Proud parents Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are getting ready to celebrate something huge for two of their children. Today, twins Knox and Vivienne are celebrating their 10th birthday, and frankly, it's jaw-dropping they're already hitting this huge milestone. While Jolie and Pitt have chosen to keep their kids somewhat sheltered from the world (none of the kids are on social media, for example), we have been getting more glimpses of them as they come into their own over the years. 

More: Angelina Jolie Gets Silly on the Maleficent 2 Set, & It's a Good Look for Her

But still, all of this relative secrecy about the lives Knox, Vivienne and their siblings has us wondering what we actually do know about them. So, why not investigate Knox and Vivienne specifically (it's their birthday after all) and see what fun facts we find?

1. They're Cancers

Born on July 12, 2008, these Generation Z twins are also Cancers, which means they're likely both very sensitive, giving people who love to be close to their siblings and parents.

2. They're the youngest kids in a big family

Knox and Vivienne are the youngest of six children. Their siblings, from youngest to oldest, are: Shiloh, 12, Zahara, 13, Pax, 14, and Maddox, 16.

3. Their names have special meaning

Vivienne's middle name, Marcheline, was her maternal grandmother's first name. Marcheline Bertrand died just one year before Vivienne and Knox were born. 

Knox, on the other hand, got his first name from Pitt's paternal grandfather, Hal Knox Hillhouse, and his middle name, Leon, is the name of Jolie's great-grandfather. 

4. They've been homeschooled for most of their lives

Jolie and Pitt have chosen to homeschool their children, and nowadays, it's been reported that Jolie is mostly in charge of their education. People magazine reported that the children are taking the basic classes (reading, math, science) but are also learning foreign languages and getting in plenty of physical activity with soccer, self-defense classes, skateboarding and so forth. 

5. Knox & Vivienne have already racked up acting credits

They're only 10, but Knox and Vivienne have already got some major credits on their résumés. In 2016, Knox voiced the character of Ku Ku in Kung Fu Panda 3. Vivienne got her first acting gig even earlier with 2014's Maleficent in which she played the younger version of star Elle Fanning's character, Aurora. 

While speaking specifically about Vivienne's Maleficent appearance in an interview, Jolie revealed the position she and Pitt took about their children pursuing acting: "We think it's fun for our kids to have cameos and join us on set, but not to be actors. That's not the goal for Brad and me at all. I think we would both prefer that they didn't become actors."

6. Knox is older than Vivienne by one minute

When their births were announced in 2008, People magazine reported that Knox was born at 6:27 p.m. local time and Vivienne, apparently not cool with waiting, followed quickly thereafter at approximately 6:28 p.m. 

7. Knox is just like us: He does chores

Knox has been spotted out and about lately living life as regularly as possible. This includes accompanying older sister Zahara while walking their dog. 

8. Their passports probably have more stamps than yours

As the children of two high-profile movie stars, Vivienne and Knox have accompanied their parents to international hotspots like England, France and Cambodia. 

9. Vivienne prefers gender-neutral clothing

Recent red carpet photos of Jolie and her children show that, like her older sibling, Shiloh, Vivienne is open to wearing gender-neutral clothing, like a tan linen two-piece suit back in September 2017.

10. They've always had fairly low-key birthdays

It may be a symptom of having famous parents or it could be something that they are inclined to do, but no matter the reason, Knox and Vivienne have kept it quiet for their birthday in years past. Case in point: For their eighth birthday in 2016, the twins reportedly went out for birthday pancakes in West Hollywood.

More: Imagining a World Where Gwyneth Paltrow Had Married Brad Pitt

So, how will the twins be celebrating this year? That remains to be seen, but we're sure that whatever they choose to do, they'll be doing it in style.

When I walk up to his truck, activist Anthony Losquadro is blue. No, he is literally blue. Nude except for a pair of speedo bathing trunks, Losquadro is getting his body painted in turquoise scales by a woman in a protective sun hat. We are at the 2018 Coney Island Mermaid Parade, an annual event in New York City, and Losquadro is there on business — specifically, the business of the foreskin. His organization, Intaction Inc. raises awareness about the supposed benefits of keeping the penile foreskin intact and ending the practice of neonatal circumcision. That's right: He's not just an activist, he's an "intactivist."

I was surprised to see Losquadro’s Intaction-mobile at the Mermaid Parade, but I shouldn’t have been. Part live burlesque, part kids' little league baseball parade, the event draws plenty of young parents and pro-nudity hedonists alike: aka the gooey core of the Venn diagram of people intactivists like Losquadro are hoping to reach. 

More: 7 Lies People Tell You About Newborns

Losquadro is a fit 53 years old, but looks younger. He has been an advocate for the right to what he calls "genital integrity" since 2010, but his curiosity about his own circumcision began long before that. 

“When I was a young child and we went to Italy on a vacation, I would look at the statues and you see the statue of David by Michelangelo in Florence, and you wonder why things look different,” he said. “You’re like, ‘That’s not what a penis looks like.’”    

The first time Losquadro saw an un-tampered-with penis with his own eyes was during his stint in the merchant marines. (His reaction: He averted his eyes and moved along.) But years later, with the dawning of the World Wide Web came more accessible information on circumcision and its history — as well as an opportunity to connect with like-minded people on the topic. And while anti-circumcision activism is not new, the movement seems to be maturing. 

"Intactivism" has been around arguably as long as circumcision has, which is to say both practices date back millennia. Of course, members of the Muslim and Jewish faiths circumcise children with penises for religious reasons. And in the 1800s, Victorian Americans turned to circumcision as a supposed "cure" for masturbation — which at the time was itself considered to be a disease that was said to cause conditions such as epilepsy. Some folks wondered whether circumcision held the key to longevity (since Jewish people often lived long lives?). Skipping ahead to the late 20th century, circumcision became the de facto choice for parents in the United States. In the 1980s and ‘90s, some 60 percent of American newborns with penises were circumcised.   

Intactivists like Losquadro say it’s time to find a better way. Or rather, to return to the original way. 

“The foreskin has the four powers: pleasure, protection, lubrication and connection. It’s all the nerve endings in the foreskin. It feels better for both partners. It protects the end of the penis. It keeps it from getting dried out, like an eyelid. It’s a connection between people,” Losquadro says. (He waxes a little spiritual on this last point for my taste, but I digress.) “Most of the world is intact, and there’s no reason we should be doing this," he adds, "this" being routine circumcision.  

Indeed, a 2016 analysis of population data estimated that 37 to 39 percent of penis-bearers the world over are circumcised. Australia’s circumcision rate, for example, is just 26.6 percent, and in countries like the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Greece and Italy, less than 6 percent of penises are cut. And yet according to that study, the circumcision rate in the United States is still quite high: about 71 percent. And it seems to be remaining popular simply because, well, it's popular — and Americans want to fit in.

"Growing up, I was nervous about having sex because uncircumcised penises aren’t the norm in America; they have a terrible rep with American girls,” explains 23-year-old Walker of his decision to get circumcised as an adult a couple of years ago. But his choice wasn’t just about cosmetics: “I did it because my frenulum tore and my penis was bleeding profusely while having sex... But honestly, now the adult circumcision saga is a fun story I get to tell people — so I feel like I wouldn’t have it any other way."

