If you’re feeling nostalgic for the birthday parties of your childhood, we have the perfect cure for you. According to Travel + Leisure, the world’s largest bouncy house is going on tour across the U.S. And yes, adults are allowed to bounce, too.
The Big Bounce America, as it’s officially known, is 10,000 square feet. It’s got everything you can imagine: an obstacle course, basketball hoops, a ball pit, and even inflatable beds if bouncing is a little too high energy for you. The brightly colored bouncy metropolis is basically made for your Instagram. There’s also a DJ in the middle of it all, spinning beats for optimal bouncing potential.
According to Travel + Leisure, the Big Bounce America was created by Cameron Craig and Grahme Furgeson. It took two years to research and develop the beast of a bouncy house. And when we say beast, we aren’t kidding around. The humongous structure is actually composed of five sections that fit together like a puzzle. Plus, it takes 28 blowers to stay inflated while people are bouncing to their hearts' desires. Based on these Instagrams, all of that work definitely seems worth it.
The Big Bounce America is slated to hit up 13 more cities in September, October, and November. Among others, the bouncy house paradise is set to visit Portland, San Diego, and Houston. Big Bounce America spends three days in each city, so you’ll have several opportunities to bounce it out. For a complete list of dates, check out the bouncy house’s schedule here. Depending on the time you go and what package you select, tickets range from $12 to $39.
This bouncy house is definitely the ultimate way to relive the joys of your childhood. So grab a friend, some comfy clothes, and get ready to bounce like nobody’s watching!
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Jessica Biel will always be Mary Camden from 7th Heaven to me, but the actress, wife, and mother has a lot more going on for her in 2017. First she is starring in a new show, The Sinner, second she has a cute son, Silas, who joins her and her husband, Justin Timberlake, on adventures, and she also has great interview skills as seen in her recent Reddit Ask Me Anything, brought to our attention by Entertainment Tonight.
The 35-year-old covers a lot of ground with her curious Reddit fans, answering questions about everything from *NSYNC to aliens to tandem bikes. Nothing was off limits (except talk of Hollywood cults).
So, let's get into all the juicy tidbits we learned about Biel and her life (no one really asked about the show, sorry USA, but it is good!) starting with:
Q: Did she listen to *NSYNC or Backstreet Boys more? A: "I was such a theater nerd at that time that I literally wasn't listening to either of those groups. I was listening to soundtracks, like Rent and old 50's/60's music. I can be a little off on my timing. But if I had been cool, DUH, NSYNC all the way, baby!"
Q: Does she get jealous of Timberlake's relationship with Jimmy Fallon? A: "Oh no, I'm not jealous that every waking moment they can spend together they do... Oh no and I'm not jealous that every time Justin can go on the show he does... oh no, I'm not jealous that they ride tandem bikes together: https://www.instagram.com/p/BUm8rdbBEP-/?hl=en&taken-by=justintimberlake Oh no, I'm not jealous that they sing and rap together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1omPNEVOIaM Oh I'm not jealous they they go to camp together: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_jXi0nzuow OH NO, I'M NOT JEALOUS AT ALL!!!" Please note the time she spent copy and pasting links to really make her point.
Q: How does she think Game of Thrones will end? A: "ARYA STARK, ARYA STARK, ARYA STARK!!!!"
Q: "What is your stance on aliens ??? Do you know stuff that the public don't. Being a celebrity and all . Also have you ever seen evidence of a satanic cult running Hollywood ???? Thanks." A: "They're listening and watching right now. I can't answer this question."
In conclusion: Biel is hilarious, and she needs to listen to "Dirty Pop" ASAP.
I already know exactly what I’m doing when I get home: laying on the couch and watching Naked on Netflix. The new film was executive produced by and stars Marlon Wayans. And honestly, that’s all I need to know about it in order to commit. The Wayans family has been a constant force in the world of comedy for decades. I’ve spent my entire life watching the eldest five of the 10 siblings — Keenan, Damon, Kim, Shawn, and Marlon — undertake numerous projects from movies, shows, and stand-up. But Marlon, often alongside Shawn, has always been at the forefront of the comedic hits I could call my own.
The duo created and starred in the ‘90s sitcom The Wayans Bros., which joined shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Martin in the golden era of Black TV. Shawn played the attractive, charismatic older brother to Marlon, who was silly and irresponsible. They both worked at the newsstand that Shawn owned. And to this day, I can still recite pretty much every word to the first two movies in the Scary Movie franchise, in which they parodied popular horror movies of the time. Starring Regina Hall and Anna Faris, the franchise took advantage of the adage that “a Black person would never…” in order to reimagine the typical series of unfortunate events in the horror genre. And despite what Rotten Tomatoes has to say, White Chicks is a problematic classic that uses comedy to explore race and the complicated relationship between white women and Black men in a pre- Get Out era.
The Wayans family has subtly committed itself to creating content that reflects the Black experience. They use Black joy to acknowledge Black pain in both the real world and in entertainment. Marlon has kept this tradition alive with his own parodies, the A Haunted House franchise and Fifty Shades Of Black. He also created a comedy competition show and helped launch What the Funny, an online site for urban comedy. Next week, he will debut his own self-titled sitcom where he plays young-spirited father.
Now with Naked, Marlon is remaking the Swedish film Naken (2000) for American audiences. He will play the main character who, on the day of his wedding, wakes up naked in an elevator. Not only does he have to figure out how he got there, the day keeps repeating itself over and over again. It also stars Scott Foley and Regina Hall. It already looks hilarious in that borderline corny way that only the Wayans can pull off. Even if Naked is terrible, the pure nostalgia of it will make it worth it.
If you blink your eyes fast enough, the Kardashians all start to look...the same. But sometimes, and we're talking once in a very blue moon, they distinguish themselves from one another. Take Kendall, whose clothes tend to droop until her legs (which are always on display) start. Or Kylie, today's subject, who, for lack of better words, is the family's bodycon queen (succeeding our beloved Kim, of course). The makeup mogul has no shame in her game, and hey, if you got it, flaunt it.
