Gordon Ramsay knows his way around a kitchen — at restaurants and at home. And while he's infamous for his temper on TV shows like Masterchef and Kitchen Nightmares, in person he's just as delightful as we always suspected. Which means he was happy to indulge our curiosity about what some of his best cooking tips and tricks are, from cooking gadgets to meal time. He even shared with us one thing there's "no fucking way" he'd ever eat.
Must-Have Gadgets When it comes to kitchen gadgets, Chef Ramsay swears by four. First, an "amazing" mandolin slicer, which he loves for making quick raw salads. (His recommendation is ribbons of carrots tossed in olive oil and lemon juice with "a little touch of hummus" as an afternoon pick-me-up.) Next, he loves the Philips Airfryer, (a brand he's partnered with) to come up with recipes. In addition to allowing home cooks to fry with less fuss and less oil than a deep fryer, Ramsay likes that his kids can use it to cook when he's not at home. He even gave his eldest, Megan, one to take to college with her, and she uses it to make veggie chips for her friends.(Ramsay speculates she might even be running a small business out of her apartment).
He also loves a good immersion blender for making soups, as well as a bullet blender for smoothies. Ramsay reveals that, during the week at least, smoothies are a common breakfast for the whole family. "We make the most amazing smoothies to take in the car on the way to school in the morning because [the kids] are always bloody late. "
Go-To Dinners During the week, a green smoothie might be the only thing Ramsay's cooking up — he's usually at one of his restaurants at dinner time. On the weekends, however, it's a family affair. Not only do the kids pitch in ("They think they're getting better than their dad"), they're currently testing out recipes from the youngest Ramsay Matilda's new cookbook. If they're not taste-testing, he says they'll make lasagna or Indian butter chicken. On Sundays, the Ramsays whip up an easy brunch, like eggs and smoked salmon, with a simple, picnic-style late lunch.
Eating On The Fly When it comes to travel, Ramsay has a leg up on the rest of us. If he's flying, he can eat at his own restaurant, Plane Food in London's Heathrow airport. If he's not flying out of terminal five, however, he tries to "keep it light" without skipping on flavor with a delicious pre-flight snack at an Italian bar. "A nice selection of Italian meats, a little glass of red wine, some sliced apples or pears with some parmesan cheese, I’m like a pig in shit," he says.
When it comes to take-off, however, "There’s no fucking way I eat on planes," he says. "I worked for airlines for ten years, so I know where this food’s been and where it goes, and how long it took before it got on board."
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For every step we take towards an inclusive fashion and beauty industry, we always end up taking a few paces back, too. Now, the strides that we've made should be celebrated, like all of the Afros we saw at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Paris or the glorious natural hairstyles that dominated during New York Fashion Week. But sometimes, the ugly side of such a beautiful industry steals the spotlight.
Leomie Anderson, who's walked in VSFS and Yeezy, penned a letter to her 15-year-old self for British Elle. In it, she describes scenarios that my fellow chocolate sisters know all too well, like watching her friends pick out concealers and foundations without shades for her skin tone. And the issue carried over backstage at the shows she walked in, where uninformed makeup artists made her skin tone look gray. She acknowledged that things are a lot better these days, thankfully, and that brands are way more forward-thinking with including a wider range of bases.
Of course, she's not alone. Lilah Pearsons, a former model and current radio host on a popular London station, shared a few screenshots from her days on the runway. In two casting requests, both memos noted that models with Afros need not apply. "All except Afro - would like girls with quite a lot of hair," one read. And in the other, "all lengths and colours " were fair game...all except Afros. Now, it's important to note that these are from 2011 — and a lot has changed since then. But, it's also incredibly important to recall these issues, if only to raise awareness of how far we've come — and how important it is not to take leaps back.
Like I said before, the efforts of diversity are way better now. According to The Fashion Spot, 31.5% of New York Fashion Week models were non-white. And every brand showcased at least one model of color. Although there are always gaffes, like the Afros at Michael Costello and the yarn dreadlocks at Marc Jacobs. Hopefully, like certain fashions of seasons past, those casting requests will be out of style for good — and that's a trend that we can all get behind.
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Whether you're sore AF after starting a new workout routine or you pulled a muscle trying to carry all of your groceries inside at once, we're all gonna have to deal with muscle pain at some point. Luckily, whatever you're stuck with, there are products out there that'll help ease your pain — with or without the need for actual painkillers.
When your muscles are sore, it's because you've done something to tear the muscle fibers. Repairing them takes patience, and no cream can really speed the healing process along. But they can certainly make you feel better — and able to function like a normal human — while you wait.
In particular, over-the-counter creams, gels, and sprays tend to use ingredients that cool the skin (e.g. menthol), warm it up (e.g. capsaicin), and provide some level of temporary pain relief (e.g. lidocaine, camphor, or arnica). Essentially, all of these work by overwhelming, dulling, or changing the pain signals your body is sending via receptors your skin. Pretty neat, huh?
Of course, every cream isn't going to work for everyone. So continue on to see some of our favorites and find one that's perfect for you.
Biofreeze is one of the most popular soothing gels for muscle and joint pain because it works fast.
Biofreeze Pain Relief Gel, $11.67, available at Amazon.
This classic cream uses a combination of camphor and menthol to soothe pain.
A relative newcomer to the pain relief world, Rock Sauce is unique in that it's specifically created to be used with the brand's kinesiology tapeat the same time.
For reasons unbeknownst to us, Halloween companies (and the holiday's most obnoxious fans) are already gearing up for October 31st. That means we'll see the best of the best in terms of costuming in a few not-so-short months, but also, the worst of the worst. First up? This bodysuit, available on Amazon, that features the words "Mexico Will Pay" overlaid on a head-to-toe brick wall pattern. No, your eyes do not deceive you. And yes, this is real. It's so real, in fact, it comes in sizes Teen to Adult XL, and is as cheap as it looks — a whopping $12.
Unfortunately, the costume is one of several offensive holiday looks that have been sold on the site. Last year, 'Tranny Granny' was pulled by the e-tailer, but things like a 'Call Me Caitlyn' sash and 'Sexy Indian Go Go Girl ' costumes continue to be sold. However, this particulat costume isn't exactly aligned with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' views, per his letter to employees about President Trump's immigration ban in January: "We’re a nation of immigrants whose diverse backgrounds, ideas, and points of view have helped us build and invent as a nation for over 240 years. No nation is better at harnessing the energies and talents of immigrants." We've reached out to Amazon Fashion for comment on the costume and will update this story if and when we hear back.
There's already a petition to remove the costume from Amazon's site: "The 'costume' advertised on Amazon's website promotes this despicable xenophobia and is nothing more than a modernized version of a Ku Klux Klan robe. We demand Amazon immediately remove it and all other racist merchandise from its site," writes Mijente, a Latinx activist group. "The Latinx community will not sit idly by as companies like Amazon help to further normalize white supremacy. Attacks on our culture and our families will not be tolerated and we demand that Amazon remove this 'costume' from its website immediately." At the time of publishing, the petition has 218 of 300 signatures.
Customer reviews on this costume range from "Loved it!" and "Was a huge hit at the Halloween party!" to "This is the most racist thing offered on Amazon today. Have some decency..." We don't really need to explain why this is offensive, do we? What's even scarier than costumes like this being made (and sold) is the fact that many of them actually sell out. As in, people actually buy them.
