Here's Where To Find The Best Porn For You On The Web

August 1, 2017, 11:10 am

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Deciding which type of porn you're in the mood for can be more time-consuming than selecting what to watch on Netflix. And while we can't tell you which genre of adult film you'll enjoy — whatever gets you off is between you and your libido — we can help you find the best consensually-made adult films out there.

Given the range of content that already exists, we think it's safe to say that there's a website (or two, or three) perfectly suited to your interests. You just need to know what you're looking for and where to find it. Is it a mainstream tube site? A platform featuring real couples having sex? Or a decidedly queer-friendly XXX destination? (Or all of the above, depending on the day?)

That's why we've rounded up the best places to find porn on the web. So, the next time you're horny and awake at 2 a.m., you won't have to type " a video of two nice ladies going down on each other but they seem to actually like it" into Google. Simply read through this list, decide which site is right for you, and have faith that the porn gods created something to meet your kinky (or not-so-kinky) needs. And don't forget to check back, since we'll be updating this post with new porn search engines regularly.

**Bellesa**
Designed by a "community of unapologetically bold women," Bellesa helpfully labels its videos as Sensual (Soft), Passionate (Intense) or Rough (Wild), if you're not sure what you're looking for. The site also features erotic stories, pictures, and gifs, and all its content is free of the racially fetishizing and demeaning tags found on most free porn sites.

**Lady Cheeky**
The creation of the radically inclusive, body-positive sex educator Elle Chase, Lady Cheeky began as a Tumblr blog for beautifully made (and feminist) porn. While much of Lady Cheeky's content is in clip or gif form, it's anything but softcore. You can even check out Chase's NSFW coloring book, available for order on the site.

**Burning Angel**
Do you love alt-porn queen Joanna Angel, her beautiful husband Small Hands, and their team of tattooed, blue-haired babes? Skip tube sites and go straight to the source of award-winning "punk rock" porn at Burning Angel for $29.95 per month.

**CrashPadSeries.com**
Sure, you can watch lesbian sex all over the internet, but portrayals of sex between two people with vaginas on mainstream tube sites tend to be... a little straight and very cis-gendered. If you want to see porn that's made by queer directors who feature actual queer performers, head to CrashPad Series. A monthly membership costs $25.

**Erika Lust Films**
Looking for some indie-fied inspiration? Swedish erotic filmmaker Erika Lust's porn is shot from a decidedly sensual, female perspective. With projects like *Five Hot Stories For Her* and her latest series, *XCollection,* which brings user-submitted sexual fantasies to life on the screen, Erika Lust Films is sure to satisfy even your most specific searches.

**Parody XXX**
Sometimes you don't want to take yourself too seriously when watching porn, so embrace that silliness by checking out parody porn on Parody XXX. On the site, you can find X-rated parodies like *Hairy Twatter* and *Game Of Bones: Winter Is Cumming*. And if you're not a fantasy fan, they've got adult versions of popular TV shows like *Friends* and *Sex and the City*.

**TRENCHCOATx**
Originally founded by Stoya and Kayden Kross, TRENCHCOATx features "curated smut." On the site, you can find anything from porn featuring straight sex to films exploring gender fluidity. Aside from how good you'll feel touching yourself while watching the eclectic adult videos, supporting female-owned porn companies like TRENCHCOATx feels pretty good, too. A monthly membership costs $21.20.

**Snapchat**
Who needs a computer when you can watch porn on your phone with Snapchat? Either use the social media app to follow your favorite porn performers or exchange your own sexy snaps with your crush to get off.

**Pornhub**
Pornhub is sort of like a pair of Levi's jeans: It's a modern classic. No matter your age, orientation, or style, there's going to be something on Pornhub that works for you. There's straight vanilla sex; there's gay group sex; there's even kinky fisting sex. The best part? While many sites charge membership fees (and rightfully so — performers deserve to be well-paid), Pornhub is totally free.

**Reddit**
Wait, isn't Reddit the place to analyze every possible *Game of Thrones* fan theory and share Pepe the Frog memes? Maybe, but it's so much more. On subreddits, such as GoneWild, you can find a surprisingly liberating and feminist world of user-generated pornography. Many of these images and videos are uploaded and created by women, many of whom interact with their followers. If you prefer to read your masturbation material, there's also plenty of erotic literature subreddits. Reddit is also completely free.

**Kink.com**
Kink.com is known for its BDSM and bondage porn. If you like your porn filled with whips and leather, and shot in a dungeon, this is the website for you. The Kink.com family covers all your BDSM needs, from the Sex and Submission channel, which is perfect for bondage enthusiasts, to Public Disgrace, which features women being (consensually) sexually humiliated in public places. A membership fee to any channel will cost you $39.99 per month.

**Make Love Not Porn**
Make Love Not Porn features real-life lovers making real-life love. That means you'll see cats jump on the bed and couples fumble with condoms, but don't get us wrong: MLNP sex is *hot* sex — it just also happens to be real. If you've found yourself frustrated with too many mainstream porn scenes featuring impossible pretzel positions or unrealistically easy portrayals of anal sex, MLNP is for you. Despite the use of non-professional couples, MLNP is a wonderful place to see sex acts you might not have seen before, like a pegging. Each video you rent costs $5, and then it's yours for three weeks to watch as many times as you like.

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These Are The Best Gym Memberships That Cost Less Than $50 A Month

August 1, 2017, 11:20 am

≫ Next: These Inspiring Movies Will Lift You Up

≪ Previous: Here's Where To Find The Best Porn For You On The Web

Signing up for a gym membership is definitely an investment, no matter what it costs. The good news is, you can get a lot out of a cheap gym membership if you choose wisely.

Really, the only thing you need from a gym is a clean space, machines that work, people that make you feel comfortable, and maybe a cool spot to take a gym selfie. There are lots of gyms out there that boast impressively low prices, and they kind of all look the same, so it can be tough to choose one that really works for your lifestyle and budget.

We combed through the offerings (read: did a lot of Yelp sleuthing) in 14 major cities across the country and found the best gym memberships under $50, and highlighted some of their best perks. Some of these budget gyms are chains, so they might be available in your city, even if it's not on this list. Once you find a gym near you, then it's worth it to contact them and ask for a free day pass so you can make sure you actually want to spend your money there. And if all else fails, you could do a YouTube workout, which is always free.

**Planet Fitness**
**Price:** $10/month
**Perks:** Planet Fitness is known for its approachable, "judgment-free" fitness philosophy. That means they focus on cardio, circuit training and light free weights, and strongly discourage what they call "Lunk" behaviors, like grunting and slamming heavy weights. They also give away free pizza slices on the first Monday of every month, and free bagels on the second Tuesday of every month.
**City:** Philadelphia, PA

**Workout Anytime**
**Price:** $15/month
**Perks:** You can join Workout Anytime on a month-to-month basis, which is great because it allows you to pause your membership on months when you know you're not going to get to the gym very often. This gym is also open 24 hours a day, so yes, you can get in a workout at any time.
**City:** Charlotte, NC

Crunch
**Price:** $19.95/month
**Perks:** Crunch is a great choice for people who like a modern and welcoming atmosphere, but aren't able to pay top-dollar for a swanky health club. They offer group fitness classes, and with this membership, you can stream online video workouts from CrunchLive.com. So, even if you can't make it to the physical gym, you can still take your favorite classes.
**City:** San Diego, CA

**LA Fitness**
**Price:** $24.99/month
**Perks:** The sleek amenities at LA Fitness make it hard to believe that a membership is about the price of a nice bottle of wine. At most clubs, you'll find groups fitness, personal training, basketball, racquetball, pools, and saunas. Some locations, like this one in Los Angeles, also have a built-in smoothie bar, so you can fuel up post-workout. And while LA Fitness originated in Southern California, there are over 600 locations in cities across the country.
**City:** Los Angeles, CA

**Southport Fitness**
**Price:** $29/month
**Perks:** Whether you need a cardio machine, room to stretch, or a personal trainer, you can find it at Southport Fitness. They have three different training programs that range depending on your fitness level and budget: small group training with six people; one-on-one with a personal trainer; and boot camp group classes.
**City:** Chicago, IL

**Gold's Gym**
**Price:** $29.95/month
**Perks:** There are six different Gold's Gym locations just in Houston, and they're all affordable. At the Bear Creek Fitness Center, you'll find an area of the gym dedicated to functional training with training ropes, kettlebells, and rocker boards.
**City:** Houston, TX

**Anytime Fitness**
**Price:** $33.99/month
**Perks:** You really can go to this gym *anytime,* because it's open 24 hours a day. They have free group classes in addition to cardio, strength, and functional training equipment. Plus, their team of trainers will give you a fitness consultation and movement assessment when you join to help you make and reach your goals.
**City:** Phoenix, AZ

**Snap Fitness 24-7**
**Price:** $34.95/month
**Perks:** Before joining this 24-hour gym, you can buy a "Fit Pass" 30-day trial membership for just $8.95 to ensure that you actually want to commit to a monthly charge. The gym is open 24-hours a day, so it's a convenient option for people who need flexible scheduling.
**City:** Columbus, OH

**Bailey's Gym**
**Price:** $34.99/month
**Perks:** If you tend to work out late at night, this gym might be your best bet, because it's open 24 hours a day. They host a handful of group fitness classes each week, including TRX, Zumba, yoga, and indoor cycling, and have large cardio and weight areas.
**City:** Jacksonville, FL

**South Oakland Family YMCA**
**Price:** $35/month
**Perks:** The YMCA isn't just a center for little kids to go to summer camp. There are lots of amenities for adults who want to work out, like exercise machines, stretching areas, free weights, and weight rooms, plus group and water exercise classes. At some YMCA locations, they offer free childcare while you work out.
**City:** Detroit, MI

**Sunset Gym**
**Price:** $39.99/month
**Perks:** Members love the old school vibe and friendly staff at this San Francisco gym. They have a wide variety of equipment, including Olympic cages, and a large selection of free weights.
**City:** San Francisco, CA

**National Institute for Fitness and Sport**
**Price:** $43.50/month for members under 26
**Perks:** This gym is a state-of-the-art, 65,000-square-foot fitness facility. They host more than 70 weekly group fitness classes, and they have any type of equipment you'd ever need. There's also a 200-meter rubberized track, a NBA regulation-sized basketball court, and Olympic lifting platforms.
**City:** Indianapolis, IN

**New York Sports Club**
**Price:** $44.99/month
**Perks:** There are 203 different types of group fitness classes offered at NYSC, and they also host sports lessons and leagues. Many locations have an indoor pool, and they also offer babysitting services.
**City:** New York, NY

**InsideOut Gym**
**Price:** $48/month
**Perks:** Beginners who haven't stepped foot in a gym in a while will appreciate this intimate Memphis gym, because their goal is to make sure everyone feels welcome and comfortable — not intimidated. For example, they schedule classes during the busiest times of day, so that the cardio and weight areas don't get too crowded. And they have 45 classes a week tailored to different fitness levels.
**City:** Memphis, TN

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These Inspiring Movies Will Lift You Up

August 2, 2017, 8:25 am

≫ Next: Busy Philipps Just Told The Funniest Story About Matthew McConaughey

≪ Previous: These Are The Best Gym Memberships That Cost Less Than $50 A Month

We all look for inspiration in different ways. Some people turn to religion; some turn to the self-help section at the local Barnes & Noble. Some crank up their go-to motivational tunes (read: anything by Destiny's Child), while others pore over The Secret and try to bibbidy-bobbedy-boo their way into realization of their goals.

