Tattoo removal is a growing trend, especially in the past few years, likely due to the fact that laser technology has improved significantly. In fact, according to the marketing company IBISWorld, the tattoo-removal industry is now worth $75.5 million, up 500 percent from a decade earlier. Apparently, like many other trends, what was once cool 10 years ago is so early ’00s today.

More: Tattoo removals are on the rise — here's how you can avoid tattoo regret

The unfortunate truth is, even if you're not drunk when you get a tattoo, there are many X factors that can make you second-guess your decision after the fact. You could have gone to a less than polished artist, and thus their work was less than stellar. Or you could have come in with what you thought was an awesome tattoo idea that ended up looking way less awesome in reality. Regardless of the reason, you have options if your body art is no longer doing it for you.

What not to try

First things first — this is one of those things where doing it yourself not only doesn't work, it could result in serious injury. Two painful and dangerous home treatments that people used to attempt years ago when laser treatments weren't as developed are dermabrasion and salabrasion.

Dermabrasion was literally just rubbing and scraping at your skin with anything abrasive, such as sandpaper, to remove the layers of skin that hold the tattoo. Salabrasion is essentially the same thing, except you use a heated salt solution to scrape away the skin. Sounds pleasant, right? Either of these methods may succeed in removing the tattoo, but a pretty nasty scar will be left in its place.

Two other tattoo-removal methods also sure to leave scars are scarification and cryosurgery. Both treatments use methods to burn away a tattoo, only the first uses a burning chemical like acid, and the other employs a freezing chemical.

More: Mark Wahlberg removing a funky bunch of tattoos

Laser is the way

Most dermatologists recommend laser tattoo removal as the definitive way to get rid of your unwanted tattoo with minimal pain and scarring. Dr. Paul Frank, founder and director of 5th Avenue Dermatology Surgery and Laser Center in New York City told us exactly how it works. "A high intensity light beam is targeted at the pigmentation, causing it to break apart, become absorbed into the body, and be excreted through the body’s natural immune system. The laser treatment causes the pigment to fade substantially over time, but is greatly depending on the age and color of the tattoo."

The procedure is gradual and can take anywhere from four to 12 treatments, depending on the size and detail level of the tattoo, to effectively remove most or all of it. It's also not cheap, with each session costing upwards of $350. There's usually little to no scarring, although Frank says a slight discoloration of the skin where the tattoo was is possible.

As far as how it feels, doctors tend to say it's uncomfortable but not painful. Patients, on the other hand, say it can feel worse than getting the tattoo; however, icing and OTC pain relievers will apparently do the trick after a particularly painful session.

Cover it up

If you're not in a position to spring for the pricey but most effective laser tattoo-removal treatments, there are simple makeup cover-ups available. Tattoo Camo and Tattoo Cosmetics sell kits that work pretty well at masking smaller tattoos. This is great if you have a special occasion like a wedding coming up, for which you'd rather your body art not be the focal point.

More: 7 Steps to cover a tattoo with makeup

It's good to know there's an effective solution if your decision to get permanent body art turns out to be a mistake. However, it's also important to remember how expensive, time-consuming and painful the removal process can be when you're first sitting down in that tattoo artist's chair.

The ladies of The View were reviewing footage of the most recent episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, where Kendall Jenner has a complete fit about her dad Caitlyn stealing her spotlight with plans to attend the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

More: NeNe Leakes gets an apology from a "shady" host of The View (VIDEO)

"OK, well, I don't want you to go," Kendall said. "You're gonna take the biggest night of my life and take it away from me? Thank you. No! You can't! You can come to the f***ing after-party. You can't come!"

The View hosts had a lot to say about this, starting with Behar — and her comment was pretty inappropriate.

"This is why the terrorists hate us, I'm convinced of it," she quipped.

More: Candace Cameron Bure reveals the real reason she walked off The View

Say what you will about the Kardashians, but blaming them for the deaths of innocents at the hands of terrorists is tacky and taking things a bit far.

The insults kept on coming, though. Behar definitely was not done. Later in the segment, she said, "Caitlyn wants some attention too now. One narcissist in the family is enough, how many do they need?"

More: The hosts of The View have a disgusting debate about which eating disorder is "better" (VIDEO)

This tweet from Kendall, while posted before Behar's comments, may sum up our reaction to this diatribe best:

Of course, this is far from the first time controversial opinions have been espoused on the show, and Behar has found herself in hot water recently too — most notably for dissing nurses and downplaying their extremely vital role in the health care field.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

"Absolutely, we would expect some sort of geometric thing to come out of that," Cudlitz said in a recent interview with People when asked if his character Abraham would be involved in the aforementioned love triangle in the second half of the season.

The "geometric thing" he speaks of just might not be a triangle, necessarily.

More: The Walking Dead spoilers: 6 Bloody theories about the rest of Season 6

"Well, everyone keeps saying, you know, 'Why are you going to choose her over her...' Why does anyone have to choose? It's the zombie apocalypse!" Cudlitz joked — we think. "Oh, now we have rules... Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, 'On our date tomorrow night we'll figure it out.'"

I mean, he kind of has a point. While fighting zombies and other crazed survivors, one can't really bothered with romantic drama.

When Sasha told Abraham he had "something to take care of" after he came on to her in Season 6 Episode 6, we all figured it meant she wanted him to break things off with Rosita. But this new info from Cudlitz takes our minds to whole new dirty places. Could Sasha have been propositioning Abe and Rosita for a threesome?

More: New The Walking Dead teaser hints at major trouble for Rick and company (VIDEO)

It's not surprising that Cudlitz has such a hilarious solution to the Rosita/Sasha conundrum, considering Abraham is known for having some of the best quips on The Walking Dead.

And what's Cudlitz's favorite Abe one-liner?

