For fashion girls like us, finding a new brand on Instagram is equivalent to a hype beast getting into Supreme after waiting for hours in line. We're always searching and scrolling, going down every hole until we find an account that we can brag about knowing before anyone else. But no matter how much we might want to, spending all day, every day on an Instagram deep dive isn't realistic — and your boss would probably frown upon it.
So, to make finding the newest, most under-the-radar Instagram brands of the moment a little bit easier and a lot less time-consuming, we went ahead and did the work for you. After following every hashtag, geotag and, well, normal tag, we came up with a list of 8 clothing brands that are sure to be the next Saks Potts, Susan Alexandras and Donnis of the world. So before you spend the entirety of your weekend in a giant Instagram void that'll only distract you from the pile of laundry sitting in your hamper, take a look at what we found ahead.
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If hair removal of any kind — shaving, waxing, lasering — is part of your summer skin-care routine, then you've probably also encountered dreaded ingrown hairs: tiny, sometimes painful bumps where hair has essentially gotten stuck underneath the skin's surface. "Ingrown hairs happen when the hair grows out sideways or inwards, rather than straight through the skin," says New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Doris Day, MD. "Skin then grows over the hair, making it ingrown."
Now, you might fall into one of two camps when it comes to the frustrating skin issue: Either you get them pretty rarely, or you see one popping up all. the. time. Unfortunately, the beauty myth that some people are more prone to ingrown hairs that others is true: According to Dr. Day, if you have curly or coarse texture, hairs can more easily become ingrown. ("This is common in the bikini area where the hair is usually coarser and curlier," she adds.)
As with anything, it's easier to prevent ingrowns from happening than to treat them once they've reared their head. Gentle exfoliation can help keep skin smooth and bump-free, and using a medicated cream or lightweight lotion post-hair removal can also keep follicles happy. (And if you were wondering, yes — your hair removal method of choice can affect your chance of getting ingrowns: "If you suffer from ingrown hairs commonly, I recommend sticking to shaving or depilatories rather than waxing or plucking," dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, MD, explains. "When a hair has to grow fresh from beneath the surface of the skin, it is more likely to become trapped compared to a hair that is shaved at the level of the skin’s surface.")
That said, if you're ready to be done with them for good, Dr. Day recommends laser hair removal (if you're a good candidate), which eliminates the follicle altogether. As for what you can shop right now, we've rounded up our top picks for an ingrown-free summer, ahead.
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As previously reported, billionaire investor Jeffrey Epstein was arrested earlier this month and charged with allegedly sex trafficking minors in New York and Florida between 2002 and 2005. As multiple outlets are revealing Epstein's high-powered friends and associates, there appears to be a link to Les Wexner, CEO of L Brands, the parent company of Victoria's Secret. Now, the New York Times is reporting Epstein used to pose as a recruiter for the lingerie brand's catalog.
Per the Times, by the mid '90s Esptein had "sweeping powers over [Wexner's] finances, philanthropy and private life," and used his proximity to Wexner to gain access to aspiring models. In 1996, model Maria Farmer alleges Epstein sexually assaulted her in Wexner's Ohio mansion. She claims she called the police but was not allowed to leave for 12 hours. Not even a year after the incident with Farmer, Epstein allegedly attacked another model, Alicia Arden, in his Santa Monica hotel room. She filed a police report a week later. “Why would someone that powerful and successful [Wexner] befriend someone like Jeffrey Epstein?” Arden asks the NYT. “I don’t get it.”
A spokesperson for L Brands told the Times in a statement: “While Mr. Epstein served as Mr. Wexner’s personal money manager for a period that ended nearly 12 years ago, we do not believe he was ever employed by nor served as an authorized representative of the company."
Epstein, 66, was arrested in New Jersey on July 6 for allegedly sexually abusing dozens of minors at his Upper East Side mansion, as well his mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, between 2002 and 2005.
If you're anything like I was as a student, you arrive on the first day of class with a fresh, monogrammed planner ready to be filled to the brim with assignments and exam dates (with a different color for each class, of course) and a resolve to stay organized for the entirety of the semester...which you abandon, without fail, by the third week in. (I mean, it's the thought that counts?) If this is your method, I see and hear you. But I'm here to tell you: It doesn't have to be this way.
Ahead, we chatted with 12 college students about the tech gadgets and apps that helped them survive freshman year, from note-taking apps to holy grail time-management apps to the tried-and-true iPad and Apple Pencil combo. Just remember, though — your dog can't eat your homework if it's synced up to the cloud. So you'll have to find a better excuse for that late paper.
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On Thursday, CNN 's Anderson Cooper challenged Democratic presidential candidate and spiritual guru Marianne Williamson about calling clinical depression “a scam” in the past. She apologized for the “scam” statement, but defended herself when he asked questions about controversial statements she made about antidepressants.
Williamson — who's made a splash at the debates for laying out a plan for reparations and running on a platform of love — faced tough questions from Cooper on his show, Anderson Cooper 360°.
“You’ve often brought up very legitimate concerns about doctors overprescribing antidepressants and other drugs,” Cooper said. “I’ve never heard you express, though, real concern for the stigma surrounding depression. I know there’s some people who say you’re actually contributing to that stigma... You’ve used the words “numb” or “mask" [about antidepressants]."
Williamson was quick to defend herself, and said, "I think that would be a not good message and I think I've never given that message... That's just never the way I've spoken and it is a complete mischaracterization of my commentary."
Cooper pointed out that telling a seriously depressed person that antidepressants could make them numb would not be a good message, and noted that, if anything, it's the depression itself that's numbing. When she pushed back, he brought receipts. He brought up a 2013 tweet, in which Williamson wrote: “Feds say 1 in 10 Americans on anti-depressants. Not a good sign. This is not a time in American history for any of us to be numbing our pain. [sic]”
Cooper also pressed her on her previous comment calling depression a "scam" on a podcast, for which she apologized, and added it was a "a glib comment" and "wrong to say." On the Friday morning after the show, Williamson tweeted: “I’m pro medicine. I’m pro science. I’ve never told anyone not to take medicine.”
Antidepressants are prescribed, and often combined with therapy, to manage depression, which is a common condition that impacts millions of people every year, according to the American Addiction Centers. The World Health Organization notes that antidepressants are one means of treating depression, among many other options, such as structured therapy and behavioral actions and changes. Harvard Health says that antidepressants work by regulating mood by targeting specific messaging systems in your brain. They are among the most prescribed medicines in America, but ultimately treatment for depression varies in effectiveness depending on the individual. “We can't predict exactly how someone will respond to treatment because we're all biologically different," Dr. Michael Craig Miller, assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, told Harvard Health. "Medicine is only one tool. Psychotherapy can help you examine the patterns in life that may be making you feel down. And don't forget about the benefits of exercise, a balanced diet, and engaging in meaningful activities. They fight depression."
If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or the Suicide Crisis Line at 1-800-784-2433.
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Update: Daniel Pantaleo was suspended from the New York Police Department on August 2.
This story was originally published at 5:30 p.m. on August 1, 2019.
Five years after Eric Garner, a 43-year-old Black man from New York City, said the words "I can't breathe" and died after being put in what police investigators deemed an illegal chokehold during an arrest in Staten Island, his youngest daughter, Emerald Snipes-Garner, hasn’t stopped fighting for justice.