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Fainting seems ridiculously old-fashioned (overly tight corset, anyone?) but the truth is, as weird as it is, passing out is actually not that unusual — even among healthy, non-corset-wearing people. And when it happens, it can be pretty freaky, whether you're the fainter or you see someone else pass out.
"Passing out is super common, and we see young, healthy people passed out all the time," says Christopher Tedeschi, MD, a professor of emergency medicine at Columbia University Medical Center. "And it's almost always a not dangerous event."
Fainting happens when your brain isn't getting enough blood. And there are some cases that aren't totally harmless. A good gauge is the amount of time: Although your friend can recover easily after being passed out for a minute or two, you should be more worried if they're taking longer to come out of it. "That's not garden-variety passing out," Dr. Tedeschi says.
Also, if you've passed out after a workout, Dr. Tedeschi says that's definitely reason for further investigation. It could be due to one of many rare (but serious) underlying heart conditions, which are often inherited.
In all cases, though, a major worry is whether or not you injure yourself on your way down — especially your head. For that reason, and because it's hard to tell whether or not your fainting episode is due to something serious, you should always get checked out by a doctor after you pass out (especially if it's the first time).
But to put you at ease, here's what you need to know about the most common reasons for passing out — and why you probably don't need to worry.
1. Your blood pressure dropped (orthostatic hypotension): Ever stand up too fast and feel a little woozy? In some cases, that drop in blood pressure can actually make you faint because it makes it harder for blood to get to your brain. Skipping meals, being dehydrated, drinking alcohol, and being sick can all make you more vulnerable to this usually-harmless kind of fainting, Dr. Tedeschi says. During pregnancy, changes in blood pressure and morning sickness-related dehydration can also make this type of passing out more likely.
So maybe you ran out the door in a rush and forgot your breakfast. Or perhaps you've been out in the sun all day and haven't exactly been drinking that much water. In those cases, it's pretty easy to look back on your day and figure out why you fainted (and how to prevent it in the future).
2. You're really, really nervous (vasovagal syncope): This is the classic "I pass out at the sight of blood" situation, Dr. Tedeschi says. In reality, it's just a reflex controlled by your body's vagus nerve, which helps regulate your heart rate. "When you get a little anxious or excited or revved up about something, your body counteracts that," he explains. "And when your body over compensates, your heart slows down." From there, it's the same story: Your body can't pump enough blood to your brain, and you pass out. Again, this isn't usually a sign that something more serious is going on, but it's hard to tell without getting checked out by a doctor.
3. You've got an underlying health issue: "Once in a blue moon, we encounter young, healthy people with heart problems that cause them to pass out," Dr. Tedeschi says. These are usually issues with the heart's rhythm, such as Brugada syndrome, which can be quite serious. In other cases, an infection or internal bleeding can cause your blood pressure to drop and, therefore, faint.
So if you can trace your fainting to a specific cause that you've encountered before (e.g. dehydration or watching your blood get drawn), then Dr. Tedeschi says it's not an emergency situation. If you pass out and have other symptoms (such as chest pain or shortness of breath), you're sick with an infection, or you were just working out, you should definitely get yourself some medical attention. But again, it's worth checking in with your doctor to make sure there's nothing else going on. And, no, splashing cold water does nothing.
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Finding a bralette that's supportive enough for larger chests is a next-to-impossible feat, though we've definitely scoured around for some. Lively, which was launched in April 2016 by a Victoria's Secret alum and heralded the arrival of “leisureé” (a lingerie-swim-activerwear mash-up), is trying to make the quest for larger bralettes a little bit easier with its latest launch. Dubbed the "Busty Bralette," the style comes in sizes D, DD, and DDD. The decision to expand sizing (and create a more supportive iteration of) its popular bralettes came about directly from consumer feedback, as a matter of fact.
“Inclusivity has always been one of our brand’s most important pillars, so extending sizing has always been a goal; we knew over a year ago that we wanted to offer extended sizes, especially in bralettes," Michelle Cordeiro Grant, Lively's founder and CEO, told Refinery29. (So, basically that means Lively started plotting out bralettes for more endowed customers before the brand even launched.) "It was something so rare in the category, and we definitely saw it as a void in the market." After sussing out the label's most popular bralette once the brand had launched, a couple rounds of prototypes and fit-testing transpired since last summer, Grant explained.
The style was modeled after the indie lingerie brand's bestselling style, the Mesh Trim Bralette, with design tweaks made accordingly: there's a wider stronger elastic band under the cups, stronger straps, and a breathable, soft sling inside for support. "We like to say these elements give a dose of magic in all the right places," Grant said of the updated detailing. To figure out your sizing in the new bralette, check out the brand's updated Fit Guide.)
The new style, available in sizes 34D to 38DDD, is available now in black and soft pink, and retails for $35, the same price point as all of Lively's bras. Snag one for yourself here.
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I am not particularly spoiler avoidant. Go on, tell me who Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) offs this week on The Walking Dead, or which Salvatore brother walked into the great beyond during the finale of The Vampire Diaries: I firmly believe that good television can stand on its own, regardless of spoilers. I do, however, have one exception to this laissez faire attitude towards spoilers: If you ruin a show's fundamental mystery — like, say, the identity of A on Pretty Little Liars, or who killed Jason Blossom on Riverdale — I may remove you from every single social media platform. Sorry not sorry. Fortunately, Twitter now has a new way for people to avoid spoilers without burning bridges by unfollowing friends.
It's about damn time.
Technically, this new feature isn't actually a spoiler blocker — it's not like you can click a button that says "avoid all Game of Thrones tweets," though that'd be pretty damn awesome. Instead, Twitter's new feature allows you to create a custom filter so that you can mute words you'd rather not have show up in your feed.
You can mute words, phrases, and hashtags for a set time period in your timeline and notifications.
Not totally sure why that's helpful for you as a TV watcher? It's actually pretty simple. Let's say you can't watch Game of Thrones live, but don't want to avoid your Twitter account all night. Instead of quickly scrolling through any tweet that mentions Jon Snow's fate, you can create a filter that blocks specific stuff. In this case, you could write in things like " Game of Thrones," "Jon Snow," and other words and phrases that might be attached to something spoiler-y.
It's not a perfect system, but it's definitely something. It doesn't have to be used for only spoilers, either: if you're sick of seeing, say, Kardashian coverage, or don't want to be distracted by yet another cute puppy GIF, feel free to have a field day with that mute feature.
While I don't often condone censorship, I have to hand it to Twitter — this feature has plenty of perks.
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After taking a long hiatus from the red carpet, Kate Middleton is back at it with a vengeance. Just last month, she and her husband, Prince William, attended the BAFTAs. At the film awards, she stunned in a floor-sweeping floral Alexander McQueen dress. It was a fitting label for her return to the red carpet, since the fashion house was responsible for her now-iconic wedding gown. But Middleton's latest turn in the spotlight was decidedly more low-key. While there were flashbulbs aplenty, the duchess made an appearance at England's National Portrait Gallery Gala wearing another of her favorite labels, Temperley London.
WWD reports that Middleton wore a floor-length, long-sleeved emerald green lace dress to view two new exhibitions as well as meet with the museum's guests, donors, and members. The allover lace covered a subtle sweetheart neckline and flared out into a slight A-line. There was a matching bow belt and Middleton finished the look with gold sandals and a coordinating metallic clutch. Of course, the duchess' now-famous blowout was present and accounted for, as well as her sapphire and diamond engagement ring.