Let's be real: King Kylie kills it every single time. Whether you're down with Kylizzle or not doesn't matter. The proof is in the pudding Balmain. Because if there's one thing we can learn from the wig industry's latest (unofficial) spokesperson, it's that curves are beautiful. And how we decide to cater to them is up to us. Can we get an amen? Amen. Now, let the slideshow commence.
This may be the dress of our childhood dreams: It's a Rainbow Fish mini!
Photo: Splash News.
This is how Kylie Jenner does back-to-school style.
Photo: Ricky Vigil/GC Images.
The Met Gala moment that slayed us all. This Versace gown may not have adhered to the night's theme, but dang, it looks good.
While we're positively sure she doesn't need the coins, this is totally an outfit fit for the slot machines in Atlantic City. Or a parent teacher conference at Calabasas High School. Or something.
Photo: Pierre Suu/GC Images.
If you were wondering how she sat down in this post–Met Gala Balmain get-up, well, she didn't.
There are a lot of ways to ensure a happy marriage. Love, mutual respect, kindness, forgiveness, and so on. Since everyone is different, the list could go on for miles. But there's one thing that is definitely not on that list and it's Sean Lowe's "secret" to marriage.
The former reality TV star met his wife, Catherine Giudici, on The Bachelor, and they've found success where so many others haven't. They deserve a happy marriage and we support them through and through. But appearing on The Bachelor does not make Sean Lowe a relationship guru. And his latest piece of advice is pretty much the worst.
The secret to a happy marriage is simple- marry someone hotter than you.
Giudici is beautiful and Lowe should feel lucky to have her, but saying that physical appearance is the most important part of marriage is gross. Finding your partner attractive is a factor, sure, but when it really comes down to it, are they really just something pretty for you to look at? That's not right on so many levels.
When asked what the hotter person's secret to happiness is, Lowe replied "Can't help them."
We're gonna go ahead and give Sean Lowe the benefit of the doubt on this one. It's an off-color joke meant for retweets or to seem relatable. That's understandable and forgivable (What celebrity hasn't sold their soul for retweets?). Still, he shouldn't encourage reducing someone to their outward appearance, especially his wife.
Lowe probably knows first hand that a marriage takes a lot more work than just "keeping it tight." They've struggled through The Bachelor and now have a one year old son at home, who undoubtedly stirs the pot. That takes so much consideration, humor, and respect that I'm sure those are the real secrets behind Lowe and Giudici's marriage.
Putting your feet on the dashboard during a long car ride may seem perfectly natural and harmless — Audra Tatum certainly thought so until she was involved in an accident while sitting in the passenger seat.
"All my life I had my legs crossed and my foot on the dash," Tatum told CBS News affiliate KTVQ. "My husband always told me, 'You're going to get in a wreck someday, and you're going to break your legs.'"
Tatum always assured him she would put her feet down in time, but during a quick ride to pick up their children from her parents' house in 2015, the couple's car was hit by another, and the impact broke not only her ankle and femur, but sent her legs into her face and also broke her nose and shoulder.
"The airbag went off, throwing my foot up and breaking my nose," Tatum told KTVQ. "I was looking at the bottom of my foot facing up at me."
Two years later, she is still recovering.
"I can't do my career as an EMS. I can't lift patients anymore," she told KTVQ. "I can't stand more than 4 hours at a time. Once I'm at that 4-hour mark I'm in tears."
After the accident, she said, she's learned that, "I'm not Superman. I couldn't put my foot down in time."
According to ABC News Channel 9, doctors at the hospital told Tatum that if she had her feet on the floor of the car, she "wouldn't have had any issues whatsoever."
Now, Tatum is warning others not to make the same mistake she did.
"I keep telling everybody, you don't want this life," she told KTVQ. "You don't want the pain and agony every day."
She also said that she knows that if the airbag wasn't deployed, her injuries may have been far worse.
"If I can save one person from doing this and they're not going through it, that would be wonderful," she told KTVQ.
The fight for your streaming attention is on, and Facebook has fired the latest shot. The social media giant has announced a new section called Watch, available on mobile and desktop, where you'll find shows.
Facebook's rollout of Watch follows last year's launch of the Video tab, which pulled all of your News Feed's video content into one place. Where Watch differs is in the types of videos it's offering: these are live and pre-recorded episodic shows of the traditional network TV variety (i.e. ones that will probably get you addicted and lead to epic binge-watching sessions). Both individuals and publishers, including Refinery29, will have original shows that live within Watch.
Within Watch, you'll find subsections — such as "Most Talked About" and "What Makes People Laugh" — intended to help you find new shows you'll like. These sections are not unlike Netflix's homepage, with its "Trending Now" and "Critically-Acclaimed" sections, which are helpful for discovering shows you might not otherwise find on your own, as well as the essential "Recently Added" section. A "Watchlist" within Watch compiles new episodes of the shows you follow and is similar to Netflix's "My List" feature.
The most distinctive section with Watch is one which ties back to the platform's social media roots: "What Friends Are Watching" tells you which shows your friends are currently fans of.
"We’ve learned from Facebook Live that people’s comments and reactions to a video are often as much a part of the experience as the video itself," Facebook director of product Daniel Danker wrote in a blog post announcing Watch. "So when you watch a show, you can see comments and connect with friends and other viewers while watching, or participate in a dedicated Facebook Group for the show."
Facebook's push into streaming is hardly surprising: Snapchat and YouTube have both announced a slew of original programming, with many shows launching this fall. Snapchat's shows are easier to binge watch — as most will run three to five minutes long — but YouTube is packing major star power with new shows starring Katy Perry and Demi Lovato.
In other words, expect to have a hard time deciding where you'll spend your streaming time, and which shows will be lucky enough to earn your loyalty. The good news is that all of these original shows are premiering closer to fall, when you'll have more of a reason to be indoors, curl up under a blanket, and stream, stream, stream.
If you don't see Watch yet, don't fret: The feature is rolling out slowly to select users starting today, and will continue to roll out to Facebook users in the coming weeks.
