August 2011
43 posts
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“I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness.”
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A recently unveiled monument of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with this inscribed quote has made poet and author Maya Angelou and several other critics none too pleased. Angelou believes the quote was taken out of context and makes Dr. King “look like an arrogant twit.” Yeesh.
The...
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Rules of Back-to-School, Part 3: College Students
College: The stage where all-nighters (academic or otherwise) and dorm-life shenanigans are played out over 4 excruciatingly long years. Whether you’re an incoming frosh or are about to hear “Pomp and Circumstance” yet again or fall anywhere in between, use these first-class tips to cruise through college:
FRESHMEN
Compared to high school, that college campus can seem...
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Riding Out the Storm
Hurricane Irene has put east coasters in an official state of panic. Stay calm and safe during the storm with these tips:
How to Survive a Hurricane
How to Board Up a Window
How to Increase Your Odds Of Surviving a Disaster
How to Prepare a Storm Shelter
And a little something for those who actually enjoy the tempestuous wrath of Mother Nature.
image via Flickr: “Hurricane Irene...
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All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Lousy Employee
So there we were, browsing the web while the bosses were out, when we came across this marvelous little study. Apparently, workers who web-surf are more productive and alert than their goody-goody colleagues. Might we suggest that the researchers next analyze the restorative powers of a good office prank?
Source: online.wsj.com
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Fat Chance!
Here’s something for you singletons to lord over those smug marrieds: Both marriage and divorce cause weight gain, though women tend to pack on the pounds during the marriage, and men tend to let themselves go after the divorce.
If you’ve only recently said “I Do,” fear not! Avoid the fate of your forebears with these tips. As for the newly divorced, you guys should...
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Rules of Back-to-School, Part 2: Kids & Teens
You can’t fight it — it was bound to happen one way or another: You have to go back to school. A moment of silence for the death of summer vacation…
Get through another year (not to mention first-day jitters) with a little help from your friends at Howcast!
LOOK THE PART: How To Handle It If Your Parents Buy You Dorky Clothes How To Make Your Backpack Look Cool How To Accessorize...
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Rules of Back-to-School, Part 1: Parents
The colorful store displays brimming with Crayola’s finest. The TV commercials alerting you that your child’s wardrobe is woefully outdated. That pitiful moaning coming from your offspring as of late. Yes, parents — it’s back-to-school season.
What’s usually a time of financial and familial stress can be a carefree — and dare we say enjoyable? —...
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Woot to the OED!
The 12th edition of the Concise Oxford English Dictionary just added more than 400 new entries, including “woot” (an expression of elation); “mankini” (a one-piece bathing suit for men); ”noob” (a person who’s inexperienced in something, usually technology) and “jeggings” (tight-fitting stretch pants or jeans).
For those of you who are just...
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The Morning After
You’ve managed to piece together last night’s events, now on to the morning after. The stranger in your bed isn’t the only remnant of last night’s mistakes adventures — and that hangover won’t get rid of itself either. Now that the room has stopped spinning, it’s time to collect yourself and deal with… yeah, you can’t remember your bed mate’s name, can you? And for future...
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Not So E-Z on the Wallet
Hate to break it to all the commuters in the northeast area, but The Port Authority has approved a $1.50 increase for E-ZPass drivers, taking effect Sept. 18. Ouch.
New to the E-ZPass game? Well, you sure picked a great time to need one!
image via Flickr: “E-ZPass” by mel_rowling
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Watch“Does My Butt Look Fat in This Swimsuit?” and Other Burning Questions: Q&A with Candace Draper, Canyon Beachwear Fit Expert
Don’t ask Candace Draper how you look in a bathing suit unless you want an honest answer. Her mission is to find the most flattering swimsuit for your body, not tell you what you want to hear. Brace yourself for some brutal truths from Candace in our...
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WatchIt goes without saying that Antonio Diaz Chacon is a true hero. He witnessed a kidnapping, acted quickly, and saved a 6-year-old girl from harm or worse.
But children aren’t the only ones who get kidnapped. Adults need to learn how to protect themselves as well.
