Tag: anniversary

Categories
Standoms Music Pop Culture

It’s been a full decade and One Direction still gives me butterflies in my stomach

An early photo of One Direction on stage (via OneDirection on Instagram)
An early photo of One Direction on stage (via OneDirection on Instagram)

Somehow, someway, One Direction turned ten this week.

Yes, ten. And, at 21 years old myself, I’m not quite sure when time managed to escape me—because in my head I am still 13 writing fanfiction in my room, hanging up posters from Rolling Stone of the band on a beach, and having my heart literally melt because of the way that Harry Styles shakes his hair out of his eyes—but it is right now, in this moment, that I feel as if I’ve crashed headfirst into unwarranted adulthood. As if the rug has been pulled out from underneath me. Damn.

Ten years is a very, very long time. A lot can happen within a single decade—in fact, a lot did happen. We’ll get to more on that later, but it is important to say first that I am starkly nostalgic of those times, which now seem to be reminiscent of the most incredible joy and comfort. It seemed as if the mind, body, and spirit of every single Directioner somehow operated on the same wavelength—and heartbeat. I always loved the idea that we all, as a collective, validated one another’s thoughts or commentary and found community in adoration. Looking back, being part of a fandom like this one was surely a bit of necessary respite in a time of awkwardness, petty teenage relationships, and deceit. 

Of course, there are other things too. For starters, it is common practice to associate things like personal style, music, cinema, and clothing to be both obvious and meaningful stakeholders of culture—which certainly helps in the case of any band or musician. Think of Michael Jackson’s moonwalk or Elton John’s sunglasses. Those are things you will never forget, or that you will even cherish. The kind of things that you can point out from a mile away. The kind of things that seem to transcend time and place—that sort through all of the randomness and bring you back to that one perfect moment or feeling. For One Direction, at least to me, it’s their silhouettes and boyish laughs. But also, it’s their evolution from shaggy hair, varsity jackets, khaki pants, suspenders, and striped T-shirts to slick black suits, skinny jeans, assortments of tattoos, and wide brim fedoras all the while maintaining a charming sense of self. 

Now, I know what you’re thinking—she’s obsessed! And, while that is a true statement, I am not just saying these things as a fangirl. Trust me, I’ve fallen in ‘love’ with my fair share of boy bands (insert the Jonas Brothers, 5 Seconds of Summer, and Big Time Rush here) but nobody, and I mean nobody, compares to One Direction. So, although this might seem like a stretch for most people, One Direction defined a generation. And, they defined it in a way that moved way beyond the capabilities and limitations of music.

There is no denying the enormity of the impact and that One Direction had, whether you are a fan or not. It is clear as day. 

However, it is quite important to note that their career as a band was not always a linear feat. As most people know, they weren’t always a band. Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson each started off as solo artists, all under 25 years old, on the X-Factor UK. On July 23, 2010 Simon Cowell, the notorious judge of the talent competition, pulled the 5 boys together and gave them the chance of a lifetime. By the time they rounded out the competition, One Direction wound up in third place and backed by Cowell’s record label, Syco. Right off the bat their first singles as a band toppled charts across every single continent. Quite literally, their Na na na‘s could be heard world-wide, which is nothing short of a testament to the stardom that they soon would face. Not to mention the frenzy of fans, media, and paparazzi that quickly surrounded the boys which in hindsight seems like an all-encompassing storm. It was a non-stop cycle of album making, global touring, countless 24-hour long live-streams and video diaries commemorating their relationship with fans, along with goofy realness that made them immensely crush-worthy. 

Fast-forwarding a bit, One Direction managed to accomplish a ton while in the limelight. In 2011, the band’s debut album Up All Night shot to #1 overnight and stayed there, making them the first UK group to peak at #1 in the US with a debut album. In addition, they were the first group to debut at #1 with their first four albums in the US: Up all Night, Take Me Home, Midnight Memories, and Four. In 2012, the band performed at the Olympics closing ceremony in London. By 2013, the group produced and released two concert documentaries titled One Direction: This Is Us and One Direction: Where We Are. In 2014, Billboard announced One Direction Artist of the Year. Altogether, the band has sold more than 70 million records worldwide. In addition, they’ve taken home 16 MTV awards, 154 awards in other isolated categories, and have been nominated for 317 awards in total. Plus, they have sold over 8,287,195 tickets on their tours.