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If you count yourself among those who happily plunk down the fee for a Costco membership once a year — and then trek to your closest location every weekend to stock up on everything you could possibly need, from paper towels to pigs in a blanket — you'll love this news.
Costco is joining the growing list of big-box retailers with gift-registry programs, according to Brides, looking to compete with mainstays like Target and Bed Bath & Beyond.
The store already offers a comprehensive wedding shop with engagement rings, flowers, invitations, and even a service to book your honeymoon travel with members-only perks.
Recently, Costco announced that it's partnering with MyRegistry.com to launch a registry for special occasions, emphasizing weddings and baby showers. Guests will be able to choose from an extensive lineup of furniture, home decor, cookware, baby essentials, and more. The best part? While the wholesale store charges a fee for its annual membership, the registry is free for couples/hosts and their guests.
Is giving (or receiving) cash more your speed? You're in luck, because you can also set up a cash-gift registry through Costco where guests can give sums from $1 to $1,000 via PayPal.
Comprised of powerful ladies including WAH Nails founder Sharmadean Reid, model and muse Paloma Elsesser, filmmaker Grace Ladoja, stylist Camille Garmendia, and writer Phoebe Lovatt, the International Girl Crew is an inspiring group that shares a passion for travel, culture, and female empowerment. Having met through mutual friends, the women may not all live in the same zip code — or even country — but always find time to come together, whether it's via a video call or in real life on a holiday in Jamaica. As a symbol of their bond, they wear matching necklaces strung with gold numbers. Now, Nike has invited them to design a collection of Cortez sneakers so we can all be a part of their squad.
Inspired by the classic Cortez design, the friends have created a shoe available in three different colors: a neutral “Los Angeles” style, a bright “London” style, and a clean “New York” style, each with pops of color on the midsoles, graphics on the foot beds, and numbers on the heel.
Reid took to Instagram to share her enthusiasm about working with her best friends on the project, writing: "So 4 or 5 years ago I started a hashtag #internationalgirlcrew after being introduced to @camillegarmendia by #aaronbondaroff who spent the summer hanging with me and @graceladoja in London. Then we met @mpnails and @palomija then London babe @phoebelovatt moved to LA and then NYC... and we were all christened with the NUMBER NECKLACE as members of the IGC! Throughout all this time there have been many group holidays, FACETIMES, meeting up at weird cities around the world where we happen to all be working etc etc. I could say more mushy sentimental stuff but it's not really necessary, I love these women so much, they've saved me! I don't have many friends and I met @graceladoja when we were 18/19 and we bonded over a pair of rare Oki-Ni pink Adidas sneakers I was wearing. We were girls, a decade ago, in a very male dominated sneaker and skate world and we just became BFFs. Making this shoe is an honor, to work with my best friends, with one of my favorite brands, which has taught me so much about running an innovative company and also representing the city I call my home. 3 shoes, 7 color ways, inspired by LA, NYC, and LDN."
However, Winslet is in a new movie coming out in 2018 in which she's paired with a different A-lister — Justin Timberlake! From the photos, released exclusively to Entertainment Weekly, he suits her just as well as Leo does. Maybe better.
The movie, titled Wonder Wheel, is a tale of intergenerational love that takes place on Coney Island in the 1950s. Winslet plays Ginny, the wife of a carousel operator. She falls in love with a lifeguard named Mickey, played by Timberlake. Then, her daughter (played by Juno Temple) takes notice of Mickey as well. It's no Jack and Rose love story, but it sounds like powerful stuff. It's nice to know Timberlake will be playing a lifeguard — at least if he and Winslet end up stranded in the ocean, floating on a wooden door, he'll know how to survive.
Timberlake is probably one of the most famous men there are, but Winslet told Entertainment Weekly that during production she never felt like she was working with "Justin Timberlake," per se.
"He's such a wonderful person," she gushed to EW. "I would turn to him and say, 'Do you know what, Justin Timberlake? The best thing about you being in this film is that you’re really not 'Justin Timberlake.'"
Winslet kept going. "He's totally unvain, he has an absolutely infuriating ability to learn lines fast, and he's an all around great person — humble, fun, hard-working, easygoing, no ego. Such a joy, really."
Jordan Miller's mom, Misti Johnson, is a registered nurse at a hospital in Ohio. She also has a lot of visible tattoos. One does not impact the other. Yet, plenty of people still seem to think that having tattoos somehow makes someone less fit for professional jobs like being a nurse.
When Johnson was telling Miller one night that nurses who have visible tattoos have a tougher time finding work due to strict hospital policies, he was understandably confused.
"I've seen my mom pull a lady out of a car before it fills with smoke and she suffocates," he wrote in a Facebook post. "I've seen her do stitches on an injured person on the side of the road following a car accident. I've seen her come home after a 12-hour shift, dead tired after dealing with an abusive patient all day, and get back up and do it again the next day. She's come home after holding a baby in her hands and watching it take their last breath. She's saved a drug addict's life after overdosing in the hospital bed."
He then says something more employers could still stand to hear: "Tattoos don't define the person."
A 2010 study from the Pew Research Center found that 40% of millennials have at least one tattoo, yet they still face discrimination in a job search based purely on their ink.
So why, when such a large portion of the U.S. has some sort of body art, do we still believe that tattoos lower someone's ability to do a job well or make them a more reckless or unclean person? One manager who participated in a 2013 study published in SAGE actually said that she believed tattoos "make a person look dirty." And others worried that customers would think of a tattooed employee as "abhorrent, repugnant, unsavoury, and untidy."
But Miller is quick to point out the double-standard that's clear when tattoos are easy to cover up. "What if an employer or patient first met my mom or another tattooed professional and they had long sleeves on and thought they were a great person/employee," he tells Refinery29. "Would they think less of them the next time they see my mom with her tattoos showing?"
If anything, he says, his mom's tattoos have helped her connect with patients, who often ask her about them.
