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Dancing With the Stars Season 13 Cast Announced

Alrighty all you dancing divas, it’s time to bust out the glitter and spray tans once again. That’s right, the next cast of Dancing With the Stars has finally been revealed, and it’s shaping up to be an interesting season. Here are the mirror ball hopefuls:
Chaz Bono- 42, LGBT activist and Cher’s….son
David Arquette- 39, actor and Courteney Cox’s husband (though the couple are currently separated)
Kristin Cavallari- 24, reality star and jilted fiancée of Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler
Rob Kardashian- 24, reality star….and a Kardashian
Carson Kressley- 41, fashion guru and….
Ron Artest- 31, LA Laker player, currently trying to change his name to Metta World Peace (no joke)
Elisabetta Canalis-32, um….George Clooney’s ex girlfriend, also a model and actress
Chynna Philips- 43, singer-actress, husband Billy Baldwin is a DWTS alum
Nancy Grace- 51, TV host and quite opinioned former prosecutor
JR Martinez- 28, Soap opera star and veteran who was hit with a land mine in the Iraq War in 2003
Hope Solo- 30, US Women’s Soccer goalie, had an amazing save against Brazil that shot her to stardom
What do you think about the new cast? Who are some of your favorites to walk away as the winner? The pairings will be announced on Good Morning America tomorrow, and Season 13 will kick off on September 19th.

Alrighty all you dancing divas, it’s time to bust out the glitter and spray tans once again. That’s right, the next cast of Dancing With the Stars has finally been revealed, and it’s shaping up to be an interesting season. Here are the mirror ball hopefuls:
Chaz Bono- 42, LGBT activist and Cher’s….son
David Arquette- 39, actor and Courteney Cox’s husband (though the couple are currently separated)
Kristin Cavallari- 24, reality star and jilted fiancée of Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler
Rob Kardashian- 24, reality star….and a Kardashian
Carson Kressley- 41, fashion guru and….
Ron Artest- 31, LA Laker player, currently trying to change his name to Metta World Peace (no joke)
Elisabetta Canalis-32, um….George Clooney’s ex girlfriend, also a model and actress
Chynna Philips- 43, singer-actress, husband Billy Baldwin is a DWTS alum
Nancy Grace- 51, TV host and quite opinioned former prosecutor
JR Martinez- 28, Soap opera star and veteran who was hit with a land mine in the Iraq War in 2003
Hope Solo- 30, US Women’s Soccer goalie, had an amazing save against Brazil that shot her to stardom
What do you think about the new cast? Who are some of your favorites to walk away as the winner? The pairings will be announced on Good Morning America tomorrow, and Season 13 will kick off on September 19th.

Celebrity Rant: Kelly Osbourne on Kate Middleton

I don’t usually take to my blog to vent about celebrities, but this article really had me stewing. I gave it a few weeks to see if I would become less angry, but…I’m still pretty angry when I think about it. Kelly Osbourne, who I have always been a big fan of, slammed Kate Middleton aka Duchess of Cambridge for Kate’s repeated use of, well, repeating outfits. The Duchess has often been photographed wearing the same labels and even the same articles of clothing. Oh the shock and horror. When Osbourne, who cohost the E! show Fashion Police, appeared on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno earlier in the month, she took a stab at Middleton, saying, “In England they’re like, ‘Look how thrifty she’s being, showing the British public that the Royals are in a recession as well.’ Only in this country they call it a faux pas. I’m sorry, but if I had that job I would only wear it once. If I am going to be the future bloody Queen of England I’m going to wear that dress once because I’m giving up the rest of my life, all of my privacy. At least I can get a new dress every day!”

