Celebrity & Style Mag

Tuesday, 22 July 2014

George Harrison Memorial Tree Killed By Beetle Infestation

All you need is love -- and maybe some insecticide, if you have it handy.

A tree planted in honor of George Harrison, a former member of The Beatles, was killed by -- wait for it -- a beetle infestation.

The pine tree, planted in Los Angeles' Griffith Park in 2004, three years after Harrison's death, finally succumbed to the onslaught of tree beetles and "other tree unfriendly creatures," the Los Angeles Times reports.

The paper speculates Harrison would have found humor in the irony, though he would have lamented the loss of life.

According to NBC Los Angeles, the tree had grown to more than 10 feet tall before its beetle battle began. A plaque at the tree's base reads, "In memory of a great humanitarian who touched the world as an artist, a musician and a gardener." It concludes with a quote from Harrison: "For the forests to be green, each tree must be green."

Harrison died at a friend's home in Los Angeles in 2001 after a battle with throat and lung cancer and a brain tumor.

Stewards of the memorial have chosen not to let it be. They will plant a new tree in the near future.

Actress Looks A Lot Different Today

Natalie Portman talks about growing up juggling her education at Harvard and working on blockbuster films.

18 Reasons Why Lena Dunham And Jack Antonoff Are The Coolest Couple

"Girls" star Lena Dunham and lead guitarist of fun., Jack Antonoff, were set up on a blind date two years ago and the rest, as they say, is history.

Jimmy Kimmel Shares First Photos Of Newborn Daughter Jane

Jimmy Kimmel shared the first photos of his adorable daughter Jane Monday night (July 21) on his talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

Everyday Sexism Isn't So Subtle When It Happens To Men

While it shouldn't take a gender-swapped video to illustrate just how skewed our treatment of women is, this one certainly does the trick.

A new video from Buzzfeed titled "If Men Were Women" shows every day scenarios -- but the genders of those involved are reversed.

One scene shows men patiently waiting for a woman to escort them home safely from a party. In another, a woman is patronizingly impressed by a man's stand up routine, reversing a familiar back-handed compliment: "It's hard to find a dude that's funny!" The video closes with a little boy somberly looking at a picture of past U.S. presidents -- all of whom are women. It's not a very encouraging picture for young boys who strive to be in politics or any leadership role for that matter. (Sound familiar?)

Experiences that are exceptionally common for women look like absurd exaggerations when applied to men, showing just how subtle and pervasive sexism can be.

What if we value people of all genders equally and call it a day? Seems fair.

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Pew's Alan Murray Named Editor Of Fortune

Pew Research Center president Alan Murray is leaving the company to become the new editor of Fortune, Pew announced Tuesday.

Murray has been chief of Pew since 2012 after leaving his post at the Wall Street Journal as deputy managing editor and online executive editor. He will become the 17th editor of Fortune, succeeding Andy Serwer.

In a memo to staffers, Murray said that he was "deeply grateful" for his time at Pew and will miss the company "immensely." He added that the position at Fortune was not a job he was "looking for," but is something he cannot pass up.

"The opportunity to lead this iconic news organization into the new media world does not feel like just another job opportunity," he wrote. "It feels like a calling, and it is one I find impossible to resist."

Murray will remain at Pew until August 1. He added that Jim McMillan, general counsel and corporate secretary at the Pew Charitable Trusts, will then take over as "acting president" while the company searches for a new leader.

“Alan’s diverse background uniquely positions him to lead Fortune,” Time Inc.’s executive vice president Todd Larsen said in a statement.

Read Murray's full memo below:

It is with very mixed emotions that I announce I am leaving at the end of the month to become Editor of Fortune magazine.

This is not a job I was looking for, or sought. But Fortune, created by Henry Luce some 85 years ago, is one of the nation’s great and enduring journalistic brands. It is one of only two places I applied to work after finishing my graduate degree. The opportunity to lead this iconic news organization into the new media world does not feel like just another job opportunity. It feels like a calling, and it is one I find impossible to resist.

I will miss this place immensely. I was an ardent consumer and user of the Pew Research Center before coming here in November of 2012. In the nearly two years since, I have become so much more than that. I am in awe of what you do, your intelligence, your rigor, your overwhelming dedication to your work. This is a very special place and you are a very special group of people. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the organization for the last two years.

