Photo credit: Fayes Vision/WENN

Jennifer Lawrence

In 2012, Jennifer Lawrence told Elle magazine, "In Hollywood I'm obese. I'm considered a fat actress." Lawrence got her revenge by training hard to look fit and strong for her Hunger Games roles, and by raising awareness about what goes on behind the scenes in Hollywood. Lawrence told Harper's Bazaar UK that she was told by people in the industry (when she was younger) that she was fat. Now Lawrence has an attitude we should all emulate. She told the magazine, "Today, if anybody even tries to whisper the word 'diet,' I'm like, 'You can go f*** yourself.'"

Say it ain't so! Jennifer Lawrence reveals she needs a break >> 

Photo credit: Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera

Former The Voice judge Christina Aguilera was judged when she was packing around a few more pounds. The media was less than kind in their observations of Aguilera's weight gain, but she embraced it. She told Lucky magazine, "The challenge I've always had is being too thin, so I love that now I have a booty, and obviously I love showing my cleavage. If you can work it and you can own it, that confidence is going to shine through [regardless of your size]." Aguilera put all the fat-shamers in their place by transforming her image back to ultra-skinny.

Christina Aguilera is expecting baby No. 2 >>

Photo credit: WENN

Jessica Simpson

Few celebs have been fat-shamed more than Jessica Simpson, particularly when she's been pregnant. In the February 2014 issue of Redbook magazine, Simpson talks about how cruel the media has been in its treatment of her and other pregnant celebrities. "I never listen to it, no matter who the press talks about when they're pregnant. It's ridiculous and unfair. I think any woman who is pregnant and creating a life is pretty much entitled to eat whatever she wants as long as she's healthy. I wasn't going to let the media take away from what was one of the happiest times in my life." Simpson got back at the chub-haters the best way possible — she lost weight using Weight Watchers and looks fantastic.

Photo credit: WENN

Kim Kardashian

The tabloids were merciless to Kim Kardashian when she was pregnant with her daughter North West. Recently OK magazine and In Touch magazine have accused Kardashian of getting butt implants and fat injections. In true Kardashian fashion, Kim took to Twitter to defend her figure, saying things like, "I'm seeing all these nonsense tabloids claiming I have butt implants-injections. Get a life!" and, "Making fun of me pregnant & making fun of me trying to lose weight now shame on you. I'm not perfect but I will never conform to your skinny standards sorry! Not me." Take that, fat-shamers.

Photo credit: Judy Eddy/WENN

Khloé Kardashian

The weight-haters didn't just pick on Kim Kardashian, they also have targeted her sister Khloé in the past. Back in early 2013, Khloé told Glamour magazine that she is "happier when she's a little heavier." Fast-forward a year and she has a different story to tell. Sick to death of being referred to as the "bigger" Kardashian, Khloé took to the gym and has lost 25 pounds. She has literally worked her butt off, sharing images of her progress on the treadmill through social media.

Photo credit: TNYF/WENN

Rebel Wilson

Pitch Perfect darling Rebel Wilson has gotten some heat for making her weight the butt of many of her jokes. But one of the countless things we love about Wilson is she genuinely doesn't care. When Extra asked her how she feels about the pressure to be thin in Hollywood, she replied, "I don't really care what I look like that much, and I think women out there should just be happy with the way they look. They shouldn't really try to conform to any kind of stereotype. Just be happy and hopefully healthy." Wilson thumbs her nose at the fat-shamers not by losing weight, but with a healthy confidence and attitude.

Photo credit: Dennis Van Tine/Future Image/ WENN

Jennifer Aniston

It's hard to believe that when Jennifer Aniston first started out, her agent suggested she drop some weight, and that is just what she did — 30 pounds, to be exact. Now she has such an enviable figure that if she steps out in public with the tiniest of food babies, everyone assumes she's pregnant! Aniston earned lifetime hot-bod stripes when — at 44 years old — she stripped down for a scene in We're the Millers.

Photo credit: Fayes Vision/WENN

Kelly Osbourne

Tired of the fat jeers, Kelly Osbourne has lost 70 pounds, but told Fabulous magazine last year that she still gets fat-shamed. "I'm the thinnest I've ever been and the healthiest I've ever been. The totally insane thing is that I'm a U.K. size 4 to 6 and people still say I'm fat. I mean it's crazy but I've had this all my life and I just try and ignore it."

Photo credit: Bridow/WENN

Kate Upton

Ripping a page out of Osbourne's diet book, Kate Upton also put the haters in their place by more or less ignoring them. A couple years ago a snarky blogger wrote that Upton has "huge thighs, no waist, big fat floppy boobs, terrible body definition — she looks like a squishy brick" and then asked, "Is this what American women are 'striving' for now?" Without saying a word, Upton answered the author's question by appearing year after year in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

2014 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue: Can SI just "F" off? >>

Photo credit: Fayes Vision/WENN

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato went public with her past battle with bulimia, but that didn't keep the shamers from calling her fat when she appeared on the MTV VMAs red carpet in 2011. How does Lovato exact her revenge? In the Twitter-sphere with tweets like, "It's not about looking in shape, it's about being emotionally and physically in shape from the inside out." Preach, sister.