I kept digging deep to figure out why these statements bothered me so much. And I think it’s because I’m increasingly bothered by celebrities in general in our society. The USA was plummeted into a recession, is very well heading towards another one, have had horrible natural disasters strike, like the devastating tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri, yet we “normal” folk have to watch the news about how celebrities spend their money. And talk about frivolous. It wasn’t too long after the Joplin tornado that Kim Kardashian received at 20.5 carat ring from Kris Humphries. I’ve read about Rachel Zoe spending $87,000 on her baby’s nursery. And then to read about reality TV stars such as the Jersey Shore cast and Kate Gosselin and the ridiculous amounts of money they pull in and spend all on themselves. It’s a little sickening. Maybe people like me look up to someone like Kate Middleton, who doesn’t let that fact the she is now royalty and can have anything she wants go to her head. Maybe we appreciate a real role model who we know we won’t see in a sex tape or doing cartwheels while wearing no panties while out wasted a bar some night. Does anyone else agree with me here? I’m just getting tired of seeing celebs feel the need to have three houses, ten cars, closets full of clothes they never wear, etc., while so much of the country struggles. Do I think celebrities are to blame or should single handily fix us? No, of course not. But I wish people that are more privileged than most could understand that not everyone lives their lavish lives. I personally appreciate Kate Middleton and what she stands for. The more you read about celebrities, politicians, athletes, and anyone else with a large bank account and have a media presence, you see they mostly care about themselves. Greed, lust, sloth, wrath, envy…anyone catching the Seven Deadly Sins here when it comes to them? And again, to make sure I’m not offending everyone with the title “celebrity” attached to them- I don’t mean all of them. There are certainly celebrities like the Jolie-Pitts, George Clooney, Matt Damon, etc. that are constantly in the news because they are giving back in some way or another. Even Drew Barrymore and Hayden Panettiere are making headlines for their charitable donations. Is it possible to be rich and famous without being a snob and inconsiderate? Yes. Is it possible to be royalty and still have a solid head on your shoulders? Yes. Thank you Kate Middleton for wearing the same outfits and showing that just because you’re famous doesn’t have to mean you’re out of touch with the rest of the world and have to succumb to the pressures that are placed on you. And shame on you Kelly Osbourne for calling her out because of it. I think we need more Kate Middleton’s for children and young people- and heck, even myself- to look up to. Who else is your ten year old daughter seeing on the TV- Snooki and OctoMom? What a frightening thought.

Beyonce is Pregnant!

Well, this news just excites me- Beyonce is pregnant! The dynamite pop diva, 29, showed off her baby bump at the MTV Video Music awards, teasingly saying, “I have a surprise!” This will be the first child for Beyonce and husband Jay-Z , 41, who have been married for three years. No word was given on a due date. What do you think about this breaking baby news?

In My Mailbox: Week of August 28

In My Mailbox: Week of August 28, 2011

Title: Until Again
Author: Lou Aronica
Received: From Lou Aronica
Synopsis: Reviewers have called Lou Aronica’s novel BLUE “compelling,” “beautifully written,” “a story to remember and cherish,” and “one of those books that everyone should find a moment to read.” Readers have said it was “a great inspiration,” “I’ve never been more moved or inspired,” and “one of the best books I’ve read.” Now comes this prequel novella, a short work that provides the essential story behind the story. UNTIL AGAIN tells of a decidedly real-world event: the final weekend in the breakup of a marriage. For Chris Astor, the divorce is not something he wants, primarily because of the distance it will put between his ten-year-old daughter Becky and himself. Juxtaposed against this is a critical event in Tamarisk, the bedtime-story fantasy world that Chris and Becky created when Becky was much younger. Miea, the university-age princess of Tamarisk fears that her world has become a terribly dangerous place…but she could not possibly have imagined where that danger will lead her and the people she loves. These parallel stories converge, in a most unusual way, in a tale of change and new tomorrows. A powerful revelation for those who have read BLUE, and an emotionally charged introduction to these deeply relatable characters for those who haven’t, UNTIL AGAIN is a warm, engaging, and bittersweet work that promises to speak to your heart.

Title: The Divorce Club
Author: Jayde Scott
Received: From Jayde Scott
Synopsis: The Divorce Club’s personalized battle plan designed to suit your individual needs:

Put on weight and don’t shave your legs, or armpits, or any part of your body for that matter.
Don’t wash his clothes and cook rotten meals, preferably ones that’ll give him constant diarrhea.
Wear a thong with a mini dress and bend over in front of his friends, but only after gaining weight.

Don’t forget: if you’re moving, we’ll help you pack and unload. If he’s the one moving, we’ll help you throw his belongings out the window.

A bitter divorce from a two-timing husband leaves Sarah with no money to fend for her daughter, but she won’t be beaten, so she opens The Divorce Club, a meeting place for women who want to divorce their cheating husbands, but don’t know how.

