Straight men check out women. It's a fact. But when Brit Gemma got tired of her boyfriend Scott's wandering eye, she had a novel solution: hypnotism. The couple went on a TV show in the UK where Scott was put under by a professional hypnotist and instructed to slap himself every time he looked at another woman. The couple then went to lunch at an outdoor cafe and, as I'm sure you can imagine, Scott quickly had quite a red face.

Seeing this, I had two immediate thoughts:

First: It's not nice or funny to slap people, even by proxy of themselves. And it's especially ridiculous when it's for a behavior that is so, well, natural. It's not like Scott was cat-calling the women or making inappropriate gestures. (Although the self-flagellation must have appeared strange.) I'm sure my husband checks out other women; and as long as it stays at just checking them out, I file it under "things I can't be bothered to worry about."

More: 9 Things that happen when you go to IKEA with your partner

Second: But if hypnosis is really a thing that works (and who knows if it does outside of British reality shows?) then think of all the other relationship issues that we could use it to solve! I mean, who hasn't wanted to use a little mind control to their advantage every once in a while? Especially, if we could use it on ourselves as much as the other person.

So, I've taken the liberty of listing the most common relationship problems (as defined by Psychology Today) and came up with their hypnotic solutions. You're welcome in advance. (In fact, you're so welcome that you're getting very, very sleepy and when you awake you'll send me $1,000 as a symbol of your gratitude... Is it working yet? No??) 

Relationship problems that (we wish) could be solved with hypnotism:

1. Taking your partner for granted to an unhealthy degree

Solution: Hypnotize yourself to honestly tell them five things they are great at, every day. And none of this "You're great at being great" nonsense. Our partners do all kinds of weird stuff for us so be honest. "Hey honey, thanks for popping that back zit I couldn't reach but was driving me nuts!" or "Thank you for cleaning up the cat vomit out of my shoe!"

2. Problem: being overly needy

Solution: How awesome would it be if the next time you asked "Do I look fat in this?" your significant other was hypnotized to immediately tell you to stop worrying about society's insane definition of attractive and how beautiful they find you regardless of any imperfections? Wouldn't hurt either if they handed you a credit card and told you to go find a dress that made you feel like a million bucks. (Although then you might need to be hypnotized to be more financially responsible.)

3. Problem: complaining about your partner in public

Solution: Maybe the slapping idea would be good for this one. (Kidding! Hitting is never the answer, use your words, children.) Still, we've all had to listen to someone tear down their significant other in front of others and the only thing more painful than watching it happen is being the person it happens to. Perhaps hypnotizing the offender to squawk like chicken every time they think about airing their partner's dirty laundry?

4. Problem: being passive aggressive

Solution: Nobody likes the "I'm not mad at you (I'm totally mad at you)" game. So, what if instead of asking our partner to be a mind reader, we are hypnotized to call a telephone psychic and pay them to read our minds? One phone bill should be enough to cure even the most ardent (non) arguer.

5. Problem: wanting to kill your partner for chewing with their mouth open

Solution: Okay, so this isn't on the official relationship problems list but it should be! No one should have to listen to their beloved slurp, smack, suck, and crunch their way through dinner. I think everyone should be hypnotized, preferably in preschool, to have good table manners.

More: 7 Painful stages of watching your husband eat loud, crunchy foods

Or maybe stick with scheduled date nights and couples therapy when needed. Your call.

To jazz up this chicken dish, I roasted organic chicken breasts with sweet cherry tomatoes in olive oil, Italian seasonings, fresh garlic and salt and pepper, then topped them with slices of mozzarella cheese, basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for a dinnertime twist on the Italian caprese salad.

This is not your usual boring chicken.

Skillet caprese chicken recipe

Use the best quality balsamic vinegar you can find — it does make a difference.

Serves 4

Prep time: 10 minutes | Bake time: 25 minutes | Total time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 organic, boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasonings
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
• Handful fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
• Good-quality balsamic vinegar

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. To a mixing bowl, add the chicken breasts, olive oil, garlic, seasonings, salt and pepper, and toss well to coat the chicken.
3. Place the chicken breasts in the skillet along with the cherry tomatoes, and roast for 20 minutes or until the center of the chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear.
4. Remove the chicken from the oven, and top each with slices of mozzarella cheese.
5. Return the chicken to the oven for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese melts.
6. Garnish the chicken with lots of fresh basil, and drizzle a spoonful of balsamic vinegar on top.
7. Best served warm.

More baked chicken recipes

Cilantro-lime baked chicken wings
Crispy roast chicken with mango and lemon
Baked Coca-Cola chicken

I mean, can you imagine eating the same meals and the same snacks and drinking the same water day in and day out? It would drive any of us crazy. My (not-so-) little girls are puppies, so chewing is always a fun game — more for them than for my shoes, my laptop cord or the baseboards (yes, the baseboards — I don't even understand how!).

They love their Kongs filled with peanut butter or treats, but I wanted something that lasts as long as the peanut butter without all the fat (salt and sugar) and something that lasts a bit longer than their treats.

Forever a fan of homemade dog food, I decided there had to be something I could make for their favorite toy. I decided to start with an American classic: meat and potatoes.

1. Assemble your ingredients

This is a pretty flexible recipe. I like making it from scratch to avoid extra sodium and fat in their diet, but you can use leftover cooked meat or mashed potatoes so long as they don't have anything that isn't good for dogs, like onions or garlic in them. Before you use any ingredient, always look up whether it's OK for dogs. There are lots of things we can eat that they can't or shouldn't. I like the website Can I give my dog…?.

