Crazy things you never knew about Martha Stewart

Everyone knows the prim and proper Martha Stewart from her television shows featuring DIY crafts and oh-so-delicious recipes, but what else do you know about her? Of course we're all aware that she's a super successful businesswoman, a lifestyle maven, a cookbook author, a mom and grandma, a curator of all "good things," and — though this probably isn't how she'd like to be remembered— a former inmate.
But did you know that she's also a cougar? Yep, you heard that right. Martha's got a thing for younger men. And you know what else? She's hilarious. Click on any interview of hers and settle in for a good time. Chances are she'll surprise you with a sense of humor you haven't been privy too on The Martha Stewart Show. Does that mean she's down to play "Shag, Marry, Kill"? You bet she is. How about "Never Have I Ever"? Yep, and it's as amazing as you'd hope it would be.

So what else don't you know about your favorite entertaining guru? Buckle up… your opinion of Martha Stewart might change with all this new information, but we're willing to bet it will be for the better.

She knows what sexting is, and she's done it

While a game of "Never Have I Ever" might seem a bit outside of Martha Stewart's norm — it is typically a drinking game, after all — she had no problem wielding an "I Have/I Have Never" paddle during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The talk show host asked Stewart, along with Anna Kendrick and Snoop Dogg, some prying questions, and her answers were both surprising and hilarious.

Looking completely at ease, Stewart held up her "I Have" paddle when the group was asked if they'd ever sexted. When DeGeneres questioned if she really knew what sexting was, Stewart rolled her eyes and responded, "I have used technology for a lot longer than you have, Ellen." When pushed for details on exactly who she was sexting, she spun the paddle around saying, "It doesn't say 'none of your business' here."

What else did we learn? She's never been in handcuffs (despite that prison stint), she's never been stoned on a talk show (but shocker… Snoop has), she's never returned something to a store after wearing it (duh, it's Martha Stewart), she's been to a nude beach (Sand Beach on St. Bart's, to be exact), she's never drunk-dialed an ex (but maybe she's sexted one?), and she copped to using her fame to get her out of trouble (wouldn't you?).

Her dog landed her in the hospital

Take a scroll through Martha Stewart's Instagram and it becomes abundantly clear that she loves animals. She's amassed quite a menagerie: three cats, five dogs, 30 red-factor canaries (who live in her dining room… no big deal), horses, chickens, and probably a partridge in a pear tree. But, as Stewart learned, even with so much experience as a pet owner, accidents can still happen.


Returning home from a trip, she was excited to greet her French bulldogs before heading out again — but one of her sleeping pups was caught off guard. "My little dogs were all a little upset with me — they had been lonely — and it was dark in the kitchen and they were asleep and I wanted to say goodbye to the them," she explained. "As I leaned down to whisper goodbye to a dozing Francesca, I must have startled her, because she bolted upright with such force that she hit me in the face like a boxing glove hitting an opponent's face." Ouch. The incident resulted in a trip to the emergency room and nine stitches to Stewart's lip. But like any loving mom, she felt no resentment towards her fur baby, tweeting, "So many great comments on @themarthablog asking how I am, but also asking how Francesca feels — she is a lovely frenchie — I startled her!"

Her friendship with Snoop Dogg will make you jealous

In 2008 Martha Stewart invited Snoop Dogg on her show to make mashed potatoes, and it was immediately obvious that the world needed more of the dynamic duo. Stewart herself seemed to agree during her 2014 Reddit AMA, saying that she wished she and Snoop were better friends. Well, we all got what we wanted, because the friendship between these two is now a sight to behold.

Thanks to VH1's Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party, we've gotten a good glimpse into their relationship, and honestly, it's #squadgoals. However unlikely it might seem, their affection towards each other is evident. Talking to Town & Country, Stewart said of Snoop Dogg, "He has an intense sense of loyalty to the people he works with, to his friends — he has an amazing number of friends. He stands up for what he believes really strongly." And Snoop has nothing but good things to say of Stewart. According to AARP, he said, "I've never met anyone like Martha Stewart. When we come together, it's a natural combination of love, peace and harmony… If you hang out with her and chill with her, she just like anybody else."

