Pantone just announced that emerald is its Color Of The Year — and Angelina Jolie is probably responsible. 

Emerald is America's favorite color after a surge in demand, Pantone said on its website. The company is known for its Pantone Matching System, a way to identify which color is being used in design.

Pantone bases the color of the year on the percentage of designers using it. 

The popularity of the emerald is largely influenced by Angelina Jolie's 2009 Oscar earrings, which continue to receive media attention and copycats, reports Women's Wear Daily. 

"It took a few years but the 115-emerald green earrings Angelina Jolie wore to the Academy Awards seem to have had a hand in this spring's color palette," a Pantone executive told WWD. "There is no question that what the stars wear creeps into people's consciousness. It gets embedded in your mind."

Expect to see Emerald become the hot new color this spring. 

DON'T MISS: The Fabulous Life Of Amancio Ortega, The Mysterious Billionaire Behind Zara >

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If our mild winter is any indication, things are going to heat up quickly this spring, so now's a good time to make sure those a/c units are heatwave ready.  

But is it worth it to have your a/c hauled out of your apartment and professionally cleaned every year or two at an average cost of $300-350 per unit, as one StreetEasy.com user is thinking of doing?

Cleaning the a/c is supposed to help the unit live longer and run more efficiently  (saving money on electric costs), but as a StreetEasy commenter scoffs, "It would take a hell of a lot of 'peak efficiency' to make back $350 a unit on energy costs. I mean, how does this math make any sense?"

It doesn't, concurs another, unless you've got a Cadillac of an a/c:

"When you are looking at a 25,000BTU AC, $350 is worth it. if you are looking at 6-12,000 BTU, then it's cheaper just to buy new ones every year. Each year the ACs become more economical in utilizing electricity, so donate your old and buy new."

If you do decide to get your a/c units cleaned--or swap it out for a new one--don't forget to tip. Tired of the whole window-unit dance? Here's some info on installing central air.

Related posts:
The cost of cool: Tipping advice for a/c season
Care for some mold with that a/c?
Dear Ms. Demeanor: Irreconcilable air-conditioning differences

Don't miss: 10 signs your neighborhood's property value is on the skids > 

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A rotting whale carcass that washed up on the beach in Malibu earlier this week is posing a messy problem for local celebrities and millionaires who live nearby, according to the Associated Press.

Three days after it first appeared, authorities are still figuring out whose responsibility it is to deal with the 40,000-pound fin whale carcass. Los Angeles County lifeguards were reportedly going to try to pull the whale out to sea today, but the local fire inspector said the job would likely require a tug boat.

Los Angeles County has also said that its department of beaches and harbors is not responsible, the AP reported.

The photo below from the California Wildlife Center shows the whale earlier this week, between Malibu's Paradise Cove and Point Dume, near the homes of Barbra Streisand and Bob Dylan.

SEE ALSO: Meet The Rich And Famous Residents Of Malibu's 'Billionaire's Beach'

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Apparently filming in 48 frames per second (fps) was not a good idea. 

"The Hobbit" won't be playing in the U.S. for another week but it has screened in New Zealand, and some people are claiming to feel sick afterwards. 

According to the Daily Mail, viewers told the Sunday Times the controversial high-frame rate version of the film left them nauseated and dizzy, and compared the viewing experience to that of motion sickness.

"My eyes cannot take everything in; it's dizzying," said one fan. "Now I have a migraine."

It's not the regular 2D versions of the film that are bothering moviegoers.

Rather, it's Jackson's revolutionary decision to show the film in select theaters at 48fps (frames per second). Normally, a film is shown at 24fps, so audiences' brains will be processing double the amount of images in the same amount of time.

Jackson has admitted the high-frame rate — which Warner Bros is referring to as HFR 3D— takes a little bit of time to get used to, but he backs it as a critical leap forward in film-making (essentially HFR is to movies what CDs and mp3s were to vinyls).  

Audiences won't be able to see the controversial higher frame rate everywhere. Instead, it will be offered in an estimated 450 theaters.

Some of the high-rate footage was shown to viewers earlier this summer at San Diego's Comic Con, and, though it received mixed reviews, no one reported feeling queasy.

One person who embraced Jackson's endeavor is Bryan Singer, director of "X-Men: Days of Future Past," who tweeted:

The big question: Will your eyeballs be able to handle the 48fps? 

Probably. We imagine your eyes may feel strained when there are too many characters to focus on up close, from previous reports we've read. 

However, we imagine it will be similar to watching an enhanced HD television.

Here's a list of all the theaters in the U.S. that will be showing "The Hobbit" at the high definition rate.