On March 25, 2015 Zayn Malik, 22 years old at the time, left the band during the One The Road Again tour citing a need for normalcy and some time out of the spotlight. Speculations have risen since then about the real reason behind his leaving the band, including episodes of discrimination based on his religion and music style. The other boys continued on and produced the Made in the A.M. album that same year. The band never toured with this album and announced that they too would be going on a hiatus in January of 2016. All 5 members have gone on to maintain remarkable solo careers while holding on tight to their roots in One Direction. The most successful being Harry Styles, an undeniable international heartthrob and sensation.

So far, there has been no serious mention of a reunion in the near future, but hey, miracles do happen! Based on their social media presence on the day of their 10 year anniversary, the boys seem as amicable, genuine, and grateful as they were a decade ago.

Within their record-breaking career before entering a hiatus, the quintet managed to reaffirm what a boy band means all the while establishing their unique and notable brand. These are heavy, even monumental, footsteps to fill.

So, no, One Direction is not just a measly boy band. At incredibly young ages, they were thrust into a world of not so subtle adoration and managed to produce worthwhile music for a loyal, dedicated, fanbase. They changed my life in the best way. Let’s give credit where credit is due and grant them the celebration that they so desperately deserve.

Happy 10 Years of One Direction! 

 

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Categories
Shopping Gift Guides Fashion Movies Lookbook

Here’s everything Jenna from ’13 Going on 30′ would wear if it was filmed in 2019

[Image description: Jennifer Garner in the film '13 Going on 30', wearing a rainbow mini-dress and a butterfly pendant standing in an elevator next to a redheaded teenage girl.] Via Youtube.
[Image description: Jennifer Garner in the film '13 Going on 30', wearing a rainbow mini-dress and a butterfly pendant standing in an elevator next to a redheaded teenage girl.] Via Youtube.

13 Going on 30 turned 15 years old, and all the anniversary tributes and nostalgic look-backs have given me an excuse to revisit the movie that made every kid living outside of America desperate to get their hands on some Razzles (they’re a candy and a gum, you guys).

For many years after the film’s release, I searched in vain for a straight male best friend in the hopes that I would initially reject his romantic advances, we would grow apart, I’d reappear with straightened hair and force him to perform a popular dance routine in public (‘The Ketchup Song’, ideally), we’d confess our true feelings and have a small wedding at my childhood home.

None of these things happened, but the small wedding thing was probably the least likely.

Looking back on the film that really should have listed Mark Ruffalo’s arm hair as a separate cast member, it’s clear that fashion has come full circle since the spring of 2004. So many of Jenna’s hallmarks – pastel shades, shoulder bags, satin, culturally insensitive hair accessories (hello, chopstick buns!) – would still be chic as ever in 2019.

If you woke up one day to an unlimited wardrobe and zero restrictions (parental or otherwise) in springtime in New York City, what would you wear? Below are a few suggestions.

1. A slip dress your mother would never have approved of.

A woman with dark blonde hair in waves poses in a peach coloured satin maxi dress with black lace detail. The dress is sleeveless and has a thigh-high side slit.
[Image description: A woman with dark blonde hair in waves poses in a peach coloured satin maxi dress with black lace detail. The dress is sleeveless and has a thigh-high side slit.] Via ASOS.
Probably the most recognisable look from the entire movie, Jenna’s sleepwear-as-daywear outfit is something your mom would have deemed ‘too grown-up’ for a Year 9 social, which is exactly why you should wear it now.

2. A spring-time classic.

A woman with short blonde hair looks back at the camera. She is wearing blue high-waisted denim shorts and a puff-sleeved crop top featuring a yellow, green and pink floral pattern.
[Image description: A woman with short blonde hair looks back at the camera. She is wearing blue high-waisted denim shorts and a puff-sleeved crop top featuring a yellow, green and pink floral pattern.] Via ASOS.
Jenna Rink looked Miranda Priestly dead in the eyes and said that florals for spring were, in fact, groundbreaking.

