You don't have to love bargain shopping to know that saving a few bucks can be a huge mood booster. Maybe you had a shitty Monday and you needed three cups of coffee to get through (an also shitty) Tuesday, but getting half off something that you were buying anyway, like a fresh new lip gloss and your favorite shampoo and conditioner, can definitely turn things around.
If you're looking for that unique kick of dopamine that you only get from a good sale, well, you need to be shopping Ulta's Fall Haul sale. Running from now until the end of the week, September 29th, you can pick up your favorite beauty products from all the best brands — Bliss face masks, Revlon lipsticks, Bath & Body Works body butter, OXG shampoo and conditioners, for example — for 50% off.
Shop the entire sale on the Ulta site while supplies last, or just grab our must-haves, ahead.
There is a lot of product out there — some would say too much. At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team, but if you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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As the age-old tabloid section says, "Stars: they're just like us." At the very least, celebrities are just like us in the sense that they also require oxygen to breathe, food to subsist on, and shelter to live in. Unlike many of us, however, some celebrities have near-limitless resources, which they use to fuel luxuries, fantasies, and skincare routines.
Celebrities' ample time, money, and creativity are on full display around Halloween, when they upstage us all with elaborate and fantastical costumes. Take Heidi Klum's Jessica Rabbit costume, which she wore to her annual Halloween party in 2015. It took two makeup artists, nine hours, and a rubber mask to bring this eerily accurate costume to life.
In the end, though, we admire these celebrities' commitment to the art of Halloween. Even if we don't have two makeup artists and nine hours to spare, we can be inspired by their costumes when we go to create our own. And maybe, if we're really lucky, we'll be invited to join Heidi Klum's party one day.
The Republicans are attempting to fast-trackBrett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the Supreme Court by holding a committee vote as early as Friday, just one day after Dr. Christine Blasey Ford is slated to testify after coming forward with allegations that Kavanaugh assaulted her at a house party in the D.C. suburbs when they were teenagers. It's unclear whether any of his other accusers will testify. And while Democrats and advocates are calling for the FBI to reopen his background check investigation, whether or not that will happen is murky at best.
Kavanaugh's confirmation and reputation hang in the balance, dependent on two potentially defecting Republicans — kind of like the fate of women in this country. While no one really knows what comes next, everyone can agree that this moment is painful.
If Kavanaugh does end up skating through, it could change the conversation around sexual assault, turning back the clock on the progress we've only recently made, Carol Robles-Román, an attorney and women's rights leader with extensive experience in judicial selection and vetting, as well as the co-president and CEO of the ERA Coalition and the Fund for Women's Equality, tells Refinery29.
"As far as we have gotten with the Me Too movement and Time's Up to turn the tide, this is the polar opposite pushing in the other direction," she says. "That's what his confirmation would represent."
As far as we have gotten with the Me Too movement and Time's Up to turn the tide, this is the polar opposite pushing in the other direction. That's what his confirmation would represent.
Robles-Román says Dr. Ford's allegations have helped usher in a new wave of the Me Too movement. "That's the permission Dr. Ford is giving all of us," she says. "At first Me Too was, 'Hashtag it happened to me.' Now it's, 'This is the guy who did it.' Now we have women taking a deep breath and saying, 'Maybe there's no criminal sanction, but I just want people to know that this happened.'"
At the same time, nobody owes the world their assault stories and many have had to shut off the news in order to keep themselves from reliving past trauma. Seeing it play out again and again can be a nightmare. "What the GOP doesn’t care to understand is how deeply the Kavanaugh nomination is retraumatizing a nation of survivors," Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted on Tuesday night, after spending the evening with constituents, many of whom were trans women of color, who told her about their experiences with assault and violence.
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network reported a 42% increase in calls to its sexual assault hotline this past weekend, similar to what happened after Trump's Access Hollywood comments made headlines in 2016.
The conversation around Kavanaugh's confirmation is about as tense and partisan as can be. Whether or not one believes Dr. Ford is a question to which people have generally responded along party lines; Democrats overwhelmingly say they believe her while Republicans don't.
Republicans are doing everything to make this look like a politically motivated smear, despite the fact that no one publicly documents their sexual assault for fun or fame, and very few sexual assault accusations end up false. Still, around 30% of voters believe Brett Kavanaugh's denials over Dr. Ford's account of attempted rape, and 34% of others are undecided (36% say they believe Dr. Ford).
Sen. Mitch McConnell has called the women's allegations a "shameless smear campaign" and Sen. Lindsey Graham said, "I'll listen to the lady, but we're going to bring this to a close." Then there are those who seem to think that trying to rape girls or waving your penis in people's faces when drunk is just a rite of passage all young men go through.
Republicans will rightly point out that behavior toward Ashley Kavanaugh, the nominee's wife, has also been unacceptable; she says she has received death threats and obscenities, which continues the longstanding tradition of forcing women to be responsible for their partners' actions.
Robles-Román says that if Kavanaugh gets confirmed — now with two alleged sexual abusers sitting on the Supreme Court, the first being Clarence Thomas — these "boys will be boys" comments will become an even more unavoidable of the conversation in this country.
"That means that's going to be the term of the day, like 'locker-room talk,'" she says. "'Boys will be boys' — I can just hear that. Women will hear that in college Title IX offices." And that conversation has the ability to drive policy, she says.
Will all of this make a difference at the midterms? Absolutely, says Robles-Román. "A lot of women are tired of the status quo, and there may be some Republican backlash, too." Seeing the callousness with which the GOP has handled the Kavanaugh nomination has already help turn out more voters for progressive candidates in primary races, she says. With only six weeks away from the November midterm elections, many Republican candidates in vulnerable suburban districts have seen voters throw up their hands at the chaos, reports NBC News.
"Republicans running in these suburban districts desperately need a conversation about the economy and how things are going, but they are getting everything but that," a Republican strategist working on midterm races told NBC News. "The conversation instead is about the Mueller [probe] and other complications at the White House and now [Kavanaugh]. That’s taking all the attention away from the economy."
It's very unlikely for a Supreme Court justice to be removed unless they commit an offense while they are actually in office, or an offense from their past surfaces that is "firm and provable," says Robles-Román. Otherwise, they serve for life unless they resign, retire, or are impeached and convicted by Congress. Only one Supreme Court justice, in 1804, has ever been impeached, but he was acquitted.
That's why this fight is so important and we must choose wisely, Robles-Román says. "The idea of somebody serving on the Supreme Court that is accused of sexual harassment and who belongs to the world of 'boys will be boys,' it makes them suspect as to how they will handle certain cases," she says. "Discrimination cases, cases dealing with women's rights, the Equal Rights Amendment if the issue eventually reaches the Supreme Court. You want somebody who is ethical and moral, and part of that is respecting the equal rights of women. 'Boys will be boys' is not part of the growing-up process."
If you have experienced sexual violence and are in need of crisis support, please call theRAINN Sexual Assault Hotlineat 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
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There's one piece of money advice that people love to offer — often unsolicited — to millennials: stop buying daily coffees. We understand that the relatively small amounts we spend on lattes and cold brew can add up in just a week, but imploring us to deny ourselves one of life's simplest, most wonderful pleasures doesn't really seem fair. But there is, thankfully, one day each year when we can put aside our guilt over buying coffee because, on this most joyous of days, there are plenty of ways to get coffee for free or at a serious discount.
