It's late summer and yet denim and sweaters are rearing their ugly heads (OK, some of them are quite lovely) in store windows. Notebooks and pencil cases are front and center at the drugstore and Cheerios just introduced a new pumpkin spice flavor. I'm one more prematurely autumnal thing away from losing it.
It's August. I want to drink lemonade and watch the summer Olympics. I want to eat some form of ice cream (sandwich, cone, scoop) after dinner and swat away those early evening mosquitoes. Let’s put nutmeg and cinnamon out of our minds for the time being and live in the moment. Pick up some in-season peaches, zucchini or eggplants from your local farmers market. Wear shorts and ride a bike. Make a key lime pie. Did you know it’s peak key lime season? Tart citrus, custardy goodness in a graham cracker crust topped with a healthy dollop of fresh whipped cream. It's a vacation in your mouth — a piecation that will stop fall from creeping in too soon. Don’t have access to key limes? Regular limes work just as well here.
Mel Gibson might be the luckiest person ever. He owed his ex, Oksana Grigorieva, half a million dollars, but escaped the payment thanks to a technicality and a crazy court ruling.
In their settlement papers, Grigorieva was prohibited from talking about anything that went on during their relationship — especially those domestic abuse rumors. According to People, Grigorieva gave up her right to the settlement if she publicly discussed the allegations. And even though she didn’t explicitly talk about anything, her interview with Howard Stern was deemed close enough to breaking the rules.
Apparently, during the interview Stern said to her, "Anyone who's been through what you've been through with [Gibson], you got to be full of hope, because it's the only way to be. You got to look ahead." Grigorieva replied with, "You know what? You have to embrace your experience and even — it doesn't matter how painful it might be at the time, and that darker experience, learn from it, hopefully."
And even though that is incredibly vague and could mean anything, the judge said that in the context of the entire interview, she’s clearly breaking their settlement.
All she said was it was a dark experience — that could mean she didn’t like dealing with fame or money or the fact that he never washed the dishes. None of it addressed domestic abuse, which makes the ruling completely crazy. It doesn’t make any sense how she could lose that much money over a vague interview.
The silver lining, if there is any, is now that she’s been refused the rest of her settlement money, she can speak her truth. She’s no longer bound to keeping her mouth shut. Hopefully being open and honest about her dark times will bring her more than any crazy court settlement ever could — in both money and peace of mind.
While I was planning our wedding, I read hundreds of articles regarding pretty much everything associated with the process. One of my favorite types of articles was the ones where brides were real enough to list their mistakes and regrets. I’m not gonna do the cliché thing right now and say I have no wedding regrets because everything happens for a reason. There are some things that just could have and should have been avoided.
So here is my personal advice article for future brides on things I would have done differently. Add these tips to the other good advice you’ll hear along the way!
1. Try to avoid accepting anything from people with hidden agendas
What I learned was that during weddings, people will offer you things — money, services, time, etc. Some of these things you will ask for while others will be given to you.
Some people give freely. Most of the people around you will fall into this category. They will always be there to give advice, to help you no matter what and to go out of their way to make your overall wedding experience amazing out of genuine love for you. These people won’t ask for anything in return. They just love you. These people are typically happy, fulfilled people themselves and just know how to treat others.
But there are others who will act like they love you but they don’t. It’s usually not because they try to be bad people, but it’s just that they don’t know how to love purely. You’ll feel it in your gut before accepting anything from them, and you shouldn’t do it unless you’re prepared to kiss the part of them where the sun don’t shine for the duration of your life. Let me go ahead and tell you that they will expect things to be catered to them and will find a way to throw anything they did for you, be it large or very small, in your face at the first chance they get. If you do end up in this situation, just don’t let them ruin any part of your wedding with any drama they may try to cause. Marriage is an amazing thing ordained by God. The devil will try to fight it whichever way he can. Don’t let him steal your joy.
One of my bridesmaids warned me that I would regret the decision to not do bridals. She was right. While I think that vanity is enough of a reason to get them done, I’m regretting not doing them because I needed a run-through. The day of the wedding, my dress was laced a little tighter than the people had tied it in the salon (my choice) and it caused my bra to show. If you’ve been a bride, you know that any slight alteration to how you were during your fitting can cause dramatic differences in the way your dress appears.
So do the bridal pics if not for any other reason than to have a dry run for your big day. This will save so much time as well as the hassle of photoshopping out avoidable mistakes later on.
3. Just say no: You’re not ready until you say you're ready
Number 2 leads into this. I knew that my bra was showing and I really wanted to fix it. However, I let the fact that we were short on time as well as a few little white lies from everyone around me convince me to go out like that. End result: I look like a damn fool in all my pics. OK, I may not really look that bad, but it’s just the fact that I know it’s not right and that I really like my dress the way I bought it. So now I’m extra critical of every pic of myself. I love my dress! If I could do it again, I would hold the wedding up that extra 20 minutes just to not have to deal with looking at myself with shame for a lifetime. In the end, it was my fault. Don’t be like me.
The pic above shows what I’m talking about. Look at the boob area of my dress, which is supposed to be a true V-neck if not for my bra showing. Compare it with the dress by itself hanging up in the pic below. I was not aiming for the whole modesty panel look. It was just a mistake. At least the overall prettiness of the pics somewhat make up for it.
If you’re like me and photos are really important, don’t compromise on this for anything. It’s called “cocktail HOUR” for a reason! If you have a planner, she may be a little obsessed with staying on schedule, which means that she is doing her job. BUT, at the end of the day, it’s your wedding. If you have to shave off time elsewhere, do that. Make an announcement if you have to, but don’t let the picture time get cut. In the end, the pics and video are the only things left. Luckily our photographer was awesome and we still ended up with really good pics. I just wish I would have known what was going on behind the scenes so I could have told the planner that the picture time overruled all else.
I included this not because I didn’t have a videographer but because if I had not have gotten one (which I was leaning toward), I would probably be feeling like my entire wedding was a waste right now because I don’t remember much. People told me it would go by fast. It goes by much faster than what you think people mean. If I didn’t have our wedding documented on video to look at, I may be asking what it all was for right about now. I made it official with the love of my life. But that could have been done at the courthouse for thousands less for all I remember. Invest in the video!
6. Make time to pamper yourself a bit
In my dreams, the day before my wedding consisted of my bridesmaids and me in matching robes at some spa. There was laughing, champagne and lots of pink. My day before was nothing like that. There was a lot to come up that week that was not avoidable, but I still wish I would have made time to enjoy being a bride and be pampered. Don’t make my mistake. Treat yo' self!
I’ll wrap up with this. I didn’t dance enough. I ripped my crinoline and my bustle was already ruined thanks to my brand-new hubby and I didn’t want to ruin my dress anymore. I haven’t looked at my dress since my wedding day. But I did miss some prime Beyoncé dance-partying.
