#_author:Harry Hill

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

'SighSwoon' merges self-care tips with hilarious memes on Instagram

Scrolling through @SighSwoon on Instagram is the equivalent of picking up a mysterious book at a thrift shop and falling into words that both enlighten and entertain.  

Gabi Abrao, a 24-year-old Los Angeles native, is the mind behind one of Instagram's shiniest hidden gems. SighSwoon showcases self-reflective memes and guides on how to feel things, whether it's simple pleasures or a broken heart. It’s a treasure trove of content tailored for millennials navigating creative lives. 

Sighswoon began in the summer of 2016, Abrao tells Mashable over email. Heartbreak and the desire to make some changes drove her toward the internet as a medium for creating and connecting with others, mainly through memes. With an ever-growing follower count of 62.3K, she's connected with a lot of people.

“When I share a realization online and see that thousands of people are going through the same thing, it makes me feel less alone, less hard on myself. I want people to feel this way too — understood, empowered,” Abrao explains. 

View this post on Instagram

Reminder that we’re all multi-faceted human beings and inner movements and conditions are subject to change constantly. There is no fixed condition. The more you do and the more you experience, the more understanding you will gain about your many facets and when they show up for you. There is so much to you - your capabilities, your moods, your modes. Being in one mode doesn’t make you in fixed opposition to the the other. There is no forever, there is no never. Fixation is an illusion. Change and shape-shifting is nature. After you understand your modes, you may get close to managing them. The gift of this will be synchronicity and balance. ** (Reposting myself from last October because this theme keeps showing up for me time and time again. Love this truth too much. Happy shapeshifting.)

A post shared by GABI + MEMES (@sighswoon) on Apr 7, 2019 at 6:20pm PDT

The artist uses her platform to offer a plethora of self-care tips, from how to sunbathe ("a secluded location where you can get as naked as possible") to the best ways to "shapeshift," a visualization practice for when you're uncentered. Reading her is kind of like speaking to a caring physician who knows exactly what ails you and then gives you the perfect prescription, free of charge. 

View this post on Instagram

Three years ago, following a mildly devastating heartbreak, I dragged my mattress and box spring to the very center of the room and said, “I am a lush, self-sustaining island“. I slept in the center of the room for three days. That weekend, I took myself to a local playhouse. A 20-seat theater, the space was tiny and intimate. I arrived alone in a long black dress and proceeded to watch a stubborn man fall in love with an alien. The play was incredible, surprising, I cried. Once home, I felt ready for the luxury of leaning on a wall and shoved my bed back up against it. . . Later, ready for guests and no longer isolating, I thought of myself as a castle in the desert. “Grand for itself, wise for itself,” I wrote in a poem. In this new form, I was rejecting the need for outside validation, especially that of romantic partners. I imagined myself made of stone that remained cool, even at the highest noon. I imagined myself as an abundant whimsical structure in an environment lacking of. Sturdy and welcoming and independent. “Grand when you arrive, grand when you leave,“ I added to the poem. . . In a meditation class in high school, our teacher told us to pick our place. My teacher, who did past life regression on dogs, said, “Pick a place to be in. Just sit there and listen. Make room for visits from animals, insects, spirits.“ I settled for a giant warm boulder in the sun, next to a free-flowing river, surrounded by woods. A buffalo visited me that day, my eyes closed in a classroom. When things are neutral, when things are good, when things are great, I am the boulder in the sun by the river. Or I am laying on it. . . The house cat reminds me to stretch my body and take time in the sun. The house cat makes me not feel guilty for napping too long or staring at the traffic outside. The house cat reminds me to give myself permission to relax and take it slow.

A post shared by GABI + MEMES (@sighswoon) on May 2, 2019 at 7:19pm PDT

With so much to do and see online today, it can be difficult to slow your scroll and ask yourself how you're feeling. Abrao's hyper-aware content offers a mirror with which followers can take a nice, long look at themselves. The focus falls on subjects like self-worth, illusions, success, and creativity. She utilizes extensive captions to explain specific ideas in depth — or even just to describe a sunset.  

View this post on Instagram

me drinking the sunset on a hill overlooking the city. it’s incredible how some of the most impactful events occur in line with some of the most devastating. sometimes intensity is just intensity. i am living my dreams and aching simultaneously, and i’d be a fool to think this could ever be any other way. dual, shifting, unbelievably fair. i am so happy to still be here. when things feel gigantic, and the imagination builds tall tales to match the sensation, we can always return to water and sunshine.

A post shared by GABI + MEMES (@sighswoon) on Mar 26, 2019 at 3:50pm PDT

“As a teenager, I used to do street art wheat paste posters around the city that said ‘sigh swoon sigh’ on them," Abrao says of her page’s unusual name. "It was a mini poem I made up and attached meaning to, and sharing it like that was a reason to run around and be bad. Years later, the phrase would come back around and feel like the most fitting title for what my page has become.”

View this post on Instagram

My Higher Self just whispered this to me and I was floored. May we recognize crossfire. May we recognize deliberate, aimed fire. May we protect ourselves first before engaging in any perceived battle.

A post shared by GABI + MEMES (@sighswoon) on Mar 13, 2019 at 9:36pm PDT

The Sighswoon feed is aesthetically pleasing, everything kissed with a tint of beige. It's light and welcoming, which is exactly the way Abrao wanted it. She blames her fascination with the hue on her time spent at the beach: “I was renting a bed and a balcony in a living room for $500/month. The building’s stucco was beige, the cheap '90s carpet was beige, and the sand was beige. I think I just wanted to match everything.” 

SEE ALSO: I don't know who needs to hear this, but these memes are good

View this post on Instagram

tbt to the longest but purest #vintage #meme wrote this a year ago

A post shared by GABI + MEMES (@sighswoon) on Feb 5, 2019 at 1:40am PST

“The cyborg in me recognizes the cyborg in you,” reads her bio, just above a link to her online store where she sells merch that features the saying on totes and sweatshirts. “It’s a claim to embracing the digital age,” Abrao explains, “the very human-meets-technology existence we all participate in, and are still wearily adapting to.” She admits that while it’s meant to be humorous, she also means it with her “whole heart." 

View this post on Instagram

my beloved cream crewnecks are now available! i got one sample made for photos are I absolutely adore it. sizes run a little big and on the “men’s” side of sizing. sweaters are made-to-order and will ship within two weeks. link in bio 🏹🏹 p.s. totes are still available in the shop and any orders made today before midnight will ship on thursday morning along with every order placed this past week. love a cozy cyborg

A post shared by GABI + MEMES (@sighswoon) on Jan 29, 2019 at 1:41pm PST

With just about three years of memeing under her (beige) belt, Abrao has figured out the formula for making a solid one.

“A good meme is funny, relatable, insightful, and healing. In that order. You should laugh, then feel connected to the creator or others who understand it, then experience some introspect, then leave with a healed feeling from those three processes,” she muses. Her delivery method varies as she utilizes many different meme formats. 

View this post on Instagram

ok fine ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

A post shared by GABI + MEMES (@sighswoon) on Feb 5, 2019 at 10:30am PST

Occasionally, Abrao will post pictures of herself wearing interesting outfits made of neutral textiles and glowy silks. These portraits provide a face to the name (as well as maintaining her color-coded image). They also fuel fan encounters at her part-time book store gig: "A few times I have rung up a book, handed it to the person across the counter, and they’re just staring at me, and they say 'You make memes right?'"

View this post on Instagram

Years ago, I read a passage by an unknown source that said - “When you have an amazing day, take note of what you were wearing, what you ate, who you were with, what you did. Do the same with bad days.” This shirt is my absolute favorite of mine, and I’ve only had good days in it.

A post shared by GABI + MEMES (@sighswoon) on Apr 17, 2019 at 5:11pm PDT

Abrao just wants to help everyone chill out. "I aim for my page to be accessible, empowering, and soothing," she says. And she wants to keep it up for as long as possible. 

"I wish to continue my studies of the invisible and unseen — documenting my findings through paintings, writings, videos, memes, and other art forms," she says. Her end goal is literally out of this world: "I will operate a carousel in the desert some day, and I hope to re-spawn on another planet in my next life." 

In the midst of all the noise that is Instagram in 2019, Sighswoon provides a light-filled digital oasis, a faraway page that's easy to get lost on. Be careful, though. You might just walk away feeling refreshed and renewed. And with an affinity for beige. 

WATCH: Nickelodeon releases official SpongeBob meme figures

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

The Tati Westbrook vs. James Charles feud ends in the Notes app

The infamous Beautube feud that began at Coachella has finally ended— in the Notes app. 

Tati Westbrook and James Charles have been playing a high stakes game of back-and-forth for a couple of weeks now. What started with Charles taking on a forbidden sponsorship with Sugar Bear Hair vitamins escalated into a spat that, across all videos involved, has racked up over 164 million views. Westbrook's scathing 43-minute video, "BYE SISTER..." is now unlisted, but has gathered over 50 million views. 

