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12 best, hottest summer reads for the whole family

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Perfect reads for Mom

After I do- Taylor Reid

After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

When Lauren and Ryan hit the breaking point in their marriage, they take a year off with only one rule: they can't contact each other. As Lauren embarks on a journey of self-discovery, she learns her friends and family have their own ideas on what marriage means. These influences and her own healing process begin to change her thoughts on monogamy and marriage. When you can have romance without loyalty and commitment without marriage, what are you willing to fight for?

One Plus One- Jojo Moyes

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

It's not always easy being a single mom, but we admire Jess's strength and passion for her family in One Plus One by Jojo Moyes. Her husband left her, her teenage stepson is being bullied and her daughter has a once in a lifetime opportunity that she can't afford and she is trying to do the best she can, until a knight in shining comes to save her. Although, her knight turn outs to be Geeky Ed, the annoying tech millionaire whose vacation home Jess cleans. Ed has his own problems, and tries to help the dysfunctional family with selfless acts.

The Art of Arranging Flowers- Lynne Branard

The Art of Arranging Flowers by Lynne Branard

Ruby Jewell knows flowers. With just a glance and a few words, Ruby can put together the perfect arrangement for any occasion. Her expressive floral designs mark moments and milestones in the lives of her neighbors. However, Ruby's own desires have been ignored since her sister's death. It will take an invitation from an astronaut, a unique little boy and a concerned veterinarian to reawaken Ruby's wounded spirit.

Perfect reads for Dad

Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen

Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen

Andrew Yancy, a former Miami police officer, has a human arm in his freezer. He has a perfectly logical explanation for why it is no longer attached to its owner, but if he can prove murder, Yancy might be able to get out of his current job as a health inspector. But first, Yancy must get through an obstacle course of ridiculous events punctuated by a cast of quirky characters.

The Curse of Van Gosh- Paul Hoppe

The Curse of Van Gogh by Paul Hoppe

At the hottest art opening of the season, Tyler, a simple New York City bartender, meets Japanese billionaire and art collector Komate Imasu. Komate knows more about Tyler than his own mother and begins making threats toward Tyler's friends and family. Tyler is forced into a world full of art forgers, hit men, Yakuza and the legendary curse of Van Gogh, all to pull off the greatest art heist in history.

Bodies on the Potomac- Daniel O'Neil

Bodies on the Potomac by Daniel O'Neil

When Universal Motors threatens to shut down Karl Blumenthal's car dealership — seemingly because he's failed to financially back the reelection of the President of the United States — Karl calls in good friend and former D.C. power broker Taylor Clark to investigate. Utilizing his extensive network of Capitol connections, he and his boss search desperately for footing in the investigation, tapping sources they haven’t called on for years. When they arrive back at Blumenthal's dealership seconds too late to prevent a firearms confrontation, it becomes clear that a national catastrophe looms. It isn't long before they realize that the dealership is simply part of a grand Russian political scandal.

Perfect reads for the big sister or brother

My Last Kiss- Bethany Neal

My Last Kiss by Bethany Neal

Cassidy Haines remembers her first kiss vividly. Her last kiss — the one she shared with someone at her 17th birthday party the night she died — is a blur. Cassidy is trapped in the world of the living and cannot remember anything about the weeks leading up to her death. If she wants to uncover the truth, Cassidy has to face all the decisions she made — good and bad — that led to her last kiss.

Merlin's Nightmare by Robert Treskillard

Merlin's Nightmare by Robert Treskillard

Arthur goes missing, and Merlin must abandon all other quests to find Arthur before he is caught. Merlin and Arthur must rally Britain's soldiers to fight three overwhelming enemies. To make matters worse, Mórgana has brought Merlin's deepest fear to life and has released a horde of werewolves to destroy Britain. When the purpose of this nightmare is revealed, will Merlin and Arthur find a way to stay alive without releasing a larger evil?

Doon

Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon

Veronica doesn't think she's going crazy, but why can't anyone else see the mysterious blond boy who pops up wherever she goes? When Veronica's friend Mackenna invites her to spend the summer in Scotland, Veronica jumps at the chance to leave her crazy life behind for a while. The Scottish countryside is full of mysteries — not only has the blond boy followed her to Alloway, an unnerving note left by Mackenna's great aunt transports the girls to the fantasy world of Doon. However, Doon isn't as wonderful as it seems.

Perfect reads for the little brother or sister

Escape From Mr Lemoncello's Library

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

Kyle Keeley loves games — word games, board games and especially video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, is a notorious game maker and happens to be the genius designer of the new town library. Kyle is one of 12 lucky children who win a sleepover in the library, hosted by Mr. Lemoncello himself. When morning comes, however, the doors stay locked. Kyle and the other children must solve puzzles and find clues to find the hidden escape route.

The Night Gardener

The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier

Two Irish siblings travel to work as servants in a creepy old English mansion. The children realize that the family and the house aren't quite what they seem. They are soon confronted by an ancient curse that threatens their lives.

Dex T-Rex

Dex T-Rex by Katya Bowser

Dex T-Rex is a lovable little rascal who just wants to have fun. He kicks! He smashes! He shreds! But what happens when the little fella plays too rough? Follow the delightful rapscallion Dex T-Rex as he learns how to play nice.

More recommended reading

Banned books teens should read to survive
INTERVIEW: What The Giver author Lois Lowry really thought about Meryl Streep as Chief Elder
INTERVIEW: Abdi Nazemian's The Walk-In Closet takes us into the lives of the Iranian-American elite


Bachelor Juan Pablo Galavis, Nikki Ferrell have not split up

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The controversial Bachelor reality star was photographed talking to a woman in Atlantic City while Ferrell was nowhere in sight. So, as expected, this swirled up a slew of breakup reports, which stated the happy couple was no longer an item.

