I find myself trying to come up with a dozen ways to justify this statement, but I think I just have to own it: I watch the Real Housewives of Orange County. Even more, I used to love it. The ladies were perfect California oranges: sometimes sweet, often tart, always juicy. It was my go-to for time on the elliptical or for anytime I wanted to remember that somewhere in the world, people still care about doing their hair and makeup.

But now I'm behind on the show and struggling to care. RHOC, in particular, seems to be wrestling to figure out how to keep things fresh in its millionth (well, 12th) season. It’s the longest running of the Real Housewives franchise, and not only does it feel tired, it feels depressing. In three years, the show has rotated eight new women into the lineup, trying to find a group that will gel. This season, they even recast Lydia — remember her from Season 8? She's so quirky that, while she might be a fun real-life friend, she’s completely unrelatable as a TV star.

Bustle recently pointed out that the show is best when there are genuine friendships and shared history among cast members, but “at this point watching RHOC is like watching seven different shows in one hour-long episode.” So, the real question is, what’s keeping the longtime series regulars from getting their friends to sign up? These might be a few reasons.

The Vicki problem

I really try not to come down hard on other women, but there is no way to discuss RHOC and not bring up Vicki Gunvalson. As the only cast member who’s been on the show since the start, she likes to call herself "the OG of the OC." To me, she’s not just the original, she's a total hot mess. The show keeps her around because she incites drama, but her unrepentant attitude about her own behavior is so sad I want to change the channel. Who thinks so highly of themselves that they can afford to just let friends fall by the wayside rather than apologize, let alone try to change?

At least she’s toned down the full-out screaming, and her massive flub with ex-beau Brooks — whose cancer fake-out was figured out by everyone but Vicki — has tempered her arrogance. But only slightly. During the Season 11 reunion, she actually told Shannon to “get off my show,” a statement that turned my stomach with its conceit.

In 12 seasons, Vicki's been through a divorce, welcomed two grandkids and fought with every single cast member, but we have yet to see her go through any real growth. And therein lies the problem. We watch TV dramas because we get invested in the characters' arcs, how they grow and develop and change. When it comes to Vicki, we're starting to think there's little resolution to make us feel like our time was well spent.

The scenarios are dull and contrived

If you’ve watched any of the Real Housewives shows, you know that, after a while, a scripted rhythm naturally develops. In other words, the show becomes predictable and obviously stage-managed.

Don't believe me? Here's how it always goes: A new cast member joins and is introduced at a party or meal. The new cast member throws their own shindig so we can get to know her. The new cast member will then either befriend or face off with one of the show's regulars. Sides will be taken. One housewife will plan and take all the ladies on some kind of out-of-town trip — you know, to bond. Someone will throw a big, season-ending party. At one of these last two events, there will be a major emotional throwdown.

That’s been the plot for 12 years, and the OC ladies are the worst victims of it. Some of them have jobs, but we never see them at work. We don’t hear about community activities, charities or anything interesting. Just family drama, friendship drama, cocktails, medical procedures (on-screen colonics, really?), more cocktails and lots and lots of lunches.

If any serialized TV drama ran the same plot for that long, it would be canceled in Season 2. Why are we letting RHOC get away with it?

It’s damaging to relationships

E! did a full accounting of the marital and relationship breakups on all the Real Housewives shows and discovered that 50 percent of couples have broken up on RHNYC and 33 percent have called it quits on RHOC — and that’s just among romantic partners, let alone family and friends.

In Season 11, Tamra Judge lamented the loss of her relationship with her daughter, who decided to leave her mom’s house and move in with her dad. Of course, Tamra blamed the troubled relationship on her daughter’s refusal to get it together. She didn't consider that maybe her daughter didn't want her whole life aired on a TV show. And this season, even her son’s troubled relationship with his wife is being played out in the Judge kitchen for all of America to watch.

Divorces and breakups happen for lots of reasons, but having family, marital or even friendship problems go down in front of a TV crew cannot be beneficial. Everyone gets camera-ready, the scene is properly lit, and then they're directed to sit down and talk it out. Imagine how hard it'd be to really open up and be vulnerable when you know every word you say will be edited, then watched and judged by a million people!

The number of relationships lost during the run of the entire franchise is heartbreaking, and in the OC, there are few positive relationships left.

When I first started watching, the OC Housewives reminded me of wild party guests: capable of anything, even embarrassing themselves. But now they’re more like the drunk uncle at Thanksgiving. We know exactly what’s going to happen, we know they won’t care about it and we know it will leave everybody cringing.

So, the final question remains: Is it time for this Real Housewives gang to return to their real lives and ride off into the California sunset?

Fall is a gorgeous time of year filled with color and — you guessed it — seasonal crafts. But not all Thanksgiving/fall crafts are created equal in terms of skill level. And it's never fun to watch tears of frustration form when a kid tries to create some crazy-difficult paper turkey DIY. Enter: these super-easy crafts.

These fun projects are simple enough for even your tiniest of crafters. Plus, there's even a thankful tree craft that doubles as a teachable moment for talking about gratitude. So gather your kids and your jar o' paste — and just make sure they don't eat it in the process.

More: Hosting Thanksgiving When You Have Little Kids? No Problem

Paper plate pumpkin

The pumpkin is a classic symbol of fall. Kids can enjoy making a simple Thanksgiving decoration while practicing coordination and fine motor skills.

Supplies:

• Sturdy paper plates
• Craft glue watered down to a paint consistency
• Paintbrush
• Orange tissue paper cut in small squares
• Green construction paper cut into a small rectangle

Directions:

1. Paint the wrong side of the paper plate with the watered-down glue.
2. Glue pieces of the orange tissue paper onto the plate.
3. Glue the green construction paper to the top.

Paper cup turkey

Have your child gather some fall leaves and use them to make "feathers" on an adorable paper cup turkey. Once it's complete, the turkey will be a cute decoration for your tabletop or mantel.

Supplies:

• Paper cup
• Brown craft paint
• Paintbrush
• Fall leaves
• Glue
• White, orange and red construction paper
• Black pen
• Scissors

Directions:

1. With the paintbrush, apply the brown paint to the paper cup. Allow it to dry.
2. Turn the cup upside down and glue fall leaves to the back to make the turkey's feathers.
3. Cut out two small white circles with your scissors. Use your black pen to put a black dot in the center of each circle; then, glue them onto the cup to create the eyes.
4. Cut out a squiggle from the red construction paper to form the gobbler; then, cut out a triangle from the orange construction paper for the beak. Glue both pieces onto the cup.
5. Cut out 2 feet from the orange construction paper, and glue them to the bottom lip of the cup.

Next: More easy Thanksgiving crafts for kids

Originally published October 2015. Updated November 2017.

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Thanksgiving hand wreath

Use this craft to talk about hands and how we can use them to be helpful and kind to others.

