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Megan Fox's New TV Job Is So Random, but Also, We Love It

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Getting paid to travel the world — that’s a dream we all have, right? Well, clever Megan Fox found a way to channel her adventurous spirit into a real-life job: a starring role as the host of the new four-episode series on the Travel Channel, tentatively titled Mysteries and Myths with Megan Fox. In a Travel Channel press release, we learned Fox will not only be hosting the show, but she also the show's cocreator and producer. Get it, mama!

More: Megan Fox Talks Superpowers & Diverse Roles in Interview

But Fox's role in the show isn't the only thing we know about it thus far. Fox also talked about why she is choosing to do the show and how she connects with the subject matter. "I would describe myself as a seeker. A seeker is someone who is never content to have obtained enough Knowledge," she said in a statement included in the press release. “History only gives us a one-sided view of the truth. That’s something I know from personal experience. My own history has been rewritten by other people who had a vested interest in changing the narrative. I haven’t spent my entire life building a career in academia so I don’t have to worry about my reputation or being rebuked by my colleagues, which allows me to push back on the status quo. So much of our history needs to be re-examined.”

The show will follow Fox around the globe as she consults with archaeologists and other experts to challenge conventional historical and socio-anthropological wisdom. Questions like, "Did Amazon women really exist?" "Was the Trojan war real?" and plenty of others will get an informed, thorough answer thanks to Fox's investigations — and we're so here for it.

More: Brian Austin Green Gets Reals About His Marriage to Megan Fox

The series has an endlessly intriguing premise, but we’ll also be tuning in simply to catch up with Fox. Her film and TV appearances have been few and far between in recent years, but we always love seeing her when she surfaces. Since starting her family in 2012, the actor and mother (she and hubby Brian Austin Green have three sons) has understandably been selective in taking roles. Her recurring role as Reagan on New Girl from 2016 to 2017 kicked off a more active time in Fox’s acting career; without a doubt, this Travel Channel show will ensure she stays a TV fixture.

More: In Rare Family Photo, Megan Fox's Son Is Living His Best Life in a Frozen Dress

Luckily, we won't have to wait long to tune in to Mysteries and Myths with Megan Fox. The limited (to start) series will start production this June. When the series airs later this year, it will consist of one-hour episodes. We have a feeling Travel Channel won’t let the outspoken star down, though — and we hope she continues to be bold in pursuit of the truth.


Apparently, Joanna Gaines Wasn't Always Chip's Type

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As Fixer Upper's endearing dynamic duo, husband-and-wife team Chip and Joanna Gaines seem impossibly well-suited to one another. But in a revealing interview with Today, ol' Chipper made a surprising revelation: He had a type before Joanna, and it didn't sound like a bill she would fit. During an appearance on the Tuesday's episode of NBC's flagship morning show, the pair was promoting their delectable new cookbook Magnolia Table. During the interview, Chip made a surprising comment about the kind of women he preferred before meeting Joanna, and it is weirdly connected to the fact that she's currently pregnant.

More: Joanna Gaines Celebrates Her 40th Birthday With a Little Sweetness

"Prior to my relationship with Joanna, I always dated slightly bigger-boned girls. So, whenever Jo is pregnant, it's kind of my thing. It's kind of my jam," he joked, saying he "needed to get that out there." Of course, Joanna is a pro at steering conversations back after Chip derails them, which is precisely what the design maven did. Chicken potpie, anyone?

All joking aside, it's obvious Chip is wild about his wife when she's expecting and when she isn't (which, let's be real, is kind of what leads to the expecting part). The fact that he goes out of his way to make her feel desirable during what can be a particularly self-conscious time for women is actually pretty heartwarming — and laugh-out-loud funny in the context of his Today comments.

More: Chip & Joanna Gaines Announce the Sex of Their 5th Child

Still, maybe this is further proof that Chip and Joanna balance each other out in all the right ways. During an interview with Darling Magazine in February 2018, Joanna opened up about struggling with insecurity her entire life. "I don't think confidence has really been one of those things that came naturally for me," she said. Although Joanna's struggles stemmed from being singled out as a child over her mixed Korean-American heritage, that broken self-esteem persisted well into her adult years.

Enter Chip. And Fixer Upper. And finding her purpose through her passion.

"As I'm getting older the idea of beauty is very different for me, yes," she told the magazine. "I am getting gray hairs and wrinkles, but I feel more beautiful now because I know I have a great purpose. I know I'm meant to raise my children well, to love my husband well, and to help others in their home. When I do these things, that's when I feel beautiful."

More: Chip & Joanna Gaines Just Welcomed a New Kid (Literally) Into the Family

We're betting Chip crushing on his pregnant wife falls under that umbrella of things that make Joanna feel beautiful too. But he (and she) had better enjoy it while they can! Joanna's pregnancy-induced big-boned-ness has an expiration date — the couple is reportedly expecting their new baby boy in July.

15 Timeless Movies Dedicated to the Teen Experience

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The Mother Lode

Lady Bird came onto the film scene late in 2017, but its impact was immediately felt, and fans couldn't help but shout the film's praises from the mountaintops. The film resonated with audiences because of its very raw, very real look at the mother-daughter dynamic that was at its core, as well as the realistic portrayal of growing up in modern America when you're part of a working-class family. It was, essentially, a slice of the teen experience in all its murky, uncertain and painfully honest glory.

More: 10 Life-Changing Podcasts for Teens

But Lady Bird isn't the only film that feels like it accurately portrays the teen experience. Through various awkward, thrilling, life-defining moments, all wrapped up in various memorable plots, the following films have captured our hearts and minds when it comes to understanding teens and remembering our own teen years. On that note, let's dig into the archives and highlight some movies that will give you the same nostalgic feel that Lady Bird likely did as they recall those memorable teenage years.

1. Real Women Have Curves

real women have curves trailer

real women have curves trailer

As the title suggests, this film is about embracing your beautiful body in all its glory. It's is the coming-of-age story of a Mexican-American girl who is exploring her place in the world as she migrates away from her traditional roots to follow her mainstream dreams at Columbia University. It stars a young America Ferrera, who was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for the role.

2. Anywhere but Here

anywhere but here trailer

anywhere but here trailer

Natalie Portman and Susan Sarandon star as a flawed but lovable mother/daughter duo looking for success in Beverly Hills. Mothers aren't perfect; some less so than others. But that doesn't mean the connection between mothers and daughters doesn't run deep and true.

3. Now and Then

now and then trailer

now and then trailer

Best friends are the best, especially when you grow up with them. This story follows four young girls as they grow up over one summer and then flashes back and forth to the women reuniting as adults. While the film received only a 24 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes by critics, viewers loved it. They gave it an 84 percent on the site thanks to its relatable, lovable premise and all-star cast.

4. Pretty in Pink

pretty in pink trailer

pretty in pink trailer

Oh, the hopeless anticipation that is prom night and all the awkwardness and uncertainty that comes with it! Molly Ringwald stars as Andie, a not-so-popular high schooler who is facing some tough decisions ahead of her senior prom. And no, it isn't just about which guy she should take. It's more about which social circle she will define for herself and whether she'll value wealth over true connection. Not only is this film fun to watch, but the soundtrack is also one of the best in movie history.

5. The Virgin Suicides

the virgin suicides trailer

the virgin suicides trailer

Fair warning: This film is dark and haunting. The title kind of says it all. This was Sofia Coppola's directorial feature debut, and it definitely started her career with a bang. The film tells the story of five sisters who are oppressed by their parents in the '70s. It's poignant, it's tragic and it captures the longing teenagers often experience as they push and pull against that boundary between childhood and adulthood.

More: These "Texts From My Teen" Are Even Funnier Than "Texts From Mom"

6. Blue Is the Warmest Color

blue is the warmest color trailer

blue is the warmest color trailer

A young woman discovers desire and explores her sexuality as she falls in love with another young woman, Emma, who happens to have blue hair. A look at the intersection between entering puberty and exploring sexual identity, this French film is raw and deeply intimate to watch. That being said, prepare yourself. This film does not shy away from erotic moments.

7. Girlhood

girlhood trailer

girlhood trailer

Another poignant French film, Girlhood tells the story of a young woman who turns to life in a gang when she feels like her options have run out. While she hopes the decision will offer a chance at freedom, it is not as easy as it seems. The film explores the pressures on women and leads the viewer to sympathize with the decisions made, even though we know they're wrong.

8. Thirteen

thirteen trailer

thirteen trailer

Written by a teenage Nikki Reed, the story is a partly autobiographical account of her life at 12 and 13 years old. Suffice to say it was out of control. The film showcases her discovery of sex, drugs and petty crime after befriending another troubled girl. The film received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for its performances and is lauded as a realistic look inside a teen's downward spiral.