This year, National Coffee Day falls on Saturday, September 29. This Saturday and on the days leading up to it, cafés, coffee shops, and restaurants across the country are giving us ways to save on the very thing we've been told repeatedly that we're spending too much on. Plus, several coffee brands are also offering deals on beans and other products that will make doing the financially responsible thing (you know, brewing your coffee at home) seem like less of a sacrifice. Whether you're a PSL fanatic or an iced coffee queen, there's sure to be something for you to enjoy — sans pesky financial guilt! — this National Coffee Day.
Barnes & Noble Cafés: Cafés inside Barnes & Noble locations across the country will be offering a free cup of tall, freshly-brewed hot or iced coffee on National Coffee Day.
Birch Coffee: On National Coffee Day, Birch will be offering a pay what you please promotion. Customers will be encouraged to pay what they please for any coffee based beverage (drip, cold brew, espresso-based) at Birch locations across New York City.
Bruegger's Bagels: Bruegger's Bagels Inner Circle Rewards members can get a free medium coffee with any purchase. The offer is valid from September 22 — the first day of fall — through National Coffee Day on September 29. To redeem the offer, present barcode from your email, Bruegger's Bagels mobile app, or provide your phone number to the cashier.
Bulletproof Coffee: Bulletproof is celebrating National Coffee Day on both the east and west coast. On Thursday, September 27 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., customers can stop by the wellness retailer PREVIEW in New York City for complimentary coffee and latte art from coffee artist Michael Breach. On Saturday, September 29, customers can get $1 coffee all day at Bulletproof Cafés in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Seattle. And, in New York City, customers can get free Bulletproof Coffee from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. in Tribeca at the intersection of Warren and Greenwich near Whole Foods Market. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., complimentary cups will be available at Virtual World.
Caribou Coffee: On Saturday, September 29, Caribou Coffee is offering a free coffee of the day in any size to guests who buy any food item. That includes the entire lineup of bagels, sandwiches, and bakery items at Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels locations nationwide.
Corner Bakery Café: In honor of National Coffee Day , Corner Bakery Café locations nationwide are offering a free hand-roasted coffee or cold brew of any size with any purchase on both Friday, September 28 and Saturday, September 29.
Cumberland Farms: Celebrate National Coffee Day at Cumberland Farm with a free hot or iced coffee in any size by texting FREECOFFEE to 64827. You'll receive a mobile coupon, which will get you a free Farmhouse coffee, tea, cappuccino, or hot chocolate.
DEZ: This fast-casual middle eastern restaurant in NYC will be offering free hot drip Devoción coffee to the first 100 customers to stop by on National Coffee Day.
Dunkin': In honor of National Coffee Day, anyone who purchases a hot coffee at Dunkin' this Saturday can get a second one for free.
Eight O'Clock Coffee: On National Coffee Day, Eight O'Clock Coffee is giving away a free bag of coffee each hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST on the brand's official Facebook page. For a chance to win, just comment on the Facebook post shared on September 29 and tell Eight O'Clock which coffee variety you want to win. 12 winners will receive a coffee prize pack with one bag of Eight O’Clock Coffee, a coffee scoop, and a mug. You must be a U.S. resident and 18 or older to win.
Espressotoria: If you buy six Espressotoria coffee pod packs on Walmart.com on National Coffee Day, you'll get a free Espressotoria machine. The deal will save you $99.
French Truck Coffee: All French Truck Coffee locations in New Orleans will be serving coffees for 25 cents on National Coffee Day.
Holiday Stationstores: On National Coffee Day, Holiday will be giving away a free coffee of any size to customers who text "COFFEE" to 44022. Additionally, Holiday will be running a Free Coffee Tuesday promotion from now until October 9.
Illy: This National Coffee Day, shoppers will receive a complimentary can of Illy coffee when they purchase four cans using code "5FOR4." The offer is valid until 9 a.m. ETS on September 30.
LaMar's Donuts and Coffee: On National Coffee Day, customers who buy a 16-ounce LaMar’s reusable travel mug for $1.19 can get it filled with coffee for free.
Neuro Coffee: On September 29, customers can get 60% off the first month of the Roaster's Club monthly auto-replenish subscription service with the code "COFFEEDAY." Customers can also use the code "FREECOFFEE" to take advantage of a buy one, get one free offer on enhanced ground beans or K-Cups.
Nickel & Diner: On National Coffee Day, hit up the Coffee Counter at Nickel & Diner in New York City for buy-one-get-one-free Coldbrew Softserve for $6.
Peet's Coffee: This Saturday, customers can get 25% off one pound of beans and a drip coffee or tea for free at participating Peet's Coffeebars. They can also get 25% off all regular one pound bean purchases made online. Just use the code "COFFEEDAY18" at checkout to take advantages of the savings.
Pilot Flying J: On September 28 and 29, Pilot Flying J is treating guests to a free Pilot coffee of any size. Just download the myPilot app, and you'll find the coupon in myOffers waiting to be redeemed.
RISE Brewing Co: On National Coffee Day, customers can get 20% off site-wide on risebrewingco.com with the code "NationalCoffeeDay." Additionally, Rise is offering a BOGO deal at its cafés in New York City.
Sprinkles: On Saturday, September 29, Sprinkles Cupcakes is giving away free High Brew Coffee. Visit one of the 20 Sprinkles stores where High Brew is sold to receive a free can with the purchase of one regular cupcake while supplies last.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: To celebrate the official coffee holiday, participating locations of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will be offering customers a free 16-ounce hot or iced Brewed Coffee when they purchase a food or bakery item. Additionally, rewards members who make a purchase of $20 or more will receive a free limited edition Heritage Tumbler.
Verve Coffee Roasters: This Santa Cruz-based coffee roaster is celebrating National Coffee Day by offering $1 quick cups of coffee at all retail locations. Verve is also offering free shipping on all orders placed online for 24 hours on September 29, as well.
VitaCup: On National Coffee Day, VitaCup will be offering 30% off its entire website.
Wandering Bear: In honor of National Coffee Day, Wandering Bear teamed up with Coolhaus Ice Cream to serve free Cold Brew Affogatos out of its coffee truck on Friday, September 28 in New York City.
WestEnd Coffee Bar: The coffee bar located inside the Hutton Hotel in Nashville will be serving complimentary drip-coffee all day on National Coffee Day. The beverages will be made with Parlor Coffee.
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Welcome toMoney Diaries, where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar.
Want even more Money Diaries, plus $$$ advice from a kick-ass, all-female team of financial advisors, and tips on how to save more than $500? Pick up our new book: Money Diaries: Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Your Finances... and Everyone Else's. It's out now — order here!
Today: an attorney who makes $144,000 per year ($164,000 when combined with her husband) and spends some of her money this week on gallons of milk.
We checked in with the OP regarding Hurricane Florence, and she said, "The hurricane never really turned north, so all we got in our area was some rain. I think when I finished my Money Diary it was still mid-week and they thought we would get storms, but by the time the weekend came, the forecast had completely flipped. So now we just have a bunch of extra batteries and canned beans on hand!" If you'd like to help those affected by Hurricane Florence, here'sa list of resources.
Occupation: Attorney Industry: Legal Age: 31 Location: Hyattsville, MD My Salary: $144,000 My Husband's Income: $20,000, plus he watches our three kids (ages six, three, and two months) My Paycheck Amount (Biweekly): $3,186.44 My Husband's Paycheck Amount (Monthly): $837.62, plus about $1,500 over the course of the year from when he teaches on the weekends (freelance, so it varies).
