Some foods just go together — peanut butter and jelly, wine and chocolate, cheese and well, everything. And, of course, everyone's favorite classic flavor combo: chocolate and peanut butter.

More: '80s & '90s cereals that need to make a comeback

Often paired in desserts, this chocolate and PB pair is joining together for breakfast via Post’s new Peanut Butter & Cocoa Pebbles, and to be honest, this may be our taste buds’ version of a royal wedding.

Now, you may be saying, "Wait; we know about this already. Don’t we already have Reese’s Puffs?" Yes, we do. But it’s important for all relationships to keep things fresh, and sometimes that means seeing other chocolate-peanut butter breakfast cereals. And really, can there ever be too much perfection? We don't think so. This is a world that deserves a lot more joy. It's also worth pointing out that while Puffs are round, Pebbles are flat, and we all know the texture makes a huge difference in taste.

Peanut Butter & Cocoa Pebbles are a gluten-free sweetened rice cereal that is made with real peanut butter and cocoa cereal pieces, and while we haven’t been lucky enough to taste it yet, we imagine it is dessert-for-breakfast perfection.

More: Froot Loops Are Now a New Flavor & Shape

As for where to find this new flavor, it’s not everywhere yet, but it has already been spotted at Walmart and can also be bought on Amazon (in a giant 12-pack!)… but maybe you should buy one box first and taste it before going for that level of commitment.

Let’s be honest: Life is hard. Don’t we deserve to start our days with a special treat sometimes? We think so.

Katie Lowes — star of Scandal as well as the host of the new mama-centered Shondaland podcast Katie's Crib — recently opened up about the pregnancy loss she suffered before the birth of her son, Albee.

Lowes (who plays Quinn on Scandal) tweeted about the miscarriage episode of the podcast, sharing a brief video with her Twitter followers.

Lowes revealed on her podcast that when she first heard the devastating news that there was no heartbeat, her instinct was to push through and just keep moving. “The initial feeling, when I found out there was no heartbeat from the doctor in a routine checkup, was like, ‘OK, let’s Olivia Pope the situation. Let’s fix it,’” Lowes said.

More: Scandal's Katie Lowes Is Leaving Gender Up to Her Kid

”‘Let’s make the schedule. Let’s get to the hospital. Let’s get the [dilation and curettage]. When can I start trying again?’” she recalled. "I was about 11-and-a-half weeks. I was a couple days away from telling everybody that I was pregnant."

The grief eventually caught up with her — powerfully. “As soon as it set in that I’d had a miscarriage, what happens is you have a major hormonal drop-off,” Lowes said. “And I think I was massively sad for about three months, and I was only pregnant for three months.”

We are just weeks away from the summer blockbuster season, where hot days mean cool afternoons spent in an air-conditioned theaters. This year, there are quite a few women-centric films to get us running to the ticket booth — so if an ensemble heist film isn’t for you, there are plenty of options to choose from.

More: 16 Summer Movies We're Most Excited For

This year, the focus on women is even more important after #MeToo and the Time’s Up movement emerged in Hollywood. Women reclaimed their power and took steps to rectify decades of sexual harassment, pay inequality and lack of representation and diversity. We’ve seen women’s marches at the Sundance Film Festival, we’ve seen protests on the red carpet led by Cate Blanchett and Kristen Stewart at the Cannes Film Festival, and hopefully, we will see women lining up to buy tickets to some of the hottest films starring women on the big screen.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the most recognizable faces and new emerging female stars to look out for this summer at the movies.

The female stars of Ocean’s 8

If you haven’t heard about this heist film yet, get ready, because it’s about to become one of the biggest box office films of the summer. Ocean's 8 is an ensemble film featuring some of Hollywood’s best and brightest stars: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Rihanna and Awkwafina. We aren’t the only ones who are overwhelmed by this fangirl-worthy cast, either; Paulson was also completely giddy working with Rihanna every day.

“It was sort of a daily struggle not to embarrass myself because every time I looked at her, I was like, ‘Work, work, work, work, work, work,’” she told Ellen DeGeneres recently. “It’s just deeply nerdy, and [Bullock] would just constantly look at me like, ‘Hey, dial it down. Just stop.’ And I’d be like, ‘What? I gotta just do it.’”

Ocean’s 8 will be released on June 8.

More: The Ocean's 8 Trailer Is Here, & It's the Female-Led Movie We Need in 2018

Cher

We don't think we need to say much more: Cher is back on the big screen! This time it's Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! We don't know if this movie will be a train wreck or a delicious distraction from the summer heat. We don't really care. It's Cher and ABBA — that's epic. And, oh yeah, Meryl Streep. See? It's worth buying a ticket.

Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! opens on July 20.

The women of Crazy Rich Asians

This 2013 best-selling novel by Kevin Kwan focuses on a Chinese American professor who travels with her boyfriend to Singapore for a wedding. Her fish-out-of-water experience humorously showcases the lives of a wealthy family, a boyfriend with a playboy past and a few dark family secrets.

Every Asian actor in the entertainment industry was clamoring for a role in this film because of the sharp writing and that fact that an all-Asian cast is so rare in Hollywood. Look for Constance Wu, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Michelle Yeoh and Awkwafina (again!) to light up the box office when Crazy Rich Asians is released on Aug. 17.

The women are also ready for all of America to finally know their names because they’ve all been working hard in less visible roles.

“You hear the words representation and diversity,” Wu explained at CinemaCon in April. “People want to see that. But what’s special about this film is it differentiates Asians from the Asian-American experience. A lot of times, they think putting in a face of color and filling a quota. Our culture is more than skin deep. When you talk about representation, it can seem really serious, but our film is really fun.”

Holly Hunter

You probably weren’t expecting an actor playing an animated character to make this list, but Pixar’s long-awaited sequel to the Incredibles is here and it’s all about Elastigirl/Helen, voiced by Holly Hunter. It’s hard for any mom to balance work and life at home with a husband and kids, and that’s exactly what Elastigirl/Helen is struggling with — she’s just like us!

Hunter told EW that her character explores a side that audiences haven’t seen before. She says Elastigirl/Helen has discovered “a real incredible sense of competitiveness and ambition. She throws down the gauntlet in this one. It’s so much fun to see a woman luxuriating in those two arenas, because women have for so many generations been brought up to not be ambitious or to not be competitive, and it’s fun to see Helen basking in those two arenas in much the same way that we give men license to do.”

Incredibles 2 will be released on June 15.

Whitney Houston

We tragically lost Whitney Houston in 2012 to an accidental drowning, but she's still going to be a hot topic at the box office this summer. The rise of this incredible talent and her dark fall from grace is chronicled in a new documentary, Whitney, which premiered this month at the Cannes Film Festival.

