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It's Official: The Bachelor Is Going Through Puberty

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I'm going to declare this now: 2017 was the year The Bachelor went through puberty. Last night, the show hit this huge maturity benchmark: Raven Gates brought up the female orgasm. This isn't the first major sex mention, either. She told our Bachelor that her ex-boyfriend, whom she dated for two years, never once gave her an orgasm. Was this an appropriate thing to say on a date? That's arguable. But it was definitely one of the more sexually forward moments of the season so far.

From the January 2 premiere, season 21 The Bachelor has been sexier than its forebears. Contestant Corinne Olympios talked about her "platinum" vagina. Liz Sandoz told the cameras — and other contestants — that she'd already done the deed with Viall. And that was just in the two-hour premiere. Gates's comment in episode 9 goes even deeper. She broached the topic of sexual mechanics, something we never expected to hear about on the show.

This isn't the Arkansas native's first mention of her sex life, either. On her first one-on-one, Gates recounted discovering her ex-boyfriend mid-coitus.

"I saw her vagina," she told Viall, flat-out. This was the same boyfriend who never once earned a climax from Gates. Her confessional tale was actually so explicit that it was censored in Arkansas — gasp! You know you've hit something special when the censors come running.

The orgasm comment, which comes in the first half of the season's finale, cements the show's sex-positive narrative. This is a show about love, so it's about damn time they started talking about sex. And good sex, at that. The show is 15 years old now, so it's due time the reality program underwent some hormonal changes and personal growth (although we could do without the angst or the braces).

Longtime Bachelor fans will know that Gates's orgasm comment isn't the first time we've heard about female climax. When Andrew Firestone reigned as Bachelor during season 3, contestant Trista Rehn confessed that she'd never climaxed from vaginal sex. This was a different era of the show, before the show put on its glossy, traditional garb. Throughout her confession, Rehn snacks on a salad. Firestone slurps a cocktail. It's messy, honest, and a little more real than what we see today.

In the intervening years, though, the show has seemed to put on its chastity belt. When Ben Higgins, Sean Lowe, and Chris Soules enjoyed their time as Bachelor, the show couldn't have been described as "radical." The cast was largely white, sex was left to innuendo, and orgasms might as well have been verboten. These days, Raven Gates wants to get off, Corinne Olympios has "top-notch sex abilities," Alexis Waters is celebrating her new boob job, and, hey, the next Bachelorette is a woman of color. Hang on — is The Bachelor getting a little progressive?

After 15 years, this staunchly traditional show (after all, it centers around the institution of marriage) is finally getting a little radical.

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The Book-To-Movie Adaptations We're So Excited About

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A great story is priceless. And in an age when Hollywood is reticent to make wholly original movies (see: the four dozen superhero movies released in the last decade), great books are as good as gold.

The number of literary adaptations we see on the big screen seems to get bigger every year. Why? For studios, they're a safer bet, with built-in audiences and plots ready to go. But perhaps more importantly, there's the fact that literary writers are some of the most imaginative storytellers there are — they're talented at fusing rich characters, intricate plots, and resonant themes into masterful page-turners. And with the right people behind and in front of the camera, a great novel can be become a fantastic film.

We've already seen a number of movies based on books hit the big screen this year, like Allegiant, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, The BFG, and Girl on the Train. In addition to our 2016 favorites, we're previewing film adaptations coming out in 2017 that we're most excited to see.

The Zookeeper’s Wife

Released March 31, 2017

Based On: A biography of the same name by Diane Ackerman

What It’s About: The Zookeeper’s Wife tells the extraordinary story of Antonini Zabrinskie, a Polish zookeeper who saved 300 Polish Jews during WWII.

Starring: Jessica Chastain, Daniel Brühl

Before I Fall
March 3, 2017

Based On: The YA novel by Lauren Oliver
What It's About: A popular teenage girl who dies in a car crash is forced to relive that fateful day seven times over. Her initial goal is to somehow change her fate, but the journey ends up becoming a beautiful study in empathy, compassion, and selflessness.
Starring: Zoey Deutch, Halston Sage, Jennifer Beals, Logan Miller

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Brain on Fire
Release date TBD 2017

Based On: The memoir by Susannah Cahalan
What It's About: A woman battles a month of mysteriously, rapidly deteriorating health, ranging from violent behavior to catatonia.
Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Jenny Slate, Tyler Perry, Carrie-Anne Moss

Photo: Courtesy of Broad Green Pictures.
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All The Bright Places
Release date TBD 2017

Based On: The YA novel by Jennifer Niven
What It's About: Two depressed teens in a small town in Indiana find romance after a dark first encounter and working on a joint school project.
Starring: Elle Fanning

Photo: Courtesy of Knopf Publishing Group.
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The November Criminals
Release date TBD 2017

Based On: The novel by Sam Munson
What It's About: An ambitious high school grad living in D.C. investigates the senseless murder of one of his classmates.
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Chloë Grace Moretz, Catherine Keener

Photo: Courtesy of Anchor.
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The Circle
Out April 28, 2017

Based On: The dystopian technology thriller by Dave Eggers
What It's About: A new employee at a powerful technology company loves her new job, until she starts uncovering the dark realities of her firm's omnipotent operating system.
Starring: Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, Karen Gillan, John Boyega

Photo: Courtesy of McSweeney's.
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Wonder
Out April 7, 2017

Based On: The novel by Raquel Jaramillo, pen name R.J. Palacio
What It's About: A young boy with a facial deformity and a big heart struggles to fit in.
Starring: Julia Roberts, Jacob Tremblay, Owen Wilson

Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
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The Lost City of Z
Out April 21, 2017

Based On: The historical nonfiction book by David Grann
What It's About: An early-20th-century British explorer ventures into the Amazon to find a mythical civilization — and is never seen again.
Starring: Tom Holland, Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, Sienna Miller

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon Studios/Bleecker Street.
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The Dark Tower
Out July 28, 2017

Based On: The sci-fi fantasy series by Stephen King
What It's About: A young boy enters an alternate dimension where he joins a lone Knight on a quest to save his strange universe from demise.
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Idris Elba

Photo: Courtesy of Signet.
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Live By Night
Out Dec. 25, 2016

Based On: The crime novel by Dennis Lehane
What It's About: Set in Ybor City, Florida in the 1920s and '30s, the story follows a bootlegger who becomes a ruthless gangster.
Starring: Ben Affleck, Elle Fanning, Brendan Gleeson, Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana, Chris Cooper

Silence
Out Dec. 23, 2016

Based On: The novel by Shusaku Endo
What It's About: In the 17th century, two Jesuit Portuguese missionaries travel to Japan to minister to outlawed Christians.
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Liam Neeson

Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk
Released November 2016

Based On: The award-winning war novel by Ben Fountain
What It's About: A young soldier returns home from Iraq for a disingenuous victory tour — involving a Super Bowl halftime show performance — that obscures the reality of war from the American public.
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Vin Diesel, Steve Martin, Chris Tucker, Joe Alwyn

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American Pastoral
Released October 2016

Based On: The novel by Philip Roth
What It's About: In postwar America, a succesful Jewish businessman from New Jersey sees his life and family threatened by his daughter's new political dalliances.
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Connelly, Ewan McGregor, Uzo Aduba

The Girl on the Train
Released October 2016

Based On: The psychological thriller by Paula Hawkins
What It's About: Rachel Watson wakes up hungover and battered, with no memory of the night before. But she believes she witnessed a terrible crime involving a missing woman.
Starring: Emily Blunt, Laura Prepon, Luke Evans, Rebecca Ferguson, Justin Theroux

Inferno
Released October 2016

Based On: The fourth book in the mystery thriller series by Dan Brown
What It's About: The DaVinci Code and Angels & Demons ' Robert Langdon races against time to recover from memory loss, evade the manhunt for him, and solve a complex new mystery.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Felicity Jones, Omar Sy

Queen of Katwe
Released September 2016

Based On: The biography by Tim Crothers
What It's About: This extraordinary true story is about the journey of a young girl who becomes a Ugandan chess prodigy and competes worldwide.
Starring: Lupita Nyongo, David Oyelowo

The Light Between Oceans
Released September 2016

Based On: The novel by M.L. Stedman
What It's About: A lighthouse keeper and his wife living on the Australian coast after WWI rescues a washed-up baby and adopts her as their own — with unforeseen consequences down the line.
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Rachel Weisz

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
Released September 2016

Based On: The YA novel by Ransom Riggs
What It's About: After the murder of his grandfather, a young boy goes to the orphanage where his grandpa once lived, and where the strange residents and time itself are not quite what they seem.
Starring: Eva Green, Samuel L. Jackson, Rupert Everett, Judi Dench, Allison Janney

The Legend of Tarzan
Released July 2016

Based On: The character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs in his Tarzan series
What It's About: Years after moving to London to live with Jane, Tarzan is called to return to his home in the jungle.
Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, Samuel L. Jackson, Margot Robbie, Christoph Waltz

Into the Forest
Released July 2016

Based On: The apocalyptic novel by Jean Hegland
What It's About: In the near future, two sisters living in a cabin in the middle of nowhere discover that the outside world is on the brink of an apocalypse and fight for their lives.
Starring: Ellen Page, Evan Rachel Wood, Max Minghella

Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates
Released July 2016

Based On: The memoir by Mike and Dave Stangle
What It's About: Two reckless American bros need to find dates for their sister's wedding...but the women they bring aren't who they expected.
Starring: Zac Efron, Adam DeVine, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza

The BFG
Released July 2016

Based On: The children's book by Roald Dahl
What It's About: A big, friendly (and old) giant kidnaps an orphan girl to keep him company on his adventure to Giant Country.
Starring: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Jemaine Clement, Bill Hader, Rebecca Hall