Nikki Ferrell is happy with Juan Pablo Galavis, slams haters >>

However, several sources confirmed to People magazine that Galavis and Ferrell are still going strong.

"They haven't split," a pal said. "Like every couple, they may have their ups and downs, but they're still very happy and moving in the right direction."

In fact, just this Sunday, Galavis posted a photo of a lake on Twitter and tagged Ferrell saying, "Wish BOTH of us were sitting HERE," to which she replied, "Me too."

Bachelor Juan Pablo meets Cameron Diaz >>

The couple is also expected to attend the Hearts of Reality charity event in Florida at the end of the month. Galavis and Ferrell are set to sign autographs for the event that will raise money for Give Kids the World and the two are still on the guest roster for that.

Ever since Galavis gave the final rose to Ferrell while refusing to propose, Bachelor nation fans were not happy at the turn of events and guessed the couple would not last.

Bachelor Juan Pablo addresses anti-gay controversy >>

"I don't know why people want them to split up so badly," Galavis' friend said. "Some people just can't be happy for them. They've weathered a lot, and they're really in this for good."

In addition to not wanting to propose on the Bachelor finale, Galavis also declined to tell Ferrell he loved her during ABC's After the Final Rose special. This incited more negativity and added doubt about the already-questionable relationship.

Gross! Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore didn't hook up

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Since Diaz's confession on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live, there has been much speculation as to whether the Charlie's Angels co-stars may have hooked up in the past.

Cameron Diaz says her 40s are the "best years" of her life >>

Not so! Diaz set the record straight during an interview with Harper's Bazaar.

"People will always speculate. People like scandal. They like to put a label on something that they don't understand," explains the 41-year-old star. "It makes them feel comfortable."

In fact, the rumors got so out of control that the Sex Tape actress was even called for comment about Barrymore.

"Some media outlet called for a comment and they wanted to know whether I was with Drew. Literally, I said, 'That makes me want to vomit in my mouth.' That's like saying I'm having sex with my sister," she says. "Are you crazy? I wouldn't even ménage with her!"

Nicole Richie says she's responsible for Cameron Diaz, Benji Madden >>

While Diaz likes to keep an open mind, assuming that she's hooked up with her BFF is taking things a tad too far. However, that doesn't mean that the The Other Woman star is against sexual exploration.

"Everybody tries things and sees things and checks them out, and either walks away or walks further in," she tells the mag.

INTERVIEW: Cameron Diaz gives a very interesting take on monogamy >>

"Experimentation is normal," she adds. "It's life — it's what people do. I'm not going to tell people what I've done, but I'm also not going to say, 'No! I would never!' If I said that, I'd be shaming myself and shaming other people's choices. I don't want to add any stigma to someone's choice."

Derek Jeter retiring: Nike tips their hat to him in 90-second ad

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Play ball! A guide to Cooperstown, New York >>

One of Jeter's sponsors — Nike's Jordan brand — will be unveiling a 90-second ad with some very famous New Yorkers tipping their hats to the baseball player. Those names include Jay Z, Phil Jackson, Billy Crystal, Spike Lee and others, and they even got some fans of other teams to honor Jeter, as well (including Boston fans!).

The late announcer Bob Sheppard's voice will also be heard bringing Jeter up to bat during the tribute.

The 90-second ad will run during the All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 15 and a 60-second ad will run throughout the summer, according to Yahoo.

Meanwhile, Jeter is looking forward to Tuesday's game and is in disbelief his career is coming to an end.

"I don't know what tomorrow's going to be like," Jeter, who was named one of Barbara Walter's Most Fascinating People in 2011, told ESPN on Monday. "I'm coming here, playing in the All-Star Game and trying to win for our league, because someone in this room is going to benefit. I don't go into things with expectations. I'm looking forward to playing the game and I've pretty much stopped right there. I think I've been pretty good at tempering my emotions over the course of my career."

Derek Jeter gives autographs to his one-night stands >>

Besides the Nike ad, there will likely be other tributes at the game to the player who has become the face of baseball.

Watch the 90-second ad here:

Derek Jeter retiring: Nike tips their hat to him in 90-

Derek Jeter retiring: Nike tips their hat to him in 90-

Blink-182 confirms they're releasing a new album after three-year absence

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Lead singer Tom DeLonge broke the news on Instagram on Monday by posting three youthful school portraits of the band members. He captioned the photo, "Rehearsals start today... And yes there will be a new album #SorryForTheWait #Blink."

Travis Barker too scared to fly for Blink-182 tour >>

Tom DeLonge hints at new Blink-182 album

Tom DeLonge hints at new Blink-182 album

While there isn't an official release date for Blink-182's seventh studio album, the group has been working on new material since May 2013. Unfortunately, their promise to have a new record out by mid-2014 seemed too ambitious.

In fact, bass player Mark Hoppus hoped to have new material to play at the U.K.'s Reading and Leeds festivals this year. He told Kerrang! magazine, "I'm stoked to play Reading & Leeds 2014… it's our fourth time playing the festivals, and we're very honoured. The new year will see us in the studio preparing new music, getting ready to rock the fine people of the UK. Prepare for the fury."

With the festival about six weeks away, it's unclear whether they will try out new material on the crowds or if they will stick to their standard playlist. Drummer Travis Barker implied that it was hard to get the three of them together.