3. For when you and your niece want matching jewellery.

A beaded choker featuring a pattern resembling daisies on a black mannequin.
[Image description: A beaded choker featuring a pattern resembling daisies on a black mannequin.] Via Etsy.
No disrespect to those heart-halves attached to charm bracelets that have ‘best’ on one half and ‘friends’ on the other.

4. This very refreshing shoulder bag.

A mint green crocodile-effect shoulder bag with gold accents.
[Image description: A mint green crocodile-effect shoulder bag with gold accents.] Via ASOS.
I purchased this bag 2 days after putting it on this list because I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It’s like a scoop of mint ice cream that won’t ever melt.

5. An update to the ‘Thriller’/’The Ketchup Song’ dress.

A woman wears a sequinned sleeveless mini-dress. The top of the dress features rows of pink, red, blue, yellow, green and grey sequins in the shape of an arrow pointing downwards.
[Image description: A woman wears a sequinned sleeveless mini-dress. The top of the dress features rows of pink, red, blue, yellow, green and grey sequins in the shape of an arrow pointing downwards.] Via ASOS.
A little more adult than the original, but would still pair well with a giant butterfly necklace and an initially-disgruntled-but-eventually-enthusiastic Andy Serkis.

6. This versatile pastel Alice band.

A pastel pink satin headband lies on a white surface.
[Image description: A pastel pink satin headband lies on a white surface.] Via Etsy.
An accessory you’d still be able to wear if you were to time-travel back to your 13th birthday party. An investment!

7. This sunshine skirt.

A bright yellow mini skirt with a broderie anglaise hem and tie waist.
[Image description: A bright yellow mini skirt with a broderie anglaise hem and tie waist.] Via ASOS.
Broderie is my new favorite thing, and this skirt is the best possible example of why.

8. A top for sitting on a park bench and thinking about your crush.

A woman wears a brown off-shoulder corset top with a lace-up front.
[Image description: A woman wears a brown off-shoulder corset top with a lace-up front.] Via Pretty Little Thing.
Jenna wore a lot of corsets for someone not attending Renaissance Fairs, not that I am complaining.

8. Satin! Pink! Mules!

A woman wears a pair of satin pink mules.
[Image description: A woman wears a pair of satin pink mules.] Via ASOS.
I am dangerously close to having another minty shoulder bag situation with these heels, so I’m going to have to spend as little time describing them as possible. I will say that are very, very cute and you should definitely get them.

9. This wraparound wonder.

A woman wears a red satin wraparound top with balloon sleeves and a blue floral pattern.
[Image description: A woman wears a red satin wraparound top with balloon sleeves and a blue floral pattern.] Via ASOS.
On your way to your first love’s house minutes before his wedding to confess your love while having a good cry and don’t know what to wear? Here you go.

10. This red and pink cutie.

A shoulder bag with a red top and piping, gold detail and a red and pink pattern on the bottom.
[Image description: A shoulder bag with a red top and piping, gold detail and a red and pink pattern on the bottom.] Via ASOS.
Another shoulder bag, because Jenna was obsessed with them. Hold it by the strap for when you’re feeling carefree and tuck it under your arm when you have to get down to business saving your fashion magazine.

11. A climatically ambiguous cardigan.

A woman wears a short-sleeved wraparound cardigan with a tie waist.
[Image description: A woman wears a short-sleeved wraparound cardigan with a tie waist.] Via ASOS.
Your transitional dressing-related anxieties can’t come to the phone right now. Why? ‘Cos they’re dead.

13. Heartbreak pyjamas.

A woman wears a matching set of pink silk pyjamas featuring a unicorn pattern.
[Image description: A woman wears a matching set of pink silk pyjamas featuring a unicorn pattern.] Via Pretty Little Thing.
For when you have your little cousin over for a sleepover and she saw her crush hug someone else that day so you both lip sync to ‘Gotta Go My Own Way’ from High School Musical 2.

