Tayshia Adams’ White Floral Print Dress on The Bachelorette

The Bachelorette Season 16 Episode 10 Fashion

Although they haven’t been able to take many literally any trips this season on The Bachelorette due to COVID-19, Tayshia Adams still looks totally vacay-ready on Monday night’s episode in this white floral print dress. Which you’ll be happy to learn we found still up for grabs, on sale and ready for you to take along on your next trip to nowhere.

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to Shop Her Atelier 1756 Dress on Sale

Click Here to Shop Her Cult Gaia Sandals

The Bachelorette Airs MONDAY, DEC. 14 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (ABC/Craig Sjodin)

Originally posted at: Tayshia Adams’ White Floral Print Dress

Do you suffer from pain in the back of the knee? One of the most common culprits is the popliteus muscle. This small, triangle shaped muscle lives just behind the knee. Every day, it helps stabilize and bend your knee. But what happens when this little bugger gets angry?

It traps your nerves in a head lock and doesn’t let go. Popliteus pain strikes the back of your knee and you scream for mercy. Uncle! Uncle!

Thankfully, a simple two-minute knee massage can help reduce the pain behind the knee and soothe the cries from the popliteus muscle.

Common Causes of Pain Behind the Knee

There are many causes of pain behind the knee including Baker’s cysts, osteoarthritis, and even meniscus tears. Massaging Mr. Pop Liteus isn’t necessarily the final answer. It’s designed to give you some relief. From my experience, 9 times out of 10, this little muscle is running a-muck behind your knee and causing pain.

But it’s a good idea to visit your primary care physician or PT to understand exactly what’s going on inside your knee. In the meantime, you can relieve some of the pain with the 2-minute popliteus massage below.

But don’t forget to include into your daily routine stretches and exercises to help reduce pain behind the knee.

4 Symptoms of Popliteus Pain in the Knee

How can you tell if your pain is from the popliteus muscle? There are four symptoms.

Pain in the Back of the Knee

This one is fairly obvious but sometimes the location of pain isn’t always the cause of pain. But pain behind the knee often points to an angry popliteus.

Swelling

Does the back of your knee feel swollen? It could be the popliteus muscle.

Pain When Straightening the Knee Fully

Remember, Mr. Pop helps bend the knee. As a result, straightening your knee can make him feel extra annoyed.

Pain Is Usually Worse When Walking Downhill, Down Stairs, or Walking Quickly

The popliteus stabilizes the knee. Thus, difficult movements like walking downhill or going down stairs makes him work harder.

Still not sure if your pain is from the popliteus? Ok, here’s a simple test.

Seated Test to Tell If the Popliteus Muscle Is Contributing to Your Knee Pain

Step 1: Sit in a Chair with Your Feet Flat on the Ground

Let’s say you have pain behind your left knee. Lift it up and cross your left ankle over your right knee. This can be hard for anyone over 60 so be careful and move slowly.

Important Tip: The popliteus muscle is deep behind the knee. So, if your muscles are tense, in order for you to keep your leg in this position, you won’t find the popliteus. Here’s a simple trick. Get another chair and place it in front of you. Instead of placing your left ankle over your right knee, place it on the chair in front of you. This will likely be easier.

Another option is to perform this test on the couch. Turn your body to the left and bend your left knee so it’s at a 90 degree angle and resting on the couch. Keep your leg muscles relaxed and resting on the couch so you can touch deep.

Step 2: Find the Edge of Your Shin Bone

Let your fingers walk up toward your knee following the shin bone. If you were Dorothy, the shin bone is your yellow brick road. It will lead you to the wonderful Popliteus of Oz.

Step 3: Go Deep When Your Shin Bone Angles Back

Eventually, your shin bone will start to angle backward when it almost gets to the knee. You have now found Mr. Pop’s house! It will likely be tender so knock on his door softly.

He will likely be angry when he answers the door. So it’s time to give him a much needed massage. Maybe a cup of herbal tea could help too.

Easy “Popliteus Massage” to Relieve Pain in the Back of the Knee

Now that you are inside Mr. Pop’s house. Here is a simple massage technique to help relieve the pain. Studies have shown massage as an effective treatment for reducing pain and muscle tension.

Begin with your thumbs in the position above. With both thumbs, use a rhythmic movement to massage deep into the area. You can massage in any of the following ways:

1. Clockwise circle
2. Counterclockwise circle
3. Back and forth
4. Side to side

Do this for 2 minutes. The pain behind the knee will likely ease up.

Pain Relief Pro Tip: Start your popliteus massage with a gentle touch. You don’t need to swan dive into the deep end. Allow the muscle to relax a bit. Then slowly go deeper. Use pain as a guide. If it’s too painful, back off. As the pain decreases, go a little bit deeper.

Additional Tips for Reducing Pain in the Back of the Knee

This 2-minute massage can decrease pain behind the knee. But you should also make sure it doesn’t come back.

