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Grey's Anatomy: Was Meredith wrong to be so mean to Penny on the job? (POLL)

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More: Grey's Anatomy: 30 Thoughts we had during the dinner party from hell

And we soon discovered we'd get our answer early in tonight's episode, thanks to the fact that Penny (Samantha Sloyan) would be at the side of Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) tending to patients all evening long.

So we've got a new resident, and that's nothing new for Meredith — she has counseled tons of new residents since she crossed the threshold into Grey Sloan seniority status. For the most part, she is a fair and balanced (not to mention, really good) teacher.

But this is no ordinary resident. This is the doctor who failed to save the love of Meredith's life. She is at least partially responsible for his death. She is in some ways the reason we Grey's fans turn into blubbering messes whenever we realize Meredith is wearing Derek's favorite ferry boat scrub cap or when anyone mentions his name.

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Grey's 1

I mean, really, if we can't get our emotions together, how can we possibly expect Meredith to in this situation? She is still trying to adjust to life without her husband and the father of her kids when she comes face to face with the woman who will forever be linked to this harsh new reality. Many fans not only feel Meredith has a right to be angry, but they are livid right along with her.

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Yet there are definitely those who think Meredith's behavior was unprofessional and — as Callie pointed out — small.

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Which brings up a really important point I think Shonda Rhimes was trying to make tonight: None of us is immune from making mistakes. We all err. We all fall down. We all have to pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off and get back up — even when someone else is doing the pushing.

More: Grey's Anatomy's major plot twist pits Meredith against Callie's new GF

This sentiment is echoed in the story line of the church pastor, who accidentally sent a sex tape to his congregation. He is fired for the mistake, shortly after which he and Penny discuss the fact that pastors are people, too, and are worthy of forgiveness.

Just like doctors.

Penny made a mistake. It could very well end up being the most defining, if not the biggest, mistake of her life. Because that mistake cost a life. Still, she's a doctor, and doctors aren't infallible. They aren't superhuman. They slip up just like the rest of us, so it's unfair to hold them to impossible standards.

Having said that, Meredith has every right to feel every ounce of anger and pain and resentment she is feeling right now. That's hers to work through. Treating Penny poorly on the job was a mistake, sure, but can anyone really blame her after what she has been through? I cannot imagine keeping any semblance of composure if I were in her scrubs.

More: Shonda Rhimes reveals the big picture all Grey's Anatomy fans are missing

So there you have it. Neither woman is right or wrong. Rather, they are both human. When you really think about it, we're all a bunch of hot messes, right? I didn't want to like Penny. I wanted to continue to give her side-eye every time she came onscreen until she was written out of the story line altogether.

Then Meredith, in ultimately rising above, reminded me that Penny is a human and deserves compassion. Derek would have wanted that for her. Derek would have expected that of Mer. I guess that makes Meredith a pretty great teacher after all.

Grey's POLL

Grey's POLL


Should we be worried about dengue fever?

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Wesenberg is one of a growing number of people who contracted dengue fever on the Big Island, resulting in a six-day hospital stay.

More: British man reveals the harsh realities of living with Crohn's disease

"I started to see all these crazy side effects," Wesenberg said in a video after returning home. "My body started to ache. My bones hurt, it was awful. I seriously thought I was going to die."

She's not alone: Dengue affects between 50-100 million people worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organization, mostly in tropical climates.

Of those infected with the virus, about half don't show any symptoms, but those who do report painful body aches, severe headaches, rashes, high fevers up to 104 degrees and even more severe pain behind the eyes. The muscle and bone pain can get so intense that people say it feels like their bones are breaking, hence it's sinister nickname as the "breakbone fever."

There are four different types of dengue, and the severity of the reaction depends on how many times a person contracts it. "When you get infected the first time, it might not be that bad," Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., an infectious disease expert and assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, told Yahoo Health. "But if you get infected with another type, you're at a higher risk for severe infection, which can be life-threatening."

About 500,000 patients are hospitalized with dengue each year, according to NPR. And though there is no cure, most people end up recovering within a week with the help of fluids and pain medication. There is a rare possibility of developing a hemorrhagic fever after the initial fever subsides, a condition that can result in organ damage, dehydration, severe bleeding and death, but the mortality rate of dengue fever is fewer than one person out of every 100 cases.

More: North Carolina doctor creates treatment to reverse abortions

At least 19 cases of dengue have been confirmed in Hawaii, according to the state's Department of Health. There is no cure, but health officials are encouraging residents and travels to use mosquito nets and wear repellant and long-sleeved, light-colored clothing. People should also avoid standing bodies of water and avoid being outside for long during early mornings and evenings.

Luckily, Wesenberg is on the mend, but she wasn't so sure she'd get better.

More: Blogger claims he hasn't had a sip of water since 2012

"I'll be real honest with you, I seriously thought I was going to die," Wesenberg said of her illness. "I'm not kidding you when I say that because they couldn't figure out what was wrong with me."

Sleepy Hollow: Why Grace Dixon needs to be a series regular

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More: Sleepy Hollow/Bones event: Why Booth and Brennan had the crossover advantage

Better than Betsy and Pandora

Betsy Ross isn't a bad character and it's sort of fun to watch her tromping around in trousers and boots in a time when ladies weren't supposed to do that. But when it comes to popularity, Miss Ross has nothing on Grace Dixon. Then there's Pandora, who's also doing a pretty bang-up job of keeping things interesting in Sleepy Hollow. But again, when you compare her to Grace, there's just no comparison.

Sleepy Hollow Grace Dixon yas

Sleepy Hollow Grace Dixon yas

Granted, Grace doesn't go around beating people up or summoning monsters, but she doesn't need to do either to command a presence on the show. Why do the fans love her so much? Maybe it's because her character has a deep connection to both Ichabod and Abbie, but that connection doesn't come with any of the awkwardness that Katrina had or Betsy has now. Having a link to the past is a vital part of this show, but wouldn't it be great if Grace were that link?

Sleepy Hollow Grace Dixon all flashbacks

Sleepy Hollow Grace Dixon all flashbacks

More: Why Sleepy Hollow's Ichabod and Joe totally need their own road trip episode

Keeping the canon

One huge drawback to Betsy's introduction has been that her appearance tore a hole in the show's canon. Ichabod wasn't supposed to have any other love or flirtation or whatever in his life other than Katrina. Then Betsy came along in her boots and with her familiarity with weapons and changed everything we thought we knew about him. It also brought up a lot of questions in the fandom, such as why he would be so shocked to see a woman wearing pants when he woke from his big sleep if he'd been running around with a woman like Betsy. Putting Grace in all the flashbacks instead of Betsy would take all of that away.

Sleepy Hollow Grace Dixon canon

Sleepy Hollow Grace Dixon canon

Ghostly visions?

Having Grace in the past would be nice and all, but it would be even better if she could appear sometimes in the present. Ichabod and Abbie have quite the supernatural enemy to fight at the moment, and with her vast knowledge of magical arts, Grace would make one heck of an ally. At the same time, something might be lost in her character if she were dropped into the modern world. Ichabod learning to use a cell phone is odd enough, but Grace doing it would be strange indeed.

