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5 Seriously Good New Arrivals to Shop at Ulta This Month

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Is it just us, or do Ulta’s newest arrivals somehow get increasingly impossible to resist every month? Like, regardless of our overflowing makeup cabinets and dwindling (or, um, nonexistent) funds, it’s a straight-up struggle to leave the site without buying a K-Beauty sheet mask or a new shade of a cult-favorite lipstick. So when May 1 hit, our beauty-obsessed and self-sabotaging selves couldn’t type those four letter fast enough — and as expected, the new arrivals are seriously good.

More: How to Get Big, Messy, Voluminous Hair in 4 Easy Steps

And before you go all ape shit on us for feeding into your beauty product weakness, we’ve combed through the many, many new pages of arrivals and narrowed them down to the absolute five best. And since we also like to eat and pay rent, we made sure they’re all under $15 (yes, we are wizards). Between Pacifica’s pink eye shadow palette and Benefit’s creamy highlighter, this month’s crop will give you life. So brace yourself and check out our five seriously enticing picks, and don’t forget to stop back for our June assortment.

More: The 11 Best Colorful Liquid Eyeliners You Need to Try ASAP

Pacifica Pink Nudes Mineral Eye Shadows

Pacifica Pink Nudes Mineral Eyeshadows
Image: Ulta

Pacifica Pink Nudes Mineral Eye Shadows (Ulta, $14)

Maui Moisture Thicken & Restore + Bamboo Fibers Blowout Mist

Maui Moisture Thicken & Restore + Bamboo Fibers Blowout Mist
Image: Ulta

Maui Moisture Thicken & Restore + Bamboo Fibers Blowout Mist (Ulta, $8.99)

Benefit Cosmetics High Beam liquid face highlighter mini

Benefit Cosmetics High Beam Liquid Face Highlighter Mini
Image: Ulta

Benefit Cosmetics High Beam liquid face highlighter mini (Ulta, $12)

H20+ Oasis Lip Gel in Clear as Day

H20 Plus Oasis Lip Gel in Clear as Day
Image: Ulta

H20+ Oasis Lip Gel in Clear as Day (Ulta, $12)

Tarte Tarteist metallic shadow

Tarte Tarteist Metallic Shadow
Image: Ulta

Tarte Tarteist metallic shadow (Ulta, $14)

New Arrivals to Shop At Ulta This Month
Image: ImaxTree

Originally posted on StyleCaster.


This Smothered Chicken Makes for a Quick, Healthy Weeknight Dinner

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It's the age-old conundrum: What the heck are we going to make for dinner tonight? Chicken is obviously a healthy go-to standard, but it can get boring really quick if you don't change things up.

That being said, with the right recipes it's still totally possible to have chicken be the star every night. This smothered chicken dish is packed with grilled chicken, sauteed veggies, mozzarella cheese and tons of flavor. It's also super simple to put together, so it makes for a great weeknight dinner when you don't want to spend a ton of time cooking.

More: No Joke, These 9 Shortcuts Will Cut Your Dinner Prep Time in Half

We went light on the cheese to keep the dish healthier — but don't think the flavor is anything but big!

Smothered chicken recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 4 grilled boneless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 cup sliced white mushrooms
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Heat olive oil in pan and add green peppers, mushrooms and onions. Saute until soft and then add garlic, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper. Stir together and set aside.
  3. In an 8 x 8-inch pan add the grilled chicken. Cover chicken evenly with Dijon mustard.
  4. Take warm vegetables and top chicken. Cover vegetables and chicken with mozzarella cheese.
  5. Cook in the oven until the cheese is melted, approximately 10 minutes.

More: Two Scientific Reasons Why You Should Cook Dinner Tonight

Originally published July 2012. Updated May 2017.

Here's What All Those SPF Ratings Really Mean

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With skin cancer being the most common form of cancer in the U.S., it's important we do everything we can to keep our skin safe and protected from harmful UV rays. And dermatologists agree: The single best way to protect your skin is to wear sunscreen, and not just on vacation or during the summer. Every. Single. Day.

More: Myths About Sunscreen You Should Stop Believing ASAP

The only problem with that is that sunscreen can be a little confusing. There are so many different types, and so many SPF levels — what do they all even mean? SheKnows spoke to Dr. William Wooden, director of operative services at Indiana University Health, to get the skinny on everything on your sunscreen bottle so you can get into the sun with as much protection as possible.

So here it is: your handy guide to sunscreen SPF. Read on to learn all you need to keep your skin fresh and healthy all summer long — and for years to come.

What even is SPF, anyway?

SPF stands for sun-protection factor. It's basically a rating system invented by Franz Greiter in 1962, to measure a sunscreen's capacity for blocking UV rays from reaching your skin. According to Wooden, "the number indicates how long you can be exposed to sunlight without burning. It measures the length of time your skin will be protected from burning compared to the length of time it would take your skin to burn without sunscreen."

More: Do You Really Need Different Sunscreens for Your Body and Face?

How does SPF work?

Like Wooden said, the SPF number on your sunscreen bottle is basically a multiplier that tells you how long it will take your skin to burn. "For example, if you are very light skinned and would be red after 30 minutes in the sun, an SPF 10 sunscreen would allow you to be exposed for up to 10 times longer, so 300 minutes or 5 hours, before you burn," he said. "It’s important to remember to put on enough, and keep in mind that activity, water and sweat can remove the sunscreen."

So the higher the SPF, the better, right?

Well, sort of. Most people don't put on enough sunscreen in the first place to get the full effects, which automatically reduces the SPF protection their skin is getting. Being in water or sweating in warm temperatures can also cause sunscreen to wear off more quickly. And according to Wooden, once you hit SPF 30, you're blocking most of the sun's rays, so anything higher is only marginally better.

"SPF 15 to 30 will provide you with good protection, blocking 93 to 97 percent of harmful UVB rays," he said. "Going beyond SPF 30 will block an additional 1 to 2 percent of rays."

Then what kind of sunscreen is best?

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends sunscreen with an SPF no lower than 15. It says SPF 15 to 30 is usually best, but to reapply sunscreen every 1 to 2 hours. Wooden agrees.

"I recommend using sunscreen with SPF 15 to 30," he said. "Since SPF 30 will block 97 percent of UVB rays, it provides good protection. The key is to use enough and reapply. It’s also important to remember additional skin-protection methods, like shade and sun-protective clothing."

More: 6 Peeling Skin Remedies We All Need After a Bad Sunburn

This post was sponsored by Olay.

A Breading Station With Proper Egg Wash Gets You the Best Fried Foods Ever

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Frying up food is serious business, and when breadcrumbs don't stick to our chicken, it's a major buzzkill. But ever since we discovered how to set up a proper three-stage breading station, all of our frying follies have fled the building.

Officially known as “standard breading procedure,” meat, fish, vegetables, cheese, eggs, and even a deep-fried candy bar can all go through the same no-fail breading system when being coated in crumbs. Give this step-by-step method a whirl.

Step 1: Flour

Fill one tray with flour; pat food dry with paper towels and then dredge in flour, shaking off the excess. The flour helps create a barrier between the breading and the food. Although regular all-purpose flour works best, any flour, even gluten-free flour, will do. The flour can be seasoned with salt, pepper, herbs and spices, or left unseasoned.

More: How Long Fresh Foods Really Last in the Refrigerator

Step 2: Egg wash

Fill a second tray with egg wash to dip food in. You can use several well-beaten eggs by themselves, or an egg wash: a mixture of eggs and milk, eggs and cream, or eggs and water; use about one tablespoon of liquid per egg. As long as the mixture contains eggs and is mixed well, any of these combinations will work. The egg must coat the entire surface area of the food in order for the breading to stick.