Monthly Expenses Mortgage: $2,110 for our three-bedroom house, and we also put about $100 extra toward the principal. Student Loan Payment: $971 for mine (almost done!), and $0 for my husband — we paid his off years ago. Car Loan Payment: $475 Water: $65 Electric: $180 HOA: $95 Internet: $40 (temporary deal) Cell Phones: $100 401(k): $1,200 (10% of my gross pay), plus a 5% employer match Health Insurance Premium: $399, including dental and vision Life Insurance: $57 ChurchTithe: $1,050, which also supports immigration legal aid College Savings: $375 Savings: $500, to beef up our emergency fund Childcare: $0! (My husband's work provides childcare, and when he teaches outside of that, I watch the kids. It's so amazing, especially considering childcare costs in our area.) Amazon Prime: $10 Amazon FreeTime: $3 Netflix: $11
Day One
3:15 a.m. — Baby wakes up for a post-midnight snack. He is lucky he's cute.
5 a.m. — I wake up to make coffee and pump milk for the baby during the day. I'm still half asleep, so instead of responding to the emails that have been sitting in my inbox like I should, I turn on Netflix and watch a show about restaurant start-ups trying to get funding. Good for them!
5:45 a.m. — I get dressed, pack lunch boxes for myself, my husband, P., and the kids. P. and I take turns intercepting them as they wake up and trying to get them dressed and ready on time. We are chronically running about 10 minutes late, but as long as he's the one dropping the kids off, I feel like teachers give us a pass. Do moms get judged more for that stuff, or is it just me?
7:15 a.m. — I walk to the nearby subway station and head to work. It is so hot and muggy, I'm not even sure why I bother doing my hair before leaving the house.
8:30 a.m. — I'm at work, wondering if they managed to make it to school on time today. Best not to ask. At the beginning of each week, I bring in large quantities of food to keep in the communal fridge, and then pick from that throughout the week, so I pull out carrots and hummus for breakfast while I check emails.
12 p.m. — Lunchtime! I am an early luncher and I basically go for my sandwich as soon as it's socially acceptable. I eat my turkey sandwich with cheese slices and pump milk again before getting back to work.
5:15 p.m. — I try to leave right at 5 to be home with my family as much as possible, but I do feel pressure to not be that person who's running out the door as soon as their workday is technically done. So I'm usually running a little bit behind in getting to the subway.
6:15 p.m. — Weeknight chaos. We make chicken tacos with red cabbage and yogurt sauce. Last night I marinated chicken, and today my husband grills it and I chop it all up so we can put the leftovers in the fridge to use for future dinners. It's a good meal to get on the table quickly and doesn't require individually cutting up the kids' food for them when we're trying to stay on track for bedtime. I feed the baby and put him down to nap while we go through our evening routine with the older kids. As I type it up, this all sounds somewhat orderly to me, but just assume that, whatever activity I say we're doing, there is always at least one child wandering off, spilling food, or having a meltdown. I assume this is good training for becoming a professional cat herder.
7:30 p.m. — My three-year-old, T., is in bed and my six-year-old, S., is expertly procrastinating while I empty lunchboxes and do the dishes. S. should be in bed by 8, but these days we almost never make it. I keep giving him reminders to stay focused on his bedtime routine, and he's finally down by 8:40 p.m.
8:45 p.m. — I prep lunches and milk bottles for tomorrow while listening to podcasts. It's my escape. P. pops down for conversation while he folds laundry. It's easy to fall into a routine where we feel more like parenthood teammates than husband and wife, but we try to keep relating to each other as regular adults and not just parents, with varying degrees of success. Then I shower and go to bed just after 10. Sweet sleep!
11 p.m. — Baby's ready to play! I bribe him with a feeding session instead and he's back to bed after about 20 minutes. Now that I'm awake anyway, I surf Amazon and decide to finally take the plunge and buy a PJ Masks costume that's been sitting in my cart for a while for S. to wear for Halloween. $21.27
Daily Total: $21.27
Day Two
4 a.m. — Baby is hungry and requests food, so I oblige.
5:15 a.m. — I am working from home today, but I still wake up somewhat early to get everyone else packed up so I can pump right before they leave and the baby has fresh bottles of milk. Coffee helps here. I also make egg sandwiches for the others for the road, instead of their usual Cheerios breakfast. Once they're out the door, I get as much cleaning around the house done as possible, and then I'm logged into work by 8:30 a.m.
12 p.m. — Since I'm at home, I can raid our fridge for lunch. I heat up some leftover chicken and eat that with salad. I also quickly put some turkey meat in a brine for dinner, and then pump while reviewing documents.
4 p.m. — Husband returns home with the kids, but they leave me alone while I'm still finishing up my work day.
5:15 p.m. — I log off and rejoin the family. Husband grills the turkey while I play with the baby, and the older kids pretend to be at the beach using a couple of blankets in our living room.
5:45 p.m. — We eat our turkey and salad dinner, and then everyone under the legal drinking age gets a bath. Husband orders a birthday gift for his stepfather, which we have shipped straight to their house. $46.32
9 p.m. — Just as the kids fall asleep, the baby wakes back up and wants second dinner. After feeding him, I catch up on emails and bills, and I notice that P. has purchased a set of waterproof bedsheets for T. (just in case) and an emergency radio/flashlight, inspired by the forecasts for Hurricane Florence, I think. Probably a wise choice. $44.36
9:40 p.m. — Kids are all asleep. Everyone above the legal drinking age gets a glass of wine.
Daily Total: $90.68
Day Three
3 a.m. — Baby is up again. That was actually a pretty good stretch of sleep!
6:20 a.m. — The kids are awake, so I am awake. I make coffee and breakfast (bagels with cream cheese and grapefruit) and get the kids dressed while P. gets ready to teach.
7:45 a.m. — P. leaves to teach and I have the kids. I let the older two watch a Raffi concert on YouTube while I take a short nap with the baby on the couch. I feel worlds better when I wake up. The rest of the morning mostly involves taking care of the baby while making sure the older kids don't hurt each other, interspersed with switching around loads of laundry and cringing when T. smushes her cream cheesy face in the clean laundry pile.
1 p.m. — P. returns and we have leftover chicken and salad for lunch. Afterwards, we try to get the kids to nap, but they mostly just sing to themselves from their respective beds. During the naps, I make a big grocery run (four gallons of milk, Greek yogurt, creamer, sparkling water, wine, turkey cold cuts, apples, kale, candy corn, pork chops, barbecue sauce, freezer bags, eggs, ice cream, hummus, bread, and baby wipes). $135.74
3:15 p.m. — On the way home, I fill up the minivan's gas tank. $48.47
3:30 p.m. — I get into cooking mode and make meatballs, peanut butter/oat/flaxseed bites, sliced carrots, and mashed peas to store in the fridge for easy grab-and-go meals to pair with salads during the week. I also freeze some of the meat I bought at the store to use in slow cooker recipes later on. I tend to buy whatever meat has a very good sale and freeze what we won't use immediately. When the older kids wake up, I pull out toys T. recently received for her birthday and let them play with each other while I finish up.
