1. Bed-Vyne Wine Pinot Noir Lisboa, Portugal, $9.99

2. Helliemae’s Classic Salt Caramels, $10

3. Home Goods Red Champagne Glasses (set of 4), $19.99

4. Toysmith Ultimate Spy Watch, $16.99 overstock.com;

5. TJ Maxx Clear Initial Blocks, $24.99

6. The Body Shop Joy Vanilla Box Set, $15

7. 808 Home Currant Scented Candle, $14

8. Paste Paper Journals, Cosmopolitan Size, $18

9. Katty’s Handcrafts Twisted Knit Headband, $25

10. C. Wonder Zodiac Glass Plates & Paper Coasters, $14

11. T.J. Maxx Antler Candle Holders, starting at $4.99 ;

12. Eat Creations Vintage Spoon Garden Markers, $17 etsy.com;

13. Sparklepop Colorful Statement Earrings, $18 etsy.com

-By Daisy Lewellyn

There is something that clicks in your brain when you are told your mom is dying. I don’t know how to explain the feeling other than a mixture of adrenaline, fear, despair, and a weird calmness that feels more like emptiness. On October 31, of this year my mom found out the pain in her back is cancer. There are four tumors total, all small in size but in different areas. She is weak and constantly in pain. I have been camped out at the hospital in-between work. Apparently the cancer is aggressive and it’s stage 4.

Why the fuck did this happen? I felt angry and cried for three days straight. The thing is, this cancer is not mine, it is my mom’s and I am already mourning her as if she is gone. This is not the way to be … EVER.

The doctors can’t identify the point of origin for the cancer. First, they treated the tumors in her back, which are approximately three centimeters, with radiation. That began Monday. Then came chemotherapy.

Prayer helps, although I have to admit, I was mad as hell at God. I thought how the hell could he let this happen? Why my mom? Why anyone’s mom? She has literally sacrificed her entire life for the sake of my siblings and myself. Constantly helping us through every damn thing. Helping my grandmother, aunt, and uncles whenever they needed her, and this is how she is rewarded … with fucking cancer?! I am sure God hears these words said by millions of people when it comes to cancer. It’s an epidemic here in the United States, and I know God didn’t “let” this happen. He does not want my mom or anyone else with this disease to suffer, or even be infected with it. I apologized to God, it was my anger, and fear that got to me and I took it out on him.

This pic is pure mom — me and my sister Melea as kids. And yes, my mom dressed us alike, it was the 1980s and sweater vests were dope! Don’t be jealous. My sister and I have cried endlessly, but then decided that we have to fight and we have to be strong for our mom. Mom has always been the anchor of our family, and my person. I tell her everything and vice-versa. My sister and I have decided that we will have to be each others anchor from now on. No crying in front of mom and no giving up. The oncologists say they are fighting too, and we literally got blessed with the head of the oncology department treating mom. The internal medicine doctor came in and said it’s a matter of months. My family and I believe only God knows when we are leaving this Earth, not a pain medication doctor, but we know the odds are not in our favor.

How are you supposed to just sit back and watch the most important person in your life die? I can’t stop researching cancer stats and alternative supplements to help mom. Everything from ImmuneBoost which costs over $120 per bottle, to Mistletoe extract, Cannabis oil, and Acupuncture. You can’t just accept what anyone says. You have to always fight no matter what. Mom taught us that. I never take no for an answer. One day at a time. I told mom that we will get through this, and if God does decide to take her sooner than later, she can go knowing that my sister and I will be OK. Our hearts will never fully heal, but because she raised us so well, our strength and sisterhood will get us through. When I was younger my mom made our Halloween costumes, took us to ballet, paid for my piano lessons, took me to see The Phantom of the Opera for my tenth birthday, and was strict in all the ways we needed. Now she needs us in a way no parent ever thinks they will. We may be down, but we sure as hell are not out. Fuck cancer. Let the fight begin.

