The Steamiest, Sexiest Movies Of All Time

July 21, 2017, 10:20 am

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The sexiest movies aren't necessarily lurking in the adults-only section of HBO — or in the deleted archives of one's browser history. Often, the steamiest films are mainstream. Whether a flick actually features a crazy-hot love scene or a more innocent tryst between a forbidden couple, it's perfectly acceptable to find these movies tantalizing. Let's be real: That was totally the filmmaker's point.

As a celebration of the sexiest films to ever grace the big screen, we've rounded up a collection of movies that have a history of encouraging sexy thoughts. While turn-ons are as varied as people are, these movies certainly attempt to evoke certain feelings in all of us.

Is it hot in here? Nope, it's just these movies. Click through to read about the sexiest movies to inspire endless fantasizing.

***Kiss Me***(2011)
Frida goes to her father's wedding with her fiancé, and finds herself thrown for a loop. She's inexplicably, totally, and completely attracted to her soon-to-be stepmother's daughter, Mia. *Kiss Me* should be a fixture in the forbidden love genre.

***The Lover***(1992)
In this film based on the famous novel by Margeurite Duras, a French teenager and a wealthy older Chinese man in 1920s French Indochina carry out an affair in seedy corners of Saigon. The jig's almost up on their forbidden relationship. But when will it end, and how?
Renn/Burrill/Films A2/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

***My Golden Days***(2015)
Of course a film about a middle-aged French anthropologist remembering his first love is going to be steamy. The lush, romantic film is actually a prequel to the 1996 three-hour epic, *My Sex Life or...How I Got Into An Argument,"* which is all about the French academic's present-day life. *My Golden Days* explains how he became such a romantic idealist.

***Adore***(2013)
Robyn Wright and Naomi Watts' characters grow up in idyll on the Australian coast. When they grow up, they raise their beautiful sons in adjacent beautiful homes. Everything is beautiful and nothing hurts.
And then, the women start sleeping with each others' sons. Still beautiful? Up to you to decide.

***Troy***(2014)
Only Hollywood could take *The Iliad*, strip it of its poetry and literary significance, and make it an excuse for Orlando Bloom, Eric Bana, and Brad Pitt to prance around on horseback.

***My Beautiful Laundrette***(1985)
In a rough neighborhood of London, Omar Ali (Gordon Warnecke) inherits a laundromat from his uncle. Then, Omar is beat up by a gang of racist kids — the leader of whom is, surprisingly, Omar's ex-lover, Johnny (Daniel Day-Lewis). Despite Johnny's connection to the group, he and Omar rekindle their relationship. This acclaimed, heartening movie about love against the odds features what may be the best ear lick of all time.

***Body Heat***(1981)
Set in Florida during an intense heatwave, this is a movie about passion, heat, crime, and a lot of sweat. Ned Racine (William Hurt), a shy lawyer, starts a passionate affair Matty Walker (Kathleen Turner), the wife of a big shot businessman. Ned teams up with one of his criminal clients to kill Matty's husband, so the two can run off together. Of course, Ned finds himself way over his head. Not even the hottest sex can save him now.
Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock

Boogie Nights (1997)

What else do you expect from a movie about Mark Wahlberg trying to break into the adult film industry?

***Out of Sight***(1998)
What happens when you pit George Clooney's notorious bank robber against J-Lo's Federal Marshal on the hunt? Chemistry, of course. In addition to being steamy, this witty movie received almost universal acclaim from critics.
Universal/REX/Shutterstock

***Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love***(1996)
You'd expect that a movie with the title "Kama Sutra" would be sexy, and trust us — it delivers. Set in 16 century India, *Kama Sutra* is about two childhood friends who become sexual rivals in their womanhood. Tara becomes engaged to the king, and her best friend Maya is groomed into becoming his mistress. This cannot end well, though at least there are drawn-out sex scenes along the way.
Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock

***Carol***(2015)
This gorgeous period piece tells the story of a timid shopgirl who becomes romantically involved with a wealthy housewife. The movie's sexiest moment comes when a couple takes a road trip away from Carol's husband and steam up a motel room. What makes *Carol* a great film, however, are the satisfying journeys of self-discovery that both women embark on.
Wilson Webb/Killer Films/The Weinstein Company/REX/Shutterstock

**Original Sin**
Sure, the movie was slammed by critics. But upturned noses can't take away from the crazy chemistry between leads Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas in this period piece set in Cuba during 19th century Spanish rule.
Lourdes Grobet/MGM/REX/Shutterstock

**Vicky Cristina Barcelona** (2008)
The artist-and-his-muse archetype gets revamped in this Woody Allen flick. The Spanish setting is romantic enough, but all bets (and clothing items) are off when you add in the allure of the painter, his colorful past lover, and the promise of a new one.
Streaming: Amazon
Photo: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

**9 1/2 Weeks** (1986)
If there's anything sexier than Mickey Rourke as a Wall Street mogul having an affair with Kim Basinger, we've yet to find it. This movie upped the ante on what erotic means in Hollywood.
Streaming: Amazon
Photo: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

**Lust, Caution** (2007)
A young, virginal woman is tasked with seducing a most dangerous enemy. Thrilling romance follows.
Streaming: Amazon
Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features.

**I Am Love** (2009)
Visually stunning, *I Am Love* is one of those movies you can't look away from. The veneer of the perfect family, under the guise of bougie Italian culture, is questioned in this battle over old and new. The meal scene is a must.
Streaming: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of Magnolia Film.

**Y Tu Mamá También** (2001)
Two teens embark on a road trip when they encounter a stunningly free-spirited woman who helps them discover intimacy and themselves.
Streaming: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of IFC Films.

**House Of Pleasures** (2011)
Instead of submitting to men, the women of this French brothel know how to dominate them.
Streaming: Amazon
Photo: Courtesy of Haut et Court.

**From Here To Eternity** (1953)
The scene with Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster kissing on the beach is iconic and unforgettable.
Streaming: iTunes
Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures.

**Unfaithful** (2002)
This movie, despite how disastrous Diane Lane's affair is, will make you want to pull your lover into the nearest restaurant bathroom and get it on immediately.
Streaming: Amazon
Photo: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox.

**Cruel Intentions** (1999)
Ah... young, rich, pretty people galavanting through hedonism and the recklessness of youth.
Streaming: Amazon
Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures.

**Eyes Wide Shut** (1999)
*Fifty Shades* might be all kinky and whatnot, but Stanley Kubrick's sex party is one for the cinematic ages.
Streaming: Amazon
Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

**Fallen Angels** (1995)
Visually, this movie is the definition of sexy. Story-wise, it'll tear you to pieces.
**Streaming:** Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of Kino International.

**Malèna** (2000)
It should go without saying that Monica Bellucci's mere presence amps the sensuality of any film to new heights. But, this coming-of-age tale demystifies the act of growing up and into one's own sexuality.
Streaming: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of Miramax Films.

**Bound** (1996)
Whoever said a sexy movie needed a heteronormative seduction story hasn't seen the Wachowskis' crime thriller. Two femme fatales are better than one.
Streaming: Unavailable
Photo: Courtesy of Gramercy Pictures.

**Weekend** (2011)
This movie from *Looking* creator Andrew Haigh is a watershed for queer cinema. Not only does it present an insightful story about a homosexual romance without ostentatious stereotypes, it presents gay sex as perfectly normal.
Streaming: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of Sundance Selects.

**The Dreamers** (2003)
Though the film treads the incest line, *The Dreamers* prompts audiences to question sex with people outside of their "type." Plus, Eva Green just exudes sexuality.
Buy: Amazon
Photo: Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures.

**Love & Basketball** (2000)
For once, a movie that focuses on the reactions to sex and sexuality rather than the actual act. *Love & Basketball* made it feel like the first time.
Streaming: iTunes
Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema.

**The Piano Teacher** (2001)
Dark, but moving, *The Piano Teacher* doesn't shy away from the shame that sex can generate. There's something inherently sexy about that kind of rawness.
Streaming: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of Kino International.

**Basic Instinct** (1992)
Everyone knows this movie for Sharon Stone's interrogation scene, but the sex scene is also incredible. Even more than that, Stone's entire aura is divinely sexy.
Streaming: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of TriStar Pictures.

**In The Mood For Love** (2000)
Not only is this film a fabulous study of couples seeking other arrangements, but the costume design exudes sex appeal.
Buy: Amazon
Photo: Courtesy of USA Films.

**28 Hotel Rooms** (2012)
This is what happens when your one-night stand turns out to be something more. Enjoy the ride.
Streaming: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of Oscilloscope Laboratories.

**Mr. & Mrs. Smith** (2005)
So, their actual marriage has gone to hell. But these two gifted us one of the hottest angry sex scenes, ever. Plus, who doesn't want to watch Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt cinematically get it on?
Streaming: Amazon
Photo: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox.

**How Stella Got Her Groove Back** (1998)
Angela Bassett and Taye Diggs gave us all too high of expectations for what shower sex could be.
Streaming: Amazon
Photo: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox.

**Take This Waltz** (2011)
Michelle Williams has always been subtly sexy, and this scene takes the cake — both artistically and sexually.
Streaming: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

**Elles** (2011)
Juliette Binoche is the definition of French chic. Her portrayal of a woman seeking to rediscover her sexuality through researching prostitutes is as inspiring as it is enticing.
Streaming: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of Memento Films.

**Betty Blue** (1986)
An erotic drama that opens with an in-your-face sex scene, *Betty Blue* presents sex without any gimmicks. The most shocking thing about the sexuality is how not shocking it actually is.
Streaming: Amazon
Photo: Courtesy of Gaumont.

**Sex, Lies, And Videotape**(1989)
For once, a movie with as many blunt conversations about sex as there are sex scenes.
Buy: Amazon
Photo: Courtesy of Miramax Films.

**A Single Man** (2009)
Tom Ford's screen adaptation of Christopher Isherwood's novel is far and away the most sexed-up title on this list. However, it's sexier than the rest because Tom Ford has his hand in every bit of this film. Everything from the styling, set design, soundtrack, and coloring is sleek. This is eye candy.
Streaming: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of The Weinstein Company.

**Breathless** (1960)
Jean-Luc Godard's debut feature film is one of the reasons we're all slightly obsessed with the effortlessly cool French look and life.
Streaming: Amazon
Photo: Courtesy of Rialto Pictures.

