Even though the news Meghan Markle was joining the royal family for Christmas was announced on Dec. 13, it was a day that changed royal protocol. The fact that Prince Harry’s fiancée was allowed to participate in the family's Christmas festivities demonstrates the more relaxed policies Kensington Palace has implemented over the last few months as they begin to welcome Markle into the family.
Prince Harry and Markle, along with Prince William and Duchess Catherine of Cambridge, formerly known as Kate Middleton, walked to the Church of St. Mary Magdalene for Christmas services. It was the first time royal watchers have seen the two couples together.
Kensington Palace photos
Kensington Palace photos
Markle continues to be the fashion trendsetter. She donned a dark-brown beret paired with a tan overcoat and fashionable brown suede boots while she cuddled in close to Prince Harry.
Kate sported a green and red plaid coat adorned with gold buttons and a warm black hat.
While the young couples walked to church on the Sandringham estate, Queen Elizabeth arrived in a vehicle accompanied by Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
Later that day, the royals had a Christmas lunch of roast turkey and steamed fruit pudding. The afternoon was topped off by watching the queen’s prerecorded Christmas address to the nation.
Queen's Christmas message
Queen's Christmas message
The queen even seems to be enamored with Markle; she briefly mentioned the impending wedding, saying that 2018 will mark “welcoming new members into [the family] next year.” Of course, the queen is also referencing the upcoming birth of her third grandchild from Prince William and Kate.
All eyes will continue to be on Markle as she preps for her May 17 wedding to Prince Harry. While it is expected to be a smaller affair compared to Prince William and Kate, many fans are excited to see an American walk down the aisle with a prince.
Fans tweet about Meghan Markle
Fans tweet about Meghan Markle
Fans tweet about Meghan Markle-2
Fans tweet about Meghan Markle-2
Fans tweet about Meghan Markle-3
Fans tweet about Meghan Markle-3
2017 capped off a whirlwind year for Markle, who ended her seven-season run on Suits, moved from Toronto to London, announced her engagement and made her first joint royal appearance on Dec. 1. Now, it’s time to plan a wedding!
I’ve never bought my kid a Christmas present — or a birthday present for that matter. They’re basically the same day anyway; he was born at 4 a.m. on Dec. 26. My son turns 2 this week, and it will be the third Christmas-birthday for which I have bought him... nothing. And I’m absolutely cool with that. To be honest, I didn't really buy him anything the rest of the year either. Socks, I think? Yeah, I remember buying those.
It’s no secret that stuff gives me anxiety. I wouldn’t call myself minimalist per se (I live in a four-bedroom house for Pete’s sake) but I definitely make a quasi-obsessive point of prioritizing quality over quantity. And that tendency did not change when my son was born. If anything, it went into overdrive.
I’m not someone who’s always looked forward to having kids; I was kind of on the fence about it, and my pregnancy was absolutely awful (two words: hyperemesis gravidarum). So I was too busy barfing and whining to stockpile cute onesies or hit the bookstore to carefully curate a library for my unborn fetus. I didn’t have a baby shower, either. Of course, I recognized that I’d probably have to buy a few brand-new “necessities” for the baby to exist, right? Nope. Stroller, car seat, crib, rocking chair, carrier, every size of clothes from newborn to (so far) 3T — we’ve scrounged them all up secondhand for free.
I didn't do anything the Christmas my son was born — anything except have contractions, drink wine and watch Transparent, that is — and the following December, we up and went to Mexico and ignored all holidays entirely. This, by the way, was definitely something of a "gift" in my mind (I gifted this baby a trip south of the border!) but somehow didn't make the cut for the many folks who continuously ask, appalled, "You're getting him nothing for Christmas or his birthday? Again??"
Let's just take a look at the statistics. According to RetailMeNot, parents spend an average of $482 per year on all holiday gifts, $330 of which goes toward their own kids. That's right; our partners, our own parents, our siblings and our friends get a total of $150 for all their gifts combined, while a kid — who probably already has a bunch of crap from a baby shower or birthdays or just being a cute human whom adults shop for — gets $330 of presents in one month every year.
I spent the 2015 and 2016 holiday seasons with nobody but my partner, my baby and the folks who happened to be chilling at Roosevelt Hospital (or Playa de Los Muertos, depending on the year). And those were some amazing Christmases. This year, we're getting back in the holiday game and hanging with the rest of our families. But that doesn't change the fact that I don't want to come back from our holiday travels with more stuff. It also doesn't change the fact that I don't want my son growing up with the misconception that holidays are about buying — or the expectation that people will buy him things when he already has plenty.
I’ve written about this — my attempts at secondhand, quasi-minimalist non-shopping as a parent — plenty in the past, and it’s amazing how much vitriol it inspires from both sides. There are the parents who insist I’m depriving my child by putting him in $2 Vans (Vans! Such deprivation!) from Goodwill or by not buying him three different types of swinging chairs/play gyms or that he’ll be developmentally behind because he never had an “activity center.” Then there are the parents who call me a materialistic fake minimalist because I had the gall to acquire an entire secondhand wardrobe, stroller, car seat, crib and carrier for my baby (honestly, I tried to get away without a car seat; the hospital wouldn’t let me).
So yes, angry parents of the internet, you’ve got me. Because both complaints are true. I’m not a minimalist; my son has plenty of things that he could “survive without” — all of his books, for example, and three pairs of secondhand shoes instead of just one. And yes, I’ve also “deprived” my child of brand-new expensive things that I truly believe he doesn’t need. But guess what? He seems to be doing just fine.
Actually, no, I take that back. This is a kid who walked at 8 months, talked at 10 and today is still not 2 years old and yet asks whether something is “a cappella or instrumental,” shouts “Oh, c’est beau!” unprompted and miraculously knows all the words to both Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” and “I Wanna Be Sedated” by the Ramones. I may be a lazy mom who deprived my kid, never bought him anything and in general only half-assedly planned for his entire existence — but this baby is here now, and he’s my favorite person in the world, and he's way, way better than “just fine.” Oh, and he’s not getting shit for Christmas.
