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9 cartoons I love binge-watching with my daughter

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Cartoons are really fun! I love to spend all my free time with my daughter, and we usually end up watching her favorite cartoons. I discovered I have a few favorites of my own. They have very appealing colors, scenery, many educational benefits, and there's such a huge selection! Here is our must-watch, mommy-approved list.

More: 8 reasons HGTV's 'Fixer Upper' is the best home-renovation show

1. Maya the Bee

Maya is a lovely talking bee that shares good stories with moral and educational lessons about living in the middle of nature. With the other main characters — her partner bee Willy, Flip the musician grasshopper and teacher Mrs. Cassandra — Maya is much loved by kids of all ages.

Where to watch: Netflix

2. Special Agent Oso

This colorful special agent is an interactive teddy bear who shows how to help children through tasks like blowing bubbles, brushing their teeth, learning to use the library and cleaning their rooms. As the main character of the series, he always has positive messages.

Where to watch: Netflix

3. Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom

Friendship, kindness and teamwork are the great skills that fairy princess Holly and elf Ben teach kids through their stories. This British series has such great visual effects it seems you're really in the forest along with them.

Where to watch: Amazon Video

4. Wallykazam!

The troll Wally Trollman is the main character who uses his magic stick to turn words into physical objects or occurrences, along with his pet dragon Norville and other friends. New words taught to kids from the sound of the letters help kids improve their speaking.

Where to watch: Amazon Video

5. Shaun the Sheep

Shaun is a brave sheep with a heart of gold. Sometimes he gets his flock into trouble with his funny adventures, but he always tries to find new solutions. We find a lot of humor and positive messages in this British stop-motion animated TV series.

Where to watch: Amazon Video

More: 10 translated European books you should have on your bookshelf

6. Puffin Rock

On a fictional island on the Irish coast, young puffin Oona explores the world with her little brother, Baba. They and their friends are curious about everything they see and hear as they learn about various matters of science, friendship and family in this beautifully animated cartoon. It's really enjoyable to watch with kids.

Where to watch: Netflix

7. Sarah & Duck

Sarah has a best friend named Duck, and together they go on funny, simple and exciting adventures, exploring everyday moments in an engaging, imaginative way. They might try to reach a rainbow or help an umbrella stay dry in a rainy day. It's a great way to teach kids about friendship and problem solving.

Where to watch: Netflix

8. Miles from Tomorrowland

This story is based on Miles and his family, who live on a spaceship called the Stellosphere and explore new places as they help other space dwellers. The show positively influences kids' interest in science and technology by introducing them at an early age to the exciting world of space exploration. Teamwork and problem solving are common themes.

Where to watch: Amazon Video

9. Caillou

A 4-year-old boy lives with his mother, father and sister Rosie. He loves dinos and firefighters, and he's also a football fan, playing on a team coached by his grandfather, of whom he is very fond. Caillou's very curious and likes to discover the world around him. Kids can understand and learn about different emotions through his actions as well as the narrator's explanations.

Where to watch: Netflix

More: How being a tour guide changed my life this year


Wentworth Miller on surviving painful body-shaming that almost killed him

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Wentworth Miller is taking back power from Internet trolls who love nothing more than to tear others down, with a Facebook post about a cruel meme.

Miller, who received a Golden Globe nomination for his starring role in Prison Break, has been open about his journey through depression and suicidal thoughts, but the issue came to a head again when a fat-shaming meme about him resurfaced online.

Rather than suffer in silence as the butt of a mean joke, Miller took the opportunity to inspire others who are the victims of cyberbullying.

Wentworth Miller addresses cyberbullies

Wentworth Miller addresses cyberbullies

"In 2010, semi-retired from acting, I was keeping a low-profile [sic] for a number of reasons. First and foremost, I was suicidal," he wrote.

"In 2010, at the lowest point in my adult life, I was looking everywhere for relief/comfort/distraction. And I turned to food. It could have been anything. Drugs. Alcohol. Sex. But eating became the one thing I could look forward to. Count on to get me through. There were stretches when the highlight of my week was a favorite meal and a new episode of TOP CHEF. Sometimes that was enough. Had to be. And I put on weight. Big f--king deal."

More: Kylie Jenner posts disturbing Snapchat video and is immediately bullied

He went on to describe finding out how cruel the media coverage of his changed appearance could be after a friend of his mother’s sent him clippings — and how he responded.

"In 2010, fighting for my mental health, it was the last thing I needed. Long story short, I survived. So do those pictures. I’m glad.

"Now, when I see that image of me in my red t-shirt, a rare smile on my face, I am reminded of my struggle," he explained. "My endurance and my perseverance in the face of all kinds of demons. Some within. Some without. Like a dandelion up through the pavement, I persist. Anyway. Still. Despite."

Miller revealed he had attempted suicide several times as a teenager during the 2013 Human Rights Campaign Dinner, just months after coming out as gay. He will reprise his Prison Break role in mid-2016.

How to make smart choices when renovating your kitchen

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Hey everyone! Ashley here again from Sugar & Cloth, and this time I'm talking all about how you can get your dream kitchen started by asking yourself some key design questions.

First, what is the look you are going for? When we were renovating our kitchen, I knew I wanted it to be bright and modern, while sticking to a budget. Luckily there are a lot of smart options out there that allow you to get your dream look without breaking the bank.

If you like chic, glossy white counters, like we do, a great way to get the look is to use Formica® laminate in White with a Gloss finish. One of the best things about laminate is that spills and messes are super easy to clean up… which means your beautiful white kitchen stays bright. And trust me, you’ll thank me for that later!

Image: Formica

Another question to ask yourself is: Where do you want to spend and where do you want to splurge while still sticking to the budget plan? For this, consider how you want to spend the most time in the kitchen. If you are a foodie who loves to cook (hello, macarons!), consider putting more of your budget toward a set of really awesome appliances, like a professional range or the latest and greatest refrigerator. Or if entertaining guests is more your style, consider splurging on great lighting and a statement bar or dining area for gatherings.

Now you’re ready to make a smart choice on your counter tops. A great way to go about this is to think of how you’ll really use your counters. Marble is such a beautiful look, but let’s be honest – it’s not the easiest surface to live with (red wine stains, anyone?). I recently discovered that Formica® brand has a line called 180FX®, which is a collection of high resolution laminates that look just like real stone. This line is not only beautiful, but it’s also budget-friendly. We’re talking you can save up to half by choosing laminate over stone. For instance this Calacatta Marble design isn’t actually stone, it’s Formica laminate.

Image: Formica

Since we use our kitchen every day, we had to consider the durability of our choices during our remodel. If you’ve got a lot of foot traffic through your new space, then you’ve got to make sure it’s going to hold up. Plus, kitchen renovations are no small task, so you want to choose finishes that are going to last! Formica® laminate is both budget-friendly and comes standard with EliteForm surfacing technology, which improves the scratch resistance and durability of the counters. Sounds perfect for having little ones in the kitchen too, doesn’t it?!

Image: Ashley Rose/SheKnows

Once you have the foundation design elements of your space mapped out, you’ve officially made it to the best part…accessorizing! To help you get started, I’ve put together a budget-friendly mood board that features the Formica® 180fx® Calacatta Marble and White Gloss Laminate at the top, and moving down towards accessories with pops of color, my current favorite gold flatware, and even my favorite pastels for good measure.

