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It’s safe to say the ’60s was one of the most groundbreaking decades ever for rock music, and it’s just as reasonable to credit the Yardbirds with being among the most innovative of the era. Case in point: “Shapes of Things,” released as a single in 1966, is considered to by some to be the first psychedelic rock song in history (more on that later).

“Shapes of Things” peaked at #3 on the U.K. charts and #11 on the Billboard Hot 100. A significant accomplishment, as Yardbirds drummer Jim McCarty told Songfacts, was “probably the hardest thing to try and do.”

“Every time we tried to do that it never really succeeded,” McCarty explained. “I suppose we were lucky in that when we did ‘Shapes of Things’ it was like a hit song, but we were really coming from not trying to create a sort of a 3-minute piece of music, it was just something that seemed natural to us.”

“We started with the rhythm, we used a bass riff that came from a jazz record, got a groove going with that and then added a few other bits from elsewhere, other ideas that we’d had. And I think it was a great success for us, it was a good hit record that wasn’t really selling out. And it was original,” McCarty explained.

According to the drummer, he came up with a “marching type of rhythm that I tried to make interesting” for the song.

“And at the end of each line we’d build up like we used to do with some of our stage stuff — the rave ups,” he continued. “And then the bass riff came on top of that. And the bass riff was loosely based on a Dave Brubeck song, sort of a jazz song, around a doo doo doo doo doo doo, and then the chords came over that. The chords were very basic, came between the two tones, I think G and F, and then resolving it in D, each verse. And then the tune came on top of that. In fact, I remember putting the backing track down, which sounded great. I wasn’t at the session where Keith [Relf, singer] made up the tune, and when I heard the tune, I thought, Oh, that’s great. It’s a real surprise. He made up the tune, and then we had this sort of ‘Come tomorrow,’ but that was part of the song, anyway, at the beginning. So it was an exciting song to be involved in.”

Lyrically, “Shapes of Things” was “very much about the state of the situation in the country with the Vietnam War, so it was sort of an anti-war song.”

Shapes of things before my eyes
Just teach me to despise
Will time make man more wise?
Here within my lonely frame
My eyes just hurt my brain
But will it seem the same?

Related: 1967 Classic, Originally a Sarcastic Jab at the Monkees, Became a Timeless Rock Anthem

As David Simonelli wrote in Working Class Heroes: Rock Music and British Society in the 1960s and 1970s, “Shapes of Things,” which released a month before the Byrds’ “Eight Miles High,” was likewise considered to be the first psychedelic hit, making the Yardbirds the “first British band to have the term applied to one of its songs.” Simonelli went on to praise Jeff Beck‘s “wild guitar solo…a long drone that gave the song a psychedelic feel well before such a sound was popular in rock music.”

In The Emergence of Rock and Roll: Music and the Rise of American Youth Culture, Mitchell K. Hall agreed, writing, “The Yardbirds March 1966 single ‘Shapes of Things,’ with its blending of feedback, sudden rhythmic changes, exotic melody, and random lyrics about the predicament of humanity, is often noted as the first psychedelic rock song.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recognized the song’s significance by including “Shapes of Things” among the “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll,” while Q Magazine ranked the song at #61 on a list of the “100 Greatest Guitar Tracks of All Time.”

Related: 1965 Classic Rock Hit, Written by an 18-Year-Old, Was Rejected by Record Label Before Topping the Charts

To solve today’s NYT Mini Crossword puzzle, you’ll need to know a little bit about the Founding Fathers, Supreme Court justices, common turns of phrase, have an idea of what capacity things can hold, and know a thing or two about sitcoms.

Working on the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Wordle, and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can’t forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword, too!

Although the NYT is known for “The Crossword,” a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.

So, if you’re working on today’s Mini Crossword on Saturday, August 29, and need some help (I’ve been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by “Across Answers” and “Down Answers,” so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!

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Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Saturday, August 29, 2026

Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: “___, oh, ___!” — HINT: Starts with the letter “M”

4 Across: Wordle and Scrabble, for two — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”

6 Across: “Heading over now!” — HINT: Starts with the letter “O”

8 Across: Totally awesome — HINT: Ends with the letter “D”

9 Across: So-called “frankenfood,” for short — HINT: Ends with the letter “O”

10 Across: The University of Michigan has the largest one in the U.S., seating over 107,000 people — HINT: Starts with the letter “S”

12 Across: Go “Zzzz” — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”

13 Across: “Don’t worry, ___ pass” — HINT: Starts with the letter “I”

Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: First Muslim mayor of N.Y.C. — HINT: Ends with the letter “I”

2 Down: All: Coney Barrett of the Supreme Court — HINT: Ends with the letter “Y”

3 Down: Fox sitcom set in a Los Angeles loft — HINT: Starts with the letter “N”

4 Down: Tiny summer pests — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”

5 Down: ___ Adams, Founding Father for whom a beer is named — HINT: Starts with the letter “S”

6 Down: Surgery sites, for short — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”

7 Down: ___ Kippur — HINT: Ends with the letter “M”

11 Down: Bit of Braille — HINT: Starts with the letter “D”

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Saturday, August 29, 2026

Don’t go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Answers

1 Across: “___, oh, ___!” — MAN

4 Across: Wordle and Scrabble, for two — GAMES

6 Across: “Heading over now!” — ONMYWAY

8 Across: Totally awesome — RAD

9 Across: So-called “frankenfood,” for short — GMO

10 Across: The University of Michigan has the largest one in the U.S., seating over 107,000 people — STADIUM

12 Across: Go “Zzzz” — SNORE

13 Across: “Don’t worry, ___ pass” — ITLL

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: First Muslim mayor of N.Y.C. — MAMDANI

2 Down: All: Coney Barrett of the Supreme Court — AMY

3 Down: Fox sitcom set in a Los Angeles loft — NEWGIRL

4 Down: Tiny summer pests — GNATS

5 Down: ___ Adams, Founding Father for whom a beer is named — SAMUEL

6 Down: Surgery sites, for short — ORS

7 Down: ___ Kippur — YOM

11 Down: Bit of Braille — DOT

Related: I Recreated the Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars Every ’90s Kid Loved

“There’s Your Trouble,” The Chicks’ Grammy-winning mega-hit and one of the most enduring songs from the trio’s catalog, is getting a fresh, new life. Nearly three decades later, elements of the tune have resurfaced in a new summer track by rising star Stella Lefty.

