How to Make Denim Shorts Red-Carpet Ready, a la Kendall Jenner

Rachel Aschenbrand-Robinson
Jun 07, 2017

We just love us a denim short — who doesn’t? They’re classic and cool, and pretty much the epitome of summer style. You already know you can wear cutoffs at any age, but what if we told you that you can style those jorts for evening? It can be done. Don’t believe us? Just peep Kendall Jenner slaying the look on the Fashion for Relief red carpet during the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.

We were kind of stunned too. In addition to rocking this totally unexpected combo with complete confidence, Jenner somehow made the jean-shorts-with-heels thing chic and decidedly un-cheesy. The key? A super dramatic top that is unmistakably party ready. Want to try dressing up your denim? Just break out your favorite shorts, then shop our red-carpet-ready top roundup below.

1. Endless Rose One Shoulder Ruffle Top ($85): The one-shoulder style is tied with ruffles for summer’s most valuable trend. In crisp white cotton, it looks hot but feels cool.

2. Petersyn Kensington Tank ($398): Channel your inner Jenner and bring on the drama in a next-level camisole. Bonus points for incorporating a classic summertime print like gingham.

3. Zara Asymmetric Top ($50): Bright yellow feels even bolder when combined with a dramatic, drapey hem. Add a pair of denim shorts and you’ve got an instant showstopper.

4. Fame and Partners Carly Top ($159): Black and white is anything but basic when you add voluminous sleeves into the mix.

5. Caroline Constas Carmen Top ($520): The delicate toile-inspired print combined with dramatic ruffles spells swoon-worthy. Pair it with white denim cutoffs for off-the-charts style.

6. H&M Double-Layer Chiffon Blouse ($35): Slay this summer in an easy-breezy top with plenty of frills to go around. Dress it down with denim for an effortless look that screams fashion queen.

Want more celeb style inspo? Follow us on Pinterest!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

(Photo via Antony Jones/Getty)

Keeping Up With The Kash: How The KarJenners Keep Getting Richer

When we think of the Kardashian-Jenners, we think of one thing: money. And lots of it.

As far as the pop culture icons' net worths, the number varies between family members, with Kim maxing out at $1.8 billion (yes, with a “B”), Kylie at $600 million, OG momager Kris at $230 million, and Kendall reportedly at $45 million. While these numbers are undoubtedly impressive, nothing fuels the KarJenner clan more than their insatiable desire to capitalize — on anything, anywhere.

To do this, each family member has their own business: Kim's Skims and SKKN, Khloe's Good American, Kendall's 818, Kourtney's Poosh, and Kylie's Kylie Cosmetics (Even Kris and Rob have their own businesses, too.) — all of which are *reportedly* thriving. But despite their exorbitant wealth, the Kardashian-Jenner businesswomen have some (frankly) unusual ways to keep their net flow on the up-and-up.

Here's how the Kardashian-Jenner's net worth keeps growing.

​Kardashian Kloset

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This one is a little, well, off putting — at least for me. If you’re looking for Kardashian-approved items, look no further than Kardashian Kloset, an online marketplace of brand new and pre-loved Kardashian clothing, accessories, and shoes. The site launched in 2019 and is run by Robert Kardashian Sr.’s cousin Cici Bussey (who occasionally pops up on the family's reality TV show). The Kloset is full of pieces from each family member (kids items included), so fans can browse and buy items that may or may not have been touched by the Kardashian Fountain of Youth.

Sure, this may be a normal way to clean out closets. Again, maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think billionaires need to sell their $65,000 alligator Birkin bags (yes, this was actually one of Kylie’s listings) or $450 bra and panty set (thank you, Kris) for pocket change. Don’t they get most of this stuff for free?

Spoiler alert: they do. The family has come under fire for reselling a number of gifted items, much to the dismay of the public. Still, the site is up and running and constantly uploading new inventory — so someone must be buying it.

The Church of Kris

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Bow down to our lord, savior, and Kardashian momager, Kris Jenner! In 2009, Kris co-founded California Community Church, a “Christ-centric” church that encourages the public to “bring your mess.” Let’s be honest — this is a tax haven for the Kardashians, and that might be all it is to them.