On Sunday Charles uploaded his own 40-minute video in which he defends himself against the myriad of accusations, which range from alleged sexual harassment to entitled behavior. 

"There's nobody that wants this over with as much as I do," Charles begins. "Unfortunately, there have been allegations made against me and I don't really feel comfortable just 'moving on' from those. I would like to take this video today as an opportunity to kind of explain everything that has happened," he continues.  

The video contains screenshots, timestamps, dates, and details that would make any uninformed person scratch their heads and wonder, "Why do I care about 'the Seattle trip?'" To viewers that have been keeping up with the drama, though, Charles' explanations offer a different perspective of what may have happened behind the closed doors of YouTube's beauty elite leading up to the feud. 

At the height of the feud, fellow beauty YouTuber Jeffree Star, for unknown reasons, decided to insert himself by tweeting some since-deleted tweets aimed at Charles and his younger brother, Ian. In the tweets he called Charles a "danger to society" while backing Westbrook's initial accusations. Star released his own video, titled "Never Doing This Again," on Sunday night in an attempt to explain just why he felt the need to intervene. 

"Today I would like to shed some light on the entire experience. Because I think that things are getting, crazy, dangerous, and we need to have a conversation," Star says gravely. He goes on to apologize for his participation in the dispute, and express how his temper got the best of him. Star never apologizes to Charles specifically.

Sunday night, the choppy waters of the beauty community finally came to a glassy still. Westbrook took to her Notes app to type out a statement, calling for an end to the drama. You know it's serious when a celebrity busts out the Notes app. 

"I have been in communication with James Charles through an intermediary for the last week, and we believe it is in the best interest of our community, our viewers, and our own mental health to put this matter to a rest," the so-called Mother of YouTube wrote, accompanied by a broken heart emoji. 

💔 pic.twitter.com/G8Gsqv4diT

— Tati Westbrook (@GlamLifeGuru) May 19, 2019

SEE ALSO: What are we willing to cancel people over, anyway?

"Even in this moment, I still have so many things I'd like to clear up, however the continued call for 'receipts' is nothing more than a call for never-ending bloodshed," she continued. 

Amidst the drama, Charles and Westbrook both saw their subscriber counts fluctuate, though Charles took the biggest hit initially, loosing over 4 million. However, he's gained at least 1.5 million back, according to Social Blade, and his numbers continue to rise. After gaining over 5 million subscribers on YouTube, Westbrook's count is beginning to fall. Star's is also beginning to dip. 

Alas, it's time to put the popcorn down and dismiss any more rumblings of cancelations. All parties involved have expressed interest in taking some time off, so don't be waiting with bated breath for the next installment— it's done. For now.

Game of Thrones is over and so is the beauty community drama. I guess we'll just have to twiddle our scrolling thumbs until something new happens. I just can't wait until this feud is memorialized in a Lifetime movie. Maybe Lori Laughlin could make a return to play Westbrook. 

Until then, bye sisters.

WATCH: YouTuber James Charles loses 3 million subscribers amid scandal

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber's 'I Don't Care' video is green screen perfection

This is One Good Thing, a weekly column where we tell you about one of the few nice things that happened this week.

Are they trying to break the internet?

Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber released a humorously shoddy green screen video for their joint single, "I Don't Care"  on Friday. If you need something to wake you up, this is it. 

SEE ALSO: This woman singing an ode to her overalls is kind of a bop

Colorful visuals and silly costumes abound in the nearly four-minute video, which utilizes a bunch of green screens. Bieber appears in multiple roles, including human-sized corn on the cob, teddy bear, and an ice cream cone. Sheeran, on the other hand, dons an '80s style track suit, a panda costume, and a Hawaiian shirt. As the background rapidly transforms from black tie event to a sky of cartoon rainbows, the singers dance around like the goofballs they are. 

The dance-y song is exactly what one could expect from the minds of Sheeran and Bieber, with breezy lyrics like, "'Cause I don't care when I'm with my baby, yeah / all the bad things disappear / And you're making me feel like maybe I am somebody." 

Bieber's been teasing the video all week on Instagram, posting hilarious stills like this one:

View this post on Instagram

I Don't Care video out Friday. Tomorrow. 2pm BST

A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) on May 16, 2019 at 12:08pm PDT

SEE ALSO: Justin Bieber teams up with YouTube for secret project

Put together, the song and video go (panda) hand in (teddy bear) hand to create a perfectly light-hearted and fun moment. As they bop around to the music, you can tell they really don't care. 

Also, given the green screen, we're expecting some pretty decent memes to come out of this.

WATCH: BTS to release their own mobile game

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

Tati Westbrook didn't think her video about James Charles would be world news

Game of Thrones might be coming to an end but don't fret, there's just as much drama unfolding on YouTube.  

Tati Westbrook has uploaded a follow up video to her scathing 43-minute "BYE SISTER..." rant surrounding fellow beauty YouTuber James Charles, which has been viewed over 47 million times. The new vid, titled, "Why I did it..." features a more somber Westbrook, dressed in all black. 

"I'm not back, I needed to hop on, answer some questions," Westbrook explains. The beauty guru goes on to confess that she never thought her feud with Charles would reach the "magnitude" that it has. She also admits that she thought she would be the one to lose subscribers. "I do really want the hate to stop," she pleads. "I just want you guys to know that there is no celebration in what's happening. If I could give all of the new success back, and the new subscribers back, I would."

Westbrook has gained about 4 million subscribers since the original video came out, while Charles has lost millions, according to Social Blade. Westbrook doesn't apologize for her video, though, saying, "I think people deserve a wake up call and I think people need to be called out for their actions and I think someone's gotta do it." 

Westbrook says that both her and her family have been approached for interviews. "If I really wanted to to take him down, and ruin him, and cancel James Charles, I would've been at every studio and I would've been sharing every little detail that I could. And just know that I didn't." 

"I think that we owe it to James to let him figure it out and heal and I hope that he does that," she continues. 

Westbrook fights tears throughout the video. "I really, really hope you guys see that this is a cut that is much deeper than vitamins," she says with watering eyes. 

"Wow, the internet is the only place where if you cry too much, you're a victim, and if [you] suck it up and power through, you're a bitch. And I'm just trying to find the middle," Westbrook sobs. 

Westbrook's tearful message might have helped Charles, who appears to be regaining some of his lost subscribers. According to Social Blade, the embattled ex-Cover Boy has gained 26,000 subscribers since Thursday night, when Westbrook's video went up. 

Honesty, who needs dragons in Westeros when career damaging hair vitamins exist?

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

The Snapchat Baby filter on characters from TV and movies is absolutely hilarious

One of Snapchat's latest filters is the weirdest thing to be born on the platform since the company had us puking rainbows. 

The Baby filter, which makes anyone who uses it look like a 2-year-old, is wildly fun to play with. In addition to users posting pictures of themselves as babies, they're also putting the filter on celebrities and  characters from our favorite movies and TV shows, too. I never thought I'd see the Hulk with a baby face but alas, it's 2019 and the internet just doesn't sleep when it comes to odd but totally necessary content. 

The cast of the Avengers: Endgame as toddlers is something that cannot be unseen. You've been warned. 

The baby filter on Snapchat is too good 😂 pic.twitter.com/Ejcya0KDxp

— CJ ⎊ (@majormarvelking) May 11, 2019

This newborn Hulk will haunt me for at least a week. 

Image: Mashable/Marvel/Snapchat

this baby filter is addictive...look at these baby avengers pic.twitter.com/sGPKwSKhjD

— ‎⧗ ingrid dorothy ‎⧗ (@evansson_) May 12, 2019

Here's Post Malone as a baby compared to a chicken nugget, naturally.

Post Malone with the baby filter look like a chicken nugget @Smitty pic.twitter.com/iEx6JfHnYL

— Hayden Bergmooser (@HBergmooser) May 11, 2019

If The Office was called The Sandbox

Michael, Dwight, Jim and Pam with the baby filter 😂 pic.twitter.com/B6sRHh6N3W

— Lito (@akidnamedangel) May 11, 2019

Charles Barkley, everyone.

charles barkley with the baby filter looks like charles barkley pic.twitter.com/NNcJwRkAEQ

— k e i t h 🐤🥔 (@KeetPotato) May 16, 2019

The Drag Race queens out of drag and in baby face

someone used the snapchat baby filter on all the drag race queens this season and im lf;jdasklfaslfdkjaf pic.twitter.com/stWZDKIwap

— gabe bergado (@gabebergado) May 14, 2019

All of the Parks and Rec cast look like legit babies and I'm scared, but also want to give all of them a cup of Honey Nut Cheerios. 

I didn’t know how much i needed the baby face filter on the parks and rec cast until now pic.twitter.com/98DQuUfE4D

— maria (@mariaburdjalov) May 13, 2019

Same goes for the cast of Friends. Except they look like they'd be more into Fruit Loops for some reason. 

