I had no idea how easy making homemade butter would be. I always imagined sitting there, churning butter for hours, and then ending up with only a sad resemblance of what I consider good butter. I was wrong. Making butter in your stand mixer takes just around 30 minutes, and it tastes better than any butter I can buy in the store. I lightly salted mine with some good sea salt, but you can throw in any seasoning or herbs, like garlic salt, thyme, rosemary, etc.

To start off, all you need is a 5-quart stand mixer and some cold, heavy whipping cream. I kept some Fleur de Sel sea salt nearby because I knew I wanted to salt my butter after it was made.

Pour your cream into the bowl of your mixer, and start beating the cream on medium-high speed. I like to put my splatter protector on my bowl, turn it sideways and seal the back opening up with plastic wrap. During the beginning stages of butter-making, it does not splatter too much, but later in the process, it can get messy.

Best to keep that bowl wrapped up.

After about 5 minutes, you will see the cream start to thicken up, and soft peaks will start to form. If you're not sure what soft peaks look like, check it out above. You see how the little top of the cream sorta falls over? That is a soft peak.

As you keep beating, the cream will start to thicken, and the soft peaks will give way to thick, whipped cream. At this point, the mixture will still be creamy, and you should not see any liquid.

As you beat the cream, it will start to look yellow (like butter), and you will start to notice liquid in the bowl. The whipped cream has now broken down, and you have butter and buttermilk. Keep beating until you get a totally broken-down mixture.

You can see how there is a lot of liquid in the bowl and small clusters of butter that will stick together when pressed together.

I put a strainer into a bowl (for the sake of the photos), but if you're doing this at home, I would suggest putting your strainer into your sink. Dump your mixture into the strainer and, using your hands (freshly washed!), start kneading the mixture together while lightly pressing it against the strainer. No need to be rough; you're just trying to press out any extra buttermilk.

Turn on your cold water, run the butter under the water, and smooth it into a ball. Since you're using cold water, the butter will not melt. You're simply rinsing off the buttermilk, which helps keep the butter from spoiling too fast.

Add the washed-off butter to a small bowl, top with sea salt (if desired), and work it into the butter by hand.

To store the butter, simply wrap it in plastic wrap, and keep it in the fridge for up to a week — if it lasts that long.

How to make homemade butter (in a stand mixer)

Yields 1 pound

Ingredients:

• 6 cups cold heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons sea salt

Directions:

1. To the bowl of an electric mixer, add the heavy cream. Add the splatter guard to the bowl, and plastic-wrap any openings. This will help cut down on splatter.
2. Beat on medium-high speed for about 15 minutes, until it has gone through the following steps: soft peaks, fully whipped and broken down. The butter is ready when it's yellow in color and you have lots of liquid in the bowl and butter that holds together when pressed.
3. Strain out the liquid, and press out any remaining buttermilk in the butter. Run the butter under cold water, shape it into a ball, and place it into a small bowl.
4. Top the butter with salt, and knead it into the butter until the salt is evenly distributed.
5. Wrap the butter in plastic wrap, and keep it for up to a week in the refrigerator.

More how-to recipes

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I love cupcakes as much as everyone else, but every once in awhile, you have to change things up a bit. For these fun "cupcake" pops, all you need is a madeleine baking pan, ice pop sticks, some food coloring, white chocolate and your favorite sprinkles.

In case you're not familiar with madeleines, they are little buttery clouds of goodness that are part cake and part cookie. They are so good that pans were invented to make them. I thought the traditional shell shape of these cookies would also make perfect little cupcakes.

Mix up the batter, and tint it with your favorite colors. This will look like the cupcake liners.

Colored batter can be added to ziplock bags to pipe the lines or other design.

After they are baked and have cooled, add an ice pop stick to the madeleines, dip the tops into melted white chocolate (or regular chocolate would be fun too), and top them with fun sprinkles. Don't forget to add a "cherry" on top!

Madeleine cupcake pops can be wrapped up and given out as cute party favors too. Make some for your next celebration.

Madeleine cookie cupcake pops recipe

Yields18

Ingredients:

To make the madeleines

• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• Food gel colors

To make the pops

• 18 ice pop or cake pop sticks
• 1 cup white chocolate or candy melts
• Assorted sprinkles
• Red round candies

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Spray a madeleine pan with nonstick cooking spray.
3. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs and vanilla for 5 minutes.
4. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until thick and satiny.
5. Sift the flour with the baking powder, and add 1/2 to the egg-vanilla mixture. Once combined, add the second 1/2 of the flour mixture.
6. Fold in the melted (cooled) butter.
7. Separate the batter equally into 3 bowls.
8. Add food gel to each bowl until you get the desired color.
9. Add each color to a ziplock bag. Snip off a small corner, and pipe lines (or the desired design) into each madeleine cavity.
10. Bake the madeleines for 7 to 8 minutes, until just done. Check them to make sure the edges do not over-brown.
11. Melt the white chocolate in the microwave in 20-second intervals until just melted.
12. Dip the pop stick into the chocolate, and then insert it into the bottom of the madeleine. Let harden (place in the refrigerator for 5 minutes to speed up the hardening process).
13. Dip the tops of the madeleines into the chocolate, and use a knife to spread it if needed (this should look like cupcake frosting).
14. While the cupcake pops are still wet, add sprinkles and then a candy "cherry" on top.
15. Let the chocolate harden for about 45 minutes at room temperature or 10 minutes in the refrigerator.

