POPSUGAR Living

Twitter Is Having a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day Thanks to President Trump

Chelsea Hassler — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 19:00:09 -0700

It's official: America's first Twitter president is no longer the only victim of his steeply declining polls. As it turns out, he's bringing his favorite social media platform down with him.

In Twitter's second quarter earnings report, released on July 27, it's revealed that not only did Twitter fail to add a single American user over the last few months - it actually lost two million US-based users. During the 2016 election and in the early months of the new administration, the "Trump Bump" was a widely reported phenomenon that meant that anything that the former real estate mogul touched would turn to gold. Twitter, of course, was one of the biggest winners in this category - as the president's main mode of communication, it was impossible to avoid interacting with it in some capacity throughout the course of a given day. Now, in the wake of months of scandal and controversy, we're getting the first concrete sign that Americans aren't just sick of all the drama - they're sick of the tool that's enabled all of this drama to unfold.

To be clear, this isn't going to spell the end of Twitter as we know it just yet. Growth is still happening outside of our fine country, and it's still seeing an uptick in revenue (though right after the report was released, the company's stock took a massive hit, which doesn't bode well). For now, the clear takeaway is that Americans are getting really, really tired of waking up to the news that the president has tweeted again - and for the first time, it's coming from a source that can't be slammed as "fake news polls" by the administration.

A Startup CEO Shares the 1 Question He Always Asks During a Senior-Level Job Interview

Terry Carter — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 18:35:03 -0700

Nailing a senior-level position can be tricky if you're not prepared for what questions will be asked. No matter how long you've been with a company, you should always expect the unexpected when it comes time to interview for a higher position. Randy Nicolau, CEO and co-founder of Poppin, an office product startup company, recently shared with Forbes the one question he always asks senior-level candidates to quickly narrow down the best of the bunch:

"Tell me about the single moment in your career that you're most proud of." I feel like if you've been working for six, seven, or eight years, you should have that defining moment. That thing that you worked on, that time you learned something new, or when you turned something around. If you've just been a cog for seven or eight years and you're at that director level, you could be a great director, but we like to hire people who have continually upward mobility. I try to get a sense of that single career defining-moment.

The most important thing to note about Nicolau's interviewing tip is that most interviewers are looking to "hire people who have continually upward mobility." So don't be afraid to talk about the challenges you've faced on your climb up the ladder, as long as you have stellar success stories about how you've overcome them to the betterment of yourself and for the company.

7 Things You Can Do This Weekend to Feel Damn Good

Nicole Yi — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 17:25:03 -0700

When it's time to head into the freakin' weekend, your instinct may be to line your days up with plans on top of plans. While that's totally fine, you also want to be selective about what you tack on from time to time to optimize your happy. Choose to do things that you know will make you feel good. You only have a couple of days (though we should really work on extending that), so you might as well take advantage of them! This weekend, do these seven things to boost your mood and positivity.

Spend quality time with friends: Instead of hitting the bars or the club, switch things up and opt for something a little more low-key. Catch up in someone's living room (optional: bottle of wine) or make dinner together. Any bonding activity that allows you and your friend(s) to reconnect will feel much more fulfilling.
Work out: Go for a run around your neighborhood or book your favorite studio class. Anything that gets your blood pumping and you sweating will help you release those feel-good chemicals. Exercise is a fantastic stress-reliever overall and will make you feel so much better by the end.
Plan your next vacation: Give yourself something to look forward to! Most of the fun is in the planning process anyway, and searching for that next destination can be so exciting. If a trip isn't within reach at the moment, start a travel bucket list that you can eventually start tackling.
Get inspired: Those moments when you feel a jolt of energy to begin a new habit, change old ones, or embrace a new challenge can be happy triggers. Look for opportunities that will help boost personal drive, whether it's attending a talk or even people-watching.
Do something fun you've been putting off: If seeing that movie before it leaves theaters is on your list, set aside some time and finally do it. It can be as simple as wanting to finish a book you started months ago. Whatever sounds like a good time to you is a good option.
Treat yourself: Money doesn't buy happiness, but it can definitely help. Sometimes going shopping or indulging in a nice meal is enough to up your mood. Just don't go too crazy.
Take time to chill: It's always good to hit pause and give yourself a breather from plans and errands. Allow yourself time to recharge, whether it's a nap or a couple hours of your favorite show. Your mind and body will be in a better state, and as a result, you'll be able to enjoy your weekend that much more.

