1. You're obsessed with kittens — but only kittens

We all adore the videos of tiny fluff balls getting into mischief, but don’t get too stuck on those images. Pretty quickly, your tiny tiger will turn into a full-grown feline, and you’ll be dealing with adult-size cat care — and adult-size problems. If you can't envision sharing your home with anything but a little kitty, you probably need to wait.

2. You're barely surviving from paycheck to paycheck

This is a tough one. It's hard to accept that you could be ready for a cat in every way but a financial one. Cats cost money, and you'll need to budget for health care costs, like routine veterinary appointments, vaccinations, spaying or neutering and pet health insurance, if you opt for it. Just as you may have your own rainy-day fund, you need to set aside some cash in the event of an unexpected cat health emergency — because as every pet owner will attest, they happen. If you've never owned a cat before, talk to other cat owners to see how much they spend on food, toys, collars, shampoo, bowls, litter boxes, litter and other essentials. That way you can assess if you can afford a cat right now.

3. You want a cat that acts like a dog

One of our favorite things about cats is they generally do whatever they want. Unlike dogs, who race to meet you at the door and are desperate to be your constant companion, cats are a bit more chill. Their independence and occasional indifference are the perfect combination of maddening and endearing, and we don't even know why! It's just how it is. So be sure to align your expectations with what we know about cats. Not every feline will want to cuddle with you on the couch or let you pet her for hours on end. Cats do tons of weird stuff to show that they love us, including making eye contact and blinking slowly, kneading our laps with their paws, trilling softly, licking our hair and even head-butting us. (Seriously, it's a thing! It's called "bunting.") But if you keep your expectations about affection in check, we have no doubt that you'll win your cat's love in no time.

4. You're rarely at home

There's a pretty common misconception that, compared to dogs, cats are the low-maintenance pet. Sadly, that thinking is to the detriment of every cat out there. Having plenty of time to spend with your cat, especially in the adjustment period right when you bring him home, is critical. You'll want to help him adjust to your home, get comfortable with his surroundings and socialize him to every aspect of his new life. This applies to every cat, of course, but kittens require even more time. One of the best ways to raise a confident cat is to introduce him to new positive experiences while he's still young. That means meeting a good mix of people and other animals, and getting used to everything in his new home, from furniture and toys to his carrier and household appliances. Even after the initial adjustment period, your cat still needs attention every day — including active playtime and exercise to keep his body healthy, plus training and stimulation to keep his mind healthy, too. Don't take the plunge if you can't offer that right now.

5. You have commitment issues

Once you bring home that cat, he is yours for the rest of his life. Many felines easily live to about 15 years old, and plenty of cats even reach their 20s. Are you ready to make a decades-long commitment? If you're considering a kitten, picture where you see yourself in 15 or 20 years, and consider whether the cat you're thinking about getting is part of that picture. Cats are like fine wine — they get better with age — and they deserve to have an owner who appreciates them. Of course, if you are looking for a commitment that's likely to be a bit shorter term, there are plenty of senior cats in shelters seeking loving homes.

Amal Clooney, aka the luckiest woman in the world, is the proud own of a 7-carat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring worth approximately $750,000 — but the human rights lawyer has decided her bling is a bit too ostentatious to wear during some of her more serious cases.

In fact, she has been spotted shopping at chi-chi jeweler Cartier for a simpler platinum band to wear when the occasion calls for something a little less flashy.

"Amal has told friends she wants a more understated engagement ring specifically for when she's working on serious cases," a source told The Mirror.

"People constantly stop her and admire it for a closer look. It is a massive rock and there is no hiding it. She absolutely loves the ring and won't be getting rid of it but she just wants something simpler for her big cases.

"She's been to visit Cartier and has requested a platinum band. George understands and is completely supportive."

More: George and Amal Clooney are allegedly really upsetting their neighbors

The move comes just months after Clooney received criticism for wearing the huge ring to argue a case in the Maldives, where the political situation is extremely unstable, poverty is rife and her co-counsel was stabbed in the head outside of their hotel.

"Maldives authorities must ensure that human rights defenders can work free from fear of reprisals," Amnesty International admonished in a statement at the time. "Political tensions in Maldives are running high, and there is a climate of fear spreading among opposition supporters and human rights defenders, as the human rights situation has deteriorated over the past two years."

Here's a close-up of the gorgeous piece, just to drool over. We hope it doesn't collect too much dust in her jewelry box.

More: George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin announce a new addition to their family (PHOTO) 

More: Female surgeon brilliantly tackles discrimination in the workplace

The post starts off pretty promising, and explains the job requirement and the list of skills that job applicants should possess, including the normal "computer knowledge," "superior organizational abilities" and "responsibilities of a receptionist" — oh wait, the last one is not exactly normal. But, it only gets worse.

More: Women in film fare worse now than 30 years ago — where do we go from here?

In the closing line of the description, the recruiter writes, "Please note that the Position requires filling in the responsibilities of a receptionist, so female candidates are preferred." They. Went. There.

Who knows, the company might be a brilliant place to work, but their job description was particularly ill thought-out, and follows an outdated gendered way of thinking that we are all too familiar with; you see a female surgeon and she is assumed to be a nurse, or in this case, only a woman can be a receptionist. We're tired of female stereotypes associated with various professions, and judging by the fact this post has now been deleted, it certainly seems to suggest we are not the only ones who feel this way.

In fact, some Twitter users have reacted in outrage.

More: Awareness campaign exposes double standards in sports coverage (VIDEO)

In fact, this ad makes a pitiful comment about society; when it comes to men and women in the workplace, there are still gross double standards. But it's never too late to encourage people to drop gendered, sexist behaviour, and one way of encouraging that is by calling it out.

Vestra Inet addressed their post via Twitter, explaining that they had not intended to discriminate.

Let us know your thoughts on this job description in the comments below.

No, I don’t opt out of Black Friday completely. Instead, I do "Black Friday Lite," which allows me to mentally kick-off the Christmas season without being drawn into all of its craziness.