Step 3: Bread crumbs

Fill a third tray with crumbs; coat the food in breading. Bread crumbs, crushed nuts, crackers, or a combination of ingredient can be used as breading. Gently press the food into the breading, shaking off the excess.

Step 4: Cook it

Fry breaded foods by adding a little olive oil to a skillet. Cook on both sides until the crust is crispy. You can also bake breaded foods. Drizzle a little olive oil on the food first and bake in a single layer on a cookie sheet.

Now test it out with this tasty recipe!

Stuffed artichoke hearts

Makes 16

Ingredients:

  • 4 large artichoke hearts, cooked and cut into quarters
  • 4 ounces mascarpone cheese, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup pancetta, minced and rendered until crisp
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup minced Italian (flat-leaf) parsley
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Breading ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • Egg wash (2 eggs beaten with 1/4 cup of milk)
  • 2 cups Italian-style panko crumbs
  • 1/2 cup garlic-infused olive oil (1/2 cup of oil with one smashed garlic clove)

Directions:

  1. In a medium bowl, mix the mascarpone, parmesan, pancetta, garlic, red pepper flakes, parsley and rosemary. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add approximately 2 teaspoons of the cheese mixture to the choke side of the artichoke and place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 20 minutes.
  2. Set up the breading station. Place the flour in one dish, the egg wash in a shallow bowl, and the panko in a separate dish. Remove the artichokes from the freezer. Dredge the artichokes in the flour, dip in the egg wash, coat with the panko and place onto the baking sheet with the other ingredients. Repeat until all artichokes have been breaded. Preheat the oven to 425 F. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 20 minutes.
  3. Remove the artichokes from the freezer and lightly brush the tops with the garlic-infused olive oil. Bake at 425 F for 7 to 10 minutes or until the cheese is soft and the breading is golden. Sprinkle with salt to taste and serve.

Originally published March 2012. Updated May 2017.

Inject Your Morning Cuppa With an Easy Homemade Coffee Creamer Recipe

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Not gonna lie, one of the things we love the most about fall and winter is when all of those super yummy seasonal coffee creamers start hitting shelves. And even when summer rolls around, you know we're into adding in a little French vanilla. We love, love, love flavored coffee creamers, but they do have their downsides — which is why we're totally digging making our own homemade coffee creamers now.

Preservatives are the big bummer of processed foods, and most store-bought creamers are chock full of chemicals. This DIY creamer has a simple base recipe that can be turned into five different flavored creamers. It's more natural than what you get at the grocery, and it's also a lot less expensive.

Homemade flavored coffee creamer base recipe

This is the perfect sweetened base for your flavored coffee creamer.

Serving size 1 container

Ingredients:

  • 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • 14 ounces whole milk

Directions:

  1. Whisk together both ingredients until combined.
  2. Store in refrigerator.

Peppermint mocha coffee creamer recipe

This flavor is perfect for Christmas and all winter long. It's perfectly sweet, chocolaty and full of mint flavor.

Serving size 1 container

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch homemade coffee creamer base
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract

Directions:

  1. Add coffee creamer base and cocoa powder to saucepan.
  2. Heat on low until cocoa powder has dissolved into creamer base.
  3. Add peppermint extract, stir and store in refrigerator.
Note: Mint extract strength can vary brand to brand. Start off by adding a little and taste test before adding more.

Vanilla bean coffee creamer recipe

Who doesn't love the flavor of vanilla bean in a cup of coffee? I like using vanilla bean paste instead of extract because it adds a really intense vanilla flavor.

Serving size 1 container

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch homemade coffee creamer base
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste

Directions:

  1. Stir together coffee creamer base and vanilla bean paste.
  2. Store in the refrigerator.


Originally published February 2012. Updated May 2017.

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Chocolate coffee creamer recipe

A mocha is a classic coffee treat. With this homemade creamer, you can have a mocha any time you want!

Serving size 1 container

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch homemade coffee creamer base
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder

Directions:

  1. In a saucepan, add homemade coffee creamer and cocoa powder.
  2. Simmer on low until cocoa powder is dissolved.
  3. Store in the refrigerator.

Hazelnut coffee creamer recipe

Hazelnut is one of the most popular coffee flavors. This homemade hazelnut coffee creamer recipe can be customized to take on as much or little flavor as your desire.

Serving size 1 container

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch homemade coffee creamer base
  • 1-2 teaspoons hazelnut extract

Directions:

  1. Stir together coffee creamer base and hazelnut extract.
  2. Store in the refrigerator.

Toasted almond coffee creamer recipe

No need to go to a big chain coffee store to get your toasted almond flavor. It's easy and perfectly nutty!

Serving size 1 container

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch homemade coffee creamer base
  • 2 teaspoons almond extract

Directions:

  1. Stir together coffee creamer base and almond extract.
  2. Store in the refrigerator

More: Dunkin' Donuts Releases Frozen Coffee to Replace Coolattas

Another Scorpion Was Found on a United Plane & We Just Can't

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Another day, another nightmarish scenario on a United Airlines flight. Exactly one month ago, a scorpion stung a traveler on a United plane after the arachnid fell from an overhead compartment, and now, a second scorpion has been spotted, this time climbing out of a customer's clothes on a flight from Houston to Quito, Ecuador. Damn, United, not even sweet flight deals can make up for this kind of track record!

I mean, if you made a checklist of everything you don't want during air travel, United could hit every box. If you can't wear leggings, might get kicked off the flight and beat up and could be sharing your economy seat with a freakin' scorpion, what's the point of even leaving the house?

More: United apologizes for humiliating family of child with special needs

Luckily, this time the passenger wasn't stung. United directed the plane back to its gate when the creature was spotted and had medics examine the customer for any scorpion stings.

They shuffled everyone off the plane and switched aircrafts just in case they were about to run into some sort of scorpions-on-a-plane B-movie thriller situation. And it's United, so truly, who knows what might have happened considering their recent track record?

More: United flight attendant denies Muslim woman soda, feared weapon

The plane was delayed for three hours, but everyone got a meal voucher so they could enjoy some food (Chili's to-go?) before their flight, which totally makes up for the threat of death by scorpion every time you fly United.

Well, I guess it's time to start searching for carry on-friendly bottles of scorpion repellent. I can put it in my United-ready weekender bag with my pajama jeans (I don't care what anyone says, they're not leggings), body cam and giant bunny-reviver pills (R.I.P. Simon).

More: United Airlines strands passengers at army barracks for more than 20 hours

10 Lessons I Learned From My Multicultural Marriage

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I stared down at the impressively large mountain of caviar shoveled atop a piece of rye bread. Surrounded by a circle of pickles and herring, it was a plate-size parade of Russian cuisine — the first breakfast my now-husband ever made for me.

My jet-lagged stomach roared in protest at the sight of fish eggs before coffee. Though it might sound silly, I pined for the comforting flavors of my Italian-American childhood home, and I opted for the stack of pastries in the middle of the table. My eager buds were met with the distinct, unwelcome taste of salt, a reflection of German-Russian culinary fusion (sweets aren't really their thing).

That infamous breakfast has become a favorite memory of my husband's and mine. It was the first cultural difference of many we've experienced, and though my dissatisfaction with the meal was a dagger in the heart of my husband (who dutifully piled the caviar egg by egg in efforts to impress me), our multicultural marriage has successfully endured the test of Cold War-level differences in lifestyles.

