KELLY CLARKSON: Affirms Brandon Blackstock is "The One."

In a new interview with Cosmopolitan magazine, Kelly Clarkson affirms that fiancé Brandon Blackstock is "the one."

She says, "We've known each other for years, but we didn't start talking until the Super Bowl last February. And this is the funniest/worst thing ever: One of my superhero idols is Whitney Houston, and the day she died was our first date. I was like, 'This is a bad omen.'" She adds, "Six years I was single before this. I've never truly loved like I am right now."

The February issue hits newsstands on Tuesday.

You would think that looking at photos of women with "perfect" bodies would help keep you motivated when trying to lose weight, but a new study has found that it does the exact opposite.

Researchers found that study participants who were exposed to photos of skinny women every time they thought about or recorded their daily food choices had feelings of failure at reaching an unattainable goal that eventually led to weight gain. The bottom line is success comes not from trying to look like someone else, but trying to be the best version of yourself you can be. (TheStir)

JUST SAY NO TO DRUGGING YOUR PARENTS

We're only a week into 2013 and we already have a candidate for daughter of the year.

A Northern California teenager thought her parents' rules for using the internet were too strict for her liking, so she did what any insane teen would do ... She slipped prescription sleeping pills into her parents’ milkshakes so they’d pass out through the night and she could stay online as long as she wanted.

The groggy parents confronted their daughter and she admitted what she’d done.

This little stunt bought her a one-way ticket to Juvenile Hall and a warning that drugging her parents was the best way to handle conflict. (Gawker)

 
FORMAL FRIDAYS

Most people aren't exactly dressing like the cast of Mad Men when they go into the office these days.

So with a more casual dress code overall, some people are turning the concept of casual Fridays on its head with "Formal Fridays." Employees are taking it upon themselves to dress extra spiffy on Fridays for fun.

And in case you're not into the idea of Formal Fridays, think of how much fun it would be to work in an office full of men in bow ties and ascots! (Jezebel)
 

STYLES NO ONE LOOKS GOOD IN

There are some classic fashion styles that have stood the test of time because everyone looks good in them – think a classic, white button down, a fitted trench coat or the perfect red lipstick.

Some styles, however, sound great in theory, but even the most fashionable and attractive women just don't look their best when wearing them. Here are some styles that no one really looks good in:

• The Empire Waist: Whether it's a dress or just a shirt if you aren't pregnant (or trying to look pregnant), this style just isn't flattering at all.
   
• Uggs with dresses or skirts: Do people do it? Yes. Is it attractive? Never!
   
• Pleated pants: This goes for men, too. Stick with flat front ... always! 
   
• Blue Eyeshadow: Leave the blue eyeshadow to Barbie. It never looks good, no matter how trendy it is!
   
• High-Waisted Mom Jeans: Never flattering. Even if they are supposedly in style, it is very hard to pull of this look without looking frumpy! (HuffingtonPost)

AS-SEEN-ON-TV JOBS

Ever catch yourself watching one of your favorite TV shows and thinking, "Wow that character has such an awesome job – I could totally do that!" If only fictional jobs were as awesome as their real-life counterparts!

Here are some careers that look so much better portrayed on TV then they are in reality:

Detective: Sure, watching a marathon of Law and Order will make you think you can solve any crime, but the reality of the job is it is much harder and much less glamorous.

Waitress: Wouldn't it be great to work at a place like on 2 Broke Girls, Penny's job on The Big Bang Theory, or the coffee shop from Friends? These waitresses have perfect hair and makeup, can wear heels for hours and hours at a time without getting tired or sore and can afford huge city apartments on tips alone!

Writer: Carrie from Sex and the City and Hannah in Girls make it look so easy! You lie around all day, lunch with the girls, make tons of money and are brilliant!

Lawyer: Remember Ally McBeal? How cool would being a lawyer be if you worked at a firm like that?! I don't think a real lawyer could pull off a skirt that short and not get kicked out of court.

