Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Dried-up sea hag Gwyneth Paltrow wants to know what it would be like to be super pretty. I guess after years of looking at herself in the mirror and seeing a pimply-faced, overweight, just plain weird reflection, we would, too. I kid. Gwyneth's gorgeous, obviously. Too gorgeous if there's such a thing. So it's kind of strange that she went up to model Miranda Kerr at the "un-fun" Met Gala and asked her: "Is it weird to be that pretty?"
To which Miranda was like, "No."
I know that we're supposed to laugh at everything Gwyneth "Just Ring Up Your Fish Monger" Paltrow says, but I've gotta be honest here: I sort of love that she said this. I, too, have looked at Miranda Kerr before and have been kind of confused. I mean, who looks like that? How is that even genetically possible? She's like a gorgeous alien sent from Planet Attractiva who's one mission is to make us all feel like hogs. But on the anti-Gwyneth flip-side, Paltrow was just named "World's Most Beautiful Woman", so yeah. I can see how it would be construed as a tab obnoxious. "You're the prettiest." "No, you're the prettiest!" Oh, celebs. You and your 24-hour love-fests.
To settle things once and for all, both of these women are pretty. We're all pretty in our own, unique ways. But seriously, it would be weird to look like Miranda Kerr. I feel like I'd just stand in the bathroom and look at myself all day.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Kate Moss is nude in her new ad for St. Tropez self-tanner. And when I say nude, I mean, nuuuuUUDE. The 39-year-old star is wearing nothing but brown/orange skin dye in the spread and looks absolutely flawless. Me thinks there's a significant amount of Photoshop going on (I mean, it almost looks entirely CGI) but even still, it's hard to argue with Kate's perfect physique. Guys, I have a feeling she's going to be a HUGE star.
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It's no accident Kate looks so amazing in the ads -- she's had about 25 years experience posing for the camera in varying states of disrobe.
One shot in particular highlighted Kate's sun damage, and she's been photographed soaking up sun in various parts of the most gorgeous places on earth, so it's pretty obvious Kate hasn't always been a proponent of self-tanner, but I'm apt to believe that she chose to align with this product because she believes in it and wants us to have what she has, right? I want to believe that Kate's just that awesome.
The woman exudes confidence, sexiness, and vulnerability and as her fortieth birthday approaches, I have a feeling she's only going to get more perfect as time goes by. And if she doesn't, well, there's always some Photoshop to help smooth out whatever's wrinkled.
Check out Kate's behind-the-scenes video for the St. Tropez shoot:
Yup, apparently her stylist has tried to put her in 20 different peplum dresses this year alone, but it's just not happening.
Peplum? Sounds like an antacid, right? Well no -- it's not. And just because Kristen doesn't like it doesn't mean it's not right for you, either. In fact, the trend that really started to catch fire here in the U.S. last year is figure flatter on almost anyone.
Let's talk the pep, shall we?
Okay so first things first, let's talk about what peplum is. Check out Charlize Theron in peplum and Kourtney Kardashian in peplum. As you can see, it's a little bit of extra fabric that generally falls at the midsection creating a skirted effect.
I know. At first, I didn't like it either. I was wondering what the point of all the extra fabric is. Until I tried it on, and then I realized how magical it could be.
The right peplum top, skirt, or dress can totally make your waist look smaller and hide that little stomach pooch that SO many of us complain about on the regular. The right peplum detailing can make you look 10 pounds thinner without stepping foot in a gym. And that, my friends, makes it a trend worth trying.
Just be careful, though. Peplum is a bold trend as it is, so pairing it with other bold pieces puts you at risk for overkill. For peplum newbies, I suggest pairing a black sleeveless peplum top (like this one from Express) with a pair of skinny jeans or a pencil skirt. Feel free to come back and comment here when the compliments start rolling.
Do you like peplum? Are you hesitant about this bold trend?
