But anywho, basically Rachel Berry is my obsession because I think she is the prettiest person I have ever seen, and also she (well, Lea Michele) has the best singing voice ever and I wish she sang all of the songs in the world and I could just play them on loop and anyway let’s just say that:

EINTKILF Rachel Berry

1. Being part of something special makes you special.
I’m not gonna front and pretend like I wasn’t well loved in high school, but I still have a huge soft spot for people who struggle with acceptance because, well…I am an A) biracial B) poor C) woman so like that’s almost all of the minorities. But I had a great high school experience and people have always liked me and I am nerdy but in an endearing way, so I never really dealt with “everyone hating me” or anything, but I feel like at the same time I really love people who have no friends because I just love the misunderstood.

Rachel: Look, I know I’m just a sophomore, but I can feel the clock ticking away and I don’t want to leave high school with nothing to show for it.
Will: You get great grades. You’re a fantastic singer.
Rachel: Everybody hates me.
Will: You think glee club is going to change that?
Rachel: Being great at something is going to change it. Being part of something special makes you special, right?

And yeah, I’m one of those girls who likes myself, so sorry that I am not going to pretend like everyone doesn’t love me right now. #nothumble

2. How to get a boy to fall in love with you.
There is nothing I love more than a little determination in a love story. Rachel was so in love with Finn from like day one and she totally fights for her man. And it pays off! Even though she almost never sacrifices who she is to get him to love her except for that one time when she plays sexed up Sandy from Grease and he doesn’t even like it because he just likes her for who she is because he’s a real man, darn it! (I like Finn Hudson types, like a bunch.)

Finn: When I first joined, I thought you were kind of insane. I mean, you talk a lot more than you should, and to be honest with you, I looked under the bed and made sure that you weren’t hanging out under there. But then, I heard you sing. I don’t know how to say this, but you touched something in me. Right here.

Rachel attracts Finn with her super dorkiness and her beautiful singing voice and duh, who wouldn’t fall for that? Don’t stop believin’, you guys. It’s a thing.

3. There is nothing ironic about show choir!

Nothing.

4. Singing is the best.
I mean, like I said before, I could literally listen to Lea Michele sing the phone book and be content with my life.

Have you heard her “Being Good”? Okay, listen to it and try not to like…sob yourself to sleep.

5. Take risks.
You know when Rachel doesn’t get into NYADA, but then she invites Whoopi Goldberg to come see them sing at Nationals? Like who would even do that, right? And then of course she gets in to the school of her dreams. And then she goes there alone because Finn “breaks up with her” right before she gets on the train, and then even though Kurt ends up joining her in New York, she was totally ready to be on her own. 

AND her teacher Kate Hudson is super mean to her and she doesn’t give up. She is a risk taker, and I love her for it.

6. Don’t get married in freakin’ high school.
I guess this was kinda Finn’s call, but I mean, they were super ready to get married before Quinn got into that car accident because she was texting and driving and the wedding was postponed and if they had gone through with it, Rachel never would have dated super hot Brody. There are seven billion people in the world, you guys. You don’t have to marry your high school sweetheart in high school.

(Though I’m obviously #teamfinchel)

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Something you guys may not know about me – because I write like a teenage girl – is that I have a degree in English Literature. Yeah, who doesn’t, right? But I really do read and write well–this column just caters to me getting out my passion for everything relatively unimportant yet completely enjoyable in the world. And I love it, and I think we should all do what we love and I love to watch movies I have already seen a thousand and five times and then teach you guys stuff. I’m a teacher, basically.

And I can’t believe I haven’t written this yet, so here we go!

EINTKILF Romeo + Juliet

1. Cousins are super important.
Remember how last week I wrote about Will and Carlton, the best cousins out there? Yeah, well, they should be thanking Romeo and Benvolio because, hello? They love each other so much. From the very beginning of the movie when Benvolio totally knows where Romeo is even though his parents can’t figure it out all the way to Romeo’s vengeance of his cousin’s death! 

I love the scene with Benvolio and Romeo playing pool because it is such a normal conversation burdened down by Shakespeare’s confusing yet eloquent language. Really, it reads like this:

Benvolio: Gosh, get over it, there are like a million other chicks in the sea, or whatever that saying is.
Romeo: How can I get over it when I love her so much? You know nothing about love, bro.
Benvolio: Let’s go to this party and I’ll totally hook you up, man.
Romeo: I mean, I’ll go, but whatever man, I’ll never find another like her.

I am Romeo. I’m always like “no, no, no, I love this guy,” and then a few weeks later I’m all about someone else. Will this ever go away? I sure hope so.

