Love Island. The six-days-a-week guilty pleasure that 80% of your friends are talking about. The ITV2 dating show is ruining my social life and making me dread Saturdays (the sole day deprived of a fresh episode). But one thing it shouldn't be doing is providing me with a foolproof dating manifesto. Yet it is.

I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised; in a year when Brexit happened, Trump moved into the White House and Binky from Made in Chelsea had a baby, there are no surprises left to be had. That said, if you had told me at the start of this summer that a trashy ITV2 programme would become my dating bible, I would have cackled like a hyena on laughing gas.

To get things straight, I don't have a lot in common with the women on Love Island. I don’t have fake boobs, I resent wearing makeup, I feel anxious in a bikini, I let my hair dry naturally and I won’t go near a man who looks like he has ever done self-improvement to his eyebrows. But most of all, they understand men, and I do not.

I have no clue how to behave around men; I frequently blur boundaries, screw with friendships, confuse people, baffle my friends and get myself in a pickle, without even a kiss for my troubles.

In the spirit of self-discovery through the medium of reality TV, here are the lessons in love and lust I’ve taken from this year’s Love Island. Do with them what you will.

Men change their mind and say stuff they don’t mean

Ok I’m not naïve. Yes, I know people change their mind and yes, of course, people are liberal with the truth – that’s dating 101, even for hopeless romantics like myself. But Love Island has made me realise how quickly that can happen. I was aghast when hunky lad Dom seemingly dumped Montana for new sexy glamour model Jess after a glass of chardonnay and a couple of tealights (his best ever date). He made his promises. He kissed her. He said she was special.

My eyes have been opened. Thanks to two weeks of watching, this kind of behaviour no longer shocks me. I now take everything with a proverbial pinch of Himalayan pink salt. It is just as easy for a man to say you are beautiful as to never text you again. A month before my Love Island obsession began, I was sucked in by a man who told me he couldn’t wait to tell our grandkids how we met. I have now realised it was just an elaborate way to get a snog. I am not trying to give you trust issues and build Trump’s dream wall around your heart, but just take your time, suss people out and don’t melt for every compliment.

Be bold, be clear and compliment

“You are a bit of me”, “You are good-looking” and “Am I fit? You’re fit. Let’s go” are just a few lines thrown out by our bikini army in Mallorca over the last couple of weeks.

These girls may not know what a hung parliament is, but they do know men. It all came to fruition for me at a party on Saturday night. A boy caught my eye. He was attractive. As Olivia would say, “He’s 100% a bit of me”.

Old me, pre- Love Island me, would stare at him, much like a seen-but-not-heard Victorian character, wondering if I could accidentally bump into him, ultimately not speak to him, and go home wondering what could have been. I feel bad for old me. I think they call it the breakthrough moment in therapy.

New me, with Olivia’s ‘craic’ on one shoulder and Montana’s ‘forthrightness’ on the other, walked on over (I may have even strutted). After a quick, flirty smile, I told him: "You are really fit, and what is even fitter about you, is that you don’t know you are fit." Poetry, no, and yes a repetitive sentence structure that my university lecturer would have cringed at, but sassy nonetheless.

The interaction was crystal clear, there was no friend-zone haziness, no potential girlfriend, no one having to create a faux work/hobby-related reason for us to follow each other on Instagram. Just clear-cut, straight-to-the-point chat. If he wasn’t interested, he could walk right away. Admittedly that would have felt like rejection, but I’d rather that than spend the night talking to someone who wasn’t interested.

In the end he asked for my number, saying he’d like to take me to an Arsenal match. Premier League, yeah, cool.

Following our interaction, I asked him how he felt to be approached in that upfront manner. “Guys that claim to like the chase aren’t always telling the truth,” he said. “It was refreshing”.

Don’t feel depressed about dating

As your mum always tells you: there are plenty of fish in the sea. But the truth is sometimes it feels like there are a lot more dead trout floating around than sashimi-grade tuna. However, Love Island has taught me there really is always someone round the corner.

One second there's no one in the villa who's 'a piece of me’ for Marcel, our Blazing Squad Z-list celeb, the next he's re-living Makosi from Big Brother ’s infamous sexy jacuzzi moment, and talking about kids with twerking specialist Gabriella Allen. Never give up: there are a lot of people in the world to sext with.

I’m not the kind of girl who normally takes life advice from wannabe celebrities, but we can all change. I’m wearing my Love Island passion with pride. You know where to find me at 9pm for the rest of the summer.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Did Andew Cunanan's Dad Really Try To Sell His Son's Life Story?

When Does This Is Us Return For Season 3?

The 13 Reasons Why Cast Says Not Everyone Should Watch Their Series

I was 24 when I decided to quit my job as a journalist and boarded a one-way flight to Australia. It was slap-bang in the middle of the global financial crisis and, naturally, I didn’t have another position lined up for when I got there. But what sounds like the precursor to a story about That Time I Screwed Up My Life, taking the elusive first step on the career ladder only to hop straight back off was the best decision I have ever made – only I didn’t know that at the time.

While outwardly I shrugged off the weight of my decision (aren’t I hilarious! Aren’t I just so fucking reckless!), I was in secret, incomparable turmoil. Quitting my job was flying in the face of everything I had worked towards throughout my entire adult life; my A-levels, my degree, the countless hours of unpaid work I’d cheerfully carried out in order to land my first paid position. While my peers were being made redundant or still fruitlessly searching for something within their chosen sector, I was opting out of a good-on-paper job, with zero other prospects on the horizon.

The job hadn’t exactly landed in my lap, either. I only got an interview through the recommendation of a mutual friend, I got offered the position after a gruelling week-long trial shift, and made it through the three-month probationary period by the skin of my gritted teeth. There were scores of other talented writers lining up to replace me, something I was reminded of daily. But while I knew I was lucky to have it, my job didn’t make me happy. In fact, it made me utterly miserable. And so, after weeks of wrestling with the decision, I handed in my notice.

While most people I told of my half-baked plan egged me on in a way that indicated they were mildly intrigued by how it would pan out but weren’t particularly invested either way ("Amazing! Let me know how it all goes!"), a couple of friends took me to one side to warn me that I was committing career suicide. In fact, they said it so much that I began to believe them, which prompted me to actually beg my boss for my old job back before I boarded my flight (she said no, so I thought I might as well go anyway).

But if I was waiting for the feeling of remorse to catch up with me on Sydney’s golden beaches, it never did. Whereas in the UK I had checked both of my phones on constant rotation, with the kind of nervy anticipation of someone who’s scared to look yet scared not to, it was weeks before I bought myself the most basic, pre-paid mobile I could find. Without the barrage of passive-aggressive voicemails and 24/7 access to emails and social media, I felt myself begin to relax for the first time since I had started my job two years previously.