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.It's not every day we see a model -- especially a model in a bikini -- whose body reminds us of our best friend, sister, or our very own reflection in the mirror. That's glaringly apparent, given the extreme shock and stunned excitement that's unfolded in response to H&M's choice of Jennie Runk as their 2013 beachwear model. Everyone's jaws have fallen to the ground because ZOMG, the non-plus size brand tapped an attractive woman who's reportedly a size 12 to model swimsuits -- and not even just one-pieces. She's also in a bikini. Stop. The. Presses!
No, but seriously, after being criticized for always using "unhealthily thin" models, H&M decided to feature "a model who can illustrate this collection in an inspiring and clear way." What's more, they didn't even make a concerted effort to rave about Jennie's size. Because it doesn't matter. Good for them -- and great for us!
After all, the more we see images like these -- of a healthy, curvaceous (in the best possible way), beautiful woman in beachwear -- the more apt we are to feel better about ourselves. To feel "normal." And to feel comfortable in our own skin.
As thrilled as I am to see H&M making a move like this, it actually is sad that a campaign like this is still a newsmaker. We shouldn't be shocked to see women who aren't sky-high waifs in bathing suit ads. We should be more accustomed to seeing women who look like us and to think, "Hey, she looks amazing, and so do I."
Really, it kills me just how frequently I hear average-sized, healthy, gorgeous women browbeating themselves for being "fat," "chunky," "X pounds more than I got married," "5, 10, 20 pounds away from goal weight," etc. But maybe the more we see women like Jennie, the more we'll realize that the ideal we've got in our head is unnecessary and unrealistic, and we're being way too hard on ourselves! And that we're perfect just the way we are, whether we're a size 12 or 2.
How do you feel looking at Jennie Runk? Do you think ads like this encourage healthier body image?
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.There are certain models you can just tell were always destined for stardom beyond the runway or pages of magazines. Think Christie Brinkley, Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss, Miranda Kerr, etc. As soon as Kate Upton burst onto the scene as the Sports Illustrated cover girl, it was clear she was bound to follow in those supermodels' footsteps and go well beyond the fashion world. Now, she's confirming that in the June issue of Vogue -- the cover on which she's called the "hottest supermodel on earth."
By the way, while she's been on the covers of Vogue UK and Vogue Italia, this is the first time she's featured the cover of the U.S. publication. Score. And it's an accomplishment that seems to be just one of the first steps in her master plan for domination of both entertainment and fashion worlds.
Quickie cameos in The Three Stooges and Tower Heist may have been just a preview of what's to come. Kate told the fashion bible that she's serious about having an showbiz career. "Acting I’m very interested in,” she said. No doubt! She's clearly ramping up her pursuit of Hollywood cred, as she's currently attached to a third feature film called The Other Woman, starring Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann.
She also hints at becoming an entrepreneur and launching her own lingerie line. Although everyone from Madonna to Brooke Burke have tiptoed into that biz, I have a feeling women will be more than intrigued to check out Kate's take. I could see it her line being an awesome mix of retro-glam, young and fun, and sexy.
But not even being an actress and a brand may not even be enough to satisfy Kate's drive. She admits, "I’ve always loved fashion, but it’s not what I set out to do" and later explains, "I’m American—more is more!" That said, we can expect much, much more from this ambitious cover girl.
Would you like to see Kate do more acting and start her own lingerie line?
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Happy Mother's Day! Today we finish off our weekend of giveaways by giving one lucky Stir reader a $100 Kohl's gift card.
There's nothing better for a busy mom than one-stop shopping. That's why we love Kohl's. What's better than being able to grab a cute dress for a night out on the town, pots and pans for the kitchen, a new mirror for the bathroom, and a tent for your family camping trip in one place? Answer: Almost nothing.
To enter for your chance to win a $100 Kohl's gift card, simply tell me:
What do you look forward to most about Mother's Day?
Here are the rules for this giveaway here on The Stir:
The “Giveaway: $100 Kohl's Gift Card” starts on May 12, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. (ET) and ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on May 22, 2013 (the “Sweepstakes Period”).
