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How to Cope With a Breakup During the Holiday Season

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Breaking up with someone is never easy. But when the holidays roll around, many may wonder if it’s better to wait until after New Year's to end it or cut ties before all the family gatherings and gift giving. But do you really want to spend the holidays and all that time with someone who you know isn’t right for you? The holidays are stressful enough!

So if you’re considering ending it with your partner this holiday season, here are some dos and don’ts to follow for ending it the right way.

Don't wait until the holidays are over

It’s never a good time to break up with someone, but Dr. Jess O’Reilly, Astroglide’s resident sexologist, says prolonging the inevitable will make it more stressful for everyone involved. “That includes all the family members with whom you spend the holidays.”

Do consider your ex’s feelings

The holidays can be an emotional and lonely time, so depending on your ex, you might want to clue in some mutual friends to rally around them, explains psychologist and founder of Thrive Psychology LA, Dr. Charlynn Ruan. “At the very least, it will lessen your guilt over the timing of the breakup.”

Don't feel bad if you just started dating

If you start a relationship in November and by Christmas, you know it wasn't meant to be, there should be no conflict. No one expects anything from people who just met. But be kind no matter what the circumstance.

More: 10 Compromises You Should Never Make in a Relationship

Do choose your timing wisely

If you’re about to visit his/her family, don’t wait until after. “You might be tempted to do this out of niceness, but it would be better to break up prior and let them be supported by their family,” says Ruan. And you shouldn’t have to go through that experience just to save someone else’s feelings or risk the possibility of them proposing and you having to turn them down.

Don't lie about why you’re breaking up

Lying is never a good idea, but especially during the holidays when you might be feeling extra guilty. “The holidays offer valuable time to connect with loved ones, and this support network can aide in the trauma of a breakup… but it’s much easier when you’re honest,” says relationship expert Jaya Myra. “You don’t want your partner finding out later that you lied and end up rehashing the same anger and pain all over.”

Do be assertive & empathetic

Be sure to honestly explain why you’re breaking up, do it face-to-face in a way that’s clear but also aware of the other person’s feelings. Don’t even think about breaking up via text (unless it’s really not serious, in which case you wouldn’t be calling it a breakup) or ghosting them (only acceptable under rare circumstances).

Don't feel pressure to follow through with holiday plans

Just because you told your partner you’d go to their cousin’s Christmas dinner doesn’t mean you're obligated to stay together. “You don’t have to attend their work party or family events to save face,” says O’Reilly. “The holidays are busy and stressful, so don’t attend events that won’t matter to you when you look back years from now/”

More: The 17 Most Common Mistakes People Make Early in Relationships

Do negotiate how to handle holiday parties

Another tough situation is holiday parties with shared friends. It can lead to awkward questions, seeing that person with a new date or a cocktail-fueled fight. “If your breakup is amicable, negotiate how to handle these situations,” says Ruan. “If you do attend a party at the same time, you’ll likely be answering awkward questions all night, so decide how to answer in advance.”

Don't make plans & bail at the last minute

“If you know a breakup is imminent, don’t put it off and make plans to spend the holidays with your partner,” says Myra. “That’s just low and not good conduct by anyone’s standards. Be honest and open as soon as you know you’re done.” In short, don’t waste anyone’s time — yours, theirs or their family’s.

Do keep your family posted

Your family might still be expecting you and your now-ex, so let them know in advance if you’ll be attending parties and gatherings alone. “Also, let them know whether or not you want to talk about it — you’re not required to offer them a full explanation or answer intrusive questions,” says O’Reilly.

Don't underestimate the impact on you

If you’re doing the breaking up, that doesn’t mean you won’t be hit with loneliness. The holidays are a hard time to be newly single. “Plan self-care activities in advance, visit a friend, plan a spa day, buy some new outfits, order some gifts online to be delivered as gifts to yourself throughout the season,” suggests Ruan. “Just small gestures that remind you that you’re special and loved.”

Do prepare yourself for family as a newly single person

Breaking up can be particularly challenging during the holidays when you’re surrounded by family members who might be questioning your decision or asking when you’re finally going to get married and have kids. Be firm in your response, and try to change the subject when you can. “If there’s a family member who makes you feel uncomfortable or unworthy, try to skip spending time with them,” says O’Reilly. “You may feel vulnerable after a breakup, and you don’t need additional emotional stress.”

Originally posted on StyleCaster.


Can Vaginismus Complicate Childbirth?

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Pelvic floor disorders make reproductive functions, such as inserting a tampon or experiencing sexual pleasure, incredibly difficult. Particularly, vaginismus causes pain and cramping in the vagina whenever something is inserted into it.

What about if something, or someone, is coming out?

As someone with the medical condition, the thought of bearing my own children completely terrifies me. The process of actually getting pregnant would be traumatic, but I’d also dread delivery day. After all, how could I handle a human being coming out of me if I can’t even use a menstrual cup?

More: Vaginismus makes trips to the gynecologist excruciating

I know that I’m not alone, either. Vaginismus, a website focused on helping women with the condition, reports 2 in every 1,000 women have the pelvic floor disorder. (And of course, that number excludes those who don’t identify as cisgender women, including but not limited to those who are transmasculine or gender nonconforming.)

Pelvic floor therapist Sara K. Sauder says vaginismus shouldn’t cause vaginal delivery complications during childbirth.

“Vaginismus is an involuntary spasm of the muscles at the vagina and rectum that make vaginal penetration difficult and uncomfortable,” she explains. “This in itself makes conception difficult because [those with vaginas] are less likely to tolerate or want to have sex, but these muscle spasms alone will not affect the health of a pregnancy should someone have sex and get pregnant.”

Sauder mentions that some people experience reduced symptoms of vaginismus after their pregnancy and/or childbirth, while others don’t experience a change at all.

More: Do Pregnancy "Rules" Really Matter?

“Prior to being pregnant, I honestly didn’t think about it too much,” says lifestyle blogger Jesse Coulter, a mother who has suffered from symptoms of vaginismus since she was 21 years old. “The act of getting pregnant was more of a worry in my eyes because sex was the most painful part. I knew I wanted children and I didn’t worry about the pain I might feel vaginally while carrying them.”

Fortunately, she didn’t experience any complications during the delivery of her child.

“Honestly, my vaginismus symptoms lessened during and after pregnancy,” she adds. “My muscles were much looser, and after childbirth, my muscles stretched, which has made sex less painful.”

More: Do Bellybands Really Help After Pregnancy?

While there isn’t a cure for vaginismus, there are treatment options readily available. For instance, Sauder recommends consulting a pelvic floor therapist to help make penis-in-vagina sexual intercourse easier. And the fact that in her experience, giving birth actually helped Coulter's symptoms gives me hope.

By Danielle Corcione

Gifts That Teach Your Kids Compassion

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In a world where empathy and kindness seem to be harder to come by each day, the most valuable thing you can give your child this holiday season is the gift of compassion. Yes, seriously.

OK, fine, your kid wants that cheap Troll doll that smells like toxic chemicals, and it’s totally fine to get them that. (Parents are all pushovers to some extent, right?) But why not aim to also weave an act of charity into your holiday gift giving? Because the truth is, helping others isn’t just a nice thing to do; it also helps prime the next generation of do-gooders, a cohort that actually cares about their neighbors and the larger world around them. What a novel idea! Plus, it’s proven that acts of selflessness are actually inherently selfish in the best possible way. Quite simply, helping others makes you happier.

