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Mum changes baby daughter’s name because nobody could pronounce it

I thought, We're going to keep having to introduce her! This is going to be a problem forever'.

A US mother has legally changed the name of her three-month-old daughter because her original name was ‘too hard to pronounce’.

The mother from Maryland was met with a confusing dilemma when her friends and family were unable to pronounce her newborn daughter’s name, Ottilie. Speaking to TODAY, Carri Kessler revealed that she and her husband had fallen in love with the name after hearing her British friend say it, but the sound turned out to be a little bit different in her native Maryland accent!

“No one could remember it and no one could pronounce it,” Carri told TODAY, “I was like, ‘If you say it with a British accent, it sounds really good!’ And people said, ‘But you’re from Maryland.'”

But the real turning point came when Carri’s grandmother kept forgetting Ottilie’s name, resorting to writing it on post-its around her house to remember.

“She said, ‘I don’t know how to say her name. I have Post-its all over the house so I can remind myself,'” said Carri, “And I was like, f—. We’re f—ed. We’re totally f—ed.”

“Introducing her made me sweat,” she said. “I thought, We’re going to keep having to introduce her! This is going to be a problem forever’.”

But once Carri and her husband had figured out that a name change was in order, the two didn’t have a problem deciding on their ‘take two’. The name was reportedly offered up by their local barista and is, thankfully for them, a little bit easier to pronounce.

“We sent out a mass email,” she says, “It was like, ‘Hey! Remember Ottilie? Her name’s Margot now’.”

Now, that’s an easy name to pronounce… Wait, is that ‘Margot’ with a silent T?

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How Princess Beatrice might be mirroring Prince William

Princess Beatrice should be celebrating her 28th birthday; instead she is mourning her break up with her long time love Dave Clark.

The pair, who were together for over a decade, have split, with friends citing that they needed some space.

“It is very much a break. It is amicable and mutual. They both need space after a period of ten years to see what they both want,” one friend told People.

“They are both open-minded about what might happen in the future.”

Dave is already an “unofficial” member of the family

In fact, avid royal watchers have noted the similarity with another royal couple – the now happily married Duchess Catherine and Prince William.

Beatrice’s cousin Prince William notoriously called time on his relationship with Kate Middleton in 2007.

As we all know, they found their fairytale ending by reuniting a few months later and in 2011 they made it official by tying the knot.

Watch Wills and Kate talk about their split. Post continues!

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One source echoed this sentiment, explaining to the Daily Mail,“I think it might be a William and Kate-type split.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they got back together.”

“They are both open to that.”

“As we all know, there are several types of split, and this is of the most amicable kind, with no one else involved. It’s just they felt it was decision time.”

Understandably, the York family are devastated.

Watch Kate discuss how the split helped her. Post continues!

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Eugenie and Prince Andrew, are reportedly “completely shocked” by the news while mum Sarah Ferguson is said to “feel as though she has lost a son.”

It has emerged that the pair agreed to break up last month, despite going on holiday together on a yacht in Monaco as recently as the end of June.

Breaking the news, [The Mail on Sunday] revealed, “After ten years together, Beatrice and Dave had to wonder why they were not married.”

Dad Andrew wished his little girl a happy birthday!

Fergie has always been incredibly supportive of her daughter’s relationship with Dave.

“They talked it through and decided to take time apart to reflect on the future. They remain friends and the decision to break up was mutual.”

Interestingly, Beatrice met her beau when she was just 18, by none other than her cousin, Prince William. The trio were at a party back in 2006, hosted by Pierce Brosnan’s son Sean.

While she may be celebrating her first birthday in over a decade as a single lady, her next just might be one as the future Mrs Clark.

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Horrific details emerge about how a boy was ‘decapitated’ on world’s tallest slide

Police confirm boy killed in world’s tallest water slide accident died from fatal 'neck injury'.

Authorities have closed the world’s tallest water slide after a 10-year-old boy was killed on the 17-storey ride on Sunday.

Police have confirmed that Caleb Schwab, the son of a Kansas state politician, was killed after sustaining a fatal “neck injury” while on the 51 metre Verruckt slide at Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City.

Tweets below illustrate what the ride looks like.

https://twitter.com/azuazuimano29/status/703872331802939392

A witness to the tragedy has revealed some of the gruesome details surrounding the boy’s death.

