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1. Stop calling it a "dry" heat like that makes it better.

Someone who regularly lives with the 120-degree temperatures in Phoenix or El Paso will swear to you that the dry heat is somehow better. It’s not. It’s like stepping into a pizza oven. In fact, during the summer, you have no business being outside. I’ll take my humidity over the burning heat of a thousand hair dryers any day.

2. Non-Southerners don’t understand Southern food.

Go anywhere in the South, order iced tea and it will come sweetened with the nectar of the gods (aka, 2 cups of sugar per liter). That’s how tea is to be served. Anything else is an abomination, and handing me a glass of iced tea with two Splendas doesn’t make it sweet tea.

And don’t even get me started on grits.

3. Southerners speak to everyone.

It’s just plain rude not to speak to another person. It doesn’t matter if it’s your neighbor, a stranger or the college rival who beat you out for cheerleader that you’ve been holding a grudge against ever since. You say, "Hi," then walk off and whisper "Bless her little heart" to your friend like a true Southern belle.

These 40 phrases are a crash course in Southern-speak  >>

4. The South is more than sports and cotton fields.

If it’s not football related, non-Southerners act like they’ve never heard of it. I’ve never been to Vermont, but I know the capital of it. (Psst, it’s Montpelier. And no, I didn’t have to Google it.)

5. Just because a white guy has a deep Southern accent doesn’t mean he’s racist.

‘Nuff said.

6. We get it — we have "weird" accents.

Your accent is as hard for us to understand as ours is for you to understand. Bostonians, I’m looking at you.

7. We use titles for everyone.

If we say “ma’am" or "sir," we’re not insulting you. We mean it as a sign of respect. And if you’re 5 or more years older than us, we might put Ms. or Mr. in front of your name. As in Ms. Crystal. Yes. That happens.

8. We love us some church.

OK, this one is a bit of a blanket statement/stereotype, but for the most part, we’re in there like swimwear, even if it’s only on major holidays, i.e., Christmas, Easter and Mother's Day.

9. We don't all mind our accents.

Saying “You don’t sound like you’re from (insert Southern state here)" isn’t a compliment. Stop saying it.

10. We don’t all know each other.

Yes, I am from Mississippi. And my family still lives there. But so do 3 million other people. I don’t know that "one guy" that you met from that "one place." Well, probably not.

11. We’re not all idiots/hillbillies/teen moms/rednecks/whatever.

We're multimillionaire moguls. We’re veterans. We’re stay-at-home moms. We’re career driven. And yes, some of us are f'ups. Point is, we’re not a monolithic group... we're just like everyone else.

12. We’re not all driving around in huge pickup trucks with shotguns and Confederate flags in the back.

My gun is small and pink and cute. And cute guns work just as well as big ones.

Want more of the South?

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Lauren Conrad spent the weekend celebrating the beginning of summer and her impending nuptials with her besties, Lo Bosworth and Jilly Hendrix, and, of course, the California girls chronicled their adventure on social media. Conrad's last vacay as a single woman included margaritas, waves, fashion, friends and an appropriately-punny hashtag.

Friday's Fashion Obsessions: Gabrielle Union and Lauren Conrad >>

The former The Hills star and friends labeled their pictures with #donttellmrtell while living it up in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, which is a super-cute play on fiancé William Tell's last name. The photos posted on the internet look fun but totally wholesome, so it's doubtful that there is actually much to hide from the future Mr. Conrad.

The snaps on Conrad's Instagram page set a scene of lots of waterfront festivities.

Conrad, who is known for her amazing fashion sense, posted a pic involving poolside styling, with the caption, "Print mixing at the pool with @jillyhendrix #donttellmrtell."

She also managed to get a shout-out to Malibu Island Spiced Rum, for which she is a spokesperson, into her trip. The pic features a tasty-looking libation with the caption, "Such a beautiful day! Celebrating the official first day of summer by toasting with one of my favorite #MalibuIslandSpiced cocktails! #ad."

Bosworth, Conrad's Laguna Beach co-star, posted a photo of the girls' newest tattoos. We're assuming they're faux.

Of course, the trip wasn't completely without controversy. Conrad and her pals staged a walkout at The Office beachside restaurant after discovering the establishment's anti-gay policies.

Conrad and Tell, who got engaged in October 2013, have yet to announce their wedding date or venue.

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Miley Cyrus wears some super-skimpy costumes on her Bangerz world tour, but miraculously, never seems to suffer any wardrobe malfunctions. There's a very good reason for that: Her little sister, Noah, has been tasked with making sure all Miley's bits and pieces stay put.

The "Wrecking Ball" singer explained how it all works to Australia's 2Day FM radio host, Sophie Monk.

"She makes sure that, you know, everything is staying intact," the singer explained, adding that Noah acts as her "p**** police."

Miley Cyrus gets crunk while being robbed >>

"I never shave my legs because I have these really amazing tights," she explained. "So then I don't have to deal with that. But they're not like the Spanx-y tights, just so I can be lazy and I don't have to tan, even though I just got back from vacation, so I'm a little bit more tan than usual... but yeah, I definitely rock the tights, but that's like one of those things.

"You definitely can't wax... because you have to wait a certain amount of time and you don't really have that kind of time, so you've just got to hope to God that this, like, unitard covers everything that it has to cover."

