POPSUGAR Australia

How to Maintain Your Friendships, When You've Just Become a Parent

Erin Riley — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 20:20:00 +1100

When you hold your baby for the first time and look down into their eyes, your whole world changes - And that includes your friendships. If your friends already have kids, they're probably excited for you to join them in the parenting world and might have offered you all sorts of advice and hand-me-downs. But it can sometimes seem like you've crossed a chasm and your friends without kids are now on the other side.

It can be difficult to maintain your friendships with your kid-free friends in the months after you become a parent. With some effort and awareness, you can work to make sure the people who really matter are still in your life to celebrate your baby's first birthday.

Don't Expect Your Friends to Immediately Worship Your Baby

It's natural to look at your child and think "how could anyone not adore this little face". But you've got all sorts of hormones and genetic predispositions helping you out there. But some people aren't really "baby people" and might struggle to bond with your little one. Your friends might not love your baby straight away just because they're yours - just like they might not have loved your partner at first. Be patient and let your friends get to know your baby in their own way and develop their relationship with them.

Stay Interested In Their Lives

One of the things I found particularly challenging about the early parts of parenthood was how little mental space I had to devote to anything other than my baby. I'd lose my keys, forget to reply to text messages, and forgot more than a few birthdays. But to stay connected with your friends, you need to put aside some of that precious mental space for them. Ask questions about how they're doing. Put reminders in your phone to text them. Keep a journal with your conversations if you're worried you'll forget. It might not be as organic as your friendship was earlier, but that will probably return after you're sleeping through the night again.

Limit the Kid Talk

Yes, your friends love you and want you to be honest with them. Yes, they want to know what's going on in your life. But that doesn't mean they need to know every little detail. Saying "my baby's not sleeping very well and so I'm exhausted"? Fine. But comparing the finer points of the Ferber method versus responsive settling? Save that one for your parent friends.

Leave Your Baby At Home

If you are raising your kids with a partner, let your partner take solo parenting duty so you can have a night out with friends. If you're breastfeeding, try pumping so you can have a few hours away from baby and really focus on your friends. A manual breast pump is a good investment if you want to

Schedule Regular Catch Up Times

As soon as your baby is old enough, make regular times to see your friends. Maybe it's a monthly trivia night or drinks after work every second Friday. Dedicating regular time to the people you value, even when it's a challenge to do so, will ensure your relationship don't just survive, they thrive.

Don't Expect Them To Always Come To You

Yes, it's harder to travel with kids. Yes, you have to pack a thousand things and be prepared. But even though it's probably much easier for your friends to come to you than vice versa, don't always expect them to do it. Friendship is give and take. It might be more difficult to give now, but it's still really important.

Watch What You Say

"I didn't know what it was like to be tired until I had a baby" or "I feel truly fulfilled for the first time in my life" or "This is the most powerful love I have ever known" might all sound like honest and innocuous statements, but they're potentially hurtful to your friends who don't have kids. Without meaning to, they can minimise other people's experience. Think about what you say and how it could be understood. Talking about comparisons between your pre and post-baby life is a fraught subject, so tread carefully.

Be Open About Your Challenges

If none of this is possible and if you're really struggling, open up to your friends. Tell them you might need to disappear for a few months while you adjust to your new life. The good ones will understand that. The great ones will show up at your door with Thai food and a movie and sit with you while you cry. And the ones who don't understand? Those are probably the friends you can live without.

10 Really Simple Ways to Be a Better Person This Year (and Forever)

Genevieve Rota — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 20:05:03 +1100

This feature is dedicated to our #NoChangeNoFuture initiative. From the Women's March, to Australia voting yes to same sex marriage, and the #MeToo movement, 2017 taught us to look beyond ourselves and come together as a collective of powerful women who are writing our own history. Join us as we cancel setting one-dimensional personal resolutions this January and commit to being the change we want to see. Because without change, there is no future.

Changing the world. It's a lofty ideal but the concept is what drives most compassionate humans to make good choices in the way they live, whether consciously or unconsciously.

Sometimes when you take a step back and view everything that needs fixing - famine in developing countries, sexual harassment in workplaces around the world, civil wars, plastic destroying our oceans - it can seem completely overwhelming. While no one person can change all the bad in the world, it's entirely possible for all of us to take little steps that will eventually lead to big change.

Instead of looking at the big picture, and seeing an insurmountable challenge, look around you to see how you can make a difference in your micro world. Below, we've researched 10 of the smallest, most simple ways you can make a difference. How many can you say you've contributed to?

Say no to plastic straws, and invest in a steel one instead.
Straws are causing real strife globally, especially in our waterways. We use them for such a short time and then they invariably end up in the ocean, polluting our water and injuring our animals. A recent cleanup in Manly saw 1,200 straws collected by snorkellers over seven dives. Imagine how many are still down there!
Believe someone if they tell you they were sexually assaulted.
Assault survivors have nothing to gain from reporting harassment - except maybe trolls who hurl abuse at them. The reason so many people, particularly women, have remained quiet for so long is because they were led by fear and conditioned to keep the peace. That changes with each and every one of us who believes and supports them when they speak their truth.
Look for a small GoFundMe account you can support.
A quick $5 donation might not seem like much but for those people in need - really desperate need, where every dollar can be the difference between life or death - it could be life-changing. If you're lucky enough to have a few dollars to spare, pay it forward. If you're strapped for cash, you can donate something even more precious: blood. There's a shortage and it's literally a life-saving act.
Shut down a sexist joke.
You know what, they're just not funny anymore. They never were, but especially now we've all had our eyes and ears blasted open by the strong women of Hollywood.
Say no to plastic bags and get yourself a reusable one instead.
Woolworths, Harris Farm and Coles stores in Australia have all made the impressive commitment to ban single-use plastic bags in their stores from June this year, joining Aldi which has only offered reusable bags the entire time they've been in Australia. It's easy to commit to doing the same: buy yourself a bunch of sturdy cotton shopping bags that you can reuse and take them with you when you go shopping. You'll contribute in a big way to the lessening of the 3.2 billion bags that end up in landfill, and our oceans, each year.
Take the time to chat to anyone around you who might be lonely.
Loneliness is a major issue in Australia, with one in four of us feeling lonely almost all of the time or at least on a regular basis. In hard numbers, that's 5.6 million people around us who are suffering from loneliness - a hard number to swallow, but easy to act on. Pick up the phone, visit your neighbours, take time to visit your grandparents, especially if they're alone, ask at a nursing home if anyone needs company, and volunteer somewhere like The Australian Red Cross, which can assign you to an isolated elderly person who would absolutely love some of you company.
Volunteer.
On the topic of volunteering: time is one of the very few things that money can't buy, so sharing some of yours will always be greatly appreciated by those less fortunate than you. You can lend your time to some pretty awesome experiences these days, like sharing a meal with new Australians who don't know many people, looking after kittens and puppies, helping people with grant writing and yard work, and more. Not only will you be branching out and trying something new, you'll be helping others in some small way. Win-win.
Be brave and stop bullying in its tracks.
Make it your hard-and-fast rule that if you see anyone being treated in a way they shouldn't, you'll call it out and support the person being bullied. If you can't do it purely because it's the right thing to do, at least do it for 14-year-old Dolly Everett.
Make random acts of kindness a way of life for you.
Leave a nice note on someone's windscreen. Pick flowers for your mum. Pay for the person behind you. Compliment people more! Send a letter to someone you care about, just for fun - it'll make their day, promise. Offer to help even if you don't feel like it. Take the bins out for your elderly neighbour. The list goes on (and it's located here)!
Replace your takeaway coffee cups with a reusable one.
Australia goes through one billion disposable coffee cups a year, and you know what that means? Nearly one billion coffee cups end up on landfill every year (save for the very few truly biodegradable ones). It's nearly impossible to comprehend the sheer size of such waste - but it's remarkly easy to help fix the problem, and you don't even need to sacrifice anything. Buy a KeepCup or similar and keep it with you. It's that simple!

