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23 Adorable Stuffed Animals You Can Make for Your Kids

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Do you, like us, have that one stuffed toy from your childhood that you cherish and will never stop loving? Maybe you want your own kids to experience that feeling too. If you're at all into DIY, why not give a gift with meaning by creating an adorable stuffed animal yourself? These patterns are perfect for crafting something special for a little someone. And the best part is they cost from a few dollars to, well, free.

Sure, kids love getting the latest store-bought toy — but aren't homemade gifts the ones we remember forever?

More: 10 Incredible Forts to Build "for Your Kids" (*Wink, Wink*)

1. Humpback whale

Denim Whale

This soft whale is hand-sewn using soft pieces of denim. Use any fabric of your choice to create a friendly undersea companion.

2. Crocheted moose

Crocheted toy moose

You can crochet this one or knit it — either way, the moose is super-cute. Tiny and filled with love, this little guy is sure to please.

3. Pointy kitty

Pointy kitty stuffed toy

Find this cute kitty's free tutorial on Wee Wonderfuls.

4. Tiny superheroes

Cherish the Cheer's tutorial is perfect for the tiny superhero-lover in your life.

5. T-shirt manatee pillow

We Lived Happily Ever After walks you through how to turn an old T-shirt into a friend for life.

6. Beautiful bunnies

Create adorable handmade rabbits that kids are sure to love. The pattern is available for download for $13.

7. Knit octopus

Knit octopus

What's so great about a knit octopus? Eight embracing arms! Find the tutorial on the Purl Soho blog.

8. Chinese New Year sheep

Just look at the finished product of All About Ami's crocheted sheep tutorial. Are you saying, "Awww" yet?

9. Loch Ness Monster

Loch Ness Monster stuffed animal

How adorable is this teal Loch Ness Monster? Learn how to make this DIY Nessie on We Lived Happily Ever After.

10. Purl Soho penguins

Purl Bee Penguin stuffed animals

We're loving the mix of patterns on this penguin stuffed animal from Purl Soho.

More: Upcycle Old Crayons Into Fun Shapes With This Easy DIY

11. Stick horse

DIY stick horse

A two-for-one, this happy horse is not only a stuffed animal, but also a very trendy mode of kiddo ride-on "transportation." Make someone tiny very happy using this tutorial.

Next: More adorable stuffed animals you can make

A version of this article was originally published in January 2014.

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12. Sock cat

Sock cat

Professor Pincushion walks you through how to make this buddy with a super-clever video tutorial.

More: This DIY Kaleidoscope Craft for Kids Makes Upcycling Fun

13. Fantastic Mr. Fox

Fox stuffed animal

This little bandit fox is much easier to make than he looks. Look What I Made breaks it down for you.

14. Kawaii stuffed animal

Kawaii stuffed animal

For just $12 on TeacupLion's Etsy, you can download a PDF of the sewing pattern for this über-cute stuffed animal.

15. Bumblebee gurumi

Turtle Amigurumi Pattern

This turtle is totally a crochet craft worth gifting. Buy this pattern and download instantly on Etsy for just $4.

16. Little lion critter

Knitted lion

Another amigurumi pattern, this little lion will speak to so many kids' hearts. This li'l lion loves to accompany kids on all their travels.

17. Shark bite

crochet shark

Ocean-obsessed kids will enjoy having a tiny shark to play with. Note, though, that this is a pretty advanced pattern. Only tackle it if you've got some experience.

18. Mini bears

While She Naps' pattern is easy to follow, and the outcome is totally precious.

19. Stuffed turtles

stuffed fabric turtles collage

Plush and perfect for little hands, these teensy turtles are stuffed with love. Grab the tutorial and go wild with fun fabrics.

20. Sock monkey

sock monkeys

It's one of the most popular crafts of the stuffed-animal realm: the sock monkey. Doesn't every kid need a sock monkey? Probably. Get your free tutorial at Craft Passion.

21. Flying squirrel

Flying squirrel softie

In just about an hour, you can create your very own soft, huggable flying squirrel. You can find the pattern on Wild Olive.

22. Classic teddy bear

Teddy bear DIY

The O.G. cuddle buddy. How Joyful has a tutorial as well as a pattern.

More: DIY Slime Recipes Kids Will Love Making a Mess With

23. Elephant softies

Stuffed elephants collage

Create a tiny elephant for a newborn gift — or for your own kid. You can find the tutorial for these elephant softies on Craftiness is Not Optional.


Anger Management for Parents

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“I’ve never lost my shit with anyone like I have with my kids,” a friend recently admitted to me.

It’s scary when you find yourself lashing out at the person you love most in the world. And of course, closely following that anger is always deep regret, which can feel even worse. But instead of wallowing in shame, you’re better off tackling the anger beast head-on and learning some new ways of dealing with your parental rage.

When your kid is flying around the house like a three-headed medusa, kicking and biting and screaming — or when they have just done a giant poo on top of a pile of your library books or they're standing in the middle of a busy road and refusing to move — it’s not always possible to be the calm, collected adult you want to be. Add sleep deprivation to the mix, and your rage can become downright dangerous. As a parenting counselor recently said to me, “You might think you’re fine right now, but being fine is a thin line. It can switch dangerously fast when it’s 2 a.m. and your child is refusing to sleep.”  

For this reason, my counselor got me to write an “anger plan” and keep it next to my bed. "When things get dark," she told me, "read through your list to keep yourself calm." Here are her (and my) tips for how to do just that: keep calm, even at the peak of child-induced stress.

More: Don't Miss These Signs of Toxic Parenting

Play music

Whether this is some soothing classical stuff or real romp-stomping angry death metal, music can help to get us back into our bodies and ground us. Dancing wildly, flinging your arms around and jumping to something loud can also be a healthy way to expel your aggression. Bonus: The kids will love it too.

Sing along to said music

This helps to slow your breathing and relax you. Yes, even if it's death metal.

Breathe — but do it bizarrely

Sometimes, when I can feel the anger building up, I take a deep breath, and as I’m letting it out, I make a silly sound — like a musical sigh or a croak or a raspberry. It helps to pace my breathing and also to lighten the situation.

Grab some ice cubes from the freezer...

... and just hold them in your hand. Something as physical and tangible (and TBH somewhat painful) as this can be a productive way of snapping you out of a panic cycle.

Put The Wiggles on

I was completely anti-screen-time until my mom pointed out that 20 minutes of TV was better than me getting angry. Plus, that 20 minutes also allows me the time to chop actual vegetables for our dinners instead of eating sandwiches every night. It was a choice between eating crap or watching it.

More:  How to Teach a Kid to Say, "I'm Sorry," (& Really Mean It)

To this list, I’ll add a few more that are specifically applicable to nighttime angst. Because let's be real: The anger you feel in the dark in the wee hours of the morning after zero sleep is different from (and potentially far worse than) daylight frustration. In those times, something else takes over.

Put the light on

Your devil-spawn gremlin child may magically transform in the light into a cute little sweetheart again.

Get the kid up & play trains

As my parenting guru friend Viola always says, "If they’re refusing to sleep, sometimes it’s better to give in and let them play for 10 minutes before trying again."

Call someone

I cultivate night-owl friends for this reason. Speaking to someone who's physically outside your current situation can help give you perspective and talk you down.

If there’s anyone available in your house, pass the kid to them

This isn’t always an option, but when it is, take it, even if it means waking that person up. It’s better that your partner or your mom be grumpy than your kid gets shaken.

If all else fails...

Put the kid somewhere safe (a cot, a bedroom, a playroom) and back away until your adrenalin has slowed down. Some tips to calm yourself at this point include breathing exercises, humming or mundane meditative things like folding the laundry really slowly.

Another habit I’m trying to get out of is verbalizing everything I’m feeling. As many parents have confided, it’s surprisingly common to find yourself telling your kid things like, “You’ve ruined my life,” “I hate you,” “I wish I’d never had you,” or “Fuck you, you fucking fuck” in the heat of the moment. Young kids and babies might not understand all the words we say, but they can feel the energy behind them, so I’m keeping this voice internal these days.

