Quantcast
Channel: What's New
Viewing all 33701 articles
Browse latest View live

Mushroom bruschetta on crunchy cheese toasts

0
0
Impress your guests with this delightfully elegant, yet rustic and earthy appetizer!

Mushroom bruschetta on crunch cheese toasts

A crowd-pleasing appetizer that can be served at room temperature! The combination of the crunchy toasts with the creamy cheese and chopped up mushroom bruschetta makes them easy to eat and perfect for a party!

Mushroom bruschetta on crunchy cheese toasts

Yields about 16 toasts

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces mushroom blend, cleaned and roughly chopped
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil,
  • 2 cloves garlic, one minced and one cut in half
  • 2 large shallots, diced
  • 1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 5 grinds fresh cracked pepper
  • 1 French baguette, sliced into 1/4-inch slices
  • 2 ounces goat cheese, room temperature
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • Balsamic vinegar

Directions:

  1. Place 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saute pan. Add shallot and garlic, turn on heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionaly, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add mushrooms and stir often, about 10 minutes.
  3. Once the mushrooms are beginning to brown and are very fragrant, add the parsley, thyme, salt and pepper. Mix mushroom mixture well. Turn off heat and set aside.
  4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  5. Mix together goat cheese and cream cheese in a small bowl, set aside.
  6. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush lightly with olive oil on one side. Bake for 5 minutes, being careful not to burn.
  7. Remove bread slices from the oven and, using the halved garlic clove, brush each baguette slice 2 to 4 times with the fresh garlic and coat each piece of bread with a thin layer of the cheese mixture.
  8. Place prepared bread back in the oven about 2 additional minutes, just to heat the cheese.
  9. Remove bread from the oven, top each piece with a heaping tablespoon of mushroom bruschetta. Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme. Drizzle lightly with a quality balsamic vinegar if desired.

More mushroom recipes

Stuffed mushrooms with roasted garlic and thyme cream cheese recipe
Truffle mushroom mac n' cheese
Mushroom and walnut risotto


How moms can use Pinterest's new secret boards

0
0
You asked and Pinterest listened! Now you can create "secret boards" to keep certain pins off of your public Pinterest account. For moms, this is great news — finally being able to keep birthday party plans, holiday gifts and more under wraps on Pinterest!
Pinterest

You asked and Pinterest listened! Now you can create "secret boards" to keep certain pins off of your public Pinterest account. For moms, this is great news — finally being able to keep birthday party plans, holiday gifts and more under wraps on Pinterest!

Shh! Pin in private!

Hip, hip, hooray for secret boards!

If you're a mom who loves Pinterest, you're going to be able to relate to this: Ever been browsing online, pinning away, or trolling the Pinterest feed and gone to pin something, but thought twice when you realized that everyone and their mother would see that you pinned it? We've all been there.

Thankfully, Pinterest has responded to pinner feedback and created secret boards for us to pin in private! Each pinner now has the chance to create up to three secret boards on their account. These boards work like any other board you have — you can give it a title, access it from your smartphone app, pin or re-pin to it — except that it is for your eyes only.

Ready to get pinning? Let's get started!

All of the pin-alicious details

The hardest part about starting your secret boards is going to be choosing what to pin to them first! If you already know the basics of using Pinterest, this quick extra step will be a breeze.

Create a secret Pinterest board

Here are the steps to create them:

  1. Go to the far right hand corner of the screen, hover over your profile picture and select "Boards" from the drop-down menu.
  2. Once you're on your Boards page, scroll down toward the bottom where you can click to "Create a Board."
  3. Fill out all of the details about your new board and be sure to click the "Secret" button.

And, just like that, you have a board on Pinterest where you can pin in private. You'll see that all three of your secret boards are at the bottom of your boards page for easy access and pin-ability. These new boards will also be available as an option now every time you create a new pin.

A couple of things to remember... You can always make a secret board public just by switching that "Secret" button from "yes" to "no." Also, you can only have three secret boards at a time, so if you have something new that you want to keep to yourself on Pinterest, you'll need to delete one of your current boards, or make it public instead to make room.

Want to read more about how the secret boards work or need more help? Read the Pinterest support instructions.

Still learning how to navigate Pinterest? Here's your go-to guide — Pinterest: What is it, how to use it and why you'll be addicted>>

Pin your little heart out

We're guessing that you can probably think of dozens of things that you'd like to pin in private, but in case you need some inspiration to get going, we've pulled together a list of boards that you might want to keep on the down-low.

Gift ideas: How many times have you gone to pin the perfect gift idea for a friend or loved one, then realized that they are on Pinterest too and that they'll likely get a sneak peek of their present! Secret boards to the rescue! Now you can pin gift ideas and even label the pins with the intended recipients .

Party planning: If you are a party planner at heart, you know that rush of having the details of your event revealed as your guests walk in the door. Now, keep all that party inspiration to yourself with a secret board dedicated to your next soiree! From your son's truck-themed third birthday party to your mom's best friend's surprise 40th celebration that you're hosting, you can pin now, plan later.

Wish lists: Every mom has a wish list that she keeps in the back of her mind — often it's in there behind that long list of things that your kids need . Those sometimes silly, sometimes coveted, sometimes lush, sometimes practical things that you want to remember — to buy when you get a chance or to simply come back to and drool over later — now you can keep those wish lists off the watchful eyes of your fellow pinners. Go ahead — pin those $600 leather pants. Nobody will know!

More on Pinterest

Being a digital mom: 5 Ways a mom can use Pinterest
Pinterest to the rainy day rescue
Pinterest for moms: How to design a nursery

Exclusive clip with Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis

0
0
Teachers deeply touched the lives of Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal, stars of the school-takeover flick Won't Back Down. In an exclusive SheKnows clip, Davis and Gyllenhaal explain what teachers have meant to them.