2. Make dog-friendly mashed paw-tatoes

Skip the salt and butter here. This recipe uses milk, and you can add a little cheese if you want. But you should know that some dogs have issues with lactose. Some can't have any, while others can have it in small amounts and still others can have as much as they want. They make milk for lactose intolerance, and they even have dog-friendly milks. But in lieu of that, it's OK to use water just for texture. Your pooch won't care.

3. Cook the meat

You don't need much meat for this recipe. Since I only cook (human food) for two, I like to reserve a little of my pound of ground beef or turkey when I'm making something like tacos, but you can also cook the whole pound (sans any spices or other things that aren't dog-friendly), pull out what you need for them and use the rest for yourself.

4. Put it together

The mashed potatoes act as the "glue" that keeps it all together and lets it stay in the Kong. Just mix the meat and veggies into that and you're set. If your dogs need additional supplements, this is the time to add them. You can discuss the dosage with your vet. My dogs take fish oil for allergy-related dry skin issues, but the correct dosage is important, and it can be dangerous if they get too much of anything and ineffective if they don't get enough.

Meat and paw-tatoes Kong recipe

Yields 1-1/2 - 2 cups

While you can certainly use leftovers for all of this, I really prefer making it from scratch to avoid a lot of excess sodium and fat (that we’re likely to use in the versions we make for ourselves) in my dogs’ diets.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium (about 8 ounces) russet potato, washed and peeled
• 4  ounces (1/4 pound) ground turkey or beef
• Milk, warmed
• Supplements as recommended by your veterinarian (optional)
• 1/2 cup dog-friendly mixed frozen vegetables, cooked according to package directions

Directions:

1. Cut the potato into small (1/2- to 1-inch) chunks. Try to get them as close as possible to the same size so they finish cooking at the same time. Place the cut potato in the bottom of a small cold pot and just cover the pieces with enough water to allow free movement. Place the cold pot on the stove and cover it with a lid. Turn the heat on high and cook until the potatoes come to a boil. Remove the lid and check the potatoes. They may need a few more minutes on the stove to get fork-tender. Drain the water and set the potatoes aside while you start the meat.
2. In a small skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground meat until it’s cooked through and there’s no pink, crumbling the meat as it cooks. When it’s ready, drain the fat by turning it out onto a plate lined with paper towels.
3. Put 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk into the pot with the potatoes and return it to the stove over medium-low heat. Mash the potatoes, incorporating the milk and adding more as necessary to get a thick mashed potato (too thin and it will spill out of the Kong). Your dog probably doesn’t care if it’s lumpy, but be careful not to over mix as that does make it gummy (and more difficult to put in the Kong).
4. Remove it from the stove and add the supplements in the amount(s) indicated by your vet, the warmed veggies and drained ground meat and stir. Allow it to cool to a temperature edible by your dogs.
5. Stuff the Kongs with the mixture. How many Kongs it actually fills depends on the size of the Kongs. Leftovers can be refrigerated and used in the next couple of days.
6. If desired, freeze the Kongs to give your pooch a bit more of a challenge or give it something to cool off with on a hot day.

More dog-friendly recipes

Spoil your older dog with these homemade treats
3 Dog food recipe ideas for owners who want to cook from scratch
Homemade dog treats that will freshen your pup's breath

Image: PBS

If you love historical drama and enjoy following the soap operas about real kings and queens, you may have seen Showtime's The Tudors, which ran for three seasons from 2007 to 2010 and starred the yummy Jonathan Rhys Meyers as King Henry VIII, the chiseled Henry Cavill (Superman) as Charles Brandon and the gorgeous Natalie Dormer as the temptress, Anne Boleyn.

While The Tudors showed a somewhat fanciful version of King Henry VIII's life, with beautiful costumes and spicy royals engaging in lusty rendezvous, Wolf Hall is more of the grown-up's version of the story of King Henry's marriage to Anne Boleyn. It's told from the point of view of Thomas Cromwell (Mark Rylance), a commoner who uses his street smarts and cunning to make a name for himself at court where "man is wolf to man."

More: Downton Abbey's creator on the secret, sexy history of tea time

Image: PBS

Masterpiece Theatre's limited series of six episodes was adapted from the 2009 historical novel, also called Wolf Hall, written by Hilary Mantel. The book's sequel, Bring up the Bodies, was published in 2012 and will also be serialized for television.

In the show, Damian Lewis plays King Henry VIII, a man so desperate to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon (Joanne Whalley), he changes England's national religion from Catholicism to Protestantism so the divorce can be legal. He then marries the social-climbing Anne Boleyn (Claire Foy), his seemingly true love. But when she fails to produce a male heir, let's just say, heads begin to roll.

More: SheKnows tours the palace where King Henry VIII lived

Image: PBS

Another familiar face in the show is that of Thomas Brodie-Sangster, whom you may recognize from the films The Maze Runner and Phantom Halo, as well as the TV show Game of Thrones.

One of the amazing feats of the show is that it is shot on real, historical landmarks and palaces using only natural light, even at night. Shooting scenes by candlelight is incredibly difficult, but makes for a very naturalistic viewing experience, as if you are really back in the 1500s.

So, does Wolf Hall have a shot at one of the eight Emmys for which it's nominated? We think Damian Lewis is most likely to win for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie, though Bill Murray from Olive Kitteridge is stiff competition. Mark Rylance is certainly deserving of winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie, but it seems unlikely, only because he's not very well known here in the US.