Here are five "gift" ideas to help teach kids compassion this holiday season — and their whole lives.

Lend your time

It’s one thing to tell your kid to care about others who are needier (who hasn’t thrown the “there are children starving somewhere; finish your dinner!” line at their kids?), but it’s quite another to actually show them how to care. Sign up to volunteer with your child somewhere — maybe it’s serving dinner at a soup kitchen, running a shift delivering meals to those who can’t make it out of their homes or even cooking for families at your nearest Ronald McDonald House. Or perhaps it’s reading to someone at their hospital bed or handing out drawings to residents at a nursing home. You can help build a playground or a home or volunteer to help clean up a neighborhood — your own or elsewhere. The possibilities really are endless. Choose a volunteer activity that either matches your child’s interests or one that puts them out of their comfort zone, and you’ll be gifting kiddo with perspective and warm fuzzies.

More: How to Survive Family Holidays Without Strangling Your Spouse

Run a toy drive

Rather than giving your kid yet more toys — which they will likely play with once and then throw on the floor for you to clean up — turn the equation around this year. Have your child go through their toys and pick out the ones they don’t want anymore. Then let them pick out a charity with you and drop the toys off together. And if they get to meet some of the kids they're helping? All the better. You can even expand the opportunity by collecting toys from friends and neighbors as well and do a big drop-off together with your kid.

Participate in disaster-relief efforts

What better way to help your child appreciate the roof over their head? Team up to support the many disaster-relief efforts currently underway. There's Puerto Rico and other areas ravaged by hurricanes, Mexico under the weight of two massive earthquakes, India's mudslides, California's wildfires, Syria, Yemen and Nigeria in wartime... There is, sadly, no shortage of causes around the world that need our help. Use the opportunity to help your child think creatively about how to raise awareness, funds or supplies for those in need — and help them carry out their plan to make a difference.

More: 10 Unexpected Reasons Holidays Are Better With Kids

Create care packages

Give your child $100 and let them go crazy at the dollar store buying supplies for those in need — whether that's refugees or natives of your own city. A hundred dollars can go a long way at a discount store; you'd be surprised how many tubes of toothpaste, deodorant, pairs of socks, gloves and hand warmers, packages of nuts and shelf-stable food and drinks you can purchase. Spend quality time with your child assembling the care packages and pick an area or few areas where you can go hand them out, either at a shelter or simply on the street. You’d be surprised how many people appreciate the thought and care and how much your child will learn from the exercise. You can turn your holiday meal leftovers into packages to add to the mix — and maybe even make it an annual ritual.

Take a volunteer vacation

Any kid would be lucky (and likely would love) to go to the Dominican Republic or Grenada, for example. Sure, you can spend some time lying on the beach — and then you can spend some time volunteering at a local orphanage, teaching kids to play ball or speak English, helping to clean up a beach or working on coral reef restoration. There are so many opportunities for vacations that are both fun and meaningful, and it's never too early to teach kids the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

More: Transitioning from the holidays to the new year

No matter how much your kid begs for that video game or iPhone or doll, giving the gift of compassion — of using any power or privilege they have for good and to help others — will go eons further in equipping them to become upstanding adults. They may not thank you right away, but they'll definitely be grateful down the line — and you may just surprise yourself by discovering how much capacity for compassion your kids already have, even at young age. And Lord knows we all need more of that these days.

Gifts that teach kids compassion
Image: Getty Images/Design: Ashley Britton/SheKnows

I, Tonya Changed My Mind About Tonya Harding

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If you lived through the madness of "the whack heard 'round the world" in 1994, get ready to see it all over again from a new perspective. I, Tonya is reliving the tabloid dream of the Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harding debacle that reached fever pitch at the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.

More: 8 Female Athletes Who've Spoken Out About Equality in the Sports World

If you think you’ve come to a complete conclusion about the entire story, I, Tonya may color your opinion in a way you never imagined — feeling sorry for Tonya. I can already hear everyone sighing and typing away in the comments below this article: How can you ever feel sorry for Tonya after what she did to Nancy?

I grew up in Massachusetts a few towns over from Nancy Kerrigan. There was obviously a lot of hometown support and pride in having a bronze-medal-winning skater from the 1992 Olympics heading back to her second Olympics. So let’s lay this out here — the violent attack on her was horrific and traumatic.

When it came to Tonya, I always saw a rough-around-the-edges skater who had a lot of talent, but she always managed to sabotage herself on and off the ice. I could never understand why she couldn’t get it together when she was one of the best skaters in the world.

I, Tonya trailer

I, Tonya trailer

I, Tonya gave me some more insight into the type of life Tonya experienced. Her mother, LaVona Fay Golden, was abusive; she wanted her daughter to get out of their trailer park life, but she didn’t have the means to do it in a loving way.

Allison Janney portrays LaVona, and the performance is spot-on. You see the brutality and the cutting ways she kept her daughter submissive and living in fear. It made Tonya run out of her mother’s house and straight into the arms of her eventual husband, Jeff Gillooly.

More: 15 Male Athletes Who Are Proactively Fighting for Gender Equality

Jeff turned out to be manipulative and abusive to Tonya as well. She did what many abuse victims do: find comfort in the cycle of abuse because it’s the only thing they know. It has sadly become programmed into their DNA.

This cycle of abuse shows up many times in I, Tonya. Even though Tonya is ultimately responsible for her choices and actions, she didn’t stand a chance with so many destructive people around her. You empathize with Tonya because there was no exit from the darkness.

Anyone who has survived abuse can tell you that there’s often a feeling of hopelessness because there seems to be no escape from the hell they are experiencing. In many ways, you see Tonya succeed as an athlete on the ice, but the moment she steps off the ice, she’s treated with tremendous disrespect from everyone close to her. You see her starting to believe the ugly words her mother and husband hurl at her.

In playing Tonya on-screen, Margot Robbie knew that her portrayal hinged on striking that empathy nerve with moviegoers.

“These characters are amazing; so flawed and wrong, and yet you empathize with them in a weird way, and you can see a bit of yourself in them at times,” Robbie explained to Deadline. “There was a real opportunity to surprise people, which to me has been the biggest compliment when people come out and they say, ‘I am so surprised that I felt this. I’m so shocked that I loved it.’“

More: These Female Athletes Are Smashing the Patriarchy

While it’s really simple to say that Tonya should have just left, we all know it’s not that easy. She was an elite athlete who was told by her coach, her mother and her husband what to do. That’s how she ended up making continual bad choices.

We’ve all been in a situation where we’ve felt stuck and taken the wrong path because we are human. That’s exactly what I, Tonya does — it humanizes an imperfect human being.

“We never wanted her to be a victim. She’s definitely a victim of everyone’s judgment. She’s a victim of abuse. But we didn’t want her to feel like a victim,” Margot summed it up. “We didn’t want her to feel like a villain either. We just wanted her to be a person. That way, everyone can relate to her, because at the end of the day, good or bad, we’re just people.”

Jana Kramer Opens Up About Heartbreaking Miscarriage

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Jana Kramer is opening up about her recent miscarriage to send a clear message to others who've suffered the same: You are not alone.

