several European destinations worth visiting this year. It has several oceanside cities, with beautiful beaches and seafood for days. Portugal is also the home of port wine, which you can learn all about in Porto. Nice hotels can be had for around $100 a night – a great deal in Europe, especially along the coast. Check out Lisbon and Porto, but don’t forget to also book time on the Mediterranean beaches of Algarve or on Madeira Island.
Photo: Getty Images.
Panama
Panama is an easy flight from the East Coast (NYC to Panama City flights average $300 in the winter months), so you should consider it an option if you don’t have time to travel too far. You’ll definitely want to bunk up in Panama City for a few nights before you head to a beach town like Pedasi or the remote island of San Blas. Resorts have rooms for around $130, and you’ll love the laid back atmosphere of the country. Save some funds to book a boat trip (especially if San Blas is part of your itinerary), which is the best way to enjoy the turquoise waters of the Caribbean coast or the blue seas of the Pacific.
Photo: Getty Images.
India
There are pricy hotels in India, but for the most part the massive country is incredibly affordable. There are some amazing sites to visit, including the Taj Mahal (yes, you should actually go), and ideally you’ll want several weeks to truly experience all that India has to offer. In the bustling city of Mumbai there are high-end hotels for only $115 a night, an especially good deal when you realize that your meals will cost only a few bucks. Be sure to spend time in Jaipur, known as the “Pink City,” where you can explore historic sites and open-air markets.
Photo: Getty Images.
South Africa
South Africa is a good choice for travelers who want to indulge in luxury hotels, but don’t want to go bankrupt doing so. During the low season (between May and September), rates for hotels and safari lodges are particularly inexpensive. And the safari is obviously the main reason you’re here, right? There are ways to experience the nature of Africa without blowing your bank account, although it can take some creativity. You can book a tent at a game reserve for around $150 per night in various areas of the country, a rate that usually includes meals and guided safari tours. You can also choose to book B&Bs outside the national parks and those often run less than $100 a night. Either way, you’ll be sure to get close to a giraffe, which is worth every single cent.
Photo: Getty Images.
Greece
The Greek economy remains weak, which means the country is especially welcoming to tourists’ cash. Hotels, food, and attractions are remarkably affordable, and you can book a room in Athens for around $100. There are tons of historical sites to take in, including the famed Parthenon, and the capital city is home to a lot of delicious (and affordable) Greek food. When you’re ready to relax, head to one of the islands like Crete or Naxos. There you can soak up the sun, enjoy the beaches, and remember that a break from real life is worth spending a few bucks.
Photo: Getty Images.
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Jennifer Williamson is mad as hell after the TSA detained her young son for what she said was over an hour at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Sunday morning. She said the experience was "horrifying" and caused the family to miss their flight.
She posted a video on Facebook of a TSA agent patting him down, and people are still writing outraged comments, mostly in support of Williamson.
According to NBC 4 New York, she had asked the agents to screen him in "other ways" because he has Sensory Processing Disorder, which makes him sensitive to stimuli like lights, sounds, and textures.
But in the video, the TSA agent screens Aaron in a way that many have called invasive. He pats him down from the back of his neck to his knees, reaching the front of his shorts and between his thighs. He also checks his waistband and the front of his shorts twice.
Here's the video, so you can judge for yourself.
"We were treated like dogs because I requested they attempt to screen him in other ways per TSA rules," Williamson wrote. "He has SPD and I didn't want my child given a pat down like this. Let me make something else crystal clear. He set off NO alarms. He physically did not alarm at all during screening, he passed through the detector just fine. He is still several hours later saying 'I don't know what I did. What did I do?'"
Williamson added that two airport police officers were also brought in to pat him down, "flanking him on each side."
The TSA released a statement in response:
"TSA allows for a pat-down of a teenage passenger, and in this case, all approved procedures were followed to resolve an alarm of the passenger’s laptop.
"The video shows a male TSA officer explaining the procedure to the passenger, who fully cooperates. Afterward, the TSA officer was instructed by his supervisor, who was observing, to complete the final step of the screening process.
"In total, the pat-down took approximately two minutes, and was observed by the mother and two police officers who were called to mitigate the concerns of the mother.
