As of this writing, I’m counting three different exclusives from Buckingham Palace regarding Archie’s birth certificate. So much for never complain, never explain, huh? Cough. The story started over the weekend, when the Sun pointed out that Archie’s birth certificate had been changed about a month after his birth, and that “Rachel Meghan” had been removed, with only Meghan’s title left on the legal document. The Sun spoke to a “carnival” of royal commentators who spun theories about why that happened and why it was a snub of the Duchess of Cambridge. Meghan responded, saying that the name change was “dictated by The Palace,” and that she had not requested the change, nor was it her call to remove her own name (in such a dehumanizing fashion) from her son’s birth certificate.

The first version/reaction from Buckingham Palace was that this was all just some big clerical error and that Meghan was making a mountain out of a molehill (from the Daily Beast). Then Page Six – the Murdoch press – said that the name mix-up was merely an issue with Kensington Palace staffers, although Buckingham Palace was apparently kept in the loop. Now the Telegraph claims that Meghan’s use of “dictated” was “unfortunate” especially because her own American team were to blame for the mix-up. Hm.

Buckingham Palace has denied the Duchess of Sussex’s claim that her son’s birth certificate was altered to follow royal protocol, describing her use of the word “dictated” as “unfortunate.” A royal source said that no such convention existed, diplomatically suggesting that there had been a misunderstanding by her new US-based staff, with the detail “lost in translation”.

But their assertion that the Duchess’s strongly-worded statement “posed more questions than it answered” indicated frustration about the manner in which the issue was addressed by her team.

On Sunday, it emerged that the Duchess’s given names, Rachel Meghan, were removed from her son Archie’s birth certificate in June 2019, so it read not “Rachel Meghan Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex” but “Her Royal Highness Duchess of Sussex”.

The change occurred 19 days after Archie’s birth certificate was registered on May 17 2019. The Duke’s name was also changed to insert the word “Prince”, which had been left out of the original. Following speculation about the reasons for the changes, the Duchess issued an attack on tabloid newspapers “and their carnival of so-called experts”. She said the alterations were forced on the couple by Palace officials.

However, a royal aide revealed that the change had been made by the Duchess’s palace staff in order to bring it in line with other private documents, such as her passport, which were changed following her marriage.

“These are civil documents, there is no protocol,” the source said.

The lack of any formal rules is illustrated by the fact that the Duchess of Cambridge gave her name as “Catherine Elizabeth her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge” on her children’s birth certificates. In contrast, Diana, Princess of Wales, simply gave her name as “Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales” on Prince William’s birth certificate.

[From The Telegraph via MSN]

I was going to try to translate the Palace’s third crack at explaining what happened but I’m at a loss? Are they saying that at the time – May/June 2019 – Meghan’s American staffers screwed up and deleted her name on the BC? Or is the Palace saying that Meghan’s current dumb, gauche American staffers don’t know anything about protocol and they’ve f–ked up with Meghan’s statement? All the while, royal commentators are gleeful at the thought of Buckingham Palace “putting Meghan in her place” for having the audacity to suggest that her child’s birth certificate was altered without her consent. When every version of BP’s story never really denies the fact that Meghan did NOT consent to having the birth certificate altered in that way, that the alteration was done by other people? Anyway, I think Buckingham Palace is lying and that’s why they’re nitpicking and acting fussy and trying to push all of these various excuses.

Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Avalon Red.

