An elderly woman known as "Nana Lilly" was absolutely delighted to receive her Baby Annabelle doll, as can be seen from the video her granddaughter posted to her Facebook page.
Maxine Daniel from Durham posted the video with the caption: "My Christmas gift to my lovely Nana Lilly (who sadly has dementia) was a Baby Annabelle doll. Her reaction is a joy to see and melts my heart."
The touching clip shows Nana Lilly cradling the doll, burping and rocking her as if she was a real newborn baby.
So far, the video has received over 36,000 likes and has been shared more than 9,000 times.
Opinion remains divided on whether so-called "doll therapy" is an effective stress-reliever for people with dementia, and some caregivers remain reluctant to try it.
Some studies of doll therapy in care homes have found it to be effective in calming residents, reducing wandering and lowering the need for psychotropic drugs. According to Alzheimers.net, caring for a doll may bring back happy memories of early parenthood, and make seniors feel useful and needed.
A systematic review carried out in Australia in 2014 concluded that there was limited evidence to support the use of doll therapy to manage agitation and verbally or physically aggressive behaviours among dementia patients, but also stated that this type of therapy has "no side effects" and "provides a safe comfort measure" for people with dementia.
In Nana Lilly's case, it seems pretty clear that her new baby is bringing her nothing but joy.
Unlike the adorable new moms you see cradling their newborns on TV, real life labor and delivery is a lot less pretty. It can take hours longer than you expect. You might poop yourself. Your beautiful baby may come out kind of smooshed and misshapen. Oh, yeah, and your vagina may lose it completely.
Most new moms expect some kind of life adjustment after having a baby: stress, sleepless nights and a few dirty diaper blowouts. But it's this total body overhaul (often with a few unpleasant surprises) that we're less likely to hear about from the moms we know on Facebook. In a 2013 TODAY Moms survey, 31 percent of new moms said they hated their bodies. And a BabyCenter survey from the previous year yielded similar results — 64 percent of women said they had worse body image after becoming a mother.
While there's no quick fix for the way pregnancy can change your body and even your lady parts, it helps to know that you're not alone. It also helps to put your body changes in context with what is the "new normal" for all the other moms who have gone before you. We've asked the medical experts to share what really goes down downtown after you have a baby:
Say it ain't so! According to Dr. Michael Ingber of the Center for Specialized Women's Health, an expert in sexual medicine and fellowship trained in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, "The muscles around the vagina (pelvic floor muscles) which typically provide support to 'keep things up' loosen during and after pregnancy/delivery. Things can actually drop or even fall out (e.g., bladder, bowel, uterus) the vaginal canal. This may need to be surgically fixed if bothersome."
Besides a lifetime supply of diapers, the one thing every new mom needs is a good lube in her nightstand. Dr. Jonathan Schaffir, OB/GYN at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, explains that plenty of women notice decreased lubrication or dryness after having a baby, particularly when breastfeeding. “Lactation inhibits the production of estrogen, the hormone that helps with vaginal blood flow. The problem can be even more noticeable in women using progesterone-only birth control such as the birth control shot or implant. The use of a lubricant may be helpful in women with this complaint,” he explains.
In what may be every new mom's greatest fear, Dr. Ingber describes another common postpartum vagina woe: feeling "loose" after delivery. He explains, "This is often due to the loss of support [from the vagina muscles]. This can be fixed surgically, or with office-based procedures to 'tighten' things up." Practicing Kegel exercises during pregnancy can also help to tighten and strengthen the pelvic floor, with the added bonus of preventing the post-baby sneeze-and-pee phenomenon.
Okay, this may be the part you really don’t want to hear, especially if you just had a baby. Dr. Angela Jones, the board-certified OB/GYN of AskDrAngela.com, says it’s incredibly common to “lose that lovin’ feelin’” after squeezing out a baby. And when you’re finally ready to try the act that got you into this mess in the first place, it’s likely that it’s going to feel uncomfortable and may hurt, at least a little. Dr. Angela says, “To be totally frank, it hurts like all get out! This may be even worse for my breastfeeding moms. Most of the pain with sex post-delivery is due to the fact that the vagina hasn’t quite returned to its pre-pregnancy form, specifically with regards to tissue elasticity, discharge production, etc. Most of this is due to hormonal imbalance, which will, not to fear, resolve on its own. Just make sure you have a heavy lubricant handy.”
