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Actor Stephen Lee dies at 58

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According to his friend Lisa Pescia, Lee passed away after he suffered a serious heart attack in his Los Angeles apartment on Aug. 14, the Hollywood Reporter claimed on Wednesday.

Conrad Bain of Diff'rent Strokes passes away >>

Lee became known after he had a super-funny role as a crazed cabinet installer on a Seinfeld episode. When Jerry Seinfeld wanted new cabinets in his apartment, Lee's character was very slow at completing his job, and was a little nutty on how he went about doing it.

However, when he finally finished the work, he built a huge kitchen fit for a mansion, because Seinfeld told him to get it done in any way he needed and would not answer any more questions on the cabinet design.

Celebs celebrate and remember Robin Williams >>

Lee began his career in the early 1980s, appearing on popular television dramas like Hart to Hart, Hill Street Blues, Who's the Boss? and Remington Steele. Additionally, he landed a recurring role on Nash Bridges and went on to guest-star in even more shows like Quantum Leap, Cybill, Murder One and Dark Angel.

He also had spots in more recent hit television series such as Grey's Anatomy, CSI, Bones and The West Wing. Plus, Lee also appeared in several big-screen films including WarGames, La Bamba, The Negotiator and Burlesque. The seasoned actor's other recent roles include work in Ghost Whisperer and Numbers as well.

Celebrity deaths of 2014 >>

Lee was born in New Jersey in 1955 and lived in Europe for the first 15 years of his life. He was not married at the time of his death.

Stephen Lee on Senifeld

Stephen Lee on Senifeld


Mamas, don't teach your daughter to garden with menstrual products

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You could say I'm pretty natural minded in some areas of my life. I had a home birth, I breastfed, I kept my placenta. Basically, I'm all about girl power.

But I'd rather kill plants than fertilize them with Aunt Flow.

You read that right. Apparently, women don't need to swing by the gardening store to buy plant fertilizer anymore, they need to empty their menstrual cups. Into a jar. Apparently while my period causes cramps, others do wonders for growing lettuce.

I'm all for organic gardening, but this is ridiculous.

I have a cute little raised bed of veggies at my local community garden where gardeners are required to use organic products. We green-thumb types like to share. I gave someone coffee grounds once. Someone gave me egg shells. No one said "Hi! Your tomatoes sure could use some reddening up — here's some of my uterine lining!"

Now, I have sons, so that entails all sorts of fun chats about other bodily fluids and functions. But just like I'm thankful for boys every time I walk by the American Girl store, I'm so glad I don't have to deal with anyone else's period.

When I was a girl, I was told it was Eve's fault women had to go through the pain of menstruation and childbirth. I was prepared to be miserable every 28 days. Now moms throw first moon parties and bake cakes in honor of their daughters receiving that good ol' first monthly gift.

All this period-loving, Mother Earth nonsense is going way too far.

Yes, I believe moms should teach daughters to respect their bodies because said bodies can do some pretty awesome, miraculous things. Yes, we should teach our daughters their bodies are beautiful. Yes, we should teach them menstruation is not gross. No, we should not teach them to keep the contents of their Diva Cups in a jar until the start of gardening season.

Read more about periods

Why explaining periods to your daughters is so important
Top 10 reasons we hate our periods
What is a soft cup?

Cat repeatedly runs into the wall in effort to catch a laser (VIDEO)

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Cat struggles to catch laser

Cat struggles to catch laser

When owner Kyle Stephenson breaks out a laser pointer, his frisky cat cannot resist trying to catch the fleeting red dot. No obstacle is too great. Nothing can break this cat's single-minded focus on that laser.

Not even the walls.

Every time the dot alights on a wall, the cat hurls himself at it — with a resounding thud each time, naturally. And, each time, the kitty's vain attempts elicit laughs out of Stephenson and his laser-pointing accomplice.

On the other hand, the joke might be on them, as we're not entirely convinced this cat isn't actually a novice in the ninja-like art of parkour.

Better watch your back, Stephenson.

More cat capers

This cat can open doors. Game over, humans (VIDEO)
Grumpy Cat and friends get frisky in "Cat Summer" music video
When cats snuggle with horses, life is simply beautiful

Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda" gets a fart remix (VIDEO)

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By now you've probably seen or at least heard Minaj's hot new single, unless you have been enjoying an exotic holiday on the opposite end of the globe, or living in a cave.

GIFS: 7 Times Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda" video is deeply disturbing >>

"Anaconda" was produced by Polow da Don and Da Internz and it also features a sample from Sir Mix-A-Lot's iconic party jam "Baby Got Back."

The video to the hot track is truly a twerkfest, as the rapper shows off her toned figure and rather bootylicious bottom throughout the course of it, but this new remix of the video makes Minaj do more than just shake her booty... it makes her fart! Um, yes, you read that correctly.

Nicki Minaj hosts jungle twerkfest in "Anaconda" video teaser >>

As if "Anaconda" has not already made the headlines enough times for being completely scandalous. The "Bang Bang" rapper has already caused a stir when she showed off her sexuality in the video for the single, alongside rapper Drake. If you haven't already seen it then she practically gives him a lap dance while wearing tight black Spandex-looking pants with holes exposing her legs, killer heels and a black-and-pink bra (oh and in the new remixed video she farts in his face. Charming).

Nicki Minaj dancer bitten by snake during VMAs rehearsal >>

Other times Minaj's new single made headlines was when a snake bit one of her backup dancers during her 2014 MTV VMAs practice session, when her itsy-bitsy green sequined outfit at the VMAs showed off just about everything — and now this.

Watch the video below.

