Sometimes you know when you've scorched a pot while you're in the middle of cooking, and other times you aren't graced with the realization until you've served up dinner and it's time to do the dishes. Is there anything that can ruin a great meal quicker than the sight of a pot or pan that's burnt beyond recognition?
Scrubbing a burnt pot is pretty much the last thing you want to at the end of the day, and it's seems like it's always a futile effort, anyway — but we promise you it's not. Even the most scorched pot is usually salvageable. We've got a few tried-and-true methods you can use to make a burnt or boiled-over pot look as good as new again.
What you'll need:
White vinegar
Baking soda
Water
Double-sided sponge
Step 1
Fill the pot or pan with a layer of water. The amount of water you use will vary based on the depth of the pot and the area of the stain. You want the water level to be at or near the height of the stain while still providing enough room for the addition of vinegar and baking soda.
Add about a cup of vinegar to the pot, again adjusting the amount of vinegar based on the depth of the pot and the area of the stain. For very large burns, add more vinegar. For smaller burns or shallower pans, add less.
Originally published December 2011. Updated June 2017.
{pageBreak}
Step 2
Place the pot or pan on the stove, and bring the mixture to a boil. It shouldn't take long before you start to notice a difference in the stain's appearance.
Step 3
Take the pot or pan off the burner, and turn off the stove. Add 2 – 3 tablespoons of baking soda to the mix. Allow the baking soda to fizz and do its work for a few minutes before emptying the mixture from the pot.
Scrub the pot with the abrasive side of your sponge. You may need to scrub for 30 – 45 seconds, but the burnt spots should come up fairly easily. If the spots are especially stubborn, sprinkle a little dry baking soda on top of them to help abrade the burn marks away. When you're satisfied that the pot is clean, rinse it thoroughly — it should look as good as new.
Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West have been thinking about expanding their family, but Kim's health issues have made that an iffy prospect. However — and this has yet to be confirmed by the couple — a source tells People that Kardashian and West have already hired a surrogate to carry their third child for them.
During her last pregnancy, Kardashian suffered placenta accreta, a dangerous condition in which the placenta adheres to and grows into the uterine wall, preventing it from being detached after the birth.
"My doctor had to stick his entire arm in me and detach the placenta with his hand, scraping it away from my uterus with his fingernails. How disgusting and painful!!!" Kardashian wrote on her lifestyle blog. "My mom was crying; she had never seen anything like this before. My delivery was fairly easy, but then going through that — it was the most painful experience of my life! They gave me a second epidural but we were racing against time, so I just had to deal."
Kardashian and West have two kids, North, 4, and Saint, 18 months. But ever since being the victim of a robbery in Paris during fashion week, Kardashian has said she has been feeling a new urgency to have a third child.
"I’ve come to the conclusion in my mind that I can’t carry another one. So now I want to explore surrogacy," Kardashian said on her reality show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
There's no shortage of willing volunteers, it seems. Chrissy Teigen and Kardashian's sister Khloé Kardashian are two high-profile personalities who have already offered to carry the latest heir to the Kardashian-West empire.
"I would be her surrogate in a second," Teigen told Access Hollywood. "I really enjoyed the pregnancy process — I loved it. Yes. In a heartbeat."
Intriguing! But the source didn't mention Teigen to People... so I guess we will all have to wait a little longer to learn who the mystery surrogate might be.
The choice was a painful one for Kardashian West by all accounts. She underwent a medical procedure to help her become able to carry another child to term, but it was unsuccessful.
"I can’t carry any more kids… it’s the worst," she said to her best friend Jonathan Cheban on her show. "It’s not going to be happy for me... I had a full breakdown… I give up."
Kardashian West also spent time with a mom who'd hired a surrogate as well as giving birth naturally, to learn more about the process and to assuage her fear that she might not love the baby via surrogate the same.
It sounds like Kardashian West has come to the decision that surrogacy is a good fit for their family — and there will be no shortage of love with all those doting Kardashians around all the time.
Ah, summer. Vacations — and the inevitable joys of air travel — are just around the bend. We were kind of hoping that maybe the friendly skies were, well... friendly again. Maybe not. A Canadian grandmother, Stacey Osmond, is furious with Air Canada because a flight attendant refused to let her 3-year-old granddaughter use the business class restroom, resulting in the toddler wetting herself and being stuck sitting in her own urine for hours.
ruby flight
ruby flight
Air Canada has reportedly offered to make amends, but Osmond is still waiting for a personal apology from the flight attendant who would not help her granddaughter get to the bathroom.
Osmond specifically booked tickets close to business class for this flight from Halifax to Calgary, so her granddaughter, Ruby, would be close to a restroom during the flight.
But the flight attendant wasn't happy with Ruby's active bladder.
"The second or third time I tried to take Ruby to the bathroom, the flight attendant told me, 'I can't have you coming up here anymore,'" Osmond told CBC News.
"I said, 'She's a baby. I was given those seats by a booking agent for that reason, so that she would be close to the bathroom.'
"She said, 'That doesn't matter, you are not to come up here.'"
What is wrong with the world? Can someone explain this to us? Who wouldn't take pity on a 3-year-old barely out of Pull-Ups?
Halfway through the nearly six-hour flight, Ruby couldn't hold it any longer. A service cart was blocking her way to the restroom at the very rear of the plane, and the little girl wet herself.
"I was enraged," her grandmother said. "I sat there, still having to play with Ruby with a smile on my face, while I was just full of anger because of this woman, especially after she peed in her pants. I got some napkins off the flight attendant and I put them underneath her so she could sit on them."
Ruby had finished potty-training months earlier, so her grandmother had no diapers or even a change of clothes on hand.
So what was Air Canada's response? They offered Osmond a 25 percent discount for her next flight (yeah, right) and a $200 voucher, along with some toys for Ruby. But Osmond wants a full refund and a major apology from the flight attendant.
