Gabbard revealed her decision on Friday in an interview with CNN. She said she will make a formal announcement within the next week.
"There are a lot of reasons for me to make this decision,” Gabbard said. “There are a lot of challenges that are facing the American people that I'm concerned about and that I want to help solve.”
Gabbard was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 to represent Hawaii’s Second District, becoming the first Hindu and the first American Samoan elected to Congress. Prior to her time in Washington, Gabbard served in the armed forces; she was deployed to Iraq twice with the National Guard and is an outspoken advocate for veterans’ rights. She was a noted supporter of Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential bid, resigning as vice chairwoman from the Democratic National Committee in order to officially endorse Sanders’ campaign.
Gabbard told CNN her major platform issues include criminal justice reform, access to healthcare, and addressing climate change, as well as matters of foreign policy. Gabbard strongly opposes American military intervention efforts abroad and has been a noted critic of the United States’ presence in Syria. In 2017, she made headlines for holding a controversial secret meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who has allegedly carried out chemical attacks on his own people. In response, Gabbard said she believes that “we should be ready to meet with anyone if there’s a chance it can help bring about an end to this war, which is causing the Syrian people so much suffering.”
It may just be the start of 2019, but 2020 is already well underway — and Gabbard is not the only candidate seeking the Democratic nomination. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren announced on New Year’s Eve she is forming an exploratory committee to explore a presidential run. Julián Castro, the former mayor of San Antonio, TX and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Barack Obama, is set to launch a 2020 bid, and Maryland Representative John Delaney has been running for the past year and a half.
Welcome toMoney Diaries, where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar.
Today: a judicial assistant working in government who makes $63,216 per year and spends some of her money this week on In-N-Out.
Occupation: Judicial Assistant Industry: Government Age: 29 Location: Los Angeles, CA Salary: $63,216 Paycheck Amount (2x/month): $1,808.60
Monthly Expenses Rent: $0 (I'm living with my parents.) Car Payment: $716.74 Health, Dental & Vision Insurance: $0 (Covered by work.) Cell Phone: $0 (My dad pays as part of our agreement where I do some work for him.) Netflix: $0 (I use my girlfriend's account, since she gets it for free as part of her T-Mobile plan.) Hulu: $0.99 (Black Friday promo) Haircut: $30 Electricity Bill For Car Charger: $40-$50 Parking: $95 (It's the price you pay for working downtown.) Car Insurance: $123.56 Stash App Investments: $50 Retirement: 4% of salary pre-tax, with a 4% company match Roth IRA: $200 Savings: $1,600 ($800 per paycheck auto-deducts into my savings.)
Day One
6 a.m. — I wake up with a nasty migraine. I roll over to my flu-infested girlfriend, A., who rubs my head in an attempt to ease the pain to no avail. I sluggishly get dressed while A. insists on making breakfast for me. I pop my prescribed migraine pill, wash it down with instant coffee, and gobble up my breakfast burrito loaded with eggs, cheese, and zucchini. A. hands me a plastic bag with lunch before giving me a kiss and sending me on my way.
7:30 a.m. — I arrive at work and start prepping for the day. My workload is light today, since it's New Year's Eve.
10 a.m. — I have some free time before the jury trial in my courtroom resumes, so I do what I do best when I'm bored: eat. I tear open my favorite Japanese snack, Chocorooms, which are crispy chocolate-shaped mushrooms crackers. I purchased a whole box from Costco last month, and I use all my willpower to resist eating them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
12 p.m. — I call my best friend to wish her a happy birthday and set a reminder on my phone to buy her a gift. I'm a horrible friend. I warm up the lunch that A. packed, which is her leftover remedy soup. Over the weekend, her aunt made a huge pot of “Mexican remedy soup” consisting of chicken, various vegetables, and special ingredients supposedly to help cure her of the flu. All I can say is…she's still sick. But the soup is tasty!
1:40 p.m. — I split open another pack of Chocorooms and happily enjoy it before resuming the trial.
3:30 p.m. — The trial finally ends for the day. I eat two Cutie mandarins from the bag my mom got for me last week.
4 p.m. — I finish my work and pack to start New Year's Eve!
5:30 p.m. — I arrive at A.'s house and ask her the question of the day: “What do you want to eat?” It usually takes us a couple hours of going back and forth before deciding. Our longest conversations might just be about what to eat.
5:45 p.m. — I drive around the corner to a local burger joint and order a cheeseburger, cheese fries, onion rings, and small Coke for us to share. I pay the $13.02 on our joint credit card (we split payment in half) so we can take advantage of the 2% back in reward points. I like to benefit from credit card points, so I hardly ever carry cash. The cashier asks me about my Tesla and is amazed after I tell him that I only paid $100 out of pocket (after rebates) for my car charger, including installation. I'm always looking for ways to save money, and I'm glad I did my research and got the most out of my electric vehicle. $6.51
6 p.m. — A. and I sit in her living room and switch on Netflix to binge-watch You. I notice some of the episodes have been watched, and before I question A. about it, she quickly confesses that she watched a couple of episodes without me. How dare she! I thought she was the one…I get all sentimental for about a minute or so before losing myself in the bliss of my food.
6:40 p.m. — A meal is not complete without dessert — at least, that's what my mind convinces my full stomach. Sometimes I think A. can read my mind. She brings me a piece of her famous blueberry pie that she made over the weekend. I hate blueberries, but her pie is too good.
8:20 p.m. — A. still isn't feeling well, so I send a text to my family saying we won't be celebrating NYE with them this year. What better way is there to start the New Year than with some Netflix and chill?
11:40 p.m. — A. and I finish You (I can't wait for next season) and switch to an NYE countdown channel. I mutter that I'm hungry, so she warms up leftover pizza from Saturday night, and then insists we have a glass of wine to toast to the New Year. I hesitate, knowing wine may trigger a migraine for me, but I give in and have a glass too many. We count down, share a pizza-filled kiss, and toast to the New Year. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Daily Total: $6.51
Day Two
8:25 a.m. — I wake up to A. asking me for my wallet so she can get the “key” to my car. (The Tesla Model 3 key is a credit card-like key, or you can use the Tesla phone app. Tesla is the future!) My head is pounding! I moan that it's in my leather jacket and roll over, swearing not to drink alcohol ever again. A. leaves for the supermarket to get groceries ($49.83 using our joint credit card) while I try to sleep off my migraine. $24.92
10 a.m. — A. is occupied in the kitchen making brunch. I stroll in, and she hands me a bolillo stuffed with queso fresco. I'd like to think she's feeding me so I don't take my migraine pill on an empty stomach, but it's really because she's afraid I'll get hangry (angry when hungry). That's a thing, right?
10:30 a.m. — I take a long hot shower until my fingers turn raisin-like.
11 a.m. — I make myself a coffee with A.'s Keurig and sip it with my brunch. Two over-medium eggs ooze over a mountain of chilaquiles verde with a side of crispy potatoes and perfectly ripe avocado. So worth the wait!
12 p.m. — A. shows me a couple of YouTube videos on traveling to different countries. We take a week-long vacation every year to a different country, so we chat about possible destinations for this year. We then binge-watch movies on Netflix.
2:30 p.m. — My attention diverts to the sound of a familiar bell. I peek out the window to see the elote man! I yell to A. in excitement like a kid who sees an ice cream truck. Before I can put some presentable clothes on, A. is already out the door to catch the elote man before he makes it up the street. She comes back with an elote (Mexican street corn) just for me. One of the best street foods ever. Oh, and one of the best girlfriends ever.
3:25 p.m. — A. slices up my favorite fruit, mango. Sweet!
4 p.m. — I head home to meet my parents and brother for dinner while A. stays behind to rest.
4:30 p.m. — My two dogs welcome me as soon as I walk in the front door, so I rub their bellies for a couple of seconds. A leaning tower of clean laundry awaits me on my bed. I fold it, pack some clothes, and open my Amazon packages. My aunt stops by, so we invite her and my uncle to dinner.
5:45 p.m. — We wrap ourselves in more jackets than we really need. We overreact here in sunny California when it's cold. The weather forces us to change our plan from Korean BBQ to a nearby Taiwanese hot pot restaurant. The total comes out to $79.72 (including tip) for the six of us. I pay. $79.72
8:10 p.m. — I arrive back at A.'s house to spend the night. I hand her a box of Korean pears that my mom bought for her. Then I throw my belongings on the couch and install a new band for my Apple Watch and a new cover for my iPhone that I received in my Amazon packages. A. brings me some milk and homemade chocolate chip cookies she baked while I was at dinner.
9:15 p.m. — A. and I watch part of Ellen's Game of Games and call it a night.
Daily Total: $104.64
Day Three
5:40 a.m. — I wake up to the sound of the rainforest. Nope, it's just the shower, and A.'s singing. I check the time on my phone and turn off the alarm before it rings. Then I delete hundreds of junk emails and scroll through Instagram while waiting for my turn in the bathroom.
6:30 a.m. — A. makes us breakfast burritos, and we both finish getting ready. Then we grab our burritos to-go and zoom out the door. We carpool to work, since we work in the same building. We stop by Starbucks, and I get coffee with my new tumbler, a Christmas gift from my mom. (Free coffee with the tumbler for the month of January – woohoo!)
7:30 a.m. — I warm up my breakfast burrito (eggs, beans, and cheese) and eat before starting my day.
11:40 a.m. — I call A. to ask her the “question of the day,” so she decides to order delivery from a Mexican restaurant. She orders two tacos for each of us and a Coke for us to share. Estimated time of delivery: 12:10 p.m.
12 p.m. — I get a reminder to schedule a phone call with my school counselor, since I just got accepted into grad school last month! I schedule the appointment for two weeks from now and put a reminder on my phone. This also reminds me that my payment is due in two days, so I pay the remaining balance that wasn't covered by my student loan ($1,378.47). Education is an investment. I choose to pay with my credit card instead of my checking account so I can receive reward points. $1,378.47
12:15 p.m. — A. sends me downstairs to pick up our food from the delivery man.