Hair

Photo credit: PNP/WENN.com

When Pittsburgh Steeler player Troy Polamalu became the face of Proctor & Gamble's anti-dandruff shampoo Head & Shoulders, the company insured the strong safety's trademark flowing locks for a million bucks. A nod to his Samoan heritage, Polamalu's lustrous mane is "so ridiculously full and thick that end-to-end it spans 100 football fields," said Head & Shoulders.

Mouth

Photo credit: Faye's Vision/WENN.com

Julia Roberts' trademark toothy grin doesn't just look like a million bucks, it's worth a million too — $30 million, to be exact. That's the amount of the policy Roberts took out at Lloyd's of London. That's almost a million dollars per tooth! Ugly Betty actress America Ferrara isn't far behind Roberts, though. In 2007, as part of a partnership between Ferrara, AquaFresh White Trays and the charity Smiles for Success, Lloyd's of London insured Ferrara's pretty smile for $10 million.

Voice

Photo credit: WENN.com

When your voice is an American treasure like Bruce Springsteen's, you just can't be too careful. Lloyd's of London clearly believes the Boss's pipes are worth their weight in gold, since they insured his voice for around $6 million.

Boobs

Photo credit: Judy Eddy/WENN.com

There's a bit of mystery surrounding this much-speculated-about celebrity body part. Holly Madison of Playboy fame openly announced in 2011 that she had insured her fake breasts for $1 million, as she was starring in the Las Vegas show Peepshow at the time. However, there are rumors that Madonna took out a policy on her knockers to the tune of $2 million.

Chest hair

Photo credit: WENN.com

Yep, you read that right. Tom Jones, the singer who rose to prominence in the '60s, has insured his chest hair for a mind-boggling $7 million. We're guessing that the old lothario, who at 73 is opening for Morrissey on a U.S. tour this year, feels as though his burly pelt of chest curls is the key to making senior females swoon.

Fingers

Photo credit: WENN.com

In a telling Fortune magazine article, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards proclaimed of his hands, "These are the business." It makes sense, then, that the rough and rowdy rock star took out a $1.6 million policy on his digits. Fun fact, though? It's rumored Richards actually took out the policy on one finger in particular — his left-hand middle finger, which he's rather fond of flipping people off with.

Booty

Photo credit: Nikki Nelson/WENN.com

Does it come as a big surprise that the most expensive booty would belong to none other than Jennifer Lopez? Let's call a spade a spade — Lopez brought the booty back, baby. She's the reason women suffer through intense hundreds of squats and tush-toning sessions at the gym... everyone wants a derriere like Jenny from the Block. Accordingly, hers is insured for a cool $300 million.

Legs

Photo credit: Faye's Vision/WENN.com

Laying claim to perhaps the most expensive celebrity body part ever is songstress Mariah Carey. And while you may think it would be for the thing that made her famous — her voice — you'd be wrong. In 2006, after she was named the face of Gillette's "Legs of a Goddess" campaign, she decided to insure her legs... for $1 billion!

Sperm

Photo credit: WENN.com

By far the wackiest insurance policy we came across belongs to Van Halen front man David Lee Roth, who opted to insure his little swimmers for $1 million. Even more interesting, the policy would pay out if one of his little soldiers set up camp in a groupie's uterus. That's right... should he knock up someone and face a potentially pricey paternity suit, he'd net a hefty seven-figure sum to pad the blow.

Photo credits: LIFE/WENN.com, Faye's Vision/WENN.com

Kim Kardashian doesn't have much to hide, but it's still nice to know that even she gets a little help from Photoshop from time to time. Here, her skin appears to have been airbrushed to even out her complexion and give her that classic "smooth as a porcelain doll" look celebrities are so very fond of. Kardashian has been open in the past about her body being Photoshopped in editorial features, but she's remained mum on having her face touched up. However, she isn't ashamed to admit she occasionally relies on Botox to give her that airbrushed look in everyday life.

Photo credits: Cameron Diaz via Instagram, WENN.com

To be totally honest, we actually prefer Cameron Diaz completely un-Photoshopped. In this candid before picture she posted on Instagram, the 41-year-old beauty looks fresh-faced and free-spirited. Decked out in her awards-show best in the picture on the right, it appears her skin has been airbrushed, her teeth and the whites of her eyes have been brightened and her wrinkles have been minimized.

Photo credits: Twitter/Fergie, Judy Eddy/WENN.com

Josh Duhamel's main squeeze is beautiful inside and out, and that shows whether Fergie's hanging at home, like she is in the picture on the left, or at a publicity event as she is on the right. In addition to her skin being airbrushed in the latter picture (it's a photographer's go-to retouching tool), Fergie looks like her jaw has been thinned out, her eyes have been sharpened and brightened and, possibly, the dimple in her chin has been minimized.

Photo credits: WENN.com, Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

On a movie set abroad (left), Kristen Stewart looks as though she's seen better days — definitely a far cry from the glammed-up version of herself at an awards show last year (right). However, let's be real... most of us look like Stewart's "before" image on our days off, rocking our sweatpants-and-no-makeup combo. To look like she does on the right requires a talented team of beauty professionals and some assistance from a Photoshop-friendly photographer. We can say with near certainty that her skin has been airbrushed and her eyes have been sharpened and brightened. We'd be willing to bet her teeth got the virtual white strip treatment too.