"I'd like her to have to call and apologize and maybe she'll think twice about how she acts in the future," Osmond said. "It was a very unpleasant flight for us."
The airline was terse about the incident but acknowledged the event.
"We're in contact with our customer about this regrettable incident. We have no further comment," Angela Mah wrote in an email.
An airline passenger advocate says staff should absolutely use discretion in situations like this.
"Something has to change here," Gabor Lukacs said. "Safety is very important, but where do we draw the line between restrictions for the sake of safety and insanity. It is just lack of restraint. Those powers to direct passengers are given to crew for the purpose of safety, not for the purpose of making passengers wet themselves."
Osmond still maintains her problem is the single attendant on a power trip.
"I don't blame an entire airline for one flight attendant," Osmond said. "This was the first time I experienced such hostility."
Just when you thought air travel couldn't get more fun.
Barbie has more staying power than all the Kardashians and Duggars and Hollywood A-listers combined. And Mattel wants to keep it that way with innovations like new body types for Barbie. (Yesssss — it's about time!) Last year, Mattel released three new Barbie body types: petite, curvy and tall (not to mention a slew of new skin tones, eye colors and hair colors).
So now, according to a Mattel press release, the Fashionistas line of Barbie dolls will offer 15 new Ken dolls in three body types: slim, broad (*cough* dad bod) and original. Ken will also enjoy seven skin shades, nine hairstyles (including man bun, cross our hearts) and hipster fashions including thick Clark Kent shades and jorts (oh, yes, the dreaded jean-short).
"By continuing to expand our product line, we are redefining what a Barbie or Ken doll looks like to this generation," said Lisa McKnight, senior vice president and general manager of Barbie. "Evolving Ken was a natural evolution for the brand and allows girls to further personalize the role they want him to play in Barbie's world."
Pretty cool, Mattel. We're just hope Ken doesn't realize how hip he is now and dump Barbie to run off to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to pursue his dreams of living in a super-cool loft and creating jagged metal sculptures and swiping through Tinder. Hey, it could happen. Man buns are no joke.
As an ally to the LGBTQ community, you’ve probably sported your rainbow tank top, sang your heart out at marches and voted for politicians who support your belief system. You might not be quite as active in your activism roles once you become a parent, so how do you come up with kid-friendly ways to discuss the importance of equality?
We asked experts for advice on how to start the discussion early, encourage kids to participate and hopefully inspire a whole new generation of activism.
Why is it important to encourage activism?
Even if your toddler is at the age where they automatically say "no" to everything or your 7-year-old has decided you’re no longer a "cool" parent, you always make an impact. And the more you express your beliefs and share why it’s important to support others, no matter what sets us apart, the more you’re doing your part as an ally. "Teaching our kids to embrace their own and other’s differences, whether that be race, learning style or orientation will give them greater assurance they too should feel accepted, regardless of how they develop," explains Dr. Jennifer Freed, a psychotherapist, mediator, author and the executive director of AHA!. "Gender and sexual orientation are among the many ways people are discriminated against, and research proves that education and familiarity increases tolerance."
And though you might not see indicators of your own children’s sexuality for a few years, Freed notes that the population of adults who identify as LGBTQ has grown significantly in the past five years, with millennials beings almost twice as likely to identify. This means the chances of your child having a best friend who is part of the LGBTQ community is highly likely.
When should you start talking about it?
While you might not need to start explaining gender differences and the freedom of expression when your babe is still in the womb, Freed says it's never too early to help your children navigate this sometimes confusing topic. "Until around age 3, girls and boys are androgynous, or gender fluid, able to play and 'try on’ gendered roles and dress without needing to choose," she explains. "Allowing them to experiment and accept the easy movement of a boy playing a princess or a girl playing a cowboy without reacting is important. Follow their lead, and if they ask why-questions, help them appreciate people for who they are."
Apart from making sure they know they’re accepted no matter what orientation they identify with, Freed adds that being a parent who is outwardly a proponent of human rights will help nurture a compassionate, inclusive adult. "We raise better human beings when we help them understand that the skin suits we wear and the identities we label ourselves with are mortal wrapping around the same universal need to be loved and to have belonging,” she says. “Kids easily understand this and need this idea to be supported in a world that starts to teach discrimination.”
Freed explains that the period between the age of 4 and the start of puberty is considered a "latent period," when children begin to build their sense of self and recognize their gender identity. "Your kids will venture into the world, being exposed to cultural norms that dictate gender and sexual orientation based on assigned gender at birth. This is a time when stereotyping can start, limiting options for choice,” she explains. “The good news is that your children pick up your beliefs and attitudes at home, so familiarize yourself with the issues and vocabulary of gender and sexual orientation. Keeping open conversation is crucial if you hope to cultivate future activists."
How do you approach the topic with care?
Let’s be real. There’s a lot of ground to cover when you want to talk to your child about what LGBTQ means, why it’s worth a discussion and why they should be tolerant of others. But if you go into information overload, you know what will happen: Your kids will tune you out and start swiping on your iPhone instead. That’s why Freed says being mindful of how much your children can digest will help you determine what you’ll say, how you’ll say it and when to open up the discussions. "Discuss and rehearse with your co-parent or adult friends how you’d like to discuss the issue," she advises. "Your level of comfort with the subject is key, but know it can be a gradual process of educating. The basic message is that everyone deserves to feel safe and welcome and know that they belong. Parents need to keep in mind that they come in with many more narrow and formed opinions due to socialization than kids do. Parents need to work on their own filters and recognize places they are biased or fearful. The best way to approach kids is to ask them how they feel or think about these issues."
Instead of just telling, showing your kids how many others support the LGBTQ community and demonstrating how their actions can impact change will help them better understand the importance of being an activist. Daniel S. Sokal, a psychotherapist and parent-child relationship expert, recommends finding an organization, either nationally or locally, that welcomes families with kids of all ages with open arms, such as Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays and Genders and Sexualities Alliance Network.