Image: SheKnows

gold trivet ($12.99), 5 piece gold flatware ($19.99), gold metal bowl ($12.99), marble and gold wall mounted shelf ($59.95), bell white flush mount lamp ($59.95), contact white dinnerware 3 piece set ($20), pink teapot ($12.95), teal teapot ($24.96), lizzy yellow teapot ($14.95), mini mint green bowls ($2.95), mini pale pink bowls ($2.95), mini salmon bowls ($2.95), marble hexagon serving board ($29.95), floating white shelf ($28), mint green retro toaster ($149), mint green smell fridge ($1,999.00), cream seem mixer ($495), delta bronze faucet ($344), polished marble penny tile ($22), gold drawer pull ($8.42)

Image: Ashley Rose/SheKnows

Fast forward to the end of our remodel, and we absolutely love the final look, and that it feels custom and true to our style. And the main takeaway here is that it’s easy to get a look you’ll love while still being practical.

What are some of your favorite smart kitchen finds that you've discovered to date? We'd love to follow along on your renovation ideas, too!

This post is sponsored by Formica® Brand and SheKnows.

9 tips that will make your next run even better

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1. Warm up

Make sure you start off simple with a few warm up moves to get the blood flowing and loosen up your limbs.

2. Lunge stretches and walking lunges

Image: Christine Bibbo Herr/SheKnows

Then move into lunge stretches and walking lunges to open up the upper body, hips and hamstrings.

3. Reach to your toes

Next, Stand up and slowly bend at the waist with a flat back and reach down to touch your toes, gently stretching your calf and hamstrings. (Hold each side for 20 seconds.)

4. Leg stretches

Stand up and bend your right leg at the knee back towards your butt and grab your foot behind you with the same hand, stretching your quads. (Hold for 10 seconds then repeat on the other side.)

Image: Christine Bibbo Herr/SheKnows

5. Stretch to the side

Stand up and raise your arms over your head, grabbing your wrist to stretch the back, shoulders and arms. Bend over to one side and hold for 5 breaths. Go back to center and then bend over to the other side and hold for 5 breaths. (Repeat 10 times.)

6. Stretch your calves and arms

Image: Christine Bibbo Herr/SheKnows

Face a wall or a tree and push against it on an angle to stretch the backs of your calves and your arms.

7. Shake it out

Shake it out then walk for about three to five minutes to get your joints and muscles ready for the motion that's similar to what your body will be doing during a run.

8. Warmed up

Image: Christine Bibbo Herr/SheKnows

Once you’re warmed up, get ready to hit the ground running. Start with a slow jog for about two to three minutes and work your way into a running pace that feels right for you. Once you get in the groove you can push yourself to go the extra mile and work towards your distance goals. I usually run four to five miles when I'm looking for an hour-long workout and then cool down with a brisk walk for one minute.

9. Stretching at the end

You can end your run with some simple stretches from the beginning of the workout to avoid injuries.

Have fun!

This post is sponsored by vitaminwater zero and SheKnows.

Dealing with dog dementia: what it could mean for your senior pup

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Just like people, when dogs age they tend to become forgetful. But when is it not just old age, and something more?

According to Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM, senior dogs are susceptible to canine dementia, which is very similar to dementia in humans.

"It is also referred to as canine cognitive dysfunction (CDS). It is the third leading cause of euthanasia, and affects over 7 million dogs age 10 and older," said Osborne.

More: Why your dog chews his paws, and how to make it stop

Know the signs

Osborne says canine dementia is an age-related deterioration of cognitive abilities characterized by behavioral changes that include loss of house training, disorientation, aimless wandering, staring into space, decreased responsiveness to family members, confusion and excessive sleeping.

"Some dogs sit and stare at the walls for hours," she added.

Any of the above symptoms may be a sign of canine dementia, though these symptoms alone can sometimes be symptoms of other diseases or disorders. Contact your vet if your dog is displaying the symptoms of canine dementia.

More: The dewclaw debate: should your dog keep them, or are they dangerous?

Osborne says there are no tests designed to diagnose dementia in canines.

"It is a diagnosis of exclusion. Usually the age, history and signs are adequate," she said. "Vets make the diagnosis by ruling out other problems causing similar symptoms."

Is your dog at risk?

Osborne says no dog breeds are more at risk for canine dementia than other breeds. "It can affect any dog, regardless of sex or breed," she said.

The biggest risk factor for canine dementia is simply age.

"[Canine dementia] can affect an average of 50 percent of dogs about 10 years of age and older, and after the age of 15, 68 percent of dogs show at least one of the above signs of canine dementia," Osborne said.

Treatment and prevention

You can reduce your dog's risk of canine dementia by making smart health choices for him early in life. Osborne says the best way to prevent or delay the onset of canine dementia is with an antioxidant vitamin, mineral supplements, daily exercise and a natural, balanced diet — just like with people.

She added that if your dog has been diagnosed with canine dementia, keep in mind that it isn't a death sentence.

More: Why I'm pretty sure my dog is a psychopath

Osborne mentioned that there are many treatments for canine dementia, noting some medications have a 77 percent success rate in reducing symptoms in as little as 30 days. There are also natural medications that can improve cognition in dogs suffering from dementia.

Speak with your veterinarian to find out which treatment is best for you and your dog.

MAC is making Star Trek makeup for the nerd in all of us

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Prepare yourselves, Star Trek fans. MAC just announced it'll be celebrating the iconic show's 50th anniversary with an exclusive Star Trek-inspired makeup line. You know how awesome those space-age ladies looked? Well, now you can master their intergalactic beauty secrets yourself. However, you will have to wait till September before you can set your phasers to stunning, because that's the month the show officially premiered all those years ago.

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Even if you're not a Trekkie, this news is pretty exciting. Star Trek was not exactly known for its conventional beauties, so MAC's new line shows it's all for propelling strong, diverse women into the spotlight.

Star Trek is an iconic pop culture phenomena whose storylines pushed gender and racial boundaries,” said MAC senior vice president and group creative director James Gager in a press statement. “For its 50th anniversary, we celebrate each of Star Trek’s powerful women in a transcending, transformational makeup collection.”

Image: Mac/Star Trek

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Check out that diversity! So far the collection will feature 25 makeup pieces, which will include nail polish, lipsticks and eyeshadows. Hopefully it'll also have some skin tinter in there for the ladies who are bold enough to go full Vina, the Orion Girl:

Image: Star Trek/Paramount Television

Needless to say, Trekkies everywhere have been going nuts over this news. If you too are chomping at the bit for your own Deanna Troi eyeshadow pencils, you can officially start buying them online on Aug. 25 — a full five days before they go on sale in stores. Die-hard fans can get their hands on products at MAC Gaslamp in San Diego on July 21, which is unsurprisingly not far from the San Diego Comic-Con.

In the meantime, feel free to go nuts with anticipation by following #MACStarTrek and studying Star Trek-inspired makeup tutorials on YouTube.

More: Quadriplegic woman's makeup video shows off her amazing skills

Everything we know so far about Take That's epic reunion tour

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It's still two years away, but there's already a lot of chatter about Take That's 25th anniversary tour and whether the original five-piece — which consists of Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald, Robbie Williams and Jason Orange — will reunite.

