I quickly found out that being sensitive is not a sign of weakness. My biggest sensitive moment actually started at the very end of 2014 with the passing of my first adult pet. She was the dog I got as a young adult. I was in college and lived on my own. She was my choice. I paid for her food and vet bills. She was my companion. We spent life together, all 12 years of hers.

Then, 2015 rolled in with the passing of one of my longest companions — a harsh blow to my reality. The pain was unbearable. I felt lonely, and my world did not make sense without her. How could it? I barely remembered life without her. Shortly after my furry beast passed away, we rescued another furry friend — not as a replacement, because there never will be. Our house was just meant to always have the love of many animals. Even though my sensitive and broken heart hurt, this bubbly and full-of-life puppy was exactly what it needed.

Her boundless energy made tough days easier. She is excellent at snuggling. She is always happy. She is sweet and excitable, and her joy is infectious. It has taken the better part of 2015 for my heart to not hurt. I thank our sweet pup for that.

So many moments cause my emotions to rage, to crumble and to burst with jubilance. I have always worn my heart on my sleeve. After spending the year grieving and rehabilitating my heart, I know — even more than ever — that it is only human to be full of emotion. Your emotions should be invested in your life.

I learned that my life is full of emotion and love. I would not want it any other way.

Because to live cast as a stone... well, how much living does a stone do?

More: Behati Prinsloo reveals information about Blake Shelton's new romance

According to In Touch, Stefani discovered text messages on Shelton's phone between him and his ex, Miranda Lambert, that "left her crushed."

According to a source, the dramatic incident happened backstage on the set of The Voice, where Stefani and Shelton are both judges. As the two were preparing for a show, Shelton left for a makeup touch-up and left his phone with Stefani, who then saw a text come through from Lambert, and later learned that Shelton has been texting his ex back.

"Gwen saw it and lost it. She found Blake and asked to speak to him privately, but he said he couldn’t right then and there," the insider shared. "She had tears running down her face and went and locked herself in her dressing room."

More: Blake Shelton's comments about being single worry Gwen Stefani fans

The source added, "Gwen has seen texts between Blake and Miranda. She’s really a mess over this."

It's not the first time text messages have caused a rift between Shelton and Stefani. On the night of the CMA Awards, Shelton reportedly left his phone with Stefani, and Lambert was texting him.

“Gwen saw it,” a source said then. “Miranda was trying to get Blake to go and see her and her friends at an after-party.”

An insider close to Shelton explained that that happened after Lambert asked Shelton “if they could sit by each other at the CMA Awards. But he declined and asked her to stop texting him.”

In Touch reports that multiple sources say Shelton is just being polite when he responds to Lambert's texts, and that he has no intention of getting back together with her.

More: Blake Shelton caught getting super handsy with Gwen Stefani

Do you think Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert's text messages are as innocent as he claims?

As we convened and brainstormed and were inspired by our advisory board, we took their advice and turned it into real innovations.

And as we begin to dig deep to make #BlogHer16: Experts Among Us the best conference ever (yes, we SAY it every year, because we BELIEVE it every year), I'm thrilled to introduce the sensational #BlogHer16: Experts Among Us advisory board!

This power-packed team represents activists, entrepreneurs, entertainers, media makers, content creators, community members, brands and sponsors.

We have stacked the deck with many leaders hailing from the Los Angeles community, where #BlogHer16: Experts Among Us will take place August 4-6, 2016. We'll look to our board to lend their expert insight and guidance to make sure #BlogHer16: Experts Among Us provides maximum impact for everyone who attends.

More: SUPER-Earlybird prices end December 31, 2015! Register now

Please meet the #BlogHer16 Advisory Board, which will once again be chaired by Samantha Skey, Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer, SheKnows Media:

• Ana Flores, founder and CEO, Latina Bloggers Connect, Inc. and #WeAllGrow Summit
• Angela Chambliss, director, marketing, Best Buy
• Ayinde Howell, actor, chef and founder, ieatgrass.com
• Barb Dybwad, technology communicator
• Beatriz Acevedo, president, mitú Network
• Bea Perez, chief sustainability officer, Coca-Cola
• Bettina Sherick, founder, Hollywood in Pixels
• Blake McKinney, principal, latitude/The Richards Group
• Carley Knobloch, digital lifestyle expert and on-air talent
• Carole Diarra, vice president, U.S. marketing, L'Oréal
• Christine Garboski, manager, Nestlé Kitchens
• Courtney Nichols Gould, co-founder and co-CEO, SmartyPants Vitamins
• David Kovach, senior vice-president, global entertainment marketing, Citi
• Elisa Camahort Page, chief community officer, SheKnows Media
• Elissa Murphy, chief technical officer, GoDaddy
• Ellen Gustafson, author and social entrepreneur
• Emily Della Maggiora, vice president, data services, Qterics
• Erin Kotecki Vest, blogger, political consultant and disability advocate
• Feminista Jones, editor, SheKnows Media and co-founder, Women’s Freedom Conference
• Jamie Kantrowitz, venture partner, Mesa Ventures
• Jennifer Glen, vice president, Midwest and West sales, SheKnows Media
• Jessica Weiner, CEO, Talk To Jess, LLC
• Joan Sullivan, CEO, Partnership for Los Angeles Schools
• Joanna Bloor, co-founder, The Amplify Lab
• Jody Gerson, chairman and CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group
• Jurnee Smollett Bell, actress and activist
• Kara Berklich Weber, founding partner, Brilliant Ventures
• Kathy Ring, president/chief operating officer, Starcom LA
• Kelley Skoloda, partner/director, Marketing to Women/Moms, Ketchum
• Kimberly Bryant, founder and executive director, Black Girls CODE
• Kristin Hylek, manager, alliances & brands, PR & brand engagement, McDonald’s USA
• Lisa Stone, BlogHer co-founder and entrepreneur
• Lori Schwartz, co-founder and chief technology catalyst, StoryTech
• Madeline Di Nonno, chief executive officer, Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media
• Mandana Dayani, chief brand officer, Everything But The House
• Menaka Gopinath, president, North America Ispos Social Media Exchange
• Meredith Chin, head of brand & culture, LiveList
• Michelle Jubelirer, chief operating officer, Capitol Music Group
• Morra Aarons-Mele, founder, Women Online/The Mission List
• Rachel Shechtman, founder, STORY
• Sarah Brokaw, author and psychologist
• Sarah Michelle Gellar, co-founder, Foodstirs
• Sarah Penna, head of awestruck, AwesomenessTV
• Shannon Pruitt, president, The StoryLab

