No one is ever going to have to tell Demi Lovato to put on a happy face again. Lovato just debuted a new tattoo on Instagram. The teeny-tiny tat is a simple smiley face right on her pinky finger.
"Cause life's too short not to tattoo your pinky," she captioned her photo reveal. We can't argue with that, especially with a tattoo that's guaranteed to make her chuckle every time she catches a glimpse of it.
As Us Weekly points out, the fresh ink may not have been a huge decision for Lovato. She already has over 25 tattoos, like the words "You Make Me Beautiful" on her rib cage and 12 birds representing the 12 steps on her arm. Her tattoo "Stay strong" is tied to her addiction. She explains, "So anytime that I would feel triggered to either self-harm or act out in an unhealthy behavior, I could look down at that and stay strong."
The cute smiley face is less heavy than her other tats, but it still couldn't tie in better with Lovato's self-loving attitude. She's made a point to stay happy and on top of her addiction even in the spotlight. Sometimes we all need a reminder to cheer up. Lovato's is just a little more permanent.
"You have vaulter's thighs," my coach sighed as she explained the judges' remarks on my scorecard. They'd noted that while my floor routine performance was good, I didn't have the "long, lean lines" expected of a competitive gymnast. That may not sound like much of a slam, but I understood the coded language very well. "Long, lean lines" meant thin, thin, thin — the ideal body type for a gymnast when I was competing. And "vaulter's thighs"? Let's just say that was not meant as a compliment.
My ignominious gymnastics career ended quickly, but the body hate sure didn't. "Vaulter's thighs," I'd say to the sales girl and shrug dejectedly when I tried on high-end jeans at the mall and found they wouldn't go past my knees. "I want to be long and lean," I'd add. It didn't even occur to me then that how people talked about me as an athlete — and how people talk in general about female athletes — had poisoned my psyche so much.
That is until the 2016 Rio Olympics showed me. Even though I was never a great gymnast, I loved the sport more than anything and so I've watched it (and pretty much every other sport) breathlessly since coverage first started last Friday. But my adult eyes and ears quickly picked up on things my teen ears missed.
When trap shooter Corey Cogdell took the bronze, her hometown newspaper announced it as "Wife of Bears lineman Mitch Unrein wins bronze in Rio."
When 41-year-old gymnast Oksana Chusovitina declared her intention to compete, the first thing everyone did was point out her age and status as a mother. When asked if the sexist commentary bothered her, she shrugged and said, "I am a woman."
When swimming phenom Katie Ledecky broke yet another world record, the Daily News gave credit to her teammate, calling her the "female Michael Phelps." (Although it should be noted that in NBC's coverage, they said, "Some say she swims like a man, but she swims like Katie Ledecky." So that's... better?)
This way of talking about female athletes only in terms of their looks, husbands, children, age or "fuckability" isn't new. In a recent video as part of the I Am Second project, Beijing Olympic medalist Shawn Johnson shared how even though she won both bronze and gold medals, everyone was obsessed with her weight instead of her talent. It nearly killed her spirit and it influenced her decision to retire from gymnastics.
In a new Dove campaign, they are calling out the way talk about female athletes.
Dove beauty
Dove beauty
The campaign is called My Beauty My Say, and it highlights other recent media talking points about female athletes, including commenting on a tennis player's "huge nipples" (what?), a volleyball player's "quality ass" and how a gymnast was "built like a fire hydrant." It's enough to kill anyone's spirit, frankly, even for those of us just watching. I mean, if an elite athlete's record-breaking body isn't good enough, then whose is?
Dove beauty
Dove beauty
But there is hope. Things are changing as female athletes speak out and challenge the stereotypes. And on a grassroots level, we can change the conversation by changing the way we talk about others and especially how we talk about ourselves. Just last night, for instance, as I watched the gymnastics qualifying rounds with my young daughter, she pointed to Simone Biles after her incredible vault and said, "Wow, look at all the muscles in her legs!"
"Yep, she has vaulter's thighs," I said proudly.
"I want vaulter's thighs," my daughter gasped and it was clear it was the highest compliment. As it should be.
Great minds think alike and girls with great style dress alike. Kim Zolciak and Kylie Jenner are the latest fashion-forward women to wear the same outfit in the same week. Jenner wore a sheer lace jumpsuit to her 19th birthday party last Sunday, and today Zolciak shared a picture to Snapchat wearing the same jumpsuit.
The outfit is a black lace Balmain jumpsuit, and both wore it with a black leather belt with gold buckle. Luckily, the belts were different, proving that even if you wear the same exact outfit as someone else, you can show off your individual style with the way you choose to accessorize it.
Kylie Jenner dress
Kylie Jenner dress
Zolciak showed off her outfit to her Snapchat followers, saying that she loved the jumpsuit but her friends hated it. Her friends are clearly not Jenner and her style team. In this case, it’s safe to say that Zolciak should ignore her friends' comments and rock the outfit because if it’s Jenner-approved, it has to look great.