Angelina Jolie covers the latest issue of British Vogue and the photos are magnificent. The photoshoot took place at the LA mansion she bought following her separation from Brad Pitt, and it’s some kind of big, historic LA property. Angelina’s kids are all animal lovers, so little surprise that in recent years, the Jolie-Pitt clan has collected quite the menagerie as well, including two dogs who seemed to want to be in the editorial. British Vogue says these dogs are named Dusty and Sophia! Angelina also modeled some of the clothes in her own closet, including one caftan which makes my heart sing. “Angelina and her sack dresses” is the true untold love story. British Vogue also highlighted Angelina’s charity work, and her love of vintage fashion. You can read the British Vogue profile here. Some highlights:

Her personal style: “I invest in quality pieces, and then just wear them to death. Boots, a favourite coat, a favourite purse, I don’t change things often, you know? That’s one of my things.” Her favorite things include “a Phoebe Philo-era Céline Clasp bag, Valentino Vlogo sandals, Salvatore Ferragamo’s classic wool coat, Saint Laurent jeans, The Row’s Martina dress, and Gabriela Hearst’s Hermina and Iris dresses.” At home, it’s “robes… lots of robes, and kaftans,” she adds. Jolie recommends “enjoying your vintage pieces, if you have them, and rediscovering some vintage shops.” Her most prized pieces worn every day say a lot about her character: her mother’s Cartier watch and Guerlain beauty products, the smell of which also reminds Jolie of her.

Being at home in LA during the pandemic: “I think that like most families, we have had this bigger thing happening with the pandemic. But of course you also have these life markers. We went into it having just gotten out of the hospital with Zahara [who underwent surgery early last year], and we were so happy she was OK that we entered lockdown in a different state of mind. But, you know, there are also these other markers of life: Pax going into his senior year, but not being able to enjoy all that it is to be a senior; Zahara finally getting her driving licence, but she’s taking the test with the driver wrapped in the full outfit with the masks. It’s not how you imagine these moments. But birthdays go on, and I think that for many people, it’s made us all feel very human together. There’s something beautiful about that.

Her home, which is Cecil B DeMille’s former estate: “I wanted it to be close to their dad, who is only five minutes away. I felt a little pressure moving in. Like I had snuck into where DeMille and Chaplin would hang out. I love most that there is no entertainment room, but lots of pathways and places to walk and think. I feel very fortunate we have that at this time.

She never wanted a traditional life: “Well, I was never very good at sitting still. Even though I wanted to have many children and be a mom, I always imagined it kind of like Jane Goodall, travelling in the middle of the jungle somewhere. I didn’t imagine it in that true, traditional sense. I feel like I’m lacking in all the skills to be a traditional stay-at-home mom. I’m managing through it because the children are quite resilient, and they’re helping me, but I’m not good at it at all…. I love them. I feel like we’re such a team. It may sound clichéd, but you love and you try, and even if you burn the eggs, that doesn’t matter in the end. But also, you’ve met our kids. They’re pretty capable.

Her outlook these days: “I’m feeling that I’ve come through a few things. I’m trying to be hopeful. I think this is something we’ve all discovered through the pandemic.

Punk Rock: “Young people are engaged and ready to fight. But there is a level of misinformation we never faced growing up. We want the book to help give them the tools to strengthen their fight and empower them in a very practical way. Maybe it’s just the young punk in me, but I like the spirit of the youth. I believe they can see right and wrong with more clarity. I see a lot of older people making excuses for certain behaviours, and it tends to be the younger person who is quicker to say, “But this is simply wrong, and we stand against it.” I’ve wanted to remain that person.

On Marvel’s ‘Eternals’: “I love this cast, and that we all came together. I signed up to support Chloé [Zhao]’s vision and Marvel’s commitment to expand the way we see “superheroes”. Running around in a gold bodysuit was not how I imagined my forties. But it’s good crazy, I think.

Whether she’s happy now: “I don’t know. The past few years have been pretty hard. I’ve been focusing on healing our family. It’s slowly coming back, like the ice melting and the blood returning to my body. But I’m not there. I’m not there yet. But I hope to be. I’m planning on it. I do like being older. I feel much more comfortable in my forties than I did when I was younger. Maybe because… I don’t know… maybe because my mom didn’t live very long, so there’s something about age that feels like a victory instead of a sadness for me. So I like it. I’m looking forward to my fifties – I feel that I’m gonna hit my stride in my fifties. Though we were on the trampoline the other day, and the children said, “No, Mom, don’t do that. You’ll hurt yourself.” And I thought, “God, isn’t that funny?” There was a day I was an action star, and now the kids are telling me to get off the trampoline because I’ll hurt myself.

