The Duchess of Sussex's dad, Thomas Markle, has really done it this time — after being a mild annoyance in the months leading up to Meghan (née Markle) and Prince Harry's May 19 nuptials, it would seem Thomas Markle has officially become a thorn in the royal family's side. The source of the ire? His "babbling" interviews with the press.

More: Meghan Markle's Dad Doesn't Think a "Stork Is in the Air" — Yet

According to Us Weekly, a source says that Meghan is no longer on speaking terms with her father following a recent blitz of bad publicity. Two weeks ago, Thomas Markle sat down for an unauthorized (and lengthy) interview with Good Morning Britain. Last week, he spoke ill of Queen Elizabeth II to TMZ for offering to meet with President Trump and not him. 

Given that the royal family — particularly the queen — is reportedly growing increasingly frustrated with her father, the newly minted Duchess of Sussex is undoubtedly feeling the pressure. Accordingly, claims a source, "Meghan hasn't spoken to Thomas since the day after her wedding." 

Us Weekly's sources reportedly also reveal that Thomas Markle is desperate to make amends with his daughter. 

More: Meghan Markle's Mom Just Had Tea With the Queen, Because This Is Her Life Now

"Thomas adores his daughter and swears he never wanted attention from the interviews. All he's cared about is protecting Meghan... he wants the royals to stand by his side, but of course, so far they haven't," a source allegedly close to Thomas Markle said. 

However, these latest interviews aren't the first time Markle has landed in hot water with the royal family over self-promotion. Just one week shy of the royal wedding, Markle got caught up in a staged photo scandal — this after insisting he wanted the paparazzi to stop hounding him. 

More: Did Meghan Markle's Dad Fake Photos to Make Money?

Per Us Weekly's sources, the royal family is essentially on the verge of issuing an ultimatum: Stop talking or any hope of contact with his daughter will be lost. 

"Thomas is walking a fine line," warned one such source. "This blabbing needs to stop if he wants to maintain any relationship with Harry and Meghan."

Not interested in having a cookie-cutter, totally traditional, by-the-book wedding? You're not alone. And one scroll through Pinterest or Instagram for wedding inspo and ideas will show you that clearly, many brides-to-be crave the offbeat, nontraditional wedding.

The antiquated wedding rules have been thrown out the window, people! You can get married at any stage, at any age and in any way you want to. What a time to be alive, right?

So, if you're one of the many deep in wedding-planning mode and you need a little help, we have just the insider tips for you.

More: 10 Printable Wedding Checklists for the Organized Bride

1. Downgrade your cake

Because having a massive, three-tier wedding cake is so 2000-late. Jessica Janik, bridal consultant and founder of the bridal concierge The Invisible Bridesmaid, tells SheKnows the giant wedding cake should be the first thing to go.

"Half of my brides haven't even gotten around to cutting the cake during the ceremony because they were having too much fun on the dance floor. The smaller the cake, the more affordable. Have a smaller cake and try decorating it with silk ribbon or real flowers instead of having fondant designs/patterns on the cake."

2. Ditch traditional wedding heels

Whether it's a pair of Converse All-Stars or those adorable (and pricey) espadrilles you've had your eye on, spend your money on wedding shoes that match your personal style instead of your dress.

"Think long-term when shopping, so opt for comfort over height so you will want to wear them again and again." Janik says.

3. Cut down on bridesmaids

We've all seen the movie, and we know how quickly things can go south. But really, a large wedding party is largely unnecessary — not to mention expensive — if you have only a few friends you'd like to include on your big day. Opting for fewer bridesmaids or none at all can have its benefits, Janik explains, "The less girls you have, the less stress you have, and the less you will spend on flower bouquets, bridesmaid gifts, makeup/hair, etc."

More: A Designer's Tips for Transforming a Backyard Into a Wedding Venue

"Don't be afraid to mix up the wedding party." Stephanie Moran, formerly the owner and events specialist at Six-Twenty Events, tells SheKnows. "No one ever said that your best friend has to be the same gender as you, so if you're a bride and want your bestie, who happens to be male, to be in your wedding, do it. Women standing on the groom's side could wear the same color as the rest of the groomsmen (or same color as their tie) in dress form or go completely gender-neutral and wear a tux or pantsuit. Men standing in on the bride's side can match the groomsmen or wear a suit or tux that complements the bridesmaid dresses."

4. Go digital

Once you're in the throes of planning your big nontraditional wedding bash, it's comforting to know that traditional wedding etiquette can go out the window. This means you can cut out printed save-the-dates and invites if you want to, Janik says. Sending emails instead can help you to better keep track of RSVPs and save you hundreds on total printing costs.

"If you're not sure mom would go for it, you can always purchase traditional paper invitations and email your save the dates,” Moran adds.

5. Get crafty

Seriously, though, this is one time in life when your Pinterest and DIY addiction is actually going to pay off. If you've got the time and the creativity, you can upcycle and repurpose almost any item on your wedding to-do list. We suggest starting with the easy stuff and working your way up to the harder Pinterest projects from there. A Beautiful Mess has plenty of wedding DIY projects to choose from too.

6. Throw a brunch

As strange as it sounds, planning a morning wedding is a big win in more ways than one: namely in the cash and booze departments. "Who says 11 a.m. can't be happy hour?!" Moran asks. "Throw a brunch wedding for the ultimate anti-conformist wedding. The perks of brunch weddings include waffle and mimosa bars, a more laid-back vibe and they're a big budget saver. Brunches can range in cost from $20 to $70 per person, whereas for a formal dinner, you'll be shelling out $130 to $250 per person. And to top it off, most venues will offer discounts for morning weddings. Just be prepared for a 5 a.m. — or earlier! — hair and makeup call."

7. Mix up the venue

Everyone expects a church wedding, but jaws might hit the floor (hopefully, in the best way possible) when guests realize your wedding will be held under a beautiful bridge — or at an art studio or at a local wine bar or in front of a graffiti mural.

"Instead of a traditional church or well-known wedding venue, have your wedding somewhere unexpected," Michele Velazquez, owner of the pop-up wedding company Pop The Knot, tells SheKnows.

8. Make it a surprise

This one goes out to all the brave brides (or those April Fools’ Day pranksters). Velazquez suggests making the entire event a surprise if your parents' hearts can handle it.

"Tell everyone that you are hosting a family dinner or make up another excuse to get everyone to be at your location on the specified date and time. Ask them to all dress for the occasion. When they arrive, announce that this is your pop-up wedding! This is a great way to break traditions and not break the bank."

You can find our favorite — and totally shocking — pop-up wedding inspirations here.

More: The 7 Best Places for a 2018 Destination Wedding

9. Revamp the send-off

"If your venue prohibits sparklers, pass out glow sticks at the end of the night so your guests can still light up your send-off," Moran suggests. With an aww-dorable ending like this, your out-of-the-box wedding is one friends and family will never forget.

