Claiming dependents

A dependent entitles you to a number of tax breaks, including an exemption on your tax return to reduce your taxable income. The exemption amount for 2012 is $3,800 per person; you can see how quickly those exemptions can add up to tax savings.

Dependents also entitle taxpayers to other credits and deductions including the child tax credit ($1,000 per child for 2012) and the earned income tax credit (up to $5,891 with three or more qualifying children for 2012). Additionally, funds spent on child care and medical expenses for qualifying dependents may result in tax breaks.

With that in mind, it makes good tax sense not to overlook who might qualify as your dependent. It also makes good tax sense to understand who doesn’t qualify as a dependent. A spouse can never be a dependent for tax purposes even if you provide most of the support for your spouse.

Similarly, any person that can be claimed as a dependent on another tax return will not qualify as your dependent: Only one person can claim an individual as a dependent. That also means that children who file as independent on their own tax returns cannot be defined as a dependent on a parent’s return. Now that we’ve sorted that out, who’s left? A qualifying dependent for tax purposes must be either your qualifying child or your qualifying relative.

More: 20 Crazy ways we show love to our kids

Qualifying child

A person is your qualifying child if that person meets all of these tests:

• Relationship: The child must be your child, stepchild, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these.
• Residency: The child must have lived at the same residence as you for at least six months of the tax year. There are some exceptions for temporary absences: College students, for example, may still be considered dependents even if they live away from home. The residency rules also don’t apply to children who were born or died during the year, children of divorced or separated parents or parents who live apart (they have special rules) and kidnapped children.
• Age: The child must be younger than age 19 as of December 31 of the tax year; younger than age 24 as of December 31 of the tax year, a full-time student for at least five months out of the year and younger than you; or totally and permanently disabled.
• Support: The dependent must not have provided more than half of his or her own support during the tax year (note that this isn’t the same as saying that you have provided more than half of support).
• Other Returns: If the dependent is married, he or she cannot have filed a joint return with his or her spouse.

Even if all of the above tests are met, a child is not considered to be your qualifying child if you are not required to file a federal income tax return. Why does this matter? If you don’t claim the child but could have except that you didn’t file, another taxpayer may be able to claim the child as a qualifying relative.

More: Serious car seat mistakes that put babies at risk

Qualifying relative

A person is your qualifying relative if that person meets all of these tests:

• No Other Claims: The dependent must not be your qualifying child nor the qualifying child of anyone else. The person cannot be your qualifying child or the qualifying child of anyone else.
• Residency or Relationship: The dependent must live with you or must be related to you. This does mean that a qualifying relative could be a dependent even if he or she doesn’t live with you so long as the other criteria are met.
• Limited Income: The dependent must not have $3,700 or more of gross (total) income.
• Support: You must support the dependent at least half of the time (note that this is a different standard than for that of a qualifying child).

Of course, those are the easy rules. Things are more tricky for special circumstances, like divorce. In most cases, because of the residency test, a child of divorced or separated parents is considered the qualifying child of the custodial parent — that makes sense, right? However, a special rule might apply; ask your tax professional if you’re not sure.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that a dependent must generally be a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national, or a resident of Canada or Mexico and have a valid tax ID number. Exceptions may also apply for adopted children.

So your mom who lives with you? Your college-aged child who doesn’t? Your adult child who has moved back home? They could theoretically all qualify as dependents if they meet the tests for qualified children or qualified relatives. Be sure to check with your tax professional if you have questions: Dependents allow you valuable tax breaks that you don’t want to miss.

More: The scary little danger that could be hiding in your baby's clothes

Updated by Bethany Ramos on 2/8/2016

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

I know the controversy happened forever ago in social media time, but as usual I am behind. I took a few hours to browse the web about the Fit Mom thing that is no longer a thing and knew it was exactly what I needed to finally complete my new train of thought: Sometimes we simply need to be shocked into action. Working on a book about finally getting things done has really forced me to come to terms with my own weaknesses and the things that are often hard to face about myself.

I hate being criticized, and learning to accept criticism has been the biggest challenge for me. It’s a work in progress, and so far, so good, but still, looking at the Fit Mom picture that created such overwhelming controversy, I couldn’t help but feel as if I was being called out on my own laziness.

Then it dawned on me: I am unhappy about something I have not really given 110 percent to change. I am the only woman in charge of my destiny, I am the only woman in charge of my health and wellness. I am the only woman in charge of the role I play in the success of my marriage. I am the only woman in charge of my ability to succeed.

So far, 2016 has been a transformational journey for me, and I plan on keeping it up. The thing is, it starts with the courage to really understand what holds me back.

Feeling like I have bad luck

• You are probably right, things always seem to go wrong for you. Just when you think you’ve caught a break, things go completely wrong.

• You find yourself wondering, How the hell did I get here again?

And yet after interviewing some fabulous #girlbosses, many of whom have experienced setbacks in various areas of their lives, I have learned that your luck — or lack thereof — has nothing to do with whether or not you will succeed. Some people seem to have the world handed to them on a silver platter and still find a way to fail.

Work is the only thing that will guarantee your success. In No Excuses!: The Power of Self-Discipline, Brian Tracy shares that “80 percent of the population lives on Someday Isle most of the time. They think and dream and fantasize about some of the things they are going to do 'someday.' ”

Bad luck is not what holds us back. All focusing on your bad luck does is lead you down a spiral of self-pity that ends in depression and exhaustion. I have been there several times and completely understand not only how hard it is to accept but how hard it is to create a mind shift out of your own negative self-deprivation. Learning to set achievable goals and tackling these goals one at a time is the key to finally making a change. As women, we try to take on the world, feeling the need to be everyone’s superhero. Although it sounds like a great idea, you are setting yourself up for failure, because it is impossible to get everything right.