"The passengers were at the checkpoint for approximately 45 minutes, which included the time it took to discuss screening procedures with the mother and to screen three carry-on items that required further inspection."
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Migos has officially “made it.” To clarify, their mainstream notoriety pales in comparison to their mixtape glory. If you've only just been introduced this year, you're late. However, we can’t deny that they’re riding a high wave of popularity — from their Golden Globes shout-out, to teaching a class on culture at the prestigious New York University. They’ve made bedtime stories great again, and they swapped their flashy chains for specs and slacks on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. With the public packaging of Migos as a pop group that just so happens to make trap music, the application of boy band tropes have followed close behind. In this case, it’s the assumption that there has to be an outlier in the group. That outlier is Quavo. The general consensus seems to be that Quavo is the Beyoncé of Migos. I’ve even joked about it on Twitter, but I’m not sure I’m really convinced.
When the trio released the official video for their single “What’s the Price,” Paper magazine boldly declared that Quavo was having his Bey moment with Kelly and Michelle in tow. I thought this assessment was a reach, because Zaytoven — the amazing producer playing his keytar atop a flipped car in front of some flames — was clearly the Beyoncé here. And the internet was full of jokes this weekend when Quavo joined Drake in the studio without his group mates. Quavo even has a legit clone in the form of singer Jacquees — a phenomenon that I still think is a government conspiracy.
It’s also worth noting that Quavo is the most stable of the group. Offset is only recently putting his legal problems behind him, a scenario that threatened to reduce Migos to a duo. And while all three members are proud of their weed intake, Takeoff is clearly the stoner of the group. When I spent a magical week in New York attending a couple of their album release events, it was Takeoff who was clearly “slowed down” by the effects. It appears that Quavo is the golden boy who is able to pick up the slack and carry the rest of the group. This is real reason I’m not ready to proclaim him ready to leave the nest and fly higher than his nephew and cousin (keep that nugget for your Migos trivia night).
Ultimately, it seems like Quavo wants what’s best for Migos. He works hard at it. A solo career was always in the plan for Beyoncé. Destiny’s Child was built around the potential for all of its members to have solo careers. By the time Destiny's Child became a trio, it was clear that we were tuning in to see Beyoncé and the gang. But the magic of Migos is in the unique sound they’ve created collectively. Their harmonies are kind of unmatched in hip-hop, only imitated. They’ve set a trend to which Quavo adds a coat of shiny wax. He would make a great solo artist, but Quavo is just as great in Migos.
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Inches from the Charging Bull statue near Wall Street in New York City, the Fearless Girl statue stands as a symbol of the need for companies to add more women to their boards of directors. Just a few blocks away, inside the Museum of the American Indian, a sea of green, tan, and brown-vested girls ruffled in their seats yesterday, applauding Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. They had gathered there for a similar reason: to support women’s rights and gender equality.
This year, the Girl Scouts of New York are celebrating the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New York — three years before the 19th amendment granted suffrage to women across the United States. To mark the event, the New York State Women’s Suffrage Commission and Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York have joined forces to create a new patch celebrating the history of the women’s movement and bearing the face of Susan B. Anthony.
Photo courtesy of New York State.
As Hochul explained to us, the meaning of the patch goes beyond winning the right to vote. It represents a much larger movement, one that empowers young women to realize their equal role in society. While Governor Andrew Cuomo recently put through two executive orders addressing the wage gap, she believes young women must continue to push for justice.
"Our challenges are still in front of us," Hochul told Refinery29. "We are never done with the fight that began in our state in 1848. We continue to fight together.”
In order to obtain the Centennial of Women's Suffrage patch, Girl Scouts must complete a series of tasks, from researching key figures in the women’s suffrage movement to creating their own suffrage poster and visiting the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls.
Photo courtesy of New York State.
"I want girls to have attitude. I think girls are starting to develop it in a positive way, that translates, to me, into confidence." Hochul told Refinery29. "And that's often what young women are lacking when there are opportunities before them. I like the image of girls in a position of being confident of their abilities, and knowing they've got something tremendous to offer."
