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Parmalee talks near-fatal injuries and creative inspiration

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Country music band Parmalee talks to SheKnows about their near-fatal robbery and inspiration for their hit single, "Musta Had a Good Time."

Country music band Parmalee talks to SheKnows.

The journey to reaching country music fame might be almost over for the band Parmalee as their latest single "Musta Had a Good Time" is getting some serious attention. SheKnows met with Parmalee backstage at the Country Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, and dished on some serious topics.

SheKnows: How did you guys decide on your band name, Parmalee?

Parmalee: We're from close to Parmele, North Carolina. We went through a lot of names and the more we talked about it we were like, "You know what? Let's call [the band] Parmalee." It worked for Boston and Kansas and Alabama and all these other places.

SK: You had one major setback which was a little tough: Scott was shot three times when your RV was robbed. We heard he had a five percent chance to live.

P: He was in a coma for ten days and luckily he pulled through — a miracle — and [it] just gave us the motivation to keep pushing and to keep playing.

SK: So we know you lived in that RV for a month in a hotel parking lot in Nashville. Does the inspiration for "Musta Had a Good Time" stem from wild moments in the RV?

P: No, we [Matt and Josh] lived together when we were in college and we had a house that had a studio beside it. We would always have parties… I was walking outside one morning and was so tired of picking up beer cans — there was someone I didn't know sleeping on the couch… and those kind of stories just prompted us to write the song.

SK: Where do you guys pull inspiration from when you're writing songs, especially for your upcoming album?

P: I think it's just life experiences for us. And knowing so many people and being around so many cool people, you get a bunch of great stories and great ideas. Being here in Nashville, you meet songwriters that you write with and they come up with great ideas that we can all relate [to]. It's just who we are as people and the things we go through.

Thanks so much to Parmalee for taking the time to chat with SheKnows. We wish you the best of luck with your next album! Check out the full interview below of SheKnows discussing everything from college days to near-death experiences.

Photo courtesy of Ed Rode

Newt Gingrich to appear on Parks and Recreation

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Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is the latest politician to join the ongoing cameo list on NBC's Parks and Recreation.

NewtGingrichParksandRec

If you loved Vice President Joe Biden's recent cameo on NBC's Parks and Recreation, get ready for another politician to join the TV ranks. Newt Gingrich will be the next Washington, D.C. star to get ready for his close-up.

In a random encounter, the former House Speaker stopped by the St. Elmo Steak House in Indianapolis, Indiana for lunch. The cast and crew just happened to be filming an episode for the character Ben Wyatt's bachelor party.

The former presidential candidate was in town for a meeting with Governor Mitch Daniels and it was the show's co-creator Mike Schur who decided to take advantage of the situation.

He told The Indianapolis Star, "It was a completely random chance. But you can’t pass up on an opportunity like that.”

Other cast members who were filming with Scott included co-stars Chris Pratt, Nick Offerman, Aziz Ansari, Jim O'Heir and Rob Lowe. The irony was not lost on Lowe, though.

He remarked to the newspaper, “I love, ironically, that we had to come to Indianapolis to have Speaker Gingrich. No, we didn’t have him in Washington. We have him at St. Elmo’s.”

Lowe, of course, was one of the stars of the 1985 Brat Pack movie St. Elmo's Fire, about college graduates making their way in the D.C. political scene.

The upcoming episode will be chock-full of guest appearances, including Indiana Pacers players Roy Hibbert and Miles Plumlee.

Gingrich and Biden join the ranks of other politico cameos in the NBC comedy. Several senators have made appearances on the sitcom including Olympia Snowe, John McCain and Barbara Boxer.

Image courtesy of WENN.com

A very Israeli Hanukkah menu

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Find out how Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is celebrated in Israel with a Holy Land-inspired menu. From fried sweet potato pancakes to jelly donuts, get recipes to inspire you.

Sweet Potato Pancakes and other Israeli Hanukkah recipes

Although latkes are the most emblematic Hanukkah food in America, Israelis celebrate with a vast array of fried foods. Drawing on Jewish traditions from around the world, as well as creating new ones, Hanukkah in Israel is an international fried feast.

Batata levivot

Tip: Get the recipe for batata levivot below!

Tel Aviv’s popular Orna and Ella restaurant probably didn’t invent these savory sweet potato patties, but they certainly popularized them. As opposed to typical latkes, which are made with shredded potatoes, this unique recipe calls for mashed sweet potatoes that are flavored with a dash of soy sauce and fried as patties.

Hummus

OK, so it’s not fried, and it’s not Hanukkah-specific, but no meal in Israel is complete without a big bowl of freshly made hummus on the table. To prepare the real deal, start with dried chickpeas, which are soaked overnight. Just this tiniest bit of extra effort makes a world of difference in the flavor.

Get the recipe for heavenly hummus>>

Fried kibbeh

A Middle Eastern favorite in Israel year-round, fried kibbeh are particularly popular around Hanukkah. In this dish, fine bulgur wheat is wrapped around a spiced, ground meat filling and baked or fried. Of course, for Hanukkah, it’s all about the fried food.