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj

Pole dancing is liberating people of body image issues everywhere (VIDEO)

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Let's face it ladies: Pole dancing gets a bad rap. Meanwhile, it's one of the most intense forms of resistance training there is (I mean, you have to hold and control your body gracefully — in the air!). It's a workout that isn't focused on how to change your body, but on learning what your body is capable of — your milestones end up achieved on both an emotional and physical level.

Case in point: Meet LuAyne Brown, a plus-size pole dancer who's been in the game since 2006 an recently became a viral sensation. An introductory pole dancing class was offered at a studio near her home, and the rest is history. She's not just the queen of body positivity, she's the queen of everything positivity. When commenting on the friends who have since distanced themselves from her since she began competing, her upbeat and bubbly attitude toward it is awe inspiring — if I was in her heels, there'd be a lot of drop-kicking going on.

World's Heaviest Pole Dancer Says She Has Never Felt Se

World's Heaviest Pole Dancer Says She Has Never Felt Se

Seriously, don't you just want to party with her? And LuAyne is just one of the many women pole dancing has inspired.

1. Makeda Smith

Pole dancing: Makeda Smith

Photo credit: Makeda Smith

"I recall at age 50 wanting to step up my exercise routine. I took a local yoga class, but it didn't thrill me enough to return. Then I came across a Living Social deal for pole dancing classes — and that first class hooked me forever! It's been three years now. I run my own business, take care of my mom and am a grandmother — but I don't think about anything else in class except conquering new moves. Pole dancing allows me to be fabulous, sensual, strong and sexy in a safe and loving environment of supportive women. Who needs gym shoes and sweats when you can work out in 8-inch heels (which I've graduated to) and booty shorts?"

2. Danielle Amico

Pole dancing: Danielle Amico

Photo credit: Danielle Amico

"Almost two years ago, I started poling during a rough patch in my life. I used the classes as an outlet to keep my mind off things — but they ended up becoming so much more. You walk around feeling like you have this sexy secret that sets you apart from other people. You feel proud to know you have this ability to lift your body over your head and twirl around in the air effortlessly — it's exhilarating! You feel like Superwoman. Pole has changed my life — and chances are any woman who does pole will tell you the same. I've since become an instructor and have launched my own line of pole clothing called LeiVola Polewear (which is Italian for 'She Soars')."

3. Victoria Shockley

Pole dancing: Victoria Shockley

Photo credit: Victoria Shockley

"Growing up, I never did any physical activities outside of gym class, and even then it was unwillingly. I'd get out of breath walking up the stairs and couldn't even get on the monkey bars! I was skinny and weak with no muscle definition — I hated showing off my stomach because I didn't have abs, and always worried about being too pale, too skinny, too tall. I tried fake tanning lotions and pushup bras, and I purposely bought shoes with little to no heel so I wouldn't be 'too' tall in them. All of that changed when I discovered pole dancing. I found an amazing group of supportive, fun women who don't care about what you look like or what fitness level you're at. I not only feel better physically, but I have so much more confidence. I feel beautiful enough to purchase (and wear!) my first crop top and proudly walk in 7-inch platforms… despite the fact that they make me 6'2"."

4. Shallan Ramsey

Pole dancing: Shallan Ramsey

Photo credit: Shallan Ramsey

"I started pole dancing a little over three years ago: I was coming out of a very unhealthy relationship that had left my self-esteem and body image in the toilet. I wanted something that would help me gain some confidence back but also allow for some time to myself — which as a mother of three daughters is sometimes difficult to do. I can honestly say pole changed my life, helping me to heal from the inside out. I now teach classes and run my own business. I'm passionate about pole and what it not only did for my body, but my heart."

More body confidence tips

Fashion blogger owns up to photoshopping her body
The body image video that will bring you to tears, and leave you totally inspired!
Why new pajamas could boost your confidence

Fun ways to use Mason jars at your next party

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Lighted walkway

Lighted walkway

Photo credit: The Inspired Room

Line your walkway with lighted Mason jars to make a stellar first impression with a truly grand entrance for your guests.

Centerpieces

Use a Mason jar to add some flair to your table setting. These versatile vessels can be used several different ways to perk up a place setting, so get creative.

Centerpieces

Photo credit: Your Homebased Mom

Use a single Mason jar filled with flowers to create a simple vase centerpiece or cluster together several of varying sizes for a fuller look. Head over to Your Homebased Mom to learn how to give your jars this metallic look.

Centerpieces 3

Photo credit: Cherished Bliss

Or fill Mason jars with other items that match your party theme for a simple, standalone centerpiece.

Drinkware

Skip the red Solo cups and use something a little more fun to serve drinks.

Drinkware

Photo credit: A bit of sunshine

Mason jars with lids and straws are great spill-proof cups for both children and adults. A bit of sunshine gives a great tutorial on creating the lids.

Drinkware 3

Photo credit: Hayseed Homemakin'

If you're feeling fancy, use some hot glue and candle holders to create these "redneck wine glasses." We're pretty sure you'll get at least a few laughs if you line these up next to the wine.

Silverware

Silverware

Photo credit: Clean & Scentsible

How many times have you set up a buffet line at a party and realized you had nothing to put the forks in? Grab a few Mason jars and use them to hold your silverware and straws.

Condiments

Condiments

Photo credit: Talk of the House

You can't serve burgers without a big selection of toppings, but all those store-bought bottles and jars take away from your beautiful spread. Transfer the condiments into Mason jars and add spoons for easy serving to keep your serving area in line.

Side dishes

Side dishes

Photo credit: The Chic Site

It's not easy to keep side dishes cold when you're entertaining outside. Fill Mason jars with individual servings of cold sides and keep them in a bowl of ice or a cooler until guests are ready to eat.

