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Ryan Reynolds Told the Creepiest Santa Clause Story to His Daughter

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Every year as Christmas approaches, parents around the world scramble to come up with answers to the very specific questions about Santa Clause. Who is his favorite reindeer? What does he do if he doesn’t like the cookies at a house? And at the Lively-Reynolds household, how does he get down the chimney when the fire is still burning?

Ryan Reynolds took to Instagram to share a conversation he had Christmas day with his 3-year-old daughter James. Apparently Ryan left the fire burning in the fire place on Christmas Eve, and James was quick to pick up on it. Unlike the many parents who may panic under the realization they screwed up, Ryan did not try to come up with a wild excuse on the spot. Instead, Ryan’s Santa Clause story took a dark turn:

Not only is his description incredibly creepy (“crows circle in the distance NO THANK YOU), but the accompanying picture might even be worse. The picture is a little dark, so we can’t be sure, but it sure looks like two skinny little Santa legs in the burning fire place. Yikes.

If the photo that Blake Lively shared of Christmas cookies that Ryan made over the weekend are any indication, it seems like he may have some bad luck with burning things.

 

@vancityreynolds made some Christmas cookies... ...He’s verrry handsome though.

A post shared by Blake Lively (@blakelively) on

Luckily, there’s Blake to keep the holidays running smoothly for our favorite family.


Her Conference 2018 Has Arrived–Here's How You Can Get Discounted Tickets

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Ladies, take a moment to prepare yourselves. *drum roll* Registration for Her Conference 2018 is officially open! Now in its 7th year, the ultimate career development event for college women and recent grads is back and better than ever.

Join us July 21-22 in New York City to experience two days of up-close interaction with industry leaders and badass keynotes covering everything from media, marketing, and entrepreneurship to entertainment, tech, social impact, leadership, and more. If that wasn't already #careergoals, we've got swag and mega giveaways like you've never seen before––because we know you love your freebies. 

This year, choose from General Admission and VIP ticketing options. Each comes with two full days of panels and 6+keynote speakers, plus food, a conference essentials kit, gift bag, and access to the Lady Cave which features an Ulta Beauty Bar. It's gonna be lit. VIP ticket holders get reserved up-front seating and expedited check in, a VIP gift bag and conference t-shirt, plus meet + greets with select speakers, so you know you want this upgrade. 

Visit www.herconference.com to register and check back regularly for conference updates. Plus, register before Jan. 2 and use the code HCXOLIDAY for an exclusive $50 discount off your ticket. We can't wait to see you there!

It Turns Out Kylie Jenner WAS at the Kardashians' Christmas Eve Party

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If you’ve been keeping up with all of the Kardashian baby drama in 2017, you know that both Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner are (reportedly) expecting new bundles of joy. Khloe has confirmed that she and her boyfriend, basketball player Tristan Thompson, are expecting, but Kylie has yet to confirm anything. 

Kylie’s caginess about her rumored pregnancy has Kardashian fans eagerly watching her every move, so some were quick to point out the she appeared to be absent from Kris Jenner’s annual Christmas Eve party. (After they were shocked when she was the only Kardashian-Jenner sister not in the family's Christmas card.) However, according toPeople magazine, Kylie was at the party; she was just “celebrating away from the cameras.”

Khloe Kardashian also provided more evidence that Kylie was at the family party. First, on Christmas, Khloe shared on Snapchat a video of her and Kylie, in which Khloe said to her sister, "Merry Christmas! People think you weren’t there last night." Kylie replied, "I was." Khloe also followed up on Tuesday, sharing pictures of her and Kylie from a photo booth at the party. And sadly, as much as fans want to hear about the pregnancy from Kylie herself, her bump was not on display. 

Honestly, I think people need to give Kylie a break. She is twenty years old and is potentially expecting her first child. Respect her wishes for privacy and let her enjoy this special moment. She’ll share details when she’s ready! 