Instead, focus on specific areas — one achievable goal or change at a time.

More: How changing your thinking can steer you toward healthier habits

She has what it takes, I simply do not

I call bull. We can be so damn competitive as women, wasting a lot of energy comparing ourselves with one another rather than focusing on self-improvement. Everyone is different. Another woman's gifts are most likely not your gifts, but that does not make your gifts any less important.

Sometimes focusing on someone else is easier than focusing on yourself. If you are focused on her, you don't have to actually get up and get yourself together. That takes actual work, and who wants to do all that? We have enough going on and are barely hanging in there as it is, so we shift the focus to the other woman — the woman who has all the luck, all the looks and all the talent.

Begin taking note of your own skills, gifts and abilities. Focus on the areas in which you excel, the areas in which things simply come easily for you. Although I will never be as great of a singer as my sister or be able to speak myself out of any situation like my brother, I could come up with a business idea in a desert and then write a fabulous, inspiring article about it.

Instead of fearing the work that comes from realizing what you are great at, focus on the possibilities!

It's just too hard!

Is there anything as a woman that is not hard?

My goal is not to make women look as if they have to be pitied here but rather show that we are capable of taking on a lot and excelling despite it.

Remember the day you first got your period? The memory is fuzzy for me, because I passed out on the kitchen floor and have had a hate-hate relationship with my menstrual cycle since. From the age of 12 until I graduated from high school, I literally missed at least one day of school every month, because the first day of my period was just that bad.

That’s pretty crappy, but pregnancy was probably 10 times worse, with hospital staff getting to know me by my first name because I spent so much time there.

As women, we take on a lot and go through a lot of crap while juggling what feels like the world on our shoulders. Yet we know without a shadow of a doubt that we are capable of so much. So why focus on how difficult it is to be you? Instead focus on what you know you are capable of, and dig those stilettos in while enjoying the wild ride that is your journey to a better, stronger and successful self beyond your home and family!

If anyone can do it, it's the girl that can choose to go through birth pains over and over again.

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Nancy Laws blogs at SheMeets, where she introduces women to incredible #Girlbosses in order to empower, inspire and motivate them to be their best selves. Listen to the SheMeets podcast on iTunes, and connect on Twitter.

It's just too bad that the song itself relies on her usual "I-have-sex-with-my-man-stop-talking-about-us-we-rich-fall-back-haters" message. Don’t get me wrong; the chick is bad. I can't find a single thing wrong with the video (except maybe the part where they are dancing in the denim outfits, but I think that’s just a difference in style choices). I even like the nod to her parents' heritage that produced a "Texasbama."

And I nodded in agreement with her clapping back at those who question why Blue Ivy wears her hair the way she does ("I like my baby hair with baby hair and afro.") And yes, the dance sequences made me wish for the umpteenth time that I could dance (or at least had an El Camino so I could rock my braids out the window like she did).

More: Kids' honest reactions to Super Bowl commercials show us what they see (VIDEO)

But while some groups suggested a boycott of the Super Bowl halftime show because they deemed the video too political and anti-police, I don't think she took it far enough.

We get it, you're rich. Instead of touting that you take your man to Red Lobster after good sex, how about a line about how the black community has united in activism in the wake of multiple police brutality cases? How a disenfranchised people have constantly and consistently persevered and will continue to do so. Instead of the constant refrain of "I slay", how about a call for all communities to unite?

I love the call for women to "get in formation." But instead of getting in formation to "slay" how about calling for us to get in formation for a cause?

I appreciate the direction she's going, and it's clear that she and Jay-Z are putting their money where their mouths are and supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. Even that news is huge for a typically apolitical Bey. But for someone who sent the Internet in a frenzy over the surprise track and then performed it with dancers dressed like Black Panthers (albeit ones in hot pants) in front of millions of people, it was a chance to take a real stance for something.

The entire vibe of the halftime show changed when Bey's all-girl crew hit the field — and I mean that in a good way. I think asking for a little more of the video's strong messaging may be asking a bit too much from a unifying performance that was also a nod to the Super Bowl's 50 years (and Michael Jackson's iconic performance). But the brief fist in the air was a good start. I just wish that it was the start of a dialogue on race in our country instead of one on who would be up bright and early to buy tickets to her concert.

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In all the frenzy, did anyone even notice that she has partnered with the United Way to help children affected by the water crisis in Flint, Michigan? So many good things in one single, one video, one Super Bowl performance, one tour. I'm just afraid that the buzz of the Beyhive is so loud that we may be missing something really big here.

She said it herself: "You know you that bitch when you cause all this conversation."

True. I just wish she’d said something a little more substantial.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

It's no secret that the United States has a high percentage of surgical births compared to the rest of the world. Pregnancies resulting in C-sections account for a little over 30 percent of births in the U.S., while the global average hovers at around 19 percent. The high rate does not necessarily translate to better outcomes overall for either mother or baby. All those factors combined makes it understandable that many (both professionals and people invested in pregnancy/parenting) want to discuss C-sections in the U.S.

More: 12 Breathtaking C-section scar tattoos

However, like almost anything related to motherhood, there's immediately a sense of defensiveness, judgment or guilt that pops up around C-sections. Many people who have had a surgical birth feel judged when the topic comes up, that their birth is branded "less than." Others, even those not meaning to offend, may actually be patronizing or downright rude when discussing C-sections.

So how can we talk about C-sections and the issues surrounding them without upsetting, insulting or judging our fellow moms? We can't not talk about them. We need to find a way to discuss them while leaving judgment at the door.

