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Halloween Pancakes Are the Cutest Breakfast Food Ever (Sorry, Mickey!)

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We're not ashamed to admit that we'd go to town on some pancakes no matter what shape, size or form —but we're convinced that when those hotcakes are in a cute shape, they just taste better. (Hello, there's a reason people have been cooking up Mickey Mouse flapjacks for decades!) But when our love for pancakes is combined with our love for Halloween? Well, that's just perfection.

Let's not forget that kids will totally fall in love with pancakes shaped like jack-o'-lanterns, mummies and spiders too.

More: How to Make Perfect Pancakes Every Single Time

An epic Halloween pancakes recipe
Image: Nancy Foster/SheKnows

The kids will love to take a bite out of these creatures. Here's how to make spooky pancakes perfect for the holiday and serve up a breakfast plate of jack-o'-lanterns, spiders and mummies.

Make-pumpkin-pancake
Image: Nancy Foster/SheKnows

On the left side of the griddle, using orange batter, outline the pumpkin, and fill it in with batter.

witch-hat-on-pumpkin
Image: Nancy Foster/SheKnows

Next, using the white pancake batter, on top of the pumpkin, outline a witch's hat, and fill it in with batter.

spider-head-pancake
Image: Nancy Foster/SheKnows

For the spider, at the top right side of the griddle, draw a circle, and fill it in with batter.

spider-legs-pancake
Image: Nancy Foster/SheKnows

Then add four legs on each side of the spider.

Make-mummy-pancake
Image: Nancy Foster/SheKnows

For the mummy, on the bottom right side of the griddle, outline a silhouette, and fill it in with batter.

cooked-halloween-pancakes
Image: Nancy Foster/SheKnows

Let the pancakes cook on low to medium heat.

cooked-pumpkin-pancake
Image: Nancy Foster/SheKnows

Use a large spatula to turn the pancakes over to cook on the other side. Be very careful to not break off the spider legs or edges of the pumpkin's hat.

chocolate-on-pancake
Image: Nancy Foster/SheKnows

Turn the pumpkin to the same side, facing up, as when it was drawn. On the pumpkin's hat, using the back of a small spoon, spread a thin layer of chocolate sauce.

orange-candy-pancakes
Image: Nancy Foster/SheKnows

On top of the chocolate sauce, sprinkle black candy sprinkles. On top of the orange pumpkin, lightly spread on honey, and top with orange candy sprinkles.

whipped-cream-on-mummy
Image: Nancy Foster/SheKnows

Turn the mummy to the opposite side, facing up, as when it was drawn. Add the eyeballs. Use a small spoon to make "lines" of Cool Whip topping from head to toe, with the exception of over the eyes. Leave a little space in between the white lines so that the pancake will show through.

For the spider, lightly spread a layer of chocolate sauce on top. Top with chocolate sprinkles, and add the eyes.

Serve warm, and enjoy these scary pancakes with a fork or as an ultimate breakfast finger food.

candy-spider-pancake
Image: Nancy Foster/SheKnows

More: M&M’s Launches New Flavor Just in Time for Halloween

How to make Halloween pancake shapes

Serves 2 

Prep time: 30 minutes | Cook time: 10 minutes | Total time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1-1/2 cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 large egg
  • 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2-1/2 tablespoons canola oil
  • Nonstick cooking spray (may not need this if using a nonstick pan)
  • 2 tablespoons chocolate sprinkles
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons black candy sprinkles
  • 1 tablespoon orange candy sprinkles
  • 8 candy eyeballs
  • 2 Oreo sandwich cookies (separate sides of the sandwich, discard the filling)
  • 8 small squirts orange food coloring gel (or more for desired color)
  • 1-1/2 cups Cool Whip topping
  • 2 tablespoons chocolate sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey (or agave nectar or pancake syrup)
  • 1 large squeeze bottle with narrow spout
  • 1 small squeeze bottle with a narrow spout

Directions:

  1. To a large bowl, add the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, egg, milk and canola oil. Whisk together until smooth.
  2. To a separate small bowl, transfer just 1 small ladle of batter, and add the orange food coloring gel. Whisk together, then transfer the orange batter to a small squeeze bottle, and set it aside.
  3. Put a funnel in the top of a squeeze bottle. Ladle the remaining batter into the funnel until the bottle is almost full. Leave about 1 inch of empty space at the top of the bottle to make room for the batter to rise a little from the baking powder.
  4. Spray a large griddle or skillet with nonstick cooking spray (skip this step if using a nonstick pan). Heat the pan on low to medium heat.
  5. For the pumpkin: On the left side of the griddle, using the orange pancake batter, outline a circle, and fill it in with batter. At the top of the pumpkin, outline a witch's hat, and fill it in with batter.
  6. For the spider: In the middle of the griddle at the top, outline the spider's body by making a circle, and then fill it in with batter. Add 4 legs on the right side of the spider and 4 legs on the left side. Try to not make the legs too narrow, which should help prevent them from breaking when turning them over as they cook.
  7. For the mummy: On the bottom right side of the griddle, outline the mummy, and fill it in with batter.
  8. Using a long spatula, very carefully turn each pancake over when the bottom side turns a light golden color.
  9. For the pumpkin: Turn it on the same side, facing up, as when the shape was drawn. Using the back of a small spoon, spread a thin layer of chocolate sauce on top of the hat. Sprinkle black candy on top of the chocolate. Lightly spread honey on top of the orange pumpkin, and sprinkle orange candy on top. Cut the Oreo cookies to form the eyes, nose and smile for each pumpkin. Dot the back sides with chocolate sauce, and add to the pumpkins to make a face.
  10. For the mummy: Turn it on the opposite side, facing up, as when the shape was drawn. Add the eyeballs. Spoon Cool Whip topping in "lines" on top of the mummy, leaving spaces in between each line, and over the eyes.
  11. For the spider: Turn it on the opposite side, facing up, as when the shape was drawn. Using the back of a small spoon, spread the chocolate sauce on top of the entire spider. Top with chocolate sprinkles, and add 2 candy eyeballs to make the "face."
  12. Serve warm.

Originally published October 2015. Updated September 2017.


21 Hilarious Group & Trio Halloween Costume Ideas

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Dressing up in your own uniquely different Halloween costume is cool and all, but let's not kid ourselves — group Halloween costumes are seriously next level. When you and your squad roll up perfectly coordinated, it's showstopping. Not to mention there are Instagram-worthy photo ops for days.

Whether the aforementioned squad is a group of your BFFs or you and your family, there's an idea in here that's perfect for y'all.

More: Forget Witches & Ghouls — We're All About This DIY Cupcake Halloween Costume

1. Skeletons

21 Hilarious group Halloween costume ideas
Image: scrantonpaper/Tumblr

OK, yes, on the surface this seems a little dull. But you have to learn the dance that Kelly, Gabe and Toby did on The Office. We promise no one will be able to keep from cracking up every time your group performs it.

2. The social network

Social media Halloween costumes

Social media Halloween costumes

The totally obsessed social media-ites will love to go as their favorite site. Use an iron to transfer a Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook or Tumblr logo, or use your artistic skills to recreate the logo on a T-shirt. Go for the gold by adding "likes," "hashtags" or your very own group handle. Obviously, you'll be constantly taking selfies all night long.

3. The beekeeper and his hive

Honey bee costume
Image: Rick + Vanessa + Bridgette + August

Whether or not you have a baby, this bee costume is great for a trio. DIY a bee costume with a black and yellow outfit, create the beekeeper's ensemble with some coveralls and tulle, and make the bee hive using foam piping and twine. Put the three together and you'll have costumes people will be buzzing about until next year.

4. Rock, paper, scissors... I win!

Rock paper scissors Halloween

Rock paper scissors Halloween

Solve any disagreement at this year's party by going as rock, paper and scissors. Another costume idea perfect for a trio, the scissors and paper are made out of painted poster board, while the rock is constructed of tulle. Randomly play a game with each other for a few laughs.