Well folks, that’s it for my wedding regrets and the “wish I could do-over(s)”… mostly! I mean, Boyz II Men did not show up to serenade me while I walked down the aisle. But that’s a let-down best left to discuss with my future therapist, lol.
You'll need a spoon for these cocktail sundaes that turn dessert into a party. That's right — we poured four of our favorite cocktails into four different ice cream sundae concoctions, and the results are nothing short of luscious. In fact, my spiked Cosmo sundae is still the talk of our last ladies' night. Make it the star of your next event. If you've got time on your hands, impress your guests (and me) by making the ice cream from scratch.
White Russian sundae
Image: Tiffany Hagler-Geard/SheKnows
Serves 1 – 2
Prep time: 10 minutes | Total time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
For the white Russian
2 shots Kahlúa
4 shots Absolut vodka
2 shots heavy cream
For the sundae
Kahlúa ice cream or coffee ice cream
3 tablespoons Nutella
1/2 cup whipped cream
5 – 10 raspberries
Handful white chocolate shavings
Directions:
Make the white Russian by combining the Kahlúa, vodka and heavy cream. Stir and set it aside.
In a glass bowl or a goblet, place 3 scoops of Kahlúa ice cream or coffee ice cream.
Pour the white Russian over the ice cream.
Warm the Nutella in a microwave for 30 seconds.
Using a spoon, spread the warm Nutella over the ice cream and white Russian.
Top with whipped cream.
Garnish with raspberries and white chocolate shavings.
To make the cosmo, combine triple sec, vodka, cranberry juice and lime juice and stir.
In a medium pot, bring the water and sugar to a boil.
Add orange wedges and peels to the pan, stirring every 5 minutes to ensure all sides are equally coated.
Place orange wedges and peels in the fridge to cool for 10 minutes.
In a large martini or whiskey glass, line the bottom with one small scoop of lime sorbet.
Layer candied orange wedges over the lime sorbet.
Top with one small scoop of cranberry or raspberry sorbet.
Pour the cosmo over everything.
Fill the remainder of the glass with whipped cream.
Garnish with candied orange peels.
Piña colada sundae
Image: Tiffany Hagler-Geard/SheKnows
Serves 1 – 2
Prep time: 10 minutes | Total time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Piña colada
1 ounce white rum
1 ounce pineapple juice
1/2 ounce coconut cream
For the sundae
3 scoops coconut ice cream
1/2 cup pineapple, cut into bite-size chunks
1/4 cup whipped cream
1/4 cup coconut shavings
1 maraschino cherry or raspberry
Directions:
To make the piña colada, combine coconut cream, pineapple juice and vodka and stir until smooth. Set aside.
In a large bowl or 2 whiskey glasses, place 1 to 3 scoops of coconut ice cream.
Pour the piña colada on top of the ice cream.
Top with fresh pineapple chunks and whipped cream.
Garnish with coconut shavings and a maraschino cherry or raspberry.
Mojito Sundae
Image: Tiffany Hagler-Geard/SheKnows
Serves 1
Prep time: 5 minutes | Total time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Mojito
4 mint sprigs
2 ounces white rum
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 teaspoons club soda
For the sundae
1 scoop chocolate mint ice cream
1 scoop lime sorbet
1 scoop vanilla ice cream
3 – 5 fresh mint sprigs
1 lime wedge
Directions:
To make the mojito, in a rocks glass, drop the first 4 mint sprigs and add the vodka and muddle or crush the mint springs. Add the lime juice and club soda and stir. Set aside
In a bowl or goblet, place the ice cream and sorbet.
Confession: As much as I like fashion and beauty and keeping up with trends, I am very stingy when it comes to spending money on clothes and makeup. When I find a product that works for me, I’ll stick to that item. Similarly with clothing, I like to think I’ve found my general style.
But what’s a girl to do when she wants to try the latest trend for less? Try before you buy is the motto. Here are some fashion and beauty sites I love as well as ways to save even more money.
When I need a swanky outfit for an upcoming wedding, party or any other special event, my first place to look is Rent the Runway. I can borrow designer duds for significantly cheaper prices than actually buying the item. With these coupons, the perfect dress in almost any size is waiting, I “own” it from four to eight days and I receive a backup dress as well. With more than 90 stylists to help fashion the perfect look and a wide array of designers to choose from, you too can rent a look straight from the runway for half the price. (Goodsearch also has great promos for them.)
Monthly subscriptions aren’t just for magazines anymore. Le Tote has joined the monthly subscription game and sends items specifically picked based on the shopper’s interests and whichever items she may have added to her own personal wish lists. What’s great about this service is that I can keep the tote for as long as I like and just send it back when I’m ready for the next one. If you want to save money on your next fashion purchase, check out Le Tote and you’ll always have something new to wear (just make sure to get a promo code before you sign up).
Basically the pioneer of beauty boxes, Birchbox offers subscribers high-end beauty and lifestyle samples for just $10 a month (and often have amazing first-time deals). Hair, skincare and makeup products are chosen based on the beauty profile the user submits, and promo codes can be used for additional products to be sent. Added bonus? The Bonus Shop, where there are more great products to choose from and tons of freebies. I highly recommend these deals from Birchbox if you want to easily try, learn about and save money on beauty products online.
These are just a few great places to check out while looking to keep up with the latest trends or to try something different. With these “try before I buy” deals, I’m sure to save money while still indulging in my love of fashion and beauty products.
Fat-shaming anybody is way out of line, but when the victim is a child, a whole new level of inappropriateness is reached. When the victim is a baby, we start to wonder if it's actually for real.
Sadly it was all too real for one mom, who revealed on Reddit this week, "My 14 month old daughter was called fat yesterday."
It began when the child's dad, Reddit user zmegz, posted a photo of his daughter on Imgur (which has now been deleted) looking, well, adorable. He was shocked when negative comments began to appear. Some people said she was "unhealthily overweight" and that her parents "should take better care of her."
The child's mom was quick to point out that her daughter is perfectly healthy and thriving at a normal weight. She also revealed that "chunky babies" run in both her and her husband's families.
It's so sad that a mom has to defend herself against malicious online trolls. These people are bullies, without a shadow of a doubt. And also completely clueless, because everyone knows that babies come in all shapes and sizes. Some are tiny, some are big, others are somewhere in between. As long as an infant is healthy, the size of their body should be nobody's concern.
An unavoidable of being a parent is worrying about your kid. But we have enough concerns without having to stress about other people criticizing our children and using some skewed idea of the perfect body to pass judgment on us as parents. And we shouldn't have to quit sharing cute pics of our little ones online to avoid such hatred. The only folk that should be shamed in this situation are those who thought it was OK to call a baby "fat."
Before the first guy I was ever truly in love with asked me to make a choice that would break my heart, I believed I had it all.