9. Sixteen Candles

16 candles trailer

16 candles trailer

Were 16th birthdays ever as grand as we imagined? There's so much hype around this adolescent milestone that it's no wonder many girls end up disappointed and lonely on their big day. Enter Molly Ringwald as Samantha in this '80s classic. Sure, it's a comedy, and Samantha's coming-of-age story is fun to watch, but that doesn't mean this film doesn't have some big messages about what it is to be a young woman and the trials and tribulations of the teenage years in all their glory.

10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

the perks of being a wallflower trailer

the perks of being a wallflower trailer

Adapted from the novel of the same name, this coming-of-age drama tells the story of socially awkward Charlie. Despite his introverted nature, two older students, Sam and Patrick, become his mentors, ushering Charlie into an age of first love and self-discovery. But there is a darkness underneath it all as Charlie struggles with depression and a tragic secret that too many teens experience in real life.

11. Girlfight

girlfight trailer

girlfight trailer

Michelle Rodriguez stars as a tough girl who trains as a boxer against her father's wishes. The mantra of this film is in line with the "girls can do anything they freaking want" anthem. Of course, with Rodriguez in the lead, being the badass she is, you'll walk out of this film really feeling it's true.

13. Fish Tank

fish tank trailer

fish tank trailer

Fair warning: This film is messed up, but it's a necessary look at the reality of some teenage experiences. Sometimes the truth is gritty, and this film handles it with a grace that will live with you long after the credits roll. Fish Tank tells the story of a rebellious girl who finds her passion in dance. The problem? That passion is fueled by her mother's boyfriend, who also stirs some other passions as the movie progresses.

More: Teaching Your Teenager Responsibility Doesn't Have to Be Torture

14. Girl in Progress

girl in progress trailer

girl in progress trailer

A young girl comes up with a list of to-dos to reach adulthood since her mother is clearly not up to the task. Of course, the moral of this story is that growing up isn't always so easy. And it's never a good idea to rush away from your youth — appreciate it while you've got it.

15. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

sisterhood of the traveling pants trailer

sisterhood of the traveling pants trailer

Oh, the love that is this movie. Four friends discover a pair of pants that mysteriously fits them all perfectly. They spend the summer apart but stay in touch by trading the pants along with letters. First love, dreams realized and adventures had all lead to a coming-of-age story that will warm your heart.

Joanna Gaines’ New Cookbook Is Here, & the Recipes Sound Delicious

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TV star Joanna Gaines and her husband, Chip, may be leaving the Fixer Upper life behind, but that doesn’t mean they’re not cooking up new ventures — literally. Joanna Gaines has just released a new cookbook called Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering.

The book features 125 Gaines family-favorite recipes, like fried chicken with poppy seed jam; asparagus and fontina quiche; Brussels sprouts with crispy bacon, toasted pecans and balsamic reduction; and peach caprese. The book has you covered for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as party snacks, small plates and desserts. And since Gaines is an avid gardener, it also heavily features homegrown seasonal herbs and produce.

Joanna Gaines Magnolia Table Cookbook

If you’re feeling antsy and can’t wait to get the book in your hands, Gaines also posted a few of the recipes on her blog to celebrate the cookbook. They should keep your kitchen fragrant and scrumptious until you can hold the whole recipe book in your hands.

More: Giada De Laurentiis Is Taking Huge Steps to Empower Women in 2018

Magnolia Table isn't just a cookbook; it's also the name of the Gaineses' latest restaurant, which recently opened in Waco, Texas. Several of the restaurant's recipes are in the cookbook too. Magnolia Table is the second restaurant for the couple, who opened a bakery called Silos Baking Co. in 2016 in the same Texas town. People lined up out the door to try it out, and it's been a hit ever since.

More: Anthony Bourdain Has Complicated Views on Veganism

So, yes, you can now deck out your kitchen with their Target decor line (or order a whole household’s worth of gorgeous knickknacks at Magnolia Market), get dinner at Magnolia Table and dessert at Silos Baking Co. — and then go home to create your own Gaines-approved food masterpieces from her new book of recipes.

More: Is Gordon Ramsay Going Vegan? It’s Not What You Think

Now we just have to wait for an inevitable cooking show. Who’s taking over the world? Joanna Gaines, apparently.

How Ryan Seacrest Is Feeling About the Oversaturated Kardashians These Days

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Despite the fact that the show is quite literally called Keeping Up with the Kardashians, at least one person is ready to admit they "can't keep up." This is kind of big deal considering he's the executive producer. That's right — Ryan Seacrest told Us Weekly that, despite his close connection to the family, the Kardashians have gotten too big even for him.

"I remember the first meeting I had with Kris. We thought we had a very dynamic franchise and to think of all of the things that the family has covered, I almost need a newsletter every day to keep up with what is happening," he told Us at the American Idol top-14 taping in Los Angeles.

More: Ryan Seacrest Is Totally in Love & His GF Wants Everyone to Know It

Daily briefings? What is he, the president? Although to be fair, he does have a point. A lot has gone down since the dawn of the Kardashian age. Marriages, divorces, transitions, spinoffs, makeups (and makeup lines), breakups, apps — what started as a show about a Hollywood family's blended dynamics has turned into a veritable universe. It's as though the Kardashians have their own gravitational pull.

And, oh, did we mention babies? Because the next generation of Kardashians is growing by the minute. In 2018 alone, Kim Kardashian West and husband Kanye West welcomed daughter Chicago; Kylie Jenner and boyfriend Travis Scott introduced the world to Stormi; and Khloé Kardashian (with some help from Tristan Thompson) found her Truth.

More: Khloé Kardashian Announces Her Newborn Baby Girl's Name

Happily, Seacrest and the E! network don't view these sweet bundles according to their future potential for reality TV. "We don't think of new additions to the world in terms of the spinoffs but we react to the new additions of the world in terms of how it's all going to be incorporated into the show," he told Us.

So, at least for the foreseeable future, Seacrest will only have to contend with keeping track of the original Kardashian crew. But it's possible that he's dropped the ball in doing so lately due to his own super-busy schedule — not to mention drama.

Speculation has already begun over whether ABC's reboot of American Idol will be renewed for another season, with many people leaning toward the negative. The controversy over the show's top 14 finalists lacking diversity certainly hasn't helped quell the rumor mill.

More: E! Reaches Verdict on Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Ryan Seacrest

On a more personal front (that is intrinsically entangled with his professional world), Seacrest was only recently cleared by E! during an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. The accusations, which were lodged by a former wardrobe stylist, claimed Seacrest subjected her to repeated sexual advances and abuse. After E! concluded their investigation, the Idol host penned a letter to The Hollywood Reporter describing the experience of being "wrongly accused."

With so much going on in his own life, it's no wonder Seacrest just can't seem to keep up with the Kardashians.

Scarlett Johansson's New Look Is So Dark, Sexy & Fierce

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Scarlett Johansson consistently gives us hair envy, and the new 'do she's rockin' is the latest proof. Although her signature shade is blond, Johansson stepped out at the Los Angeles premiere of Avengers: Infinity War earlier this week sporting a decidedly darker pixie cut. Johansson looks so fierce, and predictably, we're already scrambling to book a salon visit to copy her new look.

More: Scarlett Johansson Opens Up About Growing Up on Welfare & Food Stamps

Wearing a strapless gown that somehow changed color from a shimmering silver to a soft lavender depending on the angle, some bold, smoky purple eye makeup and an understated choker, Johansson let her new style steal the spotlight at the premiere. We don't blame her! The contrast of the color makes her blue eyes pop, and it suits her complexion beautifully.

ScarJo's New Hair Infinity War Premiere Insta

ScarJo's New Hair Infinity War Premiere Insta

Of course, that could have something to do with the fact that Johansson's natural hair hue is closer to this new color than the bright blonds she's favored in recent years. If we go back in time to her 1998 breakout role in The Horse Whisperer with Robert Redford, Johansson rocked the role with brunette tresses.

Scarlett Johansson Hair

Scarlett Johansson Hair

She went light for 2002's Eight Legged Freaks and hasn't shied away from any color or cut since. You name a hue, and chances are Johansson has tried it: red, platinum, light brown, dark brown, rose gold. You've gotta give the girl props for being fearless when it comes to her hair. According to Lorri Goddard-Clark, a colorist at Los Angeles' Privé salon who often works with the actor, the key is confidence — "she just owns whatever stage she's in."