Cupcake stand

Cupcake stand

Photo credit: Just Us Four

Not everyone has a cupcake tower on hand in their pantry. That doesn't mean you can't still create a spectacular display of cupcakes. Put one of these Mason jar cupcake stands together in the perfect colors to fit your party.

Dessert

Dessert

Photo credit: The Italian Dish

End your perfect dinner with a dessert served beautifully in Mason jars. If your guests are too full for dessert, just put a lid on it and send it home with them.

More from Cooking & Entertaining

Stuffed-silly savory waffle sandwiches
The ultimate breakfast burger
The crupcake: When cupcake meets croissant

American Horror Story: Freak Show cast photo gets weird

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FX released a new cast poster for the upcoming season and it's definitely freaky.

American Horror Story: Sarah Paulson doubles your pleasure >>

Kathy Bates is sporting quite the sexy beard. Angela Bassett's got a third breast. And, well, how could we miss two-headed Sarah Paulson up there swinging from the hoop? Is it just a trick of the show or will these circus freaks actually have crazy deformities? We can't wait to see how the show explains these unsettling characters.

The girl swallowing the sword and the pale guy peeking around the frame on the right-hand side of the shot are also details not to be missed.

American Horror Story: Freak Show adds world's smallest woman to cast >>

No sign of returning cast members Evan Peters and Emma Roberts or newcomer Matt Bomer — unless one of them is the poor soul shoved inside the cage on the bottom left-hand side of the photo. It looks like a girl. But this is Freak Show, after all, so you never know.

This poster comes along with a series of short teasers the show has been releasing throughout the week. One, titled "Lick," shows a person with a split tongue eating a lollypop. Another, "Spotlight," shows a woman swinging from a trapeze, carefully using her three legs to balance as she swings in a graceful pose. Yet another one of the promos, "Caged," might be a clue to the cage in the photo. The teaser shows a girl wedged inside while someone creepily strokes the outside.

American Horror Story Season 4 promises freak show >>

With all these crazy new teasers being released, the premiere can't come soon enough. We have a good felling this season is going to be amazing.

American Horror Story: Freak Show premieres Oct. 8 on FX.

American Horror Story: Freak Show cast

Say goodbye to chemicals — these ten cleaning products are all natural

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Check out some of these cleaning tips to switch over your supplies to inexpensive, natural household cleaning products, to keep your home a pristine and healthy environment for your family.

1. Club soda

Homemade Glass Cleaner via Hometalker The Make Your Own Zone

For any carpet or fabric stains, blot with club soda (or sprinkle with table salt first, and then blot) for a natural stain remover. Try club soda in a spray bottle to rejuvenate tired upholstered dining room chairs, or for a streak-free glass cleaner.

2. Vinegar

Cleaning With Vinegar via Hometalker Holly Lefevre

Ok, so this one is kind of the cheater's method, because vinegar is literally a miracle cleaner. You can clean and disinfect just about anything, from sponges (soak overnight) to countertops (mix with equal parts hydrogen peroxide, spray and wipe), to fruit (mix with water and soak for 10 minutes), to carpets (spray and scrub or blot), to your sink drain (pour baking soda in first, then follow with vinegar).

3. Salt

10 Tips for Cleaning With Salt via Hometalker The Graphics Fairy

Use salt, flour and vinegar to shine metal, or clean a wood cutting board by rubbing salt into it with a lemon. In general, salt enhances other natural cleaners and adds grit to natural cleaning liquids to help them adhere to surfaces and assist scrub action. However, salt on its own is also a great abrasive scrub, and can be used to get rid of deposit inside vases or remove coffee and tea stains from mugs.

4. Hydrogen peroxide

Homemade Cleaning Product Hydrogen Peroxide via The Hometalk Blog

Scrub away built-up greasy grout goo by taking a toothbrush and some hydrogen peroxide to it. The de-greasing effect of hydrogen peroxide will do wonders to cleanse your grout, not to mention disinfect and freshen it. Use this strong disinfectant to clean other things that come into contact with food as well, like your kitchen countertops, sink or cutting boards.

5. Cream of tartar

Cream of Tartar Natural Cleaner via Hometalker Country Chic Cottage

You know that stuff that you usually use to stabilize egg whites or whipped cream while baking? Turns out, it's actually a miraculous natural cleaning agent. Who knew? If you're looking for a great bleach alternative, try mixing water or vinegar with cream of tartar. One teaspoon mixed with a quart of water makes a fabulous pre-soak for your whites, or try mixing cream of tartar with lemon juice for a natural Soft Scrub alternative.

6. Baking soda

22 Cleaning Recipes Using Baking Soda via Rethink Simple

The best natural feature of baking soda is its ability to absorb smell and leave the object or area you're cleaning with a fresh pristine scent. Sprinkle it in sneakers to stop smelly odors, or mix it with water and an essential oil of your choice for a lovely air freshener spray. Baking soda is also great to add to your laundry, for its cleaning capabilities, but also for its color-boosting properties, which will make your whites brighter and your colors bolder.

7. Lemon

How to Remove Water Spots via Hometalker Anna M

So many cleaning products are lemon-scented because citrus really does invoke a sense of cleanliness in our minds. If chemical citrus feels clean though, just think how effective the real thing is. Make a tray of citrusy ice cubes into a garbage disposal cleaner by freezing a solution of vinegar and water and a piece of lemon rind in each slot, and then grinding those up while letting the water run. You can utilize the acidity in lemons to clean mineral deposits and water marks off of faucets, by simply rubbing the metal with a lemon wedge. Add lemon to vinegar for a great general cleaning product (heat it up in your microwave to clean scrub-free).

