January 31, 2019 at 11:40AM by CWC The first time I slept with someone after getting out of my long-term relationship, I was wearing a pair of underwear that, had I known someone would be seeing them, I would have never, ever donned. They weren’t completely horrendous…but they were beige, high-waisted boy shorts. Any of those things on their own could be cute, but the trifecta was like granny panty central. (Luckily it was dark and I only said, “Wait, ignore how ugly my underwear is” twice. Eye roll at myself.) After that experience—where he totally didn’t care about my underwear—I vowed with god as my witness to never wear un-cute underwear again. Because I realized that, while maybe he didn’t necessarily care that I wasn’t wearing “sexy” underwear, I kinda did. It had been a while since I had felt desirable, and there’s something confidence-boosting about wearing a matching set of lacy underthings, even if no one is going to see them. There’s something confidence-boosting about wearing a matching set of lacy underthings, even if no one is going to see them. But as I began to add racier pieces to my collection, I quickly came to the realization that a lot of sexy underwear is hell-bent on making your nether-regions feel trapped in a cage of elastic and lace. Now, I have done some weird, uncomfortable things in my sartorial endeavors—like purposefully giving myself a wedgie to avoid bodysuit-induced VPL for a first date. (Yeah, and you thought
Category: Fashion
Grab your S.O. and book a flight to one of these top winter vacation spots for couples, asap
January 31, 2019 at 04:27AM by CWC The impending polar vortex is a sign that yes, we are in the thick of winter (also, global warming). Something else it means is that this might be the best time of the season to plan an escape from the malaise and cold weather. At this time of the year (cuffing season, I believe they call it), if you’re looking to get away with your significant other, you’re likely either looking at completely escaping the frigid cold for somewhere warm or tropical or you’re looking to go somewhere where the winter time seems magical and picturesque rather than depressing. In the spirit of last-ditch efforts at winter travels, these are some of the best locales, hotels, and resorts—both in the U.S. and abroad—for a getaway with your boo. These are places that are consistently ranked highly by TripAdvisor reviewers for their couple-friendly atmosphere. We’ve narrowed it down to only the ones that are oases for escape, even this time of the year. Below, find 9 destinations that boast the best winter vacations for couples. Photo: TripAdvisor 1. Key West, Florida Key West is a great place for a winter getaway since the temperature (even in January and February) tends to sit around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. According to TripAdvisor, the highest rated couples resort in the country is here: H2O Suites. Besides being adults only, half of the rooms have their own private plunge pools—there’s also a communal rooftop pool. Plus, the resort is just a
Learning to style sweatpants without looking sloppy is easier than it sounds
January 30, 2019 at 01:33PM by CWC Before the birth of athleisure, sweatpants were reserved for sick days, lazy Sundays, and evenings at home after a day in denim, trousers, or a dress. Your preferred pair was likely an oversized, hip-slung, fleece-y-on-the-inside pair that would never cross the threshold of your front door but felt gloriously cozy with thick socks and a tee. Now, thanks to the rise of streetwear and the popular hygge movement (the Danish term for peak cozy), sweats are no longer seen as sloppy. The comfy bottoms are now an acceptable article of clothing to wear in public—and not just to the gym. From slimmer cuts to high-rise waists and elasticized hems, sweatpants are designed with a heck of a lot more form than they used to be—i.e. working out or lounging on your couch. That said, precise styling is key for achieving a fashion-forward look. It starts with finding the right silhouette. “When it comes to sweatpants and making them stylish, it’s all about fit, which has to be just right, like a pair of jeans,” says stylist, Mecca James-Williams. “Structure and texture are key for finding a pair that looks great enough for you to step out of your ‘around the house leisurewear.’” Though designer sweats abound, James-Williams is as much for classic Hanes as she is a straight-off-the-runway style. “I greatly appreciate this Hanes Classic Men’s style with the elastic on the waist and ankles. I typically size down two sizes for a nice snug fit—they’re super affordable and
Searches for spring’s hottest sneaker trend are already up 2,000 percent on Pinterest