If we stay silent, nothing changes.

A recent Yahoo piece asks if women are being "tricked" into having C-sections. The piece hinges on a recent report that showed that the majority of women who opted for C-sections when told their babies were "too big" could have had a vaginal birth due to incorrect estimation. This could easily descend into a conversation about how some moms made the "wrong" choice and obviously didn't need the surgery. But what good does that do the moms who did have the C-section? They can't travel back in time and change it. Instead, let's look to the future and talk about how this information can be now used to inform pregnant women when they're told the estimated size of their baby. Let's use it as an opportunity to discuss the culture of fear in pregnancy and childbirth.

More: The problem with the words we use when we talk about birth

How?

For starters, when talking about C-sections, the last thing you want to do is make assumptions.

"I was not bullied into mine by a lazy, unscrupulous OB," Jenny, a mother of one who had an emergency C-section, told me. "I was under the care of a doula and a midwife who made the call that a CS was necessary. You also can't assume anything about a person's recovery process. I actually had some complications that landed me back in the hospital for five days when my baby was 2 weeks old, but by 6 weeks postpartum, I was lifting weights and doing ab exercises. Everyone is different."

Jenny says to suspend the assumptions for all parts of the C-section process, since it's incredibly individualized. "Don't assume anything about how I feel about my CS. It was disappointing in some ways and a relief in some ways. I don't feel like a failure."

We need to learn how to talk about the issues surrounding C-sections without personalizing and without speaking for women who have had surgical births. We can talk about statistics and studies as well as theorize about why the U.S. rate is so much higher and what we can do to lower it, all without judging women who have been there.

More: Mom horrified that doctors 'lost' her baby during emergency C-section

Birth is tricky. It's an incredibly personal experience, and many people have a hard time talking about it without allowing their own experience to influence their thoughts and words. And that's normal. But if we can make sure to be a bit more conscious about how we talk about these issues, we might be able to find a way that stops alienating women and pitting them against one another so we can have healthy, productive dialogues to make birth better and safer for everyone.

All you need is unsalted butter, powdered sugar and a hand or stand mixer. Then add your favorite flavorings to make it extra special. It's so versatile and so easy you'll wonder why you ever started buying frosting in a container in the first place. Just try one of these flavorful combinations.

How to make buttercream frosting

Beat room-temperature unsalted butter with any extracts until it's fluffy (2 – 4 minutes), then add any other flavorings and the powdered sugar a little at a time. To thin, add corn syrup. To thicken, add more powdered sugar. Top with garnishes after the cake or cupcake is frosted.

More: 6 Tips for perfect buttercream frosting

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The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star released a new episode of her podcast "Brandi Glanville Unfiltered," and she's calling out everybody from co-stars Lisa Vanderpump and Kyle Richards to Snoop Dogg.

More: Brandi Glanville's comments about Yolanda Foster are slightly suspicious

In a segment called "Brandi Fires Back", she doesn't hesitate to call Richards and Vanderpump every name in the book. "Those bitches are cowards," she says. "They're going to talk about people who can't defend themselves because they don't want to talk about each other. So I'm going to address two things that were said about me and then I will have my side out there and they can flock off."

More: Brandi Glanville reveals why she's returning to 'abusive' RHOBH

"Kyle [said] I was the catalyst that ripped her and Kim [Richards] apart. Yet I was at Monty [Brinson]'s memorial yesterday, and she was not there," said Glanville. Brinson, Kim Richards' ex-husband, died on Sunday, Jan. 24. Of his death, Glanville said, "I do want to say, rest in peace, Monty. He had a lovely service yesterday. He was loved by so many. I cried so much. Everyone in that room loved him a lot, and he will be missed." Kyle Richards has denied the rumors that she and her family skipped Brinson's memorial.

Glanville also set her sights on Lisa Vanderpump, with one of the worst/most creative nicknames we've heard for a real housewife. "Lisa Vanderc**t said that the problem with me is I wanted her all to myself and I didn’t want to be friends with anyone else, so I was ruining those relationships, because she’s such a prize and I needed to be with her and I couldn’t allow her to have other friends."

She continued, "Truth be told is the bitch doesn't like any of the other ladies at all. She really didn't. She didn't want to be friends with them, but she needed a sidekick, and that was me." According to Us Weekly, Glanville will no longer be a full-time cast member for the upcoming season of RHOBH, but she's "taped a few scenes" for the show. If this interview is any indication, those scenes are the ones to watch.

More: RHONY star will make you see Brandi Glanville in whole new light

After removing a video from her Instagram that received hoards of hateful comments, Zolciak is fighting back against the trolls by posting jealousy-inducing snaps from her tropical family vacation, including one sexy bikini shot after another.

In her latest post, Zolciak is shown walking on the beach in a tiny black bikini — and she's seriously working it.

The post comes after Zolciak was forced to remove a video of herself wearing heavy makeup that drew ugly comments from her followers, who wrote comments like, "You look so ugly," and "Eeeekkk you looking nothing like yourself."

Zolciak fired back at the haters by posting a photo of herself and her husband, arm in arm on a sunny beach, alongside a rant directed at her online trolls.

"Let me share something with you... You see who's holding me, you see where I am, my kids are here... You know why I have the life I have," she wrote. "Because of how I lived it, how I treat people, what I give back, and how I think... I'm so f**kin over all you bullying trolls! You sit behind a computer screen with your fake profile pictures, your "I love Jesus" in your bio and your private none the less.... Do me a favor hit UNF**KINFOLLOW... Get off my page!!! I don't want your negative energy on my page, I don't want to share any part of my incredible life (REMEMBER we all have the same 24hrs) with you. You are jealous and it's a disease, GET THE F**K UP... And FIX YOUR LIFE! #KarmaBaby #ItWillAlwaysFindYou #YouCantThinkNegativeAndHaveAPositiveLife"

Do you think Kim Zolciak deserves the hate she gets online?