This "Floating Paradise" in Fiji Is a Fantasy Come to Life

Hilary White — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 17:05:09 -0700

Picture this: you're surrounded by shockingly blue water and coral reef, floating on a double-decker boat in the bright sunshine with a cold, cold drink in hand. It sounds like a fantasy, but if you head to Cloud 9 in Fiji, it is a very real and very beautiful reality. The "floating paradise" is a two-level floating platform you boat out to from the main island of Fiji. Director of Social and Partnerships at POPSUGAR Stacy Hersher had the chance to spend a day on Cloud 9, and she said that it was what vacation dreams are made of.

"Since it was our last day [in Fiji], we knew this was our only shot to experience Cloud 9. It was $100 to get there but, since we hadn't paid for any other excursions during the trip, we figured it was meant to be. It is a glorious 2-level boat sitting in the middle of crystal blue waters. The boat itself has a pizza oven, full bar, and day beds on both the lower and upper levels. Surrounding the Cloud 9, just past the crystal clear turquoise water, is some of the best snorkeling you can find. And you can literally jump off the boat, from either level, and go snorkel. Bored of snorkeling? Just swim back and relax in the sun or the shade, it's totally up to you. We spent hours at Cloud 9, in and out of the water, drinking beers, eating pizza, and making new friends from around the world."

If a trip to Fiji is on your bucket list, then add Cloud 9 to your itinerary - you can book day trips from the mainland, and many hotels in the area offer trips to Cloud 9, too. See the stunning images ahead, and be ready for your jaw to hit the floor.

12 Things You Should Know Before Traveling Across the Country on Amtrak

Macy Cate Williams — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 17:05:02 -0700

I have always fantasized about traveling across the country by train, so when my boyfriend suggested that we take Amtrak from San Francisco to New York City, I was all in. There have been many conversations around the web about what it's really like to take Amtrak for long trips, so I want to give you the most accurate and true depiction.

We decided to get a roomette for the first and longest leg of our travel on the California Zephyr. We had the small room from Emeryville (the Amtrak station right outside of San Francisco) to Chicago for two days and two nights. After a seven-hour stop in Chicago, we rode the remaining 17 hours of our journey to NYC in coach seats. In total, our tickets for two people came out to $772. Not bad considering we were traveling for three and a half days and our meals were included with the roomette.

To get all the details on what it's like to sleep, eat, and basically live in an Amtrak train while chugging across America, keep reading. There are lots of interesting details that will take you by surprise.

The 1-Step Hack That Makes an Ikea Cabinet Unrecognizable

Maggie Winterfeldt — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 16:35:03 -0700

Interior designer Victoria Solomon of Victoria Elizabeth Design had a mission: to add a media cabinet to her small NYC apartment that would add extra storage while hiding the ugly wires under her TV. In her dreams, she envisioned a 140-inch built-in-looking piece of furniture that could hold its own on the long 180-inch wall - but in reality, nothing like this existed. So what did the clever designer do? She turned to Ikea and hacked her way to the expensive-looking custom console of her dreams!

Victoria realized that three Ikea Besta shelf units, when lined up, totaled about 140 inches. So, she purchased three Besta ($100) shelf units with high-gloss white doors and gave them an undeniably glamorous (and ridiculously simple) makeover by adding agate pulls ($49 per pair).

Want to re-create the look at home? Read on for Victoria's expert tips!

Lauren Duca Talks Sexism, Trolls, and the Importance of Being "Defiantly Confident"

Lisa Peterson — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 16:15:04 -0700

Being a badass seems to simply come naturally to Lauren Duca. She penned a scathing op-ed for Teen Vogue titled "Donald Trump is Gaslighting America" that went viral back in December 2016, and made a subsequent appearance on FOX News's Tucker Carlson Tonight show that proved she wasn't a woman to mess with.

If you haven't seen the segment, it's filled to the brim with jaw-dropping moments, but one of the real highlights (or low points, actually) comes when Carlson attempts to argue that Duca's opinions about Ivanka Trump's role in government shouldn't be taken seriously because Duca had previously covered pop culture in her work. He calls her "moronic" several times and essentially implies that young women with an interest in pop culture don't deserve a seat at the table to join in on political discourse. "You should stick to the thigh-high boots. You're better at that," he says. (Watch it here at the risk of raising your blood pressure by roughly 1000 percent.)

It was Duca's refusal to stoop to Carlson's level, offering articulate responses and logical analysis in the face of blatant misogyny, that had women everywhere cheering her on.

It's equally inspiring & upsetting to watch @laurenduca work through this man's inane sexism. She's an inspiration. https://t.co/7sUzDSienG

- Robyn Kanner (@robynkanner) December 24, 2016

But as is frighteningly often the case for successful women in the public eye, the influx of attention and praise Duca received also brought an onslaught of online harassment. Martin Shkreli (the "Pharma Bro" troll who raised the price of a medication used to prevent infections in cancer and HIV patients from $13.50 per tablet to $750) tweeted photoshopped photos of himself taking the place of Lauren's husband, and tweeted that he'd purchased the domain name "marrymelauren.com." Twitter suspended him from the platform, but his legions of troll followers continued piling on, with the harassment getting so extreme that Duca even wrote publicly about receiving rape threats on Christmas.