The film is going to tackle all of the questions we still have about Whitney and her life, from her rumored relationship with Robyn Crawford to her toxic relationship with husband Bobby Brown.

“There were always a lot of secrets,” Whitney’s friend says in the trailer. “If you don’t resolve and deal with things, they never go away.”

The film has the cooperation and blessing of the Houston family, and it’s still a wonder to hear her incredible voice. What a talent we lost.

Whitney will be released on July 6.

More: 13 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis & Kate McKinnon

There’s nothing better than a female buddy comedy. That’s what Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon will deliver in The Spy Who Dumped Me this summer. They are amateur — really amateur — spies, thanks to an ex-boyfriend of Kunis' character who is in the CIA and drags the dynamic duo into an international conspiracy.

From the trailer alone, this is the comedic team we didn’t know we needed. From failing miserably at driving a stick shift to swallowing a flash drive, these ladies are delivering a hilarious action adventure. Get ready for the film when it’s released on Aug. 3.

Evangeline Lilly

It's hard to keep up with all of the superhero movies coming our way, but when women are headlining a Marvel movie, count us in! Ant-Man and the Wasp gives more female strength and power to the Marvel universe, and if you've seen Avengers: Infinity War, the universe could use some help. Let's go support Evangeline at the box office so we see more female standalone movies — it can't just be Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel.

So, get out there this summer, sip a cool drink in the theater and buy a ticket to see your favorite female star. It's good to let Hollywood know we appreciate inclusive and diverse stories.

Chrissy Teigen couldn't resist a chance to troll husband John Legend on Twitter on Sunday — and her tweet, as usual, was comedy gold. We're pretty sure you're aware that their second child, Miles Theodore, was born on May 16 (a few weeks early, according to Teigen's social media). Teigen tweeted a shot — from her couch, where she was parked with baby Miles — of her husband being interviewed on TV at the Billboard Music Awards.

Her "Wow didn't u just have a baby John smh go take care of it !!!!!! disgusting" tweet was pure awesomeness — and a jab at the double standards that women and men experience when they become parents. After giving birth, it can feel like moms (celeb or not) are expected to be tethered to their infant 24-7. Not so much for (famous or non-famous) dads though, eh?

More: Why Chrissy Teigen Isn't Chrissy Legend

Teigen's long been a target of mom-shamers on the internet, and to see her flip the dialogue in her usual sasspot style is pretty delightful. And predictably, her loyal followers went nuts over the tweet.

"How dare he leave the house so soon after having a baby. What a bad parent. Omh crucify him... oh wait he's a guy, carry on. You are doing a great job...keep roasting!" said one.

"Omg who is home with the child?! And how did he get his body back so fast?!" tweeted another.

Another joked, "BREAKING NEWS: John Legend abandons Chrissy Teigen and her newborn child! Exclusive interview! YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS THIS! CLICK NOW FOR A $5000 AMAZON GIFTCARD!"

More: Chrissy Teigen & John Legend Welcome Baby No. 2

And here's what makes Teigen and Legend #CoupleGoals: Less than 30 minutes after Teigen's teasing tweet, Legend saw it from the BBMAs and tweeted back, "true true."

And then Legend let her know (via Twitter, naturally) that he was most definitely hurrying home for dinner and family time with a video clip, captioned, ".@chrissyteigen did somebody say short ribs?"

This celeb family is one of our favorites, no contest. And we predict that their daughter, Luna Simone, is going to be a great big sister to baby Miles.

Keep on keeping on, Teigen-Legend posse. And Chrissy, don't you dare ever quit Twitter. We wouldn't know what to do with ourselves.

Love is love, and it can happen at any time and any age. That’s the idea 43-year-old Sarah Paulson would like her critics to get through their heads when they speak out about her relationship with fellow actor Holland Taylor, 75. Paulson and Taylor share a 32-year age difference, which Paulson told Modern Luxury magazine is none of anybody’s business.

More: Was That Just a Friendly Kiss Sarah Paulson Gave Amanda Peet at the Golden Globes?

“If anyone wants to spend any time thinking I’m strange for loving the most spectacular person on the planet, then that’s their problem. I’m doing just fine,” she said.

When the couple began dating in 2016, Paulson spoke to The New York Times about their unconventional relationship. She explained how they first met at a dinner party more than 10 years ago when Paulson was in a relationship. At the time, she thought Taylor was “probably the most exquisitely beautiful woman I’d ever seen.” A later run-in led to the two becoming Twitter friends, which eventually led to an in-person dinner.

Paulson does admit that she came to her Zen attitude about relationships as a matter of choice. Early on, she heard from people who were concerned her career could take a hit if she attracted too much attention for her dating life. “I was like, what?” she told The Edit. “It never occurred to me at all.”

The warnings made her think twice, but ultimately, she decided that to care about what others thought was the wrong choice for her. “The fact I’m having this thought is wrong. But I had a moment of societal concern.”

More: Holland Taylor & Sarah Paulson Dating Shouldn't Come as a Surprise

This isn’t the first May-December romance Paulson has navigated. From 2004 to 2009, she dated actor Cherry Jones, who is 18 years her senior. And she said the experience of being with somebody so much older enriches her life.

“There’s a poignancy to being with someone older,” she told The Times, “I think there’s a greater appreciation of time and what you have together and what’s important, and it can make the little things seem very small. It puts a kind of sharp light mixed with a sort of diffused light on something. I can’t say it any other way than there’s a poignancy to it, and a heightened sense of time and the value of time.”

More: Ryan Murphy & Sarah Paulson Are Teaming Up Together for a Whole New Show

Ultimately, it’s clear that the two women care very deeply for one another, and Paulson is right that people should keep their thoughts to themselves. Less critique, more love. We’re lucky to find love in whatever shape and size it takes and to hold onto it for as long as we possibly can.

You'd think with all the pomp and circumstance that surrounded the royal wedding, there would have been some pretty good swag in it for the guests who attended the biggest event of the year thus far. But it's come to our attention that there are some people who are reselling their gift bags on eBay, and, even wilder, the items that are actually in the gift bags are nowhere near the values they're selling for.

More: Meghan Markle & Prince Harry Are Officially Married

These bags are becoming quite a thing after some attendees at the wedding have taken to selling them on eBay. According to Us Weekly, the bags went to the 1,200 people who were invited to be on the grounds during the event but weren’t actually inside the chapel. As such, somebody probably thought they were making a nice gesture by providing things that could be useful when standing around in the sun for a while.

