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Clik here to view.We lost another innocent child to a parent's thoughtless neglect. Three-year-old Austin Davis died after his mom left him home alone for 20 hours. Megan McKeon left on a Wednesday to work at a grocery store, but she didn't head straight home afterward. By the time she got home, she found him lying on his back, eyes open but showing no signs of life. McKeon was arrested and charged with child abuse resulting in death, which is a felony. The thing is this was completely avoidable.

McKeon is living like a single mother because Austin's dad, Tyler Davis, is in prison for failing to register as a sex offender. (He was arrested for offering teenage girls money for sex.) So if she has to go to work and can't afford childcare, what else could she do? Maybe she didn't have family nearby to help ...?

But nope, she doesn't have that excuse. McKeon's mother says she would have been happy to watch Austin while Megan worked. Charity O'Konski says, "All she had to do was call me. There’s no ifs, ands, or buts to what happened, it’s her fault no matter what happened. She is accountable for that baby."

Not only did McKeon leave her son home alone for work, after work she went and stayed the night at her boyfriend's house. She left her son with food, juice, and a movie -- and thought everything would be just fine. And this was something like the 20th time she'd done this. Twenty other incidents of neglect she'd gotten away with, but this one time it ended in tragedy. It was inevitable.

A doctor who tried to revive Austin believes he may have ingested some medication or drugs. Investigators say McKeon's cabin was a total disaster, with half-eaten food and human waste everywhere.

It's astounding that McKeon would think a 3-year-old could be all right by himself for 20 hours. Anyone who has ever known a 3-year-old knows how unrealistic that is -- you can't leave a 3-year-old alone for five minutes! Some people are just delusional, though. Some people will justify things that defy logic. It's terrible that this time, someone's delusion ended in the death of a child.

Why do you think McKeon didn't just ask her mom to watch her son?

Image via Routt County Sheriff's Office

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Clik here to view.You know that jerk who comes up short on the tip for the delivery guy? That jerk is me. I admit it, there have been times when I've had only enough cash to cover the bill, or I've suffered math amnesia and accidentally under-tipped. Well it's nice to know I'm not alone. One couple made up for their lousy tip with the sweetest note -- which, by the way, also included a $20 bill. Here's how they turned something so wrong into something so right.

Andrew Schaffer delivers pizza to help pay for school. One night, a couple left him a whopping $0.33 tip for a $22.67 order. Schaffer took it in stride because he's a nice guy. But the couple, Tom and Jenn, felt terrible about it. Instead of letting their guilt sit on them for a day or two until it faded away (which is what I usually do), they actually did something about it. They sent Andrew a thoughtful, hand-written note, which he then posted on Reddit.

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Did Andrew roll his eyes at the cutesy cupcake stationery and pocket the money? Hell no. He told Huffington Post:

It really made my day! Tips make up about two-thirds of my income, which pays for school for me, so I remember who tips and who doesn't. The $20 was much appreciated, but the obvious time and effort put into making the card and hand delivering it meant even more.

Wow, it wasn't just the money. He appreciated the effort! I think back on those times when I realized I had under-tipped and kind of toyed with the idea of sending a note with cash. I always thought that would be a kind thing to do, but I've never actually gotten off my ass to do it because I figured the delivery guy probably wouldn't even remember who I was. And the logistics -- mail it or hand deliver? Would the manager really pass on the note, or would he just pocket the cash for himself? 

But now that I've seen that delivery people DO pay attention, and DO get the note, and DO appreciate it, I'll get off my ass next time and send that note. Obviously I can avoid all this by keeping enough cash around and getting my math right. But I'm a total airhead, so I know I'll do it again -- at least now I know the best way to make up for it. 

What do you do when you accidentally under-tip? 

Images via Drewbacca503/Imgur

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Clik here to view.You're fast asleep, sleeping the sleep that only an exhausted mom can sleep, when you hear it. Your baby is crying. At first it's faint. But as the clouds of consciousness slowly part, you have to admit: You are not hearing things. This is not a dream. Your baby really has woken up. And you -- or someone -- has to do something about it. Arghh! Again?!? Here are all the thoughts we have when the baby wakes up in the middle of the night.

Denial: Maybe it's just a cat? Yeah, it's probably just a cat outside. We'll go with that.

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Irritation: Ugh, it's definitely my baby crying, not a cat. So annoying ... I was fast asleep. This is so very inconvenient for me. I just want to keep sleeping. I NEED to keep sleeping.

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Shame and Panic: I am the worst, most selfish mom ever for feeling annoyed -- what if something's seriously wrong? OMG, what's wrong with my baby? Is she sick? Tangled in the bedding? Scared?