"'Who's Deanna?'" he told People. "I think that's become my favorite because it's... when it stands alone, 'Who's Deanna,' you sort of go, 'What does that mean?' But the way that it sort of rose, and the way that they edit it into the show, I think it speaks so much about Abraham and, you know, it just cuts through everything. I think that line best, sort of, personifies his personality and everything about him."

More: Lauren Cohan nearly left The Walking Dead over this heinous moment in Season 3

Watch Cudlitz talk more about Abraham below.

More: Aisha Corpas Wynn of Flipping Miami is a female entrepreneur you need to know

1. The Girl Boss: Janet Foutty, chairman and CEO, Deloitte Consulting

Foutty is the only female CEO to lead a consulting practice of such magnitude. Beyond being a powerhouse in the business world, she works tirelessly to empower women in the workplace. She is a champion for Deloitte’s Women’s Initiative and also founded Women in Technology groups in both India and the United States. Talk about the ultimate Girl Boss!

2. The Realist: Brené Brown, Author

Brown tops my list of favorite authors. She doesn’t sugarcoat reality, and she embraces vulnerability in a beautiful way. Her most recent book, Rising Strong, acknowledges that, while we all fall down, it’s how you pick yourself up that matters. Struggle is inevitable, but the ability to own it and be courageous in the face of a difficult situation is something I really admire. We all could learn a little something from this woman.

More: How the impact movement holds corporations to their mission of social giving

3. The Go-Getter: Alicia Quarles, Journalist

Quarles is one of those people who reminds us all to live life to the fullest. She goes beyond small talk and, true to her journalistic expertise, makes a point to get to know the real side of everyone she meets. She is also a fiercely loyal friend. When Diem Brown passed away of ovarian cancer, Alicia teamed up with Bright Pink to honor her friend’s memory by inspiring women everywhere to be proactive with their ovarian health.

4. The Dreamer: Jen Foyle, global brand president, Aerie, American Eagle Outfitters

Foyle is the brains behind the brilliant #AerieReal campaign. By taking a stand against retouching and instead focusing on body positivity, she was able to change the way a fashion-intimates brand communicates with young women, turning a bold vision into a wildly empowering campaign and inspiring women everywhere to love their real self. More leaders should dare to dream like this.

5. The Healthcare Revolutionary: Dr. Deborah Lindner, Bright Pink chief medical officer

Lindner dwells in possibility. As the CMO at Bright Pink, she is truly revolutionizing the way doctors care for their young female patients. Through the nonprofit's Women’s Health Provider Education Initiative, she is teaching the next generation of women’s health providers to identify and manage breast and ovarian cancer risk in their patients. In the next year, 14 million women are poised to receive more comprehensive breast and ovarian health care thanks to Lindner’s leadership.

And, because my list wouldn’t be complete without them ...

6. My stepdaughters, Lexie and Abby

These girls are my greatest inspiration. To me, they represent the next generation of strong, beautiful women, and they have made my life’s work at Bright Pink that much more important. Plus, there are no two people I’d rather drive to field hockey practice (while belting Taylor Swift!) than them.

More: Am I still a feminist if I'm a stay-at-home mom?

Don't miss Lindsay's pitch for her company Bright Pink on SheKnows.

I was speaking entirely from my own experience. After a crazed gurney ride to the OR, an impromptu slice-and-dice, a case of the shakes and some fumbling over the whole boob thing, the day was winding down and a nurse came in to ask if I was ready for bed. I totally was, so I said yes. After that she asked if I'd like to keep my brand-new baby in her cozy Tupperware bassinet in my room.

Because she asked it in a way that made it clear it wasn't really a question, and because I was woefully young and not at all practiced in telling people what I really wanted, I meekly agreed. It turned out to be a terrible idea. I didn't sleep at all, my incision killed, and I was wracked with guilt for wanting a night just to curl up and die until morning.

More: What happens when a modern mom parents like it's the '70s for a whole week

"It's OK," my husband told me the second night, while we were sleepily teamworking a clean diaper onto our infant as quietly as possible, both of us exhausted. "This will get easier when we get home."

It did not.

If you have a child, you probably already know why: The learning curve is steep, fast and filled with booby traps. I immediately regretted not taking the time to rest when I had it, which is why I so often turned around years later to urge my friends to do it. It doesn't mean you're a bad mom or that you hate your baby. It just means you might need a little shut-eye after the phenomenal, kind of terrifying and physically traumatizing experience of giving birth. Take it while you can!

Obviously, I don't give that advice out anymore, mostly because after watching said friends give birth — sometimes literally — I was clued into the painfully obvious fact that motherhood is not a one-size-fits-all experience. My regretting something didn't mean someone else would feel the same way. Some people want to room-in, because everyone is different — and that's OK (thanks, Sesame Street)! It's nice to have choices.

More: Stunning photos could change the way you see children with autism

Which is why it's so disappointing to learn that as hospitals begin to embrace the WHO's Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, they do so in a way that removes those choices.

Massachusetts, for example, is just one state of many that has been slowly restricting or shutting down access to hospital nurseries, because according to the initiative's "gold standard of care," babies must be in the immediate vicinity of their mothers in order to encourage exclusive breastfeeding. It's this key goal that has also seen the disappearance of formula samples from nurseries and hospital supply rooms all over the country.

In the Boston Globe's piece on the way that hospitals migrate away from these once commonplace standards, there's a particularly troubling glimpse into what happens when hospital staff attempt to arbitrate when moms should and should not be allowed to reject rooming-in:

"Hospitals say they do of course allow for exceptions, particularly for medical reasons and if a mother is so exhausted she can barely function. And the level of strictness varies.