More: Robbie Williams is delighted he's going to be a dad again

The tour will be a 25-year celebration of the Manchester boy band's success and will comprise of their greatest hits, but there may be only four members taking to the stage.

"We'll do a Greatest Hits album next year and tour the year after. A Greatest Hits with everyone would be amazing but I personally can't imagine Jason coming back on stage for quite a few years. But if Rob could do something that would be brilliant", Gary Barlow revealed to The Sun.

When asked if Jason Orange may return (after quitting in 2014), Barlow revealed that it was unlikely.

"I'd love to say everyone will be back but in truth it will probably be four", he explained.

More: 7 music videos from the early 2000s we'll never forget

But a four-piece would still be pretty impressive, as a source recently revealed to Daily Star that Robbie Williams has indeed given the tour the green light.

Robbie Williams Twitter

Robbie Williams Twitter

"Robbie has agreed to re-join the band for their greatest hits anniversary tour. He's still not decided on a full European tour but he's hoping to do every date", the source told the publication, Gigwise reports.

"Robbie loves being with his former band mates and has chosen to go on the road with the band instead of doing another solo tour which he often finds lonely".

While many of the details surrounding the tour remain vague, it's believed that they will want to celebrate the landmark achievement in a huge stadium rather than the more intimate gigs in which the current Take That trio are enjoying success.

More: Coldplay face intense backlash over Glastonbury headline slot

Barlow also told The Sun that fans across the world can start getting excited, because the reunion tour is set to be big — really big.

"It would be an enormous tour, across Europe, probably the world tour if I'm honest", he confessed.

We can't wait!

Will you be watching the Take That reunion tour? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

11 sitcoms and dramedies you can't stop binge-watching

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We might not be lucky enough to be surrounded by funny people at all times, but online platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu hand over an opportunity to laugh out loud on our own time. With a wide range of comedy series available on these amazing services, one may feel confused about which TV shows would make us chuckle and which would waste our time with lame attempts at making us giggle. Therefore, I present a list of the 11 funniest comedies you can binge-watch online — anytime and anywhere.

More: 11 cult-classic TV shows you can binge-watch right now

1. Friends

No list of the best comedy series can begin or end without mentioning this phenomenal show. The story of six friends who spend most of their time in a coffee shop and talk about every aspect of their lives presents a lighter way to look at even the most complicated life issues. I cannot imagine anyone who hasn't watched this fascinating series — I dare you to sit through any episode without laughing. It's very rare to find emotions of love, true friendship and bromance in a comic series, but the writers of Friends have written scenes and dialogue to incite not only laughter but millions of other emotions.

Where to watch: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime

2. Parks and Recreation

The show is set in the fictional Pawnee, Indiana, where the town bureaucrat, Leslie (played by Amy Poehler), is trying to improve the condition of the parks for the welfare of society. Her dedication and her team's funny reactions to her various missions are an absolute treat. It's not ha-ha funny, but I find it adorable. The comic incidents, characters and well-timed humor are all excellent.

Where to watch: Netflix

3. How I Met Your Mother

Throughout the series, Ted Mosby, one of five main characters, is narrating a story to his children about how he met their mother, and he doesn't hold back on any details. The show revolves around him, his womanizer friend (Barney Stinson), his college friend (Marshall), Marshall's college sweetheart (Lily) and Robin (a friend and love interest). HIMYM is, undoubtedly, a funny series based on relationships and the beautiful journey of finding a soul mate.

Where to watch: Netflix

4. Everybody Loves Raymond

An awkward and funny guy, Raymond, is married to a beautiful lady, Debra. He lives next door to his family. The story is centered around his after-marriage family, his parents and his brother, as Raymond deals with the daily conflicts in a very humorous manner — just his innocence and perfect dialogue are enough to make you laugh, with relatable problems and an always funny plot. You can't resist loving Raymond.

Where to watch: Netflix

5. The IT Crowd

When Jen joins a company as a head of its IT department, all hell breaks loose. As Jen knows squat about IT, her team is having a hard time digesting her leadership skills. The plot is unquestionably very entertaining, and as a software engineer myself, I find this TV series very relatable.

Where to watch: Netflix

More: 8 precious lessons I learned from 'Tuesdays with Morrie'

6. iZombie

Well, this is a new concept. Zombies and humans are coexisting on Earth, and one zombie helps people solve murder mysteries. You might not laugh your head off, but you won't stop smiling.

Where to watch: Netflix

7. Melissa & Joey

Melissa is taking care of her sister's kids while her sister is in prison, and Joey is the babysitter. Fun-loving Joey and fascinating Melissa both feel the sexual tension between them, but they choose not to act upon it. Melissa is clumsy, ignorant and funny while trying to be a cool aunt to the kids, while Joey is their knight in shining armor. The crazy plot and funny dialogue make it an excellent choice for binge-watching.

Where to watch: Netflix

8. Modern Family

As the name suggests, this is a comic series about a modern family. And it has everything: a gay couple, a rich old man married to a young woman and an overambitious daughter married to a not so ambitious man. As if that wasn't enough, they have an amazing variety of kids. From the first time I watched this series, I have been hooked on its raw comedy.

Where to watch: Hulu

9. Key & Peele

These stand-up comedians know how to make you die from laughter. They are masters of disguise — playing everything from ladies to old men, they rock the images of many people as they imitate celebrities, sportsmen and musicians.

Where to watch: Hulu

10. The Big Bang Theory

A lot has been said about the way nerds act, and now it's time to watch them in action. But if you're not a nerd and think you might not understand this series, the writers have solved your dilemma by introducing Penny, the ordinary fun-loving neighbor of main characters Sheldon and Leonard, who are best friends with Raj and Howard. They are all class-A nerds, and their social awkwardness keeps viewers very entertained.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

11. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Rebecca is a successful career-driven girl — until she falls in love. For this guy, she gives up her entire life and moves to his city to be closer to him. He has a new girlfriend now, but this does not stop Rebecca from chasing after him and conspiring many ways to grab his attention. This is a musical comedy, so every now and then, you can find the characters busting their moves. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a captivating and funny TV series, and I cannot stop myself from binge-watching.

Where to watch: Hulu

More: 6 best Julianna Margulies scenes from 'The Good Wife'


3 ways to stay motivated after a fitness retreat

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After every big high, there’s almost always a big low, amiright? It’s like Newton’s third law of motion — for every action there’s an equal and opposite reaction. Unfortunately, this applies to just about everything — the fight with a loved one after the “perfect” day, the hangover after an epic night out, and even the dip in motivation after an incredibly motivating fitness vacation.

The good news is that it’s easier to correct the dips once you know they’re coming. If you just came off a big fitness retreat or an adventure trip of a lifetime, expect to go through a few days of feeling down, but don’t just wallow in your blues — take steps to right the boat and keep your fitness fire alive.

Sign up for a new class or experience

One of the best parts about an adventure vacation is that it takes you out of your comfort zone and forces you to try new things. There’s an excitement and thrill that comes with fresh experiences, which is precisely why you should immediately sign up for a new class or program when you get home from your trip — you need something else to look forward to.