“The civics component of Girls Scouting is critical in helping girls understand the importance of voting and the electoral process," Mary Buszuwski, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York, said in a statement. "Not just here, but around the world. Democracy is not a spectator sport. Our hope is that this patch program will encourage all of our girls to have a better understanding of the significance of participating in our democratic system, from exercising their right to vote, to running for office, to serving their constituents with the same passion for service and values that they learned as a Girl Scout.”
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American fans of Love Actually probably don't think it's quite fair that British audiences got to see the highly anticipated mini-sequel a full two months before the U.S. premiere date. The 12-minute reprisal of the 2003 hit debuted in the U.K. on Friday, March 24, for their national Red Nose Day charity event — while stateside viewers still have to wait until May 25 to catch up with their favorite characters. But it turns out that American fans aren't getting such a bad deal after all. In fact, the U.S. version of the short movie, Red Nose Day Actually, is getting a little extra oomph, thanks to the exclusive addition of yet another beloved character.
Laura Linney is joining the version of the movie airing in the U.S., Entertainment Weekly reports. The actress, who has participated in the charity event before, told EW that taking part in the short sequel — starring Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Andrew Lincoln, Colin Firth, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Liam Neeson, and Bill Nighy — was a no-brainer. "[He] sent me an email, explaining this short film reunion. I said yes, obviously. How could I say no? And right away we were figuring out our schedules."
But apparently, Linney wasn't available to film her scene before the U.K. premiere. The actress, who played the sympathetic Sarah in the original, told EW that she will shoot her scene in April. "I have no idea what I’m doing yet. Not a clue," she said.
Well, we think we have some idea of what to expect. While it sadly looks like Rodrigo Santoro (who played Karl, the extremely good-looking office colleague she hooked up with) isn't returning (he's too busy playing cowboy on Westworld), it would be lovely to see Sarah at least dating, if not happily in a relationship.
Image: Courtesy of Universal Pictures Via Giphy.
Red Nose Day Actually premieres May 25 on NBC (time TBA).
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Though it seems as if it should be more common for restaurants to offer menus with braille for customers who have impaired vision, in reality, this isn't always the case. Alyssa Herrera, who goes by @alyssaherrera33 on Twitter, took to the platform on Monday to share a photo of her sister, Annalicia, who was given a menu for the first time in her life — at 18-years-old.
My sister has been in this world for 18 yrs and today is the first time she has been offered a menu at a restaurant pic.twitter.com/Yve18jhw8k
"My sister has been in this world for 18 yrs and today is the first time she has been offered a menu at a restaurant," Alyssa captioned the photo.
Alyssa told BuzzFeed that when their family goes out to eat, she or another family member will read the menu to her sister. This time, they didn't have to.
According to her subsequent tweets, the restaurant that offered the menu was Red Robin.
"We were all surprised because nobody has asked us this before," Alyssa told BuzzFeed about being offered the menu. "I was excited that she was able to read her menu and order her own food."
Annalicia told BuzzFeed that she was initially overwhelmed by the menu, because she doesn't normally get the opportunity to think about "the variety of food that’s out there."
"I was like, ‘What should I order now?'" she said.
Since Alyssa tweeted the photo of her sister, it has received over 64,000 retweets and 220,000 likes at the time of writing. She also thanked Red Robin on Twitter, and received a pretty sweet gift in return.
Update: Over the weekend, leggings have gone from a wear-everywhere athleisure staple to a widespread national debate. Following one passenger’s outraged live-tweets over United Airlines banning two young women from boarding a plane due to the fact that they were donning leggings, a.k.a. the ultra-stretchy, comfortable garments that are suddenly a major talking point. United has experienced criticism on every social media platform possible about the incident, and has even been engaged in conversations with a few outspoken celebrities. United is sticking to its defense that the girls were flying free through an Employee Pass, and thus were obligated to abide by a specific dress code.
