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All the Things Netflix's The Staircase Left Out

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If you're like most people, you got through the last episode of Netflix's The Staircase only to feel incredibly confused. So, did Michael Peterson kill his wife, Kathleen, or was it all just some horrible accident? What really happened? Will we really never know?

No doubt, those feelings of confusion led you to this very article. And we're here to help.

Warning: Spoilers about Netflix's true-crime series The Staircase are detailed below. 

Of course, the answer is no, we will probably never know for certain one way or the other if Michael Peterson was guilty or innocent. 

More: New Crime Documentaries Everyone Is Talking About

But it turns out The Staircase actually left out some key details about the case in the filming of the documentary. And while it's only natural because they couldn't possibly include everything in a 13-episode show, the evidence that was left out does seem to skew toward things that don't necessarily make Peterson look like the most innocent man. 

Here's what you should know in order to be a truly obsessed member of The Staircase fan club (and possibly come to your own conclusion). 

1. The owl theory

Oh, the owl theory. It lives in infamy among true-crime fans. The theory is pretty straightforward. It suggests an owl is responsible for Kathleen's death. Before you laugh, consider this: microscopic owl feathers were found on strands of Kathleen's hair. Also, the wounds on her head were trident shaped, meaning they could have been caused by the talons of a large bird. And while it may sounds ridiculous, the point is that the owl theory suggests reasonable doubt in the case. 

David Rudolf in The Staircase

2. The prosecution was supposed to be more involved in the documentary

According to The Staircase director, Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, the prosecution was initially supposed to be much more involved in filming. The plan was to showcase both sides of the trial evenly. However, after four months of shooting, the DA pulled the plug on the idea and refused to continue their involvement.

3. The DA tried to use the footage from The Staircase in the trial

After the prosecution pulled out of involvement in The Staircase, they then turned around and tried to demand the footage be turned over as evidence to be used in the trial. The only way to prevent that from happening was for The Staircase filmmakers to join the defense team as attorney David Rudolf's employees. They also protected the footage by sending it back to France. And thus, The Staircase team officially became Team Michael. 

More: 11 Podcasts That Are Coming to TV

4. Kathleen had a huge life insurance policy

According to Oxygen, Peterson stood to gain $1.4 million if the death was ruled an accident. The outlet reported the money ultimately went to Kathleen's biological daughter and to Kathleen's first husband. Peterson received $384,000 in death benefits, which he spent on legal fees.

5. Peterson isn't just broke

The Staircase documentary did cover the fact that by the end of all the legal proceedings, Peterson was in the hole. But the actual sum is astounding. By the end of his trial, Peterson was reportedly $1.408 million in debt. Ironic considering that's also the reported sum of Kathleen's life insurance policy.

6. Peterson was romantically involved with one of The Staircase filmmakers

Peterson and The Staircase editor Sophie Brunet had a relationship that lasted a decade... uh, conflict of interest much? De Lestrade confirmed the relationship to the French weekly L'Express. "This is one of the incredible things that happened during those 15 years. Life is really full of surprises," de Lestrade said of the relationship. "They had a real story, which lasted until May 2017. But she never let her own feelings affect the course of editing."

Michael and Kathleen Peterson

7. Kathleen hadn't been drinking that much

Peterson and his attorneys mentioned alcohol as a factor in the fall multiple times throughout The Staircase. But she wasn't as intoxicated as some of the comments would suggest. Her blood alcohol level was reportedly low enough to pass a Breathalyzer test.

More: Octavia Spencer's Next Project Is for True-Crime Fans Everywhere

8. There is evidence Kathleen's death wasn't quick

In the 2004 book A Perfect Husband, written by Aphrodite Jones, it is revealed that red neurons were found in Kathleen's brain. Apparently, red neurons develop in the brain when it lacks oxygen over a long period of time, suggesting Kathleen's death was prolonged and not quick. In fact, expert Dr. Jan Leestma testified that Kathleen had suffered severe blood loss at least 45 minutes before she stopped breathing. This contradicts Peterson's timeline of events in which he initially said he went to turn off the pool lights and then headed inside where he discovered Kathleen at the bottom of the stairs. Defense attorney Rudolf explained the time lapse by saying Peterson continued lounging by the pool for a while after Kathleen went inside. 

9. Peterson deleted tons of emails prior to Kathleen's death

A Perfect Husband also reports police were able to determine Peterson had deleted 216 files from his computer the day before Kathleen's death. He also deleted 352 files two days following her death. The emails reportedly in part detailed Peterson's financial struggles, which could suggest motive if he did in fact kill his wife. 

So, do you think Michael Peterson is guilty or innocent? Tell us in the comments below.


Kris Jenner Praises Birthday 'Bunny' Khloé Kardashian

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Keeping Up With the Kardashians matriarch and proud momager Kris Jenner offered a sweet shoutout to her birthday "bunny" Khloé Kardashian today, praising her daughter as the "strongest person" she knows.


This comes amid increasing speculation that Kardashian is standing by her man after a cheating scandal that rocked her world — and the world of her new daughter, True. After wishing a happy birthday to her "bunny," Jenner continued, "...you amaze me every single day. You are truly an angel on earth, my beauty, and I am so proud of you. You bring laughter and love to everyone around you. You lift people up with your positivity and your passion. This year we celebrate you being a new mommy, and all the amazing blessings that brings. To watch you with baby True brings me the greatest joy. I love you to the moon and back!! You deserve the world. #HappyBirthdayKhloe"

Many Kardashian-Jenner fans agree with Mama Jenner that Kardashian deserves the world. They just don't necessarily believe that Tristan Thompson — baby True's father — belongs in that world. The NBA player is at the center of a cheating scandal (allegations of which broke just two days before True was born) that suggests he was unfaithful to Kardashian with multiple women throughout her pregnancy. Grrrrr.

More: Khloé Kardashian Shares Sweet Reason Behind Baby True's Name

Though People reported that Kardashian planned to return to Los Angeles with baby True right after the birth, Kardashian has remained in Cleveland, where Thompson plays for the Cavaliers. The couple appears to be working on repairing their relationship. And that apparently isn't a decision that Kardashian's family (or fans) are loving, although an insider told People they "respect her decision."

“Everyone knows Khloé plans on staying with Tristan, so things have been civil so far,” the source reported. “They still have opinions about Tristan’s bad behavior, of course, but no one wants to upset Khloé.”

MoreKris Jenner Gets Emotional When Asked How Khloé Kardashian Is Doing in Wake of Tristan Thompson Cheating Scandal

Based on her social media, Kardashian is indeed still with Tristan. Instagram user kyliesnapchat posted captured Snapchat video from Kardashian featuring baby True with her much-maligned daddy:


And on Twitter, Kardashian spoke about her decision to stick with Tristan in an exchange with Twitter user @ChicBitchxo:


Kardashian tweeted, "...[Y]ou have no knowledge of what goes on in our household or the enormous rebuilding this takes to even coexist. I'm proud of my strength. I appreciate your opinion and I hope you hold that same opinion to everyone else who has stayed in [difficult] situations."