More: Jana Kramer Recalls Terrifying Night Her First Husband Tried to Kill Her

The country singer revealed the heartbreaking news in a poignant Instagram post on Saturday in the hopes that sharing her experience might help others.

"Today I am 1-3," read the emotional post, alluding to prior miscarriages. "I debated posting this for the exact reason why it's a silent struggle. I don't want I'm sorry or sympathy. I just don't want to feel alone. And I know I'm not."

Jana Kramer Miscarriage

Jana Kramer Miscarriage

Kramer continued, elaborating on her tragic history, "This unfortunately isn't my first loss. When I first found out I was pregnant I wanted to shout it from the rooftop but I know for reasons like this we have to wait. So because we don't tell many, we have to suffer silently... and suffering silently was my thing in the past, but it's not now."

More: Jana Kramer's Courage Steals the Dancing With the Stars Spotlight

Kramer then reached out specifically to other women (and their partners) who may be going through the same hurt, offering her full support and a sense of community.

"For the women out there who have miscarried in the past and need support and a place to grieve their little one lost or to those in the thick of it like me who are currently grieving and in pain, let us all be there for each other. You don't need to feel alone and maybe that's me talking to myself but if you need a place to share, I'm here for you... and all of us are (and guys too. We sometimes silence your voice because you feel bad to express how it's made u feel so let this be a safe place for you too)," Kramer wrote, ending the post with "I love you guys. #yourenotalone."

More: "Would You Rather" Q&A With Jana Kramer

Jolie Rae, Kramer's daughter with husband Michael Caussin, turns 2 in January.

Stranger Things' David Harbour Just Dropped Some Bad News About Season 3

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They say good things come to those who wait, and fans of Stranger Things will have to put that theory to the test. In an interview with Variety, David Harbour — who, of course, plays Chief Jim Hopper — revealed that the standout series may not return as fast as fans hope.

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

"I mean, one of the things that's annoying for fans is that it takes us a long time to do them," he told Variety. "Like, you probably won't get [Season 3] until sometime in 2019. But also part of the thing is, like any good thing, they need time. And those guys work so hard. I mean, they just sit in their apartment and write for 12, 14 hours a day."

Woe is us! First Game of Thrones and now this?!

More: Sophie Turner Is Defending the Stranger Things Kids on This Important Issue

If we're really being honest, it felt like two years between the first season of Stranger Things in July 2016 and the second season in October 2017. So, we can deduce that the wait, presumably much longer, between Seasons 2 and 3 will essentially feel like an eternity.

However, Harbour does have a point: perfection takes time. Just think of it this way: Season 2 had a little over a year to brew and was, in some ways, better than the first season. If Harbour is right and Season 3 does dip into 2019, it stands to reason that it will benefit from the extra time and blow our minds.

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

Besides, if nothing else, it means 2019 is shaping up to be one hell of a year.

The Walking Dead Fall Finale Delivers a Shocking (Impending) Death

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As seasons of The Walking Dead go, Season 8 hasn't been the most heartbreaking. Sure, it's had some tear-jerking moments, but ultimately it's been about building momentum for the big battle against the Saviors — with surprisingly few casualties. However, the fall finale just changed that up by killing off one of the show's core characters.

Well, to be accurate, they haven't killed the character off yet.

Mull that over for a minute while we get this pertinent point of interest out of the way: keep reading only if you've already watched The Walking Dead Season 8 fall finale, "How's It Gotta Be."

More: Andrew Lincoln Reveals Who Is in the Graves on The Walking Dead

Now, let's talk about Carl (played by Chandler Riggs). After eight seasons of "will they or won't they" relating to the fate of Rick's firstborn, TWD finally pulled the trigger. Or, as it were, the walker.

In a shocking twist in the final few minutes of this week's fall finale, it is revealed that Carl has suffered a bite from a walker — on his side, of all places, making it impossible to excise. It's a heartbreaking moment for Rick, obviously, but also for fans who've watched Carl grow up before our eyes.

What makes this arc particularly interesting is the fact that it marks perhaps the most shocking deviation from the comic series. In the latter, Carl is alive and well. In fact, his role is central to the story.

More: Walking Dead Characters That Will Probably Die This Season

But when Carl started waxing poetic at the start of the fall finale about finding a way forward for everyone (Saviors included), that foreboding feeling started to set in. Characters who serve as a moral compass never fare well on the show.

And mid-way through the episode, when Carl tells Negan to kill him if someone must die — that he is ready and willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good — you half-expected Negan to whip out a gun and shoot Carl before he even finished his speech.

That would somehow have seemed less tragic than what would soon be revealed, though. Carl had saved the life of the drifter and, in doing so, basically sacrificed his own. It was such a noble turn for the young Grimes, and one that was in keeping with his character's overall arc.

So what happens now? If you're hoping for some "Hail Mary" pass that can save Carl from impending death, well, don't.

On The Talking Dead, showrunner Scott M. Gimple confirmed that Carl's walker bite will play out as all walker bites do on the show. He did, however, promise that Carl will be at the heart of the TWD's mid-season premiere in February because "he still has business to attend to."

More: This Walking Dead Fan Favorite Could Come Back for the FTWD Crossover

Host Chris Hardwick further revealed that Riggs, who plays Carl, will appear on The Talking Dead after said premiere. Make of that what you will, given that actors from the show always appear on The Talking Dead after the episode of their death.

Whenever the death plays out, it will surely be a sad day in TWD-ville. Carl's evolution, especially in the last two seasons, has given fans plenty of reasons to root for the one-eyed kid. And even though it certainly looks as though he's about to be written off, his death will likely steer the duration of the series.

How to Handle Emotional Eating During the Holidays

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Ahh, the holidays. For many of us, this celebratory month of office parties, shopping trips and heightened stress is a time we either look forward to or dread — or maybe a bit of both. Add in the challenge that comes with being an emotional eater, and it’s easy to see how being surrounded by trays of cookies and festive desserts can turn troublesome.

Are you an emotional eater?

Emotional eating, or stress eating as it is often called, involves using food to make yourself feel better. Typically, emotional eating has nothing to do with hunger or nutrition. Rather, most emotional eaters eat this way in order to suppress or soothe negative feelings and experiences.

More: Your Family May Be Making You Fat

After a particularly difficult day, for example, you might grab a pint of ice cream to numb the painful emotions rather than use other coping strategies such as meditation, going for a walk or talking with your partner or friends.

Most of us can certainly agree that eating in order to cover up, deal with or escape from difficult feelings is probably not the healthiest thing to do. Dr. Jonny Bowden, an expert on weight loss, nutrition and health, explains that we never really feel in control of our eating when we’re eating to self-medicate. And it’s this lack of control that often leads to bingeing on all the foods that make us feel worse than we did before we started the binge.

Causes of emotional eating

“Emotional eating often increases over the holidays, a time when expectations are high and sweets and treats abound,” explain Dr. Paige O'Mahoney, a certified health and wellness coach, and Karen R. Koenig, a psychology of eating expert.

But why such an increase over the holidays? Well, O’Mahoney and Koenig say emotional eating this time of year may be fueled by socializing with people you don’t ordinarily see, unresolved childhood grievances, alcohol, travel fatigue, pressure to party, shifts in routines, unhealthy family dynamics and striving to be on your best behavior.