Supplies:

• Orange, red, yellow and brown construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Ribbon

Directions:

1. Trace your child's hand 4 to 6 times on each color of paper.
2. Cut out each handprint.
3. Alternate colors while gluing the palm of each handprint together, keeping the fingers pointed toward the outside of the wreath.
4. Cut a piece of ribbon, tie it in a bow and attach it to the top of the wreath.

More: What I’m Thankful for This Thanksgiving: Parent Edition

Thankful tree

This is a perfect way to document the amazing, funny and honest things your child says. Yes, the example above has pretty standard responses, but if your kids are anything like ours, there will also be plenty of "I'm thankful for yellow" and "I'm thankful for outer space"... you get the idea. You'll be sure to keep this Thanksgiving craft for years to come.

Supplies:

• Light blue cardstock paper
• Brown, orange and yellow construction paper
• Glue stick
• Black marker
• Scissors

Directions:

1. Draw a tree trunk with bare branches on the brown construction paper.
2. Write, "I am thankful for... " on the tree trunk.
3. Cut out the tree and glue it to the blue card stock.
4. Cut leaves out of the brown, orange and yellow construction paper.
5. Ask your child what he or she is thankful for, and write 1 answer on each leaf.
6. Glue the leaves around the branches of the tree.

Yesterday morning, I did a HIIT workout in my living room and grabbed a shower — all while my baby took her morning nap. I felt invigorated and accomplished. After drying off, I crept into the bedroom that my husband and I share with our daughter, careful not to wake her. I reached into my dresser, and in a moment of confidence, I pulled out my prepregnancy skinny jeans... and I attempted to try them on.

Nope. They didn’t fit yet. But I'm getting there. This fact should make me feel proud, but instead, I feel... conflicted.

More: 7 Things You Won't Learn About Postpartum Recovery in Birthing Class

Every single person I talk to seems to have a different definition of the "postpartum period" — and when it actually ends. If you talk to Dr. Google, you’ll find most sources saying it's anywhere from six weeks to six months. But if you talk to me, just a plain old mom (times two) with zero medical degrees, I would say it can vary even more than that. What "postpartum" means to you as a parent is a very different thing from what it means to me — and I believe parents themselves are the only ones who can truly say, “I finally feel like I’m out of that postpartum period.” 

I’m currently 14 months post-baby, and I sometimes go back and forth about how I feel — on the inside and the outside, specifically when faced with dreaded conversations (or even thoughts) about "the baby weight."

Sure, seeing your body change to accommodate and birth another human before your eyes is magical; you’re doing something so amazing to bring this new life into the world. But after you push that little being out, you may just want to feel like a regular-old human again. At least that’s where I am.

More: 6 Ways to Unplug Post-Baby

I worked really hard preparing myself mentally for how I would feel about my body the second time it gave birth. And I realized that above everything, I need to be kind to myself and let the weight disappear in a healthy way in its own time. I believe in me and my ability to make healthy decisions, and I'm a full supporter of the body-positive movement that's finally in the public eye (in my dreams, Ashley Graham and I are friends). But that doesn't mean I'll ever find carrying around unhealthy extra weight acceptable for myself. There, I said it.

How can I be 100 percent body-positive if I don’t feel 100 percent like this body is 100 percent mine? That’s the kicker for me at least.

After having my daughter a little over a year ago, I've worked my ass off with my fitness and overall health routine, mostly because I love to run and do yoga and jog with the baby in the stroller. It's in those moments, when I’m taking care of my body, that I feel amazing.

This is what I'm left wondering: Is there such pressure put on moms — on all bodies for that matter — to just be proud, be big and accept the way we are that we can't be open anymore about wanting to fit back into those pre-baby jeans? Has our culture shifted so much that we went from one extreme (stressing out about “bouncing back” postpartum) to another (stressing out about being "body-positive enough")?

I feel almost scolded for being somewhere in between. And I wonder if this is what a lot of new moms are actually feeling but are too scared to admit. I know I’m supposed to embrace this postpartum body of mine, but damn — I want those old skinny jeans hanging in my closet to slide on and zip up easily the way they used to.

More: Where Is the Maternity-Wear for Queer Folks?

It’s like they call to me. Beckoning me with their skinny zipper and fabric with just the right amount of stretch. Of course, they're the perfect wash that pairs beautifully with every top hanging in my closet. I miss them, and I like to think they miss me too. And with each passing day, I watch my efforts make an impact, and I know those beloved jeans will eventually be mine again.

I’m OK with the journey this new body has taken me on; it brought me my second child, after all. I just wish I didn't feel so guilty for wanting those heavenly skinnies to fit me once again — and to reunite with that piece of my long-lost prepregnancy self.

Starbucks wants to get you into a festive frame of mind with its Give Good Share Event. Yes, we know it's only early November, but there's coffee involved, so we're not complaining. From Nov. 9 to 13, Starbucks addicts — er, customers — can get a double fix of caffeinated holiday elixir. Buy one excellently foofy holiday drink, and get one free. That's one to share with your work spouse, your real spouse, your UPS guy, your BFF or the random hottie standing behind you in line at the ATM. Or feel free to be a Scrooge and slug down two holiday drinks — we won't judge.

More: 21 Gifts for Her That Will Make the Holidays Pure Magic

The fine print: The deal's only in force between 2 and 4 p.m. this coming week, so set your watch for this afternoon pick-me-up. And forget your usual, deeply boring sugar-free latte: This offer applies to holiday drinks, so you know what that means. We're talking the Cadillacs of coffee: peppermint mochas, gingerbread lattes, eggnog lattes, holiday spice flat whites, caramel brûlée lattes, chestnut praline lattes, and Teavana Joy tea. The free second drink must be of equal or lesser value to whatever extravaganza-in-a-cup you order first, just so you know.

And if that wasn't exciting enough, Starbucks will even throw in a yummy cake pop (because there's not enough sugar in a caramel brûlée latte) if you don't want two liquid holiday confections. Sweet!

More: 10 Places Perfect for a Solo Holiday Trip

The coffee company even got the perennially glam Gwen Stefani in on the event. Her new single, "You Make It Feel Like Christmas" (fresh off her holiday album) is featured in the Starbucks promo video. Want to guess who's singing backup? Yep, that would be Stefani's boyfriend and The Voice costar, country superstar Blake Shelton. Awwww.

It’s a week past Halloween, but Jessica Simpson‘s parenting continues to haunt some Instagram users. Last Wednesday, the day after Halloween, the singer-turned-fashion designer posted an adorable shot of her family celebrating the big day.

Simpson and her husband, Eric Johnson, dressed as country music duo Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. The couple’s children, 4-year-old son Ace and 5-year-old daughter Maxwell, sported more kid-friendly costumes: Ace dressed as Woody from Toy Story, while Maxwell channeled her inner princess as Belle from Beauty and the Beast. And though the Johnson-Simpsons’ family Halloween photo looked cute enough to frame, some on the internet took issue with Maxwell’s suddenly brown hair, Insider first discovered.