I love everything about Christmas, from the spirit of giving to the celebration of family traditions to the creation of home-baked goodies. Why should I allow the madness of one over-the-top day of consumerism dampen my holiday spirit?

For starters, I don’t skip Thanksgiving by camping out at a store. That’s not the kind of family memory I want to make. I don’t want my kids to look back years from now and say, “Hey, do you remember that one Thanksgiving Mom snagged a big screen TV and saved 60 percent at that doorbuster sale?” I want them to remember our time spent together watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, cooking side dishes to take to Grandma’s feast, eating dinner with extended family and playing football after dinner with their cousins. Real memories don’t revolve around sales discounts.

Also, I don't do mornings, so 3 a.m. early-bird specials will not win me over. There is absolutely nothing in this world I want to buy badly enough to make me wake up in the middle of the night and go shopping.

Instead, I wake up whenever, head to Panera Bread by myself with all the sales circulars and enjoy a coffee and bagel while mapping out a shopping strategy. I make a list of any good sales I see, cutting out newspaper coupons or searching online for digital deals to bolster my savings. I review my list of gift recipients, thoughtfully thinking over what he or she might enjoy receiving this year. I plan out my shopping excursion so I hit a few stores near each other to avoid a lot of back-and-forth driving. In all, I end up lingering over my Black Friday breakfast for about an hour, leaving focused and refreshed.

By the time I actually get out shopping, it's usually around 10 to 11 a.m. By then, all the door-buster craziness has subsided. Crowds thin out. Shoppers move at a relaxed pace. People actually smile at each other. Christmas music fills the aisles. Store employees can actually help you now. It’s actually — dare I say it? — enjoyable.

Other benefits of doing Black Friday Lite: I don’t need to fight for parking spaces because, by late morning, plenty of open spots dot the parking lot. I don’t need to do the 100-yard-dash to the electronics department, because my husband is home doing some online shopping, grabbing some of those same “doorbuster” deals offered in-store at 3 a.m. I don’t need to frantically search for anything, because I know that if I don’t find what I’m looking for, I can just try again another day. (In case you haven’t noticed, sales don’t stop after Black Friday.) I do not subscribe to the “must-have” mentality.

After a few hours and several bagfuls of bargains later, I head home. I still score plenty of great deals, but I avoid getting up early, camping out, waiting in long lines, scrambling for parking spots and fighting off hostile customers vying for a limited supply of 50-percent-off merchandise.

And that is how to do Black Friday Lite.

You are going to be their Santa Claus. Plenty of articles denounce gift cards as impersonal or thoughtless, but ignore them! Gift cards offer parents flexibility, guilt-free personal time and a chance to focus on something they need.

1. Free babysitter

This is easily the most important. Often, we can’t ask the local teenager trying to earn money because our child(ren) require more care than a neuro-typical child. Create a certificate offering to sit one night or a punch card offering X number of nights. Find a sitter experienced with special needs children, then gift the parents with the offer to pay.

2. Maid service

Sometimes we are so exhausted that the last thing we want to do is clean. Time off from cleaning would mean we could actually take a long soak in the tub or maybe go to bed before midnight.

3. Laundry service

This goes along with the maid idea. Anything that takes away one of our chores and has someone else do it provides that much more time for ourselves — or a nap.

4. Diapers and wipes

Don’t automatically assume the child is no longer using these; depending on their abilities, they may, regardless of age. You could also gift the automatic delivery of diapers and wipes from places like Amazon.com or diapers.com so that’s one less worry each month.

5. Gift card for a grocery store

It can be difficult buying for a special needs child due to dietary restrictions or the child’s particularities, so this part of our budget can look higher than a house payment. Any help easing the financial overload is appreciated.6. Gift certificate to indulge— Pick a spa, hairstylist, nail salon or masseuse and encourage mom to take time for herself; do something similar for dad. Give them a reason to indulge.

7. Gift card for fast food or pizza

Some days, by the time we get done with school, work, child care, therapy appointments, doctor appointments and household chores, the last thing we want to do is cook. With budgets stretched so tight, many will suck it up and dive into the kitchen then collapse in exhaustion later, so this can be a lifesaver.

8. Gift card for gas

If you have a QuikTrip in the area or something similar that serves hot, fresh food, then you doubled its worth because we can grab a meal while filling up the car.

9. Gift card for a movie theater

See a movie before it hits DVD? How often do you think that happens? Add in enough for popcorn, drinks and chocolatey goodness then heaven has come to earth. Choose something like Movie Tavern so we can do dinner and a movie; you’ll be a dream come true.

10. Gift card for Redbox

Sometimes, no matter how much we’d like to see the new Star Wars, we’ll settle for renting something at home because after the day ends all we want are comfy PJs and a pillow.

11. Gift membership for Netflix

It’s like the joy described for Redbox, only we don’t have to go any farther than finding the remote.

12. Gift card for Amazon or Barnes & Noble

Sometimes, my sanity is only held together by a good book, when I can have some me time to travel anywhere in the world or to any point in time.

13. Gift card for a restaurant

Find a nice place where they can have a meal and talk to each other without interruption; it may have been a while since they talked and remembered why they fell in love.

14. Gift certificate for a food delivery service

Have prepared meals sent to provide a break from cooking a few nights

15. Landscaping

Having someone help do yard work would be another time saver so they can have a bit more time to themselves. You could even offer to do it yourself.

Helpful hint — If you give anything that requires they enjoy it without kids, you should provide a sitter or check that they have a reliable and affordable one; otherwise, you could end up giving them something they can’t use.

I mean, it's only our natural right as American citizens to indulge in as much turkey, stuffing, potatoes and pie as possible on this glorious occasion. And despite our best intentions, we may not find the time (or energy) to hit up the gym afterwards — thank you, food coma!

But hey, it's a holiday, so we're allowed to cut ourselves a little slack. Plus, when you think about it, the core foods that make up our Thanksgiving Day meals are not inherently all that bad.