It’s an incredible compliment to both the women and the designer that the jumpsuit is so versatile. Zolciak is a mom living in Atlanta, Georgia. Jenner is... well, she’s a Jenner. She’s part of a celebrity family dynasty known for its fashion and beauty. They’re living different lifestyles and use the outfit for two very different occasions.
And both women rock the jumpsuit flawlessly.
And really, that’s way more important than deciding who wore it better. Fashion is about feeling good in what you’re wearing, no matter how many women wore it before you. Whether you’re 19 in Hollywood or raising a family in Atlanta, if something makes you feel great, definitely wear it.
Unless, of course, you’re going on a job interview. That’s probably the only situation you have to follow the rules and just wear that uncomfortable pantsuit. We’re sorry.
The first time it happened, I was taken off guard. So much so, that it didn’t even cross my mind that I should speak up. I had one daughter who wasn’t quite 2, and we were celebrating my second pregnancy with a small baby shower. Working my way through a small mountain of presents, I stumbled on one that had my older daughter’s name written across the top.
“I didn’t want her to feel left out,” a friend explained, adding that she wanted to make sure my daughter felt special, too. So, my toddler opened her present, a cute little dress, and flounced around the room in it for the rest of the party.
In hindsight, I believe my child-free friend spotted the dress and was looking for an excuse to buy it. At the time, however, I felt concerned about the message her actions were speaking. I wanted my daughter, even at her young age, to experience the joy of celebrating others. Instead, the idea that she shouldn’t feel like second fiddle communicated that things are only fun when they are all about her.
Since then, this same scenario has repeated a few times, typically by a friend or a family member who doesn't have kids. Both girls are given a present at a birthday party meant to celebrate one sibling or a baby shower is punctuated with something special for the older siblings. I have witnessed it at the parties of our daughters’ friends, and their moms have secretly confessed to me the exact sentiments I feel when it happens to me:
Please stop giving my kids presents at their siblings’ parties.
I love that I have friends who love my kids so much. At the same time, I don’t agree with the idea that my kids shouldn’t feel left out at their siblings’ parties.
As their mom, my job is less to give my kids a happy childhood and more to prepare them for adulthood. Raising selfless and compassionate children is way more important to me than raising kids who feel special all of the time. I want to teach my daughters that there are days where they will be the focus and days when they should step back and allow another person the honor of being celebrated.
Don’t get me wrong, I love to make my kids feel special. I love to celebrate their birthdays with chocolate chip pancakes, their favorite cake and thoughtful gifts. I delight in setting valentines on their plates on February 14 or whisking one of them off for an ice cream cone and some one-on-one time with Mommy.
If I were to always make sure the scales were even, giving both gifts on one’s birthday or including both girls in special mommy dates, wouldn’t that detract from the specialness of it all? What’s so special about being made to feel special if you are made to feel special all of the time? Doesn’t it really suck for the guest of honor if the party is paused to pay attention to someone else?
I wish I could say I have learned to address this awkward issue at my kids’ parties, but I haven’t figured out how to put my foot down without offending people I really care about. Most of the time I say thank you and whisk the present away to be opened later, after the party. Still, the perpetrators of this offense typically don’t have kids of their own and I can’t possibly expect them to see things from my perspective if I am not going to explain it to them. It seems really unfair to be annoyed by their actions if I am too afraid to speak up and make my wishes known. So, with our family’s birthday season behind us, I am working up the courage to address this little grievance... next year.
Everyone, Kylie Jenner just shared her ramen recipe via Snapchat. I have to say, it was a major surprise for me to learn that she eats junk food like the rest of us. Maybe I subconsciously imagined her junk food was a bag of organic, air-popped potato chips. But ramen noodles? Color me shocked, people! Not only do her artificially plumped lips touch the salty goodness of ramen, but she has her own special recipe for it.
You ready for this? Kylie's ramen recipe has butter, garlic powder and what looks to be scrambled egg.
Image: Kylie Jenner/Snapchat
Far be it from me to police anyone's idea of great trash food (OK, so it's not very far from me at all), but no. You can't improve on a basic ramen noodle with even more basic ingredients. Butter is essentially a salt condiment. Adding butter to ramen merely ratchets up the sodium to heart attack levels instead of delivering complementary flavor. The "seasoning" packet has garlic powder in it already. Kylie might just like her ramen on the garlicky side. The most respectable addition to her ramen is egg, although I'm not sure scrambled egg is the way to go.
If Kylie really wants to make a gourmet trash meal, I have a few rules and recommendations.
First of all, the goal of eating ramen is to cook without really cooking. So no braising pork belly or making kimchee like your favorite ramen shop down the street. If you're going to break open a packet of Top Ramen, at least respect the genre of "food" you're working with. Commit to the art of half-assed laziness.
If you must add condiments, at least use Asian ones. Tip in a few droplets of Sriracha sauce for some flavor and kick. You can add yakisoba or soy sauce, but if you do, I'd ease up on putting the entire salt-laden seasoning packet into the soup. A drizzle of toasted sesame oil also does wonders for packaged ramen.
