Welcome back to Parental Advisory, where I answer all of your social media and IRL parenting etiquette questions. This week, let's talk about parents who chide their child-free relatives for choosing leisurely travel over family time.

Question:

My husband and I can't have kids (but also don't really want them either). We travel a lot and I often get snide remarks about traveling. People have literally told us that we travel to fill the hole of not having children. I mean, even if that's true, who cares? There are worse ways to "fill a hole." But my biggest qualm is when it comes to our families. We live within driving distance of our families (almost all siblings of ours have children or are planning to), and we visit them a lot (at least 15 times a year). But no matter how many times we visit them, my siblings and other family members often say that we should choose to visit their kids over traveling somewhere else. We love our nieces and nephews, but they aren't EVERYTHING to us, and we enjoy experiencing life in all kinds of ways, with and without children involved. How can we fend off these remarks without sounding like we hate their children?

— B.

Answer:

Nothing gets me fired up like friends and family who feel the need to criticize non-parents for their choices. Whether rooted in jealousy, judgment or just plain rudeness, it's no one else's business how you and your husband choose to spend your free time or extra income (that you've earned yourselves!), B.

This policy extends to critiques of your relationships with your friends' and relatives' children. No one should ever burden you with the idea that because you don't have kids, you have more time and money to spend on their kids, even if those children are related to you, live next door or are your godchildren. No one should assume you're "free to babysit because you don't have kids," or that you're willing to put your own life on hold in order to spend more time, energy or dollars on other people's children.

Sure, it's nice when the money is there to visit with family. It's great when aunts, uncles and cousins can get together and share meals, create memories and perhaps exchange gifts. But that doesn't mean you owe those things to anyone, nor should you feel compelled to change your lifestyle or plans to accommodate everyone else's. That's not a fun way to go through life, and it's certainly not a healthy way to fill any existing "holes."

The fact is, most of us have a hole (or five) that we're trying to fill. I can't think of a single person I know who doesn't yearn for something they can't have that's out of their control. For some people, that's having children. For others, it's the freedom to be who they really are, securing a job that's out of reach, spending another day with a lost parent or friend, owning a home, etc. We all have these so-called holes, and we're all doing our best to responsibly fill them with things or experiences to make us happier and more complete.

I'm sorry that for so many people, the "consequence" of not having children equates to getting criticized and/or admonished by trusted friends and family, but to those people (and to you, B.), I say this: Screw them. You have to live your life for you, and you know that better than anyone.

The trick is finding ways to effectively communicate that to the people who won't stop commenting on your choices. Granted, there are some people who choose to simply ignore those friends or relatives altogether. Silence speaks louder than words, especially in today's text- and email-driven climate, and some people know how take a hint. They're conscious of other people's feelings and know when they've crossed a line or offended someone, and they're able to recognize the importance of saying they're sorry or at the very least backing off. Other people are willfully ignorant and need to be firmly told that their comments aren't appreciated, and that's who it sounds like you're dealing with, B.

Maybe your relatives are quote-unquote "joking around" when they say you should choose to visit their kids over traveling. Maybe they think they're being funny. Or maybe they're just pissed off that they can't travel as much as you and your husband do, and this is their way of lashing out, by making you feel guilty. There are plenty of parents who also get jealous of other parent friends who can afford lavish trips with their kids that they can't afford to take themselves.

Travel is one of the most enviable hobbies in existence because it (usually) requires planning, money, time and good health. That elusive combination can be difficult for some people/families to patch together once in a decade, much less multiple times per year. I know young families who consistently travel for weeks or months every year, and I know young families who can't afford to take a single trip. Sometimes, it's hard not to feel resentful. But does that mean it's OK to judge other adults whose path in life doesn't include having or raising kids just because they're choosing to travel over spending extra quality time with family? No.

You should tell your relatives that it's not a contest between seeing Rome or attending your nephew's birthday party. The reasons you travel are about you, not them. You want to have new experiences because they make you a better person — maybe even a better aunt, cousin, daughter, sister or friend. You want to share the gift of seeing new places and meeting new people with your husband because nothing fulfills you more than chasing your dreams and making them a reality together. You think your nieces and nephews will benefit from having an aunt and uncle with knowledge of and firsthand experience with other cultures, countries, foods and languages. Who knows? Maybe you can all travel together as a family someday?

Try to turn around the negative perception these relatives have of traveling into something positive. Make them understand that you enjoy the time you spend with their kids, and you carry your love for your family everywhere you go. Remind them that there's no "right" way of living life. They're choosing to live theirs the way they see fit, and you and your husband are doing the same. You're really not so different after all.

As far as smoothing things over or "proving" you care, maybe it could be nice, if you're up for it, to bring back small tokens for the nieces and nephews from your travels. This can be shells on the beach, stones that are native to certain regions or even just paper hats from a local restaurant. The gifts don't need to be expensive, but given with the idea that you're sharing your travels with your family and making them a part of your adventures. Maybe you can FaceTime them from the Eiffel Tower or send more postcards.

If your siblings still gripe at you, then you'll know it's just white-hot jealousy fueling their anger, and there's not much you can do to assuage that. I do think planning a family trip, even if it's only a weekend-long road trip or an overnight camping trip, could be a nice way to incorporate your love of travel with your family get-togethers. But how you choose to spend your time and money shouldn't be of any concern to anyone but you and your husband. And if anyone ever remarks on your love of travel as it pertains to "filling a hole" in your life, I recommend looking them in the eye and saying, "Have you ever been to [insert your favorite tropical location here]? The sunsets are amazing."

Do YOU have a question about parents on social media? Send whatever is on your mind to stfuparentsblog AT gmail.com!

It's generally accepted that the teenage years — no matter how you slice it — are a grueling, morale-busting slog for pretty much everyone. (We're still recovering.)

But times, they may be a-worsening for youth — especially girls. A "steady stream of research" suggests that far more girls than boys are battling major depression in their almost-adult years — and the growing psychological dependence on Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram and other social media may be making young women more vulnerable to mental illness.

We find this pretty alarming, but sadly, not surprising. Even as adults, we feel a certain unease at being at the mercy of the electronic despot in our purse. We miss the golden era when social media was simply a wall phone (with a long, curly, tangled cord snaking under a locked bathroom door). It would either ring or not, which meant we didn't always know exactly what peers thought of us — or if they thought of us at all. And we repeat: We are adults.

Psychologist and writer Catherine Steiner-Adair says that women and girls are "continually bombarded by media messages, dominant culture, humor and even political figures about how they look — no matter how smart, gifted or passionate they are."

Texting, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat can all intensify that painfully critical focus on looks and what peers might think, Steiner-Adair says.

More: "Hook-up" culture may be causing depression in teens

A group of psychiatrists at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health — including one Dr. Ramin Mojtabai — studied the rising rate of depression among teens over the past decade. Analyzing federal data from interviews with more than 172,000 teenagers, the researchers discovered an alarming uptick in youth depression from 2005 to 2014 — coinciding with a surge in social media apps.

The most disturbing breakdown of the data: If the results reflect mental health trends in all American adolescents, that means there could be about half a million more seriously depressed young people than pre-2005. Worst of all, three-fourths of the depressed kids in the study identified as girls.

Mojtabai reports that girls "are more likely to use these new means of communication, so may be exposed to more cyberbullying or other negative effects of this latest social media."