More: Scarlett Johansson Is Keeping It Real About Motherhood

If only we could all be so bold, right? However, hairstylist Hallie Bowman underscored to InStyle that there's a specific reason Johansson can pull off such a wide spectrum of shades. "She has fair skin, with a neutral, tan tone, which means she can wear any color," Bowman revealed. Let's be honest. That sounds a little bit like, "Don't try this at home, kids."

Johansson may have tried nearly every hair color under the sun, but we really hope this new color is here to stay because it really, really suits her.

Everything We Know About Meghan Markle & Prince Harry's Wedding So Far

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Updated April 25, 2018, 11:45 a.m. PT: Wedding bells won't be the only thing guests hear on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's big day. With less than a month to go until the royal wedding on May 19, Kensington Palace has announced what kind of music the nuptials will include.

"Both Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have taken a great deal of interest and care in choosing the music for their Service, which will include a number of well-known hymns and choral works," the palace revealed, per E! News.

Rest assured, the music will be more dynamic than the statement perhaps makes it sound. James Vivian, the director of music at St. George's Chapel, has orchestrated several live performances to take place throughout the ceremony — think choral groups, soloists, acclaimed 19-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, the Christian gospel group The Kingdom Choir and more.

Alas, no word yet on whether or not the Spice Girls really will drop in at some point during the day for a special set.

However, there is another equally exciting bit of music news to come out of the royal wedding camp today. "Within hours of the service ending" — according to Britain's Decca Records — the music from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding will be released on audio.

Even cooler? It's slated to be available on vinyl May 25.

Updated April 14, 2018, 1:30 p.m. PT: Considering Meghan Markle will soon be an official member of the royal family, it makes sense that the Suits star will spend a lot (if not the majority) of her time in the U.K. And on Thursday, the American actress reportedly took her royal transition one step further by picking up a U.K. visa application.

According to TMZ, Markle tried to fly under the radar when she visited the VFS Global UK Visa Application Centre in Chicago on Thursday. Of course, staying incognito proves tricky when traveling with four bodyguards. Eyewitnesses say Prince Harry's bride-to-be was polite to the staff and was in and out within 10 minutes. To expedite the process and receive her visa sooner, TMZ's sources reported, Markle paid around $1,500.

Although her visa will initially be for dual citizenship, Markle will be able to return in six months to file for permanent citizenship in the U.K., which Kensington Palace confirmed she intends to do.

In other royal wedding updates, Kensington Palace also announced the name of the photographer hired for the big day. "Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have selected Alexi Lubomirski to be the official photographer at their Wedding on Saturday 19th May," said the Palace's press release, according to E! News. "Mr. Lubomirski will take the official photographs at Windsor Castle following the Wedding at St. George's Chapel."

If Lubomirski's name sounds familiar, it's because you've seen it before — he took the royal couple's stunning engagement photos. Lubomirski expressed his excitement in the release, saying, "I could not be more thrilled or honored to photograph this historic occasion."

Updated April 11, 2018, 10:30 a.m. PT: American fans of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be happy to hear they won't have to search hither and yon to find a TV channel that will be broadcasting the royal wedding live.

On Wednesday, the official announcement came down from Today that they had secured coverage for the royal wedding in May. Among the Today show correspondents going over to the U.K. to cover this spectacular event are Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, who will be doing a live show overlooking Windsor Castle, with Al Roker and Sheinelle Jones hopping in to do additional coverage.

Make sure to set a reminder to tune in to NBC on Friday, May 18 for this exciting special broadcast.

Updated April 10, 2018, 11:20 a.m. PT: We have new intel on some of the folks who will and will not be attending the royal wedding in May.

As the happy day draws nearer, we have confirmation that close personal friend of Prince Harry and former president of the United States, Barack Obama, will not be attending the wedding ceremony. In fact, according to the Daily Mail, the Obamas didn't receive an invitation to the royal wedding — nor did current U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May or current U.S. President Donald Trump. Since Harry is not a direct heir to the throne, he doesn't need to have such a formal guest list. That said, one might suspect the royal family doesn't want to make a bold political statement by picking and choosing which heads of state they invite to the wedding.

We also know possible "secret wedding planner" and close friend of Meghan Markle's Jessica Mulroney will likely be attending the royal wedding. According to Vanity Fair, it's been reported that Mulroney, a Toronto-based stylist specializing in weddings, is one of the top choices for Markle's matron of honor — while that's unconfirmed, VF strongly believes she will be, in addition to covertly planning the major event.

Updated April 1, 4:19 p.m. PT: Royal wedding planning is officially in full bloom. On Sunday, Kensington Palace revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have chosen a florist to create the church flowers for their big day. In another nod to the couple's modern style, they chose high-fashion florist Philippa Craddock, who has previously collaborated with upscale brands like Hermès and Alexander McQueen.

According to the Palace, Craddock will source the foliage locally, drawing largely from the gardens and lands of the Crown Estate and Windsor Great Park. The fair-trade florist will also try, when possible, to use flowers and plants that are in season. "These will include branches of beech, birch and hornbeam, as well as white garden roses, peonies and foxgloves. The designs will reflect the wild and natural landscapes from which many of the plants will be drawn," says a Palace blog post on the subject.

Additionally, Craddock will incorporate pollinator-friendly plants from the Royal Parks to "provide a great habitat for bees and help to nurture and sustain entire ecosystems by promoting a healthy and biodiverse environment."

If that doesn't make you love the royal couple even more, consider this: after the ceremony, the floral arrangements created by Craddock will all be donated to charitable organizations.

Updated March 28, 11:40 a.m. PT: More developments have emerged about the upcoming royal nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and this time, the news is decidedly quite sentimental. On Wednesday, Entertainment Tonight reported that Harry and Markle had sent out 250 invitations to members of the British Armed Forces for the royal wedding. In a statement issued by Kensington Palace, it was noted that there would be a special role for the servicepeople in attendance.

"Regiments and units that hold a special relationship with Prince Harry will provide ceremonial support at the wedding and during the carriage procession at the request of Kensington Palace. More than 250 members of the Armed Forces will perform ceremonial duties at the wedding," the statement read.

ET additionally reported on some those aforementioned duties, which include: members of the Household Cavalry will line the stairs at St. George's Chapel where Harry and Markle will be married. Also, members of the Windsor Castle Guard, which includes those who have served in the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving, Royal Marines, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps, The Royal Gurkha Rifles and RAF Honington and who all have ties back to Harry, will line the streets of Windsor, the city where St. George's is located.

This is an especially meaningful royal wedding development because Harry, if you'll recall, served two tours in Afghanistan after joining the military in 2006. It is expected that in addition to the strong military presence at his wedding, Harry will also wear his military uniform (just as Prince William did) on his wedding day.

Updated March 15, 2018, 10:50 a.m. PT: The royal wedding countdown is truly on. With just over two months to go until they say their I do's on May 19, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are checking off items on a royal to-do list. The latest? Getting formal permission from Queen Elizabeth II.

British law states that the first six people in line for the throne must have the current monarch's permission before getting married. Should any of them marry without formal permission, they give up their right to ascend to the throne as well as the right of all their descendants to do so. Harry is currently fifth in line, right behind his niece, Princess Charlotte, meaning he had to have his grandmother's blessing or give up his spot.

In a letter to the privy council, though, the queen sounded thrilled to give her permission to Harry to wed Markle this spring.

"I declare My Consent to a Contract of Matrimony between My Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales and Rachel Meghan Markle, which Consent I am causing to be signified under the Great Seal and to be entered in the Books of the Privy Council," her letter read.

QEII official wedding consent tweet

QEII official wedding consent tweet

Will we see a Princess Meghan in the future? With Harry so far from the throne, it's not likely. But with this development, it's officially possible.

Updated Feb. 27, 2018, 11:45 a.m. PT: It's been rumored that Ed Sheeran will be staging a performance at the upcoming royal wedding, but that's been shot down by Sheeran himself. Another maybe more likely rumor says Elton John may take the stage. But the Spice Girls' Mel B just dropped a big hint about a musical performance that would have everyone talking.

During an appearance on The Real Tuesday, Mel B told hosts Adrienne Bailon, Loni Love and Jeannie Mai she is going to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. When asked, "Did you get an invitation?" Mel B replied, "Well, it was the five Spice Girls. Why am I so honest?!"

Um, so does this mean the Spice Girls are performing at the wedding? They've previously declined to reunite and perform together, but when the actual Prince of Wales and his fiancée ask for something, we imagine it's hard to say no.

Mel B on maybe Spice Girls reunion

Mel B on maybe Spice Girls reunion

When asked specifically if she's attending the royal wedding to perform with the Spice Girls, Mel B just looked at her cards and shook her head. The cohosts screamed, and Mel B threw her cards in the air and said, "I need to go! I am going to be fired!"

