It had been 34 years since Mick Jagger appeared on Saturday Night Live, and last night he returned with a bang. Serving as both host and musical guest, he brought all of the raw sex appeal, swagger, and moves like only he can bring. In sum, he rocked it.
The whole show -- the season finale -- was among the best we've seen in a long time. Sadly, it was also the final one for Kristen Wiig, and she was featured prominently in the skits. It was the final tearful tribute to her that included a compilation of the Rolling Stones' hits “She’s a Rainbow” and “Ruby Tuesday,” that was my favorite moment of the night. Here it is, along with four other memorable scenes in which Jagger showed he can still bring the satisfaction.
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His monologue started things off right, and the gold jacket was garish but great. My favorite part was when he addressed one of his biggest life regrets: "They asked me if I would come along to their grand openings and sing the theme song, 'Ruby Tuesday,' for $1,000 and a lifetime supply of jalapeno poppers. I passed up on that offer, and not a day goes by that I don’t regret that.”
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The scene in which Jagger plays an insurance salesman at a karaoke bar was hilarious. His colleagues started singing Stones' songs, and the whole thing was just brilliant down to the "Moves Like Jagger" joke.
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His blues song with Jeff Beck about the presidential election titled "Tea Party" was both moving and funny.
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Finally, the medley he did with the Foo Fighters was all sorts of awesome. What a combination.
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What did you think of Mick Jagger's performance on SNL last night?
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There are cakes, and then there are cakes that you just can't forget because they're so ridiculously good. If you like the combination of mint and chocolate, this chocolate cake with mint chocolate chip frosting is one of the latter.
From Shugary Sweets, it's as delicious as it is impressive. Just look at the picture, how could it not be? The cake by itself is rich, moist, and amazing, but then you add the creamy, buttery icing with dark chocolate chunks and a hint of mint, and it's all over ... almost. Then you add an amazing chocolate ganache, and there's no turning back. It's great for special occasions like birthdays, or anytime you need a fix of something fantastically delicious.
Chocolate Cake With Mint Chocolate Chip FrostingCake:
1/2 cup butter, softened 1 1/2 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 1/2 cup flour 9 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 cup brewed coffee, cooled 1/2 cup milkFrosting:
1 cup butter, softened 8 cup powdered sugar 1/2 tsp peppermint extract 1/2 cup milk plus 2 Tbsp 11 oz dark chocolate chunks (62%cacao) 1/8 tsp green food coloring gel 1 maraschino cherry Ganache: 3/4 cup heavy cream 1 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate morsels 1/4 tsp peppermint extract In medium bowl, sift cocoa with flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Set aside. In measuring cup, mix coffee and milk together. Set aside. In mixer, beat butter and sugar for about 5 minutes until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Slowly add in dry ingredients alternating with the coffee/milk blend (I do about 3 additions of each). Pour cake batter into two prepared pans (two 9inch cake pans lined with parchment paper and then greased and floured). Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 25 minutes. Remove and allow to cool about 10 minutes before removing from pans. Cool completely before frosting. For frosting, in food processor, pulse dark chocolate until small bits (not powder)! Set aside. In mixer, beat butter, powdered sugar and milk for 3-5 minutes, until smooth and creamy. Remove one or scoops of frosting, to look like the whipped cream on the cake. Add in extract and food coloring gel to remaining frosting. Mix until fully blended. Add more milk if necessary to desired consistency. Fold in chopped dark chocolate. Frost first layer of cake, then top it with second layer. Completely frost sides and top of cake. With remaining green frosting, scoop several scoops on top of cake to look like ice cream. With the reserved white frosting, place in Ziploc bag and cut of corner. Pipe onto top of cake to resemble whipped cream. For the ganache, heat 3/4 cup heavy cream in saucepan. Bring just to a boil and remove from heat. In food processor, pour chocolate chips and slowly add in hot cream and extract. Process chocolate and cream for about 2-3 minutes until completely combined. Pour over chocolate cake and top with a cherry. Image via Shugary Sweets
All those years of aerobics have served Jane Fonda well, and today for the premier of De Rouille et D’os at the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival it showed. She looked simply stunning in a form-fitting black and white gown by Stella McCartney. The woman is 74 years old, and she could give many 20-year-olds a run for their money.
Of course the dress helps (not that she needs it), as it's one of those "optical illusion" dresses that everyone who's anyone has taken to wearing these days. From Kris Jenner to Kate Winslet, it's THE dress of the slightly older, more self-conscience crowd.
The design is brilliant as the contrasting colors create an hour glass figure on someone who may not exactly have one with nary a diet or scalpel necessary. It's no wonder so many designers and buyers have hopped on the bandwagon.
Fonda, however, rocks it better than anyone I've seen. The green ring and earrings set off the black and white beautifully, and the small clutch she's carrying is the perfect non-competing touch.