Doctor: Shows like Grey's Anatomy and the Mindy Project just make the medical profession look like a pool of super-hot professionals that handle an emergency here and there but for the most part hook up with each other and hang out with each other outside of the office! How many years of schooling does it take to become a real doctor, and how many sleepless nights are there? Not nearly as glamorous as it seems on TV! (CollegeCandy)
 

COLORS THAT STIMULATE YOUR BRAIN

It's common knowledge that the colors we use to decorate with can affect mood, but new research has found that home decor colors can also stimulate intelligence. Think about these colors when decorating a home office or library:

Orange: This color stimulates mental activity by increasing the supply of oxygen to the brain and makes you feel invigorated and ready to get things done.

Bright or Pale Yellow:  it helps activate your memory, increases your concentration and (in small doses) promotes creativity.

Pale Blue: Popular in school classrooms because it increases productivity, intuition and creative thinking. It also has a calming affect, which is great for the hyperactive or easily distracted. (SheKnows)

LOOK BETTER THIS YEAR

Your beauty regimen is sooo 2012.

Here’s a few products to give your beautification a boost this year …

• Makeup wipes – Take your makeup off every night NO MATTER WHAT. And if you’re too lazy to wash your face, at least use the wipes.
• Face lotion - Moisturize every day. And do NOT use body lotion on your face!
• Face mask – Mix up the routine once a week and do a clay mask on your face to suck out all the gunk. (Yahoo)

NAOMI CAMPBELL: Mugged

Supermodel Naomi Campbell is usually the one on the attack, but about a month ago, she was mugged in Paris.

A number of thugs roughed Naomi up as she was trying to hail a cab, according to the New York Post. There's no word on what the bad guys stole from her, but she tore a ligament in her leg when they pushed her to the ground.

Naomi's billionaire boyfriend, Vladimir Doronin, flew her back to Vail, Colorado, where she's being treated by a top orthopedic surgeon. She's reportedly been getting around with the aid of a wheelchair and crutches.

JUSTIN BIEBER: Pot Pic Hits 'Net

Earlier this month a paparazzo tried to get a photo of Justin Bieber smoking pot while he was in his Ferrari. Justin wasn't in the car and the photog ended up dead. Now the elusive Bieber pot photo has surfaced on TMZ.

In the image, Justin is seen holding what appears to be a joint at a party inside a Newport Beach hotel room. The pic was taken on January 2nd, just a day after the paparazzo was killed on an L.A. street. The connections don't end there. Witnesses say Bieber's best buddy Lil Twist was at the pot party, too -- the 19-year-old rapper was also the one driving the Biebs' Ferrari at the time the paparazzo was killed. Sources say Twist is the one who turned Justin on to weed. And depending on who you talk to -- Lil Twist is either giving the Canadian crooner a bad rep or much-needed street cred.

While the Bieb hasn't commented directly on the photo, he has hinted that he's remorseful. Hours after the pic hit the 'net, Justin tweeted, "Everyday growing and learning. Trying to be better. U get knocked down, u get up."

ONE DIRECTION: A Taylor-Made Stunt?

Taylor Swift's streak of bad romantic luck may be continuing. That's according to an "insider" who says that One Direction's Harry Styles is using her to get even more ink on the gossip pages.

The snitch tells the National Enquirer, "Harry’s handlers went to great lengths to put the two together because she’s such a huge star. Anytime Taylor starts dating a new guy, she gets a flurry of media attention, and her breakups receive even more. After one of Taylor’s relationships sours, it’s almost a sure bet she’ll write a song about it and there will be even more waves of publicity. That’s why her romance with Harry was arranged by his handlers.”

The breakup tune could be a doozy. The source insists that Taylor is head over heels for Harry.

JOSH BROLIN: Arrested for Public Intoxication

Josh Brolin apparently took his New Year's Eve reveling a bit too far and ended up ringing in 2013 inside a Santa Monica, California jail.

The Gangster Squad star was arrested right before midnight when officers found him heavily intoxicated on a sidewalk. He was charged with misdemeanor public intoxication. He was released after about six hours when he had sobered up, the AP reports.

Josh didn't get a citation for the arrest, which means he probably won't have to appear in court.

This is not the actor's first run-in with the law. In 2008, he and Jeffrey Wright were arrested at a bar in Shreveport, Louisiana and accused of interfering with police as authorities tried to arrest another person for causing a disturbance.