My husband was born in the former Soviet Union and raised in Germany. I was born into an Italian family in Arizona. But the art of fusing our starkly different multicultural backgrounds with love, laughs, patience and curiosity is one of the feats of our marriage I’m undoubtedly most proud of. It opened both of our hearts to the entire world and created a culture within itself: our love.

Here are the 10 biggest lessons I learned from my multicultural marriage and why those wildly entertaining differences ended up making us stronger.

Communication goes beyond languages

My husband was blessed with the ability to speak six languages, while I came into his life knowing English (quite well, might I add) and rusty Italian. Let me tell you, communication between two cultures exceeds the lingual aspects — it comes from the heart.

Through overcoming idiomatic misunderstandings, accidentally hitting on my father-in-law and breaking sacred Russian taboos (so many times), we quickly learned that the basis of communication goes beyond linguistics and starts with understanding. Slowly, we created a language of our own.

Geography isn't a big deal

This was one of the most dramatic lessons we learned in our young relationship. I was fresh out of college and he was three years into his career — but both of our professional lives were incredibly important to us. The problem: They had roots on opposites sides of the world.

With my insatiable curiosity to spend time abroad and having already endured years of long distance in our relationship, I moved to Germany. From stumbling over and eventually mastering the German language to overcoming awkward cultural differences, we saw that borders have nothing to do with lifestyle satisfaction.

In the right relationship, happiness can be created anywhere. It isn’t a place; it’s taking action together to achieve your dreams, and no border or cultural barrier will stop you in that precious process. In a multicultural marriage, we found ourselves capable of creating a life and home anywhere in the world.

More: Why Creative People Are Proven to Get More Dates

Boundaries must be set with family — early

I was raised by my single mother and my grandmother, both of whom taught me to get an education, follow my dreams and start a career — in other words, be super-independent. My husband’s wonderful parents, on the other hand, were fond of late-night drive-bys during which they'd drop off a lovingly prepared pot of borscht to make sure we ate enough. They were a little more involved with their son's life on a day-to-day level than I was used to. We learned that the stronger the boundaries with family, the better things are for everyone in the long run.

Every culture has a different idea of beauty

Growing up with a purely West Coast perspective on women's bodies, I was always pining to be bikini-ready, and yes, I did try the awful lemonade diet (to the horror of my Italian grandmother). Joining my husband’s family was a bit of a shock: The more I worked out and the closer I got to getting Gigi Hadid’s six-pack, the more concerned they grew for my health. In eastern cultures, curvy women are healthy women and thin women are sick. While neither perspective quite rings true, it was a reality check for both of us that perceptions of beauty are hugely impacted by cultural norms.

Freedom to achieve is important for shared happiness

We're both unreasonably ambitious people and having thriving international careers was a shared dream. Since we were both raised with a broad sense of the world through languages and the different cultures in our homes, one place was never quite enough. Our understanding of the vastness of the world (and all the wonderful opportunities in it) made us both hungry to explore it. We learned quickly that giving each other full freedom to travel the world and achieve professional dreams was absolutely necessary, even when we couldn’t always do it together.

Cultural perspectives on marriage can help

We were both lucky to come from cultures (Russian and Italian) where relationships were taught to be fixed when broken, not abandoned. When inevitable hiccups come up, we approach it as diplomats from two different countries who need to fix a problem and mindfully ensure a positive outcome.

From my Italian-American side, I come with passion, plenty of emotions and optimism. His German-Russian side comes with reason, clarity and strength. We do have Cold War days, like any couple — but using the strengths of our different cultural upbringings taught us to make our marriage the best of all worlds.

Travel is one of the greatest relationship gifts

Creating a life abroad gave us the opportunity to appreciate the importance of travel and experiencing other cultures with each other — so much so that we became addicted to it. Being thrown out of our cultural comfort zones so early in life ignited a lifelong affair with seeing the world we can’t get enough of. Instead of giving each other gifts for anniversaries, we give each other plane tickets and global experiences.

Values trump politics

While the Russian family parties with occasional Putin decor never quite feel normal or politically acceptable in my heart, what matters are the values we stand for together as a unit. In a multicultural marriage, you learn quickly that shared values and a strong moral compass transcend political affiliations. My husband held my hand as I emotionally masticated two whole pizzas post-Trump victory, and doesn’t mind when I shamelessly wear my pussy hat abroad. Those are the moments that matter.

Love beats cultural norms

The women in my husband’s family are Olympians at domesticity and running a tight ship at home. They can make a small feast while sleepwalking, while I at my finest hour am more apt to ignite fire when cooking anything other than my grandmother’s Italian recipes.

In my husband's family, having a baby at 18 isn’t only acceptable, it’s encouraged. Despite this drastic difference in cultural norms, they all became impotent once we fell in love. We abandoned any oppressive gender notions and became fierce supporters of our portrait of happiness rather than living by the colors and strokes of others.

A custom food culture is the best one

My husband quickly learned that I’m not a caviar-and-sauerkraut-for-breakfast type of girl and stood with my Italian grandmother in the kitchen to learn her recipes. He fell in love with the West Coast cuisine of egg whites, protein shakes and guacamole.

Meanwhile, I searched for the best of both German and Russian comfort foods and actively encourage him to hold onto his food culture — so we’re no strangers to biweekly runs to Russian grocery stores in Brooklyn. Our kitchen is now a fine multicultural fusion of everything we love and discovered together abroad, and most important, it’s ours.

More: What It's Like to Be Decades Older or Younger Than Your S.O.

Tarek El Moussa's Reportedly Dating a 'Mystery Blonde,' but We Know Who She Is

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Nobody ever wants to see divorce happen, but when it has to everyone wants to wish the best for both parties. That’s been a bit hard with HGTV star Tarek el Moussa, the grumpier member of HGTV’s hit renovation show Flip or Flop. His rumored jealousy of ex-wife Christina as she moves on with a smile, new beaus, and overwhelming public support have made him a hard guy to root for, but today he’s shown up in Los Angeles with a new lady. Let’s hope this is a sign he’s settling down enough to attract a nice gal and start to get on with his life.

More: Flip or Flop Gets New Hosts. Who Are Aubrey and Bristol Marunde

Radar Online called el Moussa’s pretty blonde a “mystery woman” which is kind of silly since the photos have her Instagram handle, Amy Bryant. Her IG account is locked but lists her as a realtor for Sutter & Nugent, a fancy schmancy company serving Palm Beach, FL. (Interested in a little getaway with “commanding ocean views”? It’s just reduced to $64 million for the 35,000 square feet.)

El Moussa is sticking to his type. Like his ex-wife, Bryant is a gorgeous blonde with the beachy tresses that make other blondes (me) insanely jealous. That stuff is hard to grow. Bryant came to public notice because el Moussa has been squiring her around LA. On Facebook she quotes everyone’s favorite hooker, Julia Robert’s Pretty Woman, while visiting the Beverly Wilshire:

Amy Bryant out with Tarek el Moussa

Amy Bryant out with Tarek el Moussa

But Bryant has been in the public eye before, as a Miami Dolphins cheerleader:

Tarek el Moussa girlfriend cheerleader for Miami

Tarek el Moussa girlfriend cheerleader for Miami

But hold up a hot second. Just last night Tarek took a virtual jab at Christina. Posing under a sign reading “No guns, weapons of any type” that he found at a Lake Havasu, AZ bar, Tarek pointed to the notice, added “or helicopters” and a middle finger emoji, and tagged @christinaelmoussa. He deleted it pretty quickly but couldn’t beat the savvy Internet watchdogs who captured the moment for posterity. There's one for your scrapbook Tarek.