And us? Well, a good ol' movie night always helps. Whether it's a biopic celebrating someone who turned the world upside-down for the better, a sports film with "Eye of the Tiger" on repeat, or a tale of overcoming adversity, certain movies simply have a knack for lifting us up and inspiring us to do more and be more.

Who hasn't aspired to the wisdom of Atticus Finch, or the tenacity of Rocky Balboa? What movie-goer hasn't felt a spring in their step after watching the women of Hidden Figures rightfully get their due? Hell, even the Jamaican bobsled team can make a compelling case for the importance of chasing your dreams, no matter how far-fetched they may seem.

Looking to shake yourself out of complacency and get a little fired up? These films should do the trick.

***Lion***(2016)
In *Lion*, the truth is more grand and unlikely than you'd ever believe in a novel. When he's five, Saroo is separated from his older brother on a trip away from their rural Indian village. After surviving alone for months in Kolkata, Saroo is eventually taken to an orphanage and adopted by Australians. Though he grows up in a loving household, memories of his former life haunt him. Then, when the technology of Google Earth becomes available, Saroo commits himself to finding his lost home, even though all he remembers is the presence of a water tower and the number of days he was on a train.
*Lion* is based on the true story of Saroo Brierley.
Snap Stills/REX/Shutterstock

***October Sky***(1999)
In this movie based on a true story, Homer Hickam (Jake Gyllenhaal), the son of a West Virginia coal miner, breaks from his expected path and finds a passion for rocketry. With the help of an encouraging teacher, Homer and his friends shoot for the stars (literally). It's one of the ultimate feel-good movies.
Universal/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

***Erin Brokovitch***(2000)
Who says women can't do it all? In this film based off a true story, a single mother becomes a legal assistant and, with sheer determination, takes down a California company polluting the state's water supply.

***The Secret Life of Walter Mitty***(2013)
Working in *Life* magazine's photo department, Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) spends his days developing photos of other people's adventures. At last, he gets an adventure of his own: Find the perfect cover for *Life'* s last print issue. Walter will trek around the world to find the elusive photographer Sean O'Connell (Sean Penn) to provide the cover image.
Red House/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

***The Little Prince***(2015)
Like the iconic children's book, this clever film adaptation will inspire you to hold on to a youthful sense of wonder and curiosity — no matter how old and jaded you've become.

***Spirited Away***(2001)
Feeling worn down by the monotony of adult life? Recapture the whimsy, imagination, and occasional terror of being a child in a confusing world with the classic Japanese film, *Spirited Away*. The plot is wacky. Chihiro and her parents turn off the road to an enchanted market. Her parents turn into pigs after eating the food, and Chihiro gets recruited to work in a spa for spirits. Despite the spirits' efforts to erode her sense of self, Chihiro remains determined to save her parents.

***The Intouchables***(2011)
This unlikely friendship between a wealthy paraplegic and his new caretaker from the rough suburbs of Paris will make you believe in life, love, friendship, and everything good in the world. The best part? It's based on a true story.

***The Theory of Everything*** (2014)
Eddie Redmayne won an Oscar for his moving portrayal of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. The biopic captures Hawking's fight to have his brilliant discoveries communicated to the world, pushing back against the physical limitations of his motor neurone disease.
*Pictured: Redmayne as Stephen Hawking*
Photo: Liam Daniel/Working Title/Universal/REX/Shutterstock.

***Selma*** (2014)
Who's more inspiring than Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.? Ava DuVernay's Oscar-winning drama about King's fight for civil rights and the events leading up to his march on Washington is moving *and* motivational. A true testament to the ability of one person to make a difference.
*Pictured: David Oyelowo as Dr. King*
Photo: Atsushi Nishijima/Paramount/Pathe/Harpo Films/REX/Shutterstock.

***Moana***(2016)
At last, a Disney princess who doesn't need some floppy-haired prince to save her hide. Despite the efforts of The Rock's mighty demigod Maui, it's clear that Moana is the one with all the strength and determination. Get it, girl.
*Pictured: Moana*
Photo: Disney/REX/Shutterstock.

***The Shawshank Redemption*** (1994)
Every word out of Morgan Freeman's mouth will have you nodding your head in agreement. This drama starring Freeman (Red) and Tim Robbins (Andy) is about so much more than just prison life; it's about holding on to hope, letting yourself live, and tap-tap-tapping away at those goals.
*Pictured: Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman*
Photo: ITV/REX/Shutterstock.

***Strictly Ballroom*** (1992)
Though it's one of director Baz Luhrmann's lesser-known films, this Australian rom-com is a must-watch for anyone who likes to cheer on underdogs, so-called ugly ducklings, and splendid, sequined dance numbers.
*Pictured: Tara Morice and Paul Mercurio*
Photo: Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock.

***Milk*** (2008)
Like MLK, Harvey Milk was a hugely important champion of civil rights who met a tragic end. Sadly, few outside the LGBT community knew about his work and legacy as the first openly gay man to hold political office in the U.S. until this biopic was released.
*Pictured: Sean Penn as Milk*
Photo: Focus Features/REX/Shutterstock.

**Hidden Figures** (2016)
Let's hear it for the unsung heroes of the Space Race: the Black female geniuses who helped send John Glenn to space.
*Pictured: Janelle Monae, Taraji P. Henson, and Octavia Spencer*
Photo: 20th Century Fox/REX/Shutterstock.

***Remember the Titans*** (2000)
Come for the early Ryan Gosling film credit, stay for the powerful story of a newly desegregated football team beating the odds, one racist official at a time.
*Pictured: Will Patton and Denzel Washington*
Photo: Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock.

***A League of Their Own*** (1992)
This story about the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League *still* makes us want to trade it all in for a baseball bat.
*Pictured: Rosie O'Donnell and Madonna*
Photo: Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock.

***Slumdog Millionaire*** (2009)
With all due respect to Drake, Jamal's (Dev Patel) started-from-the-bottom-now-we're-here story has his beat. Dude won a pile of money, got the girl, and broke it down to "Jai Ho"... what could possibly be better?
*Pictured: Dev Patel as Jamal*
Photo: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.

***To Kill a Mockingbird*** (1992)
This film has so many bittersweet and tragic moments, but somehow Atticus Finch's (Gregory Peck) moral compass guides us through. Let's just forget all about *Go Set a Watchman*, shall we?
*Pictured: Mary Badham and Gregory Peck*
Photo: Universal/REX/Shutterstock.

***Creed*** (2015)
Consider this a blanket endorsement for the inspirational attributes of all 3 billion Rocky films.
*Pictured: Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan*
Photo: Barry Wetcher/Warner Bros./MGM/REX/Shutterstock.

***Working Girl*** (1988)
Never mind your body. If you've got a mind for business, this tale of an unappreciated underling who outbosses her boss is pure inspo-board material. Here's to one day getting your own office and having your best friend shout it from the rooftops.
*Pictured: Melanie Griffith*
Photo: 20th Century Fox/REX/Shutterstock.

***Eddie the Eagle*** (2016)
This feel-good sports film about Britain's first Olympic ski-jumper is an excellent reminder that it's not whether you win or lose, it's whether you even dare to dream.
*Pictured: Taron Egerton*
Photo: Larry D Horricks/20th Century Fox/Marv Films/Saville Productions/REX/Shutterstock.

***Bend It Like Beckham*** (2002)
Responsible for countless young girls signing up for soccer (okay, fine, football) teams.
*Pictured: Parminder Nagra*
Photo: Bend It Films/Film Council/REX/Shutterstock.

***Sing*** (2016)
Yes, that *was* you totally tearing up at an animated elephant overcoming her crippling stage fright.
*Pictured: Meena, voiced by Tori Kelly*
Photo: Universal Studios/REX/Shutterstock.

***Hector and The Search for Happiness*** (2014)
This under-the-radar film stars Simon Pegg as a bored British psychiatrist who travels the world in search of meaning. Think of it as the male version of *Eat Pray Love*.
*Pictured: Simon Pegg as Hector*
Photo: Egoli Tossell Film/Film Afrika World Wide/Construction Film/Wild Bunch/REX/Shutterstock.

***Eat Pray Love*** (2010)
Speak of the devil. For all its criticisms, this film based on Elizabeth Gilbert's bestseller is a handy argument for leaving the drama behind and indulging in some self-discovery. Now, who's going to bankroll all this navel-gazing?
*Pictured: Julia Roberts*
Pictured: Columbia Pictures/REX/Shutterstock.

***Cool Runnings*** (1993)
If Jamaica can have an Olympic bobsled team, you can at least take a stab at whatever your goal may be.
*Pictured: Malik Yoba, Leon Robinson, Doug E. Doug, and Rawle D. Lewis*
Photo: Paramount/REX/Shutterstock.

**Joy** (2015)
Anyone with big dreams and a thankless job can take comfort in the story of self-made businesswoman Joy Mangano, a struggling single mother who became a hugely successful entrepreneur.
*Pictured: Jennifer Lawrence as Mangano*
Photo: Fox 2000/REX/Shutterstock.

***La La Land*** (2016)
Love story aside, this musical rom-com is really about pursuing your dreams.
*Pictured: Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone*
Photo: Dale Robinette/Black Label Media/REX/Shutterstock.

***Norma Rae*** (1979)
Sally Field's factory worker taught us the art of fighting the man and standing up for your rights.
*Pictured: Sally Field*
Photo: 20th Century Fox/Rex/Shutterstock.

***The Pursuit of Happyness***(2006)
Nothing like a real-life rags-to-riches story to motivate you (and make you cry like a baby).
*Pictured: Will and Jaden Smith*
Photo: Zade Rosenthal/Columbia/REX/Shutterstock.

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Busy Philipps Just Told The Funniest Story About Matthew McConaughey

August 2, 2017, 8:30 am

≫ Next: The True Story Behind The Friends From College IVF Episode

≪ Previous: These Inspiring Movies Will Lift You Up

A long, long time ago in 2006, Busy Philipps was casually hanging out with Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams before the Academy Awards — the latter two were nominated for their roles in Brokeback Mountain. Then, because their star power wasn't quite blinding enough, Matthew McConaughey came up to them and accidentally gave Philipps a nickname she'll never live down.

Fast forward 11 short years later, Busy Philipps co-hosted Live With Kelly and Ryan with Ryan Seacrest and the guest was, of course, Matthew McConaughey. Like the total professional she is, Philipps didn't mention the first time she met McConaughey on the air, but took to Instagram Tuesday to share the story. And thank goodness she did.