More: What exactly it takes to work off your Thanksgiving dinner

"Turkey, sweet potatoes, green beans, etc. — you can hit all the food groups," says Mindy Kim, Barre and Pilates trainer at TruFusion. That is, until we start adding marshmallows, sauce and gravy. But who can blame us?

You can easily make some healthy swaps when it comes to cooking, suggests Yoga Instructor Patrick Mason. "For instance, you can make cauliflower mash instead of typical mashed potatoes, which we often load with milk and butter."

As for burning a few extra cals while you cook, that's totally doable too!

"A great way to get your workout in without going to the gym during the holidays is by doing some simple exercises at home," Mindy says. "You can do quick ab exercises while sitting on the couch, you can do squats while stirring your food on the stove or you can even use the timer set on your oven while baking a pie, and use that time to get in a workout."

More: A simple workout you can literally do while cooking dinner

Or, as Patrick suggests, make it a habit to walk up and down the stairs in your house (if you have them). "Once you walk up and down a few times, your legs will start to feel it," he says.

But if none of those options sound appealing to you, don't worry. Mindy and Patrick have a few other tricks up their sleeves that you can do.

Enter: The ultimate couch potato workout plan! Yes, that's right, workout moves you can do all without leaving the comfort of your own living room (or couch for that matter)! Check out the moves these fitness instructors recommend below.

1. Neck Rolls

"This is helpful for relaxing the neck and upper shoulder area after maintaining a stationary position while sitting on the couch," says Patrick.

Sit so the head isn't touching the couch. Gently lower the chin to chest. Slowly move the right ear towards the right shoulder. Come back to center (chin to chest) and move the left ear towards the left shoulder. Repeat this process until the neck feels loose enough to roll further on each side and until the back of the head rests between the shoulder blades. Then complete the full rotation in each direction until satisfied.

2. Wrist Stretches

"This will relieve pressure in each wrist and through the forearms," Patrick notes.

Extend the right arm towards the TV, palm facing up. Use the left hand to grab the right fingers and pull towards the face. Keep hold of the right fingers and rotate the right wrist both clockwise and counterclockwise. Stop, face the right palm down and use the left hand to pull the fingers towards the face. Rotate the right wrist clockwise and counterclockwise. Repeat on the complimentary side.

3. Seated Pigeon

"This will stretch the outside of the hip, a place known for getting tight directly after Netflix releases the next season of Orange Is the New Black," says Patrick.

Place right ankle on left thigh, close to the knee. Flex the right ankle (pull all five toes towards the right shin). Inhale deeply into the chest (not the belly) and fold forward over the right shin while exhaling. Take deep breaths into the chest and tighten the abs while exhaling and continue to lean forward. Repeat on the complimentary side.

4. Couch Crunches

Mindy suggests lying on your back and then putting your legs up onto the back of the couch. Knees should be bent with feet hanging over the back of the couch. Perform a basic crunch.

5. Table Toe Taps

Next, sit up and lean back, with your back long and belly button to your spine. Lift the legs and then lower them to the coffee table top and do toe taps up and down with the option to alternate legs.

6. Flutter Kicks

Lie on your back with legs extended and perform very small and quick vertical kicks, alternating between left and right leg continuously.

Since 2001, I’ve been working in Miami, New York and Los Angeles as an expert massage therapist. I’ve carried my 25-pound table like a piece of luggage in and out of penthouses, mansions, movie sets and exotic resorts. During one gig, my client flew me first-class to St. Barts to give him a massage on his massive yacht on New Years Eve — followed by a party that lasted about five days.

Celebs can afford to do that sort of thing.

I’ve also had my hands on many not-so-famous people; patients with broken backs, cancer, AIDS and addiction. The hardest work I’ve ever done was in the drug and alcohol treatment centers in Southern California, where people were fighting for their lives to break the habits that were destroying their health, happiness and relationships. My hands-on healing was just one of the many tools they were using to rebuild their shattered minds and bodies.

I estimate that I’ve touched about 5,000 backs, 10,000 hands and 100,000 fingers and toes. You learn a lot about the world by touching so many people.

All bodies are beautiful — regardless of their size, color, texture or shape

There is an indescribable magic in the way that they grow and heal and change and operate independent of our control. Even the most brilliant scientists in the world don’t have our bodies all figured out yet.

The body and mind are inseparable

When I touch you, your mind will stop racing, your breath will slow down and your body will flood with delicious hormones that make you feel lighter and more joyful. If you think happy thoughts, your body will soften and all the systems will come back into balance.

Every memory is stored in the body

Memories are stored in the way that the muscles contract and the joints stiffen. You learn to “read” the body and “hear” a person’s story by the way she moves, breathes and hunches her shoulders over to protect her heart. When I reveal insights to my clients, they say, “How did you know that?” I am not psychic; I’m just “listening” to the body talk.

Working as a massage therapist offers a rare glimpse into people’s lives that is very unusual. I feel that it is a privileged position. We usually only get touched in passing, disconnected ways. If you want the opportunity to give a whole hour of caring attention to others that not only transforms them but changes you too, a career in massage therapy is a great choice. Sharing that hour away from the world — whether it’s with Patrick Dempsey or the average Joe — will benefit you and your clients.

Questions about how you can have a thriving career as a massage therapist? Visit http://GabriellePelicci.com

More: '100 Years of lingerie' video shows that confidence trumps all (WATCH)

Seriously, don't knock them until you've tried them!

We get it, sometimes this style of underwear is boring, but not if you interpret it literally like the way Etsy store Bullets and Bees did, because they've produced some of the most awesome underwear we've ever seen — literally high-rise panties with a granny's face on them. Genius.

The shop owner is a lady by the name of Candice Pugh, who hails from Salt Lake City, Utah, and she describes herself as a "one woman show." Pugh creates handmade underwear and, when it's not sold out, you can get your hands on a set of Golden Girls underwear — a hilariously awesome four-pack of lacy briefs complete with each of the characters' faces.