**Secretary** (2002)
Let's be real: This is the original *Fifty Shades*. This movie does more than depict sadomasochism, it celebrates it.
Streaming: Amazon
Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

**Blue Is The Warmest Color** (2013)
This French film explores a romance between two young women and shows the excitement of experiencing true intimacy for the first time. Check it out for the sweet romance, stay for the sexy, sexy scenes.
Stream: Netflix
Photo: Wild Bunch

**Mulholland Drive** (2001)
Naomi Watts and Laura Elena Harring find very sexy romance as they attempt to solve a bizarre mystery in David Lynch's steamy neo-noir.
Buy: Amazon
Photo: Universal Pictures

**Savages** (2012)
Is it hot in here, or is it just the polyamorous relationship between the three beautiful leads? Blake Lively, Taylor Kitsch, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson play marijuana farmers who get tangled up in a Mexican drug cartel — but not before getting tangled up in one another.
Buy: Amazon
Photo: Universal Pictures

**Brokeback Mountain** (2005)
Yes, this movie is devastating, but you also can't find two better-looking guys than Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal to hook up in a tent.
Buy: Amazon
Photo: Focus Features

**Closer** (2004)
*Closer* isn't filled with sex scenes, but the deep kisses and smoldering looks exchanged between the four gorgeous actors are enough to get anyone hot and bothered.
Buy: Amazon
Photo: Columbia Pictures

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3 Recipes That Prove Vegan Food Can Be Cheap, Easy & Delicious

July 21, 2017, 10:20 am

≫ Next: Sean Spicer Reportedly Stole A Mini-Fridge & The Internet Is Recreating The Crime

≪ Previous: The Steamiest, Sexiest Movies Of All Time

We often assume that vegan recipes are cheaper to execute than their meaty counterparts. But, many of our fave meat- and dairy-free dishes are centered around fresh produce. And these ingredients, unfortunately, do not come cheap or last long in our busy lives and crowded fridge spaces. But just because some limitations exist, that doesn't mean that we should throw in the kitchen towel altogether. Because with every culinary challenge comes a handy hack!

And for this particular problem, we have a secret weapon solution: Katie Koteen's and Kate Kasbee's crafty cookbook, Frugal Vegan. Full of "Affordable, easy, and delicious vegan cooking," Koteen's and Kasbee's recipe book serves as our crash course in vegan dining on a dime. From breakfast to lunch, dinner, dessert, snacks, and sauces, each dish utilizes budget-friendly ingredients that aren't at high risk of ending up past their prime.

Click ahead for three ideas, savory and sweet, to get you started!

**Burrito Bowl With Cilantro Tahini**
*Serves 4*
**Ingredients**
1 cup short-grain brown rice
2 medium carrots, cut into ½ in. thick rounds
1 bunch kale, de-stemmed and chopped
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
½ cup frozen corn, defrosted
1 avocado, diced
¼ cup Cilantro Tahini (see below)
**Instructions**
1. Cook the rice according to package directions. Once the water has been completely absorbed, remove the rice from heat and fluff with a fork. Meanwhile, fill another pot with a couple of inches of water and bring to a boil. Put the carrots in a steamer basket and place it over the boiling water. Cover the pot and cook the carrots for 3 to 5 minutes. Then, add the kale to the steamer basket and cook until barely soft and bright green, another 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the carrots and kale from heat and set aside.
2. Warm the black beans in a small saucepan on the stove or in the microwave. Defrost the corn in the microwave and dice your avocado. Add a scoop of brown rice to each bowl, followed by the black beans, carrots, corn, kale, avocado and a drizzle of Cilantro Tahini. Serve immediately.
**Cilantro Tahini**
*Serves 4–6*
**Ingredients**
1/3 cup tahini
¼ cup and 1 tbsp water
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1 tbsp lime juice
½ tsp salt
**Instructions**
Combinethe tahini, water, cilantro, lime juice and salt in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Serve with our Burrito Bowl.
From *Frugal Vegan* by Katie Koteen and Kate Kasbee, Page Street Publishing Co. 2017. Photo credit: Allie Lehman.
Photo: Courtesy of Allie Lehman.

**Sweet Potato Breakfast Boats**
*Serves 2*
**Ingredients**
1 sweet potato
½ avocado, mashed
1/8 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
½ cup black beans, drained and rinsed
½ cup frozen corn, thawed
¼ cup salsa
Salt and pepper
**Instructions**
1. Using a fork, poke holes all around the sweet potato. Place it on a paper towel or microwave-safe plate and microwave for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cooked through.
2. Cut the sweet potato in half lengthwise, and then, with the fleshy parts facing up, cut a slit lengthwise down the middle of each half. Use a couple of forks to split open the sweet potato halves so you’re left with little pockets.
3. In a small bowl, mash the avocado with the cumin and cayenne. Then, fill each sweet-potato boat with the avocado, followed by the black beans, corn and salsa. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
From *Frugal Vegan* by Katie Koteen and Kate Kasbee, Page Street Publishing Co. 2017. Photo credit: Allie Lehman.
Photo: Courtesy of Allie Lehman.

**Salted Peanut Butter Popcorn**
*Serves 4*
**Ingredients**
2 tbsp coconut oil
½ cup popcorn kernels
¼ cup maple/agave-blend syrup
1½ tbsp creamy peanut butter
1/8 tsp salt, plus more to taste
**Instructions**
1. Add the coconut oil and a few popcorn kernels to a large stockpot over medium heat. Cover. Once the first kernel pops, immediately add the rest of the kernels and re-cover. Gently shake the pot while popcorn kernels are popping, lifting the lid to release steam periodically. Once there is a pause of two to three seconds between pops, remove the pot from heat. Transfer the popped popcorn to a large bowl and set aside.
2. To a small saucepan, add the maple/agave-blend syrup and bring it to a boil. Cook over medium heat for a few minutes until a thick consistency is reached. Remove the syrup from heat and whisk in the peanut butter and salt, stirring until combined.
3. Drizzle the popcorn with the peanut butter sauce, tossing and stirring as you go to evenly coat the popcorn. Serve warm, adding more salt to taste.
From *Frugal Vegan* by Katie Koteen and Kate Kasbee, Page Street Publishing Co. 2017. Photo credit: Allie Lehman.
Photo: Courtesy of Allie Lehman.

*Frugal Vegan* by Katie Koteen and Kate Kasbee, $14.84, available at Amazon.
Photo: Courtesy of Allie Lehman.

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Sean Spicer Reportedly Stole A Mini-Fridge & The Internet Is Recreating The Crime

July 22, 2017, 2:30 pm

≫ Next: Wonder Woman Is The Star Of The New Justice League Trailer

≪ Previous: 3 Recipes That Prove Vegan Food Can Be Cheap, Easy & Delicious

This administration continually finds new ways to astound us all. Between the Russia investigation, Trump's public musings of pardoning himself and his family members, and a feud with the First Lady of Japan, it's a race to the bottom in terms of absurdities coming from the White House. In a story that sounds like a headline from The Onion, Sean Spicer, who just resigned as Press Secretary, reportedly stole a mini-fridge from a junior staff's office. Sean Spicer, a grown adult man who presumably can afford his own mini-fridge, boosted it instead after the staff left their office for the night. A million gifs of a very confused Steve Harvey comes close to capturing our feelings. Who even does this?

According to the Wall Street Journal, Spicer was irritated that he didn't have a mini-fridge in his own office. In a stunning display of zero chill, "[Spicer] dispatched a top aide to a nearby executive office building where junior research employees are crammed into a room, surviving on Lean Cuisine frozen lunches. Mr. Spicer wants your icebox, the aide said, according to people familiar with the incident. They refused to give it up. So Mr. Spicer waited until sundown—after his young staffers had left—to take matters into his own hands. He was spotted by a fellow White House official lugging the icebox down the White House driveway after 8 p.m.” Are you now visualizing Sean Spicer hauling a mini-fridge up the White House driveway? Did he lurk behind the bushes again? Because that mental image is just the most.

Twitter, predictably, immediately seized on the sheer ridiculousness of this story. And now, the most important question remains: since he resigned, did the junior staffers get their fridge back?

When you hear Sean Spicer stole a f*cking mini fridge under the cover of darkness. pic.twitter.com/3PLZsNPIwj
— Dab Aggin (@DabAggin) July 21, 2017

me, a simpleton: just go buy a fridge
spicer, the true genius: imma steal that shit https://t.co/WnRTDev8GR
— me, an idiot (@dcseifert) July 22, 2017

SPICER: let me meet the pope
TRUMP: no way

SPICER: let me have your fridge
LOW LEVEL STAFFER: fuck off sean https://t.co/AkiL91O3Q4
— delrayser (@delrayser) July 21, 2017

I'm most impressed with/puzzled by the jr research staffers who stood their ground in the face of a direct order from the press secretary.
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) July 21, 2017

Honestly the report that said that Sean Spicer stole a mini fridge from junior staffers is my level of petty these days
— Jaclyn Corio (@jaclyn_corio) July 22, 2017

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Wonder Woman Is The Star Of The New Justice League Trailer

July 22, 2017, 2:45 pm

≫ Next: Orphan Black Episode 7 Recap: "Gag Or Throttle"

≪ Previous: Sean Spicer Reportedly Stole A Mini-Fridge & The Internet Is Recreating The Crime

Move over boys; Wonder Woman is here to save the day, again. This is clear from the new Justice League trailer, which is chock full of Gal Gadot doing what she does best: taking down the bad guys, of course.

This over four-minute teaser, which dropped at San Diego's Comic-Con, opens with Wonder Woman bursting through a wall and dodging bullets. When one guy actually manages to land a pistol whip to the back of her head, Wonder Woman launches a punch that surely teaches him why he should never do that. In other words, it's just your average day for the record-breaking female superhero.

Following the "death" of Superman, there's been a wave of crime around the world that's just too much for one superhero to handle. It's why Batman (Ben Affleck) is assembling a team that can help him to defeat the world. He's got Aquaman (Jason Mamoa), The Flash (Ezra Miller), Cyborg (Ray Fisher), Wonder Woman who gets to be the real leader of this rag-tag team.

She gets to offer up helpful advice like, "Don't engage alone. We do this together." No surprise from that quote that teamwork is the theme of this trailer, which gives us a serious peek at what Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash can do. Spoiler: a whole lot, including make jokes which have been sorely missing in many of the previous DC films. What may also not be missing from this film is the Man Of Steel, whose presence is teased in the final seconds of the trailer.

As if this Wonder Woman-centric trailer wasn't enough, it was announced at the Justice League panel that Wonder Woman 2 is definitely happening. It's on the schedule, which means Patty Jenkins' work won't go to waste. Of course, from the looks of this trailer, Wonder Woman may be taking over the Justice League as well.

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Orphan Black Episode 7 Recap: "Gag Or Throttle"

July 22, 2017, 8:00 pm

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≪ Previous: Wonder Woman Is The Star Of The New Justice League Trailer

We're now over halfway through the final season of Orphan Black, and if the last episode was the tipping point, "Gag or Throttle" is that sudden rush down the hill of a rollercoaster. This episode finally gave me that heart-pounding "oh hell yeah" feelings I got from Orphan Black in the first season, which is fitting, because we're doing a lot of going back to the past. Let's get started.

