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How the 'mommy needs wine' trend makes new motherhood harder for some

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Then, when my daughter was a few months old, I met another mother who was home with a toddler during the days. We exchanged numbers and she texted me to ask if I wanted to come over and go through all the clothing her daughter had outgrown that they were going to donate. And then she added, “It will be great! We can hang out with the kids and have a few beers.”

In that moment, I knew that my dreams of having a close mommy-friendship with her were not to be.

I’m an alcoholic in recovery, which means that I can’t drink. Since I've been sober for about four years, it doesn’t bother me when other people drink, but I have no desire to attend an event that centers on drinking.

More: Why is it so hard to make friends as an adult?

I found a time to look through the clothing — but made sure I had somewhere to be shortly afterwards so that I had an excuse not to stay and hang out. I felt insecure, isolated and decidedly uncool.

As a new mom who doesn’t drink, it can be surprisingly hard to find your place. Websites and blogs for new moms post endless memes about waiting for “wine o’clock.” It makes me unlikely to follow them because I don’t need images that romanticize drinking coming through my newsfeed every day — particularly on days when my kid has had a meltdown, hasn’t stopped crying and I’m at my wit’s end. In fact, on those days, posts about having wine after the baby goes down start to seem incredibly reasonable. And for someone like me, whom alcohol brought to the point of losing everything and sitting in rehab, a glass of wine will never be reasonable.

Not only that, these memes send a damaging message about parenting. Is it really only worth it because of the wine at the end of the day? Is drinking really the only thing that gets you through being a mom? Yes, motherhood is hard, but what kind of message are we sending about it if we imply the only way to cope with the stress is with booze?

More: 30 Women share what makes a guy "good dad material"

Being a new mom is already a very isolating experience. Often, you’re home alone all day with a little person who depends on you for everything. For me, it was hard to get out of the house to go anywhere, my husband was working long hours and I longed for human connection. In those times of loneliness, my urge to drink is strongest. And when I would see so many other new moms talking about drinking with impunity, I felt a mix of emotions — none of them good. I’d find myself envious, resentful and full of self-pity.

Turning to my recovery community wasn’t any more helpful. Most of them worked regular schedules and weren’t around during the days; bringing my crying baby to meetings proved a nearly impossible task, one that was met with judgmental glares whenever she made a peep. Everywhere I turned, I simply felt alone. And while I had never been ashamed of my status as an alcoholic in recovery, I suddenly felt like I was carrying this big secret around with me.

Desperate to be liked by the mothers I was meeting at breastfeeding support groups, the playground, swim class and baby music class, I neglected to mention the fact that I didn’t drink and prayed that it would never come up. I always worried I would be “found out,” and I felt ashamed in ways I hadn’t since I was very newly sober. I found myself feeling like I was adrift at sea without a life raft, wondering how it was possible to be both a mom and a sober person. Surely there’s a way to unwind after the baby goes down that doesn’t involve drinking like a college student?

More: 9 Innocent things that give you nightmares when you're a mom (GIFS)

It turns out that there are, it’s just hard to find the people who are talking about them. Eventually I found a great network of moms. Many of them drink, but very rarely, and it’s never something that’s brought up at the play dates we set up. I also found a bunch of moms of young kids who are also sober, who I see weekly. They help me feel like less of an outlier, less of a freak. But it took almost a year for me to be able to establish that kind of support, when I really needed it much sooner than that.

There’s nothing wrong with having some wine after a long day with the kids, but when we forget that not everyone has the option, it isolates the moms that need support the most.


Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton make people suspicious with their PDA (PHOTO)

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More: Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani prove their romance is more than rebound

What many bill as a rebound relationship between two recently divorced stars seems to be growing stronger by the minute. And in a new interview, Shelton revealed just how deep his feelings really are for Stefani.

Shelton revealed to Access Hollywood that he had invited Stefani to spend the holiday with him in Oklahoma, along with her kids.

And there's even more evidence that points to a more serious relationship between the two: Photos of Stefani snapped as she celebrated Thanksgiving weekend with her kids showed her on a FaceTime video chat with Shelton. Does this mean he's already met her kids? It sure looks that way.

Gwen Stefani facetimes Blake Shelton at Disneyland

Gwen Stefani facetimes Blake Shelton at Disneyland

There's been plenty of speculation about how quickly Shelton and Stefani hooked up. They both just got divorced last summer — Shelton in July after four years of marriage to Miranda Lambert, and Stefani in August after 10 years married to Gavin Rossdale.

But more and more clues say their relationship is much more than a rebound. They even appear to have already told each other "I love you."

But while the photos, at face value, seem to mean Shelton and Stefani are going strong, it also seems just a little bit suspicious. Stefani had to know the paparazzi were all around at Disneyland. Why did she choose such a public location to have a FaceTime chat with her boyfriend? Why did she position her phone so paparazzi could get such a clear shot of Shelton's face on the screen? Is there more to this than meets the eye?

Could it be that this is all a big publicity stunt? Think about it — Shelton and Stefani could make an absolute killing by recording an album and touring together while they're the hottest new couple in Hollywood. This public flaunting of their relationship almost makes that seem like a possibility.

More: Gwen Stefani performs emotional ode to ex in front of Blake Shelton (VIDEO)

Do you agree? Let us know down in the comments.

Kourtney Kardashian & Scott Disick reunite, fueling publicity stunt rumors

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Kris Jenner's effusively affectionate Instagram dedication to Disick makes a lot more sense now after hearing that he and Kardashian have reunited. An insider told E! News that since leaving rehab, Disick has stepped up to the plate as a father and partner, so Kardashian decided to give him yet another chance.

"Scott has been integrating back into the family and things are going really well. They're a family unit again," the source revealed. "When Kourtney talks about them, she says 'We.' It's no longer just her and the kids. It's all of them."