During Wednesday night's presidential primary debate, protestors chanted "Fire Pantaleo" during the opening statements, referring to Daniel Pantaleo, the police officer who administered the deadly chokehold on Garner. He again became a topic of conversation when candidate Julián Castro criticized the U.S. Department of Justice for sparing the officer from federal civil rights charges, a decision that was announced on July 16, just one day before the fifth anniversary of Garner’s death. The decision on whether to fire Pantaleo could be made as early as Friday.
Snipes-Garner echoed the protestors' chants when the DOJ delivered the news. Distraught, the 26-year-old activist stormed out of the Manhattan federal courthouse and delivered an impromptu speech. "Fire Pantaleo now," she is heard yelling to onlookers and media in a video captured outside the courthouse that morning. "Nobody wants to hold nobody accountable. You want us to be calm, you want to send condolences? Fuck your condolences." As of now, Pantaleo is still employed by the New York Police Department and has even received pay increases. Snipes-Garner has taken matters into her own hands, launching a Change.org petition demanding that Pantaleo be fired.
Since Eric Garner's death, the Garner family was struck by tragedy again when Erica Garner, Emerald’s older sister, died at age 27 at the end of 2017 after a heart attack — and again last Friday, when Eric’s stepfather Ben Carr died of a heart attack at a family wedding. In addition to mourning her family members, Snipes-Garner has been dealing with the lengthy, bureaucratic legal processes the family has experienced in their pursuit for justice. (The DOJ's decision on Pantaleo came just one day before the statute of limitations ran out.)
We spoke with Snipes-Garner to get some insight into what comes next in her family’s fight for justice, what accountability looks like, and, most importantly, what the rest of us can do to support the movement for Black lives.
How did you feel in that moment when you found out the DOJ would not be filing federal charges against Daniel Pantaleo?
"The video [of my reaction] kind of went viral, and that’s definitely how I’m feeling, and I will continue to feel that way until [Pantaleo] is fired. I want to be able to let the people know that I’m very emotional, I’m very angry. It’s going to be a longer fight to even try to get the case opened again, trying to find out what the legal processes are for those proceedings, having public hearings, and stuff like that.
"I’m tired of just sitting back and waiting for things to get done. I waited five years for the DOJ to tell us what they could’ve told us five years ago. They could’ve told us the same day. We didn’t need five different people to look at the paperwork to say that they weren’t going to indict the officer."
What needs to be done at this point for justice to be served? Besides Pantaleo, who needs to be held accountable for what happened to your father?
"Accountability is everything. Everyone keeps passing the buck to someone else — like 'it’s not me, it’s the DOJ,' or 'it’s not me, it’s the grand jury,' or 'it’s not me, it’s the CCRB [NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board]' — but who is it really? Who do we talk to that has the power to do something? They’re saying it’s [NYPD Commissioner] James O’Neill, but O’Neill can’t make the decision until the judge makes the decision. So, is it the judge who I need to be asking for answers from? At this point, who’s really at fault? We went to the Obama administration, now the Trump administration, and nothing’s being done.
"This is one of those situations where everybody’s in the room, and something gets broken, and everybody’s like, 'it’s not me.' We’re playing Where’s Waldo? with the person who’s supposed to be accountable, when we know who murdered my father. We know who was there, we saw the video, we have their names. They were sitting on the stands at CCRB, there was witness testimony, there was an investigation, there’s text messages, there’s paperwork. I’m not understanding what type of investigation is being done."
It must have been especially hard to have such a personal case tied up in bureaucracy for so long, only to be disappointed by the result.
"For many people, this is just a phase. As [the news of] Eric Garner came in, it died out, and the cameras went away. When Erica passed away, it died out, and everything went away. Now the hype is up, and it’s going to go away again. I’m making sure that no one will forget. You will not forget. You will know what Pantaleo looks like. So when he walks the street, you know that you’re walking next to a murderer."
One of the things that Black Lives Matter activists want to see happen is to see real repercussions for police officers who kill civilians. Besides the firing of the officers involved, is there anything else that you’d like to see change structurally to halt the killing of unarmed Black civilians?
"Right now, we’ll absolutely push for the Eric Garner Law, which will ban the chokehold in any form. They’re using the terms 'seatbelt maneuver,' 'seatbelt technique,' 'arm-hold,' or anything but chokehold. Call it a chokehold. They’re using the gray areas. They’re using the little window of opportunity to say it wasn’t a chokehold, and it was absolutely a chokehold. [The law] will bring forth the banning of anything that restricts the neck and breathing of an unarmed civilian."
I’m making sure that no one will forget. You will not forget. You will know what Pantaleo looks like. So when he walks the street, you know that you’re walking next to a murderer.
How, if at all, can the city repair what has been broken or lost due to your father’s preventable death?
"I mean, they can stop killing us. That’s how we can stop the cycle. Police brutality is becoming a norm, and I feel like the ones who commit the heinous crimes show no remorse. It’s just like, 'Oh well, I did it, so what?' What’s going to happen when it’s your son, when it’s your daughter, when it’s your relative? What are you going to do then? You’re just going to ignore the fact that your son or your daughter could be walking down the street, and someone could come kill them, on camera, and no one is held accountable? People don’t put themselves in our shoes. That was my father. Nobody understands. Everybody is disconnected from the emotional part. It’s just like, 'Oh, I just want to talk about it,' but no, let’s not talk about it, let’s do something about it. Don’t just give me condolences, change things."
How would you like to see other people getting involved?
"Sign the petition on Change.org. Make a post on your social media — social media is a very powerful tool. Put 'I can’t breathe' on your profile picture, so everybody can see it. This needs to become more visible. This needs to become more present.
"People will be like, 'I feel like I can’t help,' but you can help. If you can’t make a protest, talk about the protest: 'Everybody go join the protest. I can’t be there, but I support you,' or 'I can’t come out physically, but I can put it on my social media.' Everything is just, 'I can’t, I can’t, I can’t.' I don’t want to hear 'I can’t,' I want to hear 'I’m going to.'"
When it comes to shopping, there are two routes you can take: investing in wardrobe staples or indulging in trends. Both have their obvious upsides, but only one can be done on a regular basis (well, for most of us, at least). And while we'd love to buy up all the trends of the moment, rarely can we keep up without spending way too much of our heard-earned cash. That's where ASOS comes in.
The UK-based e-tailer has just about everything that a girl could need: size inclusivity, up-to-date trends, and an affordable price point. But if we had to identify one ASOS-induced stressor, it'd be the sheer number of options. In the 'New In' section alone, there's a whopping 1,586 pieces to choose from — and that's just the women's department. So to help make sure that you're getting your fix of leopard print skirts, cowboy boots and puff-sleeve dresses, we're going straight to the source and sharing all the pieces that are selling most on the site.
Check out the 21 best-selling items on ASOS.com now in the mix ahead.
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According to shampoo commercials, the mark of a good cleanser is its lather. The more bubbles, the better — and boy, was the marketing effective. Up until recently, I would only cherish the shampoos that mimicked one of those ads, lathering up until I turned my hair into a big, frothy, soapy creation.
However, in 2019, we're fully aware of the fact that lather isn't necessarily a good thing. A ton of lather is normally an indication of a product having sulfates (including lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, and ammonium laureth sulphate) — surfactants that can actually dry your hair and skin out.
Now, that's not to say that sulfates are bad. "Not everyone needs to use shampoos without them," celebrity stylist Derek Yuen tells us. "Sulfates work to dissolve oils and clean the strands. If you have very oily hair, then a regular shampoo is fine for you." But for chemically-processed hair (including those with keratin treatments, color, perms, and relaxers), sulfates can actually reverse the results of those treatments.