No matter what she wears though, she's such an amazing example of timeless beauty and an inspiration to all of us as we age. In a recent interview with Liz Smith, she talked about her role as a "messenger of hope.":
I'm a 74-year-old woman who is sending a message to people behind me, mostly women, but some men as well. You don't have to give up. You don't have to accept a downhill battle -- you peak at midlife and then decline into decrepitude. And boy, is it OK for women to have muscles, be fit, have relationships, sexual and or emotional. It's a staircase, you're evolving. It's external and internal. I think I'm a messenger. I think I'm a messenger of hope.
Indeed you are, Jane.
Do you love Jane Fonda's look? Would you wear one of these dresses?
Image via Splash
There are some weeks and months in which it feels like every single person I know has a birthday. I spend countless dollars and time on cards, gifts, and trying to come up with a witty Facebook post that says something besides "Happy Birthday." Then all of a sudden, nada.
I thought it was just random luck, but it turns out there's a science to it all, as some days are just more popular for births. Weird but true, and this cool interactive chart put together by Andy Kriebel of VizWiz shows which days are the most and least popular birthdays. It's pretty fascinating to play with. You just find your date, then hover over it and it tells you what rank out of 366 (leap day is included) you and your kids' days falls upon.
The most popular day to be born on is September 16, which isn't all that surprising given that's about nine months after the festive holiday season and New Year's Eve, but the least popular day is a bit of a shock. Any guesses as to what it is?
Besides February 29, which doesn't count since it doesn't happen every year, it's December 25. Now I know most people don't want their kids to have to compete with Christmas, and doctors surely avoid scheduling c-sections on this date, but it's pretty interesting that they're actually able to avoid it that well given how unpredictable birth is.
More from The Stir: Best Day of the Week to Give Birth
It's easy to get sucked into this chart and start finding the dates for everyone you know. My son was born on August 5, which comes in at number 36, while my daughter's date of January 16 comes in at 322. That's a pretty big difference. I don't know that there's any significance in how many people were born on a given day, but like the most popular baby names list, it's fun to see just how our children rank in the world. Even more fun is counting back nine months to see just what was going that made certain days so popular.
Are you surprised to find how popular or unpopular your child's birth date is?
Image via VizWiz
Here's a little something to make you say ewww -- Scott Disick supposedly has somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 sex tapes floating around, and they're not with the mother of his children, Kourtney Kardashian. According to Life & Style, they're of Scott and "a stunning brunette," and when Kourt found them she was furious and kicked his ass out of their Los Angeles home.
Now they aren't recent tapes, thank goodness, but ones from back in his single days. His "friend" Donald told the magazine Scott was "obsessed with sex" and that they'd bring back different groups of girls each night and "do various things to them." Some nights they taped it. As if we didn't already think he was repulsive enough.
Sure plenty of people have younger, wilder days, but the tapes could just be the tipping point to make Kourt realize what she's probably suspected all along -- he hasn't changed, and he isn't going to change. There are plenty of other recent incidents too that may just finally make her realize she's better off without him.
In a majorly douchey move, reports say he's been getting way too flirty with his sister-in-law, Kim Kardashian. Does he have no shame? Apparently not as reports say that at the opening of his restaurant, he publicly humiliated Kourtney by flirting with her younger sister.
More from The Stir: Kourtney Kardashian’s ‘Rules’ for Scott Disick Spell Trouble for Their Relationship
Then there was his behavior during Kourtney's big baby shower last weekend. Instead of going to the shower to which he was invited, he instead hosted a party in Las Vegas. That's almost excusable as a guy's got to earn a living, but his behavior while he was there was completely INexcusable. A source told Perez Hilton, "Scott leered at scantily clad club goers and drank until 2:30 a.m." Other reports say he was vomiting in a trashcan after drinking too much. So much for that wagon on which he's supposed to be.
I hate to see a family split up, but how Kourtney can stay with Scott after incident after incident of rude, reckless, and downright repulsive behavior is beyond me. I understand wanting to stay together for the kids, but there's also a point at which enough is enough, and the tapes may finally have pushed her to that point.
Of course, all of the above is rumor, and Kris Jenner told E! News "None of it is true." But the fact is that Scott has proven to be nothing being reprehensible since we first met, so it wouldn't be surprising at all if any or all of these accusations are true. And when there are this many, you know there's some truth there somewhere ... OR Kardashian wheels spinning to hype him up as a villain so conveniently close to the season premier of Keeping Up With the Kardashians Sunday. Hmmmmm ...
Do you think Kourtney should leave Scott? Do you think the rumors are true about the sex tape and his bad behavior?
Image via Life & Style
If you're already ridiculously jealous of the generous maternity leave policies mamas overseas get, this latest move is going to make you positively green. In the U.K. a new plan will give all women one-on-one care from a midwife before, during, and after their babies are born.
According to The Guardian, the plans recently unveiled by the National Health Service are meant to offer better care to women and to better help identify and support women who suffer from postpartum depression. Under the plan women who have miscarriages or stillborn babies will also receive increased care. How bloody brilliant is that?
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley told Yahoo!:
No woman should have to cope with postnatal depression without help and support. The changes we are putting in place today will mean that the NHS is providing even more support to women who have this serious condition.
