Today's top celebrity birthdays list (December 20, 2017)

Photos: Associated Press

Top celebrity birthdays on December 20, 2017

Birthday wishes go out to Jonah Hill, Peter Criss and all the other celebrities with birthdays today.  Check out our slideshow below to see more famous people turning a year older on December 20th.

-Mike Rose, cleveland.com

Cell phones aren’t a public health risk

Dangerous, but not because it's going to give you a brain tumor.

The California Department of Public Health recently released guidelines for decreasing one's exposure to cell phone radiation. This seems, at first, like a reasonable thing to offer. But the problem with a government body issuing guidelines on how to avoid something is that it implies the thing should be avoided. And there’s no evidence that cell phones are dangerous to your health.

Seasonal flu kills more globally than previously thought: U.S. study

CHICAGO (Reuters) - As many as 646,000 people are dying globally from seasonal influenza each year, U.S. health officials said on Wednesday, a rise from earlier assessments of the disease’s death toll.
Global death rates from seasonal influenza are likely between 291,000 and 646,000 people each year, depending on the severity of the circulating flu strain, they said.
That is up from a prior estimate range of 250,000 to 500,000 deaths, according to officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, published in the medical journal The Lancet.
The CDC did not give reasons for the hike in estimates but said the study by it and global health partners was based on data from a larger, more diverse sample of countries than previously. It excludes deaths during flu pandemics and from conditions exacerbated by the flu, such as heart disease.

Celebrate Taylor Swift's Birthday With 28 of Her Impressive Milestones

3-week-old Vanellope Hope Wilkins, who was born with her heart outside her body and survived surgery at Glenfield Hospital, in what is believed to be a UK first.

A baby born with her heart outside her body has survived surgery to insert it back into her chest.

Vanellope Hope Wilkins, now three weeks old, was delivered by a team of 50 medical professionals at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, UK, on November 22.

Born with ectopia cordis, a rare congenital condition causing her heart to grow outside her body, the baby girl underwent three intensive surgeries to put her heart inside her chest. She is now on the road to recovery.

How parents and teens can reduce the impact of social media on youth well-being

Knowing how to navigate the online social networking world is crucial for parents and teens. Being educated and talking about online experiences can help reduce any negative impacts on youth mental health and well-being.
The Australian Psychology Society (APS) recently released a national survey looking at the impact of technology and social media on the well-being of Australians.
Around 1,000 adults over the age of 18 and 150 young people aged 14-17 years took part. The survey found more than three in four young people (78.8%) and more than half of all adults (54%) were highly involved with their mobile phones. Young people are reportedly using social media for an average of 3.3 hours each day, on five or more days of the week.
The vast majority of adults and teenagers reported their screens and social media accounts were a positive part of their lives. Many use social media channels to connect with family, friends and to entertain themselves. Too much social media use can effect self-esteem
Despite social media playing a positive role for most, the survey found the high use of social media and technology can have a negative impact on youth self-esteem. Two in three young people feel pressure to look good and nearly a third of youth have been bullied online. Nearly half (42%) of frequent users look at social media in bed before sleeping.
The survey also found 15% of teenagers reported being approached by strangers on a daily basis through their online world.

What makes some parents fall for anti-vaccine messaging

Public health officials may not be hitting on the right morals in their quest to get all children vaccinated.

Health researchers have borrowed from a psychological theory that helps explain the rise of Donald Trump to figure out what holds parents back from vaccinating their kids.

Westend61/Getty Images

Since the 1990s, the number of parents seeking vaccine exemptions for their children has been climbing, pitting public health against influential anti-vaxxers in a proxy messaging war.

But it seems the doctors trying to persuade the vaccine-hesitant — still a tiny minority of parents — have mostly been failing: Either their messages are off or the anti-vaccine campaigns, circulating among sources like conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, are too powerful to counter.

Now, researchers are borrowing a theory from social psychology (one that also coincidentally helps explain the rise of Donald Trump) to understand where doctors’ pro-vaccine campaigns may be going wrong. And they’ve discovered that they’re probably emphasizing the wrong things in their messages, as they describe in a study published Monday in the journal Nature Human Behavior.

Why Elton John Is This Season's Unlikely Style Icon

Artwork: Meg O'Donnell

As party season kicks off, we can always expect a little extra sparkle in our wardrobes. But over the past few months, you may have noticed that glitter has swept fashion into a flurry of excess.