Travis Barker: Keep my junk off the internet! >>

He told the OC Weekly earlier this year, "Until all three of us get in the same room and other people's schedules clear, it's kinda outta my hands. Until my big projects like Blink are happening and everyone gets their s**t together, this is what I do. This is what I know, making music and playing drums and creating in the studio. So I have a lot of things to keep me busy in the meantime."

It looks like that day has finally come. Now, if fans could only get a release date for that new album.

Myths about sunscreen you should stop believing ASAP

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More than 3.5 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, according to the American Cancer Society. One of the chief causes of this dangerous and deadly disease? The lack of proper skin protection in the form of sunscreen.

You'd think that such an important tool for our skin's health would be applauded, but that's unfortunately not the case... and so-called "experts" and others are spouting some downright lies about sunscreen. Enough is enough. Let's call out the myths and get the real truth about the importance of sunscreen.

Myth 1: Sunscreen causes cancer

Just stop with this one.

Opponents of sunscreen cite a study that tracked sunscreen use and sun exposure in 1,500 people over two years. The results did show that those who wore sunscreen were more likely to develop melanoma, but the study left out that the sunscreen users — on a whole — spent a lot more time in the sun than those who didn't wear it. They also didn't use sunscreen with a high enough SPF — on average, they wore a SPF of 6, but the Centers for Disease Control recommends using sunscreen with a SPF of 15 as the bare minimum.

Myth 2: The higher the SPF, the better the protection

So, it seems like wearing sunscreen with a huge SPF — like 100 — would protect the skin more, right? Wrong.

"SPF 45 protects you from approximately 98 percent of the sun's rays," says Dr. David E. Bank, dermatologist and founder of The Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser Surgery in Mount Kisco, New York. "No sunscreen will be able to protect you 100 percent, so spending more on SPF 100 doesn't do much more for you than SPF 45."

Ideally, you should wear a broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection sunscreen with an SPF of 30, according to Dr. Bank.

Myth 3: All sunscreen is created equal

"Lotion is always the best choice for sunscreen, as sprays and roll-ons do not distribute evenly on the skin," says Dr. Purvisha Patel, owner and dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates in Memphis, Tennessee. "Sprays can be dangerous for children because they can easily inhale harmful aerosols."

Avoid sunscreen-type chemicals, like oxybenzone and PABA, as some people can develop skin allergies to these ingredients, according to Dr. Patel. Instead, look for sunscreens that contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

Myth 4: The sunscreen in your makeup is enough

The small amount of protection included in your powder or foundation isn't anywhere near enough to keep your protected all day, according to Dr. Bank.

"The main goal of makeup isn't to protect you from the sun. A daily moisturizer with added sunscreen is a better option. Or layer a lightweight, oil-free facial sunscreen under makeup for the best protection," he says.

Myth 5: You only need to apply sunscreen once, and don't bother if it's cloudy

Sunscreen — even water-resistant sunscreen — needs to be reapplied every two hours to be effective, according to Dr. Patel. The dangerous sun rays can also break through the clouds on an overcast day, so don't forget to wear it.

"It may not feel the same as a bright and sunny summer day, but always apply sunscreen to any exposed skin when leaving the house," says Dr. Patel.

Myth 6: Dark skin doesn't need sunscreen

Dark skin needs sunscreen, no matter what.

"All skin has the potential of burning and has equal potential of accelerating aging or increasing the chance of skin cancer," adds Dr. Patel. "While those with more melanin are less likely to burn, no one is immune to the harmful effects of the sun."

Myth 7: Sunscreen leads to vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency is linked to serious diseases, including rickets and osteoporosis. To combat this, medical professionals recommend at least 20 minutes of sunlight to synthesize the nutrient. Sunscreen does block the important rays that help the body do this, but there are many other ways to make up the vitamin D blocked by sunscreen. One of the easiest ways? Through a diet filled with vitamin D-fortified foods, including milk, fish and eggs.

More on skin health

Why it's never too late to cure sun-damaged skin
What you should know about moles and melanoma
Melanoma survivors neglect sun safety

10 Things you didn't know about Alice Coachman

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Coachman won gold at the 1948 Olympic Games in the high jump and certainly overcame mountains of obstacles on her way to competition. Here are 10 things you didn't know about her incredible life.

10 Things you didn't know about Maya Angelou >>

1. She lept her way to a Gold medal on the first shot: Coachman set a record on her first jump of the high jump finals at the 1948 Games in London, according to biography.com. "I didn't know I'd won," Coachman later said. "I was on my way to receive the medal and I saw my name on the board. And, of course, I glanced over into the stands where my coach was and she was clapping her hands."

2. Her inspirational win set the scene for one heck of a party: King George VI awarded the newly-minted Olympic champion with her medal and she was extended an invitation to board a British Royal Yacht, according to the New York Times. She was also thrown a party by Count Basie, congratulated by President Harry S. Truman at the White House and arrived to her hometown in Albany, Georgia, via a motorcade that started in Atlanta.

3. Segregation still ran rampant in the South when Coachman arrived home from London. Blacks and whites sat separately in the auditorium in Albany where she was honored, Coachman was forced to leave through a side door after the ceremony and the mayor refused to shake her hand, though he did attend, according to the Times.

4. She was the first black woman to endorse a national product, which, technically, makes her the first professional black female athlete. Coca Cola put her on their payroll in 1952 and she earned $500, according to NBC Sports.

5. She was inducted into two halls of fame: Coachman was welcomed into both the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1975 and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame in 2004, according to BBC News.

6. She is an official part of Women's History Month: She was named a Women's History Month honoree in 2002 by the National Women's History Project, according to the organization's website.

