Your little dog may be short in stature, but they're sure not short on personality — so a standout name with tons of character is definitely in order.

Yes, it's cute to name your little puppy something appropriate like Tiny or Peewee, but how amazing would it be to call them something more substantial — like Bullet or Maximilian? That's the best part about picking a name for a mini-dog. The possibilities are endless.

Got a new puppy? Say a few of these names out loud to figure out which one has the right ring to it.

Names for small male dogs

1. Alf
2. Artoo
3. The Atom
4. Biggie Smalls
5. Boris
6. Brogan
7. Buckshot
8. Bullet
9. Caesar
10. Colonel Mustard Seed
11. Conan
12. Cooper (Coop for short)
13. Cruise
14. Delphiki ("Bean" in Ender's Game, which would make a good nickname)
15. Derringer
16. Dinky
17. Dobby
18. Faolán
19. Fennec (especially for dogs with large, pointed ears)
20. Flick
21. (Professor) Flitwick
22. Flöki
23. Franjean
24. Gherkin
25. Gimli
26. Grasshoppah
27. Grommet
28. Hamlet
29. Higgs
30. Inspector Gadget
31. Kieran (best for dark dogs)
32. King Brian
33. Li'l Abner
34. Logan
35. Mannix
36. Maximilian
37. Meatball
38. Mercury
39. Monet
40. Nacho
41. Napoleon
42. Neutron
43. Odie
44. Paddington
45. Petey
46. Piccolo
47. Pico
48. Pippin
49. Pluto
50. Pugsley (especially for a Pug, unless you're going for irony)
51. Puck
52. Quark
53. Radar
54. Rafiki
55. Roo
56. Scrappy
57. Sir Nips-a-lot
58. Smeagol (you can call him Gollum when he's a bad boy) 
59. Smokey
60. Sprocket
61. Sweeney
62. Thumper
63. Tillman
64. Tonka
65. Underdog
66. Webster
67. Whelp

More: Want an ironic name for your little dog? Check out our list of big dog names

Next Up: Names for female dogs

Originally published March 2015. Updated January 2017.

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Names for small female dogs

68. Aiko
69. Anklet
70. Aperitif
71. Bijou
72. Blossom
73. Bonita
74. Boo-boo
75. Briar
76. Canidae (plural of canid) 
77. Chiclet
78. Chiquita
79. Clementine
80. Cozette
81. Cranberry
82. Daisy
83. Deora
84. Dixie
85. Dot
86. Enya
87. Fairy Dust
88. Fiammetta
89. Fifi
90. Fleurette
91. Gidget
92. Gingersnap
93. Gretchen
94. Keiki
95. Kia
96. Kit
97. Kiwi
98. Lady Barnacle
99. Laika
100. Linnea
101. Magpie
102. Minnie
103. Nutmeg
104. Papillon (too on the nose for Papillons, but the word is French for "butterfly")
105. Pearl
106. Pebbles
107. Penny
108. Pica
109. Pippie
110. Pixie
111. Puka
112. Saffron
113. Shirley Temple
114. Skipper
115. Skittles
116. Smidge
117. Sukoshi
118. Sweet Pea
119. Thimbelina
120. Thimbleberry
121. Tiara
122. Tiegan
123. Tine
124. Tinkerbell (Tink for short)
125. Titania
126. Toto
127. Tuppence
128. Twiggy
129. Ursula
130. Venus
131. Vespa
132. Villette
133. Wren
134. Xiaoli

More: 100 unique dog names your new pooch will be honored to have

Gender-neutral names for small dogs

135. Acorn
136. Amoeba
137. Avery
138. Bagel
139. Beetle
140. Benji
141. Bijou
142. Biscuit
143. Bonsai
144. Bug
145. Catnip (for dogs who are afraid of your cat) 
146. Cheerio
147. Chowder
148. Chutney
149. Cookie
150. Couscous
151. Cricket
152. Crumpet
153. Doodle
154. Doozer
155. Dumpling
156. Fidget
157. Flea
158. Fraggle
159. Frisbee
160. Gremlin
161. Gucci
162. Haiku
163. Hashtag
164. Helix
165. Hobbit
166. Hobgoblin
167. Jellybean
168. Jitterbug
169. Li'l Bit
170. Marshmallow
171. Mogwhai
172. Molecule
173. Muffin Tin-Tin
174. Nano
175. Nugget
176. Peanut
177. Pixel
178. Popcorn
179. Ravioli
180. Roly-Poly
181. Rugrat
182. Sesame
183. Scampi
184. Slider
185. Sprite
186. Sprout
187. Sushi
188. Teacup
189. Thing 1 and Thing 2 (for two dogs — call them Onesie and Twosie for short)
190. Tic-Tac
191. Tribble
192. Truffle
193. Tweet
194. Ukulele
195. Velcro
196. Wafer
197. Whisper
198. Wink
199. Yapper
200. Yule

More: 38 German dog names perfect for your favorite hound

Don't forget to pin this list!

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Hey, dads! Stepping up your parenting game may be way simpler than you think.

According to a new study by New York University, when dads spend time reading to their kids on a regular basis, the kids aren't the only ones who benefit. Fathers who make a practice of reading with their kids actually become better parents over time.

These findings were based on researcher observations and surveys completed during an eight-week preschool readiness program hosted by NYU and Head Start. Fathers were specifically recruited for this program in hopes of breaking the trend of mother-centric parenting programs. And since fathers are less likely to sign up for a parenting class, framing it as an educational resource for their children made the program more attractive to fathers.

In addition to participating in the 90-minute program once a week, fathers were also asked to read to their children in the home on a regular basis. At the end of the eight weeks, researchers reported that the children had shown a 30 percent improvement in their school-readiness and language-development scores — and the fathers' parenting behaviors improved by 30 percent as well. The behaviors being judged included creating routines with their children, offering rewards for positive behavior and ignoring attention-seeking behavior in their children.

Since all of the participants in this study were living in a low-income community, it isn't clear whether such drastic results can be generalized to all fathers or if the methods would attract fathers in other life circumstances. One thing is clear: Making a habit of reading to your kids is a good idea.