Another avenue Sokal suggests exploring is encouraging your kids to write to politicians in their community and explain how laws can impact those who are discriminated against. This can be done in the comfort of your home and help facilitate a conversation.
McDonald's is synonymous with quick and cheap meals (and hangover breakfasts, let's be real), but high-quality, fresh ingredients? Not so much. But the fast-food giant is hoping to flip-flop its reputation with the rollout of a new menu item that's a serious departure from anything it's done before — we're talking fresh beef patties.
I think we're all pretty used to the uniform gray, chewy, bizarrely synthetic yet meaty patties served at McDonald's, and it would be hard to claim that they're great. Fresh beef patties, like those used at Wendy's, could change all that while also helping McDonald's compete with fast-casual burger chains like Five Guys and Shake Shack.
The downside (and reason McD's hasn't brought in fresh beef until now) is that it will, of course, take longer to cook a fresh beef Quarter Pounder. And that could seriously cramp the drive-thru's ability to crank out quarter-pounders during its busiest times. Sure, it'll only take about a minute longer to cook fresh beef patties than the usual frozen pucks that pass for burgers, but when there are 10 people waiting in line, those minutes add up.
But still, you'd probably be waiting less than five minutes total to get your meal, which is faster than any sit-down restaurant I know of. And in the test markets of Dallas and Oklahoma, the new fresh beef patties McDonald's is testing have met with success.
McD's plans to introduce fresh beef Quarter Pounders to even more locations in Texas this year, and they'll be available at most of its stores in 2018 (in addition to to regular pre-cooked Big Macs you're used to).
I for one would be a lot more likely to stop in at McDonald's if I knew it was using fresher ingredients — only time will tell if this helps McDonald's keep up with its fresh meat-hawking competitors.
If we're ever feeling a little blue, all it really takes is five minutes with a tiny dog to perk us up. It's like being able to cuddle with a little stuffed animal that's actually alive — what's not to love about that?
And were not the only ones who have a deep affection for small dog breeds — the AKC's most popular breeds for 2016 included Pomeranians, Yorkies and miniature schnauzers. Sure, there were some big dog breeds on the list too... but just try looking one of our favorite little dogs listed in eyes and telling them they're not as cute as a Labrador.
1. Yorkshire terrier
Image: aaa/Moment open/Getty images
Lovingly referred to as the "Yorkie," the Yorkshire terrier is the ultimate cutie in small breeds. Not only are they tiny (some are even "teacup"!), but the Yorkshire terrier is a small breed with a big personality and perfect as a companion on the go. Yorkies have been a "fashionable" pet since the late Victorian era.
2. Papillon
Image: Rook76/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Another breed that makes an excellent companion, the papillon is a loyal and loving friend. Great with kids and families, this pint-size pup makes an excellent watchdog. Calm but alert, it is extremely protective of its master. A papillon's most distinctive feature is its large butterfly ears.
3. Cavalier King Charles spaniel
Image: Sergey Ryumin/Moment open/Getty images
Not only is the Cavalier King Charles spaniel adorable, but it loves to cuddle, too! A member of the toy group, this pup is gentle and extremely caring of its family. These dogs are considered to be very elegant, possibly the reason Charlotte York from Sex and the City had one. One of the most popular in small breeds, it's a dog worthy of all of your love.
4. Brussels griffon
Image: Okssi68/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Some may think that the Brussels griffon isn't the most attractive dog on the planet, but it sure is cute. A bit awkward looking, Brussels griffons are smart, adaptable and cat-friendly. What they lack in appearance they make up for with their ability to perform a variety of tricks. Not great with kids, it'll make a single owner a very happy one.
Originally published February 2016. Updated June 2017.
{pageBreak}
5. Boston terrier
Image: Doxieone Photography/Moment/Getty Images
Just like the natives of the city it was named after, the Boston terrier is one loyal breed. It loves people, kids, cats and other dogs alike and is extremely adaptable. One of the most popular small breeds, the Boston terrier is one tiny pup that dog lovers like to have around.
6. Shih Tzu
Image: Geri Lavrov/Photodisc/Getty images
The Shih Tzu's cuteness matches its vibrant and spunky personality. A breed known for its luxurious coat and adorable appearance, the Shih Tzu needs a lot of grooming to keep it looking good, including daily brushing. This dog makes a great companion for adults and older children.
7. Bichon frise
Image: thomaszobl/iStock/Getty Images Plus
It's tiny and super-fluffy: The bichon frise is the epitome of cuteness. A feisty breed, this little guy loves to play with its beloved owner. Despite the fact that it looks just like a child's toy, the bichon frise is not actually classified as a toy breed but rather one of the non-sporting group. A super-cuddlebug, the bichon frise is also very affectionate and loving toward adults and other furred friends.
8. Pomeranian
Image: Laures/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Another fluff ball to love up to, the Pomeranian is a compact puppy of Nordic descent. Smart and curious, this is a soft and lively breed. Excellent as a show dog, the Pomeranian is easily trained due to its incredible intelligence. Not very good with kids, this dog does amazingly well with cats.
There's a reason we see the Scottish terrier adorning sweaters and holiday gear — it's super-adorable! Their thick eyebrows and stout build make them resemble old men, in the most charming way. With more than just cute looks, the Scottish terrier makes a wonderful watchdog. Witty and hypoallergenic, it's another small dog breed best suited for adults and older children.
A designer breed, the cockapoo is a mix of the English cocker spaniel and the poodle. Small and cute, this breed hits every mark for a great dog. A cockapoo will never leave your side, as it loves to show affection and follow its owner. Good with kids and other animals, the cockapoo is intelligent and adaptable.