Hey, we're not going to slam Kardashian for her choices, especially not on her birthday. Hopefully, Thompson will show the same class — and the same commitment to their relationship and their baby — that Kardashian has. Otherwise, we expect the internet will become a very unfriendly place for Thompson. So step it up, buddy. The world is watching.

Halo Top Ice Cream Explains Why Your Pint Might Feel Light — But Isn't

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Halo Top is having a rough year. Not only was the popular low-calorie ice cream brand slapped with a lawsuit, accusing them of misleading shoppers by presenting itself as a regular ice cream versus a light ice cream, in early May, but they're also accused of under-filling their pints.

More: The Best New Summer Snacks to Try

On June 15, a class-action complaint was filed by two plaintiffs in California. Plaintiffs Youssif Kamal (from Los Angeles) and Gillian Neely (from San Diego) claimed Halo Top under-fills its pints "dramatically so at times, and as a course of business." According to Today, the lawsuit states: "Purchasers of the premium-priced ice cream simply have no idea how much ice cream they will get each and every time they buy a Halo Top ‘pint.’ And Halo Top has been doing this for years."

The plaintiffs, who are seeking an unspecified amount of money for damages, continue to say that the underselling "appears to be random" and that it "appears to be unrelated to flavor of ice cream or the location of purchase," according to FoodNavigator-USA.com. "Halo Top knows it is short-changing its customers, but refuses to do anything about it," the lawsuit states. 

A Halo Top spokesperson has responded to the lawsuit, saying, "We have never and would never ‘under-fill’ our pints. Product settling can occur from time to time due to everything from heat fluctuations to altitude changes during shipping and handling."

More: A Nostalgic Planters Cheese Snack Returns After 12 Years

FoodNavigator-USA.com points out that Halo Top is aware of the issue, as on their website, they have a "low fill form response," where customers can detail the issue with the purchased ice cream and specify the flavor of the ice cream, where they purchased it and upload images. 

As for the lawsuit from May, the plaintiff accused Halo Top of describing the product as a low-calorie ice cream, claiming it is deceptive and that their product does not have the amount of fat required to call itself ice cream.

Hugh Grant Has One Big Regret About Marriage

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Hugh Grant, Hollywood's almost-forever bachelor, has one big regret about marriage — that he didn't do it sooner.

While sitting down with Savannah Guthrie on Today to promote his new show A Very English Scandal, Guthrie congratulated Grant on his recent nuptials and asked him how he's enjoying married life. His response? 

"Thank you very much. You don't think I'm too young?"

Clearly joking, Grant, who is 57 years old, said, "No, it's really nice. I can't pretend it isn't. I should have done it before. I'm just lucky. I'm lucky. I've got a great wife. I love her."

More: All the Celebrities Who Recently Tied the Knot

This is a change of heart for Grant, who told Howard Stern less than two years ago that he thought marriages were unromantic (his word, not mine). 

"Do I think human beings are meant to be in 40-yearlong monogamous, faithful relationships? No, no, no," Grant said. "Whoever said they were? Only the Bible or something. No one ever said that was a good idea. I think there's something unromantic about marriage. You're closing yourself off."

Well, the ol' marriage scrooge, who also told The Mirror in 2009 that he thought he'd die a "sad, lonely man" one day, obviously found a reason to settle down with longtime partner and television producer Anna Eberstein. The two tied the knot on Friday, May 25 at the Chelsea Register Office, and while we haven't seen photos from the wedding just yet (honestly, don't hold your breath — we probably never will), the two were all smiles at the Grand Prix of Monaco just two days after saying I do.

And two weeks ago, they enjoyed time together at day 15 of the French Open.

More: Celebrity Dads Who Have a Surprising Number of Kids

The only remaining question we have is where are there five kids?! Grant has two kids with former partner Tinglan Hong and three with Eberstein. His two sons and daughter with Eberstein are all under 7 — they were born within 15 months of one another. That's... a lot of babies. 

Well, apparently Grant doesn't love traveling with them. "It's unspeakable," he told Guthrie. "And then you go through that moral torment of 'Do I actually travel with them or do I make an excuse? Do they have to go with their mom?'

That's fair. Who likes traveling with a gaggle full of toddlers? 

More: 6 Things Hugh Grant Does in Every Movie

Grant's new show, A Very English Scandal, which is being praised by critics, is now available on Amazon. 

Don't Believe Any Brad Pitt Dating Rumors You See

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There's a lot going on in Brad Pitt's life right now, but one of the areas that still fascinates us is his romantic life. Filming a movie with Leonardo DiCaprio? That cool. Being the best dad ever to his kids? Sure, that's cute, and we're happy he's happy. But honestly, we're curious to know what the deal is with Pitt's romantic life, especially when there are so many rumors about potential love interests. Who can we believe?

More: Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt's New Custody Agreement Made Pitt's Father's Day

In a newly released report from Entertainment Tonight, it looks like we have the official answer on where Pitt stands when it comes to dating right now. According to a source close to the actor, dating is not as much of a priority right now, unlike things related to family and work.

"He has gone on dates but he’s not looking to leap into a serious relationship at the moment. He is content on his own and enjoys the quality time he spends with the children when he isn’t working," the source tells ET

And speaking of jobs and relationships he highly values, for Pitt, the biggest priority is being there for his kids. The source explained that Pitt "is focused on two of the most important things he should be focused on, and those are his children and his work. Being a father is his number one job and he knows that. He will always be there for those children."

All of this to say that even though Pitt was previously linked to MIT professor Neri Oxman, we can stop wondering if these two will ever officially become an item; it's not happening anytime soon. Even though he may be "spending more time out and about socializing with his close friends," as the source details, "he also is still a homebody and appreciates hanging around his place." 

More: Brad Pitt's Turning 2017's Biggest Scandal Into a Movie

With kids and work the full focus for Pitt, if any new dating rumors come up, it's best to not buy into it until he actually confirms it. 

Is Eileen Davidson Leaving The Young & the Restless for Good?

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Well, this is a big bummer for fans of The Young and the Restless. On Wednesday, longtime Y&R star Eileen Davidson announced on Twitter that she would once again be leaving the show. The announcement has seemingly come out of the blue, but Davidson's announcement implies she might be ready for a change of pace. 

More: Is John Stamos Planning His Return to General Hospital?

Davidson chose to announce the big news on her Twitter account, writing, "Yes I am leaving my second home @YandR_CBS in September. I’ve been so blessed to be able to play Ashley Abbott and work with the amazing people on the show and have nothing but gratitude and love for all!!! Time for a little more control over my day to day!"

September may feel like a long way away, but fans of Davidson's agree that's hardly any time at all when it comes to spending time with the character she originated in 1982 and has played off and on for more than 30 years, Ashley Abbott. While this is Davidson's second time leaving Y&R (she first left in 1988 and didn't return until 1999), there's no telling if this time she's leaving for good or if she's just taking some time off to relax and focus on other projects. 

Fans were definitely sad to see her go, with some tweeting out forlorn comments about Genoa City not feeling quite like their second home with her leaving. Other fans found an amusing silver lining when they suggested in the comments that Davidson should return to Real Housewives of Beverly Hills or, if she still wants to stay in the world of soaps, Days of Our Lives.