It's progress at a grassroots level: if we effect change in these small ways, and gain enough momentum, the change will make its way to the top. There, legislation can be adapted, and a better way can become the norm. Now that's an idea we can all get behind.

The Best Beach Hair You Can Get (in a Bottle)

Phoebe Youl — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 19:45:08 +1100

Every year we look forward to beach season for one particular reason, and that's the promise of easy beach hair. In our minds, we're going to come of out the ocean looking like Giselle in that Chanel advert (you know the one with the logo surfboard?), but every year, we're left disappointed with the reality - beach hair (as in the kind you're left with after a day at the beach) isn't all it's cracked up to be.

So, unless you're a part of the small percentage of people with incredibly well-trained hair, most of us require a little more TLC to make good beach hair happen. With this in mind, we've pulled together a list of the best beach hair you can get in a bottle. Scroll to shop our edit.

Meet the New Brides on MAFS This Season!

Genevieve Rota — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 19:05:20 +1100

Married at First Sight returns to our televisions on January 29 and we're looking forward to watching another 20 brave Aussies take on the dating experiment. Before the season launches, we're going to introduce you to the 10 brides looking for love.

They range in age from 26 to 44, and they come from all walks of life - but one thing they all have in common is that a lasting relationship has eluded them. Ready to settle down? You bet they are!

If Your Baby Isn't Walking by This Age, You Should Talk to Your Doctor

Sarah Beth Moore — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 18:20:00 +1100

The first milestones your kids experience are too cute for words, aren't they? The first time your baby coos, rolls over, or sits up makes your proud-parent neurons start firing. But the biggest one of them all? Walking!

When you look forward to your little one's first steps, it's normal to wonder when they should do it, what's normal, and at what age you should consider intervention of any sort. These questions plagued my husband and me with our first child, who didn't walk until 18 months. Her preschool didn't take this lightly, not-so-subtly implying that she was going to fall behind and get preyed upon by other children. After a frenetic round of examinations and appointments with specialists, we discovered the truth. By the time baby number two came along and pulled the same stunt, we were prepared with much better information - and you should be, too.

According to Baby Center, most babies take their first steps "sometime between 9 and 12 months and are walking well by the time they're 14 or 15 months old." But if it takes your child a little longer, don't worry. "Some perfectly normal children don't walk until they're 16 or 17 months old." You should become concerned, however, if they're not walking at 18 months, not before.

If you're feeling concerned about your baby walking or simply want to try to speed up the process because you're so excited, here are a few steps you can take:

Practice walking with your baby while holding them upright.
Give your baby a safe space to cruise (pull themselves along), and let go of supports altogether.
Stand them up and see how long they balance, then ensure they land safely when they fall.
Make walking a game, offering lots of praise for success.
Encourage walking by placing your baby back down in an upright (not a sitting) position.

Be patient, be kind, and make it fun, and your baby will be ready to get up and go in no time.

We Should All Be More Like Kim Kardashian, Okurr?

Genevieve Rota — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 18:05:03 +1100

I was going to start this piece with the words, "Hear me out," because I've become accustomed to defending myself when I say I admire Kim Kardashian. But you know what? That is some kind of bullsh*t right there. Instead, I'd like to know why people wouldn't like Kim Kardashian.

Is it because she has a famous dad and grew up more priveliged than most? Is it because she - gasp! - filmed a sex tape with her ex-boyfriend? (Which, really, touches on big-time issues around female socialisation that we can't get into right now.) Is it because she's a reality TV trailblazer who's always two steps ahead of the social media game? Is it because she likes taking selfies, even when she's naked? And in that case, do you dislike all your friends who take selfies?

What is it? Because from my perspective, I can only see things to like about Kim Kardashian. I'm not even talking about her successful forays into business, or her style, or her wildly popular TV show, as impressive as they all are. Rather, I'm talking about her personality.

The most accurate word I can think of to describe it is this: dignified. Don't believe me? Here you go:

Kim Kardashian never speaks ill of anyone. Well hey, I'm sure she does with people closest to her (otherwise she's a saint, non?) - but she never does it in public. Take this recent interview for example. As much as she tried, Jennifer Lawrence couldn't get Kim to say a bad word about Blac Chyna, despite the *rather intense* things that have happened between her and Kim's brother Rob. Instead, she took the high road, and thought about the person who matters most - Rob and Blac's baby daughter, Dream - before speaking. She did the same thing when she played "Plead the Fifth" on Watch What Happens Live and cleverly managed to avoid dobbing in her sisters or their ex-stylist. Dignified? You bet.