Whatever shampoo you choose is up to you, but if you're looking for a gentler option, we tapped a few of Hollywood's top pros to spill the beans on their faves, ahead.
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Hidden in the 'Shop by Concept' area of the website's main menu, this under-the-radar shopping tool is designed to take the stress out of sorting through all 9,331 options on the brand's site. The trend section includes only the most of-the-moment styles, from Jacquemus-inspired mini dresses to KKW-approved bike shorts.
To get you started, we handpicked 36 of our favorite items from the trend section and loaded them up in the slideshow ahead.
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A few weeks ago, I went to Oaxaca, Mexico, for three days with nothing but my Google Pixel 3a (okay, also a suitcase full of far too many clothes) — and discovered that, in addition to its ability to trick me into thinking that I'm a good photographer (I'm not), it's the ultimate travel phone. In addition to its camera, it has a great translator integration and AR map function, it's super lightweight, and comes with a really cheap phone plan. I've reviewed the phone before, but this trip really put its breakout features to the test.
And as far as pricing for the phone itself, the Pixel 3a (5.6") starts at $399, and its larger counterpart, the Pixel 3a XL (6"), starts at $479 — basically half the price of an iPhone, except you don't even have to give up any quality smartphone features (except those blue iMessage bubbles).
Ahead, the breakdown of how I used the Pixel to optimize my selfie game, take actually delicious-looking food pics for the 'gram, and translate restaurant menus in Mexico.
Travel and accommodations were provided to the author by Googlefor the purpose of writing this story. Google did not approve or review this story.
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Here's a textbook fact: college is expensive. Even for students on scholarships, you've got the cost of books, housing, and your homecoming outfit to take care of. So ideally, hair should be the last of your worries.
However, naturalistas know that upkeep requires time and coins, too. Between getting acquainted with new dorm mates and settling into your fall syllabus, who has time to sit in front of a mirror and flat-twist every night? In order to alleviate some of that stress, try a protective style ahead of Labor Day? No one wants to fuss around with a curling wand or treatment before their ungodly 8 a.m. course... and besides, you've got an impression to make around campus. The looks ahead will take care of that for you.
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Here's something you may have heard us say a million times before, but that doesn't stop being true: The gender wage gap is real and it impacts women's ability to prosper. Research has shown over and over again that women in the U.S. earn on average about 80 cents for every dollar a man makes, and the gap is even worse for most women of color.
Ending the disparity would result in significant economic benefits. According to data from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, closing the gap would "cut poverty among working women and their families by more than half and add $513 billion to the national economy." Let's say that again: add $513 billion to the national economy.
Ahead, we detail where 10 of the 2020 presidential candidates stand on the issue of equal pay for all genders.
Sen. Kamala Harris
The California senator introduced a proposal in May requiring corporations to certify that women and men receive equal pay for equal work or face financial penalties as a way to help close the gender wage gap. The plan differs from other federal anti-discrimination measures by requiring employers to proactively enforce pay equity instead of placing the burden on employees to try to prove gender-based pay discrimination.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren
The Massachusetts Democrat has released several proposals that could help close the gender wage gap. Her plan for universal child care would allow more mothers to stay in the workforce. Warren also proposed three executive actions she would take on her first day as president to expand economic opportunities for women of color, who often face more roadblocks to pay equity. She has also led by example by paying her staff equally.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar
The Minnesota senator has not proposed an explicit equal pay plan as part of her presidential platform. However, she has advocated for this issue, most recently by introducing the Even Playing Field Act. The measure — which was co-sponsored by several prominent Democratic senators, including fellow presidential candidate Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand — requires athletes on the U.S. national teams receive equal pay and resources.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard
Gabbard, a U.S. representative from Hawaii, has not introduced a proposal aimed at closing the gender wage gap, but notes on her website that she has voted for the Paycheck Fairness Act, "to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide more effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex, and for other purposes."
Marianne Williamson
Williamson has not introduced an equal pay proposal, but her women's rights platform includes plans such as "increase rules, regulations, and oversight to prevent pregnancy-related discrimination," "require more post-birth leave time for mothers — and fathers," and "provide more funding for Head Start and high-quality child-care programs."
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
Gillibrand's Family Bill of Rights, an ambitious family-oriented proposal, includes two measures that could help women prosper economically, particularly those who are parents. The New York Democrat is calling for the implementation of paid family leave nationwide, similar to her FAMILY Act, and the creation of universal pre-K, which would allow mothers to stay in the workforce when their children are younger.
Former Vice President Joe Biden
While Biden has not unveiled a gender equity proposal so far, in the past he's shown support for measures such as the Lilly Ledbetter equal pay legislation.
Sen. Bernie Sanders
The Vermont senator has not rolled out an equal pay plan, but his women's rights platform includes actions such as adopting equal pay for equal work through the Paycheck Fairness Act and passing the Equal Rights Amendment.
Mayor Pete Buttigieg
On his website, the South Bend, IN, mayor has called for signing the Paycheck Fairness Act into law, and strengthening anti-discrimination laws, including protections against pregnant workers.
Beto O'Rourke
Some of the solutions the former Texas congressman has proposed as part of his equal pay platform include passing the Paycheck Fairness Act, "strengthening legal remedies for equal pay violations," and "limiting use of wage history in the hiring process."
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Remember way back in January, when your optimism was at an all-time high? You were actually excited about going to the gym. You were downloading meditation apps and making a list of all the books you wanted to read. And when you were scrolling through Instagram and saw a hairstyle you loved, the reaction was, "I can totally do this."
Yeah, that seems like a very distant memory.
We blame alarm clocks — oh, and all the weather changes, which have now led us to look for hairstyles that will survive summer activities or just keep us cool in scorching hot weather. It's also easy to fall back into last year's hairstyle rut once you've run out of ideas. But we're here to keep you encouraged. Because while you thought that you used up all your creativity in the first few months of the year, we're here to prove that you're just getting started.
We've been putting the Instagram "save" feature to use to compile a month's worth of hair inspiration. From haircuts to braided looks, there's something for everyone to try. Ahead, 31 gorgeous looks to keep the good hair days coming in August.
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After Hillary Clinton unexpectedly lost the Electoral College despite winning the popular vote in 2016, coming closer to the presidency than any woman had before, something changed in the psyche of scores of her supporters. While some had been afraid to even post on social media or put a Hillary bumper sticker on their car for fear of being shouted down by trolls from the right and left, Clinton's admirers — particularly women — came out of the woodwork (while Hillary went into the woods) to tell the world that their icon had been wronged. That's exactly when many of the former Secretary of State, senator, and first lady's supporters turned into a different phenomenon entirely: superfans.
Superfans don't just post and retweet and wear T-shirts and send small donations. They create entire social media accounts dedicated to following Clinton's every move, outfit, and honorary degree. They camp out overnight outside of the Union Square Barnes & Noble to get first dibs at What Happened, Clinton's memoir, while the Secretary's staff surprises them with a late-night pizza delivery. They fly from the Philippines to Australia to see her. They create paintings, plays, and, of course, memes. If the "women's rights are human rights," baby-pink suit moment in China began to turn Hillary Rodham Clinton into an icon, then the anger, devastation, and defiant hope of the post-2016 era cemented that status.