Giudice is fresh out of federal prison, and her story of fame and misfortune has captivated reality TV fans for years. Now she is going back to where it all began — minus the felonies.

A major announcement about Giudice's future with Bravo and The Real Housewives of New Jersey was made on Andy Cohen's SiriusXM radio show, Radio Andy today, and on the show's Twitter page.

More: Teresa Giudice throws birthday party while under house arrest (PHOTO) 

Giudice will join her sister-in-law Melissa Gorga and Jacqueline Laurita in the returning cast, and gave them a shout out while confirming the big news for herself.

More: RHONJ's Teresa Giudice & Jacqueline Laurita finally end long-standing feud

And Giudice is so ready to put the past behind her and move forward with her life. In a new interview with ABC News, she explained how she wound up in prison and why her future looks bright.

"This is what happened in my eyes. I signed some papers. There was no intent to commit a crime. I didn't know I was committing a crime," Giudice told Amy Robach. "I got indicted. The government saw it differently. I got sentenced. I ... served time. I did what I had to do and now I'm moving past it."

"[We're not in] foreclosure any longer, thank you, God," she said. "And our restitution's paid off. We're in — thank God — in good shape."

Giudice told Bravo's blog The Daily Dish, "I am very excited to be back. For me, this season is all about letting go of the past and embracing the future. People are calling me Teresa 2.0."

Season 7 has already begun filming, but a premiere date has not yet been announced.

More: Melissa Gorga reveals Teresa Giudice's emotional holiday plans

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

This stability-enhancing position — the legs provide a stable base for the rest of the body — isn’t uncommon among children. As Dr. Ryan Curda, a San Diego-based chiropractor with Personalized Chiropractic, explains, “W-sitting is when a child sits with both legs significantly internally rotated and flattens their legs against the floor."

More: Kristin Cavallari's struggle to hold her baby is an all-too-common mom issue

In other words, it's sitting with the legs arranged like a "W."

But is it a sign something could be wrong with your toddler? That’s a question that’s been discussed among parents and physicians... and the answer is nothing short of murky.

Part of child development?

As children develop from newborn to baby to toddler, their bodies change substantially. They develop muscles, coordination and more. Some experts say W-sitting is just a part of development that works itself out as the child ages into an adult.

Dr. Donna Pacicca, an attending surgeon at Children’s Mercy Hospital in the division of Orthopaedic Surgery, section of Sports Medicine, and also associate professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UMKC School of Medicine and adjunct professor of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences at UMKC School of Dentistry, is one of them. According to Pacicca, W-sitting is part of a normal condition known as anteversion.

"Everyone starts out in anteversion, and it gradually improves over time in most (probably due to in utero position, same thing that causes everyone to start out bowlegged),” explains Pacicca. "For the otherwise healthy and uninjured child, increased femoral anteversion means it's more comfortable to sit without stretching out the hip capsule (W-sit vs. criss-cross).”

More: 11 Free things people give kids that drive moms up the wall

For some, there’s more anteversion than for others, causing things like “toe-in” walking, Pacicca says. “This doesn't appear to cause problems later on, but there is controversy, especially for people with problems like recurrent patellar dislocation [a twisting in of the knee cap], about whether or not to correct rotational or angular malalignment,” she notes. “As far as in-toeing goes, again there is normal variation. It doesn't appear to cause issues with hips/knees as an adult per our current literature."

Can W-sitting cause delays?

But can there be problems? Possibly... and it all has to do with the individual child and their development. In recent years, much has been written about the dangers of W-sitting to developing bodies.

Curda says the position limits the need for a toddler to develop trunk stability while they focus on other things. That stability is necessary for developing balance and coordination, which is why the position can be linked to developmental delays.

“Unfortunately, this leads to further trunk instability and delays the development of proper balance, cross body movements, and even playing across the midline on table-top activities,” says Curda.

That’s not all; a child’s developing hips can be impacted too. “Although I'm not aware of a long-term study showing the negative effects of W-sitting, I believe it would be reasonable to think that a decrease in trunk stability whether caused by W-sitting or other means would eventually lead to further health concerns," the chiropractor warns. That list of concerns includes everything from chronic or acute lower back pain to joint dysfunction of the hips and knees, improper muscle length and neurological firing of the back, pelvic and leg muscles.

According to Jean W. Solomon and Jane Clifford O'Brien, authors of the book "Pediatric Skills for Occupational Therapy Assistants," in children older than one year, W-sitting can lead to hip dislocation, joint deformities and more. Also, since it doesn't require trunk stability or strength, those muscles aren't used or exercised, so other sitting positions are preferable.

However, Pacicca says that not enough is known about the long-term impact of W-sitting.

“We still don't fully understand the molecular signaling that shapes the bones and joints; factors like joint arc of motion, skeletal alignment and joint laxity don't seem to be an issue now, but could potentially affect developmental signaling. We just don't know how or when that would happen at this time," Pacicca said.

What to do

So, what if your child W-sits? It depends, says Curda.

“If this sitting position is the norm and not the exception, it is advisable to coach your child to sit in a less stressful position. I'll leave it up to parents to decide the healthiest ways to accomplish such a change in behavior,” says Curda.

Some alternatives to consider encouraging your child try: side sitting, long sitting (sitting with legs stretched out in front) or tailor sitting (cross-legged).

More: My daughter won't wear pink today... and here's why you can't make her (GIFs)

However, if it’s not an always thing… then you might not need to worry after all.

