To an outsider, the scene may appear like a post-apocalyptic nightmare. Men and women trampling each other, sometimes to the point of bloodshed, to snag a television or gaming console at a discounted price. But for 69 percent of Americans, it’s just the day after Thanksgiving.

Black Friday is the largest shopping day of the year and with retailers making around a fifth of their sales during the holidays, it marks the first day of the binge-buying season, as NPR notes.  

Department stores have been capitalizing on the post-turkey gluttonous day since the 20th century by sponsoring Thanksgiving Day parades, and relying on selling everything as cheap as possible in hopes of making a small profit. In short, it’s a one-day economic stimulus plan for retailers. And while retailers may profit, it’s those working the big day that often times pay the real price.

The term itself is rooted in disgruntled employees. 

In the 1950s, police officers in Philadelphia coined the phrase, "Black Friday," to describe the chaos that ensued when shoppers and tourists flooded the streets, in advance for the Army and Navy football game held on that Saturday. Police officers were not allowed to take the day off, and would often times be forced to work overtime to deal with the crowds and traffic. In turn, they would mourn the Friday before it ever began. 

Mikayla Cruickshank, who worked at a Younkers shoes department on a Black Friday, witnessed a woman punch another woman because she snagged a pair of shoes she wanted.

“People are honestly just straight up bitches when it comes to Black Friday,” she said.

And this sentiment is one many employees who have worked the Black Friday sales agree with. 

Lauren Karlsson who worked for nine hours straight at J.Jill clothing store one year, says grown women yelled at her repeatedly and the men were equally rude. 

“Some of the less enjoyable moments would include husbands shopping for their wives saying, 'She’s about your size, but skinnier.'"

While consumer spending keeps our economy growing and thriving, there’s something perverse about the ways in which the big day capitalizes on the competitive and animalistic nature that the human condition possess. 

“One second everyone is talking about how thankful they are for their family and friends, and then the next second they are punching old ladies for a pair of Easy Spirits,” said Cruickshank. 

But there is some psychology behind the intense need to want and at times fight for material objects. The social isolation and loneliness that comes with the holiday season is one that many people are forced to deal with. So, coping and attaching oneself to an object can provide a sense of comfort. But this sense of comfort can often times leave people forgetting the importance of humanity. And that while a deal is great, those who are working and allowing customers to receive deals, are just trying to make a living and do their job. 

Brandon Alexander, who worked at Buckle for three consecutive Black Friday sales said seeing the big shopping day from the employee side changed his entire outlook on shopping in general. 

“It makes you want to be as kind and nice as possible to the workers for having to sacrifice more than you think for your own materialistic ways,” he said. “You choosing to be kind to them could truly make or break their shift or day.”

And while the big day can provide stress and anxiety for many who work Black Friday, some employees thrive under the high pressure and constant commotion. 

“It wasn’t that bad. Not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Yeah, there was a lot of people and they were rushing and such, but it was never boring and the time flew by,” said Bill Ricetti, who worked at a Target. “Sometimes working a regular night where the shift drags on since it is so dead, is worse than a Black Friday rush.”

Gabrielle Bedell has worked nine Black Friday’s at Jimmy John’s sandwich shop, and says the majority of their orders are catered orders for large department stores who are feeding their employees. 

“While some customers can be extremely rude and inconsiderate as their patience wears down, a lot of customers have great stories and are quite kind and enjoyable to interact with,” she said. 

Black Friday is rooted in consumerism at the expense of employees, regardless of how the employees are treated. But being mindful and respectful of those working the big shopping day is something that costs you nothing. A missed deal will not make or break your holiday season, so be polite and humane this shopping season. 

Ariana Grande continues to mourn ex-boyrfriend, rapper Mac Miller, who suddenly passed away from an accidental drug overdose in September. The Thank U, Next singer has been honoring the rapper’s legacy by sharing touching tributes on social media, and on Thanksgiving, Grande shared a beautiful tribute with a special throwback photo.

On Thanksgiving Day, Grande shared several Instagram Story videos of Miller’s dog Myron, along with a throwback photo from when they celebrated Thanksgiving together last year as a couple, Hello Giggles reports.

Grande posted the selfie of her and Miller, captioning it, “you’re v missed.”

via Ariana Grande - Instagram

It has been just over two months since the rapper passed away at the age of 26. According to E! News, the Los Angeles County Coroner confirmed in a statement that authorities had been called to Miller’s home, where he was pronounced dead. It was later determined that Miller had died from mixed drug toxicity, and was certified as an accident.

When Miller passed away, Grande took to Instagram to share a bittersweet message, writing, “i adored you from the day i met you when i was nineteen and i always will. i can't believe you aren't here anymore. i really can't wrap my head around it. we talked about this. so many times. i'm so mad, i'm so sad i don't know what to do. you were my dearest friend. for so long. above anything else. i'm so sorry i couldn't fix or take your pain away. i really wanted to. the kindest, sweetest soul with demons he never deserved. i hope you're okay now. rest.”

Shortly after Miller’s death, a fan sent Grande a video in which Miller could be heard listening to Grande’s song “R.E.M.” during an Instagram Live, E! News.

“Hey @ArianaGrande here’s a video of @MacMiller listening to R.E.M during his Instagram live from August 9th before it was released,” the fan tweeted to Grande, sharing the video. “We had to stan the best song from Sweetener!”

“his voice and laugh. he is supposed to be here. thank u for finding this,” Grande replied to the fan.

Grande also reportedly adopted Miller’s dog Myron, who has been seen on her couch in recent Instagram posts, Hello Giggles reports.

In her new iconic break-up song Thank U, Next, Grande calls Miller “an angel.”

We are sending Ariana our love, along with anyone else that is missing a loved one during this holiday season.

Roger Ailes, Bill O’Reilly, Harvey Weinstein and Michael Oreskes are all men who abused their power to sexually harass their female colleagues.

Famous faces went to social media to raise their hands and say #MeToo. Rose McGowan, Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow and Lupita Nyongo all spoke out against their harassers, but sexual harassment doesn't just happen to women in Hollywood. Unwelcome sexualizing attention and objectifying behavior can happen in any line of work.

