Katie Holmes lives a pretty private life lately. She still acts regularly, though she seems pretty picky about the projects she takes on these days. She's clearly content to be a mom to her daughter and quietly, semisecretly date Jamie Foxx. Who wouldn't be down with that life?

More: Katie Holmes & Jamie Foxx Can't Hide Their Love at Pre-Grammys Gala

But Holmes has a huge new job she's also kept very under wraps. Forgoing a runway show at this year's New York Fashion Week, designer Zac Posen instead created a look book to showcase his new line — and the entire thing stars Holmes.

He chose her to model every single one of his new looks, and he's been dropping some behind-the-scenes peeks at the process of shooting the look book on his Instagram. With her new short bob slicked back, Holmes looks absolutely incredible in all Posen's old Hollywood-inspired, glam gowns.

Just look at this magenta mermaid dress:

And take a moment to take in Holmes' gorgeous slicked-back bob:

More: Did Katie Holmes Celebrate Jamie Foxx's 50th Birthday With Him?

Posen is following in the footsteps of other designers, including Rodarte and Kanye West, who have traded runway shows for look books showing their designs on stars. Posen has done similar work to this in the past, but usually uses a handful of A-listers to show off his designs. This time, it's all Holmes.

More: There's One Thing Katie Holmes Would Choose Over Jamie Foxx

And this is obviously a huge job for Holmes, who is absolutely rocking all those gowns. We can't wait to see the complete look book, because if these sneak peeks are any indication, it's going to be amazing.

The moment Kat Stark arrived at Our Gourmet Life in San Francisco for a lover’s birthday, she knew this wasn’t your typical dinner party. The servers wore sexy masks and flirted with the guests, and in the middle, the guests stripped down to their underwear. After the meal, they moved into another room for a play party, where Stark got felt up by five or six people at a time, fingered a woman on top of a desk and got told that she fucked like a rock star.

On the other side of the country, Cosmo editor Ali Drucker ate quail off a man’s chest at New York City’s Lust. Soon after, another staff member asked her, “Can you close your eyes for me? Can you open your mouth?” and fed her kiwi. Meanwhile, guests watched rope-tying and flogging shows, painted each other’s bodies and made out on the floor, though no genital touching was allowed.

More: Masturbation Comes With Some Serious Health Benefits

Our Gourmet Life and Lust are both erotic dinner parties, events that fall somewhere between a dinner party and a sex party. Guests include couples looking to spice up their relationships, singles looking to explore their sexuality and everyone in between.

Chris Hubbard founded Our Gourmet Life with his wife after putting on a smaller-scale event, where women in French maid outfits served the couple dinner and teased them, for two friends who had gotten married. “About halfway through the dinner, clothes started coming off and they had a wonderful time, while I was in the kitchen trying desperately to cook the rest of the dinner,” he remembers.

The “maids” had so much fun, they asked him to do it again, and the dinners got bigger and bigger. But even today, the eroticism doesn’t extend beyond servers touching and feeding the guests.

“The dinner expresses and explores sensuality and eroticism, but not sexuality,” he explains. (The play party Stark attended afterward was separate from the dinner.)

Sienna Sinclaire’s Naughty Los Angeles erotic dinner parties are a little wilder. Around 40 guests arrive in costumes based on a theme, from fetish to topless to Great Gatsby, and watch burlesque and fetish performances. After dinner, they move to the pool, the living room and the beds. ”As the night goes on, it gets naughtier,” she says.

More: Why the Pleasure Gap Is a Gender Equality Issue

“My business is all about building confidence and exploring your naughty side at your own level,” Sinclaire explains. “I love helping people to step out of their norm, watching people come shy to my events then opening up and becoming more confident and exploring their sexuality in their own way.” Many couples describe the experience as life-changing, she adds. “It helps them with getting what they want from each other’s sexual fantasies.”

About 80 percent of Hubbard’s guests are couples. “Most of the feedback I hear from the couples who attend is that their sex life gets ignited again,” he says. “Many couples have told me that the dinner is what made them fall in love with each other again.”

A setting where women walk around in sexy maid outfits might not exactly sound like a feminist paradise, but Hubbard says his events are primarily geared toward women.

“The dinner is one of the few places where the female servers don't have to protect themselves while expressing their sensuality and eroticism,” he explains. However, he admits that there are usually more female than male servers, largely due to societal stigma against relationships between men.

“If a female server is feeding a female guest, it's almost never an issue,” he explains. “Conversely, if a male server is feeding a male guest, sometimes it's an issue.”

Sinclaire also says most of her performers are female.

But Drucker felt that Lust was gender-balanced and suited for women hoping to freely express their sexuality, particularly because a “consent guardian” explained a big rule to every guest beforehand: Don’t touch someone unless they verbally agree to it.

“Not only were there trained staff members and performers present throughout the night, they took the time to explain each step of the process, be it a body painting booth or eating a meal off of someone’s chest,” Drucker explains to SheKnows. “I think that kind of sharing of information — where guests know exactly what to expect — is key for this kind of event. That way, you have time to decide, ‘Is this really for me?’ It puts the emphasis on the ‘informed’ portion of ‘informed consent.’”

Do you have part of your body dedicated to your mother? Because Brooklyn Beckham does. Victoria and David Beckham's eldest son just added another tattoo to his collection — a heart surrounded by flowers with a banner in the middle that says, "Mum."

The celeb-kid extraordinaire shared a photo of his new ink yesterday on Instagram. “Cheers to this man x another amazing one,” he captioned the black and white photo, tagging his long-time tattoo artist, Dr. Woo.

More: Victoria Beckham Is in Tears as Eldest Son Brooklyn Leaves for College

On Sunday morning, Victoria had her autumn/winter 2018 New York Fashion Week show, and Brooklyn wanted to show his support for his mom like never before.

He has also dedicated some of his tattoos to family members in the past, including a recent one for his father, David Beckham. In fact, Brooklyn's first-ever tattoo was dedicated to David — a Native American chief wearing a feathered headdress (um, do the Beckhams know about cultural appropriation? Did that memo not make it to British Celebville?) "Just like dads," Brooklyn wrote on Instagram in April of last year. One of his other tattoos celebrates the birth years of his younger brothers and sisters. And now, he also has one for the most special woman in his life.

Pops Beckham, for his part, has more than 40 tattoos — including a doodle by his daughter on his palm, and one on his ribcage with the words, "We Love You Daddy." And it looks like his son isn't too far behind on the tat count. Brooklyn now has about 14 tattoos in total, and we bet we'll be seeing more in the near future.

More: Victoria Beckham's Kids Hilariously Roast Her (& Her High Kick) Online

We know moms in general are often anti-tattoos when it comes to their offspring — but Posh has got to love this sweet gesture, no? At least it maybe counteracts that time her sons all roasted her on Instagram. Maybe.

The new Peter Rabbit movie featuring a new take on some of the beloved Beatrix Potter characters many of us grew up with was bound to ruffle a few feathers (beyond those of Jemima Puddle-Duck). But the film is causing a stir with parents for a completely unrelated reason: its depiction of food allergies.

