BuzzSugar

10 Entertainment Moments I'm Looking Forward to For '09

BuzzSugar — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:30:19 PST

We've barely gotten into 2009, and already, I have a packed entertainment calendar. With albums from some of my favorite artists coming out early in the year, some major movies on the horizon, and TV looking like it could be great again, I have my fingers crossed for an amazing year in pop culture ahead. Want to see some of the things filling up my '09 dance card? Just hit start.

Forget Marriage, Bring On the Baby Carriage: 20 Celebrities Who Had Babies Before Rings

LilSugar — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:46:07 PDT

The times, they are a-changin'! Once upon a time (just 50 years ago), in a land not too far away (Hollywood), having a child out of wedlock meant one thing: career-ending scandal. Not so anymore, where celebrities are just part of the growing trend of women - both coupled and single - who don't feel the need to be married before having a child. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that out-of-wedlock births accounted for 41 percent of US births in 2009, and children are now more likely to have cohabitating parents than divorced ones.

What do you think? Would you have a child out of wedlock? Or would you make a mad dash for the closest chapel and hope everyone buys the story that your 10-pound baby was three months premature? Keep reading for a list of 20 celebrities who bucked tradition and proudly bared their baby bump before marriage.

Drew Barrymore Shares Her Special Connection to Kenya With Condé Nast Traveler

Lindsay Miller — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:52:10 PDT

Drew Barrymore graces the cover of Condé Nast Traveler's September Visionaries issue in a photograph captured during her recent trip to Kenya. The actress invited the magazine to join her on the journey and opens up about her connection to the country in the pages of the glossy. Drew visited Africa this Summer to follow up on the progress of the Drew Barrymore Education Project, which she cofounded in 2009 with the World Food Program. The residents of Kiltamany village greeted the actress by dressing her in traditional garb, including a cowhide dress and an ornate beaded collar. Drew's efforts have already made a marked difference in their lives - especially for women and girls. The Education Project helped fund the creation of a solar-powered well in town, which means the villagers no longer have to make a dangerous four-hour trek for water. The new water source has even given girls more free time to regularly attend school. Drew reflects on what she has in common with the Kenyans she spent time with and why philanthropy is so important to her in the article. Here are some highlights:

On small efforts making big differences: "It's amazing to me that the kids mention professions which involve helping others, that they are naturally philanthropic. People can feel unconfident about sending money into the void of a charity. But when you find something like this that speaks to your heart, it gives you the courage to look beyond your own problems and take the first small steps to try as an individual to make an impact."
On how much Kenyan kids value school: "I was really moved. I never went to school myself. I was doing a job and didn't have a kids life. I wanted to learn more about why these kids were so passionate, walking so far and overfilling their classrooms."
On her tip for tourists: "Travelers should look at the harsh realities of a place but balance that with seeking its beauty. It's important to acknowledge the reality of how the world functions but also to keep a sense of hope."
On feeling awkward during her early visits to Kenya: "I didn't want to be on a soapbox, this Westerner living in a bubble, so on the first trip I was a little nervous. I asked questions and listened a lot . . ."

George Clooney and Elisabetta Canalis Break Up!

Allie Merriam — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:36:48 PDT

George Clooney and Elisabetta Canalis have broken up! In a joint statement today, the couple confirmed the news. Elisabetta and George drafted a press release that said, "We are not together anymore. It's very difficult and very personal, and we hope everyone can respect our privacy."

George and Elisabetta, who started dating over the Summer of 2009, were spotted together in Italy recently. He was in her home country to work on an ad campaign in Milan before retreating for some R&R near his Lake Como home. Elisabetta recently gave an interview to the European magazine Chi in which she talked about her happiness with George, saying, "I am very happy at the moment - thanks to my man and my fairytale is continuing. We are a couple that never gets bored." It seems, though, they have decided to officially part ways.

Why We Should Give Everyday Thanks For the Little Things

Annie Scudder — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 04:00:37 PDT

Author Leah Dieterich is really good about writing thank-you notes. And not just to people who send her birthday presents or host her for a weekend. Since 2009, Leah has written a thank-you note every day to objects, ideas, places, or people. She's given thanks to clean sheets, men who walk Pomeranians, and her own laziness. At first she kept them in a box, but soon she started a blog so she could share her gratitude. Last month, she published a book, ThxThxThx, of these letters, as well as some she saved for her offline readers. I had a chance to speak with Leah, and she shared these reasons why we should all give thanks every day. Read them below and click through to see an exclusive excerpt of 10 letters featured in the book, which would surely make a great thank you gift!