It may be true that trends are recycled every 20 years, but the grunge attitude and minimalism of the '90s has dominated the industry for so long. So why has the color, camp, and extroversion of the '80s finally made it's way back into the zeitgeist?

“At a time when the global political climate is fractious, there’s comfort in a certain kind of nostalgia," Katie Smith, retail analysis and insights director at Edited, a fashion and retail technology company, explains. "The '80s were a time of economic boom, when fashion and lifestyles were fast and frivolous. With millennials delaying home purchases and starting families, they have disposable income which revisits some of that '80s hedonism. The '80s are somewhat akin to pure escapism from the harsher realities of life.”

And really, who embodies the maximalism of the decade more than Elton John? Since the '70s, the singer has taken stage costumes to new heights, with legendary costume designer Bob Mackie (a.k.a. The Sultan of Sequins) behind many of his most memorable pieces. Whether it’s the fringed rhinestone jacket and pink geometric sunglasses he wore when performing at Madison Square Garden in 1986, the star-spangled velvet jacket (with matching earrings) when on stage in Sydney the same year, or the wide-lapeled brocade duster coat he wore around Hollywood in ‘87, John championed outlandish and extraordinary dressing throughout the era.

Photo: WWD/REX/Shutterstock

Photo: WWD/REX/Shutterstock

But how does the musician’s vivacity translate today? One look through Gucci’s spring 2018 offering and you’ll see how creative director Alessandro Michele has made the decade’s euphoric aesthetic both nostalgic and contemporary. The brand’s iridescent jumpsuit emblazoned with color-pop musical notes? It’s Elton John on stage 30 years ago. According to Vogue, Michele drew inspiration from his friend Elton’s costume archives, with more than one look a reference to recognizable pieces worn by the icon. The designer even embroidered John's initials onto the back of jackets and T-shirts. Sequins dominated the 108-look collection, with a kaleidoscope of color glistening down the catwalk — ‘80s hedonism indeed.

Gucci isn't the only delivering the exuberance of the ‘80s sequin into 2017, either. Michael Halpern, the London-based Central Saint Martins graduate, has been championed by everyone from Donatella Versace to Sarah Mower for his shimmery pieces. Sure, he may draw inspiration from Studio 54’s ‘70s heyday, but styled with a pink satin jacket with razor-sharp shoulders (as it is in his fall '17 lookbook, it’s the ‘80s through and through.

 

“We've seen a real return to glamour with a revival of sequins and sparkle from brands such as Halpern, Attico, Osman, and DVF,” Natalie Kingham, buying director at MatchesFashion.com, notes. “There has also been an emergence of luxurious fabrics such as jacquard and brocade in metallic, or with lustrous accents from designers such as Gucci, Peter Pilotto, Carl Kapp, and Rochas.” Reiterating Smith’s point about escapism, Kingham advises buying into the fantasy and frivolity of the decade: “Investing in luxurious clothing doesn’t always need to be about simple timeless pieces. There is something decadent and glamorous about investing in a strong sequin look from Michael Halpern to cheer yourself up and add some flamboyance to your wardrobe.”

Fast-fashion is tapping into the decade of decadence, too. By analyzing retail trends, Smith can measure the growth in demand for ‘80s pieces: “Ruffled items are up a stunning 181% this fall compared to last, whether it’s down the sleeves of a sweater or blouse, across the hem of a skirt, or on the neckline of a jumpsuit. One-sleeved and asymmetric ruffled styles pack the most '80s punch,” she says. “Exaggerated sleeves were popular through the summer and returned during autumn on statement jumpers in bold poster paint palettes. We’re seeing dolman, batwing, and lantern sleeves, which, when paired with an oversized silhouette or a dramatic turtleneck, look like they stepped straight out of the '80s.”

ASOS, for example, has embraced the return of the decade, and is going all-out for party season. “Chandelier earrings, power shoulders and cocktail dresses are the perfect way to celebrate the holidays,” ASOS womenswear head of design, Sian Ryan, says. “The '80s oozes glamour and decadence...exaggerated shoulders and sleeves, metallic fabrications, dramatic embellishments and silhouettes — all of these elements encompass the party.” Her advice on styling the trend? “Mix it up, don’t be too literal, and have fun with luxe fabrics and elaborate silhouettes. Enjoy the opulence, it’s the holiday season, after all!”