8. Rubbing alcohol

Clean Sharpie With Rubbing Alcohol via Hometalker Creek Line House

If you have any permanent marker lovers in the house, this is an important one to know. Rubbing alcohol will take Sharpie marks off of many surfaces, like paneled wood, stainless steel, painted walls, some fabrics and countertops. Rubbing alcohol mixed with distilled water also makes a great spray for cleaning screens on laptops, tablets, phone screens and TVs.

9. Essential oils

DIY Natural Linen Spray via Hometalker My Merry Messy Life

Many essential oils are antifungal and antibacterial, so it's no surprise that when looking for a good cleaning agent and a great smell, people tend to add a few drops to their green cleaning mixtures. One of the most popular essential oil cleaning tricks is adding it to a homemade laundry detergent mix of Borax, washing soda and a grated bar of Dr. Bronner's or Fels Naptha soap. You can also try this fabulously fresh natural linen spray, made of water, the essential oil of your choice, and a dash of vodka or rubbing alcohol, to not only refresh your linens but disinfect them as well.

10. Olive oil

Spring Cleaning With Natural Cleansers via Hometalker Kathy R

Olive oil is great for bringing the shine back to all different types of materials and furniture. Make a paste from oil and salt to scrub cast iron, or use olive oil on its own to shine stainless steel. To brighten the sheen of wood furniture, mix two cups of olive oil with one cup of lemon juice or vinegar, and rub the solution into the wood thoroughly. Olive oil can even repair scratches on leather furniture; just rub a small amount over the area gently with a cotton ball.

These tips are only a few examples of what you can do to get a clean home while avoiding chemical cleaners. Don't feel like you're stuck with the poison products you have; check your pantry and spice cabinet for more options. Be sure to check out the Cleaning Tips topic page on Hometalk for more ideas, hacks and tricks.

Photo credit: Alliance/iStock/360/Getty Images

Why your Labor Day weekend travel plans are likely to be a disaster

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This summer has been a busy one. Headlines throughout the U.S. have confirmed what many travelers found out the hard way. Flights are full, hotels are expensive, and flight delays have reached a six-year high.

I don't know about you, but waiting is literally the last thing I want to do at the airport. I know, I know, First World problems... But if I've paid hundreds of dollars for a flight, booked a hotel and found a reliable babysitter, then I want to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. I don't want to wait an extra hour while the plane taxis the runway. I especially don't want a voucher for a hotel when my flight gets canceled at the last minute.

This is a sentiment most travelers agree with. Travelers who wish to avoid an airport nightmare are cautioned to rethink their Labor Day travel plans. The Seattle Times reports, "About 14 million people, up 2 percent from last year, are boarding those already nearly full airplanes during this Labor Day travel period, Aug. 17 to Sept. 2, according to Airlines for America, the industry trade group."

It gets better. Not only are planes packed to the gills over Labor Day weekend, but air travel is pricey. Passengers can expect to see climbing rates and extra fees tacked onto each flight. Chief executive officer of discount carrier Spirit Airlines, Ben Baldanza, estimates that fares have increased at least 25 percent since 2008.

Hotels are following suit. For many travelers, booking a flight and a hotel go hand in hand. Travel package expenses may be driven up further by rising hotel rates spurred by growing demand. Smith Travel Research estimates a 4 percent increase in average daily hotel rates in the first half of 2014.

When it comes to Labor Day travel, proceed with caution. Braving the airport with the potential for an overcrowded or canceled flight might not be worth the hassle. If you're desperate to get out of town, then get creative. Push your Labor Day vacation to an offseason weekend in October, or take a short road trip instead.

More on travel

Should airlines ban peanuts to protect people with food allergies?
Flight diverted over petty dispute over legroom
Road-tripping down Route 66 alone with my 9-month-old baby

Blake Lively dishes the details of her eventful bee day

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Lively got quite the pre-birthday surprise, but it wasn't one that she'd like to ever have again. The actress revealed that just days before her birthday on Monday, Aug. 25, she was attacked by bees.

Blake Lively responds to Martha Stewart: I want my own path >>

Lively took to her website to recall her encounter with the bees, and made jokes about her "bee day" and what it was like turning another year older.

"I spent the week leading up to my big day shooting content for Preserve's coming months," Lively wrote. "Just yesterday, the final day of the shoot, I felt an electric shock of energy — was it excitement that I was about to turn another year older? Was it nerves? Why did it feel like agony? I like getting older... I think.

Blake Lively wants a whole litter of kids with Ryan Reynolds >>

"But this felt terrible," the Gossip Girl beauty confessed. "Does your butt quite suddenly (and painfully) deflate when you turn 27? Because mine hurt like hell… then my neck, back, legs and forehead. And oh my hands! They were shriveling. It felt like I was being shot by dozens of tiny invisible darts. I felt like the Wicked Witch, melting, melting, burning, melting."

However, turning 27 years old luckily doesn't mean that your body rapidly changes and your butt, neck, legs, back and forehead start to hurt. Whew!

"I don't know enough about insects to say if they were wasps, honeybees or Mother Nature's miniature flying Tasers," Lively joked. "What I do know, is that just moments before we were in the midst of a gorgeous fall fashion shoot. Now, I was a Monty Python sketch; running at top speed in no particular direction, whipping my arms and hands around like I'd just discovered they were growing out of my shoulders without my previous knowledge."

Blake Lively excited about aging >>

However, Lively is quite OK now, and although her little essay was amusing to read, we are very glad that she is doing better and hope there is no butt-deflating in the future.

"It wasn't until I covered the counters in coordinating candy sprinkles that I stopped to acknowledge: my butt will deflate more and more, my hands will shrivel and permanently prune, but I will never, ever grow up," she wrote.