10. When in doubt, chill out

Even celebs have problems keeping everyone happy when planning an ultra-unique wedding soiree. As Kelly Kruger (Criminal Minds and Castle) tells SheKnows of her wedding to Darin Brooks (The Bold and The Beautiful), "Coming from two different backgrounds, it was really important for us to create a wedding that represented both of us as individuals as well as a couple. We sat down and talked about what was really important to each of us. Darin, coming from Hawaii and raised Catholic, and me, coming from Montréal and having been raised Jewish, we really wanted to make sure to have a little of both in our ceremony and reception. We decided to have a reform Rabbi officiate it, but we wrote our own vows and customized the ceremony."

There's something that feels so good about flipping the bird to the traditional idea of a wedding while still celebrating a special day with the one you love. If your offbeat wedding is ruffling feathers with friends and family who were expecting a wedding march and a slice of three-tier cake, stick to your guns while setting respectful boundaries. Having your wedding your way may not be something everyone in your family agrees upon, but you can bet they'll come around when they see the unexpected end product on your big day.

A version of this article was originally published in June 2008.

Ah, those two dreaded words: "I'm bored." When kids drop the boredom bomb, you might be tempted to just turn on the TV and let them watch a couple of hours of their favorite (educational!) program. But why not have a little creative fun instead?

We've rounded up 10 TV show-free ways to entertain the kids that the entire family will actually enjoy — from glow-in-the-dark dance parties to DIY projects that double as science projects. This way, you'll all have a blast.

More: The Best New Outdoor Toys for Summer

1. Let them draw — all over your table

2. Go squirt-gun painting

3. Have a glow-in-the-dark dance party

4. Skip the chalk & make sidewalk art with foam paint

More: Want to Raise a Creative Child? Here's How

5. Have a themed movie night

6. Make marshmallow shooters

7. Host a "hoppy" hour

8. Make a homemade children's book

Instead of reading a children's book to the kids, have them tell a story of their own. Then, the two of you can create a homemade storybook they'll always cherish.

9. Make some music together

More: Summer Nighttime Activities the Whole Family Will Love

10. Make a DIY balloon wand

With the new Whitney Houston documentary mere days away from release, friends and family of the late singer are already starting to well up with memories and emotion. Among those reminiscing? Jada Pinkett Smith, who took to Instagram to post a series of (epic) throwback photos.

More: Jada Pinkett Smith Is Slowly Changing Hollywood — & Her Own Career

On Tuesday, Smith threw it all the way back to 1998. She was pregnant and, as pregnant women are wont to do, having a party to fete her impending arrival. 

"These are the only pics I have of Whitney and I. I'm pregnant with Jaden. She came to my baby shower," Smith captioned the post, which contains three pics of her with the iconic singer.

In the photos, Smith and Houston can be seen enthralled in conversation. And although Smith doesn't share the subject matter they discussed on that day, she does go on to describe the type of person her late friend really was. "Whitney was so sweet, so fierce... so real," Smith said, adding, "She was funny and fun and so... present."

That isn't the only reason Smith admired and, to this day, remains in awe of Houston. 

"As talented and famous as she was... she didn't wear it on her sleeve. Not many of us in this business can claim that... not even myself at certain points in my life. She was [so] down to earth... that's what I admired about her most," Smith said of Houston's humble nature. 

More: All the Times Jada Pinkett Smith Got Real on Her New Talk Show

Houston died in 2012 following a prolonged struggle with substance abuse addiction. In Smith's post, she alludes to the fact that she wishes they'd had more time together, saying, "If only we could have celebrated her more while she was here. You are missed, Whitney."

The "I Will Always Love You" singer wasn't the only legendary musician Smith loved and lost, though. 

She attended high school with late rapper Tupac Shakur and, while the two never had romantic feelings for each other, they were very close. 

Of the friendship, she told Howard Stern in 2015, "we loved deeply." 

There are plenty of expiration dates it's fine to overlook (that yogurt was already fermented anyway, right?), but car seat expiration dates aren't one of them. So, what do you do with the seat once it eventually reaches the end of its six-year life?

For many parents, the answer ends up being something like "let that chunk of plastic sit in the corner of your garage collecting dust until you figure out what to do with it." Then, eventually, you cave and toss it, and it sits in a landfill with countless other car seats. 

Sure, throwing it away seems the easiest option, but we have a couple of better ideas: recycling and trade-in programs. 

But before we get into that, let's talk about what you shouldn't do with a car seat: donate or sell it, specifically if the car seat is expired, recalled or has been in an accident. The last thing you want to do is risk another child's life, so do not pass it on. 

That said, here are a few things you can do to end that expired car seat's life nicely.

More: Maternity Clothes Are a Waste of Money — Here's Proof

Trade-in programs

Target announced the return of its car seat trade-in program in April 2018. This lets customers trade in old car seats at Target stores and receive a coupon for 20 percent off the purchase of a new car seat.

"We're always looking for ways to make the lives of our guests easier and we're proud to be able to help them reduce household clutter in a responsible and environmentally-friendly way," said Michelle Wlazlo, senior vice president of apparel and accessories at Target, at the time.

According to Target, the company has collected 176,000 car seats since the start of its trade-in program and has recycled them into new products — keeping 2.6 million pounds of materials from ending up in landfills. So, keep your eyes peeled for trade-in events like this one.

Reuse

Earlier, we discussed not selling or donating a car seat if it has been in an accident, is expired or was recalled. However, you can reuse or pass along the seat if it's still in good condition and doesn't fall into any of those aforementioned categories. To find out if your car seat qualifies for reuse, answer the questions on Consumer Reports' website. 

More: Kid Rules You Can Totally Let Slide in the Summer

Recycle

According to Recycle Your Car Seat, curbside recycling programs do not typically accept children's car seats, even if you take them apart first.

Currently, 18 states have recycling options for car seats, including Arizona, California, Texas and Maryland. You can find a list of programs on RYCS's website.

If a program doesn't exist near you, you can still recycle as much of the seat as you can yourself. But before you begin dismantling, ask your local department of public works if the plastic from the seat is accepted in the local recycling program. If it is, then get to it!

Consumer Reports compiled the following list of tips from the recycling program in Ann Arbor, Michigan:

1. First, use scissors to cut off the fabric, foam padding and harness straps from the seat.
2. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove as much metal as possible.
3. Remove the car seat cover and any padding underneath it.
4. Discard the fabric, foam padding, straps and mixed metal-plastic pieces and small plastic pieces.
5. Mark the plastic as expired or unsafe.
6. Recycle the bulky plastic body and all-metal pieces.

Have someone else do the recycling for you

Not interested in taking apart the car seat yourself? Baby Earth Renew will do all the work for you — seriously. And this program isn't limited to car seats either. You can also send strollers, swings, jumpers, high chairs and diaper bags. All you need to do is pay the shipping costs and send it to them, and they'll take care of the rest. Yep, you can clear out your clutter and help the planet without leaving your house.