You may feel like you lost all your dignity on the birthing table, but after the baby is born, the fun is far from done. What the laymen call “queefs,” the medical professionals describe as “air discharging from the vagina” after pregnancy — something that’s considered totally normal, especially during sex. Mary Jo Podgurski, RNC, EdD, CSE, CSC, Lamaze-Certified Childbirth Educator at Lamaze International, says, “A concern after giving birth is where the air is coming from. Gas can escape from the rectum and slide into the vagina. Pelvic floor exercises can help if the organs in the pelvic floor (the bladder or the rectum) are prolapsing (protruding into or pushing on the vaginal walls).”
If you're already thinking, "Yikes," you would be right. As if pushing a watermelon out of a keyhole wasn't punishment enough, vulvar varicose veins are likely to affect 10 percent of pregnant women, normally occurring during the fifth month of a second pregnancy. While alarming to the eye, most of these cases of varicose veins are painless and should disappear a month after delivery.
Pregnancy is the one glorious time in your life when you not only feel uncomfortable in any sleeping position and cry at the drop of a hat, but you are also more prone to yeast infections. The American Pregnancy Association says yeast infections are more common during pregnancy than in any other time in a woman's life, most often in the second trimester. Yeast infections during pregnancy are uncomfortable but not dangerous, but it’s still important to visit your doctor to treat any noticeable changes in discharge. (Yippee.)
Now that you’re thoroughly terrified (who ever said fear wasn’t a valid form of birth control?), there is some good news for the millions of moms crazy enough to have one or more babies. Dr. Schaffir describes the vagina as an “amazingly elastic organ” that can stretch to accommodate a baby’s head and return to its normal shape and caliber, with a catch. Dr. Schaffir says, “Although it returns to normal, most women will notice some change following their first vaginal delivery.” Dr. Angela adds that vaginas are rock stars with the ability to push out a 10-pound baby and then “pretty much” return to normal, though the vaginal opening may be a little wider than it used to be. “All things considering, not bad,” she says.
Your cable bill cutting into your grocery bill? You can relax a bit — starting March 1, 2016, Canadian TV providers will be required to offer us a basic package of channels for $25 a month. And if we want more, we'll get the option of ordering our cable "a la carte."
So there's the good news first. But as it turns out, the new model will inevitably prioritize some channels over others. Here's a look at who might lose out under the new model:
Sports fans will have to pay the most when choosing channels a la carte. “Clearly the most expensive (channels) will always be sports,” Gary Pelletier, president of the Canadian chapter of the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing, tells TheCanadianPress. “At the end of the day, for sports watchers, their cable bill will probably stay the same or increase, maybe... In the case of someone who doesn’t watch any sports at all, their bill will probably decrease.”
Smaller and more niche channels may suffer
Smaller channels like W Movies and Cosmo could suffer too — they may face a “subscriber melt,” Corus Entertainment president Doug Murphy tells The Canadian Press.
Networks like Bell Media say they're focusing on promoting established favourites, like TSN, Discovery, E! and Space. “We’ve taken a top-to-bottom review of our portfolio of channels and our first priority was to really make sure that the key brands... are all in their best fighting shape,” Tracey Pearce, senior vice president of specialty and pay channels explains to TheCanadianPress.
Several U.S. cable channels aren't keen on the new pick 'n' pay model, as it means they'll actually have to fight for subscribers rather than getting them by default. Mario Mota, an analyst for Ottawa's Boon Dog Professional Services tells TheHollywoodReporter that the unbundling of Canadian TV could cause less popular U.S. channels on Canadian TV to suffer from a lack of subscribers, but warns the unbundling will hurt Canadian channels most: "Pick and pay in Canada will not likely break a U.S. channel, but it could (break) some Canadian channels," explains Mota.
Survival of the fittest
Under the pick n' pay model, Canadian channels will have to fight for their mere existence.
Rogers Media's vice president of programming and content, Hayden Mindell, tells The Canadian Press that his survival plan entails focusing on providing the best content he can: “I’m just focused on getting the best shows I can get and trusting that people will — as they have for decades now — continue to go after those shows they really want."
But you know what? Despite the risks, most Canadians would do almost anything to cut down their cable bills. And considering the fact that so many of us are switching over to streaming TV on the Internet, Canadians clearly need to try a new model. Let's just hope we don't lose too much in the process.
Calvert posted the questionable image on Sunday, Dec. 27, showing himself in the back of a police car in handcuffs — but the barely visible smile on his face hinted that not all was what it seemed.
"Ha found this on my old phone what a night," he added when he posted the same photo on Instagram. "Had to keep shit interesting."
Of course, since Calvert was back on Twitter two hours later, he must have gotten in and out of jail pretty fast — so we're thinking this was just a joke. That didn't keep fans from making some major sexual innuendos about his cuffs, though.
"@jeremylcalvert505 you even make handcuffs look sexy!!! Haha," wrote berner1379Damn.