The family has long been known to attend the celeb-studded megachurch Hillsong, at least since Kanye West was ousted, which makes this "investment" even odder. After a little digging, Nylon found that “Kim gives the traditional 10% of her income as a tithing to the church, which could be lessening her taxable income while also handing Kris money directly. Kim also made the church the beneficiary of her eBay charity auctions, with the church pocketing over $60,000 between 2012 and 2013. Churches are usually exempt from taxes, but in 2016, CCC found itself in a tax scandal with liens for unpaid taxes. While it’s unclear what the money is going to, members are required to pay a $1,000 monthly membership fee, as well as the 10% tithing, coincidentally the same percentage the Momager takes…” Maybe not-so-coincidental, at least if you ask me.

Kendall + Kylie Probably Don’t Know About This

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OK — I can believe that Kendall and Kylie were involved with their clothing brand, Kendall + Kylie, in 2012…but now? Forget about it! The brand, which sells everything from okay-quality sweaters to swimwear, smartwatches and hand sanitizer wipes now lines the racks at TJ Maxx, PacSun, and Amazon. Even so, they are still in business after a decade, which is pretty impressive.

Luxury SponCon Giveaway

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You’ve probably seen one of the Kardashian-Jenners post a “luxury giveaway” on their socials at one point or another — I know I have. It’s no secret that the KarJenners have used sponsored content (AKA sponcon) to make their millions, but this version appears as “organic content,” and usually Kourtney’s first baby daddy, Scott Disick, is involved.

To enter, hopeful-winners go to Scott’s IG, follow all the brands he’s following, and comment on the giveaway’s post. This viral TikTok breaks down the giveaways pretty nicely, but long story short, each of the brands followed by Disick is paying $25,000 for their involvement — therefore giving $1.8 million(!!!) to the pair who posted, and probably some percentage to the company who hosts these giveaways, Curated Businesses.

These giveaways have drawn some heat. In September 2022, a $40 million lawsuit was filed against Kim and Scott for a lottery that included a trip to Beverly Hills, $100,000, other luxury goods, and the chance to “shop like Kim.” While winners were announced, plaintiffs claim the lottery was (*gasp*) "a front for Curated Businesses to sell personal information to advertisers,” Nylon shared. “Those who entered were allegedly inundated with ads and unsolicited content from hundreds of advertisers.”

Despite the legal trouble, just two months later Khloe posted another giveaway in partnership with Savvy Giveaways for a nursery valued at $10,000. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like a rather large risk with an objectively low reward…but then again I’m not a multimillionaire continually trying to grow my fortune.

Keeping It Klean

Image via Amazon

Kris isn’t just a church-owner and momager, though (but she does hold the trademark for the latter term). She’s emerging as the face of her own brand, a line of cleaning products called Safely. Co-founded alongside frequent Kardashian business partner and Shark Tank “Shark” Emma Grede and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen (who quickly left the company after bullying a teenager), the brand sets itself apart from the Methods and Cloroxes of the world thanks to its plant-based formulation, which, according to Jenner, is a first in the category. As of today, you can find Safely in thousands of Walmart and Target stores, and through the almost-defunct Bed Bath & Beyond and Amazon.

“Kim Kardashian: Hollywood”

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Kim Kardashian: Hollywood is a role playing game that simulates living like Kim K through photo shoots, publicity stunts, and tasks delegated by “Kim” herself. Users run on “energy” to gain fans, make money, and get new outfits, but when your “energy” (inevitably) runs out, you can buy more through one of the many in-app purchases.

KarJenner fans get the opportunity of their dreams — to become besties with Kim, “travel” to chic, exclusive destinations, and rise to extreme fame…all from the comfort of your couch.

Lemme Take This Real Quick

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Kourtney recently launched her supplement brand, Lemme, much to the surprise of *basically* everyone. Although Kourtney is known for her healthy lifestyle (How can anyone forget the great Kardashian Candy Controversy?!) But since she shared that she launched Lemme after feeling “pressure” from family — it makes it difficult to believe that she really uses them.

Like I said — I'm not a millionaire. Maybe these are all very-legitimate streams of income. Or maybe not. Anyway, BRB while I take my $65,000 Kylie Jenner Birkin bag to Kris’s church while establishing my (virtual) fame and BFF status with Kim à la Kim Kardashian: Hollywood!

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Header image courtesy of Hulu.