But when I got the chance to chat with her on the phone, it was immediately clear that if anyone has the mettle to take these people on without breaking a sweat, it's Lauren Duca. And trolls be damned, she's never, ever getting off Twitter.

Read ahead for our conversation on the double standards professional women face and why confidence is always the key. You can find Lauren's work in her Thigh-High Politics column and may even see her as the star of a new political show (both in Teen Vogue) that's currently in the works, too.

This interview has been edited for length.

POPSUGAR: Part of what's come with your success seems to be dealing with creepy dudes on the internet, but it's obviously not really an option for you to just log offline in order for you to do your work. So how do you separate yourself from all that negativity and just keep doing your job?

Lauren Duca: Yeah, it definitely takes a toll. I think that there's an idea of being irreverent [in response to it], and just impenetrable, and performing that kind of badassery. But when people say mean things, they make me feel bad, and that's OK. So I've been coming to terms with that.

So now, I honestly do use the block button. Like Hector tapping his bell on Breaking Bad is how I use the block button. I have no rules for it all. I used to kind of be like, "I would never block someone." And now I'm just like, "Block, block, block, block."

It's just kind of a feedback thing overall. There's a whole conversation about harassment, and how that's just seen as an employment hazard for women who are writing. And I often say [the answer] is not just "leave Twitter", because Twitter is actually how I find a lot of my work and connections, and it has absolutely enhanced my career. So to say just "leave Twitter" is to say that a woman should give up that career enhancer and be at a setback in a different way. So either you're taking emotional abuse and forging more connections or you're not forging the connections? I just don't think that's the answer.

There's a whole conversation about harassment, and how that's just seen as an employment hazard for women who are writing.

So I definitely take full breaks from my phone now, which sometimes makes me bad at texting back, but I just need to. And also, leaning into some of the positive feedback helps.

I want to be open to criticism and have an open mind, but if I let everything guide and direct what I'm doing, I'll have nothing left. It's a process, and I haven't figured it all out. It has made me angry because I know I'm a particularly resilient person, and I'm able to put up with a lot of crap because I'm scrappy and I can take it, but I don't think that's everyone's personality, and it's just not fair. Because the goal of trolling is to get a few that you don't like to be shut down and to make women feel intimidated. But it's made me feistier too, because I think it's confirmed a lot of the reasons that I write in the first place, and that I'm a feminist writer.

PS: So about that Tucker Carlson interview, which you handled like a total pro. That went super viral, and I think a huge part of why it did is because most women who've ever had a job anywhere have experienced some version of that conversation that you had – except you had to deal with it on a national stage. So how did you shut him down so well, and keep your cool so well, and how can other women do the same in similar professional situations?

So I think that I was just very confident in what I had been asked to come and speak on. I was prepared and that was unshakable, and I think that that was why he wasn't able to throw me off. I knew what I wanted to say and I was so well-versed in the topic at hand. So I was sort of just listening to what he was saying and responding to the things directly, rather than letting him kind of throw water on the dashboard. That has kind of been what I try and make the takeaway. Because obviously, it was an extenuating circumstance and you know, he is a misogynistic potato head. [Laughs]

As long as you're confident and you're informed, then you've got so much more strength to bring to the table, to any kind of discussion. And know that the only thing that is required of you to participate in any kind of discourse is just to be fully informed. We're in this moment where there's all this trolling and harassment and bullying and aggression in these toxic conversations, and everything is kind of ruled by feelings rather than facts.

But I think it's just about deciding for yourself that you're comfortable, that you're informed, and refusing to back down from that. And not worrying about feeling rude. And not worrying about seeming stupid.

PS: So when it comes to the positive side of social media, I'm curious how you've been able to use social media to leverage more opportunity for yourself.

LD: I think social media has been huge for me. Things I have tweeted, I've later been asked to write pieces on, or I've had editors find my work from me promoting it on Twitter. There are a lot of different ways. But obviously, increasing your visibility and the chance to be in conversation with the people you might be pitching is really important. And I think that there are probably college classes on this with theory of social media branding and all of that, but it's very simple in the sense that it's just putting yourself out there and working to promote your work and trying to get over the habit of saying, "Oh hey, I wrote a thing," and being proud of what you wrote. It's so awkward. Part of me wants to be like, "LOL, here's some hairball I threw out." But it should be, "No, I actually am proud of this and I spent a couple days writing it. Please read it. I'd like you to read it."