Which is probably why, despite Sydney being almost comparable to London for opportunities in the media sector, the idea of exploring them never even occurred to me. Instead, I picked up full-time work at a local surf store, where the definitive start and finish time was like a tonic for my frazzled soul. Leaving work for the day meant exactly that – no more thinking about work and certainly no late-night phone calls from my boss wondering whether I had remembered to do X, Y or Z. While I occasionally wondered whether I would ever again have another job opportunity like the one I had passed up, working on a shop floor made me happy. Selling bikinis made me happy. Taking my (obligatory) lunch break on the beach made me happy. I came to the realisation that it didn’t really matter what I did for a living, as long as I was able to squeeze enjoyment out of every day.

It wasn’t until about six months later that I felt ready to dip my toe back into journalism, and was lucky enough to pick up a bit of freelancing. To my great surprise I realised that I had been disenchanted with my old job, not the entire industry. After scoring a great job on a magazine, I never looked back – I poured everything I had into the role. I loved writing, I loved working as part of a team and I loved that I was able to finally do the job I had always dreamed of.

Had I listened to my head and not my heart and attempted to stick it out in my old job, I suspect that I would have ultimately changed careers entirely, and would have missed out on the amazing opportunities that have since come my way. Although it felt more like a quarter-life crisis at the time, I came to realise that my mid-career break was the making of me – both personally and professionally. It allowed me the headspace to realise exactly what I wanted, and gave me the energy to go for it.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Money Diary: How My Wedding Cost Twice My Budget

Confessions Of A...Former Cleaner

I'm A Successful Creative Director — & This Was My First Failure

It’s hard to be a Black woman in the world. We’re constantly sent messages and images that tell us that we aren’t enough. We are too dark, too big, too small, and somehow always just too much of the wrong things always. So when an artist that is unapologetically themselves chooses to celebrate what makes them different — including celebrating our Blackness and how we define womanhood — honouring them is the least we can do.

This weekend, with Solange Knowles’ 31st birthday underway, I am happy to celebrate her and the power she gives to Black girls everywhere to be unapologetically and boldly themselves.

Her mama, Tina Knowles, was among the first to wish her happy birthday and the traits of her daughter she chose to celebrate are exactly the things that make her so remarkable.

Happy Birthday my beautiful baby girl❤️31 years ago today you entered this world (when YOU got good and damned ready to come) !10 days late! We were all in love!!! You've been walking to the beat of your own drum every since!! I don't know anyone who is as headstrong and determined to do it thier way , no matter the consequences. I admire your courage , Boldness, intelligence , beauty , refusal to conform to others definition of (traditional beauty , your kindness, loyalty, love of family , great mom skills, fashion sense , work ethic , activism. I could go on. Its one story i will tell . The Asst. principle called me when you were in the 6 th grade and said you started a petition to discipline a teacher because she continuously allowed a student to harass and disrupt the class and keep the other kids from learning! She said you were disruptive and too grown , at which i said "go Solange" i was as proud as i could be! I told her so. You were always lite years ahead of your time . We are always here and got your back !! I love you with all my heart!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️💐💐💐🎍🎍💥🔥🎂

A post shared by Tina Knowles (@mstinalawson) on Jun 24, 2017 at 6:15am PDT

Happy birthday my baby Girl Solange Knowles Fergurson❤️ now you are 31 and we are going to pick you up again when we see you ! Because in Mariah's voice "you will always be my baby" in this this case OUR baby❤️

A post shared by Tina Knowles (@mstinalawson) on Jun 24, 2017 at 7:03am PDT

Under one post, she wrote, “I don't know anyone who is as headstrong and determined to do it [their] way, no matter the consequences. I admire your courage, boldness, intelligence, beauty, refusal to conform to others definition of traditional beauty, your kindness, loyalty, love of family, great mom skills, fashion sense, work ethic, activism...” She then shared a story about how Solange’s individuality shone through way back when Solange was in the 6th grade when a teacher called her disruptive. Even then, she was as fearless as she is now.

To some, Solange was introduced to them by her older sister Beyoncé. But Solange is her own force to be reckoned with. She experimented with styles and musical tones through her previous albums ( Solo Star and Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams) but it was last year’s A Seat At the Table that made the mainstream sit up and take notice. A Seat At the Table was a direct response to the complexities of being a Black woman, dealing with everything from fetishisation of Black hair to fighting against the stigma of being an “Angry Black Woman ” and redefining self-care. It was a defining moment for Black people everywhere, but particularly for Black women and femmes, it was a moment when we felt powerful and seen.

One of the best things about Solange is her fearlessness. She openly experiments with fashion, beauty, and her own art, showing Black folks the creativity that we’ve always been capable of. The looks in her videos for “Cranes In the Sky” and “Don’t Touch My Hair” are already legendary.

Solange’s impact on the Black community only continues to grow. Yesterday, a little girl’s father tweeted out that his daughter pretended to be FaceTiming with Solange, only to have the artist respond herself wanting to make it a reality. Talk about accessible!

omg heyyyy girl heyyy
bouta slide in your DM's so we can really FaceTime ❤️ https://t.co/yEtSWZWJYK

— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) June 23, 2017

Ok so, Ghazi is everything.
She sang to me, we did some deep breathing, and she waved goodbye with her feet.
My type of gal❤️ pic.twitter.com/n0fPURUSy8

— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) June 23, 2017

She continues to use her platform to spread awareness about topics that matter the most to her, and sharing with her fans that underneath it all, she’s just like them.

So here’s to you, Solange: for your fearlessness, your vulnerability, and your bravery to be unapologetically yourself while giving Black people everywhere the same courage.

Read These Stories Next:

The Best Part Of Snapchat? These Celebrities

Happy Songs That Will Instantly Put You In A Good Mood

Celebs You Should Be Following On Instagram

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Macaulay Culkin Tells Anna Faris About Losing His Virginity At 15

Cardi B Says Strippers Will Never Get Their #MeToo Moment

This Tiny Mindhunter Season Two Detail Could Be More Than A Red Herring

Time to put the "passion" in compassion. This Monday, energiser Mars gets in formation with empathetic Neptune, giving us a clear window into other people's perspectives. Tired of all the squabbling? Purposefully take a walk in someone else's shoes. What experiences have shaped them which might make them see things a certain way? No, that doesn't mean backing off your own values and convictions. But if you want to argue your case successfully, it can be useful to speak to the other person's concerns. Soulful Neptune lends some patience to Mars' short fuse, making these difficult dialogues a lot easier to navigate. Mars is also the warrior planet — and this beam from "heal the world" Neptune can inspire us to fight the good fight for the underdog. Just make sure that you put a little (or a lot) of love in your heart.

Taking off for a four-day weekend? Don't forget your favourite plus-one. With the moon in partnership-oriented Libra on Saturday, you may need to rebalance a few things in your relationship — especially if one of you has been doing more giving and the other more taking. When la luna drifts into sultry Scorpio on Sunday and Monday, duos can become intensely dynamic. Hello, fireworks!

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

How Your Sign Survives Mercury Retrograde

Holy Week Tells A Powerful Story — Here's What You Need To Know

Why Does Easter's Date Change Every Year?

A fortnight of Pride in London celebrations began on Saturday and to mark the occasion, three central Tube stations are showing their true colours.

The London Underground roundels at Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus – three stations surrounding Soho, an LGBT heartland – have been given a rainbow makeover.