Planning a trip abroad is one of the most exciting things you can do — well, aside from actually getting to your destination, of course. It's so much fun creating your itinerary, shopping for vacation clothes and essentials and counting down the days until you've landed and you're on your way to creating memories that'll last a lifetime. But then it happens: You waited too long and you realize you forgot to apply for a passport.

Hey, it happens to the best of us. You finally book that round-trip flight to Europe you've been waiting years to do, and then — bam! — next thing you know, you have mere weeks, maybe even days, to get that very important, pocket-size booklet. Now, you're not only faced with trying to get the passport on time, but you're also forced to fork over way more money to expedite the process.

That amount of stress leading up to a trip is fun for no one, so do yourself a favor and get your passport ASAP — even if you have zero overseas vacation plans.

Here are six reasons you should have a passport by now.

More: 15 Places to Take an Island Vacation — Without Leaving the U.S.

You'll always have a backup ID

Let's say you lose your driver's license. Sure, getting it replaced will only set you back a few days, but you still need some form of photo identification. That's where the passport comes in to play. It's one of the most reliable forms of identification — and you can even use it to purchase alcohol at most places.  

You can pick up & go in a pinch

Need to fly overseas at the last minute? Well, you can't do it if you don't have your passport. Get one now, and you'll know you'll always be prepared. According to the State Department, the quickest you can get a passport is within eight business days, but restrictions apply. For instance, if you have a life-or-death emergency, you likely qualify for the expedited service.

You'll avoid the extra fees

Currently, it costs $145 to get a passport ($110 for the application fee and $35 for the execution fee). If you needed to get it expedited, you're looking at adding an extra $60. And if you were to go to an agency that can get your passport to you within mere days, you'll likely spend even more. So, save the money, and spend it while you're overseas. That sounds like a better plan, don't you agree?

More: 13 Side-Hustle Ideas for Some Extra Summer Cash

You'll always have proof of citizenship

If your citizenship is ever in question, you can show authorities your passport to clear up any confusion. Easy as that.

You'll have access to 172 countries

A passport from the United States is one of the most powerful passports out there. According to a Henley & Partners and International Air Transport Association report in 2017, U.S. passport-holders may enter 172 countries and territories without a visa. However, passport holders in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia have the least freedom of travel.

You can likely use it for school enrollment

If you have kids, it doesn't hurt to get them passports too. Passports are a reliable document that state one's identity and age and are usually accepted when enrolling in public schools. Of course, check with the school first.

Ready to apply?

About time! Let's do this!

To apply for a passport, download an application form and get all the information you need from the official U.S. government resource.

You don't have to tell Blake Shelton that his support for girlfriend Gwen Stefani is bordering on obsessive. He wears his superfan status like a badge — even though he jokes that his behavior could make him look like a creeper. 

More: Blake Shelton Gives Update on a Potential Engagement to Gwen Stefani

Last week, Stefani started her Las Vegas residency, which is clearly a big deal for her. And apparently, a pretty big deal for the tall drink of water she keeps company with these days too. 

"So far @gwenstefani has performed 3 shows in Las Vegas," Shelton wrote on Twitter Monday. "I have been to 3... #stalker." 

Shelton's joke is all in good fun, of course, because this couple hasn't been shy about their affection for one another since they started dating in 2015. 

More: Gwen Stefani Gave Blake Shelton the Most Patriotic Birthday Gift

Earlier this week, Stefani shared a few photos of the pair engaging in a little backstage PDA. 

Earlier in June, Shelton couldn't help gushing about his girl on Twitter, saying, "Setting here watching @gwenstefani rehearsals, it continues to shock me the amount of GIANT hits this girl has written." 

But while Shelton and Stefani have always been pretty forthcoming about their relationship, an indirect member of their relationship hasn't found the couple to be an easy topic of conversation. 

During an interview with Hits Daily Double published on Tuesday, Miranda Lambert admits she wasn't ready to discuss her split from Shelton or his new relationship for a long time. Rather, she wanted people to pull her feelings and her pain from her cathartic album, The Weight of These Wings. 

More: This Is Why Miranda Lambert Won't Talk About Her Album

"When the music was out, people had listened, I got on the phone for the first interview. First question was, 'How do you feel about Gwen?' I hung up," Lambert said, noting that she told her manager she couldn't continue. 

"What was in the music was real, and I wanted people to get it from that. Take from it what they would," she revealed. "Then if I needed to talk, I would. But I haven't really. Until now." 

Bacon, eggs and sausage: the breakfast triumvirate. You just can't go wrong with these three morning meal staples — unless you cook 'em wrong. 

If you're a total noob in the kitchen, you've come to the right place. Ahead, we'll teach you how to make bacon and sausage like a pro. As for eggs, well, you're just SOL, aren't you? (Just kidding; we have a tutorial right here for you.)

Have your oven, stovetop or microwave prepped? Armed with a few simple tips, you can have expertly cooked bacon and sausage in your home kitchen any day of the week. Let's do this.

More: 14 Delicious Breakfast Recipes That Include English Muffins

Bacon

Hands down the best way to cook bacon is in the oven; this method yields the most dependable results. But that doesn't mean you can't cook these irresistible pork strips on the stovetop or in the microwave, especially when you're facing a real time crunch. 

Let's start with how to make bacon in the oven.

How to cook bacon in an oven

The oven-cooking method allows you to cook most or all of a package of bacon at once and is the best method for large quantities. 

Ingredients & supplies:

• Baking sheet
• Foil
• Bacon
• Metal cooling rack (optional)
• Platter lined with paper towels

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
2. Spread the bacon out in a single layer on the baking sheet so that the strips are barely touching.
   Tip: For extra-crispy bacon, top the foil-lined baking sheet with a metal cooling rack. Put the bacon on the rack. All the grease will drip down to the foil below, giving your bacon extra crunch.
3. Cook the bacon until it is deeply browned and reaches your desired degree of crispness, for about 15 to 20 minutes. (There is no need to flip the bacon during cooking — both sides will cook evenly.) Transfer the bacon to a paper towels-lined platter to drain.

How to cook bacon on the stovetop

If you're more of a frying pan- or skillet-wielding home chef, then give the following directions a go, courtesy of the always-reliable Food Network. Keep in mind you can cook six to eight slices at a time using a skillet, so if you're hosting a larger group, it'd be best to opt for the oven-cooking method.

Ingredients & supplies:

• Bacon
• Skillet or pan
• Platter lined with paper towels

Directions:

1. Don't cook the bacon straight from the fridge; let it sit out for 15 to 20 minutes to get it to room temperature.
2. Lay the strips directly onto the cold skillet (don't preheat it), and make sure they do not overlap. (This helps the fat render slowly, for consistently cooked strips.)
3. Cook over medium heat. Turn the strips as needed until they reach the desired crispness. This should take anywhere from 8 to 12 minutes.
4. Drain well on a paper towel-lined platter.