2. Moms are the worst. 
What the hell is wrong with Juliet’s mother? She is sooooooo the original Ruth Dewitt-Bukater, am I right? She insists upon her daughter marrying Paul Rudd because he has a ton of money and a strong familial name…or something. I don’t remember why. It’s certainly not for his dance moves because he’s a super goofball. I mean, Juliet’s nanny/housekeeper is a better mother to her than her real mother, but I guess that’s a thing for a lot of rich people, huh?

3. If love be rough with you, be rough with love. 
“Prick love for pricking and you beat love down.”

Baz Luhrman’s take on Mercutio is my favorite thing in the world next to fresh mascara, red lipstick, chocolate chip pancakes, and DiCaprio’s lips on a cigarette. As he’s shaking that thang in a tiny silver skirt, adorned with a wig worthy of Nicki Minaj, he slips in my favorite line in the movie/play/world, and it is all you need to know about anything ever.

Be rough with love, you guys. It deserves it.

4. Costume parties are the place to meet boys. 
Because when you are an angel, and you meet a…knight? On speed? Through a fish tank? That’s how you know it’s true love.

For real, though, if I saw those freakin’ blue eyes magnified through the water in a big ol’ fish tank, I would also let him kiss me–by the book or not–immediately. 

4a. Desree’s voice is the bomb. 

5. Any man who thinks he never saw true beauty until he saw you is a man worth dying for. 
I mean, that’s a dramatic lesson but I kind of mean it, like if I met someone that said that to me even if I’m told I’m beautiful like fifty-five times a day, I feel like I would fall for him. Especially if he had deep blue eyes, flippy bangs, and kissed by the book, you know what I mean? Is that flighty of me to fall for dudes that say stuff like that? All I know is, even though I already loved him, one time I said that I knew nothing about flowers and my ex-boyfriend (before he was my boyfriend) said that he didn’t believe that because flowers were so beautiful and the smart part of me wanted to be like, “CORNBALL,” but the love part of me was like, “BAWWWWWWWWWWW,” and then I loved him for like three solid years, so there’s something to be said for bad lines about beauty. They stick with you!

6. Don’t call your lips “blushing pilgrims.” 
Cause it’s weird.

7. Don’t consummate before marriage, y’all. 
Okay I don’t actually condone this lesson at all, but I’m not gonna lie: Juliet has some power over Romeo, you guys. They are making out in the pool and when she’s all “gotta go!” and he’s all “will thou leave me so unsatisfied?” and she’s all “well what do you mean?” he’s like, “MARRY ME!” instead of “let’s get it on,” which is what he obviously meant, right? Right? I mean, I have never met a man that meant marriage before sex, and I have met a lot of men that didn’t want to sleep with me. Or marry me. Wait, what’s the lesson here? Um, try to get the upper hand. That’s the lesson, and I’m sticking to it.

The post Everything I Need to Know, I Learned From ‘Romeo + Juliet’ appeared first on HelloGiggles.

Let’s get to it. Let’s get to celebrating Mr. Fox.

Things You May Not Have Known About Michael J. Fox on His 52nd Birthday

Fox plays the guitar, did you know?

And I don’t just mean as Marty McFly!

Fox writes books!

Fox has an incredibly important, successful wonderful foundation that he started, did you know?

Fox has four awesome kids, and Sam (his oldest) does a lot of work with the MJFF!

Fox golfs!

Fox does GAP ads!

AND! AND! AND! I think most importantly, if you didn’t know that Fox has a new television show premiering in the fall, now you know! Television just isn’t the same without Fox. Let’s get excited! And by “let’s,” I mean you guys should all join me in my excitement!

Featured image via fanpop, Guitar image via huffingtonpost, family and Lucky Man image via michaeljfox.org, golf image via golfdigest, GAP ad image via usmagazine, The Michael J. Fox show image via facebook.

The post Happy Birthday (Best Man Alive) Michael J. Fox! appeared first on HelloGiggles.

I have long been a defender of Mr. West, Mr. West, Mr. Fresh, Mr. By-His-Self-He-So-Impressed because I think he is an entertainer and he does exactly what entertainers should do: ENTERTAIN. And though everyone seems to be offended by Kanye quite often, I genuinely am never offended by him and in fact, I had previously compiled a list of lines proving that Kanye West is not just a big ego, he is a big brain, as well. Why not share it on his birthday?

And I am simply LOVING the new stuff, as well. If you haven’t heard it yet, do yourself a favor.