12:55 p.m. — I begrudgingly stand on the sidewalk giving death stares to every car that drives by. Annoyed, freezing, and hangry. Where is the delivery guy?!
1:10 p.m. — The very late delivery man finally decides to bring the lunch that was supposed to be in my stomach by now. He tells me to just give him $10. I'm usually a generous tipper, but I hand him the exact amount in cash and skip the tip because of his tardiness. I glance at the receipt while marching back to my courtroom: $10.02. The very late delivery man gave me a two cent discount. How generous! $10
1:20 p.m. — A. and I stuff our faces like chipmunks racing to finish our meals before returning to work at 1:30.
5 p.m. — I hike to the parking lot, fetch the car, and pick up A. in front of the building. We decide on sushi for dinner at a Japanese restaurant we go to frequently.
5:30 p.m. — We split a baked salmon roll and spicy garlic edamame ($30.28 including tip). The baked salmon roll comes wrapped in aluminum foil over torched lighter cubes. It's a fiery beauty and probably the most exciting thing that has happened all day. Dinner is my treat. $30.28
6:30 p.m. — I drop off A. at her house and head home. I really want to stay over again, but I didn't bring any work clothes for tomorrow. When I get home, I plug my car to charge, text my aunt back to confirm dinner plans for Friday night, and unwind with a hot shower.
7:45 p.m. — I grab the mail overflowing from the mailbox and turn on my laptop to start working on purchase orders. I manage the online sales department for my dad's business as a trade-off for living at home with my parents rent-free. I moved back home when I got a divorce so that I could save money to eventually buy my own house. But with this economy, I'll probably be living with my parents for a while.
8:30 p.m. — My parents return from their 30th wedding anniversary dinner. I pack their leftover Chinese food for lunch tomorrow and then send A. a text giving her a heads up that I'm bringing lunch tomorrow so she can bring lunch, too. I break open a fortune cookie, and the fortune tells me to: “GO WITH YOUR GUT.”
9:15 p.m. — I quickly do my usual routine before crawling into bed to hide in my blanket dungeon with the heater on blast. I call A. so we can fall asleep on the phone, a nightly routine of ours. I know, we're that kind of couple. A. falls asleep within minutes. I put her on speaker and check the NBA app. The Warriors play the Rockets tomorrow. Let's go Warriors!
9:55 p.m. — “GO TO SLEEP!” A. rises from her sleep and scares the shit out of me! I could've sworn she was dead asleep a second ago. I lower the volume on my phone just enough to hear A. breathing heavily again. Was she just sleep talking or was that really directed at me? I can't sleep, so I put the phone on mute and play a meditation.
Daily Total: $1,418.75
Day Four
6 a.m. — I turn off the alarm, call A. to say good morning, and start my usual morning routine. A. is taking public transportation to work this morning, so I leave without her and make a Starbucks run for my free coffee on the way to work.
7 a.m. — I'm almost at work when I realize I forgot to grab the lunch I packed. Damn! When I get there, I meet A., who brought two bean and cheese burritos for me. I save one for lunch later, since I forgot my lunch.
11:30 a.m. — The jury trial finally concludes. Hallelujah! I munch on a banana that A. gave me this morning, and I'm surprised I finish the whole thing. I'm not a big fan of fruit, so I've probably eaten less than 20 bananas in my whole life. I make a mental note to myself to start eating more fruit as part of my New Year's resolution of eating healthier. We'll see how that goes.
12 p.m. — Lunchtime! I screen through my emails while waiting for A. I see an email from the coordinator for an LGBT mentoring program I applied for. I'm officially a mentor! I have always wanted to work with LGBT youth, so this program gives me the perfect opportunity to do so — dream come true! I reply to the coordinator to confirm my attendance for next weekend's training.
12:40 p.m. — A. arrives in my courtroom to have lunch together. We split a Korean pear (one of the few fruits I love to eat), and I warm up the bean and cheese burrito I saved from this morning.
3:30 p.m. — I call my manager to confirm my public speaking training at the end of the month. I'm not very fond of public speaking and still sweat a ton of bricks when I know I have a presentation. To help me overcome my fear, I asked my manager for projects that include public speaking. I gave a presentation to new employees last week, which went fairly well. I'm looking forward to the training class.
5 p.m. — A. and I decided to grab In-N-Out after work before we pick up her car at the bus station. We order two cheeseburgers (animal style), two fries, and share a Coke ($12.26). Best burgers on this planet! $6.13
6:30 p.m. — I arrive home and head straight for a hot shower, as always.
7 p.m. — My aunt, uncle, and four cousins who are visiting from Taiwan decided to stop by. I was hoping for a quiet night to start some reading before class starts next week. Change of plans…I chat with my uncle and turn on Netflix for my cousins while my mom cooks some kind of Chinese herbal soup. Everyone has a bowl except for me. I don't eat much Chinese food.
8 p.m. — My 17-year-old cousin says, “It's pronounced pi-an-ist.” My 15-year-old cousin replies, “No, it's pi-a-no-ist.” 17-year-old cousin: “Dude, it's pi-an-ist.”15-year-old cousin: “No dude, it's pi-a-no-ist.” Then my uncle says, "Guys, nobody gives a shit!" My family is great.
9 p.m. — My family leaves, and I get ready for bed before calling A. for our nightly ritual.
Daily Total: $6.13
Day Five
6 a.m. — I hit the off button on my alarm and call A. to say good morning. She lets me know she's coming over to carpool, so I jump out of bed and rush to get ready.
6:30 a.m. — I unlock my car, turn on the seat warmers, and set the cabin temperature to 70 degrees, all from my phone. Then I slip on my dress shoes, grab my tie, and sprint out the door. A. greets me with a flat white from Starbucks, and we pick up bagels from our favorite bagel shop. We get $2 off for being rewards members ($4.16 total). $2.08
8 a.m. — I have a light workload today, and it's Friday! Let's get it!
10:30 a.m. — A. sends me a text reminding me she is having lunch with a colleague. I don't feel like staying in for lunch today, so I text my friend to ask if she wants to meet up for lunch.
12 p.m. — My friend works across the street, so we decide to meet at the corner and walk to a nearby Japanese restaurant. We both order the rib-eye lunch special, and she also orders a spicy tuna roll ($39.66 including tip). I pay the bill using my credit card so I can get reward points. She Venmos me $20. $19.66
1:30 p.m. — A. meets me in my courtroom to show me what she bought on her way back from lunch. My uncle recently passed away from cancer, so A. bought my aunt a card and grieving book ($19.64). A. is always so thoughtful and caring. $9.82
3 p.m. — Chocorooms!
5 p.m. — A. and I leave work and head home to pick up my parents for dinner with my extended family. My uncle, aunt, and two cousins are returning to Taiwan tomorrow morning, so we are getting together one last time before they leave.
6:50 p.m. — We arrive at Buca di Beppo, an Italian restaurant we chose because of the family size portions. There are 22 of us, so we take up two tables. We fill ourselves up with as many carbs as we can eat. My aunt is very thankful for the book and card that A. picked out.
9:10 p.m. — Trays of assorted cakes are passed around while brownie sundaes bigger than the size of my head (not exaggerating) are quickly devoured. My family can be over the top. My uncle, who is half Colombian, likes to say, “todo o nada.” It's $676.49 not including tip, and my uncle picks up the tab.
9:40 p.m. — I pay for parking, and we all head home. We soon fall asleep from food comas. $4
Daily Total: $35.56
Day Six
8 a.m. — I awake to a shower of kisses. A. whispers for me to hop in the shower so we can grab some breakfast.
9 a.m. — The cold and gloomy weather makes it hard to get out of bed, so A. and I stay for some cuddle time.
10 a.m. — A. and I are finally out the door in our sweater and sweats. We stop by JCPenney to make a return. I ordered a dress shirt online last month but was instead sent baby pants. I called customer service but was told to return the incorrect item at the store, but at the store today, they tell me the dress shirt I originally ordered is out of stock. So basically, I'm shit out of luck. This whole experience, especially with customer service, is convincing me to never purchase from JCPenney again.
10:30 a.m. — A. and I arrive at one of our favorite breakfast joints. We each order our usual: eggs, bacon, potatoes, and sourdough toast with a coffee ($35.74 including tip). $17.87
1:30 p.m. — A. wants to go watch a movie, so she finds one she wants to see: The Favourite at 2:05 p.m.
2 p.m. — We hurry to the theater and arrive in time to buy our tickets ($28, which we split) and order a large popcorn and Coke to share ($13, split). $20.50
4:15 p.m. — A. enjoyed the movie more than I did. We are showered by the rain once we walk out of the theater. I make a run for it, but A. would dance in the rain and jump in puddles all day if she could. It's her favorite kind of weather, but my least favorite.
4:45 p.m. — We drive by an Argentinean restaurant that I love and decide to eat dinner there. The restaurant is reservation-only, but we're greeted by the same waiter who serviced my family when we ate there on Christmas Day. He remembers me and offers to seat us without reservations. We choose a table at the patio so A. can enjoy the sight and sound of the rain. Whatever makes her happy.
5:30 p.m. — The waiter and I chat about the wine, and I decide to order a whole bottle. We split a trio appetizer (calamari, shrimp, and mushrooms), a steak entrée, and a flan. I insist on paying. $151.84
6:45 p.m. — We walk up and down the block to sober up before driving home for some Netflix and chill.
8 p.m. — A. and I get in a stupid argument about who knows what. She grabs her stuff and walks out the door. My pride won't let me run after her. I remind myself of a quote: “If she's dumb enough to walk away, be smart enough to let her go.”
9 p.m. — I finish a movie on Netflix to keep my mind off of A.
10 p.m. — I can't sleep. I keep tossing and turning in bed overthinking our relationship. The pouring rain reminds me of A. I miss her, but I'm too stubborn to text or call.
Daily Total: $190.21
Day Seven
3:45 a.m. — I wake up thinking of A. I think to myself, if she's hurt enough to walk away, I should be caring enough to chase after her. I get over myself and finally call her. We both apologize and sweep things under the rug.
5:30 a.m. — A. arrives at my house, and we fall asleep in each other's arms.
