There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but beating the crap out of them isn't one. Paul Simon and his wife, fellow musician Edie Brickell of New Bohemians fame, are building a bridge over troubled water today after both were arrested following what police are calling a "family dispute" at their home in Connecticut.
Police reported to the couple's New Canaan home after receiving a 911 hangup at approximately 8:20 Saturday night, and determined that both Simon and Brickell were involved in what they described as a minor physical altercation.
"There was aggressiveness on both sides," Chief of Police Leon Krolikowski told The Courant, adding the couple is "very nice people. They're quiet and they keep to themselves… great people.
"Under Connecticut law we're obligated to make an arrest because it was domestic violence," Krolikowski explained. "Before we left the scene we made assurances both were safe. One of the parties agreed to leave and did leave. Frankly, they're both victims."
Attorney Alan Cramer, representing both musicians, said the dispute was minor and involved a "couple of pushes."
"On a scale of one to 10, it was a one," he said.
Neither Simon nor Brickell were taken into custody but were issued misdemeanor summons to appear in court today, which they did — holding hands.
After reviewing the police report and at the couple's request, the presiding judge declined to issue a limited protective order. The pair is due back in court May 16.
New romance rumors hit the online waves when Orlando Bloom and Selena Gomez were seen together at Chelsea Handler's Uganda Be Kidding Me show on Saturday night.
The unlikely pair seemed very cozy when they were spotted in mid-conversation outside the Forum in Los Angeles after they attended the comedienne's stand-up show, The New York Post first reported. Bloom, 37, and Gomez, 21, were sitting on the sidewalk together conversing closely when they were approached by photographers.
When they saw the paps coming their way the duo quickly separated, but not before a photo of them together was snapped. While some earlier reports claim that Gomez was at the comedy show with some girlfriends, Page Six said that Bloom and Gomez actually arrived at the Forum in the same car and also left together.
This wasn't the first time they were seen together either, as the couple was also spotted at the We Day California event last month. Bloom and Gomez even posed for an Instagram shot with mutual pal Seth Rogen and a couple of fans.
Meanwhile, both the Hobbit star and the "Come & Get It" singer have had their own separate relationship troubles recently. Bloom split up from wife Miranda Kerr, with whom he's going through a supposed friendly divorce, while Gomez has a very rocky relationship with on-again, off-again boyfriend Justin Bieber.
Incidentally, just two years ago, Bieber, 20, and Kerr were caught flirting up a storm during the 2012 Victoria's Secret runway show. At the time, rumors swirled that Bloom grew jealous of his then-wife's relationship with the Biebs, and the pair's cuddling and continued flirting at a New York showbiz party didn't help matters much.
Additional reports from the U.K.'s Daily Mail and TMZ suggest that Bloom and Gomez are just hanging out together to have revenge on their exes. But, it seems more likely the two are good pals, as they seem to be very chummy with each other. A strong possibility could still remain that the two could indeed be having some kind of romance together.
"I was born in South East London so if you've ever seen that movie Snatch, that's pretty much where I'm from," Matt Goss began when we asked him to tell us about his life. "My granddad and my family are East Londoners... and Irish grandparents. I was in my first band when I was 12 and I was in bands all throughout school with terrible names like Caviar. We didn't know what caviar was, we just knew it was expensive. Then we found out it was fish eggs, so then we thought we should change our names."
Obviously, Caviar didn't last long, and neither did many of the bands that followed. Eventually, though, he found massive U.K. success with the band Bros, who sold millions of records during their time together. After almost a decade of living the crazy life of a pop star and even playing to 70,000 people at Wembley Stadium, Goss wanted something new.
"And then began the journey," Goss said. "It was about fame or about going somewhere like America where I could see if I could make records and break [into] new territory... so, I started the journey here. And now it's been six years in Vegas and five years at Caesars Palace."
He's got a brand-new album on the way, too, and he has even released an autobiography detailing his struggle with inner fear. It's hard to believe such a handsome bloke could have any sort of self-doubt and, while that might have been the case at one time, it isn't anymore. Goss says he's let go of fear in lieu of having a brighter future.
"I think [the key is] ridding yourself of fear and, for me, that's still an ongoing process. We all fear things, but I don't think fear will ever be the creator of your dreams. I think believing in everything is possible will create your dreams," Goss said. Adding, "I have this mentality that storms only last a certain period of time and you should go left foot, right foot through the storm because you'll end up beating the storm. Dance along the way."
That's pretty deep stuff, but we had plenty of fun with Goss, as well. It was particularly entertaining to hear stories about the crazy ways fans would try to get to him. Our favorite story took place in Tokyo.
"I was in Toyko once, and the dumbwaiter on the 12th floor, the door opened and two fans fell out of this dumbwaiter, you know, where they bring up the food?" Goss said. "They fell out and it was so extraordinary to me that I ended up talking to them."