Nerve
Released July 2016

Based On: The YA thriller by Jeanne Ryan
What It's About: A high school student gets teamed up with a mysterious stranger for a popular online game of truth or dare that begins to blur the lines between the real and the virtual.
Starring: Emma Roberts, Dave Franco, Juliette Lewis, Kimiko Glenn

Alice Through the Looking Glass
Released May 2016

Based On: Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll
What It's About: The sequel to Alice in Wonderland follows Alice's journey back to Underland to save the Mad Hatter.
Starring: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen

Me Before You
Released May 2016

Based On: The romance by Jojo Moyes
What It's About: l A quadripilegic man who wants to end his life falls in love with his caretaker.
Starring: Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin, Jenna Coleman

The Jungle Book
Released April 2016

Based On: The story collection by Rudyard Kipling
What It's About: An orphaned boy named Mowgli comes into his own with the help of his forest guardians.
Starring: Neel Sethi and the voices of Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong'o, Scarlett Johansson, Christopher Walken

Allegiant
Released March 2016

Based On: The first half of of the final book in Veronica Roth's YA Divergent trilogy
What It's About: Tris and Four finally venture beyond the wall around Chicago and learn shocking truths about the outside world, as the battle for humanity rages on.
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Ansel Elgort, Naomi Watts, Miles Teller, Octavia Spencer, Zoë Kravitz

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Released March 2016

Based On: The memoir The Taliban Shuffle by Kim Barker
What It's About: A TV news producer takes an assignment in Afghanistan, plopping her right in the middle of a risky war zone where she gets to know other journalists.
Starring: Tina Fey, Martin Freeman, Margot Robbie, Billy Bob Thornton

The Choice
Released February 2016

Based On: The romance novel by Nicolas Sparks
What It's About: A ladies' man falls for his new next-door neighbor, a spunky med student — with a serious boyfriend.
Starring: Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer, Alexandra Daddario, Maggie Grace

How to Be Single
Released February 2016

Based On: The novel by Liz Tuccillo
What It's About: A college grad decides she needs a break from her longterm boyfriend and moves to NYC, where her crazy coworker shows her how fun single life can be.
Starring: Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Alison Brie, Leslie Mann

The 5th Wave
Released January 2016

Based On: The YA novel by Rick Yancey
What It's About: A girl teams up with a mysterious stranger on her quest to reunite with her brother, as the extinction of the human race is spurred by alien attacks, disease, and natural disaster.
Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Liev Schreiber, Alex Roe, Nick Robinson

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Everything You Need To Know About Ryan Gosling's Sister & Oscars Date

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Ever since Ryan Gosling took his sister Mandi as his date to the 89th Academy Awards, it's all anyone on Twitter has been able to talk about. While this is not the first time his older sister has stepped out with him on the red carpet, her flawless dress and front-and-center seat really grabbed people's attention, and now we're all obsessed.

You may not have noticed Mandi before, but she and her brother have been close since day one. After their parents got divorced, Ryan revealed in an interview that it was really Mandi and their mother who raised him.

"I've always liked women more," he said. "I was brought up by my mother and older sister. I found my way into dance class. My home life now is mostly women. They are better than us. They make me better."

You also may have spotted her in those early videos of Ryan onstage as a kid. The two often performed together, like in this absolutely amazing talent show number. Make sure to watch until the end.

This was just the beginning of her theater career. While we don't know much about her personal life — she's pretty absent on social media — she has uploaded a few videos to YouTube, some of which include solo singing performances in New York.

In addition to her singing work, her YouTube channel reveals she's also passionate about producing. Much of her feed is made of of clips from California State University Northridge's TV shows On-Point and Valley View News. She graduated from CSUN in 2011 with a degree in journalism and political science, and was given the Judge Julian Beck Award for Most Outstanding Graduate.

She's not often in front of the camera because she does a lot of work behind the scenes. She's assistant and associate produced episodes of Dateline and Miss Advised, but her latest project is the most recognizable: She cast the people in Pharrell's "Happy" music video.

"We went through a few casting directors before finding Mandi Gosling," directors Clement Durou and Pierre Dupaquier told Fast Company in an interview. "She has a background in theater and really got the feel for what we were going for."

"I have been fascinated by just how music videos come together," she told the Vancouver Sun about the process. "Today there are so many really talented directors who use music videos as an opportunity to explore a creative idea that they might not be able to do in a full feature film, or in an advertising campaign. It was not a traditional casting process...In the end, we had a mixture of really talented dancers and total character types."

We're not first people to become obsessed with Mandi. Little brother Ryan has done his best to keep away unwanted Hollywood suitors. Back during the 2007 Academy Awards, Peter O'Toole tried to seduce Mandi, but Ryan immediately but a stop to it. "He just went, ‘Come to me my beauty.’ It was kind of like Dracula summoning a lady…She was under his spell," Ryan said in an interview.

With this newfound stardom, we hope to see more of Mandi, and learn more about the woman behind the dress. Until then, I'll leave you with this tidbit: she has two videos favorited on YouTube, and this is one of them.

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Happy Songs That Will Instantly Put You In A Good Mood

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Don’t lie. You’ve definitely spent a night in dancing to “Call Me Maybe” while cleaning your room. Or, at least, to Taylor Swift. Nothing has as much power as a feel-good song, which can transform any mundane task into an epic feat worthy of a montage.

Luckily, even if you tire of one song, there is always another that will inevitably lift your spirits. Here are the happiest songs we know that will always put you in a good mood. Blast these while driving down a highway in a convertible. Lip sync to them in your room (with a hair brush). Dance to these while doing the dishes or plug them in when you really need to get shit done. From classic oldies to modern pop songs, these happy tunes are ones you actually want to get stuck in your head. Click through to see the happiest songs, ever — and let us know your favorite feel-good tunes in the comments below.

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"Unwritten" — Natasha Bedingfield

Cue Blake Lively running through the sands of Mexico at soccer camp in Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants. Now it's your turn.

Photo: Courtesy of Phonogenic.

"New Soul" by Yael Naim

Try not to be uplifted by Naim's graceful voice and catchy tune about perceiving the world with child-like joy. Just try!

"Finish Line/Drown" Chance The Rapper

The triumphant final track from Chance's album Coloring Book has a cool, reggae vibe that'll get you bopping in your seat.

"Paradise" by Jeremih

Kim Kardashian selected this simple tune to be the soundtrack for her "year in review" video in January, and there's a reason she chose it — it's pretty damn uplifting.

"What a Wonderful World" by Sam Cooke

For a little hope on dreary days...

"Cold Cold Man" by Saint Motel

A catchy piano riff and a Bond-inspired music video, in one poppy song.

"Feeling Alive" by Earl St. Clair

Just wait until the brass section hits...

"Make Some Room" by The Suffers

Something to play Sunday mornings (or, any morning, really).

"Another Day Of Sun" from the La La Land soundtrack

From the arguably best scene in the much-lauded film, this dance number has the ability to make a Los Angeles gridlock enjoyable.

“September” by Earth, Wind & Fire

Songwriter Allee Willis heard the intro to this song and immediately thought, "It was obviously the happiest-sounding song in the world." The lyrics are nonsensical, but the groove never ends.

"Solo Dance" by Martin Jensen

If the title of this track isn't enough to get you on your feet, just hit play and let your dance party commence.

"Cool Girl" by Tove Lo

This may be stuck in your head all day, but at least you'll be so cool singing it.

"1,2,3,4" by Feist

If the song doesn't get you, the joyful music video will.

"White Flag" by Joseph

The trio of sisters kill it with the harmonies, especially as we get to the rousing chorus.

"I Decided" by Solange

If you haven't listened to Solange's truly excellent album this year, go do it. In the meantime, her '60s throwback jam "I Decided" is the modern love song we need.

"Wonderful Life (Mi Oh My)" from the Angry Birds Soundtrack

Surprise! The Angry Birds soundtrack actually has a happy song.

“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper

This timeless classic is pretty much an anthem for doing what you want — and having a ball.

"Don't Worry Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin

You cannot listen to this song without singing along in your head, and you're guaranteed to feel just a bit better by the end.

"How Far I'll Go" by Alessia Cara

As an original song for Disney's Moana, it makes sense that Cara's anthem goes from heartbreaking to inspiring to get-everything-done driven. Perfect for any training montage in your head.

"Everlasting Sigh" by Moses Sumney

It takes a while for this song to get there, but wait for the song to start building right around 2:20. You'll find yourself inspired to get moving and get things shakin', especially when the harmonies start coming int.

"Dreamlover" by Mariah Carey

Honestly, you can never go wrong with some old school Mariah.

"24K Magic" by Bruno Mars

Okay so the music video is not original by any means (Mars partying in Vegas), but the song is annoyingly catchy and will probably be played at every wedding for the next year. For an extra boost of happiness, check out this dance video set to Mars' latest hit.

"Fidelity" by Regina Spektor

The singer has proven her talent time and time again, but we will always revisit her classic 2006 single.

“Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen

Fun fact — a random sampling of 2,000 U.K. adults found that this was the most popular "feel-good song. "

“Countdown” by Beyoncé

Another stellar love song from 4, which proves that great songs aren't all about unrequited love.

“Here Comes The Sun” by The Beatles

If laid-back chill is more your speed, this Beatles classic is meant for you.

“Shout” by The Isley Brothers

Another dance floor classic that mixes doo wop, gospel, and blues.

"You Can't Hurry Love" By The Supremes

Hands down one of the best karaoke picks out there.

"I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz

This song, released 2008, is pretty much the best song to sing along to as summer slowly fades away.

"When They Fight, They Fight" by the Generationals

It makes sense that G-Eazy sampled this song for "Make-Up Sex" — the chorus is simple, memorable, and oh-so-catchy.

"Closer" ft. Halsey by The Chainsmokers

It's a slow burn, but by the end of the song you're wishing for a fling to dance with.

"Merry Happy" by Kate Nash

A few basic chords, a simple beat, and something you can sing along to while you do the dishes.