The bags contained a program of events for the service, a commemorative refrigerator magnet, a gold-foil chocolate coin, some shortbread cookies, a postcard, a commemorative bottle of water and a 20-percent-off coupon for the royal gift shop. The items are held in a small tote with the letters "HM" and the date and location of the event on it. All they forgot was sunscreen and a lip balm on a carabiner.

One bag sold on eBay earlier this week for the insane amount of $10,591 with 76 bids. Other bags that have already sold reportedly went for between $600 and $2,000. A few that are still being auctioned are running between $500 and $4,000. Capitalism at its finest, folks.

But on social media, people aren’t attacking the bags, but rather the people selling them. The foremost reaction seems to be that the idea is tacky, with several people hoping that proceeds will go to charities.

Of all the reactions to this news, the following take may be our favorite:

The big question we have is why, after spending millions on the wedding, didn’t Harry and Meghan spend a little more on the goody bags? Or why not go the way of many Hollywood celebrities and just team up with brands you like to do special royal wedding promotions and fill up the gift bags with tons of good swag that way? Harry and Meghan: we expected better from you.

More: We Talked to a Psychic About Meghan Markle & Prince Harry's Future

Hurry on over to eBay, if you feel so inclined and start searching for your own royal goody bag. With a little luck, you can get that thing purchased, shipped and resold before the week is out.

When antidepressants killed my sex drive, I lost hope.

I went on antidepressants for the first time when I was around 19 or 20. Though I’d struggled with depression for most of my life, it was the first time I’d ever talked to a doctor about it. In fact, it was the first time a doctor had ever asked me about my mental health.

Adjusting to antidepressants was difficult for me. The first few days, Celexa, the antidepressant my doctor prescribed me, gave me a strange feeling and made me extraordinarily sleepy to the point I would doze off in class or become sluggish at work. Adjusting to it required taking it at different times and finding the one that best fit me and my lifestyle — ultimately, taking it right before bed helped me ease some of the most intrusive side effects.

Slowly, Celexa helped get my depression under control. I stopped feeling near-constant dread and apathy and started having a clearer mind — a peace I’d only previously experienced on my better days. It wasn’t a miracle by any means, and I still had depression, but it really made a difference in my life, allowing me to manage my symptoms for the first time.

After the first few months, I noticed another change in my body — my once-high sex drive became nonexistent. I used to masturbate nearly every day before I started antidepressants, but realized I hadn’t in the weeks since I started taking them. The desire just wasn’t there. This realization made me feel really strange about myself, like a big part of my identity was just gone.

More: Here's Why (& How) I Masturbate Every Day

I can’t remember exactly when I started masturbating again, but when I did, I ran into a new problem. In the past, it would only take me about five minutes to orgasm, but my antidepressants made me unable to orgasm no matter what I did. After a half an hour, I would just collapse in my bed, sore and completely frustrated with myself.

For months, I experienced a spotty sex drive and an inability to orgasm. I was embarrassed about it and kept it to myself despite being incredibly frank about myself in the past. I was single at the time but finally accepting that I might not be straight, so my sexuality became important to me in a way it hadn’t been in the past. My feelings for women felt new, and I wanted to explore them a little even before I started dating.

My frustration with my situation began seeping into the rest of my life. I became short with people, easily irritated. At one point, my best friend joked that I needed to get off, and soon. I burst into tears, crying about how I was broken and that it was impossible. She consoled me while I cried and told me that a lack of sex drive while on antidepressants was common. She suggested that I talk to my doctor about it. I’d been quick to contact my doctor about the way my pills were making me tired and dizzy, but was embarrassed to bring up how they impacted my sex drive.

More: How Our Mental Health Affects Our Sex Drive

Finally, after a few more frustrating days, I made an appointment with my doctor. In some ways, I felt more nervous about bringing up my lack of sex drive than I had been about saying that I thought I had depression. My doctor was compassionate and, like my best friend had, reassured me that my lack of sex drive was normal and that it would likely go away in time. If it didn’t, we could try another antidepressant to see if that worked better for me. She gave me tips on how to redirect my frustration and transform it into something productive. I started crafting more often, making jewelry that I’ve since been able to turn into a business.

My doctor was right about my sex drive eventually reappearing. It took months, but it slowly came back. I was relieved and started feeling normal again — normal for me, anyway. I’m glad that I stuck it out because Celexa really helped me for years. I still have depression and am still on antidepressants, and sometimes, my sex drive still nosedives, but it doesn’t feel nearly as devastating as it once did. I’m more comfortable with myself, my sexuality and my faults. It has made all the difference.

By Kelley O'Brien

Drew Barrymore is late. Twenty minutes after the initial time of our interview, Barrymore calls me from her car apologizing for a therapy session that ran late. “I was in a difficult therapy appointment. I am so sorry,” Barrymore says, racing down a highway. “Thank you for talking to us. And by us, I mean me and my multiple personalities,” she said.

The "us" Barrymore is actually referring to is her and Crocs, with which she recently released a shoe collection inspired by her daughters, 5-year-old Olive and 4-year-old Frankie. But don’t expect Barrymore’s Crocs collection to be like other celebrity #sponcon; Barrymore was gung ho about designing each and every shoe for her collection, unlike other A-listers she might know. “I’m not someone who just shows up and pretends that they like something to cash a check,” Barrymore says. “I’m really not the ‘face of.’”

More: Station 19  Star Danielle Savre on Playing a Bi Character & Breaking "Tough Female" Stereotypes

Barrymore’s unapologetic authenticity is why she supports Croc’s slogan “Come as You Are,” a self-affirming mantra Barrymore has been telling herself for more than three decades and is now passing on to her daughters. “I’ve always been ultimately myself, for better or for worse, highs or lows,” Barrymore says. “Growing up with everybody [watching me], I’ve always been very diligent about being exactly who I am because it’s very easy to get lost, and it’s tempting to be something that you’re not.”

Barrymore has spent more than 30 years in the spotlight, and her upbringing is no mystery to the public. After starring in Steven Spielberg’s E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial at age 7, Barrymore became an instant movie star. And though child stars have historically had a bad reputation for succumbing to Hollywood’s pressures, Barrymore suggests that growing up in the public eye prepared her for the business better than those who become famous as adults. “My life naturally went that way because I grew up in front of everybody,” Barrymore says. “At 6 and 7 years old, you’re not thinking that you should pretend to be something else. You’re a kid. You’re utterly yourself. I just stuck with that my whole life.”

Though Barrymore is happy with her own childhood, that doesn’t mean she wants her kids to follow in her footsteps. Though she’s open to her daughters acting when they’re adults (she admits that there’s already an interest), she doesn’t want them to sacrifice their “normal” childhood the way she did.