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The Pep Talk: Okay, seriously, I need to get out of bed now. What would Olivia Pope do? She'd say, "It's handled!" and get her ass out of bed. Also, she wouldn't have a baby.

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Resentment: You know, it's really irritating how the baby's crying always wakes me up, but my husband consistently snoozes through it like he has selective hearing or something.

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Moment of Clarity: Hey, wait a minute! It's my husband's turn to get the baby. YAAAS! I will wake him now.

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What are your thoughts and feelings when your baby wakes up in the middle of the night?

Image via Valentina Powers/Flickr

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Clik here to view.Everyone keeps talking about this "spring cleaning" I'm supposed to be doing. And you know what? Mama ain't got no time for that. But sometimes occasions arise in which we must make our homes look presentable to guests. Easter and Passover are coming, and while we don't have time to do a thorough top-to-bottom job, maybe we can carve out an hour to dig ourselves out of the worst of it. So how about this: 8 simple steps for a quick, good-enough spring cleaning.

Those of you with high standards may want to look the other way. 

1. Clear off all surfaces: Scan the room and scoop up any objects you see on any chairs or sofas. Scan the room again and scoop up the stuff on the floor. Then clear off anything you see on your counters or tables. Put everything in a basket or grocery bag and schedule a time to find a place for it all, later, after your guests leave. Actually put it on the calendar.

2. Stack books and magazines: If you have a lot of books and magazines with no place to go, arrange them all in a tall stack against the wall. Cool design-y effect that looks deliberate!

3. Conceal the stains: Strategically drape throws over any stains on your sofas or chairs. If your dishwasher and your sink are both full, keep the dishes in your sink in a large stockpot until after your guests leave.

4. Air out the rooms: Open all the windows in your home to get cross breezes blowing through everything. If it's warm enough, leave a few open. Fresh smells can trick people into thinking they're in a clean environment.

5. Spruce doors, frames, and knobs: Grab a Magic Eraser and scan all your doors. Give any obvious hand prints a quick swipe.

6. Bathroom bamboozle: Take your stained, hair-covered bath mat and toss it into the bathtub. Take all the toiletries out on counters and the sink and put them in a clean bowl. Put that in the tub as well. Close the shower curtains. Check the toilet just to make sure there's nothing horrific you need to take care of. 

7. Close the doors to your kids' rooms: The other kids who visit them probably won't tell the grown-ups what a mess they are.

8. Alter your guests' perception: Still worried your home isn't clean enough? Greet your guests at the door with a glass of wine. Have one yourself. And remember: People who truly love you aren't scrutinizing your home for cleanliness -- they're there to enjoy your company.

What are your favorite quick-cleaning tricks?

Image via AndyButkaj/Flickr 

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Clik here to view.It can be a big dilemma when your little girl wants her ears pierced. But what do you do when your son asks to have his ears pierced? Little boys ... with earrings! Are we ready for that? Apparently this is something boys are asking for at a younger age. Maybe it's a trickle-down influence from pirate Jack Sparrow -- or maybe it's some other cultural phenomenon we parents are totally clueless about. But it's bound to throw even the most open-minded parent. My friend's 9-year-old son recently asked to have his ears pierced, and this is how she handled it.

Linda wasn't that surprised because her son likes to "adorn" himself anyway. He wears rings on his fingers and sometimes a necklace or two. Still, when Z asked for earrings, she wanted to think about it, and she wanted him to think about it as well.

When she and her husband talked it over, they came to the conclusion that if their son really wanted his ears pierced, it would just be fair to say yes. Why? Because his sister's ears are pierced. Why enforce a double standard for ear-piercing?

Linda's daughter had her ears pierced, for cultural reasons, when she was 4 years old. And she loves her earrings. Gender equality is important to this whole family. So Linda is letting Z sit with the idea for a while. "If he asked again, we wouldn't hold him back if that's what he wanted to do."

It helps that they home-school, so Z isn't likely to get harassed by other kids or teachers. The important thing is that their son give the idea some serious thought, first. They're not making this decision on a whim. 

I think that's pretty reasonable. I hadn't thought of it that way before -- if you're willing to pierce a girl's ears, you should be willing to pierce your son's as well, if they want it. And who knows -- maybe this will become fairly commonplace in a few years.

What would you say if your young son asked to have his ears pierced?

Image via Finoa Henderson/Flickr

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Clik here to view.Looking for a fun, out-of-the-ordinary travel experience with your kids? How about a destination that will scare them? We're not talking dangerous. Just a little bit creepy. Here are 5 fabulous vacation destinations that will give your kids the chills, in a thrilling way, of course. They'll be talking about these trips for years.