Get the recipe for kibbeh>>

Sufganiyot

Hebrew for donuts, sufganiyot are the single most popular and iconic Hanukkah food in Israel. Elaborate donuts, filled with chocolate, cream or jelly, begin appearing at bakeries and markets at the beginning of December and taper out soon after the holiday. Other variations on donuts, like Moroccan sfenj and Spanish bimuelos are also popular.

Get the recipe for sufganiyot>>

Batata levivot recipe

Makes 32 pancakes

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into large cubes
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup flour
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Directions:

  1. Put the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat slightly and simmer until softened. Drain and let cool.
  2. Put the cooked potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Add the soy sauce and mix gently .
  3. Add salt, sugar and flour and mix until thoroughly combined .
  4. Let the mixture rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  5. Heat a good amount of oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
  6. Dampen your hands to prevent sticking and form small balls of the batter, carefully dropping them into the hot skillet. Spray the back of a spatula with nonstick cooking spray and gently flatten the pancakes.
  7. Working in batches to avoid crowding the pan, fry for 4 to 5 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown on both sides.
  8. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
  9. Serve immediately or keep warm in a 200 degree F oven. They can also be made ahead and reheated in a hot oven .

More Hanukkah recipes

Hanukkah rugelach recipes
Hanukkah menu and wine pairings
Hanukkah recipes that will delight

Honey Boo Boo is on Barbara Walters' "Most Fascinating" list

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Honey Boo Boo is added to Barbara Walter's "Most Fascinating" list for 2012, joining other already-named celebrities like Ben Affleck, Governor Chris Christie, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

HoneyBooBooMostFascinating2012Barbara Walters has added another celebrity to the "Most Fascinating" list. Brace yourself, because this pint-sized star has made waves throughout 2012 for her catchphrases and her reality show charm.

Us Weekly is exclusively reporting that Honey Boo Boo, also known as Alana Thompson, joins the ranks of Olympic Gold Medalist Gabby Douglas and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as one of the biggest newsmakers of the year.

The 7-year-old first came into the spotlight in the TLC show, Toddlers & Tiaras. She became such a breakout star that the network gave Thompson's entire family their own reality show. Here Comes Honey Boo Boo became a summer ratings sensation, and it even beat the Republican National Convention broadcast back in late August.

Walters already knows that her pick will cause some controversy. As she told Us, "A lot of people will say, 'For heaven's sake, this is ridiculous, this is a child at 5- or 6-years-old entering beauty contests.' But the relationship between Alana and her mother — that's the story, the two of them. It's very touching."

The family continues to make news with Thompson's teen sister Anna having a baby with three thumbs to cousin "Crazy" Tony getting arrested last weekend for reckless conduct, while dressed as a gorilla.

Some of America can't seem to get enough of the grade-schooler, while others, like The Voice judge Adam Levine, called the TLC show, "The decay of Western civilization," in a recent GQ magazine interview.

However, the legendary broadcaster seems enchanted with the family. She told Us, "Honey Boo Boo is not an obnoxious little girl. She's sweet and loving with her mother and loving with her sisters… It'll make you smile."

If you are dying to see Walters' interview with Honey Boo Boo, check out the ABC special on Dec. 12.

Image courtesy of Michael Wright/WENN.com

New mom Snooki offers Kate Middleton parenting advice

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New mom Snooki just got through with her first pregnancy experience and decided to share some of what she learned with future mom Kate Middleton.

Snooki

Only a few months into motherhood, Snooki already thinks she is expert enough to give parenting advice to a mom-to-be. Kate Middleton and Prince William announced Monday they are expecting their first child, and the Jersey Shore alum has delusions of being Kate's mommy mentor.

Nicole Polizzi told the New York Daily News she wanted to send best wishes to the new parents-to-be. Her son, Lorenzo, was born in August, and she seems to be enjoying her time as a new mom but talks about how she misses being pregnant.

"It's hard, but don't stress out!" Snooki told the Daily News. "Enjoy your pregnancy and be excited."

She also said it's easy to get distracted, but it's important to just cherish each moment with your child, while also sharing her vast knowledge of how royalty lives.

"Enjoy your time at home — or the castle, in her case — with the baby," she said. "Especially the first few months."

Middleton and her husband, Prince William, announced their pregnancy on Dec. 3, after the mom-to-be was admitted to a hospital for nausea and morning sickness. According to Good Morning America, the couple had wanted to wait until Christmas to announce the news but knew the media would learn they were pregnant when she was admitted to the hospital.

Snooki's baby was maybe not as planned as the royal couple's but was also big news in the media when it was announced. It seems she wants to let the couple know that in the end, it is just you and your baby and to cherish them.

"You'll get to know him/her, keep them safe and fall more in love each day!" she said. "Congrats to Will and Kate. I'm sure she will be an amazing mom."

