When we got home, however, my good mood vanished instantly when my inbox dinged with the most hateful, venomous email I have ever received. I'll spare you the obscenity-littered details, but, in essence, the email went something to tune of, "You're a horrible f***ing person who can't write and needs to shut the heck up about how hard parenting is because you were the one that opened your legs and chose it."

All righty then.

So while the words definitely got to my psyche (I mean, I'm a writer for public forums, so part of it comes with the territory, but still, I'm not a robot — I do have feelings), I tried to take them with a grain of salt and instead, take the opportunity for a little self-reflection. Abundant f-words aside, was the reader right? Do I complain about parenting too much?

And after sincere contemplation and perhaps one too many glasses of wine, I have come to the conclusion, that no, dear and kind reader, I do not complain about parenting too much. Because what it comes down to is that parenting is like coming face-to-face with the world's largest magnifying glass pointed right at each and every one of your most secret insecurities. And that's scary.

The realization that a 2-year-old's tantrum can send you running in tears is one of the most humbling and mortifying moments of your life. You may be successful in every other aspect of your life — you may be able to run a business and manage thousands of dollars in finances and run a marathon, but nothing can break a person down like the mental (and sometimes physical) challenge of parenting.

Complaining about motherhood or parenting in general, whether that be talking to your friend on the phone about the trials of potty training or writing an article about how hard it can be to take young kids to a restaurant is simply a way of asking, "Am I alone in this? Am I doing a good job? I'm not crazy for loving this one second and wondering why I did this the next, right?"

It may sound weird or selfish to complain about parenting, but I assure you, there's more going on below the surface of those complaints. Those complaints — usually accompanied with a laugh, I may add — are our way of coping, of connecting and of commiserating. If I'm complaining about something related to parenting, it's about sharing the challenges with other parents and hearing that, really, I'm not screwing up my kids for life — and sometimes getting that burst of encouragement that we all need now and then to keep going.

So, yes, dear reader, it is OK to complain about motherhood. If we weren't truthful about how hard it can be to be a parent, the world would end when first-time mothers' bubbles burst after birth. Yes, parenting is by far the most important thing I have ever done in my life, but it's also the hardest. I appreciate when other mothers are open and honest about the time that they also lose their minds when they try to shop with their kids or that losing the baby weight isn't as easy as the Kardashians make it appear. Parents complain because we need to know that we are not alone and we all do it, because deep down, we love our kids more than anything in the whole world.

Even if it seems like we have a strange way of showing it.

More on parenting

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1. The Tiffany flagship store

It would be the ultimate photo op: Kate Middleton donning a LBD, royal collection pearls and a sparkly tiara, eating a croissant in front of the Tiffany display window on Fifth Avenue.

Prince William gets serious about baby George's privacy

Photo credit: Getty Images

2. FAO Schwarz

Kate has already shown her enthusiasm for getting physical on her official visits, playing field hockey, volleyball and a host of other games while on duty, and the couple showed off their playful side at Warner Bros. Harry Potter exhibit in London. How cool would it be to see the royals playing Chopsticks on the Big piano at the world's greatest toy store?

Duchess Kate cancels another visit over pregnancy ills

Photo credit: WENN

3. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

As a degree holder in Art History, the Duchess will love the Met's current exhibition on The Pre-Raphaelite Legacy: British Art and Design. And with Will's military background, he will be fascinated by the exhibition marking the centennial of the Arms and Armor Department. They probably won't let him try any on, but he probably has plenty rattling around Buckingham Palace anyway.

Will and Kate meet vets, unveil portrait of the queen (VIDEOS)

Photo credit: WENN

4. The Statue of Liberty

There is no place more fitting for the future crown heads of the United Kingdom to visit than the (literal) crown on the head of New York: the top of the Statue of Liberty. One day Kate will have access to some pretty impressive head-toppers, but every last one will pale in comparison to Lady Liberty's crown.

PHOTOS: Duchess Kate loves yachts and garden parties

Photo credit: WENN

5. Belvedere Castle

One does tend to get homesick whilst away from one's own castle, doesn't one? If Will and Kate start to miss the grand turrets and towers of their cozy abode, they can always hop on over to Belvedere Castle in Central Park.

Will and Kate get palatial new digs

Photo credit: Getty Images

6. Visit Beyoncé and Jay Z

It is only polite for visiting royalty to call upon the king and queen of their current locale, so obviously Will and Kate will need to pop in on Beyoncé and Jay Z for tea. We know the prince is a fan of the hip-hop icon — he was pictured at a past event doing the "Brush Your Shoulders Off" dance, much to the crowd's amusement.

Tell us: Where do you want to see Will and Kate in NYC?

No koala is safe from Kim Kardashian's selfie addiction

We know the reality TV star is an avid Instagram user and she's forever posting selfies or promotional pictures on the social media site. Apparently, that's what we should all be doing on Instagram.

Kardashian took to Twitter on Monday, Oct. 6 to let fans know that she's tired of reading quotes on Instagram, and that people who do this have "major issues." So, please, keep your quotes for Twitter instead.