Miley also said that while she herself might be a household name, it's Noah who has the real star power in the family.

PHOTOS: Is this the couple who robbed Miley Cyrus? >>

"She's a natural entertainer, even when I'm with her I'll feel like sometimes… 'oh, my God, she's totally stealing my shine,'" she said. "Like, if she's in the room... all the attention is on Noah, and she's the only person that I've ever known — she gets more of that attention than me. And she's kind of like a natural at it, so I feel like if she wanted to do it, I wouldn't stop her.

"But she's really into sports, she loves horses, so I'm going to keep her on that and keep her kind of... that innocence as long as I can."

Oprah Winfrey

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Somehow, Winfrey looks more beautiful and radiant at 60 than she did in her 30s. The key to her radiance is in her flawless skin tone.

Take a peek inside the makeup bag of Winfrey's makeup artist Reggie Wells, and you'll find a mix of high-end and drugstore products. Wells relies on more expensive products to smooth and perfect Winfrey's skin tone — like Bobbi Brown concealer and Beyond Skin Science hydrating mist. But when it comes to lip liners, eyeliners and glosses, Wells doesn't back away from household names like Maybelline and Cover Girl for the star. The lesson? Know which products to splurge on, and which ones you can skimp on.

Gwyneth Paltrow

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Paltrow may grab headlines for her pretentiousness, but the famous actress is obviously impacting us with her unconventional lifestyle choices. Her beauty routine, surprisingly, is easy as pie. She recently explained to E! Online that she exercises every morning, showers and treats her skin with Restorsea moisturizer. Paltrow only bothers with mascara when she has a meeting — otherwise, she leaves her makeup application to the artists before shooting a movie or attending an event.

Lisa Ling

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Famed reporter Ling is a natural beauty, and takes a less-is-more approach to her makeup. In an interview with SheKnows', she explained that she uses a tinted moisturizer to even her skin tone, and feels it's important to shape her eyebrows and eyes with high-quality pencils.

The real fun in Ling's approach to beauty is her love for natural facial masks and cleansers. She swears by aloe vera and coconut oil to hydrate her skin when it feels dry. When her face needs an overhaul, she applies a plain Greek yogurt mask to her skin to exfoliate and moisturize.

Michelle Obama

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What a gorgeous first lady we have, right? Obama certainly has impeccable style, but if you look closely at her face, you may notice that her perfectly shaped eyebrows are a huge part of her beauty. Obama's longtime makeup artist Ingrid Grymes-Myles recently divulged to Friday Magazine that the first lady swears by regular eyebrow shaping and a good eyebrow pencil to form a perfect arch.

Not only that, Grymes-Myles shared that Obama's signature bob is key to her style. She deep conditions every time she washes her hair, and uses thermal protecting sprays to prevent damage from flat irons and blowouts.

Wendy Davis

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I hesitate to include Davis on this list, because she's worked so hard to deflect partisan and sexist remarks that have pigeonholed her as a political Barbie. But here's the thing: Davis is gorgeous.

So what's the deal with those beautiful blond locks? In an interview with CultureMap Austin, Davis is clear that she has to work hard to tame her "super-supercurly hair," with blowouts, flat irons and mousses. Stylist Julyne Derrick recently analyzed Davis' hairstyle, and surmised that Davis also enlists the help of a colorist to create a perfect blond hue for her tan skin. After all that hard work, the result is a stylish coiffe that can hold up to a 13-hour filibuster. Now, that's some hardworking hair.

Sonia Sotomayor

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Bronx-born Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is approaching 60 years old, but she wears a glow on her cheeks that betrays her age. She's tough as nails with her judicial opinions, and prefers to look like she's wearing little makeup at all. According to one of her makeup artists, Robyn Tamura, Sotomayor is most focused on concealing her under eye circles and dusting her cheeks with a rosy glow from Clinique powder blush. Add a tiny bit of mascara for a finishing touch, and she's ready for the cameras.

More about beauty routines

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Joan Rivers doesn't do what she does to make friends — in fact, it's normally the opposite. But her new book has made plenty of new enemies and Kristen Stewart isn't just sitting by and letting Rivers talk about her in any way she wants.

Amy Poehler & 9 other celebrity authors' books you should read >>

Rivers' book, Diary of a Mad Diva, apparently talks about Stewart's affair with her Snow White and the Huntsman director, Rupert Sanders.

"Many stars only do one thing well. Of course, the best one-trick-pony is Kristen Stewart, who got a whole career by being able to juggle a director's balls," Rivers apparently writes in the book, according to the Huffington Post.

Stewart is far from the only one that Rivers roasts in the book, but Stewart is set on getting her revenge. Rivers spoke with a TMZ cameraman about the actress's intentions.

"I am now being sued by Kristen Stewart," Rivers said. "She obviously didn't read our disclaimer, which says it's a comedy book. I can't wait to get her into court because I'm gonna get a puppet and I want her to show me on the puppet where she thinks I claim she touched her director. I am looking forward to it."

She added, "Her lawyer contacted my lawyer, which shows the sense of humor she has. My answer to her was, 'Be glad you're not a Kardashian because they're mentioned a lot more in the book.' I'm a comedian. I've been doing it for 50 years. If people don't get it, then don't come and see me. It's OK. Don't read the book. If you're gonna take it seriously, you're a fool."

