Bran will make a new friend and from that relationship, we'll learn the reasoning behind his visions and dreams. We'll also learn he's not the only one who has them. Like so many things in Westeros, things may not be as they seem. Will this new person stay a friend or become a foe?
How's Arya faring?
Arya will also meet someone new on her way through the country. Will this person be a friend or foe? It's difficult to tell. She'll also meet up with someone from her past. That person is someone who, while often brutish and cruel, has been known to show sympathy to the Starks. It's unclear how this reunion will pan out, though.
And Margaery? What is she up to?
Anyone who watched The Tudors is probably having a rough time believing Marg could possibly be as sweet and caring as she tries to come across. The scene with the orphans seemed so fake. This time around, we'll see her interact with Sansa and it will give us a bit more insight into her behavior. It's not that she's to be hated, it's just that trusting her is proving to be difficult.
Okay, sure. Halfman is a bit of an a**. But he's our a**. Despite his wealth and his uppity family, Tyrion is the perpetual outcast which, of course, makes everyone love him. His wit and snark often make him seem cruel. But, we still believe he has a heart of gold... that definitely belongs to Shae.
To get the less vague answers, make sure to watch Game of Thrones this Sunday on HBO... and read our review Monday morning!
This is the End shows us what happens when our favorite comedic actors get together. Who knew the end of the world could be so funny!
Our favorite celebs battle it out in the boardroom on Celebrity Apprentice, but what would happen if there was a celebrity apocalypse? This is the End is a hilarious portrayal of our favorite celebrities' impending doom during the end of the world. While attending a party at James Franco's house, the world outside begins to crumble in a series of catastrophic events, trapping celebrity partiers Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson and many others in a house together. Sounds like fun! Being doomed with James Franco by your side is not so bad.
Exploring the fun and crazy situations they face during the end of the world, fans can expect the unexpected. Imagine working with a group of comedic actors on a film with no boundaries. While most of the movie is scripted, Danny McBride says, "We improvised all the time, but Seth and Evan wrote it, yet they would really encourage us to stay off the page. That’s where you get a lot of the best stuff, too. You’re reacting naturally to something funny or something mean. There’s a lot of improv."
In addition to the organic funny moments, the cast opened up about what really tickled them during filming. Director and writer Evan Goldberg says, "I just remember making Jonah Hill laugh so hard he had to take a three-minute break. That was my proudest moment." Seth adds, "He literally couldn’t do it because Evan pitched him a line and we had to stop shooting for five minutes until he gathered himself. That was the hardest I’ve ever seen anyone laugh."
Craig Robinson tells us to be on the lookout for one of his favorite moments in the movie: "I’m going to call it the water scene, when McBride goes to drink the water. I would look out for that on the bloopers, because we could not get through this take. There was one person laughing, then another one." McBride agrees that the funniest moments are "basically any scene I’m in the movie is one of my favorite scenes," but that "everything in this movie is funny."
Let's just hope that no one pees their pants watching these hilarious scenes. In the trailer, due to dwindling supplies, Craig Robinson admits to drinking his own pee. However, would these funny guys really go to such extreme measures during the end of the world? "To drink your pee, or not to drink your pee?" Craig tells SheKnows that he has never done so, but that he's "a never say never kinda dude." Rogen consented that he would also drink his pee: "Who wouldn’t. Between dying and pee drinking, you’d drink your pee."
Have no fear of this apocalyptic comedic collaboration. This is the End is coming to a theater near you June 18.
In honor of Earth Day, we're celebrating those brave, crafty connoisseurs who make new uses of old items. So whether you’re refashioning your mother’s old dresser or came across a garage sale gem you're dying to redesign, here are some clever upcycles to give you inspiration.
Kitchen island
It seems like some areas of the house can never have too much storage. The kitchen is one such area, and Cassity at Remodelaholic, with the help of Sweet November blogger, has found a way to transform a bulky dresser into a chic addition to the kitchen.
You will need:
Dresser with drawers
Paint thinner
Sandpaper
Paint primer
Spray paint
Optional: new hardware, casters
Step 1:
Sand the entire dresser, paying special attention to the top. Be sure to take the drawers out and sand all the edges as well.
Step 2:
Prime the drawers and outside of the dresser .
Step 3:
Paint! They used spray paint because it’s inexpensive and easy to change. Leave the top bare.
Step 4:
Distress drawers and outside of the dresser with sandpaper.
Step 5:
Add stain over the distressed areas so it’s not strikingly different in color.
Step 6 :
Add new hardware and casters to make the kitchen island mobile.
This project was tallied from start to finish and came in at a total of $169.45.
Up next: Dresser facelift >>
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Dresser facelift
If you like your dresser and want to continue to use it as such, perhaps a little facelift is in order. That’s what Candice of Candoodles: ReFab Diaries discovered when her friend shared the potential of a dresser from a grandparents’ shed.
You will need:
Dresser
Sandpaper
Latex paint
Stencil and stencil brush
Knobs
Step 1:
Sand entire dresser.
Step 2:
Paint drawers and dresser with latex paint. Allow paint to completely dry before adding stencil on drawers.
Step 3:
For the stencil detailing on drawers, carefully use a stencil pattern and stencil brush .