This Artist Uses Fenty Beauty Products to Paint Portraits of Rihanna & The Results Are Breathtaking

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If you thought makeup was about artistic expression before, wait until you see these amazing portraits of Rihanna painted by tattoo artist Alena Wedderburn. Wedderburn has been illustrating her celebrity icon, Rihanna, for years, and while she's def capable of drawing RiRi in pencil and watercolor, she has recently taken to using renowned Fenty Beauty products to create her beautiful work.

Yes, that's right––Stunna Lip Paint and Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter look amazing on more than just the face! In fact, Wedderburn uses her body as a canvas, often painting the creations on her legs. 

The 23-year-old fan is a tattoo artist from Prague, but clearly her talents extend further than the tattoo gun. According to Cosmopolitan, Wedderburn has been drawing with makeup on her body for almost two years, but found her true artistic inspiration after meeting Rihanna backstage in 2013. 

If you want to see more of these unique portraits, visit @kiss_my_airs on Instagram and give this account all the hype it deserves. 

Multiple Male Actors Have Said They Will Also Protest Sexual Misconduct by Wearing Black at the 2018 Golden Globes

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Hollywood has changed a lot since awards season. Scores of brave women and the #MeToo movement revealed the long history of sexual harassment and assault by Hollywood powerhouses like producer Harvey Weinstein, and the movement isn’t slowing down. As previously reported, actresses will wear black to the Golden Globes on Jan. 7 to protest this sexual harassment, and according to The Hollywood Reportermale actors are now on track to also dress in black.

Celebrity stylist Ilaria Urbinati, whose clients include Armie Hammer and Tom Hiddleston, posted an Instagram confirming the news. “YES, the men WILL be standing in solidarity with women on this wearing-all-black movement to protest against gender inequality at this year’s Golden Globes. At least ALL MY GUYS will be. Safe to say this may not be the right time to choose to be the odd man out here…” her caption read. Her client Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson showed his support, commenting “Yes we will.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, fashion representatives are working hard to be sure that everyone who wants to participate has the option to. “We are working hard to get in more all-black options to support those who are adhering to the Gold Globes consensus,” said a fashion rep.

Women have definitely been the front runners of this charge against predators, and it is heartening to see that men are standing behind them in solidarity. But seeing all the men in black at the Golden Globes will also be a reminder that men, such as actor Terry Crews are victims of sexual assault as well. 

The Dress Meghan Markle Wore in Her Engagement Photoshoot Is Worth $75,000, Obviously

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When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced their engagement in November, the world went abuzz over the royal lovebirds––but it was nothing compared to the hype surrounding the couple's recent engagement photoshoot. There's no denying how stunning the pair looked together, especially Meghan, who positively beamed in a black and gold gown. One thing you might not have known about her dress though, is that it costs a whopping $75,000. 

Here's a look at the Ralph & Russo gown from the runway.

Naturally, it looks like Meghan's stylists tailored her dress to be a little less revealing, but either way, she made a fabulous choice. Now we just have to wait to see what kind of gown Princess Meghan wears at her wedding! 

How to Deal With Street Harassment Safely

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It is an unfortunate reality that most women have experienced street harassment at least once in their lives. In a 2014 survey, Stop Street Harassment found that 65 percent of all women had experienced street harassment. What is even more appalling, however, is the fact that many women encounter street harassment on a regular basis. 86 percent of the women who reported being harassed said they had been harassed more than once. Whether you are unsure of what street harassment entails, you want to find out how to combat it safely or you wish to take action against street harassment on your campus, this article can help.

What is street harassment?

We talked to Holly Kearl, founder of the nonprofit organization Stop Street Harassment, published author and consultant for organizations like the United Nations and the U.S. State Department. She defines gender-based street harassment as “unwanted comments, gestures and actions forced on a stranger in a public place without their consent, directed at them because of their actual or perceived sex, gender, gender expression or sexual orientation.”

Gender-based street harassment can range from “mild acts like whistling, kissing noises and ‘hey baby’-type comments, to persistent demands for your name and number or sexually explicit remarks, and even to illegal acts like flashing, following and groping,” says Kearl. If someone says or does something without your consent that makes you feel uncomfortable, that is harassment.

How should you deal with street harassment?