More: US Says Breast Isn't Best, Angers Moms & Docs Alike

In Walker's and my lifetime, studies and reports from reputable global scientific bodies such as the World Health Organization and the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS have loudly touted the public health benefits of voluntary circumcision. But those studies, many of which were limited in scope and conducted only in Africa, show just correlation (not causation) between circumcision and lower rates of HIV infection and reduced occurrence of urinary tract infections.

“The literature out there on circumcision — over, over and over again — says that it doesn’t help anything whatsoever,” said Lauren Sardi, a professor of sociology at Quinnipiac University who specializes in body modification and neonatal circumcision.

Sardi says she often agrees with pro-foreskin activists’ opinions — but not always their tactics. “They tend to use discourse and not understand the loaded messages behind their discourse, or they fully understand it and they don’t care,” Sardi said. “If your goal is to educate prospective parents about the actual very real information that is out there, calling them 'mutilators' is not going to help your cause.”  

For expectant parents, making an informed decision about their newborn baby and that baby's foreskin can be a challenge. On one hand, you're facing an elective surgery in which your tiny baby is injected with lidocaine and strapped down so that his foreskin can be stretched up, put in a clamp and then cut off. On the other hand, you have supposedly reduced risks of potentially deadly infections such as HIV — as well as a penis that is, by American (especially white Christian American) standards, deemed aesthetically pleasing and “normal.”  

Emily Lesserman and Courtney Ewell Marshall are two friends who grappled individually with whether to circumcise their own children. After much discussion and research, each came to a different decision. 

“We thought it was important to have a likeness to his father,” says Lesserman, who ultimately opted to have her child circumcised. Lesserman was aware of the potential health benefits, but mostly, she says, for people of her generation — including her husband — it was just “what was done.”  

“That may seem ignorant and it probably is," she continues, "but if we’re going to put it in a particular box, it came down to cosmetics.” 

More: Hey, Siri, Should I Have a Baby With My Boyfriend & His Wife?

From the same starting point, Ewell Marshall came to the opposite conclusion. “I couldn’t find any good reason to circumcise him; I’m just this side of granola as far as parenting goes,” she laughs. She explains that if her child wants to have a circumcision down the line, he, like Christopher, has the option — and can make the decision himself. “My kids are vaccinated and everything, but I’m big on the bodily autonomy," Ewell Marshall adds.

This, in the eyes of intactivists like Anthony Losquadro, is a success story. And these days, Losquadro is keeping things positive. “I give a presentation about being foreskin-positive,” he says. “There’s enough problems in the world, [so] instead of saying, ‘I’m a victim; you’re mutilating them,’ let’s talk about the benefits of foreskin.” 

After a long pause, he adds, “I don’t even want to talk about circumcision.”  

If you're a parent or a teacher, you know just how much all those pencils and books can add up, cost-wise. Let's do a little breakdown, shall we?

The contents of an elementary school student's supply list cost a whopping average of $662 last year according to the 2017 Huntington Bank Backpack Index — whereas in 2006, the cost was around $375. What about a middle school student's loot? $1,001 — a little less than double what it used to be ($525). And sending a high schooler off to their first day of classes can cost nearly $1,500 — compared to $800 10 years ago. This all makes for an average school-supply payment of about $1,000, which is about the same as the average U.S. monthly mortgage payment. Two words: Oy vey.

So, when it comes time to finally stock up on school supplies, getting them for cheap or — even better — free sounds pretty fantastic, right? The good news is that it's totally possible; you just need to know where to look (and keep your eyes peeled for giveaways).

Once you've scanned Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp and all those other item-selling apps for free supplies, check out the ones below.

More: Affordable Dorm Decor Your New College Student Will Love

Operation Homefront's Back-to-School Brigade

This annual nationwide event distributes backpacks filled with school supplies specifically to military kids. Through Aug. 9, school supplies purchased by Dollar Tree customers can be donated to Operation Homefront to fill packs. You can pick up free school supplies at one of 60 Back-to-School Brigade events hosted across the U.S.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army holds donation drives locally to collect back-to-school supplies, which will eventually be distributed to local children in need. Look up the Salvation Army in your area for dates. 

Look locally

Plenty of companies and programs in your area likely host school-supply giveaways.  

For example, in Tempe, Arizona, craft brewery Four Peaks hosts its annual Four Peaks 4 Teachers where teachers in Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff pick up school supplies free of charge. The program has been running since 2011. 

In Illinois, organization Back 2 School Illinois distributes back-to-school kits. Last year, the program provided over 1 million school supplies to over 34,000 children in need.

Philanthropic program Operation School Bell runs out of Phoenix, Arizona, and over the past 25 years has provided new school clothing to local kids in poverty. Schools select up to 100 children who qualify for the program, which includes students on the free or reduced lunch program.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Back2School program raises money specifically to benefit students. This year, they've partnered up with Toyota, which will send three 2018 Toyota Sienna minivans across the country this summer collecting school supplies for local Boys & Girls Clubs. At the end of the summer, vans will be donated to three deserving clubs. Keep an eye out to find out if one of them is in your area.

Contact the school

That's right — contact your child's school and/or district. Sometimes the school will purchase extra supplies for families who aren't able to purchase them, and sometimes teachers will use part of their classroom budget to buy extra supplies. Teachers also have many programs and events available to them (which we'll get to below) where they can score free school supplies; those extras are typically for kids in need.

More: 12 Signs There's a Tween Living in Your House

Kids in Need Foundation

Kids in Need Foundation has a School Ready Supplies program that delivers school supplies directly to students. Through the program, companies must apply for a sponsorship to receive preassembled backpacks or bulk supplies. 

KINF also supplies supply boxes directly to teachers who work in a school where the rate of free and reduced lunch is 70 percent or higher. Those who apply and are chosen will receive two large boxes filled with essential school supplies, including pencils, scissors, paper and notebooks. If you're a teacher and qualify, apply quickly — the deadline is July 18. 

According to KINF's website, the organization helped 200,000 teachers and 6.2 million students last year. To date, they've distributed more than $900 million supplies to kids in need.

Feed the Children

Feed the Children's Homeless Education and Literacy Program, or H.E.L.P., has distributed more than 1 million backpacks to homeless and at-risk kids in the U.S. Each backpack not only includes school supplies and books, but also personal care items and snacks.

Teachers can stop into one of Feed the Children's Teacher Stores in Oklahoma, Indiana, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and California, where they can pick up free classroom and school supplies. You can find the locations here.

Kelly Clarkson is going to stretch her famous vocals in a brand-new way: as one of the lead characters in the upcoming UglyDolls animated film. Deadline reports that Clarkson has been cast as Moxy, and in addition to voicing the character, she'll also sing original songs for the movie. All of this sounds very exciting to us, TBH.

More: Kelly Clarkson Is So Over Being Pitted Against Carrie Underwood

Per Deadline, UglyDolls follows Moxy and her friends in a coming-of-age tale wherein they “confront what it means to be different, struggle with their desire to be loved, and ultimately discover that you don’t have to be perfect to be amazing because who you truly are is what matters most." Ultimately, they realize that perfection isn't what it's cracked up to be and that those differences make them unique, which is what makes them lovable.