“My childhood was a very unorthodox experience, but I loved every second of it, and I wouldn’t change it for a thing. But as far as my kids are concerned, I just want them to be kids,” Barrymore says. “I wouldn’t want them working in TV and movies when they’re young. But if it’s something they wanted to go into when they’re older and teenagers and graduating, of course I would support it.”

Interestingly, Barrymore sees herself as more lenient than other Hollywood parents when it comes to her kids’ acting aspirations. “I’m sure being able to express myself so much when I was younger makes me so much more encouraging of my kids’ expressiveness,” Barrymore says. “But they’re not going to go to work at 4 a.m. to shoot a movie.”

And she admits that while she strives to set an example, she’s not immune to self-doubt or insecurities. “I’m the grown-up. I’m the parent. So I’m a lot harder on myself. I’m always telling myself, ‘It’s never enough. You have to be better,’” Barrymore says. “But I’m still telling myself to be me. I just want to be the best version of myself. I’m never like, ‘You should act more like this person or you should look more like that person.’ That has never come across in my personal internal dialogue.”

One moment of public criticism came six months ago, when Barrymore cut her hair and put on her favorite lipstick in response to Instagram bullies. As a household name with more than 8 million Instagram followers, Barrymore is realistic about the fact that she’ll be judged. Still, she tries her hardest to block out the negativity and live her life for herself — not for the media or even her fans.

“It can’t all be love all the time. You have to remember that you’re putting yourself out there. You can’t expect 100 percent of approval back,” Barrymore says. “I’ve had to know that since I was a kid. It doesn’t mean that it’s always easy. Why wouldn’t people want approval? But, no. If I had lived my life by approval, I’d be totally screwed.”

More: Chrissy Teigen on Giving Luna Brown-Skinned Dolls & Embracing Her Thai Culture

Though Barrymore faces angry trolls all the time, she doesn’t hold anything against her haters. In the same way that she accepts herself, she tries to be accepting of everyone else too. “That’s exactly what we’re supposed to do: like each other for who we are and like ourselves for who we are,” she says. Hey, if that’s not an example of walking the talk, we don’t know what is.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Besides celebrating a happy couple, what else is a wedding good for? Scoping out the hottest new property to capture the market. At the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (otherwise known as Prince William and Kate Middleton) wedding there was Pippa Middleton. At the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (otherwise known as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle), it turned out to be one of the royal cousins, Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp.

Spencer was spotted escorting his mother, Victoria Aitken, and two sisters, Elizabeth and Kitty, on the path to the chapel, and he woke people up from all the way across the pond. So, who is he? Well, let’s get the important stuff out of the way. He is single. He’s the son of Charles Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother, and Aitken (his parents are now divorced). He got his good looks from both the photogenic Spencer family and his mother, who is a former model. Through Diana, he is a cousin to Princes William and Harry.

More: The Very Best Pictures of Prince Harry Through The Years

He’s the youngest child in his family, but as the only son, Louis Spencer stands to inherit his father’s land and fortune. His older sister, Kitty Spencer, said she agrees with the system (called primogeniture) so that the estate can stay with the family name. She was quoted on the remarks in the Telegraph. Since his father is an Earl, the family is considered aristocrats, but not royals.

Louis Spencer first hit public awareness when singer Nicki Minaj posted a photo of the two of them at one of her concerts to Instagram. “Check out our wedding photo” she quipped. “No honestly it was such an honor to have you guys” Minaj said, referring to Kitty Spencer, who also attended the show.

More: Here's What the Stars Wore to Meghan Markle & Prince Harry's Royal Wedding

The family moved to South Africa when the children were still young, seeking to get away from media scrutiny. Louis Spencer returned to England for college, enrolling at the University of Edinburgh.

He has largely managed to stay out of the spotlight, at least until this latest appearance put him on the map for so many women. Social media lit up with lots of gals thinking along the same lines.

More: Who's Playing Whom in The New Meghan Markle & Prince Harry Lifetime Biopic?

But barring any of these ladies becoming the lucky one to win attention from the Viscount, who else might have caught his eye at the wedding? Priyanka Chopra was in attendance, as were two of Prince Harry's ex-girlfriends, Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas. And while he wasn't reported to be giving anyone special attention, there's nothing to say he wasn't making some mental notes.

When Spencer does decide to make a move, everyone will surely have opinions on it. For better or for worse he's got the eyes of the world, or at least the female half, watching him now.

Popcorn is a movie night classic, but oh, the fat! It's one thing to splurge at the theater, but at home, it can be healthier (and tastier) to opt for natural popcorn seasoned with herbs, spices and other sprinkle-ables. In fact, you can even have sweet popcorn treats with fewer calories than most movie popcorn.

As you might guess, you have to start with natural popcorn. You can, of course, use natural microwave popcorn and spritz it with a little cooking spray or low-fat butter spray before adding the toppings, but the stovetop method is actually a lot more efficient because it ensures the oil (which you need to hold the toppings on) and toppings are disbursed evenly throughout your popcorn. And despite what easy-popcorn manufacturers would have you believe, DIY popcorn seasoning is ridiculously easy to make.

More: How to Make Popcorn the Old-Fashioned Way

Homemade natural popcorn recipe

If the toppings you use don't stick as well as you want with this recipe, don't add more oil, or it won't combine properly. Stick with spritzing a little cooking oil or no-calorie butter spray.

Serves 2 – 3 (6-2/3 cups)

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 3 minutes | Total time: 8 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4-1/2 teaspoons high-smoke-point oil (peanut, canola, coconut)
• 1-1/2 ounces (about 1/4 cup) popcorn kernels
• Toppings of your choice

Directions:

1. In a medium (minimum 3-quart) pot, place the oil and popcorn, and cover it securely with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Use a knife to cut at least 10 slits into the foil.
2. Put the pot on the stove, turn the burner to medium heat, and constantly shake the pot until the popcorn finishes popping (about 3 minutes or until there are 2- to 3-second intervals between pops). Be careful to not burn the popcorn.
3. Remove the pot from the heat, and remove the foil (be careful to not burn yourself — use tongs or a utensil to help).
4. Pour the popcorn into a large grocery bag or giant (plastic) bowl with a lid. There should be plenty of "air" in the bag for the popcorn to get tossed around. Add your seasonings, roll it up (or put the lid on), and shake like mad until it's combined.

Now skip the butter, and use these DIY popcorn seasonings instead.

Bonus tips:

• Always do your mixes while the popcorn is piping hot! It will take the seasonings and add-ins better.
• If a recipe calls for kosher or sea salt, grinding it into a fine powder works best. Just make sure you measure it before you grind. Otherwise, use half the amount of fine or popcorn salt until you're sure you need more.
• Try mixing all the toppings together and sprinkling them in a little at a time to get the best coating without additional oil.
• With stickier or non-dry toppings, it's sometimes helpful to mix them in a little at a time to make sure you get the best coating.

