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Widow lives full time on luxe cruise ship for $164,000 a year

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Lee Wachtstetter and her husband were avid cruise fans, so before her husband died in 1997, his final wish was for her to keep cruising. So the 86-year-old widow sold her sprawling Fort Lauderdale house on 10 acres and took up permanent residence on the Crystal Serenity cruise ship, where she's lived for about seven years.

crystal serenity pool

Image: Gary Benbridge via Flickr

What a cool retirement idea. Why hasn't anyone thought of this before? She's taken care of, comfortable and has her independence. Genius — if you can afford the price tag.

Wachtsetter estimates it costs her $164,000 a year to live on the cruise ship, which includes her private stateroom, meals and beverages, parties, dancing, lectures and other daily activities. She was attracted to Crystal Serenity because it's ranked as one of the best cruise lines in the world and for its accommodations for passengers traveling alone.

Now Mama Lee, as she's known by the crew of the Crystal Serenity, travels the world in style and luxury. She doesn't always go ashore for excursions, she says, with one notable and exotic exception: Istanbul.

"I can't resist the Grand Bazaar," Wachtstetter said. "You can find gorgeously regal or glitzy outfits there, perfect for formal or casual wear and not terribly expensive. I have to restrain myself every time because of my limited cabin space."

She says she misses her family but communicates with one of her children or grandchildren every day online.

"I hear from one of them every day and visit with them whenever we dock in Miami. Last year we docked in Miami five times."

She spends her time dancing the night away, dining at her regular table for eight and hanging in the Palm Court lounge, doing her needlepoint.

"The crew members bend over backwards to keep me happy. Some are almost like family now. If they don't have what I want, they get it, even if they have to buy it off the ship or make it to my specific needs."

A smart lady enjoying retirement like a boss. Admit it — you're a little bit jealous.

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What is Mike Tyson doing on Madonna's Rebel Heart soundtrack? (VIDEOS)

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On Monday, Jan. 19, the track list for the pop titan's Rebel Heart surfaced via iTunes. Sure, most, if not all, of the track list is comprised of songs that hit the internet during the leakage, but all eyes fell on the features on track No. 9. On the song called "Iconic," it seems like Madonna recruited an odd pairing with guest spots from Chance the Rapper and Mike Tyson.

Yup, the retired professional boxer makes a vocal appearance on Madonna's new LP. Let that sink in for a second. SheKnows has no idea what to really expect, but we figured that we'd dig into Mike's musical past to see what he might be able to contribute to the record. We found (mostly) humor.

"Monster Mash"

Back in 2005, Tyson teamed up with Jimmy Kimmel Live! for a live performance of the always enjoyable "Monster Mash" with Bobby Brown. While it's not too random of a segment as it was for the Halloween episode of the late-night talk show, Tyson's vocals might have been the scariest part of the number. Dressed as a vampire, he mumbled his way through every single word, making his performance completely and utterly inaudible.


More: Who's performing at the 2015 Grammys?

"In the Air Tonight"

Years later, Mike lent his vocals to The Hangover franchise with multiple appearances in the films with covers of Phil Collin's "In the Air Tonight" and Murray Head's "One Night in Bangkok." We were confused, amused and stunned all at the same time.


"The Girl from Ipanema"

Later in 2011, Tyson still kept fans scratching their heads when he performed bossa nova hit "The Girl from Ipanema" during a Brazilian variety show called Huck's Cauldron. Dressed in a white blazer and a top hat, he did his best to play it smooth and actually offer his best rendition of the song. This time, it was without the chuckle.


More: Mike Tyson to the rescue following motorcycle crash

"LeBron"

Fast forward to 2012, Tyson teamed up with Kimmel once again to show some love to the Miami Heat and LeBron James. In a pre-recorded sketch, the former boxer performed an original cut called "LeBron." It was completely amazing and disastrous all at the same time. With Tyson on guitar, he showed off a whole lot of love and off-key singing to the NBA player. Oh, yeah, he also ended the performance with a white dove.


What are you thoughts on Mike Tyson appearing on Madonna's new album? Sound off in the comments below!

This Batmobile stroller is everything a toddler needs to fight crime

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They wanted the Batmobile.

Batmobile stroller

Batmobile stroller

Maressa challenged YouTube craftsmen group AWE me to build a Batmobile stroller for their 18-month-old son.

What they got was an epic stroller modeled after the Batmobile in Christopher Nolan's dark Batman films. There's nothing cutesy or cardboard about this thing. The frame is made of forged steel. Designer Tim Baker designed it to be durable, with all-wheel tires and mirrored glass.

Batmobile stroller

Image: AWE me

While the Earls won't be folding this stroller up to drag it to Disneyland, they'll definitely turn heads and keep people well out of their way when they fight crime take a stroll around the block. And talk about a leg workout.

More on parenting

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This foot fetish sex toy is doing it all wrong

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If you have a foot fetish, you might be in the market for a foot fetish sex toy. However, unless you're a serial killer in the making, you might want to skip over this offering from Sin Boutique that can be yours for "only" $179 (link is NSFW). If you don't want to (or can't) click on the link, I'll spell it out for you: This item is a silicone foot and ankle, complete with a vaginal opening down through the top of the thing so someone with a penis can have sex with it. This is what it looks like:

foot fetish

This particular sex toy, cleverly called the Vajankle, might appeal to those with a foot fetish, but a quick poll among my pals tells me that my initial reaction of "heck no" might be accurate. For example, one friend, whose husband likes feet quite a bit, said that he shuddered when he was shown the link.

In other words, if you want to have sex with a foot, I don't think that you'd really be keen on replacing the leg bone with a vulva and a vagina. It's creepy, and it looks like a trophy kept by a serial killer — not a fun sex toy. In fact, it reminds me distinctly of a book I read where a serial killer did something similar to his victims while they were still alive. Not only was this a horrible thing to read about, it was distinctly not sexy.