More: Holiday lingerie that doesn't make you look like a slutty Mrs. Claus

But these panties are also available as singles. You can wear the Dorothy Gaudy low-rise panties (a seemingly doily-inspired, black-and-cream lace combo) for $53. Or if Dorothy is not your style, you can rock the Blanche Crotchless Pantie for $71.

More: 30 Times it's socially acceptable (& awesome) to wear black tights

These super cool panties are selling out pretty quickly, so we clearly aren't the only people who are impressed.

Will you be adding granny panties to your Christmas wish list? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

The Internet has reared its ugly head and yet another high-profile female celebrity has been hacked and is being blackmailed for cash.

Gigi Hadid is just the latest in a string of high-profile celebrity cloud and phone hacks.

More: 5 Questions inspired by celebrity nude photo hack

According to TMZ, the hackers claim they have stolen the contents of her personal iPhone and they want her to pay up. Unless she decides to pony up with some dough, they are threatening to release photos and videos they have accessed through her iCloud.

Hadid, a newly minted Victoria's Secret model, is pushing back, refusing to cooperate or give the criminals anything.

She says she has contacted law enforcement and has also hired a private security company to track down these electronic theives, as she wants to press charges.

This is not nearly the first time this has happened. In the summer of 2014, a long list of Hollywood A-listers, including the likes of Kate Upton and Jennifer Lawrence, had their private (often nude) photos leaked online. In a separate incident, hackers threatened Taylor Swift in early 2015.

This latest attack on privacy prompts the question brought up by Jennifer Lawrence when this happened to her: If the hackers are threatening to release nude photos, is this a sex crime?

And when the heck is Apple going to get better security for their cloud services?

More: Having a dog may help reduce your child's health problems

This is according to a new study, led by Dr. Lois Krahn from the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, which conducted an experiment on 150 participants at the Center for Sleep Medicine.

The participants were asked to complete a comprehensive sleep questionnaire, with one section on environmental factors asking about their "companion animals, including the type, number and sleeping habits of pets." Then during the sleep interview, researchers gathered additional information about "where the companion animals slept, any notable behaviours, and whether the owner's sleep was affected."

According to the study, in 2012, The American Veterinary Medical Association reported that dogs are the most popular pets (36.5% of households) followed by cats (30.4%) and birds (3.1%), and his was largely reflected in the study. Among those interviewed, just under half (49 percent) said they owned pets  — which were either dogs, cats, or both; as well as a woman who owned a parrot (which did not benefit her sleep) — and of that number, 56 percent said their pets sleep with them in their bedrooms.

While 20 percent of pet owners found that having their pets sleep in their bedroom was disruptive (whimpering, wandering, snoring, voiding needs and seizures), 41 percent felt that it was "not an issue or as advantageous."

More: 10 Ways having a puppy is like having a toddler (and two ways it's not)

Some of the study's participants stated that they felt more content, relaxed and secure when their pet was sleeping nearby, and this statement was especially true for single sleepers. The research determined that those sleeping alone (either single or with a partner that travels often) found that sleeping with their furry friends provided them with "beneficial companionship."

However, the study notes that pet owners should carefully weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of having their companion animal in their bedroom at night, and they should prioritize their sleep over the needs of their pet.

"The decision to bring a pet or pets into the bedroom or bed should come only after a close examination of the implications for their sleep environment," the study states.

The study does leave a lot of unanswered questions about how to prevent your pet from interfering with your sleep, but according to PetMD you can reduce the chances of sleep disturbance by finding a solution for your pet's behaviour. This can be trial and error, but some suggestions are:

• Training them
• Changing their dinnertime (earlier or later)
• Playing with them during the day (not before bedtime)
• Or by giving them a companion so that they are not so lonely.

According to Healthy Pets, if you do allow your pet to have access to your bedroom, you should set up some ground rules; for example if your pet wants to play in the middle of the night you should not indulge them, nor should you be willing to wake up at all hours to feed your pet — make their dinnertime later and this will help sustain them.

Of course, sometimes you cannot do anything because the disruptive behaviour can simply be caused by your pet needing to urinate.

Do you let your pets sleep in your bedroom? Tell us in the comments section below.

More: Imogen the koala gives the world a complete cuteness overload (VIDEO)

More: 'You're too sensitive' is just another way to silence women

That woman is 31-year-old Lex Gillies, who has had a taste of social media celebrity this week after her husband, 28-year-old comedy writer Aaron Gillies, wrote a nine-point list of things that have reduced Lex to tears.

He shared "Reasons my wife is crying" on Twitter, where it's been retweeted 30,000 times, and on Imgur, where it's been viewed a staggering 3.8 million times.

Before you picture Lex crying at the usual stuff to tug on the old heartstrings, like the new John Lewis Christmas advert or an X Factor sob story, you should know that the first item on Aaron's list is: "She found out swans can be gay and thought it was really nice."

Another entry is: "She was hungover and saw a picture of a piglet."

The swans get another mention later on: "She remembered swans can be gay."

But it's not only animals that get Lex's waterworks going. She also cried when Aaron tried to hold her hand when she wasn't expecting it, and "because there were no biscuits in the house."

Check out the list in full. It's awesome.

More: Amazing couple cancels their wedding to help Syrian refugees

While some commenters have suggested Lex might be pregnant or mentally ill, Aaron has reassured them that she is "just a crier". Others have jumped at the chance to share their own bizarre crying moments, suggesting that Lex may not be the only one to cry at very small and often completely ridiculous* things.

For anyone worrying that Lex may be sobbing in a corner over all this media attention, rest assured — Aaron told the Huffington Post: "I did ask her before I posted it online, as I didn't want her to get any negative attention from it, as usually happens with the Internet. She doesn't care that she is an emotional person, and it ends up being brilliant for anecdotes!"

*This is, of course, completely subjective. I once cried because I couldn't find a pair of socks that matched. And when my cat dipped her paw into my bath water. And when I realised I was old enough to remember scrunchies the first time round.