For a more long-term solution, don’t be afraid to go see a counselor for anger-management support. Parents, particularly those who have histories of childhood abuse themselves, often worry that by showing their anger, they may be perpetuating a cycle of abuse. A counselor will also be able to help you to figure out whether this is a truth or whether you're being hypercritical of yourself (and thereby putting yourself under even more unnecessary pressure). It’s a gray area, but there is definitely a difference between normal human irritation and anger and what is something more.

More: 7 Surprising Tips to Survive the First 6 Months of Parenthood

But the most important thing you can do when you’ve lost your shit at your kid is to acknowledge that your behavior wasn’t OK and to talk about what you’ll try to change next time. This makes it a valuable learning process for both of you. Ask your child how it felt for them, apologize and then, hopefully, have a cuddle. As an art therapist friend of mine says to her clients, "It's not always easy being the adult. Parenting is a big picture; it’s not one event. You might lose your temper once, twice, a dozen times, but the important thing is that the overall picture you’re painting is positive, gentle, loving and considered."

I’m not saying that I’m the perfect parent now — far from it. I still get angry, and I still lose my patience. But I’m gentler on myself these days now that I’ve acknowledged that becoming a better mom is an ongoing journey. Sure, maybe there are parents out there who never get angry, and well done to them. But for the rest of us, please know that even though it might feel like it in the dark depths of a long, sleepless night, you are not alone.

Drew Barrymore & Adam Sandler Have Big Plans, & You're Going to Like Them

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Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler's careers have intersected in a lot of ways. They've done a handful of movies together — one rom-com every ten years for the last three decades — and they're both now on Netflix. But will they ever cross paths again? It seems likely, right? They're both on the same network, so why wouldn't they collaborate on another rom-com? They're so great together!

More: Drew Barrymore Posts a No-Makeup Selfie, & She Still Looks Beautiful

That's pretty much exactly the attitude Barrymore has about it. During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, she was asked when she and Sandler are going to make another movie together, because come on, they have to make another movie together.

"Adam and I text all the time about our next thing, and we're like, 'We're so fat. We're so old. What the fuck?'" Barrymore answered. "Like, literally, the last thing I suggested to him was like 'On Golden Pond question mark.'"

Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler making another movie

Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler making another movie

More: Drew Barrymore's Dating Life Is Very Complicated

Honestly, we could see them doing a revival of the classic '80s flick. Plus, revivals are so in right now. There's even another '80s film that's on Barrymore's radar for her next Sandler collab.

"I'm into Planes, Trains and Automobiles with me and Adam on Netflix," she said, "except I'm, like, Del Griffith."

All these joking ideas aside, fans would love to see Barrymore and Sandler together onscreen again. Remember how great they were in 1998's The Wedding Singer? It's a classic. And 2004's 50 First Dates was just as good if not better. They came together again in 2014 for Blended, which got less hype, but is definitely worth a watch. That means, in order to stick with their one-movie-per-decade pattern, they still have a few years to lock down what their next project will be.

More: The Surprising Career Lesson Drew Barrymore Learned After Her Divorce

But with Sandler contracted by Netflix to make a series of original movies and Barrymore starring on The Santa Clarita Diet, is there a better time than now? If Netflix knows what it's doing, it'll take advantage of this golden opportunity that's currently right under its roof.

Does Coffee Really Cause Cancer? What You Need to Know

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Many people depend on the caffeine kick from coffee to start their day, but is there a substance in coffee that could cause cancer? A judge in Los Angeles thinks so and ruled yesterday that Starbucks and other purveyors of coffee must put cancer-warning labels on their product.

Scientists, however, are not nearly as certain as the judge. There is still no firm verdict from them about whether a chemical used in the coffee-roasting process is actually carcinogenic.

But that's precisely Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elihu Berle's point. When the Council for Education and Research on Toxics presented their case, they requested that coffee companies either stop using a chemical called acrylamide in the roasting process or put warning labels on coffee indicating that it can cause cancer. The same group has had previous success getting acrylamide reduced in the processing of potato chips.

In his decision, Berle said the coffee industry wasn't able to prove coffee doesn't cause cancer and providing information on the various health benefits of drinking coffee didn't count, Reuters reported.

The health benefits of coffee have been the subject of countless studies and include lowering the risk of diabetes and heart diseasereducing risk of stroke and depression; and helping to combat cirrhosis of the liverasthma attacksgallstones, liver cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer and Parkinson's disease. It may even lead to a longer life.

More: 6 Healthy Benefits of Coffee That May Justify Your Habit

So does coffee cause cancer or not?

In short, we don't know for sure. It appears as though the research groups like the Council for Education and Research on Toxics rely on is one study by nonprofit research center RTI International in which acrylamide caused cancer in rodents. Another study by the University Hospital Cologne in Germany found that humans process acrylamide differently than rodents, making the cancer link tenuous.

The Food and Drug Administration's website indicates that they're "still in the information gathering stage" when it comes to acrylamide. The organization provides suggestions on how to reduce the chemical's presence in your diet as well as guidelines for how the food-processing industry could use less of it, but clarify that these are only recommendations at this stage and not requirements.

More: Can Coffee Really Make You Live Longer? It's Complicated

Also of note is that while acrylamide was once listed on the World Health Organization's list of carcinogens, it was removed in 2016.

Right now, we need new independently conducted clinical trials looking into the effects of acrylamide on humans — ones that are not funded by coffee companies or others with a stake in this debate. After that, scientists can weigh the risks and benefits of the beverage and make evidence-based recommendations. Until then, like everything else, enjoy your coffee in moderation.

Leonardo DiCaprio's New Girlfriend Is Stunningly Beautiful – No Surprise There

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Leonardo DiCaprio, the serial monogamist that he is, is off the market yet again! And surprise, he's dating a model. From the guy whose list of previous girlfriends includes Nina Agdal, Gisele Bündchen, Bar Refaeli, Blake Lively and Kelly Rohrbach, literally no one is surprised. Also not surprising: His new lady is freaking gorgeous. These two might be the most beautiful couple to exist right now (sorry, George and Amal Clooney).

More: 28 Women Leonardo DiCaprio Has Dated or Has Been Rumored to Have Dated

This time around, DiCaprio has been linked to Argentinian model Camila Morrone.

Leonardo DiCaprio's new girlfriend, Camilla Morrone

Leonardo DiCaprio's new girlfriend, Camilla Morrone

Rumors have been flying around saying these two have been "hooking up" since December, but now that there's evidence that it's at least a little bit more serious than that, it's time to scour the internet for all the deets we can find on the new lady in our Titanic boo's life. Here's what we know so far.

More: Leonardo DiCaprio Speaking Italian to the Pope Is Heavenly AF

They're family friends

This is what these two are using to dispel the dating rumors. A source told Us Weekly that DiCaprio and Morrone "are just family friends who have known each other more than 10 years as Morrone’s mom, Lucila Sola, is dating DiCaprio’s friend Al Pacino."

Things to know about Camila Morrone 5

Things to know about Camila Morrone 5

Things definitely look like they're heating up

The two were recently spotted leaving a breakfast joint together, a paparazzi caught Morrone giving DiCaprio a kiss on his shoulder as they walked out. Plus, DiCaprio was carrying a doggy bag. If that doesn't just scream "domestic bliss," we don't know what does.

Things to know about Camila Morrone 4

Things to know about Camila Morrone 4

She's 20 years old

44-year-old DiCaprio definitely has a few years (or decades) on his new GF, but hey, he's got a type and he sticks with it.

Things to know about Camila Morrone 3

Things to know about Camila Morrone 3

She's a successful model, even though she's new to the game

Morrone made her modeling debut in Moschino's 2017 resort collection. She's since been on the cover of Vogue Turkey, and done campaigns for TopShop and Victoria's Secret.

Things to know about Camila Morrone 2

Things to know about Camila Morrone 2

She's breaking into acting

Morrone made her film debut in James Franco's film Bukowski, which is in post-production. She also appeared in Death Wish, which is out now and stars Bruce Willis. I'd say DiCaprio could give her some pointers on the biz, but she's off to a great start on her own.