Enter by replying to this post with an appropriate comment during the Sweepstakes Period. Limit one entry per day during the Sweepstakes Period. One (1) winner will be selected in a random drawing of all eligible entries on or around May 23, 2013 to receive a $100 Kohl's gift card (total value $100).
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Looks like a drunken arrest did somebody good. Reese Witherspoon killed it recently in a pair of short white shorts, a button-down blouse, and aviator sunglasses. Witherspoon was attending son Deacon's football game, and I'm sorry -- did this woman just have a child? She looks amazing in white shorts.
White shorts, people! Moms -- new moms! -- can wear short white shorts! Rejoice! Okay, stop rejoicing now. Go buy white shorts! Do it!
I honestly never thought to buy or wear white shorts. It's not that I have a particular aversion to them, I just, I dunno, think of them being more of a super preppy item of clothing, or something that ought to be paired with a hoochie mama top when going out to da club. But the way Reese paired a sheerish blouse and stylish flat sandals with these bad boys makes me rethink white shorts. I seriously may go buy a pair. Love this look.
But wait. Before we all go out on a white short-a-palooza here, let's take note of something, ladies. Let's note the length of Reese's shorts: Not too short, not too long. They're, quite literally, the perfect length. She doesn't look age-inappropriate in the pair that she's chosen. You don't want to be the mom with the shorts jacked up to high heaven at your kid's game, but at the same time, shorts that graze the top of your kneecap -- eh, it's not a great look. (Especially if you've got a body like Reese's!)
So, yeah. Looks like Reese's outfit may have breathed new life into my boring, old wardrobe. Now Googling "straw fedora sun hat" ...
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Some celebs try to make an impression with out there style on the red carpets of events like the Met Ball. Others are just as "outspoken" with their fashion choices in their everyday lives. Even on the biggest days of their everyday lives -- like their wedding day. Hey, when you have access to and an interest in couture, why shouldn't you rock it whenever you can? But sometimes, it's clear these fashion-forward stars are just trying way too hard.
Take what 90210 star Shenae Grimes wore to her wedding to model/musician Josh Beech, which took place at a countryside tudor manor this past Friday. Her tulle gown looked fairy tale perfect, except for the fact that it was black.
Check it out ...
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Come on, now. You can't tell me she didn't wear that purely for shock value! (Especially when you hear that she also walked down the aisle to, get this, house music?!) Okay, sure, maybe because she also thought it was pretty and unique and didn't give a hoot about the conventional symbolism of the hue, which is generally thought to be negativity, death, mourning, dishonesty, depression, etc. Ugh. Then again, it bears noting that it was an expensive dye in the past, so it's also associated with elegance, sophistication, power, and sexuality. Interesting, right? And sounds like better news for Shenae and Josh.
Obviously we want to convey a certain feeling or impression with the colors we choose for our wedding day -- whether it's the shade of our dress, our bridesmaid dresses, the flowers, etc. We already know white makes us think of purity, innocence, simplicity, etc. Doesn't hurt to consider the psychology of the other colors you're committing to ...
Red - Undoubtedly one of the most popular colors for a bold bride's wedding dress (actress Melissa Gilbert rocked one last month), flowers, or bridesmaid dresses, red has always been deeply associated with passion, desire, and love. In some cultures, it symbolizes purity or good fortune.
Blue - My fiance and I chose ocean blue as one of our dominant colors -- the bridesmaid dresses, his tie, some of the little decor details -- not only because we got married in Miami Beach, but because we both feel it's peaceful color. It's also associated with honor, loyalty, trust, dependability, and stability. Perfect!
Pink - You don't have to look much further than Reese Witherspoon's and Jessica Biel's wedding gowns to know "blush"-ing on your wedding day is so in right now. Seems like a smart choice symbolically, as it stands for femininity and romance.
