Wardrobe

People like me who only saw images of Nicki Minaj but weren’t overly familiar with her work thought she may be a little left of center. Not to judge on appearances alone, but what is with all those f’d up pantsuits, wonky hats and Strawberry Shortcake wigs? She kind of looks like a demented cupcake.

Then, we got to know her as a judge on American Idol, and kind of grew to like her. So we dismissed the wack-a-doodle wardrobe as artistic expression. Now that we’re getting a taste of Nicki’s unorthodox behavior, perhaps the odd costumes and wigs are a sign of mild dementia. Even Joel Nemoyer, the contestant who laid down to sing his audition, thought Nicki looked like “cotton candy.” If a guy like Joel thinks your outfit is unusual, that might be a sign…

Nicki Minaj proves she’s not a crazy psycho >>

Commentary

Nicki Minaj is funny! But I’m still trying to figure out if she’s funny in a “great sense of humor” way, or funny in a “nuttier than a squirrel’s breakfast” kind of way. Last night she asked contestant Naomi Morris if she could have her bra. Kind of an odd thing to ask a stranger, but then, Naomi designed it herself and it was really cool.

I'm still trying to figure out if Nicki crossed a line when she told two-time Idol contestant Candice Glover, “I’m obsessed with you. I want to skin you and eat you.” On one hand, this is the kind of crazy-a** sh** my sister says to make me giggle, but on the other hand, the fictional character Hannibal Lecter lived in a high-security prison with a wire cage on his face so he wouldn’t bite or eat people. If the producers of American Idol really want to make us laugh, they should have Nicki wear a wire cage mask on the next AI.

Gallery: Top American Idol performances>>

Dissension in the ranks

Oh hell no! Randy Jacksondid not just play the “just trying to help, 30 years, a little insight” trump card when Nicki accused Randy and Mariah Carey of scaring contestants with their labels. And Mariah did not just play the “I’m trying to help her as opposed to just talking about her outfit” card.

Of course I'm referring to the pissing match heard round the world last night after contestant Summer’s audition. You could tell it had been a long day when lovable, mild-mannered, well-behaved Keith Urban got a little b*tchy when Summer said she had “done the country thing.” Keith wasn’t impressed, and for the first time, we saw just a stitch of diva coming from someone other than the girls.

So was it just an extra-long day and Nicki was over it? Or was she annoyed that for the first time she didn’t monopolize the post-audition analysis? We’re sure everyone will issue statements about Wednesday night’s skirmish, and we’re equally sure that Nicki’s explanation will be crazier than her walking off the set.

Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey: When alpha women go too far>>

Photo credit: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

Of course, you might have to sell your soul for the $349 tickets . Once you see the lineup, you'll understand why it's worth the possible starvation and truck driver molestation.

Friday

These two days are going to be off the heezy! Headliners for the night are The Stone Roses and Blur. The lineup also features the radio familiar sounds of newbies such as Of Monsters and Men and Local Natives, as well as staples such as Passion Pit, Band of Horses, and Tegan and Sara. Even with the addition of Lou Reed, Jurassic 5 and Grinderman, your Fridays are going to be the night to rock out.

Saturday

Saturday is epic. If you don't know who the headliner, Phoenix, is — you're dead to me. The French band isn't quite as popular in America as they are in Europe, but they've still had some really great hits here . Phoenix is just a rockin', dancin' good time... which is a pretty decent way to describe the rest of Saturday's lineup, too. The goods include: The xx, Foals, The Postal Service, Two Door Cinema Club, and The Wombats. Just imagine lots of skinny jeans and glitter and flailing arms. But, if you're not a dancer, Sigur Rós, the Dropkick Murphys, and the mellow workings of Ben Howard will also be on tap. Oh! And Grizzly Bear, Janelle Monae , New Order, Franz Ferdinand and Yeasayer.

Sunday

No matter how many dance-induced blisters you have from Saturday, do not leave early. Sunday will be just as awesome. Sunday is basically just an odd mix-up of perfection. The headliners, Red Hot Chili Peppers, need no introduction. Coachella will also boast Wu Tang Clan as the highlight of the weekend. Plus, after a couple years on hiatus, Vampire Weekend will return. Expect lots of new music and don't forget to bring your cardboard cut-out of an Oxford comma. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are a rockin' classic you really can't justify missing. But, most exciting is the addition of The Lumineers, those sweet, folky kids that have been all over your radio with "Ho Hey." Also worth seeing — Jeff the Brotherhood, La Roux, Alex Clare , and Gaslight Anthem.

I'm breathless from typing all of that. For the full line-up check out the official site.

Photo credit: WENN.com

More on the music channel

Green Day to hit the road again in 2013
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Annie Leibovitz turns Taylor Swift into Rapunzel

Introducing kids to the art world

taking your kids to art museums

If you want to introduce your child to art but you’re not sure how to proceed, start here.

Discover ways to get the most out of your museum ticket and how you can continue to foster a love of art at home.

Children’s museums are great for very small children. As your kids mature, don’t be afraid to branch out to museums that aren’t structured specifically for kids. Try these easy tips for taking your children to museums and getting the most out of the experience.

To make the most of the time and cost of admission, prepare before your visit to the museum. Find out if the museum offers deals or has upcoming special events. Read about the various wings and exhibits, keeping your child’s interests in mind. Research the history and meaning behind a few key pieces so that you can talk to your child about them when you visit. Many museum websites have additional educational materials online. The more you learn, the more you and your family will get out of the visit.

Even fine arts museums have programming for kids, especially if the facility is frequented by school kids on field trips. Call or email the museum to find out what kinds of events and programming are available to kids. Some museums offer tours specifically for children, with age-appropriate educational materials. If you’re doing your own “tour” with the research you’ve done independently, make sure you build in unstructured time for wandering and winding down. Focus on a variety of types of art or types of exhibits to help keep kids occupied.

