2. This was a thing, a glorious, glorious thing:

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3. You learned important stress management skills:

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4. Board games let you taste the future:

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5. Smaller was better:

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6. You could travel to the moon without leaving your backyard:

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7. It was okay to get messy:

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8. Vehicles shot pizza:

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9. You learned to live on the edge:

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10. The Power Rangers were still relevent:

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11. Product placement actually worked:

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12. Your toys could fit in your pocket:

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13. Beating up your friends was socially acceptable:

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14. You learned how to be responsible:

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15. There were only 151 pokemon:

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46 Penny-Pinching Ways To Save

A Lot Of Money This Year

 

Admit it: there's a small part of you that relates to the ladies on Extreme Couponing.

1. Make your own lotion soap.

You can customize with different kinds of molds, food coloring, and scented
essential oils. Get the directions here.

2. Don't leave soap sitting in water.

It will dissolve 50% faster.

3. Make your own liquid hand wash from a bar
of soap.

Get the directions here.

For foaming hand wash, re-fill the foaming dispenser with a mixture of one
part dish soap (or body wash) and three parts water.

4. Make your own oily hair "dry cleaner."

This recipe uses 2 very inexpensive ingredients: rubbing alcohol and corn
starch.

5. Try the "No Poo" method of cleaning hair.

Some people have had great success eliminating the whole wash-and-condition
hair regime. They claim it rejuvenates the hair shaft and fixes any dandruff issues.
Instead of using shampoo, massage baking soda into the scalp to clarify and follow with
an apple cider vinegar hair rinse. Conditioner is usually a lemon juice/vinegar
mix.

Read more about it here.

6. Switch from coffee to tea.

Easier said than done, but tea bags are usually cheaper than coffee beans.

Always brew tea in a teapot to maximize a single tea bag. You won't get the
bitter taste that comes with reusing. Or, better yet, use loose tea leaves,
which are meant to be reused.

7. Make your own convenience food kits.

Here's a recipe on how to make homemade Hamburger Helper.

Try this recipe for homemade Bisquick.

Get muffin, brownie, and waffle mix recipes here.

8. Learn how to make yogurt in a crock pot.

Click here for the full directions.

9. Make your own bread.

This artisanal bread costs only 40 cents a loaf and requires no kneading.

10. Pour your leftover wine into ice cube trays
and use them for cooking.

11. Buy meat on sale and make freezer meals
out of them.

You'll save time in the long run. Here's a comprehensive list of freezer meals.

For added convenience, pre-portion and label them before you freeze to
make defrosting a breeze.

12. Reuse your leftover scraps of food.

Put any leftover kale and celery stalks through a juicer.

Make cookies with leftover pie crust.

Here's a list of things you can do with leftover orange peels, beef fat, and
melon rinds.

Reuse your leftover pickle brine to make incredibly simple pickled green
tomatoesor pickled radishes.

13. Plant your green onion stubs — you'll have a
new bunch in just ten days.

The next time you've used up your green onions, put the white ends into a jar
of water. They'll start to grow almost immediately. This also works for celery
stalks.

Find out more about planting celery here.

14. Make your own seasonings.

Get recipes for taco seasoning, ranch dry mix, and pumpkin spice. They'll taste
better and eliminate a lot of the sodium fillers in store-bought spices.

15. Make your own microwave popcorn.

Not only will you save money, but you can use real butter and the seasonings
of your choice.

16. Use an app to help you save while grocery
shopping.

Scan any item using a free app called Pushpin and automatically save with
digital coupons.

17. Instead of eating out, learn how to make your
favorite restaurant foods at home.

Check out this Pinterest board for recipes for a bunch of copycat recipes.

Here's a good recipe for that famous ginger carrot dressing you get at sushi
restaurants.

18. Make your own reusable Swiffer pads.

Check out the tutorial here.

19. Buy melamine foam instead of Magic Erasers.

You can get 30 of these for $5.90. Melamine foam is the main component
of Magic Erasers.