Green -Vitality, nature, health, and some may say wealth.
Purple - Also used to be a pricey dye, so it came to symbolize royalty, elegance, and wealth. See: Sofia Coppola's dress.
Yellow - A favorite for flowers/decor or shoes, yellow usually calls to mind optimism and cheeriness. But experts warn not to pair it with certain other colors (like black, which can remind your guests of bumblebees) and to know it doesn't work on every skin tone if you're considering it as a bridesmaid dress color.
Orange - Excitement and energy, enthusiasm, warmth, confidence, satisfaction, and a passion for life.
How do you feel about black wedding dresses like Shenae's? Did you consider color symbolism when coordinating your big day?
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.I think we all know that feeling when we're sitting there on the toilet, minding our own beeswax, taking a well-deserved whizz, when Omigawd! My $22,000 engagement ring is in the can!! Okay, most of us probably don't know that feeling, because most of us have never laid eyes on a $22,000 ring unless we were pretend-shopping at Tiffany. But that's what happened to one woman in Hampton, Virginia. And yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, because the woman got very, very lucky.
After realizing her small-country sized ring had been flushed down the crapper, the woman reportedly called up a local sanitation company. She got lucky because the home she was in had its own sanitation system.
The lucky sanitation crew got to sift through the waste for three days until they spotted the bling and returned it to her finger (after a really, really thorough cleaning, one hopes). Lady, the crap gods were smiling on you! The porcelain throne loves you, woman!
One wonders exactly how anyone manages to flush a ring down the toilet, but I guess there are some possible ways:
- You take your ring off for some reason -- perhaps to wash up or put on lotion -- and put the ring on the back of the toilet. Always a bad move.
- Your ring is too big and slips off -- into the toilet. Naturally.
- You just can't help playing with your ring while you're taking a long dump and whoops! You dump something else.
One time I had my purse placed on the back of the toilet in a restaurant, and when I stood up, the entire thing plummeted upside down into the urine-filled commode. The purse was open. Everything was doused. I managed to gingerly fish out the stuff I considered important -- like my license -- and left the rest for management to deal with. Sorry. But that is what you get for not having shelves in your bathroom!
This story makes me wonder about anyone with a $22,000 engagement ring. These things can get lost so easily. At least with a cheap ring, it's not a big deal. And it doesn't sound like she and her fiancé are billionaires or she wouldn't have panicked so badly.
Anyway, glad she was reunited with her ring -- she went through enough of crap to get it back!
Have you ever dropped anything expensive down the toilet?
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.KhloeKardashian has a very specific look -- all the Kardashians do. They go big. Full hair, high heels, dramatic makeup, leopard prints, diamonds, errythang. Some may say it's a little gaudy (and it is), but for them, it works. Could you imagine them in flats, jeans, and baseball caps? No way! Their look is "Kardashian" through and through, and that's why we love/hate them.
But it's definitely not for everybody. These "hoochie hoop" earrings Khloe tweeted herself wearing? You can't be just any ol' girl and wear them.
In order to rock "hoochie hoops" -- Khloe's words, not mine -- you need to have other stuff going on. Some hair, some makeup, some joojing. I mean, look at Khloe's massive ring; false lashes; and long, red nails. It would actually be weird if she didn't have giant diamond hoops on with this get-up. Her ears would look like a neglected stepchild.
When it comes to accessories, I'm typically a "less is more" kind of girl -- a single pendant; a thin gold ring -- but I think if you're going rock hoochie hoops, you've gotta go hard. You've gotta supplement. Hoochie hoops don't stand alone.
So the next time you and your gal pals are hitting up Claire's Boutique, browsing for some ear jewels, remember, ladies: If you're going to buy a pair of big, sparkly hoops, you best throw a statement ring into that basket, and go get your nails did. Hoochie hoops aren't just a pair of earrings, friends. They're an experience.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Ah, to be 20. Selena Gomez was photographed soaking up some sun in Miami over the weekend looking effortlessly perfect in a string bikini. The "Come and Get It" star lounged poolside with some girlfriends, sipping on some tropical beverages and enjoying the scenery. A few weeks earlier, Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough were also in Miami for a girls' getaway, and also showed off incredibly toned bikini bodies and stylish resortwear.