Londoners are already sharing pictures of the colourful rainbow roundels, which feature the pro-equality #LoveIsLove hashtag.

Oxford Circus knows what's up. #Soho #homeoftherainbow #loveislove #Pride

A post shared by Kristian Dennett (@kristiandennett) on Jun 24, 2017 at 7:15am PDT

#happypridemonth🌈❤️💛💚💙💜🏳️‍🌈✊ #happyprideweekend🌈❤️💜💚💛💙 #loveislove🌈💖 #rainbowliciousalltheway😘🌈✨😜😂✌️💘💋💋 #loveisbeautiful💖 #lovemyrainbowlife😜😋💘🌈🌻✨😍🙈✌️❤️💚💜💙💛💋🙏 #peaceandlovealwaysbaby✌️❤️😉😘

A post shared by Shamiya.M.Disney-Love Jackson (@rainbowrockgoddess) on Jun 24, 2017 at 7:17am PDT

The exterior of Tottenham Court Road station has also been given a couple of celebratory #LoveIsLove banners for Pride in London fortnight.

Because still,in 2017 we need to fight for the right to love whoever we want to love! 😐 #youarewhoyouare #loveislove #pride2017 #londonpride #love

A post shared by Magatte Thillo (@maggie_veganmag) on Jun 25, 2017 at 1:49am PDT

The main Pride in London parade takes place on Saturday 8th July. With 81 floats hitting the streets and 40,000 people expected to march, it's set to be the capital's biggest Pride parade ever.

To mark Pride in London, Mayor Sadiq Khan is flying a rainbow flag outside City Hall for the next fortnight. "Here in London, you’re free to love whoever you want to love and be whoever you want to be," the mayor said in a statement. "That is a big reason why I feel our city is seen as a welcoming home for the LGBT+ community and has such a vibrant, thriving scene – one that is bursting with colour, and contributes hugely to the life and soul of London."

The mayor also pointed out that Pride in London has a special resonance this year in the light of recent terror attacks at London Bridge and Westminster. "Pride in London is one of the iconic festivals of our city and underlines our reputation as one of the most LGBT+ friendly places on the planet. We have faced an extremely difficult time in London recently, with terrorist attacks and extremists trying to sow division and discord," he said.

"Pride is another great demonstration of how London will always stand united – and how we will always be a beacon of inclusiveness, acceptance and diversity. Above all, it shows that London is open to all people, regardless of background, religion, race, gender, disability, age or sexuality."

Heading to the parade? Check out our guide for tips and advice.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

The Real Reason Women's Toilet Queues Are Longer

Are You Going To #DeleteFacebook? Our Poll Results Are In

Young Women In Vienna Tell Us Why It's Been Voted The Best Place To Live

It seems like it's been a minute since the Barden Bellas graced our screen. While we've been anxiously waiting for updates on the third instalment of the Pitch Perfect movies, we've been feeding our thirst with teasers from the set and photos of the cast on a post-filming vacay. Now the Bellas are back, pitches, with a full trailer for Pitch Perfect 3. But, sadly, I have some concerns about the new film.

My concern is definitely not that Ruby Rose is in it because I would watch Ruby Rose do anything. I would watch two hours of Ruby Rose mowing the lawn or taking a nap for goodness' sake. She is perfection in human form. No, my problem is with the fact that the trailer appears to paint the all-woman rock band she fronts as the villains.

I hate to see women pitted against each other like this on-screen. Part of what worked so well about the first films was that they made The Treblemakers, a group of men, such great foils for the Bellas. That allowed for the women to triumph over the guys and gave us heroes we could feel good rooting for.

Girls and women are already so underrepresented in rock that it's a shame to see the trailer demonise a band of instrument-playing women by making them the main competition for the Bellas. It feels like a girl-on-girl crime, and I'm not really here for it.

Women have historically been shut out of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with girl groups like the Go-Go's and the Bangles not getting inductions (and always being relegated to pop radio, even though they play the same kind of rock as guy bands). Since its inception in 1983, only 37 women performers and bands have been inducted and only one, Carole King, was inducted for songwriting. Just like Elizabeth Banks pointed to the need for more women directors, women who play instruments need representation, too.

When there are so many women on-screen, it leaves room for those characters to be complicated, and that's a good thing. But on the other, pitting women against each other in a field where they're already grossly underrepresented just doesn't sit well.

Thank goodness programmes like Girls Rock Camp exist to do the work of normalising the idea of women playing in rock bands and who lower the barrier to entry for young girls around the country.

Hopefully, the actual film will leave room for the two groups of women to come together, but it would have been nice to have seen this group of women shown as friends and colleagues, as opposed to villains.

Read These Stories Next:

Heartbreaking Movies You Should Never Watch Alone

The Hottest Movie Sex Scenes, Ever (NSFW)

Happy Songs That Will Instantly Put You In A Good Mood

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Mila Kunis & Kate McKinnon Are The Awful Spies We Need

Andrew Garfield's New Movie Is L.A. Hipster Noir

Amy Poehler's Starring & Directing A Movie About Getting Wine Drunk In Napa

Despite what some adults may want, teens are going to have sex. That means our biggest concern should be making sure that young people are equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to practise sex in the safest and most consensual way possible. And the truth is, teens generally want to be as responsible as possible when they get it on, and often appreciate having the knowledge they need to do so, with more than half saying they seek out information online if they don't get it in school or from parents.

A new study on teens and sex from the US Centers For Disease Control show that most teens are using birth control when engaging in sex, and that's a good thing. The data found that 99.4 percent of sexually experienced (whatever that means) teen girls had used some form of contraception. Eighty-one percent of teen girls said they used birth control the first time they had sex, and about 90 percent said they used it during their last sexual encounter within the previous three months.

That's all great. What's not so great is that while condoms were the most commonly used method of contraception, the second most popular was the pull-out method, with 60 percent of adolescent girls reporting having used this method of birth control.

It's not that the pull-out method is bad, per se. When used perfectly, it's about as effective as condom use. However, it's nearly impossible to use this method perfectly, especially if you are a teen who is just learning what sex feels like and how to navigate your sex organs. According to the Guttmacher Institute, users of the withdrawal method have the highest rates of contraceptive failure, with 20 percent ending in pregnancy within a year.

However, some people are staunch defenders of this method as a form of contraception. However, the one thing the pull-out method definitely can't prevent is STIs. So, come on, kids! Wrap it up.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

What I Learned At A DIY Porn Class

How Feng Shui Can Improve Your Sex Life

Couples Open Up About The First Time They Said “I Love You”

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's divorce may be final, but details of their abusive relationship are still trickling out, this time thanks to Depp's messy falling out with his former managers. In new court documents obtained by People, one of Depp's former managers is alleging that Depp physically abused Heard and that he tried to cover it up.

In the documents, which were filed in May and obtained by People, Depp's former representitives at The Management Group allege, “[Joel Mandel, one of the managers,] was informed well after the fact through communications with various house staff and security that Depp had been extremely volatile and had sometimes ‘gotten physical’ with Heard." The documents also claim that “Mandel was also later informed that Depp had violently kicked Heard during an incident that took place in or around 2014."