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Released in March 1998 on Wide Open Spaces, “There’s Your Trouble” was written by Mark Selby and Tia Sillers and became a No. 1 country hit, propelling the Chicks into country-rock stardom. Though their song has been covered a time or two—including by Machine Gun Kelly as a twangy acoustic rendition for Spotify Singles after performing it live at CMA Fest—it hasn’t surfaced as an interpolation. Until now.

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Lefty’s “Summer You Were Mine,” released Aug. 21, 2026, interpolates parts of the recognizable melody and phrasing of “There’s Your Trouble,” resulting in an upbeat, nostalgic country bop. It’s featured on her debut album, Long Way Home, whose lead single, “Boston,” has proved to be a massive breakout hit for the singer-songwriter.

According to Rolling Stone, fans began to notice the similarities between the two songs after Lefty released her album, with the original songwriters initially absent from the credits. The magazine later confirmed with Lefty’s team that the omission was a streaming-platform error and that the song had been properly cleared as an interpolation.

Sillers and Selby were then added to the official credits after the streaming error was corrected.

“We wrote a bang-up, awesome song,” Sillers, whose husband, Selby, died in 2017, told Rolling Stone. “People are gonna fall in love with Stella’s song, but then they’re also gonna hopefully learn that it’s an interpolation of ‘There’s Your Trouble,’ and for a generation that might not know that song, they might go and discover that one too.”

Proof that great songs will always find new audiences, and sometimes the most unexpected way to revisit an old favorite is to make it part of something entirely new.

Related: 1990 Hit, Once Passed On by George Strait, Ranked No. 1 Greatest Country Song of All Time

Dolly Parton was regarded as one of the best singer-songwriters in country music. Her ability to turn personal heartbreak and emotion into something universally relatable made her songs crossover hits that have resonated across generations and genres. Following Dolly’s death at the age of 80 on August 25, Rolling Stone took on the insurmountable task of naming the best Dolly Parton song of all time. One of the most covered songs of all time, Dolly Parton’s 1973 classic tale of jealousy, “Jolene,” is ranked the best Dolly Parton song ever.

Here’s why:

“Marking her first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, ‘Jolene’ provided a showcase for the singer-songwriter at her most vulnerable, which made it all the more relatable.”

@dollyparton

52 years of “Jolene!” 💖 🎶

♬ Jolene – Dolly Parton

“Jolene” has been covered over 400 times, from artists as varied as Miley Cyrus and Beyoncé, each singing the iconic song as if they’d written it themselves. That’s because Dolly Parton’s gift as a songwriter was her ability to make the personal feel relatable.

The story of “Jolene,” inspired by a red-haired bank teller who used to flirt with Dolly’s husband, Carl Dean, when the two were newlyweds, is the stuff of legends. The song is more a plea, woman to woman, than a grand confrontation.

“Jolene” is Dolly at her most vulnerable. There is no revenge plot, nor does Dolly attempt to make herself seem stronger than she feels. She simply admits she’s scared of losing the man she loves and appeals to the other woman not to take him.

That vulnerability is what makes “Jolene” so impactful.

Dolly’s narrator isn’t really angry at Jolene. Instead, Parton the songwriter approaches the concept of the other woman with a kind of admiration. She knows why Jolene is a threat and is honest enough to admit that she doesn’t believe she can compete. The combination of jealousy, admiration and fear makes the song feel more like a sophisticated story of heartache than a typical love triangle. There is nothing typical about the way Dolly Parton crafts “Jolene,” in the end creating one of the most enduring country anthems of all time and, in Rolling Stone’s opinion, Dolly Parton’s best.

Related: 2006 Novel About a Forbidden Romance Inside a Traveling Circus Was One of Dolly Parton’s Favorites

Dolly Parton Wrote “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” Around the Same Time @dollyparton

Have I ever told you all the story behind Jolene? @pitchfork

♬ Jolene – Dolly Parton

One of the most remarkable details about “Jolene” is that Dolly also wrote “I Will Always Love You,” which would also become one of the defining compositions of her career, during the same creative period.

Dolly Parton Originally Said She Wrote Both Songs on the Same Day

Dolly originally said she wrote both songs on the same day, later clarifying that she wasn’t certain if they were written on the exact same night after discovering the songs on the same cassette tape.

Two Dolly Parton Songs About Two Different Kinds of Heartbreak

The songs feel like natural companion pieces, born from the same time in Dolly Parton’s journey as a songwriter. One song is about trying desperately to hold on to someone. The other is about having the courage to let someone go.

That contrast is what makes Dolly Parton’s songwriting so enduring. She’s not simply trying to create country hits. She’s writing about two completely different kinds of heartbreak at almost the same time in her life, both created from the kind of vulnerability and emotional honesty that made Dolly Parton’s songs resonate with just about anyone who hears them.

Related: Lily Tomlin Reacts to the Death of Her Beloved ‘9 to 5’ Costar Dolly Parton

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In 1994, the Cranberries scored a U.S. hit with “Dreams,” one of the songs that helped turn the Irish rock band into international stars.

Now, 32 years later, the song is climbing the charts again, thanks in part to Peacock’s The Five-Star Weekend.

“Dreams” lands at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top TV Songs chart for July 2026 after its use in the Jennifer Garner-led series, which premiered July 9. During the month, the song racked up 11.8 million U.S. streams and 3,000 downloads, according to Luminate.

It’s an impressive new chapter for a song that originally peaked at just No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100.