5. Steaming hot lattes

Starbucks latte costume

Starbucks latte costume

Have a group of Starbucks junkies? Go as your favorite lattes! Using a white dress (or shirt, if you feel more comfortable), enlarge the logo on your computer, adhere it using an iron-on transfer, and display your drink and name with a Sharpie. Make steaming noises and randomly tip over, just like a real latte would.

6. I'd like S'more

S'mores costumes
Image: Summer Camp Culture

Create a costume that the group can enjoy once the party is over with this s'mores creation, which is great for a group of five. Two can be the graham crackers with cardboard cutouts, while one is in all white as a marshmallow, another is the fire in red, and last but not least, somebody's gotta be the chocolate bar with a candy bar headband.

7. Hipster princesses

Hipster princesses
Image: Suburbs of Utopia

Inspired by the princess Instagrams and Pinterest memes, this blogger and her lady friends laced up their boots and created a few tutus to resemble a couple of hipster Disney princesses. This is an easy costume — you can wear your favorite princess's colors with a flannel cover-up and dark-rimmed glasses for the full effect.

8. An homage to your favorite celeb

Will Ferrell costumes
Image: Imgur

This group Halloween costume deserves a slow clap. These clever ladies went as nearly every Will Ferrell movie ever made — because he's kind of a big deal. You can try the same interpretation with your favorite celebrity, with dozens of costume ideas to choose from.

Next Up: The human hamburger

Originally published October 2013. Updated September 2017.

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9. The human hamburger

The human hamburger
Image: Reddit

Not only is this stand-out group costume sure to turn heads on the street, but it's fairly easy to make, and it looks good enough to eat. Reddit users provide their tips on making the human hamburger costume here. And when your hard work is done, the fun begins — you get to go shopping for a pair of lettuce or tomato-colored shoes.

10. Roaring '20s

Roaring 20s Halloween
Image: Halloween Costumes

Channel this year's Great Gatsby craze by turning you and your friends into a gaggle of flapper girls. Travel with a group of guys in full zoot suits and gangster wear. Make this funny by adding your own modern-day flair, such as bling jewelry or pink hair. (Halloween Costumes, $30-$60)

More: 18 Non-obnoxious Halloween Songs Perfect for a Kids' Dance Party

11. Crush on some candy

Halloween candy costumes
Image: Costume Craze

Have a group of friends who never let you down by sending you lives on Candy Crush? Get them together and go as your favorite sweet addiction. Just beware, some people may want to actually nibble the goods. (Costume Craze, $32-$44)

12. Take a trip down the rabbit hole

Alice in Wonderland Halloween
Image: Buy Costumes

She's got a new show on ABC and is an all-time favorite Disney character, so take your group on a fun adventure with Alice and her Wonderland crew. Turn this into a hilarious scene with crazy exaggerated makeup. (Buy Costumes, $40-$190)

13. Back to Never-Neverland

Peter Pan family
Image: Kristian Nightengale

As picture-perfect as this family ensemble looks, esthetician, blogger and makeup artist Kristian Nightengale says that pulling it together was really quite easy. She scored her daughter's adorable outfit from Etsy and made the adorable little Tinker Bell shoes. She found the grown-up costumes on Amazon.

14. Walking the plank

Pirate group costume
Image: Halloween Costumes

Want to make them say "Aarrrr" this Halloween? Get on the plank and dress up the group as an awesome family of pirates. And remember to talk like a pirate the entire evening for the full effect. (Halloween Costumes, $20-$150)

Next Up: The heroic bunch

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15. The heroic bunch

Female superheroes
Image: Buy Costumes

Go as DC Comic characters, Justice League, Marvel heroes or a little bit of each. Whichever combo you all agree upon, you'll look like a great group to save the world from evil villains! Stay in character all night to get a chuckle out of guests. (Buy Costumes $25-$55)

16. For the colorful group

Family crayon costumes
Image: Kohl's

The wild and crazy bunch will look appropriate as a box of crayons. You'll look fabulous in the shade of your choice, and the cone-topped heads are the cherry on the top. (Kohl's, $28-$52)

17. Channel your inner spirit animal

Animal family
Image: copyright by Elena Litsova Photography/Getty Images

As straightforward as they are, these animal Halloween costumes are flippin' adorable. Dressing up in a collection of adults' and kids' animal costumes is guaranteed to get you more than a few "awwws" while you trick-or-treat.

18. Fruits of the loom

Fruit and vegetable costumes
Image: Alija/Getty Images

If you're looking for a crowd-pleaser, sometimes it really is this easy. Grown men and women (and maybe a few kids too) dressed up as fruits and vegetables are going to get a laugh.

19. When the Force is with you

Star Wars costumes
Image: The Real Finn and Rey

Star Wars is so hot right now, even for the littlest fans among us. While this Halloween costume is epic in and of itself, you can also save it to wear to the opening of the next movie. #winning

20. Jeff Goldblum would approve

Jurassic Park Halloween
Image: City to South

Jurassic Park is yet another timeless blockbuster that's making a comeback — both on the big screen and for Halloween. And on the plus side, if your kid has insisted on dressing like a dinosaur and can't be reasoned with, you'll have a fierce costume (and cage) to match.

21. The perfect Halloween treat

DIY milkshake costume
Image: Studio DIY

Maybe we saved the best for last, because this one is oh-so-cute and so very easy. If you've got a few pals who are looking for a Halloween costume that is as simple as it is chic, this DIY milkshake costume tutorial makes for a fun girls' night project. We'll bring the wine.

Originally published October 2013. Updated September 2017.

9 Times Will Smith Was the Most '90s Ever

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It's hard to believe it, but perpetually young Will Smith turns 49 on Sept. 25. And while we love Smith at, well, any age, we'll always have a special place in our hearts for Smith circa the '90s.

More: Will Smith Reminds Us That It's Our Job as Parents to Gross Out Our Kids

After all, what '90s kid can imagine that nostalgic decade without Smith in it? He wasn't just the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air — he was straight-up '90s royalty.

So in honor of one of our favorite entertainers (and let's be real, our favorite decade too), let's take a look back at the moments Smith embodied the '90s.

1. "Summertime"


This wasn't just any song. It was the song that put DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince on the musical map. Of course, they never really traveled far, but at least they were on it, right? Any '90s kid worth their salt knows you can't have a respectable '90s mix without including this quintessential summer jam.

2. Powerhouse pose

Will Smith & Mariah Carey
Image: Mariah Carey/Instagram

Praise be to the internet gods (and Mariah Carey) for this #FBF gem of two '90s icons forever memorialized in all their '90s glory.

3. A high note

Fresh Prince and Celine Dion
Image: Getty Images

Smith clearly thought this bright yellow and black leather getup was all that and a bag of chips. Considering he's posing with circa '90s Céline Dion — sporting a '90s perm, no less — he must have had it goin' on.

4. Bad boy, indeed

Will Smith Bad Boys
Image: Columbia Pictures/Getty Images

While we adore all versions of '90s Smith, we'd be remiss if we didn't admit Bad Boys Smith is the most treasured of the bunch.

5. Date night

Will Smith
Image: Barry King/WireImage/Getty Images

Oh, '90s Will... how do we love thee? Let us count the ways: 1) track suit sans T-shirt, 2) slouched pant legs, 3) OG wayfarer sunglasses at night and 4) every. Single. Thing your date was wearing too.

6. 'Shipping since the '90s

Will Smith & Jada Pinkett
Image: Ron Gallela, Ltd./WireImage/Getty Images

If the '90s had a prom queen and king, it would undoubtedly have been Jada Pinkett and Smith.

More: At Least We Can Count on Jada & Will Smith to Make Us Believe in Love

7. Superstar power

Cher, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith
Image: Getty Images

Cher, Smith, Pinkett — there aren't enough words in the English language to adequately capture the sheer brilliance of '90s star power represented in this picture of the 1999 World Music Awards.

8. The unofficial fam

Will Smith, Karyn Parsons and Alfonso Ribeiro
Image: Barry King/WireImage/Getty Images

Leave it to Smith to pull off a hot-pink T-shirt and backward ball cap non-ironically! Smith's Fresh Prince co-stars Karyn Parsons and Alfonso Ribeiro make this an even more significant throwback.