How to cook bacon in the microwave

OK, cooking bacon in the microwave should be reserved for days when you just need to make a few — and in a hurry. No judgment if you do use this method, though. Below, we've gathered Rachael Ray's instructions from Food Network.

Ingredients & supplies:

• Microwave-safe plate 
• 4 sheets paper towel
• 8 slices bacon (or fewer)

Directions:

1. Place 2 sheets of paper towel on the microwave-safe plate.
2. Lay up to 8 slices of bacon on the paper towels. Just like you would when cooking on a stovetop, make sure they do not overlap. 
3. Place 2 more sheets of paper towel on top of the strips.
4. Heat in the microwave on high for 4 to 6 minutes.

More: Breakfast Salads Are a Thing, & Yes, You Should Be Eating Them

Sausage

To start, breakfast sausage needs to be cooked through, brown on the outside and not too greasy. And this is easy to achieve with the following instructions.

How to cook sausage on the stovetop

Ingredients & supplies:

• Sausage shaped into links or patties
• Large sauté pan

Directions:

1. Place a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add just enough water to barely cover the bottom of the pan. When the water begins to simmer, add the sausages in a single layer and simmer until the water is cooked off and the sausages begin to sizzle in their rendered fat. 
2. Continue cooking the sausages until they're deeply browned on 1 side, for about 5 to 10 minutes (depending on their thickness). 
3. Flip the sausages over and continue cooking on the other side until they're browned. 
4. Remove them from the pan immediately and serve.

How to cook sausages in the oven

Would you rather cook sausages in an oven? No problem. Livestrong has a set of instructions that should help you out.

Ingredients & supplies:

• Sausage shaped into links or patties 
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. 
2. Place the sausages in a roasting pan. Drizzle the olive oil over the sausages. This helps to ensure they'll get a nice, brown crust.
3. Bake the sausages for 15 to 20 minutes, turning them once or twice during cooking. If the sausages are thick, be aware that they may take up to an hour to cook. 
4. After 15 minutes, test the sausages for doneness by piercing them with the tip of a knife or the tines of a fork. Look for clear juices or cut into one sausage to make sure it is thoroughly cooked with no pink remaining.

We all have those days when we're feeling low, out of sorts and in a funk. It could be stress that wears you down or just an off day that puts you in a weird mental space — whatever the case may be, every once in a while, we could all use a confidence boost.

And it doesn't take much to give yourself a much-needed pick-me-up. Sometimes, all it takes it a spritz of some perfume or putting on some music. 

Ahead, we have eight tips and surefire ways to boost your confidence and get your mojo back — and they're all backed by science.

More: Sorry, I Just Can't Be Happy for You Right Now — & Yes, That Includes Your Wedding

Wear black or red

No one can argue that loving the way you look immediately puts you in a good mood — be it having a good hair day or wearing a fabulous new outfit. In fact, wearing certain colors can give you an edge. According to a British survey by Buy T-Shirts Online in 2015, wearing black makes you seem smarter, more attractive and more confident — 56 percent of respondents in the survey favored black as a color of confidence. Not a fan of black? Wear red, which came in second.

Put on some music

Music works wonders for our physical and mental health. It can improve motivation, improve sleep quality, reduce stress and so much more. Add to the list one more health benefit: It can help you feel more powerful and confident — a 2014 study in Social Psychological and Personality Science determined just that.

Go for a run

Exercising releases endorphins, and endorphins make you feel good. Not only does exercise make you feel better about your appearance, but it also makes you feel better in general, giving you a major confidence boost. A 2005 study in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research found that exercising, specifically outside in a pleasant environment, had a positive effect on the subjects' self-esteem. 

More: Most of Us Don't Exercise Enough — but These States Work Out the Least

Take a selfie

No, seriously — take a selfie. According to a 2016 survey by Today and AOL, 65 percent of teenage girls said seeing their selfies on social media boosted their confidence. So, hey, maybe it'll do the same for you.

Meditate

If you haven't tried it yet, you might want to start now. In addition to reducing stress, controlling anxiety and helping to fight addictions, practicing meditation can also increase your confidence — according to both a 2008 study in the Journal of Exercise Science and Physiotherapy and a 2017 study in Frontiers in Psychology.

Stay calm with self-affirmations

Channel your inner Stuart Smalley and remind yourself how smart and amazing you are. According to a 2015 study in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, self-affirmations can calm your nerves, help boost your confidence and help improve your job performance.

"Anytime you have low expectations for your performance, you tend to sink down and meet those low expectations," lead researcher Sonia Kang said in a statement at the time. "Self-affirmation is a way to neutralize that threat."

Drop an F-bomb or 2

Swearing is a great way to release those emotions, and according to a 2009 report in NeuroReport, it can help ease physical and emotional pain too. Scientists also believe it can boost confidence and self-esteem — just don't swear too much or it won't have the same effect.

Put on some perfume

Seems hokey, but it's true: Perfume does more than make you smell like a million bucks, it'll help you feel that way too. A 2011 study in Neurobiology of Sensation and Reward found that 90 percent of women feel more confident while wearing perfume versus those who don't.

Just please keep in mind that some people are very sensitive to fragrances, like perfumes, so this may be best to do when you're alone at home rather than in a confined space, like a theater or subway car.

So, the next time you're a little low on confidence, take a look at these tips, try one of them and see what happens.

Frank Underwood, who? In keeping with tradition for its House of Cards promotional material, on the Fourth of July, Netflix posted a brief but chilling video of President Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) wishing the country a happy Independence Day. Well, kind of.

More: 12 Times House of Cards' Frank Underwood Made Us Uncomfortable

Against a black backdrop and sitting on a marble monument throne, the newly minted President Underwood says, "Happy Independence Day... to me." The brief clip then cuts away from Wright's visage, replacing it with a hashtag: #MyTurn. Netflix has also updated the House of Cards Twitter account to reflect the new direction of the series for its sixth and final season, adding the hashtag to the series' bio.

Entertainment Weekly shared the promo, noting that the hashtag is representative of an important narrative switch for the final season of the show. After five seasons of Claire's husband, Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), occupying the oval office, now it's her turn. 

The regime change comes after Netflix fired Spacey after multiple allegations of sexual assault surfaced in October 2017. The future of the series seemed to be up in the air for some weeks after actor Anthony Rapp told BuzzFeed that Spacey allegedly assaulted him at a party in 1986. Netflix executives said they were "deeply troubled" by the allegations and said the series would end with its sixth season, but it wasn't until December that, according to Fortune, they confirmed the show would carry on without Spacey, who was previously the star and executive producer.

More: Kevin Spacey Is in Even More Hot Water After New Allegations Surface

We got our first glimpse of President Claire Underwood in March, when Netflix released a 30-second promo for the final season. There's no official release date for season six, but the show's Twitter bio says fall 2018. It seems like we're rapidly approaching premiere day, and we're so ready to see what this season has in store.

