Annie Scudder
Editor, Sex & Culture
News

Flashback to President Obama's Prom Night

Time magazine unearthed never-before-seen photos of President Obama at his senior prom, and he looks exactly the same!

Time magazine unearthed never-before-seen photos of President Obama at his senior prom, and he looks exactly the same! Then 17-year-old Barry Obama went with a white jacket and Hawaiian trappings for the 1979 prom at his alma mater Punahou School in Honolulu.

The magazine also published a note Obama wrote in friend Kelli's yearbook. In case you're wondering, the word "foxy" was in his vocabulary. Obama wrote: "It has been so nice getting to know you this year. You are extremely sweet and foxy." He continued, "Call me and I'll buy you lunch sometime." I wonder if the offer is still good today?

the royals

A Sunny Kate Middleton Enjoys a Palace Garden Party

Kate Middleton wore a canary yellow coat by Emilia Wickstead to Queen Elizabeth's annual garden party Wednesday.

Kate Middleton wore a canary yellow coat by Emilia Wickstead to Queen Elizabeth's annual garden party Wednesday. The pregnant duchess got to spend some quality time with her in-laws, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and smiled as she spoke with the guests. Each year, the queen hosts a tea party for 8,000 members of the British public. A reported 270,000 cups of tea are served, as well as thousands of sandwiches and slices of cake. Last year was the first time the Duchess of Cambridge attended the event, where Kate cut a much different figure in a lovely pink dress.

This year, Kate topped her springy coat with a Jane Corbett hat. As she waits for the arrival of her first child and heir to the British throne, the duchess has kept quite busy. Kate attended a friend's wedding over the past weekend, and has been shopping for baby supplies.

Books

Amazon Wants to Fill Your Kindle With Fan Fiction

Amazon hopes you still care about Serena, Blair, Dan, and the gang now that Gossip Girl is off the air.

Amazon hopes you still care about Serena, Blair, Dan, and the gang now that Gossip Girl is off the air. The company announced today that it will sell Gossip Girl fan fiction, as well as stories about The Vampire Diaries and Pretty Little Liars, in the Kindle store. Those original books inspired the popular TV shows and a healthy amount of online fan fiction, and by bringing the latter to the Kindle, Amazon will make it easier to find and read. The company is also working on securing rights for additional content. The new program is called Kindle Worlds, and Amazon describes it as the "first commercial publishing platform that will enable any writer to create fan fiction based on a range of original stories and characters and earn royalties for doing so."

Writers will be able to self-publish stories of 10,000 words or more, and those who are eligible can get up to 35 percent of each sale. The owners of the original content also get a portion. After the success of Twilight fan fiction like Fifty Shades of Grey and Beautiful Bastard, Amazon's foray into the genre seems like a savvy move. Tells us below if you have an appetite for it.

Books

Video: Dive Into These New Beach Reads

With the unofficial kickoff to Summer upon us, we have beach reads on the brain!

With the unofficial kickoff to Summer upon us, we have beach reads on the brain! In time for Memorial Day, here are three new page-turners that will keep your mind off the office while you enjoy the sun and sand. From a book of bite-size and hilarious essays to a much-anticipated sequel about a certain devil who wears Prada, here are the books to pack along.

News

Stars and Leaders Rally Support For Oklahoma

Following Monday's historic tornado that devastated the Oklahoma City area, there has been an outpouring of support from public figures, celebrities, and everyday Americans.

Following Monday's historic tornado that devastated the Oklahoma City area, there has been an outpouring of support from public figures, celebrities, and everyday Americans. President Barack Obama addressed the nation from the White House Tuesday morning, expressing his severe concern and promising federal aid for the victims and families. As search and rescue teams scour the disaster grounds, celebrities have also been taking advantage of social media to share thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement. Oklahoma natives Olivia Munn and Carrie Underwood gave personal accounts and hopes for fellow Oklahomans, as did Kristen Chenoweth, who also asked her followers to donate to the American Red Cross and Humane Society relief efforts. Click through to see how public figures and celebrities are coming together to support tornado victims.

News

Oklahoma Woman Finds Her Lost Dog Among Debris During Interview

In the midst of all the sad news coming out of Oklahoma, CBS News captured a bright moment after the storm.