The trick here is not to go overboard. There’s no reason to immediately spend tons of cash on a whole new gym membership or a six-month series of ballroom dance lessons. Start small and sign up for a one-time pass to the kickboxing studio around the corner from you. You’ll look forward to the new class without regretting an overzealous knee-jerk cash outlay.

If you love the experience and want to keep shuffling your workout to help you stay fired up, consider enrolling in a workout passport membership, like ClassPass, that enables you to test drive lots of fitness workouts in your area for a pre-determined price.

Schedule a fit date with a friend

If heading to the gym to do your same ol’ workout sounds terrible after a fun weekend away (what’s the Soul II Soul song say? “Back to life, back to reality…”), then enlist a friend to go with you. Planning a partner workout works on a couple of levels. First, you have the built-in accountability of your waiting friend; it’s a whole lot harder to skip your gym time if you have to cancel on your pal. Second, you’ll have your friend there to help motivate and encourage you to push harder and keep going, injecting new life into your regular routine.

Bonus tip: If you really want to turn your first workout back into a calorie-burner, ask a friend you perceive as being just a tiny bit fitter than you to join you. Research from Kansas State University in 2012 found that exercising with someone that’s just a little bit better than you can increase workout time and intensity by as much as 200 percent.

Get some new gear

Remember when you were a kid and as soon as you got new athletic shoes you would run outside to see if they’d make you run faster and jump higher? There’s nothing quite like the look and feel of new exercise gear to encourage you to put them to use. Go ahead and invest in a new pair of yoga pants or a killer sweat-wicking tank top. You don’t have to spend a lot of money: Target, T.J. Maxx and Nordstrom rack typically have cute options at affordable prices.

Find adventures in your area

There’s a reason fitness retreats are considered vacations — they’re an anomaly, a break from your normal schedule. As much as you might like to leave reality every weekend, most of us simply don’t have the option. What you can do, though, is plan a mini-retreat once a month or every other month to help recreate the sense of adventure you felt on your weekend away.

Find national or state parks in your area and take a day trip to hike, swim, climb and explore. Sign up for a local adventure club (check out Meetup.com to search by interest or download the Gociety app to find adventurers near you) and tag along during group outings. Most local REIs also host classes and outings to help make new experiences accessible and comfortable for beginners.

The point is to take your newfound excitement for exercise, for enjoying the abundant life that fitness gives you, and applying it on a regular basis. Your body — and this great, wonderful world — are meant to be put to use.

This post is sponsored by vitaminwater zero and SheKnows.

Leonardo DiCaprio had the best response to Jennifer Lopez's prank text

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On last night's edition of "Carpool Karaoke," James Corden got Jennifer Lopez to do more than sing. Corden transcended to the ultimate level of friendship: looking through her phone. It turns out that, unsurprisingly, Lopez has every A-list celebrity in her contacts, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Demi Lovato and Leonardo DiCaprio. So what did Corden do? Text Leo, of course.

More: Jennifer Lopez says she and Ben Affleck were just bad timing

Corden-as-Lopez asks DiCaprio, "Hey baby. I'm kind of feeling like I need to cut loose. Any suggestions, let me know. JLo (you know, from the block)."

DiCaprio, never one to ignore a message from a beautiful woman, writes back, "You mean tonight, boo boo? Club-wise?"

As BuzzFeed points out, we have no proof that the iMessage bubble on the other end was DiCaprio, but it's certainly not hard to believe he would be quick to respond when Jennifer Lopez asks him for party recommendations.

More: Shades of Blue: 7 things to know about Jennifer Lopez's new cop show

Among other delightful reveals in the interview is the fact that Lopez never "insured her butt for a million dollars." According to Lopez, you can't insure specific parts of your body in the United States — so that does mean she looked into it?

Watch the full video below (complete with JLo and Corden's live rendition of Love Don't Cost a Thing.)

lopez carpool

lopez carpool

May the Jennifer Lopez press tour never end.

More: Jennifer Lopez films makeupless video with a shirtless Casper Smart

OUAT's Jennifer Morrison is all girl power while talking about her #WCWs

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1. Pam Fryman, executive producer and director of HIMYM

I always say I want to be Pan Fryman when I grow up. She truly embodies all of the things I hope to be. She is strong, yet kind. She is outrageously talented and inspires people to be their best... better than their best when they are around her. When she is directing, everyone feels loved and supported and driven to be the most talented, wonderful versions of themselves. On top of all of that, she has a rare and impressive balance of work and family. She is the type of director I strive to be.

More: Jennifer Morrison admits life as an actress isn't always a fairy tale

2. Catherine O’Hara

I have always admired her work and looked at her as one of my comic heroes. When I was 22 and working on Surviving Christmas, she came up to me after a rehearsal and said, “You’re really funny. You have great comic instincts. Trust yourself. Don’t just stick to the script when we film."

In a star-studded cast, I was shy and felt obligated to stick to the script, and she freed me up to try new things. It was incredibly generous of her to encourage me like that, and she gave me the confidence to trust my instincts.

3. Shelli Azoff

I met her through Missy Halperin. Her list of outstanding professional and philanthropic endeavors is vast and unparalleled, but the way I know her is through her women’s poker game. She is strong, confident and sure of exactly what she wants at all times. She is fiercely loyal to her friends and brings bright, strong, successful women together. The women she brings together are all unapologetically confident, and they all help each other out and contribute to each other’s lives.

4. Missy Halperin, head of talent relations at Fox

I met her during my House days. She has a gift for navigating every type of personality with grace and understanding. She makes events that could feel intense and overwhelming feel like a fun family outing. I have met so many wonderful friends through my friendship with her. She also taught me how to play poker. Playing poker has been one of the most effective ways to meet friends in LA as well as make professional connections at times. It is a life skill that I enjoy and appreciate.

More: Minka Kelly reveals the women who've affected her life

5. Kay Krill, president and CEO of Ann Inc.

I met Kay Krill when she invited me to be on the board of Ann Cares. She is one of the most impressive CEOs in the world. She turned Ann Taylor Loft into a multi-billion-dollar company. She has a beautiful family and runs a company with 92 percent female employees. She has innovated the workplace for women in many ways, but especially by having childcare available at their offices. In addition to her impressive professional and personal life, she is giving back in so many ways. She started Ann Cares, and they provide 50 grants a year for high school girls who have ideas for nonprofits. She brings them to Washington, D.C., to meet with leaders and find mentors, and then she funds their nonprofit endeavors. I have learned so much from her tenacity, her no-nonsense ways professionally and her understanding of the big picture and how important it is to support other women and to grow the next generation of women leaders.

6. Ms. Fryzel, senior English teacher

Ms. Fryzel was my senior English teacher at Prospect High School. She is a badass. Most students were afraid of her, but for me she was my absolute inspiration. She taught me to write, taught me to love literature, taught me how to think critically about literature and supported my artistic ventures 100 percent She always pushed me to be better in every way.

7. Randi Hiller, casting director

Randi Hiller cast me in both Urban Legends: Final Cut and Warrior. Both films were big breaks for me and very crucial to my success in the business. She took notice of me before I even lived in LA, and pushed to get my tapes in front of directors when no one knew who I was. Her support in the casting arena was critical to my success.