It happened to Samantha, a Siena College grad, at a summer job. It happened to Chelsea Jackson, a freelance photographer, at Iowa State and unfortunately it could happen to you too, but just because your story may not make headlines doesn't mean it should not be heard.

Here are ways you can take action and protect yourself if you are sexually harassed at work. 

Speak up

She would go out of her way to avoid him. Spending time in the break room, planning her shifts around his. He was know for making women feel uncomfortable, and had a reputation among female staff. Samantha had just graduated high-school and started working at Wal-Mart to save money for college. One seasonal job turned into another, and she climbed the ranks to become a manager. Even with her new leadership role, the harassment didn’t stop.

“He made me uncomfortable. Getting too close to me, following me,” Samantha says. “One day, he went out of his way to sneak up behind me and grab me, and when I told him not to touch me he still didn't take his hand off.” Samantha says she told her supervisors about the harassment, but nothing changed.

“You have to swallow it back and pretend it’s not happening, because if I refuse to help [the harasser] I’m insubordinate.”

Samantha did the right thing by telling her superiors, but according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, three-quarters of people who experienced harassment “never even talked to a supervisor, manager or union representative about the harassing conduct.”

Related: How to File an EEOC Claim

Take legal action

Jack Tuckner, women's rights and discrimination attorney, says the most important thing for victims of sexual harassment is to document it and complain formally. Tuckner suggests keeping logs of every incident, and recording them if you can.

“Typically the victim cannot sue the perpetrator or file a police report unless an assault has occurred. When it comes to harassment, it’s the company’s responsibility to remedy the situation,” said Tuckner.

Tuckner cofounded Tuckner, Sipser, Weinstock and Sipser, a New York based law firm that specializes in women’s rights in the workplace. His team has helped thousands of women defend their rights to fair and equal treatment in the workplace. But if you’re like Samantha and your complaints haven’t be taken seriously, then what? Tuckner says to seek legal help.

"If they [human resources] are sweeping it under the carpet and just not doing anything, send a follow up notifying them that you are consulting a lawyer. We, [a legal team], can negotiate a divorce, pay a severance.”

If you are in school, many universities offer free legal aid to students, though you don’t need a lawyer to file a Charge of Discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Filing an EEOC complaint is free and can be done online, but must be reported within 180 days from when the harassment occurred. Each state has different guidelines so be sure to check the deadlines.

Don’t quit

Chelsea Jackson worked as a freelance photographer for local bars in her college town. What seemed like a fun and social job quickly became demeaning and nerve-wracking.

“Customers got out of hand. They would follow me around the bar while I was working, grope me and ask me inappropriate questions about my relationship,” she says. “Often they would make threats that they’d “turn me straight” and would proceed to try hold my hand or touch my crotch.”

Chelsea said management refused to reprimand the customers who assaulted her for fear of losing business.

“They didn't want to kick out ‘paying customers,’” she explains. “Management never did anything and often told me, 'If you don’t like customers calling you names and touching you sometimes, then you should just quit.'”

And that’s exactly what she did.

“Despite the money being stellar...I couldn't mentally withstand this behavior."

Chelsea chose to leave a job that she actually enjoyed, harassment aside, and unfortunately, that’s the norm. For many victims, quitting seems like the easier option compared to going up against a company you feel may not support you, but Tuckner says quitting before you report harassment is the worst thing you can do.

“Don't quit.” Tuckner advises “If you wait to get out then call a lawyer, a company can turn around a say you’re just disgruntled, however...if you complain of sexual harassment and they fire you, that's a case. Retaliatory termination is illegal and compensable.”

Related: Me Too: An Important Social Media Movement in Effecting Change 

Don’t be afraid

Even though Chelsea did not pursue legal action, she did notify her university about her dangerous working conditions.

“I [reported] the bars to the Better Business Bureau and to my university's career service center. The only reason I knew about the job posting was because it was advertised on Iowa State's CyHire website, which is the university's online job board. Because I spoke out these individuals are permanently banned from submitting a job opening on [the campus site]."

While the thought of a lawsuit can be intimidating, know that there are many steps before a sexual harassment case can go to court, and most complaints are settled between the victim and their employer.

Joseph Olivares of the EEOC says the most important thing you can do is not stay silent.

“Talk to a family member, co-worker, anyone,” he says. “It's ok to be nervous about reporting sexual harassment, but if you do not report it, the behavior could continue. You can always contact the EEOC if you have any questions or would like to file a charge. Sexual harassment is wrong, but most importantly, it's illegal. Do not hesitate to speak out.”

Related: Harvey Weinstein Under Fire as Women Continue to Step Forward With Sexual Assault Allegations

Many victims of harassment may feel shame and guilt about what they've experienced, even though it was no fault of their own. Everyone handles trauma differently, and there are many reasons why victims may choose to quit or not come forward, but everyone should know there are ways to fight back and support systems put in place to protect you. I hope that victims continue to find the strength to speak out, and that we as a society continue to amplify their voices and hold each other accountable. 

Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin just celebrated their first Thanksgiving together as a married couple, and Bieber shared a heartfelt message about the many “firsts” for the couple during this Thanksgiving.

Bieber, who married Hailey Baldwin just months ago, took to Instagram on Friday to write a special message, reflecting on his new role as a married man and how “relationships are hard” and that “love isn't always easy,” Hello Giggles reports.

“Happy late thanksgiving to everyone,” the 24-year-old singer wrote on Instagram, sharing a photo of snow in the woods. “First thanksgiving as a married man, first time hosting thanksgiving. First time both sides of the family has come together.”

“Relationships are hard and love isn’t always easy but thank you Jesus for showing me how!” Bieber added. “Every day is a learning process, trying to be more like him, patient, kind, selfless, boy I got a long way! But gods grace is sufficient!”

According to E! News, Thursday was also Baldwin’s 22nd birthday, which she celebrated with Bieber and their families. The model took to Instagram on Friday to share a picture of her and Bieber sharing a kiss after he had smeared cake on her face.

“very thankful,” Baldwin captioned the post.