The real secret to gourmet Top Ramen is vegetables you don't have to cook. I'd caution you to use ones that wilt easily in microwave heat, unless you want to crunch on carrots with your noodles. Toss in half a bag of prewashed baby spinach. Chop up a scallion. Sometimes, if I have fresh herbs on hand and prefer a Vietnamese pho kind of taste, I add a few basil leaves. Not everyone is a fan of cilantro, but I've been known to eat it with my packaged ramen too. Feeling adventurous? Go for some Brussels sprouts.
If you're trying to make your ramen a "serious" meal with some oomph to it, almost any precooked protein will do. Add leftover grilled chicken, pork, beef or shrimp to the packaged noodles, and you might actually get full. The seasoning packet you pair it with doesn't matter. (Spoiler alert: The "shrimp"-flavored ramen doesn't really taste like seafood.) Not a meat eater? Traditional ramen restaurants often add a halved soft-boiled or poached egg to the broth upon serving. If you want to do some actual cooking, the egg is worth it.
Do you eat packaged ramen? Do you think Kylie Jenner's recipe of butter, garlic powder and egg ramen is basic or bold? Don't answer that. Just do better, not butter!
Maroon 5 is big, and Adam Levine's influence as a judge on The Voice might be even bigger — maybe that's why fans are going crazier for Adam Levine than ever before. We have to admit, we're curious too.
We did a little digging to find out what this fine-looking frontman is all about.
Image: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images
1. He's America's hottest dad
OK, OK, while the title of "America's hottest dad" has yet to be set in stone, Levine officially joined Club Dad when he and his wife Behati Prinsloo announced they were expecting in the early part of 2016. As rebellious as this pop rocker may be, with an armful of tattoos to prove it, he went the traditional route when creating a family — love, then marriage, then baby makes three.
2. He has a heart of gold
Again, don't let the badass rocker rep fool you. When Levine received the shocking news that 22-year-old Christina Grimmie, the talented singer he coached on The Voice, was shot and killed at her Orlando concert in 2016, he did more than extend his condolences on social media. Levine called Grimmie's mother after the tragedy and offered to pay for her flight and the funeral.
3. He's yoga-obsessed
Levine formerly kept his trim physique by lifting weights — before breaking his sternum during a particularly intense sweat sesh. After turning to yoga, he became an unlikely addict. He's a daily devotee and, uh, we're guessing nightly, too: "I'll tell you what yoga is good for," he told Details, "fuuuu**-ing."
There's no doubt Levine logs some major mileage when he's on tour, but he won't be getting any frequent flier points anytime soon. "I hate flying," he said. "Know why? Because no one really understands how planes actually work." As such, he relies on biodiesel-powered buses while jaunting across the country from venue to venue.
5. He has a real-life muse
Ever wonder if the "Jane" from Maroon 5's debut album Songs About Jane is a real person? She totally is. Levine’s ex-girlfriend and the muse behind the album, Jane only recently reconciled with her former flame — they assert that they are "good friends" today.
When it comes to reality TV, Levine doesn't mince words. "It's just a bunch of fucking assholes who are fame whores," he told TheHollywood Reporter. We're going to assume he meant outside of The Voice, of course. After all, it's unlikely he'd say anything that might hurt his bromance with buddy Blake Shelton!
9021-O…MG! Did you know Levine appeared on an episode of the famous ZIP code-oriented Beverly Hills high school melodrama? At the time, he was in his late teens, and his band still went by its original name — Kara's Flowers.
8. He worked his way up
During the days of Kara's Flowers, Levine did what he had to do to earn a dollar. His gigs included being a waiter at Johnny Rockets and working as a writer's assistant for the TV series Judging Amy — the latter of which likely made his uncle, renowned journalist and editor Timothy Noah, proud.
9. His love for fashion runs in the family
The Maroon 5 singer enjoys fashion, a trait he must have inherited from his father, Fred Levine. His father founded Los Angeles-based clothing boutique M. Fredric — although we're going to guess daddy-o sells more than just the raggedy white tees Levine so often sports.
10. He had an 'ugly duckling' phase
His face sure appears damn near perfect now, but 'twasn't always so. Of signing an endorsement deal as a Proactiv spokesperson, the lead singer explains, "I suffered acutely from acne, so I was like, "Fuck it, I'll do it."
11. He's kind of anal
Don't be bringing any clutter onto his tour bus — or into his minimalist home, for that matter. "I don't own anything," the Zen Master, as his bandmates dubbed him, told VH1. "I'm into clothes, and that's basically it."
The cutie got his first kiss courtesy of summer camp. He was 11, and the object of his affection was fellow camper, Katie. "We walked 10 feet west of the cafeteria, which felt like forever," he told Elle. "She went in for the kiss. I was freaked out and amazed. Then it got weird, once I got comfortable and started experimenting."