It's seriously wonderful news for the women of the U.K., but why is it that they make it so much easier for women there than we do here in the United States? And they get the clotted cream too!
I know they have socialized medicine and all, but we've got to figure out how to do some of this here too. Sure we can hire our own midwives, and some women do, but many can't afford one. They're often shuttled between numerous doctors and nurses, never seeing the same one twice. Having one "named" person who gets to know you and your pregnancy would be beneficial in countless ways from increased breastfeeding rates to fewer c-sections, say experts.
Research continues to show how important a woman's pregnancy and delivery are to the health of a child. Few things should be more important than giving every person the best start possible in life, no matter where you live.
Do you agree that giving every woman a dedicated midwife would be helpful during pregnancy?
Image via Seattleye/Flickr
You've got to hand it to the little boy in the following video. He's got confidence, guts, and more determination than a honey badger. He wants a kiss from the little girl, and he's not going to stop until he gets it.
It's weirdly familiar of scenes I've seen play out in bars when some guy just won't take no from a girl ... only in miniature. Repeatedly he tries, and repeatedly she shoots him down and even shoves him down. But his mission is kissin', and he's determined to carry it out.
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The girl gets props too, as she's not backing down no matter what. She doesn't scream or cry, but she certainly makes her wishes known.
I think it's adorable. Some commenters on YouTube are outraged, saying this is why boys grow up to be rapists because people let them get away with behavior like this. I think that's reading a little too much into a sweet little video. I hope one day he gets his kiss. How adorable would it be if they one day ended up together?
What do you think of this video?
Image via YouTube
The intent is admirable -- to crack down on cyber bullying that has become rampant among children. However, the means one principal is taking is more than extreme as she's threatening to expel any child under the age of 13 who has a Facebook account.
According to a story in The Sydney Morning Herald, Leonie Hultgren, the principal of Harlaxton State School in Toowoomba, Queensland, isn't just talking about children who use Facebook during school hours, or those who have been accused of using it maliciously, but rather ANY student that has an account that's not 13. She says those are the rules of the site, and for good reason. She believes children younger than that aren't mature enough to handle the responsibility of it, and she for one isn't going to tolerate it.
Never mind what those people called parents at home think. She's reaching beyond the school doors and into people's homes to dictate what they can and can't do. What a slippery slope that is.
In a pretty condescending letter to parents, Hultgren wrote:
It may seem insignificant to lie about your age to gain access to a social media site but where does it stop? Will they then think it is okay to lie about their age to gain a licence? Parents, you are your child's first teachers. What do you want them to learn? How do you want them live their lives? Is your example a socially acceptable example?
Now, I agree with her to some extent. Helping your kids get around rules and regulations is a dicey move and can set a bad precedent (but mom, you let me lie on Facebook, why can't I get fake ID ? ... ), but that's a parent's prerogative. Some may feel their children are plenty mature to handle it, just like some parents let their children watch R-rated movies. Is she going to expel them too?
As much as I think it's great that schools try to teach good, law-abiding behavior in the classroom, that's where it should end. It's the parents' job to take it from there and either reinforce it or not.
A report last year showed that 7.5 million children under the age of 13 have Facebook accounts in the United States alone, so clearly it's not just a few rogue kids who are the problem. There may not be many kids in school once she starts enforcing this practice. Not only that, it seems like she's taking the easy way out of what's a much more complicated problem. Social media is here to stay and is only going to grow as children grow, so instead of trying to ban them from it, we need to instead teach them more tolerance, respect, and boundaries in all situations -- whether online or off.
Do you think this school is right to expel children under 13 who have Facebook accounts?
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Ryan Kennedy was 4 when he was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. According to a story in The Oakland Press, for the past five years, he's undergone countless treatments, seven surgeries, and fought the "fight" against cancer. Recently, however, when doctors said there was another surgery that could perhaps prolong his life for several more months, he said no, and he said it vehemently.
Morris-Karp told CNN recently:
He just decided he didn't want to take any more pills, he didn't want any more surgery because it hurt. He just wanted to live the rest of his life.
She told the paper that the "selfish" part of her want to say no and make him do it, but, in the end, she and her husband gave in to his wishes.
More from The Stir: 9-Year-Old With Cancer Dances His Way Into Our Hearts (VIDEO)
And we kept asking him over and over again. Once a week, I would ask him the same question: "Are you sure you’re OK with this? You don’t want any more treatment?" "Yup, I’m sure." We got to the final week, when we would have to schedule surgery, and he said, "I’m sure, Mom. I don’t want to discuss it anymore." It was a very sobering thing to sit there, and have to put aside what you want to do.
So they are doing what he wants to do -- vacation, swimming, and everything else to make the most of his remaining days as long as he's able. Doctors don't expect him to live past his 10th birthday -- May 24.
My heart breaks thinking of any family who has to make such a decision. Seeing your child in harm's way and being helpless to do anything about it is one of the worst feelings a parent can experience. Knowing there's something you can do to keep them with you -- even if for only a little while -- and not doing it has got to be even worse. But wow how brave and selfless they are for doing so.
I don't know if I could do the same. I hope I never have to find out.