7. Her peak performance came before she won gold. Coachman felt she was at her peak at the age of 16 in 1939, but she wasn't able to compete in the Olympics at the time because the Games were canceled due to WWII, according to NBC Sports. "I was right at my peak in 1944," she told the Associated Press in 1996 via NBC. "I could have won at least two gold medals there."

8. Her lucky charms were lemons: According to NBC, Coachman would suck on lemons to fend of dehydration when it was hot during competition.

9. She was often confused with another Olympian. Coachman said that when she told people she was the first to win gold, the usual response was disbelief because most thought that runner, Wilma Rudolph, was the first black woman to take the gold home in 1960, according to NBC. "They'll say, 'You won it? No, you didn't win it. It was the other girl who won it,'" she told the AP.

10. Her spirit helped her reach Olympic greatness despite being denied basic training tools. Because Coachman was brought up in the segregated South, she was denied any formal training and wasn't allowed to participate in organized events, according to biography.com. Instead, she ran barefoot in fields and on dirt roads and trained on any equipment she could get her hands on.

Sexy or competent? You can't be both on Facebook

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It's what every woman who has ever debated going "all the way" on a first date knows to be true: Too often we have to make the impossible, zero-sum choice between being seen as desirable or respectable. Now, researchers have discovered even your Facebook profile pictures aren't immune from this asinine scrutiny.

A recent study published in the journal Psychology of Popular Culture titled "The price of sexy: Viewers' perceptions of a sexualized versus non-sexualized Facebook profile photo" reveals technology hasn't done much to modernize our attitudes towards women and sexuality. Researchers showed 58 teenaged girls and 60 young women an identical Facebook profile with two very different pictures. The first showed a girl dressed in a revealing, high-slit prom gown complete with garter. The second featured the same woman dressed casually, and more modestly, with a buttoned-up shirt and scarf.

"We asked women and girls to evaluate not just how competent the girl in the Facebook profile was, but also whether they thought she was pretty and whether they thought she could be a friend," co-author of the study and University of California at Santa Cruz researcher Eileen L. Zurbriggen says. "Those who saw the more sexualized profile of the woman not only judged her less competent, but also less pretty and less likely to be a friend of theirs. So physical and social attractiveness to other women and girls appears to be impacted by a sexualized portrayal, not just perceived competence."

So what's new about these findings? Women all over the world know that the amount of sex appeal they display already affects how they are perceived by the world, even children.

"A number of previous studies have shown that when women are depicted in sexualized ways — like wearing revealing clothing — that they are perceived as less competent, less intelligent, and having less self-respect," co-author of the study and University of California at Santa Cruz researcher Eileen L. Zurbriggen says. "It's true even for 5th-grade girls, according to one study."

What's different about the findings is that on widely used social media sites like Facebook, images are frighteningly easily to find and can even take on a digital life of their own. Before social media, you could easily navigate between your sexy native self at Coachella and your tailored management self in the boardroom. Today, anyone with Google can pull up an entire world of images that you might not even know exist.

"Yes, some women have always presented themselves in a sexualized way, but if they wanted to be perceived as more competent, they could switch their presentation and would not have to worry about a digital trail that could never be erased," Zurbriggen adds.

Her advice for navigating the Facebook picture minefield probably isn't much different than what your mother would give you: Be careful about what you post and know people are judging you based on what they see: good, bad, sexy or otherwise. And don't forget to show people who you really are on the inside.

"Think twice about posting revealing or sexualized pictures, if they will be viewed by people who will be judging you on your competence," Zurbriggen says. "Instead, consider posting pictures that highlight your identity, your interests and your activities. These give a more holistic picture of the real you — who you are as a person, rather than just how sexy you look."

For healthy, red-blooded gals looking for a little love, think about more narrow social media sites designed for more anonymity. There are even apps like SnapChat that destroy your... shall we say, less professional... sexy texts and images as soon as they're viewed.

No, it's not fair. Women continue to be judged by an impossible Madonna/Whore complex standard by society that dictates we are only either allowed to be sexy or smart, slutty or savvy, attractive or substantial. Until those attitudes change, women need to think about their image like a public relations professional and maintain their various social media sites accordingly. Until then, can we all start to take it a little easier on each other? A little less slut shaming and a little more love? It would be a start.


Comic character Archie will die saving gay friend from shooting

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Disney buys Marvel >>

Archie Andrews has long been known for confusion over his love for Veronica — or Betty — but it looks like he has much bigger problems these days. According to the Associated Press, Andrews has spent the last four years in a spin-off series based on Andrews' adult life in Riverdale.

According to Archie Comics, Andrews will die when he attempts to save his friend, Senator Kevin Keller, the comic book company's first openly-gay character. The senator will be the victim of an assassination attempt for trying to push gun control in Riverdale. Archie's death will be the end of the Life with Archie series.

"I think Archie Comics has taken a lot of risks in recent years, and this is the biggest risk they've taken yet," Archie fan Jonathan Merrifield told the Associated Press. "If it shakes things up a little bit, and people end up checking it out and seeing what's going on in Archie Comics, it will be a risk that was smartly taken."

The four-year-old series has put Archie in more "socially relevant" situations than fans of his earlier work might remember.

DC Comics to postpone release of new Batman comic >>

But Archie Comics doesn't see the storyline as a political issue at all — but more an issue of community. Jon Goldwater, Archie Comics publisher and co-CEO explained that, "Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I don't agree. I think Riverdale is a place where everyone should feel welcome and safe. From my point of view, I'm proud of the stance we've taken here, and I don't think it's overtly political on any level."