More fun food crafts

No-bake hamburger sandwich cookies
Rice bowl cupcakes
Homemade cocktail "critters"

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It's not every day when you get an eerie feeling that things are about to change. Aries people aren't naturally precognitive. You tend to be more in the moment and off the cuff. Nevertheless you will get certain vibes on Sept. 16 and Sept. 19 that somebody somehow will soon be coming into your life. Maybe you're becoming psychic after all or maybe you're finally picking up on those glances that you've been getting from that guy at the gym. In any case you stand at the brink of what could turn into one of the most exciting romances in years.

Up next: Taurus horoscope >>

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First you said you'd never fall in love again. And that didn't last for very long. Then you vowed that you would never pin your hopes on one guy and that you would play the field. Well, that got old pretty quick. Now the Venus/Saturn sextile on Sept. 21 shows you getting ready to open your heart and commit to that fellow you've been seeing. Are you making a mistake? Nope. You were born under Venus, the planet of pairing up in astrology. You don't live the single life for very long. Not if you can help it.

Up next: Gemini horoscope >>

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When did you become so jaded? That's what you'll be wondering on Sept. 15 when the last quarter moon shines its light into a secret chamber of your heart and you discover that some romantic arteries have hardened over time. You may have good reason to be on the defensive. The history of your love life hasn't been easy. But you're never going to enjoy the kind of intimacy you crave if you don't drain the moat and lower the drawbridge. It's time to let him in so that you can get that blood pumping and circulating again.

Up next: Cancer horoscope >>

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You're under the impression that your emotional life is on display for all the world to see. It's why you approach matters of the heart surreptitiously. Well, you may feel dangerously exposed, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact you are such an expert at camouflage that it could be argued that you've covered your traces too well. It's time to make your hidden feelings known about a certain someone. Otherwise he's going to pass in and out of your life without ever knowing that you harbored the same feelings toward him that he felt about you.

Up next: Leo horoscope >>

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It will be hard to keep a grip on your heart when adventurous Mars squares Neptune on Sept. 21. This is one of astrology's most romantic planetary combinations and you'll want to follow this new love of yours wherever he wants to go. Thank heavens he's equally smitten with you! However, Neptune in Pisces points to certain undisclosed and inconvenient truths like a wife in another city, mounting credit card debt or a certain dysfunction that begins with the letter "e." Even if these aren't deal-breakers, you'll still want to take things one day at a time.

Up next: Virgo horoscope >>

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So how is it you can be friends with fellows who have really wonderful qualities — like a good income, shared interests, a great sense of humor — but the guys you fall in love with inevitably wind up being heartbreakers or losers? Well, this might be the week when you consider reversing the equation. Your male friends may not be the hottest beefcakes in the world, but there may be other qualities that are more suitable for a long-term relationship. You're not settling for second best if you're waking up in the morning next to someone you truly enjoy.

Up next: Libra horoscope >>

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People born under Libra are often accused of being unable to make up their minds. It's why others assume that you're easily confused or wishy-washy. Nothing could be further from the truth. The story is that once you make a commitment, then you expect it to last forever. Your word is your bond, which is why you will weigh all of the pros and cons of being in a relationship before you pledge yourself to it. Venus in studious Virgo has allowed you to collect all the pertinent information. You'll be ready to render your verdict on Sept. 21.

Up next: Scorpio horoscope >>

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Why is it that men fall hopelessly in love with you right when you're hopelessly in love with someone else? Is this the universe's idea of a cruel joke or is it meant to teach you something? The Venus/Saturn sextile on Sept. 21 shows a second fellow taking up the third point on a romantic triangle. You could use him to make the guy you're seeing jealous or you might want to change your status to "open relationship" just to see how things develop. It all depends on the state of affairs in your love life right now.

Up next: Sagittarius horoscope >>

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The last quarter moon in Gemini on Sept. 15 will act as a much-needed reality check. It won't be easy taking responsibility for your part in things, but that's what you need to do if you want to escape your never-ending cycle of boom-and-bust affairs. You tend to praise your lover to the high heavens when things go well and then heap all the blame on him when things go south. Somewhere between the two extremes lies the truth. The sooner you identify it, the sooner you can start being an equal partner in your relationship.

Up next: Capricorn horoscope >>

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There are two things you might find appealing about starting a long-distance relationship. The first is that he won't be underfoot every hour of the day. You don't have to worry about coordinating schedules if he lives in a different state or country. Secondly you get to travel to see him. This gives you something to look forward to. You can go and be someplace completely different where you can have quality time together and unwind. Obviously you won't want to live like this forever, but this may be exactly what you need right now.

Up next: Aquarius horoscope >>

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You tend to compartmentalize people. You'll only talk to a friend about friend stuff, a lover about love stuff, a colleague about business stuff, etc. You have a go-to person for every want or need. However, remembering who you talk to about what can get mentally taxing and emotionally exhausting as you'll find out this week when you inadvertently blur the boundaries. And this might not be such a bad thing. You may discover that there's more dimension to the people in your life than you allow for and this could wind up making a world of difference.

Up next: Pisces horoscope >>

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You want the best for your loved one. Everyone wants things to turn out splendidly for the person they care about. The deeper the feeling, the more important this person's happiness becomes. However, there is such a thing as too much self-sacrifice. The Mars/Neptune square on Sept. 21 could prompt you to go overboard and to give away things that you shouldn't be giving away. It's a good time to remember that wanting the best for someone goes both ways. Anyone who truly loves you wouldn't ask you to do anything that would jeopardize your own happiness.

More horoscopes

Your weekly horoscope

Yes, spambots on Instagram want to steal your identity, and here's how it works. Instagram spambots have figured out how to avert on-site spam filters without detection. These new spambots are creating brand-new user accounts that replicate actual Instagram usernames, images and photo captions.