8. Avy Kaufman, casting director

Avy Kaufman is another casting director who believed in my work before I moved to LA. She always found ways to make my performances better in the audition room. She always pushed me to be better, and she was one of the first casting directors to put me in rooms with directors that I love and admire. Her faith in me always inspired me to try to be a better actor, and made me determined to find ways to stretch and grow as an actor so that I could live up to her standards when she put me in big rooms.

More: Faking It's Katie Stevens shares the 7 women who inspire her most

9. Gail Berman, former president of Fox

Gail Berman was the president of Fox when I was cast on House. She believed in me and trusted me to play a character that was 10 years older than me. She had me repeat my audition in the room to be sure, and then offered me the job in the room. I was so moved by her faith in me, but also so impressed with her confidence. She knew that she knew. She did not doubt herself or second-guess herself. She made decisions based on her expertise, her gut and with total authority and confidence. This always stuck with me, and it inspired me to always want to be the best I could be for her. I did not take her faith in me lightly, and it inspired me to always reach to be better.

10. Ashley Lent Levinson, CEO of REX

Ashley Lent Levinson is currently the CEO of a new social media app called REX. She has had many high-profile jobs in many arenas. I am lucky enough to also call her a close friend. She is someone who every day encourages me to think bigger. There are no limits in her mind to what people are capable of. She dreams big and lives big, and her energy and the way she thinks rubs off on everyone around her. I can always turn to her for an honest and well-informed opinion, and she will tell it as it is. She is not afraid of conflict over telling the truth. I have learned from her that the truth, although sometimes painful, is the best route, the most productive route and the route that wins in the end. She is fiercely loyal and has a gift for connecting people professionally and personally. She seems to see with otherworldly instincts.

Don't forget to watch Jennifer Morrison on Once Upon a Time every Sunday at 8/7c on ABC. Also catch Morrison's new film The Darkness, being released on May 13.

Celeb baby bumps: Emily Blunt, JWoww, Maci Bookout, Jillian Harris

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Happy Wednesday Hump Day — also known to us as Celebrity Baby Bump Day. We have rounded up the cutest pregnant celebrities of the week, starting with Emily Blunt, who showed off her growing baby bump as she attended a play with her husband John Krasinski. Chrissy Teigen shared photos from her unique baby shower, while JWoww shared a photo of her 8-month baby bump. Maci Bookout, Jillian Harris and Audrina Patridge round out our list of the most buzzworthy baby bumps of the week.

Chrissy Teigen

Chrissy Teigen baby shower

Chrissy Teigen baby shower

What’s going on here, Chrissy and Khloe? Chrissy Teigen celebrated the upcoming birth of her baby girl with a star-studded baby shower, including Jenna Dewan Tatum and the entire Kardashian clan. Teigen, who is expecting her first baby next month with her husband John Legend, posted this photo of Khloe Kardashian appearing to lick her stomach with the caption, “Your aunt, baby girl.”

More: 15 awesome gender-reveal party ideas

Teigen also shared this sweet photo with her mom, as they sat at a table from the baby shower that was adorned with pink and white flowers. The food at the event wasn’t a fancy catered meal, but included fast-food favorites from McDonald’s.

Chrissy Teigen and her mom

Chrissy Teigen and her mom

The model and talk-show host also posted a photo with Legend and wrote that he is her “everything.”

“Excited to meet this little girl soon and to see you shower her with the same love you give to me!” she wrote on Instagram. “We are so grateful to be surrounded by so many loving, kind, hilarious, generous, thoughtful beings. Feeling so lucky, so happy and so ready!”

Audrina Patridge

Audrina Patridge baby bump

Audrina Patridge baby bump

Audrina Patridge showed off her chic maternity style in a bump-hugging skirt as she snuggled with her dog during a family BBQ. The Laguna Beach alum and her fiancé Corey Bohan are expecting their first child, a baby girl, within the next few months.

“My little bump is growing RAPIDLY, which means my wardrobe selection is beginning to dwindle down to the nitty-gritty,” she wrote on her blog. “Those high-waist jeans are a no-go, my fitted tops are a bit too fitted, and I might as well throw those bodycon dresses out the window until our little princess is out of my tummy and in my arms!”

Emily Blunt

Pregnant Emily Blunt and John Krasinski
Image: Joseph Marzullo/WENN.com

Pregnant Emily Blunt was glowing as she attended the play Dry Powder with her husband, The Office alum John Krasinski. Blunt showed off her growing baby bump in a gray dress paired with a black jacket. The couple already has a daughter named Hazel and they are expecting their second child within the new few months.

More: Donald Trump's a grandpa again: Ivanka Trump welcomes baby No. 3

Blunt, 33, just finished filming The Girl on the Train, and revealed that one of the first people she told about her pregnancy was her co-star (and husband of Jennifer Aniston) Justin Theroux. She said he knows her well and would have probably figured it out if she hadn't told him, but wanted him to know since their roles were pretty physical.

Next up: JWoww shows off her 8-month baby bump, plus Maci Bookout and Jillian Harris

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Jenni "JWoww" Farley

Pregnant JWoww

Pregnant JWoww

Jenni “JWoww” Farley shared a picture of her 8-month baby bump on her Instagram page, writing that her baby boy is “all snug.” The Jersey Shore alum, who looked chic in a tan tank paired with a jacket and jeans, is expecting her second child with her husband, Roger Mathews. They are already parents to a daughter named Meilani.

Maci Bookout

Pregnant Maci Bookout

Pregnant Maci Bookout

Teen Mom OG star Maci Bookout shows off her baby bump in a black tank and plaid shirt as she poses with friends during a birthday dinner. The 24-year-old is expecting her second child with her fiancé, Taylor McKinney. They are already parents to 8-month-old Jayde. She also has a 7-year-old son named Bentley with her ex-boyfriend.

Jillian Harris

Pregnant Jillian Harris

Pregnant Jillian Harris

Former Bachelorette Jillian Harris and her boyfriend, Justin Pasutto, are expecting their first baby together in August, and the 36-year-old host of Love It or List It shared this photo of her 19-week baby bump.

Harris recently received the wrath of the Internet after posting a couple of pictures drinking coffee, with many fans chiming in to tell her she shouldn’t drink coffee during pregnancy. Her response? She said she has quit partying, quit using Botox, so she is going to continue to drink her coffee.

More: Victoria's Secret models Behati Prinsloo and Candice Swanepoel show off their baby bumps

Boozy bananas Foster milkshake turns a classic dessert on its head

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Turn bananas Foster into a boozy shake packed full of ripe bananas and a touch of dark rum. It's the perfect use of all those brown bananas you have sitting on your counter. Who wants more banana bread when you can make this cocktail instead?

boozy banana fosters milkshake cocktail
Image: Brandy O'Neill/SheKnows

Boozy bananas Foster cocktail recipe

Serves 2

Total time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 4 scoops vanilla bean ice cream
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1/3 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup dark rum
  • 2 tablespoons caramel sauce
  • Whipped topping
  • 1 pinch cinnamon

Directions:

  1. To a blender, add the ice cream, banana, whole milk, rum and caramel sauce. Blend until smooth.
  2. Divide between 2 glasses, and top with whipped topping and cinnamon.