We asked a few dads which titles they look forward to reading to their own kids at the end of the day or on a lazy Saturday morning so you can start collecting for your own home library.

For dads of younger children, funny voices and sounds along with clever storylines were the most popular.

"Right now, my favorite is Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons," says Chris S., dad of three. "It's great because we can count together, there's a song so we can sing together and both girls can appreciate it even though they're different ages. It's also just fun to read."

Matt B., dad to three boys, said that The Monster at the End of This Book and The Book with No Pictures were tied for first place. "But anything you can make fun crazy faces and noises works for me."

Dragons Love Tacos, Mustache Baby and Rawr! are favorites for Drew W. and his 2-year-old daughter.

"These are our favorites because they have fun sentence structure, funny voices and quick pace," he said. "We can read them over and over and they don't get boring!"

Other popular reads for preschoolers and toddlers included The Goodnight Train, Stuck, Bicycle Bear, Harold and the Purple Crayon, The Jesus Storybook Bible and The Snowy Day.

Dads of older kids: We didn't forget about you. Chelsea B. spoke up for her dad, sharing that they read through the Chronicles of Narnia together multiple times when she was a kid. Another dad is reading through the Harry Potter series with his kids just like his dad had with him, and Nels C. just started reading Farmer Boy with his four children before bed each night.

Of course, if none of these books hit the target for you and your kids, that's OK. The important thing isn't really what you read but that you do it. So dads, be sure to dust off your library card and set a time to read to your kids each day. You'll be a better person for it.

Melania Trump remained an enigma in the months leading up to the recent election, her public appearances limited to standing silently beside her husband at speeches and debates and a few reluctant-seeming interviews designed to soften the Donald's image with women after the incredibly offensive "grab 'em by the pussy" video was leaked.

More: How the hell do we explain the mess that is Donald Trump to our kids?

Several hours of televised footage on Inauguration Day have provided us with the most insight into Melania Trump and her marriage that we've ever had. And my God is it depressing.

The internet agrees. There's been a noticeable shift in opinion toward her since Saturday, with many women coming to her defense, sympathizing with her, and even speculating about what her life might really be like.

Ouch

First, there was this — after arriving at the doorstep of the White House, Donald Trump exits the SUV and immediately walks up the stairs to greet the Obamas, leaving Melania Trump to walk up the stairs alone behind him.

It's a stark contrast to the way former President Barack Obama treated Michelle Obama on their Inauguration Day back in 2009.

After getting out, President Obama waits beside the limousine until Michelle Obama walks around to join him. Together they walk up the stairs, his hand on the small of her back, where he waits for her to greet George W. and Laura Bush before then doing so himself.

And look, none of us had any illusions about the amount of respect Donald Trump had for women before he was elected, but damn dude. This is your wife! His actions seemed so incredibly thoughtless and the Obamas seemed to pick up on it, graciously ushering Melania Trump inside the White House after President Trump left her behind again and walked in by himself.

It didn't take the internet very long to start talking.

It didn't get much better from there.

Wow

Astute Twitter user @Marv_Vien noticed this interaction between President Trump and his wife and presented it without comment in the following GIF.

Yikes.

I'm always reluctant to make assumptions about a person, or a couple for that matter, based on one seconds-long video clip, but I feel like it's pretty hard to misinterpret what's happening here. As Donald Trump turns around, Melania Trump plastered on a smile, nodding pleasantly. As soon as he turns around, however, the smile instantly drops from her face.

More: What is your body language communicating?

Who knows why Melania Trump's demeanor changed so rapidly, but it sure as hell looks like a woman who humors her husband to his face while feeling thoroughly over his shit. We've all been there, right?

(Although some have theorized that the video has been reversed, viewing the entirety of the inauguration video shows the series of events exactly as described above.)

Aghhhh, this is so terrible

OK, yes this is one singular moment. But when viewed in the context of the other the pictures and videos and what we know about Donald Trump, it really seems to depict a woman who is unhappy to be there and completely alone in her marriage. This picture of the Melania Trump makes me want to cry. Look at this body language. LOOK AT IT.

And finally...

That dance, tho

This is... I don't even know what to say. The tight-lipped smiles. The awkward shuffling around in a tiny circle, the way her hand remains stiffly glued to his shoulders, the lack of eye contact.

This does not seem like a happy couple. Hell, this doesn't even seem like two people who are comfortable touching each other. There's no warmth, no affection, no authenticity.

These photos and videos seem to have sparked a shift in feeling toward Melania Trump, with some starting a movement called #FreeMelania, and others simply expressing their pity for a woman who increasingly appears to be participating in a role she did not want or have much of a say in.

Others have been quick to jump to Melania Trump's defense after comedian Chelsea Handler mocked the first lady's accent (skip to 2:06).

I mean, what in the hell? Was that really necessary?

More: Chelsea Clinton to SNL writer: Leave Barron Trump alone

It's one thing to criticize the president, but attacking his wife's ability to speak English definitely crosses the line from political commentary into outright cruelty. Besides the fact that Handler's comments were offensive, there's the fact that Melania Trump speaks five different languages, which I'm willing to bet is four more than Ms. Handler.

I'm willing to bet that Melania Trump takes a very subdued role within the White House, and hopefully, more pictures of her appearing downright miserable will be few and far between as a result.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

If you started having your period early and also did not have children, there may be an increased risk of premature or early menopause according to a new study published in the journal Human Reproduction.

Researchers looked at more than 51,000 women in Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia, and what they found was that women who started their menstrual periods at age 11 or younger were 80 percent more likely to have premature menopause than those who started their periods between ages 12 and 13. Women who began menstruating at 11 or younger were also 30 percent more likely to have early menopause, the authors said.

More: Too young for hot flashes? It could be perimenopause.

Those who had never been pregnant or never had children had a twofold increased risk of premature menopause. These women also had a 30 percent increased risk of early menopause.

And based on what we already know about women with either premature or early menopause, they face an increased risk of chronic conditions in later life and early death. These findings support early monitoring of women with early menstruation, especially those who have no children, for preventative health interventions.