Sometimes nurses struggle to 'identify that breaking point' when it’s time to take the baby and 'avoid the meltdown situation,' said Liz O’Mara, a nurse manager at Yale-New Haven Hospital, which delivers 5,600 babies a year."

This is the gold standard of care? Being allowed to recover from a major bodily strain or even surgery in a hospital but only once you're at a "breaking point?" It seems to me there are very few other patients in the rest of the hospital that would need to meet a baseline of "too exhausted to function" before someone gave them the care they requested and paid for.

That just seems wrong. There's plenty of discussion to be had about what's best for babies, about encouraging breastfeeding and allowing for closeness and being responsible when it comes to marketing formula. None of these things are bad on the surface. In fact, they can be great and should be easily available as options for the moms who want them.

But babies don't appear out of thin air. They require gestation and delivery, and usually that involves another person: a mother. She is also the very same person who will be expected to hit the moving target that is society's expectations of "good motherhood" and more than likely bear the brunt of childcare for the next 18 years of that baby's life.

Shouldn't we just check in with her really quick and make sure she's OK before we tell her that step one in good mothering is relinquishing any sense of autonomy because she just doesn't know what's good for her? Do we not owe her just a little more than to be seen as a babymaking and feeding machine? And if she says, "I really need this one night to recover," isn't that worth listening to?

More: 18 Celebrities who've gotten real about miscarriages to erase the stigma

I would not have a baby-free night for two whole years after I went home with my baby. I know because my entire life was made of numbers during the fog of her babyhood. Four days into my daughter's life my milk came in. It was so painful I went through one bulk box of Puffs to stem the flow of tears and snot.

Two days later, I went back to four classes and two jobs — six weeks earlier than my doctor recommended. Ten days after that, I had 19 staples removed, numbers 20 and 21 having been torn out by accident the day before.

Two hours and 30 minutes was the average sleep time I got each night for three months, which were always divided into thirds: work, homework and baby. The number 692 is how many days I struggled with postpartum depression, and on the 728th day of my daughter's life, I finally got a night to myself. The entire time, I could not stop wishing I could have had back those two little nights in the hospital.

Of course, the nurse who asked me that condescension-saturated question back when I most needed to be cared for and not judged had no way of knowing those things about me. But isn't that the point?

I knew them, and I knew I needed a break that night. And while my refusal to take one is on me, it really sucks to know that if I had to go through it again now, there would be even fewer choices.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below:

Something changed about three years ago. It started with my son dedicating himself to an exercise plan that helped him shed the excess weight he’d been carrying throughout childhood. Within six months, a leaner young man emerged from his soft, fleshy cocoon, and with the loss of pounds came the loss of something else — his kindness toward others.

More: Dad claims not vaccinating his kids has made them smarter

I didn’t see it right away. Maybe the warning signs were there all along, and I refused to see them. Maybe it’s hard to accept that your child — the kid you’ve poured all your love and hope into — can turn into a complete asshole.

The day of reckoning came when a few kids were skateboarding near our driveway. I thought they were there to hang out with my son and told them he’d left for the gym and would be back in an hour or so. The kids gave one another uncomfortable glances, before one, a boy I knew well, told me my son didn’t like them anymore.

“What do you mean he doesn’t like you?” I asked.

“It’s just that, he’s different,” the boy answered. “He isn’t that nice anymore.” 

Another child, one I knew who had a habit of saying exactly what was on his mind, spoke up. “I’ll just say it. Excuse my language, but he’s been a real dick.” 

More: She was raised by the Tiger Mom, but she's not complaining

I spent a few more moments listening to them detail the rude remarks my son would make about them and practically every other student in their class. He used words that were all too familiar, slurs he himself had been called before he’d lost weight. It pained me to hear them, but somehow I knew it was true.

I’d watched over the past few months as my son grew increasingly agitated and unkind to his older brother — mocking him about his food choices, criticizing him for not exercising more. I intervened but just chalked the attitude up to normal brotherly interactions and teenage hormones.

The warning signs were all there, but I couldn’t believe that my son, who had felt the shame and hurt caused by others who teased him, would go through all the hard work to change his physical appearance and then become a bully to those who hadn’t.

Later that evening, I pulled my son aside and talked to him about what the kids told me.

“What? They need to lose weight. People said it to me and now look — I’ve lost weight,” he said.

I spent an hour gesticulating wildly as I tried repeatedly to impress upon my son how completely NOT OK his behavior was. He semi-listened, and when I caught him rolling his eyes, I sent his ass to his room for the night.

More: 8 Times moms need to 'let it go' when they're fighting with the kids

Like my son, I, too, had been bullied, and for a short while I found empowerment through bullying others. It wasn’t something I was proud of but a truth nonetheless. After years of being shoved, made fun of and threatened, I found courage in fighting back — and eventually fighting first so that no one could hurt me. I suspected my son was dealing with the same illogical thinking.

Later that night, I asked if I could speak to him again, this time more calmly. I shared with him how I had been teased about my looks, intimidated by kids who wanted to prove themselves to others. I told him how that manifested itself later as a determination to never let anyone hurt me and how I’d done many cruel, stupid things to people who didn’t deserve it because I thought I was protecting myself.

He listened and didn’t say a word.

“I think you’re criticizing others and being unkind because people were very unkind to you. I think part of the issue is you still haven’t learned to love yourself or accept your body, and therefore you have a hard time accepting others. Ultimately, son, I think you’re going about this whole respect thing the wrong way,” I said.

I’d like to tell you that the one talk changed my son for good, but it’s not true. Sure, he was a lot nicer to others following our discussion, but even years later, I still have to occasionally remind him to be tolerant and kind. He is a work in progress, like I am, and hopefully by the time he reaches adulthood, I’ll have chipped away that bully facade.