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An Embarrassing "Situation"
Jersey Shore cast member Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino could land a major, er, un-endorsement deal: Abercrombie & Fitch is actually offering to pay him not to wear its clothes.
“We understand that the show is for entertainment purposes, but believe this association is contrary to the aspirational nature of our brand, and may be distressing to many of our fans,” sniffed...
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WatchBuggin’ Out: Q&A with Entomologist Jeff White
Jeff White’s comfort level with bugs would probably skeeve most people out. Then again, most people don’t study bugs for a living. But even Jeff, Howcast’s pest-control expert, has had his share of close encounters of the skin-crawling kind.
Howcast: What was the shoot like? Were our director and producer afraid of...
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iPonzi
You could be the proud owner of an iPad cover made from — wait for it — Bernie Madoff’s clothes!
Luxury iPad cover designer Frederick James obtained the Ponzi schemer’s dapper duds from the auction held by the U.S. Marshals Service last November. We wouldn’t want you to wait for an iPad stylus made Raj Rajaratnam’s boxers (ZING!), so here’s how to make...
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Wet Blankets
A 20-year-old Englishman was arrested for allegedly coordinating a water gun fight via Facebook and BlackBerry Messenger.
Awesome idea. Horrible timing.
For those not living in awfully tense times, have a little summer fun with a good ole fashioned water balloon fight!
Maybe next summer, London?
image via Flickr: “Water guns (01)” by Britanglishman
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Second-Aid Kit
If you need a drink and need it BAD, urbancase’s Emergency Cocktail Station is for you. And what good is having the hardware if you haven’t the properly stocked booze or recipes?
Now all you have to do is fork over the $850 — gulp!
image via designpublic.com
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Feelin' Flossy
We know what you’re thinking: Floss is boring, right? WRONG. It’s been proven several times over that flossing reduces the risk of gum disease, lengthens the life of your teeth, keeps your breath fresher, and is the most effective way to eliminate plaque. Some dentists even insist that it’s more important than brushing (please don’t stop brushing.)
Flossing is pretty much the most exciting...
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Pillow Talk
And you were worried about bed bugs.
A recent study has found that pillows — you know, those lovely lumps of cushy comfort — are actually pretty gross… like, really gross. According to the study, “up to a third of the weight of your pillow could be made up of bugs, dead skin and house dust mites and their feces.”
It’s ok — we gagged a little, too.
Keep your...
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The Guys' Guide to Dresses
The good (and oh, so stylish) people at MTV have decoded what a woman’s dress says about her, and from the look of their results, fashion definitely speaks louder than words. Mind you, we’re talking trendy dresses here — if you’re rocking a muumuu on the reg then there isn’t much else to say.
Fellas, look closely. Ladies, choose wisely.
image via clutch.mtv.com
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Catherine, Duchess of Eyeliner
Guess the honeymoon is over…
Not for Prince William and Princess Catherine, but between Kate Middleton and the press: Suddenly, all sorts of people are criticizing Kate’s makeup, which she famously does herself. We love her DIY spirit, but may we suggest a different way to apply eyeliner?
P.S. - Read what fashion designer Vivienne Westwood had to say about Kate’s makeup. Warning:...
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Subway Punching Bags? Yes, Please!
MTA, take note of this!
In an absolutely brilliant marketing strategy, Adidas has installed punching bags in Shanghai’s subway station with the slogan “Every year you have to wait on the platform for about 1,824 minutes. Don’t waste your time, come and have some punch!” printed on it.
We sincerely hope to see subway punching bags across New York and other bustling...
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Be a Beach-Body Bikini Hottie: Step 2, Choosing a...
Now that you’ve got the body, the hair, and the tan, the next step is finding the perfect swimsuit to show it all off.
Luckily, bikinis can be a flattering and fun choice for any body type, be it athletic, busty, petite, or curvaceous. With the variety of styles available, there’s no excuse for women to look or feel uncomfortable stripping down and showing off. Seriously, what haven’t...
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The App You'll Never Want to Use
The FBI has released “Child ID,” a free iPhone app that stores pictures and important information about your child in case he or she goes missing.