I started as a receptionist in my company seven years ago when I graduated from high school. I worked hard, getting to work early and staying late. I earned five promotions and am now an assistant department manager.
I know more about this company than anyone but the owner. I’ve learned how to work smart rather than only hard. I now more than earn my salary within the standard work week.
Two months ago, the manager a large department in our company unexpectedly resigned. I was the logical and the right choice to become this department’s manager. I earned the promotion by my dedication and because I know more about the company than anyone but the owner.
Rather than promote me, the owner brought in a new manager from outside. I can’t call it sex discrimination because he hired a woman. But he now expects me to train her with what I know about the company. If I’m the one who needs to train her why am I not the one to get the job?
You might have deserved a promotion and been fully qualified for the management job. Alternatively, your owner may have made the right decision to bring needed talents and skills into your company. Because you gave me permission to call your owner, I’ll report his view.
Your owner feels loyalty toward you, however, he pointed out that your company needed to grow to survive. The new manager brings your company skills in marketing, project management and finance you don’t yet possess. She’s also exceedingly good with people and has a network of contacts that may result in potential new buyers for your company’s products.
You earned your previous promotions by your hard work and past positive attitude. Your owner says you’ve changed in the last year. You no longer come in early nor stay late. Also, he says you’ve become an internal critique and many feel you’re now difficult to work with. Further, when your owner suggested you take courses on financial management or marketing, you told him would only if he paid for the courses and allowed you to take them on company time.
Here’s something that may surprise you. Your owner told the new manager he valued you and asked her to mentor you. He says you’re making this difficult by making your dissatisfaction in her hiring known and by acting out when she speaks in meetings. So, here’s a question, is it possible you could learn skills from your new manager that would enable you to go further in your career than you could otherwise?
Tom Hiddleston has officially joined Instagram. The Thor star kicked off his new social media account by posting a selfie of himself in full costume for his role as Loki, captioned, "He's back!" In a matter of days, Hiddleston's verified account has picked up more than a quarter of a million followers.
Tom Hiddleston's first instagram post ever
Tom Hiddleston's first instagram post ever
But it's kind of weird that Hiddleston held out so long on joining Instagram and then joined as soon as he started dating social media pro Taylor Swift, right? Are we the only ones thinking he joined only so that Swift can sneakily use his Instagram to further control her own image?
After all, Swift has taken a little bit of a PR beating lately. Her ongoing feud with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West over whether she actually approved the lyrics about her in West's song "Famous" was finally settled when Kardashian released a series of videos on Snapchat showing the phone call that happened between West and Swift — and she actually did approve most of the lyrics even though she denied it.
Swift had been able to keep her image squeaky clean for a solid decade until that incident, which had fans and followers turning on her, calling her a liar and a snake. In short, she could use some good publicity, so we have the feeling we're about to get a timeline full of sappy Hiddleswift content from a certain someone's brand-new Instagram account.
Who doesn't remember Hanson, the mop-haired boys from Tulsa who rocked the world with "MMMBop" back in the day? Well, get ready for your blast from the past. "Little" Zac Hanson, the younger brother of Isaac and Taylor is a dad again.
Wait, again? If you didn't already know it, the not-so-little-anymore Zac is now 30, married to wife Kate and actually has four — count 'em, four — kids. In fact, Kate gave birth to the couple's fourth child on Saturday, Aug. 6.
Zac hanson
Zac hanson
Little Mary Lucille Diana Hanson joins big brothers John, 8, and George, 2-1/2, plus big sister Junia, 5. And if you're thinking that's a big name for a little baby, her parents are way ahead of you. She'll apparently go by just Lucille.
Although some parents opt for hiding less popular names in the middle so their kids don't have to use them in public, going by your middle name is something of a trend for the Hanson clan — Isaac's real first name is Clarke, while Taylor is actually Jordan Taylor — and in Hollywood overall. Everyone from (Christopher) Ashton Kutcher to (William) Bradley Pitt have dropped the first name in favor of the second, at least where the public is concerned.
And while the religious Hanson family is not Catholic, using Mary as a first name but calling your daughter by their middle name was once extremely common in the Catholic faith where many girls were named for the Virgin Mary (and boys were named for Joseph).
Whether she’s playing royalty in The Princess Diaries or Robert De Niro’s boss in The Intern, many can’t help but adore Anne Hathaway. Now, there’s even more reason to fangirl over her. The actress, who gave birth to her son Jonathan back in March, shared a post on Instagram yesterday that shows just how cool she is with her post-baby body.
Anne Hathaway weight
Anne Hathaway weight
“There is no shame in gaining weight during pregnancy (or ever),” Hathaway wrote. “There is no shame if it takes longer than you think it will to lose the weight (if you want to lose it at all). There is no shame in finally breaking down and making your own jean shorts because last summer's are just too dang short for this summer's thighs. Bodies change. Bodies grow. Bodies shrink. It's all love (don't let anyone tell you otherwise.) Peace xx #noshame #lovewhatyouhavebeengiven."