Steiner-Adair agrees completely with this hypothesis.

"We know girls are very vulnerable to defining themselves in comparison to others," she says. Her young female patients report that they derive their "entire identity" from their phone. They obsess over "tags, likes, Instagram photos and Snapchat stories."

More: Teens Get Seasonal Affective Disorder Too

Steiner-Adair is pushing for schools to take a proactive stance and help teens recognize that social media can be detrimental when it comes to their self-esteem. She says that a course in mindfulness might reduce feelings of being left out or judged and could help adolescents reduce their anxiety and depression.

This is your brain; this is your brain on tech — that's the kind of teaching Steiner-Adair advocates. Many teens consume social media nonstop during their waking hours, and mindfulness lessons can help young people battle the compulsion to check their phones constantly.

Hey, you know who else could benefit from mindfulness lessons? (*sheepishly raising our hands*)

Most of the adults we know could use some heavy-duty mindfulness training. Not sure when exactly we all became tethered to our cellphones, but we know it's not pretty — inside or out. But what's the answer?

Honestly, we're not sure "mindfulness" lessons are enough to combat the far-reaching consequences of online snubs and all-out cyberbullying. We're skeptical, frankly, that most teens would be willing to embrace mindfulness instead of the latest Snapchat filter. Because we're not doing such a great job of it, either — and we're grown-ups, supposedly in possession of some self-discipline.

If there's a teenaged boy or girl in your life, be on the lookout for signs of social media addiction or changes in behavior that might indicate depression: changes in sleep patterns, appetite, energy levels or a growing inability to concentrate (or care).

And while you're at it? Put down your phone and go for a walk with your kid. We will too.

Tamron Hall's exit from Today may have seemed dramatic, but she's not letting it get her down.

Hall was the keynote speaker at the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council’s Summit Salute on Thursday, where she addressed her sudden departure from the show by telling the women in attendance that there were "two kinds of people" who reached out to her after she quit.

More: Matt Lauer Was Basically All of Us While Talking to Kellyanne Conway

"Some would call and say, ‘Oh my God, are you OK?’ And I was like, ‘What happened? Who died?’ and then there were other people who said, ‘What’s next?'" Hall said. "I don’t want a friend who calls me saying, ‘Oh my God.’ It’s a job. It doesn’t define me. It doesn’t determine what I do... how I treat people. I’m going to always look you in your face and say, ‘Thank you’ and ‘Please’ — and if you make me mad, a good cuss word — but in the end, a title can’t define you. When your card no longer says anything beneath it, but your name, are you still you? Can you still savor the victory — the moment that you were able to take that dream? I never imagined that I would be on the Today show."

More: Rumor Has It That Kelly Ripa Will Have Some Big On-Air Competition This Summer

Hall very suddenly left NBC after her hour of Today was abruptly canceled to make room in the lineup for Megyn Kelly, who signed on with NBC after leaving Fox.

Insiders said Hall was completely blindsided by the news that she was being removed from Today and that producers told her just minutes before she had to go live on air.

More: Hoda Kotb Adopts a Baby Girl

"She was a wreck in commercial breaks and couldn't believe the company would tell her just before going live on MSNBC," a source said. "It was especially surprising after receiving an email of praise from the coexecutive producer just days before about how they were No. 1 in the ratings for seven weeks in a row."

We're wondering if Betsy DeVos is actually listening to any of the many, many kids across the U.S. who are worried about the future of their schools.

We're listening. And we're moved by what kids have to say.

More: Teaching kids age-appropriate activism

This week, CNN commentator and journalist Sally Kohn posted a photo on Instagram of a impassioned message that her daughter, Willa, 8, wrote to DeVos:

The backstory: The second-grader had visited a store with an exhibition of photos from the Women's March. Willa spotted postcard versions of the photos, which customers were encouraged to use to pen messages to various political leaders. And Willa decided it was time to act.

Willa knew exactly whom she wanted to contact: "The woman in charge of education." Well played, Miss Willa.

More: Betsy DeVos will destroy my son's education

We'd like to see Willa be in charge of education someday, because this young lady just gets it. Not to mention her communication skills are second to none. She implored DeVos to "leave [our] public schools alone" and "not tear it down ever." The second-grader expressed her great love of her school and education in general: "I love schools and I love everything about it," she wrote to DeVos.

Plus: Check the fur coat. Willa has serious swag to go with her beliefs. We're thinking we'll be hearing more from her in the future — whether DeVos is listening or not.

The title of this article says it all. There's a rumor going around that Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, two delightful humans who are married to each other, are insufferable. I'm here to call out this nonsense and provide a counterpoint. Bell and Shepard are not only excellent people, they make a great creative team and married couple and are great parents to their children. Essentially, they are #LifeGoals in every way.

More: Kristen Bell wants Frozen out of politics, thank you very much

Page Six recently levied the claim that Bell and Shepard are annoying AF for some really banal reasons. Seriously. Oh, they decided to eat healthier? The horror! They actually make movies together, meaning they can stand to be around each other for more than a few minutes? How shameful! You mean to tell me that have normal and actually humorous disagreements about the placement of their furniture and try to settle it on social media? Gag me with a spoon. (Just kidding. Please don't.)

In fact, I'd like to state right here and now that out of all the celebrity couples in Hollywood today, Bell and Shepard are, in my opinion, the most down-to-earth, romantic, hilarious and close to what a nonfamous couple would act like (well, a functional couple, that is) that I've seen. They're refreshingly free of pretense and they don't throw their antics in your face. Rather, they get real about the heavy stuff and they get funny about the happy stuff. As a couple, they've proven that you don't need to conform to celebrity habits like an expensive wedding or start drama on social media to prove you're worthy of your fame.

They still go on date nights together

I still find it absolutely adorable that Shepard and Bell still find time to have date nights. Not only does it show they make it a point to prioritize their relationship, but letting us into their world by documenting it — as they did when they recently saw Hamilton — shows that they're not interested in hiding from us. Sure, there's an appropriate portion of their relationship revealed to the public, but what they do share is imaginably as raw and real as it is behind closed doors. Amen.

They prove they're a solid couple by making it a joke

One of the great running gags of the recent CHiPs press tour is that Shepard and his co-star, Michael Peña, have become so close that Shepard is slowly replacing Bell with his new bestie. It's obviously a joke, but it's the kind that hilariously proves Bell and Shepard are comfortable enough in their relationship to play around with the idea of stability within a marriage. Celebrity couples break up over the silliest things sometimes, but it's those silly things that somehow keep Bell and Shepard laughing together.

They actually have normal disagreements, even by celeb standards

Bell and Shepard have been candid about the fact that they regularly go to therapy. This kind of honesty about what it takes to make their relationship work is so appreciated and admirable. They don't have to disclose that there are rocky times and yet they do; it's another reason to love them. That said, they're also able to have fun "disagreements," like the one they recently had over on Bell's Instagram. Shepard brought home a recliner that, in Bell's opinion, didn't need to be in the center of the living room. Shepard didn't necessarily agree with her. Hilarity ensued and eventually, Ellen DeGeneres had to mediate the conflict.