The episode starts with a face that I for one never thought we'd see again: Aldous Leekie, the head of Neolution who we met way back in season 1. Alison and Donnie buried his body in their garage, but that doesn't stop him from coming back in flashbacks. Specifically, Rachel's flashbacks, which are a major part of the episode. This particular one takes us all the way back to when Rachel was still a child. Leekie introduces her to his co-workers, bragging that while she's one of many clones, she's of particular interest since she's the only one aware that the other clones exist.

Cut to present Rachel Duncan, where she's being lauded for her work with Kira, whom Westmoreland and the rest of the neolutionists will be using as their next subject. She says the next phase involves biopsies of Kira's liver, lungs, and stomach, but before she can say more, Kira enters the room.

Later, Kira and Rachel are sitting together in Dyad when Kira asks why she can't leave. Rachel says it's because they're still monitoring her sleep, but it's becoming increasingly clear that they have no plans to return Kira to Sarah. Despite this, Kira hands Rachel a friendship bracelet that she made. Rachel says the last time she made one of these was for a friend in summer camp — but they aren't friends anymore. Kira can relate. She tells Rachel that she and Sarah moved around too much for Kira to have any friends, also. This is just the beginning of Rachel discovering how much she has in common with their new experiment, but it hasn't changed her mind on going through with it — at least, it hasn't yet.

Mr. Frontinac tells Rachel that a coast guard spotted Cosima's boat, the one she and Charlotte used to leave Revival, offshore, empty. However, Rachel won't believe they've drowned until she sees it. She tells them to keep looking, that Cosima's taken a large portion of her cure.

Luckily, Cosima and Charlotte are just fine. They found Scott, but the happy reunion is interrupted by a call from Sarah. Charlotte tells her the truth: that Dyad wants to harvest Kira's eggs, and they have one day before the operation starts. Dyad is doing everything all over again, to another generation of women — but they refuse to let it happen to Kira. The only leverage they have is that P.T. Westmoreland isn't the age he says he is, so they each leave to follow their leads on his real history.

Rachel, who has traveled back to the island, has another flashback as she's putting flowers on Susan's grave. Back when P.T. Westmorland asked to partner with her, he said he considered her his daughter. Rachel snaps back when present-day Westmoreland approaches her and takes her to meet Coady, who wants to perform an examination. This rattles Rachel — she's a leader, not a subject, and was officially emancipated from being neolution property a long time ago. Nevertheless, she obliges but notices something as she changes her clothes: Her file is on the computer screen in the examination room. She's listed as Patient No. 779H41. That sounds a lot like neolution property to me.

Over with Donnie, Alison finally arrives back home from her trip to "find herself," and she also found a new haircut along the way. Her short chop is dyed purple, and she even got a tattoo on her pelvis. She says she's transformed her personality as well. She's present, she no longer needs to control everyone, and, perhaps the most shocking, she no longer needs arts and crafts.

Rachel, in a meeting with Westmoreland, learns that they want to fly Kira to the island after her surgery — meaning she can't go back home with Sarah. Rachel resists for a moment before relenting.

Downstairs, Coady meets with an old friend: Mark, another Castor clone. Although he's a traitor, Coady has agreed to help cure him in exchange for information. He knows where Helena is.

Speaking of, we finally get a glimpse of Helena in this episode. She's still at the convent but gets an unexpected visitor: Gracie, the disgraced daughter of the leader of the Proletheans, and Mark's wife.

But that's all we get before we're back with Rachel as she discovers something life-changing. After spotting Westmoreland constantly using a tablet, she goes into his office late at night to see what's on it. When she looks, it's like standing in-between two mirrors. It goes on and on and on before Rachel raises her hand in front of her face and realizes the truth: There's a camera in her eye, and Westmoreland is watching her every move on this tablet.

Rachel flashes back to the moment the rift between her and Leekie began. Clones were dying, and to figure out a cure, Rachel killed one herself to study the autopsy report.

"What are you?" Leekie asks, horrified by her approach. He no longer saw her as human.

Back at Dyad, Rachel allows Kira to have a video call with Sarah. On the video call, Kira shows Sarah the story she's been working on — which is actually all written in code words that explain what Rachel plans on doing with her. Mainly, she reveals that she's being taken to "Wonderland," which is their word for the island. The call ends, and Sarah and Mrs. S realize they need to get her out ASAP.

Rachel, now aware her every move is being watched, begins wandering around Dyad and drinking heavily. She watches old movies of herself and generally laments what her life has become until it's time to take Kira to surgery.

"Who hurt you?" Kira asks.

"All of them," Rachel replies.

Over with Scott and Cosima, rigorous searching turns up the real P.T. Westmorland, John Patrick Mathieson. They send the obituary he used to change his identity to Rachel and end up calling her, pleading for Kira to come home. Rachel says it's out of her hands and hangs up. She gives Kira the sedative, but as she looks at her, Kira transforms into her past self — the child whose life was eaten away by neolutionists. She forces Kira to drink the sedative and leaves.

Rachel heads back upstairs and tells Mr. Frontinac that Sarah and Cosima have falsified information trying to invalidate P.T. Westmoreland, and sends him over to Sarah's house to "take care of them." Moments after, however, she picks up her phone. Being careful not to look at the screen, she types, "I assure you it isn't a joke." We don't know who she sent it to.

Cut to Art arriving at Sarah and Mrs. S' house. He says they won't believe what he's about to tell them.

Before we hear more, we're back at Dyad, where Rachel puts a patch over her eye and heads over to Kira, who is sedated on an operating table. At the same time, Westmoreland gets a call that Sarah and Mrs. S aren't at the house. He immediately knows something is up.

But it's too late! Rachel has wheeled Kira out of the operating room and hands her off to Sarah, Mrs. S, and Art, who are in the elevator. The release happens in mere seconds before Rachel returns to her office and ends the episode with a bang: sending Westmoreland's real identity to everyone and, wait for it, cutting out her eye — the eye with the camera. Orphan Black just went full on Game Of Thrones, and I'm loving it.

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Your Horoscope This Week

July 23, 2017, 5:30 am

≫ Next: Stranger Things Dropped Its Season 2 Trailer & It Will Be The Perfect Halloween Binge Watch

≪ Previous: Orphan Black Episode 7 Recap: "Gag Or Throttle"

New York Fashion Week is still a month-and-a-half away, but the world could feel like a giant step-and-repeat right now. (Is that Kim Kardashian West in a sheer Dior number?) All week long, the flamboyant sun and fierce Mars stroll arm-in-arm down Leo's catwalk. Turning heads and getting recognition for our hard work should be the goal. But make it all about you, instead of getting caught up in a game of compare and despair. The sun and Mars can inflate the competitive vibes and even puff up egos. Shine in your unique way and be supportive of others who are doing the same.

On Tuesday, messenger Mercury is on the move, zipping into its home sign of Virgo until August 31. The cosmic cycle sharpens our critical thinking skills. Bring on the lifehacks! This sensible cycle reminds us that, yes, there probably is an app for that. Heads up: Mercury will turn retrograde from August 12 to 31. Start preparing now by backing up important files, password protecting sensitive data, and firming up your end-of-summer travel plans. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Leo
July 23 to August 22
Leo en fuego! The flamboyant sun and fierce Mars align in your sign all week, powering you up for some major moves. Take a chance on your dreams and get into action. The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step, so get your glitter platform sandals on some fresh terrain. And don't make it a nimble baby step — take a bold leap. Better to err on the side of being "too much" than play it safe and risk being underwhelming. Watch your combative streak though! This planetary pairing can bring some power struggles with other strong personalities. There's room on the world stage for everyone, Leo, so never mind what they're doing — focus on bringing *your "* A" game.
On Tuesday, your focus turns to finances as mindful Mercury moves into Virgo and your money house until August 31. Instead of stressing about your bills, start thinking of ways to increase your earnings. You could start a side hustle before the summer is through or sign up for a short-term training that elevates your earning power. Leo entrepreneurs: Is it time to raise your rates — or maybe give a few influencers a freebie in exchange for some social media buzz? Do review all your expenses with a fine-toothed comb, especially since Mercury will be retrograde for three weeks starting August 12. Canceling a recurring charge that you barely use or switching cell phone plans can open up cash for your rainy day fund.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.

Virgo
August 23 to September 22
Tell them how you *really* feel, Virgo. This Tuesday, expressive Mercury (your galactic guardian) rolls into your sign until August 31, removing all filters. You've never had a shortage of ideas and opinions — and now they will come rushing out, for better or for worse. Try your best to deploy some tact — especially once Mercury turns retrograde for three weeks on August 12! With the communication planet in your corner you could slay with a podcast, blog, even your own book. This candid energy can help you cop to a crush. Maybe it's time you 'fessed up to your legit feelings for the one that got away.
Another reason you might be ruminating on the past? All week long, the sun and pot-stirrer Mars are in close connection in your 12th house of healing and the subconscious. Stay off the anxiety-producing substances like sugar and coffee — and don't overdo it on the canned champagne or watch Chris Hayes right before bed (a couple hours earlier, yes). You're going to be feeling pretty keyed up with the sun and Mars here, so anything you can do to calm yourself down would be wise. Sunrise yoga, journaling, evening walks, and cooling baths? Now we're talking. Squeeze in a therapy session and reconnect to supportive friends. Do the inner work — and don't do it all by your lonesome. It will be a huge relief.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.

Libra
September 23 to October 22
Make it a group thing, Libra! All week long, the brilliant sun and motivator Mars co-captain the cheer squad in your 11th house of teamwork. With these two energizing heavenly bodies in close connection, you could assemble the perfect squad to pull off a goal — or share your enthusiasm with your existing tribe, lifting everyone's spirit in the process. Having a hard time getting hyped? Ditch the downers and surround yourself with more positive people. Simplistic as it sounds, you are affected by the company you keep. Seek out people who have triumphed over challenging situations and find out their secret sauce. There's no "one size fits all" recipe for success, but their stories (or webinars!) will inspire you to go for your dreams.
Starting Tuesday, the way you spend your alone time will also come into focus. Mental Mercury downshifts into Virgo and your subconscious 12th house until August 31, turning its beams on your internal world. It's easy to zone out with too much Netflix or lose hours mindlessly scrolling through Snapchat and Insta. But those distractions are blocking you from connecting to your brilliant thoughts. Start a morning journaling practice — or create a dream journal because your sleep will be filled with fascinating imagery now. Learn how to meditate. Find an amazing therapist, shaman, or coach. Tuning into your psyche is a powerful process, even if that means dealing with insecurities or sadness. But don't worry, Libra. Talking about the tough stuff with supportive people will be deeply healing, not depressing. P.S.: What you discover could rouse inspiration for some powerful creative work.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.

