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Happy Birthday, Audrey Hepburn! 15 Gorgeous photos of the beauty icon

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Audrey Hepburn
Photo credit: Archive Photos/Getty Images

Stunning lady

Real beauty is feeling comfortable in your own skin. Audrey always exuded that natural confidence.

Audrey Hepburn
Photo credit: Hulton Archive/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Fashionista

Audrey was a fashion influencer before the days of Photoshop and fad diets. Here, she models a new collection in Amsterdam.

Audrey Hepburn
Photo credit: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Who can forget this iconic Breakfast at Tiffany's moment? Audrey showed us that pearls, an LBD and a tiara are all a gal needs to stay fashionable.

Audrey Hepburn
Photo credit: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Casual chic

Whether she was dressed to the nines or casual, Audrey always looked put together and classy.

Audrey Hepburn
Photo credit: Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Hats off to Audrey

Audrey experimented with quite a few fashionable hats in her day.

Audrey Hepburn
Photo credit: Photoshot/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Audrey Hepburn
Photo credit: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Beautiful bride

So much of Audrey's glamour will forever lie in her understated beauty. Even at her marriage to second husband Andrea Dotti in 1969, Audrey looked toned down yet stylish in a simple dress.

Audrey Hepburn
Photo credit: Getty Images/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Natural beauty

Who needs airbrushing and HD makeup when you look this naturally beautiful?

Audrey Hepburn
Photo credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

On set

Audrey could make any costume her own and truly make you get invested in her character.

Audrey Hepburn
Photo credit: Phil Burchman/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Globetrotter

Ever the lady, even while walking her prized dog Famous, Audrey looked fashion-forward in Rome with her mother.

Audrey Hepburn
Photo credit: RDA/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Red carpet fixture

Before awards shows and galas were red carpet frenzies focused on fashion, Audrey was already bringing her fashion A-game.

Audrey Hepburn
Photo credit: RDA/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Fashion risk taker

Bold silhouettes worked equally well on Audrey as simple tailored pieces. The key? She never overdid her fashion, and she always looked respectable.

Audrey Hepburn
Photo credit: Archivio Cameraphoto Epoche/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Modest woman

These days, skin is in. Back then, Audrey made a real impact even when she was mostly covered up.

Audrey Hepburn
Photo credit: RDA/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Girl next door

Audrey's classic beauty and strong features always made her seem approachable, not plastic.

Audrey Hepburn
Photo credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

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INTERVIEW: Vampire Diaries' Michael Malarkey on "cute" Enzo/Caroline moment

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Interview with The Vampire Diaries' Michael Malarkey
Photo credit: Annette Brown/The CW

The season finale of The Vampire Diaries is right around the corner and, as we said in our review for last week's episode, we have no idea where we'll end with the relationships on the show this season. Luckily, Michael Malarkey, who plays this season's bad boy Enzo, gave us a few pointers before the season finale — specifically, on the status of Caroline and Enzo. Enzo may be dead, but things are far from over.

"You'll have a cute little moment in the coming episodes," Malarkey told us of his character and Caroline (Candice Accola). "The thing is with Enzo and Caroline, I think she's trying to figure out what she wants, and she's not sure at the moment. I think she's very wary of Enzo. I mean, she's just witnessed him kill a bunch of people in front of her, so I don't know who in their right mind would rush to want to be with someone like that."

Hiss all you want: Caroline & Klaus' love is eternal >>

To which we pointed out that if anyone would want to rush to be with someone like that, it would be Caroline. She loves those bad boys!

"Yeah, maybe it does turn her on a little bit," Malarkey admitted with a laugh.

"I quite like the fact that he's kind of a solo, renegade dude," Malarkey continued. "But, however, a little fling with Caroline would be pretty good drama. They have a dynamic together. It's quite funny, a lot of witty comments and stuff, and I think that would play out quite nicely on screen."

We have to agree. We're still Team Klaroline, but... Enzo just might win us over. If anyone could, it would be Enzo. He just has to come back from the dead first.

Fantasy gets another year. The CW announces early renewals >>

Another character Enzo has a great dynamic with is Damon (Ian Somerhalder), of course. They have an epic bromance almost as great as Damon and Alaric's. (Again, we need him around a bit longer before we really decide.)

And don't worry, there's hope these two will reconcile in the near future.

"I think there's a possibility of it," Malarkey said, "just as with any friendship that stretches beyond 50 years, but at the moment, Enzo's been pretty badly hurt and betrayed numerous times by his mate. I think it's going to be a little bit more difficult for the reconciliation to happen if it does."

Aside from relationships, expect a roller-coaster season finale to head our way.

POLL: Should The Vampire Diaries' Kol and Finn return to The Originals? >>

"Once Enzo realizes what's happening to the other side, he makes the decision, 'Okay, I think it's better to be back to the land of the living than here.' And he does everything in his power to try and escape whatever the h*** is going on with the other side because it's menacing, which you will see in the next three episodes. It's pretty, kind of, scary. He definitely turns to having a one-man mission to get back to the land of the living."

There is also the possibility of redemption after all of Enzo's bad deeds. Malarkey has a pretty positive outlook on his character. "I don't consider anyone truly bad. I think Enzo's just kind of misunderstood. But you will see some kind of dodgy dealing on his part."

We would expect nothing less.

There are only two new episodes left in Season 5 of the show. The next episode of The Vampire Diaries airs May 8 at 8:00 p.m. on The CW.

9 Speculations from True Blood's new Season 7 photos

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The final season of True Blood is promising the obvious: lots of fangs, blood and sex, of course. But judging by these new images from Season 7, the final episodes of True Blood are going to deliver a lot more depth than that. Relationships will be tested. Friends will become enemies. Oh, yeah, and vampires will have quite the field day.

True Blood Season 7 photo
Photo credit: Tony Rivetti/HBO

All of the expressions in this photo are pretty character spot-on, but one stands out to us above the rest: Alcide. He has that I'll protect Sookie at any cost snarl on his face, no? Which means we're guessing they're still going strong — for at least the first moments of the season.

True Blood Season 7 photo
Photo credit: Tony Rivetti/HBO
True Blood Season 7 photo
Photo credit: Tony Rivetti/HBO




Sookie (Anna Paquin) doesn't look so happy here. With all that romantic hair and lighting, we're going to go ahead and say this looks like a post-breakup scene, and Sookie needs a drink. That didn't last long, Alcide.
We've had enough of Billith (Stephen Moyer), which is why we think there's redemption on the way for his character in Season 7. Who knows, maybe he and Sookie will even find a way to make things work.
True Blood Season 7 photo
Photo credit: Tony Rivetti/HBO

You know our favorite diva on the show will be back with all his colors fanning out. We just hope Lafayette can find some peace and happiness this season. We hope he has a Sam from Lord of the Rings moment. Can't you just see him saving the day and then settling down?

True Blood Season 7 photo
Photo credit: Tony Rivetti/HBO

Poor Sam is playing with that ring finger like he wishes there were something sparkly on it. Still, after all the tragedy of last season, we don't really see him settling down anytime soon. Instead, we think he'll put his heart into saving Bon Temps. He's one character we could see not making it out alive.