We are honored to work with each and every one of these rock stars — from the folks who have been to many BlogHer events to those who are learning about us just now. We know that their diverse and individual perspectives will bring so much to every attendee.

See you in Los Angeles!

My son Junior found out Santa wasn't real a month shy of turning 10. He took it really hard too. When he came into my room to confront me about the rumors he’d heard at school, I could see the weight of this new information was heavy on his mind.

When I explained the whole “spirit of Christmas is real even if Santa isn’t” line, it didn’t seem to make a difference. My son was heartbroken. He said to me, “I don’t believe in the Easter Bunny now. Or God. I don’t believe in anything anymore.”

That didn’t go exactly as I’d hoped. I would have gladly taken a dagger to the heart over his loss of faith in magic — and (sadly) me.

I’d begged my son to not tell his little brother, who, at 8, still had major feels for the fat man in red. He promised me he wouldn’t, and I can’t be sure he did, but my youngest found out within a week, and thus the legend of Santa died a sudden death in my home.

More: This woman lost her job for telling kids the 'truth' about Santa Claus

Curious as to how other moms handled this topic, I took to asking friends, acquaintances and even a few strangers, “How did you tell your kids Santa wasn’t real?” Here’s a pro tip: Make sure there aren’t any younger children within earshot when you ask the question. That mistake cost me one and a half friends.

The following answers are from actual parents who, like me, had "the Santa talk" with their curious child(ren). I have changed most of their names to protect their privacy and paraphrased where necessary. I do not endorse any of these methods as foolproof ways to prevent the decimation of a child's Christmas hope, nor can I confirm or deny that many of these kids will need future therapy. But let's be honest: They probably will, including my own child.

My research revealed some interesting themes in Santa-truthing. Some moms chose to be direct and lay reality on the line with no frills or fuss about "Christmas spirit."

Mom A: "People are going to think I'm mean. I was married with three kids, and we lived on a small military income. We couldn't afford the nice things that our kids would ask for. I told them there was no Santa Claus at a very early age for two reasons:

1) I didn't want them to be sad and think Santa didn't give them what they had asked for when everyone else they knew got what they wanted.

2) I was a very 'by the Bible' person back then and didn't lie to my kids.

They were fine with it. I think. I guess I should ask them."

More: Why I'll never force my kids to sit on Santa's lap

Other moms didn't have the chance to tell their kids because of their jerk-face exes.

Mom B: "I just have an ex-husband that wanted all the credit for gifts..."

(Not sure if that's why they divorced, but it seems plausible.)

Some moms let their children take the lead or just never tell their kids at all.

Mom C: "My daughter asked if Santa was real, and I said, 'What do you think?' She was sheepish about it, and so I said, 'No, but the spirit is.' And then I said, 'Don't tell your sisters.' Then I kinda felt like a little weight was off my shoulders. She wasn't upset. The other two still believe, but I wonder, when will be a good age to tell them?"

Mom D: "We have never told the boys, and I don't plan on ever telling them. I am sure our oldest son doesn't believe at 15, but he's never asked. Our other child still believes. We have always just told them that Christmas is magic. That is what I have always believed, and I loved the magic of Christmas growing up."

More: The Santa 'lie' really can give your kids trust issues

A few parents said they waited until their child seemed ready to know — only to find out they weren't.

Mom E: "I made sure my daughter really didn't believe before I told her that she was right. Of course it crushed her world, as she still wanted to believe. Sorry, kiddo."

Mom F: "My son seemed like he knew, because he'd been asking indirectly for the past year. So when I sat him down and told him Santa was actually me and his father, I didn't expect him to start crying. But he did."

Blogger Kimberly Thomas shared her story of telling her daughter that Santa was not a jolly fat man but rather Daddy. When her daughter nearly spilled the beans to her little brother, this mom used good old-fashioned Christmas threats to get her in line.

"If you tell your brother, you won't get a thing for Christmas."

Finally, one smart mom cautioned other parents to not overdo the honesty when they tell their kids about Santa.

Mom G: "If they ask if Santa is real, do not volunteer the information that neither is the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy. Apparently a fat man flying in a sleigh, delivering presents to millions of kids in one single night is the only far-fetched idea, and not a 6-foot bunny hopping about with baskets of candy."

Is there a right way to tell your kids there is no Santa Claus? Probably not. But if you've already spun a web of lies, no matter how beautifully lit they seem, you'll probably have a mess from which to untangle yourself.

All Italian kids grew up with pan di spagna. It's the basic sponge cake that can be eaten with the hands. Sure, it doesn't have attractive colors that can make kids' eyes open wide with interest, but just the same, it's one of the best midmorning or midafternoon snacks they can get that's made by their own moms (or nonna). It beats the commercially bought, fully loaded treats available in supermarkets nowadays — it has just eggs, sugar and flour.