Read about the importance of art in schools>>

Think about your child’s interests as you plan a museum day. Is she interested in performing arts, science or history? Look beyond traditional fine arts museums. Unique attractions like the Circus Museums at the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida aren’t specifically for kids, but the content captures young imaginations. Keep your child’s mood and attention span in mind as you time your trip. Don’t visit during nap time or a time of day when your child tends to be cranky or wound up. Eat a filling meal before your visit or head to a museum with a cafeteria.

Your visit to the museum doesn’t stop when you walk back to your car. Bring the museum home by continuing a dialogue about what you saw. If your child was inspired by abstract art, help him work on his own art at home. If your child was captivated by a particular historical era or type of fashion, head to the library or hop online together to find more information on the subject. Consider your museum trip a foundation for an ongoing journey of learning.

Learn how to display your child's school art>>

More art for kids

Family fun: Bring out your inner artist
How the arts benefit your child academically
Playroom turned craft room

Gluten-free baking has come a long way. Creative new foods and decadent treats that everyone can enjoy are now on the table! You don't always have to mix, measure and put all the ingredients together yourself. Many companies, like Betty Crocker, offer delightful, gluten-free baking mixes that are easy for you to use to create many gluten-free goodies like these mini-truffle cakes!

Chocolate truffle cakes

Recipe courtesy of Betty Crocker

Yields 46

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup whipping cream
• 1 box Betty Crocker Gluten Free devil's food cake mix
• Water, butter and eggs, as called for on the cake mix box
• Nonstick cooking spray
• Optional garnishes: Roasted cacao nibs, chopped dark chocolate, crystallized ginger, dried sweetened cranberries, chopped pistachio nuts, shredded coconut, toasted and sliced almonds

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray 46 mini-muffin cups with the cooking spray.
2. Add the chocolate chips to a medium-sized glass bowl.
3. In 2-cup glass liquid measuring cup, microwave the whipping cream, uncovered, on high for 1-1/2 minutes, or until hot. Pour the cream over the chocolate chips and let stand for about 5 minutes.
4. Stir the mixture until smooth, then refrigerate for about 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until it's thick.
5. Make the cake batter as directed on devil's food cake mix box. Fill the mini-muffin cups 3/4 full .
6. Bake for 11-14 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the mini-muffins from the pan and place them on a cooling rack. Cool completely.
7. If necessary, heat the chocolate mixture in the microwave, at 15-20 second increments, stirring every 10 seconds until smooth and it reaches piping consistency.
8. Place 1/2 cup of the chocolate mixture into a decorating bag fitted with a round tip with a 1/8-inch opening. Insert the tip into top center of one cake at a time, about halfway down into cake. Gently squeeze the decorating bag, pulling upward until the cake swells slightly and the filling comes to the top. Repeat with the remaining cakes.
9. Place the remaining chocolate mixture in a small microwavable bowl. Microwave uncovered for about 30 seconds or just until soft enough to spoon over. Stir until smooth.
10. Spoon the warm chocolate mixture over each cake. Top with garnishes, and store loosely covered in the refrigerator.

Devour these decadent treats!

More Gluten-free Goodie recipes

Oatmeal-apple cookies
Raspberry scones with lemon drizzle icing
Flourless chocolate-cranberry crinkle cookies

Us Weekly reports that it knows Beyoncé's set list for the Super Bowl halftime show, and we think you deserve to know, too.

Since Bey will be teaming up with Kelly Roland and Michelle Williams to once again become Destiny's Child, the ladies will do a medley of their old school jams. They'll start their performance with "Bills, Bills, Bills," throw in a dash of "Survivor" and close out the set with their new single, "Nuclear."

Seeing as how she's been singing Destiny's Child songs for so long, there shouldn't be any reason for her to need backup vocals or to be accused of lip-synching again, like she was at the Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 21. She should be able to nail the lyrics and pitch perfectly after years of practice.

Then again, with the echoing that often occurs in those places and the chance of a return to some serious pop and locking from days gone by, some pre-recorded tracks wouldn't be out of the question. Nor should they be judged so harshly.

As for the inaugural incident, her bandmate Williams, who recently appeared on Good Morning America, said the scandal was, "disappointing and sad... that was such a big moment for her. I wish people would let it go."

As for the set list, we're a little disappointed that the song "Single Ladies" is missing. After all, both teams will be vying to "put a ring on it."

Beyoncé, Rowland and Williams will survive the Super Bowl XLVII crowd as Destiny's Child on Feb. 3, 2013, in New Orleans. We bet no one is more excited than her date to the game, hubby Jay-Z. We'll be watching, will you?

Photo credit: WENN.com

More on Beyoncé

Beyonce: Destiny's Child to make "Nuclear" music video
Beyonce: Fake pregnancy stories went too far
Aretha Franklin is cackling over Beyonce lip-synching

Shakira ‏

Shakira is a mommy!

“I'd like to ask you all to accompany me in your prayers on this very important day of my life,” she tweeted on January 22.

Shortly after, Shakira's publicist posted an official announcement of the birth of her son named Milan:

“Milan Piqué Mebarak,” she tweeted, with a link to the official announcement that read:

We are happy to announce the birth of Milan Piqué Mebarak, son of Shakira Mebarak and Gerard Piqué, born January 22nd at 9:36pm, in Barcelona, Spain.

The name Milan , means dear, loving and gracious in Slavic; in Ancient Roman, eager and laborious; and in Sanskrit, unification. Just like his father, baby Milan became a member of FC Barcelona at birth. The hospital confirmed that the couple’s first child weighed approximately 6 lbs. 6 ounces, and that both mother and child are in excellent health.