The baby @Snapchat filter works too well on the @FriendsTV cast 😂 pic.twitter.com/Pi8juS7BAC

— Comedy Central UK (@ComedyCentralUK) May 14, 2019

Is it weird that I can still picture the Sex & The City cast sipping cosmos, even in their baby state? 

The Sex in the City cast as babies pic.twitter.com/fAEzPNmxCO

— veryharryhill (@veryharryhill) May 16, 2019

I saved the best for last: Moira Rose from Schitt's Creek. You're welcome. 

"was I the bébé all along?" pic.twitter.com/n2IVfD23D1

— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) May 14, 2019

And here's Eugene Levy for good measure.

Eugene Levy from 'Schitt's Creek' with Snapchat's Baby filter.

Image: Mashable composite/NetFlix/Snapchat

I hope these weren't too jarring. Sometimes I think the internet just needs to grow up!

WATCH: Snapchat gets upgrade with gaming platform and new features

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

13 household items you definitely shouldn't use to masturbate

May is National Masturbation Month, and we're celebrating with Feeling Yourself, a series exploring the finer points of self-pleasure.

I don't know who needs to hear this, but toothpaste is not a substitute for lube. 

Sometimes, left to our own devices, us humans will do stupid things — especially when horny. After scouring forums on which people described their weirdest masturbating tools (a lot of plastic baggies, a lot of doll parts?), I've put together a handy guide for what not to use when you're horny at home. 

Homebody horndogs, this list is for you. Be careful out there. 

1. Jar of peanut butter 

Guys, don't go chasing jars of Skippy. That's just fucking nuts.

Screw the cap back on and walk away.

Image: Getty Images / Austin Benight / EyeEm

2. Vacuum 

Cleaning equipment isn't the best idea for your equipment. Depending on your vacuum, there's potential for mangling— some have a blade right inside the tube, designed to chop larger bits and pieces so it doesn't clog. According to The British Medical Journal, there have been numerous instances of penis-in-vacuum disasters. Also, the intense suction could leave blisters. Not to mention it's a device used to suck dust and dirt off of your floor. Your Dyson and your Johnson aren't friends.

Pleasure doesn't exist in a vacuum. You can find it almost anywhere, just not here.

Image: Getty Images / Bertrand Demee

3. A knife handle

While the handle of your Mercer Culinary 10-inch Chef's Knife might look fit for insertion, it's not. The last thing you want to do is show up to the ER with bloody hands because you were "trying to masturbate with a knife." Cut it out! 

Perhaps a spatula would be a better option?

Image: Getty Images / mailmyworkdd

4. Anything wooden 

What's worse than a splinter? A splinter in your vagina or butthole. Don't use any wooden items around the house— a baseball bat, a spoon, etc.— unless, of course, it's a wooden dildo, made for the one specific purpose of pleasure. Who says men are the only ones that are allowed to sport wood? Wooden dildo makers, apparently. 

Ah, nature.

Image: Getty Images / ChiccoDodiFC

5. A dog's toy 

I'd imagine that getting off with a brightly colored plastic, possibly squeaky toy would be annoying more than anything. However, in addition to bacteria, you run the risk of your dog trying to reclaim what was once theirs. Fetch yourself a vibrator.

Imagine your dog walking in on you using its toy as a dildo. The shame!

Image: Getty Images / Emilija Manevska

6. A rolled up magazine

Arguably worse than a splinter is a paper cut. Don't risk your bits for an issue of Vanity Fair, even if Beto O'Rourke is on the cover.  

You think a paper cut on your pinky is bad?

Image: Getty Images / aroax 

7. Soap

PSA for anyone with genitals: soap is for cleaning, not creaming. The ingredients in a majority of body soaps aren't intended to be dispatched inside of genitals, especially over a period of time. While you might end up with gleaming genitals, they'll also be burning. 

The face of a man with soap in his urethra.

Image: Getty Images / gilaxia 

8. A toothbrush

Like many orthodontia related items, toothbrushes (especially the bristled side) are no good for achieving orgasm. After all, it's just a stick of plastic that's been sitting in your bathroom. In that aspect, it's not much different from using the handle on a plunger.   

You can tell she's thinking about it. I just hope she doesn't go through with it.

Image: Getty Images / kicsiicsi

9. Toothpaste 

Your sexual organs aren't at risk of getting cavities, so don't let a tube of Crest anywhere near them. That cooling mint sensation? Not so cool down there.

An accurate depiction of where toothpaste is supposed to go: on a toothbrush.

Image: Getty Images  /  Georgijevic

10. The couch

If you live alone, go for it. But most of us don't have a couch we can freely hump. This can be found in the The Code of Roommates Who Don't Jizz On Shared Furniture Handbook under clause #2872. 

Yes, the robot is drinking scotch and enjoying a cigar on the couch, but at least it's not masturbating.

Image: Getty Images / Javier Pierini

11. Peppers

I'm not sure what would compel someone to willfully use a pepper to obtain an orgasm, but if you are compelled, pause. Think about what this could do to your body. You're (hopefully) not an arsonist, so why are you trying to burn it down there?

Don't fall victim to a burning vagina.

Image: Getty Images / Vera Tikhonova

If you are still feeling compelled, here you'll find a story of a 24-year-old Margaret who absentmindedly touched herself after making chili. She barely survived. But the chili was good! So there's that. 

SEE ALSO: 10 different but equally enjoyable kinds of masturbation sessions

12. A pie

We've all seen American Pie, the movie that is aptly named for its iconic scene in which actor Jason Biggs goes to town with an apple pie. No need to recreate that scenario, though. You'll just end up with a big mess and short one perfectly good pie. 

He resisted the urge to violate the pie! And now he's enjoying a slice... on the floor!

Image: Getty Images / dtp

13. Cucumbers

I know, I know, you thought the list would end without a mention of cucumbers, the seemingly innocent phallic vegetable. While it's probably the most tame item on this list, it's not ideal because of the potential germs involved. The risk of bacteria just isn't worth it. If you can get past putting a condom on a cucumber, then all the power to you. 

This cucumber doesn't seem to be in the mood.

Image: Getty Images / VladimirFLoyd

Next time you're looking around the house for something to pleasure yourself with, just use a toy made for sexual play. Or your hand. Just make sure you wash your hands after making anything involving peppers.

WATCH: Usually you shouldn't mix business with pleasure, unless it's with this keyboard waffle iron

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

Taylor Swift compares her snacking habits to a 'raccoon in a dumpster' on 'Ellen'

Taylor Swift loves pushing people's buttons, especially Ellen DeGeneres'. 

The "ME!" singer made a much anticipated return to The Ellen Show on Wednesday, making it her first appearance in two years. Swift commented on everything from her new kitten, Benjamin, to whether or not she washes her legs (she does). 

During the show's "Burning Questions" segment, Swift is put on the spot plenty of times. 

When Ellen asks, "If you can't sleep in the middle of the night, what do you do?" Swift answers, "I go downstairs and rummage through the kitchen and eat whatever I can find and it's really less like a human being and more like a raccoon in a dumpster." Who woulda thunk! 

She goes on to say that "fuck" is her favorite curse word and that Killing Eve and Queer Eye are some of her favorite TV shows. Though Swift remains mum on her new music, she does admit she dropped an Easter egg earlier during the show. 

Honestly, as someone who also enjoys scavenging in the kitchen at odd hours while muttering "fuck" under my breath, I've never related to Taylor Swift more. 

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

10 different but equally enjoyable kinds of masturbation sessions

May is National Masturbation Month, and we're celebrating with Feeling Yourself, a series exploring the finer points of self-pleasure.

Masturbating, like ice cream, comes in many different flavors. 

Since getting off doesn't require another person, the possibilities of where, when, and how you do it are seemingly endless. Sometimes it's an unexpected endeavor and other times it's a planned event. 

The good thing is is that you get to be in control of your own nut, and — with a few exceptions like work and social acceptance — you can get it whenever you want. Even if you have a partner, sometimes it's just better to take matters into your own hand. 

Without further adieu, here are some various forms of masturbation:

1. Boredom

Sometimes, Netflix gets stale and all that's left to do is chill. And by chill I mean masturbate. On those occasions when the Instagram Explore page is no longer worth scrolling, explore yourself instead. 

Turn your phone off and get off.

Image: Getty Images / PhotoAlto/Odilon Dimier

2. Unexpected moment of horniness 

This is the kind of masturbation that happens on a whim. One moment you're watching Killing Eve, and the next you're humping the couch. Nothing in particular spurs the sudden moment of horniness, but once it's arisen, it's got to be dealt with. 

Well, I  guess it's time.

Image: Getty Images / EyeEm

3. While your roommates aren't home 

Perhaps one of the best atmospheres for fondling oneself is in an empty apartment or house. You can be as loud and unabashed as you want. 