No matter how you slice it, that sounds like an admission. Could this really be happening? Only a few months left before we find out for sure.

Updated Feb. 13, 2018, 12:40 p.m. PT: Here are a few more reasons to get up early and tune in to the royal wedding. Reports are saying there will be some world-class entertainment to help Prince Harry and Meghan Markle celebrate tying the knot — Harry has reportedly personally asked Ed Sheeran to perform at the wedding. Here's hoping he chooses something a little more romantic than "Shape of You."

There are also rumors Elton John will perform now that he's canceled a few of his Las Vegas shows amid confirming he scored an invite to the wedding of the century. Basically, everything he plays is tear-jerkingly romantic, so we can't imagine anyone better.

Updated Feb. 12, 2018, 10:30 a.m. PT: May keeps inching closer, and that means more and more royal wedding details are hitting the headlines. Over the weekend, we learned a little more about what to expect when May 19 rolls around and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say their I do's, including what time we'll need to be up to be able to tune in to the ceremony.

According to Kensington Palace, the wedding is set for noon in the U.K., which is 7 a.m. Eastern or 4 a.m. Pacific. It's gonna be an early morning for those of us on the West Coast, but it'll be worth it to see royal history being made.

The palace also revealed that after exchanging vows, Harry and Markle will lead a parade through the streets of Windsor, riding in a horse-drawn carriage. It's something Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge did on their wedding day, and it was definitely a highlight. We're so excited to see it becoming something of a tradition.

The one thing the palace isn't revealing is who or how many people made the guest list. We still don't even know if invitations have been sent out, but we do know that St. George's Chapel can hold about 800 people, so there's plenty of space for a large wedding.

Spring really can't get here soon enough.

Original story, published Jan. 5, 2018: The next royal wedding was only just announced, and yet it's right around the corner. Before we know it, May will be here, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be exchanging their vows. With only five months to go before the big day, obviously we're hungrily searching the internet for all the information we can find about the upcoming ceremony.

More: Meghan Markle's New Year's Resolutions Are Inspiring

Some of the latest news to hit the 'net is that both Markle and Harry are starting to assemble their wedding parties. A source told Us Weekly that Markle is sticking to some American traditions, despite the very British wedding that's being planned, and that means she's chosen a maid of honor rather than a chief bridesmaid.

"While it is very much a British wedding, expect a few American touches too," the insider said. There's still no confirmation about exactly who her maid of honor is going to be, but there are definitely some predictions out there: Markle's best friend and stylist Jessica Mulroney, fellow actress Priyanka Chopra and Suits co-star Sarah Rafferty would all be unsurprising picks.

More: Meghan Markle's Engagement Ring Will Pay Homage to Princess Diana

Harry, on the other hand, has a pretty easy choice for his best man.

"Harry has several close guy friends, but there's no way he would ask anyone but William to take on the top job," a source told Us Weekly last month. That one was a no-brainer.

More: A Definitive Timeline of Meghan Markle & Prince Harry’s Relationship in 2017

While the royal family is hard at work preparing for the wedding, all of Britain is preparing for the huge influx of tourism that will likely come with it. When Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the knot in 2011, 350,000 tourists came to the UK for the big day. Britain's Office of National Statistics is already expecting similar crowds around Harry and Markle's May 18 wedding date, as well as a $680 million boost to the UK's economy because of the wedding. Two beautiful lovebirds tying the knot and single-handedly boosting their country's economy? What a win-win.

Things That Happen to Our Bodies When We’re Stressed

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Being stressed is no fun, right? It can wreck your day and make it hard to relax, and even more annoyingly, it can also make you feel crappy even though you're not sick. It's not in your imagination: As it turns out, stress can negatively impact your physical health as well as your mental health.

Two types of stress

Dr. David D. Clarke, a physician and president of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association, tells SheKnows there are two types of stress that we may encounter — short term and long term. Our bodies are designed to cope with short-term stress quite well, including situations that prompt us to go into fight-or-flight mode.

He explains that the sympathetic nervous system helps us out with an increased heart beat, deeper breathing, higher blood pressure, greater blood flow to our muscles, reduced blood flow to our digestive systems and the release of sweat to cool us off. Once the stressful situation has resolved, our body systems go back to normal.

More: Going on a "Facebook Vacation" Can Lower Stress, but It's Complicated

Long-term stress, on the other hand, describes chronic stress, which is not good or healthy. Multiple daily challenges (which can include experiences such as driving to work in heavy traffic, work itself, struggling to pay bills, meeting deadlines, relationship problems, family issues, horrid neighbors and, unfortunately, many more) can keep your body in a state of stress without the relief that comes when you return to your normal state of being. This is the type of stress that can have long-term implications, some of which can be severe.

When you're stressed, your body has to deal with it

Short-term stress, which we've described above, doesn't result in long-term issues. Once the stressor is removed, you're back to normal, and everything is hunky-dory. However, chronic stress can and does cause problems that can range in severity. This is because the symptoms that help our bodies during a fight-or-flight event, if they never cool down and return to their normal states, can wreak havoc in our bodies.

Unrelenting long-term stress that goes on unchecked can lead to several physical issues. According to the Mayo Clinic, these can include:

  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic pain
  • Digestive and bowel symptoms
  • Dizziness
  • Visual disturbances
  • Headaches
  • Muscle tension or pain
  • Chest pain
  • Fatigue
  • Sleep disturbances

It can also lead to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression and can also lead to irritability, anger, restlessness, lack of motivation, social withdrawal, under- or overeating and exercising less often.

Clarke says it can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are not caused by organ disease, infections or structural abnormalities. "Instead, it is necessary to evaluate for sources of current life stress (including poor self-care skills), the prolonged impact of adverse childhood experience and the presence of subtle cases of depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress," he explains.

What can you do about stress?

If constant stress has resulted in physical symptoms, you're experiencing chronic stress, and it can leave your health wanting. There are steps you can take at home to try to get a handle on it: Exercise on a regular basis, explore relaxation techniques, participate in self-care, socialize with friends or family and get out for a massage if possible.

However, if you have chest pain, don't write it off as just stress, especially if you experience other heart attack symptoms, such as shortness of breath, sweating, nausea or pain that radiates down your arm — get medical help immediately.

More: Knowing the Symptoms of Heart Attacks in Women Could Save a Life

That being said, not every case of chronic stress can be alleviated with a bubble bath and regular exercise. If you're not sure that stress is the cause of your physical or mental symptoms (or you've tried to take steps to control it and your symptoms aren't improving), visit a doctor to see if there are any medical causes that can possibly be treated. Counseling or therapy can help as well. And while you wait for you appointment, take a deep breath — and we'll take one with you.


How to Make the Perfect Pancake: An Easy, 6-Step Recipe

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Is there anything better than a tall stack of light, fluffy pancakes smothered in butter and maple syrup? No. The problem is, Grandma made whipping up a batch of flapjacks appear effortless, and we've learned the hard way that producing non-gummy pancakes isn't as easy as it looks.

It may be hard, but it can be done. Just follow these six simple steps, and your friends are going to be begging you to host brunch every weekend.

More: 14 Delicious Breakfast Recipes That Include English Muffins

Step 1: Measure carefully

Odds are, a dense pancake is caused by the dry-to-wet ratio being off. With too much flour, your pancake will never stand a chance! Sifting your flour first will help keep it from becoming too packed in the measuring cup. If that doesn't work, try replacing half a cup of all-purpose flour with half a cup of cake flour. The two differ in protein content, and the lighter cake flour can make a huge difference.

Step 2: Whip it — whip it good!

Your recipe calls for eggs, but did it ask you to beat the egg whites? If it didn't, it's a missed opportunity. Your pancakes could be light and fluffy with this one fix alone. Adjust your recipe. Mix the egg yolks in with the other wet ingredients, but beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Just before cooking, fold the egg whites into your batter. If you do this too far ahead of cooking, the egg whites will settle and lose their airiness.

More: 3 Fruit Smoothies Your Kids Will Happily Have for Breakfast

Step 3: Cooking

Now that you have the perfect batter, it's time to cook up a perfect pancake. Be sure the griddle or pan is heated to 375 degrees F. A drop of water should skitter across the pan. Rub your pan with clarified butter or vegetable oil (regular butter will burn!), and pour 1/4 cup of your batter in. Be patient and let the pancake set until the edges are dry and bubbles are forming on the top of the pancake. Now you are ready to flip.