I feel like we have done a lot together, mapping out the right path to the future. But I also believe you don’t really need me to achieve that future. This is not my strategy we are executing; it is yours, reflecting the efforts all of you put into forging it last year. It is also a strategy built in careful consultation with the board of the Center, and the leadership and board of The Pew Charitable Trusts, and one that they fully support.

You also have a very strong leadership team in place, overseen by Michael, Elizabeth and now Robyn. That troika, as well as all the managing directors, will serve you well going forward. Jim McMillan, general counsel of the Trusts and a member of our board, will serve as acting president during what all hope will be a brief search for a new president.

I will be in the office until August 1. My door is open and I will welcome the chance to talk.

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What It Was Like When Al Jazeera's Gaza Office Was Suddenly Struck By Gunfire

Al Jazeera reporter Stefanie Dekker described to her network what it felt like when two shots were suddenly fired into the Gaza office where she was working on Tuesday.

Al Jazeera said it is holding Israel responsible for the incident, which forced the network's journalists to flee the building housing their Gaza operations. The shots came a day after Israel's foreign minister said that he was exploring ways to ban Al Jazeera from operating in the country. In a statement to HuffPost's Michael Calderone, the Israel Defense Forces said that it had not targeted the building, though some journalists tweeted that they had received confirmation that the IDF had in fact fired "warning shots" at Al Jazeera.

After the evacuation, Tamer El-Ghobashy, a correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, tweeted these photos of the scene:

Al Jazeera Gaza Bureau chief shows high caliber round he says was one of at least two shot into the office by Israel http://ift.tt/1nii6JH

— Tamer El-Ghobashy (@TamerELG) July 22, 2014

Al Jazeera staff in Gaza work outside their office they say was targeted by Israeli military this morning. http://ift.tt/1nii6JU

— Tamer El-Ghobashy (@TamerELG) July 22, 2014

Dekker spoke on the phone to an Al Jazeera English anchor on Tuesday. She said that she and her colleagues had been working in their office on the 11th floor of a large building in Gaza when there was a loud explosion in the room.

"We were all startled and were trying to figure out what it was, maybe someone thought it was an electricity explosion or something like that, and then straight after, another shot came in," she said. "So it was very clear — two very precise shots fired straight into our building, so of course everyone evacuated."

Dekker noted that there are other media outlets, such as the Associated Press, who use the building, along with many ordinary apartments. She speculated that the Israeli army possibly wanted to "move us out of our position" because Al Jazeera's offices have a very good view of the scene on the ground, though she stressed that she had no evidence of this.

Journalist Sharif Abdel Kouddous, who has been in Gaza reporting on the violence there for The Nation and "Democracy Now," was in the AP offices when the building was struck. He described the scene to "Democracy Now" on Tuesday:

These were two apparently 50-caliber or heavy-caliber shots that came into the window at 9:00 in the morning, or 9:30 in the morning, pierced the window and hit the wall. These are not, you know, regular bullets. These are kind of very loud bullets that make this huge booming sound. One of the Al Jazeera people that I spoke to said that they thought it was what the Israelis call a knock on the roof, a warning shot with a rocket, that it was going to be destroyed. So we had people here, both in AP and Al Jazeera, in a lot of panic and evacuating the premises.

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Everything We Learned From Preserve, Blake Lively's New Lifestyle Website

When Blake Lively is not acting or the exercising her power as a reigning style icon, she's apparently learning lessons all about lifestyle.

On Tuesday, the star launched her highly anticipated website -- or as Lively says, "new avenue" -- called Preserve. The site blends commerce, storytelling and philanthropic efforts that cultivate what Lively described as a virtual "Main Street, USA."

world marq

As of right now, the most expensive item is a light-up marquee map of the world, which costs $2,000. And while Lively seems to be channeling her inner Gwyneth Paltrow with her new site, she has not yet offered a $90 white-tee. We're sure it's on the way.

If you think Preserve is just another Goop-in-the-making, think again. Lively wrote an introductory editor's letter to the site which lays out the differences pretty clearly. Here are some of the major things we learned from Lively:

1. Blake Lively likes enchiladas.

I am hungry, though... not just for enchiladas.