But don't assume that they do everything together. Snoop put those rumors to bed, saying, "I ain't never smoked [marijuana] with Martha. I've smoked around her, but she don't partake." Stewart agreed, saying, "The moment I signed the contract, I vowed to never, ever step into [his] trailer."

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Eyeliner mistakes you're probably making

Eyeliner is basically the Holy Grail of beauty products. You don't have to be a master of makeup to use it, and all it takes is a little dab on each eye to feel put-together and ready to conquer the day. While eyeliner seems self-explanatory, there's actually a science to its application. Whether you're a liquid liner aficionado or prefer the tried-and-true pencil, here are 10 of the most common eyeliner mistakes (and how to avoid them).


You're looking straight into a mirror

You'd have to be some type of wizard to apply eyeliner without looking into a mirror and still manage to look like a normal human being. However, looking straight into a mirror can lead to uneven application, like gaps between your eyeliner and your lash line. To avoid this mishap, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Surratt Beauty, Troy Surratt, told Health that it's best to look down while you're lining your top lid. According to Lori Lieb, creative director for Bodyography Professional Cosmetics, this will ensure "your liner is as close to the lashes as possible."


You're tugging on your skin while applying

When you're applying eyeliner, you want to get the straightest, most precise line possible. In theory, it makes sense to pull your skin tight to make sure you don't hit any bumps or miss any spots along the lash line. However, this is problematic for a couple of reasons. For one, Glamsquad's director of makeup artistry, Kelli Bartlett, told Stylecaster that tugging at the thin skin around your eyes can actually make them prematurely saggy (and no one wants that). Secondly, "when you pull and then release your eye, it bounces back — and your eyeliner does, too. This can create bumpiness, texture, and that dreaded check-mark shape hanging off the eye," Lijha Stewart, makeup artist and director of artistry at Make Up for Ever, explained to Glamour. While pulling at your eyes might be a tough habit to break, it's worth it! In a YouTube video, makeup artist and vlogger Tina Yong suggests "lifting your head up slightly when you're applying your liner" as you look downward toward your mirror.


Your eye pencil isn't sharp enough

The most frustrating part about pencil liners is their affinity to get dull after only a couple of uses, especially when you're in a rush and don't have the time to prolong your makeup routine (which, let's be honest, is all the time). But a sharp pencil is key to having a clean, professional look. In a YouTube video, makeup artist and vlogger Tina Yong said, "Having a blunt pencil can make it really hard to draw precise lines." To ensure your eye pencil is sharp enough and your eye makeup is spot on every time, Rimmel Canadian makeup artist and spokesperson Vanessa Jarman told Elle Canada, "Simply keep a pencil sharpener in your bag and make a habit of sharpening your pencil as need be," which is typically "every 2-3 makeup applications."

A dull pencil isn't only harmful to a perfect look, but also to your health. Makeup is a hub for germs and bacteria. Each time you use your eyeliner, you're adding more bacteria to the mix. A study found that particles from your eyeliner gets into your eye with each use, meaning all that yucky stuff is entering your system. But when you sharpen your eye pencil, you remove some of that nasty bacteria.

You're applying too much liner on your bottom eyelid

It's natural to want to line your whole eye. It makes your look feel more complete and balanced. While lining your entire top lid is fine, bringing it all the way around your bottom lid will "close up your eyes and make them look smaller," according to makeup artist and beauty vlogger Tina Yong. In fact, this is a huge pet peeve for most makeup artists. Sonia Kashuk, celebrity makeup artist and founder of the Sonia Kashuk Collection for Target, told Prevention, "It looks very dated, hard, and incredibly severe."

To avoid shrinking the appearance of your eyes, Yong suggests you "just tight-line your upper lash line" to "make your lash line look fuller." If you absolutely need to add some color to your bottom lid, in an interview with Health.com celebrity makeup artist Troy Surratt suggested applying "a short stroke of color along the outer corner under your lower lashes."


Not lining your waterline

The topic of using eyeliner along your waterline (the bare skin between your lashes and your eyeball) is debated among health experts and beauty experts. While it's possible that bacteria from your eyeliner can contaminate your eye and cause infection, it's a seamless way to complete your look. Celebrity makeup artist Sonia Kashuk told Prevention that using a light or nude color along your waterline helps "create a healthier look." Likewise, makeup artist and beauty vlogger Toni Yong believes adding eyeliner to your waterline can help make your eyes look bigger.

