Photo credit: Nikki Nelson/WENN.com

Valerie Harper is not letting cancer get her down. The 74-year-old actress is refuting earlier claims she is "cancer-free," but she does have positivity when it comes to her diagnosis.

Valerie Harper wants you to be "less afraid of death" >>

"My last scans have been positive, and my doctors are very happy," she told Closer Weekly (via People). "[The oncologist] looked at the scans and said, 'Oh my God, Valerie, this is very encouraging.'"

Harper had only been given months to live when she first got her diagnosis, but she decided to ignore that and went on to appear on Dancing with the Stars. She said she is not in remission, but her doctor is by her side through the whole fight.

"He likes to say, 'I give you a treatment, and it's either responsive or nonresponsive, and you are having a phenomenal response," she said, adding that she still has a big fight ahead of her. "In response to a recent erroneous quote concerning my health, I am not 'absolutely cancer-free'. I wish I were. Right now what I am is cautiously optimistic about my present condition and I have hope for the future."

The Rhoda star said she is undergoing treatments, and all she can do now is try to keep a good attitude and spend her life the way she wants.

"My cancer is incurable and terminal, but guess what? Not today!" Harper told People. "There is all manner of suffering in the world, not all of it by any stretch related just to cancer or to illness, but all kinds of suffering."

Mary Tyler Moore "devastated" over Valerie Harper's sad news >>

Harper is still acting, and is appearing on Hallmark's Signed, Sealed, Delivered, premiering Sunday. But for now, she is inspiring others to control their destinies, no matter what the diagnosis.

"Don't go to the funeral before it is time. So my time is looking good today and that's how we are all supposed to live our lives — one day at a time."

Photo credit: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

Lorde's "Royals" is one of the biggest songs of the year (and last year), but her inspiration from the song came from an unlikely source.

Step aside, Miley Cyrus: 5 Reasons to love Lorde >>

"I had this image from the National Geographic of this dude signing baseballs," she said last year of the song, according to MTV. "He was a baseball player and his shirt said 'Royals.' And I was like 'I really love that word,' because I'm a big word fetishist, I'll pick a word and I'll pin an idea to that. It was just that word and I was like 'This is really cool.'"

That baseball player was Royals player, George Brett, a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer. The MLB posted a photo on Twitter on Wednesday, April 16, of the singer and her muse.

And now you're Royal. @lordemusic meets @Royals icon George Brett. pic.twitter.com/7BPRW6VYJD

— MLB (@MLB) April 16, 2014

Anyone who knows the song, knows it is not an ode to baseball, but simply to the word "Royals." It's evident that she just took the word and wrote a song based only on that. But there may be no better inspiration than a baseball player whose career stretched 21 years and who was an all-star 13 times.

Lorde ditches her trademark curls for first Grammy performance >>

The 17-year-old singer is on her way to becoming as successful as the baseball player (only, in a different way). She grabbed her first Grammy nominations this year, and is up for multiple Billboard Music Awards, including Top Female Artist, Top New Artist (an award where she was not even nominated at the Grammys), Top Hot 100 Artist and, surprisingly, even Top Rock Artist.

Lorde also performed last week, along with other women in music, as Nirvana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Photo credit: Joseph Marzullo/WENN.com

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas made a huge statement on Tuesday night without having to say a word.

Sorry, Heidi Klum and Seal are not getting back together >>

In their first public appearance together since the two separated about eight months ago, the duo confirmed speculation that they have reconciled as a married couple. Zeta-Jones and Douglas walked the red carpet for The Library's opening night at the Public Theater in New York City, according to E! News.

The two were presumably at the event to support the play's creator and director, Steven Soderbergh, whom both thespians have worked with on several occasions.

Word that Zeta-Jones, 44, and Douglas, 69, had split surfaced back in August of 2013 and there were rumors that a big reason behind the breakup was Douglas' son, Cameron, who is in prison on drug charges until 2018.

"Cameron is in solitary confinement and hasn't seen his father in an eternity, as he can't have visitors. Michael is beside himself. It consumes him," said a source. "Cameron and Catherine never seemed to have a close relationship and I think Michael always felt she just didn't care for the situation. He probably felt that there was little sympathy from her, toward him and Cameron."

Problems with Douglas' son aside, the couple has had a rocky couple of years health-wise, which also could have taken a toll on their relationship. In 2010, Douglas battled for his life with stage 4 throat cancer, and in both 2011 and 2013, Zeta-Jones checked herself into treatment in order to get help for bipolar II disorder.

However, there was some recent writing on the wall pointing towards a reunion. Just one month after news of their split, Douglas thanked Zeta-Jones in his Emmy acceptance speech, and referred to the actress as his wife. In December, a family friend said that Douglas would do anything to get the Ocean's Twelve actress back and had been visiting her home nightly in the hope of rekindling their romance.

The couple has two children together: Dylan, 13, and Carys, 10.

Photo credit: WENN.com

Daniel Franzese's hair should be bigger, because it's full of secrets. On-set secrets, that is.