I was 26 years old and I was living in a tiny apartment in New York City that rested between an always-open pizza shop and a public library. I was working full time at a tech startup that kept me busy between the hours of 9 and 5, but also allowed me the freedom to have a life outside of work. I used that freedom to start my own business, which practically took off overnight before I was able to figure out packages and prices, and even branding. But I loved being the CEO of chaos.
I woke up at 6 a.m. and worked on my side hustle until it was time to zip up a dress and head to the office of my paycheck job. I came home at 6 p.m., put on my pajamas and worked until my eyes collapsed or my computer battery died. On the weekend, I sat my butt down in a coffee shop until an employee announced last call and swept me out of the place.
At that time, I also had a boyfriend. He was a long-distance on-again, off-again boyfriend, but he was someone I loved dearly. He was an anchor in my life before I found a home and a job in New York City and he was someone I wanted to spend my life with.
I saw him whenever I had a chance. When I could get time off work and when I could manage taking a break from building my side hustle, one of us would drain our airline miles and fly across the country to be by the other’s side.
A lot of our fights started because I’d spend too much time checking my emails, writing business strategies and doing research. My mind was constantly running through Excel spreadsheets and mentally checking off to-do lists.
I was a workaholic, but I was happy. I loved being busy and having too much on my plate. I believed I was the queen of juggling it all without letting any of the balls hit the floor.
But my boyfriend didn’t believe any of that. He didn’t like that I could only chat on the phone for 30 minutes a day or that I was constantly checking emails or taking phone calls when we were taking strolls around Central Park. He didn’t like that I worked two jobs and took on freelance writing gigs when I had some free time. He didn’t like, as he said multiple times, that my main hobby wasn’t him.
So about two years into our rendezvous of a relationship, he sat me down and told me that I had to make a decision. He asked me to either quit my side hustle or quit our relationship.
I remember my mouth dropping practically to the floor. My eyes bulged so far out of their sockets, I probably looked like a cartoon character. I was completely and utterly shocked.
Why did I have to choose? Why couldn’t I have it all? Why couldn’t he just be along for this ride, even though the ride was at times stressful and sleepless? I was in love with my career and I was in love with him. Why, I begged and I pleaded with him, couldn’t I love both?
I felt my heart expand and then sink down to my belly button. Sure, I could have tried harder to have a work-life balance, but he could have tried to be more supportive too. It was in that moment, with him waiting for me to answer that question, that I realized the answer was obvious.
Maybe love makes you blind, but your career makes you open-eyed and hungry. I guess I liked — no I loved — that feeling more than I loved him.
I looked him in the eyes and told him that he had to pick that question or me.
He rolled his eyes, tied his muddy shoelaces and told me I’d regret picking my career. I never once have.
Grant appeared on Watch What Happens: Live to promote his new film this week, but he actually spent more of his interview saying gross things about women and dissing his former female co-stars, especially Renée Zellweger. Grant and Zellweger starred alongside one another in the first two Bridget Jones movies, and Bridget Jones's Baby is Zellweger's latest endeavor, while Grant declined to participate in the film.
The script "did come to me and they had a lovely idea for a film," Grant admitted, but he continued, "I'm particularly difficult and queeny when it comes to scripts, and I couldn't quite make the script work for me so they then made it without me, and that's brilliant."
That low-key shade wasn't the only dig he made at Zellweger. During another part of the show, Grant was asked to look at photos of parts of the faces of his six most famous co-stars — Sarah Jessica Parker, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Drew Barrymore, Julianne Moore, and of course, Zellweger — and identify them.
"Who is the one second from the right, because I've never seen her before in my life." he said when asked about a photo of Zellweger's forehead. "Oh, Renée!"
That incident really doesn't make it very surprising that Grant joked about all his former co-stars, "They all hate me, I think."
The rest of the interview was spent giving his opinion of all kinds of women and situations with women, as if anyone wanted Grant to say another word. When asked whether he'd ever hooked up with a fan, his response was an enthusiastic, "Oh, God, yes!" When asked whether he likes American women, he replied, "The chubbier the better." And on his social life, which includes mixing with the ladies of The Real Housewives of New York? "They love me, those housewives. Wherever I go, I bump into a housewife... I may end up with one, yeah."
We have rounded up the most buzzworthy celebrity mom photos on social media this week, including Olympic volleyball player Kerri Walsh Jennings, who shared a sweet photo of her husband, who is home taking care of their three children while she is in Rio. Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps has his son Boomer cheering him on while he takes home the gold, while 19 Kids and Counting's Jill Duggar’s new picture has fans in an uproar. Jamie Oliver, Holly Madison, Cindy Crawford and Busy Philipps all make the list of the trending celebrity moms this week.
Kerri Walsh Jennings
Kerri Wash Jennings and kids
Kerri Wash Jennings and kids
Working toward her fourth (yes, fourth!) Olympic gold medal, volleyball player Kerri Walsh Jennings posted this sweet picture of her husband, former U.S. beach volleyball player Casey Jennings, at home taking care of their three children, sons Sundance and Joseph and daughter Scout. The 37-year-old told NBC news, “I feel like I was born to have babies and play volleyball.”
“Mommy is taking care of business here in Rio & daddy is taking care of business back home,” she captioned the sweet photo.
Michael Phelps and Nicole Johnson
Michael Phelps and son
Michael Phelps and son
Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps has a good luck charm in his adorable baby boy, Boomer. His fiancée, former Miss California Nicole Johnson, posted this adorable photo as the Olympian kissed little Boomer after winning a medal. “He is the epitome of working hard, dreaming big and achieving the all American Dream,” she gushed in the caption.
After spending 10 months doing missionary work in Central America, Jill Duggar Dillard and her husband Derick, along with son Israel, returned to Arkansas to spend some time with their family. Fans of the 19 Kids and Counting star couldn’t get over Derick’s new man bun and are also speculating that she is pregnant again. In the picture, she is holding a friend's child, which conveniently hides her midsection, so talk amongst yourselves on that one.
Girls Next Door star Holly Madison welcomed her second child, a baby boy, and shared this sweet picture of her holding his tiny hand on her Instagram page. The Playboy alum and her husband, Pasquale Rotella, also have a daughter with the unusual name of Rainbow Aurora. They have yet to announce the name of their son, but you can bet it will probably be a unique one!
Supermodel Cindy Crawford posted this photo of her gorgeous kids, Kaia and Presley, as they had a weekend of summer fun at the lake. Kaia, 14, is following in her 50-year-old mom’s footsteps and is appearing in Teen Vogue.
Busy Philipps
Busy Philipps
Busy Philipps
Cougar Town star Busy Philipps posted this photo of her 3-year-old daughter, Cricket Pearl, as she takes a nap at dinner, while the actress jokes that she held her for 45 minutes and tried “to not drop chips and salsa on her head.” Phillips has another daughter with husband Marc Silverstein named Birdie Leigh.