Kim Kardashian barely drinks and doesn't do drugs. Look, clearly I'm not giving up my Friday wines - but I can admire from afar that Kim doesn't like the effect alcohol has on her and therefore simply doesn't partake. For any of you who've tried to abstain from alcohol for a while, you'll know the kind of peer pressure you get to "just have one drink" every single weekend. That Kim has managed to resist for such a long time, and doesn't make a song and dance about it? Dignified.

Kim Kardashian is unfailingly loyal and never spills the tea on her sisters. She's pushed and prodded on every topic under the sun, particularly ones that involve her well-known sisters - but she never, ever lets them down. Like, literally, I can't think of one time she's let slip on something she wasn't meant to. That kind of loyalty seems pretty dignified to me.

Kim Kardashian isn't afraid to stand up for herself and her family. We've got plenty of examples here but two heavy ones spring to mind. The first is when Chloe Grace Moretz - whom we have a lot of respect for - shamed Kim for taking a nude selfie and Kim fired back. It was an unusually tense exchange for the pair and we don't love how it played out - but it sent a clear message that you can't mess with Kim, or question her choices if you're not prepared to explain yourself. Another example: when Kim said it was "all fair" that her mum Kris Jenner would likely never speak to Caitlyn Jenner again. Dignified? Not heaps. Savage? Yep.

Kim Kardashian has the body confidence we should all strive to have. Doesn't matter what shape or size you are: if you're happy as you are, it should be celebrated! Kim does an amazing job of not apoligising for how she looks, and you bet she's going to document it all on her social media. She's not pushing it on anyone - after all, you can unfollow if it feels necessary - and she doesn't ask that anyone agrees with her. She's feeling her look and she's OK with that. That's a level of self-love and dignity we could all stand to learn from.

That's not all: she's got a big heart, she's considered and she's honest to a fault. She takes care of herself and her body, she's very close to her family, she'll put her husband and kids before all else, she knows when silence is golden and when her voice can lend a hand, and she's a modern-day mogul who's fronted esteemed business magazine, Forbes. In the words of Kim herself, it's "not bad for a girl with no talent."

Such a tremendous honor to be on the cover of @forbes! I never dreamed this would happen and know my Dad would be so proud. #NotBadForAGirlWithNoTalent 😍😜

A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Jul 11, 2016 at 8:16am PDT

She never asked to be a role model, nor does she want to be one, so that's not what this is about. Rather, she's just a good, well-rounded human being who we can all take a few lessons from. So Kim Kardashian, we salute you. Thanks for keeping it real.

Ladies, It's Time to Talk About Your Eggs

Carina Rossi — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 17:55:03 +1100

We're talking about eggs of the reproductive kind (definitely not the chocolate) because for any 20-something woman it's important to be clued-in when it comes to fertility. No longer is it something you'll "just deal with when it's time to have a baby" - egg health is important at any age. And with more women choosing to have babies in their 30s, now is the perfect time. So should you freeze your eggs? Keep reading for all you need to know.

When to Be Concerned About Your Egg Health

This completely depends on your body and your overall health. According to Dr. Carolyn Alexander, if you have regular periods and no other health issues, your early 30s is when you should start thinking about the health of your eggs. "If you have irregular periods, or skip periods all together (while off birth control pills) it's better to get evaluated sooner than later with hormonal blood tests," says Dr. Carolyn. "In addition, if your mother or close family member had early menopause, this may be a clue for a genetic issue that may affect your fertility as well."

Is There a Right Time to Freeze Your Eggs?

It's no secret the younger you are the more fertile you are, therefore the younger you choose to freeze your eggs, the better. But is it necessary for all women? Dr. Carolyn admits that if a woman is facing surgery for endometriosis, or treatment of a medical condition that may impair future fertility, it's definitely something to consider, and sooner is certainly better. While freezing your eggs comes with no guarantee, it can help provide peace of mind to anyone who has no other option than to conceive in their late 30s or 40s, when it might be a little more challenging to conceive. Of course, chatting to your doctor or gynaecologist will give you a clearer picture, so always seek medical advice before making your mind up.

Is It a Dangerous Process?

According to Dr. Carolyn, the process involves 10-12 days of injections that help stimulate follicles, which are fluid-filled sacs that have a microscopic egg inside. The medications may lead to bloating, fatigue and mood swings, and there's a rare chance of blood clots and ovarian torsion (flipping of the ovary, hence limited exercise is recommended during the injection window of time). "The egg harvest or retrieval involves a procedure under a light anaesthesia to safely obtain the eggs through the vagina under direct visualisation with ultrasound," says Dr. Carolyn. "There are some minor risks to this procedure including pain, bleeding and infection, though these are rare."

The 1 Parenting Lesson I Wish I Had Learned Earlier

Angela Anagnost Repke — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 17:05:51 +1100

Dear Second-Born,

You'll find out one day that parenting doesn't come with a map. I've been desperate for my own tour guide several times, but instead I've learned to trust my gut. Because of this, mistakes are made and lessons are learned, and there's one parenting lesson I wish I would have learned earlier.

I never should have compared you to your big brother.

Parents know not to do this, yet sometimes things happen in our subconscious. When you were born, I considered myself a veteran mother. I had done it all before - the blowouts, the middle-of-the-night feedings, and the witching hours. I knew what babies needed and how to console them . . . or so I thought.

But you were stubborn from the beginning. In those first three months when you were growing inside of me, you sent me running to the toilet daily. Then you were five days late. And since your very first breath, you've let the world know you are a force to be reckoned with. You wouldn't comply. You'd do things at your own pace, usually faster or slower than the norm. For you, the rules were only meant to be broken.

Yes, you did some things quicker than your older brother, like climb up the slide, shake your hips while dancing on our kitchen table, and vehemently tell me no. There were also things you did slower than your brother: sleep through the night, walk, and learn your letters. You've proved that you're much more defiant, too. I've had to learn a few parenting tricks to get you to listen to me. And I admit, when you weren't hitting those milestones as early as your big brother did, I compared you to him at first. My gut told me that you were perfect and that you would do things when you were ready, but I let society's judgment creep in. I'm so sorry.

The other day, I was running around the house trying to get you and your brother ready for school, and you ran to me from the mudroom screaming, "I'm all ready, Mummy! Let's go!" There you were. A puny 3-year-old all dressed up for preschool: coat zipped, hat and gloves on, and boots pulled up successfully on the right feet. It hit me. You were born to be a little wild. You were also born to lead and be great - like your brother, only different. You may not get to where you want to go on the first try, but you will get there, and you'll have a lot of fun on the way. I know that now.