Ah yes, the perfect opportunity  to , uh, juggle your fruit

Image: Getty Images / fluxfactory

4. While your roommates are home

Having roommates is a total ball buster when you're trying to bust your balls. They don't need to stop you from pleasuring yourself, though. Just tell them you're taking a nap. Or use the old sock-on-the-doorknob trick. Getting your nut while the roomies are in the next room can be stressful, but it doesn't mean it's impossible. 

Get out! Leave! Right now!

Image: Getty Images / yacobchuk

5. Anxiety

According to Planned Parenthood, masturbating can be a huge stress reliever. While it might be difficult to get in the mood while you're having a panic attack, it may help extinguish said panic. Big test? Masturbate! Job interview? Masturbate! 

No idea what she's doing under the table but it definitely feels anxious.

Image: Getty Images / Tom Fullum

6. High

With the rise of legal weed, it's no surprise that many indulge in masturbating while stoned. According to Vice, there's strong evidence that cannabis does indeed make for a more powerful orgasm. So puff, puff, pass-turbate. 

Alexa, order me some CBD lube, please.

Image: Getty Images / EyeEm Premium

7. Mutual  

If your partner is down, masturbating mutually can be an exciting experience. It gives both parties a chance to show off how they tickle their pickles. Plus, it could bring you and your partner closer— literally. Like the Beatles once said: "Come together, right now!" 

It takes two!

Image: Getty Images / Portra images

8. Bedtime 

Why settle for a glass of warm milk when you could just get off instead? Nothing inspires a night of delicious dreaming like an orgasm before dozing off. 

Masturbating > melatonin

Image: Getty Images / Colin Anderson Productions pty ltd

9. First thing in the morning 

Masturbating first thing in the morning can be choice, especially after having a particularly spicy dream. 

It's time! To masturbate.

Image: Getty Images / YakobchukOlena

10. In the shower 

Given the wet and private nature of showers, they're a reliable spot for masturbating. And you don't need to worry about clogging your pipes with semen. That, my friends, is just a college campus-birthed myth.  Also, soap is NOT a lube. 

Kill two birds with one shower.

Image: Getty Images / MilanMarkovic

So, what're you waiting for? Turn yourself on and get yourself off. Give yourself a hand. You deserve it. 

WATCH: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shatter Guinness record on Instagram

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

Here's what you need to know about those CGI influencers invading your feed

Human influencers like Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner might want to secure their positions in the influencer realm before they get ousted by glorified Sims.

That's right: There are now computer generated images that do exactly what human influencers do. There's a human behind each one — coming up with captions and manually generating the content — though it can be unclear who exactly that person is. The financial threads are equally hazy, but you can be sure that someone is making money off of these "people."

According to CBS, the digital influencer market is set to reach $2 billion in the next two years. The scariest thing is just how convincing these artificial influencers really are: 42 percent of people who were following a digital Instagrammer didn't realize it wasn't a real person, according to a recent study by the media company Fullscreen.

SEE ALSO: 'Alita: Battle Angel' is relevant for cyborgs and humans alike

I set out to understand who exactly these new influencers are, and why they exist. That involved interacting with them — or at least trying to. The feeling of being left on read by people who don't exist is a unique one. It also made me feel like they're hiding something. But here's what we know ... so far. 

Rest assured, they'll either save us from the digital malaise we’ve all scrolled ourselves into, or destroy us further. 

Lil Miquela, 1.5 million followers

Lil Miquela, or Miquela Sousa, is a perpetually 19-year-old girl from Downey, California. She has all the necessary ingredients for Insta-success: good looks, flashy clothing, a nonexistent yet bottomless bank account, and a passion for activism. It's easy to forget you're looking at a bot when reading her captions, which are sprinkled with witty remarks and relatable musings. "No lie, I wish I’d been assembled in the ’90s ..." she quips, echoing the very human desire to be from another time. It's part of what makes her so popular — and so uncanny. 

View this post on Instagram

So am I just going to have crushes on everyone this year? That’s how it’s gonna be, huh? Cool, cool.

A post shared by *~ MIQUELA ~* (@lilmiquela) on Jan 4, 2019 at 5:08pm PST

The algorithmic babe was named one of the 25 most influential people on the internet by Time last year, alongside Busy Philips and Logan Paul. (She was the only non-human to make the cut.) It's safe to say the integration of bot personalities into the mainstream has begun. 

In addition to being an influencer, she’s also a singer and merch seller. Miquela has around 52,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Not bad for someone who doesn’t exist in the physical realm. 

And the merch? Socks from Club 404, Lil Miquela's overpriced swag brand, will run you $30 for two pairs.

But wait a second, why CGI influencers?

Before we introduce more of these new age avatars, it's important to understand how they came to be. Cue Brud. And Cain Intelligence. 

Brud is the LA-based tech startup credited with Miquela's existence. It's described as a  "transmedia studio that creates digital character driven story worlds," whatever that means. Other than that, it's pretty much a mystery. We do know that it was founded by two people: Sara DeCou and Trevor McFedries, neither of whom could be reached for comment. 

Cain Intelligence is even more of a mystery. Founded by Daniel Cain, who may or may not be real, the company is another startup. It describes itself as "the industry leader in Conscious Language Intelligence (CLI), a type of Artificial Intelligence that allows for humans to engage with our specialized robots in free-format, natural language." The website feels bleak and dark, something a villain in a spy movie would create. (It's also pro-Trump.) 

If you're reading this and you're confused, that's sort of the point. Lil Miquela and Blawko, another CGI influencer, are characters created by Brud. Bermuda, also a CGI influencer, was made by Cain Intelligence. Allegedly. But wait: Bermuda now has Brud's Instagram page tagged in her own bio, followed by the message "Look closer"; likewise, Brud's bio identifies Bermuda as a client. Seems like Cain was a marketing hoax to launch Bermuda and her right-wing agenda? As a scheme to get attention for the entire CGI universe Brud has created, it seems to have worked. 

The only person I was able to get in contact with about these three CGI influencers was Jemma Litchfield from Huxley, the creative agency that represents Miquela, Bermuda, and Blawko. In an email, she said she "looked after Miquela." She said they weren't doing interviews, but she'd fact check for me, if I'd like. She didn't offer any clarification about Brud or Cain Intelligence, but instead shifted some sentences around and corrected my first-draft grammar. 

Perhaps the enigmatic nature of Brud and Cain is the reason their influential prototypes have become so successful and so followed. Curiosity today usually leads to a Google search. But when there's no information available beyond what you already know, it can prompt a fascination. Or frustration. 

Anyway, meet Miquela's digital squad: Bermuda and Blawko. 

Bermuda, 133k followers

Bermuda is a controversial blonde known for stirring the digital pot. She's pro-Trump and describes herself as a "robot supremacist." She also once hacked Miquela's page, which gained followers for both of them, pushing Miquela past the 1 million mark, a milestone that opens up a lot of doors in influencer world, including lucrative brand deals with prominent designers. 

Now Bermuda and Miquela are friends who hang out, go to lunch, and put makeup on each other— digitally.

View this post on Instagram

💚💚💚 Decided to give Twitter another try. I’m BermudaIsBae there, too. 💚💚💚 In a great mood today and I hope you all are, too. Mwah!

A post shared by Bermuda (@bermudaisbae) on Nov 12, 2018 at 5:27pm PST

Blawko, 135k followers 

Miquela and Bermuda are joined by another Brud-born character, Blawko, whom they both seem smitten with. Just like Miquela and Bermuda, he offers an eerily authentic personality. He plays video games, goes on dates, and doesn't clean his room. As for the bizarre love triangle between him, Miquela, and Bermuda ... Are we supposed to imagine them in compromising positions? Is this a clear representation of CGI flirtation by default? We're not really sure! 

View this post on Instagram

heaux heaux heaux

A post shared by 🅱️LAWKO (@blawko22) on Dec 20, 2018 at 3:34pm PST

Aside from the Brud crowd, there are other CGI influencers out there in the digital space.

Lil Wavi, 12.1k followers

If you squint, Instagram user @lil_wavi might seem like just another Soundcloud rapper-looking hypebeast, dressed in the latest streetwear and spattered with tattoos. Upon further inspection, you'll see he's a digitally-rendered avatar in human clothing. His graphics give off an edgy early-2000s Sims vibe. Since he "lives in a computer," he can get his hands on expensive pieces of designer clothing that he describes as "the drip" and cites as his main draw. "I’m all about innovation, encouraging creativity, pushing minds to think out of the shitty boundaries," he — or, rather, the unidentified human speaking for him — told Mashable over email. "I want my fans to be influenced in that way. It’s important to me that I am sending positive vibes out to them all." 

View this post on Instagram

Flameboyyyy 🛸🏴‍☠️ yuhhh my $$ fly 💸💸💸 y’all ready for merch?

