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Mom in Hot Water for Dyeing Toddler's Hair Pink

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Oh, sweet Jesus. You know you are living in the end times when people are now demonizing a mom who delighted her 2-year-old daughter by dyeing her hair pink — a temporary, nontoxic pink.
Pink Hair 2

Pink Hair 2

Truly, the Salem Witch Trials were a blast compared to the current state of society with its judgment-passing, finger-pointing Twitterverse. Moms — regular, celeb lite and mega-celeb — are all under siege, shamed for every choice imaginable, no matter how innocuous.
So everybody take a deep breath and exhale while we tell you about social media personality Charity Grace LeBlanc and her 2-year-old briefly-pink-haired daughter, Felicity.
LeBlanc describes Felicity as "so lovable, the ultimate cuddle bug, belly-laughs at anything goofy her big brother does, and is obsessed with pink, glitter and unicorns."
“She loves to play dress-up with me and we spend time together being creative and letting our imaginations run wild, so it only made sense to try out some pink hair!" LeBlanc said.
Pink Hair

Pink Hair

So LeBlanc filmed a fun video of herself dyeing Felicity's hair (again, temporary dye, people! Temporary!). The video appeared on YouTube and Instagram. And the internet immediately lost its you-know-what.
(We admit that the fuss would probably have been less extreme had LeBlanc not asked in her Instagram caption: "Would you let your daughter do this?")
LeBlanc

LeBlanc

Excuse us while we slip into our flak jackets.

We definitely could have written the outraged comments ourselves, we're getting so used to reading them.

“This is so irresponsible of you. Of course she’s going to want it. She’s a kid!" one commenter chastised. "She doesn’t know what she wants! And you, the parent, should know better! She’s going to be bald by the age of 20.”

Hey, Mommy Shamer, newsflash for you: 1) She is a kid and thus 2) she definitely, positively, absolutely knows what she wants 24/7 and 3) we're going to need a controlled scientific study from you to back up your claim that this kid will be bald in 18 years, thanks very much.

Especially considering her mom used a mix of — wait for it — vegetable dye and hair conditioner. It will wash out in three days.

There were also plenty in the "personally I never would" camp — the passive-aggressive approach to shaming other parents:

“Personally I wouldn’t do this to my child’s hair but I don’t see anything wrong with it,” said one holier-than-thou parental unit.

How did Felicity feel about her new pink hair? Let's place bets. “[S]he loved it!” LeBlanc said. “I would catch her looking in the mirror, touching it and giggling to herself. She’s already asking to do it again.”

Get us our smelling salts while we find the number for Child Protective Services, please.

(No, see, that was a joke. Can everyone please lighten up already?)

More: Now the haters are after Jessica Simpson for posting a summer bikini picture of her daughter

We think this was 100 percent excellent mama-daughter bonding. And we are thankful for all the sane, don't-sweat-the-small-stuff parents out there who agree.

“I think it’s awesome that you are teaching your daughter young that she can look like/be what ever she wants,” one said. “I actually think it’s pretty inspiring!”

Another defended LeBlanc in no uncertain terms: "woah [sic]. The kid has pink hair and [people are] sexualizing it? I find THAT disgusting and disturbing... I get that people don't like the idea of her having unicorn hair but is it really 'disturbing?' Because there's more things in the world that are disturbing."

Damn straight.

As you can probably imagine, the Instagram video has been watched and hate-watched more than 1.3 million times.

LeBlanc remains unfazed.

“I think people just like to talk about something that is different from the norm. It creates discussion, and there is nothing wrong with that," she said. "Some people were appalled, and some absolutely loved it. The most important thing is that it’s safe, and I love her immensely... anyone who thinks otherwise just doesn’t know the facts.”

LeBlanc added, “I hope she always expresses herself creatively and loves who she is... pink hair, blue hair or whatever hair she has.”

Yassss, git it, mama. Pink hair is temporary, but having fun with your kid and giving them a chance to express themselves is the kind of soul stuff that lasts a lifetime.


The 2017 Emmy Nominations Are in, & There Are a Few Surprises

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The 69th Emmy Awards nominations have dropped, and we can't say we saw all of these coming. Hello to all the nominees, including the surprises and the big frontrunners!

More: Did Mandy Moore Just Instagram a This Is Us Season 2 Spoiler?

HBO's Game of Thrones started too late to be eligible this year, but the network still came in strong — Westworld tied with Saturday Night Live for most nominations at 22 each. Also in the top three were FX anthology Feud: Bette and Joan and Netflix's hit Stranger Things with 18 nods each, as well as Veep, which netted 17 nominations this year.

HBO led the nominations, increasing its count from 94 last year to 110 this year even without Game of Thrones in the running, and it's no wonder considering hits like Westworld, Veep, Big Little Lies, The Night Of and Silicon Valley. Netflix also saw a sizable increase, from 56 nods last year to 91 this year. NBC saw a huge increase thanks to This Is Us, which put the network in third place for overall nominations.

More: Evan Rachel Wood Teased Westworld Season 2 Because She Hates Us

Some notable titles were missing, though. Shows with high viewership — The Leftovers, The Walking Dead, Empire and The Americans — were left off the nomination list. Lena Dunham's final season of Girls got no love and neither did Oprah Winfrey, who gave a stunning performance in HBO's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. What gives?

Check out a partial list of the nominees below. Are you as surprised and excited as we were by these noms?

Best Drama Series

  • House of Cards (Netflix)
  • Better Call Saul (AMC)
  • The Crown (Netflix)
  • The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
  • This Is Us (NBC)
  • Westworld (HBO)
  • Stranger Things (Netflix)

Best Comedy Series

  • Veep (HBO)
  • Atlanta (FX)
  • Black-ish (ABC)
  • Master of None (Netflix)
  • Modern Family (ABC)
  • Silicon Valley (HBO)
  • Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)

Best Limited Series

  • Big Little Lies (HBO)
  • Feud (FX)
  • The Night Of (HBO)
  • Fargo (FX)
  • Genius (National Geographic)

Best Actress in a Drama Series

  • Claire Foy (The Crown)
  • Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid's Tale)
  • Robin Wright (House of Cards)
  • Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld)
  • Viola Davis (How to Get Away with Murder)
  • Keri Russell (The Americans)

Best Actor in a Drama Series

  • Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us)
  • Anthony Hopkins (Westworld)
  • Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul)
  • Matthew Rhys (The Americans)
  • Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan)
  • Milo Ventimiglia (This Is Us)

Best Actress in a Comedy Series

  • Ellie Kemper (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt)
  • Allison Janney (Mom)
  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)
  • Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish)
  • Lily Tomlin (Grace and Frankie)
  • Jane Fonda (Grace and Frankie)
  • Pamela Adlon (Better Things)

Best Actor in a Comedy Series

  • Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent)
  • Aziz Ansari (Master of None)
  • Donald Glover (Atlanta)
  • Anthony Anderson (Black-ish)
  • William H. Macy (Shameless)
  • Zach Galifianakis (Baskets)

Best Actress in a Limited Series or a Television Movie

  • Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies)
  • Jessica Lange (Feud)
  • Susan Sarandon (Feud)
  • Reese Witherspoon (Big Little Lies)
  • Carrie Coon (Fargo)
  • Felicity Huffman (American Crime)

Best Actor in a Limited Series or a Television Movie

  • Robert De Niro (The Wizard of Lies)
  • Riz Ahmed (The Night Of)
  • Ewan McGregor (Fargo)
  • Geoffrey Rush (Genius)
  • John Turturro (The Night Of)
  • Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock: The Lying Detective)

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

  • Ann Dowd (The Handmaid's Tale)
  • Samira Wiley (The Handmaid's Tale)
  • Uzo Aduba (Orange Is the New Black)
  • Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things)
  • Chrissy Metz (This Is Us)
  • Thandie Newton (Westworld)

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

  • John Lithgow (The Crown)
  • Jonathan Banks (Better Call Saul)
  • Mandy Patinkin (Homeland)
  • Michael Kelly (House of Cards)
  • David Harbour (Stranger Things)
  • Ron Cephas Jones (This Is Us)
  • Jeffrey Wright (Westworld)

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

  • Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live)
  • Vanessa Bayer (Saturday Night Live)
  • Leslie Jones (Saturday Night Live)
  • Anna Chlumsky (Veep)
  • Judith Light (Transparent)
  • Kathryn Hahn (Transparent)

