December 19, 2018 at 01:45PM It was around mid-September when I had to accept that bare-leg season was officially over (hello, patterned tights). Mother Nature charmed me into fall with her beautiful foliage, helping to ease the pain of packing away my beloved sandals until next year. I started hearing words like flannel, shearling, chenille, and teddy. It all sounded so romantic and brainstorming winter clothes ideas suddenly sounded dreamy. I know cozy means something different to everyone. According to Erin Rittling, senior manager of styling for Aerie, cozy is “all about you.” This is to say, there’s no wrong way to add more warm, fuzzy feelings into your winter wardrobe. But if you’re looking for a place to start, blanketing yourself in a super-soft sweater isn’t a bad idea—Rittling’s been styling everyone from the model and inclusivity advocate Iskra Lawrence to singer Rachel Platten in them all season. Prefer hygge with a hint of luxury? There’s no shortage of cashmere on the market right now. You can find everything from scarves and wraps to sweaters and robes in the luxe-feeling fabric. And if you can’t stay inside and hibernate ’til spring, the next best thing is to feel like you’re still in bed even when you’re not. Oversized puffer coats, blanket scarves, or long, cozy layers like this cashmere coatigan (coat and cardigan combo) from Grant Hill, $188, can help recreate those vibes. Whether you’re dressing up or down, here are some cozy pieces that’ll look just as good by the fire
Day: December 19, 2018
Why we all need to rein in our fear of sugar
December 19, 2018 at 11:46AM The healthy food world loves a good debate. (Is nut milk still milk? Is wine good for you? Is coffee?) But at this point, no one in the health community is really sitting around wondering: Is sugar bad for you? Science has shown over and over again that consuming too much sugar is linked to diabetes, obesity, inflammation, and mood disorders. And it’s become the part of the nutrition label health-conscious consumers pay attention to the most. However, there’s a line between sugar-conscious and sugar-obsessed. “Quite a lot of people are getting low levels of orthorexia, where they’re starting to be very fearful or obsessive about health,” says holistic health coach Nikki Sharp. “People are becoming terrified of eating a piece of fruit!” So where’s the line? When is avoiding sugar healthy, and when does it reach the point where it gets in the way of reaping the rewards of other benefits, like the fiber and antioxidants in fruit? Photo: Getty Images/Apeloga AB Check your intention Sharp says the first thing to consider when wondering whether your focus on sugar is healthy is mindset. “When I talk to my clients and friends about why they’re scared of sugar, it almost always comes back to a fear of gaining weight,” she says. And that can be connected to feelings of confidence and self-worth. Sharp says this fear of sugar can also be connected to a bigger fear of losing control—as was the case with her. “I used to
The best brightening facial I got all year long took only 30 seconds
December 19, 2018 at 10:47AM I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m all for taking ample time out of the day to take care of myself. I love a good long run on the weekends. And, for heaven’s sake, I say take all the hours-long eucalyptus-sprigged showers you want. (I mean, derms would say keep it to 15 minutes, but you do you, girl!) But one of my favorite indulgences of all is getting a really great facial, which is why I was bowled over when I looked back at the year-gone-by and realized that the best one I got in 2018 took a mere 30 seconds, and was performed from the comfort of my own sink. Save the “that’s what she said” jokes, my friends, this is serious business: Finally, after years of beauty editing, I found out how to do a facial at home! As with most DIYs, it starts with the supplies, so if you want to replicate this blissful blink-of-an-eye facial, you’re going to want to procure a box of the skin-brightening Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vitamin C Glow Powder, which comes with 12 sachets. At $40 for the set, that brings the total cost for each of your individual facials down to a $3 and some change, which IMO, isn’t too shabby considering that at fancy spas they can cost upwards of 100 times more. Right away, you’ll likely notice that your skin looks a little more awake, shall we say. Its tone is refreshed, and
McDonald’s debuts vegan burger in the US—but is it actually healthy?