But he has learned an important lesson in humility, especially when I’ve made him apologize to the people he’s hurt. Nothing shuts a mean mouth up quicker than a slice of humble pie.

As parents, it’s easy to overlook our children’s bad qualities or to not believe that when they are out of earshot, they could be cruel or unkind to other children. We can do a better job of paying attention to their flaws and working with them to deal with their own insecurities without having to stomp all over others in the process. That’s why we’re here.

Evans' mom Barbara has had custody of Jace for quite some time while Evans dealt with her relationship and substance abuse issues. But now Evans says she finally has her life together — thanks in no small part to her boyfriend David Eason — and she wants her son back.

Unfortunately, that is easier said than done.

More: Jenelle Evans undergoes major medical tests after health scare (PHOTOS)

In a new blog post, Evans said she moved back to North Carolina in a bid to prove to her mom that she is ready to be Jace's mom again, but Barbara is not being as cooperative as Evans had hoped she would be.

"Moving back to North Carolina was also such a big deal to me because, of course, as everyone knows, I do not have custody of my first son, Jace," Evans wrote. "I was going to wait for it and see how my mom felt about me moving back, hoping and praying I can have my son as well. It seems like things aren't changing as of now. Within this past couple of weeks, I realized I'm going to fight a tough battle between my own mother and me because she will not let me have my son back. I think maybe she's too attached to him, or maybe she doesn't want to be alone. I never thought my mother would still put up such a battle with me, knowing I'm sober, knowing my dating life is perfect, and everything has been smooth sailing since I've moved back.

"Whatever the case may be, I think I've waited long enough," she continued. "I'm hoping within these next couple of months that getting custody of Jace is going to be the biggest accomplishment I've ever made in my life, and I cannot wait until that day!"

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

But getting Jace back might not be the only reunion Evans has in store. According to Radar Online, her estranged father Robert says he would be open to a reunion after having no contact with his daughter for 10 years — but he put the ball squarely in her court.

"Yeah I would probably like to get in contact with her," he said. "If she wants to get ahold of me, my number is in the phone book. She can call me anytime she wants."

One Twitter user had a theory about Jenelle's mom that, if true, wrapped up both the situation with Jace and the situation with Robert perfectly.

Of course, Robert could have easily looked her up years ago, regardless of anything Barbara may have said or done.

The only response Evans has had to his comments so far has been to retweet the above comment, but she plans to elaborate on why her father left her family in her upcoming book.

These simple cookies are an orange and white chocolate twist to the typical chocolate chip cookie: lightly flavored with citrus and vanilla and then jazzed up when sandwiched with a super-easy semi-homemade vanilla-orange frosting. You will go crazy for these cookies that make you think of creamsicles.

Orange creamsicle sandwich cookies recipe

Yields 8

Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes | Inactive time: 20 minutes | Total time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

For the cookies

• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup white chocolate chips or chunks

For the cream filling

Directions:

For the cookies

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees F, and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper, then set aside.
2. In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt, and set aside.
3. To the bowl of an electric mixer, add the sugar, butter, orange zest, orange extract and vanilla bean paste. Mix together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
4. Add in the egg, and mix until combined.
5. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add in the flour mixture until well combined. Stir in the white chocolate chips or chunks.
6. Bake for about 10 – 13 minutes or until the edges are just lightly browned.
7. Let the cookies cool, then spread a generous amount of orange cream frosting in the middles, and sandwich the cookies together.

For the cream frosting

More cookie recipes

Deep-dish chocolate chip cookie pie
Lower-fat Mexican wedding cookies
4-Ingredient peanut butter cookies

More: 6 Reasons women support Justin Trudeau

1. Abortion access

On the campaign trail, Trudeau boldly tweeted: "The days when old men get to decide what a woman does with her body are long gone." What fresh words coming from a politician! But 100 days in, Canadians still don't have access to safe, publicly funded abortions in every province. On Prince Edward Island, the activist network Abortion Access Now is taking its province to court (announcing this in January), as islanders must travel out of province and pay out of pocket — which not everyone can afford to do — for publicly funded abortions.

While campaigning, Trudeau told the PEI newspaper The Guardian it was "important that every Canadian across this country has access to a full range of health services, including full reproductive services, in every province in the country." I'm also hoping he'll dial up Planned Parenthood International's federal funding when he unveils his 2016–17 federal budget.

The verdict? Trudeau is talking the talk on the need for reproductive justice in Canada, but I'm still waiting for some real action.

2. Action on missing and murdered aboriginal women

Aboriginal women and girls are "over-represented among Canada's murdered and missing women," with over 1,200 cases documented between 1980 and 2012 (according to an RCMP report). On the campaign trail, Trudeau promised to launch an inquiry into the tragic fates of these women and girls. Now, Trudeau's pre-inquiry is under way — a series of meetings between the minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, the minister of Canadian Heritage, representatives from First Nations and Inuit organizations, victims' family members and members of the police force began in January in 18 cities.

In an interview with a First Nations youth advocate for CBC, Trudeau recently admitted, "This office, this place, this parliament, has failed indigenous peoples in this country for a long, long time." And he said, in a public CBC Forum this month, that he hopes to challenge the "pervasive culture" on police forces that causes officers to value aboriginal lives less.

The verdict? Trudeau has taken some positive concrete actions on this tragic issue, but he has a long, hard road ahead of him.

More: Canada's new cabinet is so diverse, there's even an openly ginger member

3. Expanding parental leave

Trudeau made an election promise to expand parental leave from 12 to 18 months, while making changes to the Employment Insurance program, though Canadians are still waiting to see if he'll follow through with this. Some don't believe that simply expanding parental leave as Trudeau proposes will properly address gender inequality in the workplace: Queen's University professor Kathleen Lahey says it's important to focus on other needs women have, such as affordable childcare. She also points out that low-income women who don't quality for employment insurance won't reap the benefits: "So it’s essentially people in the middle and higher-income ranges who benefit."