A post shared by Busy Philipps (@busyphilipps) on Jul 31, 2017 at 8:58am PDT

"Years ago, at a pre-Oscar party when Heath and Michelle were both nominated for Brokeback, Matthew McConaughey came up to congratulate them and we were introduced," Philipps wrote in an Instagram caption. "He talked with us for about 10 mins and when he left he said, 'Heath, Michelle, congratulations and best of luck to you this weekend. Marc, it was nice to meet you. WHIMSY, it was a pleasure!'"

Matthew McConaughey totally thought Busy Philipps' name was Whimsy! To be fair, out of all things that rhyme with "busy," she's probably lucky to get stuck with "whimsy." It's also hilarious that that's his first assumption. "Lizzie" didn't come to mind, McConaughey?

Philipps totally didn't mind. She continued: "We obviously didn't correct him 'cause who cares?! He's Matthew McConaughey! He can call me whatever he wants! But we all just about died."

Even though it wasn't the meet-cute of the century, at least Philipps now has a fantastic anecdote about the star. Not to mention, an adorable nickname.

"And Michelle to this DAY sometimes calls me Whimsy. And it always makes us laugh," she wrote before adding three crying laughing emojis and "Also. He's so hot."

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The True Story Behind The Friends From College IVF Episode

August 2, 2017, 8:30 am

≫ Next: THIS Is Why Jessica Chastain Almost Never Dyes Her Hair

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More people are using in vitro fertilization to get pregnant than ever before; celebrities have openly discussed their experiences with IVF, and yet pop culture seems to glaze over the more demanding and clinical realities of trying to get pregnant.

The new Netflix show Friends From College broke new ground, then, when it brought that experience to the forefront in its first season this summer. The ensemble dramedy — starring Keegan-Michael Key, Cobie Smulders, and Fred Savage, as, well, friends from college — follows a friend group's shenanigans when they reunite in their 30s in NYC. A couple at the center of the action, Ethan and Lisa, played by Key and Smulders, goes through a round of IVF as one of the difficult life milestones the show takes on (others include a decades-long affair; a proposal gone wrong; and really, really messing up at work).

In one of the more emotional moments of the season, there's a montage of Ethan meticulously administering hormone shots into his wife Lisa's abdomen, over and over, day after day, until her belly is mottled with bruises.

Then, it's time for the grand finale: the pivotal trigger shot that contains human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG — the pregnancy hormone. They have to do it exactly at the right time, to set them up for an appointment the next day, or all their efforts will have been futile. They decide to get a hotel room to set the mood (and momentarily escape their couch-surfing situation) — but they grabbed the wrong paper bag when packing up. When the big moment comes, they don't have the shot. They bolt home and into the bathroom, and in an edge-of-your-seat slapstick scene, Ethan drops the glass vial on the tile floor, shattering it.

If this sounds like the type of story that you can't make up, that's because it's true, and based on the real experiences of show creators Francesca Delbanco and Nick Stoller (who, also like their fictional counterparts, went to Harvard and are now married). We talked to Delbanco and Stoller about the story that inspired that hilarious if heart-wrenching episode.

How much of this episode is based on real events?
Francesca Delbanco: "A lot of it is based on things that actually happened. We had our first child very easily, without any kind of fertility issues. Then we kind of got mired in just terrible, terrible luck. We had a really tough time having a second child, which was something we really wanted to do. I had three miscarriages; we had to terminate a pregnancy in the second trimester, because we had done genetic testing that came back with bad news. We had every manner of problems, so we decided to do IVF. We did IVF, and it was an ordeal in and of itself, as it is for anyone who has to do it. It was ultimately successful — we have three children now. But when we were doing IVF, we had what happens on episode 104, which is that Nick —"

Nick Stoller: "I broke the vial."

FD: "He broke the vial of hCG, which is the trigger shot, which is basically what the entire thing is leading up to. And it was such an insane thing to have happen to us, and we can't believe that we found a way to put it in something."

When you're dealing with infertility, like any devastating issue in your life, you don't stop being you. So, if you're a person who has a sense of humor and laughs, you're still doing it all the way through this incredibly trying and draining experience.

What did you do in that moment — assuming you didn't break into a pharmacy, like Lisa and Ethan do in the show?
FD: "On a prior round of IVF, our doctor had prescribed a different kind of trigger shot, Ovidrel, but then decided at the last minute to use hCG. We were in a different round this time, with hCG again, but we still had the Ovidrel sitting in the refrigerator from the last time. If that hadn't by random luck happened to us, what would have happened? We would've gotten divorced.

"I remember very clearly: We were in our bathroom totally freezing, just the way it is on the show. Being like, Okay, thinking rationally here, what do we do? You've invested so much time and so much money — it was just a totally bleak and desperate time for us. When that shot dropped I was like, You've got to be kidding me. We just panicked and called the page operator. We had our nurse's cell phone number, which we had never used before, because we knew that was like pushing the red button. She was at the gym, and nothing was open, so she was like, 'This is what you do!'"

NS: "The conversation they had in the bathroom was very similar to what we had: a weirdly calm but panicked conversation. We were looking at the vial, and I was like, How much glass is in there? I was like, 'I can't inject you with glass.' Besides not being hygienic, it was literally full of glass. When I was scouting this episode at a clinic in New York City, and was talking to doctors and nurses, they were like, 'Oh this happens all the time.' It's like there's too much riding on this moment."

Somehow you're able to make a horribly sad moment hilarious. Was it important to you to make it funny?
FD: "When you're dealing with infertility, like any devastating issue in your life, you don't stop being you. So, if you're a person who has a sense of humor and laughs, you're still doing it all the way through this incredibly trying and draining experience. We had a joke all the way through that we had a slow-motion procedure going on, where Nick was very good at doing all the things, but you had to have an hour."

NS: "I could open an ER for emergencies that don't require immediate attention."

Why did you choose to tell this IVF story on TV now?
FD: "It was very cathartic and therapeutic to take this gigantic shit sandwich and turn it into something that could be a piece of entertainment for people. I was just so conscious the whole time, sitting in all those doctors' offices, that my life was being wasted. And it was so nice to be like, it wasn't wasted; we made something out of it — in addition to our children, they're great, too."

"I do have a lot of friends who went through IVF, but when we were in the writers' room like, Let's do this episode, no one in the writers' room had. Everyone knows what IVF is, but if you haven't experienced it, you have no idea what it entails. You just know it's IVF, and people do it when they have infertility, and they come out with a baby — but you don't know what it means. It's knowledge that you acquire if it happens to you, and otherwise you don't really think about it. [We thought] it would be kind of amazing to show what an ordeal it is for people, because a lot of people go through it."

NS: "It's also one of the few specific things that happened to us that can happen in real life. It's almost contrived how it turned into a good half-hour of TV. There's literally a ticking clock, and if you don't get the shot in time, you're screwed. From a plot perspective, we were like, That would make a funny, tense, suspenseful episode of TV."

FD: "In reviews of the show, a lot of people were like, 'This is a tired infertility plot that we've seen so many times.' I was thinking, Are there a million things about infertility that I missed when I was experiencing it? I felt so alone and isolated, and was like, This isn't something that people are talking about, or that I feel is represented in my world of books, TV, and movies. If there is a huge world of infertility, I would love to watch and see it. It would've made me feel like I have company and wasn't a freak."

Friends From College Season 1 is now streaming on Netflix.

Welcome to Mothership: Parenting stories you actually want to read, whether you're thinking about kids right now or not, from egg-freezing to taking home baby and beyond. Because motherhood is a big if — not when — and it's time we talked about it that way.

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THIS Is Why Jessica Chastain Almost Never Dyes Her Hair

August 2, 2017, 8:35 am

≫ Next: The Hottest Movie Sex Scenes, Ever (NSFW)

≪ Previous: The True Story Behind The Friends From College IVF Episode

Jessica Chastain knows a strong woman when she sees one. Perhaps that's why she's so deliberate in every role she takes: On the big screen, she's the formidable D.C. powerbroker, the unwavering spaceship commander, the relentless animal advocate. In real life, she refuses to remain silent on hot-button topics, like equal pay and representation for women in the film industry. Even the beauty brands she partners with have to align with her feminist ideals.

"Women are very powerful," Chastain begins when we sit down with her to discuss her new venture as the face of Ralph Lauren Woman. "Calling [the fragrance] 'Woman' empowers the word and encourages us to step forward and stop apologizing," she says. "To step out of a stereotype that society dictates for us and create our own paths; to define ourselves with all our dualities, strengths, ambitions, complexities."

Read on to find out how Chastain learned to celebrate her unique beauty, the powerful role scent plays in her work, and why she knows the future is most definitely female.

Why She Rarely Dyes Her Hair

Chastain's fiery red hair has arguably become her most identifiable feature, but it wasn't until high school that she learned to love it. "As a child, I didn't want to be different — I wanted to look the same as everyone else because I didn't want to be singled out," she says. "I was ridiculed for having red hair; for having freckles. But whatever you are ridiculed about that makes you different is what you'll celebrate in the future. If I wanted to dye my hair, I could, but I realized that's who I am, and my differences [make me] special."

Not that she doesn't understand the transformative power of hair color, but her busy schedule (she's working on three films this year alone) just doesn't leave room for constant dye jobs. "The one way to change my physicality is through wigs," Chastain says. "Wigs are amazing because they can not only change your hair color, they can also change your hairline and the texture. When I sit in a makeup chair and the hairstylist puts a wig on me, I feel the character collecting. It's not for vanity's sake that I use wigs; I see it as a tool to help transform."

When she does stray from her signature color, like in December when she dyed her hair a chocolate brown, it's almost exclusively for a role — and just as surprising to her as it is for fans.

A post shared by Jessica Chastain (@jessicachastain) on Dec 17, 2016 at 2:36pm PST

"You know what really changes me a lot? Dark hair," she says. "I went darker for Molly's Game, Mama, and Crimson Peak. Those have been the most transformational. Things I never notice about myself, like how light my eyes are, all of a sudden show up. When any kind of transformation happens in terms of a character, your face starts to morph into that character."

Her Secret To Getting Into Character

Every actor has a different method — from reading lines in front of a mirror, listening to certain songs, or answering only to their character's name. For Chastain, she says, "I think about the time period and the energy of the character," and then she picks out a scent. Each role comes with a different, complementary fragrance.

"For Crimson Peak, my character was the villain," she says. "This was also from over 100 years ago. I wanted a perfume that smelled like something that they'd have back then, so I found a peppery perfume, which to me was an embodiment of the energy of the character but also fitting to the timing." She also picked out a special fragrance for Tree Of Life. "I used Le Labo's orange blossom perfume, because there was something very natural about it and I was playing a character that was the embodiment of grace, so it felt like the right scent for her."