Things to know about Camila Morrone 1

Things to know about Camila Morrone 1

More: Perpetual Bachelor Leonardo DiCaprio Is Back on the Market

It's been almost a year since the end of DiCaprio's last relationship — he and Agdal broke things off in May 2017 after being together more than a year. They both said the split was amicable and that their relationship simply "ran its course," according to insiders.

Sophia Bush Wages War on a Convention That Promotes 'Empowerment of Women'

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A One Tree Hill convention called EyeCon has been introducing fans to the show's stars for more than a decade, but after 18 cast and crew members signed an open letter detailing a toxic and abusive set environment created by showrunner Mark Schwahn, the annual event is under fire. Some of the stars, including Hilarie Burton and Sophia Bush, are saying that, in light of changes this year, they won't be attending.

More: Sophia Bush Shuts Down Online Body-Shaming Culture in the Best Way

According to its website, "EyeCon’s executive staff is composed of strong, independent women (and one pretty cool guy!). We not only believe in the empowerment of women, we endorse and practice it in our personal lives as well as EyeCon."

Hilarie Burton, who was one of the stars who claimed to have been abused by Schwan, was one of the first to come out publicly and say she won't be attending any EyeCon events this year or in the future. Replying to a fan on Twitter who asked, Burton explained, "I personally feel exploited by their 'girl power' angle, which exists at the expense of some of us who went through a difficult time on that show. They're using our sisterhood as a sales gimmick. No thanks."

Hilarie Burton isn't going to any EyeCon events again

Hilarie Burton isn't going to any EyeCon events again

After making that statement, Burton was attacked on Twitter by some of EyeCon's employees, whose tweets were retweeted by the convention's main account. Her costar, Sophia Bush, came to her rescue, posting a lengthy statement about EyeCon to Twitter, and writing, "Hilarie Burton is my sister. Don't fuck with her. Period."

Sophia Bush statement on EyeCon events

Sophia Bush statement on EyeCon events

Sophia Bush statement on EyeCon events 2

Sophia Bush statement on EyeCon events 2

More: Ben Affleck Apologizes for Groping Hilarie Burton on TRL

In her statement, Bush also criticized EyeCon's empowerment angle, saying she and the other stars weren't consulted at all before their letter about their abuse was made in a convention theme.

"You want to throw a 'women's empowerment' event but bash a woman who said that the way it's been handled doesn't feel good to her? A woman whose personal victimization took the world's stage this past fall? Whose sisterhood circled around her, and each other, to see to it that he be stopped from treating other women in such a way? How. Dare. You," Bush wrote. "Want to know why Hil said she feels exploited by this 'empowerment' con? Well add my name to that hat. Because so do I. We told our stories. As a united front. We refused to let it get tabloidy and gross. And then suddenly a convention publicly announced that they want to empower women? Now, that would have been FINE – lovely, even – IF THEY HAD SPOKEN TO US ABOUT THIS. Had they called our reps and said, 'as fellow victims in our own individual ways, we want to make the next con all about women, and raise money for women's charities.' They did not. Let me repeat. They. Did. NOT. They didn't ask a single one of us if we'd feel okay focusing a convention, which is dedicated to the show on which many of us were harassed or abused behind the scenes, around those very issues and thus offer an expectation to all fans and attendees that we would be discussing these past violations and focusing on issues that none of us want to be forced to relive in meet and greets and photo sessions. They made an announcement without thinking of any of the women of One Tree Hill for a second. And now they are defending themselves by saying that Mark took advantage of them too? That he ruined their ability to watch a show which felt like their safe space. Well it HAPPENED to us."

Bush also called out the fact that with a women's empowerment theme, the female stars of the show who attended EyeCon might feel pressured to talk about their abuse, even though they weren't invited to weigh in ahead of time.

"They announced a deeply personal theme and intention, which revolves in this context, around what all OTH fans know happened to us, without thinking about us at all," she wrote.

More: Sophia Bush Calls Out 'Vile Creatures' on Twitter

EyeCon has been holding yearly One Tree Hill conventions since 2006, and while we can't confirm that Burton and Bush have attended every year, members of the cast appear at each year's event to meet fans and participate in panels and Q&As. Could this be the end of EyeCon?

Kardashian-West Family Zoo Trip Included Rare Sighting of the Elusive Smiling Kanye

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A little-seen rare species was recently spotted at the San Diego Zoo: the elusive cap-crested northern smiling Kanye. Yep, the usually dour-faced Kanye West was visiting the zoo with his wife Kim Kardashian West and their two elder children, North, 4, and Saint, 2.

Kanye West

Don't get us wrong. The hippos and the elephants were super-cute and all, but we're still marveling at the pic Kardashian West posted of her beaming baby daddy. Is West turning into a cuddly softie in his old-ish age? Whatever the case, we were pretty excited to see the sweet papa-son moment.

More: Kim Kardashian West & Kanye West Showed at March For Our Lives to Support Gun Control

Kardashian West posted pics of the family's VIP zoo trip on her Instagram and Snapchat, writing, "Thank you @sandiegozoo." The zoo has long been a family favorite of the Kardashian-Jenners, who used to visit when they were kids themselves. Even matriarch Kris Jenner revealed on Keeping Up with the Kardashians that she had her own first birthday party there!

Baby girl Chi — Chicago, born on Jan. 15 — wasn't on hand, but big sister North hammed it up in pics, flashing the peace sign in super-casual-cool fashion. She was also allowed to feed a zoo elephant and get photos posing with a hippo and some penguins — an occasion the children of mere mortals can only dream of. *Sigh* Our kids are so deprived.

Kim post

Kim post

More: Kim Kardashian West & Kanye West Declared Their Love for Each Other on Instagram on Valentine's Day

West has been in full-on happy-dad mode of late. Kardashian West posted a pic to her Instagram of papa West carrying North on his shoulders at the March For Our Lives on March 24 in Washington, D.C. She captioned the photo, "What an amazing day yesterday to take my daughter to Washington DC to see our future leaders speak. Having my daughter march along-side her grandfather and parents was a day I hope she remembers forever. I know that the younger generation will vote to change these gun laws that so desperately need to be changed. Hearing these stories yesterday and meeting so many families affected by gun violence was heart breaking and I hope when it comes time to vote we all step up and vote to protect our children."

We love seeing Kardashian West and West outside their glam zone fully embracing #ParentLife. Keep smiling, Kanye — it looks good on you.

How to Tenderize Meat: 6 Easy Ways to Tame Those Tough Cuts

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Nothing takes the wind out of your sails quite like biting into a hunk of steak only to find the sucker is chewy AF. Really, what's worse than tough meat?

It has happened to the best of us — and it's usually because we didn't splurge on that pricey cut (or sometimes it's because you went with a leaner organic cut, which can actually be more expensive). Either way, you don't have to suffer the tough consequences. There are methods for tenderizing your meat that don't even require an overnight marinade.

Here are six easy ways.

More: Take Your Steak-Cooking Skills to the Next Level With 9 Simple Tips

1. Beat it

Pounding meat with a mallet is a surprisingly effective way to tenderize it. The downside is that it can actually work too well, turning your meat into mush. Special tenderizer tools made up of dozens of sharp needles or points that pierce the meat (like this KitchenAid meat tenderizer or this Jaccard meat tenderizer) are a more delicate way of mechanically tenderizing your meat. This does less damage to the meat fibers.

2. Marinate with acid

Acids can help break down tough meat. Soaking meat in a marinade made with lemon or lime juice, vinegar, buttermilk or even yogurt can help tenderize tough proteins. The key is to not leave the meat in the marinade for too long, as acids can weaken the protein structure of the meat too much, making it too soft and mushy. Aim for 30 minutes to two hours, but check periodically to see if the meat is starting to look cooked around the edges. That's how you'll know it's been marinating too long.