She loves her kids’ teenage years: “I was best friends with my mom. I loved having babies, but I love sitting up at night and talking to my kids. I like the teenage years. I like the older years. I love hanging out with them… They think that I’m a bit ridiculous, as they should. And they all know me in different ways. You know, they’ve all crossed into that moment when they realise that there’s nothing special about me. I’m just older. I don’t have all the secrets. I just mean well. I’m Mom.

[From British Vogue]

I always figured that Angelina would be the “cool mom” to teenagers, the one who would stay up with them and watch movies with them and be the one they could come to about love drama and grades and friendship advice. Which is a lot like Angelina’s mom was with her. Anyway, I like that she admits that everything wasn’t smooth sailing, that she’s taking a while to get her bearings and she doesn’t feel quite okay yet. It never fails to stress me out that Angelina is so hopeless when it comes to just basic cooking stuff or as she calls it, the “traditional stay-at-home mom” stuff. She’s been stuck at home in LA for a year, surely one of the kids taught her how to make sandwiches or cook pasta? It’s not that hard, Angie!!

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Photos and covers courtesy of British Vogue.

I got the Misto oil mist sprayer and it works great! You fill it halfway, pump it up and it sprays an even mist. That will help me save on those single use olive oil sprays. I also got the reusable mesh produce bags that we featured last year. They’re coming this week and I’m excited about those because I’m sick of using plastic bags for produce. I’ll let you know how they are. Oh and I’ve been using the FreshSaver produce saver sheets and noticed that my produce is lasting a lot longer than usual, particularly the broccoli. I just put a sheet in the produce drawer. Sometimes I use one in the bag with herbs too. Here are some more things I’m looking at on Amazon.

A hot and cold tumbler that will help you drink more water

I don’t drink enough water and think that if I got a fancy mug I could fix that. I’d love one with a straw and have heard that drinking coffee through a straw can help avoid staining your teeth. (Thanks Z!) This stainless steel mug by Artic Tumblers has 4,725 ratings, 4.6 stars and an A on Fakespot. It comes with a lid and a stainless steel straw with a comfortable rubber top so it’s not too hot or cold in your mouth. Plus there’s a little brush to clean the inside of the straw. It comes in 11 different colors and finishes and in 10, 20 or 30 ounce sizes. It keeps your drinks hot for up to 6 hours and can retain ice for a full 24 hours! Reviewers love how well it works and say it doesn’t even sweat like other tumblers. “Today, I left my iced tea (8 hours after pouring it in the tumbler, with ice) in my car, in the direct sunlight for 90 minutes. No way I would come out to find a cold drink, let alone any ice…But there it was, still cold, with ice still in it.” One guy wrote that he went canoeing, dropped his coffee in the lake and pulled it up and no water had gotten into it. “Bring it back up, open the hatch (which I thought wasn’t going to be a good lid cause it doesn’t have a latch thingy when it’s opened) but there sat my 2 cream coffee, untouched by the lakes water. Took a swig and I’ll be damned. Best damn coffee I ever had. Still hot too after being immersed in a cold lake.”

The bestselling lip scrub comes in three great flavors

First of all, if money is tight make your own lip scrub at home with brown sugar and honey. I shared the recipe here and I used a little container from Dollar Tree, which are about .20 each. You can make this at home for less than a $1 including the container. (Also I still make that DIY body scrub from that post, I love it!) This lip scrub from Handmade Heroes is the number one bestseller in lip scrubs. It has over 7,000 ratings, 4.4 stars and a B on Fakespot. It comes in Matcha Latte, Pina Colada and Coconut Sorbet varieties. Plus it’s vegan and all natural. It’s said to really solve the tissue of dry, peeling lips when nothing else worked for people. “My lips feel new! They are soft, took the dead skin off and look hydrated. Definitely recommend and the price is great!” “The little bit I have tasted tastes like an almond cookie! I used the lip scrub before bed, and I could immediately tell the difference. My lips are smoother and softer, and my chapstick lasts much longer on my lips. I made my husband use it once, and his lips were also much smoother and super soft after one use!”