She spritzes it on during rehearsal, when she's studying the script, or while she's doing research at a museum. "That way, when I go on set the next morning, I immediately have the character with me," she explains.

What It Really Means To Be A Feminist Today

Chastain stresses the importance of intersectional feminism. "In the past, [feminism] was seen as an exclusive idea... In actuality, it's inclusive. It's not based on your skin color, gender, sexual orientation, preference, or where you come from — if you believe in equality then you believe in equality for all."

She continues, "We need to hold people accountable when someone is violated, which is happening now more than ever... when we work together, support each other, and encourage each other — that's how we move forward. Try to see people divide us."

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↧

The Hottest Movie Sex Scenes, Ever (NSFW)

August 2, 2017, 8:45 am

≫ Next: How Drugs & Alcohol Really Impact Our Sex Lives

≪ Previous: THIS Is Why Jessica Chastain Almost Never Dyes Her Hair

Sex scenes, we've seen a few. The first times that seldom bear resemblance to anyone's real first time. The quick-my-wife-is-out-of-town humpfests that turn us on and off at the same time. The perfect lighting and unrealistic, synchronized orgasms. They make it all look so easy, don't they?

Not that we're complaining. A great cinematic sex scene can really get us going, even if it involves positions straight out of Cirque du Soleil. Who doesn't feel a little warm when "Take My Breath Away" comes on? Who else believes that Michael Douglas must be able to make a woman (or Matt Damon) orgasm from 10 feet away?

Next time you and bae are looking for a little sexual inspiration, consider consulting one of these steamy scenes. Try not to pull a muscle.

Deadpool(2016)

Even better than a single sex scene, this montage depicts Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) and Vanessa's (Morena Baccarin) love life in a series of creative contortions.

Brokeback Mountain (2005)
They try to fight it, and literally try to fight each other, but there's no denying what they really, really wish they could deny. Powerful and heartbreaking.

From Here to Eternity(1953)

Next time you go to the beach, try reenacting the kiss to end all waterlogged kisses. In this scene, Sgt. Warden (Burt Lancaster) succumbs to an affair with his superior's wife, Karen (Deborah Kerr).

Love & Other Drugs(2010)

After lustily crashing through the front door, Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal are absolutely heedless with the apartment's belongings. A lot of things are ripped and broken.

The Little Hours(2017)

In this indie film, three sexually naive 14th-century nuns try to seduce a strapping young servant in a variety of hilarious, awkward contortions. There's a sex scene a minute, but the funniest is when Kate Micucci's character, poisoned on belladonna, goes after the servant with vigor.

Map to the Stars(2014)

In this surreal moment in cinema history, Julianne Moore seduces her cab driver, played by Robert Pattison. She literally asks him, "Do you want to fuck my holes?" And they he pulls over by the side of the road.

Monster's Ball(2001)

Hank (Billy Bob Thornton) and Leticia (Halle Berry) are an unlikely pair. He, a prison guard. She, the wife of the prisoner he just executed. Still, they seek each other out — as is clear in this scene, where Hank goes down on Leticia.

Wild Things(1998)

Two girls in a pool, and so a legendary movie sex scene is born.

Adore(2013)

Robyn Wright and Naomi Watts have affairs with each other's teenage sons.

The Brown Bunny(2003)

The Brown Bunny gained notoriety for featuring unsimulated oral sex between Chloe Sevigny and Vincent Gallo. But this scene of an under-the-table blowjob during grace is funny and mischievous.

Shame(2011)

Shame generated media buzz due to its prolific sex scenes, many of which are in the nude. But this film, an unflinching look at sexual addiction, is far from a "hot" movie. In Shame, Brandon (Michael Fassbender) sleeps his way through New York in a variety of creative pairings.

Wolf of Wall Street(2013)

Director Martin Scorcese had to cut some of this film's exceedingly graphic sex scenes so that it could keep its R-Rating.

On The Road (2012)
If two-on-one make-outs turn you on, take a gander at this threesome situation unfolding between Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, and Sam Riley.

Don't Look Now(1973)

For the past four decades, people involved with Don't Look Now have been denying that the actors were going at it, for real.

Fatal Attraction (1987)
Before Sharon Stone came along, Michael Douglas' supreme on-screen sex partner was Glenn Close. This film finds them bumping uglies against the kitchen counter, then getting frisky in the elevator.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith(2005)
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are not messing around. We can think of six kids who might be a little grossed out, though.

Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013)
There's a lot of controversy surrounding the intense love scenes between Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos. Some critics within the lesbian community have called the film exploitative and the sex unrealistic. Even given all that, it's still hard to not feel something watching these two women fall in love.

A History of Violence (2005)

While this stands in contrast to the initial sex scene between Maria Bello and Viggo Mortensen (which is filled with a goofy sense of marital bliss), the violent undertones bring up a sense of physicality that Cronenberg wants us to relate to sex. Fortunately, however, Mortensen and Bello's chemistry and relationship let us remember that — underneath the secrets — they still really want (and care for) each other. Also, real talk: Viggo Mortensen on the stairs. There isn't much else to say.

My Summer of Love (2004)
One of Emily Blunt's earliest films is this drama exploring the budding lesbian relationship between two friends.

Kama Sutra (1997)
You can't name a film after the quintessential guide to love-making and have it be dull. This Mira Nair film definitely lives up to its sexy name.

300: Rise of an Empire (2014)
As Artemisia and Themistocles, Eva Green and Sullivan Stapleton get very, very rough. Pretty sure we know where he really wants to plant his sword.

Carol (2015)
Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett's characters tiptoe around their relationship for quite some time, but things finally get sexual during a pit stop at a motel room.

Fear (1996)

A rollercoaster and The Sundays' cover of "Wild Horses" make Nicole's (Reese Witherspoon) first sexual experience pretty freaking fantastic. Pity her boyfriend (Mark Wahlberg) is a total monster.

Shakespeare in Love(1998)
Anyone who's really pored over Shakespeare knows that he loved a good sex joke. Here, the famous scribe (played by Joseph Fiennes) actually gets to enjoy a wee romp in yonder sheets with Gwyneth Paltrow's cross-dressing Viola.

Pretty Woman (1999)
The poor pianist who had to tickle those ivories the next day could not be reached for comment.

Anna Karenina(2012)
This steamy scene between Keira Knightley and Aaron Taylor-Johnson should make you regret not paying more attention to Tolstoy in school.

Jamón Jamón(1992)
Current marrieds Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz didn't start dating until 15 years after filming this explosive sex scene. Also: How hilarious is the reaction of the other café patrons?

The Roommate (2011)
Technically, Leighton Meester and Danneel Harris are only kissing here, but there's something so erotic about their lip gloss banter and eagerness to take things to the next level.

American Gigolo (1980)
Richard Gere's male escort Julian must get paid by the hour, because this is the slowest, most painstakingly choreographed sex we've ever witnessed. He and Lauren Hutton are just so pretty, though.

Unfaithful (2002)
Diane Lane and Olivier Martinez demonstrate the undeniable power of soggy make-up sex.

Indochine (1992)
Our Uber driver would not stand for this. By the way, Vincent Perez's character also has an affair with Éliane's (Catherine Deneuve) adopted Vietnamese daughter, Camille. What's French for super-messy?

A Perfect Murder (1998)
Captain Fantastic, indeed. Anyone else desperate for Viggo Mortensen to help them out with a cappuccino?

Chloe (2009)
Julianne Moore plays a doctor who suspects her husband of having an affair. The only reasonable course of action is to hire a call girl (Amanda Seyfried) to test his faithfulness, and then have sex with her, too.

Alfie (2004)
In which Jude Law and Nia Long copulate on a pool table, conveniently ignoring the fact that she's his best friend's girl, and that it's impossible to walk away from this without a nasty case of felt burn.

Laurel Canyon (2002)
Nothing says awkward (but still kinda hot) like making out in the pool with your future mother-in-law and her boyfriend. Allow Kate Beckinsale, Frances McDormand, and Alessandro Nivola to show you how it's done.

The Pillow Book (1996)
Guys, this one is really NSFW. Ewan McGregor's notorious willy has a starring role in his sex scenes with leading lady Vivian Wu. Consider yourself warned... and a little tempted, right?

Risky Business (1983)
If you could not follow Rebecca De Mornay and Tom Cruise's lead on the G train during rush hour, that'd be great.

Taking Lives (2004)
Look away, Brad. Watching Ethan Hawke force Angelina Jolie to suck on his fingers might be a little unsettling.

Derailed (2005)
This extramarital tryst between Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston soon goes very, very badly. Still, there's something about the wet hair and soggy shirts that makes their foreplay fun to watch.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)
Though there's no shortage of sex scenes in this film adaptation of Milan Kundera's novel, it's this interaction between Juliette Binoche and Lena Olin (as Tereza and Sabina, respectively) that feels the most intimate and sensual.

Swimfan (2002)
When your stalker accidentally drops the L word during swimming pool sex... and you already have a lovely girlfriend. Awkward. Take it away, Erika Christensen and Jesse Bradford.

Incendiary (2008)
This otherwise heart-wrenching drama includes this saucy striptease, which proves that inviting someone over for fish fingers is hotter than it sounds. Alas, you only get a snippet of the action between Michelle Williams and Ewan McGregor in this clip.

Crimson Peak(2015)
Think Taylor Swift will watch Tom Hiddleston's spicy sex scene (complete with a bare bum) with Mia Wasikowska in this gothic thriller and wonder where things went wrong? The action gets underway at about the 4-minute mark.

Kill Your Darlings (2013)
As one YouTube commenter hilariously noted, "10 points to Gryffindor." Former Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe plays Beat poet Allen Ginsberg in this drama featuring one pretty intense love scene.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Rooney Mara's Lisbeth Salander basically jumps Mikael Blomkvist's (Daniel Craig) bones in this saucy scene. Let's hear it for girls on top.

Undertow(2009)
Also known as Contracorriente, this Peruvian film captures the clandestine relationship between a married fisherman with a baby on the way and the dreamy artist he can't resist.

Southpaw (2015)
When Jake Gyllenhaal and Rachel McAdams talk about two rounds, they're not really talking about boxing. Hot.

Nina Takes a Lover(1994)
Ladder sex can be risky. Then again, so is cheating on your husband with a tall, dark, and handsome photographer.

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) say it best when they say nothing at all.

Out of Sight (1998)
If you like your conversation with a little more action, you'll love this sex scene between bank robber Jack (George Clooney) and U.S. Marshal Karen (Jennifer Lopez).

Revolutionary Road (2008)
When they're not squabbling and bemoaning their suburban existence, Frank and April Wheeler (dynamic duo Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet) manage to squeeze in some hot sex on the kitchen counter.

Out of Time (2003)
Denzel Washington and Sanaa Lathan prove that you don't have to take your clothes off to have a good time (oh no). You just need a strong back and a willingness to suffer a splinter or two.