More: The El Moussa's are Sending Mixed Signals About the Future of Flip or Flop

The photo is a reference to the crazy night last spring when Christina called the police after Tarek left the house with a gun. Orange County PD showed up with 11 officers and a helicopter. Tarek’s story was that he left the house to go for a hike to “blow off some steam,” and put the gun in his backpack for protection against mountain lions. Christina felt he might be suicidal, which he denied, but the drama was enough to cause Christina to run out of the house shaky and in tears. Police did remove 5 guns from the house and the couple later called the whole thing an “unfortunate misunderstanding.”

Christina's response to last night's dig? Freaking amazing:

Christina el Moussa responds to dig

Christina el Moussa responds to dig

Since their split Tarek talked to US Weekly to explain that the divorce was amicable and the couple just grew apart after the stress his cancer ordeal, infertility, and a miscarriage. They’re still taping their show together, so clearly they're able to be professionals.

More: Christina and Tarek el Moussa Play Nice For the Cameras at Daytime Emmys

We love the show so here's hoping Tarek's new gal marks the beginning of a new, peaceful chapter for all involved.


Scary News About the Health Risks of Eating Sushi

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As a kid, I was freaked out by the mere concept of sushi. Uncooked seafood — like rare meat — seemed risky, dangerous and a little gross. Then I went to college in a big city and discovered that fresh sushi is actually amazing. It was a lot less freaky to eat raw fish of such high quality, but it turns out the cavalier attitude so many of us have about sushi could have serious consequences.

According to the British Medical Journalparasitic infections are on the rise, and it's probably because we can't seem to stop stuffing our faces with sushi. People who eat fish, squid or octopus that contain infected larvae can contract anisakiasis, a disease that can cause all kinds of gastric distress.

If you experience a tender abdomen, severe stomach pain, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea with no apparent cause, think back to the last time you had sushi. If it was recently, you might want to mention to your doctor that you've consumed raw fish.

More: 21 insane sushi mashups we don't understand but will eat anyway

Aside from parasites, raw fish and shellfish can contain a variety of toxins that can cause gastrointestinal distress. The best way to protect yourself is to only eat seafood that's been thoroughly cooked.

But my guess is that's not a super-realistic prescription, so there's also this: Only eat super-fresh raw seafood from legitimate restaurants that have great hygiene and food-storage practices. That means the convenience store sushi you sometimes grab at lunch is not the best idea, but your monthly splurge at the fancy sushi joint near your house is probably a safe bet.

It turns out that sushi, though it's not the major health hazard I thought it was as a kid, does still have some risks. But hey, as long as you manage those risks and are careful, that mouthwateringly delicious spicy tuna roll is totally worth it, right?

More: 18 sushi pies for when you just can't get enough raw fish

Grey's Anatomy’s Season 13 Finale Promo Is Here, & Warning: It's a Doozy

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Welp, it's that time again... time to bid adieu to another season of drama on Grey's Anatomy. It doesn't look like Shonda Rhimes and her team of writers are pulling any punches, either, because the Season 13 finale promo looks intense.

More: OMG, Did Grey's Anatomy Just Kill Off [SPOILER]?

If you tuned into this week's penultimate episode, you know that the issues Dr. Stephanie Edwards (Jerrika Hinton) has been having with Eliza Minnick came to an unexpected and explosive head. Her fate, it would seem, hangs in the balance.

But she may not be the only character whose life is in immediate danger, judging by the finale's teaser trailer.

Grey's Anatomy Teaser Trailer

Grey's Anatomy Teaser Trailer

The little girl, Erin, obviously has gotten into a treacherous situation by wandering the halls alone. In winding up locked in a corridor with Stephanie and an aggressive assailant, she is now trapped without anyone to help her in the wake of the explosion.

By the looks of it, though, Bailey's husband Ben Warren may be about to prove to Eliza, Richard Webber, and everyone else that he doesn't play it safe — the promo sure makes it seem like he runs into the burning building to try to save that little girl.

More: Meredith Just Made a Huge, Heartrending Decision on Grey's Anatomy

So here's the question of the hour: Which character are we about to lose?

It's been a minute since Rhimes killed off a major character. The last loss we experienced this season was Maggie's mom and, although we loved her, she was definitely a tertiary character. Losing Ben or Stephanie (or heaven forbid both) would be a major blow to morale at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

The bigger shocker at this point would have to be the demise of Ben, seeing as it has already been speculated Hinton could be leaving the show due to other creative endeavors.

More: Raise Your Hand if the Last Three Minutes of Grey's Anatomy Made You Scream

If Ben died, it would rock everyone to the core... especially the very heart of Grey Sloan, Bailey. Then again, perhaps what will happen here is Ben will emerge the hero. While we'd love to imagine Rhimes might spare Stephanie too, it seems highly unlikely.

'Cause we all know Rhimes can deliver a heartbreaking finale death like no other.

Mother’s Day in the Wake of Infertility

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On the second Saturday of every month, I lead a Resolve support group meeting — not because I am currently struggling with infertility, but because infertility is still a part of me. And so are the women who attend the group, who were by my side when I was deep in the trenches, many of them still there and striving with all their being to find a way out.

When our group meets around holidays, the meetings take on even more significance as a place to vent, cry and say the things that can’t be said to anyone else. Not surprisingly, Mother’s Day tops them all — because for every joyful Facebook post depicting a bouquet of flowers, breakfast in bed or a special handmade gift, there’s a woman viewing those photos with a strong sense of longing and despair. I know, because I was one of those women (who at one point had a very long “unfollow” list on Facebook.)

More: My Male Partner Won't Agree to a Sperm Analysis — Now What?

In the 18 months since I gave birth to my boy-girl twins, that unfollow list has gotten steadily shorter as I begin to view and appreciate those back-to-school photos, ultrasound images and holiday pictures through a different lens. I’m also conscious about how often I post photos of my own kids since I know what it’s like to be on the other side of that equation. And that translates to how I celebrate Mother’s Day too. While I now experience the day as a badge of motherhood and celebration of my own journey, I’m still very much aware of what it’s like to spend the day wondering if you’ll ever be a mother.

It’s all part of the complicated jumble of emotions that accompanies motherhood after infertility. It starts during pregnancy, when every happy milestone is met with relief (and overwhelming trepidation about whether you’ll make it to the next one). When you’re over the moon because you can’t believe you’re actually making a pregnancy announcement, but then you hem and haw about posting it because you know how painful it can be for those experiencing infertility. (Not to mention you’re terrified of going public with the news in the first place). And when you hesitate to make a registry or Pinterest board with nursery themes because you can’t afford to jinx anything.

MoreTrying to Conceive? The Important Test Your Gynecologist Isn't Telling You About

It continues after giving birth, when you’re absolutely head-over-heels for your precious little ones, but also deathly afraid that something will happen to them. I vividly remember the first time my son rolled over onto his stomach during the night, when I found him facedown on his crib mattress. I didn’t sleep that night. Instead, I spent the entire evening glued to the baby monitor, crying and gripping it in fear that he wouldn’t be able to breathe — in between futile attempts to get him to stay on his back. It was a guttural feeling that shook me to my core, one that was born of the difficult pregnancy losses that preceded him. (My first miscarriage happened at nine weeks; the second was at seven weeks — the triplet to my now-twins).

But those amped-up emotions go both ways, and I get to experience heightened joy just as much as I feel the fear. Every single day, I’m filled with wonder and awe at their every movement, expression and emerging quirk. Wonder and awe that they even exist — that somehow, despite a three-year struggle with infertility and diminished ovarian reserve, my body managed to defy the odds and create not one, but two of the sweetest little beings you could possibly imagine. That’s the beauty of how infertility has shaped my experience of motherhood.