In the aftermath of November 2016, "there was an explosion of letters — we had to shut down the website," Rob Russo, one of Clinton's closest aides and her office's king of correspondence, tells Refinery29 in a recent interview. "We had to rent a U-Haul to go to the post office to pick up our mail! There were over 30 bins, and we’re still not done with it. We have been diligently going letter by letter and responding to people." Clinton developed an elaborate system of correspondence with fans and critics alike back when she lived in the White House to make sure everyone's letters are answered, members of her staff say. It's how the OG superfans, like the late Maryland resident Ruth Love who created the first Hillary Clinton fan club back in the 1990s, communicated with the first lady before the digital age took off.
And if that 1990s holdover seems quaint, so be it: After all, it's a much more personal form of correspondence — and one that typically yields fewer angry trolls than, dare we say it, emails or social media. "She understands that there’s something very special about tangibly reaching out to people by sending a letter," Russo continues. "A letter is something people will carry with them for a lifetime. It’s something people can hold; it can become an artifact."
A letter is how Corinne Pina, 48, from Queens, NY, a survivor of the 9/11 attacks, first reached out to Clinton, a New York senator at the time. After surviving the World Trade Center attacks, Pina developed PTSD and was unable to fulfill the requirements for her student visa. After she was threatened with deportation, she contacted Clinton's Senate office in panic, and Clinton stepped in to help her reinstate her visa and even refer her to counseling services.
"I was so thrilled that someone cared about me who only saw me on paper," Pina tells Refinery29. "I suffer from ADHD and a slow information-processing disorder that makes it very difficult for me to find employment despite having a BBA in Accounting. When I talked with Hillary during the campaign, she promised me that she would implement plans and programs that would get us back into meaningful jobs." Now, Pina says she often feels like hope is lost. Like so many women, she felt Hillary's loss as though it were her own. Still, she continues to go to events and post articles and memes — the name on her Twitter bio is HRCisTrue45. She also wears her Hillary Clinton shirt, tote bag, and iPhone case everywhere. She's met Clinton several times, and every time she says talking to her feels like talking to a friend. "She listens, and she takes you seriously."
"Hillary has inspired me not to give up and to keep going no matter how hard it is," Pina says. "Her resilience gives me new hope and strength every day."
It's stories like this, in which she connects with and helps her supporters in tangible ways, that make it clear Clinton's fandom goes beyond the flattened, superficial "powerful woman" veneer. Those close to her suggest that she's not super-comfortable being viewed as an "icon."
"She sees herself as more human than symbol, although she obviously recognizes that she will have a place in history," Nick Merrill, Clinton's longtime senior adviser and spokesperson, tells Refinery29. "The symbolism is secondary."
Still, the iconizing of Hillary Clinton continues, driven in part by the desire to make sure she gets her rightful place in history and that her complex, pioneering legacy isn't drowned out by the visceral hate she has so often been the target of. The superfans play an active role in perpetuating that legacy. Rebecca Brubaker, for example, a 22-year-old who "super-volunteered " for the 2016 campaign, got to know Clinton campaign staffers through social media and showing up at book signings. She created the documentary To All the Little Girls (which you can watch, below) to tell the stories of the women who have been inspired by Clinton.
"I found myself complaining that the media wasn't covering how impactful Secretary Clinton’s campaign was for multiple generations of women and girls, so I decided to take it upon myself to make it," Brubaker tells Refinery29. "I traveled the country and heard so many stories similar to mine. The same people who were impacted by Secretary Clinton’s run in 2016 are now organizing their communities and even running for office themselves. Her legacy lives on, and I feel so incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to highlight it in my documentary."
Thank you @HillaryClinton: for every laugh, every hug, every opportunity, and every word of encouragement. I am so lucky to have you in my corner 💙 pic.twitter.com/UFpGIwg5NN
Kristen Blush — one of the recipients of the aforementioned late-night pizza while camped out for What Happened — is a photographer and fixture at HRC's events who authored The Revolution Is Female, a photography book celebrating Clinton's historic candidacy and the feminist movement that ensued. Blush, 38, created a group called Babes for Hillary during the campaign that held fundraisers and social events in New York City. Photos of many of the members ended up in her book. "I realized that we really needed a popular culture movement to help elect her," Blush says.
Social media plays a major part in keeping Clinton in the cultural consciousness and celebrating her accomplishments. The meme-ing of Hillary started back in 2012 when she was Secretary of State with the Texts from Hillary (Who could forget Texts from Hillary?) tumblr, which originated as a joke between two friends at a bar. (She even invited the creators to her office in the State Department and took photos with them.) But post-2016, the digital aspect of her fandom evolved into homages to her career, nostalgic photos of her youth, and lots of GIFs (think shimmying shoulder shake), which fan accounts like @HillaryPix, which currently has close to 14,000 followers, supply daily. You'll see everything from Clinton riding a unicorn in rainbow sunglasses during Pride Month to a young Hillary in a black-and-white high school class photo. Not an insignificant number of the posts are encouragements to run for a second term, although Clinton has said she doesn't plan to run for office again.
"She reawakened my feminism, and she made me political in a way I never was before 2016," the woman who runs @HillaryPix, who prefers to stay anonymous to avoid more online harassment, tells Refinery29, echoing the words of many women who wrote to Clinton after the election. "I joined Twitter in early 2016 because I couldn’t believe the sexism and misogyny she was facing in her presidential campaign. Twitter was a way to defend her, and I thought I might get 20 or 30 followers if I was lucky. As it turned out, I wasn’t alone."
As she veers further away from public figure-dom and deeper into private citizenry, Clinton's relationships with her fans, "super" or otherwise, seem to be deepening. "There are days when the amount of time she spends on social media, she wouldn’t like to admit!" Merrill says, laughing. "She’s no longer doing six to seven events a day, after all. But she’s hearing from people personally whom she might not otherwise get a chance to interact with."
This also means she has more time to stay in touch with her core group of superfans outside of social media, whether personally or through her staff. "The Secretary has always made a point to follow up," Opal Vadhan, Clinton's executive assistant, tells Refinery29. "‘How is Corinne doing?’ ‘How is Kristen’s book doing?’ ‘What is Becca up to?’ As a team, we do talk to them on a daily basis because our boss cares so much and genuinely wants to know what they’re up to."
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The Haim sisters return with their summer take on Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" with more than a passing nod to Luscious Jackson's entire Naked Eye album aesthetic (if you're not familiar with those but liked this song, I'll wait while you go check them out). It's a summer-in-the-city take on Hot Girl Summer just in time for August to blast us all into heat oblivion. Honestly, I love when artists drop a slower jam in the depths of the summer heat because they know it's too hot out to shake it fast. Put this one on and take everything else off, it's too hot to exist (this sentence brought to you by living in Texas).
Angel Oslen "All Mirrors"
Angel Olsen is taking us all back to the strangest moments from The Hunger but with "Bella Legosi's Dead" vibes in black and white with her new song. The instrumentation is classic goth anthem, causing visions of The Sisters of Mercy to dance in my head while the screeching synths remind me of those creepy string parts in every Alfred Hitchcock movie. She's not on a different page from the rest of the streaming charts, she's in a whole different book.
Sabrina Claudio "Holding the Gun"
Sabrina Claudio starts this video with a Nietzche quote (!!!) and then slips into Bonnie and Clyde if they had Thelma and Louise's red convertible (watch it on YouTube), all on a song that is one of the softest, warmest grooves about a dysfunctional relationship I've heard since Sade fucked up my whole romantic life. The flip side of pretty is dark, and this is pretty dark as well as pretty phenomenal.