Bieber and Baldwin got engaged back in July while vacationing in the Bahamas, shortly after getting together again and had sparked marriage rumors after the couple was spotted at a New York City courthouse, according to E! News. The couple had originally denied the rumors, but the two have now confirmed that they are in fact married.

We hope Bieber and Baldwin had a great first Thanksgiving together with their families!

Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn are Instagram official!

Swift and her longtime boyfriend Joe Always are notoriously private about their relationship, and never post pictures of each other on social media, let alone mention one another in a social media post. So we were definitely surprised to see that on Thanksgiving, Swift gave Alwyn a sweet shoutout on Instagram.

According to Hello Giggles, the Look What You Made Me Do singer took to Instagram on Thursday to share a clip of the movie The Favourite, which Alwyn stars in, along with Swift’s buddy Emma Stone.

“The Favourite is absolutely phenomenal, and it opens in NY and LA tomorrow— Swipe to see cities and dates! @thefavouritemovie @joe.alwyn @nicholashoult,” Swift wrote about the film on her Instagram account.

The pop singer also took to her Instagram Story to promote her beau’s work, telling her fans that they “need to see” the movie and adding a link for fans to go to buy tickets.

Swift has supported Alwyn at his movie events. According to E! News, Swift joined Alwyn at the New York Film Festival this past September. Later that month, the British actor spoke out about his relationship with Swift for the first time.

“I’m aware people want to know about that side of things,” Alwyn told British Vogue. “I think we have been successfully very private and that has now sunk in for people…but I really prefer to talk about work.”

Alwyn has also supported Swift on multiple occasions, attending her shows on her Reputation Stadium Tour.

The singer recently wrapped up her successful tour earlier this week in Tokyo.

We are so happy to see Swift and Alwyn supporting and loving each other. And we are definitely excited to The Favourite, which is out now in select cities.

Often, a college student’s morning routine consists of waking up five minutes before class, throwing on yesterday’s jeans and grabbing a coffee from the dining hall on the way. It’s often rushed and isn’t much of a morning routine at all. Maybe you alternate the jeans with last week’s sweatpants and swap out the coffee for an orange juice to spice it up, but there are plenty of ways to ensure better self-care without exerting too much effort. Just know you may sadly lose an extra five minutes of sleep; however, any of the following additions to your morning routine will hopefully be beneficial.

1. Eat breakfast

For a busy college student always on the go, finding time to eat breakfast is usually a hindrance. Who has the time to sit down in a dining hall or assemble their own breakfast before 8 a.m. chemistry lab? If you’re someone who can’t imagine creating an avocado toast masterpiece, don’t worry! There are a number of fast and healthy breakfast combinations you can try. The important thing is that you eat something in the morning.

Marisa Pieper, a student at Arizona State University, says, “For me, I have to eat breakfast. Eating breakfast jump starts my day and makes my brain up for class or work! Something as simple as toast with peanut butter or yogurt and granola really helps me start my day off right.”

In case you’re not a breakfast person, remember that eating a simple protein bar or a piece of fruit can prevent your stomach from rumbling in the middle of an exam or your hand reaching for sweets later in the morning. Eating breakfast can also keep your digestive system regulated, especially during your least favorite time of the month.

2. Drink water

Staying hydrated is something many college students forget to do. During a long day of stressful classes and busy activities, we often forget to nourish ourselves with what our bodies crave most: water. Sometimes, we’re not even aware of our dehydration, despite experiencing symptoms like headaches and fatigue.

Hannah Harshe, a sophomore at the University of Michigan, incorporates water into her routine before any other beverage consumption.

“I drink a full glass of water before I have my coffee each morning,” she says. “I fill up a cup before bed, so I can chug it right when I wake up.”

Keeping a water bottle next to your alarm is a great way to remember to drink up. You don’t even need to get out of bed (as long as you remembered to fill it!). Don’t forget to bring that water bottle with you to rehydrate later on in the day!

Related: 11 Ways to Have an Awesome Morning

3. Make your bed

When you’re in a rush to an early class, the last thing on your mind is having a neat bed. One of the perks of college is having some freedom from your parents. If your mom isn’t around to nag you about the unmade bed, why make it? Having the covers thrown back already makes an afternoon nap all the more inviting. However, Kayleen Parra-Padron, a senior at Florida International University, believes making her bed sets up a successful day.

“I need to have my bed made if I plan on getting anything done in the morning,” she explains. “I feel like making my bed is the first task I have to tackle every day, so once I tackle that, everything else should be easier. At the end of a long day, coming back to a comfy, well-made bed is the best feeling ever!”

If you’re the type of person who hits the snooze button too many times, taking the initiative to make your bed every day might help you wake up more. That way, you’ll have more time in the morning and will be less likely to skip class from sleeping in.

4. Engage in some mental self-care

Your morning routine doesn’t just have to focus on your physical well-being. Taking a few minutes to care for your mental health is just as important because having a negative mindset can ruin your entire day. A big exam or presentation can fill your thoughts, so it’s crucial to set aside some time just for yourself.

Lia Faticia, a junior at Penn State University, recommends doing some sort of meaningful devotional.

“I always do a devotional, or a five-minute journal-type ritual. It just sets up my day with at least one goal and is also time to meditate before I get out of bed to reflect on my day ahead,” she says. “[It’s] always a nice way to start the day positively!”

You can definitely experiment with a range of devotional options, too. From mindful meditation to mirror pep talks, you can try a different method of mental self-care every day until you find the one that suits you best.

5. Write

If you’ve never tried journaling before, you’ve been missing out on an opportunity to dump out your emotions and thoughts in a place no one will ever see. It’s more satisfying than you might think. Writing as part of your morning routine can take a plethora of forms—composing poetry, recording dreams, creating goals. You can even mix it up each day and try something new.

Melina Walling, a sophomore at Stanford University, tries to respond to a writing prompt every morning.

“I’ve got this book filled with 300 mini writing prompts. Instead of spending five minutes watching Snapchat stories, I try to complete one entry,” she says. “I usually end up on some BuzzFeed article about hilarious historical memes, but I know writing brings me a sense of calm.”