A post shared by 🛸LIL WAVI🛸 (@lil_wavi) on Jan 28, 2019 at 10:05am PST

Noonoouri, 279k followers

Brand deals and fashion show appearances abound for this influencer. It's unclear how a digital avatar can attend IRL events, but a quick scroll of her page will show her doing just that. Noonoouri takes her role as influencer very seriously. When Vogue Australia asked about her favorite beauty products, she answered, "I love KKW Beauty contour and highlight — they truly work!" Since she's done ads — on YouTube and on Instagram — for KKW Beauty before, it's no surprise that she would plug the products. What's surprising is that a digital persona who looks straight out of a Pixar short is using makeup and getting paid for it. 

Joerg Zuber, Noonoouri's creator, spent several years making her before debuting the influencer on Instagram. A visit to her page suggests she was recently in Africa for a number of fashion-related appearances. And she's from Paris, France, according to her Instagram bio. "I am who I am. If I can help or support others I am very happy. I believe in swarm intelligence. In times like these we need to share and not to hold back," she told Mashable via email. 

"I have a real soul," says Noonoouri.

Image: Joerg zuber

Shudu, 172k followers

Self-identified as "The World's First Digital Supermodel," Shudu was created by beauty photographer Cameron James Wilson as an art project. She blew up when her image was featured on Rihanna's Fenty Beauty Instagram page. In the photo, she's modeling one of the buzzy beauty line's lip products and smizing for the ... computer? Though she's more model than influencer, her likeness is used to sell, too. Shudu doesn't have a personality, per se, but it's because Wilson hasn't come across a human that could do her justice — yet: "Only someone similar to Shudu would be appropriate to tell her story, and really shape who she is as ‘person,’" he mused to Mashable via email. He supports the movement to create more digital supermodels like Shudu: "It doesn’t matter who you are, if you study art and learn how to use 3D programs, you too can be a 6ft tall virtual runway model!" 

View this post on Instagram

Shudu @thesavoylondon trying on beautiful #EEBAFTAs outfits, complete with @atelierswarovski earrings. 6 days to go till she shares #redcarpet looks with you all. . @ee @BAFTA . . #3D #3Dart #digitalsupermodel #worldsfirstdigitalsupermodel #virtualinfluencer #BTS

A post shared by Shudu (@shudu.gram) on Feb 4, 2019 at 11:07am PST

Barbie, 6.2 million subscribers

Here's a familiar face. The uber-popular icon that is Barbie has a digital counterpart, and she's a vlogger. Her first video, in which she introduces herself, went up in 2015. In it, she talks about being from Wisconsin (who knew?) and having a sister. "I've always just been curious about things," she shares earnestly, her huge animated eyes blinking like those of a human YouTuber. Since then, she's uploaded over 75 vlogs, most of which include her sister Skipper and boyfriend Ken, to the YouTube channel owned and operated by Mattel. Barbie is the OG influencer — she's known for doing a million different jobs and having fun while doing them. Why reinvent the wheel?

Balenciaga's digi-models 

While you can't follow these influencers, they're worth mentioning. To show off their Spring 2019 collection on Instagram, Spanish fashion house Balenciaga utilized shape-shifting digital models made by artist Yilmaz Sen. In a series of short video clips on Instagram, the digital models sparked questions about the future of technology in fashion.  With cool haircuts and names like Elsa and Ruben, everything about them screams high fashion. However, unlike human models that walk down runways, these models stand in place and distort themselves like they're made of rubber. Because all haute couture should be shown on computer-generated contortionist models! 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Balenciaga (@balenciaga) on Nov 14, 2018 at 1:53am PST

What's next, then?

Tapping around on these digi-fluencer's pages provides an exciting, if not unsettling, look at the future of technology and the part it may play in pop culture. Some question the validity, appeal, and purpose of these bots. Perhaps it's performance art. Or maybe it's all just an elaborate stunt to leverage consumer action? YouTuber Shane Dawson has a popular video dedicated to uncovering the identity of Lil Miquela. He even calls her on the phone — only to be met with a clearly auto-tuned voice who's careful not to give anything away, or falter at all. 

Liz Bacelar, a tech expert, mused to Forbes that we could potentially find ourselves living in a world in which we all have a digital avatar. And with facial recognition being insidiously installed in mundane places (like gas stations) in order to advertise, secure, and identify us, this may be sooner than we think. Just imagine, we'll be in self-driving cars, scrolling by digitized avatars trying to make us use their discount codes. Or perhaps we'll allow our digitized selves to live for us, like we've seen in futuristic movies like Ready Player One and Wall-E. 

Think of your new CGI friends as the pixelated pioneers of a new, formulated frontier. Who knows? Maybe our human selves could be rendered virtually useless. For now, though, we can just keep an eye on Instagram.

WATCH: Dunkin' and Saucony release running shoe ahead of Boston Marathon

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

This woman singing an ode to her overalls is kind of a bop

Are you an overalls lover? Then here is the extremely relatable song you didn't even know you needed. 

27-year-old YouTuber Lex Croucher put a lot of hot takes into a catchy song. With the title "Ode to Dungarees (Adult Baby)," you can guess what the tune is about. Yup, dungarees (also known as overalls). 

In her virtual love letter to the clothing item, Croucher sings "I feel like an adult baby but it doesn't phase me" while dancing over a green screen. Additionally, she lightly raps, "you gotta get nude if want to pee, and you'll never be accepted by soc-ie-ty," which will probably hit home for a lot of dungaree-wearing adults. 

"I just wanted to embrace the ridiculousness of dungarees and the fact that I do look a bit like a child when I wear them - I know I'm not going to be winning any awards for style but they're just so damn comfy," Coucher told Mashable over email. 

Her favorite feature of the dungarees? "Pockets to hide snacks in, for sure."

Honestly, I wouldn't be mad if I heard this at the club. It would just need to be a dungaree-friendly club. 

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

Robert Downey Jr. hosted a star-studded lunch featuring Brie Larson, Zoe Saldana, and more

This is One Good Thing, a weekly column where we tell you about one of the few nice things that happened this week.

I don't think I've ever had this much FOMO about a lunch. 

As the Avengers: Endgame hubbub continues to keep the internet ablaze, the stars of the record-breaking film are stoking the coals with even more content. Robert Downey Jr. shared a couple of photos from a very fun lunch on his Instagram earlier this week. 

View this post on Instagram

#tbt #throwback #flashback to the #Women of @marvelstudios #mcu lunch I had the pleasure of hosting... #girlpower #epic #bts (📸 @jimmy_rich ) #TeamStark #thankyou good-times getting the ladies together...

A post shared by Robert Downey Jr. (@robertdowneyjr) on Apr 30, 2019 at 11:29pm PDT

SEE ALSO: 'Avengers: Endgame' promises a more inclusive future for Marvel

As a caption, Downey Jr. wrote, "#tbt #throwback#flashback to the #Women of @marvelstudios #mcu lunch I had the pleasure of hosting...." He included two photos, though he's only in the first one.

The star-studded on-set picnic featured a bounty of Downey Jr.'s female costars, including Brie Larson, Elizabeth Olsen, Zoe Saldana, Evangeline Lily, Danai Gurira, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Letitia Wright, and Gwyneth Paltrow. Some of Endgame actresses even showed up in costume, making the gathering a sight to behold. 

From what we can see, the lunch spread included La Croix and an assortment of vegetables. So that's what superheroes eat! 

The post has garnered mass Insta-acclaim, with over 11 million likes and more than 84k comments. That just goes to show that we'll tune in to the Endgame cast whether they're fighting Thanos or just sipping on sparkling water. 

WATCH: Five Marvel movies to look forward to after 'Avengers: Endgame'

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

This adorable third grade class just dropped the best 'Old Town Road' remix

Ever since Lil Nas X dropped "Old Town Road" (featuring Billy Ray Cyrus) earlier this month, the internet has been overrun with remixes of the "hip haw" song. 

The latest — and definitely most enthusiastic —  remix comes from Jasmine A. Merlette's third grade class. 

A day in the life of Ms. Merlette... 🍎👩🏽‍🏫🔥 #MyClassHasBarsss #TurntUpTuesday #ThisIsOURJam #WeKILTOurStateTest #ThirdGradeShawty #YoFavoriteTeacher pic.twitter.com/X7jQ4s1y2p

— Jasmine A. Merlette (@futuredrjas) May 1, 2019

SEE ALSO: 'Old Town Road' yeehaws its way to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100

Ms. Merlette, a grade school teacher, took to Twitter to showcase her students singing and dancing to a math-themed version of "Old Town Road." The kids, accompanied by a large stuffed giraffe, almost go harder than Lil Nas X himself as they hop around between desks. 

The lyrics add up to something brilliant, too. The kid-friendly mix is chock-full of academic jargon, beginning with "I'm gonna ace my test, I'm gonna raise my score," all the way to "education is my swag!"