More: Jennifer Lawrence starstruck by Homeland's Damian Lewis

Wolf Hall is streaming on Google Play and Amazon, and the DVD is available on Netflix. The Emmys air on Sept. 20, on Fox.

It's one thing to start pinning your dream home on Pinterest. It's quite another to execute it once you start pricing supplies and calling contractors for quotes. Even a small project that could run you a few hundred dollars may not be worth your time if it doesn't add to the value of your home. A larger project in the thousands of dollars, like a new kitchen or backyard deck, had better be worth the money spent on renovation.

Here's something we can all agree on: Home improvement ain't cheap. According to the latest estimates, homeowners are expected to spend close to $3000 on home renovation in 2015, up from the $2370 spent on the average home in 2011. Don't let these conservative numbers fool you — home renovation expenses can swing widely, from a little to a lot. When calculating the cost of a total home remodel, Red Beacon estimated that minor cosmetic changes may run $343 on the low end, up to $18,462 for a major kitchen overhaul.

There's no guarantee that blowing a year of your child's college tuition on your home will come back in your favor, but there are several ways to determine if a home renovation is worthwhile. The first step is to do your homework: Check your dream upgrade in this year's Remodeling Cost versus Value Report to determine the potential ROI of a specific project in your state.

The next step is to hear it from the horse's mouth. We've asked some of the top real estate experts how to strike the perfect balance: Which affordable home upgrades can provide the best return on investment?

1. Fix up finishes

Here's how to dip your toes in the water if you're not ready to take on a full renovation yet: Start with the finishes. "Outdated finishes can instantly have buyers thinking they're buying a fixer-upper," explains Monica Lazkani, broker associate with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Kansas City Homes. "Polished brass screams 'dated!' and tends to deter buyers. You can de-brass your house without spending a pile of gold. Replace cabinet pulls and hinges with updated hardware and paint brass fireplace trim with black matte heatproof paint. Updating plumbing and lighting fixtures and door hardware will cost a bit more but is sure to pay off." According to the Appraisal Institute, minor upgrades offer the best ROI.

More: Home renovation ideas that will have you calling your contractor

2. Repaint

If you're hoping to sell soon or want to give your humble home some much-needed TLC, real estate experts agree: repaint, repaint, repaint. "One of the cheapest updates that can be made to your home while having a big visual impact is to repaint the walls, ceilings, door frames and skirting boards. It instantly refreshes a room and can update your interiors so it looks more modern and clean," advises UK-based home improvement company Evander. "Opting for neutral and light colors such as creams or pale colors makes a room feel more spacious and bright and works with most interior styles." A new interior paint job can provide an estimated 112 percent return on investment.

3. Update technology

For homes more than a few decades old, it may be time to welcome them into the 21st century. Making strategic tech upgrades to your home not only enhances safety and convenience, but it can make it more attractive — and more valuable — to prospective buyers. "Taking advantage of modern technology is a fantastic way to add market value to your home. As technological barriers continue to break down, staying ahead of the curve will add extra value to the cost of convenience and connectivity that our world seems to be so consumed by," says Michelle Johnson, External Communications Director for Obrella. Johnson recommends starting with smartphone-enabled tech upgrades, like apps that can be used to control lighting and surveillance. While exact ROI for new tech upgrades can vary based on technology, a 2015 Better Homes and Gardens survey confirms that 64 percent of millennials are looking for smart home features.

More: How to set a home improvement budget

4. Upgrade bathrooms

The good news about bathroom updates is that small (and cheap) changes can make a big difference. According to Evander, "Changing the taps and getting a new showerhead can renew the overall look without costing much — they can also be done within the same day. If your bathroom looks outdated, changing the tiles, wall color and bringing in some wall art goes a long way to modernizing it. A transparent shower curtain or glass divider will make a small bathroom feel more spacious, while a big bathroom will look majestic if the shower rail is placed close to the ceiling with floor-length curtains." If you have the time and money to take on a full bathroom remodel, Evander estimates a potential 60 percent return on investment.

5. Upgrade the kitchen

You've probably heard the fun fact that the kitchen is the most used room in the house, and Sabine H. Schoenberg, president of the real estate brokerage and development company PrimeSitesCT, agrees. "The kitchen is the most important space in a home today — and from a home value perspective, this means it is the most important space to get right to get the highest return on home improvement dollars." For homeowners on a tight budget, all hope isn't lost. Schoenberg recommends cutting costs by installing new cabinet doors instead of a full kitchen cabinet set or updating appliances at a bare minimum. Almost all kitchen remodels provide at least a 100 percent ROI, with minor and mid-range upgrades yielding the best return.

More: Do you need a building permit for that?

6. When in doubt, stage

Keep this tip in your back pocket for the eleventh hour, when you're desperate to sell your home and don't have time to start a major renovation. As a last resort, Leo Biyevetskiy of RemodelingCalculator.org recommends contacting a good home staging company for a quick return. He tells SheKnows, "In some cases, if you invest $10,000-$15,000, you can make an extra $20,000 when selling your home. For example, if without staging, a house would sell for $500,000, with staging it can sell for $540,000 because people love the warm look of freshly remodeled homes."

It's not the über-stylish wardrobes and blemish-free faces. It's not the vanilla witticisms that come out of their mouths, each sentence punctuated by laugh tracks. It's the environment in which they live. The kids' rooms. The family car. The family meals.