Sources told Good Morning America that Middleton is less than 12 weeks along, which would make it a summer baby. Both Kate and Will are said to be excited at the news.

Photo courtesy Kyle Blair/WENN.com

Easy home maintenance tips for the new year

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Do you still have summer patio furniture on the patio, collecting snow? Did you ditch your home fix-it list as soon as the holiday season kicked in? Now that the busiest time of last year is over, start the new year by taking care of those home maintenance projects that shouldn’t wait until the summer.

Midwest home in winter

Store summer furnishings and outdoor equipment

Lisa Singer, product manager at Elmer's Products, based in Columbus, Ohio, says the opposite of spring-cleaning is "fall fix-it." However, if you missed the fall window to put away your summer furnishings and outdoor equipment, do it now. Consumers should "scour summer toys, furniture and outdoor equipment for wear and tear before packing them away for the winter," Singer suggests. "This will help avoid additional damage that can happen in storage and save you time and hassle come spring."

5 Steps to winterize your home>>

Check home and outdoor items for damage

As you pack away summer toys and outdoor furniture, here are a few things to look for. "Conduct a quick inspection to make sure all sections are intact, screws and nuts are still tight and there are minimal signs of wear," says Singer. "Look for cracks, tears or scrapes that can become worse during storage or create sharp edges."

How to organize your garage>>

Keep outdoor items organized

Isn't it the pits when spring arrives and you pull out your patio furniture, only to find that the hardware needed to put your furniture together is MIA? Singer recommends you not only check to see if you have all the pieces, you also organize them. "For toys with small parts or furniture that gets taken apart for storage, consider using plastic bags, bins, old glass or plastic food containers so these pieces don't get lost or separated during the winter," she adds.

Home organization tips for the New Year>>

Empower yourself by making small repairs

Now that you've inspected and put aside broken outdoor items, the next step is to assess the scope of the repair. Common repairs include squeaky or loose joints, cracks or missing pieces. Sure, you can throw away broken items, but according to Singer, for small to medium repairs, the solution can be as easy as tightening screws or using a bottle of multi-purpose glue.

"The Internet can be a great source for tips and advice because you can look up how-to instructions or find electronic user manuals," explains Singer. "Elmer's [of Elmer's Glue fame] has posted a variety of how-to videos at www.elmers.com/about/video-library." And before tackling any repair project, be sure to read the instructions and wear the appropriate safety equipment.

How to repair 10 common household hassles>>

Safety tip: Discard outdoor items broken beyond repair

If you find outdoor furnishings, equipment and toys that are broken and can't be repaired, discard them to keep you and your family safe from injury. Before putting them in the trash can, check to see if the materials can be recycled, suggests Singer — most types of glass, aluminum and plastic can be recycled. "However, it is always a good practice to check with your local recycling provider or check the bottom for the recycling emblem."

To find your nearest recycling center, visit www.1800recycling.com.

Recycle chart>>

garage sale signDonate or sell unwanted outdoor goods

If the item is new or gently used and you've decided you no longer want or need it, look for ways to donate it before simply adding it to the trash pile. "Garage sales, sharing websites like Craigslist or auction sites like eBay are great for selling unwanted items," Singer says, "or consider donating the items to non-profit organizations like Goodwill or The Salvation Army."

How to get new life out of old linens>>

More home maintenance & home improvement tips

Renovation tools: When to rent and when to buy
Home improvement projects with kids
Home improvement burnout

The Wanted: We will "get arrested" if we see One Direction

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The two groups have been throwing friendly jabs at each other back and forth for months, but will the feud become more than that? The Wanted hints it could if the two ever end up in a room together.

One Direction

The image of a boy band actually battling it out is somewhat humorous, but it looks like that’s what may actually happen this time. The Wanted and One Direction have been going at it, albeit over social media, but it seems like it may actually turn into something if the two ever meet.

The two groups have been tweeting back and forth for quite some time about what might happen if they are ever to meet, including The Wanted’s Max George’s recent tweet saying that if One Direction has a problem with his band, they can “come see me in New York,” said MTV.

But The Wanted sat down with MTV after their recent LA performance and said it may not actually end up happening that way.

"It started off as plain fun I think and then I think one of them started getting a bit arsey and started getting a bit serious," George told MTV. "Which we tried to play off still as a joke but then it carried on so we just put it out there, 'If you got an actual problem come see us in New York.' But I'm not sure they will, I think people have been in contact saying if we go near them we can have our visas taken off of us and all this s***."

"And get arrested, apparently," said the group’s Nathan Sykes.

"Well we don't care," George added. "It's nothing we haven't done before so we'll see."

It seems the exchanges on Twitter between the two groups started as a joke but they may be taking it seriously now. After a few initial jabs back and forth, One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson told Now magazine, "if you want to create that rivalry, then let's do it," according to MTV. That seemed to settle it, and the comments have been coming ever since.

But since both groups are foreigners, if there is any altercation, it sounds like they know it will have to be after they return home.

