Teresa Giudice Speaks Out From Prison For The First Time

Photo: MediaPunch Inc/REX USA

Embattled Real Housewives of New Jersey's Teresa Giudice broke her silence today after five months in Danbury Federal Prison, where she is serving 15 months after pleading guilty to tax fraud. She sent a message via Twitter — apparently one can tweet from prison — to her fans.

In one of her last interviews before beginning her sentence, she told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live about her reaction to a year plus sentence in prison, saying "At one point, I couldn't even move my fingers. They were stuck. I couldn't open my hands ... my nerves were shot, I've had sleepless nights."

Thank you everyone for all of the cards, letters, and kind words of support I love, love, love you all xo T!

— Teresa Giudice (@Teresa_Giudice) May 31, 2015

The reality star's husband, Joe Giudice, who also also accepted a plea deal, will begin his time behind bars — 3.5 years — when his wife is free. The judge staggered their sentences in the interest of the their four young daughters.

Danbury Federal Prison is the inspiration for one of our favorite Netflix shows, Orange Is The New Black.

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Vice President Joe Biden's Son Has Died

Photo: Rex USA

Joseph R. Biden III, commonly known as Beau, the eldest son of Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., died of brain cancer today, The New York Times reports.

Beau was 46. He is by his wife, Hallie, and two children.

The former attorney general of Deleware and the Vice President's oldest son. In a statement Saturday night, Biden said: “It is with broken hearts that Hallie, Hunter, Ashley, Jill and I announce the passing of our husband, brother and son, Beau, after he battled brain cancer with the same integrity, courage and strength he demonstrated every day of his life."

Beau Biden had been struggling with severe health issues for several years, and suffered a stroke in 2010. In 2013 doctors removed a small lesion from his brain, The New York Times reports.The death of his oldest son is not the first time the vice president has suffered a tragic loss. His first wife and infant daughter were killed in a car accident in 1972 that Beau and his brother survived.
“IN THE WORDS OF THE BIDEN FAMILY: BEAU BIDEN WAS, QUITE SIMPLY, THE FINEST MAN ANY OF US HAVE EVER KNOWN.”
Our thoughts are with the Biden family during this tragic time.

Facebook Answered Our Prayers, Now Supports GIFs

Are you sitting down? You should probably be sitting down. Facebook confirmed Friday that it will now support GIFs in the News Feed, reports TechCrunch.

Photo: Giphy.com

Dreams really do come true! Don't worry if you don't see the update immediately, as Facebook is still rolling it out. This news comes as quite the suprise as Facebook previously avoided supporting GIFs
because it they felt it would clutter up the News Feed.

Photo: Giphy.com

Facebook already built-in GIF support a while back, but instead chose to focus on auto-playing video. Even after Twitter accommodated GIFs last summer, Facebook still stuck to the idea that GIFs weren't a great idea on the News Feed.

Photo: Giphy.com

To post, all you need to do is use a link hosted on sites like Giphy or Tumblr, and it will animate after you hit publish. Unfortunately, you can't upload a GIF directly just yet, but it *will* auto-play in your timeline just like video.

Photo: Giphy.com

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Landon, Help! How Do I Wear Dad Shorts Without Looking Like A Dad, Too?

Photo: Courtesy of Opening Ceremony.

Lisa writes: "Help! I've worn my culottes to their very last seams and I'm reluctant to keep the trend going. I like their high waists and knee-length hems, but summer's approaching and I'm keen to try something new. How do I wear the Dad short while still embracing my feminine curves?"

Shorts are a weird garment. People oftentimes talk about them in terms of what they can't wear. Some people are staunchly anti-short-shorts. Others won't touch anything baggier than skintight. Other people will only wear shorts they haven't seen on their moms. And others, still, won't be caught dead in them, period. So, we're approaching this one carefully: we're assuming that more often than not, people consider Dad shorts in the "Never Will I Ever" category...but, here's why you're wrong.

Dad shorts are familiar to you, most likely because your dad insisted on wearing them as soon as it was summer (even when he mowed the lawn, paired with trouser socks, sneakers, and a baseball hat). But, just like you've adopted things you thought formerly frumpy from your mom's closet, you reconsider this trouser-style cut, too.

With a higher rise and a more carefully shaped leg line, these shorts are also made with softer textiles, so they're comfy, too. Find a dad short that hits right above the knee, is board-straight along the sides, has light pleats at the top that finish halfway down your thigh, and come with a deep pair of pockets. Adhering to these tips will undoubtedly separate your own pair from those Dockers your dad used to wear that you'd never sport (or dare forget).