Not one shred of it resembles real life — or at least not real life in my house. My house is not even remotely aspirational. For example, this is the threshold of my 14-year-old's closet. Shoes. I think they're waiting for an engraved invitation to enter. I wanted you to keep your lunch in your stomach, so I cleaned up the empty water bottles, wrappers and empty freezer meals strewn around the shoes like burnt offerings.

These are the remnants of the same meals I carefully spent all day cooking, portioning and labeling on Sunday, feeling smugly like Donna Reed for a half-second. Sometimes, I dream I see a beaming face before me, a voice chirping, "Gee, thanks, Mom!" as he takes his dish to the sink. That was probably just the TV.

My son just started high school, where the first class begins at 7:05 — yes, that's a.m. The car line is hours long, so we have to get up and out the door by 6:15. More often than not, 6:14 is usually the time I finally scream him into wakefulness.

Put him on the bright yellow school bus of TV shows immemorial, you say? It doesn’t look yellow at 6:16 a.m., so we might have missed it. The result is I cook him breakfast, and he eats it in the car as I run red lights to get to school on time. By the time I get home from work at 6:30 p.m., I have long forgotten the dirty breakfast bowls on the back seat floor — sometimes for days. The brown stuff is steak gravy, and the orange stuff is pumpkin pie — I think.

TV moms would never do that. TV teens would never eat steak and pie for breakfast, either. They would eat cereal from a generic box propped on the immaculate table in a sunlit kitchen, all freshly scrubbed family members gathered cheerily 'round. We do nothing of the kind.

Every so often, I tend to lose it like Mommie Dearest and yell, "Cook your own food!" And he does. Sometimes I recognize it. This wasn't one of those times.

I hate teenage TV shows because their stories have a beginning, a middle and a tightly-knit end. Our life, on the other hand, just can’t be broken down into half-hour chunks. Forgotten homework kills that one nicely. And our laugh tracks? They are him, laughing haughtily at me for stuff like this.

We will never be a TV family, unless it’s a late-breaking story.

Many people think going to what the travel industry calls OTAs, or online travel agencies, is going to net a better deal than by booking directly with the hotel's own website. OTAs are the discount stores of hotels, right? Not exactly.

Understanding third-party travel websites

Many hotels do sell rooms through OTAs such as Expedia, Hotels.com, and Booking.com, because the hotels are not heavily booked for a particular night they and want to sell off some inventory. But many of the hotel insiders I speak with feel they are held hostage by OTAs, which often demand a lower rate for a hotel room when it's offered through their site. Then hotels have to pay a booking commission payment to these sites, in addition to the lower rate. So you know what that means? Someone who books a "discounted" room through these sites is not going to get the best room in the hotel.

When it comes time for any service issues that might arise with regard to credits or refunds, the hotel will often direct you to the site where you booked the room. It is just not their problem anymore. They gave away that room at a discount anyway, so you need to take it up with the site where you booked.

Pitfalls of booking travel through OTAs

Time and time again, I see complaints from consumers who booked through these OTAs and got a really great deal on a room — $79 for a hotel room that normally retails for $150, say — and they get there and wonder why they were given the worst room in the house: a parking lot view, versus a pool or ocean view. A room with two double beds, versus the requested king. This is because the hotel isn't thrilled they had to discount the rate so much, so they aren't going to give this discount customer the best room available when they can probably sell it to a traveler who is going to pay full rate.

Another thing you need to be careful about when booking through OTAs is other applicable charges. Many hotels and resorts have parking fees or resort fees, and suddenly the room you thought was going to cost you $79 plus tax is now adding up with all of these additional charges.

Other travelers try booking through an opaque site like Priceline. You bid for a Los Angeles hotel, but you may end up with a Los Angeles Airport hotel and wonder why you are nowhere near the ocean. You can't have your cake and eat it, too. If you want to get a really low price, you can't expect to get that ocean view room, too.

Deciding if a third-party travel website is right for you

It really comes down to what is the most important part of traveling to you. Want to go visit Disney at Thanksgiving or Christmas, and you really don't care how luxurious the hotel is, what kind of room you get, where it is located or how far you may need to travel to the theme parks? Book a discounted rate through the OTA, and rejoice in the fact you can afford a Florida getaway. However, if the hotel is the destination for you and your priority is a great room on your favorite beach, then your best bet is to book directly with the hotel instead.

Maybe you've had a long work week and need to unwind. Perhaps your spirits need to be lifted with laughter. No matter what you're feeling, I have some Old Hollywood sensations for you.

From passionate love stories that will make your heart melt, to adventure mysteries that will get your pulse pounding, you're sure to find what you need.

Longing for rest and relaxation?

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

Set your mind at ease and join Holly Golightly’s elegantly unconventional NYC lifestyle. You'll get carried away in Audrey Hepburn’s grace, a magical essence that makes you forget your stress and savor life's simple sentiments.

Searching for a thrill?

North by Northwest (1959)

Take a gripping journey with a misidentified Madison Avenue advertising man, Roger Thornhill, as he tries to survive a cross-country chase. Cary Grant will make your heart skip a beat for more than one reason in this Hitchcock classic.

Need a good cry?

Love Story (1970)

Escape to a New England winter where rich jock, Oliver, falls in love with an underprivileged, musical beauty named Jenny. When tragedy strikes, you’ll be reaching for the tissues as your tears stream in rhythm with the sympathetic score.

Want to laugh hysterically?

Bringing Up Baby (1938)

Spend an uproarious night with an uptight paleontologist and a madcap heiress who's relentlessly after his heart. Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant will have you in stitches with their crackpot shenanigans, most of which revolve around a pet leopard — yes, a pet leopard.