I'm glad I learned this lesson while you're still young. I'm embracing the beautiful and unpredictable paths you take to accomplish both the small and large tasks. I'll never compare you to your brother again, because I know that nobody can compare to you.

I love you always,
Mum

"I've Got No Business With It:" I'm a Celeb's Julia Morris on Jogging (and Other Things)

Genevieve Rota — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 17:05:42 +1100

The problem with Julia Morris is that you can never really get enough time with her. You know? She's one of those people. Infectious. Warm. Julia Morris is the kind of woman you want to take home - as in, the thought of leaving her elicits true sadness, and so you'll do just about anything to surgically attach yourself to her for the forseeable future.

Of course, we all know that already. That's why she's one of Australian TV's most successful identities: she's the hostess with seriously the mostess on I'm a Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here! (and boasts a flair for twisting the English language), her stand-up comedy shows sell-out consistently, she's an integral part of the House Husband's line-up and she's heading up Blind Date, coming to Network Ten this year. She's wildly popular in our country's tight little industry, and it's never been easier to see why than when I walk into a small studio at Network Ten's HQ to interview her ahead of the launch of IAC's fourth season.

"Hello, darling!" she calls through the door, walking over to greet me with a kiss. We've met before, a couple of times, but considering she meets a thousands of new people a year (such is the nature of fame, eh?), it's charming that she's greeting me like an old friend. Though I get the distinct vibe that she's like this with everyone, not just someone who's interviewing her for her TV show.

"I didn't know how the year was going to roll out for the network. I got a bit sad, thinking, 'I haven't said goodbye to South Africa yet.'"

Before we take a seat on the couch, she grabs her phone and asks, "Can I show you something?" She pulls up a picture of a red dress and tells me, with levels of energy I can only dream of, that this is the dress she'll wear on launch night for I'm a Celebrity (it's coming on January 28). She loves it. She can't wait to wear it! And so we launch into talk about the show - can she believe we're up to season four already? "Yes ma'am," she says. "Series four, and I am sure we are going to go for years and years - or maybe that's just how I want it in my heart. Early last year, I didn't know how the year was going to roll out for the network. I got a bit sad, thinking, 'I haven't said goodbye to South Africa yet;' I haven't said goodbye to [the show] yet." Network Ten had, at that stage, gone into voluntary adminisatration and the future of the business was in doubt.

"There was no way in million years that I would've thought we weren't going back. I just kept thinking - because I'm so confident about stuff anyway - I'm like of course it's going ahead." Turns out she was right: CBS bought Network Ten and it was basically business as usual for Julia and her colleagues from then onwards.

I ask Julia what she loves so much about working on the show for three months of the year - especially considering it's filmed in South Africa, away from her family - and she doesn't hesitate. "It was one of my favourite shows when I lived in the UK," she explains, "and I could not get enough of it. I love the idea of seeing people in what feels like pedestrian moments, but learning things about their morals and their standards."

"I would never have thought that Shane Warne was going to become one of my all-time favourite people."

When I tell her that's one of my favourite elements of the show - the fact that you get to see celebrities in completely confronting, challenging, unusual situations - she agrees. Prime example: hane Warne crying and shaking in fear as he faced his spider phobia in an episode last year - not exactly a moment in his life that we expected to be privy to.

"He's become one of my all-time favourite people," Julia says. "I would never have thought that Shane Warne was going to become one of all-time favourite people. I'm kind of like, 'All those sporty guys, whatever.' Then watching him care for and protect his fellow camp mates . . . and to really get an understanding of the difference between being scared and having a phobia, it was distressing to watch. He didn't have to hold it but went [on the show] wanting to make his children proud and he did it."

We move away from the show and onto other things - you see, it's a big year for Julia. She's turning 50 in April and you bet she's embracing it. "I thought that 40 was the big turning point," she tells me. "Now I think it's 50. I think 40 is the decade to get used to the fact that you're going to age, 'cause it's the first time you kind of do. You're like, 'Oh my god, look at that in that photo.' It's the first time that sort of thing happens. You've got 10 years to get used to it and now that I am turning 50, I could care less. Like, whatever mate."

"I mean, I'll no sooner go jogging than fly to the moon. It's simply never going to happen."

It's a refreshing headspace for Julia to be in. "I still look after myself, but I can only do what I can do each day," she says. "I can't now spend the second half of my life being upset - no, upset is not the right word . . . but being dissatisfied with the way I look. I've got no time for it now. I think I've been every different size. I've embraced every different size. I've spoken on behalf of every different size over the years. As long as you're healthy, it doesn't matter. I mean, I'll no sooner go jogging than fly to moon. It's simply never going to happen. Jogging and I will never be friends. I've got no business with it."

"The second [a diet] starts, I'm like, 'If I don't get a vanilla slice today, I don't even know what to do with myself.'"

Same goes for diets. "I work out ways to fit in increasing my heart fitness, but I've not been on a diet since my probably late 20s. I think diets are bad news. Oh my god, they make you feel so bad! There's no point. The second it starts, I'm like, 'If I don't get a vanilla slice today, I don't even know what to do with myself.'"

Her solid handle on the things that truly matter in life - like eating the damn vanilla slice - is probably partly responsible for her success, in all areas. She works hard, she loves her family hard and she lives her life how she wants to. "I have always been this busy, just not as in the spotlight," she says when I ask if she's enjoying this hectic run of work. "I think that sometimes in Australia my career looks like it took a dip. But I just wasn't here." Instead, Julia was living and working in London for eight years. "In actual fact, I feel like I have been on an upward trajectory, and even though it was what I was working towards, I didn't necessarily expect that it would happen. Because, there are how many slots on the television? There aren't that many spaces for people, so it's pretty exciting to still be here."

Something else that's not lost on her is how the industry - and society in general - has changed for women. "Now you're allowed to have a voice. Women haven't really been allowed to have a proper voice. I hate to bring it to another 'what women weren't allowed to have' thing but . . . " She trails off. "It's true?" I ask. "Yeah! Like wah, wah, wah, my wife's nagging me at home. What? Is it 1940? I watched a movie the other night, and the dad was saying, 'Oh I've got to babysit the kids tonight.' No, you don't have to 'babysit' the kids tonight. What you have to do is parent!"

