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Kanye West sentenced to anger management therapy

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KanyeWestfurcoat
Photo credit: Alberto Reyes/WENN.com

Kanye West is off the hook in one case. Well, sort of. On Monday, the musician pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from a July case.

West was at LAX airport when a photographer lingered around the star to tell him that he was a big fan. The paparazzo stated, "Yo what's up, Yeezus? I'm a big fan. I love your work."

Kim Kardashian & Kanye West hammer out their prenup >>

Unfortunately, the 36-year-old singer was not a fan of the attention and continued to mutter to himself and the surrounding paparazzi about everyone leaving him alone. When the photographer, Daniel Ramos, uttered one final word of "I love you though," West went into epic meltdown mode.

The dad-of-one lunged at Ramos and wrestled him to the ground, and it was all caught by the TMZ cameras.

The astrological meaning behind Kimye's wedding date >>

While West still maintains his innocence, he did have his lawyer appear for in him in court today. Kim Kardashian's fiancé was sentenced to two years of probation along with 24 anger management sessions and 250 hours of community service.

Ramos has filed a civil suit against West, but today's proceedings cannot be used against him in civil court. Perhaps today's ruling will inspire the Bound 2 singer to make it all go away and pay Ramos off.

In the meantime, West is busy planning his wedding to Kardashian in France with a rumored May 24 wedding date. Hopefully, his marriage will bring more peace to his life instead of altercations with the paparazzi.


VIDEO: A shirtless Harry Styles dances, lip-synchs to celeb-filled "Talk Dirty"

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JasonDeRulobaseballcap
Photo credit: WENN.com

Jason Derulo is making a big splash on the music scene this year. With his song "Talk Dirty" hitting the top five on top 40 radio, his latest YouTube video is also sweeping the internet.

One Direction inspired the idea after they videoed themselves dancing to Derulo's hit song. That gave the singer an idea to have his celebrity friends join in for an all-star video.

Jason Derulo is all grown up after suffering a serious injury >>

No one should miss Harry Styles with his shirtless dancing throughout the clip. Other celebs making an appearance include Bret Michaels decked out in his signature red bandana, Enrique Iglesias — who dubs the song in Spanish — and an adorable Ariana Grande bopping in and out of the video.

If you think Derulo's song is just for the younger generation, think again. Octogenarian Larry King even stops by to show his cool quotient by quoting one of the lyrics from the song. "I'm that flight you get on... international." He later orders the viewer to "talk dirty to me."

Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo in Perfect Harmony >>

Interspersed between all of the celeb cameos are clips from some of Derulo's recent appearances from The Arsenio Hall Show, On Air with Ryan Seacrest and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

One singer who probably should rethink his appearance in the video? Robin Thicke. His wife probably doesn't want anyone talking dirty to him while they try to repair their marriage.

Watch a shirtless Harry Styles and other celebs in Jason Derulo's "Talk Dirty" video.

Social media quakes with celeb reactions to early tremor

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Susan Sarandon
Photo credit: WENN

Los Angeles' 3.85 million residents received a pretty rude awakening this morning. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, at 6:25 a.m. a 4.4 magnitude earthquake based out of Westwood, California, rocked everyone out of bed. With a little luck o' the Irish, no major damage or injuries have been reported, but that doesn't mean people weren't shakin' in their leprechaun boots. Everyone from Susan Sarandon to Lindsay Lohan were affected by Mother Nature, and we have their posts on Twitter and Instagram to prove it.

Be prepared for an earthquake >>

Jimmy Kimmel, who is expecting his second child with wife Molly McNearney, didn't necessarily seem frightened by the tremor, only annoyed by the Twitter storm he (correctly) predicted would follow.

Lindsay Lohan was so scared and longing to be held by Mama Oprah. She still managed to snap this cool Instagram pic that looks alarmingly similar to Pink Floyd cover art.

Sarah Hyland of Modern Family was certainly freaked out, as was her dog Barkley.

Ariana Grande felt the jostle, but she was convinced it was something other than Mother Nature. "Why was my initial reaction to this earthquake 'holy s*** it's the aliens I'm screwed'?" the songstress tweeted. She also, as usual, tweeted loving concern for her loyal fans.

Paris Hilton awoke from one nightmare to another and tweeted about it.

There were at least a couple celebs who remained resourceful and productive. Ali Fedotowsky took the opportunity to get her cardio in.

And Susan Sarandon proved you can't keep a good mom down when her son-in-law, Kyle Martino, posted a photo of Sarandon washing her pregnant daughter's hair in the sink because the earthquake knocked out the gas. "I can't work without clean hair! Thanks mom," Eva Amurri Martino (@4evamartino) commented on the pic. We know this family is gonna stick together through the apocalypse.

What were your favorite celeb reactions to the earthquake? Do you live in Los Angeles? Did you feel the "Shamrock Shake?"

INTERVIEW: PLL cast dishes on "game-changer" season finale

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I can't believe they're telling this much. I honestly can't," Sasha Pieterse, who plays Alison, gushed about the Pretty Little Liars season finale on the PaleyFest carpet on Sunday.

Pieterse said the Season 4 finale is "for sure" Ali's long-awaited coming out party, and the 18-year-old actress seemed just as excited about it as we are to see the answers about that fateful night Alison disappeared finally unveiled.