2017 was probably not LuAnn de Lesseps’ favorite year. Even though The Real Housewives of New York star ushered in the year getting married to Tom D’Agostino, their marriage crumbled after only seven months.
Now de Lesseps is dealing with an arrest with some serious charges. She was arrested on Christmas Eve morning in Palm Beach, Florida, for battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence and two counts of corruption by threat according to TMZ. These four counts are felonies. She was also charged with disorderly intoxication.
De Lesseps addressed the charges and apologized to her fans on social media on Sunday.
Luann de Lesseps apologizes
Luann de Lesseps apologizes
“I want to offer my most sincere apologies to anyone that I might have offended with my behavior,” she wrote. “This was my first time in Palm Beach since my wedding and being here brought up buried emotions. I am committed to a transformative and hopeful 2018.”
Things with D’Agostino didn’t end well at all after it was revealed on Watch What Happens Livewith Andy Cohen that there was infidelity on D'Agostino's part.
Luann de Lesseps explains her divorce
Luann de Lesseps explains her divorce
"It was the weekend before the [RHONY] reunion, basically," she explained. "Tom went out, and he called up an old girlfriend, and they met up with a group of people — and I didn't know about it. I found out about it the next day in the press. So that, for me, was like the final straw. I was like, 'I can't do this anymore.'"
Anyone who watches RHONY knows that D’Agostino’s wandering eye was an issue on the series. Bethenny Frankel relayed the gossip that D’Agostino had been unfaithful to de Lesseps the night before their engagement party. The story turned out to be true, but it drove a wedge between de Lesseps and Frankel for much of that season.
D’Agostino and de Lesseps have reached a settlement in their divorce, but the divorce has yet to be finalized.
It’s a Christmas surprise for tennis fans! Serena Williams is setting the stage for her return to tennis after maternity leave. She’s getting back on the court in less than a week.
Williams’ first match will be an exhibition against French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi. She and Ostapenko will be the first women ever to play in the traditionally all-male tournament.
"I am delighted to be returning to the court in Abu Dhabi for the first time since the birth of my daughter in September," Williams said in a statement. "The Mubadala World Tennis Championship has long marked the beginning of the men's global tennis season and I am excited and honored to be making my comeback as part of the first women to participate in the event."
Williams last played in January 2017 at the Australian Open when she won her 23rd Grand Slam title. She was also eight weeks pregnant at the time.
It's believed Williams will use this exhibition as a warm-up match in preparation for the Australian Open, which begins on Jan. 15. Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley seems pretty confident Williams will be playing.
"She's got her visa, she's entered, she's practicing and she's probably just got to find a bit more space for a bigger entourage. There's no question that she'll be ready in our view and she wants to break a record that is Margaret Court’s,” he told the Herald Sun. "It would be a pretty significant accomplishment for her to be able to do that."
There are plenty of annual Christmas traditions that many of us look forward to every year: singing carols, baking a boatload of cookies, elbowing others out of the way for those great Christmas deals and even getting the house decorated to perfection for when the entire family comes over Christmas Day. And then for some, there is a recent Christmas tradition that happens that fills our hearts with such joy we can hardly contain it: the reveal of the Kardashian Christmas card.
The 2017 Kardashian Christmas card reveal was a bit of an event this year, with Kim Kardashian-West taking the reigns and revealing close shots of the card and outtakes from the family photo shoot every day of the month of December. The idea of this was to build some excitement and curiosity for the big reveal on Christmas Day, but when the moment finally came, there was one major issue to be addressed. Namely, where the heck was Kylie Jenner on the 2017 Kardashian family Christmas card?
Unlike her half-sister, Khloé Kardashian, Jenner has yet to publicly confirm whether or not she's pregnant, although the common consensus among her fans is that she is. Add to that the fact that we've seen neither hide nor hair of this social media-obsessed celeb in a few weeks (practically eons in Kardashian-Jenner time) in public or social media — and when we do, it's usually just reposts of old photos or photos of Jenner from the bust up — and the conspiracy only seems to amp up from there
So, with Khloé Kardashian finally revealing her long-rumored pregnancy and the impending full reveal of the Christmas card, where it would be obvious Jenner would be included, the fact that she was actually missing from the card left many fans feeling a lot of strong feelings about it. Namely, they were peeved.
Jenner's exclusion from her family's Christmas card is puzzling on its own, but the timing of it only adds to the annoyance and confusion many are feeling. Considering Jenner has all but disappeared completely from public view in the final months of 2017, it's understandable fans just want to know what the heck is going on. Is she pregnant or not? If she isn't pregnant, then what's happening with her? Is she OK?
You don't have to tell us everything, sis, but a little transparency would go a long way right now.
Women in comedy have never shied away from using their own appearance as fodder for jokes. Whether it’s Phyllis Diller mining laughs from her garish onstage wardrobe choices or Amy Schumer poking fun at the idea that women in the entertainment industry have a “last fuckable day” or Joan Rivers’ endless supply of comments about her own plastic surgery, these women opted to make fun of their own looks as part of their act — and before someone else could do it first. After all, it’s not just women who perform comedy who get scrutinized for their appearance.
Comedians are also truthful, so if women in comedy have had plastic surgery, chances are — like Rivers — they’re pretty open to talking about it. They’re so open to it, in fact, that it’s the basis of a new documentary called Take My Nose… Please!, the debut film from director Joan Kron, which features appearances and commentary from Julie Halston, Judy Gold, Lisa Lampanelli and Jackie Hoffman among others.
While providing an overview of why plastic surgery is so common (or at least widely discussed) among women in comedy, it also follows two comedians — Hoffman and Emily Askin — on their personal journeys to determine whether or not they want to go under the knife. The viewer is able to follow Hoffman and Askin every step of the way, gaining real insight into what makes this decision-making process challenging and unique for all women, but especially those who make a living making people laugh on a stage.