More: The Young and the Restless Makes Sudden & Major Changes

Davidson has yet to announce what she plans to do next, but we're certain she has earned the break. 

Sorry, I Just Can't Be Happy for You Right Now — & Yes, That Includes Your Wedding

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As you’ve probably noticed, it’s wedding season, which for a lot of people means gritting your teeth and fake-smiling through someone else’s joyous occasion. Maybe you’re not thrilled with your friend’s choice of life partner, or maybe you had to spend hundreds of dollars flying to a destination wedding in a place you’d never otherwise visit and are a little salty about that. Or maybe you’re just not in a place — mentally or emotionally — where you can be happy for other people.

And before you assume I feel this way because I’m a bitter spinster who desperately wants to get married, that’s not entirely true — I don’t want to get married. The concept is in no way appealing to me, but that’s a different article completely. What we’re talking about here is feeling pressured to be happy for other people for achieving major society-dictated milestones (like getting engaged, married or having children). 

Really, any occasion that involves mandatory fun or celebration — like birthdays, New Year’s Eve, graduations and, yes, weddings — are recipes for disappointment. Going into something expecting to enjoy yourself or be happy for someone basically sets you up for failure if (or when) it doesn’t happen. 

But in addition to that — and contrary to what you see on social media — not everyone is happy all the time (or even most of the time, if we’re being honest). We all have difficult stuff going on, whether it’s circumstantial (like family or relationship issues), living with a mental illness or both. Either way, some days it can be hard enough to get out of bed and take a shower, let alone attend a wedding and celebrate other people’s joy.

More: Why Sunny Days Actually Make My Anxiety Worse

Naturally, I wondered if my inability to be happy for others was some sort of personality defect or meant that I was a horrible person or maybe (*fingers crossed*) was a symptom of my depression. Thankfully, Dr. Kelly Moore, a clinical psychologist, says that feeling this way is common and normal.

“I am a firm believer in the idea that any emotion is OK, but the way that it is expressed can determine if we handled it in an acceptable way,” Moore tells SheKnows.

OK, so secretly not caring about your friend’s happiness is one thing, but acting on it inappropriately — like, hypothetically via a drunken outburst during the reception — crosses the line. As Moore points out, the great thing about emotions is that they are internal experiences, so we can decide how or whether we want to reveal them. But even though I (usually) don’t reveal or act on these emotions, I still feel some guilt over not being happy for others. This in turn makes me feel even more anxious and depressed about everything.

Again, Moore provides some reassurance, saying, “As much as it might feel socially unacceptable to not feel happy for others, it happens and is probably more common than you think.” 

Why does this happen? Am I broken?

Although it was comforting to know this happens to other people, I still wanted to find out why this happens and whether or not it means I’m in some way emotionally broken or, worse yet, subconsciously jealous.

“I think the easiest explanation that folks might jump to is to say that jealousy is what causes people to not be happy for another person,” Moore says. “But that’s too easy of an answer. If we think a little deeper, depression may better explain why this may occur.”

This makes sense: During periods when I’m especially depressed, I don’t really care about anything and just feel kind of numb about everything — including other people’s happy life events.

More: It's Totally Normal to Be Anxious About Graduating

Moore confirms this, noting that one of the symptoms of depression is anhedonia, which is basically limited ability to really feel any type of emotion — happiness definitely being one of them. Not only that, but depression can lead to low energy and loss of interest in things we normally enjoy, so it makes sense a person dealing with depression may genuinely not be able to feel or show happiness for others, she adds.

Aside from faking it, how can we deal with this?

Thus far, my strategy has been to fake it until I make it through the event, but I've found that can lead to drinking too much or stress-eating candy wedding favors behind a large potted plant in the reception hall. That is really not ideal — alcohol is a depressant, so it’s hardly going to help, and those hard candy-coated almonds can crack a tooth — but luckily, there are other options. 

Moore suggests having a confidant who you can go to and share how you’re really feeling when others tell you their good news — someone who won’t judge you and who will be able to hear why you’re not able to be happy for others. 

“There is something healing about being able to express our own struggles,” Moore says. “The person you get to be open with should be a judgment-free zone.”

Ultimately, if you end up having to fake it from time to time, just be genuine, Moore advises. 

“A simple, ‘Congrats,’ or ‘It’s great that you are doing well,’ is probably the most authentic way to be supportive without alienating those who want you to share in their good news,” she adds.

So if you also find yourself not being able to be happy for other people, fake it if you have to, but also know that nothing is wrong with you and that many other people at the wedding (maybe even your table) probably feel the same way. 

Scarlett Johansson Shuts Down This Weird Tom Cruise Rumor

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Hollywood is known for its celebrity romance rumors, but this one is pretty strange. On Wednesday, Scarlett Johansson gave a statement to The Hollywood Reporter denying claims that she ever "auditioned" to date Tom Cruise after his split with Nicole Kidman nearly two decades ago. The rumor is bizarre not only because of the content, but because of the timing. Why is this something she has to address in 2018?

More: Scarlett Johansson Could Get Engaged in 2018

Apparently, on Wednesday morning, former Scientologist Brendan Tighe went on Megyn Kelly Today, where he talked about his experiences working as part of Cruise's security detail around the time of Cruise's divorce from Kidman. Tighe claims that he found reports of women who auditioned to date Cruise and that Johansson's name was among them. Uh, what?

“The very idea of any person auditioning to be in a relationship is so demeaning," Johansson told THR. "I refuse for anyone to spread the idea that I lack the integrity to choose my own relationships. Only a man aka Brendan Tighe would come up with a crazy story like that."

Tighe said that Johansson's name was the only one he recognized, but he contradicted that claim by bringing up Erika Christensen. “Another actress, Erika Christensen, had to disconnect from Scarlett Johansson because it didn’t go well. That was in that report,” he said. Sounds like Tighe can't quite keep his story straight.

The Hollywood Reporter added that the Church of Scientology also denies Tighe's claims. They quoted Karin Pouw, the international spokesperson, who said, "Brendan Tighe was a Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization security guard/night watchman from 2002 to 2009. The 'access' he boasts of having was largely limited to viewing security cameras from a guard booth. He was removed from that position for dereliction of duty."

More: Scarlett Johansson's New Look Is So Dark, Sexy & Fierce

The outlet also notes that audition processes for Cruise's relationships have been rumored for years. One thing's for sure: Scarlett Johansson has no time for these demeaning claims. We're glad she so elegantly shot them down.


These Were the Summer Songs That Topped the Charts in 1998

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Sure, we've got Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake and Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift to jam to this summer. But let's never forget the magic songs that we played on our brand-new bulky CD players 20 years ago this summer, way back in 1998. 

It was the summer that Windows 98 launched and also the summer of the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal — it was also the summer that movies like Saving Private Ryan, Armageddon and There's Something About Mary killed at the box office. 

As far as music went, it was a notable time. The grunge and alternative rock era was finally on its way out after dominating the scene for years. In its place were bright group pop, reenergized R&B and even a mini swing revival just to mix things up. Britney Spears would crash the music scene in mere months and start a music revolution, but before that happened, we had a summer of transition: away from the dark and gritty and toward the sparkle and fun of boy bands and classic pop. 