Snoh Aalegra "Situationship"
Listening to this song is like sliding down a waterfall except instead of water, it's the feeling of having a crush that's slowly crashing to the ground. Snoh Aalegra makes singing about realizing that you've been messing with a fuckboy into a bop with an incredibly catchy chorus full of red flags.
Violet Bell "Howl"
I swear this song would fit right into the Midsommar soundtrack . There's a thin line between traditional, indigenous folk songs and true bluegrass and Americana. It could soundtrack a campfire night or some frolicking while wearing a leafy crown — just stay out of the yellow building.
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Welcome toMoney Diaries, where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar.
Today: a data-sciences analyst working in healthcare who makes $55,640 per year and spends some of her money this week on moving boxes.
Monthly Expenses Rent: $625 for my share of a two-bedroom garden unit (about to go up to $880; I move next week) Car Loans: $380 Student Loans: $0 (My parents paid 3/4, and another 1/4 came from a women-in-economics scholarship.) Utilities: ~ $40 Savings: $550 (invested in mutual funds) 401(k): 8% (employer matches 30 cents on the dollar, no cap) Car Insurance: $0 (still on my parents'; rolling off in 2020) Life insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability: $15 Dental/Vision/Health Insurance: $0 for premiums (thanks, awesome company!!) Phone bill: $0 (on my dad's plan) Spotify: $16 (family plan: me, my friend, my dad) HBO & Netflix: $0 (dad's) Hulu: $0 (roommate's friend's roommate's) Amazon Prime: $0 (mom's) Violence Policy Center Donation: $25 Minnesota Public Radio Member: $5 Boutique Fitness Studio: $139 Curology: $40 ClassPass: $15 Farm Share: $139 split with my coworker
Day One
8:45 a.m. — I wake up next to my friend F. after a late night out playing darts. My old work friends from Chicago have been visiting Minneapolis for the past few days, and as a result I have been sharing a bed all weekend. She has been a good bedmate, though, so I wake up pretty rested. I have three missed calls from my roommate and a cryptic text saying her boyfriend was a nightmare last night, so I shoot her a text to check if everything is okay, seeing as she isn't home.
11:30 a.m. — After watching some Stranger Things, cleaning up my apartment a little bit, and packing bags, we all pile into my car and head to the airport. A little over a year ago, I quit my job in Chicago and took a break to figure out what I wanted to do for my career and deal with my depression, and as a result moved away from these three friends. At the time, I felt so alone and sad that I couldn't see or appreciate the resources and support system around me, including these women. We had a lot of heart-to-hearts about it as a group, and I am planning a trip to Chicago for October!
12:15 p.m. — I arrive at my boyfriend, T.'s, apartment and help him fold some laundry. He tells me about the wedding he went to last night with coworkers. He is miserably hungover. We started officially dating a little under two months ago, and I am so madly in love with him. It's kinda crazy, since I only broke up with my ex-boyfriend in February, and we had dated for over three years. I never felt this way about my ex — odd how timing and the heart works like that. We order takeout ramen and walk a couple blocks to pick it up. He pays ($45), and we eat in front of the TV, rewatching Stranger Things since he hasn't finished the season yet.
3 p.m. — We go on a walk around Lake of the Isles, and I talk most of the time about all the dramatic funerals I have been to in my lifetime. We stop at one of our favorite coffee shops on the way back and get jasmine lemonade (we are parched!); he pays since I don't have my wallet with me on the walk ($8.50). Then we walk a block to the grocery store and buy ingredients for dinner, my favorite chorizo burger recipe. We grab bananas for him, and then buns, smoked chorizo, and a pound of grass-fed ground beef ($21).
5 p.m. — I take a Spin scooter ($10) back to my place to clean up and grab some veggies while T. is on a call with his family. I run into my roommate, K., and she recounts her horrific night babysitting her drunk bf. It involved vomiting in an Uber. Yikes. I vacuum and roll up the air mattress in the living room, then grab some of my farm-share veggies out of the fridge for dinner. $10
6 p.m. — I arrive at the bf's and start cooking us dinner. I mash the beef and chorizo together with Pepper Jack cheese and throw onions, zucchini, potatoes, and snap peas in the oven to roast. He is very impressed with the outcome, and I relish his appreciation.
7 p.m. — We walk a block to the local theater and buy tickets to The Lion King. I pay since I have been skirting the bills all day. $20
9:30 p.m. — Back on the couch watching Stranger Things. Naturally, I fall asleep for the whole thing.
Daily Total: $30
Day Two
7:30 a.m. — Wake up at the bf's and feel very tired, even though I slept a ton yesterday. I check Instagram and Words with Friends and then roll out of bed and kiss him goodbye. He is already showered and dressed for the day. He heads to work way earlier than I do, so this is our usual tango.
7:40 a.m. — I drive back to my apartment and shower and shave. I throw on my Curology serum since I didn't last night and then layer my GinZing Gel moisturizer from Origins over it (my favorite summer product!). I also rub my Burt's Bees sensitive eye cream over my dark circles. I throw on Madewell jeans and a lightweight cotton striped shirt. Work dress code is very casual. Then I do my makeup: Smashbox Photo Finish primer, Naked Urban Decay concealer under the eyes, Nars spot-corrector concealer on my dark marks, and my Tarte bronzer and blush duo. Then just some mascara. I am simple in the summer.
8:30 a.m. — I leave my apartment and stop to get gas ($40.36), and go to my local co-op and grab some things for breakfast and lunch the next couple days. I get coconut yogurt, organic strawberries (free as a co-op owner!), a hot-bar lunch of barbecue pork and rice, and I build a Greek salad at the salad bar ($29.80). $70.16
9 a.m. — Arrive at work and prepare my breakfast (I usually don't eat until I get in). I grab the coconut-flake granola from my file cabinet and put it over my strawberries and yogurt.
10:15 a.m. — In a very boring status meeting, and I read the Money Diaries about the woman who is cheating with multiple men. Everyone has their demons. I send it to my roommate, K., over Slack (she also works at the same company as me), and we concur that it is a good read.
1 p.m. — In between a couple meetings, I eat my lunch in our courtyard. I opt for the barbecue pork and sip on a La Croix (free from the work fridge).
3:40 p.m. — I leave work early to go to my second job. My team knows that I leave early on Mondays, so it's fine. Monday nights I usually close, so I will be here until 10 p.m. easily. I prepare myself for that reality. To have some extra money for savings and my car payment, I work 16-ish hours a week at a fancy restaurant in Minneapolis. I have a lot of former experience in hospitality, particularly working at a concierge dining club in New York back in the day, so when I decided to look for a part-time hosting position, I only wanted to work at the best in the cities. Unfortunately, as I have found over the past couple months working here, this place is pretty much smoke and mirrors, with the management and owners relying on media hype to draw the crowds in. On the whole, I don't think they know how to treat the customer, and the FOH staff, aside from the bartenders and hosts, are super bitter. TBH, I wouldn't be here for much longer, except for the fact that I need the money.
5:50 p.m. — Getting hungry and do my usual sweep of the kitchen to see if there is leftover pizza scraps to munch on. No luck.
10:15 p.m. — Closing time!! I take my shift meal home, a pepperoni pizza, and eat it in my bed with chicken nuggets. It is all about BALANCE, my friends. I text my boyfriend for a bit in bed and then hit the hay.