See, Julia knows what's up. When I'd asked her how she was at the beginning of our chat, she responded, "Well, I woke up alive. You know, you're off to the right start, when you wake up alive. It's just like, 'I can do anything today. I've already done the hardest bit - I woke up.'" Preach it, sister.

The fourth season of I'm a Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here! premieres at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 28, on Network Ten.

18 Fashion Rules For 2018 to Trust Like the Back of Your Hand

Sarah Wasilak — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 17:05:34 +1100

Don't think of these rules as requirements for what to wear in 2018. Instead, think of them as a sign of encouragement. They should make you feel like the fashion world is a democratic community where your outfit choice is your own. We're just giving you the tools you need to wear your personality on your sleeve when you get dressed.

Knowing that blue mixes with black and going sheer is a balancing act doesn't mean you can't work a monochrome look or bare your bum in a see-through skirt without investing in the proper panties - you totally can. We're only suggesting you keep sophistication in mind, memorize the style codes ahead, and, well, maybe shop a little bit too. In 2018, fashion should make you happy. If we could slap one overarching rule on this post, that would be it.

Is Retinol the Answer to All of Your Complexion Concerns?

Ani Palen — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 16:40:04 +1100

To many skin care-obsessed women, retinol is considered liquid gold. It's known as a superb anti-ageing product because of its ability to decrease fine lines and wrinkles, but this ingredient can actually do much more. A great retinol product will plump and smooth while improving skin's elasticity, stimulating collagen, exfoliating, and evening its tone. Retinol also goes a long way in preventing and erasing sun damage.

There are two routes you can take when it comes to incorporating retinol into your regimen. It can be purchased over the counter or prescribed by a doctor. I spoke to a few skin care experts to break down everything you need to know about this quasi-miracle ingredient so you can figure out which route and products might be the best for you.

How to Have Your Healthiest 24 Hours and Still Get Sh*t Done

Carina Rossi — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 16:25:03 +1100

If a semi-healthy breakfast and a casual stroll from your car to work is your idea of healthy living (I mean, who has time for anything else?) it's definitely time to rethink your approach. Reality check: you have the same hours in each day as the next person so it's time to drop the excuses and know it's possible to fit three balanced meals, a bunch of filling snacks and two workouts - yep, two! - into your day.

Here is your healthy living plan for the next 24 hours, meals and workouts included - so how hard can it be? Not very, we promise! Get ready for your healthiest 24 hours!

The Internet Is Anything but Shy About Kim and Kanye's New Baby Name

Perri Konecky — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 16:05:03 +1100

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West shocked the world on Saturday when they announced the name of their newborn baby girl: Chicago West. Baby Chi (pronounced "shy") may only be a few days old, but she already has the internet going crazy over her name. While many fans gushed over the adorable tribute to Kanye's hometown, others joked that her name sounds like a prime-time procedural drama coming to a screen near you. Read on to see some of the good, the bad, and the downright hilarious reactions to Chicago West - or what some are calling a complete missed opportunity for "Wild West."

Kaia Gerber Is Adding Designer to Her Résumé With a New Karl Lagerfeld Collection

Celia Fernandez — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 16:05:02 +1100

Just three months after making her runway debut, Kaia Gerber is expanding her fashion résumé and trying her hand at designing. The 16-year-old has joined Karl Lagerfeld to design a capsule collection, set to launch in Fall 2018.

"When Karl first told us his idea to collaborate with Kaia, we were all excited by the incredible potential and power of bringing their two worlds together," Pier Paolo Righi, CEO of Karl Lagerfeld, stated in a press release. "We have been working intensely over the last months with Kaia in L.A. and at our studio in Paris. It was exciting to see her clear vision, passion, and engagement, and the collection will definitely inspire many young women."

The Karl Lagerfeld x Kaia collection will feature footwear, sunglasses, jewellery, and so much more. The brand hasn't released any previews of the designs, save for this shot of Kaia holding a studded leather glove, surrounded by Karl's design team. We do know the range will feature California-vibe pieces for day and more French-inspired pieces for night. Get a second look at the sneak peek ahead.

Doing This 1 Thing Will Change the Way You Get Dressed Forever More

Kate McGregor — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 15:10:03 +1100

I'm a big believer in outfit planning. I pull items aside on Sunday nights for the week ahead. I style looks for major events in advance. And more recently, I've been piecing together my dream holiday wardrobe according to a mood board. Sound intense? It might be, but it stops last-minute meltdowns and impulse buying, and as someone who loves styling, I get great enjoyment out of the prep stage.

I've learnt along the way that successful outfit planning starts with a reference. It could be as literal as a look you want to copy, or it might be textures and colours that inspire you. Regardless, having a guide to follow will give you the best possible chance of achieving the vibe you imagined. And this is where Instagram's new Collections feature will change your life like it has mine.

No longer do I have to trawl through hundreds of photos to find outfits I've taken a screenshot of or leave Instagram to Pin something I love. When I stumble upon an outfit I want to try, I simply save it using the little flag button on the bottom right of the screen. Then, I visit my saved page and move it into one of the category folders on my Collections page. Right now, I have folders titled Work, Weekend, Europe and Events. If I'm ever stuck or lacking creativity in the morning, this is my go-to. It's also a good point of reference when I'm shopping and unsure of how a piece will fit into my wardrobe.

Keen to give it a go? Below, I have shared a few of my saved pics from each folder to get you started. Scroll!

Who Is Cherry Seaborn? Everything You Need to Know About Ed Sheeran's Fiancée

Terry Carter — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 15:05:04 +1100

A post shared by Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos) on Jan 20, 2018 at 5:49am PST

On Sunday, Ed Sheeran surprised fans by announcing his engagement to his long-time girlfriend, Cherry Seaborn. The "Shape of You" singer reportedly met Cherry in high school and has been dating her since September 2015. While Ed has opened up about their sweet romance over the years - he even discussed wanting "little fat, chubby babies" - the two have remained low-key for the most part. With their impending nuptials on the way, keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Ed's new fiancée.