As for adding your own feminine touches, that's up to you and to whatever degree you'd like. For example, a knit or floral-printed boy short cut in the aforementioned design will ease your shopping woes and surpass all of your expectations. But, if you find yourself at a culotte crossroad and you don't know where to start, try these guys from Opening Ceremony. They tick all my boxes and they should satisfy yours, too, especially at an enticing 40% off. They're a short so boyish your actual boyfriend might have to borrow them.

I hope this helps. See you next Saturday.

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The Super-Sneaky Ways The Sun Is Getting To You

The days spent at the beach without continuously lathering up (or spraying) your bod in sunscreen are over — at least, they better be! The importance of wearing SPF to protect ourselves from harmful rays and keep wrinkles and premature aging at bay has been drilled into our brains ('cause it's true!).

But, as it happens so often with healthy habits, once you adopt one, you find out ways you can be doing it even better. You may see what we're getting at here: You need to wear sunscreen a whole lot more often than you probably do — every day, in fact.

Those rays have devious ways of getting to your skin when you'd never expect it, even covered up! (Yes, even indoors.) Read on to discover all the sneaky ways the sun may be getting to your skin.

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At Work
You're indoors all day at the computer (probably wishing you were feeling the sun outside), so you're certainly not leaving the office with a tan. But, what you can't see can hurt you — especially if you're next to a window.

You see, the sun gives off two types of rays: UVA and UVB. Rebecca Baxt, MD, a New York City dermatologist, explains that UVB rays are the ones responsible for giving the skin a tan or sunburn. They are strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., less severe in the winter, and do not penetrate through glass. UVA rays are a whole different story. "They are responsible for changing the DNA in the skin, causing premature skin aging and skin cancer," explains Dr. Baxt. "UVA rays are approximately the same strength from summer to winter and can penetrate through windows. Simply put, these are the true damaging rays."

On A Cloudy Day
Don’t be fooled by cloud cover — you can get just as roasted on a foggy day as one with obvious sun. Probably, even more so, since you are less likely to put on SPF. “If you are working, playing, or swimming outside on a cloudy day, do not forget that sunscreen,” warns Dr. Baxt. “The clouds can give you a sense of security, but you can still be burned on a day with no visible sun.” Plus, those UVA rays we were just talking about can not only go through glass, but cloud coverage, too.

On A Plane
Unless they're treated with special solar filters, those damaging UVA rays can also sneak through airplane windows, says David Colbert, MD. They may be small, but at 20,000 feet you are a lot closer to the sun, thus getting a much higher dose. So, if you opt for the window seat for your next flight, apply a layer of sunscreen before you take off just to be safe.

In Your Car
Even more so than on a plane, it's important to be cautious in the car. Many of us drive with our arms rested out the window, and even if not, those rays are still getting in there. “There are many cases each year of people who get melanoma on their left forearm because they rested it in the sun,” says Dr. Baxt. “This is an even bigger concern for those who drive frequently.” So, next time you're stuck in traffic, take that downtime to lather on a little SPF.

Through Your Clothes
Even if you’re the one who always throws a beach cover-up over your bathing suit, the sun may still be getting to your skin if you’re not properly protected. The SPF of clothing varies from about a 4 with looser knit fabric to about a 12. We’re not suggesting you wear denim to the beach, but you can create more protection if you choose vivid colors. Who doesn’t love a bright caftan poolside, anyway?

In The Water
If you’re in the direct sun, Dr. Baxt recommends reapplying your sunscreen every two hours. But, if you're jumping in the ocean waves or dipping in and out of a pool, you need to reapply every hour — even if you're using waterproof sunscreen. If you're on water — you know, boats, jet skis, paddle boards — be aware that you’re getting reflected light from its surface. For you surfers, always wear a rash guard. They protect you from irritation and from the sun.

Through Your Sunscreen
“You may think that you are protecting your skin by slathering on that sunscreen, but you need to take a few precautions to make sure you get the protection you need,” says Dr. Baxt. “Only a sunscreen labeled ‘broad-spectrum’ protects you from both UVA and UVB rays.” The SPF factor makes a difference, too. You might opt for 15 thinking you still want to get a tan, but with that you will absorb more UVB rays. “A sunscreen with an SPF of 50 protects you from 98% of the UVB rays, while one with an SPF of 15 only blocks 93% of those same rays,” explains Dr. Baxt.