More: 9 things every menopausal woman will definitely want to have on hand

The lead researcher for the study, Professor Gita Mishra from the University of Queensland, Australia, said: “If the findings from our study were incorporated into clinical guidelines for advising childless women from around the age of 35 years who had their first period aged 11 or younger, clinicians could gain valuable time to prepare these women for the possibility of premature or early menopause.”

Mishra believes that this could provide a valuable opportunity for clinicians to include women’s reproductive history alongside other lifestyle factors when assessing the risk of early menopause. This added information can help them focus health messages more effectively, both earlier in life and for women most at risk.

More: How to use your menstrual cycle to your fat-burning advantage

Everybody take a deep breath and exhale slowly. Repeat after us: Our babies will never be as cute as this Gerber baby. And that's OK.

More: Another Gerber baby reigns

Gerber has unearthed the darling nugget against which all other blobs of sticky baby humanity must be compared: the 2017 Gerber Spokesbaby, 7-month-old Riley Shines (we can’t make this stuff up). He is a dapper little gent who has no effing idea what’s with all the lights and really just wants to look at his spaceship mobile, thankyouverymuch.

So why was Riley picked over 110,000 other babes whose pitiful parents were delusional enough to think they had a Gerber baby-level cute infant?

More: Freebies to help you get over the fact that your kid is not a Gerber baby

Well, Gerber says Riley was chosen for his “expressions and visual appeal, as well as how well he’d represent the brand.” Nice work there, baby Riley! And congrats on that honorary MBA in branding and marketing!

According to Riley’s parents, Kristen and Devin Shines, they “made the spontaneous decision”  to enter Riley in the search a few months back, but didn’t expect to win.

Claim all you want that you didn't expect to win, Shines. You knew your baby was the cutest baby there ever was. I mean LOOK AT THAT FACE. He's a goddamn angel.

What's that, other parents? You say your baby is cuter? ... Sure. Everybody thinks their baby is the cutest. Except now we know better because we have quantitative evidence from Gerber that our babies are hideous. It’s OK. We’re dealing with it.

More: Heads up, Mom, these foods are iffy for babies

So what did Riley win besides bragging rights (if, you know, he could talk) and a nagging, haunting feeling for the rest of his natural life that he peaked at 7 months old and it’s all downhill from here?

Well, Riley and his shiny parents scored a $50,000 cash prize, $1,500 in Gerber Childrenswear and “the chance” for Riley to star in a 2017 Gerber ad.

(We’re thinking “the chance” means Riley better not get too comfy. Watch out for baby acne, Riley, or a brief but devastating awkward phase. Your career could be over. That’s showbiz, kid. Sorry.) 

One more perk: Riley’s year as nonverbal spokesbaby will be documented in full on Gerber’s social media platforms. So you’ve got something to look forward to if your own baby is not a looker. Which, you know, it just isn't. Sorry. But at least now you know and you can stop spending all that money on digital photo books for the grandparents.

Sure, I was a little frustrated and perplexed about my vaginismus. But as someone who enjoyed having casual sex, and with the knowledge that working up to penetration would take time for me, I never considered testing out this incredibly challenging and painful feat for me on my fly-by-night lovers. After all, sex was supposed to be fun!

More: Vaginismus makes trips to the gynecologist excruciating

And so it was. I quickly proved to myself that an exciting sex life was possible without penetration (despite what I had been told), as I had multiple orgasms with multiple partners without a single mention of PIV action. I never felt the need to have to explain myself beyond a simple “no” when partners would try to penetrate me with their fingers. And that’s where it ended for most.

Fast-forward to the night I met Nick, a charming journalism major visiting from another college. I quickly realized that this sense of security and sexual confidence was false. Dangerous, even.

After making out with him at a party where he fed me a steady flow of alcohol (an act I saw as gracious rather than creepy at the time), I took him home with me. Despite my discomfort with finger penetration, he was the first person I had slept with who jumped to lofty conclusions as he ran to grab a condom from his bag mid-sex. I laughed upon noticing this, shaking my head and saying “Nope. We don’t need that.” He looked confused at first, so I elaborated: “We’re not having penetrative sex.” Looking hurt and frustrated, he paused before dropping his condom and rejoining me in bed.

More: The "fake" illnesses women report are not phony — they're painful

After that night, Nick visited my campus again, this time to see only me despite my vocalized discomfort with that fact. Ignoring my instincts, I met up with him at my friend’s apartment where he repeatedly tried to make out with me every time my friend left the room. I didn’t want to kiss him let alone sleep with him that night, and I told him this explicitly via text before he had arrived.

Insistent on sleeping at my place rather than at his friends’ (who were apparently “busy” that night), I let him sleep over after I smoked weed for the first time with him. I was a little high, but still sober enough to reject his sexual advances as he felt me up when I tried to sleep. He accepted this rejection… for now.

The next morning, I woke up feeling a bit euphoric, likely due to the weed’s lovely effects on my unmedicated mood disorder. I turned over and started kissing him after explaining to him that I only wanted to make out. Thrilled, he agreed, and so we continued lying on our sides and kissing each other in the lazy morning haze.

More: Sex shouldn't hurt, but here are 7 reasons it might

It was blissful — until suddenly he started deepening the kiss and got on top of me. I froze, telling him “no” as he took off his pants and held my wrists above my head. His motions clearly implied that he was going to attempt penetrating me.

“I don’t want to, I can’t,” I told him, panicking now. “C’mon,” he replied, “Just relax. You know you want to.” We struggled for a bit longer, my hands banging on his chest as he tried to pull down my underwear, until I finally punched him in the face.

He pulled away looking shocked, putting his hands up as if to say, “What’s your problem? I’m innocent.” I ran out of the room and cried in the hall bathroom alone before returning and asking Nick to leave. He kissed me on the way out, seemingly unaware of what just took place.

Since that morning, I learned that having vaginismus has the potential to make me deeply afraid and an easier target than others. I learned to fear for my life when engaging in intimacy with another person, scared they would try to pry me open and make me hurt just because I didn’t give them a “proper” explanation. Just because I didn’t want to have penetrative sex.