This isn’t the first time Hathaway has spoken out about overcoming struggles with body image after giving birth. Back in May, she told Ellen DeGeneres that when she told a trainer at her gym that she had Jonathan only seven weeks prior, he responded with, “Oh, trying to lose the baby weight!” and she left the gym in tears. We can’t blame her! It’s alarming how tone-deaf and insensitive people can be to new moms — or any woman at the gym, for that matter — assuming she’s there to get thin and fast.
Thankfully, it sounds like just four short months into motherhood, Hathaway is extremely comfortable in her own skin — and her old jeans.
Her message, while familiar, is something we could all stand to hear again because none of us are really immune from the pressure to have a perfectly toned, “straight-size” body throughout our lives, no matter what we’re going through mentally or physically. Oh, and not to mention that gaining weight during pregnancy is normal. (In general, if you’re average weight before getting pregnant, your health care provider will likely recommend gaining 25 to 35 pounds during your pregnancy. Overweight women are advised to gain 15 to 25 pounds, and underweight anywhere from 28 to 40 pounds.)
At the same time, feeling self-conscious about your body during and after your first pregnancy is completely normal too. But choosing to love yourself, no matter what size or shape you are in, should really be the ultimate goal. Awesome to see that Hathaway has managed to do that — and is encouraging us all to do the same.
After six seasons, FX's horror anthology series American Horror Story is doing something radically different than it ever has before. Instead of releasing the subtitle, theme and synopsis of the show's sixth season months before its release date, FX is now making fans wait for it — potentially until the show's Sept. 23 season premiere. According to his interview at the Television Critic's Association press tour, FX Networks’ CEO John Landgraf said that the American Horror Story marketing team “went out and created many more trailers than you’ve actually seen for hypothetical seasons of American Horror Story, in different genres, different places. One of them is accurate, and the others are all misdirects.”
A very convincing article on The Huffington Post explores the potential Charles Manson theme, which American Horror Story creator Ryan Murphy stated in 2013 that he wanted to use for future seasons of the series. The new poster could hint that he's doing it with Season 6, as the show's promotional shot features a woman with spiders for eyelashes — or, rather, spiders hiding under her eyes. Manson was a big fan of those creepy crawlers, and even created spider-themed artwork in prison, according to The Huffington Post. Couple that with one of the teasers seemingly featuring the word "PIG," the very same word that was written in Sharon Tate's blood at the Manson family's crime scene, it seems that the evidence is stacking up for a Manson family theme. And I'm kind of meh about it.
sharon tate ahs
sharon tate ahs
It makes sense that Murphy would want to explore this story: It still holds a public fascination. Of course, some people take that fascination to dangerous levels, as Manson still gets thousands of fan letters in prison.
The idea that someone could be so compelling that they can organize serial killings is very unsettling and definitely the kind of stuff that American Horror Story likes to work with. But the Manson story has also been done a lot recently. It was the subject of Lifetime movie Manson's Lost Girls, NBC's series Aquarius and Emma Cline's debut novel The Girls. These works all have value and tell different versions of the Manson story from different perspectives, but does American Horror Story have to throw its hat in the ring as well, when we know the purpose of the show is to make something that will make us scared and uncomfortable?
ahs season 6 poster
ahs season 6 poster
I'm sure that Murphy and the other American Horror Story producers are careful not to glorify any of the murders that happen on the show, but at a certain point, the glorification isn't up to American Horror Story. The series doesn't exist in a bubble. It exists in a time in which we're still talking about the horrific actions of this cult decades later and one in which Manson still holds an icon status for some people. American Horror Story loves blending creepy fiction with even creepier history, but I wonder if the Manson story is one that they need to latch onto for Season 6. American Horror Story can tell an original story that doesn't come with quite as much baggage.
Should American Horror Story tackle the Manson family? Sound off in the comments.
Social media is tons of fun — that is, until your kids start asking for their own accounts. As entertaining as it is to post selfies on Instagram or check out the latest on Snapchat, things get a lot scarier once it's your preteen posting throwbacks and getting hundreds of likes from perfect strangers.
Kim Kardashian, the undisputed queen of social media, served as the keynote speaker at last weekend's BlogHer conference, and she offered parents a fresh perspective on how to manage kids' social media accounts, including a hidden benefit you might not have thought about.
When asked what age she thinks is best for allowing kids on social media, Kardashian admitted she isn't sure, but said she thinks it's best to handle kids' requests as they come, since technology changes so frequently. "I think [my kids] will have to ask me, and we'll have a conversation about it," she said in her interview. "I do feel like I went through that experience a little bit when [my sisters] Kendall and Kylie were growing up. There was no social media, and then it happened and they wanted Facebook accounts, and we all had to know their passwords and spy on them for my mom."
Spying, according to Kardashian, is definitely a necessary evil when allowing kids on social media. She says several of her friends catch their kids lying about their whereabouts or oversharing online, and it helps them to be more in the know about what's going on in their kids' lives so they can stop trouble before it starts. "There's so much more [opportunity to use social media] out there, so I'll be overprotective to an extent and creeping on their accounts all the time," she said.