SOURCE: USA Today

HONEY BOO BOO: Not Rolling in the Dough -- Yet

Honey Boo Boo and her family are famous, but they're not rich -- at least not according to Mama June.

Mama tells TMZ that the "lion's share" of earnings from their reality show Here Comes Honey Boo Boo -- $15,000 to - $20,000 per episode -- is being equally divided into trust funds for her five girls. They won't see a cent until they hit 21 -- except in case of medical emergencies or for school. In fact, Mama says she never even gets her hands on the money. "TLC puts the money into the girls' trust accounts for me and then I get an email telling me how much everyone gets." She says they pay their bills from the money her husband Sugarbear makes as a contractor. The family's only major purchase since becoming famous is a 2005 Ford Expedition.

BETHENNY FRANKEL: Files for Divorce

Bethenny Frankel might still be living with Jason Hoppy, but she's serious about getting rid of her husband. The reality star filed for divorce last week in New York.

Bethenny announced her separation from Jason just two days before Christmas. They married in 2010 and have a two-year-old daughter named Bryn. 

NADYA SULEMAN: Back on Welfare

Apparently porn wasn't enough -- the Octomom is back on welfare.

Five months after getting off the dole, Nadya Suleman has filed again for government assistance. According to TMZ, the mother of 14 will be getting $2,800 a month in benefits.

Nadya went on welfare last March, but was able to pay her own way starting in July -- when the money from her adult video and stripping gigs came in. The money reportedly ran out after Nadya entered rehab for "anxiety, exhaustion and stress."

LINDSAY LOHAN: Parties in London Before Court Date

Even with a Monday morning court appearance in New York hanging over her head, Lindsay Lohan still managed to squeeze in some late-night partying 3000 miles away Saturday.

The actress reportedly hung out with friends at a London nightclub until the wee hours. That might make it hard for her to make her court date where she'll learn if the Manhattan DA wants to pursue a case against her for allegedly assaulting a psychic in November. That, naturally, took place in a nightclub, too.

If Linds doesn't show up, a warrant could be issued for her arrest. And if the assault charges stick, she could be looking at a maximum of a year in city jail. Stay tuned.

TOP CELEBRITY TWEETS

Downton Abbey tops celebrity tweets.

• Patton Oswalt: "Knowing that Michael Moore watches Downton Abbey has added a whole new level to it. How he must seethe with a Howard Zinn-flavored rage!"
• Seth Meyers: "Hey, Downton Abbey, I know technically you're a Masterpiece Classic, but just be Downton Abbey on the cable box."
• Mindy Kaling: "Seth Meyers, yeah right you don't even watch Downton Abbey stop trying to make girls fall in love with you."
• Jeffrey Ross: "I once saw a Canadian porno -- Two Girls One Stanley Cup...The NHL lockout is finally over so we can all go back to not knowing that there was an NHL lockout."
• Paris Hilton: "People are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be."
• Nicole Richie: "Remember when we thought iridescent lipstick surrounded by brown lip liner would turn us into a Queen? Or was that just me?"
• Ricky Gervais: "What's the funniest thing Karl Pilkington has said this week? He called me up and just said, 'Do slugs sleep?'"
• Andy Richter: "PROVEN: The guitar intro of Doobie Brothers 'Long Train Running' has the greatest vagina-moistening properties of any other piece of music."
• Lisa Lampanelli: "Researchers suggest exposure to lead causes violent crime. Yeah, especially when it’s in the shape of guns...and bullets!"

KELLY CLARKSON: The Inside Skinny

Kelly Clarkson has dropped a few pounds in recent months, and though she's happy that folks have noticed, she thinks that some people have noticed a little too much.

Kel tells Cosmopolitan, "One magazine said I lost 40 pounds -- that's a small child, by the way. I lost 18 pounds. And I think that happens when you fall in love or date someone. If I'm going to be kissing or messing around, I gotta look good. I wish people would stop talking about it, but I'm used to it after a decade. And I'm from a small town, so everybody has something to say about everything. I've grown up that way."