People buy disembodied silicone crotches for sexual purposes, which makes total sense — people generally have sex with crotches. And yes, some people like having sex with feet, but they usually don't remove them from their owner and debone them to do so. It just doesn't work that way, unless you have a suspicious need to keep visitors out of your refrigerator or your backyard.

I love the general idea, because catering to those whose sexual interests lie outside the mainstream is amazing. But if I was a guy who likes feet and got this as a gift, I'd not only not want to use it, but I'd be afraid to throw it away for fear of getting mistakenly arrested for chopping up bodies.

So, you almost got it, Sin Boutique. Almost — but not quite.

More on sex

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Tiger Woods loses a tooth after painful accident in Italy (PHOTO)

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Woods must be channeling his inner Michael Strahan lately. He was spotted in Italy in Cortina d'Ampezzo, where he surprised both the media and his girlfriend, gold medal Olympian skier Lindsey Vonn.

Vonn was competing in and won the 63rd World Cup race. But that wasn't what caused such a stir. It was Woods, who turned up in photos missing his front tooth.

Tiger Woods missing tooth

Tiger Woods missing tooth

More: Tiger Woods adds restaurateur to his résumé

According to the golfer's agent, Mark Steinberg, there was an incident involving a video cameraman that led to Woods losing a tooth, and this time it didn't have anything to do with Woods' temper.

According to sources, he sent an email saying, "During a crush of photographers at the awards podium at the World Cup event in Italy, a media member with a shoulder-mounted video camera pushed and surged toward the stage, turned and hit Tiger Woods in the mouth. Woods' tooth was knocked out by the incident."

More: Tiger Woods, Lindsey Vonn's mom helped her through the pain

OK, so it was an accident, but we can't help but chuckle at how ridiculous Woods looks with his front tooth missing. Woods, who has been sidelined much more than usual lately because of a back injury, will compete in the Phoenix Open next week.

So we will have to wait and see if the most photographed golfer in history will have his tooth fixed by then or if we will have a plethora of new meme-worthy photos of Woods for years to come.

This automatic formula maker might be the best parenting invention ever

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The Milk Nanny is sort of like an automatic coffee machine — except instead of making the caffeinated elixir every parent needs in the morning, it makes perfectly measured, warm formula. It's a lot prettier than all the single-serving coffee machines I've used. Also, unlike coffee machines, you can control it with your phone.

Milk nanny app

Image: Milk Nanny

This is a game changer. I'm voting that everything become remote-controlled via phone. Not just the thermostat and lights — I'm talking the baby swing, maybe the microwave, possibly actual children. But seriously, imagine waking from a scant two hours of sleep to the sound of a hungry baby. Instead of trudging to the kitchen in the dark to mix up a bottle, hit a little button on an app on your phone, and spend those precious minutes snuggling your baby instead. Or hiding your head under a pillow.

Milk Nanny

Milk Nanny

Look at those sleek lines. It's like a luxury car. The rest of my kitchen appliances would feel very self-conscious with that beauty on the counter.

Until science finally comes up with robot assistants who can dice up every annoying baby meal and carry out all those bags of nasty diapers, this is the next-best thing. Feeding a hungry baby is tough work no matter how you choose to do it, and it's nice to see innovations for parents who formula feed their little ones.

The Milk Nanny is expected to retail at just under $200 when it launches this May.

More on formula feeding

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10 Proposals gone very wrong (VIDEO)

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The minute you decide to complicate matters by getting a flash mob, circus performers or every single person your future wife has ever known involved, you're taking a huge risk. Sure, you could succeed and yours can be the greatest wedding proposal YouTube viewers have ever rolled their eyes at — or you could fail miserably and wind up on this list.

Here are 10 wedding proposals that did not capture our hearts:

1. Basketball game rejection:

basketball wedding

basketball wedding

Oh, my lord, this poor guy. For some reason, public proposals have become a thing. It's all well and good if you want to get down on one knee in front of a crowd of basketball fans, as long as you are 100 percent sure that the outcome of the proposal will be in your favor. Because if it isn't, man oh man, sports fans and some of the players, even, might find it difficult not to giggle. The fact that this proposal took place the night before Valentine's Day is really just the frosting on the worst cake ever baked.

2. For love or money

washington wizards proposal

washington wizards proposal

This woman allowed herself to be blindfolded in the hopes that she would win cash at a Washington Wizards basketball game. Instead, her boyfriend revealed himself and proposed — and she fled the scene. Guess she would have preferred the cash prize to the lifetime reward. Also, what is it with men and basketball games?

3. Food court failure

food court proposal

food court proposal

We give this man credit for proposing in the last romantic place on the planet: a mall food court. He certainly managed to catch his girlfriend by surprise. Awful shock, is more like it. Everything about this video makes us cringe and want to give this guy a huge hug — from the guitarist who appears out of nowhere and begins singing "Sweet Caroline" to the crowd watching her ultimately reject him.

4. Mall proposal gone wrong

mall proposal

mall proposal

This proposal is so bizarre that it's difficult to believe it actually happened. After meeting his girlfriend at this mall three months ago (yes, three), he proceeds to call her a "sweetie pie, chili pie" and, as music plays in the background, confesses his dying devotion to her and proposes marriage. And then there's a slap. And there's really nothing more you can say after there is a slap.

5. Hell on Ellen

ellen proposal

ellen proposal

This adorable guy was a huge fan of Ellen DeGeneres and thought it would be cute to propose to the love of his life on television. It would have been adorable, had she not burst into tears and repeatedly admitted she couldn't do it. Ellen's people quickly attempted to turn the moment into a happy holiday one, but it isn't easy to bounce back from such harsh rejection.

6. Public display of humiliation

public proposal

public proposal

Most women don't want to be proposed to in front of all of New York City. If you're about to marry someone, you should at least know this much about them. The man in this video met his girlfriend on this insanely public staircase in the Big Apple. He explains to the crowd gathered there, minding their own business, that he wants them to witness what he's about to do, as his "future man of honor" films the entire thing. As you can guess, it has an absolutely disastrous ending.