Daily Total: $70.16
Day Three
7 a.m. — I am too lazy to roll out of bed in time to catch my 7 a.m. gym class, so I go for a walk around Lake of the Isles instead. I listen to a podcast about financial responsibility along my route. I see a muskrat playing in a puddle and watch it frolic for an extended period of time.
8:15 a.m. — Back at home I quick-shower and dress, opting for Madewell shorts and a tunic from Coolibar, a sun-protection clothing company. Do my usual skin-care routine and makeup.
9 a.m. — Arrive at my coworker's house. He recently got his bike stolen, so I have been providing him a lot of rides to work. I am sure people in the office think we are dating because of it.
11:30 a.m. — I have a one-on-one meeting with my new manager, my first one since he started a couple weeks ago. He is a nice guy and seems intelligent, but his habits just irk me. I feel somewhat discouraged in the meeting, because he comments on one of my annual goals, improving my coding skills, saying that my skills are “fine” enough. Meh. He then continues to share that my coworker is being promoted, meaning that I am the last traditional project-based data analyst on the team.
12:15 p.m. — Today my dad is getting his colonoscopy. I pick him up from our designated meeting spot and drive him to his appointment (glamorous, I know). I work from the waiting room.
3:30 p.m. — The procedure went well! I drive my dad back to my parents' place and work from their deck for the remainder of the afternoon, cuddling with my dog.
5:15 p.m. — I strategically call it a day before my mom can get home (we have not spoken since last week; we are on a “break” of sorts) and hop in my car to drive a few towns over, where my cousin lives. She and I are doing a breakfast-for-dinner night (she chose the menu, as she is eight months pregnant), and I am in charge of dessert. I stop at the small grocery store in town and buy doughnuts to stick with the breakfast theme. $3
5:45 p.m. — I arrive at my cousin's and play with her cat for a bit (we are friends; I babysat him in March for a week). She asks me to scoop the kitty litter since her partner is out of town, and technically, as a pregnant person, she shouldn't be exposing herself to that. I oblige.
7 p.m. — My cousin brings up that she has spoken to my mom about our fight, which started over the fact that I didn't want my mom's help moving. Her rebuttal to that was to say that I was no longer welcome at my childhood house. Really nice. (I am moving to a new apartment next week, and historically my mom has a way of making me feel worthless and like I owe her for everything, especially big things, like help moving or paying for my car insurance, etc.). My cousin says that she has never seen my mom so sad, and that makes me feel sad, but I know that in order for her to adjust her behaviors and become respectful, she needs to know how upset I am with her. My cousin just asks that I reach out relatively soon, so that the silence doesn't go on forever. It is REALLY nice getting her opinion on it, simply because I don't really have anyone else who can empathize with me — my dad refuses to talk about it, and I have no siblings.
8 p.m. — I leave my cousins and go to T.'s place to Netflix and chill. He turns on Taxi Driver (why?), and I fall asleep within a few minutes. At some point I find my way to his bed.
Daily Total: $3
Day Four
7:15 a.m. — I wake up all groggy and lie in bed for a while, playing Words with Friends. I finally get up, and T. tasks me with making us coffee with his pour-over contraption (very annoying, would not recommend). We leave with our to-go mugs in hand.
7:45 a.m. — Run home quick and change. My hair isn't really dirty, so I decide to skip the shower. Today is Madewell shorts (again) and a Yale T-shirt that I bought while visiting my friend in med school there last winter.
8:45 a.m. — I arrive at the office, make my usual coconut yogurt breakfast, and send out a Slack update to the whole company reminding them of the wellness talk over lunch today. As one of the three employees in charge of our company's wellness program, in my down hours at work, I help set up guest speakers or fitness-forward activities for the whole company. Today's talk is on mindfulness meditation.
12:15 p.m. — After I introduce the speaker, I heat up leftover pizza from Monday night in our pizza oven (why there is one in the kitchen, I have no clue) and throw some Romaine and carrots on the plate for some nutrition.
2:30 p.m. — I have a meeting already on the calendar with my manager's manager from a while back — good timing given all the transitions lately, and my weird convo with my new manager yesterday. I express my concern about my role with the company — how do I even fit into this team anymore? And thankfully he says exactly what I hoped: I will continue to split my time between analytical prospective projects and scrum master type activities. He even shows me a presentation he will be showing to the leadership team about our team, and I am featured heavily in it for my work on a recent initiative. I feel very relieved and leave motivated.
3 p.m. — Walk with my roommate, K., around the office park. We stop to play giant water pong, which has been set up in the courtyard in preparation for the management company's monthly office park happy hour. We are horrible at it. I grab some chips at the happy hour for sustenance.
4:30 p.m. — I partition out my farm-share box with my coworker — potatoes, dill, pickling cucumbers, green beans, beets (yuck, give those to my coworker), green cabbage, white onions, green onions, and green garlic. I am very excited about the Thai basil this week!! Smells amazing.
5:45 p.m. — I leave work for the day and head to the co-op to pick up some ingredients for dinner. I plan on making Asian meatballs and slaw for dinner. I get a lime, bell pepper, red onion, 3/4 lb. of ground turkey breast, coconut aminos (I am mildly allergic to soy), rice vinegar, chili paste, a mixed berry coconut yogurt, more coconut flake granola for tomorrow's breakfast, a couple of ball jars, mustard seed, and peppercorns (I am going to pickle those cucumbers!). $41.12
6:25 p.m. — Drop my groceries off at home and head to the gym for a HIIT class. There is a major merch sale going on at the gym — all their apparel is done by Lululemon, and it's all 60% off. I don't need anything, plus the lady's stuff is super picked over, but bae asked me to get some things for him. I get two pairs of black shorts and three T-shirts for him. One of the T-shirts says “Legend” on it, and I know his ego will like that. He will Venmo me later. $203
8:15 p.m. — Bae meets me at my place, and I cook us the Asian meatballs (my own creation — ground turkey, garlic, green garlic, red onion, coconut aminos, black pepper, some leftover stir-fry sauce in the fridge, and sriracha) with some rice and whip together the slaw salad. He is thoroughly impressed.
9 p.m. — My mom texts me, asking if I want to meet up for a drink since she is in my neighborhood. I politely decline, but tell her she can swing by if she wants.
10:30 p.m. — Bae leaves, and I put my cucumbers in the ball jars to pickle and then do ALL the dishes by hand. I didn't see my mom's follow-up text asking for my address, and now I feel kinda bad and sad.
Daily Total: $244.12
Day Five
8:45 a.m. — I arrive at work. Make some oatmeal that I keep stocked in my drawer and casually work on a blog post for our team.
12 p.m. — Lunch with my two coworkers in our courtyard. I have leftover rice and meatballs from yesterday.
12:30 p.m. — I realize that I had missed a project request in our backlog that is technically due tomorrow. PANIC! I message the stakeholder, and he says the farthest he could push out the deadline is Wednesday. Given I am moving Tuesday, that means I have to get this project done by Monday, which is four days away. I get to work sorting things out. I am genuinely nervous that I won't get this project done on time, especially considering I have three shifts at the restaurant coming up and friend obligations each night this weekend.
6 p.m. — I finish my exploratory data work for the day and then depart to make a stop at Home Depot for some packing materials for the move. I get ten boxes, a tape gun, a lightbulb (ours in the kitchen is currently out), and bubble wrap.
7 p.m. — At home I make some quick pasta and watch my favorite YouTuber, Ashley Brooke, for a little bit. I have been watching her for YEARS, and I still never miss a single vlog.