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Do you think you would make the same decision in a similar situation?
It was a lovely thought. Just put on a pair of shoes and you too can have an ass like Kim Kardashian. That's what Skechers ads for its shape-up shoes seemed to imply, and good lord, people wanted to believe. So they went out and bought their shoes, but alas, their asses were no better.
Oh well, just another case of consumers doing wishful buying and not so much of that bewaring we're supposed to do, right? Wrong. This time the government has stepped in to debunk the implications and claims made by Skechers, and the company now has to pay $40 million to people who bought the shoes and don't like their butts any better. Ka-ching.
If you recall, one of Kim's sexy advertisements for the shoes appeared during the Super Bowl in 2011. It was steamy and implied pretty directly that you could ditch your workout for a pair of shoes ("Bye-bye, trainer. Hello, Shape-ups," she says) Here it is to refresh your memory.
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If only ... The federal government, however, says the claims made are as false as Kim Kardahian's eyelashes (my words, not theirs) and that when it comes to these shoes, for millions of people "the only thing that got a workout was their wallet."
Did anyone really believe anything else? I guess so, and if you're one of them, you can get your money back -- and maybe use it to go join gym if you're still looking to tone your tush. To apply for a refund visit the Skechers refund page and file an online claim submission form. The amount of your refund may vary on how many people file claims and other circumstances.
I guess the bottom line is that while this time the government is stepping in to save consumers' butts, that's not always going to be the case. Buyers need to beware of all products that sound too good to be true ... and realize that Kim Kardashian's ass just isn't going to happen for most of us no matter what.
Did you buy these shoes? Are you more or less likely to buy products with celebrities' images on them?
Image via YouTube
Typically in the headlines for no reason other than sad scandal, Rachel Uchitel today made news for a joyous reason -- the arrival of her first child, a baby girl. Known better as Tiger Woods' number one mistress, Uchitel and her husband, Matt Hahn, welcomed their daughter Tuesday evening.
Saturday was Uchitel's due date, and she tweeted her growing anticipation: "Today is my due date. Spent it swimming laps, taking dogs do the beach and catching up with friends. Now what?!" Three days later her daughter finally arrived, weighing just over 7 pounds; mom and baby are said to be doing great.
They chose a popular name for their little princess. In fact, it came in at number 48 on the Top 100 Baby Names list recently released by the Social Security office. Only it wasn't on the girl's side of the list, but rather on the boy's side. It's ...
Wyatt. Wyatt Lily. I've never been a huge fan of the name for a boy, because I immediately think of Wyatt Earp, which makes me think of burp. But for a girl ... I kind of love it.
More from The Stir: Katherine Heigl's Baby Name Speaks Volumes About Her Family Values
I tend to like traditionally masculine names for girls, and this one is really pretty, especially with such a feminine middle name. Now it doesn't always work. Jessica Simpson recently named her daughter Maxwell Drew, which I don't care for at all. Mostly because you know she's going to get called "Maxi" followed by pad, but also because it sounds like a detective and in no way conjures up a beautiful image. Wyatt Lily on the other hand sounds lovely.
Of course, names are completely subjective, so I'm sure plenty of others will hate it. In any case, I hope motherhood is the start of a fresh new chapter for Uchitel, and that she's able to move on past all of the scandal and start setting a good example for her daughter. You think Tiger will send a baby gift?
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In what I believe may be a first, one of the Real Housewives is going to become a real grandmother. While there have been rumors circulating in the last week, today sources confirmed that Briana Wolfsmith, daughter of Vicki Gunvalson of The Real Housewives of Orange County, is indeed pregnant.
According to Us Weekly, she's currently four months along, which means she and her husband, Ryan Culberson, didn't waste any time after eloping in Las Vegas last October. I can only imagine Granny Gunvalson's reaction when she found out.
A source told the magazine that Vicki was surprised but excited, but I bet she's completely pissed that once again Briana is ruining HER wedding. After the elopement that dashed all of Vicki's dreams, they've been planning a formal wedding so that Vicki can get some glory. That little bump probably wasn't in her plans. Plus, just last week on RHWOC, we saw her recoil when someone asked if Briana might be pregnant. 'I'm not ready to be a grandmother just yet," she said.
She better get ready, and I'm sure she will. If we know anything about Vicki, it's that she doesn't do anything halfway. I'm sure we'll see her go into grandmother mode full speed ahead, trying to take control as she goes. Poor Briana.
More from The Stir: Gretchen Rossi & Tamra Barney Have A Weird Off-Screen Friendship
While it's clear Vicki loves her children, she's one of the most overbearing, intrusive mothers of all time. Especially over these past weeks we've seen how opinionated, controlling, and oblivious to boundaries she is with her daughter's relationship. The image of her with a new baby in the picture, imparting all of her wisdom and knowledge, is all too clear -- and it isn't pretty.