He's back! 5 Ways Caleb could return to Pretty Little Liars >>

"This is probably the biggest moment in the whole series of the show," actress Lucy Hale, who plays Aria, explained, "because they haven't had Ali to contact or talk to. They learn about intimate details. People she ran into that night. It's sort of a game-changer. Things are definitely going to be different from here on out on the show because now there's five PLLs. There's no longer just four."

Executive producer Oliver Goldstick also didn't hold back from giving us some juicy tidbits to look forward to.

Is a Pretty Little Liars star walking down the aisle? >>

We asked if Ezra (Ian Harding) would be back this episode after spending the past few in the shadows and Goldstick promised, "He will indeed. He will indeed. In a very forceful way, too, you'll be happy to hear." Yes, we are! We're still holding out for an Ezra and Aria reunion, after all. Bring back the good old days. The Pretty Little Liars girls have had quite the rough season if we say so.

It just might pay off in the end, however. Goldstick said we will discover the long sought-after identity of A. "Maybe not as fast as you think, but you will discover A's identity very soon," he said.

Pretty Little Liars: 12 Clues we should've seen >>

"You're not just getting answers, you're getting shocking answers," executive producer I. Marlene King added, "And answers that, in some ways, raise new questions and, in some ways, put some story lines to bed. So it's fun. We tie up some loose ends, but we also create some new mysteries."

When asked how fans would react to the finale, King told us, "I think they will be emotionally exhausted. I think they will be shocked. I think some will be happy. I think some will be sad. I think some will throw things at the TV, and others will be hugging the TV."

Show heartthrob Keegan Allen also stopped to chat with us about how he'd handle the potential new man in Spencer's life, her rehab counselor Dean, if he were in Toby's shoes. Watch the video above to get all the details.

The Season 4 finale of Pretty Little Liars airs at 8/7c tonight on ABC Family.

Nordstrom is offering gift cards to customers who make clothing donations

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Spring cleaning for a cause

As if you needed a reason to love Nordstrom even more, this year they are giving you an incentive to get your spring cleaning done. Thanks to a partnership between Nordstrom and Fashion Project, donating your clothes has never been so rewarding.

Nordstrom and Fashion Project team up to help you with Spring Cleaning
Photo credit: Fashion Project

The details

So what can you donate? Fashion Project wants quality items (which means the original price you paid for the item must be $50 or more) from this list of brands. Any clothing, accessories, handbags or shoes that you've worn once and shoved to the back of your closet will do. They will then sell those items for you and donate the proceeds to the charity of your choice. What's even better is that Fashion Project sends you a $40 gift card to Nordstrom. Think of it as a karmic reward for all your goodwill to the fashion world.

How to get involved

Fashion Project works hard to make sure your donation is as hassle-free as possible. That's why they've streamlined the process to one easy step. All you have to do is sign up through their website to tell them what charities you'd like to donate to. Next, you'll receive all the shipping materials you need to send in your items. That's right — you don't even have to leave the house (or get out of your pajamas) to do a good deed. As soon as your items have been sold to their new owner, you will be given your Nordstrom gift card and your charity will collect their donation.

For more information, head over to their website and watch the video below. You can also do a little shopping yourself. You'll obviously need some new clothes to fill the void in your closet left over from your donations.

More tips for donating your clothes

Gift some style: Tips for donating your clothing
Alternatives to throwing away old items
How to make the most selling clothes at a consignment store

INTERVIEW: Pencils of Promise's Adam Braun shares life-changing lessons in new book

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The Promise of a Pencil by Adam Braun

Anyone
can create "meaning and merit"

Pencils of Promise founder Adam Braun's first book, which comes out today, details his journey of making inspiration reality. Now, he wants to encourage others to "make your life a story worth telling."

Who knew a 400-person Halloween birthday party for a 25-year-old could actually equate to the beginnings of a children's school in rural Laos? But that's exactly how Pencils of Promise was founded, and now, more than five years later, the organization has broken ground on more than 200 schools with no plans to stop.

Today, founder Adam Braun's book The Promise of a PencilHow an Ordinary Person Can Create Extraordinary Change hits the shelves. The story details his path to life fulfillment and success with a guide for others to do the same.

VIDEO: Justin Bieber gives back, builds a school by hand >>

"Make your life a story worth telling."

"Anybody regardless of age, status or location can create something of both meaning and merit. My story is a real-life example of that occurring," Braun told us during an interview.

In his early 20s, Braun had the itch for something bigger. He wanted more out of life, and while traveling, found the inspiration that propelled him toward creating something bigger and more meaningful. He was on the road in India when he asked a little boy what he would want if he could have anything. The boy responded simply, "A pencil."

"We met on the street, and it was just one of those powerful moments that changes the direction of your life," Braun explained.

Can you live on $1.50 a day? Sophia Bush and Ben Affleck are >>

Unfortunately, Braun doesn't know what became of the boy, telling us, "I was 21 and the world looked pretty differently, so it's not like we could have swapped cell phone numbers or linked up on Facebook. I mean, he was a 9-year-old beggar on the street, so I wasn't able to stay in touch with him. But I know that he changed my life, and I hope, to some degree, I was able to help his."

A few years down the road, Braun opened a bank account for $25 and asked his friends to donate money for his Halloween-themed 25th birthday instead of giving a gift. It was then that Pencils of Promise was born.

Braun is now helping tens of thousands of people across the globe. But instead of focusing inward at his success, he looks to others in hopes of fostering a similar attitude.

"Make your life a story worth telling," Braun tells us when asked one piece of advice he'd give to aspiring dreamers.