It's one particular scene that's not sitting well. In the scene, Peter Rabbit (voiced by James Corden) and his assorted rabbit friends gang up on human character Thomas McGregor (played by Domhnall Gleeson) by throwing an assortment of fruits and vegetables at him as part of the their attempt to take over McGregor's garden through use of force. Eventually, they use a slingshot to catapult a blackberry into his mouth despite prior knowledge he is allergic to the dark berry.

The plan worked, and McGregor immediately attempts to inject himself with an EpiPen and then goes into anaphylactic shock before collapsing.

More: "Please Don't Kill My Kid": From a Food Allergy Mom

Many parents are less than impressed, arguing that the film does not take food allergies seriously, using them as a plot device and a way to attack a person and are calling for a boycott of the movie.

Sony Pictures, which is behind Peter Rabbit, has issued an apology in the form of an email statement to The New York Times, which reads, “Food allergies are a serious issue. Our film should not have made light of Peter Rabbit’s archnemesis, Mr. McGregor, being allergic to blackberries, even in a cartoonish, slapstick way. We sincerely regret not being more aware and sensitive to this issue, and we truly apologize.”

Kenneth Mendez, the president and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, issued an open letter to the makers of the film over the weekend expressing concern over "the intentional attack of the McGregor character with the food he is allergic to — the implication being that the rabbits wanted to kill or harm McGregor with this method." He is also worried that this segment suggests that food allergies are "made up for attention."

More: Everything the Mom of the Kid With Food Allergies Is Sick of Hearing

Additionally, Mendez points out that this is not the first time Sony Pictures Animation has used food allergies as a punch line in the plot of a kids movie; other offending films included The Smurfs and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, he says.

Others, like Scott Mendelson at Forbes, do not think Sony needed to apologize. "I get why they did, but Sony shouldn't have apologized for pretty conventional storytelling in the service of a standard character arc," he writes. "Yes, Peter uses Thomas’ allergy against him in a moment of cruelty, but the emergency is quickly solved (sans any melodrama or much in the way of comic reactions) and Peter’s behavior is not remotely viewed as positive or becoming of a true onscreen hero (Paddington would have not have approved)."

Despite how they appear in the movie, food allergies are no joke and definitely should not be used as a means to maim other people — even if animated rabbits say otherwise.

There really aren't many things in life that rival the excitement of getting engaged, but once all the initial butterflies wear off, reality sets in — and the realization of how much work you have ahead hits like a ton of bricks. Without proper wedding checklists, planning out your perfect day can be a recipe for a huge meltdown — especially if you're a type A personality.

Girl, it's time to break out that printer and print off some checklists. They're going to help you get organized and make sure everything is in order so you can sleep soundly at night.

We've gathered 10 of the best checklists and wedding guides out there. Download them, print them or just pin 'em to your Pinterest board.

More: What 11 Happily Married Women Wish They'd Known as Newlyweds

The ultimate wedding checklist

The Perfect Wedding Guide absolutely delivers on its promise: behold, the perfect wedding checklist that helps you plan the entire process. If you're a bride tying the knot in six months, though, don’t worry; Aisle Perfect has a six-month checklist.

The wedding budget

Lemon Leaf Prints has a beautiful rose-gold checklist specifically for tracking your wedding budget, including estimated and actual spending costs, tackling every part of your planning process right down to the thank-you notes postage.

The wedding registry checklist

Before you head over to the registry department store of your choice, be sure to print off a wedding registry checklist. This one from PopSugar has it all, from dinnerware to tools.

The wedding decor checklist

By now, you've settled on a theme and an aesthetic for your wedding, but what are all the items you need to pull it off? Junebug Weddings' checklist has it all listed on a stunning printable.

The "how to word your wedding program" checklist

If you're not sure how to even begin writing your wedding program, let alone know all the elements it should include, let Invitations by Dawn help guide you.

Next: 5 more wedding checklists

A version of this article was originally published in January 2013.

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The wedding music checklist

We'll be honest: There aren't a whole lot of well-designed wedding music checklists out there. But that doesn't mean it isn't an important part of the day. Little Things Favors has a no-frills checklist of songs you should have during your wedding reception.

More: 15 Meaningful, Not-at-All Cliché Quotes to Read at Weddings

The wedding emergency kit checklist

Imagine it's your wedding day, and something goes wrong. Instead of making your maid of honor make a quick trip to the nearest convenience store, have an emergency kit on hand. Premier Bridal Shows has exactly the checklist you need.

The wedding photos checklist

Once you've booked a wedding photographer, ensure you get every shot you need to remember the day for years to come. Bridebook has a fantastic list of wedding photos to capture.

The maid of honor checklist

What exactly does the maid of honor do? A lot! Wedding Forward has a handy maid of honor checklist detailing every essential duty.

The name-change checklist

For those of you interested in changing your last name, we found a bonus checklist for you. Something Turquoise has a name-change checklist to help you take those post-wedding day next steps.

Other than reading about the occasional Kegel, many of us don't spend much time thinking about our pelvic health, but we really should. You probably have questions you didn't even realize you had. How common is pelvic pain? What's the difference between "squirting" and just peeing a little? What can be done to rehab your pelvic floor after giving birth? Dr. Susie Gronski, physical therapist and certified pelvic rehabilitation practitioner answers all your burning questions.

Gronski isn't an M.D. or gynecologist — she describes herself as a "physiotherapist for your privates," training both women and men on how to be their own expert in treating whatever's going on "down there."

SheKnows: What don’t you do?

Susie Gronski: If you’ve got something more than muscle-based pain like smelly ejaculate, blood in your urine, weird lumps and bumps that just popped outta nowhere, fever or chills, go see an M.D. They’re the guys who do all the blood tests and scans to make sure nothing more serious is going on.

More: You Should Know a Thing Or Two About Squirting

SK: What can you tell us about "squirting"?

SG: First, the name is misleading — it isn’t [an] über amount, so it isn’t super-wet like we see in porn. Authentic female ejaculate is a mixture of diluted urine and prostate-like fluid. It is created by a tiny little gland next to your urethra... when fluid comes out of the vagina during intercourse.

SK: How can you tell if its urine or prostate fluid?

SG: Other than checking the amount, you can do a smell test. If it smells like pee, it is pee. And a third option —that I don't advise unless you check with you doc first — is to test with AZO urine strips.

SK: Do you think this recent obsession with “squirting” is in anyway tied to the porn industry? Has anyone contacted you asking about it?

SG: I have only had one woman ask about it virtually, but I believe that is because some people think that a large amount of fluid is normal. I think I would have more questions if people were more comfortable asking these types of questions.

SK: I have heard you mention coital incontinence before. I know incontinence means unintentional urinating or defecating. From what we discussed, coital incontinence is often mistaken for female ejaculate. How are they different and what is it?

SG: It is likely coital incontinence if it is a large amount. There are two kinds of coital incontinence: leaking during orgasm and leaking during penetration. When it happens during orgasm, it’s associated with overactive bladder. In other words, the bladder is contracting during orgasm, which leads to incontinence.

More: The Orgasm Shot That Upgraded My Sex Life

SK: Other than coital incontinence, what are signs that you could be having pelvic health issues?

