It wouldn’t be a Kardashian family Christmas without a little drama. And so, in a classic reality-TV turn, Kylie Jenner posted a shot of the extended family’s Christmas stockings on Snapchat — and revealed that a couple of famous names were left off the list. To be exact: no Blac Chyna and no Khloé Kardashian.
Before you get your knickers too twisted, let’s be clear: Khloé was off in Ohio celebrating the holiday with her boyfriend, Tristan Thompson, and his family. She was left out only because she was busy giving Thompson a ton of lavish gifts, so... no actual drama there.
But there is drama concerning Blac Chyna, which should come as no surprise. The woman seems to trail drama where’er she goes. The latest saga began earlier this month, when Chyna and Rob Kardashian had a blowout fight on social media. Though the pair seem to have made up — and Snapchatted their Christmas Eve together, complete with adorable new baby Dream — the Kardashians aren’t interested in getting involved anymore, People reports.
According to a Peoplesource, the Kardashians want to "distance themselves" from Chyna. "They can’t stand the toxic relationship," the insider said, adding that Chyna wasn’t even invited to Kris Jenner’s annual Christmas party on Christmas Eve.
Kardashian Kristmas Stockings IG
Kardashian Kristmas Stockings IG
To add further darkness to the shade: Chyna’s children, King (with ex Tyga, who is now dating Kylie Jenner) and Dream, both had stockings on the Kardashian mantel — er, on the floor below the mantel, because even a Kardashian fireplace doesn’t have room for that many stockings. Can’t wait to see what New Year’s brings for these feisty folks!
The pair made all of the headlines in 2014, when they announced that instead of divorcing, they were "consciously uncoupling," which is actually the exact same thing but with a weirder name. Since then, though, they've been a model of what an amicable divorce should look like, and Paltrow isn't shy about saying others should learn from their example.
"To this day, Chris would take a bullet for me, even though I'm not his wife," she told the February issue of InStyle magazine. "I honestly think Chris and I have contributed something positive to the culture of divorce."
To be completely honest, Paltrow is one of those celebs we love to poke a little fun at. Her lifestyle website, Goop, can get completely ridiculous, from encouraging women to steam-clean their vaginas, to shilling holiday gift guides that include personal jellyfish tanks and solid gold vibrators. But we have to give it to Paltrow this time: She's totally right.
In a society with a divorce rate that hovers right around 50 percent yearly, Paltrow's and Martin's divorce has been a great example of the right way to peacefully dismantle a family — or, at least, to do it as peacefully as possible. Paltrow and Martin have never badmouthed each other in the media, seeming to remain friendly, and they've had no big, public conflicts when it comes to co-parenting their two kids, 12-year-old Apple and 10-year-old Moses.
When compared to some of the nasty, courtroom-bound celeb divorces and years-long public custody battles we see in the headlines every day, Paltrow and Martin are definitely proof that if a divorce is necessary, there's a right way to go about it.
Talk about drama! First, it came out yesterday that Clifford "T.I." Harris and Tameka "Tiny" Harris were done. Tiny filed for divorce Dec. 7, according to ET. The pair are already separated, and legal papers call their marriage "irretrievably broken with no hope of reconciliation." Tiny wants joint legal custody and primary physical custody of the couple's kids, who include King C'Andre, 12, Major Philant, 8, and Heiress Diana, 9 months. She’s also seeking temporary and permanent child support and alimony.
But the dramz doesn’t end there. As BET points out, Tiny wants T.I. to cover all of the debt acquired during their six-year marriage thanks to his “high earning ability,” but she wants to keep all of the property acquired during their time together. Yeah, that doesn’t quite even out.
Image: Getty Images
As ET noted, T.I. was just talking about the long haul in June. When asked by ET’s Sophie Schillaci what the secret is to a successful marriage in Hollywood, he said, “You just stay. You stay there and you get it done." And the couple just welcomed baby Heiress earlier this year.
If all of that weren’t enough, to add insult to injury, BET reports that Tiny may be considering seeking an annulment of her marriage to T.I. Whew! Divorces are never easy in Hollywood, but this split is particularly messy. Here’s hoping their divorce won’t drag on forever on top of everything.
Thank God New Years is upon us, because, well, we're calling uncle on 2016. The past year was a doozie — which is all the more reason to have a kick-ass party to ring in 2017.
And what New Year's Eve shindig would be complete without a raucous, half-drunk (OK, totally drunk) rendition of "Auld Lang Syne"? The song is a total must, and the somehow wistful melody always conjures up serious emotion. Which is pretty miraculous, considering 99.9 percent of us don't even know what the heck we are singing.
"Auld Lang Syne" started as a poem written by Scotsman Robert Burns in 1788 and literally translates to "old long since" — or "long ago" and "old times." So when you're singing the lyrics "for auld lang syne," you're singing "for old times sake," according to scotland.org. In essence, "Auld Lang Syne" is a musical toast where you say "so long" to the past year.
Or, in this year's case, raise a middle finger.
In other parts of the world, the song isn't just used for New Year's Eve. People also use it at funerals, commencement ceremonies and to end events, which clears up why the song just feels so emotional when you sing it.
We've rounded up seven of our favorite versions of "Auld Lang Syne" to play at your New Year's soirée. The smooth tunes coupled with your historical knowledge of the song are sure to make you the belle of the ball.
1. Guy Lombardo's version
Guy Lombardo's Aud Lang Syne
Guy Lombardo's Aud Lang Syne
If you're having a swanky, old school Mad Men-style get-together, this 1947 version of Lombardo's arrangement with vocals is begging to be played.