"It took a swarm of bees to remind me that a b-day is nothing but a number," Lively added. "Each day I choose my age. Today it's 27, going on 2."

A statement that Lively echoed with a quote by George Bernard Shaw:

"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing."

The Reuben burger mashup of your dreams

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Reuben burgers

The summer before my senior year in college, I interned at Citibank on the lower east side of Manhattan, which has one of the best delis I've ever been to: the legendary Katz's Delicatessen.

The previous summer, my mother and I had spent my entire three months off at home, low-carbing our way to 10 pounds less (the freshman 15 hit me a year late), and I did my best during my junior year of college to keep it off. That all changed my first day of work, when I walked through the doors of Katz's and ordered a Reuben the size of my head.

Thankfully I worked there only part time, because by the end of the summer, I barely fit into any of my work suits as it was.

Reuben burger recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 4 hamburger patties
  • 8 slices rye bread
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese
  • 2 tablespoons softened butter
  • 1 cup sauerkraut, drained of excess water
  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 dill pickle, finely chopped
  • Juice of 1/2 a lemon
  • 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, and grease it with baking spray.
  2. Place the hamburger patties into the skillet once hot.
  3. Meanwhile, butter 1 side of each slice of bread, and toast them in a toaster oven or on a baking sheet in the oven.
  4. Flip the burgers after about 3 to 4 minutes, and push them to one side.
  5. Add the sauerkraut to the pan in an even layer, and let it cook next to the burgers (in their fat) to get nice and crispy.
  6. While the burgers finish cooking, make the sauce. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, yogurt, ketchup, chopped pickle, lemon juice, horseradish, salt and pepper.
  7. Add a slice of Swiss cheese to the top of each burger, and let it melt.
  8. Slather the sauce onto a slice of bread, top with 1/4 of the sauerkraut mixture and then the burger, add more sauce on top, and finish with the other slice of bread. Repeat assembly for the remaining burgers.
  9. Gently press down to "smash" the burger a bit, and serve.

More burger recipes

Spaghetti burger
Jalapeño popper burgers

Sweet potato burgers with chipotle mayo

The month in beauty:15 must-see looks

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1) Best eyebrows

Mel B

Photo credit: PNP/WENN.com

America's Got Talent judge Mel B made us instantly envious with her perfectly arched brows.

2) Best ponytail

Selena Gomez

Photo credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty images

Selena Gomez got major height with the perky ponytail she sported to a special screening of Behaving Badly.

3) Best work beauty look

Chloe Grace Moretz

Photo credit: Johnny Louis/WENN.com

Chloe Grace Moretz nailed the neutral beauty look while promoting her new film If I Stay. Her toned down hair and makeup would be perfect for a more conservative work environment.

4) Best hair accessory

Tia Mowry-Hardrict

Photo credit: Apega/WENN.com

Is it a necklace? Is it a hair clip? It's basically the coolest hair accessory we've seen in a while and we spotted it on Tia Mowry-Hardrict.

5) Best lip color

Helen Mirren

Photo credit: Dennis Van Tine/Future Image/WENN.com

Helen Mirren can still compete with the young Hollywood darlings any day. Isn't her glossy pink lip super pretty, folks?

6) Biggest hair risk

Demi Lovato

Photo credit: Kevin Mazur/Fox/WireImage/Getty images

Demi Lovato is no stranger to hair transformations. The singer and actress is known for her ever-changing locks and edgy style, and she recently took a break from neon hues to shave part of her head and go back to her go-to brunette shade.

7) Best girly makeup

Sasha Pieterse

Photo credit: Brian To/WENN.com

Everyone's favorite Pretty Little Liars troublemaker, Sasha Pieterse looked super sweet with her faux bob, pink pout and rosy cheeks. Doll like? We think so.

8) Best bold makeup

Hannah Simone

Photo credit: FayesVision/WENN.com

Hannah Simone makes us laugh every week on New Girl, but her beautiful makeup at the Let's Be Cops Los Angeles premiere was no laughing matter. We adore her bold red lip, gorgeous pearlescent eyeshadow and thick liner.

9) Best hair/makeup combo

Jenna Ushkowitz

Photo credit: Valerie Macon/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty images

Jenna Ushkowitz gave us major hair/makeup envy at a recent event when she showed up with sideswept beachy waves, a frosty lip and gorgeous eye makeup.

10) Best fall makeup

Shay Mitchell

Photo credit: Brian To/WENN.com

Fall came a bit early when we spotted Shay Mitchell in this vampy lip color. The Pretty Little Liars actress paired her pretty pout with a gorgeous side braid and a lacy crop top/pencil skirt combo.

11) Best braid

Lucy Hale

Photo credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty images, Jason Merritt/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty images

Lucy Hale looked sweet and cool in a pretty plait at the Teen Choice Awards this month, and we instantly fell for the summery look.

12) Best summer glow

Julianne Hough

Photo credit: FayesVision/WENN.com

Isn't Julianne Hough absolutely glowing here? Seriously, the dancer and actress looked gorgeous with her bronzed, luminescent skin.

13) Best half updo

Heidi Klum

Photo credit: Alberto Reyes/WENN.com

Aww, so cute. Heidi Klum reached new heights with her adorable half updo at a taping for America’s Got Talent.

14) Best eye makeup

Bella Thorne

Photo credit: Apega/WENN.com

Bella Thorne never disappoints us when it comes to her sense of style or beauty, and the actress definitely caught our eye with this unique green eye makeup that complemented her pretty peepers.

15) Best bob

Zendaya

Photo credit: Brian To/WENN.com

Is this Zendaya or Rihanna? We had to do a double take when we saw the Disney star in her newly cropped, wavy bob. We think it's a definite win, don't you?