5:45 p.m. — We sit down to dinner and then bathe all the kids before bedtime. The PJ Masks costume has arrived and as S. immediately puts it on, I realize I'm probably going to see him wearing it every day between now and Halloween, and probably after. Money well spent, I guess! Afterwards, I wash dishes and fold laundry while listening to podcasts, and then feed the baby before going to sleep.
Daily Total: $184.21
Day Four
2 a.m. — Nighttime feeding. Zzzzz.
5:30 a.m. — Baby wakes up to eat and I just stay awake after he goes back down. I make eggs and toast for breakfast and start in on my daily coffee while picking up the living room and vacuuming.
10 a.m. — Family is awake, fed, and dressed, and we head off to church. Our church has a lot of other families with small kids, and it's good to see friends who are in the same sleepless life stage as we are. We might be the loudest family there today, but not terribly so, I tell myself.
1:20 p.m. — Return home from church, and give the kids a quick salad lunch before putting them down for naps. We are lucky that our kids have so far been pretty good with eating salad, although sometimes they try to lick all the vinegar off first and then ask for more. During nap time, I vacuum out our minivan and clean up dishes.
3:30 p.m. — I get S. ready and take him to swim class. He floats, jumps, and kicks his way through a happy half hour. On the way back, we pick up class photos at CVS that his teacher asked me to print up for her bulletin board. $4.20
6 p.m. — Dinner is leftover turkey, roasted sweet potatoes, and mashed peas. After the kids have eaten, we open FaceTime to let them catch up with their grandparents, who all live several hours away.
8:15 p.m. — After the kids are down, I finish meal, clothing, and baby supply prep for tomorrow. While I'm doing that, I chat with a couple friends from law school on the phone and we compare notes on baby teething strategies. I also call my parents and start planning out our family visits for the holidays.
Daily Total: $4.20
Day Five
2 a.m. — The baby is starting his Monday off early with a pre-breakfast breakfast.
5:20 a.m. — I snooze my alarm a couple times but eventually get up to pump some milk for the baby before getting dressed and getting the kids ready. I toast a couple mini bagels for the kids. What a nice treat, right? WRONG. S., last month's connoisseur of all things crunchy, now acts like I toasted the bagels just to ruin breakfast for him. Is it bedtime yet?
7:15 a.m. — Miraculously, everyone is ready and off to work/school, and I walk to the subway. Even though I complain about the heat in the summer, I do like that my commute involves about three and a half miles of walking (round trip), because otherwise I'm not sure how I would get any exercise right now. Hopefully when the kids are a bit older I'll figure out a real exercise regimen, but it just feels impossible to find the time right now.
8:30 a.m. — I'm at work, and my hummus and carrots from last week still look edible, so I have that for breakfast while I dive into my inbox backlog.
12:10 p.m. — I eat lunch (kale, Italian dressing, and chevre) while I take a break to pump. I brought in a week's worth of salad ingredients today, so I don't need to bring in a separate lunch every day for the rest of the week.
12:45 p.m. — Back to work, interrupted by brief moments of looking at photos of the kids on my phone and feeling nostalgic about things that happened only a month ago.
6:05 p.m. — I arrive home and bring in the Amazon package of baby wipes and ground coffee delivered to our doorstep. We love the subscribe-and-save option, although you need to keep an eye on the prices, because sometimes things are cheaper at Target or the grocery store. $24.26
6:10 p.m. — The older kids have already had dinner, so I focus on getting the dishwasher started and packing lunches, and then I feed the baby while my husband oversees bath time. After T. has gone to bed, I heat up chicken for myself for dinner and then pull out the cookie dough I prepped over the weekend. S. helps me roll out the cookie balls and bake them. He practices drawing letters in one of his activity books, and then it's off to bed for him, too.
9:30 p.m. — I shower and get my clothes and bag ready for tomorrow, and then it's off to sleep.
Daily Total: $24.26
Day Six
1 a.m. — Baby feeding.
5:30 a.m. — I sleep in even later today (whoops) but manage to pump a little while S. gets himself dressed for school. The kids have mini bagels with cream cheese (not toasted!) for breakfast while P. and I pack the car with lunches and baby supplies, and then everyone is off for the day.
8:30 a.m. — I arrive at work, grab hummus and carrots, and start my day.
11:45 a.m. — I eat a little early to give myself time to pump before a meeting: same salad ingredients as yesterday.
6:20 p.m. — I arrive home and start washing dishes while P. FaceTimes his parents with the kids. Everyone else has tacos with the leftover chicken for dinner, and I pick from their plates.
7 p.m. — Emergency! S. slips and falls down a half-flight of stairs. My heart jumps into my throat and P. and I both come running. S. passes the initial vitals check and I cuddle him with a pack of ice while he cries inconsolably. As we see a big bump start forming on his forehead, we decide to take him to Urgent Care to make sure there's no concussion or other serious injury. I am so incredibly grateful that our insurance lets us immediately take him to a doctor without giving the cost a second thought. Everyone should be able to do the same. P. takes him while I put the other two down to sleep. $35
8:45 p.m. — Everyone is back home, S. is fine, and he particularly brightens up when he sees that I made him popcorn for his pre-bedtime routine. After putting him down, I finish the dishes and laundry, and pack lunches and breast pump parts for tomorrow.
11 p.m. — Bed.
11:45 p.m. — Feed baby. Bed.
Daily Total: $35
Day Seven
2 a.m. — Baby up, fed, back to sleep.
3:30 a.m. — Baby up again? What is going on, Baby?
5 a.m. — I am up to pump, then pack bags and get the kids dressed. S. says he is feeling fine but has a noticeable bump on his head. I make coffee for P. and myself, bagels with cream cheese for the kids, and grab a Clif bar and a banana for P. as we run out the door.
8:30 a.m. — I arrive at work, grab my carrots and hummus, and settle in for a day of reading/writing/meetings.
10 a.m. — I find a colleague and contribute cash to a goodbye party for a coworker. $10
12 p.m. — I grab lettuce and salad dressing for lunch but get caught in a hallway conversation with one of my bosses that puts me about 15 minutes behind schedule for pumping. Then, while I'm pumping, building maintenance needs to come in to do some sort of work on the heating system, so I have to stop early and quickly cover up just as they let themselves into my office. Just one of those days.
2 p.m. — Even though it seems Hurricane Florence won't impact us too badly now, P. runs to Home Depot to buy downspouts, in light of all the rain we've gotten recently. $32.73
5:30 p.m. — I can't seem to wrap things up on time, so I leave a little late. When I get home, P. has already fed the kids macaroni and cheese, and honestly I am a little jealous. I cut up strawberries for their dessert and munch on turkey cold cuts while washing dishes for tomorrow as P. gets the kids ready for bed.
6:30 p.m. — I feed the baby during T.'s bedtime routine, and then once the younger two are in bed, P. and I try to move our couch and loveseat out of our basement in anticipation of buying a new couch. A sectional! However, we can't seem to figure out how we got those darn things in the house to begin with, and after it gets dark, we decide to try again over the weekend so we don't let the house fill with bugs attracted to the indoor lights. We've had people express interest in taking the old couches, but it looks like getting them out the door will be a bigger project than we thought.
8:30 p.m. — I prep S. for bed, make lunches for tomorrow (turkey sandwiches, snap peas, and clementines), and take out the trash and recycling. P. makes one more grocery run, just in case Hurricane Florence takes an unexpected northern turn (butter, four gallons of milk, hummus, scones, cheddar cheese, cheese sticks, toilet paper, pita chips, Tabasco, corn starch, flaxseed, various canned beans, turkey cold cuts, bar soap, lemons, clementines, and batteries for flashlights and my breast pump), while I feed the baby. Before the baby was born, we used gift cards that people gave us to stock up on diapers, so we haven't needed to buy more for a while now. $99.19
10:30 p.m. — Shower and bed.