Clarkson will star alongside Pitbull, according to IMDb. It's also reported that Pitbull will also contribute original songs to the film soundtrack along with Clarkson. His character name has not yet been revealed, but we think Clarkson and Pitbull will play well off each other, even in an animated setting. Also, who would have expected these two singers to be cast as costars? Count us all the way in on this too.

The Uglydoll plush toy franchise was created by David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim and introduced in 2001. The line received the Toy Industry Association's toy of the year award in 2006, as noted by Deadline, and it has acquired a cultlike following in the last 17 years. The plush toys are distinct for their "ugly" appearances, including mismatched ears, misshapen eyes and more. Each Uglydoll exists in the "uglyverse," where their differences are celebrated.

More: Kelly Clarkson Continues to Dominate TV With a New Hosting Role

STX Entertainments snagged the rights to the Uglydoll plush toy brand and is planning to release a Hulu-exclusive animated series as well as the UglyDolls feature film, which will hit theaters May 10, 2019, per Deadline. The official film website features photos from Instagram and encourages people to use the #PrettyUgly hashtag when sharing their own photos. This film already looks — and sounds — like a blast.

It's a scary world when Victoria's Secret models start getting body-shamed for their 12-days-postpartum bellies. 

Supermodel Candice Swanepoel delivered her second baby — a boy named Ariel — less than two weeks ago. We swear to God, the woman is already being shamed for chilling at the beach in a bikini. Because she has a body and a baby and looks totally amazing? Yeah, we don't get it either.

More: Model Candice Swanepoel Shamed for Breastfeeding Photo

Oh, and if you're wondering just how offensive and appalling this affront by Swanepoel was, well, have a look. 

Swanepoel addressed the shamers on Instagram Stories on Wednesday: "This is me 12 days after having my son. If you have something bad to say about it… Check yourself. Society can be so cruel to one another. Beauty standards are sometimes impossible for women these days. I am not ashamed to show my post-partum tummy, I am proud actually. I carried my son for nine months in there, I think I've earned the right to have a little tummy," she wrote.

We hear you loud and clear, Candice. 

Picture this: You're in a conference room with several other people with the understanding that if you sit through a 90-minute presentation, you'll walk away with a free two-night stay in a hotel or free tickets to a show. Next thing you know, though, you're shuffled from room to room, and 90 minutes turns to two, three, even four hours of your time. Then the seemingly inevitable happens: You walk away with way more than you bargained for. You walk away with a timeshare — and one huge unanswered question: Did I just make a big mistake?

According to senior real estate investment analyst at The Close Allison Bethell, timeshares aren't worth it. "Buying a timeshare is not an investment, and instead, it creates more debt and can be difficult to sell," she says.

However, owner of DollarSprout Jeff Proctor says it all depends on what you value. 

"From a purely financial perspective, I've found that the vast majority of timeshares are not smart investments," he starts. "However, if you love the idea of having a fixed vacation spot every year and like the idea of being committed to use your vacation slot each year, owning a timeshare might be a good fit for you."

Clearly, many are on Team Fixed Vacation Spot: The timeshare industry is on the rise — and has been for eight straight years.

According to a 2018 study conducted by the American Resort Development Association, timeshare sales rose from $9.2 billion in 2016 to $9.6 billion in 2017 and increased more than 26 percent since 2013. To add to that, the average occupancy rate was more than 81 percent compared to a 65.9 percent hotel occupancy rate.

But, and here's the tens-of-thousands of dollars question, are timeshares really worth it?

More: The 10 Best Solo Trips for Women

What are timeshares?

Let's start with breaking down exactly what timeshares are. There are four different types: fixed week, floating, right-to-use and points club. 

Fixed week has very little flexibility, as you have access to a specific unit the same week out of the year, year after year. A floating timeshare, however, has more freedom, as you can reserve your own time. With right-to-use, the developer owns the property, but the buyer can lease the property for a certain amount of time each year for a set number of years. Lastly, the points club timeshare allows buyers to rack up points via buying into a specific property or purchasing points and using those points to stay at various places. 

But how exactly does it work? Proctor breaks it down for us with an example.

"I purchase a timeshare in Florida. The initial investment is $10,000, and the yearly maintenance fees start out at $750. In return, I'm guaranteed seven days and six nights a year that I can stay in my timeshare.

"Over the next 10 years, I will end up paying $17,500 for a total of 60 nights. This comes out to about $291 a night — not exactly cheap. I'm sure I can find plenty of decent hotels for under $175 a night, which would save me thousands of dollars (and add some variety to my vacations)."

According to the aforementioned ARDA study, the average sale price for a timeshare was $22,180 per interval, with the average maintenance fee at $980. Like Proctor said, not exactly cheap. 

The pros of timeshares

Based on all this information so far, it sounds like we're pushing you away from even considering timeshares. But believe it or not, there are advantages to owning one.

For starters, timeshares are perfect for workhorses who find it difficult to carve out vacation time for themselves each year.

"In my opinion, the biggest pro to owning a timeshare is the way it ‘forces' you to take a vacation each year," Proctor says. "By having a set time and location set aside each year, you feel obligated to use it — otherwise you're literally spending money on a vacation you don't take! No one wants that."

Timeshares also take the guessing out of your vacation. "Not having to deal with the logistics of destination and hotel planning is also a nice luxury to have, especially if you are perfectly content with going to a familiar 'home away from home' each year," he adds.

Timeshare resorts also typically offer larger accommodations and more amenities than your typical hotel room. In fact, about 72 percent of timeshare units are two bedrooms or more, and the average unit size is over 1,000 square feet according to the ARDA study.

Plus, according to Bethell, the insurance and utilities are not your responsibility.

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

The cons of timeshares

First off, timeshares are not investments — and that's likely the biggest misconception about owning one. Plus, the costs we discussed earlier aren't pretty, either.

"Timeshares are one of those rare real estate investments that routinely depreciate in value — making them a horrible investment choice," Proctor warns. "They also have high yearly maintenance fees that often increase faster than the rate of inflation."

You have zero control over these yearly maintenance fees, and you pay that fee whether you use the timeshare or not.

You also do not receive property owner benefits like tax write-offs, appreciation or building equity, Bethell says. And, here's the biggest drawback: Timeshares are difficult to sell — and if you are able to sell, it will not only likely sell at a reduced price because there are so many on the market (according to ARDA, there were 1,570 timeshare resorts in the U.S. in 2017, representing approximately 205,100 units), but according to Forbes, the IRS also won't let you claim a capital loss as you would with other investments and real property.  

The bottom line? Timeshares aren't an investment — and they're costly.

"If you want a consistent vacation spot for the long haul, then consider going for a timeshare," Proctor says. "If you are looking at an investment opportunity in lieu of purchasing a rental property, timeshares might not be your best option."

If you're looking for the easiest, least expensive — and most popular — way to give your home a much-needed facelift, apparently it starts and ends with your walls. 

More: Gorgeous & Affordable Peel-&-Stick Wallpapers to Brighten Up Your Home

Custom window coverings company Next Day Blinds recently released stats based on Google shopping data over the last 12 months that reveal the most popular home decor items in each state and region — and items related to wall decoration came out on top. 