2. Mariah Carey's version
Mariah Carey Auld Lang Sye
Mariah Carey Auld Lang Sye
The Queen of Christmas music apparently has the market cornered on New Year's Eve, too. But, really, Carey's voice never fails to raise the hair on our arms, and this version has a countdown and fun dance beat included.
3. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers' version
Red Hot Chilli Piper's Auld Lang Syne
Red Hot Chilli Piper's Auld Lang Syne
No, that's not a typo. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers rock some serious bag-pipage, which is completely apropos for a song originated by a Scotsman.
4. Colbie Caillat's version
Colbie Caillat Auld Lang Syne
Colbie Caillat Auld Lang Syne
Caillat's sweet voice is somehow beachy no matter what the season, and her "Auld Lang Syne" is music to the ears of those who are ready for warmer weather in 2017.
5. Susan Boyle's version
Susan Boyle Auld Lang Syne
Susan Boyle Auld Lang Syne
Boyle's voice is crazy good. Her version of the NYE classic is the bees knees.
6. The Beach Boys' version
The Beach Boys Auld Lang Syne
The Beach Boys Auld Lang Syne
Because... it's The Beach Boys! This rendition has been around for decades, but their harmonizing never gets old.
7. BBC Symphony Orchestra's version
BBC Symphony Orchestra Auld Lang Syne
BBC Symphony Orchestra Auld Lang Syne
The booming sound of a full orchestra adds to the drama of "Auld Lang Syne," and the BBC Symphony Orchestra nails it.
But no, she's apparently ignoring all of her own personal issues for now because she really, really wants you to use her Lyft and Postmate discount codes.
Not only has Chyna posted on Instagram a handful of times encouraging her followers to use her codes:
But she actually changed her Instagram bio to shill the services, writing, "...(BlacChynaBusiness@gmail.com) Hair | @kendrasboutique SnapChatBlacChynaLA $50 in Lyft credit use Chyna," with a link to her Lyft promotion website.
Don't get us wrong — we're totally going to use her links because a $50 credit is nothing to pass up. But why is she so obsessed with Lyft and Postmates right now?
Probably because it means a fat payday for Chyna. Celebs can make five or even six figures from sponsored social media posts, and if she's making, say, a certain amount for each user who cashes in on her codes, the more she shares, the more she makes. Who can blame a girl for wanting to Insta-post her way straight to the bank? That's pretty much everyone's dream job, right?
Update: Dec. 28, 2016 1:30 p.m. PT: Nick Cannon has updated his fans from the hospital with a sweet video message on Instagram, thanking them for their support as he heals up from lupus complications.
Nick Cannon updates fans from his hospital bed
Nick Cannon updates fans from his hospital bed
"I'm still in the hospital, but I'm about to get out of here for real, and I'm letting you know we about to take it to a whole new level," he said in the video. "I've just been sitting here reflecting and I can't sit here dormant no more. I'm gonna take it to a whole new level, different stratosphere, different mesosphere."
He continued, "I'm sitting here just getting stronger. Just like an Iron Man strong, Incredible Hulk-type strong. And Buddha said it best: 'Every morning that you wake up, you are born again, and it matters what you do today the most.' ... I want you to go on this journey with me 'cause I appreciate all the love. I didn't know y'all loved me like that. ... We all are stronger 'cause we made it through 2016 and we're gonna keep going."
In the video's caption, he wrote, "Thank you for all the love, care and prayers. Lets Go!! We are all Ncredible!!!"
Original story:
Nick Cannon didn't get to spend Christmas at home or in a luxury vacation villa (like his ex-wife Mariah Carey did) because he was confined to bed in a Los Angeles hospital after being admitted due to complications from lupus. However, Cannon did not spend the holidays alone — and he can thank Kevin Hart for that.
Taking to Instagram on Monday, Dec. 26, Kevin Hart shared a photo of himself, Dick Gregory and Cannon, and he captioned it with a sweet message about his good friend's health. He wrote, "So happy to see my brother @nickcannon getting back to himself. Nothing but love for you man..... #GetWellNick #Ncredible."
Kevin Hart Instagram
Kevin Hart Instagram
Cannon was clearly feeling the love and later took to Instagram to share the same photo along with a message of thanks to all those who have shown him support in his time of need.
"Man, so many loving strong vibrations came to visit me in the hospital today! Thank you to EVERYONE for all the gifts, messages, comments, the time, the love and the prayers... I'm getting there!!!" he wrote, adding, "And once I'm back... it's about to be #Ncredible."
We're glad to hear Cannon is doing better and keeping such a positive mindset, although it undoubtedly helps that he has such a wonderful support system to help him get through this time.
How do you know if you are doing too much? Sometimes it's hard to tell where the line is between "I got this!" and "I'm going to have a mental breakdown."
I am the queen of Doing Too Much. I have four sons, two of which are 3 and under, and two with special needs.
I have a husband and a house to care for. I also love to help people, volunteer, get together with friends, host parties, mentor college girls, sew, read, write and cook. Until very recently, I was a work at home mom (adjunct professor.)
However, in the past six months, I have experienced major burnout and have had to cut back on non-essentials — and even some essentials — in order to regain some mental sanity, emotional peace, and physical health in my life.