Last year, Heard was granted a restraining order against Depp. Court documents obtained during that time showed that Heard had claimed that, "During the entirety of our relationship, Johnny has been verbally and physically abusive to me." The couple's friend, iO Tillet Wright (who has since cut ties with Depp, but remains close with Heard), confirmed Heard's account of abuse and said he witnessed it, even calling the police.

Last autumn, a video was released which showed footage of Depp being both verbally and physically violent. In the video, Depp can be heard yelling, "Did something happen to you this morning? I don't think so!" before smashing a wine bottle and muttering, "You want to see crazy, I'll give you fucking crazy." At another point last year, text messages alleged to be between Heard and Depp's assistant were released that appeared to show the assistant apologising to Heard for a physical assault on Depp's part, saying, "When I told him he kicked you, he cried. It was disgusting. And he knows it. He's a little lost boy. And needs all the help he can get. He is so very sorry, as he should be." Heard responds by alluding to previous incidents. Depp's representatives claimed the messages were manufactured.

In the recent court documents obtained by People, Depp's former business managers confirm the texts were real. “TMG is informed and believes that Depp knew full well that the text messages were genuine, but pressured and berated his assistant to falsely challenge the texts publicly," the documents say.

Depp and his lawyer have vehemently denied the claims, accusing Heard of lying and attempting to "extend [her] 15 minutes of fame."

If you are experiencing domestic violence, please call the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

Read These Stories Next:

This Actress Fired The Nanny Who Wanted To "F**k Her Husband's Brains Out"

Director Admits This Rape Scene Was Nonconsensual & Designed To "Humiliate" Actress

The Saddest Breakup Songs Of All Time

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Chris Evans & Jenny Slate Have Quietly Split, Again

Fred Savage Responds To Harassment & Assault Allegations

Former Grey's Anatomy Star Says He Was Fired By A "Racist" ABC Exec

Stella McCartney's graduation show has gone down in fashion history. When the fledgling designer completed her degree from Central Saint Martins in 1995, she had a trio of close friends model her final collection on the catwalk. Those friends happened to be Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Yasmin Le Bon.

Looking back on the show more than 20 years later, McCartney has admitted she feels "a bit embarrassed." The supermodels' presence on the catwalk turned a relatively humble graduation show into "headline news" and may have "pissed off" her classmates.

"I look back on that moment and just feel a bit embarrassed that I was so naive," McCartney said on the latest episode of Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. "They were my mates and that's who I was hanging out with when I was at college – I mean, Kate was living with me for a period of time. So when it came to choosing the models for my degree show, I kind of thought I might as well ask my friends."

"But it was a very Brit moment. It was a moment where Brit was flying," McCartney added. "These girls were travelling the world representing Great Britain, really. I do think, had another person have asked them [to model a graduation show], that they might have done it."

During the episode, McCartney also revealed that she used a different surname at school so that people wouldn't realise who her father was. "I would always be Stella Martin at school. That was always a bit confusing for people," she recalled. "When I started college I tried to do it under a different name. I would never tell anyone. The discovery was always a bit painful – when you could tell people in the corridor were kind of looking at you differently. It would always be a bit, 'Oh God'."

Hearteningly, McCartney revealed that nearly 80% of people working at her company are women. Asked why comparatively few top fashion designers are female, she replied: "I think it was always that idea that the men in the boardroom chose the men in the design room, possibly, and maybe historically women felt comfortable with men dressing them. I think it's changed. I think women designing for women is really powerful and really important. "

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

The Very Best Of Naomi Campbell's Off-Duty Style

7 Older Women On Their Personal Style

This Cult Fashion Brand Is Launching Its First Denim Line

Does anyone not love – or at least like – Amy Poehler? Everything the actor, comedian, director, producer and writer touches turns to comedy gold and you can rest assured that it'll leave you feeling better about life. For many people, all it takes is one episode of Parks and Recreation or a chapter of her much-loved memoir Yes Please to make everything seem a little less bleak.

And right now, what with all the political uncertainty and devastation going on in the world, her comedic touch is exactly what we need. So thank god for new film The House, starring Poehler alongside fellow comedy genius Will Ferrell, which is bound to go down as one of the funniest films of the summer.

It follows parents Scott Johansen (Ferrell) and Kate Johansen (Poehler) who, after realising they've spent their beloved daughter Alex's college fund and that she'll no longer qualify for a bursary, decide to open a neighbourhood casino in their basement and convince all their friends to get involved. Yeah, it's farfetched and it's unclear why Alex can't just take out a student loan or save up the money herself, but it's undeniably hilarious and Poehler and Ferrell make one helluva convincing couple. We caught up with Poehler to talk about gambling, parenting and maintaining famous friendships.

Hi Amy, how did you and Will Ferrell manage to be such a convincing couple?

We share a similar comedy language. We kind of look like we could be married, in a weird way [laughs]. I think we have a chemistry from knowing each other for so long.

What was he like to work with?

He’s a blast. I think he’s the king – he’s so funny, he takes crazy risks and chances. He can play really, really big and goofy and then scary, low-status and dumb. He really can do a huge range, so it’s always awesome to work with him.

Did you ever compete over who was funnier?

At the end of every scene we would make the crew get in a circle and make them vote on who they thought won, because if there’s one thing I want this article to highlight it’s that comedy is about winning. It’s about beating the other person [laughs].

I’ve seen your film Sisters with Tina Fey, which is also great and, like The House, features a massive house party. Is there something that draws you to that kind of film?

No, in this case there’s a sense of ‘What are we gonna do?’ What is the limit one would go to for their kid? They’re put into the dark side and realise they’re very, very ill-equipped [laughs], because there’s nothing particularly cool or dangerous about them and they learn that very fast.

What do you think the film says about marriage and what it takes to make marriage a success?

It was important for us to play characters that were a team, because oftentimes we find the husband has this great plan and and the wife is like, 'Come on you guys, stop having fun!' We wanted to make sure they’re both idiots together because if there’s one thing I will fight for it’s for women to be just as idiotic as men. Their marriage is pretty strong because they’re delighted by each other and they know each other’s limitations which, in real life, is important in any good relationship.

Would you say The House is a feminist film, then?

I don’t know if I would say that. I don’t know. If you want to say that – I don’t know. I don’t know if I’d go as far as [to say that]. At the end of the day, I always attempt to try to make characters feel two-dimensional, three-dimensional, four-dimensional if it's sci-fi.

How does your real-life parenting style compare to your character’s?

Well, my kids are young so I don’t yet have to deal with any of the teenager stuff, so that’s kinda still up for grabs. I don’t know. They’re different. I don’t think there’s much in the film that feels too familiar yet. We’ll have to wait and see.

How do you think you’ll feel when your sons reach that age and are about to leave for university? Do you think you’ll feel sad about it?

I think I’ll feel exactly like my character. I really related to that feeling of wanting your kid always by your side and squishing them in a sandwich. There’s this thing when you’re a young parent and you feel like you’ve got a lot of living left to do and suddenly your kid is going away and you’re like, 'Hmm, what should the second half of my life be like?' I can imagine that happens to a lot of people. I think I’d be very similar – just trying to chain them up and hold them down and make sure they don’t leave.