True Blood Season 7 photo
Photo credit: Tony Rivetti/HBO

Alcide will do anything for Sookie. That mantra has always held true, even if they aren't together. This season, we think he'll rally the wolves as their leader and lead the troops to save Bon Temps. Who knows, maybe he and Bill will even be able to work together.

True Blood Season 7 photo
Photo credit: Tony Rivetti/HBO

Our girl Tara looks like she's completely embraced her life as a vampire. We don't really know what to expect from her character this season. We just hope it involves a lot more Pam moments. Speaking of which, where's Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) in this photos? He can't be gone for that long!

True Blood Season 7 photo
Photo credit: Tony Rivetti/HBO

Will Hoyt be back for the final season? We can only hope. We would love nothing more than to see these two make amends, especially since Luke Grimes, who played James in Season 6, has left the show for a role in 50 Shades of Grey. Or will it be Jason in the end?

True Blood Season 7 photo
Photo credit: Tony Rivetti/HBO

Oh, Jason and Andy! What a power team these two make. We'd like to say that they'll stay out of trouble, but the best moments on the show happen when these characters are in the heat of the action, running like chickens with their heads cut off but still managing to come out winners. Fingers crossed!

Do you agree with our speculations? What do you think will happen in the final season of True Blood?

Celebrity pet deaths

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Denise Richards with her dogs
Photo credit: Animal Fair Media/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Honey Combs, Diddy’s dog, died on April 18. Diddy posted on Instagram that it was one of the saddest days of his life.

Kenya Moore of Real Housewives of Atlanta lost her Yorkie, Velvet, on April 6 when it was attacked by a neighbor's dog. Since then, the star has been accused of faking her pooch's death.

Miley Cyrus is still mourning the death of her pup, Floyd, who was reportedly killed by a coyote. The Alaskan Klee Kai died on April 1.

Kelly Clarkson's best friend, her labradoodle Joplin, died in November from cancer.

Lady Gaga's puppy Alice also died of cancer in October.

Hilary Duff's precious Chihuahua died in June after battling multiple health issues.

This picture of Marlo, Ashley Greene's dog, was posted days before he died in an apartment fire.

Alyssa Milano's dog, Diesel, died of cancer in February last year.

Denise Richards' 13-year-old French bulldog, Hank, passed away last January.

Gisele's treasured Yorkie, Vida, died in October 2012. Gisele expressed her grief on Facebook by posting "My best friend, she will always live on in my heart. Let's never take for granted the unconditional love that our animals show us every single day."

Miranda Lambert had a hard time in early 2012 after her friend, father-in-law and family dog, Dixie, all passed away within a few months. Lambert currently has six dogs and often volunteers at animal shelters.

In June 2011, a year after her dog Woody's death, Kelly Osbourne had to put down her Pomeranian, Noodles, after the puppy suffered a seizure from a brain defect.

Jessica Simpson's dog Daisy Mae, a Maltese-poodle mix, was killed in September 2009 by a coyote. A year after, Simpson tweeted in remembrance of her loss.

According to her blog, Martha Stewart's chow chow puppy, Ghenghis Khan, and 16 other dogs died tragically in a propane tank explosion at the Pazzazz Chows dog kennel.

Click here to see pictures of Ghenghis Khan.

Dog lover Oprah Winfrey lost her golden retriever in 2007. Two-year-old Gracie died when she choked on a ball while out for a walk with her caretaker.

"This lovely little runt whom I'd brought home sick — on his first visit with her, the vet told me to return her and get my money back — did more living in two years than most dogs do in 12," Oprah wrote in the August 2007 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine.

Check out more on celebrity pets

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There's quinoa in these banana pancakes

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Healthier quinoa banana pancakes

One of the many reasons quinoa is so great is the protein punch it packs. It looks and acts like a grain (it's not) but with the added benefit of a complete protein. I love pancake breakfasts (who doesn't?), but I always find myself either adding protein powder to the batter or frying up an egg or two on the side to get my protein fix. Otherwise, two hours later, and I'll be ravenous.

Healthier quinoa banana pancakes

Quinoa is the perfect solution to this protein problem. Just throw some cooked quinoa into the batter, and you've got the best of both worlds — a pancake breakfast with a healthy, protein-packed spin.

Healthier quinoa banana pancakes recipe

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 1 very ripe banana, mashed
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cooked quinoa

Directions:

  1. Preheat a pancake griddle or skillet over medium heat.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the banana, egg, maple syrup, milk, vanilla extract and coconut oil.
  3. Add the baking powder and flour, and stir until combined.
  4. Fold in the quinoa.
  5. Grease the pan with cooking spray or butter, and pour the batter onto the skillet. Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes, flip, and cook another minute until the pancakes are done (this will depend on the size of your pancakes).
  6. Serve warm.

More pancake recipes

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Sunday dinner: Orange-glazed chicken with bok choy

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Orange-glazed chicken with bok choy

This Sunday dinner recipe for orange-glazed chicken with bok choy has it covered: It's easy to make, filling and delicious thanks to the sunny citrus glaze. I love using bok choy with dishes like this. It has a bit of crunch from its ribs, and the leafy greens add color and flavor.

Orange-glazed chicken with bok choy

Bonus: You'll use only one pan to make this chicken dish (plus one to make the rice). If you'd like to add a little zing to this recipe, add a splash of hot sauce to the orange juice mixture or maybe some red pepper flakes toward the end of cooking the chicken and bok choy. This dish will brighten up your Sunday dinner.

Orange-glazed chicken with bok choy

Orange-glazed chicken with bok choy recipe

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1/2 a large head bok choy, ends trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 green onions, white and green parts chopped, divided
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2- to 3-inch pieces
  • 2 cups cooked rice, divided
  • Sesame seeds for garnish

Directions:

  1. In small bowl, mix together the orange juice, honey, soy sauce, garlic and black pepper until combined. Set aside.
  2. Cut the stems off the bok choy, just below the leaves, and dice them. Slice the leaves and ribs in half (or in thirds for large leaves), vertically.
  3. To a large skillet over medium heat, add the oil. When hot, add the diced bok choy stems, and cook for about 3 minutes or until they begin to soften. Add 1 green onion, and cook for another minute. Use a slotted spoon to remove the pieces from the skillet, and set them aside.
  4. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet used to cook the bok choy, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes.
  5. Pour the orange juice mixture into the skillet, increase the heat, let the mixture boil for a minute or so, and then return the heat to medium.
  6. Toss in the bok choy leaves, diced stems and green onion, and toss to coat. Add the remaining green onion to the mixture, toss, and then remove from the heat.
  7. Serve warm over rice, and garnish with a sprinkling of sesame seeds.

Brighten up your Sunday dinner.

More Sunday dinner recipes

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Grill the healthy way with quinoa-sweet potato burgers

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Mushroom and sweet potato burgers with coconut thai slaw

I know, that's a bold statement, but trust me, these burgers hold up in the hefty, hearty department. Each bite is filling and rich and requires both hands to hold. With the luscious buttery toppings and the homemade buns, you'll be subbing these in for almost every barbecue this summer.