7. House party proposal

house party proposal

house party proposal

A beautiful, modern young woman decides to take matters into her own hands and propose to her boyfriend — at a house party that looks like it is set in a frat house, complete with cheering, beer-swilling dudes. What could go wrong?! We have no idea what her boyfriend whispered into her ear at the end of this, but we can guess it wasn't "yes."

8. A cappella proposal

acapella proposal

acapella proposal

Everything you need to know about how this woman really feels about her boyfriend, even as he's singing his heart out to her in front of a club filled with revelers, is written across her face. But, considering how this man isn't reading her body language, he probably got the hint when she repeatedly said, "Stop," and tried to shut the ring box while he was still holding it.

9. Rejection on live TV

live TV proposal

live TV proposal

Consider these the most awkward few moments of television ever. For some reason, a man who seems nervous to begin with thought it would be a good idea to make himself and his girlfriend even more nervous by proposing to her on a television program. After her shock and long pause, she whispers something totally reasonable — that makes it evident she won't be walking down the aisle with him anytime soon.

10. The never-ending proposal

keep guessing proposal

keep guessing proposal

This proposal is the opposite of a failure. In fact, it's one of the best ones we've ever seen. But it didn't start out that way, so it deserves a place on this list (plus, it's just awesome and you should check it out). Jordan had an amazing plan to pop the question to Summer, but she found out about it. Instead of considering his a proposal gone wrong, this adorable guy decided to set up a series of fake proposals to teach his girlfriend a lesson — until the very end, which is well worth the wait.

More about proposals

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Grab your tissues: The best proposals on YouTube
5 Cringe-worthy marriage proposals on TV

One-Pot Wonder: 3-Meat skillet spaghetti is an easy dinner tonight

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This dish is so full of flavor and perfectly cooked pasta that my husband didn't even believe me when I told him it was made all in one pot. It's so easy to make and takes only 45 minutes from start to finish. If you can't find ground meatloaf mix in your grocery store, you can easily substitute with ground beef, turkey or chicken.

one pot 3 meat spaghetti

One-skillet three-meat spaghetti recipe

This pasta dish is packed full of onions, green pepper and fresh tomato flavor. Plus it's easily made in one pot and requires no extra dishes.

Serves 4-6

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 35 minutes | Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1-1/2 pounds ground meatloaf mix (beef/pork/veal mix)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 green peppers, diced
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • 32 ounces beef stock
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1 pound spaghetti, broken in half

Directions:

  1. To a large 5- to 6-quart cooking vessel, add the ground meatloaf mix and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
  2. Cook over medium-high heat until it just starts to brown. Add in the onions, green peppers, garlic and Italian seasoning.
  3. Continue cooking until the meat is fully browned and the vegetables are soft.
  4. Add in the beef stock, crushed tomatoes, whole milk and Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine, and then add in the spaghetti.
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then lower the heat to medium-low.
  6. Cook until the pasta is soft and the sauce has thickened.

For tons of great recipes, like our I <3 Comfort Food page on Facebook.

More pasta recipes

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7 Sexist Super Bowl commercials (VIDEOS)

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How did we stumble across this information? By watching the playoff games, of course! While the fact that us women were watching sports may not come as a huge surprise to most, it's probably safe to bet that the masterminds behind a lot of famous Super Bowl commercials would be shocked. I mean, they've spent millions of dollars in advertising money creating spots that are obviously geared towards men and reduce women to sexual stereotypes, so they must not think we're watching, right?

From women fighting with each other in their bras, to women eating vegetables in their bras, and back to women waiting around for flowers in their bras, there are tons of ads that objectify females. Did we mention there are women in bras?

More: 15 Super-sexist things Disneyland's Gaston says

The public has caught on to the sexism that exists in Super Bowl ads and has fought back over the past couple of years by tweeting #NotBuyingIt and referencing some of the more offensive commercials. Companies seem to have taken notice. Though the amount of insulting ads seems to be decreasing and H&M even overcompensated by gracing us with a pretty sexy David Beckham spot, the Super Bowl still remains largely to be seen as a male-dominated, beer-drinking, testosterone-infused event.

But if women are offended by the way Super Bowl advertising execs stereotype us, men should be just as offended, if not more. Clearly they have males pegged as simple-minded beasts who will do anything a scantily clad woman tells them to do.

Here's a look at some of the most sexist Super Bowl commercials. Be advised: This is just a sampling, not an all-inclusive list.

1. Miller Lite: "Catfight"

Miller Lite Catfight commercial

Miller Lite Catfight commercial

Video: YouTube

In this 2003 ad, two men weave a tale of two women aggressively fighting over beer in their underwear, as their scathing girlfriends look on. Women fighting are funny and sexy, right?

More: Your favorite pop star is headlining the Super Bowl Halftime Show (VIDEO)

2. Teleflora: "Valentine's Day"

Teleflora Super Bowl commercial

Teleflora Super Bowl commercial

Video: YouTube

The message of this ad is plainly spelled out by Adriana Lima: If a man presents a woman with flowers, then she is a sure thing. The company clearly thinks that females are simple, delicate creatures who will offer themselves up sexually when given gifts.

3. Victoria's Secret featuring Adriana Lima

Victoria's Secret Super Bowl commercial

Victoria's Secret Super Bowl commercial

Video: YouTube

Lima is back again to convey another simple message: Hey, guys! As soon as the game is over, make your woman don lingerie and get laid!

4. Kia featuring Adriana Lima and Motley Crüe

Kia super bowl commercial

Kia super bowl commercial

Video: YouTube

Because women don't have anything to dream about that's worthwhile besides rainbows, butterflies and our knight in shining armor, while men dream of general baddassery and, surprise, surprise, a half-naked Adriana Lima.

5. Fiat: "Seduction"

Fiat Super Bowl commercial

Fiat Super Bowl commercial

Video: YouTube

Women come running when men leer at them in public, according to this ad. This commercial reinforces exactly what non-profit, Hollaback, tried to disprove in October: Women like to be catcalled.