Ten Lines Proving Kanye Gets It

1. “We wasn’t supposed to make it past 25, the joke’s on you we still alive. Throw your hands up in the sky and say ‘we don’t care what people say.’”
We Don’t Care

2. “You know the best medicine go to people that’s paid if Magic Johnson got a cure for AIDS and all the broke motherf*** passed away you tellin’ me if my grandma’s in the NBA right now she’d be okay? But since she was just a secretary working for the church for 35 years things supposed to stop right here?”
Roses

3. “Racism still alive they just be concealin’ it. But I know they don’t want me in the damn club, they even make me show ID to get inside of Sam’s Club.”
Never Let Me Down

4. “Yeah, I hear the alarm. Yeah, I hear you, Mom, yeah, yeah, I don’t wanna be broke when I’m 31. They said the best classes go to the fastest. Sorry, Mr. West, there’s no good classes and that’s what your ass get, not even electives, not even prerequisites, you mean I missed my major by a couple of seconds? Now I’m in the shop class or the basket-weaving with all the rest of the motherf**** underachieving.”
Late

5. “Man, I promise I’m so self-conscious, that’s why you always see me with at least one of my watches…we livin’ the American dream: the people highest up got the lowest self-esteem, the prettiest people do the ugliest things.”
All Falls Down

6. “I feel the pressure under more scrutiny and what I do? Act more stupidly.”
Can’t Tell Me Nothing

7. “On that independent sh**, trade it all for a husband and some kids. You ever wonder what it all really mean? You ever wonder if you’ll find your dreams?”
I Wonder

8. “I guess the money should have changed him. I guess I shoulda forget where I came from.”
Can’t Tell Me Nothing 

9. “Now, I could let these dream killers kill my self-esteem, or use my arrogance as a steam to power my dreams.”
Last Call

10. “We shine because they hate us.”
All Falls Down

And as a bonus, Kanye can be really romantic, in a really realistic way.

–”See I can have me a good girl and still be addicted to them hoodrats and I just blame everything on you, at least you know that’s what I’m good at.”
Runaway

–”You unperfect, but you made life worth it. Stick around some real feelings might surface.”
Blame Game

–”Put your hands to the constellations, the way you look should be a sin. You my sensation.”
Devil in a New Dress

Featured image via urbanislandz, fashion image via fashioncrush, glasses image via listal, Kim and Kanye image via thefader. 

The post Happy Birthday, Kanye West! appeared first on HelloGiggles.

Before I get into the real issue here, I would like to say that I think it is insane that 100 high school students could not follow one of the most basic rules concerning flight. Do not get on a plane if you cannot follow basic instructions. Listen, I don’t like being away from my cell phone either, but I silence it in movie theaters, I do not text during a date, and I certainly at least switch into airplane mode while in the sky. THERE IS AN AIRPLANE MODE FOR A REASON. Disconnect, kiddos. Life goes on when you don’t check your Facebook every thirty seconds. I promise.

But anyway, what is the deal with the electronic rules on airplanes? This is about to be the least technical article you have ever read because if there is one thing this girl knows nothing about, it is electronics. (And animals, and anatomy.) But every time I am flying, I wonder what would happen if I did just turn my cell phone on. It seems preposterous that one person’s cell phone staying on could crash an entire airplane full of people, but what about a hundred cell phones? What is the science behind this? Is it one of those you-can’t-chew-gum-in-class-unless-you-brought-enough-for-everyone things? Like one cell phone won’t kill everyone, but a hundred will so to be fair no one gets the right to their portable social networking device?

Last year, the Wall Street Journal (via Jalopnik) released a report on this precise issue, stating:

“Indeed, there’s no firm scientific evidence that having gadgets powered up for takeoff and landing would cause a problem, only that there’s the potential for a problem.

The Federal Aviation Administration allows pilots to use iPads and other electronic devices to replace charts and manuals in the cockpit, powered up during takeoff and landing. But the FAA says it can’t test all the different gadgets passengers may bring on board. The agency worries a multitude of devices could pose more danger than a single iPad for pilots.”

Everything I have read about electronics on airplanes leads me to the conclusion that no one is positive about catastrophic results deriving from reading an e-book on your flight to see your mother, however the world is taking the “better safe than sorry” approach to life. Is that so bad, though? Until we are sure one way or another, I think airplane patrons should be turning their iPhones and Kindles off when asked.

But how else can I take a selfie on the plane??

They are the experts, don’t be a punk.

Images via ShutterStock.

The post Turn That iPad Off! We’re in the Air! appeared first on HelloGiggles.

EINTKILF Will and Carlton

1. HOW TO DANCE. As if this needs an explanation! But one of the very best parts of Fresh Prince is the dancing. I mean, when Will dances alone, when Carlton dances alone, when they dance together, when the whole family dances, when Geoffrey dances… I mean, dancing is a THING on this show. And I swear to God, my older brother dances exactly like Will Smith. Exactly.