Scorpio
October 23 to November 21
Emerge, Scorpio! The planets will pull you out into the public eye, like it or not. Swap the swimsuit for a power suit, because all week long, the confidence-boosting sun and make-it-happen Mars are sharing a flight through your ambitious 10th house. Don't let people grab up all the opportunity as you nap under a beach umbrella. Summon your competitive spirit and get into action, promoting yourself strategically and charming the influencers. Unless you speak up, people may not be aware of your aspirations or what you're capable of. Your initiative gets you the gig!
And truly, Scorpio, it is all about who you know. This Tuesday, social Mercury moves into Virgo and your 11th house of teamwork and tech until August 31. Gather your tribe, both virtually and IRL. Expanding your network will open the doors to experiences and opportunities — ones you didn't even realize were available. This Mercury cycle could deepen your interest in politics and activism. Those 2018 midterm elections will be here before you know it and a candidate could use your support. (Or...Scorpio, could you be a future candidate yourself?) Your inner geek gets a boost from this Mercury cycle. Watch online tutorials, sign up for webinars, swap in a new theme for your website. And make sure all your sensitive data is protected from trolls before Mercury turns retrograde from August 12 to September 5. Perhaps it's time to pick a stronger password.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.

Sagittarius
November 22 to December 21
Let freedom ring! Your indie spirit is blazing brightly this week as the sun and daring Mars conspire in Leo and your worldly, adventurous ninth house. This wild and passionate week will bring more than the usual share of spontaneous thrills — quite possibly including a (bra-less?) overnight visit or a heavenly hookup with a hottie from a different cultural background. Give yourself a longer leash so you can flirt, wander, and explore new vistas without feeling guilty. You won't take kindly to people putting restrictions on your time. But temper, temper: Getting mad at people who expect you to keep your promises doesn't really make sense, Sagittarius. Be considerate. If you're going to break appointments, do so with proper advance notice...before you commit yourself to something "better."
But work won't be *too* far from your mind. On Tuesday, clever Mercury grooves into your goal-oriented 10th house until August 31, pumping up your ambitious streak. You could end the summer with a feather in your cap, setting yourself up for an even more profitable and successful fall. But you'll have to focus! With your broad and varied interests, you're prone to biting off more than you can chew. Pick one or two missions you want to complete before Labor Day and pour all your energy there. With Mercury turning retrograde from August 12 to September 5, you could collaborate with some influential people from your past — or pick up an unfinished effort and get it done at last!
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.

Capricorn
December 22 to January 19
A shot of truth serum with that frozen margarita? You're not holding back, Capricorn — not with expressive Mercury flowing into your candid ninth house from Tuesday until August 31. Exchange the polite formalities for real talk, even if it rocks the boat. People cannot be mad at you when you're just being honest — and many will be relieved that you called out the pink elephant in the room. That said, this Mercury phase can make you prone to preachiness. Vocalizing your beliefs is one thing, but expecting everyone to follow the Law of Capricorn is quite another. Leave room for dialogue and debate. Truth is a matter of perspective, after all.
Some of your heart-to-hearts could take the form of spicy pillow talk, too! All week long, passionate Mars and the confident sun are mingling in Leo and your erotic eighth house. Simmering attractions heat up quickly — and you may be shocked by how forward *you're* being. Ah well, Capricorn, if there was ever a week for you to take the lead in love, this would be it. Let them call you thirsty — the attention you bestow is still totally flattering. Coupled Caps could play out a secret fantasy or enjoy an overnight staycation in a hotel, just for the fun of it.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.

Aquarius
January 20 to February 18
Two is your magic number this week, Aquarius, so let another Zodiac sign have your Independent Spirt Award. With passionate Mars and the shimmering sun aligned in Leo and your relationship house all week, you're ready to take a chance on romance. Forget about waiting for others to make the first move or lay out an offer you can't refuse. Fortune favors the boldest Aquarians now. Vocalize your desires, but not in a thirsty or pushy way. Instead, paint a picture of your ideal scenario. Whether for business, pleasure, or a creative collaboration, what amazing things *could* the two of you pull off together?
Your urge to merge gets stronger than ever starting Tuesday as mental Mercury moves into Virgo and your erotic eighth house until August 31. This sultry cycle brings out the vixen in you — and for a change, you won't mind a little cat-and-mouse gaming. Play a little harder to get, hold back a few of your witty observations and let people wonder what you're thinking. Just don't be so mysterious that no one can read you — especially since Mercury will be retrograde from August 12 to September 5.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.

Pisces
February 19 to March 20
Are they relationship material, Pisces? If not, you can't be bothered — not starting Tuesday as expressive Mercury moves into Virgo and your commitment zone until August 31. You're ready to invest in people who can go the distance, both in love and other areas of life. But if you don't ask the right questions, how will you actually know where they stand? Your go-with-the-flow M.O. could be wasting time. Those "feelings" you get may reveal an attraction, sure, but that's not enough to build a dream on. Ask direct questions (in a sweet and charming way) and you'll know if you've found a keeper or are just dealing with a temp. Coupled Pisces, this Mercury phase can improve your communications. Make an effort to be a better listener but also to express *your* needs sooner, like before you're heated AF and ready to scream!
On that note, little things *can* get under your skin this week as the sun and agitator Mars share a flight path through your persnickety sixth house (see: the boss who demands everything on a super tight timeline, the coworker who doesn't pull her weight). Get thee to the gym, Pisces! (Or the dance studio, outdoor pool…wherever.) Burning off that frustration with physical fitness will be a sanity-saver. With the motivating one-two punch of the sun and Mars, you might try a more challenging activity like stand-up paddleboarding or acro-yoga.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.

Aries
March 21 to April 19
Sift, sort, and systematize! Mindful Mercury heads into Virgo and your efficiency zone until August 31, helping you whip your life into shape. Start by clearing away clutter. If you haven't worn it or used it in over a year, put it in the Buffalo Exchange slash Goodwill pile and move it on out. Then, pledge to live a more curated life. To avoid a repeat of the past, assemble your treasures into a savvy closet organizational system like this one. Next up: deleting junk mail and foldering messages you need to save. You could achieve Inbox Zero by Labor Day. With the clearheaded space this provides, you can capitalize on this productive cycle to get ahead at work and reboot your fitness goals. Heads up: Mercury turns retrograde for three weeks on August 12, which could turn up the pressure at the office. With diligence you could really gain the edge — one more reason to get your s*** together!
Of course, all work and no play would never be a winning strategy for Rams. Thankfully, your ruling planet, Mars, is in cahoots with the sun all week, as the two mix it up in your flirtatious and flamboyant fifth house. An attraction could heat up quickly and even if it's just a one-time thing, it's sure to be memorable. Enough dropping hints, though. Pursue with passion and put more oomph into everything you do. This is one week where it wouldn't hurt to be a *little* more dramatic — as long as you stop short of making a scene.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.

Taurus
April 20 to May 20
Say it with roses, Taurus. Or maybe a sexy playlist, a curated gift, or another special touch. This Tuesday, communicator Mercury floats into your fifth house of glamour, romance, and fame until August 31. Express your adoration in more obvious ways. Take the lead in love. This will bring a quick return on investment. Be sure to lavish some of that loving on yourself! Crafty Mercury can help you cultivate a signature style and develop your creative gifts — a talent that could quickly turn you from a civilian photographer to an Instagram influencer. Who knows? Heads up: Mercury will be retrograde for three weeks, starting August 12. Make sure your game is airtight before you present anything to the public. You could also hear from an ex. If that sounds like trouble, prepare in advance and block that profile!
Be more considerate of your relatives and roomies this week too. Aggro Mars and the ego-driven sun are in close connection all week, flowing through Leo and your domestic zone. The clanging around in the kitchen and the dirty dishes you leave in the sink seem like NBD, but not when you come home after everyone's sleeping or wake up to a bunch of flies buzzing around. Or maybe you're the neat freak stuck with the slob or living with someone whose schedule is so different. Perhaps a new domestic arrangement is necessary, Taurus. Time to call U-Haul?
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.

Gemini
May 21 to June 20
Nothing turns you on like a meeting of the minds — and this week will not disappoint. With passionate Mars and the bold sun connecting in your thoughtful third house, intellectual stimulation is everywhere you turn. Seek out people and activities that get the wheels turning, from an activist meetup to a weekly independent film night. (You might even organize the gathering yourself, Gemini.) In love, a friendship could cross into more romantic terrain — and it could heat up faster than you think! In a relationship? Check your argumentative streak. There are other ways to get attention or keep things "interesting" besides picking a fight.
Starting Tuesday, you might just turn a solo project into a sister act. Your ruling planet, Mercury, cruises into Virgo and your female-focused fourth house until August 31. Cultivate stronger connections with the women at work. Joining forces could bring a win for all of you — and even better office conditions — before summer is through. Visiting a GF from back in the day could be the perfect summer getaway while Mercury is retrograde for three weeks, beginning August 12. Start planning now! And while you're at it, get a Pinterest board going for home decor. This domestic Mercury cycle can help you find affordable hacks for adding sparkle to your space, like hanging self-adhesive wallpaper or fastening new hardware to cabinets and dressers.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.

Cancer
June 21 to July 22
Quiet and shy — you? With mouthy Mercury cruising through Virgo and your communication house until August 31, you'll toss that astrological myth right out the window. You'll have the gift of gab for the rest of the summer, but don't waste your wit on superficial chatter. Flirt with a new love interest and solidify friendships with people who you want in your life for the long haul. Partnering up on work and creative projects could also bring a huge win-win. One catch: Mercury *will* be retrograde from August 12 to September 5, so hammer out all the details before then and even put your agreement in writing. Who's responsible for what and how will you divvy up the profits? Make sure it's all crystal clear.
Go easy on the social butterfly routine while at work this week, though. With the sun and go-getter Mars aligned in your money zone, there's a bigger mission to pull off. If you're feeling overwhelmed, reach out to mentors or have a sit-down with your boss to get input. *Don't* distract yourself with social media or an extended lunch break — you could miss a chance to position yourself as the office superstar. It's better to ask questions and "bug" people than to let this opportunity die on the vine. Ready to circulate and find a new gig? Shop yourself around, Cancer, and if you work in corporate, consider these woman-friendly companies.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.

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Stranger Things Dropped Its Season 2 Trailer & It Will Be The Perfect Halloween Binge Watch

July 23, 2017, 6:00 am

≫ Next: The French Beauty Treatment That Hides My Hangover In 10 Minutes

≪ Previous: Your Horoscope This Week

Netflix unveiled the trailer for the highly anticipated second season of Stranger Things at Comic-Con in San Diego, CA on Saturday night and it looks like the people of Hawkins, IN are not finished with the Upside Down just yet.

The trailer opens with our four favorite kids, Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin), and Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), huddled around a game of Dragon's Lair at their local arcade, until things flash all around Will and his world turns back into the Upside Down. When we left him at the end of season 1, he was in his family's bathroom, still pulling bits of that world out of himself and having hallucinations that it seems might have been more real than we knew. In a voiceover, he says, "I saw something...I felt it, everywhere." As he talks, we see flashes of his family leaving Hawkins, a doctor studying Will, his mom Joyce (Winona Ryder) covering her mouth in horror, and rotting pumpkins. Ew.