In the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star's mind, Instagram is better used for sharing pictures, like that of a paper bag of your coffee. Just like the one she posted earlier today, along with the caption, "He just gets me."

Kim Kardashian accused of being a very neglectful parent in Paris

If you scroll through Kardashian's many Instagram pictures, you'll admit that it's difficult to locate a picture of a quote, unlike her sister Khloé's page.

Khloé's latest quote picture was posted just one week ago and it read, "Remain humble but still let these bitches know." But her Instagram page is sprinkled with quote pictures, including this one:

And she's not the only one to be forever sharing quote pictures; Kendall and Kylie Jenner have also gotten into the habit.

Kylie took to Instagram two weeks ago to share this quote picture, which she captioned, "emptiness we created."

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While Kendall took to Instagram not long ago to share this quote, which she captioned, "dreamworld. goodnight."

Hmm. We think Kim needs look at her sisters' Instagram feeds.

1. Frozen: Elsa and Anna's castle

Photos: HomeAway and Frozen, 2013 (The Walt Disney Studios)

Those who fear frostbite but love Elsa from Frozen can take a trip to this gorgeous look-alike rental in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This gated keep bears a striking resemblance to the high-walled fortress featured in the film and comfortably sleeps 20 — perfect for a small kingdom (or a large family) in town for an extended stay.

2. The Little Mermaid: King Triton's castle

Photos: HomeAway and The Little Mermaid, 1989 (The Walt Disney Studios)

Though Ariel seemed to live the good life under the sea, she dreamed of walking on land. Now you can have the best of both worlds with The Shell House in Isla Mujeres. Perfect for the indecisive princess, this home on the Caribbean has two king-size bedrooms, 180-degree ocean views and a private pool steps away from the beach.

3. Snow White: The seven dwarfs' cottage

Photos: HomeAway and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 1937 (The Walt Disney Studios)

Seven beds, seven sets of dishes and one tiny cottage. To recreate Snow White’s experience (without the endless sweeping and mopping), make your way to this enchanting cottage in the Irish countryside. This charming home comfortably sleeps eight — perfect for you and seven of your shortest friends. Don't worry, the two acres of tropical garden don't have any bad apples!

4. Sleeping Beauty: Aurora's castle

Photos: HomeAway and Sleeping Beauty, 1959 (The Walt Disney Studios)

Sleeping Beauty's Princess Aurora knows a thing or two about a good night's (or century's) sleep. This stunning castle apartment in Dollarbeg Castle in central Scotland is the perfect spot to relax and daydream without the magic spell. With towers, turrets and twisting staircases, this incredible home resembles something you may have seen once upon a dream.

5. Beauty and the Beast: Beast's castle

Photos: HomeAway and Beauty and the Beast, 1991 (The Walt Disney Studios)

The Beast's enchanted castle in Beauty and the Beast was pretty awesome, with singing silverware and all, but the real-life version in the Catskills is just as magical. The Belleayre Mountain Estate is an opulent dwelling with winding passageways, eight historic bedrooms, antiques and 32 acres of trails. So, go on, be their guest.

6. Cinderella: Prince Charming's castle

Photos: HomeAway and Cinderella II: Dreams Come True, 2002 (The Walt Disney Studios)

Skip the evil stepmother and revoked ball invitations and head straight for the fairy-tale ending. Live like Cinderella post-pumpkin phase in this French chateau, located at Indre-et-Loire in the Loire Valley. The regal residence contains quiet libraries, winding mezzanines, 13 19th-century bedroom suites and wide expanses of impeccably maintained lawns. Just be careful not to lose a glass slipper while exploring this 76,000-square-foot mansion — it may be difficult to find.

7. The Princess and the Frog: Charlotte's castle

Photos: HomeAway and The Princess and the Frog, 2009 (The Walt Disney Studios)

Though her own family hails from a modest section of New Orleans, Tiana spends much of her childhood in the luxe mansion of her fairy-tale-obsessed friend Charlotte La Bouff. Relive their adventures in the Big Easy by staying in this historic six-bedroom mansion in the Garden District of New Orleans. The winding verandas and fluted columns provide a great hiding place for kiddos and enchanted frog princes alike.

8. Pocahontas: Powhatan's home

Photos: HomeAway and Pocahontas, 1995 (The Walt Disney Studios)

Whether she’s painting with the colors of the wind or diving off waterfalls, Pocahontas is a true thrill-seeker. Relive her adventures by exploring the foothills of the Preseli Mountains of Wales and staying in the Trallwyn Yurt. During the day, you can fish for trout while watching for whales off the coast. At night, relax in these cozy accommodations, reminiscent of the rounded dwellings occupied by Pocahontas and other members of her tribe.

9. Mulan: Fa Mulan's home

Photos: HomeAway and Mulan, 1998 (The Walt Disney Studios)

Like Mulan, you can head out on a journey far from home and stay in Villa del Lago at Los Elementos in Bali. This beautiful one-bedroom home looks like the homestead of Fa Mulan's family, with lotus ponds, gardens and tropical flowers. Feel the relaxation of simpler times while still enjoying modern amenities like a full gourmet kitchen and an infinity pool.