3. Marinate with enzymes

Several fruits, such as papaya, pineapple, kiwi and Asian pear, contain enzymes that help tenderize meat. Try puréeing these fruits and adding some of your favorite seasonings to make a marinade that will leave you with juicy, tender meat. Just don't leave any meat in pineapple too long. Bromelain, the powerful enzyme found in this fruit, can work a little too well.

More: 8 Mouth-Watering Steak Recipes From Your Favorite Iron Chefs

4. Salt it

Heavily salting a tough cut of meat and letting it sit an hour or two before you cook it is an effective way to break down tough muscle fibers, no fussy marinade needed. When you're ready to cook, just rinse off the salt, pat the meat dry and add it to a hot skillet.

5. Slice it right

There are a couple of clever knife tricks that can make meat seem more tender. One is scoring. That's when you make shallow cuts (not cutting all the way through) across the surface of a thin steak like skirt or flank. This method can help break up tough proteins and also helps the meat absorb tenderizing marinades more easily.

The second meat-tenderizing knife trick is slicing cooked steak thinly, across the grain. The idea is to break up the long, tough meat fibers so they are shorter and thus easier to chew.

6. Slow-cook it

Cooking tough cuts of meat with low-temperature heat over a long period of time is a great way to tenderize it. Tough fibers, collagen and connective tissues will break down, leaving you with tender meat. Try using a slow cooker, or braise with broth or other liquids in a covered dish in the oven.

More: The Best Celebrity Wines

how to tenderize tough cuts of meat

A version of this article was originally published in February 2016.


John Krasinski & Emily Blunt Have a 'Secret Love Language,' Because of Course They Do

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John Krasinski and Emily Blunt have been married since 2010. And for just as long, they've been showing us what a couple that's truly in love looks like. They're a shining example of a Hollywood marriage that can withstand all the challenges that come with life in the public eye. So it really should be no surprise that Krasinski and Blunt are so close, they have their own "secret language."

More: Man Candy Mondays: John Krasinski

This revelation came out while the couple was doing a press tour for their first collaborative film, A Quiet Place, due out April 6. In the horror/thriller, Krasinski and Blunt play a couple who must lead their family of four in complete silence to try to escape creatures that hunt them by sound. Obviously, they don't do a lot of speaking to each other in this one, despite being coleads.

"For this movie, there’s something about us being married that makes it more special," Krasinski told Extra. "Everyone talks about having a secret language with your spouse, and we only got to communicate through our secret language. Without dialogue, we got to connect."

John Krasinski has a secret marriage language

John Krasinski has a secret marriage language

It's funny that their marriage is part of what makes this move and these roles so great for them, because it's what held them back from acting together in the past.

"We've always talked about working together, but we didn't want the story of our marriage to supersede the story of whatever's being told in the movie," Krasinski said.

More: How Jenna Fischer & John Krasinski Reacted to The Office Reboot News

We're glad to finally see them on screen together, because these two have been making us melt with their marital cuteness for basically an entire decade. Just earlier this year, Krasinski described how he cried when he first heard his wifey sing for her role in Into The Woods. Yep, straight up cried because his person had a hidden talent he didn't know about. How's that for love? And in 2012, just a few years after their lavish Italian wedding, Krasinski gushed about how "incredible" Blunt is, and how much he loves doing "regular stuff" with her, like low-key dinner dates.

More: Jenna Fischer Has a Lot to Say About John Krasinski in Her New Book

With a love like that, we get the feeling this is just the first time of many these two will work together.

6 Apps & Programs That'll Help Limit Your Time on Social Media

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We're all familiar with the YouTube spiral. You know, when you watch one video and then it quickly turns into a two-hour binging sesh. And then there's the smartphone black hole: You know, when you wake up, check the time, and suddenly you have amnesia because you legitimately can't remember how you went from reading one email to watching nearly all your Instagram stories. (They're seemingly endless! How can you possibly watch them all?!)

And — well, look at that — now you're running late for work.

Social media is hands down one of the biggest — and easiest — ways to waste time. But at some point, you have to cut yourself off, not only to give yourself a much-needed respite from the screen, but also and more important to get shit done.

The truth is, though, most of us are nearly incapable of putting our phones away or ignoring the constant notifications. That's where these apps and programs come in — to help you limit your time on social media. What's great is these tools are either completely free or inexpensive.

More: 7 Social Media Habits That Disqualified Real Candidates, According to Hiring Managers

In Moment

In Moment app screenshots

In Moment automatically tracks how much time you spend on social media (a number that's likely embarrassingly high for most of us). It'll also show which apps you use the most and allow you to set a time limit on app usage. Once you go over your daily limit, In Moment will block access to the social media app(s).

You can download In Moment on iTunes.

Moment

Moment app screenshot

Similar name, but different goal: Moment automatically tracks how much time you and your entire family use your phones and tablets. Not only will it show you what apps you use the most and how often you pick up your phone every day, but you can also monitor every family member's screen time. Want everyone to stay off their phones during dinner? Easy: Start a dinner timer on the app, and whenever anyone picks up their phone, an alert will go off. That's not all; the app will help train you to use your phone less.

Download Moment on iTunes.

More: 10 DIY To-Do Lists That Are as Pretty as They Are Useful

Offtime

OFFTIME app screenshot

With a name like Offtime, it's pretty clear what this app does: keep you off your phone and focused on your work. With this app, you can block your calls, texts and notifications. Plus, you can restrict access to any apps and take a look at the activity log that lists everything you missed while you were "unplugged." The coolest part? This app will even provide analytics, so you can compare your phone behavior with others.

Offtime is available on Google Play and iTunes.

StayOnTask

Stay On Task app screenshot

StayOnTask checks up on you to make sure you're doing your work — and aren't scrolling through Twitter — via a random timer so you'll never know when it'll go off. You can use this to track your work sessions too. Writers and students: This app is perfect for you.

You can find StayOnTask on Google Play.

AppDetox

AppDetox screenshot

As the name suggests, this app allows you to take a digital detox by setting your own rules — and even take it to the extreme and lock all your apps. Whenever you violate your own rules, AppDetox will remind you to take a break and will also keep a log of all your violations. If you have kids, use this app to control their screen time.

AppDetox is available on Google Play.

More: The 7 Best Grocery-Delivery Apps for When It's Just Too Cold to Leave Your House

Space

SPACE app screenshot

Space, which used to be called BreakFree, provides a personalized program based on your own phone usage habits and patterns. You can check out stats of your most-used apps, use the screen-dimming and notification-blocker tools and compare your results with friends and family.

You can download Space on Google Play and iTunes.

Popular IVF Myths: Separating Fact From Fiction

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Uterus User's Guide

Some men wear scrubs when they accompany their wives to an embryo transfer. Mine? Oh, he wears a clown outfit. Well, not exactly, but I’ll never forget the time my husband busted out nerdy glasses and a clown wig just minutes after my very first embryo transfer. We’d seen a study in the journal Fertility and Sterility that laughter in that moment could improve one’s chances of pregnancy, and he thought he’d surprise me with a comedic curveball.

Though that IVF cycle didn’t work, I was touched that he put in the effort — and believe me, we would have tried anything in hopes of achieving that elusive BFP (that's "big fat positive"). I pretty much did, from drinking lots of bone broth to getting vitamin D injections to eating Brazil nuts on the daily.

And I’m not alone: secret Facebook groups and online communities are full of women giving each other tips and tricks for increasing their odds of succeeding at IVF. Some are rooted in medical fact, while others are basically old wives’ tales — but a select few have become almost rites of passage during IVF, widely known and discussed in infertility circles.

So, which of these commonly held “myths” are just that and which are actually worth giving a try? I spoke with CARE Fertility’s Dr. Rudy Quintero to find out.

IVF myth No. 1: Eating pineapple core for five days after embryo transfer can up one’s chances of conception

Pineapple is already widely believed to induce labor, but can it induce pregnancy itself? According to Quintero, the five-day pineapple core regimen is “one of the most popular myths” he hears from his IVF patients. While Quintero acknowledges there is a “lot of anecdotal evidence” about the wonders of pineapple, he says there isn’t a lot of scientific data to back it up.