Bethenny Frankel ‏

Skinnygirl mogul Bethenny Frankel and her soon-to-be ex-husband Jason Hoppy are in the midst of a divorce, with Hoppy just filing papers saying he wants primary custody of their daughter Bryn, as well as child support, health care expenses and “exclusive use and occupancy” of their $5 million NYC apartment.

Frankel was careful not to say too much about the divorce, only tweeting:

“I have to tell you how much I love you all. Period. That's it.”

The single mom did, however, write about being more stressed than normal.

“Although I usually only do yoga, when ur stressed, doing something more intense clears your mind. Be where you are,” she tweeted.

Yes, be where you are — as long as you aren’t messing with her daughter Bryn!

“A little boy just pushed Bryn out of a kids' fire truck & I seriously wanted to throw down w his mom who was nowhere in sight,” she wrote.

It appears that Frankel is trying to keep things normal and fun for her daughter, despite being in the midst of a messy divorce.

“My girlfriend & I had a slumber party with our 2 year olds. We all slept in the same bed! So fun!” she wrote.

Brooke Burke-Charvet

After recovering from her bout with thyroid cancer, it sounds like Dancing with the Stars host and mom-of-four, Brooke Burke has fallen back into her normal routine — and that includes taking care of sick kids!

“back 2 school I go for another fever! this is so ridiculous! worst sick season ever!!!!” she tweeted.

“canceling my work out! uuuugh, kids 1st. gonna hit my 30 min cardio at hm while Rain rests on the couch,” she wrote, referring to her daughter Rain.

“Hm making chicken veggie soup, lemon & vit C water, tea with honey. Good times,” she later wrote.

“Jeez, I've rung out every moment of today. Just finished cleaning up dinner. I'm beat. Hope I last thru kids bedtime routine,” she wrote.

We’ve been there, Brooke!

Tori Spelling

It was flashback day for Tori Spelling, who wrote about her fourth pregnancy.

“My last morning as a pregnant woman,” she tweeted, with a link to a photo on her website.

“The morning of Finn’s arrival I had a million thoughts and feelings running through my head. While I was super excited to welcome our newest babe into the family, I was totally caught off guard by how sad I was that this would be my last morning ever as a pregnant woman,” she wrote.

Also on her timeline?

“Will definitely be making rainbow spaghetti this weekend!” she wrote, with a link to a recipe for making colorful noodles. Hey Tori, SheKnows has a fun idea for rainbow spaghetti too!

From Megan Fox to Adele, check out more funny, sweet and wacky celebrity mom tweets>>

Photos: WENN

Are you "Too Young to Be Bitter"?

In a hilarious discussion among the members of the "Too Young to Be Bitter" club , Tina coins the idea of making the upcoming formal a Sadie Hawkins theme, when the girls ask the boys to be their date, rather than waiting around in anticipation and driving themselves insane.

Finn decides to parlay this idea into the latest Glee meeting, where the ladies will sing to the guy they want to go to the dance with. Very early on Kitty  tries to make her mark on Jake , but it's pretty obvious that Marley had her heart set on him, too.

In the least unpredictable series of events: Brittany asks Sam , Marley does ask Jake, and the rest of the Glee team seems to end up with random women from the Too Young to Be Bitter crew by the end of the episode.

The most startling conflicts, which made for some significantly pivotal moments: Jake was made a very direct and overt offer by Kitty to have guaranteed sex if he took her to the dance — and he was considering it throughout the episode! Even when he was with Marley, and while assuring her he would never hurt her, we see him look longingly at Kitty ).

Tina + Blaine + Sam = love?!

Another upcoming story line, is the one that took most of Glee club by surprise: Tina's affection for the very gay Blaine , who, by the way, is very much starting to grow on me! She asks him to the dance and he says no, marking one of the most humiliating moments for Tina, but an awkward one to watch. When she asks him why later, we see how close they are and how he admits he's crushing on Sam!

What.

Random plot line, but we shall see where it takes us! As if that weren't enough drama, Blaine and Tina almost appear to share a kiss! But it's interrupted by Sam's discovery that the Warblers may be using steroids. When they confront Finn with this information, they determine that if they can prove they used it during Sectionals, New Directions would win by default. Suddenly, everything starts to fall in place for the future of the Glee club.

Lima seems to be more exciting than New York these days...

Just prepare yourselves for my loathsome attack on Rachel : The producers of Glee seem to be rushing her and Brody's  romance. In this episode, you watch them suddenly spend all their time together and having Rachel talk about love?! Love?! If that were not absurd enough, Brody was 45 minutes late to a dinner she planned, and she freaked out on him. Instead of calling her crazy, he lays on borderline-Shakespearan sweet nothings and swore he would never be late again. Their affection seemed way too fast and all too forced, but perhaps there is a reason for it... somewhere down the line.

Her best friend Kurt , who seemingly gets left out in the cold while she stays warm with Brody, decides to make his own friends. And apparently, he really truly is done with Blaine because he makes no mention of him whatsoever, particularly when he asks out the senior and founder of Adam's Apples, a club that Rachel tells Kurt is social suicide. He tries to resist joining the club, but the charm of the older man lures him enough and we will certainly see where this takes NYADA's newest student.

My favorite song covers

Best songs featured on this episode? Marley and Brittany's rendition of "Tell Him" by The Exciters, and the Glee guy's rendition of "No Scrubs" by TLC . Which song made me a little uneasy because I wasn't sure if it was good or horrible? "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-A-Lot, done by Adam's Apples who performed for Kurt at NYADA.

So what do you think readers? Do you think this season will be the best one yet?

Photos courtesy of Fox

Missed a few episodes? Want to refresh your memory on where we left off? Check out our other Glee recaps:

Season 4, Episode 10
Season 4, Episode 9
Season 4, Episode 8

Chatting with the winner of Miss America is always a pleasure, but it's always hard not to stare. Mallory Hagan is spunky and drop dead gorgeous obviously, but we found the beauty to be surprisingly down to earth.