Soon things start to go seriously wrong. A fake client and her rising interest in him isn’t Sarah’s only worry; there’s also the moody teenager, a stalker, and the club’s personalized battle plans that start to involve more than flashing a confident smile and running a 24/7 hotline.
When Sarah’s ex-husband moves in without her permission in the hope to patch things up, chaos seems complete.

Title: J’Adore New York
Author: Isabelle LaFleche
Received: From Book Sparks PR
Synopsis: Offered the chance to transfer to her law firm’s New York City office, stylish Parisian lawyer Catherine Lambert jumps at the opportunity—a fashion devotee with her finger on the pulse of style, she sets her sights on conquering Manhattan’s high-flying worlds of glamour, law, and love tout de suite. But soon, the non-stop New York minute filled with monster bosses, lecherous clients, and vindictive secretaries begins to take its toll. That is, until one handsome and powerful client begins to change her world for the better…only to throw it all into jeopardy with one surprising request. Perfect for fans of Bridget Jones’s Diary, The Devil Wears Prada, and Sex in the City, Isabelle Lafleche’s breakout novel J’adore New York is a rollercoaster of struggle and romance from the city where dreams come true.

Guest Post on Health and Diet by Amanda Kidd

Foods to burn fat before a good night’s sleep Weight loss regimes succeed only when combined with balanced diet and regular exercise. The notion that…

In My Mailbox: Week of August 21

But when the only man she has ever truly loved returns, seeking the old Willow, it’s decision time. Should she risk stardom and the village’s new-found fortune on love? Or is being Marilyn Willow’s real ticket to happiness?

Healthier: Margarita or Daiquiri

The Dilemma
While visiting a Mexican restaurant with some friends a few weeks back, I was faced with a tough decision: margarita or daiquiri? The daiquiri’s were just slightly cheaper, but the margaritas had more flavors. So I decided to ask myself an important question: which is healthier? Since I knew I was about to consume at least a pound of chips and queso, then an enchilada, then a cheese quesadilla, I thought I should at least consider my healthy choices for a drink. Only problem- I didn’t know off the top of my head which would be better for my jeggings, and my girlfriends tittered at me when I asked them, digging into their chips and cheese with a vengeance, not worried about their expanding skinny jeans. So I needed to do some research so I could be better prepared for my next go around.
What is a margarita?
Besides delicious, it is a cocktail made with tequila, orange liqueur, and lemon and lime juice. Variations on the original margarita abound, as you can make them with fruit juice, blended fruits, even buy them frozen and just toss them in your blender. Different flavors are quite popular, and can include strawberry, mango, peach, and watermelon. Margaritas are often served with salt around the rim of the glass, and garnished with fruit.
What is a daiquiri?
Daiquiri’s are made with rum, ice (often shaved ice), lime juice, and a sweetener. They can also be made with different flavors and variations, including the classic daiquiri and a frozen daiquiri, which is made with blended fruits. Sound familiar?
The Decision
What I gathered from my research, besides a thirst for a fruity concoction, is basically this: margarita’s are made with tequila; daiquiris with rum. So, which liqueur is the healthiest for us? I found a few facts on Sparkpeople.com, who declared the winner to be rum. The nutritional value they listed sketched out to the following: Rum: 77 calories, 8g Carbs per 1.5 ounce serving; and Tequila: 104 calories, 9g Carbs per 1.5 ounce serving. Next time you are faced with this extremely difficult decision, I hope you remember this post and shoot for the daiquiri!
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=893

Jessica Alba Welcomes Baby Girl

It’s another girl for Jessica Alba and Cash Warren! The couple welcomed daughter Haven Garner Warren on Saturday, and Alba shared the good news on her Facebook page. “She was born on Saturday, weighed 7 lbs and was 19 inches long. Healthy and happy! Big sister Honor couldn’t be more excited about the new addition to our family.” Haven joins Honor Marie, 3.

Hilary Duff Pregnant!

Hilary Duff is pregnant! The former Disney star, who married pro hockey player Mike Comrie on August 14th last year, announced on her website the good news. “This weekend, Mike and I are celebrating our one year anniversary! In memory of the special day, we decided to post some of our favorite pictures from our wedding! I can’t believe it has already been a year. Time really flies when you’re having fun! We also want to share the exciting news that baby makes three! We are extremely happy and ready to start this new chapter of our lives. Thanks to everyone for the continued love and support throughout the years!” This will be the first child for Duff, 23, and Comrie, 30.