Step 4: Avoid the pressure to press

Pancakes do not need to be pan-seared. You put all that work into a fluffy pancake, but many people undo that work with one step. Pressing down on top of the flipped pancake will not make it cook any more quickly and will remove all the air from the inside. The pancake will cook perfectly well without being pressed. In just 1 – 2 minutes, the pancake will be perfect and ready to eat.

More: We're Totally Shocked by Some States' Favorite Brunch Dishes

6 steps to perfect pancakes

Step 5: Serve

Pancakes are perfect when they're fresh. They should be served as they come off the pan. If you have a griddle, this is easier, as you can cook 6 at a time. If you absolutely must, keep the pancakes warm in a 200 degree F oven; but if you can, serve them as soon as they are ready.

Step 6: Use real maple syrup

Your family deserves the exceptional taste of real maple syrup. Its taste has no equal, and your pancake won't be perfect without it.

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

Cat Cora Shares Intimate Photo From Her Wedding, & It's Perfection

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Prepare to get a dose of feel-good warm fuzzies that will carry you through the rest of the week! Iron Chef's Cat Cora got hitched to award-winning producer Nicole Ehrlich on Saturday, and she's still gushing about the sweet day. In a post shared on her Facebook page, the culinary genius called the couple's nuptials "an absolute fairytale." And judging by the stunning snapshot, it truly was.

More: 5 Things We Just Learned About Cat Cora and Carla Hall

"There are no words great enough to describe the love I have for my wife Nicole Ehrlich," Cora said, adding that the pair was surrounded by family and close friends during their I do's. "I'm so excited to share with you these memories of our magical day..."

Cat Cora Wedding Post

Cat Cora Wedding Post

Those dresses! That kiss! Could this couple be more beautiful? If you need further proof that Cora and Ehrlich are one of Hollywood's most precious pairings, please take a moment to experience the sheer joy in their final pre-wedding Facebook post.

Cat Cora Wedding Post 2

Cat Cora Wedding Post 2

Adding to the couple's it factor are the details emerging about their big day. According to Us Weekly, they both donned dresses from Kleinfeld Bridal — as in, you guessed it, they said yes to the dress(es). Given Cora's profession-slash-passion, an unrivaled menu was to be expected. A sushi bar, cupcakes and a massive wedding cake did the trick.

Of course, Cora fans undoubtedly know the cake wasn't just any cake. It was the culmination of a contest the couple launched in the months prior to their wedding to find the ideal dessert. Lexie Verbruggen from Sweetified bakery in Florida took home top honors (along with $1,000 and a trip to Santa Barbara).

Cat Cora Wedding Post 5

Cat Cora Wedding Post 5

For those of you now drooling over this towering confection, allow us to intensify your craving — the six-tiered masterpiece featured vanilla cake and vanilla buttercream frosting with a white mousse filling.

More: Celeb Chef Cat Cora Ends Marriage After 17 Years

However, the sweetest thing about the Thursday wedding was hands down the couple getting married.

Cora and Ehrlich began dating in 2017 and now have one big, happy blended family: Cora's four sons — Zoran, 14, Caje, 10 and twins Thatcher and Nash, 9 — and Ehrlich's two sons — Jonas, 12, and Gavin, 10.

Cat Cora Wedding Post 4

Cat Cora Wedding Post 4

Of the magical day, Cora told Us, "To share our love and commitment to one another, alongside our six sons, was a dream come true. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day!"

Bad News: Drinking Alcohol May Make PMS Symptoms Worse

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Having to deal with periods is no picnic — there are the days of bleeding, the food cravings, the body aches and all the emotional fun that comes along with fluctuating hormones. If that weren't bad enough, we're told that eating healthily and exercising are good ways of reducing symptoms, which happens to be the exact opposite of sitting on the couch eating junk food (i.e., what I feel like doing). Now, a new study found that drinking alcohol might make premenstrual syndrome symptoms — including tender breasts, food cravings, fatigue, irritability and depression — worse.

Published in the online journal BMJ Open, a pooled analysis of existing research aimed to find out whether the known link between drinking alcohol and worse cases of PMS had to do with the alcohol itself or the fact that the pain is so severe that menstruators self-medicated by drinking. The data indicated that drinking alcohol was associated with a 45 percent increased risk of developing PMS for moderate drinkers and an increased risk of 79 percent for heavy drinkers. The researchers estimate that around 40 percent of menstruators in the U.S. experience PMS.

More: These Are the Best Foods to Eat During Your Period

The way the study was designed doesn't allow it to establish a firm causation between drinking and increased severity of PMS, but the researchers note that the consistency of the results of their data analysis does demonstrate a clear link.

So, what's likely behind this link?

“Together with other researchers, we believe that alcohol increases PMS risk by altering the level of hormones, such as gonadotropin, during the menstrual cycle,” Dr. Bahi Takkouche, the study’s senior author, told Reuters.

More: These Are the Best Exercises to Help with Period Pain

And although Takkouche said he did not want to make a recommendation based on one meta-analysis study, he would suggest that people who experience severe PMS avoid heavy drinking — which is probably good advice for everyone.

It's Time to Retire the ‘Blundering Dad’ Stereotype

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When I was a kid, CBS’s Everybody Loves Raymond was a television mainstay. I grew up alongside it, turning 7 the year it launched. When I was in elementary school, Ray Barone’s (Ray Romano) aw-shucks act seemed harmless enough. The sitcom was a lesson in tropes and stock characters: the nagging wife; the meddling mother and her long-suffering husband; and Ray, that most persistent of media stereotypes, the bumbling, incompetent father. Each week, the family solved their problems in 22 minutes, usually with plenty of missteps from Ray along the way.

By the time the show ended, I was in my teens. After years of skipping it, I flipped it back on one night on a whim. But at 15, the sitcom left me with many more questions than its creators probably intended.

What I noticed most was that Ray wasn’t just a lovable klutz or a well-meaning goofball. The truth is, that character just plain wasn’t involved as a father or husband — and worse, he didn’t seem to want to be. He acted put-upon by the most menial of tasks requested of him, and he seemed to see his entire family as a collective nuisance set out to systematically destroy his free time. What’s more, he was baffled by everything that didn’t fit into his personal framework of sports and work: bed-and-breakfasts, dance recitals, grocery stores, dishwashers, laundry, love.

More: Why I'm Busting Myths About Black Dads

Why is he so… useless? I asked myself. And why, I wondered further, is he there at all, when he clearly doesn’t want to be?

Now, as an adult married to a devoted father and partner, I am downright upset by depictions like that in Everybody Loves Raymond — media that shows the father figure as inherently reluctant and expendable.

Television commercials, too, often depict men, especially fathers, as the consummate fools. Somewhat like the shop-‘til-you-drop bonbon-eating wives in advertising of yore, most commercials would have us believe that the average father today subsists on a pile of Cheetos dust and can’t clean his own socks, much less diaper a baby or wash a dish. He’s good for a laugh, though, and is just waiting to be rescued by a long-suffering wife-mom hybrid with a beatific smile and the appropriate brand of window cleaner.

In the past, research on the harms of gender stereotyping in advertising has primarily focused on the hypersexualization (Sex Roles journal) and unrealistic beauty standards aimed at women (the Journal of Consumer Affairs). These studies and others have repeatedly shown that media representation matters. What might seem like laugh-it-off, harmless caricatures can have very real effects on our self-image (The Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology) and behavior no matter how much we try to avoid them. For example, ads for beauty products have repeatedly been proven to lower self-esteem and negatively impact the way women see their bodies according to a 2010 study published in the Journal of Consumer Research.

Studies in 2008 (published in the journal Body Image) and 2013 (by researchers at the University of Manitoba) showed that media imagery billed as “hypermasculine” exposed men to harmful beliefs, such as linking violence to manliness and danger to excitement — beliefs that have been further proven to contribute to mental health and behavioral problems, such as dangerous driving, domestic violence and substance abuse — and left them with lowered self-esteem and unhappy with their bodies.

Another study in The Journal of Men’s Studies, examined men’s representation in parenting magazines and found that men were overwhelmingly pegged as “breadwinners” rather than fathers and partners first, leaving them with mixed messages about where they belonged in the family structure.

More: Why This Mom Is Boycotting Mother's Day

Jason MacLean (a writer, researcher and educator with a Ph.D. in political philosophy) points out in an article in Cantech Letter that magazine advertisements from the 1950s and 1960s notoriously depicted women as brainless but beautiful, useless but harmless — meant to be clucked at and set high on a shelf for decorative purposes. He claims that after the feminist movement, men and women began to “switch places” in advertising, with media portrayals of men shifting from in-control leaders and knowledgeable authority figures to hypermasculine and muscle-bound airheads good for only one thing (but never, ever for getting a chore done or calming a toddler). Now, he says, the “trend” of portraying men as foolish incompetents has gone on so long and become so pervasive that it can hardly be called a trend.