More: The Cast of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunited, & I'm not Crying, You Are

9. This is a story all about how...

Will Smith Fresh Prince

Will Smith Fresh Prince

We can't very well leave this out, can we? For most of us, Smith's Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song would be right at the top of our '90s-era playlist.

Blake Shelton Reacts to Gwen Stefani's New Album With Kinky Tweet

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Good news, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani shippers — the couple's brand new joint single is here! On Thursday, Stefani premiered a clip of "You Make It Feel Like Christmas" to announce her new album of the same name. And, judging by Shelton's reaction, collaborating only brought the couple closer together.

More: Gwen Stefani Got Blake Shelton a Crazy Custom Birthday Cake

The 41-year-old country singer re-tweeted Stefani, adding an *ahem* special note of his own: "Daddy likey."

Blake & Gwen Song 1

Blake & Gwen Song 1

Wowza, those two words alone could melt Frosty the Snowman. Don't worry, though... despite Shelton's not-so-subtle kinky tweet, the single itself seems to be a sweet, upbeat spin on traditional Christmas music.

Blake & Gwen Song 2

Blake & Gwen Song 2

"Sleigh bells singing 'Hallelujah' / Stars are shining on us too / I want to thank you, baby / You make it feel like Christmas," the pair sings on the track.

More: Insider Claims to Know Everything About Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton's Wedding

The cover art reveals that "You Make Me Feel Like Christmas" will be in good company, joining beloved holiday classics such as "Jingle Bells," "Santa Baby" and "White Christmas." Naturally, Stefani, 47, will have lent her distinctive style to the songs.

The pop-rocker isn't the only one dropping an album soon, either. In addition to his joint single with Stefani, Shelton announced on Thursday — rather unexpectedly — that his album will soon be available, too. "YEEHAAW who's ready for some new music??!!" he teased on Twitter before revealing, "#TexomaShore coming at y'all November 3rd, preorder TOMORROW!"

Blake & Gwen Song 3

Blake & Gwen Song 3

More: Gwen Stefani Is Living a Painful Existence RN

Stefani's album will be out Oct. 6, with preorder starting tonight.

A Game of Thrones Prequel Is Officially Happening

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If, like, us, you're still hung up on the unfortunate fact we have to wait until 2019 for the finale series of Game of Thrones, here's some good news out of the GoT universe to bolster your spirits: like winter, a prequel is coming.

Scratch that — FIVE prequels are coming. By all means, proceed to have no chill.

GoT
Image: Giphy

This revelation comes by way of announcement on Thursday that GoT co-executive producer Bryan Cogman will be co-creating a prequel series with author George R.R. Martin. In fact, Martin blasted the news on his blog by gushing over the collaboration with Cogman.

More: Sam Claflin Was Almost Jon Snow & 12 Other Stars Almost Cast in GoT

"Bryan Cogman should need no introduction to any Game of Thrones fan," Martin said. "He's been part of the show since the beginning... since before the beginning, actually, since he was first hired as assistant to David Benioff and D.B. Weiss way before the series got on the air, before even the pilot had been filmed."

Martin pointed out that Cogman — whom Martin calls the "Prince of Dragonstone" — is the third most prolific writer on the series, joking that he perhaps knows the world even better than the author does.

As for what the series will center on, Martin played coy for the most part. However, he did divulge at least a little info.

"Like the other pilots, it will be a prequel rather than sequel, a successor rather than a spinoff. Bryan's series will be an adaptation, and one that will thrill most fans of the books, I think, set during a very exciting period of Westeros history," Martin teased.

Naturally, inquiring minds would love more details. What will the show be about?

On more than one occasion, Martin has alluded to his Dunk & Egg stories making good material for a prequel. These three novellas, set 90 years before the events of A Song of Ice and Fire (which Game of Thrones is based off of), follow a hedge knight and his squire. The squire, Egg, later becomes known as King Aegon V Targaryen of Westeros.

More: What to Watch Until the Game of Thrones Finale Season Returns in 2019

Since Martin has up to eight novellas in this series planned, it certainly seems as though the material is there and ready for gleaning.

However, Martin has penned a few other prequel novellas as well. The Princess and the Queen, which appeared in a 2013 anthology called Dangerous Women, explores the Targaryen backstory two centuries before GoT. There's also The Rogue Prince, also published in an anthology, which is a prequel to The Princess and the Queen.

More: Kit Harington & Emilia Clarke's Cutest Moments Together

Even without tapping into those prequels, there's no shortage of source material in the six books from A Song of Ice & Fire that have already been written — not to mention the two that have been planned but not yet penned.

Not much is known about the four other successor series, other than they will all feature new actors. And while that sadly means we can't keep our fingers crossed for a Jon Snow or Daenerys Targaryen spinoff (or a Jon Snow with Daenerys Targaryen spinoff), we're still stoked to see what the future at HBO holds.

Dean Unglert Is Low-Key Courting Kristina Schulman Again

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Even though Bachelor in Paradise is a platform that clearly encourages rapid-fire relationships, Bachelor Nation fans couldn't get past Season 4's now-infamous love triangle between Dean Unglert, Kristina Schulman and Danielle Lombard. And based on Unglert's accidentally revealed whereabouts, it's clear he can't get past it either. But which lovely lady is "Deanie Baby" suspected to be seeing on the sly?

More: Bachelor in Paradise Fans Have Officially Turned on Dean

Here's the latest and greatest news regarding this tangled web of love.

In a now deleted Snap Story, Unglert inadvertently shared his location while taking a picture of a dog with its head sticking out of a car window (Dean loves dogs almost as much as Ben Z. does, ICYMI). Fairly standard practice in the transparent world of social media, right?

Dean Michael Unglert
Image: Dean Unglert/Snapchat

Only, the astute people of the internet were quick to point out Unglert's extremely close proximity to none other than Kristina Schulman.

One Bachelor sub-Redditor connected the dots for the rest of us that Armstrong Mill Road, where Unglert's Snap was posted, is in Lexington, Kentucky. Thanks to the constant references on BIP to "the break" in production, we all know that Unglert spent that time with Schulman... in her home town of Lexington, Kentucky.

More: 10 People Who Swear the Bachelor in Paradise Scandal Was Scripted

Once this information became public fodder, Unglert deleted the Snap Story. Of course, this only intensified the interest surrounding his whereabouts, because why hide it? He has openly expressed his interest in reconnecting with Schulman and rebuilding their trust. So, who cares if everyone knows you're visiting her, bruh?
Unless, that is, Unglert cares about one person in particular seeing it: Lombard. Given the trio's unique history, it's entirely possible that Unglert and Schulman simply don't want to rub salt in the wound, so to speak. After all, Lombard's recent comments to Us Weekly prove she's already extra-salty about Unglert.
And, yes, there's a remote possibility Unglert is living up to his "f**kboy" ways by seeing Schulman on the sly and trying to keep it covert. This seems unlikely, though, since Lombard revealed on Ben H. and Ashley I.'s Almost Famous podcast that "he's trying to work things out with Kristina."
According to E! News' intel — not to mention Unglert's Snap Story — it would seem the former Bachelorette contestant is currently courting Schulman again. Per E!, the on-again/off-again couple reunited this week to spend some quality time together.
Oh, Deanie... in the sage words of Fergie, don't phunk with our hearts.

Breast Milk Could Protect Babies From Group B Strep

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There’s a little bit of a light at the end of the tunnel for moms with Group B strep bacteria, as their breast milk could prevent babies from being reinfected with the germ.

According to a study in the American Chemical Society's Infectious Diseases journal, breast milk could protect some infants from Group B strep reinfection after birth.

More: When you're sick, you should still breastfeed your baby

Expectant mothers are evaluated for GBS during their third trimester. Those who test positive are given antibiotics during labor to prevent passage of the bacteria to the baby. The threat of the infant picking up the bacteria still persists for about one week to three months after birth. Mothers can get it again as well, even after being treated during labor.

GBS can pass through breast milk. The study, however, found that some women have sugars in their breast milk than can protect their babies from being reinfected.