A member of both the toy and companion groups, the Pekingese is a charming and delightful dog to be around. An intelligent pooch, it's a watchdog that prefers adults and kitty friends. These pups are usually between 7 and 14 pounds, yet they are mighty and quick to defend themselves. They have a lot of fur, so the Pekingese's luxurious coat requires regular grooming.
12. Maltese
Image: MaR_RiiO/iStock/Getty Images Plus
The Maltese is a breed that loves to shower its owner with affection. Lively and energetic, this breed also enjoys playing with its adult owner and fur-covered friends. The Maltese loves its owner so much, however, that it often suffers from separation anxiety when left alone too long. The Maltese requires daily brushing.
Small yet assertive, the Lhasa apso is a companion breed that was bred to protect its family. Good with all kinds of people and pets, it makes a great addition to any family. Fearless and devoted, the Lhasa apso is a pretty pup that enjoys a good pampering, requiring lots of grooming, and cuddle sessions at the end of a busy day.
14. Skye terrier
Image: Brytta/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Made famous by Queen Victoria herself, this versatile breed can get fiercely protective or just be a friendly companion. Don't be fooled by its small size — the Skye terrier is an excellent watchdog. Smart, friendly and outgoing, this is a happy pup to have around. Fearless and loyal, the Skye terrier is a breed suited for a one-pet-only household.
A sporting and gun dog, the cute Sussex spaniel makes an excellent hunting and family pet. Reliable and a lover of dogs and kids, the pup is friendly, lovable and notoriously slow. Looking a bit somber, the Sussex spaniel is actually a very happy and good-natured dog and loves the company of other dogs.
A hound breed, the petit basset griffon Vendéen loves to be active and will often keep itself entertained by getting into a little trouble. Adorable with its furry features, this dog requires a lot of grooming and playtime. Smart and easily trained, the petit basset griffon Vendéen makes a great family dog with its friendly and outgoing nature.
There isn't a furry friend or human the Havanese doesn't like. A charming little pup, the Havanese has a soft, easy-maintenance coat. A pup that loves to cuddle, this lovable pooch enjoys the company of its owner 24/7, which is why it's nicknamed "Velcro dog."
Another toy breed, the darling Japanese chin also falls into the category of a companion breed. Well-mannered, affectionate and extremely loyal, this dog believes its life goal is to be at the service of its owner. Beware, however, of these pooches' jumping skills, as they can leap up great distances in just a single bound. A bit on the sensitive side, the Japanese chin does best with adults and feline siblings.
19. Chihuahua
Image: @Hans Surfer/Moment/Getty images
Still sometimes referred to as the "Taco Bell dog," the Chihuahua is one of the most well-known small breeds on the planet. Filled with a feisty personality and watchdog abilities to boot, this pooch is a confident and sassy breed. Best as a one-human kind of pet, the Chihuahua gets along best with cats and adult humans.
20. West Highland white terrier
Image: jfoto/Moment/Getty images
The West Highland white terrier is arguably the cutest dog on the entire planet. White, fluffy and a great therapy dog, there's no denying this breed's awesomeness. A "Westie" is good with kids, families, cats and pretty much everyone. Perhaps their best quality is how easily they are house-trained due to their preference for cleanliness.
There's a fresh crop of figures that are making their first appearance on The Hollywood Reporter's 100 Most Powerful People in Entertainment list; you might be surprised to see who these newcomers are. The list, true to its name, typically features the 100 most major actors, producers, writers, directors and studio execs who are making Tinseltown run like a well-oiled machine. Noted for their ability to innovate, reinvent and reinvigorate various areas of the entertainment industry, these big names are ones to watch as their careers grow.
Perhaps the most notable newcomers to the Top 100 are the actors and directors who have dominated award season and who have made some of the most raved-about blockbusters in 2017. This list of newbies includes: actor/director Jordan Peele (Get Out, The Key & Peele Show), director Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman), director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), actor Chris Pratt (Passengers, Jurassic World), actor Donald Glover (Atlanta, Spider-Man: Homecoming) and director Damien Chazelle (La La Land).
It's not difficult to imagine why these newbies have made the list and stand among titans of industry like Lucasfilm's Kathleen Kennedy, Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey, Dwayne Johnson and Robert Downey Jr. For example, both Jenkins and Chazelle directed one of the most awarded and critically praised movies that were nominated at the 2017 Oscars. Director Patty Jenkins's second feature film, Wonder Woman, is set to hit the $600 million mark for worldwide box office receipts this weekend, and that's mostly because the film itself — which features a female superhero who subverts major superhero tropes with great success — is one of the most talked-about and seen movies of the summer.
The list is a hefty one to be sure, but make no mistake. The fact that these fresh faces have made the cut can only mean they'll be on to bigger and better things in the near future.
Updated June 21, 9:45 a.m. PT: Finally, pictures have arrived! And we're seriously in love with Waddell's nude-colored wedding dress.
Carly Waddell posts wedding photo
Carly Waddell posts wedding photo
As People reported first, Waddell opted for a simple side braid to go with her strapless embroidered gown. Evan Bass and Waddell celebrated their love surrounded by former Bachelor, Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise contestants including Jade Roper (she was a bridesmaid) and Tanner Tolbert, Wells Adams (he was a groomsman), Whitney Bischoff and her fiancé Ricky Angel, Kaitlyn Bristowe and Shawn Booth, Nick Viall and Vanessa Grimaldi, sisters Emily and Haley Ferguson, Ashley Iaconetti and Jared Haibon.
No information has been released regarding Ashley Iaconetti and whom she spent the night crying over (come on, you know she did), but overall, it sounds like the night was a huge success. Now we just have to wait to find out when it will air on TV. Maybe it will be the... wait for it... most dramatic wedding event ever!
Original story:
Despite the darkness swirling around the Bachelor in Paradise franchise, it seems there is one ray of sunshine determined to burst through. That ray of light comes in the form of BIP's Evan Waddell and Carly Bass officially tying the knot over the weekend in a private ceremony in Mexico. Congrats are definitely in order!
