Everyone knows that there are three events that are always considered "breaking stories": births, marriages, and deaths. So far, we've had two out of three happen in the last 48 hours. After what seemed like a crazy day of 7th Heaven and *NSync flashbacks, news broke that our favorite Skyfall singer gave birth Friday morning to a healthy baby boy.

Adele's rep hasn't confirmed or denied the news, but we can feel a shift in the universe... Adele has turned over a new leaf. Gone are the days of sad breakup ballads; inspired and hopeful tunes are on the horizon, and it's all thanks to the singer's new muse!

Adele announced that she was expecting her first child with beau Simon Konecki at the end of June, just a month after telling People magazine that she wanted to be a "mum" and that she hoped to have three sons by the time she's 30 years old. Well, one down, two to go, and she still has six years left to meet her goal!

Ever since the announcement, the singer has been lying low, but she has been spotted out sporting her baby bump and a suspicious gold wedding band, on occasion. Life & Style reported that the Brit was not only hiding her pregnancy from the public but was also keeping her official marital status a secret. Needless to say, this singer can really keep people guessing; we still don't know if the marriage rumors were true.

I guess only time will tell, so here's wishing Adele and her new family the best of luck. We can't wait to hear all the details! What's his name? When we can expect to see pictures? Let's just hope Adele chose a simpler name than Uma Thurman did. We like being able to say a baby's name in one breath.

Photo courtesy of WENN.com

This recipe for fettuccine carbonara is simple to make, but a bit rich — it makes a great dish for a special occasion or for a special Sunday dinner with the family.

We've added peas to the dish to give it some color and added flavor. It's a wonderful warming dish and makes a complete meal served with a fresh green salad.

Try this recipe for spaghetti with sausage and kale >>

October is National Bullying Prevention Month

Any time is a good time to talk with your kids about bullying. The month of October is designated as National Bullying Prevention Month. Take a few tips from this information to learn how to help prevent and address bullying.

Fettuccine carbonara

Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fettuccine pasta
• 4 ounces pancetta, cut into small pieces
• 4 pasteurized eggs
• 2 cups of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
• 8-10 ounces peas, thawed if frozen
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Cook your pasta, according to the package directions. As the pasta cooks, you will make the sauce.
2. Add the bacon to a small saute pan and cook over medium heat until crisp, then remove from heat and set aside.
3. Add the eggs to a medium-size bowl and whisk until well beaten. Add the cheese to the eggs and combine well.
4. When the pasta has finished cooking, drain it, leaving just about one-quarter cup of the pasta water, and return the pasta and water to the pan. Make sure the pasta is still hot so the egg can cook, and immediately add the egg mixture to it, tossing to coat it.
5. Remove the pasta from the heat, add the bacon, peas, salt and pepper, and toss it again.
6. Serve in individual bowls.

Enjoy a special Sunday dinner!

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The 46th Annual Country Music Awards are just around the corner, and it's an exciting time for all of the nominees, including in the Song of the Year category. Contenders for that award are being honored for writing the song, not performing it; the award for performing the song falls under the Single of the Year category. Here's a look at who's competing for the big prize on Nov. 1.

"Even If It Breaks Your Heart"

Will Hoge and Eric Paslay

This song became a smash single for the Eli Young Band when it was released in January 2012. The gold-selling tune, originally written in 2009, became the country group's second consecutive number-one single from their album Life at Best.

"God Gave Me You"

Dave Barnes

This little ditty was originally recorded by the songwriter himself as a contemporary Christian music piece, but it was The Voice's popular judge Blake Shelton who covered the song, which became his fifth consecutive number-one single. Shelton heard Barnes' rendition of the song and has said it was the catalyst for his marriage proposal to his now-wife, Miranda Lambert. The video even includes footage of Lambert the night before their nuptials. That Shelton is a true romantic.

"Home"

Dan Wilson, Brett Beavers and Dierks Bentley

This tune's origin was inspired by the tragic events in Tucson, Arizona, in January 2011, when U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords was critically injured and six innocent bystanders lost their lives in an assassination attempt at a constituents' rally.

Bentley, who also recorded the song, told The Desert Sun, "The song's about a sense of being and memories of the country. Everybody's idea of America is a little different."

"Over You"

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton

The dynamic country duo teamed up to write a single about Shelton's older brother, who was killed in a car accident when they were teens.

Lambert said, "Blake said he couldn't record [it] for himself or sing it onstage every night, but he would be honored for me to."

It became the second song released on her fourth studio album, Four the Record, and it went to number one on Billboard's Country chart. According to country music and recording industry experts, this is the song to beat at the CMAs on Nov. 1.

"Springsteeen"

Eric Church, Ryan Tyndell and Jeff Hyde

This song was recorded by Church, and while it does allude to several of Bruce Springsteen's famous songs like "Born in the U.S.A." and "Born to Run," it mainly focuses on the memories of a teenaged romance. The tune was critically acclaimed when it was released in February 2012, and The Boss himself was such a fan of the song that he sent a note to Church saying, "I hope we cross paths somewhere."

SheKnows will be there for all of the action on Thursday, Nov. 1, with the live stream from the red carpet. Be sure to watch your favorite country music stars gussied up in their fashions right here on SheKnows.