Though there’s a great deal of truth to his argument, I think it’s a bit more complex than mere role-reversal. Complicating the issue is the persistence of the “second shift,” the phenomenon in which even women who work as many hours as their male counterparts come home to complete the lion’s share of childcare and housework. This means that lurking beneath the yuck-yuck jokes about men having no clue about their sons’ medications or their daughters’ after-school schedules is the uncomfortable truth that there still is a very real gender disparity in domestic labor.

These media representations demean and degrade men and masculinity. But they also do an excellent job of slapping a bandage over the gaping wound of our cultural struggle to address what Gemma Hartley, author of a soon-to-be-released book on emotional labor and the mental load, called “emotional labor” in Harper’s Bazaar. The wife-savior of the incompetent husband in sitcoms and commercials might wear a saintly, dutiful smile, but, Hartley suggests, she’s probably also resentful. And a Women in the Workplace survey from Lean In and McKinsey & Co. (via The Wall Street Journal) suggests women aren't getting ahead at work due to all that extra at-home haul.

Perhaps unwisely, I joined a slew of parenting groups overwhelmingly populated by women when I got pregnant. I was immediately struck by the volume of complaints about husbands and boyfriends. Most commonly, these threads started with questions like, “How do you get your husband to do work around the house?” or “Why won’t my boyfriend help me with the baby?” The responses were even more telling, with comment threads quickly devolving into frustrated clichés with the general weary tenor of, “They’re men. What do you expect?”  

Part of me felt lucky — if there have ever been fights about housework or childcare in my house, it’s been my husband demanding to take care of the baby for the day so I could work while I struggled with guilt — but I also felt an overwhelming sense of inadequacy. As the other moms asked themselves why their husbands didn’t grasp the responsibility of household management, meal planning and childcare, I asked myself whether I was doing enough, as I’ve always struggled mightily with organization and cooking. I wondered how we’d avoided the default to labor inequality that seemed to plague so many people in different-sex romantic pairings.

I wondered, too, what the connection was between this apparently pervasive belief in the foundational incompetence of men in the home and the media insistence on dads-as-doofuses. Were these clichés showcasing an exaggerated version of a dark truth about gender inequality — or, even scarier, have we simply been exposed to the stereotype so often that we’ve collectively come to accept it as reality? And how are men expected to feel about or respond to these dehumanizing stereotypes or crawl their way outside of and beyond them without being deemed “unmanly”? Even to me, looking from the outside in, it seemed more likely many would simply give up.

More:  How TV Is Finally Getting Older Pregnancies Right

Is media representation the cause of all our gender-based woes? Of course not. Women aren’t insecure about our bodies solely because we watched one too many wrinkle cream commercials or glimpsed at an excessive number of airbrushed thigh gaps as we flipped through magazines. Men don’t avoid changing diapers or making their kids' doctors' appointments because of a clumsy dad in a whitewashed ad for dish detergent. Our cultural issues around labor, gender, masculinity and family roles run a lot deeper, and it will take more than a feel-good ad or two to catalyze a wholesale paradigm shift.

Still, naming what we see when we flip on the TV or social media isn’t a meaningless exercise in staying permanently offended. Media representations often reflect back to us what we already believe, what we want to believe, or what we secretly suspect.

What does this mean? For starters, it’s time to take the effects of media messages on men more seriously. And while we're at it, maybe we can retire the "blundering doofus dad" stereotype in TV and movies once and for all. Be the change you wish to see in the world, right? The least we can do is start with our screens.

There's Video of Kylie Jenner's Baby, Stormi, Laughing in Her Sleep, & We Are Dead

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Stormi is proving to be somewhat sunny, after all. Her mom, Kylie Jenner, has been sharing nuggets of ridiculous cuteness ever since Stormi was born in February — and the latest takes the cake, with Stormi actually laughing in her sleep, caught on camera by Mom.

Stormi laugh

Stormi laugh

The video was shared on Instagram from a fan site that captures Jenner's Snapchats, @kyliesnapchat, with the caption, "She’s so cute!! Admit it, how many times did you watch this? 4/23/18."

Jenner posted a shot of herself with her "angel baby" on Instagram five days ago (we are kind of wondering if this baby ever cries?).

Stormi and Kylie

Stormi and Kylie

Jenner's self-imposed media silence during her pregnancy has definitely vanished. Fans have been delighting in mom-daughter selfies, Stormi grooving with Snapchat filters and shots from dad Travis Scott's Easter party. All the Stormi you could want!

More: Kylie Jenner Now Has the Most-Liked Photo on Instagram

stormi and mom

stormi and mom

And to be clear, we want all the photos and videos of Stormi we can get as we wait for photos of her first cousin, True Thompson — Khloé Kardashian and NBA player Tristan Thompson's baby girl. True already has her own Instagram account, but it's remained depressingly empty — much like our souls when we found out True's dad had been cheating on Kardashian during her pregnancy. (No word on what's going to happen between Kardashian and Thompson, but we'll keep consoling ourselves with Stormi pics.)
Here. Have another Stormi-Jenner nuzzlefest video. It will make you feel better.
storm

storm

And while you're at it, here's a shot of Stormi's other baby cousin, Chicago West, and her whole posse from two days ago. Who knew Kanye West would become such a family man?

Kardashian West

Kardashian West

"Party of 5," Kim Kardashian West captioned the group shot. We cannot wait to see the Kardashian-Jenner Christmas card this year. We're telling you now.

12 Dog Breeds That Actually Get Along Great With Cats

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If you've been under the impression that cats and dogs are living in this world as mortal enemies, you couldn't be more wrong. Sure, tons of dogs have the seemingly instinctual habit of chasing down a cat as soon as they even smell one. And yes, we've seen plenty of cats and dogs coexisting under the same roof, but the tension is so thick, you can cut it with a knife.

But what you might not know is there are plenty of cat-friendly canines out there. We'll give you a moment to let that sink in...

Several adorable breeds are known for their ability to get along well with cats, including the following.

More: These 13 Cat Breeds Actually Behave Like Dogs

1. Papillon

Papillion dog

The papillon and a dog-friendly feline can become like two peas in a pod. This butterfly-eared pup enjoys constant company, whether it's a human, dog or kitty cat.

Next: Pomeranian

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2. Pomeranian

Pomeranian Looking At Camera

If it looks like a cat, it should actually like cats, right? If your cat enjoys (or can amicably tolerate) a spunky furball of a pup that loves to play, the pomeranian is a top dog for your feline.

More: 130 Unique Female Dog Names That Are Perfect for Your Pup

Next: Pug

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3. Pug

Pug dog with tongue out and biscuits on his head

"You've got my heart, puggie," says the cat. The pug is a super-friendly dog that loves just about everyone, furry or not.

Next: Boston terrier

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4. Boston terrier

Boston terrier

Just because a Boston terrier wants to be friends with a feline doesn't mean the kitty feels the same. This eager-to-please pup will be your best friend, your kiddo's best friend and will try to befriend your cat too.

More: 130 Unique Male Dog Names for Your New Pup

Next: Yorkshire terrier

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5. Yorkshire terrier

yorkshire terrier with bright ball

The Yorkie is a tough little dog that wants to be the ruler of the roost. A cat that can handle this strong pup's personality and frequent barking will have a bestie for life.

More: 17 Things Only Yorkshire Terrier Owners Understand

Next: Havanese

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6. Havanese

Havanese sitting on field.jpg

The Havanese just wants to cuddle, and though it lives for a warm and welcoming human lap, it will happily settle for cushy bedding, stuffies and even a cat.

Next: Shetland sheepdog

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7. Shetland sheepdog

Shetland sheepdog on grassy field

Possessing the same distaste for water as a cat does, the Sheltie tends to get along well with its feline counterparts. Your best bet for a Sheltie and kitty friendship is to bring home a puppy and make sure it knows that felines are for playing, not for chasing.

Next: Basset hound

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8. Basset hound

Basset hound on footpath

The basset hound has a "let's be friends" personality that makes it a perfect choice for a cat mate. Living on its own time clock (aka never in a hurry), sporting a somewhat stubborn streak and distinctly recognizable by its wail, this dog is more like a cat than it knows.

