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Turkey-Free Thanksgiving Crafts Kids Can Make All Fall

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Ah, Thanksgiving. A day of giant balloons on Fifth Avenue. A day of uncomfortable dinner-table discussions. A day of even more uncomfortable history lessons. A day spent being thankful, hanging with family and eating your weight in mashed potatoes. But what else is there to do other than napping off your food coma with those you love? Crafts, of course!

But crafting around Thanksgiving doesn't mean you're obligated to stick to hand turkeys — and please, in the name that of all that is good, no more paper pilgrims. Below are a few colorful crafts the entire family can make. Holiday entertainment and fall home decor you can hang 'til New Year's? Sold.

So build a fire, pour some apple cider and enjoy these bright Thanksgiving-y crafts you can make well before — and beyond — Thanksgiving itself.

Fall Thanksgiving crafts for kids: clay leaf charms
Image: Mod Podge Rocks Blog

Clay leaf charms

This is an easy DIY from Mod Podge Rocks Blog that can be used for so many things. Tie it to your Thanksgiving place settings as a festive charm, use it as an ornament, or write the names of each of your Thanksgiving guests on the back and use them as name cards. Plus, this craft only needs four items: clay, leaves, black paint and "antique" Mod Podge — and it can be made in four easy steps.

Fall Thanksgiving crafts for kids: apple ribbon suncatchers
Image: Fireflies and Mudpies

Ribbon apple suncatchers

These ribbon suncatchers from Fireflies and Mudpies are so simple and cute. It's an easy weaving craft that only needs five items and promotes fine motor skills for little hands. The blog suggests using red, green and yellow patterned scrap ribbon to make these autumnal goodies (and you can substitute orange ribbon to make a pumpkin).
Fall Thanksgiving crafts for kids: pumpkin pie garland
Image: MarthaStewart.com

Pumpkin pie garland

Because what’s Thanksgiving without a little pie? This garland from the craft queen herself, Martha Stewart, is as fun to make as the real deal is to eat. (Well, almost.) With just pieces of paper and glue, you can make this "delicious" holiday decor — and top it with a whipped cream pom-pom for an extra-sweet detail.

Fall Thanksgiving crafts for kids: leaf print pillowcase
Image: Ukkonooa

DIY leaf-print pillowcase

(or napkin or place mat or apron or…)

Be careful with this one, because once you start, you’ll want everything you own to be covered in leaf prints. This DIY from Ukkonooa has a simple three-step process: collect leaves, paint them with a fabric paint of your choosing, and press the leaves onto your desired fabric to create these beautiful prints.

Fall Thanksgiving crafts for kids: potato leaf print DIY
Image: How Wee Learn

Leaf potato stamping

This is a fun Thanksgiving twist on a classic craft, and it's a great way for little ones to get into the holiday spirit. Carve a leaf, pumpkin, or the word "thanks" onto your potatoes, pick your autumnal paint colors, and get to stamping. The folks over at How Wee Learn have some suggestions for how to add a few fun details to this project, such as drawing a tree onto the paper and inviting kids to decorate it with leaves.

Fall Thanksgiving crafts for kids: watercolor leaf and branch mobile
Image: Happiness is Homemade

Watercolor leaf & branch mobile

How gorgeous is this watercolor branch mobile? Get the details over on Happiness is Homemade; kids of all ages can help with this incredibly eye-catching craft. Simply use watercolors in fall shades to make a few paintings, cut out the leaves and attach them to a branch with string.

Fall Thanksgiving crafts for kids: autumn lanterns
Image: No Wooden Spoons

Autumn lanterns

This is a great way to create that perfect warm glow of autumn sunset through the trees — but indoors. Collect leaves outside (make sure to pick the best colors), let them dry overnight, and then use Mod Podge to stick them to the outside of a Mason jar. Let it dry for 24 hours and place a candle inside (pumpkin pie-scented, perhaps?) before decorating your Thanksgiving table or placing these around your house for all the fall vibes. Head over to No Wooden Spoons for the full tutorial.

Fall Thanksgiving crafts for kids: wreath of plenty
Image: Doug Merriam/Parents

Wreath of plenty

Every leaf you add to your wreath makes it a fuller, more beautiful piece of Thanksgiving decor — as well as a beautiful reminder of all of the things your family has to be grateful for. The folks at Parents magazine share this easy holiday DIY. Cut out leaves from colorful paper, leave out pens or markers for your family to write down what they are thankful for and pin them into a foam circle or wreath form you’ve wrapped in fabric or painted. Almost too easy.

Fall Thanksgiving crafts for kids: maple Play Dough
Image: The Best Ideas for Kids

Maple play dough

What is Thanksgiving without delicious smells wafting through the house? This maple play dough from The Best Ideas For Kids not only gives you delightful play dough to squish around, but it also smells just like Thanksgiving breakfast. The blog even has recipes for apple pie play dough and pumpkin pie play dough; try these only if you're confident you won't be tempted to eat them. This dough does need to be cooked, but little kids can get in on that fun too — by helping to measure the ingredients and stir the pot. Once the batch is ready, get started on those incredible, edible-smelling creations. (But please, don't eat them.)

Fall Thanksgiving crafts for kids: Pin it
Image: Martha Stewart, Ukkoonooa, Fireflies and Mudpies/Design: Ashley Britton/SheKnows

Serena Williams' Bachelorette Party Was the Actual Greatest

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OK, did Serena Williams just plan the bachelorette party of my dreams? Because I think she just planned the bachelorette party of my dreams. Or the party of my dreams for literally any occasion. Or just the Saturday of my dreams. She had the perfect Saturday. I am so jealous. I'm going to replicate this ASAP.

More: Serena Williams' Baby Has Her Own Instagram — Run by Her Parents

Williams is engaged to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, as you probably know, because this is a big deal and everyone should know it by now. They're getting ready to finally tie the knot soon, which required some celebrating with famous besties in tow, like Venus Williams, La La Anthony and Ciara. First stop? The group headed to New York City to check into the Baccarat Hotel & Residences in Manhattan, their home base for the weekend.

More: Serena Williams & Alexis Ohanian Swaddle Like Champions at Baby Class

First up, they hit the Baccarat Petit Salon for a Champagne toast and brunch, because every perfect weekend begins with a Champagne toast and brunch. Presumably, they spent the day hanging out and being besties at their super-luxe hotel before heading to dinner at the Legasea Seafood Brasserie in Midtown. Then, they danced all night at the Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge and PH-D Rooftop Lounge.

After that absolutely perfect Saturday, the festivities still weren't over. That kind of a perfect day needs a follow-up, so on Sunday, the bridal squad headed to the Baccarat's Spa de La Mer for some pampering and then spent the morning by the pool. In the afternoon, they took a trapeze class (how is that for coolest bachelorette party idea ever?) and then had afternoon tea together. This weekend is the perfect mix of party, relaxation and class. I can't even.

More: Serena Williams Is Already Flaunting Her Rockin' Post-Baby Bod

After a bachelorette party this epic, I cannot wait to see the wedding.

Dr. Yang Could Return to Grey's Anatomy

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This is the moment Grey's Anatomy fans have been waiting for since Season 10: Cristina Yang might actually return to the show!

More: Grey's Anatomy's 300th Episode Will Be Full of "Ghosts" From the Past

Grey's Anatomy just aired its 300th episode, and along with it, had a red carpet celebration for its cast. Entertainment Tonight asked Kevin McKidd, who plays Cristina's former flame Dr. Hunt, whether Sandra Oh would consider a return to the show, something fans have been clamoring for for years. His answer?

"I hope she will," he said. "I think it would be so much fun, and it would open up so much again in the story and mix everything up."

More: Our Favorite Female Bosses on TV

That's an understatement. Cristina and Hunt have a complicated history on the show. They were both incredibly damaged when they met each other and then began their relationship, which was both healing and harmful for the two of them. Still, they kept trying to make it work, right up until Cristina's departure for Switzerland when she got a lucrative job offer there.

Now, in Season 14, the timing seems right for Cristina's return. Hunt is in a relationship with Amelia that's slowly falling apart, and his past love could be just the shakeup he needs.

"Hunt, wherever he is in his life, would have incredible stories [with Cristina]," McKidd said. "And she's just such an amazing actor that I still miss her to this day. Every day. Even though she only lives five minutes away from the studio."

More: Bethany Joy Lenz Just Signed On for a Grey's Anatomy Guest Arc

For her part, Oh has long stayed silent about whether she would make a return to Grey's. But McKidd revealed that when he mentioned it to her recently, she replied, "Well, maybe." That's not a no, so we're not giving up.

What Is 'Golden Milk,' & Are There Any Health Benefits?