“Often, we’re not even conscious that we’re eating emotionally," say O'Mahoney and Koenig, who coauthored the book Helping Patients Outsmart Overeating: Psychological Strategies for Doctors and Health Care Providers.

We may not even realize we’re feeling overwhelmed from too much to do or from striving for the perfect meal or gift. We simply see food and eat it. Other times, O’Mahoney and Koenig say we’re aware of our stress and guiltily choose food as a way to relax because we feel entitled to a mini-reward or to grab some me-time.

More: What's the Difference Between Binge-Eating-Disorder & Just Eating Too Much?

Tips to help you cope with emotional eating

Unlike other coping strategies (healthy or unhealthy) we can choose to stop using, quitting food is not an option. That’s why learning new ways to have a healthy relationship with food is critical, regardless of the time of year. Here are a few ways the experts say you can avoid turning to food for comfort this holiday season.

Know your triggers

O’Mahoney and Koenig say that one way to prevent emotional eating is to know your triggers. Monitor the emotions you’re experiencing throughout the holidays that may trigger emotional eating, such as sadness, excitement, disappointment, exhaustion and overwhelm.

Think ahead

“Think ahead to what usually drives your emotional eating, then plan for how you will comfort or care for yourself,” suggest O’Mahoney and Koenig. Call a friend, take a walk, find a quiet space to reset your emotions or use soothing self-talk to get you through.

Pause for a minute

Bowden recommends putting 15 to 60 seconds between you and the food you’re compelled to eat. Ask yourself if you really want it, and then ask yourself what the consequences of eating it will be. Finally, decide whether it’s worth it.

Take a page from the 12-step program

“Don’t get too hungry, too angry, too lonely or too tired,” says Bowden. It’s a recipe for disaster. Self-care is critical all the time, but especially during the holidays. Make sure you’re sleeping well, eating regularly throughout the day and tackling emotions as they surface.

Try mindfulness

“Unconsciousness is the handmaiden of emotional eating,” says Bowden. He suggests paying attention 10 percent more than you usually do when it comes to food. And try this mindfulness exercise the next time you have a craving: Stop and ask yourself, “Am I physically hungry or emotionally hungry?”

More5 Things You Need to Know About Eating Disorders & Your Heart

Depending on the food you’re about to grab, the answer should be pretty clear. If you’re reaching for the plate of holiday cookies rather than the bowl of fruit sitting right next to it, you’re likely dealing with an emotional need.

At times you might be struggling, try to remember that the holidays are temporary and that it's perfectly healthy to take time for yourself or get mental health assistance during especially difficult times.

A version of this article was originally published in October 2012.


Rose McGowan Isn't OK With Alyssa Milano Supporting Harvey Weinstein's Wife

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There's bad times a-brewin' between two former Charmed co-stars and it's over one of the most contentious of issues we're currently facing as a society: sexual assault and, to a lesser degree, how the women frequently connected to the men who have abused their power should be treated. For Rose McGowan, a leading voice in the charge to eradicate sexual abusers and predators in Hollywood, it would appear that there's one woman she cannot support in this charge and the rest of the world found out who it was on Twitter and thanks to the comments of her Charmed co-star, Alyssa Milano.

More: Alyssa Milano Reveals the Status of a Charmed Reboot

On December 8, McGowan tweeted out, "You make me want to vomit. You actually gave me a body flashback. Well done, fake one - People." At first blush, it seems like McGowan is calling out People magazine itself for posting an article supporting Georgina Chapman, Harvey Weinstein's soon-to-be ex-wife who swiftly separated herself from and denounced Weinstein in the wake of revelations about his sexually abusive actions against other women over the last few decades.

Rose McGowan Alyssa Milano Harvey Tweet

Rose McGowan Alyssa Milano Harvey Tweet

However, shortly after that first tweet, McGowan wrote a second tweet. Here, the Milano connection becomes clear. "Alyssa, maybe you and Georgina can call up Camille Cosby," she wrote about an hour later, directly calling out Milano for voicing her support of Chapman during her separation from Weinstein and imaginably suffering the slings and arrows of being connected to a man who has truly committed horrific acts of sexual assault and abuse.

Rose McGowan Alyssa Milano Harvey Tweet 2

Rose McGowan Alyssa Milano Harvey Tweet 2

The People article in question reports on Milano offering a status update about Chapman to Today show co-host Megyn Kelly just two months after the news about Weinstein broke. Milano has been a longtime friend of the socialite and fashion designer, so you can imagine how she'd be able to provide some insight. "Georgina is doing very well. She’s an amazing mother. She’s an amazing woman, and I think her priority right now is focusing on how to raise those two children to the best of her capacity given the situation," Milano said.

More: Hackers, Prepare for Legal Action When You Leak Rose McGowan's Nude Photos

While McGowan didn't offer up her own explanation in her own words, it would appear that her retweeting of another user's comment acts as her own statement about her disappointment with Milano and subsequently, with Chapman. You see for McGowan, there's still the massive issue of complicity on Chapman's part. It would seem that McGowan, who has alleged that Weinstein raped her, cannot feel any sympathy for a woman who may have known about her husband's actions.

Rose McGowan Alyssa Milano Harvey Tweet 3

Rose McGowan Alyssa Milano Harvey Tweet 3

"I'm saying Georgina Chapman's [sic] company was 100% funded by Weinstein money," Twitter user @MelaynaLokosky tweeted out. "No one knew who she was in the fashion world before she married him. I'm saying Weinstein bullied abused women to wear his wife's clothing line. I'm saying she knew who and want she married and why."

More: Anthony Bourdain Hosted a Dinner Party for Harvey Weinstein's Victims

Milano still has yet to respond to McGowan's vitriolic comments about her support of an allegedly complicit woman, but I doubt this is the last we will hear on this matter. McGowan is nothing if not ferociously persistent about calling out people she believes are in the wrong; Milano may want to take care.

The Most Common Hair & Skin Changes to Expect During Pregnancy

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Being pregnant is probably one of, if not the, wildest experience a woman will ever go through. The body undergoes a major transformation that includes a slew of unpredictable changes. Some feel good and others are simply the worst. Your hair may be long, thick and shiny, but your skin could be in the middle of its worst breakout since sophomore year of high school.

More: 50 Ways to Look Chic While You’re Expecting

You just never know how your body will react to the hormonal roller coaster that is pregnancy. Ahead, two dermatologists with years of treating budding mommas break down the most common changes that occur during one of the most exciting (and challenging) times in a woman’s life.

Your new skin

Everyone’s experience will be completely different, but overall, there are three main skin concerns that are pretty pregnancy-specific. Melasma is the most common. It’s a condition that causes areas of the facial skin to darken. While melasma isn’t exclusive to pregnant women, it’s more common among them.

There’s also a chance of developing new allergies when pregnant. Board-certified dermatologist, S. Manjula Jegasothy, CEO and founder of Miami Skin Institute, says these types of allergic reactions mostly manifest as hives.

And then there is hormonal acne. Fluctuating levels of testosterone, estrogen and progesterone in your body can bring on the breakouts, and because of the laundry list of products you shouldn’t use while carrying, treating acne can be tricky.

More: The Real Deal on How HPV Can Impact Your Fertility

How to treat it

You’ll likely have to overhaul your entire regimen to both avoid any bigger skin issues and ensure the safety of your budding babe. Melasma can be controlled during pregnancy by minimizing time in the sun, especially without sunscreen. Ladies, SPF is a must!