More: Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick show signs of getting back together

"He has really picked up the slack on daddy duty," the source continued. "He's committed. He's helping with the kids and everyone, Kourtney included, sees how much he's trying."

So what exactly does that mean? "There is no question the family is back together," the insider revealed. "They've always loved each other. And she let him back into the family."

More: French Montana's pic with Kourtney Kardashian takes aim at Scott Disick (PHOTO)

That is, of course, if they ever actually broke up at all in the first place. As SheKnows reported in October, some fans questioned if the whole thing was actually staged for publicity to drive ratings for the new current season of KUWTK.

Another source says Disick and Kardashian have always had an open relationship and things between them are more business than romance.

"Scott says they have an arrangement, kind of an open marriage," his ex-manager told Life & Style (via Radar Online). "When he's away, he can live the way he wants to live."

Regardless, is this reunion a good idea or not? Disick just left rehab within the last couple of weeks and has been several times before. Is Kardashian wise to let him back in so soon? Sound off in the comments below.

8 Cheesy but awesome pickup lines for Tinder matches

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Unfortunately what tends to happen is people are either way too forward right off the bat, or way too passive in their attempts to connect with a match. This is likely because anxiety makes people throw everything they have at a situation, or hold back everything out of fear that they'll say the wrong thing. Both of these ill-conceived strategies will likely result in a blown opportunity.

More12 Thoughts every woman has while Tindering

However, some people are brilliant at coming up with clever, flattering, yet unassuming opening lines of which Cassanova himself would be envious. Some are so epic that they even end up on well-read Tumblr pages. If you're finding your opening line approach on Tinder and similar dating apps could use some creative grease, then look no further. These gems are just the spark you need to make dating fire.

1. Bold poetry

"I never saw you coming and I'll never be the same."

That's like something out of a Nicholas Sparks novel. If your profile picture looks even remotely like Ryan Gosling, I'm sold.

2. Introspective

"Do you ever just lie down at night, look up at the stars and think about all the f***d up things in the world? Like why is there a 'D' in 'fridge' but no 'D' in 'refrigerator'?"

You can almost already see an unforgettable date starting right here, can't you?

3. Gross but sweet

"Are you my appendix? Because I don't know how you work, but this feeling in my stomach makes me want to take you out."

Ten points for an anatomical pickup line that has nothing to do with breasts or lower regions!

4. Lost lamb

"Maybe you can help me. I forgot the password to my account, and when I hit 'password hint,' it keeps telling me 'Jordan's phone number.'"

I can't help it. I always love to help a guy in need.

MoreFeminist Tinder is the perfect response to the world's misogynistic jerks

5. Straight up cute

"Do you have a personality as attractive as your eyes?"

Cue melting into the floor.

6. Sexy and hilarious

"Sorry position for French teacher has been filled. What I'm looking for at the moment is a bedroom acrobatic teacher."

Sure, it's slightly crass, but it's cute crass, and hey, what do you expect? It is Tinder after all.

MoreWe asked men how they really feel about Tinder (VIDEO)

7. Musical

"Layla, you got me on my knees. Layla, I'm beggin' darlin' please. Layla, darlin' won't you ease my worried mind. ....Hope you're a Clapton fan."

This is one super-hot opener, just so long as the girl's name is actually Layla. Or at least has two syllables like Layla.

8. Honest

"You're so gorgeous that you made me forget my good pickup line."

And as a result, this guy came up with the best pickup line ever.

San Bernardino shooting sends celebrities into a rage on Twitter

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More: Miley Cyrus gives moving speech on behalf of LGBT organization (PHOTO)

But like many others, they seem to be getting more desperate for answers and change. With news breaking Wednesday afternoon of as many as 14 killed and at least 14 injured in a shooting in San Bernardino, California, celebs took to Twitter as an outlet for their rage and heartache.

More: Laverne Cox's #ILoveMenButHatePatriarchy gets some serious hate

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More: Women wage war on Jeremy Renner over pay gap comments

What do you think is the solution to shootings in the U.S.? Let us know down in the comments.

7 Tips for buying safer food in a recall-mad world

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Knowing how to clean and prepare food in our own homes is vital to our health and safety. But what about avoiding possibly contaminated items on store shelves, like that huge recall of foods containing celery that hit stores around the U.S. recently? Is there any way to minimize our risk of buying food that can make us sick?

More: Decoding dates: What to toss and what to keep

According to Mareya Ibrahim, national food safety expert and founder of Eat Cleaner, here are a few tips to lower your chances of bringing home contaminated food:

1. Choose local and seasonal produce. She notes that some of your favorite fruits and vegetables may have traveled over 1,500 miles to reach your shopping cart. So if you can, inquire about where the food is sourced from, and shop for what's local and in season. The farther food travels, the more opportunities it has to come into contact with something you don't want to consume.

2. Buy more whole foods, fewer prepared foods. As with traveling food, the more hands (and machines) your food passes through, the higher the risk of contamination. That chicken salad and those packages of precut fruit and veggies are temptingly familiar, but know that you could be paying for that convenience with your health.

3. Inspect packaging closely. Ibrahim says that paying attention to the condition of the packaging and the food itself is crucial for avoiding common contaminants. Note expiration dates, avoid produce whose bag seems bloated, don't choose items that have bruising or cuts, and steer clear of bags that seem to hold excess water. Any of that can spell bad news for your family's health.

More: Tips to avoid contaminated fruits and vegetables

4. No nibbling! No matter how tempting it is, resist the urge to sample produce before you buy it. "They’re usually picked and packed in the field and could be seething with stuff you wouldn’t want to put in your mouth, including worms, parasites, fertilizers and other agricultural contaminants teeming with bacteria," Ibrahim says. "That especially goes for organic produce."