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

Lunchtime is a catch-22 for a lot of workers. Do you shell out big bucks for a tasty (sometimes healthy) meal or bring a sandwich from home that ends up soggy and squished by the time you get around to eating?

The answer, my friends, is neither! It turns out pasta is the perfect work lunch. Sauce and cheese keep things moist, while add-ins like Gorgonzola, Meyer lemon and sausage make for a much more exciting meal than anything you could get at the local coffee shop. Best of all, pasta freezes beautifully, so you can make a batch of pasta on Sunday, freeze it into individual portions and keep enjoying it all week long.

Here are our favorite lunchtime pasta recipes.

More: 26 Vegan Pasta Recipes So Good You Won't Miss Cheese at All

Creamy pasta:

1. 20-minute creamy Meyer lemon pasta recipe

Creamy pasta doesn't have to taste heavy. Here, sunny Meyer lemon brightens things up.

2. Tortellini chili recipe

Tired of the same old pasta with red sauce? Jazz things up with plump tortellini and hearty chili.

3. Pasta with sausage, spinach & creamy Gorgonzola recipe

Full of flavor thanks to sausage and Gorgonzola, this pasta is a great midday pick-me-up.

4. Red pepper & butternut squash pasta recipe

This creamy pasta sauce is actually vegan — or vegetarian if you garnish with a sprinkle of cheese.

5. One-skillet spicy sausage pasta recipe

Make this quick meal the night before, and bring leftovers the next day. You'll get two satisfying meals without wasting a bunch of time in the kitchen.

6. Vegan "scallops" over pasta with creamy white wine sauce recipe

Microwaving seafood for lunch at the office is kind of a no-no, but these succulent vegan "scallops" made from mushrooms are just as satisfying.

7. One-skillet creamy pasta with garlic chicken recipe

Delightfully creamy with a garlicky punch, this hearty pasta will keep you going all day long.

8. Pasta with pumpkin cream sauce & crispy sage recipe

Enjoy a taste of fall all year-round with this luscious pumpkin and sage pasta.

9. Baked pasta with Sriracha cream sauce recipe

It's a little spicy and a lot delicious. Make this Sriracha pasta bake for dinner, and enjoy the leftovers at lunch all week long.

Hearty pasta:

10. Cheesy pesto-chicken-stuffed shells recipe

These pesto chicken shells are a dream when it comes to packing easy lunches. Freeze individual portions, then grab and go in the morning.

More: Pasta as a Weight-Loss Food? Don't Get Too Excited

11. Pasta with collard greens & bacon recipe

Hearty greens pack a nutritional wallop while smoky bacon keeps things fun in this tasty dish.

12. One-pot chicken enchilada pasta recipe

Who said pasta has to be Italian? This warming pasta features the flavors of your favorite enchiladas.

13. One-skillet Italian sausage pasta with ricotta cheese recipe

Simple and classic, this one-skillet meal will fill your lunchbox all week long.

14. Chili spaghetti recipe

Repurpose some leftover chili or create it from scratch in this unique spaghetti recipe.

Next: Lighter pasta and cold pasta

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

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Lighter pasta:

15. Skinny roasted garlic-tomato Alfredo recipe

Sometimes you don't want to get bogged down by a heavy lunch. That's when dishes like this skinny Alfredo come in handy.

16. Garlic-kale pasta recipe

Kale is full of vitamins and fiber to help keep you full longer without putting you into a food coma.

More: Low-Carb Bowls Are the Best Lazy Lunch Formula

17. Springtime pasta with pea pesto recipe

Fresh and light, this spring-inspired pesto pasta will brighten up your lunchtime.

18. Baked spaghetti squash casserole recipe

Craving pasta but avoiding carbs? This easy spaghetti squash casserole is for you.

19. Garlic chicken pasta with arugula recipe

Peppery arugula and moist chicken kick this simple pasta dish up a notch.

20. Ziti with broccoli rabe, pine nuts & pancetta recipe

Your lunch will be anything but boring with this pasta dish. I think we can all agree that bittersweet broccoli rabe, creamy pine nuts and salty pancetta are a cut above your standard cup-o-noodles.

21. Pasta & lentils with crispy bacon & zucchini recipe

If you find yourself ravenous at lunch but are trying to be healthy, then this meal is perfect for you. Hearty protein- and fiber-rich lentils, zucchini and small pasta make for a hearty but healthy lunch.

Cold pasta:

22. Cold pasta salad with asparagus, feta, blueberries & basil recipe

We guarantee you won't find a meal like this in your office vending machine. This pasta salad with blueberries, asparagus and feta is straight-up gourmet.

23. Macaroni salad with bacon & cilantro recipe

Jazz up the classic macaroni salad with smoky, salty bacon and fresh cilantro. You'll be amazed at how two small ingredients can make such a big difference.

24. Asian pasta salad recipe

Full of crisp, colorful veggies, this pasta salad will give you the energy you need to finish your day strong.

25. Bruschetta pasta salad recipe

Bruschetta and pasta salad are a match made in heaven, bringing you a dish that's perfect for summer.

26. Pasta salad without the mayo recipe

Cool, fresh and light, pasta salad without mayo is the champion of lunchtime.

Literally everything about Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex's, Meghan Markle, royal wedding was pretty darn magical, don't you think? The service, the wedding dress, the vows, the first kiss on the steps of St. George's Chapel — all of it was so dreamy. But the one part of the royal wedding the world didn't get to see were the royal wedding receptions. We're only now hearing about how things went down once Harry, Meghan and their family and friends gathered on the evening of May 19 and from the sounds of multiple reports, this was truly the party of the year.

More: You Have to See the Official Royal Wedding Photos Kensington Palace Just Released

We already knew the royal wedding reception would be intimate, if not star-studded and stacked to the rafters with royalty. But what we didn't know — until know — was just how fun and relaxed the whole shindig would be. After getting through the more formal afternoon reception, things apparently really kicked off at the second reception at Frogmore House. The Sun reports that among the many fun things happening there, Serena Williams was dominating at the beer pong table (yeah, you read that right) that was set up.

"The bride’s US heritage was marked with the boozy American university drinking game beer pong, where players throw table tennis balls into cups of beers which their opponents then have to consume," the outlet stated, going on to quote a source who revealed that, "'Sere­na Williams played beer pong like it was tennis. Everyone had so much fun with it, there were even fireworks.'"

So, what you're telling us is that basically, this royal wedding reception was the classiest, coolest frat party wherein Williams was schooling all the reception guests and we don't have photo evidence of it? Not fair!