Goss was quick to say, though, that he truly appreciates his fans. He says they feel like family because he's met girls, watched them meet their boyfriends and then watched those boyfriends turn into husbands. It sounds like he's even done his fair share of baby-kissing. Despite their sometimes-crazy ways, Goss says he knows they just genuinely care about him. It's hard to hold a grudge against someone simply because they love you too much, right?
With so much success in the U.K. and around the world, what made Goss leap across the pond to find himself residing in Vegas? Goss admitted that, while he's still a good little Brit, he likes America's views on success. According to Goss, Brits expect you to hang your head in embarrassment upon becoming successful, whereas here in the U.S., Americans expect you to want, strive for and relish in your success.
Goss is definitely proving to be successful... and quite the hunk. During his time at the SheKnows studios, we chatted with him about plenty more juicy bits, including the girl of his dreams, his feelings on celebrities and what makes him cry. To find out those deets and so much more about our new crush, watch the video. And, you know, try not to drool on your keyboards.
Wood decided to reveal her secret crush on Jovovich during a Twitter conversation on Sunday when she chatted with the editor-in-chief of The Advocate, Matthew Breen.
"My husband is well aware of the crush I have on Milla," she wrote. "I mean who doesn't?! She is also insanely talented."
yup! and my husband is well aware of the crush I have on Milla. ;) I mean who doesn't?! @matbreen@MillaJovovich
Wood, who is bisexual, previously came out in 2011 to Esquire magazine when she admitted, "I'm into anything. Meet a nice guy, meet a nice girl..." And the actress revealed to Breen that coming out was "... just such a weight lifted."
"I did it because its a huge part of who I am. I wanted people to really know me. I also wanted — to inspire people to be who they are. Maybe help another struggling terrified 12 year old know its ok. And I didn't want to feel like I had to hide the women in my life (sic)."
"I have certainly felt shamed from both sides for identifying that way. People like things — black and white. Its less scary (sic)," Wood continued. "Grey areas make people uneasy. But the pain and fear and confusion are just as real as any other sexuality and you are not alone."
So many are! This is true. I have certainly felt shamed from both sides for identifying that way. People like things--@matbreen
However, the Mildred Pierce actress claimed that coming out to the public was "nothing compared to when I tried to come out to my mother [Sara Lynn Moore] when I was 12. I was so scared and cried so hard, I never got the words out."
nothing compared 2 when I tried 2 come out 2 my mother when I was 12. I was so scared and cried so hard I never got the words out @matbreen
And Jovovich is not Wood's first celebrity girl crush either. She admitted to People earlier this year that she had a crush on her Thirteen co-star Nikki Reed.
When asked if she had been crushing on her co-star during the filming of the hit movie, Wood confessed, "I did have a crush on Nikki. I don't think I realized at the time that it was like a full-blown crush but I definitely remember having feelings and thinking she was so beautiful ...."
For years, expectant moms have faced the challenge of staying fashionable and comfortable during pregnancy. As your body changes and your beautiful bump grows, dressing can become quite the challenge, and fashion-forward maternity clothing isn't always readily available. Jennifer Love Hewitt wants to change that.
The new mom and hit actress has designed a new maternity collection called L by Jennifer Love Hewitt collection with A Pea in the Pod for the "fashion-forward mom-to-be." Featuring 15 items, the collection was inspired by Jennifer's own pregnancy (she gave birth to daughter Autumn last November) and her craving for cute, comfortable, flattering maternity clothes.
Photo credit: A Pea in the Pod
"Like other moms-to-be, I had to dress for my new figure but I hoped that wouldn’t mean sacrificing my personal style," Jennifer said. "It was a relief to go into A Pea in the Pod and to see I could continue wearing the clothing and designers I loved before pregnancy and to find pieces I really felt like myself in. To have the opportunity to bring my own perspective to such an established brand and to collaborate on a collection that other moms-to-be can wear and feel great in has made this time in my life even more special."
Photo credit: A Pea in the Pod
So what can we expect from the L by Jennifer Love Hewitt collection? Something for every mom. The collection features a range of pieces including spring and summer-ready dresses, luxe tunics, comfy T-shirts and fashionable leggings. Our favorite part? The prices. Ranging from $40–$158, the collection features items for every style and price point so expectant moms everywhere can feel confident showing off their figure. Intrigued? You can check out the collection online, in A Pea in the Pod stores and select Destination Maternity stores now.
We caught up with Jason Ritter, son of the legendary late actor John Ritter, on the red carpet for the Radio Disney Music Awards. We asked him about working on the TV show Parenthood.
"It's been a dream come true. A sort of unexpected journey because I was only supposed to do a couple of episodes in the first season, and I kept being brought back. Lauren [Graham] is so lovely and wonderful and amazing. The show is an actor's dream, they trust us and let us try new things."
OK, that's great he enjoys the show, but what we really wanted to know were the details of his upcoming film I Fought the Law, in which Ritter is preparing to play the serial killer Charles Manson.