While United has suffered the brunt of the backlash, the underlying message seems to be be less about United’s employee pass dress code and more about the age-old question of whether leggings are a acceptable replacement for pants. While the country, nay, the world, tries to settle this debate, we’ll let the ultimate leggings lovers — celebrities at airports, the grocery store, and, well, all over the place — show us exactly how to rock leggings, anywhere and everywhere. Special famous-person privileges aside, everyone from Rihanna to Selena Gomez to basically all of the Hadids, Kardashians, and Jenners seem to be getting along just fine (and quite comfortably, in fact!) in their “black-stretch-pants ” attire.
This story was originally published on January 26, 2017.
Okay, can we all agree that the leggings debate is pretty much over at this point? For some pretty obvious reasons (including their undeniable utility), they're here to stay. And really, do we have to explain why it's difficult to denounce an item of clothing that is as comfortable and versatile as a trusty pair of leggings? Like us, you probably have a pair — or five — in your closets. But we're not afraid to say we're satisfied with the way celebrities have added new meaning to the everyday staple. They've gone from being something you probably only wore with a yoga mat in hand to the stretchy bottoms that, no matter how hard you try, you just can't quit.
But there's been an influx of nouveau legging iterations popping up inside (and outside) of airports, sidewalks, and even Fashion Week that we can get behind. Whether they're matte black or straight-up leather, the celebs ahead have inadvertently made themselves ambassadors of the go-to bottoms. And look, money and fame aside, if these ladies can pull it off, then that means leggings are one step closer to being universally considered as a necessity instead of one's saving grace. Click ahead for some inspiration for the next day you're feeling equal levels lazy and fashionable.
Chrissy Teigen proves all you need to dress up a pair of everyday leggings is a really expensive handbag. But hey, no pressure.
Photo: starzfly/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images.
They say a pop of color goes a long way. And sometimes, a pair of leggings ties it all together.
Photo: James Devaney/GC Images.
Ah yes, the classic "celebrities wear leggings, too" move.
Photo: Mark Robert Milan/GC Images.
No need to hide, Kendall. Wearing leggings in public is totally acceptable now.
Photo: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock.
Cotton leggings are out. Alicia Keys is dubbing leather leggings as the next it...legging.
Photo: Beretta/Sims/REX/Shutterstock.
Kylie Jenner isn't shy about her affinity for repping throwback brands, but Von Dutch looks even better against a pair of leather leggings.
Photo: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock.
Here's proof that adding a moto jacket over anything makes it a surefire lewk.
Photo: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock.
Are you r eally wearing leggings if there's not a crop top involved?
Photo: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock.
Try as you might, Khloé, but you can't conceal the fact that those are leggings under that top.
Photo: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock.
Miranda Kerr wears her sunglasses leggings at night.
Photo: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock.
When you're just so L.A.
Photo: Beretta/Sims/REX/Shutterstock.
Do the leggings make the bomber? Or do the bomber make the leggings? You decide.
Photo: AKM-GSI.
No Starbucks run is complete without some stretchy bottoms. Right? Bueller?
Photo: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock.
Black on black on...yep, black.
Photo: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock.
Gigi's layering trick turns a lampshade moment to a lazy #OOTD we need to copy.
Photo: Marc Piasecki/GC Images.
That's the smile of someone who's wearing leggings as pants and definitely getting away with it. You go, Olivia.
Photo: Marc Piasecki/GC Images.
That abstract printed toggle coat isn't distracting anyone, Kate Hudson. We know those are leggings tucked into those boots. (Okay, but if we're being honest, you almost got us.)
Photo: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock.
In a power move you probably didn't see coming, Lily-Rose Depp is using her leggings to say, Don't even think about it.
Photo: AKM-GSI.
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There are two types of people in the makeup world: Those who occasionally get down with a few swipes of skin shimmer, assigning it the "if I have time" slot in their routine, and those who live and breathe the highlight, treating it with the same respect as all other basic human needs, like shelter and water. (There are also people who hate highlighter all the time, but we're not concerned with them at the moment.) No matter which camp you fall in, we bet you can agree with us on this: Anastasia Beverly Hills' coveted Glow Kit has the power to change everything.
We discovered it and began slapping lilac atop our cheeks. Giving the compact a starring role in graduation photos. Begging Susan Miller for a sign that maybe — just maybe — we could expect another six-pan palette in the future. Well, the time has come. The brand just announced the latest product we can turn to for that Con Edison glow: the Aurora Glow Kit.