The meaning of life according to Viola Davis? To make a difference in the life of a child.

So she says in a clip from her latest movie, Won't Back Down, now out on Blu-ray. The special features section of the DVD has this exclusive interview with the stars of Won't Back Down, reflecting on the importance of a great teacher in a child's life.

When a child comes from a desperate background, Davis explains, it just takes one person to help them get through it.

That person could be a teacher and touch many lives, says Davis, making the difference "between them just sinking into the ground and dreaming big, and flying."

Davis' co-star Maggie Gyllenhaal points out that different teachers connect with different students to push them and "make [them] grow up."

Won't Back Down— inspired by real-life stories of California parents who tried to use the law to let them take over failing schools — centers on a single working mom, Jamie Fitzpatrick , who worries that her daughter's elementary school is letting her down.

Fitzpatrick joins up with a warm-hearted teacher , who's worried about her own son's schooling, and the pair strives to bring their school into line.

Won't Back Down was released on Blu-ray and DVD Jan. 15.

From SAHM to working mom

0
0
If you’ve been a stay-at-home mom for any length of time beyond a traditional maternity leave, it can be a huge transition for everyone in the family when you become employed again outside the home. We have tips and advice from parents who have been there and done that.
Career woman with her toddler

If you’ve been a stay-at-home mom for any length of time beyond a traditional maternity leave, it can be a huge transition for everyone in the family when you become employed again outside the home.

Easing the transition

Are you headed back into the workforce after an extended absence? We have tips and advice from parents who have been there and done that.

Whether need or desire has propelled you back into the workforce, and whether you’re going to be working full time or part time, going from a stay-at-home mom to a working mom can be a challenge. What are some ways to ease that transition back to the working world?

Keep your networks

If you can, keep networking while you’re on leave — even if you don’t plan on returning. Staying connected will not only keep you current on what’s happening in your line of work, but it can help you get back into the workforce when you are seeking a new job.

Work while on leave

Depending on your line of work, if you can pick up a little here and there while you’re at home it can pay off in the long run. Tiffany, a hairstylist, experienced a massive reduction in clients after she went on leave when her daughter was born. “My advice would be to not take a full-time maternity leave if one has a clientele and intends to return to the profession,” she explained. “It is extremely hard to retain clients, and unfortunately very few will come back after finding someone to go to while you're on leave.”

Wait until the right time

If you can afford it, take as much time as you need before stepping back into the workforce. You may have to reduce your standard of living and do without what you’re used to, but in the end it’s worth it. “Wait until your intuition tells you it is time,” said Tara, mom of one. “Once it is, just go for it. You're going to be conflicted with feelings of guilt, that you are neglecting your child, but you are not. Neglecting yourself and your needs is about one of the worst decisions you can make for your family.”

Think of the benefits

Many moms who return to work after being at home for a few years report that they reap benefits that they weren’t necessarily expecting. “After the initial ‘nervous’ wore off, I loved having something outside of the house to focus on,” explained Jo, mom of two who waited until her youngest was 4 to go back to work. Lisa, who went back to work when her son was 18 months old, agreed. “Work saved my sanity,” she said.

Start a routine

Even before you land your first post-baby job, start a good routine that will carry over when you go back to work. Stacy, mom of two, found that a solid evening routine helped her make every minute count. “We don't have a whole lot of time at night to do everything we need to do, so we have to plan our time wisely. Do we always manage to fit everything in? No. But it works.”

Going back to work is a lot of trial and error, and can cause a wide range of emotions, but with careful planning and preparation, it can be done.

More on working moms

Four stress-less tips for working moms
How to rid yourself of working mom guilt
Time management tips for working moms

The truth about peanut butter

0
0
Peanut butter is one of those highly debatable foods. Some say it's healthy for you and others beg to differ. It's time to unveil the truth!
Peanut butter being spread on sandwich

Peanut butter is one of those highly debatable foods. Some say it's healthy for you and others beg to differ. It's time to unveil the truth!

The good, the bad
and the ugly

High in calories and high in fat are two ways to describe this smooth and creamy treat we love to put on bananas, celery and even ice cream. While peanut butter does provide your body with much-needed nutrients, it's important to remember that a little goes a long way. We've found that it's hard to eat just one serving of peanut butter, and, depending on the brand, it may actually be causing more harm than good.

First, the good

Of course, peanut butter does have some good qualities that are important to recognize. For those able to control themselves and eat only one serving, peanut butter can actually help aid in weight loss. Chock full of fiber and protein, it helps keep you fuller longer so you eat less overall. By offering a hint of sweetness and richness, it fights off cravings for sugar — a dieter's nightmare. Other benefits include:

  • It's anti-aging. Peanut butter contains the antioxidant resveratrol — also found in red wine — which can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
  • It's rich in nutrients. Peanut butter is full of vitamin E, calcium, iron, potassium and folate — all of which provide for better circulation and cardiovascular health.
  • It can help fight cancer. Loaded with antioxidants, peanut butter can help reduce your risk for cancer and heart disease.

Sold on the benefits? Try making your own peanut butter, it's healthier than store-bought >>

Now, the bad

peanut butter

Even in moderation, peanut butter does have a few disadvantages that are important to note. Typically, extra sugar is added to many common brands causing the calorie count to be even higher. To keep peanut butter from separating, cheap oils — such as palm oil — are added. Palm oil adds significantly more saturated fat to the already high-in-fat food. It's also very hard to eat just one serving. In other words, peanut butter is just a little too tasty, if we say so ourselves. Eating three servings will put you at more than 600 calories and 45 grams of fat — that's an entire meal's worth!

