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Every swimwear brand should take note of Target's beautiful, Photoshop-free ads.

Spring's warmer weather can bring about an unfortunate, terrifying reminder: Beach season is around the corner.

Summer should be the season of carefree living, but fashion brands too often use the extra sunshine as an excuse to shove body-shaming ads about beach bodies down our throats for their own gain.

Target is the latest retailer to change the way it advertises beach bodies in a new swimsuit campaign featuring a diverse set of models in ads that haven't been digitally retouched.

Photo courtesy of Target.

On one hand, of course, Target's move isn't entirely selfless — body positivity, it turns out, is great for business, and at the end of the day, a business is exactly what Target is. On the other hand, it's great to see retailers realizing that body shame isn't what customers want to buy and adjusting accordingly.

No Photoshopped curves, no air-brushed stretch marks — the ads feature women enjoying the beach just as they are.

Photo courtesy of Target.

"We loved working with these women because they embody confidence and inspire women to embrace and be proud of who they are, regardless of their size or shape," Target explained in a statement.

Photo courtesy of Target.

Body-positive fashion is cropping up in more stores and in the ad campaigns that promote them.

The numbers don't lie — customers seem to appreciate the efforts.

When American Eagle's underwear line, Aerie, stopped retouching their underwear models three years ago — "There is no need to retouch beauty," CEO Jennifer Foyle had explained — the retailer saw its sales climb 14% compared to the year before during the fourth quarter.

Keeping festive with just a dose of Holiday red. #AerieREAL ❤️

A post shared by aerie (@aerie) on

Some fashion brands have gone a step further in pushing the industry away from its body-shaming ways. More times than not, plus-size models still have an hourglass shape, and companies like H&M have come under fire for using plus-size models in ads while not selling clothes over a size 14 in stores.

A groundbreaking new campaign from Lane Bryant, however, actually shows the company's new fitness line on a number of plus-size athletes in a variety of body types, truly reflecting the brand's diverse customer base.

“Seize the day. In whatever body you have today." Preach @borntoreignathletics

A post shared by Lane Bryant (@lanebryant) on

So why are we seeing these more inclusive changes from brands now?

It's not like the fashion industry's obnoxious exclusivity and body-shaming troubles are 21st century inventions.

Social media has played a big role, AdWeek reported in 2016. On platforms like Instagram and Twitter, girls and women are speaking out about wanting retailers to have clothing options for various body types as well as more diverse models to sell the products. Seeing an opportunity for their bottom lines, brands are more than willing to listen and respond.

"We're seeing a great acceptance of girls in all different sizes, which is really exciting," Gary Dakin, a former executive at Ford Models, told AdWeek. "It's not something that was happening in our day at Ford."

It's a good thing, too, because the more the fashion industry realizes every body is a beach body, the better off we'll all be.

Note: Upworthy and Target have no business partnership.

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An entrepreneurial Ph.D candidate sheds light on how technology helps her grow her small business

https://www.pitasplanters.com

Pita and David in front of their mobile plant shop

True

If there is a positive connection between mental health and caring for plants, Lupita Ríos is determined to make it her life’s work to share it with the world.

Ríos owns Dallas-based Pita’s Planters, a small business offering handmade planters, vases, art, bouquet preservation. Her love of vegetation can be traced back to where she spent her childhood—in the jungles of Guatemala—but it wasn’t until Ríos began struggling with panic attacks after college that she realized how healing plants can be.

During a particularly anxious period in her life, the only thing that brought her comfort was a plant she’d inherited from a co-worker. “Every day I would come into work and see some new growth or a new little leaf, and I would just feel so excited … it was like this little seed of light for me during a time when I was not feeling much joy,” said Ríos.

Pita in her plant shop https://www.pitasplanters.com

So she did what made sense: she kept growing plants, eventually learning how to create pots from recycled materials. During the pandemic, she and her husband opened a mobile plant store, which allowed her to share her passion with people in the community. What began as a meditative hobby quickly turned into a booming business, and Ríos, who is also working towards a Ph.D in Neuroscience, found herself overwhelmed with the things that come with being a small business owner (like keeping up with voice messages!).

