And that was my plan.

But two weeks before my first baby was born, my OB/GYN told me that there was a very high chance I would need a C-section due to scar tissue formed from a pre-cancerous cryo procedure I had done in my early twenties.

It was time for a new plan.

More: The truth about the dolphin-assisted birth that made waves around the world

That was okay, I didn’t mind. A C-section it would be.

But that plan didn’t sit well with many of my friends. Many moms who had birthed vaginally said things to me like, “Oh they don’t know the techniques that midwives know” or “They’re only doing that to bill insurance for more money.”

I tried not to let their opinions influence me, but that’s impossible when you are already terrified about birthing and becoming a mother. You look to more experienced mothers for advice. You instantly trust that they know more than you do.

So I questioned my OB/GYN. I told her that I didn’t want a C-section, that I wanted to try a vaginal birth. She was extremely hesitant, explaining the dangers and asking me questions. But I kept at it.

I kept hearing the voices of all the mothers who told me what I should do. And the doubt in my ability to know what was right for me grew and grew.

But when I went into labor, they were wrong. So wrong, that not only could my child have died, but me as well.

After 12 hours of laboring every two to five minutes, seven of those hours without an epidural because I wasn’t dilated enough, my doctor finally walked in the door, a look on her face I had never seen before.

“You aren’t dilating past three centimeters,” she said. “Your baby’s heart rate is dropping, as well as yours. If we don’t get this baby out, you both are in serious danger.”

More: Couple sets a new bar for viral pregnancy announcements (PHOTO)

She didn’t have to say more. I knew what happened if a person’s heart rate dropped. I knew the brain damage, the lack of oxygen, all the consequences that could happen. I knew because she told them to me in her office two weeks before. I just believed others over her. Over myself.

I nodded and told her I was ready for the C-section.

It wasn’t about anyone else in that moment. What mothers would say about why or what judgments I would receive. It was about saving my child and my own life. That choice was the easiest one I had ever made.

Thirty minutes later, I held my daughter in my arms. My tired, exhausted, drained arms. And I realized something.

As a parent I would be pushed and pulled by all kinds of people. And it was up to me, in all my confusion and uncertainty, to do what I felt was right. To believe in my ability to make a decision, even if it wasn’t the right one for someone I cared about and valued.

More: My sexy OB-GYN was a total distraction during my pregnancy

When it came time to birth my second child, there was no question. I walked into the hospital, ready and sure of what was waiting for me (though I still hoped someone would give me a shot of gin). I didn’t ask anyone what I should do, didn’t poll other mothers about VBACs and natural birthing. I signed the papers for my C-section and soon after held my son.

I held him knowing that I had made the right choice for me.

Real Housewives of New Jersey star Giudice released a video thanking fans for their support and showing great optimism for the new year, despite the fact that husband Joe's turn in prison is coming up in the next few months.

More: Joe Giudice accused of cheating on Teresa just days before her prison release

More: Teresa Giudice's prison homecoming wasn't nearly as private as you think it was

"Hi everyone, I'm back! I just want to wish everyone a Happy New Year," Teresa said in the exclusive video message to Bravo's The Daily Dish. "It's gonna be a great 2016. Love, love, love you all."

Just because Teresa is out of prison doesn't mean she is free to come and go as she pleases. She is currently under house arrest and must get approval from her parole officer before going anywhere.

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

"She asks permission to go places," a source told People magazine. "The probation officer then gives her the parameters of that. He will ask her which stores she is going to and then says, 'You can go from this time to this time.' She can go to work, go to the doctor or go see her lawyer – all with the officer's permission."

She is also allowed to go to certain social events with her probation officer's permission, like her sister-in-law Melissa Gorga's Christmas Eve party.

Teresa is under house arrest until Feb. 5. Joe is due to begin his 41-month prison sentence in March.

More: Joe Giudice reveals what will happen to the family if he is deported

There's a good reason why you can find a gazillion articles online about how often to clean certain articles of clothing — and why jeans are especially perplexing. As it turns out, the less often you throw your denim skinny pants or trousers into the washing machine, the longer they're able to retain their shape and hue. With that said, you can't never wash your pants because... ick. So, what's the magic number? Every three wears? Five? 10? (For the record, most fashion experts agree anywhere between five and six wears works best).

More: How to tuck non-skinny jeans into boots

But one innovative denim brand has found a way to eliminate the guess work when it comes to washing your jeans — ODO Denim claims it has developed the first self-cleaning pair of jeans and T-shirts on the market, which could revolutionize the way clothing is made. With 30 days left to go on its Kickstarter campaign, ODO has already racked up 773 backs who have pledged more than $100,000 to meet its modest $10,000 goal — so it's safe to say lots of folks are excited about this idea.

ODO founder Salman Chaudry says he felt compelled to find a more sustainable solution to the creation of jeans, which require a lot of water to manufacture. Chaudry also knew most people only wash their jeans to get rid of sweat and stains — so if he could figure out a way of eliminating those two culprits from a pair of denim, there would rarely, if ever, be a need to wash them again.

More: 16 New Year's nails that are sure to shine up your festivities

And then he had the genius idea of reinventing the wheel — by weaving the same silver into denim that is used on NASA space suits — silver that can kill bacteria and odors. But don't worry: You won't look like you're headed out to the club every time you pull on your ODO jeans. The silver is woven inside of the jean's fabric so that it's permanent — you won't actually see yourself sparkle at 8 in the morning.