Formerly, I didn’t feel the need to explain myself to lovers. After all, my vaginismus was my business. But after being made to feel like I didn’t know what I wanted, that my inexperience with penetration required someone to “teach me” or to make my body “work” the way it’s supposed to, I was too afraid to even try having sex with others before I addressed and overcame my condition.

I’ve since met a kind and loving partner that I feel safe having sex with. We have the type of sex that feels good to me — but the effects of that day still stay with me. My partner and I are poly, and so we encourage each other to hook up with others outside of our relationship.

Regarding girls, this is no problem for me. But whenever I’m met with a cute boy I’d love nothing more than to kiss, I remember Nick. I remember how frustrated he was with my sexual autonomy and insistence on not giving penetration a try. The way I see it, this confidence put me in danger. I’m afraid if I kiss that cute boy at the bar, he will interrogate me and become demanding once I reject advances regarding penetration.

Before Nick, there were a number of people I slept with that were understanding without question, and I know that not everyone is an abuser. But I do know that most people expect penetrative sex. So I hope sometime in the near future, with the help of further therapy, I can confidently name my condition to other lovers and maintain sexual confidence without fear. Sex is supposed to be fun, after all.

By Meg Zulch

Originally published on HelloFlo.

Maybe common sense could have told us it's a bad idea to keep filming a reality TV series with your spouse when you're actively in the process of getting divorced? Nevertheless, Christina and Tarek El Moussa are giving it a shot, filming their happy, family-centric HGTV show Flip Or Flop and apparently torturing each other on set any time they aren't required to be pointing happy everything-is-fine-really-I-swear faces at the cameras.

More: Christina El Moussa will play nice with Tarek on air because she has an end goal

"The mood differs day to day, but Christina avoids Tarek," a source claimed, but wait! There's more!

The source continued, "He does things to piss her off, like bragging loudly about sleeping with girls."

According to that source and many, many rumors all over the internet, Tarek has been exclusively dating 20-something women. First it was the family's former nanny. Now, allegedly, it's the nanny's friend.

More: Tarek El Moussa reportedly feels betrayed by Christina's new boyfriend

Obviously, Christina wasn't down with her still-husband and indefinite coworker bangin' the help.

"She thinks Tarek is an absolute pig," the source said. Um, duh.

This part's new, though: Apparently, Tarek was having an affair with the nanny all the way back before he and Christina split up last summer. This source (whose information is getting more dubious by the minute, though, tbh) claims that the nanny attended a party on Tarek's yacht last summer, and he hired her so he could get an in. By September, he left his wife and fired the nanny so he could date her, bought her all kinds of expensive presents like a new Jeep, and then dumped her for her friend.

This just confirms it, folks: HGTV is the new Bravo. Tarek El Moussa is like a way less likeable Jax Taylor, except Vanderpump Rules exists for drama and Flip Or Flop exists to try to convince us that happy families can rehab houses together for a living, so if I had to put money on it, I'd say Flip Or Flop's days featuring both the El Moussa's are definitely numbered.

More: Christina El Moussa is low-key commenting on her divorce on Instagram

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Quick quiz, dear readers!

Which photography gig is the most dangerous?

1. Nature photographer trailing hungry polar bear in the Arctic
2. Underwater photographer hanging out in shark cage waiting for great white to smile pretty
3. Birth photographer in a speeding car with a pregnant woman who’s 8 centimeters dilated

Yeah, we say No. 3 all the way too.

So we’re incredibly impressed by the cojones of Jaydene Freund, a Canadian birth photographer whose photo “Road to Deliverance” just won the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers 2017 Image of the Year Competition. (Freund even survived photographing this particular birth, so a posthumous award was not necessary.)

The mother in the photo had planned on a home birth (with Freund on hand to photograph the gore and tears blessed event), but changed her mind at 8 centimeters. Freund, a doula, knew the second-time-around mom could hit that magic 10 centimeters frighteningly quickly. So instead of tailing her to the hospital, she hopped in the backseat with her camera. Oh, brave human!

From the back of the car, Freund captured an incredible shot of the woman in labor, mid-massively painful contraction.

More: My birth photographer was worth every penny

“So many women experience this difficult ride to the hospital, where every bump is elevated and every turn feels like the worst turn,” said Freund to People. “But they don’t have photos of this moment because you don’t often have a photographer with you when you’re driving to the hospital! I think this is a special photo because it captures a moment so many women know, and [when they see it they] can go back and feel the intense emotion of labor in the car."

YES. Very special! Totally awesome! And very, very artsy! Yay, photography! Yay, miracle of life!

More: Amazing birth photos you won't believe

Look, we’d like to say we love the photo, which is truly incredible, but it’s hard to love something that makes your uterus whimper and contract in solidarity just looking at it.

So all our congrats to Freund and the mom in the winning pictures. But more than anything, congrats to us for being done with childbirth. (Sorry, all of you still about to go through this. It's wonderful! No, really!) 

It's an exciting time for black women in Hollywood for a variety of reasons, chief among them is that they are getting the proper amount of love proportionate to the amazing and valuable work they are doing in film and television. With awards season in full swing, we've seen black women ascend to their proper place in the pecking order. Case in point: Tracee Ellis Ross won a Golden Globe for her work on black-ish and recently, Viola Davis became the most nominated black woman in Oscars history. Now ESSENCE Magazine is honoring the new vanguard of young black women working in film and television, demanding our attention in fresh and inviting ways.

More: Janelle Monáe silences Twitter troll with five words

For ESSENCE's 10th annual Black Women In Hollywood event, they have chose to honor Janelle Monáe, Yara Shahidi, Issa Rae, and Aja Naomi King. And while I certainly want to talk about these special women, I'd be remiss if I didn't give a proper spotlight to the event itself. Sadly, this is one damn exciting event I'd never heard about before today. Am I the only one who's been largely unaware of the Black Women In Hollywood event for 10 years?