Unfortunately, there is no guarantee of a safe or unsafe way to react to street harassment. You never know how the harasser may respond. That being said, there are some kinds of statements that are safer to use than others. “The types of responses that seem to be the least likely to prompt an escalated response are ones that surprise the harasser,” says Kearl. She suggests a few of these responses, including:

  • Call out the actions as harassment
  • Depending on the situation and your comfort level, say: “That’s harassment,” “Back off,” “No,” That’s not okay,” “Stop it” or “Show some respect”
  • Ask the harasser to repeat him or herself
  • If there are other people around to hear you, loudly announce what the harasser just said or did
  • Ask the harasser if that’s how s/he wants a loved one treated

On the flip side, the types of responses that are most likely to escalate a situation are using profanity, flipping the person off and throwing insults at the harasser. Although it may be tempting to react in anger, these actions could only make the situation worse.

If it does escalate, don’t engage further. The attention may only encourage their behavior. Once you’ve responded, keep moving. You can report the harasser to the police or another person of authority, such as a transit worker if you are on a bus or subway.

What actions can be taken to combat street harassment?

There are multiple resources available if you are looking for support. The National Street Harassment Hotline provides free, 24/7 help in English and Spanish. The number is 855-897-5910. “First and foremost it’s important to take care of yourself,” says Kearl. “Harassment can be really upsetting so talking to someone to get support and/or doing something that can help you vent, heal and feel better is important.”

If you feel comfortable doing so, Kearl believes that it can be powerful to share your stories on or offline. Talking about what happened to you can help other harassed individuals feel less alone. Additionally, it can raise awareness for people who might not see harassment happening—like most men. “It may also help men who engage in mild harassment (such as whistling or ‘catcalls’) realize most women don’t like that kind of attention,” says Kearl.

Another suggestion is to practice responses to street harassment. Role-playing with a friend may feel cheesy, but when harassment happens, you only have a split second to decide what to do. If you’ve acted out a few different scenarios beforehand, you’ll be more likely to respond in a way that feels empowering to you.

Related:I Was Sexually Harassed by My Boss

What if you witness street harassment happening to someone else?

You will need to quickly assess the situation before you decide what to do. If you feel unsafe acting alone, you can enlist other bystanders to help you out. You may also want to call the police or someone else for assistance. If you do feel safe taking action, Kearl suggests the “fake friend” tactic. This non-confrontational strategy involves pretending to know the person being harassed and engaging them in conversation. Other options include creating a distraction or interruption, physically placing yourself between the harasser and the harassed person and directly telling the harasser to “cut it out,” “back off” or leave the person alone.

How can you help prevent street harassment on campus?

If you are interested in preventing street harassment on and around your college campus, Kearl suggests organizing a forum or discussion group, and/or surveying students to find out about their experiences. “Once you have collected information through one of these methods, you can look for patterns,” says Kearl. “Are there hotspots for harassment? Are there certain times of day when it’s worse? What kinds of harassment are people experiencing?” You can then lead a more targeted response based on what you have learned. You can do sidewalk chalking and hang or pass out fliers in hotspots. If harassment is occurring repeatedly near certain bars, clubs or other establishments, you can enlist the owners and staff in organizing campaigns with you to address the problem.

The 7th annual International Anti-Street Harassment Week is from April 2-8 in 2017. “People can organize events on their campus, like sidewalk chalking, flyering, discussions or art projects,” says Kearl, who is overseeing the initiative.

If you experience street harassment, be prepared and know how to respond as effectively as possible. Call the hotline or reach out to a friend for support if you find yourself struggling after the incident. As Kearl says,Street harassment is a human rights violation. It’s not okay, it’s not funny and it needs to end.” Take the initiative and work toward preventing street harassment on your campus—and beyond.

Feel Better About Your Travel Situation Because St. Louis Airport Got Evacuated All Because Of A Burnt Bagel

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The St. Louis Lambert International Airport was evacuated on Tuesday night around 6 p.m. due to a fire alarm going off in one of the terminal restaurants, according to local news station KDSK.