The couple have yet to post photos from their nuptials (probably too busy celebrating, which is totally understandable), but People has reported as many details as possible from the wedding. According to the magazine, Bass and Waddell were married in a small ceremony in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Included among the guests was another Bachelor Nation couple, Jade and Tanner Tolbert. Best of all, Chris Harrison actually officiated the wedding, making this entire event a work of magical Bachelor goodness.
The couple met on the third season of Bachelor in Paradise, and were set up at first to be total opposites. It appeared that in their case, opposites actually attract; by the end of the show's season, Bass was on bended knee and asking Waddell to marry him. Afterward, the two settled down in Nashville with Bass' three sons. Speaking to People previously, Waddell revealed what keeps them close as a couple. "We have great communication. It's what we had as friends and it’s what keeps us in love," she told the magazine.
There's no information yet on when their wedding will be televised, but there's also no confirmation that it will not air in light on the recent BIP scandal. Previous reports mention that the Waddell-Bass wedding was to air alongside the BIP season premiere on Aug. 8. With that new season totally nixed, it remains to be seen whether fans will get to enjoy the wedding at all. Let's hope we still can, because honestly, who doesn't enjoy a good wedding?
Unless you’re one of the few humans who’s fond of spidery, wiggly purple and red marks across your belly, thighs, butt and boobs (and if you are, we salute you; please teach us how to be you), then we’d like to declare that stretch marks are a pain in the ass. And — don’t shoot the messenger — but regardless of what you’ve read on the internet or what your grandmother swears by, there is no true way to completely prevent 100 percent of stretch marks.
But before you give up all hope and throw away every pair of shorts in your closet, we’re here with a surprisingly positive alternative. Find peace and comfort in your body’s natural progression through life and love your stretch marks just as they are. Or a second alternative: Slather them with products specifically formulated to plump fine lines, smooth bumpy patches and lighten those deep, dark marks.
First, know this: Your stretch marks are often totally unavoidable, appearing during pregnancy or after rapidly losing or gaining weight. “Your skin can’t cope with extreme tension changes in short periods of time, and that can result in permanent damage to your skin collagen, leading to stretch marks.” says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner.
And while the only real way to prevent stretch marks would be to go into your DNA and change its coding — which is obviously super-easy — you can still help mitigate their appearance by using ultra-protective moisturizers, gently exfoliating lactic acid and if you’re not pregnant, wrinkle-fighting retinoids. And to help guide you in the right direction, we combed through every stretch mark-fighting product on the market, eliminating all of the ineffective formulas with unrealistic promises, to present to you only the best of the best products. See all five of them below, and get slathering.
A moisturizer that totally smooths bumpy, irregular skin...
As I write this, I'm feeling almost too buzzy to think straight. I have to blame the latest Game of Thrones Season 7 trailer for this feeling, guys, because I've already watched it about 20 times, and I still can't get over how amazing it looks. Snowfall! Armies fighting each other! Furtive glances! Dragons! This trailer has (I shit you not) everything that a die-hard GoT fan could ask for.
There a major emphasis on the battles that will be fought between the Lannisters and Daenerys Targaryen. In the trailer, we hear Jon Snow speak about how his family fought alongside another family against a common enemy, which one might assume refers to the Starks and the Targaryens fighting together since Daenerys is seen on screen as we listen to Jon's voice.
Game Of Thrones Season 7 Trailer #2
Game Of Thrones Season 7 Trailer #2
Additionally, it looks like Sansa is plotting something major since she and her new bestie Littlefinger are doing a lot of skulking around in the shadows. Also noteworthy is the fact the Arya Stark appears to arrive safely on the shores of Westeros; there are all manner of armies suiting up to battle one another, and the Greyjoys looking very worried as fire lights up the sky. That doesn't even scratch the surface on amazing moments, so you'll need to watch the trailer for yourself.
This handful of tweets is just a brief glimpse into how much Twitter is losing its collective mind over this epic new trailer. Like, I'm not kidding when I tell you that everyone — and I mean everyone — feels that GoT Season 7 is going to be one of the most epic, intense and basically bananas seasons on record. Take a look for yourself.
Game of Thrones Reaction Tweet 1
Game of Thrones Reaction Tweet 1
Game of Thrones Reaction Tweet 3
Game of Thrones Reaction Tweet 3
Game of Thrones Reaction Tweet 4
Game of Thrones Reaction Tweet 4
I feel you on this one, guys. I totally feel you on this one. Just watching Beric Dondarrion's sword light up as he got into a battle stance or hearing Sansa's voice as she possibly predicts the death of one major character (is it Jon Snow? Would GoT really kill Jon Snow again?) sent shivers up my spine.
It isn’t easy navigating the waters of teen stardom — just ask Miley Cyrus. She rose to the top of the Disney Channel fame ladder at the age of 12 with the show Hannah Montana.
The public and social media scrutiny was tough, and now Miley Cyrus worries about her 17-year-old sister Noah Cyrus as she steps into the limelight. Straight off the bat, Miley Cyrus has some wise words for her younger sibling.
“I always tell Noah, 'Keep your Instagram comments turned off,'” she told iHeartRadio’s Label Defiers podcast. “'Never read anything that anyone says about you. Don’t Google yourself.'”
Like any kid, Cyrus made some missteps during her teen years, but every move she made was criticized. Sometimes people forgot that she was still a minor.
“When you’re in this industry, adults treat kids like adults,” Cyrus explained. “I think the way people judge you or people would write articles on me when I was a kid going through the times of having crazy breakouts or going through breakups or whatever I was going through, people would treat me like I could handle those comments as an adult, like I had this thick skin.”
Noah Cyrus is lucky that she has a big sister looking out for her because the media and fans need to realize that young celebrities can take negative comments to heart. Miley Cyrus knows how hurtful the public can be and she doesn’t want her sister to feel that pain.