ED SHEERAN: Not-So-Sharp-Dressed Man

Ed Sheeran has earned a new "honor" from the folks at the British edition of GQ -- who have named him 2012's Worst Dressed Man.

Sheeran snagged the title despite stiff competition from a slew of U.K. celebrities, including Max George of Brit boy band The Wanted. But he took the news in stride, Tweeting, "Named Number-One worst dressed male in GQ -- glad they noticed... I did wear a Burberry suit once."

For what it's worth, Downton Abbey actor Dan Stevens came out atop the mag's Best Dressed list, beating the likes of Daniel Craig and David Beckham.

FIVE FOR FIGHTING: New Album This Year

Five for Fighting frontman John Ondrasik recently tweeted that he'll be releasing a new single "early spring-ish," with the sixth FfF studio album to follow a few months later. Ondrasik is celebrating his 44th birthday today (January 7th).

WEIRD NEWS: Spray It, Don't Say It

A Florida man escalated a property dispute with his neighbor by picking up cans of spray paint and splashing graffiti ... all over his own house.

The owner of the home decided to send a message to the folks next door after they complained a little too loudly about his family's decision to remove some trees from the border of their two yards. So rather than send a note, he opted to spray dozens of them on the side of his own house – an act that's perfectly legal, since none of the graffiti is obscene.

The artistically-minded resident won't have to worry about touching up his work, either. The home is said to be in foreclosure, and set for sale sometime this year. (WWSB)

WEIRD NEWS: The Name Game

A teenager in Iceland is filing a lawsuit against the government for taking away something her mom gave her when she was a baby – her name!

15-year-old Blaer Bjarkadottir [pr: Blair BYARK-a-doe-tear] has been banned from using her first name because it's not on a list of "approved" names that officials drew up some years back to protect kids from being saddled with oddball handles. Blaer, which translates as "breeze," is not one of the 1700 or so female names that are permitted, so all of her official documents refer to her only as Stulka – or "girl."

One man who's also gone to court attempting to get his name back says, "I can understand a clause to protect children from being named something like 'Dog poo,' but it is strange that someone cannot change his name to what he truly wants." (New York Daily News)

WEIRD NEWS: A Brush With Danger

Travelers at Atlanta's airport had a brush with danger on Friday morning when security officers were called in to investigate a suspiciously vibrating bag – only to find that it contained nothing more sinister than an electric toothbrush that had accidentally been turned on.

Cops shut down the airport's North Terminal for about 30 minutes after receiving the alarm and sent in a hazardous materials squad to deal with the suspicious bag – but things were back up and running again once the source of the rumbling was revealed. (UPI)

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: Critics Bash Hagel Before Nomination

President Obama is expected to nominate former Senator Chuck Hagel as defense secretary on Monday, but even before he does, conservatives were already slamming him.

According to an administration official, Hagel would be nominated on Monday to replace Leon Panetta. Although Hagel is decorated Vietnam veteran, served two terms in the senate and he's a Republican, Republicans are leading the criticism over his imminent nomination due to his views on Israel and Iran.

In an interview on CNN's Sate of the Union, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said that Hagel would be "the most antagonistic secretary of Defense toward the state of Israel in our nation's history."

Source: Los Angeles Times

U.T. TRACK COACH: Quits After Admitting to Affair (audio)

Bev Kearney, a Hall of Fame track-and-field coach, has quit after revealing she had an "intimate consensual relationship" with a University of Texas athlete in 2002, the college announced over the weekend.

Kearney made headlines after she continued coaching following a paralyzing car crash and went on to recovery. Patti Ohlendorf, who heads the university's legal affairs department, said in a statement that Kearney was a good person, but "she made this terrible mistake and used unacceptably poor judgment in having this relationship."

Neither Kearney nor the university identified the athlete. The relationship began more than 10 years ago and ended "at least about eight years ago," according to the statement.

Source: CNN

GUN CONTROL: White House Ban May Go Beyond Assault Weapon Ban

The White House plan for gun control might go beyond merely re-instating a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

The Washington Post is reporting that the group, led by Vice President Joe Biden, is looking at a broader approach that would include universal background checks for gun buyers and tracking the sales and movement of weapons with a nationwide database.