More: Olivia Wilde Is Being Mommy-Shamed for Kissing Her Son on the Lips

Considering the 5-year-old is a natural blonde, several Instagram users lashed out at Simpson for "endangering" her child at such young age by dyeing her hair. Others, likely not understanding the point of Halloween, simply criticized Simpson for changing Maxwell's hair, period. A few of the inane comments included:

“Please don’t tell me she dyed her daughter’s hair!!”

“Why would you color your daughter’s hair at such a young age??????????????????????”

“Great costumes. Is Maxwell’s hair dyed? I hope not her blond hair was so beautiful!!! Hopefully, just temp wash out color.”

Though there was a noticeable group of mom-shamers who disapproved of Simpson’s daughter’s costume, there were also many followers who came to her aid. Simpson’s supporters argued that the dye was likely temporary and harmless to Maxwell, while others simply told the shamers that Simpson’s choice to parent her daughter was hers and hers alone. Here are a couple of the positive comments:

“So cute. Don’t listen to the haters.”

“It’s a Halloween costume and [Maxwell’s] going as Belle. Belle has brown hair. It’s not that serious. It’s probably a wash off. So dramatic. It’s none of anyone’s business to judge how someone parents their children.”

More: Mommy-Shamers Slam Jenna Dewan Tatum for (Hot) Butt Instagram

Considering that Maxwell still has her natural blond locks in a photo Simpson posted a week after Halloween, it’s safe to say the dye was temporary. Per a report by InStyle, temporary hair dye typically rinses out after a few washes and is usually chemical-free, unlike its permanent counterparts, making it kid-friendly.

While Simpson hasn’t publicly responded to the shamers, we’re thinking she’s wishing the haters would get out of her life as fast as her daughter’s temporary hair dye did.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Broth. Stock. Different recipes call for them willy-nilly, the store sells both but with seemingly the same ingredients, and it's honestly kind of hard to tell what the difference is.

Well, we're here to change all that. Broth and stock have a lot in common, the most important thing being that they're way better when you make them from scratch. Aside from that, there are just a few basic differences that make them suitable for different things — read on to find out what exactly they are and when to use them.

More: How to make bone broth and 4 delicious uses for it (VIDEO)

Broth

Broth simply refers to a liquid that meat has been cooked in. It often also contains bones, vegetables, seasonings and aromatics. Vegetable broth and bean broth also fall under this category even though they don't contain meat.

When to use it

Broth is already seasoned; so only use it in recipes when you know the flavor profile will work. Broth made with chicken is great for light soups, risotto and other rice dishes and white sauces; beef broth is a great base for heartier stews and tomato-based sauces; and pork broth is delicious with ramen noodles and veggies.

Stock

Stock is made by boiling bones, sometimes with fresh aromatic veggies (though classically, just the bones) to make a rich liquid. Bone broth? Yeah, it's basically just a modern marketing campaign for stock. The collagen, gelatin and flavors in the bones give stock a richer mouthfeel than broth — good stock will turn to jelly when you refrigerate it. Classically, stock is unseasoned.

More: Literally everything you ever wanted to know about bone broth

When to use it

Since stock is unseasoned, it's a great base for a lot of dishes. Cook meat and veggies in your stock and add seasoning, and you have a soup; reduce stock and add salt, butter and wine for a rich sauce; add flour, butter and salt to make gravy. Since it's unseasoned, stock is more versatile than broth — you can change its flavor profile by adding other ingredients.

To easily made stock, save your leftover bones from meals in a bag in the freezer, then boil up a big batch of stock when the bag is full. You can roast the bones first to give them more flavor. Freeze the stock in an ice cube tray and then use a cube or two when a recipe calls for it.

More: Bone broth in the slow cooker... yes, it's really that easy (VIDEO)

What about store-bought broth and stock? Well, the store-bought kinds tend to be pretty interchangeable. But in general, stocks tend to be richer and more fully flavored, while broths are a little thinner. Either way, you'll want to give them a boost at home — try simmering some carrots, celery and onion in either before you use it in any of your meals so they pick up some of that homemade goodness. And always opt for the low-sodium products so you can control the salt level on your own.

We can't all be Victoria Beckham, but hey, we can breakfast like her — stilettos totally optional. The always-posh fashion designer and former Spice Girl has taken to sharing her favorite morning recipes on Instagram Stories — and they sound super-delicious.

In a short series of videos, Beckham revealed to her fans how she makes homemade Cacao Crunch cereal for her still-at-home kids Romeo, Cruz and Harper (eldest son Brooklyn is off at college in NYC). Want to get in on the wholesome breakfast action? Yeah, we thought so. Beckham combines almonds, cacao powder, oats, chia seeds and maple syrup in a big bowl, then mixes it thoroughly. Then she transfers the nutty goodness to a cookie sheet and bakes in the oven at a very Euro-chic 160 degrees C — that's around 320 degrees F for us here in the States — for 15 to 20 minutes.

More: Victoria Beckham's Kids Hilariously Roast Her Signature Pose Online

"The kids will love this at breakfast tomorrow! With organic almond milk and topped with berries!" was Beckham's video caption. (We totally agree.)

She's also a big fan of sprouted grain breakfast cereal with organic unsweetened almond milk. Sprouted grains are at the tippy-top of grain rankings in terms of nutrients, so we're not surprised health-conscious Beckham is on board. We're guessing her soccer star hubby David Beckham is probably on board too.

Want something to wash down all that crunchy goodness? Victoria Beckham has also let fans in on the secret of her "green monster" smoothie, a weirdly satisfying combination of kiwis, lemons, apples, spinach, broccoli and chia seeds.

More: Victoria Beckham Can't Get Enough of This $10 Makeup Remover

But the real secret to being the divine Victoria Beckham may be a little harder to swallow: a slurp of apple cider vinegar first thing every morning. Oof. "Be brave! Two tbsp first thing on an empty tummy! x," she captioned an Instagram post of her favorite medicine: Bragg Organic Apple Cider, which is raw and unfiltered. And unpasteurized. And gluten-free, naturally.

So there you go — want to breakfast like the Beckhams? Keep an eye on Victoria Beckham's Instagram feed and up your family's morning game.

Once again, Tom Bergeron has Dancing with the Stars viewers everywhere cringing at a gross, sexist comment he made on air. This time, pro dancer Witney Carson was the object of Bergeron's sleaze, and it just serves as a painful reminder that whatever progress we think we've made in eradicating Hollywood's culture of sexism isn't as pronounced as we thought.

More: George Clooney Accused of Misconduct by Former ER Costar

The moment happened after Carson and her celebrity partner, Frankie Muniz, finished their dance. They were getting their critiques when judge Carrie Ann Inaba told Muniz, "So far for me, that was the closest thing to perfection. I mean, you are so exquisite when you dance, it’s just so clean. I look for mistakes, but I don’t see them — except for when you almost lost control of Witney there."