This month marks the 10-year anniversary of the now-legendary Mean Girls, and even though Tina Fey squashed our hopes of a sequel, we're still obsessed. In commemoration of arguably the best movie of 2004, Franzese sat down with Cosmopolitan.com and promptly spilled his guts about his co-stars, his favorite things about the movie, and how his life has changed since its release.

Lindsay Lohan falls off the wagon at Coachella >>

Franzese admits that there were cliques on set... kind of. "Amanda was 17 and so was Lindsay," he said. "Lindsay and I get along way better now as adults than when she was a kid," he added, referring to the fact that most of the cast was much older than Amanda Seyfried and Lindsay Lohan. "Definitely Lizzy (Caplan) and I were a clique... inseparable, really," he stated. "Amanda and Lacey (Chabert) hung out a lot; Lindsay did her own thing."

Franzese, 36, talked about how life has never quite been the same since appearing in the film. "Like, they'll find any way to work a Mean Girls mention into the conversation," he said of fans. "And for the past decade, it doesn't matter where I am, it happens. I actually have removed the color pink from my wardrobe entirely... because people yell that stuff on the street to me all the time. I adore fans though."

Lacey Chabert, who played Gretchen Wieners, feels her co-star's pain. According to the Party of Five actress, to this day, people ask her if she's still trying to make fetch happen. "I never thought people would still be quoting Mean Girls 10 years later," she mused.

Even if he does have to forgo pink now, the actor admits that it was one of his favorite elements of the picture. "The 'I want my pink shirt back' line was one of my favorites from the movie," he said. Another one of his favorites: It's all about Glenn Coco. "I loved the 'You go Glenn Coco' line when I was dressed in the Santa costume, too... I also had a lot of fun with the 'she doesn't even go here' moment, from the scene with all the girls in the auditorium. I just thought it was such a funny line, I couldn't even handle it, I was just cracking up. There were so many funny lines to look forward to."

One tidbit of info we can't get over? James Franco was originally in talks to play Aaron Samuels. "(Jonathan) Bennett was great but that would've been cool."

You go, Daniel Franzese. You're one grool guy! Fingers crossed he will be in the musical version of Mean Girls that's said to be in the works.

Read the whole interview at Cosmopolitan.com.

Photo credit: National Geographic Channel

Sue Aikens is a mother, grandmother, pioneer and survivor. She knows what she can handle and whom she can't. Nat Geo's Life Below Zero's brightest star casts a big shadow, but we couldn't think of a better person to stand beside when the going gets tough. There's nothing this woman can't do.

We love fellow Alaskan, Jewel — but even she's not this tough >>

When National Geographic premiered Life Below Zero last year, Aikens immediately became the most fascinating. For nine months out of every year, the Chicago native lives in complete isolation 80 miles from the nearest "road," almost 200 miles from the Arctic Circle and roughly 500 miles from the closest town, Fairbanks. At the beginning of the show, she was asked how she made it from Chicago all the way to Alaska. In her pure bada** nature, Aikens said that story was hers and hers only. A year later, when SheKnows chatted with her, she gave us a quick rundown of the story.

"I was born in Chicago and then when I was very young, my mother, you know, at the time late '60s divorce was still not a real popular thing. But my mother decided to leave my father. So about 2 o'clock in the morning we all got a paper bag and were told to pack our bag, we're going to Alaska," Aikens explained. "And I spent the rest of my time in Alaska."

Alaska must-do: Denali National Park >>

Moving to beautiful, cold and wide open Alaska is one thing. Choosing to go even further north and agreeing to spend nearly 75 percent of your life alone don't exactly go hand in hand. In Aikens' eyes, though, taking over Kavik River Camp seems to have always been her destiny. To a certain extent, it's always been what she wanted to do with her life. Isolation isn't something she shies away from, but, instead, something she enjoys.

"You know even when I was 5 years old, in kindergarten and preschool, when they ask you what you want to be when you grow up, my answer was always lighthouse keeper. I've always craved extreme isolation, and I did very well with it. So it was just a natural progression," she told us. When we asked if she ever got lonely or craved human company, she was quick to answer. "No. I like myself. I crack myself up all the time. I'm pretty entertaining to be around, and there's no shortage of things to do for a curious mind."

She's not always alone, though. In the summer months, Kavik River Camp serves as a bed and breakfast for scientists, ecotourists and even a few hunters who come to check out the way far north. Her grandchildren also come to visit. While her granddaughter readily admits she'd rather go where mani/pedis are a regular thing, her teenage grandson loves spending time at Kavik and hopes he can follow in his grandma's footsteps someday (though not anytime soon). And of course, there are all the bears that visit the camp.

Several years ago, Aikens was doing her job around Kavik when she went from property manager to prey. Aikens was mauled by a bear. In the new season of Life Below Zero, she describes the sound of the bear gnawing on flesh and bone. This year, when one of the many bears in the population starts visiting the camp, Aikens is forced to go into hunter mode to avoid becoming hunted again. Is it terrifying? Hell, yeah. But Aikens isn't one for letting emotions defeat her.

For more TV news, reviews and interviews, sign up for our newsletter >>

"I don't talk about it deeply too often. I did not know how I would react the first time a bear was going to charge me, again. But it was going to happen, it's going to happen repeatedly forever," Aikens explained. "There's 83 grizzlies that are tagged and monitored within 10 miles of camp, and that's only the ones they tagged. When it happened, I dropped down into automatic mode and handled the situation well. But I was prepared that if I didn't handle it well I'm no longer an asset to being up here, I'm a liability."