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Everyone knows what regular or chocolate milk is, but have you ever heard of golden milk? It sounds odd, but many swear by its purported health properties. Is there any truth to the idea that golden milk provides health benefits? Let's find out.

Golden milk, defined

Golden milk, also known as turmeric tea, is a beverage that contains ground turmeric. This is combined with other herbs or spices, including ground pepper, ginger root or cloves. While it's called golden "milk," it doesn't necessarily have to contain cow's milk — instead, almond, hemp or coconut milk can be subbed in if there is a need to do so.

Health benefits of golden milk
Image: Getty Images/Design: Ashley Britton/SheKnows

Dr. Taz Bhatia, a board-certified integrative medicine physician and wellness expert and author of What Doctors Eat and Super Woman Rx, shared her golden milk recipe with us (below). She says the turmeric in the recipe helps combat illness and strengthen the immune system due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties. "Turmeric has been used since ancient times in Ayurvedic medicine," she explains.

More: These Foods Actually Improve Your Eyesight

What's the deal with turmeric?

Now that we know the ins and outs of golden milk, does turmeric, its most touted ingredient, really have any health benefits? Specifically, there is a component of this treasured golden spice called curcumin, and that's where all the action comes from. Fortunately, there have been some scientific research-backed studies and clinical trials done on the mechanism of curcumin and how it affects the process of certain diseases in the human body.

One such paper published by the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists does a pretty thorough job of rounding up clinical trials as they relate to curcumin and a boatload of human disease processes. Specifically, they note there have been promising effects in patients with inflammatory diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, irritable bowel disease, gastric ulcers, nephritis, psoriasis, Crohn's disease and many more.

More: What Are the Health Benefits of Ginger?

While the full explanation of how it works is pretty science-y, it boils down to curcumin's ability to modulate cell-signaling molecules such as pro-inflammatory cytokines (substances that are secreted from certain cells in the immune system that have an effect on other cells). Reducing or eliminating these substances will reduce their effect on other cells, which means that inflammation may be less of a problem in those treated with curcumin.

While therapeutic use of curcumin dates back to as early as 1748, the first article that denotes its use in human disease was published in 1937, and since then, more than 60 clinical trials have been published. In addition to showing a relationship between turmeric (curcumin) and decreased inflammation, curcumin is generally safe to consume due to its nontoxic nature.

Golden milk recipe

Courtesy of Dr. Taz Bhatia

Ingredients:

  • Ginger root
  • Cloves
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 – 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 2 teaspoons milk (or a dairy-free alternative)

Directions: 

  1. Add the ginger root and cloves to the water.
  2. Bring the seasoned water to a boil and boil for 2 minutes.
  3. Pour the contents into a mug, and add the turmeric, honey and milk, stirring until the honey dissolves.

Your mileage may vary

While evidence shows turmeric (or at least its curcumin component) may result in positive results for those with inflammatory conditions, your mileage may vary, and of course, always consult with a medical professional prior to use.

Louis C.K.'s New Movie Scrapped Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

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The sexual assault rumors that Louis C.K. has been dodging for much of his career have caught up with him — in a New York Times article, five women accused the comedian of sexual assault, and it's already affecting his career. Just days after the article ran, the production company behind C.K.'s controversial new movie I Love You, Daddy, which he wrote and directed, will not be giving it a wide release.

More: Louis C.K.'s SNL Sketch Has One Huge Problem

"The Orchard will not be moving forward with the release of I Love You, Daddy," the studio said in a statement. The movie was scheduled for a Nov. 17 wide release after premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

Charlie Day, who costars in the film, also released a statement.

"I was as appalled as everyone to read the allegations made in The New York Times," he said. "I do not condone sexual misconduct and, in light of the allegations, will not be promoting the movie further."

Before the movie was officially scrapped, it was already being affected. Chloë Grace Moretz, who also costars, canceled promotional events for the film weeks ago when she first heard of some of the allegations against C.K.

C.K. was also scheduled to appear on The Late Show Thursday night to promote the movie, but he abruptly cancelled his interview.

"For those of you tuning in to see my interview with Louis C.K. tonight, I have some bad news—and then I have some really bad news. Louis canceled his appearance here tonight because The New York Times broke this story today: five women are accusing Louis C.K. of sexual misconduct," host Stephen Colbert said on the show, calling the allegations against C.K. "disturbing" and noting that he is "the latest in an avalanche of powerful men" to face such allegations.

More: SNL Wrecks Pepsi's Tone-Deaf Kendall Jenner Commercial With Spoof

In recent months, almost more powerful men than we can count have seen their careers crumble in light of allegations of sexual harassment and abuse made against them. We're happy to see their victims get justice, but we can't help but wonder when it's going to end.

Good News: Epidurals May Not Prolong Labor After All

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If you’re pregnant, you’ve probably already realized there are a lot of decisions to make regarding your birth plan. One of those decisions, of course, is pain management — do you want to have an unmedicated birth, or do you want to have an epidural? Do you want to wait and see how it goes?

There’s a great deal of stigma and shame associated with getting an epidural (as there is with C-section, and any other decision made by a person who’s giving birth). But in addition to the false notion that using pain control during labor means your birth wasn’t “natural” or that you didn’t really experience it, there are other ideas about epidurals people have going into the birth process that impact their decision-making.

Dr. Edna Ma, a physician anesthesiologist in Los Angeles, says women often express anxiety regarding epidurals and breastfeeding, concerned their babies won’t latch on because of the chemicals in the anesthesia, but an October 2017 study published in the journal Anesthesiology negates that. And then there’s the enduring belief that epidurals prolong labor, making it more likely a person will need a C-section.

More: Should You Consider Laughing Gas to Ease Labor Pains?

A study also published in October 2017 in Obstetrics and Gynecology in which 400 women in labor were given either saline or an epidural (neither the women nor their doctors knew who was getting what), found a small difference from dilation to delivery. For women who got the saline, time from full cervical dilation to delivery was 51 minutes, while for those who got the epidural, it was 52 minutes. (One minute might seem like a long time if you’re in labor, but scientifically, it holds no significance.) The number of women who had C-sections in the group was also almost identical, as were other kinds of delivery assistance, like episiotomies and the use of forceps.

So what does this study mean for actual people giving birth and for the practice of birth medicine? “This is more evidence that epidurals are safe,” says Ma. “It also carries more weight because it’s in a journal for OB-GYNs, and not just anesthesiologists.”

Ma notes that epidurals can be controlled throughout labor, so if you want to feel more pressure during the pushing stage, the medicine can be regulated to make that possible, and if you want to be able to sleep, the amount of medicine you’re getting can be increased. Once you have an epidural administered, it can benefit you not just for the duration of labor, but also if you need any procedure, like an episiotomy, after labor, and you won’t have to have a local anesthesia applied.

More: What's the Difference Between Braxton Hicks & Labor Contractions?

The reasons one might need a C-section or that labor might be slow are varied and have nothing to do with whether or not you have an epidural to deal with pain. Your cervix might not be dilating or the baby’s head or body might be too large to fit through your pelvis (this is called cephalopelvic disproportion). Stress is another cause of prolonged labor. Prolonged labor is defined as labor that lasts for more than 20 hours for first-time mothers and 14 hours for those who have delivered before. If you’re already experiencing prolonged labor, “turning off the epidural won’t help,” the study’s senior author, Dr. Phillip E. Hess, told The New York Times.

Dr. Sasha Davidson, a Florida-based OB-GYN with training in maternal fetal medicine/perinatology, says that while the findings of the epidural study are reassuring, there’s some evaluation to be done.

“We have to be mindful of the fact that the study was done overseas, in China, where people have similar body mass index,” she says. “There are considerations for us as clinicians here — like BMIs, race and ethnicity… not all patients are the same.”

Davidson is “pro-epidural.”

“I tell moms who say that they don’t want one, who think an unmedicated birth means they’re more of a woman, ‘It’s OK to change your mind. It doesn’t mean you’re not strong,'” she adds.

More: Here’s What You Need to Know About Baby-Friendly Hospitals

It’s normal to have concerns about epidurals even if you have read every scientific study and article available about them — after all, it’s your body, your birth experience and your baby. Ma recommends explicit communication with your OB-GYN and your delivery team. “Have a list,” she advises. “State what you want, what you want to experience.”

By Chanel Dubofsky

Scandal Changed My Mind About Marriage

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I have always been extremely career-minded. Even from the time I was little, I dreamed of success. I identify with Scandal's Olivia Pope in that way. It's what initially hooked me on the show. I love how independent she is. I love how commanding her presence is. I want to be that type of woman.