More cocktail recipes

No-sugar-added fruity rum cocktail
Bourbon-blackberry lemonade
Jager lime cocktail

Giada De Laurentiis & her ex make their first public appearance together

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Giada De Laurentiis may have a new man in her life, but that's not stopping her from having family moments with her ex-husband. In a very Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow move, De Laurentiis and her ex, Todd Thompson, planned a packed day of family fun, including a visit to Knott's Berry Farm theme park in Buena Vista, California, in honor of daughter Jade's eighth birthday,

More: Giada De Laurentiis finds happiness with new man after painful divorce

De Laurentiis shared smiling photos of the gang, complete with a birthday cake and roller-coaster rides, on Instagram.

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giada 1

giada 2

giada 2

giada 3

giada 3

The outing is the couple's first public appearance since their divorce became official in September.

More: The identity of Giada De Laurentiis' mystery boyfriend is finally revealed

De Laurentiis and Thompson separated in July 2014 after over a decade of marriage. She's moved on with FabLife producer Shane Farley, who has won Emmys for his work on Rachael Ray and Big Morning Buzz Live. Farley himself filed for divorce from a Manhattan-based personal trainer in March 2015. De Laurentiis spoke highly of Farley as recently as last week, telling E! Online, "Life is fun and great, and I have so much fun with my daughter and I have someone new!" De Laurentiis may be spending family time in advance of her April trip to Italy to film the next season of her Food Network series Giada in Italy.

More: Giada De Laurentiis has a new boyfriend, and everyone thinks it's Bobby Flay

Ramona Singer makes a RHONY promise that's going to be tough to keep

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There have been plenty of adjectives used to describe The Real Housewives of New York star Ramona Singer. Dramatic? Duh. Narcissistic? The word's been tossed around. A tiny bit insane? Yup. Heck, even CBS' Supergirl gave Singer a shoutout recently with the line, "I haven't seen eyes that crazy since I had fondue with Ramona Singer."

But one word that you'd never expect to be associated with Singer is peacemaker. However, Singer is claiming that is the exact role we will see her playing in the upcoming RHONY season.

More: Ramona Singer has surprising news about LuAnn de Lesseps' fiancé

"[This season] you're going to see a lighter Ramona, a more fun Ramona," she told Us Weekly at a recent party she hosted for the RHONY Season 8 premiere. "I have more patience for people and I actually become like the peacemaker! Me! I'm actually giving LuAnn [de Lesseps] advice on how to be nice — to people! She's like, 'I can't believe I'm listening to you!'"

Cards on the table, we can't really believe it either.

Considering how much she stirred the pot last season, it's just a lot for her to ask of loyal RHONY fans to even imagine her as the Dalai Lama of the show. Add to that the rumors that Singer was reveling in the fact that she was thrown out of a holiday party last December for drunken bad behavior — a source said, "She was standing [outside] on the corner cackling about ruining the party," — and, well, we don't blame anyone for wanting to call shenanigans on the whole peacemaker claim.

Ramona Singer gif
Image: Giphy

After her dramatic past, plus her high jinx at the Season 7 reunion, will Singer really be able to change her whole vibe and sing a new tune in Season 8? Only time will tell — and we can't wait.

Do you think Singer will turn over a new leaf in RHONY's new season?


#WCW: Shadowhunters' Katherine McNamara names her biggest girl crushes

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Every week, a different female celebrity exclusively tells us her biggest girl crushes for #WomanCrushWednesday. This week, Katherine McNamara is sharing her list — and she's got a ton of big Hollywood names on it.

1. My mother, Ursula

My wonderful, beautiful, strong, caring mother. She has been my rock my entire life. We have been through hell and back together and she has stood by me and my dreams through it all. She is a scientist by training and has fought her way through a field dominated by men, which has been a huge inspiration to me in pursuing another career that requires perseverance. Her emphasis on intelligence and the value of education have been invaluable in showing me by example what it means to be a confident, strong, educated career woman.

More: Shadowhunters' Katherine McNamara dishes on the show's big love triangle

2. My grandmother, Nickole

My irreplaceable, courageous, kind, creative grandmother. My grandmother is the matriarch of my family. As a career, she ran emergency rooms of several very busy hospitals. I kid you not when I say this woman has seen it all. She is always able to find something to smile about in any situation and treats every person she meets with generosity and kindness. She has also inspired me to follow my creative passions, as in her retirement, she is a watercolor artist. Seeing how happy her work made her as I was growing up gave me the courage to pursue my own creative passion.

3. Elaine Stritch

Elaine Stritch was one of the most amazing women I have ever met and I believe I ever will meet. She taught me to never be afraid to truly be myself, and to speak my mind. Elaine was one of the most hardworking and talented individuals I have ever come across. She never let anyone tell her no, and she stood up for what she believed was right. She took me under her wing and taught me so much about life, the industry and how to be a woman. I will never forget the six months I spent sitting in her dressing room backstage at A Little Night Music.

4. Bernadette Peters

Another star of Broadway fame, Bernadette Peters played my mother for six months of the run of A Little Night Music. Her positivity and ability to giggle through any situation was — and still is — so inspirational to me. Despite her celebrity status, she was in the trenches with us throughout the run of the show and avidly participated in anything and everything she could. She is also somehow able to balance her career with her humanitarian efforts that have truly made a difference in the animal adoption communities. Having an awareness of how to use her voice for the greater good is something that has stuck with me to this day.

More: 8 spoilers you want to know about Shadowhunters

5. Angela Lansbury

One day after I arrived in NYC from my hometown, I met the one and only Angela Lansbury. Subsequently, she played my grandmother for six months of the run of A Little Night Music. Most of my scenes were with her character and as such, I spent the majority of my free time during the show in her dressing room listening to her stories and gathering her advice. She is one of the kindest women I have ever met, but so very wise and intelligent, especially in matters concerning young career women in entertainment. She turned to me one day before we went onstage and told me to “play” in the scene — to not be afraid to try something new. I credit Angela with giving me the confidence to trust my instincts and stay true to myself.

6. Catherine Zeta-Jones

Catherine played my mother in A Little Night Music for six months of the run. She is one of the only women I have met who still possesses the glamorous nature of the classic old Hollywood movie star. Beyond that, Catherine is incredibly intelligent, generous and truly kind. By watching her, I learned it was possible to be a confident, sexy woman who was still respected by co-workers and peers, and not put into a feminine box. She is a force to be reckoned with — I hope to follow in her footsteps.

7. Malala Yousafzai

Malala’s story has been blasted on the news for years now. Her fight for women’s rights and education in the Middle East nearly cost her life. Despite the dangers, she has not stopped fighting for what she believes in, nor has it stopped her from getting an education herself. She has become a symbol for women’s rights, for hope and for strength across the globe. Her selflessness and giving her life to her work and to a cause that matters are qualities I truly look up to.

8. Audrey Hepburn

I saw My Fair Lady for the first time when I was about 6 years old. From that point on, I was a fan. I didn't know why at the time, but I was drawn to this woman who could make such a transformation from the flower girl to the glamorous socialite. As I learned more about her, Audrey Hepburn became the definition of class in my mind. From her work as an actress and her status as a fashion icon to her humanitarian efforts, she made every day of her life mean something. I can only hope to have a mere piece of the impact she had on the world.