On Your Scalp
You’ve got the right SPF, you’re applying it often enough, but are you getting it on all the right places? Melanoma is often found on the scalp, so be sure to put a little sunscreen onto the line of your part. Plus, a sunburn on your head is no fun.

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You Can Now Start Your Day With Marijuana-Infused Coffee

Photo: Sony Pictures

Start your day with a different kind of wake and bake thanks to House of Jane's new weed-infused coffee. Each single-serve coffee pod contains not only coffee (duh), but also high-grade cannabis oil.

The effects of ingesting weed are vastly different from smoking it (which you maybe know from nibbling a pot brownie in college). The goal, however, is still the same: to mellow out. House of Jane touts its Jane's Brew as an aid to pain and stress relief, but we see it for what it really is—a new twist on the edibles craze that's soared in states like Washington and Colorado.

Slate.com predicts that more than half of cannabis revenue this year will come from edibles. House of Jane already has different dosage levels, as well as infused creamers for those who only want to add a smidge of THC to their morning meal.

It's only a matter of time before weed starts sneaking in to pretty much everything. More than half of Americans already think recreational marijuana will be legal all across the U.S. in less than two decades, according to a Bloomberg poll.

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The Best YouTube Tutorials For Monolid Makeup

Growing up with monolids was a confusing experience for me. Most of the models and celebrities we see in the media have what many call double eyelids, or eyelids that have visible creases. Makeup looks and tutorials for double-eyelid gals don't always work for those with single lids. I've had so many friends over the years who felt like they couldn't wear eye makeup because they didn't know the right application techniques for their monolids — it's easy to think that double eyelids are the coveted beauty standard.

For those of you who aren't familiar, monolids, mono eyelids, or more technically, epicanthic folds, are all terms used to describe eyelids that cover the inner corners of the eyes, creating a “crease-less” effect. They're usually associated with people of Asian descent, but the trait can be seen in many Europeans and Africans as well.

Monolids are absolutely gorgeous, and with the extra lid space they present the opportunity to experiment with a host of different looks. And, guess what? There are many monolid makeup tutorials out there, and we've gathered up a few of our favorites to show you.

Check 'em out ahead. But, keep in mind that everyone is different. What works for your friend may not work for you. That's why, like with all things beauty, it's all about enhancing what you've got and figuring out a foolproof method that works for you.

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Claire Marshall: Silver Smoky Eye For Monolids
Check out this tutorial if you're looking to create the perfect smoky eye. YouTuber Claire Marshall teaches us how to create the illusion of a crease and bring more depth to the eye using matte and shimmer eyeshadows.

Lisa Eldridge: Graphic Liner For All Eye Shapes
If there's anyone who can teach the masses how to recreate editorial makeup, it's Lisa Eldridge. In this video, the makeup queen uses a monolid model to demonstrate a graphic-liner look that's adaptable for all eye shapes.

From Head To Toe: Everyday Monolid Makeup Tutorial
Jen from the YouTube channel From Head To Toe has spent many years searching for monolid-friendly makeup products. In this video, she creates a wearable daytime look while sharing some of her favorite application tips and product recommendations.

Pixiwoo: Smoky Makeup For Asian Or Hooded Eyes
Nic from Pixiwoo shows us that with the proper technique, you can use makeup to open up and define the eyes.

Fashionista804: Monolids 411
This video is less of a tutorial and more of a discussion on monolids, but listening to Sophia from Fashionista804 talk about her experience really hits home. She gives an in-depth talk on how to embrace your eyes and enhance your features. In her words, "Every single person on this Earth is different. Your eyes are beautiful the way they are.” Amen.

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The Nine Most Inspirational Quotes From 2015 Commencement Speeches

Graduation is an exciting time. Graduation speeches, on the other hand — often the last hour between you and officially, finally, being 100% done with school — can be a little boring, even if they do tell you that you’re a special snowflake by quoting Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

And that’s a shame, since the real world is tricky, and a commencement speech is the perfect time to arm a new generation with legitimately helpful advice. (Or, you know, distract them from the impending suckiness of True Adulthood.)

We checked out the crop of speeches this year, from writers, politicians, and the lady who plays Flo on those Progressive Insurance commercials, and pulled out the ones that had something wise to say. Here are the nine most kick-ass pieces of advice we learned at graduations this year.