Note: Remove stencil pattern while paint is wet; latex paint will peel with the stencil if it is dry.
We've got some news about ABC's Nashville, including spoilers about a possible new man in Rayna's life, a burgeoning friendship forming between Deacon and Avery, plus info on the cast performing at a recent concert.
Is the cast prepping for a concert tour?
First up, we've got an interesting piece of news about the cast taking the stage at a recent concert. The Tennessean reports that the festival originally only listed an addition to the program that would include Nashville musical directors/contributors Colin Linden and Buddy Miller, along with "surprise cast members" from the ABC prime time drama.
As it turned out, those "surprise cast members" included virtually every musical member of the show's cast. Connie Britton joined Charles Esten to perform a song from a future episode called "At the End of the Day," and Hayden Panettiere shared the stage with local songsmith and frequent Nashville contributor Kate York to sing "Telescope."
The evening also included performances from Clare Bowen , Sam Palladio , Jonathan Jackson , Lennon & Maisy Stella and Nashville pop/rock solo artist Erin McCarley, who plays Rayna's touring guitarist on the show.
The concert also included one new face: newcomer Chris Carmack, who made his debut as Will on Wednesday night's episode, also made an appearance. Several more Nashville songwriters took the stage throughout the evening, including Gary Nicholson, Tyler James and Sarah Buxton.
After reporting that the cast might be prepping for a Nashville concert tour, we have to wonder if the cast got together on stage to try out their acts.
Next up, we have news that Rayna is definitely going to be hooking up with someone new. E!online reports that Rayna is going to be spending a whole lot of time with another country guy on the ABC hit: Liam! Reportedly, Rayna and Liam will definitely be together by Episode 18 — the kind of together where they're planning weekend trips.
Series creator Callie Khouri spoke about Rayna's new single status to The Hollywood Reporter. When asked if Rayna would start playing the field now that she's getting a divorce, Khouri said, "It would be interesting to see that. But I figure Rayna and Deacon will eventually find their way back to each other — but I don't really know yet."
So don't fret if you're dying to see Deacon and Rayna together, because it looks like it may still happen someday.
Last we saw, Avery had been forced to give up music and take a job as a roadie. It looks like that career choice may send him in a very interesting direction. Charles Esten spoke to The Hollywood Reporter, saying that Avery will wind up joining Rayna and Juliette's tour for "reasons that would surprise most."
"Deacon sees an awful lot of himself in Avery — way more than in Gunnar or anybody else," Esten said. "Deacon will have some advice for Avery, and giving advice is one of the things Deacon does best. He can't fix himself, but he'll damn sure try to fix everyone else."
Now there's a friendship we didn't necessarily see coming, but we're definitely intrigued by it.
Tell us: Are you hoping for Rayna and Deacon to hook up? Do you think a Nashville concert tour is coming our way? What do you think of Avery and Deacon's new friendship?
Nashville airs on Wednesday nights at 10/9c on ABC.
Want your at-home latte to have that same sparkle and taste as the ones you pay way too much for at specialty cafes? Follow these easy step-by-step directions and add some art to the top of your cup!
You know the best part of this at-home art tutorial? It doesn't require mega expensive equipment or even a steamer. All you need is an espresso maker or instant espresso, a milk frother and milk. You'll be on your way to trendy coffees in no time!
Supplies:
About 3/4 cup whole milk
Nespresso capsules
Milk frother
Instructions:
1
Prepare the latte
If using your machine, place the capsule in the top, select the size you'd like and make your latte.
If you're using instant espresso, follow the directions on the container.
2
Heat and foam the milk
Pour milk into a metal or ceramic jug and heat to about 110-120 degrees F. Holding the pitcher with your left hand, place the frother into the jug, deep into the milk but not touching the bottom.
Turn the frother on and tilt slightly so the milk swirls a little. Keep frothing your milk until all of the bubbles disappear, about 3 minutes.
3
Lightly pour
Tilting the jug, pour the milk from a distance into the coffee.
Once you see the milk start to appear on the top of the coffee, carefully hold the stream of milk in the same place, but wiggle the milk pitcher back and forth as you make a ringed circle. When the milk in your pitcher is almost gone, swing the milk up to create the indentation and tip of your heart.
New Kids on the Block played a promo show Thursday night, but Jonathan Knight didn't last until the end.
All may not be well in boy-band paradise. New Kids on the Block played a much-anticipated set in New York City Thursday night, but one of the members didn’t make it through the whole show.
The '80s boy band was playing the show for iHeartRadio, and according to Billboard, Jonathan Knight walked offstage about halfway through the group’s hour-long set. Those in attendance said that when the show started, Knight was out of synch with the other guys as soon as the set began. He reportedly didn't join in for "the act's trademark arm-waving on its 1989 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 ‘Hangin' Tough.’"
Fans also said Knight stayed at the back of the stage most of the time, and at one point even seemed to receive a phone call on his cell phone.
“The quintet — Donnie Wahlberg, Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood, Jordan Knight and brother Jonathan — was in seemingly good spirits before the show in a video interview with Billboard, discussing its hit-packed past and declaring hopes to remain together indefinitely,” said Billboard.