More: Meghan Markle & Prince Harry Are Officially Married

But Williams wasn't the only celeb going all out whilst celebrating the newlyweds' nuptials. According to Entertainment Tonight, George Clooney got behind the bar at one point at started playing bartender to the guests in attendance. Sure, it makes sense that Clooney would feel comfortable making a mean mixed drink (he is part-owner of a tequila company, after all), but doing it at a royal wedding reception is next-level bold — and we love it.

As a source reported back to ET, "'George hopped behind the bar and was actually bartending for a bit. He poured Casamigos drinks and shots and got everyone dancing!'" Way to be, Clooney. Way. To. Be.

And because no reception is complete without good music, the royal couple's pal, Idris Elba, stepped up to the DJ booth to liven things up, according to People magazine. Like Clooney, this makes a bit of sense because when he's not acting, Elba is pursuing his other passion, DJ'ing. That said, this was a bold move and again, we here for it.

More: We Talked to a Psychic About Meghan Markle & Prince Harry's Future

All of these details only have us dying to see photos and videos of all of this going down. If you were lucky enough to attend this reception, maybe send something our way? Pretty please?

Updated May 22, 2018, at 7:50 p.m. EST: The Office of Population Affairs just released the full text of a proposed rule which would strip organizations like Planned Parenthood of federal family planning funding under Title X if they refer patients for abortion.

The Trump administration just proposed a new policy barring medical facilities that perform abortions from receiving federal funding for family planning services, The New York Times reported. In addition, this proposed rule, which was announced on Tuesday, May 22, would eliminate the guarantee of receiving accurate health information about pregnancy options. This is a clear and deliberate attack on Planned Parenthood, which currently receives federal funding to carry out their non-abortion services, and is one of the largest providers of affordable health care in the country.

What would the policy do?

To start with, it would put the lives of the 4 million people in the United States who rely on health care from providers funded by Title X at risk by limiting their access to basic services like cancer screenings, birth control and health checkups. This would happen if the federal funding health centers like Planned Parenthood received was cut because they also provide abortion services or even just referrals.

The proposed rule would also bring us back to a 1988 Reagan administration policy, which dictates that clinics that provide abortions must have a "physical separation" as well as "separate personnel" from their other family planning services, according to The New York Times. It is also sometimes referred to as a "gag rule" because it also prevents medical professionals who work at facilities that receive federal family planning funding from giving accurate information about abortion or where they could obtain one.

Dawn Laguens, executive vice president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said on a press call this morning that the point of the proposed rule is that abortion is "stigmatized and put off to the side in some sort of separate facility — separate from where people go to get their health care."

But the proposed rule goes one step beyond the Reagan-era policy and strips the patients' right to get information on abortion as a safe and legal medical option, Kashif Syed, senior policy analyst for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said on the same press call.

And for clarification, neither Planned Parenthood nor any of the other federally funded clinics currently receives federal funding for abortions. The money they receive from the government is used exclusively for providing services like health screenings and birth control.

More: No, Planned Parenthood Still Doesn't Use Federal Funds for Abortions

When will this rule go into effect & what can we do to stop it?

As of right now, we're still waiting for the Trump administration to officially release the proposed rule, but, according to Syed, it has already been submitted to the Office of Budget and Management. He explained that the whole process usually takes between three and six months or longer. It starts with the notice of the proposed rulemaking and is followed by soliciting public comments for 30 to 60 days before the final rule is issued, he clarified. So right now, we're right at the beginning of the rulemaking process.

Planned Parenthood urges its supporters to sign a petition against the proposed rule or to plan a flash action requesting that your representative oppose the gag rule.

Given that this isn't the Trump administration's first attempt to defund the organization and others who receive Title X funding and provide a full range of medical services, including abortion, there will likely be pushback against the proposed policy.

More: Kate Walsh on Why Defunding Planned Parenthood Would Be Disastrous

“The whole point of how they’ve designed this is to push Planned Parenthood out of the Title X system,” Laguens said. “It’s not by accident that this is all designed this way and the result would make it impossible for women to come to Planned Parenthood who are counting on us every day.”

Danica Patrick has been on our minds a lot lately, mostly because of her relationship with Aaron Rodgers. They're totally cute, don't get us wrong, but what about Patrick? What's going on in her life, sans Rodgers, that we can get excited about?

More: There's One Problem With Aaron Rodgers & Danica Patrick's Relationship

Patrick answered that question this week with news about her next big gig. On Tuesday evening, the race car driver posted a photo on Instagram that showed her getting her makeup done for an appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. However, Patrick's caption likely got fans curious about what was going on: "Tune into @jimmyfallon tonight if you want to know a secret I have been keeping in for a while!!!!!!"

Her announcement on the show was confirmed by ESPN's Twitter account: Patrick will be hosting the 2018 ESPY Awards! However, the network's tweet also noted that Patrick's role as host shouldn't be overlooked.

"It's official! Danica Patrick will host the 2018 ESPYS, becoming the first female to host the show," ESPN tweeted.

Even if you're not a big sports fan, you should still celebrate this special, long-overdue moment. It has taken 25 years for the ESPY Awards to give hosting responsibilities to someone who doesn't identify as male. Patrick taking the stage as the host of a male-dominated award show that honors people working in a male-dominated industry is such a powerful and meaningful move. Not only has she earned her spot on the ESPY stage with her own career, but Patrick can also now provide a new platform for women, even if only for just one night. Her hosting gig will bring more visibility to women who are professional athletes and younger athletes aspiring to become pros.

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

Basically, this is going to be Patrick's moment to shine. She'll be on a very important stage for a big night in sports, and it will be interesting to see how she chooses to use it.

We've already heard about the benefits of eating organic produce and using organic beauty products, but a growing number of period product manufacturers are now also offering organic options for pads and tampons. Is this something we should consider using or a health-focused marketing strategy? We asked a few OB-GYNs whether choosing organic period products is a good idea and if so, why we should opt for them next time we bleed.

Are organic period products a better option for us?

The first thing Dr. Iris Orbuch, an OB-GYN based out of New York and Los Angeles, wants us to consider is the color of our pads and tampons.

"Have you ever thought of how conventional tampons and pads get to be so white? Chloride dioxide is used to bleach them, producing dioxins, which are by-products of bleaching," Orbuch tells SheKnows. "The EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] concludes that dioxin exposure is linked with the possibility of inducing cancer, acting as an endocrine disruptor, altering the immune system and possibly causing reproductive problems."

According to Orbuch, exposure to dioxins can be one of the causes of endometriosis — a condition that affects 10 to 12 percent of people who menstruate, resulting painful periods, infertility and a whole host of other symptoms.