More: '90s Songs You Forgot You Loved

"The Boy Is Mine" — Brandy & Monica

Let's start with the No. 1 uncontested hit of the summer: Brandy and Monica's competitive duet, "The Boy Is Mine." Inspired by the 1982 duet "The Girl Is Mine" by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney, this R&B classic is all about the changing times and girl power — and it played on the radio all summer long (as a presidential sex scandal raged). 

"Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" — the Backstreet Boys

The year 1998 was a time when grungy garage bands were losing ground and everyone was ready to have a little more fun — even if it was a bit mindless. In came the boy bands, led by the Backstreet Boys and their earworm single, "Everybody." Even 20 years later, the best way to tell if someone is from a different planet is if they can't sing this song's chorus. 

"You're Still The One" — Shania Twain

Still Shania Twain's biggest hit, "You're Still the One" was the country crossover song of the year, snagging a Grammy for best country song and slimly losing out to Céline Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" for both record of the year and song of the year. In a time when country music was in a bit of a rut and looking for a new identity, Twain's pop-y ballad was not only refreshing, it also kept the genre relevant through tough times. 

More: "Iris" & Other '90s Make-Out Songs

"Adia" — Sarah McLachlan

From her most successful album, Surfacing, "Adia" is a slow and soft ballad that was perfect for the chill parts of summer, from nighttime car rides to lazing on the beach. The song was also released at the height of the hugely successful female-led Lilith Fair musical festival, which McLachlan founded. Honestly, the summer of 1998 just wouldn't have been the same without it. 

"Too Close" — Next

We aren't sure where the R&B group Next came from, and we also aren't sure where they went, but we are really, really glad that in the summer of 1998, their hit single "Too Close" swept the nation and hit No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. They even won Billboard's best new artist award in 1998 — even if they never quite topped this wonderful song. 

"Doo-Wop (That Thing)" — Lauryn Hill

You can't possibly talk about 1998 without talking about The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and its first hit single, "Doo-Wop." She was nominated for a record-breaking 10 Grammys that year and was the first ever R&B artist to win best album. "Doo-Wop" was released ahead of the album to high praise — and we personally think it's the song from 1998 that best withstands the test of time. The song and the album are forever classics. 

"Closing Time" — Semisonic

 What did we have in the way of modern rock in 1998? "Closing Time" was about what happens when a bar closes at night, but also about ending any chapter in your life. It was chosen as the senior song at high schools around the country in 1998, and it's easy to see why. This one doesn't really hold up musically, but we still get nostalgic when we here it. 

"My Way" — Usher

Usher's breakthrough album was released in the fall of 1997, but the singles on it took a while to gain popularity, with "My Way" finally becoming a smash hit in the summer of 1998. This song ushered in (ha-ha-ha) a long and prosperous career for the R&B singer, and we still remember it fondly. 

"Uninvited" — Alanis Morissette

Released in the wake of her international smash-hit debut album Jagged Little Pill, "Uninvited" was one of the most anticipated songs of 1998 and immediately shot to the top of the charts just as summer was beginning. From the City of Angels soundtrack, the song isn't Morissette's best track ever, but fans were so hungry for a new song that no one much cared. 

More: 9 '90s Throwbacks at the American Music Awards 

"My All" — Mariah Carey 

In 1998, Mariah Carey was at the height of her long career and had just released her sixth studio album, Butterfly. The single "My All" was released at the end of April, just in time to be a breezy, perfect song of the summer. 

"Crush" — Jennifer Paige

"Crush" was played nonstop during the summer of 1998 — and unbeknownst to all of us at the time, it was the biggest one-hit wonder of the year. Sung by Jennifer Paige, the unexpected hit rose within weeks to No. 3 on the charts, leaving the record producers to scramble to press copies of the album and single to sell. Rumor has it the song is about NSYNC member Joey Fatone, though Paige denies there was ever any crush. 

"All My Life" — K-Ci & JoJo

This classic '90s R&B jam went platinum and topped the charts for three weeks during the summer of 1998 — months after it was originally released. The groovy ballad was just what the country needed after years of angsty grunge, and we still think it's a shame this soul duo never quite topped the popularity of their singular hit. 

This Taxi in Finland Only Accepts Singing as Payment, & We Couldn't Love It More

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We don’t know about you guys, but every time we watch James Corden's "Carpool Karaoke," we think to ourselves, "Man, wouldn't it be great if all car rides were like this? Free and full of nonstop singing?" Well, in Finland, that's become reality. (Except for the part where you get your sing on alongside pop stars and A-list celebs...)

A new electric taxi combines ride-shares with karaoke — in that it only accepts singing as payment. It's appropriately named too — Fortum Singalong Shuttle — and it's the world's first taxi paid by singing.


"With Singalong Shuttle, we want to show people in a joyful way how comfortable and easy it is to drive an electric car," says Fortum brand manager Jussi Mälkiä said in a press release. "The silent electric cars make it possible to enjoy singing without background noise and emissions."

More: The Best Places to Go Stargazing This Summer

Singalong Shuttle, which runs on BMW i3 electric cars, offers emission-free rides and will make its first appearance July 6 through 8 at Ruisrock music festival in Turku, Finland. You don't even need to reserve a ride unlike most ride-sharing services. Just show up (more specifically, show up at the Aurajoki riverbank from noon to 5 p.m. on the aforementioned dates), pick your song, go and get to singing.

Each Singalong Shuttle has a sound level meter that tracks the “noise and fun level,” and passengers use a tablet to choose the songs they want to sing. Don't remember all the lyrics? Don't worry; the tablet displays those for every song too. 

Fortum's mission is simple: The company encourages customers to live a more sustainable (and clearly more expressive) life. Not only does it already offer a wide range of clean-energy solutions, but they also have the largest electric vehicle-charging network in the Nordics, with over 2,000 chargers. Impressive.

More: 11 Affordable 4th of July Destinations to Take the Whole Family To

All that said, warm up your vocal chords, friends; and see y'all in Finland.

The Breaking Bad Cast Reunited & Revealed Things We Never Knew About the Show

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It's been 10 years since Breaking Bad premiered on AMC and five years since it ended. With two big reunions on the books, Entertainment Weekly reunited the cast for a special anniversary cover story and photo shoot. The series went off the air in 2013 after five dynamite seasons that, according to the cast, challenged and changed the way stories are told on TV. But the other things they told EW about working on the show — the secrets, the untold anecdotes — are also really incredible.

More: 5 Times Bryan Cranston Showed Us He Was a Total Softy

“I was very desirous of creating a show where the main character changed," show creator Vince Gilligan told EW. "I didn’t necessarily think of it in terms of being groundbreaking. I mainly worried that because it was a different take on the structure of a television show that that would be a ding against it and that it would make it harder to get made.”

In their interview with EW, the Breaking Bad cast spoke highly of not only the series, but of Gilligan and what he did with the story and their characters.

Bryan Cranston, who played good-gone-totally-bad-guy protagonist Walter White (aka Heisenberg), said, “It was the best script I’d ever read, but nowhere in the pilot’s script does it say where that journey is going to go or how far it’s going to go. Is [Walter] just going to dabble in it for a little bit and then get out or what? And when [creator Vince Gilligan] told me he wanted to change this character from good to bad, completely, we realize that this has never happened before."