‘Dreams’ Gets a Boost From ‘The Five-Star Weekend’

Based on Elin Hilderbrand’s 2023 novel of the same name, The Five-Star Weekend stars Garner as Hollis Shaw, a food influencer who brings together four friends from different periods of her life for a weekend on Nantucket following the death of her husband.

Gemma Chan, D’Arcy Carden, Regina Hall and Chloë Sevigny round out the central group. The series premiered in July and was renewed for a second season in August.

Music plays an important role in Hilderbrand’s original novel, with Hollis creating playlists for her friends. The television adaptation carried that idea forward with a soundtrack spanning decades, and “Dreams” was also prominently used in the show’s trailer.

The Cranberries aren’t the only artists benefiting from the show’s soundtrack. Maggie Rogers’ “Light On” ranks No. 5 on Top TV Songs, while Leon Bridges’ “River” lands at No. 8.

But “Dreams” has climbed higher than either of them.

Dolores O’Riordan Wrote ‘Dreams’ About Her First Love

“Dreams” dates all the way back to the Cranberries’ earliest days.

Originally released in 1992 and later included on the band’s 1993 debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, the song was written by Dolores O’Riordan and Noel Hogan. A subsequent 1994 release helped send it onto the Hot 100.

For O’Riordan, its inspiration was intensely personal.

“I wrote that about my first love when I was living in Ireland,” she once explained, adding, “It’s about feeling really in love for the first time.”

Along with “Linger,” the song appeared on an early demo that helped generate attention for the young band. Those two songs would eventually become enduring pieces of the Cranberries’ legacy.

Hogan admitted that it took O’Riordan’s death in 2018 for him to fully appreciate just what they had created when they were young.

“They were just songs in the set list for us; everybody else was losing their mind about them,” Hogan told NME in 2019.

Looking back at “Dreams” and “Linger,” he marveled at “how great they are for someone so young,” adding, “We’re so lucky to have left that behind, to have that legacy.”

More than three decades later, “Dreams” is proving that legacy has plenty of life left in it. Thanks to The Five-Star Weekend, a song that reached only No. 42 during its original Hot 100 run is suddenly near the top of a Billboard chart 32 years later.

Related: 1980 Country Hit Is Surging 46 Years Later After ‘Dutton Ranch’ Revival

Winger is wingin’ it. The ’80s hard rock, glam metal band thought Aug. 31, 2025, might be its final bow, but after stepping back from touring, the group has returned for a handful of 2026 U.S. dates and keeps adding to the schedule. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

According to Ultimate Classic Rock, Winger performed at a festival in April at Bangers Open Air in São Paulo, Brazil. At the time, the band had only one other confirmed U.S. appearance on its calendar. However, “Winger has continued adding dates, including an upcoming Florida stop that also includes a guest appearance by Steelheart.”

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Seemingly self-aware of the potential whiplash to fans, the band addressed their decision to change the trajectory of their future.

“So, we knew it was coming,” drummer Rod Morgenstein said earlier this year, per UCR. “The last gig that we did, at the concert, instead of saying, ‘This is the last show. You’ll never see Winger again,’ we said, ‘Never say never. Circumstances change.’”

The initial urge to retire, Morgenstein said, wasn’t simply that they were tired of being a band. Instead, he discussed the physical difficulty of maintaining the band’s high vocal ranges after nearly 40 years. Now 73, he said they’ve been talking about the end of the band for years.

As for frontman Kip Winger, he agreed, but his reasons for bowing out were also so he could pursue a solo career.

“Listen, we’re not a huge band—we don’t fly around in our own Learjet—so it tends to take a toll on you,” he said, per UCR. “And then, all of a sudden, all my personal goals just end up drifting away in an airport somewhere in Chicago.”

Formed in New York City in 1987, Winger originally consisted of Kip Winger on vocals and bass, Reb Beach on guitar, Paul Taylor on keyboards and guitar, and Morgenstein on drums. They saw peak success in the ’80s and ’90s with hits like “Seventeen,” “Headed for a Heartbreak,” and “Miles Away,” with their melodic hard rock and complex prog-rock arrangements earning them a loyal following.

Their last album, 2023’s Seven, leaned into the band’s heavier, more progressive metal side. Following its debut and positive reception, Kip said he had no qualms about calling it quits.

“I’ve made my final statement on the last Winger record,” he said. “And a lot of people think that’s, like, if not our best record, it’s close to being our best, along with Pull. And I brought back the original guys and put the original logo on and gave it a nice full circle.”

It seems, however, like he’s changed his tune. Winger is definitely back on the road for at least three more shows, including stops in Detroit, Michigan, solo; in Shipshewana, Indiana, with FireHouse; and in St. Petersburg, Florida, with Steelheart.

Tickets, dates, and venues are available at wingertheband.com.

Related: ’90s Alternative Rock Legends Make History With ‘Greatest Hits’ Spending a Decade on the Charts

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Whether it’s a new skincare splurge or a cozy pajama set, there are a bunch of ways to treat yourself or make yourself feel pampered. Investing in a new accessory is yet another can’t-fail method for bringing a little extra joy to your day, and thanks to the limited-time ShopHQ Days sale that just kicked off, scoring some high-quality bling is extra affordable right now

This luxe Il Murano Heart Pendant & Multi-Strand Murano Glass Necklace is a standout option from the promotion. The luxe handcrafted Italian accessory was originally priced at $185 and is now on sale for only $35. At 81% off its original price, this chic piece is a steal, and shoppers have swooned over it so much that a few colors have already sold out. It’s a great way to bring the feel of an Italian vacation without the high cost.

Il Murano Heart Pendant & Multi-Strand Murano Glass Necklace, $35 (was $185) at ShopHQ

Courtesy of ShopHQ

The three-strand design centers around a 52 millimeter by 50 millimeter heart-shaped Murano glass pendant. Of the original five color options available, only the pink and green hues are still in stock, so add them to your cart before they sell out if you’re interested! Both options add a head-turning touch to any outfit, whether you’re dressing up a simple daytime look or accessorizing an evening ensemble.