Photo: Courtesy of ASOS

And while sparkles may be perfectly suited for holiday season, the '80s aren't going away once the festivities have come and gone. “While the '80s trend has had a strong impact over the last couple of years, it’s too strong an aesthetic to have an enduring influence on fashion,” Smith notes. “However, next season will certainly still be influenced by the '80s, as the spring '18 collections have attested.” Whether you go for Princess Diana-inspired sports casual with pearls and cycling shorts at the ready, or go all-out-Elton John with glitzy and glamorous hedonism, either way, it’s time to flash back to the '80s.

Georgia Murray

December 1, 2017, 6:00 AM

 

The sweating therapy: Expert guide to steam and sauna bath

Sweating has been used as a form of therapy for thousands of years to cure numerous diseases. With the rise in number of gyms and spa parlors, it has been gaining popularity in our country as well. Steam and sauna are available in most spas and gyms around the valley. Along with their health benefits, it is also important for us to know that it may not be suitable for everyone.
Hence, to understand the possible benefits, health risks and precautions of steam and sauna bath, we at The Week spoke to Reena Shrestha, director of Heritage Spa at Basundhara, Kathmandu. Here is everything you need to know about steam and sauna bath.

Sauna bath
Sauna is a room that is heated to 50 degrees Celsius and then gradually the temperature in the room increases up to 95 degrees Celsius. Also known as dry heat, humidity in a sauna room is often 10 to 20 percent.

Donatella Versace to Receive 'Fashion Icon of The Year' Award

Longtime Versace Creative Director Donatella Versace shall receive the award for  Fashion Icon of the Year at next week's BFC Fashion Awards, scheduled for December 4^th. The Reggio Calabria-born took over the creative reigns of the famed Versace fashion house, following the death of her brother Gianni Versace in the year 1997.

Men are treating themselves with trips to the beauty salon

The beauty salon is often thought of as being a female-focused environment, but men are increasingly joining in the fun.

Almost half (47%) of young men in the UK have enjoyed a spa, in-store or beauty salon treatment in the past 12 months, according to new research from market intelligence agency Mintel.
This is a marked increase from 2015, when the number was just 33%.
The most popular treatments appear to be massages, which 18% of men aged 16-24 polled had partaken in, and facial hair removal or shaping, which also attracted 18% of participants. Meanwhile, 17% had visited the spa for body hair removal.


The mental benefits of beauty and grooming treatments were cited as one of the main reasons behind the trend, with 76% of those who had visited a spa or salon over the last 12 months saying that it helped to promote their mental well-being.
Sixty-four percent said that such appointments were an important part of their health routine. Overall, 36% of the men had booked their last appointment as a treat for themselves, while 20% did so for a special occasion and 19% said it was a regular grooming appointment.

Pat McGrath: Beauty Is Everything

Visionary make-up artist, founder of an eponymous range and now Vogue beauty editor-at-large: Pat McGrath presents her glittering manifesto, in images and words, in this piece first published in Vogue's December 2017 issue.

ocial media has revolutionised how beauty is curated, captured and consumed. When Pat McGrath Labs was born two years ago, it encapsulated my obsessions, inspirations and addictions. My intention in creating it was to thank my make-up-obsessed followers with the most divine gold pigment ever formulated. When I discovered it, I knew I couldn't wait the two years most brands need to do a full production run.

Selling Bad Therapy to Trauma Victims

The American Psychological Association (APA) just issued guidelines for treating trauma. Patients and therapists would be wise to ignore them.

The guidelines are supposed to reflect the best scientific evidence. In fact, they ignore all scientific evidence except one kind of study, called randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Source: Kat Jayne/Pexels

RCTs randomly assign people to treatment or control groups. They can answer certain questions (Is a medication more effective than a sugar pill?) and not others (How does the medication work? What is the disease? What are its causes?). In the absence of careful scientific reasoning, RCTs can lead to foolish conclusions.

The "Healthy" Foods That Are Killing You

The "Healthy" Foods That Are Killing You with Dr Steven Gundry and Lewis Howes

 

 

Skincare expert to Kim Kardashian and Jessica Alba reveals the mistakes we make that age our faces

We have all secretly (and shamefully) made some obvious skin care errors, like sleeping while still wearing make-up or not moisturising dry skin.

However, Nurse Jamie Sherrill from LA revealed we are doing even MORE wrong than we thought before.