Types of peanut butter

Reduced-fat. Though reduced-fat peanut butter contains about 25 percent less fat than regular peanut butter, it's the good fat that's reduced. Surprisingly, it has the same amount of saturated fat than regular peanut butter. Even if you're trying to lose weight, go for the full-fat peanut butter to maximize health benefits.

Natural. This is by far the best type of peanut butter for you. It has no added oils to prevent the peanut butter from separating. Because of this, natural peanut butter needs to be stirred before each use. Make sure to choose the natural peanut butters with no added sugars or salt, as well.

The final verdict

Enjoying natural peanut butter in moderation is our best bet. Whether trying to lose weight or simply be healthier, natural peanut butter can be a good choice for an afternoon snack a few times a week. If you find yourself going overboard more often than not, it's best to skip this treat altogether.

More on health foods

Must-have healthy foods
5 Simple tips for eating healthy on the go
Top 10 health foods that aren't healthy at all

Honey Boo Boo ban: Why Crazy Tony got the boot

0
0
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo has banned a so-called friend from being a part of their much-despised hit reality show. Find out what the man known as Crazy Tony did that was so bad, and how he feels about Alana Thompson's family today.

Honey Boo Boo

Honey Boo Boo's ban against Crazy Tony is supposedly meant to keep TLC's reality show fit for families to watch together.

Explaining why Tony Lindsey — better known as Crazy Tony — has been forbidden to take part in any more Here Comes Honey Boo Booepisodes, Mama June told TMZ, "We love him as a friend... but that was a crazy story."

Adam Levine lashes out at Honey Boo Boo and family >>

Just which crazy story is Mama June referring to? While we first suspected it was his interest in the hillbilly porn phenomenon, it turns out it was his gorilla-suit stunt resulting in five arrests that was the real issue.

Drawing the line for acceptable behavior just past pet pigs pooping on the kitchen table but before grown men interfering with traffic, TLC is keeping family viewers in mind, apparently.

Speaking of Crazy Tony, Mama June went on to say, "Not trying to be mean, but we want to keep it family-oriented."

Slinging an insult back at the family of Honey Boo Boo as a whole, Tony Lindsey said in response to the ban, "TV's changed that family."

Honey Boo Boo is probably set up for life>>

Here's a recap of the great gorilla-suit incident, courtesy of TMZ:

Do you think Crazy Tony should be banned from Here Comes Honey Boo Boo?

Image via WENN

Chelsea Clinton headlines first National Day of Service

0
0
Chelsea Clinton will headline the nation's first National Day of Service on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, in honor of the Presidential Inauguration and Martin Luther King Jr.

Chelsea Clinton gives a speech.

Chelsea Clinton is officially confirmed as the honorary chair of the National Day of Service: an inaugural event on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. The National Day of Service is a call-to-action promoted by President Barack Obama in honor of Matin Luther King Jr. and will take place the weekend before Martin Luther King Day, which is Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. The Presidential Inauguration will also take place that day in Washington DC.

Vogue gets personal: Chelsea Clinton on love and politics>>

Clinton will headline the National Day of Service at the National Mall, along with celebrities such as Eva Longoria and Angela Basset. She stressed the importance of community service in a statement released to the Associated Press.

"When I was growing up, both my parents and grandparents instilled a commitment to service in me," Clinton said. "They taught me that helping our neighbors and serving our community were essential parts of being a good citizen and a good person."

Chelsea Clinton debuts "Making a Difference" for NBC>>

The National Day of Service asks people to volunteer in their communities and has coordinated and scheduled events in all 50 states. The intention is to create a tradition in which the the National Day of Service is tied to the Presidential Inauguration and the spirit of Martin Luther King Day. Some are even calling the National Day of Service the MLK Day of Service in order to emphasize the connection.

About the importance of the National Day of Service, Clinton said, "Think about how much good we can do if everyone who pitches in this weekend keeps up that commitment throughout the year."

Photo courtesy of WENN.com

Exclusive Escape from Planet Earth photos

0
0
From the same guy who brought us the animated great, Despicable Me, comes a new family comedy, Escape from Planet Earth. Earth's greatest secrets are about to break out.

Scorch and Gary Supernova are a tag-team brother duo renowned for their daring rescues and space exploration on their home planet of Baab, but that's all about to change.

When BASA chief Lena receives a desperate SOS from the dubious planet Earth halfway across the galaxy, Scorch decides to flex his blue muscles against the warnings of his big-brained brother and answer the cry for help. Little does he know the powers-that-be in Area 51 have set him up for a crash-course mission and one-way ticket to imprisonment among some of space's greatest secrets and strangest characters.

It's time for Gary to rise to the occasion, shed his over-cautious tendencies and set out on a rescue mission of his own if he ever hopes to reunite with his beloved bro.

From his first experience with brain-freeze and 7-Eleven to run-ins with some of Earth's toughest generals, Gary's having quite the adventure, and his meeting up with George Lopez in the form of a three-eyed, slug-like alien named Thurman tells us this family flick will bring the laughs for everyone on board.

Escape from Planet Earth flies into theaters Feb. 14, so be sure to check back in at SheKnows mission control for all the hype leading up to the release!

Photo credits: Rainmaker Entertainment

Homemade tortillas

0
0
Why pay more for store-bought tortillas when you can make fresh, delicious ones at home? Surprisingly simple to make, they turn a basic meal into something special. So grab a rolling pin and get ready to enjoy homemade tortillas warm from the pan.
Surprisingly simple!
Homemade tortillas

How-to Make tortillas from scratch

Why pay more for store-bought tortillas when you can make fresh, delicious ones at home? Surprisingly simple to make, they turn a basic meal into something special. So grab a rolling pin and get ready to enjoy homemade tortillas warm from the pan.