Salem, Massachusetts. Here's where the Salem witch trials took place back in 1692. Learn about this haunting piece of American history at the Salem Witch Museum. Go on the Salem Witch Walk. And enjoy other, less scary historical attractions.

Winchester Mystery House, California. This was the home of Sarah Winchester, widow of the founder of Winchester rifles. And it's just plain weird. The eccentric home has funky details like a staircase that goes up 7 steps and down 11. There's a seance room, secret passageways, and possibly even ... ghosts!

Alcatraz, San Francisco. Just off the coast of San Francisco is an island that houses one of the most infamous prisons in American history: Alcatraz. Tour the cells and hear all the exciting escape stories and chilling ghost stories. Plan ahead because tour tickets sell out fast. And just a tip: They lead tours at night, too.

Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico. Where are the most spectacular caves in the U.S.? It's hard to say, but a big favorite is the Carlsbad Cavern at this national park. The stalagmite- and stalactite-filled limestone "Big Room" is 225 feet tall at the highest point and is the fifth largest cavern in North America. Another exciting cave to visit is Meremec Caverns in Missouri.

Tarantula Trek in Mount Diablo State Park, California. This park is a spectacular destination on its own. But in October, it's tarantula mating season. Eek! During the season, Mount Diablo runs tarantula hikes designed to give kids a safe, up-close look at these hairy spiders.

Did you ever go on a creepy family vacation when you were a kid?

Image via Angel Schatz/Flickr

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Clik here to view.Look around every store and one thing is obvious: It's Easter season. Time for candy! Yes, it's that time of year when the Easter bunny brings us more candy than we know what to do with. Oh silly me -- what am I saying? Of course we know what to do with all that candy. It's just a matter of zeroing in on your favorites. And man, do people feel strongly about their favorites. Whether it's Peeps or chocolate bunnies, there is an Easter candy for you. But what does it all mean? Here's what your favorite Easter candy reveals about you!

Chocolate Bunny: You are stalwart and trustworthy. Everyone knows what they're getting with you, even if you prefer hollow bunnies to solid bunnies. If someone bites your head off, you just roll with it. You're cool like that.

Malted Robin's Eggs: You're creative and like surprising people -- but you're also just a little bit nostalgic. There's something old-fashioned about you.

Peeps: You're loud and will not be ignored. You're also extremely flexible. You're super sweet inside and out, and soft in the middle. But you can be a bit clingy, too.

Cadbury Eggs: You are not what you appear to be. There's a kind of mystery to you. And yet you're in high demand. People just can't seem to get enough of you and will travel to the ends of the Earth to get more of you.

Jelly Beans: You're just here for a good time, always happy to be invited to the party. 

Peanut Butter Eggs: You're a regular gal who feels somewhat uncomfortable with the changing seasons. You prefer stability, for things to stay the same all the time. 

Edible Easter Grass: You're half punk rock, half emo. You scare people. No one quite understands you.

What's your favorite Easter candy?

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Kirstie Alley's body has seen nearly every size in women's clothing. From her early days on television in the late 1990s until now, she's gained and lost weight, then gained it and lost it again. Though she may lose her healthy habits from time to time, she never loses her sense of humor or her willingness to be totally honest and candid about her weight issues. I think that's why we have to keep rooting for her -- well, that and a lot of us can relate to her struggle. 

Seven years ago Kirstie joined Jenny Craig as a spokesperson and lost 75 pounds over 4 years. Now they're back together: Kirstie Alley is joining Jenny Craig as a spokesperson -- again. She told Matt Lauer on the Today show that since her break from the weight loss company her weight has been on a "roller coaster." Even though now she still feels healthy, Kirstie says she's about 30 pounds over her target weight.

Actually, I think Kirstie is like a lot of women whose weight fluctuates over time -- it makes sense that at some point she'd need help maintaining her weight and getting back on track. It's not easy! 

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Let's look back at 10 of the most memorable moments in Kirstie Alley’s weight loss (and gain) journey.

Image via Today

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Clik here to view.Want to know how you can have mind-blowing sex? Well, for a lot of us the key is to shut off the monkey chatter in our heads. We're so critical of ourselves, our bodies especially. And it doesn't always stop when we're in the middle of doing the do. But while the wheels of worry are spinning around in our heads, guess what's going on in men's heads during sex? Kind of nothing -- and kind of everything.

When you get naked with a guy they're not thinking anything except how glad they are to be invited to the party. The rest is all ... well, let me just show you in pictures.