8:50 a.m. — Good morning! It's a brand new day. First order of business, breakfast!
11 a.m. — We arrive at our weekly brunch spot and order French toast, eggs, and hash browns to split. I order my normal iced vanilla latte while A. opts for a cappuccino ($28.94 including tip). We enjoy our breakfast as if nothing happened last night. $14.47
3 p.m. — A. has a hair appointment, so I go with her. Afterwards, we go to Kabuki and split an order of garlic edamame. I get chicken teriyaki and A. gets salmon teriyaki ($36.25 including tip). We have a heart-to-heart about our argument last night. Our conversation leads to discussion of the book The 5 Love Languages. I honestly think it's a great book, so I persuade A. to read it. $18.13
4:45 p.m. — A. heads home after dinner, and then calls to tell me that her car stalled because she ran out of gas. I dash out the door to her rescue.
5:30 p.m. — I reach her just a couple of minutes before AAA arrives. The AAA guy puts just enough gas in her car to make it down the street to the nearest gas station.
7 p.m. — I go home, get comfortable in bed, and then call A. We take the assessment from the The 5 Love Languages over the phone, and we both score highest on “quality time.” Interesting…
9 p.m. — A. is already fast asleep on the phone, so I take this time to do some retail therapy on Amazon. I browse hundreds of random things and end up purchasing a wifi extender and a screen protector for my Tesla touchscreen. I use up a gift card and reward points and end up paying $17.46 for both items. I choose no rush shipping for a $5 credit for Prime Now, whatever that is. $17.46
10:30 p.m. — I finally put my phone down, but I can't shut my brain off. I feel a bit overwhelmed thinking about how my daily routine will change once my classes and the mentoring program begin this week. Did I put too much on my plate? I'm anxious yet excited. I tell myself that it's just a roller coaster. I know there will be ups and downs, but I'm strapped in and ready for the ride. I doze off making a mental note of things to do that I'll probably forget the second I wake up.
Daily Total: $50.06
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Elliott will be inducted to the Songwriters Hall of Fame this year, becoming the first woman rapper to ever receive the honor. Elliott’s body of work, which includes massive, groundbreaking, can’t-get-it-out-of-your-head hits such as “Work It,” “Get Ur Freak On,” and “The Rain,” has racked up four Grammys, countless multi-platinum certifications, and more than 30 million record sales. Along with her six studio albums, Elliott is also a prolific producer and collaborator, having worked with artists including Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Ciara, Mary J. Blige, and Aaliyah across her career.
Her induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame comes two years after Jay-Z became the first rapper ever inducted. Like Jay-Z, who notably took to Twitter for an extended shout-out to dozens of idols and collaborators who inspired him and massively influenced rap and hip-hop, Elliott also gave a shout-out to her fellow creatives after the news was announced.
“I want to CONGRATULATE all the AMAZING songwriters who have been inducted into the 2019 Song Writers [sic] Hall of Fame. also those who were nominated because their body of work is AMAZING. I AM SO HUMBLY GRATEFUL to now be inducted also,” Elliott wrote on Twitter. “I [heart emoji] you all.”
I want to CONGRATULATE all the AMAZING songwriters who have been inducted into the 2019 “Song Writers Hall of Fame🙌🏾🙌🏾 also those who were nominated because their body of work is AMAZING🙌🏾 I AM SO HUMBLY GRATEFUL to now be inducted also🙏🏾 I ❤️you all🤗 #SHOF2019 ✍🏾 pic.twitter.com/6LRHFoeVz1
Along with Elliott, the 2019 class of inductees to the Songwriters Hall of Fame includes Dallas Austin, Tom T. Hall, John Prine, Jack Tempchin, and Yusuf/Cat Stevens. The group is set to be inducted on June 13.
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Julián Castro, the former mayor of San Antonio, TX and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under the Obama administration, is running for president in 2020.
Castro announced his bid at a rally in San Antonio on Saturday morning, becoming one of the highest-profile Latinx candidates to ever seek the Democratic nomination, per The New York Times. His first campaign appearance will be on Monday at the Latino Victory Fund’s annual summit in Puerto Rico, where he plans to speak with residents recovering from Hurricane Maria. He will also make a stop in New Hampshire later this week.
Castro is building on a firmly progressive platform. At his campaign launch, he called for a higher minimum wage, explicitly embraced the Black Lives Matter movement, presented his support for and intention to rejoin the Paris climate accords, and strongly emphasized education, proposing a national pre-kindergarten program similar to one he implemented in San Antonio during his tenure as mayor. He also denounced current immigration policies under the Trump administration, including family separation and the proposed border wall.
In his speech, Castro drew from his personal immigrant roots and his upbringing in San Antonio’s west side. Castro’s grandmother, Victoria Castro, immigrated from Mexico to Texas as a child, and his mother, Rosie Castro, is a prominent local activist, educator, and was the first Chicana to run for city council in San Antonio. His brother, Joaquín Castro, has served in Congress representing Texas’ 20th District since 2013. Joaquín Castro will also act as his brother’s campaign chairman.
"When my grandmother got here almost a hundred years ago, I'm sure she never could have imagined that just two generations later, one of her grandsons would be serving as a member of the United States Congress and the other would be standing with you here today to say these words: I am a candidate for president of the United States of America," Castro said at the campaign launch.
Castro, who formed an exploratory committee last month, is one of many candidates vying for the 2020 Democratic nomination. Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard said on Friday that she will formally announce her candidacy in the next week, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has created an exploratory committee and set up a team to prepare a run, and Maryland Representative John Delaney has been actively campaigning for over a year. Other prominent Democrats, including New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, California Senator Kamala Harris, former Vice President Joe Biden, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, and fellow Texan Beto O’Rourke, are reportedly considering presidential bids.
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When we think of pearls, it's easy to imagine perfectly-polished, circular gemstones whose high quality is also apparent in the corresponding price tag. This season, the fashion world is here to embrace imperfection with baroque pearls. These freshwater pearls (and their faux counterparts for those looking for a thrifty option) are not the prim, uniform, rounded styles preferred by Veronica Lodge-type perfectionists, but rather each stone is wonderfully unique.
From earrings to bracelets and even layer-worthy necklaces, the baroque pearl is those who like to be little different. Ahead, 23 gorgeous pieces that embrace the beauty of imperfection. Add a little softness and some island vibes to your winter wardrobe early by considering one of these pretty adornments from the sea.
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Update: Megyn Kelly and NBC have officially severed their relationship. The two entities reached a separation agreement that they announced late on Friday, January 11.
"The parties have resolved their differences, and Megyn Kelly is no longer an employee of NBC," the network said in a statement
While the terms were not disclosed, multiple outlets report that she will be paid out the remainder of her $69 million contract, to the tune of some $30 million.
This story was originally published on October 26, 2018.
According to a spokesperson for NBC News, Megyn Kelly's talk show is officially canceled.
" Megyn Kelly Today is not returning," said the spokesperson in a statement to Refinery29. "Next week, the 9 a.m. hour will be hosted by other TODAY co-anchors."
This post was originally published on October 25, 2018.
According to a report from TMZ, Megyn Kelly will indeed leave NBC... and could do so a cool $50 million dollars richer.
The internet response was swift, as, yes: Blackface is always racist. This backlash seemingly prompted an on-air apology from Kelly, who addressed the controversial comments on her show Wednesday.
"I want to begin with two words: I'm sorry," she told the camera. "The country feels so divided and I have no wish to add to that pain and offense. I believe this is a time for more understanding, more love, more sensitivity and honor...Thank you for listening and for helping me listen, too."
Alas, it seems the damage is done. On Thursday, per The New York Times, a rerun of Megyn Kelly Today replaced a new live show, with the same scheduled for Friday. Now, a report from TMZ claims that Kelly is officially out, and that she hopes to collect $50 million from the network.
According to the report, NBC was paying Kelly $25 million dollars annually for her work. The host reportedly had a three-year contract for Megyn Kelly Today, and, per TMZ, expects to rake in $50 million from NBC as she currently is just two months shy of two years left on her contract.
Per the report, Kelly believes that she was treated with "gross unfairness" as other talent who made insensitive remarks were not punished. Because of the circumstance, should NBC not pay out her salary, Kelly may sue, TMZ claims.
Refinery29 has reached out to representatives for Kelly and to NBC for comment.
Every year we make a bunch of resolutions that we barely never stick to. In January, we set out on a mission to Marie Kondo the crap out of our apartment, save money, and cut back on sugar. But by the time the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday hits, we're splurging on new ASOS gear that just so happens to re-clutter said apartment. And, well, Trader Joe's new pancake bread threw the whole no-sugar thing out of the window.
But there's one resolution we always plan on — and actually stick to — and that's taking better care of our hair. Heat, bleach, and environmental stressors (yes, you, NYC pollution) show no mercy on our strands and we're forced to show them love or pay the price of breakage, dryness, and split ends forever.
Thankfully, if your goal is to walk into each day of 2019 with healthy hair, there are already a bunch of new products at the drugstore (and beyond) that will make it easy to attain. From fancy, charcoal-infused scrubs to color-creating conditioners with a 4,000-person waitlist, this year's batch of launches will make the next 300+ days perfect hair days.
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. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Looking at all the trendy hair colors on Instagram is all well and good until you totally fry your hair with bleach trying to get the look on your naturally dark hair. Going red velvet or unicorn purple is a process, and while some people are down for the chemicals, others are afraid of what it will do to their hair in the long run. But that doesn't mean everyone shouldn't be able to experience the rush that is a rainbow hair.
Overtone's new Purple For Brown Hair line launching this month solves that. The line features a coloring conditioner and deep treatment that deposit purple semi-permanent hair color onto brunette hair — no pre-lightening necessary. If your hair is on the light brown side, it'll turn it ultraviolet. If your strands are deep brown, it'll pick up a rich, royal purple tint. We highly suggest joining the 4,000+ people on the waitlist before it drops.
Overtone Purple For Brown Hair,$47, available January 23, 2019 at overtone.co.