The shade names are almost as otherworldly as the metallic pigments themselves: Spectra (a muted plum) could double as your new smoky eye secret weapon; Eclipse (a rosy champagne) lends your skin the subtlest hit of sheen; Orion (a sky blue) swipes on with mirror-like shine; Luna (a moody lilac) is a deeper version of your favorite lavenders; Lyra (a peachy coral) has equal parts red and blue undertones to flatter any complexion; Helia (a yellow-gold) is just as iridescent as it looks. Even better, the copious amounts of shimmer make the hues so reflective, it's like walking around with your own personal lighting team — each shade responsible for adding juuuuust the kind of dimension any room you're in would require.
If you need more proof that the future is bright, this is it: You can pick up your own Aurora Glow Kit on the Anastasia Beverly Hills website starting April 4. Time to get lit.
When Champagne Joy walked into a room, you knew it. She had a way of materializing like a force of nature — like a storm — rather than a regular human being. It wasn't just her badass personal style, complete with neon eyebrows and lipstick, skull motifs, and quirky Japanese designers: There was an inevitability about anything she said; you had no choice but to be swept away by her, to nod your head yes. She could have used this special gift of hers to accomplish pretty much anything, but she chose to devote it to tirelessly advocating for the more than 100 women and men who die every day of metastatic breast cancer — a disease that, she knew, she herself would die from.
Last year, Refinery29 partnered with Champagne and her organization #Cancerland to help spread the word about the fact that, of the billions and billions of dollars raised for breast cancer to date, just 2% of those funds go to Stage IV breast cancer, the disease's deadliest form. That was one of the first things she said to Refinery29 editors when we met her: "This is urgent," she told us. "We are dying now."
Champagne never minced words. She never sugar-coated things — including and especially the fact that she wouldn't be around for much longer. But even still, her death yesterday came as a shock to so many because beyond her signature blue hair and mischievous smile was a woman who appeared unstoppable. Full of vitality. Alive. Just yesterday, before being rushed to the hospital, she was in the middle of filming yet another project in service of her cause.
Champagne also never made excuses, and she expected everyone to live up to their greatness. #Glitterasyougo, she’d say, while taking care of you so that you wouldn’t feel her pain. She was busy living. Even while tackling her own illness, Champagne found time and energy to help other women through the ups and downs of treatment, and to celebrate the lives of those she'd never met.
"I am committed to people not having to do it alone. There are many, many moments every single day where it is so hard to just choose to stay alive. I cannot stress that enough — moment-to-moment, you’re like, 'I can’t do this, I am too sick, I have been too sick for too long, I have been too beaten down, I am too tired, and it would just be easier to let go,'" she told us last year. "But I won't leave this Earth until I see the beginning of change. I won't see the end of change, but I need to see that beginning or my life meant nothing."
All it takes is one glimpse at Champagne's Facebook page today to know that, to so many, her life meant everything. It did to us, too. "Champagne was a force like none I've ever seen. She fought like hell, spread truth, and shouted her message until the very end," says Amy Emmerich, Refinery29's chief content officer. "We at Refinery29 were incredibly lucky to have the chance to collaborate with Champagne and to play even a small role in spreading her important mission — and we're all better for having known her."
We pledge to carry her voice for the women continuing to battle Stage IV. Please join us in donating to Metavivor today in Champagne's honor. Let's continue her work to change the conversation about breast cancer.
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Danielle Bregoli, better known as the "Cash Me Ousside, How Bow Dah?" girl, has risen to viral fame at lightning speed since her memorable (or meme-able) appearance on Dr. Phil in September 2016. She's sparked conspiracy theories and thoughtful essays — and, most recently, reportedly snagged herself a sweet reality TV show deal. But one of the downsides of viral popularity is that people will undoubtedly impersonate you online with fake accounts. And on Tuesday afternoon, none other than Chrissy Teigen fell for one such "Cash Me Ousside" imposter.