It's also that kind of cake that will always be around when families get together, because it's a traditional dessert. Typically it is filled with crema pasticcera, or pastry cream, in the middle and then simply covered with a good sprinkling of powdered sugar. It may not be big on looks, but the taste will always be dependably and deliciously Italian.

Being married to a man with a big family of women who love to cook, I learned a lot of things in the kitchen. Living in an Italian home is like being in a casual culinary school day in and day out. You speak about food while cooking, and you still speak about food when you are not cooking. Pan di spagna was one of the first recipes I learned from my mother-in-law. It's a basic kind of cake that has been around for generations in all Italian households, with their own recipes that have been tried and tested for years. With different cooks and opinions, there are a lot of pan di spagna recipes in personal recipe books. I have a few too, and when I am short on time, I usually follow this simplest recipe, with a soft and spongy result. You can add anything you want to the base, like candied fruits, nuts or chocolate. Buon appetito!

Pan di spagna con crema pasticcera (Italian sponge cake with pastry cream) recipe

Yields 1 (9-inch) cake; serves 6 – 8

Prep time: 20 minutes | Bake time: 40 minutes | Total time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 5 eggs, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• Pinch salt
• 1 vanilla pod (or zest of 1 organic orange or 1 organic lemon)
• 1-1/8 cups flour type doppio zero or "00" (can be replaced with all-purpose flour)
• Oil spray or butter
• 1/8 cup almond liqueur or orange juice (any kind of liqueur or juice will do)
• 1/8 cup water
• 2 cups pastry cream (see recipe below)
• 1/3 cup icing sugar

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Prepare the baking pan (springform works best) by spraying it with oil or rubbing it with butter. Line the bottom part and sides with baking paper in the correct size.
3. In a large bowl, whip the eggs, sugar, vanilla or citrus zest and salt on medium for about 10 minutes.
4. Sift the flour, and fold it into the whipped egg mixture.
5. Pour the batter into the baking pan, and bake for 35 – 40 minutes or until the cake is baked through. Check by inserting a toothpick in the middle. If it comes out clean, then it is cooked. If not, bake for a few more minutes.
6. When the cake is done, let it cool.
7. Slice the cake in the middle with a very sharp knife or a thin nylon thread (like the kind used for fishing) to make the slice even.
8. In a small bowl, mix together the liqueur and water, then brush both inner parts of the sliced pan di spagna with the mixture to moisten the cake.
9. Spread the pastry cream all over the pan di spagna, then put the other half back on top.
10. Garnish the top with the icing sugar by using a sieve to distribute it evenly. You can be creative and make some shapes too.

Crema pasticcera (pastry cream) recipe

Yields 2 cups

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 10 minutes | Total time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 1 vanilla pod
• 5 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan over low heat, warm up the milk with the vanilla pod and the seeds scraped off from the pod until the milk is almost boiling.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the sugar until creamy and light in color. Add the cornstarch gradually while whisking, and then set aside.
3. Remove the vanilla pod from the milk, and discard it.
4. Turn on the heat again, and over low heat, whisk the egg mixture gradually into the milk until it becomes thick and creamy. If the pastry cream becomes too thick after it cools down, just thin it out with a little bit of milk, and whisk well.

More cake recipes

Carrot cake
Super-easy grapefruit-rosemary cake
Fresh Meyer lemonade cake

This is a daunting task for any mother of color. Our white counterparts have the luxury of teaching their children that the police are here to protect and serve. Black mothers teach our kids the very same thing, but with a twist — the police may not always serve you. You will be considered Enemy No. 1 as soon as you reach double digits.

For African-Americans, police brutality has no borders — it affects African-Americans of all backgrounds. Educated or not, poor or not, you are still in danger of being harassed and targeted by the police. I know, no matter how much I invest in my son’s education or raise him to be an extraordinary man, he is still at risk of police brutality.

It’s no longer "what will I tell my son," but what will I tell my child — girls are victims just as much as boys.

For me, it’s all about survival. How can I get this child from point A to point B?

When I am faced with the question: “What do I tell my son?” I immediately and literally think of survival. In an attempt to prevent harm to my son, I have created a set of instructions for life. Here is the set of instructions I intend on telling my son as a way to save his life.

1. Be a model citizen

We have seen time and time again, that in the event of a killing by the hands of police, the media attempts to discredit the victim. My advice to my son is to educate himself and to be a model citizen. African-American men don’t have the luxury of being average. You have to be exceptional. Live your life as a man with integrity and class. Be a great person and follow the rules. Spend your life engaging with positive people of all backgrounds. If you fail to create a life for yourself that is the exception, it will be the first place they will attack your character. By being a model citizen, they can no longer attempt to discredit you with past indiscretions or minor infractions, should an issue ever arise.

2. Accept that there are double standards

I am a realist. I would love for racism and racial profiling to end, but right now there is — and has always been — a double standard for people of color. My advice to my son is to live his life, knowing there are many negative expectations, stereotypes and misconceptions placed on him. Don’t be the stereotype. If you are wronged or mistreated, don’t be silent. Stand up for yourself, but know that you must do it in a way that will not appear aggressive. Be the bigger person and take the rational, calm and educated approach. There is definitely a double standard associated with people of color. When you face racism or mistreatment, be smart and outsmart them at their game. Use strategic tactics, like writing a letter to a superior, connecting with like-minded organizations or starting a social media following. We have access to the masses through social media — use it. Use it to raise awareness of a shady situation or to promote change.