These impostor accounts are hard to detect with the naked eye — until you take a closer look. Why are spambots going to all this trouble? What do they have to gain by duplicating an existing user's Instagram account?

Business Insider explains, "It's likely that these spam accounts are part of a black market for people that pay for fake followers. It's a trend that occurs across social media platforms: Users pay for followers for any number of reasons — to make themselves look more credible, perhaps, or just to make their 'cool ratio' more favorable."

You are being used and exploited by spambots on Instagram, and you may not even know it. One of the first warning signs of this spam infiltration is likely to be the re-tagging of a friend through the duplicate spam account. Your friend may ask you why they were tagged twice, when they were actually tagged once by you and once by the spambot impostor. If you know what to look for, it is easy to put the pieces together.

These spambots may be stealthy, but they really aren't that smart. Spambot copycats normally follow thousands of users with very few followers of their own. Spammers take the easy way out by mimicking thousands of existing Instagram accounts to grow followers and likes, thus increasing their sale value.

What's your face worth on the Instagram black market? The Verge estimates that, "Fake Instagram followers can be bought in bulk. Prices range from $3 per 100 to $3 per 1,000, depending on the source. There is a similar market for Instagram likes."

It is unsettling to think that every picture, caption and tag you post could be used for profit. But no need to shut down your account just yet. Take this warning to heart, and keep your eyes open. If you find a duplicate account, then take action. Instagram will require a copy of your government ID to prove your identity to shut the copycat account down.

If you want to reduce your social media footprint altogether, then there's always door number two: Set your Instagram profile to "Private," and spambots can't see you.

More on social media

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There's nothing more frustrating than a flight delay. You've taken off work, driven to the airport, paid for parking and waited for hours — just to have your Thanksgiving travel delayed further. But as any savvy traveler knows, there's more than one way to skin a cat. The only smart way to travel during the holiday season is to avoid peak dates and book in the "dead zones" instead.

What is a holiday dead zone? Dead zones describe the extra-special holiday deals that can be found lurking in the most expensive travel months of the year — November through January. According to ABC News, the term dead zone may be "ecological in origin, referring to low-oxygen areas in oceans and lakes, airlines also experience periods when they're gasping for passengers. When no one wants to fly, ticket prices nosedive."

If you don't want to spend hours in holiday traffic on the way to the airport only to get bumped from your flight at the last minute, then listen up. There are three dead zones you need to know about this holiday season.

November

You may have to sacrifice Thanksgiving dinner with Grandma, but you can save a serious chunk of change when you fly the first two weeks in November instead. ABC News says that this dead zone "abuts the most expensive and most popular few days to fly in the U.S., that being the Thanksgiving holiday period."

Pro tip: Fly before Turkey Day or not at all.

December

The December dead zone starts in the two weeks after Thanksgiving flights have died down, normally extending through to Dec. 17. Most travelers don't want to fly right after Thanksgiving and may be saving travel miles and cash for a Christmas flight.

Pro tip: Combine your Thanksgiving and Christmas travel into one cheap trip in late November or early December.

January

After the confetti falls on New Year's Eve, January is a big, fat stretch of nothing. The biggest dead zone of the entire year occurs from Jan. 7 through to early February.

Pro tip: Delay your big holiday trip, and book rock-bottom prices in a month when no one else wants to fly. Bonus: You might even get a row of seats to yourself.

More on travel

Seriously, Malaysia Airlines? You asked customers about their bucket lists?
You're paying too much for airfare if you don't use this booking tip
3 Myths about airline travel you shouldn't buy into

Apple cider margarita recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons coarse sugar
• 3 tablespoons cane sugar
• 3 tablespoons cinnamon
• Orange wedges
• 1 cup ice, plus more for serving
• 2 ounces orange juice
• 12 ounces apple cider
• 2 ounces Grand Marnier
• 2 ounces gold tequila
• Orange peels, for garnish

Directions:

1. Combine the sugars and cinnamon on a plate.
2. Rim a glass with an orange wedge.
3. Dip the glass into the sugar-cinnamon mixture.
4. To a shaker, add the ice. Add the orange juice, apple cider, Grand Marnier and tequila.
5. Shake.
6. Strain into the sugar-rimmed glass with ice.
7. Garnish with an orange peel.

For more fruit-inspired recipes

Kanye West: The skin-crawling interview with W magazine >>

"Oops" doesn't really cover it. In fact, according to reports, West didn't even apologize.

During his show, he reportedly told the crowd, "I can't do this song. I can't do this show until everybody stands up... Unless you got a handicap pass and you get special parking and shit. Imma see you if you ain't standing up, believe me, I'm very good at that."

West, true to his word, began calling out fans who weren't up on their feet and dancing. In fact, he stopped the show entirely.

Kanye West shows his softer side on Kris: "I love this woman" >>

"There's two people left. They don't want to stand up," West continued, harping on it as the crowd booed and some chanted, "Stand up! Stand up!"

The first raised her prosthetic limb to prove she was, in fact, one of those exempt.

"Okay, you fine," West said after the girl had apparently proven herself.

He then moved on to the next seated fan. He stopped during his performance of "The Good Life," calling out the the concertgoer: "This is the longest I've had to wait to do a song. It's unbelievable!"

Kanye West is a vampire, internet rules >>

According to The Daily Beast, since the fan couldn't exactly hold up his wheelchair, the crowd nearby was trying to signal to the rapper that the seated person couldn't, in fact, stand. West didn't catch on.

Instead, he sent his bodyguard into the crowd to confirm. "He is in a wheelchair? It's fine."

Now, we know West is arrogant, but this is a major foot-in-mouth moment that got many onlookers talking on social media.