SG: If you have any pain in the butt, hip or abdomen, you need to need to check on the state of your pelvis. Other surprising signs include painful periods, frequent peeing and constipation.

SK: Oh wow, I thought a lot of those issues were common.

SG: Common yes, normal no. And also, if you have persistent genital arousal syndrome.

SK: How common is pelvic pain?

Pelvic pain affects 1 in 7 women. Up to 20 percent of women experience pelvic pain at some point in their lives. You can treat this and other issues with pelvic floor therapy.

SK: What is pelvic floor therapy?

SG: In a nutshell, pelvic floor therapy helps with issues such as incontinence, constipation, pain with intercourse, pre- and postnatal care, post-surgical scarring and so much more.

SK: What are some other signs that someone needs pelvic floor therapy?

SG: Dyspareunia, which is pain during/after intercourse; vulvar or labial pain; painful periods; abdominal pain; tailbone pain; pain with sitting; groin pain; frequent urinary tract infections; pain during bowel movements or constipation. Common yes, normal no. And also pain or difficulty with orgasm/persistent genital arousal disorder... PGAD.

SK: What is PGAD?

SG: It's pretty much hypersexuality without sexual intention (with or without orgasm). A lot of women who have it experience multiple unstimulated orgasms, and they’re painful.

SK: Oh, that sounds rough. What happens when you don’t orgasm?

SG: Lack of orgasm means the blood flow doesn’t get the chance to return, and if the blood flow does not return you are not getting rid of toxins.

SK: Are there any other benefits from orgasms?

SG: Yes! They release feel-good hormones, help with sleep, fight congestion, helps with memory and cognitive function, improves relationships and helps with confidence.

More: 7 Lousy Reasons Women Aren't Achieving Orgasms

SK: How common is PGAD?

SG: We aren’t really sure yet. It’s still a developing area of research in the medical community. I’m hoping we get to learn more soon.

SK: How much of that do you think is because some women don’t talk sex?

SG: Good question. In order to do the research, you have to have test subjects. And in order to have subjects, we have to have a sample of women who are comfortable discussing these topics.

We don’t know exact rates, but I am fairly certain it is underreported — culture and sometimes religious beliefs influence women's perspective of speaking on these topics.

SK: What causes urinary incontinence?

SG: A weak or overly tight pelvic floor. Many factors like birthing children, activities and menopausal stage.

SK: So, does age directly influence coital incontinence and/or urinary incontinence?

SG: Not really. It’s more that your muscle integrity changes when your estrogen levels drop. The drop in estrogen causes thin, weak pelvic floor muscles. Thinner muscles mean less control. However, you are at a substantially higher risk for coital incontinence if you have incontinence with other daily activities such as running, sneezing or laughing.

SK: Since estrogen changes are hormonal, what can be done to combat menopause-related issues?

SG: Exercise is the No. 1 way to treat a lot of these issues. Also, stress management helps a lot and hormone replacement therapy can be used for more urgent cases.

SK: So many of these issues seem so common!

SG: As I said before, these things are common, but not normal. Vaginal deliveries stretch not just the vagina but the bladder and the urethra. Everything in your body has changed and it is important to rehab theses areas. You would go to rehab if you were in an accident that limited your mobility, so why not get rehab postpartum, you know?

SK: Speaking of hormone therapy, how can we keep these issues in mind when working with transgender individuals? Does an increase in gender-affirming surgeries relate to these topics?

Yes! Definitely! After gender-affirming surgery it is particularly important to learning how to reconnect with your areas.

You will have to rehabilitate have those muscles, and those of us in my profession have the ability to teach them how to relearn and be comfortable with their bodies. I believe it is important for health care providers to address the needs of all people. I am doing what I can to help that population as best as possible.

A version of this article was originally published in January 2017.

My cat begins her day like Simba, surveying her territory, and is purringly content that all she sees will one day be hers — if it isn’t already. As she looks out over what seems to be her kingdom, I can't help but wonder what she's seeing.

Is the world more or less colorful, more or less full of tiny details? Does she see the world differently than I do? What does the world look like to cats? Thankfully, scientists have the answers to my questions.

More: 25 Random Cat Behaviors Finally Explained

Cats have a broader range of vision

Cats literally have a broader worldview than their humans. We see 180 degrees, they see 200. I can only assume that those extra 20 degrees let them see a world where cats are the supreme beings and we are merely their lowly caretakers.

Cats can see color, just not much

We earn some points when it comes to color, however. Thanks to the higher number of cones in our retinas, we see more colors than cats. That is not to say that cats cannot see in color, only that the colors we see are more saturated, whereas the colors they see are comparable to a person who is color-blind. In other words, while you are concentrating on matching your wardrobe or distracted by a beautiful blue sky, your cat is plotting world domination.

More: 11 Things Your Cat Would Definitely Tell You If He Could

Your cat may need glasses to drive

You might think that mighty hunters like cats would have better visual acuity than humans, but you would be wrong. On average, we have 20/20 vision, while cats have between 20/100 to 20/200. This makes sense when you think about their lifestyle, however. They are far more focused on what is right in front of them — namely their owners, who may or may not be opening a can of fresh wet food, and unsuspecting prey.

More: 12 Surprising (And Sometimes Creepy) Signs That Your Cat Doesn't Actually Hate You

Awesome night vision

My theory is that it all boils down to what happens after dark. While you are dependent on lights, cats roam the darkness doing who knows what thanks to the high number of rods in their retinas.

Plus, cats understand physics

Now that you know what the world looks like to cats, let me throw you a curve ball. Not only is your cat super-focused on its immediate surroundings, undistracted by bright colors and enjoying extra peripheral vision, but they may also understand simple rules of physics according to a study by researchers from Kyoto University in Japan.

Cats understand cause and effect. They can make logical connections based on sound, which is probably how they predict where prey might hide, and it also has disturbing connotations for owners. Yes, it is possible that your cat really did mean to trip you.

World domination aside, the most startling difference between how cats see the world and how we do is how little difference there actually is. Sure, we can see farther and with more color, and they can see better in the dark, but for the most part, the world looks fairly similar. Which means I'll have to go back to the drawing board if I really want to figure out why my cat rules the roost.

A version of this article was originally published in February 2017.

This Is Us fans are clearly still struggling to grapple with Jack Pearson's emotional death on the series. They're looking for any possible way for this all to have been a bad dream or something equally reversible, because they just need Jack back, damn it.

More: Now That We Know How Jack Dies, This Is Us Is Fast-Forwarding Things

One fan seems to have come up with the perfect plan, but it involves time travel and a pretty unexpected TV crossover. But more and more fans are on board and want to see Grey's Anatomy's Dr. April Kepner somehow appear in the This Is Us universe to save Jack from the smoke inhalation complications that killed him.

The theory started with one fan, who tweeted, "It's too bad Kepner wasn't #ThisIsUs Jack's physician bc she definitely wouldn't have missed his smoke inhalation," tagging Sarah Drew, who plays April Kepner on the show.

More: You Need to See Sterling K. Brown's Historic Golden Globes Win & Speech

And Drew is totally on board for this.