Writing a few sentences before you head to your first class of the day can not only help you organize your thoughts but also create a positive attitude. If you’re not a fan of writing, a great alternative is reading a passage from your favorite book or some inspirational quotes.

Starting your day off the right way is more important than most of us realize as college students. We deal with enormous amounts of stress and sometimes don’t know how to handle it. By adding something healthy and positive to your morning routine, you change the entire course of your day for the better.

Your boyfriend didn't even know he wanted these gifts. [Cosmopolitan]

How Grey's Anatomy would have been different in the #MeToo era. [BuzzFeed]

Can pigs save people who are waiting for organs? [The New York Times]

Why making music is therapy for these singers. [Bustle]

Meghan Markle can't open Christmas presents on Dec. 25. [Women's Health]

How you can feel less lonely. [Elite Daily]

Festive songs for the perfect holiday playlist. [HelloGiggles]

We want all of these cereal milk lattes. [Spoon University]

Monica Lewinsky is still searching for closure. [USA Today]

Who loses when vanity is stigmatized? [allure]

As winter gets closer, and for some is already here, our cold weather wardrobe is taking over our closets again. One winter piece that will last you all season and is super trendy is the faux fur coat. For some, this coat is daunting because it can look so extravagant and over-the-top. It doesn't have to be though! Here are some tips for wearing faux fur any day.

1. Play with textures

Try out different faux fur textures! Some are thicker than others, some have more of a shaggy look and some have a soft, low-key look. Picking one that is more soft-looking can create a more casual look. The Ultra Comfy Faux Fur Coat from Chic Wish is the definition of cute and cozy!

2. Try different shapes and silhouettes

The shape and silhouette of a faux fur coat can change everything! A silhouette that casually falls around your body and doesn’t look too rigid is a great everyday jacket. This one from Missguided is seriously cute with the long body silhouette. 

A cropped fur coat is a really cute shape for everybody especially with a pair of high-waisted jeans. Throw on your backpack and you’re ready for class. Blank Denim Cropped Faux Fur Jacket is a prime cropped faux fur coat!

3. Pick the right color

Faux fur coats are coming in every color this year, but the best colors are the ones that are more on the muted side. Colors like black, brown, maroon, dark blue and natural fur colors are perfect for owning the fur look without making a super loud statement. Check out this maroon one from ASOS.

4. Pair with basics

These coats look amazing with basic pieces. They pair perfectly with black jeans, mom jeans, leggings, and if you want to be a little edgy, leather pants. Tone it down even more with a pair of sneakers giving the look a street style vibe or dress it up a little with some booties. Throw on a simple graphic tee or solid color tee underneath the coat and your look is complete! 

5. Wear with neutrals

Another great way to make faux fur look casual is to wear it with muted colors. White, black, beige, grey and many other solid, neutral colors look amazing with faux fur. Use the neutral colors in the outfit to compliment the color of the jacket. This look is so cute and can be worn to class, work, an internship and definitely brunch. Try matching the color of the fur to the color of your shoes for a head-to-toe, put-together look.

6. Fur hints

A really fun way to work fur into an outfit is with small accents! Things like hats, shoes and even ear muffs add a cute fur touch to finish off an outfit. Check out some of the items we've rounded up with hints of fur.

These earmuffs from H&M come in pink and black too!

Also from H&M, this hat is what our childhood dreams are made of.

Shoes are so much fun to add fur to and these ones from Guess come in all black too!

7. Accessorize with fur

Don’t want fur to dominate your look but want to still get the look? Utilize accessories! From bags to scarves to wraps, fur can be added anywhere. 

Bags are the perfect place to add fur. Everyone will see it but it isn't the center of the outfit. This option from Forever 21 will go with any outfit!

Express has this fur scarf available that's perfect with any outfit.

Follow these guidelines for casually wearing your faux fur and your friends will be asking you for fashion advice all season!

Tristan Thompson isn't out of the doghouse quite yet. The current season of Keeping Up with the Kardashiansis revealing everything that went down back in April after news broke that Thompson cheated on Khloé, and it's clear that her sisters haven't held back when it comes to sharing how they feel about Thompson. But the latest in the series in digs against Thompson wasn't on KUWTK, but instead, at his basketball game on Friday when Kendall Jenner booed him as he shot a free throw.

Thompson and the Cleveland Cavaliers were playing the Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons, Kendall's rumored boyfriend. The two players had their own drama on the court, even having to be separated by a referee towards the end of the game. 

Kendall's booing was caught on tape, and the video reached Khloé on Saturday. Even though the new mom spent Thanksgiving with Thompson instead of her family, Khloé still came to Kendall's defense. 

"What he did was f–ked up and disgusting," Khloé tweeted in response to someone asking where she stands with Thompson. "What you’re watching is over seven months old. We have gone through countless hours of help. My sister was watching her man Play against my man… So of course she’s going to heckle the opposing team. Why are you confused?"

Khloé tweeted again, seemingly making light of the whole situation. 

Thompson later took to Twitter himself to call Simmons his "bro" after a separate video emerged that showed him flipping him off on the court. 

As for the drama between Khloé's family and Thompson, it's not likely to end soon since season 15 of KUWTK is still rehashing the cheating scandal. On Wednesday's episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Kim Kardashian said it's "awkward, especially for maybe Tristan."

"Unfortunately, that was what [was] going on in our lives," Kim said. "So six months later when it replays — and [he and Khloé have] gotten through what they needed to get through — and it’s rehashed in front of everyone and everyone’s giving their opinions all over again and we’re live-tweeting and everyone’s chiming in. So that is hard for Khloé and I’m sure for Tristan, but it’s our reality."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are moving out of Kensington Palace and into Windsor Castle's Frogmore Cottage. The house, where the couple had their wedding reception, is located about 45 minutes outside of London. 

The Sun's royal correspondent Emily Andrews first reported the news, which was later confirmed by Kensington Palace in a statement: "Windsor is a very special place for Their Royal Highnesses and they are grateful that their official residence will be on the estate." 