Need an energy boost?

Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

Get your groove on with tap master Gene Kelly as he sings and dances to catchy tunes with his pals. Hailed as the greatest musical of all time, Singin' in the Rain is comedy, romance and pure entertainment rolled into one movie that's sure to make you want to get up and move.

Turn out the lights and pop in your pick. Any of these A-list options will suit your mood or put you in the one your mind desires.

For many of us, our days are filled with obligations. Got to be here, got to go there, got to do this. We’re busy from the moment we wake up until the moment we go to bed. That level of "busy" leaves no room to reflect, much less to write.

That’s one reason I’ve embarked on my year by the water, an adult version of a gap year. It’s a way to — finally — fulfill my dream of having room to write, full time.

Abe Lincoln taught me the importance of having room to write. What?! Here’s what I mean.

I was hired by Entrepreneurs Organization to train their international board members how to speak more confidently and compellingly in public. Following our day of training in Washington DC, we headed to Lincoln’s Cottage for a private celebratory dinner. Abraham Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation in Lincoln's Cottage, in case you're not familiar with the space.

I got there early and had this historical place to myself, except for the caterers. The moment I walked in, the walls spoke to me. “Space to think. Space to think,” they said.

See, each room had only a handful of items: a table, a couple of chairs, one thing on the wall.

I instantly understood why Lincoln rode his horse here from the White House. He came to get far away from the crowd. He came to be alone with his thoughts, to have time and space to reflect, crystallize his vision for a better future and create without distraction.

How about you? Do you have time, space and a place to be alone with your thoughts? To reflect and get your ideas out of your head and into the world?

For me, during this next year, bodies of water — oceans, lakes, mountain streams — will be my muse, my space and place to write.

Are you thinking, “Well, good for you. But I’ve got responsibilities. A family to take care of. A full-time job. Bills to pay. I don’t have the luxury of taking off around the country.”

Fair enough. You might want to do what many bestselling authors at the Maui Writers Conference did to get their books written: find your "Third Place."

What’s a Third Place? It’s a place in public you can work in private. Think Starbucks, Panera Bread, your local library or neighborhood deli.

Pulitzer-Prize winning humorist Dave Barry told our audience — I was the executive director and emcee of MWC — that it was almost impossible for him to write at home because, “I’m an extrovert. I don’t like being isolated. Plus, the blank screen and cursor mock me.” 

Dave wrote at a local coffee shop, where the owner kept a table open for him. Dave said, “It’s the best of all worlds because it socializes the writing process. I can feed off people’s energy, but no one interrupts me so I get in the writing zone and get a lot of work done.”

As this Wikipedia entry explains, our home is our First Place, our office is our Second Place. If you’re a full-time mom or have a home-based business, your home is your First and Second place. It can be challenging to write in your First and Second Place, because you’re distracted by all the things you need to do and interrupted by people who want things from you.

That’s the beauty of finding a Third Place. Even if you go there once or twice a week for an hour or two, it becomes your room to create. You can get far away from the crowd and be alone with your thoughts. You can immerse yourself in a cocoon of concentration and get your blog, or book, out of your head, onto the page or screen and into the world.

Want a bonus? Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?

Remember the point of Pavlov's experiment? He would ring a bell, feed the dog, ring a bell, feed the dog. After repeating this ritual, all he had to do was ring a bell and the dog would salivate in anticipation. Your Third Place can do the same for you. Just being physically there will get you more ready and inspired.

Sam Horn, author of Tongue Fu!, POP! and Got Your Attention?, is writing her way across the U.S., and is on her way to her next "year by the water" destination, the Chesapeake Bay.

But one South Dakota-based makeup artist takes her transformations to a whole other level. Earlier this year, Rebecca Swift decided to start a 100-day makeup challenge where she would transform her face into a different celebrity every day.

More: The essential beauty tip women should take from a man's routine

The results are incredible. Her level 100 contouring skills actually make her look almost identical to the celebrity she's emulating.

Here's what she looks like. Absolutely gorgeous.

But she's absolutely unrecognizable when she creates her celebrity looks. So far, she's transformed into everyone from Sofia Vergara to Ellen Degeneres.

More: 6 Decades making a retro beauty comeback

And it's not just female celebrities: She's also done Donald Trump.

Along with George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt and more.

And an absolutely spot-on Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean.

She caught the makeup bug after helping out during Omaha Fashion Week a few years ago, but it's clear she was meant to be an artist with blush, powder and mascara as her tools.

More: 5 Inexpensive makeup products you'll want to add to your makeup bag

"On average, I'd say it takes around 30-45 minutes [to complete the looks]. And I know that the looks aren't perfect," she recently told The Huffington Post. "The style is really theatrical and I don't spend a ton of time on blending. I want to work on that in the future. But the challenge is just for fun."

You should ditch those... and pronto.

According to a new study, over 8 trillion microbeads are introduced into our water every day. That's just one percent, though: The rest — 800 trillion — end up sewage plants and spread onto land.

More: Sex Degrees of Separation online test may make you think twice about STIs

"Part of this problem can now start with brushing your teeth in the morning," said Stephanie Green, the David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellow in the College of Science at Oregon State University, and co-author of the study.

"Contaminants like these microbeads are not something our wastewater treatment plants were built to handle, and the overall amount of contamination is huge. The microbeads are very durable."