6. GoDaddy: Bar Refaeli's "Big Kiss Perfect Match"

Go Daddy Super Bowl commercial

Go Daddy Super Bowl commercial

Video: Super Bowl 2014/YouTube

Why is she the "sexy one" and he's the "smart one"? It's possible to be a woman, be sexy and be smart all at the same time.

7. PETA: "Veggie Love"

PETA Super Bowl commercial

PETA Super Bowl commercial

Video: YouTube

Oh, PETA. Your heart is in the right place, but just no.

Johnny Depp to actors: Stop trying to be musicians

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Actor, self-proclaimed pirate and low-key musician Johnny Depp has some words for his fellow big-screen brethren: Stop trying to become musicians on the backs on your acting career.

He told reporters in Berlin at the world premiere of his latest movie, "That whole idea for me is a sickening thing, it's always just made me sick."

Johnny Depp GIF 2

Johnny Depp GIF 2

He continued, saying, "I've been very lucky to play on friends' records, and it's still going… but you won't be hearing The Johnny Depp Band. That won't ever exist."

Johnny Depp GIF

Johnny Depp GIF

More: January 2015: 5 Must-see movies you won't want to miss in 2015

So, let me get this straight. Depp, who has played guitar with Oasis and The Pogues, performed in several of his own movies, including Chocolat and Once Upon a Time in Mexico, appeared in numerous music videos for huge names like Paul McCartney, has performed at music award shows like the MTV Movie Awards and is a member of the band P (whose other members include musicians from Buttonhole Surfers, Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Sex Pistols) thinks other actors shouldn't try to become musicians if they want to.

Why, hello pot, meet kettle.

Eye rolling GIF

Eye rolling GIF

For the love of all things holy, the man has a daughter with the middle name Melody, but he is going to tell other actors they sicken him for wanting to pursue their own music careers?

More: Think Johnny Depp was embarrassed by his drunken speech? Think again

Depp also said, "The kind of luxury now is, anybody with a certain amount of success, if you have a kind of musical being, you can go out and start a band and capitalize on your work in other areas. But I hate the idea, 'Come see me play the guitar because you've seen me in 12 movies.' It shouldn't be (that way). You want the people who are listening to the music to only be interested in the music."

Depp just recently wrapped up working with Paltrow, who, we all know, made many an appearance on Glee as the substitute teacher and who is among many actors whose musical careers gained any kind of steam mostly because of their acting fame.

So, it makes you wonder if there was anything behind these comments — if they are directed at any one actor in particular or just these vulturous terrible actors, in general.

Paltrow GIF

Paltrow GIF

More: Johnny Depp from hot to huh? in 12 photos

Either way, it seems a bit supercilious (and borderline pretentious... OK, downright condescending) for Depp to think just because someone is a successful actor they can't be a musician, too, good bad or otherwise.

Who hasn't had the dream of being in a rock band at some point in their lives?!

Why fault a celebrity for trying to live out another one of their dreams? They might be fantastically terrible, but who cares? Let them sing their hearts out and play bad covers to old classic rock songs. If they're good, they'll make it. If they're not, hopefully, they'll get the memo early enough in their music "careers" before they do some real damage their acting careers.

What do you guys think about actors who try to make it in the music industry?

3 Tough organization questions answered by a California Closets design guru

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1. Why organize your closet at all?

Organized Closet from California Closets

Image: California Closets

Merry Lucero: Let's first talk motivation. For those of us who do want to have an organized and orderly closet but get overwhelmed and give up when we start to sort, what are some benefits to getting organized that can help us to stay inspired through the project?

Ginny Snook Scott: In a recent California Closets survey, we found that more than half of respondents reported that disorganization makes them feel stressed and frustrated. While getting organized can seem like a daunting task, it is important to stay inspired through an organizing project by setting yourself up for success. This can be done by starting off with a small space, such as a linen closet or entryway closet, and giving yourself enough time to organize the entire space in one sitting. Invite a friend over to help, or include your family members. Play music, and make it fun!

ML: Taking everything out of my closet at once would be a huge mess. Is there a different approach to taking the first step before getting to sorting?

GSS: While I highly recommend starting with a completely blank slate, if this isn't possible, there are several other options. One option is to start small by focusing on one area of the space first. For example, in a closet, focus on shoes, then jeans, shirts, etc. This helps you maximize your efforts without creating a huge mess. Whether you start out small or overhaul the entire closet, make sure to organize the removed items into three piles: things to store away, keep for every day and donate. The "store" pile is for items that you feel sentimental about, such as your wedding dress or a baby blanket for your child. These should be stored somewhere else, such as the attic or a guest closet. The "keep" pile should only be those items that you wear regularly, and these should be returned to your closet. The "donate" pile should be anything that is out of style or does not fit any longer. Donate these to your favorite charity. Make sure to build in enough time to do the entire project at once. The key to success here is getting it all done so you can begin enjoying the sense of calm it will bring you immediately!

2. How do I know what stuff to let go of?

Clothes hanging on hangers from California Closets

Image: California Closets

ML: One hurdle to getting organized is often just too much stuff. Even though we know it will be liberating to do so, for many it is difficult to let go of things that really aren't needed. Any tips for getting past the thought that, even if we haven't worn an item in a while, we might want to wear it again someday?

GSS: Give yourself permission to keep things of sentimental value or is a quality piece that might come back in five years, but release the items you are keeping only because you spent money to purchase them. If you haven't worn something in over six months, it is likely you won't wear it ever again. If clothing has stains, holes, missing buttons or simply doesn't fit, you need to let it go. For items that you are unsure of letting go, when you return them to your closet, hang them on the pole with the hanger facing backwards. If you end up wearing them, put them on the hanger right side out. Over the course of another six months, if any of your hangers are still backwards, that means you have not worn those items. This can help you make the decision to donate them or put them in storage to revisit at another time.