She's 25 years old. According to her biography on Duke University website, Cherry was born on May 6, 1992. The UK native moved to the United States to attend the North Carolina-based college due to its notable hockey team.
She met Ed Sheeran in high school. The couple first crossed passed at Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham, Suffolk. Cherry was a hockey player at the school, and Ed reportedly had a crush on her.
She quit her job to fall in love. In 2017, Ed revealed that he took a break from music in 2016 to pursue his relationship with Cherry, and she did the same for him. "We were just basically like, let's quit our jobs and have a year of forming a tight bond," he shared, adding, "So we went travelling and spent every day for a year together."

This Skin Expert Wants You to Read This Before Getting on a Plane

Melanie Grant — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 14:35:09 +1100

I've been on a working holiday over the Christmas and New Year break. This has meant doing my fair share of long haul flights and cold weather. While an Australian Summer is harsh and New York at minus two degrees can be crazy, I reckon our skin takes the most punishment at altitude while we travel.

Skin maintenance while travelling has to be one of my most asked questions. Fortunately, with just a bit of planning, we can make those long hours in the air work for us and for our skin. Read on to see how.

5 Harry Potter Secrets You Definitely Didn't Know . . . Until Now

Brinton Parker — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 14:30:04 +1100

Though she may seem like a muggle, JK Rowling is definitely magical. A former waitress without any formal training in creative writing, the author of the Harry Potter series created a world where anything (except maybe Snape investing in decent shampoo) is possible.

While she may not be writing any more Potter novels right now (never say never!), there is a new book that will excite fans worldwide: an in-depth bibliography about the author's literary journey. JK Rowling: A Bibliography 1997-2013 by Philip Errington has been in the works for five years, and it's so detailed that Rowling described it as "slavishly thorough and somewhat mind-boggling." Basically, you should be happier than Hagrid in an exotic pet store at this news.

The bibliography, which follows Rowling throughout the process of penning each entire Harry Potter book, is a veritable Diagon Alley of previously unknown facts about the series. If you don't have time to read it to find out all of secrets, don't worry - you can check out this list for a few that even Hermione wouldn't know.

Found! The Most Luxe Yoga Retreat in the World

Carina Rossi — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 14:25:03 +1100

Imagine a place where all you have to do is yoga, relax and eat delicious food. Now imagine this place is in the south of France. What if we told you this place actually exists and you could go there today, would you be interested? Silly question - of course you would! This heaven on earth is called Luxyoga and it's the only place in the world where you'll be taught by world-renowned yoga teachers and enjoy meals prepared by your very own private chef, but that's definitely not all. As the website suggests, "You will drink Ayurvedic juice after class, dip in the pool and return to your aroma therapy-treated room and perfectly made bed. You will have a massage on a private deck with Mediterranean views, drink rare local wines and live amidst art created just for the space." Umm, can we go immediately?!

While prices range from $2450-$7995 per person if you're looking for the ultimate two-to-seven day yoga retreat, we think we might have found The One!

What It's Really Like to be an Insta-Famous Mum

Marcia Leone — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 14:10:09 +1100

Smartphone in one hand, baby wipe in the other, taking on the world one post at a time. Yes, the life of a mummy-influencer has many charms. You get to choose your hours, be creative, talk to other adults (albeit virtually and mainly about your kids), feel part of a community, and it's possibly the only "job" that encourages you to spend more time with your kids - in fact, it's a pre-requisite.

The bigger you get, the bigger the perks - clothes, gadgets, holidays, cars, things you never knew you needed; and to get paid on top and earn a wage - for just living your life . . . Surely this is every mama's dream?!

But you don't need to be living under a Bugaboo pram to realise what you see on the 'gram isn't all "real". I give my followers more credit than that.

That "candid" snap of me pushing a pram with flowers in hand? Well that only took 2354 takes and an argument with the Insta-husband. That gorgeous moment between my kids? Well the reality is he just spat in her eye because she farted on his leg, but hey, they still look cute . . .

On the one side we have the "fashion/curated" mums that share expertly styled "perfect" shots, and on the other we have the "real life" mums that photograph their naked kids having a tantrum in a pile of dirty clothes. I happily sit somewhere in-between. I love styling and capturing gorgeous moments, but try to keep it real with my captions.

I often get "Wow, you are so lucky to get to work from home with your kids". Yes, I absolutely am, but I still struggle to find that elusive work/life balance - probably even more so. There is no nine to five in the Insta-world, no weekends, no holidays. I've never worked longer hours in my whole career. Answering emails between midnight feeds, editing photos while burping babies, balancing deadlines with designated tech-free days to ease the guilt for being attached to my phone.

Yep, here comes the "Mum Police". My first three years on the 'gram were a warm, fuzzy bubble of mama love and support - a virtual mothers' group with members from across the globe. But as my following grows, so do the Judgey-Mum Brigade, armed with their "shoulds and shouldn'ts", "dos and don'ts", opinions on everything and critiques on being "too real" or "not real enough".

Insta-fright is real. It's hard not to over-analyse your posts when it's all about the numbers . . . I see it all the time, people posting and removing because the response wasn't what they hoped, reposting with a slightly different version of the same picture. Sometimes I wish there were no likes, because as hard as we try, it's easy to get caught up in all of that.

All these things are part and parcel with a social profile, but what I struggle with the most is that as I share my motherhood journey, my kids are obviously part of the ride.

My story has helped and inspired many and I'm making a living that allows me to be home with my kids, but I hope it's not at the expense of my kids. I go for months without showing my son's face in pictures and am mindful to only share photos they would be proud to look back on, but the truth is we don't know the effects on kids that have grown up with social profiles. It's a constant internal battle as I navigate the path between including them and being "real" and keeping some things private.

So while it's not all sunshine and rainbow emojis, I can't deny it's a bloody good gig - you just have to set boundaries and find the right balance.

Hashtag blessed.

How This Ex-Fashion Designer Started a Successful Online Store

Kate McGregor — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 14:10:04 +1100

Order Of Style. If you haven't heard of it until now and have an online shopping ~~sickness~~ addiction, keep reading. Launched by ex-designer Lana Coppel in 2015 with the goal of making "online shopping feel more like real-life shopping, with less of the bad stuff" (as confessed on the site), it's become a frequent destination for us here in the POPSUGAR Australia office for exactly this reason.

Order Of Style offers an expertly curated selection of local and international designers - Camilla and Marc, IRO and Frame immediately stand-out on the brand list. Take its denim offering for example. There may be just over 200 styles available as we scroll through today, but each piece has a place. The washes and cuts are new, bang on-trend and exactly what our wardrobes need right now. It's refreshing.