PS: Yeah, totally. I feel like women sometimes don't give themselves the opportunity to share that they did a good job on something without a bunch of qualifiers, because it's just ingrained in us not to.

LD: Well, also when do you ever hear men being accused of shameless self-promotion? Never. I mean, it'd have to be so egregious. And even then sometimes it's perceived as endearing. Sometimes it's like, "Oh, he's so cocky, ha ha." It's cute. When it's a woman it's gross and the phrase that comes up is "attention whore."

PS: I don't think I've ever heard a guy be called an attention whore in my life.

LD: Oh, no. It's a silencing tactic, and I think that obviously women internalize that. I internalize that. And I have to kind of check myself all the time. Where is this doubt actually coming from? It gets in the way of feeling capable. It gets in the way of sharing your work. It's intricate and so crappy. But I guess as much as you can, push past it and be defiantly confident in your own capabilities. That's what I've been trying to tell myself in the mirror every morning. I don't know how well I've been doing, but it's getting better.

5 Days in Iceland: What to Do and See For an Unforgettable Trip

Nicole Yi — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 16:10:00 -0700

Northern Virginia wedding photographer Kirstie Tuben and her husband, Ben, made a travel list on their honeymoon that featured the top 10 places they both wanted to visit. Since then, their goal has been to visit all the destinations before having kids, and Iceland happened to be one of them. "I really believe that travel is the only thing that makes you richer," said Kirstie. "It can enrich your life and open your eyes to the world around you." Before getting married, she was able to cover a good amount of ground on her own. She backpacked through Europe, lived on a boat in the Bahamas, taught in Vietnam and Tanzania, and saw 31 states.

For five days, the couple traveled to Iceland together over the Thanksgiving holiday. Since the Northern Lights aren't visible in the Summer, going during the Winter was a cold but great decision. Surprisingly, they shared that the weather was the same as New York City's, but the sun rose at 10 a.m. and set around 4:30 p.m. Kirstie and Ben gave us their adventure-packed itinerary for other travelers to follow. And seeing how trendy Iceland has become, you'll definitely want to add this to your list. But before you embark on your own trip, consider their tips and warnings ahead that could make or break your experience. See what to expect along with their gorgeous photography from their mini vacation!

Day 1

According to the couple, their flight from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) was totally manageable and only required a small nap to fight the jet lag. As soon as they landed, they rented a car and drove to the small town of Vík. Their pro tip: buy insurance, because gravel will hit your windshield and strong sandstorms can damage your door. They packed a ton of snacks because they were told that the food in Iceland isn't the best. "Much to our surprise, it didn't suck - it was just expensive and mostly fish, burgers, or [hot] dogs," she said.

Although the drive to Vík took almost three hours, it was stunning. They were able to park and pet horses and sheep at any moment and stop at a waterfall called Seljalandsfoss. After taking a nap at their Airbnb, they explored the town and grabbed dinner at Sudur-Vík.

Day 2Their first stop on their way back toward Reykjavik was a black sand beach called Reynisfjara, where they climbed basalt towers. Don't get too close to the water, though. Dangerous "sneaker waves" can sneak up on you and take you under. Next, they drove to the famous plane crash, Sólheimasandur. Once you reach the area, you have to hike about two miles there and back with no bathrooms in sight. After some awesome photos, they went to Skógafoss Waterfall, where they recommend eating at the delicious fish and chips stand. After getting dropped off at their next Airbnb near City Center, Super Jeep tours picked them up at 8 p.m. to go see the Northern Lights. The great thing about this company, according to Kirstie, is that they'll refund your money if you don't see the lights. For the best photos, bring a tripod and flashlight. Day 3They took this day to explore Reykjavik and eat pub food. You'll want to see the Solfar Sculpture (Sun Voyager), go to the top of a massive church called Hallgrímskirkja, and visit the Harpa conference center. In addition, the street art, city hall, and small shops were also noteworthy. Travelers can take boats for whale watching or puffin seeing in the Summer. One of the highlights for Kirstie was dinner at Lebowski Bar, since The Big Lebowski is one of her favorite movies. Another reason to visit Iceland during the Winter is all the Christmas decorations. Don't leave Reykjavik without eating at the famous hotdog stand Baejarins. Day 4Most of their day was spent driving to Sólheimajokull where they went glacier hiking with Arctic Adventures. Although the intermediate course was manageable, it was cold. You'll definitely want to wear waterproof clothing and rent boots through the company. Day 5Ben and Kirstie were told to go to the Blue Lagoon either on the way to or from the airport, which they didn't regret doing. The process was easy through Reykjavik Excursions, using their bus and ticketing system, and they were even dropped off at their flight. "The Blue Lagoon is a lot like a spa but like nowhere I have ever been," Kirstie said. Visitors can rent towels and bathrobes, and you can also buy beer at the swim-up bar. "Definitely try the facial mask and don't get your hair wet - the water strips it completely."See their incredible photos!