The whirlwind of a film is even more impressive considering Kron is now 89 years old. Before her foray into filmmaking, Kron worked as a journalist for 45 years, including 25 years as an editor at Allure and time spent at New York Magazine and The New York Times.
“But my real claim to fame was that I was in charge of costumes for Clarabell in Howdy Doody on NBC TV in 1949,” Kron tells SheKnows.
After covering plastic surgery as a journalist for 25 years, Kron started to be invited to be a talking head in different films discussing the procedures, she says. Once she gained insight into the process of making documentaries, she thought, “I could do that” — and she did it.
Kron chose plastic surgery as the subject of her first film because she didn’t like the existing narrative surrounding how people talk about the topic — especially when it’s used as a tool to undermine women.
“The one thing I’ve never liked about plastic surgery shows is that they show a very distorted view of the world of plastic surgery and the people who have surgery,” Kron explains. “I just felt that it was the way that I saw plastic surgery shown. But really, I see people who just want to make small improvements who don’t want to look bizarre — they just want to feel a little fresher.”
Halston, who discusses her own plastic surgery in the film, tells SheKnows that in many contexts, talking about it is still not considered politically correct, and it was important to her to be part of a film that addresses it head-on and does so in a way that’s empowering for women.
“We’re out there, and we’re going to do it — not for you, but for me,” Halston says of women who decide to have plastic surgery.
And she has no regrets.
Image: Take My Nose... Please!
“I have to say when I got my face lift, I couldn’t have been happier — I was thrilled,” Halston adds. “I was looking like Paul Giamatti. Now I wake up every day happy that I don’t.”
Kron, who has also had plastic surgery, helps destigmatize the procedure by talking about her own experience.
“It gives you a lift to your life,” she says. “I can go out there into the world and I’m not looking like my grandmother. And I loved my grandmother, but she looked like a great-grandmother when she was 55. I don’t want to look like that right now, and I don’t feel like that. We’re a whole new generation. We eat differently, our lifestyle enables us to live longer — what do you want people to do, retire at 60?”
This film is hilarious, heartfelt and incredibly uplifting. It doesn’t promote or glamorize plastic surgery, nor does it shame women who opt to have it, and provides much-needed historical context about the origins of these oft-maligned procedures. No part of me expected to feel positive about my appearance after watching a documentary on plastic surgery, but hey — comedy is all about the unexpected.
Take My Nose… Please! will be available on all digital and on-demand platforms on Jan. 9, 2018 — the week of Kron’s 90th birthday.
Jordan Feldstein, brother of actor Jonah Hill and Lady Bird star Beanie Feldstein, was found dead in his home after he reportedly suffered a heart attack. He was 40.
Feldstein was the CEO and founder of Career Artists Management, and he managed major stars like Adam Levine, Maroon 5, Sara Bareilles, Miguel, Elle King, Big Boi, Rick Springfield, The B-52s, Chromeo and Robin Thicke. He and Levine were childhood friends.
So far, family and close friends, including Levine, have stayed silent on social media, but Feldstein's family released a statement to People magazine. "Unfortunately, last night Jordan called 911 for shortness of breath, when paramedics arrived it was determined he went into full cardiac arrest and passed away shortly thereafter. His family asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time,” the statement from the family said. “In lieu of food and flowers, the family will announce a charity in the coming weeks where memorial donations can be made in Jordan’s name."
All day, celebrities have been taking to social media to express their sadness at the news, showing just how far and wide Feldstein's influence went in Hollywood.
Jordan Feldstein CAM founder found dead in his home 1
Jordan Feldstein CAM founder found dead in his home 1
Jordan Feldstein CAM founder found dead in his home 2
Jordan Feldstein CAM founder found dead in his home 2
Jordan Feldstein CAM founder found dead in his home 3
Jordan Feldstein CAM founder found dead in his home 3
Jordan Feldstein CAM founder found dead in his home 4
Jordan Feldstein CAM founder found dead in his home 4
If there's one thing we all have in common with celebs, it's that everyone enjoys a holiday celebration. With Christmas and Hanukkah now behind us and the New Year looming, pretty much everyone is in a celebratory mood, and that definitely includes all of our favorite famous people.
And lucky for us, all those famous people love documenting their lives on social media, which gives us a front-row seat to their holiday shenanigans. This year's celebrations were a real mixed bag — from Will Smith being the biggest Grinch of 2017, to Britney Spears giving us the amazing gift of an a capella performance in her foyer on an Instagram video — but no one can deny that 2017's holiday season has been properly celebrated.
Here's how some of our favorite celebs celebrated, so you can get some early holiday inspo for 2018.
Will and Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada really got into the Christmas spirit this year, which we are obviously here for. Unfortunately, Will was not. He spent a lot of the holiday posting Instagram photos of Jada's celebrations and begging his followers to send help.
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 1
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 1
It looks like no one came to his rescue and he was forced to wear an ugly sweater for a festive sleigh ride, but he probably survived.
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 2
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 2
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 3
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 3
Jada, on the other hand, sounds like she had the time of her life.
The pair celebrated with what looks like a barbecue in sunny Miami. It's no white Christmas, but who's complaining?
Nina Dobrev
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 5
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 5
Dobrev and her dog definitely got their white Christmas, and spent some time playing in the snow before settling in for a turkey feast.
Ed Sheeran
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 6
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 6
Sheeran couldn't resist plugging his song "Shape of You," which spent its eighth week at the top of the Billboard charts.
Britney Spears
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 7
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 7
Spears serenaded all her followers with this 360-degree shot, that included her enormous Christmas tree, and honestly, this might be the best gift any of us got all year. Bless her.
Emilia Clarke
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 8
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 8
Clarke took advantage of her holiday spirit and posted to thank those who work for the NHS, the UK's healthcare system.
Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 9
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 9
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 10
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 10
Hemsworth and Cyrus celebrated the holiday together. Hemsworth sweetly called Cyrus his "Christmas angel," while Cyrus posed with her sisters in their ugly Christmas sweaters.
Jenna Dewan Tatum
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 11
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 11
Tatum spent the holiday volunteering to help shelter dogs find homes. There's no better Christmas than one surrounded by sweet puppers, and she clearly knows it.
Sarah Hyland
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 12
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 12
Hyland spent the day with her brother, and they posed together with Santa and their two family dogs for a sweet Christmas card.
Jared Leto
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 13
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 13
Leto gave us what was at the top of all of our Christmas lists this year: himself, shirtless.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 14
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 14
Johnson celebrated with his family, and posted adorably in front of the tree with his oldest daughter, Simone, for a sweet Instagram shot.
Chris Harrison
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 15
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 15
Harrison celebrated the "most dramatic Christmas... ever" in matching jammies with his kids.
Hoda Kotb
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 16
How celebs celebrated Christmas 2017 16
Kotb and her family also rocked matching pajamas for the holiday.
The year is almost at a close, and we're already excitedly looking forward to what new trends we'll be exploring in 2018. But a lot happened in the world of food this year that deserves its due before the calendar runs out on 2017. From celebrity chef wardrobe changes to crazy limited-time launches at our fave fast-food joints, here are all the best food moments of the past year.
1. Amazon bought Whole Foods
In a huge merger, Amazon bought out Whole Foods. Eventually, many prices in the store could be lowered as much as 15 to 25 percent, and they're probably going to up their delivery game too. Avocados for all!
2. Costco launched delivery
Costco launched CostcoGrocery, delivering nonperishable items to your home with next-day delivery. Never having to lug industrial-size packs of toilet paper home from the store is something we can all be thankful for.
3. Oprah started selling soup
Oprah Winfrey partnered with Kraft to create her own line of refrigerated soups and sides called O, That's Good. We trust Winfrey with pretty much everything, and her cheesy pasta with white bean purée is proof she knows what she's doing.
4. Starbucks gave us mermaids & unicorns
Everyone was obsessed with magical rainbow creatures this year, and Starbucks didn't disappoint. They released a pretty mermaid Frappuccino in Mexico, while stateside they came out with a fruity unicorn Frappucino.
5. Pizza Hut employees helped during Harvey
The devastation caused by hurricanes this year was truly horrifying, but there were some stories of people doing good that emerged to give us a little hope. Pizza Hut employees in Houston got into kayaks and delivered pizza to people who were stranded by the floods and running out of food. Now that's customer service.
6. Chipotle started serving queso
Results are still mixed, but Chipotle finally started serving queso with their chips and as an add-on to your meal. They've still got a few kinks to work out in the recipe, but we're stoked we can finally drench our food in cheese sauce at one more restaurant.
This was the year of Halo Top. It seems everyone fell in love with the low-cal ice cream brand except for one thing: They didn't have anything for vegans. Luckily, due to customer demand, they released seven new nondairy flavors so we can all snack on almost-ice cream in harmony.
8. Oprah fell in love with pretzel dogs
Winfrey is on our list twice because she was honestly pretty busy this year. But our fave Winfrey news was that while filming A Wrinkle in Time, Ava DuVernay introduced her to the mall food court pretzel dog, and it's now her favorite food. I mean, does it get more relatable than that?
9. McDonald's Szechuan sauce promo caused thousands of people to lose their freaking minds
McDonald's brought back Szechuan sauce for one day only as part of an unofficial tie-in with the cult animated favorite Rick and Morty. Things got totally out of hand as thousands of desperate fans tried to get their hands on the stuff, only to find the chain was in seriously short supply. The police even had to get involved at some locations, and McDonald's was left apologizing to customers and promising Szechuan sauce would make a more successful comeback in the near future. It was... hilarious.
10. Chrissy Teigen crowdsourced bananas
Chrissy Teigen wanted to make banana bread, but she didn't have any brown bananas. The stars — they're just like us! Well, except that she then reached out to her 8.98 million Twitter followers and found a random person in LA who agreed to share her brown bananas with Teigen in exchange for a copy of her book. And yet when I Tweet out how desperate I am for someone to bring me coffee, all I'm met with is radio silence.
11. Barack Obama & Justin Trudeau had a bro-date
Everyone's fave heartthrob politicians, former President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, engaged in what I can only assume was some hot gossip about world leaders over a candlelit meal at Liverpool House restaurant in Montreal.
12. We finally got Kinder Eggs!
Kinder Eggs, chocolate eggs that have a toy hidden inside, have long been banned in the U.S. due to a potential choking hazard. But the company found a work-around and brought the new Kinder Joy to our shores. Now, a bunch of 30-year-olds who were deprived of the treat as kids can finally indulge.
13. McDonald's delivers
We're used to having to get in the car when the craving for Egg McMuffins and Big Macs strikes. But now, the car will come to you thanks to McDonalds' partnership with UberEats. Because nothing tastes better than literally exerting zero effort to get your food.
14. Nicole Kidman gave Giada De Laurentiis shade on Ellen
Giada De Laurentiis appeared on Ellen to do a cooking segment, and fellow guest Nicole Kidman was there to look on. She was not impressed with what was cooking, though, and hilariously didn't even try to hide her feelings.
Kardashian, who is expecting her first child with boyfriend Tristan Thompson, posted the photo taken at Kris Jenner's annual Christmas Eve party. She was wearing a sparkling, fringed silver jumpsuit and silver heels with a fur-look coat and cradled her bump while swinging her ponytail toward the camera.
Khloe Kardashian Christmas baby bump
Khloe Kardashian Christmas baby bump
"Merry Christmas!!" she wrote. "May you sparkle and shine this festive season, may all of your wishes and dreams come true. I pray that we all may feel this happiness all year round. God bless you! #BabyBump"
Kardashian also had a bonus gift for fans. She revealed exactly how far along she is in her pregnancy. A fan asked the big question on Twitter, and she actually answered!