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

  • Alec Baldwin (Saturday Night Live)
  • Louie Anderson (Baskets)
  • Ty Burrell (Modern Family)
  • Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt)
  • Tony Hale (Veep)
  • Matt Walsh (Veep)

Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Television Movie

  • Regina King (American Crime)
  • Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies)
  • Laura Dern (Big Little Lies)
  • Judy Davis (Feud)
  • Jackie Hoffman (Feud)
  • Michelle Pfeiffer (The Wizard of Lies)

Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Television Movie

  • Alexander Skarsgård (Big Little Lies)
  • David Thewlis (Fargo)
  • Alfred Molina (Feud)
  • Stanley Tucci (Feud)
  • Bill Camp (The Night Of)
  • Michael K. Williams (The Night Of)

Variety Talk Series

  • Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (TBS)
  • Jimmy Kimmel Live!  (ABC)
  • Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
  • Late Late Show with James Corden (CBS)
  • Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)
  • The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)

Reality Competition

  • The Amazing Race (CBS)
  • American Ninja Warrior (NBC)
  • Project Runway (Lifetime)
  • RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1)
  • Top Chef (Bravo)
  • The Voice (NBC)

Television Movie

  • Black Mirror: San Junipero
  • Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love
  • The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
  • Sherlock: The Lying Detective (Masterpiece)
  • The Wizard of Lies

Variety Sketch Series

  • Billy on the Street (truTV)
  • Documentary Now! (IFC) 
  • Drunk History (Comedy Central)
  • Portlandia (IFC)
  • Saturday Night Live (NBC)
  • Tracey Ullman’s Show (HBO)

Structured Reality Program

  • Antiques Roadshow (PBS) 
  • Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (Food Network)
  • Fixer Upper (HGTV)
  • Lip Sync Battle (Spike TV)
  • Shark Tank (ABC) 
  • Who Do You Think You Are (TLC)

Unstructured Reality Program

  • Born This Way (A&E) 
  • Deadliest Catch (Discovery Channel)
  • Gaycation with Ellen Page (Viceland)
  • Intervention (A&E)
  • RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked (YouTube)
  • United Shades of America: With W. Kamau Bell (CNN)

Rachel Lindsay Is Chomping at the Bit to Get Hitched

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It goes without saying that Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay will end her Bachelorette season engaged; audiences have known this since before the first episode aired. What we didn't know is that, compared to some couples of Bachelor franchises past, she's in a hurry to get down the aisle.

More: BIP's Carly Waddell Shares Details About Her Wedding Dress & Guest List

"We actually haven't talked about a date because we just want to get to know each other. We're like, "When can we be in public? When can we go to the grocery store, grab coffee, go to the movies?'" Lindsay told reporters at this year's ESPY Awards. "I'm thinking maybe next year, the end of next year maybe. We're not rushing it but sooner than later."

That's far different from the last few couples to come out of the series. Nick Viall and Vanessa Grimaldi are still together but not talking marriage. JoJo Fletcher and Jordan Rodgers have been vocal about their desire to date, court and get to know each other before they take any further steps, even though they've been engaged for more than a year.

More: All the Men Rachel Lindsay Has Already Clearly Put in the Friend Zone

There's still a few weeks left on Lindsay's season, so we still don't know who the lucky guy is that she chooses. But she's clearly head over heels if she's this anxious to get hitched.

As for the wedding? She's not putting too much thought into the specific plans quite yet.

"Are you ready for this?" she said. "I have never been the girl to plan their wedding, picked out the dress. I'm like, "What are we going to do for the party? What kind of music are we going to have? Who's going to be there? Where's it going to be?'"

More: Rachel Lindsay Responds to Racist Bachelorette Tweet

Hey, we can get behind that mentality. Plan it like a party. That's the kind of wedding everyone wants to go to.

22 Pop Songs Little Kids Can Dance to (Oh, & Parents Can Hang Too)

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We wouldn't trade our kids for the world, but it does seem like we already traded our musical freedom for them. Our days of being able to flip on our favorite tunes at any given moment are over, and it sure feels like we're destined to listen to the Frozen soundtrack for the rest of eternity, right? Well, no, you probably don't want to bust out Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda" at the next family dance party — that is, unless, you want one of your children to go to school talking about a boy toy named Troy who used to live in Detroit.

Nicki Minaj
Image: Giphy

But that doesn't mean you're doomed to a constant loop of "Let It Go." These pop songs are appropriate for all ages.

22. "Can’t Stop the Feeling" — Justin Timberlake

CAN'T STOP THE FEELING!

CAN'T STOP THE FEELING!

Everyone's going crazy for JT's latest 2016 hit because it really is that good (just give it a listen if you don't believe us). Parents are jamming to it, and kids love it too — which makes sense since it was created for the upcoming DreamWorks Trolls movie.

More: Justin Timberlake Drops Not One but Two Music Videos for 'Can't Stop the Feeling'

21. “Wrecking Ball” — Miley Cyrus

Wrecking ball

Wrecking ball

Although Cyrus seemed to go a little explicit for a while there, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the lyrics to this hit song, and it's extra fun to sing along with in the car. We recommend cranking it up to drown out the sounds of your children screaming when the road trip has lasted just a little too long. (Note: We've gone with a video of only the "Wrecking Ball" lyrics above, because the naked Miley music video is totally not suitable for kids.)

20. “Wake Me Up” — Avicii

Wake me up video

Wake me up video

Not only is this hit by a Swedish DJ fun to shake it to, but it has some pretty compelling lyrics that you can only hope will sink in as your kids listen on repeat. "Life's a game made for everyone/And love is a prize" is a lot different than some of the more graphic songs about sex that objectify women, and we can thank Avicii for that.

19. "Happy" — Pharrell Williams

Happy music video

Happy music video

Just a few years before JT, Pharrell dropped a similar crossover hit that you'd never guess came from a kids' movie. "Happy," from Despicable Me 2, was so popular that it was even nominated for an Oscar in 2014.

Next Up: "Brave" — Sara Bareilles

Originally published October 2012. Updated July 2017.

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18. "Brave" — Sara Bareilles

Brave music video

Brave music video

Sara Bareilles has done it again — her recent hit is as catchy as it is inspiring. As you watch your kiddos learn the words and start to sing along, at least you'll know they're getting a great message out of the song.

17. "Call Me Maybe" — Carly Rae Jepsen

Call Me Maybe music video

Call Me Maybe music video

Admittedly, this song can be kind of annoying, but for some reason, Carly Rae Jepsen is like wholesome catnip for kids. Her 2012 smash hit is one that you might get secretly addicted to after you've heard it about one hundred times.

16. “Hey, Soul Sister” — Train

Hey, soul sister

Hey, soul sister

Leave it to Train to drop yet another feel-good hit that both parents and kids can enjoy without any guilt. This 2009 tune is poppy and upbeat with just a touch of romance that doesn't take it too far. However, if your kids listen closely, you may have to explain "virgin Madonna" and chalk it up as your history lesson for the day.

15. "Roar" — Katy Perry

Roar - Katy Perry

Roar - Katy Perry

This one might require some interpretive dance, but we're pretty sure that will only make your dance party all the better. Not all of Katy Perry's songs are kid-appropriate, but you're golden with this jam.

Next Up: "Let's Dance to Joy Division" – The Wombats

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14. "Let's Dance to Joy Division" — The Wombats

Let's Dance to Joy Division - The Wombats

Let's Dance to Joy Division - The Wombats

What better to dance to than a song about, ya know, dancing? Your kids are probably too young to listen to Joy Division or to understand what irony means, but they'll like being invited to dance, and you'll get a kick out of doing it.

13. "Something That I Want" — Grace Potter

Something That I Want - Grace Potter

Something That I Want - Grace Potter

Your kids will probably recognize this song from Tangled, but don't let the Disney connection fool you. It's one of our favorites as grown-ups too. Grace Potter is one seriously awesome rocker.

12. "Love Runs Out" — OneRepublic

Love Runs Out - OneRepublics

Love Runs Out - OneRepublics

The boys of OneRepublic know how to write a dance-inducing song. The key is in the thumping drums. Remember "Good Life"? It made you want to march around screaming along, right? Expect the same from "Love Runs Out."

11. "Shake It Out" — Florence + The Machine

Shake it Out - Florience + The Machine

Shake it Out - Florience + The Machine

We give a resounding, "Yes, please" to anything from Flo. However, not every song is kid-appropriate. "Shake It Out" is, though, and will surely turn your kids into spinning, bending and twisting little "Flo-mbies."