Warner Bros. has since released a statement in response to the claims defending its high-frame rate: 

“We have been screening the full-length HFR 3D presentation of 'THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY' extensively and feedback has been extremely positive, with none of thousands who have seen the film projected in this format expressing any of the issues described by two anonymous sources in media reports. We share the filmmakers’ belief that by offering film-goers the additional choice of HFR 3D, alongside traditional viewing formats, they have an opportunity to be part of a groundbreaking advancement in the movie-going experience and we look forward to having audiences everywhere share in this new way of storytelling."

SEE ALSO: The most expensive movies ever made >

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Famed photographer Annie Leibovitz is trying to unload a trio of West Village townhouses for $33 million, The Wall Street Journal's Candace Jackson reports.

The buildings include a main home, Leibovitz's studio, and guest quarters. They surround a slate patio and have a whopping 13 fireplaces, according to Jackson.

The photographer is reportedly selling to move closer to the uptown school of her three daughters. Brown Harris Stevens' Paula Del Nunzio has the listing.

Leibovitz's compound is located on the corner of Greenwich Street and occupies more than 10,000 square feet of space.

The compound is comprised of three townhouses, which open up onto a central garden.

The brick buildings date back to the 1830s.

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Stephen Baldwin has been arrested in New York after allegedly failing to file his taxes multiple times.  

According to TMZ, the actor has failed to file returns for 2008, 2009, and 2010 owing the state of New York more than $350,000.  

This isn't the first time Baldwin has had money issues. Back in 2009, the star filed for bankruptcy.

If convicted, Baldwin could face up to four years in prison.

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It's been just two days since reports surfaced that Karl Rove had been benched at Fox News, but it appears as though the Republican pundit will return to the network on Monday with an appearance on Bret Baier's special report. 

Politico points out that the appearance — along with a second booking on Fox Business on Dec. 13 — is listed on Rove's personal website. 

Here's a screenshot: 

On Tuesday, New York's Gabriel Sherman reported that Fox News chief Roger Ailes had issued new rules aimed at limiting Rove's presence on the conservative cable network in the aftermath of his election night meltdown. According to Sherman's sources, producers are now required to request special permission requiring producers to book Rove on Fox shows. 

It is not clear if special permission was granted to next week's appearances, or if the rules have been lifted altogether.

Fox has not yet responded to our request for comment. 

Now here's why Rove is in the crosshairs of the Republican Party's civil war > 

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Kate Upton has never appeared on an issue of Vogue in the U.S., but she's gracing the British version for the upcoming January issue.

Vogue UK editor Alexandra Shulman said Upton's curvy appearance is in line with wanting to set a fresh fashion mood for the New Year.

Shulman then goes on to explain that Upton's far from a heffalump – a fictitious elephant creature from "Winnie The Pooh".

"It's very rare for a girl to move from one area of the business to the other, largely due to the fact that fashion models are almost without curves, whereas swimwear girls are celebrated for them. When I decided to shoot Kate for our first cover of 2013, it was to kick off the year with a young woman who is not a stereotypical fashion model — although, let's face it, she's hardly a heffalump!"

Here are photos of heffalumps, which Upton is far from:

And, an earlier incarnation:

SEE ALSO: Victoria's Secret models without makeup >

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Kate Upton is on the cover of British Vogue for first time. It's her second international Vogue cover and reinforces the campaign to tout her as the poster girl for "healthy" models.

But there's something about this one that's different from her usual covers.

There's no cleavage.

And that's "a monumental shift from every other magazine she's covered," wrote Charlotte Cowles at The Cut.

"It's very rare for a girl to move from one area of the business to the other, largely due to the fact that fashion models are almost without curves, whereas swimwear girls are celebrated for them," explained U.K. Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman in an editor's note.

Look at the difference between her U.K. cover:

And her other cover for Vogue Italia: 

The cover shows that Upton is achieving one of her goals: breaking into the world of fashion. 

Upton faced an uphill battle with the industry. She was snubbed by the designers of New York Fashion Week, and Victoria's Secret publicly rejected her from its show. 

But Vogue is a powerful ally. Its demure cover photo of Upton shows the magazine takes her seriously as a model, and not just a sex object. 

At this rate, Upton should be walking couture runways very soon.

SEE ALSO: Victoria's Secret models without makeup >

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Newsweek is cutting a chunk of its editorial staff.

We still don't know exactly how many in the Newsweek/Daily Beast newsroom will be losing their jobs, but an anonymous source tells The New York Observer that it's a "bloodbath" that could annihilate half the jobs in editorial.

The Observer acquired the somber memo editor-in-chief Tina Brown and CEO Baba Shetty sent out to the staff.

