But we'll be honest that sometimes these letters seem self-indulgent and a bit impersonal, and if the letter writer is already active on Facebook, the whole thing can feel like a rehash of their social media posts.

We are willing to bet there is at least one family that sends a holiday letter each year that makes you cringe and roll your eyes when you read it. Perhaps you even look forward to receiving that letter because it is so fun to mock.

Here are seven tips on how to avoid being the family that sends that letter in their holiday card.

1. Write your letter in the first person.

Don't write your letter in the third person as if one of Santa's helpers penned it for you. We all know you're the one who wrote it. Maybe it feels odd bragging about yourself and that is why you switched to the third person, but perhaps that should tell you something.

More: 16 Family Christmas card photo ideas that will wow your relatives

2. Use anecdotes, rather than listing every achievement.

Don't tell us everything your athletic and popular honor student has done during the last year. We love hearing about your child's successes, but we don't need to know about every grade, every recital, every award, every soccer score or every college they are applying to. Pick one amazing thing they did in the past year and tell us about all about it, like the time they scored the game-winning goal.

If your family went on an amazing 3-week cruise of the Mediterranean, don't just list every country you visited. Instead, tell us something unique about each location. Tell us about the best day of your vacation.

3. Keep the bad news to a minimum.

Please don't tell us who died in your family this year. Don't tell us that you and your husband are getting a divorce, or that you are terminally ill. It's the holiday season, so can we focus on all that we are thankful for? Also, if your readers are friends and family members, shouldn't they already know these things? If they don't, maybe you should pick up the phone and call. You don't want to give Aunt Millie a heart attack.

More: 25 Incredible unicorn gifts you're going to want to keep for yourself

4. Try not to vent.

Don't tell us how much you hate your job, your boss or your coworkers. Again, it's the holidays and a time to reflect on what is good in our lives.

5. Get your facts straight.

Please check your facts, particularly when you are writing about one of your adult children. If your daughter is getting a master's in historic preservation at an Ivy League school, make sure you have the correct name of the degree and the school.

More: Ask a Raging Feminist: How to survive a family get-together this holiday

6. Check for embarrassing typos.

And speaking of checking, please check your newsletters for typos, or risk something like this: "We are so proud of Patty's achievements at school this year. She was induced into the honor society last spring and continues to make her school's honor role."

7. Use the cocktail party test.

When crafting your letter, think about it this way: If we met for the first time at a cocktail party and you used the contents of your letter to make conversation, would I quickly drain my drink and suddenly say, "Oh, looks like I'm empty, please excuse me," just to end the conversation? If the answer is yes, don't write it!

When leeks, pancetta (bacon's un-smoked Italian sister), butternut squash and a generous amount of cream combine, you get the ultimate as far as fall comfort food goes. The only thing that can possibly make all those things better is being tossed with thick-cut pappardelle noodles and topped with a liberal handful of Parmesan cheese.

Take note, this isn't a healthy dinner by any means, but it sure as heck is a delicious one and impressive enough for a dinner party.

Creamy butternut squash, pancetta and leek papardelle

Serves 4

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/4 pound pancetta, chopped
• 1 large leek, cut in half lengthwise, chopped and rinsed thoroughly
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 cups cubed butternut squash
• Pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 pint heavy cream
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 12 ounces pappardelle

Directions:

1. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the pancetta to the skillet, and cook until browned and crispy.
3. Add the leeks and garlic to the skillet, stir, and cook down for about 3 to 5 minutes, until softened.
4. Add the butternut squash, toss together with the leeks and pancetta, and then cover the skillet and let cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, until the squash is tender.
5. Meanwhile, cook the pappardelle in a large pot of boiling water.
6. Once the butternut squash is tender, reduce the heat to low, remove the cover, then add the heavy cream, pepper, nutmeg and cheese, and stir everything together.
7. Drain the pasta once cooked, and add it to the skillet. Toss to coat the noodles in the cream sauce.
8. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese.

More butternut squash recipes

Butternut squash croquettes
Cheesy butternut squash risotto
Butternut squash and roasted garlic bisque

1. Hot Bagels (1594 Rockaway Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11236)

I may live in the South now, but I was born and raised on the best of Brooklyn! This bagel shop offers the authentic taste of a hot buttered bagel. Nothing like biting into one of these babies and having cream cheese oooozing out with a hot cup of coffee on a brisk fall day. This is one of my all-time faves.

2. Circle E Candles

All I have to say is Birds of Paradise. The scent is intoxicating. It's like the smell of cotton candy for lovers. It embraces the whole house, making every room smell like paradise. This candle turns your bedroom into an exotic destination.

3. Ménage à Trois Silk Wine

Smooth as silk and easy on the palette, this red blend is like a blanket on the throat: warm and coating and so easy to sip. You can find it at World Market, and even Walmart now carries it. The wine has a wide appeal, so it's a great bottle to keep in the house for when you have friends visiting. Not too dry. Not too sweet. Ménage à Trois Silk is just right — yeah, even for Goldilocks!

4. Davidscatfish.com (1842 East 3 Notch Street, Andalusia, AL 36421)

You ever just get the taste for some good down home slap-ya-mama catfish?!? Well, I never used to being the die heart Brooklynite that I am, but since I've been livin' in the South, my tastebuds have gone to the FRIED SIDE!! For under $14.00 you can get ALL-U-CAN-EAT fried shrimp and catfish at David's Catfish House! Talk about TWO goodies!! The batter is the best (not a cormeal base which is used quite a bit with fried fish in the South)! It's light, similar to tempura, and crispy. The catfish is meaty and the portions are huge! By plate two I'm letting my zipper down to breathe! Let me not forget their incredible cole slaw that people buy by the quarts and gallons (yes, it's that good).