Ingredients:

  • 2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus a little extra for rolling the tortillas
  • 5 tablespoons vegetable shortening
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup very warm tap water

Directions:

1

Step 1

Measure out your flour into a medium bowl. Make sure to fluff up the flour before putting it in the cup measure to ensure that it is not packed down in the cup. Stir in the salt.

Homemade tortillas -- Step 1

2

Step 2

Place the shortening into the bowl...

Homemade tortillas -- Step 2a

… and use your hands to squeeze and work all of it into the flour. There should be no large pieces of shortening visible when you are done.

Homemade tortillas -- Step 2b

3

Step 3

Make 3/4 cup of very warm tap water...

Homemade tortillas -- Step 3a

... and work it into the flour with a fork until it starts to form a dough.

Homemade tortillas -- Step 3b

4

Step 4

Turn the dough out onto a counter...

Homemade tortillas -- Step 4a

... and knead until it has started to smooth out. This will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

5

Step 5

Roll or squeeze the dough into a log and cut into 12 equal pieces.

Homemade tortillas -- Step 4b

6

Step 6

Place in a zip-closed bag and leave it for at least 20 minutes and up to 2 hours. This lets the dough rest and makes it easier to roll out. You can use this time to prep all the yummy fillings for the tortillas.

Homemade tortillas -- Step 5

7

Step 7

Roll out the tortillas into 7-inch circles. Start by flattening the dough with your hand, and then flip and turn the tortillas as you roll it to make an even circle.

Homemade tortillas -- Step 6

8

Step 8

Preheat a frying pan to medium high. The tortilla should sizzle when it touches the pan. Use a timer to time 30 seconds for each side of the tortilla. The tortilla should bubble up a bit during the first 30 seconds. Flip it and use the spatula to gently press it down during the next 30 seconds to help it cook.

Homemade tortillas -- Step 8

9

Step 9

As you cook the tortillas, keep the finished ones stacked in an aluminum foil package. This keeps them warm and creates steam which makes them soft.

Homemade tortillas -- Step 9

10

Step 10

Once you've cooked them all, load them up with your favorite toppings.

Homemade tortillas -- Step 10

I love avocado, tomatoes and cheddar, but you can put anything you want in there! They are great for breakfast wraps or even with just a smear of peanut butter and jelly. Use your imagination and enjoy!

Homemade tortillas -- Final

Want more?

Check out this recipe for fruit tacos with chocolate tortillas!

More recipes

Tutorial: Edible spoon making
Marvelous macarons
Liquor-infused gummy candy

NBC orders up a pilot for Jessica Simpson

0
0
Jessica Simpson has a busy year ahead of her: She's giving birth to her second baby, she'll be a judge on Fashion Star, and she'll be starring in her own NBC sitcom.

JessicaSimpsonNBCsitcom

Who thinks Jessica Simpson's life is fascinating? NBC sure does. The peacock network has ordered a sitcom pilot starring the mom-to-be, according to the website Deadline Hollywood. The show will revolve around moments from Simpson's own life in a scripted format.

This continues the Fashion Star judge's relationship with the network. She will remain with the reality show, but they are expanding her presence with NBC. The show will be written by Nick Bakay and helmed by Simpson, her dad Joe, Bakay and Ben Silverman.

In a statement released Tuesday, Simpson said, "I often find myself thinking that no one could ever make up the things that actually happen in my life — so between the real-life elements and a great team of writers, I think we'll have people laughing."

Simpson has done extremely well with her fashion line of clothes, shoes, and accessories, and Weight Watchers has found her to be a very relatable spokesperson for them. The fans love her, but will they love her on a sitcom?

Executive Producer Ben Silver said, "Jessica Simpson is truly a modern-day Lucy with incredible comedic chops. From running a fashion empire to wrangling her public image as a new mom, we see Jessica's character approach a variety of 'everyday' circumstances that will get audiences laughing out loud."

Let's hope this sitcom turns out a bit better than her acting career on the big screen: Neither The Dukes of Hazard nor Employee of the Month were huge critical darlings. She also had a failed sitcom attempt with a pilot that never aired back in 2004.

No word on when the pilot shoots, since Simpson probably has to give birth to her second child first.

Read more on Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson will continue with Weight Watchers
Jessica Simpson bikini baby bump revealed
Jessica Simpson is pregnant!

Photo credit: WENN.com

Exclusive: Tim Gunn gives a royal makeover on Disney Junior

0
0
Who wouldn't want a makeover from Tim Gunn? Watch as two little village girls get the makeover of a lifetime from Tim truly.

Tim Gunn as Baileywick

Disney Junior's new animated series, Sofia the First, follows the life of little Sofia who goes from an average girl to a princess when her mother marries King Roland II. One of the things she acquires as princess is a steward named Baileywick, voiced by Project Runway's Tim Gunn. As Sofia prepares for her first royal sleepover, her friends must also prepare. It will be the very first time her normal, non-royal friends mingle with her very royal, very fancy new friends.

Who does every girl wish she could turn to when in need of fashion advice? Tim Gunn, of course! Or, in this case, Baileywick. Baileywick is pretty much exactly Tim Gunn, too, only in cartoon form. Not only does he look just like our king of the discerning eye, but he even uses his "make it work" catchphrase. Love it!

Just watch this exclusive and adorable clip!

Sofia the First originally debuted as a television movie back in November. The movie, Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess, broke multiple viewing records, including #1 cable TV telecast of all time among Kids 2-5 and the #1 preschool cable TV telecast of all time in total viewers and women 18-49. Helping with those numbers was Sofia's spectacular lineup. Tim Gunn isn't the only familiar voice on Sofia the First— the show also stars the voices of Ariel Winter as Sofia, Sara Ramirez as Queen Miranda and Wayne Brady as Clover. That's an impressive list.