You could put the need-everything feeling you get after browsing Order Of Style down to Lana's designer past, extensive and on-going market research or keen eye, but whatever it is, it works.

As with most exciting fashion start-ups that get our attention, we couldn't resist getting in touch with Lana to ask her how it all started, what's happened since, and her advice for anyone looking to start their own online fashion store.

Scroll for our interview with the Melbourne-born (and based) talent!

Paul Bettany Is Likely in Line to Become the Next Prince Philip on The Crown

Tori Crowther — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 14:05:14 +1100

If rumours are to be believed, The Crown might have found its new Prince Philip. Netflix's royal drama has been busy replacing the current cast with actors who are a little bit older to reflect the passage of time on the show, and while Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret's replacements have been found, the lucky man tasked with taking over Matt Smith's role was still a mystery.

Well, we hope you're a fan of Paul Bettany, because the Avengers: Infinity War actor is reportedly in line to replace Smith as Prince Philip for seasons three and four. If this turns out to be true, he will join Olivia Coleman, who is confirmed to take Claire Foy's place as Queen Elizabeth II in the award-winning historical epic. Helena Bonham Carter is reportedly also in talks with producers about joining the show to play Princess Margaret, and a recent Instagram picture from current star Vanessa Kirby seemed to confirm the news.

We'll no doubt miss Foy and Smith on The Crown, but can't wait to see how the new cast follow through on the royal family drama. The Crown's third season will be released sometime in late 2019.

These Are the 10 Hottest Hollywood Hair Colours For 2018 - According to Experts

Wendy Gould — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 13:40:03 +1100

The old way of thinking - dark hair in the Winter, lighter hair in the Summer - is so outdated. In 2018, you can rock any damn hair colour you please, be it denim blue, ashy blond, or almost-black brunette. Just make it your own and wear it with confidence.

To help you choose your next hue - or hues, because rainbow hair is still a thing - we consulted master colourists. They weighed in on what hair colours will reign in 2018 on Hollywood's red carpet, in your Insta feed, and along your neighbourhood sidewalk. From vivid duo-tones to rich cinnamon, true grey to honeypot blond, the spectrum is a colourful and inspired one.

Here Are This Year's Astounding Nominees For the GLAAD Media Awards!

Ryan Roschke — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 13:30:06 +1100

This year, GLAAD has selected a total of 141 nominees in 26 categories for the annual GLADD Media Awards, which will be held on April 12 in LA. These projects have succeeded in offering fair and accurate portrayals of members in the LGBTQ+ community, cultivating a sense of boldness and originality and creating a lasting impact on mainstream pop culture. Additionally, GLAAD has announced a new category to recognise the growing LGBTQ+ inclusion in kids and family TV shows. So, from the buzzy award season darlings like Call Me by Your Name to some seriously fresh television like The Bold Type, here's the full list of nominees.

OUTSTANDING FILM – WIDE RELEASE
Battle of the Sexes
Call Me by Your Name
Lady Bird
Professor Marston and the Wonder Women
The Shape of Water

OUTSTANDING FILM – LIMITED RELEASE
BPM
A Fantastic Woman
God's Own Country
Thelma
The Wound

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
The Bold Type
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Modern Family
One Day at a Time
One Mississippi
Superstore
Survivor's Remorse
Transparent
Will & Grace

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
Billions
Doubt
The Handmaid's Tale
Nashville
Sense8
Shadowhunters
Star
Star Trek: Discovery
This Is Us
Wynonna Earp

OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL EPISODE (in a series without a regular LGBTQ character)
"Chapter 8," Legion
"Grace," Pure Genius
"Lady Cha Cha," Easy
"The Missionaries," Room 104
"Thanksgiving," Master of None

OUTSTANDING TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES
American Horror Story: Cult
Feud: Bette and Joan
Godless
Queers
When We Rise

OUTSTANDING KIDS & FAMILY PROGRAMMING
Andi Mack
"Chosen Family," Danger & Eggs
"The Emergency Plan," Doc McStuffins
The Loud House
Steven Universe

OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY
Chavela
Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric
Kiki
"Real Boy," Independent Lens
This is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous

OUTSTANDING REALITY PROGRAM
Gaycation with Ellen Page
I Am Jazz
RuPaul's Drag Race
Survivor: Game Changers
The Voice

OUTSTANDING MUSIC ARTIST
Miley Cyrus
Halsey
Honey Dijon
Kehlani
Kelela
Kesha
Perfume Genius
Sam Smith
St. Vincent
Wrabel

OUTSTANDING COMIC BOOK
America, by Gabby Rivera
The Backstagers, by James Tynion IV
Batwoman, by Marguerite Bennett and James Tynion IV
Black Panther: World of Wakanda, by Roxane Gay, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Yona Harvey, and Rembert Browne
Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love, by Sarah Vaughn
Goldie Vance, by Hope Larson and Jackie Ball
Iceman, by Sina Grace
Lumberjanes, by Kat Leyh and Shannon Watters
Quantum Teens are Go, by Magdalene Visaggio
The Woods, by James Tynion IV

OUTSTANDING DAILY DRAMA
The Bold and The Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
The Young & the Restless

OUTSTANDING TALK SHOW EPISODE
"Australia Marriage Equality," Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
"Danica Roem," The Opposition with Jordan Klepper
"Laila and Logan Ireland, Transgender Military Couple," The Ellen DeGeneres Show
"Laverne Cox and Gavin Grimm," The View
"Trans Veterans React to Ban," The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

OUTSTANDING TV JOURNALISM – NEWSMAGAZINE
"A Boy Named Lucas," 20/20
"China Queer," The Naked Truth
"Gay Purge?" Nightline
"The Pulse of Orlando: Terror at the Nightclub," Anderson Cooper 360
"Trans Youth," VICE on HBO

OUTSTANDING TV JOURNALISM SEGMENT
"The Abolitionists Face the Love Army," KAPP-KVEW Local News
"DJ Zeke Thomas Goes Public," Good Morning America
"Murders Raise Alarm for Transgender Community," NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt
"Transgender Murders in Louisiana Part of Disturbing Trend," CBS Evening News
"Transgender Rights under Fire in Trump Era," AM Joy