The verdict? While parental leave needs to be expanded, Trudeau needs to rethink his approach to address the lack of affordable childcare many women face and the particular needs of low-income women.

4. Combatting domestic violence

On the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (December 6, 2015), Trudeau issued a statement that promised his party would "introduce legislation that will provide greater support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault." We have yet to see that legislation.

“We all have an important role to play in stopping violence against women and girls, and in denouncing misogyny in all its forms. Like all parents, I want my daughter to grow up in a safe community and a safe world," stressed Trudeau, pointing out that on a typical day in Canada, 8,000 women and children are sleeping in shelters, the majority of whom are fleeing abusive situations.

The verdict? I'm still waiting to see what concrete action Trudeau will take to stop violence against women, but I like the sound of the new legislation.

5. Gender balance in parliament

Trudeau made international headlines when he created a "gender-balanced cabinet," appointing 15 men and 15 women. When asked why gender balance was important to him, he simply stated, "Because it's 2015." The new cabinet features female members who'll help determine Canada's stance on everything ranging from the justice system and health to indigenous and international affairs and the environment. However, it's still not perfect — men still dominate the conversation. A Citizen analysis found that female cabinet members responded 46 times to opposition questions in the first week of Parliament, while male ministers responded to 98 questions, getting almost double the talk time.

The verdict? Trudeau's gender-balanced cabinet is a positive first step, but he needs to take measures to ensure female voices get heard.

More: Justin Trudeau's response to the question of gender balance is perfect

More: How to enjoy summer get-togethers without sacrificing your health

As the days start to get longer and spring break is around the corner, it's time to start coming out of your winter hibernation, and nothing is more energizing than a quality girls night in with some of your faves!

However, as much as we love a good girlfriends night, it often leaves us with a food and/or wine hangover. Fear not! I have tried many things when it comes to "skinny swaps" and have picked two favorites. They are perfect opposites and go amazingly well together — without the guilt (or the lengthy prep)!

So, why only one drink and one snack option? If you're hosting, make it easy on yourself. The key is getting together with your friends. You don’t always have to make it a big, formal undertaking. If you've offered to host, have your friends each bring their own favorite snack or drink if they prefer something different.

Otherwise, let these two staples be the guilt-free staples, and you can’t go wrong!

More: How to pick a champagne you won't regret come Jan. 1

The snack: three-ingredient healthy nachos

These are crazy good. You don’t even have to tell anyone they're way lower in calories, just go ahead and dig in! Ready to try it?

Ingredients:

• Original potato Popchips
• Your favorite salsa
• 1/2 cup goat or feta cheese, or to taste

Optional toppings:

• Chopped black olives
• Chopped tomatoes
• Chives

Directions:

Arrange Popchips on platter as desired. Use a spoon to sprinkle on salsa and cheese (and any of the other toppings you desire), creating as many layers as you wish — just keep layering the Popchips, salsa and cheese. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes, until cheese is melted.

Note: These crispy chips are a really perfect swap to traditional tortilla chips — and a lot healthier! You can make this platter using plain Popchips, or try any of the flavors. I love the sour cream and onion flavor! I also really loved my toppings combo — sweet, spicy and cheesy — perfect game food or anytime munchie!

The sip: Popping Prosecco

If you like champagne, prosecco is the Italian version — but slightly sweeter tasting and slightly less expensive. It's also lower in alcohol and calories than regular wine. Since it’s already bubbly, I top the last third of the glass with sparkling water or club soda. This way you stay hydrated, your drink lasts longer, and you save about 50 calories per glass of a normal white or red. It’s a total win!

So try it, and let me know what you think! Have more ideas for healthy swaps (that don’t mean 'swapping out taste')? Let me know in the comments below — I’m always looking for new ideas!

More: The best workout for when you're 'too busy' to work out

Amanda Russell is a top-rated fitness and lifestyle writer, professional keynote speaker, Olympic-trained athlete, model, spokeswoman, founder of fitstrongandsexy.com and one of the industry's leading experts on fitness, wellness and change. She hosts and executive produces the online fitness series Fit Strong and Sexy. To watch Russell's show, visit youtube.com/AmandaRussell.

You remember, right? It was that excruciating stretch of time when fan favorite Glenn (Steven Yeun) lived — or at least we hoped we was living — in a state of limbo as AMC danced all around his fate.

The biggest factor working against fans' favor, of course, was the incredibly gruesome scene in which Glenn appeared to watch as his entrails were ripped out and eaten by a ravenous throng of walkers. Also not hopeful? The fact that the producers removed his name from the opening credits.

Those factors, coupled with zero social media activity on Yeun's account, were enough to drive anyone stark raving mad.

Of course, as we all now know, Glenn survived by rolling under a dumpster. Yay! Glenn's alive! But booooo, producers tortured us for weeks on end. I think that adequately captures the most prevailing sentiments upon learning Glenn avoided a grisly death.

And while it would be easy to be irked at AMC for toying with our emotions, Yeun — who is opening up for the first time about Glenn's near-death storyline — insists their intentions weren't malicious. In fact, they were actually trying to honor the The Walking Dead experience for fans.

For starters, he says, they were simply trying to do something authentic. They decided on a certain path, and then they pursued that path singularly.

"I was all gung-ho and in for it, and whatever anybody wants to say about the execution — people might be bummed about it or be fine with it, and I have my own personal opinions about it — but the core of it all is really that we went for something, that we tried something, in a time when we're getting drudged-down, safe versions of everything," Yeun told EW.

Naturally, not everyone was going to be fan of their approach. But really, what else were the network, producers and cast supposed to do? Make it abundantly apparent Glenn wasn't dead? Wouldn't that have taken even more away from the viewing experience?