Kardashian officially confirmed her pregnancy in another Instagram post last week after months of rumors and speculation. It is definitely baby season in the Kardashian fam: Kim Kardashian West is expecting her third child with husband Kanye West, this time via surrogate.
Still staying mum on the subject of her own rumored pregnancy is sister Kylie Jenner, the youngest of the clan, who is reportedly expecting her first child with boyfriend Travis Scott. Fans were hoping Jenner would reveal her own bump as part of the family holiday card reveal, but were sorely disappointed when she didn't appear on the card at all (brother Rob Kardashian was also missing, although his daughter, Dream, was pictured). Fingers crossed for some New Year's Instagram goodies, and we don't mean another lip gloss release.
If you are a professional chef and looking for a full-time role, this job will be require you to work in the palace five days a week between Monday and Sunday.
"This is no ordinary Demi Chef de Partie role," the job description reads. "In our state-of-the-art kitchens, you'll prepare classical and contemporary menus for a wide range of events, learning essential skills that will provide stepping stones for a great career." Sounds like a pretty sweet job. What's better than cooking for the queen?
The lucky chef won’t even be limited to the Buckingham Palace kitchen. Their responsibilities also involve traveling with the queen between her various residences and cooking for her wherever she is. That would, we imagine, probably also involve making dinner for the likes of Prince William, Kate Middleton (now known as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge), Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. This job sounds better and better.
We’re ready to apply right now. The salary is £20,604.52 per year, which works out to out to just over $27,000 USD. This seems a little low considering you will be cooking for one of the most famous families in the world, but it also includes benefits like 15 percent employer contribution pension and benefits and also full room and board — in a palace! Clearly the best part.
Matt Lauer's relationship with his wife may still be in question, but he didn't spend Christmas alone. Paparazzi photos show Lauer walking into a horse farm in Sag Harbor, New York, before Christmas. His wife, Annette Roque, was also there.
Since Lauer was fired from the Today show amid allegations of sexual harassment, his already rocky relationship with Roque has looked like it might be over. They've been seen in public without their wedding bands in recent weeks, and Roque's father told reporters that she "is not going to stay" with Lauer after the scandal.
"I have no words for her husband," he added. "What he has done is bad. Everybody feels betrayed. She is not going to stay with him and work it out. They are not together trying to work it out."
This isn't the first time Lauer and Roque have seemed on the brink of divorce and then pulled back, though. In 2006, while Roque was pregnant with their third child together, she actually filed for divorce from Lauer. Three weeks later, she withdrew her divorce petition, and later gave birth to their son, Thijs. They've been together ever since, and there have been no serious rumors about their relationship ending, until this year following the allegations made against Lauer.
So did Christmas bring them back together? Or are they still planning to split, but co-parenting their three kids together? Were the kids the reason they spent Christmas together, but will they still split up? We have a lot of questions about this situation, but for now, neither Lauer nor Roque is talking. It could be a while before we get any real answers about the future of this couple.
Florida Georgia Line's Tyler Hubbard and his wife Hayley received an early Christmas gift this year: a baby girl!
The couple welcomed their first baby on Sunday, Dec. 23, sharing the news — and their little girl's name — on Instagram.
Tyler Hubbard baby announcement
Tyler Hubbard baby announcement
"I had no idea I could love somebody as much as I love @hayley_hubbard but last night God gave us Olivia Rose and melted our hearts," Hubbard wrote. "We love this little girl more than words can describe and it hasn't even been 24 hours yet. Our life has been forever been changed for the better. Y'all go check out our story on @people (link in bio). I can't wait to share more photos with y'all. I'll try to contain myself from being the annoying parent that post 50 pics a day but I've already taken over 100 so forgive me."
His wife, Hayley Stommel, shared an exclusive photo from the couple's People shoot on her own Instagram.
Hayley Stommel baby announcement
Hayley Stommel baby announcement
"On cloud nine with our new little bundle of joy Olivia Rose!! God couldn't have brought us a more perfect gift this Christmas. What. a. miracle!! It hasn't even been 24 hours and Tyler has been so fun to watch as a new Dad," Stommel wrote.
The couple, who wed in 2015, got the surprise of their lives when they found out the boy they had been expecting was a girl halfway through their pregnancy.
"Gods got jokes," Hubbard wrote on Instagram in August. "After thinking we are having a boy for the last few months, turns out the blood test was wrong and we're actually having a little girl."
"Woe… so many emotions but really really excited about this next chapter even if God does like throwing us a curve ball every now and then. Just keeping us on our toes. #daddysgirl."
A really exciting way to tackle the waves and waves of sexual harassment allegations coming out of Hollywood would have been to have a woman host the Golden Globes. But don't worry, everyone — Seth Meyers is ready to take on the subject when he hosts the ceremony on Jan. 7.
Don't get us wrong. Meyers will be a good host. He's funny. He's smart. He's progressive. He'll probably do his best to amplify the voices of the hundreds of women who have come forward to topple the careers of serial abusers, including Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Mark Schwahn, Brett Ratner, Russell Simmons, and Louis C.K.. In his promo for the show, Meyers hints that he's going to have something to say about this year's revelations about Hollywood's culture of gendered toxicity.
"We've got a lot to talk about," he says in the promo.
Seth Meyers hints at sexual harassment talk in GG promo
Seth Meyers hints at sexual harassment talk in GG promo
Yeah, OK. He's not wrong. There's plenty to talk about. But come on, is a man really who we need leading that conversation? This movement has been driven by the brave women who have come forward and forced us to finally listen to their voices. There is no room here for men to weigh in. We've learned that over and over from guys like Ben Affleck and Matt Damon who continue to try to share their thoughts in the most tone deaf ways. This is a conversation for women to lead. So why wasn't this platform given to a woman?
