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5 Classic films that showcase strong female characters

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As you may already know, you come across all types of women in your life. Whether they challenge you, motivate you or inspire you, they always teach you something.

Over the years, I've come to realize that I learned a lot from my fellow females: their successes, mistakes and everything in between. But, I've also learned a lot from the characters that make up the classics I love most.

That's why I'm sharing some of my favorite female heroines from the silver screen. Full of integrity, honesty and strength, these ladies will inspire you in the present while leaving you wisdom for the future.

1. Nora Charles

The Thin Man (1934)

Nora Charles

Image: mptvimages.com

Meet a woman who matches and sometimes suppresses her husband's charm and smarts. Myrna Loy is a sophisticated sensation as Nora, a witty whirlwind of glamour and intelligence whose life doesn't revolve around her household or her husband. Viewing life, as well as her marriage, as a sexy and exciting adventure, she'll encourage you to let loose and teach you there's always time for a cocktail.

2. Hildy Johnson

His Girl Friday (1940)

Hildy Johnson

Image: Sony Pictures

Empower yourself with this fast-talking ace of the newspaper world. Rosalind Russell's presence demands attention as the self-confident dame who refuses to sacrifice her femininity in a male-dominated career. Hildy will stimulate your mind, reminding you never to lose sight of what ignites your passion, no matter what anyone may think.

3. Deanie Loomis

Splendor in the Grass (1961)

Deanie Loomis

Image: Warner Bros. Entertainment

Natalie Wood gives one of the strongest performances of her career as a teenage girl torn between her desire and what society deems acceptable. After experiencing first love and heartbreak, Deanie rises from rock bottom with an enlightened spirit that will warm your soul. Her emotional journey will encourage you to find strength in past disappointments, so you can be stronger for the future.

4. Fanny Brice

Funny Girl (1968)

Fanny Brice

Image: mptvimages.com

Get acquainted with my all-time favorite funny girl, Fanny Brice. Barbra Streisand brings to life the true rags-to-riches story of a talented ugly duckling who flourishes into the swan star of the Ziegfeld follies. This roadshow musical proves that when you put your mind to something, anything is possible. After getting to know Fanny, you won't let anyone rain on your parade.

5. Ellie Andrews

It Happened One Night (1934)

Ellie Andrews

Image: mptvimages.com

Claudette Colbert is charmingly snarky as a runaway heiress in this coming-of-age screwball comedy. Escaping her father to marry a prince, Ellie meets someone else in her travels who challenges and forces her to discover who she is outside of her royal name. Ellie will show you that in order to get what you want out of life, you need to know who you are, and be sure of it.

So sit back, relax and see who's your ultimate silver-screen inspiration. All genuinely unique, each lady will leave a strong first impression, while teaching you lessons that will last a lifetime.


8 Celebs who are awesome at impersonating other celebs

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Selena Gomez Impersonates Taylor Swift

Selena Gomez Impersonates Taylor Swift


1. Selena Gomez

Gomez needs no words to impersonate her BFF, Taylor Swift. The actress and singer recently made headlines for replicating her superstar friend's stage moves, seen at around 1:36 in the video above. She's got Taylor's head whip and pointing thing down to a tee.

Seth MacFarlane Impressions

Seth MacFarlane Impressions


2. Seth MacFarlane

Considering his gift for taking on different voices, it should come as no shock that MacFarlane is good at impressions. But his recent impersonation of Liam Neeson on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon is amazing, even for him. Seriously, it's like he is Neeson. In case that isn't enough to make your jaw drop, he also does funny impersonations of Bobcat Goldthwait and Ray Romano.

Matt Damon Impersonates Matthew McConaughey

Matt Damon Impersonates Matthew McConaughey


More: Selena Gomez poses topless and reveals if she and Zedd are dating


3. Matt Damon

Damon's spot-on impression of friend Matthew McConaughey can make even a seasoned television vet like David Letterman erupt into giggles. In fact, Letterman enjoyed the impersonation so much that he asked Damon to break it out several more times on the show. Damon even has a tagline about — of course — being shirtless.

Christina Aguilera Impersonates Samantha Jones

Christina Aguilera Impersonates Samantha Jones


4. Christina Aguilera

Aguilera first proved she's a master of impressions when she did an uncanny impersonation of Sex and the City's Samantha Jones back in 2004. The impression was part of a skit for SNL, also featuring Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph and Rachel Dratch, and Aguilera more than held her own. Earlier this year, she even revisited classic lines from the skit on Late Night With Seth Meyers. But Samantha Jones isn't the only person she can imitate. She also did an awesome impression of fellow former Mouseketeer Britney Spears during an appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.

Tom Hiddleston Impersonates Owen Wilson

Tom Hiddleston Impersonates Owen Wilson


5. Tom Hiddleston

Can we all agree that Tom Hiddleston is just the best? As if there weren't already enough reasons to love him, Hiddleston does an amazingly accurate impression of Owen Wilson. But not just Owen Wilson. The actor takes it to the next level, as he proved when he impersonated Wilson impersonating Loki (the villain Hiddleston plays in the Thor films). Bonus: He also does a mean Chris Evans.

Kevin Spacey Impressions

Kevin Spacey Impressions


More: 5 Celebs Selena Gomez is BFFs with that you'd never expect


6. Kevin Spacey

Spacey can impersonate almost anyone and he's not afraid to do so. Case in point? He once impersonated Al Pacino in front of Al Pacino! Talk about an intimidating situation. But my personal favorite is his impression of Michael Caine, which he did on Jimmy Fallon's show, along with several other impersonations (skip to 3:37 for Caine).

Benedict Cumberbatch Impersonates Alan Rickman

Benedict Cumberbatch Impersonates Alan Rickman


7. Benedict Cumberbatch

The voice of actor Alan Rickman (Harry Potter's Snape) is one that's ripe for impersonation, but not many can actually pull it off. Leave it to Cumberbatch to be one of the few who can. The actor nails the deep richness of his fellow British star.

More: Selena Gomez begs fan not to commit suicide

Ariana Grande Impersonates Celine Dion

Ariana Grande Impersonates Celine Dion


8. Ariana Grande

Grande is most often compared to Mariah Carey, but one of the pop star's best impersonations is that of another legendary star, Celine Dion. Her impression of Dion, which she performed on Jimmy Fallon's talk show, is almost eerily good.