Photo courtesy of DJDM / WENN.com

A 2012 CMA nominee, Jason Aldean is up for many awards like Male Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year for Dirt Road Anthem. He had plenty of previous success when he exploded onto the mainstream scene with the unforgettable track, "Don't You Wanna Stay," featuring Kelly Clarkson. The song never left our minds, and I know I could barely get through the workday without humming it — so much emotion, and so much relatability.

"Jason Aldean" should be a household name

Jason is no stranger to fame. The Chicago Tribune elaborated on how his hit album, My Kinda Party, ended up being the top-selling country album of 2011 — and how his latest album, Night Train, is just a continuation of his talent and success. Billboard claims "industry sources" predict this latest album will hit #1, and we will all find out on Oct. 24, when the Top 10 Billboard 200 chart is released. My Kinda Party hit as high as #2 on the same album chart, but it never was able to surpass a certain blonde bombshell, Taylor Swift.

Singing with passion and conviction, Aldean isn't the only one who makes this song what it is

To only add to the allure of Night Train, CMA nominees Luke Bryan  and Eric Church  are also featured on the track, "The Only Way I Know." The song that features the three friends starts with charged, steady ascending guitars, and I was then startled to hear some spoken country "rap" before I even heard the reassuring and comforting country "twang" of the chorus. Striking descriptions that you can't help but visualize, the song is refreshing and focuses on the work ethic and close-knit nature of the singers' lives.

Discussing life in mid-America, Aldean said that being from Georgia, he wanted to give everyone some insight into an often misunderstood part of our country.

Great American Country says the song "extols the virtues of the tough-as-nails working class."

One word that describes how I felt after listening? Admiration. This song is about drive, about determination and about integrity.

Hey, Jason? If you ask me, if that's the only way you know, it should be the only way all of us know. I hope taking home CMA awards is part of your only way too — because you deserve them!

Photo courtesy of Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com

For more music reviews, check these out:

Kanye West's "White Dress"

Ellie Goulding's "Halcyon"

Ke$ha's "Die Young"

Being in the spotlight isn't something that Pippa Middleton had in mind until her sister married a prince and she wore a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen dress that featured an "asset" of hers. In a rare interview, Kate Middleton's sister talked to You magazine about her newfound fame.

The 29-year-old states, "It is a bit startling to achieve global recognition before the age of 30 on account of your sister, your brother-in-law and your bottom."

However, that hasn't stopped her from moving forward with her career goals, which include the release of her new party-planning book, Celebrate: A Year Of Festivities For Families And Friends.

The book deal, which was sealed last year with publisher Michael Joseph, netted Pippa over $640,000. It developed from her writing a monthly newsletter for her family's party-supply business, Party Pieces, and her work with an event-planning company, Table Talk. Her tome gives tips on home entertaining, and it includes family stories with glossy photos to add a more personal touch.

Middleton does realize that some will only think she is riding her sister's famous coattails, yet she seems rooted in reality when she says, "I know many of you will pick up the book out of nothing more than curiosity." She goes on to say, "One day I might be able to make sense of this. In the meantime, I think it's fair to say that it has its upside and its downside. I certainly have opportunities many can only dream of — but in most ways, I'm a typical girl in her 20s trying to forge a career and represent herself in what can sometimes seem rather strange circumstances."

The maid of honor not only stole the show at her sister's royal wedding with her fit and lean body in April 2011, but she has made tabloid headlines for dating some of London's most eligible and rich bachelors.

Middleton's venture will hit shelves on Oct. 30 in the U.S., as a 400-page coffee-table book selling for $50.

Image courtesy of WENN

This year's Country Music Awards kick off Nov. 1 in Nashville, Tennessee, and SheKnows will have all of the excitement from the red carpet, live! It will be a great opportunity to see the fashions and accessories firsthand and to judge who is best dressed or worst dressed that night. To gear up for country music's big night, let's take a look back at the worst-dressed performers in recent memory.

Carrie Underwood

Underwood is clearly country music's sweetheart, and she rarely misses in her fashion choices. However, during the 2011 CMAs, she had a series of wardrobe changes to go along with her hosting duties. This white, asymmetrical Cengiz Abazoglu creation was a freak error in judgment for the "Jesus Takes The Wheel" singer. While it does show off her great legs, it doesn't do much for the rest of her lean body.

Laura Bell Bundy

This one might take the cake for tackiest red-carpet dress in recent memory. The Broadway-star-turned-country-singer seemed to have confused country music glamour with Las Vegas showgirl. The plunging, rhinestone leotard surrounded with a purple-wrapped skirt was all wrong for such a lady. The gals at Go Fug Yourself summed it up best with, "Yeah, you're not understudying for the Reese Witherspoon part in a regional theatre adaptation of Water for Elephants."

LeAnn Rimes

Sometimes it is hard to remember that Rimes started out in country music, given the fact that over the last few years, she has been known for her cheating scandal with now-husband Eddie Cibrian. In 2009, she busted out a come-hither look that went awry, with eyes blackened like a raccoon's and shoes that should have stayed in the closet. She really looks much healthier with a little meat on her bones, too.

Natasha Bedingfield

The "Unwritten" singer not only wore two outfits at the CMAs in 2011, she also took home the trophy for Worst Dressed twice in one night. Bedingfield walked the down the red carpet looking like Melanie Griiffth straight off of the set of Working Girl, and then she changed to a Christian Siriano number that looked like the fur of a thousand Muppets. Someone needs to hire a new stylist, stat!