Photo courtesy WENN.com

In a pickle: What to do if your crockpot meal is too dry or too moist

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Since recently becoming a mom, crockpot meals have skyrocketed on my list of favorite meals to make. A dinner that’s simple and can be thrown together before leaving for work is a must for many moms.
crockpot

Crockpot cooking tips

Since recently becoming a mom, crockpot meals have skyrocketed on my list of favorite meals to make. A dinner that’s simple and can be thrown together before leaving for work is a must for many moms.

Normally, crockpot meals are cooked to perfection without you having to lift a finger. In fact, a huge advantage is the meal can cook all day while you’re away at work. Coming home to a savory meal that tastes like you spent hours on it is always the goal and usually achieved. But what happens when the meal doesn’t turn out as planned — it’s either overly dry or, the exact opposite, too moist?

Too dry

A very common problem with crockpot meals is that they can turn out too dry and not have enough juice to really appreciate the flavor. Typically, this is caused from either too much steam escaping from the crockpot or the meal has cooked for too long. To avoid an overly dry meal:

  • Avoid lifting the lid. If you normally lift the lid and your meals turn out fine, then lifting the lid is OK. If the meals have turned out dry on more than one occasion, try not lifting the lid for any reason. This allows the steam to stay put and lock in that moisture.
  • Make sure the lid fits. If you notice steam escaping even when the lid is on, put aluminum foil over the crockpot dish before placing the lid on. This will ensure no steam escapes.
  • Add more water. If your meals consistently come out dry, add half a cup more water to the crockpot in the morning.
  • Try a different recipe. Using a water-absorbing ingredient, such as rice, tends to make the rice too mushy and the rest of the meal too dry. If your recipe called for rice and came out too dry, make a different recipe next time without rice to see if that was the problem.
  • Cook for less time. Finally, if the meal is too dry, consider cooking it 30 minutes to an hour less next time. Dry meals can be a sign of being overcooked.

Try this crockpot roast recipe>>

Too moist

Another common crockpot problem is the meal turns out too moist. Though this may sound tastier than it being too dry, it’s still not ideal. No one wants a mushy meal. To avoid an overly moist dinner:

  • Use less liquid. If the meal is dry, you add more liquid, so it makes sense to use less liquid if the meals are typically too moist. Roasts technically don’t need any liquid at all, though by adding some water you’ll end up with rich, succulent gravy at the end which will enhance the flavor.
  • Take the lid off a few times. A too moist crockpot meal is caused from too much steam being created. If you’re home, take the lid off for 15 minutes every two to three hours to release the steam. This will help dry out the meal.
  • Reduce the heat setting. If you normally cook the meal on high while you’re away at work, try cooking it on low next time. Cooking it on low creates less steam and prevents it from cooking too fast.
  • Cook for less time. Similar to meals turning out too dry, meals that turn out too moist can usually mean they were overcooked, too. Too much steam for a long amount of time makes the meal too moist. Try cooking it for an hour less next time.

More common kitchen problems solved

In a pickle: How to prevent freezer burn
In a pickle: How to fix overcooked noodles
In a pickle: How to make a flavorless dish flavorful


Kat Von D obtains restraining order against "crazed" fan

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Tattoo artist and reality star Kat Von D was so disturbed by her alleged stalker that she went to court to get a restraining order, but it will only last a month.

Kat Von D

An L.A. judge has granted reality TV star Kat Von D a temporary restraining order for what she calls a “crazed fan.” Von D said the man was showing up at her home and sending her “creepy” message online.

“Kat just filed her request for the stay-away order in L.A. County Superior Court, claiming a man named Michael Nunn has been contacting her relentlessly on Twitter -- talking about her personal business and even posting her home phone number on the web,” said TMZ. “Kat says she's had multiple close encounters with Nunn over the last seven months -- first in April, when he showed up at her house and called her phone ... and again in June at a public event.”

The L.A. Ink star said Nunn has also been sending her messages “non-stop” on Twitter and she believes he has "delusional and paranoid tendencies, including the belief that the FBI is watching him," said TMZ.

The restraining order is only temporary for now, but requires Nunn to stay at least 100 feet away from Von D and to stop contacting her through the Internet. The judge set a hearing for later this month to decide if the restraining order should become permanent.

In May, Nunn reportedly sent a box of candy to Von D’s home, using her real name Katherine Drachenber, according to the Huffington Post. The incident where Nunn tweeted out her personal number came later that month when she asked him to stop contacting her. He then took to Twitter sending out the number.

It looks like Von D may not be the only interest of Nunn’s though. According to the Huffington Post, he has also recently tweeted other celebrities , including Piers Morgan, Mike Tyson, Nikki Sixx and Hugh Hefner.

Photo courtesy Judy Eddy/WENN.com

Hailie Mathers is never listening to Taylor Swift again. Like ever.

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Eminem's little girl has a beef with Taylor Swift, but for no reason other than that she thinks Swift stole the love of her life. Mathers is making it personal though.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift’s serial dating reputation is making new enemies, and not just with every teenage girl on the planet. This time she made enemies with a famous teenage girl.