"Tattoos don't make you a bad employee," he says. And while we often talk about tattoo bias in the workplace, the bias follows people like Johnson who have multiple tattoos around in daily life, too. But Miller wanted to share his mom's story to prove that having a little (or even a lot) of ink doesn't impair someone's character.
"She had me at 16 and has fought through adversity to make it to where she is today," he says. "Overcoming a 12-year abusive relationship and a motorcycle accident that nearly took her life two years ago, keeping her off work for more than six months. She is a remarkable woman. I don't know how she does it."
Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s love story seems to be something straight out of a fairytale, and it looks like that magic is still going even after the couple exchanged I do's last month at their gorgeous wedding on Long Island. Right now, Peta and Maks are honeymooning in Lake Como, Italy, and lucky for us, they're giving fans a peek inside the trip through Instagram.
Yesterday, Chmerkovskiy posted a photo of the couple's hotel room at the Bellagio, and while we're happy he shared, we're also a bit jealous of their amazing view. The couple's room overlooks Lake Como and the Alps surrounding it, making it one of the most romantic settings we can imagine. That's not all, Maks points out in his caption that room itself isn't bad either. He wrote, "When your bed takes up most of the hotel bedroom and you don't even mind....not even a little bit.... #BecauseComo." The photo show's his wife curled up on the bed looking quite content.
Chmerkovskiy wasn't the only one who shared breathtaking images from the Italian honeymoon. Murgatoyd, too, took to Instagram yesterday, and she supplied us with a whole slideshow of photos from the trip. Her pictures show the pair doing all the things you should do on a perfectly romantic honeymoon: drinking wine, soaking in the sights, and cozying up with your S.O.
In the caption of her post, Murgatoyd noted that though they were having an amazing time, both she and Chmerkovskiy were missing their 7-month-old son Shai. She wrote, "Lake Como with my love. We were blown away by the beauty! Missing our little Shai — this is our first trip away just the two of us."
We live in a world where the children of celebrities are just as — if not more — famous than their parents. Take Kendall and Kylie Jenner, for example. Or Miley Cyrus. Or Kaia Gerber, the actress, model, social media influencer, and daughter of supermodel mom Cindy Crawford and entertainment mogul dad Rande Gerber.
But despite her seemingly busy lifestyle, Gerber still finds time to spend quality time with the fam. So what exactly do these three do together outside of work? Apparently, Gerber is somewhat of a hairstylist — and spends her summer days giving her dad haircuts by the lake. Casual.
Crawford took to Instagram this week to share a picture of the father-daughter duo lakeside. “Waterfront haircuts by @KaiaGerber. Anyone need a trim?” Crawford captioned the post. In the photo, you can see Gerber trimming his ends with a pair of clippers in one hand and a comb in the other. If you think only a parent could place that amount of trust in their kids, let's be honest: Gerber's own hair is something akin to a mermaid — so we have a feeling she knows what she's doing.
A post shared by Cindy Crawford (@cindycrawford) on
Some Instagram users are taking note of Gerber’s skills, too. “If you do a good job he'll ask you all the time! Been doing my Dads since I was a teen and it's been 40years!!” one wrote. Others cracked jokes about his trust in her: "Dad looks a little scared," another added.
Scared or not, we think this is a great way for a father and daughter to bond. Isn't that the whole point of family vacations, anyway?
It's been almost two years since the final Hunger Games movie, Mockingjay — Part Two, and five years since Twilight: Breaking Dawn — Part 2, but just when you thought it was over, the CEO of Lionsgate has turned the tables. According to Variety, CEO Jon Feltheimer has hinted that the company hasn't officially closed the book on these two iconic franchises.
"There are a lot more stories to be told, and we’re ready to tell them when our creators are ready to tell those stories," he said during a quarterly earnings call with analysts. Before you start lining up outside theaters, Feltheimer stressed that Lionsgate would need the authors' approval before they could move forward on any kind of spinoff, which means they just need to get Stephenie Meyer ( Twilight) and Suzanne Collins ( Hunger Games) "in a room together."
As for what the spinoffs could specifically be about, a few years ago there were talks of a Hunger Games prequel floating around, although star Jennifer Lawrence couldn't say much on the matter.
"I wouldn't be involved," she revealed at the premiere of Joy. "I think it's too soon. They've got to let the body get cold, in my opinion."
However, two years is a decent wait, and after the presumed success of Lawrence's upcoming film, Mother!, it would be nice to see her step back into the beloved role.
The last we heard of Twilight was that Stephanie Meyer had taken her vampire affinity to TV, adapting Daniel O'Malley's book, The Rook, for Starz. But, maybe some day soon, she'll decide to return to her roots.
Rushing the stage is the quickest way to ruin a concert and put musicians in serious danger — but unfortunately, the experience is all too common for plenty of stars.
During a Britney Spears concert on Wednesday, a man rushed onto the stage. He was quickly taken down by security, but the event still looked like it was quite a scare.
TMZ obtained footage of the video, which shows a frightened Spears being escorted off the stage once she realizes what's happening. At first, Spears doesn't realize the intruder is on stage, and she asks the audience if they're "having fun." But once Spears realizes there's a situation at hand, her knees start to go weak.
"He has a gun?" she says in the clip. (It's not clear if the man was actually armed.) Luckily, bodyguards escorted the man off stage before anything escalated further. Still, the man reportedly tried to attack the security guards with an apparent kick before he was taken out of the building.
Several fans shared video of the scary incident on Twitter.
The incident happened during Spears' Piece of Me concert at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, according to TMZ. Spears has a residency in Vegas through the end of the year.
According to reports, though, Spears came back onstage after the scare to finish the concert. Even a security scare can't stop Brit Brit.
A rep for Spears didn't immediately respond to Refinery29's request for comment. We will update this story if and when we obtain a response.
The last time I had box braids was around the summer of '97. I didn't hate them, but I didn't love them (granted, this might have been due to the very '90s bobbed length I was forced to get), but after seeing my cousin pull a braid straight out of her sister's head, I became scarred from ever getting them again. That is, until I made the decision to go natural and, about six months in, became frustrated with dealing with two different textures that refused to cooperate with my styling needs. So, to give my hair — and myself — a much-needed break, I turned to box braids.