Sleepy Hollow Grace Dixon series regular

Sleepy Hollow Grace Dixon series regular

More: Why Sleepy Hollow's Jack the Ripper is way freakier than real life's version

One way she could appear in the current time would be to come back again as a ghost. She did it once to help out Abbie and Ichabod, so why not again? Maybe they could conjure her up when they need her or, better yet, maybe she could just appear when she felt their need: A spiritual guide who is literally a spirit. Ultimately it would be up to the writers to decide how to bring her back, but turning her into a regular character would make a lot of people very happy.

Do you wish that Grace Dixon was a permanent character on Sleepy Hollow?

Survivor's Kass McQuillen disses 'hate-fueled' Tasha Fox

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SheKnows: First of all, when the votes came down, how was it that so many names were misspelled? How could your tribemates possibly butcher "Kass" and "Ciera" after you were all very aware of each other from earlier Survivor seasons?

Kass McQuillen: Well, I think the "Kas" thing from Tasha was a sign of disrespect. Obviously, she knows how to write down my name [laughs]. When we were voted in, our names were all over the place and we were reading about each other. Yeah, it's either they're all illiterate or they're all being disrespectful. Whatever. It's their deal; they have to live with it.

Kass McQuillen voted off Survivor: Second Chance
Image: CBS

SK: Did you know you were going to be voted off?

KM: Yeah. Yeah. Many people were telling me or gloating to me that I was going home. So, yeah, I don't think there was a big surprise there; as you could see, I was kind of resigned to it and just waiting for it to be over with.

SK: So it didn't seem like you had as much fun this time around.

KM: I had a blast, actually. If you watched every episode until last night, I was having a lot of fun. I had 18 days of wonderful experience on Survivor and then my past came back to haunt me.

SK: Were you really trying to build a bond with Spencer or was it strategy to get him closer?

KM: I think Spencer and I respect each other as players. We knew, that if we wanted to embrace this second chance, we had to both get over the past. Anyone who wants to play a new game of Survivor, if you're given a second time, you damn well better get over your past and past relationships or you're not gonna win. It was a marriage of convenience, but it was a making of amends and moving on. It was two people who love the game saying, "Let's not blow our second chance because of something we did two years ago. Let's both respect each other enough to say, "You play your game and I'll play mine. Let's play together right now because it works." Unlike Tasha, who clearly was not at that place in her life to do that. Spencer and I, we genuinely were working together. It worked for both of us. That's what Survivor is about. You've got to work with people, even if you don't like them or you have a past.

Kass McQuillen competes in challenge
Image: CBS

More: Survivor's chaotic merge delivers dramatic elimination

SK: When you were going into the game, did you ever envision you might find yourself aligning with Spencer, considering your not-so-positive past with Survivor: Cagayan?

KM: [Laughs] I was honestly hoping someone would get rid of him before I would have to cross that bridge. I didn't want to be the one to vote out Spencer because I didn't want to be the person who said, "I got you twice." I certaily wasn't out there to get rid of people just out of spite. I honestly was hoping, because we weren't on the same tribe, that someone would get rid of Spencer before I even had to meet him. I don't think either of us has an ill thought about each other from this season and I think we've made amends for Cagayan.

SK: When I interviewed Jeff Varner after he was eliminated a couple of weeks ago, he said Tasha is the biggest villain this season. Based on what you've said about her, do you agree with Jeff's label for her?

KM: I wouldn't even give Tasha the honor of being called a villain. She is just an angry, bitter person. There's a difference between being a fun villain who is like, "Ha-ha, that's fun. I'm causing trouble," and being a hate-fueled, vengeful person. What if she took T-Bird's spot and she behaved in this manner? It's such a squandering of this unique opportunity to be so blinded by hatred over a reality show that happened two years ago, to throw away everything to get someone out. I don't think Tasha has evolved enough to embrace a second chance. I read some of Varner's stuff and he's said what needs to be said about her using God. I know that doesn't sit well with people, but that's who she is. I think there's a difference between being a villain and being a genuinely nasty, mean person. Tasha has a chip on her shoulder that's the size of a redwood tree. It's still there and it's sad.

Kass McQuillen competes for Immunity on Survivor: Second Chance
Image: CBS

More: Survivor's Jeff Varner reveals this season's true villain

SK: Was she treating everybody else poorly because the show really hasn't featured that side of her too much?

KM: Right before that balut eat-off with her, she was like a raging bull. She was jumping around and saying, "I'm fueled by hate, Jeff! I'm fueled by hate!" You're missing a lot of the over-the-top Tashaism that goes on out there. Personally, I would've loved to go to the end with her. It's just off-putting when someone behaves in that matter. After that food challenge — a lot of people were very disturbed by her behavior; even her own tribemates. I think she will be someone this season who is on a downward spiral. We're seeing the beginning of sabotaging your own game because you are so hell-bent on tearing up other people's games. I know, I did that my first season [laughs]. It's ironic, it's poetic and it's wonderful that Tasha has become the new troublemaker. I just don't even know how to react to her right now. I'm trying not to say anything too mean, but it's more of a pity thing for her that she's in this place in her life over a game show.

SK: Was she that way the first time you played together?

KM: The first time we played, she definitely took a turn after the merge, where she got very sanctimonious and full of herself. I think it's come out that she said God had chosen her to win and if we wanted to get to the end we needed to go with her. I knew going in to Second Chance that Tasha is her own worst enemy out there. I knew she hadn't changed. I just underestimated that she would completely destroy her own game to get revenge. If that's how you want to squander your second chance, then OK. I'm more than happy to sit in judgment at Ponderosa. No one was gonna let me win anyway, so it's not like it's some great victory. The great thing would've been if Tasha had been able to contain herself and exact a fascinating blindside of me rather than just come after me out in the open. I would've actually respected that more than personal attacks, misdirection, fear-based scrambling and targeting. I love blindsides. I just think they're fun. I can't respect someone who just openly guns for you and maligns you to the point where people just get rid of you. I would much rather have been blindsided by her, but I don't think she has the finesse and the ability to do that.

Joe Anglim with Kass McQuillen on Survivor: Second Chance
Image: CBS

SK: Was she the driving force behind your elimination or was there more to it?

KM: No. Tasha was 100 percent the driving force. I couldn't even sit next to her. She was bristling with anger coming off of her. It's fine. It is what it is. I just feel bad for her. There will come a point in her life where she will realize what happened and she'll regret it. I know I did stuff in Cagayan. The difference is I had the opportunity and ability to reflect and try to move on. I genuinely would've worked with her. I would've loved a final three of me, Spencer and her. It would've put to rest the question of who was the best player.

SK: Going into this season, there was a lot of conversation that you were the early first target. Did you know that people were gunning for you before the game even started?

KM: Yeah. I heard my name within minutes of hitting the beach at Bayon. I knew I had a target. I knew people were pre-gaming and a lot of people were pre-gaming to get me out first. I think I did incredibly well this season. I changed people's perception of me. I made friends. It was going well until that fateful day.