I carry that dual perspective with me when it comes to the concept of Mother’s Day. Last year on Mother’s Day, I spent the morning browsing the Melrose Trading Post flea market with my husband and (then-7-month-old) twins, followed by a brunch at a new Italian restaurant and some glorious alone time at the nail salon. This year, I’m sure my husband has something equally awesome in store, and it feels really good to be in that happy, celebratory place. I can own that, although it still doesn’t feel 100 percent real.

But that doesn’t mean that I don’t still carry the feeling of Mother’s Day just a few short years ago when I was in the throes of one of the worst months of my life. It was May 2014, and I was just starting my first IVF cycle after three unsuccessful IUI attempts in a row. The day was also sandwiched between the deaths of my beloved grandparents, who died within four weeks of each other that spring. (I gave myself my first hormone injection while on the plane to my grandma’s funeral.) It was a day of deep grief, not only for my lost family members, but for the unfounded hope I’d once had of conceiving naturally.

That IVF cycle was the first of three, the last of which resulted in my twins. Fittingly enough, I found out I was pregnant on April Fool’s Day. (Yet another reason to doubt the good news!) But it was legit. And ever since then, I’ve had one foot in the trenches of infertility and one in the valley of motherhood. It’s a complicated place to be, but I’m navigating it one day at a time.

MoreHow "Rainbow Mamas" Are Helping to Spread Much-Needed Miscarriage Awareness

So, for all of you who aren’t feeling quite so jubilant this Mother’s Day, I want you to know that you’re not alone. It’s no secret that Mother’s Day is hard for those who’ve lost their mothers, but the lesser-told story is that it’s equally unbearable for those still awaiting their turn to become mothers. For those who’ve spent thousands of dollars on fertility treatments with no return on their investment. For those whose lives have been in limbo for years. For those who grin and bear it when their loved ones harp on the question, “Why haven’t you had kids yet?”

You’re in my heart, and I salute you this Mother’s Day. May the next Mother’s Day be different.

If you or someone you know is struggling with infertility, please visit the Resolve website for resources, information, and support: http://www.resolve.org.

Kelly Clarkson Is Filling One of Those Red Spinning Seats on The Voice

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Kelly Clarkson is returning to the sphere of reality TV music competitions, this time as a coach instead of a contestant. The Grammy Award-winning singer will appear on Season 14 of The Voice, which will air in spring 2018.

Clarkson has appeared on The Voice before, both as an adviser and a performer. In 2015, she sang with Koryn Hawthorne and Meghan Linsey for the Season 8 finale. Last year she sang a duet with Billy Gilman.

The "Since U Been Gone" singer will join country singer Blake Shelton and Maroon 5 member Adam Levine, both longtime coaches, on Season 14. A fourth coach has not yet been announced. The Season 15 coaches, besides Shelton and Levine, are Miley Cyrus and Jennifer Hudson.

clarkson the voice 2

clarkson the voice 2

More: So, Who Wants to Go In on Kelly Clarkson's Gorgeous $8.75M Mansion?

Clarkson told Variety“I’m so excited to join The Voice at NBC. We’ve gone back and forth about a role as a coach for years, but the timing hasn’t been right until now. I have always loved appearing on the show as an adviser or performer and established an amazing relationship with the network during my Christmas special. I can’t wait to turn my chair and see the faces of up-and-coming artists and provide them with the help and support they’ve needed to break into the industry. Watch out, Shelton, I’m comin’ to win!!”

More: Kelly Clarkson Just Picked an Adorably Preppy Baby Name

Of course, Clarkson is no stranger to reality television singing shows. The chart-topper got her start on the very first season of American Idol in 2002, when she won a recording contract, not to mention millions of fans across the country. She was also a judge for American Idol in 2015 before the show ended on FOX.

the voice clarkson

the voice clarkson

Sources say that Clarkson was approached by Idol's new home at ABC to participate with the show's return, but Clarkson turned down the offer to work with The Voice. While the schedule is not yet in place, the two singing competition shows might go head-to-head on Sunday nights.

clarkson the voice

clarkson the voice

More: The Voice Winners: Where Are They Now?

Are you going to tune into The Voice or American Idol — or watch them both?

Young Boy Demands Apology From Mike Pence After White House Event

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Vice President Mike Pence was speaking to military families during an event at the White House this week when he accidentally tapped a boy on the face with the back of his arm as he gestured. The kid, who looks to be about 10, adopted an expression of mock horror but didn’t give a single inch of that valuable stage real estate.

More: The Obamas' Next Home Might Be Better Than the White House

As soon as the speech ended, Pence started greeting the children on the other side of him and turned his back to the boy. Undeterred, this young turk politely called out, “Excuse me,” and followed Pence across the stage. He was close enough to the microphone that it picked up his voice as he tried to see around Pence’s back. “You owe me an apology,” he added.

When Pence finally noticed, he went full grandpa, putting both hands on the boy’s head to say, “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bop you.”

Here’s the whole vicious confrontation, from the nudge to the apology. What it does not show are the horrified parents of he-who-will-not-be-bopped, undoubtedly fighting their way through the crowd begging their son not to make a scene like he did last Christmas. Or during Frozen. Or yesterday. Clearly, this kid is assertive.

VP Pence taps young boy during speech

VP Pence taps young boy during speech

Since this was a celebration in honor of National Military Spouse Appreciation Day and National Military Family Month, the parents were probably sweating bullets for a few hours, waiting to hear if their kid ran afoul of mom or dad’s boss’ boss-to-the-25th-power.

More: Donald Trump's Vice President Pick Scares Women and He Should

While the event itself is rightfully serious — military families deserve a day in the sun — the event itself was pretty humorous. In addition to this unusual exchange, the families were greeted by Marlon Bundo, Bunny of the United States. I kid you not. This adorable mascot even has its own Instagram, which, sadly, is drawing more than a few haters. Kids and pets are off limits, people!

VP Pence bunny rabbit has Instagram account

VP Pence bunny rabbit has Instagram account

Pence, alongside his wife Karen, used the bunny to grease the wheels with the kids who flanked the podium. “Thanks for coming," Pence said to one girl. “Did you see my bunny rabbit yet?" Cue late-night hosts cackling with glee over that easy target.

The whole thing really is a nice reality check for the politicians in Washington. No matter how high you climb, kids still won’t know who you are.

Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx Risk an Encounter With Tom Cruise in Paris

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The best way to find out if someone is a dedicated gossip or not is to ask them who Katie Holmes is dating.

If they get a confused look on their face and answer, "No, I don't think I've heard of her dating anyone since she split with Tom Cruise," then you know that their gossip knowledge is rudimentary at best.

If, on the other hand, they raise their eyebrows and exclaim, "Jamie Foxx, obvs!" then you know you're in the company of a gossip master.

More: Are Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx Dating?

Katie Holmes
Image: Giphy

You see, those in the know, know that these two have been together on the down-low for years, although both deny it.

We suspect that things began around 2013, and Foxx and Holmes have continued their secret relationship ever since. It's obvious if you pay attention — one of the two can almost always be counted on to fly into the city in which the other is shooting or recording. This latest rendezvous, however, is especially interesting.