The bold necklace is not only a statement maker, but it carries a rich history of Italian artistry that makes it unique. The necklace was handcrafted by skilled artisans on the picturesque island of Murano, known for its centuries-old glassmaking tradition. For anyone craving an Italian vacation or heading on one soon, this is a stylish find. 

The 19.9-inch accessory also has 18-karat yellow gold plating for a luxe finish, as well as a dainty fishhook clasp and a two-inch extender to adjust the length to suit her neckline. The statement design makes it versatile, too. She can pair it with a simple white fitted top and jeans for an elevated everyday look or layer it over a sleek dress for a date-night outfit. 

Whether shoppers have grabbed the deal as a gift or a treat for themselves, they’ve raved over the necklace, giving it several five-star reviews. “This is a gorgeous piece!” wrote one shopper. “I was unsure about ordering it, but I’m so glad I did!!” Another shopper not only called the necklace ‘beautiful” and praised the weight of it.” 

Related: This ‘Brilliant’ Birthstone Necklace Comes In ‘Exquisite’ Gift-Ready Packaging, Now Under $100

If you want to treat yourself or surprise a loved one with something that feels special but practical, this piece checks every box. Grab the Murano Glass Heart Necklace for $35 before it sells out.

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There are several influential musical acts that came out of the 1960s and ’70s, but only a handful are (arguably) more influential than the Queen of Rock and Roll Tina Turner. Before she spread her wings to fly solo and ultimately become one of the best performers of all time, though, she belonged to a duo with her then-husband Ike Turner.

In a roundup of the Greatest Duos of All Time, Rolling Stone ranked Ike and Tina Turner just shy of the greatest of all time—they fell in the No. 2 spot on the list of 20. (For inquiring minds, The Everly Brothers came in on top.)

Despite their “toxic pairing” and tumultuous relationship—chronicled on-screen in 1993’s What’s Love Got to Do With It starring the incomparable Angela Bassett (who, a Millennial like myself may or may not have grown up thinking was actually Tina based on her film performance) and Laurence Fishburne—what they accomplished together musically can never be denied.

“It’s a horrific legacy that clouds their decades of collaboration, which happen to be some of the most indelible American music ever,” the famed music publication rationalized.

Related: 1959 No. 1 Hit, Written Accidentally by Ray Charles, Remains ‘One of the Greatest Songs in Music History’ 67 Years Later

Explaining the reasoning behind the choice, they continued, “Imagine ‘Proud Mary’ without Tina’s crackly whorl and Ike’s baritone counter-melody? Hell, imagine the Rolling Stones‘ music if they had never toured with them? Ike & Tina’s versatile interchange traversed genre like none before them – from folk and funk and country to deep soul, psych, and even musicals – while reinventing what a rock and roll performance could be via their onstage energy (and Tina’s leg-power dances for days).”

Both originally hailing from the American South, Ike from Clarksdale, Mississippi, and Tina from Nutbush, Tennessee, some of their most well-known work together includes timeless hits like “River Deep-Mountain High,” “Proud Mary,” and “Nutbush City Limits.”

They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, with the entity praising, “A charismatic bandleader and an unbridled whirlwind of sexual energy formed one of the most formidable live acts in history.”

Next, ’70s Rock Legend, Founder of an Influential Band From Cleveland, Turns 79

Glenn Howerton is hoping his decades-long struggle with dry eye disease can help other people dealing with the same frustrating condition.

The It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star, 50, shared a lengthy Instagram post about his experience with dry eye disease (DED) on Friday, August 28, revealing that he has dealt with persistent symptoms for years.

“For decades I’ve struggled with persistent DED causing my eyes to be chronically red and irritated,” Howerton wrote. “Not a good thing for anyone, but particularly problematic when your job is to be on camera.”

Howerton explained that his dry eye disease has been largely due to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), a condition involving the oil-producing glands in the eyelids. Over the years, the actor said he tried numerous conventional treatments in search of relief. “Nothing worked,” he said. “In fact, they all made the problem worse because none of them addressed the fact that the glands themselves were blocked.”

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That changed three months ago when Howerton traveled to Tampa, Florida, to see Dr. Steven Maskin. Howerton said Maskin treated his DED and MGD using a procedure he developed called “meibomian gland probing.”

READ MORE: Rob McElhenney Reveals Why Dating Kaitlin Olson Was Worth the Risk Despite Being ‘Frowned Upon’

While he made clear that the problem hasn’t disappeared entirely, Howerton said he has “finally seen significant improvement for the first time.”

His experience is also why he’s speaking publicly now. Howerton urged eye doctors treating DED and MGD to consider Maskin’s protocols in hopes that more patients could potentially find relief. “His protocols have helped countless patients including myself, manage this frustrating and often debilitating condition,” he wrote.

Howerton has spent much of those decades in front of the camera as Dennis Reynolds on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The comedy celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025, though Howerton revealed during a PaleyLive panel that there was once a point when he considered walking away.

Before season 12, Howerton said he was “aching to do other things” with his career and had begun feeling “a little boxed in.” He remained with the series and later returned to his behind-the-scenes roles as a writer and executive producer.

Fans can catch It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on FXX and stream episodes on Hulu.

The first-ever Daisy Chain Fields Music Festival will be held this weekend in Irvine, CA, headlined by Olivia Rodrigo, along with a lineup of powerful female performers, to benefit nonprofits that support women’s and girls’ rights.

Ahead of the festival, Rodrigo has donated 10 million dollars to the 10 groups that the full day of music icons, including Stevie Nicks, Sarah McLachlan, Chappell Roan, Garbage, and more, will be supporting. At a special press conference, Rodrigo shared the news: “Daisy Chain Fields was created to celebrate the power of what can happen when we come together to support one another.”

Related: Olivia Rodrigo Sends Blunt Message in New Planned Parenthood Video

The Gen Z pop star continued, “The organizations we’ve partnered with are doing incredibly important work every single day in the US and globally. I’m so grateful to every person who bought a ticket, every artist who waived their fee, every sponsor for signing onto a brand new festival, and every donation that helped get to $10 million dollars to support women and girls. I can’t wait to see everyone tomorrow!”