Miranda Lambert

Before she was officially Mrs. Blake Shelton, the "Over You" CMA nominee experimented with her curvy figure and red-carpet look. While the blue color looks great on her, the dress is ill-fitting, and it looks like she robbed a jewelry store in at the CMAs in 2008. Lambert has done a great job of refining her look over the last several years, so thankfully, this outfit is just a distant memory.

The CMAs air live on Thursday, Nov. 1, on ABC-TV.

Image courtesy of WENN

Top grocery store foods to eat today

Put these on your shopping list!

Do you find yourself making a bee-line to the junk food aisle or bakery as soon as the temperatures drop and the weather turns cold? You’re not alone. Some women avoid even going to the market just to avoid the temptation of sugary, carb-rich, or high-calorie foods.

Registered holistic nutritionist Peggy Kotsopoulos, author of Must Have Been Something I Ate, can empathize with your dilemma but she doesn’t suggest avoiding the grocery store. The health expert encourages you to make a list of supermarket superfoods and confidently go grocery shopping with your list in hand.

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Say nothing and get what you want

Body language in the bedroom

Verbalizing what you like and where you crave being touched can be awkward, especially if you're shy. But we've got good news! There are ways to let your partner know exactly what you want in bed with these simple body language secrets.

We spoke with sex counselor Rich Blonna, Ph.D., author of Sex ACT: Unleash the Power of Your Sexual Mind with Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, to get his take on how couples can guide each other to having the best sex of their lives... without uttering a single sentence.

What to do before you hit the sheets

The best seduction scenes start prior to even setting foot near the bed. Be the one to strike the match. "Take the initiative," Blonna says. "Don't wait to be invited to the bedroom — do the inviting yourself. This is a real turn-on to guys."

Here's how to get him excited for the main event using only his sense of touch:

"Gently massage his neck, his head, arms, legs or any other non-genital body parts," Blonna says. "The skin is your biggest erogenous zone. You don't have to touch his genitals to send sexy electrical currents shooting through his mind and body. Nuzzle his neck and behind his ears with your nose. Let your hair fall over him as you do this. The back of the ears and neck are highly charged erogenous zones."

OK, now it's time to move to the bedroom. Remember: No talking necessary!

"Make direct eye contact, smile, raise your eyebrows in an inviting and seductive way, and just nod your head in the direction of the bedroom," Blonna says. "Then lead the way. Extend your hands, palms up, and use your hands in an inviting way to join you. Start walking toward your destination, look back over your shoulder, and wiggle your pointer finger, seductively gesturing him to follow."

Hey, if it works in the movies, it'll definitely work in your home!

How to send signals in the bedroom

We all like different things when we get down to business. If you have trouble discussing your preferences , try these stealth tactics:

"The best, and most direct [way to show him what you like], is to gently take his hand and place it where you want it," Blonna says. "Use varying levels of pressure and tempo to show him where and how you like to be touched."

"You can also touch him in the ways you like to be touched. This is an indirect way to teach your partner what you like. If he is at all perceptive, he will realize that if it feels good for him, chances are it will feel good for you. This is learning through role modeling. Usually this will not lead to the immediate action you desire but can work in the long run."

A few nookie don'ts

Smartphones... tablets... e-readers... flatscreens... These digital guests aren't invited to your lovemaking party:

"The biggest thing to avoid is being distracted and involved in multitasking," Blonna says. "Obvious signs of distraction involve checking your email, watching TV, taking phone calls, etc., while trying to get the action going.

"Leave your cell phone, iPod and any other distracting device in the kitchen. The bedroom is a place to practice mindfulness. The only thing that matters once you get there is him — how he feels, how he smells, how he tastes, what every inch of his body looks like and the sex sounds he makes when you stimulate him. Making love can be a gourmet feast and an entertaining event if you give it your full attention and time."

For more on Dr. Blonna, check out his website here!

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Scary beauty!

Halloween is one of those amazing days where fashionistas everywhere are free to dress as crazy as they want. It's also a day when we can have a lot of fun with our makeup, without risking looking like a drag queen. To help get tips for rocking the perfect Halloween makeup look, I turned to Sonia Kashuk, makeup artist and founder of Sonia Kashuk Beauty.

SheKnows: Women love their makeup, but it can be expensive! What are the top must-haves a gal needs to have in her makeup bag to create a great standout Halloween makeup look?

Sonia Kashuk: A liquid liner — you can create tons of costumey looks with this miracle product. From cat whiskers to a super-hero eye mask, it’s like a marker for the face!

SheKnows: Halloween is coming soon! For those beauty addicts freaking out because they have no idea what they'd like to be for the holiday, what are some simple yet classic looks they could create with what they already have in their makeup bags?

Kashuk: Since '50s glam has been big in recent trends, any retro makeup is pretty easy to achieve with everyday makeup products. Go with winged liner, false lashes, arched brows and red lips, adding a beauty mark with a brow pencil for a perfect sexy Marilyn Monroe. Or nix the beauty mark and swap in fuller brows, you’re set to be the lovely Audrey Hepburn — just add a black shift dress with white long gloves and let your wardrobe do the rest!

SheKnows: A lot of women go from work to a Halloween party, with little to no time in between to create elaborate makeup looks. What tips do you have for them on how to create a look with impact but one that doesn't take them too much time?

Kashuk: A wig is a great accessory that can really transform an entire look in no time.