Airport officials made an estimated 300 to 400 travelers in Terminal 2 evacuate onto the tarmac on an extremely cold night in St. Louis, according to KDSK. While the evacuation only lasted about five minutes, the travelers then had to go through security checkpoints again, according to the Huffington Post.

Passengers said that they were confused about what was going on, but the River Front Times reports that the cause of the fire alarm stemmed from a burnt bagel in a restaurant. Southwest Airlines later released a statement regarding the incident.

“A small number of Southwest Airlines customers were evacuated this evening following a fire alarm inside the Terminal 2… We are working with the TSA to re-screen those impacted customers so we can get them to their destinations as quickly as possible,” said the airline company in its statement.

Overall, the incident only lasted roughly 30 minutes, according to KDSK. While this was only a minor event for the airport, travelers definitely won’t forget this experience of having to evacuate because a bagel was left in the toaster for a bit too long.


Barack Obama & Prince Harry Got Real About The Internet In Their BBC Radio 4 Interview

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In an interview fit for both a prince and a former president, Prince Harry spoke with Barack Obama as a guest editor for BBC Radio 4's flagship program "Today," which broadcasted on Wednesday, The New York Times reports. Topics ranged from life after the White House to the royal wedding and even boxers or briefs, but the two men also took the time to highlight a very important topic that's prevalent in today's political society: social media. 

Obama took a moment to "warn of the dangers" of social media, according to NBC News, and although neither of the men mentioned anyone specifically (but hey, we're looking at you, Trump), he spoke in general about the use of Twitter among people in power. 

"The social media landscape has changed dramatically... issues of trolling, extremism, fake news and cyber-bullying are major social issues," said Prince Harry on the topic during the interview. "Is there more that you could have done as president to get ahead of some of these issues?"

"The question I think really has to do with how do we harness this technology in a way that allows a multiplicity of voices, allows a diversity of views, but doesn't lead to a Balkanization of our society but rather continues to promote ways of finding common ground," responded Obama. "And all of us in leadership have to find ways in which we can create a common space on the internet." (Say it louder for the people in the back!)

"One of the dangers of the internet is that people can have entirely different realities," Obama continued. "They can be cocooned in information that reinforces their current biases."  (Insert one of Trump's many "fake news" Twitter rants here)

Obama also called upon the youth to start making change in their communities disconnected from the internet, but didn't agree with the popular belief that millennials are lazy, according to NBC News.

"This generation coming up is the most sophisticated, the most tolerant in many ways, the most embracing of diversity, the most tech-savvy, the most entrepreneurial but they don’t have much faith in existing institutions," said Obama. 

The internet and social media in general can be just as dangerous as they are addicting, especially for those in power. So although Obama didn't exactly "at" President Trump (although he may as well have), it's an important lesson to remember whether you're the President of the United States or not!

Rihanna Is Calling for an End to Gun Violence After Her Cousin Was Shot & Killed in Barbados

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Rihanna is calling for an end to gun violence after her cousin was tragically shot and killed yesterday, only one day after they spent the holidays together in Barbados.

On Tuesday, she took to Instagram to share multiple photos of she and her cousin, Tavon Kaiseen Alleyne, alongside the caption, "RIP cousin… can’t believe it was just last night that I held you in my arms! Never thought that would be the last time I felt the warmth in your body!!! Love you always man! #endgunviolence"

According to People, an investigation by Royal Barbados Police Force found that 21-year-old Alleyne was shot several times last evening as he was walking home in Barbados by a man who remains unidentified. He later died from his injuries at a nearby hospital.

From the looks of the photos in Rihanna's sweet tribute to her cousin, it looks as though she and Alleyne were close. When the singer turned 29 earlier this year, her cousin even posted a photo of the two together, saying, "your presence in my life is a source of joy and happiness," and calling her his "favorite cousin."

Fans have since taken to Rihanna's touching post to offer their condolences for her awful loss. "So very sorry for your loss may God bless and keep you and your family during this heart breaking time," one fan wrote. "My condolences." Our hearts are with Rihanna and her family during this incredibly difficult time — but if there's one thing we know about Rihanna, it's that she's not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. After many gun-related tragedies this year, hopefully, she will continue to fight for laws that protect others against senseless violence similar to what her cousin was a victim of.