Chef Jamie Oliver and his wife welcomed their fifth child together, and the British TV personality proudly shows off his son in the vegetable garden. His wife, Jools, revealed on Instagram that the two eldest daughters played a role in the delivery. “So very proud of our two eldest daughters who cut the cord,” she wrote.
No word yet on the baby name of their newest arrival, but you can bet it will be a unique one, judging from their other kids’ names: Daisy Boo Pamela Oliver, Petal Blossom Rainbow Oliver, Buddy Bear Maurice Oliver and Poppy Honey Rosie Oliver.
Madonna
Madonna's son Rocco
Madonna's son Rocco
Madonna took to Instagram to wish her son, Rocco, a happy sweet 16 birthday. Rocco’s father is Madonna’s ex-husband, director Guy Ritchie. In another post, the singer shared a photo of her holding a young Rocco in her arms. “Once my baby always my baby,” she wrote.
Coco Austin
Coco Austin and Chanel
Coco Austin and Chanel
Twinning! Coco Austin shared this photo of herself and daughter Chanel posing in matching outfits. Chanel’s father is Law & Order: SVU star Ice T.
These days, it’s not so much about if kids are going to use the internet, but when and how. It was only a few years ago, in 2013, that 57 percent of kids from ages 3 to 17 were using the internet at home. Fast-forward just a few years later, and the online influence is taking over: Today, 1 in 5 kids from ages 8 to 11 and 7 in 10 children from ages 12 to 15 have a social media profile. And it almost goes without saying that just about every teenager goes online daily.
This digital saturation isn’t necessarily a bad thing — internet-connected kids are learning a skill, which some call a “cultural language,” that they’re going to use for career and communication for the rest of their lives. Technology is also something kids are guaranteed to encounter in the classroom, though in-school computer use has not been proven to improve test score. Since technology isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, it's our job as parents to help guide our kids through the often treacherous waters of the World Wide Web. Having an open and frank discussion about potential dangers is essential for the safety of your child.
We asked the top internet safety experts, and they answered. Here are the most critical online safety tips parents should discuss with their children before they log on.
1. Personal information must remain private at all times — no exceptions
Information like your child's real name, age, address, phone number, school name and location should never be shared. Taking it a step further, Jarrett Arthur — co-founder of Jarrett & Jennie Self-Defense, as featured on Ellen, Forbes and The New York Times — cautions, “Before becoming online friends with someone you don’t know in person, take the time to research them. Always look for mutual friends you may share, and consider running their profile picture through a reverse image search in Google to see if they’re falsifying information or photos."
Arthur also urges teens to not share their whereabouts publicly, like avoiding using check-ins and location times on posts and even turning off location settings on apps or setting them to function only when the app is in use, for example. The real issue here is for teens to avoid posting info that could be easily used to locate them. Another biggie? Not sharing class schedules.
2. Think twice about posting and texting pictures
It’s a given that children, and especially teens, are going to post pictures to social media, with the popularity of photo-sharing sites like Snapchat and Instagram booming. But along with this surge in insta-images comes the rise of the sexting scandal, where nude pictures of teenagers have been circulated among friends at school and have even gone viral in some cases.
“There are rules and regulations of being online, just as there are in the real world. ‘Stranger danger,’ etiquette, manners and decency all apply in the digital world too. And most importantly, whatever they put online, stays online,” Jeana Lee Tahnk, Top Tech Mom and family tech expert, explains.
3. Practice basic security precautions — plus a few extras
Every kid should understand the standard internet rules for passwords and screen names, aka internet 101. Using a different moniker will allow your children to maintain anonymity and protect them from having an online acquaintance track them down in real life. Website and email passwords should not be shared with anyone except parents. This can prevent hacking or other problems.
To increase security even further, Bill Horne, moderator of The Telecom Digest, advises, “Turn on encryption on your Wi-Fi. Wireless connections to the internet are too convenient, so they should be only for adults to use. Make sure the password is not easy to guess, and disable any ‘Automagic’ access buttons on your Wi-Fi access point that would allow children to connect new devices without knowing the password.” Horne also nixes using an “all-in-one” cable modem with a Wi-Fi access point that has the Wi-Fi password printed on it.
As kids grow older and reach college age, a respect for internet security still needs to be practiced and encouraged, Ed Han, co-founder of safelink.io, says. “An often overlooked and misunderstood risk that college students take ... is to automatically think that digital communication is safe because the recipient is a known person. And it turns out, the other party often assumes the same despite more experience.” Parents and kids sending sensitive docs — like a tax return that may contain a Social Security number — back and forth is a big no-no.
4. Never accept a face-to-face meeting with someone you met online
Let your children know that they are never to meet with someone in person that they met on the internet. This is one of the most dangerous things a child can do. “Online safety is a new concern for parents who did not grow up with internet or social media,” Cara Maksimow, therapist and coach at Maximize Wellness Counseling & Coaching, says. But when it comes to good, old-fashioned “stranger danger,” opening up the lines of communication with kids may be enough. Maksimow advises talking with kids about who they are meeting online, and reinforcing that it's not safe to physically meet strangers they talked with through the internet.”
5. People online lie
Not everyone online is who they say they are. People on the internet can pretend to be something or someone they are not to lure unsuspecting victims. Besides posing a safety concern, the smoke and mirrors of the internet can also have an emotional impact, Maksimow says. “Another factor of online safety that parents want to be aware of is social comparisons that can affect self-confidence and self-image. So many kids communicate through texting or social media platforms that they think they are ‘connecting’ with others when they are [in fact] more and more isolated. Not only do they have difficulty with face-to-face conversations due to a lack of experience, but they also use these platforms to gauge social norms and make comparisons.”
Kids who spend a lot of time on social media fall into that all-too-easy trap of comparing themselves to friends and even the celebrities they follow. As you might guess, this contributes to unhealthy and unrealistic assumptions of what kids should think and do IRL. “Poor self-image can be a result, making teens vulnerable to anxiety and depression. Keep an eye on social media, and talk with your kids about what they are seeing, following and doing online,” Maksimow says.
Make sure your child knows to immediately log off the computer and inform you if they encounter anything or anyone suspicious while online. Online predators are a real threat, but discussing online social behaviors and particularly cyberbullying may be one of the most important conversations you have with your kids. A random 2015 sample study of 11- to 15-year-olds in the Midwest found that more than 34 percent of children had been the victim of cyberbullying.
"If someone is bullying you via text or social media, immediately block their number, and block them on any social media channels. Do not respond to any messages, but keep them as documentation. In many states, threats of violence via text or social media constitute a crime. If you're being bullied, in person or digitally, it’s important to tell trusted adults — parents, teachers, counselors, etc. — to get support and assistance. Consider joining one of many online support groups for kids who have been targeted by bullies. Isolation is one of the worst consequences of bullying, so seek valuable support early on," Arthur says. “Remember that responsibility for the bully’s behavior rests squarely with him or her, not you."