It's a good thing Briana has a spine and isn't afraid to put her mother in her place, as we saw on this week's episode when she let loose about her feelings regarding her mother's boyfriend, Brooks Ayers. She seems like a down-to-earth girl, which is remarkable given her crazy mother, and I'm happy for her. It's been a whirlwind of a couple of months with her cancer scare, marriage, and now a baby, but she seems well equipped to handle whatever comes her way ... as long as Vicki doesn't get in her way too much.
What do you think Vicki Gunvalson will be like as a grandmother?
Find out what Briana Wolfsmith's husband has to say about their surprise pregnancy!
Image via Bravo
Tonight’s episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County covered a lot of territory. From surgery to a birthday party, engagement ring shopping to an all-out mother-daughter brawl, a whole heck of a lot happened in the O.C.
There were no major gatherings or awkwardly concocted events that brought all of the Housewives together for a change, but each one brought a little of their own drama, which in Housewives terms means -- some crazy sh*t went down. Here are five of the most outrageous moments from the night.
1. Alexis Bellino’s Party for Her Twins
Well I guess she proved that she can do it all -- which was her self-declared mission in throwing the elaborate puppies and princesses party for her 4-year-old twins. She proved she could spend a lot of money, get other people to do everything for her, then proceed to make the party all about her.
The speech she made before her twins descended the staircase for their grand entrance was just embarrassing. She started by telling a room of toddlers how she almost DIED while she delivered them, then went on to recount the medical details of her pulmonary embolism, including all of the drugs she had to take. “ ... and that’s what today’s all about,” she concluded. The horse-drawn Cinderella carriage ride at the end of the party ... just left me speechless.
More from The Stir: Vicki Gunvalson Is Going to Be a (Super Annoying) Grandmother!
2. Slade Smiley Shopping for a Ring
There he was at the fancy jewelry shop, looking for a ring for Gretchen Rossi. Even though he asked her father for her hand in marriage and he said NO, Slade still wanted to get a ring, and asked Heather Dubrow to help him pick one. I thought she might die when he asked if they could put an imitation stone in the center for now, so he could save up the money for the real bling. The answer was no, by the way.
Slade has grown on me lately, but the dude still has massive debt and no real job. Just say no, Gretchen.
3. Tamara Barney’s Simon-Free Finger
Getting Simon’s name off of her finger was a great move for closure ... and to get Eddie to put a ring on it. When she asked him over dinner if he’d propose if she got it done, then whipped out her gnarly, stitched-up finger, I thought Eddie might pass out. He recovered nicely by saying it gave him a boner, but Tamra killed that quickly by repeatedly reminding him that she’s five years older than him and has four kids. Shhhh, maybe he hadn't noticed yet.
4. Briana Taking on Vicki Gunvalson
Briana Wolfsmith has balls, that’s for sure, and she isn’t afraid to stand up to her mother. She told her flat out that she thinks Brooks Ayers is an opportunist, and shot her mom down when she kept trying to compare her and Brooks to Ryan and Briana. It's SO not the same thing.
5. Heather Dubrow’s Insane House
She has a monogrammed floor. ‘Nuff said.
What moments did you find most shocking tonight on The Real Housewives of Orange County?
Find out what Briana Wolfsmith's husband has to say about their surprise pregnancy!
Image via Bravo
Frankly, I don't know much about the banking system in the United States or beyond. I took enough economics courses to get by, but typically I find that world painfully boring and just want my checks to cash and my interest rates to stay low. So let's just say that listening to a 12-year-old talk about corruption in the world banking system was not high on my list.
Then I kept seeing this video of Victoria Grant pop up. In it, the young girl gives a scathing account of why the Canadian banking system and much of the world is in debt in an amazingly articulate and cutting speech at the Public Banking Institute that has gone viral. Even if you have no idea what she means by the "collusion" between governments and financial institutions, you'll be impressed. If you do understand, you'll be even more impressed.
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Beyond the insane knowledge she has of the subjects at hand, her composure is incredible. To stand up there before all of those people and speak on such a complex subject is amazing. It makes me wonder what kind of training she's had or if it's a natural gift.
In any case, she provides a good reminder that we should start talking to our children from a young age about the issues of the world, even if they seem too complex or overwhelming for young minds. You never know what's going to excite them and how their ideas might one day change the world.
Do your children show an interest in world events and issues?
Image via Vimeo
We're taught from a young age that we shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but all too often we make assumptions based on what people look like, whether we realize it or not. Then along comes an example like Noah Guthrie who smacks us with something so unexpected we remember that lesson.
Frankly, I almost didn't click when I first saw this video, because I've become a little tired of seeing everyone and their mother cover LMFAO's song "Sexy and I Know It," but boy am I glad I did. Guthrie's rendition wasn't what I was expecting at all, but it's AMAZING.
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Incredible, right? Since the 18-year-old high school senior from South Carolina posted it on YouTube May 9, he's racked up almost 4 million views, because it's just that good. Who knew such an annoying song could sound so good with an acoustic guitar and a jazzy take.
Not only that, it's just so unexpected. Here he looks like any average kid who might walk through the halls of school largely unnoticed, but underneath he's harboring that amazing talent. Wow. If the girls didn't find him sexy before, I sure bet they do now.