A new cover for the garbage disposal that doesn’t flip over and get stuck

Does anyone else have this problem where the cover to their garbage disposal gets stuck upside down and you have to pry it out? This would happen to me almost every day and I would get annoyed and forget about it until I realized I could just order another stopper for it. I got this stopper after doing a lot of research and considering cheaper models. I will never have to dig the cover out of the sink again! This garbage disposal cover by InSinkErator has a unique design that lets water and food down when the screw top is open but easily closes down when needed. It also solves the issue of silverware and bottle tops going down the drain. I’ve had it for a few days now and it works great! It has over 1,000 ratings, 4.6 stars and a B on Fakespot. Reviewers say “It keeps large items like silverware from falling into the disposal opening while allowing water to flow freely.” “Having tried several other, cheaper sink stoppers we’ve found that you get what you pay for – and InSinkErator is worth the money.”

A set of heat resistant spatulas to upgrade your kitchen

I recently got a set of kitchen tongs through one of these posts, and they’re awesome, but I need to upgrade my other utensils. I’m still using a cheap black plastic spatula to cook with and my scrapey spatulas are just the plain plastic kind that often come off the handle. This is a set of 8 heat resistant spatulas and scrapers for $18. It comes in black, green and orange. It has over 1,900 ratings, 4.7 stars and an A on Fakespot. Reviewers say they’re stain proof, heat proof and like the little spatulas too. I’ve seen those skinny jar spatulas sold separately for cosmetics. They write “This set was one of the best investments I have made in kitchen tools.” “These have held up really well to heat and frequent use. I wash them in my dishwasher and that has yet to hurt them.”

A set of 10 essential oils for $22

This is a set of 10 essential oils by trusted brand Pura D’or. I use their shampoo and conditioner. This has over 10,500 ratings and 4.5 stars on ReviewMeta. (It only has a C on Fakespot but that’s decent for essential oils.) You get 10 .33 ounce essential oils including lavender, rosemary, lemongrass and peppermint, for under $22. They come in a lovely box suitable to give as a gift. People say they smell great too. “This was a wonderful combination of essential oils. This combination of essential oils is a great starter kit or great for regulars users. It also makes an incredible gift.” “The box was beautiful and for the money it was a real bargain.”

A weighted blanket for deeper sleep

We’ve featured weighted blankets before but I haven’t gotten one yet and that may change. This weighted blanket by Luna comes in different sizes and weights based on your body weight. Plus it’s available in 25 colors and prints. It has 4.7 stars, over 12,000 ratings and a B on Fakespot. People say it really works to help them fall and stay asleep. “Having battled insomnia, restless legs, joint pain, and muscle pain, I had read that a weighted blanket could help. Honestly, I hardly have sleepless nights now.” “ I was thinking about buying the gravity blanket, but I saw this one was half the price and I have no regrets. The material of the blanket is very soft and comfortable. The weight distributes evenly and you really don’t move when you sleep.”

A purse organizer to solve an issue you may have been ignoring

My purse is a mess now and I’ve just been dealing with it because I only go out once or twice a week. This felt purse organizer might make me feel ready to take on the next phase of my life. I am sold on this just looking at it. This purse organizer comes in three sizes and 13 different colors, all with a zipper coin pocket in the middle with inserts for your credit cards and multiple interior and exterior pockets for just about everything. This has over 12,600 ratings, 4.5 stars and a B on Fakespot. Women like how sturdy and durable it is and say it works better than they expected. “Great organizer with tons of pockets. Made of durable material which is why I purchased it. I’ve been through 2 of the flimsy organizers but this one should last for awhile.” “The zipper glides smoothly and it has lots of storage spots that are good sizes.”