A whopping 11 states — Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio and Vermont — searched an item related wall decor, including wallpaper, wall art, wall shelves and frames, making it one of the most popular ways to use home decor. Kansas and Ohio, specifically, were all about wallpaper — and we'll venture a guess they've been shopping Queer Eye's Bobby Berk's new wallpaper line. 

Coming in second were curtains, the No. 1 most-searched home decor item in five states.

Trays were also a popular home decor item, searched in Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi and Virginia. And on the West Coast, curtains were searched in more than one state. In fact, it was the No. 1 search in five states, the highest number of any item. 

More: These Shower Curtains Are the Easiest Way to Transform Your Bathroom

Probably the most interesting search comes from the state of Alaska, the only state with hearths named as the most-searched home decor item — and, well, it makes sense.

Take a look at the full graphic below.

The 70th Emmy Awards nominations have officially been announced, and while we definitely saw some of these coming (Game of Thrones for outstanding drama series, anyone?), we're still surprised at what did and didn't make the cut. 

More: 11 Most Infamous Moments From Primetime Emmys History

FX, HBO and Netflix led the pack this year, particularly in the outstanding series categories. Standout hits like Atlanta, This Is Us and Westworld also snagged several nominations each. 

Unlike previous years, the selection of nominees this year pulls from dozens of networks and streaming platforms representing performers from several marginalized groups in Hollywood. Sandra Oh's nomination in the lead female actor in a drama category for Killing Eve makes her the first Asian-American woman nominated in the category according to Time magazine. We are so here for the diversity in Hollywood being more widely represented at the Emmys this year.

Check out the partial list of nominees below. The winners will be announced during the live telecast on Monday, Sept. 17 at 8/7c from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. SNL's Colin Jost and Michael Che will cohost.

More: 20 Dresses From Emmys Past That Give Us Total Award Show Nostalgia

Outstanding comedy series

• Atlanta (FX)
• Barry (HBO)
• Black-ish (ABC)
• Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
• GLOW (Netflix)
• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime Video)
• Silicon Valley (HBO)
• Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)

Outstanding drama series

• The Americans (FX)
• The Crown (Netflix)
• Game of Thrones (HBO)
• The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
• Stranger Things (Netflix)
• This Is Us (NBC)
• Westworld (HBO)

Outstanding limited series

• The Alienist (TNT)
• The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX)
• Genius: Picasso (National Geographic)
• Godless (Netflix) 
• Patrick Melrose (Showtime)

Lead female actor in a drama series

• Claire Foy, The Crown
• Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
• Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid's Tale
• Sandra Oh, Killing Eve
• Keri Russell, The Americans
• Evan Rachel Wood, Westworld

Lead male actor in a drama series

• Jason Bateman, Ozark
• Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us
• Ed Harris, Westworld
• Matthew Rhys, The Americans
• Milo Ventimiglia, This Is Us
• Jeffrey Wright, Westworld

Lead female actor in a comedy series

• Pamela Adlon, Better Things
• Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
• Allison Janney, Mom
• Issa Rae, Insecure
• Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish
• Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie

Lead male actor in a comedy series

• Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
• Ted Danson, The Good Place
• Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
• Donald Glover, Atlanta
• Bill Hader, Barry
• William H. Macy, Shameless

Lead female actor in a limited series or TV movie

• Jessica Biel, The Sinner
• Laura Dern, The Tale
• Michelle Dockery, Godless
• Edie Falco, Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders
• Regina King, Seven Seconds
• Sarah Paulson, American Horror Story: Cult

Lead male actor in a limited series or TV movie

• Antonio Banderas, Genius: Picasso
• Darren Criss, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
• Benedict Cumberbatch, Patrick Melrose
• Jeff Daniels, The Looming Tower
• John Legend, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert
• Jesse Plemons, Black Mirror: USS Callister

Supporting female actor in a drama series

• Alexis Bledel, The Handmaid’s Tale
• Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things
• Ann Dowd, The Handmaid’s Tale
• Lena Headey, Game of Thrones
• Thandie Newton, Westworld
• Yvonne Strahovski, The Handmaid’s Tale
  

Supporting male actor in a drama series

• Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Game of Thrones
• Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
• Joseph Fiennes, The Handmaid’s Tale
• David Harbour, Stranger Things
• Mandy Patinkin, Homeland
• Matt Smith, The Crown

Supporting female actor in a comedy series

• Zazie Beetz, Atlanta
• Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
• Aidy Bryant, Saturday Night Live
• Betty Gilpin, GLOW
• Leslie Jones, Saturday Night Live
• Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live
• Laurie Metcalf, Roseanne
• Megan Mullally, Will & Grace

Supporting male actor in a comedy series 

• Louie Anderson, Baskets
• Alec Baldwin, Saturday Night Live
• Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
• Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
• Kenan Thompson, Saturday Night Live
• Henry Winkler, Barry

Supporting female actor in a limited series or TV movie

• Sara Bareilles, Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert
• Penélope Cruz, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
• Judith Light, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
• Adina Porter, American Horror Story: Cult
• Merritt Wever, Godless
• Letitia Wright, Black Mirror

Supporting male actor in a limited series or TV movie

• Jeff Daniels, Godless
• Brandon Victor Dixon, Jesus Christ Superstar
• John Leguizamo, Waco
• Ricky Martin, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
• Edgar Ramírez, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
• Michael Stuhlbarg, The Looming Tower
• Finn Wittrock, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Outstanding variety talk series

• The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)
• Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (TBS)
• Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC)
• Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) 
• The Late Late Show with James Corden (CBS)
• The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)

Reality-competition program

• The Amazing Race (CBS)
• American Ninja Warrior (NBC)
• Project Runway (Bravo)
• RuPaul's Drag Race (Logo)
• Top Chef (Bravo)
• The Voice (NBC)

Variety sketch series

• At Home with Amy Sedaris (TruTV)
• Drunk History (Comedy Central)
• I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman (Hulu)
• Portlandia (IFC)
• Saturday Night Live (NBC)
• Tracey Ullman's Show (Fox)

Oprah Winfrey is putting her money where her mouth is — quite literally.

The media mogul recently invested in award-winning restaurant brand and health-driven chain, True Food Kitchen. By doing so, she has joined the brand's board of directors to collaborate and consult with its leadership team and help support the brand's national expansion. 

More: Oprah's Life Is Becoming a Museum Exhibit, & It's About Time

Why True Food Kitchen, though? Let's get the answer straight from Winfrey herself. "I love bringing people together over a good meal," Winfrey said in a press release. "When I first dined at True Food Kitchen, I was so impressed with the team's passion for healthy eating and, of course, the delicious food, that I knew I wanted to be part of the company's future." 

Health expert Bob Greene introduced Winfrey to True Food Kitchen, which boasts a health-driven menu of fresh, seasonal dishes guided by the principles of founder Dr. Andrew Weil's anti-inflammatory food pyramid according to the release. The brand is also committed to helping patrons “eat better, feel better and celebrate a passion for better living.” 