That's when Bergeron jumped in, saying, "I’m guessing he’s not the first guy who's lost control of Witney."

The comment rightfully drew gasps from the crowd. In what world is that an appropriate thing to say?

More: More Than 30 Women Have Accused Director James Toback of Sexual Misconduct

This whole thing is very reminiscent of last year, when Bergeron was interviewing gymnast Simone Biles and asked her why she wasn't smiling after her dance. Once again, the host has proven himself to be someone who finds it OK to police women's appearances and sexually harass them, even on live television. Given that information, what do you think he's comfortable doing when the cameras aren't rolling?

We are in the middle of a turning point in Hollywood. Hundreds of women have come forward to talk about the absolutely pervasive culture of sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry, causing the careers of some powerful men to crumble for the way they've habitually mistreated women. And yet, here's a man doing it in front of our eyes. He is harassing women in plain sight, and nothing has been done. Have we really made any progress?

More: Emma Thompson's 11-Minute Takedown of Hollywood's Predator Crisis Is a Must-Watch

Bergeron's behavior is an inappropriate, ugly reminder that sexism still reigns in Hollywood, and even though women have taken a step forward toward safety and equality in the industry, on last night's episode of DWTS, we took two steps back.

Starting a year ago following the election, there was a dramatic surge in people opting for long-acting reversible contraception, like intrauterine devices. While this started as a preventative measure should access to birth control be rolled back under the new administration, a new study found that switching to an IUD may have a bonus health benefit: helping to prevent cervical cancer.

Preliminary findings published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology indicate that people with a uterus who use an IUD are 30 percent less likely to get cervical cancer. But at this point, think of the possible protection as an added bonus to your birth control — the study's authors do not recommend switching to the IUD based on their research alone.

More: What Are My IUD Options?

“This is observational research so we are always skeptical,” study author Dr. Victoria Cortessis, an associate professor of clinical preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC tells Time.

The research involved analyzing 16 observational studies of 12,000 women from around the world, and the authors found that the incidence of cervical cancer was significantly lower among those using an IUD. At this stage, Cortessis tells Time it is not known how, exactly, an IUD can help prevent cervical cancer or clear up a human papillomavirus infection — the cause of almost all cancers of the cervix.

As a result, more research is absolutely needed in this area — especially because Cortessis and her team didn't necessarily have access to the type of IUD (hormonal or nonhormonal) used by the women in their study, which is an important component of understanding this potential correlation.

More: Why There's Been a Major Surge in IUD Requests

Ultimately, this possible noncontraceptive side effect of IUDs could be most beneficial in populations with severely limited access to screening and associated high rates of cervical cancer, so it could be a major breakthrough in reproductive and sexual health.

Fans of the Bachelor franchise know and love Wells Adams, and after his last stint on Bachelor In Paradise (as the bartender, not technically a contestant), they know he deserves love as much as anyone out there. And he's apparently found it in Modern Family actress Sarah Hyland.

More: Sarah Hyland Responds to Concerns Over Weight Loss

The two have been making headlines since Halloween, when they both posted photos to Instagram of what was clearly a couples costume.

Adams captioned his with, "11 hangin' out with a 10," and if that doesn't just make you swoon, then quit reading now because you have no heart.

Since then, they've gotten progressively more Instagram official, proving that they're the real deal, and not just hanging out or whatever.

That look right there? That's love, y'all.

Most recently, Hyland took a page out of the Taylor Swift book of sappy relationship things, and posted a photo that showed her wearing a tiny "W" charm on a necklace.

Hyland captioned the shot, "Call it what you want," with the hashtag, "#notbecauseheownsme," referencing lyrics from Swift's new song, "Call It What You Want."

"I want to wear his initial on a chain round my neck, chain round my neck," the lyrics say. "Not because he owns me, but 'cause he really knows me / Which is more than they can say."

More: 25 Times Celebs Acted Like Total Fools in their Dubsmash Videos

So, uh, we think it's safe to say Hyland is pretty into this. Congrats, you crazy kids.

After weeks of suffering from extreme morning sickness, it seems like the former Kate Middleton may finally be on the up and up.

Her frequent bouts of sickness meant the Duchess of Cambridge missed her son’s first day of school back in September. Luckily, little Prince George had papa Prince William (and of course the royal guards) to accompany him instead.

But while speaking recently at London’s annual School Leaders Forum, Kate indicated she has indeed started dropping George off at school — and explained what it feels like to leave her child in the hands of strangers. “As a mother, just getting used to leaving my own child at the school gates, it is clear to me that it takes a whole community to help raise a child,” she said according to People. “Whether we are school leavers, teachers, support staff or parents, we are all in this together.”

More: Source Claims the Queen Plans to Crown William & Kate King & Queen

Soon after news of Kate’s third pregnancy broke, it was revealed that she was ill, once again struggling with hyperemesis gravidarum — a rare and extreme form of morning sickness. While pregnant with her first child, George, Kate was hospitalized due to the debilitating condition. She also experienced HG while pregnant with Princess Charlotte. HG symptoms can last anywhere from a few weeks to until the final trimester. That said, we're hoping we can take Kate’s recent public appearances as a good sign.

More: Prince George Has an Adorable Nickname for the Queen

In many ways, it almost seems unfair to put HG and morning sickness under the same umbrella. Symptoms are extreme (e.g., vomiting dozens of times a day, severe dehydration, etc.) and can be dangerous if left untreated. As The Guardian stated in a 2014 story about HG, “the comparison of hyperemesis to morning sickness is like breaking your arm in several places and then being told you’ve just knocked your funny bone.” Sounds about right.

Updated Nov. 8, 2017, 10:30 a.m. PT: Chris Evans is for sure trying to throw us off the scent, but we won't be fooled that easily.

We've been trying as hard as we know how not to get our hopes up for a reunion between Evans and his perfect-for-him ex-girlfriend, Jenny Slate. But now, we might have to switch gears on this one. We might have to officially join Team They're Totally Back Together, because even our healthy dose of skepticism is nothing in the face of cold, hard evidence.

I present to you, exhibit A: a video of Evans' dog.

You should absolutely watch that video because it is hilarious and includes a dog singing along to music, something that is always great. But even more important, you should watch that video because there is a woman laughing and talking off camera, and we are 99.99999999999999999 percent sure it's Slate.

Take a listen for yourself. Her voice is pretty distinctive, and we think you'll agree that's probably definitely her. And while we already knew Slate and Evans have gone on some super-chill date-like outings lately, laughing over videos of your dog in the comfort of your home is definitely a couple thing to do. We're officially putting our money on these two crazy kids being back together, and all is right in the world.