“I learn as I go,” said Ríos, mentioning that one of the rookie decisions she made as a first-time business owner was to list her cell phone number under the business as the official contact number. “I quickly learned that was not a good idea! I got calls from customers left and right because the business grew so quickly.”

A friend suggested leveraging technology to keep Ríos’ sanity intact. She enrolled in Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, a free online program that offers small businesses nationwide access to over 50 expert courses and grant funding opportunities. The program includes resources created by small business owners for small business owners, covering topics such as marketing, financial planning, social media management, and more. For Ríos, this was the answer to juggling school and business without dropping any balls while the business continues to grow.

Taking control of her mobile plan was the first step in streamlining—and leveling up!—the business. Verizon’s My Biz Plan allowed her select and pay for only what she needed the One Talk App allowed her to reclaim her cell phone for personal use, and Verizon Business Assistant, a GenAI-powered text messaging solution , has been an enormous time-saver. Verizon Business’ 2025 State of Small Business Survey revealed 38% of SMBs are currently using AI–Lupita is one of many using it to help. Instead of spending precious time replying to every DM inquiring about the hours of her shop or troubleshooting a repotted plant’s wilting leaves, business owners like Ríos can set up, customize, and train a virtual assistant to field these questions.

“I didn't even realize I needed this in my life, but Verizon was like, we work with a lot of small businesses and we have a lot of tools that help set your business up so that I can focus on the products, on the marketing, on everything else. And I know that Verizon's got me covered in other ways where I don't have to think about it so much. It is so nice to have someone looking out for you and saying, ‘Yeah, you're busy. We got you covered here. We can take care of this."’

Verizon is committed to reaching one million small businesses with the resources they need to be successful by 2030—with over 450,000 small businesses like Pita’s Planters already using Digital Ready to help their businesses thrive.

Pita and David at their brick and mortar shophttps://www.pitasplanters.com

As for Ríos’ plans for after she receives her doctorate in Neuroscience? She wants to become a professor and continue growing her plant business.“Honestly, there’s nothing quite like having someone walk in who says they’ve never owned a plant before,” said Ríos. “Let me start your plant journey…within a few weeks, you’ll have a jungle in your house.”

Do you own a small business? Verizon offers over $1M in small business grants every year! Complete an application for the Verizon Small Business Digital Readyportal between May 1, 2025, and 11:59 pm PT on June 30, 2025, to be eligible for the application process for a $10,000 grant consideration.

Pets

Crows are incredibly smart. Here’s how to make friends with one in four easy steps.

"They are loyal friends and have brought much joy into my life."

via Krari The Crow/YouTube

How to befriend a crow.

When it comes to keeping birds as pets, people usually think about parrots or canaries. Nobody ever considers having a crow. But research has shown that crows are incredibly clever, curious, and self-aware. They recognize the faces of people they like or don’t like, have the ability to use tools, and can even mimic human speech. Looking to experience the magic of crows yourself? A YouTube user named Alexandra from Germany made a video on how you can befriend the crows in your neighborhood in four easy steps. All it takes is “some food and some patience."

Over eight years ago, Alexandra made friends with a crow named Krari. Krari and her friends visit her regularly and are considered part of the family. They also bring their "little ones" to Alexandra's house to chill as well. "They come here to get food, to play, or just hang out with me and relax," Alexandra says in an introductory video on her YouTube page.

How to make friends with a crow in four steps

1. Find a pair of crows

Crows tend to live in areas populated by humans, so chances are there are crows in your neighborhood. The best place to start is to find a pair with a fixed territory that you see on a regular basis. That way, you're cultivating a relationship with the same animal day after day, and you can "slowly get to know each other."

2. Offer food

Crows will eat just about anything, from insects to invertebrates to meat. They also enjoy nuts, worms, and vegetables. If you offer the food in the same place at the same time of day, you'll establish a routine. Then, the crow may come by regularly to see if you have anything tasty to eat.