Esteban Castaneda, who was at the waterpark at the time of the incident said there were several loud bangs that came from the ride before a body washed down the slide after a raft, reported ABC7.

Castaneda said a lifeguard was trying to control the crowd as he tried to help but soon it seemed apparent that the boy had been decapitated.

Castaneda also said that he and his 14-year-old cousin had ridden the slide earlier that day and the teenager had told him that toward the end of the ride his velcro belt had come undone.

PEOPLE reports that the two women in the boat with Caleb – neither related to him – suffered minor facial injuries.

“There was a woman being treated for some kind of injury on her face and head,” witness Kelsey Friedrichsen, 27, told PEOPLE. “That was when my boyfriend said, ‘I think there is someone else.'”

What her boyfriend, Josh Foster said first responders covering the body of Caleb.

“It looked like he must have somehow been ejected from his seat, bounced around between the netting and the slide and just slid down,” Friedrichsen said. “He would have fallen down without the raft. It’s kind of like a tube.”

Verruckt was certified as the world’s tallest water slide by Guinness World Records – the water park’s website reportedly said riders had to be at least 54 inches (137 centimetres tall) to get on the slide.

Caleb’s parents, Kansas State legislator Scott Schwab and his wife, Michele, released a statement on Sunday night remembering their freckle-faced little boy.

“Since the day he was born, he brought abundant joy to our family and all those who he came into contact with,” the Schwabs’ said.

“As we try and mend our home with him no longer with us, we are comforted knowing he believed in his saviour, Jesus, and they are forever together now. We will see him another day.”

A Schlitterbahn spokeswoman, Winter Prosapio, said the park had been shut down indefinitely and “a full investigation” is underway.

“We honestly don’t know what’s happened,” Prosapio told the Kansas City Star.

“That’s why a full investigation is necessary. We have to understand what’s happened. The Fire Department, of course, is here. (An) outside, inside investigation will be underway, and it will be a complete one… To be honest, this is not something we’ve experienced.”

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What is cupping and why are Olympic athletes doing it?

The US Olympic team are all about it, but what on earth is cupping and how can it actually improve your well-being?
Michael Phelps

This week, US swimmer Michael Phelps won his 19th gold medal in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay.

And while most of the world focused on cheering him to the finish line, many onlookers were more baffled by the circular bruises that decorated his muscular shoulders.

To dim your burning curiosity, these deep purple circles are the result of an ancient Chinese therapy called cupping, which is believed to date back as far as 3000BC.

The healing technique aims to reduce stiffness, ease muscle cramps and remove scar tissue, according to Jill Blakeway, doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine and founder of The YinOva Center in New York.

The gold medal-winner swears by the treatment, but does it work?

“What happens is the suction draws fresh blood and lymph into the tissue and as the blood flow increases to all the little blood vessels, the tissue gets more nutrients and oxygen. That is why the athletes are using it to improve performance,” she explained to Elle Magazine.

“It’s a very relieving, good sensation if you’re an athlete with achy muscles.”

Find out more about cupping in the video player below! Post continues…

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You might be wondering just how it works.

A local suction is created on the skin using either heat or air pumps, and administered through the use of small glass cups.

The skin is drawn up like a vacuum inside the cup, and left for around 10-15 minutes. Upon removal, the area will be left with a deep, circular bruise caused by the expansion of blood vessels.

The remaining welts – which appear similar to a huge, round hickey, are believed by some to help treat pain, deep scar tissues, muscle knots and even skin conditions such as acne.

However modern medical professionals have their qualms about the ancient therapy.

“Laughing because it hurts so bad. Gonna leave a mark!” US Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin penned alongside this cupping selfie.

So far, only studies on small scales have been performed to test the effectiveness of this alternative medicine, with scant evidence for the treatment holding any benefits.

In the end (or at least until science finds a definitive answer) it all comes down to what works for you.

I have friends who swear by the technique, crediting their pepperoni-esque bruises for a lack of pain and surge in energy.

Others admit that “it’s like that feeling when your skin tightens after you put on a face mask and you crack a smile and it hurts… but magnified.”

While I can’t say that I’ll be rushing to sport these circular hickeys any time soon (the images alone give me the heebie jeebies), there’s no denying that after 19 gold medals, Michael Phelps must be doing something right.

Another win for the legend of the pool!