Legends of the Fall (1994)
The hair. The bum. The name Tristan. Just overlook the fact that Julia Ormond (Susannah) went on to play Brad Pitt's daughter in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Marie Antoinette (2006)
We definitely would have paid more attention in world history class if we'd known how steamy Marie Antoinette's (Kirsten Dunst) sex life was. And yes, Jamie Dornan's Axel von Fersen is infinitely sexier than Christian Grey.

Troy (2004)
There's a thin line between love and hate. Briseis' (Rose Byrne) attempt to kill Achilles (Brad Pitt) results in the two making sweet, gentle love.

The Hunger(1983)
In the 1995 documentary The Celluloid Closet, Susan Sarandon said the script originally called for her character to be drunk before having sex with Catherine Deneuve's character. But, being Sarandon, she asked to have the script changed so she would only drink one glass of wine beforehand.

"You wouldn't have to get drunk to bed Catherine Deneuve," Sarandon says, in the doc. Clearly.

My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)
The sex scene between Daniel Day-Lewis and Gordon Warnecke is both comical — given the unsuspecting presence of the latter's uncle — and erotic.

Top Gun (1986)
It's cheesy, perhaps, but the sex scene between Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis still makes us weak in the knees. You can't beat electric-blue lighting and synth beats.

The Lover (1992)
The sex scenes between Jane March (as the Young Girl) and Tony Leung Ka-fai (as the Chinese Man) were rumored to have been real, rather than simulated. March later dismissed the claims, but that doesn't take away from their steaminess.

Set It Off (1996)
If you want to be more than friends, follow Jada Pinkett-Smith and Blair Underwood's lead and bust out the full-body massage complete with oil and a chain necklace.

Stealing Beauty (1996)
What's lovely about this scene is its sheer coming-of-age quality. Innocence is contrasted with desire, and Mazzy Star hums dreamily in the background.

Bound (1996)
Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon have two memorable sex scenes in this noir-style thriller. Pity Joe Pantoliano has to interrupt one of them.

Dangerous Beauty (1998)
Rufus Sewell and Catherine McCormack's love scenes in this obscure historical drama about a courtesan and her lover still hold up nearly 20 years later.

A Walk on the Moon (1999)
God bless Viggo Mortensen and his commitment to performing cunnilingus on-screen.

Cruel Intentions (1999)
Making love to the tune of Counting Crows? Sounds weird, but it is actually perfect and a totally romantic soundtrack for those quiet, quick, afternoon delights.

Love & Basketball (2000)
Everyone should lose their virginity with Maxwell playing in the background. Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan perfectly capture those first-time jitters and still keep it sensual.

Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
This is both the plot's literal and figurative climax. The tension between Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna peaks thanks to their mutual attraction to the effortlessly sensual Maribel Verdú. Sex, in this case, is a tool for personal growth rather than primal instinct. Get a hold of the full movie to enjoy; this scene is too hot for YouTube to handle.

Mulholland Drive (2001)
The problem with a straight man filming a lesbian sex scene is that it often feels exploitative. But Naomi Watts and Laura Harring's chemistry is both tender and incredibly erotic. There is love, but also a whole helluva lot of lust.

Sex and Lucia(2001)
This very NSFW clip brings new meaning to the term "mud mask." Go and rent the whole film; half of this Spanish drama starring Paz Vega is devoted to seriously steamy sex scenes.

8 Mile (2002)
This isn't a sexy movie. But the in-your-face, raw desire between Eminem and Brittany Murphy is still hot as hell.

The Dreamers (2003)
If we could, we'd embed the entire movie here, because it's one big sex scene. Instead, here's a compilation of the most important moments in a movie of self-discovery through sex.

Atonement (2007)
This brief moment is enough to doom the characters' lives. Briony's nosiness, jealousy, and naivety ruin the passion that's been building between Cecilia and Robbie. Their entire relationship thrives off this scene. It's their rock as much as it's their demise. Despite all of this, the intensity of their desire is palpable.

The Duchess (2008)
Keira Knightley's Duchess of Devonshire is only accustomed to the wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am overtures of her husband. Lady Bess Foster (Hayley Atwell), who happens to be sleeping with the Duke, convinces the Duchess to take on a lover of her own by showing her just how sensual intercourse can be. What are friends for?

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
The threesome scene gets all the glory, but Scarlett Johansson and Javier Bardem's frantic kissing is just as hypnotic. Just try to forget that Woody Allen was in the room.

Black Swan (2010)
Fun fact: This scene comes on an hour and nine minutes — a.k.a. 69 minutes — into the film. Aside from that, just uttering the phrase "Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis in bed together" brings to mind the naughtiest of thoughts. Sex and danger make for perilous but exciting partners; this scene is a testament to that.

Blue Valentine (2010)
Though this movie is anything but romantic, the sexual chemistry (when applicable) is on fire. It's unfortunate that couldn't save their relationship, but it is a testament to the incredible talents of Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling.

Free Fall (2013)
These two German cops can't resist getting it on, even though one of them is living with his pregnant girlfriend. Warning: may inspire you to take up running.

The Spectacular Now (2013)
Forget that Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley now play brother and sister. As first-time lovers, they toe the line between awkwardness and intimacy in a beautiful, realistic-feeling way.

The Danish Girl(2015)
Before Einar (Eddie Redmayne) transitions into Lili, his lovemaking with wife Gerda (Alicia Vikander) sensually explores gender roles in the bedroom.

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How Drugs & Alcohol Really Impact Our Sex Lives

August 2, 2017, 8:50 am

≫ Next: NSFW: Laura Dern's Latest Vengeful Mom Role Will Give You Chills

≪ Previous: The Hottest Movie Sex Scenes, Ever (NSFW)

There are certain tropes in movies and TV when it comes drugs, alcohol, and sex. Typically, a night of heavy drinking results in an unwanted pregnancy, an STD, or an awkward morning-after when the star realizes that they slept with their friend (or their new boss.) An impulse to try drugs, or stories about addicts, often include storylines about sexual assault.

While these tropes can seem tired, a new study points to why these are the stories we see so often when drugs and alcohol are connected to sex — because they happen in real life.

The data scientists at Addictions.com — a hotline for people struggling with drug or alcohol dependency — surveyed more than 2,000 people about how drugs and alcohol have shaped their sexual experiences. Their first big finding? About 47% of people said they had sex with someone they definitely wouldn't have if they were sober.

That may be where the sex-with-your-friend or sex-with-your-boss stories come from. In a report about their findings, Addictions.com reminds us that drugs and alcohol also increase the risk of contracting a STI.

But don't worry — there's no slut shaming here. It's not because drugs and alcohol cause people to have sex with multiple partners, the site says, but because these substances actually weaken your immune system — which means you're less likely to fight off an infection.

The research also found that drinking or using drugs cause unwanted pregnancies for 13.23% of respondents, that 22.65% of those who took the survey cheated on their partners while under the influence, and that drugs and alcohol caused a lot of performance problems such as, you know, premature ejaculation.

In fact, 12.63% of male respondents said that they ejaculated too quickly after drinking or doing drugs. And 32.84% of women said that they couldn't have an orgasm. Even more men (38.09%) couldn't get an erection at all, and 11.61% of women experienced vaginal dryness. [Note: the study doesn't say whether any respondents identified as transgender, gender non-conforming, or non-binary.]

Among women, the study also found that one in 10 reported being sexually assaulted while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The site gives an example from Bachelor In Paradise — earlier this year, the show shut down production after multiple reports that contestant DeMario Jackson was allegedly filmed having a sexual encounter with a woman who may have been too drunk to consent. Consent is difficult to define after a person has been drinking or doing drugs, the study says, though that certainly doesn't mean that sexual assault when all partners had been drinking doesn't count.

So while movies like Knocked Up (in which Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen's characters get drunk, have sex, and accidentally conceive a baby) are often played for laughs and pretty much always end on a happy note, Addictions.com reminds us that reality isn't quite as happy.

"From the chance encounters that can evolve into instances of sexual abuse, unexpected sexual partners, or even unplanned pregnancies — excessive drinking in social situations can be dangerous," the site says.

Read the full survey on Addictions.com.

If you are struggling with substance abuse, please call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for free and confidential information.

If you have experienced sexual violence and are in need of crisis support, please call the RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

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NSFW: Laura Dern's Latest Vengeful Mom Role Will Give You Chills

August 2, 2017, 9:00 am

≫ Next: Tara Reid Made A Quarter Of Her Co-Star's Salary For Sharknado 5

≪ Previous: How Drugs & Alcohol Really Impact Our Sex Lives

We already knew that Laura Dern was no stranger to playing protective mothers. This past spring, she dazzled alongside Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon as Big Little Lies' high-powered executive, Renata Klein — a familiarly overstretched working parent desperate to catch her daughter Amabella's mysterious bully. Now, she's giving that archetype even greater visibility, teaming up with Shatterbox Anthology director Courtney Hoffman for The Good Time Girls — a blood-soaked Western that subverts all our old expectations of this dude-centric genre.

The Good Time Girls doesn't just turn the camera on the Western's often-overlooked female characters — it replaces the pistol-touting storylines glamorized by John Wayne or Clint Eastwood with narratives told and motivated by the women at its center. The result is a deeply layered portrait of revenge that feels like a feminist Shakespearean tragedy, fueled with one mother's burning desire for justice at its core. Set in a forlorn desert brothel, Hoffman's tale focuses on Clementine, played by Dern, and her tenacious thirst for vengeance against the Rufus Black Gang — a roving band of outlaws that murdered her daughter. Joined by Arrested Development favorite Alia Shawkat and breakout Hollywood up-and-comer, Annalise Basso, Clementine's hatched a masterfully devious plot to get even, rifle-in-hand. And trust us, that bathtub scene doesn't leave us with any questions about exactly who's running Hoffman's Old West.

Check out The Good Time Girls above—FYI, it's NSFW. We promise you've never seen a film about women quite like this one.

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Tara Reid Made A Quarter Of Her Co-Star's Salary For Sharknado 5

August 2, 2017, 9:05 am

≫ Next: There's A New Development In The HBO Hack That Includes Never Before Seen GOT Episodes

≪ Previous: NSFW: Laura Dern's Latest Vengeful Mom Role Will Give You Chills

According to a new piece by The Hollywood Reporter, the franchise star Tara Reid made but a quarter of her co-star Ian Ziering's salary for the movie Sharknado 5. Ziering reportedly now makes $500,000 per film, which would put Reid's salary at about $125,000.

"I think Sharknado cares more about their 'extra of the day' than they do about their own cast," Reid told THR. Reportedly, when the 41-year-old actress asked for a raise for Sharknado 3, the request was denied. ( THR connects these negotiations to a Twitter campaign called "#Aprillive or #Aprildie." Fans voted to keep April, Reid's character, around. However, the campaign was not related to Reid's request for a raise.)

The lack of salary parity, unfortunately, seems to be a trend. House of Cards star and Hollywood veteran Robin Wright was told she'd have a pay equal to that of her co-star Kevin Spacey's.