Claybank Soap Company

Nestled in the little town that I live in, Ozark, Alabama, is a wonderful boutique shop called Market on Broad Street (yep, on Broad Street). They have a smorgasbord of the greatest little items to give as gifts for any time of the year. I am personally hooked on the Claybank Soaps. They offer over 40 fragrances ranging from my FAVE Nag Champa to your more fruitier and floral scents that are just as delectable. I stock up for myself, to give as gifts to men and women and did I mention for myself? Guess I did. Well you can't keep a girl from one of her favorite things!!

Tyler - Diva Wash

Another great find that you can pick up at the Claybank Soap Company (or Amazon) is Tyler's Diva Wash. The Tyler brand is known for it's candles and once you take a whiff you are bound to be just as hooked as I am! I was already in love with the Diva candle scent, BUT MY GOODNESS, the Diva Wash laundry detergent is in a class by itself. It is NOT your everyday laundry detergent (though if I could splurge on this all the time I would). A little goes a long way! It's a special way to give a lift to your towels and bed sheets! My husband absolutely LOVES it and can always tell when I've added it to the laundry. He also requests it so that's a very good sign!

These are just six of the things I love; I could truly go on and on about my favorite things! Oprah dear, I'm here when you need me to share my faves with you!

Speaking with fellow Real Housewives cast member Phaedra Parks in a preview of Sunday's episode, Fields admitted that she decided to join the cast of the reality TV show in part because she was hoping to find some new gal-pals.

This revelation startled Parks, who quizzically responded, "Now how in the world can you live without girlfriends? Who do you tell your secrets to?"

Fields confessed, "For me, I don’t have, you know, the hangout girlfriends." Fields told the always fresh-faced Parks she doesn't go get her nails done or have spa days. Shocked and dismayed, Parks responded, “Oh, my God. Why? Are you kidding me?"

More: RHONJ's Amber Marchese has some harsh fighting words for Dina Manzo

Diving into the deep end of the murky waters of motherhood, Fields continued, "I don't have a Kim happy place for Kim. Other than my work, my kids, my husband."

As sad as it sounds, Fields is certainly not alone. Many women, present company included, struggle with changing from being the person you were born and raised as after becoming a wife, losing the name you were given, and then becoming the even more self-stealing "Mommy." Not to say that is a bad thing. Being a wife and mother are two of life's greatest accomplishments, but it can sometimes be a struggle for women, as Fields explains, to find themselves and find time for themselves in the midst of life.

Parks asked a very poignant question, "But what about you being happy?"

More: The Real Housewives of Potomac: What you need to know about the cast (VIDEO)

Fields, who has two young sons with husband Christopher Morgan, asked Parks how she found her happy place.

"I didn't marry young. I knew who I was. I knew what I liked to do. I didn't want to lose myself in my marriage and my kids. So, I get my nails done every week. I get my hair done every week. You gotta get that time."

Being your own independent person is important in terms of self-identity. If you only see yourself as a mom or a wife, it will be difficult for you to carve out your own happiness. That doesn't necessarily mean just spa days or getting your nails done; it can be a hobby you stopped doing when you had your child or something new you’ve wanted to learn or reconnecting with friends you’ve lost touch with since you got married.

But like Parks says, “You gotta get that time.

More: RHOC's Shannon Beador & Tamra Judge respond to Brooks Ayers' cancer update

More: The Originals' producer teases Hayley and Elijah's love is far from over

For the first time in the show's history, it will no longer air Thursday nights. But rather, when Season 7 returns in January, it will begin airing in the less desirable spot on Fridays at 8 p.m., with The Originals following after at 9 p.m.

The CW's much anticipated premiere of DC's Legends of Tomorrow will be taking over The Vampire Diaries' time slot.

More than the switch in lineup, the show is once again facing rumors of strife. According to KpopStarz, the cast would rather see Ian Somerhalder leave the show and Nina Dobrev return.

More: The Vampire Diaries' Kat Graham spills on Bamon's future in Season 7

Now, admittedly, we were worried when The Vampire Diaries lost Dobrev. How can the show go on, after all, without its lead? But the show hasn't just held strong throughout Season 7 so far, but the story is excellent!

We can't get enough of the flash-forwards and all of the new love connections cropping up — not to mention, the juicy backstory and the new development that Alaric hasn't actually lost everything, thanks to the fact that the Gemini coven saved his twins in Caroline. And the Heretics are definitely growing on us, too.

Plus, we wouldn't be surprised if Dobrev decided to return to the show in Season 8 now that she's had a break to catch up, in the same way Claire Holt returned to The Originals as Rebecca.

More: The Vampire Diaries' Caroline's fiancé revealed with mind-blowing twist

So, given all these possibilities, to see the show canceled after this season would be a shame and way before the show's time, especially for all of us fans who have stuck with the series through thick and thin and are now loving the plot.

Do you think The Vampire Diaries should be canceled after Season 7?

In the opening sequence of Love Actually, Hugh Grant, in his verbose and romantic manner says, "If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love actually is all around," as we watch families and loved ones reunite at the airport.

But not so fast; it turns out, love, actually, is for lesbian couples, too!

Speaking about a deleted story line, director Richard Curtis says that he was incredibly sorry to see this particular part of the story lost and explains why it had to happen. One of the subplots featured a touching, tearjerking relationship between a stern headmistress (played by Anne Reid) of Emma Thompson's character's kids' school and her partner.

More: The Billy Mack scenes from Love Actually that make us LOL

He said, "The idea was meant to be you just casually met this very sort of stern headmistress… and the idea was meant to be that later on in the film… we suddenly fell in with the headmistress and you realize that no matter how unlikely it seems, that any character you come across in life has their own complicated tale of love."

I dare you to not cry by the end of this clip, and don't say I didn't warn you.

More: The Love Actually drinking game you need to play this holiday season

The clip ended up hitting the cutting room floor after another plot with Thompson’s kids was cut, as well.