The real Manson is serving out a life sentence in central California for the gruesome murder of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and four others at her home in 1969.
So what about Manson intrigues Ritter so much that he wants to portray the lunatic on film?
"He was able to charm and manipulate a lot of people and that takes some kind of people skills. He didn't introduce himself as a psychopath-murderer-manipulator. He drew a lot of people to him, including some of the Beach Boys. A lot of people just thought he was a strange guy but didn't know what he was capable of, and that's what was so scary about him."
We asked Ritter if the research he did on Manson stayed with him.
"He definitely gets in your head. The way he talks is so sort of circular. It's kind of intoxicating, you start to follow his logic. A lot of it, you go that doesn't fully make sense, but he's so convinced of what he's saying, you kind of fall into it. It’s really eerie."
I Fought the Law will also star Melissa Leo, Malin Akerman and Giovanni Ribisi.
The year 2014 is all about stripes. Whether they're the plain and classy black-and-white straight design, the forever-loved chevron, the fun and bright multicolored pattern or the lively look of ombre, we're calling the new year the year of the stripes. Find a look that suits you with one of these fabulous patterns that can fit your very own style and space.
Trendy yet timeless, the plain straight stripe is forever favored. Though it's classy in black and white, you can actually get away with any neutral and color combination. We love the horizontal black-and-white combo that creates a sexy yet sophisticated vibe in any room of the house. A Merry Mishap blogger switches up her stripes a bit by transitioning between a large rug and smaller throw pillow. Mixed in with like-colored accents and decor, this space looks fabulous and welcoming.
Everyone thought the chevron trend would be short lived, but boy, were they wrong. A nice twist on the stripe look, chevron brings a sense of warmth and prep into a room. This chevron bedroom by How Sweet It Is has just enough of the trend not to feel overwhelming. Mixing in white and neutral-colored designs, the blogger mixed in plain stripes with fun colors. We love this style in this bedroom — it provides just enough chevron to make the space fun and exciting.
An awesome way to brighten up any room is with the use of multicolored stripes. Perfect for kids' rooms, the rainbow color scheme used in Design Sponge's feature is an instant mood booster. Create this look in any space of your home using a brightly hued striped rug or a neutral accent chair in a like-color scheme. Mix with patterns or add to the wall for a unique and exciting vibe.
Another trend that's proven its livelihood is the amazing ombre pattern. Made with any like colors, ombre can easily fit into any home. Paint your ombre stripes on the walls, like in this tween room, mixed with a straight horizontal pattern, or use them as a lovely accent for a unique look. Choose an ombre-hued decor item that is in the same color range as your space, or choose something brighter to add a bit of flare and fun.
We're glad to see Courteney Cox is so happy in her latest relationship with her boyfriend, Snow Patrol guitarist Johnny McDaid. In fact, if her comments are anything to go by, the Friends alum may just be headed down the aisle again in the near future.
Cox and her beau were spotted looking loved-up on the red carpet of New York City's SVA Theatre on Thursday to celebrate the 49-year-old star's directorial debut with her film Just Before I Go. And while the movie was meant to be the topic of discussion of the night, Cox couldn't help but gush about her beau.
"He supports me in every way. He supports me creatively. He really believed in the movie...and not just because he likes me, though I know that helps," she gushed to Us Weekly.
And it appears the couple not only have a great romantic relationship but also a wonderful creative partnership because the Northern Irish rocker's band even wrote three songs for the film.
So what was it like working on the film together?
"We get to kiss between takes," McDaid joked. But he wasn't done speaking about his girlfriend just yet.
"Courteney is the most completely confident person I've ever met — at everything," he continued. "She gets music. She gets art. She gets the way a scene gets constructed, the way dialogue works. And she puts it all together in her mind and then explains it to the world and makes movies that make people laugh and cry, squirm and jump, all those things."
It's really nice to see a couple who just seem to get each other. And a source revealed to Us Weekly that the couple were completely inseparable throughout the premiere. "You can tell they're totally smitten with each other. She looks so comfortable around him."
…and then "sort of lock the door," you're asking for trouble. And just because your husband is considerably smaller than you (Brickell laughingly told the court that Simon "is no threat to me at all") doesn't mean he's not going to push back if you push first. Simon's lawyer, Allan Cramer, said the scuffle was a "minor situation." Cramer explained, "It was a normal husband-and-wife discussion. Paul didn't want to discuss it and she did. He tried to leave and she kind of locked the door."
Now we know the "someone" who dialed 911 and hung up was Brickell's visiting mother. If you're famous and going to lock horns with your spouse, you might want to make sure meddling mothers-in-law aren't around. The fact that Brickell's mother dialed 911 does get our speculative juices flowing, however. She's been around this couple for 25 years. What was it about their "minor situation" that made Brickell's mother think someone was in danger or someone would be hurt? Or does she just dislike her son-in-law that much?