5. Know your risks at farmers markets. You also might wonder if buying produce or other goods at your local farmers market would be a good idea — the answer for this, however, varies. Ibrahim says, "Small farms are exempt from the Food Safety Modernization Act regulations, which means their processes for mitigating foodborne illness may not be as stringent as larger farms."

But Amesh A. Adalja, MD, a board-certified infectious disease physician at the University of Pittsburgh, notes that in the event of an outbreak of foodborne illnesses, farmers markets may make the investigation easier due to its simpler origin.

6. Keep up on the latest food recalls. We cover nationwide recalls frequently here on SheKnows, but check your local news for outbreaks closer to home.

7. Practice sound kitchen safety. The truth is, aside from noting the condition of the food you buy before you buy it (which we should be doing anyway), it's not easy to completely avoid contaminated food due to its general nature. As Dr. Adajia says, "It is very difficult to minimize this risk, as microscopic contamination prior to delivery at the store could have occurred." In other words, you can't always look at a bag of spinach and be able to tell it's got a few unwelcome visitors along for the ride.

More: Is your food prep really safe?

So make your kitchen prep a thing your local health department would love — thoroughly wash your produce, cook your meats well, and put food away before it's had time to become a breeding ground for bacteria. Your family will thank you for it.

Teen Mom's Jenelle Evans' recent tweet sparks pregnancy rumors

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Evans recently posted a brag about her day at the gym and how it made her feel, and people on Twitter automatically jumped to conclusions — not only did some say she must be pregnant, but others suggested she was high, drunk, hungover or messed up from all the new diet supplements she has been touting.

More: Jenelle Evans' new video of her son sends Instagram into a fury (VIDEO) 

Jenelle Evans workout tweets and responses

Jenelle Evans workout tweets and responses

More: Jenelle Evans' ex-husband's heroin addiction to be revealed in new documentary (VIDEO) 

Evans quickly squashed the pregnancy rumors with one barbed tweet.

Jenelle Evans denies pregnancy

Jenelle Evans denies pregnancy

A friend assured Radar Online that the last thing on Evans' mind is having another baby, and provided a strangely personal detail to the tabloid.

"People thought she was pregnant but Jenelle is actually on birth control," the insider said.

"She definitely does not want to have another kid right now."

More: Teen Mom's Jenelle Evans receives cruel, unusual message from her ex

Evans already has son Jace and son Kaiser from two different relationships. She is currently engaged in a war with her second baby daddy, Nathan Griffith, after he took Kaiser on vacation without telling her.

"I told him, 'If you want to see Kaiser ever since you took him to Boston without telling me, you can file for visitation,'" she told Radar Online. "Well he still has yet to do that.

"He has been asking me, but then I'm like, 'If I give him Kaiser, then he can take off with him,'" she said. "And then when will I ever get him back? It just scares me."

Her reaction could just be sour grapes after Griffith called CPS while she was on vacation with her new boyfriend (the kids were not with them), but these two would probably benefit from some legal custody paperwork.

Teen Mom Janelle Evans arrested slideshow

Holiday cookie hack: Stuff snickerdoodles with candy for a tastier treat

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I used Rolos in my cookies, but you can use any candy you adore, really — mini Snickers, Reese's cups or even Junior Mints. This cookie is versatile and a breeze to make. You'll love every single bite, and they might just become your new holiday favorite.

caramel candy stuffed snickerdoodle cookies
Image: Brandy O'Neill/SheKnows

Rolo-stuffed snickerdoodle cookies recipe

Yields 24

Prep time: 15 minutes | Bake time: 10 minutes per tray | Total time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1-3/4 cups white sugar, divided
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2-1/2 cups white whole-wheat flour
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • Mini Rolo candies

Directions:

  1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F, and line 2 baking sheets with parchment or Silpat liners. Set aside.
  2. To the bowl of an electric mixer, add the butter and 1-1/2 cups of sugar. Mix for about 3 minutes to cream the mixture.
  3. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly between additions.
  4. To a medium mixing bowl, add the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and kosher salt. Whisk together to combine.
  5. Add the flour mixture to the mixer, and mix until combined.
  6. In a small bowl, mix together the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and the cinnamon.
  7. Scoop out a tablespoon of dough, stick a Rolo in the middle, and top with another tablespoon of dough. Meld together, and slightly flatten. Roll in cinnamon sugar, and place on a prepared baking sheet.
  8. Bake for about 10 minutes per tray or until crispy around the edges.

14 Unbelievably easy 3-ingredient cookies that make holiday baking a breeze
Image: Brandy O'Neill/SheKnows

More cookie recipes

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What his facial hair says about how sexist he is

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A new Australian study suggests that men with beards are actually more sexist than men who keep it clean shaven. This may be surprising to many, because there was also a recent study that said men with beards are viewed as more sexually attractive by women. So how can a beard be both enticing and morally repellent at the same time? The scientific answer is rather unfortunate — women overall find a more masculine-looking man sexy despite his views on gender equality. And men, in turn, grow beards because they want to appear more powerful to men.

More: What his facial hair says about him

Two Australian psychology professors, Julian A. Oldmeadow and Barnaby J. Dixson, decided to see if more masculine-looking men did indeed veer toward the misogynistic. They looked at a rather large pool of participants — 500 from the United States and India — and asked them a series of questions, first about their facial hair preferences.

Participants were given nine photos, each depicting a different beard style, and were asked to pick the one that most resembled their own. I suppose they did this to see whether guys with goatees were more sexist than guys with mustaches (probably). Once they were properly categorized, they moved on to asking them sexist questions.

These were a mix of what Oldmeadow and Dixson called "benevolent and hostile" sexist statements. That means that while both types are considered sexist, one is much less aggressive than the other. Here are a couple of the hostile ones: "Most women interpret innocent remarks as being sexist" and "women seek to gain power by getting control over men."