Even if you didn't rethink Alaska or wildlife after an incident like that, you'd think the days-long wait for help would make Aikens reconsider the isolation. In her eyes, though, that time alone is what suits her best.

There's a lot going on behind that grin and those fierce eyes. Our only hope is that boredom will eventually set in, and she writes a book. Aikens' stories of life at Kavik are fascinating, and we'd happily spend hours escaping into more of them.

To get a taste of her bitterly cold and beautiful Alaskan life and watch her meet her most formidable foe, tune in to Life Below Zero on Thursdays at 9/8c on Nat Geo Channel.

Photo credit: C.Smith/ WENN.com

Another Hollywood couple bites the dust!

It's a sad day in showbiz because Will Arnett has officially filed for divorce from his estranged wife Amy Poehler.

The once-happy couple have been married since August 2003, but, unfortunately, their marriage was troubled, and the pair decided to amicably separate in September 2012. And now it appears their relationship is legally over for good.

According to People, the Arrested Development actor filed his divorce papers on April 8 in Los Angeles Superior Court, saying he would like to retain joint legal and physical custody of his two young sons Archie, 5, and Abel, 3, whom he shares with Poehler. Arnett has also requested visitation rights to his boys.

However, even though fans may be sad to now see the couple officially part ways, Arnett and Poehler have been estranged for quite some time, and both parties have enjoyed new relationships since their separation.

Arnett has previously been linked to several women, including Billy Joel's ex-wife Katie Lee and Erin David. And as for the Parks and Recreation actress? Well, she's also found comfort in the arms of another man, comedian Nick Kroll, who she has been dating since May 2013.

And according to Us Weekly, Poehler is very happy in her new relationship with Kroll. "She was looking for a guy like him," a source revealed. "She wanted a comedian who 'gets' her."

The split will be Arnett's second divorce and Poehler's first, and we wish the former couple all the best in their future relationships.

Peppermint essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties, meaning it can help alleviate sore muscles (high heels or workout wear, anyone?). The sugar will help just where your feet need it — think dry heels and toes — and works to eliminate dry skin. The added olive oil will help moisturize your skin.

This scrub may be a bit slippery in the bathtub or sink due to the oil. Take care not to slip, and rinse any remaining oil away from your bathroom surface when you're finished. Use a spoon to mix the scrub before using it, and store it in a cool spot with a lid on top. Use within a few days, as the sugar will begin to dissolve.

DIY minty moisturizing foot scrub

What you'll need:

• 1 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup olive oil (you could also use baby oil)
• 10-15 drops peppermint essential oil
• 1 wide-mouth jar with a lid

Directions:

1. Mix the ingredients together in a medium bowl.
2. Transfer the mixture to your container and secure it with the lid.
3. Use it sitting on the edge of your tub or a sink. Wet your feet, then scoop up some of the scrub with your fingers or a spoon, and gently massage it over your feet (especially your heels) in a circular motion.
4. Rinse well when finished.

DIY massaging foot soak

DIY vanilla and
eucalyptus bath salts

DIY lemongrass body wash

For the upcoming holiday, get a little creative with what you put in your Easter baskets. DIY colorful Easter egg soaps can be made using a variety of pretty colors and even fragrances, with inexpensive, plastic Easter eggs for your molds. Add these to the baskets of all the good eggs in your life. They'll love these sweet (calorie-free) treats.

Glycerin soap is super-moisturizing and if you find the right type, it can be all-natural without any harsh or man-made ingredients. I found a bag of all-natural glycerin pieces at a local craft store. To create these egg soaps, I added a vibrant essential oil to the mix (think lemon or rosemary), but that's an optional step. You'll also need food coloring to give these soaps their pretty tints.

When you're finished, package them as you'd like, but I think they're cute presented in a small basket. If you're giving them as gifts, don't forget to let your recipients know about the pins used to secure the ribbon.

DIY colorful Easter egg soaps

Makes 6 egg soaps

What you'll need:

• 6 (2-ounce) plastic Easter eggs that separate in half
• 12 ounces pure solid glycerin pieces
• Food coloring
• Essential oil (optional)
• Microwave-safe glass bowl (small)
• Plastic spoons (1 for each color you're using)
• Styrofoam cups (1 for each color you're using)
• Mini muffin tin to hold the egg halves
• Decorative ribbon
• Several straight pins

Directions:

1. Place the plastic egg halves in the mini muffin tin, close to where you'll be working. This will help hold your eggs in place as the glycerin forms. Be sure you can keep them in this same spot, undisturbed, for 15 to 20 minutes or a bit more.
2. Work with 2 egg halves at a time in mind. Add 1 to 2 glycerin pieces, cut into smaller chunks, to the small bowl. Microwave in increments of about 10 to 20 seconds depending on your microwave.
3. Remove the melted glycerin and use a spoon to stir any small pieces that didn't melt.
4. Once completely melted, let it sit for a few seconds, then transfer it to 1 of the cups. Drop in your desired food color (I used 1 to 2 drops per egg), and a few drops of your essential oil (again, I used 1 to 2 drops), if using.
5. Mix with the spoon, then pour the mixture into both the smaller and larger egg halves in the muffin tin.
6. Repeat the process using a separate cup and spoon for each color.
7. When the glycerin is solid but still very slightly warm and pliable, hold the egg halves in your hand with the open side facing up. Use your fingers to slightly bend all around the opening to help loosen the soap. You'll need to do this for several turns. You may also need to bang the open half on a solid surface to help loosen it.
8. When each half is removed, hold them together and place a ribbon around the center where they meet. Secure the ribbon in 1 spot using 2 straight pins, 1 for each end of the ribbon, to hold it in place.
9. Package the soaps as you’d like.

Massaging foot soak

DIY vanilla and
eucalyptus bath salts

Peppermint lip balm

Hey, American Author fans! Want an inside look at the video for their new single, "Believer?" You came to the right place. As huge fans of American Authors, SheKnows has kept up with the band and everything they're up to lately. They even invited us for a behind-the-scenes look at making the video and shared with us everything "Believer" means to them. We're thrilled to share the scoop with you.

Exclusive: American Authors chat about their TV debut >>

Lead singer, Zac Barnett, scooped us hardcore on what to expect from the "Believer" video. You might start out believing some things about the lead characters in the music video, but try not to hold too tight to your first impression. Nothing is as it seems.

"The concept for our new video for 'Believer' is the story about two kids. They seem like they're outsiders, they don't really fit in," shared Barnett. "But, what you discover is that they are something completely different than what they are. They have these personalities and they're geniuses and they're off trying to figure out a way to create something great."

Behind every awesome music video is (usually) a brilliantly-written song, as is the case with "Believer." The American Authors guys let us in on what the song is about and how it will hit home to probably all of their fans. To hear their inspiring message, you'll have to watch the video at the top as Barnett and drummer, Matt Sanchez, share their insights into the song.

A little less country: Kristian Bush strikes out on his own >>

That's not all we have for you, though. The band was also kind enough to share even more.

One of our favorite things to do with with our stars is play a "lightning round" of quick-answer questions, just to see what kind of funny answers we can get from them. AA's lead guitarist, James Adam Shelley, was kind enough to play along.

Last movie he cried at: "Never. I don't cry to movies. I watch comedies and action/adventure."

First kiss: "Last night, Zac Barnett and me in a car," he teased. Sadly, they didn't get that on video. Hmm... we think he's just teasing us.

Three things he hates: "Zac, Matt and Dave." It must've been a long day.

Want to know his celebrity BFF and watch him fail at curling his tongue? Check out the video, y'all.

For even more fun with American Authors, click the picture below to see behind-the-scenes shots the guys took while filming their music video for "Believer," which premieres on Thursday, April 17. Enjoy!

For more music news and interviews, sign up for our newsletter >>

Photo credit: American Authors

Click here for more photos >>

Photo credit: PNP/WENN

This may be a headline you never thought you'd read, but, unfortunately, it did happen.

Police have confirmed to multiple outlets that Andre Johnson, a rapper who has been affiliated with the Wu-Tang Clan (shown in the picture above) and the hip-hop group Northstar attempted to take his own life by jumping from a building on Wednesday. However, that was after the troubled man mutilated himself by cutting off his penis.

Hulk Hogan reveals secrets of his dark and suicidal past >>

According to CNN, Los Angeles Police Sgt. William Mann revealed that Johnson was found critically injured on the sidewalk after he'd jumped from a second-floor balcony at an apartment in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

Johnson, who, according to TMZ, goes by the name of Christ Bearer in the group Northstar — an act that was allegedly discovered by Wu-Tang producer and rapper RZA in 1998 — was rushed to the hospital and is believed to be recovering at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Mick Jagger posts tribute to late girlfriend L'Wren Scott >>

The musician's friends who live in the building revealed to TMZ that Johnson gave no warning before he dramatically cut off his penis and then jumped from the balcony. In fact, the horrific incident is said to have happened so quickly that, by the time the rapper's friends made it to where he had fallen, he was already "running around screaming."

The two men also revealed they were not on "any hard drugs that would cause him to do such a thing."

Gia Allemand's mother: I heard her last breath >>

Johnson aka Christ Bearer is still believed to be recovering in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA and is in stable condition. However, according to TMZ, the doctors were unable to reattach his severed penis.

Since converting to a vegan lifestyle, I have to find ways to make things my whole family can enjoy without sacrificing flavors or textures. Plant-based milks are becoming more and more popular, along with many different options. This is a super-easy breakfast idea that I prepare the night before and pop into the oven in the morning. You can top this off with just about anything you desire, from fresh fruits and nuts to homemade vegan whipped cream.