Have you ever looked in a mirror three hours after applying your lipstick to see it has smudged, budged and completely faded? Yeah, we’ve all (sadly) been there. Swiping on a liquid matte lip deters that fate for a while, but it can leave lips feeling dry and cracked. So instead of tossing all your cream-based lipsticks, take a tip from Jillian Dempsey, who has saved the pouts of celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Emilia Clarke.

The makeup artist recently revealed on Instagram that she uses blotting papers (or rice papers) to “blot excess cream lipstick, to mattify the color and create a stain look.” The product is usually used for seeping up excess oil on

More: How to Avoid Getting Lipstick on Your Teeth (Unlike These 5 Celebrities)

The biggest bonus is that you won’t transfer as much of the color as you would if you used a tissue or other cotton-based product. It’s basically a win-win-win situation — long-lasting smudge-proof lips, high pigmentation and moisture.

If you have oily skin, these sheets might already be in your arsenal, but if not, you can snag 100 of Dempsey’s preferred DHC Oil Blotting Papers for $5. Pucker up: You’re about to hit celebrity lip status.

Originally posted on StyleCaster. 

When you think of Alyson Hannigan, six words likely spring to mind: “This one time at band camp…” Or maybe you imagine her as Lily from How I Met Your Mother sitting at MacLaren’s Pub tossing back pints with Ted and the gang. But when we got the chance to chat with Hannigan recently, it was about a role of a decidedly different kind — playing a mom. In the Disney animated series Fancy Nancy, Hannigan will voice Claire Clancy, mom to the high-spirited, imaginative little girl for which the series is named. And segueing into this new era of maternal characters suits Hannigan just fine. In fact, it was her idea. 

More: HIMYM's Alyson Hannigan on Parenting Tips to Lily & Sharing Smiles

“The moment I read that they were doing this cartoon, I was calling my agent saying, ‘I want to be a part of it — anything. I love it.’ So the fact that I get to be Fancy Nancy’s mom is just really a dream come true because she’s been part of my life since my oldest daughter’s second birthday,” Hannigan told SheKnows, elaborating that it was on that birthday her daughter Satyana received a Fancy Nancy book with a matching nightgown. The whole family has been hooked ever since. 

Also on the horizon? Playing Dr. Ann Possible, aka Mom Possible, in next year’s live-action version of another Disney animated series, Kim Possible. 

It isn’t lost on Hannigan that there has been a cognitive shift in her body of work from quirky girlfriend to empowering mom. While her characters in How I Met Your Mother and the American Pie franchise both eventually became mothers, that arc was secondary. Until recent years, you wouldn’t think of Hannigan as a mother — but that’s precisely what she is in real life, and she’ll be the first to tell you that motherhood informs most of her career choices these days. 

“Oh, 100 percent,” Hannigan emphasized when asked how much being a mom to daughters Satyana and Keeva swayed her decision to sign on for Fancy Nancy. “My kids are very proud of me,” she added, laughing. But above and beyond the fact that her kids are superfans, Hannigan confesses that motherhood changed her approach to everything. 

“I feel like, definitely, everything changed when I became a mother… I absolutely think of my kids when I read something,” she said. “And also, I just love being a mom and I love being with my family, so to get me to leave them to do something, I’ve gotta want to enjoy it and it’s gotta be something I want to do.” 

More: Alyson Hannigan & Husband Renew Vows

A fringe benefit for Hannigan of taking family-friendly roles, of course, is that her kids can actually watch it with her instead of (as Hannigan jokes of some of her past work) having the inevitable, “Well, when you’re older, I’ll explain what this show was” conversation. When Hannigan’s kids got excited over the Fancy Nancy preview banner on Disney Now, the comedic actor felt as though her "heart just burst with happiness.” 

But for an entire generation of older millennials, Hannigan is intrinsically tied to our youth. Seeing her play the mom on-screen — and becoming mothers ourselves — serves as a reminder that, yes, we are getting older. It’s the kind of reminder that can make you wonder where in the hell the last decade went. 

Hannigan has those moments too. “All the time,” she reassured us. “People come up to me and they’ll say, ‘Oh, I grew up watching you!’ And I’m like, ‘Aren’t we the same age? Oh man! Darn, I guess not,’” she added, laughing. However, Hannigan is happy to see the torch being passed, saying, “It’s just incredible a whole new generation is watching. It’s, ‘Oh my mom watched this when she was growing up, and now she’s showing it to me.’ … It’s amazing how fast time flies, but it’s fantastic. I’m glad I’m still around!” 

As much as Hannigan is soaking up every second of this new phase, though, she admits it isn’t without its trade-offs. For a woman who, when How I Met Your Mother ended, openly wept on TV over no longer getting to see her friends every day, juggling mom life with the rest of her life has been an adjustment. 

“I was just talking about this the other day — kids take over your life. I mean, at least for me they certainly have, and I’m super-happy about that. But it is basically a roller coaster of, ‘OK, here we are; we’re just in it,’” Hannigan told SheKnows. 

“In it” for Hannigan and her husband (and former Buffy the Vampire Slayer costar) Alexis Denisof means weekends jam-packed with kid extracurriculars: camping, volunteering at school events, going to Disneyland. “It’s that thing of just enjoying the roller coaster,” she said, “because in half a second, they’re going to be, like, in high school.” 

When it comes to the couple’s friends without kids, there’s an inherent disconnect that makes spending time together more difficult. When those friends are gearing up to go out at 9 at night, “I’m in pajamas by then,” Hannigan jokes. 

More: Which HIMYM Cast Member Took the Blue French Horn?

“I don’t function that way anymore. If I ever have to be out that late, I’m so surprised — I’m so old — at how many people are out at night. I honestly sound like a grandmother because I’m like, ‘Look at all these people! They’re just going about their day like they’re not going to be woken up at 6 a.m. to cook breakfast,’” she said, laughing at her own self-perceived stodginess. 

Still, says Hannigan, she’s happy to be here. Here in Hollywood more than three decades after her first credited role and here in the busyness of mothering. 

“I love the fact that this is where I am in life, and I’m enjoying it so much,” she shared. “I know it goes by way too quick. So I’m just riding the roller coaster and hanging on when I need to hang on and throwing my arms up when I need to throw my arms up and just knowing that it’s going by too fast already.” 

No one likes to talk about it, but many women deal with light bladder leakage. And for those who do, don't just treat your symptoms — taking the time to understand common causes of bladder leakage can help you find the best long-term solution.

Below are some of the most frequently cited reasons women deal with light incontinence.

More: What's Your ‘Peehavior’? It's Time We Discuss Bladder Health Openly

Stress incontinence vs. urge incontinence

Different women experience incontinence for different reasons. Stress incontinence is light bladder leakage that occurs in response to stress placed on the body. For instance, coughing, sneezing, laughing and exercising are all common causes of stress incontinence. While these are physical stressors, psychological stress can also play a role. So, whether you're working in a stressful job or dealing with a high-stress home situation, you may find that the urge to urinate becomes more frequent.