More: Biotech company claims jellyfish protein can improve memory

Eventually these beads can transfer to animals and cause toxic effects, both to them and to the food supply. Some states have banned the used of microbeads. And if that wasn't enough, these microbeads can have a negative impact on your dental health.

"You are brushing your teeth daily with a plastic substance that can break down to a size smaller than a millimeter. This substance can then get stuck in your sulcus, which is like the 'cuticle' of your gum line where bacteria likes to fester," Dr. Jessica Emery, D.D.S., cosmetic dentist and owner of Sugar Fix Dental Loft Chicago, told SheKnows.

More: Teen had to have her stomach removed after drinking a cocktail at a bar

"The microbeads can get trapped in this very sensitive and vulnerable area of your mouth clearing a path for other unwanted substances like bacteria."

1. Visualize fractions

Make fractions easy to understand by comparing them to a tasty treat! Have your student draw a circular food you typically serve in slices: pizza, cake or pie are good options, as is the inside of an orange. Cut the slices or wedges out of the drawing and write on the back what fraction of the whole it represents. Then let her piece parts of it back together and add the numbers on top to create the total fraction. If she puts back three of the eight pizza slices, for example, she has three slices labeled 1/8, which gives her 3/8 of the pizza.

2. Connect numbers with string

Cut out any shape on construction paper or card stock. Try linking it to the time of year by creating a shape reflecting an upcoming holiday, event or season. Using a hole punch, create holes near the edge of the paper all around. Decide on your math topic — counting, multiples, et cetera — and write numbers at varying holes. Make sure they are not listed in order. Give your student the shape and some yarn, then ask her to connect all the numbers in the right order. In the end, she should have a festive woven project.

3. Draw answers on animals

Have your student think of her favorite spotted or striped animal. Whether she likes zebras or cows, she can use the outline of an animal to answer basic math problems. Try finding an outline of the animal online — look up the name of the animal plus the phrase "free coloring sheet" — and print off several copies. Write a basic math problem above the animal, and have her answer it by drawing the correct number of spots or stripes. If she’s feeling creative, she can add in other details to the picture as well.

4. Incorporate math tools into drawing time

If your student is constantly doodling, give her a few math-focused tools and let her get to work. Graph paper, compasses, rulers and protractors can be used to create some unique geometric designs. Don’t forget, you don't need to stick with a No. 2 pencil. Colored pencils or even markers would give it a fun twist.

For more tips and strategies to help your student succeed in school, visit varsitytutors.com.

This boozy hazelnut hot chocolate is the perfect way to end your night.

Boozy hazelnut hot chocolate recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups International Delight Hazelnut Creamer
• 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons chocolate-hazelnut spread
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1-1/2 ounces coffee liqueur
• Whipped cream, for topping

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the milk, creamer, cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate hazelnut spread and ground cinnamon. Stir occasionally until all the ingredients are dissolved and smooth and the mixture is heated evenly.
2. Remove from the heat, and add the coffee liqueur. Stir.
3. Pour into mugs, and garnish with whipped cream.

This post was brought to you by International Delight.

More recipes to try

Top your coffee with this homemade vanilla whipped cream
Start your day off sweet with homemade chocolate-hazelnut coffee
Coffee that tastes like cookies will make your morning

More: Viola Davis wants her true-life rags-to-riches story to be a fairy tale

The How to Get Away With Murder star is up for an Emmy later today, but before that ceremony, she attended and spoke at Saturday's National Women's History Museum's fourth annual Women Making History Brunch in Los Angeles. At the event, she told fans and supporters that the Emmy nod is "just a small sign of something far more significant."

"It's the impact of my work, I think art matters," she explained to reporters before addressing the crowd, which included Kate Walsh, Leona Lewis, Anna Chlumsky, Taryn Manning, Amy Brenneman, Diana Ramirez, Edy Ganem and more of Hollywood's most influential women. "I have to continue that whether I have the statue in my hand or not."

In her speech, Davis explained that acting is only the vehicle for her true passion: advancing opportunities for women of color.

"I understand that acting is not rocket science. I do," she said. "But I do feel that it's an important art form. It is my mission in life to make women of color a part of the narrative in our business."

More: How Viola Davis, in under two minutes, moved SAG viewers to tears (VIDEO)

She continued, "I feel that come tomorrow, win or lose, I hope that this wave [continues] of seeing Taraji P. Henson, Halle Berry, Nicole Beharie, Kerry Washington, Gabrielle Union and the nameless, faceless actresses out there that the only thing that has ever separated us in this world, in this business, is opportunity... If it’s not written, we can’t play it."

Davis also spoke to reporters about how she was feeling ahead of tonight's Emmy awards.

"Yesterday, I was nervous. Today, I feel good," she said. "There are expectations. You wonder, If I don't win, am I a failure? But today, I feel mellow."

More: Viola Davis recounts personal, heartbreaking story about childhood hunger

Should Viola Davis take home the Emmy? Head down to the comments below and tell us what you think!

*Winners are in bold.