December 19, 2018 at 10:15AM Getting a fast food fix as a vegan isn’t easy. Desperate attempts to find something satisfying on a long road trip can mean settling for a lettuce and ketchup sandwich instead of a burger. That could change as McDonald’s—the second-biggest fast-food chain in the country—unveils a vegan option in the U.S. for the first time. McDonald’s has experimented with vegan burgers in other countries in recent years, but the most popular one from India was chosen to make its debut in America. The McAloo Tikki features a veggie patty made from potatoes, peas, and “seasoning reminiscent of samosas.” Topped off with red onions, tomato slices, and—get this—an eggless tomato mayo, it sounds utterly delicious, but is it actually healthy? View this post on Instagram We're giving the stamp of approval to our McAloo Tikki, which is now a perfectly balanced meal with the right amount of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. #McDGoodFoodStory A post shared by McDonald's India (@mcdonalds_india) on Apr 4, 2018 at 5:45am PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js The vegan burger contains 353 calories, 8 grams of protein, 5 grams of saturated fat, 4 grams of fiber, and 8 grams of sugar. Compare that to the chain’s bestselling burger, the Big Mac, which packs a hefty 560 calories, 26 grams of protein, 13 grams of saturated fat, 3 grams of fiber, and 9 grams of sugar. So, less protein, but way less fat and calories, and zero red meat. (FYI: McDonald’s does not have a full ingredients list for the
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s self-care platform: Don’t feel guilty about treating yourself well
December 19, 2018 at 10:01AM As nice as it would be to spend your evening soaking in a bubble bath totally worry-free—phone on airplane mode in the other room—that’s not exactly the reality for most people. When you’ve worked your butt off your entire life to make your #girlboss dreams come true, taking the time for some self-care feels…wrong. In fact, it might even make you feel straight-up guilty. And no one knows that unfortunate problem better than Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In a recent Instagram Story, Vogue reports that the Congresswoman-elect told her followers she’s taking the week off to focus on self-care. While the thought is nice, there’s only one problem: Despite being fully deserving of some much-needed time to herself away from the craziness of Capitol Hill, she just can’t shake the guilt that comes along with doing so—something she knows so many other women experience as well. “I’m starting a week of self-care where I’m taking the week off and taking care of me. I don’t know how to do that, though,” she said. “My mother was a housekeeper and worked herself to the bone so that I could go to college. She denied herself a lot—so I feel a lot of guilt thinking about taking a day off. It’s not okay that women subconsciously perpetuate unequal burdens for generations, just because we’re made to feel guilty if we don’t. Notice how much of this guilt is self-reinforced and internalized via social norms.” Despite the shaming that comes along
Here’s how often you actually need to wash your jeans, because you know you’ve totally been wondering
December 19, 2018 at 09:44AM When I lived with my (now) ex-boyfriend, I didn’t realize how blessed I was to have an in-apartment washer and dryer. After moving out, I quickly realized that having a functioning laundry in your home is kind of like finding a Gucci Marmont handbag on sale. (Read: incredibly lucky/doesn’t happen.) Now, cleaning clothes is a strategically-planned event and I’m more aware of how often I should be washing different items in my wardrobe to prevent me from hauling anything to the laundromat unnecessarily. While some articles of clothing obviously need a wash after one use—like, say, workout clothes—other items are a little less clear, like denim. If I had to wash my jeans after every time I wore them (or, honestly, every two times I wore them), I would spend more money on laundry than on coffee… and I spend a lot of money on coffee. Plus, I try to do laundry as little as possible because I’m both interested in conserving water and kind of lazy when it comes to household chores. So how often do you need to wash your jeans? Is it really that gross to wear them approximately 10 times before throwing them in the wash? I turned to the experts to answer my laundry-related queries. Heather Loduca, wardrobe stylist and fashion expert, says that how often you need to wash your jeans comes down to what they’re made out of. For instance, vintage Levi’s are typically 100 percent cotton. “These are
We’ve gotta know: What’s the one skin-care line you’d shop if money was no object?