More celebrity beauty

Celeb Hairstyle of the Week
July's hottest celeb beauty looks
June's hottest celeb beauty looks

Jon Voight unaware of daughter Angelina Jolie's wedding

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The newlyweds said their "I dos" in a small chapel in the French village of Correns, and it has been reported that the couple's wedding was a small and intimate affair. And when we say small, it's not an exaggeration, because not even Jolie's father was on the guest list.

Angelina Jolie didn't tell her dad Jon Voight about her surgery >>

It's no secret that Jolie is not all that close with her dad, Jon Voight, but when Pitt and Jolie finally exchanged vows, the Ray Donovan actor had been in Los Angeles, California, attending the Variety and Women in Film Emmy Nominee event and the Television Academy's 66th Annual Emmy Awards Performers Nominee Reception.

So, what does Voight think about not being invited to his only daughter's wedding? He's really happy for her and Pitt!

Jon Voight blasts Penélope Cruz's "ignorant" Israel stance >>

"It sounds like it was a wonderful wedding. It must have been very beautiful with the kids participating. I know it was during Emmy weeks and they were able to do it very quietly," he told E! News in a statement on Thursday. "I'm very happy for them."

However, Voight still hasn't had a chance to wish them congratulations yet. "I haven't spoken [to them since they got married]," he revealed to Us Weekly. "No, I didn't know it was happening — it was Emmys week, so I wasn't able to go."

Apparently, the bride wore a very beautiful and traditional gown on her big day and, while the designer is yet to be confirmed, according to E! News, it was "very traditional, but very Angie."

"It was comfortable but plain white floor-length antique lace and silk," a source revealed.

Swearing toddler shocks viewers with her ice bucket challenge (VIDEO)

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The ice bucket challenge has proven to be wildly successful at raising money and awareness for ALS — and it's also become a massive social media trend. When a toddler saw ice bucket videos on her grandma's phone, she wanted to take part too, and when the resulting video was uploaded to Facebook and YouTube, people were outraged because the sweet little girl said a whopper of a cuss word.

Swearing toddler

Swearing toddler

Her grandma told the Birmingham Mail that they used warm water on the child (you can see there is no ice involved) and they were shocked when she shouted, "F**king 'ell!" at the end in her adorable little accent. Laughter breaks out, and the video cuts off.

They may have been surprised, but not quite as shocked as all the people watching and commenting on the video have been, however. Here are a few choice comments from the YouTube page:

"Is there anything more repulsive than a child swearing? But you cant blame her. People should have to pass a test before they are allowed to breed to see if they would make good parents. Obviously, the parents of this child would have failed."

"It's disgusting to hear a tiny child swearing. What's worse is the fact that someone has posted this video. Most people would be too embarrassed if they had any shame."

These selections go a bit deeper into the socio-economic and sexual future of this tiny tot:

"For those saying it ain't her parents fault, well clearly it is she's 3 she hasn't exactly got places to go has she? And her mother is 19. That shows what type of people they are. This girls going to be a slutty unemployed benefits scrounged and council estate chav just like her mother."

"what kind of parents dump cold water on a 2 year old? the kind of parents that swear alot in front of their 2 year old. girl's gonna be huffing paint from a paper bag in a gutter or getting her salad tossed for a tenner in 15 years."

I honestly don't see what the huge deal is. I don't think that cussing around kids is a sign of a terrible parent at all, and even the most ardent moms and dads can let one fly in moments of panic or pain. And kids parrot that stuff. For example, my eldest happily shouted, "Bull****!" in the middle of a restaurant when he was 2 years old. Does that make me a bad mom? No.

If your toddler goes around and does nothing but swear, then you'd probably need to make an effort to redirect his language, which this family claims they did after the fact. Don't be so harsh, people.

More parenting in the news

Mom calls 911 to free her child from a hot car, dispatcher hangs up (VIDEO)
No, Michelle Duggar, I'm not worried that transgender women are going to prey on my children
Mom develops Ignore No More app to punish kids who don't call back

Spruce up your porch with this stenciled 'welcome' planter

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Check out this easy tutorial on how to create a do-it-yourself stencil to turn an old galvanized bucket into a personalized planter that will create a warm welcome to your home for friends and family.

A Lo and Behold Life

Photo credit: A Lo and Behold Life

Let's start with your list of supplies:

  • Computer
  • Printer
  • Paper
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Chalk
  • Pencil and permanent marker
  • Drill with 3/8-inch drill bit
  • Large bucket
  • Weed block
  • Gravel
  • Potting soil
  • Potting shovel
  • Plant

Yep! That's it. Chances are you probably have most of this stuff lying around the house. OK, here we go...

First step: Get creative

You may think you need some fancy-schmancy editing software to create a stencil, but guess what? You don't! There are some great online photo editing tools at your fingertips for no cost at all. To create my planter stencil I used Ribbet.com. Follow these simple steps to get your stencil started.

  1. Go to Ribbet.com and upload an image.
  2. In the Editing tool, select the "Sticker" tab.
  3. In the left sidebar, select the square shape under the Geometric feature and drag it over the uploaded image.
  4. Change the color of the square to white in the "Sticker Properties" pop-up window and stretch the square over the entire image.

A Lo and Behold Life

Photo credit: A Lo and Behold Life

Ribbet has all sorts of great image icons and fonts to choose from. It also allows you to upload your own fonts into the tool. For my stencil I chose one of my favorite fonts, Petunia Bounce. In the Editing tool, select the "Text" tab. Choose a font and add your text to the image.

