There is nothing more simple to prepare than Brussels sprouts. They can be done in less than 20 minutes, and, with the addition of blue cheese, walnuts and dried cranberries, you will be in flavor heaven! This is one perfectly prepared side dish!

Brussels sprouts with cranberries, blue cheese and walnuts recipe

Yields 1 pound

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts
• 1 cup chopped toasted walnuts
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add in Brussels sprouts and boil for about 5 minutes. Strain and run under cold water.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Once oil is hot, add in Brussels sprouts and cook till browned. About 5 minutes. You do not want to overcook the sprouts, just brown them a bit.
3. Add walnuts, cranberries and blue cheese to the warm pan. Toss and add to a large serving bowl. Enjoy as a side dish.

More Brussels sprouts recipes

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Kendall Jenner has had enough of the media discussing her weight. The 5-foot-10-inch model — who is just 17 years old — spoke to Harper's Bazaar Arabia and confronted those who think she's is too skinny.

Kendall Jenner in danger? Social workers called>>

"I am constantly criticized for being too skinny," said Kendall. "I'm trying to gain weight but my body won't let it happen. What people don't understand is that calling someone too skinny is the same as calling someone too fat. It's not a nice feeling."

E! News reports half-sister Khloe Kardashian confirms the weight gain attempt, saying Kendall is "a supermodel who eats crap all day!"

Kendall may have the last word as she tweeted out a preview of her photo shoot with Harper's Bazaar on Tuesday. "Amazing shot from shoot with the incredible John Russo," Jenner tweeted to her fans. Ever the supportive big sister, Khloe Kardashian raved about Jenner's pictures.

Kendall Jenner lands a job with Seventeen magazine>>

"How gorgeous does Kendall look in her Harper's Bazaar Arabia spread?!? I cannot get over these pics!" Khloe continued to gush, "She is absolutely breathtaking!!!! The fact that she is on the cover is truly an incredible honor and achievement and I am so proud of her. My baby sister is growing up!"

Kim Kardashian also posted to her blog and congratulated her sister. "[Kendall] did an amazing job and the photos turned out absolutely gorgeous."

Kendall Jenner admits that modeling was a great avenue for her to overcome her introverted personality. "I used to be so shy. I used to never talk, just sit back and do my thing," she said to Harper's Bazaar Arabia.

Kendall Jenner makes acting debut in Hawaii Five-O>>

"I was never bullied, though, and it was never like something that needed to be 'fixed,' like being shy is a bad thing." Kendall went on, "I am still pretty shy but I've gotten much better because I'm always on set for photo shoots and I'm always filming with my family."

Do you think Kendall Jenner is too skinny?

Photo courtesy of Mr. Blue/WENN.com

Topless scene regret has struck Jessica Brown Findlay hard. Though she wasn't targeted in Seth MacFarlane's "We Saw Your Boobs" number at the Oscars, the young star certainly could have been — and there's nothing she can do to change that fact now.

The former Downton Abbey star, now 23, signed on to flash her breasts in the British film Albatross two years ago in her big-screen debut. Explaining her regret about going topless in the aptly-named flick, Jessica Brown Findlay told British magazine Radio Times, "To be honest, Albatross was naiveté and not knowing that I could say no. I had no idea what was going to happen and thought I was going to be shot from behind."

The scene most definitely was not done discreetly — check out video of Albatross below!

Big news for Downton Abbey: Who's coming and who's going?>>

Still, that one regret isn't the only time Jessica Brown Findlay stripped down for a role.

"In [the miniseries] Labyrinth, it is a very fleeting moment that we shot in one take, but I did find it very odd being naked in front of lots of people," she went on to say. "I think it's awful that women get so criticized about their bodies."

"If you're going to do a nude scene, be honest and natural," the actress advised. "I was drinking pints and eating burgers."

"But actually," she continued, "it's not something I would do again."

From nip-slips to nude photos, SheKnows has the celebrity news here>>

On the other hand, quitting Downton Abbey is something the budding actress is proud to have done.

"I didn't want to fall into my comfort zone too much," she explained of the decision. "My contract was ending, and I was unsure about signing away another year. Leaving terrified me, and that's what made me want to do it."

Check out video of the Jessica Brown Findlay Albatross scene in question:

What do you make of Jessica Brown Findlay's topless scene regret?

Image via WENN

Frozen foods uncovered

Are frozen foods healthy?

We spoke with a registered dietitian regarding everything you need to know about frozen foods. The good news is they're really not as bad as people think, so cut yourself some slack if these tend to be your go-to meals.

Registered dietitian Estela Schnelle gives us the low-down on everything involving frozen foods. She shares which ones are the healthiest, which ones taste the best and discusses whether or not we should be limiting our frozen food intake. She currently runs a food and life blog — Weekly Bite— and is a part of the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association's Cool Food Panel. One thing's certain — Estela knows food and nutrition, and we're excited to incorporate her tips into our everyday life!

SheKnows: What, if anything, should we look out for when it comes to frozen foods ?

Estela Schnelle: Frozen foods start out the same as their fresh counterparts, coming from the earth and sea. Frozen fruits and vegetables are been picked at their peak of ripeness, thus allowing them to be nutrient packed. The freezing process preserves nutrients in foods, making frozen foods a great alternative to fresh foods. In general, frozen fruits and vegetables can be less expensive and more convenient than their fresh counterparts. The addition of frozen foods can make the meal prep process a little quicker and give extra room for family time.

SK: We know they're not all bad — what meals or brands should we choose if frozen foods are our only option?

ES: There is a huge variety of different cuisines represented in the freezer aisle, including options that cover snacktime, breakfast, lunch, dinner and entertaining and specialty food occasions. The main thing to pay attention too is the sodium content. The great thing about frozen foods is the nutrition label tells you exactly how much sodium there is per serving, so there's no guessing game.

Check out these 5 tips to reduce your sodium intake>>

SK: Which frozen meals or brands are the healthiest and why?