14. This satin halter crop top.

A woman with long braided hair tied in a ponytail wears black high-waisted jeans and an ivory silk halter top.
[Image description: A woman with long braided hair tied in a ponytail wears black high-waisted jeans and an ivory silk halter top.] Via ASOS.
Similar to the one in that scene where Matt asks Jenna to dance and holds her in a manner that made me need to pause the movie and take a walk around my house.

15. Flowers you should buy yourself.

Three pairs of stud earrings resembling sunflowers in different sizes against a textured brown fabric.
[Image description: Three pairs of stud earrings resembling sunflowers in different sizes against a textured brown fabric.] Via Etsy.
To wear while spring unexpectedly runs head-on into summer and summer slowly simmers down into autumn, to remind you that spring – and everything new and fresh associated with it – can be year-round.

Categories
Love + Sex Love Life Stories

Sometimes, divorce is actually better than marriage

[Image description: Woman with red cardigan with her hand posed near her ear, looking to her left.]
[Image description: Woman with red cardigan with her hand posed near her ear, looking to her left.] via Bruce Mars from Pexels

People get married for many different reasons.

It could be two people in love and choosing to commit to one another, it could be an arranged marriage, to gain citizenship, religious reasons, because everyone is doing it, or because society tells us we should. But no matter the reason, we praise and give so much attention to these beginnings or these reset buttons you could say. More often than not, when divorce comes into play, it is seen as a grave dark tragedy.

When in reality, people get divorced for numerous reasons as well. Maybe they fell out of love, they changed and so did their marriage, someone cheated, and trust couldn’t be regained. Maybe they were in an abusive marriage and finally got out, or their sexual needs were very different. Maybe therapy still wasn’t working after three years, or they found out they had very different parenting values.

Maybe they were never in love, to begin with.

I recently read an Instagram post that sparked my own personal dialogue around this weight and power we allow divorce to hold. Ericka Hart is a sex educator, speaker, writer, breast cancer survivor and model. 

In this post, Ericka talks about the day she got married then later touches on the aftermath of it, the divorce. She highlights this concept of honoring the endings of our relationships. Even with all the pain and hardship, we can still show up and honor those memories.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn9DuJCAvhq/

Don’t get me wrong; I am in no way focused on delegitimizing the struggle or hardship people have gone through or are going through right now with their divorce, everyone’s pain is valid.

I merely want to challenge how we define a successful and failed marriage. What would it look like if we decided to honor our endings the same way we do with our beginnings?

For the most part, I was fortunate with how both my parents dealt with their separation. I know I was the child in this situation, so I saw a different side of things.

But I did see that they were civil with each other. They communicated well with one another and didn’t have problems sharing time with my sister and me. Through high school I always leaned towards the anti-marriage side of things, questioning the point of it. I would dwell over the idea that marriage is only important and valuable if it lasts.

When I started experiencing my relationships, I noticed how this view was steering me away from commitment.

I had this all or nothing mindset. But as I grew older and more observant, I started looking at the efforts to define success. I learned how my parents worked hard on their relationship. They also worked hard to make a joint decision to part ways, and they worked hard to continue raising their two daughters. This was when I started realizing that my parents’ marriage was actually a successful one, even though it had come to an end.

Our culture doesn’t often go past the event of divorce, we see divorce, and we automatically see failure. But why is it considered a failure?

Instead, why isn’t it something you tried really hard at, put in the most you could have at the time and decided to let go when it wasn’t working anymore? If we measured the success of a marriage based on how we go about the entire process and how we move forward, then maybe we would create more space to honor it later on.

These days, I go into my relationships differently. I know that I’m going to work hard and do my best with the expectation of getting that same effort in return. I go into relationships knowing that love is strong, but it may not always be enough. I believe that if my best effort does not make it last, then I still have the power to honor and celebrate it for what it was.

Ericka Hart posed the question at the end of her post: “What memory do you want to honor?”