Cleveland police have released video of the fatal shooting of 12-year old Tamir Rice at the hands of one of its rookie officers who mistook Rice’s BB gun for a handgun.

Timothy Loehmann, 26, shot the boy on Sunday after a 911 caller reported seeing the boy waving around his gun in the park. He responded to the call along with Officer Frank Garmback, 46, who drove the cruiser. The caller told the dispatcher that it was “probably fake,” but the dispatcher did not relay this information to the officers.

The video, taken from surveillance footage from a nearby building, shows Rice intermittenly pointing his gun in the park and speaking on his cellphone without the gun in his hands. Then, after the police car pulls up, the video shows Rice reaching for his waist and being fatally shot by Loehmann. The shooting happened two seconds after the cruiser pulled up, according to the surveillance.

According to the officers, when they pulled up to the scene, Loehmann yelled through hid open door three times for Rice to raise his hands. He says that after he saw him reach for his waistband, he made the decision to shoot.

After the boy is shot, the footage shows Loehmann kicking away the replica gun. One of the officers then reported in a call to the dispatcher, “Shots fired. Male down. Black male, maybe 20. Black hand gun.”

In fact, Rice is 12 and it was a replica “airsoft” BB gun, which shoots plastic pellets. They typically have orange tips to indicate that they are fake, but Rice was reportedly missing this piece.

According to Cleveland Police Deputy Chief Edward Tomba, both officers have given statements and are on administrative leave. He said that the call from the dispatcher was also under investigation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released the results of a national health survey, which found that the proportion of young adults who smoke cigarettes has reached a new low. What’s more, of those who do smoke, they are smoking less than in previous years.

Less than 18% of U.S. adults–about 42.1 million people–were “current cigarette smokers” as of 2013. That is the lowest percentage since the annual survey began keeping track in 1965. The survey considered participants as current smokers if they’d smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime or if they claimed to smoke “some days” or “everyday.”

The proportion of current smokers who are daily smokers fell from 80.8% in 2005 to 76.9% in 2013, which translates to about 32.4 million adults. Even those daily smokers are smoking less than they did in years prior. In 2007, daily smokers puffed an average of 16.7 cigarettes  day, which dropped to 14.2 in 2013.

The number of people who smoked also varied on racial, educational, regional and sexual orientation lines.

Smoking is the leading cause of premature death in the United States, killing 480,000 Americans each year and costing the economy $289 billion in annual health costs and lost productivity, according to the study authors.

Although these are positive indicators, Americans are still a ways off from meeting the Healthy People 2020 target, which aims to hold adult smokers to no more than 12%.

To further reduce smoking rates, the study authors suggest the use of “proven” interventions, including easy access to quit lines, smoke-free policies for public spaces, higher cigarette prices and anti-tobacco mass media efforts.

Friday Congressional Aide Elizabeth Lauten took to her not so private Facebook page to share her opinion on President Obama’s daughters, Sasha and Malia.

During the airing of the annual turkey pardon, where Barack Obama spares the life of a couple of turkeys by setting them free from ending up on Thanksgiving tables around the world, Sasha and Malia stood by their father’s side as he made puns about the lives of turkeys. Elizabeth Lauten  didn’t like what she saw from the two First Daughters, and felt the need to share her passionate thoughts on their behavior and appearance with her Facebook friends. GOP Lauten had this to say,

Dear Sasha and Malia: I get you’re both in those awful teen years, but you’re a part of the First Family, try showing a little class. At least respect the part you play. Then again your mother and father don’t respect their positions very much, or the nation for that matter, so I’m guessing you’re coming up a little short in the “good role model” department. Nevertheless stretch yourself. Rise to the occasion. Act like being in the White House matters to you. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar. And certainly don’t make faces during televised, public events.