SheKnows: Just for fun, let's take three hot young celebs of the moment. What kind of a makeup look would you love to see them in for Halloween? Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lawrence , Emily VanCamp .

Kashuk: Taylor Swift is always so polished and sweet, so I would love to see her in a sinister costume like an evil witch with a smoky eye and black lip.

Jennifer is freshly brunette, so it would be fun if she incorporated that into her costume such as Cleopatra — that graphic Egyptian liner would be stunning with her eyes.

It would be nice for Emily to play off her naturally fair skin, so Snow White would be great for her, plus the innocence of the character is a fun juxtaposition of the fierce Amanda Clarke.

SheKnows: Using your line as inspiration, what's one hot trendy look you'd love to create?

Kashuk: For fall I launched a beautiful burgundy lipstick called Plum Wine. The dark sexiness of this vampy shade would be amazing to recreate a sultry '20s flapper look.

Start by creating a flawless skin base with a primer, concealer and foundation. Next create a super smoky eye with dark grays and intense blacks. Begin with a kohl liner in the upper and lower waterline, using a brush to smudge out color into the lashline. Then add a layer of dark gray over the lid, blending up and out creating a gradation of color towards the brow.

Finish with full false lashes for extra drama and sex appeal. The brows are next, which were dangerously thin during this time, so you may need to use some concealer or special effects makeup to cover up a naturally thick brow. Once concealed, retrace the eyebrow using either a pencil or cream/powder with an angled brush in a thin, curved shape that arches high in the center.

Last but not least, complete the look with my Satin Luxe Lip Color with SPF 16 in Plum Wine. First apply a plum lip pencil, drawing the lips in a bow shape reminiscent of the time, and follow using a lip brush to apply the lipstick for control.

If you happen to get outside of the lines, use a concealer with a brush to cover up any mistakes. Add a short black bob wig and a fabulous flapper dress with some pearls and you are ready to go!

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Photo credits: Judy Eddy/WENN.com, Ian Wilson/WENN.com, PNP/ WENN.com

Why discontinue something that isn't broken? That is the cue that Paramount is taking from its Paranormal Activity franchise, which seems to just keep going. Just three days after the fourth movie in the franchise opened, the film company announced it has given the go-ahead for a fifth film.

"The studio considers PA4's $30M opening-weekend gross 'an amazing result at this $5M budget level,' even though its North American take is well below PA2‘s and PA3‘s," according to Deadline.com. "Overall, the three previous Paranormal Activity installments have earned over $576 million worldwide, on a combined budget of a little over $8M."

The $30 million earned domestically by PA4 is significantly less than the earnings of Paranormal Activity 2 and 3, which made $41 million and $52 million in the United States, respectively, on their opening weekends. But the original Paranormal Activity made only $77,873 in its first weekend out. The film was not yet a household name, but it went on to make almost $108 million in the United States alone, more than either Paranormal Activity 2 or 3 ended up making.

"Paramount has also been playing with the idea of creating a spinoff of the franchise, aimed at PA's very sizeable Latino audience," said Deadline.com. Insiders are saying Disturbia's Christopher Landon has been hired to create the new film.

Deadline.com also said that the spinoff will include the same demon from the original franchise but that the stars will be mostly Latino actors and that the dialogue will be completely or partially in Spanish.

"This will be an offshoot aimed at the groups who have been the biggest supporters of the property — Latinos and folks in Latin America — Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina," Paramount told Deadline.com.

Those of you who saw Paranormal Activity 4 this weekend — and who didn't run out of the theater immediately following the movie — saw a teaser clip for the spinoff, right at the end of the film. That film should begin shooting soon. Paranormal Activity 5 is set to open on Halloween 2013.

Photo courtesy WENN.com

You know how Britney Spears' parents took over in 2008 and saved her life? That's exactly what Michael Lohan wants to do for Lindsay Lohan, except Spears' parents actually cared about her and all Michael really wants is more publicity.

Lindsay Lohan's dad tried to stage an intervention >>

According to TMZ, Michael plans to file papers to get a conservatorship over Lindsay to force her into rehab. The one good part about his plan? He's not going to be the one in charge of what's left of Lindsay's money. He also wants the court-appointed conservator to force all of his children into therapy.

No one in the Lohan family is on board, though.

"They would have a hard time believing the claims of someone who was investigated for insider trading, arrested for domestic violence multiple times, arrested for assault, has a drunk driving arrest, and has been in and out of jail and prison for years,” the Liz & Dick actress told the website.

Lindsay Lohan ditches dad for Mitt Romney >>

Ali and Michael Jr. agree.

"Please stop waging your own personal war against my family. We don't need you to intervene because we can take care of ourselves without you, as we have been all these years," Ali told her dad through TMZ.

"I have no good memories of my so-called father. He has never been part of my life, he needs to leave my family alone," the younger Michael added.

Lindsay Lohan's fight with mom over money, cocaine? >>

If he does really love his children, he'll take these steps without going to media at every turn. Will that ever happen? Uh, no.

Image courtesy of Hugh Dillon/WENN.com

Always the promoter of his music, Justin Timberlake chose the night of his wedding to debut some long-awaited new music. He sang his new bride, Jessica Biel, a yet-to-be-released track of his own.

"It was magical," Timberlake told People. "It was an unforgettable evening."