"We tried for something that could have been dangerous, and to some, it was," Yeun acknowledged. "And to some, they didn't like it, and things became polarizing to an extent for that move. But I never felt like our heart was at a place where we were trying to deceive the audience. Never were we like, 'People are going to go crazy for this!' It was more just like, 'Let's tell this story and make it compelling and make it purposeful.'"

Showrunner Scott M. Gimple also defended the decision to EW. "This is a smart audience that has been through almost six years of this show now, and it's very difficult," he pointed out of maintaining any mystery. "The audience are seasoned survivors now."

As far as Yeun's radio silence on social media goes, he says that was an intentional choice he made (once again) with the fans in mind.

"We live in a place where you can deduce what's happening on a show based on whether the actor is present in a city or somewhere. And so, for me, again, it wasn't coming from a place of, I'm going to deceive the audience. It was coming from a place of, I don't want to spoil anything for anybody on how you're going to consume or take in a storyline. So the best way to do that is to literally say nothing, and just get off the accessible grid."

The reality is that fans weren't duped nearly as much as they could have been. If Gimple's original vision had come to fruition, Yeun would have appeared on Talking Dead — an act most fans consider to be a telltale sign of a character's demise.

But, according to Yeun, the powers that be couldn't come to a consensus about doing so and thus that idea was scrapped. Even if it hadn't been, however, Yeun still stands by the team's decision to protect the viewing experience for the fans.

"I think the intentions were always just to create the maximum digestion of the story," Yeun said, "if that makes sense."

What do you think? Sound off about Yeun's comments below.

What a game-changer! Unfortunately, it was available only in Canada, and it sold out almost immediately. No worries — now you can make your own Doritos bouquet...

DIY Doritos bouquet

Makes 12 roses

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of Doritos
• 1 can of spray cheese
• 12 artificial flower stems

Directions:

1. Remove rose petals

Carefully remove the rose petals from the artificial flower stems.

2. Add the center petal

Fill the center of the artificial flower with spray cheese. Select a curly Dorito and place it in the center of the flower.

3. Add the outer petals

Add three to five Doritos around the center petal, securing with spray cheese as needed. Set the flowers in a safe place for a few hours while the cheese hardens and keeps the petals in place.

4. Assemble the bouquet

Once the cheese has hardened, put the flowers back on the stems. Add them to a vase or a favorite glass, and they are ready to deliver to your Valentine.

Wow, is this a sign of true love or what? This is the hand-made gift that shows you really care... and you really get your sweetheart. Happy Valentine's Day!

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

More Valentine's Day food ideas

Healthy Valentine's Day treats
Heart-shaped crepes recipe
5 Unexpected ways to eat more red velvet (VIDEO)

More: Underlights may be the most genius coloured-hair trend yet (PHOTOS)

But someone else did think of it, and the new trend is quickly garnering attention as women expertly twist or braid their hair in order to achieve a "horn." It's pretty awesome, and Instagram has all the proof you need.

Now you don't have to admire unicorns — you can actually be one.

Go one step further than candy-coloured hair — go full unicorn, thanks to clever braiding.

The look requires a lot of hairspray — and may be hard to brush out, but it looks awesome.

More: 10 Bold and funky makeup looks to try out in 2016

But how do you create your own unicorn horn at home? Luckily, there's a YouTube tutorial from Venus Angelic, who shows unicorn lovers just how "transform into a magical unicorn cutie."

More: Sephora's newest makeup collection is a must-have for Disney lovers

First, take your bangs and some of the hair at the top of your head and create a ponytail. Secure it with an elastic band as you would usually, just pull it all the way until you get to the very last loop.

Then twist the hair around the bun, creating a cone-like shape. Make the cone pointier by pulling the top of it.

Finish the look with a lot of hairspray.

The look is not for everyone, but for those who are a bit more adventurous, this is definitely something to try out — and the perfect way to unleash your inner mythical being.

What do you think of this look? Tell us in the comments section below.

Kardashian is just getting back on her feet emotionally after her ex Lamar Odom almost died of a drug overdose in a Las Vegas brothel, but she says the experience left her with one startling realization: She has The Shine.

During a session with a colorstrologist (we have no idea what that is either), Kardashian told her bestie Malika Haqq that she knew something very bad had happened to Odom hours before she got official word of his overdose.

More: Khloé Kardashian rates her sexcapades in a brutally honest blog post

"I've always been known to have premonitions," she explained in a clip shared exclusively via her app. "When my ex, he just had an accident, and the morning of, I was driving, and I told my mom, 'I have a feeling,' I just had a visual I was planning Lamar's funeral."

She continued, "I was like, 'You need to call and make sure he's OK.' And I had a photo shoot, and on my way home from the photo shoot, they said he got into that accident."

Luckily she did not have to plan his funeral — although Odom was in a coma and it was touch and go for a while, he seems to be recovering nicely. He spent Super Bowl Sunday hiking with Kardashian and is about to make his first official public appearance since the incident at Kanye West's presentation at New York Fashion Week.

More: Khloé Kardashian reveals details about her sex tape with Lamar Odom

"Lamar is very nervous to be making his first public appearance," a source told E! News. “He spoke to Kim [Kardashian] and Kanye about their thoughts about him attending the Kanye show before, but it was Khloé's ultimate decision.

"Kanye personally invited him, but he wouldn't make this huge appearance without the support and green light from Khloé... [she] is making all the calls on what Lamar is doing and who he speaks to this trip and won't be leaving his side.

"Doctors all made sure he was OK to fly," the source added. "He has been taking it easy since he arrived to New York."

Look for new photos of the pair at the show soon!