The other four New Kids on the Block tried to make Knight feel more at home during the performance, but when he was supposed to sing a song by himself things got worse. Knight began “Survive You”, from their new album 10, but awkwardly laughed, tried to sing and then stopped. He then walked off stage and never came back.
The singer has suffered from anxiety issues for years, and this might have just been too much for him. Before the show, he may have given away a warning to the stress he was feeling by tweeting “#ifeelnaked.” Friday morning, he tweeted again, this time presumably talking about his performance. He said only, “I’m sorry…”
New Kids on the Block have released two studio albums in the last five years, after taking a hiatus in 1994.
“10 is expected to debut in the top 10 of next week's Billboard 200 albums chart, while lead single 'Remix ' enters the Adult Top 40 airplay chart this week at No. 39,” said Billboard.
Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz are going to steam up Broadway this fall in the revival of Harold Pinter's Betrayal. The husband and wife team will play a married couple involved in a challenging love triangle.
The heat on Broadway just got turned up a notch as it was announced on Thursday that James Bond actor Daniel Craig will be returning to the Great White Way. He will star in Harold Pinter's Betrayal for a limited run beginning in the fall.
Joining him onstage will be his real-life wife, Rachel Weisz, who will be making her Broadway debut. This marks Craig's second Broadway appearance following his turn in Keith Huff's A Steady Rain with Hugh Jackman in 2009.
The play dramatically follows the story of Emma, played by Weisz, who has been involved in a 7-year affair with Jerry, her husband's best friend. Craig will play Weisz's husband onstage while Life of Pi's Rafe Spall takes on the character of Jerry.
The play originally debuted in 1978 at London's National Theatre and is considered one of playwright Pinter's masterpieces. The revival will be directed by 10-time Tony Award winner Mike Nichols.
Audiences can catch the show beginning Oct. 1 when previews begin at the Barrymore Theatre. The show officially opens on Nov. 3 and runs through Jan. 5, 2014.
Not all salad has to be healthy. This perfectly sweet salad combines apples and Snickers! Take this to your next potluck and prepare to amaze!
Not all salad needs to have leafy greens and healthy toppings. This dessert disguised as a salad is the perfect summer potluck dish. Crunchy green apples and chopped Snickers candy are combined with a whipped cream mixture to make the salad, or dessert, of your dreams.
Snickers caramel apple salad recipe
Serves 6-8
Ingredients:
6 Granny Smith apples, chopped
6 full-size Snickers candy bars, chopped
1 box vanilla or butterscotch pudding mix
1/2 cup half-and-half or whole milk
1 tub Cool Whip, thawed
Caramel topping sauce
Directions:
Set aside chopped apples and Snickers on a cutting board.
In a large bowl add vanilla pudding and half-and-half. Whisk until smooth. Gently stir in Cool Whip. Once combined, fold in apples and Snickers.
Let mixture cool for at least an hour before serving. When you are ready to serve, drizzle with caramel topping sauce.
Appointed maid of honor for a wedding and scared out of your mind? Don’t worry; we’ve been to enough weddings to master the key to being the perfect M.O.H.
A happy bride makes for a pleasant wedding day — and behind every pleasant wedding day is an overworked, stressed-out maid of honor. We’ve put together a survival list to help maids of honor everywhere keep their relationship with their best friends after the big day.
Step 1: Realize the responsibility
Take a quick five seconds to pat yourself on the back for being such a good friend that you were given this privilege over anyone else. Being chosen as the maid of honor for a family member or a close friend’s wedding is a big deal. So realize that it is indeed a responsibility and that it could be one of the most difficult tasks you’ve ever embarked on.
Step 2: Cater to the bride
Now that you are the bride's maid of honor, you will be required to be available to her more than ever before. You are going to have to center the months leading up to the wedding around appointments that may have no emotional importance to you, but mean a lot to her.
If the bride catches you freaking out, she’ll start to lose it completely, so be strong.
Step 3: Stay steps ahead
You’re going to have to be her brain for the day. She’s going to forget to grab extra bobby pins because she didn’t think her hair would fall, and she might forget to use the bathroom before climbing into the over-the-top wedding gown she chose. The best thing you can do to avoid all chaos is to suggest extra everything! Always stay steps ahead by carrying enough things for the both of you. If you’re bringing lotion to the hotel, bring her some, too.
Step 4: Don’t take anything too personally
Chances are you two have been friends for a while and have a long history together; however, chances are also that things won’t go perfectly and there could be tears. Just make sure to remember that she isn’t being mean or snotty on purpose. She is on an emotional roller coaster — you have to be the one to tell her that everything will be OK. Don’t take anything personally and keep in mind how important this day is to her.
Step 5: Have fun
On the day of the wedding, the best thing you can do for your bestie is to have fun! Even if everything is going left instead of right, look like you’re having fun. Get her to laugh, smile and take her mind off of the fact that there are not enough petals for the flower girls. If she catches you freaking out, she’ll start to lose it completely, so be strong.
Lourdes Leon is officially all grown up, as the NY Post is dishing that Madonna's little girl has a boyfriend. Timothée Chalamet, of Showtime's Homeland, is the reported beau.
Where does the time go? It seems like only yesterday that Madonna's daughter, Lourdes Leon, was toddling behind her mom down the streets of New York. Now, according to the NY Post, the 16-year-old has a boyfriend.