Bookmark sites that are acceptable for your children to visit, and let them know which sites they are prohibited from. Determine the amount of time they are allowed to spend on the internet daily. Establish consequences if rules are not followed. “When kids first get a mobile device, there should be an understanding by all parties that the parents have full access to the contents of their phone and can also revoke privileges at any time,” Tahnk advises. “Parents should exercise the right of full access, checking the phone regularly and also serving as the ‘app approver’ of each app that your child wants to download. Of course, additional parental controls, like browser/privacy settings, should be implemented as well.”
8. Practice digital manners
Today it’s not so much about keeping computers in a public area of the house for safety purposes. That’s pretty unrealistic when you consider that both kids and adults are using internet-connected devices, whether it’s a phone, tablet, laptop or PC, anywhere they please. This brings us to one of our biggest points — maintaining social awareness, even with mobile device use. And these manners start from the top and work their way down, Tahnk says. “In terms of digital etiquette, parents are the first line of modeling and should exhibit behaviors they want their kids to emulate, now and in the future — that is, no phones at the table, making eye contact and not hunched over phones when being spoken to, no phones while driving, etc. Introducing kids to a digital world involves common sense, common courtesy and communication.”
9. Install parental filters
The basic wisdom used to be — know what sites your children are visiting, and password-protect sites that are not acceptable for your family. Now, for parents, there are a lot more tech filters to take into account, but fortunately technology is also on our side. At the very least, Horne recommends, “Spend the time or money for good blocking software. You want to have a ‘nanny’ program in the public PC that blocks any site that you or your spouse have not approved in advance. Never install software which works in reverse — that is, the kind that blocks only sites you have forbidden. There are dozens of ways to get around them.”
Lynette Owens, the founder and global director of Trend Micro’s Internet Safety for Kids and Families program, says parents can use what they already have to build an online safety net around their kids. “There are features or services on iPads, laptops, mobile phones, gaming devices and even your cable provider or ISP that help you restrict the content your kids can use or see when they are online. These features go by many names, like parental controls or restrictions, and can do everything from filtering content or blocking apps that are too old for them, requiring a password for in-app purchases or limiting the amount of time they are online."
According to Owens, spending time on better understanding these free parental controls can save you money in the long run. She also suggests encouraging kids to set their own boundaries by focusing on striking a balance between online and offline time.
10. Connect with your community
Last but not least, Owens suggests reaching out to others to make the internet safety message you’ve been yammering about stick. “Every parent knows that our kids aren’t just influenced by the things we say and do. Other families’ choices may influence our kids too. They may have different rules about when, where and with whom they use the internet and what they are allowed to see and do while they are there. So talk to other parents, neighbors, relatives and even your child’s teachers.”
Reaching out to other families and relatives allows you to learn from one another, and it may even give you some much-needed support when online issues pop up — like that hot, new and potentially dangerous app all the kids are using. “The internet is a powerful tool and a vast place full of people and knowledge, and the rules and norms of it are still being written. As parents, we should be with our kids every step of the way as they learn to traverse it and become safe, responsible and savvy users of it,” Owens says.
Image: Karen Cox/SheKnows;Image via Getty Images
Originally published November 2010. Updated August 2016.
Murdered. Torn from their families' lives, their stories splashed across the headlines. Critiqued by the anonymous masses, "She shouldn't have been running alone."
I have no words for these tragedies. These are the worst-case scenarios — the horrific realities that all women on every run are vaguely aware of, working to push them to the corners of their minds until someone shady sets off an alarm.
Millions of women run and exercise outside every day. Millions of women make it home safe and sound every day. And it's rage-making and fundamentally unfair that these millions of women should be forced into fear or told to "always run in groups," "carry pepper spray," "bring your dog" and "don't run at night."
It's a reality that needs to be confronted and changed. Because while millions of women run and exercise each day without being murdered, these same women are still victimized repeatedly and grotesquely by men who share the streets. And it's not OK.
But to make something stop, you have to bring it into the light, so I posed a simple question to my friends, "What's the worst harassment you've ever received while exercising outside?" These are their jaw-dropping responses.
I was verbally assaulted
"I've been really blessed," Kim Prytherch, a blogger and mom of two from South Carolina shared. "The worst is when I was training for the Dopey Challenge and someone yelled at me to keep on running because my ass was still fat."
Please let that sink in for a second.
Kim actually prefaced her story of being verbally assaulted by saying "I've been really blessed." Like she was lucky. Like she got off easy. Like having a stranger scream at you from a passing car that your ass is fat is somehow "not that bad."
And I get it. I've had someone yell at me, "Keep running you ugly bitches!" It's an unsettling thing to have happen — one that leaves you hurt and angry, with no recourse because who could you possibly report such conduct to? But you still weren't physically hurt or in fear for your life, so... it's somehow "not that bad." But it is; it is that bad. It's not OK.
I was physically assaulted
You can't even imagine the rage that filled me when my younger sister, Mary McCoy, a smart, strong Ph.D. student and mother of two said, "A Jeep full of what must have been high school or college boys threw an entire container of Wendy's fries at me when I was running midday. I threw back a middle finger, but it was still super disorienting, like, 'WTF did I do to y'all?'"
I just keep picturing this in my head — there she goes, running down the street, minding her own business when some entitled dickheads think it's funny to throw french fries at her. What in the actual hell is wrong with this world?
Kim Vose, a triathlete and ultramarathoner started by saying, "I don't have a very good running story other than the normal 'woo woo' catcalling," which, sidebar — why is this "normal"? It's not. It shouldn't be.
Then she went on to say, "I was riding my bike and I heard a car come up slowly behind me, which was startling. As it drove by, a big, bare butt was hanging out the window. I wasn't sure if I should be scared or laughing. But it was a man's butt for sure."
Look, anyone with any sense of humor at all gets that butts are funny. They're funny between friends and loved ones.
They are not funny or acceptable when they're used as a way to startle, scare or intimidate a stranger who didn't ask or want to be subjected to your backside. That's called sexual harassment.
It's not OK.
I was followed and stalked
I don't know what crazy world we live in that men think it's somehow OK, or even desirable, for them to follow and stalk women who are just enjoying a workout, but three — count 'em, three — of my friends relayed scary and inappropriate tales of men following them while out and about.
First, there's Larissa D., a communications and marketing manager from Missouri who offered two frightening tales. "I used to run in a park about three blocks from our apartment. A guy followed me out of the park on my last loop and into my neighborhood. I don't scare easily, but he made me very nervous. A cop happened to drive by and was aware enough that he noticed. He drove around the block to watch him until I got home."