Say it with us: "I will scrub my scalp in 2019." It's impossible not to wonder about your scalp health with all the new innovations hitting the market. The latest scalp exfoliator from Drybar has activated charcoal and sugar to sop up dirt and remove product buildup from your scalp. Get it online or book yourself an appointment at a Drybar location to try it for yourself.
DryBar On the Rocks Charcoal Scalp Scrub, $32, available at Sephora
You don't need three separate sprays to achieve lift, create texture, and absorb oil. This Redken formula will do all three in just one spritz — and inadvertently help you cut back on clutter, too. It has a dry finish that won't feel gritty or powdery on your hair, and it'll give your style a flexible hold that won't feel crunchy AF come lunchtime.
Redken Triple Dry 15 Dry Texture Finishing Spray, $22, available at Ulta Beauty
Briogeo's first foray into the general wellness category includes two multi-purpose oils — tea tree and castor — that can be used on your hair, skin, and wherever the heck else you want. We will definitely be picking up this (extremely chic) bottle of cold-pressed castor oil and smearing it on our scalps in the name of shinier, healthier hair this year.
Briogeo B. Well Organic + Cold-Pressed 100% Castor Oil, $26, available at Sephora
This spray-on mask from Fekkai solves one of our annoying shower problems: digging our hands into a tub of conditioner and spilling it everywhere (except on our hair where it belongs). Instead, the aerosol formula can be sprayed exactly where you want it. It enhances shine, protects your color from fading, and won't leave your bathtub or hair a greasy, oily mess.
Speaking of pollution, Klorane has an entire range dedicated to protecting your hair from the environment coming to Ulta Beauty in April. We got to try the collection ahead of its springtime launch and love this purifying mist. It's formulated with aquatic mint and zinc ricinoleate (a natural deodorizer) to nix odors and purify your scalp. If you're wearing a protective style that is particularly itchy or tight, spray some of this on your skin to soothe irritation and keep your style smelling fresh.
Klorane Anti-Pollution Purifying Mist, $47, available April 2019 at ulta.com
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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.
Today: a writer/producer working in entertainment who makes $156,000 per year and spends some of her money this week on Origins eye cream.
Occupation: Writer /Producer Industry: Entertainment Age: 35 Location: Brooklyn, New York Salary: $156,000 Paycheck Amount (2x/month): $4,085
Monthly Expenses Rent: My husband and I split our $2,900 rent commensurate to our salaries. He makes a little less than half of what I do, so he pays $1,000, and I pay $1,900. I also cover cable/internet. All utilities and laundry are included in our rent. Car Loan Payment: $183 (I usually pay between $200 and $500 per month.) Student Loans: $0 (Already paid off.) Cable & Internet: $172 (I'd love to drop cable this year, but my husband watches all the obscure sports and I watch (gulp) Bravo, so how?) Donations: $30 to Planned Parenthood and Amnesty International Car & Renters Insurance: $113 MetroCard: $121 Phone Bill: $88 Gym Membership: $75 Netflix & Hulu: $22 (My family — and some ex-boyfriends, I suspect — mooch from me.) Stash Investment Account: $30 Credit Card: I have $7,000 in credit card debt that I'm aggressively paying down. We just got married last month, and that shit was not cheap. We got generous help from both sets of (wonderful) parents, but I still maxed out my credit card on all the unforeseen expenses of a wedding and honeymoon.
Day One
8:30 a.m. — Wake up to my husband, G., closing the door as he leaves for work. I usually like to wake up by 8, but I was up really late writing and I overslept. I drink a big glass of water, debate putting on a bra and decide against it, and head back over to my computer to complete the writing I was working on last night. I work in TV, and the deadlines never stop.
12:30 p.m. — Writing assignment is done, and it's time to head into the office. (My job is flexible with working from home, so I'm usually in the office about three to four days a week.) I shower and wash my hair (it's been three days and I can't push it anymore) and pack a lunch of peanut butter and jelly on wheat, a Siggi yogurt, and some grapes on the verge of withering to their death. I also pack a small amount of hazelnut coffee creamer to add to the free coffee at work. I'm only on decaf now — I was having chronic panic attacks last year, and cutting caffeine reduced them by about 90%! I still love the taste of coffee and crave the ritual, so I usually have decaf a few days a week. I spend the rest of the day making TV, which for me means working on scripts, sitting in on edits, and attending production meetings. I've been in this business for about 10 years, and I really love it.
7:30 p.m. — Head out of the office and home to my new husband. We got married four months ago and have been having some communication issues lately. We had a big blowup yesterday, and I'm still feeling kind of tender. I've learned that it's better in the long run to dig in than pull away. We will both have some time off for the holidays, and I want to spend quality time together and get back on track. I make Asian chicken thighs and rice using coconut amino, sesame oil, ginger, rice vinegar, and brown sugar. Throw in some red pepper and scallion, too. It's good, but I'll probably skip the sugar next time, because it's a little too sweet. We spend the night talking about lighter things and enjoying each other's company. I am reminded of how much I love him and end the day feeling calmer and optimistic. Even though I have chocolate in the house, I shock myself by not eating it.
Daily Total: $0
Day Two
8:30 a.m. — Wake up to the sound of G. leaving. I dry shampoo my hair and do my morning skin care routine: Proactiv cleanser, Burt's Bees cleanser, toner, ferulic acid, moisturizer, under-eye brightener, sunscreen. (I'm back on Proactiv because I recently went off birth control, and I'm trying to keep my hormonal acne at bay.) Then I put on some minimal makeup, including eyeliner, because I have a special lunch today and I'm feeling wild. This entire process takes forever but is infinitely improved by watching Vanderpump Rules while I primp.
9:45 a.m. — Welp, I spent too much time with Jax and Lala, and now I'm late for work. I take a Lyft instead of taking the train, which saves me about 15 minutes. This is my most shameful expense. I know it's a total waste of money and a habit I desperately wish I could break...but I usually do this about once a week. I tip the driver $4 because it's not his fault that I'm running behind. $25.50
1 p.m. — Leave for a work lunch. We go to a new place and have the most amazing cocktails, hummus, fried halloumi, labneh, pita, sumac fries, kofte, merguez sausage, shrimp kabobs, and shakshuka. We share the plates and share ideas. It's all so delicious, and I feel so lucky to work with such bright people. The meal is expensed, and I don't see the check, though I think we did some serious damage. No one notices my eyeliner.
4 p.m. — I get back to work a little buzzed and try to get some writing done, but it's hopeless. The holiday break starts in a few days, and we need to manage our deadlines around it. I look at my bank account and mentally prep for the remainder of my holiday spending. Since I'm technically freelance, I won't be getting paid over the next two weeks, so I'm trying to keep an eye on my budget. Even though I'm not hungry at all, I have a banana.
7:30 p.m. — Leave the office and walk about a half mile to the train. I swipe my MetroCard, but instead of sailing through, I'm punched in the gut by the turnstile. My monthly pass has run out. Since I'll only ride the train for a few more days before the holiday break, I opt to add $25 to my card that I can use anytime, instead of paying $32 for a weekly card that will run out. I feel like a Suze Orman-level financial wiz. I meet my friend for a quick cocktail. We talk through the successes and challenges of our relationships, and the solidarity feels so good. We get together about once a week and usually trade off the bill. This time, she pays. When I get home, G. is eating leftovers. I'm still full from my lunch feast, so I just have some kale salad. $25
9:30 p.m. — There's a band playing nearby that G. wants to check out, so I freshen up my face, and we head out to a local bar. He gets himself a cider and me ginger ale while I secure a table. The band is great, and I congratulate myself for being out so late on a weeknight. We head home around 12. G. goes to bed while I stay up and watch an episode of 90Day Fiancé while eating some (okay, six) cookies. As you can probably tell, snacks and trash TV are my vices.
1 a.m. — Head to bed, but not before doing my exhaustive nighttime skincare routine, which is: micellar water, Burt's Bees cleaner, toner, Drunk Elephant night serum (believe the hype about this), moisturizer, and some dark spot serum on some leftover acne scars that just love my face so much they don't want to leave it. A few years ago, I would wash my face with whatever I had lying around and call it a night, but now that I'm an elder, I really enjoy taking care of my skin, and I definitely see a difference, which is motivation to keep it up even when I'd rather skip it.
Daily Total: $50.50
Day Three
8 a.m. — I wake up on time! It's a Christmas miracle. I put my hair in a side braid, skincare it up, don my finest flannel, and pack my lunch: another PB&J and yogurt. My commute involves about 25 minutes of walking, and I try to keep up a brisk pace to try to get my blood flowing.
11:30 a.m. — I wrote all morning since I have another deadline to hit before the week is up. I notice my sis Venmo'd me $70 for a joint gift we are going in on for our dear cousin. Transfer it to my checking and make a mental note to settle up with the myriad family members who also owe me some cash.
11:52 a.m. — Starved, since I skipped breakfast. I eat my PB&J and text with my three best friends. We're on a group chat that's always lit like the 4th of July. They all live near each other, but I'm about a two-hour drive away, so I don't see them nearly as often as I'd like. We make plans to spend a few days together next week, and I draw a heart around my mental calendar.
6:30 p.m. — Head home a little early and spruce up the house a bit when I get there. I turn on the Christmas lights and feel all cozy. Then I break out the juicer and make two kinds of juice. The first one has turmeric, ginger, and lemon and we add cayenne and oil of oregano. We take "shots" of this daily, and I think it's great for the immune system. The other juice is a big batch of beet, orange, pineapple, carrot, and ginger. Once the juice mess is cleared (which takes a lifetime), I make spaghetti carbonara for dinner. I first cook down some bacon with garlic. While that's working, I boil the spaghetti and whisk three eggs with lots of freshly grated parmesan. I add the pasta to the cooked bacon pan, add the egg mixture, and add some starchy water to make the sauce stick to the pasta. Then G. comes home with cookies for me! He know the way to my heart. We eat dinner while watching old Christmas cartoons and the nostalgia is almost too much to bear.