Prior to Andrews' report, it was largely believed that Harry and Meghan would move into Apartment 1 at Kensington Palace, A.K.A. right next door to Prince William and Kate Middleton. But Harry and William recently split their courts, which means they'll work individually rather than together at a shared office in Kensington Palace. 

"The initial plan was for Harry and Meghan to move out of their cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace and into one of the main apartments,"The Sun reported. "But there has been a bit of tension between the brothers. Now Harry and Meghan don’t want to live next to William and Kate and want to strike out on their own."

Since Harry and Meghan are expecting their first child together in the spring, there's also been speculation that Meghan's mom might be preparing to stay with the couple "on a regular basis," the Daily Mail reported. Their new home will have ten bedrooms instead of the two they currently have. 

As the retweets and favorites continued to rise on a tweet that accused Ariana Grande of "milkin" her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller's death, the singer decided to respond in the nicest way possible. 

"i pray you never have to deal with anything like this ever and i’m sending you peace and love," Ariana wrote in response to the tweet, which initially referenced a tribute to Mac that she shared on Thanksgiving. 

via Ariana Grande - Instagram

Another posted"Ariana let it go... Mourn it behind closed doors. Stop milkin' it when you wasn't even there when he was at his lowest right before it happened."

Ariana tweeted about the hate again, saying, "some of the shit i read on here makes me sick to my stomach. it scares me the way some people think and i don’t like this world a lot of the time. if only we could be more compassionate and gentle with one another. that’d be sick."

Fans and other celebrities alike quickly came to Ariana's defense, including Halsey. She not only went off on the poster of the viral tweet, but she also wrote a heartfelt message for Ariana: "ari the world could only dream of being as compassionate and gentle as you. and since ur being, as always, so classy and nice, allow me the honor of telling them to shut the fuck up."

Before signing off for the night, Ariana sent a final tweet that said "everything i feel is valid and safe. everything i do is genuine and honest. there is no right or wrong during this period."

And she's absolutely right! Trolls, please take Halsey's advice and STFU.

Names: Fatimah Asghar & Sam Bailey

Ages: 28 & 29

Job Titles and Descriptions: Artist (Asghar) / Filmmaker (Bailey)

College Name and Major: International Relations and Africana Studies at Brown University (Asghar) / Acting Focus in Theatre (Bailey)

Websites: www.fatimahasghar.com / www.samqbailey.com

Twitter Handles: @asgharthegrouch / @SamQBailey

Instagram Handles: @asgharthegrouch / @samb.chi

Becoming an artist takes a lot of dedication. You may be facing doubts from your family as to whether this a solid career choice or you may struggle with how best to communicate your ideas in a way others can appreciate. Art can make people feel better, make them think critically, and above all, has an impact on how they lead your lives. Being able to create and share art is an honor and privilege.

No one understands that more than Fatimah Asghar and Sam Bailey, creators of Brown Girls, an Emmy-nominated web series. The show explores young women of color navigating their twenties, and had so much buzz after its first season that HBO picked it up for development. Now Fatimah and Sam take us the most important parts of being artists: the ability to tell a story, the necessity of just sitting down and doing work, and finding the collaborators that will truly bring out the best in you.

Her Campus: What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?

Sam Bailey: There is no real typical day, more like a typical couple of weeks here and there. I’m currently in post-production for a short documentary I recently shot in Chicago. I’m working on visual decks for a few projects I’m in pre-production for. And in a couple of weeks, I’ll be traveling to direct on another tv show. My days are always all over the place. I keep one foot in the indie world in Chicago, and the other foot in Hollywood, so the only thing I can count on is that every day will bring something new.

Fatimah Asghar: There’s no typical day for me. I’m an artist, primarily a writer, and my current job consists of a lot of things. I’m currently on a book tour for my debut collection of poems IF THEY COME FOR US, so a lot of my current schedule is filled with travel, performance, and meetings.

Sam Bailey

HC: What is the best part of your job?

SB: The best part of my job is putting a story together, coming up with a visual language that supports either a script I wrote or a script I’ve been entrusted with bringing to life. I love pre-production, I love the planning and building of a story. I love consuming other art as inspiration for my work. I get paid to be a storyteller and that’s pretty f-cking cool.

FA: Creating. I’m really blessed that I get to be an artist. There’s no feeling like when you just finished a poem or when a draft of a screenplay or script leads you to a new discovery.

HC: What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?

SB: It’s going to sound weird, but I jumped into directing my first gig, so I never really had to do an entry-level position because I was creating my own work. In the beginning, I’d go from directing to being a PA just so I could learn every position on a film set, but that wasn’t a necessity for me.

FA: I worked as a Literary Apprentice for Steppenwolf Theater, and I got it because I applied.

HC: What words of wisdom (well-known quotes, an anecdote from your boss) do you find most valuable?

SB: “Better an asshole than a chicken shit," was a quote my theatre professor told me back in college. I always thought of that quote in relation to fear. Being fearless, especially as a woman and a black woman in this industry is something that I’m always striving for. Maybe not fearless, because I think we all have fear and that’s a natural thing, but to not let that fear stifle me.

FA: Do your work. Just do your work. There’s no substitute for doing it ever. You have to sit at the table, and you have to wrestle with the thing. There are no shortcuts around it.

Fatimah Asghar by Cassidy Kristiansen

HC: What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?

SB: Film is a collaborative art form and 9 times out of 10 I’ve had the pleasure of working with a lot of amazing artists. Every now and then, I’ve allowed someone to work with me and our collaborative practice just didn’t work. For me, it’s about being really specific about how I’m going to create because an imbalance in partnership can really sully a project.

FA: Whenever I don’t trust my gut. There have been people who’ve wanted to work with me or small jobs that I’ve taken because I thought it would be a good experience, but I ignored warning signs in the beginning. Like casual homophobia or racism. I thought that I was being oversensitive or that they were small microaggressions that we could move past, only to have it blow up in my face later. That’s the biggest lesson I learned: to only work with people that I actually really want to work with.

HC: What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?

SB: Probably the Emmy nomination [Brown Girls was nominated for Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series]. That just seemed so outside of my wildest dreams. I don’t even think I was present in the moment, I felt like I was outside of myself watching it all happen.