Simon's lawyer, Cramer, also tried to protect his client in court by asking that pictures not be taken during the proceedings. The judge reminded Cramer that everyone in his court is treated equally, regardless of celebrity status and snapped back, "Everyone gets the same treatment, whether you're just getting off the street or a media star."
Long-term marriages are no guarantee
Just because you've been married 25 years, the Simon/Brickells demonstrate that no marriage is immune from arguments that are passionate enough to end in a playground shoving match. The couple claim to have only argued three to four times during their marriage. Maybe they should let off steam a little more often so when they do argue it doesn't get so heated that it ends up becoming embarrassing tabloid fodder.
These delicious desserts wrapped up in picture-perfect packaging and made with so much love are exactly the kind of homemade Mother's Day gift Mom looks forward to the most.
1
Strawberry Jell-O cookies with shredded coconut recipe
These cookies are bursting with strawberry flavor, and they are this bright with no added food coloring. By stacking a few cookies on top of one another and tying them up with a festive ribbon, these make a great homemade gift for Mom.
Yields 16
Ingredients:
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter (room temperature)
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons white sugar
1/4 cup strawberry Jell-O mix, dry
1 large egg
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup shredded coconut
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Using hand beaters or a stand mixer, cream together the butter, sugar and dry Jell-O mix until light and creamy.
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract and almond extract.
In a separate bowl, combine the salt, baking powder and flour.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
Stir in the coconut.
Using a cookie scoop, scoop out large bits of the dough, and place them on a cookie sheet.
Bake for about 6 to 8 minutes, and then transfer the cookies to a cooling rack.
2
Single-serving cherry crisp recipe
This recipe makes just one baked cherry crisp — perfect for a dessert just for Mom. This crisp can be dressed up with some pretty lace ribbon, twine and a "homemade with love" tag.
Serves 1 (8-ounce jar)
Ingredients:
1 cup frozen cherries
1-1/2 tablespoons white sugar
3 tablespoons flour, separated
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons old-fashioned oats
Scant 1 tablespoon butter
Pinch salt
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a small bowl, combine the cherries, white sugar, 1-1/2 tablespoons of flour, the cinnamon and the vanilla extract. Stir together.
Pour the cherry mixture into the jar.
In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, oats, butter, salt and 1-1/2 tablespoons of flour. Mix together, and then place on top of the cherries.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cherry mixture has cooked down and the topping is golden brown. Remove and allow to cool.
3
Lemon-poppy seed curd recipe
This lemon curd is unique thanks to the poppy seed addition. It is bursting with citrus flavor and packed into a miniature glass jar. Lightly brush the top of the jar with a colored paint to give it a rustic look so Mom can later use it to decorate with.
Serves 1 (3-ounce jar)
Ingredients:
2 large eggs
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup white sugar
Pinch salt
1/4 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
Directions:
In a blender or food processor, pulse together the sugar and lemon zest.
In a medium-size bowl, using hand beaters or a stand mixer, cream the butter with the sugar and lemon zest mixture.
Stir in the eggs, lemon juice and salt.
Transfer to a medium-size pot, and cook on low heat for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. The mixture will thicken as you stir it.
Remove from heat, and stir in the poppy seeds.
Transfer to a small jar, and allow to chill in the fridge (it will continue to thicken).
4
Lemon blackberry and strawberry sweet bread recipe
This bread is stuffed with fresh berries and flavored with a hint of fresh lemon. Wrap some parchment paper around the loaf with some twine and ribbon, and Mom will be thrilled to receive it.
Yields 1
Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch cinnamon
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup 2 percent milk
1/3 cup butter (room temperature)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup blackberries
1 cup strawberries, stems removed and chopped
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a bread pan with cooking spray, and then lightly coat the pan with flour. Set aside.
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and cinnamon. Set aside.
In another bowl, using a stand mixer or hand beaters, cream together the sugar and butter until fluffy. Beat in the milk and eggs, one at a time.
Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until just combined.
Gently stir in the blackberries and chopped strawberries.
Pour the mixture into bread pan.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.
5
Simple raspberry jam bar recipe
These bars are made with minimal ingredients and can be whipped up in a matter of minutes. Some brown packing paper and various ribbons tied around these bars make them an easy gift in case you need something last minute.
Yields 9-12, depending on the size you cut the bars
Ingredients:
1-3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1 cup butter (room temperature)
1/8 teaspoon salt
Pinch cinnamon
Scant 1 cup raspberry jam
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, and set it aside.
In a medium-size bowl, using a stand mixer or hand beaters, cream together the sugar and butter until creamy. Add in the salt, cinnamon and flour.
Press a little bit more than 1/2 the mixture into the baking pan.
Cover the mixture with the jam.
Add the oats to the remaining flour and sugar mixture, and stir until combined.
Sprinkle the oat mixture over the jam.
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until the top is lightly browned.
Remove, and allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.