January 30, 2019 at 09:25AM by CWC From futuristic shapes to overbuilt soles, bold sneakers are at the crux of nearly every wardrobe these days. They serve as a fresh finishing point to a multitude of outfits (and not just those rooted in Spandex). Even the most feminine-leaning tastes are subbing heels, flats, and mules for sporty styles, further solidifying the footwear category as number one. Right now, a new wave of statement sneakers is staking its claim with fluorescent laces, bright, rainbow color blocking, and holographic accents—see the runways of Escada, Off-White, Versace, Christopher Kane, and MSGM for proof. More than an evolution of chunky dad sneakers, these electric styles are a part of another spring drift: neon colors, without diving headfirst into DayGlo shades top to toe. To stylist Courtney Madison (who’s worked with major celebs like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, and Katy Perry), these new statement sneakers are a must-try for 2019. “The Escada high tops are that perfect pop of color without the heaviness of some recent sneaker trends,” she says. When styling these types of kicks, Madison is for playing up the boldness. “I think the best way to wear this look is with something a bit oversized and dramatic,” the stylist says, recommending bold and bright sneakers with an oversized sweater or blouse worn as a dress on top or with refined pieces like a blazer dress. “There’s no reason why you can’t wear sneakers to work if the rest of your look is pulled
I have a theory that the best socks come from Japan—let’s investigate
January 30, 2019 at 08:41AM by CWC Socks aren’t usually items that elicit passionate declarations. But as someone who wears them every day, year-round, as a visible part of my ensemble, I have very strong opinions about them—specifically, I believe the best socks come from Japan. How have I come to draw this conclusion? There’s no scientific method for testing style theories; but my determination is due to years of personal market research and product testing—plus, plenty of anecdotal evidence to support my hypothesis in the form of celebrities who are equally obsessed with socks from the island country in East Asia. Probably the most important of which being poet, musician, and eternal cool-girl Patti Smith. After hearing Smith wax poetic about her “$60 socks from Japan” once in the middle of a performance, I of course, went straight home to Google it. This is how I discovered Japan’s high-end sock market, where a single pair of densely-knit, naturally-dyed socks from the likes of Kapital can cost upwards of $68. Around since 1985, Kapital’s pairs fall decidedly on the high-end of the Japanese sock spectrum—I once received a set as a Christmas gift, from someone who obviously knows me extremely well, and will vouch for their value. Still, as a millennial and journalist, pairs of socks at that price exceed my budget. Unperturbed by this fact (and already well on my way toward obsession), I began exploring Japan’s less-expensive sock options. Upon further investigation, I’ve come to find that both quality and craftsmanship
The only tip you need to stop feeling jealous about your friend’s love life
January 30, 2019 at 07:15AM by CWC Let’s say you’re the only single person in your friend group. Or your BFF has a seemingly perfect relationship. Or you feel like everyone in your life has a romantic situation that is, simply put, just way better than yours. Well, it’s normal to feel salty about this from time to time. How could you not when you find yourself swiping through profile after profile on your dating apps, only to go out with a slew of duds while you’re bombarded with Instagram evidence of your pal and her partner sunning themselves on some gorgeous island? Though feeling jealous of your friend may well be a natural response, the sensation likely won’t make you feel good. And neither will any pity party you throw yourself when it seems like everyone but you is happy and in love. “This is a common ditch that a lot of people fall into,” says Susan Winter, best-selling author and relationship expert. “When this happens, it’s easy to think that everyone but you is in a relationship. But that just isn’t the case.” It’s important to remember that the world is full of people who are single both by choice and…well, not. So even though you feel all alone, you’re definitely not. “You’re really only ever getting the highlight reel of someone’s relationship, whether it’s on social media or from their own mouth.” —Susan Winter, relationship expert Furthermore, Instagram and reality are not one and the same, and
“1-minute beauty” is now a thing, because who has free time?