"When Ms. Winfrey and I first sat down to discuss her potential investment, I was impressed by her genuine passion for the intention behind True Food," said Christine Barone, chief executive officer of True Food Kitchen. "My hope is that her passion and investment will continue to develop our growing brand to allow even more guests to experience a better way of eating."

More: These Are the Kinds of Baby Gifts Oprah Winfrey Gives

Founded in 2008, True Food Kitchen has 23 restaurants in 10 states, with its the flagship restaurant located in Phoenix, Arizona. Within in the next three years, True Food Kitchen has plans to double its store count, focusing on expanding to New York, New Jersey and North Carolina and adding more restaurants in Florida, Maryland and Tennessee.

For more information about True Food Kitchen, Eater put together a fantastic profile about the brand. You can also visit True Food's website.

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos are heading to Freeform. Well, technically their production company, Milojo Productions, is, but we think that still counts. Variety reports that under the Milojo Productions banner, the couple and producing partners are teaming up with Kapital Entertainment for a new drama series based on Jasmin Rosemberg's 2008 book, How the Other Half Hamptons. From the description, it sounds like it's going to be a wild ride.

More: Kelly Ripa Claps Back at Haters Criticizing Her Family Vacation

The TV series will reportedly follow best friends Rachel, Jamie and Allison as they head to the Hamptons to stay in a 10-bedroom share house for three months alongside 40 other guests. Variety reports that the three women — characterized as "the good girl," "the wild one" and "the suddenly single serial monogamist," respectively — will party, hook up and dodge "unexpected twists of fate" during the course of the story. They'll have to manage shared bathrooms, entertainment best suited for college frat parties and surviving the summer no matter what happens.

Freeform is best known for its drama series aimed at young adult audiences as well as adapting TV shows from popular books, like the sci-fi series Shadowhunters based on author Cassandra Clare's best-selling book series. The characters in How the Other Half Hamptons are, according to Deadline, all in their 20s, which makes this the kind of hour-long weekly drama series perfect for Freeform's viewers.

Rosemberg is one of the coproducers for the series, which will allow the adaptation to stick closely to her original book plot. Deadline notes that Ripa and Consuelos are longtime New Yorkers and Hamptons regulars, which gives them particular insight to the culture described in How the Other Half Hamptons. 

More: Kelly Ripa & Ryan Seacrest Are Launching Their Own Live Cooking Competition

No other information has been released about this new series, but we predict that casting announcements will happen soon. Milojo Productions previously produced documentaries The Streak for ESPN and Off The Rez for TLC as well as Fire Island on Logo, per Deadline. A scripted drama series is new for them, but we think it's a great fit. We can't wait to learn more.

There was a time when celebrity fitness guru Richard Simmons was everywhere. He made appearances on talk shows, participated in episodes of the sketch comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway? and even starred in infomercials for his wide range of at-home workout tapes and product lines. Today is his 70th birthday, and we're a little sad to say we haven't seen Simmons in a long, long time.

More: Richard Simmons Is Suing a PI for a Massive Invasion of Privacy

Entertainment Tonight caught up with a friend of Simmons before his birthday to check in on the star and get an update on what he's been up to. Rather than darting around the world, teaching workshops and recording workout tapes, his friend told ET, “He’s doing very well. He’s his jovial self. He spends most of his time at home and in his yard.”

That sounds like the ideal peaceful retirement we all aspire to — and suggests that for some celebrities, it's totally possible to leave the spotlight and just relax when the time comes. Simmons' friend also told ET, “He keeps up with his reading and does what he wants to do. He deserves this time to himself. Seventy years is a milestone but he doesn’t look at it that way."

It's been at least four years since anyone saw Simmons in public, per ET. He was hospitalized in April 2017 for "severe indigestion" after which he wrote to his fans on Facebook to assure them that, contrary to the rumors, he wasn't missing. “By now you know that I’m not ‘missing,’ just a little under the weather. I’m sure I will be feeling good and back home in a couple of days," he wrote.

Simmons seems to use his Facebook presence to continue promoting his products, although he sparingly deals with more personal topics. In May, he used the platform to say goodbye to his late friend Gerry Sinclair. "You always held a special place in my life, Gerry," he wrote. "I am so glad I got to share so many dances with you. Slimmons wouldn’t have been Slimmons without you. Thank you for being a part of my life. I know you’re dancing, and laughing, with the angels now."

More: Richard Simmons Is 68! Here Are 12 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Him

We're glad to hear that Simmons is as jovial as ever, and we hope his 70th birthday — whether he recognizes it as a milestone or not — is enjoyable for him and whatever loved ones he chooses to spend it with.

There’s been a war on bread and pasta for the past few years, with many celebrities and athletes forgoing gluten and carbs, boasting that by going gluten-free and low-carb, they’ve never been happier, thinner and healthier. But just how healthy is a gluten-free or low-carb lifestyle?

“Carbs get a bad reputation because they are the main nutrient in sugary deserts, fried foods and processed snacks, but carbs are also fruits, vegetables and whole grains, which are very good for you,” NYC-based registered dietitian Natalie Rizzo tells SheKnows. “I think it’s a misconception that gluten-free is healthier.”

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Something that is gluten-free is free of those ingredients and is usually made in a facility that doesn’t contain any of those ingredients. 

While many people have adopted a gluten-free diet, a 2017 study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics found that the diet isn’t as healthy as it’s often promoted to be. 

More: We Know Fiber Is Good for Us — Here's Why & What to Eat

“GF [gluten-free] food is unlikely to offer healthier alternatives to regular foods except for those who require a GF diet for medically diagnosed conditions, and it is associated with higher costs,” the authors concluded. 

The study also found that gluten-free foods not only typically contained more saturated fat, sugar and salt than regular food items, but were also usually lower in fiber and protein content. 

“Gluten-free products can be expensive and misleading,” Dr. Robert Zembroski, a clinical nutritionist, tells SheKnows. “Companies use ‘gluten-free’ as a marketing tool to get us to buy their products. Be wary of the gluten-free trap. If a product says gluten-free, read the label. Food companies use additives, emulsifying agents and refined sugar to make foods chewy and gooey to mimic the textural effects created by gluten.”

Avoiding gluten means more than just giving up beer and pasta, he notes. "Gluten is found in many food products, such as soy sauces and natural flavorings," Zembroski says. "Gluten has also been found in toothpaste and medications. So, going gluten-free can be challenging.”

Rizzo agrees, noting that eating gluten-free can be limiting, and many people turn to processed snacks and foods to replace the gluten-containing foods they are omitting. 

“If you’re substituting your processed snacks with processed gluten-free snacks, you likely won’t see any major benefits," she explains. "Many gluten-free snacks have just as many calories, sugar and sodium as the ones that contain gluten. Another drawback is that omitting grains may mean missing out on fiber, which helps with digestion and satiation.” 

The phenomenon behind the low-carb diet is the carbohydrate-insulin hypothesis, which poses that in order to lose weight, you must reduce the amount of carb calories you eat and replace them with fat calories. This way, you are driving down your insulin levels, which in turn help you burn calories. 

However, most low-carb diets tout consuming foods like meat and eggs, which happen to be rich in saturated fat and cholesterol, while some low-carb diets might even encourage not eating fruit, which provides fiber. 