Parents, avoid your worst nightmare by learning how to protect your children from kidnappers. Downloading the FBI’s app is definitely a step in the right direction when every second counts.
image via fbi.gov
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Where in the World is Casey Anthony?
Rumor hath it that the world’s most hated mom, who was acquitted last month of murdering her 2-year-old daughter, is living in the lap of luxury: a 5.2 million mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. complete with an infinity pool. But there have also been reported sightings of her in Ohio.
Let’s hope you never have reason to hide your face from the world. But if you ever do need to...
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Be a Beach-Body Bikini Hottie: Step 1, Prep
When you were younger, the scariest thing in your closet was the Bogeyman — now it’s your bikini. Summer is too short to live in fear, so use these tips on prepping for the beach that’ll have you running in your bikini… not away from it.
Rocking a swimsuit is a total body experience. Get yourself bikini-ready by adopting a workout regimen that targets your entire...
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Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite: Part 2, Extermination
Despite your best efforts, you have some uninvited house guests. Bed bugs may be the most annoying visitors since your in-laws, but they just might be easier to get rid of. Whether you’re up for dealing with them on your own or want to call in a professional, the sooner you take action the better:
What to do about bed bugs
How to kill bed bugs
Less toxic pesticide options
Preventing...
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Summertime and the Entertaining's Easy
There’s nothing quite like a summer party with good drinks, good food, and good company. If you can rustle up some friends, then we’ve got the rest under control.
Start your evening off with refreshing summer cocktails: go “minty” with a mojito, tropical with a piña colada, or international with a Pimm’s cup — a favorite among Brits.
Keep the appetizers simple...
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Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite: Part 1, Inspection &...
Remember last year when all people seemed to talk about were bed bugs? Well, we hate to be a Debbie Downer but these creepy critters aren’t going anywhere anytime soon — especially during the summer. Prevention starts with the facts, so save yourself the hassle (and social suicide) of an infestation with these tips:
Basic facts about bed bugs
Knowing where bed bugs hide
Inspecting...
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Crap for Gold
In an effort to push people to clean up after their dogs, a city in Taiwan is offering gold in exchange for a pooch’s poo. We can’t make this stuff up!
Citizens of New Taipei City can hand in dog waste to government cleaning teams for tickets to a lottery. Three winners will be announced in October and will receive gold ingots worth $2081, $624, and $416 respectively.
We applaud...
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Tea Party Terrorists?
If things were tense between the Republican and Democratic parties during the debt-ceiling kerfuffle, then the situation isn’t likely to smooth over anytime soon after Vice President Joe Biden reportedly said the Tea Party lawmakers “acted like terrorists” during the heated negations.
Understandably so, many Americans are still trepidatious when it comes to the “T”...
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SHARK WEEK ('Nuff Said)
The weather outside is beautiful and people all over the world are… glued to their TV screens? It must be Shark Week!
Fans of Discovery Channel’s annual event know that eating, sleeping, and (unfortunately sometimes) showering, are all secondary in the pursuit of shark knowledge — and there is plenty of that to go around with shows like Killer Sharks, Rogue Sharks, and When Fish...
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WatchWe’ll drink to this!
Scientists have found that the flavonoids in grapes can block the chemical reaction that causes skin cells to die when they’re exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, causing everything from wrinkles and sunburn to skin cancer. And what is wine made out of? Grapes! Ergo, drinking on the beach is good for you. Here’s how to pick a nice Italian wine for...
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The Meaning of Ramadan
This year, Ramadan begins today and ends August 29, and we thought we’d give you a breakdown of what goes down!
Ramadan, celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a time for spiritual purification, reflection, and devotion. Muslims exchange joyous greetings during the holiday in order to congratulate each other for their participation. The month is marked by religious...
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Ke$ha Cleans Up!
We did a bonafide double take when we stumbled upon this stripped down pic of glitter goddess Ke$ha. The auto-tuned songstress is known for her garish makeup and garbage chic getups, but photographer Terry Richardson (the guy who snapped those ultra-sexy shots of Glee starlets Lea Michele and Dianna Agron for GQ) has captured her softer, subtler side that, until now, we had no earthly clue...