In the midst of all the sad news coming out of Oklahoma, CBS News captured a bright moment after the storm. Tornado survivor Barbara Garcia never lost hope that her dog was alive under the rubble of her home. And as she was being interviewed on TV, she found him. "Well I got God to answer one prayer to let me be OK," Barbara said, "but he answered both of them." This is just another moving story of tornado survivors finding their pets. Watch Barbara and her dog reunite now, and then find out how you can help other survivors.

News

President Obama Promises Aid For Oklahoma — Here's How You Can Help

President Barack Obama addressed the nation today, pledging federal assistance for victims of the tornado in Oklahoma City, OK, which he has declared a major disaster.

President Barack Obama addressed the nation today, pledging federal assistance for victims of the tornado in Oklahoma City, OK, which he has declared a major disaster. "Our focus as a nation is on the urgent work of rescue and rebuilding that lies ahead." The president also addressed confusion over how many people perished in the storm. Previous counts of 51 and 91 were revised downward to 24 Tuesday, as officials said some victims were counted twice. "We still don't know the human and economic losses that may have occurred," explained the president, who is in communication with state and federal responders. As more information comes out, read below to find out how you can help or donate.

News

Two-Mile Tornado Ravishes Oklahoma City Area — Death Count at 24 Amid Toll Confusion

A two-mile-wide tornado devastated the area around Oklahoma City on Monday afternoon, leaving at least 24 dead.

A two-mile-wide tornado devastated the area around Oklahoma City on Monday afternoon, leaving at least 24 dead. More than 145 people are reported injured, and the death toll is expected to rise. There was initially confusion over the death toll, with a medical examiner reporting that 51 lives were lost, but now a different Oklahoma City medical examiner claims that number was "inaccurate" and the toll is actually around 24.

One farmer told a local station, "It was just like the movie Twister. There were horses and stuff flying around everywhere." This comes after another tornado killed two people in Shawnee, OK, on Sunday. Rescue workers are continuing to sift through the rubble from Monday's storm, which leveled neighborhoods and two elementary schools. The Red Cross is currently helping people in the Midwest, providing shelter, food, and emotional support following the tornado disasters. The Salvation Army is also taking donations. Watch CNN's coverage and a Vine clip of the destruction below.

Advice

5 Ways to Revive Your Relationship

The conversation? Unremarkable. The sex? Less frequent.

The conversation? Unremarkable. The sex? Less frequent. The terms of endearment? What endearment? Your relationship has stalled, and it's time to give it a jump start. The first step is recognizing there's a problem; now we've got some helpful pointers for getting back that sizzle and spark. Here are five tips for recharging the love between you and your mate.

TV

Mad Men on Drugs: What Did They Take?

This week on Mad Men, Don and the cool kids in creative decide to get a little help from a "complex vitamin super dose" before a weekend of work on the Chevy account.

This week on Mad Men, Don and the cool kids in creative decide to get a little help from a "complex vitamin super dose" before a weekend of work on the Chevy account. Young-at-heart account exec Jim Cutler brings in his doctor, who proceeds to administer the upper drug into the backsides of the eager staff. The good doctor doesn't even blink twice before giving a dose to Roger Sterling, who discloses his heart condition. Although, we don't get to see what effect the drug has on Roger. I hope we find out next week.

While viewers don't explicitly know what the super dose consists of, we do see its impact. An injured Kenny Cosgrove breaks into a manic tap routine. Stan Rizzo races through the office and comes up with hundreds of "ideas." And Don Draper zooms past doors, talks a mile a minute, and becomes obsessed with coming up with something to say to his mistress, rather than focusing on the Chevy account. At least that's what it seems like he's talking about when he shares his pitch with Peggy: "Let's say I get her face to face. How do I capture her imagination?" So what is this drug that turns everyone into momentary geniuses who actually create sober gibberish? Probably amphetamines — aka speed.

If the Sterling Cooper Draper whatever-they're-called-now staff remind you of the kids in college who got hopped up on Adderall before a big deadline, it might be because they are hopped up on Adderall before a big deadline. Or something similar, at least. "Amphetamine salts combo," the technical term for what is known today as Adderall, was approved by the FDA in 1960. It then went under the name Obetrol. It and similar amphetamines, like dextroamphetamine and benzedrine, were popular at the time as diet pills, study aids, or party drugs. So it seems likely the Mad Men team would call on it increase their alertness and motivation. Other side effects include increased sex drive, which could explain Stan's come-on to Peggy and Wendy Gleason. And we saw quite a few of the negative side effects play out on Don, including fever, sweating, and insomnia.