The discoloration caused by melasma generally fades within a few months after delivery. If it doesn’t, you can reintroduce certain ingredients back into your regimen to help even things out faster.

However, dermatologist Amy McMichael advises against cocktailing your own acne remedies. “It’s best not to use too many mixtures of products found over the counter, even if they are labeled as ‘natural,’” she says, as they may have additives that are dangerous. Instead, McMichael recommends using gentle cleansers and moisturizers with fruit acids like glycolic acid or salicylic acid.

“Some dermatologist use topical clindamycin, which is a prescription antibiotic, that helps calm inflammation,” says McMichael. On the not-so-frequent occasion the acne flare-up is major, McMichael says that a doc can use a baby-safe oral antibiotic. “This is usually only initiated in last trimester of pregnancy,” she notes.

Ingredients to avoid

“The most important ingredients that women should avoid when they are pregnant are vitamin A derivatives, such as tretinoin (Retin-A) or retinol,” says Jegasothy. They have been linked to birth defects. She adds that while vitamin A-related birth defects have only been documented with the oral ingestion of it, it’s best to play it safe and avoid retinoid-derived skin care all together while pregnant. Instead, Jegasothy suggests adding products with antioxidants such as vitamin C and botanicals like resveratrol.

Your new hair

More often than not, women will have some of their best hair ever during pregnancy. Sure, the prenatal vitamins may help a tiny bit, but the real reason your hair is long and thick is because it’s actually not shedding while you’re pregnant. McMichael explains that the growth phase of our hair is usually 3 to 5 years, and there should be about 8 to 10 percent of hairs shedding at any given time. However, during pregnancy, the hairs that are supposed to shed don’t. In short, you have a lot more hair on your head than you should.

More: How to Support Your Friend Who Just Had a Baby

How to treat it

Where many women experience a shift for the worse with their hair is post-pregnancy. Once our bodies start to balance back out from all of the hormonal changes they just went through, hair kind of gets caught in the crossfire. The energy needed to keep it growing is eaten up by other areas of your body. And once the normal hair-shedding process cranks back up again, all that strand buildup from pregnancy will fall out. It seems like you’re losing a ton of hair, when in reality, it’s what you would have lost over time anyway.

As for what you should or shouldn’t do with your hair during pregnancy, McMichael advises easing up on hair coloring and/or chemical relaxers even though there is little data available on this topic.

More: What It’s Like to Be Tired During Pregnancy

Stretch marks

Let’s clear some things up about stretch marks. First off, they are genetic. Whether or not you get them is unfortunately already written in your DNA. It’s one of the few pregnancy skin issues that isn’t hormonally mediated. But just because it’s in your blood doesn’t mean you can’t help minimize how much your skin actually stretches — the keyword here being minimize, not prevent.

“Keeping the skin lubricated with thick, bland moisturizers is imperative,” says McMichael. Additionally, make sure you’re using gentle soaps that won’t dry you out. Keeping skin super-hydrated can also help lessen skin sagging after the baby is born.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Dwayne Johnson Reveals Why He Won't Run For President in 2020

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Updated Dec. 11, 2017, 7:45 a.m. PT: Well, Dwayne Johnson has officially killed all of our hopes that he might take a stab at a presidential run in 2020.

Since it's become a very real possibility for more than one celebrity and/or nonpolitician to ascend to the presidency, it was only a matter of time before folks started naming good celebrity candidates. Considering Johnson's near-universal likability (among other positive qualities), why wouldn't he be the first celeb we'd actively cheer for to run for president?

Well, Johnson has given his official comment on those presidential run rumors, and folks, it's not good. While promoting Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle on The Graham Norton Show with his Jumanji costars recently, Johnson confirmed he would not likely run for any kind of public office anytime soon.

"So here's the problem, right. It's been very flattering, right? That there's been this really interesting uptick in public opinion, wanting that to happen," he explained to the show's host, Graham Norton. "But the problem is this guy to my right will completely sabotage the campaign," he joked, referencing actor Kevin Hart.

Hart, who has a cheeky relationship with his frequent onscreen partner in crime, played right along and confirmed he would indeed do anything to sabotage any campaign Johnson ran. "On hundred percent. I would take you down. I don't want it to happen just because it would make you that much better than me," he joked.

Dwayne Johnson Presidential Comment Dec. 2017

Dwayne Johnson Presidential Comment Dec. 2017

Original story, published May 20, 2017: If Donald Trump can be president, then Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is more than qualified for the job. While the masses may agree, according to a new PPP poll, Johnson himself isn't sure if he's up for the job. Way to crush all of our hopes and dreams!

More: Dwayne Johnson Is Overcome With Emotion in the Jumanji Reboot Trailer

"I don’t know if I would make a good president," Johnson admitted in an interview with Good Morning America. "I know that I have a certain skill set, and I think it’s in that skill set that people see and that people would want me to run."

He added, "And I also think that’s reflective of them wanting to see a better leadership happen right now."

dwayne johnson gma interview

dwayne johnson gma interview

I'm going to go ahead and pretend that Johnson is just trying to be humble as he amps up his plans to garner campaign donations ahead of his 2020 campaign announcement.

More: Dwayne Johnson & His Movie San Andreas Helped Save a 2-Year-Old's Life

Wishful thinking?

Perhaps. But Johnson still has plenty of time to see the light and realize that America needs him. Does he have foreign policy experience? Well, I mean, he's shot movies in all sorts of exotic locales. Does he have military experience? He did spend a healthy chunk of his career fake-beating men to the ground. What about his economic policies, you ask? He's rich. He's clearly done something right.

All in all, I'd say he's got all the bases covered.

Plus — and this is a big plus — he's actually a likable guy. He's got some serious charm and charisma, he's philanthropic to his core, he's a sweet family man. I mean, c'mon, it's The Rock, people.

More: Kevin Hart & Eniko Parrish Welcome Baby Boy

OK, OK, in all seriousness, I don't necessarily need Johnson to run for president. What I do need: A president that is actually a decent human being. That sounds like a good place to start.

These Are The Best Foods to Eat While On Your Period

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Along with cramps, light irritability and the other fun realities of getting our period, a lot of us experience an increased appetite while during our cycle, and often some pretty intense cravings, too. By now, you've probably learned to deal with your menstrual cycle with a combination of treatments, from deep breaths, to light exercise to the occasional anti-inflammatory pill. But did you know changing your diet can actually alleviate some of your period symptoms?

Try these nourishing foods before and during your next cycle and see if it helps to ease your menstrual discomfort.

More: How First Period Kits Are Changing the Conversation Around Menstruation

Period food
Image: SheKnows Design

When it comes down to it, the best way to prepare your body for its monthly visitor is to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet. Easier said than done, right?! Try integrating some of these period-friendly foods into your nutrition plan for a less painful time of the month.

Leafy green vegetables

Leafy green salad

Leafy green salad

According to Dr. Christine O'Connor of The Gynecology Center, leafy greens (think kale or Swiss chard) can benefit your body several ways during that time of the month. Not only are they rich in iron and B vitamins; their high fiber count also can help with digestive issues often associated with your menstrual cycle.

A version of this article was originally published in March 2012.