Her boyfriend is reportedly Timothée Chalamet, who is known to television audiences as the vice president's son Finn Walden on Showtime's Homeland. The two teens are both students at La Guardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts on Manhattan's Upper West Side.
The creative secondary school is better known as "The Fame School," which inspired the 1980 hit movie. Leon is a junior there, while the Showtime star graduates in the spring.
Sources told Page Six, "It's common knowledge at the school that the pair are dating."
Reps for Madonna refused to comment, most likely to protect her daughter's privacy at such a delicate age.
Speculation is running rampant as "sources" step up to offer an inside look at the teen's love life.
An insider reported to US Weekly, "Lola is boy crazy.... She loves to talk about guys! She flirts endlessly."
Another source offers, "Lola certainly likes her boys, just like her mother! I'm not sure he's the only boy in her life."
Does it really matter what Madonna's little doppelgänger is doing in her private life? The girl is a high school student. Perhaps she deserves a little dignity and a little privacy, even though she has a famous mom.
Leon is the daughter of Madonna and the pop star and personal trainer Carlos Leon. They dated in the late 1990s.
Lourdes' dad may not love the news of his daughter's dating, though, since he's very protective of his little girl.
He told People back in 2011, "I want her to stay young forever. I'm already overprotective, so when the time comes, I will be ready to have a talk with the guy she brings through the door. He better be ready, because I'll give him the rundown!"
Do you think the press is being too invasive of Lourdes Leon's love life?
Former child star Danny Pintauro announced the big news on Friday that he and his boyfriend are engaged and waiting for Prop 8 to be overturned so they can have a California wedding.
As gay marriage continues to gain even more support in the Hollywood community, one former sitcom star has announced his engagement, which will have to wait for a Supreme Court decision. Danny Pintauro from Who's the Boss shared the news exclusively with Us Weekly on Friday.
The former child star has been with his fiancé, Wil Tabares, for a year. As they were celebrating their one-year anniversary over a romantic dinner in Palm Springs, California, Tabares popped the question.
The proposal included a video, which featured the ring he presented to Pintauro.
The former actor told Us Weekly, "He made a video, and in the video held up the box [with the ring]. I looked up and he had it in his hand!"
Tabares, who is an entertainer and an employee at the Cosmopolitan Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, posted Pintauro's response with a picture of the ring on his Facebook page.
The caption revealed, "He said yes!"
Of course, there are a few legal matters that complicate the pending marriage.
Pintauro, now a restaurant manager, shared "We live in a state, Nevada, that does not yet allow same-sex marriage. Our plan is to move to California once Prop 8 is overturned."
Prop 8 is a California constitutional amendment that was passed in November 2008. It states, "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." Currently, the legality of the amendment is being reviewed in the Supreme Court. A decision is expected to be handed down by late June 2013.
Pintauro came out publicly in 1997. He played Jonathan Bower in ABC's sitcom Who's the Boss for nine seasons with co-stars Judith Light, Tony Danza and Alyssa Milano. The former TV star went on to graduate from Stanford University. He was last seen on Secret Life of the American Teenager back in 2010.
A federal judge has ordered the FDA to allow the morning-after pill to be sold without a prescription to anyone who wants it — including your young teenage daughter. Where do you stand on the issue?
A federal judge has ordered the FDA to allow the morning-after pill to be sold without a prescription to anyone who wants it — including your young teenage daughter. Where do you stand on the issue?
Otc Access to plan B without age limits
The morning-after pill, also known as Plan B, is back in the news again after a federal judge in Brooklyn, New York has ordered the Food and Drug Administration to improve availability of the drug by allowing it to be sold unrestricted over the counter. While reproductive rights advocates are rejoicing, others consider it a bad idea. Where do you draw the line?
Plan B basics
The morning-after pill is considered emergency contraception. In the event of a birth control failure or lack of use, or in cases of rape, a woman can take this medication within 72 hours and drastically reduce the chances that she will become pregnant. It works by preventing ovulation. In the case that fertilization has already taken place, it may not affect implantation — but if implantation has taken place, it will not interfere with development of the embryo or fetus.
Currently, the medication is available without a prescription, but you must be over age 17 or 18 to legally purchase it from a pharmacist. This leaves younger teens in the dust, requiring them to inform their parents or guardians that they have a need for it so they can get a prescription — which is often understandably a scary thing to do. Instead of going to Mom and Dad, they hope for the best, and often have an unplanned, unwanted pregnancy to deal with as a result.
Broaden availability
Most parents we spoke with felt that lifting the age restriction benefits those who need it most.
"This is an alternative to teen pregnancy. Let's give them this as a resource."
“The people who need the morning-after pill the most, people whose lives would be most negatively impacted by a pregnancy are those who are least likely to seek a prescription for it, either because they're afraid to ask their parents or because they do not have the resources or health insurance to get the prescription,” said Heather, mother of two.
Cristina from California agreed. “It's about time, I say,” she told us. “It's a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned.”
“In an ideal world, teen pregnancy wouldn't exist and teens would be virgins until they were married — but we don't live in an ideal world,” said Jenna, mom of two. “This is an alternative to teen pregnancy. Let's give them this as a resource.”