Let’s face it, standing around while your father pardons the life of a few turkeys sounds like an event any young teenager would be too embarrassed to stick around for. Not to mention, all the gobble gobble jokes President Obama made are enough to make anyone feel slightly uncomfortable. But were the girls disrespectful? Did they lack class? Did they look like they were on their way to the bar?!? Lauten seems to be way out of line from her duties as Communications Director, to be commenting on the behavior of two teenage girls, yet alone the President’s kids. Elizabeth must have realized the fault in her statement because she quickly snatched the message off of her Facebook page. She also sent out an apology message.

Take a look at the video of Sasha and Malia at the White House turkey pardoning for yourself. Do you agree with Elizabeth Lauten? Did the girls lack class? Let us know in the comments below.

Ray Rice, former running back of the Baltimore Ravens if officially eligible to join an NFL team. Rice won his appeal after being permanently suspended from the association and is now a free agent eligible to play on any NFL team.

In a statement released Friday, the controversial football star said,

I would like to thank Judge Barbara Jones, the NFL Players Association, my attorneys, agents, advisors, family, friends and fans — but most importantly, my wife Janay. I made an inexcusable mistake and accept full responsibility for my actions.

I am thankful that there was a proper appeals process in place to address this issue. I will continue working hard to improve myself and be the best husband, father and friend, while giving back to my community and helping others to learn from my mistakes.

Of course, the ruling to reinstate Ray Rice back into the NFL has been a controversial one. Ray was kicked out of the association on September 8th, after disturbing footage was released of him brutally assaulting his wife Janay Rice in an elevator.

Now that Rice is eligible to get back on the field, the biggest question remains, which NFL team will sign football’s most controversial player? While there’s no denying Rice’s talents on the field, will major teams and brands want his name on their roster?

It’s official, Officer Darren Wilson, the man responsible for the killing of an unarmed black teenager, Michael Brown has resigned from the Ferguson police department according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

In a statement released by Darren Wilson he says,

“I, Darren Wilson, hereby resign my commission as a police officer with the City of Ferguson effective immediately. I have been told that my continued employment may put the residents and police officers of the City of Ferguson at risk, which is a circumstance that I cannot allow. For obvious reasons, I wanted to wait until the grand jury made their decision before I officially made my decision to resign. It was my hope to continue in police work, but the safety of other police officers and the community are of paramount importance to me. It is my hope that my resignation will allow the community to heal. I would like to thank all of my supporters and fellow officers throughout this process.”

The news that Darren Wilson is resigning from the police department does not come as a surprise to most. For nearly four months since the fatal shooting, Wilson, has been on a paid administrative leave. There has been speculation that Wilson would be stepping down from his role at the Ferguson police department for a while now.

While its nice to know that Darren Wilson won’t be able to kill another black unarmed boy under the guise of the Ferguson police department, the announcement that Darren has resigned does not appease protesters who feel justice was not served.

The 2014 Soul Train Awards went down Sunday night, and it highlighted the very best in today’s R&B and Soul music. The show hosted by Wendy Williams featured performances from the likes of Tamar Braxton, Chris Brown and more. All in all, the annual award show reminded us of all the amazing music black artists have shared with the world.

Not only was music the talk of the night, but style and fashion played a key part as well. Did you see Michelle Williams and Lil Kim face-off for best lace moment, or Trey Songz looking sexy in all black everything?

Don’t worry, if you missed all the fabulous red carpet looks from last night’s Soul Train Awards, we’ve got you covered. Take a look through our gallery of the very best and stylish folks to walk the carpet. Don’t forget to let us know whose look was your fave.

Wendy Williams

Trey Songz

Faith Evans

Sevyn Streeter


Michelle Williams


Lil Kim

MC Lyte

Eric Benet

Cool And The Gang

Tyrese

Flavor Flav

Elle Varner


Tinashe

Ledisi

As most of you know, the 2014 Soul Train Awards went down Sunday night airing on BET and Centric. Some of the hottest R&B and Soul acts came out to honor black music and show-case classic and unforgettable performances. One of the night’s biggest moments came when the game’s top female rappers came on stage to perform the forever classic hip-hop anthem “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix)”. Lil Kim, Missy Elliot and Da Brat stormed the stage with vocals by Eric Benét to share a monster performance of the hit single.