Next Up: Why you should eat nuts

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Nuts

Healthy nuts
Image: Lisa Jacobs/Flickr

Instead of reaching for that bag of licorice come snack time, reach for a bag of nuts. "Foods that are rich in good fats or omega-3s (such as nuts) can be helpful and much more filling than the calories in junk foods," Dr. O'Connor said.

Fresh fruits

Fruit salad
Image: James Sann/Flickr

Another food to aid your period-related digestive problems is fruit. Stock up on your favorite fresh fruit before your flow begins to ensure a healthy digestive system.

More: Yes, Your Partner Can Go Down on You During Your Period — and It Can Help with Cramps

Whole grains

Whole grains

Whole grains

Just like fruit, the fiber in whole grains can help you stay regular, especially during your period. Whole grains also include complex carbohydrates, which provide important vitamins and minerals.

Red meats

Red meat

Red meat

It's important to increase your iron intake during your period to make up for what's lost each month. "A diet high in iron helps avoid anemia and symptoms that can go along with it," said Dr. Sharon R. Thompson of Central Phoenix Obstetrics and Gynecology. "Women who eat red meat will be able to get sufficient iron from food." However, if you're not a meat-eater, Dr. Thompson recommends taking a supplement to maintain adequate iron stores.

Quick tip: In addition to a healthy diet, Alyssa Dweck, MD, recommends regular aerobic exercise, yoga, meditation and breathing exercises to help alleviate period symptoms.

Next Up: Foods to avoid

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Foods to avoid

As tempting as those freshly baked cookies are, it's best to resist your period-induced urges.

"Many women have the urge to snack on junk food and empty calories," Dr. O'Connor explained. "This ends up not being nutritionally filling, and can lead to an uncomfortable, bloated feeling."

In addition, Dr. O'Connor recommends steering clear of foods and beverages with high sodium content, which can also contribute to bloating.

Every woman is different

Dr. Thompson points out that it's important to keep in mind that every woman is different. "There can be a lot of variation among women in terms of how foods affect their symptoms," she said. "For example, some women may notice that decreased salt intake reduces bloating with menses, while for other women, this makes no significant difference. The same is true for mood symptoms, pain with menses, amount of menstrual flow, etc."

Charlie Sheen Files Defamation Lawsuit Over Rape Allegations

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Updated Dec. 11, 2017, 8:20 a.m. PT: Following the National Enquirer's explosive report with allegations that Charlie Sheen raped then-underage actor Corey Haim 31 years ago, Sheen has filed a defamation lawsuit against the outlet's editor-in-chief, Dylan Howard. Additionally, the lawsuit has been filed against actor Dominick Brascia, who backed up allegations Sheen may have raped Haim while filming Lucas in 1986.

According to court documents obtained by Entertainment Tonight, Sheen's attorneys claim Howard ran the story about these rape allegations "because of a personal vendetta that arose after he was unable to be the first to break the story that Mr. Sheen was HIV positive." The court documents also show Sheen's attorneys don't believe Brascia is a "reliable source nor credible" in making his own claims to the Enquirer.

When the story first came out in early November 2017, Sheen's reps flatly and categorically denied the claims.

Original story, published Nov. 9, 2017: While allegations of sexual assault and harassment seem to have effectively ended the careers of some of Hollywood's powerful men, including Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, other allegations continue to fly under the radar. Corey Feldman has been alleging for years that he and his childhood friend, Corey Haim, were molested by multiple powerful men when they were child stars together, but Feldman's accusations have never gained much traction, possibly because, until recently, he refused to name any of his alleged abusers.

More: Corey Haim's Mom Says Corey Feldman's Sexual Assault Claims Aren't True

Now, another close friend of theirs, Dominick Brascia, is naming names. In an interview with The National Inquirer, Brascia claimed Haim was raped by Charlie Sheen on the set of their 1986 film, Lucas. Haim was 13 at the time, while Sheen was 19.

"Haim told me he had sex with Sheen when they filmed Lucas," Brascia said in his interview. "He told me they smoked pot and had sex. He said they had anal sex. Haim said after it happened Sheen became very cold and rejected him. When Corey wanted to fool around again, Charlie was not interested."

More: The Trailer for Corey Haim & Corey Feldman's Biopic Is Here

Haim died in 2010. Sheen told People magazine through a spokesperson that he "absolutely denies the claim."

This allegation comes after Feldman ramped up his efforts to expose what he says is a pedophilia ring among high-ranking Hollywood execs that he claims victimized both him and Haim when they were children.

More: In a Surprise Move, Charlie Sheen May Have Actually Saved Lives

"There are people that did this to me and Corey that are still working, they’re still out there, and they’re some of the most rich and powerful people in this business," Feldman said in 2010, soon after going public with his accusations. "And they do not want what I’m saying right now. They want me dead."

Mom-Shamers Attack Jessica Simpson for Sexy Photo

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God forbid moms feel a little sexy once in awhile — and tell the internet about it. The rabid mom-shamers of the interwebs were hungrily stalking for their next famous victim when they stumbled upon Jessica Simpson looking naughty and nice over on Instagram. Cue totally unwarranted judgmental comments.

Jess Simpson

Jess Simpson

Oh no! Satin green boudoir robe! Red lingerie and lipstick! Lush blond mane! Call Child Protective Services! No? Oh, fine. There's always the comment section.

And the trolls were happy to use it in a charming display of female solidarity:

"You are better than this. Cover up and be beautiful."

"Is this how a mother of two children really wants to act? Get it together Jessica, those days should be behind you."

"U look like a hooker."

More: Padma Lakshmi Shuts Down Body Shamers

Then there was the sarcastic approach:

"Getting ready to go to a PTA meeting?"

"Glad your husband allows you to show your tits all over the Internet. awesome!!!"

"Great example for your daughter!"

Then the ever-popular sorry-not-sorry route:

"Litle [sic] bit vulgar, no offense."

The ominous vague warning:

"You could be the girl that hooks up with my stalkers."

And the wannabe standup comedian:

"Jessica, Hefner died. You can't have the job you are obviously trying out for."

More: Jess Simpson Shamed for Using (Temporary) Dye on Her Daughter's Hair

Newsflash, haters: Did y'all forget how babies — including celebrity babies — are usually made? Refresher: There's often sex involved. So why is it that once a woman becomes a mom, she's expected to go full Puritan? It's a disturbing trend that shows no sign of abating, and celeb moms are getting flogged the hardest for loving their bodies and enjoying feeling sexy from time to time. Don't worry, Jessica, you're in great company — maybe you can get together with Jenna Dewan Tatum for paint and sip night in LA and laugh at the haters.

Thank goodness for the voices of reason that pop up to defend celeb moms like Simpson. "So is she supposed to look like a nun because she's a mom?"

And, "You are always my favorite. Still gorgeous as always." True story. Shine on, Jess.

The 2018 Golden Globe Nominations Are Full of Surprises & Snubs

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This year's Golden Globe nominations are here, and there are a lot of movie and TV fans shaking their heads right now. In some ways, it was a banner year for woman-led projects, with nods for Angelina Jolie's First They Killed My Father, Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon's Big Little Lies and Hulu's unendingly feminist The Handmaid's Tale. On the other hand, Wonder Woman was snubbed completely.

More: Male Actors Should Stop Thanking Their Wives at Award Shows

The nominations list is no more diverse than it's ever been despite Get Out star Daniel Kaluuya's much-deserved Best Actor nod, while Jordan Peele's acclaimed direction and screenplay were both passed over by the HFPA.

