Lamar Odom's Secret Crack Cocaine Use

How do we ever know what to believe in the news? Of course, a trusted news outlet is the best way to go, but even they get it wrong sometimes. How do we decipher the news versus just plain gossip that has not be verified?

The latest “news” that is being reported by Sports Illustrated’s website SI Wire is saying that Lamar Odom has been missing for three days and is assumed to be on a crack cocaine binge. SI Wire is re-reporting the story that was initially released on TMZ’s website.

Who Knew?!

Apparently Khloe Kardashian Odom has been keeping her husband’s drug problem a secret from her family, and from the rest of the world. Reports are saying that Lamar has had a problem with crack for over two years now. Does he need drug rehab? Evidently yes he does, and he already went last year, completely under the radar. According to TMZ and SI Wire, the Kardashians staged an intervention that lead to a 3-week rehab stint last August that should have lasted longer, but Lamar refused to stay. Khloe visited often, trying to encourage her husband to complete drug rehab so he can start over again.

When Lamar left rehab, the marriage experienced even more strain, to the point of Khloe having to kick Lamar out of the house recently when he refused to return to drug rehab, which he clearly needs.

His Past

Of course when a report comes out of this nature, everything from Lamar’s past is dug up. In 2001, the prob basketball player was suspended twice for drug abuse. The NBA felt Lamar was violating their drug policy, and that was that. Lamar got clean and joined the Lakers, where he won two championships.

This drug problem is not new. Did Khloe understand Lamar’s demons before she married him? It seems like he is clean during the basketball season, but then dives deeply into crack cocaine use during the off-season. What kind of marriage can you have with a man who chooses that life?

His Present

Women have come forward in recent months claiming to have been with Lamar sexually. Is this another aspect of his life that is being hidden from the public? Are the divorce rumors true; are Khloe and Lamar deciding to part ways, or is Khloe standing by the man she married, no matter what?

In true Kardashian form, Khloe’s mom, Kris Jenner has released a statement about the couple. “Khloe and Lamar are absolutely not getting divorced. There's been no talk of divorce." It is hard to know what to believe. Would you have ever guessed that Lamar Odom was addicted to crack cocaine and that, after one failed attempt at drug rehab, the Kardashian clan would be trying to intervene again and get someone in their tight-knit family to stop smoking such a dangerous drug?

Their Future

Khloe and Lamar have decided not to do another season of their reality show. Has it become too hard to hid Lamar’s reality? The reason given was so that Lamar can focus on his basketball career. E!, the channel that televises all the Kardashian, Odom, and Jenner shows is still interested in Khloe, possibly in her own show.

What will happen with Lamar and with Lamar and Khloe’s marriage? Will Lamar go to drug rehab again and finally recover from his addiction? Stay tuned! There’s never a dull moment in the Kardashian’s world.

Kate Green is a quality improvement manager that strives to inspire people dealing with drug and alcohol abuse. She works for Balboa Horizons Treatment Services.

Image Credit: 1.

DJ Khaled Proposes To Nicki Minaj With A Stunning 10 Carat Diamond Ring

It has been said that a girl never forgets the way that she's proposed to, and this will definitely be the case for Nicki Minaj, who was recently offered a proposal of marriage by DJ Khaled, an offer that included an amazing 10 carat diamond ring!

In fact, Khaled recently posted a video on MTV, stating to his family, and the rest of the world that he wants Minaj in his life, while turning a rather large ring box around to reveal the absolutely stunning piece of jewelry. Some people claim that it was a stunt, but he seemed pretty serious to me. The only downside to his proposa was doing it on TV instead of in person like everyone else.

A Shining Proposal with a Diamond Can Make All the Difference in the World

Today, there are many ways to propose marriage to one's intended lifetime partner. Over time, there have been highway billboards, airplane skywriters, and of course, the ever famous proposal on the jumbo screen at half-time of a sporting event, but the truth is that a proposal that includes a shiny diamond ring can be the most heartfelt of them all.

Some believe that the tradition of offering an engagement ring with a diamond came about as early as the year 1477, when Archduke Maximillan of Austria offered his intended wife to be, Mary of Burgundy, a diamond in his proposal of marriage.

Ever since that time, the gifting of a diamond engagement ring became a widespread tradition among the wealthy and upper class. This was the case until the late 1800s, when diamond mines were discovered in the South African regions, which made the availability, and the affordability, of diamonds more prevalent. Today, proposing with a diamond ring is meant to symbolize eternal love - as the saying goes, "diamonds are forever."

Diamonds Truly Are a Girl's, and an Investor's, Best Friend

Although diamonds have been "girls' best friends" for many years, they have also become loved by investors. Throughout the years, these gems have been highly valued - outperforming equities over the past several decades.

So what's the appeal? For one, diamonds can provide a nice hedge against inflation, as well as ownership of a highly valued commodity that is not tied to the volatility and fluctuation of the equity or bond markets. Recently, diamonds have even "dethroned" gold, as investors seek alternative investments to replace their declining-in-value gold and silver assets.

 

Are Khaled and Minaj Really a Match Made in Heaven?

While it is now rumored that Khaled's proposal may have only been a stunt, used for the sole purpose of promoting his new single titled, "I Wanna Be With You" the couple appears to be pretty cozy as they appear together on the related video.