More: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Continue to Be Adorable Parents and Human Beings

Bell and Shepard don't really care about celebrity

These two goofballs look like they have as much fun IRL as they do when they share the screen. For the Game of Thrones season premiere last year, they documented their premiere party antics, which included bucking the trend of dressing fancy and eating hors d'oeuvres. Nope, instead they wore saucy tank tops and played with their food. It's moments like these that show they are cool with embracing their fame without becoming slaves to it; they'll always take the opportunity to have a laugh over acting like straight-faced celebs.

There's an easygoing chemistry between them that's rare

Have you ever watched Shepard and Bell do an interview together? They speak so lovingly of one another, but they aren't afraid to poke fun at each other. Recently, while promoting CHiPs on The View, it became clear very quickly that these two were each other's biggest fans. They told anecdotes about pranking each other and played a version of The Newlywed Game where the answered questions about who was more likely to do a certain thing. For every minute they were onstage, there was an ease between them that radiated, and it was so refreshing to watch.

More: Finally! The Pics From Kristen Bell & Dax Shepard's $142 Wedding Are Out

Basically, we don't deserve them

We actually just don't deserve to be witnesses to the honesty and beauty of this celebrity couple. Shepard and Bell are living in the public eye, and they embrace their messiness as any couple should. Even better, they make magic out of that mess and give to us, their fans, something fun to watch. There's no doubt in my mind that they're going to go all the way, if only because they are a truly great and, from my perspective, functional couple.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Keep all opioid medications locked away from children.

That's the recommendation after a new study out of Nationwide Children's Hospital shows a disturbing rise in children ingesting opioids. Opioids are a class of drugs that includes heroin as well as popular pain relievers available by prescription like OxyContin, Vicodin and codeine.

And these drugs can be extremely dangerous for young children. According to Gary Smith, a senior author of the study, “These medications can have profound effects on the brain, cause coma, stop breathing and, unfortunately in some cases, be fatal." Poison-control centers in the United States receive 32 calls a day about kids exposed to these kinds of drugs.

More: Opioid Poisoning: What Parents Need to Know

In the study, researchers analyzed calls to poison-control centers from 2000 to 2015. Overall exposures to opioids in kids skyrocketed 86 percent during the first 10 years. There were nearly 190,000 prescription opioid exposures among children under the age of 20.

After 2009, exposures did decrease by 32 percent (which is obviously good) but there was a new disturbing trend. In the last three years of the study, children's exposure to the narcotic buprenorphine (which treats pain as well as addiction to pain relievers) jumped. And most of the kids affected were under the age of 6.

So how do we prevent this? Researchers would like prescription opioids to come in more difficult-to-open packaging — like "single-dose packaging instead of loosely filled pills in a prescription bottle." And in addition to keeping medication far from the reach of children, they recommend all parents keep the number for poison control on hand.

That's 1-800-222-1222. Put it your cellphone. Like, right now.

More: The 4 deadliest drugs teens are taking

Anyone who's seen Rogue One knows exactly how perfect Riz Ahmed is as Bodhi Rook — and also just in general. But the way he scored that role is guaranteed to make you love him even more.

More: Here's What We've Learned From the First Three Episodes of Girls Season 6

Ahmed knew he wanted the job. So he decided to email director Gareth Edwards a self-filmed audition tape showing his take on the character. Then, he thought to himself, 'I can do this a different way,' and he taped that, too, and sent it to Edwards. Then he did it again. And again. Eventually, Ahmed had sent 14 audition tapes, showing the 14 different ways he could play Bodhi, complete with different accents and costume changes.

"I loved Riz Ahmed in Nightcrawler," co-producer John Scwartz says in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. "As we were looking for a character for Bodhi Rook, he made sure to throw his name in the hat. He did a few auditions for us — he kept cranking out different versions of Bodhi."

More: 2017 Influencers to Watch — From Models and Actors to Journalists and Musicians

In his own interview, sweet, sweet Ahmed admitted he thought he "screwed up" his audition by sending so many tapes.

"I sent him like two or three versions of it," Ahmed said. "I woke up the next morning and I hadn't gotten an e-mail back so I thought, 'Why don't I send him another two or three more versions of it!' and then I kind of thought, 'Oh, you know what? Maybe if he had a different accent or different costumes.' so I did that again, and I sent him 14 takes of this character over like, two or three days. I was spamming quite hardcore, to be honest, and I'm just really grateful he didn't take out a restraining order."

Ahmed continued, "He kind of e-mailed me back and said, 'Look, Riz, thank you for the auditions, please stop sending me the auditions. We'll be in touch.' I was like, 'Oh, well done. You screwed up! You screwed up just by being a psycho!’"

More: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Continue to Be Adorable Parents and Human Beings

Riz Ahmed, you keep being you, beautiful man.

Today is a really huge day for RaeLynn. Heck, some are even proclaiming it's officially RaeLynn Day.

In 2012, everyone — including Blake Shelton — fell in love with the young country starlet on The Voice. Fast-forward five years (which was packed with hard work, tours with Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert and writing more than 200 songs), and RaeLynn's final debut album is not only here, but it's already shot to No. 1 on iTunes.

And this girl deserves all the success she gets.

Check out our exclusive interview with RaeLynn, and don't forget her album's available for download on iTunes today!

More: Lily Singh on Silencing Self-Doubt, Influencing Fans and Loving "The Rock"

SheKnows: Let’s talk about your musical journey. You’ve mentioned rejection before — was there a lot of rejection and self-doubt that you had to go through to get to where you are now?

RaeLynn: Oh, my God, of course. I was on The Voice when I was 17 and figuring out who I am. Writing a song — you don’t really know what you want to say. And I’m talking about myself here — like, I didn’t know what I wanted to say on this record. Before that, I was doing acting, and you’ll go on auditions… That’s why I love that La La Land movie, because it’s so true. People wouldn’t really care that you were there. And even when I was on The Voice, even when I made it to the top 12, you had negative people telling you, "Oh, your voice is not good." Now that I look back, I’m like, I was 17 years old! Cut me a break. When I see a young person on a reality show, I don’t think, "Oh my God. They could be better." I think, "Oh my God. They are really good for 17. They’re going to learn so much!" If they’re this good at 17, imagine what they’re going to be like at 20, you know?

SK: Definitely. After The Voice, Blake Shelton took you under his wing. Were there ever times where people told you what your brand of music should be? What kind of country artist you should be?

R: Yes, but I didn’t know who I was either, if that makes sense. Like, I was just starting out. I was just a girl from Baytown, Texas. I still am that girl, but it was different because I didn’t know what I wanted to write towards. I didn’t have an angle. I didn’t really know what kind of artist I wanted to be or what artist I was. And the more that I wrote, the quicker I figured that out, but some stuff I wrote wasn’t technically me, but they thought they were me. The label I was with at the time thought it was me. But it was just about writing more and growing up a little bit and then you think about what songs, of the ones I’ve written in the last five years, really fit me.

SK: So, who would you say RaeLynn is now?

R: My music’s country pop. When I put this record together, I want to put the 12 most real songs to me. I want this record to take somebody through a journey. I want them to have a song for everything they’re feeling. If they’re feeling sad, I want to have a sad song. If they’re feeling happy, I want them to have a happy song. If they just want to jam, I have those songs. That’s the mindset I went in with picking songs for this record. I really want it to be a journey of where I’ve been in the last four years.