Eminem’s daughter Hailie Mathers is now 16 years old, and it appears she is a fan of One Direction. But more specifically, Harry Styles. Even more specifically, Taylor Swift’s new beau.

Swift and Styles were spotted out in New York City this weekend and week, and Styles was even spotted leaving Swift’s hotel room Tuesday morning. Needless to say, many teenage girls’ hearts broke all at the same time. But when you’re a 16-year-old with a little more clout, the world listens.

According to Perez Hilton, it appears that Mathers went on somewhat of a Twitter rant after hearing the news of the relationship.

“if @taylorswift13 is really dating the love of my life @Harry_Styles i will not be happy.!,” Mathers tweeted on Tuesday.

But then she got a little more personal with the singer, and a little more mean.

“Dear @taylorswift13, please stop whoring around with every guy you see,” she tweeted. “We all know you're only doing it so you can make another album.”

But Eminem’s little girl wasn’t done. She obviously had her heart broken and wanted to hit Swift where it really hurt, in her music.

“I, am never, ever, everrrrr, listening to your music againnnn @taylorswift13. LIKE EVER.”

To be fair, Swift may want to heed Mathers’ warnings, since many of her own fans are also 16-year-old girls, and she doesn’t want to lose their following. And with One Direction becoming the first group to overcome her on the Billboard album chart, it looks like she may have met her match.

Maybe that’s exactly what the singer needs to finally be happy in her love live .

Photo courtesy Apega/WENN.com

The thought of Catwoman makes Anne Hathaway cry

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Anne Hathaway can't stop crying. The actress gets emotional when thinking of her character in The Dark Knight Rises. Apparently, playing Catwoman left a strong impression.

Anne Hathaway

The Dark Knight Rises has come and gone. It's been well over a year since its stars embodied their characters, but Anne Hathaway's having trouble letting go. The actress, who played Selina Kyle, really misses the character.

At the moment, Hathaway's sporting a short cut and her signature smile. But, earlier this summer, she had a long mane and a steely glare. In The Dark Knight Rises, she was the iconic Catwoman, a character known for her intelligence, agility and of course — catsuit.

Anne Hathaway is Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises>>

Hathaway tells Access Hollywood she would love to play Selina again. "No one's talked to me about it," she says. "I would love it. I actually, it's so embarrassing, I was at a press Q & A thing the other night for a screening of The Dark Knight, and the moderator asked me, 'So what was it like to say goodbye to the character?' And I burst into tears, because I miss her."

Hathaway breaks hearts and bones in Dark Knight Rises>>

The actress has a genuine emotional attachment to the character. "It just makes me cry," she says. "I miss her. I love Selena so much and I love her presence in my life and getting to… I’m crying again."

Hathaway jokes, "So, assuming there was enough Kleenex in the world, I would love to do a spin-off." If she ever reprises the role, she'll be doing it without Christopher Nolan. The director has made it pretty clear he's moving away from the superhero genre.

So, who's brave enough to give this feline a solo movie?

Photo credit: Ivan Nikolov/WENN

College student planning wedding to Edward Cullen

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Thousands of teenage girls in love with Edward Cullen weren't smart enough to consider this first, but a 24-year-old woman has announced she is planning a wedding to the fictitious vampire.

Edward Cullen

A 24-year-old college student from University of Nevada at Las Vegas has announced she will be marrying Robert Pattinson… or, rather, Edward Cullen early next year. Well, not even Edward Cullen. Lauren Adkins will be marrying a cardboard cutout of Cullen. While it may sound like she is slightly crazy, Adkins is actually planning the wedding for her Master’s thesis.

“This work focuses on the female escapist fantasy in its most popular forms – primarily finding 'true love' – and the extent to which it seeps into our real lives,” Adkins explained, according to the Huffington Post.

She set up a fundraiser on Indiegogo to raise money for her wedding, and explained further:

“I've looked at this fantasy primarily through a pop cultural lens; that is I've used film and television's representations of the love story and female characters in general in an attempt to understand my own expectations of love,” she said. “Because of personal attachment to and experience with this fantasy or quest, which took a particularly strong hold of me when I discovered the intensely popular TwilightSaga, my thesis is going to touch on romantic expectation primarily through the main love interest, Edward Cullen.”

But for Adkins, the character of Cullen also ties into the city she lives in and that created even more of explanation into why she is writing what she is writing.

"Edward Cullen is really tied to the idea of Vegas for me," Adkins told the Las Vegas Review-Journal."The fantasy behind it can never be achieved. It's the ultimate facade."

Adkins is really going all out for the wedding. With the $1,235 she raised in her fundraiser she is planning an actual, real wedding.

According to the Huffington Post, the Adkins-Cullen wedding is planned for Jan. 26, 2013 and will include a cake and dress.