More: Katie Holmes & Jamie Foxx Had a Romantic Date — At a Barbra Streisand Concert

The two are alleged to be in Paris right now, where Holmes flew in to meet Foxx after he wrapped filming on a new Robin Hood movie. This in itself isn't big news for those who are used to the Foxx/Holmes situation, but what makes it extra good gossip is that fact that Tom Cruise is also in Paris, filming the millionth installment of the Mission: Impossible movies.

E! News quotes a source who says, "Tom Cruise was filming Mission: Impossible 6 only a few blocks away, but Katie and Jamie stayed inside their hotel... and didn't leave."

Awkward
Image: Giphy

I mean, no one likes running into an ex, but running into an ex who (allegedly) signed you up for a contract marriage, (allegedly) brainwashed you and (allegedly) entrapped you in an (allegedly) cult-like religion until you (allegedly) planned an incredibly well thought out, ninja-like escape?

That's extra awkward.

More: Wow, Being Married to Tom Cruise Sounds Awful, and Katie Holmes Confirms It

Add the secret boyfriend factor on top of the whole thing and damn, it seems like Paris sometimes is a bad idea.

I would have loved to be a fly on the wall in either of these stars' Paris hotel rooms to see how this went down. Did Holmes and Foxx seriously just stay in their rooms the whole time? Did Katie's camp give a heads-up to Cruise's handlers that his ex-wife was in town? And most of all, why on earth are Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx being so beyond discreet with their coupledom? I mean, I get wanting to veer away from her former oversharing, couch-jumping union, but surely there's a middle ground somewhere?

For now, let's just leave it at this: Holmes and Foxx, we know, OK? And now we know that you know that we know. So, go ahead and pretend this isn't happening, and so will we. But if you ever do want to give us a little bit more, we'll be here, OK?

Jamie Foxx
Image: Giphy

The Best Under-$10 Drugstore Sunscreens for Every Skin Type

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OK, so you know you need to use sunscreen, right? You know that 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime, and that you shouldn’t step outside without a thick layer of sunscreen covering your face (and body), lest the world strike you down? Right, good. Then you also know that most drugstore sunscreens kind of feel awful on your skin — whether they’re too heavy, sticky, oily or slimy — and that the lightweight cult-favorite formulas can also cost as much as your cell bill. Therein lies the conundrum.

Or it did until we came around. Because trust us when we say you don’t need to spend a zillion dollars just to protect your face from sun damage or skin cancer — you just need to know where to look. So we rounded up the five best sunscreens for every type of skin — including dry, sensitive, oily, acne-prone and combination — so you have literally zero excuse not to slather these formulas on every single morning. Oh, and did we mention they’re all under $10? Yup, you’re welcome. Scroll down to find your new best friend.

Dry skin: 

Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Lotion Sunscreen with Broad Spectrum SPF 50 for Face
Image: Target

Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Lotion Sunscreen with Broad Spectrum SPF 50 for Face (Target, $8.19)

Sensitive skin: 

L'Oréal Paris Ideal Moisture Sensitive Skin Day Lotion SPF 25
Image: L'Oréal Paris

L'Oréal Paris Ideal Moisture Sensitive Skin Day Lotion SPF 25 (L'Oréal Paris, $6.99)

Oily skin:

No7 Beautiful Skin Oil Free Skin Protector SPF 25
Image: Target

No7 Beautiful Skin oil-free skin protector SPF 25 (Target, $9.99)

Acne-prone skin: 

Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid-Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Image: Walmart

Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid-Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 (Walmart, $9.97)

Combo skin: 

Eucerin Daily Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen Moisturizing Face Lotion
Image: Walmart

Eucerin Daily Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen moisturizing face lotion (Walmart, $7.86)


Make These Springy Dumplings This Weekend

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I’m all about a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Whether it's quesadillas, stir-fry, quick pastas or simple grilled fish, my motto has always been the faster and easier, the better. Who wants to slave away in the kitchen on a Monday night? Not this girl.

Ah, but then there's the weekend. Sometimes, on a slow Sunday afternoon (accompanied by a glass of wine or two), I'll challenge myself with an ambitious recipe. Something a bit out of my comfort zone that I would love to eat, but might hesitate to try. It’s a great way to save a little extra cash — skip the fuss and expense of dining out and make that $25 pasta dish yourself! It’s a satisfying and rewarding experience to crank out a restaurant-level dish in your own kitchen.

These ricotta dumplings are just the sort of ambitious weekend cooking project I love. Just as pillowy as traditional potato gnocchi, these dumplings are lighter and more delicate than their starchier counterpart. Sure, there are some steps involved, but you don’t need a pasta machine or an entire day to make these. They're surprisingly accessible and well worth the extra time and effort.

Ricotta dumplings
Image: Kaila Stein/SheKnows

More: We're Shocked by Some States Favorite Brunch Dishes

Feel free to adapt the sauce to your tastes. Keep it easy with a simple tomato sauce or use seasonal ingredients like asparagus, peas or leeks in a lemony broth-based sauce like the recipe below. You could even just brown some butter and add in parsley or basil to freshen things up.

And who knows where this will lead? Maybe next Saturday, you’ll be baking French macarons or whipping up a seafood paella. Or maybe you’ll just be eating ice cream right out of the carton for dinner. No judgment here. Putting on pants is a weekend achievement in my book.

ricotta dumplings ingredients
Image: Kaila Stein/SheKnows

ricotta dumplings
Image: Kaila Stein/SheKnows

ricotta dumplings
Image: Kaila Stein/SheKnows

ricotta dumplings
Image: Kaila Stein/SheKnows

ricotta dumplings
Image: Kaila Stein/SheKnows

ricotta dumplings
Image: Kaila Stein/SheKnows

ricotta dumplings
Image: Kaila Stein/SheKnows

ricotta dumplings
Image: Kaila Stein/SheKnows

ricotta dumplings
Image: Kaila Stein/SheKnows

dumpling.gif
Image: Kaila Stein/Imgflip for SheKnows

Ricotta dumplings recipe

Adapted from Bon Appetit

Serves 4

Prep time: 25 minutes  | Cook time: 10 minutes | Total time: 35 minutes

Ingredients: 

For the dumplings

  • 1-1/2 cups whole-milk ricotta, drained
  • 1 egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for boiling
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup flour, plus more for shaping dumplings

For the sauce

  • 8 ounces asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup vegetable stock
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons chives, chopped
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions: 

  1. In a food processor, combine ricotta, eggs, salt and Parmesan and pulse until just combined.
  2. Add in flour and pulse until smooth. Transfer the mixture into a medium-size bowl.
  3. Using a spoon, measure about a tablespoon of dumpling batter and level it out.
  4. Gently flour a clean, dry work surface. Using your finger, gently push the batter onto the work surface. Dust the dumplings with a little more flour.
  5. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Gently drop each dumpling in the water and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes. Be sure not to overcrowd the dumplings in the pot. They should float to the top and double in size.
  6. With a slotted spoon, remove the dumplings.
  7. Add in the asparagus to the still-boiling water and cook for about 2 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the asparagus and place it into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain on a paper towel.
  8. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, bring the vegetable stock to a simmer and place the dumplings in the pan.
  9. Add the garlic, butter, asparagus, chives and lemon juice. Gently toss everything together and cook for about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Finish with additional grated Parmesan cheese.

More: 15-Minute Breakfasts That Will Save Your Summer Mornings

Why’s My Cat Being a Jerk? 7 Common Reasons for Catitude

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We love our pets. But no matter how much we love them, sometimes it’s tempting to think of our pets as jerks. After all, who hasn’t had the 3 a.m. glass of water spilled on your head by kitty or put your shoe on just to find that the dog picked that spot to throw up?