More: 10 black TV shows you should be watching right now

The event, as explained in an ESSENCE press release, has "paid homage to our modern image-makers—both in front of the camera and behind the scenes." Over the last ten years, ESSENCE has made it a point of pride and necessity to bring attention to those black women who has either been mentioned in passing or barely recognized for their critical, incredible work. Previous honorees include (there's a ton of big names here, guys): Oprah Winfrey, Lupita Nyong'o, Ava DuVernay, Halle Berry, Viola Davis, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Angela Bassett, Queen Latifah, Naomie Harris, Octavia Spencer, Taraji P. Henson, Jennifer Hudson and so many more. Ten years of excellence awarded, rightfully so, and frankly, I think it's high time everyone started focusing on this event.

For Rae and Shahidi, who star on Insecure and black-ish, respectively, these women are navigating contemporary issues centered on being a modern black woman in America. How do they handle passive aggressive racism in the workplace and at school? How do they achieve their professional goals? What are they passionate about? In what ways are they defined and not defined by the color of their skin? They have each succeeded in making their characters, through incredible performances, embraced by audiences of varying ages, genders, and racial demographics. It's not too much of a stretch to understand why they are being honored.

More: Raise a glass to the women of color who dominated the 2017 Golden Globes

The same goes for Monáe. Monáe has been making the rounds this awards season thanks to her stellar performances in Moonlight and Hidden Figures. Monáe plays the girlfriend of a local drug dealer, yet she's anything like the stereotypical visions that incurs. Monáe's character, Teresa, is caring, engaged, affectionate. She is on equal ground with her boyfriend, Juan, rather than a punching bag or a careless love interest. In Hidden Figures, Monáe is a woman working at NASA. She dreams of becoming a rocket scientist; her narrative in the film concerns her fight to attend night classes to get the required education to apply for a higher position in the field.

And King? Well, King's been leaving audiences stunned on ABC's How To Get Away With Murder and recently broke through in The Birth Of A Nation. While the film itself may have been steeped in controversy, King's performance was consistently remarked upon as a brave and laudable one. In Murder, as Michaela Pratt, King gives an accurate portrait of a nuanced queen bee. She's been making us work for her affections for a short while but its clear she's unlike any other black woman in television right now.

All things considered, it's not difficult to see why these four women would be honored at such an amazing event as the Essence Black Women In Hollywood event. The crazy thing is, despite these women currently thriving in our conversations around groundbreaking women of color and the work they are doing, how we — the pop culture consciousness at large — are somehow not talk about the event itself in greater detail. This is a watershed moment for Monáe, Shahidi, Rae, and King; let's honor them and make sure we recognize the brilliant efforts of ESSENCE in the process.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

I’ll admit it: I have scrolled through the galleries of sexy photos of women on AskMen.com and flipped through the pages of scantily clad models and celebrities in Maxim, GQ and Esquire. My eyes roll over their curves, but more than looking at their bodies, I imagine myself in those positions, wearing those clothes, and feeling that beautiful. I think about how I want to look that sexy. But more than that, I want to feel that sexy.

I’m a new mom. I have a new body, new curves, and a new C-section scar. And as a dating coach, I know the life and confidence-shifting reality that a baby creates when it comes to dating and romance. Entering the dating world with a new baby, new body, new identity, and new priorities, I was in need of getting comfortable and feeling sexy in my new skin. In order to do that, I needed to experience it moving in a non-mommy way. I needed to feel and see my curves as sensual again. I needed to pull out my lingerie (hoping it would fit me again) and have the confidence to slip it back on and face the mirror.

More: A lack of authenticity might be keeping you from that second date

I decided to do a boudoir photo shoot with one of the most reputable boudoir photographers in the country, Jenny Taylor Boudoir Photography. You might not think that, as a dating and empowerment coach, one of the suggestions I make for my clients is to strip off their clothes for a sexy boudoir photo shoot. You might think that it’s counterintuitive. I'm sitting here trying to build my clients up, empower them, make them feel like they’re unstoppable women, and then I tell them to take sexy photos in lingerie. Yes. That's exactly what I do.

Boudoir photos are not taken with the intention of showing them to any man — at least not the type of boudoir photos taken by a team of empowering female photographers, hair and makeup artists. The photos are taken with the intention of feeling sexy, empowered.

Jenny and her team helped me decide on four outfits: sweet, sexy, hot and naughty. I was stepping outside of my comfort zone, but from the moment I stepped out of the dressing room, I felt completely safe. More than that, I truly did feel like a model in a photo shoot for one of those magazines. I loved feeling my body move as the photographer told me how beautiful I looked and suggested poses that best showed and even enhanced my sexy curves. I felt liberated and energized and gorgeous. And it was so much fun! I felt like I was on a high.

More: Why wearing sweatpants can be a sign your relationship is over

A week later, when I saw the photos during my big reveal, I was able to see my body through someone else’s eyes — my photographer’s. And within that fresh view I saw, and finally felt, beautiful.

Photos like these also a chance to experience confident vulnerability. Confident vulnerability is owning who you are. It's a mentality that I call "Here I Am." It's not "here I am, what do you think?” Or "here I am, am I good enough for you?” Or "here I am, you better like me!” It's confidently, vulnerably, unapologetically "Here I Am. This is me. I'm not perfect. I have made mistakes. I have done things that I'm not proud of. I have made mid-course corrections. I have seen and done things that I wish I hadn't. And in the end, those experiences and actions have allowed me to grow as a person.”

The thing is, vulnerability can be difficult. Some people find it easier to be vulnerable physically than emotionally. It's almost scarier to reveal ourselves, our true internal selves, than it is to reveal our bodies. What’s great about a boudoir photo shoot — the right type of boudoir photo shoot — is that there's nothing sexual about it. When working with the right boudoir photographer, your inner essence is liberated, enlivened, and you shine from the inside out.

More: The real reasons why smart, beautiful women are still single

In the end, my boudoir photo shoot allowed me to not just see beauty (though in the photos I definitely did) but to simultaneously feel vulnerable and confident. Within that space, on those sheets, in those sexy outfits, with my hair and makeup done my true radiance was revealed. It had nothing to do with my face or body.

Safety tips before you book your boudoir shoot:

-Don’t just let any random person take sexy pics of you.

-You don’t want your sexy pics to get into the wrong hands

-You must trust the person/company who is shooting the pics

-You must feel and actually BE safe. You are opening yourself up to be very vulnerable. Some people could try to take advantage of that, and of you.