Photo credits: Lena Dunham via Instagram, Vogue.com

Poor Lena Dunham's recent Vogue cover was the Photoshop heard 'round the world. As a matter of fact, people are still making a big deal about it. Jezebel actually offered and paid out a $10,000 bounty to get the un-retouched versions simply to prove the extent of the Photoshopping done on Dunham which, while true, was kind of a tacky move (we thought). Among the Photoshop tweaks chronicled by the site were the bags under Dunham's eyes being removed, her neck thinned out and her chin made more prominent.

zoe kravitz

With the mega-success of The Hunger Games franchise, it seems certain that other books-turned-films will follow suit, catapulting their stars into the limelight. And the Divergent series, based on the wildly popular young adult book trilogy by Veronica Roth, is shaping up to be the next big adaptation.

Our March Girl Crush, Zoe Kravitz, nabbed the coveted role of Christina in Summit Entertainment's take on the first installment. Yet the down-to-earth actress shrugs off the idea that she could become a household name after the movie's March 21 release.

Kravitz is just "excited to be a part" of the much-anticipated franchise. "I think it's a really awesome story, and I think it's really nice to see something that's made for young adults that is empowering and encouraging and complex," she elaborated.

On tough girl stuff

This isn't Kravitz's first foray as a bada** femme fatale. In 2011, she starred as X-Men: First Class' stripper/flying mutant Angel Salvadore, and she recently wrapped production on Mad Max: Fury Road. When we ask her if she has any cool scars from doing her own stunts, Kravitz at first can only recall "a few cuts and things" from other films she worked on.

Then something dawns on her. "Oh wait! That's a total lie… what am I talking about?!" she said, gesturing to a (nearly imperceptible to us) mark. "I have this giant scar. Can you see it?"

She sets the scene by telling us it was the last day of shooting, and she and co-star Shailene Woodley were eating lunch at Woodley's trailer. "Chicago… what do they call it? The Windy City!" she said, joking about a gust that caused Woodley's trailer door to blow shut.

"I'm sitting there and all of a sudden, I'm like, 'Hey! (makes crashing noise) And the door just slams closed on my face, and I just feel blood start coming down."

After a brief moment of panic on her part, Kravitz let co-star "Theo [James], being like the gentleman that he is" come to her rescue. After making her lie down and put ice on the wound, he broke the silence. "He was like, 'Do you want to see it, or do you not want to see it?'" she said, imitating his voice. "'It's not that bad, but it's kind of bad.'" The whole debacle ended with a trip to the hospital, where Kravitz got eight stitches across her nose.

On industry pals

With such a hunky man of chivalry on set, we wondered, did Kravitz find it hard to concentrate?

"No, no… Theo's like my brother," she stated. "He's very, very funny, which I think is funny that people don't really know because he's so serious in the movie — total heartthrob. But he's just very funny and very kind and very approachable."

Photo credit: FayesVision/WENN

James isn't the only other entertainer she admires. Kravitz cites esteemed actresses like Meryl Streep, Helena Bonham Carter and Cate Blanchett as role models.

And, we presume, her very dear friend, Jennifer Lawrence. Since the two are now both starring as ballsy chicks in their respective blockbusters, we wanted to know who would win in real life if Kravitz and Lawrence were to battle.

"Her, absolutely!" Kravitz exclaims. "That woman is strong and tall. Yeah, she would definitely win. I would cheat, though. I would, you know, like, bite or something totally dirty."

On what's in store

When asked if she's an adrenaline junkie, the actress doesn't dispute the idea. "I think we probably all are, you know? I mean, I get scared every time I go on stage; I get scared every time I start a project. It's like… it's vulnerable. You wanna do a good job and you wanna be honest, so I just think that's a good sign when you get nervous before starting any kind of project."

And projects are plentiful for this 25-year-old.

In addition to several films in the works, Kravitz stays busy with her band, Lolawolf, and is optimistic about the idea of touring with them.

So while you might see her on the big screen in Divergent or, if we're lucky, onstage with Lolawolf, there's one place you won't be seeing Kravtiz anytime soon: social media, which she says "freaks me out, man… freaks me out."

And even though she doesn't believe in social media, she does — like the factions in Divergent — have strong beliefs. "I believe in women's rights," she said. "I believe in peace. I believe in avocados. I believe in freedom of speech. I believe in fairies. I believe in a lot of things!"

She also believes in making a name for herself, which she's doing a pretty bang-up job of at the moment. She doesn't even mind the expectations attached to being the daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet.

"It made me stronger, I think. It made me work harder," she revealed. "But no, I think there's only as much pressure as you allow there to be. I'm very proud to be in that family."

Fire
Safety 101

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, more than 380,000 residential structure fires occurred in the year 2012, which sadly led to more than 2,400 deaths. Do you know everything you should about fire extinguishers to avoid becoming an unfortunate statistic?

A fire safety plan is a good start, but fire extinguishers can help end a small problem before it becomes a big one.

A lot of people have fire extinguisher, but do you know how it works? When a fire breaks out, you may only have a few seconds to act, so read the instructions on your extinguisher now. But don't just read. Make sure your kids know how to use the extinguisher, too, if they're big enough to hold it. While the instructions for different models may vary slightly, in general, you just have to remember to P.A.S.S.