2. Race really makes a difference. In college, I was really upset about many different subjects covered in various sociology classes I took, but even though I let everyone discuss the true motives behind Disney movies, when Fresh Prince came up in one of my race classes, I was miffed! There is a lot of critique (in case you are unaware) about not only Fresh Prince, but the Huxtables, as well. As two of the only predominantly black casts on television, Fresh Prince and The Cosby Show are often criticized for being “too white.” Though the Banks family is obviously privileged, the entire premise of the show is built around Will, a kid from the “wrong side of the tracks” of Philadelphia joining his upper-class family. With that, he brings culture and fun and a whole lot of heart. Personally, I never read this show as white-washed, and there are even key times when Will and Carlton in particular discuss the matter of being black in America:

Carlton: The police were just doing their job. We were detained for a few hours, Dad straightened everything up and we were released. The system works. Will: I hope you like that system. You’re going to be seeing a lot of it in your life. Carlton: Not if I bring a map. Will: You haven’t learned a thing this weekend. No map is going to help you. Neither is your glee club or who your daddy is because when you drive a fancy car in a strange neighborhood, none of that matters. They only see one thing.

Will Smith, tellin’ it like it is. I just got into a debate with a friend on the same matter a few weeks ago. The unfortunate truth is that racism does exist, and I loved growing up with shows that touched on the issues that were, and are, still very relevant. Ignoring race doesn’t erase racism.

3. Stripping to get out of trouble will only get you into…more trouble. OBVIOUSLY we all know the episode I am talking about when Will and Carlton pawn Viv’s bracelet to make money to invest on an insider stock tip, which really didn’t work out because why would it because this is a 90s sitcom, and in general that was a bad idea, soooooo…Will and Carlton strip to get the money to buy Viv’s bracelet back. Uncle Phil is super pissed when he finds out, but I’m sure it all worked out. I mean, to be honest, I don’t remember much else about the episode besides…well…

4. How to dance in a strip club.

That’s right, boys. Jump. On. It. Even these days!

5. It’s okay to be a virgin. For some time during the run of Fresh Prince, Carlton was a virgin, whereas Will and all of his friends (namely Jazz) were not. I am here to say that it is okay to be a virgin when all of your friends aren’t. Ain’t nothing wrong with saving yourself for the right person. In fact, there ain’t nothing wrong with wanting to give it up but not being able to find someone to holla at you. I was “old” when I lost my virginity, and though a lot of my decision was based on wanting to be with the right person, the majority of it was honestly because I felt like I had never met a person that really would have slept with me. Not that I believe that to be true–I know I am picky (as I should be!) and I know I intimidate men, and I know I am respected to the point that men never want to just hit it and quit it, which is a good thing, obviously. I also know that it is probably really easy to just hit up a random bar and find someone to sleep with, but that is just not special for, you know, giving up your carnal treasure.

The post Everything I Need to Know, I Learned From Will and Carlton appeared first on HelloGiggles.

Cancer You know when you go for a run, or a jog, or a long walk, and it begins to rain? Like slow drips at first–the kind of rain that is nice to run in–but then the rain begins to pour, like a scene from a Nicholas Sparks’ book turned movie. So what are you gonna do, Moonchild? Do you let your hair get wet and own the moment, or do you turn around and run from the scene, back toward your warm home and reassuring shower.

There is no right answer, though in the spirit of new beginnings (summertime!), I suggest you go against your gut for once.

Famous Crabs: Selena Gomez, Jaden Smith, Ashley Tisdale, Will Ferrell, Tom Hanks!, Khloe Kardashian, and most importantly, OUR GIRL MINDY

Leo Everyone in the astrological world knows that Leos are confident. No one is questioning you with your lion’s mane, your thick skin, and your big heart, but dear Leo, between the two of us (because I am one of you), we both know that for as confident as you can be, you can be just as insecure as the rest of the zodiac. Especially when you are at your most vulnerable, like when you are in lovvvvve. But hey, here’s a thought! Apply your confidence even when you are most insecure, or to put it less cryptic: grab him and kiss him. He wants you to do it. You’re the king of the jungle!

Virgo You are an Earth sign, my lovely, lovely Virgo, which means you shall thrive in the summer season. Give yourself a break this summer. Sip lemonade and read all of the books on your bucket list. Take a vacation, and if you cannot afford the time off of your day job to actually go anywhere, make time for yourself in some other way. Change your desktop picture to a beach and kick your feet up. Summer is not the time to dwell on detail. Save it for a rainy day.