-If you are having an individual (as opposed to an established company) take the pics, you can have them take the photos in YOUR camera only so that you have complete control of the images after the shoot.

-If you choose to hire a company, do your research first. Don’t be embarrassed or feel like you are inconveniencing them by calling and asking more questions.

Industry buzz is pegging a huge announcement from Shonda Rhimes soon, and we think she may be positioning herself to become a TV mogul on par with Oprah.

Rhimes has created and/or branded some of the biggest shows on television in the last decade: Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away With Murder, etc. But there are some big signs that she's no longer content to sell her life's work off, and we think she may be planning to make Shondaland her very own OWN.

More: Shonda Rhimes says motherhood isn't a job: Is she right?

Here are some clues we're picking up on.

1. She obviously is working on something

She hasn't dropped a show she created and wrote herself since the 2012 premiere of Scandal. This is highly unusual for Rhimes. "She's definitely planning something," one longtime producer told TVLine. "And my guess is it involves having ownership of her shows."

2. She hired a slew of new people

Shondaland recently created a ton of new positions. A Head of Production (Sara Fischer), a Director of Branding (Sandie Bailey), a VP of Marketing and Communication (Kristen Andersen) and a VP of Strategy and Development (Chris DiIorio) are all on the payroll now.

3. She dropped a major hint on her website

Rhimes just created a viewer database on Shondaland.com and hinted that the site would soon host original content. It could be that she plans a lifestyle web destination to complement a new streaming service. "She's taking her brand to the next level — beyond just one night of programming on ABC," one longtime exec told TVLine.

4. She'll be free to do it soon

Her ABC contract expires in a little over a year. As of May 2018, Rhimes will be free of the confines of ABC to create content for whomever she wants — including a platform of her own.

All signs point to Rimes positioning herself as the next multi-platform media mogul! We'll sign on, how about you?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Ever since the first big Duggar sex scandal, when the family's eldest son Josh admitted to molesting young girls, including some of his sisters, the family has been as public as it used to be.

More: Jill Duggar led a march of her own — against women's rights

Sure, Jill and Jessa got their spinoff series, but compared to the Duggars' glory days, they're just not seen the same way they used to be.

That can only be a good thing, because the Duggar family just threw an engagement party for their live-in tutor and her convicted sex offender fiancé.

The Duggars' tutor, 31-year-old Tabitha Paine, just got engaged to 46-year-old Timothy Robertson, who was convicted of anally raping his roommate in 1999. Court documents say that Robertson walked into his roommate's room, where she "was laying face down on her bed, placed himself on top of her and made penis penetration into her anus without her consent." Robertson was convicted of third degree criminal sexual conduct and sentenced to three years in prison. A judge, however, suspended his prison sentence, instead ordering him to a year of probation and a spot on the sex offender registry.

More: Amy Duggar reveals the physical abuse in her past

Robertson, however, has always maintained his innocence, and in 2008, he was pardoned for his crime and removed from the registry.

"I was given advice from a very good attorney to take a plea bargain which would put me on a registry for sex offenders. I was afraid of prison so I took his advice. I never spent one day in jail but had a record," Robertson wrote on Facebook, where he told his side of the story.

He continued to say that in 2003, "God began to deal with me about my eternal soul," and after years of "drinking, drugs and partying," he started to go to church.

Five people from his church and his pastor wrote character letters to the judge who eventually pardoned Robertson. When asked about the scandal, he told In Touch, "I love my fiancée. And I think the Duggars are a fabulous family. That’s all I need to put out there."

More: Is there a Duggar due-date conspiracy?

Romantic bedroom ideas are always floating around in our heads, but it seems like they go into overdrive when Valentine's Day vibes are in the air. And we're not talking silky cheetah-print sheets and mirrors on the ceiling, here. We mean real, good ol' fashioned romance.

Let's face it, our bedrooms aren't always the romantic places they are supposed to be. Our computers, phones and TV can physically create clutter that distracts us. To create a place you and your partner really want to be, try unplugging your devices and decorating your room with these ideas.

More: 14 glamorous ways to grab the gilded decor trend

1. Set mood lighting

You can easily set a romantic mood with lighting. Place overhead lights and lamps on dimmers so you can control the amount of lighting in the room. And candles are always a good idea.

2. Simplify the nightstand

It's inevitable that stuff will pile up on the nightstand. If you regularly have books, glasses, devices and other objects next to your bed, consider buying a nightstand with drawers so you can quickly stash away the distractions. A sparse nightstand will help set a serene mood.

3. A dramatic view

A beautiful view can certainly quicken the pulse and help set a romantic mood. Obviously, not everyone is blessed with sweeping views of the city or a gorgeous ocean view, but you can try hanging paintings or prints of scenic views under carefully placed lighting to help achieve the same effect.

More: You won't believe how real these replicas of famous houses look

4. Warm up with a fireplace

Nothing screams romance like cozying up next to a fire. If you've thought about putting in a fireplace in the bedroom, try a gas insert, which will eliminate the mess of firewood and ashes.

And if a fireplace is simply a no-go, candlelight has the same effect.

5. Soft colors

Soft colors, with greater amounts of white or gray pigment, can evoke a quiet and calm feeling. In the bedroom we often gravitate toward a softer color palette. If you do like bolder colors, then go for colors that can bring relaxation, like greens, blues or purples.

6. Make it rustic

Natural objects and materials are meant to be touched, so if romance is what your bedroom needs, consider adding a few rustic touches. Natural woods and linens are a great place to start and are easy to incorporate into your decor.

7. Layered linens and chandeliers

High-quality linens can make a huge difference in the bedroom. They feel more luxurious, and they last longer. Beds with layers of fluffy down duvets, cozy blankets or soft linens can help create a romantic retreat.

8. Quality shades

Good window treatments can help set the mood as well as block out unwanted light. They can also help stop drafts and add a layer of warmth to the room. And nothing helps your retreat from the world more than great blackout curtains.

More: Why Ellen DeGeneres should have a house flipping show on HGTV

Before you go, check out our slideshow below:

Originally published January 2015. Updated January 2017.