Not so fast
Others felt that such a medication being available to minors was a step in the wrong direction. “Birth control pills and Plan B are serious drugs with a lot of potential side effects,” said Brent, a commenter on the CNN article.
"I wouldn’t want my 12-year-old taking this without my knowledge, simply because of side effects..."
“People act as if we're talking about multi-vitamins. Making Plan B OTC is especially dangerous since people would be buying them at a very vulnerable time and they may not be thinking through things clearly.”
Rachael, pregnant with her third child, felt that an age limit was indeed a good thing. “My first thought is, I wouldn’t want my 12-year-old taking this without my knowledge, simply because of side effects,” she explained. “But if it's $50, chances are my 12-year-old wouldn’t be able to get it without my knowledge. I certainly think it should be available without a script, but I also think there should be an age limit — and under that should be parental consent needed.”
What it means
Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said that the ruling could mean greater access in around 30 days. "Today science has finally prevailed over politics," she said in a statement. "This landmark court decision has struck a huge blow to the deep-seated discrimination that has for too long denied women access to a full range of safe and effective birth control methods."
Vikings has carved out its place on cable television. On Friday, the History Channel announced there are battle stories to come. The network recently renewed the series for another season.
The History Channel original series Vikings is a roaring success. The network's first scripted drama has been labeled the No. 1 new cable series in 2013. Because of that positive reception, History has renewed it for a 10-episode second season.
After five weeks, the show has gained a solid following. Vikings averages 5 million total viewers and pulled 4.7 million just this week. Via a press release, Dirk Hoogstra, executive vice president of development and programming for History, confirmed the latest Viking news.
"Vikings is a win win for us. As our first scripted series, Vikings has paid off in a big way with critical acclaim, strong ratings and a passionate, loyal fan base. It came out of the gate strong and has stayed on top, solidifying History as a major player in the scripted genre, just as we are in reality," said Hoogstra.
"We could not be more proud of the entire cast and crew and everyone involved in the making of Vikings. Michael Hirst has captured audiences with his complex, compelling characters and brought the unknown, epic world of these warriors to life. Season Two will begin production this summer to air in 2014."
The series portrays the world of the Dark Age raiders, traders and explorers — not from an outsider's point of view but through the eyes of Viking society. These men, who are traditionally viewed as villains, are now seen as heroes.
Vikings stars Travis Fimmel, Gabriel Byrne, Katheryn Winnick, Jessalyn Gilsig, George Blagden, Clive Standen and Gustaf Skarsgard.
Vikings airs Sundays at 10/9c on History. The season finale is scheduled for April 28.
Breakfast is one of those meals few people take the time to enjoy. Unless they're on vacation. Here are some of America's best restaurants' breakfast items!
Dash visited America's best coffee shops and diners and found 18 legendary breakfast feasts. Here are three of our favorites!
Mix together strawberries, sugar, 1 teaspoon brandy and grated orange peel. Let compote sit for 30 minutes to allow strawberries to soften.
Lightly beat eggs in a medium bowl. Add cream, 1 tablespoon brandy, brown sugar and vanilla and beat well.
Soak 12 pieces bread in egg mixture. Melt butter on a griddle over medium heat and cook each piece of bread for 4 minutes per side.
As toast comes off griddle, immediately spread 1 teaspoon of mascarpone cheese and 2 tablespoons of compote in the middle and fold in half so the cheese melts and strawberries warm up. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and drizzle with maple syrup.
1 pound cooked corned beef, thickly sliced against the grain and broken into pieces
Paprika
1/4 cup chopped parsley
Directions:
In a large heavy skillet over medium heat, saute red onion in cooking oil until onion begins to soften. Add red potatoes. Fry until edges begin to crisp. Add corned beef. Toss hash together over medium heat for 2 minutes.
Remove to a plate, sprinkle with paprika, and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped parsley.
Learn how to recognize symptoms of environmental allergies in your dog. Find out how to relieve your dog's symptoms and when you should consult with your vet.
You’ve heard of people who are allergic to dogs and allergic to pollen. But have you heard of dogs who have allergies? We’ve got the skinny on things that make your pet itchy and miserable and what you can do to help Fido feel better.
What are the common symptoms of allergies in dogs?
As with humans, dogs demonstrate a variety of allergy symptoms. Allergies can be seasonal or year-round. Seasonal allergies may be easier to pick up on, because your dog will only suffer for a few weeks or months out of the year. Other environmental allergies may affect your dog at any time, with symptoms like itching, runny eyes, sneezing, swelling, skin irritation and frequent licking. Licking aside, dog allergy symptoms look a lot like allergy symptoms in people. Vomiting and diarrhea can also be symptoms of allergies in dogs, but could be signs of other issues. If they persist, take your dog to the vet right away.
What are dogs allergic to?
Dogs can be allergic to many things. This can make it difficult to pinpoint exactly what’s bothering your dog. Food allergies aren’t as common and can be harder to diagnose. Seasonal allergies, such as pollen allergies, may be easier to identify if they crop up at the same time humans are suffering from seasonal allergy symptoms.
Other substances in your home could be irritating your dog, such as cigarette smoke, dust and laundry additives. Wash your dog’s bedding in hot water with an unscented detergent to try to give your dog an allergen-free place to rest. Keep in mind that dogs can also be allergic to fleas. Keep your dog up to date with his flea prevention medication.