1 a.m. — I have a few of the cookies, wrap some presents, and research recipes to make for Christmas. I told my sister I'd prepare the main meat dish for 15 people, and I'm thinking about going balls out and getting a filet mignon. I'm also preparing the entire Christmas Eve meal and want it to be really special. I love cooking, but I'm not always successful with my kitchen experiments. Shower, nighttime skin care routine, and off to bed.
Daily Total: $0
Day Four
8 a.m. — Wake up with a scratchy throat and drink a tall glass of water, a ginger shot with lots of echinacea, and then some of the beet juice I made last night. I let that all sink in for a few minutes and start to feel better. I make some avocado toast and eat while I watch 90 Day Fiance, fast-forwarding through the couples who are too upsetting to enjoy. Because I showered and washed my hair last night, I just need to dry it a little more and put some waves in. I throw on a black polka dot dress, a cardigan, and some brown booties, and head into the office.
9:30 a.m. — Walk past a construction site and a worker comments on my "tight little ass." I don't know how he can make it out under my layers of wool, but I feel #blessed regardless...
1:20 p.m. — Feeling so hungry, but I try to hold out for 2 p.m., when we'll be having a casual holiday party. I know there will be a spread of delicious food and treats. I have a seltzer and a granola bar to tide me over.
6 p.m. — The party was great! No one can really get much accomplished afterwards, so I head home a little early and stop at the pharmacy to buy wrapping paper and ovulation tester thingies. Basically a stick to pee on which will tell you if you're ovulating. I'm trying to get knocked up. As I go to pay, I actually run into my husband, who is there to pick up a prescription. I show him my pee sticks, and we grin at each other. We talk about dinner, decide we're both not very hungry, and head home to reheat some butternut squash soup and watch Homecoming. I hate supporting Amazon, but I'm loving this show. $39.57
11 p.m. — G. and I snuggle on the couch until we both fall asleep (#everynight). I drag myself to the bathroom, do an abridged version of my skincare routine, and head to bed.
Daily Total: $39.57
Day Five
8:30 a.m. — Last day before TWO WEEKS of holiday break. I scream/sing "One Day More" from Les Misérables to my husband, who does not get the reference and does not seem to enjoy my rendition. In fairness to me, it's hard to nail all nine parts at once. Also, just to clarify — I will be working over this break. I find it impossible to keep up with deadlines without putting in some extra time at night and on weekends. And this week is especially unproductive because of all the (fun!) holiday interruptions, so I'll probably work the equivalent of three full days to catch up. I pack my last PB&J of the year and the rest of the beet juice and get ready for the day. It's pouring, so I do minimal hair and makeup and put on my least exciting clothes. I also dig out my raincoat that I got in Iceland earlier this year — their weatherproof gear is legit. I head out to work.
11:30 a.m. — Wrote all morning and worked up an appetite, so I eat the PB&J and a banana I snagged from the office kitchen. There are holiday treats around, so I take a pear and a bag of chocolate-covered popcorn to give to my dad.
12:17 — Purchase the Les Mis original cast recording soundtrack on iTunes. I just...had to. $16.99
1:49 p.m. — Venmo my coworker $20 for the joint holiday gifts we ordered for the staff. I already gave her $80, but she needs a bit more since the taxes and fees were factored in. $20
4:30 p.m. — Champagne has been flowing since noon, and people are quietly disappearing. I put on my rain gear and head out into the deluge to run some errands I've been avoiding all week. First stop, eyebrows. I have thick, unruly Armenian eyebrows that have a mind of their own. I now get them done every few months by this amazing and very blunt woman. Last time I saw her, she said I had waited too long and had to start again "from the ground up." She costs an astronomical $85, but she's a magician. She's done Rihanna's eyebrows! $85
5:15 p.m. — Next, I go to Madewell to return three items I purchased online last week during a big sale. The dress was too big, the top was too tight, and the pink turtleneck gave my skin a cholera-esque hue. $131 back on my credit card. Then I hit up Breads Bakery for a couple chocolate babkas to bring to some family celebrations ($24.95). Finally, I hit Sephora to round out my Christmas gifts for my sisters. They are getting First Aid Beauty cleanser, serum, and moisturizer and GinZing undereye cream from Origins. I also throw in some mud masks and pick up a YSL highlighting pen for myself. We all have the same skin tone/issues, so shopping for them is so easy. I have to stop myself from spending millions on my sweet sisters every year. I have a $50 gift card, so the balance for this haul is $165.87. I listen to the Les Mis soundtrack throughout my journey and, I'm sad to say, it does not hold up. $190.82
7:30 p.m. — I meet up with G., and we're both thrilled that the holiday break has begun. We head to our favorite local Italian restaurant and order mussels in red sauce, lemon pasta with ricotta, and a pasta with sausage and broccoli raab. I go ham on everything. We split the bill — this place is cash only, and between us we have just enough to cover it. We head home and G. sweetly plays Christmas carols on the guitar while I sing along. My voice is truly terrible, but his is very nice, and I'm feeling so content that this is how we're spending our first married Christmas. I put on Broad City, and we are both asleep on the couch in 10 minutes. We somehow make our way into bed, and I somehow wash my f'ing face beforehand. $35
Daily Total: $347.81
Day Six
4 a.m. — G. is thrashing around in his sleep, and now I'm wide awake. All I can think of is...lemon pasta. I turn up the noise machine so he can sleep through the microwave, and heat up the lemon pasta without incident. But then I elbow the dish rack and suddenly pots, pans, plates, and glasses go crashing all over the floor. G. somehow sleeps through it. I eat my lemon pasta and the popcorn I was planning to give to my dad (whoopsies) while watching (what else?) 90 Day Fiancé. The anguished tones of ill-matched couples arguing lull me back to a peaceful slumber.
9 a.m. — Saturday morning — time to catch up on some housework. We do laundry, change the sheets on the bed, and wrap the rest of the Christmas presents. I sit down and map out a grocery list for the upcoming days. Later today, we're heading to my cousin's for yet another wonderful meal, and I told her I'd go over early to help. I gather some platters and pull out some wine in preparation.
2 p.m. — Pick up a couple of bottles of South Australian Shiraz at the liquor store for tonight's dinner. I don't know a thing about wine, but a friend recommended this one. $39.17
4 p.m. — Head to my cousin's, put on an apron, and get to work. There is a lot to do to get her one-bedroom apartment ready for a dinner party for nine (plus two adorable babies — my nieces!). We set the table and mix up the cocktail, a Bourbon Smash. It's muddled orange, lemon juice, maple syrup, bitter, and bourbon. When the guests arrive, I'll mix with lots of ice and top with seltzer and an orange peel. Highly recommend if you love an Old Fashioned.
6 p.m. — The guests (my extended family and my husband) arrive, and we chow down on appetizers: crab dip, stuffed mushrooms, olives, charcuterie, and cheese. The cocktails are a hit. For dinner, we start with a green salad, and then have my cousin's specialty — spaghetti in red sauce with seafood. Today she made clams, mussels, snapper, and scallops. One of the two babies is screaming throughout the meal, but my sister gives her something called baby paper, which is essentially crinkly paper that's safe to chew on, and then we just hear crinkling and cooing the rest of the night. We also have bread with Kerrygold butter, and this is probably the single best thing I have eaten all week. My mom gives me $240 — $100 of it is a belated wedding gift from a family friend, and the $140 is payment for some gifts I purchased for her. I'm rich!
12:30 a.m. — The babies and their tired parents leave, and the rest of us sip port and eat cookies until midnight. G. and I head home, put on a South Park episode, and fall asleep while visions of Cartman dance in our heads. I did not wash my face and will surely pay.
Daily Total: $39.17
Day Seven
9 a.m. — I wake up, wash up, and now it's go time. It's the day before Christmas Eve, and I have a billion errands to run. I first head to a cafe to get a decaf coffee, a slice of zucchini bread, and a healthy chicken and rice plate to eat later. I eat my breakfast while finishing up Calypso by David Sedaris. I never wanted this book to end. $19.50
10 a.m. — Errand-a-palooza continues! I pick up toothpaste and makeup remover at the pharmacy ($16.34). Then I head to a cute housewares store to try finish up my Christmas shopping. I end up getting a fancy tobacco candle for myself and an ornament for my brother-in-law ($53.35). Walk in and out of a half-dozen other shops and end up in a kitchen store, where I pick up a spice grinder and a flight of salts for my culinarily-inclined cousin and a few magnets for my sister ($69.63). I then head to the butcher to pick up the beef tenderloin for Christmas dinner. The line literally snakes around the block, so I listen to a podcast, Armchair Expert, while I wait. The seven pound tenderloin is a staggering $159. Pressure is on to cook that puppy perfectly. $298.32
3 p.m. — I come home, and G. and I exchange small gifts and big hugs. He's about to get on a plane to spend the holiday with his family, and I'll join them in a few days. We do this every year, and although it stinks to be apart on Christmas Day, overall, it works for us. We eat the rice bowl I picked up this morning, and I make a big bunch of kale because my body is craving vitamins. After G. leaves, I gab on the phone with my best friend for two hours. Magically when we hang up, the entire apartment is sparkling clean.
8 p.m. — Now that the crowds have died down, I head out to the grocery store to get the provisions for Christmas Eve dinner. I'm making cod with white beans, olives, and kale, lemon pasta (I just can't get enough), and olive oil cake with pears. At the store, I pick up sour cream, white beans, heavy cream, vanilla extract, fresh oregano, rosemary, thyme, kale, cod, cake flour, a baguette, lemons, olives, shallots, fresno chili, spaghetti, and olive oil. I also buy some eggnog. I just love that stuff. I'm having a mild heart attack about all the money I spent today, but I remember that some of my family still owes me some $$, and I try not to dwell on it. $77.31
11 p.m. — I spend the rest of the night prepping food and texting with my people. I do a charcoal mask so my pores don't offend anyone tomorrow. G. lets me know that his flight landed, and I head to bed, dreaming of a white Christmas.
Daily Total: $395.13
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In Refinery29'sSweet Digs, we take a look inside the sometimes small, sometimes spacious homes of millennial women. Today, 28-year-old Asya Ambaretsa shows off her apartment-slash-workspace.