The femcee filled performance will definitely go down as the most talked about moment of the night. Since it has been a whopping 16 years since the platinum single “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix)” was released in 1996, it was more than a surprise to see legends in the game come together one more time.

During the over 5 minute set, the ladies paid tribute to the late and great Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and were joined on stage by fellow female rappers like MC Lyte, Total and more. The celeb-filled performance was a part of a tribute to Kool & The Gang, whose song “Ladies Night” they sampled.

If for some reason you missed last night’s show, catch the ladies come together for the epic performance here.

By Kamaria Laffrey

I understand the confusion and fear that is associated with HIV. Hearing the words, “Kamaria, you are HIV positive” was something I wasn’t prepared for. When I was diagnosed, I was so paranoid I would transmit the virus to my family through my routine activities that I was extremely diligent about cleaning everything, tracing my footsteps every single day.

I quickly learned that there wasn’t a lot of information on HIV specific to the patient — particularly for women. I knew it was my calling to empower other women and make a change for myself. I started increasing public awareness starting with social media, breaking misplaced stigmas and helping those who needed support. It was empowering to help others, and — in doing so — help myself.

I also made the vow to take control of my life. I started taking my medication diligently and seeking out information and support for people with HIV.

And that’s how I became an HIV advocate.

Globally 49% of all adults living with HIV are women¹ and I believe it is critical to educate women about their access to treatment, encourage them to engage with their healthcare professionals and address the stigmas that are associated with the HIV community.

I became involved with See Us: Women Take a Stand on HIV, a global initiative funded by AbbVie and spearheaded by the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) that focuses on addressing the unique challenges faced by women living with HIV. This initiative was created to help women like myself get out of the shadows, learn the ABCs of HIV, feel empowered to talk about their disease, and, ultimately, have a voice.

And now, as we unite together in support on World AIDS Day, we are launching a new series of tools to help women and care providers engage in productive dialogue about their unique treatment and care.

Everyone deserves to have access to information and care, and we want to do our part to help make this happen.

I want my story to help reduce the stigma and discrimination that women living with HIV face. I want other women to know that they are not alone. I want women living with HIV to have a voice and not be afraid to use it. And I can proudly say I have helped and will continue on my quest to make a difference.

Landing an exclusive modeling gig with Chanel is a huge feat for any model, but Kimora Lee Simmons did just that at age 14. This plum position with the luxury fashion house set the tone for her successful career in the world of fashion. The former model turned fashion designer, turned mogul and mother of three is also playing a part in giving birth to the fashion career dreams of students at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, Los Angeles’ Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, and the Rush Philanthropic Arts Organization by funding their educational pursuits. A $1 million scholarship gives the students an opportunity to participate in an internship program with Kimora’s soon-to-launch brand, KLS Collection.

Whether she’s in the midst of mommy duties, traveling, handling business, or on the red carpet, Kimora, who married Tim Leissner in 2013, always maintains a stylish appearance with runway-ready grace. During a recent interview, “Yahoo Style” asked about her of-the-moment fashion staple. Kimora replied, “A pencil jean is key, or a great legging,” which we think is the perfect way to add sophistication to the “mom uniform.”

Getting dressed for anyone should be done without a fuss. Kimora’s style proves that with just a statement handbag, key accessories, classic staples, and a few trendy finds sprinkled in a modern and simply chic look can be created. If your everyday life requires style that personifies adult edge and sophistication, check out the inspirational style of this weeks Star Style icon Kimora Lee Simmons … Oh, and brace yourself for serious Hermès Birkin bag envy.

A printed scarf can always create a range of looks for work or play.

Leather-on-leather-on-leather! What’s not to love? Especially when there is a Birkin bag in the mix. Actually, Kimora always keeps one in the mix.

Grunge isn’t the only direction to take a pair of distressed jeans in. To dress up the rugged denim, consider pairing it with a bouclé blazer.