Libra Lil’ Wayne once said, “Devil on my shoulder, the Lord as my witness/so on my Libra scale, I’m weighing sins and forgiveness.” What are you weighing on your Libra scale? Sins and forgivness like your fellow Libra Lil’ Wayne, or something a little less heavy maybe? Work and play? Kids and husband? Friends and new relationship? Whatever you are weighing, it is okay to tip the scales, if you know what I mean. The next lyric is “what goes around comes around like a hula hoop,” and you know what? If you pay more attention to work this month, play hard in July. If you can’t pull away from your new lover, take your buddies out to a great dinner soon. It is okay to favor every once in a while–just be sure to come back around to the rest of your life. Eventually.

Scorpio Did you know that a Scorpio is the “antithesis” of good ol’ Aries? Scorpios are associated with the eighth house, which is Death, while Aries is the first house–Life. Life and Death, though clearly polar opposites, are very closely associated with one another. Though I do not always buy into the whole “opposites attract” theory, I do believe that opposites can learn from one another. This month, dear Scorpion, settle your scathing sarcasm and embrace the silly side of life. Grab your closest Aries pal and skip in the sun.

Sagittarius You always get caught up with the little things, dear Centaur. It is easy for you, with your huge heart and self-sacrificial ways, to get lost in what is truly beneficial to your own life. I would not call you a worrywart necessarily, but I do think it is high time you stopped using every tiny event to excuse your feelings. Don’t blame it on the rain if you don’t want to go on that walk in the park. Don’t blame it on your new boss if you just don’t feel like staying late at work. Don’t blame the outlying factors that really have nothing much to do with you: own your feelings and you will be respected.

The post Written in the Stars: June 2013 Horoscopes appeared first on HelloGiggles.

EINTKILF Toby Ziegler

1. Veterans should be respected, regardless of class. Anyone who watches The West Wing probably has “In Excelsis Deo” in the list of their favorite episodes because A) Sorkin does Christmas very, very well and B) Toby is boss in this episode. Toby receives a call to come identify a body because (as it turns out) the homeless man had been wearing his donated coat at the time of death. Toby becomes fixated on finding the man’s family–he tracks down his also-homeless brother–and eventually uses his political connections, arranging a proper military funeral for the man. 

President Bartlet: Toby, If we start pulling strings like this don’t you think every homeless veteran will come out of the woodwork? Toby: I can only hope so, sir.

Toby is so wonderfully Toby in “In Excelsis Deo,” and Schiff won an Emmy for the episode, and it always makes me cry.

Oh, and C) Mrs. Landingham. Another great reason.

2. Buying the love of your life a house does not guarantee anything. Toby and his ex-wife Andy have a pretty depressing relationship, if I am being honest. I am always bummed out watching Toby love Andy, and watching Andy–such strength and strong will!–stick to her guns on not taking him back. While Andy is quite pregnant (like literally full-term) with their twins, Toby buys her a house in a supreme effort to get her to remarry him. In what is probably the saddest scene ever (no, you guys! “Casino Night” is not the saddest episode of a show!), Andy tells Toby that she will not remarry him because he is “too sad.” 

Andy: You’re sad. And you’re angry and you’re not warm. You take forever to trust someone.

Heart…breaking. Still. Every time.

Toby is sad, and now I am too.

3. But then also: babies come with hats. So then Andy goes into labor and Toby meets his twins, Molly and Huck, and it is the sweetest. He tells them that he didn’t know that babies come with hats (this is a bad lesson: babies don’t actually come with hats), and also that they crack him up because they don’t have jobs, they can’t walk or talk, they don’t have money, but they have hats.

Still with the hats!

It’s all good with a hat.

4. The best cure-all is throwing a ball against a window. It is also the best way to get someone to come to you. Will: What are you doing? Toby: I throw a rubber ball against the window, that means you come to me. Will: Really? Toby: As my frustration grows, so does the velocity of the ball against the window.

Some people squeeze stress balls. Toby throws them.

Also, there is a Twitter account for Toby’s ball because this is a beautiful world.

5. You have to come to a verb eventually. We all know that Toby and Sam have potentially the greatest work relationship of all-time, right? I mean yes, there are an endless number of phenomenal co-worker relationships on The West Wing alone, but Toby and Sam are just something else. Any scene with the two of them interacting with one another is so endearing this little heart can hardly handle it. 

Toby: Sam, you’re going to come to a verb soon, right? Sam: Okay, you know what this is called? Toby: Bad writing? Sam: Imagery. Toby: Well, you say potato.

Sam is a fantastic writer, but since Toby is his mentor, we should be listening to Toby. Come to a verb, you know, eventually.

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