The fact that the older Cyrus came through the other side stronger and more confident after her personal-growth phase should prove to the haters that the Cyrus family has a rock-solid foundation. Hopefully, the public will give Noah Cyrus a little more space and breathing room than they did with her older sister.
It sounds like Noah Cyrus is going to have no trouble, though, since big sis is keeping a watchful eye on the situation.
“I think it makes you jaded, it makes you guarded, and I don’t ever want her to get like that. Or your style or the way that you think because you want to please people,” Cyrus summed up. “I really hope that she never feels those pressures and I hope other people respect her and don’t actually make her something she’s not.”
One key to reducing stigma surrounding a woman's period is to talk about it more. Incorporating menstruation into everyday conversation normalizes it and treats it like the healthy biological function that it is. And now, that conversation is about to get a few new tools thanks to a series of period-inspired emojis.
Plan International, a nonprofit, is leading the charge on behalf of us all. The organization has created a series of emojis that it’s asking its Facebook fans to vote on.
According to their now-viral Facebook post, Plan International Australia will be presenting the winning emoji to Unicode Consortium, the decision-makers behind what becomes an emoji and what doesn’t, for consideration in their 2018 update.
In addition to helping people convey feelings about that time of the month, Plan International also hopes that it will help destigmatize menstruation.
“To challenge the stigma associated with menstruation that affects girls and women around the globe, we’re inviting you to vote on a design for a period emoji,” explained Plan International on their Facebook post.
You can chime in on your favorite emoji version until the beginning of June. After that, send some crossed-finger emojis in hopes that Unicode Consortium makes our period-emoji dreams come true.
Updated June 21, 12:30 p.m. PT: Look, I know it's the era of Frankenfood mashups and all, but Burger King is really taking this to a new level. A few months ago, the burger chain announced a limited-edition run of Fruit Loops milkshakes, and now they've unveiled a milkshake made with Lucky Charms.
Made by blending vanilla soft serve with a syrup version of Lucky Charms (which, ew, really?) along with a handful of chunks of the actual cereal, the concoction rings in at a grand total of 740 calories. For something so unhealthy, you'd better at least get a heavenly high from every sip, right? But the shake isn't getting great reviews from the peeps who've been trying it and tweeting about it — one critic called it "magically disgusting." Yikes.
General Mills doesn't seem to have gotten the memo, though, as on their blog, a brand manager writes that they look forward to collaborating on "future cereal shake flavors." Quit while you're ahead already, guys!
Original story:
Growing up, I always liked Burger King because its flame-grilled burgers tasted slightly more like real meat than anything from its fast-food competitors. But these days, BK's menu is more like a Ripley's Believe It or Not of crazy food mashups that really shouldn't exist, but taste bizarrely delicious nonetheless. Case in point: Their latest (limited-edition) culinary oddity is a Fruit Loops milkshake.
Other than the fact that I think their head of product innovation is probably a sugar-crazed 7-year-old, the shake actually does sound pretty good. It features vanilla soft-serve, pieces of Fruit Loops cereal and a fruity sauce, of course, to give it that extra hit of synthetic fruit flavor.
Milkshakes seems to be getting crazier and crazier with each passing year (never forget Wayback Burgers' line of cricket and jerky protein milkshakes, shudder), but Burger King isn't the first to add cereal to the mix. Carl's Jr had a slightly less appetizing Cap'n Crunch shake a few years ago.
Considering the Fruit Loops shake comes after menu mashups like Mac n' Cheetos and Spicy Chicken Fries, it makes me wonder what's next for Burger King — hot dog onion rings? Breakfast sandwich soft-serve? But still, weirdness aside, I must admit I'm intrigued.
Cooking a delicious gourmet meal has never been easier thanks to buzzy food delivery service Blue Apron.
With each Blue Apron order, you receive ingredients and step-by-step recipes for three meals, each consisting of two portions. The quality is top-notch, with Blue Apron sourcing farm-fresh produce, antibiotic-free meats and sustainable seafood, spices, grains and cheeses from small-scale farmers.
Blue Apron delivers to most U.S. addresses, including those in Alaska and Hawaii. You can check to see if your area can receive deliveries here.
Image: SheKnows Shop
Usually $59.95, this three-meal deal for SheKnows readers is just $25. Click here to snag yours and make wasted produce and high grocery bills a thing of the past.
Like what you see? Explore more amazing deals in the brand-new SheKnows Shop!
This month, I found myself completely unprepared for my monthly "gift." I ran out to the store to grab supplies, and when I returned home, my toddler asked me what I had bought. He searched my drugstore plastic bag hoping for exciting surprises. He was disappointed when I let him know, "those are things Mommy needs to take care of her body." That was the end of the conversation, and he walked away to find something more interesting to hold his attention.
It might have been easy to hide the boxes or distract him from the questions, but that’s usually not the case with my kids. The more I avoid their questions, the more questions they have. When I answer simply and honestly, they’re not only satisfied with my response, but they trust me that I will give them a straight answer any time they do have questions. This applies to everything from food to technology, poop to periods.
I grew up discretely passing tampons to friends in the hallway, tucking them into my shirt sleeves or quickly slipping them into a pocket lest someone know what I was doing or experiencing. Even though I remember learning about periods at a young age (thanks, Mom!), that didn’t take away the feelings of embarrassment or shame.
I don’t want my daughter to feel embarrassed about her body and the things that it does. I don’t want my son feeling weird when he walks past the tampon aisle in the grocery store. Here’s how I teach my kids that periods are normal and nothing to be ashamed of.
Answer their questions
Kids are naturally curious and want to know every single invasive and intimate detail, right? But bodies are personal, and it’s easy to feel uncomfortable in these situations. Sometimes, it helps to pretend to answer them the same way I would if my kids were asking about animals. I can detach my personal feelings about it and talk about what some bodies with vaginas do instead of focusing so much on my own personal vagina.