Cranston added, "So what Vince Gilligan did was change the construct of what was possible in series television. He changed it. It was all about stasis before. Whether you’re Thomas Magnum or Archie Bunker or Ross and Rachel, you are those people — or Tony Soprano — you are those people and you are reacting to different stimuli. But this is completely different. And he gave every one of us our own individuality.”

When Breaking Bad first started filming, Cranston wasn't the only one who didn't know what would happen to his character. Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, revealed that his character was supposed to die at the end of the first season. Say what?

“We all had these beautifully complex arcs that we didn’t know where our characters were heading," Paul said. "And Jesse, I really love this kid so much, but when I first read the script, I had no idea where he was going. I mean, he was supposed to die at the end of the first season. But where they took him was just such a brutal struggle — this journey that he went on, that we all went on — it was incredible.”

Dean Norris, who played Hank Schrader, had similar thoughts on how his character went from being a clown to being a much more serious, tragic character about halfway through the series. He told EW, “It’s rare that you get to do that kind of an arc anywhere, to be honest with you. I think I might have asked Vince at some point, ‘Do I need to audition again for this?’ Because it’s a totally different kind of character.”

More: Aaron Paul Just Pulled Off the Meanest Breaking Bad Prank Ever (VIDEO)

For some members of the cast, like Betsy Brandt, who played Marie Schrader, Breaking Bad was their first experience playing a character for such a long period of time. "[T]hat right in itself is a gift, as an actor to be able to take a journey like that,” she said. "I love Marie — to this day, I love her, and I’m so thankful for the wonderful things about her and I’m so thankful for all her faults too because it was just ridiculously fun to play.

When asked what she misses the most about the show, Brandt recalls, "[H]ands down, it’s the people. To get to make this kind of show with this group of people — I mean, it just doesn’t get any better than that.”

Although it's been 10 years since Breaking Bad premiered and five since it left the air, some of the cast members are still heavily invested in the story — literally. Bob Odenkirk currently stars on the spinoff series Better Call Saul, which is a prequel to Breaking Bad.

Odenkirk said, "The story is still going on for me. But there’s a pretty big leap there, between the Saul in Breaking Bad and the Jimmy McGill-Saul of Better Call Saul. It was a blast and a challenge to play Saul in Breaking Bad. It was a very energized character. It was also a challenge to get in a room with these actors, on this level." He added, "You only saw one dimension of him pretty much in Breaking Bad, so this show was a setup. And then this has been a massive journey, where I can relate to the many sides that they brought to this character, in this second show.”

More: Better Call Saul Review: The problem With Beginning at the End

As per the standard for Entertainment Weekly cast reunions, the outlet released several articles on the series and the cast. It's been a while since we've revisited this drama, but after reading through these quotes, we think it may be time.

Healthy Soups That Make the Most of Your Summer Veggies

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Who wants to spend a ton of time cooking in the summer? Not us. If we can find a recipe that we love and make a big batch to eat through the week, sign us up. And you know what makes that super-easy? Soup. Here are a few delicious and unique soup recipes to make the most of your summer produce.

1. Chilled cucumber soup recipe

Cold Cucumber Soup

You can serve this soup and eat right away, but the flavor of the soup won't be nearly as refined and delicious as it is after two to eight hours in the fridge, so plan ahead to experience the full flavor. 

Recipe courtesy of Its Yummi

Ingredients:

  • 2 large seedless European cucumbers, peeled (1/2 cup diced small, the rest coarsely chopped)
  • 1-1/2 cups Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla)
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled
  • 1/3 cup loosely packed fresh dill weed
  • 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • 2 tablespoons loosely packed tarragon leaves (about 10 leaves) 
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 red onion, finely diced

Directions:

  1. In a blender, combine the chopped cucumber with the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, dill, parsley, tarragon and 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil. Blend on high speed for 2 minutes until smooth.
  2. Season with salt, cover and refrigerate for 2 to 8 hours to allow the flavors to meld and develop. 
  3. Taste the soup for proper seasoning again just before serving. Pour the soup into bowls. Garnish with the finely diced cucumber, red onion and a drizzle of olive oil and serve.

 2. Zucchini soup recipe

Yellow zucchini soup

Recipe courtesy of Primavera Kitchen

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2/3 cup red onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup carrot, diced
  • 1 cup sweet potato, diced
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 cup zucchini, diced
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup chickpeas
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • A pinch of chili pepper
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley

Directions:

  1. In a large pot over high heat, add olive oil. When the pan and the oil are hot, turn the heat down to medium and add the red onions, carrot and sweet potato. Cook for about 10 minutes.
  2. Add broth and bring it to a boil. Add zucchini, cover and simmer the zucchini for about 6 minutes.
  3. Add peas, chickpeas, garlic powder, chili pepper, salt and pepper, and cook for about 4 minutes.
  4. Taste and add any extra seasonings if necessary. Serve topped with fresh parsley.

3. Carrot-ginger soup recipe

Carrot ginger soup

Recipe courtesy of Garnish with Lemon

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2-1/2 cups peeled, chopped carrot (I used one large bunch of carrots)
  • 1 cup peeled, chopped sweet potato (about 1 medium potato)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root
  • 2-1/2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons ground cumin

Directions:

  1. Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add oil, onion, carrots and sweet potatoes and gently sauté for 5 to 10 minutes or until the onion is translucent but not browned.
  2. Stir in the garlic and ginger, and sauté for 1 minute.
  3. Pour in the vegetable broth, and stir in salt, pepper and cumin. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 35 to 45 minutes or until the carrots and sweet potatoes are fork tender.
  4. Transfer the mixture to a blender in batches and purée. Taste for seasoning and adjust to your preference.

4. Yellow corn & bell pepper soup recipe

Corn and bell pepper soup

Recipe courtesy of Cooking and Beer

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 1 large Yukon gold potato, peeled and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger paste
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 3 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 small yellow squash, peeled and chopped
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, seeds and stem removed, chopped

Directions:

  1. In a large stockpot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion. Cook until tender, about 5 to 6 minutes, and then season with a dash of salt and black pepper. Add the potato, ginger paste, garlic, bay leaf and cayenne pepper. Cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  2. Add the vegetable broth and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and then add the corn, squash and yellow bell pepper. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 20 to 25 minutes.
  3. Working in batches, transfer the soup to the pitcher of your blender (you may use an immersion blender). Make sure you do not fill the pitcher the entire way and that you cover it with a towel as you blend. Blend the soup until smooth and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer it back to the stockpot.
  4. Season with salt and black pepper and let it stand over low heat. If you find the soup is too thick for your liking, you may thin it out with a little bit of water. If you find that the soup is too thin for your liking, you may stir in some cashew cream (recipe here).
  5. Serve warm with desired toppings.