But I don't want to be Olivia Pope.

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

Because watching Scandal made me realize I want to be that kind of woman, but with an equally awesome partner by my side. For all of Olivia's success, her personal life kind of sucks. Sure, that works for a show. But in real life, having the dream job with the dream confidence just isn't enough for me.

I used to think I didn't need marriage in my life. I always said that if I found the right partner, then I would take the plunge, but it was never something I was actively searching for. The result? I found myself in relationships with commitment-phobes and got a few bad experiences under my belt. Not that I was perfect in these relationships by any means. I was young. I had no idea what I truly wanted. And that opened the way to confusion and heartbreak.

I also wanted to be that independent woman who didn't need a man. I still am that woman — I really don't need a man. But I also don't think women should be ashamed to want a healthy partner in their life. I think I always knew that the love story was something I secretly wanted, but I was afraid to admit it, even to myself. It wasn't until I embraced those desires that I realized wanting a lifelong partner doesn't make me weak at all. It makes me human. It makes me a better human.

More: Shonda Rhimes Reveals the Humbling Way Grey’s Anatomy Saves Lives

Of course, that's not to say that people who don't want a relationship are wrong. In fact, it's just the opposite. I think discovering and knowing confidently what you want and what is right for yourself is one of the wisest things we can discover. The humanity lies in the choice.

Unfortunately for Olivia, she is still far from making that choice for herself. And watching her ups and downs and her love triangles and her indecision makes it all the more clear that I am making the right choice for myself by making different and conscious choices.

For me, I want Vermont and jam. I just also want the high-powered badass job. The beautiful thing is that I don't think I have to sacrifice one to have the other. I think having both is attainable. Hard work, yes. An impossibility? Absolutely not. It's good to be alive in the 21st century, ladies. (Not that there isn't still a lot of work to do.)

More: 32 Most Shocking Moments From Every Grey's Anatomy Finale Over the Last 13 Years

Olivia can keep her high-ranking office job and her power. I'll take that man in my life who challenges me and pushes me while we both work to make a big difference in this world.

The Real-Life Love Triangle That Happened Behind the Scenes of Stranger Things

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A Pomeranian might be responsible for dividing the cast of Stranger Things.

More: Here's Our Stranger Things Drinking Game

In an interview with Mashable, David Harbour, who plays Hopper in the show, explained that he and his costar Joe Keery both fell madly in love with the little fluffball.

"There’s a Pomeranian dog on our set that is one of the makeup girls’ dogs, and I fell madly in love with this dog and put a picture on Instagram," Harbour explained. "Joe would text me pictures of him and the dog in the makeup trailer, and I would get so jealous and mad and rageful."

david harbour instagram pic

david harbour instagram pic

"So I do feel like there’s some kind of love triangle to be mined there with the two of us and the Pomeranian," Harbour added.

More: The Stranger Things Kids Don't Look Like Kids Anymore

Both actors have been posting pictures of the pooch on their Instagrams, but it appears that Keery is winning the viral battle. Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler) shared a photo on his Snapchat of Keery holding both the Pomeranian and what appears to be a glass of some bubbly, and the photo subsequently blew up.

joe keery instagram pup pic 1

joe keery instagram pup pic 1

But the battle for the Pomeranian's ultimate affection is all in good fun.

More: 14 TV Friend Groups We'd Actually Want to Hang With

Joking aside, Harbour told Mashable that he actually really has a close relationship with Keery despite not sharing a ton of screen time with him in the show. "I would love to play more stuff with Joe, we’ll have to see," he said. "There’s just so many great characters on this show, it’s hard to figure out a way to put Steve and Hopper together, but I’m sure the Duffers will figure it out, because I do love Joe. I love working with him."


Rebel Wilson Reveals Her Experience With Hollywood Sexual Harrassment

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Rebel Wilson is adding her voice to the dozens, if not hundreds, of men and women who have spoken out about sexual misconduct in Hollywood.

More: Rebel Wilson, We Want to See You Nude, and Let Us Tell You Why

Wilson took to Twitter to recount her experiences. One was a "hotel room encounter with a top director," in which Wilson said she escaped the situation as soon as things began to get weird. The other was an incident with a male star who "asked me repeatedly to stick my finger up his ass."

rebel wilson sexual harassment tweet 1

rebel wilson sexual harassment tweet 1

rebel wilson sexual harassment tweet 2

rebel wilson sexual harassment tweet 2

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rebel wilson sexual harassment tweet 3

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rebel wilson sexual harassment tweet 4

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rebel wilson sexual harassment tweet 5

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rebel wilson sexual harassment tweet 6

"I feel lucky that I grew up in a pro-female environment," Wilson explained, "going to an all-girls high school, and that I have such a strong sense of self and have taken self-defense classes. I had the ability to escape both incidents. I realize not everyone is as lucky."

More: Rebel Wilson Strikes Back at the Kardashians' Superficiality

rebel wilson sexual harassment tweet 7

rebel wilson sexual harassment tweet 7

rebel wilson sexual harassment tweet 8

rebel wilson sexual harassment tweet 8

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rebel wilson sexual harassment tweet 9

Though Wilson doesn't name names in her tweets, she is still another voice speaking out against the injustice in Hollywood, especially with regards to powerful men. Harvey Weinstein, director Brett Ratner, actor Kevin Spacey and comedian Louis C.K. are some of the most notable men who have been accused of sexual misconduct recently.

More: Rebel Wilson Raises Awareness After Sharing Her Scary Encounter in a Club

This isn't the first time Wilson has used her voice to raise awareness about some of the scarier things in this world. Back in May 2016, Wilson took to Twitter to reveal she had her drink spiked at a club.

rebel wilson spiked drink tweet 1

rebel wilson spiked drink tweet 1

Luckily, in this case as well as the others, nothing bad happened and she made it home safely.

The 7 Worst Beauty Habits & How to Break Them Now

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Although we’re not fans of rigid beauty rules — like the one that says we can only wear vampy lipstick in the fall — there are certain guidelines we should prioritize for the sake of healthier skin. Sure, there are “bad” habits that are actually acceptable, like not washing your hair every other day, but others leave a little less wiggle room.

Beyond the more widely known ones, such as biting your nails or using dirty makeup brushes, there are a host of under-the-radar habits you probably didn’t know were ruining your skin. With the help of a few experts, we’re here to help you kick them once and for all.

Smoking

OK, so we’re starting with an obvious one, but seriously; no other habit, regardless of how often you do it, causes worse damage. Plus, we could always use a reminder. According to Dr. Craig Kraffert, board-certified dermatologist and president of Amarte Skin Care, vaping is the easiest way to curb your nicotine habit and eventually quit altogether.

“[Smoking] provides zero beauty benefit — only damage,” he says. “Vaping is not as damaging to the skin as smoking and there is not a great deal of data yet to quantify the relative level of damage that occurs with vaping vs. smoking.”

More: In-Flight Masks That Worth a Little Embarassment

Not using primer

If you’re a makeup wearer and find that your face is always melting off by lunch, it could be because you’re not properly prepping your skin beforehand. According to Megan Luman, senior Mehron educator and celebrity makeup artist, one of the biggest mistakes she sees both men and women make is not hydrating before they apply foundation and other powder/cream products.

“Most people don’t understand the importance of a primer because no one has ever educated them on it. The skin is the largest organ of your body — therefore, it needs water!,” she says. “So anything you put on your face that contains water, i.e., liquid/cream foundation, you can count on your skin drinking it up.”

Luman recommends using a silicone-based primer, like Mehron’s Velvet Finish Primer, as it better controls oil, fills in lines and even helps products blend more easily. “Silicone is a larger molecule that our skin cannot absorb, so it creates a barrier between the skin and the makeup. So essentially, the two never actually touch.”

More: The 15 Best Korean Beauty Products

Using makeup wipes as a cleanser

If you’re constantly on the go or simply too tired to remove your makeup before bed, know that a makeup wipe isn’t where your cleansing routine should end. In fact, they actually leave residue on the skin and leave it dirtier than it was before. According to Kraffert, a lot of them also contain potentially hazardous chemicals, such as formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, that ensure a long shelf life, but ultimately dry out the skin.

“In Korea, makeup wipes are falling out of favor due to a general sense that they are not the best option for skin health and beauty,” he says. “I would recommend using a proper cleanser, such as Amarte Daily Wonder Cleansing Foam, for a deep cleanse without residual dryness or tightness.”