If this were fourth grade and Nina, Julianne, and Selena all lived in the same neighborhood, Julianne would be president of the Hot Bikini Girls With Great Style club, Nina would be Veep, and Selena would be Treasurer. During club meetings they'd discuss where they'd go on vacation and which bags go with which sun hats. It would all be so delightful. And mature.
When not showing off what she's working with, Selena covered up at the pool in a white, eyelet tunic, an oversized black beach hat, and black cat-eye sunglasses. Tres chic.
Noticeably missing from Selena's posse was off-again, on-again boyfriend, JustinBieber. He's busy sipping on some beers in South Africa, but I'm sure it's driving him wild to see photos of Selena's sexy Miami style.
Because I'm certain nothing makes Bieber more insane with jealously than wearing Missoni bikinis, flowy cover-ups, and sipping tequila sunrises poolside with the girls.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.We love Khloe Kardashian -- maybe even more than any other Kardashian or Jenner -- because she's real and honest and tells it like it is. Kim may be getting Botox every week for all we know and attempting to keep it quiet, but when Khloe does something to tweak her appearance, she's all out and proud about it. Like how she tweeted last week about her new dental work ... Like many adults, Khloe revealed she's been straightening her teeth with Invisaligns, joking on Twitter, "Thank you Dr. [Kevin B.] Sands for being the best dentist ever! If only we could all be put to sleep like [my husband Lamar Odom]." Ha!
This admission comes right on the heels of her interview in Redbook's June issue, in which she revealed various tips and tricks for accenting her assets and distracting from the parts she's not so thrilled with. I'm finding Khloe's candor about what she does to look her best seriously refreshing! Not to mention useful!
Though we should love ourselves as we are, there's always a little something here or there we want to tweak or pull attention away or toward. I was brought up on my mom's many tricks for dressing "slimmer," so I'm a bit brainwashed not to wear white or horizontal stripes or busy prints, which is completely annoying.
But at the same time, I have always wanted to find styles that flatter my pear-shaped figure. Like I gravitate to A-line dresses that show off my small waist, while flattering my wider hips, and I steer clear of cap-sleeved tops, which don't do anything for a woman whose upper arms -- no matter how many tricep toning she does! -- likely won't ever look like Michelle Obama's.
Similarly, Khloe admits her arms are "the first place I'll gain weight and the last of the weight to go. I'm insecure about them, but there are ways to disguise them."
She confesses:
I've learned to invest in cute cardigans. There are so many sheer and crocheted ones that are airy and you can still wear them with a little sundress.
Good call! I've done it myself.
Don't get me wrong. It's not that we should ever feel we need to invest in layers of camouflage to hide what we perceive as flaws. But ultimately, wearing clothes that suit your figure or getting a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment like Invisalign or whitening your teeth or getting laser hair removal can definitely boost confidence. And there's never any shame in striving for more of that.
What are some tips and tricks you've used to accentuate your assets?
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Now that the weather is, thank sweet baby Jesus, finally heating up, we have all sorts of fun summery accoutrements to look forward to. Sandals, fedoras, coral lipsticks, and my personal favorite: Sunglasses.
Is there anything better than forgoing makeup altogether and just throwing on a pair of sunglasses and looking totally chic? Answer: No. But there is a bit of an art when it comes to sunglass shopping. You want to buy the right pair for your particular face. And, because we're your besties, we're here to help. Here are the 10 best sunglasses for every face shape.
If you ask Teen Mom Jenelle Evans and Jersey Shore star Snooki, leopard tattoos are so hot right now. Both young mothers and reality show stars have inked nature's greatest prowler on their bodies -- Jenelle's takes up the better part of her thigh, and Snooki's is on her shoulder.