Daily Total: $141.92
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These goods will include the new Sabrina reboot and an adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House as well as a few Netflix Original Films and two really, really scary Halloween classics. And, if these don't suit your fancy, Netflix has already started the uphill climb towards Halloween content domination: several of their scariest shows are already living their best life on the streaming site. This includes the Indian Netflix Original Ghoul as well as titles like Cargo, an Australian film about a mounting zombie apocalypse.
But, if those aren't satisfying your scream tooth, there's plenty more to come. Netflix will debut the second season of Making a Murderer this October, as well as the soapy teen shoe Élite. Finally, if you're more of a news junkie than a horror addict, look to Hasan Minhaj's weekly news talk show The Patriot Act, which will debut on October 28. Ahead, all of Netflix's October new arrivals. I
Looking for more theories, recaps, and insider info on all things TV? Join our Facebook group, Binge Club. The community is a space for you to share articles, discuss last night’s episode of your favorite show, or ask questions! Join here.
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As we've all learned from the ubiquity of K-beauty on the Western market over the past few years, some of the world's best skin-care secrets do indeed hail from the East, and the sparkling-water technique is no different.
"The idea of the fizzy face cleanse started originally in Japan and then went crazy in Korea, and now we’re just hearing about this trend," says dermatologist Dendy Engelman, M.D., who's working with SodaStream, the go-to home carbonation device, to spread the word. "What I love about it is that it gives a deeper cleanse because it traps oil and dirt that's deeper in pores. Nitrous oxide increases blood flow and nutrient delivery so it can help those with acne and acne scarring, and the pH of carbonated water matches the skin, whereas tap water is not identifiable with skin pH. The more carbonated, the better it is for the cleanse."
"One of the biggest reasons that SodaStream sells so well in Japan is because people use it to wash their face," says Bev Sylvester, who is on the company's marketing team. Brands like Dr. Brandt Skincare, DHC, and Odacité are also jumping onboard the fizzy skin-care bandwagon, formulating cleansers and masks with sodium bicarbonate and similar foaming ingredients to chip away at dead, dull cells on the surface, cut through excess oil, and invigorate skin.
The trend sounds promising, but there’s really only one way to find out whether it's just a fizzy novelty or a legitimate method — and that's to try it out. So I challenged myself to swap out tap water for sparkling water for a whole week, to see whether it would actually make a difference.
Day 1
Armed with enthusiasm, I head to the supermarket in search of my sparkling water of choice. Staring at an aisle of sugar-free, diet, and lemon-lime-flavored beverages, I decide to go for the safest (and bougie-est?) option: San Pellegrino. In order to reduce my plastic footprint (I figure I'll be left with tons of plastic bottles at the end of this), I opt for a glass bottle. Of course this is more expensive; I'm only thankful that champagne facial rinses aren’t a thing (yet). I make a mental note to look up how much a SodaStream costs… if this sparkling water technique works, maybe I’ll invest.
I decide to start the experiment on the safe side, and after double-cleansing — first with a balm to remove my makeup, then a second wash with a foaming formula — I soak a cotton pad with the sparkling stuff and swipe it all over my face. It’s refreshing, but not life-changing. The bubbles lose their "popping" effect pretty swiftly, but a look at the cotton pad afterwards reveals there were areas I still managed to miss, even having double-cleansed. My skin actually feels refreshed and super clean.
Day 2
I kept my sparkling water in the fridge overnight, so today’s rinse offers a truly icy experience. Instead of using cotton pads, I decide to pour some of the sparkling water into my hands and splash my face with it like an old-school toner. This technique definitely feels like it’s doing more than day one. The cold feels like it's tightening my pores, and I can really feel the bubbles popping on my skin this time. I pat dry with a towel and inspect. Skin looks clean and pores seem minimized — but that could be due to the temperature. The jury’s still out.
Day 3
Day three and I feel like I’m ready to take the plunge, quite literally, into the submerging sparkling-water dunk. After watching countless YouTube tutorials, I feel well-versed in the best practice, which is simply to hold your breath and slowly breathe out to avoid bubbles going up your nose. I double-cleanse before dunking my head into the bowl. The experience isn’t pleasant and I feel as though I’m drowning, but my skin does feel very clean afterwards. I follow up with my trusty overnight moisturizing treatment, but find that my skin feels dry and tight a few hours later. Maybe the dunk method is just way too shocking for my skin.
Day 4
When day four comes around, I realize I’m out of San Pellegrino, so I tack a sparkling water onto the end of my UberEats order instead. It’s a negative on the plastic-consumption front, but I have to admit, UberEats delivering my skincare in approximately 25 minutes is arguably the most convenient delivery service ever. The change in brand goes unnoticed by my skin, and I’ve reverted to the cotton pad technique after yesterday’s dunk proved too much. Again, my skin is left clean and clear, and amazingly, I do feel like my pores are definitely less noticeable.
Day 5
I stick with my tried-and-tested cotton pad technique tonight, and my skin is definitely looking brighter and more radiant. The pores around my nose appear smaller and I’ve noticed fewer blackheads around my chin. I’m not sure whether this is down to the fact that the water is mineral or carbonated, or perhaps even that my skin has been essentially getting a third cleanse every day, but I do feel like something has changed.
Would I carry on with the sparkling water step in my skincare routine? It depends. The dunk technique was a definite no for me — it was uncomfortable, messy, and seemed to be nothing more than a waste of water. But using sparkling water in place of a toner? Sure. After all, it’s a relatively cheap and quick option, and I do think my pores look noticeably smaller. Maybe it’s time to invest in a SodaStream after all…
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When I think about the most superfluous parts of my skin-care arsenal — the products I use that are probably more fun than they are effective — I think about the “detoxifying” booster drops I add to my night cream, the exfoliating scrub for my eyebrows, and the sheet masks made just for my neck. But I have never once questioned the need for my moisturizer. In fact, I can’t decide whether cleanser or moisturizer is the more fundamental product, but if I were to whittle my multi-step routine down to the essentials, those would be the two left. Why would anyone do differently?
So, I was baffled when I recently met with Zein Obagi, M.D., a Beverly Hills-based dermatologist and founder of skin-care line ZO Skin Health, who told me using moisturizer was not only a waste of time, but potentially damaging to my skin. “When you use moisturizer every day, you run the risk of making your skin older, not younger,” he warned. “If you apply a lot of moisture, skin will become sensitive, dry, dull, and interfere with natural hydration.”
What, you ask, is the scientific explanation behind this? Dr. Obagi believes skin gets addicted to replacement moisture and stops supplying its own hydration from within the body. And your natural hydration, he says, is what really keeps skin healthy and young. “The tree gets its nutrients from the ground; no matter how much you spray the tree, it will become dry,” he says.
It makes sense when I remember the reverse wisdom that was commonly cited in my teen years: When you overdry your skin with too many zit-zappers, your skin responds by producing more oil to compensate. “Almost zero percent of my patients actually requires a moisturizer,” he explains. “All your skin really needs is cleansing, stimulation, and protection.” Even season changes don’t count. Daily moisturizer should not be needed no matter the calendar, he says.