On the upside, at least we know West is a man of his word.

You can watch the full concert incident go down in the video below.

Daniele Watts took to Facebook on Thursday to express her outrage at being handcuffed and detained by police, who assumed she was a prostitute when they saw the African American actress giving her white husband affection in public, according to Watts.

The reasons the Jill Scott tweets are making me hate the internet >>

"Today I was handcuffed and detailed by 2 police officers from the Studio City Police Department after refusing to agree that I had done something wrong by showing affection, fully clothed, in a public place," Watts explained in her lengthy Facebook post, which detailed the incident.

Because Watts refused to produce identification proving who she was, she was handcuffed and put in the back of a police car until officers could verify her identity. Once they did, she was quickly released.

Watts, who is most known for her role in Django Unchained, even has pictures to back up her claim. In one image, she can be seen crying up against a police car in handcuffs.

Watts's husband, chef Brian James Lucas, also took to Facebook to back up his wife's claims. He has pictures of the cuts on her wrists, which he explains were caused by the handcuffs and the police officer's rough handling.

Lucas later updated his Facebook page to say that Good Morning America would possibly be filming a segment with the couple regarding the incident. CNN is also planning to interview the two.

Watts's experience with police closely follows another detainment in which California police officers held African American television producer Charles Belk on his way to a pre-Emmy Awards party. Belk said he was treated unfairly because he fit a certain description.

Django Unchained movie review: Bold and bloody >>

Meanwhile, an LAPD public information officer said they didn't have a record of the incident with Watts and her husband because neither were arrested or brought to the station for questioning, according to Variety.

We're going to go ahead and say those pictures didn't just come out of nowhere, so the Los Angeles Police Department better get its investigation together and quick.

Martha Stewart vs. Gwyneth Paltrow

It would appear that the queen of all things domestic (Martha Stewart) doesn't appreciate actresses doubling as domestic divas. The New York Post's Page Six blog reports that in an interview with Net-a-Porter's Porter magazine, Martha got mouthy about the actress everyone loves to hate. "She just needs to be quiet. She's a movie star," Stewart told the mag. But then the gloves really came off when she continued, "If she were confident in her acting, she wouldn't be trying to be Martha Stewart." Me-ow, Martha.

Gwyneth Paltrow consciously uncoupling from Kabbalah >> 

Don't feel bad, Gwynnie. The media empress and ex-con also threw shade at Orange Is the New Black. "They could have done that so much better. That girl [Taylor] is not good enough, the lead actress," Stewart said. So it's not OK for Paltrow to branch out into domestic matters, but it's OK for Stewart to act like a casting director?

Orange Is the New Black: 5 Reasons the real Larry beats the fictional one >>

Giuliana Rancic vs. Ariana Grande

The usually sweet and funny E! host and reality TV star Giuliana Rancic dropped her guard for a few seconds to give us some diva dirt on Ariana Grande. Rumors have been swirling for weeks that Grande may be getting, well, a little too grand for her britches. Rancic goes on to to describe a red carpet interview where the young songstress was given the boot from her favorite side of the camera (one she says she fought 13 years for) to make room for Grande, who wanted Rancic's left side for herself.

Ariana Grande fires back at diva demand rumors >>

Rancic delivers the real (and justified) zinger when she compares Grande to Mariah Carey. "I just felt like it's one thing if it's Mariah, you know, I'll get on any side, I'll bend down, I'll climb a ladder, whatever it takes to get Mariah to do an interview. But when you're new on the block, when you're trying to earn your stripes, you're young, you just gotta do what you gotta do, try to get a great reputation, try to go overboard to please people." Preach, Giuliana.

Mayim Bialik vs. Ariana Grande

Well, little Miss Grande is making friends everywhere she goes, isn't she? Mayim Bialik is annoyed with her, too, though it has nothing to do with Grande's diva antics. In a blog post Bialik wrote for Kveller.com, the Big Bang Theory star laments, "There is one [billboard] for Ariana Grande, and I will go ahead and admit I have no idea who she is or what she does. Based on the billboard, she sells lingerie. Or stiletto heels." Can we pause here to say we love, love, love it when a huge star (yeah, Bialik has done and said some questionable things herself, but still) says they have no idea who another star is? That is just some good s*** right there. Especially when the star being dissed (and summarily dismissed) is at the height of pop culture. Love it.

Bialik isn't quite done with her rant, however. She goes on to say, "But I just don't understand why this is what ads need to look like. What good does it do for humanity or society? Why do I have to be OK with young women literally in lingerie on gigantic billboards? If I want to see women in lingerie, I can walk through any mall with a Victoria's Secret." Good point. We wonder who Grande will annoy next.

For those of us residing in everyday America — the vast regions of the nation where people work hard, pay their bills and try to be good parents — Miley Cyrus is akin to the Antichrist. The mere mention of her name (or Justin's Bieber's) will be answered with an audible groan, followed occasionally by a brief diatribe about how she represents everything that is wrong with America — entitlement, instant gratification and a general we-do-what-we-want-with-little-regard-for-others attitude.

Miley Cyrus naked ah-gain: 5 Times we needed her to get dressed >>

So we get in a groove where it's easy to hate on Cyrus. She bugs us with her hair-turned-devil-horns, she offends us with her soft porn displays on stage and she gets under our skin with her attention-getting stunts on social media.