“If your child sporadically W-sits, you should not be overly concerned as a parent,” says Curda.

Bottom line: If you're worried, tell your doctor. They can examine your child's body for signs of an issue.

Evans is in the Big Apple for some pretty serious medical tests, it turns out.

"She went to get an MRI," a source told Radar Online. "[That's] why she is in NYC."

And it sounds like those tests could be for something pretty serious. Evans addressed the trip herself in an Instagram post, and shared a scary detail.

More: Teen Mom's Jenelle Evans publicly feuds with co-star and former BFF

"If you all MUST know why I'm here, like I said up here for medical reasons," she wrote, while the photo itself was captioned, "Time for this MRI of my spine and brain."

Last week another source told Radar Online that Evans was secretly hospitalized after experiencing some scary physical symptoms of what she fears is a major disease.

"Jenelle is in the hospital right now and has been in and out all week. She doesn't know what's wrong," the insider said. "Her nerves are all messed up in her body and she has restless leg syndrome and can hardly walk. She has shortness of breath and loss of coordination and balancing when walking."

More: Teen Mom's Jenelle Evans' recent tweet sparks pregnancy rumors

"She's having hot flashes like insane and overload in every sense of her body. She feels like she has arthritis in her knees."

"Jenelle doesn't think it's stress-related. The other hospital said it was anxiety, but they ran simple blood tests and Jenelle told them they were wrong, and to take a thyroid test on her. They refused and discharged her and sent her home."

It sounds like Evans finally got an OK to head to another hospital for some real tests.

But is hasn't been just doom and gloom in NYC for Evans — by the looks of things, she managed to get some fun in, too.

More: Drama between Teen Mom Jenelle Evans and her ex, Nathan Griffith continues

Evans has not revealed when she expects the results of her tests, or what doctors are looking for.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

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Model Hadid took some extra weekend R&R to gear up for fashion month, and by the looks of her Instagram, she spent all of it hanging out poolside with her besties.

But wait. Doesn't that cutout black bikini look a little familiar? Like one another model was rocking last season? Maybe this will jog your memory.

The similarities didn't stop Hadid's fans and followers from loving her poolside look, though. Comments on the photo ranged from "@bellahadid you are one of the most perfect God's creation I've ever seen," to "I've been slayed by the best Hadid." Other commenters begged to know where Hadid got her adorable black bikini (spoiler alert: Victoria's Secret has a style that's pretty close in its 2016 Swim collection).

More: Kylie Jenner's boyfriend accused of targeting an underage girl online

And while Hadid and Jenner are best buds who apparently also rock matching bikinis, their similarities don't stop there — Hadid took a cue from Jenner on how to pose in her black cutout suit, posting a revealing 'belfie' that reminds us of another sexy Jenner shot.

Look familiar?

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery, so Jenner should be feeling the love right now.

More: Kylie Jenner's week just got worse with these new Tyga rumors

Who do you think wore the cutout black bikini better, Kylie Jenner or Bella Hadid? Head down to the comments section to let us know.

These little bites are perfect for small hands or even as an appetizer for entertaining guests. (Adults will happily devour these too!) Top your taco cups with sour cream, jalapeño slices, fresh cilantro or any other toppings you like, and pop 'em into your mouth. Watch out — they're addictive.

Mini muffin tin vegetarian taco cups recipe

Yields 12

Prep time: 15 minutes | Bake time:15 minutes | Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

For the taco cups

• 24 wonton wrappers
• 1 (16-ounce) can refried black beans
• 1 envelope taco seasoning
• 1/4 cup salsa
• 1 cup mashed butternut squash
• 2 cups grated cheddar cheese mix

For topping

• Sour cream
• Diced tomatoes
• Corn kernels
• Cilantro

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F, and spray a muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Line each muffin cup with 2 wonton wrappers.
3. In a bowl, combine the refried black beans, taco seasoning and salsa, and mix well.
4. Spoon the bean mixture into each muffin cup, and top with a small spoonful of the mashed squash.
5. Top each cup with grated cheese, and bake for 10 – 12 minutes or until the wontons are golden brown.
6. Remove from the oven, garnish with desired toppings, and serve warm.

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Born on November 6 at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Nora was the result of careful research and planning. Her parents, Aurora and Nanuq, were paired based on recommendations from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan for threatened breeds.

Experts have estimated there are between 22,000 and 25,000 polar bears in the wild. That number is not low enough to qualify them as endangered, but it doesn't mean they're safe, either.

Polar bears depend on sea ice, which forms above the open waters where their small prey live, to survive. As global warming continues to make larger impacts worldwide, the ice that serves as a life force for these bears is melting. With no ice, they're forced to move onto land — a place where they are less protected from hunters, as well as predators that threaten their cubs.

More: 10 GIFs to help you celebrate penguins

If this decline continues, experts say polar bears could lose approximately two-thirds of their population by 2050.

In 2008, polar bears became the first vertebrate species to be listed in the U.S Endangered Species Protection Act as threatened primarily due to global warming.

Nora's impact

So how can one little polar bear cub help out? It's simpler than you think.

According to Polar Bears International, the biggest impact polar bears in zoos can have on their species is bringing more awareness to their plight.

If you think about it, that totally makes sense. It's a lot easier to dismiss global warming and its effects on animals that live halfway across the world than it is when you have an adorable little polar bear cub staring you right in the face.

Am I right? How can you say no to that face? If you have a heart, you just can't.

So, by keeping animals like the polar bear on display and educating us about their lives and the threats they face, it's the hope of most zoos that at least some patrons leave with a little more willingness to do what it takes to help out.