In true Middleton style, it was a polished and put-together look that was classic and current all at once. Naturally, it was custom made for the duchess, so you can't pick up the exact same look for your next museum gala. You can, however, snag Kate's earrings. The Telegraph reports that her Kiki McDonough earrings, which feature candy pink tourmaline and green amethyst outlined with diamonds, are available (On sale!) for £5,340. That's about $6,600.
Middleton wasn't the only fashion plate in attendance. The museum was heavy on fashion's biggest names, too. WWD adds that one of the exhibits featured masks designed by British designer Vivienne Westwood and couture milliner Philip Treacy.
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Two months ago, Frances Bean Cobain made her modeling debut (and possibly her last gig) for Marc Jacobs. The spawn of Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain couldn't have gotten a better gig: Jacobs' collection was heavily influenced by grunge and the '90s, so she was the perfect face for the campaign. But Angelenos noticed something a little off about her Melrose Avenue billboard recently.
Dazed reports that there was a slight change to the ad. Namely, some graffiti. But don't fret, it wasn't the work of delinquents — the magazine reports that Marc Jacobs gave Cobain free reign to do whatever she wanted to the billboard and let's just say every liberty was taken.
Cobain added "witch witch she’s a witch" in bright red paint to the black-and-white image. It's fitting, since Cobain is an artist herself and her art-world pseudonym is The Space Witch. She also added a colorful sheriff's badge and an abstract pointy-nosed mask over her own visage. We're not sure how David Sims, the famed photographer who shot the original campaign, would feel about Cobain's tagging, but it sure is a bold and bright addition to the usually greyscale ad. Of course, Marc Jacobs and Cobain posted the entire artistic process to Instagram. In a short video, you can see Cobain and her coven of best pals taking spray paint to the larger-than-life ad.
The tagging could be Cobain's way of bidding adieu to the entire modeling world. She insisted that the Marc Jacobs campaign would be a one-time thing.
"I don’t think I’ll be modeling for anybody else for a very long time — this is 100% outside my comfort zone. I wouldn’t have done it with anyone other than Marc," Cobain told Vogue when the ad made its debut.
But Cobain isn't the only rock-and-roll royalty to front a Marc Jacobs campaign. Her mother joined goth rocker Marilyn Manson in Jacobs' autumn/winter 2016 campaign, which remained untouched by the hands of the Space Witch.
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The last 10 episodes of Pretty Little Liars promise to answer all of our questions about the A game, but that's not the only thing fans can look forward to when the series returns on April 18. PLL is also hosting an unofficial reunion by bringing back long-absent characters. Sure, last season brought the triumphant return of the still-bitter Jenna (Tammin Sursok) and the quickly-decapitated Noel (Brant Daugherty), but it's not just major characters that the show will be reuniting with our beloved Liars. The series is also bringing back players that, frankly, no longer feel particularly relevant. How will they fit into this crazy, crazy series?
While we don't have that answer just yet, we have officially gotten our first glimpse at the return of Holden (Shane Coffey). Entertainment Weekly has revealed new photos from season 7b, and they show Aria (Lucy Hale) having a chat on a bench with her one-time fake boyfriend.
Photo: Eric McCandless/Freeform
That's not all that's going down: In another photo, we see Ezra (Ian Harding) seemingly meeting Holden for the first time — they shake hands, as Ezra offers a look of totally bewilderment. Maybe he remembered that time Holden acted as a cover for Ezra and Aria's less-than-savory student-teacher relationship? Or, maybe, Holden was just telling him about his underground street fighting hobby — particularly dangerous considering his ambiguous heart condition.
Photo: Eric McCandless/Freeform
The real question here is: why the heck is Holden in town? The easiest answer is that he never left: Aria just iced him out for the past four seasons. Coffey last appeared as Holden in season 3's "The Remains Of An A," which means it'll be five years since Holden was last seen on this series — and just as long since him and Aria had a real conversation on PLL 's time table.
So, what's your deal, Holden? Are you the villain known as A.D.? Another red herring? Or just the alter-ego of an actor who took showrunner I. Marlene King up on the offer to make one final PLL appearance? I'm eagerly awaiting the answers...and fortunately, April's not too far away.
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Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford are television pros. And part of being professionals is knowing how to defuse rumors of a feud before they have chance to detonate into something actual. The speculation started that maybe they weren't best friends when Hoda posted this photo of Kathie Lee visiting Hoda's new adopted daughter Haley Joy.
"My girl met my girl and my face exploded!" Kotb captioned the snap.
She had posted photos of all the other Today luminaries visiting her daughter, adopted on February 21, so why not Kathie Lee until now? Well, it's not because Kathie Lee hadn't been to see her.
"Now, that is the picture of Hoda all the time. Every time you see her," Kathie Lee said on Today on Tuesday morning. "But somehow she's forgetting that I came to see her and the baby two days after she got home with the baby. This is not the first time I'm seeing Haley Joy."
That makes sense. I don't take pictures of my best friends every time I hang out with them. The only people that do that are people with a lot of Twitter followers that want to prove that they exist as something more than text and a computer screen.
"I wanted to say that I've been there. That's the way rumors get I guess. Kathie Lee and Hoda aren't really good friends," Kathie Lee went on. "Sometimes people want to believe that kind of garbage. Not true. Don't even start."
Bam. Feud quashed. Ryan Murphy, stay the heck away. These are pros here, and they won't be sucked into our speculation game.
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Dyslexia gave Octavia Spencer a leg up on her classmates as a kid, as she recalled in an interview with WENN.
The Oscar-winning actress opened up about her experiences as an adult living with the disorder and how her childhood teachers played vital role in how she's handled dyslexia as an adult. For starters, Spencer was informed that dyslexia wasn’t some kind of impairment. It was simply another way of seeing the world.
"I was a dyslexic child and am a dyslexic adult; that doesn't really mean that you're not intelligent — it just means that your brain functions differently," Octavia said to WENN. She then described how she was tested as a gifted student due to her learning abilities being more auditory than visually inclined.
"I just remember thinking differently. I could solve puzzles quicker than the average child. I would start with the mazes at the end and go to the front and be done in, like, 30 seconds. My deductive reasoning was very important," she said.
This isn’t the first time Spencer has discussed growing up with dyslexia. The Alabama native has shared stories about how reading changed her life as a young girl and how the mystery series Encyclopedia Brown pretty much saved her life. Spencer would then go on to study the arts in college.
“You have to allow kids to be kids. You also need to nurture their thirst for knowledge. I don’t know that allowing them to skip grades is good because then they end up in a grade with people who are much more mature than they are. I had great teachers and I think teachers should be paid as much as athletes,” she said.
She continued, “When you think about it they spend the majority of the day with your kids so they should be compensated. They’re also teaching them and shaping their views about themselves. I feel very fortunate that in the public school system in Montgomery, Alabama, I had some wonderful teachers.”
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After some much-deserved time off following her shocking loss to Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton recently announced that she’s “ready to come out of the woods.” Never one to dally, she headed to San Francisco on Tuesday to speak at a conference for professional businesswomen. The former Secretary of State confirmed that she’ll remain in public life for an important reason — she’s not done fighting for the advancement of women's and girl’s rights, an issue that she’s repeatedly described as “the unfinished business of the 21st century.”