In the 1960s, amphetamines were also used to stimulate American military men during the Vietnam War. However, they were not popular with many hippies and counterculture figures like The Beatles and Allen Ginsberg, who favored the more mellow drugs marijuana and LSD. Maybe Don Draper isn't all that cool after all.

Source: AMC
Tumblr

See Blue Ivy Carter In Her Official "BIC" Chair!

Queen Bey's little princess has her own backstage throne!

Queen Bey's little princess has her own backstage throne! Today on Tumblr, Beyoncé shared a new photo of daughter Blue Ivy, who is along on the Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. Just like mom, Blue Ivy can rock a wardrobe — check out her tutu! The family photo comes after Jay-Z reportedly denied rumors he and Beyoncé are expecting a second child and a few days after Beyoncé posted and then took down an Instagram message apparently addressing "people who have nothing better to do than talk about me." As we see with this latest photo of Blue Ivy, Beyoncé is one of many celebrities to share with fans on Tumblr, the social network Yahoo just bought for $1.1 billion. Be sure to check out more celebrities you should follow on Tumblr.

News

Celebrities You Should Be Following on Tumblr!

Yahoo is scooping up Tumblr for $1.1 billion, gaining 108 million microblogs in the process.

Yahoo is scooping up Tumblr for $1.1 billion, gaining 108 million microblogs in the process. Just like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, Tumblr is another way for celebrities to connect with fans. And since they have more creative control over the sites, the content is often a more authentic and sometimes edgier expression of the celebrity's image. Pop icons like Beyoncé and Britney Spears use the site, as do TV stars Zooey Deschanel and Aziz Ansari and fashion insiders Terry Richardson and Rachel Zoe. As Tumblr makes big news, check out the top celebrity Tumblrs you should have on your dashboard.

News

Obama Strives to Be the Father He Never Had

After a week of scandals for his administration, President Obama took a break from politics to get personal.

After a week of scandals for his administration, President Obama took a break from politics to get personal. On Sunday at Morehouse College's graduation, the president opened up about his role as dad-in-chief: "My whole life, I've tried to be for Michelle and my girls what my father wasn't for my mother and me." Speaking at the historically black and all-male college, Sasha and Malia's dad said, "I want to break that cycle — where a father's not at home, where a father's not helping to raise that son and daughter. I want to be a better father, a better husband, a better man." His message was also inclusive of different sexualities. He implored the all-male crowd to be the best partner "to your wife, or your boyfriend, or your partner."

The president even went so far as to imagine what he would be thinking about on his deathbed and admitted it would not be legislation he passed or the Nobel Prize he won. "I will be thinking about that walk I took with my daughters. I'll be thinking about a lazy afternoon with my wife. I'll be thinking about sitting around the dinner table and seeing them happy and healthy and knowing that they were loved." Obama, who followed up Michelle Obama's Friday speech at Bowie State University, also frankly touched on race, a topic he often avoids. "At some point in life as an African American you have to work twice as hard as anyone else if you want to get by." He encouraged the "Morehouse men" to be good role models for their communities. See photos, as well as a video, now.

News

Yahoo! Set to Buy Tumblr For $1.1 Billion

Yahoo! is buying Tumblr for $1.1 billion!

Yahoo! is buying Tumblr for $1.1 billion! On Sunday, Yahoo!'s board approved the deal for the microblogging network popular with animated GIF lovers and celebrities like Beyoncé. There are more than 108 million blogs on the social network, and the acquisition is yet another bold move by Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer, who is attempting to revitalize the Internet giant and appeal to a younger demographic. The deal, which is even bigger than Facebook's $1 billion acquisition of Instagram, is expected to be finalized as soon as Monday. Tumblr's 26-year-old founder David Karp dropped out of high school at age 15 to work as a programmer.

Wedding

8 Weird Origins of Wedding Traditions

No matter how beautiful and romantic weddings are, they are still a legal contract.