They even got a reaction from Lil Nas X himself.

i’m cheesing hard as hell watching this. this beautiful lol https://t.co/em0RUX5cqX

— nope (@LilNasX) May 2, 2019

Surely, the "Old Town Road" craze will see more remixes and guest features before it dies out. Lil Nas X even made a joke about adding a bunch of huge musicians to the song, illustrated by a herd of horses:

Old Town Road (Remix) featuring Drake, Young Thug, Lil Wayne, Cardi B, Adele, Tupac, Michael Jackson, Beyoncè, Rihanna, Elton John, Billy Mays, Stuart Little, Thanos, & Lady Gaga drops tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/pGWl2a5VmX

— nope (@LilNasX) May 1, 2019

But we don't think any future version will or can best the one from Ms. Merlette's third grade class. 

Perhaps the song doesn't need any more horses. All it ever really needed was a giraffe. 

WATCH: 'Old Town Road' by Lil Nas X No. 1 on 'Billboard' Chart

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

Taylor Swift says fans figured out the name of her album. Here are their best theories.

Swifties are known for their CIA-level code-cracking skills. It may have just paid off. 

In a new interview with Zach Sang and Dan Zolot of the Zach Sang Show, Taylor Swift takes 10 whole minutes to talk about her latest era in music. With the release of her seventh studio album imminent, Swifties have kicked into high gear with theories, much to Swift's delight. 

SEE ALSO: Taylor Swift's video for her new song 'ME!' is one very, very colourful duet

"I like to plan things out, I like to plan little fun clues for people," Swift tells Sang over the phone. The songstress goes on to describe her process for releasing lead singles. "A lot of the time I'll pick a first single because I like the feeling that it conveys, knowing that there's a lot more on the album that's very different from that first single— which is something that I think the fans have picked up on at this point." 

Finally, Zolot asks the question: "Has anyone found the name of the album title yet in the music video?"

"Yeah, definitely! There are a few people who have gotten it," Swift says, giggling. "I'm not gonna tell you who!" 

Zolot's question is based on the fact that Swift herself tweeted her "Me!" music video with a caption confessing that the album title is indeed hidden somewhere in it. 

So... the new album title is actually revealed somewhere in the video AND so is the title of the second single, but I haven’t seen people finding them yet... 🕵️‍♂️🕵️‍♀️ #MEmusicvideohttps://t.co/cdxQ6dFiar

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) April 26, 2019

The record-breaking video has been viewed over 100 million times, so it's not too surprising that someone guessed the album title correctly. "The fans have been so clever and so eagle-eyed— it made me want to put more clues in the video," Swift says. 

Which leads us to the theories, one of which may actually be correct.  And if they aren't correct, they're pretty darn convincing. Especially since Swift has been teasing everyone with pastel pictures featuring flowers, butterflies, and rainbows all bathed in pinky hues on her post-Reputation Instagram feed. 

1. "Daisy"

This theory, like many in the Swift universe, is from Tumblr. Essentially, there are a lot of daisy-related clues that could point to it being a potential album title.

First, Tumblr user tinmanclin points out that there is the stack of books from her "Me!" video. Out of the three, only one is distinguishable: Cartier's in the 20th Century.

In the description for that book, a list of "arbiters of taste" is topped with the name "Daisy Fellowes."

If you look up Daisy Fellowes, you'll find that she died on Dec. 13, 1962 in Paris. Depending on how much of Swiftie you are, you'll know that Swift's birthday is Dec. 13. 

Moreover, the "Me!" video even has a couple of blatant daisy cameos. At one point, Brendon Urie, who duets with Swift on the track, offers her a bouquet of them while wearing a suit that is covered in, you guessed it, daisies. 

Blatant daisy imagery!

Image: youtube 

Swift even sports a dress with alleged fabric daisies stuck on to it. Can we get a florist on the phone to identify, please? 

The floral name recalls a a lyric from Reputation's "Don't Blame Me:" "I once was poison ivy but now I'm your daisy." 

Of course, this theory wouldn't be complete without a couple of The Great Gatsby references drizzled in. In Swift's essay for Elle UK, she writes, "It’s something F. Scott Fitzgerald did so well." And in a lyric from Reputation's "This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things" Swift sings, "feeling so Gatsby for that whole year." 

And who is the main character of The Great Gatsby? Daisy!

Swift's recent butterfly wing mural in Nashville also features daisies.

View this post on Instagram

So... @kelseymontagueart helped me pull off the best surprise clue reveal today in Nashville!! Thank you to everyone who showed up, I’ve never been more proud of your FBI level detective skills. Next clue: I’ll be joining the magnificent @robinrobertsgma for a chat tonight on ABC live from Nashville 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Apr 25, 2019 at 11:30am PDT

Last but not least, Swift's newly stocked online merch store includes a tote. Do I even need to tell you what's printed on said tote?

This daisy bag is proof, people!

Image: www.store.taylorswift.com

2. "Home"

Perhaps one of the strongest theories of the bunch is "Home." 

Apparently, there are a lot of similarities between the "Me!" video and The Wizard of Oz. It sounds odd, but it checks out. Here's a video that explains the correlations:

Plus, a lot of Swift's recent activity focuses on the idea of "Home."

The Wizard Of Oz THEORY 🌈🏡💗 🚨ASKDJSKAK it’s happening!! “THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME” ... ‘Somewhere over the rainbow’!#taylorswiftapril26 #taylorswift #TS7 #TS7iscoming #thewizardofoztheory pic.twitter.com/4s8KpfZr1T

— #MEoutNOW (@swiftiealyce) April 22, 2019

View this post on Instagram

All the reasons why I believe "Home" might be the album title💜🌸 - I'm also open to it being titled Kaleidoscope but it feels a bit long to me #Taylorswift #TS7 -> corner not former lol anyways (@taysforgetmenots posted a comprehensive theory about this so check it out!)

A post shared by Taylor Updates <3 // Jehlé (@mustlikeme4me) on Apr 26, 2019 at 11:32pm PDT

Additionally, Tumblr user Taylors-rainbow points out that the connection between the portrait of the Dixie Chicks in the "Me!" video and something Swift wrote in her Elle UK essay: "To this day, when I hear 'Cowboy Take Me Away' by the Dixie Chicks, I instantly recall the feeling of being twelve years old, sitting in a little wood paneled room in my family home in Pennsylvania."

So that's why the Dixie Chicks are randomly on a painted in the "Me!" video.

Image: youtube 

It all just makes sense. 

3. "Forever"

Tumblr user Youareinlovex went deep with this one and we're glad they did because it's a thinker for sure. 

To begin, Swift's Reputation tour movie on Netflix contains an odd tidbit in the credits:

Image: netflix

You'll notice that it says "sequel to '...More.'" What it's a sequel to, nobody knows. However, in Reputation's very last song, "New Year's Day," Swift sings "you and me forevermore." 

Next, there's Swift's recent segment on ABC that aired during the NFL draft in which she revisits one of her favorite places: The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. After talking a little bit about it, she finishes by saying, "I hope it stays this way forever." And then gives the camera a smirk, after which the video ends.

There's also the palm trees, one of the first images of Swift's that sparked these very investigations. Since she posted a photo of seven palm trees to Instagram back in February, fans have speculated that the tree is somehow a part of her new music. Most recently, they can be seen in her "Me!" video. Apparently, the tree represents eternal life. And eternal life means forever. 

Lastly, the "Me!" video features a scene in which Urie flicks open a heart on his lapel, and viewers are transported through winding hearts to a stage set. On 1989, Swift's fifth album, the song "Welcome to New York" features the lyric, "Kaleidoscope of loud heartbeats under coats." So, Urie literally opening a heart that leads to a whirling transition screen feels like those lyrics come to life. Also from "Welcome to New York" is the lyric, "It's a new soundtrack I could dance to this beat, beat forevermore."

It does indeed look like a kaleidoscope...

Image: youtube 

Which brings us to the next theory:

4. "Kaleidoscope"

This is the only theory Swift has actually acknowledged, albeit sparingly. In an interview with Australian radio show Smallzy's Surgery, Swift was asked by the host if "Kaleidoscope" was the title of the album. 

“I’m not gonna comment because I really do respect those theories so much, but I’m going to tell them all the information when I tell them [the fans]!” Swift said with a knowing laugh. 

Given the multiple meanings for the word "kaleidoscope," it's certainly a possibility. 

I will tweet this again!!! A group of butterflies is called a KALEIDOSCOPE #ts7theories #ts7 @taylorswift13 @taylornation13 pic.twitter.com/QYe1CgdXxH

— Mollie... but with an IE! 🦋ME! Out NOW🦋 (@swiftarmy1989) April 29, 2019

"Ever-changing" is very on brand for Miss Swift. 

at this point, i am convinced that @taylorswift13's next album is kaleidoscope pic.twitter.com/HPzhG5895r

— STREAM BET BET (@_cyrilalvin) April 30, 2019

Also, multiple visuals in the "Me!" video are similar in nature to a kaleidoscope's. 