8 p.m. — I start packing up some living room and kitchen items. It is very, very hot in our apartment (no AC), and I ask T. if I can sleep over at his place. Are we attached at the hip? Yes.
10:30 p.m. — Arrive at T.'s, and we hit the hay almost immediately.
Daily Total: $59.44
Day Six
8:15 a.m. — I get ready pretty fast and head into the office to get working on that project again.
12 p.m. — I have lunch in the courtyard with my usual duo. I developed a rule during my crazy-busy job in Chicago that I will never skip my lunch break or eat at my desk unless there is a cataclysmic reason why. Self-care and balance, people. I eat a leftover salad from the fridge with tuna. We then walk over to Caribou Coffee for a pick-me-up. K. pays for my iced latte ($4.50), since I bought her moving boxes yesterday.
4 p.m. — I continue chugging away on the project. I make a bag of popcorn (free from the kitchen) and stress eat. I have developed a headache; it may be the early onset of a migraine.
5:30 p.m. — The office is completely dead, so I finally leave for the day and head directly to my fitness studio for a workout with T. It involves a lot of box jumps, and I am pooped by the end.
7 p.m. — T. and I meet my friend from work at a beach on Cedar Lake for a cool-down swim. It is very refreshing and calms me down a bit. I have learned that a lot of the keys to keeping my anxiety at bay while stressed involve exercise and eating properly. I try not to let these things slip even while I'm under a lot of pressure, like I am right now, between work projects, moving, and my second job.
8:30 p.m. — I head back to my apartment, make some quick pasta, shower, and put on a “going out” look, which includes black heeled sandals and an American Apparel body-con dress.
10 p.m. — My best friend's boyfriend is playing his first show on home turf in a while (he is an electronic artist), so T. and I head over to a bar for a drink beforehand via Uber. We order gin gimlets ($26), and T. picks up the tab. I'll get the next round. $9.10
11 p.m. — We head into the venue, and the woman bouncer really pats us down, literally feels up under my boobs. I feel somewhat violated. We get in for free since we are “on the list,” and I pour myself a Maker's on the rocks in the green room.
12:30 a.m. — Show is on! He is amazing live, although I think my friends and I may be the only people not rolling at the event. At some point, I order my friend and me a round of drinks. $25
1 a.m. — My friend and I take an Uber back to our neck of the woods; she pays. I stay with her at a bar with her boyfriend and his friends for a few minutes, but then decide to trudge back home for sleeps — I am feeling moody after the past couple of days. I am too cheap and emo to pay for an Uber, so I walk a mile back to our place.
Daily Total: $34.10
Day Seven
9 a.m. — I wake up with a major headache and lie in bed catching up on Ashley Brooke. I am unsure if this is the migraine that I felt coming on yesterday or a headache just from staying up too late. I pop my migraine medication nonetheless and attempt to eat a fried egg so the medicine isn't on my empty stomach. Then I chug water.
10 a.m. — I throw clothes on. My makeup from last night still looks flawless, so I roll with it and head to grab a cold brew and a scone before job two starts. $8.50
2:30 p.m. — It has been a surprisingly busy day for a Saturday in the summer (we only have indoor seating). At the very least I haven't been bored. My coworker from job one comes into the restaurant with her godmother, who reminds me of my kooky granny (RIP). I send them over a complimentary burrata.
5 p.m. — I am out!! I quickly eat some free shift pizza and extra salad ($8.64) and head to get coffee. I order another cold brew and set to work on my project again for job one. It is really starting to come together. Toward the end, I take a break and start writing a letter to my mom with all my qualms listed out. I may revisit it later and send it to her next week. $13.39
8 p.m. — After stopping home quickly to freshen up, I meet my boyfriend at his place. I really wish I could stay in and veg tonight. I haven't had more than an hour or two for me in weeks. But we are heading to a going-away party for one of his friends who is moving to New York. Maybe I should learn how to just say no? I don't know.
10 p.m. — I don't know many people here, but I am mingling all right. It is interesting to me that his friends are actually interested in what I have to say — I feel like with a lot of the guys I have dated in the past, their friends are not very welcoming; yet with this crowd I feel like they want to engage out of genuine interest, not just politeness. We watch the Minneapolis Aquatennial fireworks from the balcony. T. is being very cuddly while drunk, it's sweet. At some point he tells me he wants to marry me, but that we “have a lot of work to do before we get to that point." Okay, you weirdo. He loses all filter while drinking.
12 a.m. — I am two White Claws deep, and that is enough for me. I have to work job two at 9 a.m. again tomorrow. I say goodbye to T. and his friends. I head out via Uber and call it a night. $8.87
Daily Total: $30.76
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We’re ready to think with our hearts this week, as our communication planet Mercury moves direct in sensitive Cancer. If you feel yourself being led by your emotions, take a step back and process them before expressing them. Mercury may be direct, but we’re still in a retro-shade period that acts the same as retrograde. Continue to triple check your work and communication all week while we’re in the messenger planet’s shade. Venus, the planet of romance, beauty and material wealth, moves through charismatic Leo this week, adding a dramatic flair to our love languages and aesthetics. Tap into your inner royal and hold your head up high as you prepare for your week.
Energetic Mars also moves through courageous Leo this week, influencing us to be graceful in our actions. It’s time for you to take pride in your work! Be wary while the action planet moves through Leo, and exercise your sense of humility. A need for connection arrives on Sunday morning when the Moon waxes in Libra at 9:29 a.m. EST. Monday feels surprisingly social as we catch up with co-workers from a weekend well spent. Nurture your relationships until 3:35 a.m. EST on Tuesday, when the Moon goes void-of-course. Our strategic minds sharpen as the Moon enters Scorpio at 11:31 a.m. EST on Tuesday. Monitor your reactions to others while the Moon waxes until 10:57 a.m. EST on Thursday.
The world feels a little brighter on Wednesday when the Sun trines fortunate Jupiter. Fight the urge to sit back and relax — this lucky day is a beautiful time to gain traction on your goals. Figure out your next steps while these two heavenly bodies work together. The optimistic vibe continues on Thursday, while sweet Venus trines Jupiter. If you’re single, this is a great day to get more comfortable in your skin and shine from within. In a relationship? Use the energy of this romantic trine to re-ignite your desire and enjoy each other’s company. If you need some time alone, you may be tempted to give your wardrobe a little upgrade or invest time revamping your skincare routine. Take the time to treat yourself as they work together. We’re ready to take more risks on Thursday when the Moon waxes in adventurous Sagittarius at 4:34 p.m. EST. Reconnect with the things that brought you joy as a child while the Moon waxes until Saturday at 3:50 p.m. EST and make time for relaxation until Sunday, as the Moon goes void-of-course.
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What’s better than making out with someone you’re really into? Sometimes, the answer is doing more than making out. And sometimes, the answer is making out… secretly. Maybe you’re sneaking into the bathroom at a house party, taking a date-night detour into an empty park, or even parking your car at “Make-Out Point ” for some heavy petting, movie-style. Whatever your tactic, an impromptu, semi-hidden make-out session can be super hot.
And while PDA can be fun, it also comes with some downsides. A 2016 study on “performative making out” found that while 37% of men and 32% of women had engaged in PDA, women were more concerned that others would judge them for making out in public. "These results... highlight gender differences consistent with problematic cultural belief systems such as 'slut shaming,’ victim blaming, and sexual double standards," the researchers said.