"#fiftyshadesofgreystatus" wrote megannicholeclick.
"Damn your so sexy @jeremylcalvert505," wrote rachel41287.
"Handcuffs always make a fun night," wrote pirateprincess83.
But at least one person was the voice of reason, calling out the women.
"LOL. You're [sic] possibly getting arrested in this photo and all these hoes are like 'omg Jeremy! Please, you're so sexy!' Damn, chill ladies, have some standards," wrote mmorcone89. "You are handsome though, and we all have nights like this. Hope it turned out ok Clearly it did @jeremylcalvert505."
What's not a joke, though, is Calvert's status on Teen Mom 2. While he left the show after his divorce from Leah Messer, there are hints that we could be seeing him again during Season 7 — most notably buried in the rumors that he and Messer are back together (which he emphatically denied.)
"Producers organized a dinner for Leah and Jeremy to talk about co-parenting and their plans for Addie's future," the insider revealed to Radar Online, adding that his scenes will probably air during the summer of 2016.
Back in 2008, the Hanke family from Berlin, Germany, lost their pet cat, Miko. He specifically belonged to Elena Hanke, who was only 11-years-old at the time that her furry friend disappeared. If you ever lost a pet as a child, you know how heartbreaking it can be, and how exceptionally difficult it is to get over. Sadly, pet disappearances are happening more and more these days, because of people who take them right off of private property, and try to sell them on various online sites.
Luckily, that does not appear to have been the fate of little Miko. While it's still unclear exactly where he was for the past seven years, he managed to get himself pretty close to his original home and loving owners. He was discovered by locals in Berlin's Kreuzberg neighborhood, which is only a few kilometers from Charlottenburg, the neighborhood in which the Hanke family resides. They took him to a nearby shelter, where his identifying chip denoted the Hankes as his rightful owners. They were called shortly after to come pick up their wayward friend.
According to the Guardian, the family got the call that Miko was found on Christmas Day, which had to have been the best Christmas present Elena ever received. Soon after, she, her sister Jennifer and their father went over to the shelter to bring little Miko home. Needless to say, it was an incredibly happy and tearful reunion.
cat reunion
cat reunion
While it was noted that the cat looked "a bit too thin," he was overall healthy, and probably more than ready to return to his life as a house cat. I'm sure now he'll think twice about following a furtive mouse that has taken him too far from home.
Feline herpesvirus is an upper respiratory virus, not an STD. The most common type of feline herpes is feline viral rhinotracheitis. What this means for your kitty is much more straightforward. Your cat has the human equivalent of the flu.
If your cat catches the herp, here are a few things to look out for:
Fever
Sneezing
Conjunctivitis
Runny nose
Excessive salivation
If you notice any of these symptoms, call your vet and schedule an appointment ASAP. Herpes is rarely fatal in healthy adult cats but is very dangerous for kittens and older felines. As the virus progresses, eye ulcers, as well as conjunctivitis, sometimes occur. This is a serious symptom that requires a trip to the veterinarian. Ulcers can lead to an infection in the eye, resulting in loss of vision and even loss of the eye itself. Your cat looks cute in its pirate costume, but it doesn't need an eye patch.
If your cat was diagnosed with herpes, relax. Your cat wasn't naughty.
Feline herpes, like the flu, is spread by sneezing and saliva. The virus does not last very long in well-ventilated, sunny areas but can survive for days in dark, moist environments. Humans can also transmit the virus to other cats by direct contact. Since cats groom themselves with their tongues, petting a sick cat and then petting your own cat is the equivalent of sharing a drink with someone with the flu.
If you have more than one kitty, the odds are high that both cats have been exposed to the herpes virus. Talk with your vet about preventative care options for your healthy cat.
Your cat absolutely cannot give you herpes. The virus is not transmissible from cat to human any more than a case of human herpes is transmissible to cats. While letting your cat lick your face is not necessarily hygienic, herpes is not one of the things you should worry about.
Treating feline herpesvirus
Your vet might prescribe several different courses of treatment depending on the severity of your kitty's herpes. Antiviral drugs treat the outbreak and supplements like L-lysine help prevent further outbreaks. Sometimes secondary bacterial infections occur, which require further treatment and medication.
The most important thing you need to know about feline herpes is that your cat is not to blame. Herpes doesn't change your relationship, and with proper health care and a little TLC, your kitty will recover and live a long and healthy life.
The Rockford Scanner, the local newspaper in the town where Josh's rehab center Reformers Unanimous is located just two hours west of Chicago, reports that the Duggar family plane flew from Springdale, Arkansas, to Rockford on Christmas Eve, and that Josh's younger brother, John David, was seen exiting the plane and ducking into a white van with an unidentified woman "with wavy hair" upon landing.