The older they get, the more they will ask, so be ready to bust out diagrams of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. If they’re developmentally ready to learn about other internal organs, reproductive organs are fair game.
Start with the basics
I, like most moms, rarely get to enjoy a solo trip to the bathroom. When my daughter first noticed me wiping red, she had questions. I struggled to find the words to explain what was happening in a way that would make sense to such a young toddler, especially one who equated the sight of blood on her own scraped knee with the absolute end of the world.
I used this explanation for the last four years, both for my daughter and now my son: "Every month, my body gets ready for a baby to grow. Right now, we don’t have a plan to grow another baby, so all the things the baby needs come out of my body. It looks like blood, but I’m not hurt."
If it does hurt, don’t feel like the need to shelter your kids from that. Cramps can range from uncomfortable to debilitating. It’s important that we are honest with our children. Let them know what’s happening and if there’s anything they can do to help.
"My body wants to get all the things a baby would need out of my body. It’s squeezing and squeezing to get it out, just like we do with toothpaste. It hurts momma’s belly, but I will be OK. I can take medicine and rest. If you want to help me, you can bring me the heating pad from the closet."
I teach my children medical terminology for body parts. I tell my kids what is coming out of my vagina. I don’t ever want them to think that blood comes out of someone’s eyes or her "wherever."
I show them the tools that I use to take care of my period. Just like they wore diapers when they were babies to keep their clothes clean, I wear pads. When I use a tampon or a menstrual cup, I explain that I will put a tool in my body to help catch the menstrual blood. I am very careful to explain that this is something that people can put into their vaginas only for catching menstrual blood. I also ask for privacy during insertion.
Don’t be afraid if the questions lead to “the talk”
The hardest part about talking periods for some people is not what periods signify, but what a stopped period can signify. My kids know that when I have my period, I don’t have a baby in my body.
So far, my children know that Daddy and I make a plan when we want a baby to grow in my body. As they get older, we will explain the plan, but for now this language is both honest and enough to satisfy their curiosity.
Soon, they’ll want to know more about that plan. When they do, I’ll be ready to answer their questions honestly. It helps to be prepared to talk about sex before the questions come.
My husband buys my feminine hygiene products
This one is a huge step to normalizing periods. When I need pads or tampons from the store, I add them to the list. Whoever goes shopping buys everything on the list. My husband knows which packages to look for and adds them to the cart, just like any other grocery item. Having periods is nothing to be embarrassed about, so why should my husband be embarrassed to buy the things that I need for them?
Get over it
Inevitably, my children will share their knowledge of my period in public. They take pride in every new thing they have learned. So when my child shouts to a stranger, "My mom doesn’t have a baby growing in her belly and is menstruating from her vagina!" I am determined to smile as my face turns (period) red. The more we talk about periods with pride, the more we can normalize this completely normal thing that happens to some bodies that are not growing babies.
If you’re someone who menstruates, I’m not saying that you should wave a red flag every month — unless you want to, of course! Feel free to own it. Are you a proud menstrual cup owner? Do you prefer tampons with an applicator or without? Do you let it flow out into menstrual pads or mama cloth? Are you horribly crampy and in desperate need of some pain relief? Are you feeling completely unfazed by this phase in your cycle? Are you exhausted or experiencing brain fog? Is your tolerance for bullshit running low? You can lay claim to whatever your period brings your way. Remember, you’re paving the way for the next generation to respect the bodies of women and all that they can do!
I’m not one to fetishize someone’s weight. The eb and flow of gaining and losing weight in one’s life is completely natural and all up to circumstance. Transformation stories are inspiring, but if someone is happy with how big or small they are, then let them be! But honestly, Jonah Hill’s weight loss is hard news.
At first glance, I thought, “Whoa, has Patrick Swayze finally risen again?” But with a closer look I was thrown back from my seat when I saw it was Jonah Hill, dad-bod turned hot-bod in what seems like only a day. According to Cosmo, the actor and comedian was seen leaving his gym in LA with (probably) a strawberry banana protein shake in hand.
Naturally, Twitter is freaking out. Between the new slim figure, the “I know what I’m doing” strut, and his beautifully scruffy beard, people are talking about the transformation as urgently as if Trump just tweeted another “covfefe.” (Which is somewhat problematic as a society, but I’m sure we’ll all forget about it when Hill is done trending. Which is also problematic, but that’s for another psychological article.)
Hill has been steadily losing weight for years, moving away from his Superbad days as the chubby class clown, and into more serious acting like in Moneyball and Wolf of Wallstreet. I think we’re only just noticing now because, well… Damn! Not only is he slim, but he’s muscular. His arms and shoulders are toned and his thighs are meaty and his butt probably looks great.
In an interview on The Tonight Show last year, Hill talked about his desire to lose weight and his chat with Channing Tatum, Hill’s former co-star in 21 Jump Street and real life friend. “I called Channing Tatum,” starts Hill, “and said, ‘Hey, if I ate less and go to a trainer, will I get in better shape?’ And he said ‘Yes, you dumb motherfucker, of course you will. It’s the simplest thing in the entire world.’”
When I was laid off from my big, cushy corporate job last year, all kinds of negative emotions came flooding in — fear, anger and rejection being just a few. Yet at the same time, I also felt a huge sense of relief. I had a moment of pure clarity when I just felt giddy happiness. And that was what I tapped into from that day forward — there had to be a reason I felt so relieved to lose my job.
As time and further introspection rolled by, I acknowledged the role I’d played in leading to the layoff. I said and did things that ultimately led to it because I was just so miserable every day. It wasn’t the tasks — I love writing, really any form of it. It was the internal politics and interactions with negative people who enjoyed making pot-stirring and backstabbing an Olympic sport. What was most disappointing to me were the women involved in it. Who has time for that? Not this girl!