SK: And you’re headlining your first tour. How do you feel about that?

R: I am so nervous, but I’m excited. I can’t wait to have something that’s completely mine and make it my own. The best part that I’m excited about is the dance party after the show’s over with. It’s just going to be something so unique and so fun.

SK: So, does this mean you’re not going to tour with Blake anymore? Or will you still sometimes?

R: Yeah, I mean, he’s not doing anything else this summer, so I was just trying to figure out something to do for myself.

More: Going Beyond the Bikini: An Exclusive Q&A with SI Rookie of the Year Bianca Balti

SK: What have you learned touring with Blake?

R: Blake is so himself onstage and is just an incredible entertainer. If you go to a Blake show and you don’t really know him, you’re going to leave thinking you’re his best friend. That’s definitely a trait.

SK: Let’s talk about another man in your life — your new hubby. He just enlisted in the military. How are you doing with that?

R: I’m just great. But missing him, like, it’s unimaginable. I miss him so bad. He’s doing awesome. I just got a few letters from him yesterday, and he’s doing so great in his training. He could not be any more of a perfect guy for me and the best guy I’ve ever met in my life. He means the world to me, and I’m just so thankful for him in every way.

SK: What were some of the conversations that went into that decision? Had he told you that that was something he wanted to do for a while.

R: Yeah, he was sworn in in September or October, and it’s just something he’s always wanted to do. It’s a dream of his, and as a wife, I’m going to support him in anything he wants to do. Because I am his wife, and he supports me in everything that I do. Even though it’s hard, I’m so honored to be his wife and I’m honored to stand by him through this time because he’s just going to kill it.

SK: Your brother and husband are both active-duty — give them our thanks. So many people can relate to that, though. Do you think you’ll ever write music about that?

R: Heck yeah, I will.

SK: Are there any social causes or movements that you’re really passionate about?

R: I have Type-1 diabetes, so Team 1 Diabetes is one thing I’ve been a part of for a while, empowering kids who have diabetes to know they can do anything they want to do. It’s amazing, how much guilt and sadness comes with a kid when they find out they’re diagnosed with diabetes. Really, diabetes is a disease that you can manage completely well. That’s a campaign that I’ve been championing lately… I’ve already started the RaeLynn Diabetes Foundation. I’m already an ambassador for NovoLog, the insulin that I take. It’s been super-easy for me because I’ve had diabetes since before I was ever a singer. So this is a normal thing for me to take on.

SK: Second to last question! What do you love most about women?

R: One thing I love about women is they have so much drive. I know every woman in my life, even if they’re going through something, you wouldn’t know it, because women are so good at multitasking. I think that’s a great quality to have in a woman.

SK: And last, a lot of artists are releasing music with political statements. What is your opinion on that, because your music is very personal?

R: If that’s what they want to put out, then that’s what they want to put out. I’ve never felt an urge to put out something with a political statement, but that’s just me.

More: Karla Souza on Being Mexican-American and Celebrating Her Immigrant Culture

RaeLynn's debut album WildHorse is available on iTunes today.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Helping your lover access all five senses during sex can serve not only as awesome foreplay, but also enhance your entire sexual experience. The key, though, is to not make it seem like an overt effort—or a major assault on the senses. Instead, think of these things as more… subliminal. Here are a few techniques to get you started.

Sight

Low lighting can set a romantic tone, so swap out bright bulbs for a low-wattage, soft pink color, or use candles. Also, consider including more passionate colors in the bedroom—dark reds, gold, royal purple, and blue create a sensual environment.

Sound

Make a playlist that reflects the kind of sex you’re aiming for. Are you going for sweet, soft, and romantic, or do you want pulsating, sensual, throbbing bass? If you don’t want music, stimulate your partner aurally with sighs, whispers, and dirty talk.

Smell

A diffuser with essential oils or scented candles will help enhance the vibe, and you can find nearly every scent imaginable. Some personal favorites of mine are ylang-ylang, sandalwood, lemongrass, blood orange, and white cotton—but experiment to find your perfect blend.

More: Jessica Drake’s Top 5 Tips for Boosting Sexual Confidence

Taste

In the ancient kama sutra, part of the seduction ritual was to present your partner with an offering of food. Appease his or her appetite with finger foods they can nibble from your hands… or that you can nibble off their body. Chocolates are a classic erotic treat, as are the juiciest of fruits, but if you want something that can tempt their tongue and is safe for sex but never sticky, use a flavored, water-based lube like Wicked Sensual Care’s Salted Caramel lube.

Touch

Sensual, erotic massage can both relax and arouse, but also experiment with different kinds of sensations. Try things like massaging their scalp or scratching their back, with varying kinds of pressure. It doesn’t always have to remain soft or sensitive, but make sure to communicate what you’re okay with.

Bonus Tip

Experiment with depriving your lover of one or more senses—blindfold them, restrain them, or ask them not to make any sounds, and notice how their perception of other senses changes.

For some more sensitive individuals, this multi-faceted stimulation can also be overload. If you feel your partner is overwhelmed, help them talk about this. Perhaps introduce these ideas one at a time. Also, slowly isolating each sense and concentrating on small details within each one can be a mindfulness exercise that can keep you grounded and connected during lovemaking. To practice this, you can:

• Focus your sight on something specific: Look into your partner’s eyes or watch their mouth as they pleasure you. Also concentrate on the sounds you hear—like the way your bodies sound coming together, the sound of their breathing.
• Breathe deeply and take in the smells in the room. You may small sex, perfume or cologne, or skin.
• Savor the taste of their body, wherever your mouth happens to be.
• Concentrate on different sensations you can feel—the texture of the sheets beneath you, the feel of their hair, the curves of their body with your fingertips.
• As you slowly isolate these things and take time to acknowledge them, you’re anchoring yourself in the moment, and that’s a very good place to be.

More: How to Have Great Phone Sex, According to Jessica Drake

By Jessica Drake

Originally posted on StyleCaster.com

For years, there's been no love lost between Brandi Glanville and LeAnn Rimes — Glanville's ex-husband, Eddie Cibrian, cheated on her with Rimes and eventually married the country singer. Their ensuing feud was well documented when Glanville joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Orange County.

More: Legally, Brandi Glanville & Teresa Giudice Have Something Big in Common

But that feud went so much deeper than we ever imagined. Glanville and Rimes seemed to be treating it all as water under the bridge — at least, until this week, when Glanville suddenly unfollowed Rimes on all social media. It was clear their feud had been reignited, but why?

We now have the answer to that. New court documents just made public today reveal that Rimes and Joana Krupa worked together to contract a convicted felon to bully Glanville online. Brandon King, who works for a law firm, claims he has contracts signed by both Rimes and Krupa, who paid him to harass Glanville, because that's apparently a thing you can do.

More: Go After Lisa Vanderpump and She'll Try to Ruin Your Life, Says Brandi Glanville

Bullville broke the story, saying Glanville's sudden unfollow was because of the "testimony of a convicted felon, Brandon King, who admitted on the record that he was hired by LeAnn to allegedly stalk and harass people online. Brandon King is a convicted felon who was hired by the Spina Law Firm out of New Jersey. We heard through some back channels that the Spina law firm hired Brandon to troll celebrities online... his guy is the worst of the worst. (An) alleged child abuser, alleged woman abuser, alleged convicted felon, etc……why on earth would Leann Rimes hire someone like this?"