We can't see Miley Cyrus past her twerking >>

But then once in a very great while — perhaps twice a year — she reminds us that she has talent. Real f***ing talent. That is exactly what she did Friday night when she released a lo-fi recording of Led Zeppelin's ”Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You” (which Cyrus re-named ”Baby, I'm Gonna Leave You".) Cyrus has got balls of steel to tackle such an iconic cult classic. There is no faster way for an already scorned musician to open himself or herself to ridicule than to take on a legendary rock 'n' roll tune. That is just inviting criticism. So, we hand it to Miley for having the stones to record this song in the first place.

Now we're annoyed for a different reason: She killed it. She absolutely nailed it. It's gritty, soulful — and in places, beautiful. Wouldn't the world be a better place if Cyrus made more headlines for knocking our socks off with recordings like this and fewer headlines for going out in public in nipple pasties? Take a listen to this recording, via MTV.

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It’s in your nature to tackle challenges and to fly to the rescue of people in need. You were born under the superhero sign of the zodiac. However, it’s not always clear when you’re taking on a worthwhile cause or when you are tilting at windmills — especially when Mars squares illusory Neptune on Sept. 21. This is why you will want to ask a few questions before you leap into the fray. You may find that your worries were unfounded and that the people you think are in distress are perfectly able to take care of themselves.

Up next: Taurus horoscope >>

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It’s one thing to wish that you could work with someone who truly gets the way you think and it’s quite another to deal with the reality of someone who does. Propitious planetary aspects this week show you meeting your match, and it may prove disconcerting. Not only will you feel challenged, but you’ll also feel like you’re not as on top of your game as you should be. Don’t get defensive or insecure. Instead, use this opportunity to brush up your skills. Someone pushing you to be the best that you can be is a good thing.

Up next: Gemini horoscope >>

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It isn’t easy dealing with lesser lights. It’s annoying to have to repeat yourself, to walk people through the basic steps of their jobs or to try to look interested while a superior drones on and on. You’re so much smarter than everyone else, and that gap is driving you crazy. Nevertheless, they occupy positions of authority right now, so you have to be on your best behavior. This means practicing extreme patience, tact and diplomacy. Think of it as a character building exercise. It will also help you to get what you want in the end.

Up next: Cancer horoscope >>

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Once again it looks like you’re packing up your things and moving on. Before you do, you should ask yourself if you’re leaving on the best terms possible. In an ideal world, we would all say our good-byes in the same positive spirit in which we first said hello. It isn’t always possible, but in those situations where it is, you should strive for that. It’s much better than sneaking out the backstairs or departing in a huff. The world gets smaller every day. You never know when you might see each other further down the road.

Up next: Leo horoscope >>

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The Sun in Virgo heightens both your intellectual and intuitive abilities. You are smarter and quicker than usual. This will come in handy on Sept. 15 when the last quarter Moon in Gemini shows that you’re in danger of missing out on a unique opportunity. Perhaps you just missed the deadline, don’t exactly fit the profile or maybe there’s a cut-off number for applicants. Don’t be discouraged. You want to keep looking for a way in because you will find it. Planetary energies show that there’s a place for you, even if all the seats are taken.

Up next: Virgo horoscope >>

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Self-sufficiency is your credo. You don't believe in handouts; you believe that each of us is in charge of his or her own health and wealth. Right now a loved one is struggling. Maybe he’s been kicked around too many times, rejected or thrown for a loop. You’re afraid that he’s given up, and it’s freaking you out. Remember the phrase: Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day; teach him to fish, and he’ll eat forever? Show your loved one how he can help himself, and he’ll be back on his feet in no time.

Up next: Libra horoscope >>

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Partnership is important to you. You like to do things in pairs, and you won’t tackle anything alone if given a choice. However, the success of a partnership depends on the two people involved. The current Mars/Neptune square is giving you reason for doubt. What boggles the mind is how someone who is so wise and insightful about others can be so utterly clueless when it comes to himself. You were willing to forgive a lot before, but this consistent inability (or unwillingness?) to learn from past mistakes is making you question the feasibility of your future.

Up next: Scorpio horoscope >>

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More money’s going out than coming in as long as Mars is in Sagittarius. It would be nice to justify it by saying that you are paying down debts, but the truth is you just want to spend. And the more expensive the big-ticket item, the better! Since you won’t be able to help yourself (your irrepressible days are Sept. 21, Oct. 8 and Oct. 11), you might as well purchase the things you truly want. There’s no sense in choosing quantity over quality when you’re going to binge like this. And for heaven’s sake, enjoy yourself.

Up next: Sagittarius horoscope >>

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Why is it that whenever you struggle free of your dysfunctional family, they inevitably find a way to pull you back in? That’s the question you’ll be asking this weekend when Mars squares Neptune in that part of your solar chart that pertains to hearth and home. This is when that black sheep makes a surprise reappearance, your dad does that very thing you warned him not to do or hostilities resume between two feuding in-laws who recently announced a truce. You’ll say it’s not your job to clean up after their messes, but guess what? It is.

Up next: Capricorn horoscope >>

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There’s always room for improvement, and this week you’ll be thinking about brushing up on your game. You’re already pretty adept at what you do (Capricorns pride themselves on being outstanding in their fields); however, you could do better. That formula for success is starting to look formulaic. You might consider going back to school or enrolling in a series of workshops or online courses. Your mind is very open to new approaches and different ideas now, and you’ll want to make the most of this before your busy schedule forces you to jump through the hoops again.

Up next: Aquarius horoscope >>

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You’re not usually the gambling type, but you may be tempted to during this time that Mars will be squaring Neptune (Sept. 15-29). You might take risks with your finances, but you’re equally vulnerable to taking risks with your health as well. There’s a simple question you should pose to yourself, and it’s this: If someone asked you to jump off a bridge, would you? This should get you to rethink some of your wilder impulses. Remember that people are always eager to get others to take risks that they would never dream of taking themselves.