Her: Oh! We're gonna do it! YAAS! Ooh -- but I wish I hadn’t worn my granny panties today of all days. Don’t look, don’t look, don’t look…

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Him:

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Her: Welp, here’s the part where he finds out I’m no Kate Upton upstairs…

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Him:

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Her: Oh no, this position makes my belly poof out. Does he think I look fat? Is it too late to run?

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Him:

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Her: Really wish I’d groomed more recently down there…

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Him:

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Her: Er, apparently that doesn’t matter. He's going for it! Okay, voices off. I got this.

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Both of you a while later...

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Do you worry about this stuff during sex?

Image via Annie Engel/Corbis

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Clik here to view.Think today is going to be just another ordinary Tuesday? Think again, my friends. I have great news for you: April 8 is Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's scoop shops! Everyone rejoice, for this is the day Ben & Jerry's thanks its fans by handing out free ice cream cones.

But hold on, ice-screamers. Before you run out for your free cone, you'll need the 411 on this important day. And you'll need a strategy -- yes, a strategy. Here's your Free Cone Day Game Plan. Because this is super important, obviously. Hello, FREE ICE CREAM.

When: Tuesday, April 8, from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Where: Participating Ben & Jerry's scoop shops. Sorry, your grocery store is not giving away free pints (alas). And apparently not every single Ben & Jerry's scoop shop is participating, either. Check out their location map to find a scoop shop that is. [UPDATE: Sadly, the location map is currently down, but here's a list of participating Ben & Jerry's locations.]

Strategy:

1. Before you leave, pick out your flavor. No standing in front of the counter, trying to decide. That will not do, not on Free Cone Day. Pick out your top three, just in case some flavors run out. I recommend choosing a flavor served only in the scoop shop, not available in pints. I've listed those Scoop Shop exclusive flavors below.

2. If you can, show up on the early side. I predict stores will get more crowded right after school lets out. And anyway, doesn't a little treat just before you pick up the kids sound sweet? Okay, fine, also a little selfish, but you give up so much as a parent.

3. Grab your cone and go. Well, say thank you, first. But then wait until you are all the way out of the store and far from the mad crowd before taking your first bite. You don't want anyone jostling your elbow and knocking your cone out of your hand.

4. If you're on Instagram, carefully photograph your cone (maybe get a friend to help) and post using the hashtag #FreeConeDay. Remember, if it's not on Instagram, it's like it never happened.

More from The Stir: Behind the Scenes at Ben & Jerry's Is a Lesson in Lactose Tolerance

Here are the flavors sold exclusively at Ben & Jerry's scoop shops. For the full list of flavors, check out their Flavors page.

Candy Bar Pie: Peanut butter ice cream with fudge flakes, chocolate nougat, and sweet and salty pretzel swirls.

Chocolate Peanut Buttery Swirl: Chocolate ice cream with a swirl of peanut butter.

Coconut Seven-Layer Bar: Coconut ice cream with coconut and fudge flakes, walnuts, and swirls of graham cracker and butterscotch.

Mint Chocolate Chunk: Mint ice cream with chunks of chocolate.

White Russian: Coffee ice cream with coffee liqueur.

Berry Berry Extraordinary Sorbet: Swirls of blueberry and raspberry sorbet.

Also: chocolate, coffee, strawberry, cookies and sweet cream, lemon sorbet, mango sorbet, and vanilla fudge chip with Splenda.

There is a cone with your name on it, my friends. Be bold and claim it. Enjoy.

Are you planning to get your cone on Free Cone Day?

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Clik here to view.Spring is definitely here. I know, because I just saw Beyonce's latest magazine cover, her first since releasing her self-titled album. Bey is featured on this month's Out magazine, and she looks stunning. So stunning, in fact, that they decided she didn't need any clothes and they'd better not run a bunch of text all over the place. It's just a chic, black and white photo of Beyonce in a platinum bob, with "OUT" on the top and "POWER" running on the bottom. Okay, then! Here comes the sun. Winter is so over.

First of all, let's talk about this blond bob. Not everyone could rock it the way Beyonce does. It's classic Marilyn Monroe, airy like cotton candy with just the right amount of curl. And if you're going to go blond, why not go all the way with the palest shade possible? It practically looks white.

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Bey's 'do is perfect for spring, don't you think? Reminds me of cherry blossoms and white puffy clouds. So light and fun. And it's a wig, of course, so it kind of makes me want to run out and get a Marilyn wig myself. You know, just to borrow a little bit of that sexy magic, on a temporary basis? With some long fake eyelashes!