Urge incontinence, on the other hand, occurs when you have a sudden need to urinate because your bladder contracts or spasms at unexpected times. Some urge incontinence can be related to certain events — for instance, if you hear the sound of rushing water, you may suddenly feel the urge to urinate. Other causes of urge incontinence are less predictable and, in most cases, no specific cause can be found.

More: 3 Tips for Managing an Irritable Bladder

Common causes of stress incontinence

Stress incontinence can occur for a number of reasons. Below, we've listed a few of the top contributing factors and how to address them.

• Coughing or sneezing: If you have a chronic cough, make sure you see a doctor to have it treated. If your cough is caused by your smoking habit, it may be time to kick the butt for good. Smokers are much more likely to deal with light bladder leakage than non-smokers.
• Exercising: If you find yourself leaking urine while walking, jogging or jumping, try putting yourself on a urination schedule before and during your gym session. Hit the bathroom just before you hit the treadmill, then take bathroom breaks according to a set schedule while you workout.
• Weight gain and/or pregnancy: When you put on a significant amount of weight, you risk weakening the muscles of your pelvic floor, which likely will lead to leakage. If you've gained weight due to lifestyle reasons, make sure you start eating healthy and exercising regularly to reclaim your svelte figure. If you've gained weight due to pregnancy, remember to keep your weight gain within a healthy range and don't forget to practice your Kegels! They'll help keep your pelvic floor muscles strong.

Common causes of urge incontinence

In most cases, the cause of urge incontinence can't be found, but certain lifestyle factors can play a part. For instance, certain dietary habits can cause bladder irritation that leads to spasms. For example, some people may experience bladder spasms after intaking caffeine, while other people may experience bladder irritation after eating spicy foods, citrus or artificial sweeteners.

More: Turns Out, Abdominal Hypopressive Technique Doesn't Stop Bladder Leaks

Other factors

Don't underestimate the power of fluid intake. It's not just those who drink too much that experience potential leakage — those who drink too little could experience incontinence as well. To prevent your bladder from becoming over- or under-taxed, drink fluids steadily throughout the day, aiming to consume roughly eight, 8-ounce glasses of water.

Dips in estrogen during perimenopause and menopause can also affect bladder leakage. Perform Kegels regularly and discuss other treatment options with your doctor.

A version of this article was originally published in March 2012.

So, your kid came out to you as LGBTQ — or maybe they haven’t but you have hints they might be. Maybe you overheard your kid's conversation with a friend, or you just have an intuition about your child like you do yourself and know. Congrats! You have a kid who is beautiful — and likely has more self-awareness than the average clumsy adolescent. Of course, you might be feeling many things about the news — including feelings you aren’t sure about or even don’t want to admit, such as confused or angry or sad or at a loss for how to proceed.

As a queer adult who was once a queer kid coming of age (and who has worked in advocacy and civil rights for many years), I've put together a few tips for parents that 100% would have made my own coming-out experience smoother — and can help you and your kid along this journey. Here's how you can be the best parent you can be for your LGBTQ child.

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

1. Love first 

You love your child. There’s no questioning that. You loved them from the moment you first met them as a tiny newborn, when they were helpless and relied on your endless supply of care and comfort to keep them alive and thriving. They may not need you 24-7 anymore (and perhaps they act like they don’t need you at all), but the truth is they do need you. They look to you for acceptance and reassurance, for love and support. Even if you don’t fully understand what they’re going through, double down on your love for them and let that be your guiding force.

2. Leave the judgment at the door

It’s easy to default to stereotypes you’ve heard and seen about what it means to be LGBTQ, whether from the media or friends or even church. But stop and check yourself; take a look at your biases and rethink what you’ve been told with a fresh look what matters — that your child is happy and healthy and supported by their parents. When you learned about sexuality growing up, it was a much more judgmental, less enlightened era than the one your child is growing up in (fortunately). As a wise old book known as the Bible once said (Matthew 7:2, in case you were wondering), “Judge not, for with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”

3. Ask questions (but not invasive ones)

If and when your child comes out to you (do not pry until they’re ready), you should feel comfortable asking them questions so you can better understand them. But don’t ask leading questions or ones that back them into a corner. Instead, ask things like, “How are you feeling?”, “What can I do to be supportive?”, and “Is anyone giving you a hard time because of who you are?”

More: I Have to Adopt My Biological Child Just Because I'm a Same-Sex Parent

4. Listen

Take their lead. And listen. If your child is willing to share how they’re feeling and what they’re going through, don’t try to make them feel better by comparing their experience to something you’ve gone through — and certainly don't bombard them with reasons they should or shouldn’t feel that way. Instead, validate their feelings and their experiences as their own unique and worthy things. Take their cues about how involved (or not) to get in their lives during a time that might be quite tumultuous for them.

5. Don’t internalize

Don’t be selfish. This isn’t about you. And your child identifying as LGBTQ certainly isn’t because of something you did or didn’t do. Your child, as my father always said to me, “comes through you, not from you.” They are their own person, and your parenting did not determine what is programmed in their brains and bodies. Remember: If this process feels difficult for you, it's likely much more intense and emotional and terrifying for them. So be compassionate.

More: The Trevor Project Prevents LGBTQ Teen Suicide

6. Get educated

If you don’t know the correct terms to use — or even some of the basic facts about what "LGBTQ" stands for and what it means to come out — there are a plethora of resources at your fingertips. Take some time to get educated so you can both spare your child the ignorant questions and be a better ally to the LGBTQ community more broadly. Organizations like GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, PFLAG and GLSEN are all great resources.

7. Connect with others

The best way not to feel alone is to connect with others going through similar experiences. PFLAG and GLSEN are wonderful organizations that offer opportunities to network and connect with other parents of LGBTQ kids to learn more and share your moments of challenge and celebration. You can also learn a ton from getting involved and volunteering for an LGBTQ organization. Groups like The Trevor Project and the Ali Forney Center, among many others, offer opportunities to help LGBTQ kids in need.

Employ these tips and abandon your prior notions and expectations about what you think your child should or shouldn't look/act/be like, and you will learn an even deeper love and respect for one another than you ever thought possible. 

The Pap smear is one of the least-pleasant parts of an annual OB-GYN exam. Not that the rest is a picnic — what with the paper gown, putting your feet in stirrups and having someone stick their finger inside your vagina — but the part when the doctor scrapes cells from the back of the cervix is particularly unpleasant. That's why new research published in JAMA that found there might be an easier way (at least for people over 30) is such welcome news.

And what's this easier method? It's directly testing for human papillomavirus, which is responsible for causing 99 percent of cervical cancer according to the World Health Organization. Instead of scraping the cervix, the HPV test — which was approved by the FDA in 2014 — uses a swab to obtain vaginal and cervical secretions.  

More: Will this AI Robot Replace Your Annual Pap Smear?