3. If you ever come in contact with the police or a person of authority

Remain calm. Never reach for anything or try to run. Identify the issue early on. Once you realize it's a race issue, realize this is a fight you can't debate or win on a dark street all alone. Just let the whole scene play out and fix it later. There is no point in trying to reason with them. If they are determined to give you a hard time, they will. In that moment, they have the upper hand. Let them believe they have won, because there is no point in losing your life. Sure, they may violate your rights and disrespect you, but you will live to see another day. You have more power the next day in court than all alone on the street.

4. I would rather you be an advocate than a victim

If you find yourself in a predicament with the police, don't allow your ego to get in your way. Be silent and make a mental note of everything, their name, badge, police department, the location of the incident and the entire scene. Never provoke them. We can use this valuable information to file a report, contact the internal affairs division of the department or contact a lawyer. There is more power this way. If they attempt to arrest you, be arrested — don’t give a fight. We will find you. Don't be known for losing your life to police brutality — be known for being an advocate. Take your experience, report it, start a movement, start a blog, raise awareness and empower blacks and non-blacks about the issues of police brutality.

My approach to my son is not to justify, condone or place blame on victims of police brutality. It is my attempt to protect him. I feel that there are no real guaranteed answers that I can give, but these are the instructions I have to give to keep him safe. My goal is to prepare him for life. The reality is, at some point, he may have an encounter with the police, and my hope is that he employs these strategies. My overall goal is to encourage him to find the means to always make it home.

1. Bob Harper as host

Alison Sweeney is out and Bob Harper is in as the newest host of The Biggest Loser. Harper has an engaging personality, so fans are looking forward to seeing him in this new role.

More: 9 Things to know about The Biggest Loser Season 17 cast

2. Familiar faces

Every once in a while, The Biggest Loser throws the viewers a curveball in the form of a celebrity contestant. Ruben Studdard made quite the impression when he joined the show, and now, Erin Willett (from The Voice) and Richard Hatch (the first winner of Survivor) hope to do the same. Willett's story is especially inspiring, as she struggled with bulimia after her brief stint on The Voice.

More: Biggest Loser contestants reveal 9 'brutal' behind-the-scenes secrets

3. Tons of temptation

In the past, The Biggest Loser has been accused of not adequately preparing contestants for the real world. Although it takes a lot of mental strength to lose a ton of weight in a boot camp environment, getting back to the temptations of real life is just as difficult, if not worse.

Numerous contestants have exited the show looking slim and trim, only to gain back all of the weight they lost. Season 17 aims to fix this by forcing contestants to face temptation on a regular basis. Not only will this better prepare them for their The Biggest Loser exit, it will make the show that much more interesting for viewers, who will be eager to see who gives in to temptation.

More: Jillian Michaels claims The Biggest Loser made her look "harsh"

4. A new house

The recently released preview for The Biggest Loser offered a very brief glimpse of the show's new house, which features a huge swimming pool. The contestants will also have the opportunity to break a sweat in the show's brand-new gym.

5. Newish trainers

OK, the trainers aren't exactly new, but they will take on a new form of competitiveness as they go head-to-head. Jen Widerstrom will return for her second season, while this will be Dolvett Quince's sixth season on the show. Widerstrom is determined to "make an even bigger impression... than last season," but Quince is all about helping the contestants on his team discover their true selves. It will be interesting to see these two and their respective teams duke it out.

The Biggest Loser returns to NBC on Jan. 4 at 8/7c.

Are you looking forward to the new season of The Biggest Loser? Comment and share your opinion below.

The new pics — which feature Ghostbusters cast members Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon kitted up in signature khaki jumpsuits and proton packs just like their predecessors Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson in the original movie — show the fearsome foursome looking totally badass. Sadly, though, the Internet trolls were out in force to rain misogynistic crap all over the movie.

More: New all-female Ghostbusters pic goes viral, men predictably freak out (PHOTO)

More: Ghostbusters director goes on rant aimed at misogynistic movie haters

Predictably, reactions on Twitter were incredibly sexist.

More: Latest Ghostbusters photo receives horribly sexist, fat-shaming responses

Of course, this is far from the first time people have reacted to the reboot with abject misogyny. Cast member Kristen Wiig addressed it in an October interview with the Los Angeles Times.

"The fact there was so much controversy because we were women was surprising to me," she said. "Some people said some really not nice things about the fact that there were women… it just really bummed me out. We're really honoring those movies."

More: 11 Manbabies crying about the new all-female Ghostbusters remake

Ghostbusters director Paul Feig vented his frustration, as well. "I just don't understand why it's ever an issue anymore," he told Entertainment Weekly. "I've promoted both Bridesmaids and The Heat and myself and my cast are still hit constantly with the question, 'Will this answer the question of whether women can be funny?' I really cannot believe we're still having this conversation."

Do you think the all-female reboot of Ghostbusters is going to be awesome or awful? Sound off in the comments section below.

More: Sweet Ghostbusters hospital visit sparks negative response from Internet trolls

Giudice seems to have gained some much-needed perspective on what is really important in life during her prison stint, and her new first priority is her family — including her brother Joe Gorga and his wife Melissa.

The bitter feud between Giudice and the Gorgas has been fodder for many compelling episodes of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, but now Giudice wants to let bygones be bygones. The questions is, is the feeling mutual?

More: Teresa Giudice's holiday plans prove Christmas miracles do happen

"She's looking forward to seeing her brother," a source told Radar Online. "She has really had time to reflect and frankly she has no ill will towards him.

"She has really worked on herself and has had time to reflect about life. It was really therapeutic for her. She's honestly not going back with any ill will towards anybody.

"She has forgiven her brother for everything, and she has also forgiven Melissa," the source said.

So how do the Gorgas feel about this? Their outlook isn't quite as rosy.

"Even though Melissa says in public that she supports Teresa, Melissa still has a lot of animosity towards her," the source claimed.