Before Jenelle's is covered up in an orange jumpsuit for the rest of the summer (her heroin possession and simple assault trial is coming up), let's take a look at these two leopards and decide who wears it better.
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Is the leopard running so fast his spots are falling off? You tell me.
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Is Snooki's leopard something out of a Tudor castle, or her imagination?
I have to admit, I'm surprised that I don't hate either of them. Jenelle's is pretty badass, and Snooki's is rather cute. Also, they're both easily covered. All Jenelle has to do is wear pants and all Snooki has to do is wear a shirt with a sleeve and poof: Leopard is gone.
Both ladies are looking pretty good, but I gotta hand this one to Jenelle. That is a leopard tattoo to end all leopard tattoos.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Teen Mom Farrah Abraham is unstoppable. In her quest for fame, the Farrah Superstar: Backdoor Teen Mom star now has that pink sparkly bikini up for sale on eBay. Vivid Entertainment, the porn company that produced Farrah's "sex tape", apparently is auctioning the nasty item -- and bidding starts at, uh, $500. No thanks on that one, guys!
I'm sure some creepo will wind up purchasing the swimsuit -- for much more than $500 -- but the fact that this is even up for sale is just ... gross. And weird. Seriously, who wants to own a used bathing suit? Especially one worn by Farrah?
According to TMZ, the fact that the bikini is listed as "used" means that it hasn't been washed since gracing Farrah's toned body. And apparently it even shows signs of "wear and tear", like self-tanner stains and glitter from Farrah's body lotion! The listing states: "Farrah's bikini ... straight off Farrah's body and into your hands."
It really is amazing that this is the world we live in -- a world where a girl who is mildly famous from having a child as a teenager puts a "used" bikini up for auction for $500, all because she boned some porn star on camera.
But like I said, I'm sure that bad boy will go for a lot more than the asking price.
Would you ever buy Farrah's swimsuit?
Image via Vivid Entertainment
UPDATE: FARRAH'S BIKINI IS CURRENTLY UP TO $13,400!!!
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.What does the sexiest woman in the world wear to a party in her honor? A jumpsuit, of course. Miley Cyrus attended Maxim's Hot 100 fete and stunned in a black and white Valentino jumpsuit. Reese Witherspoon wore the dress version to the Oscars in 2011, but clearly there's nothing more on-trend right now than a chic onesie. Kristen Stewart's been rocking the jumpsuits recently -- so has Charlize Theron and Zoe Saldana.
And where there's a trend, there's a "who wore it better" question just begging to be answered.
Here's Miley at the Maxim party:
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And here's Kristen at the On the Road premiere:
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Miley's shows off her shoulders while Kristen's highlights her slim waist. It's hard to choose a winner, but I gotta go with Miley. Hers fits her like a glove and it's cool, comfy, sophisticated, and chic all at once.
Also worth noting, Miley's been spotted wearing her engagement ring. There have been plenty of rumors that she and fiance Liam Hemsworth are done, but if the ring is any indication, these two are definitely still on.
Here's hoping she wears a wedding jumpsuit instead of a wedding dress. That'd be awesome.
What do you think of the jumpsuit trend?
Photos via MileyCyrus/Twitter; Jason Merritt/Getty; Frazer Harrison/Getty
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Think what you want of her, but Emily Maynard is a gorgeous girl. That smile. Those legs! And that hair. To die for. Oh, to have chemically-treated locks like Emily's, that, for whatever reason, still manage to look super healthy and bouncy!
What's the woman's secret? Well, it apparently isn't eight-hour trips to the salon, or $400 deep conditioning masks. Emily actually credits something she bought late night off of QVC for her envious hair. Hmph. Whodda thought?