Up next: Pisces horoscope >>

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You may not be aware of how loud you are nowadays. You still see yourself as meek and self-effacing, but Mars in Sagittarius has been pumping up the volume on your desire to be seen and heard. It’s why loved ones are asking you to lower your voice, friends are looking askance at some of your fashion choices and even co-workers are suggesting that you tone things down a bit. You may feel like everyone’s trying to spoil your fun, but they’re looking out after your best interests. Less is always more when Mars is in Sagittarius.

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With the Sept. 20 episode entitled "The Wedding" on the horizon, we're finally closing in on what fans of the books have been looking forward to for weeks — Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire (Caitriona Balfe) stop dancing around all their unrequited sexual tension and kickstart their relationship, the cornerstone of the whole series. We're all for a slow build, but there's slow and then there's glacial. All the longing looks and double meanings in their conversations have been driving us crazy!

One of the things we most love about Diana Gabaldon's series is all the steamy love scenes. Here's our picks for the best of the bunch — and the ones we most hope we'll see hit the screen after the gorgeous twosome's wedding.

Jamie's first time

"I reckon one of us should ken what they're doing," Jamie told Claire this week as he confessed that it didn't bother him that she's not a virgin... so long as it doesn't bother her that he is. Though it takes Claire awhile to get comfortable with the idea of sleeping with her new husband for the first time, once she relaxes enough to allow it, things heat up quickly.

A particular highlight? Special mention is made through the book that Jamie Fraser never takes the name of the Lord in vain, but when he loses his virginity, the first words out of his mouth are "Holy God." He's sweet, he's attentive and we'll be furious if the moment where he shyly asks if she'd "mind verra much" if they did it again is clipped from the episode.

Post-fight with the British deserters

A few weeks into their marriage, Claire and Jamie are happened upon by a pair of British deserters who recognize that Jamie's got a price on his head. They're forced to kill the pair in order to make their escape, but afterward, they turn to each other for reassurance that they managed to live through it. "It was not an act of love, but one of necessity, as though we knew that left alone, neither of us could stand," Claire narrates, and it's the first time they realize that they can be a little rough with each other without the other one breaking, that they'll never have to hold back with each other. It's less about passion and more about survival instincts, and it shows how far they've come together.

Jamie presents Claire with her wedding ring

Claire's always been a little suspicious of Laoghaire's feelings for Jamie, and her jealousy was always something that Jamie found a little endearing — until they return from their pseudo-honeymoon and she sees him speaking with Laoghaire in a dark corner. Claire becomes convinced that he'd rather their marriage be a marriage in name only and that he'd rather be with Laoghaire than her.

Jamie is only too happy to set her straight. He didn't run off to meet Laoghaire behind Claire's back. In fact, he was heading to the armory to pick up the wedding ring he had commissioned for Claire, something special even if, as he says, there's no legal need for her to wear it. It's just a gesture of his devotion.

It's the scene where she realizes how deep her feelings for Jamie have really become, and they seal the moment with an extremely passionate, fierce and ferocious encounter. It's the moment when they truly become partners in life instead of only husband and wife by name. It's the first time they make it clear that they're married because they choose to be and not out of necessity. And it's a beautiful thing.

Let your creativity soar by pinning pieces of fabric in your hair to create an awesome textured ponytail. You can buy the pieces from any fabric store, and the options are endless. Use fabric that matches your outfit, or think outside the box and be bold with your choices. With so much versatility, this pony can be worn day or night.

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Jed King (Alan Powell) is the son of a famous country music legend, but has his own aspirations of becoming a singer/songwriter. Struggling to catch a break, Jed agrees to perform at a small vineyard harvest festival. It's there he meets and falls head over heels for the lovely Rose (Ali Faulkner from Twilight: Breaking Dawn), daughter of the vineyard's owner.

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In this clip, Rose appears sweet on Jed as she introduces him and his banjo to the crowd, despite the fact that her recent ex Eddie (Landon Marshall) is also in the crowd.

Sensing the chemistry between Rose and Jed, Eddie shouts out a sarcastic, "Nice banjo, Jed." The comment prompts Jed to take the opportunity to call Eddie out in an improvised song, singing, "I don't want to split you down the middle, especially with a guy who makes fun of my banjo, shows up with another girl when he knows you're going be here, is staring me down, breaks up with the most beautiful girl for the dumbest reason in the world, kind of guy."

Jed sure has some big cojones to sing those lyrics in front of such a big crowd. But, aww, that's the power of love. It's no surprise that Jed and Rose get married in the movie, but even true love can falter when fame and wild success get thrown into the mix.

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After writing an incredibly heartfelt song for his wife, Jed skyrockets to stardom. Though he loves Rose, he's overcome by temptation for country singer Shelby Bale (Caitlin Nicol-Thomas from the TV show Nashville).

The Song's movie poster says the story was inspired by the Bible's Song of Solomon. Um, we've read the Song of Solomon and let's just say, it gets pretty racy. Now we really want to check out this flick.

Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop takes on homosexuality in the Bible >>

The Song opens in theaters Sept. 26.

They've slowly appeared in markets all over the U.S.: Hatch chiles. You may or may not have seen them, but if you search Twitter and Instagram for the hashtag #hatchchiles, then you'll see thousands of tagged photos showcasing the gorgeous, bright green peppers.

Hatch chile refers to a variety of pepper in the capsicum family that are grown in the Hatch Valley of New Mexico. Since pepper production is essential for the New Mexican economy, in 2012, the state passed a law making it illegal to label peppers as "New Mexican" if they were not actually grown in the state. It is said that what gives Hatch chiles their amazing flavor are the intense summer sunlight and the cool night breezes combined, resulting in the perfect-flavored pepper.