"I was just thinking that when i watches that episode!! Brought me back to when April first got fired," she wrote, referring to when April was just an intern on the show and got fired because she missed checking for smoke inhalation in a patient who had been in a fire — the exact same thing that happened to Jack on This Is Us.

Fans are into the theory because anything that will bring Jack back is a good thing. Though some of them are advocating for a different Grey's doctor considering April's history.

More: Toby Is Actually a Great This Is Us Character — Here's Why

Someone introduce Dan Fogelman to Shonda Rhimes, and let's make this happen!

Prince William is no stranger to leading a busy life. When he's not traveling the world representing the United Kingdom or talking to kids about harmful social media habits, he's doing everything he can to keep his wife, Duchess Catherine, and their two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, happy. How does he do that, you ask? Well, aside from ordering plenty of takeout from his family's favorite restaurants, William tries to make sure he's well-rested enough to keep the peace.

"Our third child is due in April, I'm getting as much sleep as I can," Elle reports Prince William said at the Centrepoint Awards at Kensington Palace last Friday.

More: A Look at Prince William's Life in Photos

According to Elle, the comment prompted someone to ask if he and his wife would ever hope for twins. Without missing a beat, he reportedly laughed, "I think my mental health would be tested with twins."

Many parents of twins would concur; having two newborns who both need your love and care and time can be quite a struggle (though those parents would likely tell you every moment was worth it). Hey, if American "royalty" Beyoncé can spearhead relief efforts in Texas and headline Coachella while still parenting toddler Blue Ivy and newborn twins, Rumi and Sir, we're sure the British royals could find a way to manage.

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

"Two is fine; I don't know how I'm going to cope with three," Prince William continued. "I'm going to be permanently tired."

The Duchess of Cambridge has also been trying to get her rest; she's been battling hyperemesis gravidarum, a debilitating form of morning sickness that briefly forced her into bed rest.

More: People Are Actually Shaming Kate Middleton for Her 3rd Pregnancy — WTF?

Though the royal parents certainly have some challenging nights ahead of them, we're confident they'll handle all the ups and downs with grace. Or at least Boss Charlotte will.

I honestly can't think of a better way to begin the week than by celebrating the Obamas. They may not be in the White House any longer, but that doesn't mean they cannot continue to reign supreme in their day-to-day lives.

More: Barack Obama Gave Michelle the Perfect Birthday Gift, Because Obviously

Take, for instance, the fact that their greatness was celebrated on a Monday, a notoriously tough day because it's the beginning of the workweek. The only thing that could cure my case of the Mondays (especially on the dreaded week of Valentine's Day) was the fact that the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery unveiled their new portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama.

Barack's portrait, which shows the former president sitting on a wooden chair surrounded by lush, exotic florals (including Chicago's unofficial flower, the chrysanthemum and a flower pointing in the direction of Hawaii, Obama's birthplace), was done by celebrated artist Kehinde Wiley, while Michelle's portrait, which depicts her looking regal in a black and white gown with splash of hot pink, yellow and red in front of a sky-blue backdrop, was done by Amy Sherald. The portraits are, in a word, stunning.

More: Prince Harry & Michelle Obama Gave a School of Kids the Best Halloween Surprise

While at the unveiling ceremony, People magazine reported that Michelle seemed very happy with her portrait, remarking that she felt "overwhelmed, humbled, proud and grateful" upon seeing it. Michelle also recalled her first meeting with Sherald, who seemed so excited to meet the former first lady. Before departing, "[Sherald] physically turned to me and said, ‘I’m really hoping we can work together,’" Michelle recalled during her remarks. "After that, she and I started talking and Barack kind of faded into the woodwork," she continued, noting that she and Sherald instantly had a "sista-girl connection" as they began to work more closely together.

More: Michelle Obama Shaded President Trump Without Even Saying His Name

The portraits are so, so stunning and are (to our knowledge, at least) the second pair of official portraits that the Obamas have had made for them, far brighter and more fun and representative of their spirit than those stuffy White House portraits. It's so nice that we get to have yet another way to celebrate the Obamas. With some fine (emphasis on fine) art.

Silas Timberlake, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel's 2-year-old son, doesn't have to wait until that awkward 4th-grade class to start learning sex ed. Biel says she and Timberlake prefer to teach 'em young — and why not?

“We’re using technical terms… we shower together, and [we say], ‘This is what I’ve got. This is what you’ve got.’ We just talk about it. I know it’s really young, but I really believe that if you start this early, there’s no shame,” Jessica Biel said at the 2018 Makers Conference in Los Angeles this week.

More: Swoon! Justin Timberlake Posts Adorable New Photo of Baby Silas

Biel and Timberlake, like so many parents, want to destigmatize the human body when talking with their son. And they hope that by starting these talks early, they'll be able to.

“I don’t want to tell him, ‘Keep your private parts,’ and this and that,” Biel continued. “It’s a beautiful thing. You have it and mine is different and it’s cool, man. We have to respect ourselves and respect each other. So I believe it starts really young.”

More: Justin Timberlake Sweats Off Thanksgiving With Son Silas's Help

Also at the Makers conference, Biel discussed a hilarious PSA video she made with comedian Chelsea Handler, encouraging women to get to know their bodies shame-free. Biel has admitted she doesn't believe she's an expert on sexual health; she told People she's “still learning too” and is “always trying to have a higher sexual IQ.” Girl, aren't we all. We're so glad little Silas is starting that learning curve young.

In my humble opinion, Jennifer Aniston deserves nothing but the best on her birthday. The woman can do it all and does indeed do it all, so why shouldn't she be treated like the very special human she is as she turns one year older? As such, I was very happy to learn Aniston got what I can only imagine was her only birthday wish on Feb. 12 when she was able to ring in her 49th birthday with her friends by her side at her friend's home in Malibu. Sounds pretty lush, right? But what if I told you there was a mini Friends reunion at this very casual birthday hang because the person who hosted the party is not only Aniston's friend, but in fact a former Friends star? That kinda makes this whole birthday party sound a whole lot better.

More: All the Times Jennifer Aniston Rejected Society's Rules

Even though Aniston's actual birthday is on Feb. 11, she and her pals had a cute little get-together the day after that looked very chill, and even better, the birthday party was hosted by one Courteney Cox. Yeah, that's right: just a casual birthday party where both Monica and Rachel were hanging out and basking in the glory of their friends. You guys, I can't even deal right now.

One of Aniston's friends, Aleen Keshishian, posted an adorable Instagram of Aniston, Cox and the rest of their friend group posing outside for a photo to remember the good times, and gosh, everyone looks so radiant. Note to self: Plan all your birthdays to happen in Malibu. Keshishian captioned the photo with a sweet, simple message, saying, "#happybirthday to my sister from another mother #jenniferaniston [heart emoji] u so much!"

More: Jennifer Aniston's BFFs Got Together & Argued Over Who the Best Friend Is

Aniston not only got to hang out with her longtime friends and former Friends costar, but she also got a birthday shoutout from Reese Witherspoon on Instagram. The two first worked together way back in the day on this hit '90s TV show and are preparing to work together again on a new show about morning television hosts that was picked up by Apple.