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Mariska Hargitay’s Powerful “Me Too” Message Proves She’s Olivia Benson IRL

Mariska Hargitay is the woman of the hour anywhere she goes, with her iconic Law & Order: SVUrole as Olivia Benson under her belt for the last 25 years. The character is an absolute advocate to women — and assault victims of any gender — through her words, actions, and powerful convictions of each perpetrator on the show. She takes great care with her victims and pursues perpetrators with fervor, and slowly as you watch the show..the line blurs between Olivia and Mariska.

This isn't anything new — just recently Mariska literally stopped production on the show to help a child (who mistook her for an actual police officer) find her mom. It's just who Mariska is. She walks the walk and talks the talk — including during her speech at Variety's Power of Women's Power of Women event.

Image via NBC Universal

As a Power of Women honoree, Mariska was recognized in regards to her work as an advocate for sexual assault survivors. She took the stage and used her platform to discuss rape and assault conviction reversals, shining a light on the recent overturned ruling in Harvey Weinstein's landmark NYC case. Here's what she said:

Today I want to talk about reversing convictions, and more specifically I want to talk to you about how impossible it is to reverse mine. It’s impossible to reverse my conviction that survivors matter. It is impossible to reverse my conviction that what happens to us matters, and that our society must respond to survivors with a more a compassionate, holistically, deeper, and more nuanced understanding of what healing means.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that after a trauma, survivors can reclaim lives of hope, of possibility, of audacious risk, beautiful intimacy, and glorious, glorious abundant joy. And I stand before you as evidence of that statement.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that we must listen to survivors as experts on what justice means. It is extraordinary how little their voices are consulted, let alone incorporated, in the process of deciding how to repair harm. Justice is not a one-size-fits-all journey.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that patriarchal impunity has to end. Patriarchal impunity is when a male-dominated system exempts perpetrators from punishment. Studies show that only 20% of all rape cases in the U.S. are reported to the police, and that between 5 and 0% of all rapes result in a guilty plea or a conviction. So why do 80% of victims not report? Because they're met with a system that grants impunity to perpetrators; a system that blames victims; a system that accepts only those victims who are experienced as "real" rape; a system that completely misunderstands the neurobiology of trauma, which causes behavior in women that doesn't fit the picture of how a "real victim" would act.

Is that change needed that victims should just pull themselves together? Just buck up and report anyway? No. No, it's the system that receives them that needs to change

It is impossible to reverse my conviction — and the conviction of my extraordinary team, The Joyful Heart — that the backlog of untested rape kits can be brought to zero; that the testing of all new kits must be mandated; that we need a statewide kit tracking system; and that survivors have the right to access the status of their kits.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that grammar — yes, grammar — that we use when we speak about rape must change. In the sentence, "A woman is raped," there's a crime and there's a victim, but there's no perpetrator. Where's the perpetrator? Where is he? Statistically, as we know, most likely he's walking free. He's so free that he doesn't even appear in the language about the crime that he committed. Is that not extraordinary? It's extraordinary that in the very grammar, the perpetrator goes free. Reintroducing perpetrators in the language of rape will make some very unwieldy grammar, but that's the nature of change. It's unwieldy, it's messy, it's uncomfortable, but it's necessary.

Image via NBC Universal

Hargitay continued on in her prolific speech to describe that rape shouldn't be considered a "crime of passion" because it's "not simply the next step in the trajectory of his passion" when a man takes a consensual hookup too far and assaults a woman against her will. She stated that it's "an exercise of power," doubling down that the language we use is important.

The speech went on to address that rape is both about power and control, as a "construct" that was "built, and assembled, and reinforced over time." She noted that there are people with these positions of power — and she specifically called out those in the entertainment industry — that could make a difference and aligned themselves to victims and survivors.

After this and some other remarks, Hargitay specifically called out the Weinstein conviction reversal. She said:

I do want to say something about the Harvey Weinstein conviction, specifically about the reason that it was overturned: too many women's voices. Too many women's voices were allowed to speak. Hallelujah! Amen! I can't imagine anything more beautiful than that. The Daily podcast episode talked about how it was so risky for the prosecution to have that many women testify. Risky to let women speak? You're damn right it is!