"In our world this study is going to be a pretty big deal, in a good way," Dr. Kathleen Schmeler, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, told NPR. She went on to say that until this study, there hadn't been a head-to-head comparison of HPV testing versus Pap smears in terms of diagnostic outcomes, so there was hesitation about replacing the traditional Pap test with the newer HPV test.

More: Signs of Cervical Cancer You Might Miss

And although the results look promising, some medical professionals and patients may be reluctant to forgo the Pap test altogether, given the 1 percent of cervical cancer not caused by HPV. If it's a matter of having a more thorough exam and test results, some people may still opt for the current clinical practice, which is both types of testing.

So, what about people under the age of 30? That Pap test is still recommended for those with a cervix between the ages of 21 and 29 because, Schmeler said, nearly everyone in that age group would test positive for HPV, and in most cases, it goes away on its own and may result in treatment that, at that stage, is not needed.

Like all new findings, more research is required to confirm what this study found before major changes to clinical practice are made. But in the meantime, it's nice knowing there may be an alternative to the uncomfortable Pap smear on the horizon. 

What do you do with a day off in the middle of the week? Celebrate the Fourth of July in style, of course. Whether you hit the beach early to get a good spot for the fireworks, spent the day poolside with friends and family or even spent the night in with a glass of wine or a good book, there was probably a celebrity doing the exact same thing. They're just like us, after all. We've rounded up social media posts from some of our favorite celebrities who look like they had an amazing holiday.

More: The Most Famous Celebrity From Every State

Hugh Jackman & Arnold Schwarzenegger

Before the festivities started on Wednesday, People magazine reported that Hugh Jackman and the former Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger, both hit the original Gold's Gym in Venice, California, to work out. Jackman snapped a selfie to share on Twitter, and Schwarzenegger shared the tweet with the caption, "Fantastic to see you and train together!" 

Joe Manganiello & Sofía Vergara

Joe Manganiello and Sofía Vergara spent their Fourth with family, cooking food on the grill and hanging out in the pool. They both shared a ton of adorable photos on Instagram featuring red, white and blue decorations, festive ensembles and what looked like an absolutely amazing party. We're a little jealous to be honest.

Chrissy Teigen & John Legend

Chrissy Teigen spent the Fourth with husband John Legend and their kids. She updated her Instagram story throughout the day, but she also took the time to post a video that had her followers craving hot dogs... until she revealed that the "food" in the video was actually lipstick from her collaboration with Becca Cosmetics. This is one of the reasons she's so good at social media — she knows how to tell a joke in multiple formats!

Gwyneth Paltrow

What's a holiday without a beautiful homemade thematic dessert? Gwyneth Paltrow posted this gorgeous red, white and blue pie on Instagram along with well wishes for those celebrating. She wrote, "Have a safe, happy, delicious 4th!" We can get behind that.

Jessica Chastain

Although she spent her Fourth of July in Canada, Jessica Chastain still took the time to enjoy a thematic dessert and wave a flag for her Instagram followers. She captioned her photo, "Happy 4th my sisters & brothers. Hope you guys had a great day!"

Jennifer Garner

The Daily Mail reports that Jennifer Garner spent the holiday on a parade float with two of her children at the 70th Annual Holiday Parade in Los Angeles. Garner and her kids all wore red, white and blue for the event and waved at crowds from atop a fire truck. She shared video updates on her Instagram Story, some of which were reposted on fan accounts like @justjengarner.

More: Jennifer Garner's New Movie Looks Amazing for These Reasons

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez lit up the night in a video she posted on Instagram captioned "Happy Independence Day!!!" with three explosion emoji. We love how happy she looks prancing around with sparklers in her hands, clearly enjoying the excuse to celebrate.

Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson spent her Fourth of July in the sun wearing cowboy boots bearing the American flag and waving another. In the photo she posted on Instagram, she looks like she's having the time of her life, and her emoji choices in the caption — a flag, fireworks, ice cream, a hot dog, confetti, a balloon and another flag — make us think it was an especially good day.

Taraji P. Henson & Kelvin Hayden

Taraji P. Henson shared a selfie with her fiancé, Kelvin Hayden, enjoying the sunshine. With a red Solo cup in hand, Henson and Hayden both stick their tongues out at the camera. Henson didn't mention the holiday in her caption on Instagram, opting instead to write something sweet about her beau: "That’s my best friend," along with some silly emoji and some kisses. Too cute.

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon totally embodied the spirit of Independence Day in her Instagram post, which reminded us of that iconic moment in Legally Blonde 2. You know the one. Witherspoon looks adorable in her red, white and blue, and the clothes and accessories she has spread out make us want to rock the flag colors all summer long.

Mariah Carey

Before her Fourth of July performance, Mariah Carey shared a behind-the-scenes video wishing her Instagram followers a happy Independence Day. Although her red, white and blue is a little subtler, she was clearly in the spirit and loving it.

Cynthia Nixon

Actual congressional candidate Cynthia Nixon spent her Fourth of July campaigning. According to her Instagram post, she had a fundraiser at Riis Park Beach Bazaar involving petitions and even a kissing booth. In addition to some red, white and blue, attendees also rocked a lot of rainbows.

More: 17 Times Chrissy Teigen Was the Queen of Social Media

The Kardashian sisters (minus Kourtney)

The Cut reports that Kim Kardashian West, Khloé Kardashian and Kendall and Kylie Jenner spent their Fourth of July together (Kourtney Kardashian was in Rome), and they all shared their own version of events on their Instagram feeds. While Kardashian West shared updates to her Instagram Story, including video of her learning how to wakeboard, Khloé Kardashian shared poolside shots and the Jenners shared solo photos with emoji captions (a flag for Kendall and fireworks for Kylie).

After more than 20 years of marriage, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith no longer refer to each other as husband and wife — but they have a good reason for doing that. Entertainment Tonight reports that both stars have recently stated, in separate interviews, that their relationship ties go beyond the traditional definitions of marriage because they are both committed to each other for life regardless of how they label their relationship.

More: Jada Pinkett Smith Just Got the Sweetest 20th Anniversary Shoutout

In a new interview on Tidal's Rap Radar podcast, Smith said, “We don’t even say we’re married anymore. We refer to ourselves as life partners, where you get into that space where you realize you are literally with somebody for the rest of your life. There’s no deal breakers. There’s nothing she could do — ever. Nothing that would break our relationship. She has my support till death and it feels so good to get to that space.”

Per Entertainment Tonight, Pinkett Smith expressed the same sentiments on a Sway In the Morning radio interview in June: "Here's the thing about Will and I — [we] are family. [Divorce] is never going down. It’s just not. Ever. We are family. Take out all that whole marriage/relationship crap, at the end of the day, Will and I are family. I am going to hold him down; doesn’t matter. All that relationship and what people think ideas of a husband, partner and all that, man, whatever. At the end of the day, that is a man that can rely on me for the rest of his life, period."