The plan will also include tougher mental health checks and will raise penalties for those giving weapons to minors or carrying them near schools.

Source: Reuters

TRENDING NOW

British TV and American football are trending on Twitter and Google.

• Downton Abbey: The third season returned to PBS on Sunday. The full season has already run in the U.K.
• Mr. Selfridge: The new British TV period drama has been trending high on U.S. Twitter.
• RG3: The Redskins' Robert Griffin III damaged his already injured knee in Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
• Mike Shanahan: The Redskins coach is under fire for putting in Griffin with an injury.
• Rainn Wilson: He was live-tweeting Sunday's Seahawks/Redskins game.
• Barack Obama: The Prez is back in Washington after a vacation in Hawaii.
• Pirate Bay: The popular file-sharing site was down worldwide.
• NHL Schedule: Hockey will be played after all.

TRAVEL: Drunk Passenger Duct Taped

A recent flight from Iceland to New York left passengers frightened and one drunk guy looking like a mummy.

Witnesses say a passenger on the Icelandair flight drank an entire bottle of booze and became unruly mid-flight – harassing other passengers and claiming that the plane was going to crash.

Being that most of the flight is over the Atlantic and you can't really make an emergency landing to drop the guy off, the flight crew duct taped him to his seat and tied his legs together. You can see a great picture of him here. When the plane landed at JFK, he was promptly removed and arrested. (Gawker)

WORKING WORLD: Men More Likely to Talk About Their Salaries

It's no secret that men earn higher salaries than women. In fact, women still earn about 80 percent of what their male counterparts earn. But there's something else men do more than women – they talk about their salaries.

According to a recent survey, 53 percent of men say they've discussed salaries with their co-workers, compared to only 15 percent of women. 55 percent of men who say they've discussed their salaries did it for "bragging rights." (The Atlantic)

STUDY: Smoking Hookah as Bad as Smoking Cigarettes

A new study from the Centers for Disease Control shows that smoking hookah is at least as toxic as smoking cigarettes. Research shows that just like cigarettes, hookah smoking delivers nicotine into the body, and those who smoke are at risk for lung cancer, stomach cancer, oral cancer and more.

Also, hookah smokers might absorb a higher concentration of the toxins found in cigarette smoke. So, don't let the decorative water pipes fool you – hookah is just as much a hazard as cigarettes. (Women's Health)

MIND & BODY: Music Is Good for Your Health

New studies show that music is good for your health. Researchers in Norway found that hospital employees who joined a choir program reported improved health and greater engagement at work, proving that the social bonds formed during cultural activities like singing have a positive effect on your overall health. So how do different genres of music measure up?

Rap: A new study from the National Institutes of Health shows that the spontaneous lyrical improvisation in rap engages the brain's pre-frontal cortex region, inspiring creativity.

Classical: A Stanford University study shows the complex symphonies by Baroque composers like Bach and Handel helps focus the mind.

Your favorite song: A study from McGill University shows that listening to music that moves you triggers the release of dopamine in the brain, heightening pleasure centers in the mind.

Fast tunes: Researchers at Brunel University found that fast-paced, energetic music was best for physical activity, while inspirational music with a climax is best for game-time prep.

Mellow music: According to the University of Kentucky, patients who listened to mellow music before, during and after surgery reported reduced pain and anxiety, requiring less sedative medication. (Women's Health)

WORKING WORLD: Least Stressful Jobs

Want a job with less stress? Become a college professor. That's the word from a CareerCast.com report, which found that being a professor is the least stressful job available to workers for 2013.

With a median salary of $62,000, high opportunity for growth, and low health risks, being a university professor is a pretty great, low-stress gig.

At the other end of the spectrum, the CareerCast report said men and women in the military have the most stressful jobs.

Here Are the Top 10 Least Stressful Jobs of 2013:

1. University Professor

2. Seamstress/Tailor

3. Medical Records Technician

4. Jeweler

5. Medical Laboratory Technician

6. Audiologist

7. Dietitian

8. Hairstylist

9. Librarian

10. Drill Press Operator