Here it is:

To: All Staff
From: Tina Brown / Baba Shetty

The sad moment has arrived when we must go forth with the editorial staff reductions that we discussed in person with all of you several weeks ago. Employees in the affected positions will be notified today. Much of this has already happened on the business side, and today we will be letting staff on the editorial side know where we will be eliminating positions. This is a very difficult day, and one that we approach with enormous regret.

Anyone whose job (or job category) is affected will meet today with a senior member of the editorial team. No one will be asked to leave before December 31st (and many will stay at least into mid-January). Managers will be getting in touch later this afternoon with groups of affected employees to let them know when and where their particular meeting will take place. After the meetings with management, you should feel free to speak with Holly Antiuk or Lauren Strada for more specifics on all aspects of this transition. We are working to ensure that the process is handled as sensitively as possible.

Tina & Baba

SEE ALSO: The Most Iconic And Controversial Newsweek Covers Ever >

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Film critic Roger Ebert was hospitalized late yesterday with a hip fracture. Ebert confirmed the injury on Twitter saying no surgery was necessary. His wife took to Twitter to joke it was due to his "tricky disco dance moves."

While discussing Beyoncé's upcoming HBO documentary, Wendy Williams sounded off on the singer / actress on her talk show. After saying she was a fan of the singer, she told the audience she was thankful for closed captioning so she could understand Beyoncé: "You know Beyoncé can't talk. Beyoncé sounds like she has a fifth grade education."

"The Hobbit" isn't even out yet, and Entertainment Weekly already has a first look of Orlando Bloom in "The Hobbit: There and Back Again."

"Stranger Than Fiction" scribe Zach Helm is writing the "Jumanji" remake.

Nigel Lythgoe, the mind behind "American Idol," has signed a production deal with Shine America.

The Obamas celebrated the annual White House Christmas tree-lighting ceremony with Neil Patrick Harris and "Modern Family" star Rico Rodriguez.

Kyle Chandler seems to have little interest in a "Friday Night Lights" film.

Demi Moore's dance moves at the Art.sy and Chanel BBQ at the Soho Beach House in Miami have caught a lot of attention.

SEE ALSO: The high-frame rate for "The Hobbit" is too much for some to handle at theaters >

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When Spotify revamps, a new "Discover" section will give pride of place to advertisers, according to Ad Age's Jason Del Rey.

Spotify already has plenty of ads (just like Pandora). That's how music streaming companies pay their bills. Famously, Spotify signed a $100 million deal with Coca-Cola.

The new section, for people seeking new music, will look a bit like Pinterest and give advertisers a chance to pay to get their stuff seen inside it, Spotify chief advertising officer Jeff Levick says:

The new section, which Spotify is labeling "Discover," surfaces content such as songs, playlists, and live-performance videos that Spotify users haven't discovered yet but which they may like based on their past listening habits. The section is laid out in a visual-driven experience incorporating images and videos in a big-tile grid that has some traces of Pinterest. 

"It's another new canvas for us to look at the right way for brands to participate in the music experience," Mr. Levick said in the interview. 

SEE ALSO: This Crucial Detail In Spotify's Business Model Could Kill Pandora

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As more and more mobile devices proliferate the market, you might start noticing more iPhones or tablets in the lap of someone watching TV than bowls of popcorn.

According to a new Nielsen report, 40 percent of Americans use their smartphones or tablets while watching TV at least once a day. Almost 80 percent use a second screen at least once a month.

But even though smartphone penetration has reached more than 50 percent and tablets are only in 20 percent of homes, 41 percent of tablet owners use their devices at least once a day while watching TV — which is 2 percent more than Americans who own and simultaneously use their smartphones.

This is huge news for advertisers trying to create second screen television experiences to mobile devices, especially considering that tablet penetration is only going up.

But there are a few important details they should know about the tablet audience.

First off, as shown in the graphic below (click to enlarge), simultaneous TV and tablet users skew slightly older.

Smartphone and tablet users are also doing different things with their devices when they watch. For example, 36 percent of people aged 35-54, and 44 percent of people aged 55-64, look up more information about the shows they are watching on their tablets. Smartphone users are primarily checking social media sites.

While more women than men use their smartphones while watching TV, the gender divide is even for tablets.

SEE ALSO: Click here to see the best tablet campaigns we've ever seen>

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Gisele and Tom Brady had a baby girl yesterday, December 5th. Vivian Lake was born at home.

Gisele posted this photo and message on her Facebook page:

"We feel so lucky to have been able to experience the miracle of birth once again and are forever grateful for the opportunity to be the parents of another little angel. Vivian Lake was born at home on December 5. She is healthy and full of life.Thank you all for your support and well wishes. We wish you and your families many blessings."

We're sure Vivian will be watching her daddy take on the Texans Monday night.

