Did Taylor Swift do something to upset Selena Gomez?
Selena just delivered the ultimate snub to supposed bestie Taylor Swift by not only missing her celebrity-studded 4th of July party, but by holding her own rival event.
This latest dig has led some people to believe that there may be some bad blood between the two friends.
Selena was notably absent from the beach festivities, which saw Taylor’s squad, filled with stars such as Blake Lively, Gigi Hadid and even Australia’s own Ruby Rose frolicking in the water having a great old time.
The superstar pair are usually inseparable.
But Selena’s absence was definitely noticed at Taylor’s party.
Instead she posted a video on instagram showing her hosing her own party, filled to the brim with her own squad.
See Selena’s epic party in the clip below. Jealous Taylor? Post continues.
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The 23-year-old captioned the video “Hostess vibes.”
Meanwhile, Taylor has been busy spending all her time with new boyfriend Tom Hiddleston.
The two have been spotted all over the world, smooching up a storm.
See Tay’s whirlwind romance with Tom Hiddleston below. Post continues.
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Selena has been busy with her Revival tour lately.
Maybe Selena has just had it with her friend spending all her time with her new man?
We really hope this split party is just because the former Disney star is on tour, and not because these adorable BFFs have had a falling out.
In Australia, we are lucky to have access to a wide range of contraception options.
Every woman and every body will have different factors to take into consideration when it comes to choosing a method of birth control.
The method that works for you will factor down to things including your overall health, age, relationships and risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
From condoms and diaphragms, to implants and IUDs, there’s a whole range of contraception options out there, all of which have pros and cons to contemplate.
Whether you’re looking for a long or short-term solution for yourself, a friend or even your son or daughter, it’s important to weigh up the many options before making a decision.
As always, we recommend a thorough discussion with your healthcare professional before making a decision, but below you’ll find rundowns on the 5 most common contraception methods.
There are many different types of contraceptive pills. Most women will have to try a couple before finding the one that suits them best.
The Pill
What is it? The combination pill contains both oestrogen and progesterone, which women produce naturally in their ovaries, whereas the progestogen-only pill or ‘mini pill’ contain no oestrogen and is safer for smokers, diabetics and women over 35.
What’s involved? The pill works by stopping the uterus from releasing an egg each month. In addition, it also makes the fluid at the opening to the uterus thicker, which stops sperm from getting through.
Pros and cons: Periods can become lighter, shorter and less painful. Some women on the pill also see a dramatic improvement in hormonal acne; however nausea, breast tenderness, headaches and increased appetite are all potential side effects.
Effectiveness: When taken at the same time every day, the contraceptive pill is more than 99% effective, however it should be noted that the pill does not give protection from sexually transmitted disease – nor does any of the below options.
This is why barrier methods such as the male and female condom are considered the most used method.
See that tiny rod? That’s the contraceptive implant.
Contraceptive Implant
What is it? About the size of a matchstick, a hormonal rod is placed under the skin at the inner side of the upper arm. It contains etonogestrel, a progesterone-like hormone that releases slowly over time to stop ovulation.
What’s involved? After a local anaesthetic, a specially trained doctor will insert the implant under the skin. You won’t see it, but like the pill, it works by making the fluid at the opening to the uterus thicker, stopping sperm from getting through.
Pros and cons: You won’t need to remember to take a pill every day and the implant can make periods less painful, however some women experience irregular bleeding.
Effectiveness: The contraceptive implant can last up to three years and is nearly 100% effective.
There are two types of IUDs. Talk to your GP to discover which will suit you best.
Hormonal and copper IUD
What is it? An IUD (intrauterine device) is a small device inserted into the uterus or womb that helps change the way sperm moves and survives, which in turn stops it from reaching and fertilising the egg. There are two types of IUDs available in Australia; the copper IUD and the hormonal IUD.
The copper IUD is a small plastic device with copper wrapped around its stem, whereas the progestogen IUD is a T-shaped device with a cylinder containing progestogen around its stem.