If you're flirting with that line, here are some of the signs you can look for to determine whether or not you are doing too much in your life right now:
1. You start to forget things
We all forget things, especially as we get older, and especially when we add 1-2-3-4 (or more!) kids to the mix. For me, the tipping point was when I was was using my calendar to write down activities and appointments, and I was still forgetting them. My brain was so full that it could not store any more information. I literally felt like I was losing my mind.
2. Little tasks feel overwhelming
For me, it's the little things that put me over the edge. When my boys tell me that all their pants are in the laundry, something inside me just boils over. I am furious with myself, usually because we are already in a rush to get out the door, but mostly because I haven't kept up with the laundry.
But on the jam-packed days, when I was juggling therapy appointments, grading papers, and evening volunteering, the sight of an overflowing laundry basket was just too much to tackle.
Image: Brittany Meng
3. You yell all the time
Our pastor once said during a sermon, "There's always anger in hurry." The truth of that statement has played out time and time again in my life. When I'm too busy, I am constantly in this panicked state of "HURRY UP!" Doing too much caused me to slip into the habit of hurried anger.
My "hurry up!" attitude was causing me to be unkind to my children on a regular basis. But even more than that, I was too exhausted and busy to be the loving person I wanted to be.
I love to cook for others, but my schedule was so full that I found myself saying, "I just can't" when I wanted to take a meal to a mom with a new baby or have friends over for dinner.
5. You don't have time to take care of yourself
In the blur of my busyness, I struggled to take care of myself on a basic level: Remembering to drink water, brush my teeth twice a day, wash my face in the evening, eat regular, healthy snacks. Forget exercising and scheduling doctor appointments for myself!
6. You can't rest when you're tired
Well, to amend #6 a bit, I wouldn't rest when I was tired because I had too much to do! The papers HAD to be graded. The laundry HAD to be washed. (Remember? No pants!) Dinner HAD to be made. Homework HAD to be supervised.
Image: Brittany Meng
And if I wanted to spend time with my husband or friends or fulfill my volunteering obligations ("I told them I would do it, and I will!"), then there really was no time to rest or even go to bed at a decent hour.
7. You don't have time to do the things that make you feel like "you"
Doing things for myself, like sewing, blogging, shopping, or reading always felt like a guilty luxury, one that I probably shouldn't indulge in because, really, there was no time for that. But when I didn't take time to do the things that brought me joy, I felt myself slipping into depression.
In the past few months, I have taken several very important steps to regain my sanity, health, and happiness because it really matters that I am a happy and healthy person. Here are the steps I took when I felt like I was going to lose my ever-lovin' mind.
1. Admit it
Saying the words, "I'm doing too much" can be life-changing.
2. Reduce (if you can)
Some seasons of life are just overwhelming, like when you have a new baby or a family member has a health crisis and you are the primary caregiver. Sometimes you can't reduce; you just have to ride it out (or see #3 below).
But sometimes, you can and should say "no." It isn't easy, but it's needed. Last summer, I stepped down from a volunteer position that I loved. I didn't want to, but I needed to let something go.
3. Ask for help
When I was in grad school, I had two college girls watch my twins and clean my house. It felt like a huge, guilty luxury, but I really needed that help while I finished my master's degree.
Lately, asking for help has looked like enrolling my 3-year-old child in preschool last fall, teaching my older boys to load and unload the dishwasher, and coordinating with my husband on busy grading weeks to let him know that I just couldn't "do it all" when I had 50 papers to grade.
I hate asking for help (I think we all do), but admitting that I can't do it all by myself lifts such a burden. (Even if I feel guilty at the time.)
4. Ask yourself: Is this activity/responsibility helping me to be or become the best version of myself?
Recently, I've had to cut back even more, especially as Benji, my son with autism, has started weekly therapy. The stress of balancing marriage, four kids, house work, 4 appointments a week, and grading was starting to affect my mental, emotional, and physical health.
So, I made the choice to stop teaching online so that I could focus more on being the type of mother that I wanted to be, instead of a yelling, stressed, "hurry-up," angry, half-version of myself. It's been a few weeks since I wrote my resignation, and the other day, I asked my husband, "So, how has it been? Different?"
He nodded, "Yeah, it's been better. You don't seem as overwhelmed by little things. I mean, you weren't bad before, but I can tell a difference. You're getting better."
I hate saying "no" to things I really want to do in my life, but at this unique season of small children with big needs, recognizing my own limitations has put me on the better path, one that leads to less stress and more rest.
Even more so, I've had the time to focus on the things that make me happy, such as reading, blogging, making meals for people, visiting with friends, and actually resting when I'm tired. I'm getting better. I feel like I am becoming more "me."
News flash: That loud "pop" we all strive for when opening a bottle of Champagne can actually adversely affect the way your bubbly tastes. We know; it's a sad day when we actually have to take the "pop" out of poppin' bottles, but the best way to open your Champagne is as follows:
Start with a bottle chilled to about 45 degrees F.
Remove the foil, but not the wire cage over the cork. Just loosen it, and use it to grip the cork.
Keep your thumb securely over the cork to keep it from shooting off.
Start twisting the bottle from the bottom slowly, and let some bubbles slowly release from the cork.
Once most of the pressure is off the cork, use your thumb and forefinger to twist off the cork at the end.
You may miss the cork flying across the room and the fanfare that follows the loud sound, but the taste — and no waste — make up for it. Crazy but true. It's all about the bubbles, baby, and keeping them in your wine and ready to do their gorgeous little dance across your tongue.