10. "A Sky Full of Stars" — Coldplay

Sky Full of Stars - Coldplay

Sky Full of Stars - Coldplay

Totally the kind of song to make you throw your hands in the air and dance around in circles, isn't it? Coldplay does fun and uplifting better than anyone else.

Next Up: "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" — Paul Simon

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9. "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" — Paul Simon

Sesame Street: Paul Simon Sings Me & Julio

Sesame Street: Paul Simon Sings Me & Julio

If there's any doubt this song will get kids clapping, snapping, singing and dancing, watch this video of Paul Simon performing "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" on Sesame Street.

8. "Pompeii" — Glee cast

Pompeii music video

Pompeii music video

Everyone loves the cast of Glee, right? Even if that's not entirely true, you will love their version of Bastille's "Pompeii." The song has rocked us for months now, but the Glee take will help kid-ify it.

7. "Funky Town" — Lipps Inc.

Funky town

Funky town

You and the kids will have a blast boogying down to this 1980s disco hit. Once again, the Shrek producers recognized a great dance tune for kids and included it in the movie Shrek 2.

6. "The Sound of Sunshine" — Michael Franti and Spearhead

"The Sound of Sunshine" by Michael Franti and Spearhead

"The Sound of Sunshine" by Michael Franti and Spearhead

Your soul will dance to this inspirational tune from Michael Franti and Spearhead. Franti penned the lyrics to express his new outlook on life after almost dying from a ruptured appendix.

Next Up: "Party in the U.S.A." – Miley Cyrus

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5. "Party in the U.S.A." — Miley Cyrus

"Party in the U.S.A." by Miley Cyrus

"Party in the U.S.A." by Miley Cyrus

Old Miley gives us a blast of danceable fun with this one. Get out the video camera and capture the fun the kids will have prancing around to this 2009 pop hit.

4. "Break Free" — Ariana Grande

Break Free - Ariana Grande

Break Free - Ariana Grande

The best part of "Break Free" is definitely the call for dramatic hand gestures. If you're not flailing around wildly with the kids, you're doing it all wrong.

3. "I'm a Believer" — Smash Mouth and Eddie Murphy

"I'm a Believer" by Smash Mouth and Eddie Murphy

"I'm a Believer" by Smash Mouth and Eddie Murphy

This song, originally recorded by the Monkees in the '60s, is best known by today's kids as the "song from the Shrek movie." It was recorded by Smash Mouth and Eddie Murphy for the first Shrek movie, and redone by Weezer for the sequel Shrek Forever After. Pick your favorite version and start grooving!

2. "Mickey" — Toni Basil

Mickey music video

Mickey music video

"Oh Mickey, you're so fine. You're so fine you blow my mind. Hey Mickey! (clap, clap, clap, clap) Hey Mickey!" Show the kids the music video from this '80s pop song and they just might want to dress up in a cheerleader costume and rock out.

1. "Groove is in the Heart" — Deee-Lite

"Groove is in the Heart" by Deee-Lite

"Groove is in the Heart" by Deee-Lite

"Groove is in the Heart" was named one of the Top 100 Dance Songs by Slant Magazine — and for good reason. "Groove is in the Heart" is a disco, funk, hip-hop combo that will have you and the kids up out of your seats and on the dance floor from the get-go.

Quick tip: Are your kids a little too young for a dance party? Let them rock out with an interactive Playskool Rocktivity toy like the Sit to Stand Music Skool that plays kid-friendly pop music for your little rock star.

Every Time I Hear About a School Shooter, I'm Afraid It's My Son

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After being a professional caregiver for more than 40 years and recovering from a stroke and a coma, I can honestly say that raising a teenager with mental health issues is the most challenging thing I have ever experienced. Being a parent is hard enough under normal circumstances. Teenage years are full of challenges like power struggles, rebelliousness and defiant behavior — and that’s before factoring in bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

It has been a few years since my son was diagnosed, but I still remember the sleepless nights — the worrying about not only his safety, but our own. We made numerous trips to the hospital for evaluations that often turned into weeks in the hospital as they tried to adjust his medication. There were outbursts of anger for what looked like no reason. The threats of suicide — not to mention the actual attempts — were horrible nightmares that no one should have to experience.

MoreHow a Vitamin D Deficiency Almost Destroyed My Life

I dealt with some social workers who were only in it for a job and didn’t seem concerned about whether our son lived or died. Once, I asked one of his social workers if they were going to make sure he took his medicine or try to keep him longer in the hospital given his recent overdose that left him in a coma for several days and damaged his heart. She curtly informed me that they didn’t plan to ask for a longer committal.

“But what if he tries to kill himself again?” I asked her, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

At this stage, the social worker told me that if he did and succeeded, it wasn’t their problem. After all, he was just one of a growing number of cases assigned to her, and none of them really meant anything except a paycheck.

For years, my husband and I slept in shifts, not only for our son’s safety, but out of concern for other children and ourselves.

One of the many times the police had to be called to our house to help restrain our son, the new suicide prevention officer informed me that I needed to remove everything he could use to hurt himself or someone else with from home. But he had no grasp of the extent of our situation. This just wasn’t possible.

I had long ago removed sharp cooking utensils from the kitchen as a safety precaution after he had tried to kill us with a knife. That made sense. But what the officer didn’t understand is that my son was very resourceful when it came to arming himself with household objects — there was no way to remove everything from the house that he could potentially use to hurt someone.

Once, my son hit his brother in the head with a vacuum cleaner — were we never to have clean floors again? He picked up rocks in the yard and would throw them at us. He had taken a 4-by-4 timber and destroyed the windows and body on my car, beating the roof flat. He took the axe we used to chop firewood and chased his father with it. That happened the same day he broke every window in our house and threatened to kill us all with a knife.

More: Why Caregivers Should Not Forget About Self-Care

Between the ages of 11 and 14, the incidents were endless, but he was too young to force to leave and yet too dangerous to live with. Even after he turned 19 and I finally made him move out, the torture he inflicted on our family continued. I helped him get an apartment and checked on him at least once a day for several years after that, but no longer have contact with him for my youngest son’s safety. It was the hardest decision I ever made. Not a day goes by I don't wonder about him.

So many times I have held my breath waiting to learn the identity of some mass shooter or a crazy guy with a knife reported on the news. I am so relieved when I find out it's not him — at least this time.

I know I did all I could to help him. I took him to countless doctors, and he was hospitalized multiple times until he was old enough to request to be released. I made sure he took his medicine until he got old enough that legally I couldn’t force him to anymore. I still tried, but my hands were tied. I talked to government agencies seeking to find someplace that could help him, all to no avail. I even asked Child Protective Services if they would remove him and put him someplace safe, but since we were not abusing him, they could not help us either — even though he was abusive to our other children.

State laws vary, but Texas has some of the worst for families of a child with mental illness. At 16, he was allowed to make his medical decisions. There was nothing we could do unless we got a judge to sign off on it.

Our son quickly learned the magic words, “I will not harm myself or anyone else. If I feel like I want to, I will call for help.” Two little sentences meant to help people seal the torture for the rest of my children and myself for years.

But despite being able to make his own medical decision when he was 16, I was still legally responsible for him. If he went on a rampage and broke windows at a neighbor's house, I had to pay the damages for not controlling my child. Under these laws, I could not do anything to ensure he stayed on medicine or got treatment to make sure he didn’t do those things.

More40 Years of Caring for Others Helped Me Recover From a Coma

Thousands of other parents face similar situations every day. Next time you see a teenager behaving in a way that seems inappropriate, give his parents a little slack for me. I shudder whenever I hear people blame the parents for their children's actions. When you remove all ability from a parent to take care of a child yet hold them financially responsible for their actions, it doesn’t make sense.

Remember as you come in contact with people, you have no idea what terrors they might be facing at home. They might be fighting with all they have to prevent another tragedy. Please also remember that this monster is still their child and they love him or her, even though they may hate their illness.

Carrie Fisher Earned an Emmy Nomination Posthumously

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Even after her death, Carrie Fisher is continuing to amaze us.

More: The Results of Carrie Fisher's Autopsy Are In & This Is So Sad

The Star Wars actor was nominated posthumously for an Emmy Award on Thursday morning, making her a three-time nominee. Her 2017 nod comes for her role in Catastrophe — she's nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.