3. Be mindful

When interacting with the crow, make sure they aren't anxious or displaying signs that they are prepared to fly away at any moment. Approach the birds with an open, indirect gaze so as not to cause alarm. Sit quietly while you wait for the bird to approach and avoid quick movements.

4. Let the birds come to you

This requires patience. The crow will be shy at first, but they know you better than you think. They will remember your face and your kindness. Give them a chance to observe you and earn your trust.

A the end of the video, Alexandra reminds everyone that while we should make friends with crows, they are supposed to live free in the skies and not be stuck in a cage. "I hope this helps you build a relationship with these fascinating birds," Alexandra concludes her video. "They are loyal friends and have brought much joy into my life. Please let birds have their freedom. They do not belong in homes or other forms of captivity. Thank you."


- YouTubewww.youtube.com

If you succeeded in befriending a feathered genius, tell your new crow friend we say hi!

This article originally appeared three years ago.

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This TikTok account is trying to save our national parks by making them sexy. Literally.

Thirst traps + stunning nature footage = strange but effective way of bringing attention to a dire issue

Canva Photos

Can beefy hunks save America's national parks?

Two thousand and twenty-five has bombarded us with news. Every day, there's a new crisis. American citizens being deported, the tariff rollercoaster, the open antagonization of one of our top allies in Canada, the end of the Department of Education. It's hard to know where to look at any given time, or where to put your concern and support. And that's exactly the point.

It leaves important causes fighting and scrapping for public attention, which is fleeting even during normal times. It's just hard to get people to care about any one thing with so many things going on at once.

So, one TikTok user had an idea to break through the noise and bring attention to the crisis facing our National Parks.

Here's the idea:

Step one: Attract eyeballs with steamy thirst traps on TikTok.

Step two: Show beautiful footage of America's national parks, along with some informative facts

Step three: Save the parks!

For those not in the know, a "thirst trap" is a post on social media that's inherently designed to attract sexual interest. A normal selfie wouldn't be considered a thirst trap unless it shows some extra skin or features a provocative pose. The creator has to know that people are going to be "turned on," for lack of a better phrase, by the video or photo.

And here's the thing about the Internet: People truly can not help themselves. They can't stop themselves from clicking on breasts, abs, butts, or bulging biceps. Therein lies the beauty of this strategy.

Just see an example for yourself:


@visit.yellowstone

Within Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres, visitors have unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem, and explore geothermal areas @Thoren Bradley #stitch #booktok #darkromance #masktok #fantasy #momsover30 #fyp

The TikTok account is working better than anyone could have possibly imagined; already, it has over 1.1 million followers.

In fact, the @visit.yellowstone fan account often gets confused for the official Yellowstone!

Users are devouring the content. Who's to say whether it's the rippling muscles or the beautiful nature shots that are so pleasing to the algorithm? But does it really matter? Here are a few of the best comments from a recent clip:

"Babe?! I think we should honeymoon in Yellowstone!"

"Have I been to Yellowstone? No. It's it my favorite national park? Absolutely"

"The National Parks are unhinged and I'm here for it."

"This is how to market a National Park right here!!"

"It’s working bc now I want to go to Yellowstone"

The parody/activist account even got a shoutout from Stephen Colbert (starting around 1:33):

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

Following Visit.Yellowstone's lead, other users began making spicy parody accounts for other national parks and landmarks. There's now sexy Appalachian Mountain, sexy Mount Rainier, and even sexy Crater Lake.

Just a warning: These accounts can get EXTREMELY NSFW. It's not all burly lumberjacks chopping wood with their abs out. A lot of the content lays the sexual innuendo on pretty thick.

And that's exactly why people find them so entertaining. All of the accounts popping up have 50k, 100k, or more followers with top videos racking up millions of views.

@visit.yellowstone

Mammoth Hot Springs is a large complex of hot springs on a hill of travertine in Yellowstone National Park adjacent to Fort Yellowstone @Johnathon Caine #stitch #booktok #darkromance #masktok #fantasy #momsover30

National parks staff are being laid off and budgets are being slashed. But that's only the beginning.