20. Make your own laundry detergent.

A box of regular Tide costs $28 for 68 loads these days. Using this recipe, you can squeeze 96 loads out of $2.88.

21. Save electricity by using the rapid wash
setting on your washing machine.

You'll notice a difference in your electricity bill.

22. Never buy dryer sheets again.

Place a ball of aluminum foil in the dryer with your wet clothes. You can reuse
it many, many times and it will remove static cling.

23. Instead of using paper towels, make your own
cleaning cloths out of flour sacks.

There's minimal sewing involved, and one flour sack makes 16 cloths.

24. Store your makeup-removing face wipes
upside down, and cut them in half.

Storing them upside down will help them retain moisture. And they'll go the
extra mile if you cut each one in half.

25. Make mascara last 3x longer.

When it starts drying out, just add a couple drops of saline solution.

26. Squish your toilet paper rolls to avoid any
wasteful unraveling.

This is especially helpful if you have kids who consistently use too much
toilet paper.

27. Do your waxing at home.

Sally Hansen wax strips come with a $1 coupon in every box, so you'll save
even more money.

28. Sharpen a disposable razor on a pair of jeans
and it'll last up to 6 months.

Slide your razor across the entire length of jeans 10-20 times to take the
nicks out of the blade. Then switch directions. Also, be sure to prevent
oxidation/rust by keeping the razor dry between uses.

29. Repair your bras before buying a new one.

Don't throw your bra out when the underwire starts coming out. Here's an
easy wayto fix your bra in ten seconds with moleskin.

30. If you shop at Target, here are some tips:

"EVERY Target shopper NEEDS to know this: If the price ends in 8, it will
be marked down again. If it ends in a 4, it's the lowest it will be. Target's mark
down schedule. -
MONDAY: Kids’ Clothing, Stationery (office supplies, gift wrap), Electronics.
TUESDAY: Women’s Clothing and Domestics. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Clothing,
Toys, Health and Beauty. THURSDAY: Lingerie, Shoes, Housewares. FRIDAY:
cosmetics."

Another Target tip: get Target coupons online and STACK them with
manufacturers' coupons.

31. Use GasBuddy.com to compare gas prices
in your area.

Just enter in your zip code. It's also available in app form.

32. If you're an avid online shopper, use a service
like eBates to get cash back.

You might get anywhere between 1%-12%, but eventually it all adds up.

33. Buy your essentials from AliExpress.com,
if you don't mind long shipping times.

Shipping can take upwards of 3 weeks, but where else can you get bamboo
fiber socks for 81 cents apiece (with free shipping)?

Two tips: don't expect the best quality, and do your research.

34. Displace water in your toilet tank with a filled
plastic bottle.

You save around 10 gallons of water a day. A brick works, too.

35. Always check RetailMeNot.com before
purchasing anything online.

Always check this site before hitting the checkout button. Or you can do a
Google search for the company name + "coupon" or "promo code."

Download the RetailMeNot app and you can attempt to use the coupons while
shopping in-store.

If you can't find a discount code, email customer service and ask for one,
especially if it's your first time shopping with the retailer.

36. Share a Costco, Sam's Club, or BJ's
membership.

Rules vary on whether a different credit card name can be used, but if you
bring cash, you should be fine.

Or, just give $10 to a friend who has a Costco membership and ask them to
buy you a $10 gift card. According to Consumerist, if you receive a gift card
to Costco's, you can get in to shop without a membership.

37. Sign up for the Victoria's Secret mailing list.

Sure, you'll get an annoying catalog every week, but you'll also get a coupon
for a FREE PANTY every month. Never buy underwear again!

38. If you live in a deregulated state, you're
allowed to shop around for the best electricity
rates.

Check out the list of deregulated states here.

39. Find out if you're eligible for any discounts.

Check out these lists: 149 military discounts, 66 teacher discounts, 85 student
discounts, and 136 senior discounts.