More: Khloé Kardashian spotted with ex after her split from James Harden

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

The charm of a handwritten letter is that it is a timeless art form, tangible and real in every way that’s important. No matter what your financial status is, a handwritten letter is priceless. You can’t get that feeling from an emoji. A letter will always offer an experience that modern technology and invisible superhighways cannot touch.

More: The best advice two love experts have for long-term relationships

Instagram is good for boasting about what you had for lunch. Emails may help you with quick and easy business communications, but a handwritten letter will stand as the historical record of your joys, your promises, your frustrations, your praise, your gratitude and acknowledgement of your significant other.

This will be a record they can touch, examine, smile over and save to remember time and time again. The moments you commit to paper stay stored in their memory. You become that guy — or girl. So, that’s what we are going to do. Talk is cheap, but a letter can show someone how much you care.

The project: What is the most uplifting, beautiful thing you can say to someone?

Tools:

• Pen (gel tip or felt tip pens are my favorite)
• Note cards or paper
• Envelopes (see that “envelopes” is plural. You’ll see why you need more than one in a minute)

Directions:

1. Take a small envelope. Label it "Open when…" (Add teaser here. See example teasers in the list below)
2. Take a note card and write down something special  —  something personal  —  that you love about your special person or your relationship. What is something sexy they do that they don’t know is sexy? What can you say to let them know, “I care — deeply”?
3. Place the note card inside the envelope and seal it.
4. Arrange the letters and present them in a clear glass bowl, in a shoe box with a ribbon wrapped around all the letters, or — for bonus points — arranged to look like a bouquet of flowers. Arranged properly, you will have created an actual bouquet of love letters.

More: 4 Easy phrases that will make your spouse feel appreciated

You can write a full-length letter, it can be a quick statement, a photograph, a game or treasure hunt. The options vary. I’ll let you be the judge of that. I know you’re wondering what “teasers” to put on the outside of the envelopes, so here are a few: Open when…

• You feel like you’re going through it alone
• You need to know how much you matter to me
• You need a REAL laugh-out-loud moment
• It’s raining on your windowpane
• You think your life is a punch line
• You need courage
• You feel like giving up
• You need a “cherry on top” of your already amazing day
• You need a promise honored
• You need an adventure
• You start to doubt yourself
• Getting out of bed was the best you could do for the day
• You’re thinking of me
• You’re thinking of us
• You think I’m not paying attention

Of course, feel free to add to this list!

This task of writing the letter will require your undivided attention. Phones off. Laptops closed.

You have no idea how much that letter could influence future smiles, moods of the hour and renewed hope. Your special recipient will never be able to look at an envelope the same again, whether you are in their life or not. They will be saved, cherished and you will be remembered. That is the legacy-leaving power of your letter.

You are now that guy or girl.

More: Why we should all start seizing the moment with our love lives

More articles at pucknkhaos.com

More: Kanye West slammed for shocking Bill Cosby opinion

According to The Source, a Los Angeles judge opted to dismiss Dickinson's defamation lawsuit that she had filed against Cosby and his lawyer, Marty Singer.

The report says Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Debra Weintraub made the decision to toss out the defamation suit, but prosecution will proceed in the sexual assault case based on a criminal report filed against Cosby by Dickinson. The criminal report was filed by Dickinson first and then she later amended it to include the lawsuit for defamation against both Cosby and his attorney.

In court documents, Dickinson alleges that Cosby invited her to Lake Tahoe under the premise of discussing a job offer, where she says he then gave her a glass of wine and a pill and raped her.

More: Bill Cosby's lawyer files to dismiss assault case for reasons that may be justified

Dickinson is just one of dozens of women who have come forward in the last several months accusing Cosby of rape and sexual assault over a span of more than 40 years — most of his career. Though Cosby doesn't have any convictions, he was first accused of sexual assault more than a decade ago and is now at the center of a number of investigations and lawsuits related to the flood of accusations that have been made against him in the last year.

Cosby has denied all of the accusations.

More: Camille Cosby is fighting back against Bill Cosby rape charges

Do you think Janice Dickinson's defamation case against Bill Cosby should have stood? Head down to the comments and share your thoughts with us.

More: Teresa Giudice's time behind bars was made easier, thanks to prison friends

Shortly after her own release after nearly a year behind bars, Giudice opened up to People magazine about her worries for her husband's 41-month sentence, set to begin soon.

"I don't know how men are all together in a group," Giudice says. "I know how women are catty, and there's a lot of drama. I heard [that] the men's camp where we were, they weren't like that. They weren't all about the drama."

In the video interview, Giudice also talks about her marriage, saying it's as strong as ever and that all those cheating rumors that were going around while she was locked up were definitely untrue. On top of that, she said she doesn't blame her husband for landing her in prison.

"He had no intention whatsoever to hurt me in any way," she says. "I know in my heart that he would never do anything to hurt me."

More: Teresa Giudice reveals how her childhood made her "really strong"

Both Giudices pleaded guilty in 2014 to a series of charges related to fraud. They were allowed to serve their sentences at different times so one of them could remain home with their children. Teresa was released early just before Christmas, allowing some time between the end of her sentence and the beginning of Joe's. Reports say they've been making the most of their short time as a family before Joe departs to spend nearly four years in prison.

That means this Valentine's Day will be the last one they have together until 2020, unless Joe is released early, and Teresa revealed that she has simple plans to celebrate.

"I would love to take a Jacuzzi bath with my honey," she says.

More: Sharon Osbourne apologizes for comment about Teresa Giudice's prison rape

Check out the full video below, and then head to the comments and tell us how you think Joe Giudice will handle his 41 months in prison.