"Hooked on a Feeling" by Blue Swede

Forgive the annoying intro and sing along with the chorus.

"Palmar" by Caloncho

If you're in need of the perfect escape song, this is it.

“You Make My Dreams Come True” by Hall & Oates

The soundtrack to one of the best dance sequences in film history.

"Be Alright" by Ariana Grande

Need a little pick-me-up? Here's your song for the day.

"Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina & The Waves

How can you not smile while listening to this song? The lyrics literally say, "I'm walking on sunshine... And don't it feel good!"

"I'm A Believer" by The Monkees

A song to play at every beach-themed party — even in the middle of winter.

"Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" by Rupert Holmes

Let's just ignore the fact that this song is about a man looking to stray and just focus on the chorus that everyone can sing along to.

"Valerie feat. Amy Winehouse" by Mark Ronson

Songstress Amy Winehouse is still in our hearts, which soar at the sound of this upbeat tune.

"The Bare Necessities" from The Jungle Book

This Disney song is up there when it comes to feel-good songs, right next to "Hakuna Matata."

"Roll Up" by Fitz and the Tantrums

Just in time for backyard barbecues, Fitz and the Tantrums comes out with yet another album full of jams. We plan on playing this song at every late-night dance session.

"Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey Rae

The British singer-songwriter is back with a third album, so here's a little throwback to one of her first hits. Sing along to this sunny medley and imagine yourself biking through a meadow.

"Can't Stop The Feeling" by Justin Timberlake

JT's first track since 2013 is the perfect mix of pop, dance, and funky beats. Even better, the video features puppies, Anna Kendrick dancing, and plenty of clapping.

"Stop Desire" by Tegan and Sara

Tegan and Sara are pros at writing incredibly catchy pop songs with sugary-sweet hooks and lyrics you can sing along to. Their latest summer song is no different.

"Dancing In The Dark" by Bruce Springsteen

If you were a teen in the '80s, there was no doubt that you listened to this song almost all the time.

"Cheerleader" by OMI

This laid-back jam set the stage for summer 2015.

"I Wanna Be Your Lover" by Prince

"Kiss" may be one of the most-played Prince songs on the radio, but this gem of a recording from Capitol Theatre in 1982 is equally infectious.

"Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder

Thirty years after this infectious jingle came out, and we're still humming along to it as we dance walk down the street.

"Sha La La" by Al Green

This isn't exactly a danceable tune by any means, but it is a feel-good one.

“This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)” by The Talking Heads

Just four chords repeated in 5 minutes. Somehow, this is the most happy-go-lucky tune in existence.

“Dance Apocalyptic” by Janelle Monáe

While we wait for new music from Janelle, we’ll have to make do with this upbeat, infectious jam from Electric Lady. Snap along.

"Hey Ya!" by OutKast

This classic OutKast jam made Spotify's happiest songs in the world playlist, which makes perfect sense. Just try not to dance along in your head. Andre 3000, can we have another reunion tour, please?

“Happy” by Pharrell Williams

We swear this song was scientifically engineered to make you feel good.

"ABC" by the Jackson 5

One of the earliest signs of Michael Jackson's talent.

“Heat Wave” by Martha & the Vandellas

Sure, this has been covered many times (by The Supremes, The Jam, Phil Collins, etc) but this original Motown jam is just a little more rock 'n' roll.

“Do You Believe in Magic” by The Lovin’ Spoonful

Also see: Disney’s Aly & AJ cover.

“Dancing in the Street” by David Bowie & Mick Jagger

Two legendary musicians, one epic dance song that might just be the perfect soundtrack to your morning boogie jog.

“Friday I’m in Love” by The Cure

It may be about how dreary every other day of the week is, but this bright-hued song has become the soundtrack to many a rom-com.

“Sunday Candy” by Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment

Surf from Chance The Rapper and his crew is full of energetic, sonic explosions. "Sunday Candy" tones it down beautifully with the chorus.

“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift

Sure, "Shake It Off " is fun, but singing along to this breakup anthem is by far the best way to end the night.

“Brave” by Sara Bareilles

Go ahead — break out into this stellar dance routine in the middle of the street.

“Love on Top” by Beyoncé

4 is, by far, Queen Bey's happiest album, with anthems that sonically showcase just how in love she is. "Love On Top" is an instant boost of energy, with soaring vocals and a catchy background chorus. The key change half way through gets us every time.

“Roar” by Katy Perry

Okay, but seriously, pretty much EVERY Katy Perry single is happy.

“MMMBop” by Hanson

There is a reason Hanson is still so popular — and it's not because of their beer, MMMHop.

“Build Me Up Buttercup” by The Foundations

Then again, some of them are.

“Twist and Shout” by The Beatles

No real person can listen to this song and not smile (or think of Ferris Bueller).

“I Got You (I Feel Good)” by James Brown

This song should be played at every wedding.

“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye

Best played when dancing with your BFF and swearing off anything that gets between your friendship.

“Dancing Queen” by ABBA

This is by far the most popular karaoke song to sing the wrong lyrics to.

“I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5

Please, also listen to "ABC."

“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston

Trying to figure out how to "chase [your] blues away?" Play this song. Get up and dance.

“Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by The Beach Boys

To be honest, growing up isn't that great. Still a happy song, though.

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I Spent A Week Trying The Top Desserts On Instagram

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What would Instagram be, if not for food shots? Or more importantly, dessert shots? (Tbh, probably just a lot of selfies and shelf-ies.) It's a platform that has taken the foodie-craze to soaring heights of social celebrity; generating not only food-famous accounts, but also creating mass fan-hysteria around specific items (ever heard of the Cronut?) And because of this, our feeds remain flooded with snaps of sensational sweets — racking up thousands, upon thousands of likes, and hundreds of comments on the reg. We've become so entranced by the visual splendor of these shots and their social representation, that the act of actually consuming them can ultimately wind up getting lost.

Cue my confession: I am a food writer (and also a self-proclaimed foodie) — but before now, I had never eaten a Cronut, never purchased a sleeve of macarons from Ladurée, or even set foot inside NYC's legendary Magnolia Bakery. Why? Because I felt that in many ways (through my Insta-feed) that I'd really already had my fill. And also because (if I'm being really honest) I had written the mania around these trendy treats off as #basic — quietly choosing not to partake. But in reality, I'm not above #eatingforthegram (sorry, not sorry). So I put my pride aside and decided it was high time that I took some initiative to get intimately involved with these sugary stars.

I selected my four hit spots by digging through Instagram's most popular sweet shops in America from 2015 and 2016. The resulting list contained the above mentioned in addition to another top contender, Levain Bakery. Was I excited? Yes. Was I scared of becoming basic (or realizing, maybe, that I had been all along)? Also, yes. But on I went, to discover if the bite was worth the hype. And in the end, what truly matters most: the 'gram or the (baked) good?

Ladurée's Macrons

My first stop? Ladurée's SoHo outpost. I slunk out of work early on a Wednesday evening in order to avoid any of the daytime (and god forbid weekend) hullabaloo. When I arrived it was calm, quiet, and distinctively Parisian — which I imagine, was by design. The shop girls who assisted me spoke with lovely French accents and waited patiently as I deliberated between an additional rose-flavored macaron versus a coffee one (fyi: I ended up going rogue and getting a vanilla bean). My sleeve of eight was packaged, purchased, and toted home with delight. I felt fancy, but also some slight fear of being mistaken as a tourist by my fellow subway commuters.

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My Take

Once home, I found that the sleeve had broken open within the tote bag (whether from my subway ride or my jostle-y walk remains a mystery) and the delicate little macarons were a bit worse for the wear. I realized too late that much of the 'gramming takes place either in-store or outside, immediately post-purchase. But I gave it my best shot (see right), felt a bit exhausted/frustrated over the lackluster results, and went on to eat most all of the sleeve. Were they tasty? Yes, in a sugary-perfume-y sort of way. Would I go through the trouble of buying them again? No.

In this case I felt that the importance of the 'gram outweighed the enjoyment of the good.

Photo: Courtesy of Elizabeth Buxton.

Levain Bakery's Cookies

Next up was a dessert I'd had the immense pleasure of sampling before: Levain's giant chocolate chip cookie. Lucky for me, one of my dear coworkers (and friends) lives nearby a location and was able to scoop me up a bag on her way into the office (the morning after my macaron debacle). Thus, I got the 'gram without having to deal with the line. (Although pro-tip, the second location is apparently much less busy than the original.)

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My Take

Because I didn't consume the cookies fresh from oven-to-mouth, their consistency (when broken in half as the 'grammers do) did not match that of the ooey-gooey, melty chocolate pictures I had spotted on my feed. Even so, they traveled surprisingly well and I was still able to get a great shot quickly. And when I did dig in? The bite was worth the hype. If you've yet to try this heavenly creation, I'd recommend getting at it (stat).

Photo: Courtesy of Elizabeth Buxton.

Magnolia Bakery's Cupcakes

After work I embarked upon the third installment of my sweets journey — to the legendary Magnolia Bakery in Manhattan's West Village. Walking through the streets of the WV is always magical, but as soon as I entered the small bakery on the corner of Bleecker and W. 11th that fuzzy feeling dissipated V quickly; After waiting several awkward moments to be helped, a crowd of young pushy women entered the shop and swarmed past me to scan the display. I struggled to quickly point out three colorful cupcakes over the frenzy in front of me, paid, and quickly exited the store.

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My Take

Once home, the picture to the right is what I was able to capture (palm-to-face). Again, Instagram-able does not equal travel-able for most trendy desserts. (Yes, I probably should have learned from my Ladurée mishap, but I think in reality I was too embarrassed to go full on blogger and stage a photo in the bakery by myself.) The cupcakes themselves were small and moist — your run-of-the-mill vanilla and chocolate with super sugary icing. Yes, they were pretty to look at — but all in all, they just tasted like cupcakes. And cupcakes have never particularly wowed me. Their banana pudding however, which doesn't necessarily have the same photogenic pull, is seriously delicious.