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Beauty 'mistakes' that aren't actually mistakes at all

Makeup mistakes happen every day, even to the most seasoned beauty veterans. Smudges, smears, or smashed products are cold, hard facts of the cosmetics life. But you don't actually need to grab your micellar water or a makeup remover wipe to take it all off and start over every time you experience a product application fail.


In fact, with a little creativity, imagination, and ingenuity, as well as some additional tools, like cotton swabs, your makeup flubs may not actually be mistakes after all! Here are some creative tips from the experts on how you can turn your beauty and makeup "mistakes" into total wins.

Buying the wrong color

Celebrity makeup artist Nikki Allure, who has worked with superstar Cardi B, has a great fix for those times when you have purchased the wrong shade of contour, foundation, or concealer. If you shop online and pick a hue that ends up being too dark, too light, or not bright enough, don't go through the hassle of sending it back or worse — letting it sit at the bottom of your makeup drawer, untouched, unused, and a waste of cash. She tells me, "I use [those] for different things, such as an eyeshadow base."

That's a brilliant reversal of function. A contour cream or concealer can act as an eyelid primer or a base, helping your powder shadow last all night. It can also turn up or tone down the shadow color placed over top.

Smudged mascara

Have you ever applied mascara to your lower lashes in order to darken and thicken them, only to end up with smudges on the delicate skin right beneath your eye? Don't fret or wipe it away, which could amplify the mess. Instead, makeup artist Mindy Green recommends that you "grab a cotton swab to blend it and call it liner." That way, you don't waste product and enjoy the added benefit of a sultry eye look. A little under-eye smudge is totally mysterious and unexpected, giving you that good-girl-gone-bad vibe.

Samantha Agostino, lead makeup artist at ECRU New York Beauty, has a similar solution for lower lash smudges, telling me, "Mascara can be a dupe for a wet liner to create a smoky effect on the bottom lashline; just use an angled brush to load up product from the wand."


Broken powder products

So you dropped a powder eyeshadow or a highlighter compact and the product itself is cracked, yet most of the powder still remains in the pan — we've all been there. Don't allow that compact to sink to the bottom of the abyss that is your makeup bag or purse, but also don't cut your losses and toss it! It is salvageable. Green says, "Add broken eyeshadow [dust] to a clear lip gloss to create your own heavily pigmented gloss."

But wait, there's an even better suggestion. Green notes, "If you've lost [or broken] a few, you can blend shades to make a custom color." There is no such thing as wasted makeup with this hack.

Using too much translucent powder

If you think you've used too much translucent powder on your face, think again. The product exists to add luminescence and it's really hard to overdo it. Plus, your fluffy brush is your BFF, since it can further diffuse the product if it's not giving you the end result you want. Stylist and makeup artist Liz Everett tells me, "I don't know if you can actually use too much, because you are solidifying the finish. As long as you do a great job of sweeping it gently with your brush after, you are all good."

Hillary Kline, a freelance makeup artist in Minneapolis, has another tip for when you may need to neutralize the face powder. "Use a setting spray that has a dewy finish to it and won't make your face look dry," she tells me.

Using too much lip liner

Lip liner isn't just a tool for creating a precise, perfectly shaped lip a la Kylie Jenner. It's also a secret weapon that helps lipstick, no matter the texture, adhere all day. If you are tracing the perimeter of your mouth and find yourself using too much color or drawing imperfect lines, just go with it. In fact, Everett recommends filling in the surface of your entire lip with liner "so that your lipstick or gloss will last longer."

It's the exact same concept as an eyeshadow base — liner assists lipstick in staying put and intensifies the color that's layered on top of it.

Mixing foundation with your primer

A full face of makeup has a running order of which products to apply and when. Primer usually goes first, giving you a flawless canvas on which to add concealer, liquid foundation and/or powder, and contour. Usually, a primer is applied prior to foundation, adding an extra layer of moisture and ensuring that makeup stays on longer. However, if you somehow mix your primer and foundation, it's totally okay. The team at The London School of Make-Up, says, "By mixing your foundation with some primer, you can achieve a more translucent look, which helps your makeup to blend perfectly in with your primer."