Indeed, if you look on the site of his current skin-care brand ZO Skin Health (he sold his eponymous, and still wildly popular, Obagi Medical Products line in the '90s), you’ll notice there is no moisturizer category. His skepticism of moisturizers is almost at conspiracy level. “My feeling is there is abuse of moisturizer,” he says. “Because it is so easy to formulate and sell, the brainwashing started in the late '50s and '60s from all the cosmetic companies. They sold everyone that idea that you will dry and age. This is absolutely nonsense.”
So what to do if you’re hooked on moisturizer? Obagi says you should stop using it cold turkey —even in the winter — and wait three to six weeks. “As you break the addiction, you may feel dry and irritable,” he admits. “Your skin may feel like it’s missing something or like it's stinging or burning, depending on how long you were using moisturizer.” But the withdrawal, he claims, is worth it: “When patients come back in about five weeks, they thank me. It wakes up the skin and gets the cells to start working in harmony.”
While Dr. Obagi has long been marked as a forward-thinker in the dermatology world, I figured I might as well get a second opinion, considering how, you know, I’ve spent my entire career going to events for moisturizers touted by derms, scientists, and facialists. “I have the greatest respect for Dr. Obagi, I think he’s a genius, and I don’t disagree with him on some level,” says New York City-based dermatologist Doris Day, M.D., a pro I frequently turn to for a balanced bottom-line perspective on all things skin. “But when it comes to skin hydrating itself sufficiently, some people's can and some people's can’t.” It not only comes down to genetics, she explains, but many other factors working against us. “In today’s world where we can’t control all the stressors and exposure and pollution, using hydrators and moisturizers makes sense,” she continues. “The more you support your skin — sometimes by using hydrators and moisturizers — the more easily you can have healthy, beautiful, resilient skin.”
To be fair, Dr. Obagi does happen to carry some hydrating products in his brand (though they also aim to calm as well as hydrate) and there are exceptions to the rule, he says, like when you're skiing in extreme temps or traveling on a moisture-sucking plane. The key is just to not get into a daily habit and only use it when needed. His recommended routine? “Always wash your face, use a gentle exfoliating agent to enhance elimination, and some kind of active vitamin A to stimulate regeneration, and if you still feel dry, then you can apply a special moisturizer,” he explains.
I’ve done many things to my skin in the name of my job as a beauty writer — microneedling my entire face, zapping it with lasers, and even facial cupping — but the idea of shedding myself of my moisturizer for good as winter’s frigid breath breathes down my neck is especially daunting. Especially when, to Dr. Day’s point, I live in New York, one of the most stressful, polluted cities in the world. But, in the name of journalism, I just might give it a shot (and if it's anything like fellow beauty writer Daniela Morosini's experience, maybe it won't be so traumatic, after all). But if you think I'm giving up my eyebrow exfoliator, think again.
This story was originally published on January 9, 2017.
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While there's always a take on the news to turn into a conversation-starting Halloween costume, sometimes you want something a little more classic — or classical. Go for the ultimate throwback with a look inspired by Greek mythology.
Rather than showing up as a generic "Greek goddess," keep reading to find a myth that speaks to you, and a costume inspired by its star. How about the goddess of wine, or the one who begged to be turned into a tree to escape an annoying suitor? Whichever you choose, you can consider your Halloween-party small talk covered.
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Before we dive into the latest hair trend taking over our Instagram feeds, a full disclaimer: This look isn't exactly new. In fact, the revival of one of the most popular hairstyles of the '90s — the blunt bob — has been a long time coming, a twinkle in the eye of Hollywood A-listers, social-media influencers, and beauty editors everywhere. Now, the chin-grazing, cropped bob is back, and everyone is getting in on it... and this time, we really mean everyone.
Of course, this is far from the first '90s trend to ever come back in style. It's not even the only '90s hair trend to be back in style right this second: Banana clips, velvet headbands, and scrunchies are all seeing a runway comeback. But if you're not exactly chomping at the bit to relive the throbbing head pain that came along with your middle-school hair aesthetic, surely this simple — and painless — cut will satisfy your throwback needs.
Selena Gomez, Margot Robbie, Rihanna, Kim Kardashian West, and Rowan Blanchard are only a few of the famous faces who've sported the nostalgic trend recently, proving that the choppy, angled bob is officially back — and most likely here to stay. Ahead, the celebrity haircuts bringing the '90s bob all the way into 2018...
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There's no hiding from it: Acne is an inevitable struggle that continues on well after our prepubescent middle-school days. We're certainly not thrilled about dealing with random breakouts for the rest of our lives, but if we must, we might as well arm ourselves with the tools to treat irritated skin whenever it flares up (which is always at the worst possible time).
In the late summer and early fall months, the body acne struggle is real, and it's so much trickier to hide. Bacne, underarm bumps, and chest and butt acne can make putting on a backless top or bathing suit particularly stressful. But with the right products, you can clear it up quickly. Peel pads and spot treatments do wonders, but the real work starts in the shower — with body wash.
Ditch your caramel-strawberry-shimmery soap for one with tea tree oil, salicylic acid, or charcoal, and make sure to wash right after working out or hanging in a wet bikini by the pool. With these easy changes, you'll be on your way to breakout-free skin forever.
Ahead, the best clarifying, exfoliating, and smoothing body washes for your skin type.
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False eyelashes, hair extensions, acrylic nails — all exciting and glamorous, but maybe not the best things to be gluing to our bodies. Nonetheless, advancements within the beauty industry mean that these products have come leaps and bounds, and within reason, we can carry on using all of the above while protecting our natural assets.
There's no denying nail art and long manicures are (still) having a moment. Fun? Yes! The only problem? They're not without their downsides: glues, buffing, chemicals that dry out your nails, and even electric drills. These things don't exactly spell out healthy nail beds now, do they? After months, and sometimes even years, of fills and extensions, your nails can be left looking and feeling damaged and weak.
We spoke to Izabelle Bellamy — who filed her way through the ranks at WAH Nails, a U.K. hub for all things nail art, and is now the resident technician at East London's Stunt Dolly salon — about how to resuscitate nails that have passed over to the other side.
Bellamy explained that "acrylic nail extensions shouldn't really damage your nails, provided the correct preparation, maintenance (every two to three weeks), aftercare, and removal procedures are followed. The real damage is caused by heavy-handed nail technicians. Be wary of over-filing and drilling, this will cause weak and peeling nails — and even painful results."
She goes on to add, "You should always visit a qualified and insured nail tech. Over time, the acrylic begins to lose adhesion to the nail and can lift; if air pockets start to be common, this should be a warning sign. Acrylics should be removed and replaced every six to 12 months, although a person's daily routine and home care plus how often they have infills does determine time, too."
Okay, so obviously those are all wise rules to follow, but Bellamy accepts we can't always chose our nail technician and, well, life sometimes just gets in the way of perfect nails. For times when things don't go as planned, here are Bellamy's top tips and products for nails that really need some TLC, post-acrylics.
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Even if you've never danced down Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras, with jazz horns humming in your ears and a gold plastic beads bouncing around you neck, you can feel the vibe of New Orleans. The city known for its Parisian take on buttery pastries and down-home crawfish gumbo is one of this country's most eclectic melting pots of culture — a hotbed of sparkle and pizzazz — and exactly where we're sourcing our fall makeup inspiration.