Britney Spears has never been one to get political on social media. In fact, ever since she was mocked for comments she made about trusting then-President George W. Bush in the aftermath of 9/11, she's stayed out of politics altogether. But apparently, that only lasted as long as it took Spears to feel particularly passionate about an issue.
Spears posted a photo to Instagram this week that's as political as she's ever gotten. In it, she stands in black sweatpants and Ugg boots wearing a cropped T-shirt that reads, "We are all dreamers." In case there was any doubt Spears is, in fact, endorsing the DREAM Act, she wrote in the caption, "We are all Dreamers. Tell Congress to pass the #DreamAct."
Britney Spears supports the DREAM act on Instagram post
Britney Spears supports the DREAM act on Instagram post
Something similar to the DREAM Act, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, was enacted via an executive order by Barack Obama in 2012. It allows undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. with their parents as children the opportunity to obtain renewable two-year work visas, allowing them to stay in the U.S. legally if they were brought here through no fault of their own. The Trump administration eliminated DACA in September, and it will officially expire on March 5, 2018, unless Congress acts to preserve it by passing the DREAM Act.
Supporters of the DREAM Act note that failing to pass it puts countless people at risk of deportation, some of them to a country they can't even remember living in. So it would seem Spears has chosen a good time to get political.
Infertility can be extremely difficult for those who face it, but new research suggests that it may have a wider impact on your long-term health.
According to the study, which was presented at the annual congress of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, infertility increases your risk for early death by 10 percent compared to women who have had children. The study also found that infertility could increase your risk for death — and even boost your risk for getting breast cancer.
A review of health records of about 80,000 women indicated that infertility could be a cause of hormonal issues that can increase your risk of dying. Infertility is classified by being unable to conceive for more than one year.
The study included women ranging in age from 55 to 74 whose health — and cause of death — were monitored from 1992 to 2001. Of them, 14.5 percent reported infertility. Researchers say female infertility patients had a higher risk of death from hormone-related disorders such as breast cancer and diabetes.
“We know that general health and reproductive health are really inseparable. So improving your general health definitely helps to improve fertility (although you may still need fertility treatment),” said Dr. Serena H. Chen, a fertility specialist from New Jersey. “In addition, pregnancy itself can lower cancer risks for women — specifically breast, uterine and ovarian cancer risks.”
Men and women should be taking care of their general health to optimize their chances of having a healthy family. To boost your overall health, see your doctor, take vitamins, lower sugar intake, get enough sleep and make sure to exercise, she added.
Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley have a pretty epic way of celebrating their anniversary. The couple just hit the 10 year mark together, and to commemorate the milestone, they recreated a hilarious naked photo they took back when they had only been dating for a few months in 2007.
In the original photo, Heigle poses in a bathtub with a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Kelley site in front of the tub, wearing nothing but a sweatband and holding his own glass of wine. The modern recreation of the photo is almost identical, but with a few details changed, which Heigl explained in the post.
Katherine Heigle anniversary instagram
Katherine Heigle anniversary instagram
"So when @joshbkelleyand I had been dating a few months or so we took the first totally random #royaltenenbaums esq photo. Last night 12 years later we took a second one to commemorate our 10 year wedding anniversary. Yup, 10 years people!" she wrote.
She continued, "A few things have changed since then. I quit smoking, thank God! I’ve put on a few pounds. I don’t often do spontaneously weird things like take random bathtub photos in the middle of the night anymore. But what hasn’t changed, is that burning desire in me to be with this man."
Well if that isn't just the sweetest thing you've heard today.
Heigl also admitted that she and Kelley have had some hard times, but they've made it through.
"There have been moments where I didn’t think we’d make it. Where I wanted to take my pillow and smother him in the middle of the night," she wrote. "But I’ll tell you what. The more time I spend with this guy the more deeply I begin to understand that he is the best of me. When the whole world falls into disarray and nothing makes sense to me he is my shelter, my safe harbor. When self doubt and self loathing creep into my soul he is my champion, my number one fan."
If you're tempted to describe an overweight, bald, lazy man who sits around drinking beer and watching sports all day while the kids play, sadly, you're not alone. Similar to the weird belief that stay-at-home momssit around watching soap operas and eating bonbons, SAHDs are plagued by misconceptions surrounding what, exactly, they do. It’s unfortunate that the world we live in still discounts and undermines the value of domestic work and family.
One of the most significant social trends in the past 20 years has been the rise in the number of SAHDs. In the United States, this number has reached 1.9 million — and accounts for 16 percent of the stay-at-home parent population according to 2015 U.S. Census data. Thankfully, our culture continues to shift away from the rigid gender roles of past generations; women expect more involvement from dads, and more dads step up to the challenge by willingly taking on the primary caregiver role in their children’s lives.
After speaking with a few SAHDs IRL, I found these fathers have quite a few shared pet peeves. Here are the misconceptions they wish would end... now.
1. Stay-at-home dads are glorified babysitters
Every SAHD I spoke with told me that when they meet someone for the first time, they're asked, "Where is the mother?" and "Are you babysitting?" This is an awful parenting stereotype. Why would you assume a father would only be with his kids if he were "babysitting"? That, as a male, he wouldn’t be taking a genuine interest in spending quality time with his children unless he'd been directed to? Yes, unfortunately — still, today — moms are stuck with the lion's share of child care. But there are dads who fill that role, and assuming otherwise is demeaning.
2. They're lazy & don't want to work
Who ever said staying at home to look after children and the home was easy? Anyone who has experienced taking on the primary responsibility of caring for children knows it's more than a full-time job. Handling school obligations and social schedules on top of the domestic responsibilities of managing a household is a workload that is never complete, and I don’t know anyone who has successfully balanced both. Anyone who believes SAHDs are lazy must never have been in a stay-at-home position themselves.
Why can’t a dad be the chief caregiver of his family by choice? Who says women have dibs on this role forever? Just look at military families: As more military dads have returned home from the Middle East and elsewhere over the past 10 years, many of them are joining the ranks of the few, the proud, the SAHDs. While on active duty, these dads may be deployed from one to three years away from their children. So it's no wonder many military fathers, once they leave the armed forces, are choosing to stay home and take a more active role in their children’s lives. And that's just one career example.