But, there's also one big plus to letting kids on social media that most parents probably haven't thought about. It gives us a real opportunity to learn more about who our kids are, what they're interested in and what makes them tick. Social media, it turns out, can actually bring you and your kids closer together.
"To look at the positive, I feel like I know Kendall and Kylie so much more from watching their Snapchats," Kardashian revealed. "I feel like I really know their every move and what they're into."
Kim K social
Kim K social
For parents, it's tempting to fear social media and want to keep it off-limits. After all, we hear so much about cyberbullying, kids meeting dangerous strangers and teens posting questionable photos or status updates that could come back to haunt them in their future professional lives. But whether we like it or not, technology is a part of our kids' lives, and we have to figure out how to let them enjoy it and take advantage of its benefits without putting themselves at risk.
If there's anything we can take away from Kardashian's simple advice, it's that parents should be actively involved in their kids' online lives — know passwords, check in regularly, talk to kids about what's appropriate and not appropriate to post about online. But also, don't forget to sit back and enjoy the ride. Social media gives us a unique window into other people's lives, and that includes a one-of-a-kind look at the amazing, funny and interesting people we're raising.
I got my first smartphone in the mail a couple of weeks ago. Coincidentally it was the same day my food stamps ended.
I seriously considered the purchase for about a year, and didn't want to make the jump for several reasons. One, I loved my flip phone. It was little, it did the job and I had a laptop that I could take places if needed. More importantly though, it was inexpensive. Since I've been struggling to make ends meet for quite some time, most months I simply couldn't afford the assumed large extra cost.
But my financial situation had improved, and when I had an upcoming business trip that involved renting a car, I knew it was time to take the plunge. It's probably one of the greatest things I've done for myself and my family in quite some time, despite my fears.
I'd been scared to buy a smartphone earlier, and not just because of the cost or my fear that I'd become addicted to it. Rather, I was scared of people's judgment. Next to elaborate tattoos, smartphones are the first thing pointed out when a person on government assistance is accused of taking advantage of the system. Smartphones are seen as a major luxury item in the general public's eyes, and not something a person on food stamps should have.
Turns out, as a freelance writer, having a smartphone that buzzes and dings whenever I receive a message or email frees me from obsessively glancing at my laptop screen. I no longer have to worry about going places with Wi-Fi because I can write in a Word document and still receive emails. Nursing my 1-year-old is easier as I can sit anywhere in my house, or shut us in the bedroom and still work. When I traveled to an unfamiliar place, I had maps and bus schedules and business hours and phone numbers at my fingertips. It helps me work better.
I recently wrote an article asking why the poor can't have nice things. I admit: I thought it was incredibly ironic that on the day my food stamps ended, my new smartphone came in the mail. Now that I've had one for a while, I believe that people in poverty need smartphones more than anyone else. It's a resource, a necessity, to stay plugged in and available, but also to know where the resources are.
Cell phones are a necessity, especially as pay phones are becoming extinct. For people in poverty, a cell phone can mean a chance to apply for a job by having a number to give for contact information. Many applications are online, and a missed phone call or email could mean a missed job. Resources, schedules, open hours of operation, listed phone numbers and bus routes should be available to everyone, not just people with the financial ability to afford handheld devices.
Some take it a step further and believe we should provide the homeless with free smartphones. They believe if the homeless have smartphones, they could participate in a program that would identify the location of where they sleep and what medical services they need. There would also be the additional benefits of offering people a chance to stay in touch with friends and family or potential employers, and it would provide much-needed statistics to help a hidden population.
As someone who thought smartphones were for the elite, the important or those with means, I take a new stand: Having internet access in your pocket is vital in getting, keeping and performing a job. It could even mean finding the real problems surrounding homelessness and a possible solution to help end it.
Transparent is a popular show about a family learning how to navigate their new dynamic after the transition of a parent, and Caitlyn Jenner is the most high-profile trans parent in the world — so it only seems natural that the two worlds collide, right?
Jenner will make an appearance in an episode of Transparent's upcoming Season 3, and according to executive producer Victor Hsu, she will come to Ali Pfefferman while she is sleeping.
"Without giving away too much, she's part of a scene where we're having a little bit of a dream sequence," Hsu said to Us magazine, adding that other characters in the show will also be present in the scene.
Jenner appearing in a vision to a daughter who is getting to know their parent again really does seem like a perfect TV show concept, but while many I Am Cait and Transparent fans alike are undoubtedly eager for Jenner's appearance, there are other Transparent viewers who are now saying they are jumping ship from the series because of the yet-to-be-aired dream sequence.
Some viewers have taken to social media and gossip sites to express their displeasure, even saying that they are ready to boycott the beloved show because of Jenner's cameo.
Caitlyn Jenner/Transparent tweets
Caitlyn Jenner/Transparent tweets
"Sad when shows get gimmicky," wrote one Us commenter, while others echoed, "I won't be watching," and, "Well I won't be watching. This show is overrated anyway."