The first time Asya Ambaretsa moved to New York City, she was placed in the middle of Manhattan. Coming from Los Angeles, this was a shock. "Los Angeles was chill and covered with plants," she says, "but there every time I walked with my dog, there would be crowds of tourists and people trying to push away my dog."
So when Ambaretsa was drawn back to New York with her boyfriend a second time, she sought out a quiet neighborhood in Brooklyn, close to parks and away from crowds. "We needed to find an apartment in two weeks, and we didn't have a lot of time," she says. But they lucked out with this gem of a one-bedroom, and got around to decorating. Luckily, with years of picking up and moving, bopping from country to country, she had a few tricks up her sleeve to make the space feel homey.
Watch her video tour above, then read on to learn more about her decorating aesthetic.
Can you talk a little bit more about how you found the space?
"We just used StreetEasy; all our friends recommended it. But both me and my boyfriend, we didn't have a credit score and my experience before when living in Los Angeles was you met with your landlord, you're like, 'Hey, I'm a normal person,' and they say, 'Yeah you seem normal, the apartment is yours.' In New York, we paid a lot when we first moved here. We needed to get a guarantor, but we got it through an agency where we paid one month's rent to this agency, and that's it. Then we put a deposit for the last month and the first month. Luckily for us, we didn't have to pay for a broker's fee, but I never did the guarantor thing before. Next time, I'm going to be super prepared."
It seems like you move around a lot.
"I've gotten used to traveling around. When I stay in one place for more than 3 months, I feel a little bit anxious, like I need to go somewhere."
Does that affect where you buy your furniture and decorate?
"We go to Ikea a lot. It's the place where you might not sleep there for a long time so you might not want to invest a lot into the furniture. Ikea is a nice compromise. I do a lot of Muji for things for the bathroom, small decorations or organizing things for the apartment. And you can find a lot of cool stuff on Amazon."
What are your decorating rules?
"The rule is keep it simple. But we do like colors; we have yellow lamps and a pink couch, which I was really surprised when my boyfriend chose it. I feel like New York is a grey city, so when you’re in your apartment you want to have some color in there."
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Upon arriving at the William Vale Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for a sound bath, I was immediately offered a “Sound ” chamomile-vanilla tea. During the summer, the hotel’s sound baths take place on the roof, but since it was a frigid evening in the middle of December, the confirmation email directed me to the ballroom in the basement. There, nearly a hundred towels were arranged around a tableau of tuning forks, a shruti box, crystal singing bowls, and triangles. Gongs of varying sizes encircled lit candles. Guests were encouraged to leave their belongings near the wall, along with their shoes. Some brought their own yoga mats, eye masks, and weighted blankets to help them get into a deeper state of relaxation.
As you might have gathered, a “sound bath” has nothing to do with water. Instead, it’s a literal bath of sounds of varying frequencies created by instruments such as Himalayan singing bowls, with about 50 to 100 other people lying nearby. The goal is to get into a deep meditative state aided by the sounds as a method of de-stressing. A friend from Los Angeles, who had attended a handful of these sessions at a yoga studio in West Hollywood, called the experience “bizarre” and “transformative.” The people around her, she said, were “screaming and weeping.” Towards the end of her sound bath, she had “some moments of mental clarity about [her] current romantic relationship” that may or may not have “opened her heart chakra.” The whole episode sounded like an ayahuasca ritual minus the drugs — so I signed up immediately.
If traditional meditation is taking the stairs,” she said, “then a sound bath is like taking the elevator.
The William Vale session was led by Alex Falk and Sara Auster, the latter of whom facilitated a sound bath at Gwyneth Paltrow’s In Goop Health summit in 2017. Both Falk and Auster taught at the trendy meditation space MNDFL. “Every person has a very individual and unique relationship to sound in general, and so to say that each person who goes to experience a sound bath is going to have a ‘blank-blank-blank’ experience would be a false statement, because people have all different types of experiences with sound,” Auster told me. She explained that the practice of using sound for healing and therapy is “an ancient concept” that’s been gaining popularity in recent years “because people are seeking new and different ways to easily access meditative states. If traditional meditation is taking the stairs,” she said, “then a sound bath is like taking the elevator.”
Everyone at William Vale was either lying horizontally on a towel or sitting in lotus position, as if meditating. Auster and Falk opened with a series of guided breathing exercises and then started introducing the sounds one by one. This went on for about an hour, the sounds punctuated by a snore here and there. (Yes, a handful of people fell asleep.)
For me personally, the sound bath wasn’t necessarily relaxing, but instead, creatively stimulating. I eventually got bored, and started free-associating. About ten minutes in, I sat up and withdrew a notebook from my tote bag and started jotting down my ideas, sort of like channeling a spirit through automatic writing. It was almost impossible to think about “real life” for the first several minutes, so instead, I thought of colors and people and places and film scenes. It was all very productive. Once I got used to the noise, I wondered if my roommate had remembered to feed her cat. And then I wondered how animals might react to the sounds. My dog would hate this. I unscrewed the complimentary vial of essential oil, applied some to the bridge of my nose and tried, once again, to relax. I thought about what I would tell my coworkers who asked for a full play-by-play of the experience. At one point, I remembered to do laundry because I was wearing my last clean turtleneck.
Some sounds felt as if they were very close, while others felt farther away. During the moments I opened my eyes and turned around, I saw Auster and Falk walking around the ballroom activating the instruments near or above certain guests’ heads. I wondered what would happen if they dropped one on someone.
It’s difficult to map out a timeline as to when sound baths went mainstream, but they’ve been popping up in newspapers and magazines with some frequency since at least early 2005. Then, the New York Times called it a “new kind of sound therapy” and “vibrational medicine.” Sound therapist Monte Hansen told the Washington Post in 2017 that “Tibetans have been using these instruments, considered sonic frequency technologies, for more than 2,000 years.”
Generally, a guided sound bath costs between $30 and $50. Because that range can be cost-prohibitive for some people, I asked Auster if you could give yourself a sound bath. “I love this question,” Auster responded. “I have recordings [on my website] that you can listen to at home that are close to a live sound bath — they’re all recorded live with minimal after-effects in post-production. It’s not the same, but it’s similar, and you can still experience many of the benefits just by listening through your headphones or a great sound system.”
When seeking a live south bath, Auster advised: “Look for information about the practitioner. Who is this person you are going into a space with and trusting with your mind and emotions and physiology?” Auster was the Sound Director at MNDFL and The Big Quiet each for two years, according to her website, and has led sound baths at the Museum of Modern Art, the Rubin Museum, and Lincoln Center. However, as Stephanie Rosenbloom at the Timespointed out in 2005, the certification process is not standardized, and many of the healers training new sound therapists have “no medical or scientific background.”
“The sounds of these harmonic vibrations that are created by these particular instruments are intended to stimulate the alpha and theta brain waves,” Auster explained. “These are the brain waves that are associated with deep meditative and peaceful states, and when we can access the brain states, then we can access a more conducive environment for healing in general in the body, the heart, the respiratory rate, breathing slows down, and can potentially create a therapeutic effect on the mind and body.”
The sounds of these harmonic vibrations that are created by these particular instruments are intended to stimulate the alpha and theta brain waves
However, David Austern, a clinical psychologist at NYU Langone Health Department of Psychiatry, said he has never prescribed sound therapy to a patient, because it’s not yet proven to work, and there are no studies backing up these purported effects. Earlier this year, a study on sound and stress was published in Medicine, but it was very preliminary. “I don’t know that any of [sound baths’] purported mechanisms of action are supported. It hasn’t been studied scientifically the way we would hope.” He explained that the field is still lacking studies driven by randomized clinical trials. “People are subjectively saying they’re benefiting from [sound baths], but we just don’t have those controlled studies. It’s tricky because when it comes to complementary alternative medicine, people might like some of these things, yet it’s not clear whether or not they’re providing the same type of quality care compared to things we know work” for coping with long-term stress and anxiety issues. He emphasized the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy, and pointed out that some people who choose to engage in alternative medicine long-term might be missing out on the effects of traditional therapy. ( In other words, if you’re dealing with ongoing stress or anxiety issues, it’s best to see a licensed therapist.)
Following the sound bath, Auster encouraged her charges to discuss the experience with one another. I met two fellow sound bathers, Prima and Danelle, on the way out.
“I had no expectations,” Prima said of her first sound bath experience. “I was kind of going in and out of consciousness. At some point I got into the zone.” When it was over, she said she felt more relaxed, and more focused. Danelle said she attends about six sound baths per year, and uses them to explore her sound-to-color synesthesia.
As for me, I found the experience grounding — while the sounds themselves didn’t exactly help me de-stress, I walked away refreshed and a little dizzy, just enough to make me want to return to real life.
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Things we know about Ariana Grande: She loves to sing. She loves dogs. She loves tattoos. Things we didn't know: The girl really, truly, deeply loves Pokémon.
"Yesterday I had a day off and I played Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! for fifteen hours," Grande, who was also deeply intoPokémon Go back in 2016, wrote. "Honestly."
We guess those 15 hours had a real impact on Grande, because on Sunday evening, she showed off a brand-new tattoo of Eevee, the extremely adorable, bunny-like Pokemon species, on her Instagram Story. "I've wanted this for so long," she wrote, tagging the artist behind the work: L.A. based tattoo pro Kane Navasard.
This marks the second time Grande's been moved to get inked in honor of an animated character. In 2018, she got a huge tattoo of Chihiro, the lead character in the anime film Spirited Away, tattooed on her arm by her go-to artist Mira Mariah.
As far as Ariana's tattoos go — and she's got many — this charming character may be her cutest yet.
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Meghan Markle is very pregnant and very much so back to her royal duties in the new year. Last week, Markle gave fashion advice to unemployed women in need (while wearing Oscar de la Renta). On Monday, Markle and her husband Prince Harry visited Birkenhead, Merseyside, to meet with local organizations that empower the town's community. Since announcing her pregnancy in October, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have kept the details surrounding their child's birth quite mum. That all changed on Monday, when the former Suits actress was overheard sharing her due date with the crowd.