4 Great pieces of advice from super-successful women

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And those decisions help shape us. As does the advice we choose to follow. Whether it's our parents, our best friend, our personal trainer, our favorite director, a world leader or Oprah — good advice can come from many different sources.

Register for #BlogHer15: Experts Among Us

This week New York magazine's The Cut is talking advice of all kinds; the good, the bad, the strange and the pieces of it you really wish you took. Some of our favorite intelligent, inspiring women share the life lessons that have helped to shape them, including:

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright: "Learn to interrupt, but know what you're talking about."

Designer Vera Wang: "Know when to walk away... and start something new."

Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross: "It's OK to be your worst self."

Selma director Ava DuVerny: "Oprah told me that everything that happens to you is not happening to you, it's happening for you."

Mindy Kaling, Tavi Gevinson, Robin Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Rosie Perez, Helen Mirren, Liv Tyler, Laverne Cox and more share their best (and worst) one-line advice tidbits.

In addition, The Cut will be premiering the first episode of their #AskTheCut video series, where they'll tackle difficult to answer questions like "what's the easiest way to pee in a jumpsuit?" Because advice is needed in ALL aspects of life!

Forbes' Most Powerful Women of 2015: 25 Quotes from the honorees that'll empower you

Why a robot financial adviser is a smart money choice

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Problem is, playing it too safe has its own risks. The stock market has rocketed more than 200 percent over the past six years. That means the value of $5,000 in cash you placed into the stock market back in March 2009 would be worth at least $18,000 right now. That's enough to jump start a college tuition account.

Every busy mom I know has three to four social media accounts and everyone generously shares valuable information, even about money: how to save it, how to spend it and even invest it. Social media tools such as Facebook and Tip'd Off are allowing us to share investment tips among even more friends and strangers. But are your Facebook friends really your best source of serious investing advice? Do you want to entrust your retirement planning to them?

Meet the robo-advisor

Maybe you've heard the term robo-advisors. It's actually not personalized advice so there are no advisors behind the curtain. Apps like RobinHood, SigFig and FutureAdvisor are making it easier for you to gain access to computer-generated stock portfolios and invest practically for free. When you go to one of these sites, you'll be asked 5-10 questions to establish your profile, mostly questions about how much risk you like to take with your money. The robots do the work to come up with a suggested way to diversify and invest your savings, mostly in stocks. If you feel comfortable letting the robots invest on an ongoing basis, sit back and let the software rebalance and make adjustments automatically.

Comparing robo-advisory options, keep in mind:

Investment choices. Some robo-advisors limit you to a small selection of ETFs while others have partnered with multiple mutual fund groups to provide a wider universe of choices.

Full investment services. Services offered can range from asset allocation to rebalancing, dividend reinvesting and tax loss harvesting, replacing losing holdings with similar securities and offsetting the loss against capital gains for tax purposes. Be sure to ask for a breakdown of the fees involved.

Fees. Robo-advisors can be found with low to no fees, and no minimum deposit required to open an account. Fees may increase on a sliding scale based on the account balance and services used.

The biggest selling point is you can avoid dealing with pushy stock brokers. The bad news is you no longer can access the highly personalized guidance you could get from a really good human financial advisor. Robo-advisors have limitations, especially for a new investor.

Will I ever need a human financial advisor?

When all you need is a little help sorting out how you want to allocate your investment money... in other words, split it up between different asset classes such as stocks, bonds, real estate or cash, the robo solution is there to suggest some good mathematically tested strategies. But these robos have not been around long enough to really have dependable track records. And let me ask you this, what happens when your brilliant child actually gets accepted into Wharton and now you have to raid your retirement plan to meet the stratospheric tuition bill? What if you find yourself divorced and your settlement is smaller or much larger than expected, or you lose a parent and wind up inheriting a small fortune? At these points in life, the investment, tax and legal questions also become much more complex and investing becomes much more personal and emotional.

That's when robots can't help. Those are times when a relationship with a human financial advisor becomes a priority. What if you're just starting out as a brand new investor? Digital portfolios save time and money once your financial planning is already on track, but they really can't get you started. A real life and qualified investment advisor will educate you and guide you through the process.

Money is and always has been emotional. Real people want human interaction along with a personalized, customized investment plan. Not to mention a fiduciary relationship to always act in your best interest.

Best of both worlds

Social media and robo-advisors should not replace your human advisor. They are very good, though, at rooting out bad financial advisors. Technology is finally forcing transparency and exposing investment advisor fees and true performance. My advice is take advantage of this and combine the best tech with human expertise. Together with other millennial parents, you are spending $1 trillion each year on your children. You want to make sure you money is invested wisely and growing as your family's needs grow.

Why proper gun control is essential for the Second Amendment to work

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That said, being originally from small-town Texas (and currently living in the DFW Metroplex), I have some strong opinions on guns and gun ownership.

The Second Amendment — the right to bear arms

"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." I'll skip the back and forth of what everyone thinks that means, since you've all heard it before, except to note that this only applies to the federal government's opinion of the reason for the need and leaves out that a militia isn't the only reason people feel they need guns. And I think most people's objection to them has more to do with some of the open carry nonsense that's gone on recently (which also makes them nervous about concealed carry).

In defense of carry laws

People who want total open/concealed carry bans do so because guns are dangerous, and they believe, ergo, the people who carry them are as well. But guns aren't used solely for malicious purposes. I can't speak for the rest of the U.S., but part of the reason we have carry laws in Texas is that we have vast swatches of land that are in rural areas. It's not that they're entirely unsettled, it's that there is less separation between settled areas and wild areas than one might find in, say, New York City (unless those sewer alligators are real).

When I was a kid, there were several times we found snakes not just outside but in our house as well (and while those were usually bull snakes, keep in mind we do have a large population of deadly rattlesnakes and copperheads, too). And, of course, you'd have the occasional "critter" in the backyard (i.e., possums, skunks), which while not inherently dangerous, can carry rabies.

Further out of town, there's also the danger of much larger animals: mountain lions, coyotes (and if people in South Texas are to be believed, chupacabras). Carry bans would technically prevent people in areas like this from being able to carry weapons for personal protection. If you're out in the middle of nowhere and see a mountain lion, I got news for ya. You'd better be armed because the fastest man alive only tops out under 30 mph — a cougar goes 40 to 50.