Maybe these guys just aren't into reality TV. Jenner is, after all, a Kardashian pretty much, so it's possible that some Transparent fans feel her involvement will cheapen the series or give less credence to Maura Pfefferman's plight.
After just one year of dating, Christie Brinkley and John Mellencamp have called it quits. Signs point to their hectic schedules and constant traveling as the reason for the split.
A rep confirmed the split to People while swearing the two have agreed to stay friends. "Both the mileage between their homes and their heavy career demands interfered with their ability to maintain the relationship," says the insider. "They vowed to remain best of friends."
A closer look shows that the couple had perhaps never taken their relationship to the next level. Brinkley told People last year that the two were keeping things casual and just enjoying "being the same age," as opposed to the younger women that rock stars like Mellencamp often date. "You never really know what's going to happen," she said. "John and I are two people that have very full lives. We're just trying to enjoy each other when we can see each other and try not to put too much [pressure] on it."
It's no surprise the two were taking things slow. Mellencamp would have been the fifth Mr. Brinkley, after her husbands Peter Cook, Richard Taubman, Billy Joel and Jean-François Allaux. She remains friends with Joel, who laughed about her relationship with his musical colleague onstage at a recent concert. Mellencamp has also been married three times and notably dated Meg Ryan for years. With shoes like that to fill, it's going to be tough for either of these superstars to find love — but we have a feeling they'll keep trying.
Reality TV star and pediatrician Jennifer Arnold of The Little Couplehas recently put in her two cents concerning a very controversial topic among many parents. In a recent interview, Dr. Arnold said that she considers vaccinations a "milestone" for children.
Arnold and her husband, Bill Klein, have two adopted children together, Zoey and Will. When the couple brought their children home, the first thing they did was see a pediatrician and get them caught up on their vaccinations. Arnold has said that although vaccinations might not be as memorable as something like walking or crawling, she still considers them milestones, because they play an important role in giving their children the best, healthiest lives possible.
Though Arnold is the most recent celebrity to speak out about vaccinations, she's far from the first. There are celebs on both sides of the debate who have used their platforms to bring awareness to the often controversial topic. Jenny McCarthy is avidly against vaccinations, stating that she believes her son's autism is a direct result of his vaccinations, and Amanda Peet, who is in full support of vaccines, called parents who opt out of vaccinating their children "parasites," though she later apologized.
With so much conflicting information flying around, it can be difficult for parents to properly educate themselves on vaccinations. Who are we supposed to listen to? A celebrity with a lot of Twitter followers, or a physician with, you know, a medical degree? How about we meet in the middle and consider the opinion of someone who happens to be both?
Dr. Arnold's reason to have her children vaccinated as soon as they were in her custody is a serious one (no matter which side of the debate you've chosen). She prioritized vaccinating her children because their birth countries didn't offer some of the vaccinations the U.S. does. "You realize how precious those things are when they're not always available to you," she said in her interview. Since vaccinations were the first thing she did when her kids entered the country, there must have been a valid reason for it, right?
Vaccinations are capable of protecting our children from some of the world's most feared diseases. Diseases like whooping cough and measles could be deadly to small children (remember the measles outbreak that started at Disneyland?) but are preventable by vaccines, and polio could cause paralysis or even death, but since a polio vaccine has come to life, there hasn't been a single case of polio reported in the United States.
Of course, we could sit here and argue all day, pointing to science that contradicts both sides thanks to the mighty power of the internet. This is a debate that unfortunately might never end, but today, as Dr. Arnold has offered up her support for vaccinations, she has given us all something to think about.
Would you call an Uber for your kid and wave as they drove away? Not in a million years? Well, how about a ride-sharing service that's designed with children in mind?
Some of the best businesses are created out of the founder’s need to find a solution to a personal problem, and this was exactly the case for California mom of two Ritu Narayan, who started Zum when her kids started school and she needed a safe, reliable way of transporting them to and from school when she wasn’t able to.
Zum uses a network of trusted child care providers (Zumers) who can drive children wherever they need to be. They can also provide babysitting services if required, or the Zumer can stay back with your kid at activities — be it a party, a playdate, a music lesson or a sports event. Effectively the Zumer is standing in for you when you can't be there.
Initially it does seem kind of like Uber for kids, which might not be what parents want to hear given the long string of controversies and scandals that have stirred criticism of the taxi-hailing app.
Some parents have been using the actual Uber to ferry their kids around even though the service isn't designed to take unaccompanied children. (Company policy is to not pick up anyone under 18 who isn't traveling with an adult, and minors can't have their own account, but Uber drivers are picking up kids anyway for fear they'll get a bad review.)
Safety of our kids is paramount, so it's no surprise that some parents may be reluctant to use Zum. Letting your child get into a car with a complete stranger isn't something most of us would do in a hurry. But Zum insists it offers a "worry-free" service, and they certainly seem to have covered all bases.