"I think a lot of times we think we have to wait to pursue our biggest dreams," he continued, "and you only get one chance at this existence, and every day that passes is another opportunity to turn your life into a story that you would want to be excited to tell yourself and then, ideally, it becomes a legacy that others are able to share about the life that you lived."

Even though Braun is at a point in his life where he has become an inspiration to others, his work is far from over.

"Every time we've reached a certain level of accomplishment that once upon a time we would have been so excited about, I get really ambitious and end up moving the finish line far off into the distance to a place where it almost seems impossible once again," Braun admitted. "That's the exciting part, and that's the challenge and that's almost the fun in the work in really launching anything. It's not really getting to your destination; it's the growth that you experience and the journey along the way."

Braun's next big goal is to break ground on 500 schools.

All proceeds from the book benefit Pencils of Promise. You can purchase your copy today from Barnes & Noble.

Here's an excerpt from The Promise of a Pencil: How an Ordinary Person Can Create Extraordinary Change:

For anyone going through a restless period in life, looking to make a change but not sure how, start with an ambitious but attainable goal. I set out to build just one school. Only after I realized that it was possible and how much of a difference it made in the life of others did I focus on enabling anyone else to have that same experience too. The key is to think big and then take small, incremental steps forward day by day.

Start by changing the subjects of your daily conversation from the life you are living to the life you aspire to create. By speaking the language of the person you seek to become, you will soon find yourself immersed in the conversations that make you most come alive. You'll sense the energy you emit attracting similar energy from others. Your conversations will lead to opportunities, which will become actions, which will become footprints for good.

I used to send out lengthy email updates to my family and friends while backpacking, and people consistently said, "You should publish something." I appreciated their responses, but I didn't think the travel tales of a backpacker warranted a full book unless an impactful organization was born out of the things I learned on the road. But those comments got me thinking. As humans we are natural storytellers. We weave narrative into nearly every relationship we build and value. I realized that I needed to live a life that reflected the themes of the stories I wanted to one day tell, and when I veered off that path later on, it was time to make a change. Regardless of age or status, if you're not satisfied with the path you're on, it's time to rewrite your future. Your life should be a story you are excited to tell.

Lena Dunham on Woody Allen: Look at evidence not art

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Lena Dunham
Photo credit: Lia Toby/WENN.com

Lena Dunham has already come out in support of Dylan Farrow and her allegations that Woody Allen molested her as a child, but the Girls star says his work has nothing to do with his supposed crimes.

In an interview on the WTF With Marc Maron podcast, Dunham explained why she feels Allen's work should not be used as evidence of any kind.

"I'm decidedly pro-Dylan Farrow and decidedly disgusted with Woody Allen's behavior. But, for me, when people go through his work and comb through it for references to child molestation, that's not the f***ing point," she said. "I'm not going to indict the work. I'm not comfortable living in a world where art is part of how we convict people of crimes.

ScarJo defends Woody Allen >>

"You can decide that you don't want to support the work of someone who has molested a child — that's a completely appropriate choice," she said. "But, going through and saying, 'Look, he's told us in 57 ways that he rapes kids!' — that's not the thing. The thing is to look at the actual evidence that exists in the world, which I think strongly suggests that Woody Allen is in the wrong.

Dylan Farrow denies she made up abuse claims >>

"I mean for me, I haven't wanted to watch his movies for a long time, partially because of who I think he is and partially because I think they got really bad." Burn!

Maron pointed out that many artists have unsavory and even criminal personal lives. "It's totally true," Dunham said. "People who really believe Woody Allen is guilty have not felt comfortable saying that. Because they're so afraid to lose their connection to his work. And the thing is, I feel like people need to understand that you can hold two positions in your mind. You can know that someone's made work that's meaningful to you and also know that they have most likely molested their daughter."

Allen denies the allegations.

Busy moms know there's no such thing as balance

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Stressed working mother | Sheknows.com
Photo credit: Goodshoot/Goodshoot/360/Getty Images

In the pursuit of an optimal balance between career and family, many moms are discovering that they enjoy neither. Here's how to regain your sense of identity and joy as you excel in both your career and motherhood.

Is traditional balance the wrong approach?

Every working mother wants success in both parenting and career, but many professional women find themselves in an undesirable cycle of guilt, exhaustion and burnout. Successful businesswoman Teresa Taylor contends in her book The Balance Myth: Rethinking Work/Life Success that working moms everywhere are unfulfilled because we're pursuing the wrong goals. We recently caught up with Taylor to find out how to ditch balance for a better alternative.

Dismantling the myth

According to Taylor, the popular definition of work/life balance simply doesn't exist. "Somehow society has created an expectation that we need to be a 'perfect' mother, wife, daughter and friend," said Taylor. "It's just not possible, and searching for it leads to frustration, disappointment and anger."

"Professional mothers [don't stop] to think about what they actually want to have."

More often than not, women run into problems when they let society — rather than their own intuition and desires — dictate the definition of balance. "Each of us has a different definition of balance and it changes at different points in our careers," said Taylor. "I took my sons to the office on Sunday mornings during a period of time when I needed to do that to get my work done. Many thought I was crazy but it worked for me during that two year period." Essentially, Taylor found balance that worked for her when she ditched the popular definition of work/life balance.