Catastrophe is Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney's Amazon comedy series about a couple that gets married after a one-night stand results in a pregnancy. Fisher played Delaney's mother, who she described as an "awful mother," appearing in five hilarious episodes.

"I did really want to play an awful person," Fisher told reporters at Tribeca in April 2016, explaining why she was interested in the role. "There are not a lot of choices for women past 27. I don’t wait by the phone."

More: Billie Lourd Needs No Words to Show Her Love for Carrie Fisher on Mother's Day

Horgan was reportedly affected by Fisher's death, especially when it came to her plans to incorporate Fisher's character into the show much more in future seasons. "We wanted to tell more about that character. We wanted to flesh her out more and give her a story and a reason for her behavior. And the only reason why we did that is because Carrie made us want to do that," Horgan told the Associated Press after Fisher's death in December. "I miss her, but I’ll miss her in our show, you know, I'll miss that character and I’ll miss being able to tell that character’s story."

More: 11 Times Princess Leia Was the Embodiment of Resistance Goals

Fisher died suddenly after going into cardiac arrest on a flight from the U.K. to Los Angeles in December shortly after filming what would become her last guest spot on Catastrophe. Her prior Emmy nominations were for her HBO special Wishful Drinking and a guest role on 30 Rock.

Who Needs Chipotle When You Can Get Queso at Wendy's Now?

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Lately, it seems like everyone has taken a page out of my middle school snacking book, because queso is popping up everywhere these days. First, McDonald's started testing cheese fries in a couple of locations. Then, there was the big news that at their test store in New York, Chipotle is testing queso to be eaten as a dip with chips or included in burritos, tacos and burrito bowls.

But finally, Wendy's has come to blow them both out of the water, because they're introducing three new queso-loaded items to their menu, and they're all actually available across the country (for a limited time).

More: You Can Try Starbucks' New Iced Teas for Free This Friday

There's the bacon-queso chicken sandwich, which features a crispy chicken filet, and the bacon-queso burger containing the signature Wendy's square burger patty. Both sandwiches are topped with spicy poblano queso, fire-roasted salsa, red onions, Applewood smoked bacon and shredded cheddar cheese and are served on a red jalapeño bun. Yu-u-um.

More: This Online Store Sells Everything (Even Organic Products!) for $3

But what sounds even better than those queso sandwiches? The bacon-queso fries. I feel like these are pretty self-explanatory, but here goes. They're natural-cut sea salt fries drizzled with poblano queso and topped with cheddar cheese and Applewood-smoked bacon. I'm so relieved there isn't a Wendy's near my apartment or I would be there every day to get my hands on these.

More: Could Snortable Chocolate Actually Be Dangerous?

The prices are pretty reasonable too (but honestly, who would mind paying a premium for queso?). The burger goes for $4.99, the crispy chicken goes for $5.39 and the bacon-queso fries are just $2.49.

All of Wendy's new queso items are available at participating locations nationwide, so go forth and indulge in that cheesy, cheesy goodness. They're available for a limited time, but maybe if we're enthusiastic enough, we can get Wendy's to make queso a permanent addition to the menu. Fingers crossed!

Bridezillas Is Yet Another TV Show Getting the Revival Treatment

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It's 2017, and if there's one thing we know about ourselves in this age, it's that original TV content has nothing on a good revival.

More: 7 Bridezilla Moments Every Married Woman Can Relate To

We've been reviving canceled shows left and right. No show is safe from a revival and that is so clear now because WEtv just announced its plan to revive a show literally no one ever asked to see again: Bridezillas. Just kidding. They say they're reviving it because so many people actually demanded that they do so.

More: 12 Things You Should Never Say to a Bridezilla

"From the beginning, Bridezillas was nothing short of pop culture phenomenon and a brand-defining show for WE tv. Years after saying goodbye to our last Bridezilla, we have been asked consistently to bring this show back by viewers and fans," WEtv President Marc Juris said in a statement. "With its built-in fanbase and continued cultural relevance, the Bridezillas franchise is a strategic growth asset that we can leverage across our business and we are thrilled to be bringing it back to WE tv."

Bridezillas was canceled after 10 seasons in 2013. The new season, airing in 2018, will be 10 hourlong episodes. Casting is underway as we speak.

That means we can look forward to more moments like these once this hits airwaves.

Best and worst freak out moments on bride zillas s 10

Best and worst freak out moments on bride zillas s 10

One can only imagine how much tulle and wedding cake will be flying all over the place as the drama unfolds on screen. God help us all.

That's because the revival sounds like it'll be no different from the original show. "As we move closer to the brides' big day, tempers and tensions flare, the patience of loved ones is tested and monumental meltdowns become inevitable as our Bridezillas are pushed to the edge — all in the name of planning the ‘perfect' wedding," WEtv said in a release.

More: 10 Rules for Bridezillas

Did we really ask for this?


5 Signs You Need to Quit Your Job ASAP

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There will come a time when you and your current position should not be together anymore, when it is time to part ways, when you must break up with your job. Like any valuable relationship (especially one that is the sole reason you are able to buy food), it’s best to be extremely thoughtful about this decision. Weigh all of your options, stick to your commitment until you’ve tried everything in your power to make it work for you — see your job to its logical end, and then exit honorably. You do not want to quit until you’ve gotten everything you need out of your job; you don’t want to become one of those pathological quitting people who blames the job for her own inadequacies and unrelated unhappiness. Don’t quit until the time is right.

But how will you know the time is right? There may be many reasons you should quit your job, but maybe not right away, no matter how chaotic the company is or how unsatisfying the work. Sometimes you need to live with an unpleasant situation as an exercise in personal growth, for the good of your professional reputation or because you need to pay rent.

Usually, when you’re thinking about quitting your job, it is not because you are feeling so rad and awesome about what you do 40-plus hours a week. Usually, when you want to quit your job, it’s because you’re experiencing some daily discomfort beyond an acceptable level of daily discomfort. Sometimes, this is because your company, job or boss is hideous, horrible or abusive, and you need to leave. Sometimes this is because it’s a fine job, but you’ve outgrown it and you’re bored.

Here are some unequivocal signs it's time to leave your job and move on to the next adventure.

Your daily working life is an anxiety-producing shit pit

You are morally opposed to the company’s direction. You are made to do things that contradict your code of ethics, like pushing a product you know hurts people, lying about a boss’s salacious extracurriculars, giving perfectly competent employees poor performance ratings because you have been forced to implement a draconian HR ranking system. At this point, it’s certainly in your best interest to get out.

You haven't liked your job in longer than you can remember

You slump into work every day, not just Mondays, not just the day after vacation, wishing you didn’t have to be there. You spend a lot of time at work internet-escaping, searching for new fantasy places to live, travel to, get married, Airbnb. Just today, you took a quiz on your engagement ring personality and found out which Jane Austen figure you are, plus you clicked through an entire 105-slide arc of the Rihanna-Drake relationship only to find the story unsatisfying, inconclusive: Drizzy loves RiRi, but does RiRi love him back? You will never know.

More: 5 Tips for Dealing With a Toxic Co-worker

You love your job, but there's no room to grow

You’ve reached the highest bar in this position, the last ring on the swinging rings course. You are an eager perfectionist and a serious completionist; you’ve done all the tasks and tackled all the big projects, and you’ve been promoted or you tried to be promoted and someone cock-blocked this promotion and you don’t know what to do because you love your boss and you love this company but your heart knows. You’ve reached your ceiling. Time to go somewhere that challenges you again.

More: 12 Tips That Can Help You Land a Flexible Career

Your workplace has become toxic

You dread emails from your manager because you always feel like you’re in trouble. You constantly feel like you’re about to get fired, but you don’t know how to make it right. Each time you receive critical feedback, you only feel less capable. Assuming these aren’t things you’ve felt in every job you’ve had, reflecting a pattern of your own insecurities, this is a surefire sign that you should look for a new job where you don’t feel like you’re walking on eggshells.

You're bored AF

Here is a trigger moment for you — when you’ve stopped learning or you are no longer challenged in your job, when you’re plodding into the office every day and wishing you did not have to go. If you hate every project you are working on or your performance is mediocre and you’re uninspired and coasting, down on the company and toxic, it’s time to start looking for the next opportunity.