Sofia the first

Perhaps the best thing Sofia the First has going for it, though, is neither the big names nor the pretty animated fashion. As so many shows push for fluff, Disney uses the special but still relatable Princess Sofia to help communicate positive messages and life lessons to future little princesses everywhere. Most importantly, Sofia is taught that being a princess is less about tiaras and poufy skirts and more about demonstrating the characteristics of a true princess: honesty, loyalty, courage, independence, compassion and grace. Those are definitely traits we hope all the SheKnows baby girls possess.

This very fashionable second episode of Sofia the First premieres Friday, Jan. 18, at 9:30 a.m. e/p.

Enjoy, Your Highnesses!

Images courtesy of ABC and Disney Junior

More on Sofia the First

Disney unveils a new princess: Meet Sofia the First
Disney Junior's Sofia the First series set to debut in January
Grey's Anatomy's Sara Ramirez in Disney's Sofia the First

Paul Rudd ready for Anchorman 2, explains big hair

0
0
Adorable Paul Rudd toned down his everyguy amiability to play a crumbling evangelical businessman in Broadway's Grace, and now he's ready to move on.

Paul Rudd with big hair

Paul Rudd can't wait to dab on some Sex Panther and play Brian Fantana again.

Anchorman: The Legend Continues, the sequel to 2004's Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, is tentatively set for a December 2013 release, and for star Paul Rudd, it can't come soon enough.

"I'm ready for comedy in my next Anchorman 2, because my dark role on Broadway got under my skin a little," he told the New York Post's gossip columnist, Cindy Adams.

Now, why would a Broadway show about a Christian couple who gets suckered into a grifter's web and loses both money and faith be depressing? Heh. Grace got good reviews, as did Rudd's performance, particularly since the amiable actor was cast against type.

But after months of crying out to God for relief onstage, Rudd's ready for some hijinks with Anchorman star Will Ferrell.

On a press tour for his last film, the effervescent This is 40, Rudd admitted he didn't "know much about" the film, which has been "shrouded in secrecy."

"I know that's the reason my hair looks like John Taylor from Duran Duran right now," joked Rudd, who had to grow his hair out to 1970s fullness to take on the Fantana role again.

Jennifer Aniston & Paul Rudd's "gross" Wanderlust moments>>

Rudd is also looking forward to reuniting with Ferrell, Steve Carell, David Koechner and Christina Applegate again. "It was so fun to do," he says of the first Anchorman.

Judd Apatow, who produced the first Anchorman and is producing the sequel, was a bit more forthcoming in an interview with MTV News, saying of the script, "We read it a few weeks ago and people were laughing so hard that at about 40 minutes in we all just ran out of gas. It was hard to read the whole thing because we got tired."

Image courtesy PNP/WENN.com

Nicki Minaj insists she's not a crazy psycho

0
0
Nicki Minaj wants fans to know she is not a psycho, and that her feud with Mariah Carey is not quite as unprovoked as the "Butterfly" diva would have the public believe.

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj claims to be over her feud with fellow American Idol judge Mariah Carey, but in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres she sounds more passive-aggressive about it than anything else.

The "Starships" rapper tried to explain that she's not a "crazy psycho" and that she's totally over the silly feud that saw her allegedly threaten Carey, but in her attempt kinda proved that she is crazy and is not actually over it.

Minaj explained to Ellen that the whole thing started because peeps were telling her that her pal Mariah was miffed she was chosen for the American Idol judge's panel.

Gallery: Best fights on reality TV>>

"…I guess before I went in there I heard all the stuff that was being said but I didn't believe it," Minaj explained. "I heard them saying Mariah doesn't want you on the panel but I was like, no. I am friends with Mariah."

"I was like arguing people down. Like, don't believe everything you read, you're crazy. I went there and I started to feel a bit of the shade. And I just kind of over-compensated by being crazier…"

"If you know someone maybe doesn't like you, it's kind of like, now you're gonna like really go in and show hey, because it's like a defense mechanism. You know what I mean? It's really that. Your feelings are hurt and you can't believe it so you kind of just compensate with being crazy."

Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey: When Alpha women go overboard>>

However, Minaj insists that the feud is now over, despite the fact that she drove Carey to hire extra security in the wake of alleged threats to shoot her.

"We're fine. I cannot hold a grudge against Mariah Carey. I don't know if she's gotten over it but I have," Minaj said. "I mean, I'm over there cracking up laughing, having fun and if she's still holding a grudge, I don't know. Like, I don't care."

"I am not really a crazy psycho, you guys," she insisted.

We'll see how much of a crazy psycho Minaj may or may not be when the new season of American Idol kicks off Jan. 16.

Image courtesy Nikki Nelson/WENN.com

Lindsay Lohan is back in court

0
0
Lindsay Lohan spent another day in court as questions arise over who is legally representing her and whether she's headed to jail... again.

LindsayLohanCourt

Another day, another Lindsay Lohan story. This time the tale is about Lohan pleading "not guilty" during her latest court battle in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The charges she faces in this case include reckless driving, lying to police and obstructing police from performing their duties. The case goes back to a June incident when she slammed her Porsche into a truck on the Pacific Coast Highway in Los Angeles.

The Liz & Dick star swears she wasn't driving the luxury car, but the police believe otherwise. These charges also revoked Lohan's probation from the 2011 necklace theft case.

In other words, she's in deep trouble. The starlet has 245 days of jail time ahead of her if the court decides she violated her probation. It is also her 20th appearance in court over the last six years.

To make matters worse, she fired her longtime lawyer and confidante, Shawn Chapman Holley. TMZ broke the news on Monday, but oddly enough, it was Holley who was representing Lohan in the courtroom on Tuesday.