For cat moms, there’s even a half-hearted, half-endearing term for this: living with catitude. (Entire Tumblr blogs and Huffington Post articles have been devoted to this subject, in fact.)

But is pop culture’s obsession with the idea of cats-as-jerks causing real cat moms to miss serious signals from their feline friends? Chances are, they are. Simply writing off our cat’s seemingly jerky behavior as cats being cats doesn’t address the fact that there’s usually an underlying reason your cat’s doing what he’s doing — medical or behavioral. And if there’s a reason behind it, there’s likely something you can do about it.

We combed through the archives at our partner site PetCoach to see some favorite — and in some cases totally awful — “cat-being-jerk” episodes cat parents wanted to know about. Check them out below, find out what the experts really think is driving the behavior — and what you might do to stop it in your own house.

1. Help! My cat's pooping on my pillow

(Read the original PetCoach question.)

When your cat begins to eliminate in inappropriate places, it can be a total nightmare. But this behavior is usually a big sign that something’s not working.

Catatude 1

Catatude 1

If your cat’s peeing or pooping outside the litter box, you’ll definitely want to see your vet to rule out any medical issues, especially if there are additional symptoms, such as weight gain.

If medical issues are ruled out, it’s time to analyze environmental changes. PetCoach experts suggest asking ourselves what might be contributing to the behavior:

  • Has there been a lot of activity that wasn't normal?
  • Were you away and your cat was left at home or boarded?
  • Is the litter box located in a busy area?
  • Has anything happened recently in this area to make him reluctant to use it again?
  • Is there another cat, pet or person that is preventing him from getting to the box?
  • Have you changed it from a hooded to an open box or vice versa?
  • Have you changed the brand of litter or kind?
  • Or is there something about the spot he has chosen to use that is attracting him in some way? Cats dislike disturbances to their routine and may act out as a way of expressing their dissatisfaction.

Pro tip: Try a different litter, different place for the litter box or a different box for each cat (in a multiple cat household). Also, be sure to address any signs of inappropriate peeing and pooping ASAP. The longer it goes on, the harder it will probably be to stop.

2. My cat's terrorizing my Other "nicer" cats

(Read the original PetCoach question.)

When your cats don’t get along, total mayhem can ensue, especially between a new kitty and an established cat. This catitude can be indicative of an energetic kitty rough-housing or a feline attempting to create dominance in the space. Either way, it needs to be accurately assessed and handled.

Catatude 2

Catatude 2

Pro tip: Neutering a male cat could stop some of the displays of dominance. Provide plenty of parent-kitty playtime and individual space (scratching posts, window ledges, private toy box, time to “cool off,” etc.), which can alleviate some of the territory stress. You may also want to reward kitty when he displays positive, acceptable behavior.

3. My cat selectively decides to attack certain people

(Read the original PetCoach question.)

This catitude can turn into a big problem, especially if one of the people your kitty attacks lives in the house. Cat bites are serious, and there could be a few contributing factors at play, from fear to medical issues to simple boredom. Whatever the root cause is, don’t blame your cat; get to the bottom of the cause and work quickly to correct it. You’ll definitely want to see your vet to rule out any medical issue, and if it’s a behavior problem, you may want to consult a cat behaviorist or trainer.

Catatude 3

Catatude 3

Pro tip: Dr. Christie Long suggests an anchovy paste to reward good behavior and ending playtime as soon as aggression begins. You’ll also want to avoid encouraging play that involves your hands or feet, instead providing a toy to help teach your cat bite-inhibition. Never strike your cat.

4. My cat won't let us hold her

(Read the original PetCoach question.)

Not all cats want to snuggle up in your lap and purr you into a love coma. They have different personalities, just like us, and you can’t force them to be some way they are not. However, you can find things that may work for you both. For example, one of my first cats, Kura, would never sit on a lap, but would let you hold her and look over your shoulder indefinitely while standing. We even went so far as to make her a hands-free kitty Bjorn in her final months when she decided she wanted to be held all the time.

Catatude 4

Catatude 4

Pro tip: Make sure your cat is healthy and not avoiding snuggles out of illness. Some conditions may make petting or snuggling uncomfortable. “If she lets you pet her, then pet her,” PetCoach reminds us. Plus, if petting is all kitty allows, it’s all you get. Hey, you can still play with her with toys.

5. My cat meows constantly... when I go to bed

(Read the original PetCoach question.)

Believe me. I know the benefits of a deep, sound sleep. And a meowing cat is the last thing you want to entertain during bedtime. There are many reasons your cat meows, but a consistent after-bed meow concert is a sign that it’s first time for a checkup to rule out issues and second, once ruled out, the realization that your cat is probably bored.

Catatude 5

Catatude 5

Pro tip: Kitty needs entertainment. Tire your cat out before bedtime with lots of play so you both can get a good night’s sleep.

6. My cat bites for any reason at all

(Read the original PetCoach question.)

This is super-jerk behavior, but it’s not necessarily because your cat is a jerk. Like humans, cats can have sensory overload. The biting could be aggressive or playful, and knowing the intention will come from context.

Catatude 6

Catatude 6

Pro tip: No matter what, never smack a nipping cat (or any cat for that matter). According to PetCoach, there will be other signs if the biting is aggressive: dilated pupils, turned-back ears and stiff body. Stop immediately if you see any of these signs to decrease the chance of a bite. If the biting is playful, you’ll need to do some retraining. For more tips on retraining a biter, read here.

7. My cat knocks everything over... while staring at me

We cat-lovers face this a lot. My second cat, Toby, used to get up in front of the TV and go down the line, knocking everything off the shelves when I was relaxing. Total jerk move — right? As easy as it would have been to view Toby as a jerk, he really wasn’t. He was trying to tell me he was bored and wanted attention.

Catatude 7

Catatude 7

Pro tip: Cats need mental stimulation and enrichment activities. Toby’s catitude was his way of communicating his boredom and need for attention. Give your cat an enriching environment, and he'll find fewer reasons to knock Grandma's china off the shelves. The true fact is that cats are just really smart, get bored and find ways to entertain themselves.

3 quick ways to stop cat boredom and keep them entertained

  1. Hold regular playtimes: You should play with your cat once a day, every day, 15 minutes at a time
  2. Swap out toys: Rotating toys in and out gives your cat something "new" every few days to enjoy afresh.
  3. Give perches: Many cats like to be high up to reign, so give them spots where they can safely climb and encourage them to do so. Bonus points for creating a catio. Check them out here.

Don't feed into the bad rap cats get. Yes, sometimes cats can act jerky — but it's just because they’re awesome and smart. So next time you think your cat's giving you catitide, ask yourself, "What is my cat trying to tell me?"

Have a question about catitude? Ask the experts at PetCoach below.

Ask PetCoach widget

Ask PetCoach widget

4 Ways to Improve Your Sex Life Without Leaving Your Home

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According to a March 2017 paper published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, American adults are having less sex now than they did 20 years ago.

Despite the fact that sexual attitudes have relaxed over time, with more people approving of premarital sex and same-sex couples, we are having less sex. The authors suggest a few different reasons, including people being more depressed, medications and possibly environmental endocrine disruptors that interfere with and lower sex drive.

More: My medication controls my chronic pain... and my sex life

All this being said, sex doesn’t have to be another thing to check off your to do list. It can be a fun and engaging moment spent between yourself and your partner. Plus, the health benefits of sex are not to be ignored — studies have found that it improves immunity, increases happiness and reduces risk of heart disease and depression.

So, what’s a person to do? If you’re short on time but high on energy, start with these four things you can do without even leaving your home!