Maya Rudolph, Actor
Tulane University

“Hold on to your old friends. Kiss your mama. Admit what your dreams are. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t know what you’re gonna do tomorrow. But, work hard and don’t be lazy — and put away your damn phone once in a while. And, be nice to jerks, because we still don’t know the criteria for getting into heaven yet.”

Samantha Power, U.S. Ambassador To The U.N.
University of Pennsylvania

“If you want to change the world, start by ‘acting as if.’ Prior generations have put this a different way: ‘Fake it 'til you make it.’ But, see what happens if you act as if you — your little self — can narrow the massive achievement gap between our nation's rich and poor public schools. Maybe, if you set out to do that, if you act as if, you will find yourself helping tutor a girl in reading or math at the school down the block. See what happens if you act as if you can fight the epidemic of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo; maybe you will find yourself volunteering at an abuse hotline across town and offering comfort to someone who has no one else to talk to.”

Bill Nye, Science Guy
Rutgers University

"If you’re going to get a bucket of water dumped over your head for any reason, untuck your shirt. You might not think it would make much difference. A cotton shirt like this one is hydrophilic. Water is going to stick to it. True enough, but a shirttail, even a water-loving one, directs a great deal of the torrent around your waistband. So, you get a lot less cold water in your trousers and skirt.

"I’m telling you this not just because it’s so obviously useful, but because there is a big idea: Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t. This is troubling for many of us know-it-alls. Auto mechanics today write code and debug software. Cooks understand the use of copper to control egg proteins. Bricklayers have intimate knowledge of the strength of materials. Respect their knowledge. Learn from them. It will bring out the best in both of you."

Natalie Portman, Actor
Harvard University

“We bump up against a common trope, I think, of the commencement address. People who have achieved a lot telling you that the fruits of achievement are not always to be trusted. But I think that contradiction can be reconciled, and is in fact instructive.

“Achievement is wonderful when you know why you’re doing it. And when you don’t know, it can be a terrible trap... I realized that seriousness for seriousness’ sake was its own kind of trophy, and a dubious one, a pose I sought to counter some half-imagined argument for who I was. There was a reason I was an actor. I love what I do. And, I saw from my peers and my mentors that that was not only an acceptable reason, it was the best reason.”

Meredith Vieira, Journalist
Boston University

“Be the left shark. Remember last Super Bowl, when the Patriots won? You may be thinking of Tom Brady’s deflated balls right now, but I’m thinking of Katy Perry’s half-time performance. She was on stage dancing with two sharks. The shark on the right knew every dance move and performed perfectly. But it was the left shark, the one who went rogue and danced to his own crazy beat, who stole the show. So don’t ever be a conformist for convenience sake. Or, as Mark Twain put it, ‘Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.’ Be the left shark.”

Joyce Carol Oates, Writer
Niagara County Community College

"An attitude that goes beyond ambition into the realm of the spiritual, the uncharitable — what in boxing, as perhaps in other sports, is called 'heart' — the indefinable core of an individual that declares, I will not give up; I will persevere.' Without heart, an athlete might have a professional career but he/she cannot be a great champion. The writing students of mine who have gone on to be truly successful, in several cases quite impressive careers, were individuals who worked, worked, worked, and did not allow rejections to dissuade them of their inner worth."

Robert De Niro, Actor
New York University

“When it comes to the arts, passion should always trump common sense… Yeah, you’re fucked. The good news is, that’s not a bad place to start.”

Michelle Kwan, Figure Skater
Salve Regina University

“The first lesson they teach you in figure skating is how to fall… I fell when I started skating at 5, still fell when I was five-time world champion. But, the true test is how we recover. I think we can all be that kind of person, taking our fair share of tumbles and falls, but rising with grace and finishing what we began.”

Stephanie Courtney, Progressive’s "Flo"
Binghamton University

“We’re in a culture and a country that’s obsessed with winners and, moreover, sees winning as a skill. If you succeed, you were smart, not lucky. If you fail, well, it’s your fault. Success, failure. Win, lose. Right way, wrong way. I just want to tell you that it is all a lie. All the setbacks? The dry spells? The times when you feel all alone with the results of your life decisions? That’s a sign that you dared to go outside of your comfort zone and try.”