And I may live in the big city now, but there's still a population of coyotes living essentially around the corner from me and other people I know.

A large city in Georgia recently dealt with the terror of extremely dangerous escaped zoo animals (due to flooding). The police and animal control were handling it, but you can only stay indoors for so long before you have to go out for food (and if you think a gorilla can't get in your house, I have some bad news for you). And if you do come across one, I'd recommend being armed with more than just a smartphone.

There's nowhere that you're perfectly safe from nature.

The problem with open/concealed carry laws

To someone like me, it seems like a bunch of A-hole-rhinestone-cowboy-badass-wannabes apparently think a mountain lion's going to pop into Starbucks for a spiced latte. I guess it's possible. I just question whether someone with little enough sense to carry a semi-automatic weapon around children can make a shot like that. It's not the same thing as shooting at soda cans or dudes made of paper. The good news is that while he's distracting it, the rest of us can get away (if he doesn't shoot us on our way out the door).

If you carry a weapon into a store in which you can reasonably expect that you'll be safe, the only point you're making to people from places where carrying a gun is sometimes necessary is that you're one of those people who shouldn't be allowed to have a gun — like, not even own one — never touch one — at all.

What about people, you say? If the worst does happen, all having a gun will do is make the bad guy shoot at you, confuse the police and potentially land you in a body bag. Having a gun puts a target on your back. If a lot of gun stores have rules regarding open carry, that should be your first clue that it isn't a bright idea in other stores.

Which brings me to my point. The issue with carry laws here in Texas isn't that it isn't necessary because it absolutely is. It's intended to allow people who may be in potentially dangerous situations the capability to appropriately defend themselves.

The issue is an abuse of the law. Carrying a gun to make a point about your right to carry a gun proves your grasp of gun safety and social appropriateness probably isn't high enough to be carrying a gun at all (ah, the irony).

These nut jobs from the NRA trying to get open carry on school campuses should have their guns taken away. So you want to arm boys on school campuses who are already raping women? What a baller idea! (Moron.) Sure, the girls could also carry guns, but do they want to? Should they have to? Pepper spray works pretty damn well too… so long as he isn't armed.

This is gun safety 101, people. You're more likely to get shot or shoot someone accidentally if you're carrying a gun. Only carry it when you need it, not when you're in a place with adequate, speedy and well-trained animal control and police services.

It makes people nervous because not only is it possible you're a criminal or a psycho (and we can't tell the difference just by looking), what's more likely is that if you lack the sense required not to carry a gun in a situation that's inappropriate in the first place, I question whether you know to keep your safety on, not put your finger on or near your trigger unless you're preparing to fire and not to point it at people (even if the safety is on). Have you ever fired it before? (Seriously, that happens.) Do you have any kind of gun safety training?

Honestly, I would be less nervous if I were back home and saw something like that because I have more ability to take it for granted that the individual was raised understanding gun safety (and if I still lived there, let's face it, I'd probably know the person). Of course, where I'm from, someone going hunting would have the common freaking sense to leave his or her gun in the truck's gun safe before stopping for a coffee. But in the city, I'm just not as confident.

And common sense is what it's about. Common-sense gun control and socially appropriate adherence to the spirit of both open and concealed carry laws are exactly what's necessary to protect our Second Amendment rights. Because if things get out of control, they're gonna take your toys away because you clearly think a gun is a toy if you're bringing it into Starbucks.

More on gun control

Man plans to openly carry a gun into the 'no guns allowed' Saint Louis Zoo
Vince Vaughn's recent gun control comments have caused an internet debate
Police say mom shot the TV instead of turning it off because Primus sucks

Make your potted plants glitter with this gold foil detail

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The gold foil is simply elegant. It's fancy, but somewhat rustic at the same time. The foil creates a not-so-perfect vintage look to anything you put it on. This whole craft is actually very simple!

Gold foil flower pots

Materials:

  • Flower pot
  • Gold foil kit (adhesive, sealer and gold foil)
  • Fresh herb or plant
  • 2 paint brushes

Instructions:

  1. Use a paintbrush to paint the adhesive onto the pot where you would like the gold foil to go.
  2. Allow the adhesive to start to dry and get sticky, about 10 minutes or so (you can check this by simply tapping it with your finger).
  3. Carefully (with clean hands) place the gold foil onto the adhesive; the foil will stick to where the adhesive is. The foil is very thin and can break easily, but don't worry you can always add more adhesive and glue more on!
  4. Once all of the adhesive is covered, use the dry paintbrush to brush away any excess foil.
  5. Use a paintbrush to paint the sealer over the gold foil, making sure all of the edges are covered.
  6. Once it's completely dry, you can add in your plant or herb.

Kendra Wilkinson posts telling pics about her marriage (PHOTO)

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But Wilkinson, for one, seems to have found a way to escape the drama surrounding her lately by heading to the ocean for some peace with her favorite people.

More: Kendra on Top: Are Hank's tears real, or is he manipulating her?

Wilkinson posted an Instagram image on Wednesday showing her and husband Hank Baskett out paddle boarding with their children.

"Doing what I love with the people I love... Nothing else in the world matters. #summertimefun #sunisshining #couldntbehappier."

Kendra Wilkinson Instagram Post 1

Kendra Wilkinson Instagram Post 1

The post seems to serve two purposes. The first? To let everyone know that her marriage to Baskett is just great. The second? To prove that she's not letting all this Playboy gossip with Holly Madison get the best of her.

Though that doesn't mean Wilkinson is staying quiet on all the drama this week.

More: Hank Baskett gets real about cheating scandal, talks suicidal thoughts

"I don't ever want to have a relationship with Holly again," Wilkinson told People in an interview following news of Madison's memoir. "And I made a mistake by thinking what we had was real."

Madison's new memoir, Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny, blasts Hugh Hefner and Wilkinson. In the memoir, Madison said she "envied Kendra's sense of entitlement" and called her "a rookie who had just gone all the way with an old dude" whose "only concern was how big her room was going to be." And Madison isn't apologetic at all.