Quinoa-sweet potato burgers with coconut Thai slaw recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

For the burgers

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
  • 2 large sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
  • Salt and pepper
  • 4 homemade hamburger buns (I used this recipe but subbed in whole wheat flour)
For the toppings
  • 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
  • 2 cups sliced mushrooms
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Salt and pepper

For the slaw

  • 1 large cucumber, sliced and chopped
  • 1/4 small red cabbage, sliced
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup coconut cream
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

Directions:

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the quinoa, sweet potatoes, flour, crushed red pepper, barbecue sauce, salt and pepper. Form the mixture into 4 patties.
  3. Place the patties in the hot skillet, and cook for about 6 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Remove the patties from the skillet, and set them aside.
  4. In another skillet, heat the butter. Add the onion, mushrooms, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low, and cook until caramelized and golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
  5. In another bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, coconut cream, sugar and red wine vinegar. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Pour the mixture over the cucumbers and cabbage.
  6. To build the burgers, place one patty on each hamburger bun. Top with 1/4 of the mushroom-onion mixture. Then top with the coconut slaw. Serve warm.

More quinoa recipes

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How to make gorgeous fruit sushi for dessert

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 Fruit sushi dessert

Sushi, as we are all accustomed to, is made of rice, fish and vegetables. With this dessert, I had a ball creating different kinds of fruit sushi. Not only were they so much fun to create, but they were also wonderful to look at all lined up on a wooden platter. And the best part? The reaction they got.

I made three kinds of fruit sushi, all quite simple to prepare, so don't be intimidated, especially with these step-by-step photos to guide you.

Strawberry and kiwi sushi balls

 Fruit sushi dessert

In making these sushi balls, you will have to break out your knife skills, slicing the fruits as thinly as possible. If they are a tad thick, they tend to crack and will not take the round shape.

 Fruit sushi dessert

You will need several pieces of plastic wrap to shape the sushi into perfect balls. Start by laying the plastic wrap on the table, then place the strawberries in the middle (same with kiwi), and top with the rice. If you want to be precise with the size of the balls, then weigh the rice. I use 0.7 ounces, but you can also just use 1 to 1-1/2 tablespoons.

 Fruit sushi dessert

When that is done, collect the edges of the plastic wrap, and twist them until the sushi is shaped into a compact ball. Squeeze the sushi a little bit (but not too tight).

 Fruit sushi dessert

Unwrap the plastic wrap, and carefully extract the sushi ball. Place it on the serving plate, and top with a small mint leaf. Top the kiwi sushi balls with a wild strawberry, red currants or anything with a contrasting color.

Strawberry sushi rolls

 Fruit sushi dessert

Among the three kinds of sushi, this is probably the one that looks like real sushi. I love sushi with tuna. It's a classic, and I can eat way too much if you don't stop me. This strawberry sushi roll is a copy of my favorite sushi.

 Fruit sushi dessert

Like any sushi roll, you will need a sushi rolling mat. Cover it with plastic wrap, and put the rice in the middle of the mat. Flatten and spread it out evenly. Then place the strawberries in the middle of the rice. Strips work better, but since I still had some thinly sliced strawberries, I used them instead.

 Fruit sushi dessert

Next, start rolling. Tighten as much as you can so the rice will not crumble when you slice.

 Fruit sushi dessert

Unwrap the plastic wrap, and slice with a very sharp knife. Don't worry if they don't come out as perfectly as you want them to. Just pat them back into shape after slicing.

 Fruit sushi dessert

Now the fun part. On a saucer with the sesame seeds, roll the sushi on its side (not the top or bottom). And now you have sushi number two.

Banana and peanut butter sushi rolls

 Fruit sushi dessert

The flavors of these rolls were inspired by my love of peanut butter, bananas, coconut and chocolate. Put them all together in one bite-size dessert, and it's heavenly. You can also replace the peanut butter with Nutella or a chocolate spread.

 Fruit sushi dessert

Slice the banana to bite sizes, between 1-1/2 to 2 inches in length. Note that with one bite, the peanut butter can be overpowering if you make the banana slices too long. Using an apple corer, make holes in the centers of the banana pieces. You won't be needing the middle part that you removed, so you can munch on them while preparing the rolls.

 Fruit sushi dessert

Fill the holes carefully with the peanut butter, and then sprinkle with the coconut flakes and chocolate balls. The peanut butter tends to stick to the plate, and the bananas are slippery, so be careful when you take them off the plate. Just tilt them a bit, and support the lower part to keep the sushi intact.

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Strawberry and kiwi sushi ball recipe

 Fruit sushi dessert

Yields 8

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup sushi rice
  • 1-1/2 cups coconut milk (plus more if adjustment is needed)
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1 cup strawberries, hulled
  • 2 kiwifruits, peeled
  • 4 fresh mint leaves
  • 4 wild strawberries (or any small red fruit for garnish)

Directions:

  1. To a small saucepan over high heat, add the rice, coconut milk and sugar. Once boiling, simmer on the lowest heat for 18 to 20 minutes or until tender. Mix once in a while. Let cool.
  2. Slice the strawberries and kiwifruits as thinly as possible with a sharp knife. Set them aside.
  3. Using a square piece of plastic wrap, distribute the strawberries (or kiwi) in the middle, leaving a 3- to 4-inch parameter all around them.
  4. Top the strawberries (or kiwi) at the center with 1-1/2 tablespoons of rice.
  5. Close the plastic wrap, and form a ball. Twist the plastic wrap to tighten around the fruit and rice.
  6. Carefully unwrap the plastic wrap from the sushi ball.
  7. Garnish with mint or wild strawberries.
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Strawberry sushi roll recipe

 Fruit sushi dessert

Yields 8

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup rice
  • 1-1/2 cups coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1/2 cup strawberries, hulled
  • 1/4 cup black sesame seeds

Directions:

  1. In a small saucepan over high heat, add the rice, coconut milk and sugar. Once boiling, simmer on the lowest heat for 18 to 20 minutes or until tender. Mix once in a while. Let cool.
  2. Cover the sushi rolling mat with plastic wrap.
  3. Put the rice in the middle of the rolling mat covered with plastic wrap, and then put the strawberries on top of the rice at the center.
  4. Roll the sushi with the help of the sushi mat. Tighten with the help of the plastic wrap to achieve a compact cylinder. Unwrap the plastic wrap.
  5. With a sharp knife, slice the rice to bite sizes.
  6. On a saucer, pour the sesame seeds, and then roll the sides of the sushi on it.
3

Banana and peanut butter sushi roll recipe

 Fruit sushi dessert

Yields 8

Ingredients:

  • 1 large banana, peeled
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter (can be replaced with Nutella or a chocolate spread)
  • 1/8 cup coconut flakes
  • Chocolate balls

Directions:

  1. Divide the banana into 8 pieces of about 2 inches in height.
  2. Using an apple corer, remove the middle part of the banana slices.
  3. Fill up every hollowed-out banana with peanut butter.
  4. Sprinkle the coconut and then the chocolate balls on top.

More fruit recipes

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INTERVIEW: Sarah McLachlan shares the tragedies that inspired Shine On

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Sarah McLachlan
Photo credit: ID PR

Sarah McLachlan, the queen of hauntingly ethereal, emotional ballads is back with a brand new album — and she can't wait to share her first collection of original music in four years with her fans.