Regulations are also being rolled back that keep private industries from drilling on or otherwise decimating protected land. History is being rewritten with the removal of landmarks and monuments that don't fit the desired narrative. Museums are closing down, costing both kids and adults crucial opportunities to learn more about our country.

The situation is dire. Will all the viral interest in Yellowstone and other national parks on TikTok equate to real world change? It's too soon to tell. But the success of the activism campaign shows that people do love the parks and aren't willing to let them go away without a fight.

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People applaud brother for 'blowing up at sister' over the name she chose for her baby

"I told her that the name was completely unacceptable, and I was shocked that she chose it."

via Canva/Photos

A brother and sister in a disagreement.

The name your parents choose for you can significantly impact your life. Whether it’s how you’re treated in school and by peers, your professional prospects, or how well you do in the dating arena. A name is nothing to joke about. That’s why an uncle-to-be is mad at his sister. He thinks she isn’t taking naming her unborn daughter seriously and fears it will have dire consequences for the girl in the future.

What started as a funny joke between the brother (a biology student) and his sister (a nurse) has become a bone of contention between the siblings. It all started when the brother sent his sister a humorous list of potential names for his niece based on medical terms.

“I knew she was struggling, so in addition to the $900 wooden crib on her list that I got for her, I gave her a list of (obviously) joke baby names. We have a really close relationship, and it was in line with both our senses of humor,” the brother wrote on Reddit's AITA forum.

“She's a nurse, and I'm a biology student, so all the names were medications, infections, unpleasant animals, etc., that all sound like lovely girls' names out of context,” he continued. “Some of them were a little bit obscure, sure, but I included some obvious ones like ‘Viagra’ and ‘Hernia’ for good measure.

baby, newborn, baby name, baby crib, sleeping baby, birth, A newborn baby sleeping.via Canva/Photos

The problem was that the sister liked one of the names and plans on giving it to her daughter. “Malassezia. The baby's name is Malassezia. One of the names on my joke list. Outside of the immediate issues (nearly impossible to pronounce on the first try, the ‘ass’ smack dab it the middle of it, the first syllable being mal-, literally meaning bad or evil), it's also the name of a very common fungal infection,” he wrote. “One that my sister and I are both genetically predisposed to. One that we've both had multiple times throughout our lives. Her daughter will almost certainly catch it at some time!” The brother told his sister that the name is “completely unacceptable.”

What is Malassezia?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Malassezia occurs when “yeast that occurs as part of your skin’s natural flora multiplies and infects the hair follicles,” the website reads. “The condition causes itchy pimples to form on your face, scalp and upper body. Healthcare providers treat this fungal infection with topical and systemic antifungal medications.”

The mother completely understands the downside of the name but insists that “it's so obscure that no one will ever think twice about it.” The mother-to-be simply likes the sound of the name. Unsure of what to do, the brother posted the story on Reddit to see if he was in the wrong.

birth certificate, baby name, baby footprint, baby hospital, doctorA doctor taking the baby's footprint.via Canva/Photos

The vast majority of the commenters thought he was totally right to demand the baby’s name be changed.

"I share your frustration, and you're looking out for your niece. While your sis is right that it's her parental right, you're not stepping out of line -- you're family and you're cautioning her,” one commenter wrote. "Tell [the father] so he can veto it,” another commenter added. “Also, how is your sister not thinking about the embarrassment that is going to come with this name? The doctors at every baby appointment will know. I wouldn't be surprised if doctors and nurses giggle when they see her chart. And when she's in school, kids will likely find out what her name means and bully her. Tell your sister to think about her daughter's future. She's thinking too much about her feelings and not thinking about her daughter who would have to live with that name."

One commenter broke the name into chunks and found it has multiple meanings. “Mal = bad + ass = bad ass. So we have the nickname. Now Ezia - Hebrew for elegance? e-Zia as in electronic aunt (Italian?) or electric cottage/home/campervan (Pueblo?),” they wrote.