Unlike Uber, Zum customers receive a Zumer picture and profile at least 12 hours before the child is picked up. Each family is assigned five personalized, trusted and fully vetted drivers to establish familiarity and continuity. This means that although the Zumer will be a stranger the first time they pick up a child, if it’s a service the family uses on a regular basis, it won’t be long before their personal pool of Zumers are familiar faces.
Every Zumer has child care experience plus stellar driving and care records, and are subjected to national-level FBI and Department of Justice background checks and DMV record and referral checks on an ongoing basis. So they really can be trusted.
Each customer also has a dedicated "family assistant" who will be familiar with their needs and can be reached at the touch of a button. Parents get notified each time the Zumer picks up and drops off their kids.
So really, the only similarity between Zum and Uber is, um, a car. For busy parents who can't always pick up their kids from school or take them to their various after-school activities, Zum could be a godsend.
Ritu was one of five pitchers featured at BlogHer16’s The Pitch, a SheKnows Media initiative designed to increase the ranks of women-owned businesses by giving entrepreneurs strategic access to female consumers via our massive marketing and media channels.
The bitter divorce between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is only going to get darker as lawyers and finances come into play. With Depp in Ibiza on vacation, Amber Heard reportedly attended her scheduled deposition with his attorneys in Los Angeles. According to People, she was never questioned.
The report claims that Heard arrived as planned at the office of Laura Wasser, Depp's attorney, on Saturday. "Amber was ready, willing and able to go forward with her deposition," an insider tells the mag. "She waited for 10 hours, and at no time did Amber refuse to start the deposition."
A source close to Depp claims that he is doing everything he can to secure the resolution of the divorce. "Johnny would like to see this divorce finalized as soon as possible," says the source. "He's concerned with the financial settlement and how she will react going forward." That's all well and good to say, but the actions of his attorney don't quite match up.
The Daily Mail reports that Depp has a long list of witnesses that he's planning to call in for questioning to void Heard's accusations of domestic violence, including the officers who responded to Heard's call for help. The two are due in court on Aug. 14 and 15, when unfortunately it can only get messier.
Ice cream cones, ice cream bars and ice pops are the treats that make hot and humid summer days a total piece of cake. But getting lime-green ice pop juice drips on your fancy new white shorts can take just a little joy out of your favorite warm-weather indulgence. Or, like, a lot.
Luckily you don't have to walk around covered in drips and drops like some sort of melted ice cream monster just because the sun is bright in the sky. These tips will keep you (and your kiddos) fresh and clean, so you can spend more time taking cute beach pics for Instagram and less time sweating it out in the laundry room.
Paper or foil cupcake liners are a lifesaver when it comes to ice pops and ice cream bars. Just poke a hole into the liner with the stick holding your treat, then slide the cupcake liner up until it reaches the base. It'll hold any drips and keep them from splashing all over you.
Beverage lids
If you have any disposable plastic beverage lids, slide them (upside down) onto your frozen treat stick through the straw hole. They'll catch any drips and stop them from running down your arms.
Stop that panic-inducing drip that comes out of the end of your ice cream cone by placing a mini marshmallow in the bottom of your ice cream cone before adding your scoops. You can even microwave the 'mallow for a few seconds so it's extra pliable when it's placed in the cone, creating a seal against any drips.
To stop ice pop drips altogether
Gelatin ice pops
For ice pops that don't drip at all (really!), make them with this secret ingredient: gelatin. It helps the ice pop hold its shape, and while frozen it's still super refreshing, just like a regular ice pop.
So go forth and enjoy your favorite frozen summer treats. Your sleeves will be a little safer, but your taste buds will be just as happy.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is known for being the lovable nice guy on social media, so when he started throwing insults at his Fast & Furious co-stars, people were shocked. But the specific co-stars he was talking about should probably be less shocked and more terrified.
Johnson commemorated the end of his shooting schedule for Fast 8, the next installment in the franchise, with a post on Instagram. He spoke highly of the crewmembers on the production saying they are, “An incredible working crew.” And that, “UNIVERSAL has been great partners as well.”
But when he started talking about his co-stars his tone changed. Johnson said, “My female co-stars are always amazing and I love 'em. My male co-stars however are a different story. Some conduct themselves as stand up men and true professionals, while others don't. The ones that don't are too chicken shit to do anything about it anyway. Candy asses.”
He warned his followers, “When you watch this movie next April and it seems like I'm not acting in some of these scenes and my blood is legit boiling - you're right. Bottom line is it'll play great for the movie and fits this Hobbs character that's embedded in my DNA extremely well. The producer in me is happy about this part. Final week on FAST 8 and I'll finish strong.”
It seems like things are falling apart for this installment. It’s shocking because the Fast & Furious stars are known to be a tight-knit family who support each other through everything — especially after the tragic passing of Paul Walker.
It sounds like this last movie might not have been good for the whole production. Hopefully, they’ll work it out before they ruin a great franchise they’ve built. Or before Johnson turns back into The Rock and starts body-slamming people.