"It was a real crunch to get it done, but I'm really glad I did," she told us of making the album. "I love it, and I'm proud of it, and I can't wait for everybody to hear it."

The album, titled Shine On, is chock-full of McLachlan's trademark lilting voice, beautiful instrumentation and emotionally charged lyrics. For the singer-songwriter, compiling the material for the album proved rather "cathartic."

"I guess it's sort of reflective of the last six years of my life," she revealed. "Turning 40 and becoming separated from my husband of many years, losing my dad not long after, separating from my management label… so all these male anchors kind of disappearing at the same time."

It was a rough patch, admittedly, but McLachlan decided to gain perspective, as opposed to giving up. "When that happens when you're in your early 40s, you kind of really have to assess your life and go, 'OK, where am I going from here? How's that going to look? How do I redefine myself?'"

Sarah McLachlan: My marriage was a failure >>

One such event in McLachlan's life — the passing of her adoptive father, Jack, in 2011 — inspired much of the sentiment of the new album. "I had to look at all these things that had happened to me and how they make me feel, and certainly my dad's passing was a big one," she said. "That was sort of the more profound impacts of, you know, now I'm an orphan. This is the second half of my life, how do I want it to look?"

But while aching songs like "Broken Heart" and "Song for My Father" reflect that loss, "a large part of Shine On speaks to a much lighter aspect of McLachlan's life: discovering love again, which the singer-songwriter describes as "scary, but fantastic."

"I'm a really hopeful person," McLachlan explained of the album's prevailing sentiment, "and I think there is a lot of that on the record as well."

In penning songs for Shine On, one story of hope in particular inspired the single "In Her Shoes."

"It sort of became about Malala Yousafzai," she revealed of the song's Nobel Peace Prize-nominated muse, "and the fact that she survived getting shot in the head, and because she endured and is such a powerful and strong heroine."

Feminists unite in 2013: 20 Most inspiring quotes >>

Strong female role models resonate with McLachlan, who is juggling all that being a folk-rock icon entails with all that motherhood entails — her daughter India Ann is 12, and her daughter Taja Summer will turn 6 this September.

When asked how she manages both worlds, McLachlan laughed. "I have help, for starters!" she refreshingly replied. "You know, it takes a village, and I'm really lucky."

To ensure her daughters don't always play second fiddle to her music, McLachlan dedicates the time she spends with her daughters to them and them alone.

"I try really hard when the kids are home from school to put the computer away and the phone away and just be with them, you know?" she said. "Until I put them to bed, and then I'm back to work on the computer at 8 o'clock at night. But I'm lucky because I get to pick my hours, and even when I go on tour, my kids come with me."

Plus, as McLachlan reiterates, she doesn't go it entirely alone... she has help on the road and at home. And even then, she has her good parenting days and her bad ones, just like the rest of us.

"Some days are great — some days I feel like I should get a little gold star — and other days I feel like I want to beat myself up, and I'm going, 'Man, I really failed there,'" she admitted. "But redemption's a beautiful thing. We get to go to sleep and wake up and try again."

Hollywood's humanitarians: Jewel challenges people to rethink public housing >>

This summer signals the start of a new adventure for McLachlan and her kids, who will be touring the U.S. starting in June in Seattle, Washington.

And aside from the occasionally bad food, McLachlan is stoked to hit the road, which she says she's "most excited about."

That's not to say, though, that touring doesn't come without its own unique set of challenges. "I'm 46 years old," McLachlan started, "and touring sounds terribly glamorous, but really it is not."

"I'm a mother all day, and then I'm doing work all in the afternoon — I'm doing sound check, I'm meeting 150 people at meet and greets and then I'm doing a 2-½ hour show — and then I get off the stage, and five minutes later I'm on the bus in my jammies reading nighttime stories. It's a great leveler!"

Or course, the singer of such favorites as "Angel" and "I Will Remember You" wouldn't have it any other way.

"There's really something profoundly important about it," McLachlan said of creating her music. "It's like a connection to everything I know is good and right in the world."

This is how dogs like to pillow fight

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1

Caught in between foot and mouth

I'm a huge Simpson's fan, so foot or no foot, this pillow is mine!

2

Nom, nom, nom

If you show me the pillow, I'm going to bite it. That simple.

3

Purple pillow eater

Am I supposed to catch the ball or wrestle with it? Pillow fight or pillow fetch, I am game for whatever.

4

Pillow fight for one, please

Fine, don't play with me. At least if I fight the pillow by myself, I am guaranteed to win.

5

Pillow tease

I am only shorter than you on four legs. Just wait until I get on two — I'll own this pillow.

6

Pillow blocking

Hi, that's my blanket under this pillow. Bam, problem solved!

7

Pillow Ninja

I'm not a pillow fighter, I'm a pillow ninja.

8

Tug-of-war

Who needs the pillow when you've got the pillow case?

9

Tore up

I will jump to this pillow wherever it goes, as I love it to shreds. Literally.

More fun with dogs

22 Dogs with dreadlocks
Why do dogs look like their owners?
Top 10 funniest looking dog breeds

Meatless Monday: Quinoa, avocado and roasted red pepper hummus wraps

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Quinoa, avocado, and roasted red pepper hummus wraps

You'll have a great meal to wrap your hands around with this Meatless Monday recipe for quinoa, avocado and roasted red pepper hummus wraps. I like this recipe because it livens up lunch (or dinner) by using ingredients that stand apart from typical sandwich stuffings.

The hummus that's the base of this wrap is colorful and savory. Not only that, but this recipe yields more than you'll need for the wraps, so you can enjoy it as a dip for veggies or pita chips the next day.

Quinoa, avocado, and roasted red pepper hummus wraps

The quinoa picks up some extra flavor by cooking in veggie broth instead of water, and the avocado brings a nice creaminess to the mix.

Quinoa, avocado and roasted red pepper hummus wraps recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1 large avocado, peeled, pitted and cubed
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
  • 1-1/2 large roasted red peppers (jarred)
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2  tablespoons olive oil
  • Juice from 1/2 a large lemon
  • 2 tablespoons tahini (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 handfuls lettuce leaves, divided
  • 4 (8-inch) sandwich wraps or tortillas

Directions:

  1. Cook the quinoa according to the package directions, using vegetable broth instead of water.
  2. Allow the quinoa to reach room temperature after cooking it, and then gently toss in the avocado.
  3. Make the hummus as the quinoa cooks. Add the garbanzo beans, roasted red pepper, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, tahini (if using), salt and black pepper to a food processor, and blend until smooth. If you think you need more liquid, drizzle in a bit more olive oil and lemon juice, and blend again. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
  4. Lay the sandwich wraps on a flat work surface. For each wrap, spread about a 1/4 cup of the hummus down the center of the wrap, from the top edge to the bottom. Add a bit of lettuce over the hummus, followed by about a 1/4 cup of the quinoa.
  5. Fold the right side of the wrap to just over the filling, and then continue to roll the wrap tightly.
  6. Slice the wrap in half with a serrated knife, and serve seam side down. If needed, insert a toothpick into each wrap half to help secure it.