ES: The freezer aisle is comprised of 3,700+ different, delicious foods ranging from nutrient-rich fruits and veggies that fit a wide variety of dietary needs. This includes everything from vegetarian, organic and gluten-free products. Frozen fruits and veggies are a staple on my grocery list as well as some of the amazing organic options.

SK: Which taste the best? What are your personal favorites?

ES: They all have great flavors, but my favorites have to be the wide variety of frozen veggies as well as frozen fruits for smoothies. We also keep a constant stash of Amy's Organic Burritos in our freezer for a quick meal. We love those!

SK: What meals or brands are the quickest to make and most convenient?

ES: It's hard to single out one particular brand. They are all convenient, which is one of greatest benefits of frozen foods.

SK: Should we be limiting our frozen food intake? And if so, to what extent?

ES: The great thing about frozen meals is that they are proportioned out for you and, with such a huge variety to choose from, it makes it easy to make smart, healthy choices.

SK: Do you have a favorite healthy meal that's easy to make for those of us on the go, but isn't frozen?

ES: Turkey tacos are my family's favorite on-the-go meal. I can have the meal on the table from start to finish in 20 minutes.

SK: Frozen pizza — Is it OK or should we avoid it?

ES: Definitely enjoy frozen pizza. I know my family does. What it comes down to is moderation. Keeping our portions in check keeps our health and our weight in check. Limit yourself to a slice or two and load it with veggies for extra nutrition.

SK: Are there any frozen foods that are just as bad or worse for you than fast food?

ES: Frozen foods are real food. The ingredients are picked in the field and prepared by chefs and the recipes are tested in a kitchen. Many options in the freezer aisle range from low-fat and organic to ultra-indulgent and everything in between. What it comes down to is listening to your body and eating in moderation. When it comes to eating healthy, we are fortunate enough to have such a wide variety in the freezer section. It's not only what we eat, but how much we eat that's important. That's the main key to keep a healthy weight.

SK: What's your best advice for busy moms on the go who want to eat healthy meals?

ES: When it comes to eating healthy meals on the go, planning is key. We want quick, convenient and healthy. Stocking our freezer and fridge with our favorite healthy foods makes it easy to grab some fruit from the freezer and make a quick, on-the-go smoothie, or grab a healthy, preportioned meal from the freezer, heat it in the microwave and know you're getting the nutrition you need in the proper portions.

More on frozen foods

Tasty cooking tips for frozen foods
Fresh vs. frozen: A kitchen-ista's guide
Freezable foods that will thaw by lunchtime

It seems that our 2013 concert schedule keeps getting better! First it was New Kids on the Block, 98 Degrees and Boys II Men going on tour. And now, it's the Purple One himself. Prince just announced that he's hopping in his little red Corvette and embarking on a spring tour.

Prince's "Live Out Loud" 2013 tour kicks off April 15 in Vancouver and snakes throughout the West Coast ending in Denver a month later. In that short time frame, Prince will have visited nine cities and played a total of 34 shows — quite an undertaking for the 54-year-old singer. Check out the complete list of dates and cities below.

Thinking of bringing a present? Make sure it's not one of these things Prince hates.>>

Backing him up will be the all-girl trio 3rdEyeGirl. Earlier this month, we were introduced to Prince's new back-up band as they all rocked the house with the new song "Screwdriver" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Prince always puts on an awesome show full of funk, soul, old hits and new favorites. Each tour date consists of two shows per night, so here's something to think about before you buy your tickets. While the first show will have a definite limit as to how long he can play, you second show concertgoers will probably have an extremely late night — or should I say, early morning. Prince is known for playing until he wants to stop, and if that means a three or four-hour concert, you'll be getting home in the wee hours of the morning. Last month at South by Southwest, Prince held court for six encores!

Treat yourself like royalty. Get our tips on taking your night out to the next level. >>

But ladies and gentlemen, to get a seat for this extravaganza, you'd better start selling your diamonds and pearls. Tickets are $250 a piece for general admission. Add the service charges, dinner and drinks and you're looking at an $800 date night. That's enough money to make even doves cry.

"Live Out Loud" tour dates:

April 15 and 16: Vogue Theatre — Vancouver


April 18 and 19, Showbox at The Market — Seattle


April 21: Roseland Theater — Portland


April 23 and 24: DNA Lounge — San Francisco


April 26 and 27: The Joint — Las Vegas


April 30 and May 1: Marquee Theatre — Phoenix


May 3 and 4: Hard Rock Hotel Ballroom — San Diego


May 7 and 8: City National Grove — Anaheim



May 12 and 13: Ogden Theatre — Denver


Image courtesy WENN.com

Wednesday afternoon, CBS made a big announcement. They added 14 shows to their list of renewals, bringing their total of renewed shows to 18. The number one network revealed that it's keeping most of its roster the same. Why mess with a winning formula?

Elementary is worth investigating>>

According to EW, the full pickup list is as follows: The Big Bang Theory, Elementary, Person of Interest, The Good Wife, 2 Broke Girls, Mike & Molly, How I Met Your Mother , NCIS, CSI, NCIS: LA, Hawaii Five-0, The Mentalist, Blue Bloods, The Amazing Race, Survivor, Undercover Boss, 60 Minutes and 48 Hours.

CBSrenews CSI, plus more Ted Danson!>>

Now, what's missing from this bunch? First off, veteran comedy Two and a Half Men is nowhere to be found. They're in negotiations with Warner Bros. to decide whether or not it will be back for an eleventh season. But don't worry, all signs point to its return complete with Ashton Kutcher.

Criminal Minds is in a similar situation. Behind the scenes, the network's trying to solidify new deals with the cast. Once they're in order, we believe the show will be too. But CSI: NY is still on the fence as well as the comedy Rules of Engagement.