A Woman Says Former Trump Campaign Manager Corey Lewandowski Sexually Harassed Her At Washington Campaign Events

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Joy Villa, a singer who is considering running for a Florida congressional seat, filed a sexual assault complaint against Corey Lewandowski to Washington's Metropolitan Police Department on Christmas Eve, MSN News reports. Villa, a Trump supporter herself, said Lewandowski reportedly hit her twice on the behind during a November gathering in Washington at the Trump International Hotel.

"I didn't know him at all," said Villa in a phone interview, according to MSN. "I only knew him by reputation. He broke my trust." 

Vox.com recounted even more details, as Lewandowski reportedly assaulted Villa after the two posed for a photo together: “I’m wearing this silver suit and stretchy pants, and after the photo, he smacks my ass really hard,” said Villa. “It was completely demeaning and shocking.”

After Villa told him to "watch it," he smacked her again, claiming that she could go ahead with any reports that she threatened because he worked in the private sector.

"I was initially fearful to come forward with this," said Villa, according to MSN, who was worried about bringing "shame" and "embarrassment" to both families. 

Unsurprisingly enough, this is not the first case charged against Lewandowski. A former campaign manager for Trump who was fired in June 2016, Lewandowski was also charged with misdemeanor battery for an altercation involving a female reporter in March 2016, MSN reports. 

Worried Her Son Was Driving Them To Drink, A Mother Gave His Teacher The Perfect Wino Present

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Mary Sommers, mother to son 14-year-old Jake, has hands-down won the award for Most Cleverly Savage Christmas Gift this year. She described Jake to her local TV station as being “that kid…who always has something to say” and wanted to thank his teachers who have dealt with him by giving both a thoughtful and hilarious present.

Sommers, with the help of her husband Paul and a printing company run by a family friend, created special labels to put on bottles of Chardonnay with a smiling picture of Jake, reading below “Our child might be the reason you drink, so enjoy this bottle on us.”

The gifts had the entire Internet LOL-ing after Jake’s older brother DJ tweeted pictures of Mary’s elaborate creation, which has since been retweeted almost 10,000 times.

She told Buzzfeed that “none of the teachers were shocked by it”, citing that they all deserved the wine after putting up with Jake, who she has termed the “school clown”. Jake himself agrees with his title, and even delivered the wine bottles, which he found funny, to his teachers himself.

What do you think of Mary’s gift? Too far, or just another example of parents proving that they too still have a few tricks up their sleeves? I think it’s safe to say that either way, we all could go for some Chardonnay whenever someone starts to get on our nerves. 

Kendall Jenner's Christmas Eve Outfit Has Our Extra-Meter Going Off

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In typical Kardashian/Jenner fashion, Kendall went over-the-top with her Christmas Eve party outfit this year. Don't get me wrong, the rest of the family was also dressed to the nines, but Kendall's unique outfit is worth examining on its own. 

 

Is your extra-meter going off yet? These blooming pants were created by L.A. based designers Azzi & Osta, who have worked their fashion magic on the likes of Kesha and Eva Longoria. Instead of pairing it with Azzi & Osta's own embroidered crop top, Kendall opted for a white bedazzled turtleneck and completed the #look with sky-high see-through heels and a perfectly executed red lip. 

Maybe it's not the look for you or me, but you have to admit Kendall worked it. 

Rep Image: Kendall Jenner / Instagram

Jerusalem May Name A Train Station After Donald Trump Over His Recognition Of The City As The Capital Of Israel

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The transportation minister of Israel announced on Wednesday that the railway tunnel to be built underneath Jerusalem’s Old City is to end at the Western Wall, with its station now to be named after President Trump, reports Time.

This announcement stems from Trump’s declaration that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, according to The Hill. Internationally, the city of Tel Aviv is recognized as Israel’s capital, while Israel considers Jerusalem their capital, The Hill states. However, Palestinians claim east-Jerusalem as its future state capital, according to Time, and Trump’s decision has caused even more tension in that region.