Liven up your next Meatless Monday meal.

More Meatless Monday recipes

Tofu and bok choy lo mein
Creamy sweet potato and asparagus lasagna
Wild mushroom, thyme and Brie omelet

Uh-oh, was Selena Gomez right? Biebs & Kylie Jenner get cozy

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Justin Bieber and Kylie Jenner hang out during Selena Gomez drama
Photo credit: Apega/WENN.com

Rumors are heating up that there could potentially be something more than just a friendship developing between Justin Bieber and Kylie Jenner.

On-again-off-again girlfriend Selena Gomez previously had a massive freak-out when she thought Jenner was getting too close to her man. She unfollowed both Kylie and her older sister Kendall on Instagram after reportedly becoming upset and irritated that Kylie was hitting on Bieber at the recent Coachella festival.

Selena Gomez: No issue with Kylie and Kendall Jenner >>

And now Gomez is probably having an even bigger freak-out because Bieber and Kylie attended the Floyd Mayweather boxing match in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday and decided to document the event with a cute snapshot on Instagram — of Jenner, model Yovanna Ventura and himself.

According to the Daily Mail, the friends were staying together at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas before attending the pop singer's pal Mayweather's fight.

Of course, Bieber and Kylie could be nothing more than just good friends, but there could be also more than what meets the eye here because Gomez is clearly not enjoying seeing Biebs with another woman. Even though she has made no direct comment about her ex-boyfriend's recent outing, she did share a somewhat cryptic collage on her Instagram account.

Kylie Jenner slams "insulting" plastic surgery rumors >>

The "Come & Get It" hit maker posted a collage on Sunday of John Legend and Chrissy Teigen in the video for "All of Me," which she captioned, "Them is EVERYTHING tho. Allofme." Whatever that means....

Adam Levine's hair: Hot guys who f'd up their hotness

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Adam Levine

Adam Levine

Photo credits: Dominic Chan/WENN, via Adam Levine Twitter

Adam Levine

Adam Levine was the kind of hottie who had a little something for everyone's taste. The The Voice judge looked refined and dapper when he got dressed up for the red carpet, and he appealed to women who go for bad boys when he rocked a T-shirt that showed off his tats. We are referring to Levine's appeal in the past tense because he f'd up his hotness by dyeing his hair blond. He's responded to the backlash by tweeting, "I hope people understand that when they say my hair looks creepy I take that as the highest compliment." We just couldn't disagree with you more, Adam.

Adam Levine thanks his mom for making him sexy >>

James Franco

James FrancoPhoto credits: WENN, via James Franco Instagram

James Franco

James Franco may have never landed the cover of People's Sexiest Man Alive issue, but he was hot in his own way. The patchy facial hair is a little off-putting, but the guy's good-looking enough, and he's hilarious, which always tips the hotness scales in any guy's favor. But then he had to get all sweaty in the middle of the night and stick his hand down his not-so-white tighties and whatever hotness he had evaporated. Bleck.

5 Signs that James Franco needs to get back to work >>

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp

Photo credits: PNP/WENN, WENN

Johnny Depp

How is it that a guy can look so freakin' hot on-screen and then look like someone who should be holding a "will work for food" sign the rest of the time? Johnny Depp can rock just about any look — he was even kind of hot in Secret Window as a depressed nut job, and few others could have gotten away with those unbecoming beard beads he wore in Pirates of the Caribbean. The rest of the time he looks like some kind of hipster doofus with the weird glasses, hippie jewelry and crazy hats. Frankly, we'd rather make out with him looking like Tonto from The Lone Ranger than how he looks off-screen.

Johnny Depp kisses giggling Jimmy Kimmel >>

Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey

Photo credits: WENN, WENN

Matthew McConaughey

No matter how annoying Matthew McConaughey can be on-screen (with all the food smacking), he's still hot. You can't take that away from him. But he took it away from himself when he had to lose almost 40 pounds so he could portray an AIDS patient in Dallas Buyers Club. He aged about 20 years, and his neck jutted awkwardly from his body. The weight loss was all worth it — McConaughey won an Oscar for best actor for his memorable performance in Dallas Buyers Club.

Brad Pitt

Brad PittPhoto credits: WENN, WENN

Brad Pitt

Once in a while, Brad Pitt has to f-up his hotness by cutting off his hair, slicking it back and in this case, growing out a pencil thin mustache. He is still good-looking but not as hot as when he has long hair. Last summer, Pitt was rocking hair that reminded us of his Legends of the Fall days, which we wholeheartedly endorse. Once again, without our permission, he's hacked it all off — but at least the strange thin mustache is gone.

Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson

Photo credits: WENN, WENN

Mel Gibson

Remember when Mel Gibson was hot? Nobody does — unless we happen to stumble upon The Bounty or The Patriot reruns. Gibson used to be one of the most legendary actors in Hollywood — revered for his handsomeness much like Sean Connery and Harrison Ford. Gibson's scandals have included arrests, racial rants and assaulting ex-wife Oksana Grigorieva. He now serves as a sad example of how beauty really does come from within.

These Mother's Day gifts will make her smile

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Mother getting gift from daughter | Sheknows.com

Photo credit: Fabrice LEROUGE/ONOKY/Getty Images

New moms

The Dozer

The dozer | Sheknows.com

Every new mom can tell you what an exhausting job motherhood can be, so help her save her strength with The Dozer. The self-rocking, battery-operated new-mom essential will rock Baby's car seat to give mommy's arm a break and keep Baby happy. (DozerRocker, $30)

4 Moms Origami Stroller

Origami stroller | Sheknows.com

One thing new moms need is an extra hand. Even when you cannot be there yourself, you can still deck her out with a self-closing and opening Origami stroller. With onboard cell phone charger, self-recharging generator, running lights, pathway lights and LCD dashboard, this has-it-all stroller will make her one of the only new moms around with a free hand. (4 Moms, $850)

Love you to the moon and back mommy necklace

Love you to the moon and back mommy necklace | Sheknows.com

For a new mom there is nothing more precious than her bundle of joy, so melt her heart with a hand-stamped stainless steel necklace marked with her little one's name. Adorned with a small moon charm and the phrase, 'I love you to the moon and back,' this mommy necklace is one she's sure to love. (StampedFrosting, $30)

Postpartum doula

Mother with doula | Sheknows.com

Photo credit: monkeybusinessimages/iStock/360/Getty Images

The first few weeks of a newborn's life is challenging and tiring, but a postpartum doula can lend a hand to give a new mom and her family the support she needs. From information on infant feeding to assistance with physical recovery from birth, postpartum doulas are available anywhere from a day or two to the first few weeks of a precious newborn's life. (Postpartum Doulas, $15 to $50 per hour)

Homemade Mother's Day mug crafts for kids >>

Grandma

Patricia Bridges' yarn bowl

Patricia Bridges' Yarn bowl | Sheknows.com

For grandmothers who are good with their hands, yarn bowls make the perfect gift for keeping balls of yarn from running away. (Uncommon Goods, $58)

Grandma's sippy cup

Grandma's sippy cup | Sheknows.com

Help Grandma keep the wine in her glass — and not on her shirt — with an ingenious sippy cup for more grownup beverages. (tidbitsboutique, $13)