"It's a beautiful, escapist fantasy, and I'm living it," Adkins told Metro, according to the Huffington Post. "I've also got the invitations sorted, and even have a beach honeymoon planned for me and my vampire hubby. I'm going through all the steps a normal bride does. It's absolutely real."

No word on what the cardboard groom might wear.

Photo courtesy Apega/WENN

Brits take to betting on the royal baby

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The royal couple are thrilled at the news of their impending bundle of joy, but their fellow countrymen are already trying to make money off the news.

Royal couple

With the royal couple expecting a child, it’s time for some people to make some money. At least that’s what some in England, and apparently Vegas, are hoping.

“It’s a point of pride among British and Irish bookmakers that they’ll open a market on pretty much anything – will it snow on Christmas Day? Which celebrity will be the subject of the first joke during next year’s Oscars? – and bookies have wasted no time in offering some novelty wagers on the birth of the future British monarch,” said Time magazine. “Indeed, William Hill has already confirmed that it will be paying out a 'small five-figure sum' to punters who backed a royal baby being born in 2013.”

The bookies are betting on everything, including date of birth, gender or whether the baby will end up being twins.

“It’s exciting, these are the things we all talk about and people like to speculate about it and have a bet,” Paddy Power, one such bookie, told Time.

But Power also said they have to be careful. Since the news is different than something left to chance , because this news may become known and leak out, they have to find out what information their clients might be privy to.

“If it’s a good, regular customer who bets quite big, there’s no problem at all,” he said. “But if someone comes in with their first bet and happens to live somewhere around Buckingham Palace and is looking for 50 grand for it to be a boy we might be a bit worried about how much more than you they know.”

They are also taking bets on the name the couple chooses for the heir to the British throne. And because the royals in general will choose family names, the top names so far sound very familiar.

“The current favorites are John and Robert at odds of 10 to 1, followed by Anne, Francis, George and Charles at 12 to 1, with Louis, Robert and Mary following at 14 to 1,” said Time.

The couple may just surprise everyone though. Because they are different than their grandparents, and even parents, their child’s name could be a little harder to guess.

William and Kate seem a little more modern than we’re used to, a little more down with the kids, so there’s a chance they might come up with a more modern name,” said Power.

Many are talking about how a girl baby could be called Diana, whether or not the royal family would be happy about it.

Photo courtesy WENN.com

Oh, good: Teen Mom 2's Jenelle Evans is married

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Teen Mom 2 star Jenelle Evans got married Tuesday morning. And how did they celebrate? Husband Courtland Rogers got arrested!

Teen Mom 2 star Jenelle Evans married

Surprise! Teen Mom 2 star Jenelle Evans is now a married woman, according to her sister. The troubled reality star married her boyfriend of just a few months, Courtland Rogers, on Tuesday morning.

"My sister got married this morning, it was a shotgun courthouse wedding," sister Ashleigh Evans Wilson told RadarOnline, though we're not sure if knows what "shotgun wedding" means.

Teen Mom's Farrah Abraham & Jenelle Evans go tit for tat >>

"My mother was totally shocked and had to hear it from someone else. Our whole family is shocked because they have not been dating very long. I'm sure she did this to distract from all the drug accusations that have been flying around and of course she thinks it will help her get custody of [son] Jace back from mom if she is married," Wilson added. "At this point, after all that she has been through, she should know better than this."

Evans also got engaged to Gary Head in May, though she broke off the relationship after a fight got violent earlier this fall.

"Gary beat the s*** out of Jenelle,"her friend told RadarOnline at the time. "He strangled her with a bed sheet."

Jenelle Evans: Nude pics and family betrayal >>

Rogers isn't much better, according to pals. He was even arrested for a felony a few minutes after their happy wedding.

"Courtland Rogers was charged with a felony in North Carolina on Tuesday for obtaining property by false pretenses," a source told Radar Tuesday night. "Straight after that court hearing was finished Jenelle and Courtland got married at the magistrate’s office."

Apparently they weren't glowing from their nuptials, either.

Jenelle Evans: Teen mom, cyberstalker, jailbird >>

"Jenelle looks like s***," an eyewitness said. "She has lost about 30 pounds and she looks terrible. Courtland was picking scabs on his face while he was in the court and his face was starting to bleed."

Sounds like this marriage is off to a great start… not.

Image courtesy WENN.com

Rob Kardashian says Twitter rant wasn't about Rita Ora

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Rob Kardashian now says his Twitter rant about an ex wasn't about Rita Ora. Yeah, we totally know you're lying, Rob.

Rob Kardashian backtracks on Twitter rant

Rob Kardashian is trying to cover his digital tracks after he went on a rant against the cheating ways of an unnamed woman on Twitter. That unnamed woman, of course, is assumed to be ex-girlfriend Rita Ora.

"Just so we clear I never once mentioned 'Rita Ora' in any of my tweets or even used the word 'whore' and I never would. I Respect Women," he wrote.

Editor's video pick: Rita Ora's 'Shine Ya Light' >>

The rant — now deleted — included accusations that woman in his life cheated on him with "like 20 dudes."