So why all the buzz about pineapple? The fruit contains bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant and blood-thinning properties. (Much of the bromelain is concentrated in the core, hence why people cut the core into fifths and eat that part.) Some fertility doctors prescribe low-dose baby aspirin — also a blood thinner — to help improve blood flow to the uterus, so the idea is that pineapples could mimic that effect.

“If you’re spending tens of thousands for IVF and want to try something that has at least some data [supporting] it, it’s probably better to do baby aspirin,” says Quintero. “Eating pineapple core is fine, but it won’t be make-or-break.”

IVF myth No. 2: It’s a must to wear warm socks throughout the two-week wait

A widely held principle in Chinese medicine is that a “cold” uterus — or one with poor blood flow and circulation — can be a cause of infertility. While many undergo acupuncture and ingest herbs to remedy this issue, some women also take the precaution of wearing warm socks throughout an IVF cycle so as not to let heat escape the body.

More: I'm Catholic & Did IVF Anyway

So do warm feet equal a warm uterus? Not really, says Quintero. “Your core temperature stays pretty much stable, and that’s where your embryo is [inside the body]. Even if you feel cold, your core is probably still a normal temperature.” That said, wearing socks certainly can’t hurt — especially if they’re a cute pair of IVF good luck socks.

IVF myth No. 3: Drinking pomegranate juice can pump up your uterine lining

Achieving that coveted 8-millimeter-plus lining is the holy grail of IVF, but can pomegranate juice help you get from point A to point B(aby)? Many women swear by drinking it for the first 13 days of their cycle, but according to Quintero, the medical community “knows very little about uterine lining and what makes it really thick outside of the normal estrogen a person develops. In talking with my colleagues, very few of us have recommended pomegranate juice [for priming your body for pregnancy].”

IVF myth No. 4: Eating Brazil nuts during the two-week wait can lead to a healthy pregnancy

Brazil nuts aren’t just tasty snacks — they’re packed with selenium too. One study published in the journal Metallomics found that selenium helps promote healthy egg follicles in female cows, and that same study also found that levels of GPX-1 (a protein found in selenium) were much higher in women who got pregnant after a single embryo transfer.

So it’s not hard to see why Brazil nuts have gotten a rep among IVF circles as a go-to food, but Quintero does suggest eating them “in moderation.” Too much selenium can be toxic, so it’s wise to stay within a healthy range. The recommended daily allowance for women ages 19 to 50 is 55 micrograms, with the highest maximum amount being 400 micrograms daily. Translation? One or two Brazil nuts — which typically contain 68 to 90 micrograms apiece — a day should more than do the trick.

IVF myth No. 5: Eating McDonald’s fries after an embryo transfer increases your chances of a BFP

Could fast food equal a fast fix for infertility? If only it were that simple — Quintero says there’s zero basis for this widely held IVF superstition.

The myth may have roots in the fact that some doctors recommend eating salty foods to avoid ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome after an egg retrieval, but it’s somehow morphed into a popular ritual after embryo transfer. So should you bother? “It’s just an old wives’ tale, but this can be a highly stressful procedure, so go ahead and eat comfort food if it makes you feel better,” says Quintero.

MoreKnowing When to Draw the Line on Fertility Treatment

On a bigger-picture level, Quintero suggests that women going through IVF apply that logic to all of the above myths. “I’m not one to discourage patients from trying something if there is no harm to it and it’s not extremely expensive. Whatever can make the journey feel a little bit less stressful and more manageable, I’m all for that.”

So go ahead — stock up on Brazil nuts and pineapple, snuggle up in those socks, drink pomegranate juice and, yes, say, “I’m loving it,” to those greasy fries.

Have You Heard of Juuling? Chances Are Your Teens Has

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There's yet another e-cigarette out there, and it's rapidly gaining in popularity among teens — many of whom wrongly believe it's neither addictive nor a health risk. It's called Juul, and though it's marketed as an aid to adults who want to kick their smoking habit, it has found a big fan club among kids.

What's the big deal with Juul? Well, you might not even notice it — and that's a big deal in itself. The vaping device is so small, it can easily be tucked away in a hand or a pocket. Plus, it looks like a flash drive, not an e-cig. Uh-oh. Also, the Juul doesn't generate as much vapor or smoke as e-cigarettes or regular cigarettes — and that too is a bit of bad news, since kids can easily Juul in the middle of class, exhaling into the shirt they're wearing (yup) or their backpacks.

More: Vaping Teens Came Up With "Dripping" — & It's Disgusting

The worst part? A single Juul pod contains 200 puffs and has as much nicotine as one pack of cigarettes — guaranteeing a seriously addictive head rush. And many teens are missing the point that these devices are just as addictive, if not more so, than smoking Marlboros.

But they taste better than Marlboros for sure, and although the company behind Juul products insists that it isn't marketing to kids, come on now: Juul flavors include bubble pop, fruit medley, strawberry cotton candy, peanut butter cup and crème brûlée. Even a toddler would be intrigued by that lineup.

Juuling is a particular problem because, as with vaping, the Juul devices are new enough that they aren't yet as tightly regulated as cigarettes. Plus, many school districts have been flummoxed by the device's tiny size; in fact, some schools are even banning flash drives to help stop lookalike Juuls sneaking onto campus.

More: Why Vaping Before Surgery Is Not the Best Idea

Are there long-term health effects? Doctors think so, but again, vaping products are still new, and hard evidence is scant. Researchers at Harvard have found that the oils used to flavor vaping devices can cause different health problems from smoking — including horrific disorders like popcorn lung. And though vaping and Juuling are marketed as nicotine-replacement habits, their amounts of nicotine and addictive chemicals (and their tasty flavors) may have the opposite effect.

So talk to your kids about all forms of drug use, including smoking, e-cigs and Juuling — and keep a nose out for sweet-to-smoky scents on their clothes. Let them know that this trend has serious ramifications, with potential for addiction as well as health problems. The flavors may be sweet, but the effect Juuling has on the body is anything but.

Moms Call BS on Work-Life Balance

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First things first. Repeat after us: "I am a total badass who wrangles kids, deadlines, career and social responsibilities, flows through a yoga class and — sometimes — manages to bathe." If that's not #winning, we don't know what is. That said, it's also true that the struggle with the ever-elusive "work-life balance" thing is real.

But don't send yourself on a guilt trip late at night when your little one has finally gone to bed and you’ve exhaled. As many moms agree, the idea of true, 100 percent harmony between your family and your job is less a goal and more an illusion. Dare we say it? (Especially in front of the toddler who repeats everything.) The truth is, for most parents, work-life balance is total bullshit.

More: 7 Tips to Help Working Moms Maximize Their Kid Time

Consider this your permission to release unrealistic expectations about your daily juggling performance (and to release your painted-on and stressed-AF smile). Here, working moms give alternative definitions of parenting and professional success we can all agree on.

Instead of striving for work-life balance, let's strive for...

Self-preservation

President of myWHY Agency Emerald-Jane Hunter says that attempting to "have it all" as a worker and parent is a fruitless journey. In fact, she compares building and growing a business to the same headaches and struggles of birthing and raising her triplets.

To give herself a break, she’s shifted her mindset toward self-preservation as a way of preventing herself from swinging too far in either direction — charging too hard up the corporate ladder or too deep into (yet another) heap of laundry. For Hunter, it's about "building habits that give us the ability to see and feel that signal that says, ‘You're doing too much. Slow down. Think about what you have in front of you, and take it one step at a time.’ We need to be in search of those habits,” she says.

Though every parent handles the juggling act differently, Hunter creates rules and boundaries to maintain her sanity. “Before I had children, I would attend every evening event just to network. Now, the network comes to me. I make a note of all who I need to meet and work on one-on-one coffee or tea ‘dates,’ which prove to be far more effective and productive than those evenings in a crowded room with loud music,” she shares.

