Color me intrigued: A new hotel lets you pick your room according to your mood

November 06, 2018 at 04:18PM When you check into the Angad Arts Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, after you choose between a queen- or king-size bed, you can choose between happiness and tranquility. Or maybe passion is more your speed… The 146-room hotel, which opened earlier this month, is bursting with color. And the choice isn’t purely for aesthetic reasons: The hoteliers want the rooms’ decor to match—or influence—your mood. “We realized the experience of being in a room that’s all blue or all red is going to have a different effect on the guest,” Steve Smith, CEO, told Travel + Leisure. “If we were going to saturate the rooms with color, why not promote the emotions?” There are four colors in the hotel’s palette: yellow to boost happiness, blue to inspire tranquility, red to ignite passion, and green to encourage rejuvenation. View this post on Instagram Come and get rejuvenated November 1st A post shared by Angad Arts Hotel (@angadartshotel) on Oct 16, 2018 at 2:46pm PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js But is this a gimmick, or can soaking in a blue bathtub really make you feel extra Zen? “Color has a very strong impact, as our color choices are a reflection of what we need emotionally,” color therapy expert Walaa AlMuhaiteeb, founder of Walaa’s Color Ways, tells me. “The color of our spaces tell us how to live in this space, so a blue space will tell us to relax and let go and even have lovely laid-back conversations. A red room would bring

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This $45 white dress is a dead ringer for Meghan Markle’s reception gown

November 06, 2018 at 02:30PM If you instantly had Harry-level googly eyes the second you saw the custom reception gown Stella McCartney made for Meghan Markle to wear after the royal wedding, you’re not alone. The entire world wanted to get their hands on it—and, unfortunately, that’s kind of impossible considering the designer is only making 46 replicas, costing upward of $4,600 a pop (not exactly budget-friendly). But your wardrobe prayers have been answered: There’s now a knockoff available for only $45. According to Page Six, the gown—called the “Royal Debut Dress“—is being sold on Fashion Nova’s website in sizes XS to 3X. Even though it’s currently completely out of stock, it’s worth the wait for it to come back again. The dress—which also looks a whole lot like the Alexander McQueen dress Tiffany Haddish has rocked multiple times in the past—has a silhouette that looks great on duchesses and hilarious actresses alike. “Often times, such a form-fitting dress can be tricky. This one, however, is universally flattering,” stylist Rachel Pincus tells me. She says that the magic lies in a trio of fit-factors—the high neck, the long hem, and the cinch in the middle—which elongate the silhouette and make it work for every body type. Because it’s so flattering, it should come with a warning: Once you put it on, you probably won’t ever want to take it off. And now you totally understand why Haddish isn’t letting her piece collect dust in the back of her closet. Patterned tights are the only things your

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You can stop searching for buffalo plaid because we’ve found the season’s best pieces

November 06, 2018 at 12:41PM Flannel is the unofficial fabric of fall. And of all the ways to cozy up to the soft-woven material, buffalo plaid might be the most popular. Don’t believe me? Searches for the checked pattern surged 417 percent on Pinterest recently, and that’s a whole lot of people on the lookout for the oversized gingham print. So many, in fact, I’d guess that they can’t all be lumberjacks…or hipsters Whoever you are, people, your hunt is over because we’ve wrangled the top ways to wear buffalo plaid this season. To start, there’s the classic flannel shirt, which really hasn’t changed much since Woolrich introduced the print in the 1850s. Everything they say about not messing with a good thing applies here—with one exception: This season, button downs benefit from strategic tailoring that’ll make it easier to French tuck or full-on stuff your shirt into your waistband without the extra bulk of a boyfriend shirt. So, do yourself a favor and buy a slim-fitted style like this one from Old Navy ($25)…then steal your actual S.O.’s for the days you don’t feel like being quite so put together. Photo: Old Navy Can’t bring yourself to dress like Paul Bunyon? Madewell’s got you. They’ve put a more modern twist on the checked pattern with a short-sleeve, slightly boxy courier shirt ($74). (In case you were wondering, it’s totally fine to wear it whether you’re couriering anything or not.) Plus, judging by the number of five-star reviews and people

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Seriously, *why* is it that so staggeringly few eligible voters actually go to the polls?