Another instance of the the 'gram outweighing the enjoyment of good.

Photo: Courtesy of Elizabeth Buxton.

Dominque Ansel's Cronut

I saved the biggest and most social media-recognizable for my fourth and final treat-trip: DA's famed Cronut (the original croissant-doughnut hybrid). This trendy Instagram dessert is SO big that lines have been known to wrap around the block starting hours before the shop even opens. But I took a chance and met my aforementioned Levain colleague (for moral support) there at opening time, 8 a.m. sharp, on a Monday morning — hoping quite desperately that the weekend tourist intrigue would have waned and that we'd be able to get out hands on a Cronut (or two).

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My Take

We were in luck! Surprisingly the line was contained to the inside of the bakery, and there were plenty of orange Cronut satchels to go around — we were each handed a package containing two and happily toted them outside. If there was one thing I learned by this point in the dessert-Instagram game, it was to photograph immediately. And since I had my Instagram partner in crime with me, we did just that in a park directly next to the shop. I arranged my glorious rose and pistachio flavored Cronut on my hand, and also posed for a few self-shots with the famous treats on a bench. Yes, it was basic — but it was also glorious. And I did end up getting the golden shot (even if it took 15, okay 30, plus attempts).

The Cronut itself? It was yummy. Would I wait in line for hours for it? Probably not. But in this instance, the bite was worth the kooky hype. All in all, the experience of getting a good 'gram, and then consuming a tasty treat afterwards can be worth it if you're willing to enjoy yourself and put your pride aside. Yes, a trendy dessert plus a seriously staged Instagram is basic — but you know what? It can also be a lot of fun.

Photo: Courtesy of Elizabeth Buxton.
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Kourtney Kardashian Is Being Mom-Shamed For Getting Her 4-Year-Old A Lip Ring

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The internet is not happy with how Kourtney Kardashian and Penelope Disick spent their Oscars Sunday.

Kardashian shared an image of her and her daughter enjoying what looks like a quiet girls' night in. Kardashian's sporting a fluffy bathrobe, and Penelope looks like she's asleep after a long evening. But the 4-year-old is sporting an accessory that's garnering a lot of negative attention online.

You see, Penelope's wearing a (very likely fake) lip ring, and plenty of commenters don't approve.

Our Oscar Sunday. Yes, that's a lip ring. Thanks @kimkardashian

A post shared by Kourtney Kardashian (@kourtneykardash) on

Kardashian captioned the photo, "Our Oscar Sunday. Yes, that's a lip ring. Thanks @kimkardashian," suggesting her sister Kim was the one who gifted Penelope with the jewelry. (No surprise there — Kim's recently been spotted flaunting a lip ring of her own.)

Some of the comments on Kourtney's Instagram post — there are more than 2,000! — include lines like "a child shouldn't have that" and "our kids should still be kids not teens." To be fair, the negative comments were balanced out by others who commented how sweet the photo was, and how adorable Penelope is.

Social media is a hotbed for celebrity criticism — Kourtney Kardashian is far from the first person to have an Instagram photo scrutinized by the general public. But can we please leave her kids out of it? Penelope is, let us remind you, 4 years old. If her mom wants to let her play dress up with a piece of jewelry, it's truly not anyone else's business.

As much as some commenters would love to pretend otherwise, there's nothing harmful about a fake lip ring. And if the photo is any indication, Kardashian and her daughter had an awesome time on Sunday night. Hopefully, the trolls will see the many, many positive comments on the Instagram post. Maybe then, they'll see the picture for what it truly is: a cute snapshot into some mother-daughter bonding time.

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Please Don't Trap Maxine Waters In The Meme Matrix

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When you google Maxine Waters, a lot of news and political websites pop up to document her latest memorable quote or strong opinion. And U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, the longest-serving Black Congresswoman, is nothing if not a woman full of strong opinions and memorable quotes. It’s because of this that the results of your "Maxine Waters" google search will also be lightly sprinkled with a couple of headlines from Mashable and TMZ.

Sure, she’s a politician, but Waters has internet star power. Her facial expressions and audacity to call a spade a spade (or a scumbag) are exemplary. Honestly, truly. Which in this day and age means that she holds pop culture capital. I recently made a similar argument about Barack Obama. What existed between the lines in my case for Barack Obama’s ability to join the ranks of pop culture’s elite was that his being Black lends itself to that end.

Means of self expression that are native to Black people often fuel the our pop culture interests. For example, there’s a new show on TV Land (focused on politics and pop culture, ironically) called Throwing Shade with two white hosts. Take a second to google the origins of throwing shade and you’ll quickly see how transferrable Black culture has become, and not just to the Kardashians. GIFs and memes may seem like a universal language, but there is a reason why few of them are as effective at capturing your mood like ones that feature NeNe Leakes and now, Maxine Waters.

via GIPHY

Everyone seems to love Black people when they’re on our screens — on our television screens via shows like Black-ish, on our laptop screens as glamorous rappers, on our phones as memes and GIFs to express our emotions and feelings — but does that love translate into an investment in our survival and sustainability? How might using the likeness, image, and iconicity of certain Black people to do emotional labor be just as exploitative and appropriating as using our slang and wearing our hairstyles?

Rep. Maxine Waters has something really important to say. She is staunchly anti-Trump, she has a sharp analysis on what he and his affiliates might be up to, and she is already planning to boycott his joint session address. We need to listen to her instead of screengrabbing her likeness.

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Feud Season 2 Will Be About Princess Diana & Prince Charles

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Even though the first installment of Ryan Murphy's latest series, Feud, has yet to premiere, the overly ambitious TV producer has already revealed what the second season of the anthology limited series will be. And it's really, really good.

Here are a few hints:

It will take place in England.

It will follow one of the most iconic couples and tragic deaths in modern history.

It will have scandal, politics, and affairs.

It will feature a royal family.

Oh yes — season 2 of will be Feud: Diana and Charles, according to the official press release from FX.

Brilliant choice, Murphy.

The second installment will consist of 10 episodes (two more than the current Feud: Joan and Bette, which is running at eight episodes) and will tell the story of the young royals, Diana Spencer (who would become Diana Windsor) and Charles, Princes of Wales, heir to England's throne. The two married in July 1981 when Diana was just 20 and Charles was 33. They divorced in 1996. By September 1997, Diana was dead and the entire country was in mourning. Before the devastating end to Diana's life, she endured quite the drama while first joining the royal family. That is the juicy timeframe which Murphy and his co-writer Jon Robin Baitz will most likely be focusing on. It is scheduled to debut sometime in 2018.

Until then, get ready for the extremely dramatic and entertaining rivalry between two of Old Hollywood's most vilified ladies, Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, on Feud: Bette and Joan, which premieres March 5 on FX.

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Here's Why Twitter Is Outraged At Betsy DeVos Yet Again

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Betsy DeVos seems to ignite controversy everywhere she goes.

On Monday, the secretary of education met with the presidents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) at the White House. Afterwards, the Department of Education released DeVos' statement about the encounter.

To be entirely honest, most of the press release is pretty innocent. DeVos praised the HBCUs and said that some reforms will need to be made in order to allow more students to reach their potential.

But one section in particular is irking a lot of people. Not only because it's historically inaccurate, but because it's downright insulting to the Black community and those who advocate for the HBCUs.

"They saw that the system wasn’t working, that there was an absence of opportunity, so they took it upon themselves to provide the solution," the statement reads. "HBCUs are real pioneers when it comes to school choice. They are living proof that when more options are provided to students, they are afforded greater access and greater quality. Their success has shown that more options help students flourish."

Except, there wasn't a choice. These historically Black colleges and universities were founded because the South was segregated and Black students were denied entry from white higher education institutions.

They weren't "pioneers" who looked for another option because "the system wasn't working." The system was against Black students by design, and they were forced to establish these schools because they had no other option in the Jim Crow era.

Twitter users were quick to jump on DeVos' statement, sharing their outrage and even mocking the secretary:

DeVos was a controversial nominee for many reasons: She lacks experience on education, neither she nor her children went to public schools, and her family has deep financial ties to the Republican party. But like it or not, she's the education secretary, and she is supposed to serve the country. That means she needs to be held accountable for the statements she makes.

Whether this incident was just a careless oversight, or something more troubling (like, say, an outright lack of understanding about important historical facts), the end result is the same: It's inexcusably offensive to whitewash the dark history of racial segregation by referring to these colleges as "pioneers of school choice." DeVos might do well to pick up a history book.

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The Reason Emma Watson Won't Talk About Her Boyfriend Actually Makes A Lot Of Sense

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Who is Emma Watson dating? If you had to think about that for a moment, there's a reason for it. You may not know much about her personal life — and that's by design. In a new interview with Vanity Fair, Watson talks about how she separates her private, personal life and her professional one. Celebrities and spotlight-hogs take note: This is how a real star does it.

Watson describes the situation to VF 's Derek Blasberg like this: There's work and there's play. The more she blends the two, the less she's able to lead a normal life. She adds that when a star talks about his or her personal life during a promo tour, it takes away from the project itself. Think about it: When Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson promote Fifty Shades of Grey, their relationships almost overshadow the movie.

"I want to be consistent: I can't talk about my boyfriend in an interview and then expect people not to take paparazzi pictures of me walking around outside my home. You can't have it both ways," Watson told the magazine. "I've noticed, in Hollywood, who you're dating gets tied up into your film promotion and becomes part of the performance and the circus. I would hate anyone that I were with to feel like they were in any way part of a show or an act."

But that doesn't mean that Watson closes herself off entirely. In fact, she's more apt to sit down for a talk with a fan than take a simple selfie when someone approaches her.

"If someone takes a photograph of me and posts it, within two seconds they've created a marker of exactly where I am within 10 meters," she explained to Blasberg. "They can see what I’m wearing and who I’m with. I just can’t give that tracking data."