10. Tangled: Rapunzel's tower

Photos: HomeAway and Tangled, 2010 (The Walt Disney Studios)

Experience all the magic of Rapunzel's tower without being locked up for 18 years. With two bedrooms and luxury accommodations, the 15th-century Broto Tower is a stunning landmark in the Aragon region of Spain. But if you start to get antsy, don’t worry — this rental comes equipped with plenty of windows and doors that lead to the outside world.

11. Aladdin: The sultan's palace

Photos: HomeAway and Aladdin, 1992 (The Walt Disney Studios)

Don't you wish all boys went through the trouble Aladdin did to win Jasmine's heart? While the chances of a genie and magic carpet rides are slim to none, you can live the royal life in this lavish four-bedroom Moroccan mansion. With a heated pool, detoxifying steam room and plenty of room for visiting dignitaries, this is the perfect place to experience the life of an Arabian princess. Bonus: You don't even have to use one of your three wishes to stay here!

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Showtime announced today that the hit series will be returning as a new limited series event. Original series creators and executive producers David Lynch and Mark Frost will be on hand to write and produce all nine episodes, with Lynch on board to direct every episode. The new series will be set in the present day and will continue the often strange lore from the original show, promising to provide answers for hardcore fans.

But what about the rest of us who maybe don't remember every detail from the show? Not to worry: We've got 11 facts to catch you up before watching the new series.

Twin Peaks and more: Writers Guild names 101 Best Written TV Series

It is about the murder of Laura Palmer

The series starts when Laura's body is found wrapped in plastic on the shore of the lake. From there, the resulting investigation reveals that the former prom queen had been leading a double life and got herself involved in some seedy situations, including prostituting.

GIF credit: ABC (via YouTube)

Laura's death causes the entire town to react

The death of Laura causes a chain reaction throughout the town and many people nearly lose their minds with grief and sorrow. Her father suffers a nervous breakdown and her best friend Donna (played by Lara Flynn Boyle) takes it upon herself to start her own investigation into the murder, but ultimately finds her prime suspect is innocent.

Another plot point involved the lumber mill

The murder of Laura Palmer wasn't the only shady thing happening in Twin Peaks. A man named Ben Horne was also plotting to destroy the town's lumber mill so that he could get the land at a cheaper price.

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Sherilyn Fenn became a breakout star after one significant scene

The daughter of the man behind the lumber mill plot, Audrey (Fenn) became infatuated with Cooper and tried her best to help him out with the case by spying around town. In a scene that was talked about for weeks, Audrey convinced the owner of One Eyed Jack's to give her a job by eating a cherry and tying the stem with her tongue. That's what we call talent.

GIF credit: ABC (via YouTube)

The show dipped heavily into the supernatural

While at first the series might have seemed like your standard murder mystery, it quickly became clear that there was a lot more happening than that. This message was delivered in no uncertain terms when Agent Cooper had a dream that introduced otherworldly beings and people who spoke backwards. It was another scene in the show that instantly became famous.

Killer Bob haunted nearly everyone in town

One of the beings Cooper found out about in his eerie dream was a violent entity known as Killer Bob. Throughout the series, Killer Bob made appearances by terrorizing people with awful visions, as well as possessing otherwise innocent and good people to commit heinous acts like murder. Anytime Bob was around, you could be certain that violence would follow.

It was full of strangely wonderful characters

Lots of TV shows have had a list of odd supporting characters, but none will ever come close to the people of Twin Peaks. From the Log Lady (who, as her name suggests, carried a log everywhere she went) to Nadine, the woman with an eye patch who could break milkshake glasses with her bare hands.

GIF credit: ABC (via YouTube)

It was scary as hell

If you've heard about Twin Peaks, the impression you may have is that it was silly and strange. But the one aspect of the show that is often missed in stories about damn fine coffee and odd characters is the fact that some scenes were so horrific that they could give you nightmares. From terrible murders to frightening dreams, Twin Peaks was actually quite terrifying.

GIF credit: ABC (via YouTube)

The theme song became a huge hit

When was the last time you heard the theme song for a TV show on the radio? It doesn't happen often, but the Twin Peaks theme was so somber and enthralling that it soon began making its way onto airwaves all over the country.

GIF credit: ABC (via YouTube)

The murder of Laura Palmer was eventually solved, but the show went on

Don't worry, we're not going to reveal who the murderer was, but it's interesting to note that the series continued after the mystery was resolved. Ratings fell in the second season, causing executives at ABC to demand that the murderer be revealed. After that, the story continued with a subplot that involved Agent Cooper and an old (and insane) friend of his from the FBI.

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The final scene was beyond terrifying

The final scene of the show's second (and last) season involved Agent Cooper in a way that he'd never been seen before. We won't give away details but we will say that the way it was left off leaves for some intriguing possibilities for the next season that will air on Showtime.