5. Spinach-coconut-zucchini soup recipe

Spinach coconut zucchini soup

Recipe courtesy of Super Golden Bakes

Ingredients:

  • 4 slices stale ciabatta, cubed
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic granules 
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried herbs of your choice
  • 1 – 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 – 2 tablespoons coconut oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon mild curry powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 large leek, topped and tailed, finely diced
  • 1 medium potato, peeled and cubed
  • 1 large courgette zucchini, cubed
  • 1 green chili, deseeded and finely diced
  • 1 cup hot vegetable stock
  • 1 (14-ounce) can light coconut milk
  • 3.5 – 7 ounces fresh spinach
  • Handful fresh spinach leaves for garnish

Directions:

  1. Toss the bread cubes in the garlic granules and herbs. Heat the olive oil in a nonstick pan and then fry the bread cubes, stirring often, until crunchy and a little brown. Set aside.
  2. Heat the coconut oil or vegetable oil in large pot. Add the curry, cumin and turmeric, and stir for a minute.
  3. Add the leek, potato, courgette and chili and stir to them coat in the spices. Season well with salt and pepper, cover the pot and sweat the vegetables over low heat for 5 minutes.
  4. Add the vegetable stock and coconut milk and cook for another 10 minutes or until the potato is fork tender.
  5. Add the spinach and stir. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
  6. Carefully transfer the soup to a blender, make sure the lid is secure, and blend it until completely smooth. You may need to do this in batches.
  7. Serve the soup topped with the croutons and a handful of fresh spinach leaves.

6. Chilled avocado-cantaloupe soup recipe

Avocado cantaloupe soup

Recipe courtesy of Fantastic Foods

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups diced cantaloupe, skin and seeds removed
  • 1 ripe avocado, skin and pit removed
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 packed tablespoons fresh basil
  • 2 packed tablespoons fresh mint
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Olive oil, black pepper, diced cantaloupe and avocado, fresh mint and basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Directions:

  1. Blend the cantaloupe, avocado, almond milk, basil, mint, lemon zest and lemon juice together in a blender until very smooth.
  2. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with desired garnishes.

Have a happy soup-filled summer!

Céline Dion Confused Fans With a New Hairdo

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Raise your hand if you have long hair and you've played the back-and-forth internal mind game about whether or not to get bangs. The thing is bangs totally transform a person's face, so it's a big deal when you get them, and you can leave some folks doing a double take. This is exactly what happened when Céline Dion revealed a new haircut on Instagram earlier this week, and her fans had some big feelings about it. 

More: Céline Dion Appeared in the Weirdest, Best Music Video of 2018

Entertainment Tonight reports that Dion posted a photo from Tokyo on Instagram on Monday during the first stop on her Asian tour. She's looking into a mirror and wearing sunglasses, which also contribute to how different she looks... but the fringe really does stand out!

In the Instagram comments, one fan said her look is "superb and modern," while another wrote, "Lady Gaga, is that you?" The latter is clearly a joke, but we must admit that we're not used to seeing Dion with bangs. It looks good — just like that amazing print dress and those glasses — and we totally support her mixing up her look. But we can't blame some of her followers for having to look twice to make sure Dion posted a picture of herself.

When she shared the photo on Twitter, she got even more confused reactions.

One person said, "Someone needs to get fired for forcing you to wear a WIG," complete with a reaction GIF.

Another wrote, "Omg Céline I didn't recognize you!!" with a heart-eyes emoji.

Some else said, "At first I thought you looked like Cher."

This person who wrote, "Is tht u Celine?" seems to have encapsulated most people's thoughts on the new look.

Wig or no, it's also possible that the fringe isn't permanent. Entertainment Tonight notes that although Dion has shared two photos featuring the new look, she also shared one from her Monday night performance in which her bangs are nowhere to be seen. 

More: Céline Dion Needs to Do a Duet With Her Son Now That He's Releasing His Own Music

Dion is known for her signature long blond tresses, which she's rocked for years, but she's no stranger to unique hairstyles. This InStyle feature shows off some of her most iconic looks, from a perm in the early '90s to a pixie cut with frosted tips in 2000 to platinum blond locks in 2003. She's been wearing her hair long and honey-colored since at least 2004, which she complements with dramatic makeup and a little sparkle from time to time.

Would that we could all rock so many styles so flawlessly. We're definitely into this new look, even if it's only temporary.

You'll Never Guess Which Queer Eye Costar Tan France Had a Crush On

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Queer Eye's clothing expert, Tan France, is very much in love with his husband of 11 years. He talks about his hubby frequently on the Netflix reboot, especially when he's encouraging the show's subjects (otherwise known as "heroes" on the show) to make an effort to dress up for their partners. However, like many fans of the series, France admitted in a recent Fab Five interview with Vulture that he may have had a crush on some of his castmates at first sight.

More: What Queer Eye's Fab Fives' Relationships Are Really Like Behind the Scenes

When Vulture asked the Fab Five — France, Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk, and Antoni Porowski — about their first impressions of each other, France spoke first. "Can we make it slightly inappropriate?" he asked. "I kind of had a thing for Jonathan and Karamo on the first day!"

Of course, he quickly backtracked once the word "crush" comes out: "Not really a crush, I just thought they were handsome," he said. Brown, who's the series culture expert, refused to let France get away with the retraction.

"You had a crush on me," Brown said, speaking directly to France. "You told me you had a crush on me." Oops.

To steer the conversation away from France's crushes, Van Ness, who handles grooming on the show, jumped in with a description of how the casting call went for the new Queer Eye. "This is truly what happened in casting," he said. "There was this email that was sent out to this group of us and they were like, 'This isn’t the time to be a wallflower. We want to see how everyone gets along.'" Since Queer Eye relies heavily on the familylike dynamic between the Fab Five, this directive definitely makes sense. 

Van Ness continued, "So if you could just imagine 40 gay men in a hotel ballroom mingling each other to death at seven in the morning. It was like The Hunger Games meets American Idol, plus RuPaul’s Drag Race, and America’s Next Top Model meets rebooted Queer Eye." TBH, that sounds like either a brawl or a party waiting to happen. 

More: Queer Eye Is Back for Pride, & It's Featuring Its First Trans Hero

If France found himself drawn to bubbly Van Ness or calm, cool, collected Brown, we don't blame him. The Fab Five's interview with Vulture also gives us a little insight into how their "family dynamic" works as well as their thoughts on how Queer Eye is reshaping the narrative of the original series, affecting change in adverse spaces, politics, sex and more. It's a really amazing read — and gives a lot of insight to the five men who have won America's hearts.

Kylie Jenner Will Stop at Nothing to Give Stormi the Most Epic First Birthday Party

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Time flies when you're turning 1 — well, at least that's the case for Stormi Webster, who's mom, Kylie Jenner, has already started planning her 4-month-old daughter's first birthday party. 

Jenner, who welcomed her first child with rapper Travis Scott in February of this year, revealed to fans on Snapchat that she's giving herself a whopping seven months to dream up the world's most epic celebration. While she didn't mention a smash cake, with that much planning (and budget), we can only imagine how incredible the dessert selection will be. 

More: Meet Kylie Jenner, Mommy Blogger

"Stormi is gonna be five months this weekend, which really is tripping me," she said, according to Us Weekly. "That means we're halfway to a year — almost — and I'm already thinking about her first birthday and how it's going to be epic, OK?"

It may seem ridiculous to start working on a party this far in advance, but in Jenner's defense, she's already run into a few roadblocks.