In the film, Kate and Scott go to pretty extreme lengths in an attempt to give their daughter the best start in life. What’s the furthest you’d go to do the same for your kids?

Oh wow, having done this film, I would definitely not open a casino. There are way too many people involved and too many risks [laughs]. I don’t know – it’s interesting. Who knows, in 10, 20 years' time if people will be going to university as much. At least in the States, there’s this trend where people are getting tonnes of student loans, graduating, not knowing what they’re going to do, going to live back with their parents and owing a hundred thousand dollars, so I don’t know. But to answer your question, I would beg, borrow and steal.

What’s the biggest gamble you’ve ever made in your own life?

Trying to do this job, maybe, might be one. I took some risks when I was younger that I’m proud of and paid off.

What kind of risks?

I mean, just deciding to make this a career, moving to New York, just trying to make it in comedy however many years ago. But compared to other people’s risks – I mean, risks are very subjective. For some people it’s really easy for them to say hello to a stranger, but for some people it’s risky, while others don’t feel they’re being risky unless they jump out of a plane, so it’s all very subjective.

Have you done much gambling yourself?

A gambling addiction? [laughs] Yeah, we went to Las Vegas for this movie and it did prove my existing suspicion that I’m not the biggest gambler because I hate losing my money. It makes me crazy. I don’t know if it’s because I grew up with two public school teachers and we didn’t have a lot of money and the thought of just handing it over to some stranger in a shiny vest is too much to take.

You’re obviously known for your close relationship with Tina Fey – how do you maintain a genuine friendship in your industry?

We’re just like anyone else, we’re friends in work and in life and, you know, our friendship is just like your friendship with your best mate. It’s just lots of shared experience, mutual respect and basically laughing at the same things.

The House is in UK cinemas from 30th June.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Johnny Depp Is Singlehandedly Tearing The Harry Potter World Apart

Did You Catch The Blake Lively Joke In The Deadpool 2 Trailer?

Mila Kunis & Kate McKinnon Are The Awful Spies We Need

Rome has been luring British tourists hungry for sun, spaghetti and ancient monuments for decades. Whether it's grabbing a gelato by the Spanish Steps à la Audrey in Roman Holiday, or living the high life of The Talented Mr Ripley, the old school, cinematic glamour of the Italian capital reels us in every time. But the Eternal City is changing – its antiquities have been restored but new laws on public eating mean you can no longer chow down on a slice of pizza as you wander around. Rome's mayor has even outlawed throwing coins in the Trevi Fountain. There goes our chance of a summer romance...

Now that Rome's typical tourist destinations are losing their lustre, more and more visitors are finding their own path. Navigating the gladiator re-enactments and selfie sticks can be tricky but stick with it – beyond the tourist traps, the city is now a vibrant hub of culture, food and music, worlds away from its storied past. It's enough to make you go all La Dolce Vita.

To help guide you around these less familiar areas, we’ve put together a list of 20 of the best ways to do Rome like a local. Click through to discover where to eat, drink, dance and see great art.

Read These Stories Next:

20 Ways To Do Lisbon Like A Local
10 Rookie Travel Mistakes — & How To Avoid Them
9 Affordable Countries To Travel To Right Now

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Get Back To Nature With These Beautiful Open-Air Spa Breaks

9 Women Share Their Favourite Place To Travel Alone

The Most Instagrammable Places In London

The UK's first official Gay Pride Rally took place in July 1972, when around 1,000 people marched from Trafalgar Square to Hyde Park. Through the '80s and '90s, Pride events sprung up all over the country as LGBT people campaigned for the repeal of Section 28, demonstrated solidarity in the face of the AIDS crisis, and spearheaded the push for equal marriage. In recent years, some Pride events have been criticised for becoming too corporate, too frothy, and even too heteronormative. These days, Tesco sends a float to the Pride in London parade.

But this doesn't mean we should write off our local Pride events as pointless. The LGBT rights movement has benefited white, able-bodied, cisgender males far more than anyone else – and the community is looking pretty disparate. Pride may be the one day of the year where LGBT people of any age, gender, colour, body type, class and political outlook actually come together. It's a reminder of how far we've come, but also of how much work we still need to do for less privileged members of the community. With this in mind, here's a guide to making the most of whichever Pride event(s) you attend in 2017.

Pick a Pride that's properly inclusive.

UK Black Pride and Trans Pride Brighton are among the fantastic annual events that give visibility to underrepresented sections of the LGBT community. But other, less targeted Pride parties have a responsibility to create a space that's safe for absolutely everyone. "Pride events should welcome, embrace and celebrate all LGBT folk, not just some," Stonewall's Matt Horwood tells us. "Make sure your local Pride has all LGBT people in mind when planning its event. What’s accessibility like? Does it include LGBT PoC? Is there a space for those who don’t drink? And are the L, B and T communities represented?" Put simply: pick a Pride where it looks as though everyone will be able to enjoy themselves equally.

Remember that LGBT allies are just as welcome.

Loads of people go to Pride to support friends, family members and work colleagues; no one's going to ask you to present some kind of 'Honorary Gay' card when you arrive. Alice Beverton-Palmer, an ally who DJs at cult LGBT night Push the Button, has the following advice for fellow allies attending Pride: "You're a guest at someone else's – fabulous – party so behave as such. Clap, cheer, chat to people – the atmosphere is incredible. Soak it up and be wowed by the variety of floats – and the amazing pop acts who'll be performing. Whether it's nostalgic throwbacks the gays never deserted, or up-and-coming artists, the music is guaranteed to be on point. Oh, and if you do get to that point where you've had a few drinks, ladies... there will be tons of gorgeous men, but do not tell any of them it's 'a waste' that they're gay."

Think about the practicalities.

Yes, Pride is a party, but it's a party that's taking place outside in the middle of the notoriously fickle British summer. So bring layers: there's no point planning a flawless outfit if it's going to get ruined by rain, or you're too busy shivering to flaunt it. "Always have water with you – and a brolly is absolutely essential," says one of the UK's leading drag kings, Adam All. "And if you're going to a large Pride event, don't move too often between stages because they're further apart than you think and you'll likely just miss things. So make a plan according to what's on with plenty of wiggle room, and stick to it. Pace yourself because it's a long old day, and always have an eye on the nearest loo."

Shades are also a Pride essential – not just to protect your eyes from the sun, but also to hide behind when you spot an ex you'd rather not reconnect with. On a related note, author and LGBT activist Juno Dawson points out that angel wings, a Pride outfit staple, are actually a great place to stash an emergency condom or dental dam.

Have fun, but remember why you’re there.

Obviously going to Pride should be a laugh. You might drink too much, overdo the body glitter, and end up taking a messy selfie with Sinitta after she's finished performing "So Macho" in a bikini on the main stage. (OK, maybe that last one's just me.) But anyway, there is always a political purpose to Pride and it's always worth keeping this in mind. "Pride is a celebration of equality," says model and DJ Munroe Bergdorf. "For example, this year's theme for Pride in London is 'Love Happens Here...'. So be the change you want to see and treat others as you wish to be treated."