Also, with a Triple A card, you can get 50% off prescription meds, along with 
many travel and movie discounts.

40. Recruit an affiliate buddy if you frequently buy
things from Amazon.com.

Sign up for their affiliate program, and convince a friend who also shops
often on Amazon to do the same. When they use your affiliate code, you get
up to 15% back on their purchase, and vice versa.

41. Borrow e-books from the library instead of
buying them.

Your Kindle will pay for itself. Find out how here.

42. The most effective fly repellent only costs a
penny.

Place a penny in a zip-loc bag filled with water. For some odd reason, it works.

43. Make your own pet toys from old t-shirts and
socks.

Get instructions here.

44. Refill pet meds at a drugstore or online.

They usually cost more if you get them directly from the vet, so get the vet
to write you a prescription and refill it elsewhere.

Read up on return policies and customer service if you decide to buy online.

45. Always pack a meal for your flight.

Airplane and airport food are so overpriced. Always prepare your own
meal or at least bring a snack.

46. Keep things that have multiple uses on hand.

17 uses for Alka-Seltzer.

130 uses for vinegar.

30 unusual uses for aluminum foil..

52 uses for rotisserie chicken.

Unusual uses for olive oil.

A whole bunch of uses for hydrogen peroxide.

1. Coffee Cup Quiche

2. Instant Blueberry Muffins

3. French Toast In A Cup

4. "Baked" Oatmeal In A Mug

5. Cinnamon Roll In A Cup

6. Coffee Cup Coffeecake

7. Banana Bread In A Mug

8. Mac and Cheese In A Cup

9. Meatloaf In A Mug

10. Coffee Cup Chilaquiles

11. Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake

12. Nutella Mug Cake

13. Cheesecake In A Mug

14. Chocolate Fudge S'mores Mug Cake

15. Cookie In A Mug

16. Strawberry Mug Pie

17. Chocolate and Caramel Mug Cake

18. Sticky Date Pudding In A Mug

15 Celebs You Can't Explain Your Attraction To. . .

He's either murdered someone or manages a pet store that only sells ferrets.
But just because his eyes are crazy, doesn't mean they're not sexy.

2. Martin Freeman

He looks like that super boring neighbor who yells when the christmas lights
stay up too long and goes golfing on Sundays with his fellow dentists. But
then smiles all cheekily and I remember he's still a hobbit.

3. Adrien Brody

Between the douche-y facial hair and his penchant for fedoras, Brody
looks like he's perpetually on his way to his next local DJ gig. BUT HIS
EYES ARE SO DREAMY (and have you seen how graceful and powerful
his arms are in The Pianist).

4. Taylor Momsen

Generically hot goth girl is still unfortunately hot.

5. Michael K. Williams

I'm pretty sure Omar could kill me with one mean look (or that alligator
skin jacket), but MKW is just incredibly charming in velvet bowties.

6. Sarah Jessica Parker

She looks like that super intense, super hot stage/show mom that makes
you glad you never procreated with her.

7. Jesse Plemons

I hate that he looks like Matt Damon's evil twin brother. But maybe it's the
hint of ginge that makes him so much sexier?

8. Hilary Swank

She can definitely beat you up, but maybe it'd be sexy* like 50 Shades of
Grey.

*Pinterest told me this, I haven't actually read it myself.

9. Mickey Rourke

Pretty sure his face is made out of the same pleather as my purse, and
it should be gross but it just makes him ruggedly handsome.

10. Chloe Sevigny

Like a dowdy milk maid that sneaks clove cigarettes when her parents aren't
looking. I guess it appeals to the bratty 16-year-old that I use to be.

11. Andy Samberg

You guys, why is this floppy haired muppet so attractive? Is it the butt chin?

12. Aziz Ansari

A perpetual wobbly bobblehead with swag.

13. Laura Carmichael

Carmichael plays the forever dowdy Lady Edith, but something about the
school marm meets debutante look is appealing. Maybe it's because I
keep imagining her as Jack and Rose's secret daughter?