"I was told that I was getting equal pay and I believed them, and I found out recently that it’s not true...so that’s something to investigate," Wright told The Edit in May.

Similarly, Shameless star Emmy Rossum entered into a standoff with the network over salary parity with her co-star William H. Macy in December of 2016. After a week or so of negotiations, the network seemed to have met her demands — Rossum announced that she would return to the show this year.

Reid's role in Sharknado likely began as stunt casting — as per THR, she was considered a "big get" for the project.

"Tara had a profile," casting director Gerald Webb told the publication. "SyFy liked her."

The franchise quickly evolved into a halfway house for D-list actors looking to climb up the ladder via self-aware cameos. (The crux of The Hollywood Reporter 's piece is how the franchise wooed President Donald Trump for Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!) Reid has remained as the lead, a woman named April, but the studio seems to be more interested cameo "gets" than keeping their main actress around. Refinery29 reached out to Reid's representation for clarification on the salary parity issue. They did not immediately respond.

This article has been updated.

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There's A New Development In The HBO Hack That Includes Never Before Seen GOT Episodes

August 2, 2017, 9:10 am

≫ Next: Non-Fast-Fashion Brands That Are Just As Good As Zara

≪ Previous: Tara Reid Made A Quarter Of Her Co-Star's Salary For Sharknado 5

On Monday, talk of Game of Thrones ' most recent episode was interrupted by news that HBO servers had been hacked. Hackers claimed to have stolen 1.5 terabytes of data, which is equal to over 750 hours of video. The Hollywood Reporter points out this data breach is seven times bigger than the Sony hack in 2014. Immediately after the HBO attack took place, the hackers sent an email out to several reporters claiming that they had stolen Game of Thrones data. Now, it has been confirmed that the stolen GOT data included never-before-seen episodes of the hit show.

Just this morning, Hack Read reported that the HBO hackers have launched a website where visitors can download this week’s episode of Game of Thrones (episode 3) and the yet-to-be-aired forth episode of season seven. There also appears to be downloadable scripts from the show on the website.

In addition to Game of Thrones data, the hackers have also published episodes of Ballers, Room 104, and Insecure. And, the website has episodes of Barry, an HBO series, which, Mashable points out, isn't set to be released until 2018.

A screenshot of the hacker's website published by Hack Read shows that alongside the newly-posted episodes and scripts, there is a note that says, "Coming soon ...!" The message leads us to assume that more stolen data will be added shortly if the website isn't shut down before that happens. At the very bottom of the webpage, there's another note the simply reads, "To be continued ..." which hopefully does not mean that the hackers will hack HBO again looking for more date.

Because we never encourage or participate in hacks, we will not be including the name of the website or a link to uploaded episodes and scripts, and though we know how hard it is to wait until Sunday to see Game Of Thrones ' next episode, we encourage you not to seek out the stolen data.

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Non-Fast-Fashion Brands That Are Just As Good As Zara

August 2, 2017, 9:15 am

≫ Next: Demi Lovato Doesn't Want To Be Known For Having Bipolar Disorder

≪ Previous: There's A New Development In The HBO Hack That Includes Never Before Seen GOT Episodes

This post was originally published in March 2016.

You've done the research, talked to some friends about it, and decided it's time to quit fast fashion once and for all. Like any obsession (yes, those too-cheap prices and fast-moving trends can be addicting), it's not going to be easy to stop cold turkey. But, it will be worth it.

But where do you begin when walking into Forever 21 and buying a selection of shoes, jewelry, and clothing on a whim is no longer an option? And how do you find a brand you can trust — one that's ethical, sustainable, and fashion-forward, too? The selection of retailers ahead will help get your green shopping plan off the ground, proving that it's possible to buy everything from underwear to swimsuits to workout gear without compromising the quality of clothing, and the living and working conditions of the people making it. Remember, ethical fashion doesn't necessarily equate to off-trend and unattractive items — and these stores prove just that.

**What:** New-Meets-Vintage With A Cool Twist **Where:** Either, AndWhy choose new or vintage when you can get both in one place? We'll be checking this new site on the regular for a mix of one-of-a-kind gems and indie brands.
**Either, And** Vintage Yellow Slide, $48, available at Either, And.

**What:** Cool-Girl Workwear That Looks Just As Cool *After* Work
**Where:** Exhibit
We were shocked by the affordable pricing at this super-chic online store, because the pieces are so on trend and high-quality that they look like a million bucks. Needless to say, we're stocking up ASAP.
**Exhibit** Ruffled Hem Shirt, $119.90, available at Exhibit.

**What:** On-Trend Petites
**Where:** Petite Studio
Designed specifically by and for petite girls, Petite Studio gives smaller frames perfectly fitting and on-trend wardrobe staples that are sure to get you compliments left and right.
**Petite Studio** Bleecker Bomber Jacket, $119, available at Petite Studio.

**What:** Things You'll Actually Reach For In Your Closet
**Where:** Grana
If you love Everlane, you'll love this Hong Kong-based, direct-to-consumer brand stocked with the kind of pieces you'll wear again and again (and again).
**Grana** Trapese Dress, $79, available at Grana.

**What:** Major Statement-Makers Worth The Splurge
**Where:** Maggie Marilyn
This New Zealand-based brand launched just last year, so you can guarantee you won't show up to a party where someone's wearing the same piece you are. The statement sleeves and silhouettes give us *major* Ellery vibes — oh, and the designer's practically fresh out of college. Talk about supporting young talent.
**Maggie Marilyn** George Denim Jacket II, $578, available at Maggie Marilyn.

**What:** Lived-In Basics
**Where:** Lacausa
Once you get your hands on some of Lacausa's perfectly soft essentials, we can almost guarantee you won't want to take them off. The pieces are polished enough to wear in public, but comfortable enough to feel like you're wearing pajamas all day long. A win-win.
**Lacausa** Uniform Trouser, $150, available at Lacausa.

**What:** Vintage That's Actually Cool
**Where:** Petra Von Kant
You could rummage through the bins at your local Salvation Army, or you could just start shopping at Petra Von Kant, where the work's done for you. Expect silk tanks that look like they're straight from Reformation and vintage gems from top (and no-name) brands alike. Plus, everything's reasonably priced.
**Petra Von Kant** Mira Silk Tank, $48, available at Petra Von Kant.

**What:** Minimalist Go-Tos
**Where:** Siizu
For Siizu, sustainability is not merely a promise — it's a driving force behind every decision, and it all begins with the fabric. The brand is dedicated to exclusively using textiles that are 100% organic and eco-friendly (even the packaging is completely recyclable!). You can count on this site for no-fuss, streamlined pieces that can still be styled to suit your vibe.
**Siizu** Shirt Dress, $138, available at Siizu.

**What:** Basics That Won't Break The Bank
**Where:** Everlane
Spending more than $100 on an item that's considered a "basic" can be tough to swallow, but at Everlane, all your basics needs are sorted. Plus, you *always* know exactly what you're paying for, thanks to the site's transparent pricing promise on each product. You get to see the item's retail price, along with a complete breakdown of what it actually costs to make.
**Everlane** The Silk Tank, $58, available at Everlane.

**What:** Soft Silk Staples & Leather Goods
**Where:** Cuyana
If you're shifting to a less-is-more lifestyle, San Francisco-based label Cuyana should be on your radar. It's a brand that believes in having fewer, better things, with a selection of silk tops and minimalist leather accessories that will complete your grown-up wardrobe once and for all.
**Cuyana** Silk Open-back Top, $195, available at Cuyana.

**What:** Workout Clothing
**Where:** Outdoor Voices
When a brand is a favorite of Lena Dunham and Man Repeller's Leandra Medine, you pretty much know it's going to be good. So, it's no surprise that we've fallen for Outdoor Voices' minimalist (and flattering!) athletic wear. It's designed here in New York City and produced responsibly in carefully selected factories. You won't find these lust-worthy fabrics and color palettes anywhere else (especially in the fitness realm), and speaking from my own experience, the quality is *top* -notch.
**Outdoor Voices** Tri-tone Kneecap Legging, $75, available at Outdoor Voices.

**What:** Contemporary Separates
**Where:** Yooxygen
Did you know that Yoox (the online retailer that recently merged with Net-a-Porter) had its own environmental sustainability program? Yooxygen, which launched in 2009, is stocked with tops, dresses, skirts, and more from a selection of sustainable-minded, moderately priced brands that can be mixed and matched into a cohesive, slow-fashion wardrobe.
**Annie & Jade** Shirt, ~~$345~~ $295, available at Yooxygen.

**What:** Special Occasion Dresses
**Where:** Reformation
Reformation has already been our go-to for date-night and wedding-appropriate dresses for a while now, and it's just the cherry on top that it's a business founded on the idea of fashion and sustainability co-existing. Every limited-edition collection is manufactured at the brand's factory in Los Angeles — plus, it uses all recycled hangers and packaging. Don't forget to check out the "RefScale," either, which breaks down and tracks the environmental impact of every garment for sale on the site.
**Reformation** Adriana Dress, $198, available at Reformation.

**What:** Under-$100 Finds
**Where:** Ethica
While this site is a great one-stop shop for ethical fashion and emerging designers across categories, we specifically like hunting for all of the awesome under-$100 steals, like this striped cropped turtleneck that has us dreaming of summer.
**Edith A. Miller** Turtleneck Crop Top, ~~$66~~ $40, available at Ethica.

**What:** Wear-Everyday Jewelry
**Where:** Melissa Joy Manning
Forget $2.90 necklaces and rings that turn your fingers green after one wear. For exceptional, high-quality, handmade jewels that suit every personality, Melissa Joy Manning has become our mainstay. The designer offers everything, from a simple pair of earrings you never have to take off, to unique, one-of-a-kind splurges perfect for special occasions.
**Melissa Joy Manning** Herkimer Diamond Hug Hoops, $200, available at Melissa Joy Manning.

**What:** On-Trend Pieces
**Where:** H&M Conscious Collection
We know, we know. H&M and the term "fast fashion" tend to go hand in hand. But, have you checked out its Conscious line? This section of H&M promises to be good for people, the planet, and your wallet, and is built on seven sustainability and ethics-related commitments. Plus, it's still stocked with the on-point trend items you've grown to love the brand for (and a solid set of basics, too).
**H&M Conscious** Ribbed Turtleneck Top, $24.99, available at H&M.

**What:** Plus-Size Staples
**Where:** Hackwith Design House
Options for plus-size clothing are already limited, and when you cut fast fashion out of the picture, the selection of clothing becomes even smaller (and the styles can become, well, not so cute). Hackwith, on the other hand, is the total opposite — this made-in-America, boutiquey brand has a clean and simple aesthetic that, most importantly, flatters everyone, regardless of shape or size.
**Hackwith Design House** Amelia Jacket, $275, available at Hackwith Design House.