As if this weren't already creepy enough, that's when Michael Jackson's "Thriller" kicks in. Stranger Things did some interesting things musically in the first season, but for the season 2 trailer they mash that synth track from Survive, who scored the show, into "Thriller," which they introduce by way of its famous Vincent Price spoken word introduction and the effect is maximum goosebumps.

While this happens, we get a little taste of what's to come in season 2. It will be set in 1984, as we already knew, and we'll get to see the boys trick or treating dressed as the original Ghostbusters. There appears to be a fair amount of traversing in the Upside Down for Will and Jim Hopper (David Harbour), and the boys manage to catch something wicked in their Ghostbuster's trap. Of course Mike's big sister Nancy (Natalia Dyer) is back, and it's not clear if she's involved with Will's big brother Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) or with Steve Harrington (Joe Keery), but the latter gets a moment of screen time dancing at a Halloween party while doing his best impression of a young Christian Slater impersonating Jack Nicholson — and that's a highly '80s moment.

But then! Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) shows up in the last bit of the trailer, trying to make her way out of the Upside Down. Now let's go back to that game of Dragon's Lair that the boys were playing: it is one of those save the princess games that were so popular in the '80s. Do you think there's a parallel to the guys saving Eleven here? Like, maybe their clue as to how to do it will be found in the video game?

The one person we don't see in this trailer is season 1's big bad, Dr. Martin Brenner (Matthew Modine). Will he come back, especially if he knows that Eleven might get free? Or is there a new evil pushing things forward?

We'll have to see on October 27 when Stranger Things season 2 drops on Netflix, just in time for a Halloween binge. Oh, and if you're still wondering if Barb will be back, the answer is still no, according to Vulture, but justice is coming.

Correction: This article originally identified the fictional town of Hawkins as being located in Idaho. It is in Indiana.

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The French Beauty Treatment That Hides My Hangover In 10 Minutes

July 23, 2017, 7:00 am

≫ Next: The BBC's Female Stars Are Fighting The Gender Pay Gap

≪ Previous: Stranger Things Dropped Its Season 2 Trailer & It Will Be The Perfect Halloween Binge Watch

I'm constantly daydreaming of being whisked off to the French Riviera, but for the foreseeable future, my heavy-handed pour of cabernet is the closest I'll ever get to Aix-en-Provence. And while I love a good glass of French vino, I'm not so crazy about the puffy, undereye bags that show up the morning after a few too many glasses.

Luckily, the French know skin care almost as well as they know wine — they clearly have lots of practice banishing any trace of hangover face— and I might've uncovered their well-kept secret.

Enter the Talika Eye Decompress, an innovative sheet mask for your tired, puffy, overworked eyes. The mask comes in an innovative two-part capsule: One side houses the blue treatment liquid; the other side, a little folded-up ball that expands out into the eye mask. It took me a few seconds to figure out how to pop the packaging so the liquid would spill out into the mask's chamber, but once I did, I felt like a low-level scientist. (Hey, hangovers are hard.)

A post shared by TALIKA USA (@talika_us) on Jul 14, 2017 at 9:42am PDT

Delicately, I placed the mask over my eyes, and spent a quiet ten minutes to myself, taking in the calming, clean scent of rose and cornflower. The alone time without my phone screen was almost as necessary as the treatment itself. When I peeled it off, my undereye puffiness was visibly reduced — no lie. The whites of my eyeballs looked brighter (gone were the scary broken capillaries) and the skin around my eyes looked tighter and rejuvenated. The combination of pampering plus results has me thinking that these are going to become my go-to hangover remedy — right after I eat a big, greasy bagel sandwich. I'm still American, after all.

TALIKA Eye Decompress, $25, available at New London Pharmacy.

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The BBC's Female Stars Are Fighting The Gender Pay Gap

July 23, 2017, 7:30 am

≫ Next: Westworld's Season 2 Trailer Is Blood-Drenched, So Brace Yourself

≪ Previous: The French Beauty Treatment That Hides My Hangover In 10 Minutes

It’s 2017, and yet women are still fighting for equality. Data suggests it will take until 2152 to close the gender wage gap, but it shouldn’t take a century to get what we want. We want more, and Refinery29 is here to help — because 135 years is too long to wait for what we deserve today.

On Wednesday, the BBC released a list of its top earners. We learned that the corporation pays 96 stars an annual salary of £150,000 or more — but just 34 of them are women.

The highest paid woman at the BBC is Claudia Winkleman, the host of Strictly Come Dancing. She earned at least £450,000 in the last fiscal year, a supremely impressive salary, but only enough to make her the BBC's seventh highest paid star overall. The gender pay gap is especially pronounced at the very top of the BBC: of its top 20 earners, just five are women.

BBC presenter Mishal Husain, who makes considerably less than her Today program co-host John Humphrys, has already questioned the corporation's director general, Lord Hall, about the pay gap.

Now 45 of the BBC's top female stars - including Husain, Clare Balding, Victoria Derbshire, The One Show 's Alex Jones, Geeta Guru-Murthy, and Fiona Bruce - have written an open letter to Lord Hall.

"You have said that you will "sort" the gender pay gap by 2020, but the BBC has known about the pay disparity for years. We all want to go on the record to call upon you to act now," they write in the letter. "We would be willing to meet you to discuss ways in which you can correct this disparity so that future generations of women do not face this kind of discrimination."

1970: Equal Pay Act. 2010: Equality Act.
2020: BBC target. We're standing together to politely suggest they can do better #bbcwomen https://t.co/9G1OrqucEj
— Clare Balding (@clarebalding) July 23, 2017

#bbcwomen https://t.co/Ll9Sh1ewCY
— Mishal Husain (@MishalHusainBBC) July 22, 2017

The full letter appears below, followed by the list of 45 BBC female stars who signed it.

Dear Tony,

The pay details released in the Annual report showed what many of us have suspected for many years...that women at the BBC are being paid less than men for the same work.

Compared to many women and men, we are very well compensated and fortunate. However, this is an age of equality and the BBC is an organisation that prides itself on its values.

You have said that you will "sort" the gender pay gap by 2020, but the BBC has known about the pay disparity for years. We all want to go on the record to call upon you to act now.

Beyond the list, there are so many other areas including production, engineering and support services and global, regional and local media where a pay gap has languished for too long.

This is an opportunity for those of us with strong and loud voices to use them on behalf of all, and for an organisation that had to be pushed into transparency to do the right thing.

We would be willing to meet you to discuss ways in which you can correct this disparity so that future generations of women do not face this kind of discrimination.

Yours sincerely,

Aasmah Mir

Katya Adler

Anita Anand

Wendy Austin

Samira Ahmed

Clare Balding

Emma Barnett

Zeinab Badawi

Sue Barker

Rachel Burden

Annabel Croft

Martine Croxall

Victoria Derbyshire

Lyse Doucet

Jane Garvey

Joanna Gosling

Fi Glover

Carrie Gracie

Orla Guerin

Karin Giannone

Mishal Husain

Lucy Hockings

Geeta Guru-Murthy

Kirsty Lang

Gabby Logan

Martha kearney

Carolyn Quinn

Kasia Madera

Katty Kay

Emily Maitlis

Louise Minchin

Sarah Montague

Jenni Murray

Annita McVeigh

Elaine Paige

Sally Nugent

Angela Rippon

Ritula Shah

Sarah Smith

Kate Silverton

Charlotte Smith

Kirsty Wark

Fiona Bruce

Alex Jones

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Westworld's Season 2 Trailer Is Blood-Drenched, So Brace Yourself

July 23, 2017, 8:15 am

≫ Next: Trump’s New Communications Director Announces He Deleted His Old Tweets For "Transparency"

≪ Previous: The BBC's Female Stars Are Fighting The Gender Pay Gap

Comic-Con has descended on San Diego and given us the gift of the first look at season 2 of Westworld. While we have to wait until 2018 for the second season of HBO's hit show about a futuristic theme park to drop, we can now view the trailer and man, it's a doozy.

While the first season was punctuated by a large amount of sexual violence, the second seems to be full of straight up violence, blood, and gore. Basically, the trailer is filled with dead bodies.

It opens with bloody footprints on the music sheet of a player piano and continues with images of various hosts looking around at rooms and bars full of dead people, an intense scene showing Delores (Evan Rachel Wood) shooting at people while riding full speed ahead on her horse. It ends with The Man in Black (Ed Harris) putting on his hat, his face streaked and splattered with blood.

Show runners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy appeared on a panel alongside cast members Wood, Harris, Jeffrey Wright, James Marsden, Tessa Thompson and Thandie Newton to chat about the show on Saturday.

The show has been criticized for its use of sexual violence as a plot device, but both Wood and Newton defended the show, describing their experience filming the series as an empowering one. “It’s so fulfilling,” Wood said on the Saturday panel. “Because especially as women, and I don’t know if this is true for men too, but a lot of times you feel as if your wings have been clipped and you’re not being represented the way that you want to."

Wood continued, "And this was like just like somebody had given me fucking condor wings and I got to take off and fly." Wood said she got emotional talking about it and thinking about it, and described it as a life-changing experience.

Newton echoed these sentiments, saying that getting to play Maeve has allowed her to break out of the box she's often contained to as an actress and that she fully trusts the writers of the show to carry her storyline forward in a way that she feels good about. "I’m a control freak, and I feel like that is the way forward to have power in a situation, particularly in a professional environment. Especially being a woman," she said. "You’re always looking over your shoulder. You’re always checking in with, ‘Am I being respected? What do I have to do to try and further my situation?’"

But, she added, "It is the most extraordinary feeling to be able to surrender, and to trust the way we get to trust."

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↧

Trump’s New Communications Director Announces He Deleted His Old Tweets For "Transparency"

July 23, 2017, 9:15 am

≫ Next: This Dress Has Already Sold Out 7 — Yes, 7 — Times

≪ Previous: Westworld's Season 2 Trailer Is Blood-Drenched, So Brace Yourself

President Donald Trump's new Communications Director, Anthony Scaramucci, already has people talking — less than a week after being appointed to the job. The Wall Street financier (or "American entrepreneur," according to his Twitter bio), has been criticized for not having the necessary experience for the role — a fact which caused former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer to resign last week.

Now, after old tweets of Scaramucci's surfaced that showed him at-odds with his new boss on issues ranging from climate change, immigration, LGBTQ rights, and gun control, among other things, he's announced that he's deleted his old tweets f or "transparency."

Full transparency: I'm deleting old tweets. Past views evolved & shouldn't be a distraction. I serve @POTUS agenda & that's all that matters
— Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) July 22, 2017

Scaramucci says that his past views have "evolved." Those views previously included calling Trump "an odd guy" with "no judgment" and "a hack," and expressing support for Hillary Clinton's candidacy, The Washington Post reports.

He appeared on CNN's State of the Union this morning, denying to Jake Tapper that he is changing or ignoring his beliefs and values for the sake of power, calling the accusations "a ridiculous, Washington sort of narrative."