Dr. Steven Townsend, an assistant chemistry professor at Vanderbilt University who researched the infection, said the medical community isn’t sure how infants get GBS after birth — they may get it in the hospital, and it can also pass from infant and back to the treated mother via nursing.

More: The Craziest Things Breastfeeding Moms Have Heard

Breast milk with superpowers

In his study, Townsend’s team looked at samples of breast milk from donors. They found certain samples were more effective at producing a protective substance known as a biofilm, which safeguarded infants from the bacteria. You can’t trigger your body to generate the protective sugars — some people who breastfeed just have them.

Also, it looks like some people produce breast milk sugars that make the bacteria more vulnerable to common antibiotics, such as penicillin and erythromycin. If that’s found to be the case, Townsend said it could mean that the sugars may have potential as an antibacterial treatment, which could potentially lower our dependence on some antibiotics.

He said he believes further research will find that breast milk has various protective measures that can be good for different things.

Keep nursing

Treated for GBS and worried about reinfection? Don’t stop nursing — your breast milk is the “gold standard for infant nutrition,” Townsend said.

More: How I became that mom breastfeeding a 4-year-old

Breastfeeding does not put babies at an increased risk of contracting GBS, Townsend added.

By Kristen Fischer

Originally published on HelloFlo.

An Approved List of Things That Can Go Into Your Vagina

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In 2016, authorities at JFK airport arrested a woman for trying to smuggle $10,000 worth of cocaine… inside her vagina. The packaged weighed half a pound and was wrapped in brown duct tape. Had the package broken inside her while in transit, the woman would have been at high risk of overdosing.

People with vaginas have attempted to smuggle or hide loaded pistols, Rolex watches, marijuana pipes, crack, lighters, money, cellphones, cigarettes, makeup, fireworks (yes, really), alcohol and a host of other drugs and stolen items in their hoo-has.

More: Why the Emmys Were a Big Night for Women's Health

Of course, few women would actually consider inserting things like loaded guns and fireworks inside their vaginas. But sometimes, in an attempt to make things more interesting in the bedroom, some women do make questionable decisions about what actually goes in there.

Approved List of Things That Can Go Into Your Vagina
Image: Getty Images/Design: Ashley Britton/SheKnows

Sure, your vagina can stretch and accommodate quite a few things, but being able to do it doesn’t mean you should. Putting the wrong thing in can result in a host of health issues, from major injuries and tears in your vaginal canal to infections and irritation… not to speak of the embarrassment at your OB-GYN’s office.

Turns out, the list of approved things to put in your vagina is short, classic and easy to remember. Let’s have a look.

1. A penis

Penises are meant to go inside vaginas. That’s why they’re No. 1 on our list. But remember to put a condom on it to avoid STIs and unwanted pregnancies. A note: Flavored condoms should only be used for oral sex, as the flavor chemicals can irritate your vaginal lining.

2. Fingers

Fingers (attached to hands, of course!) also feel pretty good. As long as the person’s nails are trimmed short with sharp corners filed away and kept clean, digits are a good time. You can improve your safer sex practices by wearing latex gloves (easily purchased in drugstores) and adding lube.

3. Lubricants

Speaking of lube, there are still lots of myths about lubricants. Oil-based lubes are actually OK according to Lilly (who goes only by her first time), a sex toy expert and blogger at Dangerous Lilly.

“Synthetic oil-based lubes have been proven to cause vaginal infections in some, but there is much less chance for an interaction when a natural oil is used," she explains. "They shouldn't be used by anyone relying on latex or polyisoprene condoms for STI and pregnancy protection, though.”

More: What Does It Mean If You Bleed After Sex?

She adds that silicon-based lubricants are actually safe to use and that contrary to popular belief, “many water-based lubes are incompatible with vaginal pH or have irritating ingredients that make some folks more susceptible to vaginal infections and can increase STI transmission.”

4. Sex toys

According to recent statistics, the global adult sex toy market is poised to reach $29 billion by 2020. That’s a lot of sex toys… although not all of them are safe.

Sex toy materials are a complex and wide-ranging topic, but in short, the "safest" materials are the ones that are considered chemically stable and don't harbor bacteria and fungi in the pores, Lilly says. This includes silicone, body-safe metal alloys like titanium, aluminum blends, stainless steel, glass and properly sealed ceramic and wood. She has a full guide to sex toy materials and cleaning too.

There are actually no regulations for sex toy materials, so be wary of claims of “FDA-approved” toys, Lilly notes. Shopping at reputable stores and reading reviews from trustworthy bloggers will help you make good sex toy choices.

5. Food & other objects

According to Dr. Hilda Hutcherson, board-certified OB-GYN and gynecology professor at Columbia University, your main concern when considering items other than penises, fingers and sex toys is using objects with a smooth, nonporous surface, no sharp edges, no irritants and nothing that would degrade a condom.

MoreDo You Really Need to Pee Before Sex?

“You want to make sure that whatever you put in, you can completely take out,” she explains. “That’s why most food is a problem: It’s difficult to remove it. Peeled bananas, for example.” Other foods to avoid include spicy foods like chili peppers and spreadables like peanut butter.

If you are into temperature play (using hot or cold objects as part of the sexual experience), avoid putting ice directly into your vagina, as it can stick to your delicate skin. Instead, cover it with a condom to create a barrier. Very hot surfaces can also cause damage because “the [vaginal] lining is very delicate and can easily be burned,” Hutcherson adds.

The safest way to play with your food is to put a condom on it. That way, you avoid risks attached to bacteria, irritation or pH imbalances. As long as the item is big enough to be removed and not easily breakable (like a large cucumber or squash), you should be fine.


5 Successful Women on How to Actually Have a Work-Life Balance

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On an old episode of one of my favorite podcasts, Call Your Girlfriend — in which hosts Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman talk about life, politics, feminist issues and friendship — the duo answered a question from a soon-to-be college grad about how to balance life and work and whether “having it all” is really possible.

Sow’s response: “Can women have it all? No, because that’s a bullshit capitalist construct. Can you have everything you want in life? Maybe, if what you want is realistic.” To which Friedman replies, “Having it all is what happens when market forces combine with powerful outdated gender norms to say, ‘you should want to fully devote yourself to both of these things completely and do it without failing and perfectionism isn’t a lie.’ I see the three words ‘having it all,’ and I’m like, run.”

"I see the three words ‘having it all,’ and I’m like, run."

I second that. The idea of having it all has become, for women, such a loaded and sexist term. (Have you ever heard anyone say, “Can men really have it all?”) So instead of that twisted concept, let’s focus on something we all deal with on a daily basis: The juggling act that is adult life — balancing the demands of work and expenses, the pleasures and obligations of family and friends, the responsibilities of kids and last but not at all least our own health and self-care. There are only so many hours in a day, but some people seem to be better than others at making the most of them, getting things done but also being present and enjoying life without turning it into a nonstop to-do list.

I talked to five super-successful women about their strategies for staying sane, having self-compassion and still managing to slay their careers and have plenty of time for the people they love.

"I try to be especially good to my body when I’m stressed."

Prioritize your health

“When I’m really busy, I try to be serious about getting enough sleep — even if that means less study or work time. It’s tempting to stay up late or get up extra early to finish stuff, but I find I’m so much more productive if I have at least seven-and-a-half hours of sleep. The same goes for eating well — I know when I’m busy, I’ll likely slip with buying groceries and cooking, so I try to make up for it by eating healthy-ish, which mostly means not skipping meals, not surviving on doughnuts and pizza and trying to work in fruits and vegetables when I can. And I try to not go overboard on coffee — I’ll let myself have an extra cup in the afternoons, but not much more than that. I think my body craves structure, and I try to remember to be especially good to it when I’m stressed.” — Brooke, 29, Master of Public Policy candidate in Berkeley, California

"I’d rather enjoy life and stress about things that actually deserve my attention."