Redefining success

Taylor was able to ditch the myth of a work/life balance by seriously considering what she wanted from life. All too often, professional mothers are caught in the pursuit of "having it all" without stopping to think about what they actually want to have. For instance, some women want to make amazing crafts with their kids, some women want a corner office and some women want a little bit of both. It's a woman's responsibility to obtain a solid understanding of what she actually wants so she can pursue it, and it alone.

"It's not possible to be a 'perfect' wife, mother, friend and employee," said Taylor. She added, however, that women "can have it all, based on our own expectations rather than someone else's." The trick, then, is redefining success as reaching the balance we want for ourselves, rather than meeting the balance others demand.

Managing responsibilities without exhaustion

Ditching the myth of a work/life balance and finding a highly personal balance sounds great, but it's not always easy to do. Taylor provided us with several suggestions for creating a balance that works for you.

  • Evaluate yourself — Spend time evaluating the activities and interests that bring you energy. Once you determine what brings you energy, make it a priority. This will look different for each woman. It may mean that you pull back from work to spend more time with family, or that you spend more hours on the job.
  • Give yourself time — Unfortunately, women are often guilty of neglecting free time, but free time is what makes life worthwhile. Even if it's only 10 minutes a day, give yourself the time you need to read, exercise, garden and cook.
  • Honor yourself first — You can only make wise decisions for your job and family if you honor your own desires and goals first.
  • Combine your calendars — Stop maintaining separate calendars for your work and home lives. Instead, combine them into one because your family and professional lives are one.

More from Super Moms Guide

Genuine images of motherhood
Julianne Moore joins the Mommalogues
Love yourself to love your kids


Mick Jagger posts tribute to late girlfriend L'Wren Scott

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MickJaggerpurpleshirt
Photo credit: FayesVision/WENN.com

It's been about 24 hours since Mick Jagger lost his longtime girlfriend, L'Wren Scott, to an apparent suicide. The Rolling Stones have postponed the start of their Australian tour and now, the rocker has posted a personal message to Scott and his fans on his Facebook page.

A gorgeous black-and-white photo of the leggy former model accompanied a beautiful note from the 70-year-old Jagger.

Georgia May Jagger cancels shows after L'Wren Scott's death >>

He wrote, "I am still struggling to understand how my lover and best friend could end her life in this tragic way. We spent many wonderful years together and had made a great life for ourselves."

He continued, "She had great presence and her talent was much admired, not least by me. I have been touched by the tributes that people have paid to her, and also the personal messages of support that I have received. I will never forget her, Mick."

Fans posted condolence messages by the thousands with words of support and sympathy. It is obvious that the legendary musician's pain is being felt all over the globe.

Scott was found dead on Monday morning in her New York City apartment by her assistant. The 49-year-old designer and celebrity stylist was hanging from a doorknob with a scarf around her neck.

L'Wren Scott found dead: Mick Jagger reacts >>

No suicide note has been located, and any reports of a breakup between Jagger and Scott are untrue.

In an official statement, Jagger's rep wrote, "The story in The New York Post re: a split between Mick Jagger and L'Wren Scott is 100 percent untrue. There is absolutely no basis in fact to this story. It is a horrible and inaccurate piece of gossip during this very tragic time for Mick."

The NYPD is continuing to investigate Scott's death, but no foul play is suspected.

Not your ordinary pancake recipes

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Don't get me wrong, I love simple pancakes on a lazy Sunday morning. As a foodie though, the same ol' thing isn't exactly what gets my engines going. So to celebrate all of those very rare lazy Sundays, I made four unique pancakes that will excite and entice you, no matter what your day looks like.

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Hazelnut and granola pancakes

Hazelnut and granola pancakes

Serves about 4

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Bisquick
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup granola
  • 1/3 cup chopped hazelnuts
  • 1/4 cup freshly whipped cream
  • Syrup

Directions:

  1. Spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix the Bisquick, baking powder, eggs, vanilla, milk, vegetable oil and brown sugar. Stir until all of the lumps are gone. Carefully mix in the hazelnuts and granola.
  2. Scoop about 1/4 cup of batter into the skillet. Cook until one side starts to bubble and then flip. Cook another 4-5 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool.
  3. Top the pancakes with whipped cream, additional granola and syrup.
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Avocado, almond meal and lemon pancakes

Avocado, almond meal and lemon pancakes

Slightly adapted from Food52

Serves about 4 (2 pancakes each)

Ingredients:

  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1/2 avocado, cut into pieces
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup almond meal
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • About 1-1/2 cups packed fresh kale
  • Juice from 1/2 lemon
  • 4 strawberries sliced for garnish
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • Sour cream for garnish

Directions:

  1. First, make kale puree by bringing a pot of water to a rapid boil. Add the kale and cook for about 2 minutes, or until wilted. Rinse and place over an ice bath (to keep it green). Put into a blender with 1-2 tablespoons of water and puree until smooth. Keep 2 tablespoons for the pancakes and store the rest for later.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk the almond meal, flour, baking powder and sugar. In another bowl, whisk the milk, vegetable oil, kale puree, 1/4 of the lemon juice and egg. Make a well into the center of the flour mixture and pour in the milk mixture. Stir to combine.
  3. Carefully mix in the avocado. Pour the mixture into a blender and blend until smooth.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium heat with nonstick cooking spray. Use a large spoon and pour the batter into the prepared skillet. Once the top starts to bubble, flip and then cook another 4-5 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Let cool completely.
  5. Soak strawberries into remaining lemon juice. Add a few dollops of sour cream on top (or between) the pancakes. Top with sliced avocados and strawberries for added sweetness.
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Strawberry, chia seed and cashew butter pancakes