More good days than bad days in a week

Founder of the communications consultancy company Kickstand Communications Cindy Hamilton says work-life balance is ridiculous. Why? Because it connotes an even weight on both sides of the seesaw, when in reality, sometimes there’s a "sumo wrestler sitting on the 'work' end of that damn seesaw," she says. (Can we get an amen?)

That’s why Hamilton has transformed her focus to look at the previous week instead of the past 24 hours — you know, the hours in which endless blowouts (of the client or diaper variety) might have transpired. In other words: If there are more good days than bad days out of seven, Hamilton considers the week a win.

And if she doesn’t approach it that way, she feels frazzled. “Your brain just doesn't shut off with all the to-dos needed for the management of the children — from child care to doctors' appointments to homework. It's never-ending, much like our professional requirements,” Hamilton explains. The requirements from each facet in her life are more manageable when she doesn’t try to digest or analyze them at once and rather takes it a week at a time.

More: How I Told My Boss That Family Is More Important Than My Job

Being able to drop a ball without the world ending

Michelle Kennedy, cofounder and CEO of the start-up Peanut, says every time she’s asked about how she "does it all," she wants to laugh. Not only does she think work-life balance is a myth, but she knows that being a mother, an employee, a partner, a friend — you name it — is a lifelong juggling act. Though sometimes she’s a thoughtful mom who remembers to put a funny note in her son’s lunchbox, other times she’s struggling to keep up with business growth and forgets her best friend’s birthday.

What makes her accept these minor defeats when they happen? The fact that they (usually) never happen at the same time. “What I’ve realized is that it’s OK to drop a ball here and there; the key for me is knowing that I don’t need to juggle everything perfectly in order to be happy,” she says.

Work-life compromise

Senior vice president of Sandy Hillman Communications, Liz Elman Feldman, describes work-life balance as akin to the mystical creatures her children love — like the Loch Ness Monster or a unicorn. Truth be told, she’s been chasing this fairy-tale concept since she started working full-time nearly 30 years ago in 1989. But Feldman has realized over time that the task of giving her full, undivided attention and energy to her gig and her fam is impossible; one or both of those things will always have to give a little. “I can manage being a good mom and a good employee and even a good wife, usually at the same time," Feldman says. "But to be great at any of those things? One or the other has to suffer."

That’s why she’s renamed the concept "work-life compromise" rather than "balance," which implies an even score. This is part of her effort to make active decisions instead of setting passive expectations — and it makes her happier.

“I’ve had to make choices about where I work to limit commuting time," Feldman shares, "and that has determined how much I can achieve professionally. While I still love my job and do it well, my focus is on parenting and family, and I’m OK with that. When work is manageable, I’m pretty on top of mom stuff. But when work gets more demanding, I’m the one shamefully answering the door to my neighbor, who has walked my kids home from the bus stop because I got caught on a conference call and forgot what time it was. It’s just the way it goes. And that’s OK too.”

More:  Child Care Tips for Working Parents

Quality, not quantity

As a female entrepreneur and mom, CeCe Todd never feels like there are enough hours in the day. With ripe competition in her industry (as in any), she often feels the pressure to eat, live and breathe her business — but she also feels the pull toward her family. To help relieve the guilt and remove the pressure of performing her best on both sides of the to-do list, Todd decides to focus on quality, not quantity.

She doesn’t count how many hours she puts toward her daughter or toward her company; instead, she challenges herself to be fully present in each. “When I am playing with my daughter, I am fully in the moment with her. I turn off the work side of my brain, put the phone down and close the laptop to reduce the distractions,” she says.

By balancing quality work with quality family time, Todd hopes to inspire a new generation of glass-breakers, her kid included. Her first step? Calm down. “Stop beating yourselves up," Todd urges parents. "Be fierce and fearless in your pursuit of success, and be diligent — to show your kids that you can do anything you set your mind to."

Pregnant With No Symptoms? It's Possible — Here's How

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When we read the headlines about people who unexpectedly give birth and claim they never even knew they were pregnant, those of us who had morning sickness, extreme fatigue or weight gain during our pregnancies often shake our heads in disbelief. Surely you can't be pregnant with no symptoms? How could these people not notice?

Yet doctors say there are many reasons someone might not notice they're pregnant.

"We as human beings have a powerful denial factor," says Dr. Dan Frayne, assistant residency director of the Mountain Area Health Education Center's Family Medicine Residency Program in Asheville, North Carolina, and cochair of the National Preconception Health and Health Care Initiative. "You can be in denial and neglect to see the changes to your body for a fairly long time. Some women who are overweight might not see a huge change in their body, and if you are skinny, you might not show until 20 weeks."

Denial of pregnancy is more common than expected according to a study in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. Researchers found that 1 in 475 women may not realize they're pregnant until 20 weeks' gestation, and 1 in 2,500 women make it right up to delivery before finding out (a rate similar to that of eclampsia).

More: 7 Key C-Section Recovery Tips — From Scar Care to Diet

Frayne outlined four types of people who might neglect to notice pregnancy symptoms.

Young teens

It’s not uncommon for a young teenager to be relatively unaware of their body and the changes that occur during pregnancy, Frayne says. Plus, many teens have irregular periods, so missing a period for six months might not be unusual. Frayne explains that sometimes, young teens will seek medical care for abdominal or back pain at 30 or 32 weeks, and when they're told they are pregnant, they'll often admit they suspected as much but were afraid to tell anyone.

Pregnant people who are busy

Plenty of people, particularly women, have competing demands in their lives — children, family, work — that make it difficult for them to pay any attention to themselves and their own bodies, Frayne says. Sometimes, it takes time for them to either recognize the changes or decide they want to see a doctor.

People with addiction

People struggling with an addiction or those who otherwise abuse substances often won't notice they're pregnant simply because it's not a primary concern for them, Frayne explains.

People who believe they don't need prenatal care

Sometimes, someone who has either been pregnant before or who believes they already know what to do about a potential pregnancy skips out on doctor visits and thus misses pregnancy indications, Frayne says.

More: The Real Cost of Fertility Treatments & Adoption

One of the underlying causes for this denial, says Frayne, is that a little less than half of U.S. pregnancies are unplanned or unwanted. For example, according to a study published in 2011, in 2006, 49 percent of pregnancies were unintended — a slight increase from 48 percent in 2001. But while many pregnant people are indeed in denial, when they finally do seek medical advice and the pregnancy is confirmed, the majority of them aren't surprised. "In many cases, they are being told something they knew and suspected but didn’t want to admit," Frayne adds.

Unfortunately, this lack of awareness can put both mother and child at risk for complications during birth. The concern, says Frayne, is that prenatal care provides the best opportunity for a healthy pregnancy. It's important for a pregnant person to visit the doctor within the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy, he says. Unfortunately, even when people know they are pregnant, they often don't visit their doctor early enough, largely because they lack health insurance and access to care.

And despite the fact that the U.S. spends more money on health care than any other country, we have one of the worst infant mortality rates compared with similar economically developed countries. According to the CDC, in 2015, over 23,000 infants died in the United States, with the infant mortality rate at 5.9 deaths per 1,000 live births.

The United States also has a rising maternal death rate. "The U.S. is the only developed country where more mothers are dying now than 10 to 20 years ago," Frayne says.

More: The 15 Baby Necessities New Parents Actually Need

Why? The lack of affordable health care and health insurance is largely to blame. "Women of reproductive age aren’t as healthy as they used to be," Frayne says, noting that, in 2015, 43 percent of U.S. women of reproductive age have a medical condition, more than half are obese and 1 in 5 don’t have health insurance.

One question all health care providers should ask their patients is whether they want to become pregnant in the next year, Frayne says. Simply asking the question will encourage patients and doctors to discuss preconception and prenatal care. That's one step in the right direction — but the far bigger step is access to affordable care.

A version of this article was originally published in December 2015.

The Best Dating Apps for LGBTQ Women

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It seems like there’s an endless list of dating apps out there, many catering to various lifestyles from swingers to bikers and farmers only to millionaires only. Here, we’ve weeded out the best dating apps for LGBTQ women. Whether you’re looking for something serious, a hookup or just a new friend, here are six dating apps to check out.