To make your monochromatic look exciting, mix in different textures, such as leather to give the look more depth.

Now that the holiday season has arrived many will think about turning to the LRD for a night out. While the red dress is one way to sizzle, keep in mind other hues within the same spectrum, such as shades of burgundy and rust.

Love to sparkle, but not necessarily into making the entire outfit one that is stuffy? Dress down any sequin skirt with a graphic T-shirt, chambray blouse, or jacket to make a look that’s fuss-free.

Understand that while traveling, heels do not have to be in the mix. However, kicks that are colorful and comfortable are a fabulous substitute.

What I’m about to say may make anyone who’s not down with wearing white after Labor Day uncomfortable. But, wearing winter white this time of year is not only fashion-forward, but also the ultimate key to a dreamy winter wonderland style appeal.

For after-five holiday cocktail parties, a timeless satin LBD is perfect against velvet or fur, real or faux. Oh, and if you do a three-quarter sleeve coat, then by all means wear a pair of opera gloves, dahlings.

Kimora shows how a bright purse can bring out the details of an outfit.

One dress doesn’t need several accessories to make it shine. In this case, all Kimora needed were three polished pieces — a structured bag, a posh pair of sunglasses, and a simple yet chic stiletto.

To shine with an ease of regality, a sheer, embellished navy cocktail dress that accentuates your curves is one way to never go wrong.

Republican aide Elizabeth Lauten is resigning from her position as communications director for Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-Tenn.), after criticizing Malia and Sasha Obama on Friday. Lauten took to her not-so private Facebook account to blast the First Daughters for their apparent “classless” attitudes and so-called provocative outfits during President Obama‘s turkey pardoning ceremony last week.

Lauten wrote in the post:

“Dear Sasha and Malia: I get you’re both in those awful teen years, but you’re a part of the First Family, try showing a little class. At least respect the part you play. Then again your mother and father don’t respect their positions very much, or the nation for that matter, so I’m guessing you’re coming up a little short in the “good role model” department. Nevertheless stretch yourself. Rise to the occasion. Act like being in the White House matters to you. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar. And certainly don’t make faces during televised, public events.”

As expected, Lauten faced an immediate backlash — even from within her own party. Republican National Committee spokesman Sean Spicer denounced her remarks, tweeting, “Children, especially the first daughters are off limits.” And Lauten issued an apology via Facebook hours after submitting the post.

However, considering Lauten is a communications director, she should’ve known criticizing the teenage Obama girls was a bad move, one that a simple Facebook apology wouldn’t fix. So today, she is expected to resign as an aide to Rep. Fincher, NBC reports.

The White House hasn’t commented on Lauten’s remarks.

Source

The holiday shopping season counts for 20 percent of retailers’ annual sales but this year’s is off to a bit of a rocky start. The National Retail Federation estimates that total spending for Thanksgiving weekend will drop 11 percent from last year, with a final tally expected to be around $50.9 billion this year.

AP reports, “Overall, 133.7 million people shopped in stores and online over the four-day weekend, down 5.2 percent from last year, according to a survey of 4,631 people conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics for the trade group.”

Reasons for the drop have been attributed to Black Friday fatigue, consumer preference for online shopping, discounts offered as far back as Halloween, as well as a subset of shoppers who supported the NotOneDime and Blackout Black Friday boycotts over the Ferguson grand jury decision.

Since 2005, Black Friday has been the busiest shopping day of the year according to data from research firm ShopperTrak.  However the company predicts December 20th – Super Saturday – will be the top shopping day of 2014.

Retailers are expected to offer deep discounts well beyond Black Friday and Cyber Monday, extending to the end of the shopping season.

What does that mean for retail sales in 2014? The National Retail Federation still predicts “a 4.1 percent increase in sales for the season. That would be the highest increase since the 4.8 percent gain in 2011.”