More: RHONJ's Jim Marchese furious over Bravo's decision about Teresa Giudice

But that isn't holding Giudice back from her quest for reconciliation.

"Teresa, for her part, has definitely released everything and forgiven everyone and turned over a new leaf," the source said. "She has had a lot of time to think about life and think about the mistakes she has made. She's taking responsibility for her actions. She admitted her faults and did her time. She's not trying to point fingers and she's not trying to act like a victim.

"She is very remorseful about the relationships that not only suffered as a result of this, but also as a result [of] all the stress she was under during the process.

"She attributes the difficulties on the show [to] all that she was going through," the source concludes. "She's only human. All she can do is say she is sorry to anyone she has hurt, do her time, and really move on. She's in a really good place."

Do you think that Giudice and the Gorgas can really put their drama behind them? Sound off in the comments below.

More: The Real Housewives of New Jersey fans bash Joe Gorga for putting on a pity party

Raven-Symoné, known for her often controversial (to say the least) opinions on a variety of topics, stepped into the argument on The View today with a defense of Lohan and the pitfalls of celebrity.

More: Raven-Symoné's comments on South Carolina student assault upsets fans

Lawrence made a crack about Lohan during a recent promo appearance for her new flick Joy, comparing the way her body reacts to her work ethic to Lohan after a bender. “I get like, Lindsay Lohan-grade exhaustion, but without any drugs or alcohol,” she joked. But Raven-Symoné failed to see the humor.

"She has had problems in her life from family to work, and again, nobody ever believes me, but people in the industry have problems too," Raven-Symoné told the panel about Lohan. "Just because you have a lot of money... You know what I'm talking about. People hate when I talk about it but I don't care, because I have issues too, and just because I'm a celebrity and I'm famous and I have money, it doesn't mean I don't have issues.

"I'm still a human first," she stressed. "And Lindsay has issues that need to be taken care of."

More: Raven-Symoné's discriminatory remarks on The View cause an uproar (VIDEO)

At the same time, Raven-Symoné understands why Lohan is the butt of so many jokes, and why the feud between Lawrence and Lohan is a hot topic.

"We are public domain, that's the sad part," she said. "As a celebrity, you're public domain. Our lives get talked about even when we don't want it talked about, or if we do want it talked about. So anyone trying to start a fight with those two, that's public domain."

Does what Raven-Symoné has to say about this odd feud make sense? Sound off in the comments below.

More: Candace Cameron Bure, Raven-Symoné argue over First Amendment rights

Follow this easy tutorial to learn how to make your own candles. They are perfect for decorating your own home and make beautiful personalized gifts.

How to make scented candles

Materials and tools:

• Wax flakes
• Pre-waxed candle wicks
• Containers for candles
• Non-toxic crayon or candle color block
• Essential oils
• Glass container
• Saucepan or pot
• Skewers or chopsticks
• Tape
• Stove
• Scissors

Directions:

Note: You’ll want to start off by cleaning your glass containers. Using regular dish soap will do the job, just make sure you dry them thoroughly when you’re done.

Step 1: Setting up your wicks

To set up the candlewicks in your containers, you’ll want to lay the metal piece flat against the bottom. Then use your chopsticks/skewers to hold up the wicks, and tape the ends of the chopsticks to keep everything in place.

Step 2: Measuring the wax flakes

Measure out the amount of candle wax flakes you’ll need for each of your containers. The rule of thumb is two times the amount of wax flakes to fill each container.

Step 3: Melting the wax

Fill a saucepan with water to about the halfway mark. Place your measured amount of wax flakes in the glass container. Then place the glass container in the saucepan. Be sure the water level is low enough, so it won’t splash into the wax flakes when it starts to boil. Turn your stove on to medium-high, and use a metal spoon to stir occasionally.

Step 4: Adding color to your candles

This is an optional step. Your candles will come out a naturally milky white, but if you’d like to add a little color, you can use a non-toxic crayon or candle color block. I typically use 1/8 inch of red crayon per 16 fl. oz. to get a soft pastel color. Want a brighter color? Use a little bit more, only adding color a bit at a time. Like food coloring, a small amount goes a long way. Simply melt your color along with your wax flakes. Warning: The color will look a lot brighter in the melted mixture but will turn a milky color as it cools.

Step 5: Add scent

Once all the wax is completely melted, remove the wax mixture from the stove. My rule of thumb is 10 drops of essential oil per 16 fl. oz. It makes for a moderately scented candle. Use less or more depending on taste, and feel free to experiment and mix oils to create a scent of your own. Add the measured amount of essential oil to your wax mixture and give it a good stir to make sure it’s well-mixed.

Step 6: Pouring the wax

Make sure your containers are in a good location where they won’t need to be moved for a few hours. Then slowly pour your melted wax mixture into your containers.

Step 7: Setting your candle

Allow 3-4 hours for your candles to cool and solidify. It’s best to let them solidify at room temperature, so the cooling process is gradual. This prevents cracks in the wax.

More crafts to make

DIY Caged pearl necklace
12 DIY projects for candles
DIY heart candles

More: Sister Wives fans go nuts over Maddie Brown's engagement pics (PHOTOS)

But that seems unlikely to happen, considering the latest news: Her online lover plans to release a tell-all book about the affair.

"Sam Cooper," the man who Brown reportedly fell in love with and who is actually a 40-year-old Oklahoma woman named Jackie Overton, posted on "his" website about the book, Almost Meri'd, which is already available for preorder.

"I told my story following the timeline I have of the texts and voicemails," Cooper wrote. "I have only posted half of all the stuff I have. I kept some that I will never share because it’s too personal. The rest tells the stories no one knows about."