The result: Neither your spilled cup of coffee, nor spilled glass of red wine (hey, some of us are just a little too careless with our drinks) will affect your jeans — the liquid will actually slide right off the fabric without penetrating it. You'll also be able to go through the entire day at work without smelling like you rolled into the office from your local bar. The price for such a luxury is less than you probably think: A pair of ODO jeans costs about $95.

More: 7 Brands you didn't know made wedding dresses

And there's more self-cleaning goodness headed our way. ODO has also created self-cleaning T-shirts that can repel liquids and maintain their freshness, no matter how much you sweat. Check out their amazing promo video:

Imagine a world where laundry day can be replaced with pizza day, gym day or sitting-on-my-butt-reading-a-book day. Thanks to forward-thinking fashion companies like ODO, which is offering a way to help the environment and save us time, energy and money, that dream may soon become a reality.

“Inside every overweight woman is a woman she knows she can be. Many times you look in the mirror, and you don’t even recognize your own self because you got lost, buried in the weight that you carry,” she says in the ad. “Nothing you’ve ever been through is wasted. So every time I tried and failed, every time I tried again, and every time I tried again, has brought me to this most powerful moment to say, ‘If not now, when?’”

These words are motivating and relatable. But while I think Weight Watchers can be a tool in your toolbox just like MyFitnessPal (my personal favorite) or SparkPeople, which also help you understand energy in (food) vs. energy out (activity), weight and weight loss are so much more complex than that.

If you are going to have success when it comes to your weight, you first have to acknowledge how you got into this predicament in the first place. Your eating habits and weight gain did not happen overnight, and it won’t come off overnight. Your journey to weight gain needs to be acknowledged. Your relationship with food and your body needs to be reflected on. Only then can real change happen.

Once you are clear on how you got to where you are, then a clear plan on how to get to a new place can be made. Just like with any life change, whether it's your finances, a career change, starting a family — any big change — planning will make all the difference. There is a saying that my husband loves to quote, The 7-P axiom: Prior perfect planning prevents piss-poor performance.

I used a tool called S.M.A.R.T. goal setting.

S is for specific. Be as specific and detailed as you can with your goals. Include who, what, when and where you will accomplish the goal.

M is for measurable. Quantify your goal. Set a weight loss goal in pounds lost or an activity goal in miles walked by a certain date.

A is for attainable. Does the goal align with your core values and vision of your future self? Not what you think you should do or be, but what you envision yourself to be? Do you have the right attitude and skills to reach the goal?

R is for realistic. Is this goal truly possible given your work schedule and family life? Do you need to make the goal less difficult so you can achieve it?

T is for timely. Give yourself a deadline to reach your big goal, and then create mini goals to perform each week to reach that goal.

Then get your calendar out, and schedule in the time you will need to reach the goal. Time for activity, time for shopping, time for cooking all need to be scheduled.

I have a degree in nutrition, have read hundreds of diet and nutrition books and have tried many diets to lose weight. It wasn't until I took the time to reflect, make a plan and then resolve to stick to it that I was able to lose the weight and maintain that weight loss for life.

Now that several years have gone by and my new eating habits are second nature, I can't think of living and eating any other way. Making diet and lifestyle changes was truly life changing, but I can’t think of a better life to live.

As an aside, this tool is used by corporations, universities, governments — organizations all over the world use this tool and find it effective.

Do you need help planning your weight loss goals? Sign up for my newsletter to get tips and recipes every month. Or set up a FREE initial assessment.

What do you think of Oprah's new commercial?

I was increasingly concerned about developing diabetes due to my dysfunctional relationship with sugar and my waistline being well into the danger zone. I did not look or feel good, and had crossed the line of justifying it with “everyone gains a little weight in their 40s” — because it was more than a little. At night, I’d vow to do better the next day.

The next day, the cycle repeated.

I had been laid off in 2014 and was worried about job security, though I'd been rehired as a contractor. I put not only my job requirements, but also others’ needs before my own. For the first time ever my three kids were in three different schools. Since one of the kids needed a ride every day, I lost two-plus hours daily driving him to and from school and extracurricular activities.

Midyear, during a short grown-ups-only vacation to Aruba — from which I have no pictures of myself because I was hiding from the camera — I met a serene woman who ran a smoothie shack on the beach. For four blissful days (sadly, I couldn’t find the time to take a whole week off at once), my husband and I drank a smoothie a day, stared at the ocean and walked up and down the beach. Having removed myself from the chaos of my everyday life, I felt like I could breathe again. I realized that I couldn’t keep taking my health for granted or I would indeed end up with diabetes, high blood pressure or needing a knee replacement  — or maybe all of the above.

When we returned home, I traded my coffee pot for a blender and began making my own smoothies. I eliminated caffeine and sugar. I also made some other dietary changes such as consuming more plant-based foods and far fewer animal products and processed foods.

I carved out time to exercise, primarily walking or hiking with one or more of our dogs. I usurped my Fitbit from one of the kids — who wasn’t really using it anyway — and recommitted to my 10,000-steps-a-day goal. This has become increasingly difficult with the shorter days, but that often means I am walking laps around the hockey rink during practice or warm-ups.

Here are the top five things I learned:

1 .It’s OK to put my own convenience first sometimes

My oldest now rides a bus to school in the morning. Even though I have to pay for it, my time is worth it. "How long is he on the bus?” one of my friends asked when I told her we had to be at the bus stop (15 minutes away from our house) at 6:45 a.m. “I don’t know, and it’s not my problem,” I replied.

2. Not everything about my job is an emergency

It’s OK to reschedule a meeting to accommodate an exercise class. I work at home and one of the benefits of doing that is supposed to be flexibility.

3. People might not like it when you change

When I posted pictures of smoothies on my social media networks, several of my friends made negative comments about how unappetizing they looked. One of my kids told me, “No offense mom, but I’m unfollowing you.”

“That’s fine, hon. Maybe we can think of a family hashtag in case you ever want to see any of my other posts.”

4. My husband lamented I was no longer sharing meals with him

I had a long heart-to-heart (actually, it was more like a “hear-me-out tirade,” where I sputtered nonstop for at least 10 minutes) about how important my new regimen was to me, my health and our future together.

5. Caffeine and sugar are poisonous to me

I have to put a stake in the ground, claim the time and make self-care a priority.

I lost 30 pounds and reduced my waist by 6 inches in the first three months of my new regimen. I haven’t found the need to weigh or measure in a while — I am also not postponing my enjoyment of life until I hit a magic number on the scale.

Michelle Matton remembers ordering an Uber on New Year's Eve at around 2 a.m. to take her three friends from her Ottawa home in Centretown to the Elmvale area, near South Ottawa. Matton told the Ottawa Citizen the trip generally cost about $20, but was shocked to get a whopping bill for $184.43.

“I feel taken advantage of,” said Matton. “A 900 per cent price increase is unacceptable. I could have rented a private driver for the night at that price.”

Xavier Van Chau, a spokesperson for Uber, explained to the Ottawa Citizen that Matton’s trip was a result of “dynamic pricing.” He said she would have been notified about the surge pricing on her wireless device, but given that there was a lot going on when she ordered the Uber (it was NYE after all), Matton said she didn't notice a warning.

More: Jennifer Lawrence reveals why she hates New Year's Eve

Surge pricing explained

Don't fall into the same trap this NYE as Matton. You can expect "surge pricing" during times like NYE when demand outstrips the available drivers. “During times of peak demand, or when there are not enough drivers on the system, fares increase,” Van Chau told Global News last year. “As you see hot spots emerge in a city where demand is quickly outpacing supply, that’s when the dynamic pricing model kicks in."

While it's tough to pin down exact numbers on what surge pricing will be in any given Canadian city, Canadians shouldn't be surprised to see fares knocked up by sevenfold or even more during high traffic hours.

More: 8 Ways to make New Year's Eve with kids rock

How to avoid ridiculously high Uber fares

Uber recently published a New Year's Eve Guide, to help you know what to expect when you're out partying. Follow these tips to avoid a nasty surprise that'll deplete your checking account at the end of the night:

• Don't order an Uber before checking the fare estimate: "Surge pricing shouldn’t be a surprise," writes Uber. "Let’s toast to you running a Fare Estimate in the app before you ride."
• Plan your night strategically: "To avoid the highest fares, head to the festivities early or catch a ride right after midnight," writes Uber.
• Don't get stuck picking up the tab: "Use fare split if you’re rolling with the whole party or take uberPOOL if it’s just you and one friend and it’s available in your city," the company suggests.

And if worse comes to worse, you can always take a cab or roll with a DD. Because you deserve to save your money for more fun things, like that extra nice bottle of bubbly.

More: 10 Inspirational quotes to ring in the new year right

More: Bristol Palin got an amazing early Christmas present (PHOTO)

Who's the father of her new baby, Sailor?

Palin, who gave birth to the baby girl on Dec. 23 and announced Sailor's arrival on Christmas Eve, shared a sweet snap of her new bundle of joy on Instagram Wednesday, showing the newborn swaddled in a warm blanket. "So in love," she captioned the pic, along with a heart emoji.

While many of the comments on the photo were about how cute little Sailor is, many of them asked the question a lot of us have wondered since Palin announced her pregnancy.

More: Bristol Palin's latest baby bump pic attacked by haters (PHOTO)

"Well when do we find out who the father is?" one commenter wrote. Another added, "My problem is if you support marriage between a man and a woman, if you support the nuclear family, if you respect your beautiful baby has a father who had to contribute to this miracle... why would you not say who else's beautiful baby this is. I am certain he loves this baby very much also. Is he supposed to just stay out of the picture? Doesn't sound like everything the Palins stand for." Another wrote, "I'm just saying it's sad to see no mention of the father whatsoever. It's sad. I don't care what the media says at all. I am going off of her posts on Instagram."

Palin announced her pregnancy about a month after calling off her engagement to Marine and Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer, raising questions about whether Meyer or someone else was the father of the baby. When Sailor was born, Meyer shared photos of her on his Twitter, calling the new baby a "blessing" and seemingly providing a clue that the baby is his.

More: We may finally know who is the father of Bristol Palin's baby (PHOTO)

Do you think Dakota Meyer is the father of Bristol Palin's baby? Sound off down in the comments.

First, let's establish what real champagne is. Real champagne only comes out of Champagne, France. Anything else is technically not champagne. There are some good American sparkling wines that are delightful and use the same process as real champagne, though they are still technically called sparkling wine.

You can learn the detailed process for creating authentic champagne, but really all you need to know is that sparkling wines made in this method are much better and are much less likely to give you a hangover. This is because sparkling wines not made in the true champagne method are injected with carbon dioxide rather than allowed to ferment and produce bubbles naturally in the bottle. Granted, the amount you drink, no matter good or bad, is always a factor in the hangover process too.

Prosecco is a less expensive option that is somewhere in between the champagne method and the injecting of carbon dioxide. Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine made somewhat in the champagne way, but instead of allowing the yeast and sugar to produce carbon dioxide in individual bottles, the entire batch of sparkling wine is made in large covered barrels. They tend to be sweeter than true champagnes but are a much better option than the injected cheap stuff you buy for $4 at the grocery store.

Speaking of price, you don't have to spend hundreds on your NYE bubbly, but price is often an indicator of quality. Since true champagne must be aged for years and imported from France, it is no doubt more expensive. You'll typically pay upwards of $40 per bottle. Sparkling wines made in the champagne method will run you anywhere from $20 to over $100, depending on the rarity of the bottle and the quality. Prosecco is a bargain at around $10 to $20. Anything less than $10 is likely to be of poorer quality and may give you a pretty bad headache come Jan. 1.

Another quick method to determine quality of your sparkling wine is bubble size. The rule of thumb is the smaller the bubbles, the better. So, you want something with almost imperceptible bubbles. Giant bubbles are likely to be hangover-inducing.

I hope I've given you at least a little guidance on choosing the right bubbly to ring in the New Year. If you need more assistance, I'm sure a wine expert at stores like Total Wine would be more than happy to help you choose the right bottle! You can also find my top picks in each of the categories I've discussed on my blog, Lively Table. Cheers to 2016 from me to you!

Read the excerpt from Holiday of Love:

Thunder loud enough to split her eardrums woke her up. As she sat up, lightning lit the cabin, and she gave an involuntary scream. She was not used to such storms.

Frank was beside her instantly, just sitting there, not touching her, but at the next flash of lightning she flung herself into his arms.

She had forgotten how good a man could feel. His big, hard, strong body enveloped her, and before she could breathe he pulled her head back and kissed her.

It was not a kiss from a cold man, and in that moment she believed what Julian had told her: that Frank did love her.

He was kissing her neck. The cabin was lit with lightning and the roar of the thunder seemed to echo within her.

More: The first look at Dirty Lies by Emma Hart

"Yes," she whispered as his hand went to her breast. "Yes, please make love to me."

Gently, he took her face in his hands, his eyes searching hers. "I have no protection with me."

For a moment she held her breath. She felt sure he didn't have a communicable disease. "I would like the consequences," she said, meaning how very much she'd like to have another child, to feel life growing within her, as she had with Eli.

"Yes," was all he said, then he was on her.

He was as hot in bed as he was cold out of it. She'd never seen him leering at her as men did, but he seemed to have noticed all of her body and to want her very much. Her gown was off her body in seconds and his hands were everywhere, caressing her, touching her, as though he wanted to memorize her.

Never had Randy enjoyed sex as much as she did with him. He seemed to know what she liked, seemed to find places she didn't know she wanted to be touched.

More: Baker meets bartender in this slightly sweet romance

Somewhere during the night she thought she heard him say "I love you," but she wasn't sure. For herself, she was too taken away with touching Frank to think any words. Leslie had always been a man who rushed sex, always in a hurry to get onto the next task. Or the next woman, Randy had often thought.

But Frank seemed to have all the time in the world. When he entered her, she was nearly screaming with desire. She held him inside her for a moment, loving how he filled her. When he began the velvet strokes in and out, she thought she might die with the pleasure.

Watching her, he seemed to know when she was ready to peak, then he thrust into her until she thought she might faint. "Baby," she whispered, not sure if it was a word she was calling him or a wish she wanted fulfilled.

Later, shaking in the aftermath, she snuggled in his arms and went to sleep, feeling safe and secure and at home.

But when she awoke the next day, she could tell by the light that it was afternoon and Frank was gone. She thought that perhaps he was outside, but he wasn't. There was no note, nothing. Only his unmade bed showed he'd been there at all.

An hour after she woke, Sandy appeared with the horses and said he'd been instructed to take her home.

About the author:  Jude Deveraux is the author of more than 40 New York Times bestsellers, including Moonlight in the Morning, The Scent of Jasmine, Scarlet Nights, Days of Gold, Lavender Morning, Return to Summerhouse and Secrets. To date, there are more than 60 million copies of her books in print worldwide. To learn more, visit Jude-Deveraux.com.

Meet anxiety, your new superpower.

Wait, what? I know — I can hear the record scratch from here. For years we've been told that chronic anxiety is a problem and is responsible for many of the "lifestyle" diseases of our modern world. And make no mistake: Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder are no joke (says the girl who's gone to the ER no less than four times because of panic attacks). But it turns out that having hair-trigger nerves may not be all bad. In fact, according to new research from France, anxiety-induced hyper-vigilance can be a gift.

More: 15 Gifs that show what growing up with anxiety is really like

The problem with our current view of anxiety is that we often forget where it comes from, according to the study, and that it once started out as an adaptive response. The jagged-edged emotion put our bodies on full alert, allowing early humans to sense danger and fight or flee before we were killed.

“Such quick reactions could have served an adaptive purpose for survival,” said lead author Dr. Marwa El Zein from the French Institute of Health and Medical Research. “For example, we evolved alongside predators that can attack, bite or sting. A rapid reaction to someone experiencing fear can help us avoid danger.”

Sure, having a huge reaction to a cobra seems legit. But do we really need this in our modern lives? Absolutely, El Zein said. While the actual threats are different — muggers in Puma sneaks instead of actual pumas, say — they're still very real and still require a quick response.

Thankfully our brains are up to the challenge. The researchers found that highly anxious subjects were able to ascertain a threatening face in a crowd in under 200 milliseconds, long before their conscious mind could be aware of it, and much faster than their more laid-back counterparts. And reactions were even faster if the threatening face was looking in the subject's direction. And this act-first, think-later instinct is exactly what anxiety does for us.

More: 5 Ways your chronic anxiety can work in your favor

The effect was so strong that it led the researchers to call it a "sixth sense." I can see how that would work. Remember the U.S. servicemen who tackled a would-be terrorist on a Paris train just seconds after he emerged from a bathroom holding an automatic weapon, saving hundreds of lives? The men reported that they reacted instinctively to the threat, pinning the man down almost before other passengers realized what was happening. While their quick reaction is certainly a testament to their military training, the scientists would say that anxiety also surely played a role by keeping the men alert.

As I read this research it occurred to me that maybe this isn't just a Special Forces kind of skill. Could it be that us regular folk don't need military training to learn to use anxiety as a tool but rather just permission to see it as a feature instead of a flaw? I've spent years trying to subdue my crazy anxiety, but perhaps the key, like with any good superpower, is to learn to fine-tune it. It's not bad that you and I are anxious — we just need to learn how to channel our anxiety into appropriate directions. And perhaps that starts with something as simple as seeing it as protective instead of painful.

In the three years since my divorce, I have had my children for one New Year's Eve. It was amazing! I loved it. But the other two have been hard on me. This year, alone again as most of my friends are out of town with their own families this year, I am determined to get through the long days and short nights feeling as awesome about my life as I do when my kids are here. I know I can do it... I just need a plan.

1. Go work out

Currently addicted to CrossFit, I know I can work out every day this week. Whatever you do, even if it is a walk around the block, getting up and getting out, even if it is cold and snowing and seemingly impossible, can elevate your mood dramatically. This is a great time to take up a new routine and to prioritize yourself for a more positive new year. Plus, you will sleep better, and it passes the time in a productive way.

2. Call old friends

There are so many people I have lost touch with over the years. I tend to hang around my friends in my neighborhood that have kids too as my social circle. But I have amazing friends who are also single that I don't see very often that would be up for lunch or dinner or even shopping. So I have picked up the phone and talked to them all and have made plans for almost every day. Just getting out and seeing old faces that have been neglected has been a great boost to my emotional state.

3. Organize the kids' rooms

We say we will do it every week, and we get busy. We have kids to raise, after all. But taking an afternoon to organize that room your kids love so much can be a great boost to your confidence this time of year. It is amazing what you can find, and you will know that your little ones will be coming home to a clean, organized room you lovingly did for them.

4. Get your nails done

I take my girls to get their nails done all the time. I almost never get mine done. First of all, I don't always have the extra money, and if I do, I spend it on them. Second of all, sitting for an hour and getting my nails done is at war with my internal conversation of not being selfish. So making it a point to take a little money to spend on myself and letting someone else take care of me for once can be a great way to pass the time in a positive way.

5. Do something you love

I almost always concede what I love to my children. If I want to sit and watch TV, we watch what they love. If I want to cook in the kitchen, I make what they love. It is what we do as moms. So this week, while I am only responsible for me and my dogs, I am going to do some things I love. Like eating cookies on the couch — gah! — while taking in every episode of Law & Order that has aired since my kids were born.

6. Don't drink too much

As much as I would love to drown my loneliness in mimosas every night, it is just not wise. Alcohol is a depressant, and drinking a lot of it can really make your mind wander into negative spaces. Especially if you are struggling with issues like dating, money or the stress of dealing with your ex. Have a drink here and there, but try not to overdo it. For your own sake!

I hope everyone has an amazing New Year's Eve, whether spending it alone with a Law & Order marathon like I am, or with friends that love them. But if you are a single mom, take time for yourself, and make time for celebrating all you do every other day throughout the year!

Tara Reid was having a great vacation until she posted a bikini selfie with her sister in the hot tub.

Reid captioned the photo, "Spa day with my sister @collreid in Palm Desert."

More: Tara Reid's vacation pics fuel concern and nasty comments (PHOTOS)

At first, her fans complimented her. @smithon30a wrote, "You are so beautiful @tarareid."

But then, soon enough, the haters jumped on the post to shame Reid's body.

@peter_wolfinger commented, "Not hating at all... just... you need to eat." Actually, that is hating.

@_chilito jumped in on the action with, "Weird boobs."

More: Tara Reid posts racy nude photo on Instagram (PHOTO)

@lhadyfranco said, "Very ugly!!" Because it's so beautiful to tell a stranger she is ugly.

@stacyy77 commented, "Gross Tara... like for real! You are so beautiful!! Go try some weight building proteins gril! Please before you shrink up all together and die (sic)!!"

@lizzyplute, "She looks like death warmed over. Not cute at all. All u see is bones."

@jamieywolb, "She needs to get her boobs done again."

More: Jason Biggs on Tara Reid's body: WTH is going on there? (VIDEO)

But all of the hate seemed to backfire, as Reid's fans rushed to defend her. The most poignant comment came from @the_holychild.

"I can't believe how much hatred is on this post! These girls are both beautiful and are just siblings trying to enjoy a relaxing spa day with good company. Just because someone is a celebrity doesn't make them any less human or make it okay for you to shame their body types. All of these comments say nothing about these women's external beauty but instead are very telling of the commenters' lack of internal beauty. @tarareid - do whatever makes you happy and healthy and don't let anyone bring you down in the process. The rest of you? Make it your resolution to start spreading POSITIVITY. XO (sic)."

I couldn't say it better myself. Stay strong, Tara Reid. Ignore the haters!

But he doesn't only show his love with monetary gifts. The Pensacola, Florida, man stays up until 4 a.m. each night to check his diabetic girlfriend's blood sugar levels. He opts to take on the duties so she can get a good night's sleep.

"I just do [this] because I worry about her constantly," he said of why he does it. "I guess it is a little weird, but I love her."

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That is love.

He recently recorded his nightly blood sugar check and uploaded the video to Facebook, where it was shared by another page on Dec. 27. The video went super viral and has racked up over 20 million views in less than three days, which have attracted comments both praising and criticizing Cota.

"The true meaning of loving someone. I do the same with my husband as he's diabetic and I have a wake up routine through out the night to check on him and his sugar while he sleeps (sic)," one woman commented on the video.

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"I have type 1 diabetes. You see what he is doing is not to be kind or nice, it's to make sure that she will actually wake up the next morning. Having a low blood sugar is not fun and can result in seizure, fainting, coma, even death. Hats off to him for taking amazing care of his girlfriend," another commented.

But others thought his sharing the good act was just a way to get attention. "If you brag about your good deeds, they don't count," one man wrote.

Thoughts on the video aside, it is a sweet gesture to do for a loved one — and his girlfriend, Kourtney Reid, is very appreciative of what he does. "It warms my heart seeing these comments!" she wrote.

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For the sale, Everlane has a few dozen items marked down to one of three different price points. Pick which price you want to pay, put it in your cart and it'll be delivered in just a few days.

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"Sometimes we love a design so much that we overproduce it. We’re getting better at predicting demand, but to move overstock, this week we’re letting you choose your price. Enjoy," the company writes on their product pages.

It sounds great on the surface, given that some of the brand's best products — like the The Nubuck Street Shoe — are part of the sale. But what you don't realize until you pick a price is the passive-aggressive way the company attempts to shame you out of paying the lowest of the three. "$0 to Everlane. This only covers our cost of production and shipping," a little dialog box explains. Pick the middle of the three and you get this message: "$16 to Everlane. This helps cover production, shipping and overhead for our 70-person team." Pick the highest sale price and the company lets you know that they get "$45 to Everlane. This helps cover production, shipping, our team and allows us to invest in growth. Thanks!"

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Companies have costs; we get that. Why even offer the different price points at all? Just do what every other company does and offer one clearance price. But our more cynical side says they were looking for attention — mission accomplished.

What they might not realize, however, is that the whole thing might backfire. In 2004's The Paradox of Choice, psychologist Barry Schwartz argues that giving people too many choices leads to anxiety and actually inspires them not to act — meaning not purchasing anything at all. So, faced with three choices — with the accompanying guilt for wanting to save money — I opted not to purchase the Italian Ankle Strap sandals I've had my eye on for months. Why? I didn't want to pay more, but I felt bad about picking the lowest price because it felt like I was somehow stealing from the company, even if they are giving me the choice.

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I'll just stick with one-price clearance sales, thanks. But if it does appeal to you, act fast: The sale is only going on for five days.

Mob Wives: The Last Stand is coming back with lots of drama, chaos and fighting.

The Wrap shared an exclusive trailer showing all that we have to look forward to when the show comes back in January 2016.

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The original cast is back: Renee Graziano, Karen Gravano, Drita D’Avanzo, Big Ang and Carla Facciolo. They’re joined by two new faces: Brittany Fogarty, the daughter of known gangster John Fogarty, and Marissa Jade.

In addition to lots of cursing, calling people rats, discussing the sins of their fathers, talk of "the lifestyle," threats to f*** people up and actual physical fighting, fans of the show can expect a huge showdown between Drita D’Avanzo and the rest of the cast. D’Avanzo screams, “I’ve been too nice too long," and "I'll f*** them up."

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D’Avanzo is also writing a memoir, which causes problems with her ex-husband, Lee. He won't sign a disclosure for her tell-all autobiography because he's worried about details of his criminal past. Naturally, D’Avanzo isn't ready to back down.

Big Ang, the glue that holds this volatile group together, is facing her own cancer battle and troubles with her man. She needs to focus on her health, which causes more chaos among the rest of the group.

The two new cast members, Fogarty and Jade, are primed to join the drama amid threats of beating each other up. Jade says, "Don't f*** with a Staten Island girl."