"All I'm doing by deleting the tweets is sending people a message," @Scaramucci tells @jaketapper in fiery exchange https://t.co/ZogFMemh90
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) July 23, 2017

However, some people are pointing out that, in deleting the tweets from the record, Scaramucci is being the opposite of transparent.

Reupping: Been laughing all day since @Scaramucci called rewriting history "transparency." And wondering just WHO it was he reminded me of pic.twitter.com/VgYkVAbAbx
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) July 23, 2017

"If I'm for something then I'm against something all of a sudden I'm a hypocrite." - @Scaramucci, stating a fact
— Pedro da Costa (@pdacosta) July 23, 2017

For his part, President Trump seems unconcerned with Scaramucci's past statements, tweeting his support for his new Comms Director, and claiming that Scaramucci wanted to endorse Trump before the Republican primaries, but Scaramucci didn't know Trump was planning to run.

In all fairness to Anthony Scaramucci, he wanted to endorse me 1st, before the Republican Primaries started, but didn't think I was running!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 22, 2017

On his SOTU appearance this morning, Scaramucci went commented on newly appointed White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders ' hair and makeup during a press conference on Friday, indicating he would like to "continue to use" that hair and makeup person.

.@Scaramucci to WH press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders: "I'd like to continue to use the hair and make up person" https://t.co/wiXGTpKYBq
— CNN (@CNN) July 23, 2017

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This Dress Has Already Sold Out 7 — Yes, 7 — Times

July 23, 2017, 9:30 am

≫ Next: Riverdale's Season 2 Trailer Turns Up Its Dark & Murdery Vibe

≪ Previous: Trump’s New Communications Director Announces He Deleted His Old Tweets For "Transparency"

You never want something until you can't have it. So, each week in The Sell-Out, we're getting the scoop from your favorite retailers on what's selling like crazy. Watch this space to find out what everyone's buying, sign up for wait lists, and keep tabs on restocks.

If you ask me, no brand has mastered the art of the dress quite as beautifully as Christy Dawn. But, there's just one problem — the best ones are gone before you can even blink. (Seriously, there's an entire section of the site dedicated to all the ones that have sold out). And if you're wondering why, it ~~likely~~ definitely has something to do with the fact that each piece is made in limited quantities out of deadstock fabric (that, and they're super-flattering and photogenic, too).

One particular style, however, has been causing quite the frenzy: The Lennon dress, which has short, voluminous sleeves, a midi-length, and buttons down the front, has been released seven times in different prints — and every one sells out, every single time. The brand tends to let its followers know on Instagam a day or two before it's restocked, and each time, the comments are littered with notes from both the few lucky shoppers ("I got the last one!"), and the ones who will have to try again next time ("Ugh, missed it again!"). Most recently, it was an effortless tan stripe that went viral. And needless to say, I'll be setting an alarm next time this piece comes back (fingers crossed that it does).

In the meantime, you can check out the rest of Christy Dawn's dresses here. And if you're not down to wait for the restock, click on for some similar, not-as-hard-to-get-your-hands-on options.

**Sea** Button Front Maxi Dress, $465, available at Marissa Collections.

**Free People** Wild Adventures Maxi Shirt, $168, available at Buckle.

**Nikki Chasin** Checkered Button Front Dress, $550, available at Lord & Taylor.

**Stella McCartney** Puff-sleeve Button-front Dress, $1,245, available at Neiman Marcus.

**Eloquii** Button Front Detail Dress, $59.99, available at Eloquii.

**Reformation** Mariposa Dress, $198, available at Reformation.

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↧

Riverdale's Season 2 Trailer Turns Up Its Dark & Murdery Vibe

July 23, 2017, 9:32 am

≫ Next: Climate Change May Hold A Clue To How The White Walkers Are Winning In Game Of Thrones

≪ Previous: This Dress Has Already Sold Out 7 — Yes, 7 — Times

If you thought the murder of Jason Blossom on season 1 of Riverdale was deliciously creepy, it's looking like season 2 will go way past that — like, possibly underworld-level, spine-chilling levels of darkness. It will also have all the good teen-soapy stuff we love about it. Or, at least, that's what we have gathered from the trailer and panel discussion on the show that took place at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday.

"People will look back at this as the exact moment that last bit of Riverdale's innocence finally died," Jughead (Cole Sprouse) says in voiceover of the trailer, echoing the way he began the Riverdale series premiere. That immediately puts into question whether we are also about to see Archie's father, Fred (Luke Perry) die, too. As Archie (KJ Apa), covered in his dad's blood, pulls his dad into the hospital, things don't look good.

Or maybe Fred will live and the innocent thing that will die is everyone's trust in Archie. Because when he describes his father being shot at Pop's, he doesn't seem entirely straightforward.

"I came out of the bathroom and there was this man wearing a hood, with a gun at Pop Tate, and then he pointed it at my dad and fired, and then he...," Archie says, trailing off. Jughead tries to get him to finish that thought later, to no avail.

Pop Tate (Alvin Sanders) gives us a little more to go on, if you believe him, that this gunman is "like the angel of death come to Riverdale."

But maybe the show isn't going full Vampire Diaries just yet. Inthe panel, according to Entertainment Weekly, producers Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Sarah Schechter, and the cast spoke a lot about more earthly dangers. One possible source is Veronica's shady dad, Hiram Lodge, played by Mark Consuelos.

"He’s just so calm and collected because at the end of the day, he’s a businessman and he knows how to put on a face and charm people, but the whole time, I’m still suspicious," Camila Mendes said of her character's father. Could Hiram have ordered a hit on Fred, his wife's former flame?

Lower down on the crime ladder is another new character, Toni Topaz (Vanessa Morgan), a new student and member of the Serpents who befriends Jughead.

“We jokingly say that she’s got a lot of the same interests as Jughead, so it’s almost like she’s a female Jughead," Aguirre-Sacasa said of the character. "She’s trouble! I think she’s trouble, getting Jughead into this gang."

The producer said Toni wouldn't just threaten Jughead and Betty's relationship, she's also going to be bisexual, like she is in the comic books. "So, it’ll be trouble for a lot of the people on this panel.”

None of that explains the last moment of the trailer, in which the always-creepy Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch), comforts her bandaged mother, "Things are going to be different now Mommy. Better. You'll see."

Eep! We'll all see on October 11, when Riverdale returns.

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↧

Climate Change May Hold A Clue To How The White Walkers Are Winning In Game Of Thrones

July 23, 2017, 9:45 am

≫ Next: A Week In Brooklyn, NY, On A $100,000 Salary

≪ Previous: Riverdale's Season 2 Trailer Turns Up Its Dark & Murdery Vibe

The season 7 premiere of Game of Thrones gave fans a hint about what's to come in the rest of the season. Not only is climate change something we have to be on the lookout for in our daily lives, but its effects are infiltrating our favorite TV shows, too.

In the premiere episode, Sandor "The Hound" Clegane (Rory McCann) looks at the fire while he's having a vision and says, "It's where the wall meets the sea. The dead are marching past." But if the White Walkers, to whom he refers, can just walk around the wall, why hadn't they done so earlier? Fans decided to see if they could find out.

It turns out, a clue was in the opening credits. Viewing an aerial shot of the Westeros from the opening of the show, a difference between season 6's opening and season 7's becomes clear: the Wall, which goes across the whole length of the strip of land, meets the sea on either side in the opening image from season 6. But in season 7, it appears that the sea is beginning to freeze over. Because, you know, winter is here.

"Its where the wall meets the sea. The dead are marching past." -The Hound#GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/y8WPfZvK40
— F E R E D S (@axcferedo) July 23, 2017

Does this mean that the entire army of White Walkers will be able to just walk around the giant wall that was built for the express purpose of keeping them out? And, if so, what will that mean for the story? At this point, GOT fans will just have to wait and see what happens, and if the army itself can be stopped before getting around the Wall. Either way, season 7 is poised to be as nail-biting as the rest of the series.

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↧

A Week In Brooklyn, NY, On A $100,000 Salary

July 23, 2017, 10:00 am

≫ Next: Newspaper Corrects Every Single "Hot Dog Sandwich" Reference in Its History

≪ Previous: Climate Change May Hold A Clue To How The White Walkers Are Winning In Game Of Thrones

Welcome toMoney Diaries , where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar.

Today for Money Diaries Month: a purchasing manager and fitness instructor who makes $100,000 per year and spends some of it on aerial classes and sugar.

Occupation: Full-Time Purchasing Manager & Part-Time Pilates Instructor
Industry: Commercial Roofing / Fitness
Age: 34
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Full-Time Job Salary: $100,000 plus $45,000 bonus
Full-Time Paycheck (Once A Week): $2,175 ($1,287 net)

Part-Time Job Salary: About $10,000. (I have two regular shifts and often sub.)
Part-Time Job Paycheck (2x/month): $250 - $450 (net)

Monthly Expenses
Housing: $2,200 for a large, pre-war, one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn
Car: $530 for a garage near my apartment
Loan Payments: $0, I was very lucky to have my grandparents pay for college

All Other Monthly Expenses
401(k): $76
Health Insurance: $48 (plus a $6,500 out-of-pocket deductible, yikes)
Utilities: $65 on average for electricity and gas
Car: $166/month insurance, company covers gas
Cable & Internet: $180 including movie channels and DVR
Netflix: $9.99/month, and my brother and nephew use it free-of-charge
Amazon Prime: $99/year. My brother, nephew, and mother use my account at no charge
iCloud: $0.99 for extra storage
Cell Phone: $85 for my share in a dysfunctional family plan. (I'm on it with my brother, ex-sister-in-law, and her mother.)
Fitness: About $250 on workouts. I do not belong to a gym, but I purchase packages at a few regular studios for Pilates and Aerial plus drop-in classes at random places. I'm able to claim some of this on my taxes as continuing education.