How a Professional Organizer Changed My Life

Maggie Winterfeldt — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 15:35:10 -0700

I always envisioned nesting as that final stage of pregnancy when the expectant mother camps out in the nursery, cleaning with OCD fervor and meticulously folding onesies across the surface of her swollen belly. This is not what happened to me.

I opened my eyes one Saturday morning somewhere in the middle of my second trimester, and before I even lifted my head off the pillow, I startled my husband awake by declaring, "I hate this room." It had begun. Making over the bedroom was the first in a series of nesting home improvements I had to make before I could get to the blissful newborn-clothing-folding step of making room for baby.

With its easy-to-close door, the bedroom had become a hideout for all our crap - clothing poured out of the closet and shirts and jeans without drawer space sat in homeless piles on the floor - but there was no way to shut the door on the fact that the room would not work once baby arrived. The plan was to have baby sleep in our bedroom for the first few months, but there weren't enough clutter-free feet of floor space to place a basinet. The situation felt hopeless, and as the day wore on, I became inconsolable.

It was my mother who, during a hormonal and tearful conversation, convinced me to look into hiring a professional home organizer. At first I resisted; what kind of home editor would I be if I couldn't even find storage solutions for my own apartment? Pride, however, was not going to fix the situation. I needed outside help. The next day, my mom emailed me a list of local home organizers. I looked through their websites and contacted Deb Ghiglieri of Get Organized by Deb. From our first phone conversation, it was clear that we had great chemistry.

We scheduled an initial session, and while I had high expectations, nothing could have prepared me for how effective Deb would be. Over the course of three three-hour sessions, Deb helped us fall back in love with our bedroom and freed me to get on with my nesting.

Here are the six shockingly simple yet effective ways a professional organizer helped me regain control of my bedroom clutter:

Used Her Fresh Eyes to See New Storage Opportunities in the Closet

Where we saw the same old clutter, Deb saw space for a second rod to be installed, effectively doubling our hanging storage space.

Refolded All the Clothing in My Dresser to Create More Space

The first thing Deb did was also the simplest. She unfolded and refolded everything in my dressers using a narrow-profile folding technique and then arranging the pieces using a vertical stacking method. The result was magical; newfound drawer space appeared seemingly out of thin air!

Knew Exactly What Storage Products to Use Where and For What

Deb measured the space under my bed, strategized which pieces would fit the best, and then picked out the specific plastic rolling containers she knew from firsthand experience would work the best. There was no guesswork or frustrating trial and error. Just a problem solved.

Provided a Supportive Presence That Increased Productivity

There's something about having an outsider bearing witness to your cleanout efforts that makes them more effective. Not only was I more willing to toss old pieces, I was also able to focus more effectively with supervising. Plus, her encouragement made parting with things more fun than sad.

Customized Storage Solutions to Our Individual Lifestyle and Needs

Deb wasn't just concerned with hiding the mess. Her goal was to help us find long-term storage solutions. She worked with us to tailor the organization efforts to our lifestyle, and then, based on how things were going, she worked with us to tweak them during her second and third visits.

Got Us Past Our Overwhelmed Clutter Paralysis

Having Deb get us started and through the worst of the mess got us to a place where we actually started liking our bedroom again. After just her first visit, we started taking more pride in the space, and it showed in the way we worked to maintain the changes she made. We even found ourselves inspired to take on other organization projects around the house!

Yes, Amazon Has Already Released New Halloween Decorations! Here Are 15 Affordable Items

Macy Cate Williams — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 15:05:04 -0700

For true Halloween-lovers, it's never too early to prepare for the holiday. You must have the most epically decorated house on the block, of course. This year, we're looking straight to Amazon for all the goods. The site has festive table runners, themed lights, and large creepy crawlers, all at insanely low prices. Plus, if you have Amazon Prime, you get free two-day shipping. Check out our favorite picks, and stock up so you're fully prepared for All Hallows' Eve.

If You Want to Escape Vegas, Paddle Your Way to This Nearby Emerald Cave

Hilary White — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 15:05:02 -0700

Vegas is great . . . for about a day. Then the bright lights and late nights can get exhausting. When you're ready for something more serene, you don't have to go far from the strip to find it. About a 45-minute drive from Las Vegas is a hidden cave where you can escape the city and embrace the beauty of nature. Cross the Nevada border into Arizona for a scenic trip in the Black Canyon, where you can rent a kayak at Willow Beach and explore the waters of Emerald Cove and Emerald Cave that are - you guessed it - emerald green. Check out the beautiful images of the area ahead, and plan on dodging Las Vegas crowds for the cove instead.