Then there's Victoria Pardue, a certified health coach, who reports being followed and harassed pretty much every day. The worst case happened last summer. "I usually have guys who will turn the corner, go around the block to circle back, then drive real slow behind me and ask if I need a ride. Last summer I had the same guy doing it every time I went out for a run, so I finally yelled at him, 'Leave me alone! I'm just out for a run. Stop following me. Don't talk to me.' I didn't see him for a few days, but the next time I did, he did it again. I called the police and reported him."
The scariest tale of the bunch comes from Angela VanBrackle, a community development manager for the National MS Society.
"I first encountered this guy while walking my dog. He asked what time it was, and I said 9 o'clock, to which he responded, 'In the morning?' which should have been obvious. Then he commented on my feet and asked to touch them. My dog sensed my fear and growled at him.
"A couple days later I saw him on a run, in two different locations, he just appeared from behind a tree both times. He was then sitting on my apartment staircase when I got home. It was terrifying he now knew where I lived.
"The next day he was pacing in front of my door when I turned the corner coming home. Apartment security responded quickly, but he was gone. I saw he was arrested a couple days later for an incident at a store across the street from where I live.
"For months I always had someone walk me to my car and back to my apartment or had my dog and a friend with me on runs, along with pepper spray. It was absolutely terrifying."
I truly thought Angela's stalking story would be the worst I heard from my small sample size of women. I didn't imagine I would hear her story, much less one even scarier. I was wrong.
Debbie Woodruff, a certified personal trainer and running coach, underwent the unspeakable experience of being physically attacked while on a run. "Running very early in the morning, in the dark, I was grabbed and taken down by a guy. Amazingly, I was able to fight him off — thank God he didn't have a weapon or think about punching me — and ran the fastest I've ever run to get away. It changed me so much for so long. I held so much fear, and still do in certain circumstances."
There are no words. There are no explanations. There is nothing, nothing, that makes this OK. And yet, these are the stories we don't hear. These are the stories we don't see splashed across the front page. The daily, ongoing harassment and assault women face while doing something as innocent as taking a walk, run or bike ride.
The problem isn't with women exercising alone. The problem isn't with women not carrying pepper spray or their phones. The problem is a society in which men think these actions are welcome or OK. That they're funny. That words yelled out a passing car don't really matter. That french fries aren't weapons, so getting hit with one doesn't hurt. That catcalls and stalking are compliments. And in the worst-case scenario, that women are just an object to be bent to men's wills.
This is the story of how I bought three ingredients and made one of our favorite dinners of all time: ranch pork chops.
I love making ranch pork chops for dinner because it's super easy to make and only takes a few ingredients. Besides, if you are a lover of ranch dressing, just like me, then it's time to take it all to the next level. Ranch ain't just salad dressings, you know?
I’ll be the first to admit — Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing is my savior when it comes to food. As long as there's Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing to dip our food in, everyone is at the table. One might cover his fries with ranch, the other might cover his meat with ranch, and as for me? I put it all over my salad and simply enjoy the cool creaminess.
But! But but but... With an addition of only a few more simple ingredients to Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix — salt, pepper and paprika — you will create a recipe that tastes so dang good and doesn’t take a lot of time to make. In fact, all this comes together in about 35 minutes, from start to finish.
When this all cooks up, it’s going to look like a very fancy dinner. You’ll see. However, fancy goes right out the door the moment you start devouring the pork chops while still standing. It wasn’t me...
1 packet (1 ounce) Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
6 pork loin rib chops, about 1-inch thick
dash of paprika
salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Grease a baking sheet with cooking spray and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix, paprika, salt and pepper; mix well.
Coat both sides of pork chops with seasoning mixture.
Arrange the pork chops on previously prepared baking sheet.
Bake the pork chops for 10 minutes; turn over and continue to cook for 10 more minutes or until browned and the internal temperature is at least 160 degrees F.
With vegans now making up 2.5 percent of the population (and almost all of them having hair in some form or another that needs taming), it makes sense that the vegan hair care market is booming. Besides that, plenty of people who still choose to eat meat and other animal products often don’t want to put animal byproducts on their hair. Vegan hair products aren’t just for the omnivores among us — these natural products offer a little something for everyone.
It may be easier to find the vegan-certified label on your favorite hair care products these days, but choosing totally vegan products still takes some homework. Erica Hariss, the mastermind behind the vegan Saving Grace Hair Powder — designed to cover roots and absorb oil and made with only four ingredients — recommends checking the PETA website first. PETA’s Animal Ingredients List organizes animal ingredients and their alternatives to help customers avoid these common ingredients in cosmetics, food and other products.
Hariss says, “I do know that to ‘qualify’ for some of the labels consumers are looking for these days — organic, vegan, no animal testing, etc. — you pay a company (usually nonprofit) to use their logo to represent what your particular product stands for. However, the fallacy in this is that many small or artisanal companies may actually be vegan, or not tested on animals, but not pay for usage of the icon that represents this on their packaging.”
Hariss recommends examining all product ingredient labels — and ignoring any marketing claims made on the front of the packaging — before you make your vegan hair care choice. She says, “Many of these artisanal brands tend to be made in small batches and crafted from natural ingredients that tend to be organic and often vegan. They are also often free from preservatives, additives, chemicals and synthetics.” The Ethical Elephant also provides a full breakdown of cruelty-free and vegan product labels and logos.
With a little digging, you can absolutely find a nourishing, natural and animal-friendly product to use on your hair. And for some of those hair woes that are tougher to tackle, we’ve got just the vegan hair products to do the trick.
Giovanni Direct Leave In-Conditioner is the curly-headed (and sometimes frizzy-headed) vegan’s best friend. Enriched with certified organic botanicals and made with zero animal ingredients, the leave-in conditioner can help to moisturize, detangle, nourish and restore hair strength. (Naturally Curly, $8)
While dry and damaged hair can benefit from the basic frizz treatment listed above, you may need some extra help to manage your frazzled locks about town. Original Moxie’s Twist Mist Lightweight Shine is our fave hair manager, made with great-smelling essential oils that help to deodorize and tone the scalp. The vegan shine spray can be applied to dry hair after heat styling or in dry climates to smooth flyaways. (Curlmart, $20)
"Finding vegan hair care products that actually work with all hair types has been a challenge,” Christine Deehring, owner of the pregnancy subscription box service Bump Boxes, says. “My go-to has been Acure's Clarifying Shampoo and Conditioner. Acure's Dry Shampoo is the perfect solution for oily hair. It works on all hair types and is a necessity for a busy mom!" (Amazon, $10 – $13)
Color-treated hair repair normally means pulling out the big guns in the form of more chemicals that aim to make overprocessed hair all better. We suggest trying vegan oils instead. Argan Oil Hair Repair can address frizz and add volume, using natural vegan oils to fill in cracks and fissures that may come after multiple color treatments. (Amazon, $16)
Yes, vegans can use styling products too — and Rusk Wired Flexible Styling Crème is one of our top picks for hair that’s feeling kind of flat. Used on wet hair, the crème can help to maintain moisture while blow-drying. And when applied to dry hair, you’ll get a nice little lift, plus some shine and extra body. Pureology also makes a cruelty-free and vegan blow-dry amplifier to improve body and bounce. (Target, $14 – $24)
There’s about to be a super-coming out on The CW. At the Television Critic’s Association press tour, Greg Berlanti, the man behind Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl, teased that a regular character on one of his shows would be coming out this season.