He's currently working on his first album, and I can't wait to see what else he's got.
Did you love this version of the song?
Image via YouTube
Long ago, when I dreamed of my future children, I saw them in clean, adorable outfits, preferably those from European designers (hey, I was dreaming.). Yeah right.
Getting clothes (or more specifically the clothes you want) on a toddler is one of the most challenging tasks known to moms. They have opinions (and STRONG ones) about them, and often insist on doing it themselves, which would be great ... if they had a freaking clue what they were doing. Instead they come out in the craziest, most mismatched messes ... and then expect us to take them out in public like that. They refuse to make any distinction between "dress up clothes," pajamas, and the "real" clothes, and there you are in the grocery store with Batman.
It's a good thing they're cute, and like so many other things with parenthood, we often just have to let go of what we thought things would be like, and just let them be. Here are eight adorable kids who dressed themselves.
What crazy outfits do your kids wear?
I don't know about you, but when I learned that Snooki of Jersey Shore was pregnant, I braced myself for what was to come. I just couldn't picture someone who was just the other day peeing on herself in clubs (and not washing her hands afterward) and stumbling around drunk most of her life actually being able to handle all the new limitations and changes pregnancy brings. So color me shocked as to how remarkably well she's actually embracing her new role as mama to be.
Need proof that pregnancy has changed her? Just look at her skin. She's has done the unimaginable and has actually ... given up tanning. I know, I know, I would have never believed it, but she tweeted an actual picture of her "non tan," and she's looking good. No more orange glow! But talk about a big sacrifice for her. I would have guessed she'd be baking until the end, but clearly she's erring on the side of caution when it comes to her little guido or guidette. Good for her.
She's also doing everything she can to prepare for impending birth of little ShortnTan, including her plans to take parenting and Lamaze classes. She told E!:
I have three applications on my phone that takes you through your pregnancy. They tell me things like what to eat, what to expect at certain times, like cramps or swelling. I'm always prepared for what's happening to my body.
It's amazing how much pregnancy changes women. I've known numerous people in my personal life who I thought could NEVER handle motherhood (myself included), but time and again, they've shocked me and become amazing parents. Of course, there are a few sad exceptions to the rule, but for most, learning that you're responsible for a new life growing inside you, makes many of your former, less-than-positive life priorities quickly fade and all you want to do is what's best for your baby -- even if it means embracing a new paler version of yourself.
Snooki has come a long way in a short time, and all signs point to her being nothing but a loving attentive mother. Okay, a loving, attentive, and still tacky-as-hell mother (she wants to wear a leopard-print gown and shoes while delivering) but that never hurt anyone (except our eyes a little maybe).
Are you surprised to see Snooki embrace pregnancy so well? Have you known people who you could not ever imagine as parents go on to be great ones?
More on Jersey Shore: Snooki Contemplates Giving Birth on TV
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Here's an appetizer that will satisfy the heartiest of appetites -- bacon cheeseburger puffs. They have all of the taste of a bacon cheeseburger, but in neat, little, bite-sized balls.
This recipe from Plain Chicken is incredibly easy, and they take no time to whip up. You can also make them ahead of time and freeze them if you like, then just take them out and heat them whenever you need them. They're so satisfying that they can even be served as a lunch or dinner.
Bacon Cheeseburger Puffs 1/2 pound ground beef 1 1/2 cups biscuit/baking mix 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese 3 oz bacon pieces 6-7 Tbps buttermilkPreheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a skillet, cook and crumble ground beef until no longer pink; drain.
In a bowl, combine biscuit mix, bacon and cheese; stir in cooked beef.
Add buttermilk and toss with a fork until just moistened.
Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls. (I used a medium cookie scoop)
Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Cool on wire racks.
Baked puffs may be frozen; reheat at 400 degrees F for 7-9 minutes or until heated through (they do not need to thawed first).Hungry? Need dinner ideas? Just love anything and everything food and recipes? Then you'll totally want to follow us on Pinterest! Our virtual pin boards on Kid Friendly Recipes , Sweet Treats and Easter 2012 are pure eye candy. Yum!
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There are plenty of cute kid videos out there that will make you smile, but this one will not only give you your daily giggle but also make you pretty jealous of the amazing rhythm this 3-year-old girl possesses. Her name is Grace, and she car dances better than most people dance in a club.
She is feeling the rhythm and the emotion of the song -- "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye -- with moves and what appears to be a deep understanding well beyond her years. She gives new meaning to the phrase "feel the music."
See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.
More from The Stir: Terrified 2-Year-Old Outruns a T-Rex! (VIDEO)
Tell me she didn't at least have you swayin' along to the music too? Right around 1:01 is my favorite part with that heartfelt fist-pump action.
Watching kids dance is the best because they're so uninhibited. Usually, that means clumsy, silly, and just fun. This girl, however, has some real talent, and I hope her parents get her into dance lessons soon to capitalize on it ... or at least take more videos of her dancing. If she can do that in a car seat, I'd love to see what she could do with an entire floor at her feet.
Do your kids have rhythm? What kind of music moves them?