Hammock swing chair

Hammock swing chair | Sheknows.com

Grandpas aren't the only ones who have earned a good rest. An outdoor swing like the Grand Caribbean Lounge Hammock Chair is the perfect spot to swing for a spell. With open weave wrappable comfort and a spreader bar that helps Grandma climb in and out with ease, the hanging hammock chair makes a relaxing Mother's Day gift for grandmothers who love the outdoors. (Hayneedle.com, $60)

Custom photo scarf

Custom photo scarf | Sheknows.com

Photo blankets, photo totes and photo shirts have all been customized to no end, but when you wrap your favorite nana in a customized photo scarf there will be no gift she'll adore more. Simply choose your favorite photo of the grandkids, upload it into the preset tiled pattern, choose a background color and the grandkids will hug Grammy's neck all year long. (Snapfish, $20)

Trendy moms

Diamond Candles

Diamond Candles | Sheknows.com

Give the gift of relaxation and bling combined with the latest trend in surprise-inside gifts. Diamond Candles. As if the fact that they're soy and smell oh-so-yummy wasn't enough, in each full-sized candle there hides a real ring worth between $10 and $5,000. (Diamond Candles, $25)

Mini cross-body handbag

Mini Crossbody Handbag | Sheknows.com

Although gigantic mom totes will never go out of style, this Mother's Day the mini handbag is stealing the spotlight, like the Mossimo Supply Co. Mini Cross-Body Handbag. Just big enough to hold a cell phone, small wallet and lip color, these tiny accessories will make a big splash. (Target, $15)

Case-mate glimmer iPad case

iPad glimmer case | Sheknows.com

Most trendy mamas sport a tablet or iPad, so give a gift that protects her most precious possession — besides her kids — like this shimmery glimmer iPad case. The chic design slips right over her tablet and turns it into an accessory that is sure to dazzle. (Case-mate, $25)

Serendipity

Serendipity | Sheknows.com

The transparent trend of see-through shoes and bags is still going strong, so pick up a pair of pumps that leave a little unseen — or extra showing — like Chinese Laundry's Serendipity. Any shoe with a clear vinyl side, upper or heel fits the bill when it comes to this shoe trend. (Chinese Laundry, $60)

Discover DIY spa day Mother's Day crafts for kids >>

Healthy moms

Activyst gym bag

Activist gym bag | Sheknows.com

You could give a health-conscious mom any old gym bag and she'd be happy you're supporting her cause, but when you give an activyst gym bag, you're supporting girls around the world, too. Funding girls' sports around the world, the charitable organization takes proceeds from their product lines and enables more girls worldwide to be empowered by staying active and being healthy. (activyst, $138)

Blue Apron subscription

Blue Apron Subscription | Sheknows.com

Fueled by the love of healthy, fresh foods, Blue Apron delivers all the ingredients and recipes for three healthy recipes per week. You just need to choose the vegetarian or meat and seafood option and whipping up a fresh feast is easy. (BlueApron, $10 and up per person/per meal)

Jawbone UP health tracker

Jawbone UP health tracker | Sheknows.com

More than just a pretty piece of jewelry, the Jawbone UP is an innovative wristband that connects wirelessly to a smartphone or iPhone, allowing Mom to track her steps, calories burned and sleep patterns. (Jawbone.com, $150)

Sportline HydraCoach Intelligent water bottle

Sportline HydraCoach Intelligent Water Bottle | Sheknows.com

Every healthy mama knows you have to stay hydrated — so quench your mom's thirst for good health with the Hydracoach. It's the first of its kind that calculates your personal hydration needs, tracks how much you drink and motivates you to drink enough water daily. (Amazon, $24)

Read more Mother's Day gift ideas

Top techie gifts for Mother's Day
Organic Mother's Day gifts
Edible Mother's Day gifts

Tex-Mex stuffed potato poppers

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Tex-mex stuffed potato poppers recipe

If you are a fan of loaded baked potatoes and also like big flavors in smaller portions, then this is the recipe for you. I used small red potatoes and simply halved them and baked them until soft, then scooped out the insides and stuffed them with all sorts of fresh, Mexican flavors. These make a great starter, snack or even a side dish for any barbecue. If you want to keep these vegan, then swap out the cheese and sour cream for nondairy versions.

Tex-Mex stuffed potato poppers recipe

Yields 16

Ingredients:

For the potatoes

  • 8 small red potatoes, washed and dried
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the toppings

  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 1 avocado, pit removed, diced
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion
  • Sour cream for garnish (optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cut each potato in half, and place them in a mixing bowl. Add the olive oil and all the seasonings, then toss well to coat evenly.
  3. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on the baking sheet, and bake for 30 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.
  4. Using a small spoon, carefully scoop out the insides of the potatoes, and place them back on the baking sheet. (You can save the insides of the potatoes for an another recipe, if desired.)
  5. Sprinkle the potatoes with cheese, and return them to the oven just long enough to allow the cheese to melt.
  6. Place the potatoes on a large serving platter, and top them with the desired toppings and a small spoonful of sour cream. Best served warm.

More Cinco de Mayo recipes

Individual 7 layer dips
Spicy hot Mexican corn dip
Watermelon jalapeño margaritas


Teething products you can't live without

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Gnawing necklace

Chewbeads | Sheknows.com

Since it's likely that your bundle of joy will be gnawing on your jewelry anyway, take the safe and kid-friendly route with non-toxic Chewbeads necklaces and bracelets. Made of soft, durable and chemical-free silicone, you'll love being adorned in the chic designs as much as your little one will love chewing on them. (Chewbeads.com, $15)

Find out why weaning sucks >>

Teething buddies

Teether Tops | Sheknows.com

Freezable, machine washable and BPA-free, these stay-put teethers strap to your little gnawer's wrist without falling on the floor. The 100 percent cotton material is safe for babies of all ages as well as special needs children seeking tactile stimulation by mouthing objects. Teether Tops include two interchangeable teethers and a wrist strap. (TeetherTops.com, $10)

That teething vibe

First Years Massaging Action Teether | Sheknows.com

Combining the satisfaction of a textured, chewable star with the soothing vibrations whenever your kiddo bites down, this vibrating chew toy will be your knight in shining armor when your youngster is cutting teeth. "When both of my boys were in the throes of teething, the only teether that saved them (and me) was The First Years Massaging Action Teether," shares Julie Rosenberg of PiddlePouch LLC. "The combination of soft texture, vibrating feel and appealing shape and color soothed them physically and emotionally." (TheFirstYears.com, $10)

Swoop up these stress-free parenting tips to end biting >> 

Sweet Sophie

Sophie La Giraffe Teething Ring | Sheknows.com

There are two clear stances with this teething toy — you either swear by it or have never heard of Sophie la Girafe. So, if this BPA- and phthalate-free squeaky teether is new to you, you may be missing out on the cutest teething toy on the market — and she now comes in many forms, including a teething ring. “The team of moms and baby-lovers at Magic Cabin loves the Sophie Giraffe Teething Ring," shares Sarah Parker of Magic Cabin. "The flexible, textured rubber rings are just what baby needs for sore gums, and the vanilla scent isn’t just pleasing, it means baby can easily identify and find Sophie when she’s needed." (Toys R Us, $23)

For the little man

Moustachifier pacifier | Sheknows.com

The stress of parenting is a lot easier to tolerate when you know how to get a harmless laugh out of even the simplest of situations. With funny pacifiers like the Mustachifier, you can soothe your bundle of joy's need to gum something up while getting your giggles out of the funny faces the binkies make your baby have. (Moustachifier.com, $10)

Save the fingers!