Biel also shared her thoughts of the wedding night: "It was a fantasy."

But the song was not the only Justin Timberlake music performed at the wedding. Us Weekly said that Questlove, who was the wedding DJ, spun some of Timberlake's songs during the evening . Andy Samberg was in attendance, but no Lonely Island tracks were performed, even though Timberlake frequently collaborates with and contributes to the band.

"It's great to be married. The ceremony was beautiful, and it was so special to be surrounded by our family and friends," Biel and Timberlake told People.

The couple was married at a resort on the sea in south Italy on Friday. They announced their engagement less than a year ago but have been dating for a while.

"The longtime couple, first spotted together in January 2007, was surrounded by an intimate gathering of family and friends for the big wedding weekend," said MTV. Jimmy Fallon and Beverley Mitchell, Biel's 7th Heaven co-star, were also in attendance.

With the secret surrounding the wedding and all the news slowly seeping out, pictures or video are expected next. And you can bet both Justin Timberlake and ‘NSync fans alike are just waiting for the video of Timberlake singing his song to his new bride to be leaked. Hopefully, it is everything fans could hope for. And if his "people" are smart, they'll include that video in the publicity for the song.

Photo courtesy of WENN.com

Everyday dangers of multitasking

Texting and driving has become a cause of fatal car crashes. Even "distracted driving" or not paying attention while operating machinery can cause fatal incidents. And even without these physical dangers, multitasking is keeping us from optimal learning. The more we multitask, the less we mentally focus, so we learn and retain less. Multitasking is keeping us from getting the most out of our workouts because we are too distracted to exercise most effectively. The list goes on.

Multitasking can ruin relationships

The rise in multitasking is increasingly damaging our ability to effectively communicate with others. Because communication is the foundation of our business and personal relationships, multitasking can be very detrimental to nearly all of our relationships.

Do you routinely take phone calls or type away on your keyboard during a conversation, listen to music in the middle of a conversation, watch television during a conversation, instant-message or text during a conversation, think about unrelated topics during a conversation? When we engage in communicative multitasking, we basically convey that we are too busy to care about what others have to say. Your spouse, kids, friends and co-workers want your full attention, and if you multitask instead, you may just multitask your way into isolation and unhappiness.

Multitasking hurts others

If you’re not paying full attention to someone while they are trying to talk with you, it’s only natural for them to think that they are not important enough to deserve your undivided attention. They may feel the content or subject of their communication is not being heard or that it is not even important to you. They may also feel disrespected. They may think of you as rude and lacking manners. The result is damage to your relationships. Not exactly the result you were hoping for, right?

Tune in and listen up

If you focus and concentrate exclusively on listening to people when you’re in a conversation, you will show others that they matter. You’ll also show them that you can be attentive, focused, diligent, cooperative, interested, caring and respectful — all attractive qualities. And if you simply can’t give others undivided attention, simply reschedule your conversation.

In addition to not multitasking while conversing with others, I encourage you to refrain from multitasking in all areas of your life so you can get the most out of every activity. You'll find that the more engaged you are in your relationships and activities, the happier you can be.

For more information on the dangers of multitasking and how to improve your communication skills, pick up Attractive Communication: 300 Ways to Make Communication More Attractive .

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Why you don't have to settle

I am a picky b****. No doubt you are too. Lucky for us, we get to be. We belong to a lucky generation of independent women who don't have to spend their early 20s in a mad dash to get hitched to the nearest breadwinner.

It took three waves of feminism, a few landmark pieces of legislation and a massive cultural shift toward gender equality, but tying the knot is no longer a prerequisite to leading a stable and happy life. Husbands are optional these days.

A luxury, not a necessity

That's not to say we don't want one. We might. It's just nice not having to need one. We get to seek independence and self-knowledge before seeking a life partner. We get to play the field like all the boys do. We get to set our own romantic standards, and when it comes to the institution of marriage, we get to bust up that church and rebuild it brick by brick until it's a castle of our own design.

We've been around the block, and we all know better than to buy what the fairy tales and family sitcoms are selling. We aren't silly schoolgirls dreaming of soul mates. We never expected a Prince Charming, and we're not waiting to be swept off our feet.

Hell, all we really want is a partner in crime. We want our intellectual and emotional equal. We want the alternative to that shirt-stained oafish mess of a man-child pop culture insists on portraying as the standard issue husband. We have more respect for men than that.

In fact, we love men. Everything about them. They are warm and delicious creatures that make us laugh, carry in the heavy stuff from the car, and on the really good days, take us into the bedroom and light us up like a fireworks display.

Those little things

I’ve had plenty of men in my time. I’ve even fallen in love with a few, but as wonderful as a good man can be, I’ve still yet to meet one I’d be willing to call my husband. That's OK, though. I'm in no rush, and I’ve learned so much from all of my past relationships. I’ve learned that you can’t build a lifelong commitment on outward appearances or infatuation or money. I’ve learned that there’s no such thing as “the one,” and when it comes to picking a future husband, it's the little things that matter.

That's why I put together a collection of the little things in my very first book, Notes To My Future Husband: A Bitch's Guide To Our Happily Ever After. Available now at Barnes and Noble and Amazon, it's a smirking nod to all the tidbits and minutia about the men in our lives that make us swoon and then roll our eyes.

Every last one of us could fill a book with notes to the men we might one day marry. Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll find a man cool enough to call my future husband.