Learn how to make homemade coconut milk >>

Vegan overnight French toast bake recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup almond flour or whole wheat flour
• 1 3/4 cups coconut, cashew or almond milk
• 1/4-1/2 cup pure maple syrup (depending on desired sweetness)
• 1/2 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tablespoon apple pie spice or ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 loaf fresh French or challah bread, sliced
• Fresh fruit or nuts for topping

Directions:

1. Spray a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, and layer the slices of bread.
2. In a bowl, combine the remaining ingredients, and mix very well. Pour the mixture over the top of the sliced bread. Make sure each piece is nicely coated so that it can absorb the flavors.
3. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap, and chill it for several hours or ideally overnight.
4. To prepare the French toast, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F, and bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until the center is hot and the top is golden brown.
5. Serve with fresh fruit, dairy-free whipped cream and extra maple syrup, if desired.

More vegan-friendly recipes

Vegan carrot cake cookies
Vegan cheeseburger bombs
Coconut sweet potato fries with tahini dressing

Photo credit: DJDM/WENN.com

Season 18 of The Bachelor was probably the most controversial season yet, and the critics of Juan Pablo Galavis are not going to go away anytime soon.

However, former The Bachelor contestant and winner Nikki Ferrell truly appears to be happy with her man, and she's taken to social media to defend her relationship. Although, should she really need to justify to anyone if she is happy or not?

Say what you will about Galavis, but Ferrell must be getting tired of having to defend her relationship with him. On Sunday, she took to Instagram to share a quote with fans that says, "I think we like to complicate things when it is really quite simple; find what it is that makes you happy and who is it that makes you happy and you're set. Promise."

The pediatric nurse captioned the quote, "Truer words have never been spoken. I create the definition of my own happiness. Full heart. Open mind. #lifeisgood"

True fans should be happy for the blond beauty and her relationship and Galavis, who has reportedly even managed to say the "L word" to her in private. However, fans are not willing to give the couple their blessings just yet.

According to Us Weekly, one fan commented on the picture, "Honey, watchin soccer and eating cheetos w juany pabs AINT gonna make you happy (sic)." Clearly, this comment did not impress Ferrell much, who retorted, "Hm weird those happen to be 3 of my absolute favorite things. Thanks for playing tho. Better luck next time."

And the couple appear to be happy together if Ferrell's photo booth snapshots are anything to go by. The 26-year-old star posted this photo on her Instagram account on Sunday.

We guess it's time to leave these two alone despite how much the world dislikes Galavis and would like him to disappear from the public eye forever.

A member of the Gaillardia genus, the mesa bright bicolor blanket flower is an eye-catching perennial that resembles its sunflower cousins. Boasting bright yellow blooms with a pink-red halo, this sturdy plant has a long blooming season ranging from early summer until the first frost. If you can't find the mesa, there are over two dozen other varieties of blanket flowers to choose from.

Columbine, also known as granny's bonnet, is a stunning perennial in the Aquilegia genus that thrives in sun to partial shade and regular watering. Plant it in the spring for gorgeous violet blooms into summer.

A member of the Oenothera genus, the pink evening primrose sports an X with its pistils. This delicate-looking flower is actually a hardy spreading perennial that can tolerate partial shade as well as drought. Look for these beauties to open their flowers as the evening nears.

This spiny orb-shaped perennial is a member of the genus Echinops, which unsurprisingly means "hedgehog like" in Latin. Best planted in sun to partial shade, the globe thistle will be a magnet for butterflies, bees and other pollinating insects.

A vigorous, spreading perennial, the Santa Barbara daisy is a member of the Erigeron genus and is an easy way to grow a blanket of cultivatable flowers. Not to be confused with the true daisy, this plant will bloom throughout the summer.

This species of penstemon, or bearded tongue, displays dramatic deep-blue blooms that beg to be featured in a summer dinner party bouquet. The delft blue Riding Hood needs well-draining soil and tends to attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

In the Achillea genus, common yarrow features large, compact clusters of flowers at the top of its stems that have delicate fern-like leaves. This pretty perennial is a low-maintenance plant that blooms in summer and is frequented by hummingbirds and butterflies.

More gardening tips we love

Garden like these 12 green-thumb celebs
Expert tips to till your garden
13 Essential gardening tools

Those dark, eerie creatures that seem to hover above your shoulder on a late, foggy night. The bird that is used to make your house spooky for Halloween. That’s right — crows. Despite their reputation, we should reconsider the way we view these birds. After all, they may be smarter than your children.

The University of Auckland in New Zealand and the University of Cambridge in England proved that the New Caledonian crow is as smart as the average 5 to 7-year-old child. The study was inspired by Aesop’s fable where a crow is unable to reach water in a half-filled pitcher. To test the intelligence of these birds, researchers created multiple scenarios with tubes of water that had a worm floating at the top for incentive. They placed heavy objects for the birds to pick up and drop into the water to raise the level so their beaks could eventually reach the worm. All six crows that were tested succeeded in receiving their reward.

How does this relate to your child? Researchers say both the crows and children used the same reasoning skills. The researchers did, however, say they allowed the crows more tries than the children. Aesop was really on to something.

More interesting animal facts

25 Crazy cat behaviors finally explained
Random things your dog does, and now you'll know why
The funniest video about octopuses you'll ever see

Photo credit: Nineteeneightyeight

Aled Lewis teamed up with friends and family to retell the Star Wars story via a 30-feet by 13-inch cross-stitched canvas. This tapestry depicts the Star Wars saga from Episode 1 through Episode 6, and quotes from each movie are written in Aurebesh on the surrounding border. This crafty ode to Star Wars is currently on display in Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles and is for sale for $20,000.