More: In Your 20s? It’s Time to Start Using These Products

Assuming makeup with SPF is enough

You’re off to a great start if your makeup products include some level of UV protection, but the downside is that we forget to shield the rest of our body. According to Kraffert, “Although SPF is certainly an added benefit to makeup products such as foundations, the makeup isn’t applied thick[ly] enough and evenly enough in most cases… to key beauty zones — neck, décolleté, hands and arms — to be considered enough protection from the sun’s harmful rays.”

The solution is simple: Invest in a body SPF, like the Amarte Ultra Veil Sunscreen.

Sleeping on your side

Ever wonder why celebrities like Kim Kardashian swear by sleeping on their backs? According to Dr. Jame Heskett, consultant for the antiaging brand HydroPeptide, having your face against a pillow, especially if it’s not silk or satin, actually speeds up the formation of lines and wrinkles.

She says, “Practice just relaxing on the back when you’re awake. Once the body makes the connection between relaxation and body position, it will be easier to fall asleep in that position. If you can’t always sleep on your back, at least combat wrinkles with a powerful antiaging cream, like HydroPeptide’s Nimni Cream, so everything bounces back in the morning.”

More: The Blogger-Approved Skin Savers You Need This Winter

Exfoliating every day

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a beauty junkie without his or her trusty facial-cleansing brush, which makes it easy to go overboard with exfoliation. Heskett says when we do this every or even every other day, it throws our skin’s natural bacteria balance out of whack. This, in turn, leads to random breakouts and other pesky skin issues.

“The skin has a natural balance of good bacteria and oils that keep your skin healthy, glowing and youthful,” she says. “When you exfoliate too much, you run the risk of creating an imbalance in the skin, which can lead to redness, dryness and breakouts. Then, more products get thrown at the problem, which starts the vicious cycle all over.”

Instead, keep your exfoliation to one day a week, and if you really want to curb this bad habit, consider shaving. “I know this sounds crazy, but the best exfoliation I’ve found is shaving,” says Heskett. “With a regular razor and shaving cream, shaving your face will remove dead skin cells like expensive spa treatments. And no, you won’t grow a beard.” (LOL, thanks.)

More: Do All-Natural Skin Care Routines Actually Work?

Cleansing with hot water

At the end of a long day, nothing feels better than a steamy shower. Unfortunately, it’s kind of a nightmare for your skin. According to most dermatologists, including Kraffert, hot water “damages skin’s protective barrier and causes engorgement of tiny blood vessels, which may lead to permanently dilated skin blood vessels over time and result in skin ruddiness and uneven tone.”

In fact, avoiding hot water is gospel in what we consider the skin care capital: Korea. So get into the habit of washing your face outside the shower and with a gentle exfoliant instead. “Washcloth exfoliation is hard to control and often misses the mark by creating too much exfoliation with irritation or not enough with suboptimal results,” says Kraffert. “Instead, I would recommend frequently exfoliating with Amarte Daily ExfoliPowder, a plant seed-based polishing cleanser that removes dry, dull skin.”

Great expert tips, right? There’s no time like the present to kick bad-for-you habits and replace them with routines that’ll keep you glowy, healthy and happy.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Is Gin the Key to Alleviating Period Pain?

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As a person with a chronic illness, I’m well accustomed to dealing with pain on a regular basis. While consulting a medical professional when you have an issue like severe pain is important, sometimes prescriptions don’t work. When it comes to the nerve pain caused by my relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis, the prescribed pills I’ve been given have given me a multitude of side effects. The most popular treatment for it gave me a mid-sleep stomach-lurching sensation like I was riding a roller coaster. And when I woke up, I was slurring and felt so disconnected from my own body, I spent several minutes staring at my hand wondering if I should cut it off.

If like me, you have moderate to severe periods, then you’ve likely tried a plethora of painkillers and internet-recommended solutions to dull those stabs and aches. I find that a searing-hot water bottle is essential, but sometimes, over-the-counter pain relievers can’t touch the throb that radiates throughout my back, groin and legs.

That's why I choose gin. In moderation of course, as alcohol is almost never the guaranteed solution to any problem. But as a little research proves, gin contains several soothing elements that make sense of its painkilling properties.

More: These Are the Best Exercises to Help Ease Period Pain

According to the Gin Foundry, gin has long been used for its medicinal properties. According to the site, “From a remedial purpose—the earliest recorded medicinal use of juniper berries occurs in an Egyptian papyrus dating back to 1500 BC, in a recipe to cure tapeworm infestations. The Romans too used the berries for purification and stomach ailments.”

While tapeworms are undoubtedly different beasts from chronic illnesses, it’s interesting that the core ingredient of gin, which gives it its unmistakable flavor, has often been used medicinally. The Gin Foundry confirms this is still the case, as apparently “it would seem that the juniper berry is still being considered as a possible treatment for diet-controlled diabetes, as it allegedly releases insulin from the pancreas (hence alleviating hunger).”

Writer Amy Roberts is an advocate of gin for period pain, and tells us, “For me, using gin for medicinal purposes during my period serves a couple of purposes. Firstly, it chills me out during what is always the most stressful part of my month. But it also helps to soothe my period cramps too.” 

As Roberts says, “Though it doesn’t get rid of the pain entirely, it does mute it and make it more manageable. Sometimes, I find it more effective than painkillers. A couple of gin and tonics and a hot water bottle, and I can usually survive whatever agonies my uterus has decided to bother me with that month.”

More: "Period in a Petri Dish" Could Have a Big Impact on Reproductive Research

Similarly, gin works as an analgesic for me when dealing with both MS-induced nerve pain and severe period symptoms. Where aspirin sometimes doesn’t touch the nerve disturbances, which are often aggravated by menstruation, gin calms and numbs my body, stops my nerves from sending signals to itch, sting, stab or throb at my skin. During my period specifically, a well-timed gin and tonic feels as though it relaxes the cramping in my uterus and diminishes the back throbs and the obnoxious ache of my vaginal muscles.

According to How Stuff Works, “Because juniper is indicated for chronic conditions associated with debility and lack of tone in the tissues, it is most often used for treating older people or those with chronic diseases.” The indication is that gin loosens up joints and muscles, making people more mobile and easing body pain. The site also claims juniper berries have an “antiseptic effect and are often used in cases of chronic and repeated urinary tract infection.” It makes sense, then, that gin could also alleviate period pain and the cramps associated with severe menstruation.

More: If Nothing Works to Treat Your Period, Endometrial Ablation Could Be an Option

While consulting your medical professional should always be the first step to dealing with chronic pain and problematic menstruation symptoms, deferring to remedies that work for your body is a helpful alternative. For me, a gin and tonic can settle my nerve disturbances and period cramps when nothing else can. Moderation is, of course, key, but finding something that works for the most difficult monthly symptoms is invaluable, which is why I swear by it. Basically, life is difficult enough without annoying and sometimes debilitating menstruation symptoms.

By Amy Mackelden

Fight the Flu With These 7 Yoga Poses

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'Tis the season for eggnog lattes, holiday shopping, cute scarves, all the warm fuzzies and... the flu. Yes sirree, the winter is a time for lots of hustling, bustling and getting knocked on your ass with aches, pains and a nose that won't stop running.

And I know what you're thinking, any form of exercise is probably the last thing on your mind when you're feeling under the weather, but research has shown that it can actually help make you feel a little better.

"The body releases the stress hormone cortisol while it's fighting infections like the common cold, and research suggests that stress-relieving techniques — such as yoga and breathing exercises — may help boost immunity," Dr. Richard Besser told CNN. Plus, he added, gentle stretching may help relieve aches and pains related to colds and sinus infections.

Besser suggests determining whether or not you should exercise by using what he calls the neck rule: "If your symptoms are above the neck — sneezing, sinus pressure, stuffy nose — then breaking a sweat is generally considered safe."

Of course, it is always best to listen to your body, but if you feel a cold coming, or are recovering from and/or trying to prevent the flu, here are seven immunity-boosting, gentle yoga poses that are safe for you to do.

More: 7 Yoga Poses for When You're Too Tired to Work Out

Yoga for when you're sick
Image: Maggie Giuffrida/SheKnows; Graphic: Gabriela Arellano/SheKnows

P.S. Don't forget to end your practice with a little (or big) "Om" — it's a good way to open up clogged sinus passages.

1. Downward Facing Dog

Moves white blood cells through your body as well as drains the sinus passages.

Downward Facing Dog
Image: Maggie Giuffrida/SheKnows

From Mountain Pose (standing position), reach your hands down to the floor, bending your knees if need be. Walk your hands out about three to four feet in front of your toes. Pushing into your palms, lift your hips up toward the sky and press back into your heels, trying to get them flat to the ground. Keep your gaze toward your legs and continue pressing your chest toward your thighs to create a nice flat back.