“The major drawback I see with low-carb is not eating enough fruits and vegetables. Most people don’t eat enough produce each day, and going low carb makes that even more difficult,” says Rizzo. “I also think whole grains have their place in a healthy diet since they contribute fiber and protein. Cutting those out can lead to nutrient deficiencies.” 

Carbs are the main energy source for activity, she adds, noting that cutting carbs means you may feel more fatigued while working out.

More: What to Eat If You're Going Through Perimenopause

And for those who think low-carb diets mean weight loss? Not so fast. A lengthy study published earlier this year in the Journal of the American Medical Association pitted a low-carb diet against a low-fat diet to determine their relationship to weight loss. It turns out that neither diet is superior. In fact, the study concluded that it’s the quality of someone’s diet — meaning one that is filled with a wide array of healthy protein, vegetables, fruits and whole grains — that accounts for more weight loss. 

“Personally, I don’t recommend low-carb because I think many carbs have their place in a healthy diet,” says Rizzo. “And I like to help people make lasting changes that can become a lifestyle. I think a low-carb diet is more of a quick fix than anything else.”

Though going gluten-free or low-carb might not have much-needed health benefits or lead to significant weight loss, Zembroski does point out that it’s important to go for testing if you suspect you have an allergy. “If you suspect a sensitivity to gluten or you suffer from any numerous autoimmune issues, leaky gut and other gut issues or if you want to know if it’s worth going gluten-free, consider specific testing,” he says. “Eliminating gluten will reduce the risk of developing a health issue for those genetically susceptible to the abnormal immune reactions it creates."

Kylie Jenner seems to be loving motherhood. Not that it's hard to love motherhood when you're almost a billionaire (more about that later) and you can afford all the help you need. But Jenner really, really, really seems to be a naturally hands-on, doting parent. On Wednesday, Jenner posted a Snapchat video of her cuddling baby Stormi, 5 months. (Stomi's dad is Jenner's beau, rapper Travis Scott.) 

The caption? "The best kisses." And the video showed something else: Stormi now has pierced ears.

Cue Twitter, which was all over the damn place with its feels about baby Stormi's pierced ears.

More: Kylie Jenner Is Planning the Most Epic Birthday Party for Baby Stormi

But there were plenty of folks who stepped up to defend Kylie's choice to pierce Stormi's ears.

Ah, well. We don't think Jenner is really sweating the issue. She's got better things to think about, like the fact that she's this month's face of Forbes magazine in its current issue about female billionaires. Yup, Kylie is on track — with an estimated worth of $900 million — to unseat Mark Zuckerberg as the youngest self-made billionaire on record. Not too shabby.

More: Kylie Jenner's Baby Stormi Meets Great-Grandma

The Kylie Cosmetics founder and Keeping Up With the Kardashians star posted the Forbes cover on Instagram, saying, “Wow, I can’t believe I’m posting my very own @forbes cover... Thank you for this article and the recognition. I’m so blessed to do what I love everyday. I couldn’t have dreamt this up! #KylieCosmetics.”

I don't think we could have dreamt this up either. The Kardashian-Jenners may in fact take over the country in due course, which honestly doesn't sound that bad these days. 

Busy Philipps has been, well, busy. In addition to her supporting role in this year's I Feel Pretty and her massive Instagram presence, she recently finished writing her memoir, This Will Only Hurt a Little (now available for presale), and on Tuesday, she got her first-ever tattoo.

More: 6 Questions With Busy Philipps About Motherhood, Friendships & Finding Self-Love

Philipps' Instagrammed a photo of the tattoo, which reads, "aced out in her nudes," and is on her left forearm. In the caption on her photo, Philipps wrote, "what it means is in my book" along with a heart emoji and information on where to preorder her memoir. She added, "Oh! And similar to the TITLE of my book- this only hurt a little."

She also shared a photo of herself leaning back in the tattoo chair while the artist worked on her ink. Us Weekly reports that Philipps updated her Instagram Story before she got the tattoo. In a video update, she said, “I’m not actually nervous, you guys. I had two kids with no pain drugs. I’m fine.”

Philipps hit the tattoo parlor with her friend Kelly Oxford, a best-selling author and screenwriter. According to People magazine, Oxford was already planning to get new ink. “I came to get a tattoo and texted Bus, and she was like, ‘You know what, this morning I woke up and I wanted a tattoo.’ So here we are getting tattoos,” Oxford explained on Philipps’ Instagram Story.

In regard to Philipps' actual tattoo, Oxford said, “I love it. I know what it is and I love it. I’m really excited for you.”

More: Busy Philipps' Mom-Guilt Meltdown Was Not in Vain: A Bear Has Been Found!

We're excited for Philipps too, but we're also so curious about the meaning of her tattoo! What do you think "aced out in her nudes" means? We won't know until this fall, unfortunately, but we totally get the desire to keep the meaning secret for a while. Philipps' memoir hits bookstores on Oct. 23. We were excited for its release before, but now, that's only compounded by her mystery ink.

At some point, plenty of strained parents wonder, "Is my kid crazy?" In fact, typical toddler behavior — tantrums, defiance, mercurial mood swings — can lend itself to such questions on a fairly frequent basis.

In most instances, you can rest assured that your child is not a sociopath intent on becoming a real-life Dexter (if you want to get into the weeds about it, Dr. Robert D. Hare's long-standing study published in Psychological Assessment in 1989 on the two-factor concept of psychopathy offers the foremost criteria for the disorder). But even if that concern has never crossed your mind, you should still be thinking about how to actively teach your child to have empathy and compassion for others.

Because you don't just want a kid who’s not a sociopath (that's a pretty low bar, eh?). You want to raise a child who is kind and considerate, who grows up to be an upstanding citizen, even an activist. You want your kid to have the emotional intelligence that lets them make the world a better place. Right?

But how do you teach a kid something as simple yet complicated as empathy? We tapped behavioral specialist and anthropologist Dr. Gwen Dewar — as well as evidence from related studies — for the tips below. 

Read: Here's How I Told My Boss That My Family Is More Important Than My Job

Per a 2014 study by Decety and Cowell out of the psychology department at the University of Chicago, empathy isn't a fixed trait or what Dewar calls "an all-or-nothing proposition." Instead, she explains, "there are different facets and degrees of empathy, and the way we socialize children matters." 

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It’s essentially being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes — one step up from plain-old sympathy. And while it may seem silly to think you can teach a baby or toddler the art of empathy, there are actually some really important and easy things you can do to lay the groundwork for a lasting process of growth and compassion.

Teach nonverbal cues

Your child can learn empathy before they even learn language; Dewar suggests using hand gestures, facial expressions and other body language to communicate with your baby. This will help them understand that they can do the same to express themselves — and it will help develop their emotional intelligence and aid them in beginning to read others based on their visual cues.

Be affectionate

Have you heard the joke about the serial killer who was never hugged as a child? There may be some truth to that, Dewar posits. Your kids need affection — so hug them, OK?

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

Encourage expression

Ask your kids how they’re feeling, Dewar urges. Acknowledge their moods and help them think through why they feel a certain way rather than simply discouraging strong emotions or shutting them down. A 2014 study by Laranjo in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology from the department of psychology at the University of Montreal showed that toddlers as young as 12 months can be taught "mind skills" that help them develop healthy ways to acknowledge emotions.