Krupa is involved because she is currently suing Glanville for defamation after her RHOBH co-star said her privates "smelled awful."

More: Brandi Glanville Definitely Shouldn't Mix Wine and Twitter in the Future

Is this a bunch of grown women, or a middle school catfight?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Pssst. How's your day going? Could you use a pick-me-up? Something to look forward to? Well, have I got news for you. Ina Garten, everyone's dream BFF/mom/mentor/wife/neighbor, is coming out with a new show called Cook Like a Pro. Happy Friday, indeed!

I spent most of high school watching Barefoot Contessa on the weekends, dreaming of the day I would have my own beautiful kitchen in the Hamptons where I could make fabulous meals for all my friends. Well, I don't have the Hamptons house — yet — but, like everyone else who has a pulse, I adore Ina Garten, so I'm extremely pumped to watch CLAP (too soon for abbreviations?) when it premiers on Food Network in mid-May.

More: Ina Garten's Selling Her Apartment, and It Will Give You Serious Kitchen Envy

There's not a ton of info out there yet about the show, but I think we can gather that it will involve Garten teaching us how to cook like, well, a pro. For years, Garten's been instructing us on how to cook excellent food for friends and family, elevating humble dishes into something extraordinary. Maybe her new show will be more technically focused with new and slightly more complicated techniques or chef-y hacks that make turning out professional-quality food easier than you'd imagine.

But honestly, who cares exactly what it's about? I'd watch a 30-minute show of Ina Garten loading up a dishwasher — she's got that much charm. In the meantime, I (and thousands of her other followers) will be waiting with bated breath to see what she's got up her super-talented sleeve.

More: Barefoot Contessa Ina Garten springs for a Manhattan extension of her Hamptons compound

Few things are worse than watching your child suffer through a spell of sickness. Unfortunately, though, little ones seem to catch a cold or come down with a bad cough at the drop of a hat. So what's the secret for soothing your sweet one when they feel bad?

Sometimes the best tips come from how other mamas have handled it. You know, the women who've been in the trenches too and managed to emerge victorious.

So to bring you some tried-and-true tips for taking care of your sick kid, we went straight to the source. Here's what real moms had to say about their go-to remedies.

1. Let them sleep

"I make it a rule to never wake up a child who has been sick. If we're late getting somewhere, so be it. They need their sleep, now more than ever." — Courtney T.

2. Teach them how to take care of business

"The best thing I ever did was finally teach my daughter how to really blow her nose. I think it took a full week, but colds have been so much more tolerable since she learned that." — Julie K.

3. Be (very) prepared

"I always make sure there are tissues in every room when one of my kids has a cold. That's something you can never have enough of." — Jessica C.

4. Be generous with cuddles

"Sick kids just want their moms. When my kids are sick, I cuddle them every chance I get. It makes us both feel better, I think." — Terri W.

5. Let them rest

"While colds can seem to drag on forever, I feel like it is important to give your little one time to recuperate. If I send my son to school when his little body is trying so hard to fight off a cold, how can his immune system possibly keep up? When our son is struggling with a bad cold or cough, we always try to keep him home for a few days while he is symptomatic. If after a few days he isn't feeling better, it's probably time for a doctor's visit anyway. The other upside to this approach is that we can minimize the chance he passes his germs on to his classmates." — Kerri M.

6. Fill them with liquids

"Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! I probably drive my kids crazy, always offering them water when they're sick, but it's so important. They always have water or another drink within reach when they're under the weather." — Angie T.

7. Take time for TLC

"I try to remember that no matter how rushed I am — no matter what deadline I may miss, no matter how messy my house is, no matter how germy I'm getting — that my love and attention is a wonderful tool to help my kids feel better. When we are sick, we just want to know the people we love the most are there to take care of us and to make us feel better." — Jennifer M.

8. Have a "sick basket" handy

"In our house, we have 'sick baskets' for each of our children that we break out when they are stuck at home on the couch with a bad cold. These baskets are different for each child depending on their favorite things: baby blankets, books, toys... basically anything to keep them comfortable and entertained." — Amanda S.

9. Know that a mother's love is magic

"As a kid, I got sick a lot and my mom used to do the greatest thing. She'd get me miso soup (I've always been a vegetarian), and she'd take all the pillows off all the beds in the house and pile them all onto my bed to keep my head propped up (helps with coughing). And she had this special 'sick blanket,' an old, unattractive comforter that for some reason was adorned in shamrocks. She'd bring that blanket out and tuck me in with it and put on whatever happened to be my favorite cartoon at the time. When I left to go to college, I brought the sick blanket with me, and now — at 27 years old, 2,000 miles away from my mom — whenever I'm sick, I make a pillow mountain, grab my sick blanket, and without fail, at some point there will be a knock on the door... outside a delivery man from the local Asian bistro with a cup of miso soup my mom had [gotten] delivered from halfway across the country. So for all the mamas out there, please know that your kiddos will remember how you always took care of them, and even 20 years later, thousands of miles away, they'll do their very best to recreate the magic healing powers that Mom always had." — Cali O.

This post was sponsored by Vicks® VapoRub™.

Christina El Moussa may have broken things off with her contractor boyfriend Gary Anderson, but that doesn't necessarily mean she's jumping right into the dating pool.

More: Tarek El Moussa Just Posted More Evidence Against the Rumors About His Divorce

El Moussa was spotted at an Anaheim Ducks hockey game this week with a unidentified man, and so of course the internet is just screaming relationship rumors. But why do we have to assume El Moussa and this mystery guy are ~a thing~ just because they were seen together one time? Have some chill, internet.

"She was in a really good mood," an onlooker told E! News. "They were standing together, clapping alone and with everyone else."

Is it just me, or does that not really sound like a romantic time? They were standing together at a hockey game they went to, not at the alter, people.

More: Tarek & Christina El Moussa Are Still Owning Their Power as a Team

El Moussa's rep even spoke to E! to expressly deny the rumors that she's dating this guy, whoever he may be.

She is single and not dating anyone," the rep said. "He is just a friend."

OK. Mystery solved. It was just a friend and they went to a hockey game. Can we all just agree right now that we're not going to speculate about the relationship status of every man El Moussa is seen with ever? It feels kind of sexist. Can't we accept the fact that she has male friends? Women can have male friends... we're living in the 21st century, after all. And El Moussa certainly doesn't have to constantly be in a relationship. Can't strong women like El Moussa just be single and hang with their families and film their wildly popular TV show and work on other projects? Isn't that enough? Internet, do better on this one, kthanks.

More: It's Hard to Believe Tarek El Moussa Would Actually Spy on Christina El Moussa

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

If there’s anyone we should thank for teaching us how to live the aesthetically pleasing life, all eyes obviously turn to the almighty Gwyneth Paltrow and the wisdom of Goop, her online persona manifested into a lifestyle website. And while we all bend to her every beck and call for lifestyle changes - whether that be shelling out for a jade egg or learning how to sleep “cleanly” – just wait until you hear what she’s got in store for us next.