Although Clinton was candid about the fact that she’d prefer to be doing this work from the White House (I wish you were, too, Hillary), she maintained an upbeat message and didn’t deign to utter Trump’s name once.
"I’m fighting for a fairer, big-hearted, inclusive America. And the unfinished business of the 21st century can’t wait any longer," Clinton told the crowd of 3,500 women. "Now is the time to demand the progress we want to see…and I’ll be right there with you every step of the way.”
Echoing sentiments that she expressed in her gracious, heartbreaking concession speech, Clinton emphasized that she still believes America’s best days are yet to come.
"Where some see a dark vision of carnage, I see a light shining,” she told the crowd, adding that the country is well-positioned to take on the challenge of achieving economic and social equality for women.
As she addressed the audience of businesswomen, Clinton didn’t shy away from acknowledging the sexism that so many of them face in the workplace. She expressed empathy, but urged them to “get in the arena” anyway. And, if anyone knows about pushing through vicious, sexist attacks, it’s Clinton.
“It’s not like I didn’t know all the nasty things they were saying about me," Clinton said, referencing the historically brutal 2016 campaign. "Some of them were actually quite creative, ones I hadn’t heard before, but you just have to keep going."
Clinton didn’t state the specifics of her future plans, but she made one thing abundantly clear — she’s ready to return to public life and keep fighting for what she believes in.
"Obviously, the outcome of the election wasn’t the one I hoped for, worked for," she said. "But I will never stop speaking out."
Clinton’s not giving up, and neither should we. Personally, I take great comfort in knowing that she’ll be fighting for us and with us as we continue to work towards gender equality and an inclusive America.
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Last August, the internet went collectively bananas over a blog post titled, “How To Talk To A Woman Who Is Wearing Headphones. ” It was just as dumb and infuriating as it sounds. The blogger (a pick-up artist who claims to teach men, “how to make women feel INTENSE attraction for you”) offers a number of terrible tips on how to most effectively interrupt a woman’s day and force her into a conversation. It was one of those viral moments that uncomfortably underscores not only the casual misogyny women deal with every day, but also just how many men don’t even notice. In fact, I’d argue most women don’t notice it either — or at least don’t acknowledge it.
For one thing, when something happens every day, you treat it like...well, an everyday occurrence. You brush your teeth, buy a coffee, and turn away from the guy who briefly glances down your blouse at the milk station. If we had to feel and process and rage over each of these encounters every day, there wouldn’t be time for much else. Plus, it’s not our job to wake every un-woke dude who doesn’t get it; we have actual jobs to do. But sometimes, an idiotic blog posts comes along and we all have to point out the obvious.
That’s what The Americans did tonight. And I had to watch it twice before I realized it.
This week, Elizabeth and Philip get a new (but quite familiar) assignment. Gabriel ships them off to Kansas, where they’ll separately seduce two people involved in the on-going wheat investigation. Sexual espionage is their bread and butter, so this should be a breeze. But for some reason, they pause, look at each other, then ask Gabriel if anyone else can handle this one. They’ve got a lot on their plate.
“Why are they being so weird about this all of a sudden?” I ask my boyfriend, beside me on the couch. He shrugged and I shrugged back. Gabriel asks Elizabeth and Philip the same thing, because, obviously, the answer is no. They can’t get out of this; it’s their job.
Normally, they’re very good at it. Thus far, there hasn’t been a single mark they couldn’t bait and hook in a matter of minutes. Forget bloggers, these two are world-class, government-trained pick-up artists, but they’re also our protagonists — our “good guys.” The show has conditioned us to be on their side, even when Philip was luring a 15-year-old (something he struggled with, but never protested). That’s why it’s so confusing, and incredibly satisfying, to watch him falter.
Off we go to Kansas, where Philip finds his assignment, Deirdre, working out at the gym. She is, of course, wearing headphones, and Philip begins this bungled seduction by touching her arm and mouthing for her to take them off. (Way to be up on your pop culture references, writers! I see you!) The conversation that follows is a textbook example of why there is no right way to talk to a woman wearing headphones. You don’t. She put them on so she could listen to music, and not to random strangers who touch her at the gym.
“Are you a local?” Philip asks. “I’m gonna be coming back a bunch. I know nothing about Topeka. What should I do, like, when I’m not working?”
That’s the painful brilliance of the scene: It’s ridiculous, asking a stranger who’s minding her own business to drop that and take care of yours. But it’s also utterly typical. Women are fully accustomed to men confidently, carelessly approaching them out of the blue. Sometimes it’s a lewd remark on the street, and other times, it’s just a guy who has no problem barging into your time and space to claim some of it for his own. Like all women, Deirdre is used to this, and like most of us, she’s used to just going along to get along.
“I” — a pause, a deflated shrug — “spend time with my family.”
“Oh, you have kids?” Philip quickly replies before she can get her headphones back on.
And so on and so forth. Deirdre doesn’t warm up to him, but she can’t seem to be entirely impolite. The deadened familiarity of this exchange stands out all the more because it’s a first on The Americans. Deirdre is the only conquest who doesn’t instantly melt under Philip’s charm. I fucking love her for it, and I hate watching her sit there, riding it out: listening to him talk about himself, offering monosyllabic answers to his uninvited questions. I wish she would just tell him to leave her alone instead of simply not encouraging him. But then I remind myself to wish he’d have left her alone in the first place. And I remember that this is what I would do (have done, will likely do again) myself.
At first, it seems that Philip hates exploiting this ugly reality too, and that allows us, as the viewer, to hate him less for doing it. But then, he and Elizabeth regroup.
“Is it promising?” she asks.
“Maybe. If I don’t die of boredom first.”
Nope, never mind. Philip isn’t wringing his hands over having to harass his way into this woman’s life. He doesn’t seem concerned with why he’s doing it either (reminder: Deirdre may be complicit in causing a famine). He’s just sulking over being rejected. It can’t be him, surely. It’s that he got stuck with a dud.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth nabs her guy, Ben, with ease. She pulls a damsel-in-distress move in a health food store, spilling carob balls everywhere so he can swoop in and help. And also explain what carob is. Elizabeth mentions that she plans to go hiking, and oh, and he knows all about hiking too, so he can teach her how! (This is how guys who pick up women at gyms and health food stores must think the interaction is going to go, huh?) Elizabeth responds to his interest with glee, plays dumb about carob, and laughs and laughs at his half-assed jokes.
“How was your guy,” Philip asks her, back at home.
“I don’t know. Full of himself,” she answers, her tone unremarkable in reporting this unremarkable news. “We’re going hiking this weekend.”
It’s hard to read Philip’s stony face. Is he jealous of this man taking his wife on a hike? Is he envious, imagining this assignment being so much easier for her? It is, of course, in two important ways: A woman who wants to get hit on doesn’t have to do much but sit around and wait. (As if to underscore this point, she gives Philip a mini bottle of booze, explaining that a man on the plane bought it for her. “I made a big deal of telling him I’d give it to my husband.” Haha!) And while Philip seems more and more disillusioned with his homeland, Elizabeth has an unshakeable loyalty to the Soviet Union. The means and motivation are easier for her.
But when it comes time to seal the deal, she balks as well. And finally, we begin to understand why the Jennings’ are suddenly uncomfortable with this part of their job.