The only people who thought the brother was wrong were those who believed his sister was pulling a fast one on him. “You gave a joke name list and seem unable to tell she's joking back,” they wrote.

Ultimately, just about everyone agrees that the brother was right to speak up. Names matter, and kids have to live with them their entire lives. Hopefully, his sister takes the hint before her daughter has a name better suited to a microscope slide than a birth certificate.

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Gen X mom shares explicit 90s songs with her teen daughter, and the reactions are priceless

She was absolutely "mortified."

@90smusicmomma/TikTok

"The parental advisory sticker meant the album was gonna be 🔥"

Kids today might think the lyrics to some of their songs would make anyone blush, but we all know there are some 90s bops that make Cardi B's "WAP" seem like it belongs on a children’s show. After all, the era—thanks in no small part to our shifting societal views about how openly we talk about sex—brought a steady rise to sexually explicit language, certainly more than the 50s, 60s, and 70s. According to the data siteLottie, even the 80s had considerably less sexual content in music…even with Madonna!

All that said, it’s what makes this series of videos created by a Gen X mom so enjoyable, if not a little validating for us older folks.

Jennifer McCormick (@90smusicmomma), 42, from Cincinnati, Ohio has captured her teen daughter Scarlett's reactions to countless tunes from her teen years. Let’s just say the secondhand embarrassment is palpable.

Below, McCormick introduces Scarlett to that timeless classic: "Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None)" by Snoop Dogg as a text overlay reads: "My 16 year old was mortified to find out I was listening to this at 14."

Reader beware: lots of naughty language below. But, boy, it takes you right back to 90’s Los Angeles, doesn't it?

@90smusicmomma #parentsoftiktok #snoop #snoopdog #natedogg #90s ♬ Ain’t No Fun (If The Homies Can’t Have None) - Snoop Dogg

Understandably, fellow 90’s kids rallied in the comments.

“Our kids think we're old and boring .If they only knew what we did in the 90s,” one person wrote.

“They have no idea we were cooler than them,” another replied.

Upon a request, McCormick also played “The Bad Touch” by Bloodhound Gang. You might remember it as “the Discovery Channel song.”

@90smusicmomma Replying to @Monty Nemo #90s #throwback ♬ The Bad Touch - Bloodhound Gang

Ah, the look of confusion, then shock, then trying to play along, ultimately followed by utter disgust.

“Too bad she doesn’t know what the Discovery Channel used to be. That line doesn’t hit now,” one person joked. Ouch. Too true.

Still, once again, folks of a certain age came to defend this anthem of our formative years. Or, at the very least, it stirred up some nostalgia.

“Inapproate? Maybe. Catchy AF? Damn straight."

“The song is one thing, the video is another ahahaha. The monkey suits are embedded in my brain.”

“Sometimes I forget how much of a fever dream trip growing up was during our childhood.”

From Digital Underground’s “The Humpty Dance,” to 50 Cents’ “Candy Shop,” to Color Me Badd’s “I Wanna Sex You Up,” Scarlett’s reactions are freakin’ priceless.

@90smusicmomma Replying to @Jenny Talia #throwback #90smusic #90s #momanddaughter ♬ The Humpty Dance - Album Version Edit - Digital Underground


@90smusicmomma Replying to @Becky She thinks “it’s fine” and so does Nacho #throwback #2000s #50cent #momanddaughter ♬ Candy Shop - 50 Cent


@90smusicmomma Replying to @Micki Lee she thought we already did that one and then said they all sound the same now 😂##90s #throwback #90smusic ♬ I Wanna Sex You Up (Single Mix) - Color Me Badd


On the bright side, Scarlett seemed to recognize and appreciate the Sisqó masterpiece that is “The Thong Song.”

@90smusicmomma Replying to @Tony she knows that one! #throwback #momanddaughter #90s #90smusic ♬ Thong Song - Sisqo

All in all, taking her daughter down a musical memory lane has been a “fun way for her to see what we listened to,” McCormick shared in an interview withNewsweek.

“It [also] makes me question my own parents because I was much younger than her listening to most of the songs!" she added.