There were some other deserving newcomers, like Netflix's Stranger Things, which got a nomination for Best Drama Series, as well as nods for Kidman, Witherspoon and Shailene Woodley for their acting work in Big Little Lies.

More: Piers Morgan Slams Meryl Streep's Golden Globes Speech as "Elitist Snobbery"

And there were other developments that weren't exactly unexpected, like Transparent being completely missing from the list in the wake of sexual assault allegations against Jeffrey Tambor and his subsequent sudden exit from the previously award-winning show.

But like every year, there were plenty of deserving actors, films and shows that were snubbed. Kumail Nanjiani's dramedy The Big Sick was loved by festival audiences and seemed sure to snag some nominations. It got none. Jake Gyllenhaal was passed over for his performance as Jeff Bauman in Stronger, lauded by critics as one of the best performances of his career.

More: Tom Hiddleston Apologizes for Being Human

But none of this year's snubs seem to sting as much as the absence of Veep, which has won three consecutive Best Comedy Series Emmys, but never a Golden Globe. With star Julia Louis-Dreyfus fighting breast cancer, leaving the show's future a little bit uncertain, this is the year Veep deserved a nod more than ever.

Were you surprised by this year's nominations? Check out the full list here, and let us know in the comments.


These Foods May Help Decrease Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment

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The side effects of breast cancer treatment can last far beyond your final round of chemo. But there may be some good news. A new study found that eating soy and cruciferous foods could help decrease those symptoms.

According to research from a team of scientists led by Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, soy foods (such as soy milk, tofu and edamame) and cruciferous vegetables (like cabbages, kale, collard greens, bok choy, Brussels sprouts and broccoli) were associated with fewer reports of menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors. Soy foods also helped to decrease fatigue.

More: These Are the Early Signs of Digestive Problems in Women

Many breast cancer treatments with the aim of preventing the disease from coming back inhibit the body's production or use of estrogen — the hormone that can contribute to the spread of breast cancer. As a result, patients can experience symptoms similar to those associated with menopause, like hot flashes and night sweats. These side effects from breast cancer treatment can last for months or even years after their course of treatment has ended.

Dr. Sarah Oppeneer Nomura, Ph.D., of Georgetown Lombardi and the lead author of the study said that while more research in the area is needed, this study, published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, helps to close the gap in knowledge of how lifestyle can impact the side effects of cancer treatments.

More: Eating This Amount of Cheese Is Good for Your Heart

“These symptoms can adversely impact survivors’ quality of life and can lead them to stopping ongoing treatments,” she said in a statement. “Understanding the role of life style factors is important because diet can serve as a modifiable target for possibly reducing symptoms among breast cancer survivors.”

Until there is additional research on this topic, though, breast cancer patients should not suddenly start eating soy if they have not consumed it before, Dr. Leena Hilakivi-Clarke, Ph.D., a professor of oncology at Georgetown Lombardi and a coauthor of the study said in a statement.

But given all the health benefits associated with eating cruciferous veggies, it's probably a good idea to start chopping that broccoli and cabbage now.

Kim Kardashian West Talks About Losing Embryo & Choosing Surrogacy

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Although Keeping Up with the Kardashians fans have likely been keeping up — and already know full well that Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West have Baby No. 3 on the way via a surrogate — Sunday's episode of the mega-popular reality TV series delved deeper into Kardashian West's emotions about the journey.

In the episode, Kardashian West talked to sister Kourtney Kardashian about the difficulty of choosing the right person to carry her baby. “Getting a surrogate and finding someone that you really trust really is so much more for difficult of a situation than you could really imagine. You have to, like, make sure that their lifestyle is healthy, and they have to go through psychological testing, and it was maybe a year before we finalized our current situation," Kardashian West said.

She continued, "But I think everything happens for a reason, because the surrogate that I really loved got approved and she is such a nice person. Like, she’s so easy to talk to and she’s the perfect fit for us, but we have to decide quickly, are we really going to go through with this or are we gonna wait until we feel more prepared.”

More: Here's Why Kim Kardashian West Didn't Invite Her Surrogate to the Baby Shower

Of course, power couple Kardashian West and West aren't newbies here; they're already parents to North, 4, and Saint, 2, both frequent guest stars on their mom's social media accounts.

Kim and kids

Kim and kids

Kardashian West also revealed in the episode to sister Khloé Kardashian that embryo implantation takes some serious nerves of steel — and loss is painfully common. “This is the craziest waiting game... It’s so frustrating," Kardashian West said. "It’s really nerve-wracking because, you know, it’s only a 60 percent chance it’ll take. One didn’t work for me. I tried it and I lost one of them.”

Khloé Kardashian expanded on what her sister had said. “Before Kimberly got pregnant with Saint, she had an embryo implanted into her and that embryo did not take. So Kim is super-nervous and anxious during this waiting period. Of course she wants to know is she or is she not having another baby.”

More: Kim Kardashian West Bribes North to Go to School

During the show, Kardashian West finally shared the news that she and West have a baby girl on the way by their surrogate — and that it's a very strange experience when it's not your own body. “It is frustrating to not be able to do it on your own,” she said. “It is a weird dynamic. Like, I go to all the doctors’ appointments and I try to be really present, but when you’re not carrying it yourself, it is such a fine balance of how much you’re going to be in their lives.”

Kardashian West expressed concern to her family that their surrogate will be tracked down by relentless media. “I’m seriously so grateful for that and that someone is so selfless and kind to do this, and I definitely want to keep it private. I don’t want people to find my surrogate. Like, I don’t want them to harass her. She doesn’t know how to handle stuff like that. This isn’t her world," Kardashian West said.

We're honestly a little worried about Kardashian West's surrogate too. The last thing that poor woman needs is paparazzi knocking down her door right now. But, we've got to wonder: Is there a memoir in her future?

Here's How to Score Free Queso at Chipotle Tomorrow

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Fans begged Chipotle to add a queso option to their menu for years, and it’s finally here — but they are about to take dreams fulfilled and make it even better.

free queso

free queso

In a season when we’re all wearing our ugly holiday sweaters anyway, we are now being rewarded for our super-cheesiness.

More: 3-Ingredient queso dip makes Super Bowl snacking easy

Chipotle has announced that anyone who drops into a Chipotle location tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 12, who is wearing a cheesy sweater will score free queso with the order of any entrée. That means you can dip your tacos or burrito into yummy liquid cheese at will for no extra charge — for one day at least.

As for what defines a cheesy sweater, we’re pretty certain just about any holiday sweater would suffice. “What do we mean by cheesy, you ask? Well, just like your burrito order, it's what you make of it. (Surprise us.)" the chain clarified in their announcement, which if we’re being honest, was not much of a clarification at all.

More: Roasted corn and caramelized onion quesadillas with queso fresco

The queso promotion comes just months after the chain released a long-wanted queso recipe they went on to revamp when it received a lukewarm response from customers. The Chipotle queso, heralded for being all-natural, alienated some fans of traditional queso, who craved the familiar taste of processed cheese sauce.

But, it's a new look, or at least a new taste. Maybe scoring some queso for free is a great way to get the new (and we hope improved) item into lots of cheese-hungry hands!