7 Brilliant (and Affordable) Ways to Use Ikea Items in the Bathroom

Kate McKenna — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 14:30:04 -0700

Homeowners and apartment dwellers alike are always looking for fun and creative ways to add personality throughout their spaces - and none is quite as challenging as the bathroom. Between the skin and hair products, toiletries, cleaning essentials, and random other items, it can be hard to create a functional bathroom that still oozes style. But with a few classic pieces from Ikea and some chic tricks up your sleeve, you can soon transform your bathroom. Read on for our favorite Ikea hacks for the bathroom!

9 Jobs For People Who Hate Small Talk

Hilary White — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 14:10:02 -0700

If you're more of an introvert than an extrovert, or if small talk just drives you nuts, then jobs involving a lot of office chit-chat might not be right for you. There are plenty of positions that allow you to work more independently; these jobs ensure that the majority of co-worker interactions you have are brief, and more importantly, to the point. See below for some great examples.

12 Things to Pack in Your Carry-On Bag

Hilary White — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 14:05:03 -0700

I'm all about making my flights as smooth as humanly possible. I've started packing more like a minimalist, and I've slowly but surely discovered some airport hacks that have made my life a lot easier. I think the key to a perfect flight is having what you need all in one spot: in your carry-on. If you're checking a bag, you need to know what's important to bring on board the plane with you and what's OK to leave behind in the bag you're sending off into the literal hands of strangers and metaphorical hands of machines. Here's what you should always have in your carry-on bag when flying.

A Studio Ghibli Theme Park Is Set to Open in Japan in 2020!

Nicole Yi — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 13:30:08 -0700

Totoro, Totoro, Totoro, Totoro! You know, the one who helps your garden grow and may or may not provide a leaf-umbrella when you're caught in the rain? Get excited because Studio Ghibli is opening a theme park dedicated to one of its most treasured animations, My Neighbor Totoro. Producer Toshio Suzuki and the governor of Aichi Prefecture Expo Memorial Park agreed to a plan on May 31 and aim to open it up in the early 2020s.

Expo Park (located in Nagoya, Japan) already hosts a recreation of Satsuki and Mei's home from Hayao Miyazaki's film. But Studio Ghibli and Aichi administration are teaming up to expand the exhibit to 200 acres, which will be Ghibli's largest installation yet. The proposed plan is to maintain the existing natural environment filled with trees and flowers, instead of cutting down trees for new developments. What they're calling "Ghibli Park," for now, will bring familiar settings and landscapes to life.

We can't wait to see it!

This Is the Day You Should Go to the Harry Potter Studio Tour For the Best Experience

Hedy Phillips — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 13:20:08 -0700

I consider it a must-do for every Harry Potter fan to visit the Harry Potter Studio Tour outside London at least once in their life. It's a sprawling museum of sorts with sets, costumes, factoids, and magic. On the tour, you can drink butterbeer, you can see the mechanics behind how some of the special effects are done, and you can get some completely unique experiences . . . if you know what you're looking for.

The tour starts with a short film from the movie cast, introducing you to the magical world of Harry Potter. At the end of the film, you see the doors to the Great Hall before the screen goes away and the actual doors appear. What you may not realize, though, is that if you play your cards right, you can get chosen to open those very doors. The secret? Go on your birthday.

The man who was welcoming all of us into the tour asked if anyone in the room was celebrating a birthday, and I saw no better way to spend my 30th birthday than at the ultimate place for Harry Potter fans. My best friend shoved me to the front of the room and I volunteered, along with a young girl who was probably celebrating her 10th birthday, which is just solid proof that Harry Potter is for all ages. She and I got to open the doors to the Great Hall, which was maybe the best moment of my life because I've loved Harry Potter for nearly two decades.

Opening the doors to the Great Hall is one of those supersecret experiences that you can have if you know beforehand what the key to doing it is. So if you can visit on your birthday, you might just get to be the lucky chosen one.

A post shared by (AES) Amanda (@bengal_bella) on Oct 19, 2016 at 12:34pm PDT

College Students, These 10 Comforters Will Transform Your Dorm

Macy Cate Williams — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 13:20:04 -0700

Turning a drab dorm room into a stylish haven is quite the challenge. Fortunately there are many tricks that can take the space to the next level. The easiest way to set the tone for the area is by adding a cool comforter. College students, if you're looking to transform your room, check out these cute twin-size comforters that are playful yet tasteful. You'll be so pumped to crawl into bed.