Photo credit: Blog Your Wine

Yes, you read that right. We can't explain these, but we love them. And we want to know how many bottles of wine the owner had to drink to make them.

Photo credit: Dominic Wilcox

A talented British designer, Dominic Wilcox, made this detailed 3D replica of his own face out of regular tinfoil. His fragile sculpture was created by forming tinfoil into an old plaster mold that was made when the artist was 21 years old.

Photo credit: Fish Restaurant

This mural is made out of colored bottle tops and hangs on the wall in the dining room of Fish, a restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina. We love everything about this, from the materials used to the beautiful image created.

Photo credit: Foodscapes

London-based photographer Carl Warner uses bits and pieces of food to create incredibly realistic and intricate scenes. Heaps of bread become rugged mountains, cucumbers become tree trunks and cabbage leaves become foliage. Warner and his team assemble the ingredients one piece at a time on a table top, creating interpretations of renowned architectural structures — like the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China, human figures ranging from gondola drivers to cowboys, and sweeping vistas ranging from the London skyline to vast deserts.

Photo credit: Practical Machinest

This eagle is made out of pennies. We love the open wingspan and the gold and silver detailing in the face and claws.

Photo credit: Aunt Peaches

Himmelis — little ornaments made out of short strips of straw — are a form of Lithuanian folk art and are crazy popular come Christmas time. And this is a mobile made of seven small decahedrons, one large decahedron and no tape. The artist just pinched the ends to make them fit into each other. She reports that for such a delicate thing, it's surprisingly sturdy.

Photo credit: Ace Photography Blog

A wedding dress was made out of flowers and used as a centerpiece. We love how romantic and creative this idea is.

Photo credit: Valera Velev

Valera Velev is a Russian artist and the creator of Fizz, upcycled art that reinvigorates old items that have stories to tell. His chair and ottoman made entirely of foam noodle-like tubes, like the ones kids play with in a pool, has gotten a lot of attention — including ours.

Photo credit: We make carpets

Can you believe this carpet is made out of paper clips? These Amsterdam-based artists say they're proud of defying gravity with this project. We say they absolutely should be proud of this gravity-defying and uber-unique creation.

More clever crafts

12 Clever wreaths you can make from food
16 Ways to turn rocks into amazingly cute crafts
Jewelry with a twist: How to make hemp jewelry

Photo credit: WENN.com

Fans rarely get to see snapshots of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's baby daughter North West — even though she has already graced the pages of Vogue and peed on her dad while doing so — so when they do, it's always a little special, and the latest picture of the 10-month-old little girl is no exception.

North's aunts are forever doting on her or gushing about her, and aunt Khloé Kardashian took the opportunity to share an adorable new picture of her niece in a winged angel onesie on Thursday.

The 29-year-old reality TV star posted the pic on her Instagram account, which she simply captioned, "Angel." And Kendall Jenner was also taken with how cute her niece looked that she, too, decided to share the adorable snapshot with her fans on Instagram.

According to E! News, North's little onesie is from a luxury clothing line created by Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece and retails for $75. Of course, it's not surprising the tiny tot would be dressed in couture at such a young age given how fashion obsessed both her parents are.

In fact, Kim, Khloé and Kourtney Kardashian even have their own affordable baby clothing line, the Kardashian Kids line at Babies R' Us. "Kids grow up so fast, you need affordable clothes!" Kim said, according to E! News.

Kim and her rapper beau are set to wed in Paris next month, and we cannot wait to see what baby Nori will be dressed in for the lavish affair.

Photo credit: Antonio_Diaz/iStock/360/Getty Images

A report in Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, shows that when it comes to kids and caffeine, how much caffeine kids consume hasn't changed much over the 10-year period studied — but the source of caffeine has.

Is caffeine safe
for kids?

Find out everything you need to know about your kid and caffeine and how much of this jitter-inducing ingredient is OK for kids to sip.

Caffeine trend report

The American Academy of Pediatrics released a report in the February 2014 issue of Pediatrics revealing that approximately 73 percent of children and adolescents guzzled caffeine on an average day. The good news is that kids are drinking less soda nowadays, declining from 62 percent to 38 percent. And, more parents are steering 2- to 11-year-olds clear of caffeine. However, to many parents' dismay, overall the average amount of caffeine kids drank stayed steady. Not surprising is the shift in the source of the stimulant — coffee and energy drinks.

Teen death reportedly tied to energy drink, so is caffeine dangerous for kids? >> 

Safe caffeine levels for kids

Psychiatrist Dr. Prakash Masand, president of Global Medical Education reports that high doses — 250 milligrams of caffeine or more per day — can equal restlessness, nervousness, flushing, increased heart rate, periods of inexhaustibility, sleep disturbances, arrhythmias, and excitement in adults. But, because caffeine isn't a nutrient necessary to keep kids healthy, the U.S. doesn't actually have guidelines about caffeine for kids. However, if you do allow your kiddo to consume caffeine, you can sleep easy knowing that the legend that caffeine can stunt growth in kids is actually a myth, according to KidsHealth.org.