Too many women speaking brings change. Too many women speaking shakes the establishment. Too many women means we get listened to more, and people might actually hear what we have to say. Look what happened when women started saying just two words, right? Me too — just as an example — a tidal wave of change. Me too.

And then of course, there was the response: the Me Too Movement. The backlash. The examination of whether the changes that have come are lasting, or are even positive. Of course there's a backlash! What did they expect? For women to speak repeatedly, loudly, together, with a purpose — for there to be no backlash? The backlash is evidence of how powerful those voices were, how powerful those voices ARE.

Watch Mariska Hargitay's Full Speech Here

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Mariska Hargitay's Gets Emotional as She Thanks Her Support System and the Women Around Her

Turns out that your TV heroes really can be your IRL heroes after all. Long live Olivia Benson! Long live Mariska Hargitay!

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Kendall Jenner Poses With a Cockatoo on the Cover of ‘Vogue’

We’ve seen a lot of crazy Vogue shoots in our day, from Katy Perry’s insane Comme des Garçons spread to Gigi and Bella Hadid’s naked shoot for the mag’s British publication, but Kendall Jenner’s latest cover for Vogue just might top them all!

The model, who has appeared on no less than 13 covers for the mag’s various countries (including the coveted 2016 September issue), just debuted the outlet’s April issue over on her Instagram page, and it includes one very special guest.

“Thrilled to cover @voguemagazine’s April dreamers’ issue!” Jenner wrote. “Vogue continues to make my dreams come true.”

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thrilled to cover @voguemagazine's April dreamers issue!! Vogue continues to make my dreams come true. ❤️ shot by my babies @mertalas @macpiggott

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The photo, shot by Mert Atals and Mac Piggott, showcases the elder Jenner sister in a pink Chanel tulle gown with a silver octopus cocktail ring and… a yellow-crested cockatoo. Jenner’s co-model is a tropical bird found in East Timor and in the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi and Lesser Sundas.

The shots found within the mag’s pages were no less eye-popping, with the reality star donning looks from Rodarte, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Maison Margiela, a sparkly sequined Chanel jumpsuit, plus a Rebel Rebel baby’s breath headdress (á la bestie Gigi Hadid on Moschino’s spring 2018 runway) with an out-of-this-world pink furry netted dress.

It’s more than we’ve seen from the fashion darling for a while, who was largely absent from Fashion Month, only walking for a week. As she explained to Vogue, she’s pulling back to spend time doing thing she loves — like riding horses, for instance.

“I made it a point at the beginning of 2017 to consciously slow down, take more time for myself, be more selective, and not just do whatever my agents tell me to do,” she said. “I [rode horses] my whole life — it was my life. I didn’t care for anything else. I didn’t care about boys. This is what makes me really happy.”

The KUWTK star also addressed rumors that she is gay or bisexual (“I don’t think I have a bisexual or gay bone in my whole body, but I don’t know! Who knows!? I’m all down for experience — not against it — but I’ve never been there before”), having babies (“I want to have kids, but at like, 28, 29”), and accusations of sexual harassment and assault in her industry (“Luckily, I haven’t been put into a situation like that ever in my life. I’ve heard about it for so long, I get it. I try and understand it”).

Read everything she had to say in the full interview here.

What do you think of Kendall’s cover? Share with us over @BritandCo.

(Photos via Dia Dipasupil + Andreas Solaro/Getty)

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Here’s When You Can Watch “Emily in Paris” Season 4

After Emily in Paris season 3 dropped on Netflix in December of 2022, we were hoping to get the fourth installment of the hit show in 2023. But production halted when the WGA writers' strike, then the SAG-AFTRA actors' strike went to affect, and our beloved cast and crew campaigned for better wages and industry protection. But with the end of the writers' strike, and new SAG negotiations, Emily in Paris season 4 finally began production in February 2024 — and I can already tell you there's sure to be plenty of drama and French fashion this time around.

Not only will we see Emily in Paris (see what I did there?!) but she's also pulling an Audrey Hepburn and taking a little Roman Holiday. That's right — our favorite Parisians are heading to Italy! If that doesn't sound like a dreamy comfort show then I don't know what does. Here's everything we know about the upcoming season of your favorite TV brain candy!!

Is Emily in Paris season 4 coming soon?