During a recent visit I made to the Domaine Carneros winery — which produces Taittinger sparkling wines in Sonoma, California — the expert on hand demonstrated the "soft pop" technique outlined above. Then he opened a bottle in the typical "hard pop" style and let us taste the difference. It was noticeable. The soft pop wine tasted softer, more buttery and had far more bubbles than the hard-popped bottle.
Now, if you've got a cheap bottle of sparkling wine you've bought to spray on your teammates after a World Series win or something, then by all means, shake that sucker up, and let that cork rip. But if you're serving a beautiful bottle over the holidays, the soft pop is for you.
Here's a great example of a "soft pop" Champagne bottle opening. This chef puts the bottom of the bottle toward his body, which seems like it might mess up your outfit or look weird if you're hosting a party. You can also just keep the bottom of the bottle secure in your hand. Check it out. Cheers!
We all know smoking is bad for our health. It's bad for your lungs, heart, skin and pretty much every other part of your body. But that's not the only reason you should trash that pack of smokes — for good. You're hurting a lot more than your body each time you light up. Believe it or not, there are a ton of non-health related reasons you should quit smoking, too.
1. Social situations
Let's face it. It's no longer "cool" to light up a cigarette when you're hanging out with your friends... or really ever. These days, you have to excuse yourself from the crowd and go outside to smoke alone. There's nothing fun about that.
Smokers are banned from basically every public area, and there's a reason for that. This leaves you standing out in the cold, wind, rain or heat every time you need a smoke break. Quit now and you'll never be banished to the parking lot again.
3. The stink
Smoke stinks, and if you smoke, so will you. Cover up and spray perfume, but that smell will linger, I promise.
4. Cost
Cigarettes are expensive. The average cost of a pack of cigarettes in the United States is nearly $6, meaning smoking a pack day will cost you over $2,000 a year. Think of the things you could do with that money!
If you're having trouble landing a job or succeeding in your field, your smoking habit might just be to blame. Studies have shown that not only do smokers have a harder time getting hired, but when they do, they tend to make significantly less.
6. Taste
You might think you know what your food tastes like, but you probably don't. Smoking has been known to dull your taste buds, so after you quit you may be surprised at how flavorful everything suddenly is — and maybe at how over-seasoned some of your "best" dishes might be.
If you have kids, they're probably going to follow your lead on things like this. Set a positive example. Teach them that sometimes, being a quitter is a good thing.
9. Safety
In 2015, smoking was the leading cause of fatal residential fires. Quit today and your whole household will be a lot safer.
This post was sponsored by Nicorette® and NicoDerm® CQ®.
No longer content to simply show us updos we’ll never be able to do and whimsical cakes that our clumsy meat hooks would ruin, now Pinterest is predicting the future. The mysterious future! Their insights team dug through the data, analyzing search results and save activity, and have emerged with the top 100 trends we’ll all be thinking about in 2017.
Herein are the top 10 trends emerging in parenting according to Pinterest. We’ll just see about that, Pinterest.
1. Homemade Popsicles
Have you been buying Popsicles? Well, not for long. Pinterest says you’re going to be making them in 2017. “Naturally sweetened, homemade popsicles are the new go-to snack (up 44%),” according to the report.
Because we’ve always been vanguards, here is a homemade Popsicle recipe for you from the SheKnows food channel. Better memorize it. You’re going to be quite the Popsicle maker in the coming year.
2. Woodland-themed nurseries
Woodland-themed nurseries! And we quote: “Cozy, woodland-themed nurseries are huge right now (up 97%), featuring tree wall decals and wood accents.”
This sounds nice. Who doesn’t want their babies to be safely ensconced in a burrow or a warren? We don’t know what woodland-themed nurseries did to deserve all this new attention, but we say bring it on. (Gender-neutral nurseries, by the way, were last year's favorite. Now they are repellent to us. We don’t create these trends, people. We only report.) (And I know your next question: Wouldn’t a woodland-themed nursery also be pretty gender-neutral? We hope to be able to answer your pesky questions in 2017.)
No more helping them develop through work! Put away the grindstone, 2016 parents, because it’s all about playtime. This particular trend is up 35 percent.
But when was playing with your kid out of fashion? I mean in this century. And the last one. Before then you just shook your kid’s hand and handed him to the governess or put him out in the field and taught him how to use a scythe. I don’t really know how they did it back then.
4. Finger puppets
Finger puppets are up 70 percent. Throw out your horrible sock puppets, because the finger is where it’s at! “Can I just draw on my thumb with a Sharpie?” you may be asking. No you may not.
This one seems a little like cheating — isn’t this really the same as developing through play? Wouldn’t this be a subset, Pinterest? (A voice just boomed in my head: DO NOT QUESTION THE PINTEREST. CRAFT YOUR FINGER PUPPETS. CRAFT THEM.)
Story prompts are up 121 percent. “Have them draw from a bag of random objects and tell a story about what they pick — there's no right or wrong answers, just pure imagination.”
How did this start catching on? Did someone’s parent take a writing class?
This is actually pretty cool, although I wouldn’t be surprised if the parent ends up doing all the story creating. Kids are notorious for making their parents do all the work.
VR toys are up 65 percent according to Pinterest, and they’ll just keep growing in popularity throughout 2017 until none of us lives in the real world.
Is this really a growing trend for kids, though? No, Pinterest. No. I resist! Leave the virtual reality to the adults who’ve had enough of actual reality.