Complacency is the death of a fulfilling career. I don’t care about your benefits (I mean I do care — I want you to be healthy, but you can find new benefits). I don’t care about your vacation days. Phoning it in dulls your senses and your creativity. It’s demoralizing to the people around you. It blocks you from achieving your full potential. Work that inspires, challenges and resonates with you comes with more responsibility and ultimately more money and more satisfaction down the road.

Adapted from Weird in a World That’s Not: A Career Guide for Misfits, F*ckups, and Failures by Jennifer Romolini

Dax Shepherd & Kristen Bell Prove Their Love for GoT Is Strong

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If you think you’re the biggest Game of Thrones fan in the world, you’re not. No offense, but when was the last time you released a video miming the opening theme while wearing all the show’s costumes and then making out with your husband at the end? Oh, never? Then you don’t stand a chance against Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard.

More: Game of Thrones' season 7 trailer may have just confirmed Daenery's plotline

Not that watching GoT is a competition, but it feels like the celebrity power couple officially made it a competition anyway, especially with all the excitement about the final season. Season 7 of the cult HBO show comes out this Sunday, July 16, and everyone in the world is freaking out. Like any final season, questions will be answered and people will cry when it’s over. Especially Bell and Shephard.

More: This is Emilia Clarke riding a dragon pre-CGI on Game of Thrones

In the one-minute video posted from Dax Shephard’s YouTube account, the couple most likely stands in front of a green screen with the famous GoT playing-board style intro behind them. They start the video in regular clothes - jeans and a t-shirt for Shephard, and jeans and a nice flowy top for Bell - and they play the quiet intro theme on drums and a violin. Then, when the music picks up, they cut to themselves decked out Game of Thrones themed attire. Shephard is dressed like Jon Snow and Bell is dressed like Khaleesi, of course. The hilarious parody continues as they cut to cosplaying different characters.

More: Kit Harington's fake GoT audition tape is the best GoT pregame

It ends with a deep look into each others’ eyes, and a hardcore makeout between the two. After all, Game of Thrones is one of the sexiest shows on television, so there’s no better way to express excitement, really.

Kristen Bell & Dax GoT

Kristen Bell & Dax GoT

And, the clip is, of course, accompanied by the most perfect caption: “Words can not express our horniness for the Game of Thrones premier[e]. Hopefully this video will…”

It does. And we’re truly so thankful for it.

You Need to See Meryl Streep's Obama-Inspired Purse

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In an unsurprising turn of events, Meryl Streep did something amazing. While on set of her latest project, the actress was seen sporting a purse with the cutest and couply-est photo of Barack and Michelle Obama printed right on the front.

More: Meryl Streep and Karl Lagerfeld's Oscars dress drama is just plain petty

Meryl Streep's Bag
Image: Splash

Of course, we’re forced to wonder if Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada would be caught dead holding a purse like this, or if it would be the hot ticket item for a political circuit. But Meryl Streep isn’t known as a fashion icon (though she could be), so this truly might be the best accessory known the womankind.

More: This summer camp is empowering young girls through the arts

The three-time Best Actress Oscar winner has never shied away from her political beliefs, often being as outspoken as possible about the current political climate. Recently, she’s known for candidly speaking against Trump and his administration, seeing backlash from the president himself, and supporting Democratic party frontrunners like the Obamas and Hillary Clinton. So Meryl openly rocking the political statement piece isn’t surprising, but the main question for me is this: Did she make this handbag herself?

There have always been crafty ways to print photos onto clothes and bags and blankets. The 90’s were a hub for bedazzle guns and iron-on templates. Could it be that Meryl Streep has a collection of these tools and keeps them for these little art projects? And if that’s the case, what else has she made???

More: An analysis of Meryl Streep & Donald Trump's lives so far - Who's the overrated one?

Or did she just buy the thing? Was it in an I

So here are the facts: When it comes to questioning Meryl Streep on her acting, don’t do it. When it comes to questioning Meryl Streep’s political beliefs, don’t do it. And when it comes to questioning Meryl Streep’s passion for statement piece fashion, DON’T DO IT.

God bless Meryl.

7 Best Acne Products You Can Safely Use During Pregnancy

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When it comes to what to expect when you’re expecting, most women are prepared to experience morning sickness, having to pee every five minutes and some nicely tender and swollen breasts. Sorry, but they’re practically part of the pregnancy contract (although, despite the severe exaggeration in Hollywood films, not all pregnant women experience these symptoms, so don’t freak).

More: Meet Retinol Oil: The Coolest Antiaging Product That Actually Works

But one pesky pregnancy symptom we’re not given the heads up about: pregnancy acne. If you’re growing a baby bump and battling breakouts, you’re probably wondering where the hell that pregnancy glow is and why you’re not basking in it. The answer lies in your pregnancy hormones, which will do some crazy and unexpected things as you grow a tiny human for nine months. “A surge in androgens — a group of hormones responsible for ‘male’ features — can trigger acne flares in pregnant women,” explains Beverly Hills-based dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse.

Best Acne Products
Image: ImaxTree

This acne is not a special form of acne, though — it’s just more plentiful. And if you’re already prone to breakouts or have adult acne, you may have a tougher time managing it when pregnant, especially if you’ve been taking an oral acne medication like Accutane or spironolactone and now need to stop your meds (these medications can cause significant harm to your unborn baby, so your doc will likely advise you to stop oral acne meds as soon as you start trying for a baby). In fact, most of the popular ingredients used in acne treatments, like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, are not FDA-approved for regular use during pregnancy, making your hormonal acne one tough (though not impossible!) condition to treat.

And because you might not have time to visit your derm in between all your prenatal appointments and obligatory trips to the mall for the cutest baby clothes possible, we brought the experts to you for advice on how to safely get rid of acne while pregnant. Scroll through to find the best acne-zapping products below, and get ready for relief from your zits.

Giovanni Cosmetics D:tox System Purifying Facial Cleanser

est Acne Products You Can Safely Use During Pregnancy: Giovanni Cosmetics D:tox System Purifying Facial Cleanser | Pregnancy Skincare
Image: Giovanni Cosmetics

“Over-the-counter acne washes and creams containing salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are actually a pregnancy class C in the U.S., meaning they’re not recommended in pregnancy,” says Shainhouse. If your skin tends to be on the greasier side, she recommends looking for charcoal washes or foaming washes instead, which can gently mattify oily skin while clearing pore-clogging skin cells. "Avoid harsh scrubs and overly-drying cleansers, which can irritate already inflamed, acne-prone skin," she notes.

Giovanni Cosmetics D:tox System Purifying Facial Cleanser (Giovanni Cosmetics, $9.95)

Peter Thomas Roth Acne Spot and Area Treatment

est Acne Products You Can Safely Use During Pregnancy:Peter Thomas Roth Acne Spot and Area Treatment | Pregnancy Skincare
Image: Sephora

"Intermittent use of on-the-spot benzoyl peroxide gel or salicylic acid 1 or 2 percent gel should be safe in pregnancy," says Shainhouse. "One study suggested that most benzoyl peroxide gets destroyed within the skin, leaving only 3 percent absorbed." Thus, a dab on a pimple every once in awhile should be totally safe — just don’t go overboard.

Peter Thomas Roth Acne Spot and Area Treatment (Sephora, $19)

Elizabeth Arden Skin Illuminating Retexturizing Pads

est Acne Products You Can Safely Use During Pregnancy: Elizabeth Arden Skin Illuminating Retexturizing Pads | Pregnancy Skincare
Image: Elizabeth Arden

“I used these as a ‘treatment toner’ two to three times a week when I was pregnant,” says Dendy Engelman, dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery. “Unlike beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid, which can be damaging during pregnancy, glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that’s safe to use.” Not only can glycolic acid clear blocked pores, but it's also great at fading the hyperpigmentation (aka chloasma) that can occur from the hormonal surges in pregnancy.

Elizabeth Arden Skin Illuminating Retexturizing Pads (Elizabeth Arden, $56)

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel

est Acne Products You Can Safely Use During Pregnancy: SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel | Pregnancy Skincare
Image: SkinCeuticals

With a mix of 10 percent pure vitamin C and acne scar-fading ferulic acid and phloretin, this antioxidant-rich gel is "great at fighting signs of aging caused by free radicals," says Engelman. Plus, the vitamin C can keep blackheads at bay while combating acne marks.