1. The first step is figuring out the root cause of your pain. See your PT or doctor to help you determine why you have pain in the first place.
2. Once you have a diagnosis, you can begin the right rehab program in conjunction with using this massage technique. For instance, you can do these knee arthritis exercises, or use this guide to help relieve meniscus knee pain. Or, if you have a Baker’s Cyst in your knee, here’s a guide to help relieve pain in the back of the knee.
3. You may also want to consider wearing a knee brace during times of high activity or when you will be on your feet for longer periods of time. The brace will help provide stability for your knee.
4. Finally, you can use an ice pack if you’ve had pain for less than 2 weeks, or apply heat if you’ve had pain longer than 2 weeks.

These techniques should help reduce your pain behind your knee. Remember that pain is always a signal that something is wrong. It’s your body’s way of communicating with you.

Don’t ignore the pain behind your knee and hope it will vanish. Visit Mr. Pop often and give him the much needed care so your knees will stay healthy for years to come.

How often do you experience pain in the back of your knee? What do you do about it? Have you received a diagnosis? Does massage help relieve your pain? Please share which pain relief method has helped you the most.

Even if you’re going to be celebrating the holidays differently this year, getting dressed up should be on the agenda.

Of course, as a fashion blogger, I’m biased about how clothes make us feel one way or another. Then again, if you don’t believe me – google it!!! There have been many studies to show how our clothing impacts not only our own thinking but also how people respond to us.

Here is a fun activity to do to test out my theory. Go to your closet and try on your fanciest dress. Make sure to style it how you’d really wear it if you were going to meet your most favorite person.

Now stand back and admire your effort by looking in the mirror or better yet take a selfie. Don’t you feel more uplifted and positive? Don’t you just want to go out somewhere and strut your stuff?

In fact, if your holidays are with a limited number of family or friends, those people are even more important than strangers. Those loved ones deserve to see the best you there is. Even more important is that YOU deserve to feel fabulous.

While we can’t control some of the outside factors, the holidays are still a time to remember and celebrate. Let’s chase away the blues by doing something to make us feel marvelous.

Dressing Up

Let’s talk about what dressing up really means. Fashion and style have always been a subjective pursuit, so let’s explore how it may work for you.

And with these crazy times, I think we all should plan on taking some photos (even if they are only selfies) this holiday season to show we actually lived through it!

Make Up

Makeup may not be on your agenda during these times of masks and things. But let me remind you of the magical properties of lipstick. It has something to do with brightening our face and putting the emphasis on our smile.

So even if you aren’t ready to put on the makeup you normally wear, I hope you put on a bright lipstick along with your holiday look. Because you do have to remove your mask to indulge in the food and drink being served.

And if you hate the idea of lipstick rubbing off on your mask, then the all-day lipsticks are the way to go. I researched over 10 different products to find the best ones.

Outfit Ideas

Especially if you’ve been living in leggings or loungewear most of this year, it’s time to let the rest of your clothes get out and have fun.

If it’s hard to think about what to wear, let me suggest a few ideas.

I know that a red sweater and black pants are always a holiday favorite. The three of us on my blog have showcased ways to add a little spice to that basic look.

How to Style a Red Cardigan Outfit

Styling an Outfit with a Red Sweater for Mature Women

Styling a Red Top and Black Pants with Personality

Another idea would be to pull out any sparkle or sequins you have. Sure, it might seem silly to wear sequins during a time of isolation, but hasn’t the year been crazy? I say, all things are possible this year!!!

In fact, I would consider this time to be perfect to try out wearing items that you would normally have never thought about pairing together. Why? Because you have limited number of eyes on them, so if they aren’t a hit, then who is the wiser?

This is a great way to actually expand your closet and give it new life.

Insider tip: If it’s too hard to restyle your own items, ask a friend for help. You can video chat, and your friend can style you from your own closet. I know this sounds silly, but it was quite eye opening when the three of us styled each other.

Now when you put together an outfit, don’t forget the shoes and accessories. This puts intention into the exercise and really gives you a feeling of normalcy.

So, the question is, what are you going to wear?

Have you considered your Holiday outfit? What will it consist of? Will you need help styling it? Which of your friends will be best to help in the fashion department? Please do share!

For a long time, it felt like everyone was rocking ’90s hair and makeup trends. Unsurprisingly, the decade is taking a backseat to early-2000s style whether we like it or not. As someone who went through those trends the first time, it’s hard to believe anyone would want to go through these again. But even I have to admit that Chrissy Teigen’s blonde highlights look fresh and cool—and seriously pretty—in all their 2000-style glory. Everything comes back, you know.

It’s not just Chrissy Teigen‘s chunky blonde highlights that evoke Jessica Simpson’s in 2005. (Even Beyoncé and Mary-Kate Olsen had them, too!) The high-contrast color starting right from the roots seriously evokes the time. But it’s also her choppy layers that have us reminiscing about the styles we loved so much on Gabrielle Union and Hilary Duff and so many other celebs we begged our hairdressers to make us look like. In fact, this cut is giving us total Rachel Green from Friends vibes.