But it seems that Wilkinson is more upset with Madison's opinion of her, rather than the fact that she's airing Playboy's dirty laundry. Wilkinson herself got candid about having sex with Hefner at the end of last year. She told the Daily Mail that she was usually very drunk or high during her evenings with him.

More: Kendra and Hank have a bold new show, but will it reveal anything new?

"At about the minute mark, I pulled away and it was done. It was like a job. Clock in. Clock out. It's not like I enjoyed having sex with him," Wilkinson explained at the time.

Despite everything, it's clear Wilkinson is trying to keep her head held high and her bunny ears tucked in the past.

Zachary Quinto's pic to Lena Dunham is worth geeking out over (PHOTO)

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More: Lena Dunham's new condo is every girl's whimsical dream

Quinto, who is currently reprising his role as Spock for Star Trek 3, sent Dunham a warm greeting, which she couldn't help but share on Wednesday.

Lena Dunham Star Trek instagram photo

Lena Dunham Star Trek instagram photo

"I received the warmest Vulcan greeting from my beloved @zacharyquinto," the Girls creator explained in her caption. "Congrats on your return to the enterprise! #RIPNimoy."

Dunham received overwhelming support for the photo.

More: Lena Dunham pens moving essay about rape culture: 12 Quotes that stood out

"There are just way too many things I love right here," one commenter said.

Another added, "Our heroes in one photo."

Quinto has also been sharing photos from his first day back on the set for his third Star Trek installment.

Zachary Quinto Instagram photo 1

Zachary Quinto Instagram photo 1

Zachary Quinto Instagram photo 2

Zachary Quinto Instagram photo 2

And while he has the eyebrows down, he still needs the ears to complete his Vulcan transformation.

Quinto and Dunham bonded during Girls Season 4 when the actor made an epic guest appearance as Mimi-Rose's ex, Ace.

More: Lena Dunham finds another use for her nipple covers at the Golden Globes

"I just love her through and through," Quinto gushed to the Huffington Post. "I think she's so insightful and observant and intelligent and articulate, and that show captures so much of that generation, and I feel like I'm even a little bit separated from that generation of people who are a decade or more younger than me now, but it was great to be a part of it."

It looks like Quinto and Dunham's bond was so solid, the two have decided to keep in touch even after filming. We hope it leads to more Star Trek sneak peeks as filming ramps up.


6 Valid points Amy Schumer makes against Disney princesses

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Amy's observations

1. You're only somebody if somebody says you are

Amy Schumer

Says Willamby, aka Tim Gunn, "You're not a disgusting, filthy commoner at all — you're a princess." Take it from Cinderella, Snow White, Belle... oh, who are we kidding? Pretty much every Disney princess requires validation from a man before they are valued for being, well, precisely who they were all along.

More: Amy Schumer's politeness ruins her life — and all women can relate (VIDEO)

2. Not ready to get hitched? Who cares!

Amy Schumer

Unless you're a rebellious little redheaded princess like Merida, being royalty means an arranged marriage. Oh, you're, like, 14? No bigs... that's totally common practice in monarchies. They do marriage in dog years, apparently.

3. Let's hope you like older men — or preppy young ones

Amy Schumer

Speaking of marriage, if you want to be a princess, you can forget about marrying that super-cute but endearingly chubby junior you met during rush week or that swoon-worthy punk rocker you always run into at outdoor concerts. "Every princess must marry a dashing prince!" according to Willamby. Dashing, in princess speak, either refers to impossibly perfect prepsters like Eric, Charming, etc... or the old dude from a neighboring country your parents royally need you to marry to solidify an alliance. And who says romance is dead?

4. By the way, your prince is also your cousin

Amy Schumer

Hey, gotta maintain the purity of the royal bloodline, right, Willamby? This happened far more often in royal history than people like to talk about. Naturally. Which means odds are in favor of Aurora and Prince Phillip being kin somewhere along the (royal blood) line. Yikes.

More: Amy Schumer responds to ABC's request to be the next Bachelorette (PHOTOS)

5. Incubating a prince is literally your only role

Amy Schumer

You heard it straight from the royal attaché's mouth. Think about it — how many Disney princesses can you recall who actually had jobs or aspirations? Jasmine? Nope. Snow White? Not unless you count house servant to seven dwarfs. Ariel, Aurora, Rapunzel? Nope, nope and nope. Score one for Tiana, the one badass chick in the bunch who held down a job, a dream and becoming a princess.

6. You don't have control over anything, least of all your ovaries

Amy Schumer

Hello, someone has to produce future heirs. Try explaining to the royal monarchy that you have no control over chromosomal behavior and you just might lose your head over it. Literally. See also: Everything is decided for you. Often before you are even born. One can only imagine how difficult multiple pregnancies must be when your neck is larger than your waist. Fun times.

My observations

1. You are never, ever allowed to be comfortable

Amy Schumer

Like, can't a homegirl just throw on a Juicy track suit and chill out for a bit? Princesses don't have any casual clothes. And, even if they did, I'm not convinced they wouldn't be forced to wear a lung-constricting girdle underneath those, too. Plus? You can't breathe, but your boobs are only three inches from you chin.

2. Don't even think about going makeup-free

Amy Schumer

Jasmine always rocks cat eyes and bold lips. She's 15. Ariel clearly holds the secret to the world's best waterproof mascara. She's 16. Snow White didn't come by those ruby red lips and enviable eyelashes naturally. She's 14. Did you look like a personal glam squad followed you around when you were their ages? Interestingly, princesses never discuss the inevitable acne that comes courtesy of teenage hormones coupled with 24/7 layers of cakey face.

More: Amy Schumer shames 14 female celebrities to make a feminist point (VIDEO)

3. Must speak... animal

Amy Schumer

Yes, most princesses are bilingual anyway — they speak the language of their nationality, whatever it may be; they speak English and they also speak the language of their love interest's nationality. But, magically, they also must be able to flawlessly communicate with animals. No princess wants to be on the bad side of those chirpy little buggers when they've been imprisoned or eaten a poisonous apple and need some animal aid. Apparently, Disney princesses are immune to allergies.

4. Singing is required, even when you are depressed

Amy Schumer

In fact, singing while depressed is practically a prerequisite for becoming a Disney princess. Kidnapped by a giant man beast and being held against your will in his castle? Sing it out, girl. Worried your home is about to be chopped down in search of gold? Just sing it out, sweetie. Just picture a pink, bedazzled karaoke machine. Got it? Great. Now add a tiara. Bippity, boppity boo, it's a princess!