No matter how beautiful and romantic weddings are, they are still a legal contract. Many of the wedding traditions we've come to associate love, friendship, and fun with have very practical — and even horrifying — roots. Find out what came from where below:

  • Wedding announcements: The Catholic tradition of "posting the banns" required a couple to announce their wedding in print; this helped ensure they were not related.
  • Fathers walking brides down the aisle: Because weddings used to be business transactions, fathers walked brides down the aisle to transfer ownership to grooms. Romantic!
  • Bachelor parties: Originally held by Spartan soldiers, bachelor parities were wild fetes to kiss the single life goodbye.
  • Best man: "Best" used to refer less to the friendship quality and more to the man's sword skills. Because you can never have enough backup support for a runaway bride.
  • Ceremony: The bride stands to the left during Christian wedding ceremonies, because the groom needed to be ready to fight off suitors with his right hand.
  • Ring placement: Engagement and wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, because ancient Greeks and Romans believed that a vein in that finger led directly to the heart.
  • Tying the knot: The phrase is derived from the literal practice of tying couples together to symbolize the commitment of marriage.
  • Tossing bouquets: Newlyweds used to go in another room to seal the deal immediately after the wedding ceremony. Guests hung around outside to ensure the marriage transaction was completed, but men used to grab at the bride as she walked with her groom. So one inventive bride threw her bouquet to create a distraction, and other brides followed suit.
News

Around the World With the Week's Best Photos

Hollywood descended on the South of France this week, but that's not where all the action was.

Hollywood descended on the South of France this week, but that's not where all the action was. Wildlife bloomed everywhere from England to Iraq. Both Michelle and Barack Obama kept a steady stream of engagements. And royals from Queen Elizabeth II to Princess Letizia of Spain mingled with admirers, while Prince Harry wrapped up his US tour. Travel around the world with the best photographs of the week.

News

Michelle Obama Doles Out Kisses and Advice to Graduates

Just like an eager college freshman, Michelle Obama went back to school with a new hairdo today!

Just like an eager college freshman, Michelle Obama went back to school with a new hairdo today! The first lady showed off some freshly styled sideswept bangs during her commencement speech at Bowie State University. On a more serious note, Michelle offered some solid advice and perspective for the class of '13 at the historically black university in Maryland. "Just think about this for a moment — for generations, in many parts of this country, it was illegal for black people to get an education," the first lady said. And while she's pals with Jay-Z and Beyoncé, Michelle lamented that too many young people fantasize about "being a baller or a rapper."

"In short, be an example of excellence for the next generation," implored the first lady, who also received an honorary doctorate of laws. She's set to give one more commencement speech this graduation season, after already speaking at Eastern Kentucky University. Next up tomorrow is Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet High School For Health Sciences and Engineering at Historic Pearl High. See pictures of the first lady's academic look from today.

Advice

Bridesmaids' Pet Peeves

No bride considers herself a bridezilla, but they can all unknowingly do things that annoy their bridesmaids.

No bride considers herself a bridezilla, but they can all unknowingly do things that annoy their bridesmaids. To make your life easier this wedding season, we polled real bridesmaids to find out their biggest pet peeves. Because after all, a happy bridal party makes for a happy big day. Watch now. And if you're a bridesmaid, let us know if you have more tips to add!

twitter

Our Favorite Funny-Lady Tweets of the Week

It's time for our weekly roundup of the best tweets from women like Nicole Richie, Lena Dunham, and Anna Kendrick.

It's time for our weekly roundup of the best tweets from women like Nicole Richie, Lena Dunham, and Anna Kendrick. This week, our favorite funny ladies cracked us up with their musings about speaking French, loud iPhone typers, and, boobs. Help yourself get to the weekend with these 140-character gems.

relationships

Outdoor Date Ideas For Sunny Summer Love

Warmer weather opens the door for hot new romances and rekindled sparks, so take advantage of the rising temperatures with these fun outdoor date ideas.

Warmer weather opens the door for hot new romances and rekindled sparks, so take advantage of the rising temperatures with these fun outdoor date ideas. Whether you'd like to get active or sit back and relax, you're sure to find a connection on these couple-friendly outings. With the season right around the corner, let's take a look at these creative date ideas for sunny Summer love!

Additional reporting by Laura Marie Meyers