Let yourself off the hook

“Over time, I’ve learned not to beat myself up for not being a perfect human who exercises every day and doesn’t drink on weekends and works on a set schedule. I used to be more disciplined and try not to drink on weeknights or go out to dinner because it threw off my sense of a schedule, but it sucked — especially since I own my own business and work alone. Now I just don’t care as much. Whereas the 23-year-old me would be stressed that I only worked out once this week and splurged on dinners out, now I’d rather enjoy life and stress about things that actually deserve my attention.” — Delia, 29, owner of Delia Langan Jewelry and Mission + Geneva

"It’s inevitable that things will slip sometimes."

Skip things strategically

“It’s inevitable that things will slip sometimes, but it feels better when I’m in control of what’s falling off my plate — rather than missing something because I forgot about it. I keep a hardcopy day planner — love my bright red Moleskine! — and try to stay on top of my inbox so that even if I won’t have time to tackle everything that comes my way, I’m actively choosing what I do and don’t do. Also, when things start to get out of balance, my advice is to fix something. Focus on what’s most important to you, and then try to get it back in balance, even if it means cutting down on happy hours or sports leagues.” — Brooke

More: The New Rules of Workplace Productivity

How to Get a Work Life Balance
Image: Getty Images

"What good is a promotion if it’s the only thing you’ve got?"

Efficiency is everything

“At my first job, I showed up early, stayed late and got promoted young. On paper, that all sounds great, but I took very few risks, neglected some friendships and didn’t focus on any self-care. What good is a promotion if it’s the only thing you’ve got? Now, I’m better about speaking up, taking risks, clarifying timelines and deadlines with colleagues and simply working my ass off when I’m at my desk. Then I go home.” — Katie, 29, literary agent in New York City

"I tell myself that one day, my daughter will benefit from watching her mom work hard to succeed."

Learn when to say no

“My 8-year-old daughter, Lina, generally gets the bulk of my attention, but this year was tricky because I had a novel to promote. The book tour, signings and speaking engagements were beginning to take up a lot of my weekends, so I turned a lot down — and I kept telling myself that one day, Lina will benefit from the lessons she learned watching her mom work very hard to succeed in a field that she loves. Also, whenever we were together, I really made it count — because of divorced-parent guilt, among other things. Thus, we discovered Musical.ly and have to date filmed roughly 40,000 music videos. I also have a health issue that requires me to slow down and say no sometimes: Chronic migraines mean I’m in nearly constant pain — something I have to pay attention to no matter what I have going on. If my body is telling me I need to lay down in a dark room and pull myself together, I have to do it.” — Tia Williams, author and copy director at Bumble and Bumble in New York City

"No one else knows what you need, so you have to tell them."

Be your own best advocate

“It’s so, so important to act as your own advocate in work and life, because no one else can do it for you. No one knows what you’re thinking or what you need — whether that’s your partner or your colleagues — so you need to tell them. And yes, that includes telling your boss when you’re feeling burned out or are ready to ask for that raise.” — Kalli, 29, marketing and growth at Maven Clinic in New York City

"I try to keep the dates I’ve set with friends, even if I’m exhausted."

Schedule time with loved ones

“Relationships are the part of my life I try to invest the most time in — including the elusive one [I] have with myself! They outlast every job. But I just started a new gig, one that requires an extra dose of networking outside nine-to-five, so I’ve been putting in extra hours to make a good impression. Because I know how easy it is to get sucked into working nonstop, I’ve made sure to schedule nights that are just for me, just for me and my partner and just for me and my friends. It can sound forced or unnatural to schedule time to talk with your mom like you would a client, but for me, it’s important to make sure I’m maintaining my relationships when I’m overwhelmed with work — even if that means blocking out that time well in advance. This also means that I try to keep the dates I’ve set with friends, even if I’m exhausted. I never regret seeing them, even if I scoot out early. And when I’m with them, I have some rules — but I try to be kind to myself when I break them: Be present, be open, be forgiving and be an active listener. The last one’s especially important to me. When we’re so overwhelmed with everything we’re dealing with, it’s sometimes hard to get out of your own head — especially since I work remotely, so I spend every day totally entrenched in my own brain!” — Katie

"Figure out what calms you, and do that."

More: 5 Expert Strategies for Dealing With Office Drama

Look for pockets of Zen

“When you have a million things going on, it pays to find a practice that makes you feel calm — yoga, meditation, journaling, walking, running, pole dance classes, painting, cooking, anything. It can be the smallest thing. I have a girlfriend who colors in adult coloring books whenever her life feels unmanageable. Figure out what calms you, and do that. Whatever works. I was all ambition all the time and didn’t take a breath until I was in my late 30s. Don’t make my mistake!” — Tia

"I used to beat myself up when I felt like I couldn’t do everything and please everyone."

Be a multitasking master — but don’t overdo it

“I used to beat myself up when I felt like I couldn’t do everything and please everyone. Now, one strategy I use is to try to do the things I love — or need to accomplish — with the people I care about. This means going running with my mom and brother to catch up, having post-run or prework coffee dates with my boyfriend and hitting up networking events with co-workers I enjoy spending time with. But at the same time, even if I’m killing two birds with one stone, I try to be as present as possible, as in not getting caught up with email, work IMs, Instagram — a huge challenge! Luckily, I have a partner who has patiently taught me the value of ditching my phone, whether I’m spending time with friends and family or even when spending time on my own. It’s very freeing!” — Kalli

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Did 'Locker Room Talk' Have Anything to Do With Billy Bush & Wife's Split?

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Updated September 22, 2017, 6:40 a.m. PT: After the surprising news surfaced about Billy Bush's split from his wife of 20 years, Sydney Davis, many began to speculate the reason behind the split. The couple had naturally been through quite a lot together, as is the very nature of marriage and relationships, but the most immediate bit of speculation on the reasons behind the split were traced back to the 2016 election scandal that Bush was involved in with now-President Donald Trump in which the two made derogatory remarks about women.

Now, sources close to Bush and Davis are commenting to Us Weekly that the incident with Trump has no bearing on Bush's split (which may not be permanent according to initial reports), but remained vague about why they actually split. "Sydney is with the vast majority who knows he was a collateral damage in a hit job. She was more mad than anyone! Sydney fully supported Billy 100 percent throughout their marriage, especially during that time. She supported him more than anyone. They have been married since they were both young and worked really hard at making this marriage work, especially for their daughters. They are separated and are continuing to work to make their relationship better," the source told Us Weekly.

The reasons may remain vague, but this situation is still disheartening to see unfold.

Original story:

It's been a year of professional upheaval for Billy Bush, and now, his personal life is apparently suffering as well. It's just been announced that Bush and his wife of 20 years, Sydney Davis, are separating, at least for now. It's unclear why the pair split, although it's not tough to imagine speculation will arise that it's because of the infamous "locker room talk" audio that was leaked in October 2016.

More: Billy Bush Is Trying Really Hard to Earn Everyone's Forgiveness

Billy Bush locker room talk audio leak tweet

Billy Bush locker room talk audio leak tweet

A rep for Bush told The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday that he and Davis have gone their separate ways, though the split may not be permanent.

"They have separated for the moment to evaluate their life together," the rep said. "They love each other and their children deeply and are committed to a bright future."

More: Matt Damon Confesses He's Been Naive About America's Racism

After the leak of that Access Hollywood tape that showed Bush laughing along while then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump bragged about being able to sexually assault women because he was famous, he was fired from his position on Today. There have also been reports about how his family responded to the controversy, including one that said Davis was "furious." Bush denies that claim, though, and says Davis supported him "the whole way through."

"She was very understanding," he said. "She knows very well the man she married and who I am."

But Bush has spoken himself about having to explain his actions to his 16-year-old daughter, Mary, who called him in tears after hearing the tapes. "I said, 'Mary, it's going to be OK. You know, don't worry,'" he said. "And she said, 'No. Why were you laughing at the things that he was saying on that bus? Why were you playing along with it, Dad? It wasn't funny.'"

More: Hillary Clinton Feels Like She "Let Everyone Down" on Election Night

Neither Bush nor Davis has publicly commented on their split, so we can only speculate about whether the "locker room talk" tapes played a part.

Quirky Baby Boy Names (That You Can Still Spell)

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When on the hunt for a baby name, you're usually faced with an overload of options. From literature to movies to your family tree to the Social Security Administration's popularity lists, baby names can be found almost anywhere.