It can ground you. "My partner, who's an artist, got an opportunity to go to New York for a year for a prestigious fellowship. We decided to do long distance. Everything was up in the air, so I needed something to ground me. I just wrote a thank you note to some random thing and it felt really good. Even though I didn't know what the future of my relationship was, it reminded me to take things one day at a time."
It can turn the negative into a positive. "Knowing that I have to do a note every day keeps my mind open to seeing the bright side of any situation. Sometimes if I have an experience that seems negative on the surface, I think there has to be something to learn."
They're like a diary. "Reading my notes, they're almost in chronological order. I can read them and it feels like a memoir. I can see what was happening in my life during that year."
You get back what you put in. "Putting a positive energy out in the world, you feel like you get it back. Even if it's just thanking an object, like a glass, it makes me feel more positive. Everyday is a little bit nicer, a little bit cooler since I'm looking for the good thing in even a crappy day. I hope anyone who reads the book will have that little shift in their mindset, too."

Check out a preview of the book now.

4 Exciting Moves Maria Shriver Can Make Post-Arnold

Annie Scudder — Wed, 18 May 2011 12:05:56 PDT

Arnold Schwarzenegger and his love child have captured the attention of the world this week. Sad details about the affair continue to emerge, as pictures of the mistress flash across newspapers and websites everywhere. In her undoubtedly heartbreaking family breakup, Maria Shriver, the other half of the toppled power couple, has a chance to triumph.

Some are asking who Maria should date next. Tim Robbins? Alec Baldwin? While it would be fun to see JFK's niece hook up with a high-profile liberal after decades with a Republican, I doubt she's even thinking about a new love connection as she tries to stay strong for her kids. Still, with the public's goodwill behind her, Maria's next move could be her best yet.

In her 2008 book, Just Who Will You Be?, Maria discussed her reluctance to quit her successful journalism career at NBC to become first lady of California. She wrote, "You've got to be kidding! That's not me! I didn't grow up wanting to be first lady of anything!" Over the years she said she came to peace with being first lady and believed it helped her find her own voice. Maybe this next life stage will move her further along that path. Based on her experience so far, below you'll find four potential projects Maria could take on post-Arnold.

Thursday Comic-Con Must Sees

GeekSugar — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:15:22 PDT

Hooray, it's the return of Comic-Con and all the madness that accompanies it! As usual, the show's schedule of events is packed this July 21-24, so we'll attempt to highlight the most exciting must sees. The convention starts with a huge bang on Thursday with the Twilight panel, though there are plenty of other events to add to the Comic-Con itinerary.

Twilight: Breaking Dawn, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. - Hope you've already been camping out for this one, because fans began lining up days in advance. Expect new footage from the next Twilight film and a cast Q&A. Location: Hall H
Kinect Star Wars panel, 10-11 a.m. - First announced at E3, Kinect studio head Jorg Neumann and LucasArts lead producer Craig Derrick will share fresh news on the game, including a mystery announcement. All attendees will receive a limited-edition poster! Location: Room 32AB
Stan Lee, Yoshiki, and Todd McFarlane, 1-2 p.m. - Comic fans unite for the Q&A session with legends Stan Lee and Todd McFarlane, who are creating a new character, Blood Red Dragon, with rockstar Yoshiki. Location: Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Warner Premiere: H+ and Mortal Kombat: Legacy, 2-3 p.m. - A Comic-Con exclusive first look at H+, the new web series from X-Men producer Bryan Singer. The web series Mortal Kombat: Legacy will take the stage next for a panel discussion with the director, Jeri Ryan, Michael Jai White, and others. Attendees will see the final Mortal Kombat: Legacy episode. Location: Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Game of Thrones panel, 3-4 p.m. - If addicted to both the books and TV series, this is one not to miss. In attendance are cast members Emilia Clarke, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, and Jason Momoa, as well as the show's executive producer and writer, George R. R. Martin. Location: Ballroom 20.
Beavis & Butthead, 5-6 p.m. - 2011: the return of the original bad boys of animation. Creator Mike Judge is on hand to offer a sneak peek on MTV's new episodes. Location: Room 6A
Batman: Arkham City, 5-6 p.m. - A preview of the gaming follow-up to 2009's fan favorite Batman Arkham Asylum. Location: Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Entertainment Weekly: The Visionaries: A discussion with Jon Favreau and Guillermo del Toro on the Future of Pop Culture, 6-7 p.m. - Cult favorite directors Jon Favreau and Guillermo del Toro discuss bringing geek life to the mainstream entertainment industry. They'll discuss their inspiration, current film work, and how technology is changing cinematic storytelling. Location: Hall H
Her Universe: What Women Want in Their Female Sci-Fi Heroes, 6-7 p.m. - Gone are the days of the "damsel in distress" sci-fi character (we hope). If you can't get into Hall H, check out the panelists with a background on Star Wars, Smallville, DC Comics, Universal Cable Productions, and Lost discuss the future of strong female characters in the genre. Location: Room 25ABC
History of the Modern Zombie, 7-8 p.m. - Beginning with the classic horror film Night of the Living Dead, zombies have become a large part of modern pop culture. Panelists including the author of Zombie Survival Guide, a UC Berkeley professor, and a Harvard Medical School psychiatrist will discuss the history of zombies in entertainment and why we're so interested in them. Consider it the most fun college lecture you'll ever attend. Location: Room 7AB

What's on your must-see Comic-Con schedule? Which panels and events are you looking forward to most?