Image via YouTube
After months of rumors and speculation, it's official -- Britney Spears is joining X Factor. She wasted no time wading into the water either, and instead made a big old splash during the official announcement at New York's Beacon Theatre this afternoon as she strutted around in a teeny, tiny white dress that brought flashbacks from the days when she was prone to flashing crotch shots on a regular basis. Brilliant.
Fortunately, she's classed and cleaned up her act since then, but it's nice to know she's still going to keep us wondering just what could happen when she's on board. I think she would have been better off with another inch or two of fabric, but overall, Brit Brit is looking pretty good, no?
She's in incredible shape, and even though she just can't shake that ever-present trashy twist that seems to follow her no matter which fashion route she takes, she looks better than she has in a long time. Radar Online trashed her selection, but I think the dress did the job it was intended to do -- get people talking about her and remind us she's still bad. She told reporters:
I’m so excited about the whole experience. It’s going to be so much fun and different from anything I’ve ever done. I’m ready to find the true star.
I've never really followed X Factor, but I've got to say I'm excited to watch Britney on it. Even though I'm not a big fan of hers, I do find her fascinating. I'm sure Fox is banking on plenty of others like me who want to see not only how she handles herself as a judge, but what she wears, says, and does too. With her, you just never know.
It was also announced that Demi Lovato is officially joining the cast, which is ... meh. I would have much rather seen one of the other divas rumored to be in the running fill the seat like Fergie or even LeAnn Rimes. I suppose Demi may bring in the younger crowd, but I just can't see her holding her own against a legend like Spears, not even with her newly blonde hair. I guess we'll just have to tune in to find out how it all works and if they can save the sinking show. My money is on Britney doing it.
Are you excited to see Britney Spears as a judge on X Factor? What do you think of her look for the announcement?
Image via Pacific Coast News
Here we go again with the child-adverse masses out to squelch any sign or sound of youth from their daily lives. Cappy's Pizza in Florida is the latest establishment to jump on the bandwagon by officially banning rowdy kids with a ridiculously patronizing sign right when you walk in the door.
It reads: "Parents for the safety and comfort of everyone if you allow your child to run/scream/or misbehave, party will be asked to leave." Kids are completely banned from the back patio. Talk about giving a parent indigestion before she's even ordered. If I saw a sign like that when I walked into a restaurant -- especially a pizzeria decked out with video games and other stuff that caters to kids -- I'd be walking right back out again.
It's not that I don't think a restaurant has the right to ask a family to leave if they can't control their kids. I don't want to dine next to unruly ruffians (mine included) either, and I empathize with the business owner who says he's had things broken or stolen by out-of-control kids. On Facebook, owner Scooter Gabel wrote, "My dining room goes from being a dining room to a bounce house with the arrival of some families." However, it's the assumption that MOST kids can't be trusted to behave nor can their parents be trusted to handle the situation appropriately that I can't stomach.
If they want to ask individuals who are disruptive to leave, I'd support them 100 percent, but why the need to insult all parents -- most of whom DO control their children just fine, thank you very much? And why just limit it to children, how about anyone who misbehaves? I've seen plenty of loud, obnoxious (usually drunk) adults disturb my dining experience too.
Yesterday my husband took my mom and me out to a lovely four-course lunch for Mother's Day in a fancy restaurant with lots of champagne and more silverware per place setting than my children had ever seen. Was I nervous that my 3-year-old might get tired and act out in such a setting, or that my 8-year-old would start trouble with her? Sure, but I was also prepared to take them out (or make my husband take them out since it was Mother's Day) at any minute if they did. Guess what? They behaved beautifully during the entire two-hour ordeal (and played a lot of games on the iPhones). Some days it may not have gone like that, but I bristle at the assertion that I as a parent won't handle whatever happens.
Sure there are parents who don't, but in my experience, they are the exception rather than the rule, and the rest of us shouldn't have to be treated like second-class citizens and be warned just because we have children. It's rude and condescending, and frankly, it's bad business.
Do you think it was rude of this restaurant to put up a sign like this?
Image via ABC
If there's one quality I hope to instill in my children above all, it would probably have to be resilience. That ability to pick yourself up no matter what life throws at you and not only survive, but use those experiences to thrive is more valuable than most I can think of, though it's also challenging to define and teach. Haven Shepherd, a 9-year-old from Missouri, provides a perfect example of it, however.
According to KOAM-TV, she was born in Vietnam to a couple who was having an affair while both were married to other people. Out of shame, they tried to blow themselves and Haven up -- they were killed; she survived, but lost both of her legs.
She was adopted by an American family when she was 19 months old, and while she still has a burn mark, she hasn't let the tragedy of her early life affect her, except perhaps to fuel her spirit to carry on and thrive. And now, a new set of high-tech running legs is allowing her to soar to even great heights.
A few years back she tried to run a race in her traditional prosthetic legs, but a tough tumble made her realize she needed something more. Her mom told the station it was the first time Haven ever felt "disabled." Instead of wallowing in her limitations, however, she looked for a way around them and told her mom that it was time for "a pair of those ugly running legs."