Photo credit: Rekha Garton / Moment Open / Getty images:
We all know that dogs have some strange behavior, but more times than not, there's a reason for their odd mannerisms. Take, for example, shaking their fur when wet. From the way that they move, the timing and the shake itself, it is a calculated move done by dogs everywhere.
It's in the skin
When a dog begins to shake, the energy is propelled from its head throughout its body. Since dogs can't fully rotate their spines like humans, it's actually the loose skin that helps them shake off the excess water. And the larger your dog, the bigger the shake, and the bigger the scratch.
He's a fast one
Your dog can shake 70 percent of the water from its body in four seconds. Smaller dogs need to shake faster to get more water off of themselves, while larger dogs shake slower. This all points to the skin. Since larger dogs have more, it's easier for them to shake off more water in a slower motion. Whereas smaller dogs don't have as much skin and need to move a bit more rapidly to get the water off. That's why Chihuahuas look a bit more funny when doing their shakes.
With so many creative minds flooding the internet these days, online shopping for baby clothes can be a tad overwhelming. We scoured Etsy and found just about everything you can imagine.
Best-Dressed Baby
Whether you’ve got a hipster, a mermaid-in-training or a posh baby on your hands, we’ve got your little one covered (up). Here are our top 10 Etsy shops for infant clothes.
1
The Wishing Elephant
No matter what your style, there’s something for your babe at The Wishing Elephant. Head on over to check out tons of original onesie designs, sweaters and more. This shop proves you don’t need to wait for Halloween to put your boo in a costume. Our personal faves were the baby sushi and the Baby Violin Bodysuit. (Etsy, $22).
2
Apple Jaxie
If you’ve got a music-loving, hippie baby, Apple Jaxie is your spot. The uber-cute bodysuit designs include tons of musical talents like The Grateful Dead, John Lennon, Bob Marley and Phish. But if hearts, butterflies and unicorn onesies are more your speed, you’ll love what you find, as well. These dyed designs are perfect for any mini festival-goer. (Etsy, $18)
3
Back Porch Kids
One glance at the sweet dresses over at Back Porch Kids and you just know these items were made with love. They are also the perfect gift for spring! The gorgeous baby dresses come in many patterns — like stripes, polka dots and paisley. Need an Easter dress? Hurry — we spotted some chicks and bunnies on this sweet spring dress. (Etsy, $34).
4
Twirly Toes
Twirly toes is the place to go for "wearable art." Their tye-dyed items are so diverse you'll spend as much time wondering how they pulled these designs off as you will swooning over them once delivered. The sweet sun dresses and Rainbow Twin Onesies (Etsy, $28) are probably the most coolest thing we've seen since the 60's. 5
Stitches by Steph Ann
This shop should be your go-to for booties, hats and, wait for it… crocheted sandals. They are so cute you might find yourself wondering if you could squeeze your own foot in there (trust us, you can’t). Check out the adorable hats with monsters, bunnies and flowers, as well. (Etsy, $25)
6
Sweetest Hue
You won’t find the designs at Sweetest Hue anywhere else. That’s because they are all hand-painted. The hats and onesies, like this fishy design, are all machine washable and uber cute. Find a variety of nature and animal designs on an array of colored bodysuits. The shop also takes custom orders as well, so you can get exactly what you want. (Etsy, $35)
7
Once Upon a Daizy
While Etsy is known for its vintage finds, most of the old-school baby gear we came across should have been left in the past. Once Upon a Daizy is hoarding all the good finds, though. Check out the jackets, shoes and overalls — remember Osh Kosh? This shop has all the best stuff you thought was gone forever and you won’t find any of it at a Babies R Us. (Etsy, $22)
8
Growing Up Wild
Like your baby clothes a little more organic? Well, Growing Up Wild is your one-stop shop. The onesies look so cozy, we wish we could’ve put them on this list twice. All the clothes are made using organic fibers and the snaps on the onesies are nickel-free. Our fave designs were the Happy Camper bodysuits and soft shoes. (Etsy, $48).
9
Posh Peanut Kids
Posh Peanut Kids is all about the ruffles! Ruffles on onesies, ruffles on diaper covers — ruffles for all. The legwarmers and lace petti rompers are especially hilariously cute, but how about these lace baby leggings? If you have a posh babe, definitely pay them a visit and “like” them on Facebook for 10 percent off your order. (Etsy, $12)
10
Apericots
The Apericots shop features tons of eco-friendly onesies with witty slogans — perfect for the quirky baby. We found ourselves giggling at more than a few. I mean, you’ve gotta crack a smile at the self-promotion involved in “Just Poopin” or “I just got here and I’m already awesome." But there is so much to choose from, we suggest you see for yourself. (Etsy, $12)
It's hard not to roll your eyes when a musician says they've put together a "concept album." Oftentimes, that reads as pretentious or a way for them to change gears without just admitting they needed to change gears. In the case of Ron Pope, however, his concept album Calling Off the Dogs is exactly the kind of concept we can get behind. Starting at that first moment of meeting someone and then following through all the way to the eventual breakup, Calling Off the Dogs tells the story of a relationship from beginning to end, and it tells the story beautifully.