• Pull the pin at the top, which will release the locking mechanism and allow you to use it.
• Aim the hose at the base of the fire. To put out the fire, you have to extinguish its source of fuel — once you've done that, the flames will go out.
• Squeeze the lever, but do it slowly.
• Sweep from side to side until the fire is out.

When you read the instructions on your model, it will tell you what the safe distance is. You can move closer as the flames begin to die down.

Not all fire extinguishers are created equal. The different classes of extinguisher are meant for different types of fires, so depending on your activities, you'll need multiple extinguishers.

No less than yearly, you should have your fire extinguisher tested to ensure it's still in proper order. You should also have any fire extinguisher that's recently been used recharged. This should be done by pros, so do a search for fire extinguisher inspectors in your area.

The extinguisher does you no good if you can't get to it. Keep your fire extinguisher in a place where you're most likely to need it. It should be easy to reach and should never have other things stored in front of it.

Fire extinguishers should only be used when the fire is small and limited to one area (e.g., the stove or a trash can). They have a limited amount of extinguishing chemicals and may not last long enough to put out fires in a large area. There's also smoke to consider. If the fire is producing a lot of smoke, you shouldn't risk passing out from lack of oxygen.

Additionally, you should only use a fire extinguisher after the fire department has been called and you're sure you have a means of escape if the extinguisher doesn't work. If the fire is blocking your route, you're better off spending your time locating another way to safety.

We recommend that you only consider using a fire extinguisher if you've been properly trained. You can usually get this training by contacting your local fire department.

More safety tips

Home security on a budget
Safety tips for college students
Field guide to summer safety

300: Rise of an Empire

Many of you may be asking how the 300 franchise can have a sequel when nearly all of the characters died in the last film. Rise of an Empire isn't exactly a sequel, it’s a parallel story that intersects the original battle at Thermopylae and stays within the same historical context. This movie focuses on an Athenian general named Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton) and Artemisia (Eva Green), a vengeful female commander of the Persian navy.

300: Rise of an Empire battles for the box office on March 7.

Sin City sequel finds its Dame to Kill For >>

Mr. Peabody and Sherman

If you remember watching these brainy, time-traveling cartoons as a kid, you may want to share the adventurous dog/son duo with the next generation. Ty Burrell, Allison Janney and Leslie Mann lend their voices to this animated family comedy.

Mr. Peabody and Sherman time-travels on March 7.

Divergent

Set in a dystopian future, Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) is devastated to discover she doesn't fit into any of society's segregated factions and is labeled a "divergent." Jeanine Matthews (Kate Winslet) is a ruthless faction leader set to destroy all divergents unless Tris and the mysterious Four (Theo James) can break free from their dangerous fate.

Divergent differentiates from other movies on March 21.

Noah

We all think we know the story, but Black Swan Director Darren Aronofsky is pushing the biblical tale to the edge. Here, Noah is a bitter and angry man, obsessed with building the boat per God's instructions. Aronofsky claims he's following the tale from Genesis as closely as possible though the movie is already attracting controversy. It stars Russell Crowe as Noah and Jennifer Connelly as his wife, Naameh.

Noah floods theaters on March 28.

A flood of controversy: Can Christians deal with a drunk Noah? >>

Photo credit: Brian To/WENN.com

We wanted to know if actor Rob Steinberg had any idea if 12 Years a Slave was going to be Oscar-caliber when he joined the project. "I believe there's a set answer for that question and it's no," he said.

12 Years a Slave is king of the 2014 SAG nominees >>

So what did the Bold and the Beautiful actor think about the movie?

"If you want the truth, as a small actor in the film, we don't get the whole script. We just get our sides, so I noticed that this character appeared in the beginning of the movie and at the end of the movie and there were some really dramatic moments."

Steinberg then started reading about the film and took a look at the book on which the film is based. "I saw the name of the director and the people producing and I thought, 'Wow!'" he said.

We asked the actor if it was difficult to work with such heavy material, given the realistic brutality exposed in the film.

"When you shoot a movie, sometimes you shoot out of sequence. So on my first day of shooting, we shot one of my last scenes in the film. It's where I go down to the plantation and I go in the fields and fight off Michael Fassbender and bring [Solomon] home."

But when he arrived on set and saw the plantation and the people dressed as slaves, he said, "It becomes very real. You see people in period costumes and the moment becomes very, very surreal. It was pretty heavy."

Photo credit: Fox Searchlight

But there were magical moments, too. On the day when his character Mr. Parker arrives with the sheriff to free Solomon, Steinberg said he didn't know exactly where the camera was placed.

"As we were doing our scene, running across the field to each other, and he was falling into my arms and Fassbender was pulling me off — which were pretty intense moments — I wasn't conscious of the cameras. Everything felt very real and true to form. After you do a lot of the more tearful moments, you do have to take a break and regroup."

Because of this movie, the book 12 Years a Slave will be distributed to many schools around the country. We asked Steinberg what it's like to be a part of such a huge movement.