Paige goes over to Pastor Tim and Alice’s house to babysit. (There’s a great moment where the Pastor reveals his own condescending underbelly, but there’s so much gender stuff buried in this episode that I’d need 8,000 words and a PhD to cover it all properly.) After they leave, Paige begins to snoop, and it’s a touch more thorough than the routine babysitter snooping.
This scene is intercut with shots of Elizabeth and Ben, in a post-hike, pre-coital make-out session on his couch. You know things are getting serious because he stops to sensually remove her glasses (Jesus, writers, DO YOU FEEL SEEN YET?). Just as Ben reaches to unzip her jeans, Elizabeth stops him. It doesn’t appear to be a calculated move either; the excuse she makes is thin. She gets out of there, assuring him she likes him.
“You like him,” Philip pouts, when she reports back in their bed that night. This too is strange behavior for them. His sulking, her hesitancy, everything about their professional sex lives seems to have shifted now that Paige has entered the picture. No one has said it yet, but if she is following in their footsteps — as she seemed to be tonight — then this is what she’s headed for. The more they fill her in on, the more training she receives, the closer she comes toward this inevitability. For months, Elizabeth and Philip have been struggling to find the balance between raising their child and grooming her. They’ll have to pull the trigger soon.
All of this throws a stark relief on the reality of their situation — but also on reality, period. Even if Paige does not become a spy, she will one day be a woman, out there in the world. She will be subject to eyes on her body and hands fumbling with her zipper. She will be backed into conversations with men she doesn’t want to talk to, and she will likely be polite. She will shrug off their audacity and wait until they’re finished, rather than offend. She will accept drinks from strangers who don’t ask first, and make a joke about it. She will leave the house with headphones on, the volume turned up, loud.
Rapper, mogul, fashion designer, shade-throwing, tea-spilling talent Nicki Minaj has plenty on her pink plate, but the newest addition to the star's résumé is going to put her in the public eye in a whole new way.
People reports that Minaj, fresh off her beef with fellow rapper Remy Ma, has signed with Wilhelmina Models' celebrity division. That means that the undisputed queen of rap (her words!) will be on the same model boards as celebrity spawn Ellar Coltrane and Levi Dylan as well as fellow musicians Nick Jonas and Machine Gun Kelly.
Minaj announced the news on Instagram, writing, "I love the synergy between my music and how it inspires my fashion. My message is always about celebrating your own style. I’m thrilled and honored to have signed with Wilhelmina. They get me."
But what really cemented Minaj's status in the fashion sphere? Vogue profiled her following the big news. If that's not a solid-gold seal of approval, we don't know what is.
Minaj is no stranger to the fashion world. She's starred in campaigns for big names like Roberto Cavalli and has for legendary fashion photographers such as Mario Testino and Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. She's also a designer favorite. She attended the 2016 Met Gala alongside Jeremy Scott and often name-drops designer labels in her rhymes. "Bought me Alexander McQueen / He was keeping my stylish," she says in "Anaconda," before adding, "And when we done, I make him buy me Balmain."
Wilhelmina CEO Bill Wackermann praised Minaj's singular style in an announcement: "We’re thrilled to work alongside Nicki Minaj and her team. She is a style pioneer and icon."
The new contract isn't the only reason to celebrate. Minaj recently reached a major music milestone: she's the only female artist to ever have 76 entries on Billboard 's Top 100 chart. That bests Aretha Franklin's previous record of 73, which she held for over 40 years. We're guessing "multitasking" and "clapping back" go under the Special Skills section of Minaj's résumé, right under the mile-long list of achievements she's earned.
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Today was a day. Earlier this morning, many of us sat in disgust while Fox News’ Bill O'Reilly, an alleged professional adult, made ugly remarks about U.S. Representative Maxine Waters. During a segment on Fox & Friends, a clip of Waters giving an impassioned speech addressing Trump voters was shown. Instead of O'Reilly assuming his role as an anchor, and providing a sound rebuttal concerning Waters’ speech, he instead made childish comments about her hair.
“I didn't hear a word she said. I was looking at the James Brown wig," he said. Then, to further dispel the notion that maybe what audiences just heard was a mistake, he continued by asking the producers to pull up an image of James Brown.
This was how the day began.
Soon after, White House press secretary Sean Spicer lost his cool during a press meeting after reporter April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks, asked him questions about Russia. She disagreed with responses. He then rudely responded to her while asking she NOT to shake her head at him.
After an onslaught of anger and criticism on Twitter towards both instances, a hashtag was born.
“Today, we were told a Black woman's hair matters more than her voice, and our choices are under the control of others, tweeted educator and activist Brittany Packnett. “This happens to black women everyday at work. Share your Maxine and April moments, so people don't think this is rare. Use #BlackWomenAtWork,” she continued.
Today, we were told a Black woman's hair matters more than her voice, and our choices are under the control of others.
The hashtag was soon the number one trending topic on Twitter as Black women shared stories affirming what Packnett stated.
Packnett then sent out a series of tweets about her own personal Spicer and O'Reilly moments.“Every black woman meets at least 3 @oreillyfactor's and 5 @seanspicer's a day...,” she said. “When I started #BlackWomenAtWork today I sadly knew it would trend. Not because I'm special. Because I know how we get treated.”
Soon after Waters herself tweeted a message using the hashtag. “I am a strong black woman. I cannot be intimidated, and I'm not going anywhere.#BlackWomenAtWork.”
I'm 5 feet tall. 90 pounds. Former cheerleader. Told I was intimidating and off-putting by colleague on third day. #BlackWomenAtWork
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah is finding its footing in a major way. It's finally found its foil in the current president, who you may have heard is named Donald Trump.
Just as Jon Stewart made his bones making the Bush laugh face, Noah is having a nice time playing tee-ball with whatever fresh scandal Trump lays out over home plate. Their latest venture is to open a Presidential Twitter Library in His honor.
"Every president since Franklin D. Roosevelt has been honored with a meticulously curated memorial library commemorating the documents of historical value crafted during his time as leader of the free world," the press release reads. "Continuing this hallowed tradition, and seeing no need to wait for him to leave office, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah will honor our current president with The Daily Show Presents: The Donald J. Trump Presidential Twitter Library, the first of its kind, showcasing our Commander in Chief’s preferred vessel for communicating with the public, his Twitter feed. This actual library will be located in New York City and will be free and open to the public."
So, this is a pretty good idea. The twist to have interactive exhibits is especially a good one. But will this spell trouble for Trump? Um, no. Cute little insults don't work against the guy. The Daily Show has also seen its star become a red dwarf since the departure of its ex-host. So it's fitting that they're trying some underdog strategies to return to the forefront of political conversation.
Mainly they're hamstrung by the fact that many liberals have seemingly gone into permanent conspiracy theory land, a place which does not brook irony easily. The continued fascination with a silver-bullet solution to the Trump presidency stands in stark contrast to the Bush years, when American liberals made books making fun of a guy we all generally thought of as a genial dumbass who happened to be the worst president in history.
Now, we're all running around with our hair on fire assuming that if we begin enough tweets with "Sir," and @ Trump, he'll magically resign. Not gonna happen. Anyways, the library opens in June and sounds pretty fun.
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The Trump administration submitted a report to Congress yesterday that may trouble members of the LGBTQ community.