E.L.F.'s newest makeup collection, which drops today, was directly inspired by the ornate metal archways and colorful energy that's a signature in The Big Easy. The Modern Metals makeup line is actually the winning concept from E.L.F.'s Beautyscape summit, which took place last year, and it's the brainchild of influencers Leslie Alvarado, Yuri Antillon, Kathlyn Celeste, Irash Javed, and Mia Randria.
The mix of sparkly glosses, highlighters, and shadows is the prettiest thing you could get from the drugstore this fall — and everything is under $12. Ahead, shop the full 4-piece collection, and cue up some soul music as you scroll.
There is a lot of product out there — some would say too much. At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team, but if you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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We always knew Ivanka Trump had a knack for tuning out the world, and we can't exactly blame her. Paying attention to the news is a punishing exercise these days, one that leaves us longing for bottomless glasses of wine, massages, and, above all, our beds.
Speaking at the Concordia Summit in New York City on Monday, the first daughter and White House senior advisor revealed how she deals with the "daily chaos" of the White House, as Newsweek reported.
"It’s been a work in progress, but I’m getting better at ignoring the noise," she said. "I tend not to respond, I tend not to debunk criticism or say when things are inaccurate."
"I have seen people care so much and want to do good work, but then they start getting Google alerts," she continued. "Then it starts to take more of their time, and they get defensive and suspicious of those around them, they start to ask who circulated certain things. It’s pointless, drains energy, and causes their internal compass to go awry. Getting too engaged in the daily chaos is distracting; I don’t pay too much attention because it would be unhealthy."
Ivanka: She's just like us! (Except the government probably pays her therapy bills.)
As journalists, we get colorful emails, Twitter mentions, and comments all day long. The other day, someone even printed out one of our stories and posted it in the office elevator! You have to make time for yourself amid all the chaos, and for that, Ivanka, we salute you.
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No matter the length, texture, or style of our hair, we’re always on the hunt for ways to make every last strand as lustrous as possible. But between monthly colorist appointments, an affinity for hot tools, and unpredictable weather conditions, this is no easy task. So to help repair the damage caused by chemicals, heat, Mother Nature, and genetics, there’s nothing better than a hair mask to get yours back into tip-top shape.
Not to be confused with your daily conditioner, a hair mask (or masque, if you prefer) is more intense, usually thicker, and should be left on for anywhere from three to 15 minutes — sometimes even overnight if your strands are in need of some extra TLC.
“Daily conditioners just touch the surface of the hair,” says Renee Pelc, expert colorist and owner of Gloss Salon in Chicago. “While your regular hydrator lowers the pH of your hair, which makes your hair appear smooth and shiny, it’s not doing anything to actually restructure the hair.”
Of course, one hair mask does not fit all hair types, so we rounded up a splurge and a bargain option for 10 different textures and styles, from curly to oily to fine. So, until we can crack the code on how to have perfect hair year-round, these secret weapons are the next best things.
Keep clicking to discover the mask that's right for your hair and budget.
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A third woman has come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
In a sworn statement shared by lawyer Michael Avenatti, D.C. resident Julie Swetnick alleges that Kavanaugh, his friend Mark Judge, and others would spike drinks at house parties in the early 1980s. This would lead girls "to become inebriated and disoriented so they could then be ‘gang raped’ in a side room or bedroom by a ‘train’ of numerous boys."
Swetnick claims that she was victim to one of these "'gang' or 'train' rapes," where both Kavanaugh and Judge were allegedly present.
The statement also says Swetnick "observed Brett Kavanaugh drink excessively at these parties and engage in abusive and physically aggressive behavior towards girls, including pressing girls against him without their consent, 'grinding' against girls and and attempting to remove or shift girls clothing to expose private body parts."
Below is my correspondence to Mr. Davis of moments ago, together with a sworn declaration from my client. We demand an immediate FBI investigation into the allegations. Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. pic.twitter.com/QHbHBbbfbE
Kavanaugh's drinking habits in his youth has come increasingly into focus because he allegedly sexually assaulted Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Deborah Ramirez while he was inebriated. He denies all claims.
In a statement, he said of the latest allegation: "This is ridiculous and from the Twilight Zone. I don’t know who this is and this never happened."
Ford came forward last week with allegations that Kavanugh sexually assaulted her and attempted to rape her at a house party she attended while in high school. Meanwhile, Ramirez claims he "exposed himself at a drunken dormitory party, thrust his penis in her face, and caused her to touch it without her consent as she pushed him away" while both were freshmen at Yale University.
Ford and Kavanaugh will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday. The three accusers have asked for the FBI to re-open Kavanaugh's background check and investigate the claims, but the Trump administration and Republican leadership have refused. Though Kavanaugh reaffirmed his innocence in a televised interview Monday, he declined to say whether the FBI should investigate the allegations against him.
If you have experienced sexual violence and are in need of crisis support, please call theRAINN Sexual Assault Hotlineat 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
This story was originally published at 11:24 a.m. It has since been updated.
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The product description for the item reads, "the design of this new statement range is inspired by the engagement ring of Meghan Markle." And though it wasn't designed by the Queen's jeweler using not one but two diamonds from Princess Diana's personal jewelry collection, as well as a large center diamond from Botswana, it does look pretty damn close. This one, however, is made of "sparkling crystals set on palladium-plated metal," and can be worn with matching earrings and a necklace.
With the international fees, the ring could cost you upwards of $90 ($60 if you use Royal Mail), but hey, that's just a small price to pay for a bit of sentimental history — especially if you missed out on snagging one of Stella McCartney's limited-release replicas of Markle's reception dress. Buckingham Palace released the ring just in time, too: Now you can finish off your Meghan Markle Halloween costume with this official touch.
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Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump's relationship, as public as it is, can still be a bit of head-scratcher. What's up with their body language? What about their thing with holding hands? Are their bland photo ops purely a smokescreen for the White House's more insidious actions? As visible as the couple may be, the intricacies of their lives remain mostly shrouded in mystery (except for that last question — we have a pretty good hunch about that one).
To uncover what lies beneath the glassy surface of Jared and Ivanka's relationship, we decided to look to the cosmos — and investigate them from an astrological perspective. With the help of astrologer Amy Tripp, we're taking a deep dive into Scorpio Ivanka and Capricorn Jared's compatibility.
By laying Jared and Ivanka's respective birth charts (which show where the planets were located when they were born) on top of each other, Tripp creates one mega astrological chart known as a "composite chart," which allows her to compare their planetary placements more easily. And her main takeaway from that comparison isn't as glossy as the couple would probably like it to be — their composite chart suggests that Jared and Ivanka may have some rough waters to navigate.
But first, let's focus on the good: Tripp notices a trine between Ivanka's sun in Scorpio and Jared's moon in Pisces, meaning that they are four signs apart on the Wheel of the Zodiac. When this aspect occurs between two water signs like Scorpio and Pisces, it suggests that the couple is "very close on an emotional and spiritual level," Tripp explains. "There is likely a deep trust between them and each supports the other especially behind the scenes." Just as we suspected — part of their bond is naturally hidden from the public's view.
Plus, Ivanka and Jared both have Venus in Sagittarius, which indicates shared preferences when it comes to love and affection. "Together, they have a natural charm and charisma, and complement each other when socializing," Tripp says. "They will also have similarities when it comes to what each finds pleasurable." If you ask us, this is the best astrological explanation for their constant hand-holding.