More: 4 Bad reasons to move in with your significant other

Studies have shown that more than 70 percent of women will get stretch marks during pregnancy. Many will see the purple or white lines appear on their abdomen, thighs, arms and breasts. The stretch marks form when the skin rapidly expands and its elastic tissue tears.Can you prevent stretch marks?

More: How far would you go to get your pre-baby body back?

Genetics likely play a part in determining if you will get stretch marks. Dr. Julie Scott of Scottsdale Perinatal Associates confirms this in a recent Pregnancy & Baby article, saying that children inherit skin patterns from their parents. Not surprisingly, she says that mothers of multiples are more susceptible to stretch marks. (Check out the pregnancy photos of "Octomom" Nadya Suleman for an extreme example.)

Can creams prevent and treat stretch marks? SheKnows editors, writers and readers weigh in on what helped and what didn't.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter for Stretch Marks

This budget-friendly cream (Drugstore.com, $5) was the top choice of many editors, writers and readers. Containing cocoa butter, vitamin E, collagen, elastin and shea butter, this cream is safe to use during pregnancy.

• Palmer's Tummy Butter in the tin is inexpensive and widely available, so I only used it at bedtime. Didn't get a single stretch mark that time (knock on wood!). Switched to the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Stretch Mark Cream this time so I could use it morning and night -- but I use more of it because I feel like it doesn't moisturize as long [as the tummy butter]. -- Kristin Bustamante, senior editor
• I used Palmer's, too. I didn't get stretch marks on my belly, but I had some previously on my thighs from a "growth spurt" in college. I interviewed some docs a year ago for an article regarding how to avoid stretch marks, and they all said none of the creams are really proven 100 percent effective. They said that genetics is a huge part of it, as well as staying hydrated. So drink up... water, that is! -- Molly Smith, writer for CelebrityPregnancy.com
• Palmer's. It didn't work, but it made my skin feel awesome and not itchy. -- Brandy Hagelstein, parenting editor
• I tried Palmer's, but it didn't work for me. I've heard that it's all in the genetics, and mine indicate stretch central. It's like my own personal roadmap to birth. -- Sarah Caron, SheKnows columnist
• I used Palmers last time and pure vitamin E cream, and I did great -- no stretch marks. And then, all of the sudden at 36 weeks, she dropped, and I got them! I was so frustrated and upset, but now I look at them as a beautiful thing because they are a part of a wonderful time in my life.  -- CallieGrace12?- Callie Grace12 message boards????

Mustela Double Action Stretch Mark Cream

Our international content editor is a fan of Mustela Double Action Stretch Mark Cream (Sephora, $46). "A little on the expensive side, but it was my only indulgence (I swear!) and it did a good job! No stretch mark in sight! Oh yes, when I saw "double action" -- whatever that meant -- I was hooked. It worked -- no stretch marks on this tummy! I'm definitely planning to use the same next time.  -- Josée Laflèche, international marketing coordinator and content editor

More: 5 Ways to get rid of stretch marks

Neutrogena Body Oil

"I don't think it's genetics. My mom was loaded with stretch marks on her little tummy. My tummy stretched a ton and I didn't get any (thank goodness!). I was too nauseated the first four months to use anything. Afterward, I used Neutrogena Body Oil (Neutrogena, $9 for the light sesame formula). I used it before I was married, and 20 years later, I'm still using it. And my little girl said it makes me smell like I did when she was a baby.  -- Mary Fetzer, SheKnows writer and blogger

Cococare 100% Cocoa Butter

"Believe it or not, I never got any after four kids. The last three babies were big, too: between 8 pounds 10 ounces and 9 pounds 4 ounces. I'm not sure if it was the pure cocoa butter (Amazon, $3) I often put on my itchy tummy, but it sure smelled great!" -- Vanessa Sands, SheKnows copy editor

Burt's Bee Mama Bee Belly Butter

"I have to agree: I think it may be genetics. But, for good measure, for both of my pregnancies I used Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Balm (Target, $13). No stretch marks here, so maybe it was worth the $11.00 per jar I paid. Only con I can think of was that I wasn't a huge fan of the scent, but maybe that can be chalked up to morning sickness. (Did anything smell good?!) -- Michelle Maffei, SheKnows writer

More: Cool new trend: Boys' names for girls

California Baby Lotion

"I used California Baby Lotion (Drugstore.com, $11). It's meant for babies, but I like it for myself for its low score at the Cosmetic Safety Database. I don't know if there was any stretch mark prevention (I had some from my prior pregnancies but didn't get any this last time), but it made my skin feel great!" -- Monica Beyer, SheKnows writer

Coconut Body Butter

Coconut Body Butter (The Body Shop, $21)  -- my favorite. And though it didn't prevent me from getting stretch marks, it worked great when my belly was itching like crazy, and it smelled so good. -- Crystal Patriarch of RealMomsGuide.com.

More stretch mark tips

Although stretch mark creams don't work for everyone, they are apparently worth a try. At the very least, they will soothe your itchy skin during pregnancy. If you have stretch marks that cream does not fix, try self-tanning lotion for a quick remedy. Also, talk to your doctor about other treatments for stretch marks, including Retin-A and laser therapy.

If all else fails, take comfort in knowing that you are not alone! "

More: Elton John makes a great point about why gay books shouldn't be banned

(Yes, of course she's a fictional character.)

Party leader Nigel Farage was set to speak at the "No to the EU" event conference in London last Friday, and drag queen Jake Johnstone decided to attend the event, as his bold alter ego, Petunia Harris. And he subsequently shared brilliant videos of the conference online.

In one video, Petunia reveals that she brought a book (on racism) to keep her occupied, in case the conference "gets a bit boring."

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In another clip, Petunia says, "It's great to see white representation here. Lots of people, pale faces in pale places. Looking forward to Mr Farage coming on. Sensing a lot of hostility in the room."

So what was her reason for attending the conference, when she is so clearly not a fan of the party?

"I attended a UKIP conference in full drag to make a point about the latent homophobia and racism that UKIP promotes," Johnstone told Pink News. "As you can imagine, there was much hostility in the room and I created a series of video blogs whilst I was there."