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In a sad and shocking twist, the nurse who works at the hospital where Kate Middleton was treated and who was reportedly duped by an Australian radio show has been found dead, and is suspected of killing herself.

The Daily Mail reports that the nurse was found unconscious at an address near the King Edward VII Hospital in Paddington, London. She was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. One source told the Mail that she appeared to have killed herself.

In a statement from the hospital, the nurse has been named as Jacintha Saldanha. She was described as the "victim of a hoax call." The hospital also says its staff "had been supporting her throughout this difficult time."

The nurse was tricked by two Australian radio DJs, Mel Greig and Michael Christian, who called up the hospital pretending to be Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles.

Despite their laughable accents, the pair were transferred to Kate Middleton's room, where the mother-to-be was hospitalized with morning sickness. A woman named Vanessa gave the pair information on Middleton, who was apparently sleeping.

The BBC says that Saldanha was the nurse who answered the phone. She had not been reprimanded by the hospital for the incident.

The Royal College of Nursing, an organization that represents nurses in the U.K., has issued a statement, by chief executive Dr Peter Carter, saying it is "deeply saddening that a simple human error due to a cruel hoax could lead to the death of a dedicated and caring member of the nursing profession." Kate Middleton and Prince William have also said they are "deeply saddened" by the news.

Here's the video of the call, which soon went viral after being uploaded this week:

UPDATE: While the woman was originally believed to have been a receptionist, the London Evening Standard reports she was in fact a nurse staffing the switchboard. This post has been updated to reflect that.

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Nearly a decade before he became a phenomenon in the states, PSY rapped about 'slowly and painfully' killing American soldiers. 

According to Mediate, the "Gangnam Style" performer took the stage during a 2002 protest against 37,000 American troops stationed on the Korean Peninsula. 

While adorned in gold face paint and a red outfit, PSY lifted a miniature U.S. tank and smashed it on the ground to applause.  

Two years later, after a South Korean missionary was killed in Iraq, PSY performed alongside other Korean musicians in an anti-American protest concert. 

PSY rapped a song titled "Dear American" wishing death to American soldiers and their families.  

Here's what he rapped: 

"Kill those f---ing Yankees who have been torturing Iraqi captives.
Kill those f---ing Yankees who ordered them to torture.
Kill their daughters, mothers, daughters-in-law and fathers.
Kill them all slowly and painfully."

SEE ALSO: Audiences are reportedly leaving 'The Hobbit' feeling sick >

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2 Day FM, the Sydney-based radio show that employs two hosts behind a Kate Middleton prank phone call that many believe led a hospital nurse to kill herself, is facing an enormous backlash online.

The hosts, Mel Greig and Michael Christian, deleted their Twitter accounts (@MContheradio and @MelGreigHot30) after the news spread today. However, that hasn't stopped a backlash spreading on Twitter directed against their show, @Hot30Countdown.

Similar comments are also making being found on the Hot 30 Countdown Facebook page.

A story about the "Royal Prank" is still at the top of 2DayFm's website at the time of writing.

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The Financial Times's markets editor Chris Adams pointed us to a video that has us cringing.

It's the Harvard University economics department doing their rendition of the "Call Me Maybe" music video, an internet meme that dominated YouTube this past summer.

If you make it to the closing credits, you'll hear another familiar internet meme of a song: PSY's "Gangnam Style."

Enjoy:

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An Australian radio show that reportedly duped a nurse working in Kate Middleton's hospital might have violated Australia's commercial radio codes of practice, Reuters' Matthew Keys tweeted today.

The nurse was found dead and is suspected of killing herself after two Australian radio DJs, Mel Greig and Michael Christian, called the hospital pretending to be Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles.

The nurse, who has been identified as Jacintha Saldanha, answered the phone and transferred them to Kate Middleton's room.

Matthew Keys pointed out that the prank might have broken a section of Australia's radio codes of practice that prohibits shows that treat "participants in live hosted entertainment programs in a highly demeaning or highly exploitative manner."

The radio show has apologized for the prank.

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Southern Cross Austereo, parent company of 2Day FM, has released a statement after a prank phone call from two of its hosts to the hospital where Kate Middleton was staying appeared to lead a nurse reportedly committed suicide.

The statement was posted to Facebook:

Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) and 2Day FM are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha from King Edward VII’s Hospital and we extend our deepest sympathies to her family and all that have been affected by this situation around the world.

Chief Executive Officer Rhys Holleran has spoken with the presenters, they are both deeply shocked and at this time we have agreed that they not comment about the circumstances. SCA and the hosts have decided that they will not return to their radio show until further notice out of respect for what can only be described as a tragedy.

The station has seen an incredible backlash online for the prank— and right now the statement is not getting a good reception from Facebook:

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