14. Ben Wishaw

I haven't been this skinny since I was nine, but it works with Wishaw's
sexy waifish face.

15. Helena Bonham Carter

She's a forever '90's Alterna-Prom Queen. I hate that I love it.

Fashion can be a GIRLS best friend, or worst enemy. Check out some
DOs and DON'Ts we've learned through the years

1. DON'T: Abuse your self tanner.

2. DO: Break out crop tops in the summer. Every now and then, it's cool to wear one.

3. DON'T: Always dress exactly like your
identical twin. It gets confusing.

4. DO: Rock the docs!

5. DON'T: Be afraid to mix prints.

6. DO: Be bold.

7. DON'T: Experiment with chokers.

8. DO: Embrace your free-spirit

9. DON'T: Wear jorts. Period.

10. DON'T: Attempt to blend in with your shower curtain.

11. DO: Stay away from unnecessary shoulder padding.

12. DON'T: Be afraid to show off your waist.

13. DON'T: Overdo it with the animal print

14. DO: Have some "pops" of color

15. DO: Show off your "tail".

16. DON'T: Wear a bird on your head, girl.

17. DON'T: Underestimate the power of a headband.

18. DON'T: Wear this hat.

ALWAYS: Incorporate your pets into your style.

10 Grandiose Proclamations About
What Women Will Do In 2013

They'll rule TV, buy a lot of cell phones, and wear blue.

The folks over at Slate wonder: "Could this finally be the year that,
after more than a decade of prestige cable television dedicated to the
anxieties of amoral, middle-aged men, women finally get their shot at star
billing, both in front of the camera and behind it?"

Indeed, cable shows like Girls, Homeland, Shameless, and even 
The Walking Deadwill mean more excellent leading roles for females in
2013. But... they also did in 2012.

2. And they will "change the face of the GOP."

U.S. News says that in 2013, women like New Hampshire Senator Kelly
Ayotte and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley will revolutionize a
Republican party that, throughout 2012, was criticized for being full of white
men. Republicans do need to appeal to women (particularly after the "legitimate
rape" debacle), but with just four Republican female senators, four Republican
female governors, and 19 Republican women in the House, it'll be a fairly
steep uphill battle.

3. They will wear blue.

And not just any old blue! It'll have to be Monaco Blue, Pantone's top color
for women's clothing in Spring 2013. You'll need to throw away all powder
blue and royal blue, pronto.

This is NOT to be confused with the Color Of The Year, which for 2013,
is Emerald, and is universal and gender-blind.

4. But when they marry, they will wear red.

A bunch of celebrities wore non-white wedding dresses last year (Anne
Hathaway, Jessica Biel) and designers like Oscar de la Renta showed
colorful dresses for their 2013 collections. Wedding industry experts say
this means to expect wedding dresses in colors like blue and red.

5. Women will buy a lot of smartphones.

Women with smartphones reportedly text more and use more social media
than their male counterparts, so naturally, women are becoming the key target
for smartphone makers. Oh great, all the new phones will be be pink and
sparkly! Err, let's hope not.

6. That includes your mother.

This female usage of smartphones will particularly rise among the 50 and up
set, says the Apollo Research Institute.

7. Women will finally, maybe, get some more
startup funding.

“In 2013, we expect to see more women receiving funding," says the
well-regardedWebbmedia Group 2013 Tech Trends report. Over the past
few years, women have notably struggled to secure venture capital funding
for tech startups, largely attributed to gender stereotypes that suggest men
are better at coding and running tech companies. A 2012 AdWeek story 
called these men "bro-grammers." Let's also hope we don't hear that
god-awful term in 2013.

8. They will be really happy, if they're doctors.

Being a "diagnosing medical doctor," i.e. a physician, dentist, or optometrist is the "best job for women in 2013," according to Dr. Laurence Shatkin, an expert in job markets who wrote Best Jobs for the 21st Century. Female doctors apparently hit the happy medium: they have a strong career trajectory, they make good money, and oh... they also like their jobs.