9. Ellen DeGeneres

I have grown up watching Ellen. It was something I did every day with my mother and/or grandmother. Ellen has become a kind of role model to me. She is the consummate professional career woman. From her acting career and her success as a businesswoman and talk-show host to her compassion and care for those in need, she is someone I truly aspire to emulate.

More: Faking It's Katie Stevens shares the 7 women who inspire her most

10. Brie Larson

Brie Larson is not only one of my favorite actresses, but one who I would like to follow in the footsteps of. She chooses interesting, challenging projects and fully commits to them. As a result, her work is brilliant, nuanced and respected. Aside from all that, it seems she has managed to stay true to herself and not get caught up in the glamor of Hollywood. I plan to do the same.

Don’t miss Katherine McNamara as Clary Fray on Shadowhunters every Tuesday at 9/8c on Freeform.

You know you were raised by a cop if ...

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First, I am so thankful my dad's no longer on the street and my sister, who followed in his patrol car tracks, is now a dispatcher and also off the street. Deservedly, law enforcement is under tremendous pressure and scrutiny in this era of 24/7 cameras that serve as visual evidence (versus a history of cop-says/civilian-says).

More: 15 signs you were raised by a lawyer

For those officers like my dad who honor the badge with their integrity, recent headlines have been heartbreaking, because we know these tragedies don’t represent every law enforcement officer. A Facebook post from a self-described "black man wearing a hoodie who's strapped" gives me hope there are more people like us out there than those who default to presuming police mean harm.

While society has changed since I was a child, what hasn’t changed is my unwavering pride in my father's career and the work ethic he instilled in me. As a teen, I bristled at his protectiveness. Now, I am grateful.

So, what’s it like to grow up as a police officer’s child? Well, you can relate if:

  • Your policing parent ran a background check on your prom date. All of them. Come to think of it, I wonder if my dad was gathering DNA samples from preschool playdates?
  • You were born nearly two decades before you were allowed to go to a movie downtown (aka out in society) with your friends and no adults.
  • Your friends both admired and feared your patrolling parent. You continue to blame a weak dating existence on this fact.
  • You can close your eyes and smell shoe polish and hear the old school sweep of bristles across the toes of already-shiny black shoes.
  • The clang of a padlock on a file cabinet still reminds you of childhood wake-up calls in the pre-dawn light. The sounds of my dad unlocking his service revolver came well before my alarm went off.
  • When you enter a restaurant, you look for the seat farthest in the back and then sit with your back to the wall so you can see everyone. Sound paranoid? Police officers work to protect us every day, and often that means escorting members of the community to the jailhouse. Some of those folks don't feel like hugging their arresting officers if they run into them in public.

More: I love my potty mouth, so eff off!

  • That time you were pulled over in high school you audibly prayed the officer didn’t recognize your name so you could just take the damn ticket and tell your parent yourself.
  • Your heart sank into your stomach when that same officer ended the stop with, “Say hi to your mom/dad for me.”
  • When the keg parties at the park/field/water tower got busted, you didn’t even bother to run because you knew responding officers had already recognized your mom's/dad’s car parked out front. You know, the tank-like Crown Victoria with the most updated Fraternal Order of Police sticker.
  • You learned to drive on a Crown Victoria and subsequently can parallel park a frigate during a hurricane while eating a burrito with your toes.

More: I've given up hoping for a daddy-daughter connection that won't happen

  • You can’t pass a police officer in inclement weather without nodding compassionately and wanting to hand them a coffee.
  • You choose not to hand them a coffee because you remember your mom/dad holding up a hand and politely explaining, “What goes in must come out, but thanks.” 
  • You see a rookie cop getting soaked by a springtime storm and can see your mom's/dad's head shaking sadly at the lack of preparation.
  • You see a dirty orange cone and bristle with the understanding that the construction workers’ lives may be more at risk if that cone isn’t washed off in a cop’s driveway so it gleams in warning. You briefly consider dashing over to your parents' house to get a clean one.
  • Your friend’s brother loves to tell the story about the time he saw your mom/dad directing traffic and some woman ran over one of her/his coveted orange cones. As she/he chased her down, whistling and yelling, a police hat may have hurtled through space at her car.
  • You know real cops can whistle shrilly and distinctively without an actual whistle. Or their fingers. You know this because the sound directed you through many childhood obstacles.
  • You learned to drive in snow after going to an empty, snow-covered parking lot after-hours and watching your parent show you “all the things you shouldn’t do” while grinning slyly.

More: 10 best and 10 worst cities to find a job

  • You beamed with pride when your parent wore the police uniform to school, even though that was because she/he was attending a play or recital in between shifts and off-duty details.
  • You run toward someone in trouble, not away.
  • You don’t hesitate to call 911 when you see someone in trouble because you know that’s why it exists.
  • You remember the sound of a thick leather belt laden with tools, from radios to handcuffs, creaking and clinking as your parent sat down for breakfast or dinner before going back out on the road.
  • You babysat for your parent's younger colleagues’ kids and spent the whole ride home at the end of the night listening to the colleague talk about how awesome your parent is.
  • Your civilian parent joked about your police officer parent just working “another pay job” like it was free money, but you all understood it meant Mom/Dad would work around the clock… again.
  • At a younger age than your civilian parent would have preferred, you understood that a “hooker” was someone who would talk to your police officer parent and then get arrested. I mean, that stuff was good dinner table conversation when they thought we weren't paying attention!
  • Your heart aches every single time you hear about an officer shot. Or hit by a car while stopped to help someone.
  • Your heart aches every single time you hear about a police officer breaking the law and marring the profession.
  • You know there’s no such thing as a “routine traffic stop,” and you know that because your police officer parent finally told you the story about the time her/his partner saved her/his life after spotting a driver reach for what turned out to be a sawed-off shotgun — during a “routine traffic stop.”
  • You will never see a uniform without thinking of your parent, and you’ll never hear a police scanner without feeling just a twinge of worry.

Did a police officer help raise you? What's missing from this list? Share your memories in the comments below!

Vanilla gets crazy expensive: Avoid the pinch without giving up flavor

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Bad news, ice cream lovers — the price of vanilla is set to skyrocket this year.

In the past five years, vanilla has gone from $20/kilogram (2012) to $250/kilogram (2016). Just this year alone the price has tripled, and it's expected to keep rising. Meanwhile, the quality is also deteriorating.

More: Edible gifts: Homemade vanilla extract and sugar recipe

Why is this happening?

It's a complicated game of balancing price with demand in a global marketplace. Also, while the increase in demand has boosted prices, it's led some vanilla farmers to start selling vanilla beans when they are younger and uncured. In these green vanilla beans the flavor compounds vanillin and piperonal (among others), which give the beans their flavor, haven't fully developed yet. This means the vanilla on store shelves is less flavorful than it once was.

How much more expensive is real vanilla extract compared to imitation vanilla flavoring?

At Target, Market Pantry brand pure vanilla extract sells for about $1.40/ounce, while Market Pantry brand imitation vanilla flavor goes for just $0.13/ounce — about 10 times cheaper.

So how bad is imitation vanilla flavoring?