Updated Oct. 24, 2017, 7 a.m. PT: For anyone who was iffy about the nature of Jenny Slate and Chris Evans' relationship right now, we present this adorable tweet exchange as evidence:

This sweet exchange obviously has the chatter in the former couple's comments and replies to these tweets centered on whether they're back together. It isn't entirely outside the realm of possibility, but we're still not going to get our hopes up quite yet. They've been promising since day one to stay good friends, and they clearly still are. Whether they're more than that? Only they can let us know.

Original story:

We gotta stop letting Hollywood get our hopes up. Chris Evans and Jenny Slate, who broke up in February, have been hanging out again, which has of course prompted rumors that they're back together.

More: Chris Evans & Jenny Slate Share Sweet Embrace — I'm Not Crying, You're Crying

On Friday, they were spotted having dinner together in Atlanta by an onlooker who told Us Weekly they "seemed like a couple."

The insider continued, "[They were] laughing. He reached across and touched her arm a couple of times. They seemed like normal people on a date."

The following night, Evans and Slate joined Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, Susan Downey, for dinner at Better Half, where co-stars Evans and Downey posed with the chefs.

An onlooker said that night, Evans and Slate again "looked very much together."

More: Chris Evans Makes Sweet Statement About Jenny Slate, the World Cries

But are we really going to fall for this?

It would be so great if Evans and Slate did rekindle their romance. Nobody 'ships them harder than we do. They were amazing as a couple and we all want that back. However, they were very clear in their statements after their breakup that they still wanted to be friends.

"It was completely amicable and a mutual decision due to conflicting schedules," a source said right after their split. Both stars said nothing but good things about one another in the days that followed, and it was clear that even though their romantic relationship didn't work, they truly did intend to stay close friends.

More: Jenny Slate's Truth Bomb About Dating Chris Evans Is Too Real to Deal

If they really are getting back together, that's great news. But until we have more substantial evidence than a couple of dinners together, we're not going to get our hopes up.

Considered slightly advanced, temperature play is when heated wax is introduced to skin as a way to entice excitement and arousal. However sensual and erotic wax play may seem, it still requires practice, education, communication and understanding. If done incorrectly, burning of the skin and extreme discomfort can harm the dominant or submissive — learning is key.

A study led by Dr. Pekka Santtila in the Archives of Sexual Behavior found that 35 percent of sadomasochist participants engaged in hot wax play.

We spoke to Miss Kim Rub, a London-based professional dominatrix, who gave us some advice on how to properly handle wax in relation to the skin. The dom hosts workshops as well as an annual fetish event called Club Rub.

More: BDSM & Consent: What's the Big Deal?

Why wax play?

Kinksters use wax play as a form of foreplay. It’s involves using hot wax to create a teasing sensation that causes a submissive to writhe and twist into shapes and positions that are alluring and downright sexy for the average S&M enthusiast.

Sunny Rodgers, a clinical sexologist for Jimmyjane told Glamour, “Massage candles engage so many senses all at once.” The atmospheric contribution of candles create a sensual environment, and the addition of the heat on the skin, creates a bearable edge of pain.

What type of candle or what type of wax should be used?

Soy candles are the safest, although there is an assortment of retail candles you can purchase. Ingredients are the key component in understanding what type of candle you should introduce to skin. Scented and paraffin candles burn between 120 degrees F and 135 degrees F. Beeswax candles are long-lasting and industrial. They typically burn from 145 degrees F to 170 degrees F. Soy candles, which we mentioned first, have a medium burning temperature — between 135 degrees F and 145 degrees F — but most important, the wax cools quickly on contact. Since soy is natural (derived from soy beans), it’s also less likely to cause irritation.

It’s important to remember that not all wax play is done with a lit candle. Miss Kim says, “Some wax is melted on a heat source.” She goes on to say it’s always important to know “the temperature of the wax before dripping it onto the body.”

Where should you test out your first drip?

Miss Kim suggests “on yourself rather than someone else first” because you shouldn’t do to others what you wouldn’t do to yourself. Furthermore, it helps create a pain threshold and helps the dominant understand the sensations their partner will feel.

Remember that the further away from the skin, the safer. Stand over your submissive and drip the wax from a high level rather than at a low level with only a few dribbles. When you first test out your wax and when you’re in a scene, never splash any wax near the face or eyes. Also, never pour wax on an open wound or near any genitalia.

Define boundaries & establish first aid backup

This isn’t meant to be frightening, but accidents happen, even with vanilla sex. So it’s important to stay educated about your partner’s pain tolerance and be prepared for any mishaps that may occur during a session.

First of all, remember never to play on your own. Miss Kim explains that if “anything goes wrong, don’t panic. Then stop what you are doing.” She goes on to say that the stress just “adds fuel to the fire.” Discussing the situation with your partner and keeping them calm is of utmost importance for the dominant. For the submissive, remaining equally calm and voicing any concerns or discomfort is vital. Health and safety are incredibly important for BDSM play.

More: These BDSM Companies Will Help You Keep to Your Vegan Lifestyle

What should you expect to feel during wax play?

Obviously, heat. Miss Kim explains, “Shock can be instant reaction,” because of high expectations and high physical response. She goes on to say, “Certain parts of the body can cause arousal. There are quite a few different methods of application and each has its own sensation — drips that roll down the body for instance.”

For the submissive, a burst of brief pain will occur and subside as it cools down. For the sub, they will feel an obvious hot sensation, but wax play can also be subtle and low-key.

Techniques & how to begin

Before beginning to drip, have the submissive lie down on a plastic sheet or damp cloth to avoid ruining bed sheets and creating a mess. Make sure all areas are free of flammable materials and there is nothing around you or your partner that can catch fire. Massage the submissive with oil or lotion to create an easy removal while also creating a sensual moment before any heat is introduced. Light the candle and drip a small amount of wax onto your own hand or wrist.

If you feel comfortable with the temperature, drip a small amount onto the selected area of your bottom and test their reaction. Communicate throughout the process and allow your bottom to address any concerns or discomfort. Begin to decrease the distance from the candle to the body to allow the wax to cool on contact. From here, you can begin to experiment with shapes, patterns, brushing, rubbing and layering.

The removal of wax can be difficult, especially from hair. Use a comb, or a plastic card, to remove areas of wax on skin. A way to avoid any sticky situations is to apply oil or lotion to the skin to make removal easier.

More: What it's really like to be in a dom-sub relationship

If you’re interested in participating in a workshop or learning more techniques with wax play, follow along on Miss Kim’s blog for additional information and tips. Crayons, design making and more advanced techniques can all be incorporated once you’ve practiced and feel comfortable enough with the beginners waxing.

By S. Nicole Lane

During WSJ Magazine’s 2017 Innovator Awards in New York City, Reese Witherspoon did not mince words. She was being honored as the Entertainment Innovator of the Year, and she spoke truth to power, but not without pissing a few people off.