Berlanti refused to give hints as to which character might be coming out, but he did promise reporters, “It is a significant character.” According to TVLine, Berlanti later revealed that the character coming out is a character we already know and is not on Arrow or LoT, leaving The Flash and Supergirl. The Flash has a lot of characters to choose from — Wally West, Cisco Ramon, and the new version of Harrison Wells come to mind — but good money’s on Supergirl’s Winn.
If Winn, as played by Jeremy Jordan, is the character coming out this season, it could be a great opportunity for Supergirl to expand his character beyond the trope of the neutered best friend. During the show’s first season, Winn was pretty much shown as sexless. Other than his undying love for Kara, he didn’t really seem to have a personal life. His brief fling with Siobhan Smythe (aka Silver Banshee) was cute, but lacked any real spark, and was over before it began. Furthermore, beyond his crush on Kara and talent with a computer, Winn didn’t really have any dimension in Season 1. Exploring his sexuality would not only serve to create a more diverse and inclusive world in Supergirl, it would also help flesh out his character in a way they need for Winn to avoid being forever defined as the best friend.
Before fans jump up in arms and say that Winn can’t be gay because he was already shown as being attracted to women, know that Berlanti admitted that the character who would be coming out this season had, so far, likely been playing it straight (for lack of a better term).
“We had a character who we had discussed as a possibility last year internally, and it didn’t materialize,” Berlanti told reporters post-panel, adding, “And obviously, because the character hadn’t been gay, we hadn’t necessarily discussed it with the actor, too.”
So, not only did the writers of the show in question not have the time to get into exploring the sexuality of said character last season, the actor was also unaware, leaving the door open for Winn to be the character in question.
Supergirl Pilot Clip
Supergirl Pilot Clip
Berlanti also noted that the actor whose character would be coming out next season was completely supportive of his or her new story arc, which all leads back to Winn. During the Supergirl panel at PaleyFest in March, Berlanti said that Jordan had been openly campaigning for his character to be gay. “Jeremy is always campaigning for this,” he told the crowd. “Winn should be gay, it would be fun!” Jordan added.
Of course, having Winn come out in Season 2 of Supergirl is not without its own set of problems. Depending on how it’s treated by writers, it could be a disaster, seen only as a plot point meant to lessen the blow of Kara moving forward with her romance with James Olsen. Or it could feel like a cheap ploy to get diversity points with viewers. How Winn’s coming out would affect the show will depend entirely on the writing. If, as Berlanti hinted, they are able to give Winn’s coming out the narrative impact it deserves, it could be a smart and great move for the show.
If Supergirl does decide to make Winn a gay character on the show, I hope that Winn’s coming out acknowledges his attraction to women without diminishing his past relationships. His relationship with Siobhan, for example, was a huge turning point for his character in Season 1. It gave him confidence, and helped him see a world of romantic possibility beyond Kara. Taking that into consideration, it would be great to see Supergirl embrace the fluidity of sexuality.
Regardless of whether or not Winn is the character that will be coming out on The CW’s group of superhero shows come fall, his character still deserves some much-needed depth. I don’t need Supergirl's Winn to be gay or straight. I need him to be more than the best friend.
We hate to use the world "normal," but Jinger Duggar and her new fiancé, Jeremy Vuolo, are no everyday couple. Not only are their lives filmed, but they have to adhere to a strict set of courtship rules. And they may have just violated one.
The couple is getting called out for what may have been a forbidden "front hug," captured by Jinger's sister Jill. Commenters are split on whether the hug is actually frontal or the technically allowed "side hug." (For what it's worth, it's clearly a side hug — they are each only using one arm. Unless it's a handshake, touches don't get less romantic than that.) Commenters are also calling out Jill for sharing what is clearly a private moment between the couple as the two say goodbye at the airport.
A fan from Team Side Hug writes, "I've seen her hug him several times, and it's never a side hug. She's the rebel!" Another disagrees: "Seems like more than a side hug..." But whether you're Team Side Hug or Front Hug, there's one crazy theory we can't help but enjoy: "Maybe they ran into the 'private screening area' and had a great makeout session after Jill took this picture," writes one commenter. Maybe, just maybe.
If there's one rivalry that's been worth watching at Rio de Janeiro's 2016 Olympic Games, it is that between U.S. swimmers Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps. Despite being close friends — and the fact that Phelps has shattered numerous Olympic records — Lochte has always kept a competitive side toward his pal. However, with Lochte completing his final race and Phelps making this his last Olympic Games, their long-running feud in the pool is coming to an end. Or is it? If anything, Lochte is just getting started. And Phelps? You had better hold your medals close.
For one, swimming fans already know that Lochte will most likely be back for more come the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, as Lochte was noticeably disappointed in the fact that he placed fifth during his final race, the men's 200-meter individual medley. However, in an interview with Today's Matt Lauer, Lochte was also sure to heighten the chatter surrounding Rio being Phelps' final Olympics by stating that's if it's not his last time in on the Olympic stage, it's not Phelps' either. "I guarantee he will be there. I think so. I really think so," instigated Lochte. He then looked directly into the camera and stated, "Michael, I'll see you in Tokyo." And knowing Phelps, that may just be a challenge the 30-year-old dad can't refuse.
But what exactly would the continuation of the ongoing Lochte vs. Phelps feud mean? Well, given their history together, a bunch more laughs and a whole lot more U.S. medals would certainly be the result. With Phelps beating the Olympic record with 26 medals (22 of which are gold) and Lochte holding his own with 12 (six of which are gold), it makes sense that Lochte wants to prove himself even further. And when looking back at their Olympic history together, these neck and neck champs have always been sure to keep Olympic viewers on the edges of their seats. Even if, at this point, Phelps is essentially unbeatable.
They've attended the last four Olympics together
Ryan Lochte
Ryan Lochte
Yes, both Lochte and Phelps are at Rio's 2016 Olympics, and they generated national attention on London's 2012 Olympic stage, but they've actually competed against each other at the Olympics four different times (spanning a total of 12 years), starting in 2004. And while competing against each other every time, they also lived as roommates. Honestly, they're just too cute together.
Being that some of the Olympic races are relays, Phelps and Lochte have actually helped each other attain the golds they hold in their ever-growing list. In fact, combining the races won by the U.S. team in 2008, 2012 and 2016, Phelps and Lochte share a total of three gold medals from the 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay race. All of their other medals were earned during their own individual relays.