VIDEO: Kristen Stewart goes country with directorial debut >>

Stewart hasn't commented on Rivers' lawsuit report. But if it's true, she is standing up for actresses everywhere — Rivers also reportedly takes aim at plenty more actresses in her book, including Lena Dunham, Taylor Swift, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Aniston and Miley Cyrus.

Diary of a Mad Diva is due out later this month.

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The Children’s Television Act of 1990 requires United States television stations that air children’s programming to include at least three hours of educational shows per week, roughly the same number of hours, on average, that children watch per day. Studies claim that only a small percentage of these shows can be considered highly educational, and separating the wheat from the chaff is an important, time-consuming task for parents. Use the following criteria to choose programming that is most likely to benefit your student.

Useful take-aways

Shows that are truly educational will provide your child with opportunities to practice the content of the program. For instance, Bill Nye the Science Guy shares experiments to try at home. Expect such shows to end with “take-aways,” practical, inexpensive follow-up activities. Consider replacing lower-quality programs with these activities.

Lasting impacts

After the show, does your student utilize new vocabulary or ask frequent questions? Is she more inclined to share belongings or to help at home or in the community? If so, the program is likely combining meaningful education with an entertaining narrative. But if your child now possesses a long list of toys she would like, it may be time to look to other networks or shows.

The correct relationship

How would you, as a parent, characterize the program’s attitude toward its viewers? Family-oriented shows often include jokes for young students and parents, and they encourage completing activities together. Educational TV programs approach children as capable learners or as future community members. When you watch a show with your student, consider the relationship the program creates with you. Do you feel as though the show is selling you a product, or do you feel like you are expected to contribute positively to the experience that the show provides? Do you feel belittled, or does the program help you and your child feel successful and empowered?

Themes and values

Lastly, it is very important to ensure that the show aligns with the values you wish to teach your student. While you may not enjoy the television program that your student adores, you should feel confident that it is age-appropriate and rewards values that are consistent with the ones you encourage in your home. Watch one or two episodes on your own first to determine what is consistently rewarded and what is discouraged by the lessons and activities taught on the show.

For more tips and strategies to help your student succeed in school, visit www.varsitytutors.com.

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The often-surly and foul-mouthed master chef, Gordon Ramsay, announced today via his official website that he would no longer continue to make episodes of his breakout show, Kitchen Nightmares. As one of the few places were you can see Ramsay as a caring, kind human... we're a tad disappointed.

Interview: Chef Graham Elliot talks about what Gordon Ramsay is really like >>

Kitchen Nightmares debuted in the U.K. in 2004 and quickly put Gordon Ramsay on the radar that extended beyond the world of foodies. Everyone loved the cursing but ultimately-caring chef who came into dirty and destitute restaurants and helped the owners (often in debt) breathe new life into their business. The show soon crossed the pond and Ramsay began filming episodes in the U.S., as well. All good things must come to an end, though. After more than 125 restaurant renovations, the current and seventh season of Kitchen Nightmares will be the last.

"As filming comes to a close on the latest series of Kitchen Nightmares I've decided to stop making the show," Ramsay said in a statement on his website. "It's been a blast but it's time to call it a day."

Morrissey donates Gordon Ramsay's money to PETA >>

While he's shuttered one kitchen, this isn't the end of Ramsay's television reign. Lest we forget, he also stars on Hell's Kitchen, MasterChef, Hotel Hell and the oh-so-adorable new MasterChef Junior. He hasn't named any particular reasoning behind the cancellation, but we reckon it might have something to do with all the traveling involved with that show, in particular. Ramsay might be trying to squeeze in some more time spent with his kids, Mathilda, Jack, Megan and Holly.

Whatever the reason, we're just glad we've not seen the last of him. Who knows, maybe we'll even get yet another new cookbook out of the deal. We've certainly worked our way through his last book a few times already.

Want more TV news and reviews? Sign up for our newsletter >>

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Lana Del Rey has been in the news this week for all the wrong reasons. Her statement last week about wanting to be dead may somehow be related to the fact that she split from her longtime boyfriend — and rumored fiancé — Barrie-James O'Neill.

Lana Del Rey is totally bored by feminism >>

Del Rey spoke with Switzerland's 20 Minuten newspaper, and said she and her boyfriend of three years split up.

"We are currently not together. He is a wonderful person," she said. "But there are some things with which he has to deal. I will not explain it in detail. This was hard on our relationship, I no longer felt free. We'll see how it goes."

O'Neill reportedly proposed to Del Rey a year ago — on June 21, 2013 — which is also her birthday, but she never confirmed the engagement. Even though she now finds herself single, Del Rey said she is looking forward to settling down in the near future.

"I'd love to. And I would like to have children," she admitted. "Hopefully it will work out sometime."

O'Neill is a band member for the Scottish band, Kassidy, and he also appeared with Del Rey in her video "Summer Wine" back in April 2013. She had previously said that her song "Off to the Races" was inspired by O'Neill, explaining, "When I found somebody who I fell in love with, it made me feel different than I felt the rest of the day. It was electrifying. That's what inspired the 'Off to the Races' melodies."