The organizations that will benefit from the inaugural event are Planned Parenthood, Baby2Baby, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Center for Reproductive Rights, FreeFrom, Jhpiego, John Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health, National Institute for Reproductive Health, National Women’s Law Center, and National Domestic Workers Alliance.

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 28: (Exclusive Coverage) (L-R) Fatima Goss Graves, Kelly Sawyer Patricof, Norah Weinstein, Dr. Allyson Bear, Christian LoBue, Olivia Rodrigo, Caren Spruch, Jenn Stowe, Sonya Passi, Madeline Halperin-Robinson, Angela D. Aina and Dr. Melissa Walls attend Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields Press Presentation on August 28, 2026 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Daisy Chain Fields)

Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Daisy Chain Fields

The all-women music lineup has waived their fees to be a part of the special initiative, which was inspired by Sarah McLaughlin’s Lilith Fair, a similarly organized event that sought to bring all-women performers to the forefront of activism and music. For Rodrigo’s modern homage to the pioneering festival that came before, additional acts include Bikini Kill, Devon Again, Doechii, Mitski, Rodrigo, Rachel Chinouriri, Santigold, The Breeders, plus special guests Karen O, McLachlan, and Nicks.

The sold-out Daisy Chain Music Festival takes place on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

After you have your pumpkin spice latte and your pumpkin muffin, you can now reach for a pumpkin-flavored antacid.

Mylanta just revealed its fall flavor line, the ‘Fall Harvest Collection,’ which includes two limited-edition flavors: Pumpkin Spice and Spiced Apple Cider.

Both work on contact when that uncomfortable indigestion hits. No, this is not a joke — both flavors can be bought in stores and via Amazon now.

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The comments on an Instagram post about the product, however, are full of jokes like these:

• “Look, I bought the caramel vanilla and was pleasantly surprised. That pumpkin spice might hit for my Thanksgiving indigestion.”
• “Ah yes. When my acid reflux is bad, I want something with spice in the name.”
• “Make your heartburn ✨Festive✨”
• “Mylanta can’t stand the FOMO!”
• “Is this how far we’ve come? Curing all ailments with pumpkin spice?”

A 12 oz. bottle of liquid goodness will run you $9.99.

If pumpkin spice isn’t your cup of tea, Mylanta has a full line of flavors that aren’t limited-edition, including mint chocolate (with a cooling effect), chamomile honey (for nighttime), mixed berry, and classic lemon.

Jokes aside, the comments lean heavily positive, with several users admitting they’re keen to try the new flavors:

• “Yummy in my tummy!!!!”
• “I’m here for it.”
• “I’d try it!”
• “I’ll try 100% idc”

Pumpkin spice isn’t a new trend — it dates back roughly 3,500 years, per The History Channel — but Starbucks deserves heavy credit for popularizing it in this millennium. The coffee giant launched its signature pumpkin spice latte in the fall of 2003, though it didn’t include any actual pumpkin until they added puree to the recipe in 2015.

Realizing its popularity, chains like Dunkin’ Donuts and McDonald’s also started pumpkin-spicing their coffee drinks, but Starbucks holds the trademark on “PSL,” so you won’t find them using that abbreviation.

As of 2026, you can get just about anything pumpkin spiced, including donuts, cereals, cookies … even butter and hummus, if you’re brave enough.

San Luis Obispo isn’t on everyone’s bingo card when it comes to a West Coast vacation. Lying between San Francisco and Los Angeles, many travelers only experience San Luis Obispo from above looking down from their window seat.

Not Dolly Parton, though.

Related: Dolly Parton Died Holding 11 Guinness World Records—Including One That Spanned 46 Years

It’s reported that for 40 years the “Queen of Country” made the bubblegum-pink Madonna Inn an annual hideaway, over 100 miles from the bright lights of Hollywood, when she wasn’t enjoying some quiet time in her Solvang, California vacation home that’s now on the market.

According to SFGATE, “Dolly first visited the Madonna Inn in the mid-1980s and continued to return annually for many years,” said Lyndsey Goldwyn, the hotel’s marketing manager.

Each year, the country icon would opt for a different themed room for her R&R, including an Austrian suite that’s said to be straight out of the Sound of Music, a blinding pink “love nest,” featuring a spiral staircase leading to a private tower for extraordinary views of the storied property, and the “Caveman” room, a Stone Age fantasy decked out in solid rock with a waterfall shower, stone sink, and even a rock pond.

Related: Rock Star Jack White Performs ‘Jolene’ for First Time in 19 Years in Honor of Dolly Parton

Being one of music’s flashiest superstars, it’s no surprise she chose the most colorful digs to match her larger-than-life persona, and even requested the gold booth at the hotel’s on-site steakhouse, backed by “pink-on-pink baroque-inspired wallpaper.”

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That very booth has been dedicated to Parton as she became a staff favorite, known to always be warm and inviting despite her A-list status.

“Dolly often expressed how much she ‘loved the Madonna Inn’ and especially appreciated the warm, family atmosphere,” Goldwyn reflected. She continued, “Our longtime staff remember her as being incredibly kind, gracious, and sweet to everyone she encountered.”

Twenty years after Tommy James and the Shondells released “I Think We’re Alone Now,” a 15-year-old Tiffany recorded her own version. She initially didn’t even want to sing the 1967 song, but the cover eventually became a No. 1 hit and launched her career. 

Tiffany had been singing for as long as she could remember. As a kid, she sang everywhere she went, from the bathroom to the grocery store. So when her parents’ musician friends got together for a party, her father eventually encouraged her to get up and perform. 

“People went: ‘Wow. That voice. She sounds like a 30-year-old woman,’” Tiffany recalled to The Guardian. Before long, she was performing alongside music legends like Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. 