6 a.m. — It's Saturday and even though my alarm is set “late” for 6:45, my cat wakes me up at a weekday time. I get up, grind the beans for French press coffee, feed the hungry beast that woke me, and shower. I watch *House Hunters Renovation* on the DVR while drinking coffee before heading to work. I'm subbing a weekend shift that I don't normally cover.
12 p.m. — After a short and sweet three-hour shift, I head home to put on shorts and grab reusable bags for the farmer's market. I'm feeling Mediterranean in this heat, and buy ingredients for this week's meal of fasolakia and Greek salad — which includes green beans, kale, tomatoes big and small, cucumbers, a small head of broccoli, chives, and onions. **$65**
1 p.m. — Drop off produce, change into a bathing suit, grab my towel and book ( *The Atlas of Depression*, perfect beach read), and head to the park for a quick tan! My best friend and co-teacher meets me there after her shift and we gossip. After, I head home for a snack of peanut butter and jelly on rice cakes and nitrate-free soppressata.
4 p.m. — I take the subway into the city for aerial class. After two hours of working out, I get back on the train to go home and stop off at the store for additional groceries. **$46**
9 p.m. — My boyfriend arrives after work. We have been together almost four years but he lives an hour away in another town; it would be closer if not for NYC traffic and parking. We usually see each other once a week because of our crazy schedules, but I'm moving in with him next year. I order tacos for us on Seamless. **$32**
11 p.m. — We pass out, exhausted.
**Daily Total: $143**

6 a.m. — Cat again. I stumble into the kitchen to feed her and go back to bed.
8 a.m. — I can't lay in bed any longer, despite the company. Head to kitchen to make coffee; I throw some of the veggies under water and take out chicken sausage, gluten-free bread, and whole wheat English muffins from the freezer. We watch the new *Twin Peaks* episode over coffee.
10 a.m. — Frittata time! While boyfriend painstakingly cracks eggs, I sauté a shallot with ghee, kale, broccoli, sausage, and chives. Then, I add the eggs, cheese, and tomato and throw it in the oven for 20 minutes. I slice some avocado for serving to make it fancy. Back to *Twin Peaks* while it cooks.
12 p.m. — After the kitchen is clean and our bellies are full, we head to the park for my required vitamin D intake. I love the summer! He listens to *Last Podcast On The Left* while I read about depression. We are really fun, I swear.
2 p.m. — Feeling hot and parched, I start to crave watermelon. Boyfriend decides he wants to make margaritas, so we also go to buy limes. Back at home, he makes a mess of the kitchen squeezing citrus for his drink. We lay on couch with the fan on and watch more *Twin Peaks*. **$30**
6 p.m. — Time to make dinners and lunches for the week. I have digestive issues due to a combo of IBS, having celiac disease, and not having a gallbladder. (I had it removed in my 20s after it got infected.) So, every Sunday I prepare and package all my meals for the week; it's a lot of planning and can be exhausting. I put basmati in the rice cooker, clean and wet brine the chicken, and then prepare the hot food. While it all cooks, I cut up the Greek salad ingredients.
8:30 p.m. — My kitchen is about a zillion degrees but everything is cooked, cleaned, or in my fridge, neatly stacked in Tupperware. Boyfriend was no help this week because he was too tired and fell asleep on couch. Despite this, he enjoys the spoils; we eat fasolakia and rice for dinner. He is a meat and potatoes guy who also enjoys my cooking, which usually involves a lot of vegetables and curries.
10:15 p.m. — Bed time!
**Daily Total: $30**

5 a.m. — Boyfriend wakes up because he's taking the day off to go to the track where he races motorcycles. (He owns his own business.) I groggily tell him to take some of the frittata leftovers and fall back asleep.
6 a.m. — Ugh. Monday. Time to get up for my day job in the middle-of-nowhere in Queens.
7 a.m. — Once at work, I immediately turn on my electric heater because the office is set to a frigid temperature. Then I make coffee. A bunch of us pool money together to keep the office stocked with beans, so it isn't free, but it usually comes out to about $50 per person for three months of coffee. I add soy milk, which I buy and keep in the fridge, and turbinado sugar that I keep at my desk.
10 a.m. — I'm so bored. I started working here 2.5 years ago and I don't like it. I wish I could teach full-time, but I need a steady salary in order to afford living alone in Brooklyn. This will change when I move in with my boyfriend next year because my rent will go way down.
12 p.m. — I heat up my lunch and eat at my desk.
3 p.m. — Time to leave. Even though the studio is only 20 minutes away, traffic can make travel last nearly an hour.
4 p.m. — I take a 15-minute nap, wake up and change, and then head out to teach a four-hour shift.
9 p.m. — I shut down the studio, head home, and then assemble my delicious Greek salad: cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, chicken, chives, and a little oil and balsamic vinegar. I throw in the leftover avocado from yesterday's frittata garnish. It's so amazing I almost die of happiness while watching HGTV. Boyfriend and I text about our day.
10:30 p.m. — I have an old roommate/buddy that lives in Philly now and pays me $50 a night to stay at my place when he's in town for work a few times a month. I told him he could stay for free, but he insists on paying as if it's an Airbnb. In exchange, I give him his own drawer and linens. I take his stuff out from my closet and leave it in the living room for him since he's arriving late tonight. I get into bed, with cat snuggled in nook of arm I fall asleep.
**Daily Total: $0**

6 a.m. — Wake up, grab food and a change of clothes for my workout, sneak past my sleeping friend, and head out to work. I arrive around 7 to turn on the heater and make coffee (i.e., the usual drill).
8 a.m. — I heat up my last piece of frittata and give half to a coworker even though she'll probably pick out the kale. She doesn't like green things, which is basically the opposite of how I eat.
12:30 p.m. — I heat up my lunch and eat at my desk.
1 p.m. — Before ballet class, I planned to solo-practice aerial silks at a circus gym, but I suddenly feel tired and start to lose my resolve. I chew some wintergreen mints stashed in my desk but they don't help, so I text my best friend to see if she wants to go running instead.
3 p.m. — I leave work, still unsure of my plans but deciding to skip aerial. (I didn't sign up ahead, so I don't need to pay.) Miraculously there's no traffic, which leaves me time to take a 20-minute nap at home. Cat snuggles the whole time.
4 p.m. — Best friend agrees to go running. After one lap around the park, the sky suddenly clouds over and it starts raining! We part ways; I head home to stretch.
5:30 p.m. — The summer storm is over. If I don't leave the house now, my couch will swallow me whole. Best friend and I meet up again and take the long route to ballet. It's a ballet basics class for adults, nothing fancy. **$17**
8 p.m. — Chassé, plié! We walk home after an exhausting but fun class, adding a few pirouettes along the way. I stop at the grocery store to buy more avocados and watermelon. **$12.45**
9 p.m. — I make another giant salad, text my boyfriend, and watch Bravo. My buddy has a date tonight, and won't be back until late. Soon, it's bedtime.
**Daily Total: $29.45**

6:30 a.m. — We have a quarterly meeting at work and I need to stay until 8 p.m. I wake up late, intending to go to yoga before work with my friend. However, we're both feeling unmotivated and decide to get coffee and take a morning walk instead. I order an iced coffee with soy milk from the bagel shop. It hits the spot as we peruse the women he's conversing with on multiple dating apps. $3
9 a.m. — Heater, work coffee, same.
10 a.m. — I'm starving after last night's workout fest and eat the watermelon I bought yesterday. A friend texts to see if I can take an upcoming Friday off for a day trip to the beach. Um, *yes*. I am reminded the benefits of having a job with PTO.
11 a.m. — Boss emails that the work meeting has been postponed for two weeks! I immediately go online to book a few aerial classes. I get into a 6:15 class and am waitlisted for a 7:45 class.
1 p.m. — Heat up lunch, eat at desk.
4:15 p.m. — There's literally no point in me being here anymore since my boss, and most of the team, has already left. I sneak out the back exit through the warehouse and peel out of Queens.
5:15 p.m. — I get on subway to head to class. My MetroCard is almost out, so I refill now since I have time. **$41**
6:15 p.m. — Time to go upside down! The workout package I like to buy comes out to about $25 per class, and I buy 20 classes at a time. At 7:45, I run to front desk to see if I made it off the waitlist. Luckily, someone never arrives, so I make it in. After, I get on the subway and head home.
9:30 p.m. — I make a large Greek salad as my buddy arrives home. We talk about our professional and love lives, well past my usual bedtime. Around 11, I wash my face and head to bed.
**Daily Total: $44**

5:45 a.m. — I wake up before my alarm due to a combo of having to pee and my room being hot. I'm also feeling bloated, maybe from eating late or my impending period? Cat is very happy to see me up early and immediately starts meowing; there's no point in going back to bed now. I get up, get ready, and go to work. I notice that I'm almost out of both of my serums (vitamin C and an anti-aging) which is going to cost a pretty penny to replenish; I still have a few more weeks, though. Morning routine again.
1 p.m. — Boyfriend texts and asks if I can make an estimate for him. He has a successful plumbing business, but computer software is a foreign language to him. Whenever he needs to write an invoice or estimate, he texts me the info, I put it into a template I created, and then I send it to him.
3 p.m. — I drive home and have time for a 15-minute power nap before I leave to teach.
9 p.m. — Finish up with my last client, lock up the studio, and head home. I toss the last of my Greek salad ingredients into a mixing bowl and am stuffing face on the couch when buddy arrives home.
10:30 p.m. — Barely had time to talk to boyfriend tonight, but I'll see him soon enough. Time for bed!
**Daily Total: $0**

6 a.m. — Wake up, get on the subway, and head to Pilates. Every Friday, I take a 7 a.m. duet class with my mentor and Pilates master instructor. It's essential to my wellbeing and professional practice; and my full-time employer and I arranged it so that I can come in late on Fridays. I pay for a 10-pack of sessions, which comes out to $55 per class.
8 a.m. — Pilates was great! Now I have to haul ass back home to shower, change, and get to work by 9:45. Buddy is already packed up and gone.
9:45 a.m. — At work, I pour some coffee that a coworker made.
12 p.m. — I'm sick of fasolakia, and only eat half of it.
2:45 p.m. — I'm hungry and having visions of sweet potato chips. I convince a coworker to drive us to the grocery store. Once there, I buy a bunch of snacks I don't need for my desk drawer (empty stomach decisions), plus household items like paper towels and more turbinado sugar. **$39**
4:45 p.m. — I pack up my stuff, shut down the computer, and head out to battle Friday traffic home.
6 p.m. — I park on the street to save a spot for my boyfriend's arrival on Saturday night. If he can't find a spot (parking is brutal), we'll switch cars and I'll put mine in the garage. I change out of my work clothes and get back on the subway to meet an old friend and colleague who is visiting from Hong Kong.
7 p.m. — We meet at a Cuban restaurant for dinner, where we share a few appetizers and an entrée and catch up on the last three years. Her husband and kids arrive tomorrow, so I don't have to convince her against staying out super late. **$43**
10 p.m. — My sweet tooth kicks in. I buy a box of frozen Greek yogurt pops on my way home and eat one on the couch. I didn't do any open workout this week; I make a pact with myself to go tomorrow morning after the farmer's market since I'm not teaching. **$6.50**
**Daily Total: $88.50**

*Money Diaries are meant to reflect individual women's experiences and do not necessarily reflect Refinery29's point of view. Refinery29 in no way encourages illegal activity or harmful behavior.*
*The first step to getting your financial life in order is tracking what you spend — to try on your own, check out our guide to managing your money every day. For more money diaries, click here.*
*Have a money diary you'd like to share? Submit it to us here.*

Money Diaries is a chance to learn the nitty-gritty financial details most people don't share every day. Salary? Check! Loan payments? Check! Credit card debt? It's all there for the world to read.
But reading about someone else's finances isn't the same as managing your own money. And let's be real, most of us never learned about basic personal finances in school. How does a 401(k) work; what does APY stand for; and do you really need a checking and savings account?
We want to know: What are your most burning personal finance questions? We want to help you get better about money. Tell us what you want to learn, and we'll tackle the topic in upcoming stories on Refinery29!
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Newspaper Corrects Every Single "Hot Dog Sandwich" Reference in Its History

July 23, 2017, 10:30 am

≫ Next: The Thor: Rangarok Trailer Is A Huge Surprise — & It Makes Thor Look Fun Again

≪ Previous: A Week In Brooklyn, NY, On A $100,000 Salary

The debate about whether a hot dog is a sandwich or not is a heated one, with people feeling equally passionate on both sides of the issue. People who believe hot dogs are sandwiches claim that because there is bread involved, that makes the answer obvious. Those who disagree feel that even without the bread a hot dog is still a hot dog and therefore not a sandwich.