Since my stencil was being used for a large bucket, I wanted to make the font as large as possible. Because of this I created two separate images — one image for the first few letters of "Welcome" and one image for the last four letters. Then I printed both images onto paper, trimmed it with some scissors and taped it together to create my "Welcome" stencil.

A Lo and Behold Life

Photo credit: A Lo and Behold Life

Second step: Get chalky and Sharpie with it

  1. Take the stencil and rub chalk onto the back side of the paper.
  2. Tape the paper stencil chalk-side down onto the bucket and trace each letter with a pencil.
  3. When you remove the paper stencil you'll see that the pressure from the pencil creates a faint template of the font.

A Lo and Behold Life

Photo credit: A Lo and Behold Life

You can trace the chalk template with whatever you want to use to create your message. I used a black Sharpie marker, but you could use any color marker or even a cool paint.

A Lo and Behold Life

Photo credit: A Lo and Behold Life

Third step: Get planted

Now it's time to turn your bucket into a planter.

  1. Mark the bottom of the bucket with X's where the drainage points should be.
  2. Drill holes into the X's with a 3/8-inch drill bit.
  3. Flip the bucket over and lay a sheet of weed block inside. This will prevent any gravel or dirt from seeping out when the plant is watered.
  4. Add a layer of gravel to enable proper drainage.
  5. Add a layer of potting soil over the gravel.
  6. Place the plant into the bucket and fill the spaces with more potting soil.

A Lo and Behold Life

Photo credit: A Lo and Behold Life

Fourth step: Get fed

Lastly, give your new plant a refreshing drink of water.

A Lo and Behold Life

Photo credit: A Lo and Behold Life

Whether you're a beginner or an expert DIYer, this planter is a great way to personalize your front entry. Get ready to greet your guests with a warm "Welcome" without even answering the door.

A Lo and Behold Life

Photo credit: A Lo and Behold Life

More planter ideas

10 Surprising things you can make into flowerpots
Update your outdoor lighting with lanterns
5 Unusual garden planters


Young Jeezy pleads not guilty following illegal weapons arrest

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Rap icon Tupac Shakur's controversial last words are revealed >>

A spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney's Office made the statement regarding the rapper's plea, which was entered on Tuesday.

The rapper, whose real name in Jay Wayne Jenkins, and fellow tour bus members, Kena Marshall, Peter Maynard, David Kuniansky-Altman, William Gilmore and Alexa Beason, were arrested for illegal gun possession after police searched their tour bus and found an AK-47 inside.

The search followed a shooting that took the life of 38-year-old Eric Johnson backstage at a Wiz Khalifa concert in Mountain View, California. Johnson was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead. He had reportedly sustained multiple bullet wounds.

Suge Knight shot multiple times at Chris Brown's VMAs party >>

Young Jeezy co-headlined Khalifa's Under the Influence tour.

Police said Young Jeezy and the others arrested are being cooperative. As of now, they are not being charged in the murder and are not said to be suspects in the shooting.

Authorities are still searching for a suspect in the shooting. According to Rolling Stone, witnesses reported the shooter used a black handgun with a large clip.

Ellen Barkin hates NYPD after protest arrests >>

All Hip Hop reports bail is set at $1 million. It has yet to be paid, so Young Jeezy remains behind bars. A hearing is scheduled to take place Sept. 5 following the rapper's plea to charges.

This is far from the first time Young Jeezy has been arrested and it's also not the first time he's been arrested for firearms-related charges. At the beginning of this year, Young Jeezy was arrested for beating and threatening to kill his teenage son. The rapper was also arrested and charged in 2005 with two counts of carrying a concealed weapon, though charges were later dropped for lack of evidence.

Young Jeezy and his reps have yet to comment publicly on the most recent charges. Though Young Jeezy is behind bars, his Twitter still remains active promoting his latest album, Seen It All.

Sweet & spicy shrimp sliders piled high with creamy cole slaw

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These gems will be the life of the party when served as an appetizer. Just make the shrimp and slaw ahead of time, and assemble the sliders before serving. I like to add a few sprigs of cilantro and extra shrimp on the serving plate to jazz up the presentation.

Sweet and spicy shrimp and slaw sliders recipe

Sweet-and-spicy shrimp and slaw sliders recipe

Yields 5

Ingredients:

For the sweet-and-spicy shrimp

  • 20 medium-size raw shrimp, deveined, tails off
  • 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce (add more to increase the heat)
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 drizzles olive oil
  • 4 additional medium-size raw shrimp, deveined, tails off (optional for garnish)

For the slaw

  • 2 cups shredded green cabbage
  • 1 green onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrot
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 3 dashes salt
  • 3 dashes ground black pepper

For the sliders

  • Sweet-and-spicy shrimp
  • Slaw
  • 5 soft Hawaiian rolls
  • 4 sprigs cilantro (optional for garnish)
  • 4 sweet-and-spicy shrimp (optional for garnish)

Directions:

For the sweet-and-spicy shrimp

  1. To a small bowl, add the Sriracha sauce and honey. Whisk together.
  2. Heat a medium-size skillet on medium heat.
  3. Add the olive oil to the pan.
  4. Add the shrimp, and top with the Sriracha-and-honey sauce.
  5. Stir together until the shrimp are cooked, about 3 to 4 minutes.

For the slaw

  1. To a bowl, add all the ingredients, and stir them together.

For the sliders

  1. Cut the rolls in half widthwise, and lay each piece faceup.
  2. Top the bottom sides of the bread with slaw.
  3. Top the slaw with 4 pieces of shrimp.
  4. Add the top piece of the bun, and serve.
  5. Optional: Garnish the serving plate with additional pieces of cooked sweet-and-spicy shrimp and sprigs of cilantro.