2. Despite our notions, she isn't perfect.

I don't do any one thing perfectly. I do a lot of things, though. Some well, some poorly.

3. And even though she's really famous, she's talked to regular people and wants you to know that.

I've found that when approached with a curious spirit, people are kind, they're generous, they answer, if asked.

4. Preserve isn't actually a website, in the traditional sense of the word "website."

As for how we operate, we haven't looked at Preserve as a new website, but rather as a new avenue. A sort of greatest hits of "Main Street, USA." While the whole world races to keep up with technology, we may tighten our laces and join the race, but our end goal is to preserve what's already there.

5. And even though it's called Preserve, the site does not only sell jams, jellies and canned goods.

So here at Preserve there are people, stories, essays, videos and goods which hopefully inspire your home, your style and your tongue.

6. She'll probably exaggerate an item's cool factor.

We may romanticize it, calling it treasure. What we're really saying is, we see worth on every level.

7. And most importantly, Blake Lively's new lifestyle website is not only about Blake Lively.

So Preserve.us isn't just the U.S. It's all of us.

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Beyoncé Fashion Exhibit Displays Her Stunning Outfits From Music Videos and Live Performances

The Head-To-Toe Guide To Shopping Marshalls' Beauty Section

Shopping for beauty products is a bittersweet experience I've yet to grow tired of. Bitter, because it means I'm spending money, but sweet because there are few pleasures in the world that compare to getting a new tub of rejuvenating body scrub.

Yet it seems that with every journey, the products get more expensive. But I've recently encountered a somewhat neglected territory: the Marshalls beauty section.

Since not all Marshalls' stores are created equal, we thought we'd do you, dear reader, a solid and break down our best finds from a recent trip.

Happy shopping!

conditioning treatments

Sure, most of us like to stick to our daily and weekly favorites-- but what about those hydrators that get really deep? Marshalls' shelves are chock-full of leave-in treatments and hair masks that will give your locks the moisture they need. There's argan and Moroccan oils galore, so don't worry about finding the right nourishment for your hair type.

GET: Theorie's Argan Oil Ultimate Reform Hair Mask, which I got for under $15 -- compared to its usual retail price of $34.

antiaging

As we get older, taking care of our skin can become an unwanted hassle. If you're not worrying about non-existent wrinkles, you're spending time totaling up the cost of the entire regimen. But, if you look hard enough you can find some excellent goods on the cheap.

GET: Stay attuned to things like eye, night and day creams, like Elizabeth Arden's Millenium Night Renewal Cream, which was under $20.

beauty tools

Marshalls is flush with tools; I found some things that have been beneficial to my routine ever since.

GET: The 8 Pro Detangler, which makes it so much easier for me to get through my curls. The section also has some quality makeup brushes, especially of the angled, blush variety.

bath body

The holy grail of Marshalls' beauty selection is the bath and body area -- you pretty much can't go wrong.

We're not only talking face cleansers, but a mix of body lotions and exfoliants, too.

GET: Ahava's Dead Sea Water Mineral Body Lotion which will give you high-end results on a drugstore budget. Or, for under $10, snag Philosophy's Footnotes scrub or, even better, Nip + Fab's Detox Blend Scrub, which caters to the entire body. I created one of the cheapest at-home spa days ever with these two products.

unique colors

The beauty (pun, intended) of the makeup section lies in its atypical offerings.

GET: You won't find your typical shade of Essie nail polish (I bought the brand's Impressionista color for half off) and there collections of because the e.l.f. shadows are eye-popping.

Clearly, we had a lot of fun without breaking the bank at Marshalls. See you there next time!

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It's National Hammock Day! Here Are 8 Ways To Celebrate

Kym Marsh admits she has lost touch with ex-husband Jack Ryder

The 38-year-old actress tied the knot with Ryder – best known for his EastEnders role as Jamie Mitchell – in 2002, but while they divorced on good terms she admits it is only her oldest child who keeps the lines of communication open.

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'It's going swimmingly': Jacqueline Jossa lifts the lid on romance with TOWIE star boyfriend Dan Osborne

She is usually remarkably private about her romantic life. But 21-year-old EastEnders actress Jacqueline Jossa has lifted the lid on her romance with 23-year-old TOWIE star Dan Osborne.