Not that bad, actually. A comprehensive taste test by Cook's Illustrated in 2009 found that in baked goods, the difference between pure vanilla and imitation vanilla extract was nearly undetectable. Taste testing cake, the real stuff won out by just a hair, while in cookies, which are baked at a higher temperature, the imitation vanilla actually performed better than the pure extract did.

Is it ever worth it to use real vanilla extract?

In general, using real vanilla makes a difference in desserts where it's the main flavor and in non-baked desserts like pudding.

In both Cook's Illustrated's test and this taste test from Serious Eats, pure vanilla extract won out over imitation in foods like pudding and eggnog, where the vanilla is added without any additional cooking. But Serious Eats also suggests that if all you have on hand is imitation vanilla, adding an equal part of vodka or bourbon to the recipe you're making can help make it taste more like the real deal.

More: 7 things you really need to know about vanilla

How can you tell imitation vanilla from real vanilla extract at the store?

Besides price? Read the ingredient labels at the store carefully.

The only ingredients in pure vanilla extract should be vanilla bean (or vanilla bean extractives), water and alcohol. Some brands contain corn syrup, glucose or other added sweeteners, but if you're shelling out for the real thing, you want to look for the simplest ingredient list.

Imitation vanilla extract should be labeled as such. Sometimes it does contain a small amount of real vanilla extract. If you aren't sure whether the product you're looking at is artificial or the real deal, keep an eye out for "vanillin," "ethyl vanillin," "caramel color" and "natural and artificial flavor" in the list of ingredients.

Either way, it seems there's a place for both these products in the kitchen, and whether it's a fancy pure extract or an inexpensive bottle of imitation flavoring, I think we can all agree that classic vanilla is an enduring favorite for a reason.

More: Tonight's Dinner: Vanilla balsamic chicken recipe

How my perfect online date turned into a creepy, kinky nightmare

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I’d like to say the first thing that attracted me to Rob was his personality and sense of humor, but I met him online, where all I had to go on was his photo. He was hot. I was superficial, so I contacted him right away.

More: What I learned from going to a sex party with my boyfriend

While his good looks and perfect skin drew me to him, as I got to know him I found that he was smart and well traveled. And most important, he knew my friend Stephanie. This made him more than just some random on a dating site. Now he was a friend of a friend, who, when I asked her, said she would have set me up with him anyway.

Rob and I planned to meet at my favorite bar in the West Village, Automatic Slim's. I’d been going there for such a long time I knew the entire staff. This made it a safe meeting place where, if it got weird, I’d have backup.

I forget whether I was early or he was late, but I found myself sitting at the bar for quite a while with my bartender friend, drinking up a storm. I’m known to do that when I’m nervous. Finally, a very handsome, perfect-skinned man walked in, looking around like he was lost.

“Rob?” I asked.

“Yep,” he said.

“I’m Cooper. Sit down, let's have a drink.” 

So, Rob sat with me at the bar, where he, the bartender and I started doing shots, laughing and talking like we’d all known one another for years. Every story started with, “One time I...” which became a race to see who shared that same experience. Nobody got too personal — just the kind of stuff you’d say at a bar among people you’ve just met. Drinking stories, celebrity sightings and quoting movies were as deep as we got.

When I felt I’d had enough, I switched to water and waited for a good time to suggest leaving. Rob insisted I come to his place to have one last drink on his balcony. I was young and impulsive, and he was hot with that perfect skin, so I went.

More: Why women who watch porn have more ‘friends with benefits’

He lived in a spectacular luxury high rise on Central Park West with floor to ceiling windows. The grand staircase leading to the next level made it look more like a mansion in the suburbs than an apartment in New York City. I had never seen anything like that before. He led me to the balcony and said, “Hang here, I’ll get us some wine.”

The view was magnificent. I couldn’t believe I was in my own city yet seeing it for the first time. I had never dated a guy for his money, nor would I, but I understood immediately in this moment why women do.

I entertained the idea for a split second that Rob and I would fall madly in love and I would live this kind of life in the city I loved — a life where I didn’t have to struggle or wonder if I’d have to move out to Queens when the rent got too high. No, a life with Rob meant those days would be over and would be someone else’s worries for a change. Then I went back to taking in the view. It was a vantage point of the park I had only seen in photographs.

As I was contemplating this unthinkable future, I realized a significant amount of time had passed and wondered if Rob had fallen asleep. Or maybe he had gotten lost in his obscenely large apartment.

I started to walk toward the bedrooms, calling out his name, but no answer. I began to open doors, “Rob?” then again, “Rob?” until I finally found him. He was in a back room with no clothes on, watching porn. While I’m not against porn or nudity, finding him like that after he was supposed to be getting us a bottle of wine was beyond disturbing.

I stupidly said, “What the F are you doing?” — even though I knew exactly what he was doing. I was just shocked that he was doing it, so I yelled, “I’m outta here.” I ran out so fast I didn’t even wait for the overpaid concierge to get me a cab. I grabbed the first one I could find and got the heck out.

The next day I woke up to am email from Rob, apologizing... for standing me up.

What?!

It seems that “Rob” was a common name among hot men in New York back then. I didn’t actually go home with my online date and friend of Stephanie. I went home with a complete stranger.

The experience kinda soured online dating for me after that.

More: What I learned from a year dating outside my comfort zone

Iggy Azalea got cheated on — and she's just happy everyone knows

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An undercover video taken of Nick Young bragging about cheating on fiancée Iggy Azalea that could potentially humiliate Young and ruin the couple's relationship leaked on the Internet this week, but Azalea's not sweating it. In fact, she took to Twitter on Tuesday to thank D'Angelo Russell — the director behind the clip and Young's Los Angeles Lakers teammate — for shooting the video.

iggy azalea tweet about d angelo russell

iggy azalea tweet about d angelo russell

Obviously, Azalea is probably less than stoked that the world knows that she was cheated on, but we're gonna interpret the tweet to mean she's just glad that Young will probably be tried and convicted in the court that is social media.

More: Nick Young proposed to Iggy Azalea, and it was filmed for fans to see

But while Azalea may be reveling in the fact that Young's alleged philandering ways were outed by his teammate, his teammates and sports fans don't necessarily share her point of view. Many are bashing Russell for divulging locker-room secrets — an ultimate sports no-no.

D'Angelo Russell tweet 1

D'Angelo Russell tweet 1

D'Angelo Russell tweet 2

D'Angelo Russell tweet 2

D'Angelo Russell tweet 3

D'Angelo Russell tweet 3

ESPN also reports that Russell's teammates are so upset with him that he's being isolated, and it's affecting the team's performance. However, it seems that those close to the controversy believe that Russell didn't directly leak the clip, and Lakers management will sit down with Young and Russell to sort things out as soon as possible, according to TMZ.

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But is it Russell's fault that Young got caught bragging about his indiscretions? Literally, yes, but it sure seems like Young should be taking just as much heat for being a cheater as Russell is for being a snitch. While it is a little shady that Russell was recording Young without his knowledge, Young probably shouldn't have been boasting about stepping out on his bride-to-be in the first place

More: Iggy Azalea opens up about her difficult, out-of-control year

What do you think? Is Russell the shady one, or is it good the world now knows of Young's true character? Check out the footage and let us know in the comments.

Iggy Azalea's ex fiance cheating video

Iggy Azalea's ex fiance cheating video

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