Kass McQuillen on Survivor: Second Chance
Image: CBS

SK: Although there was talk of Chaos Kass being unleashed in your elimination episode, it really didn't seem like that side of you was there this season.

KM: There was no Chaos Kass out there. The Chaos Kass thing would be if I hit the merge and I had been the one throwing down the gauntlet saying let's get rid of people. The only time you saw me even defend myself was after Tasha was going in front of the camp to throw me under the bus. That's not chaotic when you stand up for yourself and say, "Wait a minute. This person lied to me and she's lying to you." I don't consider that chaos. I consider that self defense. I didn't make people speak llama [laughs]. I don't think you saw Chaos Kass. I think you saw somebody who knew they were going home, who was scrambling and who was defending herself. I didn't even care who went at the merge as long as it wasn't me. My goal was to just try to get through and stay under the radar as long as I could. But when someone just pops you up and puts a big ol' blinking light on your head, it's pretty hard to recover.

SK: What is the biggest difference you noticed from this experience and Cagayan?

KM: It was a different kind of excitement. I think almost everyone this season really wanted to win. I think on a new players' season, you have a few people who are just filler or recruits. This season, every person out there fought to get on this season and pandered to the public. They wanted it. We had a lot at stake. We all sat in that audience on May 20 and that was a big risk for a lot of people. Any one of us could've not been called. If fans understand how much these players put themselves out there to do this, I respect everyone for doing that. We said, "Yeah, go ahead, CBS. Put me up on a Web site and let America be the first vote of the season." I have tremendous respect for everyone who joined in this endeavor. I think it gave a sense of camaraderie to the season. I just think it's a special season because of that. I think everyone's great out there. Obviously, I'm not a big fan of Tasha right now. But even so, everyone out there was playing the game they thought they needed to play.

Kass McQuillen on Survivor: Second Chance
Image: CBS

SK: After America voted to pick this season's cast, who were you most surprised to see make it through? Many fans were shocked Shane Powers and T-Bird missed out.

KM: I was pretty surprised that Monica made it over T-Bird. I wasn't surprised Shane didn't make it because his audience is such a limited little Internet thing and he didn't really pander to the general public. That's what you really needed to do to get on. Monica was my big shocker. I was sure T-Bird was getting in. That was my only big disappointment.

More: Survivor's Monica Padilla explains why she never wants to play again

SK: If CBS called and asked you to play the game for a third time, would you do it?

KM: I never say never, but I don't think I have anything left to prove on Survivor or bring to the show. I went out there and I was a great villain in Chaos Kass. I came back and I made friends with this kumbayah thing going. Now I'm the queen of Ponderosa. Honestly, the stakes are so high, no one is ever gonna let me get to the end. I would only be going back out there to be sent to Ponderosa again. So to leave my family, my law practice, my friends, my life, it's not something that I need. Right now it's not something that I want. It's so full circle. This is exactly three years ago this week that I applied to be on Survivor and got my first call to be on Survivor. I just feel like it's complete. I don't need to be Boston Rob. I don't need to play four times and win. I don't need a Survivor win. I think if you're gonna go on Survivor multiple times, you've got to have the drive. I'm at peace with my Survivor experience.

What are your thoughts on what Kass had to say in this interview? Do you think she changed her image? Although she's uncertain about ever playing the game again, do you hope she will compete for a third time? Are you surprised to hear several castaways talk about how Tasha is a negative personality? Join the conversation and leave a comment now.

Don't Be Tardy: 5 Reasons Brielle and Slade could still end up married

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1. Osborne gets along with the Zolciak-Biermann family

Kim Zolciak has frequently shared her approval of Osborne on Don't Be Tardy, even going so far as to refer to him as a "mini Kroy Biermann." She may think it's unwise for her daughter to chase after a man instead of pursuing her dreams in Los Angeles, but she has also claimed on several occasions that Biermann and Osborne are the perfect couple. Witnessing their breakup and the ensuing social media storm cannot have been easy for Zolciak, who at the time of filming seemed to already regard Osborne as a son-in-law.

More: Brielle Biermann is spoiled with a capital "S"

2. Osborne is Biermann in guy form

Osborne and Biermann have plenty of chemistry, but there's a whole lot more to their relationship than mere passion. On Don't Be Tardy, the two display a natural sense of camaraderie — much like what fans of the show would expect to see in a fun-loving (but, perhaps, dimwitted) married couple.

Brielle Biermann
Image: Bravo

More: Kim Zolciak gives terrifying details about what her ministroke felt like

3. Giuliana Rancic thinks that a long-distance relationship is possible for Biermann and Osborne

Rancic is Biermann's idol, so her advice is not taken lightly. During a touching segment from last week's episode of Don't Be Tardy, Rancic told Biermann all about the long-distance relationship she maintained with Bill Rancic before they tied the knot. What's more, she seemed to think that long-distance dating could be a viable solution for Biermann and Osborne.

Slade and Brielle
Image: Bravo

More: Don't Be Tardy fans unfairly attack Brielle Biermann over her recent breakup

4. Their Twitter followers won't stop hassling them until they're back together

If nothing else will convince Biermann and Osborne to give their romance another try, constant harassment from the Twitterverse just might do the trick. Although their breakup is old news, fans are still busy expressing their sadness on Twitter. The following are just a few of the recent tweets from fans who desperately want Biermann and Osborne to get back together.

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Brielle break up

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Brielle and Slade

Slade Brielle belong together

Slade Brielle belong together

5. Rose the psychic predicted a long future for the couple

Tonight on Don't Be Tardy, the Zolciak-Biermann family's psychic told Biermann and Osborne that they'd be married within a year. To be fair, she didn't actually say that they'd be married to each other — but that's certainly what she implied. Zolciak thinks that Rose knows what she's talking about, as she accurately predicted Zolciak and Biermann's happy marriage.

Do you think Brielle Biermann and Slade Osborne's relationship is over for good? Or could wedding bells be in their future? Comment and share your opinion below.

On Project Runway, did bigger prove to be better?

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More: Project Runway's Ashley makes a strong statement by using plus-size models

Ashley
Image: Lifetime

There was no elimination last week and so it was four designers — Kelly Dempsey, Candice Cuoco, Edmond Newton and Ashley Nell Tipton — who sent collections down the runway at New York Fashion Week. Kelly's work, which featured Spandex, bedazzled wedges and fanny packs, was described by Zac Posen as "a little flashy, a little trashy." Edmond's line was exclusively dresses, but the judges felt it lacked cohesion and didn't represent the designer they'd seen all season. Candice's looks were leather and costume-y, and her collection also didn't feel complete to the judges. Ashley's collection was edited based on the critique from last week's episode and, although the judges still had some critiques (she took shortcuts, Zac wasn't so into the romper), the judges loved it and named her the winner of Project Runway.

Ashley's fans have been rabidly loyal all season, so they were predictably thrilled to see her take the prize and excited about what it meant to have a plus-size designer win with a plus-size collection.

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More: Project Runway eliminates a fan favorite: Was it a huge mistake?

There were, of course, the detractors. There were those who thought Ashley's designs were terrible (including other plus-size women) and that she won because the judges were trying to be "politically correct."