Common and hidden sources of caffeine

Most kids and adolescents probably know that soda, coffee and energy drinks contain caffeine. But some medications, candy and even food is getting a boost with the naturally-derived energy source. This rising trend of adding caffeine into consumable products has the FDA on high alert, triggering an investigation in 2013 addressing the safety concerns with caffeine consumption and access kids may have to these products.

The biggest challenge, Dr. Masand explains, is that most people, kids included, don't know how much caffeine is too much. That's mostly because not every soda, energy drink or cup of Joe yields the same quantity of jumpy juice. Caffeineinformer.com exposes the caffeine levels per serving in some of your kiddo's favorite pick-me-ups.

• 12-ounce A&W cream soda — 29 milligrams
• 12-ounce Barq's root beer — 23 milligrams
• 24-ounce Baskin Robbins cappuccino blast — 234 milligrams
• 8-ounce chocolate milk — 5 milligrams
• 8-ounce brewed decaffeinated coffee — 6 milligrams
• 12-ounce Diet Coke — 45 milligrams
• 12-ounce Dr Pepper — 41 milligrams
• 12-ounce Lipton Brisk green tea — 6 milligrams
• 8-ounce Lipton Tea — 55 milligrams
• 12-ounce (small) McDonald's coffee — 109 milligrams
• 16-ounce Monster energy drink — 60 milligrams
• 12-ounce Mountain Dew — 54 milligrams
• 12-ounce Pepsi — 38 milligrams
• 16-ounce Rockstar energy drink — 160 milligrams
• 16-ounce Slurpee, cherry flavor — 50 milligrams
• 16-ounce Snapple tea — 42 milligrams
• 8-ounce Starbucks coffee — 180 milligrams
• 12-ounce Starbucks caffè latte — 75 milligrams
• 12-ounce Sunkist orange soda — 41 milligrams
• 8-ounce Tazo chai — 47 milligrams

Should kids be banned from buying energy drinks? >> 

Is caffeine education the key, or should the food and beverage industries take responsibility? For now, don't expect your children's access to the invigorating ingredient to change. What you can do, though, is educate yourself on everything you need to know about your kid and caffeine intake, and share with your youngster about how much caffeine he or she is actually consuming — it's a lot more practical than policing every sip.

More about kids and caffeine

Cappuccinos for kids: The new trend for mini foodies
Calming foods for hyperactive kids
Junior insomniacs: Sleep-deprived kids

Photo credit: Warner Bros.Pictures via WENN.com

But come on, we already knew that geeks are gaining ground in the panty-dropping department. (Hello, Mark Zuckerberg!) The survey's results appear to back that up: It says 68 percent of Americans agree that women are finding tech-savvy guys more attractive now than they did five years ago.

We talked to a few experts with some insight into why geeks are suddenly sexy.

Power is hot

Who wields the ability to change society and shape the way we live? It's not the dude blasting his lats on a weight bench.

"We are living in an age where brains are valued more than brawn at the moment," says Gerard Benchetrit, CEO of Spiffy Society, an eyeglasses retailer specializing in geek-chic frames. "In ancient days, a man was seen as powerful if he had muscular strength, but now world leaders and influencers have to be well educated and great thinkers to be successful. 'Geeks' run the world now."

Tech-savvy partners make life easier

"Women today are much more independent, and financially independent. So why do they need a man? They need a man to make their lives easier, more comfortable, more supportive," says John Gray, Ph.D., relationship expert and author of Men Are From Mars, Women Are from Venus.

"Being independent, women tend to become overwhelmed. If you ask most women, what they need most is more time," Gray says. "Computers, when they go down and when they're not working, can dramatically eat up your time. To have a guy around who is not only capable of that but enjoys doing that is a huge asset."

Kind of like a live-in Genius Bar — minus the long lines.

Pop culture is now geek central

Geeks of all kinds have risen to mainstream sex-symbol status in 2014. "Numerous geeks are in the constant public eye due to technology," says Jennifer Boyd, a cultural anthropologist who studies geek chic's influence on popular culture. "Twitter and Facebook keep us connected to our favorite celebrity geek."

Which guys are hot right now? There are several that stand out, Boyd says: director Joss Whedon, who created Buffy: The Vampire Slayer and wrote The Avengers movie; actor Nathan Fillion, of Firefly and Castle; M. Night Shyamalan, who made a superhero movie, Unbreakable, before they were "cool"; and even Vin Diesel, who loves playing Dungeons & Dragons so much he tattooed his character name on his arm.

"Those who consistently purchase — and might I say worship? — Apple products might argue that Steve Jobs was the epitome of a sexy male geek," she says. "He rose to power [and] attained status and wealth, all three of which have long been considered symbols of the alpha male in most societies. Fans of Microsoft would say the same of Bill Gates, who also achieved all those things and is also a great humanitarian — another very desirable trait."

"If geeks are attaining power and status, that is usually a motivating force for women to become attracted to them," Boyd continues. "Other women may find geeks attractive because they identify as a geek themselves and look for a compatible mate who will have shared interests."