More: Play our 2015 Emmy Awards drinking game

Outstanding Comedy Series

• Louie
• Modern Family
• Parks and Recreation
• Silicon Valley
• Transparent
• Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
• Veep

Outstanding Drama Series

• Better Call Saul
• Downton Abby
• Game of Thrones
• Homeland
• House of Cards
• Mad Men
• Orange Is the New Black

Outstanding Variety Talk Series

• The Colbert Report
• The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
• Jimmy Kimmel Live
• Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
• Late Show with David Letterman
• The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Outstanding Limited Series

• American Crime
• American Horror Story: Freak Show
• Olive Kitteridge
• The Honorable Woman
• Wolf Hall

Outstanding Reality Competition Program

• The Voice
• Top Chef
• Dancing With the Stars
• The Amazing Race
• So You Think You Can Dance
• Project Runway

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

• Kyle Chandler
• Jeff Daniels
• Jon Hamm
• Bob Odenkirk
• Liev Schreiber
• Kevin Spacey

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

• Claire Danes
• Viola Davis
• Taraji P. Henson
• Tatiana Maslany
• Elizabeth Moss
• Robin Wright

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

• Anthony Anderson
• Louis C.K.
• Don Cheadle
• Will Forte
• Matt LeBlanc
• William H. Macy
• Jeffrey Tambor

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

• Edie Falco
• Lisa Kudrow
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus
• Amy Poehler
• Amy Schumer
• Lily Tomlin
• Allyson

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

• Adrien Brody
• Ricky Gervais
• Timothy Hutton
• Richard Jenkins
• David Oyelowo
• Mark Rylance

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

• Maggie Gyllenhaal
• Felicity Huffman
• Jessica Lange
• Queen Latifah
• Frances McDormand
• Emma Thompson

Be sure to follow our 2015 Emmy Awards coverage all night — from red carpet interviews to post-show parties.

Guess what? I'm about to blow away five of the biggest excuses we hear. No more excuses! You can do this — immediately.

1. I'm too out of shape to go to the gym

With Clickbank, YouTube, the Internet, DVDs and outdoor yoga, you do not have to go to the gym to get in shape. In fact, you can get into good shape at home! Then, if you so choose, you can join a gym when you feel more comfortable.

If you're like me, you'll work out at home forever — and love it! I exercise at home everyday with a kettle bell, medicine ball and dumbbells. Granted, I have some background knowledge, but with technology, you can follow along with online programs in the comfort of your own home every day.

2. I'm too old... why start now?

I blow everyone away with this fact from my physical therapy days: My oldest patient was 108. She did awesome booty squeezes and leg kicks, and excelled at riding the stationary bike. As we age, our bones become more brittle, and one way we can prevent fracture is exercise. Get started now. Within a few days, you'll see a difference — you will!

3. I don't have anyone to exercise with me.

When I hear this excuse, I know you're grasping at straws. Someone in your circle of friends feels just like you do. The difference between your friend and you is that they are afraid to ask around... but I know you are motivated, strong-willed and ready to get healthy. Ask around and see who'd like to join you on your morning walk. You'll be surprised at how many women will take you up on it! The bonding and exercise together will make your soul so much happier.

4. I don't look good in workout clothes (or I don't have anything to wear)!

There are so many cute exercise clothes out there, but seriously? Your fashion statement should not be a reason to stay out of shape. All those new yoga pants are adorable and comfortable, and I'm guilty of wearing them every time I get a chance. You do not have to look like a celebrity to start getting in shape. Throw on some old pants, a cozy top and tennis shoes, Google "yoga for beginners" and get moving. You're exercising in your cozy clothes in your cozy home. Boom.

5. I don't have time

I hear this one more than all the others, but no one is ever "too busy" for 10 minutes of exercise. It's not a lack of time, but a lack of planning and prioritizing. Ouch. Yes, that may have stung a little, but I was guilty of that excuse once, also. It doesn't fly when you realize taking away 10 minutes of your morning show, 10 minutes of your evening show or 10 minutes of gossiping with a neighbor could be spent exercising.

The common myth is you must exercise 60 solid minutes every day or it doesn't count. That's simply not true. Any physical activity is better than zero, and popping in 10 minutes here and there throughout the day really adds up. Truly look at your schedule, and see where you can carve out time. Jog while the kiddos practice ball, get up 10 minutes earlier, do lunchtime yoga or go bike riding on the weekends. Finding time is possible with creativity, planning and dedication.

Regardless of your reasons to avoid exercise, there is a way to squeeze in time for yourself. You need exercise, you deserve exercise and you will love yourself once you get into a routine. Try some little changes for at least a month, and before you know it, they will become habit. Love your body, and your body will love you back!

More: Kylie Jenner's fans beg her to stop 'ruining' her face (PHOTOS)

Earlier this week, it was reported that the Keeping Up With the Kardashians co-star's security team had mistakenly bodychecked Jessica Alba at New York Fashion Week. That gaffe aside, they're really doing their job lately.

A video posted to TMZ Sunday shows Jenner's team of bodyguards stepping in when a fan grabs her as she's leaving a Chris Brown concert. Jenner was reportedly there to watch her boyfriend, Tyga, perform Friday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

In the video, Jenner can be seen fighting her way through the crowd of people outside the concert. A hand snakes between shoulders and grabs Jenner's long, green-blonde hair, actually forcing her head to snap back in what looks like a seriously painful assault. Luckily, Jenner's bodyguards quickly step in and usher the star to safety.

We're glad they were there to take care of business, even after they took some flack earlier in the week for getting a little too rough with the crowd at a New York Fashion Week event.

More: Kylie Jenner stole Kris Jenner's swimsuit: Who wore it best? (POLL)

"I was just really shocked. I got bodychecked!" Honest Company founder Alba told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live about her run-in with Jenner's bodyguards.

She continued, "And it was, like, two of them. I thought there was a fire. I guess someone was just leaving the building. Yeah, I don't know. It was just real shocking."

A few days later, Jenner sent Alba a huge bouquet of flowers to apologize for the incident. However, we're willing to bet there won't be any flowers involved this time.