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Both Kelly and Ashley were strong in the competition from the beginning, and their styles and collections could not have been more different. It had to have been a hard decision for the judges, but while it was a risk to name a plus-size designer who designs for plus-size women the winner, it was not, as some suggested, a "pity" vote for Ashley. Her models were not exactly plus-size; they just weren't the size of conventional models and her clothes didn't attempt to mask plus-size figures. Folks argued that they wouldn't wear her designs, but let's be real about the wearability of any of the clothes on Project Runway. We might admire it and wish we could afford it, but it's not exactly the kind of thing most of us would wear. Ashley's collection ranged from casual to more couture and also included styles that some labeled as "matronly," which probably means that they didn't attempt to make a size 20 body appear like a size 2 body. The looks were diverse, risky and deserving of the top spot.

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Image: Lifetime

Did the right designer win Project Runway? What did you think of the collections? Tell us in the comments!

More: Project Runway: Fans shocked as Tim Gunn loses his mind

The John Lewis Christmas advert is even better than we'd hoped (WATCH)

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More: 5 Signs it's OK to start getting excited about Christmas

It has all the usual ingredients: a super cute kid, a spot-on soundtrack, an important message and, of course, plenty of tug-at-the-heartstrings action.

Norwegian artist Aurora performs the Oasis hit "Half The World Away" while an adorable little girl called Lily helps the "Man on the Moon" — an elderly man she spots through her telescope living alone on the moon.

This could be mistaken for a charity advert and indeed the department store has teamed up with Age UK for this year's festive campaign, to remind viewers that many people will be alone this Christmas.

It will strike a chord will all of us and have us weeping into our cereal this morning.

"Our Christmas advert is once again all about going the extra mile to give someone the perfect gift," said John Lewis customer director Craig Inglis. "This year though, the story is told in a uniquely creative and engaging way as we see Lily, our heroine, go to great lengths to connect with the Man on the Moon."

More: The Coca-Cola Christmas truck isn't welcome in one U.K. town

"We hope it inspires people to find really special gifts for their loved ones and through our partnership with Age UK, raises awareness of the issue of loneliness amongst older people and encourages others to support in any way they can," Inglis added.

The retail giant is developing the Man on the Moon concept this Christmas with an app to teach kids about the moon, which will provide moon facts when the smartphone or tablet is pointed at the moon.

Watch #ManOnTheMoon in full below. You will cry all the tears.

#ManOnTheMoon

#ManOnTheMoon

More: Angry parents accuse PayPal of "ruining Christmas" (WATCH)

Scandal: Did Olivia's latest move signal the end of Olitz?

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More: Scandal's Olivia channels Shonda Rhimes for some "angry black woman" revenge

For someone who is so good at digging up the truth and sharing it with the world, Olivia isn't taking her own advice to "tell the truth," as she lies about her father while staring Fitz straight in the face.

And there is no way he's just going to have an "Oh, I get it. No big deal" attitude when it comes out that Olivia helped her father escape, even though she was doing it to protect Fitz's presidency. And you know that secret isn't going to stay buried forever. There's no way Fitz isn't going to find out eventually. By the looks of next week's teaser, that secret might even be out as early as next week.

But it's a secret that shouldn't stay buried.

Isn't Olivia letting Eli out of jail almost as bad — if not worse — than what Mellie did by working with Eli and inadvertently murdering that bus full of grand jurors?

More: Scandal: Why Olivia is a fool for constantly turning to Jake for advice

And not because of the crime, but because of the way Olivia is lying to Fitz in a way that mirrors Mellie's corruption. Plus, now that Eli's out, you can bet he's planning on murdering a lot more people than would fit in a bus. He's already killed one person that we know of. And that's just the one we know about at this point.

Of course, while we're cringing at Olivia on the one hand, the show, on the other, deserves major props. I have no idea how the writers are planning to get Olivia out of this one without everyone turning against her. And I can't wait to see it unfold. Which means, despite the fact that Scandal is in its fifth season, it never ceases to surprise. Any by turning fans against Olivia, even a little (because let's be real, I will never stop aspiring to be like Olivia Pope), the show has managed to make the season feel new and fresh.

Even Huck might abandon Olivia for this move. And Huck considering abandoning Olivia is something that never occurred to me before as even in the realm of possibility. And though Fitz is Olivia's soul mate, Huck is her family. I'm honestly not sure which relationship loss would be more heartbreaking.

More: Scandal review: Olivia Pope transforms TV heroines with one word

So while I love the Olivia tonight who took down Holland for being a horrible guy, I can't reconcile with the Olivia who would make the one move that could break Huck and destroy her relationship with Fitz.

Do you think Olivia and Fitz can survive her potentially catastrophic Eli Pope lie?


Child-free people are sick of being judged for their choices

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Someone, often a person with children, pipes up with an "Oh, but it's the most amazing experience you will ever have," or "Don't rule anything out just yet — you might want kids down the track."

Karol Markowicz wrote a piece on the subject for Time magazine recently, saying that young people don't know what their future selves are going to want or not want, so it's best to avoid ruling out having kids altogether. You know, just in case. Just like the time you decided that, wait, actually you do really like anchovies on your pizza now. Aren't you glad you never ruled out never eating them?

More: Why are more women choosing not to have children?

Drawing from personal experience, Markowicz reminisces about being a 20-year-old serial dater who thought her destiny was more aligned to being a fabulous spinster for the rest of her life, than a mother and having a family.

"I pictured myself at 80, alone and fabulous in sequins and false eyelashes, smoking cigarettes at a hotel bar," Markowicz said.

But after falling for one of her closest friends, Markowicz threw her spinster dreams out the window with the false eyelashes, and within two weeks of their relationship they were talking babies and nuptials.

While Markowicz admits that not everyone will change their mind when faced with the love of their life, we humans are adaptable and changeable — even our values, beliefs and desire to eat anchovies, I mean, have kids.

Interestingly, though, a study out of Perth has been released about people without children and their experiences.

More: Why a mum of four resents the childless

Brownyn Harman, a lecturer from the School of Psychology and Social Science, surveyed 559 Australians over the age of 35 who did not have children.

75 per cent of people over 50 who are child-free, people who willingly chose not to have children rather than not succeeding in attempts to have a child, said they have not regretted their decision.

So, can we just give the child-free people a break and stop asking those prying questions like: "So, when are you having children?" or "Don't you think you'll change your mind?" or, more horrendous still, "The clock is ticking. When are you having kids?"

Research out of the United States suggests that judgment of people without children could actually affect their mental health, too, making them feel excluded, lonely and depressed, which is something to worry about since Australian society puts a lot of pressure on people to make babies.

"Australia is one of the biggest pro-natal countries in the world," Dr Harman said. "We believe the natural progression in life is to grow up, meet the right person, marry and have a child — that's what life is."

After Italy, Australia has the second-highest rate of people not having children and the reasons are many — from worrying about passing down mental health conditions, to financial instability, to the physical toll pregnancy has on the human body — but, interestingly, in the Perth study, most people couldn't pinpoint exactly why they didn't want to have kids.