All images courtesy of Comedy Central

Fans dub Arnold Schwarzenegger's Howard Stern interview his big comeback

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More: Barack Obama with Britney Spears' body? Oh, it happened (PHOTOS)

It's been a tumultuous few years for Terminator Genisys star Arnold Schwarzenegger, who in 2011 admitted to fathering a lovechild with his housekeeper before a messy divorce from his wife, Maria Shriver. But an interview on Howard Stern's Sirius XM show Wednesday may have earned him back some fans.

In the surprisingly candid interview, Schwarzenegger admitted his split from Shriver was one of the biggest regrets in his life.

"Without any doubt," he said. "Not only failure, but you feel like, 'I'm to blame for it. It was me that screwed up.'"

More: Arnold Schwarzenegger quotes that sum up his son's fling with Miley Cyrus

He also said going to couples therapy with Shriver was "bullshit" and the "biggest mistake of [his] life."

"He said more crap and more nonsense. It was absolutely counterproductive to our future relationship… I don't have to go through anyone to have to explain to me anything... I apologized to Maria. I apologized to the kids," said Schwarzenegger.

Schwarzenegger's openness had fans on social media showing their support.

Arnold on Howard Stern 2

Arnold on Howard Stern 2

Arnold Schwarzenegger on Howard Stern 1

Arnold Schwarzenegger on Howard Stern 1

"Wow... crazy to say, Arnold Schwarzenegger on @HowardStern is actually kinda inspirational," one tweeted. Another posted, "@HowardStern Your interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger was absolutely fantastic made me love him even more. You're the best! #howardstern."

Arnold on Howard Stern 3

Arnold on Howard Stern 3

Arnold on Howard Stern 4

Arnold on Howard Stern 4

But while the interview seems to have gained Schwarzenegger some fans, it also proved some are still holding his transgressions against him.

"Arnold Schwarzenegger sounded 'normal' on @sternshow until he started discussing his divorce. #delusional @HowardStern," another Twitter user said.

Arnold on Howard Stern 5

Arnold on Howard Stern 5

Guess you can't win 'em all.

More: Arnold Schwarzenegger has a super unexpected lady in his life (PHOTOS)

Which side are you on? Do you think Arnold Schwarzenegger has redeemed himself with his honesty and by apologizing for his mistakes? Or are you on Maria Shriver's side? Sound off down in the comments!

Big Brother's transgender houseguest upsets viewers with fat-shaming comments

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I realize that it may be hard for some to wrap their heads around the idea that she could be both transgender and a conniving, backstabbing phony. The fact that she is transgender does not mean that it's her job to represent the entire trans community, nor does it suddenly make her heroic or instantly likable.

More: Julie Chen tears up as she speaks about one Big Brother star

On the contrary, when we first meet her, she is clear that she plans to "be kinda like Dexter Morgan," explaining that she will be "carefully collecting blood slides of every fallen houseguest that [she's] had a hand in dismantling." She has come to play the game.

And as a competitor, she corners Da'Vonne and Shelli almost immediately, scheming to form the first alliance of the season. She lures them in by saying, "I sense, like, really strong vibes." Then she makes it clear she wants a girl to win this season, adding, "We have to be really calculated." She is the instigator of this alliance and we see quickly that she is devious.

But it is this next commentary in the Diary Room that had the Twitterverse all worked up — and many angry that she is "not properly representing the trans community."

What went down was this: During the first Head of Household (HOH) competition — called the "flying tomatoes challenge" — the houseguests had to catch tomatoes being heaved at them while balancing on a plank that kept moving. Whichever houseguest caught 10 tomatoes first and didn't fall off their plank won.

One by one, they fell, leaving the four remaining contestants: Jace the skateboarder, Shelli from Atlanta, James the self-proclaimed "hillbilly Asian" and Audrey. When all four go tumbling down at the same time, an instant replay reveals that James stayed on just a moment longer, winning him the title.

This is where it got ugly.

They cut to Audrey in the Diary Room, who says, "So, James wins HOH and I have no clue what's going through this little rolly polly's head."

Then it got worse, "Looks like I'm gonna have to kiss his little camo ass and hope he doesn't nominate me this week." Yikes.

The comments on Twitter ranged from disappointed to how she shouldn't be seen as a "terrible example of the trans community":

The fact is, real acceptance of any person — regardless of race, gender or sexuality — is to judge them based on what makes them just like everybody else, not what makes them different.

More: Big Brother 17 pushes diversity boundaries more than any other TV show

If that first commenter said, "Disappointing to hear the first-ever African-American contestant..." would that person be mortified? Would they then understand that a person could be a jerk no matter what else is true about them?

Can you imagine if everything you did was an example of your gender or race? Audrey is just a woman on a badass reality show and it's actually quite misogynistic that she's being identified as a woman who is a "bitch" when it is a competition show.

Transgender people just want to blend in like everyone else. They don't want to be "the trans baker, trans car salesman or trans tennis star." They just want to be the baker, the car salesman or the tennis star — period.

More: Big Brother's Frankie Grande thinks lesbianism is a choice

My friend, Sam, who is transgender, told me this: "We're sensationalizing transgender these days, which is a mistake because then you start to define a group of people like they're an oddity, a brand or a curiosity and not just people."

All I know is that this is an exciting new season with a twist where we, the audience, are privy to a secret. The secret is this: One of the houseguests is a twin who will be trading places with their sibling, unbeknownst to the other contestants. Wouldn't it be great if the real thing that makes Audrey stand out was that she is the twin and her sister is a much kinder, more likable person?

What did you think of the premiere? Let us know in the comments below.

Ask a Raging Feminist: What's your theme song?

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Today's question: What would be your theme song in daily life?