3. What is the best way to group items in your closet?

California Closets master closet

Image: California Closets

ML: Once we have decided what to keep, what is the best way to organize the remaining clothes, shoes and other items in our closets?

GSS: When placing things back into the closet, it is wise to group similar things together. First, determine if there are multiple users of the closet, and then identify which areas they will inhabit in the new space. After the closet has been divided, look at placing items back by item/type. For instance, place all blouses together and then all pants together and so on. Keeping like items in one area makes it much easier to find them when searching for what to wear. Ideally, folded items and handbags would be placed on shelves, and shoes are also brought up to eye level on shelves rather than stored on the floor.

ML: Are there additional steps we can take to help us continue to maintain the order we've created?

GSS: If you want to go one step further, you can additionally organize by color. Also, for maintenance of the categorized items, try to spend just a few minutes each day to make sure that items are returned to their specific area after use. In addition, when you come home with dry cleaning or are putting items away from the laundry, take the extra time to place each item in its designated space.

ML: What are some tips for maximizing the existing space in a closet?

GSS: The most valuable way to increase your space is to utilize the full vertical height of your closet. Building in two separate hanging levels for items will double the amount of hanging capacity in your closet. You can place a running top shelf at the very top of the closet and also include a shelf between the two hanging heights to have additional spaces for folded items.

ML: Finally, how can the average person help their closet be more aesthetically attractive and appealing?

GSS: You can aesthetically change the look of your closet with a few simple additions. If you have drawers and/or doors within your closet, look at upgrading your handles/knobs to decorative ones. This simple and inexpensive change can greatly improve the look of your space. You can also add in lighting to your closet or change out your existing fixture to a luxurious chandelier. Again, with limited investment, this can change the look and feel of your space and make it uniquely yours!

More in closet creativity

Hollywood designer gives away closet secrets of the stars
17 Insanely organized closets to inspire you
How to put your closet on a diet

Infants aren't actors, so who cares if American Sniper used dolls

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Perhaps these viewers have never hung out with a real baby. Babies are unpredictable and frankly, pretty gross. I spent about an hour and a half trying to get nice newborn portraits of my son nine years ago. He managed to cry for 90 percent of the shoot. He also pooped in my socks. In my socks.

Do you think Bradley Cooper wants baby poop in his socks? Probably not. Method acting only goes so far.

Now it's been "revealed" that the production used dolls when one baby showed up sick and the other didn't show up at all. This kind of gotcha is pretty silly. Next we'll hear that infant actors showed up still milk-drunk from an all-nighter.

Fake baby

Fake baby

The truth is, it's pretty weird for tiny babies to be in movies at all. Not only is it a huge inconvenience to the production since babies can only work for a handful of minutes at a time, it's also totally unnecessary. American Sniper didn't pick the most realistic fake baby doll out there, but it's not like actual squirming infants were the only way to do it right. Hollywood sunk the Titanic 18 years ago. Hollywood made dinosaurs walk the earth 22 years ago.

raptor

Image: Giphy

Hollywood can fake a baby today.

Using special effects instead of real infants would also solve the irritating issue of 6-month-old babies being used in birth scenes. No woman wants to watch a doctor hand an enormous baby to a (tearfully) smiling actress who supposedly just pushed the massive thing out of her vagina. That's a perfect opportunity to use a slimy, jiggly baby doll, right?

More on parenting

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This Batmobile stroller is everything a toddler needs to fight crime
30 Telltale signs Mom needs a night out

Enjoy this pub-style beer cheese soup made in the slow cooker

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I love dipping soft pretzels or bread into this beer-infused soup, but sometimes I like topping off a hot bowl with crunchy croutons and sliced jalapeño peppers. Using the slow cooker makes this dish effortless, and it's perfect for football parties or even tailgating.

Spicy sharp cheddar beer cheese soup recipe

Whip up this creamy beer-infused cheddar cheese soup effortlessly and easily in the slow cooker.

Serves 6-8

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 4 hours | Total time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 large sweet onion, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 2 jalapeño peppers, minced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1-1/2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 12 ounces beer (I used a light beer)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • Fresh jalapeños, paprika, croutons and cilantro, for garnish

Directions:

  1. To the bowl of a slow cooker, add all the ingredients minus the cheese.
  2. Cover with the lid, set the slow cooker on low, and cook for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
  3. Before serving, stir in the cheddar cheese, and continue to stir until the cheese has completely melted and the soup is very thick.
  4. Ladle the soup into serving bowls, and garnish with croutons, jalapeños, cilantro and a sprinkle of paprika, if desired.
  5. Best served warm.

For tons of great recipes, like our I <3 Comfort Food page on Facebook.

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Fifty Shades of Grey's Dakota Johnson is terrified of this

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You'd think someone who is getting ready to be recognized worldwide as the smitten, smart and adventurous Anastasia Steele would be fearless, right?

Well, you'd be wrong.

Dakota Johnson is the actress who, in just a few short weeks, will be thrust into the limelight with a jolt and a pretty hard shove. But for those dwindling days, she will be hanging onto her anonymity with both hands, and you will have to tear it away from her kicking and screaming.

More: Has Dakota Johnson found her own Mr. Grey?

Johnson will be taking the spotlight for one of the most highly hyped and anticipated films. So, she will be a lot of things, but anonymous is not one of them.

In February's issue of Vogue, the actress said, "I think about my dwindling anonymity. And that's really scary because a very large part of me would be perfectly happy living on a ranch in Colorado and having babies and chickens and horses, which I will do anyway."

How very Anastasia Steele of her.

More: Dakota Johnson thinks Anastasia Steele is too boring

The Vogue story paints a perfect picture of a girl who, as many have said, "may not have wrapped her head around her coming fame."

Johnson said she plans to do her promotions for the film and then lie as low as possible for a while. "I do a bit of press for Fifty, and then I'm just going to take the rest of the year off. I want to hang out with my friends. I want to hang out with my family — well, I sometimes want to hang out with my family!"