Yisrael Katz, the transportation minister, currently has a plan in its initial stages where two underground stations will be built, one beneath downtown Jerusalem and the other under the Old City, according to Time. While Jerusalem has a high-speed rail line set to open between Tel Aviv and the Western Wall, this plan would extend the rail.

“The Western Wall is the holiest place for the Jewish people, and I decided to name the train station that leads to it after President Trump — following his historic and brave decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel,” said Katz in a statement. The wall is considered to be one of the holiest sites in Judaism, and many people travel from all over the world to visit the wall, said The Hill.

According to Time, this project is estimated to cost more than $700 million and take at least four years to complete. Many are opposed to the project simply because it could cause irreplaceable damage to the 3,000-year-old city.

Trump was the first sitting U.S. president to visit the wall during his trip to Israel in May, said The Hill. He has not yet made a comment about this recent announcement.

People Are Already Prepared To Protest If Trump Decides To Fire Mueller

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In the latest of the series of President Trump’s controversial actions, the rumored possibility of the President firing special counsel Robert Mueller has incited preemptive organizations of protests by several progressive groups.

Over 140,000 people have registered online to participate in these protests, which have now grown to include a dozen organized groups and take place in more than 600 cities, the Washington Postreports. Even though such a decision remains unknown, and may not even actually occur, it speaks volumes to see the American public rallying together around common interests and priorities such as this one: ensuring that the Chief Executive of the country is not above the law.

President Trump, along with other White House officials, have denied this speculation over whether or not he will decide to fire special counsel Mueller, who has been investigating the Russian interference with the 2016 presidential election, has also recommended charges against the President’s former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and ex-campaign chairman, Paul Manafort.

Eric Holder, the former Attorney General for the United States, declared that such an act would be “an absolute red line” which the President should not cross without putting the county into a constitutional crisis.

Unsurprisingly, President Trump continues to rebuke those via Twitter and name-calling who stand opposed to him in his defense (of innocence and ignorance) with Russia’s meddling in the 2016 campaign. However, deciding to fire Robert Mueller, should he do so, would escalate this political crisis to a nearly-unprecedented level. Such a situation is disconcertingly reminiscent of the Watergate scandal during the Nixon administration, in which President Nixon repeatedly fired officials who were appointed to further investigate his involvement in order to protect himself and his position.

Only time will tell how President Trump chooses to respond to the allegations at hand and the fate of special counsel Mueller, but one thing remains certain: the American people will not stand for violations of justice and democracy.


Jenny Slate & Chris Evans Spent Christmas Together & We Hope This Means What We Think It Means

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Chances are, Jenny Slate and Chris Evans are no longer the world's nicest exes — because it looks like they may be back together.

On Christmas day, Chris's brother Scott shared a selfie to Instagram of him and Jenny, captioning it, "Christmas with my favorite Jew! @jennyslate."

 

Christmas with my favorite Jew! @jennyslate

A post shared by Scott Evans (@scottevansgram) on

UM, does this mean what we think it does? If Jenny spent Christmas day with Scott, Chris must not be far away — and no matter how much you love your ex (and they've made pretty clear that regardless of their relationship status, there's no bad blood), you probably don't bring them home for the holidays. Which is to say, could this mean that Jenny and Chris are back on?! It definitely seems like it.

Despite the fact that they reportedly broke up back in February after a year of dating, they've still had nothing but nice things to say about each other, even post-breakup. "She’s so vulnerable, so honest, so interested in other people more than herself, she’s incredibly compassionate, there’s just nothing to not love about her,"Evans told People in an interview earlier this year.

Combine that with the fact that they were also recently spotted having dinner together in Atlanta, and that Jenny reportedly even helped Chris apartment-hunt in New York last month, and it seems like a Jenny Slate and Chris Evans reunion is the Christmas miracle we were waiting for.

Wearing Makeup Is Not A Feminist Statement

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This article is an op-ed and the views are that of the author.

If you’ve ever bought a shirt, bag, or poster with the popular Pinterest-esque phrase “eyeliner sharp enough to kill a man” printed on it, then this is for you.