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As we discussed, the royal reporters thought they could do a thing about Archie’s birth certificate. Archie’s BC had to be updated almost one full month after he was born, and Meghan’s name was taken off the document and in its place was only Meghan’s title, the Duchess of Sussex. The royal reporters gleefully suggested that this was some kind of “snub” of Kate, or some kind of early plot by Meghan involving the Sussexit. Meghan shot down the story by saying that the name change was “dictated by The Palace” and “not requested by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex nor by The Duke of Sussex.” She called out the “carnival” of royal commentators who suggested that Meghan “would oddly want to be nameless on her child’s birth certificate, or any other legal document,” and that the suggestion “would be laughable were it not offensive.”

The removal of Meghan’s name from the document was racist – the white duchess got HER name on her children’s birth certificates – and dehumanizing. Those same royal commentators who lied about Meghan and lied about her child’s birth certificate are now gleeful that they got a response from her. Tom Sykes has a petty piece about how Meghan’s statement proves that “Meghan still really hates the establishment at Buckingham Palace and resents them for depriving her of her voice, agency, and autonomy.” Sykes also points out that the Sun reached out to Meghan ahead of the publication of their story and that she didn’t comment. Which… why would she? The same publication which has spread lies about her for years, along with the Mail? At the end of Sykes piece, he noted this: “On Sunday, Buckingham Palace sources suggested that a ‘clerical error and nothing more than that’ was to blame for the alteration to Archie’s certificate.” A clerical error? A deliberate change in the birth certificate 29 days after Archie was born is merely a clerical error?

And if that’s not enough, it seems that Meghan’s icy statement sent Buckingham Palace into crisis mode. Not only did someone at BP push the “clerical error” excuse, but now this convoluted excuse is being pushed:

Meghan Markle left Buckingham Palace officials “baffled” by her statement saying they forced her to change her name on baby Archie’s birth certificate, Page Six is told. Shortly after her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, Markle — who was born Rachel Meghan Markle — had her name officially changed to Meghan, HRH The Duchess of Sussex, we have confirmed. This name is now believed to be on her passport and all official documents, as officially required by the Garter King of Arms and Senior Herald in England.

The Queen was the one to gift the Sussexes their titles upon their marriage. But following Archie’s birth at London’s private Portland Hospital on May 6, 2019, his mom’s name was registered as “Rachel Meghan, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex.” This was later amended to “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex” that June.

However, after Meghan’s statement, a well-placed source told us, “This is totally baffling. The Palace did not dictate anything, this amendment was made by staff within their former office at Kensington Palace and higher-ups at Buckingham Palace were always kept in the loop.”

Another source confirmed the Palace had nothing to do with it, adding, “The birth certificate was changed by the former Office of The Duke and Duchess to ensure consistency in the name and title of The Duchess of Sussex with other private documents.”

The Sussexes, however, did not request the change, we are told. It is believed to have been carried out by their former staff.

[From Page Six]

*sips tea* It sounds like Buckingham Palace is throwing Kensington Palace under the bus, right? BP is saying “it wasn’t us, we were merely kept in the loop.” Meghan’s statement said “dictated by the Palace” – which means she clearly believed the order came from BP, not KP, which does run independently. Even if there was a legitimate mix-up and KP staffers were unsure about how Meghan’s name and title should be listed given her married-name change on her documentation, that still doesn’t explain why they refused to even list her as HRH Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. They just put her title there. They could have taken off “Rachel” and just left “Meghan” and her title. Anyway, sounds like Meghan’s got some petty bitches scramblin’.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, social media, Backgrid.