More: Face Off fans go gaga for the show's Shakespearean gender-swapping (PHOTOS)

Ms Harris didn't sit through the entire event, shouting, "Bye, love!" to Mr Farage and leaving the building, 30 minutes into the speech.

The way Johnstone chose to tackle the issue may have been creative and humorous, but it absolutely gets a very important point across.

Let us know your thoughts on Petunia Harris's protest in the comments below. Are you impressed?

More: 'Relentlessly Gay' yard complaint gets best response possible

According to Metro, Michael Neri has been a drama teacher for nine years — so he certainly knows what he's doing. But when one mother learned Neri was gay, she decided to pull her children from his class, claiming that she did not want them being influenced by his "unconventional ideas". Unbelievably, she also went as far as to ask for her deposit back.

The unnamed Christian woman sent Neri a text, in which she explained that her reason for taking her kids out of his class was because of her beliefs.

More: Sam Smith shares vile anti-gay Instagram account to highlight homophobia

While her text no doubt left Neri feeling hurt, frustrated and angry, he didn't fire back an angry message. Instead, he chose to write a brilliant response which was both well thought out and a little sassy, and included sentences like "I find theatre without gays is like cooking without spices," and "I hear StageCoach are (sic) enrolling but there (sic) teachers have been known to wear mixed fabrics, which I am sure you are aware is forbidden in the bible (sic)."

For the most part, the reaction to the post has been overwhelmingly positive.

We completely agree: Neri has won the Internet. But while he deserves a slow clap for his response, his decision to share his post online does much more than just entertain, it raises awareness for the fact that homophobia still exists — even though it's 2015.

More: Tasmania weighs in on same-sex marriage — and its position surprised us

Oh, and the musical that the children were involved in was Rent by Jonathan Larson, and if you're not familiar with the story, it deals with love, loss, AIDS and wait for it... homosexuals.

According to Us Weekly, Hadid and Malik are "a very new thing" and are "just seeing where it goes." That sounds pretty casual to us, which makes sense, considering both celebs are coming off of serious relationship breakups — Hadid from Joe Jonas and Malik from ex-fiancée Perrie Edwards.

"I wouldn't call them boyfriend and girlfriend," another inside source told the mag. "But seeing each other? Definitely. He's chuffed." ICYMI, chuffed is English slang for delighted or smitten. Coincidentally, it's also the sound a tiger makes when it is content to express affection.

That's neither here nor there, though. What we're getting at is Hadid and Malik are a new thing, and that's an interesting new development. Aside from both being stunning, however, what do these two have in common with each other? We dug up a few commonalities.

1. Those aren't their real names

It's not as though this is exactly a surprise. Many celebrities go by stage names — Demi Moore (Demetria Guynes), Ben Kingsley (Krishna Pandit Bhanji), Portia de Rossi (Amanda Lee Rogers), Michael Caine (Maurice Micklewhite), Whoopi Goldberg (Caryn Johnson), etc. Hadid and Malik join this ever-growing group of Hollywood name-changers, as they were born Jelena Noura and Zain Javadd, respectively.

2. They seriously get into the Halloween spirit

For Halloween this year, Hadid slayed as the bad-girl version of Sandy from Grease.

Last year, Malik and his then-fiancée Edwards went all out as Edward Scissorhands and Cleopatra.

3. They are both Earth signs

There are three Earth signs in the zodiac: Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo. Malik, who was born on Jan. 12, is a Capricorn. Hadid, who was born on April 23, is a Taurus. According to Astrology.com, Earth signs are "earthy," sensual and often laid-back. They can also be stubborn. The fact that they are both Earth signs could bode well for these two, given that they are considered a power duo.

4. They have blended heritage

Born to Mohamed Hadid and Yolanda Foster (née Van den Herik), Hadid is of Palestinian and Dutch ancestry. Malik's father, Yaser Malik, is British Pakistani and his mother, Tricia (née Brannan) Malik, is English. Malik has said he had trouble fitting in at his first two schools due to his mixed heritage.

5. They're close to their big families

Hadid and Malik both have large families. Hadid has two younger siblings: sister Bella and brother Anwar. She also has two older half-sisters, Marielle and Alana, on her father's side and five stepsisters from her stepfather. Her social media pics often include her family, like this pic of her dad.

Malik has three siblings: one older sister, Doniya, and two younger sisters, Waliyha and Safaa. Here he throws it back to his younger days with his dad.

6. They have "a type"

Hadid clearly harbors a fondness for young Hollywood's hot up-and-coming musicians. Her first serious public relationship was with Australian singer/songwriter/entertainer Cody Simpson, which ended in May 2015. She then began dating Joe Jonas, who she broke up with in November. Before Hadid, Malik also fancied musicians. He dated fellow The X Factor contestant Rebecca Ferguson for several months, after which he began dating Edwards of Little Mix in early 2012. In that respect, Malik is kind of breaking the mold with Hadid.

7. They have both been the subject of controversy

As crazy as it seems, Hadid has sparked criticism for being too large for the runway. Yes, you read that right. It's ridiculous, we know. This reached fever pitch following Milan Fashion Week when Hadid walked in the Versace SS16 show, and critics claimed that — at size 4 and "curvy" — she isn't fit enough to strut in a high-fashion show. These detractors claim she should stick to Sports Illustrated and Victoria's Secret shows. To her credit, Hadid responded with total class in an open letter on IG.

Malik is no stranger to criticism, either. He was dubbed the bad boy of One Direction before he left (which was a controversy in and of itself) and, on more than one occasion, was caught with, erm, recreational substances. He is also a Muslim who is routinely derided by conservative Muslims who feel there are contradictions between the doctrine and his lifestyle.

Some fans thought that Richards would not return this season because of her legal woes and addiction issues, but Bravo knows a cash cow when it sees one. The controversial Richards will be back this season, and she is filming extra scenes with another RHOBH powerhouse.