Strawberry, chia seed and cashew butter pancakes

Serves about 4

Ingredients:

  • 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • Dash salt
  • 1-1/4 cups low-fat milk
  • 1/4 cup strawberry jam
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons cashew butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • About 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
  • Dash oil for cooking
  • Strawberry yogurt for garnish

Directions:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour, chia seeds, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda together. Set aside. In another bowl, whisk the milk, cashew butter, strawberry jam, vanilla and egg together. Carefully add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients with a whisk (this will make the pancakes fluffy, do not stir with a spoon).
  2. Mixture will be chunky.
  3. Heat about 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add about 1/4 cup of batter into the pan. Cook pancake on one side until the batter starts to bubble. Then, using a nonstick spatula, flip the pancake. Cook another 3-4 minutes, or until both sides are golden brown.
  4. Top the pancakes with yogurt and freshly sliced strawberries.
4

Red quinoa and coconut pancakes

Red quinoa and coconut pancakes

Ingredients:

  • 1-1/4 cups red quinoa, cooked
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cups blueberries
  • Cooking spray

Directions:

  1. Blend the quinoa, honey, oil, eggs and milk. Add in baking powder and blend until smooth.
  2. Heat a griddle or pan with cooking spray. Pour 1/4 cup of batter on hot griddle or pan. Sprinkle a few blueberries on top and cook until it bubbles up. Flip and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes.

More breakfast recipes

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5 French toast and pancake recipes
Bananas Foster French toast

5 Things to look for before buying vintage furniture

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Before and after -- Thrift store furniture

Vintage shopping has many perks. From the thrill of the hunt to the high from scoring a sweet deal, hitting up your local flea market or secondhand shop can help you create a custom look for your home.

To avoid getting an item that you'll be posting on Craigslist a week later, we're sharing tips from interior designers and vintage shopping pros to help you deck out your digs in style.

Metallic spray painted chair

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Before you go

"First and foremost… I never leave my house without the measurements of the spaces I'm interested in filling, and on that note, a tape measure too!" says home and "life-styling" expert Dee Murphy of Murphy Deesign.

"I'm pretty good at 'eyeballing' sizes and spaces, but if there is a piece I spy that is so special it might just fly out the door… I can't afford to go home and start number crunching. Be prepared!"

What you should take

Cash for shopping is a no-brainer, but what else should you take along?

"A full stomach, an inquisitive eye, weather-appropriate shoes and an idea of what you are looking for," recommends interior designer Catherine Fellowes.

Fellowes recommends not obsessing about where a piece will go in the space. "If you love it, you will find a home for it."

"It also doesn't hurt to have a trusted refinisher in your Rolodex!" Fellowes advises.

Before and after -- thrift store furniture

5 Things to look for when shopping for vintage furniture

1

Good bones

"Does the piece you want to buy have 'great bones'? Is the basic structure sturdy? Was it custom made to begin with?" These are all questions Murphy asks when looking at a piece.

While Murphy says there is a point of "'no repair" for some items, it really only applies to the structure and not decorative finishes like upholstery.

2

The real deal

Vintage shopping is not the time to purchase an Ikea find on the cheap.

"Look for pieces with solid wood, not veneer," Murphy says. She recommends looking for dovetail joints in furniture for signs of quality workmanship instead of "pieces that are just nailed together with crappy hardware."

3

Designer finds

We all love scoring a sweet designer piece, and nowadays it's much easier to see if you're snagging a piece by a known furniture manufacturer.

"Google is a godsend!" Fellowes says excitedly, wondering how she ever lived without it.

Here is her technique for researching a vintage find:

"Type in any name you see on the piece, any description and or unique characteristics. If I don't have a name but have a unique characteristic, I type that into Google and click 'images' and scour the photos that come up to find a match, and then click on it to learn more."

"It also doesn't hurt to brush up on your history," Fellowes advises. "Even religiously perusing the weekly 1stdibs listings can teach you a lot about furniture and the decorative arts over time."

4

Fakes

Flea markets can be flooded with reproduction pieces. To focus on finding the real deal, take time to carefully examine the item.

"Most vintage pieces will come with some sort of stamp or marking from the original maker," Fellowes says. "If you have the time to take a picture of the piece and sit right there in the store and Google the designer — do it (an honest owner won't sweat it). That's the beauty of vintage shopping in our day and age… the internet can get you the answers you need almost immediately!"

5

Walk on by if you see this

"Bugs!" Fellowes exclaims.

She recently heard of two separate cases where people brought home upholstery pieces that were filled with bed bugs!

"They brought the item into their house and later had to fumigate the entire place. That's a terrifying thought."

More decorating tips

Tips for mixing vintage & modern pieces
Lara Spencer offers tips from HGTV's Flea Market Flip
Home makeover tips that reflect your personality

Photo credits: Dee Murphy

Meet the breed: Tibetan Spaniel

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Tibetan Spaniel | Sheknows.com

Breed

  • checkIndependent
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  • checkIntelligent
  • checkBold
  • checkHappy

breeder

photo gallery

Overview

A prized pet and watchdog for the Tibetan monasteries, the Tibetan Spaniel is lovingly referred to as a "little lion dog." Thought of highly, the breed was gifted to royals throughout Asia. Given to other countries, the popularity of the Tibetan Spaniel grew. A devoted human companion, the breed is immediately loved by all families that own it.