What’s involved? The procedure of having an IUD placed is similar to that of a pap smear. The device is inserted into the uterus through the vagina before the string is cut to size, ensuring a comfortable fit. The procedure should take around 10 minutes.
Pros and cons: Although the upfront cost of having an IUD placed can seem on a pricier side, in the long-term an IUD is one of the cheapest options of contraception. It can, however, cause irregular bleeding and in rare cases can increase the risk of miscarriage.
Effectiveness: Both the copper and hormonal IUD are more than 99% effective and can stay in place for five to ten years.
The vaginal ring is inserted at home, much like a tampon.
Vaginal Ring
What is it? The vaginal ring or NuvaRing is a soft, plastic device that sits in the vagina, slowly releasing low doses of oestrogen and a progestogen which are the same hormones used in the pill.
What’s involved? From the comfort of your own home, the ring is inserted high into the vagina and left in place for three weeks before being removed for the fourth. A withdrawal bleed will occur much like that on the pill, and then a new ring will be inserted.
Pros and cons: The NuvaRing is a convenient alternative for those who have trouble remembering to take the pill, however there is potential for side effects including increased vaginal discharge, vaginal irritation, or infection.
Effectiveness: If used correctly, it is 99.7 per cent effective in preventing pregnancy.
Although not dangerous, the morning after pill should not be taken as a permanent method of birth control.
Emergency contraception
What is it? Emergency contraception or ‘the morning after pill’ is taken to prevent unplanned pregnancy after unprotected sex, if a contraceptive pill is missed or if a condom breaks.
What’s involved? The most common emergency contraception in Australia is a progesterone-only method which can be purchased over the counter at any pharmacy or chemist. Although colloquially the method is known as ‘the morning after pill’ it can actually be taken within three days of the unprotected sex, but the sooner the pill is consumed, the more effective it will be.
Pros and cons: It’s not common, but after taking emergency contraception some women might experience nausea, headaches or vomiting. It should also be noted that the morning after pill should be used as a backup plan, not as a regular form of birth control.
Effectiveness: When taken within 24 hours, emergency contraception is about 95% effective, but after 72 hours, that statistic drops to 89% and will continue to do so the longer you wait.
While Lleyton is slaying his Wimbledon coverage as a commentator, wife Bec and their youngest, five-year-old Ava have taken some time to enjoy the sites and culture on offer in bustling London.
These blondes are having a whole lotta fun!
Cheering on her fellow Aussie, the 32-year-old mum saw the Pitch Perfect actress in her starring role for the Phoenix Theatre’s production of Guys and Dolls.
Following the musical, Bec shared a snap of her little one meeting the comedienne, who made her West End debut last month.
“In awe of her stage presence!” Bec captioned a shot Rebel holding up the tiny girl.
Continuing her praise about the star, who plays club singer, Miss Adelaide, Bec added, “Such a pleasure to meet @rebelwilson after her performance in the West End musical @guysanddollsuk.”
Watch Rebel HILARIOUSLY talk about her incredible new gig in the video player below… Post continues!
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Completing the post with the hash-tags “awesome aussie” and “so funny”.
And clearly Rebel’s loving her time in the motherland.
Speaking to the Press Association, the star chatted about her decision to star in the highly acclaimed musical.
Rebel as Miss Adelaide.
“I wanted to mix things up.”
“Things in movies are going so well, I’m getting offered such cool roles, but I wanted to diversify a little bit.”
With her beloved humour in check, Rebel quipped, “It’s super classy to come to the West End – so many American and Australian actors come over to join the very talented British.”
And it’s not just the 36-year-old showcasing her diverse range of skills.
See the Hewitt kids latest big milestone in the video player below! Post continues…
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Following their dazzling TV debut, Bec and Lleyton’s eldest two kids, Cruz and Mia, just made landed a modelling debut.
Mia, 10 and her seven-year-old brother are fronting the advertising campaign for children’s clothing Pavement United Brands’ spring collection.