While box braids are in no way a new look — women of color have been wearing them for a long time — there's been something of a revival lately. Everyone from the Knowles sisters to Zoë Kravitz and Tia Mowry has been seen with them. It's not only a great protective hairstyle (one that keeps your hair and ends tucked in and shielded from factors like extreme weather conditions, while still promoting growth), but it's low-maintenance, convenient, and cute. And, with warm weather, it's a common go-to look for dealing with the harsh humidity that's sure to come.
I talked with some hairstylists to get the lowdown on everything you need to know — from choosing your ideal braid size to the takedown process. Read on for what they had to say.
Are you going for a thick, rope-like look circa Janet Jackson in Poetic Justice? Or, are smaller braids (thinkStacey Dash as Dionne in Clueless) more your style? Dr. Kari Williams, hairstylist and owner of the Mahogany Hair Revolution salon in L.A., recommends taking your hair's health and thickness into account.
"If your hair is more fine, don't choose a braid that's too big because you won't get the volume you desire, and could risk damage to your hair because of the weight," she says. "If your hair is really thick, don't choose a braid that is too small because you will end up with a gazillion braids, and the braids could be too thick to style and also create a lot of weight."
Above all, it's very important to make sure your hair is shampooed, detangled, deep-conditioned, and blowdried before braiding, says Williams. "This creates the healthiest environment for the hair before going into a long-term style like braids," she advises. "While the hair is braided, you can't remove all of the dirt and build-up from the hair or scalp, so starting with clean hair is best."
Now, for the not-so-fun part of the 'do: getting it done. As you might expect, the process isn't for the faint of heart and/or easily bored. A common misconception is that it's also super-painful, which might be true if you're either really sensitive or it's your first time getting the style done. Williams says that while yes, the braiding may cause some discomfort, if it starts to become unbearable that means the braids are too tight. "If you're experiencing excessive pain, ask your stylist to adjust the tension they're using to attach the braid, or take them out," she says. "Pain is the first symptom before you begin to experience hair loss."
It can take upwards of eight hours to get them done, depending on the braid size and your stylist's technique (it took me about four, since my braids are on the bulkier side). No intriguing book, fully charged phone, or amount of busywork can prepare you for the restlessness you'll start to feel as time slowly creeps by. Around hour two, your eyes will start to droop, patience starts to dwindle, and you'll start to feel like a little kid on a road trip with their family wondering "Are we there yet?" By hour three, you'll start to question why you thought getting braids was a good idea to begin with. And, by hour four, nothing will matter except getting out of that damn chair (which you can't feel anymore because your butt has gone numb). But, as they say, everything good in life takes time and once you do your first hair flip, you'll quickly realize it was all worth it (and that your head is now exponentially heavier).
A lot of people think once you get your braids done, the work stops there. But, it's important to remember that, while you may be rocking mostly synthetic hair now, keeping your real strands healthy and hydrated should still be a priority. "A daily moisturizer or oil should be sprayed onto the scalp and the length of the braids to keep the hair lubricated, because synthetic hair can dehydrate the natural hair, causing it to become dry and brittle," says Williams. "This is one of the factors that can cause breakage during the takedown process. If the hair is well-lubricated while the braids are in, you can reduce the incidents of breakage." Williams suggests washing your braids after about three weeks — sooner if you have an active lifestyle or are prone to a flaky or itchy scalp. After washing with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, she recommends following up with oil. "After washing the style, make sure you reapply your oil to the braids and scalp and sit under a hooded dryer to ensure the style is completely dry," she says. "If you don't dry the hair completely, it can mildew and leave an odor."
Williams also advises against pulling the braids into tight ponytails or buns, because their weight, along with the tension of the tightly pulled styles, can cause temporary or permanent hair loss — particularly along the hairline. Stumped on styles? We've got you covered on the inspiration front. Celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble also recommends sleeping with a silk bonnet or pillowcase to protect the hair. "Silk minimizes the amount of friction on the hair, and it helps preserve the moisture," she says.
Both Williams and Kimble advise leaving your braids in for no more than two months at a time. Williams suggests getting a touch-up around the hairline — getting the front portion rebraided — between every four to six weeks in order to preserve both the style and your edges. When the time comes to actually take out your braids, the same patience you exercised during the braiding process is vital; maybe even more so because, this time around, you're the one doing all the work and your hair is going to be more susceptible to breakage. Keep in mind that your hair has gone uncombed, unbrushed, and un-detangled for weeks at a time, so shedding is pretty much inevitable. The key is going slow and making sure to gently remove any knots you might encounter. In order to make things easier, Williams recommends spraying a small amount of Sea Breeze or witch hazel at the base of the braid to soften and loosen any dirt and build-up that's accumulated. "You should also completely comb through each section of hair as you unbraid it to prevent matting," she says. "The hair will feel dry and brittle while taking down the braids, so apply a cleansing conditioner to the hair as you detangle and remove the braids."
To make the removal process a wee bit less tedious, Kimble suggests planning a takedown party with your friends. "Gather your snacks, set up a TV show you want to binge-watch, and go for it!"
Enjoy your new braids! Take a cue from Willow Smith and whip your hair back and forth, toss it — put your thing down, flip it, and reverse it, what have you. The style is super-versatile, and you'll look pretty damn fly to boot, so you might as well have fun with it.
Ahead, see some of our favorite box braids — past and present.
We can't talk about " Poetic Justice braids" without paying homage to the star herself, Janet Jackson. The style, which she wore in the 1993 movie, lives on in our hearts — and on our camera rolls, when we show our stylists pics for inspo.
These days, you'll see the braids in all kinds of colors. Chanel Iman rocked a rainbow set during Coachella — and looked wondrous, not wacky.
PHOTO: Thaddaeus McAdams/WireImage.
Eva Marcille added lots of beads and yarns to hers, and we're here for it.
PHOTO: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.
If full-on unicorn braids aren't your thing, sneak in a few colored plaits like Kelly Rowland.