Image via Lily Collins/Instagram

Via Variety, Emily in Paris season 4 began production in Paris the week of January 15! "Did someone say Saison Quatre?!" Lily Collins says in her Instagram post announcing production. "Finally reunited with my @emilyinparis fam back in Paris and it feels so good. Although, I may need to brush up on my selfie skills for Emily’s sake…"

Now the wait is over! According to the official announcementfor Emily in Paris, we know part one drops on Netflix August 15, followed by part 2 on September 12. I've been impatiently waiting for this considering we didn't know how filming would be impacted by things like the WGA writers strike!

Is Emily in Paris filmed in Paris?

Image via Lily Collins/Instagram

Yes, Emily in Paris is filmed on location in Paris! We got our first look at Emily in Paris season 4 when Lily Collins and Ashley Park were seen filming in the City of Love (via Daily Mail). The costumes for the series are still as bold and bright as ever, with Ashley's Mindy wearing cobalt and metallic boots, and Lily's Emily dressed head-to-toe in lemon yellow. I can't wait to see what these best friends get up to this season! Check out our Paris travel recommendations to live out your own Emily in Paris dreams ;).

On April 27, Lily Collins confirmed Emily in Paris season 4 had wrapped its France shoot and that the cast & crew have swapped the City of Love for the Eternal City! "When you’re the first ones on the dance floor at the Paris wrap party. Next stop: Rome!" she says on Instagram. Late spring is literally the perfect time to film in Italy and I just know this season is going to give me more wanderlust than ever before. I need gelato!

What's Emily In Paris season 4 about?

Image via Netflix

Season 3 left us with a huge cliffhanger: Alfie breaks up with Emily, Camille learns she's pregnant with Gabriel's baby, Benoit's "Mon Soleil" has been chosen for the Eurovision Song Contest, and Emily and Gabriel realize they've been in love with each other the whole time. Whew.

Emily in Paris season 4 will have a ton of cliffhangers to bring full circle, and a bunch of damage that all the characters need to heal. We know from the Netflix TUDUM fan event that we might also see Emily have to deal with an ultimatum head-on, as well as an unexpected twist. Plus, it looks like she's heading on a "Roman holiday," according to lead actress Lily Collins. We'll take any nod to an Audrey Hepburn movie, please and thank you!

Is Alfie coming back in season 4 of Emily in Paris?

Image via Netflix

We don't have OFFICIAL word on whether Alfie (played by Lucien Laviscount) will return for Emily in Paris season 4, but we're hoping for his sake that he gets some closure. Lucien wants to come back as well! "[The dream is] to keep this gravy train going and just to kind of really live in this world a little bit longer," he says in an interview with Elle. " The writers on the show and the creators behind it and everyone that comes into contact with it is so amazing and fantastic. Their minds [have] way, way, way, way surpassed mine. So, yeah. I’ll let them do their thing.”

Who else is in the Emily in Paris season 4 cast?

Image via Netflix

We can expect the rest of the cast — Lily Collins as Emily, Lucas Bravo as Gabriel, Ashley Park as Mindy, Camille Razat as Camille, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu as Sylvie, Samuel Arnold as Julian, and Bruno Gouery as Luc — to return.

Will there be a season 5 of Emily in Paris?

Image via Marie Etchegoyen/Netflix

It looks like Emily in Paris season 4 will not be the final season, according to creator Darren Star. “There’s a lot more story to tell here and we’re not wrapping things up anytime soon,” Star tells Elle. “And also hopefully season four isn’t the end either. I feel like we’re all creatively feeling like we’re in the middle of something not heading towards the end.”

Darren also told Deadline season 4 is "not necessarily conceived as a final chapter. I think like every other show, it’s a rich ensemble. There’s no end in sight until everybody feels like it’s time to end. And I don’t think this show is limited by a number of seasons, I think it’s limited by everybody’s enthusiasm and excitement about doing it and telling stories about these characters."

We'll take as many seasons of Emily in Paris as they'll give us!!

What has the cast said about Emily in Paris season 4?

Image via Marie Etchegoyen/Netflix

Lucas Bravo told People he's excited for a coming-of-age for Gabriel. "When you start a character, then there's a year where you experience the world and you mature, you become another person and you come back and it's exactly the day you left off," he says. "I'm happy that in season four I'll be able to bring more of what I became and what I've experienced in the past four years."