8. Fairy gardens
Fairy gardens are up 106 percent because they are full of magic and whimsy, and Pinterest-addicted moms love both magic and whimsy. Tiny houses! Tiny plants! Tiny trees! The smaller something is, the cuter it is. That’s just science. Check out our tips on creating fairy gardens, here.
Fairy gardens are the exact kind of whimsical thing I wish I had done when my kid was little. And if my kid were still little, this is the exact sort of thing about which I’d say, “I should do this,” and then I would never do it. Is self-knowledge trending, Pinterest? It should be.
Are you going on a road trip with your family in 2017? If you don’t think you are, you’re wrong. Road trips are trending — and is it any wonder, really, when airplane travel is as god-awful as it is? So yes, Pinterest, I'll give you this one.
In conclusion
There is nothing overly objectionable about these trends (except I’m still side-eyeing that VR toys thing like crazy). But the whole endeavor is reminding me of that episode of 30 Rock (and this is going far back in time, I know, but stay with me) when Liz Lemon took sleeping pills and thought she met Oprah on a plane, and Oprah told her that the new big things were going to be sweater capes, saltwater taffy and calypso music. And then it just turned out she had been talking to a spunky tween named Pam. I think we’re all being Pammed.
Vanity Fair reports Reynolds died at Cedars-Sinai hospital in Beverly Hills, Calif.
"She wanted to be with Carrie," Reynolds' son Todd Fisher told the outlet.
Reynolds was said to be distraught over the death of her daughter and fellow actress Carrie Fisher.
In fact, KiisFM reports her last words were, "I miss her so much, I want to be with Carrie."
Reynolds was at Todd's house in Beverly Hills, according to TMZ, discussing funeral plans for Carrie when she experienced the stroke just after 1:00 p.m.
Carrie and Reynolds' up-and-down relationship was documented in Carrie's semi-autographical book Postcards from the Edge, which was later made into a movie staring Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine. Though it was said to be dramatized, the story was regarded as a reflection of their real life.
Reynolds divorced Carrie and Todd's father, singer Eddie Fisher, in 1959 following his scandalous affair with Elizabeth Taylor.
Reynolds was best known for her roles in films like Singin' in the Rain, The Unsinkable Molly Brown and How the West Was Won.
If you are a woman then you've probably, at some point in your life, had some random dude think that it was OK to shout/whistle/hoot/holler at you while you're out in public.
Ariana Grande took to Twitter on Wednesday to recount an incident that happened while she was out with her boyfriend.
According to her post, while getting some food with her boyfriend, rapper Mac Miller, a man began following them and saying that he was a big Miller fan. Grande was flattered by the compliments from the "young boy" until the man turned his attentions on Grande reportedly stating, "Ariana is sexy as hell man I see you, I see you hitting that!!!"
To that, Grande says in her post, "Hitting that? the fuck?? This may not seem like a big deal to some of you but I felt sick and objectified. I was also sitting right there when he said it. I’ve felt really quiet and hurt since that moment. Things like that happen all the time and are the kinds of moments that contribute to women’s sense of fear and inadequacy.”
"I am not a piece of meat that a man gets to utilize for his pleasure," Grande added. "I’m an adult human being in a relationship with a man who treats me with love and respect."
Here, here!
You can read Grande's whole note below.
Ariana grande catcalling note twitter
Ariana grande catcalling note twitter
Personally, I am mad on Grande's behalf. As a woman, as a human being, no one should ever have to feel like a piece of meat. No one should ever feel degraded to the point of losing her voice.
Grande put it perfectly, "We need to talk about these moments openly because they are harmful and they live on inside of us as shame."
People, especially men, need to be educated that speaking to a woman in this manner is never, ever acceptable. We as a society should reject this behavior completely.
Have you experienced cat-calling? Do you think more celebrities, like Grande, should speak out?
My ex-husband used to tell me I was a sex addict. I had sex five times in 2013 and four times in 2014. I wanted more than that. Sex addict. I took too long to orgasm. I used to really get into the way it felt when he would go down on me, probably because it was so infrequent, and it would take me a good twenty minutes to get to my orgasm. Sex addict. I looked at porn and masturbated a lot in the long, dry stretches of our sex life. Sex addict. I asked for sex. I hinted at sex. I practically begged for sex. I threatened to leave the relationship because of the sex. Sex addict.
I began to go to Sex and Love Addiction (SLA) meetings, followed a 12-Step Program, and called myself a SLAT. I did this for months. I watched these men and women in the group feel ashamed of the sexual appetites that weren’t being satisfied at home. These were not sexual deviants or court ordered attendees. These were just people who either got sent to group by a spouse or who had strayed from their marriages and were using it as therapy. I felt worse about myself, had to stay abstinent, and my relationship wasn’t getting any better.
At home, I was being told I was a bad person for appreciating my sexuality by a man who had none. He used words like "fat," "disgusting," and "gross" to describe me more times than I would like to remember and helped me form horrible self-esteem. Body-shaming is bad enough, but sex-shaming should be a jail-able offense.
That’s when I called bullshit. I asked my then-husband why he never wanted to have sex and he said he wasn’t interested. I then asked him if he masturbated and he said no. He didn’t have the urge or the interest.
I promptly left the program and decided I wasn’t going to be sex-shamed any longer just because my husband didn’t have a sex drive. I decided the only thing I was ashamed of was staying in a relationship where I was hurt and wrongfully accused of being immoral. I had no Scarlet A on my chest. I just wanted an orgasm. I left that marriage and stopped feeling ashamed of who I am: A sexually vibrant woman.