Her

Her was built by LGBTQ women, and many claim that it is the best lesbian dating app around. “The app is for trans and women who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, queer, or just questioning,” explains Mara Rose Smith, a lifestyle blogger at Viperheart. “The app is technically for friendships and for dating.”  Smith notes some of the pros of Her are that you have to specifically download a separate app, so there's virtually no one on there looking for threesomes. But it’s more than just a dating app. It’s also a place where other LGBTQ women can come and get lesbian news and find out what’s happening in their city, like meetups and parties in the community.

Tinder

Tinder is pretty much the same as the opposite-sex version, but you can change your settings to see just women or both men and women, depending on your preference. “You have several girls and couples looking for threesomes, and you'll also have girls who will peek over on the women's side of Tinder for the thrill of it and won't actually contact you,” says Smith. “An important feature of Tinder is that it shows you mutual friends; [Her] doesn't. This can be a nice ice-breaker, or a horrible nightmare, depending on which side of the closet door you're on.” 

Bumble

So, with Bumble’s opposite-sex pairing, the unique feature is that the female has to initiate conversation with the guy. On the women-seeking-women side, obviously, there's no feature like that. “So, it's basically a carbon copy of Tinder, and there were several people I matched with on Bumble who also matched me on Tinder. The double affirmation of matching was a great confidence boost,” says Smith. She adds that one different feature is that every once in a while you'll find a stray girl who actually meant to make a profile for Bumble BFF. “Those conversations can be a little awkward.”

Fem

Fem is another favored dating app for lesbians and bisexuals because of its video-dating feature. “It gives you opportunities to make friends, chat, meet singles, etc. It also has the option to view people internationally,” says psychotherapist and dating coach, Shaina Singh. While Fem has a lot of the same features as other dating apps, it also has a feature called “rooms.” This allows users to browse chat rooms based on interests. Here, you can meet others, send pictures or just chat and connect. The app claims users can “view video clips of likeminded lesbian women nearby.” 

BiCupid

BiCupid is a dating app for bisexual and bi-curious individuals and is the No. 1 dedicated bisexual dating app. It’s also the world’s first and largest dating site that specifically caters to bisexual people, bi-curious singles and bi couples. Here, you can find other open-minded singles and couples who are looking to explore their sexuality, chat, hook up, start a relationship and hang out from all over the world. The app is free to download. According to the app, BiCupid singles start out with something in common — love for bisexual passion and bisexual romance. That common interest will help make dating easier and more effective.

PinkWink

PinkWink is another online dating website for lesbian singles looking for a date, love, romance, even a long-term commitment! The website says PinkWink has already attracted millions of lesbian women. This dating app reportedly “takes online personals to the next level, providing a fun, flirty, and safe environment for lesbians to fall in love. “Not everyone is comfortable in the lesbian dating scene, but at Pinkwink.com, it's easy to meet, chat, flirt, and set up a date. Millions of singles have already joined the site, preferring the ease of our online dating website that's just for lesbians, instead of traditional personals,” the app boasts. The dating app features personality profiles as well as a chat and instant-messaging feature. There is also a ton of dating advice, tips and surveys. Membership is also free.


No, Michael Strahan Isn’t Sorry for His Controversial Live! Exit

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It's been two years since Michael Strahan parted ways with Live! and his co-host of four years, Kelly Ripa, for the sunny shores of fellow ABC show Good Morning America. With the passage of time and the benefits of hindsight, Strahan is now able to fully reflect on his Live! departure — and it turns out, he is totally, absolutely, 100 percent cool with the way things ended between him, Ripa and Live! It's a bold development for Strahan, but it certainly shows where his head is at these days (read: not focusing on the past, especially the negative parts of his past).

More: Michael Strahan Reportedly Has Plans to Reclaim His Live! Seat

Strahan's unapologetic feelings about his departure from Live! came out during an interview on In Depth With Graham Bensinger. During the taped interview, Bensinger pivoted the conversation to the fun way Strahan got the Live! gig (having a boatload of fun guest-hosting with Channing Tatum) and then to his feelings about the then-gossip-ridden way he departed from the show.

Strahan Leaving Live Interview

Strahan Leaving Live Interview

Strahan seemed to reply readily, casually and kindly to Bensinger's question about whether he would have handled his exit any differently if he could go back. "There's nothing I would have done differently," Strahan replied. "I handled it as professional as you can handle it, and I have been a professional from day one there to the last day I left… I had the opportunity to do something that most people don't — I got a chance to evolve, to do different, creative things."

More: Michael Strahan's Remarks About Live! Suggest We Don't Know the Whole Story

Just reading Strahan's reply as written or watching his comments live in the video above (skip to the 2:30 mark), you might get the impression that he's been super zen about this entire Live! exit dust-up from the get-go. However, back in 2016, things felt a lot saltier between all parties involved. Strahan's exit was a bit of a surprise back then, with the announcement seemingly coming out of nowhere.

The ensuing controversy came from the confusion and hurt that Ripa reportedly felt in somehow being the last person to find out that her co-host was leaving for GMA. Even though Ripa attempted to quell the controversy on Live!, she was still the last to receive word that Strahan's departure was moved up to May 2016 from September 2016 and that he was leaving for GMA after doing a contributor stint on the show while on Live!, promising he'd remain loyal to Live! in the process; alas, that was not the case.

More: Michael Strahan Is Kind of Rubbing His New Job in Kelly Ripa's Face

But it seems like it's all in the past now, so let's take a page out of Strahan's book, shall we, and go onward and upward.

Country's Sweetheart Cassadee Pope Has a New British Boyfriend You'll Recognize

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Country star and winner of The Voice Casadee Pope has a new man in her life, and he's pretty recognizable. That's because he's not only a talented musician, he's an actor, too. Pope is dating Nashville star Sam Palladio, and it sounds like things are really going well so far.

More: 18 Things to Know About Keleigh Sperry, Miles Teller's Fiancée

In an interview with Taste of Country's Sam Alex Radio this week, Pope gushed about her "super easy breezy" new romance with Palladio.

"He's super talented," she said. "We met a long time ago — I think it was at a CMA afterparty — and it was like a hi-bye, never saw him again, never hung out. And then, gosh I think it was December of last year, we decided to take our dogs to the dog park... and we hit it off! For now — I don't know, it's still new."

Truly, though, how adorable is that? Pope said it was Palladio's idea to meet up for a dog park date, and she fast-tracked it, suggesting, "How about tomorrow?"

More: Angelina Jolie Is Reportedly Dating Again but Doing It Differently This Time

Even though this relationship is new, Pope and Palladio seem to be spending plenty of time together. They just attended some of Pope's friends' wedding over the weekend, and of course they stopped to take an adorable photo booth shot together.

Casadee Pope and her new BF Sam Palladio 1

Casadee Pope and her new BF Sam Palladio 1

They've also already gotten all over each other's social media. Palladio shared Pope's single on his account this week, asking his followers to give it a listen.

Casadee Pope and her new BF Sam Palladio 2

Casadee Pope and her new BF Sam Palladio 2

He also hilariously revealed that they borrow each other's clothes. Seriously, though, who wore it better?

Casadee Pope and her new BF Sam Palladio 3

Casadee Pope and her new BF Sam Palladio 3

And Pope posted a sweet shot of them posing with Smokey Robinson after seeing her perform. Note the heart eyes emoji that she added just for Palladio.

Casadee Pope and her new BF Sam Palladio 4

Casadee Pope and her new BF Sam Palladio 4

More: An Update on Danica Patrick & Aaron Rodgers' Relationship (Hint: It's Good)

These two definitely make a cute couple, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for them. A collab track? We can only hope.

This Is Why You Don’t Regret That One-Night Stand

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If most TV shows and movies have taught us anything, it's that your one true love is worth waiting for, and sure, sex can be enjoyable, but one-night stands are something you should regret. The thing is a lot of people don't regret one-night stands. Either way is totally fine and normal, and now we know a bit more about our post-one-night stand feelings thanks to a recent study performed by researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology along with the University of Texas.