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There's even a catfight between most or all of the women, causing security to jump in. I hope security got hazard pay for their inevitable scratches and bruises because it looks like it got rough.

Mob Wives: The Final Stand airs a two-hour premiere on Jan. 13.

1. He only owns one black suit

Dad jeans aside, President Obama has a snazzy wardrobe, which primarily includes blue and gray suits. Black is a bit too harsh for a president — he prefers to soften his look with something a bit lighter.

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2. In his opinion, there is nothing less cool than wandering around the White House in his skivvies

Seinfeld seemed very intrigued about the idea of the president hanging out in the Oval Office in his underwear. But Obama crushed this dream by claiming that "it's not cool, generally, wandering around in my underwear."

3. He sees a connection between politics and football

When Seinfeld asked Obama which sport he thought most resembled politics, he expected to hear a lengthy explanation about chess. Instead, Obama told him all about the many ways in which football and politics are alike.

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4. He is obsessed with nachos

President Obama has a clear appreciation for football, so kicking back with him during a game would be a blast. However, sharing a plate of nachos during a game is out of the question. He told Seinfeld that if this tasty treat isn't taken away from him, he inevitably ends up with "guacamole coming out of my eyeballs."

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5. As a child, he looked up to Teddy Roosevelt... and not for the reason you might expect

Although Obama takes inspiration from several of history's great presidents, he has always found Teddy Roosevelt the most fascinating. According to Obama, Roosevelt would have been fun to hang out with, since he was a "cool character" and always did "crazy stuff."

6. He's not afraid to joke about his perception as a cool president

Obama knows that many of his hard-core fans think that he's super cool. He doesn't always agree with this, but in general, he likes being thought of as the cool president. That being said, nothing made him feel cooler than driving in the 1963 Corvette Stingray that Seinfeld delivered to the White House.

Those who tuned in for the season premiere of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee were full of praise for the president, who they referred to as friendly, humorous and, yes, cool.

What did you think of President Obama's appearance on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee? Has your perception of his presidency changed? Comment and share your opinion below.

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What would be even less appealing is being lumped into a Whatsapp group filled with other exes of your former boyfriend. However a British man named Tom clearly thought it would be a good idea (admittedly after a few drinks) to create a Christmas group called "Merry EX-mas" to send his former girlfriends festive wishes.

The messages were uploaded on The LAD Bible on Dec. 29 and have caused a bit of an Internet sensation, having been liked more than 34,000 times and shared over 8,300 times. And for good reason — the exchange is completely hilarious.

Tom began his messages with, "Merry Christmas girls I just thought you might want to share some memories of me with each other as am lonely this year and miss the lot of ya [sic]."

He continued, "I just thought I wanna get you all together in a group and say thanks for spending parts of your life with me even if it was a long time or a short time Bella lol."

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Honestly, we're not surprised by most of the women in the group's reactions but they make for an entertaining read regardless. Here's how the interaction between Tom, Gemma, Bella, Steph and Lisa went down.

Bella really didn't see the humour in the exchange and she has every right to be angry, telling Tom "you are really a f***ing disgusting prick" for putting her in the same group as a woman (Steph) he reportedly slept with while they were together.

And then Bella and Steph started blasting each other for the awkward situation that Tom put them in.

Steph responded by writing, "Think what you want but Tom said you weren't together after the holiday coz you f***ed it."

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But one person who enjoyed the texts was Gemma (who was with Tom when they were in school) and she clearly has one hell of a sense of humour. Her responses include, "This is f***in hilarious, I can't cope (sic)" and "Omg Tom, you crack me up." In fact Tom may have even scored himself a date thanks to his efforts.

Oh Tom, why you thought this was a good idea we just don't know. But at least it's providing countless people with a bit of a laugh. If you want to read the full exchange head over to The LAD Bible.

Have you ever done something like this to your exes? Let us know in the comments below.

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1. More female MPs

The 2015 election saw more female MPs elected than ever before. OK, so there's still a long way to go — only 29 percent of MPs are women — but it's a big improvement on the 22 percent elected last time around, meaning we're heading in the right direction.

2. Shared parental leave

A new law passed in April means parents (whether by birth or adoption) can now divide parental leave however they like. Under the new arrangements parents can take up to 50 weeks off — split between them — following the first two weeks after birth and receive statutory pay. This simple but game-changing change to the country's maternity/paternity system will hopefully mean less pressure on women to stay at home, rather than go back to work.

3. #ThisGirlCan campaign

Launched in January 2015, Sport England's #ThisGirlCan campaign won the Gold Lion Award for tackling gender inequality and encouraging girls to take up sports. Throughout the year the campaign used major events like Wimbledon and the women's football World Cup to break down the barriers that often stop women getting involved in sport.

More: 10 Inspirational firsts that prove women can do literally anything

4. Laura Kuenssberg appointed BBC Political Editor

Newsnight's Laura Kuenssberg was appointed as Political Editor of the BBC, following Nick Robinson's move to Radio Four after a decade in the role. Kuenssberg is the first woman to ever hold this position — and hopefully she won't be the last.

5. Emma Watson's campaign for gender equality

Emma Watson and the #HeForShe campaign reminded us what feminism is really about: gender equality to benefit both women and men. In her role as a UN Women Global Goodwill Ambassador, Watson called on men to support gender equality — and asked the world at large to rethink their views on feminism. It remains an emotive, oft misunderstood, subject but what the campaign did was start conversations all over the world and force us to consider how gender inequality does a disservice to men as well as women.