On the newbie front, the period drama Vegas and Golden Boy are both in limbo. It was previously announced that Vegas had been pushed to Friday nights. It's not the most coveted spot on the schedule, but it's better than nothing. Perhaps, it could use that time to really prove itself?

What do you think of CBS' returning lineup?

Photo credit: Apega/WENN

It all started Tuesday morning: Your friends' Facebook photos quickly changed from duck-face selfies to an image of an equal sign set in tones of red.

What gives?

It's all part of the Human Rights Campaign's effort to get out support for gay marriage as the Supreme Court hears arguments on California's Prop 8 and the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

"Make sure you wear red to show your support for marriage equality,"the organization wrote on Facebook. "And make your Facebook profile red too!"

It's always incredible to see the support people have for others when it comes to serious issues like gay marriage. However, it brings up a question: Does simply changing your profile photo for a couple of days mean anything?

Some say no.

"No matter which way you feel about same-sex marriage, changing your Facebook picture doesn't accomplish anything," one of my friends wrote on Facebook. "I would recommend reaching out to your State representative via phone calls, mail, email, or social media. At this point and time it is still up to the individual States to define marriage, so reach out and get your voice heard."

Celebs for gay marriage: United for marriage quality fight>>

He has a point, but the solidarity is nice to see since our country doesn't seem to agree on much anymore.

"Seeing all of the people who support can inspire people to take MORE action — small change," Boston comedian Dana Jay Bein wrote on Facebook. "I’d much rather see red equal signs than pictures of Grumpy Cat and ironic self shots."

More on gay marriage

Brad Pitt: Equality is what defines us
Christian Carrie Underwood supports gay marriage
Laura Bush: Gay marriage ad doesn't have my blessing

Photo: Daniel Deme/WENN.com

Bill Gates is ponying up some of his sizeable profits in hopes someone out there has a brilliant idea for a new kind of condom. The billionaire and his philanthropist wife Melinda Gates, pictured above, believe a reinvented prophylactic could not only be more pleasurable, it'll be more likely to get used!

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which tackles global health issues, is inviting all to reinvent the rubber with the "Next Generation Condom" challenge. Whoever comes up with the best idea will be awarded $100,000.

Where do condoms come from?>>

"The primary drawback from the male perspective is that condoms decrease pleasure as compared to no condom, creating a trade-off that many men find unacceptable, particularly given that the decisions about use must be made just prior to intercourse," the challenge description explains. "Is it possible to develop a product without this stigma, or better, one that is felt to enhance pleasure?"

"What if we could develop a condom that would provide all the benefit of our current versions, without the drawbacks? Even better, what if we could develop one that was preferred to no condom?" the Gates Foundation's blog reads.

Stephen Becker, deputy director of the HIV Program at the Gates Foundation noted simply, "The more appealing a condom is for a man to use, the greater likelihood of use there will be."

8 Entrepreneurs your child should know>>

Need a little more info to get your creative inventor juices flowing? Consider using new materials that "preserve or enhance sensation" and be sure to ponder "new condom shapes/designs that may provide an improved user experience."

The deadline for proposal submissions is May 7, while winners of Bill Gates' condom quest will be announced in November!

Image via WENN

United for Ethan

Justice. Education. Training. Awareness.

In the wake of the death of Robert Ethan Saylor, national and local Down syndrome organizations are calling for awareness and action. But which rally cry will succeed — and which reflects what families of individuals with Down syndrome want from their national organizations?

“Ethan” Saylor had Down syndrome and died after being restrained by three off-duty Frederick County, Maryland, Sheriff’s deputies. While the coroner ruled Saylor’s death a homicide, a grand jury declined to indict the deputies.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S., or Family Resource, Information & Education Network for Down Syndrome, initiated a meeting this week between the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Relations Services office, national Down syndrome organizations and local representatives, including Ethan's mother Patti Saylor.

After the meeting, the National Down Syndrome Society and the National Down Syndrome Congress issued starkly different press releases and messages.

NDSS announced it would participate in a collaborative effort to develop a training program accessible to first responders nationwide.

NDSC focused on Saylor’s civil rights and called for an independent investigation into his death.

Lou Ruffino, spokesperson for the Department of Justice's community relations service, called the meeting "mostly a listening session," adding that the agency continues to monitor the situation.

"There are no concrete action steps at this time," Ruffino said. "It’s a little bit early for us. We’re trying to assess the situation and see how much community tension there is."

NDSC calls for action

“We cannot comprehend the series of poor decisions that were made leading to Ethan’s death,” noted David Tolleson, executive director of NDSC. “If you used any other adjective to describe him — such as his race, religion, gender or sexual orientation — the streets would be filled with people seeking justice. It appears that individuals at the theater acted as if this was an emergency situation, or that Ethan presented an imminent threat, when in fact more time was both needed and available to assess the situation.”

NDSS calls for training first responders

NDSS's press release after its meeting with the Department of Justice described the meeting as a "discussion centered around the need for national law enforcement and first responder training guidelines regarding individuals with Down syndrome to prevent another tragedy of this nature happening again... .

“It is vitally important that these professionals understand the nature of Down syndrome as a genetic condition, medical and behavioral cues they can look for, and safe ways to avoid conflict and harm.

“The ultimate goal of this collaborative effort will be to create a training program that can be easily accessed and flexible enough that all law enforcement and first responders nationwide can participate,” said NDSS president Jon Colman in the organization's press release.

Parents react: "This is a human rights issue"

Parents of individuals with Down syndrome reacted with frustration and anger that the national organization was focused on education and training, rather than pushing for an independent investigation of the circumstances leading to Saylor’s death.

“Thousands of people have shown their support and desire for justice for Ethan to ensure this will never happen again,” said blogger Sandra “DS.Mama,” a member of the Facebook page T21 Brigade and mother of a child with Down syndrome, in reference to Change.org petitions calling for an independent investigation into Saylor’s death.