Instead of taking a photo, she'll offer up a real face-to-face chat — especially if the fans are kids. "I'll say, 'I will sit here and answer every single Harry Potter fandom question you have but I just can’t do a picture,'" she told the magazine. "When am I a celebrity sighting versus when am I going to make someone's freakin' week? Children I don’t say no to, for example."

With Beauty and the Beast set to hit theaters soon, Watson is sure to gain a whole new set of fans — kids and kids at heart alike. She may want to carve out some time for all those personal chats.

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How To Do Winter, According To Olivia Palermo

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If you live in a cold-weather city, you know how tough it is to look chic when temperatures drop. Each winter, there comes a certain point when it's easier to abandon everything you know about fashion for the sake of staying warm — that means ditching heels for snow boots and your cute, faux fur coat for a puffer that's actually practical. But, if anyone makes bundling up (or, just dressing in general) look like a walk in the park, it's Olivia Palermo.

As a February baby who spends most of her time in New York, Palermo knows how to maintain her signature polished style despite the northeast's sub-zero temps. And even though it's been unseasonably warm in the city, the street style star has shown us how to conquer a variety of conditions over the course fashion month — and we've been taking notes along the way.

For a true Palermo look, stick to a neutral, black-and-white palette (with splashes of red, orange, and other warm tones here or there). And while she can get away with less practical footwear assuming she's always in a car, there's no denying her love for a good moto boot. With a few weeks left in the season — and in honor of her birthday — we've compiled some of her best, super-warm looks. Ahead, find our definitive guide to mastering winter dressing the Olivia Palermo way.

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Break up an all-white look with a coat and some badass patent boots.

Photo: Darren Gerrish/WireImage.
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Snow on the ground means flat boots that can handle the elements. Pair them with leather leggings and an oversized coat, then finish it off with a stylish clutch to snag this very -Palermo look.

Photo: Raymond Hall/GC Images.
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She sure knows how to color-block. Try tying a contrasting sweater over your shoulders, then throwing some totally unexpected shoes in the mix for a look that's perfectly undone.

Photo: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images.
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Another classic red, black, and whit outfit from Olivia P. If anything will convince you to get on board with cropped-flare pants, it's this.

Photo: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images.
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Sometimes, all it takes is a white blouse and great coat.

Photo: Robin Marchant/Getty Images.
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A groutfit doesn't have to look sloppy — top it off with a brown leather jacket and some contrasting knee-highs.

Photo: Michael Stewart/WireImage.
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Balance out an oversized knit with a more structured skirt (with tights and booties, of course).

Photo: Gregory Pace/BEI/Shutterstock.
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According to Olivia, if you look like a teddy bear, you're doing it right.

Photo: Robin Marchant/Getty Images.
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You can't go wrong with all-black everything, as proven by this bomber-topped ensemble.

Photo: Gregory Pace/BEI/Shutterstock.
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BRB, investing in a pair of red boots.

Photo: Farrell/BFA/REX/Shutterstock.
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Pair a skinny scarf and statement coat with a leather mini and tights.

Photo: Sicki/IPA/REX/Shutterstock.

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Couple To Spend 19 Years In Jail For Racist Birthday-Party Rampage

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A Georgia judge has sentenced two white-supremacist gang members to a combined 19 years in prison for their role in an assault on an 8-year-old's birthday party, reports NPR. Kayla Norton, 25, and Jose "Joe" Torres, 26, were part of a group called Respect the Flag that targeted people of color with racist slurs and threatened to murder them. They have three children together.

"I'm so sorry that happened to you," Norton said during the pair's sentencing on Monday, addressing the family they had attacked. "I am so sorry." She told the court that she accepts responsibility for her actions.

She then turned to the families who had attended the party and said: "But I want you all to know that that is not me. That is not me."

Superior Court Judge William "Beau" McClain handed down 13 years in prison and seven years of probation for Torres, and six years in prison with nine years of probation for Norton. Both of them are also banished from Douglas County, Georgia, where they had been living.

The jury found Torres and Norton guilty of making "terroristic threats," and violating the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. The jury convicted Torres of aggravated assault.

The assault happened in July 2015, which was just one month after white supremacist Dylann Roof killed nine congregation members at the historically Black Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC, during a prayer service.

The gang's alcohol-fueled rampage began by getting into their Confederate flag-decorated pickup trucks and threatening Black motorists on the road. Once they arrived at the child's birthday party — which included a cookout and a moon bounce — the group got out of their trucks and threatened to kill the guests.

"Victims and witnesses from the party, who were predominantly African-American, testified to observing the group of trucks whose passengers were hurling a litany of racial slurs at them as they passed by," said the prosecutors. Some other members of the racist group are currently also serving prison time.

On Monday, Hyesha Bryant, one of the partygoers, testified for the victims and said she forgave the perpetrators.

"I never thought this would be something I'd have to endure in 2017," Bryant said, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "As adults and parents, we have to instill in our children the values of right and wrong. That moment you had to choose to leave, you stayed."

She continued: "I forgive you. I forgive all of you. I don't have any hate in my heart. Life is too short for that."

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"Gary From Chicago": Released From Prison On Friday, At The Oscars On Sunday

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Gary Alan Coe, a.k.a. "Gary From Chicago" from Sunday night's Oscars ceremony, has had a crazy couple of days. As ABC Eyewitness News Chicago reports, the Windy City native served 20 years in prison, and was only released Friday, February 24. (Public records still list him as an inmate as of February 28.) Several outlets are reporting that the South Shore resident is a registered sex offender, but the cause of his incarceration remains unclear.

Public defender Karen Nash, who represented Coe in court, told The Chicago Tribune that she couldn't discuss the case, although she did tell the outlet Coe was "a very special human being." Nash shared a photo of herself and Coe on Facebook, though, with a sweet message for the once imprisoned man.

"I spent this afternoon laughing and crying with Gary and Vicky," she wrote. "For those of you who missed it — I spent years working on Gary's case. He got a life sentence for stealing perfume in 1997, and we finally won release this year. He got out on Friday, and was sight seeing with his lovely fiancé Vicky [sic]. If you watched the Oscars, you know the rest." She added the hashtag #GaryFromChicago, which circulated on Twitter after Coe's Oscars appearance.

In an exclusive interview, Coe told ABC that "change is possible."

He continued, "It's a sad day to be in prison for 20 years and not be able to be a dad, granddad to your children. You know what my son told me today, man, and I almost come to tears. He said he's proud of me. So to hear your children say that they're proud of me means the world to me."

He also told the outlet that he found his fiancée, the recently memed Vicky Vines, during his time in prison. The two were in Los Angeles Sunday on a tour bus that took a brief detour to the Dobly Theatre, where the sightseers rubbed elbows with Hollywood's finest. Vines and Coe met Denzel Washington, who pronounced them "husband and wife" that night. (The couple told ABC that they're still going to get married in an official ceremony.) Gary Alan Coe earned the title of "Gary From Chicago" after he name-checked his hometown, while Vines earned internet fame for her interaction with Ryan Gosling. Coe was released from prison on Friday, and a national figure by Sunday evening. Talk about a change of fate.

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A Week In Los Angeles On A $52,000 Budget

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Welcome toMoney Diaries , where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar. (Thanks,New York mag , for the inspiration.)

This week, a copywriter working in fashion who makes $52,000 per year and is currently on the hunt for a new job.

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Industry: Fashion

Age: 28

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Salary: $52,000

Paycheck Amount (4x month): $760

Monthly Expenses

Monthly Housing Costs: $950. (Total is $1,900, and I split it 50/50 with boyfriend.) We also had a "free rent month" deal in January as a part of our lease agreement. I make it a point to adjust my spending so that I always "rollover" into the new month with at least $1,000, and that free month of rent helps.

Monthly Loan Payments: $0 in student loans for now — deferred 'cause grad school, but savings plan will turn into loan payments later.

Utilities : ~$40

Cell Phone: $131. I just got a new phone and I'm making monthly payments on top of the data plan.

Internet: $40

Spotify: $13

Netflix: $8

Rock Climbing Gym Membership: $81

Savings: $840

Joint Account: $452. We each deposit 20% of our take home income to spend on groceries, dining out, travel, home goods, etc.

Day One

7:30 a.m. — Boyfriend has a flight today, so we're up early. We make coffee to-go and are out the door.

8 a.m. — We stop by the expensive-ass gas station downtown 'cause it's close to the freeway entrance. Boyfriend pays for a few gallons of gas and I grab a pack of cigarettes. I don't have a car, so I'll intermittently use my boyfriend's car while he's away. I've driven it plenty of times before, but he advises me on some of its newly acquired "quirks." $6

10 a.m. — I freelance remotely, so I make a new pot of coffee and stick myself on the couch to write some product descriptions. (I know, so much fun, right?) My company is currently going out of business, though, so I take a few breaks to look at my spreadsheet (I use it to track where I've applied, who the contacts are, where I'm getting interviews, offers, etc) and check the market for any new listings. There are none... if you know anyone in LA looking for a fashion/beauty copywriter, holla!

12 p.m. — I toast myself a bagel with butter and honey and cut up about two cups worth of sweet mini peppers with greek yogurt dip for lunch. Then, I take note of what I need to grocery shop for later today. My kimchi is smelling ripe AF, so I'll make some stew tonight with white rice for dinner. I've got a number of meet-ups this week (which means dining out), but I'll also be having a friend over Friday morning for a museum interview so I should have something stocked to feed her, right? Right.