"Sometimes it takes a big event to bring attention to things. This book is terrifically powerful — it's a great firsthand account of what those people went through. There aren't many of those written. It's so important to be part of a kid's curriculum. The Diary of Anne Frank is taught in many schools. This is another chapter that needs to be taught."

What do Ender's Game and Anne Frank have in common? >> 

12 Years a Slave releases on DVD March 4.

They are free. They come in any size; just hunt for the perfect tree branch. They are adorable — not just ordinary adorable, but that kind of adorable that every time you catch a glimpse you get that flippity-flop feeling in your stomach. I know it's a little weird to get excited about a wood chip, but just look at this little thing! Does it not just give you a little thrill? And you have to admit it… free is always good.

And just imagine receiving a gift with one of these attached. Fun!

Supplies:

• Slice of wood branch, about 1/4-inch thick and 1-1/2 inch in diameter
• Acrylic craft paint in colors of your choice
• Button or charm
• Small drill
• Needle and thread (optional — you can substitute glue)
• Small piece of ribbon or cord to attach tag

Directions:

I used my hubby's chop saw. It was so simple he let me do it myself and didn't worry (too much) that I'd lose a finger. If this scares you, ask a dad, brother, uncle or guy friend with tools to cut you a few slices.

I used a slice of tree branch from the wood pile, a button from the button bin, a charm from the jewelry supply box, craft paint in two colors and some scraps of embroidery thread. If you don't have all these things lying around, you can purchase them very inexpensively.

These look great just as they are, but if you want to paint yours, here's how I did mine.

Start with one color and paint it on fairly thick. I used Kelly green.

Dab on a second color while it's still wet and swirl it around, but don't blend it completely.

You can glue on your button or sew it, like I did. For a smaller disk charm, there's no need to add a button. I marked the placement of my button with a toothpick and used a tiny drill to drill buttonholes and a top hole.

I sewed my button on with thread. I like the dimensional look it gave me.

I used matching embroidery thread to attach the tags to my bottles.

Use the tag as your something green to wear for St. Patrick's Day. String it around your wrist or put it on a chain to make a necklace. You could glue a pin to the back and wear it on your collar, or attach it to a little clip or bobby pin and wear it in your hair. A gift tag becomes its own little gift!

Now that you know how to make these, you can change the colors, buttons and charms to create something for any holiday.

make some Irish cream

Click here for recipe >>

More in crafts

DIY clay flower for milk glass vases
DIY burlap, ribbon & lace garland
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Supplies:

• Rainbow beads (two sets)
• Gold eye pins (2 inches or longer)
• Gold bead
• Gold chain
• Gold jump rings and clasp
• Round-nose pliers
• Wire cutters
• Second set of pliers for opening jump rings (optional)

Start by making the center gold bead. Thread it onto one of the eye pins, then clip the excess eye pin to just over 3/8 inch. Use the round-nose pliers to curl the end of the wire into a loop.

String your rainbow beads onto a second eye pin.

Clip the end if it is much longer than 3/8 inch, then curl it the same way you did with the gold bead.

Line the end of the eye pin up with the edge of the round-nose pliers, then wrap the wire around one of the barrels of the pliers. Repeat and adjust until you are happy with the way the circle looks.

Repeat with another eye pin and second set of rainbow beads.

Open the loop on the side of the gold bead. Don’t uncurl it to open it, instead pull up on one side to expose the end while allowing it to keep the loop shape.

Hook on one of the rainbow pieces, at the violet end, then close the loop by pushing the end back down. Repeat with the second side of the gold bead and the second set of rainbow beads.

Use the same process of opening the loops to connect either side of your chain to the sides of the beaded pieces.

Using the wire cutters, clip the chain to the desired length. You can use an existing necklace for reference, or put on the necklace in front of a mirror and pull up the back until you reach the desired length.

Use one jump ring to attach to one side of the necklace and a second jump ring on the other side to attach the clasp on the chain.

Opening a jump ring is simple with two sets of pliers. Take a pair of pliers in each hand and use them to hold onto your jump ring on either side of where the two ends connect. Twist one toward you and one away from you to open the jump ring without distorting the shape. To close the jump ring, twist in the opposite direction until the the ends line up again.

Your understated St. Patrick’s Day necklace is finished and ready to wear!

More on crafts

Sparkle-fest: 19 Crafts you can bedazzle with glitter
12 Clever wreaths you can make from food
These DIY jewelry makers want to inspire you

This homemade Irish cream recipe (think Baileys, only less expensive) is an amazingly luscious base for any number of quick cocktails, so take five minutes — really! — to mix up a batch and enjoy it for the rest of the week. If you want to gift it, make a gift card and give your recipient a little something green to wear this year.

Yields 4 cups

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream (I used whipping cream for extra creaminess)
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1-1/2 cups Irish whiskey (I used Jameson)
• 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract

Directions:

Throw the whole ingredient list in a blender and bam… you're done!

Pour some in your glass and you've got a simple Irish cream on ice. Yum!

Up next: Now, let's stir up some amazing mixed drinks >>

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Start by brewing up a cup of your favorite strong coffee.

Pour in the same amount of homemade Irish cream and a handful of ice.

Top with some fresh whipped cream and swirl together. Believe me (as I sit sipping mine), this is decadent!