**What:** Technical Wears
**Where:** Patagonia
Should the weather (or your wardrobe) require a parka or winter gear, look no further than Patagonia, a cold-weather company that's been a favorite of eco-friendly shoppers since the beginning. From its anti-Black Friday move, to allowing *all* of its products to be recycled, this brand is consistently taking action to be more socially responsible.
**Patagonia** Women's Down With It Parka, $299, available at Patagonia.

**What:** Going-Out Clothes
**Where:** ASOS Green Room
Similar to H&M's Conscious collection, ASOS (another huge fast-fashion retailer) has also built a separate edit of eco-friendly *everything*, from handmade jewelry to vintage gems. It's filled with easy skirts and dresses for events and going out, so this site should be added to your bookmarks if you're *easing* out of the world of fast fashion — but still need a spot to score trendy and affordable pieces.
**ASOS** Soft Wrap Midi Skirt with Splices, $52, available at ASOS.

**What:** Office Attire
**Where:** Svilu
This higher-end sustainable label is reliable for work-ready items — especially easy, throw-on-and-go dresses that still look super-polished. The prices aren't necessarily *the most* affordable, but keeping the cost-per-wear in mind, you'll likely be getting your money's worth.
**Svilu** Draped T-Shirt Dress, ~~$635~~ $254, available at Svilu.

**What:** Swimwear
**Where:** Vitamin A
Aside from selling great suits, Vitamin A is taking innovative strides toward sustainability with its creation of EcoLux, a swim fabric produced in California using recycled nylon fiber; as well as its use of special technologies that extend the life of swim products. You can read more about its efforts here.
**Vitamin A** Parker High Neck & Camden Bottom, $147, available at Vitamin A.

**What:** Handbags
**Where:** Freedom of Animals
If you think your only options for an everyday carryall are fast-fashion or luxury labels, think again. Freedom Of Animals is the happy medium when it comes to price points for stylish handbags, plus it's sustainable and cruelty-free, too.
**Freedom of Animals** Melia Lia, $360, available at Freedom of Animals.

**What:** Undergarments
**Where:** Base Range
Considering we wear them everyday, we shouldn't overlook the quality or origin of our undergarments. Using high-quality, organic fabrics, and making efforts to minimize environmental impact, Base Range offers everything you need for your underwear drawer and beyond in soft, easy silhouettes anyone would be crazy not to love.
**Base Range** Demi Bra in Knot Cotton, $71, available at Base Range.

**What:** Shoes
**Where**: Brother Vellies
Paint-splattered loafers? Furry slides and crazy gladiator sandals? You can find all of these and more from Brother Vellies, which handmakes shoes in South Africa, Kenya, and Morocco, while focusing on sustainable processes with its leather, dyes, and overall carbon footprint.
**Brother Vellies** Art School Shoes, $285, available at Brother Vellies.

**What:** Loungewear and Basics
**Where:** kowtow
These days, it feels like every brand has expanded into loungewear. But kowtow is doing it right. Promising "certified fair trade organic clothing that is ethically and sustainably made from seed to garment," there's no excuse to *not* stock up on tees and joggers this year.
**kowtow** Building Block Pant, $135, available at kowtow.

**What:** Denim
**Where:** Levi's
If you're a denim maven, you likely already own a pair of Levi's. Now you can know for sure that they were a guilt-free purchase. Over the years, the company has made positive strides toward minimizing its environmental impact by using less water, better cotton, and committing to sustainable factory practices, to name a few.
**Levi's** Wedgie Fit Jeans, $88, available at Levi's.

**What:** Occasional Splurges
**Where:** Maiyet
For a sustainable brand with a real luxury, high-end feel, shop Maiyet and its abundance of artisan-made collections. The clothes are made in places like India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Mongolia, Peru, Bolivia, Japan, and Thailand. And you'd be hard-pressed to find pieces as special as the ones from this environmentally sustainable retailer.
**Maiyet** Hazel Whipstich Flat Ankle Boot, $895, available at Maiyet.

**What:** Cozy Sweaters and Winter Layers
**Where:** Zady
Zady is *all* about the slow-fashion movement, from environmental and social, to economic sustainability. In fact, you can get a pretty in-depth breakdown of each item's creation right on its product page. We particularly look to the brand for great, cozy layerables that we can wear a million different ways all winter long.
**Zady** .09 Natural Chunky Knit Sweater, $230, available at Zady.

**What:** Zany Prints in Trendy Silhouettes
**Where:** Gorman
If Dusen Dusen had a funky UK cousin, Gorman would be it. Shop Gorman if you’ve made a resolution to yourself to inject more color into your wardrobe, or if you need a fun gift for a fashion loving BFF’s birthday.
**Gorman** Le Grande Silk Dress, $329, available at Gorman.

**What:** Simplistic Work Staples
**Where:** One By One
This Los Angeles brand produces its items, *yep*, one by one. It takes the time to produce the best product possible with local manufacturers, so sustainability is at the heart of everything it does.
**One By One** Hidden Button Shirtdress, $192, available at One By One.

**What:** Pieces You Can Wear To Work, Play, And Everywhere In Between
**Where:** Aday
This New York-based company first went viral for its consistently sold-out leggings, but the brand's ethos is much larger than that: Aday, which was founded by two finance-employees-turned-fashion-entrepreneurs, is built around the idea that clothing should have more than a single job — so, all of its collections are crafted out of technical, fitness-grade, sustainably-sourced fabrics into silhouettes that are versatile enough to wear to work, gym, and beyond.
**Aday** Something Borrowed Shirt, $125, available at Aday.

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Demi Lovato Doesn't Want To Be Known For Having Bipolar Disorder

August 2, 2017, 9:15 am

≫ Next: Bradley Cooper Sure Looks Different In This Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later Clip

≪ Previous: Non-Fast-Fashion Brands That Are Just As Good As Zara

Alongside being a singer, Demi Lovato has made a name for herself as an advocate for mental health. Earlier this year, the 24-year-old received the Artistic Award of Courage for her continued efforts to destigmatize mental illness, and launched the "Be Vocal: Speak Up for Mental Health," back in 2015. However, just because the "Sorry Not Sorry" singer is loud and proud about her own mental health, which include a past with disordered eating and being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she doesn't want that to be the only thing that defines her.

"I think when people refer to me as being bipolar, it’s something that’s true – I am bipolar – but I don’t like people to use it as a label," she told Elvis Duran as part of iHeartRadio’s Label Defiers with ZICO Coconut Water. "It’s something that I have, it’s not who I am."

However, this doesn't negate the importance of talking about it, especially because speaking about your mental health is still, for some reason, taboo.

"The more people know about it, the more people are going to be able to find solutions to what they’re going through," she explained. The reason Lovato finds it especially necessary to speak up is because she knows she has a large audience of young men and women listening to her — but really, she encourages everyone to be vocal.

"Your voice will be heard no matter what position you’re in," she said. "I just happen to be in a position where more people would hear my voice than they would have 10-15 years ago, so I use my voice to do more than just sing."

Rather than boiling her down to a diagnosis, Lovato would simply rather be known as an activist. Judging from all the hard work she's done so far, that word could not be more apt.

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Bradley Cooper Sure Looks Different In This Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later Clip

August 2, 2017, 9:20 am

≫ Next: 15 People Share Their Unfiltered Thoughts On 69-ing

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If you've watched the original Wet Hot American Summer, you know that Bradley Cooper 's character, Ben, is the one who suggested the gang meet up a decade after their summer as camp counselors. With Netflix 's upcoming sequel series, Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later, we'll finally learn just where all of our favorite goofs ended up in the '90s. But there was always one hiccup: Cooper himself didn't return for the upcoming series.

Well, Netflix has released its answer to how it will address Ben's absence from the new show. We knew Adam Scott was joining the Ten Years Later cast, but we didn't know what his role would be. And it turns out, Scott will be playing Ben.

If you read that sentence and thought, Wait a minute, Bradley Cooper and Adam Scott look nothing alike, you're right. Netflix knows that, too, which is why a new teaser for the sequel series shows Ben telling Susie (Amy Poehler) that he's had work done. (The writers also use the occasion to get in a dig at plastic surgery, with Susie joking that the work fixed Ben's "deviated septum.)

The decision to just replace Cooper with Scott is pretty silly — but in the Wet Hot American Summer world, what isn't? If nothing else, the surprise casting is a sweet reunion for Parks and Recreation fans.

Oh, and Ben is married to McKinley (Michael Ian Black), and they have a baby now. The new show — which is Netflix's second spinoff series based on the 2001 film — hits the streaming service this Friday, August 4.

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15 People Share Their Unfiltered Thoughts On 69-ing

August 2, 2017, 9:30 am

≫ Next: Florida Has Confirmed A Case Of Zika Transmitted Through Sex

≪ Previous: Bradley Cooper Sure Looks Different In This Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later Clip

When it comes to getting creative with oral sex, 69-ing is probably the most iconic position. Executed when both partners simultaneously perform oral sex on each other, usually with one on top of the other, the 69 position can be mutually satisfying and easily illustrated by a two-digit number. But people definitely have their opinions on it.

While some dismiss 69-ing as awkward or even gimmicky, others are either curious about mastering it or flat-out love it. For whatever reason, it's become a particularly polarizing sex act (much like scissoring). So, to help figure out why that is, we asked members of the R29 community to tell us how they really feel about 69-ing.

Sure, their responses didn't answer that question once and for all, but they reminded us of that age-old truth about sex positions: If you like it, do it. If you don't like it, don't do it. Doesn't get simpler than that, does it?

Ahead, check out our readers' unfiltered thoughts on 69-ing — and share your own in the comments.

"* Groan* If I were the female John Oliver, I would have a 'Why Is This Still A Thing?' segment on 69-ing. The concept is hot — both of you getting some sweet attention. The reality is sour. I've yet to find a way for both parties to be comfortable and maybe it's just me, but if I'm getting a guy to go down on me, I want to focus and savor every glorious moment — not be distracted by giving him head, too."

-Hannah, 22

"I liked it when I was younger and more flexible. Not so much now."

-Chris, 48

"As a female, I started 69-ing because it turned my male partner on. That's it. I used to just endure it! As I've gotten older and started paying more attention to my body and caring more for what pleases myself, I tend to get distracted. If he's doing a really a nice job, I'm probably going to start slacking. Which sort of defeats the purpose, right?"

-Jade, 22

"It's the number-one, surefire way to get me to orgasm. I have a hard time letting go and focusing on the moment, and since there's a lot going on to listen to physically, it's much easier to be free."

-Emma, 24

"Huge fan."

-Dotti, 52

"I prefer not to multitask, but I do enjoy the give-take of the position."

-Sara, 39

"Love it! A little mutual pleasure helps get things humming."

-Nate, 28

"I like it with the right partner! It can be very hot, but bodies don't always line up right."

-A, 31

"I love it. But my S.O. and I only do it on special occasions."

-Oliva, 20

"It's for young people who don't have enough time before their parents come home."

-Jen, 36

"Love it, but rarely able to enjoy it anymore. Partner unwilling, she hates it."