FA: Being nominated for the Emmy Awards last year was pretty surreal. It was completely unexpected.

HC: What do you look for when considering hiring someone?

SB: I look for people who are independent workers, good problem solvers, and pro-positive communication. So many film sets have a military approach to working and I don’t want my sets to operate that way. So it’s really important to me when I get the chance to put together my crew and heads of departments, that they’re emotionally mature collaborators.

FA: I don’t really hire people. But I collaborate a lot with people. I look for motivation, ability to learn on your own, a unique voice and perspective, and someone who is kind. Really, life is too short to be working with mean people. I can’t overestimate how far basic kindness goes, and how that makes people want to work with you.

HC: What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?

SB: Make your work. Make it with your peers. Focus on the doing and the making, don’t focus on the fame aspect of it. Get really intimate with why you’re making work. Because there will be people and opportunities that reveal themselves to you who will challenge your inner artist and I think it’s important that we get really concrete and honest with ourselves as to why we’re doing what we’re doing so we can be confident in those choices.

FA: No one else's journey will be yours. That’s my advice. As an artist, there’s no one path. And you’re going to do it differently than anyone else and that’s okay. In fact, that’s great.

HC: What's the one thing that's stood out to you the most in a resume?

SB: Anything that shows initiative. I’m interested in people putting themselves out there.

FA: In writing and art, I think clarity of voice and vision. You can tell when something is authentic, versus when someone is just biting or copying someone.

Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.

But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)

San Ysidro Border Crossing Closes After Fence Breach Attempt

US Customs and Border Protection closed the Mexican border at the San Ysidro port of entry on Sunday after a group of asylum seekers in Tijuana tried to breach the separation fence. The rush of migrants — around 500, according to CNN— eventually resulted in agents shooting tear gas. 

According to a statement from US Customs and Border Protection, the port was closed "to prepare for the possibility that additional groups would also break off from demonstrations for a possible attempt or attempts to rush illegally through the port of entry." 

The incident came after weeks of "thousands of migrants" from Central America gathering at the Tijuana border with hopes of entering the US, The Los Angeles Times reported. President Trump, however, has said he wants to seal off the border to prevent any migrants from entering the country before they go through the immigration process. 

National Climate Assessment Describes Bleak Future

A National Climate Assessment is released every four years, and the latest— a nearly 1,700-page report produced by 13 federal agencies — warned of thousands of deaths, a damaged economy, and more. "Earth’s climate is now changing faster than at any point in the history of modern civilization, primarily as a result of human activities," the report's overview stated. "The impacts of global climate change are already being felt in the United States and are projected to intensify in the future—but the severity of future impacts will depend largely on actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the changes that will occur."

If greenhouse emissions aren't reduced significantly, the annual average global temperature is at risk of rising by 9 degrees Fahrenheit or more by the end of the century. The report said that higher temperatures will kill more people, especially in the Midwest since it'll have the largest increase in extreme temperature. What's more, the report "suggests no facet of life — whether it's global trade, national security or personal health — will be safe. And it says every nightmare scenario will feed into another: The disasters from climate change will start to compound each other, as will the consequences,"CBS News reported. 

The report was actually supposed to be released in December, but the Trump administration made the decision to release it on the day after Thanksgiving. Just two days prior, Trump tweeted, "Whatever happened to Global Warming?" keeping with his stance that climate change isn't real. 

George Papadopoulos Denied Prison Term Delay

A federal judge rejected former Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos' last-minute bid to delay his two-week prison term on Sunday. Now, he'll have to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons on Monday. "Papadopoulos waited until the eleventh hour to seek relief; indeed, he did not file his second motion — the stay request — until the last business day before he was scheduled to surrender to serve his sentence," wrote US District Court Judge Randolph Moss. "He has only his own delay to blame."

Back in the spring of 2016, Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators about his communications with Russian intermediaries during the 2016 presidential campaign, the Associated Press reported. While working for Trump's campaign, Papadopoulos was allegedly told that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton; however, he said he'd made a "terrible mistake" at his sentencing hearing in September. 

Papadopoulos is the first person sentenced in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. 

What to look for...

Snow. Millions across the US are facing blizzard warnings and winter storms. 

In the words of Scar, be prepared, because the King of Pride Rock is coming back to the silver screen—and he's already breaking records.

Disney released the teaser trailer for the live-action remake of classic '90s animated film, The Lion King, on Thanksgiving and within 24 hours of its release, the teaser had already received over 224.6 million views, according to Entertainment Weekly. It is the second most-watched trailer by any studio or company in one day. With big names in the cast like Donald Glover, James Earl Jones, Seth Rogen, and the one and only Beyoncé, this live-action remake is set to be amazing.

The teaser trailer is a masterpiece, recreating the iconic opening scene of the original film where Rafiki presents baby Simba, the heir of Pride Rock, to the animal kingdom. From the beautiful textures and scene changes to Mufasa’s smooth voiceover to “The Circle of Life” blasting in the background, the entire thing is absolutely epic.

It’s finally the holiday season, which means it’s time for the White House decor to come out. Melania Trump unveiled photos of the decorations on Monday via Twitter, and the memes about the first lady’s “blood red” trees soon came rolling in. 

The theme for this years 2018 holiday season is “American Treasures,” according to the White House. Forty sky-high and crimson trees line the East Wing Hallway near the East Garden Room. It’s the source of the internet’s fascination and jokes, and many have now referred to them as the “blood-red” trees. As Time reports, the Cross Hall and Grand Foyer are also adorned with the crimson color. About 14,000 red ornaments are on a total of 29 trees. The red is a nod to the red stripes on the presidential seal that symbolize “valor and bravery,” according to Time. 

“This is a joyous time of year when we decorate the White House for the Christmas Season,” Melania Trump said in a statement from the White House. “Our theme honors the heart and spirit of the American people. Thank you to the many volunteers and staff who worked hard to decorate the halls of the People’s House in Christmas cheer. On behalf of my family, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

Melania released a video of her walking through the 29 trees, and you can see ornaments with her Be Best campaign logo. You can also see a Gold Star Family tree in the East Wing.