Polar bears in captivity

Zoos have always caught slack from animal lovers who claim that relocating and caging animals is cruel. This is especially true when new births occur in captivity — the Columbus Zoo and Aqaurium received more than its fair share of hate when baby Nora was born.

Dr. Steven C. Amstrup, chief scientist at Polar Bears International, disagrees. He says the fact that polar bears live longer in captivity than in the wild is proof enough they're living good lives. He adds that the bears are surrounded by experts who can keep them curious and engaged and around-the-clock veterinarian care, and their meals are literally served on a platter. Basically, they have many reasons to be happy and fulfilled.

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The research conducted at zoos is also responsible for much of science's current knowledge about wildlife disease and treatment — info that can become increasingly useful to polar bears if their numbers continue to decrease.

Nora's story

Nora was born in a litter of two, but as is common with polar bears, only one survived the first few days. When she was less than a week old, her mother, Aurora, started taking breaks from caring for her, an act that set her caretakers on high alert. As the day went on, the breaks from her baby cub became longer and longer, so the zoo's animal care staff declared her abandoned and pulled her from the den.

In the months since, the cub has thrived. When she reached two weeks, her caretakers called themselves "cautiously optimistic." Now, at three months, they report that Nora is doing well and describe her as "a very strong-willed, determined little lady!"

According to Facebook updates from the zoo, she's growing at a rate of about an inch per week and can now stand and walk on all four legs. You go, little lady!

She's not available to be viewed by the public yet, as she's being kept at an animal hospital behind the scenes, but the zoo promises this is the best place for the cub as she receives continuous surveillance and feedings every four hours.

More: 12 Pets and animals that can outlive you

Even though she's not yet ready to parade around the public polar bear habitat, this little one has already garnered quite the fan base thanks to social media.

The zoo took an online vote to determine her name and received more than 88,000 votes from 115 countries. The name Nora was revealed on February 5 — of course, via Facebook.

The zoo hopes to make Nora viewable to the public by spring but are awaiting her cues to decide when she's ready. There's no word yet on whether she'll be placed in the existing polar bear habitat with the adult bears, including her mother.

Want to learn more about Nora? Watch her first three months of life in under two minutes in this video:

This very common wardrobe staple made a guest appearance on several spring 2016 runways. Should you choose to accept this trend, your challenge is to find inventive and contemporary ways of styling the shirt we all know and love so that it looks anything but basic.

Here are nine ideas that will get you thinking about your white shirt in brand new ways.

1. Open in all the right places

Instead of popping a few buttons at the top, leave half of your button-down open — at the bottom — and show off a beautiful belt and pleated pants. The first look comes courtesy of Mai Style Pages fashion blog and the following look is thanks to the British fashion blog Boho Tailor.

More: 11 Fashionable ways to wear knee-length boots

2. With a statement tie

Wear a tie with feminine flair simply by using ribbon fabric to create a bow. Or play up the masculinity of a white shirt by sewing an extra swatch of white fabric by the collar in order to make your own cute shirt tie. Then pair it with the sweetest floral miniskirt in your closet.

3. Prints that bring out personality

Your white button-down doesn't have to be all white. A pattern brings out your charm and personality and instantly elevates a pair of jeans or a simple skirt.

4. Preppy flair

Got a bright sweater and want to make it pop? Layer it over a crisp white shirt and slouchy, low-rise trousers (total spring trend) to bring a bit of preppy flair to your wardrobe.

5. A ruffled treat

Ruffles won't ruin a classic button down. The texture and bulk will liven up any white button-down shirt and help you create an interesting look. Add jewelry for extra flair.

More: 6 Creative ways to wear gloves this season

6. Under overalls

Sweet and prim with short sleeves and a Peter Pan collar, this adorable white shirt looks anything but plain under another big spring trend: denim overalls. This look comes courtesy of blogger and stylist, Running in Chanel.

7. With leather

A high contrast black and white look is as simple as pairing a white shirt with edgy black shorts or pants as French blogger at The City Loves Fashion did here.

8. White shirt with a train

There's no better way to add drama to an otherwise understated outfit of boyfriend jeans and a white button-down shirt than by adding fabric and creating the more eye candy. Throw on an incredible pair of flashy heels and you're a queen. This shirt was designed by an independent designer on Etsy.

9. Shirt as dress

If your white shirt is long enough and your dress is short enough, the two can meet somewhere in the middle and create this sexy little look. Keep things preppy and tame by pairing them with simple loafers and no jewelry.

Maybe you've always wondered about the root cause of your frozen fingertips or have longed for a solution to your issue so that you can stop having to tote sweaters along everywhere you go. We spoke with medical experts who identified reasons you may truly hate the effect winter has on your body and solutions that don't involve quitting your job and moving to Hawaii (though, by all means, if you can swing it, more power to you).

First of all: There's a good reason why your boyfriend or spouse is looking at you like you have 10 heads when you complain about the cold. "It’s well known, women are more prone to feeling cold than men," says Dr. Sherry Ross, M.D., OB-GYN and women’s health expert at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. "There are some medical explanations that lead to feeling cold all the time and they include anemia, thyroid dysfunction, uncontrolled diabetes, blood vessels problems infections, and dangerously low body fat as in anorexia nervosa."