Image: Shutterstock

– Colby Carrington

The NFL has announced that it won’t discipline the five St. Louis Rams players who did the “hands up, don’t shoot” pose employed by Ferguson protesters, during pregame introductions on Sunday, as requested by the St. Louis Police Officer’s Association. “We respect and understand the concerns of all individuals who have expressed views on this tragic situation,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports.

In a letter released late Sunday, the police association called the players’ protest “tasteless, offensive and inflammatory” considering the grand jury’s decision not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of Black teenager Michael Brown.

Five Rams members, including wide receiver Stedman Bailey; tight end Jared Cook; and wide receiver Kenny Britt, entered the field at the Edwards Jones Dome with their hands raised before Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders. Bailey said he and his teammates decided to make the gesture shortly before the game and meant for it to be positive.

[Image: Jeff Curry/USA TODAY Sports]

“Violence should stop. There’s a lot of violence going on here in St. Louis,” Bailey told reporters after the game. “We definitely hear about it all, and we just want it to stop.”

Cook said they wanted to show solidarity with the protesters since they weren’t able to join them last week, after the grand jury handed down their decision. He added that family members, who had gone to Ferguson, reported what they’d witnessed to him.

“We wanted to come out and show our respect to the protesters that have been doing a heck of a job,” Cook said.

Britt admitted to taking issue with the idea the Rams were choosing sides. “We are here making sure something positive comes out of it,” Britt said. “I’m not here for the police. I’m here for a great cause that could come out of this if people come together.”

Source

Forget Groupon, Living Social, Gilt City, and any other mobile app in which you have to fork over your precious ducats in exchange for a cool experience or product. The new Claim it! app, which launched in New York City today, offers free swag to users and all they have to do is watch a 15-second video ad in exchange.

Everyone loves free, right? But before you start questioning whether free swag also equals awesome swag, here’s a sneak peek at what you can win. According to the press release, prizes will range from designer handbags, high-end cosmetics, Nike and Air Jordan footwear, Beats by Dre headphones, Sony Playstation 4s, AMC movie theater tickets, Chipotle gift cards, MTA MetroCards, and much more.

Each week, Claim it! users will have the opportunity to claim thousands of items, ranging in price from $10 to $599. The winners of these special prizes are selected at random and will be announced every Sunday. However, those within 150 feet of the Claim it! iBeacon vehicle, which travels throughout NYC, will have the opportunity to win instant prizes.

Here’s how the Claim it! app works, according to the press release …

How to Register:

• Download Claim it! on your iPhone (application download is free from the Apple App Store)
• Register once with just a phone number (no name or email required)
• View daily and weekly offers, select items you would like to win and submit a claim
• Watch a 15-second video and you are automatically entered to win

How Prizes are Redeemed:

• Winners are drawn every Sunday and notified via SMS notifications
• Winners will receive a unique code and have one week to claim their prize
• Locate a Claim it! truck, scan your code, and redeem your prize
• Anyone can use their weekly claim to automatically win and redeem a low value item (drinks, snacks, etc.) when in range of the truck’s iBeacon

More Details:

• Claiming an offer is easy and takes less than a minute
• New offers are added every Monday and expire the following Sunday when winners are drawn
• Users get to claim one of three regular offers each week
• Exclusive offers can be claimed by users who check the app frequently
• Thousands of winners are chosen every week via a fully automated randomized winner selection
• Easy prize redemption
• Users who opt-in see special offers that are tailored to their age and gender (i.e. women see more cosmetics offers)
• Anyone in range of the iBeacons on the Claim it! truck can automatically win lower value items
• Incredible items every week of things people really want (not samples)
• Winners must be 18 years or older to redeem prizes. Only the code is necessary to redeem.

Claim it! has plans to expand to other major cities in the very near future. New Yorkers can download the Claim it! app from the Apple App Store here.

This Thanksgiving was not only full of food but full of big hearts. Check out how some of your favorite celebs spent the biggest eating holiday of the year – pre-tryptophan,  post-tryptophan and paying it forward.