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Harrison Ford hobbles on to private jet as broken ankle continues to heal

Actor was spotted carrying a bottle of wine and piece of paper as he boarded the plane.

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Dwayne Chambers pulls out of England's Commonwealth Games sprint relay squad to focus on European Championships

Dwain Chambers has withdrawn from England's men's sprint relay squad for the Commonwealth Games.

Atletico Madrid tie up £12.6m deal for Jan Oblak to replace outgoing Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtois' performances with Atletico Madrid have earned him a return to parent club Chelsea, and the Spanish side have wasted no time in signing up a new keeper.

Xavi Hernandez could delay Barcelona exit until early 2015 in order to sign for New York City in MLS

Xavi Hernandez could yet remain at Barcelona until at least January after reportedly holding last-ditch talks with manager Luis Enrique and president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

KaBoom

I am so sick and tired of this awful and idiotic polarization from Israelis and Palestinians. Looking at my Facebook feed is like looking at ongoing toddler tantrums.

I see Palestinian friends supporting Hamas killings of as many Israelis as possible, and Israeli friends yearning for the death of Palestinians. And I thought my friends from both side were moderate, intelligent people.

Have you all completely lost your minds? Have we forgotten these are all human beings? Have we all decided to jointly support death and insure our unceremonious demise?

This chaotic spiral down explosion has never before been seen in this conflict at such scale -- not with the moderate majority. But moderation is now out and the new trend is extremism. And really, why am I surprised? It was bound to happen. It doesn't shock me any less, but it really was a long time coming. With extremist dictating the rules of the conflict, what did we expect? Both our governments have failed us, and of course the masses turn on each other while their leaders continue to toy with their lives. We are so stupid!

It's like in the past month every minute a new extremist was born. It is exhausting to try to explain to Israelis what democracy and freedom of opinion and speech is and why our government has abandoned us, as it is tiring to speak to Palestinians about Hamas being a religious fascist oppressive organization with leaders that let their people rot in a hell they built for them. And that is before I even started talking to all my friends around the world who have burst onto the scene in every social media outlet available, deepening the rift with complete lack of self-control: Hey foreigners -- you are not the ones who will have to heal and deal with this, so shut the hell up! You don't like us? We don't care!

My dear, dear fellow human beings, both Israelis and Palestinians -- the only people you are hurting with this boring rhetoric you are being fed by people who benefit from your suffering, death and misfortune, are yourselves. Wake Up!

Bottom line

Israel. You have failed your people. You sit in your cushy Knesset chairs, leaving an entire people under occupation without any attempt to learn from our past and make a better future. You have failed us by spewing more and more hate and hopelessness, blaming everything on the Palestinians without taking ANY responsibility. You have played the holocaust and religion hands over and over creating a golem that has finally erupted in the form of racism, fascism and the complete degradation of democracy. You took no responsibility on our futures, and kept an unjust status quo while corrupting our system of government, banking and social benefits. You will lead Israel to its bitter end with your self-entitlement and greed.

Hamas. You have failed your people. You have invested in weapons and death instead of infrastructure and life. The people in Gaza don't like you, and you have abused democracy to become a theocracy. You have failed in providing your people a better future. You continue to deny Israelis' right to exist and continue to aspire to kill us all. You have used violence when you had the chance to prove to the entire world, and mostly to your own people, that you are a valid government. You were elected in Gaza as it was granted autonomy. You chose violence. You will continue to fail.

And here we are, the little people, like puppets on strings, fighting the wars that were forced on us, losing ourselves to hatred, to ignorance, to failure.

I have news for you all -- neither Israelis nor Palestinians are going anywhere. No matter the past, no matter who was where first and who got where how. This is the situation now, and if we continue arguing about the past we are going to lose our futures. And our futures are bound together whether we like it or not.

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The Royal Baby Turns 1 - Prince George Is Walking, New Official Photos Show

The palace is releasing special pictures, the Royal Mint is striking a commemorative coin, and newspapers are publishing glowing tributes. What's all the fuss about? A little boy who will be king. Prince George turns 1 today.

Michael Rogers wins first Tour de France stage victory by triumphing in Stage 16, as Vincenzo Nibali maintains overall lead

The former world champion won the longest stage of the Tour de France on Tuesday, after leading a breakaway to a downhill finish as the race entered the Pyrenees mountains.