2. Standing Forward Bend

Stretches hamstrings and back, alleviates anxiety, relieves headaches, improves digestion and quiets the mind.

Standing Forward Bend
Image: Maggie Giuffrida/SheKnows

Standing straight up, feet together, arms by your side, reach your hands up and overhead into a prayer position and then swan-dive your arms and chest down toward the ground. Put your fingertips to either side of your feet, and as you inhale, raise your head and chest up while keeping your fingertips on the floor, then slowly start to bring your chest in towards your knees.

If you have a hard time reaching your toes, put a little more bend in your knees until your hands are on the floor. Keep pressing your chin and chest in towards your knees and thighs for the maximum stretch. Remember to never lock your knees and always keep a slight bend in them to avoid injury.

3. Seated Forward Bend

Soothes headache and anxiety and reduces fatigue.

Seated Forward Bend
Image: Maggie Giuffrida/SheKnows

Sitting on your mat with your feet stretched out in front of you, reach your hands up toward the sky and begin to hinge forward at your hips, allowing your arms to drop toward the ground, reaching forward to your toes. When you can't reach any further, plant your palms and lower your forehead down toward your legs with your nose toward your knees.

4. Seated Spinal Twist

Helps detoxify the body by getting things moving as well as activates the secondary organs of the immune system.

Seated Spinal Twist
Image: Maggie Giuffrida/SheKnows

Sitting straight up with your feet extended out in front of you, bend your right knee and bring it in toward your chest, placing the heel as close to your body as you can. Then take your bent right leg and cross it over your left leg, pressing your right foot firmly into the ground. Either keep your left leg extended out in front of you, or for more of a twist, bend it underneath your body in the opposite direction. Place your right hand back behind your sit bones as you reach your left arm up to the sky, twisting it over to the right side as you bend your elbow and hook it on the outside of the right knee. Bring your gaze over your right shoulder and toward the back of the room. Repeat on the opposite side.

More: These Yoga Poses Provide Some Serious Relief If You Work a Desk Job

5. Bound Angle Pose

Stimulates the heart and improves general circulation and helps relieve mild depression, anxiety and fatigue.

Bound Angle Pose
Image: Maggie Giuffrida/SheKnows

Begin by sitting with your legs straight out in front of you. As you exhale, bend your knees and pull them in towards your chest, placing your feet flat on the floor. Pull the heels toward your pelvis, and then drop your knees out to the sides as you press the soles of your feet together. Keep the outer edges of the feet firmly on the floor as you grab hold of the toes, or clasp the hands around the ankles or shins, as you begin to press your elbows and forearms into your legs to lower the knees closer to the floor.

6. Bridge Pose

Stimulates thymus glands, which are a main immunity organ.

Bridge Pose
Image: Maggie Giuffrida/SheKnows

Lying flat on your back, arms by your sides, bend your knees and plant your feet on the floor, bringing your heels as close to your bottom as you can. With your palms pressing into the floor, lift your hips off the ground and up towards the sky. Hold here for four to eight breaths, continuing to push through the feet and lifting the hips as high as you can, or choose to roll your shoulder blades underneath you, clasping your hands together to form a fist. When releasing, gently release your hands and slowly roll your spine back down to the floor, one vertebra at a time.

7. Legs Up the Wall

This gentle inversion helps lymph fluid and immune cells move through your body by increasing blood circulation. It also reduces back pain, insomnia and helps digestion.

Legs Up The Wall
Image: Maggie Giuffrida/SheKnows

Sit sideways next to a wall, placing your sit bones as close to the wall as you can, then lay down onto your back and straighten your legs up the wall, reaching your feet toward the ceiling for five minutes. You can keep your legs straight and together, or separate them into a V for five additional minutes. You can also choose to prop your head and chest above the pelvis with pillows or bolsters.

Originally published November 2015. Updated November 2017.

Judith Light on Why This Season of Transparent Is So Painfully Relevant

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Throughout a television, film and stage career spanning more than four decades, Judith Light has witnessed firsthand the powerful ability of the arts to affect positive change in society. From altering perceptions surrounding traditional gender roles in Who’s the Boss? to highlighting the importance of love and acceptance in Transparent to supporting health-related causes like HIV/AIDS and flu awareness, she has utilized her place in the public eye to shed light on some of the most pressing issues of our time.

Most recently, in the fourth season of Transparent — which premiered in September on Amazon — her character Shelly Pfefferman opens up to her family about feelings of isolation and loneliness, which in part stem from being molested as a child. Given the recent situation in Hollywood, which prompted so many women and men — both inside and outside the entertainment industry — to tell their stories about being sexually assaulted and harassed, Light’s character’s revelation could not be more relevant.

“I think it couldn’t be more timely to have this come out in the way that it has,” Light tells SheKnows. “And you see how Shelly has been so deeply damaged and affected and kept this secret for so long — that it has literally kept her from having her voice and standing up and being the best person she can be in her life.”

Light views this bottling up of emotions and painful secrets as a health issue, noting, “If we keep something inside for too long, it can do great damage to our immune system and our own psyche.” She uses the example of trying to hold a beach ball underwater; it’s impossible to do, and at some point, no matter how hard you try to keep it down, it comes to the surface.

More: Harvey Weinstein's Alleged Sex Crimes Brought Back Memories of My Own Sexual Harassment

“I look forward to the time, as we have these kinds of conversations, that the culture actually begins to change out of having these secrets revealed,” she adds. “You see what changes occur out of telling the truth; out of — no pun intended — being transparent.”

This is hardly the first time Light has portrayed a character iconic of a larger societal shift. She is perhaps best known for playing Angela Bower in the sitcom Who’s the Boss?, which ran on ABC from 1984 to 1992. Bower was a high-powered advertising executive who owns her own business and employs a male housekeeper (Tony Danza in all his firm ‘80s glory, no less).

When it was airing, Light said they didn’t recognize how much the show — and her character in particular — was impacting the culture at the time.

“We knew it was different. We knew that it was a twist, and we knew that it was really smart of ABC to do that,” she explains. “But what we didn’t know was the level to which it would affect people growing up watching it to the depth that has been expressed to me subsequently.”

Looking back, she now knows that when people are able to look at a character on TV and see themselves, it can make them think they can accomplish similar goals.

“I have women now who own their own businesses who say they were powerfully affected by that character and those dynamics,” she says. “It changed the conversation.”

More: 6 Times the Golden Girls Were Women's Health Pioneers

Light has also been an integral voice in the conversation surrounding HIV and AIDS since the condition first surfaced in the 1980s and continues to be involved to this day, as well as being a strong ally and advocate for the LGBTQ community.

“It is still here. It has not been cured and there has been no cure,” she says of the condition. “Of course, thank goodness for the protease inhibitors that allow our friends to live longer, full, active lives because of that, but until the day this disease ends or we find a cure for it, I’ll be participating as much as I possibly can.”

But HIV/AIDS isn’t Light’s only public health cause; most recently, she partnered with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases to create a public service announcement that aims to raise awareness of the importance of the flu vaccine, especially for people age 65 and older. She says learning that every four minutes someone 65 or older is hospitalized with the flu and every 12 minutes someone over 65 dies from the flu was a major turning point of her, causing her to become involved with the NFID and promoting the flu shot.

More: When Is the Best Time to Get a Flu Shot?

As Light points out, because everyone is so busy, doing small yet important things like getting a flu shot can sometimes fall by the wayside — but shouldn’t.

“There’s something so easy in being able to do that,” she says of getting the flu vaccination. “Life can be so complicated in other areas — do the things that can be helpful to you and easy to do and in some way take care of yourself.”

For more information on the flu and vaccination options, please visit the NFID Flu Alert website.

DIY Lavender Bath Bombs That Are Luxurious & Economical

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If you've ever perused through a Lush store, you know that it is an experience. The bright colors and amazing smells make you want to buy literally every single thing in the store — but purchasing a couple of their bath fizzies will set you back upwards of 30 dollars. And ain't nothing relaxing about that.

We're not hating on Lush at all. In fact, bath bombs are one of our favorite indulgences and we're totally down to splurge on one every now and again. But if we want to treat ourselves to a bath bomb on a regular basis, we're gonna have to be able to make some ourselves.

More: These DIY Exfoliating Scrubs Are Amazing for Your Skin & Super Simple to Make

DIY Lavender bath bombs

For this project, I used floral-shaped molds, added luscious lavender pure essential oil that can help you relax and a nice tint for some color. Lavender also has antibacterial properties, so it's perfect for bath time.

These little bundles are so pretty, you might even consider giving them out as gifts. Pick your favorite pure essential oil to use, and if you'd like, add food coloring to the mix to make a pretty tint.