Not only that, but it gives you the chance to play with your food. I don't mean pushing away the peas or the Brussels sprouts your husband or wife insists you eat; I mean actually play with it. Like roll out your favorite pizza dough into a spider, gut it and then fill it with macaroni.

I mean, seriously, how cute is this spider breadstick-pasta combo? It's like a bread bowl but so much cuter. Clearly you're going to need this for Halloween, so I'm going to tell you how to make it. You start with a canister of refrigerated pizza dough, and you roll it into a big ball.

After that, you want to pull off a piece of the dough to make a head, and then another, bigger piece to make the body. You want the head big enough to put 2 spooky eyeballs on it. And some fangs. How awesome are those fangs?

Then you roll out 8 smaller pieces of dough into gross little legs. You can do 6 legs, but I found 8 to be more realistic. (Given the nightmares I have of spiders attacking me, I think I know how many legs they have.)

Then you assemble the beast, sprinkle with a little "hair," stick it all onto a baking sheet and let it brown to utter perfection.

After it's been browned nicely, you gut it (muahaha!) and fill it with "bloody" macaroni.

Don't worry, the macaroni isn't actually bloody. That's gross. It just looks like gooey insides though, right? Totally cool. And now it's time for you to freak the heck out of your friends and become the "cool" parent with your kids.

Macaroni-filled spider bread bowl with breadstick legs recipe

Adapted from Delish

This recipe calls for 1 cup of prepared macaroni and marinara. To make, simply cook 1 cup of dry macaroni per the package directions. Rinse in cold water, and mix with about 1/2 to 2/3 cup marinara sauce.

Serves 6

Prep time: 10 minutes | Bake time: 25-30 minutes | Total time: 35-40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 package refrigerated pizza dough
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper
• 2 green olives
• Black candy corns (for the eyes)
• 1 cup prepared macaroni and marinara
• Extra Parmesan and basil, for garnish
• Sriracha sauce (for the fangs)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. On a hard, floured surface, roll out the dough, and form a large ball with it. Break one half into a 5-inch ball (for the body). Pull another piece of dough into a 2-1/2-inch ball to make the head. Carefully roll out the remaining dough into 8 strips, and then roll those into 6-inch legs.
3. Carefully attach the body parts to the spider body, pinching the seams together with your hands. Carefully move the spider to the parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
4. Mix together the water and egg. Using a pastry brush, liberally brush the dough with the egg wash. Sprinkle the legs, head and body with Parmesan cheese. Add salt and pepper. Carefully press 2 olives onto the head (to mark where you'll eventually put the eyes).
5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool.
6. Carefully hollow out the body. Remove the olives, and replace with the black candy corn eyes. To make the fangs, simply cut out "fang" shapes from leftover bread, and dip them in Sriracha sauce for a "bloody" look. Poke the fangs into the front of the head.
7. Fill the hollowed-out cavity with pasta, a dash of Parmesan and basil, and serve.

More fun spider snacks

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I cannot even begin to handle Dinky the Great Dane. First of all, his name is Dinky, and he is anything but. It is common knowledge (in my apartment) that there's nothing I find more amusing than a good old-fashioned oxymoron. It goes to follow that I'd be all about this enormous dog. I was already Team Dinky well before I clicked the link to watch his antics. Once I'd done that, it was time to admit that I'd found a soul mate. My roommate should thank her lucky stars that we live in a four-story walk-up, or else she might return home today and discover a huge new canine friend sharing our dwelling.

Please enjoy Dinky losing his ever-loving mind when his owner takes a break from petting him to pet his brother. Dinky is indignant. His owner playfully reprimands him, and Dinky reprimands him right back with a whining bark, pausing only to loll adorably on his back, exposing his mammoth genitals and killer sense of comedic timing in the process. It's good to see that even dogs can be divas sometimes. ...I had to type that last part because my cats are both giving me displeased looks. They reallllly took this whole "I should adopt a Great Dane" thing to heart. Calm down, guys.

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Logan Lerman told the men's magazine that LaBeouf slit his own face with a knife to have authentic scars. He shared, "We were in make-up and they were putting cuts on Shia and I said, 'Yeah, yeah, it looks good.' And Shia was like, 'No, it doesn't look real.'"

Is this Shia LaBeouf's latest head-scratcher?

The story continued down a rather creepy route. Lerman said, "Then he walks out into the hallway and says, 'Hey man, wanna see something fun? Check this out…' and he takes out a knife and cuts his face. And for the whole movie he kept opening these cuts on his face. That's all real."

LaBeouf consistently wore his fatigues during the shoot, both on and off the set, to keep in line with his method acting. In Fury, he plays a World War II tank crew member. He even had his dentist remove one of his bottom front teeth to complete the look.

Deranged stalker makes Shia LaBeouf fear for his life

For the Transformers star, it was truly a role he believed in. Back in May 2013, he tweeted a photo showing his missing tooth while wearing a military cap.