However, if you're looking for a name that doesn't already exist seemingly everywhere you look, you might get stumped. Unique spellings are one way to put a different spin on a favorite name, but that can be a recipe for misery when your child has to constantly correct everyone who tries to spell it ("No, not C-A-R-O-L-Y-N, it's Q-U-E-R-A-U-L-Y-N-N-E, " said some poor kid at some point in the '90s).

So it's not finding a unique name that's difficult; it's finding one that won't lend itself (and your little one) to more difficulties later in life, whether it's a matter of, "Um, how do you pronounce this?" or, "Why on Earth did they name him that?"

More: It's Time to Stop the Baby-Name Shaming

That's where we come in. We rounded up some quirky names for boys — that you can still spell. These are unique enough that he'll stand out, but not so out there that he'll hate it and/or get judged for it (although, of course, he might hate it anyway, and people can be jerks anyway — so, sorry in advance). We also dug into the history books to find some sweet old-timey names that haven't quite caught on yet.

Short & quirky boy names

Short boy names are easy to pair with just about any last name, especially if his surname is on the long side (all of these names are just one syllable). And hey, if these don't strike your fancy for a first name, consider moving them to the second spot.

Longer quirky boy names

These boy names are at least two syllables, but unless your last name is super-hyphenated, why not go long with the first one?

Vintage quirky boy names

While vintage baby names are all the rage right now, not all old-fashioned monikers have piqued the interest of modern parents. These may do just that.

So there you have it: copious names that aren't "John" or "Peter" — but aren't "Audio Science" either.

The Most Popular Game of Thrones Baby Names Are...the Weirdest Ones

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Winter is coming — and so is an onslaught of actual babies named after Game of Thrones characters. Prepare ye.

We can't imagine George R. R. Martin, writer of the novels GoT is based on, ever thought the bizarre names of his characters — feverishly cooked up in his writer's lair — would ever become mainstream monikers for a new generation of babies. Surprise, George! A new report from the BBC suggests that's exactly what's happening, especially for babies born to "HBO and chill" date-night parents. Hey, at least it's premium programming. These are top-shelf names, TV-wise.

In England, Arya and Khaleesi (we're totally serious) are the most popular names from the series so far. More than 300 little girls were given the name Arya in 2017. We're hoping all of them at least got a fully decked-out Direwolf-themed nursery out of the bargain.

More: Your Favorite Movie Character Could Be Excellent Baby Name Material

Other names on the rise thanks to Game of Thrones? Sansa, Daenerys, Brienne — and Tyrion. Tyrion Lannister is played to perfection by Peter Dinklage on the show. His famous line, "It's what I do. I drink and I know things," has inspired a massive merch collection. So hey! Plenty of baby shower gift options right there for the little Tyrion in your life.

Joffrey, Ramsay and Euron? Nah, man. Not yet, at least. We've got to be scraping the bottom of the baby-name barrel before we start going with the total monsters.

Khaleesi is a particularly weird choice, because 1) the spelling is nuts 2) the pronunciation is no picnic and 3) it's not a name — as we understand it, it's a title. Like, you can be a Khaleesi, but in the show, nobody's going to yell out, "Hey, Khaleesi, let's go get a pint of mead. It's been ages since we plotted a death together, pal."
The linguist who created the fictional and often unpleasant Dothraki language for the show — a job that actually sounds pretty fun to us — says the correct pronunciation of Khaleesi is "KHA-lay-see." Good luck getting the other kids on the playground to get that one right, kid.
Anyway, if you're craving a GoT name for your little gal, we compiled a cool list for you to peruse. We're all for Gilly and Talisa. And if you're looking for boy name inspiration, here's another list that should help you out. Aye.

Audrina Patridge Is Scared Her Husband Will Take Her Daughter Away

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As more details emerge in Audrina Patridge's divorce from Corey Bohan, people who are reportedly close to the former couple are sharing some terrifying details that they say pushed Patridge to file for the divorce and a restraining order from Bohan.

More: Audrina Patridge Laughs Off the Haters Upset About Her Premarital Baby

"Over the years Audrina has had many instances where she’s been scared [by Corey] but she finally felt she couldn’t deal with the emotional abuse and fear any longer," an alleged insider told People magazine. "She realized that she needed to end things for good. She got the restraining order because she was afraid how he would retaliate when she filed for divorce, so she had to get some additional protection."

Patridge filed the restraining order for both herself and the 1-year-old daughter she and Bohan share, stating in court documents that she's afraid Bohan will take their daughter to his native Australia. A judge has ordered him to stay at least 100 feet away from Patridge, their daughter and their dog, other than during supervised visits with the baby three times per week.

More: Jessica Alba, Audrina Patridge, Kim Kardashian and More Celeb Mom Photos

In court documents, Patridge outlined some of the alleged incidents that pushed her to file for divorce and the restraining order, including one that she described as "the final straw."

"[Corey] was being very aggressive with me, arguing, following me into every single room of the house, repeating himself, getting really close to me as his temper escalated, all because I refused to tell him which person told me that he cheated on me with another woman," Patridge wrote. "I became frightened and said I would talk to him but he needed to let me take our daughter to my grandma’s house or my parents’ house so she wasn’t in the cross-fire."

She continued, "He wasn’t listening and kept following me, cussing, yelling at me. I had Kirra in my arms, trying to leave. [Corey] locked the door and pushed me back with her in my arms. I begged him to please let me go and take Kirra somewhere else, I didn’t want her around all this."

More: Audrina Patridge's Wedding Day Was the Exact Opposite of Her The Hills Days

Patridge's petition outlines a number of events during which she claims Bohan threatened her or himself with violence, often in front of their daughter.

No, Ian Somerhalder: Throwing Out Nikki Reed's Birth Control Pills Is Not OK

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Updated Sept. 22, 2017 at 3:15 p.m. EST: Nikki Reed has responded to criticism on Twitter saying: "WOMEN'S RIGHTS MATTER, so please don't use false narratives to highlight issues that are truly important!" Reed tweeted before following up with, "We should be talking about these things,but using a funny interview between married ppl &twisting it to perpetuate gossip is irresponsible." Ian Somerhalder has not commented.

When it comes to a couple deciding if and when to have a child, it’s best to have both parties on board. Sounds obvious, right? And if one member of the couple takes control of the situation without telling the other, it’s highly inappropriate on so many levels, right? Yes, absolutely.

But apparently, Ian Somerhalder didn’t get that memo about basic autonomy and decided to take wife Nikki Reed’s fertility into his own hands.

More: Why the Emmys Were a Big Night for Women's Health

In an interview with Dr. Berlin’s Informed Pregnancy Podcast, Reed revealed — while laughing — that her husband went into her purse without her consent and “threw out all [her] birth control pills” during a 2016 trip to Spain, as if it were something romantic and adorable. Except it’s not.

According to Somerhalder, they both had decided that they wanted to have kids, but he decided that “it was just time” and without checking in with Reed to see if she felt the same way, took it upon himself to dispose of her birth control pills.

"By the way, it was the beginning of the pack, so I had to pop all those suckers out. There was like 25 of them,” he said, as if he was angling to get some sort of medal for all the hard work it took to push small pills through foil in order to deceive his wife.

MoreWhy the End of Sofía Vergara's Embryo Battle Is So Important

But that’s not all! The co-host of the podcast then asked Reed how she felt about it, and as soon as she started to speak, Somerhalder immediately started talking over her to say that he has a six-minute video of her "freaking out" as he flushed the pills down the toilet. Wait, what? You have actual proof of her less-than-pleased reaction to this, and you’re still trying to pass this off as something sweet?

He then elaborated in case you weren’t sure how to feel about the whole thing: “What’s so cool is that there’s this video of me with this handful of these little pills and she’s just [mimics panting and panicking]…panting.”

Panting, guys! Sounds as if she was really enthusiastic about having the chance to make choices regarding her own body taken away from her.

"Actually, now thinking about it, I guess I kind of decided [to start a family]," he added, clearly delighted with himself for taking away his partner’s agency.