The book can be preordered for only $6, $1 for every month that he and Meri were together, Cooper wrote.

More: Sister Wives' kids admit they yearn for a different lifestyle

"Im (sic) exhausted but for the first time since the end of August feel like this whole thing is off of my shoulders," he added. "I think I will finally sleep all the way through the night. It’s finally over for me and I’m ready for it to be done."

The 200-page e-book is already causing problems for Brown, who "isn't happy about the book," according to a source close to the family. The insider adds, "Meri just wants to move past this already."

According to In Touch, Overton's ability to publish the book may be delayed due to her inability to produce documentation for SJC Investments, the company Cooper supposedly owns. But according to Cooper's blog, "he" expects to release the book before Christmas.

More: Sister Wives: Season 7 to alienate the rest of the wives, focus on Robyn

Would you read Almost Meri'd? Or do you think Meri Brown deserves her privacy following her affair? Sound off down in the comments!

More: Lisa Rinna makes bold accusations about Kim Richards' rehab escape

In fact, a source revealed that the now-reality star had just about everyone's future except her own in mind when she agreed to appear on the show, according to E! News.

"At first, Yolanda's children were a big reason she decided to do the show," the source said. "She wanted to boost their careers and she definitely succeeded. Bella and Gigi have become household names."

According to the site, Bella and Gigi Hadid were just high school students and modeling hopefuls before Foster joined the show three years ago. As a former supermodel herself, it appears Foster realized the good she could do for her daughters' careers by joining RHOBH.

More: David Foster makes devastating accusation about Yolanda Foster's health

Clearly, it paid off. Gigi and Bella, 19 and 20, respectively, are definitely household names after locking down ad campaigns for Maybelline and Guess, and walking for brands like Victoria's Secret and Chanel. They've both appeared on countless covers for fashion magazines in the U.S. and abroad. Even their lesser-known younger brother, Foster's son Anwar Hadid, has appeared in Nylon and seems to be about to launch his own successful modeling career.

And now that her goal of building careers for her kids has been achieved, Foster has a new purpose in mind: to spread awareness of Lyme disease, the ailment she's been suffering from for years.

"Now, one of the reasons she remains on the show is to help shine a light on her disease," the source told E! News.

More: Yolanda Foster is suffering through her ex-husband's outrageous demands

Do you think Yolanda Foster has had legitimate reasons for joining RHOBH and staying on the show for so many years? Head down to the comments to share your thoughts with us.

One of the hardest things for me when baking a pie is to make the edges of the crust pretty. My answer to that is to make a galette, which is so very pretty, and the best part is that there are no pie dough edges to deal with. Just simple folds that are made toward the middle of the pie.

Since this galette is filled with eggs, I baked it in a pie pan rather than baking it on a cookie sheet.

The good news is that the galette should come out of the pie pan easily, so it can be served on a plate. Just run a small, sharp knife around the galette in between the crust and the pan, and then, using a large spatula, carefully lift it out of the pan and onto a serving plate.

This makes an easy breakfast because the dough can be made ahead of time.

Southwestern-style egg and sage sausage galette recipe

Serves 5

Prep time: 14 minutes | Inactive time: 12 hours | Cook time: 56 minutes | Total time: 13 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients:

For the pastry

• 1-1/4 cups flour (for the dough)
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 8 tablespoons (1 cube) butter, cut into cubes
• 3 teaspoons lime juice
• 1/4 cup ice water
• 2 tablespoons flour (to flour the dough's rolling surface)

For the galette

Directions:

For the pastry

1. To a large bowl, add the flour, sugar, salt and butter.
2. Cut the butter into small pieces with a pastry cutter, 2 knives or your fingers.
3. Add the lime juice and ice water. Stir the ingredients.
4. Knead the dough a few times, and transfer it to a piece of plastic wrap.
5. Add another piece of plastic wrap on top of the dough. On top of the plastic wrap, roll the dough a few times with a rolling pin until it's a small, thick circle.
6. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator overnight.
7. Add flour to the rolling surface, and roll out the dough into a circle large enough so that it will hang over the sides of a standard-size pie pan.

For the galette

More breakfast pastry recipes

Caramelized onion quiche
Spring greens and Comté cheese quiche
Salmon, asparagus and Brie quiche

While no injuries or illnesses have been reported to date (and the company contends that there is no health risk to consuming the drink), Trader Joe's has removed and destroyed all product from store shelves. They became aware of the issue when customers reported their unopened bottles burst open or shattered, and it's too easy to imagine the danger (or complete mess) if your bottles start exploding in your home.

More: Tiny pieces of plastic are hiding in your table salt

The affected bottles were sold at Trader Joe's stores nationwide and come in a 25.4 FL OZ (750 mL) glass bottle. All bottles that were purchased from Nov. 9, 2015 through Dec. 14, 2015 (SKU 51857) are part of this recall. This includes all codes and all lots.

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

If you have any of the affected bottles, Trader Joe's advises that you handle them with care and dispose of them immediately into an outside container. The store will also issue a refund to those who purchased the affected product.

If you have any questions about this product or its recall, you can phone Trader Joe's customer relations at 626-599-3817 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday. You can also contact them via email.

While it's heartening to know that nobody has been harmed by a bursting Trader Joe's Triple Ginger Brew bottle, it's just as heartening to know the company took action on the reports and dealt with it immediately.

Read the excerpt from What Happens Under the Mistletoe:

He came up behind her, stepping between her and a broad potted palm, and slipped an arm about her waist. With an insistent move, he pulled her against him and then moved deeper into the privacy afforded by the palm pots. With a few steps they were completely hidden from sight.

Marcus murmured in her ear, “There you are, under the mistletoe, just as you promised.”