"I was going to do super magical unicorn theme, but North and Penelope beat me to it, so I have to think of something else," she added. 

More: Kris Jenner & Kim Kardashian West Wish North West a Happy 5th Birthday

Ugh, the nerve of some toddlers! Despite the setback, I have a feeling Stormi's birthday bash will rival the recent royal wedding. While we're talking about it, I'd like to be the first to call it: Stormi will get a mini version of her mom's black Ferrari, and it will still be way more expensive than most of us could afford. 

While the epicness of the party is certainly not in question, I can't help but wonder if Jenner will budge on the no-face-photo rule she instated earlier this month on all pics of baby Stormi shared to her Instagram page. She explained the decision to delete or crop her daughter's darling mug by commenting, "Yeah I cut my baby out. I'm not sharing photos of my girl right now." 

More: Kylie Jenner Just Removed All Photos of Stormi's Face From Instagram

Photographic proof or not, I still have a hunch I'll feel jealous for not being invited to the baby fete of the century.  


Roe v. Wade Is Terrifyingly Vulnerable Right Now — Here's What You Need to Know

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When Justice Anthony M. Kennedy announced that he would retire from the U.S. Supreme Court, you could practically hear the shudder of millions of American uteruses as their owners realized their constitutionally protected right to abortion is now in jeopardy. 

Let's back up a second: How could one guy's retirement make such a huge impact? Of the nine members of the Supreme Court, Kennedy has occasionally operated as the crucial swing vote — including casting the deciding vote in 2015 ruling in favor of marriage equality as well as upholding a key component of the Affordable Care Act the same year. On the other hand, he also cast the deciding vote in a Supreme Court case that ultimately sent George W. Bush to the White House in 2000 — so he really could go either way, ideologically. 

Flash-forward to 2018: Donald Trump is president, which means that he has the ability to nominate the justice to replace Kennedy. Despite the fact that Trump once described himself as "very pro-choice," he seems to have reconsidered his position since running for office and is now staunchly anti-abortion rights. Perhaps more accurately, his die-hard, right-wing base is staunchly anti-abortion rights, meaning his pick would have to appease that faction.

More: What It's Like to Have to Wait More Than 72 Hours for an Abortion

This is not good news for abortion rights — or reproductive health in general. When Kennedy's replacement is appointed, the balance will likely then shift to votes of 5 – 4 in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade — the landmark 1973 case that made abortion an constitutional right. 

How soon could this happen?

According to Justice Emily Jane Goodman, who is retired from the New York State Supreme Court, it's hard to say when, exactly, the constitutionally guaranteed right to abortion might be revoked, but it's on the horizon. 

"Let's just say that Roe v. Wade doesn't have a long future," she tells SheKnows.

There are currently court cases at various stages in different states challenging different abortion rights, Goodman explains. And although the courts can move slowly, one or more of these state-level abortion cases will reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

"When that happens, presumably a new justice will be on the court," she says. "If the court finds itself addressing the right to abortion, then they will use that opportunity to reverse Roe v. Wade." 

What happens if Roe v. Wade is overturned?

Because Roe v. Wade guaranteed that there was a constitutional right to abortion on a national level, if the ruling is overturned, the decision will once again fall upon the states. This was the case prior to 1973. And given how active some states have been in recent years to chip away at abortion and other reproductive rights still under the protections of Roe v. Wade, it's not a stretch to think that these states will make the procedure illegal if given the opportunity Goodman notes. 

This means that some states may retain permissive abortion regulations, while others may outlaw it completely, widening existing disparities in access to reproductive health care. If someone required an abortion but lived in a state where it was illegal, they would then have no choice but to travel to a state where it was legal. While this is a possibility for some, for others, it places abortion completely out of reach financially when you factor in having to travel to another state, paying for things like airfare, hotel stays or childcare. 

"If you’re a person who can get on a plane and to go another state, that’s one thing, but many of the women who would be making this choice are not going to have those options," Goodman says.

More: Why Trans & Nonbinary People Must Be Included in the Abortion Conversation

Goodman notes that states passing restrictive abortion laws would also force doctors to make the difficult decision of whether or not to continue to perform abortions and risk prosecution for murder or however abortion is framed in those scenarios. In addition, if we go back to a place where abortion is illegal in parts of the country, those who require the medical procedure may have to resort to so-called "back-alley" abortions, performed outside the safety of sterile medical facilities by unqualified practitioners, potentially causing great harm to the mother.

What can we do?

Vote like your life depends on it. The midterm elections coming up in November give us the opportunity to put pro-women, pro-abortion rights candidates in office. It's unclear exactly how long the process to put in a new Supreme Court justice will take given that Trump has to select a candidate, who then has to be confirmed by the Senate before the official appointment. 

Goodman's advice is to "vote Democratic around the country for Congress — that’s the key way to stop the confirmation of an anti-choice justice."

If you need a little bit of encouragement, earlier this week, Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ousted the fourth-highest-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives in the Democratic primary in a section of New York City. If this is any indication of what could happen in November in terms of electing pro-abortion rights candidates, it's at least a small reason to be hopeful right now. 

Kim Kardashian West & Tristan Thompson Have Reached a New Understanding

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Now that Khloé Kardashian and Tristan Thompson are working things through after it was revealed that he allegedly cheated on her during her pregnancy with baby True, the rest of the Kardashian clan is getting on board. That includes older sister Kim Kardashian West, whom Thompson blocked on Instagram after she went on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in May and commented on his alleged controversial behavior, which focused on him possibly cheating on Kardashian.

More: Kim Kardashian West Has Officially Disowned Tristan Thompson

Kim Kardashian, Tristan Thompson, and Khloé Kardashian

Marie Claire reports that while the family hung out at Kardashian's birthday party, Kardashian West shared several videos on her Instagram Story. She chose to address the elephant in the room publicly and call a truce with her sister's boyfriend. 

"All right guys," she said, "What do you think? It’s Khloé’s birthday. Do you think I should ask this guy to unblock me?” She pointed at Thompson, who lounged behind her, with Kardashian laughing behind him.

She asked Thompson, “For Khloé’s birthday, will you please unblock me?”

Kim Kardashian and Tristan Thompson

The light-hearted exchange continued with a lot of laughter. Thompson gave Kardashian West — and the camera — two thumbs up, saying, "It’s only right. I got you." Kardashian West's 113 million followers got to witness the entire exchange. 

Tristan Thompson unblocks Kim Kardashian on Instagram

When Thompson actually took out his phone to do the deed, Kardashian West leaned back and then moved so she could sit behind him and film that too. The proof is in the pudding, after all. We're also happy to report that, as of Thursday afternoon, Thompson is still following Kardashian West, and she him.

More: Khloé Kardashian Is Fighting a New Rumor About Herself & Tristan Thompson

Later, Marie Claire reports, Thompson revealed that he also blocked by his girlfriend's two best friends, Malika and Khadijah Haqq. We're all familiar with the awkward social media situations that can result from potentially nasty situations with significant others, so it's kind of refreshing to know that even celebrities deal with that kind of drama. On the other hand, this whole thing could have been avoided if Thompson had just been faithful in the first place.