“We had hoped that NDSS would have publicly joined with NDSC in this push for an independent inquiry and are disappointed that they chose not to listen to our outrage and sorrow," she says. "We expect both of our major national organizations to represent the will of the people they work for and to do the right thing on behalf of Ethan and all people with Down syndrome. To us that means asking for police training and an independent inquiry."

“I have been begging, pleading, screaming for people to ‘get’ that this is a human rights issue and not a Down syndrome issue,” wrote another parent, Amy Dietrich Hernandez.

Create positive change

NDSS vice president of advocacy and affiliate relations Sara Weir told SheKnows, “We’re coming at this from, how do we prevent this from happening again, and as a national organization, what can we do to create some positive change?”

Weir said NDSS is not a legal advocacy organization and as such, “We just don’t have all the facts surrounding this particular case,” she said. “We’re very much focused on how we can prevent this tragedy from happening again.”

On NDSS’s Facebook page, Melissa Stoltz, mother of a child with Down syndrome, wrote: “I am deeply saddened to hear that the NDSS does not see a need to push for an independent inquiry. You are our national voice. This is not a time for silence.”

The effort to create a training program will include Dr. George T. Capone, a clinic director for Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. Kennedy Krieger Institute’s mission is to improve the lives of individuals with pediatric developmental disabilities and disorders “through patient care, special education, research and professional training.”

NDSC executive director David Tolleson told SheKnows, “We are committed to the development of a training program and will work with other groups to see it through.

“However, we believe any training program has a better chance for success if we’re all clear about what actually happened in Frederick [county].”

Grassroots call to action

While organizations plan to regroup to discuss how a training program can be developed and implemented, Tolleson issued a grassroots call to action — get to know your local first responders, including fire, police and EMTs.

“It’s clear from this case that the officers involved were unfamiliar people with Down syndrome,” Tolleson said. “Yes, training is definitely needed. But how may their response have differed if they actually knew someone with Down syndrome?” 

Read more about Down syndrome advocacy

Down syndrome: Is awareness overdone and action overdue?
Buddy Walk on Washington: Advocating for people with Down syndrome
Nonprofit film turns camera on teens with Down syndrome

Chris Brown’s life hasn't been the same since February 2009 when he assaulted his then-girlfriend Rihanna the night of the Grammy Awards. His career has been on a downward spiral since then. The singer spoke with Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS-FM radio show on Tuesday about what he has learned since that February night.

Chris Brown: Rihanna beating "biggest regret of my life" >>

Seacrest asked the 23-year-old singer about the beating, and what he thinks is to blame.

"I could [blame it] on my age, but that would just be making an excuse," Brown said, according to Us Weekly. "I think that at age 18, 19, I was capable of writing and producing songs, so I'm also capable of making the right choices."

He added that he now knows he "was arrogant and definitely hotheaded" back then.

"Everybody has a temper," he explained. "But for me, it was not knowing how to control it when I thought I had the world in my hands."

Brown's life kept getting worse after the assault. Radio stations stopped playing his songs and he was ordered to stay away from Rihanna.

Frank Ocean won't press charges over Chris Brown feud >>

"Brown didn't do much to help himself at the time," said Us Weekly. "He vented his frustrations on Twitter and deflected blame for the incident to his stepfather, who allegedly assaulted his mother. He also engaged in fights -- both physical and verbal -- with stars including Drake and Frank Ocean."

He said the last four years have helped him learn what to do and what not do to. But the singer doesn't come out and say he learned anything, or that he is a better person. He only says he knows what not to do publicly now because there are consequences.

"You can lose it all. And I'm not just saying fame or stardom, because that's not what it's about," he said, according to Us Weekly. "I'm talking about dignity, integrity. You know, you lose yourself in a way...It was a learning step for me...I learned from certain mistakes, and I'm getting better as the days come."

Rihanna does seem to think Brown changed. After three years apart , the two got back together, officially, last fall.

Law & Order: SVU takes on Rihanna beating

"I just tried my best to be the best man I could be over the years, and just show her how remorseful and sorry I was for the incident," he told Seacrest. "That time was probably the worst part of my life... She's a wonderful person, and I'm eternally grateful and thankful [for her forgiveness]."

Photo courtesy FayesVision/WENN.com

On this episode of Arrow, called "Salvation", Oliver has to deal with yet another madman trying to steal his thunder. Oliver goes after another name on his list and finds that someone else has beaten him to it. When the guy starts killing people live on camera, Oliver knows that it's time to take the new vigilante down. Along the way, Felicity witnesses her first death and is understandably shaken.

While Oliver has his hands full with the latest vigilante, Thea is having her own troubles with her boyfriend Roy. It seems Roy has gotten in with some pretty nasty people and has to consider something drastic to get himself out. Thea tries to convince Roy that there are other ways to resolve his problems when the madman kidnaps Roy and threatens to kill him on air for the world to see.

Last week's recap of Arrow: Oliver faces The Huntress again>>

The prospect of having his little sister's heart broken is too much for Oliver and, with the help of Diggle and Felicity, he tracks down the bad guy and sadly had to kill him to save Roy's life. It seems like the harder Oliver tries to do the right thing, the more he has to kill people in order to do it. His has never been an easy job and it only keeps getting harder. When it's all over, Oliver discovers that the symbol on his father's book is in fact a map of Starling City.

Meanwhile, Laurel is troubled by the fact that her father has joined ranks with her mother and both are now working together to search for her sister. So Laurel decides to take things into her own hands. She brings them a woman who is supposedly the one in the photo, but it only seems to strengthen her mother's resolve. It also brings out a terrible secret: Laurel's mother knew that Sarah was going with Oliver on the boat that day and didn't stop her.

Finally, Moira is having her own issues as she tries to keep Malcolm from realizing she had a part in organizing the attempt on his life while simultaneously telling him that she is looking for the culprit. When the Dark Archer shows up and kills the man who helped with the hit, Moira wisely doesn't admit to being involved. She is quite literally left with blood on her hands and a heavy heart when she realizes what she's done.