Sophie La Giraffe Teething Ring | Sheknows.com

Developed to mimic your tot's favorite teething toy — his fingers — the Comotomo teether is made of 100 percent medical-grade silicone to make it durable, toxin-free and flexible. And, since they are resistant to heat, you can also sterilize them by boiling them or running them through the dishwasher. (Amazon, $7)

Gum this

Zoli Baby Gummy Sticks | Sheknows.com

With a soft, textured tip and an ergonomic handle, the Zoli Baby Gummy Sticks will soothe your baby's gums as those teeth are trying to cut through. And, there's no need to worry that your sweet pea will choke on the BPA- and phthalate-free teether — the anti-choke shield will keep your kiddo from inserting it into his mouth too far. (Diapers.com, $10)

Gnaw on this one

Boon GNAW | Sheknows.com

You won't have to worry about this teether or your child's snacks finding their way to the floor when it sits snuggly in the Boon Gnaw. Fashioned in a unique 'U' shape that is easy for young fingers to hold and using a finger trap-style design to hang on to snacks, this funky teether is also BPA-, phthalate- and PVC-free. (Amazon, $6)

Read more on teething

All about amber teething necklaces
Breastfeeding and teething and biting
How to soothe teething pain

Game of Thrones review: The direwolves make a comeback

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Jon Snow in Season 4 of Game of Thrones
Photo credit: HBO

We can all agree that Season 3 was bad for the Starks on Game of Thrones. It was so bad, in fact, that we all thought they were really done for at that point, I think. The opposite seems to be holding true thus far in Season 4 with Sunday night's episode serving as the pinnacle until now. Not to mention, we've really missed watching people get direwolfed. (Yeah, I said it.)

WTF are we talking about? Only the most shockingly perfect episode >>

This episode is a moment when the good guys win. Karl, the leader of the rebel Night's Watch holding Craster's Keep, meets his doom thanks to Jon Snow. Jon hasn't lost his edge, in case you were wondering. And neither has his direwolf Ghost. The two are reunited in the heat of the fight, with the victory going to Jon and his fellow men in black, of course.

In even more exciting news, we discover that the fire of emotional rage just might be the key to Bran's supernatural mind-controlling success. When the lives of his gang are threatened, Bran is able to go inside Hodor's head and control his body to save them from the traitor Locke.

(Quick refresher: Locke is from House Bolton, where Theon is currently being held. Locke is also the man who cut off Jaime Lannister's hand. He was now supposed to be helping Jon Snow and the Night's Watch but clearly has had ulterior motives. Translation: Not a good guy.)

Using Hodor's body, Bran kills Locke. With his quest in mind, Bran leaves Craster's Keep without alerting Jon of his presence.

It's kind of heartbreaking. Bran is so close to seeing Jon again and letting his family know he's actually alive, but he realizes there's a bigger picture. He chooses to follow his sight and fulfill his quest, wherever it takes him.

15 Best moments from the first Season 4 trailer >>

When it comes to King's Landing, I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I'm a fan of Cersei (Lena Headey). I think she's widely misunderstood, which is why the characters on Game of Thrones are so fantastic. Her aim is to survive while protecting her children and family, no matter the cost.

On Sunday night, we get a glimpse inside of her heart for once instead of only her manipulative mind. Cersei has a boat constructed for her daughter Myrcella, who is in Dorn. Oberyn promises to send it to her daughter. It's a sweet, mothering gesture from Cersei. But OK, the show has also made me a pessimist. Anyone else get the feeling there's something else hidden on that boat besides some pretty detailing for Myrcella? It seems like there's a good chance Cersei is playing at something.

Need more Joffrey moments? How about some fake ones from these spoofs? >>

Best quotes of the night

  • "I wouldn't even know what to call you. Sister or mother?" Margaery says to Cersei regarding their upcoming nuptials.
  • "I'm almost done. Only one name left," Arya tells The Hound when he's annoyed at her nightly hit list naming.
    "Go on then."
    She rolls over before saying, "The Hound."
  • "What good is power if you cannot protect the ones you love?" Cersei asks Oberyn during their walk in the gardens.

New skin cancer threat: Manicures

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Nails drying at a salon
Photo credit: YinYang/iStock/360/Getty Images

Today is Melanoma Monday… the perfect time to give your skin a once-over in an effort to spot any potential skin cancers. It’s also a good day to be aware of a potential new skin cancer threat: nail salon dryers.

That’s right, ladies. That little wonder light that turns your new shade of Essie into dried perfection could be doing you more harm than good. These lights are common to dry popular gel manicures, and usually require your hands to be exposed for about 10 minutes.

A recent study published in JAMA Dermatology says that nail salon dryers emit radiation, which could cause skin damage. The lights give off ultraviolet light, which makes polish and gel dry more quickly.

Researchers from Georgia Regents University in Augusta, Georgia, looked at 17 different UV lamps and found that they give off varying doses of UVA light. While the researcher say that the risk of developing squamous cell skin cancer from the lamps is low, they admit that the risk from multiple visits — such as changing your nail color more often in the warmer months — is not yet tested.

We don’t want to scare you, but it’s worth knowing. In fact, the lights on their own don’t give off enough to produce cancer. But if you visit the salon eight to 14 times over a few years, you could be at risk for DNA damage to your skin.

So, do you need to skip manicures completely? Perhaps don’t go as often, or use the waiting room to let nails dry naturally more times than never.

Melanoma Monday

The threat of melanoma is nothing new, but the American Academy of Dermatology wants to encourage more people to detect this deadly disease.

Known as the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma kills one person every hour on average. About 9,710 people are expected to die from melanoma this year. It’s common in young adults, too, so encourage the younger women in your life to take a peek at their skin for any suspicious moles.

Look for anything that is asymmetrical, has a border, varies in color, is wider than a pencil eraser or has grown over time. If you see anything suspicious, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist or visit a skin cancer screening near you.

Style up summer with sun-friendly clothing

We all have heard the message about wearing sunscreen. In addition to applying your favorite lotion or spray, SPF clothing can be handy in helping to block rays. It’s so common nowadays — and quite fashion-forward, too.

Coolibar, a sun protective clothing brand, features a complete line of stylish sun-safe clothing for men, women and children. Other brands such as Athleta and Solumbra also offer stylish clothing — not just bathing suits — that have superior sun protection capabilities.

What about protecting your eyes from the sun? Sunglasses just look cute — so pick a pair that speaks to you and don them every chance you get.