Teigen retweeted a tweet from a Twitter account pretending to be Bregoli. "Getting my own tv show & gonna be a millionaire at 14. Whatchu all doing with ur lives?" the tweet reads. Teigen wrote, "Apparently mistakenly making you a thing."
Right away, it was pointed out to Teigen that she had been fooled. Teigen immediately deleted the post, something the frequently fiery tweeter virtually never does. She then explained in a new tweet, "Tweet deleted as to not contribute to 'thing' making."
It might not seem like a big deal to delete her tweet and issue a correction — but in the age of fake news and 14-year-olds becoming famous based on therapy talk show appearances, it was definitely a solid move on Teigen's behalf. Teigen's followers appreciated the fact that Teigen quickly cleared things up. And, in her defense, the faux Bergoli account looks identical to the real thing. It's even accrued 120,000 followers (compared to Bergoli's 210,000).
Regardless of the parody account mix-up, we imagine that for Teigen, the sentiment (of regretting the fact that Bergoli has become a "thing") might remain all the same.
Tweet deleted as to not contribute to "thing" making
Whether you clock a full glorious eight hours of sleep each night or you’re eking by with considerably less, the fact remains: Night is a big block of uninterrupted time that you could be using for something else. So, why not your beauty routine? With the six easy tricks we’ve gathered here, you can score some lazy-girl multitasking points and get gorgeous all while you catch your zzzs. How’s that for beauty sleep?
Our skin naturally loses water while we sleep, so it’s crucial to supplement with extra moisture. To avoid waking up with a parched, flaky complexion, slather on a night cream just before bed, taking care to smooth it down over your neck, too. You’ll plump lines and wake up feeling noticeably softer. (Bonus points if you apply a hand cream, too. Scraggly palms aren’t cute.)
We don’t condone sleeping in makeup (it clogs pores and prevents skin creams and treatments from penetrating), but... Kim Kardashian reportedly does it. Yes, Mrs. West has gone on record saying she snoozes in her smoky eyes when she wants to extend the life of makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic's work, having trained herself to sleep on her back in order to preserve her lewk. Whether or not you’re attempting to get another day out of your makeup, sleeping on your back is actually a good idea, in general. Side or stomach sleepers end up spending hours with their face smooshed in the pillow, which some believe can lead to "sleep wrinkles."
Not only does silk or satin bedding just feel better, but it’s actually better for you. Stiff, rough pillowcases can lead to creases when they press into your skin, but the smoother, more slippery fabrics are much less likely to cause an issue. It’s also kinder and gentler on your hair. Cotton sheets can cause breakage by pulling on strands, but satin, silk, and sateen allow you to toss and turn freely, with much less snagging.
We know the pain of spending $50 at DryBar only to have your blowout deflate — or frizz up — that first night all too well. To keep it looking good longer, embark on a BPM (Blowout Preservation Mission). The key: Avoid pulling your hair into a tight ponytail at night with a regular elastic. It’ll leave a weird indentation midway up your hair that’s basically impossible to get rid of. Instead, gather your hair up into a high ponytail and secure it with an old school scrunchie. The high pony preserves all that good volume at the roots; the scrunchie won’t leave a mark. It’s not the cutest look in the world, but whatever. Your partner will just have to deal.
If they’re dry and scaly, they need way more TLC than a cursory squirt of lotion in the morning. Better to give them an intense overnight hydration session. Here’s how: First, before bed, do a soak. Seriously. Your feet are thisclose to subway floors, dirt, and grimy sidewalks all day long, so wash that grossness away before doing anything else. Dermatologist Doris Day, MD, recommends a five-minute dunk in a bucket or bowl filled with lukewarm water, ¼ cup of honey, ¼ cup of oil, and ¼ cup of aloe. Then, after rinsing it all off, apply a thick, rich, anhydrous ointment or balm. Next, take plastic wrap (yes, really) and wind it around your feet (“not so tight that you are cutting off circulation though,” Dr. Day cautions). Finish by slipping on a pair of cushy socks. “Sleep like that, and in the morning, your feet will be baby-butt soft,” she says.