If your dog is exhibiting symptoms of allergies, make an appointment to visit your veterinarian. There are a variety of ways to treat allergies in dogs, ranging from immunotherapy to supplements. Antihistamines may be effective under a vet’s supervision. Ask your vet for prescription shampoo to relieve your dog’s allergy symptoms and prevent symptoms in the future.
As you identify what your dog is allergic to, take preventive measures at home to reduce your dog’s exposure to the substances that make him itchy and uncomfortable. The good news is, allergy proofing for a dog is similar to allergy proofing for people. If you treat the air at home, keep your windows closed during pollen season and avoid tracking pollen into your home, you’ll relieve your own seasonal allergies too.
An email newsletter is a great way to stay in touch with customers and keep them coming back. But it's not as simple as just sending out a mass email — it only works if you do it right .
Tips to increase reach and keep it legal
An email newsletter is a great way to stay in touch with customers and keep them coming back. But it's not as simple as just sending out a mass email — it only works if you do it right .
If you've been considering starting an email newsletter, you're probably like most freelance or home-based entrepreneurs. You have no idea where to start! Take a deep breath and we'll walk you through it.
Step 1: What is your newsletter about?
This is usually the hardest part. What you do for a living isn't as important as what your customers or potential customers want to know. Remember that your newsletter is only valuable if it actually helps someone. So if you're a social media consultant, instead of talking about high-level social media metrics, consider content that explains how to get the most out of your LinkedIn presence. That's right, give away some secrets!
Don't give your clients a handbook on how to do everything you do, but do give them great advice that establishes you as a real expert in the field. After following your advice for several months , they may suddenly realize their needs are out of their DIY ballpark.
Don't just send them email after email that tells them how great you are and asks them to hire you. If it's appropriate for your business, discount codes or coupons are great! But don't overdo it. That's what makes people hit the unsubscribe button. Give them content they'll look forward to. If you're not sure what to send, ask other customers what they'd want to see.
Step 2: Build your list
It's tempting to purchase lists, but the reality is, those only work if you get them legally and you know what you're doing. The best way to build your email list is to ask customers to subscribe. Within certain legal limits, you can actually email customers without permission, but we always recommend getting it. Not only do you ensure the most interested people are getting your newsletter, you don't risk the consequences that can come with being marked as spam.
The best way to build your list is to give people a way to subscribe at all times. Put it on your website, tweet it, post it to Facebook and LinkedIn and more. You can start an email newsletter sign-up list before you have the newsletter. Plenty of email newsletter service providers provide free sign-up templates you can use.
Step 3: Choose a service provider
Whatever you do, don't try to start a newsletter by creating a list in your email client like Microsoft Outlook or Apple Mail. That's a quick way to get yourself sent to everyone's spam filter or worse . That's because at one point, spammers did exactly that! They'd grab a slew of ill-gotten email addresses and just shoot out an email.
A reputable email service provider, on the other hand, has relationships with email service providers like Yahoo, AOL and Gmail . They guarantee a certain level of legal compliance and just plain courtesy.
There are a lot of great and inexpensive newsletter services out there. Our favorite is MailChimp. It's super easy to use with templates, the ability to upload custom designs and the same tracking features you'll see with most services. But they have a "Forever Free" account that's great for most freelancers and work-at-home moms. As long as you have fewer than 2,000 subscribers, you can send a total of 12,000 each month.
But you should also check out ConstantContact, iContact, AWeber, Campaign Monitor, GetResponse, Emma and more! The key is to find one that does everything you need it to and fits in your price range.
Step 4: Follow the law
No matter what you decide to do, there are laws regarding why and to whom you can send newsletters. The law is called "CAN-SPAM," which most reputable newsletter service providers make sure you can't violate. Just to let you know how seriously the government takes the law, CAN-SPAM stands for Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act.
There are so many rules, but the first ones to learn are these:
The "from" line has to be accurate — you can't mislead your prospects in any way
The subject line should accurately reflect what's inside the email
People have to be allowed to unsubscribe — you have to process these opt-outs within 10 business days and these opt-outs last forever unless you receive consent to start sending them again. The unsubscribe link must be "clear and conspicuous" and should appear at the end of the email, as that's where everyone puts it — you just can't hide it with clever phrasing or bury it in other notices.
Your newsletter has to have a valid postal address .
As you can see , the government isn't messing around, which is why it's a good idea to go with a service provider. But choose wisely. Both you and the newsletter vendor can be held liable by the federal and state government, and email service providers who experience issues with your emails can also sue. The federal government can order you to pay up to $16,000 per violation in addition to what the state and email service providers can seek. Even if you only have 50 people on your list, it can add up fast.
Step 5: Does it work?
Most newsletter vendors have plenty of metrics to help you determine your reach and who's actually engaging. But at the end of the day, it only matters if it's working. It can take months or more to determine if it's really working, so be patient. But if you're getting negative feedback , consider making some changes.
Above all else, read everything you can about writing great newsletters from blogs like Mashable and Copyblogger. Don't make changes without listening to the experts.
What would country music be without cowboy hats and the cowboys under ‘em? See if you can match the men of country music to their hat of choice.