If that ever happens, my notes will be waiting for him.

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Salma talks beauty

Hot mama Salma dishes why she created her makeup line and how she makes her daughter Valentina appreciate her own beauty.

Think celebrities are born with perfect skin? Think again. Bombshell Salma Hayek has a flawless face these days, but admits she struggled with bad acne in her 20s.

Today, the 46-year-old actress credits her camera-ready complexion to religious use of her Nuance Salma Hayek product line, which is formulated with ingredients used in her native Mexico.

"I knew I had herbs and things that nobody was using in the States or Europe," Salma tells SheKnows. "There is a key ingredient that is in a lot of my things. It's called tepezcohuite."

Tepezcohuite was commonly used in hospitals in Mexico on burn victims to regenerate cells, according to Salma, who's currently starring in Here Comes the Boom. "It's not a myth," the actress adds, "It's been proven for years and years!"

"I have the most sensitive skin you can imagine," she tells SheKnows. "My Wild Lime Exfoliator is one of my favorite products because it doesn't irritate your skin. You can go out into the sun without any hesitation and you see results with one application. Immediately, your skin looks softer and brighter."

Salma's Nuance line, which is available at CVS, was actually inspired by her grandmother. "My grandmother was an alchemist," she explains. "She would mix her beauty knowledge and make her own creams in the kitchen. I wanted to make sure that every woman could afford to look and feel beautiful and that their cream was as good or better than [the creams of] the ones who had a lot of money."

One of Salma's main priorities these days is making sure her own 4-year-old daughter Valentina feels beautiful, too. "It's funny because she is getting into this thing where she looks into the mirror and says 'I'm not beautiful today.' Out of desperation, I came up with something that I think everyone can use."

"I said to her, 'You have got to stop saying that because beauty is getting really sad. If she doesn't feel loved and appreciated for what she does for you, one day she is going to go. You have to apologize to your beauty for being rude to her. It made so much sense to think of beauty as somebody that lives inside of you that is just trying her best. You have to help her feel good."

Good advice no matter what your age, right?

More beauty

Ghoulishly gorgeous Halloween makeup: Sonia Kashuk shares her tips
Demi Lovato speaks up: Bye-bye bullies, hello beautiful
Padma Lakshmi’s winning recipe for beautiful skin and top style

Photo credits: David Bodrick/DMBJ/WENN.com, Nuance

spooky & stylish manicures

Scarily easy
DIY designs

This Halloween, your nails can be as killer as your costume. And with these easy-to-do ideas from Illamasqua, you can have an eerily chic manicure in no time. Not a nail polish pro? Don't fret. All three of these designs can be mastered in a few steps that are simpler than you think!

What you need:

Polish colors: black , white  and light blue

Tools: dotting tool, toothpick

Directions:

1. Apply base coat, then paint nails with one or two coats of black polish of your choice. Allow nails to dry for three minutes.
2. Pour a little bit of white polish on a piece of cardboard or tin foil. Dip large end of the dotting tool into the polish and then onto the nail three times. Repeat for each nail.
3. Pour out a small amount of light blue polish. Use the small end of the dotting tool to add blue dots in the middle of each white circle. Let nails dry for three minutes.
4. Using a toothpick, add a tiny dot of black nail polish to the center of each blue dot.
5. Finish off your eye-raising manicure with a top coat.

What you need:

Polish colors: red , black , white nail pen

Tools: small brush

Directions:

1. Apply base coat. Paint nails with one or two coats of red polish of your choice. Allow nails to dry for three minutes.
2. Dip the small brush into black polish and use it to paint a tiny triangle at the tip of your nail.
3. Create the opening of the vampire's mouth by painting a black oval in the center of the nail. Allow it to dry for four minutes.
4. Add fangs with white nail pen.
5. Seal the kiss with a shiny top coat.

What you need:

Polish colors: shimmery dark blue  , gray , white , light yellow

Tools: small brush, makeup sponge

Directions:

1. Apply base coat. Paint nails with one coat of dark blue polish. Allow nails to dry completely for three minutes.
2. Use small brush to paint a crescent moon with light yellow polish. Add random stars by dotting the tip of the brush onto the nail. Allow it to dry for three minutes.
3. Pour out a small amount of white and gray polishes right next to each other so they're touching. Using the corner of a makeup sponge, dip it into the puddle and then dab it onto the nail to make clouds.
4. Allow design to dry for three minutes before bewitching the design with a top coat.

More manicure ideas

Nail art tutorial
4 Ways to sparkle up your nails
Go funky fab with these nail trends

Mindy: "I’m not like my character"

The Mindy project

She may have created the main character in her new Fox series, The Mindy Project, but Mindy Kaling tells us "Doctor Mindy" is much different than the real Mindy. Kaling shares her real-life quirks in our Q&A with the actress.

Mindy Kaling’s new show on Fox, The Mindy Project, is already getting great buzz after premiering earlier this month. Fox reportedly just ordered two more episodes, bringing the first season lineup up to 24.

And it’s no surprise. With the hilarious and talented Kaling writing, executive producing and starring in the romantic comedy, we expected it to be an instant hit.

We had the chance to chat with Mindy on the phone recently about her “project” and find out what’s to come as the series progresses.

Q&A with Mindy Kaling

SheKnows: How similar is the character Mindy to the real Mindy?