Down to earth beauty

We wanted to find out how she manages to stay so pretty and what it took to take home the crown.

Mallory Hagan, also known as Miss America, is also Miss New York. In fact, the 23-year-old, who hails from Alabama, is the first Miss New York to win the title since Vanessa Williams in 1984. The drought for New Yorkers to bring home the crown has finally ended.

Hagan is a spunky gal who loves life and is not afraid to speak out for the causes she believes in. When asked how she feels about her win, she says, "I think it's going to sink into me later as I travel more and more," she says. "Right now I feel as though I'm doing what I'm doing before I left, but when I get to the Super Bowl, I'll realize it."

Hagan's beauty routine

When she lived in Alabama, Hagan says her attitude towards grooming was definitely different. "It's a whole other world down there... you blow dry your hair every day and you put on a ton of makeup; it's just different." A New York minute is pretty much what Hagan has these days, and that's why she likes to keep things simple. "I need to find a happy medium now as Miss America," she laughs.

If you ask Hagan, she'd tell you that inner beauty — no matter how cliched that may sound — is way more impressive because it shows your radiance. She also really likes Artistry, the official beauty sponsor of Miss America, and the neutral colors they have. Indeed, their new spring collection, which will be available online in March, is all about cool pastels and soft shades.

Her favorite product from the brand? Artistry liquid liner! "With their liner, my makeup stays so well and comes off easily." Other faves? Mascara and Artistry light up lip gloss.

Enchanted Garden spring launch from Artistry

While chatting with Hagan, we got the scoop on Artistry's new product launches! Two collections, Enchanted Rose and Lily, add sparkle and a coy innocence this spring. It's about pastels — but of the glimmering kind. There are new products that are perfect for your purse, including the new dual-phase Water Color Eye Shadows from the Enchanted Rose collection that look and feel liquid but immediately turn to a silky powder finish upon application. The result is a soft, blendable shimmer.

The cheeks are lit with a soft, luminous finish with the Sequined Peach Sheer Cheek Color . You may want to stock up on the Lip Gloss Duo which features neutral and not over-the-top shades. Then there's the Enchanted Lily collection which features a Soft Rose Sheer Cheek Color and a Port Wine Eyeliner Pencil .

The best way to get the Enchanted Lily look?

1. Color your entire eyelid with a shimmery eye color like the Golden Sunset Eye Color, and take care to soften the edges with your fingers or with a brush.
2. Blend a darker shade like the Twilight Eye Color into the crease.
3. Apply a darker eye color like the Midnight Star Eye Color along the upper lash line and over the outer corner, and soften with a fingertip.
4. Smudge the Port Wine Eyeliner Pencil along the lower lash line and blend into the lash roots. It's all about creating the smoky eye with this pencil.
5. Don't forget to add mascara and a soft blush, as well as the soft rose sheer cheek color to the apples of your cheeks.
6. Shimmer your lips with the dual lip gloss, and you're set!

More beauty

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Hairstyle solutions and products for gross weather
New H&M sportswear fuels fashion

I'm losing all faith in Vincent.

In this episode, we see the return of his ex Alex, when she spots him coming down the stairs from a visit with Cat at the hospital after that terrible accident. Alex is a nurse at the hospital and recognizes Vincent instantly. Obviously. She's his ex-fiancée and he hardly looks that different.

When he finally confronts her, he's forced to tell her what's going on. He doesn't exactly tell her the whole truth, though. While he freely admits to all the craziness Muirfield has put him through with the crazy genetic engineering and the awful side effects, he refuses to give up Cat's true meaning. Instead, he refers to her as his "handler."

To make matters worse, he also isn't honest with Cat about Alex. Instead of coming out and admitting that Alex was his ex-fiancée, he tells Cat they're just friends. When Cat ends up in Alex's closet, the truth is revealed in a shoebox full of memories. More than anything, she's hurt he lied to him... and rightfully so.

Vincent's idea of an apology? He scolds Cat for trying to run away from their relationship at the slightest wrong turn. Seriously? That was hardly "slight."

Aside from the lie, if I were Cat I'd also be pretty hurt that Vincent made such an effort to run away and hide from Alex so as not to hurt her... because he loved her that much . And yet, he immediately came back to Cat when he tried that same technique with her. Clearly, he still likes Alex or he wouldn't be so keen to not hurt her — emotionally or physically.

Other things that happened:

Evan has discovered that Vincent's DNA is continuing to change... further from human and closer to beast.

Vincent killed off a stalker. At first, they presumed it was someone with Muirfield but it turned out to just be your average everyday stalker. So... why'd he kill him, instead of just shaking him up a little? Sounds like Evan's DNA research is proving to be right.

J.T. received a visitor who had all kinds of questions about his old research on mutant DNA. Eek. Hopefully, Evan is just looking out for Cat's safety and not out to kill.

Photos credit: WENN.com

More on Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast recap: The Wedding Date
Beauty and the Beast recap: Injections in Afghanistan

This recipe makes a ton, so feel free to cut it in half! The sour cream stitch lines make these football empanadas adorable for a game day or Super Bowl party... but this recipe can be made any time of the year for a delicious, crowd-pleasing snack!