Even though Lily Collins is now an executive producer, she doesn't want to know TOO much about the future of the show. “Darren and I speak, on occasion, about where he’s thinking of going, but he also doesn’t wanna spoil too much for me because there is a fine line,” she tells Collider. “I don’t wanna know everything because I want to be led with the writing, but I am also curious because, as a producer wanting to celebrate the other characters, I’m very curious to see what their trajectories are."

What happened at the end of Emily in Paris season 3?

Image via Netflix

To be fully prepared for Emily in Paris season 4, it's important to remember just what happened during season 3! The junior season was a bumpy ride for Emily, and it ends with the craziest finale yet. After Camille and Gabriel decide to get married, Camille stops the wedding, saying she knows Gabriel is in love with Emily instead of her. This declaration leads Alfie to break up with our leading lady because he refuses to be her second choice (and honestly, I respect it). That's not the only shocker because Camille also reveals that she's pregnant with Gabriel's child, which comes as a surprise to everyone. Meanwhile, Mindy learns Benoit has submitted a song (specifically "Mon Soleil") to the Eurovision Song Contest and Laurent has his heart set on opening a club in Paris.

Are you excited for Emily in Paris Season 4? Give us your craziest theory in the comments, and check out our Facebook for more pop culture news. Read up on how This Emily In Paris Theory Could Be Why Emily And Gabriel Aren’t Together (Yet).

Lead image via Netflix.

This post has been updated.

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Mandy Teefey’s Go-To Hack Will Make Social Media Suck Less

We all have big feelings. And thanks to social media and rising levels of anxiety, those feelings, well, feel bigger than ever. That’s exactly where resources like Wondermind come in. The self-proclaimed “mental health ecosystem” is all about exploring, discussing, and navigating our emotions together. This Mental Health Awareness Month, Wondermind wants you to live your mental health journey in community because Mandy Teefey, who co-founded the company with daughter Selena Gomez, knows what it’s like to walk that journey alone.

Image via Wondermind

“As I went through a very long journey of finding I did have a mental health diagnosis — and then I was misdiagnosed and then I had to go through that — I was blessed to have the resources to do that,” Teefey, who received an ADHD and trauma diagnosis after a 20-year bipolar misdiagnosis, says. “Whenever I started my journey of discovering what mental condition I had…I didn't have anybody to lean into or explain the way I was feeling.”

While these personal experiences helped Teefey better understand mental health, it wasn’t until she produced Netflix’s 2017 series 13 Reasons Whythat she saw just how far the mental health conversation goes. The hit show went viral almost as soon as it aired because of its realistic depiction of mental health and all the aftershocks of trauma.

“After we did 13 Reasons Why and saw the reaction and the need for that support, me and Selena were trying to really figure out what could be next,” Teefey says. “Everybody was releasing things [at] different times. It's like you have to have 12 apps to have a program, and then remember to use them all. So that's when we decided to create a mental fitness ecosystem. So it's all-encompassing, but there's something for everyone.”

“We're not a medicinal company [but] we do have an advisory committee that oversees everything that we do,” Teefey continues. “We're technically not doctors, but we are for everyone when it comes to feelings. Everybody has feelings and they can go to our content hub and just kind of explore that for a while.”

Image via Brit + Co

Admittedly, that exploration bit is pretty fun. The articles are inspiring, and the worksheets (which are each created by an expert) are incredibly helpful. Seeing every program, article, and podcast episode feels like an opportunity to start fresh, but once you have all the ideas in front of you, what do you actually do? Teefey recommends journaling, even if it’s just a sentence every day. (She also loves watching journaling videos from Planning Annie: “Anytime I'm feeling sad or like a little unmotivated, I put her on.”)

Journaling every day, even if your entries are short, allows you to track your mood over an extended period of time. If you notice a consistent sadness, for example, it could be a sign it’s time to check in with your doctor. Plus, journaling can help prepare you for the conversations mental health appointments bring up.

“Sometimes if you go into a therapy session and you're not really settled or concrete in who you are and what may be going on, you might go through what I went through, which is being misdiagnosed,” Teefey says. “It's more important for you to know who you are and what you need prior to going in. So you can give that to them instead of them guessing and working around that process with you.”