November 06, 2018 at 12:33PM “Why would people choose not to vote?” I pondered, in the middle of a long game of Snake on my phone. There I was, stress levels through the roof, as I stood in line at my polling site, sweating in my leopard-print coat, clutching my ballot protectively as other voters bumped along. While promising early-voting stats set the stage for higher-than-normal levels of voter turnout at today’s midterm election, historically speaking, only 4 out of 10 eligible people actually cast their ballot. How is that possible? Why do voters decide against voting? In the last midterm election, 36 percent of the eligible voter population actually saw out their civic duty (it was reportedly the lowest turnout in over 70 years), and in 2010, 2006, and 2002, the voting rate hovered right around 40 percent. Less than half the population showing up for the midterms is a solid trend—but for the love of the future of this nation, why? “Some feel depressed and apathetic and feel that their voice doesn’t matter, even though that’s not true.” —Paulette Sherman, PsyD According to New York City–based psychologist Dr. Paulette Sherman, PsyD, the reason tends to be a blend of emotional factors and a lack of convenience. “Some feel depressed and apathetic, and feel that their voice doesn’t matter, even though that’s not true,” Dr. Sherman says. And doesn’t it kind of make sense that the vibe of hopelessness permeates the voting experience for many? If your emotional association with election season is

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A makeup artist’s trick for removing eyeliner that has been fossilized onto the lash line

November 06, 2018 at 12:26PM Raise your hand if you’ve been afflicted by fossilized eyeliner. You know what I’m talking about: The horror of finding that a liner was just so budge-proof that it settled into place in 1999 and never left the party. Or alternatively, that feeling when you wake up in the morning looking like a sad prom queen from excess mascara that held onto lashes for dear life while washing and somehow chose overnight to let go. It’s an interesting dilemma, because you want that eye makeup to stay long enough to do its job, but not past the sink. While the natural reaction is to try scrubbing and wiping away that makeup with a simple facial cleanser or makeup remover, the key is really about perfecting your technique, and that technique involves a Q-tip. To properly get off every last bit of that black around your eyes, consider it your secret weapon. “I always just wanna start by putting Bioderma on a Q-tip and just going around the eyes to make sure that there is no makeup buildup from previously,” says Katie Jane Hughes, a celebrity makeup artist who works with everyone from Ashley Graham to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (who she appears in the tip-filled video with). When I reach out to another veteran makeup artist Molly R. Stern, she echoes the effectiveness. “Using a Q-tip can help make sure you really remove all the build up in the lashes,” she says. It’s brilliant because micellar water is the go-to

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Had a crappy night of sleep? Try drinking more water

November 06, 2018 at 12:24PM Getting a good night of sleep is basically as important to your health as Zayn Malik was to One Direction—without it, everything eventually falls apart. And now there may be even more reason to prioritize getting those sweet zzz’s. A new study published in the journal SLEEP found a connection between poor sleep and dehydration—specifically, that people who slept for six hours were more likely to be dehydrated than those who slept for eight hours. Here’s how it worked: The study looked at three existing data sets gathered from over 20,000 healthy adults in both the US and China. The people who participated in these data sets had previously reported how much sleep they got per night on average, and had also provided urine samples. Researchers determined the hydration levels of the participants (by looking at levels of two different urinary biomarkers in the participants’ urine samples) and compared that with how much sleep the participants said they got. For people who reported sleeping six hours a night, their odds of being “inadequately hydrated” were 16-59 percent higher than those who reported sleeping eight hours. (There was no correlation between sleeping more than nine hours and dehydration.) “This study suggests that if you’re not getting enough sleep, and you feel bad or tired the next day, drink extra water.” —Asher Rosinger, PhD, lead researcher The reason why they’re not as hydrated is not fully clear—but researchers have some ideas. Namely, that you don’t get as many