"The defiant screeching of Drogon the dragon rolling over the Meereenese city walls as the people battle to their deaths in the fighting pits or, if that's not on Spotify, 'No Scrubs' by TLC." — Ali Barthwell

"'Because I'm Awesome' by The Dollyrots for reasons we don't really need to elaborate." — Hilary Nunes

"Absolutely every Nicki Minaj song ever." — Carmen Rios

"'Army of Me' by Bjork. Sometimes in life, you only have yourself to rely on. If you don't stand up, speak, act, no one will. So you just have to get up and do it. And it's easier to do with a rockin' hook pulling you to your feet and background samples that sound like something out of a sci-fi flick. I like to imagine the air raid sounds are the bastions of the patriarchy being blown to bits." — Laura Lucas

"I've had the answer to this question since 1993, the first time I heard Ani DiFranco's 'Pick Yer Nose.' As a feminist, anti-racist writer/activist and comedy nerd, there's no single lyric that sums up the way I live my life more succinctly than the chorus: I fight with love, and I laugh with rage. You've got to live light enough to see the humor, and long enough to see some change." — Jennifer L. Pozner

"'Ride of the Valkyries' by Richard Wagner. Because I love the smell of misandry in the morning." — Jenny Poore

"I just record the dying cries of the oppressive majority and play them on a loop all day. The sounds of their suffering relaxes me." — Seraphina Ferraro

"Definitely 'Stayin' Alive' or anything by the Bee Gees. Then it's important to keep that beat going on in your head when walking, so you'll have that extra little kicky step wherever you go. It makes you walk like you know what you're doing. Always." — Leigh Shulman

"Is there really any answer to this other than the song from the Golden Girls intro?" — Meredith "I'm a Dorothy" Counts

"'Push Up Bras Encouraged' by Madam Panhandler. On the surface, it may seem like the song is advocating breasts to conform to unattainable ideals of beauty, but really it's a set of affirmations directed at the lowly push-up bra itself, now that it has been neglected to the back reaches of your closet while you smash the patriarchy with tits unhinged." — Carrie Cutforth

"I have seriously considered taking to Craigslist for some guy to follow me everywhere with a boombox blasting Kelis' 'Bossy' at all times. Unpaid." — Clara Bee Lavery

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Do you need a building permit for that?

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A lot of things can go wrong when you're building and renovating, and that includes being in compliance with local codes.

Don't skip the permit. Considering the complexities that can accompany obtaining a permit, it can be tempting to avoid it. What many homeowners fail to realize is that the permit provides protection.

In the worst case scenario, a job completed without a permit could be sub-par (poor electrical work) and present real physical danger to the occupant (house fire).

Work completed without a permit can also have long-reaching consequences: a home sale might fall through or a new homeowner may find herself responsible for obtaining a permit retroactively. No one wants to deal with costly fines and lawsuits that can result from permit problems.

Ask questions. Building codes vary significantly from one jurisdiction to another, so it's important to check with your local authorities. And even if you've gone through a recent permitted project, that doesn't mean that the rules are the same. Permit requirements are constantly changing — do your homework every time. And ask yourself: Do I need a permit, or not?

Yes. You will need a permit when you're performing any of these home improvements:

  • Building an addition to your home
  • Making structural modifications
  • Making electrical modifications
  • Doing plumbing work
  • Installing larger windows
  • Installing mechanical systems
  • Modifying your home's roof line
  • Modifying your sewage system
  • Adding a fireplace
  • Doing major demolition work

No. You probably will not need to obtain a permit for cosmetic changes to your home's interior:

  • Installing new carpeting or hardwood flooring
  • Painting interior spaces
  • Adding paneling or wallpaper
  • Adding crown molding, baseboard or casing

Maybe. Whether or not you need a permit may depend on variables such design, location and the size of the project:

  • Repairing siding
  • Repainting your home's exterior
  • Replacing light fixtures, plumbing fixtures and some appliances

Building codes protect you, your family and the general public. They also contribute to more energy-saving and eco-friendly building guidelines to protect our environment. Skipping a permit is not a small oversight — it's a really big deal.

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Stop shaming Kris Jenner for being a sexually active older woman

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Shocking, I know.

When Kris Jenner, 59, and boyfriend Corey Gamble, 34, dared to show each other physical affection on the red carpet at the Cannes Lions festival Wednesday night, the internet's head almost exploded with expressions like, "Whoa mama!" and "boytoy."

My head almost exploded with thoughts like, "Get it, girl!" and "Good for you, lady."

Because, honestly, isn't it refreshing to see an older woman embrace her sexuality? No one bats an eye when older men do it — Johnny Depp with Amber Heard, Olivier Sarkozy with Mary-Kate Olsen, Jeff Goldblum with Emilie Livingston... believe me, that list goes on and on, my friends.

More: Kylie and Kris Jenner flaunt their curves in skimpy outfits (PHOTOS)

Of course, sexuality for the 50-plus set isn't just relegated to romantic liaisons with much younger partners. There are plenty of happily married Hollywood couples who qualify for senior citizen discounts, and still love to have sex.

You cannot tell me that Denzel Washington, 60, and Pauletta Washington, 64, — who've been married for 30 years — don't still enjoy a good romp. I mean, you could, but I wouldn't believe you. And we all know Suzanne "The Thighmaster" Somers is still going strong with her husband of 35 years, Alan Hamel — she has been quoted as saying one of the secrets to a long marriage is "great sex."

What's the deal, then, with the public shame or ick factor when a woman of a certain age talks about that sex life or, heaven forbid, hints at it by engaging in a little PDA?

Why are women stuck with being a paragon of chastity? Let me hit you with a little truth.

According to the most comprehensive sex survey ever done among 57- to 85-year-olds in the United States, seniors citizens, well, they really like sex, y'all. In the 57- to 64-year-old demographic, 73 percent of participants polled were sexually active. In the 64- to 75-year-old demographic, 53 percent of participants were sexually active.

More: No one but Kris Jenner could rock these sheer (yes, sheer!) pants (PHOTO)

What's more, more than half of the participants in the 57- to 75-year-old demographic copped to giving or receiving oral sex — so did a third of those older than 75.

Kris Jenner's boyfriend nibbled her neck a little on the red carpet, and that's a problem for people because... it implies she is having sex? That shouldn't be taboo — it should be empowering, especially for women.

I don't know about you, but I enjoy sex. At 32, I'm in the window largely considered to be a woman's sexual prime. So, hey, maybe I'm even enjoying it more than many right now. In any case, I certainly don't want to wake up one morning and have to say, "Oh, shit. I'm 50. The sex stops here!"

What fun is there in that?