The end of Archie's life is also very timely, as Bob Hastings, who voiced the character on the radio in the 1940s, died only a few days ago.

Mexican sweet potato poutine

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As if fries aren't good enough on their own, poutine is traditionally served with gravy and cheese curds — talk about delicious. This Mexican version combines the gravy and cheese into a creamy cheddar sauce that gets drizzled all over the top.

Mexican sweet potato poutine

Serve this dish with chorizo, and you can easily make a whole meal out of a bowl.

Mexican sweet potato poutine recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound bag frozen sweet potatoes
  • 1/2 pound chorizo, crumbled or chopped
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1/2 an avocado, chopped

Directions:

  1. Cook the sweet potatoes according to the package directions.
  2. While the potatoes bake, in a skillet over medium heat, cook the chorizo until browned and crispy.
  3. In a small saucepan, heat the butter over medium-low heat. Once melted, add the flour, and whisk together.
  4. Pour the milk into the saucepan, and whisk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Add the cheddar cheese, and stir until melted and thickened.
  6. Place the sweet potatoes into a bowl, top with chorizo, drizzle the cheddar sauce on top, and garnish with the avocado and green onions.

More sweet potato recipes

Caramelized sweet potato skewers
Sweet potato baked doughnuts

Salt and vinegar sweet potato chips

9 Things we've learned from Zayn Malik's now-public Instagram account

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Who's hotter: One Direction vs. The Wanted >>

The hashtag "#THANKSZAYNFORMAKINGYOURIGPUBLIC" has been trending all day, and 1Ders are going crazy over the now-public page — so much so that in less than a day, Malik has well over 300,000 followers.

So, what has his Instagram page taught us so far? Here are some of the most significant clues.

1. Zayn Malik may be married?

The singer has been engaged to Perrie Edwards for nearly a year. But this photo shows him with an obvious ring on that finger.

X Things we've learned from Zayn Malik’s now-public Ins

X Things we've learned from Zayn Malik’s now-public Ins

2. He is a lover of animals

Malik probably knows how to be adorable to his fans, especially by captioning the photo of this kitty with "Meet my tiger :)."

X Things we've learned from Zayn Malik’s now-public Ins

X Things we've learned from Zayn Malik’s now-public Ins

3. He was an adorable child (as if we expected any less)

Malik posted this photo of "me and pops."

X Things we've learned from Zayn Malik’s now-public Ins

X Things we've learned from Zayn Malik’s now-public Ins

4. He is a big comic book fan

Malik posted a photo of this tattoo back in 2012, but he also posts photos of himself in comic book situations, as well as drawings of other superheroes.

X Things we've learned from Zayn Malik’s now-public Ins

X Things we've learned from Zayn Malik’s now-public Ins

5. He understands pop culture

Honestly, we're not sure what else to get from this photo — captioned "Wrecking ball ! Haha" — other than that he knows who Miley Cyrus is. It's not clear if it's an appreciation for her or if he is blatantly making fun of his fellow singer.

X Things we've learned from Zayn Malik’s now-public Ins

X Things we've learned from Zayn Malik’s now-public Ins

6. He sure likes his tattoos

Malik has posted numerous tattoos on his Instagram account and this one shows his arms are pretty much full now.

X Things we've learned from Zayn Malik’s now-public Ins

X Things we've learned from Zayn Malik’s now-public Ins

Uh-oh! Leaked video shows 1D boys smoking a joint in Peru >>

7. He understands his appeal

X Things we've learned from Zayn Malik’s now-public Ins

X Things we've learned from Zayn Malik’s now-public Ins

8. Again, he knows how to take the perfect shirtless photo of himself

He knows what the girls want.

X Things we've learned from Zayn Malik’s now-public Ins

X Things we've learned from Zayn Malik’s now-public Ins

9. Deep down, the One Direction guys are all just normal 20-somethings

This photo, captioned "Good times in the bus :)" — along with the rest of his Instagram photos — shows that the guys are just normal (albeit famous) people who enjoy the same things as most other 20-year-old guys.

X Things we've learned from Zayn Malik’s now-public Ins

X Things we've learned from Zayn Malik’s now-public Ins

Tell us — what did you learn from Zayn Malik's now-public Instagram account?

Blake Lively's new website: What not to do, as shown by Gwyneth Paltrow

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$90 T-shirts

Gwynnie probably thought she was relating to the common folk when she put a white T-shirt on her site and sold it for $90. To her, that probably does feel like an "I'm really slumming now" price. But for those of us who need a 12-step program for Target, it's still a little steep. Ms. Paltrow has also featured a $165 candle (she knows those burn up, right?), a $50 doormat (she knows people wipe their feet on those, right?) and a set of four customizable napkins that sell for $79 (she knows people blow their noses in those, right?).

Step away from the mic: Gwyneth Paltrow screws up again >>

Mommy wars

Another example of what Lively should not do with her new site, Preserve, is use it to backpedal. Paltrow ignited the flames of the working mom controversy by saying in an E! News interview that being a Hollywood mom was harder than working 9-5. She then took to her website to recant with a blog titled, "End the Mommy Wars." The title, "Damage Control for Saying Something Really Inflammatory and Not Very Bright," must have already been taken.