More: Dear men, here's what we think about your hair

In my opinion, the benevolent ones aren't much better, but at least they don't make me think the commenter might punch me at some point. "Women should be cherished and protected by men" and "a good woman should be set on a pedestal by her man." Kind of sweet, right? If not rather outdated for this century.

Sadly the psychologists' research proved their theory — men with facial hair gravitate toward sexist thoughts more than men without. Overall, these bearded fellows felt more connected to the negative sexist statements, and what's worse, they weren't afraid to voice that in this study. While that's disturbing enough, the researchers did also notice that both bare-faced and whisker-faced men responded positively to the more benevolent sexist statements, which is disconcerting in its own right.

More: The best beard-related pickup lines on the Internet

This proves we're still battling those age-old, traditional gender stereotypes despite how far we think we've come with gender equality. Oldmeadow told Mic, "What our results suggest is that we still have some way to go to separate masculine identity from hostile sexist beliefs and attitudes. If wearing facial hair is an expression of masculine identity, then it appears that hostile sexist beliefs are still part of this masculine identity."

While these results are certainly not true of all men sporting beards, it's a sign we still have a lot of work to do. I think perhaps the best way to combat the stereotype during the holiday season is to systematically blast all sexist beard-wearers with glitter. That way they'll still have their beards, but they'll be a lot less gruff- and hostile-looking.

6 Last-minute gifts for international travelers

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1. Compression socks

Image: Amazon

For those who take long-haul flights, I always recommend compression socks to minimize ankle swelling and maximize general comfort. My favorite brand is Sockwell, which has a variety of socks in fun colors in their Circulator Compression Socks. (Amazon, $19)

2. Travel pillow

Image: Amazon

I fully believe that neck-support pillows have saved my life on certain flights, especially when I've gotten the dreaded middle seat! I was against them for awhile, until I purchased a foldable memory foam pillow. It's easy to store and very comfortable. (Amazon, $25)

3. Underwater camera

Image: Sony

Anyone who takes frequent beach vacations needs a waterproof camera. While most people rely on their cell phones for pictures, it does not help when trying to take the perfect snorkeling shot. My favorite? The Sony Cyber-shot. (Sony, $230)

4. Selfie stick

Image: Amazon

For the out-of-water shots, a selfie stick can always come in handy. And while it seems like nearly everyone has one, extras are always useful too. I recently bought a bulk order from Amazon as a part of my wedding welcome bag and everyone had a great time capturing various moments around the day. (Amazon, $6)

5. Fun travel shirt

Image: ASOS

I always pack strategically for trips. And when it comes to travel days, I usually go for a travel themed T-shirt to make it a little more fun. My latest favorite find is my "Wanderlust" shirt from ASOS. It's running low in stock, but it usually has fun similar shirts, like a Room Service printed tee, that make perfect gifts for frequent travelers. (ASOS, $40)

6. Money in the currency of destination

A super easy and yet helpful gift is giving cash in the currency of the next destination of your frequent traveler. Instead of arriving to a new place and going straight to the money exchange, they can rest easy and do it later in the trip.

Transparent's Sarah and Tammy are headed for trouble in Season 2

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Jill Soloway Releases Premiere of Transparent S2 Early

Jill Soloway Releases Premiere of Transparent S2 Early

Sarah and Tammy’s marriage might end before it begins

There’s a significant time jump between the end of Season 1 and the start of Season 2, and it’s noticeable instantly. When we last left the Pfefferman clan, Sarah asked Tammy to marry her. The new season opens at their scenic Palm Springs wedding. And while all of the guests are sharing in Tammy’s joy, Sarah doesn’t look too thrilled to be walking down the aisle for a second time.

Seen solely from Sarah’s point of view, the ceremony is chaos. Loving smiles turn into mocking laughs as she walks toward the chuppah. Tammy’s vows are so nonsensical that Sarah can’t even listen to them; distracted, she directs her attention toward the “WeBuyCheapHouses.com” banner ad flying above them. She even visualizes herself collapsed on the ground, under the chuppah. It’s not a particularly auspicious start to a marriage, to say the least.

More: Transparent's Jeffrey Tambor reveals how playing a woman helped him find himself

But, as Rabbi Raquel points out, the couple isn’t technically married yet. While Sarah hides in a bathroom stall during the hora, Ali, Josh and Raquel run to her aid, and the rabbi gently reminds the bride that, until the wedding license is in the mail and stamped by the city bureaucrats, their union is only symbolic. This is great news for Sarah, who confesses to her siblings that she never really wanted to marry Tammy — or leave her ex-husband, Len — after all.

Whether this is good news for Tammy remains to be seen. The end of the episode shows a montage of couples in their separate hotel rooms, including a distraught Sarah whispering to Tammy, “I’m sorry. I can’t.” Can’t what, though? Go through with sending in the marriage license? Face her family the next day? Continue living with her new wife and following through with her vows?

It may be premature to suggest that Sarah and Tammy’s marriage is over already, but they’re certainly headed for a rocky road in Season 2, as Sarah finally admits to herself that their love is not what she thought it was.

Transparent Wedding Photos
Image: Transparent/Facebook

Josh and Rabbi Raquel are back together — and having a baby

Raquel and Josh’s fight at the end of Season 1 made their relationship appear to be over for good. Not so fast — not only did they patch things up, they’re going to be parents together! Are wedding bells in their future?

More: 9 Best quotes from Transparent creator Jill Soloway's address to AFI

Likely, yes, but not without a good deal of couple’s therapy first. Josh wasn’t supposed to tell anyone about the pregnancy just yet, but of course he did anyway, and not long after the rumor makes its way from Ali to Sarah and from Sarah to Shelly, the entire wedding reception is congratulating the rabbi on the happy news. Mortified, Raquel confronts Josh, and he admits to his mistake. It’s not enough to make her thrilled, but it’s a sign that their communication has already improved significantly, which bodes well for the longevity of their relationship.