When Tiffany was 15, a musician told producer George Tobin about a “girl with a great voice.” Tobin helped her get a record deal, setting her career in motion. 

While working on Tiffany’s debut album, Tobin brought her “I Think We’re Alone Now.” Although Tommy James and the Shondells had recorded the song in 1967, Tiffany didn’t know it and wasn’t interested in it at first. 

“When I came back the next day, they’d remade it as a dance track,” she recalled. “I didn’t want to record it.”

She took the song home anyway, and her girlfriends quickly changed her mind. As they danced around the room listening to the new version, her producer urged her to trust him. Tiffany returned to the studio and recorded the vocals in about four takes.

She also didn’t fully realize what the lyrics were about at the time. Written by Ritchie Cordell and Bo Gentry, the song follows two teenagers sneaking away to be together. Years later, Tiffany joked about the stories fans have shared with her about listening to the song with their future spouses. 

“People have since told me: ‘Oh me and my husband were in the car listening to it and …’ And I think: ‘Way too much information!’” she quipped. 

The song began taking off once Tiffany started performing it for live audiences. Since she was too young for clubs, she took the record to shopping malls instead, and footage from those shows was later used in the music video.

“At first, I could go and have a pizza afterwards, but soon there were so many people that I could barely even get into the mall. Having a No 1 hit at 15 was a wild ride,” she recalled. 

The success made Tiffany one of the biggest young stars of the late 1980s. She met Michael Jackson, and fans started mimicking everything from her earrings to her crimped hairstyle. 

In 1987, Tiffany’s version reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single appeared on Tiffany’s self-titled debut album, which also climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard 200. At the time, that made her the youngest female artist to top the U.S. album chart with a debut album. 

Related: 1977 Rock Song, Sung by the ‘Queen of Country Rock,’ Is Still a Powerful Hit 49 Years Later

Jelly Roll doesn’t like being lassoed into any particular political party, and he says he knows one thing for certain: “Human dignity isn’t Republican or Democrat.”

The “Save Me” singer was a guest host on Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week, and he felt he had some duties as a stand-in late-night comedian, including cracking jokes. A few of those came at the expense of President Donald Trump, which didn’t go over well with MAGA fans.

What Did Jelly Roll Say About Trump?

“Speaking of cheese balls, let’s talk about Donald Trump,” Jelly Roll joked during one monologue. “The president is doubling down on his ridiculous trade war with Canada. And they’e saying this could lead to higher prices for several products, including whiskey, smartphones, but most alarmingly, toilet paper. It’s going to be a real World War Two-ply.”

“But you have to admit, there is something poetic about it being so expensive to wipe our ass just because the president’s full of s–t,” he quipped.

Jokes about Trump’s weight were also poorly received, to which Jelly responded in a later monologue: “I thought fat-on-fat crime was okay!” The country singer famously shed nearly 300 lbs. over the past few years.

But when people started accusing him of folding to jokes that were written for him, the country star had to clarify that no, he was standing behind what he said.

“A lot of people seem to think these Jimmy Kimmel writers have secretly been pulling the strings and forcing this good old country boy to poke fun at our commander in chief,” he said during Thursday night’s (Aug. 27) show. “But let’s be real about this, y’all: Do you think I would take orders from some sweaty little dork named Josh? No, I was just telling it like it is, and for some reason that seemed to freak a lot of people out.” 

In a social media post that followed Friday, Jelly Roll cleared things up further, even touching on politics directly.

“My daddy was a Democrat. His brother was a Republican. Best friends till the day he died. Before he passed, he told me: ‘We agreed about hundreds of things. We weren’t gonna let the few things we disagreed on define our relationship,'” he explained.

“A handshake ain’t an endorsement. A joke ain’t a political stance. And loving your neighbor doesn’t come with an asterisk,” he said. “Tomorrow I’m gonna try a little harder to love my neighbor. Hope y’all do the same.”

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Think fast: How well do you know your neighbors? Chances are, you know one another better than you think, even if you’re not the best of friends.

“Neighbors know a lot about our lives just by virtue of living nearby,” Dr. Gayle MacBride, PhD, LP, a psychologist with Veritas Psychology, tells Parade. “We often know what days they go into the office and how late sports practice goes. For many of us, neighbors are the people you call if you need them to grab your mail.”

Or a cup of sugar? Well, let’s not go that far. Dr. MacBride is concerned about the decline of community culture and how it’s affected our relationships with our neighbors over the past few decades, saying hyper-independence and loneliness often go hand in hand. And, as a society, we are lonely. About 1 in 2 Americans reported feeling lonely—and that was before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to research cited in a 2023 U.S. Surgeon General’s “Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community.”

“A sense of belonging in your community is grounding and helps with the human need for social connection, even if those connections aren’t deep,” Dr. MacBride states.

Yet, what’s stopping us from asking for help from—or even to grab a cup of coffee with—a neighbor? And how did we get here in the first place?

Dr. MacBride digs into why people don’t borrow from neighbors anymore. She also shares advice on how to talk to your neighbors to start building local community support.

Related: Psychologist Says if You Instantly Hide When Someone Knocks on the Door, You Likely Have These 9 Traits

The Death of the ‘Cup of Sugar’: When Did Neighborly Borrowing Stop?

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According to the psychologist, there’s no singular reason why people don’t borrow from neighbors, but the elimination of social friction and convenience culture‘s rise, plus the loss of third spaces, have all contributed.

Let’s start with social friction and convenience culture. Convenience stores became more popular after World War II, as suburbanization increased their footprint (and definition of “convenience”) from there.

“Over the last 50 years or so, our lives have become increasingly convenient and in many ways self-contained,” Dr. MacBride explains. “We have seen stores staying open longer, as well as carrying a bigger diversity of products. We began to expect to find those emergency items just about anywhere we went, and we expect those establishments to be open just about anytime we want to frequent them.”

And the internet? That never closes. She shares that the digital age has allowed us to have items delivered right to our doorstep, sometimes on subscription, lowering our threshold of “even having to think about it.”