"I don’t really believe that we’ve been seeing the full spectrum of the female experience, and that is simply because women’s stories are not prioritized," she said as noted by HuffPost. "And I’m not talking about mommy blogs and 14 ways to cook a turkey."

On one hand, The Big Little Lies star brings up a great point. In our post-Weinstein era, women are arguably — rightfully, deservedly — demanding higher standards than ever before. However, Witherspoon's "mommy-blog" barb didn’t sit well with a few actual mom bloggers, notably Meredith Gordon, the creator of Bad Sandy. In her “Open Letter to Reese Witherspoon” published on Mom.me, Gordon called out what she felt was a contradictory remark.

More: Reese Witherspoon Is the Ultimate Women's Woman in New Interview

“I was curious why someone in your position would marginalize a group of women who are doing exactly what you claim to want to do,” Gordon stated. “Bloggers are using their own platforms, which they have painstakingly built on their own, to provide a myriad of content to an audience hungry for authentic entertainment, as well as information. Bloggers are their own bosses, own their own content, and are in full control of their schedule and workplace. The online community is one of the few branches of the entertainment and media business that is dominated, if not run by, women. But yet you equate what we are doing to something as trite as '14 ways to cook a turkey.'” Gordon also called out Witherspoon for using the phrase “mommy bloggers," which many mothers in the blogger word view as a pejorative label.

More: Reese Witherspoon Loves Easter More Than You

As WSJ noted, Witherspoon is certainly “changing Hollywood for women.” Not only is she an award-winning actor and mother of three, she also runs her own production company, Hello Sunshine, which boasts Big Little Lies, Gone Girl and Wild on its roster. Like the Tracy Flick character Witherspoon played in 1999’s Election, Witherspoon is truly is a woman about her business. She is also responsible for the growing lifestyle brand Draper James, which seems to be pretty popular on the mom blog circuit... so it's why that remark ruffled a few feathers.

And for the record, there's no shame in learning one’s way around a piece of fowl — whether or not you can cook it 14 different ways (because who can do that?). And considering Hollywood’s own obsession with frivolous material, here’s hoping Witherspoon’s POV also finds its way into the industry she’s most widely associated with.

Amal Clooney is really leaning into her new life as an A-list celebrity. While she's always been a badass, fighting for women's and human rights all over the world, she wasn't really famous until she married George Clooney, even though she absolutely deserved to be. But now? Definitely a celeb. There's proof. She just got tapped to host the 2018 Met Gala.

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

She'll be joined by Rihanna and Donatella Versace to throw the annual who's-who event of the Hollywood A-list. The year's theme is going to be Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination according to People magazine.

The Gala theme will tie in with the Heavenly Bodies exhibit Versace is sponsoring at the museum from May 10 to Oct. 8. The New York Times also reports that New York's Roman Catholic Archbishop, Cardinal Dolan, will have an invite to the festivities, though he has yet to confirm whether he'll actually make an appearance. The religious theme is different from past Met Galas, which tend to focus on specific designers for their themes.

More: Amal Clooney's Still Changing the World From Behind Closed Doors

There is some concern that so much religion might be controversial, but Met Gala staff is already on top of that.

"Every show we do at the Costume Institute has that potential," Andrew Bolton, exhibit curator for Heavenly Bodies told the Times. "This one perhaps more than any other. But the focus is on a shared hypothesis about what we call the Catholic imagination and the way it has engaged artists and designers and shaped their approach to creativity, as opposed to any kind of theology or sociology. Beauty has often been a bridge between believers and unbelievers."

More: Should Amal Clooney Leave Her Baby Bump at Home to Be Taken Seriously?

If anyone can make religion into high fashion, it's a team that includes Versace, Rihanna and Clooney. We can't wait to see what they come up with.

Updated Nov. 8, 2017, 1:00 p.m. PT: According to insiders, Chris Soules is staying busy and positive while he awaits trial for his deadly car crash last April. Soules' trial date was originally set for July, but has been pushed back as Soules' lawyers work to get his case thrown out. He's due in court for another pretrial conference this week.

"Chris Soules has been keeping a low profile but is slowly starting to come back out socially more and more," one source told E! News. "He's been working really hard at home on the farm. They were in harvest a few weeks ago and he is pretty committed to that. He's staying positive, all things considered. He's always been the type of guy to see the good in everything and for the most part since things have quieted down publicly with the accident, he's been as positive as he can about it all."

It's true that Soules is getting more social. He's been spotted in recent weeks in New York City for Bachelor alum Sharleen Joynt's wedding as well as a lunch date with his ex, Andi Dorfman.

Updated May 19, 2017, 9:50 a.m. PT: The media circus surrounding Chris Soules since he crashed his truck into a tractor, killing his neighbor, already has an end date. Us Weekly reports that Soules will appear before a judge for a pretrial conference on July 11, and his trial will begin July 19 at 9 a.m. in Buchanan County, Missouri. Soules has been charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident and pleaded not guilty.

Updated May 16, 2017, 5:31 p.m. PT: After filing a motion to dismiss and being rebuffed by a judge on Monday, Chris Soules and his legal team tried a different tact on Tuesday — Soules submitted a written arraignment pleading not guilty to the charge of leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

In doing so, the former Bachelor waived his right to an open court arraignment, asking instead for the court to expedite the trial and set the trial date. While entering this plea may seem like a "Hail Mary," if approved it will allow Soules to avoid the spectacle inherent with appearing in court for an open arraignment.

Additionally, Soules asked that the state file a bill of particulars outlining what part of the Iowa code he specifically violated.

In the documents, Gina Messamer, one of his attorneys, noted that "a Bill of Particulars should be allowed when the charge and minutes do not sufficiently inform the defendant of the evidence, which the prosecution will use against him."

If the judge summarily rejects Soules' written arraignment, he will have to attend the open court arraignment scheduled for May 23.

Updated May 16, 2017, 8:25 a.m. PT: Attempts by Chris Soules' legal team to have felony charges against him dropped were denied by a judge Monday. The judge said the motion to dismiss was "procedurally moot."

The motion to dismiss was filed ahead of Soules' first scheduled court appearance on May 1. In court documents, his lawyers made the case that because he called authorities and stayed at the scene until medical help arrived, Soules shouldn't be charged with leaving the scene of the accident where his neighbor, Kenneth Mosher, was killed.

"His attorneys are confident that once all the evidence is made public, it will show Soules acted reasonably and did everything in his power to provide aid to Mr. Mosher," Soules' legal team said in a statement.

Updated May 8, 2017, 12:11 p.m. PT: Former Bachelor Chris Soules has now been officially charged in Buchanan County, Iowa, with the hit and run that resulted in 66-year-old farmer Kenneth Mosher's death.

According to the DA's office, this is akin to the same charge Soules was initially arrested for, reported as "leaving the scene of a deadly crash, resulting in death."

This latest development comes just days after the state of Iowa argued against a petition by Soules' legal team to dismiss the charges based on a 911 call proving Soules did alert authorities to the tragic accident and his role in it.