Moreover, after getting to know his long-lost adult son, Colton, Josh feels ready to be a father. He’s excited to enter into this new phase with Raquel, the love of his life, and she continues to love him in spite of his flaws. We may be gearing up to see another wedding before Season 2 ends — or, at the very least, the strengthening of a growing family unit.

Transparent Family Photo
Image: Transparent/Facebook

After years of separation, Maura and Shelly have found love in each other again

Fans of Season 1 will recall that Maura and Shelly’s marriage ended decades ago, after the debacle that was Ali’s canceled Bat Mitzvah. But that was before Maura was living her life openly as a transgender woman, and now that she’s comfortable in her skin, she and Shelly have found their way back to each other.

Through a conversation with Davina, we learn that Maura is living with Shelly again, for the first time in years. “She’s just so familiar,” Maura explains, but it’s clear from the look in her eyes that it’s much deeper than that. Shelly and Maura talk with each other, dance together and embrace repeatedly over the course of the wedding.

More: Why Amazon is poised to take on Netflix with new show Transparent

And at the end of the episode, we see them sharing a hotel room — and kissing. “I hope you feel beautiful. Because you are so beautiful,” Shelly tells her ex.

This may be the most surprising turn of events for Season 2, and it will be a treat to see how this relationship develops. While remarriage is unlikely to be in the cards for them, given their ages, companionship and commitment certainly are. It’s beautiful to witness these characters finding love together again after so many years apart.

Can't wait to find out what will happen next? Find out next Friday, Dec. 11 when the rest of Transparent Season 2 streams on Amazon Prime!

Girls sneak peek: Friendships are getting even crazier in Season 5

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Hannah is getting cozy with new boyfriend Fran. They’re having sleepovers and taking scenic walks through New York, and it all looks like it’s heading in the right direction — that is, if Hannah and her gay best friend Elijah can cool it on the faux PDA for a few minutes.

Shoshanna has taken the job in Tokyo, allowing her to move away from her problems and find comfort in unfamiliar surroundings abroad. And with her Hello Kitty headphones, she already appears to be fitting in. “People are so wrong,” she says of the naysayers.

More: Girls: 11 Most relatable Season 4 moments (GIFs)

Marnie is getting married! To Desi, we can only assume, though his presence is barely felt in the trailer at all. But Marnie seems more interested in the pomp and circumstance of the wedding than the marital union itself — she’s wearing lots of fancy dresses in this trailer and way too much makeup. (“It’s not insane! If we just take it a little... down the face…” Hannah generously advises regarding her friend’s cosmetic emergency.)

And Jessa? It’s hard to tell from the trailer exactly what she’ll be up to in the new season, other than being mean to Hannah, that is. She’s as mean as ever and not apologizing for it.

More: QUIZ: Which Girls character are you?

As for Elijah, Adam and Ray? We see them all, briefly, but this teaser is hardly about them. After all, it’s not a show called Boys.

Girls creator and star, Lena Dunham, tweeted the trailer excitedly to fans earlier today.

Lena Dunham Girls S5 Trailer Tweet

Lena Dunham Girls S5 Trailer Tweet

And the fans are responding with great enthusiasm.

Girls S5 Trailer Tweet 1

Girls S5 Trailer Tweet 1

Girls S5 Trailer Tweet 2

Girls S5 Trailer Tweet 2

Girls won’t be back until February, so tide yourself over with the new trailer in the meantime!

Girls S5 Trailer

Girls S5 Trailer

Sexy book excerpt: The first look at Sweet Ruin by Kresley Cole

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The full excerpt from Sweet Ruin:

With a lethal grace, Rune lay back on the other side of the bed, all seven feet of flawless demon physique. A long, tall drink of blood. He used a claw to prick his finger, and a bead arose.

Her eyes locked on that drop. The scent filled the air, making her light-headed.

He curled that pricked finger, summoning her. “Come and get it, dove.” Then he drew a line directly over that maddening pulse point in his neck.

Her fangs were aching.

“Look at your little fangs sharpen. You crave the forbidden, don’t you?”

Gaze fixed on that line, she went to her knees, climbing over to join him. She couldn’t believe he was giving her his dark blood this easily. She bent to lick —

He grabbed her arms with his unnatural speed and tossed her to her back, securing her wrists in metal.

“What the hell?” The cuffs from before? He’d attached them to a chain leading from the wall. She fought to get free, but they were unbreakable. “This wasn’t part of the deal, Rune!”

“This is my show, vampire. You follow my lead.”

“Asshole!”

His dark laugh sent shivers over her. “Do you want to rethink our wager?”

“It’ll make it that much better when I win!”

“Vampire, I’m going to have you begging for me.” He leaned forward as if to check on the cuffs, putting that line of blood in front of her face.

“Oooh! You dick!”

Blood had dried on his thumb, the scent remaining. He rubbed it on her face, along her cheekbones and jawline. Her lids slid shut, her head spinning.

More: A vampire meets a dominatrix she can't resist

“My vampire loves her baneblood, thinks it sweet.”

God, I do. I do. Her eyes flashed open when his other hand glided to her chest. Through the thick fabric of her robe, he kneaded one of her breasts. They felt swollen, aching as much as her fangs.

She moistened her lips, and he grated, “Fuck, you make me hard when you do that.” His accent was heavier than she’d ever heard it.

“Will you kiss me?”

“I’ve wanted to. Have imagined it. But you’d steal blood from my tongue, wouldn’t you?”

She couldn’t deny it when she was licking one sharp fang.

He sounded as if he’d stifled a groan. “Then a kiss will be your reward for confiding in me. Once you’ve told me all, I’ll take your lips and give you blood. But not before.” He shook his head hard, reaching for the tie on her robe. “I’m keen to see the rest of your body.”

She wanted to feel his gaze too, was panting in anticipation. Slowly, he bared her.