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Dr. Kristine Arthur, internist at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, says some people may tend to feel more uncomfortable in colder temperatures than others and there may not necessarily be a problem, but that these six medical concerns could be to blame for feeling unusually cold:

1. Hypothyroidism "Low thyroid function can cause a generalized sensation of feeling cold all of the time — even when bundled up," Arthur says. "People may also have dry skin, fatigue and constipation. It needs to be diagnosed with blood tests and is treatable with medication."
2. Raynaud's disease. "This is a disorder that causes cold fingers and toes. It can be triggered by even mildly cold temperatures. Sometimes the skin can turn blue or white. Symptoms are isolated to extremities. It typically starts before age 30 and usually affects women. This needs to be diagnosed by a doctor. There is treatment available including medication."
3. Peripheral neuropathy. "Again, this could cause cold hands/feet with color change and tingling or numbness. Requires medical exam, diagnostic testing. It can be treated with medication."
4. Poor circulation. "This can occur with age or other chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. Managing those conditions and exercising regularly can help to improve circulation."
5. Anemia. "This is when the hemoglobin level in the blood is low. This can happen in someone who does not eat enough iron, is a strict vegetarian or vegan, or has heavy menstrual periods, for instance. People may also look pale and feel tired. It can be checked with a simple blood test. It is not a good idea to start iron supplements without checking your blood tests first."
6. Low body weight. "People who are clinically underweight are often cold. This can be checked by calculating your BMI or body mass index. A level below 18.5 is considered underweight. You can easily calculate your BMI online using calculators which are simple to use.”

If the results to all the tests from your annual physical came back negative and you're stumped about the source of your cold feet, hands and nose, Ross says you may simply run colder than those around you and that it could be a way for your hormones to work to regulate your internal temperature control. "Women also have more fatty tissue compared to muscle mass in men which generates more heat," Ross says. "Everyone is different with their thermostat perceptions and settings."

More: How changing your thinking can steer you toward healthier habits

Ross suggest warming up the natural way: by wearing layers, drinking hot beverages or soup, making sure your home thermostat is set to the mid-70s in the summer and 68 degrees F or lower in the winter, enjoying a warm bath, and getting enough iron and vitamin B12 in your diet, as deficiencies are associated with feeling cold.

"There are certain medications such as progesterone and vitamins such as niacin that can make you feel warm, but I would not suggest taking them just to warm up," Ross says. "I would stick to the old fashion way of wearing layers, taking a warm bath, and sipping hot tea."

More: Kris Jenner launches war with Caitlyn Jenner over Saint West

Jenner, who is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Harper's Bazaar, revealed in an interview with the magazine that divorcing her first husband, famous lawyer Robert Kardashian, is the one and only thing about her life that she regrets.

"I had a wonderful, beautiful life with Robert. He was just an amazing man," she admitted in the interview.

In her 2011 memoir, Jenner called her second ex-husband, Caitlyn Jenner, then Bruce, the love of her life. But in this new interview, she reveals that during Caitlyn's transition, Jenner wished she could talk through her feelings with Kardashian. The interviewer even went so far as to refer to Kardashian as the "solid shoulder to lean on or maybe, cry on," that Jenner desperately wanted.

More: Kanye West steps in after Kris Jenner fires her entire security team

But even though Jenner's divorce after 23 years married to Bruce is over, she still wishes that Kardashian, who died in 2003, were still a part of her life.

"I always wish I could call Robert right now,” she admitted. "That's an everyday thing."

Jenner was married to Kardashian from 1978 until 1991, when she cheated on him and, eventually, they split. She married Bruce in 1991 and they separated in 2013, soon before then-Bruce announced plans to transition to a woman named Caitlyn. One particularly difficult part of the process for Kris Jenner? She said she found out about Caitlyn's transition at "the same time as everybody... we were already divorced. And what are you going to do? You have to just be there. And you have to accept that everyone is going to have something."

More: Khloé Kardashian slammed for "shameful" way she treats Kris Jenner (PHOTO)

How do you think the Kardashian family would look now if Kris hadn't divorced Robert? Head down to the comments and share your thoughts.

Lamar Sally revealed that Shepherd has never once met their son LJ and has behaved in a most shocking manner when he tried to foster a relationship between the pair.

"My honest opinion is that it's very hurtful that she would take it this far because the first conversation that we had is that we both wanted a baby," Sally told Radar Online of Shepherd, who is still trying to have her name removed from the baby's birth certificate as his mother despite a court ruling ordering her to pay child support.

More: Sherri Shepherd claims surrogate baby ruined her marriage

"We both paid for the surrogate — she paid for the majority — and we talked about it numerous times: about LJ being born.

"So for her to come out now to take it this far to the Supreme Court is just baffling to me," he continued. "It hurts that LJ is growing up without a mother."

Sally also revealed that Shepherd made a cold, calculated move when he tried to share a photo of the baby with her.

"She has never met LJ," he confirmed. "She has never reached out for anything. She has never asked for pictures… I sent her a Christmas card the first year he was born — he was like four months — and it came back."

More: Sherri Shepherd's divorce agreement reveals one major surprise

Sally claims he has no idea why Shepherd made a complete 180 on their decision to have a baby together via surrogate.

"I don't know why she doesn't want to be a part of his life," he said. "He's a really good baby. He's charismatic and always laughing and smiling. She's really missing out on a lot. He's really something special."

But it turns out Sally has more motive than disappointment in speaking out against Shepherd. He is in the midst of filming a reality show about his life as a single dad and the couple's legal battle.

Single Dads of LA will follow Sally and four other men as they navigate their new parenting responsibilities.

More: Sherri Shepherd's baby joke on The View is so insensitive (VIDEO)

Amy Constable of Saint Gertrude Letterpress, JOY Sydney and Domestic Violence NSW, with sponsorship from K.W. Doggett, have created a range of cards that seem, on the face of it, to be regular Valentine's cards.

More: My experience with domestic violence inspired me to become an advocate

"I ache for you", "you knock me off my feet", "you're all I can think about", "you take my breath away", "I love you so much it hurts" — all metaphorical expressions of affection bound to be uttered all over the world on Valentine's Day.