But really no one could let go of the blood-red trees irony.

So many people were reminded of the best-selling novel and hit television show The Handmaid’s Tale. 

Some referenced cult-classic films. 

These are the important questions to ask folks!

It looks like a theme is happening here.

Some are here to remind us of how Trump's immigration policies are affecting people at the border.

It has to have a certain vibe or else.

Who ever said Halloween was once a year?

Narnia was SO last year...

Amanda Bynes was a household name in the 90s and early 2000s. She was known for her iconic roles on All That, The Amanda Show, What a Girl Wants, and She’s the Man. But for the longest time, she was among a group of female celebrities who were scrutinized by the tabloids. Things started to spiral for Bynes in 2010, where her strange Twitter rants and multiple car accidents became largely publicized on entertainment blogs. For the last couple of years, Bynes has disappeared from the public eye and remained silent on her troubled past. But in a new interview from Paper Magazine’s “Break the Internet” issue, the actress opens up about her “dark, sad world” and her issues with substance abuse.

In the interview, the actress recalled the first time she smoked marijuana at 16 years old. “Even though everyone thought I was the ‘good girl,’ I did smoke marijuana from that point on,” she explained. “I didn’t get addicted [then] and I wasn’t abusing it. And I wasn’t going out and partying or making a fool of myself...yet.”

It wasn’t until later that she tried harder drugs such as MDMA, cocaine, and ecstasy. “[I tried] cocaine three times but I never got high from cocaine. I never liked it. It was never my drug of choice.” When the actress tried Adderall, she said it became a frequent use. She recalled how “the mixture of being so high that I couldn’t remember my lines and not liking my appearance” drove her to drop out of the movie Hall Pass, which she now sees as “completely unprofessional.” 

And it wasn’t until Bynes saw herself in the 2010 movie Easy A that she decided to quit acting.

“I literally couldn’t stand my appearance in that movie and I didn’t like my performance. I was absolutely convinced I needed to stop acting after seeing it,” Bynes told Paper Magazine, recalling how the drugs affected her body image. “I was high on marijuana when I saw that but for some reason it really started to affect me. I don’t know if it was a drug-induced psychosis or what, but it affected my brain in a different way than it affects other people. It absolutely change my perception of things.”

It was then she became infamous for her Twitter rants to celebrities like Drake, which she now is “ashamed and embarrassed” of ever happening. “I can’t turn back time but if I could, I would. And I’m so sorry to whoever I hurt and whoever I lied about because it truly eats away at me,” she said. “It makes me feel so horrible and sick to my stomach and sad. Everything I worked my whole life to achieve, I kind of ruined it all through Twitter.” 

Bynes is currently four years sober and plans to finish her Associate’s degree at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. She then plans to continue with her Bachelor’s degree next year, according to Paper Magazine. The actress even said that she was excited to potentially return to acting in the future, saying that she has “no fear” of it. 

“My advice to anyone who is struggling with substance abuse would be to be really careful because drugs can really take hold of your life,” she told Paper. “There are gateway drugs and thankfully I never did heroin or meth or anything like that but certain things that you think are harmless, they may actually affect you in a more harmful way. Be really, really careful because you could lose it all and ruin your entire life like I did.” 

We cannot wait for more Amanda...please. 

Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds — we’re all only human, after all. 

But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.) 

NASA Lands A Spacecraft On Mars For The Eighth Time 

The NASA InSight mission has landed on Mars, after a seven-month-long journey through space. A couple minutes after landing, InSight sent an official “beep” to workers at NASA. The lander also sent its first image of the planet’s surface. On the official Twitter account for the lander, it apologizes for the grainy image and said “my lens cover isn’t off yet, but I just had to show you a first look at my new home.” 

The workers at NASA all erupted into cheers and applause once the mission was complete, according to CNN. People were able to see the landing around the world, and it was even broadcast on the Nasdaq Stock Market tower in New York City.

“Today, we successfully landed on Mars for the eighth time in human history,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine in a statement. “InSight will study the interior of Mars and will teach us valuable science as we prepare to send astronauts to the Moon and later to Mars.” 

He continued, “This accomplishment represents the ingenuity of America and our international partners, and it serves as a testament to the dedication and perseverance of our team. The best of NASA is yet to come, and it is coming soon.”

Not much is know about the planets inner core, and that’s what the mission aim’s to learn more about. 

Prosecutors Say Paul Manafort Lied, Following His Plea Agreement With The FBI

In a court filing on Monday, federal prosecutors for special counsel Robert Mueller said that former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort lied to FBI and Mueller investigators. Manafort signed a plea deal in September and is now in violation of the agreements terms. The prosecutors alleged that he “committed federal crimes,” which alludes to how he lied about multiple matters. As a result, the special counsel is asking for Manafort to serve more jail time.

CNBC reports that Manafort agreed to plead guilty to charges related to “conspiracy involving money laundering, tax fraud, failing to report foreign bank accounts, violating rules requiring registration of foreign agents, lying and witness tampering.” He agreed in exchange for a lesser sentence. The agreement also said he cannot withdraw his guilty plea. After the court filing, the New York Times reports that he could receive jail time for at least a decade on 10 felony counts. 

The filing said that Manafort’s team does deny any wrongdoing and “believes he has provided truthful information” to the government during the investigation. CNN and other news sources confirm that more details on his alleged crimes will be released at a later date. 

President Trump Defends The Use Of Tear Gas & Says No Children Were Affected By It

Over 500 migrants tried to cross the U.S.-Mexico border on Sunday, according to the New York Times. The busy entry points at the border were temporarily shutdown, but have since reopened. Trump later threatened on Monday to permanently close the border, describing the migrants as “stone cold criminals.”Images were later released of women and children fleeing tear gas, which was released by US Customs and Border Protection agents. 

Trump has since faced intense criticism on how he handle the situation. When speaking with reporters at the White House, Trump implied that the tear gas wasn’t used on children. Trump responded to a reporter’s question, who asked if the president was “comfortable teargassing children.” 