The proud mama took to Instagram to share snaps of the kids, penning that she “loved” Mia’s style and thought Cruz was “rocking”.
Mia has her mum’s style
While Cruz oozes his dad’s confidence.
Fans of the family would remember that the all three Hewitt mini-mes recently stepped off the court and into the spotlight in a brand new television commercial for Wonder Smooth Wholegrain bread.
Lleyton recently spoke about Mia wanting to follow her mum’s footsteps, during a chat with *The Project.
“My daughter is already following in my wife’s footsteps. She’s the actress and entertainer. She wants to be in all the drama programs already.”
A range of medical experts have banded together to condemn several common and widely available chemicals that are endangering the health of our children.
Dozens of scientists, doctors and paediatric health specialists have released a new report highlighting the dangers of omnipresent chemicals including lead, mercury, organophosphate pesticides, phthalates, flame retardants and air pollutants.
“These chemicals are pervasive, not only in air and water, but in everyday consumer products that we use on our bodies and in our homes,” study signatory Professor Susan Schantz from the University of Illinois said.
“Reducing exposures to toxic chemicals can be done, and is urgently needed to protect today’s and tomorrow’s children. The human brain develops over a very long period of time, starting in gestation and continuing during childhood and even into early adulthood.
“But the biggest amount of growth occurs during prenatal development. The neurons are forming and migrating and maturing and differentiating. And if you disrupt this process, you’re likely to have permanent effects.”
The reports call for more research in to the dangerous effects of chemicals on children and foetuses before substances are approved for general release.
“For most chemicals, we have no idea what they’re doing to children’s neurodevelopment,” Schantz said. “They just haven’t been studied.
“And if it looks like something is a risk, we feel policymakers should be willing to make a decision that this or that chemical could be a bad actor and we need to stop its production or limit its use.
“We shouldn’t have to wait 10 or 15 years, allowing countless children to be exposed to it in the meantime, until we’re positive it’s a bad actor.”
Organophosphate pesticides are used in agriculture and home gardens, while phthalates are found in many pharmaceuticals, plastics and personal care products. Mercury and lead are everywhere and the most harmful air pollutants are those produced by burning wood and fossil fuels.
Princess Diana’s brother has revealed the adorable reason his beloved big sister was once described as “impossible” by a school teacher.
Speaking at a charity event at the weekend, Charles Spencer said he was the “first beneficiary” of Diana’s legendary kindness to children as she doted on him from the moment he was born.
This love and care only intensified when Charles joined Diana at school in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, with Earl Spencer recalling Diana’s all-consuming concern on his first day of kindergarten.
Princess Diana and her brother Charles Spencer when they were children.
“The first day I was there, the head teacher was teaching Diana in her class and she said she was impossible, she was wriggling around and not able to pay attention,” he said.
“The teacher told Diana, ‘Fine, go and check on him now,’ and she left the class and came to my classroom and came back and said to the headmistress ‘He’s fine!’ and sat down. She always had this affinity for young children.”
She was a philanthropist who cared for children the world over before her untimely death.
But Princess Diana’s family was her first priority.
The late royal’s brother Charles Spencer shared a sweet story about his caring sister at The Diana Award charity event in London on Monday.
The 52-year-old handed out awards to 80 young people nominated by the public. But before doing so, he made a heartfelt speech highlighting Diana’s greatest qualities.
Princess Diana’s brother says “she always had this affinity for young children.”
He shared that the princess took care of him as a baby and while he was a young boy studying at King’s Lynn, Norfolk.
“The first day I was there, the head teacher was teaching Diana in her class and she said she was impossible, she was wriggling around and not able to pay attention,” Charles recalled.
The teacher told Diana, “‘Fine, go and check on him now,'” said Spencer.
Charles presented youths with their honours at The Diana Award event in London.
“And she left the class and came to my classroom and came back and said to the headmistress ‘He’s fine!’ and sat down. She always had this affinity for young children.”