Up next: OK, now let's try something fun for a party or friends' get-together >>

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I'll preface this by saying I don't normally (or practically ever) add food coloring to anything, except on St. Patrick's Day! I know it's not by any stretch a healthy ingredient, but sometimes, well, you just need to up the fun factor. I confess, I'm guilty of making green milk for my kids one year to go with a box of Lucky Charms. OK, so back to our mint shots!

One drop (for the whole batch) of green food coloring is all that was needed to turn this homemade Irish cream into a party shot. Also add a drop of mint extract and a garnish of fresh mint — I grow mine right outside the front door so it's always handy.

If you want to gift a bottle of this, I'm sure any friend, Irish or not, would appreciate it. Just pour it into smaller containers (this is an old vinegar bottle), add a gift tag and it's ready for delivery.

time to

get crafty

Make these gift tags and this cutting board!

Wood disk gift tags

Painted cutting board

More St. Patrick's Day fun

Throw a St. Patrick's Day dinner party
Stuffed cabbage casserole
7 St. Patrick's Day spirits

Body acceptance doesn't always come easy. As moms, we often struggle with our own body image while trying to model positivity and body acceptance for our children. Humor writer Brittany Gibbons is well known for her body image activism. She's also a mom. "Parenthood is a game changer. You are forced to confront everything you feel insecure about in yourself, because it's looking right back at you in your child. From that moment on, you are giving them the words to respect their bodies, and it all starts with respecting yours," says Gibbons.

Try these resources as you practice positivity and learn to love your body.

More for moms

Do you breastfeed because you're extroverted?
Why you should hire a postpartum doula
Reasons new moms should get dressed

Photo credit: View Stock/Getty Images

Real mothers

Moms in the media are well-dressed, made up and picture-perfect. In real life, moms don't fit into cookie-cutter ideals. We asked mothers to share real images that express the identity of motherhood. What does being a mom mean to you?

Explore what it means to be mom

Tired of seeing the same sanitized images of motherhood over and over? We looked past advertisements and stock photography to find real photos of moms, from hectic moments to heartfelt embraces. Find out why these women chose the photos they did.

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Finding joy together

"It's one of my favorite shots of my family — because it is difficult for me to separate my role as a mother without including my husband," says Karen Walrond. "I love these people like crazy, and they make me joyful, which I think shows in the shot."

Smiling through stress

"Sometimes humor is the only way I can get through the stresses of parenting," says Michelle Maffei. "Beats being frazzled all the time and it gets my kids to do what I actually want them to do, even if it takes a bit longer to get done. Besides, laughing is way more fun than yelling!"

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Living with purpose

"Time with my girls has to focus on their whole person — emotional, spiritual, physical and intellectual," says Holly Novotny. "That means we've gotta have fun whether we are learning, exercising or worshipping. These two interesting people bring a new perspective to the meaning of purposeful living."

Multitasking

"This photo represents all of who I am as a mom — multitasker, a bit tired, very grateful, happiest with one boy under each arm, not very fancy, providing love, soft snugglie spots and hair-twirling for both kids whenever they need it," says Caroline Jorgenson. "My boys are both in elementary school now but, on any given evening after a long tiring day, you might still find the three of us like this — minus the bottle"

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Photo credit: FayesVision/WENN.com

Baby makes five for Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale! Stefani gave birth to their third child Friday, Feb. 28.

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Apollo Bowie Flynn Rossdale joins brothers Zuma Nesta Rock, 5, and Kingston James McGregor, 7. Stefani didn't make a big announcement about her pregnancy, but she began talking about it back in January when she started an Instagram account, posting pictures of her growing baby belly.


"I was ready to hand over the crown. But I guess I am still queen of the house. #itsaboy #surroundedbyboys," she posted in her first announcement, along with a photo of herself wearing a crown. The 44-year-old mom later posted a photo of herself in all black showcasing her adorable belly.

The couple took to social media once again to announce that the latest addition to their family had arrived. The tweet, sent by Rossdale and retweeted by Stefani, also explained a little bit about the baby's name.

@gwenstefani welcome APOLLO BOWIE FLYNN ROSSDALE ❤️❤️❤️ 2/28/14 ❤️❤️❤️ (bowie and Flynn =mothers' maiden names )

— GAVIN ROSSDALE (@GavinRossdale) March 1, 2014

The couple have wanted a third child for a while, but Stefani was okay with knowing it may never happen. Back in 2012, she spoke to Marie Claire about trying to have one more child.

"I really, really, really wanted one about two years ago. And it didn't really work out," she told the magazine. "So… I feel good with what we've got. Everything works out how it should. You can't plan anything, right? You can try."

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According to People, Stefani had her baby shower back in February and was surrounded by friends and family, including plenty of celebs. Nicole Richie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rachel Zoe, Jessica Alba, Kate Beckinsale and Chelsea Handler were all on the guest list.

The birth of Apollo makes four boys in the household, although Rossdale has a daughter from an earlier relationship, model Daisy Lowe, 24.

Supplies:

• Cutting board
• Acrylic craft paint
• Paintbrush
• Clear spray sealant
• Extra-fine sandpaper

Directions:

Start with a small piece of painters tape and mark off a portion of your board. For food safety, keep the painted portion limited to the top of the board where you won’t be doing any chopping.