She submitted Mark Heller as her representing attorney even though he isn't even licensed to practice law in the state of California. He practices law in New York.

So, it was Holley who was in court today and a very confused judge even asked who was representing the troubled actress.

According to TMZ, the California lawyer responded with, "The representation issue will be nailed down."

So it's unclear who will be by Lohan's side when her pretrial date begins on Jan. 30, but it was rumored that Holley was working out a plea deal that involved six months of lockdown rehab versus jail time.

We think that's a better option, Lindsay. Stick with your lawyer and the plea deal.

Image courtesy of WENN.com

Victor Garber confirms he's gay

0
0
Argo actor Victor Garber joins a growing list of Hollywood entertainers who have confirmed that they're gay, proving it's no big deal.

VictorGarberGay

It's truly becoming no big deal to come out in Hollywood, and stars are proving that they're going to do it their own way. While some celebrities will head for the nearest cover of a magazine, others will quietly let the news leak out.

Viewers all over the world saw Jodie Foster confirm that she's gay while she accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes on Sunday. It wasn't that she actually said it, it was more about the subtext in what she didn't say.

Now, Argo actor Victor Garber has joined the growing list of entertainers who have confirmed that they're gay. The news came in the most roundabout way.

Blogger Greg Hernandez spoke with the Broadway actor at the TV Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena, California, a few weeks ago. Hernandez questioned an item on Garber's Wikipedia entry which stated that he lived with artist Rainer Andreesen.

Garber answered the question openly and honestly by saying, "I don't really talk about it but everybody knows. He's going to be out here with me for the SAG Awards."

This isn't even a new relationship, as the couple has been together for 14 years.

Within the last year Hollywood has seen a slew of celebrities come out, and most of the reactions have been supportive, proving that it just isn't that big a deal anymore.

From The Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons to White Collar's Matt Bomer to CNN personality Anderson Cooper, the list shows that it's getting just a little bit easier to come out in America.

Image courtesy of Daniel Tanner/WENN.com

What the stars' Golden Globes fashions really reveal about their lives

0
0
We can learn a great deal about a celebrity’s true self as expressed through fashion on the red carpet. Why they select one haute couture gown over another speaks volumes about what they’re going through at this moment in their lives, how they want to be seen by the public, and most importantly, how they see themselves.
What does it all mean?
Kathryn Eisman

Style shrink

We can learn a great deal about a celebrity’s true self as expressed through fashion on the red carpet. Why they select one haute couture gown over another speaks volumes about what they’re going through at this moment in their lives, how they want to be seen by the public, and most importantly, how they see themselves.

Despite the fashion aftershocks or “afterfrocks” and their stylists' agonized attempts to pull the best gowns for their client before the big day, when it comes to the final decision, it’s often made far more intuitively than you might imagine.

This year's best actress winner, Jennifer Lawrence, tried on just two gowns the day before the award show before selecting the third dress, a deep coral silk satin trumpet creation by Dior Haute Couture, to wear into the history books. I’ve spent longer deciding what to wear on a first date!

So let's peel back the layers of silk chiffon and the facade of hand-sewn sequins to reveal what some of Sunday night's most polarizing Golden Globes gowns really said about the stars who wore them.

Lena Dunham

Lena Dunham

What her gown says: “I’m loyal, I’m real, but I still need your approval.”

Having grown up in the New York artist scene, the Girls creator and winner of best television performance elected to wear a gown by childhood friend Zac Posen. Lena’s decision to wear a gown by her longtime buddy reveals her deep sense of loyalty and commitment to staying true to herself in the face of her whirlwind rise to fame.

A self-admitted fashion lover and usually far quirkier dresser, Lena moved away from her edgier looks for her first major awards show, revealing her respect for the establishment but also her desire to be accepted more than she would like to admit.

She may be a fresh voice discussing contemporary women’s issues, but the classic corset and ball gown silhouette reveals she has a love for tradition and is a great student of past greats.

Lena bravely reveals herself in her writing and on screen performances, but when it comes to the red carpet and being a star, she still hasn’t quite come into her own and embraced her fabulous differences.

Our prediction: As Lena continues to ascend, expect to see her embrace an edgier more “her” look as she realizes that she needn’t fit into Hollywood's convention, when she can simply rewrite it. More edge, less fabric.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez

What her gown says: “I’m a star and I can finally be myself in a relationship.”

If there’s anyone in Hollywood who knows that the right dress that dances between scandalous and spectacular can make or break a career, it’s Jennifer Lopez. Her navel-grazing leafy green Versace gown at the 2000 Grammy Awards launched her into a whole new stratosphere and turned her into J. Lo the brand.

At Sunday night's Golden Globes, Jenny from the block delivered the night's most risque and high fashion moment in a body-baring, cream lace Zuhair Murad gown that left little to the imagination.

Despite its almost nude look, the choice of virginal cream lace and long sleeves offered the perfect amount of modesty and ladylike appeal. This dress is classic Lopez — as she comes to terms with the fact that she is all at once a sexy, free spirited girl from the Bronx, a powerful mogul, a romantic who wants nothing more than to be in love and treated like a lady, and a proud mother of two.

After years of being in relationships where she either had to be “little miss perfect” or “bad boy babe,” she now realizes that she is a mix of both. The nakedness of this gown reflects an inner peace that comes with finally being in a relationship that allows her to be her true self .

Even her hairstyle — half slick, half classic — mirrors this dichotomy between naughty and nice.

Our prediction: Expect color and drama during the award season as she takes risks and owns every moment.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway

What her gown says: “I want my talent to outshine my celebrity.”