Some Pride events are now ticketed and you'll probably have to register if you want to march, so always check the relevant website in advance. Stonewall has a very decent list of Pride events taking place all over the UK this summer here.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

The 7 Best Photos From The Past 7 Days (NSFW)

Your First Look At The New Meghan Markle & Kate Middleton Emoji

The Real Reason Women's Toilet Queues Are Longer

Another week, another accusation of workplace sexism that makes us want to rip off our bras and hurl them into the nearest open fire. It's no secret that schools and workplaces like to take offence at the way women and girls choose to clothe their bodies, but we have to admit to feeling exasperated every time we hear about it.

The latest case? A 22-year-old woman says she was sacked from her bar job after going to work braless, the Hull Daily Mail reported.

The woman, named as Kate Hannah on Facebook, posted an image of herself in a T-shirt and an explanation of what happened to the social media site.

"So I've just got home after being sacked from my job, for refusing to wear a bra," she wrote on Saturday 24th June, adding that her manager's brother had made an "inappropriate sexual remark" that left her feeling "uncomfortable, objectified and shocked that this had happened".

"Unfortunately [the manager] saw fit to deal with the situation by telling me that I'm not allowed into work in future unless I'm wearing a bra.

"This was said to me in front of three other staff members and customers, leaving me feeling body shamed and completely shocked that the blame was being put onto me that I had been sexually harassed at work."

The manager then allegedly called Kate "stupid, silly and over the top," when she revealed she was upset. "I am absolutely disgusted with the unprofessionalism and blatant lack of respect for my right as a woman to wear whatever makes me personally comfortable," the post continued.

"Nobody should EVER feel the need to hide themselves in order to stay away from unwanted sexual comments/behaviour. Feel so sad."

The post has received quite a response on Facebook, having been shared more than 500 times and garnering more than 1,200 reactions and some 400 comments at the time of writing.

The bar, the Bird and Beer in Beverley, East Yorkshire, denied the allegations. In a statement on its Facebook page, it said: "We can confirm that no employees have been dismissed from the company regarding these allegations.

"We have a duty of care to protect all of our employees from any discrimination or sexual harassment within the work place and we take any comments towards our employees very seriously and act upon them immediately in a professional manner. At this moment in time we will not be making any further comments."

Unfortunately, the bar didn't clarify whether or not it's looking into Kate's allegation of sexual harassment.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

The 7 Best Photos From The Past 7 Days (NSFW)

Your First Look At The New Meghan Markle & Kate Middleton Emoji

The Real Reason Women's Toilet Queues Are Longer

Update: Get excited! Ikea products are now officially available through Amazon, according to Real Simple. Some are even eligible for Amazon Prime, and you know what that means — speed-of-light delivery.

This story was originally published on June 15, 2017, at 7:30 a.m.

Ikea is a standby for a lot of people. Furniture on the cheap? It's almost too good to be true, and for a lot of people who don't live near one of the Swedish superstore's locations, it is. But that's about to change, big time.

House Beautiful reports that Ikea is planning to sell its products through other shopping destinations. And Reuters says that one of those choice sites is one you already probably shop: Amazon.

The furniture megastore has its own e-commerce services, however, partnering with a site like Amazon, which offers legendary free shipping for its Prime members, could bring Ikea's products to a whole new group of consumers. Even die-hard fans of the brand could perceivably shop online, avoiding the winding, labyrinth-like stores and fill up a virtual cart at their Ikea-furnished homes. House Beautiful adds that exorbitantly high shipping costs and a limited selection of products are limiting Ikea's own e-comm platform. Considering that furniture is pretty big, it can't cost just a few bucks to ship something like a couch or dining room table, especially when the parts required to assemble it all come in more than one box.

Ikea didn't announce exactly what outlets it would partner with for this foray into friendly shopping, however. Instead, an executive explained that there's still plenty to look at before the brand can announce anything concrete.

"I leave unsaid on which [platforms]," Inter Ikea Group Chief Executive Torbjorn Loof told Reuters. "But we will test and pilot, to see 'what does this mean, what does digital shopping look like in future? We have one great advantage and that is that we design, produce, and distribute our own unique range."

This would be the very first time that Ikea's experimented with selling through channels outside of its own operations. Additionally, Reuters reports that Ikea is planning to open smaller stores in different metropolitan areas to provide access to more customers.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

6 Ways To Tidy Your Home For Impromptu Guests

These Interior Design Disasters Are So Bad They're (Almost) Good

My Hollywood Home Costs £3,000 A Month—& Here's What It Looks Like

Here's another reason to love science: researchers at the University of Oxford and the University of Coventry recently published a study that claims having sex more often could actually make you smarter.

The research was published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological and Social Sciences, and surveyed 73 participants between the ages of 50 and 83.

Just over half of the respondents (37) said that they have sex weekly, 26 said they have sex monthly, and 10 said they never have sex. Those who have sex most often scored higher on a test of cognitive abilities than the others, with better "verbal fluency" (aka being able to name the most words or animals that started with the letter F in one minute.)

Those who had more sex also did better on visual tests, though there wasn't a big difference for memory, language, or attentiveness.

The study researchers aren't sure exactly why having more sex is linked to better verbal and visual abilities, but theorise that it might have something to do with hormones such as dopamine or oxytocin that are released into the brain during sex.

It could also be that having sex more often correlates to a more active life overall, which has been connected to better brain function in previous research.

Remember, though, that this is a small study. While the results of only 73 people can't definitely say that having sex at least once a week makes you smarter — what can it hurt?

At the very least, more frequent sex can give you and your partner more time to connect. And at the most, it just might bolster your brain power.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Selena Gomez & Francia Raisa "Went Through A Depression" After Kidney Transplant

Why This Mum Regrets Breast-Feeding Her Baby

Why One Woman Is Warning About Missed Periods

A young victim of the Grenfell Tower fire will live on in the name of a character in an upcoming trilogy by Philip Pullman, following a fundraising campaign by authors.

The His Dark Materials author invited people to bid for the naming as part of the Authors for Grenfell Tower auction, raising money for the British Red Cross' relief fund for those affected by the tragedy.

One bidder was former teacher James Clement, who taught 16-year-old Nur Huda el-Wahabi, believed to have died in the fire along with her family, parents Abdul Aziz and Fouzia, and siblings Yasin, 21, and Mehdi, 8.

Clement initially bid £1,500 to have the character in the second book of the forthcoming series, The Book of Dust, named after Nur Huda and, instead of making their own separate bids, well-wishers and authors are putting money behind his attempt to immortalise his former pupil. Bidding on Pullman's lot is still underway but it looks increasingly likely that Clement will win, as no rival bids have yet been made.

This is happening on the Philip Pullman 'name a character' lot and I'm now sobbing uncontrollably. #authorsforgrenfell pic.twitter.com/TqRT59Ce4A

— Laura Steven (@LauraMSteven) June 26, 2017

"I expect this will go for a lot more (and I hope it does), but here goes: £1500. If this is still the leading bid on Tuesday, I'd like to call the character Nur Huda el-Wahabi," Clement wrote in a moving post alongside his bid.