With a short season of only August and September, make sure to snatch them up as soon as you see them in the markets. You can roast, can, pickle and even freeze them to have a great way to spice up your future winter meals.

1. Roasting Hatch chiles

Blog: Nutmeg Nanny

Roasting Hatch chiles is an event all on its own, and local stores and markets have specific dates for when they roast chiles for the public, so be sure to check your local stores.

2. Bleu green burger recipe

Blog: Nibbles & Feasts

Grill up this burger, and layer it with roasted Hatch chiles for a burger experience unlike any other you've ever had.

3. Stuffed Hatch chiles with cilantro-lime yogurt recipe

Blog: Naturally Ella

Like every other pepper, the Hatch chile is at its comfiest when stuffed. Check out these stuffed Hatch chiles with cilantro-lime yogurt; we're loving the cooling sauce against the spicy peppers.

4. Hatch chile queso dip recipe

Blog: Girl Versus Dough

Hatch chile queso dip — the dip to end all dips. Spice up your parties (or even your nights of Netflix viewing) with this dip.

5. Grilled wild Copper River salmon with blueberry-Hatch chile sauce recipe

Blog: Pineapple and Coconut

We're loving this blueberry-Hatch chile sauce served atop salmon, but we bet it would taste just as delicious on grilled chicken or pork.

6. Hatch chile strips in red salsa recipe

Blog: Nibbles & Feasts

Hatch chile strips in red salsa is a staple in any Mexican household, and it can be served at breakfast atop eggs or during dinner along with your potatoes or rice. Basically it's good on anything and everything.

7. Faux huevos à la Mexicana enchilada recipe

Blog: Spabettie

These Mexican enchiladas are literally drowned in a Hatch chile sauce that will have you licking your fingers.

8. Pork chile verde recipe

Blog: Nutmeg Nanny

Smother this pork chile verde in a sauce that combines green tomatillos and Hatch chiles, serve it alongside fresh, warm tortillas, and you've got a meal all on its own. Add some rice, beans and guacamole, and you've got a party.

9. Hatch-and-corn chowder recipe

Blog: Nibbles & Feasts

This Hatch-and-corn chowder mixes our two favorite seasonal produce — Hatch chiles and fresh corn — to make one velvety smooth, creamy chowder.

10. Hatch chile cheeseburger recipe

Blog: The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen

Hatch chiles can enhance your burger experience, so give this Hatch chile cheeseburger a try at your next cookout.

11. Spicy chicken-lime soup recipe

Blog: Nutmeg Nanny

As the temperatures slowly start to drop, we're craving more and more soups and stews, and this spicy chicken-lime soup is the perfect way to warm yourself up — not only in terms of temperature, but in terms of spiciness as well.

12. Carne con Hatch chile recipe

Blog: Nibbles & Feasts

A quick and hearty meal, carne con Hatch chile is ground beef (or your meat of choice) with potatoes and chiles. Serve alongside rice and a salad, and your weeknight dinner is ready for the table.

13. Hatch chile hummus recipe

Blog: What Jew Wanna Eat

Hatch chile hummus would make the perfect party dip, so try it this weekend.

14. Green enchiladas stuffed with shrimp and veggies recipe

Blog: Nibbles & Feasts

These green enchiladas are stuffed with shrimp, Mexican squash and potatoes, making them a full meal.

15. Hatch green chile mac 'n' cheese recipe

Blog: Everyday Southwest

We're loving this new twist on a classic — Hatch green chile mac 'n' cheese. Spice up your traditional macaroni and cheese recipe by folding in chopped, roasted Hatch chiles. It's bound to impress your guests.

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Photo credit: Zillow.com

Teresa Giudice and her husband recently made a deal with the feds after pleading guilty to a money and fraud scheme. Up for sentencing on Oct. 2, the couple has listed their Towaco mansion, seen on their reality claim to fame, the Real Housewives of New Jersey. Luxurious and decorated in the same over-the-top fashion as we've become accustomed to on the show, this is one ridiculously fabulous home.

RHONJ's Teresa and Joe Giudice prep for prison >>

Photo credit: Zillow.com

Once you've passed through the iron gates and entered the 3.77-acre lot, you'll see a home made of fairy tales. Just as beautiful on the outside as in, the home opens up to a two-story entrance equipped with double Cinderella staircases (told you it was made of fairy tales). With imported marble floors and a chandelier in nearly every single room, there's no doubt Teresa's style was "go big or go home." Literally.

Photo credit: Zillow.com

If you're a Real Housewives fan, then there's no doubt you've seen this kitchen before. A place where multiple fights and plenty of drama were laid down, the Giudice mansion's kitchen has plenty of space for cooking, eating and entertaining. Marble counters, butler's pantry, custom cabinetry, beautiful hardware and one heck of a farmhouse sink show off exactly why this home comes with such a hefty price tag.

Photo credit: Zillow.com

The master bedroom is about the size of the average American home. With a balcony, three walk-in closets (three!), fireplace and master bath worthy of a resort, it's hard to wonder how Teresa is going to get used to her new digs after becoming accustomed to a life of luxury.

Photo credit: Zillow.com

Perhaps the saddest tale of the home listing comes from the charming little ladies' room. In this room, painted in pink and purple, the four Giudice girls — Gia, Milania, Audriana and Gabriella — enjoyed TV time on a trendy cheetah-print couch. The space is big enough for the entire brood, and the ladies are sure to miss their childhood home of dreams.

