This week we found out that a surprisingly high number of people don't know when Cinco de Mayo takes place (hint, it's not May 15), Joffrey wants to make a Belieber out of you, Kim Kardashian's Met Gala look was inspired by Mrs. Doubtfire, and moms make the best movie reviewers. If you need an end-of-the-week chuckle, we've rounded up the most giggle-worthy photos, GIFs, memes, and videos of the past seven days. So click through the 10 things that made us LOL this week and get your laugh on!
This question is from a Group Therapy post in our community. Add your advice in the comments!
Alright, I'll just start this by saying my boyfriend and I have been together for two and a half years. He is the most loving, caring, perfect guy ever. He is exactly like me personality and goal wise. But there's only one (big) problem. Ever since the beginning, he has never trusted me and it's gotten really bad. I can't talk to guys at all, which I don't mind at all, honestly. I don't have friends anyways so it doesn't matter. But if I do talk to them, he's threatened to either kill them or himself. I know that isn't actually true, but it still upsets me. He's very insecure and always has been.
And what makes him like this is that I started talking to him at the end (but still during) a long, horrible relationship. He thinks I will do that again, although I know I won't. It was different then. I was searching for a way out and I found it. And it came in the form of him, and it was perfect. Not once did I ever cheat, except for emotionally I supposed since I longed for him. But nothing more than that until the other relationship ended. I don't want people telling me to end my relationship because I won't. It's only this one problem and I know there must be some way through it. What I need is your help on how to get him to trust me and believe me when I say that will never happen again. Thank you.
Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously in Group Therapy for advice.
When I was a teenager we didn't have iPhones, we didn't text, and our prom photos are actual, physical photographs (they are pre-Facebook, luckily). But it's a whole new world out there for high schoolers these days. I was curious about how modern teens do prom, so I started browsing Instagram — something we also didn't have in high school — to get a glimpse into the proms of today. While the fashions may be a far cry from what we wore a decade or longer ago, the ways teens ask their potential dates haven't changed much, besides, of course, the ones utilizing modern technology (yes, there are some texts in there). So this prom season, see the creative and not-so-creative ways the teens of today are asking their dates to their high school dances!
There's a new Kickstarter project hoping to kick-start your love life: Kari Holt's Gutzy brand offers "meet me" t-shirts and tanks (hoping to branch out into workout wear) for men and women that signal to others that you're single and open to meeting potential partners. The items even feature numbers that you can look up online to send a message to someone you spotted on the street wearing the Gutzy attire. (Making Missed Connections obsolete?) The company pitch says that engaged and married people have rings to show the world that they're taken, so why shouldn't single people have a symbol that shows they're "available and approachable"?
The idea is a clever one, although the shirts are a bit lacking in the style department in my opinion — and not exactly subtle (why not just wear a pin that says "single"?). But fashion aside, do you find the concept of relationship-status clothing intriguing? Or would you rather meet guys the old-fashioned way?
When you think of Teacher Appreciation Day, which is today, these aren't the types of relationships that come to mind. At what point does it become acceptable for a student to date a teacher? It's obviously a no-no if the student is underage, but some colleges have banned student-teacher sex completely, even between consenting adults. For years, the topic has fascinated filmmakers far beyond the made-for-TV movie about Mary Kay Letourneau. Here are student-teacher liaisons that cross the line from cute to questionable.
We were shocked yesterday with the harrowing story of Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight, three Cleveland women who escaped their captives after having been missing for more than a decade. A neighbor, Charles Ramsey, heard a girl screaming and helped Amanda and a 6-year-old girl (believed to be her daughter) out before calling the police and saving the other two women. The suspects are Ariel Castro, 52, a former bus driver, and his two brothers, Pedro, 54, and Oneil, 50. And latest reports state that the women were impregnated, chained up in the basement, and beaten, which resulted in multiple miscarriages. While many of us couldn't imagine the horror these women went through being kidnapped (at 16, 14, and 21, respectively) and held captive for 10 years, there are some who can relate to this terrible experience. Two other survivors who have made it to the other side — Jaycee Dugard and Elizabeth Smart — are sending their support to these brave victims.
Jaycee Dugard, who was abducted at 11 and held captive for 18 years, gave the women encouraging words: "These individuals need the opportunity to heal and connect back into the world. This isn't who they are. It is only what happened to them. The human spirit is incredibly resilient. More then ever this reaffirms we should never give up hope."