Exclusive interview: DJ Steve Aoki talks guest role on Arrow>>

Back on the island, Oliver and Slade  are still battling with Fyers over the weapons. Their plan to negotiate their way off the island doesn't go well and they end up losing the circuit board. They do however gain an ally in Yao Fei's daughter, but I still think that girl is hiding some secrets of her own.

My favorite bits: 

The fact that the first few lines Oliver speaks in the episode are done while shirtless and hanging from the ceiling above Diggle and Felicity.

"I don't like the idea that there's somebody dangerous out there."
*Felicity stares*
"Somebody else."

"Why do you have a gun?"
"Because I'm no good with knives."

"Oliver, you have spent a lot of time under that hood recently."
"It keeps my ears warm."

"Oliver, no offense, but do I tell you how to sharpen your arrows?"

Laurel reluctantly admitting that she has dated her fair share of bad boys.

"Gonna hood up?"
"It's the middle of the day!"— I don't know why, but that line made me laugh so hard.

Oliver using the rooftops as a shortcut and then jumping down the fire escape.

Island Oliver finally realizing why Yao Fei wouldn't leave the island.

Oliver promising Thea that nothing was going to happen to Roy.

Thea breaking down when Roy said he was a waste and deserved to die.

"Let. The kid. Go."— Seems like every episode Oliver has at least one line he delivers in that forceful way of his and I love it every single time he does it.

Oliver watching Thea and Roy's happy reunion.

Poor Oliver having to put on a smile to greet Laurel, when he was feeling anything but happy at that moment.

"I don't want to be on an island anymore."

Oliver's little "psst" and the way he put his hand on Felicity's shoulder when he told her that if she ever needed to talk about her day, she could talk to him.

What did you think of this episode of Arrow? Were you happy to see Roy saved? What do you think will happen now that Oliver has discovered that everything is connected to Starling City?

On this episode of Nashville, called "When You're Tired of Breaking Other Hearts", things are awkward between Gunnar and Scarlett the morning after they've slept together. Gunnar is understandably still reeling from his brother's death and, though he tries to act cool, he's really suffering inside. When he goes to the police and sees that they aren't planning to look any further into the murder, Gunnar decides to take things into his own hands. Luckily Deacon and Scarlett are there to talk him down. With Deacon's encouragement, Gunnar goes home with Scarlett and eventually they find themselves in each other's arms again. Though we have to wonder how long that will last when Scarlett gets a call telling her she's just been signed as a solo artist to Rayna's record label.

Nashville fans get chance to meet Connie Britton>>

Rayna and Teddy are going through the pangs of divorce, but it's their daughter Maddie who suffers the most. Upset at all the goings-on in her house, Maddie decides to run off to what should be a small, intimate concert to see Juliette Barnes . But Juliette didn't want things small and invited everyone in the world. When a riot breaks out and Maddie is hurt, Rayna is angry at everyone, including Teddy and Juliette.

Meanwhile, Deacon and his new furry companion aren't getting along so well and Deacon finally decides to take the little guy to a vet to get him checked out. There Deacon meets a very sexy vet who has never heard of him and doesn't even like country music. This of course means that he ends up sleeping with her. Deacon's good buddy Cole accuses Deacon of never being available for anyone else because he's always waiting for Rayna. Deacon realizes that Cole has a point and decides to ask the vet out on a real date.

After a bit of a temper tantrum, Juliette decides to take responsibility for her actions. Not just for what happened at the concert, but for some of the things she's done to her mother. Avery , meanwhile, isn't happy at all with what Domino has done to his music and puts an end to that relationship once and for all. He goes back to the Bluebird to play the music that he loves and seems happier than he's been in a while.

ABC's Nashville planning concert tour>>

Overall, everyone takes positive steps forward in the episode, though maybe not all of them do so in the direction we want. I'm happy that Deacon is taking control of his life, but I'm also kind of sad that he didn't wait just a bit longer for Rayna.

My favorite bits:

The puppy running out of the room while Deacon was singing.

Gasping out loud when Maddie sassed her mother like that.

The look on Avery's face when he heard his voice coming out of Domino's speakers and not sounding anything like he expected.

"Flannel shirt, cowboy boots. If you are not country, you are lost."

Rayna reminding Teddy to keep his "special projects" out of the family home.

"Do me a favor: Name your dog."

"Just bring me another Rayna Jaymes and Juliette Barnes and I'll be happy."
"Or two Rayna Jaymes."

The song Scarlett played for Rayna. Loved it. Every time that girl sings, I swear I get goosebumps.

Deacon reminding Rayna that she snuck out a time or two herself when she was Maddie's age.

The entire heartbreaking conversation between Scarlett and Gunnar after he came home.

"You ain't just hooked on booze and pills, you're strung out on Rayna Jaymes."

"Your music ain't where it's supposed to be."
"That's what I've been trying to tell you."

The look on Deacon's face when Scarlett said Gunnar was going to the bar.

"You want to hang on to something. Hang on to her."— I think my heart snapped right then and there.

Rayna begging Teddy to let her see her daughter.

Rayna giving Maddie the first guitar her momma gave her and suggesting that Maddie channel her anger through her music.

Gunnar opening his door and finding Scarlett doing the same.

Juliette going to the hospital to pay the medical bills for everyone who got hurt at her show. Good for her!

Deacon naming his dog "Sue" and the fact that the vet didn't get it. That was hilarious.

What did you think of this episode of Nashville? Were you happy with where everyone ended up by the end of the episode?

Image courtesy of ABC

Prop 8

On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments against California's Proposition 8. Prop 8 — voted into law in 2008 — banned gay marriage in the state, but then the California Surpreme Court overturned it in 2012.

Opponents of Prop 8 want it thrown out for good, so the SCOTUS listened to nearly 90 minutes of arguments in the case.

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The justices' comments were split down conservative and liberal lines.