4. They aren't earning an income
Just because a dad chooses to stay at home doesn’t mean he isn’t earning an income. Technology and the internet mean working in traditional offices is no longer an absolute or even the norm. According to Global Workplace Analytics, work-from-home positions among non-self-employed workers have grown by 115 percent since 2005, which is nearly 10 times faster than the rest of the workforce. Additionally, the digital population engaged in virtual, remote employment, telecommuting and flextime has grown immensely, with 45 percent of U.S. employees working from home according to a 2015 report by New Jersey Institute of Technology.
So, just because a dad doesn’t go into an office doesn’t mean he isn’t working. Several dads I know have arrangements with their companies so they can be on calls during (or even before or after) their children’s school days. Other dads I’ve spoken with engage in virtual work that is project-based so they can work at odd hours that don’t conflict with school schedules. It’s a juggling act, but they make it work.
A missed period sucks. First, many of us start to get anxious that we might be pregnant. Next, we have no way of predicting when it might decide to arrive, leaving us vulnerable to bleeding all over the place at a moment's notice. And then there is the other looming question: What made us miss it in the first place?
For people with periods, paying close attention to our cycles helps us stay in tune with what our body is trying to communicate. A missed period can be a signal that something else is going on with our body that we need to look into. It can be worth doing a mental self-check about any changes you've experienced lately and talking to a doctor about.
A normal period versus an irregular period
"The monthly menstrual cycle typically occurs every 28 days, is controlled by various hormones and is a key function of the female body," says Dr. Sherry Ross, MD, OB/GYN and Women’s Health Expert at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. "Your 'period' begins around 11-12 years of age, lasts 2-7 days and continues until your reach menopause, which occurs around 51 years old."
Ross continues: "Ovulation is an important part of the menstrual cycle and occurs around Day 14 when an ovarian follicle produces an egg, which can be fertilized by sperm. The egg is only available to be fertilized for 24 hours before it disintegrates. Once you have ovulated, your period will occur, which is typically 14 days later."
The amount of blood shed during a period varies from person to person. Some people who menstruate routinely have heavier periods (losing up to 12 teaspoons of blood each month) while others may experience a period that's almost non-existent (losing as little as four teaspoons of blood).
If you've been menstruating for a while, your body will get into a period flow, which is why an irregular period is usually defined as any type of bleeding that's abnormal when compared to your last few menstrual cycles. It can include everything from a late period to early bleeding, and scant bleeding to extremely heaving bleeding. For many individuals, this can even mean an absent period (amenorrhea) or two periods in one month (metrorrhagia). Two periods in one month, or a period every two weeks, are thought to be caused by an imbalance in estrogen and progesterone and may require a trip to the doctor since this can induce anemia.
And if you're not prone to PMS, you can also consider a period irregular if you experience heavy cramping and bloating or headaches.
The many causes of irregular periods
Every person who menstruates will experience an irregular period from time-to-time, and though, in most cases, they aren't dangerous, it's important to figure out what's causing the irregularity. Here are a few common reasons you may be experiencing an abnormal flow.
1. Stress
Image: Getty Images
Stress is the most common cause of irregular periods. Cortisol, the stress hormone, has a direct impact on how much estrogen and progesterone, two sex hormones, gets produced by the body. If you have too much cortisol in your bloodstream, the time and flow of your cycle could change.
Dr. Carolyn C. Thompson, MD, FACOG, board-certified OB/GYN, explains that in order for a woman to have a normal menstrual cycle (in which she does not become pregnant), the hypothalamus in the brain must send hormonal signals to the pituitary gland, which must in turn signal the ovary, which then signals the uterus.
In case you need an anatomy refresher, the hypothalamus is adjacent to areas in the brain that influence emotion; neurotransmitters form these centers can shut down the signals to the hypothalamus and therefore stop the outgoing signals from the hypothalamus.
"Evolutionarily speaking, this makes sense — if a woman is under a great deal of stress, either physical or emotional, it is likely not an ideal time for a pregnancy, so the system shuts down," Thompson adds.
Another common reason for a late or missing period is the food you eat and, more specifically, the weight you're carrying. If you're eating a diet that's rich in unhealthy carbs or if you've gained weight, your body will produce varying levels of certain hormones, shifting when you ovulate.
The same goes for people who menstruate as they lose weight. "In order for a woman to maintain a regular cycle, her body fat percentage needs to be at least 17-22 percent. This is again related to the evolutionary idea that a state of starvation is not conducive to maintaining a healthy pregnancy, so, again, the system shuts down," says Thompson.
3. Exercise
Image: John Fedele/Blend Images/Getty
Our bodies need energy to menstruate. If you're burning too much of your energy in the gym, there will be nothing left for your body to use during that time of the month.
"The list of what causes irregular periods is longer than you think, but we know excessive exercising, sudden weight changes and being underweight can offset your hormone levels. One of these hormones is called Leptin and is produced in fatty tissue. Excessive exercising and drastic weight changes can decrease the body fat, causing this and other hormones to drop, contributing to irregular periods," says Ross.
4. Birth control pills
Image: Jamie Grill/Getty Images
It can take several months for your body to get used to the dose of hormones birth control pills deliver. On top of that, Ross explains that one of the side effects of a low dose birth control pill is a light or non-existent period.
For some, this is a welcomed side effect. When a menstruating person stops taking the pill, their periods may take one to three months to return to normal.
"The birth control pill doesn’t cause you to have amenorrhea," Ross says. "It may be once you are off the pill you may find you have an underlying hormonal problem that was masked by taking the birth control pill. If this is the case, you should alert your healthcare provider."
Originally published January 2016. Updated June 2017.