PHOTO: Rich Fury/Getty Images.
There are a million reasons to love The Bachelorette 's Rachel Lindsay — including this gorg protective style.
Photo: Via @therosedaily.
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We'll always choose wooden flooring over carpeting whenever possible: You simply can't beat the rich warmness of natural wood. Plus, cleaning up stains and spillages is a breeze, compared to sprinkling baking soda all over your carpet and hoping for the best.
However, hardwood floors are also delicate creatures prone to wear and tear if you don't know how to properly maintain the finishing, and this can result in an expensive round of reflooring down the line.
To help you lay the groundwork correctly, we've invited Jack White, vice president of technical services at Rainbow International — a company specializing in household restoration services — to share his top do's and don'ts for hardwood surface upkeep. Thank us later for your scratch-free and good-as-new floors.
DO: Use Vinegar Over Soap Soap may be the way to go for most cleaning chores, but White advises against using a bucket of sudsy water to mop hardwood floors. "This method is fine for linoleum tile and laminate flooring, but it could permanently damage wooden floors," he says. Instead, mop with a mixture of 1/2 to 1 cup white vinegar and one gallon warm water. Work in small sections, wiping the floor with a slightly damp cleaning cloth and drying it immediately with a cotton towel. You can also use a wood floor specific cleaner if the smell of vinegar bothers you.
DO: Clean Often Dirt and dust show up faster on hardwood than on carpet, so you’ll need to frequently sweep and dry mop to keep the floor looking clean. Shoes, furniture, and rambunctious kids and pets can also scratch the floor, forcing you to eventually refinish it. "We always recommend keeping a mat at the entrance to your home and asking guests to remove their shoes to keep dirt to a minimum," says White. "You should also vacuum and sweep the floor every now and then to prevent dirt from building up and scratching the wood."
DON'T: Overdo The Water Avoid soaking your hardwood floor with water or cleaning solutions, as this could cause the wood to warp. Also, make sure to always wipe up any water or cleaner immediately to prevent water spots.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY JULIA ROBBS.
DON'T: Use Oil Or Wax You should also never apply oil, wood polish or wax to floors with Swedish finish — an alcohol-based varnish that gives the wood a glossy look. "The top coat epoxy resin that don’t benefit from these cleaning products," says White. "In fact, applying oil, polish or wax could make your floors dangerously slippery and possibly even harm the wood surface, depending on the chemicals found in the cleaning product."
DO: Give Your Old Floors Some TLC Century-old homes often still have the original hardwood floors intact, and they can be restored to their former glory with just a little sanding and refinishing. "You can always buff bare hardwood floors with a waxed or epoxy finish to bring back the wood’s natural luster," says White. If buffing doesn’t work, apply a wood cleaner like Murphy’s oil soap cleaner and a liquid wax made specifically for wood floors. That said, it’s also always a good idea to contact a professional hardwood finishing company to reapply the Swedish finish when the floor starts to significantly lose its shine.
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It's next to impossible to pinpoint your state of mind right after an orgasm. Euphoric. Sleepy. Needing an egg sandwich. It's not always a blissful situation, though — about 1% of people get sex headaches, according to a 2014 study. If you're one of the unlucky 1%, figuring out what's triggering your sex headaches might help you prevent them from happening in the first place.
Many people experience a dull headache while having sex that gets worse with "mounting sexual excitement," according to the AMF. Or you might have what's considered an orgasmic headache, which is more like a "sudden explosive headache" that hits right at the moment that you reach orgasm. This particular feeling has been dubbed a "thunderclap headache," because it's as shocking and attention-grabbing as the sound of thunder. And for some people who get migraines, sex can be a trigger.
It's important to understand how your sex headaches tend to feel and progress, because if they come on suddenly, that's usually a clear sign that there's an underlying or more serious health issue going on that needs to be addressed, according to the AMF. And if you get headaches and also lose consciousness, vomit, have a stiff neck, or severe pain that lasts more than 24 hours, those are big red flags that you should go see a doctor ASAP. In extreme cases, sex headaches can be associated with a brain aneurysm, bleeding, or a stroke, according to the Mayo Clinic. But the majority of people just get plain ole headaches, which — while kind of a bummer — aren't anything to worry about.
So what exactly is going on in your brain during sex that causes a headache? Doctors aren't exactly sure, but one theory is that sex is similar to physical exertion, which can cause the blood vessels in your skull to dilate and lead to a headache. But like other types of headaches, you really have to consider several different lifestyle factors before you can pinpoint the cause and treat it.
It may have happened just that one time. But if it's a frequent issue, consider seeing a neurologist; they may perform an MRI or CT scan to check out your brain structure and the blood vessels in your head to rule out other complications. If you've had a headache for days or weeks, they might perform a spinal tap.
Assuming that there's nothing more major causing your sex headaches, your doctor may prescribe a beta blocker to prevent them from coming on, according to the Mayo Clinic. Or you might be given a drug in the triptan family, which are typically used to treat migraines, to take an hour before you're going to have sex. That much forethought and planning may seem unromantic, but it's worth it to be able to enjoy sex headache-free.
Some doctors recommend that you stop having sex before you orgasm, or chill out and be more passive, but that's not always necessary, says Rachel Needle, PsyD, a licensed psychologist and director of Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. "While I would not want you to be in pain, that suggestion is a bit extreme and unrealistic," Dr. Needle says. "There are way too many health benefits to regular sex and orgasm to recommend avoiding it altogether." Instead, Dr. Needle says you should talk to your doctor and consider various treatment options that also would allow you to continue having sex.
Even though it can seem awkward to bring up your orgasms at your check-up, it's super-important to mention these symptoms to your doctor so they can make sure nothing else is wrong. And the sooner you mention it, the sooner you can get back to more fun activities — like having orgasms.
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If you follow Blac Chyna on Instagram, you may have noticed that she recently appeared in a new music video for rapper Belly. She uploaded a clip of the video Wednesday night. The song is called “P.O.P.” and is an acronym for power of pussy. According to People, some followers think that Chyna is taking shots at Rob Kardashian with this move. She appears prominently when Belly raps, “You were seduced by her sin/Don’t let Lucifer in/She took you for everything/You let her do it again.” She smirks as she looks seductively into the camera.