It’s beautiful and touching, and while it still sticks to some of the tropes of same-sex couples in cinema, it might have helped dispel some long-held misconceptions often associated with the LGBT community and their relationships, proving to the world — an odd thing to even think we have to do — that they are just as deep and meaningful (and heartbreaking) as any other kind of relationship. The deleted story line would have given the film a third dimension that, in 2015, is impossible not notice missing.

More: Hugh Grant and 5 other celebs who have denounced Hollywood

If, hypothetically, we had studied Intimate Relationship Skills 101: How to Deal With Your Partner’s Sexual Fetish back in high school, maybe we’d be better equipped. So, whether his idea of a turn on involves him wearing women’s underwear (cross-dressing), whipping you with a leather riding crop for being a naughty school girl (BDSM and role play), watching you cry (dacryphilia) or pee (urophilia) or having you laugh at his manhood and tell him that he's got a micropenis (humiliation), here are five ways to deal with your partner’s seemingly insane fetish.

1. Know that there is no such thing as normal sexuality

Society teaches us through media messages about what is normal and acceptable sexual behavior. Yet, non-normative sexuality is the norm! Everyone is different and unique in what they find attractive and sexually arousing. Don’t buy into the fact that society and the media presents one form of sexuality and influences the masses to conform to it. If you grew up in a world seeing men dressed in lingerie everywhere, you would think that was normal and sexy because it would be a learned thing. (Wanna know how common cross dressing is in Australia among straight men? Check out the global Aussie men’s lingerie company in high demand among heterosexual males!)

2. Examine the roots of your repulsion to his fetish

What exactly is it about his fetish that makes you so uncomfortable? Let’s say your man is a cross-dresser and you feel sickened by the whole concept because it’s the opposite of what you consider to be “manly” and sexy. Ask yourself this: If society deemed men cross-dressing as the epitome of masculinity and male sexual prowess, and you grew up seeing billboards, advertisements and magazine covers with men in women’s lingerie, do you think you would still find it so repulsive? We are bombarded with sexual imagery from a young age through the media teaching us what is “hot or not." We learn quickly — without even realizing that we are being indoctrinated — what we are to see as sexy. Sex appeal is a social construct that we learn through absorbing society’s messages about what is acceptable sexuality.

3. Start actually sexualizing his fetish in order to enjoy it with him

If he’s a cross-dresser and you find the mere thought of him adorning a pair of black lacy stay-ups and pink frilly knickers to be utterly cringe-worthy, you will need to start fantasizing about him wearing women’s clothes in order to change your way of thinking from seeing it as "disgusting" to seeing it as masculine and sexy. Trick your mind into finding his fetish a turn-on.

4. Find common sexual ground

5. Acceptance

Accept yourself for accepting your partner. Appreciate him for having the courage to share his fetish with you. Can you imagine how daunting it must have been for him to disclose such an intimate thing to you? (And no doubt they have been rejected before if a partner has ever found out in the past). Don’t try and block his fetish out to him or yourself because the more it is normalized between the two of you, and talked about comfortably and freely, the less emotional charged you will feel regarding the topic that initially left you feeling rather unsettled.

Need more help coming to terms with your partner’s turn-ons? Contact us at (02) 8005-6011 or email us at info@mycounsellingservice.com.au

After we had our fill of everything pumpkin, we decided to move toward our favorite fall fruit — the apple. Such a versatile ingredient — we already showed you how to add it to your oatmeal — apples can either be a prominent star of a dish or an excellent accompaniment. Check out all of our recipes on www.simplysavorynsweet.com.

Apple cinnamon Pop-Tart recipe

Yields 8 Pop-Tarts

Prep time: 1 hour 15 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes | Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2-1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup salted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water
• 1 cup canned apple-pie filling
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 to 1-1/2 tablespoon milk
• Turbinado sugar for finishing

Question:

I wasn’t getting anything from the job I had, so I quit and started working for him. At first, I just helped out but soon became an employee.

I recently broke off our engagement. We decided to continue working together and just sort of work around our little problem. The company won’t survive without me. Well, maybe it would, with luck, but it doesn't seem fair that I have to leave my job just because it’s his business.

The trouble is my boss. He keeps trying to revive our relationship, which definitely isn’t going to happen. This situation makes long, hard days for both of us. Should I find another job or stay with this one, hoping that things will eventually get easier?

Answer:

Ouch. A job description that mixes sex and duties works as well as pouring gas on hot coals — sooner or later, someone usually gets burned. When people have been in a relationship and the romantic interest fades only for one, the other often holds onto hope that the romance can be rekindled.

I can offer strategies to minimize the worst problems.

Your boss needs to sit down with an attorney or other professional who can outline the essentials of sexual harassment. As painful as the situation now feels to him, his current angst might pale should he act on his feelings and you sue him and win. He needs to know that his romantic and sexual feelings have no place in the work place.

As you’re realizing, maintaining a professional role with someone who wants a personal reaction presents special challenges for you. Your goal is to transform your relationship from a personal one to one in which work becomes the only focus. Monitor your own behavior and eliminate any mixed messages you send nonverbally.

Similarly, your boss needs to monitor himself. He can’t retaliate against you at work for rejecting him personally. If he does, he flirts with legal consequences.

Because your initial job history combined romance and work, you both may miss the added qualities of a work environment charged with sexual energy.

How will you feel when your boss disciplines you just like any other employee? Will you expect special treatment based on your history together? How will your boss feel writing you a paycheck now that you’ve dumped him and not his business?

I urge you both to work out how you’ll prevent personal feelings from spilling over into work life and business decisions. In short, finding a new job might prove less work than managing a situation containing this much combustion.