9 Ways to Remind Yourself You're Amazing

Macy Cate Williams — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 13:05:03 -0700

Everyone has bad days, but you can turn it around. You're an awesome person, you just need to be reminded of that! We have nine ways you can encourage yourself to feel amazing. Try out these activities and feel happier than ever. You deserve a confidence boost.

Download Our Clean-Eating App For Easy and Delicious Recipes!

Shannon Murphy — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 12:45:00 -0700

Eating clean is easy when you have a plan. Clean up your eating habits with our new meal plan and recipe app ($2.99)! You'll be set for success with handy in-app shopping lists, two weeks of delicious recipes, and an easy-to-follow plan so you don't have to stress about what to eat. The plan, created by registered dietitians Stephanie Clarke and Willow Jarosh of C&J Nutrition, focuses on whole foods - fruits, veggies, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins. We give you recipes for three meals daily plus a snack and a treat. That's right! Eating clean doesn't mean denying yourself the foods you love.

The meals, including snacks and treats, add up to about 1,600 calories per day. The carb, protein, and fat ratio is close to 50:20:30. The carbs are all whole grains so they're high in fiber. The protein is lean, and the fats are primarily plant-based. All the meals are tasty.

Already eating clean and need some recipe inspiration? Peruse 70 Instagram-worthy meals and snacks to refresh your recipe box.

Here is more of what you'll get with our clean-eating app:

Two-week clean-eating plan:
- Five recipes per day for 14 days
- Step-by-step instructions
- Nutritional information
Shopping list: Easily add ingredients for the entire week or individual recipes to your list. To make it even easier, you can organize your list into different areas of the grocery store.
Completion tracking: Mark recipes as "done" while you work your way through your two-week plan so you never lose your place.
Search: Sometimes you know what you want! Use our search tool to find healthy meals using your favorite food.
Favorites: Mark your favorite recipes for easy access later.
Apple HealthKit integration: Add all nutritional data to your Apple Health app with just one tap.

DOWNLOAD NOW

19 Kitchen Organization Products You Should Always Buy at Ikea

Kate McKenna — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 12:35:04 -0700

The key to a clean and organized kitchen is making use of good storage products, but storage options don't always make the most attractive decor pieces. Enter the ever-dependable Ikea, where storage isn't just functional . . . it can add style and panache to any kitchen counter or cupboard! From storing food so that it stays fresh to keeping loose utensils and kitchen gadgets contained and your countertop uncluttered, these are our favorite Ikea products for kitchen storage.

We Are Losing It Over These Cute Pool Floaties

Rebecca Brown — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 12:25:04 -0700

Don't make the mistake of showing up to that pool party empty-handed. We're not talking about bringing cute hostess gifts; rather, we're talking about carrying poolside accouterments with you. Those vibrant, inflatable, sometimes food-inspired pool floats that fill everyone's lives with joy. Because what good is attending a backyard bash if you can't capture it - and get love - on social media?

How Fitness Queen Cassey Ho Took All the Risks and Followed Her Heart

Kate Emswiler — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 12:15:04 -0700

If anyone embodies the Power Your Happy mantra of "work hard, play nice," it's fitness guru and entrepreneur Cassey Ho. Brimming with positivity (she never even uses curse words!), Ho's upbeat personality and vast knowledge of the fitness and wellness realm have made her Blogilates video series the number one female fitness channel on YouTube with a faithful following of 3.5 million subscribers.

Her POP Pilates format, which launched on YouTube in 2009, has now become a live class available to 24 Hour Fitness members in the US, and her book Hot Body Year Round is a bestseller. And her latest venture? Ho's newest POPFLEX activewear collection is now offering sizes 2 through 16.

She is living proof that with some confidence and persistence, there's no limit to your success. For a burst of that signature Cassey Ho pep and sweetness, check out her answers to our Power Your Happy Q&A!

5 Things You Need to Know About Getting or Renewing Your Passport

Nicole Yi — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 12:05:03 -0700

First things first: If you don't have a passport yet, apply for one now. If your passport is expired, renew it now. The State Department is urging travelers to take care of it as soon as possible due to a recent surge in demand. Even if you don't have any pending vacation plans, you never know when something might come up!

To make your life easier, here's a breakdown of everything I wish someone had told me about getting a passport.

1. It's expensive!

A US passport book for all international travel is $110 before processing fees. In total, it'll cost you $135. A passport card is only $30, but you're restricted from air travel and it's only good to return to the US from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

2. It can take up to two months to process.

Just since last year, the time to process has extended from four weeks to six to eight weeks. We only suspect it to get longer from here. If you need to get on a plane ASAP, there are passport agencies that can expedite the process within two weeks. Other approved facilities can do the same for an extra $60. If your trip is in the next few months or so, get it done yesterday.