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Jamie and Jools Oliver’s adorable family photo with new baby

Jamie and Jools Oliver were bursting with pride as they left the hospital with their newest bundle of joy, and the whole family in tow.
Jamie Oliver and family

The are just so delightful.

Jamie and Jools Oliver were bursting with pride as they left the hospital with their newest bundle of joy, and the whole family in tow.

Jamie Oliver is over the moon with the latest addition to his family, a new son.

And as he accompanied his wife Jools Oliver out of the hospital, the pair and their whole family were only too happy to pose so the world could get their first glimpse of the full Oliver clan.

Jools was ready to leave the hospital mere hours after giving birth, and Jamie was only too happy to get her home and begin settling into their new life as parents of five children.

With their children Poppy Honey, Daisy Boo, Petal Blossom and Buddy Bear in tow, the pair prepared to take new baby Oliver home with them.

But not before they decided to take some time to get their first family photo!

The new parents beamed with pride, posing for photographers as their excited children just couldn’t stop looking adoringly at their newest baby brother.

Petal and Buddy kept touching the little one in complete awe, seemingly unable to believe this little one was coming home with them.

Poppy and Daisy played big sisters, helping mum and dad keep an eye on the smaller children so they could focus on new baby Oliver.

Jamie and Jools talk about chaos with having five children now in the clip below. Post continues below.

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Jamie announced the big news of his family’s newest arrival on Instagram over the weekend, sharing a photo of him holding his new son.

Meanwhile Jools posted a photo of herself breastfeeding alongside the message:” Little boy Oliver has arrived, we are so very happy, blessed, grateful and totally in love all over again, and so very proud of our two eldest daughters who cut the cord,” she wrote.

“Jamie was my hero. (No name yet!!!) XXXX.”

This article was originally published on Woman’s Day.

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Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart to host their own cooking show together

Get ready to drop it like it's hot.

Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg have just been given their very own series. Yes, you read that right.

We’re going to say it, this is unexpected… And EXACTLY what we, nay, the world, needs right now.

The pair are teaming up with VH1 for their new show, Martha & Snoop’s Dinner Party.

And we can already see Martha and Snoop wiping out the Emmys with it.

The network already has us salivating, describing this godly combination as “a half-baked evening of cooking, conversation and fun where nothing is off limits.”

Martha Stewart got a contact high from Snoop Dogg.

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One-time jail bird Martha has already released a statement about her new venture.

“At our dinner party, we will exemplify America’s fascination with food, entertaining and celebrity. Martha & Snoop’s Dinner Party will redesign the traditional food competition shows in a new, different and very funny way.”

Of course, her new bestie Snoop had a few words himself.

Check out the pair bake green brownies… Post continues!

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“My homegirl, Martha and I have a special bond that goes back,” Snoop Dogg said in a statement.

“We’re gonna be cooking, drinking and having a good time with our exclusive friends.”

“Can’t wait for you to see how we roll together!”

Meanwhile, VH1 seem pretty chuffed by this scoop.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg, two of pop culture’s biggest icons,” president of the network, Chris McCarthy, said in a statement.

The new series is scheduled to premiere later this year.

Story via: Woman’s Day

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Couple married for more than 60 years die twenty minutes apart

"You couldn't ask for anything more beautiful," their son said.

Jeanette and Henry De Lange had the kind of love story people dream about.

The South-Dakota based couple were married in 1953. They have spent every day together since.

He was a Korean War Veteran, she was a musician who took care of their five children. They never looked back.

Last month their children received an urgent call from the nursing home facility the pair were staying at.

Henry, at 86, was losing his battle to prostate cancer. Jeanette, 87, was also suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease with no signs of improvement.

The end seemed near.

“[The doctor] said your dad’s pulse is worse. I wonder if he’ll go first,” son Lee De Lange told KSFY. “About five minutes later, the aid said I think your mum will go very soon. It was 5:05 p.m. at that point.”

At 5:10pm she passed away.

Two of her children were able to be by Jeanette’s side at the time she passed. They told their heartbroken dad he could stop fighting too if he needed to.

“My brother Keith said to my dad, said ‘mum’s gone to heaven. You don’t have to fight anymore, you can go too if you want,” Lee said.