More: Dakota Johnson's dad won't watch her in Fifty Shades of Grey

This down-to-earth girl is nothing like what we'd expect from someone who is going to (hopefully) bare it all in the sheets with steamy costar, Jamie Dornan. But there it is, she is the consummate Ms. Steele, all demur and bookish. Perhaps those casting folks do know what they're doing, after all.

Vet told not to park in 'Veteran' space because she's a woman

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Take Mary Claire Caine from Wilmington, North Carolina, for instance. Don't be fooled by her shiny hair and fierce mani — she's a veteran who served in the Air Force in Kuwait on the flight line of the F-177 Nighthawk stealth fighter.

That's why it's so galling that someone identifying themselves only as "Wounded Vet" was so certain she wasn't a veteran that when she parked in a "Veterans Only" parking spot, he (or she) left a note.

"Maybe [you] can't read the sign you parked in front of... This space is reserved for those who fought for America... not you. Thanks, Wounded Vet."

vet shamed out of parking spot

vet shamed out of parking spot

Um, no. Not OK.

Unfortunately, Caine didn't see who left her this note, but based on its message, we're assuming it's a man. And maybe "Wounded Vet" should do a little reading of his own. He could Google Major Lauren Edwards, who commanded a group of more than 150 Marines during the Iraqi invasion. Read a bit of her bio from the military in case you're looking for a little girl power inspiration.

Or maybe he could take a look at Army Specialist Ashley Pullen, who, when her convoy was attacked in Baghdad, threw her own body over a fellow soldier while trying to treat his wounds and orchestrating her squad's evacuation. Pullen was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for her incredible actions that day.

These women, just like Caine, who "Wounded Vet" didn't deem worthy to park in a choice parking spot, are heroes who sacrifice for our country, and anyone who doesn't treat them with the respect they deserve doesn't understand what our country is about.

For her part, Caine waited around to see if "Wounded Vet" would have the guts to show back up and face her, but he never did.

"I think they took one look at me when I got out of my car and saw that I was a woman and assumed I wasn't a veteran and assumed I hadn't served my country," Caine said. "They have this image of what today's American veteran is, and honestly, if you've served in the United States military, you know that veterans come in all shapes and sizes."

Also, unrelated: There are "Veteran's Only" parking spaces? Cool.

More on our veterans

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Mom gives birth on Florida expressway

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Baby born on Florida expressway

Baby born on Florida expressway

A family added another member Tuesday, but he didn't arrive like most of us do — in a hospital, birthing center or a home. No, little Jaden Juniel Rosales was born on the way to the hospital while his dad raced down a Florida expressway.

His mom, Grendalee Rosales, wasn't due for another couple of weeks, so she wasn't expecting to go into labor this early. She hopped into the family car in the middle of the night when her contractions began, along with her husband, who was driving, her aunt and their three other children.

It didn't take long for things to get intense, and her husband, Jose, wasn't sure if he should pull over or not. However, their baby wasn't interested in waiting for his dad to make a choice. Grendalee wound up delivering her baby boy in the car while they were speeding down the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway.

Jose soon pulled over, and they dialed 911 while attempting to flag down some help. A passing driver (who wound up being a video editor for a local TV channel) pulled over to help out the family, and an ambulance was soon dispatched to whisk the mom and her newborn to a nearby hospital.

Fortunately Mom and baby are doing well, although they will both be kept in the hospital for observation for 48 hours. Jaden checked into this world at 7 pounds, 12 ounces and measures 20 inches long.

While rapid births aren't totally out of the norm, usually babies aren't born while you're actually driving to the hospital. Usually moms and dads know when they're really not going to make it and have time to pull over, but sometimes babies pop out so fast that parents don't have time to react.

Congrats, Rosales family!

More about pregnancy and birth

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15 Couples reveal what really happened on their wedding night

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For most modern couples, the odds are that you will no longer be eligible to be "devirginized" on your wedding night. But even without cherries being popped and "V" cards being swiped, most newly married couples expect something special to happen after being pronounced man and wife.

Is a magical wedding night a myth, or is it the stuff that Michael Bolton songs are made of? Fifteen couples spilled their guts on Reddit and confessed what really happened in the honeymoon suite

1. A delightful game of pickup sticks

Don't stop

Image: giphy.com

"She sat on the floor in front of me. We watched TV while I took the 6000 hairpins out of her hair. It was a horrible game of pickup sticks as they were all intertwined. After that, we crashed."

2. A rousing game of Monopoly

Seinfeld

Image: giphy.com

"We had our hotel room the day before the wedding. Got to the church, did our thing, had a blast at the reception. We leave the reception; my bride tells me her period started at the church. We walked around our favorite store and bought a new board game. We played Monopoly and watched TV on the most comfortable bed we had ever slept on."

3. Anything but sex

No sex

Image: giphy.com

"No sex. Basement of my aunt and uncle's house with my parents upstairs as we all hunkered down in a hurricane. If you can avoid getting married as a hurricane barrels down on you, I would recommend it."

4. Babysitting instead of boinking

George Michael

Image: giphy.com

"Parents rented a hotel room for the reception since it snowed that day and would be doing so all night. Parents insisted that they stay in the hotel room instead of my husband and me. Parents had me babysit my 11-year-old brother so they could have alone time on my wedding night."

5. Can't beat a quickie

Quickie

Image: giphy.com

"We were exhausted, so the sex was fairly basic and rather quick, but that's one of the benefits of sex before marriage — you can both orgasm in 10 minutes or less if needed."

6. Celebratory puking

Gagging

Image: giphy.com

"Got drunk at the after-party and eventually, somehow, fell into bed. New wife jumped on top of me expecting marital sexy times... a bout of nausea immediately hit me. I screamed 'Get off me!', pushed her off the bed and ran, puking all the way, to the bathroom."

7. Followed by some ugly crying

Ugly cry

Image: giphy.com

"My wife was literally crying because I was taking too long to undo the 800 buttons on the back of her dress that was now hurting her shoulders too much to wear. Then she cried as I pulled out the 8000 hair pins for her hair. A few strands of hair and 30 minutes later, we attempted sex, both decided we were tired and said, f*** it — went to bed cuddling."