"It's a concept album that follows two people from the first moment they meet each other through falling in love to falling out of love and then their final interaction," Pope explained of his concept.
Pope seems particularly fascinated with that very first moment — when you see someone and recognize that it's all happening. Or, at least, it might possibly happen. If you can work up the courage to introduce yourself.
"So the first single is called 'Lick My Wounds,' and it's the first song on the album," Pope explained. "It talks about when you see someone and it's absolutely, the possibilities are limitless. Anything can happen at that point. You look across a club or a bar or an office or across the street, and you think to yourself, 'Oh. That's a beautiful woman' or 'I love her dress' or, like, 'Look at how beautiful her hair is — I'm gonna go and talk to that girl.' In that moment, anything can happen. You don't know anything about her, you just see her and think, 'There's something about that person, and I want to go and talk to her.' It's a really powerful moment in your life that instant."
That moment is, in fact, a powerful moment and often the turning point in someone's life. It took 30 seconds from the time we said hello for our chat to be hijacked by our mutually favorite movie: Almost Famous. Pope's favorite scene perfectly illuminates the moment he's so fascinated with and the moment at which he chooses to begin Calling Off the Dogs.
"The scene where [Penny Lane] is at the top of the ramp, and she shows up for the first time and you see her step into the light is, I think, one of the most beautiful scenes I've ever seen," Pope said after sharing that Almost Famous is one of his favorite movies (the other is Goodfellas, in case you're wondering). In that moment, anything could happen for Penny, William and the members of Stillwater. It's that moment and those infinite possibilities that Pope captures so perfectly in "Lick My Wounds."
"I've never written about it, and I think most of the music that people write about that moment always kind of feels a little trivial to me," Pope lamented. "You know, it's like, 'I'm looking at a beautiful woman' and mostly they turn those stories into, 'Let's do it tonight.' And I felt like, what if it's the story of two people who [meet], but then more happens and it's real, and it's significant."
"Lick My Wounds" perfectly captures that interaction and its limitless possibilities, but things don't end when the sound does. The sheer genius of Calling Off the Dogs is that Pope spends the rest of the album telling the story of what happens after that first crucial scene. Check out "Lick My Wounds" below, and then pick up Pope's newest album to find out how the rest of the story goes.
Sources tell TMZ that the pair obtained a "confidential" marriage license and that a court official will marry them at home.
Of course, this doesn't mean we've lost the publicity-loving duo we've come to know and adore. This would just be the first of a reported three weddings planned — and the other two won't be nearly as quiet. Yes, a lavish French chateau is involved.
"Kim and Kanye will now be scouting private estates and chateaus in the region," a source told Radar Online after the couple was spotted checking out the 17th-century, Louis XIV-commissioned Chateau de Louveciennes.
"[They are] looking for something grand, but something that can offer privacy and security."
The pre-wedding wedding in the U.S. became a necessity after Kimye learned of France's 40-day residency law.
"Kim and Kanye were unaware until recently that France required a residency requirement prior to the marriage. Kanye has an apartment in Paris, but he doesn’t live there full time," another source told Radar Online.
For some reason though, each spring I ignore the obvious and am blinded by optimism. We'll plant a garden together — it will be so great! We'll be drowning in tomatoes, fruits and vegetables!
Here are five reasons that make gardening with young children challenging. If you keep these in mind and lower your expectations you'll have approximately 95 percent more fun this spring.
Messy
The messy part doesn't bother me. When we're in the garden, anything goes. And most of it goes on their heads. As long as you dress them appropriately (and by appropriately I mean naked so you can hose them off afterwards) you'll have an easier time.
Waste
The waste can be tricky. Ever have a toddler help you spread seeds? Don't. At least not the ones that should be spread out evenly among little holes or rows. The scattering kind where you just toss them work well. Either that or only give them a few seeds at a time. Not the whole package.
Seedlings are small
A toddler's feet are small but they are giants compared to a seedling. Death by toddler feet is a common garden plant disease.
Limited attention span
Just when you think you are getting into the groove of gardening, they will be done. "Mama? I'm done. I wanna go inside." It's best to start small so you don't have to abandon the project halfway.
Harvesting
I remember a couple of years ago when my toddler was so excited to "help" in the garden that he harvested all of the tomatoes for me. They were green and tiny and hard as rocks. Make sure they understand that "red means go" and "green means stop" in tomato language.
However, over the years I've learned that patience like this does pay off. After a couple of seasons they'll know their way around a garden and manage not to step on anything important. Heck, they can even be helpful.
Someday you too could be drowning in ripe tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables. And if not, well, at least you had fun trying.
About the author:
Amber Dusick is one of our SheKnows Experts Among Us. She is the author of the bestselling humor book Parenting: Illustrated with Crappy Pictures. She writes and illustrates the blog Crappy Pictures where she captures the hilarious and frustrating things that happen in marriage and parenting. Find her on Twitter and Facebook.