Mindy: I think the character is pretty different than me, Mindy Kaling. I have the lifestyle of a nerdy, boring writer; that’s my lifestyle. The character has a kind of a great, glamorous job, and an even noble job. We both had arrested development. I think that’s where we’re very similar, like both were nerds.

Where me and my character really differ... she really likes to party. She likes to drink, and she is definitely more boy-crazy than me.

But I like writing that character. I think that’s really fun. If I wrote characters that were actually me and my life, no one would watch it. I’m not nearly so confident, which is why my character is so fun to play.

SheKnows: What qualities did you aim for with Mindy?

Mindy: I just wanted her to be really realistic and authentic. So many of the female characters I see on TV are there, just kind of put-upon and kind of boring, and they’re so worried about viewers not being able to handle them. I’m just trying to make her interesting and nuanced. If some people think she’s obnoxious, people are obnoxious sometimes, and they can still be like heroes.

In general, I just try not to do stock characters. I don’t want a character to be a bimbo, or the sassy black woman. Those are things you see sometimes and I think they’re not very fresh.

SheKnows: In the last episode, Mindy meets a cute sports agent. Will he make a reappearance?

Mindy: I just shot with him last night and I’m shooting with him again today. It’s been really fun shooting with Tommy [Dewey] because on his surface, he just looks like this handsome 90210 kind of character. But we’re playing him as a little bit of a weirdo. He comes off a little strong, he’s a little off-putting, and to me, seeing people like that redeem themselves is much more appealing than this kind of generic, boring, pretty good-looking love interest. He is certainly the anti-that.

SheKnows: What can we expect from this week’s Halloween episode?

Mindy: I’m really, really psyched about it. Bill Hader comes back and there’s just a lot of really funny, fun stuff. I can tell you that I wear a series of costumes. I did about five or six costume changes. I look crazy in a lot of them too; by the way, they’re not sexy hot girl costumes.

The premise is that I’m going on a Halloween date with Josh [Tommy Dewey]. The Halloween costume is stressing my character out a lot, which that is very true of me, myself. I don’t have a Halloween costume and it’s already starting to make me panic a little bit.

SheKnows: On top of The Mindy Project and The Office, you also recently co-wrote the screenplay The Low Self-Esteem of Lizzie Gillespie, which will star Anne Hathaway. Why did you pick her for the lead?

Mindy: I’ve been a fan of Anne Hathaway since as long as I can remember. I had her in mind for a while. She’s not playing like a gorgeous heroine. The character is pretty unglamorous, a little dowdy, and a little down on herself. I just like that she’s into that.

One of my favorite movies is Bridget Jones’s Diary because Renee Zellweger just totally goes for it in terms of being imperfect, and is so funny. I like that she can play Cat Woman, but is also willing to play this more dreary part.

SheKnows: So what’s a day in your life really like?

Mindy: Typical day is I wake up between 5:30 and 6:00 in the morning. I walk like a zombie to my shower and take a shower. Drive to work, listen to some Justin Timberlake in the car on way there. Hair and make-up. My God, this is so boring I can’t believe it.

I check in with the writers , and I’ve been acting for couple of hours. I wrap, usually around five or six at night and in between writing stuff I will go check in with the writers. Then I stay until between ten and midnight hanging out with them.

It sounds like a long schedule, but because it’s my show and because I’m working with essentially all my best friends, it feels like a very grueling vacation, if that makes sense.

SheKnows: How to you manage to keep it all together?

Mindy: Every morning I drink a blend of vegetables and fruits that’s a disgusting green potion that I believe keeps me alive. That’s my secret trick. I eat terribly. I could not do this job if I didn’t have the weird green fruit and vegetables that I eat every morning."

Be sure to catch Mindy Kaling on The Mindy Project, every Tuesday night on Fox at 9:30.

More on Mindy Kaling

The Mindy Project review: Doctor Mindy treats funny bones
Mindy Kaling to Marge Simpson: You're my hero
The Mindy Project recap: An unromantic heroine

Photo credits: Mary Ellen Matthews/NBC

How to... make easy ham & cheese rollups

The kids are back in school and that means it's time to break out the sack lunches. Ham and cheese rollups are delicious and easy to prepare, and the kids are sure to love them. Watch out, PB& J, you've got some lunchtime competition!

More how-to lunch ideas

Packing a nutritious school lunch
Packing a lunch in five minutes or less
Pack a perfect lunch

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The gift that keeps on giving

Spreading awareness of breast cancer can be as simple as giving a gift. Here are five gifts that do just that.

Many of us out there have a Pandora or charm bracelet, so a great gift idea for any time of the year is another glass charm. This charm, though, gives back. You can choose from a package of breast cancer-themed charms to just an elegant pink glass charm. Whether you want to go the more traditional route with a pink ribbon or a more subtle route, the Belk company has you covered. Their website also has a list of other great items from participating retailers around the nation as a part of their breast cancer awareness campaign.

Have a cook in the family? Or maybe a smoothie junkie? This cute KitchenAid blender is an awesome gift. Its iconic color will brighten up any kitchen and add an element of fun to the daily routine. The KitchenAid Cook for the Cure program will donate a minimum of $450,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, so by purchasing this essential kitchen item for a friend, mother, sister or daughter, you could potentially save a life.