At the sight of her breasts, black forked out over his magenta eyes. He unsteadily sank back on his heels. “Your nipples are pierced? Were you a pleasure slave?” Had that been a hopeful note to his tone?

“No, I was never a slave.”

He leaned forward, his head descending. He put his mouth right above one peak, so she could feel his hot breaths.

More: Free reads from romance writers to download on your e-reader

Her nipples had never been so hard. “Oh, God . . .” She didn’t know where to look — was greedy to see every detail about him. His sensual lips. His rapt eyes. Were his hands balled into fists? His dick was pulsing.

“You had this done yourself?”

She nodded.

“You wicked little girl.” His tongue flicked one nipple.

Sensation shot through her. “Ahh!”

He wetted it. Blew on it. She arched up to the sizzling stimulation.

“Did a lover want you pierced?” He widened his knees. His straining shaft swayed with the movement.

“N-no. I like it.”

He gazed at her face, as if to gauge her truthfulness. He held her eyes as he bent down . . . as he took the peak between his gorgeous lips . . . as he sucked. God, that smoldering sensuality was in full force.

Over her moan, she heard his teeth click against the piercing, which seemed to delight him. He sucked harder, tugging at her nipple to the point of discomfort — as she’d always wanted it.

Though he hadn’t touched her below the waist, she wondered if she could come this way. Her core tightened, lusting for something to fill it.

He kneaded both of her breasts, his black claws digging in. Something about his possessive grip on her body turned her on even more. She panted, perilously close to coming.

Against her nipple, he murmured, “Sweet as a meadowberry.” Leaving that one wet, he kissed his way to her other breast. “You’re already close.” He couldn’t sound smugger. His lips were just above her other nipple.

She arched that side of her body up. “Rune . . .”

“Patience, vampire. We’ve days of this ahead of us.”

Days? She’d pass out. Die. Combust.

He touched the tip of his tongue to the peak just as his fingers tweaked the little barbell.

Her claws dug into her palms. “Ah, yes!” So close to coming.

As he suckled with hungry pulls, her eyes slid closed, and sounds bombarded her. Her desperate moans. The rattling cuffs. The wet suction of his mouth . . .

About the author: Kresley Cole is the #1 The New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, the young adult Arcana Chronicles series, the erotic Game Makers series, and five award-winning historical romances. A master’s grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings. Her IAD books have been translated into 19 foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the US and abroad. You can learn more about her and her work at KresleyCole.com or Facebook.com/KresleyCole. Sign up for Kresley’s email newsletter to receive the latest book release updates, as well as info about contests and giveaways.

7 Gift ideas for DIY card makers

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And as we’re wrapping up the year, I’m starting to feel like I’m completely overwhelmed by the idea of getting gifts for other people — but, it’s super easy to buy things for myself when I’m shopping for other people? I’m standing in the middle of the store at a complete loss.

Everyone has his or her own interests. It’s a matter of figuring out what it is they like and then finding that perfect gift for them.

A gift guide is always helpful.

Do you have friends who love making cards or scrapbooking? Then this gift guide is perfect for you.

1. Online classes

Online Classes
Image: Brit + Co.

I love that these days you can pick up almost any skill or hobby through online learning. From learning different types of calligraphy and lettering to sketching and painting, you can pick up these new skills in less than an hour. Some of these classes are pretty cheap too. These online classes are perfect for card-makers. Trust me. I’ve taken a lot of these. They’re fun, and I get to learn a new skill to incorporate into my cards.

These classes are offered from Brit + Co.:

2. Scrapbook papers

Scrap paper
Image: Paper Source

Scrapbook papers aren’t necessarily just for scrapbooking. Scrapbooks and cards have a ton in common. You can definitely use scrapbook papers to create beautiful cards. Trust me when I say that there’s no such thing as too much paper. (Paper Source, starting at $2)

3. Custom stamp

custom stamp
Image: Paper Source

Custom stamps are the perfect gift for card-makers because they can create their own designs. These stamps allow for creativity. (Paper Source, $40)

4. Books

Creative lettering
Image: Amazon

Sometimes the best gifts are the classics. These books are filled with tutorials for calligraphy and creative lettering. Writing can be an art too.

  • Creative Lettering and Beyond by Gabri Joy Kirkendall and Laura Lavender (Amazon, $13)
  • Modern Calligraphy by Molly Suber Thorpe (Amazon, $18)

More: Card maker gifts

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5. Embossing heat tool

Embossing tool
Image: Paper Source

This embossing heat tool paired with rubber stamps and embossing powder is the perfect gift for card-makers. Together, they can create elegant and professional looking cards. (Paper Source, $24)

6. Subscription boxes

A Beautiful Mess
Image: A Beautiful Mess

Subscription boxes are so much fun because it’s almost always a surprise to find what's inside them. There are so many scrapbooking subscription boxes out there, and they’re perfect for card-makers because you can use scraps to create different styles of cards. Here are a few subscription boxes that would be great to gift.

7. Die cut machines

Cricut
Image: Cricut

There are so many machines out there that can help you create unique cards. These machines with the right die cut can make detailed designs that you would not be able to do by hand, and they can emboss as well. I love that you can use these not only for paper, but also with leathers and other fabrics. These machines are perfect to invest in because they have multiple uses.

Mariah Carey releases update on her health following hospital emergency

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On Tuesday, Dec. 1, Carey attended the Pier 1 Christmas: A Pop-Up Storybook launch. She said she was feeling under the weather, but was "the ultimate professional," says a rep for the event. "She had fallen ill earlier in the day, but participated in the event last night as much as she could."

On Wednesday, Dec. 2, Carey was rushed to the hospital due to dehydration and severe symptoms from the flu. According to TMZ, Carey was hooked up to IVs getting plenty of fluids and vitamins to get her back into diva shape.