Note: If you are pregnant, you should not use essential oils. For facts and safety information of essential oils and aromatherapy, check out the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy.

DIY lavender bath bombs

Recipe inspired by Homemade Gifts Made Easy

Makes 4 (4-ounce) bath bombs

What you'll need:

  • 1/2 cup powdered citric acid (found with the baking or canning supplies in most grocery stores)
  • 1 cup baking soda
  • Approximately 10 drops pure lavender essential oil (more or less based on your preference)
  • 1/2 tablespoon almond oil
  • Blue and red food coloring (optional)
  • Water in a spray bottle
  • Large glass bowl
  • 4 (4-ounce) silicone molds
  • 1-2 tablespoons dried lavender buds (optional)

More:  No DIY Disasters Here — the Beauty Benefits of Honey Are Real

DIY Lavender bath bombs

Directions:

  1. If using, sprinkle the dried lavender buds into the bottom of the silicone molds (they'll show up just at the tops of your finished bath bombs).
  2. Add the citric acid and baking soda to the glass bowl. Use a whisk to combine the mixture.
  3. Add the essential oil and almond oil to the mixture. Drop in about 4 to 5 drops each of the red and blue food coloring (if using). Use the spoon to combine the mixture very well.
  4. Add a few spritzes of water to moisten the mixture. Don't use too much at once. Use the spoon to mix the ingredients well.
  5. The mixture should be the consistency of slightly wet sand, and should clump in your hand if you squeeze it.
  6. Use a spoon to transfer the mixture to the silicone molds. Pack it in very tightly, all the way to the top.
  7. Lay a few paper towels on a flat surface, carefully turn the mold over, and pop out the bath bombs.
  8. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and transfer the paper towels and bath bombs to the baking sheet.
  9. Cover with a few more paper towels and allow to dry overnight.
  10. Package the bath bombs as you'd like.
  11. To use, drop in a bath with warm running water. Swish around with your hands and enjoy.
DIY Lavender bath bombs

Originally published November 2016. Updated November 2017.

I Thought Jimmy Kimmel Was a Tool, but I Was Wrong

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I’m not sure when exactly I begin to feel a thaw towards Jimmy Kimmel. But as I listened to his monologue and watched him tear up the day after the Las Vegas shootings, I found myself realizing that this was the Jimmy Kimmel that I’ve come to expect and even enjoy. In fact, I like him so much now that I had completely forgotten the virtual hatred that I used to feel for the guy.

More: Jimmy Kimmel Is Back, Says Son's Heart Surgery Was Postponed

Let me back up a little. I became familiar with Jimmy Kimmel soon after he came on the television scene in the late '90s. I was working in radio at the time, and he had just transitioned from college student to radio DJ to cohost of his own TV show. Somewhere during his radio career, Kimmel met up with consummate frat boy Adam Carolla, who was, at the time, a comedian and cohost of the sex advice radio show Loveline. Carolla and Kimmel managed to land themselves on Comedy Central with a variety program they called The Man Show. That title should tell you everything. Sketches included high-brow fare like women jumping on trampolines and an underage boy selling beer. During tapings, the studio audience was entertained by female dancers known as the Juggy Dance Squad. And yes, there were stripper poles.

To me, the show and its hosts were both a symptom and a cause of all that was wrong with young men in America. As I am about the same age as Kimmel and Carolla, this was also what was wrong with the young men I was dating. The Man Show ran for about five years and garnered the duo enough clout to set up a production company, which they named Jackhole Productions. With that, they launched their second show, Crank Yankers, a program about making prank phone calls where the parts of the conversation were acted out by puppets. It was equally asinine.

More: Jimmy Kimmel & Channing Tatum Prank Their Daughters Over Halloween Candy

So, in 2003, when Kimmel was given his own late-night talk show, I was flummoxed. But this was about the time when TV was trying to figure out its next incarnation. Survivor and American Idol were all the rage. Carson Daly (fun fact: he once interned for Kimmel) had his own talk show. So it wasn’t out of bounds that Kimmel could be a late-night host, but in my opinion, he was just a terrible one.

Late-night talk show hosts may be celebrities, but they are not the stars of their own show; they’re facilitators for the audience to get to know the human side of our favorite artists. But Kimmel-as-host was full of arrogance. His interviews were awkward and dull. His monologues were scathing. In trying to emulate David Letterman’s carefully cultivated cool, he came off as uninterested, talking over his guests and jabbing at them when he wasn’t entertained.

I went along happily hating Kimmel and ignoring his talk show. Then, along came Matt Damon.

Somewhere in the reaches of the web, I stumbled across a compilation of all the times Kimmel announced that they were out of time for Matt Damon on his show. It was a joke, Damon explained to Parade, which began at the end of one particularly bad show. “I think my guests were a ventriloquist and a guy in a monkey suit,” Kimmel explained to Damon. “We were wrapping it up, and there was a smattering of applause in the audience. I was having kind of a low moment, and I just said, ‘My apologies to Matt Damon; we ran out of time.’ My producer was right off camera and he doubled over laughing. It was just gallows humor. Nobody else got the joke. But it made us laugh, so we started doing it every night. I have no idea why I said you; it could have been anybody."

Kimmel Matt Damon

Kimmel Matt Damon

That was pretty funny, I thought. Conan funny, not Carolla funny.

Then, Kimmel got parents to tell their kids they ate all their Halloween candy, which was classic Kimmel for its mean spirit but also hysterical in a less harmful way.

Kimmel Kids Halloween

Kimmel Kids Halloween

But it was Kimmel’s hosting gigs at the Emmys in 2012 and 2016 and the Oscars in 2017 that really tipped me off that he was softening. Maybe it has something to do with aging, marriage or fatherhood — it has been nearly 20 years since his Man Show days — or maybe he was just mellowing his shtick to fit his growing audience, but this Kimmel seemed to realize he was not the star we were showing up to see. And in that realization, he became someone worth watching. Check out his sharp yet respectful and funny takedown of Matthew McConaughey:

Jimmy Kimmel Emmys 2012

Jimmy Kimmel Emmys 2012

By the time the 2017 Oscars aired, I was interested to watch it just to see Kimmel, and he did not disappoint. From asking Denzel Washington to officiate the wedding of two befuddled tourists to playing Matt Damon off the stage while he was presenting, Kimmel made the show charmingly funny and relatable for the home viewer.

More: After Las Vegas, Jimmy Kimmel Uses His Late-Night Monologue to Call for Action

And this year, Kimmel has surpassed even Letterman, his idol, as a late-night host by allowing the audience into more of his personal life than almost any talk show host has. In April, following an emergency heart surgery performed on his 3-day-old son, Kimmel took several nights off. During his first show back, he told his son’s story in an emotional monologue and took time to thank the entire hospital team that had worked to save him. Kimmel then pivoted to explain why the proposed cuts to the Affordable Care Act would be so devastating to families who needed the specialized care he’d just witnessed. It was raw, honest and timely in a way previously unseen on late-night TV.

Jimmy Kimmel son

Jimmy Kimmel son

In August, following President Donald Trump's bizarre press conference on the Charlottesville tragedy, Kimmel doubled down, this time taking his monologue to speak directly to Trump voters. This guy is smart, I realized.

Kimmel on Trump

Kimmel on Trump

Just a few months later, Kimmel did it again when he took the stage the night following the shootings in his hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada. This also happens to be where I currently live, so I teared up along with Kimmel as he talked about the tragedy and vehemently called for stricter gun legislation

Jimmy Kimmel Las Vegas

Jimmy Kimmel Las Vegas

And it’s these human moments that have made me realize what perhaps men saw in Kimmel all along. He's always been an everyman, only now he’s broadened his sensibilities to reach every person. He's not as politically charged as Trevor Noah or Samantha Bee, but he's certainly less afraid to take on a hot topic than Jimmy Fallon or James Corden.

Hollywood may disagree with me. Headlines still appear that out Kimmel as one of the most arrogant people in the industry. Jay Leno doesn't like him. But for now, at least, I'm cautiously optimistic that Kimmel could be my next big thing.


10 Hilarious Holiday Gifts That Are Totally Pun-tastic

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We've all got that one friend who basically talks in all puns. Yes, they might elicit a groan or two every now and again, but you gotta love 'em. Plus, if we didn't have someone who was super-punny, what excuse would we have to buy all the cheesy stuff?

Because nothing brings people together quite like a good pun — or a great lasso — we've rounded up some of our favorite pun-tastic gifts for 2017.

More: Holiday Gifts for Your Female Boss That Are Classy & Subtle

1. Brussels sprouts bag

Punny Gifts
Image: Amazon

They'll totes love this washable paper bag. And you can't help sing "Every day, I'm brusselin'" in the style of Rick Ross when you whip it out.