Any of the Duggar women, including Josh's wife Anna, could fit that description. Could Anna have left her children on Christmas Eve to spend the holiday with her husband? Or maybe it was mom Michelle? It certainly was not Jessa, who has made no secret of how she feels about her brother's misdeeds.
While Josh is said to have had his ups and downs at the religious-based rehabilitation center, a source told Radar Online that patients in good standing would be allowed visitors over the holidays — although they still do need to follow standard protocol.
"The holidays are a very busy time, with lots of activities," a Reformers Unanimous insider told Radar Online. "Every Friday, they have to attend a meeting, and Christmas will be no exception."
Josh was also rumored to have received visitors at Thanksgiving.
Anna has only recently begun speaking out about the sad situation with her husband, filming a confessional for her sisters-in-law's spinoff show Jill & Jessa: Counting On.
"It was definitely a hard thing, and I think it was such a betrayal for a spouse to go through what we're walking through — and… it was hard," she said. "It was hard to realize that it was such a public thing, so not only was it a betrayal for me, but it was also a betrayal against those who call themselves Christian, because here we were as a Christian couple and everyone was able to see us get married and to vow before God to be loyal to each other. And [then] that loyalty was broken."
Since the program Josh is in lasts approximately six months, the soonest he will be coming home is around February. At least Anna won't have to make a Valentine's Day visit.
No, we didn't accidentally add a zero on to that number.
And we're not talking about little trinkets here. The haul reportedly included a Prada jumpsuit and Louis Vuitton dress, E! News reports. All of the presents were wrapped in dark paper since the Kardashian/Jenner clan color-coordinated their gifts this year.
Kardashian explained in the video that Kanye "sent his assistant to Italy and shopped via Skype."
Kris Jenner about summed it up perfectly. "You're very spoiled, Kim."
And, of course, the Internet had a field day with the news.
Kim Kardashian Christmas gifts reaction 1
Kim Kardashian Christmas gifts reaction 1
Kim Kardashian Christmas gifts reaction 2
Kim Kardashian Christmas gifts reaction 2
Kim Kardashian Christmas gifts reaction 3
Kim Kardashian Christmas gifts reaction 3
Kim Kardashian Christmas gifts reaction 4
Kim Kardashian Christmas gifts reaction 4
Kim Kardashian Christmas gifts reaction 5
Kim Kardashian Christmas gifts reaction 5
But Kardashian was quick to defend herself and her copious amounts of presents. "I haven't shopped for myself in over six months. And Kanye has to deal with me every day."
Even more curious: If Kim Kardashian got 150 gifts, how many did their children North and new baby Saint receive?
And while it's easy to judge Kardashian and West for their lavish ways, let's also not kid ourselves. We're kinda also seriously jealous. After all, that family could buy each person 150 gifts and still have millions left over to donate to charity.
Do you think Kanye West went over the top or does Kim Kardashian deserve to be spoiled after just having a baby?
Radar Online reports that not only is the show pushing for fake relationships in order to up the ante, but NeNe Leakes' feud with one of the executive producers has apparently gotten so bad that she's planning to leave the show for good.
An insider told the outlet that Leakes and executive producer Carlos King have gotten so "ridiculous" about their bickering that they don't even try to hide their dislike for one another.
Leakes isn't a regular cast member this season, but she is making guest appearances. Still, even that is apparently too much given the amount of fighting going on between her and King.
"NeNe returned to film the cast trip in Jamaica and Carlos was unaware," the source explained. "He did not know and he freaked out. He’s the reason NeNe refused to come back full time this season."
And while King may not be loving the off-camera drama that involves him, he's all for any and all drama in front of the camera.
In fact, he's so intent on pushing for higher and higher stakes that he is reportedly pressuring some of the ladies to fake relationships.
"Bravo told the single women, Porsha [Williams] and Kenya [Moore], that you have to have a man to stay on the show," Radar Online's source told the outlet.
Adding, "They said if you don’t have a man on the show, you are not coming back, or you’re going to be a friend of the housewives."
This prompted Williams to bring on NFL player Duke Williams, while Moore "dated" Eugene Casciaro.
Strickland, his friend Chase Morland and Strickland's dog, Sam, used a boat to go on a duck hunting trip in Oklahoma starting on Saturday, Dec. 26. Morland even tweeted an oddly prophetic prediction as they set out on the trip.
craig strickland tweet
craig strickland tweet
"In case we don't come back, @BackroadCRAIG and I are going right through Winter Storm Goliath to kill ducks in Oklahoma. #IntoTheStorm," tweeted Morland.