One of the theories about the title of TS7 is kaleidoscope and that is absolute genius!! 1. There are obvious kaleidoscopes in the #MEmusicvideo. 2. Swarm of butterflies = kaleidoscope 3. Kaleidoscope can be used as a metaphor for change!! @taylorswift13 @taylornation13 pic.twitter.com/rdemke0Nwg

— Laila 🦋 (@LailaHannoun) April 30, 2019

One Swiftie even inverted a still from the "Me!" music video and it appears that the word is "Kaleidoscope" written on its skin. 

UMM HAVE @myheartofmusic AND I CRACKED THE CODE???? DOES IT SAY KALEIDOSCOPE ALL JUMBLED UP ON THE SNAKE???! OR AM I A CRACKHEAD WHOS LOST HER LAST TWO BRAIN CELLS??? @taylorswift @taylornation #MEOUTNOW #TS7theories pic.twitter.com/vVPvUNLqBY

— nat | (@ontheroadt0ruin) April 27, 2019

5. "Heart"

While Heart is super simple, it is a shape we keep seeing in Swift's recent imagery. It's a doubtful and somewhat boring possibility but definitely not off the table. 

Or is it much more easier and simpler and the #TS7 is called HEARTS and that’s why they speak French?! Because French is like a language of LOVE?!?! AND THE PARIS IS A CITY OF LOVE?!? IS IT LOVE?!?!?!?!?!? AND THE 70s WAS THE ERA OF FREE LOVE?!?!? WHAT WAIT @taylorswift13 pic.twitter.com/SgL7sG7YYh

— 4.26 (@snake_lungs13) April 28, 2019

6. "Rainbow" (or "Spectrum" or something to do with colors)

This theory hinges on all of the literal rainbows featured in the "Me!" video. If Swift is trying to be obvious (though I don't think that word is in her vocabulary), this would make a lot of sense. 

Elaboration on my rainbow theory 🌈❤🌈❤🌈❤ @taylornation13 @taylorswift13 #MEmusicvideo pic.twitter.com/lDiHgDcgHr

— Christy of House Tyrell 🏵 (@pdlinbooks) April 27, 2019

Also, the word "rainbow" has seven letters and this will be Swift's seventh album.  Additionally, most rainbows consist of seven colors. Hmmm.

Sooo why the album could be called RAINBOW is because the rainbow has 7 colors and as we all know “TS7” also she’s hinting at it with “like a rainbow with all of the colors” and all of the rainbows in the MV @taylorswift correct me if I’m wrong @taylornation #streamME #ts7 #ME pic.twitter.com/tIkjvATiQb

— dutchswiftie (@dutchswiftie2) April 28, 2019

7. Something in French

A Taylor Swift album with a French title might seem unlikely, but the opening scene in the "Me!" music video could be a huge clue. In it, Swift and Urie go back and forth, arguing with each other in French. And knowing Swift, it's bound to have some sort of importance that isn't clear just yet.

what if the speaking French and Cartier pointing to the title of #TS7 being a French word ? Amour for love ...or Coeur for heart ...or archive en ceil for rainbow? @taylornation13 @taylorswift13 #MEMusicVideo pic.twitter.com/65IV7eD8KK

— Taylor Swift Ireland 🦋🌴 ME! (@TaylorSwiftEire) April 29, 2019

So... the word Iridescent in french is irisè ! If you break up the word, its ~I RISE~... Maybe she is hinting by the way she jumps over steam, and is lifted in the 'spelling scene' @taylorswift13 @taylornation #ts7 #Frenchconnection #MEMusicVideo #irisè

— JanusMaximus -Jane (@j_lovelock) April 30, 2019

Phew. So, we potentially know the name of the album. When it drops, though, is another case. If their track record of crunching numbers is any indication, we're sure the Swifties will crack it in no time. Until then, we'll all be here, twiddling our thumbs to the tune of "Me!"

WATCH: Taylor Swift reveals songs that helped her through breakups

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

15 memes for when you're an anxious wreck

Anxiety, like stubbing a toe, is an unfortunate part of life that can strike at odd times. 

Many things seem to cause anxiety. Coffee, work, the political climate, and ordering a sandwich at Subway can all potentially make someone weak with worry. Oh, and chemical imbalances. Those make people anxious, too. 

Sometimes the easiest way to deal is to try to find a reason to laugh it off. No, I'm not claiming that a meme or two will help your anxiety, but a good giggle can't hurt. 

Here are some (panic-stricken) memes and tweets to help you laugh a little. 

1. Never leave your higher self on read.

View this post on Instagram

🙄🙌

A post shared by GABI + MEMES (@sighswoon) on Oct 13, 2018 at 12:41pm PDT

2. That's one way of looking at it.

Anxiety is literally just conspiracy theories about yourself

— The Lot Wizard (@Yellowledbette1) March 10, 2019

3. Annndd that's another way of looking at it.

Anxiety is just spicy thoughts

— Kyle 🌱 (@KylePlantEmoji) October 18, 2018

SEE ALSO: Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards opens up about living with anxiety in powerful Instagram post

4. My brain cells love colluding against me, especially when I get into bed.

View this post on Instagram

Stays up till 4 am

A post shared by Miss Bel-Air (@doyoulovethe2000s) on Mar 20, 2019 at 3:26pm PDT

5. My mental stability is definitely comparable to that cranky old lady skit from The Amanda Show.

me to myself: you need to get your shit together my mental stability: pic.twitter.com/NGnHLj37Zm

— adam (@brokeangeI) April 26, 2017

6. Sorry, I really have to take this call.  It'll only take several hours.

  View this post on Instagram

Me: My brain, spiraling: when u die u cease to exist and u will never experience anything again just the eternal nothingness of endless empty space

A post shared by Julia Hava🌹 (@binchcity) on Feb 4, 2019 at 2:03pm PST

7. I'd download it. Not sure if I'd use it. But I'd definitely download it. 

There should be an app like uber but instead of driving you somewhere they just come and hit you with their car

— Borgore (@Borgore) February 12, 2019

8. Follow! The! Script! 

When the person u want to text u is texting u but they aren't following the script u had planned out in ur head pic.twitter.com/tRujPlWXaK

— Black People Vines (@BIackPplVids) June 5, 2018

9. Wow, sounds like paradise. 

who wants to take a holiday trip with me? thinking about going to the bermuda triangle and just fucking disappearing

— Frank lotion (@702Austin) December 26, 2018

10. Cheetos are an anxious person's best friend. 

View this post on Instagram

i was downstairs with my parents and every sound they made raised my blood pressure for no REASON!! so i was like ok i'm going upstairs b4 i freak. and then i took a nap and stayed here for like 3 hours. but now i'm hungry so i wish i had those cheetos

A post shared by 💖✨ pixie tang ✨💖 (@pixietang) on Jun 23, 2017 at 7:17pm PDT

11. The birds are singing and so are my worries! 

Here’s a tip I use for waking up early: live in fear

— Kevin Farzad (@KevinFarzad) April 7, 2019

12. Belated RIP. 

Did a little self diagnosing over on Web MD and it turns out I've been dead since 2006

— Kyle (@Kyle1092) March 30, 2018

13. So what seems to be the problem today?

View this post on Instagram

I don’t think they can handle this 🧐

A post shared by Not Too Pretty (@nottoopretty) on Mar 24, 2019 at 7:40am PDT

14. The most common white lie ever. 

bold of me to constantly use the phrase “no worries!” when I am, in fact, constantly full of many worries

— h 🌈 (@hmbnzs) October 23, 2018

15. The panic heard 'round the world. 

A guy in class got called on to answer a question and after a short pause he says, “hang on, I’m not dumb I’m just panicking.” I felt that. The guy next to me felt that. Your mom felt that. The world felt that.

— Carson Braun (@cbraun3124) February 27, 2019

See? Wasn't that nice? Oh. You're still worried? Me too. Well, at least we tried. The best advice would be to, like Ariana Grande once sang, "Just keep breathin' and breathin' and breathinnnnnnnn'!" 

WATCH: ‘Avengers: Endgame’ stars make emotional speeches at premiere

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

People really love this video of a dude unclogging a drain

This content literally sucks.

A 16-minute video of a man clearing a "massive clog" is making the rounds on Reddit right now. While that may sound super boring, the general consensus is quite positive: unclogging videos are satisfying. 

SEE ALSO: Here are the best times to go to the bathroom during 'Avengers: Endgame'

Apparently, nothing brings strangers on the internet together like a video of sticks being plucked from a drain.  

Unlike the lake water in the video, the comments are flowing. People discovering the weird world of drain videos on YouTube were both surprised and pleased to find the subculture. 

Comment from discussion thehousebehind's comment from discussion "This guy seems to have a hobby of unclogging drains and culverts to help lakes and streams. Slowly watching it unclog is awesome.".