Show producers needed to "do something to give the audience something to talk about because there was really nothing that exciting going on," a source told Radar Online.

More: Brandi Glanville slammed for wearing offensive shirt around Kim Richards (PHOTO)

"It wasn't until Kim Richards filmed with the cast at sister Kyle‘s La Quinta vacation home that producers realized how boring things had been without her," the source said. "The chemistry between Yolanda Foster and Kim has always been strong, and both have newfound alliances because they felt bullied by the others. Kim and Yolanda have done additional filming and producers have been happy with the results."

And the match is sure to cause fireworks. Not only have several of the ladies been less than supportive of Richards' addiction issues in the past, some of them also have expressed doubts over Foster's claims she has a devastating case of Lyme disease.

More: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Kyle Richards breaks her silence on latest feud with sister Kim

But the move might not be a very lucrative one for Richards. Another insider told Reality Tea that Richards is not getting paid for her RHOBH appearances and agreed to work for free in an effort to repair her name.

"Kim wasn't paid a dime to return to RHOBH," the source said. "She was desperate to get back on TV to restore her reputation."

But her sister Kathy Hilton is not having this rumor.

Kim Richards has not commented on the salary issue.

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More: Baby tests positive for drugs thanks to mum's pregnancy tea

Sparking up a joint isn't something normally suggested in the pregnancy forums or the baby books. But believe it or not, a growing number of mums are turning to cannabis during pregnancy to ward off morning sickness, claiming that it's less risky than prescription medication.

Last week, the American Medical Association even suggested that marijuana products should be labelled, "Marijuana use during pregnancy and breastfeeding poses potential harms."

Those in favour of marijuana as a morning sickness remedy point to a Jamaican study carried out in 1994, which suggests there was no difference in the behaviour of babies who had been exposed to the drug after a few days.

However, according to American's National Institute on Drug Abuse, "Human studies have shown that some babies born to women who used marijuana during their pregnancies respond differently to visual stimuli, tremble more and have a high-pitched cry, which could indicate problems with neurological development."

This week, several American mothers who used weed during pregnancy revealed to Vice the reasons behind their controversial choice.

"The medical term for what I suffered is 'hyperemesis gravidarum,' which is a fancy way to say I was throwing up so much that it was a danger to my health and the health of my baby," said one. "Marijuana did help. Immensely. I don't think I would have made it through without cannabis."

More: Why do some mums choose marijuana during pregnancy?

"I was initially against the idea of it, mainly because of the stigma surrounding smoking while pregnant," said another. "However, after three weeks of keeping almost nothing down and craving a sandwich… I smoked for the first time. Just a couple hits. I sat back, ate half a sandwich, and it didn't come back up! I think I napped after. I smoked a few more times after that because I was still puking almost every 20 to 40 minutes during weeks four through 15 and had lost about 20 pounds. When I smoked, I could eat and nap. It helped keep food down and was better than Zofran. Honestly a lifesaver."

Of course, it's possible for pregnant women in some parts of America to use cannabis during pregnancy without breaking the law. Currently, 23 states and the District of Columbia have laws legalising the drug in some form.

Cannabis remains illegal in the U.K. — it's currently a Class B illegal drug, meaning the maximum penalty for possession is up to five years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.

The NHS states that "research suggests that using cannabis during pregnancy could affect your baby's brain development" and warns that "regularly smoking cannabis with tobacco is associated with an increased risk of your baby being born small or premature."

More: Women and weed: Why women are the future of marijuana legalisation

Beador took to her Facebook page to give an epic 10-minute rant about what she points out are inconsistencies in Gunvalson’s stories.

She even took and referenced notes!

"I'm so frickin' done talking about the Vicki-Brooks cancer lie nonsense, but I did just watch the Watch What Happens Live! special and I’m absolutely floored," she said holding the camera at such an angle I am sure her arm hurt after a few minutes. "The victim card… is completely ridiculous to me."

But she was just getting warmed up.

She continued, "I'm really, really angry about what happened tonight. There were so many lies."

She points out that Vicki previously claimed to have taken her now ex-boyfriend, Brooks, to City of Hope hospital, where she previously said she spent four hours waiting for him, but after it was revealed he was not being treated by City of Hope, changed her story.

"It was calculated, it was premeditated,” Shannon exclaimed. “She wanted sympathy for her boyfriend because for two [or] three seasons… nobody liked him!"

More: The Real Housewives of Potomac: What you need to know about the cast (VIDEO)

Beador wasn’t the only one to get into the fact-checking game during the tell-all. Fellow Housewives star and Gunvalson hater Meghan King Edmonds was tweeting her disbelief of Gunvalson’s stories as well.

More: RHONJ's Amber Marchese has some harsh fighting words for Dina Manzo

And Edmonds took another jab at Gunvalson by tweeting how her mother’s death and Brooks’ now-debunked cancer diagnosis are two mutually exclusive things.

Probably the most levelheaded response to the bombshell interview came from Tamra Judge, who said, "I'm going to sleep on it and get back to you tomorrow."

More: RHOC's Shannon Beador & Tamra Judge respond to Brooks Ayers' cancer update

The practice of using essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus and jasmine help do everything from reducing nausea and relieving stress and muscle pain to bringing balance to our emotional states. It has ancient roots, but continues to lure in folks who want to incorporate natural alternatives to their health care regiment.

But, to the newbie who finds herself walking aimlessly through a health food store staring at rows and rows of oils (been there, done that), aromatherapy can also be intimidating. It's difficult to know where to start or even how to use oils to achieve the best results. And what, exactly, is a carrier oil, anyway?

More: 6 Ways essential oils can seriously harm you

First, the basics on essential oils: "Essential oils are the concentrated extracts of plants, flowers and herbs that contain nutrients, enzymes, minerals and antiseptic properties," says Michelle Ornstein, licensed aromatherapist and founder of Enessa Skincare. "When applied to the skin in a diluted form, essential oils are absorbed into the bloodstream and help the body release toxins and impurities."