And then I love what they did with the rest of her look -- by which I mean almost nothing. When you're Beyonce, all you need is strong brows, thick lashes, lip gloss, and the usual glowing skin. Flawless. Oh, and a few simple necklaces. And the word POWER running across your neck. Bey's interview is all about empowerment through claiming your sexuality, which is an idea I can definitely get behind. But she sure says it all with just this look.

What do you think of Beyonce in a platinum bob?

Image via Out

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Clik here to view.We are still heartsick over the death of young mom Peaches Geldof. And we're baffled. How could this have happened? Police are investigating, and their latest finding solves at least one theory: Police found no evidence of hard drugs connected with Peaches' death. They've also found no suicide note and no signs of physical injury. Her death remains unexplained, but one more theory making the rounds suggests a different kind of addiction may have cut Peaches' life short.

Now people are speculating that Peaches' juice cleanses may have caused her early death. Juice cleanses?!? Geldof told OK magazine she lived on three juices a day for a month at a time to lose weight. "I have no will-power but with the juicing I’m like: ‘I have to do it because I have to lose this extra ten pounds.’ I’ll lose it and then I’m back going mental for the chips. I juice and then I eat chips.'"

A dietitian commented on Geldof's diet, giving a dire warning: "Peaches is at high risk of electrolyte abnormalities which could lead to acute cardiac arrest. It is what kills anorexics," said British Dietetic Association spokeswoman Cath Collins.

Meanwhile, TMZ is running a video of Geldof looking especially thin on her way into a fashion event just days before her death and -- wait. Stop right there. This whole conversation feels so, so wrong to me.

It's barely been 24 hours and we're already speculating that Peaches Geldof died from an eating disorder? Have some respect, everyone. I know her death is a mystery we all want solved now, but couldn't we give the investigation a few days first? Could we respect her family and resist the temptation to assign blame for Peaches' death?

I know the idea that a seemingly healthy, young mother could suddenly die is disturbing to us for many reasons. The question that rises in the back of our minds, that we usually don't dare address, is: Could this happen to me, too? We want that question answered in the negative as soon as possible. No, she was on drugs. No, she had a secret illness. No, she was anorexic. Answering that question as soon as possible relieves us of our fear that we, too, could die suddenly, for no reason.

But there are no such guarantees in life. We may never find out what caused Peaches to die -- or we may find out it was indeed related to an eating disorder. Whatever the case, I hope we meet the news with some compassion and empathy.

What do you think of the rumors about Peaches Geldof's death?

Image via Peaches Geldof/Instagram

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Clik here to view.For those of you do engage in ladyscaping down there, I've just heard about the latest trend in bikini waxes. But it's not even going to make sense when I describe it, so sit down and get ready to hear the most mind-meltingly absurd personal grooming idea ever. Ready? It's called the full-bush Brazillian.

Basically you're rocking a 70's vibe (as Gwyneth once put it) in the front, but waxing everything else bare. Your undercarriage? Zip. The front of you? Full cavewoman. For real. This is a thing women are getting done ... supposedly.

So basically it's the reverse mohawk of bikini waxes. The thought that comes to most people's minds when they first hear about it is, WHAT IS THE POINT OF THAT? Let's explore this question together.

Apparently girls with "hippie boyfriends" are requesting this wax because it's something the guys want. I guess? Who are these hippie boyfriends, anyway? Because they're kind of trying to have it both ways: Nature girl in the front, porn star in the back.

Another thing: The front is the easiest part to wax. That takes a few seconds! It's the undercarriage that takes time and precision. So this isn't even going to make my life easier. Not that I would try it anyway -- because here's another problem.

More from The Stir: My Home Bikini Wax Ended in Disaster

What in Sam hell are you supposed to do when you wear a bikini? The whole point of a bikini wax is to wrangle the bush so there's no peeking around the triangle. I guess if you're going with the full-bush Brazilian, you're maybe wearing a Land's End one-piece as well. Maybe one of those skirt suits, even.

All I can think is that what's really going on here is women are just sick of the usual and want to try something new. And there's only so much you can do down there. We've already done dye jobs, vajazzling, creative hedge trimming. I guess the only thing left is the reverse full-bush Brazilian. Ugh ... that actually sounds worse. But you know someone is going to try to make it happen.

I know what you're thinking, women who don't bother with any sort of hair removal down there at all ...

Is the full-bush Brazilian something you would try? Do you get the appeal at all?