Football empanadas stuffed with mashed potatoes, broccoli, crispy bacon and cheese recipe

Yields 20 large empanadas

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds Idaho potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, separated into 4 pieces
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 16 ounces broccoli , steamed until tender, drained and finely chopped or pureed in food processor to little bits
• 12-16 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 pound bacon, cooked until crisp, then blotted dry and chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped scallion, mostly green parts
• 2 packages Goya empanada disks, thawed
• 1/4 cup flour, placed in a small bowl
• 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water for egg wash
• Sour cream for stitch lines and more for on the side

Directions:

1. Place raw cubed potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water by one inch. Bring potatoes to a boil and continue boiling until tender when stuck with a fork, about 20-25 minutes. Drain potatoes completely and return them to the same large pot. Immediately add salt, butter, milk and cream and mash potatoes well with a hand masher or electric mixer.
2. Add pureed broccoli, cheese, scallion and bacon to the mashed potatoes. Mix together well. Taste and add additional salt only if needed.
3. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. On a clean, food-safe surface, sprinkle just a bit of your flour and place one empanada circle on the floured surface, flip it over and rub the other side lightly with flour too . Place a generous amount of the mashed potato mixture into the center of the empanada dough. Brush the entire perimeter of the dough with your egg wash. Flip the bottom of the circle, up and over the filling, forming a semicircle.
4. Seal the empanadas by tightly pressing a fork around the seam. Brush the tops and edges of the empanadas with egg wash.
5. Place prepared empanadas on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake empanadas for 10-12 minutes or until browned on top.
6. Fill a zip-closed bag with sour cream, clip off one of the corners and squeeze football stitch lines onto the empanadas as shown above
7. Serve football empanadas on a tray with additional sour cream, hot sauce and or blue cheese/ranch dressing on the side.

More empanada recipes

Beef empanadas
Anything goes empanadas
Sweet and savory turnovers

Jennifer Lopez appears in her first movie since 2012's What to Expect When You're Expecting, and you can see a lot more of her than usual.

In the upcoming drama Parker, set to bow on Jan. 25, Lopez strips down to her bra and panties when Jason Statham asks her to take off her clothes.

I mean, who wouldn't strip if Jason Statham asked you to? But lest we forget, Lopez is 43, and squeezed out a couple of twins back in 2008. There aren't many 43-year-old moms who'd feel comfy enough about their looks to appear almost naked on film.

Jennifer Lopez gets hotel maid fired for being a fan>>

Indeed, Lopez told Extra on the red carpet, she had to train hard for the film. But then she relaxed again: "I had McDonald's right after the scene was over," she told Extra's Ben Lyons.

When Lyons said everyone's talking about Lopez's stripping scene, she responded, "Yeah, somebody said to me, the 'famous scene' and I was like, the movie's not even out yet! It's not famous!"

Lopez's boyfriend, Casper Smart, didn't attend the screening. Was he afraid of being in the theater when everyone got a look at Lopez's assets?

Nah, says Lopez. He's seen the film and her scene: "He loved it," Lopez purred. "He's like, 'You look great.'"

Lopez wore a white sheer-back Lanvin dress to the premiere that gave looky-loos a little preview of coming attractions, shall we say?

Image courtesy DJDM/WENN.com

Seasonal Affective Disorder doesn't just plague adults during the darker months — children can also become heavily affected by this form of seasonal depression. Make sure you know these signs of SAD and how to prevent it in your kids.

Does your child
have SAD?

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or as it's commonly referred to, SAD, is a common type of depression that typically hits adults when the summer sun is no longer shining and the darker, gray days of winter start to set in. However, SAD is a disorder that can also hit children hard and oftentimes, goes undiagnosed. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 10 to 20 percent of Americans may feel the effect of this type of seasonal depression each year, and although the onset of SAD often doesn't arrive until around age 20, if you have a child who is prone to forms of depression throughout the year, this is something you should put on your radar for when the days start getting shorter and the sun is shining less.

The signs and symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder in children are similar to those of adults who suffer from SAD, the biggest being a change in personality from one that is typically healthy and happy, to one that is more withdrawn and moody.

For children, you may first notice signs of SAD in their schoolwork or ability to listen in class. They may also not be as inclined to play with friends or have you schedule play dates. The signs of SAD may even appear in their eating habits — are they craving carbs and comfort foods more than usual?

The best thing that you can do for your child, if you think that he or she has Seasonal Affective Disorder is to be conscious of what they are going through. While you often hear of adults with SAD sitting next to light lamps to get through the winter months, that is not a common treatment for children. For most children, Seasonal Affective Disorder can be treated at home. However, if your child already suffers from forms of depression or is taking an anti-depressant medication, special considerations may want to be taken, under the guidance of your doctor.

Instead, fight the SAD with these simple techniques:

• Get outside more: Even if it's rainy and cold, the sun is shining somewhere behind those clouds and getting outside not only gets your child moving, but gets some fresh air in her lungs too.

• A healthy diet: More fruits and veggies, less sluggish carbs. If your meal plans lately have been heavy, lighten them up with some protein-filled, colorful options.

Revamp your family's diet with the 10 healthiest foods your kids need to be eating>>

• Schedule sleep: Children who suffer from SAD crave sleep. Be conscious of scheduling appropriate bedtimes that will keep them on track, rather than over- or under-doing it.

• Talk about it: Chat with your child about how he's feeling and explain to him that he may be feeling this way simply because of the season. Putting words to how he's feeling may go a long way in improving things.

• Keep life simple: Wearing your child out in an attempt to get her moving isn't going to help. Schedule downtime as well as activities to keep balance in your SAD sufferer.

• Moms get SAD too: And so do dads. Being a functioning parent while suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder can be challenging, to say the least. Be sure to take care of yourself during the winter months as well!

Please remember that your best resource is your child's doctor. If you think your child or anyone else in your family is experiencing symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, please make an appointment with your healthcare provider.

More on kid's health

Eat, move, nurture: Raising healthy kids
Winter health and safety tips for kids
5 Heart health lessons for kids

"It was always about Madonna," Prince told Billboard magazine about the pair's time together on the Warner Bros. label in the '80s and '90s. "She was getting paid, but at the same time we were selling more records and selling out concerts on multiple nights."