This leads to a softer focus visage and creates a natural look. You retain the coverage your foundation provides, without looking like you've slathered on a metric ton of product. It's all about light and light.

Eyeshadow fallout

Makeup artist Emilie Rudman, who launched the Emilie Heathe line and runs the MLE STUDIO, has brilliant solution for repurposing eyeshadow fallout. You know what we're talking about: "You've just added your favorite shimmer shadow to your lid with your favorite soft brush, but in the process are left with a ton of shadow all over your face," she says, recounting a makeup situation we've all experienced. But it's not the end of the world. Rudman continues, "Take a soft face brush or your finger and blend this shadow right above the cheek bone and use it as a highlighter."

Obviously, this technique only works with light and shimmery shades. You can't employ the same trick with dark, matte shadows or you will be left with a sooty mess on your face.


You didn't pack enough products

If you are traveling and were forced to pack efficiently due to TSA regulations, and inexplicably forgot your favorite eyeshadow palette, there is no need to head to the drugstore to spend more money on the same products you left at home.

If you have smartly packed other products, like face powder, they can multi-task in your favor. Rudman says, "Your face powder can also be used as a shadow, but also as a shadow base. This will prevent liner from bleeding, mascara from transferring, and cover those dark spots."

Broken concealer

Makeup artist and Pretty Girl Makeup CEO Christina Flach has a terrific tip for salvaging broken or smashed powder and cream products, which can be expensive, and therefore it's extra frustrating when they end up broken. But never fear! They are not unusable. "Utilize containers, adding some broken powder with bronzer to make the perfect light bronzing powder that also will take the shine off while giving a bit of color during the winter season," she tells me.

But what can be done to reuse a broken concealer stick? Flach says what's leftover can be "added to a bit of your favorite moisturizer for a fabulous hydrating under eye cream."

Going overboard on brows

If you overdid it with your eyebrows, added too much powder or created a little too much definition with a kohl pencil, you don't actually need to wash your whole face and start over. You can easily tone down an overdone brow with this time-saving method. Kline suggests that you "take a makeup sponge, apply a little bit of makeup remover to it, and dab over the brows. It will lower the intensity of your brow." Toning things down is easy, as long as you are careful with both your tools and your technique.


Unwashed brushes

Neglecting to wash your makeup brushes every couple of weeks or so is a really bad habit. However, if you simply haven't had the chance to clean your tools, it can have a positive benefit, as long as you don't do it too often!

Ami Mallon, who serves as Global Corporate Educator for Osmosis Colour Mineral Cosmetics, tells me, "Even the most germ-phobic of us can have moments where we forget to wash our brushes. The good news? If you are in a hurry, the makeup of yesterday can be the makeup of today, as well! A dirty eyeshadow, blush, or foundation brush can mean today's beautiful recycled look."

Basically, the leftover color on the hairs can be used to create a light, easy wash of color on your lids or cheeks. It's literally "next day" makeup.

Smudged winged eyeliner

The cat-eye flick is hard to master, even for makeup vets. There are tons of products (felt tip pens, angled brushes paired with gel pots, the Vamp Stamp) available to help achieve that perfect wing. Drawing a wing can be frustrating and is often a bust, but don't be deterred.

Emaneula DeFalco, founder of Dirty Little Secret Cosmetics, tells me, "Not every wing needs to be sharp enough to cut your ex-boyfriend. A smudged liner can bring a sexy sultry look without having to do a complete smokey eye."

To get this look, DeFalco says, "Just take a gel liner and literally smudge it out with a brush or your finger. If anyone asks why your wing isn't sharp, tell them they can't sit with you." #Burn

Her larger point is more important — it's totally okay to seek a not-so-sharp or unpredictable wing.

From:TheList

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This is how much the royal wedding will cost

Royal weddings don't come cheap. Prince William and Kate Middleton's big day, for example, carried a hefty price tag of $34 million, US Weekly reported. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's estimated wedding expenses have not been confirmed by Kensington Palace — that would be quite garish.
Nevertheless, the royal family issued a statement clearing up the matter of who exactly foots the gigantic bill — British taxpayers can rest easy knowing it's not them. "The Royal Family will pay for the core aspects of the wedding, such as the church service, the associated music, flowers, decorations, and the reception afterwards," the statement read.