Image via Dave and Les Jacobs/Blend Images/Corbis

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Clik here to view.There are three things parents hate hearing from the back seat during a road trip. 1. Are we there yet? 2. I have to pee NOW. And 3. I'm hungry. I can't help you with the first two, but if you're looking for snacks, I've got some ideas for you. And they're all pretty healthy! Healthy but tasty. Your kids will love munching away on these road tripping snacks so much they won't even notice they're actually kind of good for them.

1. Fresh fruit: "What's fresh fruit? I've never heard of that." Haha, I know, this is not news. But I thought I'd mention it anyway. I recommend easy, not-too-messy fruits like clementines (kids can peel their own) and grapes.

2. Apple chips: Sure, you do whole apples and apple slices. But Bare Snacks has all these fun flavored apple chips. No funky stuff added!

3. Mixed nuts: Make your own mix at the bulk bins. I'm currently obsessed with marcona almonds. Or try these yummy flavored Sante Nuts mixes.

4. Dried fruit: While you're in the bulk aisles, check out the dried fruit and pick out something new you've never tried before. I'm a fan of dried papaya -- it's ridiculous, I swear.

5. Yogurt squeezers: Try to find some that are not loaded with sugar. Freeze overnight, and they'll stay cool most of the day.

6. Popcorn: That is all. No, really -- pop your own the night before and bag it. Or you can usually find packaged popped corn at the grocery store. Just look at the ingredients label and maybe don't buy the bright neon orange kind, if you're trying to avoid feeding your kids chemicals.

7. Pita Puffs: Guess what? Pita Puffs are the new pita chips. They're more exciting because they're puffed and have more flavors.

8. Baked lentil chips: Yeah, really -- I'm seeing these everywhere. I'm banking on the theory that kids will enjoy just about anything salty and crunchy. Worth a try.

9. Dark chocolate: It's good for you! Science says so all the time! But kids like milk chocolate better. Split the difference and go for around 60 percent. Or get some Trader Joe's Ruggedly Awesome Cowboy Bark. Okay, it's not super healthy, but it's got nuts and dark chocolate, so it's kind of a win.

10. Peanut butter pretzels: While you're at Trader Joe's, buying all the healthy snacks there, check out their pretzels filled with peanut butter. It's protein time.

11. Meat jerky: Too salty? They make low-sodium beef jerky now. I've been seeing a new, South African-style jerky called Biltong. And there are other kinds of jerky, like turkey (no joke) and from your beloved deer-hunting friends, venison. 

12. Babybel cheese: Here's why these are awesome. They're cheese, so they're good for you and filling. But your kids also have to spend time unwrapping them from their little wax cases, so they're also kind of like a toy. And then you can use the wax case as a clown nose.

What are your kids' favorite travel snacks?

Image via Gross, Petr/the food passionates/Corbis

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Clik here to view.When I saw it, I knew I had to have it: A pink striped ombre birthday cake from the Daily Candy. Ombre, or color that gets progressively darker or lighter, is a trend that shows no sign of leaving us anytime soon. In cake form, it's so pretty, and I could picture exactly how to make it -- maybe with just a few minor tweaks to make it easier to pull off. Here's our version of the cake: Four layers using whipped cream instead of frosting. Think this looks too complicated to pull off? No way! It's actually a lot easier than you'd think. I'll show you how.

You'll need some white or vanilla cake batter, food coloring, and at least two cake pans. One of the things I like about this cake is that you don't frost the sides. You want to see those stripes! Here's how to make it.

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

There you go. I happen to love the pink for spring, but this cake would look fabulous any other color: Purple, blue, green. And like I said, if you want to use a light, fluffy frosting, that should work. I think more whipped cream on the top with some berries or edible flowers would totally make this cake over the top.

What do you think -- is this striped cake worth the little extra effort?

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Clik here to view.Okay, I am not the biggest fan of dyeing eggs. I've said it before --I am pretty much OVER this Easter ritualfor a number of reasons. And yet, even after declaring my over-ness of dyeing, I found myself dyeing eggs again after all. How did I overcome my fear and loathing? I'll tell you. Here are 9 tips for dyeing eggs if you happen to hate dyeing eggs.

1. Make it a science project. Last year instead of resisting, I gave in fully. So Zen of me! I dyed just a handful of eggs in a turmeric bath and in a cabbage bath. It was more engaging for my son and the results were gorgeous colors I actually wanted to look at. I used The Kitchn's natural egg dyeing method.

2. Limit yourself. Okay, so I went with the labor-intensive dyeing method. BUT! Notice I limited myself to just two colors. And I didn't dye a full dozen eggs. Do more with fewer. I think it's more interesting that way.