More: Hangover Helper: Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop To The Rescue

In case you don’t know how anal sex works or don’t know how to start, fear not – Goop has provided us with the ultimate start-up guide to having your own backdoor fun. In Goop’s Sex Issue, Paltrow levels with us that anal has gone from strange to standard in every bedroom. Even though it seems like a porn exclusive you’d have to pay monthly to experience vicariously, the reality is “everyone’s doing it,” according to research psychoanalyst and author Paul Joannides, Psy.D., who also helps provide some insight.

More: Goop's Latest Advice To Take Iodine Doesn't Sit Well With Actual Doctors

The issue then follows up with a Q&A with Dr. Joannides, giving us a crash course on when anal became a thing, a reality-check on porn standards, as well as potential health risks. He mentions that it takes work to feel good, and if you’re willing to put some effort in you’re bound to get good out of it. He gives us some much needed advice, saying that “in addition to teaching the sphincters to relax, and in addition to getting the angle right so you don’t poke the receiver in the wall of the rectum, you need to use lots of lube.” Well spoken, if I do say so myself.

And what kind of gem would this Goop original be if it didn’t leave us with something to think about – and that something was what we should be telling our kids. Yup, you heard me right, because better we tell them than someone else, right?

More: Gwyneth Paltrow Under Fire For Ridiculous Goop Article

So let’s give a round of applause for this blessing from the sex goddesses out there, and for the unprecedented (albeit unsolicited) wisdom that is Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop.

With everything that’s affected our social climate nowadays, any progressive moves are worthy of applause. In a number of new releases, we’ve seen an increased amount of LGBTQ representation in movies — especially in children’s films, including the release of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Lionsgate’s take on Power Rangers, which premieres today.

Yet while these motions are definitely a step in the right direction, there’s still much work to be done. Beauty and the Beast’s director Bill Condon announced the introduction of one openly gay character in the film, and the backlash toward it was swift. In Alabama, the movie was pulled from debuting; and some Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore and Hong Kong, screened a censored version of the film, while Malaysia cancelled the film altogether.

But even with this opposition, Beauty and the Beast remained mostly unfazed; it still ended up being the highest-earning family movie, grossing $170 million at the box office. So what does this initiative mean for Hollywood and its continued efforts with inclusion? We had the privilege of asking Megan Townsend, the lead entertainment media strategist for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), some important questions on LGBTQ representation in film and TV, and she gave us some great insights.

SheKnows: How do you feel about Hollywood’s increased inclusion of LGBTQ characters in films, particularly children’s films? Why is it so important we see more?

Megan Townsend: We’re happy to see film beginning to more accurately reflect the real world, which includes LGBTQ people of all ages. These portrayals in films aimed at young people are incredibly important. They both help real LGBTQ youth to recognize they are not alone, and accelerate acceptance within their peer groups. This ultimately creates a safer environment for LGBTQ young people to be authentically themselves.

SK: Do you happen to know how much LGBTQ representation (in film and TV, in general) has increased over the past year?

MT: GLAAD’s most recent Where We Are on TV report found a record-high percentage of LGBTQ series regular characters on scripted broadcast series, as well as the number of transgender regular and recurring characters more than doubling across broadcast, cable and streaming series. However, the numbers are only part of the story, as last year over 25 queer female characters were killed off of their respective shows. It is not enough for LGBTQ characters simply to be present on screen; they need to be crafted with thought and substance and should reflect the full diversity of our community.

The mainstream film industry continues to lag far behind other media when it comes to portraying LGBTQ characters. In 2015, 73 percent of the few films that actually included LGBTQ characters had less than 10 minutes of screen time for those characters. Further, a historic low percentage of films passed GLAAD’s Vito Russo Test. Hollywood has the chance to foster understanding in the films they export to foreign countries where it is difficult for LGBTQ people to live free and happy lives. These small moments we are currently seeing will pave the way for larger stories.

More: 19 Movies About the Gay Rights Movement You Can Stream Right Now

SK: When do you think we’ll start seeing more agender or genderfluid characters in films and television shows?

MT: TV is beginning to be more inclusive of a wider spectrum of identities as more programming platforms are available. There is currently a gender non-conforming character on Showtime’s Billions (Taylor, played by Asia Kate Dillon) and the upcoming Heathers TV adaptation will include a genderqueer character named Heath.

SK: How do you feel the new Beauty & the Beast and the upcoming Power Rangers handled the gay characters/storylines in their respective films?

MT: LeFou’s happy ending was a small moment in Beauty and the Beast, but it was a large step forward for the industry. Disney’s decision to update the character for a more contemporary audience — who see LGBTQ people and families every day — paid off at the box office with the film breaking records as the biggest March opening of all time.

The Power Rangers film is a good moment of casual inclusion, recognizing that LGBTQ people exist by raising the question of whether Trini is having "girlfriend problems." We hope to see her story further developed in possible sequels.

More: 10 Best LGBTQ Characters and Story Lines We've Seen So Far In Books

SK: What are the best characters that accurately represent the LGBTQ community in children’s films, and why did you choose each character?

MT: The 2012 animated film ParaNorman was the first animated feature film to be nominated for a GLAAD Media Award after Mitch, the lunk-headed, jock older brother of the best friend of the main character, casually talks about his boyfriend. In many other cases, viewers may not have known they were watching a gay character without reading outside director’s confirmations (How to Train Your Dragon 2’s Gobber, who had an ambiguous coming out line, Zootopia’s Bucky and Pronk Oryx-Antlerson) or other background knowledge of a character (Dumbledore from the Harry Potter book series and 2014’s The Lego Movie).

Television has come much further with LGBTQ-inclusive all-ages programming like the GLAAD Media Award-nominated animated series Steven Universe, which includes multiple queer characters. Disney XD’s Star Vs. the Forces of Evil recently aired the network’s first same-sex kiss, and Disney Channel introduced their first out characters on Good Luck Charlie in 2014. Nickelodeon’s The Loud House was recently nominated for a GLAAD Media Award in Outstanding Individual Episode for their "Attention Deficit" episode that included a gay couple and their son, and the network previously aired the series The Legend of Korra that ended with Korra and Asami getting together.

More: 15 Movies Known For Their Gay Context (and if You Didn't Know, Now You Do)

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

By now, you've probably heard that vinegar is an all-purpose wonder product, right up there with coconut and olive oil. But of all the things you can do with vinegar, using it to clean is at the top of the list.

For me, the smell of white vinegar still evokes memories of coloring Easter eggs. Back in the old days, when I was a kid, it was one of the ingredients of Easter egg dye. My days of coloring Easter eggs are far behind me, and I now associate the smell of vinegar with... cleaning.

Vinegar is such a wonderful, economical and environmentally friendly cleaning product. It's available by the gallon and is cheaper than smelly, harsh chemical-based cleaning products. It deodorizes, cuts grease and soap scum, and dissolves mineral buildup. Plus, it acts as a disinfectant because its acetic acid content kills odors and most mold, bacteria and germs.

Here's just a sampling of what vinegar can do.

1. Clean mineral deposits on chrome sink faucets

Do you live in an area with hard water? If so, like me, you're constantly battling mineral deposits on your faucets.

Soak a paper towel or an old cloth in distilled vinegar and wrap it tightly around the calcified area. Tie a plastic bag filled with 1/3 to 1/2 cup vinegar around harder-to-wrap faucet spigots. Leave it for two or three hours. Then, use an old toothbrush to scrub off the loosened deposits. For stubborn, tough to remove areas, scrub with a paste of 2 tablespoons salt and 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar. Rinse off with clear water.