Royal correspondent Chris Ship overheard Markle share her due date with one of the women she was speaking to in the crowd. "For those who want to know about these things: Meghan told one lady in the crowd that she is 6 months pregnant and another woman that her due date is around April," he tweeted.
For the occasion, Markle chose brighter colors than she typically wears. She wore a red Sentaler coat with a purple Babaton by Aritiza dress and red Stuart Weitzman Noveau Suede pumps. She carried a Gabriela Hearst bag. Like Markle's Stuart Weitzman shoes, she owns her Sentaler coat in multiple colors. She wore the camel-colored version in 2017, shortly after she became engaged to Prince Harry. Meghan's sister-in-law Kate Middleton is also a fan of the brand.
This is the first time she and Prince Harry have been photographed together in the new year. On Wednesday, the soon-to-be parents will visit an animal charity and take in a presentation of Cirque du Soleil’s Totem — and we look forward to seeing what she wears then, too.
While the exact dress that Meghan Markle is wearing has since sold out, click ahead to shop similar styles.
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I've found myself yelling at my computer a total of three times in my life. The most recent incident? When an item I had been contemplating sold out on Etsy. Clearly, I did not heed the little hourglass warning that says, "Don't wait. There's only one of these available." That missed opportunity (for a pair of vintage Miu Miu pumps, no less) threw me into a spiral of regret, fantasizing about all of the outfits that could have been.
Finding gems on Etsy, as with all vintage shopping, takes time and patience. Even if you think you've mastered the game of winning search terms and worthy shops, the number of products on Etsy is overwhelming. Next thing you know, you're 40 tabs deep in things you want to buy.
The intense level of effort that goes into effectively shopping at Etsy is what makes losing out on a perfect purchase so tough to swallow. So as a result of my pain, I've decided to bring my Etsy sourcing skills to the masses by sharing all the pieces I haven't quite pulled the trigger on that you should. From summer's silky scarves and white linen tops to fall finds like velvet dresses and knit handbags, these are the best Etsy finds around. I may not be a master at buying things before it's too late, but I do consider myself to be a pro at clicking "next page" until 2 a.m. And what's better than having someone who's willing to do all the work for you?
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Recreating that one movie scene where we're driving away on a convertible with a silk scarf and extra chic sunglasses.
Courrèges Paris Vintage Scarf, $59.48, available at Etsy
Going full-speed ahead into sweater season - underwear included.
Former USSR Vintage Hand Knit Handmade Underwear, $38, available at Etsy
Now to hunt for a matching blazer in this exact shade of pink.
Yuki Onna Vintage Pink High Waist Trousers , $46, available at Etsy
Moving on from our embellished barrettes to designer ones. We're fancy now.
Fruit Vintage Chanel Vintage Logo Barrette, $328.16, available at Etsy
Pepto Bismol pink without the indigestion.
Love Signs Vintage Handmade Coral Pink Cable Knit Sweater, $38, available at Etsy
Back in the day, mood rings were our way of expressing how we really felt. Now, switching up our hair is how we outwardly display what's going on inside (although we wouldn't turn down rocking an adult mood ring, TBH). If we're going through a stressful phase, it's all ponytails and grease-disguising headbands. If we're trying to bring sunshine into our lives, we make an appointment for highlights. And if we need a complete revamp, a transformative cut is on the to-do list.
Clearly our favorite celebs are itching for the latter in 2019. We're hardly one week into a new year and the stars are fully embodying the "new hair, who dis" mantra. Between Lady Gaga opening her Enigma Las Vegas residency with blue hair, Rowand Blanchard revealing a pixie cut on the Golden Globes red carpet, and Jamie Lee Curtis going winter white — there's already plenty of hair inspiration for us to gawk over.
And if the hair updates ahead are any indication of the year to come, it's safe to say that things are going to be changing a lot in 2019. Click through to see our favorite celebrity hair changes of the year so far.
For those blessed with curls, textured bangs are easily the freshest, most flattering way to make a change for the new year. Just ask hairstylist Ted Gibson, who gave Sandra Oh shaggy bangs that show off her glowing skin and bone structure. To shape the fringe perfectly, he cut her curls dry and styled the front pieces using his own Shooting Star Texture Meringue mousse.
Photo: Taylor Hill/Getty Images.
If you were having doubts about going platinum in 2019, Hilary Duff's latest dye job makes a convincing case to hit up your colorist. Celebrity stylists Riawna Capri and Nikkie Lee took the actress' hair (which was already blonde) up a few notches with this bright icy color.
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage.
Amandla Stenberg tossed that "going lighter in the summer" rule out of the window when she dyed her formerly jet-black curls a shade of warm copper.
Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images.
For some, a pixie cut is a hard "pass," but not for Rowan Blanchard. Celebrity hairstylist Laurie Heaps took the actress' shoulder-length strands into an edgy, Natalie Portman-inspired cut. Heaps tells Refinery29 that her famous client wanted to embrace a new year with a new look.
Photo: JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX/AFP/Getty Images.
The blunt bob is here to stay — just ask Irina Shayk. The model walked the Golden Globes red carpet with a chin-length bob, courtesy of celebrity stylist Harry Josh, that made us want to run for scissors and chop all our hair off, too.
Jamie Lee Curtis took monochromatic beauty to the next level when she showed up to the Golden Globes with her hair lifted to a wintery white shade to match her red-carpet gown. Previously, the star already had a gorgeous salt-and-pepper style, but this snowy color is new for 2019.
Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.
We didn't expect Lady Gaga to kick off her Enigma tour with anything other than a bang. And she's had several bangs in the last few weeks with many different hair hues. First, it was lilac, then it was silver. And now, she's got cerulean blue hair. Her stylist Frederic Aspiras used a mix of temporary hair color to get the look. What color will she bless us with next?
Photo: Daniele Venturelli/WireImage.
Hailey Baldwin entered 2019 with a new name and a new 'do to match. Her west-coast-trendy cotton candy pink locks are courtesy of Nine Zero One salon in West Hollywood.
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If Shay Mitchell were to ever quit her day job, she'd find a very welcome home in the beauty industry. As if her standout looks at parties and red carpet events weren't enough to make the case, the actress runs her own YouTube channel that includes eyeshadow tutorials and unicorn-inspired hairstyles and serves as Buxom's Global Creative Brand Ambassador. And yet, for someone who is so in love with makeup, we were shocked to learn that the actress has long avoided one product that most people find essential to their routine: blush.
"Although I love getting glam, I don't want to reapply a product consistently throughout the day," Mitchell told us in a phone interview, explaining her aversion to most blush formulas. That's why her newest collaboration with Buxom came as both a surprise and an opportunity to solve her one makeup pet peeve. "I'm somebody that does my makeup in the morning and I need it to last throughout the entire day, and that's exactly what this blush does," she says.
Mitchell is referring to Buxom's new Wanderlust Primer-Infused Blushes, which are inspired by destinations around the world like Mykonos and Ibiza. The partnership is perfect in more ways than one for Mitchell, who owns her own travel accessories brand and uses her time abroad as an opportunity to experiment with beauty. "I think it's always really fun to play around [with] the colors when you go away to different locations," she says. "If I'm going somewhere tropical, I tend to bring more of a pop of color with me."
When she's not traveling — which is rare for the jet-setting enthusiast — makeup is just as much as an escape for her as sitting beachside in another country. "I have fun with makeup, even with my hair when I play around with wigs," she says. "That's how beauty should be. Obviously, you want to take care of yourself on the inside first, and then apply makeup and have fun with it."
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As we begin a fresh new calendar year, many professionals are looking at their earnings with increased scrutiny (though it's likely also because it's bonus and performance review season). But, no matter where you find yourself, the beginning of the year is as good a time as any to think about what you're making and what you might like to make in the future.
Last week, U.S. News & World Report released its list of the Best Jobs 2019. The list, which ranked jobs across different industries was comprised of a total of 100 of the best jobs in the United States. There's another list that caught our interest as well: Yes, it's the one that's all about the money.
The best-paying list is made up of jobs with an average salary of more than $100,000. And, in case you hadn't guessed already, the majority of them are in healthcare and tech. By now, it's old news that these industries tend to pay a lot more than other industries, so the results of this list may not be altogether surprising, but they still may provide some insight for those still choosing a career path or who are thinking about switching career trajectories altogether.
Ahead, the top five best-paying jobs in 2019, according to U.S. News & World Report.
1. Anesthesiologist Average Pay: $265,990
With a 0.5% unemployment rate and a $235,240 mean salary, anesthesiologists rank number one in best paying-jobs this year.
However, if you don't want to go through all of that schooling to be able to administer anesthesia, consider pursuing a career as a nurse anesthetist, who can perform most of the same work of anesthesiologists, while spending less time in school.
2. Surgeon Average Pay: $251,890
Coming in at number two: surgeons.
While surgeons can train to be general surgeons, or choose a specialization (like another type of surgeon on this list) this career path is high-intensity. But, with a $251,890 mean salary, the money might make up for the stress-level.
3. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Average Pay: $242,740
This mouthful of a job comes in at number three best paid, and is in reference to surgeons who specialize in face, oral, and jaw surgeries.
These surgeons are basically dentists with a ton of additional surgical training, and perform everything from cleft lift operations to oral cancer treatment, and have a mean salary of $242,740.
4. Obstetrician and Gynecologist Average Pay: $235,240
A crucial figure in women's health, OB-GYNs have the number four best paid job in America.
Obstetricians and gynecologists specialize in a spectrum of women's reproductive health services, and handle everything from childbirth to pap spears, to contraceptive management (and more!). Many professionals in this field find the work extremely rewarding, and it also comes with an impressive salary.
5. Orthodontist Average Pay: $229,380
In fifth place are orthodontists, who you may think of fondly (or not-so-much) depending on how many times you had braces. Responsible for creating smiles and straight teeth, orthodontists have a mean salary of $229,380 and report a deep satisfaction in boosting people's self-esteem for a living.