Justice Antonin Scalia

"If you redefine marriage to include same-sex couples, you must — you must permit adoption by same-sex couples, and there's — there's considerable disagreement among — among sociologists as to what the consequences of raising a child in a — in a single-sex family, whether that is harmful to the child or not. Some states do not — do not permit adoption by same-sex couples for that reason."

Justice Samuel Alito

"Traditional marriage has been around for thousands of years. Same-sex marriage is very new. I think it was first adopted in The Netherlands in 2000. So there isn't a lot of data about its effect. And it may turn out to be a — a good thing; it may turn out not to be a good thing, as the supporters of Proposition 8 apparently believe.

"But you want us to step in and render a decision based on an assessment of the effects of this institution which is newer than cell phones or the Internet? I mean we — we are not — we do not have the ability to see the future."

Justice Anthony Kennedy

"I — I think there's  — there's substantial — that there's substance to the point that sociological information is new. Five years of information to weigh against 2,000 years of history or more. On the other hand, there is an immediate legal injury or legal — what could be a legal injury, and that's the voice of these children, 40,000 children in California, according to the Red Brief, that live with same-sex parents, and they want their parents to have full recognition and full status. The voice of those children is important in this case, don't you think?"

Justice Elena Kagan

"What harm do you see happening and when and how and — what — what harm to the institution of marriage or to opposite-sex couples — how does this cause and effect work?"

Justice Stephen Breyer

"What precisely is the way in which allowing gay couples to marry would interfere with the vision of marriage as procreation of children that allowing sterile couples of different sexes to marry would not? I mean, there are lots of people who get married who can't have children. To take a State that does allow adoption and say — there, what is the justification for saying no gay marriage? Certainly not the one."

Jay-Z: Gay marriage is the right thing to do >>

Defense of Marriage Act

On Wednesday morning, the SCOTUS heard arguments on whether or not the thousands of married homosexual couples should have the same protections under the law as heterosexual couples. The talks centered around the Defense of Marriage Act , a law signed in 1996 by then-president Bill Clinton that recognizes marriage as being only between a man and a woman.

Specifically, gay couples do not have the same access to their partners' Social Security, retirement, bankruptcy and medical leave protections as same-sex couples.

Cyndi Lauper applauds 'The First Gay President' >>

Today's debates show promise that the act might be thrown out when the Supreme Court makes its final decision. The reason? The potential swing vote in the SCOTUS — Justice Anthony Kennedy — said that DOMA poses a "real risk of running into traditional state police power to regulate marriage."

Justice Sonia Sotomayor agreed.

"What gives the federal government the right to define marriage?" she said.

But the decision is far from final.

"This was a deeply divided Supreme Court, and a court that seemed almost to be groping for an answer here," CNN senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin said after the hearing.

Final rulings in both cases are due in late June.

More on gay marriage

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Brad Pitt: Equality is what defines us

Ashley Riddle, makeup artist for Up-Do's For I Do's offers these tips for creating a flawless makeup base.

Start fresh

"Start with a clean face and clean hands," says Riddle. "We love Stages of Beauty Cleanser to clear the skin of any previous makeup. Follow with a moisturizer containing SPF."

Prime and conceal

"Prep your skin with a primer," suggests Riddle. "We find that Smashbox PhotoFinish works well with every skin tone and texture. Apply evenly throughout. Conceal under eyes and blemishes with NARS Concealer . Using the tip of the stick, apply lightly to areas that need it most. Use your ring finger to smudge concealer across skin."

Brush on your foundation

"Using a foundation brush , apply either a tinted moisturizer or liquid foundation," Riddle says. "The foundation brush [allows] the application to go on more smoothly and will soak up less of the product than a sponge. Ask a pro makeup artist to help determine what shade or product line will be best for your skin."

Set it to last

Set your foundation with a loose powder. "We suggest Sonia Kashuk Barely There Loose Powder ," explains Riddle. "Be sure to use a large powder brush. We find that MAC Cosmetics 150 Large Powder Brush works well. By adding a loose powder, the foundation will set and become more long lasting."

In addition to Riddle's helpful makeup tips, these other suggestions will create a flawless look, day in and day out.

Color match

With foundation, the most important thing in creating a natural look is to find the right color. The best place to match the shade is along your jawline. Once you have selected your color, apply your foundation sparingly. You want the foundation to just even out your skin tone — not mask your face. You can always add more, if you need it.

Concealer tips

There's always a debate on whether to apply concealer before or after your foundation. Makeup artist and beauty guru John Gustafson suggests if you are using a liquid or cream foundation, you should apply your concealer after the foundation. However if you are using a powder foundation, apply your concealer before the foundation.

Powder perfect

Apply your finishing powder with a puff or brush first to the areas where you normally get oily . Follow with a light dusting of powder all over the face.

More beauty tips

Best buys: Foundations
How to prevent dreaded mascara bleeding
Tips for office-appropriate makeup

Photo credit: Ashley Riddle, Up-Do's For I Do's

Still looking for that perfect basket for the Easter bunny to leave for your kids on Easter morning? Don't fret. Peter Cottontail won't be left sans basket to deliver all the wonderful goodies to your little ones.

be prepared for
easter egg hunts

Here are a few ideas for creating age-appropriate and cute Easter surprises.

Do you remember Easter morning as a kid? Scurrying down the stairs to see if the Easter bunny had ushered in spring with a basket of goodies? Did you tear back the cellophane and pull everything out before tasting a single thing? Think about how you want your children to experience the surprises of Easter morning ahead of time, so you can plan accordingly.

Parents may be less likely to fill a basket with 18 kinds of chocolate for their kids but there are plenty of alternatives to candy that can make the basket extra special. You can substitute puzzles, dolls, art supplies and more for the traditional marshmallow eggs and chocolate bunnies.