It seems like ages since I last saw Michelle Pfeiffer, but she has been active the last few years. Michelle was in Avengers: Endgame, Murder on the Orient Express and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. But still I feel like I don’t see her much these days and it is always a treat when I do. Michelle is in the new film French Exit, out February 12th. Michelle plays New York socialite, Frances Price, who must start over in Paris with her son after she loses her wealth when her husband dies. In a new interview with Extra, Michelle says the script for French Exit was very compelling and discusses her character, Frances, seeking a psychic for guidance. Michelle says that she has a had couple of readings from a psychic and that were mind-blowing. Below are a few excerpts from the interview:

First, she opened up about her Showtime’s series “The First Lady.” Rachel asked, “Is it nerve-wracking for you to play such an iconic legend?”

Michelle confessed, “It is, and you don’t really think about that until you commit.” Smiling, she added, “And now I am doing a deep dive into it and I take it seriously… It’s a real person who has family and who was an incredible part of our history.”

The three-time Oscar nominee could see another nomination with “French Exit.” Pfeiffer plays a fiery redhead and once-wealthy socialite who loses it all after her husband dies. She moves to Paris to start over with her son, played by Hedges. Michelle said the script was like nothing she had read before. “All of them are somewhat lonely and disconnected and need help finding each other, and I just thought it was so unusual.”

Azazel added, “I was struck by how… all these characters really moved by the beat of their own drum.”

Rachel asked, “We see you communicating with the other side… Have you ever gone to a medium before… or maybe a psychic or had a card reading?”

Michelle said, “I am not going to share, but it was kind of fascinating, I have to say. I’ve had a few readings that were kind of mind-blowing.”

Lucas, “I had a reading, too, that the second I stepped into it was like mind-blowing clear and it felt deeply true.”

“French Exit” opens February 12.

[From Extra]

I had to watch this video several times to hear what Michelle was saying because I kept staring at the guy, Azazel Jacobs, with the huge afro. Like his hair was phenomenal and stole my attention. I need to know his secrets. I think it is so cool that Michelle has seen a psychic. As a tarot reader myself, I enjoy opening the other realms to my clients. As the reader, the experience can be just as exciting for us as it is for those receiving the reading. It is also very exciting to have someone like Michelle validate alternative spiritual practices. I also love that Lucas Hedges, who plays Michelle son Malcolm in the film, echoed her sentiments on getting a reading.

Michelle will always be the best Catwoman outside of Eartha Kitt and I will always be a fan. French Exit sounds like an intriguing movie and I look forward to watching it. I am also excited that Michelle will be returning to television by starring as Betty Ford in the Showtime series The First Lady. I hope that we get to see more of Michelle in the future. It feels like something is missing in Hollywood without her around. I would also like to add that Michelle looks damn good. I guess that’s what happens when you are unproblematic.

Here’s that interview!

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I wish everyone a happy Black History Month! It looks like it’s going to be a bad month for racists, dumbasses and Karens. Last night, the LA Lakers were playing the Atlanta Hawks. The NBA is allowing for limited in-person attendance for the games now, which includes courtside seats. Masks mandatory for attendees. Well, a blonde Karen (Karen was a Hawks fan) decided that she was going to be the one to talk sh-t to LeBron James on the first day of Black History Month. This is how the TV broadcast went:

You can see that Karen pulled her mask down to point her finger and scream at LeBron as he watched her from mid-court and seemingly explained to some Hawks players that he had no idea what she was on about. You can also see some security people starting to fuss around her, and shortly after this, she and her husband were kicked out of the game. We know this because she live-streamed herself whining about the whole ordeal. Since Karen wants to be famous, her real name is Juliana Carlos. She claims to be 25 years old and her husband is much older. After the game (which the Lakers won), LeBron said this:

James was not asked postgame about Carlos’ name-calling allegation, but he was not fazed by the incident and said he felt like an ejection was unnecessary.

“At the end of the day, I’m happy fans are back in the building,” he said after putting up 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds to help L.A. to the road win. “I miss that interaction. I need that interaction; we as players need that interaction. I don’t feel like it was warranted to be kicked out.”