This morning, the list of types of data the administration plans to collect for the 2020 Census and the American Community Survey (ACS) included “sexual orientation and gender identity” as new additions, according to The Washington Times. However, the Census released an updated list hours later that didn’t include the sexual orientation addition.
A representative from the bureau told the Times members of Congress requested the questions be added, but later decided there isn’t a “federal need” for the data.
“The Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey report released today inadvertently listed sexual orientation and gender identity as a proposed topic in the appendix. This topic is not being proposed to Congress for the 2020 Census or American Community Survey,” the bureau said in a statement provided by the Times.
Why is this so troubling? Lawmakers and activists say that having detailed data on the LGBTQ community would help them create laws that improve the lives of the community.
One example is poverty. The LGBTQ community is more likely to struggle with economic hardships, according to The Advocate. The Williams Institute, an LGBT research organization based at the UCLA School of Law, compiled as many national surveys as it could find to estimate of the LGBT poverty rate. However, the Census Bureau could find out these figures and help shape the public debate.
“When we can’t say things about who LGBT people are and what they need, we’re unable to develop public policies that serve them appropriately,” senior director at the Center for American Progress Laura Durso told The Daily Beast. “It really kills me that we’re having these consequential policy debates and I can’t put a number on how many people are affected.”
Criminal and Economic Justice Project Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force Meghan Maury said in a statement that the Trump administration’s removal of the questions “deny LGBTQ people freedom, justice, and equity.”
“Information from these surveys helps the government to enforce federal laws like the Violence Against Women Act and the Fair Housing Act and to determine how to allocate resources like housing supports and food stamps,” Maury said. “If the government doesn’t know how many LGBTQ people live in a community, how can it do its job to ensure we’re getting fair and adequate access to the rights, protections and services we need?”
Although this recent development is troubling, we do have some data for the LGBTQ community. A large-scale U.S. government survey to measure sexual orientation was released in 2014, as The Washington Post reported. Additionally, the Census began collecting information on cohabiting same-sex couples in 1999. In 2013, it started counting same-sex spouses as family units.
But it is worth mentioning that Vice President Mike Pence signed the Religious Freedom Act into law in Indiana, which many experts claimed denied rights to the LGBTQ community. Trump's Supreme Court pick Judge Neil Gorsuch also stated that he opposed same-sex marriage in his Oxford University dissertation. All of these suggest the administration isn’t going to extend a helping hand to the community.
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In 2015, we fell in love with Harnaam Kaur — a 26-year-old body positive activist, living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. PCOS, as it is often called, happens when women have a hormonal imbalance which can result in excessive facial hair.
Instead of hiding behind weekly wax appointments and messy shaving products Kaur embraced her condition and decided to wear a full beard (she’s even a Guinness Book record-holder). And many women living with PCOS are choosing to do that same.
In an interview with Teen Vogue, Kaur along with two other inspiring young women, came forward to share their stories about body hair.
“I thought the bullying, physical and verbal abuse would stop if I was to remove the facial hair,” said Kaur about when she first began growing facial hair.
“I used various method to get rid of it, bleach, wax, thread, hair removal cream and I event used to shave; all this before I even hit my teenage years. I would be bullied for having facial hair, and then I was bullied for removing it too, ‘Look Harnaam is a man, she is shaving!’ people would shout at me. I hid away from society, became an introvert, I removed my facial hair, I even walked around in baggy clothes to hide the fact that I was a woman, this still wasn’t enough to stop me from getting bullied. I obviously had told teachers about what I was going through, that didn’t help at all.”
Teen Vogue also pointed out that while many men and boys can freely align themselves with the #BeardGang culture, girls and women are still forced to hide any hair deemed socially acceptable. Hair removal is absolutely a “form of gendered social control.”
“I'd definitively want to break the misconception that females with body hair are ‘unclean’, ‘unkept,’ or ‘impure,’” said 17-year-old aspiring author, Kiara Mae Beatrice Sloan.
“I want people to realize that personal hygiene is just that... personal! It all depends on the individual. Someone with little to no body hair could easily have worst hygiene than someone who decides to keep their body hair. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder—and true beauty to me is being able to find beauty in almost anything.”
Shelby Riner, a 22-year-old Cookie decorator, shared a simple wish, that we can all get behind. “I want people to know that women are just as beautiful hairy!” she said. “I want people to focus more about inward beauty than conventional beauty norms.”
Though the worst of cold winter should be in our rearview mirror by now, it still feels like dead of winter. The holidays are over, spring is nowhere in sight, and our productivity levels are at an all-time low. The most we can do is hope and pray that the vacation gods will smile upon us and transport us to warmer climes. We need the beach, and we need it now. But we also need it to be affordable.
Ahead, find a gallery full of sandy stretches, azure waters, clear skies, and tropical lodgings. Fear not, it ain’t just mesmerizingly beautiful clickbait; all these places are actually inexpensive. Click on through to see a boatload of beach breaks that you — yes, you — can actually take.
Cannon Beach, Oregon Stretching nine miles up the Oregon coast, Cannon Beach is your dream Pacific Northwest destination. Stroll or bike down the beach looking for wildlife, or simply relax with a good book and beautiful views of Haystack Rock. In town, you'll experience a quaint escape since, according to TripAdvisor, Cannon Beach restricts large chain stores or restaurants. This gives visitors a truly unique stay.
Cost Of Getting There: Round trip airfare to Portland ranges from around $80 to $250, depending on where you're flying from. Cannon Beach is about a two hour drive from Portland International; we suggest renting a car at the airport.
Where To Stay: When you go to any beach, you're looking for easy access and beautiful views. You'll get both from Land's End at Cannon Beach. This hotel's unique and spacious rooms start at around $130 per night. With the Pacific Ocean just steps away, and downtown Cannon Beach close by, Land's End is the ideal location for an Oregon Coast vacation.
Photo: Getty Images.
Varadero Beach, Cuba Cuba has long been a hot destination for amazing beach getaways, but now that Americans can fly directly there, it's more popular than ever. With its white sand and crystal blue water, Varadero Beach is the perfect spot for a first visit to Cuba. After spending hours relaxing by the ocean, have an adventure exploring the tropical forests and caves in Varadero.
Cost Of Getting There: American Airlines has roundtrip flights from JFK starting at $407. Most flights will require a transfer in Miami.
Where To Stay: In Varadero, there is no shortage of all inclusive resorts, which are good options for the budget conscious traveler. To get a bang for your buck, consider staying at Hotel Roc Arenas Dorandas. The standard double rooms offer plenty of space and cost around $150 a night. Though the resort itself has plenty of great features, its direct access to the gorgeous beach is its number one appeal.
Photo: Getty Images.
Virginia Beach, VA One of the most popular beach towns on the east coast, Virginia Beach sits at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. There's plenty to do here, even in the off-season. The busy Virginia Beach Boardwalk is one of the area's main attractions, and is the perfect place for walking, biking, and enjoying live music and views.
Cost Of Getting There: Roundtrip flights from most major U.S. airports start at around $300. You'll fly into Norfolk International Airport, which is about a 20 minute car ride from Virginia Beach.
Where To Stay:Beach Spa Bed and Breakfast combines Southern hospitality with a chill beach vibe. The cozy rooms start at around $160 during peak season. Off season rooms run in the low $100 range. Treat yourself to a relaxing spa treatment if you can.