Paint the top portion of your cutting board with acrylic craft paint in the color of your choice. To paint both the front and back without waiting for each side to dry, hang it off the end of a table and weight the table side down so it won’t tip off.

If you need another coat, go for it. After the paint dries, spray it with clear sealant before removing tape.

When completely dry, carefully remove the tape. Sand lightly to smooth the finish and give the cutting-board portion a light sanding as well to make sure there is no overspray of the sealant.

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Photo credit: Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Only real regional cuisine in the United States

Ever wonder what makes Creole cuisine different from Cajun cuisine? Discover what makes it special to Louisiana and why.

To understand what Creole cooking is all about, you have to understand the basic differences between Creole and Cajun, two cuisines that are, at times, used interchangeably but are really completely different. Everything from their origin to the ingredients used and the techniques cooks apply are different, thus making each a unique style of cooking.

You won't be able to find real Creole or Cajun cuisine anywhere but in Louisiana or the home kitchen of a Louisiana native, so plan your trip down south this year and experience real Creole cuisine at some of the best restaurants in the state.

Taste a real gumbo Creole at Antoine's, where the chefs prepare it with blue crabs, oysters and Gulf shrimp, making it a staple in every kitchen. Better yet, order their oysters Rockefeller since Antoine's was the restaurant that created this famous dish!

If you're in Louisiana, you must try a cup of the famous turtle soup, whether you're a turtle lover or not. A slightly spiced and rich soup, Commander's Palace and Criollo at the Monteleone Hotel are some of the best restaurants to sip on the specialty soup.

Are you a fan of dessert? Be sure to order bananas Foster at Brennan's, the place where this popular dish was created. Caramelized bananas, rum and a blend of sugar and spices, served over vanilla ice cream, is the perfect way to finish a meal.

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Out of time to make dinner or just looking for a fun dish to serve? This Sunday dinner recipe for Fritos skillet pie is a favorite, and no wonder: Fritos are one of the main ingredients!

This might not be the healthiest meal you'll serve, but it's fun to make every once in a while. To help ease my mind a little, I used my favorite vegetarian chili, served plenty of veggie toppings and a fresh green salad on the side.

Make this meal when you've got a group of friends together, or you're looking for some family fun around the dinner table. It couldn't be easier to get this dish together for a quick meal.

Fritos skillet pie recipe

Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Fritos corn chips
• 2 (15-ounce) cans chili (your favorite)
• 6 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
• Optional garnishes: diced tomato, diced green onions, shredded lettuce, diced avocado, sour cream

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Add the corn chips to the bottom of a 10-inch cast iron skillet (you could also use a baking dish). Spoon the chili evenly over the chips.
3. Top with the cheese (I added diced green onion to mine prior to adding the cheese).
4. Place the skillet in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the chili begins to bubble up.
5. Carefully remove from the oven and serve in individual bowls topped with your favorite garnishes.

Crunch into this favorite dish!

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Growing up, there were certain staples on our menu. Chicken cutlets (with some cheese melted on top, if we were lucky), grilled flank steak, pasta at least one night of the week and pork chops. And on pork chop night, the jar of applesauce came out of the fridge as well for its weekly debut at the dinner table. Pork and apples, it's a classic combination.

I'm going to one-up my mom, though, with this recipe and say leave the applesauce in the fridge and grab some real apples. This is as simple as it gets (hello, one pan!) but a super flavorful meal to make pork chop night a little more exciting.

Apple cinnamon skillet pork chops recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds bone-in thick cut pork chops
• Salt and pepper
• 1-1/2 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, sliced
• 2 apples, sliced
• 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• Dash red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/3 cup whole milk

Directions:

1. Generously season both sides of the pork chops with salt and pepper.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and the olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Once melted and hot, add the pork chops and brown for about 3 minutes per side until golden and crispy on the outside. Remove the pork chops to a plate.
4. Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of butter to the skillet with the onions and apples. Saute for 5-7 minutes until softened.
5. Add the cinnamon, brown sugar and red pepper to the skillet and stir to combine with the onions and apples.
6. Stir in the orange juice and milk until evenly distributed and nestle the pork chops back into the skillet.
7. Cook the pork chops over medium heat until light pink and fully cooked. The timing will depend on how thick your chops are. For best results, insert a meat thermometer and cook until 160 degrees F for a medium-done chop.

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Photo credit: Apega/WENN.com

After two movies and all the hype, there isn't a teenager alive in America who hasn't heard of The Hunger Games. So we wanted to know if Willow Shields knew what she was getting herself into before she auditioned for Primrose.

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"My brother had read the books already and he really loved them. I finished the first book right before I got the audition," said the soft-spoken actress, who also revealed which scene she was asked to perform in the audition.

"It was the scene from the first movie where Katniss has volunteered herself as a tribute and she has to say goodbye to her family. It was extremely emotional, but it was a fun scene because I got to show a lot of different emotions."

Shields said having a sister in real life helped a lot when she had to get into character. "It made what Prim was going through more relatable. At this point, though, I have such a strong bond and connection with Jen, it really comes naturally."

OK, so we're all dying to know: What is it like working with Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence? "Jen is crazy!" Shields said, adding, "She's so much fun on set. Everyone loves her and she's still the exact same person she was when we first started filming. She's handled her fame amazingly. She's the most fun, down-to-earth person —basically, she's the life of the party on set."