If you'd like an answer to your career question, it's easy. Write lynne@thegrowthcompany.com. You can also follow Lynne@lynnecurry10 on twitter or access her other posts on SheKnows, www.workplacecoachblog.com or www.bullywhisperer.com.

According to OK!, a source has exclusively revealed that "Ben has had an epic crush on Halle [Berry] ever since he saw that sex scene in Swordfish" back in 2001.

Affleck apparently has been crushing on the Oscar-winning actress so hard that his buddies are all taking bets as to how long he'll last before making his move now that Berry is back on the market.

More: Halle Berry's ex goes on harsh Twitter rant to help Olivier Martinez

And, well, he allegedly has a plan for the day he does decide to make that move. "He's now trying to find a role for her in one of his next movies by way of getting to know her, but his friends just wish he'd take her out on a date and get her out of his system, rather than spend four months wooing her on a movie set."

They've got a point, those friends. While I certainly wouldn't mind seeing Affleck and Berry share the screen — as they're both fantastic entertainers — Affleck could certainly save a lot of time and potentially money by just asking Berry to the local Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to break the ice over an Iced Americano.

So how much merit is there to these reports?

Granted, one never knows when Hollywood romance is concerned. However, considering Berry just announced her divorce from Olivier Martinez (thereby marking the end of her third marriage), it isn't far-fetched to imagine she may not be ready to hit the dating scene again just yet.

Furthermore, Berry has been burned by infidelity in the past — her second marriage, to singer Eric Benét, imploded due to his frequent affairs and sex addiction. Would she really be so quick to entertain a relationship with someone recently accused of cheating with the nanny?

More: New report reveals how Jennifer Garner is coping with her divorce

Plus, although all signs point to neither couple making permanent amends, reconciliation can't be ruled out this soon after their splits. This is particularly true in the case of Affleck and Garner, who have thus far remained committed to staying close for the sake of their three children.

What do you think? Could Ben be courting Halle?

1. Make a list (and check it twice)

I learned this one from the big guy in the red suit. Before you step out the door to buy all the things, make a list of everyone — and I mean everyone, naughty and nice — you’re shopping for, and jot down some gift ideas. This will cut down on panic-induced impulse shopping.

2. Set a budget (and stick to it)

Overspending during the holidays is easy to do. I guarantee you can have plenty of merriness without breaking the bank. Using a debit or pre-paid card instead of a credit card can help you stick to your game plan.

3. Cautiously take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday

I love Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The energy! The excitement! Do your research ahead of time (check The Krazy Coupon Lady for tricks to save more), shop with a plan, and don’t get swept up in the moment and buy things you don’t want or need. Some retailers will let you stack coupons on top of sales, so be mindful of ways you can get even bigger discounts.

Tip: Other than some Walmarts, most stores don't allow you to price-match Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday.

4. Use the Internet

I could go on and on about the ways you can use the Internet to help you save on your shopping, but here are a few of my favorite tips:

• Sign up for email lists to get discount coupon codes (Hint: Set up a special email account to use for email lists and keep your regular inbox clear).
• Follow brands on social media to learn about special discounts and sales.
• Use the live chat function on a website and ask a representative for a discount code.
• Search for promotional codes — a general Google search will do the trick, or you can hit up specific sites like RetailMeNot.com to search for online promo codes.
• Stack coupons with savings codes using apps like The Krazy Coupon Lady and Ibotta.

5. Take advantage of freebies

Some of my favorite budget-stretching freebies are free shipping, free gifts with purchase, free gift cards with the purchase of a gift card, and free gift-wrapping.


6. Price check with the Amazon app

The Amazon app is basically like having a crystal ball in your pocket. It lets you scan an item in-store and see what it's selling for on Amazon so you know what kind of a deal you’re really getting.

Tip: Signing up for Amazon Prime can get you free two-day shipping on countless products, which can be a lifesaver during the holidays.

7. Search for sales often

Many holiday sales only have a short, 24-48 hour life-span, so keep your eyes peeled for limited-time special offers and sales.

8. Check your credit card for deals

Many credit cards offer discounts anywhere from 5-10% cash back or points for using their card to shop online, and some even offer Small Business Saturday or other discounts. Check the rewards section of your credit card’s website for special offers.

9. Buy discount gift cards

You can save anywhere from 2-30% when you buy gift cards from discount sites like Raise.com. Sometimes the cards come as digital codes, and other times you will receive a physical gift card.

Using some of these tried-and-true savings tactics, as well as others found on TheKrazyCouponLady.com, you can take some of the stress and pinch out of your holiday shopping.

The parents say they were comfortable with their decision to place William at Rainbow Child Care Center for the past year… until the employee contacted them unexpectedly. The woman informed the Vannests that their little boy was being physically bound to force him to nap, and she provided photographic evidence.

"It's our worst nightmare that something is happening to them when they're in the care of someone else," Jason told WNEM-TV5. The Vannests immediately removed William from the daycare center and contacted the police and the state. The childcare employee who bound William is reportedly still working at Rainbow, and according to reports, the county prosecutor isn't moving forward with this case, which leaves the Vannests and others questioning why, as they believe it's a clear case of child abuse.

More: Who should look after your child?

When it comes to swaddling children, in  2011, the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association jointly (and strongly) recommended that childcare facilities refrain from swaddling children of any age. Swaddling is considered safe for newborns, but it is not generally recommended for babies over the age of 2 months.

More: New Jersey daycare starts preschool fight club

The Vannests did plenty of research before placing William at Rainbow. "Even before I was pregnant, I actually put together an Excel list," Rebecca told WNEM. "I was going through different daycares, and calling and visiting, just trying to find somewhere where we felt comfortable."

Despite their due diligence, however, Jason and Rebecca still found themselves in a worst-case scenario. So what are working parents to do? While there is no way to guarantee that something like this won't happen, there are definitely steps parents can take.