More on skin care

8 Ways your skin care should change this spring
Sensitive skin problems and how to solve them
Your guide to skin care in the sun

Lorde puts stalkerazzi on blast

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Lorde
Photo credit: SIPA/WENN.com

It looks like hanging out with Taylor Swift is starting to rub off on Lorde. Over the weekend, the New Zealand songstress took to the Twitterverse to let her 1.6 million followers know of a nagging paparazzo, and the 17-year-old didn't hold back by any means.

Lorde specified that a paparazzo by the name of Simon Runting has been snapping photos of her, and it's come to the point where he's not letting her have any privacy. "I refuse to stay passive about men systematically subjecting me to extreme fear," she said of the dilemma. Aside from her rant on Runting, Lorde even provided a photo of the paparazzo and the URL to his Facebook profile, which was probably bombarded with messages from Team Lorde.

Lorde ditches her trademark curls for first Grammy performance >>

Runting, who also hails from Lorde's native country, was previously slammed by Rihanna for capturing the pop star standing in the window of her hotel room during her stay in New Zealand. Rihanna lashed out at the paparazzi in her own social media rant, comparing the New Zealand paparazzi to Nazis, which is a reference to her duet with Kanye West.

It's obvious that paparazzi are the price of fame, but Lorde told fans she just doesn't understand why she "should be complacent." Oddly enough, Lorde poked fun in an interview at another hit maker who caught the attention of the paparazzi last year. When VH1 asked the New Zealand songstress if she had a favorite train wreck, Lorde cited Britney Spears, explaining, "It was really interesting to me to read like the Rolling Stone article when she was like 17 and to get that story of her being this total sweetheart in America… which I find crazy." Sounds like Lorde is still learning about the price of fame.

Anne Geddes shares baby photography tips

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Little blessings | Sheknows.com

Photo credit: Anne Geddes

Anne Geddes was the first person that truly elevated baby photography to a new art form. Geddes has sold more than 19 million books worldwide, starting with the iconic Down in the Garden book, which showcased adorable babies as butterflies and peeking out of flowerpots.

"It’s been many years since the majority of my flowerpot baby photographs were taken, yet they still resonate with people and are some of my most recognized photographs," Geddes tells SheKnows. "In 1991 when I placed my first baby in a flowerpot, it was simply a fun idea for a portrait sitting. Little did I know the ideas for my first coffee table book Down in the Garden had been sown and it simply grew from there! Down in the Garden has its 20th anniversary in 2016."

Geddes continues to amaze us with her amazing work, including her newest book which is released just in time for Mother's Day, Anne Geddes Little Blessings, which features brand new images and classic photos from her vast collection, along with heartwarming quotes celebrating the joy and magic of motherhood.

Anne Geddes shares where she gets her inspiration

Anne Geddes | Sheknows.com

Photo credit: Kelly Geddes

Geddes tells us she started out taking private portraits for a decade before finding her true calling in baby photography.

"Before I even began photographing my first calendar in 1992, I did private portraiture for 10 years. This taught me many people skills, in particular how to deal with children of all different ages, and I found through this work that I was particularly drawn to babies," she said. "I don’t remember it ever being a conscious decision but I fell in love with them as a subject. Babies are for me an incredibly emotive subject matter, and as a result my work is intensely personal. But I also feel that babies and children express and illustrate deeply-held universal values of beauty, trust, love, purity and innocence. They are also a powerful symbol of hope for our future."

Geddes portraits are full of magical backgrounds and beautiful costumes — and she has actually worked with the same prop maker and stylist for the past 20 years, ever since the creation of Down in the Garden.

She tells us her ideas come from many different places, although Mother Nature is a huge influence.

"Inspiration and ideas come to me from everywhere. It’s a great advantage for anyone to love what they do, and to me babies and new life are at the core of who I am as a person and as a photographer. Mother Nature of course is the greatest artist of them all, and nature is a constant inspiration for me," she says.

Photography tips from Anne Geddes

Little blessings | Sheknows.com

Photo credit: Anne Geddes

Geddes reveals that when it comes to great baby pictures, the secret lies in picking the right time of day and making sure the baby is happy and well fed before the shoot.

"I always schedule my shoots in the mornings, never in the afternoons, because I have found that babies are usually more settled earlier in the day," she says. "I am always very organized prior to a shoot. Everything is prepared and rehearsed the day before, as once the babies arrive, everything needs to revolve around them. As soon as mother and baby arrive and are settled in the studio, we gently undress each baby and wrap them up in a soft blanket. The baby is then fed, and generally they then drift off to sleep. Of course this part of the process can be very short, or a little longer depending on the baby. "

Geddes says that adult models can wait around while the lighting is adjusted, but babies don't have the patience for that. In fact, she told us most of her baby shoots only last 10 minutes.

"People are always surprised when they come in for a shoot, how quickly the actual act of taking the photograph can be. What takes time is the setup of the studio, which I usually do the day before a shoot is scheduled. With my studio team I will set up the lighting and props, and test all the lighting and equipment so that when the babies arrive on set everything is ready," Geddes says. "Of course then it’s often a matter of simply waiting for a baby to go to sleep, and I know a lot of new parents out there will understand that you need to stay calm and be patient. Babies will sleep in their own time. But once they are asleep and carefully taken onto set the actual shoot is usually done in less than 10 minutes."

Using her photography for good

Little blessings | Sheknows.com

Photo credit: Anne Geddes

Geddes says she started The Geddes Philanthropic Trust in 1992 to raise awareness regarding issues of the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

"After becoming aware of the abuse of somebody very close to me growing up, it has been one of my life’s missions. Discovering this story of such terrible suffering by somebody close to me was a pivotal moment. I then clearly understood what my life’s passion and commitment would be," she shared. "From then on I realized that my photography would take on even more meaning, and that there was an important reason for me to not just continue with my photography of babies, but also to convey the message that they are incredibly precious and vulnerable human beings, who deserve our full protection as they grow and develop."

Geddes says that one of the achievements of the Trust has been the creation of several select fellowships around the world, where doctors and medical professionals can train and conduct specific research within the area of the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

In addition to the Trust, she also has a new photographic series which features families affected by meningococcal disease called Protecting Our Tomorrows: Portraits of Meningococcal Disease.

"Over my 30-year career, there is not one parent I have worked with who doesn’t love and want the best for their child. I remember when my own children were growing up, being fearful of this truly devastating disease in which babies, children and young adults are particularly susceptible," she says. "Disease is often portrayed in a very 'medical' way, and while the effects of meningitis are certainly life changing, these affected children are still beautiful and powerful symbols of hope."

What's next for Anne Geddes?

Little blessings | Sheknows.com

Photo credit: Anne Geddes

Until now, Geddes has been located in Australia, but she plans on making the big move to New York.

"My husband and I have been talking about a move like this for many years, but somehow work and family commitments over the past decade have kept us based in Australia. While Australia will always be my home, it’s becoming more and more important to be more centrally located in a global sense. Over the past year I’ve completed 3 major projects, 2 of which involved shooting internationally. And those long-haul flights from Australia aren’t much fun at all!" she says.

"New York is also such a culturally vibrant city, and we have visited many times, so it was not a hard decision to make. In fact my oldest daughter Stephanie now lives there. With the release of Little Blessings and a brand new series of images titled Under the Sea this summer, it was the perfect time to move."

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