So not only is making out in secret hot, it’s also a way to make you or your partner feel more comfortable. And hey, what’s hotter than that? Read these tips from Reddit to get inspired to find a secret make-out spot of your own.
In an empty sauna
“I made out with a girl in the sauna. It was like 200 degrees in there.” (via Reddit)
In a dark movie theater
“With my ex in some cinema. She sat at my lap and we just stayed there, kissing like the world was about to end, so passionately, it was awesome.” (via Reddit)
In an empty room
“In the middle of a friend’s BBQ party during the day, a girl and I met and had instant chemistry. We danced a little and then dodged into a dark side room and spent hours making out.” (via Reddit)
In an empty hallway
“Me and my girlfriend had just started seeing each other a few weeks earlier, but it was still kinda secret (for reasons), and we were both invited to a mutual friend’s Halloween party. Most people were outside on the balcony when she arrived, so I pulled her into a nearby hallway and we proceeded to suck face for awhile.” (via Reddit)
In a parked car
“I drove her home after school, she seemed reluctant to get out of the car. I turned off the ignition and moved closer to her, and we talked about something (I forgot as this was several years ago, but probably something dumb about school). She moved closer to me and just looked at me with those bright blue eyes, and I stopped saying whatever I was saying and made the move.
“We had kissed but never really made out til then, so I was surprised that it kept going and going and going, but was very happy about it! Eventually she had to go inside, and I was left with my very first experience with blue balls. 10/10 though, would do it again.” (via Reddit)
Outside a building
"We were at an event, don't remember what. We'd been dating for about two months, I'd already made it clear I wanted to keep it discreet (too much PDA is icky to me, and yes, I am a prude). We were walking out of said event, trying to make arrangements to get food, when he catches my attention, pulls me aside, out of view, and lays one on me, hot and heavy. And then was all, 'You looked really great tonight, just wanted to let you know.' And then we joined up with the rest like nothing had happened." (via Reddit)
In a cornfield
“At an outdoor beer festival a girl I had just met and I went out to the cornfield to make out. It was a lot of fun.” (via Reddit)
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Twenty people were killed in a shooting at an El Paso, TX Walmart near the Cielo Vista Mall was the scene of an active shooter on Saturday afternoon, Gov. Greg Abbott said in a report from the Wall Street Journal. Two dozen more were injured. It is among the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history, and the most deadly since the Parkland, FL school shooting in 2018.
Police said the shooting began around 10 a.m. CT; as of 2 p.m. CT, officials said the area was no longer an active threat. Police Sgt. Enrique Castillo said that there were multiple reports of shots fired, both in Walmart and in the mall, in a press briefing.
Many of the 26 people wounded have life-threatening injuries, said El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen. Twenty-three were taken to local hospitals, CNN reports, including 13 at the University Medical Center of El Paso, where one died, medical center spokesman Ryan Mielke told CNN. Eleven others were taken to Del Sol Medical Center, hospital spokesman Victor Guerrero said. Police officials said in a tweet that blood donations are needed "urgently."
Castillo told the press that the police had one suspect in custody, Patrick Crusius, a 21-year-old white man from Allen, TX, a suburb of Dallas. He was booked on a capital murder charge, TheWashington Post reports. The shooter, who was taken alive, reportedly posted a manifesto online that has not yet been verified by authorities.
Federal authorities are "seriously considering" hate crime charges, said John F. Bash, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, per The Washington Post. “We are treating it as a domestic terrorism case and we’re going to do what we do to terrorists in this country,” Bash said, according to the Post.
The shopping center is 5 miles from a border checkpoint with Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said on Twitter three Mexicans were among the victims, per CNN.
El Paso Mayor Dee Margo said, "Our community will not be defined by this senseless act of violence."
Adair and I, with the rest of El Paso will pray for our victims and honor their memories together. Our community will not be defined by this senseless act of violence. #ElPasoStrong#MayorMargohttps://t.co/S0Lh6fonIv
According to Gov. Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety and federal law enforcement were on the scene to assist local law enforcement. In a statement, Abbott said that Texas Rangers, troopers, special agents, tactical teams, and aircrafts were also deployed by the state "in a support role."
President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident and tweeted his condolences.
Terrible shootings in ElPaso, Texas. Reports are very bad, many killed. Working with State and Local authorities, and Law Enforcement. Spoke to Governor to pledge total support of Federal Government. God be with you all!
Former congressman and presidential hopeful Beto O'Rourke, who resides in El Paso, urged the city to stay safe. And in a televised statement, O'Rourke announced he was returning to the city immediately. He held back tears as he discussed the shooting, saying, "We know that [there's] a lot of injury, a lot of suffering in El Paso right now, and I'm incredibly saddened, it's very hard to think about this."
Truly heartbreaking. Stay safe, El Paso. Please follow all directions of emergency personnel as we continue to get more updates. https://t.co/BU0AH6Y8Rv
Walmart acknowledged the shooting in a statement, saying the company is "in shock" and working with law enforcement.
We're in shock over the tragic events at Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, where store 2201 & club 6502 are located. We’re praying for the victims, the community & our associates, as well as the first responders. We’re working closely with law enforcement & will update as appropriate.
The conversation around the issue of gun violence has changed greatly in the past few years, with advocates and lawmakers continuing to fight for stronger safety measures.
Friday marks Gun Violence Awareness Day because there is still clearly a lot of work left to be done. There were 251 mass shootings in the first six months of 2019 alone, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which tracks gun-related incidents in the United States. (The site defines "mass shooting" as an incident in which at least four people are either killed or wounded.)
So, what can you do if you want to join this fight? We're here to help. Ahead, we outline four ways you can push for gun reform measures in your community and nationally.
Support organizations working to reduce gun violence.
You can donate to or volunteer with national organizations that work to curb gun violence in the U.S. Many of them have local chapters you can join — if not, you can always start one!
Everytown for Gun Safety advocates for gun reform legislation. It also has a political action committee (PAC) to support candidates who vow to fight gun violence. One of Everytown's arms is the grassroots organization Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, which helps organizers at the local level.
The Brady Campaign is one of the nation's oldest gun safety advocacy organizations. It pushes for gun safety policies but also for the enforcement of measures already on the books. One of its goals is to reduce gun deaths in half by 2025.
Giffords, founded by former Rep. Gabby Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly, lobbies for gun safety legislation. It also has a political action committee (PAC) meant to elect lawmakers who support gun reform measures and unseat those who don't.
The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence is made up of 48 organizations working in tandem to reduce gun violence in America, from enacting safety measures to preventing gun-related suicides.
States United to Prevent Gun Violence is a grassroots network made up of 32 groups at the state level working to reduce gun violence through legislation, education, and community action.
Contact your elected officials.
If preventing gun violence is a cause you're passionate about, you should contact your representatives and let them know. Remember, they work for you — so don't underestimate the power of pressuring those who hold public office! If you're not sure where to begin, here's a handy guide on how to contact your representatives in Congress. But it is equally important that you contact your local and state officials, whose decisions have an immediate impact on your daily life. Go here to find out their contact information.
Educate yourself and others about gun reform.
For some, gun reform can be a polarizing issue. To cut through misinformation, it is important to be educated. If you want to learn more about legislation targeted at reducing gun violence and why these measures matter, you can start reading here.
Vote, vote, vote.
If you care about reducing gun violence in your community, you need to vote for the candidates up and down the ballot who will best represent your interests. Here's how to register to vote.
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