1. Primer oil

Primers certainly have their place but when I saw Smashbox unveil their Photo Finish Primer Oil and read the ingredients, I quickly realized it was nothing more than a facial oil. Now, don't get me wrong; I love facial oils and apply them nightly. However, applying a facial oil prior to foundation likely won't make your foundation last any longer, which is one of the key benefits of a primer itself. It could even add extra slip to oily skin types, achieving the opposite effect. I don't hate the idea of prepping skin with oil at all, but if you already own one you love, no need to buy a "primer oil" too!

More: How to match your facial oil to your skin type

2. Lip serum

When I first tried the Fresh Sugar Lip Serum, I had high hopes as I really enjoy the Fresh lip balms and many of their other products. However, when I read that this is a serum, best used under a balm, I had to sigh. A good lip balm should hydrate well enough on its own and I'm definitely not into spending an extra $36 for an extra layer under my lip balm. Many eye creams can actually be used around the lip area so a separate lip serum just seems unnecessary.

3. Dry conditioner

After dousing your hair with dry shampoo, if you're then adding dry conditioner, you may as well just wash your hair at this point. After adding a dry conditioner to your hair, you're left with hair full of product that's not any cleaner than when you started.

4. DD cream

Mother Mary, can we stop with the BB, CC, DD, etc.? They are all essentially tinted moisturizers with a bit more coverage and extra skin care benefits. If you've got a BB, you don't need a DD. I raise an eyebrow when a product promises everything and then some, so usually you're better off with a solid skin care routine and a great foundation or tinted moisturizer. Done and done.

5. Mascara primer

A mascara primer is adding an initial layer to your lashes to plump and thicken them up. However, you could achieve that same effect simply by layering coats of mascara. The primer may have an extra conditioning ingredient or two, but the thickening effect is minimal.

More: Sephora's newest makeup collection is a must-have for Disney lovers

6. Lip scrub

Melbourne has been voted the most liveable city in the world a few times over the years, which proud Melbournians will slip into conversation at any chance they can, but a parody tourism video about the Victorian capital is brutally honest about what life in Melbourne is really like.

The video was created by Darrell Hawkins and Daniel Mu behind the Facebook page How Many Stars? who have begun making parody tourism videos about different Australian cities, with Canberra and Melbourne the first two to be featured.

More: Melbourne cottage featured in Beyoncé film clip is on the market

"Why not consider a short stay in Melbourne, the most liveable capital city in Victoria?" Mu asks in his much-loved monotonous tone in the clips introduction.

Melbourne is known for its edgy art scene, he says, as a shot of unappealing tags are seen in an alleyway of an unknown area of the city.

It's also a city known for its vibrant coffee culture, he goes on, as the camera pans across stocked shelves full of instant coffee.

We mustn't forgot how unpredictable the weather can be in Melbourne, with it's four seasons in one day.

Image: How many stars?

And the colourful laneways where you never know what you'll come across.

Both originally from Melbourne, the pair decided to put the microscope on their former stomping ground.

"We're both from Melbourne but we thought it was time to pay tribute to our hometown," Hawkins told 3AW breakfast radio.

But Hawkins and Mu aren't picking on Melbourne, they're simply taking note of how Melbournians talk about their own city.

More: 10 Cat videos we hope make it to the Cat Video Festival 2016 in Melbourne

"I actually think it's more things that Melbournians like to make fun of their own city," he says of the video, which features the notorious Melbourne Star, the Shane Warne bronze statue and Melbourne's colourful alleyways.

"After we produced Canberra: How Many Stars? during a long slow summer, we thought it was finally time to give back to our home town and review it formally," he said.

"Melbournians are insecure about where their city sits in the global pecking order and is therefore a very easy target."

Video: How many stars?/YouTube

What do you think about the Melbourne tourism video parody? Let us know.

More: Why Australia was named the 2016 destination of the year

An online lawyer service called First4lawyers decided to take it upon themselves to debunk the "Valentine's Day is for couples" myth. Not sure why a lawyer company was the group to tackle this, but hey, maybe they'll get a few divorce cases out of it. They surveyed 2,000 people in the United Kingdom, both single and coupled alike, and discovered that while 35 percent of singles wished they were in a relationship on V-Day, 34 percent of people in a relationship wished they weren't. So the next time your single friend makes you feel bad for being part of a twosome on V-Day, throw that fun statistic at her.

A whopping 70 percent of people in relationships also said the holiday was nothing special to them. And only 10 percent of those couples said that was because their kids took all the romance out of the day. The rest just believe it's a meaningless holiday designed by the candy and flower companies to make us spend more money.

More: 13 Valentine's Day gift ideas to spoil your mom

As a person who's been in a relationship longer than online dating's been a thing (for real), this totally resonates with me. I love my fiancé, but our Valentine's Days together have been either super mundane or fraught with anxiety over what we choose to do with it. As I'm sure most people know, getting a reservation on V-Day is next to impossible, and even if you manage it, you'll likely be paying an astronomical prix fixe for the same meal you'd get for 25 percent less on any other night. As such, it really puts a damper on the "romance" factor. Personally, I'd much rather spend the day drinking with friends (my guy can be there too) and/or staying in and watching horror films.

More: 25 GIFs that celebrate single life and why it's nothing to be ashamed of

That last part apparently resonates with single people too. According to the survey, 66 percent of single people said they'll probably be spending the "most romantic day of the year" at home, catching up on their favorite program. You see? Our capitalist society has built up this holiday so much that it's made all of us want to just lay low and hide from it until it's over.

Why not rename the holiday International We're All Fabulous Day and make it so that we all can just hang out together and celebrate how great we are as individuals? That sounds better than spending the day feeling crappy for not having a partner or fretting over overpriced plans. Based on the numbers, everyone feels pressure to be a perfect couple on V-Day, so no one ends up having a good time. Let's just change the game, break the line between singles and couples and party like we're all back in college. I'll bring the tequila.