OUTSTANDING NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
"Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: The Journey of a Transgender Man," by Lauren McGaughy for The Dallas Morning News
"Lesbian College Coaches Still Face Difficult Atmosphere to Come Out," by Shannon Ryan for Chicago Tribune
"Pulse Victims' Families in Puerto Rico: 'We Have to Cry Alone,'" by Jennifer A. Marcial Ocasio for Orlando Sentinel
"Revised Guidance on HIV Proves Life-Transforming," by Lenny Bernstein for The Washington Post
"The Silent Epidemic: Black Gay Men and HIV," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

OUTSTANDING MAGAZINE ARTICLE
"America's Hidden H.I.V. Epidemic," by Linda Villarosa for The New York Times Magazine
"Beyond 'He' or 'She': The Changing Meaning of Gender and Sexuality," by Katy Steinmetz for Time
"Forbidden Lives: The Gay Men Who Fled Chechnya's Purge," by Masha Gessen for The New Yorker
"Free Radical," by Nathan Heller for Vogue
"Trans, Teen, and Homeless," by Laura Rena Murray for Rolling Stone

OUTSTANDING MAGAZINE OVERALL COVERAGE
The Advocate
Billboard
People
Teen Vogue
Time

OUTSTANDING DIGITAL JOURNALISM ARTICLE
"The Ballad of Bobby Brooks, the First Gay Student-Body President of Texas A&M," by Lauren Larson for GQ.com
"For Those We Lost and Those Who Survived: The Pulse Massacre One Year Later," by James Michael Nichols for HuffPost Queer Voices
"'I Am a Girl Now,' Sage Smith Wrote. Then She Went Missing," by Emma Eisenberg for Splinter
"Meet the Transgender Student Who Fought Discrimination at His Maryland High School (and Won)," by Nico Lang for INTO
"Why Bisexual Men Are Still Fighting to Convince Us They Exist," by Samantha Allen for Splinter

OUTSTANDING DIGITAL JOURNALISM – MULTIMEDIA
"Former Patriots and Chiefs Tackle Ryan O'Callaghan Comes Out as Gay," by Cyd Zeigler for Outsports
"Made to Model: Trans Beauty in Fashion," LogoTV.com
"'This Is How We Win': Inside Danica Roem's Historic Victory," by Diana Tourjée for Broadly
"Transgender Day of Remembrance," by Saeed Jones for BuzzFeed News
"US Travel Ban Leaves LGBT Refugees in Limbo," by Nina dos Santos for CNN.com

OUTSTANDING BLOG
Autostraddle
Gays With Kids
My Fabulous Disease
Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents
Transgriot

SPECIAL RECOGNITION
In a Heartbeat, by Esteban Bravo and Beth David
"Smile (feat. Gloria Carter)," by Jay-Z on 4:44

SPANISH-LANGUAGE NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING SCRIPTED TELEVISION SERIES
Las chicas del cable
La doble vida de Estela Carrillo
Ingobernable

OUTSTANDING TV JOURNALISM – NEWSMAGAZINE
"Así viven los estudiantes transgénero después de que Trump anulara la ley de baños de Obama para escuela públicas," Primer Impacto
"Pulse, huellas de la masacre," CNN en Español
"Ser transgénero en Latinoamérica: sus experiencias y crecimiento," Vive la Salud

OUTSTANDING TV JOURNALISM SEGMENT
"Comunidad LGBTQ vulnerable bajo nuevo gobierno," Perspectiva Nacional
"Entrevista con Daniela Vega," Showbiz
"Joven transgénero tiene un mensaje para las familias: 'Acepten a sus hijos,'" Al Punto
"El triunfo de una diseñadora mexicana transgénero en Nueva York," Noticias Telemundo
"Unidos contra la discriminación y el acoso contra la comunidad LGBT," Despierta América

OUTSTANDING DIGITAL JOURNALISM
"La compleja realidad de ser gay en América Latina," CNN.com
"'No aprobar el Dream Act significaría una sentencia de muerte', jóvenes LGBT y DACA," laopinion.com
"Padres de familia de Dallas luchan por los derechos de su hija transgénero," aldiadallas.com
"Primera senadora trans aspira a impulsar medidas para sectores discriminados," efe.com
"Tres hermanitos para dos papás," laopinion.com

13 Reasons Why: Dylan Minnette Just Spilled the Juiciest Details About Season 2

Terry Carter — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 13:05:12 +1100

Dylan Minnette is singing like a canary. The 13 Reasons Why star caught up with Seventeen magazine ahead of the show's highly anticipated second season, and, boy, did he dish some juicy details for the fans. "It would have been weird to end Hannah's story in season one because we only heard very small titbits of her life told by her," Minnette argued in defense of the decision to go forward with another season. "There's a whole life that Hannah had, and there's more we can learn about her. Overall, learning more about her is more important to the entire narrative."

As far as what fans can expect for his character, Clay, Minnette revealed he'll still be recovering from the aftermath of Hannah's suicide and the tapes she left behind. "I think that the impact of Hannah and the tapes on Clay's life will never ever go away no matter how hard he tries. No matter what, it's going to take him a while to recover. You can see that it's not easy for Clay to let anything go. And that's expected. I don't think anyone expects Clay to just kind of think of Hannah and be like, 'No, it was nothing.'"

Minnette continued, "There's a lot of recovery for these characters. So, I think it's necessary and I was excited about a season two. Now looking back, I'm like, I get it. I get why we did it." The Open House actor also hinted that we shouldn't expect to see many scenes between Hannah (Katherine Langford) and Clay this go around. "I think we learn pretty much almost everything we needed to know about what Clay and Hannah's relationship was [in season one]. I think that's pretty clear."

According to Minnette, what we will see is more interaction between Hannah and new characters we haven't met yet. "I think that's interesting because in season one, whenever there was a flashback, it was either Hannah or Clay's flashback and either Clay or Hannah or both were always in it. Now, maybe there will be a flashback they're not in and you can learn more about something else. I thought that was pretty cool."

Minnette later addressed the possibility of a new romance for Clay. "I can't say too much, but Skye is still around and in the picture and there's a chance that her and Clay could be friends or more," he said. "That's something you'll learn pretty quickly when the season starts. I don't want to spoil that for you, but she's around."

Now we really can't wait for season two!