Once you find someone who is as sexually voracious as you are, you will never feel shamed again. Sex is normal, fun and can teach you more about yourself than anything else. Let’s stop being sex-shamed and start loving ourselves. Open yourself up and find that key to your best orgasm. My new guy, B, is a sexual key master. He has the key to every one of my orgasmic buttons. He possesses the Konami Code for the clit. I get to be myself, get a little kinky, get a lot excited, and experience both clitoral and g-spot orgasms any time I want them. My ability to squirt has been awakened (yes, it’s a real thing). If I don't ask for sex, he says, "It’s been a couple days aren't you due for an orgasm?" So, why am I gushing, so to speak, about this sexual marvel?
If I could teach the women of the world one thing, it’s that you should always be proud of who you are, sexual polymath or not.
Look, I get it. Having a dog can be expensive, especially if your pet is prone to nasty creepy-crawlies like fleas, ticks and parasites. At-home remedies are admittedly tempting when you consider the vet bill as the other option, but when it comes to treating parasites, bite the bullet and take the bill.
Holistic claims
There are some claims out there right now that dog worms can be treated with holistic methods rather than through traditional medicinal routes. For example, I found a site that claimed that mere pumpkin seeds could cure your pet of unwanted occupants in his or her stomach.
Garlic, carrots and cloves were other suggestions I found around the web as ways to prevent and treat worms in dogs.
Unfortunately, the claims are simply too good to be true.
"You probably shouldn't," veterinarian Dr. Rhonda Casper said when SheKnows asked her if people should seek holistic options to treat dog worms.
Holistic medicine as an adjunct to traditional practices
Casper does have experience with holistic medicine and believes in using it when it makes sense. She said she often pairs traditional medicine with holistic practices, but not when it comes to treating dog worms.
"I think holistic medicine is best used in conjunction with Western medicine," Casper explained. "I don't know of any worm treatments that aren't actual de-wormers that actually clear parasite infections."
Other holistic suggestions can actually be dangerous and even fatal to your pet if not administered correctly. For example, Oregon grape root contains berberine, which Dog Notebook claims can protect against fungi, viruses, bacteria and parasites, but if administered incorrectly, it can be dangerous, especially if your pet could be pregnant or if your pet has liver disease. With a holistic treatment this strong, you might as well just go for a good, vet-recommended dewormer.
Casper equated the holistic worm treatment with holistic approaches to fleas.
"For years there have been these different home remedies and holistic treatments for fleas, but I've never seen them actually work. They still have flea infestations when I see them."
Best practices
I don't know about you, but if my dog gets worms, I want them gone as quickly, effectively and painlessly for my pooch as possible. Luckily, there are medicines that do a really good job of just that. So why risk an untested practice that might end up doing more harm than good?
Casper stressed that holistic treatments are best used as adjuncts to traditional medicine approaches.
If cost is your issue (dewormers can range from about $30 to $100, depending on the size of the pet and the deworming needs), check out options with the vets at places like PetSmart and Petco, which usually have more affordable options. Before experimenting with holistic remedies with your pet, it is always recommended that you get a vet's opinion.
Parasites are gross, but the idea of keeping them around for any longer than necessary while experimenting with treatments that may do more harm than good is an even more unsavory idea.
Hving sex while pregnant—especially if it’s your first—might not seem, well, ideal: It could sometimes sound difficult, uncomfortable, and even scary if you’re worried about hurting your baby. Of course, that doesn’t mean you need to give up on sex for nine whole months, and you shouldn’t. In fact, many couples say pregnancy made them the horniest they have ever been (some science indicates that extra-high oxytocin levels make you feel more lusty). If that’s the case for you, consider this your nine-month survival manual.
Kelly Connell, a sex health educator and counselor says it’s normal not to be sure where to start or what to do when it comes to getting frisky when you have a bump. “Couples may just need to re-think what they’ve always done,” she says. “For example, if you’ve always done male on top missionary, that may not be ideal for all women with growing bellies.” But ultimately, it’s about playing around and experimenting to see what feels good (and what’s physically possible) in bed when you’re pregs. Since we figured the best sources would be the women who’ve actually accomplished this, we asked 13 to share their top pregnancy sex tips, below.
“Doggy style is always the best. Regardless of how big you’re getting, it’s an easy position for the both of you.” –Laura, 354, Jersey City, NJ
Play Dress-Up
“I always like being on top, even when I wasn’t pregnant. But looking down at my large belly and swollen breasts at times made me insecure. So, I’d wear sexy lingerie—something that flows over my tummy. It helped me focus more on getting off.” –Ashley, 32, Pittsburgh
Take Things Over the Edge
“The larger you get the harder sex becomes. I scoot down to the edge of the bed so I’m on my back with my rear at the end of the bed. Then, my boyfriend will stand while holding my ankles in the air.” –Shavon, 28, New York City
Image: Tom Medvedich
Break Out the Toys
“If you weren’t into sex toys before pregnancy, maybe it’s time to start. Since the clitoris can be very sensitive during pregnancy, I use my vibrator by myself and with my partner.” –Julie, 28, Hoboken, NJ
Cowgirl in a Chair
“Straddling your partner in the chair in reverse position so you’re facing away from your lover can also be pleasurable. Hold onto a table if you need help with support or balance.” –Connell, 30, New York City
Don’t Let the Nips Slip
“Every pregnancy has been different. My first, I wanted sex all the time and my third, I didn’t even want to be touched. What worked when I did and didn’t want it was having him gently rub my nipples because of how sensitive they were. That always turned me on.” –Meghan, 40, Raleigh, NC
Massage First, Please
“Massages or anything to get you to relax helps. In the beginning, I felt like any kind of sex act would hurt my baby. There is a joke that if your baby comes out with dimples it’s because the man was poking the baby during sex.” –Emma, 34, Raleigh, NC
Embrace the Experiment
“One of my best memories of my four pregnancies was how sexually awake I became. You’re forced to try new positions to find what works. When your partner is on top, have him be upright and brace your legs against his chest. Pregnancy is also a good time to try out the oversized rectangle pillows which support the low back while lifting your hips.” –Wendy Strgar, Eugene, OR
Kegel it Out
“I did Kegel exercises regularly. After having not done them in my first pregnancy, I found that in my second, doing them makes it easier to orgasm.” –Tina, 37, Washington, D.C.