Witherspoon posted a screen-cap of the pair from their Friends days and posted an equally sweet birthday message: "Happy Birthday to my work sister #JenniferAniston!! Wishing you a day filled with lots of love and laughter! #HBD."

More: Jennifer Aniston Confirms She's #TeamRoss, Sorry #TeamJoey

I don't know about you, but it kinda feels like Aniston got the best for her birthday. Don't you think?

Everybody loves it when two favorite characters start a romantic relationship on a show. But relationships that hinge on platonic love or sometimes even dislike — brothers and sisters, mentors and mentees, older and younger — are just as good IMO. So let’s celebrate those people who go to the mat for one another and never make us wonder, "Will they or won't they?" These are some of the TV relationships we revel in week after week.

The Antagonists: Penny Hofstadter & Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory

Don't tell Dr. Sheldon Cooper, but the girl who never graduated college is really his best sparring partner. We're talking about Penny, folks — the very Penny who started out the series as bubble-headed as Three’s Company’s Chrissy. She's the only character who has never been in awe of Sheldon’s accomplishments. And while everyone gets their barbs in at Sheldon from time to time, it's Penny’s insistence on loving him despite his low opinion of her that makes her a complex foil.

More: The Big Bang Theory Finally Reveals the Psychology Behind Sheldon's Behavior

The Team: Eleven & the boys, Stranger Things

What kind of friends can fight off a demogorgon yet still collectively not realize nobody else is dressing up for Halloween at school this year? The best kind! Will, Mike, Lucas and Dustin may have been friends so long they don’t remember meeting, but Eleven came to this group as a fully (well, almost fully) functioning human. Their willingness to accept her into their ranks and help her — defying parents, school, the town and the lab in the process — cemented them into that special kind of group that’s found in childhood and can last a lifetime.

The Coworkers: Meredith Grey & Alex Karev, Grey’s Anatomy

Meredith and Alex are the only two remaining from the original class of Grey’s Anatomy interns, and the bond these two have built is something special. They’re more than friends or colleagues, less than partners or spouses and somewhere in that sweet spot of being — well, of being each other’s person. Alex has made the journey from a self-absorbed playboy to a caring pediatric surgeon despite a near miss with jail. Meredith has climbed ever higher on the career ladder even as her private world caved in. They're the kind of friends who can be searingly honest and love you just the same.

The Brothers: Sam & Dean Winchester, Supernatural

Nothing bonds a family like sticking together through tough times, and the Winchester brothers have seen more than their share. As paranormal hunters, the two have literally seen hell together and still manage to come out cracking wise. Their supportive on-screen relationship also continues off-screen, where their openness and joy with fans has earned them one of the biggest fandoms around.

More: Grey's Anatomy Is About to Change Thanks to This Former One Tree Hill Star

The Inseparable Comic Relief: Jack McFarland & Karen Walker, Will & Grace

Rarely have two sidekicks teamed up to such great effect as Jack and Karen, the friends of friends who became their own crazy entity. Their catty comedy was so entrenched in our culture it was — sorry Will and Grace — the thing we missed most when the series ended its run. Their unleashed id is best served up in small doses, though, so bringing back the entire foursome for a series revival was just what we needed.

The Unexpected Friends: Grace & Frankie, Grace & Frankie

As two women in their 70s who are thrown together after their husbands come out as lovers, Grace and Frankie share a sarcasm and innocence that is reminiscent of Beaches. These are ladies who have had it all, and now know how fragile “it” is, whether that’s love, money or even life. Their relationship is the kind that wasn’t planned and leaves room for the unexpected. They lean on one another’s strengths and find ways to confront the weaknesses with a humor and honesty that only grows with age and respect.

The Roommates: Sherlock Holmes & John Watson, Sherlock

We’ve all known that one person who we defend even when we know we shouldn’t. They’re rude, arrogant, insufferable or, in the case of Sherlock Holmes, all that and more. As his roommate and assistant, Watson is the buffer that enables Sherlock to get along in life, but he also cares for the crusty genius. Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays Sherlock, has said that in the 21st century, it’s rare to see a couple — regardless of gender — who can’t be potential love interests, but the fact that it’s completely platonic for these two is part of the charm.

The Enemies: Jaime Lannister & Brienne of Tarth, Game of Thrones

We never expected to like a Lannister. But Jaime’s journey with Brienne showed us glimpses of honor that continued to grow into a part of his character. Her respect for herself and her job kept him alive. His respect for her as a woman lost him a hand but also gained him a place in our hearts. Since they’re still opponents in this epic chess match, we long for the scenes they play together while desperately hoping there is a way for both of them to end up winners.

The Siblings: Kate, Kevin & Randall Pearson, This Is Us

Rarely has a show found such an inventive way to bring three characters together and place them on a level playing field. Watching the way they each respond to their identical upbringing brings out varying degrees of support for their choices. But take the three of them together, and we universally root for them as a team. We want the big three to succeed as much as Jack did, may he rest in peace.

More: Beth Is the Most Important Character in This Is Us

The Angel & the Demon: Good Janet & Michael, The Good Place

They’re technically a robot and a demon but who’s keeping track? While Michael represents everything we hope we never encounter, Janet is the person we all wish we had in our life. She is from The Good Place, which gives us a little glimpse of the joyful place the main characters are trying to find. And he is a demon who’s hiding his soft spot from his torture-happy boss. They’re the yin and yang that define the boundaries of the characters' lives and create one bizarrely delightful little comedy.

The Mothers: Madeline Mackenzie & Jane Chapman, Big Little Lies

Brought together by children in the same class at school, Madeline and Jane became the windows through which we filtered the rest of the action in Monterey last season. Renata, because of her prickly interactions with Madeline, became a villain. Celeste, who welcomed Jane, was clearly a friend. It was refreshing that no matter how different their bank accounts, Madeline’s mothering instinct saw something in Jane and welcomed her with open arms.

Hall of fame

I can’t leave this list without mentioning some of the great relationships of shows past. Let’s be thankful for streaming services that allow us to continue enjoying these bromances, families and friends whenever we want.

• Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson, Parks and Rec  — This was one of the best portrayals of mutual respect and even admiration between two people who couldn’t be more different.
• Shawn Spencer and Burton "Gus" Guster, Psych  — Combining a quippy weird guy with a long-suffering friend is nothing new for Hollywood. But Shawn and Gus kept the trope fresh with a lifetime’s worth of memories, catchphrases and affection.
• Rory and Lorelai Gilmore, Gilmore Girls  — There’s never been a sweeter mom-daughter duo. We all wanted to join these two for their coffee and just try to keep up with the conversation.
• John "J.D." Dorian and Christopher Turk, Scrubs — It’s rare to find someone you can work with and still want to go home to at the end of the day. J.D. and Turk set the standard for the modern bromance. Sorry, “guy love.”

• Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, Breaking Bad — Sometimes friends, sometimes enemies, always riveting.
• Troy Barnes and Abed Nadir, Community — The two goofballs of Greendale made us long for that one friend who loves us for, not in spite of, our eccentricity. The one with whom you speak your own language and love all the same quirky things. Nobody is odd when they have that one friend.