After all, Jenner has six children. The woman clearly knows a thing or two about sex. Admittedly, I've not been one of the momager's superfans in the past, but I find the frankness with which she is now addressing her sexuality to be encouraging.

Like any woman's right with a residual stigma, the more we talk about our sexuality at a certain age and the more we address it openly and honestly, the more power we have in destigmatizing it.

More: 7 Things to know about Kris Jenner's new beau Corey Gamble

Personally, I'd like to go on record now as saying I absolutely plan to still be grabbing my husband's ass (if you've seen it, you understand) and have him nibbling my neck well into our golden years. Hell, I hope that when I'm 90, I'll still be clenching my dentures at night, if you catch my drift.

So Kris, do your thing, baby. 'Cause while sex shouldn't stop at 50 for women, getting shamed for getting some once you cross that threshold definitely should.

America's 'hunkiest' cities have been named — pack your bags

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What's it going to take to get you out of your current living situation and convince you to move on to bigger, better and hotter places? Maybe Trulia's chart of the 20 sexiest cities will help. If you're looking for some new men to stare at, it looks like these are the places to go, and considering nearly half of the list is made up of towns in California, that should probably be your first choice. Even the No. 1 spot was awarded to California and the gorgeous city of San Diego.

But how did the geniuses at Trulia determine a city's hunkiness? Sadly their research did not involve going to each big city and spending time in male strip clubs, looking for the next Magic Mike. Instead, they used, like, science and math to calculate some very important ratios. In particular, their experts looked at the number of households and the number of single men, and then compared it to the number of bars, barbers, beauty salons, clubs, gyms and tanning beds. Based on the proportions, they determined the winners.

The Top 10

10. Chicago, Illinois

9. Portland, Oregon

8. Las Vegas, Nevada

7. Seattle, Washington

6. Los Angeles, California

5. Austin, Texas

4. Boston, Massacheusetts

3. Orange Country, California

2. San Francisco, California

1. San Diego, California

Surprised? We're not. San Diego is surrounded by multiple military bases, which boosts its influx of single men significantly. Bonus: It has way better weather than Los Angeles. Like... it actually rains there. If you want a guitar-strumming guy who will juggle your in between working in three bands, though, try Austin. And if you really want a guy like the ones in Magic Mike, you should probably head to Las Vegas. They seem to run the game on male strippers. For us Midwesterners, it looks like a weekend trip to Chicago is in order, huh?

Have fun out there, man-eaters!

The full poster...

Hunkiest Cities

Image: Trulia

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Shrimp boil burgers are a delicious alternative to red meat

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I added a lot of the ingredients that would be added to a shrimp boil into these burgers. First, I boiled the shrimp in beer. This gave the shrimp a wonderful flavor (not a beer flavor). Then I added Old Bay and corn to the patties. The old bay reminds me of my Country Shrimp Boil and the corn added some volume and texture. I fried these burgers in oil and butter; you can also bake them at 400 degrees for 40 minutes for a fat free patty.

Shrimp Burger

Simply delicious and a nice change from a heavy hamburger.

Shrimp boil burgers recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1-1/2 pounds shrimp, de-veined and shell removed
  • 12 ounces beer or water
  • 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
  • 1/4 cup green onions, chopped, greens only/li>
  • 3/4 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
  • 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
  • Zest from one lemon (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • Lettuce
  • Tomato
  • Tartar sauce

Shrimp Burger

Directions:

  1. Add cleaned shrimp and beer to a medium saucepan.
  2. Bring to a low boil; cook until shrimp turns pink (about 2 minutes).
  3. Remove from boiling liquid and cool in refrigerator. Note: This step can be done hours in advance.
  4. Add cold shrimp to a food processor; process until shrimp is ground up. Note: Finely chop the shrimp if you don't have a food processor.
  5. Dump ground shrimp into a medium bowl; add the Old Bay, onion, corn, parsley lemon zest, lemon juice, mayonnaise, bread crumbs and egg.
  6. Mix until completely combined.
  7. Form into 4 (5 ounce) patties.
  8. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before frying.
  9. Add the oil and butter to a large skillet; heat on medium heat.
  10. Place two patties in the hot oil/butter; cook until brown.
  11. Toast the tops and bottoms of the buns.
  12. Add the lettuce and tomato to the bottom side and the tartar sauce to the top side of the bun.
  13. Place the patty on the bottom side.

Visit Lady Behind The Curtain for more delicious burger recipes.

The best pets for families with small children

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Take it from me. A friend of mine offered me a Chihuahua puppy when my daughter was 2 years old, and I agreed to take in the puppy before doing my research. Suffice it to say, Ernie was not a good fit for our family. Thankfully, I was able to find him a good home before he bit my daughter — which I was certain would happen in only a matter of time.

Dr. Judy Leigh is a holistic veterinarian who understands the importance of picking the right pet for your family. "My children are now grown, but we had many pets while my children were growing up," she said. Here are her top picks for a happy and healthy family life with a fur baby.

1. Guinea pigs

If a small pet is your speed, Leigh suggested a guinea pig. "They live three to five years and are not as breakable as some small pets," she said. "Plus, they don't require a lot of care."

2. Fish

A fish can be a great starter pet for kids, or the beginning of a very cool hobby complete with aquariums, toys and a growing school of fish. "They are fun to watch, and to buy new toys for their habitat," Leigh said. "A small, decent aquarium setup doesn't require a ton of work, either."

3. Hamsters

Leigh cautioned that hamsters can be a little hit or miss, depending on the hamster and how much it is handled. "We had a lot of really friendly ones and if handled a lot they are pretty friendly. I recommend the bigger hamsters rather than the mini ones," she said.

4. Dogs

"Any breed can be a good pet if trained and handled correctly," Leigh said. She mentioned that Labs and golden retrievers can make great companions and are usually very friendly. If you're interested in a small dog, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel is a great breed. Other small dogs, unfortunately, can sometimes be too hyper or aggressive for families with small kids.

5. Cats

The right cat can be a wonderful pet for small children. "My cats were used to sleeping with the kids, being handled, dressed up and put in strollers," Leigh said.

6. Geckos

Interestingly, Leigh said that geckos are great for kids. "They don't require much care and it's fun to watch them hunt live crickets."