"The real Nur Huda was an ex-pupil of mine who lived in Grenfell Tower and didn’t make it out of the building that night. A life that was so full of promise has been cut short in the most terrible way. As well as raising some money, this would mean her name would live on. Plus Nur Huda is a pretty cool name for a character."

For everyone who has been following this amazing story, this is Nur Huda who lost her life in Grenfell Tower. #authorsforgrenfell pic.twitter.com/0xiQ5TJPsm

— mark haddon (@mark_haddon) June 26, 2017

Evidently moved by Clement's post, other bidders and authors quickly began donating money to his offer. One Day author David Nicholls and Patrick Ness, author of A Monster Calls, have backed the bid, along with Mark Haddon, author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and TV presenter Richard Osman, who both added £1,000.

Bidding on the lot had surpassed £17,000 at the time of writing and it seems certain to continue growing before it closes at 8pm on Tuesday (27th). Other items being auctioned for the cause include afternoon tea with David Walliams, a signed Stanley Tucci cookbook, a photoshoot with photographer Rankin and signed copies of Lauren Graham's memoir.

"This book will follow the first part of The Book of Dust, La Belle Sauvage, which will be published in October this year," Pullman wrote on the lot description page. "The second part (not yet titled) will follow next year. The right to name a character doesn’t guarantee that he or she will be good, bad, beautiful or otherwise, but it will be a speaking role with a part to play in the plot."

Good, bad, beautiful or otherwise, it's a pretty cool way to be remembered.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

The 7 Best Photos From The Past 7 Days (NSFW)

Your First Look At The New Meghan Markle & Kate Middleton Emoji

The Real Reason Women's Toilet Queues Are Longer

Charlotte York taught us a lot over the years on Sex and the City. Like that women can propose just as easily as men, and that you can expect the post-breakup heartache to last half as long as the relationship. Oh, and how shitting your pants in front of all your friends in Mexico isn't the worst thing that could happen in the world. Perhaps our favourite, though, is that even your hair can hurt when you have a hangover.

Speaking of hair, hers was always impeccably polished and expensive-looking — that's the Park Avenue aesthetic, after all. It was long, highlighted, and just as full as the bank accounts of the men her character so often dated. But in a recent interview, actress Kristin Davis shared that achieving that look wasn't always easy — and it only became more difficult after SATC wrapped.

"My hair just was not what it used to be," Davis told WWD. "It was very fine, like it had gone away, there just was hardly any hair there. [It] was always very difficult hair, which no one believes when I tell them — it’s always been not quite that easy, but because I had a lot of hair the professionals could help me make it look nice. It’s not like I woke up and I had Charlotte hair."

I am so excited to share with you guys that I have found a new product that I LOVE for my hair. Remember a while back I said I was in hair rehab? My hair kind of disappeared - it got thin + super damaged, seemingly overnight 😳. That's when I found @volairehair Its a super simple shampoo+ conditioner ( plus 2 styling products for even more volume ) And the best part is that your hair is soft AND full! Not sticky . And there are no sulfates! I really love it + it's finally available at Volaire.com #volumehair #heathyhair #softhair #love #styledbyme

A post shared by iamkristindavis (@iamkristindavis) on Jun 26, 2017 at 9:05am PDT

When Davis realised she was shedding more than the normal 100 strands per day, she turned to her hairstylist Luke O'Connor for help. He recommended Volaire, and after trying the line, she signed on to be the face of the brand. "Mostly, I wanted it for myself," she said.

And as we so clearly learned from the hit TV show, isn't that the only reason to do any beauty treatment — or anything — ever?

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

The '90s Bob Every Celebrity Is Getting For Spring

Zayn Malik Is Now A Full-Blown Blonde (Beard Included)

Ciara Just Revealed Her Top Beauty Buys — & Everything's Under £8.99

Ivanka Trump's role in her father's political career has been a point of confusion since he started his campaign, and especially since he took office. Is she a supportive first daughter? Is she taking over the role of first lady? Or is she a political adviser, like her husband?

When it was announced she would work in the White House as an unpaid "special assistant" to the president, it seemed the answer was the latter. However, in an interview with Fox & Friends that aired Monday morning, she said she tries to "stay out of politics."

She added, "I don't profess to be a political savant, so I leave the politics to other people and really lean into the issues that I care deeply about."

First of all, no one with an office in the White House can rightfully claim they "stay out of politics." If you work for the president of the United States in an advisory role, your job is inevitably politics.

By claiming she's not political, Ivanka is downplaying her involvement in the Trump administration. She's officially working for her dad, and claiming to not be involved in politics seems to be a way to avoid the backlash when his harmful policies (such as banning immigrants and refugees from majority Muslim countries) are criticised.

Although she's careful not to give clear answers on what policies she's working on or advising the president on, just last week Ivanka was meeting with key Republicans in Congress about paid leave.

WATCH: @IvankaTrump talks advising her father, her differing viewpoints, and grades the president | @ainsleyearhardt pic.twitter.com/vjM4TDspMh

— FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) June 26, 2017

In the same Fox & Friends interview she even said she advises the president on policy. While saying she avoids topics she's against, she said, "I instead like to focus on areas where I can add positive value, where I can contribute to the agenda," listing policies on workforce development and helping veterans as examples.

So, she wants to stay out of politics, while advising the president on policy?

The oldest Trump daughter has largely taken up the role of first lady, moving to Washington, D.C. before actual First Lady Melania, accompanying President Trump on foreign trips, and giving countless interviews.

It's true that first ladies tend to steer clear of policy, with the exception of Hillary Clinton, who was an adviser to President Clinton and helped shape healthcare policy.

But there's a key difference between Ivanka and former first ladies, including Clinton — she claims to disagree with the president on major issues. She organised meetings with Al Gore on climate change during the transition and reportedly supported the US remaining in the Paris climate accord, which President Trump later abandoned. She wrote on Twitter that she supports the LGBTQ community, while the Trump administration has rolled back protections for transgender students and didn't recognise June as Pride month. She also called the Syrian refugee crisis "a global humanitarian crisis" that we need to come together and solve, while President Trump has moved to ban all Syrian refugees from entering the country.

"Naturally, there are areas where there's disagreement; we're two different human beings," she told Fox & Friends on Monday.

Presidents and first ladies are always two different people with two different minds. But, they don't normally disagree on such important issues (like whether or not climate change is a "hoax"). Because Ivanka claims to stray from the administration's thinking on multiple issues — and was hired as an official White House employee — playing the "I'm not a politician" card is more strategic than it would be coming from other women filling the first lady role.

If avoiding real policy positions and always supporting her father is the way Ivanka will maintain her status as a "moderating force" for President Trump, that makes her more of a cheerleader than a political adviser. If Ivanka is helping shape the country’s policies, she needs to decide whether she's political or not. And if she's going to fully back up the president, as she continues to do publicly, she can't sidestep the controversial issues. After all, it’s hard to be half political when you have an office in the White House.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

The Austin Bombing Suspect Isn't A Victim. The Media Needs To Stop Covering Him Like He Is.