"I wonder how many she will sleep with now that we apart? But I mean 20?!!!" he tweeted, adding that he got the unnamed woman pregnant and they had sex without a condom.

The rant led fans to trend "Rita Whora" on Twitter. Classy.

Kim Kardashian is "selfish," says brother >>

Kardashian never said whether or not he was still with the up-and-coming singer, but Ora confirmed that they are definitely off.

"I'm not going out with Rob. We were close for a while, but it didn't work because I was never there," she told Glamour UK. "I was like a ghost. I used to get so frustrated with myself and then wonder why I was angry, so I decided it was best to keep it friendly — especially at the moment, when there's so much going on."

And sorry Rob, she added that she's never been in love.

Kim Kardashian is "selfish," says brother >>

"In 22 years, there's been nothing. I have had young fascinations but never love,"Ora said. "I think it's my only weakness. I'm scared of letting my guard down, and if I feel in love with someone now, he'd have to try ten times harder to break it down."

Wonder why she won't let her guard down? Maybe because she's afraid of guys, say, implying that she sleeps around on Twitter? Yeah, that would probably put our guards up, too.

Image courtesy Judy Eddy/WENN.com

Tony Hawk duct-taped his kid to the wall

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Tony Hawk likes to joke around, but did he take a recent Instagram post too far?

Tony Hawk duct tapes his kid to the wall

Pro skateboarder Tony Hawk is a family man, but his latest Instagram post makes us raise our eyebrows.

This is what happens when my kids fight over videogames," Hawk wrote, along with a photo of his kid taped to the wall with another piece over his mouth.

January Jones talks slapping kids and motherhood >>

Yes, seriously: One of his four kids is taped to the wall. It's was posted as a joke — and his fans seem pretty supportive of the discipline method.

"That's happened to me before..." one commenter wrote.

"Best timeout ever," another added.

Hawk, 37, is like a big kid himself — he's joked about pranking his kids and makes no secret of his love for video games. It might be all fun and games, but non-parents have faced severe consequences for doing similar things.

Jenny McCarthy doesn't care if her son sees her naked >>

In 2010, two Nebraska parents were arrested for child abuse after they posted photos of their toddler taped to a wall to a social media site. Another Northern Arizona couple was arrested in December 2011 after they posted pictures of their 2-year-old and 10-month-old taped to the wall.

It might be a popular "redneck parenting method"— as it's called in various Internet memes — but at least a few people don't think it's funny

New mom Charlize Theron has Jackson fever! >>

Do we think Hawk is abusing his kids? Of course not, but maybe he should think twice before posting this sort of photo to the web.

Image courtesy Patrick Hoffmann/WENN.com

Tell us: Is the photo funny or wrong?

Anderson Cooper went blind... for 36 hours

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Anderson Cooper revealed Tuesday that he went blind for a day and a half while on assignment.

Anderson Cooper was blinded for 36 hours

Scary! Anderson Cooper revealed that he almost lost eyesight in his gorgeous blue eyes while on assignment in Portugal.

"Temporarily blinded last week while on assignment," he wrote on Instagram, along with a photo of a patched right eye. "UV light bouncing off water. Much better now. Details today on #andersonlive."

Anderson Cooper's coming out story told with a giggle >>

The newsman went on to explain during Anderson Live that it happened when UV light bounced off a body of water, in turn sunburning his eyes.

"I wake up in the middle of the night and it feels like my eyes are on fire," he said. "It turns out I have sunburned my eyeballs and I go blind. I went blind for 36 hours. I took this picture of me after I went to the hospital."

"That's my new Match.com profile picture, by the way," he joked.

Anderson Cooper BF caught smooching another man >>

But, it's no laughing matter.

NBC medical editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman told Cooper that he was lucky.

The Silver Fox is no stranger to dangerous situations, though: He was attacked in Egypt last year during the protests against leader Hosni Mubarak.

"We were set upon by pro-Mubarak supporters punching us in the head," he said at the time. His crew tried to escape, but "the crowd kept growing, kept throwing punches, kicks...suddenly a young man would look at you and punch you in the face."

Conspiracy alert! Anderson Cooper coming out was planned >>

This time was less intense — but still dangerous, nonetheless.

"It's a reminder that frankly everyone needs sunglasses," Dr. Snyder said.

"Fortunately for you you're going to be fine, but it's a real reminder," she added to Cooper.

Image courtesy Dan Jackman/WENN.com

Has something like this ever happened to you?

Will Anna Wintour be the U.S. Ambassador to France?

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Anna Wintour might be switching up careers soon: She's reportedly in the running to become the United States Ambassador to France or England.

Anna Wintour might become a U.S. Ambassador

Will Vogue's much-revered editor Anna Wintour become U.S. Ambassador Wintour? It's possible, according to Bloomberg. The 63-year-old is reportedly on tap to become ambassador to either France or the U.K. as President Barack Obama's thanks for being a top fundraiser.