She held still, though her breath quickened visibly, the feather near her mouth fluttering. “Rothesay?” she whispered.

“Who else?” He chuckled and slipped his hands from her waist up her front, finding her full breasts.

Her hands closed over his and she gasped, shivering in delight.

More: Read a scene from The Prince and I by Karen Hawkins

“Mmmm, I have been thinking of this — of you — all evening,” he murmured into her delicate neck and increased his ministrations.

A deep sigh shuddered through her and she pressed back against him, tilting her head to give his lips better access to her neck. Her scent tempted and teased him.

“A new perfume,” he whispered. “From an admirer? Should I be jealous, my lovely swan?”

In answer, she quickly turned in his arms, slipped her arms about his neck and pulled his mouth down to hers. The second his lips touched hers, a wild, savage heat raced through him and his heart thundered in his ears in a reaction so swift, so furious, his breath disappeared. Damn, I haven’t felt this since —

He opened his eyes. Instead of Lila’s light blue eyes, smoky brown ones met his. Can it be —?

More: Why dating a prince is the absolute best

He broke the kiss, tightened his arm about her waist, and lifted her off her feet, holding her prisoner against his chest while he yanked free the bow tied behind her ear. With a twist of his wrist, he jerked the mask free.

And there she was, bare-faced, her body held to his, her thickly lashed eyes wide with fear and something else, her lips but an inch from his. “Kenna!” It was more a moan than her name, for even as he was furious at her deception, his body ached to taste her again.

About the author: Karen Hawkins is a USA TODAY and New York Times bestselling author of some of the funniest and freshest fairytale-based Scottish romances. When not stalking hot Australian actors, getting kicked out of West Virginia thanks to the antics of her extended family or adding to her considerable shoe collection, Karen is getting chocolate on her keyboard while writing her next delightfully fun and sexy historical romance!

The stop

Will had spent part of last holiday season in Dallas with some friends and visiting his daughter, and when it was time for him to come home, I wanted him off the road early. All his life, he has moved at his own pace, so the fact that I had to call him 30 times that day telling him to get moving meant little.

My fear didn’t only involve the fact that he would be traveling after dark; my fear was that he would be traveling while dark. He would be driving while black to be exact, which is one of the many things that the black community has contended will get you beaten or killed.

As I said, he left late; and being young and foolish, he paid no mind to the speedometer. He was clocked traveling 93 mph in Hallsville, TX. He should have been stopped. I would not know about the stop until he made it home.

When he finally presented me with the ticket, the first words out of his mouth were not, “I’m sorry, Mom,” they were, “Mama, I was so scared.”

He said the officer was very nice to him, but he had made Will sit in the back of the squad car while he ran Will's info. He said the officer asked him where he played football — he’s a big kid so it was obvious he plays football — and when he found out that Will had played for Allen, he told him how proud he was of the team.

Will, on the other hand, was terrified he would get shot. He said the entire time he was in the back of that car, his only thought was how he would get out if things went bad.

He said, “Mama, he would have had to shoot me in the back because I wasn’t going to let him do anything to me.”

Will remained respectful and I am grateful for that, but I still shudder when I think of my child in the back of that squad car. I know that it could have easily become a situation that would have garnered national attention.

What I tell my son

I’ve taught my son to stand up for himself. I’ve taught him to pick his arguments carefully and to defend himself relentlessly. I’ve taught him to be respectful but truthful. The thing is, I’ve had to revise some of that advice. I want him to stand up for and defend himself, but I know for a fact that in the face of a bad cop, doing either of those things will get him killed. Plain and simple, he would die. It’s difficult for me to insist that he maintain self-respect when an action to that regard may be considered disrespectful by a rogue cop.

I want my son to graduate from college. I want him to flourish in his career. I want more grandchildren. I tell my son to stay compliant if he’s ever caught in a situation where his life may be in danger with law enforcement, because it will be easier for me to hire an attorney to defend him than it will be to choose a casket to bury him in. I don’t know what else to tell him. I remain in deep, unceasing prayer for him, but I don’t know what else to tell him.

In all seriousness, there seems to be a fair bit of contention about whether or not it's OK to tell a child to check themselves lest they wreck themselves when that child is not the fruit of your own loins. I'm solidly on team disciplining other people's kids, just as I support the people who might have my back in public and discipline my own child when she starts to crank it up to 11 and I might not, for some reason, be able to do it myself. But when to do it?

More: 'My son has emotions too' — one mom's plea to stop ignoring our boys

Take it from someone who has told a fair share of strangers' kids to act right: For everything there is a season. A season to keep your mouth shut, and a season to tell someone else's kid to knock that ish off, and this is when it's cool to do so:

1. If they're about to do themselves bodily harm.

Example: A bunch of kids are about to go get some serious cuddles from the frothy-mouthed raccoon chilling on your dumpsters in broad daylight.

Seriously, if the only thing standing between a child and their inevitable decapitation is you shouting, "NO THANK YOU FRIEND!!" as you race toward them in your jammie pants, it's time to stop thinking about what's awkward and think about whether you want a kid's blood on your hands when you could have put a stop to it. Also spare a thought for your liability insurance, which probably doesn't cover "rabid raccoon maulings." Don't let a kid get natural-selected on your watch.

2. If they're about to do someone else bodily harm.

Example: The neighbor children have decided to find out if people really can't fly, using a younger sibling as a test subject, or if Mom just told them that because adults suck and are boring.

You know what (most) older kids suck at? Not going f***ing bananas on the playground after school, even if little kids are around. There is a dark place in hell for the parents who stand by and do nothing while an older child unwittingly clotheslines the adorable toddler waiting nicely in line for the slide. Speak up.