Bridebook, United Kingdom's number one wedding planning website, has done the dirty work of counting costs. By analyzing over 170,000 weddings and reviewing 70,000 wedding industry suppliers' price estimates, the site discovered the estimated costs of "core aspects" of the next royal wedding. According to their extensive calculations, they theorized the big day to cost £32 million ($45 million). A significant chunk — over $42 million — is expected to go toward security costs. What about the other $2.7 million? Keep reading, and get ready for the most glamorous math you've ever seen!

The seemingly simple invitations

Harry and Meghan's invitations were fairly traditional as far as wedding stationery goes. However, don't make the mistake of thinking traditional equates to affordable. Kensington Palace shared a photo of the royal invitations, naming the company who created them, Barnard and Westwood, and included a brief description: "They feature the Three-Feathered Badge of the Prince of Wales printed in gold ink."

Although Bridebook originally estimated the cost of stationery to be around $28,000, that figure is likely higher — much higher. This is because the couple opted to use Barnard and Westwood, which sells 200 piece bespoke stationery sets exceeding $14,000. Then, after you add in the "Three-Feathered Badge of the Prince of Wales" with gold ink for all 4,000 guests and the cost easily skyrockets to around $281,000. The VIP invitations alone (sans gold embellishments) are estimated to cost $70,000 or more.

Compare that to the average cost of wedding stationery, which is around $750 for 150 guests according to theweddingreport.com (via Brides). You certainly can't classify Harry and Meghan's invitations as a good bargain.


Those venues, though

The venue is an important part of any wedding. Unlike "regular" people, Harry and Meghan don't have to enter their names on waitlists or put down a security deposit. That's not to say the ceremony and reception are free — no way.

Harry and Meghan will say "I do" at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, as confirmed by Kensington Palace. To do so, they will have to pay a fee of $245 — chump change for this royal couple. The receptions — yes, multiple — are going to cost quite a bit more. A statement issued by Kensington Palace announced that the first reception will be held in the Great Hall of St. George's Chapel. Afterward, the couple will have "a private evening reception" for friends and family, a secondary statement confirmed.

Bridebook gave estimates for reception costs if the couple were to choose a "luxury marquee," or tent, in the Upper Ward of Windsor. If Harry and Meghan opt for a glass marquee as Pippa Middleton did, the cost could easily exceed $421,000. Add the costs of catering, additional security, and marquee staff, and you've easily tacked on another $70,000 — at least.

From lighting to dance floors — the decoration expenses

Decorating a massive estate like Windsor Castle is no easy — or affordable — feat. According to The Telegraph, the Lord Chamberlain's Office at Buckingham Palace has the task of organizing royal weddings. Harry's private secretary, Edward Lane Fox, helps in the organizing as well. Together, they oversaw the production and sending of the royal wedding invitations. They will also oversee the nuptials, the overall schedule of the big day, and the royal household staff.

Although Lord Chamberlain's Office and Edward Lane Fox are responsible for a whole lot regarding the upcoming wedding, that doesn't necessarily mean they have to do everything themselves. That may very well be impossible — even for people as skilled at planning weddings as these folks. Bridebook contends that a top London agency, like HRP Production Solutions, could be tasked with everything from lighting to furniture to even dance floors. The cost? Oh, just about $182,000. NBD.


The cost of catering

What's a beautiful wedding without great food? Guests at Harry and Meghan's wedding likely won't have to choose between chicken, beef, or fish. In addition to having a dinner reception, a statement issued by Kensington Palace confirmed there will also be a lunch reception. According to Bridebook, members of the public who are invited to Windsor Castle — all 2,640 of them — will also be served "a hot tea and a snack." At just $14 a head, even the snacks add up.

Not to mention, hiring the best of the best caterers in London will easily up the total. With rates of about $140 per guest for lunch and up to around $420 per guest for dinner, the catering costs for this wedding are going to be nothing short of astounding. If you dream to plan a similar wedding someday, just know you'll need to save around $400,000 — just for food.