I highly doubt that in the midst of her breakup, Blac Chyna wrote a song about getting over on Rob, gave it to a rapper to record, and then appeared in the video to rub it in. (Refinery29 has reached out to Chyna and Belly for comment.) I think it’s way more likely that Belly has been following Rob and Chyna’s never-ending relationship drama just like the rest of us; and after he conceived a song about women using their sexuality to get what they want, he thought it would be clever to include Blac Chyna in the music video. And, for the record, it was.
However, this is where my personal side-eye was activated. Why did Blac Chyna agree to be in this video in the first place? Chyna made the cross over from stripper and urban print model to media fixture after she appeared as Nicki Minaj's body double in the music video for Kanye West's "Monster" in 2010. A year later, she was the leading lady in then-boyfriend Tyga's "Rack City" video. Nevertheless, all of these appearances preceded her being a household name. Chyna's career focused on her beauty and fashion endeavors after that; a move that has been working out for her. She made an exception for Future in 2015 when she played his love interest in the music video for "Rich $ex" in 2015, sparking dating rumors between the two.
But Belly is no Kanye or Future. I may just be old and out of touch, but the only Belly I acknowledge is my own and the 1998 cult classic directed by Hype Williams. The 33-year-old Canadian rapper responsible for “P.O.P.” has apparently been making music for over a decade and signed with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2015. But he has fewer than 500k followers on Instagram, while Chyna has over 13 million. And even though, to his credit, some of Belly’s posts include casual photos with Jay-Z, he doesn’t come close to matching Chyna’s social-media dominance. In terms of exposure, he needs Chyna way more than she needs him.
While I obviously can’t confirm this, I’d also be willing to go out on a limb to say that Chyna is wealthier than Belly, too. Not only that, the music video game has changed a lot. They barely even air on television anymore, and the video vixen has been replaced by the Instagram model. And even in this arena, Chyna is among the upper echelon. This, in addition to recent reports that suggest Blac Chyna is sitting on a pile of cash much bigger than Rob Kardashian’s, makes her cameo in this video feel like a little bit of a backwards hustle, at least from a branding perspective. In my opinion, video vixen feels like a step down, not up.
I’m going to trust that Blac Chyna didn’t come this far to start making bad business decisions; that she’s self-aware enough to really think through how appearing in a video that is essentially about gold diggers could work for her; and that she was paid handsomely for her time. Or, you never know, she could be ushering in the video vixen renaissance we didn’t know we needed — and putting her own spin on it.
Some call it navel-gazing. We call it too good to put down.
As much as we adore fiction, a good memoir really has a huge emotional impact on the reader, because it has the benefit of being true (unless it's by James Frey, in which case, never mind). Whether it's Maya Angelou or Tina Fey or Barack Obama, everyone has a story to tell, and it's just a pleasure to be invited in.
The memoirists featured range from acclaimed poets to former slaves to humorists to rock stars. Their stories are engrossing, heartbreaking, unbelievable at times, and often hilarious. They're honest and raw, inviting you to chew on their own highly personal experiences as you meditate on your own. They're just filled with life.
With an adaptation of The Glass Castle out on Friday, August 11, there's never been a more appropriate time to delve into, and learn from, the life experiences of another. Ahead we’ve gathered our favorite memoirs and autobiographies. Book reports are due next week, okay?
A Moveable Feast, Ernest Hemingway (1964) Themes: travel, literary movements, Paris
Hem's recollections of hanging out with the other ex-pat literati in 1920s Paris will make you yearn for a different era — or, if you're all right with the 21st-century, make you want to mingle among an equally interesting crowd.
Out of Egypt, Andre Aciman Themes: Immigration, world wars, the tail end of a cosmopolitan Alexandria
As an adult, Andre Aciman looks back at his childhood during the waning days of Alexandria's cosmopolitan population. His rambunctious, eccentric Jewish family was neighbors with Greeks, Syrians, and Italians. People switched languages all day, and brushed shoulders with individuals of many different religions. With the prose of a tall tale, Aciman walks us through three generations of his family, from their triumphant economic rise in Alexandria to their reluctant exodus.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Jean-Dominique Bauby (1997) Themes: Disability, childhood, literature
Before experiencing a rare cerebrovascular accident, Bauby was the editor-in-chief of French Elle, the father of two kids, and a renowned member of the French intelligentsia. Then, he has a stroke. After a 20-day long coma, Bauby wakes up without control over any part of his body, expect for blinking his left eye. With the help of a patient nurse, Bauby was able to dictate this entire book, one wink at a time. Bauby narrates the experience of life with lock-in syndrome, and speaks of his life before.
After experiencing financial hardship, Patricia and her husband must move into her childhood home. Though Patricia is used to her father, a married Catholic priest who plays electric guitar, her husband certainly isn't. While she tries to make a safe haven in her chaotic household, she realizes she's much more like her family than she'd thought.
Yes, Chef, Marcus Samuelsson(2015)
Every week, a young boy learns to cook in his grandmother's kitchen. The grandmother is Swedish; the boy is adopted from Ethiopia, and will go on to become a renowned chef. In this love story to food and family, Samuelsson tracks his path from grandma's kitchen to his acclaimed restaurant, Red Rooster, in Harlem.
Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year, Anne Lamott (1993)
Themes: pregnancy, motherhood, religion, writing
When the writer Anne Lamott becomes pregnant by a man who wants nothing to do with her child, she surprises herself by keeping the baby. In her singularly honest, humble, and hilarious prose, Lamott chronicles how she, a single woman in her 30s sleeping on a futon, fared with an infant baby boy. Lamott puts the emphasis on her own growth, as well as Sam's. As if having a child weren't enough of a life change, Lamott finds out that her best friend in the whole world faces an overwhelming medical diagnosis. The book will make you gape at the changes a year can hold.