3. Prep everything before you get started. Get all your supplies and your eggs out and ready. This includes clean-up equipment! Have sponges, wipes, paper towels, and cleaner handy.

4. Go outside. If it's warm and dry enough, do the egg dyeing project outside. Less mess to worry about that way!

5. Confine your kids while you prep. If you're dyeing with younger children, plunk them into high chairs or the pack 'n' play while you get everything ready. Release the little beasts only when you're ready to get started.

6. Dress for a mess. Anticipate/resign yourself to spills and splashes. Dress your kids in clothes you don't mind getting messy. You can wash out food dyes, kind of, mostly. Oh yeah -- this goes for your clothing, too.

7. Make it about play, not results. Take a deep breath, take some Rescue Remedy, and just let your kids play with the eggs and dye the way they want to. You can teach them how to get the best results, depending on their age. But put the emphasis on making it a fun experience for them, not about getting perfectly dyed eggs for your Easter centerpiece.

8. End it as soon as boredom rears its ugly head. Kids' attention wandering but not finished with all the eggs? Whatever! Clean up and move on.

More from The Stir: 4 Least Messy Ways to Decorate Easter Eggs

9. Or ... don't dye at all! There are many, many other ways to decorate eggs without messing with dye. For example: Washi tape eggs, fabric scrap eggs, color brown eggs with a white pen, or use temporary tattoos. Personally, I think glitter eggs look cool but that's just a whole 'nother universe of mess and madness.

How do you feel about dyeing Eater eggs with your kids? How do you make it easier?

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Clik here to view.There's a new way to get your heart broken online, and it has nothing to do with Internet dating. Nope, it's a boring ol' security breech. But here's the thing: It's huge and threatens things like our banking passwords. As much as 66 percent of the web could be affected by "Heartbleed," the security bug that's gone, well, viral in a very un-funny way. Here's everything you need to know about this bug and how to protect yourself.

Okay, what the heck is Heartbleed?

Heartbeat is a bug found in many websites' security systems -- what they use to protect our login info. It’s estimated that up to 66 percent of the web has been compromised by this wicked bug. And it may have been in existence for as long as two years without our knowing about it. ZOMG!

Don't panic, though. That means the websites are vulnerable to hacking/attacks. That doesn't mean they've all actually been hacked yet. Basically, it's like finding out that the locks on your house and car doors are super easy to pick. You'd want to get new locks on everything, right?

Right. Websites are scrambling quickly to “patch” that vulnerability. Some are already done, and some expect to be by the weekend.

Yikes, that's why they call it Heartbleed! So what can I do to protect myself?

1. Test to see if your favorite websites are vulnerable by entering their URLs in the Heartbleed.com testing tool. This is reportedly not 100 percent accurate, but it’s something.

2. Don’t log into a website if the Heartbleed test tool shows it's vulnerable. Watch the website’s Twitter and Facebook feeds or call customer support to see if they’d secured the breach before you log in again.

3. Change all your passwords for important websites with sensitive information today.

4. Going forward, always log out of websites after you finish using them.

5. Never use the same password for more than one website with sensitive information.

Check out Heartbleed.com for more information.

How safe do you feel like your personal information is online?

Image via Heartbleed.com

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Clik here to view.Finally picked a date for your wedding? You could send out a save-the-date email to all your friends and family ... if you're a boring, normal person, that is. Or, you could create the most epic wedding save-the-date video ever known to Bridekind. Witness Bambo Obaro and Janice Jentz's "Boss Wedding" save-the-date video. Basically they produced the trailer to their own wedding. And yes, those are their real names. Bambo and Janice are lawyers, which in no way explains the mad artistry you're about to watch.

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

Okay! So. Some thoughts.

Isn't it amazing what you can do when you pool two lawyers' bonus money together? I mean, they can always buy a home together next year.

Interesting sartorial note: If you're wearing a tux in a helicopter, go all the way and put in some diamond stud earrings. Big-ass rocks.

Why does Bambo get a helicopter ride, but then drive himself the rest of the way? If you're wearing diamond studs in a helicopter to your wedding, either have a driver waiting for you or, even better, climb a rope ladder down from the helicopter to the wedding venue.

Why is Bambo bringing the engagement ring to the wedding? Shouldn't he have already given Janice that? Unless her wedding band is also a solitaire, which is just going to look weird next to the engagement ring.

I guess they're getting married at a nightclub with Bollywood dancers, which sounds like a cool theme. But in that case, the exposed brick needs to go. That just does not work. I don't care if this is taking place in San Francisco. Amirite? Anyone else notice that? No? Okay, forget it.