For example, after researching area facilities and gathering referrals from other parents to select the right childcare provider, it's important to continue observing and evaluating your child's care on a regular basis, no matter how comfortable you feel. From conversations with other parents to random drop-ins at various times of the day, parents can try to get as much insight into what's happening with their children as possible and monitor important issues, including the following.

The staff. How long have workers been there and what is the average turnover rate? Is the staff attentive, caring and patient? What is the ratio of children to employees? (Individual states have their own ratios, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends one adult for every three babies up to age 2.) 

The environment. Are windows and doors safe? Are small toys and other choking hazards out of reach of smaller children? What is the facility's fire safety plan? Do strangers have access to the buildings or grounds? Are sleeping, playing, food prep and diaper-changing areas clean?

The policies. What are the daily routines of the various age groups? Ask specific questions about meals, naps and rules about sick kids.

The children. Do they appear happy? Clean? Are there other children near your child's age?

More: A daycare visit checklist

There are many wonderful childcare providers out there, but it's stories like this that remind us we can never be too careful, never ask too many questions and never be too concerned about what's happening with our children when they're in someone else's care.

More: Stephanie March jokes about the consequences of divorcing Bobby Flay

The famous couple found themselves back in court this week, months after finalizing their split back in July, to argue over something that seems pretty ridiculous: some videos of the two of them cooking steak.

But according to March, the videos are much more than that — she says they constitute Flay violating their divorce agreement by using her image to make a profit, something the pair agreed not to do when they ended their marriage. March filed the motion last month asking for more than $100,000 from Flay for the footage, which was shot before their split, but has yet to air on the Food Network.

But Flay’s legal team argued that he doesn’t owe March anything for the videos, since they were shot before the divorce and he can’t control whether or not the Food Network decides to air the footage.

"My client has made it very clear that he has no control over what the Food Network does," his lawyer said "This is not about the agreement, it's not really about justice. It's about revenge."

More: Bobby Flay's ex-wife details her rough year in inspiring interview

Ultimately, the judge was on Flay’s side and dismissed March’s motion, along with another that she had filed asking Flay to pay her $14,000 in moving fees from when she moved out of their shared home in Manhattan over the summer.

"These videos at issue are the flank steak crostini, flank steak guacamole and the grilled sweet potatoes?" Justice Matthew Cooper told the courtroom. "[It] sounds like the kind of case that should be in small claims court."

After the ruling, March’s attorney released a statement, saying, "This motion was simply about enforcing a previously agreed upon contract and while we are disappointed with this decision, we believe that these breaches are real. Stephanie continues to abide by the terms of the divorce agreement, and we expect Mr. Flay will do the same going forward."

More: Giada De Laurentiis on why she'd never hook up with Bobby Flay (VIDEO)

Do you think the judge made the right decision?

More: Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald explain their unusual baby name (VIDEO)

Josh Duggar’s family has been (understandably) staying out of the media of late, meaning those of us who love looking at some cute Duggar kids haven’t gotten anywhere near our fill of his 4-month-old daughter, Meredith Grace. Good thing we have Jessa Duggar to help out with that.

Jessa posted a photo to her Intagram account of little Meredith looking completely angelic during a nap. She’s wrapped in a warm blanket with a red and yellow polka dot pacifier and a huge pink bow perched on top of her head, hiding her hair. Jessa captioned the photo simply with a smiling and a heart-eyed emoji, which is pretty much how we feel about this little one, too.

More: Jessa Seewald celebrates 23rd b-day with sweet video message from her hubby

Josh, meanwhile, is still in faith-based rehab treatment after admitting to a pornography addiction and cheating on his wife, Anna. Anna and the couple’s three other children have largely stayed out of the public eye since the scandal broke, but she appears in a clip previewing Jessa’s upcoming TLC reality series, Jill and Jessa: Counting On, where it appears she will address the incident and how it affected her family.

“It was heartbreaking to hear what had happened,” a tearful Anna says in the clip, before staring dejectedly off-camera and adding, “Yeah.”

Prior to the cheating scandal, Josh also admitted to molesting underage girls as a teen, including some of his sisters. The Duggar family’s hit reality series 19 Kids and Counting was canceled soon after.

More: Jessa Duggar & Ben Seewald welcome first baby right on time

Will you tune into Jill and Jessa: Counting On to see what’s next for the Duggar family?

More: French Montana's pic with Kourtney Kardashian takes aim at Scott Disick

New evidence says yes.

The former couple of nearly a decade was spotted out for a pre-Thanksgiving lunch together at Marmalade Cafe in Calabasas. And while Kardashian and Disick have kept their split civil where their kids are involved, this time, the kids weren’t with them.

Obviously, this makes fans speculate as to exactly what Kardashian and Disick were up to, out alone together. At a restaurant. This situation looks an awful lot like a date.

And it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility that Kardashian and Disick would consider giving their relationship another go, after all the years they spent together and the three kids they share. Add to that the fact that Disick, who checked into rehab on Oct. 14, is reportedly making great progress and reassessing his life and a lot of his decisions.

More: Scott Disick branded irresponsible for shopping spree post-rehab (PHOTO)

"Scott has made an effort to cut bad influences out of his life. He knows a lot of people were using him. At the time, he didn't really care because he was caught up in all the partying, but he's finally realized the party has to stop," a source told E! News. "He's focusing on a tighter, more loyal circle of friends — the people who were there for him before all the money and fame."

On the latest episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kourtney explained to her sister, Kim, the difficulties she was having with Disick.

"He has, like, two personalities,” she said. “That's the hard thing. It's like he wants both. He's like, 'I just want my family,' or whatever. And I'm just like, ‘Well, what, are you doing to try to change your life?' There's just, like, a lot that would have to happen for him to get on a good path."

More: Kim Kardashian reveals just how hard Kourtney's breakup has been

Do you think Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick will get back together?