"Some decided they weren't maternal or paternal, some said children were too expensive, some said they actively disliked children," Dr. Harman said. "But the most common answer I got was that there was no reason — they just didn't think about having children or see it as an option for them."

What are your thoughts on the study? Share them with us below.

More: How to remain close to childless friends

The best celeb pics of the week

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Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake

Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake

Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake

New parents Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake shared a rare selfie on her Instagram page, as the couple had a fun “date night” at the Country Music Awards. Timberlake performed with country newcomer (and winner of Best New Artist) Chris Stapleton.

Biel and Timberlake are parents of adorable Silas Randall Timberlake.

Justin Timberlake with Silas

Justin Timberlake with Silas

More: Find out why Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake named their son Silas Randall

Kelly Rowland

Kelly Rowland and Titan

Kelly Rowland and Titan

Destiny’s Child alum Kelly Rowland shared this gorgeous photo as she cuddles with her son, Titan — or, as she calls him, “my mighty Titan," on his first birthday.

Kelly Rowland Halloween

Kelly Rowland Halloween

In addition to this sweet snapshot, Rowland shared a photo of the cute mother-son duo dressed up as Mickey and Minnie Mouse for Halloween.

Naya Rivera

Naya Rivera's son Josey

Naya Rivera's son Josey

Here he is! Glee alum Naya Rivera shared this first snapshot of her son, Josey Hollis, who was dressed adorably in a skull outfit. Rivera and her husband, Ryan Dorsey, welcomed Josey on September 17, and the couple has been enjoying a low profile as they adjust to parenthood.

More: Get the story behind Naya Rivera's outlaw baby name

Dave and Odette Annable

Odette Annable

Odette Annable

Brothers and Sisters star Dave Annable posted this snapshot as his wife, Odette, feeds their baby girl, Charlie Mae Annable — with the help of Jessica Simpson’s daughter, Maxwell. He joked in the caption that Maxwell is the “live-in nanny,” as she helps hold the bottle for little Charlie.

Jessie James Decker

Jessie James Decker and family

Jessie James Decker and family

Country singer Jessie James Decker shared this cute Halloween photo with her husband, NFL star Eric Decker, and their two kids, Vivianne and Eric Jr. Adorable.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow and Apple

Gwyneth Paltrow and Apple

Gwyneth Paltrow shared this spooky snapshot as she and her daughter, Apple, get ready to go trick-or-treating with their faces painted as skeletons. “Let’s do this,” she captioned the photo.

Melissa Rycroft

Melissa Rycroft pregnancy

Melissa Rycroft pregnancy

Bachelor star and Dancing with the Stars alum Melissa Rycroft announced on Instagram that she is expecting her third child. She and her husband are already parents to 3-year-old Ava Grace and 18-month-old Beckett Thomas. She hilariously wrote that “this is definitely the last one... probably” and said that she hoped this baby would look like her, since her other two kids have blond hair.

More: Pregnant celebrity baby bumps— Jessa Duggar, Kim Kardashian and Chrissy Teigen

9 Parenting hacks to make the crazy days a little easier

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Mama friends are good. Mama friends who text at all hours or show up with wine are better. Parenting hacks that allow us to have fun whilst making life a tad easier are worth their weight in gold.

Some hacks have been found out of desperation, some are funny, some are ridiculous and most have been tried so we can share ways to make the long days a bit shorter and the crazy days a bit more lighthearted.

As my husband and I navigate this thing called child rearing — we lost our how-to book somewhere along the way — we have come up with our list of nine tried-and-true parenting hacks.

1. Avoid the grocery store with a Starbucks run

Starbucks
Image: Lauren Train/SheKnows

Get milk in the Starbucks drive-through. Kids get their milk — you get your caffeine fix. And you don't have to lug screaming kids through the grocery store. Trust me, those extra pennies are well worth it.

2. Furniture rearranging keeps the mess under control

Husbands fuss about how we are always rearranging furniture. Little do they know that we are doing this to contain our littles to one room — not because we have an overwhelming urge to haul furniture four times the size of us. I know kids can climb furniture, but when I sprawl across said sofa, they tend to stay away. The mess is contained, I can relax and the kids can play. #winning

3. Don't forget refrigerator locks

Many products out there serve as refrigerator locks. We have just started using them to keep little hands out of the fridge, and I wish I had used them years ago. Considering it takes me a solid 10 minutes to remove some of them, it not only keeps the fridge kid-proof, but serves as an accountability partner by making me ask, "How bad do I really need — or want — that snack?" Baby weight be gone!

4. Plan fast food date nights

Fast food date night
Image: Lauren Train/SheKnows

Find the most healthy fast food restaurant with a play place, and plan to spend your Friday night there. An inexpensive dinner and free sitting — or playing — while you and your hubby chat it up and get some alone time. We like to choose the most clean and least busy place, and thanks to the thick glass that surrounds the play area, its almost like we are alone... almost.

5. Invest in cookie cutters

Want to move into Pinterest mom territory? Start building a killer cookie cutter collection. You can be the least creative parent on the block, and a quick dinosaur stamp in a kids lunch or a few princess crown cheese slices at a party make you look like you have on your A game. It takes two seconds to pull out the $2 cookie cutter, and they take up little storage room. The kids ooh and ahh, parents think you are über creative and you pat yourself on the back for the quick, cheap and easy store fix.

6. Employ the car claw on road trips

Car Claw
Image: Lauren Train/SheKnows

Remember the claw-like thing that people use to get cans down from their pantry shelves? You squeeze the handle and the claw clasps? Well, that thing is pure genius for handing kids items in the car, especially on road trips. Kids are in the way back and starving? Pass their food with the claw! Baby drops the blanket? Claw to the rescue.

7. Use the bathroom as a bedroom

My husband and I travel with our children often. We like our kids to behave — relatively speaking — on road trips and for all of us to actually sleep in hotel rooms. We found it challenging to keep kids asleep while we moved around, until the most ingenious idea of putting the baby's Pack 'n Play or child cot near or in the bathroom. Most places have a separate dressing area and 90 percent of the time, the Pack 'n Play slides right in with room to spare. It's almost like you've rented two hotel rooms!

8. Order oodles of replacement valves

Does anyone else's dishwasher eat the little rubber valves that go in certain sippy cups? It's like we have a cabinet full of cups and tops and no valves. One day, I ranted on social media in regards to all things sippy cup related. A dear, dear friend quickly clued me in that there was no need to buy entire new cups as these replacement valves could be found on Amazon — life changing!

9. Get creative when shopping during nap times

Now, I have not officially tried this yet, but it's in my arsenal. I am waiting for the perfect moment. Some of my friends swear by it, so I am giving it to you on their word. We've all been in Target during nap times or needed to do a grocery store run while pushing bedtime, right? The thought of an overtired child makes you cringe, but not after this hack. Upon entering Target, grab your cart and head straight for the pet section. Snag the appropriately sized pet bed for your child and place it in said cart. Lay your child down and let him snooze whilst you wheel him around. It requires a bit of finagling to get all items in the cart but think of it as a real-life game of Tetris.

Do you have hacks for me? Tried-and-true parenting solutions? Leave them in the comments!