Nighttime is the most convenient time to slather on self-tanning lotion. That said, your bed is also the perfect breeding ground for streaks, and self-tanner is certainly no friend to sheets. But be strategic about it and you can save your skin and your bedding. First, apply tanner at least an hour before going to sleep to give it some time to dry. But if that doesn’t fit into your plan, hit your body with a blowdryer on the cool setting to dry any wet patches. Then, slip on a pair of dark, loose-fitting pjs or sweats. (If you wear light clothing, make sure it’s something you don’t care about ruining, because you will ruin it.) And if it’s not obvious yet, this is not the night to break out your crisp white Frette sheets. The most frequent tanners among us maintain a pair of “self-tanning” sheets, cheap and dark in color. Alternatively, lay down a beach towel, climb on top, then use a second towel as your top sheet. Either way, you’ll wake up bronzed — but your linens won’t.
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After 18 years, Nina Dobrev said goodbye to her beloved cat in the sweetest way possible. Seriously, settle in; this is going to be a tough one for all the pet owners out there.
"To my sweet sweet angel, As I look back on the last 18 years together, I smile through my tears," Dobrev wrote on Instagram. "You brought me so much joy, love, unlimited cuddles and so many sandpaper kisses."
Dobrev paid tribute to her "soulmate" who was so "fragile and furry, as soft as the worlds tiniest cashmere blanket" by letting the world know how she really felt about the cat who had nine different names: "Bambi Jami Jamilia Lynx Jami Lynx Jinx Jimmy jam Poop Jammie."
The two had been through everything together, which became even more obvious thanks to the slideshow that features Dobrev reading, cuddling and hanging out in the great outdoors with her little one. Why yes, there they are at the Grand Canyon.
"We grew up together in Toronto, then you followed me to Atlanta, and from there we road tripped across the United States through New Orleans, Austin City, Amarillo Texas, Santa Fe, Las Vegas," Dobrev wrote. "We even saw the Grand Canyon for our first time together."
Her cat's final destination was Los Angeles, and Dobrev hoped her feline loved the journey as much as she did. "I hope I was able to give you a beautiful happy life filled with love," she wrote, "because that's what you gave me."
Saying goodbye over the weekend wasn't easy for Dobrev, who wrote that her "heart hurts, I miss you more than I words can explain," but knew that she would always be with her "no matter where I go."
"In sickness and in health until death do us part," Dobrev wrote. "My longest relationship, my rock, my best friend. I love you."
Dobrev has a knack for writing emotional Instagram posts that pull at heartstrings. Recently, Dobrev penned an emotional farewell to the Vampire Diaries. "We are all pieces of a big puzzle and without every truly amazing cast and crew member, this magical puzzle would not be complete," she wrote. "Thank you for all your hard work, friendship and love. You have touched my heart in ways you will never know."
Makeup that doesn’t hold up to life’s daily challenges — whether you’re so on-the-go it would make a lesser human’s head spin or seated in front of a computer all day — is one of the biggest gripes of the beauty world. That’s why we have primers, setting powders, and sprays, and foundation that promises 24-hour wear. (Like, who actually wants or needs to have their makeup on for a full 24 hours?)
But a less-discussed issue that, if you listen closely, almost sounds like the sweet, sweet symphony of a tiny violin, is makeup that won’t come off. For example, a waterproof mascara that sends half your lashes down the drain along with it. Or a liquid lipstick that requires body scrub, elbow grease, and an existential crisis (because what if it never comes off?) to remove. Both serve as proof that the long-lasting makeup category does have its downfalls.
Urban Decay, the cult-favorite proprietors of makeup that really, really lasts, has come up with a line of skin care that’s intended to solve both problems. Ambitious, yes — but given the brand’s history of making the impossible possible, it just might work. For preparing your skin for makeup and keeping said makeup on, there is the Rehab collection, which includes an exfoliating skin polish, a pore-refining peel, a hydrating gel, and a lip balm. For creating a clean slate, there’s Meltdown, with four products designed to remove even the toughest formulas.
To prove the abilities of both, Urban Decay tasked four drag queens with trying the products before and after a performance, respectively. As for the results? Well, you’ll just have to wait and see — trust us, it’s worth the watch.