9. We'll stop caring about women's issues.

After all the attention given to women in 2012 (see: the debate over Planned
Parenthood's funding during the election, the general "war on women," etc.), 
Policy Mic says the attention paid to women's issues will drop. The argument
is that, since abortion rights, access to contraception, and equal pay won't
win or lose anyone an election in 2013, people will stop caring about those

issues entirely.

30 Ways To Instantly Transform Your Workspace

Whether you have a home office or squeeze your stuff into a cubicle, these handy tricks will make working a little less insufferable.

Just be sure to wash them thoroughly or your rubber bands will forever smell of cumin.

2. Never spill again with this portable drink holder.

It clips onto the edge of your desk and will prevent the dreaded soy-latte-meets-MacBook-Pro disaster from occurring.

3. Keep papers and pens neat with an organizer made from an old frame.

Directions here.

4. Turn a frame into a dry-erase to-do list.

Here's how.

5. Make these colorful organizers out of tin cans.

Directions here.

6. Stack them to save space.

7. Cover them in chalkboard paint for easy labeling.

8. Happen to have a spare Slinky? Use it to hold your writing utensils.

I mean who doesn't have an extra Slinky or ten lying around?

9. Keep your cables neat with this desk-mounted organizer.

It's only $9.99 and you'll never suffer the indignity of scrabbling around on the floor looking for the outlet again.

10. Attach a small hook underneath your desk to keep cords out of the way.

Here's how.

11. Label cords with bread tags.

First you'll have to eat a lot of bread, but we all make sacrifices.

12. Binder clips make great cord catchers.

13. Trick out a file cabinet with squares of wallpaper.

Fabric and contact paper work too.

14. Create a corner shelf with room for paper storage out of a magazine rack.

Find out how here.

15. Use the sleeve from your morning coffee to ensure your earbuds don't get tangled.

You'll have the best mornings ever now.

16. Keep loose papers out of the way by attaching clipboards to the wall.

Directions here.

17. Use one to display your to-do list.

This person clearly has no obligations at all.

18. Make over your desk chair.

If someone tries to steal your chair, you'll know. Here's how.

19. Make a compact charging station out of a lotion bottle.

Nobody will ever know what it used to be.

20. Store supplies in an under-the-shelf wine rack.

Store wine there too. Directions here.

21. Line the back of a bookshelf with contact paper to give it some life.

Find out how here.

22. Build your own bookshelf using crates.

You can make it larger or smaller depending on your space restrictions. Find out howhere.

23. This beautiful bookshelf is made from Ikea crates secured with binder clips.

You might want to nail or screw it into the wall if you're worried about stability. (We <3 Ikea to the moon and back but it's not exactly known for its incredible show of strength.) Directions here (in Swedish).

24. Pegboards are great space-savers.

Keep important reminders and photos you love at eye-level.

25. Attach baskets to pegboard for accessible paper storage.

They're easy to rearrange. Here's how.

26. This keyboard memo pad makes taking notes and writing down important reminders (with a pen! In your hand!) easy and unobtrusive.

Buy it here.

27. Keep small items in ice cube trays.

You can swap out paper clips and brads for thread and beads, depending on your industry. Ice trays work well as dividers in drawers too.

28. Use a dishrack as a ready-made filing system.

29. Decorate boring binders with iron-on transfers.

They'll make even your tax returns look pleasant and peaceful. Directions here.

30. Rolling file cabinets make it easy to rearrange your space quickly.

Move them an inch or two every day and drive your annoying office-mate INSANE. Or just tuck them out of the way when you need to make room. Buy them here.

Why go out to a stuffy, crowded bar when you can stay home, take off your clothes, and consume a pizza and an entire bottle of wine?