1 p.m. — I take a mid-day break to make a grocery list and head to the American market. For breakfast and lunch for the next week, I purchase avocados, greek yogurt, cheese, red wine, cava, coffee, baguette, and prosciutto. Boyfriend isn't here, so I use my personal debit instead of our joint debit, but this is typically where that card/monthly budget would be put to use. $45

1:30 p.m. — I stop by M.A.C. to buy a day cream since my Laneige is almost out. I hear good things about their Mineralize Timecheck Lotion. I also dip quickly inside Victoria's Secret to see if they have my favorite bralette in stock. (They don't.) $49

4 p.m. — I get a little hungry, so I eat some canned pineapples. To be fair, my boyfriend and I eat real pineapples when they're in season. Also: have you ever rubbed a piece of pineapple on your nose to clear up blackheads? No? Thank me later!

4:30 p.m. — My skin has been terribly dry and flakey lately with the added Tretinoin gel I've been using. There's only one superhero that I've ever come across to help with dry, flakey skin: SQUALANE. Amazon Prime that shit for next-day delivery! $15

5 p.m. — I put a pot of rice on, and I head over to the climbing gym and put in work.

8 p.m. — Go to the Korean market and purchase yellow onion, green onion, more kimchi, natto, pickled plums, enoki mushrooms, and dumplings. This'll be dinner's supplemental ingredients for the next week. I also get $10 in quarters for laundry this weekend. $29

9 p.m. — I put on Netflix while I wait for the kimchi stew to simmer. I use ripe and new kimchi, leftover onion from my last bulb, leftover sausage, tuna, sesame oil, red pepper paste, crushed red pepper, enoki mushrooms, and green onion. I eat stew with white rice and a glass of cava for dinner.

10:30 p.m. — Shower and videochat the boyfriend before going to bed. Side note: Damn. Today was a spending day!

Daily Total: $144

Day Two

8 a.m. — Get up, make coffee, extensive morning skincare routine, drag myself outside for a cigarette.

10 a.m. — While getting settled into my work for the day, my squalene from Amazon comes in the mail! So stoked.

12 p.m. — I have an interview this afternoon, so I re-do my skincare routine and eat lunch while I let my skincare sink in before makeup application. I toast a bit of baguette with butter and add a slice of prosciutto on top, cover half an avocado with salt, cayenne, and tanjin seasoning, and a few dollops of 2% greek yogurt with granola and honey.

12:30 p.m. — Change for my interview, apply my makeup, and I'm out the door!

3 p.m. — What an awesome company. What awesome people. Had a great interview with three very chill people — wish me luck, y'all!

4 p.m. — My essence and eye cream came in the mail from Sephora. So. Happy. I spend of all my disposable income on skincare products, can you tell? It's not even my industry!

4:30 p.m. — Email the recruiter to say what up, thanks, you guys are great, hope I hear something good soon, wink wink. I'm like, in a really good mood.

5 p.m. — I have plans tonight so I take some time to wash the dishes and tidy up the apartment before I come home drunk to a huge mess. (I hate that feeling...)

6 p.m. — Meeting up with some friends for dinner tonight to catch up and see their new house! We decide to grill some meat for the occasion, so I'm headed back to the Korean market for some pork belly, lettuce, eggs, Korean soda, and six bottles of soju. I'll be bringing rice and a bottle of red wine just in case they don't have any. (They're bachelors, I love calling them "the delinquents.") It's $56 but they Venmo me $30 each. I Venmo them $10 back each. $16

7:30 p.m. — It's a feast! We have too much meat, and we finish four bottles of soju plus some wine and beer. We cook pork belly, thick cut pork belly, pork jowl, wrapped in lettuce with some fermented soy paste, garlic boiled in sesame oil, kimchi, steamed egg casserole, purple rice, raw bell pepper dipped in red pepper paste, vinegar, and Xxtra Flamin' Hot Cheetos to snack. Handful of cigarettes and stories. Call it a night.

12 a.m. — Video chat the boyfriend, take off my face, put on my skincare, and get ready for bed!

Daily Total: $16

Day Three

9:30 a.m. — My friend's little sister and friend are interviewing me for a project. I get up and put a pot of coffee on while I wash up and tidy up the apartment before they come over. Apparently they are going to film it. I am so dehydrated.

10 a.m. — Frantically refreshing my email for any word about the interview yesterday. I hope I get the job!

10:30 a.m. — I get an email from the recruiter with a writing test attached. I've got two days to turn it in. Piece of cake!

11 a.m. — I meet my friend and her friend outside while I smoke a cigarette. I'm exhausted. Inside, I toast some baguette slices with butter and lay out some cheese and prosciutto for them to nibble during the interview.

1 p.m. — Interview/filming's all done and my friend returns two out of four poetry books I lent her from a few months ago. I lend her some new poetry books and a few works of fiction before she leaves.

1:30 p.m. — Time for my lunch! I eat some yogurt with honey and granola, eat the other half of my avocado, have a few bites of cheddar cheese, and toast some buttered baguette and prosciutto for myself (I am obviously no stranger to repeat meals for days on end). My fridge is beginning to reek of kimchi from the stew so I know what I'll be trying to finish tonight!

3:00 p.m. — I hit a midday hangover (very rare) and go chug lots of water. AND I just remember that it's payday! I log into my bank account and subtract my savings ($196 per week) from my take-home and then transfer 20% of that into my boyfriend and my joint account.

3:30 p.m. — My boyfriend flew back to his hometown of Chicago earlier this week and it turns out he'll be there for a while. Since I'm still freelance, I book myself a one-way ticket this Sunday. We'll book our return flight tickets in probably two weeks, but it's uncertain for now. We use the joint account to pay for the fare. $118

4 p.m. — I decide that no work is being done in a timely matter until this hangover it gone. I check myself into bed with Netflix and a big glass of water and set an alarm for 8 p.m. to finish my work for the day. It's Friday, and no one's doing anything with my assignment until Monday anyway. Also, there is no way in hell I'm making it to the climbing gym tonight. Soju is a killer.

6:30 p.m. — I heat up some rice and kimchi stew and eat in front of some Grey's Anatomy. Also, I get my tax refund back! I do my taxes the moment I get all my paperwork in. I had back taxes from years ago when I was freelancing and got $2,000 taken away. I only receive about $280 back, but this at least makes up for my skincare shopping the other day!

8 p.m. — The alarm goes off. I ignore it.

10 p.m. — Tomorrow's going to be a long day. I try to sleep early, so naturally I pour myself some cava with pineapple juice, get the munchies, fry a few dumplings, and chat on the phone with my boyfriend. I don't sleep well without my boyfriend so I end up going to bed at 4 a.m.

Daily Total: $118

Day Four

10 a.m. — I sleep in (after waking up every two hours...) and put a pot of coffee on and have a cigarette outside before getting the mail.

11 a.m. — I make a wax appointment for later in the afternoon, shower, and sort the laundry.

12 p.m. — Brazilian appointment! It's $43 and I tip $20. $63

1 p.m. — I eat some Greek yogurt with granola and honey then start the laundry with the quarters I got back from the grocery store. $6.50

1:30 p.m. — I need to eat all my perishables before I leave tomorrow, so I scrape out the last of the rice, add some natto and pickled plums, then heat up some kimchi stew.

3 p.m. — I fold laundry, run to my boyfriend's car to get my climbing shoes out of the trunk, pack, tidy up, and finish my copywriting test.

7:30 p.m. — I eat some frozen pasta that my boyfriend and I keep in the freezer for lazy meal days (usually when we get back from the gym late).

10 p.m. — My friend is celebrating his birthday tonight, so I start to get ready and meet them at a bar in little Tokyo. I take a Lyft line and meet some people already in the car that are headed to the same place! $7

11 p.m. — I order a shot of Jameson for the birthday boy and a Jameson ginger for myself. I tip $6 'cause it's super crowded and I got service pretty quickly. I always overtip the first round in the hopes that they'll remember me and get me quick for the following rounds. It works 75% of the time. $24

12 a.m. — We leave the bar and go to a friend's place for the rest of the night. They have a handle of Jameson there and a case of beer. I sip on a beer for the rest of the night. A new friend drives.

2:30 a.m. — We get the late-night munchies and remember there is leftover meat in the fridge from our pork and soju night.

3:30 a.m. — It's time to go home! I take a Lyft (no carpool this time 'cause I want to be home!) and tip the driver $3. I'm in bed by 4 a.m. and realize I'll only be getting 4.5 hours of sleep before my flight... $10

Daily Total: $110.50

Day Five

8:30 a.m. — It's so early. I'm so tired. I call my boyfriend to let him know I haven't overslept and put on a pot of coffee while I get ready.

9:30 a.m. — Everything's already packed and ready to go, but I realize I haven't done the dishes yet! I load everything into the dishwasher to save some time and schedule a Lyft to pick me up.

10:15 a.m. — I smoke a cigarette outside while I wait for my scheduled Lyft to arrive. Driver's super nice and asks if he needs to be speeding if I'm late to the airport. I'm giving myself a lot of time so I decline and dip in and out of sleep for the rest of the ride. I leave a $5 tip. $30

11:30 a.m. — TSA line is a breeze (there's nobody here!) and I find a grilled cheese truck inside LAX. I grab a cheddar cheese grill, a tomato soup, and a bottle of water. $14

1 p.m. — Boarding! I took the last seat on the flight, so I'm in a middle seat between two strangers. The airplane has screens for every seat and free movies. I watch Girl On The Train and re-watch The Devil Wears Prada while sometimes falling asleep.

7:30 p.m. — The flight is 4 hours to Chicago, but they're 2 hours ahead and I land at 7:30 p.m. My boyfriend picks me up, and we go straight to his cousin's place in Wicker Park, where we'll be crashing.

8:30 p.m. — His cousin and fiancé brought back some empanadas from earlier that day (I'm so hungry at this point). We nibble on the couch while watching T.V.

9 p.m. — Our hosts have also cooked dinner (pesto chicken with feta and spinach). My boyfriend and I share a plate since we're not too hungry anymore. It's amazing! We all sit around and watch a movie.