And, even though DJ Khaled and Nicki Minaj have never actually dated, given the effort that Khaled went to, along with the absolute beauty of the diamond engagement ring, Minaj may actually have a hard time turning down the offer. After all, with a 10 carat diamond in the mix, how could she possibly say anything but "Yes!"

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source 
•  License: Creative Commons image source 

Dina Silverberg is the creative director of DiamondEnvy.com.  She holds a Graduate Diamonds degree from the GIA and a Bachelor’s in Creative Writing from CUNY-Hunter.

Kim Kardashian Wedding VS. Average Weddings

If you’re about to get married you’re probably going through a lot of stress. There are a gazillion things to consider when planning a wedding. You have to find the perfect location for the wedding ceremony and the reception, figure out which catering service to employ and what kind of food to serve, choose the motif and find someone who can make the dresses, and more!

Like anyone who works hard and is dedicated to succeed, you need a breather. Read through this infographic provided by Brilliance which lists down a comparison of how much the wedding of Kim Kardashian to Chris Humpries really cost as compared to how much is spent for a regular wedding. Reading about this will certainly remind you that even though they spent millions of dollars, their marriage only lasted a mere 72 days. A very costly, shortlived married life for the ex-partners in life. You can then think about how much you love the person you are getting married to and smile because you’re certain that even if you won’t spend as much as Kardashian did, your marriage will be real and will last longer.

Source: Brilliance.com

Penelope Cruz As A Well-Bred Student ("Elegy")

"Elegy" (directed by Isabel Coixet, written by Nicholas Meyer): Penelope Cruz, Ben Kingsley, Peter Sarsgaard

Penelope Cruz is in Vancouver filming her new movie "Elegy" causing plenty of rumour around her off-screen relationships. Cruz and Ben Kingsley playing a romance between a student and a teacher obviously transferred their screen love into life. The duo appeared in public taking no effort to hide their close relationships.

Alyson Hannigan's Alexis Denisof Is Well-Bred

Alyson Hannigan and her former Buffy co-star and now hubby Alexis Denisof are enjoying themselves in Malibu this week. Alyson sporting her new dark brown hair style seems to be more satisfied than her hubby who looks disgusted; or is he going to spit right in the street?

Alyson Hannigan and Alexis Denisof in Malibu:

Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox Having Fun in Malibu

Jennifer Aniston,Courteney Cox, David Arquette and Coco Riley Arquette were spotted yesterday walking from the Arquette house in Malibu. Looks like they have much fun together!

Ashley Judd's Happy For Her Fast Hubby

Ashley Judd and Scottish CART, later IndyCar driver, Dario Franchitti got married at Skibo Castle, near Dornoch, Scotland, on December 12, 2001.

(Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 27)

Ashley Judd's hubby Britain's Dario Franchitti won the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday May 27, 2007. At the closing of the race, the storm broke out and Ashley was literally dancing in the rain when her husband won the event. Well, Ashley looks hot wet and happy!

Kate Hudson Always Looks Stylish

Kate Hudson who has been recently called the owner of Hollywood's best body by U.S. magazine (according to it, Kate has the Leanest Legs), looks great even carrying the bags while moving in her New York home (may 24).

Rumour has it that Kate Hudson and Owen Wilson are getting serious and we can even expect the new celebrity marriage soon. Well, we'll see.

Kelly Brook Does Separate From Billy Zane... Sometimes

'Fishtales': a family comedy with Billy Zane and Kelly Brook starring.

Billy Zane's fiancee Kelly Brook, 27, was spotted shopping alone in Miami yesterday. Billy was not there to protect his future wife from paparazzi. The duo who just finished co-starring in 'Fishtales' reveal they try to always travel together. According to Billy:

“We don't allow long separations from each other."

And Kelly recently told Closer magazine:

“I’ve found someone I want to do everything with."

Well, not everything, after all. Shopping is exclusively for women.

Rose McGowan: Almost Too Sexy

While Rose McGowan racks her brains how to manage to wear as little clothes as possible, her face still fails to impress the public. Maybe it would be better to stop trying to look sexy and start behaving as a human being?

Rose McGowan visiting Cinema Against AIDS 2007 Benefiting amfAR, Cannes, France (May 23, 2007)

Well, as we have recently got used to, if we see Rose, there should be Rosario Dawson somewhere nearby. Yep! Here she is wearing the similar dress as her Grindhouse co-star (making her look a bit fat, by the way):

Liz Hurley Turned Into Bollywood Star

At Asian Women of Achievement Awards Liz Hurley looked correspondingly. Wearing a long gown hiding all her curves from our eyes, Liz looked just like a Bollywood actress. Was that her Indian businessman hubby Arun Nayer who suddenly influenced Elizabeth's style? They say Asian men are really strict and demanding... Does it mean that we'll see no Liz Hurley's cleavage any more?

Elizabeth Hurley visiting Asian Women of Achievement Awards in London (May 23, 2007, London Hilton on Park Lane, London):

Anna Paquin's Blonde Ambition

"Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee": Aidan Quinn, Adam Beach, Anna Paquin...

Anna Paquin looked great with her new blonde hair style spotted at HBO Films' "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" premiere held at American Museum of Natural History, NYC, May 23, 2007. Anna still looks a bit frightened at public events but that seems natural when being blonde.

More blonde Anna Paquin pics: Aidan Quinn and Anna Paquin; Adam Beach and Anna Paquin: