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I tried to get my spider veins removed and ended up scarred for life

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More: How I finally learned to embrace my dark under-eye circles

Despite this dissatisfaction, I didn't really do much about my spider veins. Once or twice, I experimented with body makeup, but it didn't cover thoroughly or last throughout the day. So I just tried to live with them and convince myself there were worse things.

In my late 20s, I was browsing Groupon and came across a daily deal for laser vein removal at a local med spa. According to the site, the service normally costs around $1,500, but was discounted to just $295. If I saw this type of markdown now, I would be skeptical, but at the time, my insecurity combined with the novelty of being able to afford such a pricey procedure pushed me to purchase the deal. So I bought it and scheduled an appointment for a few days later.

When I arrived at the med spa, I was surprised to find that it was in the corner of a run-down strip mall. Inside, the office was slightly more polished, with a clean waiting area, bright lights and the names of the clinic's two doctors imprinted on a bronze plaque. It still didn't feel as upscale as I was expecting. Even though I was hesitant, I checked in, signed the waiver and was shortly escorted back to a procedure room.

More: I have struggled all my life to find my natural hair beautiful

After waiting in the cold, sterile room for about 15 minutes, a woman finally came in and introduced herself as my "technician." As much as I regret it now, I never asked if she was certified or if one of the doctors would come in to see me. She asked me to lie face down on a table, while she prepared the laser machine. For the first time that afternoon, I allowed myself to feel anxious.

As the technician touched the laser to my skin, I felt an immediate burning sensation and cried out. The technician kept going, but the pain was so searing I had to tell her to stop. I consider myself to have a very high pain threshold and have several pretty large tattoos — but this was a different level of intensity.

To make matters worse, when I got off the table and looked down at my leg, I had deep, red wounds where the lasers had been. By the look on her face, the technician seemed to know this wasn't normal, but she didn't say anything while she wrapped me up with the post-procedure gauze.

Over the next few days, the pain didn't subside and the wounds continued to redden. Over a few weeks, as I finally started to heal, the scarring set in, leaving me with dark, mottled spots where my veins used to be. I was at an emotional low. Ironically, in trying to look better, I ended up with marked scars that were worse than the veins themselves.

Nearly five years have passed since that incident, but the lesson I learned from it is always top-of-mind. I now know sometimes it's better to live with "imperfections" than to try to fix them. If I ever do undergo a cosmetic procedure in the future, I will be much smarter about the way I approach it.

I will make sure that I vet the provider extremely carefully, checking medical boards, reading reviews and asking for customer references. My body is my most precious asset, and that is not worth risking — even for an amazing discount. At the end of the day, businesses can take advantage of women's insecurities.

More: I’m using boudoir photography to redefine beauty and empower women


9 Things we learned from Olympian Natalie Coughlin

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1. If it weren’t for Title IX, we wouldn’t be having this discussion

When we think of Title IX we usually think of women’s basketball and how many opportunities were created when this law was first passed, but Title IX has changed all sports for all women. Coughlin is a major beneficiary whose life would not have been what it is without that legislation. “In the context of women’s sports, Title IX has only been around for 30 years,” she says, “and if it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t have competed [in swimming] beyond high school.” Title IX was the reason Coughlin not only got a college scholarship but was able to nurture talents and abilities that helped to prepare her for three Olympics. “I feel so fortunate to still be a professional athlete,” she says. She's training for her fourth Olympic trial.

More: 6 Things to know about the 2016 Olympic team

2. Malcolm Gladwell was right about those 10,000 hours

So, what makes an Olympic athlete? Is it training like a mad woman until you succeed or must you have that natural ability in your DNA? For Coughlin, it’s both. “I dreamt of going to the Olympics since I was 6 years old, and I’ve been competing since then. But I have put in thousands upon thousands of hours in the pool and in the gym.” She also focuses on nutrition and sleep. “You have to be mindful of every choice [you make] every day, because it affects your goals.”

3. Apparently, you can go from chubby and uncoordinated to “Olympian”

Coughlin grew up in California with a pool in her backyard. Her parents got her swimming lessons at 8 months old, just so she’d be safe if she ever fell in accidentally. She tried gymnastics and dance, but those didn’t quite pan out. “I was just more natural in the water,” she admits, “so I joined the local swim team just to meet [other] kids.” But kids can be cruel. “I was chubby and uncoordinated,” Coughlin says. “I just wanted to beat everyone, so I trained harder than everyone else.”

More: 8 Times Ellen DeGeneres has significantly changed lives

4. Olympic athletes are obsessively competitive people

As we have established, Olympic success is a combination of things. A natural ability helps, but according to Coughlin, “The thing that delineates people who are athletic from those who are at the top of their game is the mentality.” These are highly, highly completive folks by nature — in whatever they do. “If you ever get a professional athlete together with other professional athletes, we will make a competition about everything. Darts. Pool. Or we’ll make up our own games and it’ll be crazy competitive. A normal group of people doesn’t have that same mentality.”

5. She gets to kick male booty daily

If you’re a female Olympian about to make history, you’ll need to step up your game to literally train with the big boys, which Coughlin does, “I actually train with all men. I train with a men’s team at a college.” She did have a female coach for 12 years, and women do dominate the sport as of late. Coughlin says swimming has become such a big sport, “There are now more women than men.”

6. She has a secret post-workout treat

Coughlin’s number one training tip is not about bench pressing your weight or swimming a certain number of miles per day. It’s all about, “having healthy smoothies!” She says that for many of us, getting nutrition on the go is a must. Her secret to the perfect après-workout smoothie? Frozen dark cherries. “Yeah, the dark cherries help repair your muscles.” Her perfect smoothie has five simple ingredients: “Almond milk, almond butter, chia seeds, frozen dark cherries and frozen banana.” The milk, butter and chia provide a great source of protein, the banana adds natural sweetness, and well, you know about the cherries.

7. Protein is how she gets strong

Coughlin’s plan for a lean, strong and competitive body is more focused on nutrients than it is on exercise. “In general, it’s important to have protein throughout the day. Most studies show that if you have protein, you have better muscle repair.” On-the-go protein is her best tip, because if you can snack on some protein over the course of the day, that will serve you best. “Make sure you have almonds and hard boiled eggs. I raise chickens, so [eggs] are always around.” She also grabs some Greek yogurt when she can.

8. Equality reigns in Olympic sports

Little by little, women have dominated at the Olympics because we were finally given the opportunity to do so. From 1900, when women first entered the Olympics, to record breaking athletes like Picabo Street, Bonnie Blair and Jill Bakken and Vonetta Flowers, we see equality in this domain. Coughlin sees it firsthand. “I think the Olympics is one of the few places that women get just as much publicity as men. I feel very fortunate since that isn’t the case of sports, in general.”

9. The key to swimming is posture

If all of this has inspired you to go jump in a pool, Coughlin has a hot tip to make you a better swimmer and get more out of your workout — swimming is all about posture.

“The number one thing that I see newer swimmers do is [not know] their body position.” She says that many swimmers will look forward so they can see the wall coming. “It’s a strain on your neck and body. You want to have the same posture in the water that you do on land.” She describes it as, “That beautiful ballet posture.” Coughlin says you want to take that into the pool. Don’t worry about the wall. “Learn how to use the lines on the bottom of the pool to guide you.”

We wish Coughlin luck at the Rio Olympics (where there will be 136 women’s events and 161 men’s). We also hope that she medals and makes history. Of course, her next goal is to qualify, but as a competitive woman, the person she competes with most is herself. “Oh yeah, my goals are getting some personal best times.”

The Rio Olympics start Aug. 5, 2016.

More: How working out makes me feel I can conquer anything

8 Precious lessons I learned from Tuesdays with Morrie

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More: How to tame your negative thoughts

"Study me in my slow and patient demise. Watch what happens to me. Learn with me," Morrie tells him. When someone is on their deathbed, their view towards life can change; they can realize what is important and what is not. As Mitch says in the book, "Morrie would walk that final bridge between life and death, and narrate the trip."

Here are the most powerful lessons I learned from the book.

1. Live every day as if it were your last

Morrie is happy that he has time to say goodbye to his loved ones thanks to his disease, which is slowly moving him closer to death. Morrie calls himself lucky; I am not sure if, under the circumstances he was in, I would call myself that. When I read his explanation to using this word, I understand what he means. He suggests doing what Buddhists do, which is: "Every day, have a little bird on your shoulder that asks, 'Is today the day? Am I ready? Am I doing all I need to do? Am I being the person I want to be?'"

These simple words have a pool of information for each one of us. We must be ready to say goodbye to the world, any given day. How many of us can say that they are ready to die today? Of course, we may never be ready for death, but we must try to show our loved ones how much we care about them. We should not wait for a special occasion to express our love; we should make a habit of it. We should give our best to the world. Starting today, we should have a little bird on our shoulders too.

2. Remember to spend quality time with the family

Most of us have a tendency of taking our family for granted. If it is a Friday night, we start planning our outing with the friends. Sometimes, we have to be forced to spend time with our parents on holidays. Life is fun with friends and parties with them; however, the bond of love, which we share with our parents, is the ultimate one. Instead of keeping them at the bottom of our priority list, we must cherish and appreciate them whenever we get a chance.

3. Enjoy your emotions to the fullest

One should not hide from any emotion, rather one must experience each emotion entirely. If you love someone, love them with all you have; if you are sad, cry until you cannot cry anymore; so that when the same emotion hits you again, you know exactly what is going to happen. We hide ourselves from emotions because we are afraid to get hurt.

4. Money can never buy real happiness

Being a lover of luxurious things, I am still trying to absorb this idea. However, I agree with the explanation of Morrie. According to him: "If you’re trying to show off for people at the top, forget it. They will look down at you anyhow. And if you’re trying to show off for people at the bottom, forget it. They will only envy you. Status will get you nowhere. Only an open heart will allow you to float equally between everyone." We are blindly running behind money; we forget our kids, parents, relationships, and friends.

We are busy. We are always busy. Busy has become a word that is being used as an excuse all over the world. At the end of the day, money will only get us a good hospital bed to die in — and a good headstone. Is that what we are aiming for? Of course, money is important, but it is not more important than our family. One may argue that to take care of our family, we need money. That is true. However, if we do not have time to spare for our loving family, then I believe there is a problem with our plan.

More: 3 Ways friendship improves your health — not just your social life

5. Pay attention to the person you talk to

I wonder how many of us really listen while we talk! According to Morrie, it is really important to pay our utmost attention to the person you are conversing with. Imagine if this is the last conversation with your loved one, would you wish to let it go unheard?

6. Marry the person with the same values as you — and treat them well

As per Morrie, people should get to know about other people’s values and beliefs; marry the person who shares your values and beliefs. A life partner is a very important part of our life. In our time of need, friends may come and go, but our life partner will be with us. During sickness, they are the ones who take care of us. Therefore, they should be treated with love, care and respect. As Morrie quotes a famous saying: "Love each other or perish."

7. Decide your own rules; do not let society steer your life

Morrie says that people are running behind things that do not — necessarily — matter to them. He says that we must believe in each other and ourselves. According to him: "Invest in the human family. Invest in people. Build a little community of those you love and who love you." He mentions we should rely on our own instincts to decide our thought process and actions — and not society. In his own words: "I don’t mean you disregard every rule of your community... The little things, I can obey. But the big things — how we think, what we value — that you must choose yourself. You can’t let anyone — or any society — determine those for you."

8. Forgive others, as well as yourself

We tend to hold grudges in life. Even if somebody apologizes, how many of us — truly — forgive the person? We may smile and accept, but there is a huge possibility that we do not forgive them. Forgiving another person not only releases a burden of one’s own heart, but also makes us a better person.

More: Why Alzheimer's caregivers need to take care of themselves, too

Love horoscopes: Jan. 25 – Jan. 31

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ARIES (March 19 - April 18)
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You're a big believer in friends are friends and lovers are lovers and never the twain shall meet. However, this is the 21st century after all and the definition of what is and isn't a relationship has gotten a bit blurry. This is something that you will experience for yourself this week when you discover that a buddy of yours is looking for something more romantic and intimate. Don't say "no" outright. He's got a good track record and he's proven his loyalty and devotion to you. It's more than many of your past boyfriends have accomplished if you think about it.

Next: Taurus horoscope

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TAURUS (April 19 - May 19)
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Why is it that when you're really looking forward to spending time alone guys come out of the woodwork to woo you? That's life when you're born under Venus, the planet of attraction in astrology. You can't help but generate that gravitational pull of the heart. It's why you often find yourself in a relationship even if you don't want to be in one. It's not the worst problem to have if you think about it. Just set up a schedule for when you spend time together and when you get to do your own thing and he will happily cooperate.

Next: Gemini horoscope

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GEMINI (May 20 - June 19)
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Money shouldn't be getting in the way of love, but it is. It keeps you up at night as you do the emotional and financial calculus again and again. If he makes too much, then you are going to be sensitive to those times when you're made to feel beholden to him. And if he makes too little, then you have to deal with the guilty secret of not respecting a man who can't pay his own way. Perhaps the best solution is to set up three bank accounts: yours, mine and ours. This allows you to be together but separate.

Next: Cancer horoscope

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CANCER (June 20 - July 21)
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The mistake people make about long-term relationships is assuming they know their partner inside out. They may be familiar with the habits, the routines and the idiosyncrasies but that doesn't equal a whole person. On Jan. 29 Mercury will move past Pluto for the third time in as many weeks. This will reveal an unknown aspect of the person you felt you knew like the back of your hand. Don't worry. He hasn't been radicalized nor is he transgender. If anything he will express a side of himself that you always hoped existed and now you know that it does.

Next: Leo horoscope

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LEO (July 22 - Aug. 21)
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This week a loved one's star is on the rise. You couldn't be happier for his accomplishments. You know how hard he's struggled to get to where he is right now and you're proud of him. You also know that you're the reason for him being as successful as he is. If you hadn't been in his corner offering him moral support and talking him off the ledge as many times as you have, then he would never have gone the distance. Naturally you will want everyone to know that, but don't say anything. This is his moment to shine.

Next: Virgo horoscope

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VIRGO (Aug. 22 - Sept. 21)
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Mercury out of retrograde on Jan. 25 introduces a predicament. Apparently someone said yes without factoring in the feelings that would arise with an ex's reappearance. Perhaps you're dating someone who thought his marriage was over but now his wife wants him back or maybe you're seeing someone new and learn that your previous beau wants to make a fresh start of things. Things can't move forward until the past is put behind you. If you're the one being dumped, be a good sport. And if you're the one doing the dumping, then be upfront, sensitive and quick about it.

Next: Libra horoscope

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LIBRA (Sept. 22 - Oct. 21)
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It's clear that you can't do anything right by loved ones nowadays. Speak your mind and they feel like you're being unduly harsh and critical; say nothing and you're accused of holding back. What's a Libra to do? Explain how you feel like you're caught in a damned if you do, damned if you don't predicament where you're not free to be who you are unless it's their idea of who you should be. Thankfully you have an innate talent for describing problems eloquently and dispassionately. Do it right and they'll soon realize that they can't have it both ways.

Next: Scorpio horoscope

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SCORPIO (Oct. 22 - Nov. 20)
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You're beginning to learn that approaching unreasonable people reasonably isn't as difficult as all that. We live in a society that's quick to anger. This is made all the easier with things like Twitter, Facebook, texts, etc. People can fire things off in the heat of the moment and not have to deal with the consequences face-to-face. Or so they think. Taking the time to meet with irate loved ones, friends and clients will do a lot to cool their tempers and reintroduce evenness to the conversation. Do that this week and you'll see mountains revert to their previous status as molehills.

Next: Sagittarius horoscope

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SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 21 -Dec. 20)
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Few signs are as generous as Sagittarius. Indeed you are so giving to the ones you care about the most that you don't always see when you're being used. You will make excuses for their negligence, rationalize their selfish behavior, and enable them to the point where you would drive the getaway car if asked to. You've probably heard this more than you care to recently, but you need to reverse the trend. Generosity to a fault doesn't do anyone any good — especially you. It's time to start setting down some reasonable limits before you turn into a doormat.

Next: Capricorn horoscope

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CAPRICORN (Dec. 21 - Jan. 19)
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Christmas week was hard for you. This is when information came to light, secrets were disclosed or revelations made that set your world on end. It's taken you the past few weeks to figure out what you want to do regarding this situation. Clearly there's no turning back the clock nor can you fast forward through what lies ahead. All you can do is be present and to take each moment as it comes. It's imperative that you be the Rock of Gibraltar and if anyone can stand in for the famous monument of strength, security and shelter — it's you.

Next: Aquarius horoscope

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AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 17)
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The sun in your zodiac sign increases your charisma and appeal. You'll notice that people ask after you more frequently, miss you when you're gone and compete for your attention and approval. This would be fine if you were a Leo, but you were born under Aquarius which is arguably the most selfless sign of the zodiac. You may be a revolutionary, but you hate to stand out. Well, you're going to have to get used to the idea of people recognizing your merits and praising your talents over the next couple of weeks. It's better than being ignored.

Next: Pisces horoscope

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PISCES (Feb. 18 - March 18)
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You hail from entirely different backgrounds. He may be too button-downed for your tastes, his friends too snotty, or his field of interests is just so alien that you can't imagine what you could possibly have in common. Nevertheless there's a deep and soulful bond that you share. Maybe it's the fact that you both know what it's like to care too much or the feeling that few people really get who you are underneath. In any case the Venus/Neptune sextile on Jan. 30 shows you making a profound connection with one of the unlikeliest matches you have ever encountered.

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Weekly horoscopes: Jan. 25–31

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Weekly love horoscopes: Jan. 25–31

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ARIES (March 19 - April 18)
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Ambition is a devilish thing — especially when you tell yourself that you want something because you think you should have it rather than truly desiring it. This is when expectations and fixation on status can lead you astray. Usually you don't fall for such things, but the recent Mercury retrograde shows that you probably did this time. And Mercury coming out of retrograde on Jan. 25 shows that you don't like the path you're on. Thankfully, it's not too late to backpedal. You may lose face in the moment but that's nothing compared to pursuing something you don't really want.

Next: Taurus horoscope

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TAURUS (April 19 - May 19)
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Information that comes to light on Friday completely backs up your version of events. Not only does this validate you, but it also gives you the upper hand with an opponent. You could do a lot of damage if you wanted to, and given all the grief and aggravation you've been through, why not? Yet this is the time to show restraint and to only push for your fair share — whether that's credit, money that's owed or a settlement. Go too far and you escalate a never-ending cycle of attack and counterattack that would drain you both emotionally and financially.

Next: Gemini horoscope

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GEMINI (May 20 - June 19)
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You have a tendency to tap dance in and out of situations when feeling nervous and uncertain. If everything is going fine, then you're there overseeing every detail. If things are going south, then you're nowhere to be found. This habit of yours could work against you in a negotiation that reaches a sensitive turning point this week. You need to decide if you're in for a penny or in for a pound. If it's a penny, then cut ties while you can. If a pound? Then you need to show that you're committed to going the distance on Jan. 31.

Next: Cancer horoscope

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CANCER (June 20 - July 21)
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You've had three weeks to make your case, and it looks like you'll make it on Jan. 29. Given your druthers, you would have continued fine-tuning what you had to say while avoiding every opportunity to say it. Yet this hashing and rehashing of an argument has been driving you crazy, so it will be relief to be pushed to speak up. This will have the effect of stopping the other party in his or her tracks and that's when you need to let what's said hang there in the air. He or she will get back to you with an answer next week.

Next: Leo horoscope

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LEO (July 22 - Aug. 21)
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You are probably asking yourself what you've gotten yourself into. These sinking realizations often occur when Mercury, the planet of the mind, comes out of retrograde (Jan. 25). What made perfect sense three weeks ago now looks like a choice that was made by an alternate personality. It's hard to conceive of what you were thinking at the time. Nevertheless, you made your choice and must now see an assignment, project or enterprise through to completion. It may go down in flames, but if it does, then better to go out in a blaze of glory than hugging the shadows.

Next: Virgo horoscope

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VIRGO (Aug. 22 - Sept. 21)
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The hardest thing for a Virgo to understand is that people can take care of themselves. This is especially difficult when you're dealing with an upsetting situation that you may have caused. Like any decent human being, you don't want anyone to be angry with you; however, your guilt over the matter may be getting in the way of doing the most caring and humane thing that you can do — which is to leave people alone and allow them time to get over their disappointment. Yes, they may never trust you again (or even like you), but life will go on.

Next: Libra horoscope

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LIBRA (Sept. 22 - Oct. 21)
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It looks like someone who walked away from the table in a huff will be returning to it on Jan. 29. Associates will advise you to turn him away, but you were born under an air sign, and air signs are always curious to see what the other person thinks. Interestingly enough, you're a stickler for rules but are rarely set in your opinions. And it will be this open-mindedness that helps you to salvage a deal, sale or agreement. You rarely get angry but that doesn't mean you don't understand it. It's why Libras are the peacekeepers of the zodiac.

Next: Scorpio horoscope

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SCORPIO (Oct. 22 - Nov. 20)
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Astrologers say you should never buy, sell or trade when Mercury's retrograde because nothing good will come of it. Mercury is the planet most identified with business transactions, and its apparent backward motion is bound to introduce some kind of gotcha moment that only shows up when it comes out of retrograde. Mercury comes out of retrograde on Jan. 25, and this is when you will discover the fly in the ointment. But don't be surprised if this works in your favor. In fact, calling someone on a technicality may result in better terms than what you agreed upon initially.

Next: Sagittarius horoscope

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SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 21 -Dec. 20)
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Success is like winning the lottery. We believe that once we achieve it, then it will totally transform our lives for the better. Unfortunately, like with anything else in life, success comes with its own entourage of headaches as you are beginning to learn for yourself. The view is quite different from on top of the mountain. And yes, you can expect to be bedeviled by second thoughts, second guesses and an uptick in performance anxiety, but at the end of the day you can also take comfort in the fact that it's better to have than to have not.

Next: Capricorn horoscope

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CAPRICORN (Dec. 21 - Jan. 19)
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Sometimes you can get so involved in cost cutting that you don't realize that you're undermining your own efforts to be profitable. It's a personal demon you've been wrestling with since Mercury turned retrograde (Jan. 5). You've undoubtedly learned that you won't get to where you want to go from where you are now unless you put out some serious money. Remember that money — like air and blood — needs to circulate. Repress it and you will choke off its energy. So go ahead and put down that lump sum on Jan. 29. You'll make it all back — and then some!

Next: Aquarius horoscope

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AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 17)
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If you had known weeks ago what you know now, then you probably wouldn't have embarked on your current endeavor. You simply had no idea of all the obstacles that lie in store. It's been so dispiriting that you're ready to wash your hands of the whole thing. Thankfully, Mercury out of retrograde on Jan. 25 has a different outcome in mind. It looks as if you really will achieve what you set out to do — and in the most unlikely way. Let it be a lesson to always trust in the path that lies off the beaten trail to success.

Next: Pisces horoscope

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PISCES (Feb. 18 - March 18)
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It's possible that challenging circumstances are pressing you to move in a direction that you'd never have gone otherwise. Struggles with a superior may push you to leave a dead-end job and pursue the career you always dreamed of, a fall out with friends may prevail upon you to part company with people who bring you down, or a series of setbacks may force you into the arms of someone who's been waiting for you. Sometimes it's only when the bottom falls out from under our best-laid plans that we wind up where we've wanted to go all along.

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Downton Abbey's Lord Grantham could be on the verge of death

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More: Is Downton Abbey's Thomas trying to woo Andy?

Seriously, Robert Crawley is making me extremely nervous. Is he sick? Is he dying? Does he just have bad indigestion or possibly acid reflux? It remains unclear at this point, but my gut is saying there is something much bigger going on than meets the eye with what he is deeming stomach issues.

Obviously, Downton is planting a seed regarding Robert's storyline, which means viewers will have to keep tuning into see how his story ends up. The final season might very well close with his death.

Of course, parting ways with a character isn't anything new for Downton. Let's think back to Season 3 when it was absolute torture and heartbreak saying goodbye to both Sybil and Matthew. I mean, the series isn't afraid to make its audience angry and cry. So, I'd recommend fans start preparing themselves right now to bid adieu to the Crawleys' patriarch.

Robert Crawley
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More: Downton Abbey's Anna and Bates finally find some peace, but will it last?

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't want to see Robert die, but it just might be the thing to open the door for Lady Mary to officially take over as agent and manage the estate. Of course, that's what she's doing now, but Mary is also finding help from both Branson and her father.

That said, it seems Branson is willing to let Mary take charge. As for Robert, he's finally loosened up and welcomed the modern ways of women holding prominent positions of business. In an early Season 6 episode, he even told Mary that he is fine with her taking over the estate after he's gone.

Either Robert's approval of Mary is a bit of foreshadowing or Downton is just trying to trick viewers into thinking Robert is a goner. You know what that means? Maybe someone else will bite the dust out of nowhere, which would be the ultimate twist and tearjerker.

Whatever the case, the final season of Downton could soon look different. If not, let's hope Robert seeks some medical attention, stat.

Downton Abbey airs Sundays at 9/8c on PBS.

More: Downton Abbey: Season 6 predictions for the ladies of the Grantham household

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Galavant's zombies of love are ready to kick Madalena's butt in the finale

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Warning, spoilers ahead!

More: 18 Signs you're too obsessed with living in a post-apocalyptic world

Galavant's season-long running gag about King Richard's virginity finally paid off (with a well-placed cameo from episode 1's beloved unicorn) when Dr. Neo of Sporin declared he needed one beard hair of a 40-year-old virgin.

Galavant - Richard kiss

Galavant - Richard kiss

Galavant's return to the land of the living was a total surprise to Richard (who was finally about to get his groove on) but I think everyone was surprised when the doctor's dealings with death turned out to include a "bitey" zombie army that he was more than happy to unload on our hero.

More: You can find out exactly how you're going to die — if you really want to

Galavant - zombie army tweet

Galavant - zombie army tweet

Galavant - zombies

Galavant - zombies

Galavant - zombies are everything

Galavant - zombies are everything

Of course, whether or not the zombies will be enough to save Isabella and her kingdom from annihilation is definitely in question. Especially since they have trouble navigating basic geography like trees.

Meanwhile, Madalena and Gareth had the most awkward relationship conversation ever tonight, in front of an army of confused soldiers. On the good side, these two creepsters are definitely meant for each other. On the bad side, they're both so bad that their mutual enthusiasm for the impending war could prove devastating!

More: Galavant: Has Madalena finally met her match?

We can't talk about tonight's episode without applauding the totally awesome sing-off between Madalena and Isabella (best cat fight ever) and the epic Grease homage sung by King Richard and Roberta about their new relationship. Both numbers were outstanding fun!

But no matter how catchy the song and dance numbers, the fact remains that our hero is heading into next week's season finale battle with zombies at his side! Zombies! And Sid, in his guilt for having skewered Galavant last week, has ridden off to certain doom in a bid to redeem himself. King Richard, as we all know, has a sword that will supposedly unite everyone, but he has no idea he has it — nor does he really have any idea how to use it.

The situation is totally dire and the suspense almost too much to handle! Will Galavant and Isabella finally be reunited? Will they win the war against Madalena and Gareth? And what will happen when King Richard and Gareth finally reunite? What do you think will happen? Tell us in the comments below.

Woman defends her dramatic eyebrow tattoos, says she did it 'because I can'

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And she doesn't care who thinks she's "broken in the head" because of it.

More: I tried to get my spider veins removed and ended up scarred for life

Mandy Lamrini posted photos of her eyebrow transformation last week, showing off one brow covered in white, likely some sort of hair removal cream, and the other tattooed with a dramatic arch.

Mandy Lamrini Facebook eyebrows

Mandy Lamrini Facebook eyebrows

The photos were soon shared several hundred times, with people commenting questioning her mental status — "Is everything ok in your head?" — and saying that she permanently ruined her face. Others made memes of her photos.

But, joke's on them, because she's "very pleased" with her new look — and others agree. "Stay just as you are!" one supporter wrote.

More: Writer posts nude selfie to send powerful body-positive message (PHOTO)

The lesson is this: People can do what they want with their bodies, just as you're free to do what you want with yours. Some people like tattoos, some don't. Some people want to wear glasses, others prefer contacts. The important thing is that you do you, as long as it's not illegal or hurting others.

And Lamrini is certainly going to do her.

"These eyebrows suit me better," she said in a later video posted to her profile. "I have to walk around with these eyebrows, not you. You're actually fans, even if you don't want to admit it to yourselves."

Snaps.

More: Woman who battled anorexia posts 'tummy roll' photos to help inspire others


Woman says clerk told her teen she couldn't wear a dress without Spanx

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Mom Megan Naramore Harris wrote an open letter to a sales associate at a Dillard's department store in Wichita, Kansas. The mother and daughter duo went to the store recently to try on dresses for an upcoming formal dance. Harris asked her daughter to try on a dress that "was not her style," but she did to humor her mom.

More: Woman defends her dramatic eyebrow tattoos, says she did it 'because I can'

"I told her how grown up it made her look and she smiled, and told me this made her look too old but still, she let me take a picture," she wrote. That's when the associate allegedly inserted her two cents. "Right after that, you entered and told my daughter she needed to wear Spanx if she wanted to wear this dress. I told my daughter to go change. I told you that she was just fine without Spanx. You continued to argue with me."

Spanx dress Facebook post

Spanx dress Facebook post

It's one thing to offer opinions when asked, but it sounds like the comments were completely unsolicited.

Harris said they "left soon after," but she has some regrets about the interaction. "I wish I had told you how many girls suffer from poor self-image and telling them they need something to make them perfect can be very damaging," she wrote, adding that her tall daughter is an active girl who runs, dances, swims and practices yoga.

More: Reasons we body-shame ourselves (and why we really shouldn't)

Harris closed by saying she hopes the message gets back to the clerk — and there's a pretty good chance, given that the post has been shared almost 20,000 times.

"Girls of all ages, shapes and sizes are perfect because that is how God made them. If they feel good in a dress, that is all that should matter," she wrote.

This mom... this mom gets it.

More: All-male panel gives laughable rules for women wearing leggings (WATCH)

Kris Jenner mocked for her hypocritical attempt at communication

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The Kardashian media empire has spawned several phone apps and games that have made the clan millions of dollars and helped to spread their influence and fame throughout the world. However, if it was up to matriarch Kris Jenner, the entire Kardashian family would spend a lot less time glued to their iPhones and more time actually conversing with each other in the physical world.

Kris Jenner
Image: E!

Kris finally decided to put her foot down during this week's episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians, and, despite the protests of both Kim and Khloé Kardashian, she scheduled a meeting with a "communication professional." Kim immediately dismissed the idea as "the dumbest thing I've ever heard in my life," which isn't surprising since she spends every second of every episode glued to her phone. Khloé astutely called out Jenner for her own phone usage; as Khloé pointed out, Kris is usually the last person to put away her phone at dinner.

More: Kim Kardashian makes insensitive joke at Rob Kardashian's expense

Khloe on the phone
Image: E!

Although it's easy to see how the Kardashians' constant phone usage could be annoying, there are two sides to every story. For Kim and Khloé, it's not all about iPhone addiction; there's also a professional element. Life as a reality star means being connected to fans at all times. With Kim and Khloé both having official apps, in which they provide fans with constant updates on everything going on in their lives, it can be difficult for them to unplug from the social media universe in which they thrive. That being said, Kris Jenner makes a good point: It's best to take occasional breaks from texting and tweeting and instead hang out with family members in the real world.

More: Kourtney Kardashian proves she's over Scott Disick by posing nude (PHOTOS)

Despite her words of wisdom, Kris ultimately proved Khloé's assertions about her hypocrisy correct: She didn't bother to show up to the meeting she arranged! Viewers had plenty to say about this, and as usual, most were quick to point fingers at Kris Jenner.

Kris and her phone

Kris and her phone

Kris no showed

Kris no showed

No Kris at meeting

No Kris at meeting

Perhaps, if Kris Jenner wants her children to be more present and less invested in their mobile devices, she should set a good example. Nagging her kids won't accomplish anything, but she just might make a difference by taking a close look at her own behavior.

More: KUWTK fans have no sympathy for Scott Disick

What do you think of Kris Jenner's suggestion? Comment and share your opinion below.

kourtney and scott through the years

Cara Delevingne labeled "disrespectful" after White House visit (PHOTOS)

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More: Suicide Squad trailer reveals spoilers about Harley Quinn (VIDEO)

While at Obama's pad, Cara did what she does best. She posed in several spots rocking a chic-but-casual look — which included an all-black outfit and black-and-white Pumas from good pal Rihanna's collection — and posted the photos to Instagram.

More: Cara Delevingne learns there's nothing feminist about ripping off people

Cara_Doorway

Cara_Doorway

With a $180 price tag, Puma by Rihanna Creepers are no ordinary sneakers, but the reaction to Cara's choice of footwear was swift and not overwhelmingly positive.

More: Paper Towns cast and crew reveal what Cara Delevingne is really like

Cara_Lincoln

Cara_Lincoln

"That's athletic footwear treading the marble of the inner chambers of global power. The rest of her ensemble — a black trench coat and skirt — would have looked at home in a boardroom, but the kicks read more casual," Washington Post reporter Emily Heil said.

Marissa Mitrovich, a former government affairs exec and fashion blogger, agreed with the Washington Post. "I am a big believer that you should respect the setting you are in. And when you are at the White House for a business meeting, I say you do not wear sneakers."

Cara_Outside

Cara_Outside

What exactly is the dress code? According to the White House's website, anyone over the age of 18 who wishes to go on a public tour is required to present some identification, and those with personal belongings that are prohibited on the premises will not be allowed inside. Nowhere, however, does it say anything about what to wear. So, while Cara’s choice of footwear may have raised some eyebrows, she technically wasn’t doing anything wrong.

RHOA's Kenya Moore comes under fire for criticizing Kim Fields' looks

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The tension between Real Housewives of Atlanta stars Kenya Moore and Kim Fields has been brewing all season long, but now it looks like things are finally about to boil over. Moore has been a pretty good sport about all of the latest RHOA drama, but tonight it was obvious that Fields struck a nerve with her critique of Moore's penchant for excess makeup.

RHOA Kim
Image: Bravo

More: Kim Fields attacked for sheltering her children from race issues

From the moment she joined the cast of RHOA, it was obvious that that Kim Fields didn't twirl in the same direction as Moore. Fields' main focus is on her husband and children, and while Moore has also dealt with family issues, her conflict resolution style and overall attitude is the complete opposite of that exhibited by Fields. These differences are responsible for the majority of the drama between Fields and Moore, although a shared stubbornness certainly isn't helping matters.

More: RHOA's Kenya Moore criticized for her approach to relationship problems

Despite Fields' best efforts to play peacemaker, she and Moore just can't get along. This was most evident in their latest spat about makeup versus natural beauty. Moore completely dismissed Fields' suggestion about the ladies of RHOA embracing their inner beauty. Quick to recognize hypocrisy in everybody but herself, Moore pointed out that Fields wears a wig and has had not just one, but two boob jobs.

RHOA Kenya
Image: Bravo

The consensus among Real Housewives of Atlanta viewers is that Moore was way too touchy about the makeup-free suggestion. These viewers believe that Moore wears far too much makeup, and that she uses it as a crutch. Several others feel that Moore is in desperate need of a face full of makeup. Suffice to say, these viewers were not kind when they critiqued Moore's look on Twitter.

Kenya's Oatmeal Face

Kenya's Oatmeal Face

Crater Face Kenya

Crater Face Kenya

Kenya's Nerve

Kenya's Nerve

Moore may not have the most beautiful personality, but her physical appearance is not worth trashing. When viewers criticize her looks, they simply sink to her level. That being said, it is nice to see a Housewife eager to embrace a more natural look. Just as Twitter users should stop trashing Moore's appearance, Moore should be a bit less judgmental.

More: Kenya Moore shares heartbreaking story about her mother in new memoir (PHOTO)

What did you think of Kenya Moore's response to Kim Fields' makeup-free suggestion? Comment and share your opinion below.

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Will RHOP's insane controversies get the show cancelled?

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More: Real Housewives of Orange County's Vicky Gunvalson Interview

Katie
Image: Bravo


Twitter is not happy with the RHOP, which is saying something, because this is only the second week of the show. We're not at Farrah Abraham levels of hate yet, but things are not good. There are so many things to be annoyed by: the constant harping on "etiquette," the mentions of "Potomac," (in case you were unclear about the name/location of the show), the references to "section 8", "ghetto", and "the help", the confusion over how people could have so much money and such crappy countertops, and so on. There is already such a sad drinking game to be made from this show.

On Sunday's episode, there was all this, and more, when Katie Rost invited the ladies over for Shabbat lunch. Katie is biracial and Jewish — she and her mother (who is African American) converted to Judaism when she was 10. Gizelle in particular asserted that one "cannot be a black Jew", which is such a level of nonsense that it's hard to type that sentence. (I am Jewish. I know black Jews. They exist.) Not knowing any black Jews is one thing, but asserting that they don't exist is another, and this whole "plotline" — if that's what we're calling it — is a mess. Fortunately, to her credit, Katie seems not to care what the other women think of her identity and religion, but it's yet another thing to pile on top of Mount What is Wrong with this Show, which viewers on Twitter are more than willing to discuss.

RHOP 1

RHOP 1

RHOP 2

RHOP 2

RHOP 3

RHOP 3

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RHOP 4

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RHOP 5

More: 11 things Brandi Glanville has done since leaving Real Housewives

Let's be clear — people of color talking about race isn't racist. The problem with RHOP isn't that it talks about race and class, or that it shows black folks talking about these things in ways that expose complexities and challenges with communities of color. But one has to wonder if Bravo is even interested in complex conversations or if it's just interested in ratings. (We all know the answer to this, right?) There isn't exactly productive learning happening here — although, tonight I suppose some people learned about the existence of black Jews. One Twitter viewer zoned right in on what's wrong with RHOP and, in particular, what makes it different from The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

RHOP 6

RHOP 6

RHOP 7

RHOP 7

If Bravo's motivation to keep things controversial on RHOP is to boost the ratings, (which it of course is), it's working, because apparently the ratings are super high. How long will that last though, and what will Bravo do to attempt to assure those ratings? We shall see, intrepid viewers.

More: Bravo cancels The Real Housewives of D.C.

What do you think of the way race, class and religion are discussed on RHOP? Will you keep watching? Should the show be cancelled?

Karen
Image: Bravo

Real Housewives slideshow

X-Files: Mulder's new conspiracies could mean disaster for the rest of the season

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Warning: spoilers ahead!

X-Files - music tweet

X-Files - music tweet

The X-Files built nine seasons of nail-biting entertainment on the fact that David Duchovny's tortured Fox Mulder believed (or wanted very much to believe) that aliens were in charge of a plot to take over the planet. Every season he pulled at threads, uncovered new clues, and fought harder to uncover the truth...

More: Gillian Anderson reveals shocking The X-Files sexism

But tonight, after an intense meeting with right-wing conspiracy nut Tad O'Malley (played by Joel McHale), Mulder threw all of his hard-won alien theories out the window and traded them in for an alien-technology-driven takeover plot he now believes is helmed by Big Brother.

The fact that Mulder's taking such a drastically different approach to the issue of alien plots and government surveillance made him sound less the reliable FBI agent we've come to know, and more like a rambling mental patient. At one point, when he outlines his "epiphany" for Scully, the look of concern and dismay that crosses her face makes it pretty clear that she's convinced he's stepped off the deep end as well.

More: The X-Files: Gillian Anderson reveals 7 facts about the upcoming episodes

But — to be fair — the world is a much different one now than it was in 2002 when The X-Files went off the air. There are so many government conspiracies out there right now, and so many prominent conspiracy theorists on the air, that it was probably impossible for the show not to consider a government-led plot and still feel relevant.

X-Files -alien tweet

X-Files -alien tweet

So what does this mean for the rest of the series' (short) return season? Maybe quite a lot.

Perhaps Mulder's mental state could spell trouble for Scully and the Bureau. Will he be able to keep it together? Or will he melt down before he can save the world? His newfound convictions could spawn a new investigation that finally unravels the truth that has so long eluded our two favorite agents. That's if there is actually truth at the bottom of this new rabbit hole — the final episode of the original series left more than a few fans frustrated, since it seemed to tie up so little of the show's original mythology.

More: Viral video of 'alien baby' moving in mom's womb is a fascinating reminder

Speaking of that final episode though...

Fans will of course remember that the series ended with the long-awaited (and seeming irrefutable) death of The Smoking Man... that is until the final moments of tonight's episode which showed that the chain-smoking SOB is actually still alive and just moderately disfigured. He was even smoking through his tracheotomy hole (ew!) and still very much involved in whatever nefarious plot is in place to destroy the world.

X-Files - Smoking Man tweet2

X-Files - Smoking Man tweet2

Mulder may feel a bit more unhinged than usual, and the new "The government is using alien technology to take over the world, not the aliens themselves!" plot line may feel a bit forced, but overall we've got to admit, the reboot feels like it's off with an appropriate X-Files vibe. Especially because, whether Big Brother is behind this or not, at the end of the episode, Scully found out she has alien DNA!

X-Files - Scully gif tweet

X-Files - Scully gif tweet

So, with Mulder's renewed drive to uncover the truth, and Scully's reignited rage at all she's been through, our favorite alien-hunting duo is back and ready to deliver a few monster-of-the-week episodes that will surely ease us further into Mulder's new theories as he and Scully embark on another quest to uncover the truth...

Because the truth is out there! The question is, will Mulder and Scully uncover it with just five more episodes?

Nick Cannon's response to Mariah Carey's engagement goes viral (PHOTO)

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More: 10 Things to know about Nick Cannon's new girlfriend

The actor and television personality posted a fan-created meme (which has gone viral) that shows him in a hospital bed with comedian Kevin Hart by his side. The image, which was taken from their BET show, Real Husbands of Hollywood, reads "It's just a ring Nick…"

Nick Cannon_MC Engagement

Nick Cannon_MC Engagement

The caption reads, "Ha! This made me laugh out loud for real!!! HILARIOUS! #AllLove. Congrats to @MariahCarey and James! May God Bless Your Future Union...#GreatPeople #GreatCouple."

Nick and Mariah split in December 2014 after six years of marriage. Initially, the couple were headed for what appeared to be a bitter divorce, but they put their differences aside for the sake of their twins, Monroe and Moroccan. They’ve even become such good pals that they recently spent the holidays together.

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

Mariah and James started dating after meeting at the Hercules premiere in Aspen over the summer and, as Mariah tells it, "just hit it off."

More: Mariah Carey's boyfriend is practically Australian royalty (PHOTO)

James Packer popped the question on Thursday in New York City with an eye-popping 35-carat diamond engagement ring. The "Fantasy" singer flashed the massive Wilfredo Rosado bauble — which boasts two tapered diamonds around its center stone in a platinum setting — while exiting the Eleven Madison Park restaurant in NYC on Thursday night. It’s not the first bling from her beau — in November she received a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace from Packer as a gift ahead of the opening of his new casino in Macau.

While everyone — including Nick — is rooting for the happy couple, it appears both Mariah and James have yet to be divorced from their respective spouses. The final paperwork has not been approved in Nick and Mariah’s case. James has been separated from his wife since 2013 and, like Mariah, he is still waiting for his divorce to be finalized.


All your birth control options explained in 2 handy charts

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Now you can not only wear or swallow your birth control method, but you can also insert it, inject it, cap it or even stick it on. All these options, on top of all their pros and cons, can sure leave a girl feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Birth control methods
Image: Karen Cox/SheKnows

Thank goodness we don't have to figure this out on our own. Your OB-GYN is your absolute best source in helping you decide which birth control method(s) is right for you and your body, as age, weight, medical history and lifestyle all play big roles in what type of pregnancy prevention will work best.

We spoke with Dr. Candice Daneshvar, M.D., a Beverly Hills OB-GYN, to help clear our heads about all the birth control options out there. "When choosing a birth control method," Daneshvar begins, "I always recommend thinking about when the patient is interested in getting pregnant, how reliable/compliant they are in taking their meds, how much effort they want to put into their birth control method and whether or not they want to have control over stopping their birth control (implants, IUDs, injectables cannot be reversed by the patient)."

More: 7 Birth control mistakes almost every woman makes

Birth control pros and cons
Image: Karen Cox/SheKnows

In her office, Daneshvar mostly prescribes hormonal intrauterine devices (commonly called IUDs, but there are nonhormonal versions as well), pills and the ring. However, it's important to remember that all birth control methods have pros and cons.

For example, Daneshvar explains that hormonal IUDs are a "most effective method" and are "inserted once and last for years, many women stop getting their periods." Yet if the cost is not covered by insurance, IUDs can "cost an upward of $800," she warns.

Similarly, pills have been around for over 50 years and can have positive side effects (goodbye, acne), but they're "only as effective as the person who uses it," Daneshvar continues. And most users have trouble taking it 100 percent perfectly. Additionally, the pill can cause side effects like weight gain, sore breasts, nausea, spotting or decreased sex drive, she says.

Birth control methods
Image: Karen Cox/SheKnows

More: The birth control pill for men is almost a reality

A ring is similar to birth control pills in that they both work on a monthly cycle and have similar side effects, but the ring is inserted (like a tampon) only once each month and avoids the risk of forgetting to take the pill on a daily basis.

We worked with Daneshvar to compile information about all of your birth control options — and their pros and cons — in one easy-to-read guide. Use this information to help steer your decision in the right direction, but always talk with your OB-GYN before making any final decisions.

Matthew Perry makes confession about his drug use while filming Friends

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Perry's past painkiller addiction is no secret — the actor has been vocal about his recovery process — and it is obvious by Chandler Bing's changing appearance during the course of Friends when exactly he was at the height of that addiction. But Perry has never really gotten into how badly it could have affected his career — until now.

In an interview with Chris Evans on BBC Radio 2 on Friday, Perry admitted that his painkiller addiction has caused a huge gap in his memory and he is completely unable to remember filming a solid three years of Friends.

More: Courteney Cox recalls the first Friends episode

When asked which episode of the iconic show was his least favorite, Perry's response was startling.

"Oh my goodness," he said. "I think the answer is I don't remember three years of it. So none of those… somewhere between Season 3 and 6.

"A little bit of the time, I was a little out of it, yeah," he added.

But Perry's tough time or any kind of animosity has nothing to do with why he was not able to join the rest of his castmates to film a tribute to former Friends director James Burrows. He might film something separately, but only because his rehearsal schedule for the London play The End of Longing prevented him from joining the others.

More: Kaley Cuoco shares Friends reunion photo — but someone's notably missing (PHOTO)

"Matthew may tape something for the tribute," his rep said in a statement. "In other words, this is not the reunion people have been hoping for."

But that doesn't mean there will never be a reunion. Perry says it is something that has definitely been discussed among the actors.

"I think we would be open to doing something, some kind of TV special," he told Evans. "We've talked about it a little bit over dinner. It's a really good group. There isn't a jerk in the group, and that really saved us for 10 years."

More: Jimmy Kimmel masterminds the perfect Friends reunion (VIDEO)

12 Winter-friendly workouts that personal trainers swear by

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Wintry weather can make the most dedicated exerciser want to skip the gym and curl up with hot cocoa and Netflix. But there's no need to miss your sweat-fest just because the weather isn't cooperating. All it takes is a little bit of creativity and a plan and you'll be feeling those endorphins in no time.

The first thing you need to do is make a bad-weather workout plan so you can't use the "I can't think of anything to do" excuse. For instance, my go-to last-minute exercise is to make a playlist of Zumba or other dance-inspired exercise videos on YouTube (you'd be amazed at how many there are!) and then go to town in my living room. I get to learn some new moves and I still get my workout in.

More: 23 Thoughts every woman has trying a new fitness class

To help you craft your own exercise plan, I asked the pros themselves. Here, 12 personal trainers share their favorite bad weather-busting workout.

1. 7-Minute Burpee Challenge

There's a reason that burpees are a trainer favorite, says Elizabeth Johnson, a CrossFit trainer in Minnesota. It's because they work every muscle in your body from your shoulders to your core to your legs and they get your heart rate up. All you need to do is find a patch of carpet and set a timer for seven minutes. Do as many burpees as you can during that time. You can even make it a competition with friends or against your previous best record.

2. The Functional Four

Functional exercises do more than just build your muscles, they also train your body to work more efficiently during the types of movements we all do every day. The basic four movement include squats, lunges, push-ups and pull-ups. That's why this quickie workout is the go-to for Tamara Grand, PhD, a personal trainer and author of Fit Knit Chick. You can pick any exercise you like in each category or rotate sets of each in your living room. Make sure you have proper equipment for the latter or try these creative at-home pull-up methods.

3. HIIT workouts

HIIT stands for high intensity interval training and all it means is you're skyrocketing your heart rate for short periods of time, followed by a rest. You can make a HIIT workout from almost any cardio exercise and you can do it inside or outside on a safely shoveled path where you can't slip (if you dare brave the cold). It's this versatility that Suzi Fevens, a personal trainer and and blogger at Confessions of a Fitness Instructor, loves so much. Want to try it? Sprint as hard as you can for 30 seconds on a treadmill or outdoors and then walk for one minute. Repeat.

More: 5 HIIT workouts guaranteed to get your heart pumping

4. Mini Circuits

All it takes to create a mini circuit is a little imagination. Pick between three and ten of your favorite exercises and do them one after another, not resting until you've finished the whole circuit. Elana Baldwin, a personal trainer and kinesiologist in Ohio, swears by this circuit: pull ups, pistol squats, burpees and mountain climbers.

5. Snowshoeing

If you have the snow, might as well enjoy the winter wonderland! Trainer Janet Malowany loves snowshoeing. But she's not just ambling around the countryside. Instead she turns it into an interval workout by running up a nearby hill then walking back down. It's a lot harder than it sounds! (Don't have snowshoes? Yak Trax will help ordinary sneakers keep from slipping on snow and ice.)

6. Shoveling Snow

Face it: You're going to have to dig out your driveway and sidewalk at some point, so you might as well turn up the tunes and make it into a solid workout, says Jana Joshenbaum, a trainer in Brooklyn, New York. Just make sure you're switching the shovel between hands and using good form (lift with your legs, not your back!). And don't attempt this if you don't already exercise regularly.

More: Why shoveling snow is actually pretty dangerous

7. Online Workouts

Why reinvent the wheel? With so many experts putting simple, equipment-free workouts online it couldn't be easier to find one that will work in the space you have. Personal trainer Kristi David swears by Insta It girl Kayla Itsines' Bikini Body Workout. Another good resource is Fitness Blender as you can customize your workout by type, length and intensity — and it's free!

8. Lifting

Megan Michael, a Pennsylvania-based trainer and preschool teacher (a workout in its own right!), loves to lift. And she doesn't just mean dumbbells and barbells — although those are good if you have them at home. For those of us who don't have a fully stocked home gym, you can always find something to lift around the house. Large cans or gallons of milk are great for arm work (just don't drop them!) while bags of cat litter or boxes of laundry detergent work well for legs.

More: 6 Strength exercises that don't require weights or a gym

9. Yoga

The bendy sport is always a favorite of Katy Widrick, a personal trainer and group fitness instructor in Florida, but it's perfect for when it's cold outside. Not only does she swear that it will warm you up fast but all you need is a mat to get started and a yoga flow video from YouTube that caters to your fitness level. You can even try cranking the thermostat and doing a little DIY hot yoga.

10. Workout Videos

Live streaming or DVD videos were made for working out at home but with so many to choose from, how do you know what's worth your time and sweat? Kristen Leigh, a trainer in Memphis, loves the Beachbody workouts. They offer a wide variety of classes — everything from PiYo to kickboxing — and are always coming out with new stuff so you'll never get bored.

More: How Periscope makes streaming workouts from home so much better

11. Tabata Training

Cold weather won't keep Lizzie Ballinger, a personal trainer who also happened to play Ariel at Disneyland, inside. Her secret to making it bearable is to keep it short and intense so you heat up quickly and are finished before the frostbite can set in. Tabata training — intervals of 20 seconds of hard work, followed by 10 seconds rest — is her personal favorite.

12. Muscle Endurance

Light dumbbells, an exercise band and a Swiss ball are all Colette Grier needs to make an effective workout at home. The owner of Grier Fit, a gym in Kansas, says she focuses on muscular endurance by doing lots of reps with light resistance using just those three pieces of equipment. Bonus: They're easily stored underneath a bed or stashed in a closet (if you deflate the ball).

Total Divas' Nikki Bella needs surgery that might end her career

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Bella revealed that the neck pain she has been experiencing since July 2015 is actually the result of a pretty major injury, and it is possible we may never see her wrestle again.

"I have basically a broken neck, a pretty bad herniated disk," she told E! News. "What makes mine a little bit difficult than most people is that I have some disk behind my vertebrae so with a lot of prayers we're gonna pray that the doctors can get the piece behind my vertebrae with just a bone fusion."

More: Brie Bella's wrestling career will be over sooner than you think

Bella, who is set to undergo the extremely sensitive surgery this Wednesday, said that she is in great hands and, while she hopes to get back in the ring, that is definitely not a certainty.

"I have honestly one of the most amazing doctors," Bella said. "And I know that he's gonna do so amazing and I'm going to have the best comeback story that anyone has ever heard of.

"As of now I will be in the hospital just for a day or two," she explained. "But unfortunately I will be at home with a neck brace for three months, no travel. I can barely be in the car because of the spot where my injury is in, my C6 my C7, I have to try as much as I can not to move my neck so it can heal.

"There is a potential that this is career-ending," Bella continued. "We will only know that when I get out of surgery on Wednesday and then basically how the bone heals Wednesday. So that's been tough but I truly have such hope that I will get to compete in that ring another day, I really do."

More: Nikki Bella gets "permission" from John Cena to have an important talk (VIDEO)

So what caused the injury in the first place? Doctors suspect it was her signature move.

"For now the 'Rack Attack' will be officially retired. I've been told by doctors to never do that again so we do feel that because my injury is in such a unique place in my spine we do feel that it could've come the 'Rack Attack' so the girls in the future better watch out for my killer forearm because I might not be hitting them with the 'Rack Attack' but I'll definitely be hitting them with that forearm."

Bella posted about the surgery on Instagram today.

More: Total Divas' Nikki Bella confronted Daniel about their bad blood (VIDEO)

Nikki Bella neck surgery Instagram

Nikki Bella neck surgery Instagram

We wish Bella a speedy recovery!

Giraffe with rare skin condition could fall victim to predators

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More: Artist's photo series shows how "unique and special" animals are

Her name is Omo (named after a brand of local detergent) and, according to the Wild Nature Institute, she has leucism — a condition which results in only some of her skin cells making pigment. She is not an albino.

"We were lucky enough to resight her again this January, almost exactly one year later. We are thrilled that she is still alive and well," the blog post reads.

Very rare white giraffe spotted in African bush
Image: Wild Nature Institute

Ecologist Dr. Derek Lee, who runs the Wild Nature Institute (dedicated to scientific research, preservation of nature and public education) took the pictures of the giraffe and the rest of her herd in Tarangire National Park in Tanzania, The Mirror reports.

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Lee shed light on Omo and her situation, and explained just how rare she is.

"Omo is the only pale giraffe we are currently aware of, but we have also observed leucistic waterbuck, cape buffalo and ostrich in Tarangire," he said, according to the publication.

"[She] appears to get along with the other giraffes, she has always been seen with a large group of normally coloured giraffe — they don't seem to mind her different colouring.

"Omo is now 15 months old — she survived her first year as a small calf, which is the most dangerous time for a young giraffe due to lion, leopard and hyena preying on them."

The problem is that her pigmentation has also put her at risk from other predators, this time in the form of humans.

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"Her chances of surviving to adulthood are good — but adult giraffe are regularly poached for bush meat, and her colouration might make her a target," Lee said, according to the publication.

Hopefully the Institute's conservation efforts pay off and Omo can live well into adulthood and have calves of her own. But for now, she has won the heart of the Internet.

Reaction to rare white giraffe

Reaction to rare white giraffe

Reaction to rare white giraffe 3

Reaction to rare white giraffe 3

Reaction to rare white giraffe 4

Reaction to rare white giraffe 4

Let us know what you think of Omo and her unique colouring in the comments below.

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