11 p.m. — We head to bed. My boyfriend's cousin has a huge couch (bigger than a full size bed). They bring some sheets and blankets and we knock out.

Daily Total: $44

Day Six

8:30 a.m. — We oversleep. I head to a cafe in the neighborhood to get some work done. We walk together toward the train and I go to the cafe we often visit while here. It has a ton of old couches and chairs and tables, free WiFi, and they serve food!

9 a.m. — I order a medium latte and have a smoke outside before grabbing a table. $3

12 p.m. — I take the train into downtown to meet up my boyfriend for lunch. I purchase a new card ($5 fee!) and add $10 to it. $15

1 p.m. — We share a chicken sandwich and two soups. We pay with our joint account. $17

2 p.m. — I meet up with a friend while she's on her lunch break and we walk around the riverwalk to catch up. I stop by Sephora to purchase a beauty blender. $20

8:30 p.m. — We watch Moonlight before heading out to the city for our early Valentine's Day dinner. We grab drinks at a neighboring bar. We order three cocktails and wine. We use our joint account and tip $5. $40

10:30 p.m. — We order just the right amount of food for once! Oysters, pork belly, braised pork shank, green beans, and one drink each. We put it on our joint account and tip $20. $120

12 a.m. — I drink a crap ton of water and sleep.

Daily Total: $215

Day Seven

10:00 a.m. — It's Valentines Day! I oversleep. Our hostess makes us some coffee. We get ready and stop by Starbucks for an extra morning pick-me-up before our drive to my boyfriend's parents' place. We order two espresso-based drinks and put it on our joint account. $8

1 p.m. — At his parents' place, my boyfriend, his brother, and I are on our computers doing work. I got an email reply from a company I applied to the other week asking for some more information about my work experience. Yay! I still haven't heard back from the company I submitted my copywriting test to. Bummer. I follow up with the recruiter to make sure that she received it.

2 p.m. — My boyfriend and I get a little hungry so we nibble on a salmon his mother [made] and some homemade papaya salad. I then I go back to re-budgeting my spreadsheet. (I have a sheet with "goal" spending amounts and savings and expenses and what not, for every month until the end of the year. I decide I'm going to start paying off my student loans while they're deferred so some rows need to be moved around!)

4:30 p.m. — I finish some reading for school and my boyfriend and I go on a walk through the nature preserve behind his parents' neighborhood. The last time we came in November and it was just too cold to be outside. It's still very cold but at least the sun's out.

6 p.m. — We have Korean BBQ with my boyfriend's family. It's his nephew's 24th birthday. We order three huge mains of meat, three appetizers, and some soju and beer. There's eight of us and we're stuffed. Had to pack up some food. The tab is $173 (pretty good!) and my boyfriend pays. You'd never be able to feed eight people for under $200 in Koreatown in L.A.

8 p.m. — We drive back to the apartment and join our hosts while they watch a movie. I look into a new shower curtain for our bathroom and we go to bed by midnight. It's been a low-key Valentine's Day but we don't really celebrate V-day! Last year we were on a climbing trip and this year we used it as an excuse to try a new restaurant with a day-early reservation, hah.

Daily Total: $8

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Money Diaries are meant to reflect individual women's experiences and do not necessarily reflect Refinery29's point of view. Refinery29 in no way encourages illegal activity or harmful behavior.

The first step to getting your financial life in order is tracking what you spend — to try on your own, check out our guide to managing your money every day. For more money diaries, click here.

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David Beckham Gave Us Parenting & Pancake Goals All In One

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Is there such a thing as pancake goals? Because David Beckham's latest Instagram is making us very jealous.

The soccer star uploaded a video to his Instagram account on Tuesday, and it's clear he and his family are celebrating Mardi Gras right. Beckham performs an impressive pancake flip, which is met with applause from his family. Aside from pancake goals, that's parenting goals right there. Who doesn't want a parent who can make them a tasty breakfast treat?

We knew Beckham's soccer game was on point, naturally, but we're super impressed with how he stuck the landing on that flapjack. Can we get an invite for next year's pancake day?

Happy pancake day kids ( And Grown Ups ) #pancakeday @gordongram

A post shared by David Beckham (@davidbeckham) on

If you're wondering why Beckham referred to Fat Tuesday as "Pancake Day," it's a British tradition. As Business Insider explains, the custom stems from the desire to use up "unhealthy" ingredients in the kitchen, like oil and sugar, before the start of Lenten fasting. The site also notes that pancakes are traditionally thin in the U.K., so don't be alarmed by the crispy edges of Beckham's pancake.

Still, the best part of Beckham's Instagram post is that he tagged Gordon Ramsay's Instagram handle in the caption. Clearly, he wants the celebrity chef to give his pancakes the seal of approval.

Tagging Ramsay also plays into a larger joke: Recently, people have begun sending photos of their decidedly mediocre meals to the chef for comment. His responses tend to be far from positive, though they're always entertaining. We'd like to think, though, that Ramsay might just approve of Beckham's pancakes.

Of course, this is far from the first time Beckham has done something sweet for his four children. They pretty much always look adorable. Family goals, pancake goals...if Gordon Ramsay responds to the tag, we're dubbing this life goals, too.

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This Woman Traveled 7,500 Miles To Tweeze Celebrities' Brows For The Oscars

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Update: A previous version of this story misstated that Leonardo DiCaprio arranged for Sharon-Lee Hamilton's travel and services. The story has been updated to reflect the change.

This story was originally published February 28, 2017.

Rumors circulated early this week that Leo's eyebrows got the red-carpet treatment, courtesy of one Australia-based brow artist who flew 7,500 miles across the Pacific Ocean to tend to some very important celebrity eyebrows. You know, just to clean up any lingering stray hairs. And while it isn't true that she tended to Leo's impeccable arches, she did make the journey for other A-listers.

Sharon-Lee Hamilton, who the New York Times has reportedly called the “master of all pluckers,” made her way to L.A. from her home base of Sydney over the weekend to urgently address her various famous clients' no doubt very unruly brows. Hamilton has previously worked with both Leo and his longtime BFF Tobey Maguire, as well as some other stars you may have heard of, including George Clooney, Beyoncé, and Kim Kardashian.

Of course, this is not your local nail salon’s wax-on, wax-off brow grooming: Hamilton’s all-inclusive signature treatment usually goes for $180, and involves an expert shaping as well as any tinting, staining, or lightening necessary to make your brows look their best. (Also included in the price is eyelash tinting, a glycolic-infused collagen eye treatment, a full heated paraffin hand treatment, and a light eye makeup application.)

If $180 sounds steep, consider this: Hamilton recommends that her male clients opt for tweezing-only brow makeovers, which tacks on another $20 to the rate. A reasonable fee, if — and only if — you have a similar net worth to an Oscar winner.

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How To Tell If Your "Nutritionist" Is Legit

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Whether your lunch of choice is sushi from around the corner or a Sad Desk Salad, it seems like everyone's got an opinion about it. But just because your cousin has started calling herself a "nutritionist" and "wellness consultant" on Instagram doesn't mean you should let her diss your perfectly prepped grain bowl. Here's how to find someone whose advice you can really trust.

The type of nutrition experts you're most likely to work with are registered dietitians (RDs) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDNs). The requirements for RDs are exactly the same for RDNs, and it's up to the individual practitioner to decide which one best fits their personal practice (for the sake of simplicity, we'll just say "RDN" going forward). So what's the difference between a nutritionist and an RDN? As the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics explains, all RDNs are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are RDNs.

To become an RDN, you have to receive a bachelor's degree (not necessarily in nutrition, but that helps), complete a six-to-12-month-long supervised training program (likely in a healthcare setting), and pass a national exam. You're also required to keep up with continuing education requirements to keep your registration valid.

In some states, you can also become a "certified nutritionist" or "licensed nutritionist" (CDN, CN, or LDN depending on the state) by meeting the requirements set by each individual state, which are different from those needed for the RDN designation. In New York state, for instance, you have to complete an accredited program in dietetics and nutrition as well as 800 hours of work experience. You can become a CN without first becoming an RDN. But, because most medical settings (e.g. hospitals or clinics) require the RDN title, it's not uncommon for providers to end up with both designations if their state offers the CN option.

When it comes to learning about food to prevent or help treat an illness (such as diabetes), an RDN should be your first stop. The national exam ensures that they're able to practice anywhere in the U.S., and the continuing education requirement keeps them up to date with current ideas about nutrition. But those with a CN degree are also qualified to assess your nutritional needs, help you plan your meals for the activities you're doing, and give nutritional counseling. The biggest difference between the two is the hands-on training requirement: RDNs need to log at least 1200 hours, but CNs usually require much less time.

However, in states without specific nutritionist-related laws, there's virtually no regulation of who can and can't call themselves a "nutritionist," "nutrition expert," "nutrition coach," and the like. People who simply call themselves "nutritionists" often rely on alternative medicine and practices that aren't necessarily backed by accepted science. So, although they might give you delicious recipe ideas, you don't want to rely on them for health advice. Even certified personal trainers shouldn't be giving you meal plans or in-depth nutrition advice unless they also have an RDN or CN certification.

That means your cousin's internet research (consisting entirely of Goop and texting someone she met at a gym one time) may be all the training she needs to add "nutrition expert" to her Twitter bio. But that doesn't mean you should take her advice on "superfoods."

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Kay Jewelers & Jared Are Being Accused Of Sexual Harassment & Discrimination

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Two major mall stalwarts, Kay Jewelers and Jared The Galleria of Jewelry, are currently facing allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination. Employees of the two chains, which both fall under the Sterling Jewelers conglomerate (owned by parent company, Signet), are part of a private class-action arbitration case, per The Washington Post.