Tim Gunn dishes on Anna Wintour >>

The Britain-born Wintour is reportedly one of Obama's top 10 fundraisers. She held a $40K-a-plate dinner earlier this year at Sarah Jessica Parker's home and another $38,500-a-plate dinner at Harvey Weinstein's Connecticut house in August.

But, will she take it? She organizes all these fundraisers, but told the Wall Street Journal in 2011 that she doesn't have political ambitions.

Anna Wintour banned Kim Kardashian from Met Gala >>

"With all the new media outlets out there, with all the noise, a voice of authority and calm like Vogue becomes more important than ever," Wintour told the paper. "The more eyes on fashion, the more opinions about fashion, the more exploration of fashion around the world, the better it is for Vogue. Vogue is like Nike or Coca-Cola—this huge global brand. I want to enhance it, I want to protect it, and I want it to be part of the conversation."

Maybe BFF Michelle Obama changed her mind? Wintour names the First Lady as one of her biggest idols.

Lady Gaga called Anna Wintour a what??? >>

For now, we'll have to contemplate whether or not she'll be good at the job. Reps for Vogue and the White House denied that she's up for a government position.

"[She's] very happy with her current job," her spokesperson Megan Salt said.

Image courtesy Nikki Nelson / WENN.com

Do you think Anna Wintour would make a good U.S. Ambassador?

Tiny Anne Hathaway freaks about her weight

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Les Miserables star Anne Hathaway famously lost a bunch of weight to play Fantine in the upcoming adaption. Now, she can't stop thinking about her weight.

Anne Hathaway talks weight in Glamour

You'd think someone as successful — and gorgeous — as Anne Hathaway would be confident in every aspect of her life. Well, you'd be wrong.

Hathaway told Glamour in a new cover interview that she obsesses about her weight. "I still feel the stress over 'Am I thin enough? Am I too thin? Is my body the right shape?"' she admits of her insecurities," she told the magazine for the January issue.

Anne Hathaway's Les Mis hairmisery >>

The 30-year-old famously went on an extreme crash diet of two small squares of oatmeal paste a day to drop the 15 pounds necessary to play dying prostitute Fantine in the upcoming Les Miserables.

"There's an obsessive quality to it that I thought I would've grown out of by now. It's an ongoing source of shame for me," she added, saying that being in the spotlight is partly to blame.

"I just think about the ridicule you get if you have an off day," she says. "If people weren't watching, I'd be so much more eccentric. I know it makes me sound weak, but rather than make myself happy and wear the silly hat and say, 'Oh, I don't care.'"

Anne Hathaway confirms sci-fi gig in Robopocalypse >>

So, is it all sadness and gloom in her life? Hardly. She's newly married to Adam Shulman— and stupidly in love.

"He’s a good man. He’s beyond intelligent. He loves fearlessly. His beliefs are beautiful. He’s my best friend. I love him," she said. "I just feel that I have the greatest husband in the world for me."

Hathaway was still getting over her long-term relationship with jailed Italian con-man Raffaello Follieri when she met Shulman.

Anne Hathaway donates money from wedding pics to charity >>

"I would never have gotten married if it weren’t for him," she said. "You have to want to be married to someone. You have to feel that reciprocated. Marriage for marriage’s sake doesn’t make any sense to me, and I found someone with whom I could put my money where my mouth is, I guess."

Image courtesy Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com

Pumpkin muffins recipe

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Sample these moist and delicious pumpkin muffins bursting with autumn spices. They are perfect for Sunday breakfast or even dessert.

Daily Flavor

pumpkin muffins

Heat one up for a warm breakfast

Sample these moist and delicious pumpkin muffins bursting with spices. They are perfect for Sunday breakfast or even dessert.

Pumpkin muffins

Recipe adapted from Sarabeth's Bakery

Makes 12-14 muffins

Ingredients:

  • Softened unsalted butter, for the pan
  • 3-2/3 cups pastry flour, sifted
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1-1/3 cups superfine sugar
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature, beaten
  • 1 can solid-pack pumpkin
  • 1 cup seedless raisins
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup hulled unsalted pumpkin seeds

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Butter the insides of 12 to 14 muffin cups, then brush the top of the pan with softened butter.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger and salt together.
  3. In a standing mixer, beat the butter on high until creamy, about 1 minute.
  4. Gradually beat in the sugar and continue beating until the mixture is pale in color and texture, about 5 minutes.
  5. Gradually beat in the eggs. Reduce to low.
  6. Beat in the pumpkin.
  7. Beat in the flour mixture in thirds, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Mix until smooth.
  8. Add the raisins. Increase the speed to high and beat for another 15 seconds, no longer.
  9. Using an ice cream scoop, portion the batter, round side up, into the prepared pans. Brush the tops with maple syrup and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds.
  10. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F and continue baking until the tops of the muffins are golden brown and a knife comes out clean, about 15 minutes more.
  11. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Remove the muffins from the pan and cool completely.

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