14 Most anticipated albums of 2014 >>

But things haven't been great for Del Rey lately. In a more recent interview, she said celebs who die young are glamorous, and she wishes she was one of them. Kurt Cobain's daughter, Frances Bean, wasn't happy with the comment and responded on Twitter.

Lana Del Rey's recent statements may very well be related to her breakup, but they aren't being taken well across the world.

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Bay and Emmett's story took a surprising turn in this episode of Switched at Birth. Sure, there was the expected (but no less painful to watch) heartbreak from Tank when he learned that they slept together before he and Bay had broken up. Who knew that step would lead Bay to rethink what they discovered about Matthew and advise Emmett to give the poor guy a way out?

Switched at Birth summer premiere review: The morning after >>

I never once thought that Matthew's actions and anger stemmed from unrequited love, but once the facts were laid out, it made a lot of sense. The final scene between Emmett and Matthew was great and I was happy to see that Emmett not only took Bay's advice, but tried to give Matthew the chance to talk to him. I, of course, understood why Matthew couldn't do it, but I think Emmett's choice will make it easier for Matthew to come out when he's ready. I think he also knows that Emmett will be there for him when he does.

One person I was not proud of in this episode was Campbell. Who knew Mr. Daredevil could be such a coward? I can understand not being happy about someone with less experience getting a job over you, but taking it out on your girlfriend is not cool. But it wasn't even that part that made me angry with him, it was the fact that, when all was said and done, he didn't even have the guts to actually break up with Daphne. Instead, he just said he would be "too busy" to hang out once he started his new job. Seriously? It's sad that they are breaking up so soon after getting together, but I guess it's good that Daphne found out what kind of guy he really is.

Switched at Birth: Katie Leclerc promises insanity ahead >>

As for Kathryn, I was glad that Regina talked to her about the damage that rumors could do, because I was sort of leaning toward being on Sarah's side. If you don't know something is true, it's probably not a good idea to write about it in a book. It was great that Kathryn realized her error, but I think her publisher isn't going to let her take the high road that easily.

Finally, there was Regina and the whole gun thing. I hate talking about the subject of gun control, because it seems like it's impossible for people to find a middle ground. Either they believe no one should have guns or they believe that everyone should have them. Personally, I think it's not even remotely that simple. This being a TV show, I have a feeling her decision is going to have consequences and I shudder to think what they might be.

5 Switched at Birth finale questions to ponder until summer >>

My favorite bits:

Bay: "Oh, it was a tasteful junk shot."

Finding out that, at least, the picture wasn't actually of Emmett's junk. Still bad, but not as bad.

Angelo asking if the sound of the blender was Regina's alarm clock. That would be one crazy way to wake up.

Totally practicing the sign for "amazing." I love how educational this show is.

Kathryn telling Bay where the box of condoms was and offering to help her find the Pill. She is such a cool mom!

Campbell offering to help Daphne fix her mistake. So sweet.

Kathryn taking pictures for her book cover with the hot models. Whoa.

Bay and Emmett planning a complicated heist to get the photo off Matthew's phone.

Totally agreeing with Daphne, I would want to get that inspection right the first time, too.

Regina: "You want to knock down a successful woman, call her a slut." — Sad how true that is.

Tank: "Just so I know, was it the army guy who lied about cheating on you, or Emmett, who actually did?" — Ouch. Sounds even worse when he put it like that.

John reassuring Bay that she wasn't a bad person, she just made a bad choice.

Bay telling Emmett he needed to handle Matthew just right or it could scar him.

What did you think of this episode of Switched at Birth? Were you surprised by the revelation about Matthew?

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Jennifer Lopez's big break came from playing another superstar and she is already looking to the next generation of actresses to play her if a film is ever made about her.

10 Things we learned from JLo's A.K.A. >>

"I would want Selena Gomez to play me in a movie," Lopez reportedly said, according to E! News Latina. "She is a cutie!"

The actresses have more in common than many might think. Gomez was named after singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, who Lopez portrayed in the 1997 film, Selena. And this isn't the first time that Gomez and Lopez have been compared to each other. Jason Evigan, a producer who worked on Gomez's album, Stars Dance, told MTV, "I think it's going to take her to the next level. I kind of feel she's going to be like a new JLo kind of thing."

Playing JLo may be exactly what Gomez needs. The actress, who may or may not be back with her ex, Justin Bieber, has been trying to focus on her acting recently. At 21 years old, she is working to get rid of her childhood image.

"Being part of the Disney Channel was such a blessing, and I'm super happy with what my show accomplished, but acting is something I would like to take on more seriously," she recently told Teen Vogue. "I don't necessarily feel accomplished. I want to create a whole different persona when it comes to acting."

UNICEF made Selena Gomez realize she is living in a bubble >>

It's not clear if anyone is even planning a film about Lopez's life, but Gomez would probably be honored to play the singer.

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Celebs are boycotting the Beverly Hills Hotel in droves because of its owner's awful ideals, but Kim Kardashian will no longer be one of them.