1. Let's get right to the point: Your friends are probably gonna get annoying and drunk anyway.

2. Then someone will get WAY too clingy.

3. And things'll get REAL weird REAL quick.

4. BUT if you stay in...you can lounge around in your sweats.

5. Or your panties.

6. Or, hell, NOTHING AT ALL.

7. JUST LET IT ALL HANG LOSE.

8. You can wriggle out of that uncomfortable sweater you hate.

9. You don't have to worry if it's raining or snowing outside.

10. You can just curl up on the couch next to a comfy pillow.

11. Wrap yourself in a blanket.

12. Maybe read a book?

13. Definitely watch your shows.

14. Or watch "Matilda" on Netflix.

15. Or just surf the sites.

16. You can be your weird self.

17. Do that freaky thing you always wanted to try.

18. Just think of all the money you'll save by NOT GOING OUT!

19. Obviously, you can crack open a soda.

20. Or a cold beer.

21. Or a whole bottle of wine.

22. And sit back with a friend and guzzle.

23. And, when you're inside, you have free access to all of your food reserves.

24. Or you can order a pizza!

25. Most importantly, you can just sit back.

26. Collapse.

27. And forget about that long week you had at the office.

28. Put your legs up.

29. Slide into a comfortable position.

30. And chill.

31. Nobody to worry about but yourself.

32. Nothing to worry about until Monday.

33. You can just lounge.

34. Lounge as hard as you want.

35. Pull up the covers.

36. And pass out whenever you want.

37. Best of all, you'll be home and ready for brunch the next day!

Real-life actors and directors get their fair share of press, but what about their fictional counterparts? Here are some of film's most memorable Hollywood movers and shakers.

Before Lindsay Lohan, there was Neely O'Hara (Patty Duke). One of Valley of the Dolls's three tragic leading ladies, Neely got hooked on dolls (prescription pills) and booze. Worse, she became a real pain in the ass to work with. Neely was based on Judy Garland, who had a part in the film but was eventually fired.

2. Les Grossman ("Tropic Thunder")

Tom Cruise was nearly unrecognizable in Tropic Thunder, but those in the entertainment industry likely recognized the character. Whether or not Les Grossman has a real-life inspiration, there are plenty of overbearing Hollywood producers who think they're a lot hipper than they really are.

3. Guido Anselmi ("8 1/2")

Poor Guido (Marcello Mastroianni) has director's block — hey, it's a thing — and a very complicated love life. (The latter's not always such a bad thing.) Throughout 8 1/2, he gets lost in his memories and fantasies as he struggles to complete his current project, a science fiction film.

4. Sandy Bates ("Stardust Memories")

Clearly an homage to Guido, Woody Allen's director character Sandy Bates has to deal with fans who prefer his "earlier, funnier movies" — kind of like Woody Allen. Stardust Memories was shot in black-and-white as a parody of 8 1/2. Sandy's fans would almost definitely hate it.

5. Elise Elliot ("The First Wives Club")

Elise (Goldie Hawn) isn't shallow: she's just misunderstood. Probably because she's plumped her lips up with so much collagen she can barely speak. Luckily, she's eventually able to mellow out and get sober. She even lands a role in a Broadway play, the perfect comeback for the film star.

6. Norma Desmond ("Sunset Boulevard")

While we're on the subject of faded leading ladies, who could forget Sunset Boulevard's Norma Desmond? Modeled after Norma Talmadge and played by Gloria Swanson, Desmond was a fallen screen idol dreaming of her comeback. Spoiler alert: never gonna happen.

7. Cecil B. Demented ("Cecil B. Demented")

Norma Desmond had her Cecil B. DeMille, but John Waters gave us Cecil B. Demented (Stephen Dorff). A "kamikaze filmmaker," he's willing to kidnap an A-list star for his art. He's also willing to die for it — not to mention get some of his associates killed.

8. Johnny Marco ("Somewhere")

Stephen Dorff also played Johnny Marco in Somewhere, Sofia Coppola's subtle drama about a famous actor reconnecting with his 11-year-old daughter. With so many troubled actresses on this list, shouldn't there be a struggling, boozy actor represented? Thanks for being such a screw-up, Johnny.