Donald Trump may be aggressively fighting women’s reproductive care, but 18 states yesterday announced that they plan to fight his new executive orders in a coordinated effort. And all we can say is — hell, yes. Well, that and also — what about the other 32 states? We’re looking at you, New York.

Lawmakers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin went on the record yesterday for women’s rights, proposing laws that would make it easier to receive emergency contraception for sexual assault survivors, prevent employers from taking action against employees based on reproductive health care choices, and recognize abortion as a health care service, which should be covered under both private and public health care.

More: How not to lose your mind when consuming media during the Trump administration

Trump’s exec orders thus far have been absolutely insane, calling for cutting off U.S. foreign aid to organizations that provide abortion care via the Global Gag Rule, dissolving Obamacare and the list goes on. (And on. And on. Honestly, we can’t.)

As Teen Vogue reports, the Public Leadership Institute (a nonpartisan think tank) worked with reps in all 18 states to get the legislative ball rolling on these issues. A solid half of the states that proposed the new legislation yesterday were red states — won by Trump — and many of the bills were modeled after laws in PLI’s publication A Playbook for Abortion Rights, which helps policymakers and civilians learn about policies for making abortion easier to access (and changing the national debate about whether abortion should be considered under the umbrella of health care).

More: 11 things feminists should brace themselves for now that Donald Trump has won

“Today presents a major strategy by the reproductive rights movement — many, many state advocacy organizations and many, many pro-choice politicians who are saying, ‘We’re not going to stay on the defense and we’re not going to let the federal government drive abortion strategy in our state and we’re going to get in front of it by putting forward policies that are proactive and expand access to care in this downright dangerous administration,” Gloria Totten, founder and president of PLI, tells Teen Vogue. Once again for the cheap seats: A resounding hell, yes.

More: Gloria Steinem is in "full-on revolt" against Trump

Could a computer replace a dermatologist? When it comes to detecting skin cancer, maybe so.

According to Stanford researchers in a new paper published in the journal Nature, the future of skin cancer diagnosis may be a simple smartphone app, which patients can use themselves to work out if their moles or other skin abnormalities are malignant.

More: Best apps for reproductive health now that we're basically on our own

"Our objective is to bring the expertise of top-level dermatologists to places where the dermatologist is not available," said Sebastian Thrun, adjunct professor at Stanford University and senior author of the study.

By coaching a computer to develop pattern-recognition skills using an algorithm-based technique known as "deep learning," Thrun and his team created an automated dermatologist who is able to identify images of skin cancer moles and lesions as accurately as a suitably qualified human.

The process involved presenting the artificially intelligent computer with a huge dataset of 129,450 images from 18 doctor-curated online repositories representing more than 2,000 skin diseases. By feeding the computer the diagnosis of each mole or abrasion, it effectively learned its own rules for how to make its own automatic diagnosis.

More: My friend took MDMA and confessed horribly violent crimes to me

When the team presented previously unseen images to the artificial intelligence system, it didn't disappoint, recognizing the most common type of skin cancer (malignant carcinomas) as well as the most deadly (melanomas.)

"This algorithm performed as well as board-certified dermatologists at several key diagnostic tasks," said Andre Esteva, first author of the new paper.

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers in the U.S. (melanoma is the deadliest form of cancer for young adults,) but if detected early, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent. For more information on skin cancer risks and detection, visit the Skin Cancer Foundation.

More: 9 things you can do to sleep better starting tonight

I missed the sun that weekend. Not as in, “aww, I wish it was sunny today. I miss sun.” No; we’d thankfully had quite a few decent days in the Northeast since winter had begun to release its vice-like grip. But that Sunday was beautiful; a made-for-order spring day where the grass was suddenly greener, the sun was warm, inviting and glinted like diamonds off every metallic surface.

2017: The year we all learned that — wait for it — Jax Taylor watches documentaries. Yes, that Jax Taylor, the lovable but not-so-bright bartender on Vanderpump Rules. Watches documentaries. In his free time. I'm as surprised as you are, really.

More: Jax Taylor's girlfriend's parents are itching for them to get hitched

And after all the learnin' he's been doing in front of the TV, Taylor wants to lend his fame to helping out another celeb: Leah Remini. After watching her A&E docuseries, "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath," Taylor decided he wanted to do something to help the actress in her fight against her former church.

"Any documentary-type show I love watching, so I just watched it," he said (yeah, still, not sure if I believe him but k). "I was actually in Florida over Christmas and my mom and I were just watching this marathon and were like, 'Oh my God, this is happening down the street from your house.' It was all being taped in Clearwater, and my parents live in Clearwater, so oh my God. It was just so interesting, the things that these people do."

Taylor has never been a Scientologist, but he has been inside one of their centers, and it left him with a lot more questions than answers.

"It was just a modeling job. And it just seemed like a very weird place," he said. "There’s all these people walking around with keys. And they’re always in these outfits. And they’re always walking somewhere. Where are you guys going? What are you guys doing? There’s all these secret doors everywhere. What’s going on?"

After watching the show, Taylor tweeted at Remini asking if he could help her take the church down.

"Like the old days when I was a kid watching tv on the floor with pillows love my hero @LeahRemini I want to help!! #ScientologyTheAftermath," he wrote.

Jax Taylor and Leah Remini teamed up like some sort of crime-fighting duo to answer all of Jax's questions about Scientology? Now that's a show I would watch. Are you listening, A&E?

More: Get ready to see Lisa Vanderpump finally put James Kennedy in his place

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

This is not a test — Nina Dobrev is returning to TVD one last time before the series officially closes its diary.

More: Nina Dobrev announces Vampire Diaries exit with 23 photos and sweet message

Dobrev announced her return on Instagram Thursday alongside a photo of the final script. "I know it's Thursday, but this is not a TBT. #BackOnSet #TVDForever."

Ever since closing her chapter as Elena Gilbert, it was unclear whether or not Dobrev would ever reprise her beloved role. Now we finally have answer. No details have been revealed about exactly how she'll return, though executive producers Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson did release statements (via Entertainment Weekly) expressing their excitement over the news.

Plec said, "I’m thrilled to bring this show to an end the way we always intended — with Nina back to help us say goodbye."