Blake Lively: Celebs who ditch the gym >>

Water has feelings

If Mrs. Reynolds wants to not become the second-most hated celebrity in Hollywood, it's best to steer away from subject matter that makes your audience think you are higher than Snoop Dogg on 4/20. In early June, Paltrow wowed us with her ability to think on a higher plain (either that or she was delusional again from doing another one of her 10-day "Master Cleanses"). She explained, "I am fascinated by the growing science behind the energy of consciousness and its effects on matter. I have long had Dr. Emoto's coffee-table book on how negativity changes the structure of water, how the molecules behave differently depending on the words or music being expressed around it." Wow. We're fascinated that you have a book about the molecular structure of water — and that you read it.

"Conscious uncoupling"

Last, but most assuredly not least, Lively should steer away from manufacturing pretentious phrasing that will make her the butt of people's jokes for years to come. When Paltrow split from husband, Chris Martin, she explained to her fans that she and her husband had to decide to embark on a "conscious uncoupling." You know, because "divorce" and "separating" is so common and peasant-like. What sort of highbrow mumbo jumbo is that anyway? So, when we get married from here on out, are we now "consciously coupling?" Is a guy going to drop to one knee and ask someone to "consciously couple" with him?

Celebrity words and phrases that went viral >>

Though well intended, Paltrow has inadvertently positioned herself as a cautionary tale for celebrities looking to launch a lifestyle website. Hopefully, Lively will learn from Paltrow's seemingly-endless mistakes.

Grieving father's simple request touches strangers' hearts

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"My daughter recently passed away after a long battle in the children's hospital," Nathen Steffel wrote. "Since she was in the hospital her whole life, we never were able to get a photo without all her tubes. Can someone remove the tubes from this photo?" His simple request on Reddit brought an outpouring of support from Reddit users who took their photo-editing talents and turned them into a special gift of love.

A life cut short

Baby sophia photoshop | Sheknows.com

From the very first pregnancy ultrasound, Sophia's mom knew something wasn't quite right. Little Sophia was born May 30 and was hospitalized for the entire six weeks of her short life, tethered to tubes and machines that kept her alive. It turned out that Sophia suffered from a hepatic hemangioma, which is the most common type of liver tumor. Sophia spent time after she was born at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, then moved to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, which has a more specialized group of liver surgeons and experts available to care for her. Baby Sophia was in need of a liver transplant and on the transplant list, but unfortunately died on July 10.

Seeing their baby's face

It seems like a simple enough request — to have a photograph of your baby's face. But when your newborn is critically ill, those tubes and wires that keep her alive are also hiding her sweet little face. Losing a newborn is one of the most difficult things for a parent to go through, and photographs can help them in their grief and help them retain the memory of their newborn in the years to come.

Baby sophia photoshop | Sheknows.com

The response to Steffel's request was overwhelming. Commenters submitted many beautiful retouched photographs of baby Sophia that let her parents see her sweet face once more, free from tubes and wires. A few people even sent drawings of Sophia to the grief-stricken parents.

Baby sophia drawing | Sheknows.com

In a brief statement to TODAY Parents, Steffel explained his motives behind the Reddit request. "I didn't really want all the publicity, I just wanted a picture," Steffel wrote in an email. "What I received was a whole lot of love and support from complete strangers."

Baby sophia drawing | Sheknows.com

For all of the nasty comments, internet trolls and general bashing we tend to see online, this story was a refreshing reminder that when the stakes are down, we can reach out to other people — and many will reach back.

More on infant loss

Support and healing after infant loss
A grieving mom describes life after SIDS
What to say to a friend who has lost a baby

5 Reasons Paris Hilton's new video is awesomely bad

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Hilton shares co-writing credit on the track and "was inspired by the magical feelings of new love, those that make one truly come alive," according to her team. The magical feeling we get when we watch the four-minute spectacle doesn't exactly make us truly come alive, but we do feel like we could loop the vid on repeat to get our ab workout in for the day. Here are five things that make the "Come Alive" video oh-so-awesomely bad.

LMFAO gives props to Paris Hilton >>

1. It's strikingly reminiscent of a Skittles commercial: We can actually taste the rainbow while watching Hilton shake her thing. The fantasy land is complete with bright colors, a rainbow and a unicorn. All that's missing from the video is a prancing leprechaun. Darn it, now we want some candy.

2. It looks like Hilton has aspirations to be in a Victoria's Secret fashion show. Jewel-encrusted bra? Check. Angel-winged lingerie? Check. Enormous flowered swing and ridiculous ensembles a normal person would never wear? Check and check. Adriana Lima walking the runway? Well... four out of five isn't too bad.

3. If Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus had a baby, it would be this video. It has all the campness and cotton candy that is Katy Perry and all the psychedelic cosmic explosions and flower power that is Miley Cyrus. Throw a girl-on-girl kiss and a Twitter feud in there and you might have some copyright issues.

4. Auto-Tune much? It's obvious Hilton's voice has been over-produced within a centimeter of its natural life and, with all of the guff Britney Spears has been catching lately, you can't help but wonder what this track would sound like sans Auto-Tune. However, Hilton's timber still comes through and you can definitely still hear in your mind's eye the heiress leaning over to slowly whisper "that's hot" in your ear.

5. The choreography: Clearly, the The Simple Life star has a signature move and it's frolicking coyly before excitedly raising her arms into a "V" over her head. She does it 24 times throughout the the video. Yes, we counted.

You have to hand it to her; at 33, Hilton looks amazing and the woman doesn't age.

And now... feast your eyes on the greatest video you've ever seen since Kim and Kanye in "Bound 2!"