However, Soules "failed to return to and remain at the scene of the accident," per the formal charges filed, choosing instead to leave before authorities arrived.

Updated May 3, 2017, 12:30 p.m. PT: The State of Iowa is arguing now that the motion filed by Chris Soules' legal team on Monday, asking that charges against him be dismissed, should be denied.

According to a motion filed by the state, there is still reason to believe Soules was intoxicated at the time of the crash that killed another Iowa man. The state argues that Soules was seen purchasing beer at a local convenience store just hours before the crash, and that empty containers matching the kind of beer he was seen purchasing were found in and around his car.

The state also argues that Soules didn't fulfill his legal obligation to report the crash to police.

"Defendant’s motion to dismiss recognizes the defendant was to immediately return to the scene of the accident or inform the law enforcement authorities where he could be located,” the May 2nd filing reads. "Defendant did neither. Furthermore, the only permissible reasons for which Defendant could leave the scene of the accident in the first place was to seek necessary aid or report the accident to law enforcement authorities. Defendant did neither after fleeing the scene."

Updated May 1, 2017, 2 p.m. PT: Chris Soules' legal team filed a motion today asking that charges against him for allegedly leaving the scene of a fatal accident be dismissed.

Audio from the 911 call Soules placed after he rear-ended a tractor last week shows that he stayed at the scene until medical help arrived. His legal team is arguing that he only left the scene after he knew the victim, Kenneth Mosher, was receiving medical help.

Soules is currently scheduled to make his next court appearance May 2.

Meanwhile, Mosher, the 66-year-old man killed in the crash, was laid to rest Monday at an Iowa cemetery. Soules and his family did not attend the funeral.

Updated April 28, 2017, noon PT: 911 audio released from Chris Soules' accident reveal that while he did leave the scene before police arrived, he didn't flee immediately following the crash.

In fact, Soules was the one who called 911. In the call, he can be heard identifying himself and explaining his role in the crash. In a statement, his legal team call reports that he fled the scene "knee-jerk" and "incorrect."

"Soules’ 911 call, released yesterday, proved that the initial knee-jerk coverage of this accident was incorrect. While initial reports suggested Soules fled the scene, the 911 call confirms that Soules in fact was the one who contacted law enforcement immediately," the statement reads. "During the call, he clearly identified himself and explained his role in the terrible accident. Soules attempted to resuscitate Mr. Mosher and remained on the scene with him until emergency medical personnel arrived."

Regardless, Soules has been charged with a Class D felony related to the crash, which could come with jail time, probation and fines.

Updated April 27, 2017, 11:30 a.m. PT: According to sources who live near Chris Soules in Iowa, Soules knew the victim of the deadly crash that led to his arrest.

"Everyone around here is in shock," a family member of Kenneth Mosher, the man killed in the crash, told Radar Online. "He knew them, they're neighbors. We're feeling very sad, everyone knows Chris' family."

The relative added, "We're trying to figure out why he left the scene. This is something he has to share and the rest of us can only speculate. What was going through his head? It is a bad day."

Meanwhile, Soules was forced to surrender his passport and is wearing an electronic ankle monitor at his home while he awaits his next court date. An insider told Us Weekly that Soules "had plans to leave the country."

Updated April 26, 2017, 8:45 a.m. PT: Chris Soules has broken his silence on his involvement in a fatal crash on Monday — sort of.

A spokesperson for the former Bachelor star issued a statement, saying, "Chris Soules was involved in an accident Monday evening (April 24) in a rural part of Iowa near his home. He was devastated to learn that Kenneth Mosher, the other person in the accident, passed away. His thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Mosher’s family."

In the wake of the scandal, Soules has also deleted his Instagram account, though his Twitter and Facebook pages were still active as of Wednesday morning.

Original story:

Former Bachelor star Chris Soules has been arrested following his involvement in a fatal car crash, sources say.

More: Does Chris Soules Regret His Whitney Bischoff Breakup?

According to TMZ, Soules was arraigned Tuesday morning on a charge of leaving the scene of a fatal accident. The accident reportedly happened around 8:20 p.m. on Monday night in Iowa, about 15 miles south of Soules' Arlington farm. Court documents say he was driving a Chevy pickup and rear-ended a John Deere tractor, causing it to crash in a ditch. The driver of the tractor was reportedly taken by ambulance to a hospital where he died. Reports say Soules left the scene.

Witnesses who saw the crash happen identified Soules and called police to report that he was involved according to an incident report obtained by TMZ.

More: Chris Soules Fans Are Freaking Out Thanks to His New... Wedding Ring? (PHOTO)

According to local station KWWL TV, police later found Soules at a residence (they don't specify whether it was his own home or someone else's), but it was hours after the accident because of the time it took to obtain a search warrant. Police records say Soules was "in possession of alcoholic beverage containers" when the crash happened, but we don't know whether he had open containers in his vehicle. Because it took police so long to take Soules into custody, reports say it's going to be hard to prove whether he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

Soules was previously convicted of driving while intoxicated in 2006.

The Buchanan County attorney told KWWL TV that Soules has not been cooperating with law enforcement. He posted his $10,000 bail and has reportedly been released from custody with a preliminary hearing set for May 2.

More: 7 Things Rumer Willis and Chris Soules Actually Have in Common

Defendant’s motion to dismiss recognizes the defendant was to immediately return to the scene of the accident or inform the law enforcement authorities where he could be located,” the May 2nd filing read. “Defendant did neither. Furthermore, the only permissible reasons for which Defendant could leave the scene of the accident in the first place was to seek necessary aid or report the accident to law enforcement authorities. Defendant did neither after fleeing the scene.

We’re heading into prime gift-giving season. It’s fun looking forward to giving and receiving gifts, especially when it comes to your significant other. But what if your partner — the one who is suppose to know you so well — gets you a gift you absolutely hate? True, “it’s the thought that counts.” But while you keep telling yourself that, here are eight other common bad-gift scenarios and how to handle them.

1. It’s something you need instead of something you want

You both know you need a new vacuum or a slow cooker, but all you think when you open the gift is “he/she thinks I’m messy” and “they want me to cook more.”

How to handle:

Don’t take it personally. Chris Armstrong, a certified relationship coach, advises people to respond by being thankful, playful and clear. "Thanks, babe. Next time, I'll make sure to only put things on the list that I want." *Wink* *Smile* *Hug* They should feel your appreciation while also understanding where you're coming from. This is really a matter of your partner being overly practical, but it's no reason to overreact.”

More: 24 Romantic Date Ideas That Go Far Beyond the Typical Dinner & a Movie

2. If you didn’t know better, you’d think the gift came from the dollar store

You were expecting a new pair of Ray Bans and instead got sunglasses that look like they were bought on the street. There’s nothing like high and sometimes unreasonable expectations to bring about disappointment.