Breed standards

  • AKC group: Non-sporting
  • UKC group: Herding
  • Average lifespan: 14 - 16 years
  • Average size: 9 - 15 pounds
  • Coat appearance: Silky
  • Coloration: Gold, cream, red and sable with white markings on paws
  • Hypoallergenic: No
  • Other identifiers: Small body, short to the ground and longer than it is tall; dark brown, oval eyes and black nose; feathering between the toes; plump and fluffy feathered tail
  • Possible alterations: May be multicolored

Is this breed right for you?

A human lover to the bone, the Tibetan Spaniel goes well with young children and other pets. A great family dog, the breed also makes for an excellent watchdog. Suited for apartment life, he is a true-blue inside dog. Enjoying a daily walk and time out in the yard, he is a bit difficult to train. Requiring moderate grooming, the Tibetan Spaniel is a moderate shedder, but does lose a large amount once a year. In need of a master with good leadership skills, the breed is likely to show behavioral problems if allowed to develop small dog syndrome.

Breed characteristics

A dream day in the life of a Tibetan Spaniel

The Tibetan Spaniel is likely to wake up with a smile. Happily wagging his tail at his owner, he will gladly follow his master wherever she may go. Running outside for a romp in the yard, he'll bark at any possible intruders. A lover, he'll play with and lick the children at any available opportunity. Kindhearted, he'll be at your feet until the end of the day, where he'll cuddle close for bedtime.

Other breeds you might like

Pekingese
Japanese Chin
Tibetan Terrier

Photo credit: Life On White/Photodisc/Getty Images

Michael Douglas' son released from solitary after Emmys plea

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Cameron Douglas Michael Douglas
Photo credit: Dimitri Halkidis/WENN

Hollywood kid-turned-drug dealer Cameron Douglas has reportedly been released from solitary confinement back into his prison's general population after over two years, and the impassioned plea of his father Michael Douglas at the 2013 Emmys may have had something to do with it.

Cameron, who is doing hard time for his role in a drug trafficking ring, was moved to solitary after an additional conviction for obtaining drugs in prison for personal use.

"It's true," Anthony Papa of the Drug Policy Alliance, who has been an advocate for Cameron, told RadarOnline. "That's what I heard.

"It actually happened a little while back. I'm not sure of the exact date… I'm not sure if [Cameron's parents] will be allowed to visit, but Cameron is out of solitary."

After nearly two years of little contact with Cameron, his father had enough and spoke of his displeasure during his Behind the Candelabra Emmys speech. Afterward he explained to press, "Part of the punishment — if you happen to have a slip, and this is for a prisoner who is nonviolent, as about a half-million of our drug-addicted prisoners are — he's spent almost two years in solitary confinement. Right now, I've been told that I can't see him for two years. It's been over a year now. And I'm questioning the system.

"Obviously at first, I was certainly disappointed in my son. But I've reached a point now where I'm very disappointed with the system. And as you can see from what Attorney General Eric Holder has been doing regarding our prison system, I think things are going to be revived, regarding nonviolent drug addicts. My last comment on that is the United States represents 5 percent of the world's population and we have 25 percent of the world's prisoners."

Cameron himself spoke out about the plight of non-violent offenders being given harsh prison sentences. In an essay he penned for the Huffington Post, he wrote, "Our prisons are filled with non-violent drug offenders who are losing much of what is relevant in life. This outdated system pays little, if any, concern to the disease of addiction, and instead punishes it more harshly than many violent crimes. And even more exasperating is that many of the people responsible for this tragedy disregard documented medical research and the reality of our country's unsustainable prison overpopulation."

Cameron is not due to be freed until 2018.

Meet the breed: Schipperke

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Meet the breed: Schipperke | Sheknows.com

Breed

  • checkEnergetic
  • checkHappy
  • checkFearless
  • checkIndependent
  • checkConfident

breeder

photo gallery

Overview

Bred to guard canal bridges in Belgium, the Schipperke is lovingly nicknamed "little captain" or "little skipper." Known for being the captain's dog, the breed played a very important role on the ships. Popular in Belgium homes, it became a worldwide-known breed after being seen with Queen Marie Henriette. Coming to the U.S. in the 1900s, the breed has become increasingly popular in American households. Still a great companion on ships and boats, the active breed is a very kind and loving family dog.

Breed standards

  • AKC group: Non-sporting
  • UKC group: Companion
  • Average lifespan: 13 - 15 years
  • Average size: 10 - 16 pounds
  • Coat appearance: Thick and soft
  • Coloration: Black
  • Hypoallergenic: No
  • Other identifiers: Fox-like look to medium-sized body; wide chest and large, erect ears; small black nose and oval eyes; typically born tailless
  • Possible alterations: Can be tan or fawn in color, although not accepted by the UKC

Is this breed right for you?

Extremely devoted to his master, the Schipperke is an intelligent and active breed. Very loving with children and getting along well with other animals if exposed to them early on, it's likely that the Schipperke will attach himself to his master. Easy to train and a good guard dog, the breed will need proper leadership to avoid behavioral issues. If he believes he's the pack leader, he will act unlike himself with an erratic personality. Likely to bark, he will need to be socialized well. Doing OK with apartment life if properly exercised, the Schipperke does best with a small yard that he can play in. Requiring little grooming, he is an average shedder.