Now, the Louisville, Kentucky Courier-Journal, has made their position known — and, in the process, issued almost a century's worth of corrections. The corrections, which begin in 1887 and end in 1966, are for "incorrectly" referring to hot dogs as sandwiches.

We're deadly serious about accuracy at @courierjournal. pic.twitter.com/t3xDKVcWRq
— Joel Christopher (@j_christo) July 20, 2017

“Among those errors were references to a frankfurter sausage sandwich, frankfurter sandwich, coney island sandwich, frankfurter sandwich with mustard, and, the most egregious, a frankfurter sandwich with catchup,” reads the correction, issued Wednesday. “We deeply regret the errors, especially that last one.”

It's worth noting that the move puts the Courier-Journal in line with the official stance of the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, which recently declared hot dogs are not sandwiches. The head of marketing for Oscar Mayer, however, comes down on the other side of the debate: he insists that hot dogs are, in fact, sandwiches, saying, “the dictionary defines a hot dog as a sandwich consisting of a frankfurter in a split roll. I was an English major as an undergrad, so I’m taking the contrarian view that it is a sandwich, because it really aggravates people in the office here.”

That position may be an outdated one, though. The majority of the public seems to be inching towards the conclusion that hot dogs are just hot dogs, as colloquial language has drifted away from the use of the word "frankfurter."

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The Thor: Rangarok Trailer Is A Huge Surprise — & It Makes Thor Look Fun Again

July 23, 2017, 10:45 am

≫ Next: Delta Wants To Offer The Option To Replace Boarding Passes With Fingerprints

≪ Previous: Newspaper Corrects Every Single "Hot Dog Sandwich" Reference in Its History

This weekend at San Diego Comic-Con, fans and critics alike have gathered for the chance to see a sneak peek of the most anticipated films and television shows to make their return. We've seen trailers for some of our favorite franchises including Stranger Things and Justice League, but the Marvel film that took really offered a surprise was the trailer for Thor: Rangarok.

The first two Thor films were never as popular amongst Marvel fans as others, but Thor: Rangarok may change that. The most shocking thing about the trailer is just how fun the whole thing looks. In the trailer, we hear Thor (Chris Hemsworth) summarizing the events of the film like he's talking to a long-lost friend (which, of course, he is; we finally know the whereabouts of Dr. Bruce Banner/The Hulk). Thor's gotten a haircut, lost his hammer, and found himself cast away from Asgard by the goddess of death Hela (Cate Blanchett). Forced to fight, Gladiator-style, for his life on yet another alien planet, he also has to find a way to save his home and all of Asgardian civilization from being destroyed.

Despite the seriousness of the plot, the trailer adds a touch of lightheartedness that keeps it from getting too serious — and it is a welcome change.

Thor: Rangarok also goes on with putting women in the forefront of the story in ways that we hadn't seen before — which is a great thing. Hela is a female antagonist that genuinely enjoys being evil; though it's not confirmed if she has a driving motivation for why she has targeted Asgard for her wrath, in a way, we don't need one.

In addition, we're introduced to newcomer in the franchise Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), who looks like she doesn't need any help fighting toe-to-toe with Hela and whoever else is leading Asgard to destruction. In the Marvel presentation for the film at SDCC, Thompson said that Valkyrie was "an elite warrior of Asgard hanging out with Sakar and has a relationship with Grandmaster, but not romantic." We're definitely intrigued.

And in case you're wondering: yes, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is making his return, fighting alongside his brother instead of against him. For now.

It seems that fun was the missing element to getting fans excited for the Thor films. Currently, the trailer is #1 trending video on YouTube — surpassing both the Justice League and Star Trek: Discovery trailers. The film hits theaters on November 3rd.

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Delta Wants To Offer The Option To Replace Boarding Passes With Fingerprints

July 23, 2017, 11:00 am

≫ Next: Peter Kraus Gets Real About Which Suitor He Doesn’t Like On The Bachelorette

≪ Previous: The Thor: Rangarok Trailer Is A Huge Surprise — & It Makes Thor Look Fun Again

If you need more proof that the future is now (and that Big Brother is always watching), Delta airlines have announced that it's trying a new biometric check-in feature that allows passengers to forego boarding passes. Instead, they scan their fingerprints to get on the plane, Engadget reports. The pilot program is already being tested with Delta SkyMiles members, who aren't boarding a plane using the biometric scan but rather Delta's Sky Club at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

"It's a win-win program. Biometric verification has a higher level of accuracy than paper boarding passes and gives agents more time to assist customers with seat changes and other skilled tasks instead of having to scan individual tickets – and customers have less to keep track of as they travel through the airport," said Delta COO Gil West in a statement.

Earlier this year, Delta began testing facial recognition software for checking luggage, and they plan to expand the fingerprint system to baggage check, too.

Maybe this all seems cool to some people, but others see it as 1984 -esque surveillance technology. A lot of us just to get on a plane with cramped seats, cheap snacks, and complimentary beverages and take our seats next to the snoring dude who keeps hogging the armrest in peace and a relative degree of anonymity.

It will be interesting to see if people are willing to hand over their fingerprints or have an airline scan their face so that they can check my luggage. The future is here, and the future is intrusive.

For now, Delta only plans to offer the service as a third option for customers instead of using a paper ticket or mobile boarding pass — but those who aren't on board can skip the biometrics and keep scanning their phones instead.

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Peter Kraus Gets Real About Which Suitor He Doesn’t Like On The Bachelorette

July 23, 2017, 12:00 pm

≫ Next: Supergirl Is Missing An Opportunity By Dismissing Kara & Lana Shippers

≪ Previous: Delta Wants To Offer The Option To Replace Boarding Passes With Fingerprints

In a new sneak peek at Monday night's episode of The Bachelorette, one of the final three contestants gets more than a little catty about his rival for Rachel Lindsay's heart. Maybe Peter Kraus is feeling a bit outmatched by the other man, or maybe there's something more to his comments.

"Is this the matching watch?" Kraus asked looking at Bryan Abasolo's infamous watch as the latter prepares to leave with Lindsay on a date.

Eric Bigger then explained to viewers his feelings about the symbolism of Lindsay's gift and seems neutral about Abasolo. "That's a nice watch, I am not mad at you, brother," Bigger said. "Do your thing. If she didn't wear the watch and he had his, it wouldn't mean anything. But she wore the watch. See what I'm saying?"

But seeing Lindsay and Abasolo wear the pieces that she bought them in Geneva seems to have triggered something stronger in Kraus.

"It's like, damn, dude," Kraus said to the camera."That's a little ballsy, and it's annoying."

Watch out, Bryan. Peter is NOT a fan. 😳 #TheBachelorette pic.twitter.com/PJIZsKmCYB
— The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteABC) July 22, 2017

Talking to Bigger after Lindsay and Abasolo left, he went further. "We already know, I've made it very clear that I'm not the biggest fan of Bryan," Kraus said. "He's got his confident Miami swagger. But in Miami there's a lot of fake boobs, fake asses, and fake cheeks, so what that swagger is, I don't know."

That is an odd insult to throw. Is he accusing the chiropractor of having had plastic surgery? Or is the Wisconsin businessman insulting all of Miami? We're genuinely not sure.

"After today we'll see how smooth he is," Bigger said, by way of agreement, which makes a little bit more sense, as the visit to Lindsay's family would be a good test of any man.

As for Kraus, this kind of talk is fodder for our earlier theory that he is being set up to be the next Bachelor, what with all of his walls that need to be torn down. On the other hand, he's really cute shopping for baby clothing with Lindsay in this clip, so what do we know?

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Supergirl Is Missing An Opportunity By Dismissing Kara & Lana Shippers

July 23, 2017, 12:15 pm

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≪ Previous: Peter Kraus Gets Real About Which Suitor He Doesn’t Like On The Bachelorette

This weekend, the cast of Supergirl sat down with Josh Horowitz of MTV News at San Diego Comic-Con. In an interview, the cast gives a musical recap of season 2. During the clip, actor Jeremy Jordan — who plays Winslow "Winn" Schott, Jr.on the show — made a joke that hasn't gone over well when he addressed some of the show's shippers of their favorite imaginary couple: Kara Danvers (Melissa Benoist) and Lena Luthor (Katie McGrath).

In the clip, Jordan directly comments to shippers that focus on Kara and Lena, singing along that "They're only friends! They're not gonna get together, and they're only friends." Of course, this was all meant jokingly — but that doesn't negate the real harm and impact a comment like that has on LGBTQ+ fans of the show.

Fans of a show will sometimes create the representation that they crave, particularly for LGBTQ+ representation. It doesn't have to be canon, or written explicitly into the show — shipping is a way for fans to share the love they have for the show while also solving some of the bumps along the road when it comes to how representation is handled.

Jordan has since taken to Instagram to issue an apology about the video, writing, "...please understand that my comment was simply one part of a silly recap of the show. We love [all] of our fans and encourage you to enjoy the characters and relationships in [whatever] way [you] choose." In a second note, he continues, writing, "I'm going to try and be better. I'm gonna make mistakes. I want to tell every one of you I'm sorry [that] I hurt you. I would go back in time and redo my recap if I could... I realize the issue of homophobia is bigger than any note I could ever write... All I can do is be better."

I want you to know how much I love you. Yes, you. Yes, you too. And you. That's all, kids. ❤️

A post shared by Jeremy Jordan (@jeremymjordan) on Jul 22, 2017 at 7:57pm PDT

U guys. I love u. I was wrong and I'm sorry. You're all amazing and valid. ❤️

A post shared by Jeremy Jordan (@jeremymjordan) on Jul 22, 2017 at 8:57pm PDT

Representation for LGBTQ+ fans is becoming more mainstream, thankfully. Films like Moonlight show that LGBTQ+ individuals who are also people of color need representation as well, despite Hollywood's continued denial that representation matters. Shows like Steven Universe and Orange Is the New Black have begun to show more variety of romantic couples that aren't heterosexual, but there is still work to do to improve representation across the board.

Representation is an important part of consuming media. When we see reflections of ourselves on screen, they help to reaffirm our own identities and can inspire us to be our best selves — which is not an easy task for everyone.

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