Yes, Lochte has beaten Phelps in the Olympics
Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps
However, just because Phelps is so far ahead doesn't mean Lochte hasn't stood a fair chance. During the 2016 Olympic trials, Lochte actually beat out Phelps in the 200-meter individual medley. And aside from beating him a couple of times in the World Championships, he's also held his own against Phelps at the Olympics... once. Lochte has one gold medal over Phelps that he earned from the 400-meter individual medley race in London in 2012, a race in which Phelps didn't even come close enough to snag second or third place.
Ryan Lochte isn't bitter about competing against Phelps
High Five
High Five
Yes, Lochte likes to sweet-talk Phelps into a healthy competition. However, he's never considered Phelps his direct rival. In fact, in a recent interview at Rio's 2016 Olympic Games, Lochte joked in saying, "My career would definitely be different. I guess you would say I’d be like the Michael Phelps of swimming if he wasn’t there. But at the same time, I love a challenge, and that’s why I do the events that I do, and going up against him is a challenge.”
Their bromance is just too adorable
Ryan & Michael
Ryan & Michael
Between competing in the pool and hanging out together when they're on the sidelines, it's hard to not want to see these two compete against each other again. This is a friendship that lasts a lifetime.
So, in Tokyo's 2020 Olympics, can Lochte come close to earning the number of medals Phelps has? It's a tough record to beat. And if Phelps is there to compete, well, consider that record to grow even more. Either way, I know Lochte will be proud just to swim in the same pool as Phelps.
Do you think Michael Phelps will rejoin Ryan Lochte on the Olympic stage?
Well, Season 8 of NCIS: Los Angeles sounds like it's going to be a stressful one. While chatting with E! News Wednesday at the 2016 Television Critics' Association press tour, LL Cool J dropped a major bombshell. It sure seems like a member of the Office of Special Projects is going to die.
The man who brings Sam to life on the CBS hit series said, "#Somebody's got to die." Either he means a character is going to bite the dust or he wants someone to die. He also added, "#Somebody's got to go, you know? #Changes. #You need to watch."
You can interpret his response any way you want, but why else would he drop such a not-so-subtle spoiler? It's definitely a great way to entice viewers and to get them to tune in, but it definitely sounds like LL is serious. Come Season 8, fans will know if his tease is for real.
Now, if someone does indeed die, who will it be? According to the Season 8 premiere episode description (via TVLine), "The team is under investigation by the Under Secretary of the Navy due to the identification of a mole in their department."
There's a good chance this so-called mole will die. And if it's someone the characters and fans know, it will hurt that much more. Or what if it's one of the main characters? Callen, Kensi, Deeks, Hetty, Eric, Nell, Granger or LL's character Sam — it could be anyone. NCIS: LA fans, how worried are you?
Now, maybe this is a stretch, but what if LL is dropping this spoiler about his own character? Think about it. This could be his way of messing with fans and being like, "You think another character will die, but it's actually mine."
Ryan Lochte wants the world to know one thing about him: He's single. Despite rumors that he's been dating Playboy Playmate Kayla Rae Reid, Lochte assured fans that he is very much available in a Today show segment. And you probably have a chance with him because he's "dating actively" — and on Tinder.
He has been hanging out with Reid in the Olympic Village, so if you do travel to Rio to match with Lochte, be warned — you're not the only Tinder babe in his life. People reported "The Olympian set fans abuzz over the weekend when he shared a photo on Snapchat of himself with [Reid] sitting in his lap while visiting the Beats House in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with his parents." Even more damningly, there are photos of Lochte going back months on Reid's Instagram account. But the two are either keeping an incredibly low profile, or Lochte just isn't ready to be publicly in a relationship. After all, there are only so many people in the world who can say, "Want to go back to my place and see my gold medals?" and we can bet most of them aren't on Tinder.
We've already heard some rather disturbing tales from the Suicide Squad set. The entire cast getting tattooed, Jared Leto gifting rats and used condoms to his co-stars, Margot Robbie's insane workout plan. But according to a new report, Leto's method acting strategy may have taken a dangerous turn when he offended and "totally creeped out" one cast member.
Ariane Bellamar spoke to Radar Online about her experience on set while playing the Joker's muse, which was cut from the final film. She alleges Leto "rubb[ed] his crotch beneath his pants and growl[ed] at her in between takes while filming at a Toronto nightclub in June 2015."
“He wasn’t hiding it or anything,” she says. “He did it every time he walked past me.”
At first, Bellamar tried to laugh off Leto's behavior as part of his method acting technique. But eventually he started to get to her, she says. "I’m not a prude, I’m easy-going,” she says. “But it was creepy. It took me completely off guard.” She continues, “I have a great deal of respect for method acting, but you can’t hide behind your craft. You have to be respectful of your fellow cast and crew.”
In a sad reality of what actresses have to put up with, Bellamar says she's grateful for the experience of working beside Leto despite how he treated her. "Working opposite of Mr. Leto was an opportunity of a lifetime," she wrote on Facebook.
Leto's spokespeople deny that the incident ever happened. “There is absolutely no truth to this," says a rep. “It’s completely false.”
Kelly Dodd is doing everything she can to make sure that she makes it onto next season of The Real Housewives of Orange County. And by "everything she can," we mean that she’s being a total mean-girl and not acting at all like she wants to be friends with the other women.
Dodd was recently a guest on Heather McDonald’s podcast Juicy Scoop to talk about all things Housewives. She briefly touched on her relationship past with her husband and how that’s definitely been a rocky road. She talked about how she got on the show thanks to her friendship with Meghan King Edmonds, but for most of the show, she was shit-talking with McDonald about as many Housewives as she could.
And it went beyond her own show — she took shots at Dorinda Medley from The Real Housewives of New York too. Dodd and McDonald talked briefly about the recent costume party that the OC Housewives attended and McDonald accused Dodd of not really being able to hold her liquor. Dodd said, “I can totally handle my liquor. Better than Dorinda.”
The women then went on to mock some of Medley’s actions on her season of RHONY.
But one Housewife wasn’t enough. McDonald and Dodd spent a few minutes imitating Shannon Beador mercilessly. McDonald suggested, “Let’s just do dueling Shannons” and Dodd was happy to play along. They made Beador sound annoying and not very smart. It was almost hard to listen to these two women be the absolute worst versions of themselves.
This interview and Dodd’s attitude toward everyone since joining the cast has really crossed the line. One shining moment in the interview is when she said, "'Asperger's' means you're stupid" — eek. Really, Dodd?
Hopefully she’ll get her act together soon or Andy Cohen will realize this isn’t fun and games and she could really hurt people. Either way, we can’t support this kind of behavior from Dodd or any other Housewife.