“What is Black Friday?” 

He looked at me incredulously, “You never heard of Black Friday?”

I never shied away from asking questions about something I didn’t understand. As a journalism student and newspaper reporter at 23 years old, I answered honestly, "No."

I may have heard of the day, but didn't remember what it was all about.

He explained the tradition of the biggest shopping day of the Christmas season. I took my camera to the local stores early Friday, Nov. 23, 1990. The crowds swarmed, and the clerks looked tired at the local Belk store, which had been open since 6 a.m. Shoppers demanded boots, sweaters and great deals.

One shopper told me it was fun, but sometimes people were rude to each other trying to get the last item on the shelf.

As my understanding of Black Friday grew, I hated it more and more. People rushing to grab up the best deal on a sweater? Stuff, stuff, buying, buying and pushing at each other to grab the last sweater? I remember hearing my alarm and thinking, “This is the spirit of Christmas?”

I know you probably think I am not truthful when I say I honestly hadn't heard of Black Friday before that day in 1990, but it is true. I grew up in poverty. There were years when the toys and gifts under our Christmas tree were scarce. My family even celebrated one year without a Christmas tree.

My parents never signed up for the Salvation Army toy drives or for charity. We just did without.

My siblings and I made Christmas memorable in other ways, like the year we turned the Christmas cards that we got in the mail from our relatives into ornaments. We stuck them in the branches and made a garland of them. We also strung popcorn for the tree and colored the kernels with crayons while listening to Christmas music on the radio.

One year, we made Christmas presents for each other: homemade books. We received cheap toys like fake Barbies. My sister and I made our own dream house out of a book shelf we decorated by coloring pictures on the wall and finding scrap bits of carpet. We transformed a shoe box into a bed and wash cloths into our doll dresses.

In my teen years, I had a job. I still had not learned about Black Friday, even then. I just went shopping. I bought shoes for my younger brother, a shirt for my older brother, more Barbie-like dolls for my sister, a used Erma Bombeck book for my mom and a watch for my dad. I selected each gift with care and out of love. I didn’t storm the store aisles trying to find the best deal.

Years after first learning about Black Friday, I still hate it, especially when I hear that people die trying to beat others to the best deals in stores every year. My daughter wants to shop this year, but I am trying to dissuade her. It just is not safe and really does not align with my values and beliefs about Christmas.

Christmas is about love and the birth of a man who stood for love and purity. I believe He is my God, but I respect those who disagree with me. I will wish them Happy Holidays full of love and joy. To me though, Jesus came to set an example for the salvation of the world: “Greater love hath no Man than to give His life for friends.” That, to me, is the greatest gift of all.

Punching each other out to get the last pair of boots on the Belk shelf or spraying mace into another woman's eyes to get that last television at Walmart is not what Christmas is about to me. I will buy gifts, but I continue to strive to select each one with care, choosing them because they are meaningful and thoughtful or because they meet a need.

Not only will it be hands down the best gift they ever receive, you won't have to pay a cent for it. Thanks to the online shoe and clothing outlet Zappos, thousands of animals will be available for free adoption this Black Friday through over 150 participating partners.

More: Tumbles the two-legged pup has a very modern way of getting around (WATCH)

If you didn't already adore the company for its awesome shoe and apparel deals and free, lightning-fast shipping, you certainly will now. They're dedicated to getting as many puppies, kittens, dogs and cats adopted as possible on the biggest shopping day of the year through their new charitable campaign Home for the Pawlidayz. Together with Best Friends Animal Society, Zappos will take care of all the adoption fees one is usually required to pay when taking home a new furry friend. They're also going to donate $150 to Best Friends and their partners for each and every animal that's adopted next Friday, up to $1.1 million. That's a lot of cozy beds, good food and medical care for a great many animals in need.

Zappos has been advertising this day like crazy on all their social media outlets, as well as sharing personal stories of Zappos employees who've given forever homes to wayward animals.

If that story doesn't make you realize how amazing adopting an animal can be for both animal and human alike, I don't know what will. Best Friends Animal Society, the adoption organization working with Zappos on this endeavor, is dedicated to making more stories like this one a reality. Their mission statement on their website pretty much says it all.

More: Brace yourself: Curly-haired cats are a thing (PHOTOS)

"The mission of Best Friends is to end the killing in America's animal shelters and create a time when there are No More Homeless Pets. We do this by building community programs and partnerships all across the nation. We believe that by working together we can Save Them All."

While you might think it a lofty ambition, with giant companies like Zappos standing behind them, this mission is more than possible. Now all that's needed is for Americans to follow suit and take a chance on a homeless animal. Who knows? You could end up finding the furry best friend you never knew you were missing on Friday, and all for the low price of $0. I already have two cats and I'm seriously considering jumping on this bandwagon, because adopting pets has improved my life so significantly.

You can check out the complete list of participating shelters and partners here. Remember, 7.6 million pets are placed in animal shelters each year. If you take one home, you'll not only be changing their (and your) life for the better, you'll be helping to decrease this overwhelming number. Now that's something to be truly thankful for this year.

More: Dog-matching site borrows cue from online dating to find pups fur-ever homes

And, for the record, what happened tonight doesn't change that. So, before we go any further, here's your spoiler alert — if you haven't watched the Nov. 25 episode of Empire yet, avert your eyes now.

More: Empire: What is Anika going to do to Laura now that she hijacked her cab?

Let's get into it then.

In a season so full of cameos that I've completely lost track, it should come as no surprise there was a string of 'em tonight. Rosie O'Donnell played an old prison pal of Cookie's. Vivica A. Fox returned as Cookie's "bougie" older sister. Even Lee Daniels couldn't resist popping up, playing himself as the director of a Pepsi commercial.