Be Open to Oral and Anal
“I became a bigger fan of oral and anal sex since becoming pregnant. I guess that’s because I got paranoid that regular sex would hurt the baby! Now I love it all!” –Paige, 31, New York City
Get Dreamy
“When I went to the hospital to deliver my baby, the doctor asked if I just had sex. I didn’t. but had been having so many kinky dreams during my pregnancy, I orgasmed in my sleep! Sometimes sexual fantasy is all you need!” –Jill, 36, Winston-Salem, NC
Use Pillows as Props
“Finding a comfortable position during sex becomes challenging as your belly grows. Pillows and wedges can help! Place it behind your back, under your belly or find a way that works for you.” –Claire Cavanah, Seattle
If All Else Fails, Go With Lazy Spoons
“The spoon position with both of us on our sides and him entering from behind worked well—even when tired, I didn’t have to do much moving around.” –Lindsay, 36, Raleigh, NC
Benoist and Jenner met on the set of Glee back in 2012. After a two-year engagement, they married in March 2015. They have no children together.
Earlier this year, Benoist talked lovingly of Jenner in an interview with People saying, "We only have fun working together. He’s my person to act with. He’s my favorite scene partner, always."
Jenner appeared on two episodes of Supergirl with Benoist as well.
supergirl clip 1
supergirl clip 1
The last time Benoist posted a pic on Instagram of Jenner was back in August 2016 on his birthday.
Former Bachelor/Bachelorette contestants Jesse Csincsak and Ann Lueders have had another baby.
We actually have no idea how these two got together (Csincsak was the "winner" of The Bachelorette season 4 and Lueders was a contestant in The Bachelor season 13) but they have managed to have three kids together, so yay!
Son Carter James Csincsak arrived on Dec. 27, named after Lueders' late father, Brian Carter Lueders. (Carter also means "cart driver" or "cart maker," but we'll skip past that.) The new arrival joins big sister Charlotte Jean, 2, and brother Noah Theodore, 5.
Csincsak and Lueders' latest bundle of joy is yet further proof that while appearing on The Bachelor — even winning it, because Csincsak did get his hands on that oh-so covetable final rose — is no guarantee of lasting love, it is a pretty good way to get on the baby train. We've lost count of the number of Bachelor babies who've been born since the show started way back in 2002. Clue: it's a lot.
Diehard fans of the ABC dating show will already know that baby Carter makes his mom and dad the very first Bachelor alums to have three children together. To the rest of you: you're welcome.
It's been the quickest celebrity pregnancy of all time, because Pink is smarter than all of us and managed to keep the news of her second child under wraps forever. Or maybe she just knows that, famous or not, it's possible to keep anything a secret if you really want to.
Anyway, her new baby has arrived and he let his mama enjoy her Christmas dinner before making his appearance on Dec. 26.
Jameson Moon Hart is his name, and he joins big sister Willow Sage, 5. The official meaning of Jameson is "son of James," which clearly means nothing in this case as the baby daddy is Pink's husband, Carey Hart. Is the newborn named after the popular brand of Irish whisky? Who knows — but it's a pretty cool name.
Last night, Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds, 84, suffered a stroke and died less than 48 hours after her daughter Carrie Fisher passed away following a heart attack.
The high-profile mother and daughter both fell victim to high-profile medical conditions: heart disease and stroke are the first and fourth leading causes of death in women, respectively. But despite their prevalence, both are still thought of as "men's diseases." And because the study and practice of medicine has traditionally been focused on the diagnosis and treatment of men, symptoms of heart disease and stroke specific to women are frequently overlooked, resulting in misdiagnosis.
While Fisher’s passing had us asking questions about heart disease in women, her mother’s death highlights the differences in stroke symptoms.
Many people are familiar with acting FAST is they suspect someone is having a stroke, meaning that they look for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty and know that it’s Time to call 911. While these apply to both men and women, there are a separate set of conditions specific to spotting a stroke in women. Considering that each year, 55,000 more women have a stroke than men and twice as many women die from having a stroke than breast cancer, it is important to be familiar with the symptoms affecting women.
Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, and/or
Severe headache with no known cause.
Stroke symptoms specific to women
So to recap, women have 55,000 more strokes each year than men, yet it is still thought of as a “man’s disease” and there is a whole set of symptoms specific to women that differ from the so-called “common” (aka male) symptoms. Some of the symptoms unique to women include:
Loss of consciousness of fainting
General weakness
Difficulty or shortness of breath
Confusion, unresponsiveness or disorientation
Sudden behavioral change
Agitation
Hallucination
Nausea or vomiting
Pain
Seizures, and/or
Hiccups.