More: 16 Things Only Basset Hound Owners Understand

Next: Black & tan coonhound

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9. Black & tan coonhound

Black and tan coonhound

We don't know if the cat wants a kiss or is trying to figure out what the hound had for lunch, but it's obvious that they are über-comfortable with each other's company. The black and tan coonhound lives for companionship, which may explain its affinity for felines or other house pets.

Next: Irish setter

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10. Irish setter

Close-up of Irish setter

The dog who doesn't want to grow up, the Irish setter lives by the motto: "Redheads just want to have fun." Whether it be with humans or other pets, this friendly, high-energy dog lives for the moment and wants every moment to include play.

More: The 10 Smartest Dogs Breeds Are Some of the Most Popular

Next: Newfoundland

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11. Newfoundland

Newfoundland dog

The Newfoundland looks more like a life-size teddy bear than a dog; and its gentle, lovable demeanor makes it a great, albeit giant, choice for a multi-pet home with cats.

Next: Labrador retriever

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12. Labrador retriever

yellow labrador retriever dog sitting in grass with a stick in her mouth

One of the friendliest of the large dog breeds, the Lab enjoys time with its humans, other dogs and cats. Make sure you have the time to properly exercise this energetic canine, or it will find many ways to entertain itself, including eating your feline's food and toys.

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

Jessica Simpson Was Unfairly Targeted for What She Posted on Instagram — Again

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Jessica Simpson can't catch a break, and it's getting a little annoying at this point. Honestly, can't we just let Simpson live her life and post what she wants on social media without there being a huge fuss about it?

More: Jessica Simpson Is Getting Lip-Shamed on Instagram

Earlier this week, Simpson was once again unfairly targeted for an outfit-of the-day-style post she put up on her Instagram. The photo, captioned "Business Casual," shows Simpson wearing a black blazer, black blouse, black pinstripe miniskirt with a raw hem and black over-the-knee boots. She looks absolutely amazing in the photo, and yet some users couldn't hold back from giving her their negative opinions.

Jessica Simpson Business Casual Insta

Jessica Simpson Business Casual Insta

Fox News reported on the backlash, reprinting some of the comments Simpson received. "For what type of business exactly?" one commenter on Twitter apparently wrote, while another commented,

"You look great. But I don’t think that’s business casual girl."

Oh, and another super-charming commenter wrote this directly in her Instagram comments: "You are very pretty but this is not a good look for you. It makes you look short with thick thighs."

More: Mom-Shamers Attack Jessica Simpson for Sexy Photo

Hey, you know what? Simpson can wear what she wants, and it doesn't matter if her version of business casual isn't the same as yours — they're both equally acceptable. You don't get to question the purpose of her outfit or shame her for the way her body looks in an outfit she is clearly rocking the heck out of. Sure, you have every freedom to be rude on social media, but why take the time to do it? Why spend the time crafting a hurtful comment? Simpson may not see it, to be fair, but the mere fact that you're putting that kind of energy out there is just awful.

Jessica Simpson Lips Insta

Jessica Simpson Lips Insta

Sadly, this isn't the first time Simpson has been the target of shaming Instagram comments. In February, she was body-shamed her for the way her lips (her lips!) looked in a selfie. In December 2017, she faced comments like, "Is this how a mother of two children really wants to act?" when she posted a fantastic photo of herself wearing a green silk robe and looking like a pinup (read: another great look that deserves nothing but applause).

More: Jessica Simpson Is Being Sued Over an Instagram Post

Sadly, those aren't the only recent incidents in which Simpson has been shamed, and it's likely that the gross comments in response to her "Business Casual" Instagram won't be the last time she faces this criticism either. But seriously, can't we just stop it?


Harper Beckham Is Posh Spice 2.0, & This Video Proves It

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The only daughter of soccer star David Beckham and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham is charming the internet this week with her homework. It seems Harper Beckham has become the quintessential British schoolgirl, and the girl reads like a dream — in a plummy, posh accent that is currently giving us cuteness overload symptoms.

Harper

Harper

Victoria Beckham posted the darling video of her daughter — rocking long plaits and a blue gingham dress — reading from what seems to be a school assignment she's written about herself.
"Harper," she starts. "Hi, I'm 6, almost 7, and I love books and my family too," she continues, listing off her brother's names as well as Mummy and Dad of course.
Fans are cooing their approval: "This age is just incredible as is having daughters...keep reading & writing Harper...& stay HAPPY," wrote one. "So adorable & Smart ! She’s so good in #Narration! Inspiring child for her age!! Good job to the parents!!" wrote another.
Victoria also posted a handmade Easter card from Harper on Instagram — with a flamingo on the front — and all the moms in the world collectively sighed and reflexively reached for a refrigerator magnet.
easter harper

easter harper

"Dear Superhiro Mum, you are so pretty and very funey," the inside of the card reads. We always had a good feeling about Posh Spice, and it seems like she is a top-rate mom (at least Harper seems to think so).

harper and mum

harper and mum

The Beckhams (who also share sons Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz) seem to be a tight-knit family. On April 16, the night before Victoria's birthday, she posted a pic of her with her crew.
Posh Spice

Posh Spice

Victoria captioned the Instagram photo, "Birthday eve with my babies x love u so much @davidbeckham kisses x."

Oh, you are all lovely and we sent a million British kisses: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. But also, can Harper do an audio book sometime soon? Thanks.

Alex Rodriguez Can't Stop Gushing Over Jennifer Lopez's Latest Achievement

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Alex Rodriguez only has eyes for Jennifer Lopez — and he reminded everyone of that on Wednesday. Just one day after the 2018 Time 100 Gala on April 24, Rodriguez hopped on Instagram to dedicate not one, but two very lovely posts to celebrate the latest achievement of the woman of his dreams.

More: Jennifer Lopez & Alex Rodriguez Are Planning for the Future With a New Home Purchase

True to its name, the Time 100 list rounds up the 100 most influential people across a variety of fields and disciplines. This elite annual list is a big deal to be included in, so Lopez is worthy of all the applause. That's exactly what Rodriguez did the morning after attending the Time 100 Gala with Lopez; Lopez's mother, Guadalupe Rodríguez; and Lopez's sister, Lynda Lopez.

Being the lone man in the group didn't faze Alex Rodriguez one bit. His first Instagram post of the four of them on the red carpet was captioned, "Shoulder to shoulder with some truly strong women." It's always nice when a guy recognizes the strength of the people he's there to support.

JLo Arod Time 100 Insta

JLo Arod Time 100 Insta

More: J.Lo & A-Rod Are Taking the Big Leap Into Domesticity

But Rodriguez's lovefest didn't stop there. A short time later, he posted another one. This time, it was a pic of himself and Lopez on the red carpet looking like a true power couple. Shining a light on Lopez's achievement, the caption read, "100. That’s the number of extraordinary people we honored tonight. It’s the number of times I say thank you every day for bringing this incredible partner, friend and role model into my life. It’s the percent she gives of herself in everything she does. For you, Jennifer, and all the others who make this imperfect world better, we can expect no less from ourselves."

JLo Arod Time 100 Insta #2

JLo Arod Time 100 Insta #2

Who isn't tearing up? Because we certainly are. While Rodriguez and Lopez are comfortable talking about their relationship in public, seeing this kind of precious celebration of Lopez's achievements from her boyfriend is truly something special. Seeing Rodriguez recognize her for all the good she does and how the good plays into the greater good is a uniquely wonderful thing.

More: Jennifer Lopez Talks Alex Rodriguez on Their One-Year Anniversary

Also, Lopez deserves all of this love — she achieved something major! Getting onto the Time 100 list is no easy feat and she landed it. Her hard work and dedication to her career, her philanthropic efforts and her family are all worthy of admiration and applause, not just from Rodriguez, but from all of us.

There Are Actually Some Health Benefits to Giving Birth

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Childbirth is a life-altering experience. A nine(ish)-month pregnancy followed by the arrival of your newborn is not only one of the most intense emotional adventures you'll go through, but you may experience some sweet health benefits as a result of the whole undertaking. Here are some of the perks you may enjoy after you have a baby.

Better overall health

Let's face it. Once that pregnancy test shows its second line (or even before that if you've been trying to conceive for a while) you're going to make changes in your life for the benefit of your baby. Good news, though — this benefits you as well. These advantages include:

Better nutrition. Dr. Sherry Ross, an OB-GYN at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, tells SheKnows that eating a complete and well-balanced diet is a great way to prepare for pregnancy, and you'll want to continue eating well for the duration. This means, when all is said and done, you may be healthier (overall) after your baby is born than you were before.

More: 3 Reasons You're Peeing All the Damn Time

No alcohol. "No amount of alcohol is safe or recommended during pregnancy," says Ross. "Drinking alcohol during pregnancy also puts you at risk for miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity and sudden infant death syndrome."