After friends and family hadn't heard from the men for 24 hours, a search party was launched. On Sunday, the boat the two men were using was found capsized. A search was launched for them early Monday, Dec. 28. Morland was found dead Monday morning and Strickland was declared missing.
A spokesperson from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety told E! News, "At approximately 11:10 hours Trooper Humdy and Trooper Vann recovered one subject; Chase R. Marland 22 year old male from Van Buren, AR., from Kaw Lake.
"At this time search efforts are still underway in attempt to locate Craig M. Strickland, 29 year old male from Springdale, AR., the second subject that is missing from the vessel. There was no personal floatation devises in use. The boat has been found but not recovered at this time."
Unfortunately, the weather is not on Strickland's side.
"At this time the search efforts are going to be suspended for the day due to weather and fading lights. Search efforts will resume in the morning," added the official.
Strickland's band, Backroad Anthem, is keeping fans updated via Twitter.
strickland miracle tweet
strickland miracle tweet
The band tweeted a screenshot of Randy Strickland's Facebook status, "The search has been called off for the night, bringing boat with sonar in morning. A friend gave me these words! We are trying to think of a scenario where he is still alive. Hoping against the odds. We can't even stand to think about it. We are devastated. Only God & time can put us back together. Love all!"
There was one good piece of news: Strickland's dog, Sam, was found and is safe. Here's hoping for Strickland's safe return!
But her professional triumphs hid an abusive life at home. On Monday, she posted a photo collage of a woman with severe bruises covering her legs and arms, revealing in the caption that they came from the hands of her then-boyfriend.
"I've had an amazing year and you've seen the highlights here, so these photos are an uncommon thing to share but not an uncommon issue," she wrote. "You may be weirded out but do read on. I have a point. There are many reasons not to make an abusive relationship public, mostly fear. Scared of what people will think, scared it makes me look weak or unprofessional."
Beth Stelling Instagram
Beth Stelling Instagram
Stelling went on to explain that she broke up with him during the summer not "because I didn't love him, it was because of this.... When friends or comics ask why we broke up it's not easy or comfortable to reply; it doesn't seem like the appropriate thing to say at a stand-up show, a party or a wedding. It's embarrassing. I feel stupid. After being verbally, physically abused and raped, I dated him for two more months. It's not simple."
At first, she opted to keep the abuse a secret at his request. "I wrote vague jokes because we both live in L.A. and I didn't want to hurt him, start a war, press charges, be interrogated or harassed by him or his friends and family," she continued. "I wanted to move on and forget because I didn’t understand. I don't want revenge or to hurt him now, but it's unhealthy to keep this inside because my stand-up is pulled directly from my life. It's how I make my living. My personal is my professional. That is how I've always been; I make dark, funny."
But coming forward, she says, is part of "her story." And, sadly, it's the story of many women around the world. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in three women and one in four men have have been the victims of intimate partner crime.
"It's not my only story, so please don't let it be. If you live in L.A., you've already started to hear my jokes about this and I ask you to have the courage to listen and accept it because I’m trying. Already since talking about this onstage, many women have come to me after shows asking me to keep doing it. Men have shown their solidarity," she wrote.
The end of Stelling's Instagram comments were her indication that there's even more to the story — and that she wasn't the only victim of the unnamed partner's abuse.
"An ex-girlfriend of this ex-boyfriend came to me and shared that she experienced the same fate. Then there was another and another (men and women) who shared other injustices at his hand that..." she wrote.
Forget about Blake Shelton. Miranda Lambert has a new boyfriend! The best part is that he's a younger man.
According to Us Weekly, Lambert's been dating Americana/R&B musician Anderson East for about a month. A source shares that, “They are really enjoying each other’s company.” The couple is even "spending New Year’s together,” adds another insider.
Lambert and East have a few things in common. First is music. East is a session musician and engineer in Nashville. Second is hunting. Third is fun. A source shares, “She couldn’t have picked a better dude to have fun with. Anderson is the coolest guy.”
Lambert split from ex-husband Blake Shelton in July. She talks about her divorce from Shelton in Cosmopolitan’s January issue: “I just want to live a life full of everything. Some of that might mean nights on my porch crying, drinking whiskey and going, ‘Man this sucks right now.’ I don’t necessarily want to know that I have really bad, long, lonely nights ahead of me, but I have had some, and I still have a bunch ahead of me.”
It looks like the lonely nights are over, and there's one surprising difference from Shelton. Lambert is 32 and Shelton is 39. Lambert's new guy, East, is 27. The heart wants what the heart wants, and Lambert's heart wanted a younger guy.