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Follow Lauren and her family as they celebrate life big, parent their three kids, love their friends and home well and do it in a fun and festive way!

Try Texas paella for an easier (but equally tasty!) twist on the classic

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I can say the same thing about that first bite of Valencia paella I had so many years ago; It has this unmistakable aroma that makes the rice irresistible, especially when served with a blend of seasonal vegetables regardless of what time of year you eat it. Since moving to Texas, I've re-stocked my spice rack with the spices of my childhood. Each time I open the pantry, I see them intertwined with those that I learned to love while living in Spain, wondering how I can bring them together to create a worthy recipe.

This Texas Paella recipe is very mild. It blends that earthy, slightly sweet tang of the saffron with the nutty flavors of beans that balance so well with the heat of the chilies. The fresh garlic and the smoke of the paprika give the rice a bold flavor that brings everything together into one Texas-Spanish bite, which could easily be my new favorite family meal.

Texas Paella
Image: Coryanne Ettiene/SheKnows

Don't let the start of the recipe, nor the ingredients scare you. There really is only about 5 minutes of prep time, 10 minutes of hands on cooking before the dish pretty much cooks itself. Plus, using the Texmati Rice means that there is no need to rinse or soak your rice beforehand. Having one less step, and a few less dishes to do, means that I can whip this up mid week in around 30 minutes from start to finish and only dirty a few dishes along the way.

Texas paella recipe

Serves 6 

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of RiceSelect® Texmati White Rice
  • 3-1/2 cups of chicken stock
  • 1/3 cup of canned diced green chilies, strained and rinsed.
  • 1 pound of skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into inch cubes
  • 1-1/2 cups of pancetta, diced
  • 1/4 teaspoon of saffron
  • 1/4 cup of warm water
  • 1/2 cup of cooked pinto beans (if canned, washed and drained)
  • 1/2 cup of cooked butter beans (if canned, washed and drained)
  • 1 cup of sliced red peppers
  • 1 cup of sliced green peppers
  • 1 cup of sliced Spanish onions
  • 1/2 cup of canned chopped tomatoes
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Sprig of cilantro for garnish

Texas Paella
Image: Coryanne Ettiene/SheKnows

Directions:

  1. Add the saffron to a 1/4 cup of warm water and allow it to stew while you cook.
  2. In a 13 x 15-inch pan, drizzle a small amount of olive oil and heat before adding the chicken and Pancetta. Allow to cook on medium high heat for 5 minutes, or until the chicken starts to brown and the pancetta deepens in color.
  3. Add the paprika, onions, peppers and garlic to the pan, stir until well combined before continuing to cook for another 5 minutes.
  4. Add the reserved saffron mixture, the tomatoes, and the broth and stir, bringing the ingredients to a boil on high heat before adding the rice, beans and chilies.
  5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Stir the pot well to ensure that the rice is fully saturated and evenly distributed, and then cook on high heat with the lid off for 10 minutes.
  7. Reduce the heat, give it a few gentle stirs, and then cook it on low heat with the lid on for a further 5 to 10 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and the liquid is gone.
  8. Remove it from the heat and allow it to rest for 2 to 3 minutes longer before serving with fresh cilantro on top.

Notes: When we are serving to those with a passion for spicy food, we use fresh jalapeños rather than canned green chilies; and if you have a tiny bit of white wine left over for cooking, you can always swap out the 1/4 cup of water for wine to stew the saffron in as it gives is a great added flavor to the dish.

This post is part of a sponsored collaboration between RiceSelect® and SheKnows

This might be why your sex drive is in a rut

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Needless to say, this issue can only be resolved if both partners are committed to their relationship and willing to work hard at it. Not only is it important to work on it but to understand if sex has been absent from your relationship for many months or years, the problem won't likely resolve itself in a matter of days or weeks.

There are many reasons why couples can have mismatched sex drives, and those reasons can even change throughout a relationship. There are important physical conditions, disorders and medications that can interfere with one’s desire to be sexual as well as the birth of a child, stress from a job or the natural aging process. The one thing that remains consistent is that not dealing with mismatched sex drives creates problems in the relationship.

A mismatched sex drive usually involves one person who begs for sex with another person rejecting them. This dynamic brings about guilt, shame, resentment, anger and feelings of inadequacy. Those feelings tend to spread to every area of the relationship and eventually ends the relationship or assures year after year of unhappiness.

10 common problems in a relationship that can contribute to a lower libido and a mismatched sex drive

  1. Added stress brought about from a job change
  2. Signs of depression
  3. Lifestyle changes, such as lack of sleep, weight gain and alcohol, drug or tobacco use
  4. Relationship boredom due to different ideas about what turns on your partner
  5. Loss of attraction toward one’s partner
  6. Relationship issues such as resentment or built-up anger
  7. Lack or loss of enjoyment and pleasure during sex
  8. Pregnancy or birth of a child
  9. Past issues of sexual trauma surfacing
  10. An illness or change in medication

If any of these problems are persistent in your relationship, communication is crucial. Take the time to figure out what is happening and come up with a plan. Relationships come with lots of difficult conversations — money, kids, in-laws and work — and talking about sex shouldn't be swept under the rug. When sex disappears from the relationship, it's generally a sign that something else is going on.

The answer to a mismatched sex drive is not one size fits all. Understanding that your partner has their own sexual pattern, specific turn ons and specific turn offs. Cultural differences, religious differences and how a person is raised can all play into the issue. One piece of advice is to always take responsibility for our own sexual pleasure and our own sexual discomforts. In an article on Psychology Today, Michele Weiner-Davis, MSW talks about just that.

In my own practice, I always tell my clients that while one person may feel one way about sex, it is almost a guarantee that the other person is going to feel something different. When talking about sex, it is important to leave judgment at the door and be open to what the other person is saying. Sex is very personal and difficult to open up about, and no one can be honest if they feel judged.

Why Alzheimer's is actually a young person's disease

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Alzheimer's disease is a devastating illness — perhaps one of the most devastating, as it slowly robs a person of every thing that makes them human before killing them. But most of us have taken comfort in the fact that it generally doesn't happen until old age. Bad news: Doctors have issued a new warning, saying that the seeds for Alzheimer's are sown in the brains of young adults. Good news: There is something you can do about it right now.

"Alzheimer's is now a younger person's disease," said Sanjay Gupta, M.D., in a special for CNN on the subject. He explained that thanks to advances in brain scanning technology, we now see evidence of Alzheimer's disease in people 20 to 30 years before they start showing symptoms, with the illness first starting in young adults.

Plaques, the first sign of the disease, can begin to form as early as our 20s and 30s. When brain cells sense these plaques and realize that other brain cells are dying, they assume there is an infection and attempt to fight it off, according to Rudy Tanzi, Ph.D., a professor of neurology at Harvard, who consulted with Gupta. But there is no infection, and in the attempt to fight it, the brain becomes flooded with inflammatory free radicals that begin a self-destructive cycle inside the brain.

"This is the only leading cause of death that's not currently preventable," Gupta said, pointing out that by 2040, Alzheimer's will account for a full 25 percent of Medicare's budget — more than heart disease and diabetes combined.