Plus, we’re relying less on public gathering hubs like coffee shops, leading to a loss of third spaces for meeting and interacting with people.

“We also see people spending more time in private indoor spaces, creating privacy in their yards, and the attached garage has become more common,” she notes. “Each of these factors has played a part in this. We now leave our homes and enter that attached garage, get into our car, and drive our long commute to our office. This narrows the amount of time we spend in common, or shared spaces.”

Dr. MacBride shares that all of these advances in commerce, technology and housing design aren’t bad, per se. In fact?

“Not going to lie, that pet food that shows up at my door each month makes it super easy,” she admits. “Modern living has helped us become really good at solving small problems without involving anyone else—there’s an app for that.”

But some “inconveniences” have silver linings: Connection.

“In removing the friction from these situations, we have also decreased the social bond that came with helping each other out with those million little things that make life together as a community feel so supportive,” she notes.

Related: Psychologist Warns: This 1 Subtle Sign Reveals a Friendship Is ‘Definitely Unhealthy’

The Psychology of Hyper-Independence: Why Asking for Help Feels Hard

Hyper-independence and loneliness are often related, and society and social pressures are frequently in play. Dr. MacBride explains that hyper-independence describes the belief that “I should be able to handle everything myself.” She often hears from clients that they “don’t want to burden or inconvenience others.”

“Today’s culture can imply that if you can’t handle it yourself, you are inadequate,” she explains. “There’s something about the fear of being rejected socially, owing someone something or looking needy that feels really scary to people. So instead, people have learned that self-reliance seems like the safest option.” 

But neighborhood connection in psychology is valued for an unexpected reason.

“The irony is that in calculating the social equation this way, we’re focused on the cost to us—vulnerability, uncertainty and maybe a little embarrassment—and we often forget that being asked to help can feel good to the other person,” Dr. MacBride states. “As humans, the other side of the social bond is feeling useful, trusted and connected.”

While independence is healthy, she suggests finding a balance by leaning into interdependence, which occurs when you take care of yourself but allow others to support you when you need it.

“Not being afraid of your own need can build compassion for others when they’re in need, but also says it’s OK not to have it all together all the time,” she says.

Related: ‘I’m a Psychologist—These Are the 5 Surprising Things I Swear By To Combat Loneliness’

Convenience vs. Connection: How Technology Replaced the Neighborhood

Dr. MacBride notes that technology has made it possible to outsource many tasks. There’s no “need” to borrow a cup of sugar when you can order it on an app and have it delivered within the hour. Same-day delivery can get you a power tool, and you can find details on a new restaurant through online reviews on your phone rather than asking your neighbor if they’ve tried it.

“These are wonderful tools, and I use them all frequently,” she admits. “But there’s also a hidden trade-off to this kind of convenience. When we see technology in the workspace, we’re often worried about the human job cost. The same is true for our communities.”

See, she points out that each time we use technology, we nix the need to ask someone in our community for something. The decline in community culture leads to less connection—and more loneliness.

“Not that a single interaction matters a whole lot, but there’s a cumulative impact,” she says.

Importantly, technology can be used for connection (not just for fighting in the comments). She’s in neighborhood groups that help people find each other.

“I definitely have met neighbors I would not have otherwise if they hadn’t been a part of these groups,” she shares. “So, the question to ask is, ‘Are we using technology to bring us closer or are we using it to distance ourselves or substitute technology for human interaction?'”

Related: 13 of the Best Friendship Apps, Because We All Know Making Friends as an Adult Is Hard

The Mental Health Cost of Losing Your Local Support System

When Dr. MacBride talks to her clients about support systems, she often asks them to name at least five people they can count on for various needs.

“Sometimes the most important aspect of a support system isn’t necessarily how often you use it, but rather knowing that it exists,” she states. “In hyper-independence, we tend to believe that we have to handle everything ourselves. With interdependence, we know that if something happens, I can rely on someone else to show up.”

The psychologist says the world can seem less daunting when we sense we have support available.

“People who don’t have local relationships often struggle a bit more,” she says. “They tell me, ‘I have friends and family, but they live out of state.’ This often creates a sense of loneliness and disconnection. If you need support, they might be hours or days away from being able to help you. You don’t feel as woven into the community.”

Dr. MacBride says you don’t necessarily have to consider your neighbors your best friends—they may be acquaintances at best. But there’s something to be said about seeing a familiar face as you drive or walk down the street.

“The risk of loneliness increases the risk of feeling anonymous or unimportant,” she shares.

Related: This 1990s Backyard Game Still Teaches Kids Teamwork Better Than Most Apps

5 Low-Pressure Ways To Rebuild Connection With Your Neighbors

You may be rusty on how to talk to your neighbors—or completely unfamiliar with the practice. It’s understandable, given how society and technology have changed. To help, Dr. MacBride offers low-lift tips on building local community support.

1. Ask for something small

“Seriously, go ask for that proverbial cup of sugar,” Dr. MacBride recommends.

She says it’s a great first step toward creating interdependence. For instance, say you’re out of banana bread and out of sugar. Your neighbor gives you some. Then, you share the finished goodie with them.

“Actually, I sometimes give this as a homework assignment,” the psychologist shares. “Practice asking for things and see if you can get them to tell you no. People are surprised at how often others say yes when they expected to hear no.”

2. Learn your neighbors’ names and use them

Dr. MacBride’s cousin moved to a new neighborhood and kept a diagram of the area with houses drawn on it and names written on the houses.

“This was her tool for learning to keep track of who lived where,” she notes. “It works great because we love to hear someone use our name. It means we’re important when someone calls us by name. As you recognize them, they’re more likely to use your name. Let the social bonding begin.”

3. Give away the extra

If your tomato or pepper plants are overproducing, go ahead and share with a neighbor.

“There is a small interaction that doesn’t put obligation on the other person,” Dr. MacBride says. “It’s a transaction that can happen right now. Instant gratification because they get something they like and weren’t expecting, and we get to see the joy that it brought them.”