Apparently the famously odd Prince is still smarting over his treatment by Warner Bros., many years after the fact. He felt the label promoted Madonna's career over his. Guess he still does.

Madonna and Prince briefly "dated" in 1985 and duetted on "Love Song" in 1988 on Madonna's Like a Prayer.

But things later went sour, highlighted by a 1994 interview in which Madonna called Prince a "little troll" and reminisced about a date: "He was just sipping tea, very daintily. I have this theory about people who don't eat. They annoy me."

In 2007, an apparently still-angry Prince said during a London concert, "I got so many hits y'all can't handle me — I got more hits than Madonna's got kids."

Madonna curses at smoking concertgoers>>

Um, more than four?

The two looked like they were ending hostilities in 2011. Madonna was in attendance at Prince's January 2011 Madison Square Garden show, where Prince made a friendly joke about the high price of Madonna show tickets while Madonna smiled back.

But this most recent round of hostility implies the feud's not over.

Prince, who hilariously insisted that the Billboard reporter neither record his interview nor take notes , also had criticism for Maroon 5, who covered Prince's "Kiss" on their 2012 album Overexposed.

"Why do we need to hear another cover of a song someone else did?" he said. "Art is about building a new foundation, not just laying something on top of what's already there."

Image courtesy WENN.com

Game of Thrones star Wilko Johnson may have less than a year to live, but the actor/musician says his terminal diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is the best thing that has ever happened to him.

In an interview with Radio 4's Front Row, the actor, who is also the guitarist for rock band Dr. Feelgood, explained that his death sentence has given him a new appreciation for life — and for the first time, he's happy.

Brooke Burke is cancer-free>>

"We walked out of [the doctor's office] and I felt an elation of spirit. You're walking along and suddenly you're vividly alive," he said. "You're looking at the trees and the sky and everything and it's just 'whoa.' I am actually a miserable person. I've spent most of my life moping in depressions and things, but this has all lifted."

"Right now it's just fantastic — it makes you feel alive," he said. "This position I'm in is so strange, in that I do feel fit and yet I know death is upon me."

Johnson reportedly only has as long as ten months to live, and opted to forgo chemotherapy after being told it would only buy him another two months at most.

10 Celebrity cancer survivors>>

During the time he has left, the artist plans to complete an album and play both a mini-tour of France and goodbye gigs in the U.K.

"If the cancer kicks in before that, then I can't go on stage," he said. "I'm not going to go on stage looking ill... I don't wanna present a sorry spectacle! I'm not hoping for a miracle cure or anything. I just hope it spares me long enough to do these gigs... then I'll be a happy man."

Johnson's manager Robert Hoy announced the diagnosis on the star's Facebook page at the beginning of January, writing, "He said he wants to make the very best of the time he has left, playing and partying when he can. He is currently in good spirits and is not yet suffering any physical effects and can expect to enjoy at least another few months of reasonable health and activity."

"Wilko wishes to offer his sincere thanks for all the support he has had over his long career. From those who have worked with him to, above all, those devoted fans and admirers who have attended his live gigs, bought his recordings and generally made his life such an extraordinarily full and eventful experience."

Johnson lost his wife Irene to cancer eight years ago.

Image courtesy Anthony Stanley/WENN

Throwing a fabulous dinner party doesn't have to take weeks of planning and cost hundreds of dollars. There are simple things you can do to make your party exceptional. The next time it's your turn to play host, follow this guide for easy ways to take your dinner party from dull and boring to fun and fabulous!

Set the table

Whether you plan on having a buffet-style dinner or a sit-down meal, set the table in advance and make it beautiful. This is one thing the guests will notice, so make it count! Invest in a table runner or napkin holders if you don't already have them and keep the centerpiece simple. A huge, overbearing centerpiece will overcrowd the table and make it hard for your guests to talk among themselves. Our favorite is some small candles paired with a natural, short floral arrangement.

• Don't worry about the dishes until after the guests leave. Simply rinse them and set them aside. There's no bigger distraction than taking half an hour to load and run the dishwasher.
• Lay out some snacks. Place candy in small bowls and set out chips and other snacks throughout your living and dining area. Having goodies to munch on is always appreciated.
• Do all of the shopping the day before and prepare as much food ahead of time as possible. This allows you to be less stressed. No one wants a stressed-out host!

More on dinner parties

Choose your party: Dinner party three ways
Outdoor dinner party
Hosting a couples' dinner party

Your single parenthood came to an end when you made the decision to move in with your new boyfriend or got engaged to be married. What boundaries do you employ with your new co-parent, and how do the experts suggest you proceed?

Co-parenting
in a new way

Parenting with your child’s father isn’t always an easy task, but co-parenting with a non-biological parent can be tricky and challenging — where do you draw the line on discipline, for example, and how is it best for your partner to become integrated into the family?

Take it slow and encourage your partner to follow your lead, experts explain. Here’s how.

Experts advise taking your time when choosing a new mate. Janeen Diamond, author of Save Your Marriage in 30, notes that it’s easy for men to like your kids when they are trying to establish and maintain a relationship with you, but often, all bets are off once the marriage deal is sealed. “It isn't that men are bad people,” she explained. “It's that they honestly didn't realize what they were getting into. Some men can handle that and some cannot.” She says that moms should date for a long time, and be sure to ask plenty of questions of him, his family and friends.

Janeen also says that your children are a good barometer of how a potential partner will be once they are in the family — both their behavior and how they interact with him. “Men who will truly be able to bond with your children will make efforts with them when you're not watching,” she told us. “They will show genuine concern about their feelings. They will respect the relationship you have with them. And they will not try to come between you and them.”