Photo: Stephen Nakatani/Getty Images.
Maui, Hawaii Home to some of the most breathtaking beaches in the world, Maui is the place for your fantasy paradise vacation. If you like adventure, try your hand at snorkeling or windsurfing, or simply relax in the sun. But don't miss the opportunity to hike Haleakala Crater, the dormant volcano that is Maui's highest point.
Cost Of Getting There: On the more expensive side, roundtrip tickets from New York start at $600 on Hawaiian Airlines. Coming from Los Angeles is a bit less expensive; around $550. April, May, September, and October are the best times to find flight deals to Hawaii, according to govisithawaii.com.
Where To Stay: Since you're shelling out for flights, save on accommodations at the Maui Seaside Hotel. The rooms are nice and plenty comfortable, and nightly rates start at $130. The hotel is near many gorgeous state parks and restaurants favored by locals. It's a great laid-back and affordable option for Maui.
Photo: David Olsen/Getty Images.
Brackley Beach, Prince Edward Island Brackley Beach provides a quiet escape into nature. In this magical place, you can relax on the many miles of pristine beaches or take a trip to the nearby Dunes Studio Gallery for island art and delicious, unique cuisine. The beach town is also home to Prince Edward Island's only drive-in movie theater.
Cost Of Getting There: Roundtrip flights to and from New York City start at $279 with Air Canada. Flights land at Charlottetown Airport, just 15 minutes from Brackley Beach.
Where To Stay:Shaw's Hotel and Cottages offers beautiful views of Brackley Bay. Private cottages start at $140; standard rooms go for about $112 a night, depending on the season.
Photo: Barrett & MacKay/Getty Images.
Hampton Beach, New Hampshire Hampton Beach is the busiest beach community in the state of New Hampshire, and as an added bonus, the ocean water is among the cleanest in the country. There are fun events planned in town nearly every night during the high summer seasons. The town also offers activities all year-round, like September's Seafood Festival and the famous holiday parade in December.
Cost Of Getting There: New Yorkers can make the five-hour drive, but if you live further away, you can fly into Manchester-Boston Regional Airport about an hour away. Flights from most major airports around the country fall in the $200-$300 range.
Where To Stay:Ashworth's by the Sea is right on the beach, as its name suggests. Clean and comfortable rooms start around $150 per night. The hotel has a seasonal rooftop bar from which you can admire beautiful and bustling Hampton Beach.
Photo: Walter Bibikow/Getty Images.
South Padre Island, Texas Nestled off the southernmost tip of Texas, South Padre Island is an ideal location for a laid-back beach escape. The only island in Texas, South Padre features 34 miles of soft, white sand, and was named one of the world’s most beautiful barrier islands by Fodor's.
Cost Of Getting There: Round-trip tickets from major U.S. cities run in the $400 range. Most flights will land in Valley International Airport, and it's about an hour's drive to the island.
Where To Stay: Rated the number-one South Padre Island hotel on TripAdvisor, the recently renovated La Copa Inn Beach Hotel offers comfort and convenience. Score a deal on a room for around $128 a night.
Photo: Getty Images.
Saugatuck, Michigan When thinking about possibilities for beach vacation spots, don’t overlook the Great Lakes. Saugatuck is home to Oval Beach, one of Lake Michigan’s most beloved beaches. The small shore town also offers incredible art galleries and the historic Mount Baldhead, a hiking trail with breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
Cost Of Getting There: Flights from New York start at $309 round-trip. You’ll land at Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, and from there, it's a 45-minute drive to Saugatuck.
Where To Stay: This beach town is known for its B&Bs, but staying at the waterfront cottages can cost a pretty penny. Try The Starlite Resort, which offers standard rooms starting at around $167 a night. The hotel is located just minutes from downtown and the beach, so you'll have easy access to the best of both worlds.
Photo: Getty Images.
Isle Of Palms, South Carolina Isle of Palms is one of five islands off the coast of historic Charleston. Its nearly 2,880 acres include championship golf courses, marinas for boating trips, a thriving local business district, and miles of beaches perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation. Consider renting a car so you can travel into downtown Charleston — just 12 miles away — for tours, great shopping, and amazing restaurants.
Cost Of Getting There: Round-trip flights from New York start as low as $148. You’ll land at Charleston International Airport, which is about a 40-minute drive from Isle of Palms.
Where To Stay: Put the money you saved on your cheap flight towards a stay at Wild Dunes Resort, the top-rated accommodation on the island. A one-bedroom condo starts at $256 a night.
Photo: Getty Images.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Punta Cana offers everything you ever wanted in a tropical vacation, from water sports and spa treatments to horseback riding and tennis. Oh, and of course, the beach. Get acquainted with the native wildlife at Manati Park and experience the local culture by visiting Altos de Chavón, a modern-day artist’s village.
Cost Of Getting There: Round-trip flights from NYC start at around $440. Flights from other major U.S. cities fall in the $300-$500 range.
Where To Stay:AlSol Luxury Village is located on Cap Cana, a private resort area in Punta Cana. Offering breathtaking views at every turn, AlSol’s design includes 300 villa-style suites starting at just $125 a night.
Photo: Getty Images.
Gulf Shores, Alabama Nestled off the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores is a 32-mile stretch of soft, white sand beaches and clear blue waters that you'd never expect to find in Alabama. Spend your days zip-lining, golfing, fishing, or splashing around in the water. Come nightfall, sample the regional cuisine while enjoying the musical stylings of hometown celebrity Jimmy Buffett.
Cost Of Getting There: Roundtrip airfare from most major U.S. cities will cost around $400. You can fly into either the Mobile Regional Airport or Pensacola International; both are about an hour's drive from Gulf Shores.
Where To Stay: Situated right on the beach, Phoenix All Suites Hotel offers the best of both worlds: the luxury (and privacy) of a condo, and the amenities of a hotel. Rates start at around $135 a night.
Photo: Getty Images.
Outer Banks, North Carolina For a perfect domestic beach vacation, hit North Carolina’s Outer Banks. There, you’ll find open-sea beaches, gorgeous state parks, and the best seafood North Carolina has to offer. Climb the tallest brick lighthouse in America at Cape Hatteras or go fishing off Jennette’s Pier. You don’t even need to leave the country for this slice of paradise.
Cost Of Getting There: A round-trip plane ticket from New York will cost in the $300-$400 range. You’ll land at the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport, which is about a three-hour drive from the Outer Banks.
Where To Stay: Check into Ocracoke Harbour Inn, which offers 16 rooms and seven suites on beautiful Silver Lake, in the heart of the fishing village of Ocracoke. Nightly rates run around $140.
Photo: John Greim/Getty Images.
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands There are many reasons to love the U.S. Virgin Islands — not the least of which is that you don't need a passport to visit if you're a U.S. citizen. But with clear skies, emerald waters, and plenty to do, ease of travel is just a bonus. Go surfing in Hull Bay, hit the duty-free shops, or take a tour of Blackbeard's Castle. The island of St. Thomas is only 32 square miles, but it definitely packs a lot in.
Cost Of Getting There: Airfare from New York will cost you about $300 roundtrip, depending on the time of year. (For the best deals, travel in the summer.)
Where To Stay:Sugar Bay Resort & Spa is a nice beachside resort with all the amenities and incredible views of the ocean. Rooms can be found for under $200 a night, and an all-inclusive option is also available.