Dana Marschz ("Hamlet 2")

From failed actor to high school drama teacher, Dana Marschz's story is a sad one. Steve Coogan plays human flop Dana in Hamlet 2, a hilarious satire that never really got its due. Neither did Dana, whose biggest credits were an episode of Xena and a herpes commercial.

9. Vicki Lester ("A Star Is Born")

Of course, success isn't always a good thing. Just ask Vicki Lester (Judy Garland). In the first remake of A Star Is Born, Vicki does her best to maintain her career while taking care of her mess of a husband, alcoholic actor Norman Maine. In real life, Garland had plenty substance abuse problems of her own.

Baby Jane ("What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?")

Being a child star is hard! Bette Davis gives it a particularly demented spin in camp classic What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? With caked-on makeup, Jane goes full-on murderess as a result of her dark past and twisted obsession with fame. She's also not a great sister to Blanche (Joan Crawford).

10. Buddy Ackerman ("Swimming With Sharks")

As far as terrible bosses go, few are worse than Buddy Ackerman (Kevin Spacey). Buddy is a tyrannical, abusive movie mogul, but that's just because he's trying to teach his naive assistant how to make it in the business. Some say Buddy was inspired by Scott Rudin -- which is, of course, just speculation.

11. Carl Denham ("King Kong")

Another not-so-great boss: Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong). Hell, he just wanted to make a great picture, but he put his cast and crew in considerable danger in the process. He's also sort of responsible for the whole King Kong rampage. In Peter Jackson's remake, Jack Black steps into Carl's shoes.

12. Marilyn Hack ("For Your Consideration")

Poor Marilyn Hack (Catherine O'Hara) finally found her comeback in Home for Purim. There was even talk of an Oscar nomination! But as Christopher Guest's For Your Consideration reminds us, it's all too easy to get caught up in the buzz. Marilyn ends up with horrible plastic surgery and no Oscar nod.

Charlie and Donald Kaufman ("Adaptation")

Twin-brother screenwriters, both played by Nicolas Cage, Charlie and Donald Kaufman battle for success in Spike Jonze's trippy Adaptation, loosely inspired by the real Charlie Kaufman's attempts to adapt Susan Orlean's book The Orchid Thief. The film takes several dark turns before The Orchid Thief screenplay gets finished.

10 Scientific Tips For Sticking To Your Workout Routine

From choosing a fitter buddy to bringing your dog to work, here's what recent research has to say about actually getting yourself to exercise.

In a 2012 study, stationary bikers were told they were "competing" against another biker who had previously biked for longer than they had, and whom they could see via video chat. Actually, the "chat" was just video footage on a loop, but the bikers who were told they were competing still biked for 90% longer than they had when no competition was involved. Takeaway: working out with someone more athletic, even via Skype, might make you push yourself more.

2. Try exercising outside.

One study found that people who exercised outside were more likely to say they planned to do the same activity again than those who worked out indoors. The study didn't follow up to see if people actually followed through on their intentions, but exercising outside outside has other benefits too — it boosts energy and relieves depression better than working out in the gym.

3. Use exercise video games as a gateway drug.

A review of the literature on "exergames" like Dance Dance Revolution and Wii Fit found that they weren't as good as real-life exercise. But the author of the review said the games could help sedentary people get moving: "For those not engaging in real-life exercise, this may be a good step toward this."

4. Thirty minutes might be just as good as an hour.

A group of moderately overweight Danish men who exercised for 30 minutes a day for three months in a recent study actually lost more weight than a group who worked out for 60 minutes. Of course, not everyone exercises for weight loss, but it's worth noting that just a half hour can have an effect on your body. And the study authors speculate that one reason the 30-minute timeframe was effective was that it motivated the men to move around more throughout the day.