A natural concern of a new stepparent is the arena of discipline. Janeen advises moms that it’s often a smoother transition if your partner follows your lead. “A man who will allow you to set the boundaries of discipline without interference is showing you he respects you as a family,” she said.

Leslie Petruk, Director, The Stone Center for Counseling & Leadership, agreed. “Don’t put your new spouse in the role of parent or disciplinarian,” she explained. “You should maintain that role and give your child the time needed to establish a trusting relationship with your new spouse.”

This depends on the age of your child, but most experts agree that you shouldn’t force your children to call your new spouse “Dad” from the get go. “Have an open discussion about what your child is comfortable calling your new husband,” said Leslie. She also recommends keeping an open dialogue with your children about what it’s like to have a new person in the household. Make sure that your child knows that they can be honest — they are not required to like your new husband, but on the other hand, let them know that it’s OK for them to love their new stepfather and it’s not a betrayal of their own father.

Going from a single-parent household to gaining a new spouse can be challenging, but it also can be beautiful. Keep your mind open and take it slow, and give your children a voice to help ease your transition.

More on step families

Tips for navigating the holidays with a blended family
5 Must-read blended family blogs
Blended families: How to make it work

History, told the way you like it

Those of a certain generation will likely think that the Hatfields and McCoys is just a line from Waylon Jennings’ song, Lukenbach Texas. Younger folks are likely asking, “Who is Waylon Jennings?” The point is, this legendary family feud is unknown to younger generations. That’s where the History Channel comes in with its series Hatfields and McCoys. This story unfolds post-Civil War, and has all the elements of dramatic rivalry: pig trials, Election Day feuds and a Romeo and Juliet-like romance. The dysfunction of these families is extremely entertaining and will have you feeling better about your own dysfunctional family in no time.

Can Alec Baldwin keep from freaking out at the SAGs?>>

Scenery

Ah, behold the scenic splendor of a bygone era: the mountains, the horses and the men. Good Lord, the men. There is something very primal about visiting an era when men were still steeped in honor and loyalty and no one had even heard of skinny jeans or manscaping. We look upon the women with wistful nostalgia as well, for it takes us back to a place in time where wearing the same dress for two weeks at a time was acceptable. Those dresses may have gotten a bit gamey as wash day approached, but they hid a myriad of evils, sucking in at the skinniest part of a woman’s body and billowing out around all points south. Yes, bathing in an ice-cold river only occasionally would grow tiresome, but we’d take that easy wardrobe back faster than you can say, “Dad-gum it.”

Costner and more: Can an actor from the old boys club stage a SAG coup?>>

Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton

At last, two of our most treasured and under-used male talents, Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton, have found a home on the range in Hatfields and McCoys. Both of these aging hunks have received a SAG nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries. Watching these boys share the same screen is reason enough to watch this show. So who will win the SAG, the Hatfield or the McCoy? Kevin Costner has already won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his role as “Devil” Anse Hatfield. Is it Bill Paxton’s turn, or will the feud start to affect its storytellers, too?

SAG nominees: 5 things you probably don't know about Steve Buscemi>>

Image courtesy of Brian To/WENN.com

Marc Anthony filed for divorce from Jennifer Lopez in 2012, but if the gossip about the pair is correct, things may be on again.

Anthony has been dating model Shannon de Lima for about a year, but Anthony's spokesperson confirmed that the "amicable breakup became official right in mid-January."

This despite being spotted in hot New York club Marquee on Jan. 16. The U.K.'s Daily Mail reported that a source saw de Lima "dancing up a storm with her friends while sipping champagne and taking iPhone photos of themselves and the light show."

At one point, "Shannon even jokingly gave Marc a lap dance when Pitbull came on."

Girl's a Pitbull fan, who isn't?

Nonetheless, it seems like days or moments later the two broke up. Complicating matters are reports that Anthony was seen leaving Lopez's room at NYC's The Mark hotel this week.

JLo's boyfriend loves her Parker stripping scene>>

As the New York Post's Page Six reports, Lopez left her boyfriend, back-up dancer Casper Smart, back home in Los Angeles when she came to New York for the premiere of her new movie Parker.

At first she stayed at Manhattan's London Hotel, but on Tuesday of this week, she moved over to The Mark, where Anthony was staying.

The two were seen going into a room together; Page Six reports that JLo was wearing "thigh-high stiletto boots and a leopard-print micromini."

Over two and a half hours later, Anthony left the room and jumped into his tour bus.

"He came out really quickly, with his head down, like he didn't want to be seen," a source told Page Six.

The source added that Lopez came out afterwards, smiling.

Lopez's boyfriend Smart hasn't been photographed with her in the last week. Anthony and Lopez were married for eight years and have two children, twins Max and Emme, 3.

Image courtesy Judy Eddy/WENN.com

Do time-outs work as punishment for children? Family therapist and author Susan Stiffelman explains why they don't work, why they can actually cause clinginess in your child and what techniques are much more effective.

Positive parenting

There's no doubt about it: Time-outs work. Sort of.

They work because unless a child has become hardened and aloof, the experience of being separated from a parent's comforting presence is unpleasant at best and intolerable at worst. But they come at a price, and eventually they stop working — because they violate one of the three primary drives of a child's brain: the need for close and secure attachment.

Children are wired to be closely connected to their caretakers. Attachment is vital to their survival and well-being. Unlike the young of other mammals, little humans are utterly dependent on their guardians to provide food, warmth, shelter and nurturing. We simply cannot survive without being connected to those who care for us.

When a misbehaving child is sent to their room to "think about" their offense, the only thing they're really thinking about is either how soon they can get back to Mommy or Daddy or how much they hate their parent for sending them away.

The former response is what we initially see in a younger child whose experience of anxiety at being separated from the parent shoots through the roof. The latter response — anger and contempt — happens when the child feels outraged at being ostracized.