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel (SkinCeuticals, $165)

Cetaphil Foaming Face Wash

est Acne Products You Can Safely Use During Pregnancy: Cetaphil Foaming Face Wash | Pregnancy Skincare
Image: CVS

“For irritated, red, sensitive, acne-prone skin, choose a gentle face wash like Cetaphil,” says Shainhouse. “This light and gentle face wash soaks up some of your skin's excess oils while leaving it looking matte throughout the day.” Plus, it’s fragrance-free, which is a bonus for easily nauseated mommas.

Cetaphil Foaming Face Wash for Redness Prone Skin (CVS, $10.49)

Differin Gel Acne Treatment

est Acne Products You Can Safely Use During Pregnancy: Differin Gel Acne Treatment | Pregnancy Skincare
Image: Walgreens

This lightweight gel is the first prescription-strength synthetic retinoid that's now available over the counter. “The active ingredient is the retinoid adapalene, which is safe to use moderately during pregnancy for severe acne,” says Santa Monica-based OB-GYN Sherry Ross. Consider it the closest you can get to Rx power without needing to worry about possible negative effects to your baby. Still, Ross adds that the gel should be applied like a spot treatment and used sparingly rather than in daily full-face layers. If you feel the need to use it more frequently, chat with your doctor to ensure it’s safe.

Differin Gel Acne Treatment (Walgreens, $29.99)

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

est Acne Products You Can Safely Use During Pregnancy: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% | Pregnancy Skincare
Image: The Ordinary

Prescription medication is the last line of defense for pregnancy acne, though totally an option if your skin is really bothering you. “Azelaic acid, erythromycin and clindamycin are antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, making them the drugs of choice for pregnancy acne,” says Ross. But if the idea of taking pills worries you, try layering on a topical azelaic acid instead, like The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension. Just make sure to keep your OB-GYN in the loop while weighing the benefits and risks of various treatment options, and always consult with your doctor before starting any acne products. And remember: Your acne is temporary, so try to take deep breaths... for nine months.

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% (The Ordinary, $7.90)

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

5 Easy Recipes to Make You Fall in Love With Pasta All Over Again

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When I think back to my first true food love, pasta's the clear winner. Mac 'n' cheese, meatballs, even plain old noodles and butter — back in the day, if someone asked me what I wanted for dinner, 9 times out of 10, the answer was pasta.

Somewhere along the way, though, I stopped eating it as much. Maybe it was fear of the carbs; maybe it was lack of time, but noodles definitely got put on the back burner. But that's about to end.

These delicious recipes are inventive, easy and pasta-licious. Get ready to fall in love with pasta all over again.

1. Red pepper & butternut squash pasta recipe

Red pepper and butternut squash pasta recipe

No, this isn't super-cheesy pasta, but you won't be disappointed with the decadent and creamy butternut squash sauce.

More: 6 Summer Food & Wine Pairings That Will Make You Look Like a Pro Foodie

2. 30-Minute cream cheese meatball fettuccine recipe

Cream cheese meatball fettuccine recipe

Spaghetti and meatballs (with cream cheese!) in 30 minutes could be very bad for my waistline.

3. Spaghetti with seafood ragù recipe

Spaghetti with seafood ragù recipe

A lighter pasta dish for when you need a break from the above-mentioned cream cheese-infused spaghetti.

4. Creamy Greek yogurt mac 'n' cheese with spinach recipe

greek yogurt mac and cheese

This creamy, cheesy, one-pot mac and cheese comes together in 15 minutes — 15 minutes!

More: 21 Pasta Salad Recipes That Are Perfect for Potlucks

5. One-skillet three-meat spaghetti recipe

One-skillet three-meat spaghetti recipe

If this meaty spaghetti doesn't scream comfort food, I don't know what does.

6. Tagliatelle with eggplant cream, tomatoes & basil recipe

pasta with eggplant cream

If you can't travel to the Italian Riviera, at least you can indulge in pasta inspired by the flavors of the region.

7. Chili spaghetti recipe

leftover chili spaghetti recipe

The perfect way to use up leftover chili.

Originally published March 2015. Updated July 2017.

Beyoncé Shares First Pic of Newborn Twins Sir & Rumi

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The heavens hath cracked open and bestowed upon us all our most desired wish: a glimpse of the hallowed offspring of one Beyoncé Knowles and Jay-Z Carter. We also have confirmation of their names, which are Sir and Rumi. Oh, and their birthday is June 14, confirming their Gemini twins status.

Bey twins

Bey twins

We are thinking Sir is the boy, but maybe don't quote us on that just yet.

More: Celebrity baby names we wish we'd thought of first

Bey delighted her hive with an Instagram post early Friday morning featuring her and the twins standing in front of — oh yes — another Kentucky Derby-size floral arrangement.

“Sir Carter and Rumi 1 month today,” Beyoncé captioned the photo. In it, she wears striking, billowy Palomo Spain fabric (in case you are keeping track of your Palomo Spain design sightings), but could be mistaken as being wrapped in floral curtains. She also wears an aqua blue veil, like ya do when you show off your babies for the first time to the universe.

This is the first confirmation of the twins' names (remember when we all briefly thought they were "Shawn" and "Bea"? Silly, silly us) came after Beyoncé and Jay-Z filed trademark documents — like all harried parents do immediately after Baby arrives. The trademark documents are presumably to protect the twins' names for future use on all things from fragrances to baby gear to bags and water bottles and cosmetic lines.

This is the way of the celebrity parent. You might want to get cracking if you have yet to file trademark documents for your mortal brood.

No word on how Blue Ivy, 5, is handling the role of big sister to the twins. Also no word on whether or not Blue Ivy giggles hysterically when she addresses her brother and sister as Sir and Rumi.

More: Blue Ivy is showing off her rap skills

Beyoncé's parents heaved a sigh of relief that their daughter finally shared a photo of the twins. That's a lot of pressure for any grandparent, to hold back on the baby pics.

Tina Knowles

Tina Knowles

"So Happy my baby shared a photo of her babies with the world," said Tina Knowles.

So are a whole mess of people. Twitter is predictably delighted — and predictably hilarious — about the twins' reveal.

Bey fam

Bey fam

Bey faint

Bey faint

Bey happy

Bey happy

bey twins 2

bey twins 2

We await with bated breath the next glimpse of the twins. Maybe ones where they're not lost in an armful of bright floral fabrics and flower arrangements, m'kay, Bey and Jay? We want to get our twins on with no visual distraction. But you look fierce for sure. Let's get that right, queen.

More: Pharrell has his hands full raising triplets

Boxed Mac & Cheese Might Be Even Worse for You Than You Thought

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When I look back at how much boxed mac and cheese I consumed in college, I'm honestly sometimes surprised that my skin didn't start to turn orange (my dorm room did smell strangely cheesy, but I can't confirm whether that was directly related to the food). Now, it turns out that there's a way more serious reason for us all to watch our store-bought macaroni and cheese intake.

The New York Daily News reports that the Coalition for Safer Food Processing & Packaging is alarmed by the amounts of phthalates (aka chemicals used in plastics) found in lab tests of cheese products — 8 of the 9 Kraft products they sampled contained phthalates, including the classic blue-box mac and cheese.

Phthalates aren't ingredients intended to make their way into foods. They're absorbed from equipment in product manufacturing facilities and packaging. There's not much currently known about how phthalates affect human biology. According to the CDC, "Human health effects from exposure to low levels of phthalates are unknown. Some types of phthalates have affected the reproductive system of laboratory animals. More research is needed to assess the human health effects of exposure to phthalates."

More: Kraft Mac & Cheese to lose its iconic bright orange color (VIDEO)

But the food safety coalition is concerned that in large numbers, phthalates could be toxic. They say that phthalates are hormone disruptors that could cause thyroid issues, reproductive problems and neurological problems in children.

Phthalates have been banned in many European countries, especially where it might come into contact with fatty foods, which can absorb more of the chemical. And many types of phthalates are banned in the U.S. in toys and child care products. Say what?!

More: Kraft pulled a fast one on us, and we didn't even notice

Because of this potential danger, the food safety coalition is calling for Kraft to remove all phthalates from their products, but that could be a pretty big challenge. Under the current administration, the FDA is moving toward more deregulation rather than working to implement more stringent food packaging standards and continuing to explore the dangerous potential of many contaminants and ingredients.

Kraft recently made the news for removing all artificial dyes from their products after listening to their customers. The coalition is hoping they'll do the same when it comes to phthalates.