Hope Solo Helps USA Advance to Women's World Cup Final With Hot Confidence

Annie Scudder — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:25:06 PDT

"Confidence comes from our preparation and because we know we're damn good," team USA's goalkeeper Hope Solo told reporters after her team beat France today and secured a spot in the World Cup Finals on Sunday. Spectators at the match played in Germany included young girls holding up signs of support for the keeper and at least one guy who proposed to Hope via his cardboard placard.

Sports site Bleacher Report is calling Hope one of the biggest sex symbols in sports, thanks to her confidence, good looks, and soccer skills that back it all up. And on her Facebook page, more men are proposing or declaring "I want to have your BABY!!" Hope may be a sex symbol, but she's not a girlie girl. In 2009 Hope reacted to the prospect of hot-pink jerseys, saying, "They go and make this padded goal-keeper jersey and it's hot pink - it just looks girly, it looks juvenile, it doesn't look professional. And so I said, 'There's no way in hell I'm wearing this.'"

Thanks in part to Hope's goalkeeping, the USA upset Brazil in penalty kicks 5 to 3 last weekend and beat France today to advance to the World Cup finals. See photos of Hope in action now.

Entrepreneurship 101: Q&A With Emily Dubner of Baking For Good

LearnVest — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:15:30 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

As part of our Entrepreneurship 101 series, we sit down with female entrepreneurs who inspire us and, we hope, will inspire you. Whether your goal is to start a little something on the side or to leave your current job in order to pursue your passion full-time, take heart that starting your own business may not be as hard as it may seem.

From selling clay jewelry on the playground to catering for her parents’ friends in high school, Emily Dubner, 26, has had an entrepreneurial spirit all her life. She finally decided to turn her initiative into a full-time venture after college. While working as a management consultant in New York City, Dubner and her colleagues bounced around ideas as part of an entrepreneur peer group.

In 2009, she left her consulting job to launch Baking for Good, an online bakery that donates 15% of each purchase to a charity selected by the customer–like the school bake sale, on a larger scale.

Dubner chatted with LearnVest about launching a business on a shoestring budget, learning patience, and where it doesn’t make sense to cut costs. Keep reading for her interview.

Americans More Open-Minded About Social Issues

Annie Scudder — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:00:22 PST

When conservative ex-presidential candidate Mike Huckabee attacked Natalie Portman for her pregnancy, I'd like to think it comes off as predictable and almost comical to most. Channeling Dan Quayle's Murphy Brown moment, Huckabee said:

"Natalie Portman or some other Hollywood starlet who boasts of, 'Hey look, you know, we're having children, we're not married, but we're having these children, and they're doing just fine.' But there aren't really a lot of single moms out there who are making millions of dollars every year for being in a movie. And I think it gives a distorted image that yes, not everybody hires nannies, and caretakers, and nurses. Most single moms are very poor, uneducated, can't get a job, and if it weren't for government assistance, their kids would be starving to death and never have health care. And that's the story that we're not seeing, and it's unfortunate that we glorify and glamorize the idea of children out of wedlock."

Huckabee must not be up on his Hollywood gossip; Natalie, who is engaged to Benjamin Millepied, is not a single mom-to-be. And anyone who can't tell Natalie Portman has more money than most expecting mothers has bigger problems to worry about. Don't even get me started on the hypocrisy of conservatives praising the ironic abstinence position of teen mom Bristol Palin. Thankfully, new data show more Americans have views on social issues that are more progressive than Huckabee's.

A new survey from Pew found that support for gay marriage and legal abortion is at an all-time high. In 2009, only 37 percent of independent voters supported gay marriage. Today 51 percent do. As for abortion, 51 percent of independents want it to be legal, compared to 37 percent in 2009. Overall, 54 percent of Americans support legal abortion, up from 50 percent in 2009, and 45 percent support gay marriage (while 46 percent oppose), up from 42 percent in 2009.

We can only hope that this shift will make politicians rethink ridiculous "family value" critiques of actresses, and more importantly convince them to stop defunding crucial reproductive health institutions like Planned Parenthood while also promoting marriage inequality.