Let's get a few things clear: Just because someone says that they want to have children at some stage doesn’t mean they’re OK with this happening at any time. Being able to control if, when and how we become pregnant has been a struggle for women for way too long for some vampire actor to step in and make it seem acceptable in any way to tamper with someone’s birth control.

Amal Clooney Returned to Work Much Sooner Than Expected

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Knowing what a hardworking, world-saving queen she is, it's no wonder Amal Clooney is already back at work following the birth of her twins, Ella and Alexander. Clooney was photographed looking fly at the United Nations in New York City on Thursday, nine months before her 52 weeks of paid maternity leave run out.

More: George Clooney Wanted to Protect His Twins From Ridiculous Hollywood Names

Clooney welcomed the twins in June and only three months later was back to work. That's way sooner than insiders were predicting she'd get back to her career just after the twins were born, when an insider said she was "planning to stay off of work until January."

"Amal is eligible to take 52 weeks maternity leave," the insider continued. "She’s loving motherhood, even more than she imagined, and all of her time is taken up by caring for the twins. On the flip side, she definitely wants to return to work at some point. Both her and George think the perfect time would be after the Christmas holidays."

More: George & Amal Clooney & Twins Jet to Milan on Private Plane

Her career has always been a priority for Clooney, even as the twins' birth loomed. But motherhood has become a priority as well, the insider explained.

"Work is extremely important to her," the source said. "When the time comes for her to return though, she’s still planning to split her time between the office and home. She’s going to have the best of both worlds."

More: George Clooney Finally Explained How He & Amal Chose the Twins' Names

And with her husband, George, settling into fatherhood like he has, we have no doubt that Clooney has the best possible support system and care for the twins while she goes back to saving the world as a human-rights lawyer.


Ivanka Trump Revealed Her PPD Struggle on Dr. Oz's Show

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People have mixed feelings about Ivanka Trump — and her sudden reveal of her struggle with postpartum depression on Thursday's Dr. Oz Show.

“With each of my children, I had some level of postpartum depression,” she told Dr. Oz and the studio audience. “It was a very challenging, emotional time for me because I felt like I was not living up to my potential as a parent or as an entrepreneur and executive.” 

Postpartum depression is a devastating condition with symptoms that vary widely, but often include irritability, suicidal ideation, anxiety, full-blown panic attacks and an eerie feeling of detachment. And although it's unclear if Trump was ever diagnosed with PPD by a doctor, it's something no one should ever have to experience, and Trump absolutely has the sympathy of many.

But some are concerned that the timing of Trump's discussion — what with her father's approval ratings so low — felt somehow disingenuous. In Slate this week, Ruth Graham posited that Trump's PPD reveal "felt like evidence of Ivanka’s greatest talent: recognizing when a topic is innocuous enough that she can safely use it to build her personal brand at no risk to her reputation." Was it a calculated decision as the current administration tries to come up with a more sympathetic, relatable face of the Trump family during a time of massive media criticism?

More: Chrissy Teigen Opens Up About Her Postpartum Depression

Plenty of celebrities — Chrissy Teigen, Drew Barrymore and Adele to name a few — have come forward to discuss their postpartum depression, and all of them were under medical care after their diagnoses. All of this candid talk on PPD is crucial because it continues to help crush the stigma attached to moms who are depressed and having trouble bonding with their newborns. We need celebrities to speak out, and that includes Ivanka Trump. But the PPD discussion does feel somewhat surprising given Trump's silence on many other issues women face — including the prenatal care that's currently on the GOP's chopping block. Maybe she's turning over a new leaf?

The Dr. Oz conversation didn't stick to PPD, either; in the interview, Trump remarked that despite the fact that she has an office at the White House, she doesn't think it's her role to be a "voice of moderation" for her father.

Trying to decipher who, exactly, Ivanka Trump is can be confusing, that's for sure. She works at the White House, but she told Fox & Friends "I try to stay out of politics." And she told the Republican National Convention, “Like many of my fellow millennials, I do not consider myself categorically Republican or Democrat.” In other words, she's whatever you want her to be, all the time?

There's a New Chocolaty Spread That Is Making Us Forget All About Nutella

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As much as we all love our Nutella fix, sometimes we have to switch things up a bit. For days like those, we may have just found the answer.

More: 4 Amazing, easy Nutella hacks for your snacking pleasure (VIDEO)

twix spread

twix spread

That is not a manipulated image. Twix Spread actually exists.

Before you grab your keys and drive to the grocery store, the Mars Twix Spread might be hard to come by. This jar of gooey deliciousness is made in the U.K., but if you give it some effort, you’ll be able to find it in U.S. stores like Cost Plus World Market and online.

The smooth spread is sprinkled with crunchy cookie pieces and is basically as if Nutella and cookie butter had a delicious, spreadable baby, a buttery spread comprised of chocolate, caramel and crunchy cookie pieces. It’s pretty natural too — it's made with milk, sugar, flour, butter and cocoa. Not exactly healthy, but at least it sounds less processed?

More: Nutella recipes: A marriage of chocolate and hazelnuts

In concept, we're probably supposed to spread it on some food, be it a piece of apple, or toast or a biscuit. But, really, we’re actually just planning to enjoy it straight from the jar.

Angelina Jolie Enjoyed a Night Out With Oldest Sons Maddox & Pax

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It's been a pretty wild year for the Pitt-Jolie family. With Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's extremely public divorce still working its way through the system, who can blame their kids for wanting a fun night out?

More: Angelina Jolie Is Returning to Acting After a Tumultuous Year in Her Life

And that's what Jolie's two oldest sons, 13-year-old Pax and 16-year-old Maddox, were getting when they accompanied their mom to an exclusive New York party this week. Sure, all six of Jolie's kids got to come with her to the red carpet premiere of her new directorial project First They Killed My Father, but only Pax and Maddox got to go to the after-party.

The three of them looked stunning in designer duds as they posed for pictures outside the venue. Maddox, who has an executive producing credit on Jolie's new film, even spoke to reporters about working with his mom, saying that she's "fun, funny, and easy to work with. She's a wonder."

More: Angelina Jolie Gives Rare Interview About Her Health & Divorce From Brad Pitt

That's high praise from any teenager, especially after the year the family has had. Headlines have hinted at deep family drama surrounding Jolie's sudden and unexpected divorce from Pitt. Rumors even swirled at one point saying that a physical altercation between Pitt and Maddox had been the last straw for Jolie, prompting her to file her divorce papers.

More: Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie Involved in Weird Interior Design Lawsuit

It's good to see the family spending time together, even sans Pitt. After all those rumors, we couldn't help but wonder what their future was going to look like. Seeing Jolie and her two oldest sons laughing and hanging out together makes it look like things might just be OK for this fam.

Encycl-O!-pedia: A Comprehensive Guide to Every Type of Orgasm

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Orgasms aren’t as easy to come by as you might think. Research suggests as many as 1 in 3 women struggle to come from sex, so don’t take it for granted if you’re one of the lucky ones. However, we have good news if you’re not one of the ladies who gets off easily through intercourse. There are at least 10 different subcategories of orgasms (yep), which means it’s possible you just haven’t discovered your particular mode of pleasure yet. And, hey, if you have, there are plenty more to explore.

Some experts prefer to divide orgasms into three broad types — genitally focused (e.g., a clitoral orgasm that many of us have had through sex or masturbation), full-body (e.g., vaginal orgasms, which are more intense and aren’t just exclusive to feelings in your vaginal area, despite the name) and blended (more on those below). But we were intrigued enough to want to find out exactly what a more granular breakdown of orgasm types looks like.

Here are 10 different types of orgasms according to experts.

 A Comprehensive Guide to Every Type of Orgasm | Clitoral
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Clitoral

A clitoral orgasm is — you guessed it — a direct response to stimulation of your clitoris. “This is the most common type of orgasm a woman can have, most likely because the clitoris is so accessible,” says sexologist Dr. Emily Morse. “Once you’ve found it, it’s fairly easy to stimulate, whether by yourself or with a partner. In fact, many women stumble across it by accident, whether from a close encounter with a pool jet or their detachable shower head.”