Size is a big consideration when choosing an Easter basket. If you choose a basket that's too small, you will need to leave some items out of the basket. If you go with a larger basket, then you risk having it look like the Easter bunny forgot a few things if you aren't able to fill it. Sometimes the best plan is to choose a basket first, then choose the treats and surprises to fill it. Young children who don't yet understand the concept of Easter are fine with a small basket and a few fun surprises. Lillian Vernon offers a cute, personalized Easter basket your child will love for years to come.

For preschoolers, you can go a little bigger. This gives you enough room to include some bigger toys or interesting books to make it special. This large Madras basket has enough room for bigger surprises and a chocolate bunny — or two.

Buying a new Easter basket each year is wasteful, and who wants to store them every year? Fortunately, the traditional basket is easily replaced with something more creative — and useful year-round. Let your creativity rule and choose another container that can have life beyond the bunny. Think things like a plastic container for Legos, a collapsible mesh hamper or a metal lunchbox. For a beach-themed Easter basket, start with a brightly colored pail and shovel. You can fill it with beach-friendly fun like a Frisbee, bubbles, sunglasses and even a cute towel. For older kids, trade the pail and shovel for a beach bag.

Another fun alternative to a basket is a tote bag. Lands' End has cute traditional tote bags, or scour the racks at Target, Marshalls and other retailers to find a cute one. You can fill it with the traditional Easter stuff or goodies that relate to your children's interests, such as art supplies or outdoor play gear.

If you are planning on any road trips this summer, the Easter bunny would be very thoughtful to drop off a backpack filled with gear to make car rides fun . For girls, a cute bucket purse could include some delicious chocolate and sweet girly makeup.

If you are down to the wire with Easter, and don't have time to pull together a fun and cohesive basket for your kids, there are many cute pre-mades available. Check the Easter section of drugstores and retailers like Target and Walmart for already-packed baskets with fun gear.

More Easter basket ideas

Make your own Easter basket
5 Unique Easter basket ideas
3 Healthy Easter desserts

Police are investigating Rob Kardashian for allegedly stealing a memory card out of a paparazzo's camera.

The photographer claims Kardashian discovered she took pictures of him without his shirt on and he flipped — grabbing the camera and snatching the memory card.

Rob Kardashian: I gained 40 pounds from my breakup>>

While Rob did tell the paparazzo he'd pay for the memory card, Kardashian is still accused of robbery and a police report was filed against Rob on Wednesday. Speculation for Rob's drastic measures to avoid shirtless photos of him making their way to the public revolve around Rob Kardashian's self-consciousness about his recent weight gain.

Rob Kardashian puts ex Rita Ora on a Twitter blast>> 

Rob Kardashian is currently taking steps to lose weight and can be seen frequently hitting the gym. Rob gained weight after his difficult breakup with singer Rita Ora. He explained on Kourtney & Kim Take Miami, "All I did was waste a lot of money and gain 40 pounds. I need to focus on me. That's all I wanna be about."

The youngest Kardashian — of mom Kris Jenner and late father Robert Kardashian — said his breakup with Rita Ora was challenging. While many thought Rob was in love with Ora, she told Glamour UK she has yet to fall in love. "In 22 years, there's been nothing. I have had young fascinations, but never love." Ouch.

Rob Kardashian has not released a statement about yesterday's robbery accusation.

Photo courtesy of Judy Eddy/WENN.com

Jon Hamm freeballs no longer.

That was the salacious news from the set of Mad Men, when the New York Daily News recently reported that producers asked the 42-year-old superhottie to wear underwear when at work, because the period-correct tight pants of the 1960s left little to the imagination.

Underwear company Jockey took advantage of the public interest in Hamm's crotchal region with the tweet, "We hear Jon Hamm’s too big for his britches. @Jockey’s offering free underpants for life to the @MadMen_AMC star: http://usm.ag/14aBeRx" with a link to an Us Weekly story on Mad Men's undies dictum.

Jockey also told E! News, "Jockey would like to offer our support for Jon Hamm in the form of a lifetime supply of Jockey underwear."

Ha ha, smirk smirk.

Hamm probably isn't laughing over the offer, being as he already told Rolling Stone, "They're called 'privates' for a reason, I'm wearing pants, for f**k's sake. Lay off."

Jon Hamm forced to put his package away by AMC>>

Offering free product to a celebrity is, of course, a time-honored marketing strategy. The two firms perhaps best known for doing so in the last few years are Carvel, whose "free ice cream for life" black cards became the subject of an amusing Lohan family scandal, and Chipotle, which sends "free burrito every day for life" cards to any celebrity who they think would appreciate it.

Time.com reports that skateboarder Tony Hawk and NBA players Mario Chalmers and Drew Gooden are all Chipotle card-holders.

So maybe you'd rather have a free burrito than free underwear, Jon Hamm?

Season 6 of Mad Men premieres April 7. Fans gotta talk about something until then.

Image courtesy Apega/WENN.com

Lollapalooza was started 22 years ago as one of the biggest music festivals in the country, and recently announced some of their headliners for the 2013 concert.

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The festival had previously announced bands Mumford & Sons, Phoenix, The Killers, The National and the Postal Service would be playing the 2013 festival, but a photo was leaked online Thursday that may give away the entire lineup. Tickets are on sale now for Lollapalooza, something the festival does before they announce all the bands. But they had planned to release that full lineup on April 9.

A photo has been circulating online that looks like a poster for the festival, and includes all the bands. The Chicago Tribune said “multiple industry sources” have confirmed with them that the poster is real. So just who does the poster say is coming?

The Cure, Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, the Lumineers, Kendrick Lamar, Eric Church, Steve Aoki, Ellie Goulding, Thievery Corporation, Grizzly Bear, Lana Del Rey, Band of Horses, Tegan & Sara, Imagine Dragons, 2 Chainz, Matt & Kim, and over 100 other bands are included in the festival, according to the poster, making it one of the biggest, and most diverse, concerts of the year.

Summer health tips: Music festival survival guide>>

Lollapalooza held its first festival in 1991, and was started by Jane’s Addiction’s Perry Farrell. According to the festival, the idea for the show had originally started as a farewell show for the band, but has grown from there.