Washable paper bag, $8.99 at Amazon

2. Yoga wristlet

Punny Gifts
Image: JossyBlossoms/Etsy

Anybody who has ever gone to a hot yoga class knows that mascara is a big no-no.

Hot Yoga humor embroidered zipper pouch wristlet, $22 at JossyBlossoms/Etsy

3. Avocado keychain

Punny Gifts
Image: THEBRANCHANDTHEVINE/Etsy

This pun is a little subtler, which makes it all the more enjoyable. Plus, who doesn't love avocados?

Let's Avocuddle keychain, $14.99 at THEBRANCHEANDTHEVINE/Etsy

4. Cereal spoon

Punny Gifts
Image: This Is Why I’m Broke


You probably know someone who can kill a whole box of Lucky Charms in one sitting.

Cereal Killer spoon, $16 at This Is Why I’m Broke

5. Gym water bottle

Punny Gifts
Image: SerendipityVita/Etsy

To really put this gift over the top, fill it up with premium gin before you wrap it.

Gym?! I Thought You Said Gin Gym bottle, $20.68 at SerendipityVita/Etsy

Next: More gifts for your pun-loving friend

Originally published December 2015. Updated November 2017.

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6. A mug fit for Andy Bernard

Punny Gifts
Image: Hinzpirations/Etsy

Bonus points if you have a friend who loves puns, is a musician and is totally obsessed with The Office.

Funny coffee mug, $16 at Hinzpirations/Etsy

More: 13 Gifts Perfect for Anyone Totally Obsessed With Board Games

7. Conversational coaster

Conversational coaster
Image: Buy Olympia


Housewarming gift? Remind the new homeowners — and everyone that comes over — that cold drinks don’t go on the wood furniture.

Power and Light Press Drinks Are on Me coasters, $10 at Buy Olympia

8. Taco T

Punny Gifts
Image: CanvasandMoreByAly/Etsy

Because we could talk about tacos all day, really.

Let's Taco 'Bout It T-shirt, $20 at CanvasandMoreByAly/Etsy

9. Manatea infuser

Punny Gifts
Image: World Market


This little guy hangs on the side of a mug, infusing hot water with tea leaves and undoubtedly making its drinker giggle.

Manatea tea infuser, $9.99 at World Market

10. Towel with a twist

Towels with a twist
Image: A2DCreations/Etsy


Even a friend with a low-key love of puns will love a tea towel or three from this line.

Set of three funny song lyric tea towels, $25.46 at A2DCreations/Etsy

Our Narrow View of Sexual Assault Is Letting People Get Away With It

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In an article published last week, five women went on the record to The New York Times accusing comedian Louis C.K. of masturbating in front of them without their consent. This was sexual assault.

The same thing has happened to me — also with someone I knew in a professional context. So why, like the women who came forward in Thursday’s article, did I not get up and leave the room? Because I was in shock, and I froze. When someone does something so unexpected and revolting, your brain kicks into survival mode — mine did, at least — and I rationalized staying because if he was capable of doing this, who knows what he’d try to do next or how he might retaliate if I left.

After all, he made it very clear this was my fault. He gave me the option of having sex with him, I refused, and, according to his twisted logic, the “least” I could do was stand there as he took care of things himself. I remember thinking in the moment that at least I knew there was a clear ending to this. He would come and I could go. He did, I left, and we never spoke of it again.

More: Reminder: Vagina Is Not a Dirty Word

Immediately following the incident and for a while after, I couldn’t shake the feelings of guilt and shame, constantly questioning if he had been right — that this was in some way my fault. But like women are conditioned to do, I compartmentalized and repressed this memory as a coping mechanism, eventually giving myself permission to move past it. And for the most part it worked — until I read the five women’s accounts in the Times piece.

Fame not required

Although perpetrators like C.K. that make headlines have primarily come from Hollywood and comedy circles, make no mistake: Plenty of men with no ties to the entertainment industry whatsoever have pulled this same maneuver. Men forcing others to watch them masturbate without their consent is rooted in power and privilege; sometimes fame is also a component, but not necessarily. Regardless of status, it is important to remember that this happens to people all the time in cases where the assailant is not a public figure and therefore is of no interest to the media if the victims were to go public. Our experiences are just as horrific and valid.

In this situation, consent is especially tricky. Perpetrators like C.K. reportedly asked his victims before taking out his penis and masturbating in front of them. But agreeing to this — or, perhaps more accurately, saying and doing nothing — should never be conflated with genuine consent. As C.K. said in his statement on Friday acknowledging the crimes, “[W]hen you have power over another person, asking them to look at your dick isn't a question. It's a predicament for them.” It’s also sexual assault.

Why this happens

The problem is not everyone sees it that way. Typically, when we think of sexual assault, we immediately jump to some sort of penetration — or at least touching. And if that doesn’t occur — as is the case when someone masturbates in front of another person — it tends to be overlooked, downplayed and even more underreported than rape and other sex crimes.

More: Harvey Weinstein's Alleged Sex Crimes Brought Back Memories of My Own Harassment

“This is representative of the Western world’s hyper-focus on physical contact as the primary way to experience sexuality,” Shadeen Francis, a marriage and family therapist specializing in sex therapy and social justice explains. “Considering our often limited definitions of sex and our phallocentric (penis-focused) culture, many experiences of harm go unreported and the pains of victims are ignored and invalidated.” 

However, in the mental health profession, Patti Sabla, a psychotherapist who specializes in treating sexual trauma, says this particular act isn’t placed in a different category than other sexual assaults; it is taken very seriously because they realize the detrimental effects it can have on the victim.

Similarly, according to Dr. Adam Fried, a clinical psychologist, this type of sexual misconduct may share certain similarities with — but is not necessarily the same as — a psychological condition known as exhibitionistic disorder. In this disorder, a person derives sexual gratification from exposing themselves to an unsuspecting — and therefore non-consenting — victim (who may or may not know the perpetrator).

“In the past, these had been categorized by many as a type of ‘nuisance’ offense, which is an unfortunate terminology, as these seem to downplay the magnitude of these actions,” Fried explains. “I think it's critical to recognize that these experiences are much more than simply a ‘nuisance’ or inconvenience and can lead to significant distress among victims of these acts.”

Fried adds that what he finds most surprising is how many individuals report being the victim of these types of behaviors.

“Recent research suggests exhibitionistic experiences likely occur much more frequently than previously thought and that these incidents are usually not reported,” he says. “Victims may report feeling violated, disgusted and fearful.”

It’s not your fault

Being a victim can make us feel helpless, Sabla explains, which can conjure up feelings of guilt and shame because we begin to think we either caused it to happen or could have prevented it from happening — that we somehow put ourselves in the situation.

Francis tells me that my reaction was completely normal, since a natural response is to first think of our personal responsibility to our safety. This later manifests itself in all the questions about whether I could have prevented this or seen it coming and wondering what I did to deserve this. On top of that, she says, many perpetrators reinforce these questions by making excuses for or justifying their abuse. The guilt and shame come in because “women are held responsible for purity and warding off sexual advances from anyone who pursues them,” Francis explains.

And although most of the accusers in the news have been women, we’re not exclusively the victims. As Francis points out, the abuse of gender nonconforming, trans or gender non-binary people is largely erased from conversation, and men who have been sexually assaulted are “shamed into silence” because this type of attack is framed “as a result of their own weakness or lack of masculine power.” 

More: Why Terry Crews Talking About Being Sexually Assaulted Is a Game-Changer

How to process & move forward from this

If there is one thing I will take away from working on this article, it’s that this particular type of sexual assault is, unfortunately, incredibly common. Almost every woman I’ve spoken to about this has her own very similar story. I’m disgusted that so many others have experienced this, but by talking about it with them, I feel less alone — but still angry.

According to Lisa Bahar, a marriage and family therapist, exploring these feelings in a setting where you’re not rejected or judged can be therapeutic along with knowing you have every right to feel upset and guilty.

“Shame survives on silence and secrets and is linked to lowered self-esteem, depression and negative self-talk,” Francis adds.

The mental health professionals I spoke to recommend talking about what happened with a trusted friend, family member or mentor and to see a therapist if needed. In addition to that, Francis says victims may also want to consider making a report to a domestic violence organization or their local police.

Also know that it’s not you — it’s them. “The most important thing is to not get caught up in your own story that you did something wrong or somehow caused this to happen,” Sabla says.