How to handle:

If you feel the gift was cheap, especially compared to what you were expecting or got them, don’t criticize or question how much they spent. “To start, keep your expectations low. If you and your partner are young or just starting out in the world and your financial situation is not great, just focus on the fact that they gave you a gift, and let them know you appreciated the fact that they took the time,” explains Dr. Gary Brown, a licensed psychotherapist based in Los Angeles.

3. You got everything except what you said you wanted

It looks like they spent hundreds of dollars on clothes and gifts for you, but all you really wanted were new running sneakers… which you also told them about dozens of times.

How to handle:

Again, Brown says not to be cruel if you didn’t get what you wanted.  “That will say more about your lack of graciousness, and in particular if the person giving the gift spent more time and energy trying to pick out special gifts for you.” You’re better off buying them yourself than getting into a fight about it.

More: 5 Ways to Quickly De-escalate an Argument With Your Partner

4. They got you the wrong size clothes

We’re talking a vast size difference, like you’re a size 8 and they got you size 2. Your thigh can’t even fit into the dress...

How to handle:

Margaux Cassuto, a relationship expert, advises making a joke about it rather than getting mad. “If you are gifted clothes that are the wrong size, try them on in front of your partner and laugh about the ridiculous size mismatch together. Afterward, suggest he/she exchange them so you can proudly strut your stuff in them.”

5. They were clueless & got you something you’d never be interested in

You have the attention span of a 5-year-old, and the thought of spending hours at a sports game seems like torture. Next thing you know, you’re unwrapping tickets to a professional baseball game.

How to handle:

Armstrong again says to be thankful and playful, but also inquisitive. “Say something like, 'Thanks, babe. This is definitely not something I would've expected. What made you think of me when you bought it?" *Wink* *Smile* *Hug* They should get a sense of where you're coming from. This is really a matter of your partner being out of touch and unaware. Your inquisitive nature should make it obvious that you're not exactly aware of why they bought this.” 

6. You get nothing but gift cards

Though your partner knows how much you like Sephora and The Cheesecake Factory, we all know that buying gift cards takes next to zero effort. Not to mention you’re getting sick of The Factory.

How to handle:

Before stomping your foot in annoyance, maybe insist you enjoy it together, like bring your mate to Sephora and have them pick out a new perfume they like for you, suggests Cassuto. “Before the next birthday or gift-giving occasion, casually mention how distasteful and impersonal you find gift cards and try to drop other hints of specific gifts you would love to receive in the future so he doesn’t have to resort to a gift card.”

7. They got you trashy, cheap, obscene lingerie

It’s so hideous you wouldn’t even use it as a dust rag.

How to handle:

Again, make a joke about it, says Cassuto. “When they give you trashy or obscene lingerie, appreciate the flirtatious gesture for what it is and tell them you’re going to save it for their birthday or an anniversary by putting it on and offering them a night to remember.” 

8. They got you the same gift as previous years, & you were clear you didn’t want/need it

Your bathroom cabinet is so stocked with every scented lotion you could open up a store, and even though you say you don’t want lotions, you keep getting them.

How to handle:

You need to be clear without hurting feelings. “At some point, your partners lack of awareness and thoughtfulness has to be front and center in your response to the gift. This does not mean to scream and shout at them, but something to the effect of, 'OK, I must be missing something. Haven't you gotten me something like this before?' Be playful about it, because that will at least open the dialogue up and make way for necessary conversations.” 

The bottom line: Receiving gifts can be just as hard as giving when you don’t know what to get the other person. But gifts in general are always a nice gesture, so regardless of whether you love or hate the gift, make sure you love and appreciate the person giving it to you more.

You'd be forgiven for forgetting that since he's left office, Barack Obama is now just a regular citizen like you and I. OK, he's not exactly totally regular because he's still a beloved celebrity of the people, but the sentiment remains. So, it's still amusing to see the kind of frenzy that surrounds Obama when he goes out in public, as was the case when he reported for jury duty on Wednesday.

More: Live Like a President in the Obamas’ Old Seaside Escape

That's right. Obama got his marching orders and showed up like the dutiful citizen that he is at a Chicago-area courthouse on Wednesday for jury duty. Of course, we may not know what happened once Obama was in the courthouse proper, but we know for sure he caused a commotion (in a good way) upon entering the building.

It's likely no surprise Obama caught the attention of damn near everybody as he made his way into the building. That said, from the photos that have been published, it looked relatively calm and normal as he made his way into the building.

And then all hell broke loose. Obama, clearly just trying to make his way from point A to point B, looked a little surprised and overwhelmed (hopefully still in a good way) by the show of support at the courthouse.

More: 11 Times Barack Obama Has Lived His Best Life Since Leaving the White House

What would a special moment like this be if there weren't a photo to remember it by? It's not every day arguably the coolest president in recent memory just casually shows up for jury duty. Suddenly, this task many of us seem apathetic to complete doesn't seem so uncool, right?

More: Barack Obama Showers Jay-Z With Praise for a Milestone in the Rapper's Career

Us Weekly reports that Obama shook the hands of some folks in attendance and thanked those at the courthouse for their service. You've got to admit Obama just makes the boring, everyday stuff look so, so effortless and cool.

The holiday season is just beginning, but Santa came a little bit early to Starbucks this year with a very festive treat for all of us. Whether you're naughty or nice, you get access to the new Toasted White Chocolate Mocha (which is both naughty and nice itself) starting Nov. 9. Yes, that's today. Told you Santa came early. You're welcome.

More: How to Score a Free Starbucks Drink This Week

But what is this magical confection, you're probably asking? How could it possibly compete with your beloved Starbucks Peppermint Mocha? No disrespect intended to the satisfying seasonal sipping of a peppermint mocha, but Starbucks' luscious new holiday bevvie is pretty much liquid heaven. We're blushing just trying to describe the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha. Imagine caramelized white chocolate topped off with whipped cream and — the pièce de résistance — a sprinkling of candied cranberry sugar lovingly hand-crushed by elves. Or the Hanukkah fairy. OK, fiiine, we don't really know where candied cranberry sugar comes from, but we do know we want to strip down and roll around in a tub of it immediately. And take note: You can get this baby hot or iced. Mmmmm.

More: 21 Gifts for Her That She'll Love

This absurdly yummy creation is available at U.S. and Canada Starbucks stores starting today and through the holiday season... but only while supplies last. Those elves are working overtime as it is to make that magic candied cranberry sugar, so don't miss out, m'kay? Be one of the first to try this nectar of the holiday gods. We pinky-promise not to tell your trusty peppermint mocha you've been canoodling with the new hottie in town. Plus, you've got even more motivation: Starbucks is also spreading holiday cheer with its limited-time, buy-one-get-one-free special on its entire holiday drink menu from Nov. 9 to 13 between 2 and 5 p.m. 'Tis the season to get jacked up on caffeine, kids. Have at it.