But the standout cameo of the night belonged to none other than Alicia Keys. Starring as pop star Skye Summers, Keys' character comes to Empire to work with Jamal (Jussie Smollett).

While there, Jamal helps her find her true voice — to channel the inner truth she really wants to sing. It became clear early in their collaboration that there was an insinuation of chemistry between the two recording artists.

While some fans were digging those vibes, though, they were largely just frustrating to me.

I am all in favor of everyone living the lifestyle they choose. Everyone has their own path to walk, and that's a beautiful thing. However, Jamal spent virtually the entire first season struggling to be accepted by his father and by the industry as a gay man. Not a bi-curious man or a bisexual man or a pansexual man.

More: 50 Cent makes terrible, homophobic comments on Empire's "gay stuff"

His journey — the one we painfully relived with him through flashbacks  — was in learning to love and accept himself, embracing his own heart and then coming out very publicly at the end of last season. So when I started to suspect Jamal and Skye were going to hook up, I felt disappointed. When they did, I was kind of upset, to be honest. I wasn't alone, either.

Showrunner Ilene Chaiken was quick to address the surprising story line, telling Variety, "The writers were already breaking a story which — shock of shocks — Jamal hooks up with a girl, after all he's been through. It's a conversation that happens among gay people about sexual fluidity — about being devoutly gay, if you will, but there's a spectrum. There are some folks who aren't attracted to people of the opposite sex at all, but there are some gay folks who sometimes do find themselves unexpectedly and momentarily attracted. Especially when you're involved in a creative endeavor, those sparks can flare up because when you do something creative with someone and it really catches fire, there's just nothing sexier."

I understand sexual fluidity. I am all for sexual fluidity. But in the context of Jamal's story line, it just seems contrived. This is a man who fought so hard to be accepted in the precise capacity of a gay man. That is not a box viewers put him in.

To me, Jamal kissing a woman trivializes what he has gone through, as well as the struggle of gay men and women everywhere who are constantly faced with the inane question, "But are you sure you're, like, really gay?" or informed they can be "turned straight."

On that point, Chaiken claims, "We're very clear that Jamal is gay and Jamal is clear that he's gay, but it just happened. Isn't personal agency all about being able to act on something in the moment and owning yourself and not having to explain or justify it?"

Only, that sort of sounds like someone trying to capitalize on a social movement. If we're all so clear that Jamal is gay, why is Jamal kissing a woman? That makes things decidedly less clear, no? It's the principle of the matter — Empire was all in on a very empowering message, and now they seem wishy-washy.

For that matter, it also bothered me that the kiss between Jamal and Skye came mere seconds after they finished singing a poignant song about racism, violence against the black community and hope. There is so much hope in those lyrics.

It was beautiful and stirring. It deserved a real moment, as opposed to being undercut by that kiss.

Therein lies my problem with Empire this season. It's as though Lee Daniels can't decide if he wants the show to be a soap opera or a soapbox. I applaud the many times he has brought up important social messages through the show, but it feels like those messages are quickly followed up this season with campy, soap-opera-style story arcs that marginalize whatever point was being made.

More: Empire premiere met with mixed feelings over Black Lives Matter "mockery"

Am I still a fan of the show? Obviously. And since Chaiken promises Keys will be back and "the story that we're telling, you'll see in episode 10," I'm hopeful Empire will undo all my doubting.

Listen to "Powerful" below!

Just take a look at the photo of Jeremy below. It really shows how Mother Nature unleashed her Survivor wrath.

Then there was Stephen's violent shivering that was painful to watch as he stumbled into the darkness to battle stomach issues. He sat out in a stormy confessional, uttering how he wasn't going to quit as tears rushed down his face.

It was brutal.

Before the Immunity challenge began, Probst offered the 10 remaining castaways the chance to improve their shelter with a crew who was prepared to rebuild the entire thing — an awesome option considering how God-awful the rain has been. The catch? Five people had to sacrifice their shot to win Immunity in the challenge. It was no contest. Everybody gave away their shot at Immunity except Joe and Keith. Joe had no choice. He knew that if he sacrificed his opportunity to win another Immunity that he would have no chance at making it through the next Tribal Council. Although it seemed selfish, it was the right thing to do because he claimed his fourth consecutive Immunity. The whole thing was an awesome turn of events. It was great watching it all unfold.

Their restructured shelter was a huge improvement over the shack they had pieced together themselves. The unseen crew even extended the roof far enough to make sure their fire was protected. Plus, they left a fresh batch of cookies for the castaways to gobble up.

More: 14 Unbelievably easy 3-ingredient cookies that make holiday baking a breeze

Who should go next?

As Spencer and Joe pitched a plot to blindside Stephen primarily because he holds a secret advantage, his main ally, Jeremy, was instantly defensive. He didn't think it was a solid move to vote Stephen out next. He wanted Ciera instead.

Before the votes were read, Jeremy surprised everybody when he sacrificed his own hidden Immunity Idol and played it for Stephen, who has been hobbling around like a zombie in The Walking Dead. Had Jeremy not made that tough decision, Stephen would have been booted with five votes against him. Instead, Ciera fell victim to a vote split and was ousted with three ballots against her (the other two were against Kimmi).

More: Survivor: 5 Reasons Jeremy Collins should win it all

The second hour

The incredible throwback night battle for Reward was tight, but Stephen pulled ahead of Spencer at the last moment. When asked to invite a pair of people to bring along on the Reward, Stephen selected Tasha and Jeremy, which was a wake-up call for Spencer. He said it was obvious that Stephen was closer to that twosome more than anybody else. Big mistake, Stephen.

Back at camp, Kelley used the clue she stumbled upon during the Reward challenge and claimed her second hidden Idol of the season from underneath her tribe's shelter. She really is a force to be reckoned with and I'm thrilled she was given a second chance at competing in this crazy game.