“Lolla was in the delivery room when alternative rock was born, brought hip-hop to the masses, waved glow sticks when the electronica scene came of age, and staked out tiny clubs to bring the best indie-rock to the big stage,” said Lollapalooza’s website.

The festival was important in the world of music before the Internet was a place for up-and-coming artists to get their music to the masses. And they made a point of including all genres of music each year.

“Farrell's festival did it with flair, pulling together diverse acts like Nine Inch Nails and Ice-T for a culture-spanning celebration the world had never seen,” the festival explained.

The return of indie at the Grammy Awards>>

Three-day passes for the 2013 festival are sold out, but one-day passes will be released the same day as the official Lollapalooza announcement, April 9.

Photo courtesy Andrew Barber, @FakeShoreDrive, Twitter

Stuffed shells do not just have to take on a Italian flair. These tasty dinner treats are stuffed with Mexican flavors and covered in lots of cheese. Who wouldn't love that? Plus this is a great way to use up that half jar of salsa just sitting in your refrigerator.

Stuffed Mexican shells recipe

Yields 16 stuffed shells

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 16 large pasta shells
• 1 cup medium-spiced salsa, divided
• 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese

Directions:

1. Brown ground beef, drain and add in package of taco seasoning. Prepare meat according to taco seasoning packet directions.
2. Once cooked down, add in cream cheese and stir until it's completely combined. Set aside.
3. Add water to a large pot and put on stove to boil. Once boiling, add in 1 tablespoon kosher salt and large pasta shells. Boil till al dente.
4. Once shells are cooked, drain, lay out in a single row and cool till they are cool enough to touch. Fill each shell with taco/cream cheese mixture. Start off by adding 1 tablespoon per shell and then adding more if there is leftover filling.
5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
6. Add 1/2 cup salsa to the bottom of an 8 x 8-inch pan and put stuffed shells into the pan so they are snug. Top shells with remaining 1/2 cup salsa.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes until everything is warm.
8. Take off foil and sprinkle with cheese and bake for another 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling.

More pasta recipes

BLT pasta recipe
Ratatouille pasta recipes
Sausage, cheese & sun-dried tomato pasta recipe

Creative play for rainy days

It’s said that into every life a little rain must fall... but some months seem to dole out more than their fair share! Can such a soggy month be as much fun as the rest? Absolutely!

With a little imagination and some key play-time supplies, you can weather any springtime storm and be the hero of your playroom.

Contributed by Beth Hester, Melissa & Doug

wild pretend-play landscape

Create your own sunny day and give imaginations room to roam! All it takes is an open space and a few inspiring play pieces. Whether you give over a whole room or lay out a blanket to mark the boundaries, focus your energies on life-size role play or mini pretend-play figures, your space will be filled with creativity in no time.

Get imaginations started with a set of play figures, vehicles or a cool costume. Then help children dig through the art supplies, costume chest and recyclables to add decorations, props and more! Keep the ideas rolling all day long by declaring “rainy day rules” in the realm — bend the rules about cleaning up before snack, lift the ban on shouting indoors and let the kids go a little bit wild in the name of imagination. They’ll look forward to the next gloomy day!

All-day art studio

When it looks like the weather will keep you in all day, give them the art supplies they need to capture a day’s worth of creativity and make a cool keepsake, too! An easel is an ideal headquarters for this on-again, off-again art project, but a tabletop paper roll is another great option — or even just a pad of plain paper.

Let the kids know they’ll have lots of creative challenges during the day, and that whenever they hear a special signal they’ll have to drop everything and hurry to the “studio”!

With every challenge, each child should get one sheet of paper and a single challenge to complete. Here are some ideas to get your studio started:

• Draw a picture of your favorite animal.
• Draw your family.
• Cut and paste your favorite pictures from a magazine.
• Listen to a piece of music and draw what it sounds like to you.
• Make a self-portrait.
• Draw as many shapes on this page as you can before time runs out.

At the end of the day, staple all the pages together to make an art book!

Inspiration: This Rainy Day Fun Pinterest board gathers up some easy arts and crafts that will easily brighten a gloomy, rainy day !

Weather measure

Be a rain scientist! Place a plastic cup or bucket outside in the rain Then give each child an identical container , and let them fill their cups to guess how much water will be collected outside by the end of the day.

Partway through the day, you can bring the outside container in to make observations, compare the containers and allow the scientists to adjust their hypotheses. Then place it outside again to keep collecting!

Indoor scavenger hunt

It’s the treasure hunt with nothing to hide! Simply arm the kids with a notebook, pencil and a list of questions, and send them all over the house in search of information. To kick off their fact-finding mission, offer one or two questions, and ask the kids to come up with a few more. For example:

• How many windows are in the house?
• Are there more windows upstairs or downstairs?
• Which room of the house has the most windows?

Talk first about different ways to gather this information, then help children make a chart to gather their observations. Be sure to write in everyone’s guesses for what the answers will be! Then regroup after the hunt to check the results.

Play tip: Here’s a puzzle scavenger hunt activity that also helps kids learn to count by 10s!

Eyes on dinner

Give your day focus by making dinner a team effort. It’s never too early to start — your little ones can be working on menus, placemats, centerpieces and place cards all day long. Or use their creativity to transform the dining room into a fabulous restaurant destination you can use all day for lunch and snacks. Kids can help with food preparation, too — using real food or cooking along with Mom in a pretend-play kitchen. Then enjoy a very special dinner time in the setting you’ve created together!

What are your favorite ways to enjoy the indoors on a rainy day? For more inspiration, check out the “Playtime Press”— our blog that’s packed with arts and crafts ideas, activities and more! Also join Melissa & Doug on Facebook to see what our fans are sharing!

More rainy day fun

Pinterest to the rainy day rescue
Outdoor activities with an indoor twist
How to create a rainy day activity box