More: Mariah Carey reveals the status of her sexy new love life

Carey's rep told People that she "had been feeling under the weather with the flu over the past few days and was fighting it to the best of her abilities. She is doing well now and will be performing as scheduled this weekend. She thanks her lambs for the continued support and well wishes."

Carey even felt well enough on Wednesday evening to tweet her fans.

mariah carey flu tweet

mariah carey flu tweet

"Thank you #lambily for all the well wishes, I'm feeling much better now! Go and get your flu shots!" she wrote.

More: Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon have sweet way of handling holidays after divorce

She has a point. No one wants to get sick with the flu and miss out on fun holiday parties. Luckily, Carey will be ready for her big performance at Hot 97's "Hot for the Holidays" concert on Saturday night in New Jersey. She is expected to be released from the hospital this evening. Hopefully her billionaire boyfriend will help her recover.

Get better, Mariah!


Kanye West has some strict rules for Kim Kardashian's delivery room

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Kim Kardashian West is getting close to her due date and it's spurred a battle between her husband and her mother, according to Radar Online.

Kris Jenner wants to capture the birth on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Kanye is absolutely against it.

More: Kim Kardashian opens up about her high-risk pregnancy fears

A source shared, "Kanye doesn't want Kris to spill all of the details about his son's birth the way she did when North was born. He is afraid that it is a security threat to have all of their personal details, like how they get in and out of the hospital, out there. And Kris spills everything."

Given that Kim loves to share the details of her life with her fans, she wants to side with her mother.

"Kim wants to film her son's birth. She is so excited about it, especially if it happens on Christmas and she loves sharing every detail of her life, even if Kanye doesn't," the source said.

More: 11 Details about Kim Kardashian's baby shower you may not know

"But Kanye is really serious this time. He is worried about the safety of his children and his wife and he doesn't want there to be any problems," shared the source.

"Kanye has been saying he doesn't want to film something so special as the birth of his first son and he doesn't care what Kris wants," the source continued. "He is trying to keep her from sharing the most intimate parts of their life if he can."

Given that he chose to marry a reality star who shares every intimate moment of her life, Kanye has quite the battle ahead of him. But if anyone can win, I guess it would be Kanye.

The real story behind Krampus & 3 other things you need to know about the film

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In the German-speaking Alpine areas of Europe, traditional folklore has told the stories of two very different Christmas-related characters. Saint Nicholas (known as Santa Claus in America and Father Christmas in Britain), is a benevolent figure who rewards good children, but his shadow companion, Krampus, is a frightening, horned beast who punishes children when they misbehave.

More: Victor Frankenstein: 13 Things you didn't know about the popular monster

Krampus

Image: Public Domain

For years, Europeans have sent devilish holiday cards like the one above in an effort to celebrate humanity's mischievous side. Krampus is known for his goat-like horns, cloven feet and for rattling chains — a tradition that may date back to early Christians' efforts to lock up the devil. It's thought that Krampus originated from pagan elements and was possibly related to a horned god that was worshiped by witches.

In parts of Europe, the Feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated on Dec. 6. Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night, is celebrated on Dec. 5, when people dress up as the hairy beast and walk through the streets, giving children lumps of coal.

Now, a new movie called Krampus explores one little boy's frightening experience when he questions the existence of Santa Claus.

More: 7 Times Mockingjay — Part 2 mirrored things happening in the real world today

Krampus

Image: Universal

11-year-old Max Engle (Emjay Anthony), is urged by his German grandmother, Omi (Krista Stadler), to write a letter to Santa, keeping his Christmas spirit alive. But Max unleashes the wrath of Krampus when he tears up his letter to Santa out of frustration in dealing with his dysfunctional family.

More: 9 Ways Spike Lee's Chi-Raq film copies a famous Greek play

Krampus
Image: Universal

But Krampus isn't your typical family-friendly holiday movie. Here are three things to know before you see it:

1. Krampus is scary

Though it's all meant to be fun, the tone of the film is closer to a Halloween movie and will likely scare grade school-aged kids.

2. The existence of Santa Claus is questioned

This also might shock or disappoint younger kids.

3. Violent gingerbread men

There is some surprising gun violence in the film, where evil gingerbread men get their candy heads blown off. Again, this is meant to be comedic, but this may be disturbing to younger kids.

Bottom line: This movie is a fun holiday alternative for teens and people who enjoy the darker side of things, but not meant for young kids.

Krampus also stars Toni Collette and Adam Scott and opens Dec. 4.

Krampus

Krampus

Kris Jenner reveals the surprising truth about where Rob was on Thanksgiving

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Everyone assumes that Rob has gone full hermit because he — gasp — doesn't like to jump in all the selfies that sisters Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, Kendall and Kylie thrive on, but the reality of the situation is that he is still very much part of festivities, despite his lack of media presence.

More: Rob Kardashian reportedly makes touching offer to save Lamar Odom's life

Case in point: When Rob was missing from the 2015 Kardashian/Jenner Thanksgiving photo op posted by Kylie, fans took note.

"Damn Rob is always missing," commented one Instagram user, while another lamented, "Robs [sic] never to be found."

Kylie Jenner thanksgiving pic

Kylie Jenner thanksgiving pic

But Kris has taken it upon herself to demystify the situation surrounding Rob's whereabouts, and while it appears that he has decided to be a lone wolf while everyone else is having a blast, Kris insists that Rob is actually right there alongside everyone else most of the time.

More: Rob Kardashian gets strange reaction over sweet post for Khloé (PHOTO)

"He lives with Khloé," Kris said in a recent podcast with Maria Menounos, via Us Weekly. "So he was around, and then went over to a buddy’s house. He’s doing all right. You know, he’s doing his best. He’s not into being on camera as much as the rest of us. But he’s working on himself. He’s going to be OK."

