As an adult period-having woman, while I've learned to deal (haven't stained a pair of pants in over decade, booyah!), I've still often wished that my uterus came with an on/off switch. Or that Mother Nature had at least given our vaginas a sphincter so we could let out the blood at convenient time. There's got to be a better way to procreate than have half the population shuffling around leaving a bloody DNA trail, right?

This is why most of us ladies spend so much time and money trying to avoid or control our inevitable monthly cycle. Between pads, pain relievers, undies and tampons, the average American woman will spend nearly $19,000 over her lifetime on period-related gear — and that's not even counting doctor's visits and birth control prescriptions, which can add hundreds of dollars every year.

I know we're the lucky ones (I consider having as many options of birth control and feminine hygiene products as we do to be one of the greatest miracles of our modern day), but it still can seem more like a curse than a blessing.

I'm not the only one who has a hard time seeing the silver lining in the cloudy maxi pad: When I searched for a stock image to use in this article of a "happy menstruating woman," there wasn't a single result. But there were 17 pages of pictures of unhappy menstruating women. And, of course, there are the very real problems with menstruation that keep millions of women out of school and work due to pain, emotional distress and tidal flows.

Yet, even with all this, not everyone sees surfing the crimson tide as a downer. In fact, Indian women have recently started a revolution to fight the shaming and exclusion of menstruating women, particularly from Hindu temples, and tweet out their reasons why they're #happytobleed. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how right they are. Our periods tell us so much about our health, our fertility and our femininity — why not celebrate that? In that vein (ha!), here are six reasons to love your period:

1. It gives you an intimate understanding of how your body works

Having to get up close and personal with yourself every month gives you an opportunity to start figuring out how all your parts work together.

2. Automatic (and free!) pregnancy test

Ok, so this one isn't 100 percent for sure, but the vast majority of the time, it's a good sign you're not baking a bun in your oven. If you don't want to be pregnant, then it's a relief — and if you do, then it can help you figure out when to try again.

3. It's a sign of good health

Our periods are kind of the canary in the coal mine when it comes to our health. A problem with your menstrual cycle can clue you in to a variety of conditions, ranging from ovarian cysts to endocrine disorders to cancer — if you're paying attention.

4. It gives you good stories to tell

Sure that time my dad gave me balloons and a "You're a woman now!" card when I first got my period was humiliating at the time, but it's hilarious now! What lady doesn't have a good bloodletting tale to share?

5. It gives you an easy out when you need one

Want to skip a boring dinner? Explain your middle-of-the-day sobfest? Need a reason to eat Ben & Jerry's? Because who's going to fact-check this excuse? No one!

6. It makes sisters of all of us

To every woman who's shared a tampon under the stall door with a stranger, given feminine hygiene supplies to women's shelters, educated a girl about what to expect from her period, made reusable pads so girls in Africa can attend school, supported Indian women's rights or just otherwise helped another sister out — this is what it's all about. We're all in this together.

More: 10 Times Taylor Swift's copied Lana Del Rey (VIDEO)

Del Rey is concerned her life might be in danger after two Russian fans, Nataliia Krinitsyna and Luliia Vladimirovna Pozdina, have become obsessed with her, TMZ reports. The women have reportedly managed to track her down on multiple occasions and have allegedly screamed at Del Rey in public, and even went so far as to send her threatening letters.

And the threats are pretty serious; not only are Krinitsyna and Pozdina claiming to self-harm, but they reportedly also have threatened Del Rey with violence.

More: The Lana Del Rey rape scene actually has a powerful message (VIDEO)

In fact, Del Rey is so freaked out by the two women's actions that she was forced to move, but they reportedly managed to locate her new pad and proceeded to camp outside it and scream her name during the middle of the night.

Del Rey has hired full-time bodyguards as well as off-duty cops to keep her safe. But she still feels the women are a danger to her life; and a judge obviously agrees with her, because according to the TMZ, Del Rey was granted restraining orders against both women, and they must now stay 100 yards clear of her and her home.

More: 4 Times Lana Del Rey acted freakishly like Courtney Love

Hopefully, the restraining order will keep Del Rey safe, but it must be a nerve-racking situation to be in.

The love, respect and honor parts of the relationship are intact; you even still like one another. But the spark, the feeling of union, is sputtering. The national Hallmark Holiday (aka Valentine's Day) may feel like just another day.

But this six-week plan is designed to help the two of you reconnect in a more vibrant way. It is not a substitute for therapy nor is it meant for couples with a dysfunctional dynamic.

Guidelines to follow during these six weeks include having daily 10-minute check-ins on the given topic for each week. The purpose is having together time. You might share a joke, kiss, look at pictures of your wedding, gaze at the sunset… It doesn’t matter what you do but that your focus is on one another.

Week one: Time travel

Devote this week to reminiscing about the circumstances that brought you together, the qualities you glimpsed in one another that persuaded you this was something special. Share favorite memories from your courtship. Look through photo albums, revisit places that represented key moments in your love story, recreate a particularly special memory.

Week two: Walk a mile in one another’s shoes

Perhaps the most important task of this six-week experience is to develop true empathy for one another’s feelings. Both of you write a letter imagining you are your spouse and what it feels like to be married to you. For example, Jane writes as Lenny: “I have to listen to Jane constantly criticize me for not doing my share of the chores. She calls me ‘lazy’ and ‘selfish’ which makes me feel like a terrible partner.” Sharing your letters will be revelatory. Once you realize how your partner feels, it becomes easier to be more sensitive.

Week three: Talk softly and carry a big stick

Instead of assuming you know what your partner is saying about a divisive issue, really listen. The person who holds the stick (or whatever object the two of you designate for this purpose) is the one who has the floor to talk. The listener cannot interrupt! When the speaker finishes the listener mirrors back what was heard: “So when such and such happens you feel A, B and C.” The speaker corrects, “I said A, but not B or C. It was this.” The couple goes back and forth until the speaker feels understood. Important point: The listener needn’t agree with the speaker’s feelings, but needs to accept them. The stick then changes hands and you reverse speaker and listener roles.

This exercise should be incorporated as an ongoing technique. Once a couple truly hears one another, areas of deadlock can move to problem solving.

Week four: Go on an adventure

In week one we delved into memories of relationship past. This week we look toward the present and future. The assignment is to embark on an activity together — be it ballroom dance classes, cooking a meal, climbing a mountain or attending a reading by a favorite author. This is another exercise to keep repeating as studies prove that couples that do things together are happier.

Week five: Sex it up

The challenge this week is for each of you to plan a sexual surprise for the other. It can be a fantasy you’ve always wanted to share but not quite had the nerve to voice, bringing a sex toy into the mix…

Obviously those are just suggestions. This week’s focus on the boudoir (not that love making needs to be limited to the boudoir!) is to remind you to keep sex a major focus of your lives together.

Week six: Considerately ever after

We make the effort to do kind things for our spouse on special occasions: his or her birthday, your wedding anniversary and of course the holiday this six-week plan is geared toward.

However, the purpose of this last exercise is to remind each of you to continually do sweet things for your spouse — be it delivering a bedside cup of coffee, sucking it up and going to the movie your partner wants to see and/or giving a ‘you’ll do great, rah rah’ speech before your other half’s important meeting. Kindness is a vital quality for married couples to share this week and every other.

And finally...

Lastly, make a fabulous plan for Valentine’s Day and celebrate your revitalized love!

And these aren't just any roasted apples. These apples are made with ingredients that are in apple pie filling, complete with the brown sugar, butter and spice.

Add in Brie cheese and crispy, crunchy cinnamon walnuts, and you've got something special.

There's one more touch to make it even better — an easy homemade honey-orange vinaigrette is drizzled on top for a beautiful salad worthy of eating anytime of the year.

Roasted apple and Brie spinach salad with cinnamon walnuts recipe

Serves 3

Prep time: 24 minutes | Cook time: 16 minutes | Inactive time: 15 minutes | Total time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

For the roasted apples

• 2 apples (Gala or Fuji), peeled, cored and cut in 1/2-inch-thick slices
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1 dash salt
• 2 pinches pumpkin pie spice
• 2 pinches ground cloves
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small cubes

For the cinnamon walnuts

Directions:

For the roasted apples

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
3. To the middle of the parchment paper, add the apples, lemon, salt, pumpkin pie spice, ground cloves, brown sugar and flour.
4. Lightly toss all the ingredients to coat the apples.
5. Top with small cubes of butter.
6. Bake just long enough that the apples are baked but still firm (in total about 11 – 12 minutes). After 6 minutes of baking in the oven, pull out the cookie sheet and, using a spatula, turn the apples over. Return the cookie sheet to the oven for the remaining 5 – 6 minutes).
7. Remove from the oven, and let cool.

For the cinnamon walnuts

1. Heat a medium-size nonstick skillet on low to medium heat.
2. Add the walnuts, salt and brown sugar. Continuously stir.
3. Continue to stir until the brown sugar starts to stick to the nuts (about 3 – 4 minutes).
4. Add the cinnamon, stir, and transfer the nuts onto waxed paper to cool.

For the honey-orange vinaigrette

1. To a medium-size Mason jar, add all the ingredients. Cover tightly with the lid, and shake.
2. Set aside in the refrigerator until just before serving.
3. Just before serving, shake up the ingredients again.

For the salad

1. To each serving plate, add the spinach leaves.
2. Top with the roasted apples, Brie cheese and cinnamon walnuts.
3. Garnish with thinly sliced apple.
4. Just before serving, drizzle the honey-orange vinaigrette on the salad.

More spinach salad recipes

Spinach salad with fresh figs, cranberries and walnuts
Strawberry spinach salad
Spinach wrap

Depending on the width and type of heel you're sporting, high heels can be downright detrimental to your health in the winter. At the same time, few shoe options exist that can instantly lengthen your leg and make every outfit you wear look 100 times more professional. For that reason, many of us are reluctant to store our heels on a shelf in our closet in November and not look at them again until April.

Shoe fanatics needn't give up on their favorite style yet: Here are six ways to winterize your high heels so that they're safer on slippery streets and make it to spring in one piece — as well as ideas on how to look sophisticated while (temporarily) ditching the highest stilettos you own.

1. Shop for wider heels

Long, thin heels or kitten heels are bound to be wobbly on icy surfaces. A better option when temperatures drop is to invest in a quality pair of wedge heels or booties or Mary Jane or slingback heels that feature a thicker heel. If you must wear pumps, consider carrying them in a bag or leaving a pair at your desk and wearing boots or sneakers for your commute.

2. Give heels traction with grip pads

Non-slip grip pads are affordable, easy to slip onto your heels or the soles of your shoes and are a surefire way to keep you from falling down on the street. For a more long-term solution, consider bringing your favorite heels to a shoe cobbler, who can attach a more sturdy padding beneath your heels.

More: 13 Ways to make high heels more comfortable

3. Wear galoshes over your heels

High heel protection from the elements isn't all about safety. Rain and snow can ruin a great pair of leather or suede pumps. Here's an interesting solution: PYSIS Posh Galoshes can actually be worn over your high heels to protect them until you reach your final destination. Added bonus: They're super chic and cute.

4. Clean your leather heels regularly

They're going to need it if you're wearing them in snowy, rainy conditions. A product like Leather Honey, which is specifically designed to clean leather shoes, can help prolong the life of your heels, which take a beating in the wintertime.

More: 12 Cute ways to pair socks and shoes

5. Choose leather heels over synthetics materials

Interesting fact: Leather shoes allow your feet to breathe, which actually helps keep them warm when it's cold outside. Those made from synthetic materials are not ideal in frigid temperatures because they won't protect your feet as well.

6. Waterproof your leather heels before you go out

You wouldn't hit the soggy streets without a raincoat or jacket, so why are your shoes any different? You can waterproof your leather heels or boots before you go out by treating them with a product like Frye Leather Conditioning Cream, which will help keep your shoes in tip-top shape.

More: Miranda Lambert's rumored new bf: 10 Things to know about Anderson East

Over the weekend, the new couple spent some quality time together, and they have the photo to prove it. East and Lambert both uploaded a photo of themselves snuggling to their respective Instagram accounts, along with the caption, "The snuggle is real..."

The cute snap shows East and Lambert all smiles as they cozy up to each other — and fans couldn't be happier.

Comments on the picture include one from pbradley3nc, who wrote, "Happy New Year, hope 2016 goes better for you then 2015,i sure it well [sic] because you are a sweet woman, Blake's lost...." lpric also gushed about the picture, writing, "Good for you. You do deserved [sic] the best because you are the best. Hope 2016 goes really well for you. Your staring [sic] off pretty good."

More: Miranda Lambert learned a valuable lesson from her split from Blake Shelton

Rader_anneke echoed those sentiments, writing, "This is such a great picture. You deserve the best, @mirandalambert. What was Blake thinking leaving you?"

"Way to go Miranda glad to see u happy again way cute [sic] then Blake Shelton!" maranda20157 wrote.

More: Anderson East's family reveals new Miranda Lambert details

Judging by the reaction to the post, it appears Lambert fans are comparing East to Shelton, as multiple comments mention her former husband (and how he has lost out big time). 2016 already looks to be shaping up for Miranda Lambert, and we're glad she's found happiness once again.

Do you think Anderson East is the perfect guy for Miranda Lambert? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Almost a month after his Dec. 5 birth, Kim posted on Instagram the first picture the public has seen of her son. He's holding the finger of his 2-year-old sister, North West, who calls him her "best friend."

More: Waiting on a foster child is a lot like being pregnant

It's adorable, but it's also a bit of a tease. We can't see his face, and still have to wonder if he looks like his big sister? Like Mom? Like Dad? It's all still a mystery and leaves fans more curious than ever.

More: The secret I'm tempted to keep from my kids about their conception

How long will the tease go on? Some think they're holding out for big bucks for the first shot, though TMZ says even though offers of $2-2.5 million have come in, they're rejecting them. There's also speculation that the big reveal may happen on Khloe's new show, Kocktails with Khloe, which premieres Jan. 20, since North made her debut on Grandma Kris Jenner's talk show. Hmmm.

More: Jill Duggar's babyproofing for little Izzy comes under fire      

One way or another, however, we're more than confident we'll eventually see plenty of the little guy. He is his mother's son, after all.

Here’s a hint: It was overwhelming. On Jan. 1, Paulun, mother to 6-year-old Lyle and 2-month-old Ellie living in Monroe, Michigan, posted a sweet story with an accompanying photo to her Facebook page — Paulun regularly takes Lyle out for dinner dates so she can teach him how to handle money and treat women with respect. As Paulun explains, she instructs Lyle to open doors for her, pull out her chair, engage in conversation, pay with his own money earned from chores and even tip the server.

More: Here's what men say makes you 'good mom material'

Paulun says that her motivation in teaching her son how to respect women at a young age comes from her own experience of abuse and disrespect from men in the past.

Considering that her post quickly went viral with almost 3 million likes and close to 500,000 shares already, it’s unsurprising to see a fair amount of Internet hate woven in with the positive comments in support of Paulun’s parenting. Paulun received plenty of praise for teaching her son respect and responsibility at a young age, though many commenters pointed out that her lesson was skewed.

More: 15 Fierce female-empowerment songs every mom should teach her daughter

While we can’t discount the fact that Paulun deserves credit for putting so much effort into her parenting, there’s a shred of truth to what these commenters are saying. It’s critically important for kids to learn respect and responsibility, but money management and dating lessons apply to all kids — whether a boy or a girl.

First, the money. If you have ever worked in the service industry before, then you know how poorly treated (and badly tipped) most servers are. And there’s also a common saying: “If you want to see someone’s true character, just watch how they treat the wait staff.” The point is, every child should be brought up to respect and tip people in the service industry (with a 20 percent tip minimum, for the record). Many of these kids are going to work in fast food or restaurants at least once in their lives, and teaching kids to treat people well in the real world is one of the most basic of life skills. Financial experts also recommend using teachable moments like this to help kids understand the value of money as early as kindergarten.

More: Smart strategies for teaching kids about managing money

Now, on to point number two: dating. Admittedly, this is a much stickier topic when you are trying to teach rudimentary dating principles and respect to a child in elementary school, but it’s still a great place to start — Paulun is on the right track. However, living in our modern world where feminism is becoming the norm and an estimated 10 percent of the population is gay, we are doing our kids a disservice if we present them with such a limited boy-meets-girl picture.

There are several ways a modern date could go down, and these are all scenarios that our children need to know about at an age-appropriate level. A girl could earn her own money and choose to split the bill, or she might decide to pay for the entire date herself. It’s also possible that a young boy or girl may grow up to prefer dating people of the same sex, who deserve to be treated with the same care and respect on a date.

Paulun’s lesson for her young son is a powerful one, which is exactly why it’s going viral, but it’s much more open-ended than it seems. Our kids need to know how to manage money, respect themselves and respect others — regardless of their gender or future sexual orientation. Teaching our kids these principles without limits is one of the best ways to build kindness and character.

1. Double standard

An unknown number of heavily armed gunmen have seized control of a federal building near Burns, Oregon, in protest of federal land-use laws. The wildlife refuge center was unoccupied and closed for the winter. The Internet immediately noted the difference in language between similar, though unarmed, protests by liberals and people of color — particularly that the media was calling the group a "militia staging a peaceful protest" and not "domestic terrorists." Hashtags #YallQaeda and #YeeHawd quickly began trending. My favorite? #VanillaISIS. — CNN

2. Diplomacy

Terrorists are using Donald Trump as a recruitment tool, and Donald Trump doesn't care. After al-Shabaab, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda, made a video that uses a clip of Trump calling for a ban on Muslims entering the United States, Trump responded by shrugging. He told CBS's Face the Nation: “I have to say what I have to say.” A month ago Hillary Clinton said Trump is ISIS's best recruiter, and Trump now has doubled down on calling her a liar, pointing out that it is al-Shabaab, not ISIS, who made the video. OK, we feel safer now. — Slate

3. Tweet storm

Bill Cosby made a public statement for the first time since he was arrested for sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, a Temple University employee, in 2004. On New Year's Eve, Cosby tweeted, "Friends and Fans, thank you." Reactions were swift, ranging from "You kidding, man?" to "Have a good 2016, enjoy jail!" Cosby defenders also surfaced, calling the dozens of women who have claimed to be assaulted by Cosby "gold-digging blood suckers." Cosby faces up to 10 years in jail. — Yahoo

4. Ousted

Saudi Arabia is cutting ties with Iran after that country strongly protested the execution of a Shiite cleric. Iranian diplomats have 48 hours to leave the kingdom. This marks an alarming low in Middle East relations, and analysts fear an escalation in tensions in the region. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has reportedly urged Iran not to retaliate. Fingers crossed. — The New York Times

More: How to survive workplace 'mean girls'

5. And... GO

Donald Trump has released his first TV ad of the primary season, and it's pretty much what you'd expect: A call for a ban on Muslims entering the U.S., a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and a promise to "cut the head" off ISIS and take their oil to boot. The ad will air in Iowa and New Hampshire tomorrow; Trump plans to spend $2 million a week on ads reiterating his promise to "make America great again." Perhaps al-Shabaab will save money on making their own videos and just re-circulate Trump's campaign ads. — NBC News

More: Whites-only dating website is an actual thing

6. Murder

In what is shaping up to be a very terrorist/video-oriented news day, ISIS has released a video of a masked, English-speaking man who appears to murder five alleged British spies. The unknown man, who speaks English with a British accent, addresses Prime Minister David Cameron and accuses him of being a "slave to the White House." A six- or seven-year-old child, also speaking with a British accent, promises to kill the "non-believers." The video comes on the heels of ISIS losing control of Ramadi; ISIS may be hoping to divert attention from their recent military losses. — The Washington Post

More: Resettled refugees help Syrian newcomers start new lives

If I could live on a beach somewhere in Southeast Asia, my skin would forever glow with happiness. However, I live in Brooklyn, where the winters are long and cold and the sun sets at 4:30 p.m. For someone who suffers from psoriasis, it can be a challenge to maintain clear skin when covering it with layers upon layers of clothing — drying it up and making it itchy. There is nothing more frustrating and, quite frankly, scary than finding a couple of new dry, red patches on my legs. I end up wondering if these patches may be a precursor to something much bigger — like one of those epic breakouts that cover 90 percent of the body within 48 hours and take months to cure... my worst nightmare since I've lived through it once before.

Never again I told myself, never again!

So, when the northern winds blow into the city and dump a blanket of snow, I come armed and ready for the battle. Here are five weapons I use to combat dry, scaly and patchy skin to keep my psoriasis under control.

1. Drink lots (and lots!) of water

It's easy to forget about hydration when your schedule is packed to the gills. Sometimes I can go hours without a drop of water until I eventually end up with a headache. Not good! The best way to stay on track is to keep a big 750-milliliter bottle of water nearby at all times. It's a simple trick that works like a charm because it's always in my field of vision and only needs to be refilled once or twice throughout the day.

2. Take vitamin supplements

Since psoriasis is an abnormality in the function of the immune system, it's important to keep the core of your body strong and healthy. Ten minutes of sun exposure is recommended to get your daily intake of vitamin D, but that can be difficult to accomplish when it's freezing cold and gray outside. Taking vitamin D supplements may help you get a boost in nutrients that can, in turn, slow down skin cell growth and make the plaques less scaly (speak to your doctor before beginning a supplement regimen, especially if you are taking medication).

3. Use a rich, moisturizing body lotion

Dry, itchy legs and arms are never a fun thing! I find that moisturizing my entire body, especially in the winter, dramatically improves the way my skin looks and feels. I apply it as soon as I get out of the shower to lock in as much moisture as possible (when pores are most opened), and I reapply a little on my arms and legs before bedtime to prevent an itchy outbreak.

4. Eat foods that are high in nutrients and have anti-inflammatory properties

Clean eating has been proven to greatly help ease symptoms of psoriasis. A diet rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients (such as nuts, leafy greens, salmon, berries and turmeric) minimizes flare-ups, while eating lots of fruits and vegetables keeps the body hydrated. Avoid fried foods, dairy, gluten and foods that are high in fats whenever you can. If eating lots of fruits and vegetables isn't your thing, try drinking a smoothie every morning — it's the easiest and fastest way to ingest your A, B and C!

5. Take it easy on the booze

Alcohol can dry out the skin so badly, especially if you don't stay hydrated while drinking. Flaky, dull-looking skin combined with a hangover and an upset stomach are all huge no-nos for psoriasis sufferers. Winter brings harsh elements to your skin, so it's important to be that much more careful and attentive to it. Allow yourself a glass of wine occasionally and try not to indulge too often.

This post was brought to you as part of a sponsored advertising collaboration.

More: Coco Austin responds to unfair judgment on her parenting choices

Taking to Instagram, Austin posted the sweet shot, which shows her wearing a revealing black dress (seriously, her post-baby body is amazing) while having an intimate dinner with her man. She captioned the picture, "It was me and Ice's 15th year anniversary on New Years Eve.. This was our best year yet producing little Chanel. Feeling blessed."

But rather than congratulate Ice T and Austin on their milestone achievement, haters took issue with her choice of outfit, blasting her for it in the comments section of the post.

"Ohh coco.. why arent [sic] you a classy woman??? You're [sic] clothes is [sic] so ugly," nastenka11 wrote.

More: Coco Austin dresses up her baby daughter Chanel in pearls for holiday photo

"You look great but damn you dress more like stripper! That shit needs to be out for 2015. Get with 2016," 4414u shared.

Other critics slammed Austin because she's now a mom, claiming she should dress more conservatively because of this. "Hey.... You're a mom now.... Tone it down.... class goes a long ways!", sailorsunite wrote.

"Dress respectfully like a mother should...would you want your daughter dressed like this? Trampish! You're a mom now-set a graceful example!" suefranlore claimed.

More: Reality star Coco Austin reveals painful postpartum confession

But Coco has a message for her all haters.

Do you think the backlash Coco Austin received is unfair? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Some commenters weren't afraid to say what they thought of Derulo's live performance.

The Internet loves good dancing... but it hates a lip-syncer. Derulo is already getting criticized for potentially lip-syncing. And if he did sing live, well, he didn't do a good job there either, according to commenters on Twitter.

One pseudo-fan on Twitter said, "Jason Derulo can't sing live. That was terrible #PCAs." Another wrote, "Ummmm....not for nothing but @jasonderulo seems to be doing a lot more dancing than singing. We wanna hear you sing. #justsaying #PCAs (sic)." Someone else asked, "#PCAs has Jason derulo actually sung anything here (sic)?"

More: The best performances of the People's Choice Awards

More: Pretty Little Liars cast went goth chic at People's Choice (PHOTOS)

Derulo had his defenders as well — especially those who recognize how hard it is to sing and dance live, onstage and in front of an audience of hundreds of thousands. Some people just respect a good production piece: "These pyrotechnics are really hot, @jasonderulo. Literally AND figuratively."

Derulo, whose album Everything is 4 (Beyoncé much?) was released in the United States in June 2015, is currently on tour. Haters, get ready for fan-favorite Shawn Mendes (who won the PCA for Favorite Breakout Artist) to perform at the show. We have a feeling the mentions on Twitter after his performance will be slightly more positive!

More: 7 Pantsuits that took over the People's Choice Awards red carpet

What did you think of Jason Derulo's performance? Let us know in the comments!

Lamar Odom continues to fight for his life and his estranged wife, Khloé Kardashian, is proud of him for it.

According to People, while talking to reporters at a TCA panel promoting her upcoming FYI network talk show Kocktails with Khloé, she said, "Because it's not my story to tell, I try to respect that and I want him to be able to tell that story. I'm just there to support and care for him." She added that Odom is "doing amazing."

More: Khloé Kardashian shares first pic at Lamar Odom's hopsital bedside (PHOTO)

"I'm so proud of the strength that he has to fight this battle that's his battle and I'm so grateful for everybody's love and concern, because I think it is coming from a good place," Kardashian said.

Odom was found unconscious in a Nevada brothel in October. Kardashian rushed to the hospital and helped transport him to Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles. Since their divorce wasn't final at the time of the incident, Kardashian has been overseeing Odom's care and recovery.

More: Khloé Kardashian and Lamar Odom are reportedly separated

Kardashian's update on Odom's health comes as a source told People that Odom will soon be moving to a live-in rehabilitation center.

"The plan is for him to move in the next few days," the source said. "At the center, Lamar will continue to receive amazing therapy. He still has many challenges but is making progress. He is a fighter!"

More: Khloé Kardashian and Lamar Odom burgled by his drug dealer?

Odom was reportedly near death back in October, so it's amazing that he's been able to recover. It sounds like the road ahead will still be tough, but after spending Christmas with his kids, and with Kardashian in his corner, it looks like he's well poised to make a comeback and inspire many others.

Did we mention she's one of the most adorable human beings ever? We recently had a chance to chat with Hinton — whom everyone knows and loves as Dr. Stephanie Edwards of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital — and to say she won us over with her effortless charm and quick wit would be an understatement.

So in celebration of Grey's Anatomy's big win at Wednesday night's PCAs, we decided to loop you into our fondness for Hinton by sharing a few little-known facts she revealed during our Q&A.

1. She's a shutterbug

In what little downtime she has between film projects, Hinton indulges another creative passion — photography. Her abstract photography, which she often takes with her trusty Olympus PEN, can be found on her Web site. "Oh! Favorite thing to photograph? Nature," she said about her subjects.

2. Strange food combos don't intimidate her

We couldn't not ask Hinton to explain the potential implications of a tweet reading, "Grilled.Banana.Ketchup." And, well, it was just as we suspected — the girl has an iron stomach. "I tried the recipe for that!" she confessed, laughing. "And it was delicious, and I want it in my mouth."

3. Her go-to karaoke songs are classic

"One is 'Proud Mary' by Tina Turner, which I always kill, and the other one is 'Darling Nikki' by Prince, because it's just fun to do the yelling and screaming at the end and hop onstage," she said. In case you're wondering if there is any particular song her friends would rail her for secretly being a superfan of, there's no need for concern. "Oh, my friends wouldn't give me hell for secretly loving anything," she told us. "We all share our weird music."

More: Shonda Rhimes reveals the big picture all Grey's Anatomy fans are missing

4. She has her sights set on skydiving

When we caught up with Hinton before the new year, she revealed her surprising — and, let's be real, kinda terrifying — secret plan to jump out of a plane. "I don't know if I should advertise that," she quickly added with a laugh. "My employers may tell me I can't!" (Sooooo... has this happened, Hinton?)

5. We should all take a cue from her favorite trait

"The thing I like most about myself is my commitment to growth, honestly. I think it's important, and I think that not enough people have a true commitment to growing themselves in very difficult ways," she said, "and wanting to grow the world around them that they love also." That, y'all. That.

6. She likes to name her house plants

Yes, I said house plants. And not only does she name them, but the names are so fabulous you may very well wish you were a fern. "Those names are Tree-hanna, Tree-yoncé, Tree-vie Nicks and Tree-na Turner. Then there are a couple of bushes that have their names change on a daily basis. But the big indoor trees have good first and last names," she shared.

7. A coming-of-age narrative for all girls is important to her

Hinton will be flexing her creative capabilities in the near future as the star and producer of a film called Solace, the story of a young black girl mired in the struggles of adolescence. "I find that in certain cultures and in certain households, it can be very hard to grow up and have the privilege of maintaining your softness and have the privilege of maintaining your curiosity about the world," she said, "and stories that allow young girls to do that really touch me, and this is one of those stories."

More: Celebs made edgy and goth look so good at the 2016 People's Choice Awards

8. If she could invite any one person to a dinner party, it would be...

"Ooh, Prince!" Ah, a woman after our own heart.

I fell in love with the show right away. How could I not? It was perfect; and as a reader of the books, I was so very happy they did it right. Here is why I loved the first season of Outlander:

Jamie

As a fan of the books, I had an idea of who Jamie was in my head. While a television show isn't ever going to fulfill everyone's idea, they cast this role very well. Sam Heughan is very much like the book Jamie, and that is a wonderful thing.

Claire

I will be honest, I pictured Claire a little differently then what Caitriona Balfe portrays, but I love her in the role just the same. She brings a lot of Claire's personality to the role and I love her with Jamie. I knew before the show started that they would need to cast Jamie and Claire right and they did.

Stays close to the book

Whenever someone makes a movie or television series based on a book, you never know how it is going to turn out. You are either going to love what they have done or hate it. I really like how close they have stayed during their first season. There were some changes, but overall everything seems to work which I am happy about.

The clothing

Period clothing is so important when it comes to keeping the scenes looking realistic. Outlander does it well and I love to see the outfits, especially the ones Claire wears. I want to wear one for Halloween.

The accents

Who doesn't love a Scottish accident? I love them and Jamie's is one of the best. I love to hear him talking to Claire and I can see why she fell in love with him as quickly as she did.

The scenery

I have always wanted to visit Scotland, but watching Outlander has made me want to visit even more. What a beautiful country and it looks great on my screen. Someday, I will make it out that way and be reminded of the Outlander series and everything Jamie and Claire went though.

Good episodes

Each episode of season one is good. I love that. It draws you in right away and keeps you wanting to keep coming back for more. I love when shows can do that. That helps me feel a part of them and lets me enjoy myself when I am watching.

The characters

I already talked about Jamie and Claire, but I love the supporting cast as well, even those that have a small role. Every part seemed to be cast with a lot of thought.

The music

I love the theme song so much that I made it the ringtone on my phone. I can't get enough of it. The song, "The Skye Boat Song" draws you into the Outlander world.

The rest of the story

I love Outlander because the show makes me want to see the rest of the story come alive. I am excited about the new characters coming up and can't wait to see who they are going to cast. I think this show is going to go far.

Outlander is a fantastic show, and I am happy that it has also been nominated for the Golden Globes. The show deserves that. If you haven't had a chance to watch the show yet, you should; you will be glad that you did.

WARNING: Do not continue reading unless you want all the gory — literally — details about tonight's episode of AHS: Hotel.

More: Test your American Horror Story knowledge with our killer quiz

So The Countess is dead but definitely not gone.

Everyone really wanted to kill her. But it was John, who ultimately struck her down and completed his Ten Commandment killings with her death: Thou shall not murder.

I definitely didn't see this one coming. I thought that John was going to end up killing himself as his final act for the murders. Of course, he would have no unfinished business so he would get to move on like a normal soul outside the Hotel Cortez.

But bravo to show creator Ryan Murphy for pulling the unexpected on us.

Out of everyone that wanted The Countess dead — James March, Ramona, Liz Taylor — I really didn't see John as the one to bring her down.

More: AHS: Hotel blurs the lines between Lady Gaga and Stefani Germanotta

It seemed like, if anyone, The Countess would be the one to make it out and escape the hotel. After everything she's been through and everything in her past, it's hard not to root for her even though she's also terrible. But the magnetism that is Lady Gaga in this role is just hard to deny. It's impossible not to fall for the allure of The Countess as Donovan and Ramona clearly proved.

Now that The Countess is dead though, a whole bunch of other issues crop up. Especially with regards to Bartholomew. I just really want to know what's going to end up happening with that fetus.

Of course, the show can't just end with all the ghosts living happily ever after. And by the looks of next week's episode things are going to get tense, to put it lightly, when the Hotel Cortez residents realize they have to stop killing.

We'll also get to see what James March has in store for John next now that he's completed his Ten Commandments collection. Will he and his family get to escape the Cortez and live happily ever after? Again, not likely.

I also wonder if The Countess won't find a way out of this forever with James March. We don't really know much about the spirits stuck in the Cortez and the rules of their eternity. Is it possible that once their business is finished they can move on? Perhaps The Countess will find a loophole that will allow her to leave the hotel once and for all to face the other side. It's hard to believe that after everything she's been through, she'll just concede to a life of unhappiness.

More: 11 Ways AHS: Hotel exceeded even the highest expectations

But such is American Horror Story.

It could be that's it for The Countess' storyline in Hotel. It's very possible we won't even see much of her in the finale episode next week.

If that's the case it will be heartbreaking. Though we can all take comfort in the knowledge that there's a good chance Lady Gaga will return in some capacity for Season 6.

Do you think this episode did justice to The Countess' storyline or do you want more in the finale?

Security has increased in airports since the 9/11 attack in 2001 but surely asking a man to remove his prosthetic appendage is going too far?

More: Children's book about being transgender goes global

Not only is it demeaning, it's dangerous and could potentially lead to the person being outed when they're not prepared to be, especially so publicly.

A Senate inquiry is underway to examine whether aviation safety and security measures are effective, and this incident, which occurred in 2015, is under scrutiny.

The passenger wrote a formal complaint, saying the incident was demeaning and that security officers and airport staff should undergo sensitivity training to be more mindful of people of varying backgrounds, namely the transgender community.

The situated escalated when the man was taken aside after the prosthetic was detected in his underwear.

"In full view of other travellers, the supervisor approached me putting rubber gloves on," he wrote. "When I asked him what the gloves were for, he told me that he was going to do a 'private search'."

He was then taken to a small room where the supervisor "pulled out my prosthetic enough for them to see".

More: Movember elects its first ever transgender spokesman

The National LGBTI Health Alliance has told the inquiry about the "pervasive discrimination" in airport security, calling for more understanding of the community and their personal rights.

The staff member then opened the door for the man to leave while the prosthetic was still sitting in the tray. Asking for some privacy to put his prosthetic back into place, the staff closed the door but was left there with two men watching him.

"I suggest you look into sensitivity training and put some guidelines in place for your employees," the man complained.

The National Centre for Transgender Equality says security checkpoints can be particularly intrusive for transgender people, especially because of the potential to reveal a person's private life and personal situation without their consent.

"These procedures can be invasive of everyone's privacy and are of particular concern to transgender people because of their potential to 'out' people in unsafe ways, potentially leading to harassment and discrimination," the centre says.

The centre also claims that prosthetics are allowed through checkpoints after going through screening, adding that people might prefer to put these things in checked baggage to avoid attention.

They also explain that people should never be expected to remove their prosthetic, adding that if they are asked to remove clothing to reveal a prosthetic or are asked to remove it entirely, they should make a formal complaint.

"This applies to binding items, breast forms, and other prosthetics. If an officer asks you to reveal a prosthetic item, ask to speak to a supervisor and calmly explain the situation."

Late last year a transgender woman, Shadi Petosky, was also held at an airport in Orlando when an anomaly appeared during her security screening and her physical gender didn't appear to match the name and gender on her identification card.

"I don't know if I want my No 1 Google searches to be a crying photo of me and a story about my genitals, but what's happened is a lot of other transgender people are saying that they have a similar story," Petosky said. "I think it kind of highlights an ongoing problem."

What do you think about how transgender people have been treated during security checks? Share your thoughts below.

More: 'We Will' marriage equality video puts issue back on the table for 2016

The good people from the Australian Centre for the Moving Image have realised that all people want to do nowadays is watch cat videos, so they're inviting people to come out from behind their laptops to enjoy the videos with other humans, in public.

More: Etsy store raises awareness for animal welfare with hats for cats

Melbourne’s Federation Square will become a giant cat video presentation as part of White Night on Feb. 20.

The pièce de résistance is a 20-minute cat video compilation, which will be screened every half hour from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m.

This isn’t the first time the Cat Video Festival has been put on — it debuted in Minneapolis in 2012 where 10,000 people attended. I reckon we can hit that figure out of the ball park, though, guys.

More: 25 Random cat behaviours finally explained

The festival has since hit the road, stopping at 49 different countries, and it’s finally coming to Australia.

Now we can watch cat videos and not feel guilty about everything else we’re supposed to be doing, like catching up on work, or sleep, or hanging out with friends. Now you can catch up with friends and watch kittens chase a laser light at the same time. Life just got amazing. Thank you, 2016.

In preparation for the big day or if, god forbid, you can’t make it to the festival, I have compiled a list of cat videos I personally hope to see added to the festival line-up.

1. The first cat video to be uploaded onto YouTube

2. The timeless Keyboard Cat

3. The difference between cats and dogs video

4. Cats playing patty cake

5. Cats sleeping in strange positions

6. The boxing cat

7. We couldn’t forget Grumpy Cat

8. OMG Cat

9. Pirate Cat

10. Talking cats

What are some of your favourite cat videos? Let us know.

More: Rare cat-dog hybrid that looks like a werewolf is actually kind of cute

More: Adele fan's very honest Facebook tribute goes viral

With the simple caption "getting ready" this Instagram picture from Adele is one we can all relate to right now. Because, really, who finds it easy to set foot in the gym after all the festive overindulgence?

The "Hello" singer posted the snap to her Instagram account on Wednesday, showing she's determined to kickstart her 2016 fitness regime — and that it's not easy.

She recently slammed exercise as "f***ing boring" but it's part of the healthy lifestyle she follows to keep her voice healthy, having previously suffered a vocal haemorrhage.

"It's f***ing boring, but I don't think you take your voice seriously until you've an accident," she told Daily Life magazine in November. "I'm frightened all the time I'm going to damage my voice."

More: Adele's Live in New York City delivers tear-jerking performance (VIDEO)

As well as regular exercise, the 27-year-old has cut out alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine, together with "spicy, citrusy, and tangy" foods, to keep her voice in tip-top condition.

Adele's sell-out 10-month tour of Europe and North America — her first set of live dates since 2011— starts in Belfast on Feb. 29.

All of us who go to the gym can relate to that expression of total anguish, right? Celebrity or not, some days it's just too painful.

More: 20 Gifts for that one friend obsessed with Adele

There are times when we deny ourselves basic pleasures because we refuse to stray from our tenets. If the relationship doesn't work out, we emerge from the experience feeling wiser than our years because we didn't compromise or "give in" to our desires or impulsive actions.

More: 9 New Age marriage rules that changed my relationship for the better

But, as lots of people in long-term relationships or marriages will tell you: The rules don't apply when you fall in love. Suddenly, you find yourself doing and saying things that the old you would have considered positively crazy. Those relationship rules you wrote in order to protect yourself from a broken heart all seem to go out the window the minute you meet your better half. For example...

1. "Take things very slowly at the beginning of a relationship."

How many times have you been told not to rush a relationship? You'll scare him away. He'll think you're like this with every guy. There are times when you just know someone is a keeper and, if you're both open to being honest and exploring the strong emotions you're both having, allowing things to progress at a faster pace than you're used to can be wonderful. "After a particularly bad breakup I decided that my number one rule was to not get attached," says "Scarlet." "Go slow, no strings, no emotional investment, no expectations. Twenty-four years ago I met a guy and it was like being hit by lightning. Two hours after we met we were in bed. By morning I was in love. We've been married 22 years and we've been insanely happy every single day of it."

More: Here's why petty fights become explosive arguments with your sig-o

2. "Don't have sex on the first date."

While this may be excellent advice to give a very young woman, many women who are in their late 20s, 30s and beyond told me they feel this is a "rule" worth breaking, as long as you're on the same page with your partner with regard to what you both want from the relationship. Bottom line: Lots of women think it isn't a big deal to have sex on the first date if you feel an extreme sexual attraction that you want to explore. While you shouldn't automatically assume that means you'll be married with kids in five years, that's exactly what has happened to some women who slept with someone at the very beginning of their relationship.

3. "Don't say 'I love you' before he does."

Nonsense. If you feel like you're in love, you've been together for enough time to know that it isn't lust, and sense this could be a long-term relationship, women say there's no reason to wait until he declares his love for you. The worst thing that can happen is that you'll find out he doesn't feel the same way — heartbreaking, for sure, but aren't you better off knowing where you stand?

More: 5 Things that should be missing in the right relationship

4. "Don't share bank accounts."

One woman with whom I spoke says she and her now husband opened up a joint checking account within the first three months that they were together because it made grocery shopping a lot easier. The experience of sharing financial responsibilities so early on in their relationship allowed them to learn a great deal about the other's spending and saving habits, which also helped them make an easier transition to a married couple with a mortgage.

5. "Don't move in together before one year or, better yet, an engagement ring."

Ugh, that old saying: "Why would he buy the cow if he gets the milk for free?" comes to mind here — and lots of women have decided they'd rather follow their hearts and enjoy an adult living situation with the person they love than be considered a cow worth milking. Of all the love rules women say they happily broke, this one topped the list.

6. "Keep your sexual feelings about other people to yourself."

One woman says she wouldn't have dreamed of talking to exes about other men or women that they find attractive because it would have immediately caused them to have a wicked fight. But when she met her husband, she says they bonded in a way that transcended "trivial" sexual feelings for other people. As a result, she says she feels she's in the first relationship where she can speak honestly to her spouse about normal feelings (and she also feels it prevents them from acting on their desires).

7. "Don't go to bed angry."

I learned the hard way, through many years of trial and error with my husband, that the rule about never going to bed angry doesn't always apply — and it's sometimes straight-up unrealistic. No matter what our argument was about, or how serious, I would follow my husband around the house if it got past 11 p.m. and we were still fighting, insisting that we make amends, even if both of us were still furious. The result was, more often than not, a futile attempt to gloss over issues we were having in order to make ourselves feel temporarily better. Every relationship is different, but I slowly learned that we sometimes need a night to sleep on feelings so that we can have a smarter, more heartfelt, and honest conversation the next day. We never go to bed without saying "goodnight" (sometimes through gritted teeth), but I no longer believe every fight has to be resolved by midnight in order to have a strong relationship.