All that booze adds up

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding will not be a dry one, Bridebook says, which makes sense considering Buckingham Palace is home to an epic seven-room wine cellar. The 300-year-old cellar was completely renovated in 2007 and, according to The Telegraph, its contents are estimated to be worth $2.8 million.

Likely 1,700 bottles of "vintage champagne" and 650 bottles of wine and spirits will be sufficient for Harry and Meghan's wedding guests. The champagne alone will run about $191,000. The addition of wine, scotch, other spirits, and mixed drinks bring the grand total to $271,000. To put that figure into perspective, the cost of supplying Harry and Meghan's invitees with booze — and booze alone — is roughly ten times the cost of an entire average American wedding. Though, the average American also doesn't serve vintage champagne… at their royal wedding… to thousands of guests.

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What really happens to your body when you stop drinking alcohol?

There are plenty of reasons to quit drinking alcohol. Perhaps you can't party as hard as you once did, and the hangovers are getting worse. Maybe you've developed a beer belly. Possibly, there's a deeper issue at play and you don't want your drinking to get out of hand before it's a problem—unless it already is and you just don't realize it. Whatever your circumstances are, you're here, and you're ready to kick the sauce. Let's breakdown what happens to your body once you quit drinking.



Detox isn't pretty

The first 48 hours after you stop drinking may be the biggest detox hurdle. Depending how much you were drinking, this may feel like a hangover or it may be more than that. Withdrawal symptoms can include sweating, a rise in blood pressure, shakiness or tremors, and insomnia as well as the usual hangover symptoms like headache and nausea.


You'll crave alcohol

You probably saw that one coming. If you've been drinking alcohol regularly, your body is going to take note when it's gone. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, cravings are to be expected when your drinking behavior changes. The equilibrium your body created to adjust to alcohol in your system will no longer exist. That first day you go without a drink, especially if you've been drinking every day, is likely going to be filled with cravings for alcohol. For some, cravings can last weeks, months, or years depending on the amount and regularity of alcohol use prior to quitting.

It may get worse before it gets better

If you are a heavy drinker, you may not be out of the woods after 48 hours. Between 48-72 hours is generally when the onset of 'delirium tremens' occurs for some. Delirium tremens is sudden confusion that may be paired with hallucinations, shaking, irregular heart rate, and an increase in body temperature so high that it can sometimes lead to seizures. If you are a heavy drinker, it is important to detox from alcohol under the supervision of a medical professional as the withdrawal from quitting cold turkey can lead to death.

Physical symptoms will subside

While hangover and withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable, and at times dangerous, the good news is that after peaking at around 72 hours after the last drink, the last of these symptoms will generally start to subside. At this stage your body begins to create a new equilibrium that does not include alcohol and its effects

Other symptoms of detox last longer

While your body will have adjusted after a week of not drinking, there may be psychological effects of detox that last longer. Some people report feelings of anger and aggression, general anxiety and depression, nightmares and difficulty sleeping, and even decreased libido. This is in part because alcohol use affects neurotransmitters that are implicated in mood, such as serotonin. There may also be underlying issues for which alcohol has been used to self-medicate. Often the experiences and emotions that were being ignored during alcohol use rise to the surface after you stop drinking. During this time it can be helpful to seek out counseling, either individual or in a group, to handle these emotions and experiences.

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Best Philly Cheese Steak Grilled Cheese

Philly Cheese Steak Grilled Cheese

Author: BS' in the Kitchen

Recipe type: Sandwich

Cuisine: American

Prep time:  10 mins

Cook time:  20 mins

Total time:  30 mins

Serves: 1

Juicy steak, savoury onions, green peppers, smothered in melted provolone makes this a grilled cheese to die for!