What the hell is happening at this wedding to warrant a rating of PG-13?

This video is totally reminding me of a certain high-profile celebrity couple. I wish I could remember their names! Something starting with the letter K ... ???

If this is the wedding trailer, I can't wait to see the actual wedding. You guys have my address, right Bambo and Janice? I'll be expecting my invitation shortly.

And if the wedding is even more spectacular than the trailer, I sure hope the marriage itself is BEYOND. Like, Bambo is going to unload the dishwasher without being asked 10,000 times in a row. There will be more oral sex for both of these two people than there are stars in the sky. They will talk about their feelings, openly, and their souls will intertwine in a way that feeds them and allows them to grow as people and feels not at all claustrophobic. Oh my God, this marriage will be a shining example of what the institution can be for hundreds of years to follow.

You know, everyone is talking about how tacky this video is. But I think, hey, it's your wedding. Do whatever you want. Just remember, a wedding is for your friends and family. It's not all about y-- oh, never mind.

What do you think about this wedding save-the-date video?

Image via Major Diamond Productions

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Clik here to view.You know that feeling you get when you want to make something traditional for Easter dinner, but a little bit different from last year, but not too different? Well lucky for you, there are endless varieties of glazes for baked ham! Here's one we thought looked especially tasty, this recipe for brown sugar-bourbon baked ham. While I think the bourbon sounds promising, there's another fun surprise ingredient you may be tempted to sip while you bake your ham ...

Brown Sugar-Bourbon Baked Ham via Southern Living

Ingredients

1 (6- to 8-lb.) fully cooked, bone-in ham

48 whole cloves

1 (16-oz.) package light brown sugar

1 cup spicy brown mustard

1 cup cola soft drink

3/4 cup bourbon

Garnish: fresh bay leaves

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove skin from ham, and trim fat to 1/4-inch thickness. Make shallow cuts in fat 3/4 inch apart in a diamond pattern. Insert cloves in centers of diamonds. Place ham in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch pan.

2. Stir together brown sugar and next 3 ingredients; spoon mixture over ham.

3. Bake at 350°F on lowest oven rack 2 hours and 30 minutes, basting with pan juices every 15 to 20 minutes. Remove ham from oven, and let stand 20 minutes before slicing. Garnish, if desired.

Image via the food passionates/Corbis

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Clik here to view.What if you could take a drug that would make you more beautiful -- or at least feel more beautiful? A new Dove ad teases that question with RB-X, a "beauty" patch. As part of a clinical trial, women wear the patch and keep a video diary recording their thoughts about how they feel from day to day. Will they soak up something from that patch that changes how they look?

Well, because this is Dove you know there's going to be a twist in there, somewhere. Remember the Dove ad that compares how women see themselves with how a stranger sees them? That twist will have to do with women discovering the beauty they had all along. Can you guess what happens?

Not much happens at first. But eventually the women report changes:

On Day 10 a woman (who looks like a young Phoebe Cates, for cryin' out loud) says, "I feel beautiful no matter if I'm sick, tired, or the fact that there's a pimple on my nose."

On Day 13 another woman says, "I felt very comfortable in my skin today."

On Day 15 another woman says incredulously, "I went dress shopping today!" She never would have done that before the patch.

After the experiment the women report feeling like they've had a life-changing experience -- they're more daring with their looks, and they feel like they've uncovered a more confident part of themselves. And then the researcher reveals what's really in the patch: Nothing.

Ah-hah! It's the power of a placebo, my friends. And it could work on the smartest of us. Just one simple psychological device to help us shift our perspective for the better.

So I understand the overall message here, and how transforming this experience would be for these women. I do cringe for them just a little bit. I think I'd feel a bit silly if I'd participated in the experiment only to find out the patch was a placebo. Oh Dove, playing a tricks on women again! You! (Wagging my finger at them.)

But we know Dove means well (and, of course, they're a company that sells self-care products). It's to these women's credit that no one gets mad and throws the table over. But if I were there, I think in addition to feeling silly, I'd be wondering a few things. Did I really need this patch to turn around how I feel about myself? How much of beauty is something I feel inside and project outward? Does feeling more beautiful make me actually look more beautiful?

These are questions we sometimes ask anyway. The patch experiment just gives us another way to ask those questions. I'm not going to get all righteous and say how other people see us doesn't matter to us, because it actually does matter to most of us, whether we want to admit it or not. But I think it's interesting to think about how much our beauty depends on how we see ourselves, and how we bring that out.

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

How much of beauty do you think is something you project from the inside, out?

Image via DoveUnitedStates/YouTube

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