Elizabeth Smart, who was kidnapped at 14 and sexually abused for nine months, said, "First of all, I'd make sure these young women know that nothing that happened to them is their fault. They still have the same worth. They're still valuable. They haven't lost any of their worth to what's happened." She added, "There is still so much more to life than what happened to them the last 10 years. They have so many years to go forward and be happy. I'd encourage them to not feel restricted."
There's still a lot of unknowns regarding the girls' horrific story that we all want to know more about, but both Jaycee and Elizabeth made it clear that these women need time away from the spotlight to heal and rebuild their lives.
Over the years, US Presidents have been celebrating Cinco de Mayo at the White House with music, dancing, food, and other cultural festivities that recognize the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla in which the Mexican army beat the odds and defeated the French. Yesterday would have been Obama's "cinco" celebration, but the president nixed the partying this year, instead releasing an official statement honoring Cinco de Mayo following his trip to Mexico and Costa Rica last week. It read in part:
On Cinco de Mayo we celebrate the contributions and heritage of Mexican Americans and we recognize the strong cultural, familial, and economic ties that bind the United States and Mexico. . . . Cinco de Mayo reminds us that America's diversity is America's strength. Today, as we celebrate the contributions and history of Mexican Americans and Hispanics in America, let us celebrate the larger story of America and our unique immigrant heritage.
This change of plans could possibly be due to the sequester that has resulted in other White House events getting cut such as the Jewish American Heritage Month celebration. It's too bad culturally significant soirees at the White House are being canceled, as there have been some funny and sweet moments at these celebrations over the years. So in honor of yesterday's holiday, let's take a look back at how our recent presidents and first wives have celebrated Cinco de Mayo.
Today is Cinco de Mayo, so get out your maracas and margaritas to celebrate! The Mexican holiday recognizes when the Mexican Army defeated the French in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 — a major win considering Mexico was the underdog, outnumbered 6,040 to 4,500 against France (who hadn't lost in 50 years). If you're looking for a way to celebrate Mexican culture this weekend, it doesn't matter what your relationship status is on the holiday. Have a fiesta-filled evening with our tips for celebrating Cinco de Mayo with friends, lovers, and family.
Single and Looking
Go stag, or grab your best wing-lady and get yourself to the most popular local taco spot. Sit at the bar for maximum mingling while you enjoy margaritas, chips, and salsa. Bonus points if there's a mariachi band and traditional folk dancing!
In a Relationship
Have a romantic night in and cook up some delicious Mexican dishes, complete with homemade margaritas. You won't have to fight the crowds, and you could even entertain yourselves with other people's relationship drama by watching some telenovelas!
Hanging With the Girls
If you're looking to spend some quality time with your gal pals, you don't want to be shouting at each other in a packed Mexican restaurant. Instead, get the gang together and check out a local Cinco de Mayo parade. Don't forget your flags!
Married and Need a Date Night
Desperately need to get out of the house and just do something? Don your most dramatic, sparkly dress, and hit the Latin dance floor with your hubby! Research restaurants and bars that have free salsa or tango lessons ahead of time, and unleash your inner dancing queen.
Getting Over a Breakup
Have a party at your house, so you're surrounding by supportive friends and — if the alcohol induces an emotional breakdown — you don't have to take a late-night cab alone. For added fun, tape a pic of your ex on a piñata, and do some therapeutic bashing. And you never know if your friends will bring along some single cuties to help cure you from your breakup blues.
The week began with nerd prom, aka the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Then international royals got their Dutch inaugural party on, and in the midst of it all, we ushered in the month of May. See the coolest, cutest, and craziest moments of the past seven days in our week in pictures
We love using Instagram to share what books we've been reading in our downtime, and we want you to share the titles you can't get enough of as well! We've rounded up all the page-turners you shared with us on Instagram — and if you'd like to get in on the book-club fun, then caption your pictures with the hashtag #POPBOOKS. From poolside mags to Kindle books in the airport to novels at the park, we love seeing not only what you're reading, but also how you're reading it. Check out what our readers have been flipping through now, and be sure to share your own #POPBOOKS with POPSUGAR Sex & Culture on Instagram!