The Diana Award was founded in the wake of the royal’s passing almost 20 years ago with the aim of providing young people with a platform to change the world for the better.
Charles Spencer opens up about Queen Elizabeth’s sense of humour in the clip below.
Mariah Carey looks smitten as she poses up a storm alongside James Packer.
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The 46-year-old singer has been documenting her Fourth of July celebrations over the weekend with her fiancé by her side as they set sail on a friend’s billion-dollar yacht.
On Monday night, Mariah took to Instagram to share a loved-up snap of herself with James, who can be seen grinning from ear to ear as he wrapped his arm around his future bride.
Wearing a skin-tight black dress with her lace bra and ample cleavage on display, the mother-of-two captioned the photo, “Pon de boat.”
Later in the day, the We Belong Together singer shared some additional snaps, clearly enjoying her long weekend.
For the evening, Mariah changed into a slinky long-sleeved red dress with a glimpse of her black bra showing.
Mariah’s five-year-old twins from her previous marriage to Nick Cannon, Morocco and Monroe, were also aboard the luxury vessel with their mother.
The singer shared a snap of the twins hugging and kissing, with the fireworks lighting up the night sky behind them.
Mariah became engaged to the 48-year-old businessman in January after less than a year of dating.
It’s unclear when the pair will wed, but the Grammy-winning star has given several hints about the details of their big day.
She spent 20 years of her life in Summer Bay, and it seems Kate Ritchie is open to making her return some day.
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Speaking to TV Week magazine, the 37-year-old actress and radio personality revealed she would happily reprise her role as much-loved character Sally Fletcher on the long-running soap.
“They didn’t kill me off, so the option is there!” Kate said in the interview.
Kate says she’s happy to reprise her role on the popular soap.
Kate grew up in front of an adoring Australian audience over the course of 20 years, having started on the show when she was just eight years old.
She made her teary departure in 2007 and returned for a brief cameo in 2013.
But it sounds like Home And Away audiences haven’t seen the last of Kate.
Hinting that she might be back for a special appearance as the show turns 30 this year, the Nova Radio host said, “I would be offended if Sally didn’t get an invite back to a celebration that Alf Stewart [Ray Meagher] was throwing.”
Just this week, Kate sported the iconic Summer Bay High school uniform once again for a segment on her radio show.
Sharing a photo of herself looking just like the old days, Kate wrote, “The things I do for my boss..”
Kate hasn’t aged one bit since her days at Summer Bay High!
The brunette star was seen posing alongside her Nova radio boss Shaun Heron.
It’s the humble bikini’s 70th birthday and so instead of flocking to the beach in swimsuits (it’s way too cold for that), we thought we’d celebrate by pulling together nine of the most iconic bikini moments in film.
You’re guaranteed to recognise a few (or all of them!).
But first, here’s a couple of random facts about how the swimsuit came into our lives.
The bikini was first designed by a French engineer turned lingerie designer, Louis Reard, in 1946.
Back then, it caused major shock and controversy, as people condemned it as tacky and indecent.
The swimsuit was banned in Belgium, Italy, Spain and Australia, and many US cities.
It wasn’t till the mid ‘50s that it became popular after celebrities started wearing them.
Click through to see some of the best bikini moments through time:
Marilyn Monroe showing off a polka dot bikini in 1951.
The ever stunning Elizabeth Taylor.
Annette Funicello starred in Beach Party in 1963.
Ursula Andress, who played a Bond girl in the 1962 film Dr. No., has thanked the iconic white bikini for her success. In 2001, it sold for $72,307 (£41,000).
Halle Berry channelling Usula Andress’s Bond bikini moment in Die Another Day in 2002.
Carrie Fisher looked glamorous as Jabba the Hutt’s slave in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.
Angelina Jolie was fit and fierce in the 2001 film Tomb Raider.
Who could ever forget Rachel McAdams’ gorgeous swimsuit in The Notebook?
Demi Moore was 40 years old when she filmed this scene for Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle – and she looks incredible!