10 London Outdoor Restaurants You've Got To Book NOW

Will we Londoners get the BBQ summer we always yearn for this year? Eh...let's not get our hopes up. Will it at least be mild enough for us to venture outside without being completely miserable? Probably. And, since Brits love nothing more than to roll up their sleeves and palm a pint glass on the pavement, we thought we'd class it up a bit and steer you towards some al fresco eateries where you can actually sit down and sup in the sun/shade. No need to thank us.

Turns out, plenty of new restaurants with outdoor spaces have popped up in recent months. There's more on the way, too, with The Culpeper set to open its rooftop space in mid-June. Farm Girl on Portobello Road will feature a courtyard space, and Islington's Oldroyd is offering a small, outdoor seating area when it opens in June.

In other words, you and your squad have options when it comes to convening with Mother Nature. Throw in some cocktails, a Sunday roast or mouthwatering Italian tapas, and (please, weather gods, please) some rays of sunshine, and you're absolutely golden.

Blixen
This European-style brasserie and Spitalfields newcomer features a lush garden terrace in back. Take in the beautiful greenery and spy on market traders as you nibble on beetroot hummus, frogs' legs, and sea bream.

Blixen, 65A Brushfield Street, E1 6AA; 020 7101 0093.

Top tip: The blueberry pancakes are heavenly, whether enjoyed inside or out.

Roofnic
This picnic-themed pop-up has just launched in Mayfair. The rooftop space features AstroTurf flooring, retro-styled furniture, and a menu of sliders, pulled-pork tacos, and peanut butter-and-jelly cookies.

Roofnic, 535 Oxford Street, W1C 2QW; no phone.

Wash down your meal with a Dirty Beets juice, or splurge on the signature cocktail, a Roofnic Swizzle mixed with 42 Below, passionfruit, honey, and lime.

Salon At Spring
When the inevitable rain shower appears, seek refuge in this gorgeous, indoor atrium garden. Flora and fauna and a glass ceiling offer the al fresco experience without subjecting you to pesky, inclement weather.

Salon at Spring, Somerset House, New Wing, Lancaster Place, WC2R 1LA; 020 3011 0115.

Enjoy Skye Grendell's garden-fresh cuisine in a more natural setting.

Carousel
As the name suggests, this Marylebone newcomer features a rotating roster of guest chefs. A scenic garden terrace ups the novelty factor.

Carousel, 71 Blandford Street, W1U 8AB; 020 7487 5564.

Planning a summer get-together? The entire garden terrace can be hired for up to 25 guests.

West Thirty Six
One never really needs an excuse to venture out to lovely Notting Hill on a sunny afternoon, but this newbie's outdoor terrace should do the trick.

West Thirty Six, 36 Golborne Road, W10 5PR; 020 3752 0530.

In a townhouse-style setting, the restaurant serves up bistro fare like burgers, steak, lobster, chicken wings, and mac 'n' cheese.

The Sterling
Though it's not a new opening, this restaurant/bar at the base of the Gherkin is making some rebranding moves. Its al fresco dining and drinking area remains one of the most spacious and well-situated spots for City workers to unwind for sunny after-work drinks.

The Sterling, 30 St Mary Axe, EC3A 8BF; 020 7929 3641.

The menu of shareable small plates (think pizza topped with prosciutto and olives; chicken skewers; and cheese boards) lends itself to casual group meet-ups.

Sky Garden
This is the space everyone's been talking about. Though reservations take some patience, you'll be rewarded with access to London's highest public garden, panoramic views, and an open-air terrace.

Sky Garden, 20 Fenchurch Street, EC3M 3BY; 033 3772 0020.

Should hunger (or thirst) kick in, you have three bar and restaurant options to choose from.

Polpo Chelsea
Fact: Venetian small plates taste better when they're enjoyed on an outdoor terrace.

Polpo Chelsea, 81 Duke of York Square, SW3 4LY; 020 7730 8900.

Meatballs, aperol spritzes, and outdoor tables await at this new Chelsea outpost.

48 Newman Street Tavern
This Fitzrovia spot features a newly opened outdoor seating area with marble-top tables.

48 Newman Street Tavern, 48 Newman Street, W1T 1QQ; 020 3667 1445.

An al fresco Sunday lunch is essential.

The Ivy Chelsea Garden
This sumptuous spot features a stunning garden complete with terrace and orangery. Total bliss.

The Ivy Chelsea Garden, 197 King's Road, SW3 5ED; 020 3301 0300.

Stop by for afternoon tea, or cool down with a Sloane Ranger cocktail.

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