Most people have experienced the inconvenience and annoyance of head pain. Skipping our morning coffee, stress, dehydration — any one of these may lead to that thump thump thump in the midafternoon or right as we're trying to fall asleep. But the next time one strikes, proceed with caution before mumbling something like "Gosh, this migraine is driving me crazy."

Unfortunately, migraine is a chronic condition and one that's often misunderstood by many people who don't live with it day in and day out. And the No. 1 thing people should know? Migraine is a very different experience than that afternoon headache you may get because of caffeine withdrawal. Often mistaken for a minor problem, migraine is actually a neurological disorder that affects the biology of someone's brain and how it functions. Migraine is a singular condition — instead of migraines — because it's always there and not just a series of attacks.

More: 8 Foods That Just Might Trigger a Migraine

It can be debilitating. It can be disorienting. And it may impact every aspect of a person’s life. Even when they aren’t experiencing an attack, they are worried about when the next one might hit. That's why a new campaign called Speak Your Migraine is giving a voice to people living with migraine and trying to shake the stigma by asking people to speak out about what it's really like to live with this neurological disorder. You can check out the Speak Your Migraine Facebook page for more info and share your own experience.

In the meantime, we asked 11 women to share, and here's what they wish everyone understood about living with migraine.

1. We hate canceling plans

"If we cancel plans at the last second, it's not because we want to. Something better didn't come up, we aren't being lazy, we don't mean to be unreliable. We want to be there. We just can't. And it may happen pretty often." —Sarah J.

2. Migraine can affect your entire life

"Migraine can affect your entire life. You constantly fear that a new symptom will become permanent as you stutter and slur through a conversation... It can be a lifelong disability." —Robyn C.

3. We are not exaggerating

"Of course, certain triggers can make it worse or cause an episode, but attacks are not my fault, and I am not exaggerating when I describe them. They cause me severe pain, nausea, inability to find common words, inability to drive and inability to think clearly." —Ann P.

4. We'll do anything to avoid an attack

"I avoid things that I would probably love because of fear that my body is going to — once again — let me down." —Jena L.

5. Migraine is mentally and physically exhausting

"I'm not making my symptoms more dramatic than they are. I genuinely feel mentally and physically exhausted before, during and after an attack." —Wendy C.

6. Migraine takes up a lot of time — too much time

"I get overwhelmed when I think of how much of my life I've lost to migraine. Hours and hours lying in bed, in a dark room, waiting desperately for the pain to stop. Added up, it must be years." —Lisa P.

7. Sometimes you know one is coming — even if you don't have it yet

"I experience aura, so I get about 45 minutes warning. Sometimes I sob during the aura because I know what’s coming in less than an hour." —Michelle F.

8. It can take days to recover

"Oftentimes, migraine attacks are a process. I can feel one coming, but not being able to stop it, I hurry to get what I need done before it hits me (work, child care, canceling plans). It can last hours or days, and then I may need anywhere from one to three more days to fully recover." —Kim B.

9. Attacks are scary

"I'm scared. Scared to drive my car, scared it will affect my career, scared the pain will never stop. You may think I am weak, but I'm not. I'm fighting harder than you can imagine every day just to be here." —Sue P.

10. Everyone experiences migraine differently

"Each person has a different experience, different symptoms, different things that are hard for them, different things that help. But sometimes we're all thrown together into one big bin under the same diagnosis. Don't assume that because you know someone with migraine, or because you yourself have migraine, that you know exactly what a different person's experience will be like." —Sam B.

11. It's a whole-body experience

"There are a lot of other symptoms besides just head pain, such as nausea, exhaustion, light and sound becoming painful, visual distortions like flashing and spots and even slurring of speech. The pain is also much worse than people imagine." —Lola P.

This post was sponsored by Amgen and Novartis. USA-334-059708

As parents, it can feel like we're expected to abide by certain unwritten rules. Many of these "rules" are just common sense — but it is also healthy to challenge commonplace parenting ideas every once in a while. For one thing, it's about time we reconsidered — even did away with — the term “kid-friendly," especially when it concerns family travel.

When you see an ad for a kid-friendly travel destination, the scene is always the same: Jubilant kids are playing in a colorful, artificially constructed, totally fun playground environment. Clean-cut, über-friendly staff members are dancing and playing with the kids. Parents are lounging on the sidelines, clinking their cocktails and reveling in the respite from trying to keep their kids entertained. This is all well and good, but it has absolutely nothing to do with traveling to and spending time in Mexico (or Florida or Jamaica or Indonesia or you name it), which you would need to do in order to achieve this scene. You've essentially been sold a sanitized experience for your kids and a glorified date night for parents.

You might be visualizing some sort of Disney vacation here, but my intention is not to knock Disney specifically. Rather, the idea is to challenge the whole ethos surrounding what has been commonly sold and marketed as "the kid-friendly vacation experience" and to ensure parents understand what may be lost by restricting family travel to such destinations.

More: The Best Kid-Friendly Hikes in the U.S.

In short, a place does not have to be kid-specific or even marketed as kid-friendly to be appropriate — or better yet valuable — for humans under age 18. There is a way for parents to expose their children to authentic and uncensored experiences of new people, foods and cultures around the world.

Visiting new cities and countries provides kids with a unique learning experience that cannot be duplicated in the classroom. For example, when I took my kids on a 60-day road trip across the U.S., they engaged directly with historical exhibits on slavery in the South, the Founding Fathers in Virginia and early prisons in Philadelphia. Sure, much of this material may be taught to my kids eventually in school, but that will pale in comparison to their real-life experiences and interactions traveling the country themselves.

If you're lucky enough to have the time and money to take your kids on a trip, why would you take them to a homogenous, sugar-coated, "kid-friendly" resort that feels like it could be... absolutely anywhere?

Sure, a downtown bar with live music isn't marketed as kid-friendly, but who says it isn't kid-friendly? If kids are allowed in the door, guess what: It's kid-friendly. Some parents may feel uncomfortable at this thought (kids in a bar?!) but there can be great educational value in taking kids to certain places they may not otherwise see.

Another example: In Edinburgh, Scotland, I desperately wanted to take my kids (who were both under age 5) on a tour of the catacombs under the city. I called several different tour companies, but none would permit kids under age 13. Finally, we found a company that didn't have a strict age requirement — but it was a torture chamber museum tour. Yep, we all got to experience the catacombs and our kids got an early education on medieval history. I took my kids to a torture museum, and I see no problem with that whatsoever.

More: Families Who Gave It All Up to Travel the World (With Kids)

If you restrict your family travels to specifically kid-friendly vacation resorts, what are you missing? For one thing, the richness and authenticity of experiencing a real place with real history. By navigating a bustling city or a foreign country, kids will learn to adapt to new environments and appreciate the richness and diversity of life experiences in a variety of places. Their worldview will inevitably grow.

Second, if you keep your own entertainment separate from your kids’ entertainment by simply dropping them off at a resort's kids club, you will inevitably miss out on shared moments of discovery and adventure that so often occur naturally when you travel as a family. Why not plan an adventure with your kids? That way, you can engage in enjoyable activities together — such as dancing and listening to live music or visiting unique local museums and historical sites.