VIDEO: Jay Leno compares the Sultan of Brunei to Donald Sterling >>

The famed hotel, the site of Whitney Houston's death, is owned by the Sultan of Brunei — a man who introduced sharia law to the Southeast Asian state calling for homosexuals to be stoned to death. The reality star explained on her blog today that, while a boycott might sound like an effective way to punish one of the world's richest men, she believes the only people it really hurts are the people who work there — many of whom are barely scraping by as it is.

"For a sultan that has 20 billion dollars, this loss of business doesn't even make a dent in his fortunes. But the hotel staff are being negatively affected every day with the boycott that has gone on for weeks now… we shouldn't punish the amazing hard-working people who have been so good to us for years! When I was a little girl, I would ride my bike to the Beverly Hills Hotel on the weekends to eat downstairs in the coffee shop with my dad, and some of the same people still work there! It's sad to see them suffering from this protest.

"There must be other ways to express our views without punishing the workers, some who I know personally have families at home and depend on the city's business and tips to survive. When I was pregnant, the hotel was my safe haven," Kardashian explained, adding that she moved her baby shower from the hotel after hearing of the political issues. "There's one waitress that works downstairs who was also pregnant at the same time as me and due just a few weeks apart. We would always share our pregnancy stories with each other. I know for a fact she has a new baby at home that she has to feed, so this boycott is affecting her tremendously.

"I support Rose McGowan and Russell Crowe's takes on this matter," Kardashian continued. "The unjust treatment and violation of rights of the LGBT community around the world is never justified and I will continue to proudly support the LGBT community in every way imaginable. I do believe though that instead of this boycott, there has to be another solution. I'm glad to hear that industry executives like Jeffrey Katzenberg and Casey Wasserman are reaching out to leaders of the hotel chain to discuss a way to potentially end the protest. I hope we can come together and stand up for our beliefs while still making sure good people aren't wrongfully hurt in the process. Boycotting the hotel won't affect the sultan, just our dear friends who work there. For every warm smile when they greet us and for all the dedication they put in to make our experiences more enjoyable, I hope we can return the same love and compassion to make sure they're not forgotten during this protest."

Tell us: Should employees be punished for the Sultan of Brunei's policies?

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Gary Oldman has been in Hollywood a long time, and with his different portrayals of all different kinds of characters, he has fans the world over. But in a new interview with Playboy, he launched an attack on Hollywood and the "political correctness" he sees — including in the case of Mel Gibson.

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"I don't know about Mel," Oldman said, according to the Daily Mail. "He got drunk and said a few things, but we've all said those things."

Mel Gibson was arrested after a tirade on a police officer a few years ago, after he went off on a racist rant. He was also accused of spousal abuse during his divorce with his then-wife. He has since become something of a pariah in Hollywood.

"Mel Gibson is in a town that's run by Jews and he said the wrong thing because he's actually bitten the hand that I guess has fed him — and doesn't need to feed him anymore because he's got enough dough," Oldman told Playboy. "We all hide and try to be so politically correct. That's what gets me. It's just the sheer hypocrisy of everyone, that we all stand on this thing going, 'Isn't that shocking?'"

Watch Gary Oldman be the cutest "old man" ever >>

And Oldman's interview didn't stop there. He added, "At the Oscars, if you didn't vote for 12 Years a Slave you were a racist."

The actor said people should "get over" what Gibson has done and said.

Back in 2011, friend Robert Downey, Jr. also said people should forgive Gibson, but he didn't expand on the argument quite in the same way Oldman did.

You can read the full interview in the July/August issue of Playboy, on newsstands Friday, June 27.

Looks like Lisa Vanderpump will be dropping some big bucks as the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills starlet has been ordered to pay $100,000 to Karen Bustillos, a former waitress at the star's Villa Blanca restaurant, who filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the venue.

Bustillos' case derives from claims that she was "manhandled" by restaurant manager, Michael Govia. In addition to making sexual advances, it's reported that Govia called Bustillos foul names and even made attempts to kiss her. Bustillos alleges that she told the restaurant about his conduct and they failed to take any disciplinary action. It's been confirmed that the jury is holding Villa Blanca at fault for the incident and is compensating the former employee for damages as a result of the claimed harassment.

Three left feet? DWTS' Lisa Vanderpump fills us in >>

As expected, Vanderpump and her attorney are not too happy about the verdict and have plans to file an appeal. In a statement to TMZ, her attorney admitted that they are "in absolute shock" at the amount of punitive damages that were awarded. "Especially in light of nominal compensatory damages awarded and the lack of sufficient evidence. We plan to immediately file an appeal and are confident that we will prevail," they said.

It's a twist to the story that surely works in Bustillos' favor. Just last week, jurors awarded the former waitress $6,000 after hearing her testimony about Govia. Vanderpump thought the story had come to an end, taking to her Twitter account to rejoice in the ruling. Unfortunately, this latest order to cough up $100,000 makes her celebration look a bit too premature. Not so fast, Vanderpump!

INTERVIEW: Brandi Glanville talks Lisa Vanderpump, new housewives >>

Victory! It was principal,manager of vb vindicated by the jury unanimously on all charges,been a tough ten days at trial. #truthprevailed

— Lisa Vanderpump (@LisaVanderpump) June 12, 2014

Challenge: Do an easy DIY project

Why? DIY projects are excellent confidence-builders. Use your mind, hands and heart to create a project from scratch, then enjoy your labor of love.