Joyce Johnson may be best known as Jack Kerouac’s longtime girlfriend, but she rises above this reputation in this wholly realized, poignant memoir about growing up in a bygone New York. Johnson recounts her journey towards independence in an era that made it downright difficult to be an independent woman. Fans of Beat writers Alan Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac will love seeing the literary figures in such a raw light — but everyone interested in tracking a woman's journey into self-actualization would enjoy this remarkably well-written book.
Courtesy of Penguin Random House
Bossypants, Tina Fey (2011) Themes: Comedy, work, womanhood
Fey charts her rise from geeky student to Saturday Night Live standout and the queen of 30 Rock. Like all the best books, it's both hilarious and wise.
The basis of the Oscar-winning film from 2013, this memoir follows the life of Solomon Northup, a free Black man from New York who was kidnapped and forced into slavery in the South. It’s horrifying and hugely important.
Though not strictly a standard memoir — Orwell wrote about his own experiences in a fictionalized nature — this account of living on the streets and in shelters in European capitals is both entertaining in tone and humbling in subject matter. Your landlord may be hassling you about your overdue rent, but it's unlikely you've ever experienced poverty like this.
Photo: Courtesy of Mariner.
Black Boy, Richard Wright (1945) Themes: Race, religion, poverty, communism
Wright's autobiography of growing up in the Jim Crow South is a classic for good reason. Expect tales of extreme poverty and racism, as well as Wright's eventual interest in the arts and Communism.
This celebrated autobiography has some sections that are very hard to read, given the subject matter (racism, sexual violence), but it's a literary touchstone for a reason. Full respect to the late, great poet.
A frequent entry on many a feminist's syllabus, this genre-spanning work incorporates Chinese folktales into its examination of modern women's identity.
Such a good read, even if you've already seen the Leo film. Toby/Jack's stepdad is the ultimate villain to root against.
Photo: Courtesy of Grove Press.
Fever Pitch, Nick Hornby (1992) Themes: Sports, adolescence
Technically, this inspired the very meh Jimmy Fallon-Drew Barrymore rom-com of the same name, but the book has so much more going for it. The true love story here is Hornby's devotion to the Arsenal football (er, soccer) club, written about so enthusiastically that it's hard to not walk away a fan yourself.
Grealy, who endured numerous operations on her face after the removal of her Ewing's sarcoma left her disfigured, died of a drug overdose eight years after this book's publication.
Photo: Courtesy of HarperCollins.
The Liars' Club, Mary Karr (1995) Themes: Family, adolescence, Southern culture
As eccentric as Mary Karr makes her parents out to be, you'll no doubt wish you knew them personally after reading this incredibly honest and wry account of growing up in small-town Texas. Karr's lively language and Southern-fried quotes are a joy.
Long before he became POTUS, Barack Obama published this thoughtful memoir about growing up in Hawaii and Indonesia as the child of a white single mother and a Kenyan father he barely knew. It's a moving, fascinating story, whatever your politics.
Photo: Courtesy of Three Rivers Press.
Angela's Ashes, Frank McCourt (1996) Themes: Poverty, family, loss, Catholicism
Cheery it's not, but it certainly deserved the Pulitzer Prize. Brace yourself for serious heartache, and, yes, some levity, too.
Picking your favorite David Sedaris book is like picking your favorite child. They're all too good. Will the Sedaris family go ahead and adopt us, please?
The straight-shooting Alexandra Fuller details her eccentric family's life and losses during Rhodesia's fight for independence. It will grab you even in the darkest moments.
This follow-up to Mukiwa, Godwin's story of growing up as a white Rhodesian, is engrossing on both a personal and political level. Godwin's relationship with his dying father will have you choking back tears, while his accounts of president Robert Mugabe's abuse of power will leave you fuming.
Hilarious, endearing, and poignant, this memoir will make you wish you spent your childhood hanging out with your wisecracking uncle at the local bar.
Photo: Courtesy of Hyperion.
My Life in France, Julia Child (2007) Themes: French cuisine, travel, joie de vivre
Let's hear it for late bloomers. Julia Child's lively tales of experiencing fine French dining for the first time, failing her final cooking exam, and living in Paris with husband Paul will have you booking the next Air France flight.
Beah became a boy soldier in Sierra Leone and came out the other side. His story offers insight into the violence of the region, which leaves young boys with few choices and little hope for survival.
Photo: Courtesy of Sarah Crichton Books.
Lit: A Memoir, Mary Karr (2009) Themes: Alcoholism, relationships, parenting, family
Yes, yes, it's another Mary Karr selection. This searingly honest memoir details Karr's battle with alcoholism and a failing marriage, warts and all.
Photo: Courtesy of Harper Perennial.
Just Kids, Patti Smith (2010) Themes: Art, creativity, rock music
The poet and rocker chronicles her life in New York City in the late '60s and '70s, during which time she lived in the Hotel Chelsea, dated artist Robert Mapplethorpe, and connected with stars like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.
Julia Child she ain't. Chef Gabrielle Hamilton reveals all as she chronicles the several odd jobs and relationship woes endured along her way to culinary stardom.
Photo: Courtesy of Random House.
Wild, Cheryl Strayed (2012) Themes: Loss, relationships, personal strength, nature
In case you missed out on the Reese Witherspoon film, here's a primer. Reeling from the death of her mother and the breakup of her marriage, Strayed sets out to walk the Pacific Crest Trail. Gorgeous, riveting, and open-hearted.
Cahalan was a young reporter living in New York City when she was struck by a mysterious, debilitating illness with seemingly no cure. Her fight to regain control of her mind and body is inspiring, and an important reminder to never take your own health for granted.
Be honest: This has been on your to-read list for quite some time now. We assure you that the story of resistance and perseverance is too good to let slip by.
Photo: Courtesy of Little, Brown and Company.
My Life on the Road, Gloria Steinem (2015) Themes: Feminism, politics, advocacy, travel
The feminist icon delves deep into her upbringing and chronicles her early days of fighting for women's rights both here and abroad.
Photo: Courtesy of Random House.
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