Celebrity make-up artist Gina Myers in Durban for masterclass

Celebrity MakeUp Artist Gina Myers will be in Durban on Sunday,  November 19 2017 for her first ever make-up class.  The Event is sponsored by Glampalm hair tools and will feature gifts and goodies from brands like Sorbet, GlLAMGLOW , Smashbox, IV PUSH (drip nutrition) , Thomas Sabo, Dyson, Sixtythree Hairstudio, The eyelash boutique, Glambox, Hairtux Luxury Hair Extensions  and The blogbox.  (Nontando Mposo)
Myers is also a motivational speaker, MC and connoisseur of all things beautiful. She is inspired by women and the want to empower others to see their own inner beauty.

Celebrity MakeUp Artist Gina Myers. Supplied picture.

"What do I love most about my job? Yes… the make up is pretty cool. It’s like colouring in all day long where every canvas is different. But what I love most… are the people. Their story. Their journey. Make up envelopes not only the outer canvas, but also the inner story. And everyone’s story is magical," she says.

Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe: How to Cook Tender Juicy Turkey - How to Make Homemade Turkey Gravy 

Jes Chang combines fashion with sustainability, for mental health

NICHOLAS BOYACK/STUFF

Jes Chang runs her label, Children of Promise, from her Lower Hutt, home where she also teaches piano.

Combining fashion with sustainability is nothing new but Jes Chang has gone a step further.
A finalist in the AMP Scholarship Awards, the Lower Hutt 29-year-old has created her own label, Children of Promise (COP), to raise money for youth mental health. source
Originally from Taiwan, she moved to Auckland with her parents when she was eight.

 

Vangie Pan models a Children of Promise design by Jes Chang.

Studying sewing at Westlake Girls', sparked her interest in fashion design and later  she studied design before working for a number of labels, including Nyne, Little Brother, Starfish and Mint Condition.

Jennifer Lopez showcases flat belly in turtleneck crop top as she leaves auction house hand-in-hand with beau Alex Rodriguez

They've been going strong since spring.

 

And Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez looked like they were taking their relationship quite seriously Thursday, seen linked by the hand after a trip to Christie's art auction house.

The 48-year-old beauty was ever-chic in a textured green sweater which displayed her taut tummy along with matching paper-bag pants slung low across her hips.

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Angelina Jolie NOT Getting “Style Inspiration” From Selena Gomez To “Lure” Brad Pitt, Despite Reports

Angelina Jolie is not getting “style inspiration” from Selena Gomez to “lure” back Brad Pitt, despite absurd reports. Gossip Cop can easily bust this conspiracy theory and explain how it came about.

HollywoodLife contends in a story, Jolie’s “outfits look eerily similar to what Selena Gomez likes to wear Coincidence? Probably.” But, the webloid then suggests “she’s doing it on purpose” and it’s “all about revenge dressing to make Brad Pitt see what he’s missing.” The webloid goes on to explain that Pitt and Gomez were (wrongly) said to be flirting when they spoke at the Golden Globes last year and claims, based on an article from The Inquisitr, that Jolie is “still hung up on that incident, and allegedly wants to prove to Brad that she’s just as cute as Selena.”

Oaks Day 2017: best dressed celebrities in the Birdcage

 Ah Oaks Day. For many celebrities, it's the final thrill of being in hair and make-up at 4am before they can put back on their active wear until the summer polo season.
For us, it's the last chance before Christmas really to see what each stylist/celebrity has in their deck.
Ladies rule at Oaks Day 2017

The sun shone for a bright and beautiful ladies day in the most exclusive parts of the Birdcage at Flemington Racecourse.

After the fervour of Cup Day, Oaks Day is often an anti-climax both fashion wise and in the celebrity stakes. But this year, there were some stunning looks, with many women donning suffragette white, or staying on trend with explosions of pink and red.
Here are the best looks of the day (in no particular order).

Jennifer Hawkins

It's hard when you're the face of Myer to have your smile glued to your face for three days, lest some sneaky pap photographer catch you in a snarl/growl/looking bored. So no wonder JHawk was literally glowing on the racing equivalent of TGIF for most celebrities (except the die hards who do Stakes Day). In white Roland Mouret, this dress is everything. Her millinery was mostly MIA but hey, Oaks Day is like casual Friday.

Jennifer Hawkins Photo: AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy​

Nadia Bartel

​When a celebrity has a racing formula that works – in Nadia Bartel's case, a fitted, one-shoulder dress – it's sometimes best not to mess with it. We loved her Cup Day headpiece by Viktoria Novak and the dress was pretty, just not together. Thankfully on Oaks Day, Bartel pulled out her best look of the whole racing season, frill and all. Bonus points for the contrasting hot pink shoes.