There's a Lot to Unpack in Prince Philip's New Portrait

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Prince Philip's new royal portrait is out, and it is, to summarize succinctly, ornate. So much thought, care and detail went into this portrait, which celebrates the still superfly 96-year-old royal along with his background and his personal and royal histories, respectively.

More: The Queen & Prince Philip Have Big Plans for Their 70th Anniversary

Prince Philip Royal Portrait 2017

Prince Philip Royal Portrait 2017

It's really cool and kind of genius how many hidden messages there are in this portrait, and it's kind of fun to test your royal knowledge by seeing if you can spot any. But for those of us who aren't quite at historical scholar-level interest in the royal family, People magazine has the breakdown of everything there is to unpack in the new portrait. Buckle up, because there's a ton here.

More: 15 Facts Every Superfan of The Crown Should Know

The new portrait was reportedly created for the Museum of National History at Frederiksborg Castle in Denmark. In it, Philip wears the sash of the Order of the Elephant, Denmark’s highest-ranking honor.

He's posing in Windsor Castle, where he and Queen Elizabeth II spend their weekends. More specifically, he's standing in the Grand Corridor at the end of which is the Tapestry Room where both Philip's mother, Princess Alice, and grandmother, Princess Victoria, were born. Both women are in the paintings to Philip's right. They are also featured in white marble busts that line the side of the corridor to Philip's right. The portrait really does celebrate his family and their heritage.

More: One Look at the Royal Family's Train, & You'll Want to Buy a Ticket ASAP

On Philip's left is another painting celebrating the royal family. It depicts Queen Victoria sitting with her family in Windsor Castle's Green Drawing Room according to People. The painting within the portrait is real — it was painted by Laurits Regner Tuxen, and Queen Victoria liked it so much she asked to have it. Of course it was given to her, because who says no to the queen of England?

What Happened to All the Kids in the Home Alone Movies

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All right, older millennials, gather 'round. It's time to take a trip down memory lane, back 20-plus years to 1992, when the most hotly anticipated holiday movie was Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Remember how excited you were to see what hijinks Kevin McCallister was going to get into in the Big Apple? Do you recall how he was going to evade a scheming Plaza Hotel employee, played by the inimitable Tim Curry, as well as his old foes Harry and Marv? Remember getting super jealous that he got to eat a large cheese pizza in the back of the limo and yearning to live that life?

Home Alone 2 Trailer

Home Alone 2 Trailer

Or maybe you were the kind of die-hard Home Alone fan who, just five years later in 1997, waited eagerly to drag your parents to the movie theater to see Home Alone 3. This time, we got a little switch-up in the casting, with then-rising star Alex D. Linz taking over for megastar Macaulay Culkin and a whole slew of new bad guys appearing in place of good ol' Harry and Marv.

Home Alone 3 Trailer

Home Alone 3 Trailer

Tomorrow will be the official 25th anniversary of the latter Home Alone sequel, which premiered on Dec. 12, 1997, so we're taking the opportunity to look at the younger cast of both Home Alone 3 and Home Alone 2. You may be surprised to see where some of these actors are now.

More: 14 '90s Movies That Would Make No Sense Now

Macaulay Culkin

Macaulay Culkin Home Alone
Image: 20th Century Fox; Robert Kamau/Getty Images

Macaulay Culkin is arguably the most famous cast member of the Home Alone movie franchise (as well as being one of the most iconic kid actors of the '90s). After a brief period of low-key living after his quick rise to fame led to turbulent teen years, Culkin seems to be slowly easing back into the public eye. While, notably, he's currently dating former Disney star Brenda Song (which means he's getting photographed a lot these days), he's appearing in a film in the near future titled Changeland and recently had a recurring role on The Jim Gaffigan Show.

Kieran Culkin

Kieran Culkin Home Alone
Image: YouTube Movies; C Flanigan/Getty Images

Macaulay's younger brother, Kieran Culkin, got his first real acting break in Home Alone as Fuller, Kevin McCallister's dweeby, Pepsi-chugging cousin. Since Home Alone, Kieran has appeared in a number of acclaimed films, both mainstream and independent. His notable credits include Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The Cider House Rules, Weiner-Dog and Fargo.

Devin Ratray

Devin Ratray Home Alone
Image: YouTube Movies; Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images

In both Home Alone and Home Alone 2, Devin Ratray played Kevin McCallister's older brother, Buzz. Ratray has maintained a successful acting career in the decades following his success in Home Alone. He most recently had a supporting role in Steven Soderbergh's crime drama miniseries Mosaic. He's also appeared in more character roles, including in the horror film Devil, in Amazon's The Tick and on TV shows like Agent Carter and Elementary.

Angela Goethals

Angela Goethals Home Alone
Image: YouTube Movies; Malcolm Ali

Angela Goethals played Linnie, Kevin McCallister's bratty older sister, in the first two Home Alone films. She's stayed in the acting business since her time on Home Alone, with time out when she attended Vassar College. Her more recent acting credits include appearances on Law & Order, Royal Pains and Life.

Hillary Wolf

Hillary Wolf Home Alone
Image: YouTube Movies; Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Hillary Wolf, who played Kevin McCallister's rude older sister, Megan, quit acting shortly after the Home Alone films came out. Since then, Wolf has gone into judo. She represented the United States on the judo team in the 1996 Olympics as well as at the 2000 Summer Olympics.

More: 9 Times Will Smith Was the Most '90s Ever

Alex D. Linz

Alex D. Linz Home Alone
Image: Twentieth Century Fox; Mark Main/Getty Images

You might remember Alex D. Linz as one of the many young child stars on the rise in the late '90s and early '00s. In Home Alone 3, he played Alex Pruitt, a young boy who has to thwart a team of international criminals. Linz maintained a decent, successful acting career up until the late '00s, with his last acting credit being from indie film Choose Connor in 2007. He graduated from the University of California Berkley in 2011, and these days, he keeps a fairly low profile.

Kristin Minter

Kristin Minter Home Alone
Image: YouTube Movies; Steven Granitz/Getty Images

Kristin Minter played Heather, one of Kevin McCallister's older cousins, in the first two Home Alone films. She's still acting today, popping up on hit TV shows like This Is Us and Ray Donovan, as well as appearing in a number of indie films.

Scarlett Johansson

ScarJo Home Alone
Image: The Film Archives/YouTube; Mike Pont/Getty Images

Can you believe that Scarlett Johansson appeared in Home Alone 3 back in '97? Johansson and Macaulay Culkin might be the most famous and most notable actors in the Home Alone universe. It's likely that we can at least name a couple other films Johansson has appeared in, but we recently saw her get up to some bawdy shenanigans in 2017's Rough Night, and in 2018, we can catch her in Avengers: Infinity War.

Michael C. Maronna

Michael Maronna Home Alone
Image: Nickelodeon; Rick Kern/Getty Images

Michael C. Maronna is likely recognizable not only from the first two Home Alone films but also from Nickelodeon's hit show Pete & Pete. These days, he works both in front of and behind the camera on various films and TV shows. His credits include working as an electrician on Shades of Blue and Elementary in 2016, as well as appearing in Gilmore Girls in the early '00s.

More: Female Characters From '90s Movies That Still Speak to Us Today

You know what? This big trip down memory lane has me ready to re-binge the entire Home Alone series. Who's gonna watch with me?

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