“They’re not, as you know. They’re not,” Trump said via a video shared by CBS News on Twitter. “They had to use [it] because they were being rushed by some very tough people. And they used tear gas. Here’s the bottom line: Nobody’s coming into our country unless they come in legally.”

Images of children fleeing from tear gas have left many Democrats and activists reeling from the events.

It’s unclear what the White House’s stance is in regards to the reports on how children were impacted by tear gas.  

What To Look Out For...

Dictionary.com just announced it's 2018 word of the year as misinformation. It defines it as "false information that is spread, regardless of whether there is intent to mislead." The Oxford Dictionary also announce it's word of the year to be toxic. I don't know about you, but I'm sensing a theme here. 

Are you in need of some jolly holiday-themed news? Are finals or deadlines at work making you dream about all the cookies, spiked eggnog and holiday espresso drinks at Starbucks you’ll be having? Well then clearly you’re in luck because Starbucks always has you covered.

As of today, (yes today!), for a limited time only, there will be a new addition to the addictive lineup of holiday espresso drinks at our go-to safe haven for all things coffee. If you’re in need of a switch-up to your regular order, you need to try the new Juniper Latte at Starbucks this holiday season.

Image via Starbucks

What even is a Juniper Latte? Well, it is basically a combination of sweet orange and mulled spices, to give you a cozy, sitting by the fire type feeling. It’s made up of espresso, steamed milk, juniper syrup, and some pine-citrus sugar to top it off. Basically, this drink is like a spicier fruity, woodsy holiday warmer. You’ll just have to try it to figure out exactly what that means.

Also, starting on December 1st, with every purchase of a handcrafted latte including this Juniper Latte, Starbucks will be donating 20 cents to the Global Fund to help fight AIDS with (RED). So you’re getting a *handcrafted* (how fancy of you) drink AND doing your part. Even more good news, today will bring new holiday-themed mugs (candy cane of course), glitter tumblers and other merchandise which will be the best gifts at any Secret Santa party.

Image via Starbucks

Finally, (there’s a lot of overwhelmingly good news I know) if you’re a Starbucks Rewards member, which we all know most of us are by now, you have another chance to win multiple different prizes by playing Starbucks for Life from today until December 31st. You could literally win Starbucks for Life and this is something we can all admit would seriously help the bank.

Giving Tuesday falls on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving every year, following a long weekend of overspending on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It’s a day of giving time, money and attention to the charities that matter most to you. According to Vox, the tradition started in 2012 the 92nd Street Y in New York and the United Nations Foundation, but it quickly spread to other organizations.

Even on a tight college budget, there are ways to give back to causes that matter. Whether it’s by volunteering or buying your friends and family charitable donations as holiday presents, donating on Giving Tuesday is a great way to give back during the holiday season. Resources like Charity Navigator and GiveWell can help you find influential organizations, but listed below are some of the top organizations to give to today.

Women-focused groups include Planned Parenthood and Equality Now. Planned Parenthood focuses more on female reproductive health while Equality Now fights for gender equality around the world. 

To give to families trying to cross the border or that have newly immigrated, Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services in Texas works to provide low cost or free legal services to immigrants and refugees. The National Immigration Law Center also works towards defending and advancing the rights of low income immigrants. 

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the United States. They operate the National Sexual Assault Hotline and work with over 1,000 sexual assault service providers nationwide. 

The Trevor Project is well-known for their work towards suicide prevention in the LGBTQ+ community. GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders works through public policy, legislation and education to create a society free of discrimination against people based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation. 

A more general option is the American Civil Liberties Union. This group is known for defending a variety of social issues to “defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States.”  

One of the highest proclaimed international organizations to give money to is GiveDirectly. Your donation goes directly to a family in a poor community for them to use how they see fit. Their website outlines how they pick the families and track the money. 

If you’d rather give back to animals, Animal Equality also works in 8 countries, including the United States, to end animal suffering. Through investigations and campaigns, they raise awareness and work towards more respect and protection for all animals.

Wherever you choose to give, it’s important to research the organizations in order to understand where exactly your money is going. Secure payment portals and reliable websites are an important way to make sure that your money goes where you intend it to.  

Thanksgiving is over, the remaining holidays are right around the corner, and we believe the final month of the year should be spent looking and feeling glam AF. So, what crazy and beautiful beauty looks are you going to fit into the rest of 2018? Whether it's a signature red lip for your holiday parties, or channeling your inner ice queen with an extra set of sparkles, there are so many fun ways to make your makeup festive to close our the year. 

Here's a roundup of inspo from our favorite beauty icons with makeup looks you'll want to imitate this month. 

1. Blue & Gray Shadow

Combining blue and gray shades channels a pouty winter vibe, especially if you finish with a nude matte lip. 

2. Nut-Brown Eyes & Lips

A nude lip is comfy, yet stylish, so it's pretty safe for whatever you've got planned for the rest of the year. We love nut-brown and coffee-colored shades for December, because they feel on brand with holiday treats and warm drinks. Match your eyeshadow with peachy lips for an even more startling effect. 

3. Shimmery Highlights

Rihanna is coming in hot with the holiday party makeup inspiration. The eyes and lips in this look have heavy shading with purple metallic colors, and you'll notice that the cheeks also have a faint trace of shimmery purple highlight. It might feel like a lot when you're in the application phase, but the finished result will be so worth it. 

4. Heavy, Dark Brows

Sometimes, eyebrows are a look all on their own, especially if you're going for understated tones on your eyes and lips. Give your brows heavy definition, like, heavier than you've ever given them before, and pair with long lashes to keep the focus on the top half of your face.  

5. Classic Red Lip

Of course, we can’t forget about the famous red lip. This is a fast way to elevate a simple sweater + leggings outfit, or add a pop of color when the winter weather is washing you out. Whether you prefer a lush berry or signature red, there are so many ways (and days) to wear this. 

6. Glossy All-Over

Dewy lips, eyes, cheeks – no matter what, gloss is in and should be a staple to keep your skin looking fresh. You can get this looks by wearing the Glossier Clear Lip Gloss or Flesh Beauty Flesh Pot dabbed lightly over your eyelids and cheekbones.