On a more technical level, when the glans (or external part) of your clit is stimulated, it activates a nerve called the pudendal nerve system — one of many nerve systems in your vagina, says Kira Manser, executive director of The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health and consultant for digital women’s health clinic Maven. Another way to make it happen: shallow vaginal stimulation with a lot of friction along the vagina walls can arouse the roots of your clitoris (technically called the crura and bulb), causing an orgasm that is focused in your genital area rather than your whole body.

G-spot

G-spot orgasms — aka vaginal orgasms — are the second most common type of orgasm, says Morse, but they’re quite a bit more elusive than clitoral ones. “They can be more challenging for many women to achieve because of the G-spot’s location, which is located about 2 inches inside the vagina on its upper wall,” she says. “Plus, it requires about 15 minutes of consistent, direct stimulation to make the magic happen.”

When G-spot orgasms happen, your pelvic and hypogastric nerve systems can trigger a fuller-body orgasm (rather than just focused in the genital area), and even vagaculation — aka squirting. Read more about the mysterious G-spot (including the controversy about whether it really exists) here.

More: 8 Real Women on Their Worst Hookup Regrets

 A Comprehensive Guide to Every Type of Orgasm | Blended
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Blended

A blended orgasm is just what it sounds like: a combination of both clitoral and G-spot stimulation. ”Blended orgasms are the mind-blowing result of a combination of internal and external stimulation,” says Morse. How will you know them? Since double the number of nerve systems are being activated, you’ll experience double the arousal and pleasure. If your orgasm feels ultra-strong occasionally, it could be that you’re having a blended orgasm.

Cervical

Cervical orgasms are a result of direct stimulation of the cervix, which is located in the most interior part of your vagina. “A cervical orgasm can be achieved when the woman is already really aroused,” says Morse. “If she’s not aroused enough, it can be painful.” Morse says cervical orgasms can take time and practice and can generally only happen with a dildo, vibrator or penis, which are long enough to actually reach your cervix.

“Only about 10 percent of people enjoy cervical stimulation,” adds Manser. “It can be achieved through very deep penetration and activates three nerves, which tends to create a fuller-bodied or even sometimes a blended orgasm.”

More: Your Complete Guide to Sex Toys

 A Comprehensive Guide to Every Type of Orgasm | Multiple
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Multiple

Multiple orgasms — having at least two orgasms during a single sex session — are what Morse calls the holy grail of pleasure. “Multiple O's happen from consistent, often indirect stimulation,” she says. “Many women struggle to have them due to sensitivity, but patience is key.” Want to up your odds of having more than one orgasm? Take a short break or catnap after your first climax before going again, says Morse. The good news is, some research by Skyn Condoms hints that multiple O's might be on the rise, since 44 percent of women reported having at least two orgasms during one session.

Nipplegasm

There are other body parts, circumstances and factors that can up your orgasm potential or strength, says Morse — including your nipples. “Nipples are not often used to their full orgasmic potential,” she says. “Stimulating the nipples releases oxytocin, which causes sexual arousal in women, including vaginal muscle contractions and an increase in blood flow to the genitals.” So don’t neglect them.

More: 7 Tips for Pulling Off Hot Outdoor Sex

 A Comprehensive Guide to Every Type of Orgasm | Mindgasm
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Mindgasm

It’s possible to have an orgasm without a partner, a sex toy or even your hands, says Morse. “You can have a ‘mindgasm’ by combining deep-breathing techniques with meditative erotic thought and controlled Kegel contractions,” she says. “You can even take your Kegels to the next level with certain sex toys — like this pelvic strengthening device — that are designed to strengthen your pelvic floor and increase the intensity of your orgasms.”

Sleepgasm

That’s right — women can have wet dreams too. “During REM, if your dream is hot enough, the blood flow to your vagina will increase and can lead to your very own nocturnal orgasm,” says Morse. “This is nothing new, and certainly isn’t uncommon. Sex research pioneer Dr. Alfred Kinsey found that almost 40 percent of women had experienced at least one wet dream — and that was back in the ’50s!” she adds.

More: How Long Sex Should Last According to a Porn Star

 A Comprehensive Guide to Every Type of Orgasm | Coregasm
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Coregasm

Some women actually orgasm while they exercise, a type of orgasm nicknamed “coregasm.” “Most people who’ve experienced it say it’s not as intense as sexual orgasms,” says Dr. Carolyn DeLucia, a gynecologist at VSpot Gyno Spa. “It usually happens after a strenuous cardio workout, which quickens the heart rate and releases endorphins, followed by a lower-abdominal workout, which increases blood flow to the vagina, sometimes causing mild orgasm.”

Exactly how it happens is still up for debate, says Morse, since many factors — such as anatomy, core strength and exercise type — impact coregasm potential. “But the one exercise that was found to be most often associated with coregasms is a leg-raising and ab workout known as ‘Captain’s Chair,'” says Morse. “Worth a try!”

Music-gasm or Skin-gasm

This one comes last because, while it feels good, it definitely doesn’t feel as good as the others — at least not in that way. Frissons — aka a feeling of chills, goose bumps or a tingling spine — can happen as a result of a sudden change in music or sound. While it can be felt as a physical wave of pleasure that may even make you shudder, it’s not usually a sexual experience. “There’s a reason why many people who have felt a ‘music-gasm’ or ‘skin orgasm’ often associate the two,” says Morse. “They trigger the same response in the brain. Both an amazing song and a sexual touch release dopamine, resulting in that feel-good sensation.”

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

9 Creative — & Cheap — Ways to Upcycle Your Old Furniture

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We all have that junkie old dresser or desk that's been chillin' in the garage for the better part of a decade, but thank goodness for that slight tendency toward hoarding — because that banged-up old furniture is just destined to be turned into a work of art.

If you've ever flipped on an HGTV show, then you know that upcycling is totally in. But it's also kinda intimidating. Not just anyone can turn a hunk of junk into something you'd actually like to display in your home, right? Wrong! Honestly, it's pretty easy to DIY your old stuff. Paint, time and a little bit of elbow grease are all you need to turn your old furniture into a new masterpiece.

More: A Simple Step-by-Step DIY Guide to Spray-Painting Mason Jars

Here are some of our favorite projects.

1. Pretty purple desk

Image: Brepurposed

An antique sewing table was given a completely new look with purple paint, gold accents, knobs and floral watercolor paper.

2. Chalk-painted dining chairs

Image: Home Stories A to Z

These thrift store finds were transformed into stunning dining room chairs for less than $50! Find out how to get the high-end look for less with this thrift store transformation tutorial.

3. Industrial dresser

Image: Prodigal Pieces

Vintage-turned-industrial, this DIY furniture makeover involved paint, stencils, new hardware and a lot of sanding.

4. Gray-painted hutch

Image: Mignois Home

This damaged hutch was in need of a major face-lift. With a few repairs and a couple coats of paint, this restored piece looks brand new!

More: This DIY Hot Air Balloon Mobile Is Perfect for a Baby's Room

5. Chipped paint nightstand

Image: Simply Designing

Brighten up a solid wood nightstand with colorful paint. This DIY furniture makeover added new hardware and used sandpaper to create a distressed look.

6. Upholstered cane chair

Image: Rain on a Tin Roof via Craft-o-Maniac

From drab to fab, this upholstery project transformed a vintage cane chair into a pretty patterned statement piece.

7. Simple chest of drawers

Image: My Creative Days

This worn-down desk was repurposed into a white chest of drawers for only $2.50!

8. Funky farmhouse chair

Image: Design, Dining, Diapers

Painted upholstery, new fabric and black nail trim accents completed this trash-to-treasure DIY project. Check out the full list of materials for this furniture makeover to make your own.

9. Kitchen island

Image: Sawdust to Stiches

You would never believe that this functional kitchen island started as a $5 cabinet found at a garage sale. To get inspired, take a look at the entire step-by-step guide for how this kitchen island was created.

Have you upcycled any of your old furniture? Share your tips and tricks for furniture makeovers in the comments below.

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