The Many Health Benefits of Baby Massage

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As an adult, most of us love what a massage can do for our mind, body and soul. It leaves us feeling relaxed and refreshed, not to mention how it can seem to melt away muscle strain and tension.

So, what can massages do for a baby? We spoke with experts who told us how to massage our babies in the privacy of our homes as well as what it does for their growing bodies. 

1. Skin-to-skin contact is important for babies

Dr. Lisa Lewis, a pediatrician from Fort Worth, Texas, who wrote Feed the Baby Hummus, tells SheKnows that babies go through quite a bit of stress in their new environment — meaning, outside the womb. 

While we may not realize why because they can't tell us, Lewis says, "new smells, noises, unusual tastes and foreign sensations on the skin" can over stimulate our babies. Massage is a wonderful way to "soothe and relax" infants with all the changes and commotion happening around them. 

More: What's Normal — & Not Normal — During a Massage?

2. Massage can improve the way your baby's body functions

Lewis says that skin-to-skin contact can help calm and comfort an infant as well as regulate body functions like their breathing and heart rate. 

3. Massaging can help your baby sleep better

One of the benefits to having a relaxed, calm child is they are more likely to sleep well, which in turn means their parents will get more sleep. When everyone is more rested, it's a huge contributing factor in a more positive environment for the child, Lewis explains. 

4. Baby massage is a great bonding & communicating experience

Massage is a great time to bond with your child, as it gives the parent "a tool to help control crying and calm your baby," Lewis says. It can also help parents be more in tune with their infant and look out for cues, such as what makes them more comfortable and relaxed. 

Stephanie Agakian, a licensed massage therapist and certified educator of infant massage, tells SheKnows that infant massage can help with attachment and that touch can help children thrive.

5. Don't overdo it

Yes, the effects of massage are positive, but a baby’s delicate skin can become overly irritated. Lewis recommends no more than two massages each day. 

How to do baby massage at home

If you'd like to try some techniques at home, Lewis and Agakian share what you will need and how to get started. 

Materials: First, Lewis says to grab some fragrance-free oil, towels, clothes and a diaper. Next, wash your hands before beginning the massage. 

Consent: Agakian says to always ask your baby for permission first. This can be done by rubbing your hands together (or another signal), that will eventually let them know you are going to be touching them and can be used as a communication tool. 

While this may sound silly, Agakian says it gives them a signal you are going to be touching them and helps them learn to set boundaries. 

Technique: Next, Lewis says to place your baby on a towel laid out on a flat surface, such as a changing table, then position yourself in front of the baby with your body close. 

Remove your baby's clothes slowly and gently while talking and touching the body. Cover your baby with a towel to reduce the risk of feeling cold.

More: Why Does It Feel So Good When Someone Plays With Your Hair?

Keeping the towel cover in place, start by placing your baby on their stomach with the head turned to the side. Apply oil to your hands and rub them together. Clasp your hands around the feet to get the baby used to the oil. Begin massaging, using gentle circular motions on the feet and legs.

Next, move to the knee, hip joints and buttocks, continuing the same gentle circular motions. Massage the back and arms. When required, add more oil to the hands and warm by rubbing them together.

Once you have finished the back and arms, Lewis says to delicately turn your baby over on their back and continue to massage. Start again with the feet, legs, knee and hips. Massage the toes and fingers by placing them between your thumb and forefinger. Massage the abdomen and chest as well as the earlobes and outer ear. 

Extra things to note: When you have finished massaging one section of the body, cover it with a towel to keep your baby from getting cold. If at any time your baby seems uncomfortable, stop massaging, reposition them and put a gentle hand on their back to calm them. And lastly, no tickling, because it will make your baby tense up and not relax, Lewis adds.

With a little time and a few basic materials, you can establish a bonding routine with your baby through massage, which in turn can have some serious health benefits. 

Critics Think This Photo of Victoria Beckham & Son Brooklyn Is ‘Inappropriate’

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Victoria Beckham has the most adorable family in the entire world, and we know those Beckhams are very affectionate with one another; they’re constantly hugging and holding hands. You’d think fans of the family would appreciate their closeness, right? 

Well, apparently some folks are out to shame Victoria and her eldest, Brooklyn, for simply going on a mother-son date. 

Last night, the two attended the Argento Ball For The Elton John AIDS Foundation in Windsor, and Victoria brought Brooklyn as her plus-one. But some fans saw fit to voice their concern that the sweet gesture was “inappropriate,” particularly after seeing photos of the star helping her son with his tie (because, er, that’s such a strange thing for a mom to do? Not quite).

More: Victoria Beckham Shared a Gorgeous Selfie of Her Rarely Seen Freckles

One user commented: “While I think it is lovely that she is bringing her son to the ball, the photo is a tad inappropriate looking — maybe it’s the poses but it looks slightly inappropriate. Am I wrong?” Another chimed in, “Shouldn’t David be your ‘date’ not your son?”

More loyal fans were quick to defend the Beckhams: “Think she looks gorg and all she is doing is putting on her sons tie who will always be her baby no matter how old.”

Victoria’s husband, soccer star David Beckham, has also come under fire in the past for being publicly affectionate with his children. Last year, some fans were offended when he posted a picture kissing his daughter on the lips. He later made a statement in defense of the picture, saying that he and Victoria were simply raised in affectionate households and chose to raise their children the same way.

We think it's sweet that Victoria brought her son as her date to an event, and PDA between family members — when it’s of the harmless variety we’re seeing here — is nothing strange. For our part, we’d like to tell the trolls to chill the hell out.


Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Kelly Ripa's Vacation Pics Prove Her Sons Are Men Now

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Kelly Ripa is posting vacation photos on Instagram from Greece, and aside from our extreme jealousy of the beautiful coastline, we noticed something else in one of her posts that we were not expecting at all. (Make sure you click through to the second picture in her Instagram post!)

More: What Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos Look Like Now vs. When They Eloped 22 Years Ago

Ripa shared what she called a "double TBT" of her husband of 22 years, Mark Consuelos, with their sons, Michael Consuelos, 21, and Joaquin Consuelos, 15. The first photo is from 2014 and the second is from this year. 

Four years is a big difference when it comes to young adults, and it's clear that Ripa's sons are growing up fast. It's almost hard to recognize them — not because they are on opposite sides in the second photo, but because of how much they've changed! Their dad looks almost the same, which is a testament to how well both he and Ripa have aged, despite trolls insisting Ripa is too old to be wearing a bikini on the beach. Our advice for those people is to keep their comments to themselves.

Ripa and Mark Consuelos' daughter, Lola Consuelos, isn't pictured in the photo. As the middle child, she's also obviously growing up just like her brothers. Ripa did share two throwback photos for Lola's 17th birthday on June 16: a photo from Ripa's pregnancy and a photo from when she was born, with the caption, "#tbt 2001 @instasuelos got the best #fathersday present in the form of Lola."

More: Kelly Ripa Shared a Photo From Her Daughter’s Prom & Wow

On Mother's Day, Ripa shared a family photo from a celebratory brunch, and the similarities between all three kids are super-noticeable. This family looks beautiful together. No matter how many people come at Ripa for her vacations or her work ethic, no one can say she doesn't obviously love her family. 

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