Everyone needs a go-to tote to store all their endless supplies for work, school and life in general. Thankfully, Mobile Edge has you covered. This effortlessly chic Komen Milano tote is not only adorable but it helps spread awareness. Designed for women by women, this tote ensures your laptop's safety as well as being functional and fashionable. Mobile Edge will donate 10 percent of the proceeds to Susan G. Komen for the Cure as a part of their Caring Case Collection campaign.

Coffee is an essential in most people’s lives. That’s why any gift, whether it's the cute pink cup or blackcurrant jasmine tea, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Co. has you covered. The best part is that the money will not only go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation in the United States but also to women all around the world affected by breast cancer. This gift is versatile and sure to make you and the recipient happy!

Men care, too! Let us not forget the leaps and bounds the National Football League has made in breast cancer awareness. Now they have teamed up with Nike to bring us these super-cute -- and super-manly -- sweatshirts and T-shirts. Every item is customized with team logos and a subtle pink ribbon. There are even women’s items for the ladies who love football, too. This gift is a fan favorite nationwide.

More on breast cancer awareness

10 Awesome retailers that support breast cancer awareness
101 ways to shop pink for Breast Cancer Awareness month
Support breast cancer awareness with these pretty pink products

mommy style

How to look hot in a minivan

So how do Hollywood moms bounce back after pregnancy? Janice Min, Editorial Director of The Hollywood Reporter and author of the new book How to Look Hot in a Minivan, set out for some answers. Here's what she learned about "fat" clothes, facial serums and looking great even when you're exhausted.

SheKnows: What is the oddest beauty trick you’ve ever tried in order to cut corners on a rushed morning?

Janice Min: Instead of drying my hair before I leave, I've rolled down my window with my hair wet to try to let the wind dry it for a tousled "beachy" look. Um, it has never worked once.

SheKnows: What is your stance on “the glow?” A mom beauty myth or is there a sliver of truth to it?

Janice Min: I have had the pregnant fat face, zitty face and exhausted face, but probably never the glow. But I do believe others do get a glow. The beauty chapter in my book discusses how pregnancy is almost like the best oxygen facial you could receive because of the increased blood flow when you're expecting. For older moms, especially, pregnancy sometimes can create a fullness in your face that no amount of fillers from the dermatologist could ever fabricate.

SheKnows: Name three to five products that are your go to, use-no-matter-what products.

Janice Min: My Shiseido eyelash curler, Retin-A and right now I'm completely loving my Origins Plantscription anti-aging serum. Serums have changed my skin completely. The dermatologists in my book say you are crazy not to use one.

SheKnows: The best beauty advice you’ve ever received?

Janice Min: Stop washing your hair every day. My hairstylist here in LA told me to cut it out since my hair was seeming dry. Life suddenly became better. I had more time, my color lasted longer and I could stop pretending I actually enjoyed styling my hair while trying to pack lunches at the same time.

Also, my book answers a question I had wanted answered for a long time: When should you spend money on department store makeup, and when is drugstore makeup fine? I now know the answer! I loved learning that some products in the drugstore are actually better, and the book tells you which ones they are.

SheKnows: What's the best fashion advice you’ve ever received?

Janice Min: Buy a size up when you need it. Even if the label says size four but you look like size 14 in it, you're not tricking anyone. Seriously. Spanx creator Sara Blakely says in my book that even she — despite all her fat-cinching products — bought larger-sized clothing after giving birth. There's a limit to what we can fake.

After I gave birth, I bought a few baggier pieces of clothing and wore them to pieces. I didn't spend a lot of money on them, and people were probably wondering why I was always wearing the same things, but it worked. Larges sizes are also useful to have around when your weight fluctuates even if your kids are older. If you're asking someone to help zip you into your clothes, stop fighting it. We all need a few pieces of "fat" clothes in our closet.

SheKnows: How do you make a 9-5 wardrobe last from 5-9?

Janice Min: Wear something sleeveless to work with a jacket on top. Take off the jacket at night, add a statement necklace and bring a pair of your sexiest shoes. Keep a little makeup kit handy to add either a dramatic lip or a dramatic eye, but not both.

SheKnows: What are one or two pick-me-up tricks that you use to look great even when you’re exhausted?

Janice Min: If I really feel and look haggard, I'll stop in to my local Drybar out here for a $35 blowout. It lasts for days, and frankly, I feel like good hair goes a long way in hiding a bad-face day. If my face is droopy, at least my hair won't be. Also, concealer. Always. I'll use it under the eye and on ruddy parts of my face. It can make it look like you slept eight hours instead of four.

SheKnows: After writing How to Look Hot in a Minivan, what’s the most surprising thing you learned about how Hollywood really bounces back to skinny and beautiful after giving birth?

Janice Min: Genetics are a huge part of why celebrities bounce back more quickly than most other women. As one doctor in the book says, if you had a great body before, and were in shape before giving birth, chances are you will be afterwards too. That said, not all of Hollywood is like Gisele.

Read more: Janice Min on bouncing back after a baby >>

Most new moms here struggle too, but they put in more time and effort from the outset into getting back into shape because, let's face it, their jobs are to be hot and sell the fantasy of celebrity. Luckily, these same pros that the celebrity moms rely on to help them bounce back talked to me for my book. Their advice is sane and doable — and free — for real moms everywhere.

More beauty and style advice

Fall nail colors with a major wow factor
How to spice up your wardrobe at work
Shorts with tights: Yes you can!

Photo credit: REX USA