Of course, people travel for so many different reasons. Simply getting out of the house with your kids can have tangible benefits, improving family connectedness and even health. And if your travel goal is simply to escape the daily routine, that's great. But if your goal is the purposeful expanding of your kids' horizons, you are less likely to find that on a "kid-friendly" resort vacation.

More:  The Mom's Guide to Los Angeles

Ask yourself this: What do you really expect your kids to learn at an amusement park or any environment that's been constructed purely to deliver constant thrills and entertainment? Then ask yourself: What might those same kids learn by exploring the streets, sights and natural beauty of cities and towns all around the world — each with unique locals, languages, customs, foods and cultures?

I believe it's time we parents abandoned the notion of "kid-friendly" and instead embraced the infinite potential of experiences that exist in the real world. If you step outside that kid-friendly box, you'll likely discover a more rewarding and fulfilling travel experience — for you and your kids.

Countless articles for a successful marriage exist, spouting tips like "work as a team," "bond with each other," "play games together." The common theme: Simply spend more time together and invest in each other.

But here's one tip that goes against the grain: act single.

More: Sex Therapists Reveal Their Best Valentine’s Day Tips

According to The New York Times, a new study suggests that acting like a single person and cultivating the skills of "successful singlehood" can actually make for a more satisfying marriage.

In a study authored by Ohio State University sociologist Kristi Williams and professor and chair of the department of sociology at the University of Texas Debra Umberson, the problems experienced by divorced and widowed people may result from having relied too much on their spouse. In doing so, they've failed to maintain social networks and self-reliance.

The key to maintaining your self-reliance is something experts call social integration, and it really just means socializing more and with people other than your spouse. Spend time with family and friends. Participate in clubs, go to church, take part in a political organization or union — partake in some of your old single behaviors.

Maintaining your social network and widening your net of friends will prove beneficial to your marriage in so many ways.

"Happily married wives who experience conflicts in their marriage generally feel closer to their husbands when they can discuss and reframe the issues with a good friend," author Stephanie Coontz writes in the New York Times piece.

"‘You are my everything' is not the best recipe for a happy marriage," UCLA social psychologist Benjamin Karney tells Coontz. "Even the happiest couples have something to gain by nurturing relationships with people outside their marriage."

More: 5 Sex Positions to Try With Your Man on Valentine's Day

If you're looking to rekindle your relationship or just shake things up a bit, consider going on a double date this Valentine's Day. In an experiment for a paper published on Wiley Online Library, couples who went on a double date reported feeling even more romantic passion toward each other versus those who took part in a one-on-one date.

Dinner for four, please.

An eight-year-old court filing has re-surfaced accusing Michael Fassbender of violence against his ex-girlfriend, Sunawin "Leasi" Andrews, when the couple were still dating back in 2009. According to court documents, Fassbender was accused of breaking her nose and dragged her alongside his car, causing her multiple injuries. Andrews was awarded a restraining order against Fassbender in 2010.

More: Steve Jobs: The Real Story Behind Jobs & His Daughter Lisa

At the time the allegations were made, they didn't get a lot of public traction, even though they were reported by media outlets like TMZ. Fassbender was starring in multiple blockbusters at the time, The Daily Beast notes, which implies that Fassbender's star power may be behind this story's quick fade into the background — until now.

According to Andrews' filing (and graphically detailed in TMZ's March 2010 report), she was out for dinner with Fassbender one night, when he became upset because Andrews' ex-boyfriend stopped by their table to say hello. Fassbender started "drinking and became angry," Andrews wrote, and she says her friends followed her and Fassbender home to make sure she was okay. On the drive home, she noted, "Michael was driving my car dangerously fast and screaming at me. I begged him to stop the car in fear of an accident or for my children who were home asleep. As we got closer to my house I put my car in stop. Got out walked around the car to pull the key from the ignition. Michael drove of[f] dragging me along from the car."

Andrews said she went to a hospital 11 days after the incident, where she was treated for "a twisted left ankle, blown-out left kneecap, and a burst ovarian cyst."

She also detailed a separate incident after a film festival in July 2009, when she said she discovered Fassbender after a night of drinking and he became violent toward her. "He was sleeping in urine," she wrote. "I woke him and he began to be violent and threw me over a chair, breaking my nose."

More: Alicia Vikander & Michael Fassbender Are Having the Most Romantic Honeymoon

Andrews declined to comment on the resurfacing of these allegations, referring reporters to her written statements in the 2010 court filing. Fassbender, who has not faced any subsequent allegations of abuse and recently married his The Light Between Oceans costar Alicia Vikander in 2017, has not publicly commented. These nearly decade-old allegations were brought back into the public eye not only because they coincide with critical discussions being had about sexual assault and abuse, but also because, during a recent interview for Vogue, Vikander commented on her current state of "domestic bliss" with Fassbender, leading to The Daily Beast's reopening of the allegations against Fassbender, ostensibly to provide contrasting context about Fassbender's behavior with his romantic partners.

While they were growing up, Michael Jackson's kids lived pretty sheltered lives. They were homeschooled, wore masks when taken in public and kept away from the eyes of the paparazzi that followed their famous father. To his credit, Jackson did everything he could to give them as normal a childhood as possible considering he was one of the most famous pop stars the world has ever seen.

More: Listening to Paris Jackson Sing Is Like Listening to Michael Jackson

Since his death, though, his older children, Paris and Prince Jackson, have moved more into the public eye, mostly via their social media accounts. And now, on Prince's birthday, Paris has used Instagram to once again share some very rare home movie footage of herself and her big brother from when they were younger.

In the caption, she wrote to Prince in an emotional tribute peppered with some of her favorite childhood memories with him.

"My dearest brother," she wrote. "I could fly to the moon and back a thousand times and the distance still wouldn’t amount to how much I adore you. I’ve always looked up to you, and to this day you’re still the greatest role model I could ever hope for."

More: Paris & Prince Jackson Spent the Weekend Together at a Family Wedding

She continued, "I miss these days where we could wrestle and I’d still have a chance at winning, though. I miss playing Hot Wheels and My Little Pony with you, I miss fighting like pirates and trying to cast spells with our Harry Potter wands. I miss the Saturdays where we would sleep in and eat porridge and OJ and watch [G]argoyles and [T]ransformers (and sometimes cartoons in Arabic?), and staying up late listening to you tell us wild bedtime stories that always had a crazy twist at the end."

She ended her message with an emotional happy birthday, writing, "You’ve always been my best friend in the whole wide universe and I’m so lucky to have you in my life. I couldn’t have wished for our friendship to turn out any better... You’re the most fun, genuine, determined and hilarious person I know. And it makes my soul happy to know that I can always count on you, and no matter where we are in the world and in life, my home is with you and the little guy. I love you so much, gooko. I’m so proud of you. Happy birthday."

More: Paris Jackson Takes Naked Selfie to Promote Body Positivity

The video shows Paris and Prince dancing and wrestling. It sounds like Michael is behind the camera, laughing at their antics and encouraging them to dance. They're clearly best friends in the video, and Paris' heartwarming message shows nothing has changed.