Fury co-star, Brad Pitt, praised the actor by saying in British GQ, "Oh, I love this boy. He's one of the best actors I've ever seen. He's full-on commitment, man. He's living it like no one else, let me tell you."

For his Lawless cast mate, Mia Wasikowska, it was a bit more difficult for her. She told HuffPost Live in 2012, "He's a very method actor and so I was on the receiving end of the method."

Fans will be able to see LaBeouf's serious on-screen commitment when Fury opens in theaters on Oct. 17.

Kris Jenner is done with Bruce Jenner, files for divorce

Kris only officially filed for divorce last month, citing irreconcilable differences. But it looks like Bruce is OK with that, because he may be back on the dating scene.

According to the Mirror, the former Olympic athlete was spotted enjoying an Elton John concert on Saturday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles with his son, Brandon, and his wife, Leah, and a mystery woman — who looks suspiciously similar to his soon-to-be ex-wife — so, could the night out have been a double date?

Bruce Jenner steps out with long hair, manicure, man boobs

We can't be certain that there's a romance happening between the pair, and Bruce was certainly in no mood to have his picture taken given he made a quick exit and even jumped over a barrier in order to make his getaway, while the mystery woman walked alongside Leah and attempted to cover her face with an oversized clutch bag.

It would be nice if Bruce has found companionship and love with someone new, though, because Kris is definitely looking for love in the future.

VIDEO: Bruce Jenner and Rob K Kimye wedding drama

In a candid interview with E!'s Giuliana Rancic, the momager revealed, "I want to definitely be in love, I like being in love… there is no better feeling in the world. So, yeah, that would be amazing. For now, I'm just happy and feel completely content with all of my kids and everyone who is in my life right now."

1. The soprano

This person, usually a woman, gets way, way into the musical part of story time. She has an eight-octave range and will use every single one of them to belt out "The Itsy Bitsy Spider." She may or may not actually have kids with her.

2. Mr. Oblivious

This dad loves the library. He can be found with his nose firmly planted in a Dan Brown book while his kids tear out page after page in the early readers. The librarian usually ends up babysitting.

3. The librarian-in-training

This one wants more authority than she has. She will usually approach the librarian at the end of each story time with a recommended reading list and a themed week-by-week calendar. She's made her own volunteer badge that she wears on a beaded lanyard.

4. The early bird

This parent gets to the conference room an hour early and waits outside, side-eyeing anyone who gets a little too close and elbowing people out of the way when the doors open.

5. The camper

This dad makes a day of the story time experience. He brings lunch, a blanket and a portable training potty so that he doesn't need to leave. You half expect him to whip out a pack-n-play part of the way through Llama Llama Red Pajama.

6. The screamers

This entire family has no concept of a "library voice." "I LOVE THIS BOOK!" the little ones will scream. "YOU DO? THAT'S SO GREAT HONEY!" the mother will shout back at them. And thus, your migraine is born.

7. The mom with an advanced child

This mother will volunteer information no one really asked for. The librarian will whip out a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and this one will primly request a new book because her child has already mastered this one. Of Mice and Men, perhaps? Maybe The Satanic Verses?

8. The plague carrier

This mom carries the plague — literally. Strapped to her chest is a large lump of mucus and ear pus wrapped around a sniffling, hacking toddler. She will find you. She will sit next to you. You will contract "streptovirusfever."

9. The late one

This parent comes rushing in five minutes before story time is over, tromping on diaper bags and rolling over fingers with her stroller. "Sorry, sorry," she'll fake-whisper. "Am I a little late?"

10. The story time cop

The mortal enemy of the latecomer, the story time "five-oh" is a rule enforcer to the core. He will loudly recite story time hours and remind children that they are to stay seated, becoming more and more agitated as he realizes that he can't reason with toddlers.

11. The ventriloquist dummy

This mom's child has a magic trick — he can throw his voice so that his words come out of his mother's mouth. "We don't like The Rainbow Fish, do we, Aiden? We wish the other children would refrain from speaking out of turn, don't we, honey?" Impressive.

12. Rip van Winkle

This was me. Exhausted and toddler-fied, I would find the nearest beanbag or unsoiled carpet tile, and despite my best efforts, drift off into the sleep of the dead. Long after story time adjourns, van Winkles like me can be found snoring and dreaming of the day that our child will be too old for story time.

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According to Us Weekly, the Coldplay front man just bought a $6.75 million home in Brentwood, California, across the street from his former marital home. A source told the gossip magazine that the home has a modern European feel to it with an all-white interior. It also sports five spacious bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

Gwyneth Paltrow throws ultimate dinner party for Obama

This real estate move is proving that Paltrow and Martin's divorce is one of the friendliest Hollywood has ever seen. In fact, a second insider told the magazine that the Iron Man 3 star's mom, Blythe Danner, helped the musician move into his new home.

By staying in the neighborhood, their two children, Apple, 10, and Moses, 8, can see both parents "whenever they want." The consciously uncoupled exes have put their family first ever since they announced their split back in March.