Emily, a self-professed QVC-addict, credits Chas Dean's Wen products for her gorgeous locks. She said: "I'll never forget the night I was flipping through the channels and came across the super fabulous Chas Dean talking to Alyssa Milano about how he was about to transform her hair with Wen Cleaning Conditioner. My life has never been the same. Ok, thats an exaggeration but my hair has never been the same since that night."
Inneresting. If you watch the Bravo show Flipping Out, you may remember Chas Dean as the owner of the hair salon Jeff Lewis was redoing. If you don't watch that show, please unread the previous sentence. No, but in all honesty, my dad actually bought me Wen conditioner a few Christmases ago (random, I know), and while it was nice and smelled lovely, I definitely wouldn't go as far as to say it was "life changing."
I'm sure Emily has a whole arsenal of things she uses on her hair, in addition to her beloved Wen products. And I wouldn't be surprised if every so often, she squeezes in an eight-hour salon appointment. Celebs. Always giving half the story.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Whoa! Have you seen this photo of Christina Aguilera's bangin' body in a sexy black outfit? Um, has she lost a ton of weight, or has she lost a ton of weight?!? Most people can't pull off wearing a bra as a top -- but Christina made it happen.
She shared the photo on Facebook, which was taken while she was shooting a music video with Alejandro Fernandez. And as a mom who has had her own ups and downs with weight over the years -- it's highly obvious what kind of reaction Christina was hoping to get out of people with this particular photo.
Um, hello? She wants us all to talk about how freakin' amazing her figure is and speculate over how she managed to slim down. (Well played, Christina. Well. Played.)
And honestly, I can't say that I blame her. She knows she looks good, and she has confidencewritten all over her face -- and she wants to show off her svelte self to the world. And any woman who tells you she hasn't done exactly the same thing is a big fat liar. (No, not that kinda fat. You know what I mean.)
I'm not the least bit ashamed to admit that if I think I look remotely skinny in a picture? Yeah, I'll plaster that thing all over every single social media platform I'm active on. (Did it the other day, in fact.) Getting in shape and finally feeling good about the way you look is no easy feat, so it's only natural to want to show off a little bit when you've been working your butt off to look awesome again, right?
Believe me -- if I ever get to a point where I look as hot as Christina in a bra top and pencil skirt, I'm goin' for the sexy pose and immediately uploading the photo to Facebook to rub it in everyone's face that I look amazeballs in a bra top and pencil skirt. (This situation is totally hypothetical, of course.)
Seriously though, whatever the heck Christina is doing right now is certainly working for her. And when whatever music video she was shooting that day comes out, I hope she's ready for another huge round of applause.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.It was with great amusement that I read Rihanna's latest River Island clothing line was designed with her own "fat days" in mind. Hahahahahahaha! Only she (at a size 6) would consider a collection that includes hot pants and fishnets "fat day" wear. (Oh to be 20-something with a body like hers!) But it did get me thinking about how universal that feeling is. No matter what size you are, or what kind of shape you're in, some days you feel pretty and slim and others ... not so much.
You know what "fat days" are, I'm sure ... those days when you feel extra frumpy and unlovely and bloated, whether it's because it's that special time of the month, or you've missed the gym (like say for the last four months), or you just overdid it all weekend. Lately, I've been feeling that way more days than not. But there are ways to pull yourself out of a fat-day slump. Here are my tricks and tips.
1. Don't go for the sweats. Repeat: STEP AWAY FROM THE SWEATS.
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It's tempting to pull on your favorite stretched-out yoga pants or sweats, topped off with a baggy T-shirt, but choosing something a little more tailored will actually make you feel and look better! A soft and flowy yet fitted button-down like this polka-dot shirt from Lauren Ralph Lauren above will help you feel put-together without being too constricting, and you can pair it with a comfy pair of jeans or even walking shorts. I also recommend going for a pair of wedges or heels, if you own them! Side note: my instinct is to doubt this model ever has fat days, but who knows? Maybe hers are worse than mine! ($69.50 at lordandtaylor.com.) Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Another good option is a tunic with some shape to it (i.e., with a few buttons rather than just a long billowy T-shirt) and some good, supportive leggings. You do own some good, supportive leggings, right? The kind that make you feel nice and compact, not like you're walking around in tights? This Coldwater Creek tunic top would do the trick. (50 percent off $37.99 at coldwatercreek.com.)