Image via Brit + Co

Establishing a consistent routine can help decrease your stress, whether you’re eating the same breakfast every day, or you stick to a tried and true skincare regimen like Sydney Sweeney’s Cassie does on Euphoria. I immediately thought of this teen drama when Mandy Teefey mentioned how important her 4 a.m. routine is. But while Cassie spends time doing her skincare and makeup, Teefey spends time nurturing her soul.

“If I don't have [that routine], I'm usually really off kilter,” she says. “So I get up at 4 when everyone's still asleep, and I found that time could be about me, and I'm not taking it away from anybody. And so that's really what helped me be more grounded throughout the day.”

I can attest that my own quiet time in the morning is vital for a successful day — as is knowing what my boundaries need to be. Because honestly, boundaries can change daily! Teefey and I both acknowledge we have to stay away from sad music to protect our mental health, and she also recommends staying off social media when you feel your mental health struggling.

“I can go three days without looking at social media and then when I go on there, I start having anxiety because I'm like, ‘Oh my gosh, I haven't liked this person. I haven't even liked our own pictures [for] Wondermind.’ And then I start feeling guilty,” she says. “There's just some kind of [expectation] to do social media and you really don't. Not everybody needs to know everything, you know? There's beauty in privacy.”

Even Selena Gomez admitted at the 2024 Time100 Summit that taking time off Instagram "was the most rewarding gift I gave myself."

Image via Brit + Co

The idea of staying off social media is way easier said than done (speaking from first hand experience here). If you feel like you’re drowning in engagement announcements, anxiety-inducing news, and FOMO, Teefey recommends keeping tabs on your reactions to gauge when it’s time to take a serious break.

“If it invokes any emotion that is a negative emotion, I [know] it's not worth being angry about, it's not worth losing sleep about,” she says. “It just feels like there's an unintentional taunting on social media and, ‘Wait a minute, is that about me?’ You don't know this person and then you start running with all this stuff in your mind.”

Like every area of life, social media is all about balance, and if you’re looking to unplug while still staying informed, Mandy Teefey recommends bringing a journal with you when doing your morning news scroll — that way, you can process emotions while keeping tabs on what’s happening. “If anything evokes emotion, I'm meditating during the quiet time,” she says.

Studies have found journaling can help decrease your anxiety, and that it can help you break obsessive thought cycles. And while you’re the only one who can process your thoughts and emotions, it’s important not to isolate yourself from your community — especially when you’re struggling. “You gotta build trust and you gotta build the boundary of who you volunteer [your] help to,” she says.

When it comes to her own daughters, Mandy Teefey knows it’s a process. “You have to work with them and meet them where they're at, and then see the help they need and don't assume [they’re going through] what you went through,” she says. “You've got to really understand them to be able to give that advice.”

Image via Natalie Rhea

In her own life, Mandy Teefey got to experience building that trust first-hand with Selena Gomez! “One time it was very, very cold in California and me and Selena were on the opposite sides of the pool,” she says. “We were in sweats and she says, ‘Do you trust me?’ And I went, ‘Yeah.’ And she goes ‘Okay, if you trust me, on three, we're gonna jump in this ice cold pool.’”

While Teefey wasn’t convinced, she trusted Gomez, and they both ended up in the freezing cold water! Which is both a funny story and a fond memory: “We couldn't get out of the pool because [our clothes were] so heavy. It was madness!”

“There's a lot of things I know my daughters don't tell me and that's their right,” she continues. “It's so sensitive between teenagers — especially teenagers — and their parents. They're going through that phase and they don't want to be around them and they don't wanna tell them things. It's definitely not easy but maybe put some feelers out there and just make sure that they know you're there and make it okay to have these conversations.”

Thanks to all this actionable advice, we know that Mental Health Awareness month isn’t limited to TikTok videos or Instagram posts we can reshare. There are real tips we can use to take care of ourselves — and a place to go when we need a boost.

Watch Our Full Interview With Mandy Teefey Here!

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Wondermind Co-Founder Mandy Teefey Helps Us Navigate Big Feelings For Mental Health Awareness Month

If you're struggling with your mental health, check in with your doctor or check out the mental health resources Wondermind offers. You can also use Psychology Today to find a therapist near you.

Lead image via Getty

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