Now, thanks to an organization called Challenged Athletes, she has her own pair of those ugly legs. They run about $30,000 but their value to Haven is priceless. Just last week she ran her first track meet with them, and she ran it well, coming in fourth. She says she wants to try triathlons next, and I have no doubt that she'll do it.
She shared with the station a saying her mom taught her that inspires her. "It really doesn't matter if you have fake legs or real, everybody will fall down but getting up is the big deal." And that's it exactly. It doesn't matter if you're always ahead in life, but that resilience will get you to the finish line.
So the next time you're feeling too tried to work out or moping around about some minor ailment, think of Haven, and I'm quite certain your excuses will seem trite. I know mine do.
Go Haven, go.
How do you teach your children resilience?
Image via KOAM-TV
In exciting news for Rosie Pope, star of Pregnant in Heels, she and her husband, Daron, welcomed their third child into the world this weekend. Their first daughter, named Vivienne Madison Pope, was born on Mother's Day, and they're thrilled to give their two older sons, ages 3 and 15 months, a little sister.
In strange, TMI news, Pope tweeted her entire delivery. I'm not talking just a tweet here or there when she was getting ready to go to the hospital, but rather she provided a whole stream of tweets describing the whole process while it was happening.
From the first signs it was time like this one:
Contractions 3-5 mins a part, just spoke to my boys, they r excited +got up to say good bye to mom this morning. Ahhhhh these contractions are so bad, I've asked for the epidural but it's not working...please start working!
To one post-epidural:
8cm dilated, feeling whoozzy epidural is kicking in. So excited but so anxious, just want to hold my baby in my arms. 9cm...holy moly pushing in 30 mins...so emotional..thinking about my boys, they're going to meet their sister soon.
She took us along on the whole ride, and when she could no longer tweet, Daron took over:
Daron here: let the pushing begin! After 1st vomit, she started pushing. She's doing great
And there are plenty more where those came from in addition to a tweet shortly after their "beautiful princess" was born. The tweeting hasn't stopped since either, as Pope continues to provide updates and even advice to other mothers in the hours after giving birth.
Wow, that's a heck of a lot of tweeting. I typically don't get on the whole bandwagon in which people bash others for over-sharing on social media. That's what social media is for, and if you don't want to read the details about someone's life, well then don't read. This, however, seems a bit excessive.
I just can't imagine that at one of the most magical, intimate moments of my life I'd want to be thinking of what to say about it in 140 characters or less. I'd rather be ... oh, I don't know, concentrating on the birth of my child.
On the upside, if others like the idea, maybe Pope could add this to the menu of services she offers as a pregnancy concierge. Surrogate delivery room tweeter anyone?
Would you/did you tweet during the delivery of your children?
Image via Bravo
Stars without makeup are fascinating. We're so used to seeing them groomed, coated, and shellacked into perfection that when it all comes off, what's underneath is often shocking.
Sometimes it's for the better, and we wonder why they don't show some restraint more often, but more often than not it makes us realize just how much makeup is their friend. Here are five stars without makeup who you would be hard-pressed to recognize.
Are you surprised to see what these stars look like without makeup? Who looks the best? Worst?
Caroline Manzo nailed it tonight on The Real Housewives of New Jersey when she summed up the problem Teresa Giudice has with Melissa Gorga. "She’s a better, younger version of you and that’s the problem," she said to Teresa via the camera. The truth hurts, but that's it exactly. Well that, plus the official insanity she diagnosed Teresa with as well.
The episode started out with both Teresa and Melissa recanting to their husbands their side of what happened at the summer solstice party. Melissa pretty much stuck to the facts, while Teresa spun her own tale, and Joe Giudice chimed in with a whole slew of offensive and immature names for everyone they knew. Melissa Gorga was "Horsey Face,” a gold digger, and a tramp; he deemed Joe Gorga "a little bitch," whose name should be Josephine. He even had the gall to go after lovable Rosie and called her a "butchie boy."
There are really no words for how despicable he is, and I almost started to feel sorry for Teresa for having to live with someone like that. Then she went and opened her mouth ... and any sympathy I had for her flew out the window.
I do, however, feel sorry for Joe Gorga who truly seems to want to work things out with his sister. While he may not be the "angel from God" he claimed to be, he does seem level-headed and genuinely interested in being a part of her life. She, however, just keeps shooting him down and even called him "The Meanest Brother Ever" tonight after he approached her to try and talk. Why? Because he dares to have a healthy relationship with his wife.
Teresa just won't budge at all, and threw out some pretty big words tonight, telling him things like, "You’re not my brother anymore" and "My brother has been brainwashed." His retort to Teresa, "I just want you to be normal." Keep dreaming, Joe.
Will they ever resolve this family feud? The odds aren't looking so good at this point (the little chat ended with him shouting, "F--k you, bitch"), but I wish they would because it would free up some more time for us to watch Jacqueline Laurita work out with her drunk trainer. Poor Jacqueline just can't get a break in the world of crazy, can she?
Do you think Teresa has any right to be mad at her brother?
Image via Bravo