As a disclaimer, I’m currently wearing five NYX products on my face. I wear makeup every single day. I have an Ipsy subscription. I spend my money on makeup, and most of that money goes to mainstream brands.

I am a feminist, but wearing makeup is not an act of feminism.

The concept of “empowerment” has been utilized time and time again throughout history by marginalized groups fighting systems of oppression. But, through the sale and glorification of products which are themselves marketed as “empowering,” like tee shirts, tote bags, and other knick knacks, this concept has become popularized and commodified in a way that is so derailing, taking in part in such luxuries is inherently damaging. Consumers are told that simply buying their way into an activist movement via “empowering” commodities, rather than actively challenging systems of oppression, is sufficient enough activist work.

Something rubs me the wrong way when I see women who don’t wear makeup (especially women of color) getting called “brave” for stepping out in public bare-faced, yet taken less seriously at job interviews. It’s uncomfortable getting called “tired” when I choose to go a day without makeup, as if my $50 face is my expected default — or, worse yet, that my social circles genuinely believe my real face looks like my made-up face. It’s upsetting to learn that even makeup-free icons like Alicia Keys are still expected to undergo acupuncture, iced jade rolling, cucumber facials, mattifying creams, faux freckles, tanned serums, and the works just to appear truly bare-faced — as if women are not allowed to put less than hours into their physical appearance every day.

I’m especially cautious when goods are marketed to young women as “feminist,” like the Hot Topic “eyeliner sharp enough to kill a man” merch, yet the profits of which directly benefit male CEOs, and not underserved communities. There is a severe difference between a company simply trying to turn a profit, and a company trying to do so by convincing underserved communities to commodify themselves and their activism. I cannot suspend my disbelief that “lipstick darker than the blood of men” shirts actually contribute to the dismantling of patriarchal control over women’s appearances and not just some old white guy’s wallet. There will always be independent, nonwhite-woman-owned brands to choose from — but all makeup inherently caters to a larger white heteropatriarchal agenda that demands women meet generally Eurocentric beauty standards. Yikes. Crazy that this shit used to be marketed to men too.

Recent defense of makeup mostly comes from the feminist communities which believe we must protect women and men from “makeup-shaming,” any sort of bullying directed at the amount or styles of makeup individuals choose to wear. And, of course, we should strive for this. These communities have responded to criticism beautifully, by asserting that makeup can be a form of art and self-expression, or a powerful tool in gender presentation and confidence-building (especially for trans and gender-nonconforming individuals!). But, more often than not, the structural mechanisms in place to oppress women target those who do not wear makeup rather than those who do. I’m not saying that makeup-shaming isn’t a problem or is too small of a problem to consider, but systematic persecution of women who do not wear makeup takes place at a much higher rate than lame f*ckbois insulting innocent girls on Tinder for contouring.

Much of the commodification of anti-shaming is slathered in manipulative language that is skewed around the idea that you are taking control or “sticking it to the man” by wearing any particular shade of lipstick or eyeshadow. Insert: my issues with murderous eyeliner and gory lipstick. Reclamation is important, sometimes crucial in social resistance movements. Slurs, iconography, notable figures, and fashion trends can all be reclaimed by marginalized communities who have had their cultural symbols stripped from them. But enthusiastically participating in an economy which bullies women into wearing makeup far more often than it bullies women into not wearing it is off-kilter. I believe women who participate in the makeup industry for social and financial survival deserve basic respect, but I do not believe eyeliner needs reclaiming.

I am a feminist. I am a gender studies major with honors. I am queer. I am anti-capitalist.

I wear makeup. I do so to get taken seriously and seem “put together.” I participate in an inherently destructive industry that works against women all the time, every time.

I am working to reconcile the two, but that starts with an acknowledgement: Wearing makeup is not a feminist statement.

The Harry Potter Studio Tour Is Hosting a Valentine's Day Dinner & Now I Want a Magical Romance

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For Harry Potter fans, the best place to be is and always will be the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London. The studio, which houses the film franchise's sets, costumes and props for avid fans to visit, is currently running its annual "Hogwarts in the Snow" event, but Potterheads with a romantic side (and an equally Potter-obsessed SO) have a special treat in store. Refinery29 reports that the studio is hosting a special Valentine's Day dinner on Feb. 9 and 10, 2018, at its Great Hall set. Excuse me while my heart flutters.