6. Suffragette is released

The fight for a woman's right to vote was finally recognised on the big screen with the release of Suffragette, which had a female director, screenwriter and producer and a largely female crew. When activists from Sisters Uncut hijacked the red carpet at the London premiere, to protest funding cuts to domestic violence charities, the occasion became both a celebration of what women have achieved and a reminder that there is still a lot we need to fight for.

7. Gender neutral toys

Following in the footsteps of numerous independent retailers, several large companies stopped differentiating between "girls' toys" and "boys' toys" in 2015. In May Amazon.co.uk customers noticed that the site no longer had gender categories for its toy department and in November Toys R Us also dropped gender categories from their U.K. website.

Let Toys Be Toys, a group of British activists, have a list of toy companies who don't adhere to traditional gender stereotypes on their website and continue to campaign for gender neutral toy categorisation in our shops and online.

What was your defining feminist moment of 2015? Let us know in the comments below.

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Because she now knows what she wants from her future, and she's starting by making New Year's resolutions — something that she has reportedly not done for several years.

According to Us Weekly, Kardashian took to her blog to touch on the various aspects of her life she would like to change. She began, "I haven't made New Year's resolutions for as long as I can remember. However since I made a lot of changes this year, writing down my resolutions felt important to do."

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One of the things she would like to do is, "to live more in the present and less on my phone," as well as, "To continue to on the workout mission that I started this year. To continue to strengthen my relationship with Jesus."

But Kardashian also wants to reprioritize the people in her life — and that's not surprising given that she split with her partner of nine years. She wrote, "To refocus my priorities, making sure that 'me' is high on the list. (Children, God, me, family above all else…). To allow myself to feel my emotions. To give my all to the projects that I choose to take on."

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Kardashian has some pretty thoughtful and inspiring New Year's resolutions, and she appears to be starting the new year off with a very positive mind-set.

Do you have any New Year's resolutions? Or do you believe in not making them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

As a parent, my resolution is...

"... to pay more positive attention to my children — go for walks, sit at the table for dinner and start volunteering more at church." — Lisa Samples

"... to at least, once in a while, go ahead and get dirty with them. We can laugh now and clean later." — Ari Adams

"... to give more kind, patient responses than ever before!" — Ashley

"... to stop using semi-foul language in front of my kids. They are older, so it's nothing they haven't heard before, but it's still not a good example to be setting. (I'm actually not waiting until the new year to do this!)" — Caroline Poser

"... to discipline in love, to shower him with attention and to make sure that he has a happy and educational home life." — Jessica Michael

"... to spend time with my kids in activities which make it difficult to use a cell phone and require physical exertion (5K runs, one-mile walks, hiking, skiing). Spend more time in fresh air with my children!" — Laura Nuss

"... to be patient. I will also practice kindness so that my seven children emulate a tender and loving spirit. I will spend quality time listening instead of yelling." — Michelle Casten

"... to say yes more. I spend so much time worrying about messes, injuries and future therapy that I don't let my children indulge in their creative streaks. I want to allow them to grow as people without constantly undermining their independence." — Katie Reed

"... to be present with my children. My phone can be so distracting sometimes that I miss the little moments." — Bola Onada Sokunbi

"My resolution is to be more present. Whether physically or mentally — the young years are so impactful and fleeting. I want to help create memories that will last a lifetime." — Amy Juicebox

"... to take better care of myself in order to be a better parent! And to give my growing kids opportunities to become more responsible and grow their abilities." — Pat Fenner

"... to show my three children that anything is possible at any stage and area of life. My main goal is to lead by example." — Valerie Robinson

"... to remain steadfast in teaching my children how to be responsible, loving citizens." — Desiree Townsend

"I would love to spend more time with my daughter and teach her the basics of baking. I would like to see my daughter decorate a cake by herself. And I also like to spend time with her on board games, which she loves. She will surely get a lot of mommy time this year." — Gayathri Kumar

"... to trust that even though they are always going to be my children, they can actually handle life on their own." — Crysta Icore

"... to let my adult children lead their own lives, make and hopefully learn from their own mistakes, being wholly supportive without intrusion. They are adults now." — Regina Bauscher

"... to parent myself a little more. I have spent so many years encouraging, supporting and cheering on my kids. They are now teens/young adults, and I have time to spend some of this energy on myself. Maybe sign myself up for classes, learn a skill, take an adventure... things I would encourage my kids to do." — Randi Mazzella

"... to set some time aside every week to work on learning something new." — Jenny Farmer

"... to make time each day to snuggle. Whether she is curled up on my lap or I wake her up with a good long hug." — Mary O'Brien

"I resolve to have more vacations with my child, travel more and read more books together." — Maimah Karmo

"... to help our Ethiopian son adjust to America, to not be picky about him not hanging up his clothes or wearing wrinkled shirts. Love him as he is — a wrinkled shirt never killed anyone." — Sharon Williams

"... to use my time more wisely. If I can be more productive while writing my blog, cleaning the house, cooking, etc., then when I am spending time with my daughter, I can be focusing completely on her." — Deanna Hershberger

"... to help my daughter learn about submitting her writing to magazines." — Michelle Goad