Talk about relationship goals. Tabloids have reported on a potential split between this couple at least once a year since they married in 1997. Pinkett Smith told American Airlines' in-flight magazine in 2015 that every time they come around, "I'm like, 'Here we go. Get ready. Are ya holdin' on tight?'" It must be exhausting to have to hear these rumors all the time, but it's also refreshing to see that these two are apparently stronger than ever.

More: Will Smith Responds to Divorce Rumors With a Request

Smith released a video in May announcing new music, including a preview of a new song called "To the Clique" — which is an ode to his family. He refers to Pinkett Smith, their two children, Willow and Jayden, and his son Trey from a previous marriage, as "the real-life Incredibles." It's clear that these two aren't splitting up any time soon. So can we put those rumors to rest?

We kind of feel for Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla. Now that Prince William has Duchess Catherine (who you might know better as Kate Middleton) and Prince Harry has Duchess Meghan (née Markle), it's hard to drum up much enthusiasm for the older royals. Until now, that is!

The thing we love about the younger princes and their wives is that they seem so relatable, while Prince Charles has always seemed a little aloof. But in a recent appearance on MasterChef Australia, his wife, Duchess Camilla (formerly known as Camilla Parker Bowles) revealed that Prince Charles' favorite food is cheese. It doesn't get more relatable than that, folks.

More: Queen Elizabeth Made the Most of Her Title by Buying a McDonald's

"He loves, loves local cheese," she said on the show. "He's a huge cheese fan, anything to do with cheese, he will love." Though tempting to think too much about what she means when she says "anything," we'll focus on the fact that Prince Charles is basically a locavore hipster who just wants to support his local dairy farms.

What else does the prince crave? "Anything with eggs, with a bed of a lot of local vegetables." Combine all three of his faves and you've got a frittata, a respectable dish indeed. We'd totally brunch with the prince if it means feasting on cheesy eggs (and probably drinking loads of posh gin and Champers).

Sadly, there is a bit of a deal breaker. When asked about which foods shouldn't be served at royal gatherings, Camilla dropped a bomb. "I hate to say this, but garlic. Garlic is a no-no."

More: The Queen of England Drinks 4 Cocktails a Day, & We Are So Here for It

Uhhhh, not doing much to dispel the stereotype that British food is bland, are we, Camilla? Apparently, it makes everyone's breath too stinky in situations when you're discussing international world politics and whatnot, but TBH, I'd rather just have the garlic in my food and hold the small talk.

Ah, well. You can't win them all. Perhaps the ultimate solution is hosting a cheesy eggs brunch for the royal duo outside the palace so they can finally enjoy all the garlic they want. We dream of being royals; they dream of delicious, garlicky frittatas.

We've all been rooting for John Cena and Nikki Bella after they unexpectedly called off their engagement in April, just one month before their wedding date. Since June, it seemed like things are going swimmingly for their relationship, especially after they allegedly rekindled their romance and then shared some inspirational social media posts pointing toward a solid future together. But it seems that things aren't as simple as we thought, according to a new update from Bella herself on the Bella Twins' YouTube channel.

More: Nikki Bella Imagines Herself Getting Back Together With John Cena Too

As reported in People, Bella shared a 6-minute video update on Sunday, July 1, in which she explained that, despite what's happening on the most recent episodes of Total Bellas, those episodes were filmed months ago and do not reflect her current relationship with Cena.

“I’ll admit my relationship, it has been in a super emotional rollercoaster ride, and I think it’s hard for people to understand because we film and things get show months after,” she said. “I feel like I have to say what’s the update on John and I, but right now, we are just friends.”

She continued, “We are both working on each other and trying to work on us. We talk every day. He is not only my best friend but he truly is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. He has patience with me, and he has really taught me a lot over the past few months. I think one of those things is an inner strength that I thought I had, but didn’t realize how strong I had it.”

Bella also said that break-ups are hard enough on their own, but going through one and then reliving it on a reality show is especially tough. While she reiterated multiple times that she and Cena are just friends, she also said she has hope for the future. “Hopefully one day, we will get back together," she said. "And if we don’t, we just both want each other to be very, very happy. … I am very lucky to be his best friend and if I don’t, in the end, become his wife, I am lucky to have shared the most amazing six years of my life with that person.”

Bella also took time in her video to give fans a glimpse of what's to come on the rest of this season of Total Bellas: “The season finale is very tough. I will just warn you all. It’s very honest and raw and real and you will see why John and I are where we’re at today.” Additionally, she gave fans something to look forward to: a book coming out in 2018, which is currently in the editing stage.

More: More Details Emerge About John Cena & Nikki Bella's Relationship & Breakup

People notes that Bella and Cena called off their engagement amid reports that their desires for marriage and family were too different to continue their relationship. Since then, Cena has gone on record saying that he has changed his mind about not wanting to have kids, making a public plea on Today in early May. It's really encouraging to know that these two are working on themselves and their relationship to make sure things are right before they jump into romance again — these things often take time, and it's important to acknowledge that and move forward with purpose.

Ayesha and Stephen Curry have accomplished a lot in their seven years of marriage. She's a cookbook author, television host and wine connoisseur, while he's an NBA superstar who recently helped the Golden State Warriors secure their sixth championship ring. But nothing could make them as proud as their latest success: They're officially parents of three! 

The all-star couple announced the birth of their sweet son, Canon W. Jack Curry, on Wednesday on Instagram. 

More: Golden State Warriors' Steph Curry May Be a Star — but so Is His Wife, Ayesha

"My heart is FULL. God has been too good to us," Ayesha captioned the photo of her daughters, Riley and Ryan, holding their baby brother. "Our beautiful baby boy Canon W. Jack Curry 7/2/2018. He joined us earlier than we thought and we couldn't be more excited and grateful. Family of 5!"

Stephen also shared a photo with a close-up of his son's face. "On this journey, on this quest... protect me... I'm bless," he shared with his 21 million Instagram followers. 

Little Canon is undoubtedly in good hands, especially if he follows in his sisters' footsteps. At just 6 and 3 years old, Riley and Ryan have stolen the hearts of millions with their adorable smiles, horseback riding skills, incredible senses of fashion and unbridled support for both of their parents, whether they're helping their mom in the kitchen or cheering on their dad from the sidelines. 

More: Steph Curry's Daughters Were the Real NBA Championship Winners 

As perfect as this family may seem, the Ayesha's Homemade host wrote on her blog, GoInspo, that her latest pregnancy was far from easy. 

"For the past four months, I've barely been able to eat let alone cook. The mere smell of food averts me," she explained to fans. "This all has me in a funk that I can't seem to shake. I don't want to say I'm depressed because I take mental health very seriously, but I am truly very sad. When you can't do what you love all of a sudden because of an uncontrollable situation, it sucks." 

Hopefully, Curry and her three little line cooks will be able to head back into the kitchen soon to create some delectable recipes and even sweeter memories.