January 29, 2019 at 12:21PM by CWC There simply aren’t enough hours in the day, according to my favorite wellness pro Captain Obvious. Between responding to emails, going to yoga, meal prepping, catching up on all the Fyre Fest documentaries out there, and general adulting (OMG I’m exhausted just from typing that), making time to take care of yourself can often feel damn-near impossible. Except, it isn’t. These days, treating yourself to some good old-fashioned self-care doesn’t have to require a 20-minute, 10-step routine, or spending major hours (and dollars) at the hands of an esthetician or hairstylist. In fact, thanks to new innovations in hair and skin care, you can craft a feel-good beauty sesh in one minute flat (which is less time than it takes to listen to Ariana Grande’s new song or microwave a bag of Trader Joe’s frozen brown rice). No matter how busy you are, everyone has one minute to spare for the sake of feeling better, especially when you can do it while you’re listening to “7 Rings” and heating up dinner. Scroll through to see our favorite 60-second beauty treatments that will give your hair and skin the luxury treatment without taking any actual time out of your (very, very) busy day. REN Clean Skincare Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial, $48 Up the ante on your usual vitamin C regimen with REN’s flash facial, which has a 10 percent concentration of the stuff and works its magic in one minute flat. It looks like a sort of
How To Break Up With Someone The Right Way, Even If You HATE Confrontation
January 28, 2019 at 03:00AM These tips could ease the pain for both partners. Continue Reading… When someone thinks about the heart-wrenching struggles of breaking up, they often imagine themselves on the receiving end of the news. But at least once or twice in your life, there will probably come a time when things feel lackluster, strained, or downright hostile in your relationship, and you need to take on the opposite role. As Cheryl Strayed once wisely wrote in The Rumpus’ Dear Sugar column, “You don’t need a reason to leave. Wanting to leave is enough.” Of course, wanting to leave and actually leaving are very different things. Whatever your reason, whether it’s due to hurtful betrayal or just a slow but undeniable erosion of love, figuring out how to break up with someone can be really hard—especially if you’ve never done it before. To make the process a little bit easier, we spoke to relationship and well-being coach Shula Melamed, M.A., MPH, for some expert advice on how to end a relationship in a way that’s actually healthy: 1. Don’t ghost—even if it was just one date. “I’ve heard some people say that if they’ve only gone out on one date with a person, there is no need to notify them. In my opinion, a simple text should suffice—something kind, direct, and in the spirit of closing the door,” Melamed says. A text is also appropriate if you’re calling things off with a person with whom you’ve been on
Why body-inclusivity hero Dana Falsetti is over Instagram
January 27, 2019 at 07:44AM by CWC As a leading voice in the body-inclusivity movement, yoga teacher Dana Falsetti’s @nolatrees posts have been a must-read among the healthy-living Instagram world for years. But not anymore. And it’s not because she’s any less thoughtful, challenging, or influential. It’s because she’s not going to post anymore. Via Instagram Stories, Falsetti told her 316,000 followers that the social media platform is an “abusive relationship” from which she needs to heal. “There has been a lot of trauma. Visible and not. As much as I regularly wish I could, I can’t will trauma not to have its impact.” —Dana Falsetti “I am grieving, realizing my relationship with this community and this work is the most intense one I’ve ever been in and I tie every memory back to this account and how it all began. Through therapy I’ve come to realize it’s been a five-year abusive relationship, even with all it’s given me,” she says. “There has been a lot of trauma. Visible and not. As much as I regularly wish I could, I can’t will trauma not to have its impact. Being in these spaces re-traumatizes me so quickly that my mental health plummets just as fast. I need to heal.” Photo: Cheyenne Gil What’s next for her? She admits that it’s scary to close this door, but feels it’s necessary. “Change is fucking scary. Right now it means accepting that beautiful things don’t have to last to any semblance of permanence to be
With dance cardio’s more spiritual cousin, the goddess vibes are intense (and honestly, fun)
January 26, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC If you’ve never heard of ecstatic dance, you’re not alone. (And no, I’m not talking about that moment when the DJ plays Lizzo’s Good as Hell.) Think of ecstatic dance as dance cardio’s more free-spirited cousin. Yes, it’s common in spiritual communities, but don’t worry, it doesn’t require Wild Wild Country levels of commitment. The experience of a ecstatic dance, which has been around for thousands of years, can actually be incredibly beneficial for the mind, body, and spirit. And it happens to be a whole lot of fun. “The first time I experienced ecstatic dance, I felt like a portal of new expression opened up,” says Cara Patton, who does ecstatic dancing once a week in her home city of Eugene, Oregon. “As a kid, I took ballet lessons and I was never quite able to follow the moves, and I sort of wrote off dancing. But the great thing about ecstatic dance is that I have complete freedom to move however I want.” Patton adds that the ecstatic dance community emphasizes consent and ways to nonverbally express boundaries, which she loves. “I enjoy this way of movement so much that I’ll be hosting a special ecstatic dance session at my wedding this summer.” But how does it work, exactly? Let’s take a closer look. Photo: Stocksy/Maahoo Studio Inside an ecstatic dance class Ecstatic dance ceremonies are held regularly all over the US (check out a few of them here), and it’s safe