Conventional tampons and pads use phthalates, rayon, synthetic absorbers and often fragrances, Orbuch says, adding that phthalates are soft plastics that also disrupt endocrine systems, which over time may lead to cancer, fertility issues and obesity among other chronic health problems. She suggests staying away from period products with any added fragrance because whether or not they're made of organic cotton, the fragrances can be very irritating to those with sensitive skin and allergies.

How is this regulated?

There's no regulation on what makes a tampon or pad "organic," Orbuch says. So even if a product says it's made of organic cotton, that doesn't necessarily means that it wasn't bleached. However, most organic pads and tampons are made using unbleached cotton, she notes, so it may be a safer bet.

Speaking of regulation, the Food and Drug Administration classifies period products as "medical devices" alongside dental floss and condoms. On the surface, this seems like a good fit — especially since many states classify menstrual products as luxury items rather than necessities — but in reality, it just means that manufacturers are not required to disclose the specific list of ingredients. While the FDA does recommend that manufacturers provide general information on the label about the material composition of the product (i.e., cotton, rayon, etc.), it doesn't make them list each individual ingredient, Deborah Kotz, an FDA spokesperson, told The New York Times.

Because of this, even if you see "dioxin free" on a box of pads or tampons, it doesn't necessarily mean the ingredient isn't included somewhere, Orbuch notes.

Organic tampons & toxic shock syndrome

It's important to note that organic tampons can still cause toxic shock syndrome. A study published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology in April 2018 found that organic cotton tampons are no less risky than cotton-blend or synthetic tampons.

More: Why Period-Shaming Is an Environmental Issue, & What You Can Do About It

When we hear about TSS, which literally has the word "toxic" in the name, we may immediately jump to the conclusion that it's caused by some sort of toxins in tampons, but it actually has to do with how long the tampons are left in the vagina (and dependent on the person already having the necessary strain of staph bacteria already in their vaginal flora). Super-absorbent tampons are seen as particularly problematic because they are intended to be worn over longer periods.

The other key component for developing TSS is oxygen, which helps staph bacteria multiply. Dr. Gerard Lina, a physician and professor of microbiology at the University Claude Bernard and lead author of the Applied and Environmental Microbiology study, explained in a statement that the "space between the fibers that contributes to intake of air in the vagina" which "represents the major site" of the staph bacteria growth.

More: How the U.S. Differs From the Rest of the World When It Comes to Periods

When it came to the tampons' materials, the study found that those made of cotton only (including the organic ones) were less structured than synthetic ones, meaning they had more space between fibers, allowing more air to enter the vagina, potentially contributing to bacterial growth. So organic or not, cotton tampons may be more likely to cause TSS.

More research required

While the study discussed above is a good step in the under-researched area of menstrual health, we're going to need more work in this area to have any definitive answers.

“I think that we could do more studies on tampons and pads; however, the research that has been done is limited, but has not been able to directly link any diseases or risks with the current pads out there," Dr. Jessica Shepherd, an OB-GYN, tells SheKnows.

Ultimately, though, it's up to you what you put in or near your vagina. Staying away from potentially harmful chemicals like the chloride dioxide used in period products certainly isn't a bad idea, but it's also not a guarantee that it will result in better gynecological or pelvic health.

More: What Amy Schumer Got Right — & Wrong — About Periods on SNL

“I feel that as we focus more on our health, we can find ways to minimize exposure to toxins, and I would encourage women who feel more comfortable with organic pads and tampons to definitely use them; however, I cannot say definitively that the current products out there are contributing to chronic diseases or pelvic cancers,” Shepherd explains.

Orbuch is a bit more enthusiastic about choosing organic pads and tampons, noting, "The way I look at it is: I choose organic fruits and veggies; why not do the same for my [menstrual] products."

During pregnancy, women often have mild urinary incontinence. In fact, more than one-third of women experience temporary stress incontinence during their first pregnancy. But what about after giving birth? We chatted with nine moms about their experiences with bladder leaks post-childbirth. Here’s what they had to say.

“The first thing I think about with bladder leakage after childbirth is like having to cross your legs every time you sneeze and cough, and totally forget about ever doing a jumping jack in your life.” —Anne Carter

“Anything to do with jumping. And you have to wear a panty liner — forget jumping on a trampoline ever!” —Vickie West

“Even if I don’t have to pee I still cross my legs if I cough or sneeze. It’s a habit.” —Ashlee Baxtor

“For a time after I had the baby and even still occasionally when I look at a toilet, I have an overwhelming urge to pee and sometimes can barely contain myself.” —Katie Liewehr

“I never experienced bladder leakage after birth and my kids were huge, about 10 pounds.” —Mathilda Pienton

“After giving birth it felt like I had no control over my bladder for the first few weeks. I would pee a little when I laughed, when I sneezed, when I sat down, when I stood up, when I breathed. It was the worst. Super thankful everything is back to normal now!” —Tess Guanzon

“I never had any bladder leakage, but I did have increased urgency.” —Cynthia Grazian

“So obviously, I had times where I leaked toward the end of pregnancy, but now it's anytime I sneeze or laugh too hard, a little bit sneaks out. It's annoying, but I know I should do more kegels.” —Tricia Conohan

“I actually had my son at 28 weeks, and while pregnant with him, I only had issues once. But after him, every time I sneeze a little comes out. If I have to go, I can't wait or I end up peeing my pants because my muscles are so weak. I've tried kegels, but they never work. And I’m also 5 months pregnant now, so that isn't helping either! I actually wet myself at work yesterday after sneezing.” —Sheyanne Vasquez

This post is sponsored by Stayfree.

Leah Remini isn’t finished fighting the good fight against religious overlords just yet. Not only is she moving forward with her flagship series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, but the sometimes-sitcom star also has her sights set on another controversial religious sect to expose: Jehovah’s Witnesses.

More: Leah Remini Defends Ex-Scientologist Accused of Multiple Rapes

Per The Hollywood Reporter, the religion will be the subject of a new project on A&E produced by Remini. Why Jehovah’s Witnesses? Because, as with Scientology, the religion has reportedly come under fire for polarizing practices like ostracizing members who disagree with any tenet of the religion and making frequent doomsday predictions.

In April, Remini made a deal with the network to develop new unscripted projects. The reported Jehovah’s Witness series is planned as the first in that vein. When news of the partnership first broke, the actor described the honor of “telling brave stories and bringing truth to light, no matter the obstacles.”

More: Scientology Really Wanted Kevin James to Abandon Catholicism & Join Their Church

Thanks to her Scientology exposé — which has already won an Emmy for outstanding informational series — Remini has found her niche.