More: The sexiest part of you is your brain, and that's why Alzheimer's needs a cure

But just because there is no cure (yet!), that doesn't mean we all should sit back and patiently wait to lose our minds. Instead, there is a multitude of new research showing how living a healthy lifestyle can help prevent the early formations of the plaques and even reduce the likelihood of developing the disease or at least delay its onset. And the best part is that these are all things that are simple to do, inexpensive, and you can start them right now, today.

Here are the 6 things Gupta and Tanzi recommend, in order of importance:

1. Exercise. Even moderate amounts of walking, weight lifting or other movement can help reduce your risk, according to a 2014 study.

2. Seven to eight hours of sleep a night. They say sleep helps the brain clear debris, and a recent Berkeley study supports this "garbage cleaning" theory. Strangely, one study from earlier this year also found that sleeping on your side is more beneficial for preventing Alzheimer's than sleeping in other positions.

More: 15 Amazing things a good night's sleep does for your body

3. A Mediterranean-style diet. According to research, eating a diet rich in colorful produce, whole grains, fish and healthy fats will not only help your mind, but it has also been shown to lower your risk of certain types of cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Winner, winner, chicken (and salad and rice) dinner!

More: Mediterranean diet tips and recipes

4. Adding good-quality omega-3 oils. Tanzi recommends krill oil supplements, but you can always get it through your food, eating salmon and other fatty fish.

5. Intellectual stimulation. A brain game a day keeps the Alzheimer's away? It's not conclusive science by any means, but some studies have shown that challenging your mental skills can help keep you sharp as you age. Plus, who doesn't love a good crossword or sudoku?

6. Social engagement. We are a social species, and our brains thrive on interaction with others. The National Institute on Aging says that telling jokes or venting to a friend is correlated with fewer symptoms of Alzheimer's, although they say the causal relationship isn't clear yet.

Flourless chocolate-pumpkin cake is gluten-free decadence at its finest

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Enjoy a slice of this decadent, gluten-free flourless chocolate-pumpkin cake with chocolate ganache!
Image: Patricia Conte/SheKnows

So this is the sort of cake that might be referred to as “death by chocolate.” It’s definitely ultra rich and chocolaty, but it also has an amazing added flavor because of the pumpkin puree and seasonings.

I know you’ll need a fabulous dessert for the upcoming holiday season. You won’t regret adding this cake to the menu, and in fact, it may become a tradition in your home.

You'll love every bite of this gluten-free flourless chocolate-pumpkin cake with chocolate ganache!
Image: Patricia Conte/SheKnows

Note: Gluten can be found in many different foods and products, from ketchup to soy sauce to candy and seasonings. While SheKnows tries to ensure that these recipes are gluten-free, carefully read the ingredient labels of all food and food products you use for these recipes to ensure they are also gluten-free.

Flourless chocolate-pumpkin cake with chocolate ganache recipe

Serves 10-12

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time 30 minutes | Inactive time: 45 minutes | Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients: 

For the cake

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 10 ounces gluten-free semisweet chocolate chips
  • 3 eggs
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 3/4 pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • Nonstick cooking spray

For the ganache

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 10 ounces gluten-free semisweet chocolate chips

Directions: 

For the cake

  1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a 9- or 10-inch springform pan with the nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. To a saucepan over medium-low heat, add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the chocolate chips, and stir to combine until they’re melted. Remove from the heat, and set aside.
  3. In a bowl, combine the eggs and sugar. Whisk to combine. Add the pumpkin puree to the mixture, along with the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and clove. Whisk to combine.
  4. A little at a time, add the chocolate mixture to the sugar mixture, and stir to combine.
  5. Transfer the batter to the springform pan, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  6. Cook the cake completely. Place on a cake stand or platter, and remove the side portion of the springform pan.

For the ganache

  1. To a pan over low heat, add the heavy cream. When the cream is hot, turn off the heat, and add the chocolate chips a little at a time. Whisk to combine.
  2. Bring the mixture to room temperature.
  3. Use an offset spatula to help spread the ganache evenly over the cake.
  4. Refrigerate the frosted cake, and serve chilled.

gluten-free friday
Image: SheKnows

More gluten-free recipes

Chocolate fudge cookies
Pumpkin-chai muffins with vanilla glaze and maple-coated almonds
Pumpkin pie ice cream bonbons


Tim Gunn ruthlessly slams all of the Kardashians — and Kanye (VIDEO)

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Tim Gunn recently interviewed with The Huffington Post and had some pretty blunt things to say about Yeezy and his glorified sweatsuits. When the interviewer asks him what he thinks about West as an unorthodox newcomer to the fashion world, Gunn breaths deep and settles in for a big giant slice of hater pie.

“I think they’re a bunch of dumb clothes. Just basic pieces,” he said about West’s fashion line.

But that was just the tip of the iceberg in terms of how Gunn feels about the entire Kardashian clan. He said, “When it comes to fashion, I say to people all the time, if you want guidance for your fashion just consider this: if a Kardashian is wearing it — don’t.”

Ouch.

Tim Gunn on Kanye

Tim Gunn on Kanye

More: 7 Details about Kim Kardashian's glamorous birthday bash

But he wasn’t done, not by a long shot. He continued, “I think it’s vulgar and I just think, given the amount of public exposure that the Kardashians have, to potentially be sending a message to people that ‘you, too, can dress like this’ — no.”

And if you are thinking that he might be only referring to the Kardashians and that Kendall Jenner — who has been walking in every major designer’s shows this year — got a free pass, think again.

More: Project Runway: Tim Gunn surprised everyone with harsh, hilarious one-liners

The Huffington Post asked him if he thought Jenner had that model “it” factor, to which he replied, “I shouldn’t say that she doesn’t. I don’t know her, she may be a perfectly lovely young woman. I just feel that she’s tainted by the Kardashian aura of ‘yuck.’”

He’s not worried about any backlash from the Kardashians, West or the Jenners. He said, “Let me tell you, the whole Kardashian clan doesn’t like me, so no surprise there.”

bitches gonna be pissed gif
Image: GIPHY.com

More: Project Runway eliminates a fan favorite: Was it a huge mistake?

10 Positive ways to get your reluctant readers to love books

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Adult guidance; variation in style of writing, text length and subject matter; and well-chosen books are just the ticket to attract reluctant readers.

As with anything kids would rather not do, forcing them, comparing them to other kids and using other negative reinforcements backfire. There are many ways to encourage kids who are reluctant.