Not only is Spencer Boldman starring with Zendaya in a new film, but he was forced to kiss the beautiful actress to boot.
SheKnows was able to catch up with the Lab Rats star at the Radio Disney Music Awards red carpet over the weekend, where he told us all about his new film Zapped. Plus, Boldman was nice enough to dish a bit about making out with his costar for the movie.
"It's about this girl, Zendaya, who discovers an app on her phone that can control boys, and I'm one of the boys that she controls," Boldman said. "She makes me kiss her, you know... [but] that's all I can say."
While the 22-year-old didn't mind having to kiss Zendaya, he revealed he actually grew up with the singer in Canada. "We went kayaking and chilled outside of work, all that outside stuff. Her family is amazing, she's great, she's what you think she would be."
Boldman also gave some insight into what he'll be working on next after Zapped, and said he's leaving for Australia for some promotional work with actress Olivia Holt. "Oh my god, she's beautiful," the Dallas native gushed, although with her being only 16, he is keeping his romantic distance.
His show Lab Rats is almost done filming its third season, so the 22-year-old also dropped a few spoilers for what's coming up in the series. "I take my shirt off, which is really embarrassing for me," Boldman spilled. "A lot of action. Really funny, the same stuff, just bigger."
Plus, lucky for us, Boldman was very quick to give away who his celebrity crush was when we asked. "Selena Gomez," he deadpanned. "She's a sweetheart, I met her a couple of times." And since she's age appropriate, unlike Holt, he's more than happy if we help spread the word.
So, Selena, if you're listening — Spencer Boldman would love a date.
It was days after Hurricane Sandy, and Boston mom Gisela had just signed up for Facebook when she saw a post from an online acquaintance, Crystal, asking if anyone was available to drive to New York. Crystal was trying to deliver marine batteries to power a life-sustaining ventilator for a handicapped man who lived on the 12th story in lower-Manhattan. He couldn’t be evacuated to a hospital.
Gisela immediately responded and said that she would help. The answer was easy, as she had just lost her 19-year-old son, Luke, a few months before. "Luke was the kind of kid who said yes. 'Would you like to try the spiciest food ever?' 'Yes!' 'Hey, Luke, want to play cribbage?' 'Yes.' He always said yes,” she says. So Gisela had vowed to say yes more often, too.
Gisela asked her sister to join her, and with Crystal, the three women drove into the city, "I never thought about the realities or the dangers." That is until they hit the bridge, and it was completely void of traffic. "It was eerie," she admits.
But it wasn't until they opened the trunk of the car after they reached the handicapped man, Nick Dupree's apartment building, that Gisela had a what-have-I-gotten-myself-into moment. Each battery weighed 63 pounds. While Crystal, also wheelchair bound, waited in the car in the dark, Gisela and her sister carried the batteries, one at a time, up the pitch-black narrow stairwell step by step, leaning on the wall for support as they approached the 12th floor.
She says, "In retrospect, it was more parallel to losing Luke than I ever imagined. And I know it sounds corny, but I felt him there with me." When they reached the couple's apartment with the batteries, Gisela says the feeling was unexplainable. "I felt young and energized," and she and her sister practically bounded down the stairs to get another load of supplies for Nick.
Dig deeper, do something
Gisela says, "Sometimes you don't know how strong you are until you have to do something that you never thought you could. There was no way I was going to say no." In honor of Luke, she said yes and gained a friend in Crystal and a rewarding experience she never would have had if she had said no and simply gone to work the next day as planned. "Turns out saying 'what the heck' is never a bad answer," she adds.
Gisela admits that before this experience she was rather guarded to those with problems so much worse than her own. She says, "In our day-to-day lives we don't see the hardships of others. But if you see something, do something. Dig a little deeper. We can all do something, even when you think you can't or you're too busy or you're not strong enough. We can all do something to help."
You can be a hero! This Mother’s Day nominate the hero mom in your life from April 19 – May 13 with #MyHeroMom. On April 29th Northwestern Mutual will donate $25,000. For every image upload, Facebook share, like, tweet, or retweet, Northwestern Mutual will donate $5, up to $50,000, to fund 1,000 hours of childhood cancer research through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Start sharing now.
After a few trips to the pediatrician that resulted in blood work and even a test for lung disease — both of which the doctors said were normal — Jane and her husband Alastair Moock took their daughter Clio to the ER following yet another fever of 105 degrees. They discovered that Clio had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common type of childhood cancer. Treatment began just three days after the diagnosis.
Clio was given a spinal tap which was injected with her first dose of chemotherapy. A month of very intensive treatment would follow. Jane says, "Those first few days, I was in shock. It was so intense. Horrible. Terrifying." A moment came a few days after the diagnosis where Jane found herself putting on makeup, brushing her hair and getting dressed after being a self-described "total wreck." She says, "The ground had rematerialized beneath my feet. I realized that this is the 'new normal.' I couldn't stay in crisis mode forever." She knew she had to avoid getting overcome with worry and anxiety and instead stay focused on being there for her girls and keep them feeling safe and secure.