A major reason we have the 90s to thank for our awareness of “explicit” music in the first place comes from Tipper Gore (Al Gore’s wife), whose pearls became so clutched after listening to Prince’s “Darling Nikki” that she formed the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) to advocate for a music rating system that would inform parents about explicit content. This would later result in the "Explicit Lyrics: Parental Advisory" label for album considered obscene.

That tactic backfired in many ways, since, like all things taboo, it only made teens more intrigued.

As one viewer put it, "the parental advisory sticker meant the album was gonna be 🔥"

Basically, while the flavor might differ from generation to generation, teens are always going be drawn to that which appears taboo. That, and no matter how cool you were in your formative years, you’ll inevitably always elicit the same repulsion you got from looking at your predecessors. Circle of life, and all that.

Of course, the “Thong Song” will never not slap.

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John Mulaney's Bone Thugs-N-Harmony booking fail is a masterclass in comedic storytelling

The group's “manager” drove a hard bargain.

via Still Watching Netflix/YouTube and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony press kit

John Mulaney and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

Comedian John Mulaney, host of Everybody’s Live on Netflix, recently shared an epic tale in his opening monologue that reminds you to be skeptical of things you read online. It all started when he wanted to do a bit on his show where his co-host Richard Kind’s fake tortoise, died. This would lead to a surprise performance by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony of their 1996 megahit “Tha Crossroads.” But booking the rap group would be much more difficult than he first thought.

“If you’re not familiar with ‘Tha Crossroads,’ it was an enormous hit,” Mulaney said, adding, “I cannot overstate how hugely popular it was with horned-up junior high kids at Catholic schools to grind with each other during the Clinton administration.” "The Crossroads" was a tribute to the band's fallen friends, including rapper Eazy-E.

eazy-e, bone thugs-n-harmony, tha crossorads, hip-hop, 1996Rapper Eazy-E in "Tha Crossroads." via media1.giphy.com

To book the rap group, Mulaney and his team contacted a man they found online who claimed to manage the group, and they set up a Zoom call with him. The band members weren’t on the call, but “their manager assures us that they’re really into the idea and want to do it,” Mulaney said. The one drawback was that only four of the five Bone members would be available for the performance.

Bizzy Bone was, uh, busy. Layzie Bone, mind you, was available.

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

Things began to get strange when the show's staff had to ensure that the band wore pants that could hold a microphone, and the manager said producers needed to buy the pants themselves. A week before the scheduled performance, the manager demanded that the band get $2800 in cash for "just running around money." For reasons he didn’t explain, Mulaney had to come up with the money himself—which was tricky, since his history with substance abuse made large bank withdrawals a major red flag.

Before the band signed a contract, the manager raised the amount for the performance from $15,000 to $100,000, and half the money would have to come upfront. Mulaney claimed he was "disrespected," and the manager pulled the band out of the appearance last minute. After some investigating, Mulaney realized that the man he was talking to probably wasn't the manager for Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

bone thugs, bone in concert, sxsw, bone thungs-n-harmony, rap concert Bone Thugs N Harmony at Levis Fort- SXSW '10via Bone Thugs-N-Harmony/Wikimedia Commons

“Now, I didn’t tell you all this just to air the dirty laundry of what it’s like behind the scenes of a show,” Mulaney said. “Many guests have shaken me down for a couple of thousand dollars and canceled last minute. It happens all the time. I’m telling you about it because I’m genuinely worried. After a little investigating, I have come to believe that the man I was talking to was not the manager of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. In fact, several sites list a different person.”

Feeling no ill will toward Bone's actual members, Mulaney asked them to please contact him to clear things up. He added that he may check out their their upcoming performance at the KIA Forum in Inglewood and didn’t “want things to be awkward.”

In the end, even though Mulaney was scammed by a man claiming to be Bone’s manager, he had to give him some respect for the clever ruse. “And to him, whomever I was dealing with,” Mulaney concluded the segment, “Sir, first off, credit where credit is due. I do indeed look like someone you could hustle over a booking for Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.”

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