Having held a similar celebration last year, Warner Bros. is billing the event as a "Valentine's Dinner in the Great Hall." According to the tour's website, the 18+ dinner will begin with welcome drinks for guests, which includes the "Love Potion" cocktail. After receiving their own special wands at their Great Hall tables, couples will then have a cozy three-course meal and exclusively tour the rest of the studio. Best of all, the evening will end with tea, coffee and dessert in view of the Hogwarts castle model, a sight which nearly made me cry when I visited the studio. Imagine my emotions if dessert had been included.

Sadly, both evenings are already sold out, which is incredible given the lofty price of the event. Reserving a table for two cost about $660, which definitely covers the price of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Those of us without tickets will have to wait for another year to have our Hogwarts romance, and it looks like Potter fans are already eager for this kind of chance. 

Until I find a way to permanently move into the studio tour building, I'll be over here imagining up my own Hogwarts boyfriend. 

Billie Lourd Honored Mom Carrie Fisher in a Beautiful Way on the Anniversary of Her Death

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Wednesday marks the one-year anniversary of Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher's sudden death, and her daughter Billie Lourd decided to commemorate the occasion in a special way. PEOPLE reports that the 25-year-old actress traveled with a group to see the Northern Lights, which Fisher loved but never saw while with Lourd. How appropriate to look toward the stars to remember Fisher. 

"My [mommy] had an otherwordly obsession with the northern lights, but I never got to see them with her," Lourd wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of herself underneath the Northern Lights' green flash. "We journeyed to northern Norway to see if we might 'see the heavens light up her dark skirts and flash her dazzling privates across [our] unworthy irises.' I love you times infinity."

Lourd was also in Norway for Christmas, spending the holiday with her father Bryan Lourd and other family members. She also remembered her mother earlier this month when Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which contains Fisher's last appearance as Princess Leia, premiered. When the new film debuted, Lourd shared a photo of her and her mother on a red carpet.

 

 

A post shared by Billie Lourd (@praisethelourd) on

Lourd also lost her grandmother, Halloweentown and Singin' in the Rain actress Debbie Reynolds, only days after Fisher's death last year. I'm sure we can expect to see a similar tribute to Reynolds in the next few days. 

The Library of Congress Will No Longer Archive All of Twitter's Public Tweets

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In case you didn't know, the Library of Congress has been archiving every single public post on Twitter since the social media site gave it access to its public tweets in 2010, which, if you think about it, is kind of awesome. What better way to help future historians capture our time than with your live tweets about Game of Thrones? However, the New York Times reports that starting Jan. 1, 2018, the Library will scale back on its collection of these kind of messages. Instead of gathering together any and all public tweets, the organization will instead archive tweets related to "themes or events of consequences," as the Times says.

The Library of Congress website posted a blog explaining the decision, writing, "In the years since [2010], the social media landscape has changed significantly, with new platforms, an explosion in use, terms of service and functionality shifting frequently and lessons learned about privacy and other concerns."

"The Library will acquire tweets on a selective basis—similar to our collections of web sites," the blog read. "The Library regularly reviews its collections practices to account for environmental shifts, diversity of collections and topics, cost effectiveness, use of collections and other factors. This change results from such a review."

The institution will still keep its record of past tweets and work with Twitter to gather the messages it finds relevant at the time of a significant event. Other reasons for changing the policy include the fact that the Library has only collected tweets' text despite Twitter increasingly including more visual messages. The organization has also done its job in capturing Twitter's beginning and rise to popularity. At this point, especially because Twitter now allows 280 characters instead of 140, the Library also faces the technical difficulties of collecting such a large amount of data.

Essentially, this means that your tweets about your lunch probably won't make it past the Library of Congress's new archive guidelines. Nonetheless, I'm sure future generations will be fascinated by the records of people figuring out Twitter for the first time. 

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