Cary Caster — a botanist, licensed massage therapist, certified clinical aromatherapist and founder of 21 Drops Essential Oil Therapy — describes aromatherapy as the science of using essential oils "to help bring balance to the emotional, physical and mental health of an individual by either inhalation or topical application."

More: 10 Essential oils and their uses

The reason we're all flipping over oils actually came about thanks to a famous mistake. After experiencing an explosion in his lab, chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé reached for the nearest oil to help soothe his skin. Lucky for him, he chose lavender oil and the result impressed him greatly: His burn wounds healed so well he began investigating essential oils and the rest was history. The term "aromatherapy" was coined in 1928 and oils have been used ever since — even to treat wounded soldiers during World War II, says Demetria Clarke, an author and the director of Heart of Herbs herbal school.

Applying oil directly to the skin, the way Gattefossé did decades ago, isn't the only way to receive its benefits, nor is it always advisable, especially when you're dealing with a potent oil that may cause reactions if not mixed with a carrier oil (more about that in a second). "You can use essential oils in diffusers, on cotton balls, compresses, room spray, bath salts, massage oils, face creams — they have a lot of applications and usages," Clarke says.

More: This is the easiest way to make your own scented oil diffuser

To prevent a possible skin reaction, Ornstein recommends diluting all essential oils, even a gentle lavender oil, with a "carrier oil" such as almond, avocado, sunflower or an ester like jojoba. "The ratio of carrier to essential oil depends entirely on the specific oil or synergy of essential oils used as well as the desired result to be achieved," she says. Since each oil has its own personality, it makes sense to do a bit of investigative work into the specific oil you plan on using to determine how much carrier oil you should use.

Here comes the fun part: What do some of the most popular essential oils used today actually do for your health and well-being? Here's a more in-depth look at six commonly used oils and their reported benefits.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) — As Gattefossé discovered, lavender essential oil can treat burns, cuts, scrapes, insect bites and even sunburn. But, its healing properties go way beyond its topical uses. It is also known to help create a calm, relaxing environment (especially when used with a diffuser), promote better sleep and even soothe fussy newborns. "Lavender is considered one of the safest essential oils on the market," Clarke says. "Some sources say it’s OK to use lavender essential oil neat, or without dilution; however, to prevent reactions, I recommend that lavender essential oil always be diluted. Sensitivity can occur suddenly or after long-term use, and mixing lavender with a carrier oil can help prevent this."

Neroli (Citrus aurantium) — Neroli was traditionally used to treat depression, stress and other types of emotional distress, according to Clarke. It is also said to help combat fine lines, wrinkles and even stretch marks.

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) — There's a good reason why some folks will tell you to eat a peppermint candy when you feel nauseous — this oil can actually be placed in a handkerchief and sniffed to relieve a sour stomach, Clarke says. Its other benefits include helping to fight fatigue, skin eruptions, sore muscles and for cooling and offering pain relief for chicken pox, insect bites, scabies and shingles. And, if you're looking to rid your clothing of unwanted odors, Clarke suggests adding a few drops of peppermint mixed with lavender into your laundry.

Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) — Tea tree is an extremely popular essential oil because it has so many uses. "It can be used to treat candida, chicken pox, colds, cold sores, cuts and scrapes, flu, headaches, insect bites and itchiness," Clarke. It's also a well-researched oil, she says, and studies have found it is effective in treating acne and even athlete's foot. Always dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil because it can cause skin sensitivities when applied straight.

Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) — If you experience hormonal mood swings associated with premenstrual syndrome or menopause, look no further than ylang-ylang essential oil to relax you and help balance your emotions. "In a diffuser blend, this essential oil can assist with feelings of angst, anxiety and irritability," Clarke says. "Also effective against depression, it’s found in many antidepressant blends."

Carrot seed oil — Ornstein says this is one of her favorite essential oils for anti-aging skin because it is high in antioxidants, which makes it ideal to use in facial moisturizers that will protect your skin from sun exposure and the environment. "Due to the fact that it contains high amounts of carotenoids, is has the ability to rejuvenate the skin," Ornstein says. "In addition, carrot seed oil contains vitamin E and vitamin C, which work as a synergy to help bring life to dull skin and stimulate new cell growth. It is also used to heal eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and aids in skin repair."

Tyga has been connected to transgender porn star Mia Isabella, last summer standing accused of carrying on a secret three-year affair after sexy screen shots leaked of a man purported to be Tyga were sent to Isabella's phone.

Turns out Isabella also is rumored to have had a fling with Charlie Sheen, and now the Kardashians are petrified that Kylie could have been exposed to HIV.

More: Kylie Jenner gives Tyga the worst birthday present ever (PHOTOS)

"As soon as Kylie's mom, Kris [Jenner], found out about Tyga's connection to the same transgender woman that Charlie was involved with, she went ballistic," a source told In Touch (via Radar Online).

"For obvious reasons, Kris insisted that Kylie get to the bottom of this potentially life-threatening mess," the source continued. "So Kylie went straight to Tyga and confronted him."

The source said Tyga denied anything physical happened between him and Isabella, but she told Radar Online it was on like Donkey Kong.

More: 7 Things Kendall and Kylie Jenner are teaching your teens

"We continued in our friendship until it did become romantic and we dated steadily for a few years," Isabella told Radar.

In a separate interview about Sheen's HIV revelation, Isabella told Entertainment Tonight, "That is hard news to hear. I'm saddened but know him as an incredible person and advocate. My memories of him reflect a warrior and super brave person so I know he will navigate through this with strength. He isn't afraid of facing any public scrutiny and speaking frankly and I have nothing but admiration for his friendship."

However, the Kardashians' concern seems to be completely unfounded. Isabella posted her recent HIV test results on Twitter, and things look good for Kylie's risk factors in this area.

More: Jenny McCarthy makes ignorant comments about Charlie Sheen's HIV confession

Sigh of relief for Kylie.

More: Charlie Sheen makes a dark confession in an open letter about his HIV diagnosis