Someone to binge-watch Battlestar Galactica with us? Yesssss!

Photo credit: Spiffy Society

Women relate to technophiles

Since gadgets and tech are such huge parts of our lives today, we'd wager that today's women have more in common with geeks than they do fitness fanatics. Just look at what's hot in fashion, which is currently taking a cue from tech culture.

"Our best-selling frame right now is the London in Honey Tort," eyewear expert Benchetrit says. "It's a really fun frame. It also strongly resembles the glasses worn by Joaquin Phoenix in Spike Jonze's film Her — which was a big surprise hit last year. I think many people could identify with Phoenix's character in the movie."

If you have a crush on a geek, here's how to get his attention

You're gonna need to make the first move... and a subtle hair-flip doesn't count.

"Many tech geeks tend to show up as shy and don't feel comfortable making the first move," Gray says. "You can curl your hair, you can look at him.... He might think you think he's weird and you're disapproving of him, rather than inviting him over."

Stand tall, speak up, and make your intentions clear:

"Men today are more shy. They're more considerate, they're more caring, they don't want to intrude your space," Gray says. "Typically a lot of the good fish, you have to go and hook 'em in. Basically, you want to be direct, you want to put yourself right in front of him — right next to him — and ask him, 'What do you do?' Then he can talk about what he does. And then, don't ask another question. Imagine he's asked you the question, which is 'What do you do?'"

"A geek guy may be interested in you, but he doesn't pursue you. And quite often the woman he's interested in, he'll ignore the most. Why is that? Because it's the greatest risk of rejection," Gray says.

More on love

How Google Glass could change the way we hook up
5 Craziest marriage proposals on the internet
Man Candy Mondays: Adam Brody

Photo credit: Brian To/WENN.com

Director Bryan Singer has been named in a federal lawsuit that details the graphic and horrifying sexual abuse of a teenage boy.

The X-Men director was identified by accuser Michael Egan III, now in his 30s, as the person who forcibly sodomized him and forced him to perform other sexual acts when Egan was between the ages of 15-17.

Egan detailed the alleged abuse in the lawsuit, explaining that aspiring teen actors were lured into a sex ring by Hollywood player Marc Collins-Rector, who later pleaded guilty on eight charges of child enticement and luring five children across state lines for sexual purposes.

According to the lawsuit, Egan was put on payroll and made to attend parties where he was expected to perform sex acts on adult attendees who resorted to drugging teens when they did not comply. The alleged victim claims Singer took a special interest in him, promising the then-teen multiple movie roles that never materialized before raping him multiple times.

Corey Feldman details sickening Hollywood sexual abuse >>

"The stories that I've heard of what went on at the estate are truly despicable," the accuser's lawyer, Miami attorney Jeff Herman, told the Daily News.

"Hollywood has a problem with the sexual exploitation of children. This is the first of many cases I will be filing to give these victims a voice and to expose the issue," Herman added in a press release.

The lawsuit echoes accusations made by Corey Feldman, who has repeatedly talked about the abuse he and Corey Haim experienced as part of a Hollywood sex conspiracy — claims that other former child stars say are frighteningly accurate.

A lawyer for the director said in a statement that the suit is nothing more than a grab for publicity, coming just a month before the release of Singer's latest flick X-Men: Days of Future Past.

"The claims made against Bryan Singer are completely without merit. We are very confident that Bryan will be vindicated in this absurd and defamatory lawsuit," Singer's attorney said.

Photo credit: WENN.com

We've been watching her since she was just a kid, and now she is going to have a kid of her own. Chelsea Clinton announced she is pregnant with her first child during an event on Thursday, April 17.

Chelsea Clinton headlines first National Day of Service >>

The child of a former president and secretary of state might as well be American royalty, but her pregnancy may have a bigger significance to a future campaign. Although her mom, Hillary Clinton, hasn't announced any intentions to run for President of the United States in 2016, all signs are pointing to yes. But will the grandbaby have an effect on Hillary Clinton's campaign?

The 34-year-old former first daughter has been taking an active role in her mother's foundation, working on the Clinton Foundation's health programs. Chelsea Clinton was at an event for No Ceilings for her mom when she made the announcement about her pregnancy.

"Marc and I are very excited that we have our first child arriving later this year and I certainly feel all the better, whether it's a girl or a boy, that she or he will grow up in a world full of so many strong female leaders," Chelsea Clinton said in New York City, according to USA Today.

Vogue gets personal: Chelsea Clinton on love and politics >>

Hillary Clinton hasn't said whether she will be running, but she has been leading early public opinion polls. It seems that becoming a grandmother can only help that cause, except that the baby may actually make the decision for her. Sources close to Hillary Clinton told TIME that a grandchild could be the "big wildcard" in Hillary's decision to run. But whether that means she is more likely to run, or less likely, it's not clear.

Chelsea's dad, Bill Clinton, recently told a crowd at the World Economic Forum that they have been putting a lot of pressure on their daughter to give them a grandchild.

"I would like to have a happy wife and she won't be unless she's a grandmother," he said. "It's something she wants more than she wanted to be president."

Do you think Chelsea Clinton's baby could affect Hillary Clinton's decision to run for POTUS?