She touched on this during a May 17 For Your Consideration panel discussion in Los Angeles, explaining of her work with A&E on the series, “I really found my heart here. Mike [Rinder, a consultant,] and I got into Scientology because we thought we were helping people. We wanted to make this world a better place; we thought we were doing that every day. Doing this program has fulfilled that side of our hearts. We finally feel like we are on the right side of doing real work and real good and really helping people. I’ve never been more heartbroken, but at the same time it’s been fulfilling.”

More: Scientology Is Starting a New Campaign to Smear Leah Remini

Given Remini’s commitment to bringing the reported systematic abuses of Scientology to light, it’s safe to assume she's on a mission to do the same with Jehovah’s Witnesses through this new project. And rumor has it she will continue to expose controversial religions, moving on to NXIVM after Jehovah's Witnesses.

Stay tuned! This should be interesting.

As a lifelong space nerd and total sci-fi geek, it brings me great pleasure to announce that we finally have our first look at Disney's new Star Wars theme park, Galaxy's Edge.

This park has been in the works for a while now, but until today, fans have been left in the dark about what the park will have, where it will be located and when it will open. Thanks to a short video posted by Disney last night, we now have some answers to our most burning questions.

Both Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and Disney World in Orlando, Florida, will be home to the new park named Galaxy's Edge. The California location will open first in the summer of 2019, with the Florida location opening in the late fall of 2019.

More: 19 Star Wars Easter Eggs You Probably Never Noticed

No further details were released today, but we did get a quick look at a preview of the park. Disney has also been dropping some major hints recently about what the park will contain. "At Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, guests will be transported to the planet of Batuu, a remote outpost on the galaxy’s edge that was once a busy crossroads along the old sub-lightspeed trade routes,” Disney wrote in a news release back in March. "Here, guests will find themselves in the middle of the action at two attractions that take detail and immersion to the next level: one that lets guests take the controls of Millennium Falcon on a customized secret mission, and an epic Star Wars adventure that puts guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance."

During a panel discussion last year, Disney Imagineer Asa Kalama said, “An experience might begin on board the Millennium Falcon and follow you right out the door of the attraction and into the local watering hole.” 

The attraction will also have Star Wars-themed dining and merchandise available. Disney is even planning to build a Star Wars-themed hotel in Orlando, Florida.

2019 suddenly feels like a galaxy far, far away. At least Solo: A Star Wars Story opens tomorrow, so we don't have to wait too long for our next sci-fi fix.

Having a backyard wedding comes with its pros and cons. Not only is it more intimate, but — and this is likely the biggest draw — it also allows you to save some serious money. On the flip side, however, you're building the wedding from the ground up, and suddenly you find yourself asking a million questions: How many tables do I need? Do I need a professional to come out here to manicure my lawn? Where do I even start with creating the ceremony backdrop?!

Take a breath, though. Yes, it's a lot to take in and a lot to figure out, but with a few tips in mind (and a well-organized Pinterest board to reference frequently), throwing a backyard wedding can be done.

More: 10 Printable Wedding Checklists for the Organized Bride

1. Create an entry

And make it as dramatic as you'd like. Your guests are arriving at a wedding — your special day — after all, so it should feel like they're stepping into an event they'll never forget.

"It can be as simple as a balloon arch or as fancy as a cascading balloon garland," says Andrea Rosewall, an interior designer in Glendale, Arizona.

2. Create a DIY photo backdrop

By no means do you need a photo booth, but it's more fun if you do. If you do ditch it altogether, you'll still want some sort of background your guests can take their own photos in front of.

"I know, they are everywhere and could be considered overdone," Rosewall starts, "but you can use something unexpected, like a couple of rustic old doors with garland and lanterns. Or, if you have a natural background at your home already, jazz it up."

3. Add layers

This isn't any ordinary backyard party, so don't treat it as one. Think bigger!

"This occasion is going to be photographed by everyone — everyone!" Rosewall says. "So keep that in mind and make sure that it doesn't look like a regular garden party. You need to add layers, height and color. It needs to be dramatic; [add] large potted plants or lanterns [either] hanging or clustered."

4. Create entertaining areas

During your wedding planning, it's easy to forget one part of it — likely because you'll be so busy getting ready: the pre-ceremony. While guests are arriving and waiting for the ceremony to begin, be sure to have an area where they can mingle — and maybe even grab a small bite or beverage.

"Place the ceremony where the light is going to be best," Rosewall says. "There is such a thing as the golden hour. Avoid strong shadows or areas where the sun is very bright."

That's not all. Think about where the ceremony will take place and where guests can let loose after dinner.

"You also need a place for dinner, dancing and games," she continues. "You can use the same space over again," she says and suggests using a simple pipe and drape, which you can rent or DIY, to hide all the behind-the-scenes setting up. "By separating areas, you can create a more dramatic reveal. It might seem like a lot of work, but it is one simple way to keep guests away from the dinner area or out of the ceremony area if the bride and groom are taking pictures."

5. Have a ceremony background

"It centers the ceremony," Rosewall says. "Avoid anything too metallic or fabrics with a lot of sheen for the photos' sake."

That said, you'll want to elevate the officiant, bride and groom, and ensure you have speakers set up — it won't be quite as impactful if you can't see or hear what's happening.

"Make sure that you have taken into account all possible noise interferences so that the ceremony is not interrupted," Rosewall advises. "You can let neighbors know ahead of time, so no one starts doing yard work during the wedding."

More: 10 Wedding Cake Trends of 2018 You'll See All Over Instagram

6. Create pathways for your guests

"Take them on a journey," Rosewall says. Popular options include using candles, string lights and flower petals.

7. Get your yard manicured

Your grass needs to look its very best. Like Rosewall said earlier — the special occasion will get photographed by everyone.

"Have a professional come do the yard a couple of days before," Rosewall says. "Make sure that all irrigating systems are turned off. It'll be worth the extra bucks you spend making your backyard picture-perfect."

8. Think about the little things, the necessities

We're talking about toilet paper here, folks. Keep plenty of it on hand, and keep all garbage out of sight.

"Stock the bathrooms well, and don't be scared to have baskets of toilet paper and hand towels readily available," Rosewall says. "Also, hire someone whose sole job is to take trash out and away and to replenish items, soap, cups and napkins and make sure candles are always lit."

9. Embrace linen

"Linens are easy to overlook," Rosewall says. "Layer and textile at a wedding: You can use different colors and unexpected finishes."

10. Use your pool to your advantage

Lastly, don't hide the pool — make it part of the wedding.

"If you have a pool or a water feature, really play that up," Rosewall says. "It can have a big visual and atmosphere payoff with very low investment."