Mindset

Mindfulness during sex is not to be trivialized. Give yourself this time to ignore the rest of the problems of the world and instead focus on yourself. You can start by practicing meditation as a whole — turn to apps if you can’t attend a class. After you’ve mastered some of the techniques, start incorporating them into your sex life and see whether it’s a right fit for you.

More: The easy change that could improve your relationship — and sex life

Calendar

Schedule it. For many couples, the thought of scheduling sex is appalling. Sex should be fun and spontaneous, so why would ever need to plan it? This turns into a bit of a Catch-22, though, especially when life is at its busiest and you could benefit from the release that has no window to actually happen. Like anything else in your life, penciling it into a calendar gives it a sense of priority and can also be the first step of turning it into a habit. The more sex you have, the more you will want. So put it on the calendar. Reserve enough time to connect with your partner.

Sexpert Diva Carla recommends a minimum of two hours once a week. She reserves her time on Sundays and calls it sex church. This does not mean that you need to be body-slamming for the whole two hours. Instead, spend that time talking, touching and connecting with each other.

Timer

Set a timer for a range of times and take turns — the first round includes your partner doing things to you, while the next it’s your partner’s turn. The advantage of the timer is that it opens up both communication and the opportunity to engage in sex in a way that’s pleasurable for you both.

More: Want a Better Sex Life? Get More Sleep, Says Study

Journal

Communication is the foundation of any successful relationship. This is particularly the case when it comes to sex. According to relationship expert Dr. John Gottman, only 9 percent of couples who are uncomfortable talking about sex are happy with their sex life. But many couples don’t have the words to talk about their sexual feeling, desires and fantasies, so for those couples, writing may be an easier way to communicate. Write a journal together. Write back and forth about what you like or don’t like. Get the conversation started, then when you are feeling more comfortable, talk about it.

Sex is an integral part of health and wellness, and while women are more cognizant than ever about good health by eating well, exercising and reducing stress, sex is still low on the list of priorities. Bump it up a bit and give yourself permission to have fun in this area of your life too!

By Katie Killoran

Originally published on HelloFlo.

Here’s Exactly How to Dry Curls for Smooth, Frizz-Free Hair

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As anyone with curly hair knows, curls can be frustrating, confusing and wildly unpredictable, depending on the humidity, time of day, Earth’s orbital position around the sun, etc. And despite your incredibly stringent routine with seven products and multiple incantations, you can still end up with a frizzy, fluffy, truly awful hair day for seemingly no rhyme or reason — at least that was the case for me until I discovered how to dry my curls by plopping.

More: The 11 Best Colorful Liquid Eyeliners You Need to Try ASAP

All right, it’s not the sexiest name in the world, but IDGAF, because this curly-drying method has literally given me the best hair of my life. After reading approximately every single curly hair tip ever posted on the internet when I was in high school, I found buried in a forum instructions on how to “plop” your wet hair for smooth, frizz-free, magical curls. I tested it out, and holy hell, the internet (for once) wasn’t lying.

Curly Hair 2
Image: ImaxTree

Basically, plopping involves setting a large, super-soft T-shirt (an XL long-sleeve works best) on a flat surface, flipping your sopping-wet hair over and onto the center of the T-shirt, then folding, twisting and tying the sleeves around your head to form a weird, helmet-like structure with your curls nestled in the center. Unlike the classic wrapping-wet-hair-in-a-towel situation, which stretches out your curls and leaves them frizzy, plopping lets your curls sit in a self-contained mound on the top of your head, allowing them to dry with better definition and volume without any of the frizz thanks to the T-shirt.

I know; it doesn’t sound that revolutionary or hair-changing, and even I eventually stopped plopping after a few years, thinking it didn’t really make that much of a difference (and also because I moved into an apartment without a bathroom counter to plop on, but hey). But after plopping suddenly became viral last year thanks to the wonders of the internet, I Amazon’d an XXL Hanes long-sleeve T-shirt, went back to my life of plopping and immediately kicked myself for ever stopping.

Seriously — the morning after plopping my hair, I walked into work and was complimented a dozen times throughout the day. Which, again, if you have curly hair, you know isn’t an everyday thing. Now, I have about five long-sleeve T-shirts in rotation at all times, and I have a momentary freak out if I almost forget to pack one when I travel. No, plopping won’t totally fix all of your curl problems, because I’m partially convinced nothing ever can, but I’m 100 percent positive it will revolutionize your curl game, regardless of whether you air-dry or diffuse afterward. So to get you started, go get yourself a giant T-shirt, then watch the YouTube video below.

How to easily dry curly hair

How to easily dry curly hair

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Originally posted on StyleCaster.

These BDSM Companies Will Help You Keep to Your Vegan Lifestyle

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If you want it, someone is going to make it happen. These vegan sex toy accessory companies will make your sex life a whole lot more guilt-free and more animal-friendly.

According to Meika Hollender of Sustain Natural Condoms, “Everyone is thinking about the ingredients in their food and their makeup,” she told The New York Times, “but no one is thinking about the ingredients that go in the products they put in the most intimate parts of our body.”

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Vegan options for sexual accessories are becoming rapidly more popular, especially for people who have already adopted a vegan lifestyle. Companies like Sustain want to make sure that consumers are putting healthy products into their bodies, and that means a more environmentally friendly list of ingredients. How do we know what is friendly and what isn’t? Phthalate-free and cruelty-free are what you should look for when shopping for items, sexual or not. Phthalates disrupt hormones, and are a type of chemical used in plastic.

As we know, vegan sex toys and vegan condoms are on the market, but what about BDSM or kink accessories? The BDSM community is inherently connected to leather, latex and rubber — where can customers seek out alternatives as vegans?

The Vegan Sex Shop

Peace activists run the show at The Vegan Sex Shop, which strives to bring “veganism to the mainstream.” Cuffs, floggers, collars and other fetish items can be found at this shop, with 6 percent of the profit going toward a charity of your choice. A favorite item is the gorgeous Rapture five-piece stainless steel restraint set ($199) with a “locking neck collar, wrist cuffs, and ankle shackles.” Gags, silicone rope, hoods and paddles can all be found in the shop. The best part is that you don’t need to read over the ingredients or materials used — you already know it’s all vegan.

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Ethical Kink

Kink and BDSM involve a great deal of communication and trust between partners. Ethical Kink provides dialogue, articles and information about having a risk-aware and consensual experience. They believe that kink gear that is made with animal products is anything but consensual and have set out to provide alternative products. “How consenting are people working 80+ hours for below-the-poverty-line wages? How consenting are the cows in the leather industry?” they say on their website. Most of their products are made from recycled or reclaimed materials. A favorite is the Pocket Flogger (£9.99), which you can keep stored in your bag, pocket or even on your key chain for a quick session with your sub.

Vondage

Stockroom initiated their own vegan BDSM line called Vondage in 2016, which includes collars, leashes, cuffs and lingerie. The line’s products are made up of “vegan microfiber which is free of animal products, yet retains the sensual feeling of traditional leather.” Stockroom has been around since 1990, making this a 27-year-old business with quality toys and accessories. The Vondage head harness with muzzle ($64) is made from 100 percent vegan leather and is absolutely stunning — a definite buy for kinksters looking for reinforcements.

More: BDSM Is a Form of Therapy for Me

Being vegan isn’t only about your diet. It’s a complete lifestyle alteration. You mind where everything from how your clothing to your deodorant is made, so it makes sense to want to have vegan options in the sex toy department.

Let us know about your favorite BDSM vegan shops in the comments.

By S. Nicole Lane

Originally published on HelloFlo.

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