He did say that alcohol could have been a factor, however. “They might have had a couple drinks, maybe. And they could have probably kept it going during the game, and the game wouldn’t have been about the game no more, so I think the referees did what they had to do.”

[From ESPN]

Other players and coaches on both teams noted that the fact that Karen pulled her mask down was more of a factor in her removal than the absolute hissy fit she directed at LeBron. After the game, LeBron dubbed her Courtside Karen which is *chef’s kiss*. I’m also including one of SEVERAL rants she posted online last night, just so you can see what LeBron was dealing with.

Courtside Karen was MAD MAD!! ???????

— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 2, 2021

“At the end of the day, I’m happy fans are back in the building. … I miss that interaction. … We as players need that interaction.”

LeBron on his interaction with spectators in Atlanta on Monday: pic.twitter.com/spWDITZqkl

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 2, 2021

PRAY FOR LEBRON pic.twitter.com/Z8oAhl2kqf

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) February 2, 2021

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid.

Last summer we talked about Jane Lynch and her girlfriend, Jennifer Cheyne, adopting senior dogs so they have a loving home for their final years. Because they only have their precious pups for a few years, they’ve been fortunate enough to welcome many into their home. While appearing on The Tonight Show, Jane and Jimmy Fallon bonded over the fact that they both have dogs with human names. Jimmy has a (girl) dog named Gary and Jane is mom to Mildred, but she’s also had Kevin, Millie, Benjamin, Olivia and Bernice. The reason Jane names her pets “people” names is because she knew she’d never have kids to name, so she gave all her baby names to her fur babies instead.

The first dog I had in college was named Kevin. We’ve had many dogs because we adopt seniors and we only get to keep them for a few years. We have many human names because I knew I wasn’t going to have kids. Right now we have Millie/Mildred, we had a regular Millie about three dogs ago, Benjamin, Olivia, Bernice just passed away.

[From The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon]

I just checked Jane’s IG and I believe Mildred is the only dog at home right now. Millie and Bernice were the two she posted about prior. Millie passed in 2019 and the last shot of Jane with a dog was with Bernice, who Jane told Jimmy recently passed. It would be hard to only have a few years with a dog but if you know that’s all you get going into it, I bet you can make the mental adjustments you need. It’s is such a loving act Jane and Jennifer are doing for these dogs. If I have the resources for the medical care later in life, I hope I can make this same pledge for either dogs or cats.

As for the names, I love them, and I love her reasoning. My dogs also have human names but that’s because they are named after humans, so it’s not quite the same. My boy, Truman, is Pres. Harry S. Truman, but his rescue name was True (and my friend’s dog is named Harry) so we decided to call him Truman. And the girl is Dorothy, but she’s named Dorothy Gale after the protagonist in Wizard of Oz. But the effect is the same when you are talking to them them and the telemarketer on the phone doesn’t realize it isn’t a human child being told not eat the couch pillow. Or when you casually mention to a neighbor who doesn’t know you well that you are so embarrassed that your sweet Dorothy peed on the mailman. The look is priceless.

And speaking of adopting dogs with human names: how about adding Oscar or Jin to your family? I’m very fortunate to volunteer on the adoption team for the DoVE-Project, who rescues dogs from the meat trade in Korea. These two are not only truly special but already in LA. Check out their IGs below and click their names for their Adopt a Pet pages. You can hit DoVE up on Insta or me up on Twitter with questions and please pass these on to anyone you think might be interested.

Meet OLIVER! Oliver’s been leaning into LA Lyfe by working on himself and getting in touch with his true Good Boy side. Now he’s happy to strut about town, stopping for the occasionally puppacino and gossip – which makes him a perfect fit for a CBer:

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Jive with Jin, our peace seeking pup. He’s earned top marks from our trainer and is looking for a safe and calm home, preferably without young children as Jin thrives in mellower environment (I hear ya, Jin). We can always send more pics and video if anyone is interested.