Kids & Guns: What Parents Need to Know

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When it comes to guns, no other country is quite like the U.S. Wherever you stand on the firearms debate, the statistics are undeniable: The U.S. has 29.7 homicides by firearm per 1 million people (six times as many as Canada and almost 16 times as many as Germany). The U.S. has 4.4 percent of the world's population, but almost 50 percent of the civilian-owned guns in the world.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 13,243 deaths and 27,102 injuries from gun violence so far in 2017. On average, there is more than one mass shooting for each day in the U.S.

More: How to Talk to Your Kids About Scary Things

The gun debate has been reignited yet again following what has become one of the largest mass shootings in modern U.S. history. On Nov. 5, 2017, a 26-year-old white male shooter opened fire at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, killing at least 26 people — including 14 kids — and injuring 20 more. This tragedy came only weeks after the mass shooting in Las Vegas on Oct. 1, 2017, when a 64-year-old white male shooter opened fire on a crowd at the Route 91 Harvest festival from his hotel room at the Mandalay Bay.

"We need common-sense gun legislation now more than ever," gun-control activist and founder of Moms Demand Action, Shannon Watts, tells SheKnows. "Americans are 25 times more likely to be murdered by a gun than people in other developed nations, and more than 90 people a day die from gun violence, while hundreds more are injured. This doesn’t happen anywhere else. Our country is at a pivotal moment, and volunteers with Moms Demand Action refuse to sit in silence while Americans are killed in movie theaters, concerts, schools, our homes and other spaces where we should all feel safe. It is far too easy for people with dangerous histories to get their hands on guns."

Watts recognizes that owning a gun is a personal decision, but she stresses the importance of responsible storage. "It is a public-safety issue, and it is important to remember that such an onus falls on the shoulders of adults — not children," she says. "Kids and unsecured guns are a potentially lethal combination, but we are determined to help change that. The shocking reality is that we live in a country where every year, nearly 300 children age 17 and under gain access to a gun and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else, and nearly 500 more die by suicide with a gun. One of our biggest organizational priorities is to address these preventable deaths and injuries through our Be SMART program, which provides educational training and resources to teach safe storage practices to gun owners and teach non-gun-owning parents how to have the difficult conversation about guns when their children visit other homes."

More: Owning Guns Doesn't Make Me a Bad Mom

If you must keep guns in your home, they have to be responsibly secured at all times — away from any unauthorized person, especially a child.

“If you are not in direct control of the firearm, it needs to be locked away," says Mark Luell of Growing Up Guns. "On top of a shelf or under a sofa doesn't count. Think your child doesn't know it's there and can't reach it? Think again." Always store any ammunition separate from any guns — and the "expense" of locking guns away isn't an excuse; you can pick up a combination gun vault for $30.

It's crucial to teach kids what to do if they find a gun, says Shawn Pappas of Suarez International Firearms Training: “Stop. Don’t touch. Get away. Tell a trustworthy adult." An undisturbed gun will not fire, making “don’t touch” vitally important. Kids need to know to “get away” from the gun, even if it means leaving a friend’s home abruptly in the middle of a playdate if they find a gun stuck in a couch. And they need to know whom they can trust to tell, which may not be the person who owns the gun.

Both Luell and Pappas recommend removing any potentially appealing mystery about guns early. In other words, don't keep their existence a secret from your kids. Be sure to make a distinction between any real guns your child sees — in real life or on TV — and toy versions. Always emphasize the fact that guns are not toys, but steer kids clear of both versions if you can.

“All that your children have, especially when they leave your home and supervision, is the knowledge and guidance you have given them,” says Pappas. You have a moral and often legal obligation to give them the tools and information they need for times when you're not around.

For Watts, tackling the gun violence epidemic in the U.S. is a two-pronged approach.

"We need to send a message to the gun lobby that Americans will not sit idly by while they attempt to gut our nation’s gun laws and allow guns everywhere, for anyone — with no questions asked," she says. "And while we fight hard on defense, we also demand solutions that are proven to save lives. Since our founding, we’ve helped to pass 24 bills to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers, including eight in the last year alone. Just this week in Rhode Island, Gov. Raimondo signed into law the Protect Rhode Island Families Act, which requires individuals convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors to relinquish their firearms if they own any. We also know that making sure that every gun sale includes a background check can save lives."

More: I'm a Gun-Owning Mom, & You'd Better Believe I Support Gun Control

While Watts and her supporters fight for public safety, all gun-owning parents have to take responsibility for their choice and do everything they can to ensure their child (and everyone else's) doesn't become a victim of gun violence.

Why Sex is the Worst Time to Go Into Cardiac Arrest

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There’s never a good time to go into cardiac arrest, but according to a new study, there is an especially bad time: while you’re having sex. But there's a bright side. According to new research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, this is incredibly rare. In fact, while sudden cardiac arrest is responsible for more than 300,000 deaths in the U.S. annually, less than 1 percent were linked to sexual activity.

But for those who are affected by SCA, it's more than a mood-killer. The European Society of Cardiology Congress 2017 found that cardiac arrests that happen during sex are more fatal than those that occur during other types of physical activity.

More: Recognizing These Signs of a Heart Attack in Women Over 50 Could Save a Life

Just as a quick refresher, even though people tend to use the terms “heart attack” and “cardiac arrest” interchangeably, they are not the same thing. According to the American Heart Association, a heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, while cardiac arrest happens when the heart malfunctions and stops beating unexpectedly.

OK, back to the study. The researchers looked at data from 18,622 cases of sudden cardiac arrest. Of those, only 3,028 — or 16 percent — made it to the hospital alive. Among the people who lived long enough to be admitted to the hospital, 8 percent went into cardiac arrest doing some sort of physical activity, including working out, playing sports and, yes, having sex.

More: Yes, Young Women Can Have Heart Attacks Too

It’s also worth noting that all of the sudden cardiac arrests that happened during sex were in men. They also comprised 88 percent of the cardiac arrests during the other forms of physical activity. Of the men who went into cardiac arrest during sex, only 12 percent survived, compared with a 50 percent survival rate for the other physical activities.

So why the low survival rate when cardiac arrest happens during sex? According to the researchers, it might have to do with the fact that not as many people perform CPR because of the “uniquely private circumstances of the arrest,” which contributes to a lower survival rate.

This particular health scenario may sound familiar to fans of the NBC sitcom The Golden Girls, as this was how the husband of one of the main characters (Rose Nylund, played by Betty White) died. The circumstances surrounding Rose’s husband’s death were brought up throughout the show, including when another man dies of a heart problem after being intimate with her.

More: 6 Times The Golden Girls Were Women's Health Pioneers

The lesson here is that what sounds like a plot device from a 1980s sitcom is actually a serious health issue, emphasizing that as you age, check-ins with your doctor are important for a healthy heart and sex life. And if you find yourself in a situation where your partner is going into cardiac arrest during sex, don't be afraid to take your relationship to the next level and perform CPR.

Carrie Underwood Sustains Injuries After a Scary Fall

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Thankfully, Carrie Underwood is OK after taking a hard fall and sustaining several injuries, including a broken wrist. Her rep confirmed the scary incident to ABC news and assured fans and reporters with a statement saying that despite her injuries, she's recovering and will be fine.

More: Carrie Underwood's Tribute to the Las Vegas Victims Might Wreck You

"On Friday night, Carrie Underwood took a hard fall on some steps outside her home," the statement read. "While there were no life-threatening injuries, she was taken to the hospital to be treated. She sustained multiple injuries including a broken wrist and some cuts and abrasions from the fall."

Underwood also did her part to assure fans that she was OK, tweeting to thank them for their support and to give her husband a shoutout.

"Thanks so much for all the well wishes everybody," she wrote. "I’ll be alright...might just take some time...glad I’ve got the best hubby in the world to take care of me."

More: Carrie Underwood Publicly Reacts to Husband's NHL Retirement

Carrie Underwood breaks her wrist in fall on stairs 1

Carrie Underwood breaks her wrist in fall on stairs 1

There were no details immediately available about how the fall happened or what other injuries Underwood has other than the cuts and abrasions mentioned by her rep. Overall, it sounds like a terrible experience, and a scary one because it could have happened to any of us. We're really glad she's relatively OK.

More: Carrie Underwood Is a Cosplay Mom, & It's Cool

According to The Tennessean, this means Underwood won't be able to perform at Sunday's Country Rising concert to benefit the victims of recent hurricanes and the shooting in Las Vegas. She was set to perform alongside some of country's biggest names, including George Strait, Jason Aldean, Sam Hunt, Dierks Bentley, Chris Stapleton, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire and Keith Urban. So far, that's the only show we know of that's being affected by her injuries. Knowing how tough Underwood is, we doubt this is going to keep her down for long.

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