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3-4 slices of white onion (about ⅓ cup)
• 8-10 thin slices of green bell pepper
• 1 clove of garlic (minced)
• ⅓ cup (heaping) of thinly sliced steak
• salt & pepper to taste
• 4 Slices of provolone
• mayo
• 2 slices of french bread
• butter

Instructions

1. In a pan on medium heat, add olive oil.
2. Slice onion, and chop slices in half, adding to pan once heated.
3. Once the onions begin to soften (after about 5 minutes), add sliced green pepper, and minced garlic, cooking for about two minutes.
4. Add in sliced steak, along with salt & pepper to taste.
5. Cook until steak is done to your liking (should only take a few minutes). Add more salt & pepper if necessary.
6. Spread butter on the outside of each slice of bread, spread mayonnaise on the inside of both slices.
7. Place steak mix on bread, top with provolone cheese and bread.
8. Place in pan, turn heat to medium, cooking until golden brown on each side.

from:bsinthekitchen

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The real reason these stars never got married

Marriage isn't for everyone. After all, if Brangelina couldn't make it work, who could? Still, that doesn't mean that avoiding putting a ring on it means a lack of commitment or that these stars will die alone and miserable. In fact, for a lot of celebs, the opposite is true. Celebs are just normal people, (sort of) like the rest of us, and that means not all of them want the same things. These single stars and couples haven't gone down the aisle, and that's just fine with them.



Oprah Winfrey and Stedman Graham

Oprah Winfrey and Stedman Graham have been together since 1986, and he actually proposed to her — but she didn't say yes. She explained why on an episode of Super Soul Sunday (via Entertainment Tonight), saying, "The moment he asked me to marry him, I was like 'Oh, God! Now I actually have to get married?' But what I realized is, I don't want to be married. Because I could not have the life that I created for myself. I couldn't do it."

However, Winfrey's own mother, Barbara, hinted to the Daily Mail that the talk show titan's relationship with BFF Gayle King is to blame, as well as Winfrey's fortune. "Stedman isn't a good steward of money and that suits Oprah fine," Barbara said. "He is financially dependent on her. He knows her secrets and she knows his. Why would they marry now? He's there at her beck and call. He knows his role in her life." She added, "Gayle is very, very present. I don't know any man I've ever dated who could tolerate that, but Stedman knows Gayle's going nowhere. They speak on the phone three or four times a day…[their relationship is] unhealthy…I can only say what I saw and observed over the years. Gayle was more present than Stedman."



Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn

Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn have been together for 33 years and have a son, Wyatt Russell, together — but they've never tied the knot. Hawn — who was previously married to actor Bill Hudson and dancer Gus Trikonis — explained her reason to Loose Women, saying, "I would have been long divorced if I got married. If you need to be bound to someone, then it's important to be married. If you are independent, it's important to not be married."

"[Russell and I] like the choice and we chose to stay," she continued. "We're always asked why we are not married. Why? What is marriage going to do for us? At the beginning, you want to see each other all the time. Then you get jealous when they're gone too long and that's exciting. But for a healthy long-term relationship, then 68 percent of the time [together] is good."


Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon

Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon were together for 23 years and had two sons before their breakup in 2009. It seems like marriage wasn't in the cards for either of them, but that it was ultimately Sarandon's choice. She told People, "I've always liked the idea of choosing to be with somebody. I thought that if you didn't get married, you wouldn't take each other for granted as easily. I don't know if after twentysomething years that was still true."



Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick

After three kids and nearly a decade together, Kourtney Kardashian never married Scott Disick. Why? Because, for a reality starlet, Kardashian claims to not want all the attention on her.

"A wedding terrifies me," she confessed to Cosmopolitan. "I like tradition; I don't have anything against that. I think it's more fear of walking down the aisle in front of all those people. I don't like being the center of attention," she said. "I mean, Scott and I have talked about it many times over the years. The situation was never right. But I don't think we would've done a big wedding—we would've done something really small, just us and our kids."

After their most recent (and seemingly permanent) split in July 2015, which was spawned by Disick getting cozy with another woman, the odds of them actually walking down the aisle now seem like well below zero. Still, Disick allegedly is not giving up hope. "Scott says he still wants to get back together with her, but hasn't done anything to prove it," an insider told Page Six. "Kourtney is over it. She knows she looks amazing and she isn't putting up with any of his s**t…Kourtney tells him if he wants her back, he needs to show how much he's changed, but instead he's out partying at Coachella and will complain to his guy friends about how many rules Kourtney imposes on him."