“He was laying in bed. He, for the first time, opened his eyes, looked intently over where mum was. Closed his eyes back down. Laid back down, died about 5 or 10 minutes after that.”

It was twenty minutes after his beloved wife had left the world.

“We’re calling it a beautiful act of God’s providential love and mercy,” Lee said. “You don’t pray for it because it seems mean but you couldn’t ask for anything more beautiful.”

Proof that sometimes the most understated love stories truly are the most special ones. RIP, Jeanette and Henry.

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It’s officially not okay to double dip your food, says science

It’s very simple, people. Just don’t do it. It’s not okay.

Sharing food is a minefield. There are so many unspoken rules around canapés, grab bags and sharing platters which makes it really dangerous territory to navigate. Of course, there are grey areas; how long do you wait before you claim the last chicken wing? Is the person holding the popcorn automatically responsible for fair distribution throughout the film? Do you put salt on all the chips even though the person you’re sharing with isn’t a fan?

It’s a stressful affair.

Nevertheless, there is one particular area that is as black and white as an Oreo. Double dipping. It’s very simple, people. Just don’t do it. It’s not okay.

Some of you might think that’s a bit much. But a recent study by Harvard Univeristy’s Healthbeat journal has found evidence that double dipping does in fact spread germs.

In the Journal of Food Safety, Dr Robert Shmerling describes how the amount of bacteria in dips majorly increased after someone bit into a crisp and then proceeded to double dip.

They found that the amount of gross bacteria varies between dips, and that chocolate and cheese collect less germs than salsa does, so if you’re a committed double dipper maybe stick to the fondues.

“About 700 bacterial species are found in the mouth and … most are considered pathogenic [capable of causing disease],” a separate paper in Food and Nutrition Sciences said.

So here are some unofficial guidelines to dip sharing etiquette: If you’re feeling unwell, don’t double dip. If you can, spoon some dip onto your own plate to avoid serial dippers. If you feel compelled to dunk again, do as Dr Shmerling suggests and at least dip with the end of your snack that hasn’t been in your mouth.

A version of this article was originally published on The DeBrief.

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FRIENDS made this big mistake at Ross and Emily’s wedding

And we bet you didn't even notice.

Ross and Emily’s wedding episode is one of those Friends episodes we’ll all remember for ever and ever, right?

There was London, Monica and Chandler hooking up, ‘I take thee Rachel’ and everything else that went down. It was all great, everyone was invited and they all had a grand old time (apart from Phoebe who had to stay in New York because of her baby bump), but oh wait, there was one teeny tiny thing missing.

By teeny tiny we mean actually quite a significant thing that you would expect to see at a wedding. By thing we mean person. By person we mean ROSS’ SON BEN.

The producers of the show supposedly forgot to send Ben his wedding invite.

It’s not that we’re surprised. Ben didn’t make many appearances on the show towards the end of the series.

You only have to cast your mind back to season eight when Rachel gave birth to Emma and Ben seemed to mysteriously vanish from Ross’ life. Where did he go? One Reddit user even suggested that Ross had his visitation rights taken away from him…

Basically, Ross, where was your son at your own wedding? Sort it out.

This article was originally published on The DeBrief.

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Carrie Bickmore tells the world about her worst first date ever

And it’s a shocker.

Nowadays Carrie Bickmore might be a happily married lady but the mum-of-two has revealed that back in her younger single days she was subjected to some pretty shocking dates, just like the rest of us.

On Monday night’s edition of The Project the 35-year-old exposed the details of her worst first date ever.

You can watch Carrie Bickmore talking about her worst first date ever below. Story continues after the video.

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“I went to a ball for a first date with a guy … he rocked up an hour and a half late,” Bickmore confessed to her fellow panellists.

“He whistled the whole way there, he didn’t talk to me and then went home with my friend. It was the worst night.”

It seems Carrie’s bad luck with boys started pretty early.

Carrie at her year 12 formal with date, James.

Back in June Carrie told of her teenage awkwardness with her school formal date.

“I so thought I was gonna score. I thought I was getting a pash by the end of that,” Carrie said.

“I was so in love with [date] James,” she continued. But James’ opening line should have given her some indication that this might not be the romantic evening she’d dreamt of.

“Do you know when he rocked up he said to me — this is how much I was never gonna score — ‘I think my grandma’s couch is made out of that material’.”

Oh Carrie! We’ve all been there.

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