According to The Post, among statements from 250 employees (both men and women) are accusations that female employees at Kay and Jared in the 1990s and 2000s were "routinely groped, demeaned and urged to sexually cater to their bosses to stay employed." Other allegations include being passed over for promotions, wage violations (namely, female staffers were systemically paid lower salaries than their male counterparts), and claims that male managers at certain Sterling Jeweler-owned stores (as well as at the company's Ohio headquarters), "dispatched scouting parties to stores to find female employees they wanted to sleep with, laughed about women’s bodies in the workplace, and pushed female subordinates into sex by pledging better jobs, higher pay or protection from punishment," the newspaper writes. Additionally, there are claims from ex-employees that the company's annual, mandatory managers meetings were "boozy, no-spouses-allowed 'sex-fest'[s]" and that female employees at the meetings were "aggressively pursued, grabbed and harassed.

The case was first filed in 2008 by over a dozen female employees the two retailers, alleging gender discrimination in the workplace; at the moment, there are 69,000 individuals (former and current employees) involved in the class action case, which remains unresolved. Many of the statements about harassment and discrimination were written nearly a decade ago, but the employees' lawyers were only able to release them publicly this week, The Post reports .

Sterling, however, is denying the allegations. "Because of our long-term commitment to equal opportunity, we have taken the allegations of pay and promotions discrimination raised in this case very seriously," the company said in a statement provided to Refinery29, noting that over 68% of its management staff is female. "We have thoroughly investigated the allegations and have concluded they are not substantiated by the facts and certainly do not reflect our culture."

The company also underscored that the sexual harassment accusations are unfounded: "It’s critical to understand that none of the 69,000 class members have brought claims in this arbitration for sexual harassment or sexual impropriety," they added.

We'll update with any further developments.

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5 Things To Watch For During President Trump's Speech Tonight

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Tonight, President Donald Trump will try to hit the reset button.

During his short time in office, the 45th president has dealt with the troublesome rollout of a controversial travel ban, a high-profile, high-level resignation, an increasingly combative relationship with the press, and more leaks than a Drake album. We haven’t even mentioned the rumors about his administration’s alleged communications with Russia.

To call his first month in office chaotic would be putting it gently.

During his first nationally televised address to a joint session of Congress, Trump is expected to discuss all of these issues. Press Secretary Sean Spicer said during a February 21 press briefing that the president "is going to lay out two things — where we've come and where we're going." He added that it will be an “opportunity to remind members of Congress and the American people what he promised them on the campaign trail."

It’s important to remember this speech is geared toward Congress. Trump needs to explain to members what his legislative agenda is going to look like, and how it will positively affect the American people, as the Brookings Institution think tank explains. Additionally, although Republicans control both chambers of Congress, majorities in both chambers are small, which means Trump is going to have to work with Democrats. This is not the time for Trump to throw a tantrum.

From trash talking opponents to Russia denials to replacing the Affordable Care Act, here are the five things you should look out for during tonight's address.

The President’s Tone

Trump’s approval rating is at a historic low for new presidents. Only 44% of Americans approve of his performance, while 48% disapprove, according to a new Wall Street Journal /NBC News poll. Things look bleak, especially considering former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George H.W. Bush all had positive approval ratings at the start of their White House tenures.

Trump needs to reinvent himself, which means he cannot have a repeat of his depressing inaugural address. During that speech, he described a grim state of the U.S., proclaiming: “This American carnage stops right here and stops right now.” Although the speech was dark, Twitter was lit:

White House aides, who promised a more positive tone this time, have said the theme of Tuesday’s speech is "the renewal of the American spirit.” However, as NPR points out, aides said his inaugural address was going to be sunny. So we’ll believe it when we see it.

More Details On His Immigration Policies

Memos issued last week caused panic with threats of mass deportations. Trump is set to give the world more insight into how he intends to pay for 5,000 new Border Patrol agents, 10,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, facilities, training, and other expenses necessary to implement his immigration policy.

Meanwhile, Democrats are bringing guests who are directly affected by Trump’s orders on immigration as well as his failed travel ban. Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) will be joined by a Muslim critical care doctor from Pakistan, The Hill reports. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) will be accompanied by an immigration attorney from Chicago who is a child of refugees from Gaza. Also, three House Democrats will bring young undocumented immigrants who hold Obama-era work permits protecting them from deportation.

“If he looks up during the speech,” Gutierrez said in a news release. “I want Trump to see the face of a woman, the face of a Muslim, and the face of someone whose family has enriched and contributed to this country despite starting out as refugees.”

Trump Bragging About His Achievements

We’re warning you now, it’s coming. Politico got ahold of a list of 11 talking points from tonight’s speech, which includes these choice quotes:

“One by one, President Trump has been checking off the promises he made to the American people.”

“The President will lay out the concrete steps he has already taken to make the American Dream possible for all of our people.”

Face it, dude is going to talk a lot of trash.

It’s imperative that journalists fact-check Trump after the event. When Trump announced Alexander Acosta as his Labor Secretary nominee, the president claimed he had achieved the biggest electoral victory since Ronald Reagan. In reality, Trump officially received 304 electoral college votes compared to the 332 votes Barack Obama received in 2012, according to NBC News. When confronted with his error, Trump said: "I don't know, I was given that information... But it was a very substantial victory, do you agree with that?"

What’s Going To Replace The Affordable Care Act

Despite the fact that Republicans have been calling for the repeal of Obamacare since 2011, they do not agree on a replacement for Obama’s hallmark policy. Pushback across the U.S. has impeded efforts to get rid of the legislation. Nevertheless, Trump said Sunday at dinner for the National Governors Association he would give details about what will replace Obamacare.

Judging by a comment he made on Monday, it’s not clear whether the Affordable Care Act will be replaced soon. “Nobody knew that health care could be so complicated,” Trump said at a meeting with insurers at the White House. How he’s only now come to that realization is beyond us.

What’s Up With Russia

The New York Times and CNN reported that Trump’s aides were in frequent contact with Russian officials before the election, sparking investigations into the administration. Terry Szuplat, a speechwriter for Obama, told Newsday: “He’s going to have to obviously address the biggest vulnerability, even among Republicans, and that’s his relations with and his advisers’ contacts with Russia.”

Even George W. Bush wants to see the receipts. “I think we all need answers... I'm not sure the right avenue to take. I am sure, though, that that question needs to be answered," he said in an interview on the Today show on Monday.

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What Happens In The Bachelor Fantasy Suite?

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Nothing is off limits for the camera on The Bachelor. Over the seasons, we’ve caught glimpses of contestants painting nails, lifting weights, making strange faces when eating beignets in New Orleans (we’re looking at you, Nick).

Well, almost nothing. Toward the end of each season, the Bachelor or Bachelorette whisks away the three remaining contestants for an intimate night in the Fantasy Suite.

But what actually goes on behind closed doors, aside from the obvious? Are the contestants greeted by heart-shaped beds and rose flakes? Ice sculptures and contraceptives? Or could the Fantasy Suite itself just be a conspiracy theory cooked up by the devious mind of Chris Harrison?

In her book It’s Not Okay: Turning Heartbreaking into Happy Never After, former Bachelorette Andi Dorfman (and former "girlfriend" of Nick Viall) clears up some of the myths surrounding the steamiest, most mysterious part of The Bachelor. Dorfman even coached Nick through his own Fantasy Suite experience on last night's episode of The Bachelor, more proof that she's the ultimate expert.

To set the mood, we've illustrated Dorfman's insights with some of Nick's sexiest moments to date.

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1. The wine is flowing and the fridges are stocked.

When it comes to sparking romance, there’s nothing like wine and chocolate to do the trick. Clearly, the love gurus behind The Bachelor are aware of this fact and stock the fridge significantly in advance.

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2. The contestants have a way out, just in case.

As Bachelor lure goes, contestants are restricted from cell phone use and contact with the outside world while filming.

Most of The Bachelor rules are lifted in the Fantasy Suite — including the cell phone ban. Since there aren’t any cameras or crew on hand in case something goes wrong, the Fantasy Suite is affixed with its very own cell phone.

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3. The timing on the show is skewed.

From the show’s sequencing, you’d think that each session in paradise happened on three consecutive nights. That’s far from the truth. Instead, the overnight visits happen in different hotel rooms, with a buffer of a few days in between. Typically, Fantasy Suite sequences are filmed over a span of two weeks.

The long wait is to ensure none of the contestants accidentally run into each other — they are flown to the location for their specific dates, and leave the morning after the Fantasy Suite.

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4. Privacy might be the sweetest part.

After weeks and weeks of filmed flirtation, each couple has a few sweet hours free from stilted scenes and awkward camera angles. Bliss!

Andi writes of her time with Josh, “We spent the evening swapping stories, laughing until our stomachs hurt. We talked about our future, our beliefs, and our goals in life...we were in mid-conversation when the sun came up, beaming through the sheer window panels of our bungalow.”

In an interview with People, former Bachelorette JoJo Fletcher backed up Dorfman’s sentiment, saying, “And in the Fantasy Suite, if you know there is chemistry and a physical connection, it’s a good time to have privacy and let whatever happens, happen.”

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5. There’s everything necessary for safe sex.

The suites have more than just aphrodisiacs to prepare for a good night. As Chris Harrison told HuffPost Live in an interview with Nancy Redd, “Anything you need to have safe sex, we definitely promote that.”

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6. The rooms are plush!

For their last night together, the Bachelor contestants get an upgrade from the typical Marriott hotel rooms. Dorfman reports that her last Fantasy Suite was in a five-bedroom mansion.

The interior decor is on point, and so are the amenities. From drawn bathtubs to romantic music to towels folded into animals, the Fantasy Suite is every romantic cliche crammed into a single space.

What more could you expect from the quintessential honeymoon experience designed by The Bachelor?

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7. All the contestants get STD tested.

While this precautionary measure doesn't actually occur within the Fantasy Suite, it allows for all the in-suite shenanigans that do take place.

Leslie Hughes, a contestant on Sean Lowe's season, told The Daily Beast that an STD test is one among many tests that potential contestants must undergo.

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