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6 Things You Should Never Change About Yourself For A Partner

There’s one thing we should all aim for when looking for love: Finding a partner who accepts and loves us just as we are.

Settling for anything less than that will set you up for heartbreak. Below, marriage therapists and other experts share six things you should never feel compelled to change for your partner.

If your partner loves you, they’ll make an effort to at least like your friends and family, said Christine Wilke, a marriage therapist in Easton, Pennsylvania. That means no pouty faces when you propose Thanksgiving at your folk’s place and no sarcastic, snide remarks when you discuss your friends’ ongoing relationship troubles.

“You can’t give up special friendships or relationships with family members at the behest of your partner,” she said. “It’s going to be hard to have a truly authentic relationship with your partner if they force you to pick sides.”  

We all come with baggage. We all have a unique, particular set of flaws that have shaped and defined our lives. A partner worth your time and energy will find a way to love every part of you, including the imperfections, said Betsy Ross, a psychotherapist in Massachusetts. 

“Seeing only the very best features and ignoring the not-so flattering parts of a person is not helpful,” she said. “No person in a relationship can sustain such perfection or high standards for long.” 

If your significant other can’t recognize that you’re both imperfect, flawed people, the cracks will eventually begin to show. 

“The shoes left in the middle of the floor, the dishes in the sink and the thoughtless comments made will eventually become impossible to ignore,” she said. “It can wreak havoc on your relationship if either of you has refused to acknowledge the other’s imperfections and humanity.”  

In your quest for a quality relationship, never compromise your core values, said divorce coach Kira Gould. Real, lasting love is based on people being transparent and true to who they are.

“Trying to be someone you’re not for the benefit of your partner is a tiresome and weary way to live,” she said. “It’s not sustainable over time. In particular, changing or compromising on your values or belief systems is a no go.” 

Changing your stances on the big issues ― self-respect, family, integrity, spirituality or economic security ― so they match up to your partner’s beliefs creates resentment and oftentimes leads to a break down of the relationship, Gould said. 

“Most of us share a basic human tendency to want to be loved and accepted, but this desire should not be at the expense of our true self,” she said. “There is nothing more intoxicating than being fully seen and accepted ― warts and all.”

The goals you had before meeting your S.O. shouldn’t significantly shift just because you’re now one half of a couple. Sure, you may come up with shared dreams and visions for the future, but they should never supersede your big life goals, said Amy Kipp, a couples and family therapist in San Antonio. Your goals should commingle, not compete.  

“If you’ve always been career-oriented, your partner should encourage decisions that support your career,” she said. “If having children is something you have always dreamed of, you shouldn’t let go of that to make a partner happy. These are the issues that you should be talking about along the way, so you can each determine if your goals align.”

Before your friends introduce you to someone in their circle, what do they say about you? How kind and considerate you are to others? How quick-witted and funny you are? Whatever your unique, shining qualities are, don’t let them go dull for the sake of a relationship, said Marni Feuerman, a marriage and family therapist in Boca Raton, Florida.

“If you have been told by many people that a certain unique characteristic is a positive asset, don’t change it for the one person who criticizes it,” she said. “Maybe you are outgoing and friendly but this makes your partner jealous or perhaps you’re free-spirited but your partner gets infuriated by your lack of planning.” 

If your partner feels that something about you needs to be “fixed,” consider it a big red flag. 

“If they feel that way about you, I’d think long and hard about your future together,” Feuerman said. 

You love surfing or volunteering after work at a local non-profit but lately, you’ve been putting those on the back burner in favor of couple time. In the early, heady days of a relationship, your priorities are bound to shift. You want to spend every waking hour with your partner. Still, don’t let your passions take too much of a backseat to your budding relationship, said Debra Campbell, a psychologist and couple’s therapist in Melbourne, Australia. 

“Your partner may be one of the great loves of your life but it’s vital to hold onto the other great loves in your life ― the hobbies, work or interests that light you up and make you feel passionate.

And focusing on your passions will ultimately benefit your relationship, Campbell said.

“Doing what you love fuels desire and gives you joy, happiness and passion to bring back to your relationship,” she said. “It means you’re at your best and most attractive to your partner and to yourself. Never dismiss the things that give you personal pleasure.” 

From:huffingtonpost

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