So then what to do? I didn't want to go back into corporate America (which is exactly where I am now, but read on, it’s a happy ending!) I realized that all the self-help books and my quest to live a positive, spiritual life that had helped me survive corporate America, divorce, menopause and my child’s chronic illness was what I really wanted to concentrate on full time. I feel absolutely compelled to take my life experiences, continue adding excellent training to them, be a coach and empowering mentor to women and girls.
I’ve eagerly created a way to move from employee to entrepreneur over the past year. I hope these tips and experiences I’ve had will help you move forward in your life and get to a happier place sooner.
1. Get in touch with your passions
It took me a while to figure this part out. I’ve been involved in so many things I love over the years — being a makeup artist, getting my esthetician’s license, reading and seeking self-help and spiritual guidance. At first, these were all separate in my mind, and I viewed them on a timeline from past to future. But what if I could take elements of all the things I love and create a business and message that makes me feel good every day? Read on to No. 5…
I learned how important this is when I got my certifications in neuro-linguistic programming. We call it creating a well-formed outcome. It’s looking at your goals and then breaking them down, seeing where there are opportunities for strengths and weaknesses, and building it all back up to create a solid, well-formed outcome. Doing this can help you move forward in your career or any area of your life in significant ways.
3. Remove roadblocks
While we may all get fixated on roadblocks that are happening right in front of us on a daily basis, many times we need to go back to where the problem started. In NLP coaching, we use a number of tools to help clients remove fears, anxiety, phobias or even root out illness. Often, there's a feeling behind whatever it is that can be addressed and replaced via NLP tools like timeline or core transformation. It’s so freeing and life-changing. I recommend it for anyone who feels stuck.
We all have basic life experiences that push us in one direction or another in terms of career choices. Find your lane and then pursue training, education and gaining experience there. When you find your passion and your lane, learning, working and helping others becomes an absolute joy.
5. Create multiple streams of income
When people ask what I do now, I always say I pursue multiple streams of income. My cushy corporate job paid well with great insurance (and benefits that included lifesaving insulin for my daughter). I decided that I was never going to put that kind of responsibility in any one employer’s hands again. My multiple streams of income include running Airbnb out of my home (I’ve become a SuperHost!); being a Posholicious rep for an amazing skin care line, Perfectly Posh; building my life-coaching business; creating online courses and webinars to inspire and mentor women; and freelance writing. Each one of these streams brings me joy and income. What a great career to have!
Let's make one thing clear: Even in 2017, we still have a long way to go in the way of feminism. However, in the past couple of years, we have enjoyed a sexual revolution of sorts, and talking about the ever-elusive female orgasm in public has become more accepted. Can we get a "Hell, yeah!"?
Because, really. We all want and deserve orgasms, and who says we have to wait for someone else to give it to us? Sometimes a woman just needs — and wants — to take care of herself.
You can use any of these amazing toys with a partner, of course, but you'll be more than satisfied if you use them solo too...
Made with medical-grade silicone, We-Vibe 3 has six powerful (and quiet!) vibration settings. It’s 100 percent waterproof, so you can take it into the shower alone or with your lover. It has a remote control and a rechargeable battery that lasts for hours.
Thrill features USB charging and it has up to two hours of playtime. Designed for indulgent solo play, the G-spot stimulator provides internal fullness while the clitoral vibrator delivers powerful external stimulation. It has eight vibration levels: low, medium, high, ultra, tease, wave, pulse and cha-cha. Choose the one that fits your mood.
Hula Beads are remote-controlled premium pleasure beads that rotate and vibrate simultaneously. Uh, yeah. You can choose to either gently insert the top rotating bead and stimulate the labia and clitoral area or you can go all in, literally and metaphorically, inserting both beads and discreetly wearing them inside. How's that for a dirty little secret?
Soraya is a dual-action vibrator that looks sleek. It's made of the smoothest silicone and completely waterproof. Soraya has individual motors in each pleasure point and a flexible stimulator made to fit every woman’s body.
Finally, get the pleasure of oral without having to wait for a partner. The Ora is the world’s most sophisticated oral sex simulator. This sensual massager that simulates the long, seductive swirls and intense pulsations on and around the clitoris. The Ora offers 10 different patterns to leave you quivering.
Don’t be fooled by the cuteness factor; this bunny means business. The Muse massager is a must-have for every woman. 10 vibrating functions course through the “ears” of this one-of-a-kind item while delivering stimulation to both sides of the clitoris simultaneously. Wowza.
While the Stronic Eins may look a little different from your average vibrator, its powerful, naturalistic pulses will feel familiar. Solid metal moves in a hollow body shaft, mimicking the sensation of thrusting. The powerful waves will leave you losing all your inhibitions. You’ve never felt a toy like this before.
Yesterday, Teigen made a Twitter joke (uh-oh, no good ever comes from Twitter jokes) about her IVF experience, which led to the adorableness that is Luna, 1. The Lip Sync Battle co-host shared a screenshot of an invoice from her fertility clinic — for embryo freezing and storage. She and John Legend have a male embryo tucked away for when the time is right, but her Twitter followers were positive the clinic invoice was proof that Luna has a baby brother already on the way.
The Twitter screen shot was accompanied with a funny caption. "Damn how's my embryo gonna be in debt before it's even born," she cracked. "Pay ya rent, embryo!!!"
chrissy inv 2
chrissy inv 2
Twitter flipped the beep out, of course. And one particularly clueless commenter suggested Teigen — who has been candid about her yearslong struggles with infertility — just have a baby the natural way this time around.
OH NO SHE DIDN'T. (Yes, yes, she did. Teigen took her tweet down fast, and the tweet by Clueless Person has since been deleted.)
Teigen has never been one to stay quiet with good news — so when that male embryo moves into her lady garage, trust us, we're all going to know about it. In the meantime, hush up and go scrapbook some Bey-Jay twins gossip, OK?