What role does discipline play in parenting? >>

The problems with time-outs are numerous. First, at the very time when the angry or misbehaving child is out of control and in need of the calming influence of a caring parent, they're left to settle down entirely on their own. Most children are incapable of doing this. They need an adult to help them come back to themselves when they're swept up in the storm of their emotions. A child whose behavior has been so impulsive or destructive as to warrant being sent away shouldn't be left to his own devices to become centered again.

Sending a child away when they're distressed is essentially saying to them, "I can't handle you when you show this side of yourself. Come back when you can be the manageable Susie or Johnny that I can handle." Not only are we telling the child that we only find the good, compliant version of themselves acceptable, we're also declaring our inability to cope with all of who they are.

As I've said in many other articles, a child deeply needs their parent to function as the confident captain of the ship in their life. When a parent sends a child away because they can't handle their misbehavior, they're effectively telling them that they have the power to render them incompetent and helpless.

One of the characteristics I see in children whose parents routinely use time-outs is clinginess. Unless these kids become hardened and indifferent, they handle separation badly. While it usually works to tell a child who refuses to leave the park, "OK, then, I'm leaving without you!" , the anxiety created by chronically threatening a child with separation damages their core sense of security and connection.

Time out for time-outs?>>

When a parent functions as the captain of the ship in their child's life, there's a natural dynamic at play that makes time-outs largely unnecessary. Sure, there are always times when our kids are cranky, hungry, jealous or running on empty, but if we do our best to anticipate problems before they manifest, we can usually avoid behavior getting out of hand.

For all practical purposes, time-outs are the equivalent of shunning a child. In most societies, shunning is considered the most dreadful form of punishment. When we instead manage a child's misbehavior while preserving their sense of connection with us, we avoid the harmful effects of time-outs — which in the long run, create more problems than they solve.

Avoiding power struggles: Parenting without bribes or threats>>

More on discipline

When parents disagree on discipline
Your top 10 discipline problems solved
Why are you tolerating your kids' bad behavior?

Hosting a girls' night in? These recipes are tasty, simple to whip up and lower in the fat-and-calories-category, too!

Stay in for fun!

The holidays are over, and the hustle and bustle has basically ground to a halt. Take advantage of this time to gather with your gal pals for a fun evening in! Whether you watch your favorite chick flick or kick back and chat the night away, check out these great recipes to savor during the fun!

Herbed, roasted chickpeas recipe

Be a smart chick when it comes to healthy snacking. Pass over the not-so-good-for-you chips and roast up a batch of crunchy chickpeas, instead. Chickpeas are a good source of fiber and protein and taste great roasted with your favorite seasonings!

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cans chickpeas , drained, rinsed and thoroughly dried
• 1-1/2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1-1/2 teaspoons Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.
2. After drying your chickpeas with paper towel or a clean kitchen towel, remove any loose skins that remain.
3. Place the olive oil in a medium-sized bowl and toss in the chickpeas. Mix to coat.
4. Place the chickpeas on a flat baking sheet and season with the remaining ingredients, except for the Parmesan cheese. Use a wooden spoon to coat the chickpeas.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning often, until they become crispy. Watch them carefully at the end of your baking time, so the chickpeas don't burn.
6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. Cool to room temperature before serving.

Pink pomegranate cocktail recipe

Pretty, pink and positively delicious, this cocktail is a delight for girls' night in! Just a few ingredients keep this cocktail easy to shake up and serve.

Yields 1

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces sparkling water
• 1-1/2 ounces PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur
• 1/2 ounce lime juice
• Pomegranate seeds and lime twist for garnish

Directions:

1. In a cocktail shaker over ice, combine the sparkling water, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur and lime juice.
2. Shake well and strain into a martini glass.
3. Garnish with a few pomegranate seeds and a lime twist.

Green goddess dip recipe

OMG! This flavorful, vibrant dip lightens things up by using plain, Greek-style yogurt instead of sour cream. Grab some fresh veggies for dipping and enjoy the green goddess goodness!

Yields 1-1/2 cups

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups packed fresh spinach leaves
• 1/2 cup Greek-style plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
• 1-2 tablespoons anchovy paste, to taste
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 3 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons chives
• 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon
• Vegetables for dipping, like carrots, red peppers, cucumbers
• Crackers for dipping, like toasted pita crackers

Directions:

1. Add all the ingredients into a food processor and blend.
2. Stop blending to taste and adjust the seasonings, as desired. Use a spatula to push the mix down into the processor, and continue to mix until well blended and smooth.
3. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Slim and sloppy Jane sandwiches

Give Joe the heave-ho and try this healthier sandwich option, instead! Made using veggie crumbles instead of ground beef, and pita pockets as slimmed-down sandwich bread options, these sammies make a heather sandwich than traditional sloppy Joes.

Get the recipe>>

Brownie bites with strawberries recipe

You can still enjoy a rich and decadent dessert, even if you're trying to watch what you're eating. These brownie bites with strawberries are fun to serve, and a bite tastes like a much bigger treat!

Yields 24

Recipe inspired by Hershey's

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 18-24 strawberries for garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line two mini-muffin pans with paper baking cups and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.
3. In another large bowl, add the eggs and beat them with a fork. Add the sugar, milk and butter and mix well.
4. Add the dry mixture to the egg mixture, a little at a time, and mix until well blended and smooth.
5. Use a spoon to fill the cups about halfway full.
6. Bake 9-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a brownie bite comes out clean.
7. Cool the brownie bites on a cooling rack.
8. When the brownie bites are completely cooled, add the chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave in 10-second increments until they're melted.
9. Use a small spoon to spread the melted chocolate on the tops of the brownie bites.
10. Garnish with sliced strawberries.

Gather with the girls for a fun night in!

More entertaining recipes

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