No one plays the role of humble, earnest thespian more convincingly than Anne Hathaway. The Les Miserables winner’s white sequin strapless Chanel gown expressed a desire to show her unbelievable talent naked and unembellished for the world to see.

The white fuss-free detailing and clean, simple lines reflect her inner idealistic leaning. Despite her material wealth, this girl values ideas and ideals above all else. She is a perfectionist and principled in everything she does.

Her uncompromising approach to what she views as right and wrong is both her strength and her weakness. She can easily become so attached to the cause that she becomes extreme in her actions and morally judgmental in her thinking. Despite her holier-than-thou approach to life, if she believes in something, she will fight for it with her life, which makes her a loyal friend and a success in everything she attempts.

Our prediction: Expect a gown hiding a baby bump soon, as marriage becomes the focus.

Up next: Style shrink quick sessions >>

{pageBreak}

What does it all mean?
Kathryn Eisman

Style shrink

We can learn a great deal about a celebrity’s true self as expressed through fashion on the red carpet. Why they select one haute couture gown over another speaks volumes about what they’re going through at this moment in their lives, how they want to be seen by the public, and most importantly, how they see themselves.

Amy Poehler

What it says I’m proud to say I'm here for my brains, not my beauty.

Amy Poehler

Jodie Foster

What it says — Here I am. Take it or leave it.

Jodie Foster

Claire Danes

What it says — I can be the star now that I’ve proven myself.

Claire Danes

Julianne Moore

What it says — I am a modern woman. I make up my own rules.

Julianne Moore

More Golden Globes

Anya says: What red carpet trends at the Golden Globes mean for you
Golden Globes fashion face-off: Battle of the TV stars
Get the look: Jennifer Lawrence's Golden Globes hair

Photo credits: Apega/WENN.com, Apega/WENN.com, Apega/WENN.com, WENN.com, Daniel Tanner/WENN.com, Apega/WENN.com, Apega/WENN.com

Homemade dog treats

0
0
Humans aren’t the only ones who need a treat every now and then. Instead of buying the same old dry treats for your dog, bake up some fun and exciting treats that look so good, you’ll want to try them yourself.
Hungry pug
Homemade doggie treats

Sweets for
your pooch

Humans aren't the only ones who need a treat every now and then. Instead of buying the same old dry treats for your dog, bake up some fun and exciting treats that look so good, you'll want to try them yourself.

What to avoid

Dog tummies can be sensitive. Some ingredients can make dogs sick, so you should avoid them when making dog treats at home:

  1. Dairy products
  2. Chocolate
  3. Sugar and artificial sweeteners
  4. Salt
  5. Onions
  6. Potatoes  
  7. Raisins and grapes
  8. Nuts
  9. Liver

Allergy-inducing ingredients

Just like humans, dogs can have allergies to foods. If you suspect an allergy but can't identify its trigger, take your dog to the vet to figure it out.

Common allergens in dogs include:

  • Wheat
  • Lamb
  • Chicken
  • Eggs
  • Soy
  • Dairy
  • Corn
  • Beef
Note: If your dog has an allergy to any of these, it may develop mild itchiness or diarrhea.

Size matters

Prepare treats that are appropriate for the size of your dog . If you make larger treats, break them in pieces for small dogs.

peanut butterPlay favorites

Dogs have likes and dislikes just as we do, so let your dog sample a few ingredients you might use in your homemade dog treats to make sure they like them. Favorite foods of dogs include peanut butter, liver , salmon and pumpkin.

Fats, sugars & salts

To prevent your dog from gaining weight or having blood pressure problems, don't use too much sugar, salt or fat when making treats. Remember that sugar and artificial sweeteners also can cause tooth decay. Dogs don't have taste buds like ours, anyway, so they don't need salt or sugar to enjoy their food.

Up next: Dog-friendly recipes >>

{pageBreak}

Sweets for your pooch

Humans aren't the only ones who need a treat every now and then. Instead of buying the same old dry treats for your dog, bake up some fun and exciting treats that look so good, you'll want to try them yourself.

Bacon biscuits

Pumpkin biscuits

Makes 12 to 24 biscuits

Ingredients:

  • 15 ounces pumpkin puree
  • 3/4 cup dry old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup powdered milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  2. Combine pumpkin, oats, milk and cinnamon. Spoon batter onto baking sheets in small mounds.
  3. Bake biscuits for 10 to 15 minutes or until baked through. Let cool, then remove from tray.

Peanut butter balls

Makes 12 to 12 balls

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups whole-wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  2. Beat flour with peanut butter, honey, water and oil. Roll batter into balls and place on baking sheets.
  3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until balls are baked through.

Bacon biscuits

Makes 12 to 24 biscuits

Ingredients:

  • 6 slices turkey bacon
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 cups whole-wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup powdered milk
  • Bacon grease from cooked bacon
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon chopped parsley

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  2. Combine bacon, eggs, flour, powdered milk, bacon grease, water and parsley. Mix well.
  3. Spoon mixture onto baking sheets and flatten.
  4. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until baked through. Let cool before removing from pans.

More food tips for your pup

5 Things making your dog fat
Top 5 Healthy treats for pets
Keep your pooch from getting plump

Sofia Vergara wants you drunk and dancing at her wedding

0
0
Sofia Vergara wants a big wedding and omits this one tradition to ensure it's not a snooze fest.

Sofia Vergara ombre hair.

Sofia Vergara wants a big wedding. Surprised? We're not. Vergara, a 40-year-old actress with the fame and career of a someone at least ten years younger, says her wedding to fiancé Nick Loeb will be a major party. You can forget sitting through boring, awkward wedding toasts or nibbling on expensive, but medicore, food. Sofia Vergara's wedding is going to be F-U-N.