Big Sean visits his home of Detroit to host his second annual Sean Anderson Foundation turkey giveaway.

Ludacris gives out Thanksgiving birds at Utopian Academy for the Arts in Riverdale, GA.

Beyoncé (@beyonce) Lis 11, 2014 at 7:19 PST

Beyonce captures an enraptured Blue Ivy staring at a Christmas tree thrice her size.

T.I.  went to the Wade Walker Family YMCA in Stone Mountain, GA to give back.

Snoop Dogg hung out with Inglewood Mayor James Butts while handing out free turkeys and sharing some holiday glee with kids from his hometown.

Thanksgiving with @common and the band aka the #soultribe, I love these guys!!! There is a lot of greatness in the building! @mpmg_ I love you! A photo posted by Lauren Von Der Pool (@queenofgreen) on Nov 11, 2014 at 10:38pm PST

Celebrity chef Lauren Von Der Pool cooked a Thanksgiving tour meal for Common and his band.

Tyga and rumored girlfriend Kylie Jenner served meals together at the Los Angeles Mission.

On Saturday, Clayton County police found a 13-year-old boy who had been missing since 2010 behind a fake wall at his father’s Georgia home, National Post reported.

The teen’s mother reported him missing to child welfare four years ago after he went to visit his father. But since she did not file a report with police, law enforcement did not intervene until Friday when the boy was able to obtain a cell phone.

He had downloaded an app called Magic Jack which allowed him to make free phone calls. He called his sister in Florida, who told his mother that he was at his father’s home in Clayton County, and that he had been abused. The police arrived at the suburban home and questioned the boy’s father, 37-year-old Gregory Jean, his spouse Samantha Joy Davis, and three minors who were living in the home.  All stated they had no information on the missing teen.

Police were suspicious of the couple and were convinced the household may be lying. When officers returned to the house hours later, the boy used his cell phone to call his mother and tell her to inform police that he was hidden. The officers searched the house and found the boy behind a fake wall in a linen closet above the garage.

“From all indications, it appears that the child was being hidden,” said a Clayton County police spokesperson.

The teen appeared to be healthy, and was very thankful that he had been discovered.

“He just couldn’t thank us enough,” said one officer. “He was just overjoyed that we had found him.”

It was a tearful reunion when he saw his mother Saturday for the first time since he was nine. He and his family hugged tightly and cried together.

Jean and Davis were both taken into custody, as well as the three minors. Jean and Davis were charged with false imprisonment and child cruelty.

Neighbors said they were shocked to hear what happened at the house because they did not suspect anything unusual occurring at the home. Residents often saw the teen at his father’s house, tending to the garden. He was not enrolled in school.

With the explosion of smart phones and social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, selfies, or self-portrait photographs, have hit an all-time high. But looking at facial features on a very frequent basis can allow insecurities to surface, and many people, then, begin to scrutinize their looks. Surgeons believe this obsession to look perfect for selfies may be what is driving the rise in plastic surgery procedures, according to the New York Daily News.

Cosmetic surgeons all over the country have seen a surge in the amount of plastic surgery procedures just within the past year and a half. A group of 2,700 plastic surgeons called the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery were polled on the kind of procedures their clients are requesting. The poll found that nose job or rhinoplasty requests have risen 10 percent from 2012 to 2013, hair transplants had increased 6 percent, and eyelid surgery grew to 6 percent.

“There has been a 25 percent increase over the past year and a half to two years. That is very significant,” Dr. Sam Rizk, a Manhattan plastic surgeon, tells the Daily News.

Rizk is sure that the increase in nips and tucks is due to selfies, such as the ones that clients show him when requesting a procedure.

“They come in with their iPhones and show me pictures,” he explains. “Selfies are just getting to be so crazy.”

[Image: Shutterstock]

But Rizk says that the country’s obsession with selfies can be dangerous for those who always seek to tweak something in themselves to reflect a perfect image when it may be impossible.