Megan: I'll be honest, we are not the craftiest house on the block. If we're going to attempt a project, it needs to be fairly simple or it won't get done. That's why I was so happy when I decided to make a family initial handprint canvas. It's a fun project the whole family takes part in and you can complete it in a day. Just let the paint dry between each color used. It's one framed canvas we can find everyday inspiration and love in. It holds a lifetime worth of memories in the hand prints used to build it.

Victoria was inspired by this DIY makeup organizer she found on Pinterest.

Victoria: Living in a small New York apartment and being a clutter-free fanatic makes things challenging at times. I'm always trying to find ways to save on space and make things more organized. One specific thing I like to keep neat is my makeup collection. I don't use many products, but I do have my few key essentials. I bought two clear cabinet organizers and a piece of wood, and decided to make my own makeup organizer. I just glued on the two organizers (which were meant to be stand-alone pieces) and screwed the wood panel into the wall. A few simple steps and my makeup display was complete.

Nora: I am not a big arts and crafts girl, but after attempting my DIY water bottle, I can see why folks love these type of projects. It’s almost meditative. There is something about being creative without having to fulfill a specific need. I decided to make a plain mason jar into an art project. I took my time painting it and added a few designs. I am very excited to be drinking a Starbucks Discoveries beverage out of it. It brings a smile to my face!

Our Everyday Inspiration series wants to inspire you with small ways to improve your life. We've asked 20 women to take on a variety of small challenges and share their results. See all of our Everyday Inspiration challenges here, and meet the women here.

Wine bottle tiki torches

Add a little tropical flicker to your next summer soiree with these cobalt blue wine bottle tiki torches. Make your own or pick up a pair online. (Etsy, $44)

Globe string lights

Photo credit: Less-than-Perfect Life of Bliss

String up these clear globe lights (Target, $15) and your patio will be party-ready all summer long.

Iron petals pendant lamps

Bring the outdoors in with these gorgeous iron petals lamps. (Anthropologie, $148-$348)

Mason jar lanterns

It doesn't get much easier than adding wire hangers (Etsy, $37)  to Mason jars and popping in tea lights. Voila — instant lanterns.

Tin can lanterns

Photo credit: Grow Creative

These gorgeous, colorful lanterns are made from recycled tin cans. Get a step-by-step tutorial on the blog Grow Creative.

Paper lanterns

Photo credit: Illumene

Light up paper lanterns (Save-on-crafts, prices vary) with battery-operated LED lights and turn your backyard into a magical wonderland.

Rechargeable outdoor lights

These Moonlight rechargeable outdoor patio lights ($825 and up) are nearly indestructible. Made from waterproof polyethylene, these remote-controlled glowing orbs are built to take the extreme heat of summer and the freezing cold of winter.

Paper bag luminarias

Welcome guests with a walkway lined with paper bag luminarias. Make your own with lunch sacks, sand and tea lights (preferably battery-operated ones, for safety) or buy a luminaria kit. (Target, $20-$60)

Floating pool lights

Bring gorgeous ambiance to a backyard barbecue by floating these water lanterns (Amazon, $4) in the swimming pool.

Indoor twinkle lights

Summer nights are perfect for snuggling up in a cozy fort or teepee strung with white twinkle lights. (Banana J Creations, $199) 

More summer lighting ideas

Bright ideas for summer outdoor lighting
20 Crazy ways to light up your backyard
Update your outdoor lighting with lanterns

Photo credit: Ben Watts/Seventeen

Demi Lovato looks healthy and gorgeous on Seventeen's August cover. However, after her infamous stint in rehab, she claims that while she's in a much better place now, there are days where she still has bad moments.

Lovato took over Seventeen magazine as Guest Editor and she also covered the popular teen publication. The former Disney star looks awesome and feels happy, but she admitted to still having some issues now and again.

Demi Lovato slams Lady Gaga for "glamorizing" addiction >>

"Since I went to treatment, there have been days when it's felt really easy, and I've felt great about where I am," Lovato revealed. "But then I have moments when it's not. That's life. You can't take your mind and your body into the shop and get it fixed. It doesn't come out repaired. It's not like a car. It takes time — pace yourself."

The singer/actress also admitted that she has dropped friends from her life because their negativity was bringing her down. "When you're growing and the people around you aren't, that's when you have to start shedding them." While she did not name anyone, Lovato did say she's dumped pals "a lot over the past few years, but it's been worth it," and she's happy with the friends she currently has.

"The people in my life today inspire me to keep being creative, to have fun, and to be a good person," she added.

Demi Lovato is happy to sacrifice her privacy to help people >>

Lovato also admitted how Twitter has often gotten the best of her and she regrets some of the messages she's posted. But, she's learned that when she feels bad about something these days she thinks about it first and keeps herself from tweeting every time she has a low moment. "Journal what you want to say, and then if you still feel the same later, that's when you can tweet it."

But, despite the bad tweets, the pal issues and the overall ups and downs, Lovato still loves to give back.

"I know that if my career were to fall apart tomorrow — even if I were to never have money or fame again — I'd still have value in my soul, because I know that I can have an effect on someone else's life."