More: No, calling CPS on another parent isn't 'judgmental'

3. If they are being cruel.

Example: The common area at your apartment building has become a horrifying mix of Heart of Darkness and Lord of the Flies, with one poor sucker at the middle of it all.

Mob mentality has nothing on a group of middle schoolers. They can sniff out insecurities and jab with searing insults from a surprisingly young age, and it's easy for everyone to join in on the awfulness. If you see kids being nasty, know that they're kids and will hopefully look back on their cruelty with cringey regret, but at least stick up for the other kid who's bearing the brunt of everyone else's psycho-sexual adolescent renaissance. Then say a prayer of thanks that you never have to be 13 again.

4. If they're about to get it way worse from someone else.

Example: The kids next to you in the theater are bored during the previews and currently hosting a fart contest, and the elderly couple two rows in front of you is shooting dirty looks and trying to flag down a manager.

Hey, here's another thing kids suck at: sitting still and being quiet. That's cool, but if you're in a place where you know they could get kicked out or day-ruined for being obnoxious hellbeasts, maybe shoot them a warning, so that things don't turn ugly.

More: The toy gun my son won't be getting for Christmas this year

5. When their actual parents have their hands way full.

Example: At the county fair, where Mom is grappling with a hungry baby, her boobs a-floppin', her toddler makes a break for freedom, tearing his pants off as he flies past the bull pen.

Kids play by themselves. Sometimes, that's on the apartment basketball court. Sometimes, it's in the tampon aisle of Target, where they are currently launching "tampon missiles" into the diuretics and laxatives aisle because they know the adult in their life has the flu and can barely stand up in the pharmacy line and can't do shit about it right now. Go be a helper.

6. When you're in charge of keeping them alive.

Example: The hellscape known as the "school field trip."

When kids are in your charge, don't wring your hands and worry if little Timmy will go home and tell his mommy you were mean to him. Keep them alive and treat them like your own, which means shooting them death glares or giving gentle redirection or whatever it is you do to keep your own kid breathing. If little Timmy's parents don't like it, guess what? You're off the hook and that kid never needs to come to your house or on your field trip again, which is basically a win.

Obviously there's never a reason to hit or berate or swear at or terrify a kid, but sometimes it's necessary to go make it weird by being the mean neighbor lady or the one kids whisper "that's so-and-so's mom" about when you pass.

Of course, the river flows both ways, and if you want to be the mean mom, like I am, you're going to have to not freak out if someone tells your child to stop acting a damn fool sometimes.

It truly takes a village.

Baking a Christmas pie without our pie aptitude assessment will never lead to any noticeable consequences whatsoever, but you certainly don't want to kick off your seasonal baking without it.

Our 12-question quiz will delve deep into your holiday psyche, completely disregarding science in search of your eternal pie soul, and help you find the pie you were always meant to bake.

Young Canadian women are financially better off than their American counterparts. The reason? Extended parental leave. A recent TD Economics study reports that Canadians aged 25-34 are richer and more likely to have a job than Americans the same age.

"In large part, the better performance in Canadian employment rates and income among millennials has been due to higher female labour force participation," write the study’s authors, economists Beata Caranci and Diana Petramala. "Employment rates for males between the age of 25 to 34 have stagnated across time, whereas female employment rates in Canada are at near-record high levels." They point out that American women do not participate in the workforce to the same degree that Canadian women do.

Why are Canadian millennial women doing better?

Young Canadian women started to edge ahead of their American counterparts in 2001, before which they had similar levels of participation in the labour force. The study authors stress that it's no coincidence that Canadian women became more likely to hold down jobs after 2001, as this timing coincides with the Canadian government's expansion of parental leave from 10 weeks to 35 weeks. Today, Canadian women who've worked for as little as six months with a company can go on maternity leave for 17 months, after which both parents are eligible to share 37 weeks of parental leave.

The U.S., by contrast has no guaranteed paid maternity leave — in fact, many critics have called it out for having "the worst maternity laws on earth," given that the United States is the only industrialized nation without paid maternity leave.

More: What companies don't want you know know about maternity leave

Canada's extended parental leave has a tangible impact on people's lives. Canadian blogger Stephen Callaghan says Canada's extended paternal leave benefited him and his wife: "My wife got, basically, a year off, paid," Callaghan explained to HuffPost Live. "She gets the equivalent of something like 90 percent of her salary, but it's on a sliding scale depending on how close it is to the birth of the child."

More: How U.S. maternity leave policies compare to other countries

Keeping even more women in the workforce

Justin Trudeau caused a stir when he made campaign promises to add more time to parental leave, promising to extend it from the current 12 months to 18 months "when combined with maternity benefits — at a lower benefit level." Trudeau believes doing so would make parental leave more accessible to Canadians: "This added flexibility will increase the use of parental leave benefits, which means it would translate into an investment of $125 million more per year in the economic security of Canadian families."

While some Canadian women are eagerly waiting to see if he delivers on these promises, others, like Queens University professor Kathleen Lahey, think extending parental leave even further in its current state isn't in women’s best interests. Instead, Lahey tells CBC that the government ought to focus on providing women with things like "good, quality, affordable childcare to break the financial barriers that are preventing women's work from paying equally with men's," and more parental leave for the father or other parent.

Lahey worries that too many women wind up stuck permanently working part-time in Canada, rather than fully reintegrating into the workforce: "The longer the maternity leave, the higher the likelihood that women will not return to paid work at all or will return on a part-time basis."

The take home? Canadian millennial women may be better off than those in the U.S., but we still have a long road ahead when it comes to achieving full gender equality in the workplace.

More: Ask a raging feminist: How can we improve maternity leave in the U.S.?