Did Lawrence give the young actress any career advice? "Yes," said Shields, "She said to always stay who I am through all of this, don't change. This is a large chunk of my life, from 10 years old onward, and I remember that advice every day."

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire book vs. movie: 7 Tweaks >>

One thing unique about Shields' career is that most film actors don't get to play the same character over four movies. We asked Shields what seeing herself grow up on-screen is like.

"I think it's kind of funny actually, because I can watch the first movie and think, 'I'm so tiny and young!' but then also keep watching to see how much I've grown as a person and an actor. It's really fun. To play the same character over four movies, you learn more and more about that character."

Those of us who've read the Mockingjay book know Prim's fate. We asked Shields how she's preparing for the upcoming movie. The first thing she did was re-read all the books. But she admits there isn't going to be a lot of preparation going into it, "because we've all become so close, it comes so naturally to all of us. It just comes a little easier now. I mean, I'm growing up with Prim and a lot of the stuff is relatable to me."

When she's not acting, the New Mexico resident claims she likes to dance but is also a total bookworm. "I read books all the time. My favorite author is John Green. I love The Fault in our Stars and Looking for Alaska."

When it comes to music, she admits she's more into the alternative side. "I really like Lorde right now. She's probably my favorite. I also really like Typhoon and Noah and the Whale. Those are my three favorites right now."

So what does Willow's life look like post-Mockingjay? She said she definitely wants to keep acting. Though she told us she has a couple new projects in the works, she wasn't able to share them with us — yet.

We asked if Shields had any advice for young girls looking to become an actress, like her. "Just keep trying. Everyone has times when they're sad about not getting a certain part, but keep trying. Just keep going because there's always going to be something that works for you. Always believe in yourself."

Thanks for the great advice, Willow! The Hunger Games: Catching Fire releases on DVD today.

Photo credit: Paramount

Okay, so Matthew McConaughey was amazing in Dallas Buyers Club. That 40-pound weight loss deserves its own award. But some of us really thought it was Leo's night.

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Note to Leo: We think you should do a movie with American Hustle director David O. Russell. Maybe that will help. Or perhaps borrow a play from George Clooney and direct yourself in a movie, like he did with The Monuments Men.

Photo credit: Paramount

1994 was the year Leo earned his first Oscar nomination, for playing Arnie in What's Eating Gilbert Grape, which also starred Johnny Depp and Juliette Lewis. He was great in the film, but he was young. We understand not giving it to him then since he hadn't earned it yet.

In 2005, DiCaprio was nominated again for Martin Scorsese's The Aviator. The movie had some great talent, including Cate Blanchett and Alec Baldwin. The story about the reclusive millionaire fell a bit flat, despite Howard Hughes' descent into madness. Besides, Jamie Foxx was a great Ray Charles in Ray that year.

Blood Diamond, in which Leo starred opposite Jennifer Connelly, got him nominated in 2007. This film took us to Africa and explored the deadly diamond trade. The movie had a great message but not the most arresting characters.

DiCaprio was nominated a fourth time for The Wolf of Wall Street. He played the dastardly Jordan Belfort, the man who stole millions of dollars from so many people and lived on a constant cocaine/Quaalude binge.

Of course, there was a lot of controversy surrounding the film. Many people called it misogynistic, but some would agree that was the point. Others argued that the movie was a great parody of the '80s "greed is good" way of life.

We think DiCaprio was outstanding in the scene where he's taken too many Quaaludes and attempts to drive home. It's dark humor, but it is absolutely hilarious. We also loved Jonah Hill's kooky character in the film.

We haven't given up hope, Leo! We expect you'll have your own statuette sooner rather than later.

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Ellen Degeneres ordered pizza for her A-list pals at the 2014 Oscars, then made them all cough up cash to pay the delivery guy. Judging by the wads of cash thrown into Pharrell's hat by the likes of Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Steve McQueen and Amy Adams, there's more than enough for three pies. What else could that cash pay for?

2014 Oscar winners: See the complete list! >>

First, watch Ellen hit up the A-listers for cash:

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A trip to Supercuts for Jared Leto. Jordan Catalano did long hair better, younger.

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A new lipgloss for Lupita, who graciously donated her own.

Non-skid soles for Jennifer Lawrence's shoes so she'll stop falling, poor girl.

Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

A razor for Bradley Cooper, so he can shave off that beard. She could even spring for a fancy Mach 5 model. The psuedo-hipster look isn't doing it.

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Botox detox for John Travolta.

Mario Mitsis/WENN.com

A big billboard to find the missing George Clooney. Gravity was nominated for, like, everything, but he couldn't show up?

A big payoff to ABC to stop running those ads for their new show Resurrection because, frankly, they are really freaking us out.

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Tissues for all the proud moms in attendance! It was totally "Bring your mom to the Oscars" night, and those mamas must have been bursting with pride!

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Reconstructive surgery for Cate Blanchett's poor earlobes, which had to have been ripped open by the end of the night by the sheer weight of those ginormous earrings.

A course in brevity for Matthew McConaughey. Good gracious, that man can talk. All right, all right, all right.

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