3. Not everyone is eligible to renew by mail.

You have to renew in person if:

you can't submit a recent passport with your renewal application
your passport is damaged
your passport was issued before you were 16 years old
your passport was issued over 15 years ago
your name has changed (unless you can provide a copy of your certificate of marriage or court order)

If none of these apply to you, you're good to renew by mail.

4. In-person renewal is the same process as applying for the first time.

You'll still need to pay the same fees ($135), fill out the same DS-11 form, and submit the same required documents (below). The only difference is that if you have an expired passport, you can submit that as proof of citizenship and photo ID when you apply.

5. There are very strict passport photo requirements.

You can't just submit a selfie and think you're set. You'll need to submit a high-quality 2x2 photo that was taken in the last six months. The background must be plain white, and headphones, hats, and glasses are not allowed to be included. The size of your head should also be between 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head.

Places like Costco, CVS, Walgreens, or any other store that develops photos can take a proper photo for $5 to $15. They can edit the lighting and dimensions to meet the criteria, so it's better to get it done rather than trying yourself. Most of the times a passport application is denied or delayed is because of an incorrect photo.

What You'll Need to Apply or Renew in Person:

Evidence of US citizenship (ex: birth certificate, certificate of citizenship)
Black-and-white photocopy of your proof of citizenship
Photo ID (ex: driver's license, military ID)
Photocopy of your ID
Photo
Completed DS-11 form
Paid fees

Once you gather your documents, you'll need to locate a passport acceptance facility in your area. Several local post offices offer the service but typically by appointment only.

What You'll Need to Renew by Mail:

Most recent passport (it will be returned to you)
Photo
Certified name-change documents (if applicable)
Completed DS-82 form
Paid fees (same price)

Mail your documents to: National Passport Processing Center, Post Office Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155

Or if expediting: National Passport Processing Center, Post Office Box 90955, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0955

Was This Fixer Upper Family "Deceived" Into Buying a Waco, TX, House?

Maggie Winterfeldt — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 12:00:00 -0700

A post shared by Sandra Farhart (@sandra_magnoliarealty) on Jul 11, 2017 at 10:28am PDT

The "Three Little Pigs" house from Fixer Upper season three may be named after a fairy tale, but it's proven to be a complete nightmare for the homeowners. Since moving into the North Waco home a year and a half ago, Ken and Kelly Downs say they've had to deal with late-night ruckus from nearby bars, suspicious activity, and even anti-Fixer Upper backlash from locals angry the show has made local taxes go up. The couple described their neighborhood as the "Wild West" to the Waco Tribune Herald and claim they've endured harassment and intimidation.

All of the Downs' frustrations came to a head, however, in the early morning hours of July 8, when a drunk driver crashed straight through the front of their house. Luckily, the Downs were sleeping in another part of the house and were physically unharmed - but they are emotionally traumatized and blame Waco for doing nothing to crack down on crime in the area and Magnolia Realty for selling them a house in a "bad" neighborhood. Kelly told the Waco Tribune Herald that they "feel deceived by the city of Waco and Magnolia Realty."

While some online commenters echoed the Downs' frustration regarding the police's inaction toward the criminal activity in the neighborhood, most were unsympathetic when it came to claims that Magnolia Realty was in any way culpable or shouldn't have allowed them to buy the property. Commenters note that they chose to purchase the house; they were not forced to do so. Furthermore, the couple had every ability to research the neighborhood before making such a huge investment in it.

Ina Garten's NYC Home Is For Sale – and the Kitchen Is Not What You're Expecting

Maggie Winterfeldt — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 11:30:06 -0700

Barefoot Contessa star Ina Garten listed the elegantly appointed New York City apartment she shared with her husband, academic Jeffrey Garten, for $1.975 million in March, Variety reports. The couple purchased the Upper East Side apartment for $1.4 million in 2004 as a two-bedroom apartment, before hiring celebrity interior designer Daniel Romualdex to update it into a spacious one-bedroom. The property features a sunken living room with soaring ceilings and large leaded glass windows, his and her closets in the master bedroom, and a single - but luxuriously outfitted - bathroom; unfortunately, you have to walk through the bedroom to reach it. Food Network fans will be surprised to see how modest the home's galley kitchen is. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in smart design, with its open shelving and long stretches of counter space. The couple upgraded to a $4.65 million two-bedroom apartment in the same neighborhood last year. Get up close and personal with Ina's old space ahead.