Nadia Bartel Photo: AAP

Why do the 'wellness' habits of other people inspire so much rage?

As a native San Franciscan, I pride myself on my parallel-parking skills. But now that I have a reverse camera in my car, I wonder how I ever parked before this technology. It’s changed my whole experience. With food and exercise, too, a simple tool or new habit can make what once felt difficult instead seem effortless.
I call these tools “game-changers.” Pouched wild salmon is a game-changer for me. Fresh salmon is too expensive, and even if I did pay the price, I can’t batch-cook salmon for the week, as it won’t last. But I really want to increase my intake of omega-3 fatty acids, and wild salmon is the best option. I now order precooked, three-ounce portions of wild salmon online and enjoy it regularly for lunch. What once felt impossible is now easy.

When you open your mind to exploring a problem, a tool or change of perspective, even something extraordinarily small and basic, can have a profound impact.

Drinking A Lot Has Been Linked to Cancer, Doctors Warn

Leading oncologists issued a warning about the connection between drinking and cancer in a new statement.



The statement from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), published Tuesday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, underscores the connection between drinking alcohol and at least seven types of cancer, including cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, breast and colon — a connection strong enough, according to the authors, that an estimated 5.5% of new cancer cases worldwide can be traced back to drinking.

While the conclusion is nothing new — research has shown correlations between drinking and cancer formation for years — the statement marks the first time ASCO, a professional organization composed of some of the nation’s top cancer doctors, has added its voice to the conversation. The purpose of the paper, says corresponding author and University of Wisconsin oncologist Noelle LoConte, is to educate doctors, the public and cancer patients.

Get Paid to Live at Luxury Resorts in Cancún

 

 

Dream job alert: Get paid $10,000 a month to live the good life in luxury resorts in Cancún.

Melanie Lieberman

November 08, 2017

If you would rather be lounging on the beach, sipping cocktails, playing golf, and swimming with whale sharks than sitting in an office, you’re in luck: You can get paid to live in Cancún, Mexico, for six months.
Cancun.com is hiring a new CEO — a “Cancun Experience Officer” — to spend half a year discovering the region and sharing the experience with the world through blog posts, videos, and social media.

The UK’s Happiness Levels Have Hit a High Despite Brexit and Terrorist Attacks

The UK has reported its highest levels of happiness since 2011, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics.

The well-being figures are the first to be based on a full year of data since the European Union referendum, during which the country has experienced high levels of political turmoil, including a snap election, a subsequent hung parliament, and the beginning of tense negotiations with Brussels.
Britain has also been hit by multiple terrorist attacks, beginning with the Westminster Bridge attack in London on March 22. Two months later on May 22, 22 people were killed and more than 500 injured in the Manchester Arena bombing, which became the deadliest attack on UK soil since 2005.
However, people have remained upbeat in spite of this, scoring (out of 10) 7.5 for happiness, 7.7 for life satisfaction, and 7.9 reported that they feel what they do in life is “worthwhile”. There was also no significant change in reported levels of anxiety, which scored 2.9 out of 10.

Black & Gold Interior Style: Inspirational Photos

Black & Gold Interior Style: Inspirational Photos

Black and gold are luxurious and gorgeous colors for home interior.
Here are various images of interior design in black and gold style:



source

Pushing yourself to physical extremes can actually improve emotional well-being

Unsurprisingly, running a marathon is tough. It takes months of training before runners even make it to the starting line and this preparation can, at times, feel like punishment. The marathon runner in training can often be found limping around with blisters, sore muscles and blackened or lost toenails. Not, perhaps, an image we might naturally associate with the idea of “self-compassion”.


A relatively new concept, self-compassion has been hailed as a more robust alternative to self-esteem. While compassion refers to the demonstration of sympathy and concern for others in times of suffering, self-compassion entails showing this same understanding to ourselves.
One of first skills needed for self-compassion is self-kindness – extending compassion to yourself, even when you feel like you have failed, which can be challenging to say the least. Often when faced with failure, we implicitly assume self-criticism is necessary in order to motivate strong future performance. But in reality this strategy often falls flat. Giving oneself a harsh talking to doesn’t just make us feel bad, it also interferes with our ability to calmly examine a situation and identify what to change in order to improve – an essential component of psychological resilience.
Perhaps this explains why studies have found positive associations between self-compassion and psychological wellbeing, physical health and strong relationships with others.
But what does all of this have to do with running a marathon?

The 2016 New York Marathon. a katz/Shutterstock