Williamson added, "I’m so excited to have Nina back to ensure our farewell episode is truly epic!”

We have no doubts that it will certainly be "epic," because at this point in time there seems to be no way for Elena to come back in vampire form without her best friend Bonnie (Kat Graham) dying. Remember, Kai placed Elena in magic-induced coma and linked her to Bonnie. So when Bonnie dies, Elena awakes.

However Dobrev is incorporated into the series finale, it will probably be memorable. So with that, let's take the time to theorize about all the ways we can think of (right now, at least) that Elena will be part of the last TVD episode ever.

More: The Vampire Diaries spoiler: Paul Wesley reveals the future for Steroline

1. Bonnie dies

Again, at this time, Bonnie's death seems like the only solution. As for when Bonnie dies is another question.

2. A future Elena

What if Bonnie grows old and ends up dying with a human Enzo (he could take the cure) and then we see Dobrev return as Elena in the very far-off future? There's a chance TVD could do a major time-jump to show Elena and Damon living happily ever after 60 or so years from now. And be sure to take note that the final episode is titled, "I Was Feeling Epic." Maybe Elena is telling her story to someone or writing in her diary about her "epic" journey.

3. It's not Elena, it's Katherine

Neither Dobrev, Plec, or Williamson said Dobrev is coming back as Elena. What if she is returning as Katherine or another doppelgänger? Katherine seems likely, especially since the final season is dealing directly with hell. If you recall, last we saw Katherine Pierce, she was seemingly being dragged to hell. Hmm... it's possible. Though, we highly doubt Plec and Williamson would bring back Dobrev and not show her as Elena in the series finale. That would be so cruel.

4. They beat Kai at his own game

Maybe they end up figuring out a way to break Kai's magic, awake Elena and keep Bonnie alive all at the same time. They always seem to find a way around spells, so don't lose hope just yet.

More: Vampire Diaries: What I really thought of Nina Dobrev's final goodbye

5. Time travel

Now, TVD isn't The Flash by any means, but what if time travel somehow becomes a possibility? If so, then maybe they could all travel back to the past and stop Kai before he caused an even bigger mess of their lives.

6. It's only a dream and/or vision

Here's hoping Dobrev doesn't only appear as Elena in dream or vision. That would be a total bummer, wouldn't it? Also, it would be completely unfair. Fans deserve better than that.

7. Memories last forever

What would be worse than a dream and/or vision would be seeing Elena in a memory. Seeing as TVD has already shown past memories of Elena this season, we highly doubt this is even an option.

However Dobrev returns, it's exciting to know that TVD will end with her by its side and exactly as it should.

You can catch Dobrev in The Vampire Diaries series finale when it airs Friday, March 10 at 8/7c on The CW.

More: Will The Vampire Diaries' Steven R. McQueen get his own spinoff show?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Famed sloth-lover Kristen Bell and her spouse Dax Shepard continue to top our list of married-with-kids celebs that we’d most want to hang out with.

More: Kristen and Dax share pics from their $142 wedding

The couple executed their latest charm attack on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Thursday, where they relayed a very funny story revealing their shared crush on The Night Of actor Riz Ahmed, well — to Riz Ahmed, who, understandably, seemed kind of freaked out.

Shepard said, “I said to him, 'Hey, my wife has a crush on you. I'd love to introduce you to her,' thinking she'd be nervous to say that.”

Not so much. “Out of my mouth came, 'I find you very attractive,'" Bell told DeGeneres.

More: Are Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard swingers? Nah

The couple who crushes on the same celebrity together totally stays together. You know what else keeps a couple together? Breast pump humor. Definitely breast pump humor.

Bell and Shepard also chatted with DeGeneres about their upcoming movie together, CHiPs, a retooling of the '70s cop show. (We hope the hair is just as feathered as it was in the '70s, if not more so.) Bell, who is playing the very unlikable trophy wife of Dax’s character, wanted bigger boobs for her scenes. So she skipped her breast pump for an entire day while breastfeeding younger daughter Delta. Presto!

It worked, but ouch. Bell said that the experience was her “version of Christian Bale losing 125 pounds or something.” Bell and Shepard then kissed, because they literally don’t know how to have a conversation that’s not off-the-charts cute — even if it contains breast pumps and Christian Bale, who never thought he'd wind up in a conversation about breast pumps.

More: Kristen Bell is one wise mom

Bell and Shepard have two daughters together, Lincoln and Delta, and still seem to really, really, really love spending time together, those crazy kids. In 2015, Bell told Natural Health magazine, “Before we had kids, I'd say to Dax, 'I don't want to be like those people.' I saw a few parents I didn't envy and was terrified I'd become crotchety and close-minded like them. And he said, 'Those people had bad personalities before they had kids.' Which is maybe the best point ever made. I was like, 'You're right! And we're fun, so let's stay fun.’"

Mission accomplished, Kristen and Dax.

Apparently, Wendy Williams is now the person who gets to decide everyone's race, regardless of things like their own heritage.

On her show, Williams mocked Paris Jackson, who covers this month's issue of Rolling Stone, for saying she's black.

"By the way, she considers herself black, period. She’s not going to address this again. She was raised black. Her father would constantly remind her of what it means to be black and proud and so don’t ask her again," Williams said. "I get that she considers herself black and everything, but I'm just talking about the visual because, you know … black is not what you call yourself, it’s what the cops see you when they got steel to your neck on the turnpike. It’s what they see."

That's fine — that's just her opinion. But then she had to get all condescending about it, adding, "But that’s cute, and good for her."

Um, Wendy? Her father is one of the most famous and iconic black singers of all time? Pretty sure that means Jackson can identify as a woman of color, and nobody should be able to tell her if that's right or wrong.

In the magazine, Jackson described how she came to the decision to consider herself black even though her mother, Debbie Rowe, is white.

"I consider myself black," she said, adding that her father "would look me in the eyes and he’d point his finger at me and he’d be like, ‘You’re black. Be proud of your roots.’ And I’d be like, ‘OK, he’s my dad, why would he lie to me?’ So I just believe what he told me. ‘Cause, to my knowledge, he’s never lied to me."

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.