Having just recently announced the dates of the North American leg of her concert tour, Lovato's world tour will kick off Sept. 6 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Photo credit: Suntipab Collection/iStock/360/Getty Images

The — aptly named — Pestaurant popped up in Washington D.C. to give the brave a taste of grasshopper burgers, roasted crickets, scorpions, Mexican spice mealworms and ant lollipops, among other goodies. Everyone else got a good show as people first tentatively and then enthusiastically chowed down.

Eaters compared the taste of the bugs to mushrooms, sunflower seeds and even baked potato chips, but the real stars were the burgers. Chef Rodney Scruggs of the D.C. eatery Occidental concocted a recipe that used ground grasshoppers bound together with duck fat for the "meat" patty and, according to all accounts, it was moist and delicious, just like you'd expect a gourmet burger to be.

The Pestaurant is a traveling restaurant that does exhibitions around the world to show people how edible and delicious bugs can be — ironically (or not).

The idea started with the pest control company Ehrlich. "But we're not recycling insects that were captured in people's homes," Ehrlich's C.E.O. John Myers insists. (Although, I wouldn't complain if he did, honestly! If he needs more ants for those lollipops, I know where he can find a few thousand.)

But, this is more than just a publicity stunt. In addition to donating the proceeds to local food banks, the Pestaurant aims to show the viability of using bugs as a worldwide food source. And even the U.S. government is getting on board.

In an interview with NPR's The Salt, Sonny Ramaswamy, the director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, says he was pleased to see so many people at the Pestaurant. He points out that insects are nutritious, more efficient and better for the environment than other protein sources.

"Edible insects are going to be part of the tool kit for us to achieve global food security," he says. "Unfortunately, in Western countries we will need to overcome the 'yuck' factor, and events like Pestaurant will go a long ways to help people overcome the same."

If Ehrlich and others can shift the public perception from squashing to noshing this is definitely a good — and entertaining! — first step.

More health and wellness

FDA changes their mind about eating fish while pregnant
Was pink slime ever that bad for us?
Does the toilet seat hover actually protect from bacteria?

Photo credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Wavebreak Media/360/Getty Images

Remember having a newborn? It was a breeze, right? Between luxurious naps and hours spent gazing at your beautiful bundle of joy, I'm sure you had plenty of time to read aloud. Every day. Which is good, because that's what pediatricians are now recommending.

Start reading, or else

Don't get me wrong, I love literacy. I hate the language gap between young children of wealthy parents and those of less-educated parents. But the idea of advising new parents to read every day gives me a twitch. Maybe it's because I've always been an anxious mom. I saved up for the uber-safe car seats. I made myself crazy powering through 16 months of pumping breast milk while working full time. I bought educational toys that mostly served the purpose of being chewed on. If my child's pediatrician had told me to read every night, it would have been one more source of stress. I would have felt terrible for not getting it done, even though I was working full time outside the home and only had a few precious hours to spend with my baby every day.

I know that doctors aren't saying read every day, or else your child will utterly fail at life or definitely fail the third grade — but that's what it feels like when you run it through the filter of a new mom's sleep-deprived brain. Hormonal, protective moms are the ones who already stock up on classical music for fetal development and baby monitors that could probably serve as surveillance equipment in the Pentagon. Tell them they need to read every day, and some of these moms will be falling all over themselves to set up daily reading schedules. And those are the privileged moms.

Reading aloud every day is a privilege

What about the moms who don't have time to stress because they're busy trying to make ends meet? The parents who invest in fancy baby gear and educational products are the ones who are already exposing their kids to enough words to close the language gap. The parents on the other end of that spectrum? They're not deliberately depriving their newborns of listening to the spoken word. But chatting to Baby or hitting a board book over and over might not be priorities when you're working long hours, struggling financially or you struggle with literacy yourself. When it comes to reading to kids ages 3 to 5, there's a significant disparity between educated parents and parents who didn't finish high school.

I don't think telling all parents to read aloud will be enough to start all kids off with equal footing when they enter kindergarten. It may help some kids, but I worry that it'll be the kids who were already going to be lavished in words — the kids who already had a leg up. Our communities have to continue offering educational resources and support to families of young kids. Until all families have enough support to keep kids healthy and safe, are words really going to be enough to close the gap? Or is reading aloud just a new thing to stress about while parenting a newborn?

More on babies

Prevent vitamin D deficiency in children
5 Simple foods to increase breast milk supply
Why every mom should try a barre workout

Fire up the grill, and enjoy some of these Latin-inspired recipes that are sure to have you drooling. The ingredients, the combination of spices, the heat — they all make for a great cookout.

1. Tangerine adobo chicken recipe

Blog: Nibbles & Feasts

Only five ingredients make up this recipe for tangerine adobo chicken, but the flavor is out of this world.

2. Tiger prawns in ginger marinade recipe

Blog: Aunt Clara's Kitchen

The combination of local Dominican ingredients like honey and ginger makes these tiger prawns in ginger marinade a recipe you can marinate overnight for extra flavor.

3. Tomato and avocado salad recipe

Blog: My Colombian Recipes

Latin countries tend to stick to simple salad recipes, like this tomato and avocado salad that showcases summer's fresh tomatoes and creamy avocados.