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Martin also held a birthday party for Paltrow on Sept. 28 at his new 7,700-square-foot home and invited many familiar faces. Some of the celebs in attendance included Nicole Richie, Tobey Maguire, Maya Rudolph, Kate Hudson and Gavin Rossdale, who all celebrated the actress's 42nd birthday.

Martin's new girlfriend, Jennifer Lawrence, was not at the birthday bash, but the Hunger Games star has Paltrow's approval.

Gwyneth Paltrow happy Chris Martin and JLaw are dating

As a source shared, "Gwyneth is fine with Chris dating Jennifer."

Let's hope Lawrence is OK with such close quarters to her boyfriend's ex-wife.

With just your normal beauty arsenal and a couple of extra Halloween pigments, you are on your way to a full-blown cartoon look. All you need are some nice, creamy white, black, yellow and red face paints, purple eyeshadow, heavy black eyeliner, fake lashes and Q-tips to transform yourself into a work of comic book art.

Complete the look with a vintage-inspired dress, preferably brightly colored and polka dotted or a costume in the style of your favorite comic book heroine and you're on your way. SheKnows takes you through the entire process to get you picture perfect for Halloween.

I've always wanted to make sushi rolls but have been terrified of the whole process. So I've left things to the talented chefs in restaurants. Well, not any longer. I recently found a way to enjoy the great flavors of sushi rolls in the comfort of my own home.

Not that there's anything wrong with rice, but you can get rolling without it for this colorful recipe for vegan avocado and beet hand rolls with a spicy teriyaki sauce. Bonus: You won't experience any prep-fret with this recipe. And you won't need a mat or expert skills to put these rolls together.

I used mashed avocado in place of the rice, and it worked perfectly. I added carrot and beet matchsticks along with a sprinkling of sesame seeds, but you can use your favorite veggies for this recipe. Fresh cilantro makes a pretty garnish, and you can even add a few sprigs inside the rolls if you like. Enjoy this dish with friends or just on your own. It makes a nice appetizer or light meal.

Note: Vegan foods are made without any animal or animal-derived products. Carefully check the packaging labels of food products you use for these recipes to ensure they are vegan.

Vegan avocado and beet hand rolls with a spicy teriyaki sauce recipe

These vegan hand rolls are so easy to make at home, you'll be amazed. I left out the rice and replaced it with mashed avocado for something different. Use the veggies laid out in this recipe, or switch them up with your favorites.

Serves 4

Total time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

For the spicy teriyaki sauce

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2-3 dashes hot sauce, to taste

For the hand rolls

• 4 sheets nori (roasted seaweed sheets), cut in half
• 3 avocados (about 1 cup), peeled, pitted and mashed
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup matchstick-cut carrots
• 1/3 cup matchstick-cut steamed beets
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, divided, plus more for garnish
• Fresh cilantro leaves and cucumber slices, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

For the spicy teriyaki sauce

1. To a bowl, add all the ingredients, and whisk to combine until the sugar dissolves.

For the hand rolls

1. Add the lemon juice and salt to the mashed avocado, and mix well.
2. One at a time, hold a half sheet of nori lengthwise in the palm of your hand, with the shiny side facing down.
3. On the side closest to your wrist, spoon 2 tablespoons of the avocado mixture over half of the nori. Leave about 1/4 inch around the 3 edges of the sheet.
4. Sprinkle some of the sesame seeds over the avocado mixture. Place several pieces of the carrot sticks in a single row, followed by beet sticks, over the avocado mixture.
5. Carefully fold up the bottom left corner of the nori sheet (closest to your wrist) toward the center of the avocado mixture.
6. Roll the sheet into the shape of a cone.
7. Place the rolls onto a platter, and garnish with the remaining sesame seeds, the cucumber and cilantro.
8. Serve with the spicy teriyaki dipping sauce.

Roll with these tasty hand rolls filled with veggie goodness.

More vegan recipes

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Maynard realized her final experiences in life would revolve around the loss of her independence, and she wasn't OK with that. If she had to die, she wanted to die with dignity and by her own choice. And while she wouldn't call it suicide, she believed dying in her own way and in her own time was her right as a human.

I couldn't agree more. In fact, this is something I've wondered about for the majority of my life. I grew up being taught that the ethics of dying were black-and-white. The "dos" and "don'ts" were clear. Or at least they were most of the time, right?

My father and I had this conversation only a month ago, when my grandfather died. He had been ill off and on for several months, and when he contracted pneumonia, he decided it wasn't worth fighting any longer. He knew declining treatment meant he would die, and so he waited. And so did everyone else.

"Don't you wish we could have done something?" I asked my father, who had been in the room as my grandfather died. "I mean, that there was a way to make it faster, with less suffering. We treat our dogs more humanely. Don't you think?"

My father looked back at me with surprise in his eyes, not knowing what to say. I get it. It sounds ugly. It's not something I should say, but isn't it true? Animals are euthanized on a daily basis so they can die without pain. Even criminals get better treatment than our loved ones do in most cases.