More: Kylie Jenner reportedly received ridiculous letter from a porn company

How would you have reacted to an attack like the one Jenner experienced? Head down to the comments and share your thoughts.

Homeschooling is a complex process, and even seasoned homeschool parents encounter new scenarios and complications each year. The below information may not be immediately apparent to new practitioners, but it can be of great use. If you are contemplating homeschooling your student, or if you just begun this year, here are three things you should know:

1. Your state may partially determine your curriculum

Families choose homeschooling for a variety of reasons, curricular flexibility among them. No two children learn the same way, and no two students have identical interests. One child might master math from a textbook alone, while another student might require a hands-on application of a given principle. As a homeschooling parent, you’ll be able to develop a class schedule that suits you and your child, and you’ll likely be able to select your own instructional methods and materials. It is important to note, however, that homeschooling will not afford you total freedom. Your state may require you to teach a minimum number of subjects, or it may ask your student to participate in standardized testing. As soon as you decide to homeschool, visit your state’s board of education website to determine what mandates exist.

2. Your community is a key resource

No homeschooling parent knows everything, just as no teacher is an expert in every academic subject. Your child may ask a question you don’t know the answer to, or she may be interested in a subject that eludes you. This doesn't mean that you’ve failed at homeschooling — it just makes you human! In such instances, consider turning to your community for assistance. Is there a museum where you and your student can explore a new history topic? Is there a musician in your neighborhood who can offer your child composition lessons? Do your fellow homeschoolers have articles, books, or lesson plans they can share with you? Remember "community" can be both physical (i.e. your neighbors) and digital (i.e. a national Facebook group).

3. Your experience will evolve with time

As you no doubt realize, homeschooling your student is a tremendous undertaking. You may be leaving a job to do so, or you may be significantly rearranging your family’s schedule to accommodate your child's education. During the first year of homeschooling — perhaps even the first month — you may feel nervous, excited and frustrated. You may feel lost or overwhelmed. This is completely normal. Over time, you'll learn which hours work best for teaching, just as you'll learn how to create the best possible environment for content retention. Your student will also learn how to balance her experience of you as an instructor with you as a parent. Chances are you both will make mistakes, but never fear — you can learn from those too!

For more tips and strategies to help your student succeed in school, visit varsitytutors.com.

Celebs are riding the struggle bus down the red carpet as they desperately try to wick away sweat and keep their mascara from running down their perfectly made-up faces.

"I'm going to die from a freaking heatstroke," Jonathan Banks from Better Call Saul said as he made his way down the blazing red carpet.

More: Better Call Saul creators tease Breaking Bad cameos

Even the ever-professional Ryan Seacrest seems a bit grumpy as he is attempting to #AskHerMore in the pre-show interviews. In this case, "ask her more" seems to be "how do you feel about this sweltering heat?"

Here's a look at some of TV's best and brightest who are attempting, and failing, to keep cool.

1. Mario Lopez

We just hope he's staying hydrated.

2. Nick Sandow

The Orange Is the New Black star wrote "Perfect day for red carpet and a tux!" on his Instagram in reference to the 97-degree Los Angeles heat, but at least he came prepared for the elements with a couple frosty ones.

3. Evan Peters

Black on black was a bad choice, but the American Horror Story actor still looks hot — in more ways than one.

More: Game of Thrones author calls out Emmys for snubbing 8 shows and one actor

4., 5. and 6. John Bradley-West, Alfie Allen and Conleth Hill

The Game of Thrones guys were looking a little damp, yet dapper, on the way to the show.

7. Olivia Culpo

She said she thought she was going to faint from the heat, but she still looks flawless.

8. Matt LeBlanc

"I'd rather be in a pool," LeBlanc said in a red carpet interview, echoing the sentiments of pretty much everyone there.

More: 8 Ways the Emmys greatly improved its diversity problem this year

9. Anthony Anderson

The Blackish star has a ton of fans, but at the 2015 Emmys, he only needed one.

10. Liev Schreiber

The Ray Donovan star was a trooper but let his feelings be known.

11. Ryan Seacrest

Like we said, Seacrest was melting like a sugar lump in the heat. So sweet of Amy Schumer to lend him a helping hand.

More: 2015 Emmy Awards live winners list

Giuliana Rancic started her red carpet coverage out strong, wowing fans and critics alike with her stunning dress choice. Many commented that the fashion journalist looked healthier than ever.

Quite a few commentators remarked that Rancic looked gorgeous, making it seem like audiences were actually with her for a change!

Unfortunately, Rancic soon drew fire for her insistence on asking nearly every actress walking the Emmys red carpet the much-loathed "Who are you wearing" question, making her seem completely out of touch.

More: House of Cards: 8 Marriage rules Frank and Claire Underwood completely break

With the recent (and popular) push from audiences to #AskHerMore, Rancic's focus on fashion left many frustrated.

Of course, we can't blame it all on Rancic. The woman is a fashion journalist, so it makes sense that she's going to be especially interested in red carpet designers. Also, E! is itself a network totally obsessed with dissecting how celebrities dress day to day, let alone on fancy awards nights. Of course they're going to want Rancic to draw attention to what people are wearing.

But...

She wasn't really asking the gents about their outfits, and that's kind of the whole point behind #AskHerMore, isn't it?

Which is why we were pretty excited to see Smart Girls drawing attention to #AskHerMore and inviting audiences to participate in the conversation.

What did you think? Was Rancic way off base or just doing her job?