More: Survivor: Kelley Wentworth causes big blindside with Idol play

A game of footsie

The next Immunity challenge was a dream come true for people who have a foot fetish. It featured numerous close-up shots of the castaways' bare feet, which they could use as their only tools to stack blocks. It also gave us another opportunity to get a gross view of Stephen's "prehistoric feet," as Jeff Probst called them. In the end, Spencer had fancier footwork than everybody else and brought Joe's winning streak to an end. Uh-oh. Would this finally mark the much-anticipated end for Joe?

Before Tribal Council, Stephen tried to secure more trust with Spencer by revealing the secret of his vote-stealing advantage, which he had also earlier explained to Tasha and Jeremy as they shared their Reward. With that information in hand, Spencer was hopeful they could find a way to keep Joe safe while blindsiding Stephen.

Once the voting began, Stephen announced he was playing his advantage to stop Joe from being able to cast a ballot. In his place, Stephen was able to vote twice, which he did for Abi and Joe. But none of it even mattered because Stephen had been outsmarted and entirely blindsided as the majority of votes fell against him. Wow. That was incredible! Awesome strategy. Some viewers are saying this might be the best season Survivor has seen in its 31-season history. Do you agree?

Stephen quickly turned to Twitter after his ouster aired.

What did you think of the brutal weather? Would you have sacrificed your shot at Immunity for a better shelter? Were you surprised Jeremy played his hidden Idol for Stephen? What were your thoughts on Stephen's big blindside? Join the conversation by leaving a comment.

More: 10 Simple food swaps that make gluten-free eating a cinch

While this is most likely because of better diagnosis, rather than more people developing the condition, it means the public in general are much more aware of what it means to be gluten-free and an ever-increasing number of restaurants, cafes and takeaways are offering GF dishes. Here are 10 of the U.K.'s finest — just for starters.

1. Ceviche, London

In the heart of Soho and Shoreditch is Ceviche, which offers an enticing menu of Peruvian dishes — most of which are naturally gluten-free. For starters, try the Don Ceviche (raw seabass with amarillo chilli tiger's milk) and pulpo (marinated and braised octopus) and chorizo skewers. And wash it all down with a pisco sour cocktail (or three).

Ceviche Soho, 17 Frith Street, London W1D 4RG; Ceviche Old St, 2 Baldwin Street, London EC1V 9NU

2. Tea 42, Manchester

Tea 42 describes itself as a "social eatery and bar that fuses casual fine dining and gourmet classics" and it has built up a loyal following in and around Manchester for its informal, relaxed space, superb afternoon tea and extensive gluten-free menu.

Tea 42, 58 High Street, Mancheser M4 1EF

3. Nibsy's, Reading

Nibsy's is Reading's first exclusively gluten-free coffee shop, which has been going strong since it opened in late 2014. Cakes (worthy of mention are the lemon drizzle and coffee and walnut varieties), sandwiches and quiches are always made fresh on site and and the coffee is locally roasted in Winchester.

Nibsy's Coffee Shop, 26 Cross Street, Reading RG1 1SN

More: Gluten-free Christmas menu

4. Naturally Chinese, Surrey

If you love Chinese food but don't love the effects of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), Surrey's Naturally Chinese is for you. The extensive GF menu has been put together by nutritionists, showing how seriously this place takes its clean-eating customers. We want to try everything but we'll start with one of the most popular dishes, the gluten-free Singapore noodles.

Naturally Chinese, 59-63 Brighton Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 5LR

5. Cafe Andaluz, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh

Scotland does tapas in the shape of Cafe Andaluz, a popular restaurant with branches in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh. It offers a great range of gluten-free options, such as tapas mainstay tortilla espanola (Spanish omelette) and queso de cabra al horno (grilled goats cheese with Seville orange and chilli marmalade).

Cafe Andaluz, 12-15 St Vincent Place, Glasgow G1 2DW; 77b George Street, Edinburgh EH2 3EE; 271 Union Street, Aberdeen AB11 6BR

6. Fosters Fish & Chips, Manchester

As one of the top 10 fish and chip restaurants in the U.K. it's not surprising that Fosters Fish & Chips cares about what its customers want. Which includes offering completely gluten-free fish and chips every Sunday at each of the three branches: Alderley Edge, Bramhall and Didsbury.

4 Chorley Hall Lane, Alderley Edge, Cheshire SK9 7EU; 193 Moss Lane, Bramhall, Cheshire SK7 1BA; 812 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 6UH

7. Honest Burgers, London

The owners of Honest Burgers know that a burger isn't a burger without a bun, even if you're a coeliac sufferer. Their gluten-free bun option makes it a favourite hangout of GF Londoners and the onion rings and beer are also GF.

Honest Burgers has branches across London.

8. Eatalio, Brighton

Eatalio only opened in Brighton a few months ago but is well on the way to establishing itself as one of the city's top gluten-free snack spots. Various gluten-free pasta dishes are available and most of their meats, sauces and salad bar-style toppings are also GF.

Eatalio, 128 Queens Road, Brighton

9. 2 Oxford Place, Leeds

2 Oxford Place is one of the few restaurants that can claim to be 100 percent gluten-free, making it a really popular choice with gluten intolerant Northerners. Choose from brunch staples like eggs benedict or swanky dinner choices like chicken liver parfait and Yorkshire-reared fillet steak.

2 Oxford Place, Leeds LS1 3AX

10. Las Iguanas, nationwide

Las Iguanas has branches throughout the U.K. including Bristol, Newcastle, Reading and Surrey. The gluten-free menu is extensive and includes mouth-watering Mexican treats such as xinxim (chicken and crayfish in a creamy lime and peanut sauce, served with spring onion rice, fine green beans, pico de gallo and coconut farofa) and picanha steak.

Las Iguanas has branches across the U.K.

More: 4 Mistakes that halt gluten-free diet success