Currently only a handful of states legally permit aid in dying, and I don't understand that. Why have we criminalized something that makes dying less horrible? My grandfather made his choice. Brittany Maynard has made hers. When it comes time, why can't everyone do the same?

Learn more about Brittany Maynard's story:

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If you suspect someone might be considering suicide, or if you have struggled with those thoughts yourself, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Officer Ben Hall made a routine traffic stop, but when he went up to the driver's window, he noticed her little girl wasn't in a car seat. She was strapped in with a regular seat belt, but children her size need to be in a 5-point restraint or a high-back booster, depending on her height and weight. Instead of writing out a citation, he instead asked her to drive to Walmart, where he proceeded to purchase a car seat for her little girl (it looks to be a Graco Highback TurboBooster).

These are the stories we need to hear. He could have easily written her a ticket and written her off, but instead he chose to generously help her and her child. It's easy to dismiss this mother too, saying that if she could afford to have a child, she should be able to afford a car seat (yes, I actually read a comment saying just that). Advice that she should have gone to a garage sale or Goodwill and picked one up for cheap is not only misguided but dangerous — car seats with an unknown history don't always work the way they should, especially if they're expired or have been in an accident before.

I'm not sure what the girl's age is, but she's not an infant. In fact, I'd guess she is around 4 years old (laws vary by state — see what is legal where you live). Even though she isn't a baby or a toddler, she definitely needs to still be in a good car seat that will properly restrain her in the event of an accident. As more and more research is done, it's becoming more apparent that kids need to be in car seats or high-backed boosters for longer than previously thought and that parents need to wait to forward-face their kids until at least 2 years of age (which, for some reason, makes some moms and dads angry).

The thing is, circumstances can change at any moment. Those of us who feel financially secure can face hardship at any time, and who knows what this mother's story was? It's not our place to judge. I'm thrilled to share a story about the kind heart of a police officer who chose to better someone's situation instead of making it worse.

More parenting in the news

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During an interview with Vanity Fair magazine, the Silver Linings Playbook actress opened up about how badly the hack affected her, and how violated she feels.

Josh Hutcherson: JLaw hacking scandal is 'f***ing horrible'

"It is not a scandal. It is a sex crime," Lawrence told Vanity Fair. "It is a sexual violation. It's disgusting.

"The law needs to be changed, and we need to change. That's why these websites are responsible," she continued. "Just the fact that somebody can be sexually exploited and violated, and the first thought that crosses somebody's mind is to make a profit from it. It's so beyond me. I just can't imagine being that detached from humanity. I can't imagine being that thoughtless and careless and so empty inside."

Is Kristen Stewart dating JLaw's ex Nicholas Hoult?

The nude photos hack has been a controversial topic and Lawrence was left completely shocked when her personal photos were leaked and distributed online.

"Just because I'm a public figure, just because I'm an actress, does not mean that I asked for this," she told the publication. "It does not mean that it comes with the territory. It's my body, and it should be my choice, and the fact that it is not my choice is absolutely disgusting. I can't believe that we even live in that kind of world."

Lawrence's rep condemned the hack at the time, but The Hunger Games star chose not to make a statement because she was so emotional about the decision that she was unsure of what to say.

"Every single thing that I tried to write made me cry or get angry. I started to write an apology, but I don't have anything to say I'm sorry for. I was in a loving, healthy, great relationship for four years. It was long-distance, and either your boyfriend is going to look at porn or he's going to look at you."

The main reason you shouldn't look at JLaw and other celebs' nudes

But the hardest part for Lawrence about the leak of her intimate pictures was having to tell her family about it. The actress went on to explain that if she had the choice between all the money she makes from The Hunger Games or making a phone call to her dad, she'd forgo the cash.

6 Crazy things about @PersianLa27 that prove it is Amanda Bynes

The troubled starlet has been engaging in bizarre behavior since her DUI arrest nearly two weeks ago, and now that she's returned to her official Twitter account @amandabynes, we have a feeling she's going to give the media even more to talk about.

Bynes' verified account had been inactive since May 15, but she reactivated it on Tuesday, Oct. 7 and she's finally decided to give her fans a status update, to make sure that they don't believe everything they read about her in the tabloids.

Bynes arrived in New York City last week after she was busted for DUI, and rumors emerged that she had been kicked out of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Irvine, California. But she wants her fans to know that she plans to stay in the Big Apple, and that she's changing her studies from fashion to psychology. Oh, and she totally hates stalkers.

Amanda Bynes' behavior gets her kicked out of fashion school

But just because Bynes' official account is active once again doesn't mean that she has been avoiding social media all this time, because we think Bynes has been using a secret Twitter account for the past few months.

There are plenty of signs pointing toward the fact that the Twitter handle @PersianLa27, which up until recently went by the screen name Ashley, could be the former actress's secret Twitter account. We suspect Bynes may have been using the secret account to tell people just how ugly and irrelevant they are, as well as refute the rumors and stories written about her.

Wait, what? Amanda Bynes is engaged?

But don't you dare call @PersianLa27 Amanda or you will get blocked — which is bizarre since her screen name is Amanda. Um, what gives?