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5. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Image: Getty Images
Affecting up to 5 million uterus-havers in the U.S., this condition causes cysts to form on the ovaries, interfering with regular ovulation. Other symptoms of the condition include hair growth, weight gain, dandruff and infertility.
While Thompson reminds us that PCOS is far more complicated than a missed period, she says that anovulation (absence of ovulation) is one of the hallmarks of the disorder. "If the egg is not released from the ovary, the progesterone withdrawal never occurs, so the uterine lining never sheds. The lining can build under the continuous influence of estrogen until it can no longer sustain itself, then a heavy and lengthy period can result," she explains.
6. Menopause
Image: Wire Image/Wire Image/Getty
As with pregnancy, this time of life happens when hormone levels in the body begin to shift. Irregular periods can start as early as 10 years before menopause sets in (usually when a woman is in her late 40s or early 50s). According to Thompson, the reason that menopause can cause irregular periods is quite simple: "Menopause is the cessation of ovulation — all of the eggs have been used up." She adds, "As a woman approaches menopause, ovulation becomes sporadic, so the period can be sporadic as well."
7. Taking medications
Image: Getty Images New/Getty Images
If you were recently sick and had to take prescription or over-the-counter medication, your period may show up a day or two late. That's largely because most medications interfere with the way your body produces estrogen and progesterone.
Ross agrees, saying, "There are many medications that can affect your menstrual cycle. They include aspirin, Coumadin, ibuprofen and naproxen, birth control pills, Depo-Provera, Nexplanon or Implanon, Mirena IUD and thyroid medication."
8. Pregnancy
Image: JGI Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Getty
"Pregnancy obviously stops the menstrual period; a period occurs when a prepared endometrium (uterine lining) fails to implant a fertilized egg. There is no such thing as a woman continuing to have periods during a pregnancy. Bleeding in pregnancy is never normal, and usually needs to be investigated," Thompson explains. If there's a chance you may be pregnant, speak with your doctor.
"Unfortunately, not having a period is not how our bodies are meant to function from a hormonal perspective. When you get a period each month, this suggests your hormones are balanced," says Ross. "There is something magical when your body is in sync hormonally. When your periods are monthly, a lot of women feel more emotionally and physically balanced."
If you are not getting your period for more than six months, Ross advises, it’s important you visit your healthcare provider for a general workup. If you are having irregular periods, there are treatment options available for you. Hormonal options, such as the birth control pill or progesterone, are typically used to regulate and balance out your periods, she says. She also suggests trying acupressure or a homeopathic alternative to try to regulate your menstrual cycle, but hormones tend to work best."\
And as the rule goes with most health concerns, if something doesn't feel right, don't hesitate to ask your doctor for help. Ross says, "Always better safe than sorry, especially with irregular periods."
A version of this article was originally published in October 2014.
Getting married can be more than a little nerve-wracking. With so many things to plan, from the flowers to the guest list to the venue to the food, the devil is in the details — and weddings are full of details!
Well, let's hope we can now take some of the fuss and worry out of your own wedding planning by giving you some fun ideas for ways to stay in vogue with the hottest trends in the wedding industry in 2018 while also staying true to whatever your own wedding vibe may be. While there's no need to take all these on board, there's certainly something here for everyone. Are you looking to brighten up dull tablescapes? Looking for a way to wow guests when it comes to the dessert selection? Or is choosing the perfect bridesmaid's dress color driving you up a wall and you just need an easy suggestion ASAP?
Well, fret no more and keep reading. These 2018 wedding trends will surely intrigue you.
Who says the main courses get to have all the fun? Sweeten up your wedding by turning your dessert table into a place where you can bring together all kinds of bright and fun desserts. Macarons, as you know, are always good to go, but small cakes, petit fours and any other lavish patisserie assortment will certainly leave a good impression.
2. Hanging floral arrangements
Wedding Trend 2018 Hanging Florals
Wedding Trend 2018 Hanging Florals
Chezelle Rodriguez of CD Weddings spoke to WeddingWire about one unique way to spruce up your floral arrangements: hang them. "Couples are keeping their guest tables simple and focusing more on ceiling treatments," Rodriguez explained. Neat, right?
Nora Sheils of Bridal Bliss Event Planning spoke with WeddingWire about the ways in which color palettes will be transitioning in unexpected ways in 2018. It sounds like navy will make a major statement, while silver, chrome and even black will act as accent colors. "Instead of a classic black and white engraved invitation, couple’s [sic] are opting for a deep midnight blue letterpressed invitation, and we’re seeing a lot of navy blue bridesmaid dresses too," Shiels revealed.
4. Colorful candles
Wedding Trend 2018 Colorful Candles
Wedding Trend 2018 Colorful Candles
Centerpieces can get an easy shake-up with some colorful candles. As event planner Mindy Weiss tells Martha Stewart Weddings, "Instead of the standard white and ivory candles, couples are looking to add a splash of color. Colored candles on tablescapes or peppered throughout the event space are an easy way to add something unexpected to your décor."
5. Fun place cards
Wedding Trend 2018 Place Cards
Wedding Trend 2018 Place Cards
Jacin Fitzgerald spoke to Martha Stewart Weddings about the ways in which place cards provide the perfect opportunity to get bold and fun. "While paper will always have a place in weddings and events, there is an ongoing trend to think outside the box. The new year will weave creative place cards into the event's aesthetic. They'll be edible or made with unexpected mediums, such as plants or vases.
A small pop of color on your cake will add chic, subtle detail that won't overwhelm what will likely be the centerpiece of your menu and focal point of the table.
7. Keep it woodsy
Wedding Trend 2018 Woodsy
Wedding Trend 2018 Woodsy
According to Taylor Green of Taylor Elise Events in St. Louis, the outdoors are still in, but in smaller doses. "We'll also move away from burlap and see more wooden details," she told WeddingWire, as reported by Refinery29. "Wooden details can include the invitation, table numbers, seating cards, tags, chargers, signage, chairs and tables."
Which wedding trend are you most excited to see dominate in 2018?