More shrimp recipes

Shrimp cakes with lemon mayonnaise
Lemongrass shrimp skewers

Cajun shrimp pizza

5 Seconds of Summer bassist reveals 6 seconds of boner

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The 18-year-old musician decided to post a (NSFW) nude video of himself on Snapchat. Snapchat supposedly deletes the sent message after 10 seconds. In reality, the social media site doesn't really delete them, they hide them on your phone. Any tech-savvy person can retrieve the photos and post them without your consent.

Who is 5 Seconds of Summer? 5 Things to know >>

So the recipient of Hood's video recorded the incriminating evidence and then posted it on Vine for the entire world to see. It shows the Australian singer slowly pulling down his underwear to reveal his erect penis. The anonymous poster captioned the video, "CALUMS DICK IM SCREAMING #calumhood #5sos #calumsdick2k14 #calumsnudes"

Hood admitted that the video was of him with a series of humorous tweets. He handled the PR debacle like a pro.

Calum Hood tweets about his nude video

Calum Hood tweets about his nude video

Calum Hood tweets about his nude video 2

Calum Hood tweets about his nude video 2

2014 VMAs red carpet was full of '90s throwback fashion >>

Even his bandmates got in on the joke. Michael Clifford tweeted that he found nudes of fellow group member Luke Hemmings. Instead, it was a nude man asleep with pizza in his hand.

Michael Clifford jokes about Calum Hood's nude video

Michael Clifford jokes about Calum Hood's nude video

The 5 Seconds of Summer fans responded with nothing but love and support for Hood. They got the hashtag #WeLoveYouCalum trending worldwide.

The group has found international fame after opening for One Direction in Australia last year. Their hit single "She Looks So Perfect" has been a huge success for them as well.

Now let's hope Hood learned his hard lesson quickly.

Can you really be pregnant without knowing it?

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It's hard to ignore pregnancy symptoms

Although every pregnancy is different, the idea that someone can claim, "I didn't know I was pregnant" seems shocking to me. How could she have missed the signs of pregnancy? Did she chalk up midnight cravings for weird food to quirkiness? Goodness knows I felt every pinch, cramp and wave of nausea through both of my pregnancies. Yet, women still claim to have gone nine months without knowing they're knocked up. But I, for one, am a skeptic despite the studies supporting this outlandish claim.

Find out how this clever mom hid her pregnancy >> 

Nine months pregnant without knowing

A story ran on Independent.co.uk in April 2014 about a 20-year-old girl named Sophie Aldridge who had nary an inkling that she had a bun in the oven before she gave birth. Caitlin Beckner of XOJane.com wrote that she didn't know she was with child until six months along. There's even an entire TV series on Discovery Fit and Health called I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant featuring women who were surprised to give birth.

So, I guess it's not too big of a pill to swallow that in 2002, the British Medical Journal (BMJ) touched on a study that one in 475 births in Berlin during one year were undetected in the first twenty weeks. And, in the same publication year, BMJ reported that one in 300 to 600 women in the Berlin metropolitan area alone denied they were pregnant for nine long months until just before or during labor. But, in 2011, the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine marked the mystery pregnancy numbers closer to one in 2,500. Even if those numbers were one in a billion, can a surprise pregnancy go undetected through term?

"No, not really!" asserts Dr. Draion M. Burch, D.O. "You will definitely feel the baby move. Even if in denial, you can't ignore that sign."

Pregnancy denial may be the cause

Dr. Bruce B. Lee attributes claims of being pregnant without knowing during early pregnancy to minimal or missing symptoms like missed periods. "However, in some cases, intense conflict regarding pregnancy and other external stresses may produce a state of denial that may continue until birth. Women with denial of this magnitude are in need of a highly coordinated health care approach in order to adequately address their social, emotional and psychological needs," advises Dr. Lee. That would explain how a woman could be pregnant without knowing it, or rather, admitting it to herself.

Learn why every mom should try a barre workout >> 

Although I understand how surprise pregnancies can go undetected in early months, I'm still a doubter when it comes to claims that you can really be pregnant without knowing it. I just send out hopes for those women and their babies that they both make it through pregnancy and delivery healthy and without complication, even when those new moms claim, "I didn't know I was pregnant."

Get more pregnancy tips and advice

Safe hair removal during pregnancy
Many women still smoke while pregnant
Maternal morbidity on the rise in the U.S.

Hayao Miyazaki to be one of 2014 Honorary Oscars recipients

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The Honorary Oscar statues will be presented on Nov. 8 at the 6th Annual Governors Awards ceremony at Hollywood & Highland. The Governors Awards "honor extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or for outstanding service to the Academy," the Academy states.

Hollywood's humanitarians: How Jordana Brewster "Paws It Forward" for National Pet Month >>

The board voted on Tuesday and this year's results acknowledge a particularly diverse group including French screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière, who shared an Oscar with Pierre Étaix for the short film Heureux Anniversaire (Happy Anniversary) in 1962, Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, who is known as the Walt Disney of Japan and won an Oscar in 2003 for his film Spirited Away, and Irish screen siren Maureen O'Hara, who starred in The Hunchback of Notre Dame among many other films.

Hollywood's humanitarians: Jesse Tyler Ferguson teams up to fight hunger >>

Other recipients include social activist Harry Belafonte, who will be awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which is awarded to "an individual in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry.” The same award went to Angelina Jolie last year for her humanitarian efforts.

"The Governors Awards allow us to reflect upon not the year in film, but the achievements of a lifetime,” said Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs. "We're absolutely thrilled to honor these outstanding members of our global filmmaking community and look forward to celebrating with them in November."

Congratulations to the recipients of this year's Governors Awards.

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