Engage with the world

Point things out wherever you go — people walking down the street, the dogs in the park, the old man at the grocery store. Don’t just dive into screen time or think your child will simply observe on their own and pick up on things. Help them see how fascinating the world around them is and how much they can learn from it, including how they can relate to other people. 

Lead by example

Be hyper-aware of your own emotions and how you display them. Explain to your child why you feel a certain way or are reacting to something in particular. Allow yourself to feel things in the moment and exhibit healthy responses (which include letting yourself be angry or frustrated or sad — and then moving through it and back to your place of homeostasis and calm). Repressing emotions and showing your kid that you’re always “fine” can actually be more harmful than helpful (studies such as Srivastava's 2009 findings out of the University of Oregon published in the Journal of personality and social psychology have proven this). Allow your child to see the full range of human emotions so they can validate their own feelings and learn more about how others may feel.

Read: 7 Things I Said I'd Never Do as a Parent — That I Now Do

Experience everything

Take your kid to new neighborhoods, new restaurants, new countries, Dewar suggests. You don’t have to go far, though, to expose them to new things. Walk down a different street than you normally would to get home. Have them help pick out something new at the grocery store to try. Exposing your child to new experiences will help expand their mind, which will serve them well in adapting to new people and situations.

Animals!

One way to know if your kid is exhibiting sociopathic tendencies? If they are more interested in harming your pet than loving your pet (the American Psychological Association lists harming animals as one of the indicators). 

But in all seriousness, allowing your child to interact reguelarly with animals can help teach them empathy. It can be quite beautiful. Our toddler “awws” when he sees the cat each morning, and the two of them have a little friendship that is enough to melt hearts. We also put a bird feeder and peanuts outside our window, and our son spends a ton of time each day watching the birds and squirrels come to eat, and he loves it. He even helps and carries the birdseed over to feed them, a great sign of caring for others and practice for more important moments of empathy later in life.

You may not have time to read Malcolm Gladwell’s Emotional Intelligence, but you can employ these and other simple steps to help your child learn how to connect with themselves and with others around them.

The 2018 Emmy nominations are finally in, and there's plenty to celebrate. With Game of Thrones and Westworld among the shows getting lots of Emmys attention and repeat nominees like Sterling K. Brown and Allison Janney scooping up fresh nominations, this year's race is bound to be an exciting one. But for The Sinner's Jessica Biel, the 2018 Emmys are going to be special and exciting because she just hit a new career milestone.

More: Jessica Biel Isn’t Completely Done WithThe Sinner, but She Has Been Replaced

It's hard to believe, especially considering she's been a TV regular over the years, appearing on shows like 7th Heaven, Family Guy and BoJack Horseman, but Biel's first-ever Emmy nomination for outstanding lead female actor in a limited series or movie came courtesy of 2017's The Sinner. Over on Biel's Instagram shortly after her nomination was announced, she posted a photo of her beaming face, a glass of Champagne in hand to celebrate this moment. 

"I’m so blown away by this Emmy nomination that I’m drinking alone. No shame in my champagne game!" she captioned the photo. 

While Biel kicked off the celebration with a glass of bubbly by herself, it sounds like she won't have to celebrate entirely alone. As she told People magazine shortly after the nominations were announced, "I’m going to go on a hot date with my son. We are going to cheers his orange juice in his sippy cup and my champagne in my champagne glass. And then I’m going to bed early! I’m like, Netflix and chilling. That’s my celebration."

She also commented on hubby Justin Timberlake's reaction to her nomination — and yes, he of course won big husband points for his reaction. "He said he’s really proud [of my nomination]," Biel told People. "He said he was confident that it was going to happen all along. So Silas and I are going to cheers tonight… he’s cheersing in place of Daddy tonight, which is super sweet."

More: How Jessica Biel Stays Sane Even Amid the Chaos

The Emmy fun is only beginning for Biel — we're going to have to tune in to see how this journey pans out for her when the Emmys hit the air on Sept.17.

To best describe those first few weeks spent as a new mom, "overwhelmed" would be an understatement. Losing sleep, changing diapers and trying to figure out what to do with a hungry baby who won't stop eating? You can take comfort in the fact that you're far from alone.

When you feel like a human pacifier

Although plenty of new parents skip breastfeeding for a variety of personal or medical reasons, many still give it the old college try. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life, and based on the latest CDC statistics available in the 2016 Breastfeeding Report Card, nearly 52 percent of new parents with mammary glands met that goal in 2013.

Do the math, and this breaks down into roughly half of new breast-having parents who may experience many of the hurdles that come with breastfeeding for the first time. One of the biggest bumps along the way — that most don't hear about until it happens to them — is a seemingly insatiable newborn who simply refuses to stop feeding.

This "all-you-can-eat buffet" relationship with a new baby is perfectly normal, and it even has a name: cluster feeding. And according to private-practice lactation consultant Leigh Anne O'Connor, it can be considered a rite of passage for any new nursing parent.

More: The Benefits of Breastfeeding — for You, Not Just the Baby

What is cluster feeding?

O’Connor explains the difference between a cluster feed and a regular nursing session with a hungry baby: "[Cluster feeding] is when a baby nurses every 45 minutes or every hour a few times in a row. This is normal, and helps establish milk supply, gets a baby fed and helps make milk. One great benefit is that the baby typically sleeps a good stretch after a cluster feed."

The reason so many nursing parents may not have heard of cluster feeding before is because it is a relatively new term for an old (and very normal) feeding behavior, says Wendie Howland, legal nurse consultant and life-care planner at Howland Health Consulting. “Breastfeeding babies have a great feedback loop with the breasts that feed them. A normal feed will leave about 10 percent of the breasts' contents in the breast, called 'hindmilk.'"

Howland continues, "The hindmilk has a higher fat content (i.e., higher caloric content) for reasons that will make sense when you realize that as a baby grows, [his or her] feeding needs increase. On a day when the child is hungrier, the breasts get emptied more completely. The extra fat calories will sustain the baby, and if this goes on for a full day, the breasts increase overall production. Then the hindmilk is ready to accommodate the next growth spurt and its associated hunger spike. This is normal. It's not concerning at all."

If you're the planner type who wants to know exactly when your newborn may ramp up on their tendency to eat, Howland breaks it down even further. Days of frequent, or clustered, feeding are normal and to be expected at Day Six and Day 15 of life, around 3 weeks old and intermittently thereafter. During a random day of cluster feeding, most mothers feel overwhelmed and worry that they don’t have enough milk — because they've spent an entire day fiercely nursing a newborn who can't be satisfied.

"Not to panic. This is normal, normal, normal," says Howland. "Allowing the baby to nurse that much empties the hindmilk, thus teaching the breasts that the baby is growing normally and tells them to make more."

More: Lauren Paul Opens Up About This Awful Breastfeeding Condition

When should you worry?

Considering that cluster feeding is a normal part of the new breastfeeding journey, there's very little to worry about. In fact, Howland cautions the worst thing you can do during a cluster-feeding session is to try to disrupt the natural process by supplementing with formula. When that happens, she says, "the breasts don't get emptied completely for a full day, they don't make more milk than before, the baby still wants more, the mother thinks she doesn't have enough and supplements, and before you know it, more calories come from a bottle than a breast, and the mother sadly abandons the idea."