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Five ways to stop the seasonal blues from taking over

November 06, 2018 at 12:00PM The days are short, the skies are dark… and it can be incredibly hard to keep your spirits up. But, says W+G Council member and Mama Glow founder Latham Thomas, the way to successfully cope is to embrace your feelings and nurture yourself. Tomorrow in Brooklyn, she will be be part of In My Feelings, a mental health and self-care circle featuring Claire Fountain and sponsored by Saje Wellness. Autumn is a magical time of year, but the chilly weather and lack of sun can take their toll. As the season changes and the days get shorter, it’s easy to feel lonely, down, and low-energy. Whether you call it seasonal affective disorder or just the seasonal blues, these feelings can be a lot to handle. But guess what: They’re not weird at all, and nothing is wrong with you. These are normal aspects of a person’s life as we move through seasons. This is why it’s so important to have hands-on tools that you can use to remind yourself to engage in a self-care practice. Here, I’m not talking about just yourself—I’m talking about the community around you. Whether it’s a sister, a friend, or someone you’ve just met, this is an opportunity to engage your community with intention. Look out for each other. Here are some ways to help yourself feel better when SAD is nipping at your heels. Photo: Stocksy/Marco Govel Listen to your body and mind I’m someone who’s always cold, so

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This straight-up magical child’s pose variation quells period cramps *and* banishes bloat

November 06, 2018 at 11:45AM Child’s pose is one of those ooey-gooey asanas that even non-yogis can get on board with. I mean, what other opportunities do you get in life to curl up in a ball and feel all your feelings? Even if you’re 100 percent here for the super calming posture already though, there’s one variation you might not know about yet that helps sooth period cramps and banish bloat. The modification, which involves balling your fists and placing them on your mid-section between your lower ribs and hip bones before folding into child’s pose, is kind of like a massage for the organs in your torso. “If there is inflammation in the reproductive area or digestive organs, applying light pressure can help release stagnant energy that leaves you feeling bloated,” says yoga teacher and physical therapist Lara Heimann. “In child’s pose, you are able to access that area in a more relaxed state.” //players.brightcove.net/4872551774001/default_default/index.min.js At first, the move might feel a little uncomfortable. But as more inhales and exhales pass, you’ll start to feel more at home in the posture. Bring it on, Thanksgiving bloat. To get more stretching intel, join use for our Well+Good Retreat in Miami. Email experiences@wellandgood.com to book your spot. Continue Reading… Author Kells McPhillips | Well and Good Selected by iversue

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What to do *instead of* taking deep breaths to treat an anxiety or panic attack

November 06, 2018 at 10:00AM Mental-health issues are becoming less stigmatized and easier to talk about by the day, especially with celebs getting real about their personal struggles. Still, articulating the experience of having conditions like depression or anxiety can seem confusing or even impossible, so larger scale conversations about defining, then researching and treating them can likewise suffer. A product of this plagues panic disorders, a condition that the Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports effects 2 to 3 percent of the national population each year, despite many of these people not even knowing what they’re battling is treatable. Both anxiety and panic attacks can feel like having a heart attack, says therapist and social worker Scott Dehorty, executive director of a mental-health treatment facility: They can bring about dizziness, loss of balance, increased heart rate, nausea, chest discomfort or pain, choking sensation, and sweating. If you find yourself experiencing this scary laundry list of no-fun symptoms, you’ve likely been told (maybe even by yourself!) to try to calm down and take deep breaths. But that might not be the only course of action. Psychologist and Mindsail expert Carder Stout, PhD, says the best breathing technique during these attacks is to “take medium, regulated breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling with your mouth” since both deep and shallow breaths pose their own issues. Deep breaths have been thought to exacerbate the problem by elongating the hyperventilation that commonly occurs during an attack. Alternatively, Dr. Stout says breathing too shallowly “can cause a feeling

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