No need to spend heaps of money on your kid's Halloween costume this year. Instead, rock this DIY kid costume and let your inner Snow Queen shine with this DIY Elsa Halloween costume. Complete with princess-worthy fabric, pretty tulle and only requiring basic sewing prowess, this Elsa from Frozen costume is calling your little girl's name. And if you're not a kid, no worries. We won't tell anyone that you made an Elsa Halloween costume in your size (and belted out "Let It Go" while doing so). So follow along with the video above and, of course, Happy Halloween!

Supplies:

• Rotary cutter
• 10 yards of light weight blue tulle
• 2 yard of blue lining fabric
• ¼ yard of a thick knit blue fabric
• 1 yard or 3/4” elastic
• 3 yards of iridescent white organza
• Snow flakes
• Blue ribbon

More Frozen fun

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Specifically, is it tight enough? And before you're done wondering, now there are also a bunch of creams that promise to solve that problem. You know what they say — see a need and fill it! (Which sounds even worse in this context.)

The first cream, disturbingly called "18 Again," promises to "recapture your vagina's youth so you can feel tight and wanted again." While I could (and probably should) point out how sad and gross it is that they're telling us we need to have a teenage vagina to feel wanted, what really bothers me is the notion that 18-year-old sex was somehow better. For who?! Another even scarier tagline reads, "Make her feel like a virgin all over again with this amazing vaginal contracting lube."

I... wow. I never want to feel like a virgin ever again. That was not good sex, people. Some things get better with practice and nookie is definitely one of those things.

Thanks to the cult of youth and virginity I guess I can see why men might prefer a younger vag, but is this really an issue for women, the demographic most of the creams seem to be marketed to?

Not really, says sex therapist Dr. Ava Cadell to the LA Times. Just like penises come in all shapes and sizes, so do vaginas with some women being naturally larger than others. She busts a lot of myths about what makes a woman tight (not because she's frigid!) or loose (doesn't matter how many sex partners she's had!). Although sadly it does seem the vaginal walls thin with age.

But if things aren't going smoothly during the big p-in-v moment, Cadell says it may not have anything to do with how "loose" a woman's vagina is at all but rather how aroused she is. "During arousal the vagina expands in anticipation of being penetrated," says Dr. Cadell. "Then the vagina tightens around the penis to give both the man and woman more sexual satisfaction."

Hear that dudes? Want a little more huggin' for your nubbin, then try a little more buffin' for her muffin. (Yeah I can't believe I just wrote that either. I'm sorry Mom!)

So what about these creams? Do they work? Eh, kinda. Maybe a little. The creams, with names like "Liquid Virgin" and "Crazy Girl Wanna Be Tight," say their ingredients make the tissue absorb water and become distended, thereby making you temporarily tighter. Product reviews on Amazon are mixed with some people being very happy and others ending up with "cold takeout and a yeast infection."

Instead of sketchy creams, doctors recommend practicing Kegels (with weights, even!) to tighten up your pelvic floor muscles.

More for women

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The mixed-breed dog had what you would call a rough start in life. On Aug. 19, he was dropped off at the Ozark City Animal Shelter by his owner, who was moving and could no longer care for the pup. To make matters worse, the dog was bloody and missing a pad on his left rear foot from being hit by a car.

After attempting in vain through social media to find the dog a home, the shelter scheduled his date for death as Sept. 10.

That's when, according to animal control officer Wanda Snell, a miracle occurred.

That evening, a veterinarian arrived to euthanize animals due to be put to sleep. Snell accompanied the veterinarian as he moved from kennel to kennel. When he arrived at the black-and-tan mixed breed's quarters, the vet injected the dog with the standard lethal euthanasia concoction.

The dog stirred a bit, and the vet checked for a heartbeat. Hearing a faint one, he administered a second round of euthanasia drugs. He then rechecked his heartbeat and, says Snell, signed off on the records that the 4-year-old shepherd mix was dead.

The following morning, the staff arrived to resume their daily duties.

There, staring out at them from the same kennel Snell and the veterinarian had left his lifeless body, was the black-and-tan mixed breed. Back, apparently, from the dead. A bit wobbly, but he'd even managed to polish off his food from the day before.

Snell reached out to Two By Two Rescue, who happily took in the miracle dog.

"As I thanked God for saving him and for allowing us to be a part of his future, I pondered what I should name such a special dog? Without a minute passing, I knew there was no other name appropriate than Lazarus," Two By Two Rescue's Sonya King wrote on the rescue group's Facebook page of the dog's new Biblical moniker.

Soon after being taken in by Two By Two, Lazarus recovered from his near-death experience(s). He regained his balance, maintained a great appetite and returned to being a happy-go-lucky pup.

Today, Lazarus lives with Jane Holston of Helena, where he is receiving the care he needs — and a whole lotta love.

"He's not skittish, he's not afraid of anything, anybody, any sounds," Holston marveled. "I mean, it's just amazing what all he has been through."

More amazing dog tales

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