Creating normalcy
Continuing to live their lives in largely the same way was an important key to helping her daughters feel like things were still normal. So Jane and her husband worked hard to balance the time between their daughters since they naturally spent so much time with Clio at the hospital. "We started alternating nights while Clio was in the hospital, and one of us would go spend time with Elsa doing something fun. It was an escape for a few hours, to do something special for her," Jane says.
She also credits the hospital's Child Life Program which offers arts, crafts and music activities for sick children as well as organizations like Make-A-Wish and The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for doing their part to create normalcy for sick children.
Hero's advice
Though Jane rebuffs the idea of being called a "hero mom" by saying simply that she did "what anybody would do," she does have encouraging words for all moms out there. She says, "Take good care of yourself. Take moments to step back and look at the small things that you are accomplishing — even just getting through the day. Don't beat yourself up about things you could be doing better or acting or coping in a certain way. Be kind to yourself."
With Clio approaching her final treatments of the two-year course this July, Jane is able to look back on the experience with gratitude. She says, "Having something this difficult happen in my life has left me feeling grateful for my situation. So many people have it so much harder than I do. I have a wonderful support system. I feel a much greater sense of connection with other women with children who have other diseases or special needs, and I have a greater appreciation, compassion and empathy for the burdens that others carry."
Meanwhile, she and her husband, both of whom are artists, have chronicled the experience in their own ways. Jane, a writer, has blogged throughout Clio's journey with leukemia. Her husband, a musician, created an album, Singing Our Way Through, for families with children facing cancer, that he is distributing to clinics all over the country. Jane adds, "Our family is trying to pay it forward and bring a sense of happiness and comfort for others going through this type of situation."
You can be a hero! This Mother’s Day nominate the hero mom in your life from April 19 – May 13 with #MyHeroMom. On April 29th Northwestern Mutual will donate $25,000. For every image upload, Facebook share, like, tweet, or retweet, Northwestern Mutual will donate $5, up to $50,000, to fund 1,000 hours of childhood cancer research through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Start sharing now.
These flaky homemade pies are crispy and buttery on the outside and soft and sweet on the inside. These won't cost you a cent in drive-through money and will save you that guilt that comes with eating overly processed fast food. Oh, and now you can eat at least three in a row in the comfort of your own home.
Copycat McDonald's baked apple pie recipe
Yields 3
Ingredients:
For the crust
1 refrigerated pie crust
1 egg white, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon sugar
For the filling
1-1/2 Granny Smith apples, chopped
1/2 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 tablespoon flour
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, and grease it with nonstick cooking spray.
Using a pizza cutter, make 3 vertical cuts into the pie crust. Cut each section in half so you have 6 squares. (It's OK if you have some rounded edges. You can roll them out to make a square).
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Toss the apples with the sugar and cinnamon. Place the apples in the melted butter, reduce the heat to medium, and cook until the apples are soft, about 6 minutes.
Stir in the flour, and toss to thicken. Place about 1-1/2 tablespoons of apple filling in the centers of 3 of the squares.
Dip your hands in water, and press the 3 other crust squares over the apple filling. Using your hands, pinch the sides down so they close tightly. Using the back of a fork, carefully press down the edges to make crimps. Using a sharp knife, make about 3 to 4 slits on the tops of the pies.
Brush each top with egg white. Bake for about 18 minutes or until golden brown.
Dancing With the Stars pro dancer Witney Carson reveals how she had to whip her dance partner, Cody Simpson, into shape to get him in top form for the show.
While at the Radio Disney Music Awards, SheKnows caught up with Carson on the red carpet where she answered questions about being a pro for the first time on the dance competition. The 20-year-old Utah native also said she loved whipping her celebrity partner, Cody Simpson, into shape for his stint on the show.
"Cody likes to go off on his own, get a little bit distracted, so I had to kind of get the whip out a little bit," Carson said when asked how she got the mischievous singer to behave. "[But] once he knows what he wants he's good to just buckle down."
While Simpson was eventually eliminated a week ago, Carson revealed that he's coming back for the finals where he will apparently perform his hit single and will also dance once again. "All I can say is you guys are in for a really entertaining night," she said.
"I can't tell you much more than that, but just know that it's going to be very awesome," Carson added.
When asked about anything she could say pertaining to Simpson that the fans may not know, the pretty blonde mentioned how obsessed he is with "that hair." Another funny thing she revealed was how often she had to tell the Australian hottie to pull his pants up. "I can't count how many times I had to say, 'Cody, pull up those pants!' Carson joked.
"He's just hilarious," Carson added. "He's so goofy and weird. You don't see that a lot, but he's just weird and I love it."