What's also interesting is that Shelton is now dating Gwen Stefani, who at age 46 is seven years older than him. Both Lambert and Shelton rebounded with musicians, but went in opposite directions regarding age. Usually it's the man who turns to a younger woman. I like that Shelton is romancing an older woman. I also like that Lambert is romancing a younger man.
1. The title refers to the ambiguity that plagues law enforcement all too often
We tend to trust that our law enforcers are also law abiders. But what happens when members of the force start engaging in "creative police work"? Such is the premise of Shades of Blue, a show in which NYC police officers aren't portrayed as criminal masterminds but as well-intentioned, hard-working people who sometimes make the difficult call to bend, break or manipulate the law to work to their advantage.
2. Lopez's Harlee Santos is a corrupt cop turned FBI informant
JLo, naturally, is the star of Shades of Blue. Her character Harlee Santos has spent years justifying her "creative police work" and she doesn't see anything wrong with fudging the facts of an investigation in order to serve the greater good. But her ethics are about to be challenged in a major way: At the start of the series, she's entrapped by the FBI, who use her as an informant to learn more about her colleagues and their corruption. But where do Santos' loyalties ultimately lie?
It says a lot about someone when gangster Henry Hill in Goodfellas is the most sympathetic role on their résumé. But such is the career of Ray Liotta, so it's not going to come as a shock to anyone that he's playing Bill Wozniak, the corrupt official who sets Santos' crisis into motion. Even so, as the title suggests, things may not end up being so clear-cut. There may be some shades of gray — err, blue — to Wozniak, and he just might end up being a more sympathetic figure than the trailer suggests.
4. It's as much a family drama as it is a crime drama
Harlee Santos is a single mother, and from the brief shots of her daughter Christine in the trailer, it's clear that Harlee will be willing to do anything to protect her daughter. But, in that effort, will she end up placing Christine in even more danger?
Unlike other models and pop stars, JLo's never been afraid to get grungy on camera. A few months back, during production, the Daily Mail snapped some set photos on the day when Lopez and Liotta were filming the aftermath of a car crash. Both look awfully beat up, and though no context is provided, it seems likely this crash will be a pivotal moment in Season 1.
6. Lopez never intended to star in Shades of Blue herself
Shades of Blue is the latest project incubated by Lopez's Nuyorican Productions. Her company, which she cofounded with producer Benny Medina, may be best known for ABC Family's The Fosters. Like that acclaimed family drama, Lopez initially envisioned herself as the producer of Shades of Blue, not the star.
But everything changed when Lopez and Medina entered their pitch meeting with the network suits at NBC. As she recalled in a recent interview: "We pitched this [to NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt] — not with me as the star, but just as a great project that we wanted to produce. And they bought it in the room, and they were like, 'Why are you not playing this role?' And I thought to myself, 'I don't know. Maybe I should.'" Once Lopez committed to being the star, it was a done deal.
7. Santos has more humanity than the average antihero
Part of the reason Lopez was so attracted to the role was because of the realistic and honest nature of Santos' journey as a hero — or antihero, really. "It's not the typical heroine," Lopez explained. "Like, 'Oh, I'm gonna root for her 'cause all she does is good.' No, I'm gonna root for her because she's human and I understand her struggle. I understand what it is to sometimes make a questionable choice that, in the long run, is the best thing for your child or for your life or for your survival."
Shades of Blue premieres on NBC on Jan. 7 at 9pm/8c. For more hints as to what's coming for JLo and co., check out the trailer below.
Facebook friend after Facebook friend started sharing a photo of a woman with a piercing not on her lobe, upper ear or tragus, but on the inner cartilage. The note attached claimed that these piercings are known for helping alleviate migraines.
"Since I had the piercing done, I've had virtually no pain in my head, which was almost constant before," Washington woman Sheri Utecht told the Daily Mail. "It sounds crazy and I couldn't quite believe it at first but I read up on it afterwards and apparently this piercing really can help with headaches."
Her story is one of dozens — if not hundreds — on social media.
I figured it was a new alternative health technique, but it's actually been around for several thousand years and is based off the principles of acupuncture, which rely on eliminating pain through pressure points. Because accupuncture is one of the treatment methods used for migraines, it's theorized that the piercing was eventually associated with the treatment over time.
The problem: There's nothing more than anecdotal evidence that proves the Daith piercing helps migraines.
Daith Piercing 2
Daith Piercing 2
"Some people who have received a Daith piercing have coincidentally found improvement with their migraine headaches," Dr. Thomas Cohn, an interventional pain doctor in Minnesota, wrote on his blog. "The correlation is based on the success for some people with acupuncture in the same region of the Daith piercing."