In the meantime, what's a mac and cheese-loving lady to do? If you're like me, you'll be brushing up on your vegan mac and cheese cooking skills.


Amanda Seyfried Explains Why She Won't Share Her Baby's Name

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Amanda Seyfried, star of Les Misérables and Mamma Mia, is opening up about life with her new baby girl — but don't ask her to tell you the baby's name, OK?

Recently, Seyfried got uncharacteristically candid on a podcast, Dr. Berlin's Informed Pregnancy.

“I’m a parent now, and I appreciate things in a way I never have,” said Seyfried about becoming a first-time mom in March.

More: Amanda Seyfried's baby is here

She and husband Thomas Sadoski aren't sharing their daughter's name with the public. “I wouldn’t want you to ask me what her name is because I wouldn’t tell you. It’s about us as a family,” she said. “Our friends [know] and you know what that caused? A lot of embroidery. A lot of embroidered towels.”

(We wouldn't send any towels or embroidery, Amanda, if you change your mind on that. Just FYI.)

More: Pregnant Amanda Seyfried can smell electricity, y'all

Seyfried's pregnancy wasn't planned, but that didn't faze her or Sadoski. Not one bit.

“We knew that we wanted to be together and make a baby, but you know, sometimes things happen and it’s the biggest blessing in the world,” she said. “We were so excited. You imagine these moments. Like being proposed to and marrying somebody, walking down the aisle or having your baby and taking a pregnancy test. You imagine all these things, but when they really happen, you can’t believe it’s happening to you.”

One of the sweetest revelations from Seyfried? She told Sadoski about the pregnancy by writing then reading to him a poem she'd written. Awwww. Except it was a little over his head. "Unfortunately, he didn’t quite get it after the first reading. It was a little abstract," she said.

More: Bey and Jay share first photo of twins Sir and Rumi

Seyfried also shared that her labor was loooooong: 24 hours. The first 10 or 11 hours were spent at home with Sadoski, and then the couple was joined by the doula and Seyfried's mother.

“I was crawling on all fours between contractions it was so bad,” Seyfried said. She opted for an epidural (we feel you, Amanda).

Seyfried made us swoon with her description of her baby girl meeting Sadoski. “She connected with Tommy — that was the first person she looked at. I mean, father-daughter connection, it trumps everything.” Gah, tissues please.

We completely appreciate Seyfried's love-hate relationship with breastfeeding. too. “I was ready to quit about five days in because it was a searing pain and I couldn’t get a good latch,” Seyfried said. She wound up with a raging case of mastitis, an excruciating infection of breast tissue common the first three months of breastfeeding.

Seyfried called the breastfeeding process initially "stressed" and "fearful" for her. But now Seyfried feels like she's got this breastfeeding thing down. “She’s getting milk and she’s gaining weight like a champ.”

We're not sure how long it will be until a source reveals Seyfried's baby's name (inevitable?) but we applaud Seyfried for wanting to keep her baby girl under wraps for now.

Serena Williams May Not Return to Tennis as Soon as You Think

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Serena Williams has an awful lot going on.

More: Pregnant Serena Williams Poses Nude, Talks Falling for Alexis Ohanian

She recently got engaged to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian and soon after accidentally announced her pregnancy on Snapchat. She's been continuing to train while she prepares for the birth of her first little one, and she's either planning a wedding or has already gotten secretly married, depending on who you ask. But there's one question that's at the forefront of every Williams sisters fan's mind: When is she getting back on the court?

Unfortunately, it may be a while. Although Williams previously told Vanity Fair that she planned to get back to playing competitively as early as January, that seems to have changed as she's gotten further along in her pregnancy.

More: Venus Williams May Have Just Revealed the Sex of Serena's Baby

"If you know me, you know that I have the most unrealistic goals," Williams told E News this week. "I'm having a baby in the fall, and I am talking about playing in January. That is ridiculous! But who knows? If it happens, great, but if it doesn't happen, it's not the end of the world. I am OK with that too. Big deal, I will just keep going until the next goal!"

She also squashed those secret wedding rumors in the same interview. "It hasn't happened yet, not that I am aware of," she joked. "No, we are still waiting. There was a bridal shower, and after the bridal comes the bachelorette [party], which is not gonna happen right now," she added, looking at her growing baby bump.

More: Very Pregnant Serena Williams Is Still Playing Tennis in Her Third Trimester

Regardless of when Williams gets hitched and gets back on the court, we're beyond excited for all these big new steps in her life. Who cares when she starts playing again as long as we have a baby Williams to distract us?!

10 Baby Shower Gift Ideas That Are Game-Changers for New Mamas

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It's a not-so-commonly known fact that most babies are born between July and September — which means that we're currently mid-baby shower season and scrambling to find gifts for all the new moms-to-be. While it's fun to gift cutesy baby items that everyone at the shower will "ooh" and "aah" over, the best baby shower gifts are ones that are super useful.

We rounded up some of baby shower gift ideas that new mamas will totally love — and use.

1. A year's worth of diapers

Diaper bundle instagram

Diaper bundle instagram

Any new parent will tell you that diapers are the best gift to get, but handing someone a few bags of diapers isn't the sexiest present. Enter IncrediBundles. They are a "modern twist on the baby gift basket." You can gift a year's worth of diapers (which will run you $719), but there are also three, six and nine month options. It's perfect if a few friends want to chip in and buy one gift. The company also has other great bundles, like a year's worth of toys.

More: Dean McDermott's Ex Is Furious Over Tori Spelling's Lavish Baby Shower

2. Onesies

Useful baby shower gifts
Image: Primary

White onesies are essential for any new baby, but they're also a bit boring — Primary has got ya covered. The company offers "awesome basics at reasonable prices," and their 7 piece babysuit gift set is perfect for both boys and girls. These onesies are great for when baby is at home sleeping (which is a lot at first) and parents don't want to dress him or her up in a "going-out" outfit.

3. Pack and play

Pack and play insta

Pack and play insta

While Mom and Dad might not realize how much they're going to need a good pack and play when their baby isn't moving around yet, it will be a lifesaver once the baby is mobile. That's where 4moms' breeze comes in. The easy breakdown and setup make this a "breeze" (pun intended). It's perfect for setting up in your home office, laundry room or even taking on a road trip to set up at Grandma's house. The breeze products start at around $200, though, so it might be another gift that you can go in on with some friends.

4. Video baby monitor

Useful baby shower gifts
Image: Walmart

Whether you live in a small space or a large one, a video baby monitor is essential. It's not just about hearing what's going on in the room, but being able to see what's going on. The Motorola MBP36S is a monitor has a digital color screen and it displays room temperature, plays five lullabies, tilts, zooms and has two-way communication so that you can talk to your baby even if you're not in the room. A must-have for any new parent!

More: Birthday Party Gifting 101

5. Infantino Squeeze Station

Useful baby shower gifts
Image: Infantino

Homemade baby food is so much healthier than store-bought, but how the heck is a mom supposed to store it and travel with it? Infantino offers a great system that combines the ease of a disposable pouch with homemade baby food. The Squeeze Station lets you put homemade baby food into disposable pouches. If you're getting this for a new mom, make sure to pick up extra pouches and the freezer storage container.

6. Please and Carrots

Useful baby shower gifts
Image: Please and Carrots

Knowing which toys to buy is harder than one would think, but Please and Carrots subscription box service takes out some of the guesswork. They deliver the most developmentally appropriate toys and books for babies (ages 0-3) right to Mom's doorstep every month.

7. Bubula steel diaper pail

Useful baby shower gifts
Image: Bubula

A new baby means a lot of dirty diapers, but most diaper pails aren't exactly going to add to the ambiance of the room, plus you have to buy special garbage bags for them. Enter Bubula. You can use the same garbage bags you use in other trash cans, and the steel and aluminum construction has a strong, flexible rubber seal to keep the airtight lid from leaking odors from stinky diapers. It also comes in a bunch of beautiful pastel colors.

8. Baby carrier

Useful baby shower gifts
Image: Ack Wrap

Most new babies want to be held 24 hours a day, but that's just not always possible. There are a number of baby carriers on the market, but for the first few months, a fabric one to keep baby nice and snug is best. The ACK Wrap is a super stylish way for a mom to actually wear her baby, and it has a lightweight fabric for those hot summer months. It looks super cute, too.