Los Angeles-based colorist Tracey Cunningham is responsible for the new ‘do, just like she was for Teigen trendy shag last year.

Source: Instagram

Since hair salons are closed in Los Angeles right now on the county’s stay-at-home orders, it’s likely Cunningham made a housecall for this look. (We’re jealous.) Fans are loving the look, many even calling it “The Rachel.” One fan wrote: “Totes getting some Rachel/Jen Aniston vibes!!! Love it.”

Now, with all of Teigen’s many jobs—model, author, cook, entrepreneur—she tends to switch up her hair a lot. The next might be ultra-long with glam hair extensions. But for now, we’re loving this throwback look and all it took was Teigen to make it feel cool and fresh again.

It wasn’t until after my husband died that I realized how much I relied on him for home maintenance tasks. Whether it was unclogging the toilet or patching holes in the drywall, he did it all.

Now that he’s gone, it’s fallen to me to get all these tasks done. Some have been easy to take over while others are still far beyond my skills. I don’t think I’ll ever get to the point of being comfortable changing a light fixture or installing a new faucet.

The question is: How do you find someone to help when you have no idea the going rate or whether someone’s work is really any good? You don’t have to be a widow like me to have this question either.

In the years since my husband died, I’ve found the following are the best ways to ensure I don’t get ripped off when I’m hiring someone to help around the house.

Start with Handy Family Members and Friends

For small jobs, a family member or friend may be willing to come over and help for free. However, if the person makes their living as a carpenter, plumber, electrician or other tradesman, offer to pay for their services.

Also, if you have a major project that needs to be done, make sure your helpful friend or relative has the skills to get the job done right.

Ask for Referrals from Others

Even if your family or friends can’t help do the work, they may be able to provide referrals to professionals they’ve used in the past. Getting a personal referral is one of the best ways to find a handyman or contractor whose work is tried and true.

Avoid Craigslist and Door-to-Door Salesmen

I’m not saying there aren’t good people advertising on Craigslist, but I have heard many a horror story about people misrepresenting their skills or outright scamming others on the site. So much so that I don’t recommend hiring a contractor or handyman from Craigslist.

The same can be said for people who go door-to-door peddling new windows or other home repair items. In my experience, their services – even if legitimate – are often overpriced.

Look on Review Sites for Home Maintenance Services

Instead of looking in the classifieds, head to websites like Angie’s List or Yelp. There, you can search for the type of professional you need and read reviews from other customers. Access to reviews is free, but paying members of Angie’s List can also take advantage of the company’s fair price guarantee and conflict resolution service.

Check Licensing and BBB Listings

Don’t take a person’s word that they’re licensed to do work in your state. Confirm it. Most states will let you check the status of a person’s license online, and the online listing may also report any complaints received about the individual’s work or business practices.

Search for your state’s licensing department to see if they offer this feature. Another option is to look on the Better Business Bureau website for a company’s rating and complaint history.

Start with a Small Job

If possible, ask a handyman to do a small job for you before hiring him for a larger or ongoing project. That way, you can witness firsthand the person’s punctuality, demeanor and quality of work.

That’s not an option for contractors performing larger renovations, but you should still meet with these individuals in person to get an estimate. That discussion may give you some clues as to their professionalism.

Get a Written Estimate for Major Repairs

Small jobs – like unclogging a sink or minor appliance repairs – are usually completed on the spot for a service charge in addition to the professional’s hourly rate. While you should ask about rates prior to scheduling an appointment, don’t expect an estimate in advance. However, for any major repairs or renovations, you should get the total cost, timeline for work and payment terms in writing.

Compare Costs to Industry Averages

Once you get a written estimate, it’s a good idea to see how it stacks up against industry standards. Home Advisor is one place on the web where you can go to compare your estimate against average prices for the same service.

A good quality local contractor may charge a little more, but if the estimate is significantly more than the average cost, you may want to ask why or at least get an estimate from a second professional for comparison.

Walk Away if Upfront Payment is Demanded

It’s a red flag if someone insists on being paid upfront or says they need money to cover the cost of materials. For a service call, the standard is to pay at the time of the repair but only after the work has been done.

For larger jobs, contractors may require periodic payments as the work progresses, but only after certain milestones have been hit. A reputable firm will also have enough capital to cover their materials and tools. They shouldn’t need your money to buy supplies at the start of the project.

Pay with Your Credit Card

Many workers don’t take credit cards or, if they do, charge an extra fee to cover the cost of processing the payment. However, if it’s an option, you may want to consider it. Most credit cards come with fraud protection that could be useful if you later find a contractor has mispresented his work.

What strategies do you use to find reliable home maintenance services? Are there review sites other than Yelp or Angie’s List that you have found helpful?  What kinds of jobs do you feel comfortable taking on yourself? Please join the conversation.