“We all will have something wrong with us on a selfie image,” he explained. “I refuse a significant proportion of patients with selfies because I believe it is not a real image of what they actually look like in person.”

Instead of running to a surgeon whenever a flaw is spotted, there are alternatives that can help create the perfect selfie. Dan Ackerman, senior editor at the tech product company CNET, says that apps and other features on electronic devices can modify a photo to create anyone’s desired look.

“There are apps that apply filters to your face that smooth out wrinkles … or put artificial makeup,” said Ackerman.

Ramy Gafni, a New York-based makeup artist, works with several selfie-takers, and he says that well-defined brows, a small amount of lip color, and overall clean makeup can make an amazing selfie. Just don’t overdo it.

“You want to enhance your features,” he says, “perfect your features, but not necessarily change your features into something they are not.”

Bill Cosby turned in his resignation to the board of trustees at Temple University on Monday as rape accusations continue to surface. Due to the constant barrage of media scrutiny over allegations that he drugged and raped multiple women, Cosby felt it best that he not be a “distraction,” according to Board chairman Patrick O’Connor in a statement to the AP.

“I have always been proud of my association with Temple University. I have always wanted to do what would be in the best interests of the university and its students. As a result, I have tendered my resignation,” Cosby’s statement released by the university reads.

Over the years Cosby had been one of the most notable alumni from the school and often a frequent commencement speaker. In 2005, a Temple University basketball employee filed suit against the comedian after he allegedly raped and drugged her in his suburban Philadelphia mansion. No criminal charges were filed and the lawsuit was settled for undisclosed terms.

An online petition circulated online with around 1,000 signatures urging the Philadelphia university to cut ties with the star. According to Temple University officials, Cosby’s step down as a trustee from his beloved alma mater was entirely voluntary. “He didn’t comment on the allegations,” O’Connor said. Trustee Anthony McIntyre commented that the resurgence of rape allegations brought on by comedian Hannibal Buress’ stand up routine calling Cosby a rapist created a “no-win” situation for the university.

In the recent weeks, Cosby’s support has dried up. The Berklee College of Music and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst severed ties with him. A planned comedy tour has seen several stops cancelled, a planned TV show has been nixed, and reruns of the beloved Cosby Show have stopped for now. With all the negativity surrounding the accusations some stars have taken to social media to express what could be called support for Cosby. Singer and actress Jill Scott tweeted what many of her followers viewed as support as the resignation news broke on the airwaves.

@KristensWay I'm respecting a man who has done more for the image of Brown people that almost anyone EVER. From Fat Albert to the Huxtables

— ⭐Jill Scott⭐ (@missjillscott) December 1, 2014

Former co-star Raven Symone called out those on social media for fueling rumors that Cosby is a child rapist by circulating fake stories and memes of her during the Cosby years running away from Bill Cosby. Cosby show producers Tom Werner and Marcy Carey defended him in a statement. The Bill we know was a brilliant and wonderful collaborator on a show that changed the landscape of television.”

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President Barack Obama asked Congress for $263 million to contain the civil unrest in Ferguson, Missouri and improve police departments with better training and new body camera equipment.

The President made the request Monday after a day of meeting with civil rights leaders and police officials to discuss a plan of action for Ferguson, the town where riots have been rampant after the announcement that ex-policeman Darren Wilson would not be indicted for killing an unarmed black teen.

If the $263 million plea is granted, a portion will be spent within three years to purchase 50,000 cameras that will be worn on officers’ bodies to prevent speculation of police insubordination and create trust between law enforcement and citizens, White House officials say.

President Obama has enlisted Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey and former Assistant Attorney General Laurie Robinson to head a police protocol report, according to ABC News.  This document, due by late February, is expected to “promote effective crime reduction while building public trust.”

Obama also provided the results of his review on federal programs that will provide law enforcement with military-style equipment.  He instructed staff to create ways to improve the “consistency in oversight” of the programs before he will sign the executive order.