Paris Hilton's

Paris Hilton's

Video credit: Vevo

Pretty Little Liars review: A new, tech-savvy A

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QUIZ: Are you a hard-core Pretty Little Liars fan? >>

Instead, when A sends Ali a horrifying video of her mother's dead body being buried in that grave, the girls' reaction is to continue the hunt for the identity of Bethany Young. Aria (Lucy Hale) is only too happy to jaunt off to Ezra's place to investigate his boxes of information. The video A sends to Ali deletes itself a short moment later (as if they were going to show it to anyone anyway) and Ali decides it's time for her to head to the hills and disappear again.

Ali doesn't waste time calling... wait for it... Noel Kahn (Brant Daugherty) to help her escape from Rosewood. When Hanna overhears the call, she doesn't ask anything about Noel. She doesn't even seem to think it's odd. Forget the fact that the girls were searching for him only a few episodes ago. Instead of asking Mona (Janel Parrish), why didn't they just ask Ali? She's known where he is all along. And she seems to know his secrets. We'd like to know why he's suddenly decided to opt out of his senior year of high school. Is the whole purpose of his existence now to just forge passports and be Ali's exit strategy whenever she gets the jitters? So it seems.

VIDEO: 5 Answers to expect in Pretty Little Liars Season 5 >>

Another thing that really doesn't make sense is why Travis has feelings for Hanna (Ashley Benson). She constantly forgets her dates with him and doesn't call or pay attention when she's sitting right in front of him. She's being really rude. Why is he so understanding? I would have broken up with her after that first date when she ran away without explanation. He must just really, really like the chase. Otherwise, what's the point? She's always ditching him or not paying attention to him. Well, tonight, after all this time of putting up with her, he finally opts out, but not because he's sick of her ditching him. Nope, he finds out that Caleb (Tyler Blackburn) is back in town and "likes her too much" for her to only be halfway in with him. Whatever his reason, it's about time, dude.

In the hunt for A's identity, our weekly clues are as follows:

  • Bethany Young sketched a picture of a monster attacking Mrs. D. as she tended her roses. Hmm, we're going to go out on a limb and say the two didn't get along. Either that or Bethany knew someone was after Mrs. D. Aria and Ezra find the drawing, which was nicely dropped off in Ezra's apartment à la Eddie from Radley.
  • A hooded figure attacks Ali, but the girl don't think it's A. They think it was someone from Mona's "I Hate Ali" gang.
  • A sends a text to Ali after Ali gets a visit from Tanner that reads, "Time for the caged bird to sing." A doesn't want Ali dead anymore, it appears. Or, at least, not right now. We think it means A wants Ali to confess about the details of Shana's murder.

Are you happy to see Hanna and Travis finally break up? What do you think about the new and technologically-improved A?


Would you leave your kid in a park while you went to work?

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Debra Harrell dropped her 9-year-old girl off at a park while she worked at a McDonald's about a mile and a half away. After an adult noticed that she wasn't accompanied by a grownup, she asked the girl where her parents were, and when she found out she was left alone in the park for hours, she notified authorities.

When the girl repeated the story to the officers, she was taken into headquarters, and her mother confessed to leaving the child at the park while she worked her shifts. The mother-daughter pair also said that the girl walked to and from her mom's work to eat lunch. Harrell was arrested for "unlawful conduct towards a child" and her daughter was placed in state custody.

Would you leave your 9-year-old child outside alone for hours?

I've seen so many comments on this topic decrying the helicopter parenting of today, and people saying that they were outside "all day, all summer long" when they were kids. So what's the big deal?

But really? No. I would not leave my 9-year-old kid outside for hours while I worked a mile and a half away. I really wouldn't. That in no way sits well in my head, and while I agree that the situation for this mother is incredibly difficult, this is a choice that she shouldn't have made.

Moms speak out

I talked to a mom who used to live in the same area and she agrees that it was a terrible idea. "That is scary as hell she would leave her daughter in that area alone," explains Nicole, mom of two. "I wonder why she didn't just leave her at home?"

That is a sentiment echoed by many other moms I spoke with about this situation. "No way would I just leave my kid outside for hours on end alone," says Kimmy, mom of four. And Jessica also has a daughter the same age and says that she would be more likely to leave her at home than to drop her at a park and expect her to trek a mile and a half each way to eat lunch.

This is not about a child being allowed to play alone outside while a parent is at home. It's really not the same situation. I really do feel for this mother who probably feels that she has no other options (working at McDonald's and trying to afford child care has to be nearly impossible). But she should have found a better solution. Another mom I spoke with shares that she used to have free rein while her dad was working. "But it's a different world now," she says. "I would never leave my kid in a public place like that."

More on child safety

Investigation reveals Disney employees arrested in child sex sting
Girl dies from brain-eating amoeba: Here's what you need to know
Toddlers die in furniture tip over: Are your kids safe at home?

Hairstyle tutorial: Create a perfect sock bun without the sock

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Freshen up your look and show off your style with a classic bun hair-do.

Scott Foley remains craving-free with baby three on the way

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Sharing the exciting news with Twitter fans Tuesday, the actor posted the following:

Foley baby

Foley baby

Who's hotter? Scandal's Scott Foley vs. former co-star Columbus Short >>

Indeed, Foley and his wife, Marika Dominczyk, who is also fond of being in front of the camera, are set to welcome their third child together. The pair wed in 2007 in a private ceremony in Hawaii, roughly four years after his first marriage to actress, Jennifer Garner, ended.

While Foley and Dominczyk are already parents to son Keller, 2, and daughter Malina, 4, his ex has been bringing up a trio for quite some time. Entertainment news fans will likely recall Garner and her second husband, Ben Affleck, welcomed their third child, Samuel, in February 2012.