While chronic alcohol use has severe health implications, infrequent use has its pitfalls as well (such as balance issues, memory loss, anxiety and slowed reaction times), so avoiding alcohol during pregnancy allows you to avoid these negative health effects.

No drugs. Just like alcohol, pregnant women usually avoid using drugs, legal or otherwise, as this can negatively affect a baby's development and can complicate pregnancy. This, too, has benefits for moms-to-be.

Disease risk reduction

It turns out pregnancy can reduce your risk of certain cancers. "Since you are not ovulating for at least 10 months, this will reduce your risk of ovarian cancer," Ross explains. "The more you ovulate, the greater your risk of ovarian cancer." As it turns out, pregnancy can reduce your odds of developing ovarian cancer by 25 to 50 percent, she says.

If you breastfeed, this can also reduce your risk of developing breast cancer if you nurse for three months (or longer). Ross also notes that women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

Period changes

While your period will likely be delayed if you're breastfeeding, it's also likely that your postpartum periods will be different from those that came before. Of course, you're already guaranteed to be period-free for the duration of your pregnancy, which can help offset some of the more unpleasant pregnancy experiences (morning sickness, anyone?!).

More: 6 Things that Happen When You Ditch Hormonal Birth Control

When it's all said and done, though, some people do experience fewer cramps as their periods come back, which is super-good news for those who have suffered every month before they got pregnant. Of course, some people are unlucky enough to have more intense cramps when their period returns after childbirth or no change at all. Perhaps you'll be one of the lucky ones.

Also, a note about endometriosis: Those with who suffer with this dreadful condition may, in some cases, also enjoy less painful periods after birthing their baby. Pregnancy can suppress the symptoms of endometriosis for a while after childbirth (it has to do with increased levels of progesterone that can cause implants to get smaller), but do keep in mind that this is only temporary and does not cure the disease itself.

Something to look forward to

While pregnancy is different for everyone who experiences it, it's known to be uncomfortable (and sometimes in a major way). So it's nice that after you have your baby, you may enjoy some rockin' pregnancy side effects while you cuddle your new bub.

3 Rules for Finding Your Perfect Signature Accessory

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Jackie O wore oversize sunnies, Iris Apfel is the queen of jewelry stacking, and Audrey Hepburn donned one of the most iconic fashion items in history — the little black dress. These fashion icons all have one thing in common: a signature accessory in their wardrobe. It can be as simple as a piece of jewelry, a handbag or even a couple of items at once, but finding your signature accessory can seriously help shape your wardrobe and personal style.

Personally, I over-accessorize with jewelry. I have rings on practically each finger, and I’m constantly adding new and vintage pieces to my collection. They’re the last thing I always make sure I have on before leaving the house, and they complete each look. I also never say no to a good faux-leather jacket. I have over 20 in various colors, prints and styles, and for me, they’ve naturally become a wardrobe staple (and statement). Ahead, we have three steps to help you figure out what your signature accessory is.

Finding Your Perfect Signature Accessory: What’s Your Unique Factor

What’s your unique factor?

Do you find that you always get complimented about your shoes by coworkers or random people on the street? Is your handbag collection the first thing your friends want to borrow, or are your most prized items in your closet your jewelry? Whatever this “unique factor” is, that could easily become your statement accessory.

More: How to Figure Out (& Fix) Your Fashion Blind Spots

Finding Your Perfect Signature Accessory: What Do You Find Yourself Naturally Gravitating To

What do you find yourself naturally gravitating toward?

This one is pretty easy — what do you instantly gravitate toward while getting ready? Do you feel like your outfit is practically incomplete without this item, or do you find yourself building an entire look around it? It could be your statement shoes, your must-have bracelet stack or even a wide-brim hat.

More: 7 Necessary Rules for High-Low Style Mixing

Finding Your Perfect Signature Accessory: What Can You Incorporate in Your Regular Wardrobe

What can you incorporate into your regular wardrobe?

Your statement accessory doesn’t have to be the same exact item each time — you can build off this accessory. You can wear shoes, a handbag, jewelry or even a scarf pretty much every single day, so any of these are great items to incorporate into each look as your statement accessory.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Sorry, But I Feel Pretty Is Not a Movie That Helps Fat Girls

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Since the first trailer for Amy Schumer's I Feel Pretty dropped in February, folks have had quite a lot to say about the film's perceived message. Across social media, critics spoke out against the film's apparent fatphobia — the fear or hatred of fat bodies — while others pointed out that Schumer has been criticized for her weight throughout her career.

First, to be clear — I am a fat woman. And from what I gathered when I watched the trailer, I assumed that I Feel Pretty would be a 2018 woman-led version of Shallow Hal, a film that shaped my perception of romantic relationships and how I needed to lose weight to be considered sexually attractive all through my adolescence. Films about fat people are rarely written or directed to be in our favor.

I Feel Pretty Trailer

I Feel Pretty Trailer

More: Amy Schumer Got Married & Basically Told No One (Except a Few Celebs)

I went into I Feel Pretty wanting to give it a chance. I wanted to like it. And to a certain extent, I did. But in reality — while I Feel Pretty is more nuanced than the trailer suggests (thankfully) — it's not by much. The film relies heavily on fatphobia for the butt of its jokes, and Schumer's character Renee is mocked by almost everyone when she discovers her newfound "supermodel confidence." It was hard for me to sit in the audience and watch. Every time people laughed, I found myself cringing, not only because of what they were laughing at, but because they were laughing at all.

The cons: Fatphobia & a failed message

Fatphobia points to systemic discrimination against fat folks, which makes it harder for fat people to find jobs and earn a decent wage, which makes it harder for us to find clothing that fits and looks professional, which starts the cycle all over again. A new study from Temple University and Wisconsin HOPE Lab points to the correlation between food insecurity, poverty, and obesity in American college students. Long story short: when people are pushed into poverty, it leads to poor eating habits, which leads to more problems with weight and exercise.

In I Feel Pretty, Schumer's character also calls out one of the biggest elements of fatphobia: how online dating is harder for fat people, especially fat women.

PostSecret - Men fear online matches will be fat

PostSecret - Men fear online matches will be fat

In this respect, I Feel Pretty does many things absolutely right. It calls out discrimination in social situations, discrimination in online dating and discrimination in the job market. Renee works for a major cosmetics brand, but isn't stationed at the company headquarters in downtown Manhattan. Instead, she works in a cramped basement in Chinatown alongside another fat person; when she goes to HQ to drop off paperwork, she's visibly mocked by the people who are allowed to be seen.

More: Amy Schumer Holds Netflix Accountable with Equal Pay Negotiations

As Renee gains her newfound confidence following her accident, this slowly begins to change. Her confidence gives her a door into working as "the new face" of the cosmetics company, and she's even asked to help with their new diffusion line (a secondary line from a high-end brand that's available at lower price points). But that, too, is hard to swallow, because fat women are expected to be poor. Diffusion lines from high-end brands often occupy small sections of the makeup aisles at local drugstores — and despite I Feel Pretty repeatedly talking about how important it is for "average women" to feel confident and beautiful, this point sticks to the ribs.

Even in a film that purports to be about body acceptance and finding inner confidence, ingrained social opinions about fatness undermine the entire point of the movie. That won't help fat women.

And the body-positivity message obviously isn't being communicated clearly enough. As I left the theater, two audience members commented on how "annoying" the end of the film was — one even said, "I wish she could have just shut up." This made me wonder — how many others who saw the film left without any deeper understanding of how fat people are discriminated against in day-to-day life?

However, I imagine there are a lot of audience members who saw themselves in Renee and related to her struggles. They likely left the theater feeling that maybe it's possible to find that kind of confidence and then soar. But was that number significantly lower because of how the implicit biases damaged the overall message Schumer set to present?

More: How Retouched Photos Impact Our Mental Health

The (fat) pros: Renee's friends & a fat-positive character

I Feel Pretty still

One of the most believable facets of the film was Renee's friends — who loved her before her accident changed how she saw herself and who continued to love her after, even though her newfound supermodel confidence turned her into a mean girl.

The most fat-positive aspect of I Feel Pretty was Aidy Bryant's character doing her thing and loving herself regardless of how Renee belittled her. Bryant was amazing, and I wish she had a larger role in the film.

At the end of the day, while the message of I Feel Pretty isn't quite as damaging as the trailer makes it seem, the execution is still super-lacking. It points to a lot of implicit bias on behalf of the filmmakers as well as the intended audience. Until we address that these "funny fat-girl films" won't help fat women, they'll only make us feel more alienated.

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