But for many women, these expressions aren't metaphorical. Romantic relationships can be harmful, possessive and violent. These expressions go beyond cute, exaggerated phrases of affection and point towards a frightening reality.

Global estimates from the World Health Organization found that worldwide, almost one-third of women who have been in a relationship report that they have experienced some form of physical and/or sexual violence from their partner. Further, as many as 38 per cent of murders of women are committed by a partner.

The new cards, which have been made in collaboration with lettering artists Carla Hackett, Kate Pullen, Eliza Svikulis, Magda Ksiezak and Lyn Tran, hauntingly point out the eye-opening fact that a lot of the ordinary phrases we use to talk about love implicitly evoke images of pain.

More: Protect your teen from domestic violence

The designs are exquisite, with a pastel colour scheme and vibrant lettering, and wouldn't look out of place in the Valentine's section of a quality card shop or department store. They fit the mould perfectly of a luxury gift one might pick for their partner.

But what might look like the height of romance can have a dangerous edge. It can be difficult to notice the difference, especially in a society where we talk about love with the expectation that it hurts. Little girls growing up are told that boys are mean to them because they like them. And even when we're older, the passion of love is often described with violent terminology. We "fall" into it, we have "crushes", we experience the "ache" of longing, we risk our heart being "broken".

The conflation of love and pain in the very threads of the English language may contribute to the difficulty in spotting domestic violence or realising that it may be happening to you. Domestic violence can be insidious, especially in its early stages. According to the US National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 70 per cent of cases go unreported. These cards ask us to reflect on the fine line between love and pain, something we all need to be aware of in order to help out those who are at risk.

The proceeds from the sale of the cards will go directly to Domestic Violence NSW, an organisation that offers resources and advocacy for those experiencing domestic violence, and can be purchased directly from Saint Gertrude Letterpress and mag nation.

More: 10 Domestic violence facts we all should be taking very seriously

1. Peter lost his bid for president

The Good Wife creators, Michelle and Robert King, have made no attempt to hide the fact that the marriage in the show is loosely based on the marriage of Bill and Hillary Clinton. Like the name of the show implies, Alicia has stood by her husband Peter through numerous scandals. However, unlike Hillary Clinton, Alicia doesn't have White House ambitions of her own. Now that the election has passed Peter by, now is the perfect time for Alicia to file for divorce.

More: Julianna Margulies' apartment floods after big photo shoot

2. Alicia's kids, Grace and Zach, are grown

We can easily understand Alicia wanting to keep her family together to create stability for her children, but both Zach and Grace are adults and would most likely benefit more from seeing their mother pursue her own happiness.

3. Alicia and Lucca Quinn have their own law firm

Though Alicia and Lucca's firm may be getting kicked out of Alicia's swanky apartment, they still seem to be finding their own success, making Alicia less dependent on Peter.

More: The Good Wife star Julianna Margulies' marriage is crazy strong

4. Uh, Jason is hot

The show replaced the near superhero-like criminal investigator Kalinda Sharma with the super-sexy Jason Crouse who finally shared a kiss with Alicia last week. Jason is a man with a lot of confidence and doesn't seem like the type to be a married woman's plaything. He'll no doubt want a real relationship with Alicia.

5. Alicia needs to be a modern woman

One of the things that polarizes people about Hillary Clinton is that she stayed with Bill after years of his extramarital affairs. Some people see this as a strength but others, more likely the younger generation, see this as a weakness. It's finally time for Alicia to step out of her husband's shadow and put her own life first.

6. Alicia doesn't love Peter anymore

Not that love is the primary factor in all marriages, especially after several decades, but true romantic love seems to be important to Alicia. She needs to fill the hole in her heart that Peter left.

More: Spoiler alert: The Good Wife's creators explain major plot twist

7. Alicia owes it to Will Gardner

Now that Alicia knows about the message from Will where he expressed his true feelings for her, she owes it to his memory not to waste anymore time. Jason seems like a good match for her and Will would want her to be happy.

The Good Wife airs Sunday nights on CBS.

Many retailers are promoting special sales through the Presidents Day holiday weekend (Feb. 13 – 15), slashing prices on select items and in some cases discounting entire categories. Here is a roundup of some of our faves.

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Home goods

Sears: 

• Cannon 300TC sheet set, $25 to $40 (regularly $40 to $65)
• Cannon towels, $5 to $7 (regularly $8 to $10)
• Presidents Day Mattress Spectacular, up to 60 percent off queen-size mattresses, plus free delivery on orders $599 and up and other discounts on specific brands and types

Electronics

Microsoft Store:

• Microsoft Surface Pro 4, starting at $800 (was $900)
• Dell Inspiron laptop, $400 (was $650)
• VAIO Canvas 2-in-1 PC, starting at $997 (was $2,200)

hhgregg:

• LG 32-inch TV, $198 (was $280)
• Samsung 60-inch 4K TV, $998 (was $1,800)
• AEE Technology Action Camera, $300 (was $350)

Furniture

hhgregg:

• Jackson stylish sectional, $1,397 (regularly $2,197)
• Southern Motion Celebrity Media Chair, $450 (regularly $800)

Kitchen

Sears:

• Kenmore built-in dishwasher, $500  (regularly $880)
• Kenmore self-cleaning oven, $498 (regularly $830)
• Resto stovetop smoker set, $100 (regularly $200)

Best Buy:

• Samsung 4-door French door refrigerator, $2,195 (regularly $3,300)
• LG over-the-range microwave oven, $450 (regularly $550)
• Samsung freestanding gas range, $700 (regularly $1,000)