Scott Foley and more characters who've been killed off Grey's Anatomy >>

Expecting beauty Dominczyk also got in on the pregnancy-announcing action, tweeting the photo seen here to her loyal followers:

Foley wife

Foley wife

Her husband, who celebrated turning 41 on Tuesday, has previously opened up about how much he loves fatherhood.

"I'm a father. A husband. I have a great group of friends, a lot of whom aren't in the entertainment industry," he humbly told Da Man magazine earlier in 2014 when asked about his off-camera life. "I'm a big reader, like working with my hands in my yard and around the house. I think I'm a fairly average man."

As for being like heartthrob Jake Ballard on Scandal opposite new mom, Kerry Washington, he explained, "I think that we both feel a bit misunderstood in our lives. Jake is someone that very much seems to want to do the right things although the possibility of doing that can sometimes be a challenge. I feel that way on occasion, albeit for much different reasons!"

Join us in wishing the Foleys the best while they await baby three's arrival!

These 9 foods can dull your smile, but here's how you can keep indulging

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You're probably destroying your teeth

If you're anything like me, Friday nights just aren't the same without a big bowl of spaghetti and a glass of red wine. Maybe that's why my teeth have the luster of yellowing scrapbook paper. "When it comes to staining," explains Zarrabi, "the top offenders are foods and beverages with either high pigment content or high acidity."

Unfortunately, this means that some of the tastiest foods can put a serious damper on the beauty of your pearly whites, just like my wine and spaghetti habit is clearly catching up to me. Here are the nasty nine foods that Zarrabi says to look out for:

  1. Red wine. I'm pleased to report that my bad habit made the top of the list for its pigmentation and acid.
  2. Black tea. Zarrabi also points out that lighter teas can increase the susceptibility of teeth to staining, too.
  3. Coffee. Duh, because obviously this is my second-favorite beverage.
  4. Sodas. The sugar content of soda actually produces acid, which damages tooth enamel and makes them look dull.
  5. Tomato sauce. Healthy tomato sauce is basically just canned acid, surprisingly.
  6. Sports drinks. Stay far away, unless you're a professional athlete. The sugar is super-damaging.
  7. Lemonade. Once again with the high acid content. Sound familiar yet?
  8. Berries. Good in moderation, but the pigments can discolor teeth.
  9. Candy. Both hard and chewy candy can damage the structure of your teeth, in addition to harming enamel.

Take heart, though, because Zarrabi is clear that all is not lost. You just have to know how to enjoy intelligently.

How to prevent and minimize damage

"First," says Zarrabi, "pay attention to the amount of time your teeth are exposed to sugar." He explains that it's much better to indulge in a sugary piece of chocolate cake for 10 minutes than to nurse a soda for a few hours. If you must eat or drink the sugary and acidic foods and beverages that make life worth living, limit your exposure and chase them down with water and a good brushing, like the high-powered clean you can get with ARM & HAMMER™ Spinbrush™ Truly Radiant™ Deep Clean.

In fact, Zarrabi adds that toothbrushing and flossing is key to a lustrous smile. "Always brush twice a day, floss once daily and get regular dental cleanings to remove excess plaque," he says. Plaque can actually increase the amount of acid your mouth produces when you eat and drink, so keeping it under control will pay dividends for your smile over time.

Finally, Zarrabi suggests drinking through a straw to minimize contact with teeth while imbibing an offending beverage. Thank goodness, a dentist is finally telling me it's OK to drink my wine out of a sippy cup.

Restoring your smile

Of course, if your smile already looks a little dull, you may want to restore it with whitening products. "Whitening toothpastes are considered safe to use daily because they gently remove stains through gentle polishing, chemical breakdown or some other non-bleaching action," explains Zarrabi. He suggests ARM & HAMMER™ Truly Radiant™ whitening toothpaste if you aren't sure where to start.

Bleaching treatments are also an option, but Zarrabi suggests that you talk with a dentist before trying anything at home. Sometimes, at-home products can actually do more harm than good, so run your plans by your dentist before proceeding.

This post is sponsored by ARM & HAMMER™.

More about your smile

Soda, grinding and...brushing? The worst things you're doing to your teeth
Friendly or fake? What you're telling people with your smile
Are you brushing your teeth correctly?

Listen up, men: Sheryl Crow would love to be married

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The "All I Wanna Do" hit maker opened up to Good Housekeeping for its August cover story and revealed that even after three failed engagements, she still has old-fashioned values and would love to finally make it down the aisle.

Sheryl Crow is really, really over Lance Armstrong >>

"I would love to get married — I'm still old-fashioned. But I don't think marriage is the be-all and end-all. It's better to have three broken engagements than three divorces," the singer confessed.

While Crow may want to marry in the future, she's well rid of some of her past boyfriends, because a few of them actually made her feel insignificant.

"I had always gone out with guys who were highly successful, which would seem like it would put me at an equal level," Crow told the magazine. "But what ends up happening is that one of you becomes smaller — and it was always me. It's always the woman. I mean, I don't know if it's always the woman, but I do think sometimes in order for one person's light to shine, everyone else has to dim theirs."

Sheryl Crow talks new album: "Best record I've ever made" >>

However, Crow was smart enough to move on with her life and leave her negative relationships in the past. It was then that she realized she wanted to have children, and adopted her two sons Wyatt, now 7, in 2007 and Levi, now 4, in 2010.

"They understand that they came out of different tummies," she explained. "But they also believe, as do I, that God put us together. They know how blessed I am to get to be their mommy. So when they're mad that I won't let them play video games, I say, 'God put me in charge. I'm raising you-all the best that I can, and some decisions are not fun.'"

The best of Sheryl Crow: The '90s vs. now >>

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