The piercings are generally about $50 to $100, depending on the piercing shop.
"If a person enjoys ear piercing and suffers from frequent headaches, it may be worthwhile to consider getting this spot pierced," Dr. Cohn added. "... if you suffer migraines and are very unsure whether you want a piercing, trying acupuncture first would be a good alternative to determine if this treatment may be successful. If this is not working, and the migraines are not being well managed, further discussions with your medical practitioner about treatment options is warranted."
Bottom line: It may work to alleviate migraines for some people, but not others. Migraines, like many sources of pain, are tricky to treat, but don't give up.
As someone who admittedly qualifies herself as spiritual rather than religious, the Christian game competition laid out in the two-hour special was mind-blowing.
There are teenagers from all across the country who literally spend their entire year memorizing sections of the Bible, all so they can come together at nationals, compete and become the Bible Bowl champion after a series of rapid-fire question rounds that involve a buzzer and lots of intense concentration.
Basically, most of the time I had no idea what these kids were saying, let alone who was winning or what the purpose of all of their hard work really was. It seemed like most of them hoped they would get a trophy all while serving the Lord.
But I'm going to go ahead and say that is far from the point.
A lot of these kids came from homeschooling backgrounds and admitted that they didn't have a lot of friends. The Bible Bowl competition gave them a place where they could connect in a world where they otherwise might not feel like they belong. And that's an incredible thing for a teenager. Because, let's be honest, you're lucky as a teen if you even have a fraction of a moment where you feel like you fit in. When I was a teen it was mostly awkward inner monologues contemplating my future and braces.
Unfortunately, TLC's special focused more on the back and forth rapid-fire rounds than on the kids' histories and relationships with one another.
I would love to see the network try this one again next year with more behind-the-scenes interaction and less play by play of each of the rounds.
And though I don't think this competition necessarily warrants a full season, without a break between each of the competition rounds I felt like I was watching some kind of twisted, jaw-dropping spelling bee rather than actually getting a look inside this world.
But how many of them actually take the chance to transform the space into something the iconic boy-wizard himself would be proud of?
A Pennsylvania mum-of-two has done just that, spending eight full days and nights creating a wonderful Harry Potter-inspired room paying homage to the cupboard under the stairs where Harry lived in the Dursley's house at 4 Privet Drive.
Courtney Bonnet, a children's librarian, told Buzzfeed that "she wasn't crazy about the rest of the house" when she and her family first viewed it earlier this year, but she was persuaded by her husband to buy it after he agreed to let her turn the space into a Harry Potter-themed room.
"I just love Harry Potter and books and reading," said Bonnet. "I am pretty crafty and handy around the house so I figured why not? What kid wouldn't want their own secret room?"
These cardboard boxes also come with built-in mattresses, doubling as beds for their babies, and are credited with helping to reduce infant mortality in over 30 countries.
The design of the Finnish baby boxes promotes the health of the baby. In 1938, when the Finnish government first introduced these free baby boxes, the infant mortality dropped dramatically in the years following. Today, Finland has one of the world's lowest infant mortality rates at 0.3 per cent. By contrast, Canada has the second worst infant mortality rate on the first day of a child's birth in the developed world, according to Save the Children.
Finland's government sends women home with boxes stuffed to the brim with supplies for the new baby, which include everything ranging from baby clothes, outdoor gear, infant bathing products, bedding and diapers.
U.S. social enterprise The Baby Box Co. has teamed up with the Alberta government and University of Calgary to give 1,500 Canadian women baby boxes as part of their "Welcome to Parenthood" campaign.
“We’re using the basic baby box, with the mattress, and we’ve collaborated with the province on some basic additions,” explains Jennifer Weber, senior manager of the Government of Alberta's Early Childhood Development Services, in an interview with Maclean's. The Canadian baby boxes also include cute onesies, plush toys, breast pads to help new mothers with breastfeeding, a children’s book and even a resource to encourage fathers to bond with their children, called “Crib-Side Assistance.”
Canadian mothers are doing well, but could do better
“We know Canada’s doing very well, but Canadians still have parenting issues that are unique to us,” explains Weber. “We have vulnerable families and many communities with their own particular needs. We have teen moms, single parents, families in temporary accommodation.”
Aside from being functional, these boxes could certainly help new moms feel less alone in the world. Let's keep giving Canadian women a little extra love after they give birth. Here's hoping this trend continues to spread, giving brand new Canadians the welcome they deserve.