More: Khloé Kardashian suggests Rob Kardashian's weight loss journey will fail

We're glad to hear that Rob is working on himself and doing well. It's also refreshing that he is able to live his life without obsessing over social media — and with all of the Internet hate his siblings deal with on a daily basis, can you really blame him?

MouseMingle is the new dating site for Disney lovers only

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Two days ago, a fabulous new dating site launched that exclusively caters to avid Disney fans. It's called MouseMingle.com, and it was designed to connect those whose love of all things Disney might be a bit much for the average person. As the site states on its welcome page: "Traditional internet dating sites don't understand the passion people have for all things Disney. But we do."

More13 Times celebrities dressed like Disney princesses in real life

That statement is surprisingly true in terms of other dating sites. Some of my best single friends are incredibly passionate about Disney, but feel if they put that in their dating profiles, they'll automatically be marked as childish and dorky by prospective dates. However, Disney lovers have simply found a way to hold onto their inner child's enthusiasm and sense of magic. As such, they deserve to have a dating outlet where they can search for the Kristof to their Anna without fear of judgment.

The site was created by Dave Tavres, a Culver City "software geek" (as he calls himself) who believes niche dating sites like MouseMingle are the direction in which online dating is headed. “There’s a dating site for pot lovers and JDate for Jewish people. The first time I saw Farmers Only I thought it was a Saturday Night Live sketch," he told LA Magazine.

It works much like any other dating site. When you're creating your profile, you're prompted to check boxes that indicate your various interests. However, on this particular site, all of your options are Disney-related. You can disclose your favorite Disney song, what Disney toys you cherish, even your "Disney nerd level." While you're able to scan through other Disney lovers' profiles and photos for free (yes most are at Disney theme parks), if you want to contact someone directly, there's a $12.55 monthly fee.

MoreCouples rereading their first conversations is hilariously cringeworthy (VIDEO)

Tavres is a single, hardcore Disney fan himself, and even though he used to work on the Disneyland Railroad (for real), he had trouble finding dates. “I’m not the guy who hits on women at the park, and there’s no flag that says, 'hey I’m single.' I found it hard to find women who were as interested in Disney as I am.” Thus he put his computer genius mind to work and created this site to bridge the gap between him and other Disney lovin' singles. If only we were all so brilliant, right?

More6 Major turn-offs we face all too often on first dates

Full disclosure, my fiancé and I secretly fell for each other because we sort of look like our first Disney character crushes. He was always a huge Little Mermaid fan, because of her voluminous, red hair and her singing (and probably the seashell bra), and I was crazy in love with Prince Eric. As such, I have long red hair and a yen for crooning in the car, and he has black hair, ice blue eyes and often wears billowy, white shirts. If we weren't already getting married, I would absolutely be searching for him on MouseMingle.com.

However, just in case our union doesn't work out, can someone get started on a Mel Brooks fan dating site? I can really only date guys who appreciate a running gag, and famous film parodies.

5 Myths about energy healing that will surprise you

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In my mid-20s, I met a woman named Carol who called herself a Reiki healer; she was short and eccentric like that psychic lady from the Poltergeist movies. She invited me to her house to meet some other healers and learn about “energy.” To be honest, it scared me a little. I envisioned a coven of women chanting and conjuring spirits, like witches around a cauldron. I debated and hesitated about going, but my curiosity got the best of me.

As it turns out, my fantasies were dead wrong.

Carol was a nurse and she had been studying energy healing therapies like Reiki and Healing Touch for 20 years. She had a gentle, soothing voice and put me in a deep state of relaxation without even touching my body — she hovered her hands over my head, my heart and my limbs, and within minutes, I was floating on a soft cloud of bliss.

She invited me to give it a try. She explained how everything was made of energy — even the Earth — and I could draw that energy into my body with breathing and direct the energy to others. I was shocked to find, as I held my hands slightly above her, that I could detect different sensations and vibrations emanating from her body — hot and cold, sharp and smooth, full and depleted. All of a sudden, my “super sensitivity” made sense. Carol said I was a natural energy healer.

The term “energy healer” may invoke images of crystals and incense and angel cards, but it’s actually a legit profession now and is practiced in medical settings all over the world. Here are some myths about energy healing to watch out for:

1. Energy healing is a new-age therapy

Many people think that energy healing is a new-age therapy, but ‘chi’ and ‘prana’ have been around for thousands of years in Asia. Before there were hospitals and doctors, the local medicine woman or shaman was ‘laying on hands’ to heal illnesses and treat diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine still use energy points and channels to measure health and well-being today.

2. Energy healing is unscientific

One of the most common things I hear from people when I tell them that I practice Energy Medicine is that there is no science to back it up. The reality is that we have hundreds of research studies demonstrating the benefits of energy healing for improved immune function, reduced pain, faster recovery from surgery and dozens of other conditions.

3. Nobody is using energy healing

Many Americans — between 30 and 70 percent of adults, depending on their age — use health care approaches developed outside of mainstream Western or conventional medicine. This includes energy healing therapies like acupuncture, qi gong, and Healing Touch.

4. Energy healers are hippies

You don’t have to wear prayer beads and flowing skirts to be an energy healer. In fact, most practitioners are nurses, doctors, massage therapists and other licensed professionals. I’ve taught energy medicine at several top universities like UCLA and Saybrook Graduate School.

5. Energy healing requires special talent or ability

Anyone can learn how to be an energy healer. If you have a calling to help others, if you feel at home with spiritual things, if you feel charged when you are in nature or sacred spaces, if you believe in the interconnectedness of mind-body-spirit — these are common characteristics for people who are drawn to energy healing.

If you're wondering where to start with your career in energy healing, visit my website and sign up for a free discovery session. I would love to talk to you about the career options for energy healers.

This post is part two of 10 in a blog series about integrative health therapies worth knowing. Did you miss my earlier post? You can read it here: 3 Things a celebrity massage therapist wants you to know about your body.

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