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This country legend is a straight shooter, and will perform at this year’s ACM Awards. He's referred to as the “King of Country,” but prefers a cowboy hat to a crown.
This handsome staple of country music has friends in low places. Is that why he rejected the 1996 American Music Award for Entertainer of the Year, saying, “For all the people who should be awarded, I’m going to leave it right here,” and then walked away leaving the award on the podium?
Women go crazy for what this country star has under his hat. One lady in particular, Renée Zellweger, fell for this performer and his rippling biceps so much, she hastily married him on a beach. Alas, they annulled their vows soon after. Renée cited “fraud” as the reason, leading to wild speculation that this cowboy might prefer the company of other cowboys.
This lone ranger is known for having a sense of humor and not taking himself too seriously . He wants to pick ticks off you, but maybe wears a hat to keep from getting ticks on himself.
Is this guy wearing a hat? That is the reaction most women have when drooling over this gorgeous 45-year-old stud. Unfortunately he's married and has children with one of the hottest women in country music. Life is just not fair!
This relative newcomer to country music thought he’d live out country music lyrics by lip-locking with a sweet young thing who was not his wife. His high-school sweetheart wife has forgiven his indiscretion and they’ve moved on to greener pastures.
This tall drink of water and his hat make a distinct impression. He seems a bit rough around the edges, but when you watch him in the board room, he’s a lot more bark than he is bite.
This slice of country heaven is bucking conventional norms and either wears a baseball hat or no hat at all, especially when he’s in a place of worship.
So men of the '60s and '70s weren’t like Mike Brady and Ward Cleaver? Who knew office environments were so rife with alcohol, cigarettes and sex? These are the cads of Mad Men…
Jon Hamm as Don Draper
Men probably view Don Draper as some sort of iconic bad a** because he sleeps around, is sort of the HBIC , drinks like a fish and smokes like a stack — while at work. In other words, he lives a fairly unapologetic life. Women on the other hand are scared to death that their husbands are secretly like The Draper — playing father and husband at home and doing whatever the hell they want once their car leaves the garage. Admit it, ladies, since you started watching Mad Men, you've been wondering if your husband has a secret identity.
Here again, we're sure every guy in their '50s wishes they were aging like the still-sexy Roger Sterling. While his name sounds just a bit romance-novelish, Sterling is Don Draper's boss, and about the only guy who can tell Draper what to do. When your name is on the building, which Sterling's is, people listen — including women like the ultra-cool red-headed secretary manager, Joan Holloway. Sterling got greedy with wealth, position and power. There really is nothing more pathetic than a guy who pushes his luck, ends up in the hospital and cries like a 6-year-old boy telling his wife he loves her after having a heart attack on his office floor trying to get with someone his daughter’s age. Blek.
We're not sure where the casting director for Mad Men found Vincent Kartheiser for the role of the overindulged, insecure, at-times-slimy Pete Campbell, but they achieved prep-school boy perfection. This is the guy we've all met — born with a silver spoon in his mouth, disliked immensely, and since he's never really had to work for anything in his life, he resorts to devious means to get ahead. Pete knocked up his secretary the night before he got married and tried to blackmail Draper after lifting Draper's personal mail. Pete is one of the few characters that solicits a bit of sympathy. He's young and making an effort — all the others are older, jaded and should know better.
Pete Campbell's arch nemesis Ken Cosgrove looks and acts like a guy you wouldn't want to be left in a dark corner with. You know the guy, ladies. He looks suave and seems charming enough, but if you heard how he talks around the guys you know that he's not the kind of person you or your drink should be left alone with at a party. His ability to write and get published is one of the many things that Pete loathes about him but women recognize him as the sort who would step over his own dead grandmother to get ahead. The fact that he's married, especially when you consider the crowd he runs with, isn't fooling anyone.
Richard Sommer as Harry Crane
Harry starts out harmless enough. He's a bit nerdier than the rest of the members of the boys club and at first he's a loyal husband. But you can only flirt with the dark side for so long before it takes hold of you. One night at a drunken office party, Harry ends up sleeping with one of the secretaries and gets kicked out of his house for a few months. When Harry's wife takes him back in and they have a baby, you wonder if Harry might be the one good apple on the cart. Sadly, as his career advances, so does his taste for extra-marital affairs. Harry, Harry, Harry.
Christoper Stanley as Henry Francis
Why does the man who rescued Betty from an unhappy marriage with Don Draper make the "cad" list? Call it guilt by association. Henry's mother accuses him of marrying Betty for sex, but if that's the worst thing Henry does, he's a saint compared to the rest of Mad Men's mad men. Henry is a dependable step-father and is patient with Betty through her cancer scare and her oft-explosive handling of her daughter, Sally. The rest of the boys on this list could take lessons in how not to be a cad from Henry.
Don Draper is the kind of guy we love to hate. He’s handsome, has a commanding presence and is brighter than most but then mucks it all up with arrogance and poor decisions. Don can wax poetic with the best of them and will say anything to get the girl or the account. Here’s a few Don Draper classics…
Exactly! I mean, huh?