If you're new to the drugstore beauty world, feel free to spoil yourself with Sonia Kashuk's line for Target. From formulation to packaging, these products don't feel anything but luxe. Treat your cheekbones to a shimmery start to 2016 with the Chic Luminosity Bronzer/Blush Duo. (Target, $13)
For a dash of New Year's Eve glitter that won't overcomplicate your look, spend less than $10 on Hard Candy Lash Tinsel. It comes in party-friendly colors from pixie pink to disco ball silver, but we love this classic black with glitter that will be your little secret — until the light catches your lashes. (Walmart, $6)
You know the drill: "new year, new you," so you might as well wear whatever color shadow you feel like. Maybelline Color Tattoo cream shadow will last you long past midnight and comes in every bold shade you can imagine. Go with traditionally festive gold, resolve to finally make it out of the house in teal, or wear them both at once. (Target, $6)
What's better than a product that does the work for you? Just choose your eye color to find the perfect eyeliner match in Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Eyeliner Trio. Even better, it comes with three glitter-infused pencils in shades from "kiss me before midnight" to "maybe I'll just stay in." (Walmart, $10)
New Year's Eve makes for a great excuse to go full Marilyn with your lash game. Sonia Kashuk's one-and-done Full Drama Eyelashes kit — glue included, thank you Sonia — will take your look to the next level, no glitter necessary. (Target, $5)
Top off your shadow look with a finishing touch of this crisp white Rimmel Soft Kohl eye pencil. Your eyes will glow like you're ready to jumpstart 2016. Bonus: No matter how much sleep you got, dab a little in the corner of your eyes on Jan. 1 and you'll look wide awake. (Drugstore.com, $3)
Get ready for your new go-to party shade. CoverGirl Colorlicious in Garnet Flame is a classic red that you'll actually want to go to the bathroom to keep re-applying. It's highly pigmented and, even better, incredibly moisturizing. (CVS, $8)
If you don't already have a metallic silver polish in your arsenal, now is the time to spring for a polish you'll want to keep wearing until Groundhog Day. This Zoya polish in Trixie is 5-Free, not tested on animals, and has just the right amount of shimmer. (CVS, $9)
For 99 cents, we highly recommend the very NYE purchase of Wet N Wild Icon Glitter Single. Whether it's the classic silver glitter, the festive gold or the rave-worthy purple, we all know you'll find a use for it... somewhere in your beauty look. And if not, there's always 2017. (Drugstore.com, $1)
The reality star posted an adorable video to Instagram showing her two-year-old daughter, Kaia Biermann, playing with some of mom's makeup. In the clip, captioned, "My princess," Kaia wears a headband adorned with a giant bow and pouts at the camera while Zolciak playfully sweeps a makeup brush across the toddler's face, causing her to smile and turn away.
It's the kind of playful dress-up game any two year old would love to play with mom, but in the comments section on the video, Zolciak's followers didn't seem to agree.
"To little for makeup....... Let her be a baby girl !!" one follower wrote. Another begged Zolciak to let Kaia "just be a kid," and still another called the game "screwed up."
Luckily, some of Zolciak's other followers came to her defense, calling out the haters and applauding the sweet mom and daughter game for being just that: a game.
"I love the way her little face lit up. She sees mommy and big sisters doing this and it's normal for a wee one to want some too," one follower wrote. Another added, "People are always quick to leave negative comments. I don't get people who follow someone just to make negative remarks or comment on their parenting style. I don't know how Kim does it. People always judging her on her parenting. Like get a life people and stop spewing so much hate. I am pretty sure Kims kids are just fine. I mean look at Brielle and Ariana, they are good girls they turned out good so far."
Bobby Flay's ex-wife, actress Stephanie March, was spotted dining with Jennifer Giamo, the ex-wife of De Laurentiis' new man Shane Farley, and the conversation was sure to be scintillating — especially since De Laurentiis was also accused of having an affair with Flay.
While De Laurentiis' reps insist she did not begin her relationship with Farley until after his divorce papers were filed, Giamo is not so sure about that — because De Laurentiis and Farley actually met two years ago on the set of a show planned with Flay.
A source told the New York Post's Page Six that Giamo and March were spotted having a "bitchfest" last week.
"Jen was with Stephanie March having high tea at the Gotham Bar at the Peninsula," the source said. "They were having a royal bitchfest, and there was lots of advice and tears happening." The source added: "[They were discussing] Giada having to be brought into court because [she and Farley] were having an affair."
Another source close to Giamo said, "Jen's been reaching out to all Shane's acquaintances through Facebook. She's trying to see if Shane started dating Giada while she was still with him."
While the insider said Giamo and March were discussing whether De Laurentiis could be dragged into court during the divorce battle, Farley's lawyer scoffed at that idea.
"The judge has ruled that discovery and depositions are over and it's time to resolve this matter," attorney Stuart F. Gartner told the Post.