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This photo of Ellen DeGeneres' and Nicki Minaj's anaconda is so funny... but so bad >>

During The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Monday, DeGeneres and Wiig both admitted they didn't know the words to the song at all. But that didn't stop the comedians from picking up their mics karaoke-style and tackling the tune in a version that is so bad, it's perfectly hilarious.

The song, which was originally belted out by vocal powerhouse, Idina Menzel, is hugely popular among children, in particular.

The ladies even came up with some spur-of-the-moment coordinated moves to go with their dramatic performance.

10 Ellen photobombs that are pure perfection >>

During the musical interlude, DeGeneres and Wiig crept along the stage as though they were fleeing or hiding. We couldn't tell which and it doesn't really matter because their expressions of uncertainty were priceless and garnered the biggest laugh from the audience.

"Kids don't know what fractals are," Wiig cut off mid-song to interject, referring to the line in the song which goes, "My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around."

The ladies ended with their big finale standing on DeGeneres' center cushion. Wiig tactfully holds her dress down in the middle as she steps up, barely managing to hold on to the lyrics of the song. We're happy she did step up there, though, because it gave us a nice look at her gorgeous heels. We couldn't help but notice!

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We were skeptical initially that both Wiig and DeGeneres hadn't had the song drilled into their heads over the past few months like the rest of us but, after their performance, we're believers.

Did we mention how happy we are The Ellen DeGeneres Show is back? She's like the daytime version of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon so far on her new season and we're absolutely loving it!

Watch the full clip below.

The former Scrubs star revealed that working on his new film, Wish I Was Here, which he happened to direct, star in and co-write, made him have an even stronger desire to have children.

Wish I Was Here: 5 Reasons we love Zach Braff >>

"These kids made me want children even sooner. I really enjoyed them so much. I'd like to be father like him [character Aidan Bloom]," he revealed to the Daily Mail about his young co-stars, Joey King, 15, and Pierce Gagnon, 9.

"They were extraordinary, so professional and just naturals. I think I found the two best kid actors in the country," he gushed. "Joey King was hired by Sam Raimi, and she's just blowing up and so I feel really lucky I got her. And Pierce was a savant, he was so good in Looper... that I hired him on the spot."

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The actor went on to talk about his future kids, saying, "I think I'll be a lot of fun and they'll inspire me to go on lots of adventures."

In the comedy-drama film, Braff stars as a struggling actor, father and husband who makes the decision to homeschool his two children while struggling to find his own identity.

Nope, Taylor Swift's not adding Zach Braff to her boyfriend list >>

Speaking about the idea for the drama, in which he worked alongside his writer brother, Adam Braff, the actor explained that it was "a combination of mine and my brothers' life, and the things that people in their 30s and 40s are talking about. Raising kids, their spirituality, how long can you go after your dream, and trying to make the most of being alive."

While we look forward to the day that Braff becomes a dad offscreen, it may not be anytime soon, since he and his girlfriend of five years, Taylor Bagley, split earlier this year.

The Hollywood Reporter revealed that the Iron Man 3 star is set to host President Obama and the Democratic National Committee at her home on Oct. 9. An exclusive email for the fundraiser went out to select invitees. The invitation said, "Following the reception, President Obama will take your questions at an intimate dinner."

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For anyone wishing to attend the event, seats are available from $1,000 to $32,400. The money raised will go towards midterm elections in November.

This isn't the first time Paltrow has hosted a fundraiser for the president. She helmed an event in 2012 during Obama's re-election campaign.

Paltrow isn't the only celeb to have supported President Obama during fundraising campaigns. Grey's Anatomy creator, Shonda Rhimes, raised money in July for the Democrats and Sarah Jessica Parker also hosted a dinner in her New York City home two years ago. That event generated an A-List Manhattan crowd, including Vogue's Anna Wintour, designer Michael Kors, Meryl Streep and Bravo TV's Andy Cohen.

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One person who probably won't be attending the Goop founder's event is Martha Stewart. She recently griped to Porter magazine about Paltrow's attempt to be a lifestyle expert, "She just needs to be quiet. She's a movie star. If she were confident in her acting, she wouldn't be trying to be Martha Stewart."

Even if Paltrow isn't the next Stewart, she sure has a VIP guest list for home entertaining.

George Clooney's best man will be Brad Pitt, aunt claims >>

Not only is he preparing to tie the knot to gorgeous lawyer, Amal Alamuddin, in the next couple weeks, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HPFA) announced on Monday that Clooney would be honored at this year's Golden Globe Awards.

Theo Kingma, president of the HFPA, said, "The HPFA is honored to bestow the Cecil B. DeMille Award to George Clooney to celebrate his outstanding contributions both in front of and behind the camera."

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The award honors those in the entertainment industry who have had an incredible impact on the world of entertainment and beyond. As a writer, director, producer and actor, Clooney definitely fits the bill.

Aside from winning three Golden Globes and two Academy Awards for his myriad of successful films, Clooney is also known for his humanitarian work, like his powerful documentary, A Journey to Darfur, which detailed the conflict in the region and urged help and support. He also produced the "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon, which raised more than $66 million, and he was part of the team that launched the "Satellite Sentinel Project," which was an effort to monitor human rights violations in Sudan.

Clooney is joining prestigious company. Last year, the Cecil B. DeMille award was given to Woody Allen. Previous recipients include Robin Williams, Harrison Ford, Al Pacino, Steven Spielberg and Barbra Streisand.

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We still have a while before actually getting to see Clooney accept the honor. The 72nd Golden Globes air live on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015 on NBC

Clooney, who most recently appeared in Gravity and The Monuments Men, has yet to comment on the award. No doubt because he's planning his wedding, which is expected to take place before the end of this month.