7. Chickens

If your municipality allows chickens, a few outdoor chickens can make a great addition to a family. "They are fun to feed and collect eggs, if you have chickens who lay," she said. Just check with your city first.

8. Miniature horses

Yes, miniature horses. "If they are handled a lot, they are extremely docile," Leigh explained. "They are great to groom and feed. We drive ours with a cart and kids adore them. They are always a hit when people come to visit." She added that you must live in a neighborhood where miniature horses are allowed and that families should learn a lot about horse care before investing in this pet.

So which animals should families avoid? According to Leigh, families with small children should avoid the exotic pets on the market like hedgehogs, sugar gliders and snakes. "I am not a fan of these for small kids," she said.

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People shockingly bash Bristol Palin and her pregnancy news

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The reality star, who has made a huge chunk of change promoting so-called family values and sexual abstinence despite having a child out of wedlock as a teen, just announced she is pregnant again — a month after calling off her wedding to war hero Dakota Meyer.

Palin made the announcement on her blog, which is hosted by the faith-based site Patheos.

"I wanted you guys to be the first to know that I am pregnant," she wrote. "Honestly, I've been trying my hardest to keep my chin up on this one.

"At the end of the day there's nothing I can’t do with God by my side, and I know I am fully capable of handling anything that is put in front of me with dignity and grace. Life moves on no matter what. So no matter how you feel, you get up, get dressed, show up, and never give up. When life gets tough, there is no other option but to get tougher.

"I know this has been, and will be, a huge disappointment to my family, to my close friends, and to many of you. But please respect Tripp's and my privacy during this time. I do not want any lectures and I do not want any sympathy," she continued.

"My little family always has, and always will come first. Tripp, this new baby, and I will all be fine, because God is merciful."

The internet immediately lit ip with people calling Palin out over the hypocrisy of presenting herself as a conservative Christian while having her second out-of-wedlock pregnancy.

Bristol Palin pregnancy reactions

Bristol Palin pregnancy reactions

More: Bristol Palin angrily calls out Miley Cyrus for preaching tolerance

But one tweet really got us thinking...

Bristol Palin pregnant marry Dakota

Bristol Palin pregnant marry Dakota

When Palin and Meyer's canceled nuptials were announced, she angrily denied claims that the relationship fell apart because he hid his first marriage from her. She worded her pregnancy announcement carefully, avoiding any mention of who the baby daddy is this time — and you would think that if it was Meyer, she would have said so. Go ahead and read between those lines any way you want.

Ryan Reynolds gets crude to explain how he's different from Ryan Gosling

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Well, Reynolds has the hilarious, albeit crude, answer for you to make the point that they are definitely not the same person.

Warning: The tweet below is definitely NSFW...

A twitter user named Gabrielle said casually online that she wasn't sure the difference between the two A-listers. And she got way more of a response than she bargained for.

Ryan Reynolds versus Ryan Gosling tweet

Ryan Reynolds versus Ryan Gosling tweet

She didn't even tag Gosling or Reynolds in the post, nor did she include any hashtags. Yet Reynolds somehow found the tweet nonetheless and provided one of his cheekiest responses yet.

Ryan Reynolds versus Ryan Gosling tweet 2

Ryan Reynolds versus Ryan Gosling tweet 2

And while we definitely think Reynolds meant the tweet in jest, it's still important to make a note to self after this one: Never say Reynolds is similar to Gosling. Though it's definitely a comment that will get his attention. Just not the kind of attention you hope to get from him, if you catch my drift.

Though Reynolds and his wife, Blake Lively, tend to keep out of the spotlight, especially since Lively gave birth to their first child, James, six months ago, they both consistently keep a sense of humor about their social media profiles.

Blake Lively Ryan Reynolds Instagram photo 1

Blake Lively Ryan Reynolds Instagram photo 1

Gosling, who is even less active on social media, has yet to comment on the post, though we'd love it if he kept this thread going.

Do you think Reynolds' Twitter response was meant only in fun, or was he upset by the comment?

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Kim Kardashian and Kanye West stir up discussion on gender selection

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Kim Kardashian and Kayne West announced not too long ago that they're expecting a second child. The 34-year-old reality star has made it no secret how much of a struggle it has been to conceive. By sharing her journey on Keeping Up with the Kardashians, viewers got a treat during the midseason finale, when Mrs. West revealed on camera she was pregnant. The pair just confirmed a boy will join their family later this year. Kim and Kanye have an adorable 2-year-old daughter named North West.

As exciting as pregnancy news is, Kimye is coming under fire over allegations that they purposely chose the sex of their second child. Outlets like US Weekly are reporting only male embryos were implanted during Kim's IVF treatment that led to her pregnancy. Apparently Kanye wanted a little boy to carry on his family name, while Kim crossed her fingers for one of each sex.

They both deny these claims.

LiveScience notes that sex selection, while not uncommon, can walk the line of ethics — depending on how you use it. The concept of being able to choose whether you have a boy or a girl might sound weird or even creepy to some people, but the reality is, gender selection can help families with a dicey medical history. Science has now made it possible for couples to undergo fertility treatments that allow them to bypass a particular sex more commonly linked to a genetic disorder. Some couples don't want their child to experience or suffer from diseases in their family history, making sex selection a viable and acceptable option.

There's also the idea of "family balancing," where parents request to have one child from each sex. While many might consider this OK, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists opposes this type of sex selection, as it supports "sexist practices." It does, however, support patients who wish to prevent passing on sex-linked diseases.

I'm always amazed at the leaps science continues to make. However, the thought of creating an "à la carte" child seems a little off to me. Sure, I don't mind knowing the sex of my child, but I don't want to choose it — or other options like eye color and hair texture. I definitely understand people not wanting to pass genetic disorders to the next generation, but I think we must be careful with Pandora's box, as it can open up to a Build-a-Bear process that allows us to craft "the perfect child." Some fertility doctors have already begun molding designer babies that in many ways allow them to take on the role of God.

On top of that, sex selection treatments aren't exactly affordable. It's estimated the West clan paid upward of $17,000 to make sure they had a boy. I guess if you have it, you can use it however you like.

As a mother of two little boys, it would be nice to have a girl, but I'm not pressed. My husband and I were blessed with our second son, and that's something we would never change. If we're supposed to parent a girl, we'll have one.

Where do you stand on sex selection?

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