5. Need motivation? Think how much smarter exercise will make you.

Studies have shown that exercise helps people do better on cognitive tests, can improve memory, and protects the brain from age-related decline. So if you go for a run, you might do better at your job and Words With Friends, too.

6. Or look forward to better times in the bedroom.

Other research shows that exercise can improve "E" function. And some women actually have the big "O" from exercise.

7. Take your dog to work.

A study on employees who took their dogs to work found that one of the many benefits was that employees got exercise on their breaks by taking the dogs for walks. The dogs also significantly reduced employees' stress, and study authors "observed unique dog-related communication in the workplace that may contribute to employee performance and satisfaction."

8. You don't have to lift huge weights.

Last year, a group of researchers concluded that lifting lighter weights with many repetitions could be just as effective at building muscle as lifting heavy weights with fewer reps. So don't worry if you can't bench press a million pounds — just do a few more lifts.

9. Keep your hands cold.

This is a weird one, but a device that kept the palms of the hands cold helped a group of women in one study feel more comfortable exercising and thus stick with an exercise program longer. The study authors say keeping a cold water bottle in your hand could have the same effect, helping you feel less hot, sweaty, and tired.

10. Drink red wine!

Researchers found that resveratrol, found in fruit, nuts, and red wine, improved exercisers' strength and performance. Some caveats: the exercisers were rats, and the doses of resveratrol they got were probably higher than you'd get just from drinking. But if you need an excuse to enjoy a glass of wine as part of your workout program, here it is.

 

It's cold and you're hungry. Here are some things to cook.

Get this seasonal calendar from Claudia Pearson.

1. Braised Short Ribs

2. Sweet Potato Risotto

3. Kale Salad

4. Banana Bread Oatmeal

5. Cleansing Ginger-Chicken Soup

6. Beef Pho

7. Swedish Meatballs

8. Cabbage, Onion, Walnut Tart

9. Butterscotch Pudding

10. Duck Confit

11. Miso Glazed Black Cod

12. Carrot Soup

13. Eggplant Parmesan

14. Chicken And Dumplings

15. Blood Orange, Beet, and Fennel Salad

16. Lasagna

17. Leek and Garlic Soup

18. Panzanella Salad with Butternut Squash

19. Pumpkin Pie Bread Pudding With Bourbon Icing

20. Cauliflower Curry

21. Beef Tenderloin

22. Chocolate Chip Cookie Bailey’s Milkshakes.

23. Pomegranate, Apple, And Kale Salad

24. Chicken Pot Pie

25. Sweet Potato Tacos with Avocado

26. Soba Noodles

27. Beer and Bacon Butter Beans

28. Apricot, Pistachio, And Coconut Granola

29. Sausage Pizza

30. Vegetarian Chili

31. Mac and Cheese

 When We Were Kids

Taste in hairstyle undoubtedly changes as people get older. Some folks settle into a single look upon adulthood, while others revamp their looks every few years, like a traveling Madonna impersonator. But one thing is universally true: we all liked some freaky hair styles as kids.

Blonde Cornrows: They're what happens when you can't choose between Ludacris and Zack Morris as your childhood idol.

2. Bowl Cuts

Bowl Cuts: Unfortunately, just don't age well, despite their geometric innovation. Even Tom Brady, at the height of his power, couldn't pull one off.

3. Frosted Tips

Frosted Tips: A technique that works much better on Wheaties than it does on humans.

4. The Jonathan Taylor Thomas (The JTT)

The JTT: A swooping-bangs hairstyle that can only be worn by Jonathan Taylor Thomas. Justin Bieber will probably try to pull off the JTT in the next few years, but will he have the courage and patience to make it stick?

5. Hair Beads

Hair Beads: Has anyone ever looked happier than the girls in the hair beads infomercials? They look like someone just told them that school is cancelled forever and Selena Gomez wants to be their new best friend. Just don't let their happiness trick you into wearing hair beads to a job interview. You'll turn around too fast and accidentally blind your potential employer with a whip of the hair. Awkward.

6. Ramen Noodle Hair