Here are some ideas:

  1. Encourage reading for fun.Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney says that sometimes adults focus so much on getting kids to read they forget about the fun. But kids who are having fun will read.
  2. Go graphic.There are many high-quality graphic novels that draw in readers through illustrations, short-form text and engrossing story lines.
  3. Seek out sports. For kids who'd rather be physically active than read a book, consider books about teams or by athletes, such as You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?! by Jonah Winter about the famous lefty, Hothead by Cal Ripken Jr. or other books about sports.
  4. Think big print.The Here's Hank series by Henry Winkler features a dyslexic hero and a large, easy-to-read typeface.
  5. Let them follow their interests.You may not love Captain Underpants, but if that's what your kid wants to read, put aside your judgment for the greater good.
  6. Find characters who reflect your kid's experience. Kids like to see themselves in the stories they read. Look for books with characters and situations that mirror their experience — for example, kids of color or with divorced parents or those who live on a farm or those who love dogs. Whatever helps kids identify with the story will keep them more engaged.
  7. Look for different reading opportunities. Reading is valuable no matter what the format: Pokémon cards, product labels, game manuals, recipes. Mix in shorter-form material with longer stuff.
  8. Get techy. E-books and storybook apps.
  9. Fact-check. With their amazing stats, incredible images, short-form text and start-anywhere formats, books of facts such as Guinness World Records< and Ripley's Believe It or Notentice kids who'd rather not tackle longer stories.​
  10. Take turns. With a book your kid has chosen, take turns reading a page (or two) to each other. Ask questions along the way.

10 Biggest moments from prime time TV this week

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Here's what got everyone talking, in no particular order.

1. Once Upon a Time

Nimue on Once Upon a Time
Image: ABC/Ed Araquel


During the latest episode of OUAT, Rumple stepped up and became Emma's hero when he removed Excalibur from the stone, but that wasn't the biggest thing that happened this week. We also learned that Nimue is the key to destroying The Darkness, which left everyone asking: Is Nimue not only the key to conquering it, but actually the original Dark One?

More: The Walking Dead's Glenn just bit the dust — or did he? (POLL)

2. The Walking Dead

Morgan on The Walking Dead
Image: Gene Page/AMC


We were treated to a full 90 minutes of Morgan's backstory this week, which was pretty awesome because he is one of the greatest characters on the show. However, the real drama of this episode was more about what didn't happen — as in we still don't know if Glenn is dead or alive. Hey The Walking Dead people — you're killing us over here. Please let us know what's up ASAP, or you may have a mass mutiny on your hands that will make a zombie apocalypse look like a small gathering of 5-year-old girls dancing around a maypole.

3. Quantico

Shelby and Caleb in Quantico
Image: ABC/Phillipe Bosse


This week's gross-out award goes to Quantico's Shelby and her new lover, Caleb's dad. How many points is that when you hook up with a father/son combo?

4. Vanderpump Rules

Vanderpump Rules cast
Image: Bravo TV/Twitter


Vanderpump Rules Season 4 started out with a bang because of — surprise, surprise — some major Kristen/James drama. Sure, their drama brings some fire to the reality show, but it's safe to say everyone is ready to stick a fork in their relationship for them.

5. Scream Queens

Scream Queens
Image: Patti Perret/FOX

Gigi dropped some serious hints that she might not only be acquainted with the bloody Red Devil, but they might actually be related.

6. Arrow

Constantine tweet

Constantine tweet

The obvious highlight of this week's episode of Arrow was Constantine showing up. Yes, he saved Sara's soul in the ep, but he also saved us by making the show's wretched flashback scenes actually bearable to watch.

7. Heroes Reborn

Hiro on Heroes Reborn
Image: Christos Kalohoridis/NBC

It's a plot twist that we all kinda saw coming, but it still hurts to think of our beloved Hiro dying. But is he really dead?

8. Empire

Empire
Image: Chuck Hodes/FOX


From Lucious advocating murder to him spewing misogynistic comments, there were a ton of troubling moments on Empire this week. However, the most hateful words did not come from the Lyon patriarch, but from the show's fans who took to Twitter to make horrible comments about Becky's sex scene.

9. Scandal

Scandal
Image: ABC/Ron Tom


Olivia lying to Fitz about her father in this week's episode was so beyond cringe-worthy, it put her at Mellie status.

10. Grey's Anatomy

Grey's Anatomy
Image: ABC/Tony Rivetti


Meredith may have been a total beotch to Penny this week, but let's face it, the woman was at least partially responsible for Derek's death. Any normal person would have reacted similarly, right?

What was your favorite TV moment this week?

Star Wars: The Force Awakens international trailer has new footage

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Although lots of the iconic characters make it into the trailer, it is newcomer Rey (Daisy Ridley) who receives the most screen time in the teaser, and naturally the one who intrigues us the most.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Rey
Image: Movieclips Coming Soon/YouTube

More: Star Wars fans are making one baby name very popular

We see her in this new trailer, in the desert telling droid BB-8 that she's been waiting a long time for her family. What family? Ugh, the suspense! Later, we learn that she and Finn (John Boyega) don't really know each other very well (we see them on the Millennium Falcon, exchanging names). Towards the end of the teaser, we see Rey involved in an aerial battle sequence between the TIE Fighters and the Resistance forces.

There is much to speculate about, but one thing we are sure of: Rey is absolutely badass and we can't wait to see her take on the Force.

More: Star Wars-themed plane makes North American debut

"Hope is not lost today; it is found," we hear Maz Kanata say at the end of the trailer. With only a few weeks left for the movie's release (it premieres Dec. 18), isn't that the truth?

Star Force

Star Force

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How to knock out your 2015 goals before the year's end

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The good news is: All is not lost. There's still plenty of time to achieve those goals, if we're sensible and focused about it. Let's end 2015 with a massive tick next to those goals. Try my four simple steps that'll take you from goal-less to winning by the end of the year!

1. Be specific

I know this may seem really obvious, but you've got to be specific about your goal. There's no good in saying you want to make more money or get more sales — what does that even really mean or look like? You need to be really specific: Put a figure or a number on it. If you want to get featured, then how many times? The more specific you can be about the goal itself, the easier the rest will be. Without clarity around the goal, everything else kind of falls apart. Don't forget to include a deadline date, too.

2. Get to grips with the details

Once you've set the specific goal, you need to look at what it actually means. Let's say you set a goal of $10,000 in 45 days. You need to get to grips with the details — so exactly how many sales and of what do you need to make to reach that number? Maybe you have a package that's $1,000, so you'd need to sell 10. You need to look at how many people you would need to get in front of to get the conversion of 10. You see, the more specific you can be about the details, the more clarity you have moving forward to the other steps. It makes everything so much easier. How did you determine your goal? If you don't understand how that goal works, the goal setting just becomes a pointless exercise.

3. Plan out your next steps

While there is plenty of time left to reach your goals, you have to be making the most of the time you have. You can only do that if you know what it is you need to be doing. Essentially you have the goal, you know how that goal can happen, but now you need to make sure you have your next steps planned out. Let's say you needed to get 20 people on calls during a 45-day period — where are they going to come from? Social media posts, mailing list or webinars? Once you know where to focus your energy, you can make sure you're planning your time effectively, so you're making the most of every single minute that you have.

4. Have the right mindset

Mindset is the key to your success. If you go into this thinking it won't happen, then it probably won't. You may have spent most of 2015 trying to hit goals and not getting there, but only you can decide if this will be a repeat of the same story. You're in total control. Believing it's possible and keeping yourself focused and motivated as you work towards your end-of-year goal is vital.

It really is as simple as that: Reaching your goals is as difficult — or as easy — as you make it... regardless of how much time you have left. Don't forget to have fun too!

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