2. Do your hair and makeup.
My instinct on those extra sloppy days is to just say TO HELL WITH IT and barely even wash my face. I head directly for the ponytail holder and call it quits. BUT a much better approach, and one that works for me when I can get up the oomph to do it, is to take a little extra time for primping. Haul out the blow dryer or flat iron or (fill in hairstyling tool of choice) and "do" your hair. Then put on some makeup if you wear it. If you don't, I say try a little mascara and blush anyway! Pretend like you have a special occasion to attend. You do, actually -- it's your life!
3. Get a little exercise. Even just a TEENY BIT.
Go for a short walk, find some yoga videos on YouTube, go up and down your stairs a bunch of times, do some jumping jacks, have a dance party with your kids! Whatever it takes to get the blood flowing and a little flush to your cheeks -- and remind yourself that your body is truly a wonderland (John Mayer agrees). Whatever small amount of exercise you can do, it will help you feel better from the inside out. Honest!
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Fifty is the new 40, particularly now that so many celebrities are hitting the big 5-0 (and 6-0) and looking amazing!
Susan Sarandon, Helen Mirren, and Madonna come to mind as women who are aging particularly well. Hell, even Betty White's still looking dang good for her age.
Don't think that these women are just naturally beautiful. They're taking care of themselves and ensuring that their beauty lasts and doesn't fade -- and you can too!
Check out 10 top makeup tips for moms in their 50s and beyond below!
-Congratulations! You don't need as much makeup now as you did when you were younger. We've all seen what a mature woman in too much makeup looks like, and it's not good. Now is a good time to streamline your routine and use only what's necessary. A natural look is better for you in your 50s and beyond.
-Exfoliate your face and body weekly. Use a dry brush to exfoliate your body and a facial scrub with very fine grit for your face.
-Moisturizing your face has never been more important. Now's the time to invest in a good skin care system if you haven't done so already, and don't forget the SPF and the eye cream!
-For wide-awake eyes in your 50s and beyond, skip the eye shadow and apply a neutral eyeliner to the top of your lashline. Add mascara to your top lashes only.
If you want to use shadow, be sure and apply a shadow primer first, to keep it from settling in the creases of your skin.
-Brows become sparser as we get older -- you'll need to use a pencil to fill in your brow. Use light, feathery strokes and fill in -- don't draw a line.
-Choose a powder blush in your 50s and beyond, in a light, dusty pink. Brush it on the apples of your cheeks for a natural look.
-You'll need to use a lip primer to reduce feathering -- Diana Carreiro likes Mary Kay TimeWise Age Fighting Lip Primer. If you have thin lips, use lipstick with some gloss in it to make them look fuller.
-Don't give up on your hair! Keep it soft and shiny with gloss treatments and sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners. Use deep conditioning treatments every so often to keep your hair healthy. This will also make color look brighter and last longer.
-Consider Botox. It may not be for you, but the women I know who use it swear by it, and many of my friends in their 30s have started using it (although I haven't). There are even "baby Botox" treatments, which use a very minimal amount of Botox so that you can test the effects and see how you like them. Other women swear by fillers, but I'd personally steer clear of them -- I think that fillers often make older women look ridiculous.
Dried-up sea hag Gwyneth Paltrow wants to know what it would be like to be super pretty. I guess after years of looking at herself in the mirror and seeing a pimply-faced, overweight, just plain weird reflection, we would, too. I kid. Gwyneth's gorgeous, obviously. Too gorgeous if there's such a thing. So it's kind of strange that she went up to model Miranda Kerr at the "un-fun" Met Gala and asked her: "Is it weird to be that pretty?"