4. Salmon and cherry tomato skewers with Mexican green rice recipe

Blog: The View from Great Island

A complete meal, these salmon and cherry tomato skewers with Mexican green rice are perfect when prepped ahead of time and then quickly thrown onto the grill.

5. Honey chipotle barbecue chicken recipe

Blog: Mom on Timeout

Smoky, sweet and spicy, this honey chipotle barbecue chicken is a crowd pleaser.

6. Creamy Mexican pasta salad recipe

Blog: Nibbles & Feasts

What makes this creamy Mexican pasta salad Mexican is the use of Mexican cream or table cream, which you can find at local Latin markets. Fold in some queso fresco crumbles for authentic flavor.

7. Grilled salmon with avocado salsa recipe

Blog: Laylita's Recipes

Serve this grilled salmon with avocado salsa at your next cookout. The refreshing avocado salsa works well with the juicy salmon.

8. Desert salad recipe

Blog: Nibbles & Feasts

Desert salad — not to be confused with dessert salad — is comprised of "chunky hearts of palm, roasted tomatoes, the sweetness of corn, tender white onion and tangy pickled cactus... brought together by flavorful Parmesan cheese."

9. Colombian hot dogs recipe

Blog: My Colombian Recipes

Traditional Colombian hot dogs are topped with coleslaw, pineapple sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard and potato chips. Talk about loaded with flavor.

10. Mango chipotle BBQ sauce recipe

Blog: Frugal Foodie Mama

We love how this recipe uses fresh mango to create this mango chipotle BBQ sauce, a unique way to slather your grilled meats.

11. Grilled shrimp tacos with charred corn salsa recipe

Blog: Simple Bites

These grilled shrimp tacos with charred corn salsa are packed with flavor from the fresh corn that's charred for maximum flavor, the cilantro and the spicy jalapeño.

12. Grilled passion fruit shrimp skewers recipe

Blog: Laylita's Recipes

These grilled passion fruit shrimp skewers are marinated in a passion fruit and achiote marinade, so they are super flavorful and great served over rice or roasted potatoes.

13. Grilled brisket with Mexican-inspired rub recipe

Blog: This American Bite

So much flavor is packed into this grilled brisket with Mexican-inspired rub that all you'll need are some charred corn tortillas to go with it.

14. Tilapia bowls with chipotle avocado crema recipe

Blog: Joyful Healthy Eats

These tilapia bowls with chipotle avocado crema are not only gluten free but packed with your favorite Mexican flavors and your favorite grilled fish on top.

15. Fire-roasted tomatillo and corn salsa recipe

Blog: The View from Great Island

The blend of tomatoes and corn screams of summer, so this fire-roasted tomatillo and corn salsa is a killer recipe.

16. Peruvian grilled chicken recipe

Blog: Everyday Maven

A delicious blend of spices makes this Peruvian grilled chicken a delight to grill on a hot summer day.

17. Pork tacos with cilantro-avocado cream sauce recipe

Blog: Renee's Kitchen Adventures

Serve up these pork tacos with cilantro-avocado cream sauce on your weekly taco night, and get ready to wow your friends and family.

18. Ritz Cuban minis recipe

Blog: Renee's Kitchen Adventures

Whip up these Ritz Cuban minis as a cute snack for kids and adults alike. Who doesn't love a twist on the traditional Cuban sandwich?

19. Grilled Mexican street corn recipe

Blog: Shockingly Delicious

Instead of just grilling the usual corn on the cob, try this variation of grilled Mexican street corn.

20. Strawberry-jalapeño salsa recipe

Blog: The View from Great Island

We're loving the sweet-spicy combination of this strawberry-jalapeño salsa and dreaming of dolloping it on grilled chicken, beef and even fish.

More barbecue recipes

Spicy barbecue chicken and avocado quesadillas
Super-loaded barbecue nachos
Healthy barbecue chicken salad with barbecue ranch drizzle

Photo credit: WENN

Many celebrities are doing their best to get married and give birth under the radar and away from the prying media. Count Noah Wyle in that category. He married longtime girlfriend Sara Wells at their ranch earlier this month in Santa Barbara, California.

He confirmed the news on The View on Tuesday by sharing, "It was beautiful. It was great. It was a very small ceremony — we have this little farm in California. We got married on the ranch in front of the barn and then took a honeymoon."

Jill Duggar gets her first kiss at the altar >>

The couple "just got back from Paris" on their "very romantic" honeymoon. The newlyweds began dating in 2011. Wells is an actress who also runs a children's entertainment company. She's been seen in shows like Nip/Tuck and Californication.

Wyle was previously married to makeup artist Tracy Warbin for nine years. They separated in 2009 after he allegedly cheated on his wife. He and Warbin eventually divorced, but they share custody of their two kids, son Owen, 11, and daughter Auden, 8.

Katie Couric weds at her home in East Hampton >>

Since ER ended in 2009, Wyle has kept a pretty low profile when it comes to his personal life except for an April 2012 arrest for protesting cuts to Medicaid in Washington, D.C.

He talked about his arrest with the Los Angeles Times in 2012. "As soon as everybody saw me being led away, they let up a big whooping cheer, which made me feel really good." It was a moment he shared with his kids who were "proud of the old man right now."

Congratulations to the newlyweds!