December 19, 2018 at 09:28AM If money was no object, I’d do a lot of things differently (oh, and I bet that my financial wellness would be outstanding). I’d undoubtedly own several properties, take on a jet-setting lifestyle in which I’d stay at only the most luxurious wellness hotels, get unlimited memberships at all of the boutique fitness studios, and own at least a dozen pedigree cocker spaniels. But I can’t ignore talking beauty, arguably the most exciting thing to contemplate of all if money grew on trees. Imagine a world in which—despite the heftiest of price tags—you could add any skin-care products to your beauty cabinet? That means slathering your skin with only the most high-quality ingredients, having the most coveted #shelfie of all time, and basking in the glow of your own radiant complexion. Ah, goals. I’m not just sitting here daydreaming, though—I recently stumbled across a Twitter thread asking a very interesting question: If money was no object and you could only use one skin-care line for the rest of your life, what would it be? This takes the game to a whole other level—to me, as a beauty editor, that’s like asking to pick a favorite child. After much deliberation, though, I’ve come up with my choice: Biologique Recherche, aka the French brand that makes the all-famous $67 P50 toner. The funny thing is that, after asking other Well+Good staffers their picks, not all of them were uber-fancy. What would you choose? For inspo, keep scrolling to see what W+G staffers
Will 2019 be the year of fame, travel, or love for your sign? Susan Miller’s predictions are here
December 19, 2018 at 07:09AM Cosmologically speaking, 2018 will be remembered by quickie engagements, an ultra-rare eclipse, and (anecdotally) the *most* retrograde of retrogrades. (Am I right, or am I right?) As for 2019, rockstar astrologer Susan Miller says the universe has an equally complex interstellar equation in store. Some will find love. Some will find fame. Some will find themselves in search of a new suitcase. Others will have to spend this year dismissing the part of their lives that no longer serves them (and make room for when 2020 deals them a new hand). So to find out what your forecast looks like—and to prepare your New Year’s resolutions accordingly—just keep reading. Below, Susan Miller gives her best prediction for your year ahead—according to your sign. Graphics: Well+Good Creative “For Aries, it’s about going out into the world and learning: to travel, or to go back to graduate school, or to get into publishing and broadcasting. If the Aries is already there, they’re going to do really, really well. This is a house ruled by information, and it’s a house where you need to prepare. You need a passport, you need to get tickets, you need to take tests to get into college. But it’s a broadening influence, so it’s great.” Graphics: Well+Good Creative “Taurus is the one that really needs to have money to feel secure, and they’re going to be so happy with the way the money comes in this year. They’re finally going to make the money they
The 20-minute HIIT running sequence that works up a sweat without taking all day
December 19, 2018 at 07:00AM There’s no denying that running is a solid workout. It’s been around since the dawn of time as an exercise modality, and is a sure-fire way to work up a good cardio sesh while utilizing muscles all over your body. But if you’re consistently dashing day-in-and-day-out, chances are you’ll start to feel like, well, a hamster on a wheel. That’s where a HIIT running workout comes in: By simply integrating interval-style training into your running routine, you can switch things up and keep on your toes. High intensity interval training has the perk of incorporating all of your muscles in a short (but, of course, intense) burst of time, and it’s even an ideal way to enhance your runs. “Short, HIIT-style workouts are the best bang for your buck, body, and time,” says Matt Nolan, an instructor at Barry’s Bootcamp. “Often, those who are running longer distances neglect strength training in general because running can be so time consuming. You should still make time to make your legs as strong as they can be so they can handle all of the miles you run on a weekly basis.” “Often, those who are running longer distances neglect strength training in general because running can be so time consuming.” —Matt Nolan It’s also important to work other parts of your body (because you’re working more than your legs during runs!). “The same goes for your core and upper body, since you need to be able to aid in the
What to do if shyness is holding you back in life
December 19, 2018 at 06:47AM If your spirit animal is Bashful from Snow White or Neville from Harry Potter…yeah, it’s probs a safe bet that you’re shy. And you’re not alone: A whopping 40 percent of people consider themselves shy—almost half of the entire population. While popular culture seems to venerate outgoing, bubbly personality types, there is nothing bad about being shy. “I would never want someone to think that they need a personality transplant,” says clinical psychologist Ellen Hendriksen, PhD, author of How To Be Yourself. Dr. Hendriksen says that shyness (a personality trait where one typically feels awkward and tense during social situations, according to the American Psychological Association) is a result of both nature and nurture. “Part of it is just how you’re pre-wired when you come out of the womb, but how you’re brought up also plays a role,” she says. “If your parents are on the shy side, you might not have grown up with as many social interactions as someone who isn’t as shy, and you might learn to model their behavior of, say, not asking for help at the grocery store if you can’t find something,” she says. Shyness is not the same as introversion, which is when someone is more inwardly focused and likes interacting in small groups or one-on-one rather than big groups. “You can be both introverted and confident, but if someone is shy, there’s inherently a lack of confidence since you are perceiving that social situation as a threat,”