More: How to Clean Your Jewelry so It Sparkles Even Longer

2. Cleaning barbecue grills

Warmer weather and outdoor grilling will be here in the blink of an eye. Along with the great cookouts comes the yucky job of cleaning the grill.

For a clean grill with no chemical residue, spray a solution of half water and half white distilled vinegar onto a warm (not hot) barbecue grill. Let sit for about 10 minutes. Then, spray full-strength vinegar onto a piece of wadded-up aluminum foil. Scrub the grill vigorously. You may need to repeat. Rinse.

3. Tile scum and film

Get rid of stubborn bathtub grime, mildew, and scum from the tub, tile, shower curtain or door by wiping it down with undiluted white distilled vinegar. Scour more stubborn areas with an inexpensive tile cleaner solution of 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 cup white distilled vinegar and 1 cup ammonia to a gallon of warm water. (Be cautious of possible harmful fumes from the ammonia.) Rinse with clear water.

Glass shower doors can be sprayed with full-strength white distilled vinegar after squeeging the glass or before stepping in and turning on the water. This helps release the hard water deposits so they don't remain on the glass.

4. Smoother, cleaner steam ironing

Does your steam iron leave ugly brown stains on your clothes? Does the scorched bottom of the iron plate stick to fabric when you're ironing? Vinegar can help with that

To unclog your steam iron, pour equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and water into the iron's water chamber. Turn to the "steam" setting and iron a soft rag to clean out the steam ports. Leave the iron on for 5 minutes in an upright position. Then unplug and allow it to cool. Empty the water to remove any loose particles. Repeat the process with clear water, then thoroughly rinse out the inside of your iron.

To clean a scorched iron plate, heat equal parts white distilled vinegar and salt in a small pan. Rubbing this solution onto the cooled iron surface should remove dark or burned areas.

5. For baby

Wiping down toys with chemical cleaners means your baby might be sucking off chemical residue. Swap it out for vinegar.

Clean and disinfect baby toys by adding a good-sized amount of white distilled vinegar to warm, soapy water. Clean toys thoroughly, using an old toothbrush for those hard-to-reach places. Rinse with clear water and dry. Vinyl baby books and larger toys can be wiped clean with distilled vinegar on a damp cloth. Toys are always in the mouths of babies and toddlers, so clean them frequently.

6. Cleaning gold jewelry

Use vinegar to easily restore sparkle to gold.

Pour vinegar into a small jar, drop in your gold jewelry and twist the lid tightly shut. Let the items soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Shake the jar gently for a few seconds. Remove each piece of jewelry and scrub carefully with a soft toothbrush. Rinse under hot water. Repeat if there's sludge under the stone. Dry with a clean, soft cloth. The final results should be sparkling!

Warning: Don't use this process on opals and pearls.

Up next: Clean vases caked with mineral deposits

Originally published January 2012. Updated March 2017.

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7. Clean vases caked with mineral deposits

I love keeping fresh cut flowers around the house. I hate, however, when my favorite clear glass narrow-necked vase becomes marked with calcium deposits.

Pour undiluted white distilled vinegar into the glass vessel for a few hours. Then, use a bottlebrush, or add some sand or rice as an abrasive and shake vigorously to loosen the stains. Repeat if necessary and then rinse with hot water when clean. Do not toss the sandy water down the drain.

BTW: To keep those cut flowers fresh longer and reduce the chances of getting "stinky" water, place the flowers into a solution of 3 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons white vinegar per quart of warm water.

8. Washing clothes

Vinegar is kinda stinky, so most of us never think of tossing vinegar in the wash, but it can actually help your clothes come out fresher smelling — and clean your washing machine in the process.

Adding 1/2 to 1 cup distilled vinegar to the liquid fabric softener dispenser in your washer (top off with tap water if necessary) will not only make your clothes smell fresher, but also act as a fabric softener and reduce static cling. This eliminates the need for a liquid fabric softener in the wash and chemical fabric softening sheets in the dryer and is more economical and better for the environment, as well.

To freshen up your washing machine, clean the hoses and unclog soap scum, make it a monthly habit of pouring one cup of vinegar into the machine and running a normal cycle without clothes.

More: Clean a Burnt Pot in 4 Easy Steps, No Crying Necessary

9. Clean the microwave

Mix 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl, then bring to a rolling boil inside the microwave. Remove the bowl and wipe the microwave clean of loosened foods.

10. Clean and deodorize the toilet bowl

Substitute vinegar for the abrasive bleach usually used to clean toilets.

Pour one cup of white distilled vinegar into the bowl and let sit several hours or overnight. Scrub well with the toilet brush and flush.

11. Clean and kill germs on doorknobs

Spray full-strength distilled vinegar on doorknobs and then wipe dry.

12. Clean fireplace glass doors

Mix a solution of 1 part white distilled vinegar to 2 parts water. Spray or wipe on, then wipe clean of dirt and soot using a dry cloth.

13. Clean a can opener

Use distilled vinegar and an old toothbrush to clean the wheel on a can opener.

Warnings:

• Do not add vinegar directly to materials containing ammonia; this could produce harmful vapors.
• Never use white distilled vinegar on marble. The acid can damage the surface.

How do you use vinegar to keep your home clean? Tell us in the comments below!

Disclaimer: Use all tips, hints and ideas here at your own risk.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

There's just something about the French language that is music to our ears, and the unique quality of the accent makes everything sound both fancy and adorable — which makes French-inspired names perfect for naming dogs.

Seriously, go through this list of names and say each one aloud. We guaranteed you can't do it without cracking a smile — or finding at least 10 that you'd love to use for your own pup.

Dog names inspired by French words that are fun to say

Regardless of meaning, French words roll deliciously off your tongue and instantly make you feel more affectionate. Name your love pup one of these French dog names, and you're sure to get even more warm fuzzies for your favorite little fur-ball.

For the girls

1. Je t'aime (I love you)

2. Parfait (perfect)

3. Coquette (flirt)

4. Fille (girl)

5. Papillon (butterfly)

6. Amie (friend)

7. Bijou (jewel)

8. Magnifique (magnificent)

9. Chevrefeuille (honeysuckle)

10. Coquelicot (poppy)

11. Libellule (dragonfly)

12. Fleur (flower)

For the boys

13. Rififi (trouble)

14. Narcissique (narcissist)

15. Éclair (lightning bolt or the pastry)

16. Délicieux (delicious)

17. Grand-père (grandfather)

18. Affectueux (affectionate)

19. Chanceux (lucky)

20. Noir (black)

21. Heureux (happy)

22. Rendez-vous (meeting)

23. Flâneur (aimless loafer)

24. Amoureux (lover)

More: 100 Unique Dog Names Your New Pooch Will Be Honored to Have

Dog names inspired by French foods

If you are infatuated with French cuisine, give your pup a name that will warm your tummy (and make you hungry to visit the country).

25. Pâtisserie (pastry shop)

26. Pistache (pistachio)

27. Croissant

28. Pain (bread)

29. Croquembouche (tower of pastries)

30. Ganache

31. Mousse

32. Souffle

33. Mille-feuille (puff pastry dessert)

34. Fondue

35. Cassoulet (sausage and bean soup)

36. Niçoise (type of salad)

Dog names inspired by touring through France

If you've traveled around France or have a dream vacation planned, consider a French dog name that reminds you of a fave landmark or geographical locale on your itinerary.