Sofia Vergara to fiancé: F*** you!>>

Says Vergara talked to People magazine about her upcoming wedding to Nick Loeb. "If I'm going to do something, it's going to have to be a big event." Vergara continued, "I just had my 40th birthday in Mexico. I had more than 100 people." .

SheKnows: The ultimate love and sex survey>>

Sofia Vergara says she's not sure when her huge wedding will take place because she needs major prep time. One thing she does know is that her wedding will not be a snooze fest under any circumstances. "Now I don't have time [to plan a wedding] — and it will have to be one weekend when I have the time to plan something fun," said Vergara to People. "I don't even know what I'm going to do… [Nick and I want] more like of a party [with] music, dancing, a lot of food; not really sitting there hours and giving speeches."

Photo courtesy of WENN.com

Dallas season 2: More turmoil's a brewing

0
0
Are you ready for more Dallas? The residents of Southfork are back and more deceptive than ever. Season 2 will take the Ewing family drama to a whole other level.

Julie Gonzalo

Later this month, Dallas returns to TNT. The next generation of Ewings are front and center as they kick off Season 2. Viewers should expect soapy drama as well as a bittersweet farewell. Executive producer Cynthia Cidre dished to EW about what's on the horizon.

First off, the writers will deal with the real-life passing of Larry Hagman. The actor iconically played the role of J.R. Ewing during the original run and the first season of the reboot.

Prior to Hagman's death, he'd completed five new episodes. Therefore, Cidre and her team had to drastically change the subsequent scripts to accommodate his absence.

Dallas plans "proper sendoff" for Larry Hagman's JR>>

“I never cried when I was writing,” says Cidre. “But the next day I started to type, and I started crying so hard I couldn’t even see the computer screen.” The cast will pay tribute to the actor and character in the eighth episode . “It will be funny and appropriate to J.R., but it will also be sad because his family loved him,” says Cidre. “As do the fans.”

As for J.R.'s heir, John Ross , he has his hands full with cousin Christopher . But Christopher might be distracted by his ex and baby mama Rebecca .

Rebecca's done playing nice and is going to make him pay. With her dad by her side, she's ready for war. Cidre teases, “She is a woman with confidence who went to business school and is going to run her father’s company.”

Amidst all the conflict, they'll still find away to steam up Southfork. “I don’t think we had enough sex on the show last year because we had couples, and couples can’t cheat if you want to like them,” says Cidre. “But now John Ross is the stud around town.”

Keep your eyes peeled!

Dallas returns Jan. 28 at 9/8c on TNT.

Photo credit: Hugh Dillon/WENN

Megan Fox: Sometimes an object of lust, also speaks in tongues

0
0
Megan Fox tells Esquire magazine why she doesn't envy Lindsay Lohan, how sex appeal makes her feel powerless, and oh yeah -- about "speaking in tongues."

Megan Fox talks to Esquire magazine.

Megan Fox graces the February issue of Esquire magazine in a sexy, lacy bra and boy shorts — so much for just having a baby. Anyway, the interview is odd and shocking and weird because Megan Fox might either just be missing a PR rep to help her with the questions or she's just super open. Either way, the interview with Fox in Esquire is truly a must-read.

Megan Fox on having a "vampire baby">> 

Megan Fox tells the magazine she realizes she's very famous but hates the misconception that her life must be great — you know — because she's so rich and famous and beautiful.

"I don't think people understand," says Fox, in reference to fame. "They all think we should shut the f*** up and stop complaining because you live in a big house or you drive a Bentley. So your life must be great. What people don't realize is that fame, whatever your worst experience in high school, when you were being bullied by those ten kids in high school, fame is that, but on a global scale, where you're bullied by millions of people constantly."

This is a very understandable point: Fame does invite a lot of harsh and sometimes incorrect scrutiny thrown about our celebrity universe. However, we should point out that living in a big house and driving a $200,000 car is pretty good in this economy.

Megan Fox blames tuna for her little thumbs>> 

Megan Fox also tells Esquire that she is very much aware men and women objectify her based on the sexually-charged roles she has taken in the past. "I felt powerless in that image. I didn't feel powerful. It ate every other part of my personality, not for me but for how people saw me, because there was nothing else to see or know." . Fox continued, "That devalued me. Because I wasn't anything I was an image. I was a picture. I was a pose."

Fox also reveals she feels Lindsay Lohan is in trouble and removed her Marlyn Monroe tattoo because she was worried about the negative energy it would bring to her acting career. "I started reading about [Marilyn Monroe] and realized that her life was incredibly difficult. It's like when you visualize something for your future. I didn't want to visualize something so difficult."

Says Fox, "She wasn't powerful at the time. She was sort of like Lindsay [Lohan]. She was an actress who wasn't reliable, who almost wasn't insurable… She had all the potential in the world, and it was squandered."

So we guess Megan Fox and Lindsay Lohan aren't friends, right?

Megan Fox needs either a nanny or a divorce>>

One of our favorite parts of Megan Fox's Esquire interview was her admission of deep religious ties and dedication to her Pentecostal church in Tennessee. Fox says has received God's gift of speaking in tongues before her congregation. "It feels like a lot of energy coming through the top of your head — I'm going to sound like such a lunatic — and then your whole body is filled with this electric current. And you just start speaking, but you're not thinking because you have no idea what you're saying. Words are coming out of your moth, and you can't control it."

Megan Fox tells Esquire, "The idea is that it's a language only God understands. It's the language that's spoken in heaven. It's called 'getting the Holy Ghost."

You can read the full interview with Megan Fox in Esquire magazine when it hits newsstands Jan. 22, 2013.

Photo courtesy of Dominic Chan / WENN.com
Viewing all 33701 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images