Trump & Biden Are Busy Trying To Determine Who Would Win In A Fistfight

Inside Cynthia Nixon's Campaign Launch Party

If there’s anything we know for sure, Game Of Thrones season 7 is sure to be quite the spectacle when it finally premieres on July 16. The newly released #WinterIsHere trailer promises bigger battles, more fire, and larger dragons than ever before. To get all of these jaw-dropping visual displays, you know what the Thrones team needs to do? Spend a whole lot of money.

To appreciate all the pricey work that’s gone into the upcoming season 7, we looked back on Game Of Thrones ’ most expensive episodes to date. The previous instalments include all the unexpected deaths, expansive battles, and shocking explosions we’ve come to expect from the Westerosi fantasy series. Scroll through the gallery to find out which Thrones episodes cost the most coin. We bet some of the episodes will surprise you.

And enjoy the sticker shock now, because we’re sure by the time season 7 wraps, all of these episodes are going to look like they cost chump change.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Season 3 Of American Crime Story Will Take Place In A Hospital During Hurricane Katrina

We Just Cracked That Westworld Season 2 Clue

Here's The Trailer For Netflix's Next Addictive YA Thrill Ride, The Rain

The young woman twiddled her Edinburgh Festival staff lanyard and gave a loud, frustrated sigh. She was no more than 21, we were three-quarters into the August arts festival that colonises Scotland’s capital annually, and I could tell she’d had enough of unreasonable requests. Except I hadn’t made one.

Arriving to see a play based on Jurassic Park (if you don’t know the Edinburgh Festival, this is towards the normal end of the programme), I’d discovered the venue was up five flights of stairs. It happens. There are over 10,000 performers sprawling across the capital and it’s impossible to research every venue when you’re packing in five shows a day. No biggie, I just asked if there was a lift.

"There is, but I’ll have to ask if you can use it," the woman replied, before speaking into her walkie-talkie. "Wait here. I’ve called for the manager," she added.

Time ticked towards curtain up, and my friends were looking nervous.

"Can I just go in and use the lift myself?" I said hopefully.

The girl scowled at me.

I told my friends to go. My husband waited with me.

"Is anyone actually coming?" I asked the girl again.

"The disabled entrance opens directly onto the stage," she replied as if in answer.

With a minute 'til the show started, I sent my husband running up the stairs to catch it. My door guard was still huffing and puffing. I knew what was coming. I’d had this before. Her whole reaction had been as if I were asking for something outrageous. With a triumphant look, she said, "You’ve missed the show. No late admittance."

"I’d still like to speak to the manager," I said, feeling myself blush. Alone on the street, I didn’t feel so confident asking for my rights.

She gave me a long look up and down. I’m 35. I was wearing Zara denim cut-offs and a Marc Jacobs jumper (sale bargain). My hair is highlighted, and I’d blow-dried it. I wasn’t wearing much makeup but my nails were gel manicured. She thought I was a diva. A Mariah Carey wannabe who didn’t do stairs. Some kind of blagger. She raised an eyebrow and with pointed emphasis said, "Can I ask exactly what is wrong with you?"

And I felt sorry for her. "I have a degenerative connective tissue disorder that, among other things, means I injure and dislocate easily, and my mobility is compromised. I find stairs very difficult."

A few weeks ago, a barman refused to give me a key for the disabled toilet unless I produced medical proof in front of a packed pub. Seriously, who thinks having a go in an accessible toilet is a winning scam?

The moment the word 'degenerative' came out of my mouth, her face fell. She was mortified. She’d made a wrong assumption about me. She was young, she didn’t know better. It’s possible she’d never met anyone like me. Or more likely she had, and never realised. I am one of the 11 million people in the UK estimated to be living with a limiting long-term illness, impairment or disability. There are no statistics on how many of those 11 million have an invisible condition – the term used to describe a wide spectrum of hidden disabilities or challenges that are primarily neurological in nature. But based on similar data studies carried out in the US, we could estimate that 74% of those who live with severe disability do not use either a wheelchair, a walking stick or a cane. In other words, they, like me, often don’t have a visual "tell" that they are disabled. And that is at odds with what many people think someone with a disability looks like.

A post shared by TheAngelaClarke (@theangelaclarke) on Dec 16, 2016 at 3:10pm PST

The Edinburgh Festival worker wasn’t the first to treat me as if I were trying to cheat the system. It happens all the time. Just a few weeks ago, a barman refused to give me a key for the disabled toilet unless I produced medical proof and history in front of a packed pub. (Seriously, who thinks blagging a ride in a lift and having a go in an accessible toilet is a winning scam?) People may think they’re doing a good thing – protecting services for those who they believe truly are disabled – but it’s time for greater awareness. It’s humiliating to have to share personal information just so you can pee. It marks you out as 'other'. People look at you differently. You quickly become someone to pity, when all you wanted was a glass of wine and a whizz. Able-bodied people aren’t required to give intimate details about their health in front of strangers. Why should I have to justify my need to use a disabled bathroom or the lift? If someone has gone to the bother of queuing at a bar to ask for a disabled toilet key, as opposed to just nipping downstairs to the main toilets, chances are there’s a reason. You shouldn’t be made to feel as if you’re taking the piss when you’re simply trying to go for one.

Newsflash: disabled people aren’t some Dickensian throwback stereotype. We’re clean, we take pride in our appearance, we like going out for a drink and a laugh.

As disability cuts are rolled out, and politicians talk in the rhetoric of "strivers" and "skivers", there’s an increasing sense that those with disabilities are only ever a drain on society. In 2015, an open letter from Sam Cleasby to a woman who tutted at her using a disabled toilet went viral. Sam is a glamorous 33-year-old who suffers from the invisible condition ulcerative colitis and wears a j-pouch bag that collects faecal matter. In the same year, Corinna Skorpenske ’s online response to this note left on her car went viral: "You should be ashamed!! When you take a handicap spot an actual disabled person suffers!" Corinna was with her 16-year-old daughter, who has the invisible but debilitating and painful condition lupus, which severely restricts her mobility. This was the third anonymous note Corinna had received.

It's here! I'm so excited to share my latest cover: Trust Me is out 15th June 2017. And it's going to be INTENSE!

A post shared by TheAngelaClarke (@theangelaclarke) on May 7, 2017 at 12:28pm PDT

Anyone with an invisible condition will recognise this attitude all too well. The reason the Edinburgh Festival worker couldn’t get her head round me being disabled is the same reason why people doubted Sam Cleasby, Corinna Skorpenske’s daughter and countless other sufferers of invisible conditions across the country. People expect those who are disabled to look like victims. Newsflash: disabled people aren’t some Dickensian throwback stereotype. We’re clean, we take pride in our appearance, we also like going out for a drink and a laugh. We have careers, deadlines, lives, loves, and family. We look just like you. Living with an invisible disability throws up enough challenges; don’t let your attitude be one of them.

Angela Clarke's new book Trust Me is out now. Get your copy here.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

The Truth About The Pill & Weight Gain

How To Cure Your Dry Eyes

The Women Living With Endometriosis — & Fighting For Change