37. Eiffel

38. Paris

39. Triomphe

40. Versailles

41. Lyon

42. Marseille

43. Montpellier

44. Bordeaux

45. Champagne

46. Avignon

47. Lille

48. Sacré-Coeur

Dog names inspired by famous French people

Consider the following names of famous French people to give your new pup a cultured European moniker. Then have fun with it by quoting French movies or books to your furry French-named friend.

49. Monet (Claude Monet)

50. Louis (Louis Pasteur, King Louis)

51. Marquis (Marquis de Sade)

52. Descartes (René Descartes)

53. Napoleon

54. Coco (Coco Chanel)

55. Pascal (Blaise Pascal)

56. Antoinette (Marie Antoinette)

57. William the Conquerer

58. Jacques (Jacques Torres)

59. François (François Hollande, current president)

60. Gérard Depardieu (actor)

More: 200 Little Dog Names That Don't Skimp on Personality

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Originally published June 2015. Updated March 2017.

White House security staffers will be clamoring to work on April 21, 2017. Or maybe they won’t. That’s the day a giant sculpture of a vagina is scheduled to be delivered to the White House. (Wow, talk about sentences you never thought you’d write.) It's not a joke, it's a weird; kitschy misguided message.

Please, please watch the explainer video. I don't want you to go another second without seeing dancing labia.

Actually, the vagina is just the messenger, the messages inside will come from women all around the world as part of Mogul’s #ReadMyLips campaign. The online news/community platform has been inviting women and men everywhere to write, via an online form, telling President Trump what they’d like to see regarding women’s health and rights over the next four years. Mogul will print the messages and deliver them, gift wrapped so to speak, to the president’s front door.

More: Taking Over Ivanka Trump's #WomenWhoWork Hashtag

Wait, what?

Considering the unwelcome attention vaginas have been enjoying, social media reaction to #ReadMyLips is surprisingly negative. Perhaps that’s because on some level we all know that it’s sending a mixed message.

While professing to provide a voice to women, the campaign is drawing attention to the wrong body part; women should be heard and valued because of what comes out of their mouth, not their genitals. Even if you want to celebrate the vajayjay’s appreciable gift of conveying mini-humans, it’s counterproductive to do so as a catalyst for discussing equality since it undermines those who can’t, don’t or won’t have children.

Mogul founder Michelle Wen told Allure, "By having the statue as this shape, it empowers women to be proud of their sexuality and bodies." But if any of us were able to stand in front of Trump and deliver our message, would we really want him thinking about our lady garden at the same time? Please say no. Anatomy and important ideas: separate, but equal.

More: Why Are We Afraid of the Word Vagina?

You can’t be serious

Watching the video made me wonder if the whole thing is a joke. After all, Mogul’s website touts that the designers of the sculpture are SNL veterans and the work is being done by Dan Castelli, the show’s former specialty prop fabricator.

And Mogul VP Bethany Heinrich seems almost theatrical as she describes the effort as “Classy, classy, classy, I can’t express classy enough.” You mean like Ron Burgundy classy or Jackie O classy? It’s also antithetical to feminist demands for equality. If a group of men did a similar thing to Hillary Clinton, they’d be rousted, vilified, run out of town.

Heinrich explains, “We wanted this to be a gift that he would be excited about receiving.” I don’t need to explain why it’s gross for a man who jokes about groping to receive a vagina as a gift. Let’s send one to every frat house and locker room, while we're at it.

Is it just me?

The campaign has primarily been targeted at millennials and promoted by universities so I have to ask myself — am I just being a grouchy old bag? Maybe it’s all good fun — something to lighten up the most fractious year we’ve seen in a long time. I still can’t reconcile it, though.

One thing I will concede is that the messages being submitted by women via Mogul’s website are important and cross generations. A 13-year-old wrote about safety for women of color. A 25-year-old designer wrote about how cuts to arts funding will affect her career. A woman who declined to state her age wrote encouragement to Ivanka Trump to use the platform she’s been given.

More: 11 Best Jon Stewart Quotes About Feminism

And I do know that messages often go down better with a dose of humor. That's why late-night monologues about politics go viral and C-SPAN clips don’t. And Mogul seems to be perfectly earnest in pursuing that end. “I just hope this will drive the point home for him, in a good, fun way. And I hope that he has a sense of humor,” said Heinrich. Though I think Trump’s virulent Twitter responses to SNL sketches kind of address that.

And again:

But at the end of the day, there is a very real concern for some women who want to campaign for equality but don’t want to be characterized as an angry shrew. The answer to that is to communicate with respect and intelligence, to support women breaking barriers, not to nudge elbows with the boy’s club. 'Boys will be boys' is a standard that reduces men, and girlfriends, we have to be careful not to sink to it too.

Will you be writing into #ReadMyLIps? What would you say face-to-face with the president? Let us know in the comments below.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Whether you’re new to the bang game or you’ve been wrestling with your bangs for the last few years, we can pretty much guarantee that you’ve been annoyed with them at least once (or one million) times. Because unlike the rest of your hair, bangs seem to have a life of their own, looking phenomenal at random times of the night and like a wildebeest in the morning before you have to head to work.

Thankfully, though, all bangs can be easily styled and tamed as long as you have the use of a blow-dryer, a straightener or a curling iron. And, of course, your hands. To help you out, though, we rounded up our favorite bang-styling tutorials so you can see exactly how to style your bangs three different ways.

With a blow-dryer…

A round-brush, some hair clips and damp hair, and you’re ready to go.

With a curling iron…

We promise, you won’t end up with sausage-like prom curls.

With a flat-iron…

With a little wrist action, your bangs will be full of swoopin’ volume.

After 17 years apart, Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford just reunited!

Gifford's co-host on the Today show, Hoda Kotb, is out on maternity leave after adopting a baby girl. But on Friday morning, Philbin filled in, and he was clearly a more than adequate replacement.

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"Look who’s in for Hoda-momma," Gifford exclaimed on the show. "I’m happy you’re back — we can have some laughs now."

Gifford and Philbin co-hosted Live with Regis and Kathie Lee from 1988 to 2000. Since then, they've been focusing on their own careers, though they've reunited occasionally on their respective shows. Now, Gifford is hosting the fourth hour of Today, and Kotb's leave was a perfect opportunity for Philbin to stop by.

More: Tamron Hall Isn't Letting Her Today Exit Faze Her One Bit

The two old friends actually used the show to test their relationship, completing a Newlywed Game-style challenge against an actual married couple to see how well they really know each other. In round 1, Gifford easily named Philbin's favorite song, "Pennies From Heaven" by Bing Crosby. In round 2, they tied by both humbly saying that the other is the better joke teller. Ultimately, the actual married couple won by nailing each other's phobias, something Philbin and Gifford couldn't pull off.

Gifford shared a sweet snap of herself and Philbin on the show's Instagram account, celebrating being reunited with her old pal. Alongside the photo, she wrote, "Spending #TryDayFriday with the one and only Regis!"

More: Tamron Hall Doesn't Want NBC's Money If She Doesn't Have Their Respect

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.