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Look at Mildred hanging out with Jane’s girlfriend Jennifer!

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Photo credit> Avalon, Instagram and You Tube

Taraji P Henson has been advocating for mental health awareness and self-care. First she launched the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation which was named after her father who suffered PTSD after serving in the Vietnam War. The BLHF also provides free virtual therapy for Black and underserved communities. Taraji also has a talk show for Facebook that focuses on mental health. Taraji entered the beauty industry last January with a 17-piece hair care line called TPH by Taraji, available at Target. Now, Taraji is adding to her haircare line collection with four additional products. With the launch, Taraji is sort of bringing two of her worlds together. She told People that haircare is a form of self care and mental pampering. Taraji also admited that she blocks out four hours in her home hair studio pampering herself while doing her hair. Below, is more on Taraji’s products and self-care rituals from People:

First up, a moisturizing conditioning mask called Mask On. “I did not have a deep conditioner in the line – and that’s the first thing I heard,” Henson says. Enter this nutrient-rich treatment that you “literally can leave in all day.” The star’s also proud of the product’s consistency. “It doesn’t drip – so there’s no waste. It stays where it’s supposed to stay, and does the job where it’s supposed to do it.”

Second in the set, a moisture-rich curl crème called Curls 4 Days. “I wanted a product that would moisturize curls but not leave them feeling icky.” A tip from Henson: “A little goes a long way, take your time to get the quantity you need just right.”

Of all the options in this drop, Henson personally needed Twist & Set – a twisting cream – the most. “I was having an issue with my twist outs. I couldn’t find anything that would keep my hair from shrinking, or that wouldn’t dry it out. So when I can’t find it, I create it.”

Last but not least: Keep Shining. This dry oil mist is for those who needed something a little lighter than her OG oil, Glow Up. Henson put it in a compact bottle on purpose. “When I have my hair out, it needs constant moisture. So this you can put it in your purse and take with you everywhere.”

Not only does she take product creation seriously, she hopes to change the narrative around the hair care process.

“It’s like, ‘Ugh, I’ve got to wash my hair, girl.’ It shouldn’t be like that,” Henson says. “The hair’s an extension of you and of your beauty, and you should enjoy taking care of yourself. It shouldn’t be a hassle. And that’s what we’re trying to accomplish with this line, and not like, ‘this is a chore.’”

Henson says that means turning wash day into spa day. “I take about four hours [to myself] because it’s not just about, let me clean my hair, it’s about mental pampering. I’ll come over to my salon [area], and I’ll be like, ‘Okay, first thing is the scalp,’ and I’ll do that. Then when my conditioner’s in, I’m sitting under the dryer, or I might even [create] a steam shower while it’s in so I can steam my hair. Then I’ll go on to pamper my hands and feet with paraffin wax. It’s a whole day on me.”

[From People]

I am loving everything Taraji has been doing with her fame. I love that she is highlighting mental health within the Black community specifically which I will continue advocate for. I also love that she has stepped into the beauty industry through hair care products that are reasonably priced like Gabrielle Union. I believe that Black hair care companies should be owned by as many Black women and men as possible. I have checked out Taraji’s products and I would love to try the dry oil mist and curl creme as well as a few products from Gabrielle’s product line.

I agree with Taraji that taking care of your hair is an extension of taking care of yourself. I have created a daily schedule for myself that incorporates several self-care routines that include home spa treatments, facials and diet habits that I am trying to stick to. I have realized that taking time to care for myself is very important, especially during this pandemic where I have had to postpone regimens like pedicures, manicures and facials. Taking the time to pamper myself is good for my overall mental health. I am excited about everything that Taraji is working on and cannot wait to report back about her haircare products. In the meantime, I am going to go soak in a hot tub with some yummy sea salts and candles.

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Photos credit: Backgrid and via Instagram

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