8. Go on without me

Awkward

Image: giphy.com

"My favorite [story is] from a buddy — I was [his] groomsman. They got to the hotel room very late in the evening/morning, and after considerable consumption, she said (and I quote): 'You can go ahead, but I'm going to sleep.'"

9. OK, just a little bit of cherry popping

Celebrate

Image: giphy.com

"Nearly 50 years ago — but one of the best days of my life. We got married in the morning and, after a short reception, we drove to a hotel about halfway to where we were stopping on our honeymoon. We were both sexually inexperienced so it was great fun finding out together."

10. Presents!

Candy

Image: giphy.com

"Had an absolute blast at the wedding dance with family and friends, got really drunk, got a ride home with a sober groomsman and proceeded to open all our gifts and money we received. Then, went to bed and passed the f*** out."

11. Sex and Netflix — the perfect pair

Yes

Image: giphy.com

"The sex was good. She wore sexy underwear, and we had sex in front of a large window in our hotel room. Then we watched some Netflix and continued to get smashed."

12. Sex, sex and more sex

Penis

Image: giphy.com

"Being married now made it different and better because all of a sudden I was screwing my husband, you know? Fell asleep all naked in each other's arms, woke up in the morning, had more sex, went out to breakfast and on to our honeymoon... where we spent most of the week in the bedroom."

13. The definition of awkward

Britney Spears

Image: giphy.com

"My in-laws got us a hotel room for the night in a cutesy inn. The room was directly above theirs."

14. The plague

Sick

Image: giphy.com

"I had the flu, so I left the reception early and went to bed shivering violently and puking and shitting, while my very introverted husband was a gracious host to 40 people."

15. Too tired and too drunk to even think about it

Drinking

Image: giphy.com

"I got a little too drunk on my wedding night. Who am I kidding, I was wasted. Everyone kept buying me drinks, so I kept on drinking. So my wife and I finally get into bed, and we both agree it's not going to happen. So off to sleep I go."

More on weddings

Paralyzed bride walks down the aisle for her wedding (VIDEO)
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Red Velvet Oreos: Are they really worth the hype?

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Red Velvet Oreos

Introducing the first new cookie flavor (and color!) since the debut of the Golden Oreo, the Red Velvet Oreo promises to taste like your favorite cake (or cupcake) with the added bonus of cream cheese-flavored creme. But as with any hyped-up release, the question on everyone's minds (besides when can I get one?) is, are they really worth it?

Some have already gotten to taste them.

Red Velvet Oreo tweet 1

Red Velvet Oreo tweet 1

Some are eagerly awaiting them.

Red Velvet Oreo tweet 2

Red Velvet Oreo tweet 2

Red Velvet Oreo tweet 3

Red Velvet Oreo tweet 3

And some are just plain old overwhelmed.

Red Velvet Oreo tweet 4

Red Velvet Oreo tweet 4

And some are, ahem, making plans.

Red Velvet Oreo tweet 5

Red Velvet Oreo tweet 5

Oreo's even getting into the spirit by hosting a contest in which loyal fans can win a box before the official release date. And who wouldn't want that?

Red Velvet Oreo tweet 6

Red Velvet Oreo tweet 6

We were lucky enough to get a box (or two) in our offices and promptly put them to the test. So are they worth it? Are the Red Velvet Oreos really all they're hyped up to be?

Overwhelmingly so, these new Oreos were loved. Although some commented that they were "supersweet" and that they couldn't "gorge down half the package like with normal Oreos," others admitted that the new cookie flavor was "just chocolaty enough; not the strong chocolate taste of normal Oreos, but a more mild chocolate taste" and even that they "tasted better than just the usual chocolate."

As for the creme? That's where results were split.

Some said the creme tasted similar to cream cheese, while many others admitted they felt it had only "a bit more sweetness" than the regular Oreo creme. One of our tasters even equated the flavor to "old-school Dunkaroos frosting you would get back in the day."

It seems that, at the very least, these new Oreos are worth a try. Whether or not they'll become a favorite seasonal flavor has yet to be determined. But for now, we say: Bring it on, #RedVelvetOreo!

More Oreo fun

10 Oreo flavors we hope never see the light of day
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Supernatural: Sorting our 5 thoughts on the mid-season premiere

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To catch you up — in case you forgot any nail-biting moment from the midwinter finale, "The Things We Left Behind" — Crowley is catching up with his witch mother (no really, she's a witch) Rowena, and we left Dean Winchester kneeling in a pool of blood with the brutally murdered bodies around him.

More: Supernatural's Misha Collins teases major midseason finale story

Similar to other midseason episodes, "The Hunter Games" sets the tone for the rest of the season and heavily leans on the two plotlines that will carry us to the end:

  • Crowley and Rowena.
  • Team Free Will and the Mark of Cain.

As much as I'd like to assume it'll be easy to see where the first story line is going, nothing is ever that simple. Rowena is devious, sharp and power hungry. While Crowley appears to trust her (after five seasons, I sincerely hope he doesn't choose now to be sentimental), she absolutely uses it to her advantage. The episode opens with what turns out to be a dream sequence, Crowley getting an Angel Blade to the chest by his adviser (I wasn't kidding) and Rowena coming to his rescue.

Until she reaches into his throne, where he'd fallen asleep, and pulls out a hex bag. Because she planted the dream sequence! Throughout the episode, she spends a lot of time fawning over, and sweet-talking, her son. It's painfully obvious what she's doing: She's plotting to overthrow him and take her place as the Queen of Hell. She's setting it up rather well, though, and while I don't believe she knows of Crowley's affinity for human blood and how that got him a little in tune with human emotions, she's successfully planting seeds of doubt, which affects him more than it should. He's a demon with an unfortunate glimpse into the human psyche, and by the end of the episode, his trusted adviser is dead and paranoia is setting in.