Comment from discussion Omicron909's comment from discussion "This guy seems to have a hobby of unclogging drains and culverts to help lakes and streams. Slowly watching it unclog is awesome.".

Comment from discussion SharkDiver's comment from discussion "This guy seems to have a hobby of unclogging drains and culverts to help lakes and streams. Slowly watching it unclog is awesome.".

Reddit acted as a bridge (or tunnel) to Post 10's YouTube channel, where he posts other unclogging videos. 

According to the comments, viewers can't get enough. 

Image: youtube

Image: youtube

None of us know why, yet here we are. 

Image: youtube 

If you're on the market for a new way to waste time online, unclogging videos could be the answer. 

Though it goes without saying, one should always be weary when stepping foot into a new wormhole on YouTube. Once you enter, it can be difficult to come out of it for at least three hours. If you need to mow the lawn, do it before you press play. 

If you are set on watching unclogging adventures, it could be beneficial to toy with the speed of the videos. After all, these videos can be quite draining. 

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

Men's makeup brands are discreet — and all over Instagram

Nestled on my Instagram feed between a picture of a high school friend living their adult life and one of the Kardashians (they’re starting to blur together), was a sponsored post for “makeup for men” entitled War Paint. As I sat there watching the ad jump to life— a tattooed man covering his well-lit skin with a black beauty blender— I couldn’t get over the fact that it’s literally called “War Paint.”

Over time, I scrolled into more of these sponsored ads, like a weasel wandering into well-laid traps. Granted, I’m a gay guy who’s been wearing makeup since high school; some tinted moisturizer here, some blush there, but makeup nonetheless. So while I’m aware that these ads might not be enticing to me, per se, I wonder if they’d be enticing to someone who isn’t ready to step foot in a Sephora at any given moment.

If their ads are any indication, the brands I’m seeing on Instagram are attempting to change the narrative around men's makeup and open up that corner of untapped market that men represent.

First, it’s important to note that queer men have been wearing makeup openly for a while. And thanks to male beauty gurus on YouTube, like James Charles and Jeffree Star, it’s commonplace to scroll by a boy with a “full beat” on Instagram. “The boys in beauty aren't blurring gender—they're expanding it,” writes Koa Beck in Marie Claire. 

SEE ALSO: 7 of the best light masks for acne, according to reviews

While mainstream media is no stranger to putting makeup on men (David Beckham was recently on the cover of Love magazine wearing green eyeshadow), it’s still a tough sell to the average straight guy.  According to surveys, men are still quite hesitant to wear makeup.

The "Beauty Boys" are forcing brands to pay attention, making it clear that there’s an untapped market out there in the way of men’s beauty. Most recently, Chanel dropped a small line of makeup for men in late 2018. Forbes called it "revolutionary" and after GQ's style and grooming director tried it, he urged readers to "Wear more make-up." Charlotte Tilbury and Fenty have both put out official videos demonstrating their products on men in an attempt to grab male customers and sell them on the fact that they, too, could benefit from some beauty hacks.

High-end brands aren't a realistic option for men who are just beginning to dabble in makeup— $65 for a Chanel foundation is a leap, even if it is made for men. Charlotte Tilbury and Fenty, on the other hand, package their products in typical makeup fashion: shiny, colorful, and branded—characteristics that might make them weary candidates in a straight guy's toiletry lineup. And at the end of the day, it's all still makeup, a genre of grooming that doesn't open its door that widely to men, particularly straight men...yet.

View this post on Instagram

Our Concealer Swatches, what shade are you?

A post shared by War Paint (@warpaintformen) on Nov 15, 2018 at 3:07am PST

Altr conducted a men’s makeup survey with UK adults (1000 men and 1000 women) aged 18 to 35. When asked if they had ever worn makeup or concealer, 19 percent of men admitted they had, 20 percent admitted they'd thought about it, and an overwhelming 61 percent said they haven't worn any and haven't thought about it either. And 56 percent of men said they wouldn’t be comfortable approaching a makeup counter— a number that rises as the age bracket reaches 35. 

Perhaps the most interesting tidbit from the survey is this: 10 percent of men said they knew “a lot” of guys who wore some sort of makeup, compared with 5 percent of women. This might point to the fact that men who do wear makeup only discuss it with other men. 

I realized, though, that that’s the point of these discreet, direct-to-consumer operations selling makeup for men. Nobody has to know. Unlike the new male-focused beauty lines from cosmetic powerhouses like Tom Ford and Chanel, these Instagram-savvy brands are making it a point to steer clear of traditional beauty jargon when advertising their “tools.”

Stryx, a company that sells just concealer and tinted moisturizer, markets them as just that: “tools.” The packaging goes a step further to ensure that anybody who lays their eyes on it won’t really know what it is. The concealer stick looks like a pen or a stylus, sleek and black. The tinted moisturizer looks like it could be a number of things, also sleek and black. Perhaps a portable charger? A fancy deodorant, maybe?

On a desk, these "tools" blend in to their surroundings

Image: stryx

Stryx was founded by three men: Devir Kahan, Joe Lieberman, and Isaac Rami. In a phone interview with Mashable, they spoke about their approach to "cosmetics" and why their products have the potential to spearhead a new frontier in which men wearing makeup is the norm.

Instagram plays a huge part in their business plan, says Rami. "We’re able to directly speak to our consumers and change and develop things in the direction they wanna see it...it’s in our DNA."

According to Forbes, Instagram influencer marketing could be worth more than $2 billion in 2019. That’s a lot of money to be spent on people hawking products on a photo sharing app. 

Altr is another brand selling makeup for men on Instagram and it’s more straightforward. Alex Doyle, the company's founder, puts more of an emphasis on marketing "makeup" straight up. "We tend not to shy away from the cosmetic angle, or promote discretion, like some other brands do," Doyle told Mashable over email.

The UK-based brand touts a fuller range of products, similar to Stryx’s, like Face Fix, a concealer-ish formula made for men using specific ingredients like China clay. The blemish fighting tool comes in a blue tin and upon first glance, it's easy to mistake it for a lip balm. 

While packaging seems to be of utmost important to these brands, it’s hard to tell if it's really making a difference. 

Barret Wertz, the style and grooming editor of AskMen claims that while shirking the stigma around these products may take time, it is doable. "Incorporating hyper-masculine copy or imagery is one very easy way of doing that, allowing men to buy something that inherently looks masculine, while still receiving the benefits of makeup," he says. 

Altr's answer to concealer: "Skin Fix"

Image: altr

Altr's moisturizer, containing a "subtle whiskey extract," is a winking example of a product made by men, for men. "I’ve always really enjoyed whiskey personally which was a big reason behind it," Doyle admits. But it's not just for marketing purposes. "The whiskey infusion helps our key soothing ingredients such as Chamomile and Aloe Vera 200x properly absorb into the skin," Doyle claims.

While that may sound like marketing hoo-ha, it’s actually not. Mintel, a leading market intelligence agency, conducted a survey in 2017 that found that men do pay attention to ingredients. “Natural” is the “top attribute” that men look for on packaging of personal care products. Whiskey, it seems, might actually persuade customers to follow through with a purchase.

Stryx’s nod to hard liquor comes in a different form: the shade selection. While their range is weak (they’re planning to expand it soon), it’s the way users choose their color that stands out. To select a shade, users can pick between three different tumblers filled with ice. "We see our whiskey glasses as interesting and different, but many of our customers don't even realize that it's different or unique, per se, as it's their first time thinking about cosmetics and shades," says Kahan.

Light Cognac, Medium Mahogany, and Dark Eclipse make up the shade range.

Image: Stryx

With men's cosmetics is potentially a massive emerging market, it's hard to tell whether these particular brands will thrive. Wertz doesn’t think makeup will ever be a staple in the average straight man’s routine. "I don’t think you’re ever gonna see a guy with a fully beat face who’s going to work at a bank," he laughs, "that’s probably not gonna happen."

Yet, with only a couple products to their names, these companies have managed to get their feet in a door that didn’t exist, say, five years ago.“While California is our biggest market, demand is actually surprisingly widespread across the country, with a lot of orders coming from southern states like Texas,” says Doyle about Altr’s reach.

"We have not found that a specific age buys our products more than others, and our customers range in age from 18 all the way to 50,” notes Kahan. “We have delivered Stryx orders to customers everywhere from Apple headquarters and the tech sector, to actors and directors, to "strait-laced" professionals on Wall Street or in law."

Somewhere between Bear Grylls and James Charles is the everyman. The one who just wants to wake up, go to work, and fit in with society. If having a clear face comes naturally to them, great. But what if it doesn’t? What if they suffer from acne scars? What if they’re just naturally a little ruddy?

Those questions might not be easily answered, but some should find solace in the fact that the solution could be just a click away.

Editor's note: Mashable and AskMen are both owned by Ziff Media Group.