Happy birthday, Christina Hendricks! The voluptuous actress turns 38 years old today, and while we know she's full of great zingers as Joan on Mad Men, her real-life quotes are just as smart and sexy. Birthday girl Christina isn't shy about addressing the public's obsession with her curvaceous shape. And we love the confidence and sex appeal she exudes in interviews, whether she's opening up about her marriage, getting honest about her body image, or sharing advice on relationships. Check out some of our favorite quotes from the Mad Men vixen now!
Will and Kate channel Harry and Hermione, cats get their zen on, Zach Galifianakis shows off his nail art, and we find out what twerking is in this week's roundup of funny videos, GIFs, memes, and stories. Here are the silly, awkward, and adorable moments you need to check out — they'll give you that end-of-the-week boost you need, no caffeine required. Get ready to LOL!
The American prom has come a long way since its inception in the late 1890s. Prom, short for promenade, was first used to describe a simple college ball before gaining momentum and popularity as a high school dance. By the 1950s it had become more of the elaborate event it is today, with its prom courts, fancy cars, and expensive dresses — the glorified pinnacle of adolescence. I love looking at prom pics in old high school yearbooks, which range from awkward to awww. So take a look back with me at proms through the decades!
As a self-proclaimed Wes Anderson junkie, I'm happy to report that the director celebrates his 44th birthday today. His latest film was last year's Moonrise Kingdom, a camp-themed coming-of-age film with all the recognizable Wes-isms fans of the director love, and the young star-crossed lovers at the center of the sweet story really just melt your heart. Set in the '60s on a New England island, the film follows Suzy and Sam, troubled preteens who write love letters to each other before deciding to run away together.
Wes's films always incorporate a romantic coupling, exes, or a love triangle, and the characters involved are usually full of witty advice and observations on relationships. So until we see who's paired up in his 2014 film, The Grand Budapest Hotel, let's look back at the couples and ex-couples from Wes movies along with their lines on love's redeeming, disappointing, and confusing qualities.
NHL fans have their eyes on the puck: the Stanley Cup playoffs have hit the ice! But whether or not you follow the sport, you can still appreciate the hot hockey players duking it out for the coveted cup. Sexy Swedes, cute Canadians, and even some adorable Americans make up the players from the 16 teams in the playoffs. I've rounded up the steamiest snaps of these stick-wielding athletes on and off the ice — with and without shirts — to get in the spirit of the Stanley Cup season. Now take a skate on the sexy side!
Amsterdam is seeing Orange today, as the Netherlands celebrated the inauguration of Willem-Alexander of the House of Orange-Nassau — the country's first king in 123 years — after his mother, Queen Beatrix, officially ended her 33-year reign by signing the act of abdication. At 75 years old, Beatrix, with her new title "princess," became the third successive Dutch queen to abdicate. While abdicating the throne in the Netherlands is more like retiring, it's considered a disgrace in Britain. An example of this is when King Edward VIII abdicated in the midst of his scandalous relationship with Wallis Simpson (portrayed in The King's Speech).
Supporters donned orange and gathered around the royal palace in Dam Square to cheer on the new king, along with his Argentine-born wife, Maxima, and their three small daughters: 7-year-old Alexia, 6-year-old Ariane, and 9-year-old Catharina-Amalia, the eldest and now heiress apparent to the Dutch throne. Another female royal heir was in attendance at the inauguration, Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and her husband, Prince Daniel. Other royal couples included Princess Letizia of Spain and Prince Felipe of Spain; Prince Charles and Camilla; and Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan. See all the royal-studded celebratory events now!
Tonight we'll watch a new episode of Mad Men, and we're sure to learn even more about life in the '60s as we continue to relive the decade through the show. There have been many ups and downs for the women of Mad Men, which mirrors what the real-life ladies of the '60s went through, dealing with sexism and the growing pains of the women's lib movement. If you're curious about the references and themes of Mad Men, then check out the real-life historical moments behind the show that has brought this swingin' slice of our country's yesteryear to the limelight.
Stagecoach — aka Coachella for country music fans — is this weekend, and the music fest has a long history of mighty fine country star performers. Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton both performed last year, and this weekend performers include Dierks Bentley and Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley. There's just something about a cowboy singer who can play a mean guitar and belt out a twangy love song that makes you want to hit the hay with him. But whether they're dressed up for an event or in their jeans and plaid on the stage, these honky-tonk musicians are homegrown hotties!