As we mentioned earlier, Tripp also found a few challenging aspects in Jared and Ivanka's charts, and those can be summed up in one word: square. Square aspects occur between two planets that are three signs apart, and they're commonly associated with tension and disagreements — hardly what you want to see in your composite chart with your partner.
In Jarvanka's case, their most difficult square appears between Jared's sun in Capricorn and Ivanka's Mercury, Saturn, and Pluto in Libra. Tripp explains that this square implies major (and potentially unwelcome) changes to come for the couple. She adds that they may struggle to communicate and there may even be issues around secret-keeping that will need to be resolved.
Another square that portends problems is the one between Ivanka's sun in Scorpio and Jared's Mars in Aquarius. Tripp says that this could reflect a sense of competition between the pair and that, although this can lead to passion in a positive sense, "without the right outlet, the relationship could be volatile." She adds that both of these signs tend to be stubborn, so any conflicts they get into may take a while to get resolved.
"Overall, I think their relationship is glued by a feeling of responsibility and duty to each other," more than chemistry or compatibility, Tripp says. But, she is quick to point out that no couple's chart reflects a life of unmarred bliss. Everyone has a few less than advantageous aspects in their composite chart — and this one chart isn't the be-all, end-all of their future together.
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Katerina Schneider was four months pregnant when she decided to quit her job and start a company that would challenge the status quo of the vitamin industry. “I couldn't find a vitamin that I could get behind during my pregnancy,” she says. Ritual, a $30-a-month multivitamin subscription aiming to provide women with essential nutrients they were previously lacking, “was born out of necessity.”
While she’d already been an investment banker, worked as head of innovation at a major corporation, and spent years building brands in the digital space, Schneider was still a first-time entrepreneur. But she was driven to learn the ins and outs of running a business, what is and isn’t in your average multivitamin, and most importantly, what women truly need — and were lacking — in their multivitamin. She also wanted to make it top-notch. Oh, and affordable, too.
“The procuring process for [our multivitamin] formulation began by researching which essential nutrients adult women are most likely to be deficient in,” says Blanche Ip, Ritual’s scientific advisory board member. One of Schneider’s major goals was to rise above the wellness clutter and look at everything through the lens of data. After all, Ritual’s tagline is “For skeptics, by skeptics.”
With a boatload of research on nutrient absorption, dietary intakes, and genetics, and an unstoppable desire to bring a clean and effective vitamin to women everywhere, Schneider brought Ritual into the world in 2016. We caught up with her recently to find out how she got the idea off the ground, why she embraces the nos, and how she sees her company growing in the future.
You were clearly fed up with the lack of clean vitamin options when you quit your job to start Ritual, but was there one defining moment that solidified your decision to start your own company? “Once I was pregnant, I started looking at things with a more critical eye. I wanted to know that what I was putting in and on my body was backed by research. I was shocked to discover that the vitamins in the market didn't contain the best forms of nutrients, had too much of what I was already getting from my diet, or were made with some of the same potentially harmful ingredients I was avoiding. I had no choice but to create it myself.”
What was your elevator pitch in the beginning? “From the get-go, we were a brand for skeptics, by skeptics; it was all about reinventing the vitamin. I’m very research- and analytics-oriented, and I have a mathematics background. We understand why people don't trust vitamins, based on what's been done in the past. We were driven to find a better solution, and that's the basis for why the vitamin needed to be reinvented.”
Did you get any pushback from investors, friends, or critics? “Yes. Because I was pregnant when I started the company, I was told that a person couldn’t start a company and have a family at the same time.
“I also got pushback from the industry saying we couldn’t do things a certain way. For example, that we wouldn’t be able to get rid of sugar, talc [a mineral that is not a known carcinogen but that can be dangerous when contaminated with asbestos], or PVP [a plastic] in the types of encapsulations we were working with.
“We were also told that we couldn't sell a product at such a low cost. We wanted to create something affordable because we believe that all women deserve access to the highest quality ingredients in the best form. Because we’re a direct-to-consumer subscription, we were able to create a $250 product for $30 a month. And it's a vitamin that’s been completely reinvented, reengineered, and redesigned. We even came up with a new type of encapsulation system to make sure that nutrients are really getting in and not destroyed by the stomach acid.
“We were faced with a lot of nos. But we were determined to create something amazing that could be accessible to all women.”
Did any of that criticism wear you down, or did it motivate you even more? “I was super motivated. That became one of our team values: embracing the nos. When someone says 'no' to us, that just means what we’re asking for hasn't been done yet. We’ve taken something so fundamental — and I don’t mean that in a negative sense — and made it groundbreaking and exciting, while hopefully elevating the industry."
We told our in-house scientist,
'Imagine price is no object; just find the best forms of these nutrients.'
How long did it take to discover the best form of each ingredient and source them in a way that made you feel confident in the end product? “It took over a year, because we also wanted our product to be allergen-free, vegan, and non-GMO. Finding a clean version to fit our guidelines is rigorous, to say the least. We had to find nutrients that worked best in the body but also ones that were clean.
“Wellness has become so popular, but there’s not a lot of science to back up many claims. When we started Ritual, we looked at 12,000 studies while developing our formulation. We only looked at ingredients that had clinical studies or clinical research behind them. We paid attention to the forms and dosages that were studied. That took time.
“But that’s how we identified nine essential nutrients that are fundamental to health: vitamins B12, D3, E, and K2; boron; iron; magnesium; folate; and omega-3. The forms in which these nutrients are delivered really matter, too. We told our in-house scientist, 'Imagine price is no object; just find the best forms of these nutrients.' That was a revelation, because usually when you're formulating, you're trying to fit it to a price point. But we just wanted to do the right thing.”
Do you ever get requests for this type of vitamin targeted for men? “Yes, every day. But we're excited to be a for-women, by-women company. Not because it seems like that's what everyone is doing right now, but because since the beginning, we’ve been committed to research on women's health. It's an area that needs a lot of investment and has been overlooked for a long time. We're excited to be driving that conversation forward.”
Are there any habits you’ve picked up as a result of the information you've acquired since starting Ritual? “I’ve gone back to the basics, like drinking more water, getting more movement, thinking positively, and taking my multivitamin. Before Ritual, I was always trying the latest trend or being a bit excessive and not sticking to it. With all the research we've done, I’ve learned that consistency is key. The things you do every day have the greatest impact, whether you're working out or drinking water. These things accumulate over time.”
Are there any particular skills from your previous work that have helped you get where you are today? “I always worked for CEOs, so just watching them operate made me realize that you have to have a compelling story and a real purpose. I also realized that unless you're 110% committed to your company and plan to be for the rest of your life, there's no reason to do it. You're going to need to live and breathe it, hopefully, for the rest of your life.
“It’s shocking to some people that we only have one product, but to create something truly groundbreaking, I think you have to stay focused. This one product is living and breathing and constantly evolving because the science is constantly evolving. I think that gives our customers a lot of confidence.”
What is your ultimate goal for Ritual? “We want to be for all women, so our roadmap is to have a product for every one of her life stages, [including] pregnancy and menopause. We call ourselves a habit company — we are with her every step of the way. We want to change how she interacts with the products she uses every day, whether that's helping her be better at something or making it fun for her. That’s what we're really focused on for the long haul.”
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Now's the perfect time to start rethinking your daily vitamin — and it all starts with a simple delivery. Get Ritual here.
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