Breed characteristics

A dream day in the life of a Schipperke

Waking up in the bed of his master, the Schipperke will go downstairs to greet the other members of the family with a few licks. Going outside for a quick run around the yard, he'll come back inside for playtime with the kiddos. A great guard dog, he'll bark at any strangers that approach the home. Enjoying a walk in the afternoon, he'll come in and out of the house, taking a small nap and hanging out with the family. After practicing a few tricks, the Schipperke will tuck himself in next to his master for a good snooze.

Other breeds you might like

Keeshond
Tibetan Spaniel
Norwegian Elkhound

Photo credit: Wikipedia

15 Knitting tutorials for beginners

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5 knit beanie tutorials

For your head

5 knit scarf tutorials

For your neck

5 Miscellaneous knitting tutorials

For anywhere

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Up first: Beanies >>

5 knit beanies

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Beanies

Big pom baby beanie

Big pom baby beanie

How-to found at: Michael Ann Made

Simple slouch beanie

Simple slouch beanie

How-to found at: Craft Passion

Grownup pixie hat

How-to found at: The Zen of Making
Double pom pom beanie

Double pom-pom beanie

How-to found at: Gina Michele
Yarnster/slouch beanie

Yarnster/slouch beanie

How-to found at: Craftsy

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Up next: Scarves >>

5 knit scarf tutorials

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Scarves

Basket weave scarf

Basket-weave scarf

How-to found at: Amimi Makes

Infinity crowl scarf

Infinity cowl scarf

How-to found at: Lovely Wren

Fishnet summer scarf

Fishnet summer scarf

How-to found at: Lima Bean Lover

Knit circle scarf

Knit circle scarf

How-to found at: With Lovely

Skinny lace scarf

Skinny lace scarf

How-to found at: Purl Avenue

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Up next: Miscellaneous >>

Miscellaneous knitting tutorials

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Miscellaneous

Kerchief

Kerchief

How-to found at: Tuts Plus

Headband

Headband

How-to found at: Kollabora

Boot cuffs

Boot cuffs

How-to found at: Knit Nat

 Washcloths

Washcloths

How-to found at: Chocolate Mints in a Jar

Bracelets

Bracelets

How-to found at: Artchoo

Do you like knitting?

Try crochet

If you like knitting, you might also enjoy crochet. Get started with these how-to tutorials.

Make an amigurumi school bus >>

Crochet a witch hat for Halloween >>

Santa and snowmen ornaments >>

Valentine's Day box of chocolates >>

More in needle crafts

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Knitted dog sweater
Teach your kids to knit


Toby Keith set to perform at 2014 ACM Awards

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TobyKeithcowboyhat
Photo credit: WENN

The 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards are less than a month away. The ceremony is slated to air live from Las Vegas on Sunday, April 16 with hosts Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton.

On Tuesday, The Academy of Country Music and dick clark productions announced a few high-wattage performers who will sing at the award show. Eric Church, Toby Keith and Lady Antebellum, with special guest Stevie Nicks, were the big names added to the roster today.

ACM Awards nominees: Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw lead >>

Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Shelton. Also on that list are George Strait, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line and The Band Perry, so it's guaranteed to be a huge night for the country music industry.

The show began in 1966 and is unique because it focuses on its charitable organization, Lifting Lives. The Academy describes it as "the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music dedicated to improving lives through the power of music. With the help of country music artists, the music industry and other caring supporters, the Academy is able to give back by funding a variety of amazing organizations that are music-focused."

Country music awards 101: How are they different? >>

The nominees' names were released in late January and two country superstars lead the pack, with Lambert and Tim McGraw racking up the most honors. Fans were also able to help choose the Entertainer of the Year and New Artist of the Year nominees through an online vote.

Additional performers and presented are expected to be announced in the next few weeks. The show will be broadcast live on CBS for East Coast viewers from the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

12 Adorable baby books your kids can read together

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1

Toot

by Leslie Patricelli

Toot | Sheknows.com

Who isn’t amused by bodily functions? This bald baby certainly is. Kitty toots, fishy toots, doggy toots and even daddy and mommy toot. We think Toot is a hoot! (Amazon, $4)

2

Who Can Swim?
by Sebastien Braun

Who can swim? | Sheknows.com

Who is hiding underwater? Lift the flaps to find out! Have fun teaching your baby with this interactive guessing game book Who Can Swim? (Amazon, $6)

3

Daddy Wrong Legs
by Nina Laden

Daddy wrong legs | Sheknows.com

From frog legs to long legs, every dad is unique. Read along as your child mixes and matches Laden’s creative illustrations in this split page book Daddy Wrong Legs. (Amazon, $6)

4

You Are My Baby Garden
by Lorena Siminovich

You are my baby | Sheknows.com

Even birds and squirrels love their babies. Help your baby learn about garden creatures by matching baby animals to their parents with this colorful book from the You Are My Baby series. (Barnes & Noble, $8)

5

Can You Say It, Too? Woof! Woof! by Sebastian Braun

Woof! Woof! | Sheknows.com

What animals are hiding in the backyard? Have your baby lift the flaps to discover friendly creatures and learn what noises they make in Can You Say It Too? Woof! Woof! (Amazon, $8)

6

Bunny Boo Has Lost Her Teddy by Jannie Ho

Bunny boo | Sheknows.com

Bunny Boo Has Lost Her Teddy and doesn’t know what to do! Have your child pull the tabs in this cute book to help her find Teddy before she goes to bed. (Amazon, $7)