Causes unique to women
Last year, researchers at the Ohio State University released a study that found that only 11 percent of women could identify female-specific stroke risks, several of which are related to hormones like estrogen.
"Women have thought of stroke as a man's disease and have not really been as proactive in understanding their risk for stroke," Dr. Diana Greene-Chandos, a neurologist and director of neuroscience critical care at Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center, told CBS News.
Lastly, more women live alone, have a worse recovery process and are more likely to live in a long-term health care facility after they have a stroke – all the more reason to be aware of the symptoms regardless of gender.
Yeah, yeah, we know: Retinols are confusing. They not only come in a billion different formulas and variations, each one promising to work lightning fast (which, hot tip, almost always translates to skin irritation), but each one also varies in price, consistency, and branding, all of which turns your maybe-I’ll-buy-a-retinol trip down the skin-care aisle into a mind-melting whirlwind.
So to help your brain out, we picked the four most-popular retinols that you’ve seen in magazines, on billboards, and in pop-up ads for years—the retinols that have cult-like followings, insanely high reviews, and celebrity backers, and we tested them out for ourselves to find you the very best drugstore retinol, once and for all.
Our tester, who has a “normal” complexion with zero sensitivity issues (lucky her), tested the retinols for two weeks per brand and applied them every third night to dry, clean skin, without using any other moisturizers or products (we definitely wouldn’t recommend this method to anyone who has ever had dry or sensitive skin, though; instead, massage in a hydrating moisturizer 20 minutes after you apply your retinol to stave off irritation and flakes).
Though retinols generally take a minimum of four months to produce results, we didn’t have two years to test this smack down—plus, in the end, all retinols have the same effect on your skin, regardless of their concentration—so we instead based our rankings on the formula’s texture, packaging, application, and its feeling on your skin. (If you hate any of those factors, you definitely won’t stick with a retinol routine every few days for a year.)
Keep reading to find out our favorite winner, and then get your butt to the drugstore ASAP. Your skin (in 20 years) will thank you for it.
Dear L’Oreal, why did you put your retinol in a jar?! We didn’t want to rule this product out from the get-go, but any skin-care product with active ingredients like retinol should be in an airtight pump, or, at the very least, a squeeze tube with a cap, or the retinol will eventually become ineffective after being exposed to air. Also, jars are often unhygienic and can become breeding ground for bacteria, even if you wash your hands before dipping in a finger.
But, jar aside, our tester was even more shocked to find that her steel-like skin started stinging and peeling after the third time she applied the retinol—a first for her. “It definitely could have been user error,” she admits, “the retinol is in a jar, so you kind of just dip your fingers in to apply it, which results in more than a pea-size amount on your face.” Still, she says, the cream “didn’t really sink into my skin as well as the others—it just kind of sat on top.”
Sensitive-skinned folks beware: This retinol means business (in case you couldn’t tell by its name). Olay claims that the formula will reduce the appearance of age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles in just eight weeks, which sounds totally amazing, but don’t expect miracles since retinols really do need at least four months to make an impact.
But just because it packs a punch doesn’t make this retinol is acid in a tube—nope, this sucker is formulated with glycerin and silicone, making it hydrating enough for those of you with dry-to-normal skin. So much so that our tester, whose skin was already a bit irritated from her L’Oreal testing, applied this retinol at night and woke up to softer skin. The only downside? “The formula’s consistency is pretty thin, so it oozed out of the tube pretty quickly,” says our tester. “It’s almost impossible to squeeze just a pea-size amount, so I had to be careful not to apply too much. Still, my skin felt softer and plumper at the end of the two weeks.”
When you think wrinkles, you think RoC (if that’s not the brand’s slogan, it should be). This deep-wrinkle night cream comes in a sturdy squeeze tube that’s stiff enough that the retinol won’t simply ooze out at the touch of the tube. Plus, the formula is more cream-y than serum-y so it felt more substantial to our tester. “Sometimes, retinols feel so thin and watery that I accidentally put on a few layers to make sure my skin is really covered, which is always a bad thing to do,” says our tester. “But this one felt creamy and spreadable, so I didn’t worry about over-applying it or using too much.”
And those without patience will be happy to know that this retinol works relatively quickly. “My under-eye area actually looked a bit smoother after only two weeks of using RoC, which was seriously impressive,” she says. “But because the formula is pretty powerful and meant for deeper wrinkles, I could definitely see it being too irritating for a wide range of skin types.”
Finally—a retinol in a pump! Hallelujah! If we could award winners based on packaging alone, Neutrogena would have won. But the real test was in its formula, which contains both glycerin and hyaluronic acid—two skin-plumping hydrators—and a hefty dose of retinol. Though Neutrogena says you’ll notice a difference in just one week, we’re throwing major skepticism at that claim, seeing as your skin cell turnover rate (responsible for creating new, wrinkle-free skin) is only every 28 days.
Still, our tester found that the retinol, which absorbed quickly into her skin, “made my skin feel way softer and look a bit more even after just two uses, which was an awesome surprise.” Overall, though, she felt that this retinol was the most do-able for daily use: “I’m in my late 20s and don’t need nor want a heavy duty, deep-wrinkle retinol,” she says. “This formula was mess-free and really lightweight, and it felt like it could be a long-term maintenance product for me, rather than a quick fix, which I liked.”
WINNER: NEUTROGENA RAPID WRINKLE REPAIR NIGHT MOISTURIZER