Charlize Theron has always been a feminist, but these days, she's much less apologetic about it. The actor, who has long been an outspoken advocate of equal pay for male and female actors, sat down at Los Angeles' Geffen Playhouse with Nelson Mandela's grandson, Kweku Mandela, to talk about the late activist's legacy. While chatting, the conversation eventually turned to Theron's own work to advance the rights and opportunities of women.

More: 27 Best Golden Globes Looks of All Time

During the conversation, Theron admitted that in the past, she felt like she had to apologize for being outspoken, and that was a patriarchal belief that she had to let go of.

"I’m proud to say that I am a fucking feminist," she said from the stage. "I remember always saying being a feminist meant a different thing to everybody. And I would apologize for it. And I had to ask, why was that? Why couldn't I just say, 'Yes, I’m a feminist?'"

More: Charlize Theron & Sean Penn Have an Awkward Day at Cannes

Theron is right. The idea of feminism is pretty simple, though many people have a skewed view of what it actually is. In the simplest possible terms, feminists believe that women should have all the same rights and opportunities as men. That's nothing anyone should be apologizing for, and Theron is right to say it proudly.

In her talk with Mandela, she also discussed working on The Huntsman: Winter's War and asking to receive the same pay as her costar, Chris Hemsworth, which became another exercise in adjusting her thinking because, she said, she felt "lucky" at the time to receive the same pay as him.

"No, I didn’t feel lucky," she said. "I deserved that and I asked for it."

More: 11 Female Actors Who Do Their Own Stunts

It's something all people need to realize and internalize: Women have the same worth as men, and it's about time that was recognized.

For some people, a little dirty talk is just what they need to get in the mood. But for others, this goes beyond partners describing what they will (or won't) do to them in bed — they are also turned on by being humiliated. This is also something I do professionally.

Verbal belittlement is a consensual psychological form of humiliation that creates a rise in excitement for both the top and the bottom. Erotic humiliation fetishes are the most popular among submissives. This form of humiliation is typically done in private and falls under the BDSM umbrella, meaning a safe word is always recommended.

Though they are typically considered the same thing, humiliation and degradation are actually quite different. Humiliation affects an individual mentally — by name-calling a body part or making fun of someone’s size. Cuckolding, for example, is a form of degradation because it’s a more public act, where the world sees the individual as less than.

More: 10 Erotic Podcasts You Need to Download Right Now

Sexual stimulation is often but not always the result of verbal humiliation. The power dynamics built up by two people can mature into a master-slave relationship, top-bottom or a dominant-submissive.

Humiliation play is also typically fostering a type of fetish. For example, with a foot fetish, the dominant may instruct that the submissive wash, clean or massage the dominant’s feet while verbal humiliation is occurring. The two linked humiliating acts can cause arousal.

Being a lazy domme, it’s enjoyable to strike a fetish without physically striking anyone. I don’t consider myself a dominatrix, but more of a humiliatrix. Men quite literally pay me to be mean to them. I don’t send nude photos. I mostly send (depending on their fetish) photos of my feet, videos of my boots, or simply my face where I demand a certain task for the day.

My submissives don’t talk back to me. I’m not a switch when it comes to verbal humiliation. I enjoy the way the words fall out of my mouth, and I enjoy their reactions. In my personal life, I’m also introducing verbal humiliation into the bedroom — but on a mild, less derogatory level.

In my personal experience, men find my videos of hypnosis and verbal humiliation enough for their erotic needs. This is a form of sexual role-play in the BDSM scene and can include financial domination or simply cashing in for custom videos.

So what are some specifics of verbal humiliation? The people behind the website Life on the Swingset explain that "verbal humiliation can mean the use of words like slut or whore; being mocked, ridiculed or have appearance belittled; use of racial or ethnic slurs; asking permission to eat, to go to the bathroom or to have an orgasm; not allowing sub to leave the dungeon or house; treated like a pet or an object; being treated or scolded like a child; made to use honorifics such as Master, Mistress, Sir, Ma’am or Daddy." Another example would be using demeaning language with the sub either in a forced feminization, a pet play or slave scene.

In my personal practice, I refuse to use racial or ethnic slurs and I steer away from feminizing my clients, as I don’t view being feminine as a derogatory thing. For each individual, these preferences may change but since it is something that I implement into my professional world, I make the rules (quite literally).

Why verbal humiliation?

Like with physical pain, humiliation is able to stimulate an area of the brain that also remembers social rewards. Since pleasure begins in the brain, the fantasy of verbal humiliation sparks something arousing in the mind when it’s brought into a scene.

A former University of Toronto psychology student, David de Jong, found that 50 percent of women found talking during sex, particularly talking dirty, to be “either strongly or extremely enjoyable.”

Sexual humiliation can be a lifestyle or a BDSM scene. Role-play is a common type of humiliation, which is where language can provide a great environment for your scene. For some people, being inside your mind is a great way to achieve an orgasm, especially when it’s accompanied by another fantasy or fetish.

Humiliatrix, Betty Pickles describes it as “the same kind of anxiety rush you get from going on a roller coaster.” It’s sort of awful, but you love it.

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How to include verbal humiliation in your sex life

First, make sure everyone involved is consenting. Ego reduction is a way to achieve humiliation play. Begin with ease — don’t dive into calling your partner every awful name you can think of saying to them. Before you begin, also make sure to create a list of off-limit phrases to ensure everyone is comfortable.

It’s difficult to explain what can be humiliating or not, as it varies for each individual. One person’s humiliation fantasy may not be another’s.

How to get started

I would suggest starting with small talk — quick phrases, humiliating words — just to test the waters in the beginning. If you would like, text your partner or send them short videos to understand your language better before bringing it into the bedroom.

Another way to to begin erotic humiliation is to compliment them while embracing them. Like my suggested phrase above, you are stating that they do give you pleasure and they do satisfy you, but their satisfaction is unnecessary.

Basic dirty talk can also be implemented into the scene. Cursing and calling body parts derogatory terms is a way to turn on a submissive. A phrase like, “You’re my toy and my satisfaction is all that matters,” is an easy, not-so-humiliating way to open up the dialogue. Once you understand what your partner wants, you can begin to find words and phrases that turn them on. Moreover, what do you want? It’s important to also arouse yourself by the way the words sound in your mouth.

Talking to or scolding your submissive like a child or commanding them to confirm your actions are various ways to be experimental with arousal via language.

Another important characteristic is how you deliver the sentence. Whispering, yelling, growling, laughing and angrily talking to them can change the tone of the entire scene. For many submissives, laughing at their body or making fun of their performance is a great way to give them what they want. Like anything, verbal humiliation takes practice.

More: 6 Things Uncomfortable Sex Can Signify

Use a thesaurus, learn some phrases, and seek out erotic verbal humiliation. Always make sure to pick up on any cues from a submissive and gauge reactions while also creating a comfort level for yourself. Don’t cross any boundaries and remember to establish a safe word and proper trust between one another.

The more enjoyable you find verbal humiliation, the more humiliating it will be. When you think or worry too much about what should be said, you lose the freedom of speaking fluidly. You’re going to stumble around at first; remember to laugh at yourself too.

By S. Nicole Lane