9. Infant tub

Useful baby shower gifts
Image: 4moms

The first few couple of bath-times can be really stressful for both mom and baby, but 4moms' infant bathtub keeps things simple. It tells you the temperature of the water, and it'll beep if it's too hot. Also, there's a side drain to get dirty water out and fresh water to flow in. Add some bath time supplies, like baby shampoo and a towel or two, and you have the perfect gift.

10. Monthly blocks

baby blocks insta

baby blocks insta

New parents love to take pictures of their baby every month (and even every week!) to document how they're growing up. BB Blocks are a unique way to remember exactly how old the babe is in each and every photo.

Originally published July 2015. Updated July 2017.

11 Gorgeous Glampgrounds to Add to Your Travel Bucket List

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By: Marisa Petrarca

Glamping — aka the perfect combination of outdoorsy adventure and luxury comfort — is the ultimate escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It means riding in a hot-air balloon, climbing a mountain or gallivanting through the desert, all while having a glamorous campsite (yes, completely possible) as your refuge at the end of the day.

Discover the 11 most unique and insanely Instagrammable glampground sites around the U.S. that you’ll find yourself adding to your travel bucket list in no time.

Crazy Beautiful Glampgrounds: El Cosmico; Marfa, Texas | Summer Travel 20117
Image: El Cosmico

El Cosmico — Marfa, Texas

El Cosmico, a 21-acre bohemian-themed campground hotel in Marfa, Texas, is an adventurer's dream come true. Accommodations include renovated vintage trailers, safari tents, Sioux-style tepees, a Mongolian yurt and tent campsites. To celebrate their love of the community, El Cosmico also offers its guests a communal hammock grove, outdoor kitchen and dining area, a community lounge and mercantile, an outdoor stage and reading room. What more could you need, really?

More: 35 Times Instagram Proved Glamping Should Top Your Bucket List

Crazy Beautiful Glampgrounds: The Resort at Paws Up; Greenough, Montana | Summer Travel 2017
Image: The resort at Paws Up

The Resort at Paws Up — Greenough, Montana

Luxury is the utmost priority at the Resort at Paws up in Western Montana. Whether you decide on the ultimate family retreat at the Moonlight Camp, featuring complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides, mountain bikes and scavenger hunts or a romantic, one-bedroom honeymoon tent — there’s the right accommodation for everyone.

Crazy Beautiful Glampgrounds: Under Canvas; Moab National Park; Moab, Utah | Summer Travel 2017
Image: Under Canvas; Moab National Park

Under Canvas, Moab National Park — Moab, Utah

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to really experience the desert, Under Canvas at Moab National Park is ready to help you find out. Rates range from $89 to $384 per night depending on which of the six unique experiences you choose. Explore the Arches and Canyonlands National parks, take a trip in a hot-air balloon or if you’re feeling daring, raft the Colorado River.

Crazy Beautiful Glampgrounds: Camp Orenda; Johnsburg, New York | Summer Travel
Image: Camp Orenda

Camp Orenda — Johnsburg, New York

Camp Orenda is the perfect escape from the grind of city life. It’s located in the Adirondack State Park, allowing guests to hike winding paths and mountain trails, canoe on lakes or enjoy the star-filled evening on the porch of your rustic, contemporary-designed cabin.

Crazy Beautiful Glampgrounds: AutoCamp Russian River; Guernville, California | Summer Travel 2017
Image: AutoCamp Russian River

AutoCamp Russian River — Guerneville, California

For a unique experience unlike any other, rent a cozy Airstream at the AutoCamp Russian River campground in Guerneville, California — Sonoma’s wine country. Cure your wanderlust by swimming in the Russian River, canoeing or relaxing on the beach. Check out the downtown scene, explore vineyards and redwood forests or simply relax by your campsite with friends.

More: 6 Summer Camps (for Grown-Ups!)

Crazy Beautiful Glampgrounds: Pampered Wilderness; Olympia, Washington | Summer Travel 2017
Image: Pampered Wilderness

Pampered Wilderness — Olympia, Washington

From the moment you pull up to the Pampered Wilderness campsite in Millersylvania State Park, you will be taken aback by the beautifully decorated cabins resembling deluxe safari suites. The dreamy aesthetic is one you’ll never forget. When you’re not relaxing, discover the park’s nature trails and don’t miss out on swimming or canoeing in Deep Lake.

Crazy Beautiful Glampgrounds: Shawnee Island Glamping; Delaware, Pennsylvania | Summer Travel 2017
Image: Shawnee Island Glamping

Shawnee Island Glamping — Delaware, Pennsylvania

For a secluded, intimate glamping experience, check out the Luxury Encampment at the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resorts that’s actually on an island in the middle of the Delaware River. Access to the campsite is by canoe, which makes for the perfect combination of adventure and luxury.

Crazy Beautiful Glampgrounds: Westgate River Ranch Resort Glamping; River Ranch, Florida | Summer Travel 2017
Image: Westgate River Ranch Resort Glamping

Westgate River Ranch Resort Glamping — River Ranch, Florida

Glamping at the Westgate River Ranch Resort in Florida is one of the chicest experiences of them all. We’re talking a gorgeously decorated rustic-style tent that’s tucked in among the woods. To add to the luxury, you’ll also be matched with a personal glamping concierge and given a key to your private bathroom facility.

Crazy Beautiful Glampgrounds: The Aerie; Joshua Tree, California | Summer Travel 2017
Image: The Aerie

The Aerie — Joshua Tree, California

The Aerie is located in Joshua Tree and serves as the architectural embodiment of Eric Mueller’s vision for a unique desert sanctuary. Its Moroccan, Indian and Tibetan influences are what make the glampground come to life, from their stunning decor pieces to smaller finishing touches.

Crazy Beautiful Glampgrounds: Dunton Hot Springs; Dolores, Colorado | Summer Travel 2017
Image: Dunton Hot Springs

Dunton Hot Springs — Dolores, Colorado

Meet the luxury Colorado ranch that’s practically straight out of a storybook. The Dolores is an original Dunton cabin from the 1800s that’s nestled in the San Juan Mountains overlooking the scenic river. The cabin also features a stunning Rajasthan wedding bed to add to the rooms’ authentic old-Western style. Try to name a more perfect romantic getaway.

More: Camping Hacks to Try Before Summer Ends

Crazy Beautiful Glampgrounds: Under Canvas Grand Canyon; Williams, Arizona | Summer Travel 2017
Image: Under Canvas Grand Canyon

Under Canvas Grand Canyon — Williams, Arizona

The Grand Canyon is a must-see for all, and what better way to enjoy it than in a luxury safari camp just 40 minutes away. The campground sits at the base of the Bill Williams Mountain in one of the largest ponderosa pine forests in the world. Explore the Grand Canyon or cruise down Route 66 — the choice is yours.

Originally published on Domino.

Disney Reveals Design of New Star Wars Theme Parks

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Disney, you are such a tease.

Just ahead of the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California — which begins Friday — Disney decided to whet fans' appetites with a peek at the Star Wars theme parks under construction at both Disneyland and Disney World.

More: The best matching Disneyland T-shirts to take your trip to the next level

Now, don't get too excited. Star Wars Land, as it's unofficially known, won't be opening until 2019. Yes, you read that right. Yes, we're very sorry — we like immediate gratification too.

Disney has shared a lot of concept art in the past for Star Wars Land, but the company has now released a detailed model that will be on full display at D23 for the expo weekend. Nerd alert! (We are including ourselves in that description.)

“This is the most ambitious land we’ve built to date,” Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said. (Well, Bob Chapek, maybe it's time for a little more ambition — get that sucker ready for us by 2018.)

More: Want your mind blown? Visit Pandora, the World of Avatar theme park

A Disney Parks' blog post is incredibly enticing (and we are having trouble staying patient, grrrr). It said that the new lands will “transport guests to a never-before-seen planet, a remote trading port, and one of the last stops before the Wild Space.”

Disney released photos of the video and model for those unable to attend D23. Want to pilot the Millennium Falcon on a secret mission? Oh, you will. Want to zip through a fight between the Resistance and the First Order? Yup. Your future as a Star Wars fan is bright, if fraught with long, painful periods of waiting.

More: Disney World is having a summer 2017 sale you won't want to miss

Rumor has it that Disney will also reveal more delicious info during a Saturday presentation. 2019, you are entirely too far away. May the Force be with us all as we wait for our next Star Wars Land clue.

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