My answer is simple: I want to honor them all.

Categories
Beauty Lookbook

5 natural hair lessons I definitely learned the hard way

Pinterest

I’ve had my naturally curly hair now for nearly a year. Yay me!

My hair has improved so much from this year of keeping it natural. In the first months after cutting my hair, it was healthy and growing fast, but somewhere along the way my growth began to slow. Looking at pictures of other naturals’ one year photos, I don’t think my hair is where it should be, and I think it’s because I made some mistakes in my first year of being natural.

[bctt tweet=”I’ve had natural hair for almost year! Yay me! ” username=”wearethetempest”]

Here are some things I did wrong that stifled my hair growth.

1. I washed too often with shampoo

antlantablackstar.com

Quite a while into my natural hair journey, I was still washing my hair every week. Which is perfectly fine for your hair, especially when you’re putting styling products in it throughout the week. But, what I was doing wrong was washing every week with shampoo. Shampoo dries out natural hair.

Naturals should try to only do a complete wash with shampoo once a month. Instead, it’s best to co-wash, which means to wash with conditioner.

2. I didn’t cover my hair every night

pinterest.com

Moisture retention is the most important part of maintaining natural hair. Keep. Your Hair. Moisturized. Because natural hair can get dry quickly, and brittle curls break. That is why wrapping your hair with a silk or satin scarf or covering it with a bonnet is very important. The cotton fabric of pillows dries out hair and can cause it to break. You don’t want to see little pieces of broken off hair on your pillows.

[bctt tweet=”Keep. Your Hair. Moisturized. Because natural hair can get dry quickly, and curls break. ” username=”wearethetempest”]

If you can’t get your scarf or bonnet to stay on, silk or satin pillowcases are also an option.

3. I didn’t adjust moisture intake to accommodate color treated hair

pinterest.com

Once my hair got to a length where I could no longer “wash-n-go”, I decided to have my hair colored. A lot of natural women dye their hair during the awkward stage to add some kind of style to their look. I didn’t use a pre-bleaching method. Instead, I used Loreal Hi-Color Intense Red, which I thought would be a lot better for my hair than bleaching. But obviously, there has to be some lifting agents in the product to turn dark hair a vibrant red.

[bctt tweet=” My mistake wasn’t changing my hair regime to meet my new hair needs.” username=”wearethetempest”]

Even with the little bleach that I did put in my hair, my hair still did dry out. My mistake wasn’t changing my hair regime to meet my new hair needs. Doing deep-conditioning treatments and using leave-in conditioner daily would’ve helped my hair retain extra moisture.

4. I didn’t trim correctly

giphy.com

In order for your hair to grow nicely, trimming is necessary every 3-4 months. My mistake was trimming my own hair. At six months. I used the two strand twist method while my hair was wet. You’re supposed to cut along the bend of the curl. I didn’t really grasp that concept all too well on my first try. My hair came out very uneven.

[bctt tweet=”My mistake was trimming my own hair. Myself.” username=”wearethetempest”]

While the two strand twist method is fine if you plan on wearing your hair curly all the time, but if you plan to straighten your hair at some point, the blow out method is best. If you want your hair to be even, trim your hair after blowing and stretching your hair out completely.

5. I straightened my hair

sherryslife.com

There was a point where I was tired of curly and I wanted to see how much my hair had really grown, so I got it straightened. It came out great. My mistake was getting it straightened in the summer time, which was stupid, because humidity and sweating always made my hair frizz. To try to make it last longer, I would re-straighten it way too often. I ended up getting only two weeks out of my style.

I noticed that it took a while to get my curls back after my hair had been straightened. The curl pattern was loosened for a while after that. Ladies, if you’re going to straighten your hair, do it in the winter months so that you can get more wear out of your hairstyle.

[bctt tweet=”I learned a lot in this first year of natural godesshood.” username=”wearethetempest”]

I learned a lot in this first year of natural goddesshood, mostly by trial and error. To my natural queens out there, keep learning about your hair and how to take care of it. It really is a journey. I’m so excited for year two!

bossip.com