Don D is known to launch into a philosophical monologue, especially when an advertising account is about to take its toys and go to another firm. At times these dissertations fill us with admiration as we exclaim, "Brilliant." Other times they start off strong and then make us say, "Exactly! I mean, huh?" Here's an example :
“When a man walks into a room, he brings his whole life with him . He has a million reasons for being anywhere, just ask him . If you listen, he'll tell you how he got there . How he forgot where he was going, and that he woke up . If you listen, he'll tell you about the time he thought he was an angel or dreamt of being perfect . And then he'll smile with wisdom, content that he realized the world isn't perfect . We're flawed, because we want so much more . We're ruined, because we get these things, and wish for what we had ."
Thanks, Negative Ned
Hey, who invited Debbie Downer? So we get that Don's upbringing wasn't the best, what with him being the son of a dead prostitute and all, but lighten up, buddy! Here's Don's take on love:
“The reason you haven't felt it is because it doesn't exist. What you call love was invented by guys like me, to sell nylons. You're born alone and you die alone and this world just drops a bunch of rules on top of you to make you forget those facts. But I never forget. I'm living like there's no tomorrow, because there isn't one.”
Is it just us or did this guy slam love and throw in a side of solitary death all in the same breath? Draper's not done. He hasn't shredded happiness yet:
“But what is happiness? It’s a moment right before you need more happiness.”
Wow, it's all rainbows and unicorns for this guy. What does DD think about the cosmic realm?“I hate to break it to you, but there is no big lie, there is no system, the universe is indifferent.” Sheesh, we hate to break it to you, Don, but you need some anti-depressants.
Folks in sales typically have a gift for sugar-coating things. Don Draper wouldn't know what sugar is if someone dumped a truckload of it in his cup of coffee. One thing Pete Campbell learned early is to not piss off The Draper. Campbell did a little fancy-footwork behind Draper's back and Don's response was, “Listen, Pete, I need you to go get a cardboard box. Put your things in it. OK?” And if that's not OK with you, Pete, here's another pearl of Draper wisdom: “If you don't like what is being said, then change the conversation.“
When it comes to justification, Draper is the master. You'd have to get good at it when your identity is a sham and you're a womanizer. There's a lot of lying involved in that lifestyle, but if you're Don Draper, “It wasn’t a lie, it was ineptitude with insufficient cover.” Ah, right.
And if it's sympathy you're after, you may want to visit with one of the secretaries at the agency, because Don believes, “Mourning is just extended self-pity.” How would you like to be one of his kids?
When all else fails, pirate
Sometimes, even Don is at a loss for words. On the rare occasion that this happens, he just jacks someone else's idea. In this quote, he rips off what his then-secretary has to say about a client wanting to advertise lipstick:
“Every woman wants choices, but in the end, none wants to be one of a hundred in a box. She's unique. She makes the choices and she's chosen him. She wants to tell the world he's MINE. He belongs to ME, not you. She marks her man with her lips. He's her possession. You've given the gift of total ownership.”
Amuse me
Once and again, The Don can be amusing — not funny, exactly — but amusing. When eager Pete tells Draper that he'd follow a man like him into combat blindfolded, Draper replies, “Let's take it a little slower. I don't want to wake up pregnant.” It would have been funnier if he wasn’t being so caustic. Then there’s the time Don pops off and says, “That is a roach. Let’s go someplace darker.” That's kind of funny.
Draper proves he can transform sarcasm into a science when he says, "Maybe I'm late because I was spending time with my family reading the Bible." Yeah, maybe. Or maybe you're late because you were twisting your little Soho girlfriend into a pretzel on your lunch hour while your kids and wife are waiting in your office to have family pictures taken. Like Don says, “This never happened. It will shock you how much it never happened.”
How much of Wolverine can Hugh Jackman take? The actor's gearing up for another round of mutant action with X-Men: Days of Future Past. After shooting this year's The Wolverine, Jackman reveals what made him want to suit up again.
Hugh Jackman's played the role of Wolverine for over a decade. He's grown the beard and unleashed the claws for a total of six films . But that won't be the end of it. The Australian actor will reprise the character again for next year's Days of Future Past.
Being Wolverine isn't an easy task. Jackman has to get into superhero shape. After wrapping The Wolverine, he thought he was done with the grueling regimen, but he was wrong. According to EW, the producers for Days of Future Past came knocking and pulled him back in.
"I must admit I was starting to see a life free of steamed chicken breasts," jokes Jackman. "They told me the idea and, at the time, it was Matthew Vaughn [directing]. Instantly, I knew it was a winner. It just felt like everything was coming full circle. However, I must admit my stomach and my mind were like, 'Oh no.'"
Jackman couldn't pass up the opportunity, especially when director Bryan Singer came on board. Singer gave him his first big break with 2000's X-Men.
"I owe, in a way, everything to Bryan. The first film I did in America was X-Men. Wolverine is a character I've loved playing and I can't believe it's going to be my seventh time playing it. It just blows me away," said Jackman.
"It not only feels like the right kind of project, it actually is so exciting that we'll all be back together again. I don't want to give away too much, but I'm really excited not only to reunite with all those great actors but also to work with some of the other ones."
X-Men Days of Future Past opens in theaters July 18, 2014.
Exactly! I mean, huh?
Thanks, Negative Ned
Hugh Jackman