7

Doggies
by Sandra Boynton

Doggies | Sheknows.com

Teach your child how to count with doggy friends in this cute counting and barking book. The comically illustrated book Doggies is sure to make readers of all ages smile. (Barnes & Noble, $5)

8

You Are My Cupcake
by Joyce Wan

You are my cupcake | Sheknows.com

Short but sweet, this read is filled with loving nicknames for your little one. Delectably and vibrantly illustrated, You Are My Cupcake is the perfect treat for you and your baby. (Barnes & Noble, $6)

9

Spoon
by Amy Krouse

Spoon | Sheknows.com

This adorable book celebrates the differences of each person, or in this case, each utensil. Spoon is an engaging story filled with valuable life lessons on individuality. (Barnes & Noble, $13)

10

My Cat, My Dog
by Katrina Streza

My cat, My dog | Sheknows.com

This silly book compares two pets who seem to be great friends. The creative pictures in My Cat, My Dog are sure to make readers giggle. (Amazon, $7)

11

Pottytime for Chickies
by Janee Trasler

Pottytime for chickies | Sheknows.com

Potty time is fun with the cute chicks in the book Pottytime For Chickies. This is the perfect book for making potty training fun. (Amazon, $8)

12

Where’s Spot?
by Eric Hill

Where's spot? | Sheknows.com

Help find Spot the dog by searching under the flaps of this interactive book, Where's Spot? your kids will love. (Amazon, $4)

More books for kids

Artsy board books for toddlers
Best Easter books for kids
10 Children's books that teach diversity

VIDEO: Presenters at the 2014 MTV Movie Awards

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Kate Upton
Photo credit: JLN Photography/WENN.com

The 2014 MTV Movie Awards are coming up in April, and the network has begun announcing presenters for the award show.

MTV Movie Awards: The 2014 nominees are... >>

Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton have been added to the list of presenters. The three actresses star in The Other Woman, a film that has three significant others of the same man teaming up to get back at him.

Diaz, Mann and Upton join the cast of Entourage on the list of presenters. Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Jerry Ferrara and Kevin Dillon will be appearing on the show to present Mark Wahlberg with the MTV Generation Award. Their co-star will be given the award due to his decades of prolific film and music accomplishments. Entourage the movie is expected to be out in June 2015, and the reunion will likely be partially to promote that upcoming film.

Conan O'Brien will also be appearing at the 2014 MTV Movie Awards, this year as host of the show. Nominations have been announced, and not surprisingly films like The Wolf of Wall Street, American Hustle, This Is The End, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug are leading the pack.

6 MTV VMAs acts that were way raunchier than Miley's >>

More presenters will be announced for the show as it gets closer. The 2014 MTV Movie Awards are coming up on Sunday, April 13, and will be broadcast live on MTV. The Other Woman opens in theaters April 25.

Watch the ladies' announcement on MTV

Nutella makes French toast so much better

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Nutella French toast rollups

If there is one thing I love, it's French toast. I love it smothered with berries, covered in powdered sugar and drizzled with syrup. However, this French toast recipe is just a little different. I used soft squishy white bread and then filled it with sweet and nutty Nutella. Trust me, if you like your breakfast a little sweet, you're going to love this recipe.

Nutella French toast roll-ups

Yields 8

Ingredients:

  • 8 slices soft white bread
  • 12 teaspoons Nutella
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/3 cup cinnamon sugar
  • Whipped topping (for topping)
  • Chocolate syrup (for topping)

Directions:

  1. Using a rolling pin, flatten each bread slice.
  2. Spread about 1-1/2 teaspoons Nutella on each slice of bread and gently roll it up.
  3. In a shallow dish whisk together egg, milk and vanilla extract.
  4. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
  5. Dip rolled French toast into the egg/milk mixture and add it to the hot melted butter.
  6. Cook equally on all sides until crispy and browned.
  7. Remove from the skillet and roll in the cinnamon sugar.
  8. Top with whipped topping and chocolate syrup if desired.

More French toast recipes

Bananas Foster French toast
Mascarpone-stuffed French toast with cranberries

Whole-wheat French toast sticks

VIDEO: Miley Cyrus' tour bus catches fire

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MileyCyruspinkcoat
Photo credit: FayesVision/WENN.com

Miley Cyrus is known for making quite a scene onstage, but last night it was her tour bus that commanded all of the attention. The 21-year-old singer and her group were on their way from Houston, Texas, to her next tour stop in New Orleans, Louisiana, when her bus caught fire.

The tour bus was carrying both Miley's mom, Tish, and her younger sister, Noah. According to TMZ, the fire was caused by an exploding tire. Everyone on the bus escaped without injury.

Miley Cyrus' fan arrested for entering her dressing room >>

It was 14-year-old Noah who spread the news about the bus mishap when she captured a short video on her Instagram account.

She captioned the clip, "Bus down!"

Noah also shared photos of the interior of the bus in the aftermath of the fire. The entire bus and its contents were destroyed.

The picture shows wires hanging down in the charred interior. The bus had to be a total loss after such devastation.

Is Miley Cyrus a scapegoat for pop? Kylie Minogue thinks so! >>

Miley's manager, Larry Rudolph, also narrated a clip where he shares the aftermath of the fire. He said, "This is the bus we are riding on... was the bus we were riding. I don't think it's a bus anymore."

The "Wrecking Ball" singer's Bangerz tour will continue as planned tonight in New Orleans, as Noah reassured all of her fans on Twitter.

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