Can I just say that despite the mind games, manipulation and the deep fear I have that Crowley will end up dead by the end of the season, she's got the best accent ever.

That leaves us with Team Free Will and the Mark of Cain. Season 10 is very much about fighting the demons inside and where the line is between humanity and being a monster. Every episode so far has touched on it: from Cole, to the werewolf siblings and to the greedy family, they're a direct and unmistakable mirror for the path both Dean and Sam are on.

Unlike Sam, Dean has struggled with that side of him for years. He was raised as a hunter, trained as a soldier to kill anything evil — monster, demon, angels, humans — and his scale of morality was based on that understanding. Now the demon is him, the lines are blurring, and the Mark, ever thirsting for blood and death, has got to go.

I'm glad I didn't have anything in my hands because after seeing Castiel's idea of figuring out how to remove the Mark, it would have ended up in my TV screen. Metatron, whom I love to hate, was snuck out of Heaven since the Mark of Cain has no written steps as to how to remove it, and the only one that might know would be the Scribe of Heaven.

Ugh.

Charming as ever and imprisoned in the Bunker, Metatron scoffs at Dean's attack on the Angel's morality and throws that back at the Winchester; purposefully picking at issues and igniting the rage inside Dean. Metatron lets Dean know that not only is the First Blade needed (awesome), it's a multi-step process and he's more than happy to tell Dean what those are but for a price. A very heavy price.

Dean chooses to torture the Angel instead. And while I was rooting for his eyes to go black (I 100 percent believe the demon! Dean is still in there), Sam and Castiel manage to stop Dean from killing Metatron, the Scribe is taken back to Heaven and leaves the trio with a clue as to the next step: "The river ends at the source." Really? What does that even mean?!

The brothers have a "Boy Melodrama" scene (finally): Encouraging Dean not to give up, Sam tells him to own the power he has, fight against the Mark and not give in. In the end, we're left with more questions, few answers and a cool preview of the next episode where Charlie comes back from Oz.

More: How real fans celebrate Supernatural's renewal for Season 11

Food for thought:

  • Crowley trusting his mother is going to get him killed. Or, he's doing a very good job at playing her and she's going to end up dead. With his little brush with humanity, though, signs are pointing to the former (hopefully, minus the dead part).
  • The river ends at the source. If the "river" is meaning the power of the Mark of Cain, is the "source" the Father of Murder himself? I'm all for Timothy Omundson coming back as Cain. Given that Metatron alluded to the true cure being multi-stepped, it can't be that easy, so Cain would just be a step in the right direction.
  • Castiel is still running on stolen grace; I really hope they find a permanent solution for that.
  • They name-dropped the demon tablet, which has been missing since "Road Trip" in Season 9. Since Metatron is no longer able to be a source of information, are they going to have to find it to see if any answers lie there? And if they do find it, is it also possible for Sam to finish the Trials and close the Gates of Hell?
  • Metatron was surprised Dean was still alive after being stabbed, but seeing Dean as a human seemed to catch him off guard. Since he seems to be the keeper of the answer, is he more aware of what is actually going on with Dean than he's letting on? He commented a few times about the wrath building up in Dean, but could the demon part of Dean be waiting to be triggered?

Favorite quotes:

Dean: There was a time I was a hunter, not a stone-cold killer.

Crowley: Mummy. Bored? Suicidal? Both?

Rowena: I will not apologize for being a career woman!

Metatron: My morality is being judged by Dean Winchester?

Sam: Look, Cain still has the Mark, right? And he's lived with it. For years, he's lived with it. So yeah, the Mark is strong. But Dean, maybe there's a part of you that wants to give into it. And maybe you have to fight that. Maybe a part of the powerful force has to be you.

Dear President Obama: Reducing teenage pregnancy will not 'fix' America

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Let us ignore for a moment the fact that President Obama himself is the child of a teenage mother and that through his teenage mother's and her family's support while raising him, he made it from the child of an unwed teenage mother to the president of the United States of America.

As a teenage mother who organized my entire family and immediate circle of friends to vote for President Obama in both elections and as a reproductive justice advocate, I'm offended by President Obama's attempt to find bipartisan ground last night through mentioning the low rate of teenage pregnancy.

I find his comments offensive because being a teenage mother is part of my identity as woman, mother and member of society. Identifying as a teenage mother gives me strength, determination and makes me proud. If the president of the United States would have said that a part of your identity being reduced was "a good thing," you would feel a bang of insult too.

While the Western world is more concerned with reducing and completely eliminating teenage families, I am getting an increase in amount of emails from teenage mothers and the few people who support them about the realities they are facing and trying to overcome.

Young mothers face increased rates of postpartum depression, homelessness, shame and stigma from elders in their lives. Young mothers deal with pediatricians who refuse to speak to them in a respectful and professional manner. Young mothers struggle to find affordable ways to make it to school on time while fighting for quality and affordable child care options for their children so they can work and go to school. When will the world realize that supporting teenage parents is prevention?

Many large organizations, nonprofits and individuals think the way to reduce teenage pregnancy is to shame and stigmatize teenage parenthood in the name of "prevention" with highly offensive public service campaigns. President Obama's comment might be taken as a "keep up the good work" by these entities, which can lead to the continuation of shame and stigma in the name of prevention.

His comment might seem insignificant or not offensive to some, but to me, it is the perpetuation of the overarching and flawed notion that being a teenage parent is inherently bad and needs to be reduced by any means necessary.

Gloria Malone

Image: Gloria Malone

I don't appreciate the president using my life and the life of my peers as a cheap attempt at bipartisanship with a Republican administration that has demonstrated it has no interest in helping women get equal pay, paid sick leave, maternity leave or even access to food stamps.

Last night President Obama also said that as a nation we cannot continue to do the same thing we've done for 50 years and expect different results. I think it's time we stop being so consumed with reducing young families and start supporting pregnant and parenting teens so that they can not only survive, but thrive.

More on parenting

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