In O'Connor's opinion, there are only a few warning signals that could indicate cluster feeding has gotten out of hand. A baby who is literally attached to the breast all day long and does not settle between cluster-feeding sessions may have a feeding problem that requires a doctor's care. A baby who feeds and feeds and still does not gain weight should also see a doctor immediately.

Still, O'Connor says, a new parent's best bet is to give cluster feeding time. During expected growth spurts, a baby can cluster feed frequently for two or three days at a time. This will often be followed by a longer stretch of sleep for a growing baby — which means a little extra shut-eye for a new nursing parent who is exhausted from breastfeeding.

More: These Must-Haves Make Breastfeeding (Almost) Easy

Cluster feeding can be one of the most common sources of new-parent panic if you fear your baby isn't getting enough to eat. Ever the voice of reason, Howland encourages new moms to take it all in stride. 

"Wet diapers, poopy diapers, fontanel not depressed from dehydration? That baby is getting enough. And there will be more, plenty more, with more in reserve tomorrow. It's hard when you're a new mother, inexperienced, overwhelmed and sleep-deprived. Perhaps seeing a frequency day as a signal to sit/lie down, just be with your baby and do nothing else for a whole day isn't such a bad idea. If this didn't work, the human race would have died out a long time ago."

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

Guess what, Suits fans? If you miss Meghan Markle and Rachel Zane, you are not alone. Since becoming Meghan, Duchess of Sussex when she married Prince Harry on May 19, Markle is officially part of the royal family — meaning, among other rules and protocols, that she can no longer be an actress. For those of us who watched her for seven seasons on the law drama, it's with mixed feelings that we said goodbye to her character in April.

More: Stop Everything, & Listen to Meghan Markle's New British Accent

On Wednesday, July 12, during Markle and Prince Harry's first official overseas trip since their wedding, she had a brief chat with a Suits fan that left an impression. Fiona Moore spoke to UK magazine Hello! about her interaction with the duchess: "I'm a fan of Suits and I said to her that I miss it and she said 'so do I'." 

That doesn't necessarily mean Markle isn't enjoying married life or being part of the royal family, though. Moore also told Hello! that during the royal couple's walkabout, Markle "seemed very relaxed and was joking and laughing." In photos, Markle always looks like she's glowing. From her appearance, she seems to be having the time of her life.

Here's the thing: Markle spent seven years on Suits. If she didn't miss being on set, we would definitely worry that something was terribly wrong during her character's run on the show. According to Hello!, Markle invited several of her Suits co-stars to the wedding, including her on-screen husband Patrick J. Adams, Gina Torres, Gabriel Macht, Sarah Rafferty and Rick Hoffman. It's possible that she's still in touch with them, but we imagine her new duties are keeping her awfully busy.

More: Meghan Markle Is Banned From Eating This Food While Traveling

People reports that another fan spoke with Prince Harry on Wednesday and asked when he and Markle are planning to start having children together. Elaine Adam-Stewart told the outlet that she said to the prince, “My husband also has red hair and he gave me five children — when are you and Meghan going to get going?” His reaction, she said, was humorous: “He laughed and said ‘five children? — too many.’ ”

Whatever's next for the royal couple, one thing's for sure: Markle is handling her new role with elegance and grace. We miss her on Suits, but we love seeing her get to reach so many new fans through her position as a duchess.

Whether it’s the royal baby dresses Kate Middleton, aka the Duchess of Cambridge, wore to present her two sons or the British beret Meghan Markle, aka the Duchess of Sussex, wore for one of her first royal engagements, Princess Diana has influenced her daughters-in-law’s fashion and beauty countless times. But there’s one signature Princess Di look that you won’t catch the duchesses sporting: blue eyeliner.

Though Diana was far from a rules-breaker when it came to the royal beauty code, with clean, short nails and natural-looking makeup, where she let loose was with her eyeliner. From dark navy to teal, the late princess has been photographed dozens of times with a thin blue lid and a dash of blue eyeliner on her waterline. The beauty trick — which Meghan and Kate won’t likely wear, as it’s a signature of Princess Di — helped accentuate the skylike color of the princess’s eyes.

More: Every Time Meghan Markle & Kate Middleton Paid Tribute to Princess Diana’s Fashion

More: 10 Royal Beauty & Fashion Traditions Meghan Markle Has Already Broken

And though pictures show that Princess Di later matured to standard black eyeliners (her blue eyeliner fascination was mainly in her 20s when she was the new wife of Prince Charles), it’s still a timeless beauty trick that we’re taking.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

It's been a bad year for salad eaters.

Just when we thought the salad recalls finally came to a halt, all eyes are now on McDonald's salads. 

The Illinois Department of Public Health received confirmation of approximately 90 cases of people falling ill with cyclosporiasis, a parasite that causes an intestinal infection, in counties across Illinois starting mid-May. About one-quarter of the Illinois cases reported eating salads from McDonald's days before they became ill. However, public officials continue to investigate other sources, according to IDPH director Dr. Nirav D. Shah.

More: A 6-Year-Old McDonald's Burger Is for Sale, & People Are Actually Bidding on It

 "If you ate a salad from McDonald's since mid-May and developed diarrhea and fatigue, contact a health care provider about testing and treatment," says Shah.

Salads from Iowa were also affected — with 15 Iowans falling ill so far.

"This summer there have been several clusters of cyclospora illness associated with various foods that are commercially available. This week IDPH has identified 15 Iowans who ate McDonald's salads in late June to early July prior to getting ill," said state medical director and epidemiologist at the Iowa Department of Public Health, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk.

McDonald's has been in contact with public health authorities from Iowa and Illinois, McDonald's told BuzzFeed. The fast food chain is also in cooperation with the state health department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration investigation and is voluntarily removing the salads from its restaurants and distribution centers — and restocking salads from other suppliers.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to voluntarily stop selling salads at impacted restaurants until we can switch to another lettuce blend supplier," they told BuzzFeed. "We are in the process of removing existing salad blend from identified restaurants and distribution centers — which includes approximately 3,000 of our U.S. restaurants primarily located in the Midwest."

"McDonald's is committed to the highest standards of food safety and quality control. We are closely monitoring this situation and cooperating with state and federal public health authorities as they further investigate," McDonald's said in the statement.

More: McDonald's Is Selling the Best Part of the Muffin

Symptoms of cyclospora, which is not spread directly from one person to another, may include frequent bouts of watery diarrhea, loss of appetite and loss of weight; cramping, bloating and/or increased gas; nausea, fatigue and low-grade fever — and typically set in about a week after exposure. Some affected people may not have any symptoms, though. 

The infection can be treated with specific antibiotics according to IDPH, and if not treated, the illness could last few a few days to a month or longer. 

This same parasite caused the recent Del Monte veggie tray recall. On June 15, Del Monte recalled several sizes of its clear plastic veggie trays containing precut vegetables and dip. The affected platters had an expiration date of June 17, and more than 200 people have gotten sick so far, with seven hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.