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Sex Education, Netflix's new coming-of-age dramedy, may have only arrived on the streaming service a few days ago, but it's already a hit. Between the '80s soundtrack, the confusing setting, and the show's unapologetic dialogue, the British students and their sexual escapades are just about all people can talk about. But even though there is so much to love about the show's first season, above all, we're stanning over one crucial piece to the puzzle: Maeve.
After binge-watching all eight episodes, we were immediately drawn to Maeve Wiley (played by Emma Mackey), the outcast who teams up with Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield) to organize underground sex counseling for the entire student body. She's an independent, cynical teenager with a shameless sexual appetite, and her alluring personality is topped off with some truly covetable pink hair. Turns out, the two-toned look is as ingrained into the character's personality as her wit.
Claire Williams, makeup and hair designer for the series, tells Refinery29 that in the show's early stages, formulating Maeve's stand-out persona also meant deciding exactly which punk-rock hair color would separate her from the rest of the cast — and the journey to pink took a lot more than spontaneously ordering Manic Panic in bulk.
Photo: Courtesy of Netflix.
"I initially took motivation from the script [for Maeve's look]," Williams recalls. "[I] always tried to preserve [her] vulnerability." Williams adds that Maeve's smudged liner, nose ring, pink hair, and overall badass exterior is ultimately a front — it's armor that she uses to protect herself. Keeping that in mind, Williams worked with the show's producers and directors and used mood boards to brainstorm different looks, including various tattoos and hair color options. Maeve's hair was almost an aqua green, but the pink was more cohesive with the wardrobe.
After the color was chosen, Williams made sure that the execution of it made sense on a teenager, who we later find out is financially struggling (hence, the business plan with Otis) and living in a trailer. Maeve's semi-permanent color had to look homemade, like she literally dip-dyed in the kitchen of her 600-square-foot home. "She's broke," Williams explains. "So any hair dye and color options would be cheap, supermarket brands done over the sink."
Luckily, Mackey, who plays Maeve, didn't have to DIY her hair color in real life — although the look she auditioned in influenced Maeve's final style. "Emma is a natural brunette, but she had bleached her own hair for another job," Williams recalls. "We kept her natural root when it started to show and utilized the dark blonde at her mid-lengths. We bleached the lower half of Emma's hair and used temporary pink hair dye, reapplying that every week to get that washed out, home-dyed look."
Photo: Courtesy of Netflix.
Since the crew opted to use Emma's natural hair to create Maeve, her hair underwent all the over-processing of bleach and constant dyeing. "It was a big commitment for Emma," Williams admits. "At the end of the production, we gave her a good haircut, got rid of the dry, bleached ends, and dyed it back to a natural brown color."
Although Maeve might scoff at the fact that fans are now in search of her exact look, it's true — we want it. Williams says that if you plan on copying the trendy color, you should visit a professional and opt out of bleaching your hair at home. She adds that anyone looking to play with platinum hair should plan on upgrading their hair routine with conditioning, reparative products. And as for the pink dye, you can pick that up at any local drugstore or beauty supply store in the form of a wash-out pigment or spray-in color.
Top off your new look with a tinted lip balm, a bluish-black eyeliner, and a nose ring, and you're Maeve's favorite turn-on: a complex female character.
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This morning, Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger announced to the world that they are engaged. Their whirlwind romance kicked off during this past Summer Of Love, and since then, we have seen them scootering around L.A., strolling in matching athleisure wear, and eating ice cream with Pratt's son, Jack.
Based on their track record thus far, they seem to move quickly (Pratt and his ex-wife, Anna Faris, only finalized their divorce in October), so wedding bells might be here before we know it. And once they tie the knot, they'll be one powerful power couple. As in, they will have a lot of joint money in the bank. Just how much? Below, we took a look into the matter.
After being discovered while waiting tables at Bubba Gump in Hawaii in 2000, Pratt moved to L.A. for his first role in a short film called Cursed Part 3. Then came recurring roles on Everwood and The O.C. (Who can forget Pratt as Che, Summer's granola friend at Brown?) From these TV roles sprang film roles, but he didn't always make the big screen big bucks: For his role in 2003's Strangers with Candy, he had to pay $3,000 to be in it.
What really put Pratt on the map was his six-year stint as the lovable Andy Dwyer on Parks and Recreation. After Parks and Rec, Pratt's film career kicked off in full swing, with Moneyball in 2011 and Zero Dark Thirty in 2012 marking his foray into Hollywood blockbusters. And 2014 really brought the bacon with The Lego Movie, which grossed $460 million worldwide, and Guardians of the Galaxy, which grossed $774 million and reportedly earned Pratt $1.5 million for his performance as the iconic Star-Lord. The following year, he reportedly earned $13 million — the bulk of which came from 2015's Jurassic World, which grossed $1.67 billion worldwide and earned Pratt a reported $10 million.
In 2016, Forbes ranked Pratt at #16 on its Highest Paid Actors list, valuing his earnings for the year at $26 million, including an estimated $12 million for Passengers. Since then, he has starred in many more superhero/dinosaur wrangler blockbusters, including Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Jurassic World:Fallen Kingdom(for which he earned another $10 million), and Avengers: Infinity War. Forbes reports that Pratt made $17 million in 2017. And with more movies down the pipeline, it's safe to say he's due to earn more. (Also, that ring on Schwarzenegger's finger is big and definitely cost Pratt a nice chunk o' change — experts at JamesAllen.com value the rock at $750,000.) Celebrity Net Worth values Pratt at $40 million.
Pratt's betrothed has money of her own. Schwarzenegger is the daughter of Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger, a.k.a. The Terminator and former governor of California, and the grandniece of JFK. In 2012, Schwarzenegger graduated from the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Since then, she has parlayed her degree into much success in the lifestyle journalism realm: She contributes to InStyle with a video series called #AskKat , has appeared on The Today Show, The Talk, and The View, and runs a lifestyle website called KatherineSchwarzenegger.com. (She's also no stranger to #sponcon.) She is the author of Rock What You've Got, I Just Graduated...Now What?, and a children's book, Maverick and Me., which tells the story of how she adopted her real-life dog. Like her mother, Schwarzenegger is a philanthropist, and supports the Best Friends Animal Society in addition to her role as ASPCA ambassador. Celebrity Net Worth values the author at $3 million.
So, once they get married, Pratt and Schwarzenegger will have a joint $43 million. I'd say congrats are in order for the happy and financially-secure couple.
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As one of the breakout nail trends of 2019, tiny red or pink hearts make for a fun manicure any time of year (not just around the second week of February). But if you're wearing hearts from January to December, how are you going to make your mani feel different for Valentine's Day? Well, we've got a few ideas.
Our favorite manicures of the moment are loosely inspired by Cupid and flowers and all things love. But just like your favorite poppy-red crewneck sweater, these nail looks are timeless and a little flirty. Plus, this chic art is perfect for a romantic date night or just your average Monday in January.
From sparkly rhinestones over baby-pink polish to a minimalist bare nail with a teensy, red heart accent, check out the cutest Valentine's Day nail art that's taking over Instagram right now.
A single, tiny heart on a bare nail is all kinds of chic. Pair it with a soft, stained red lip and dewy minimal makeup everywhere else.
You can concentrate your Valentine's Day red on the just tips of your nails for a festive and trendy spin on the classic French manicure. This exact look takes a clear base coat with a skinny French dip in the CND shade Wildfire layered on top.
This baby-pink base color with hot-pink leopard spots concentrated towards the tips is seasonal without even knowing it.
If an accent nail is your vibe — and you have a steady hand with a striping brush — consider drawing this cursive trio of hearts across your ring finger.
The best part about a half-moon mani is that the negative space at the cuticle allows for your nails to grow out seamlessly.
Multicolored floral nail art shows you're complex, with varied likes and desires, and you will not be wooed by a cliché bouquet of roses.
This spotted, negative-space nail is pretty easy to DIY. All you have to do is give your nails a nude base, then use a red polish (this one is Marigold by Zoya) to paint alternating semi-circles with a tiny drop of gold polish in the center.
Some carefully placed gemstones add a little flair to a simplistic, blush-pink manicure.
An unexpected way to wear red is to mix in a textured pop of matte glitter polish — in the same shade — over just one nail.
Fluttery eyelash decals over a neutral color add a little something flirty, without being obvious about it.
If you've recently jumped on the almond-shaped nail trend, you can use those subtly pointed tips as a backdrop for a heart design.
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Just a few days after her escape from a man who allegedly kidnapped her and murdered her parents, 13-year-old Jayme Closs is at home with family members. In new photos taken with her aunt, Jennifer Smith, and beloved dog Molly, the teenager is smiling.
But a different set of newly released photos depict the darker side of Closs' 88 days in captivity. Photos of the cabin where Jake Patterson is accused of holding Closs prisoner show a ramshackle two-story property covered in snow and hidden by trees about 200 feet from the nearest road.
A sign above the front door reads "Patterson's Retreat" but inside, the home is filled with mismatched furniture, exposed insulation, and piles of dishes in the sink. The property is littered with refuse including empty bottles of alcohol, bags of junk food, and an empty box of women's diapers.
The photos are a stark reminder of Closs' ordeal amidst the celebration of her return. Peter and Kristin Kasinkas, who invited her into their home and called police after the teenager approached a nearby woman walking her dog, told the New York Post that Jayme looked like she “She hadn’t taken a bath for weeks if at all.” At the time she was wearing leggings, a sweatshirt, and what appeared to be men's sneakers.
Closs told the Kasinkas that she'd been well-hidden in the cabin before her escape.
“She said that other people would come to the house but she would have to be hidden. I don’t know how he kept her so under wraps for long," they told the CBS program 48 Hours.
Public records show that Patterson grew up in the home where he kept Closs. It was registered to his father Patrick until it's ownership was reverted to Superior Choice Credit Union on October 23, a week after Closs' was kidnapped and her parents James and Denise were shot in their home.
Police have stated that they believe Jake Patterson acted alone and that his target was Jayme Closs, though he doesn't appear to have had a previous relationship with the the teenager. He appeared in court on Monday in Barron, Wisconsin where he is being held on $5 million bail.
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