In short, they say if you're regretting the night before, it’s because you’re apprehensive about the affair.

The researchers say that if you had negative emotions going into the romp — such as worry or you felt pressured to have sex — you probably regret the experience more than if you were excited going into the big event.

On the other hand, if you initiated contact, had an enjoyable time or had a great partner, you’re less likely to regret having a one-night stand. Specifically, your own pleasure and the skills of your partner really matter. (Of course, that makes most sex more enjoyable and ideally should be the standard.) 

More: Does It Matter How Long We Wait to Wash Our Bedsheets After Sex?

“Women who initiate sex… are likely to have a healthy sexual psychology, being maximally comfortable with their own sexuality. Second, women who initiate have maximum choice of precisely who they want to have sex with. Consequently, they have less reason to feel regret since they’ve made their own choice,” David M. Buss of the University of Texas told BBC News.

Other casual-sex findings

Keep in mind that if you had great sex on a one-time basis, you’ve kind of defied the odds. Research from a few years ago found that women are half as likely to climax during casual sex than they are in a relationship. Not that an orgasm is the only factor that comes with sex regret.

More: 5 Facts About Vaginas You Need to Know Now

Interested in more findings about casual sex? A study by Canadian researchers published in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior last year says that men and women with wider, shorter faces are more sexually motivated and have stronger sex drives. So if you’re not sure why you initiated, maybe it’s as simple as looking in the mirror.

By Kristen Fischer

The Decluttering Hacks Clean Freaks Actually Use

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We’ve been on the cycle of spring-cleaning for years, but what you may not be in the habit of is an annual decluttering. We know; we know. You’ve heard all about Marie Kondo and the joy of tidying up, but hear us out: Wouldn’t it be nice to look around your house and feel like everything had a place?

First, it’s worth saying that there are two elements to decluttering: a major decluttering session that might take place over a weekend or even a week in which you go through all your stuff and weigh whether or not to keep it and then the maintenance afterward.

We got tips on how people who love to declutter do both. Time to face your over-spilling closet. You’ve got this.

For a major cleanse

1. Make a donation plan before you start. Check your area for women's shelters to donate unused beauty products, children's toys, clothing and other miscellaneous items (they’ll likely have a list on their website of what they need and can accept). Secondhand stores are great for miscellaneous items. And if you have computer goods that no longer work, be sure to dispose of them properly by finding an electronics recycling facility or drop-off location.

2. Start with your storage spaces. Closets, drawers, etc. If these are filled to the brim, where will you put anything else you feel necessary to keep? It also helps to familiarize you with what you already have in case you come across a duplicate.

3. Don't buy anything until the decluttering process is complete.

More: Here's How 5 Editors Organize Their Closets

4. Enlist a friend for real talk. This is especially helpful if you tend to get lost down memory lane when going through your stuff.

5. If you haven't used something in six months, throw it out. There are exceptions for seasonal items like clothing or gear, but reevaluate mid-season to get rid of anything you aren’t using.

6. Do you have a lot of items that have sentimental value but serve no other purpose? Take pictures of them and then toss them out. It sounds harsh, but it’s a huge help.

7. Sell your valuable stuff. Apps like OfferUp or Facebook Marketplace make it easy to get your items in front of interested buyers. But don’t get caught up on making $5 off something you haven’t used in ages, especially if it’s just an excuse not to have to part with it. Donate it instead.

More: 18 Colorful Spring Kitchens That'll Inspire You to Brighten Up Your Own

8. Don’t buy a ton of fancy storage. Figure out how to repurpose what you already have into storage. Think shoe boxes, hooks, coffee cans, empty candle jars — these can all be great organizational tools.

9. Definitely have a place where things belong. It makes it way easier to organize as you go if you know where to put it (and steers you away from having a “dump” area.)

10. Are there a few things you can’t seem to part with in the maybe pile? Put them in a box for a month. If you haven’t needed anything in it, it’s time to let it go.

For maintenance decluttering

11. Assess your biggest problem areas. Is it mail? Is it impulse purchases? Is it books or plastic bags or miscellaneous stuff? Get a sense of what you’re holding onto and then make a plan for where it belongs and how you can better take care of it — whether it’s putting it away or getting rid of it — before it piles up.

12. Stick by this rule: If it takes less than one minute to do, do it immediately.

13. Daily maintenance is key! Spend 10 minutes each day tidying up and putting stuff away so it doesn't pile up into a huge chore.

More: The Best Spring & Summer Decor at Ikea

14. Look for trade-in opportunities. Are you a big book reader? Music collector? Gamer? Shopper? See if you have a local used store where you could trade in your old books, video games, albums and even clothing for store credit and get in the habit of visiting every month or so.

15. Create a buy-later rule. It can be as simple as making a 30-day list (and only buying things, other than necessities, that have been on the list for more than 30 days). It can be a 48-hour shopping cart "wait-list" on Amazon. Or it can be a buy-nothing-new challenge for a set period of time. The only way to keep clutter from accumulating is to stop taking more stuff in. To do that, you have to buy nonnecessities less frequently.

These 2 Massively Popular Movies Will Never Get Reboots

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These days, you can't swing a stick without hitting a reboot. We're nothing as audiences if not nostalgic, so the movie studios keep us knee-deep in our old favorites reimagined. But, according to Drew Barrymore, there are at least two beloved throwback classics that will never get modern sequels.

More: The Surprising Career Lesson Drew Barrymore Learned After Her Divorce

During an appearance on What What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Barrymore, star of the Netflix zombie-com Santa Clarita Diet, dashed the hopes of E.T. fans with a disheartening revelation: Hanging out in Spielberg's house when she was little (#childhoodgoals), she overheard the acclaimed director say of the 1982 alien film, "We're never going to make a sequel. It's just as it is."

Barrymore, of course, played Gertie, the precious kid sister of E.T.'s BFF, Elliott (played by Henry Thomas). It's no wonder a fan called into Watch What Happens Live to pick Barrymore's brain. Could we possibly get a reboot that focuses on Elliott and Gertie as grown-ups? A reboot that revolves around Elliott and Gertie's kids meeting their cute alien friend?

It goes without saying such a reboot would make a lot of '80s and '90s kids very happy.

E.T. Tweet

E.T. Tweet

I know the movie was a major component of my childhood memories. As any good '80s babies would, my brother and I dressed up as Elliott and Gertie for Halloween. He rode his bike with a basket, and I carried our E.T. doll with light-up heart. And, now that I have kids of my own, I've obviously introduced them to the movie — and the psychedelic ride at Universal Studios.

More: Drew Barrymore & Adam Sandler Have Big Plans & You're Going to Like Them

But while driving home the point that older millennials (and/or our offspring) likely won't see E.T. reimagined in this lifetime, Barrymore casually killed any inkling of yet another iconic film remake, this one from 1975.

"In the early '80s, there was not always a lot of talk of sequels," Barrymore said. "Because Steven Spielberg made Jaws and E.T., there was a lot of talk within his camp about sequels. But he never wanted to make them."

To be fair, Jaws did actually spawn a franchise several films long, albeit without Spielberg's blessing. Jaws: The Revenge was directed by Joseph Sargent, Jaws 2 by Jeannot Szwarc and Jaws 3-D by Joe Alves. All were panned, arguably validating Spielberg's instincts about potential sequels.

More: Carl's Jr. Tried to Make "SpielBurgers" a Thing, Steven Spielberg Responds

Still, it would have been fun to see what Spielberg would do with a sequel now that special effects have evolved so much. Richard Dreyfuss is still rockin' and rollin', so Hooper could still be front and center. Regardless, fans new and old would surely eat up a Spielberg-sanctioned Jaws sequel.

Jaws tweet

Jaws tweet

With the new Jurassic World films proving to be successful, maybe Spielberg could change his mind. And, if there is a cinema god, the director will revisit both E.T. and Jaws. An older millennial can dream, right?

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