Photo: Courtesy of Sugar Bay Resort & Spa.
Pedasi, Panama If the touristy scenes of Mexico and the Caribbean don't do it for you, consider hightailing it to Panama. Everything about the coastal town of Pedasi is tranquilo. Here, you'll find idyllic mountain views, immaculate beaches, a bustling downtown area, and activities galore: horseback riding, snorkeling, surfing, fishing, diving, and more.
Cost Of Getting There: Flights from major U.S. hubs to Panama City are available for around $300. From there, it's a short $70 flight to Pedasi.
Where To Stay:El Sitio Playa Venao offers 14 rooms of varying size and amenities. Perch yourself on a comfy hammock and spend the afternoon just watching the waves. If you get bored, all the activities mentioned above are close at hand. Standard rooms can be found for as little as $90 a night.
Photo: Courtesy of El Sitio Playa Venao.
Playa Del Carmen, Mexico With incredible snorkeling reefs, white beaches, cool stores and cafes, and arty boutique hotels, Playa Del Carmen is a hub for hipsters with wanderlust. Popularized by backpackers who sought spotless sands, it's a chilled-out beach town with a slightly hippie-esque atmosphere. Better yet, it's a short drive from Cancun — a major city with plenty of direct flights — but has none of the spring break-style cheesiness.
Cost Of Getting There: Roundtrip flights from major U.S. cities to Cancun start at around $315.
Where To Stay: Booking.com has some seriously good deals, if you're flexible with your dates. Try Hotel Kinbe, a stylish outpost just feet from the beach with minimalist rooms, a pool with a waterfall, and nightly rates as cheap as $57.
Photo: Courtesy of PlayaDelCarmen.com.
Costa Rica For a tropical retreat, try Costa Rica, which, despite its growing popularity and uptick in development, remains largely undisturbed, natural, and affordable. Book ahead and get a cheap and cheerful B & B; there’s no point in splashing your cash for a room when you’re going to be spending all of your time out exploring. And here, we guarantee that’s exactly what you’ll be doing.
Cost Of Getting There: Roundtrip flights from major U.S. cities to San Jose start at around $350.
Where To Stay: Located in Montezuma (on the southern tip of Costa Rica), Amor de Mar is an 11-room guesthouse surrounded by tropical greenery and only five minutes from the beach. Doubles are available from around $55 per night.
Photo: Cultura/REX USA.
Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands The most easterly point in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Saint Croix is a teeny, tiny island that offers everything you could possibly want from a tropical beach break: sun-kissed seas, talc-like sands, blue skies, palm trees, and quality piña coladas.
Cost Of Getting There: Roundtrip flights from major U.S. cities are available for around $360; depending on your departure city, you may have to change planes in Miami or Saint Thomas.
Where To Stay:Hotel Caravelle in the historic town of Christiansted is a great and affordable option, with nightly rates from $119 and rooms with harbor views.
Photo: Courtesy of The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.
Kona, Hawaii There’s no doubt Hawaii can be seriously expensive, but tucked away between pricey resorts and five-star hotels is Kona, a sleepy village on the Kohala Coast, where you can eat local, stay cheap, stroll along black-lava beaches, and appreciate great surf and snorkeling — in other words, have an authentic trip to Hawaii for a fraction of the price you’d expect.
Cost Of Getting There: Roundtrip flights from LAX start at around $550.
Where To Stay: Use a site like Booking.com to find a cheap deal at Kona Guest House. With four rooms (some with ocean views), tropical surroundings, a "micro spa" where massages are available, and rates from around $76 a night, it’s a steal.
Photo: Courtesy of Wikimedia.
Culebra, Puerto Rico On the eastern side of the island, Culebra is a sleepy coastal town with a vibrant local culture and a beautiful tropical setting. Walk for miles along undisturbed white sands and paddle in warm, clear water with tropical fish nipping at your ankles. (Culebra is an especially great spot for snorkeling and diving, with all its reefs and shallow water.) In the evenings, soak up Culebra culture, eat seafood with locals, dance to gentle guitar music, and take a moonlit dip.
Cost Of Getting There: Roundtrip flights from New York to San Juan hover around $245; from there, take a short flight to Culebra for $105 (roundtrip). You can also drive 90 minutes from San Juan and take an inexpensive ferry to the island. (More info can be found here.)
Where To Stay: Mamacita’s is a warm and friendly 10-room guesthouse with clean rooms, a tropical bar, and cheap nightly rates. Call for pricing.
Photo: Courtesy of See Puerto Rico.
Ocho Rios, Jamaica The island of Jamaica is beautiful, easily accessible, and relatively affordable. Eat cheap at roadside shacks serving the best jerk chicken and pork you've ever had in your life, discover natural wonders like the magnificent Blue Hole, spend your days paddling in the ocean, and dance the night away between hefty sips of Jamaican rum.
Cost Of Getting There: Roundtrip flights to Montego Bay from major U.S. cities start at around $400.
Where To Stay: Located on the beach, the 74-room Fisherman's Point Resort offers one-bedroom suites for as little as $85 per night, plus all the standard hotel amenities, a freshwater pool, and an on-site restaurant and bar.
Photo: Justine Goodman.
Placencia, Belize Placencia has all the workings of a perfect tropical beach break, but without the sky-high price tag. Crystal waters, tropical reefs, and luscious rainforest canopies are omnipresent, wrapped around bright and beautiful budget beachfront resorts which you can reserve for under $120 a night. What’s there to do? Swim and soak up the sun, of course.
Cost Of Getting There: Roundtrip flights to Belize City from major U.S. hubs start at around $300.
Where To Stay: The aptly named Maya Beach Hotel is right on the beach, so you can roll out of bed and straight into the sea. Air-conditioned rooms with queen-size beds start at $149 per night.
Photo: Courtesy of the Belize Tourism Board.
Saint John, Virgin Islands Saint John is an island of two tales: There are the world-class resorts, where guests arrive by private jet, and then there are more modest, wallet-friendly options that are perfect for the rest of us. Take Maho Bay, a calm stretch on the North Shore of the island, where the beaches are long and the water's calm, and there are ample opportunities to snorkel, and eco-friendly accommodations for the earth-lover on a budget.
Cost Of Getting There: Pick your dates right and you can find roundtrip flights for under $300 — try American Airlines for the best prices.
Where To Stay:Concordia Eco Resort has a variety of eco tents (which are like tree-houses on the hillside), with all of the basic facilities you need. They sleep up to five people and cost around $135 per night.
Photo: Courtesy of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The beach town may have suffered a bad rep as a destination for wild college-aged spring breakers, but there are plenty of activities in Fort Lauderdale for grown ups, too. If you're looking to engage in some R&R, this is as good as it gets. Slow down your pace by being a total beach bum on the sunkissed sands, or take a long, leisurely stroll along Las Olas Boulevard, the city's arts and shopping epicenter.
Cost Of Getting There: Flights from New York start at around $123 on budget airlines, and hover around $175 for major airlines like Delta.
Where To Stay: It's hard to miss the beach at The Atlantic Hotel & Spa — the 124-room stunner offers large balconies and a pool that directly looks over the golden sands of Fort Lauderdale Beach. Nightly rates start at $162.
Photo: Courtesy of The Atlantic Hotel
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