-PJ, 50

"I'm definitely not a fan. If I'm on top, I feel like the dude's looking at my butthole. And it's hard to give and receive at the same time, it's too easy to get distracted."

-Gabby, 20

"Its alright. I do it more for my partner then myself. I'd rather be able to lay back and relax while receiving oral sex."

-Kat, 27

"We've tried it but 69-ing does not work with a height difference. I'm an entire head taller than her. It's just uncomfortable and hard to pull off."

-M, 19

"Love it. My girlfriend loves it too, we probably do it around once every two weeks."

-Adam, 15

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Florida Has Confirmed A Case Of Zika Transmitted Through Sex

August 2, 2017, 9:35 am

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≪ Previous: 15 People Share Their Unfiltered Thoughts On 69-ing

On Tuesday, the Florida Department of Health confirmed the first case of sexually transmitted Zika in 2017.

According to the Department of Health's website, the case was confirmed in Pinellas County, and while the person who contracted Zika had not recently traveled anywhere, their partner had traveled to Cuba, and showed symptoms consistent with the virus. Both partners tested positive for Zika.

The case, the health department says, is a reminder that Zika can be sexually transmitted — previous research suggested that the virus could reside in men's semen, pointing to how it may be spread. Zika can also be spread from infected mosquito bites, though the Florida health department emphasized that there is no evidence of Zika by mosquito in any area of the state.

For the most part, people have contracted the virus by traveling to affected areas, though there was a number of cases in which people acquired it from local mosquitos in Florida last year.

According to the CDC, most people who have Zika won't show symptoms, but those who do may experience fever, rash, headache, joint pain, conjunctivitis, and muscle pain. Once a person has been infected, the CDC says, they are likely to be protected from contracting it again. Symptoms are generally manageable, and the virus should clear out of your system in about a week, but Zika can be especially dangerous for pregnant women, and can cause birth defects such as microcephaly.

The Florida Department of Health is warning those who recently traveled overseas to a Zika-affected area to prevent mosquito bites for at least three weeks after they return home, and to use condoms to prevent sexually transmitted Zika.

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Glittery iPhone Cases From Victoria's Secret & Nordstrom Rack Are Being Recalled

August 2, 2017, 9:35 am

≫ Next: Last Night's Queen Sugar Was A Tribute To Healthy Masculinity

≪ Previous: Florida Has Confirmed A Case Of Zika Transmitted Through Sex

If you’ve got a glitter-filled iPhone case, you might want to take a closer look at it. The United States Product Safety Commission has issued a recall on more than 260,000 glittery iPhone cases in the US, Mexico, and Canada. The glitter and liquid can leak out of the case, causing skin irritation, blisters, or burns.

The iPhone cases in question are produced by the electronics company MixBin that makes cases to fit iPhone models 6, 6s, and 7. Retailers like Victoria’s Secret, Tory Burch, Nordstrom Rack, and Amazon all carry MixBin’s glittery cases, so make sure to check the brand of your case in addition to the manufacturer.

Here’s a full list of the affected cases, with pictures of each of them.

Worldwide #Recall: +270K iPhone cases by @mixbin; reports of skin irritation and burns; Act Now: https://t.co/aaKQVqy0w2 pic.twitter.com/JeFT3PTNr1
— U.S. CPSC (@USCPSC) August 1, 2017

According to the U.S. Product Safety Commission, the cases have caused 24 reports of skin irritation across the world. Of those accounts, 19 came from the United States. One consumer said her case caused permanent scarring after a chemical burn, while another consumer reported burns and swelling on her upper body, face, and hands.

In a press release, MixBin said you should contact the company immediately for reimbursement if you think you have one of these cases. But don’t throw it out right away — MixBin said it will release instructions detailing how to properly dispose of the cases.

If you’re not sure if your glittery iPhone case is one of MixBin’s, it might be a good idea to just switch it out anyway. After all, there are so many options out there, from cases with inspiring quotes, to ones with adorable designs that won’t break the bank.

Your iPhone case can even make doing your makeup easier. So, ditch the potentially dangerous glittery case and treat your iPhone to a new look.

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Last Night's Queen Sugar Was A Tribute To Healthy Masculinity

August 2, 2017, 9:45 am

≫ Next: Short Girls, We Found The Perfect Pants For You

≪ Previous: Glittery iPhone Cases From Victoria's Secret & Nordstrom Rack Are Being Recalled

If I had to classify Queen Sugar, I would call it a womanist show. It is a show that prioritizes the experiences of Black women, while recognizing the important role that Black men play in shaping those experiences. Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe), Hollywood (Omar J. Dorsey), Michah (Nicholas L. Ashe), Davis (Timon Kyle Durrett), and even young Blue (Ethan Hutchinson) drive the story of the Bordelon family in very important ways. As such, Queen Sugar — helmed by Oprah and Ava Duvernay — has undertaken Black masculinity as a major theme, and it's done a great job. Last night’s midseason finale was the ultimate display of how healthy masculinity is better for everyone.

Ralph Angel, the male lead in Queen Sugar, is the new patriarch of the Bordelon family now that his father Ernest has passed away. He is moving forward as a parolee, having inherited his family’s farmland and raising his son Blue with compassion and love. Not to mention, it can’t be understated how fine he is. Nevertheless, Ralph Angel has been one of the most difficult characters to get behind this season because of what can only be described as fragile masculinity. He makes rash financial decisions about the farm without consulting with his sister Charley (Dawn Lyen-Gardner) — who is financially backing the farm and Queen Sugar Mill — because he doesn’t like asking her for help. His partner Darla (Bianca Lawson) is also getting her life back as a recovering addict, but he was less than happy about the healthy distance she wanted to keep between them while she maintains her sobriety. When Darla accepted a job as Charley’s assistant (being employed is an important part of her recovery), Ralph Angel felt betrayed, operating under the belief that his girl should support him, even in his prideful resistance to accepting the help he needs.

On Wednesday night’s episode, Ralph Angel showed up for Darla’s two-years sober anniversary celebration. Finally accepting that her place in a fellowship of recovering addicts is permanent, Ralph Angel also proposes to Darla, insisting that he doesn’t want to “distract” her from her recovery. It was a beautiful display of selflessness on his part, admitting that his own needs are not the center of their relationship or world.

Michah, Charley’s teenaged son, has been finding it difficult to cope with the aftermath of being pulled over and arrested. Charley and her soon-to-be ex-husband Davis have noticed a change in his behavior but can’t get him to open up about the incident. And while his father hasn’t offered much to the story except the knowledge of his rebound affairs with other women, he finally gives Micah the space to let it out. Literally, Davis hesitantly stands by while Micah throws stuff around the room. When Michah insists that he can “take it,” Davis tells him he doesn’t have to do it alone. It was a tender moment between two men where one was inviting the other to lean into pain and trauma so that the other could help him through it.

The truth is that women can’t always be the gatekeepers of everyone’s emotional well-being — especially not in the case of Queen Sugar, where female characters are also taking the lead on everything else. This is why I love Hollywood and Aunt Violet’s relationship: he makes an intentional effort to be supportive of her dreams and feelings, not just the rent. Envisioning a world absent of toxic masculinity is a theme that makes Queen Sugar a nearly utopian drama about a Black family.

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Short Girls, We Found The Perfect Pants For You

August 2, 2017, 9:45 am

≫ Next: The Sexist Truth Behind Pregnancy-Drinking Laws

≪ Previous: Last Night's Queen Sugar Was A Tribute To Healthy Masculinity

Update: This story was originally published on October 11, 2016.

Our 5-foot-3 and under frames tend to have a tougher time than most accommodating trousers, and, sometimes, our pants tend to wear us, instead of the other way around. But, enough is enough: These anxiety-inducing garments have eluded our closets (and racked up quite the tailoring bill) for far too long.

We've searched high and low for the solution to all of our petite dressing gripes, and it turns out, Topshop has all the bottoms we could ever need. Sure, we already knew the fashion powerhouse is a pro at nailing every of-the-moment trend possible, but what we didn't realize is that its petite department is just as on-point. Finally, we've found one place that hosts a variety of work trousers, trendy joggers, embellished jeans, and other statement bottoms you assumed were forbidden fruit for your wardrobe. Click on for all the petite pieces you could ever want.

**Topshop** Petite Raw Hem Cropped Jeans, $95, available at Topshop.

**Topshop** Awkward Length Crop Jeans, $75, available at Topshop.

**Topshop** Petite Webbed Belt Peg Trousers, $68, available at Topshop.

**Topshop** Petite Stripe Ruffle Wide Leg Trousers, $75, available at Topshop.

**Topshop** Petite Twill Sailor Trousers, $68, available at Topshop.

**Topshop** Petite Super Soft Flare Trousers, $45, available at Topshop.

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The Sexist Truth Behind Pregnancy-Drinking Laws

August 2, 2017, 9:45 am

≫ Next: The Bold Type Proves Even Feminists Can End Up Objectifying Women

≪ Previous: Short Girls, We Found The Perfect Pants For You

A new study has found an unexpected link between laws regulating pregnant women's alcohol consumption and abortion restrictions.

According to the research, states that have more abortion restrictions also tend to punish women who drink alcohol while pregnant more harshly.

The study, published in the Alcohol and Alcoholism journal on Wednesday, is a part of ongoing research into whether punishing women (or supporting them) reduces harm from alcohol use during pregnancy — and suggests that these punitive policies are more about restricting women's freedoms than they are about safety.

While it's true that heavy drinking isn't safe during pregnancy, research has shown that the occasional glass of wine can be — though some states legally consider alcohol use during pregnancy to be abuse or neglect.

Researchers at the Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health group at University of California San Francisco took a look at alcohol and pregnancy policies from 1970 to 2013 in addition to reproductive health laws across the U.S. In short, the number of states with alcohol and pregnancy policies has increased since 1970 — there was only one state (Massachusetts) that had such policies in 1974, and 43 in 2013.

Plus, the laws became harsher over time, in parallel with efforts to restrict women's reproductive rights and freedoms.

For instance, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, which all had punitive alcohol policies as of 2013, also had mandatory counseling and waiting periods for anyone seeking abortions, and abortions were (and still are) banned after 20 weeks in each of those states. This is what lead researchers to question whether the drinking regulations were actually written with harm-reduction and safety in mind.

"As with any laws related to alcohol use, we must understand what these policies actually do to reduce harms from alcohol consumption during pregnancy," study author Sarah Roberts, DrPH, said in a statement shared with Refinery29. "People who want to reduce harms due to the consumption of alcohol by pregnant women should be concerned that policymaking in this area appears to be more about restricting women’s reproductive autonomy than addressing the issue itself."

Earlier this week, a study found that abortion restrictions do not protect women's health and safety, pointing yet again to the idea that these policies in reality are meant to control women — not to actually help them.

Welcome to Mothership: Parenting stories you actually want to read, whether you're thinking about or passing on kids, from egg-freezing to taking home baby and beyond. Because motherhood is a big if — not when — and it's time we talked about it that way.

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