4. Spend time in spaces where others can actually see you

Yes, your backyard is an oasis. But admire your curb appeal every so often by sitting on your front porch or terrace if you have one. Wave to people as they walk by. Dr. MacBride says you can also take more walks around the neighborhood or linger outside after gardening instead of rushing back inside once the last weed is pulled.

“Creating opportunities for relationships to happen is important,” she explains. “If we’re never within eyesight, how can we actually get to know each other?”

5. Create a tiny recurring ritual

In Dr. MacBride’s neck of the woods, the ritual is to sit around a fire pit when the weather allows.

“It’s an easy way to invite new people in the neighborhood to come join us—’Wander down when you can’ and ‘Stay as long as you’d like’ are nice low-pressure ways to allow people to opt in,” she says.

Up Next:

Related: We Asked 3 Psychologists What Group Activity Is Best for Adults—They All Said the Same Thing

Sources:

• Dr. Gayle MacBride, PhD, LP, is a psychologist with Veritas Psychology.
• Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community. (2023) HHS.

A good bottle of red wine doesn’t have to require a second mortgage. In fact, some of the most exciting values on the shelf come from places where winemakers are more interested in farming good grapes and making expressive wine than plastering a giant marketing budget across the label.

And let’s be honest—shopping for an affordable red can feel a little like dating. There are plenty of attractive labels making big promises, but figuring out which ones will actually deliver is another story. A $12 bottle can be a delightful dinner companion, while a $42 bottle can leave you wondering where your money went. The trick is knowing what to look for—and, ideally, having someone knowledgeable in your corner.

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To help us find the best red wines under $25, we spoke with Thomas Grimm, the owner of Grand Vin in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a certified sommelier. His philosophy is refreshingly simple: value is about what’s in the bottle, not merely what’s on the price tag.

Grimm says the best budget-friendly wines often come from thoughtful producers, regions known for value and importers with a reputation for finding interesting bottles. In other words, you don’t need a trophy wine budget to drink well—you just need a little strategy.

So, grab your corkscrew. Here are the bottles and regions worth knowing the next time you’re hunting for a great red wine under $25.

What Sommeliers Look for in a Budget-Friendly Red Wine

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Grimm says one of his biggest clues isn’t actually printed in large letters on the front label. He pays attention to the importer behind the wine.

Names such as Kermit Lynch, Rosenthal, The Sorting Table and Wilson Daniels are worth noticing, he says, because their portfolios often feature independent producers and wines made with an emphasis on thoughtful farming. In other words, the back label can sometimes be more revealing than the flashy front.

Region matters too. For hearty reds, Grimm points shoppers toward Spain and France’s Mediterranean coast. Rioja and Ribera del Duero offer Tempranillo with the structure and oak influence that Cabernet drinkers often crave, while the Southern Rhône delivers Grenache- and Syrah-based wines with plenty of personality.

For lighter reds, look north and west. Oregon’s Willamette Valley is a natural destination for Pinot Noir, while France’s Loire Valley can deliver wonderfully fresh Cabernet Franc and other lighter, high-acid reds.

And perhaps the simplest rule? Shop somewhere with a human behind the counter. As Grimm puts it, independent wine shops exist because they’ve tasted the bottles and can help match one to your dinner, mood or level of wine wisdom.

Related: The 7 Best Rums Under $30 That Taste Dangerously Expensive

The Best Cabernets and Full-Bodied Reds Under $25

If you like your reds bold, rich and ready to command the dinner table, these full-bodied bottles deliver plenty of dark fruit, spice and structure without blowing past the $25 mark. From classic Cabernet to Spain’s Tempranillo and the Rhône’s hearty blends, these are budget bottles that actually deliver.

Mettler Cabernet Sauvignon, $24.99 at Beverage Warehouse

Beverage Warehouse

If your definition of red wine involves dark fruit, structure and a little swagger, Mettler Cabernet Sauvignon is a compelling under-$25 pick. The Lodi, California bottling leans into the classic Cabernet playbook: ripe fruit, firm but friendly tannins, and enough body to stand up to burgers, steak or anything involving a grill. At $24.99, it also lands just under our budget ceiling.

Rosario Vera Rioja Tempranillo, $16.99 at Beverage Warehouse

Beverage Warehouse

This is where Grimm’s advice about Spain really pays off. Rioja’s Tempranillo can scratch the Cabernet itch without copying Cabernet’s personality. Rosario Vera brings dark berry and plum flavors alongside licorice, tobacco and oak, with supple tannins and enough acidity to keep the wine from feeling heavy. At $16.99, it’s the kind of bottle that makes a Tuesday night dinner feel suspiciously fancy.

Misiones de Rengo Black Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, $23.99 at Beverage Warehouse

Beverage Warehouse

Chile is another classic value-hunting destination, and this Cabernet brings plenty of dark-fruit depth for the money. The Black Gran Reserva bottling has the visual drama of a bottle that expects to be taken seriously, but its $23.99 price tag keeps it firmly in weeknight territory. Pour it alongside grilled beef, roasted mushrooms or a hearty pasta, and let the bottle do the brooding for you.

Related: 7 Best Proseccos Under $20 That Taste Like Premium Champagne

Top-Rated Pinot Noirs and Light-Bodied Reds

For red wines that lean bright, fresh and elegant rather than big and brooding, reach for Pinot Noir and other lighter-bodied styles. These bottles bring juicy red fruit, lively acidity and plenty of character—proof that a lighter red can still make a memorable showing at the dinner table.

A to Z Wineworks Pinot Noir, $18.99 at Beverage Warehouse

Beverage Warehouse

If Pinot Noir is your happy place, Oregon is one of the first regions Grimm recommends exploring. A to Z’s Oregon Pinot is a particularly approachable entry point, with red fruit, floral notes, spice and gentle oak wrapped into a wine that balances fruit, acidity and tannin.

The $18.99 price makes it an easy candidate for roast chicken, salmon, mushroom dishes or simply an evening when you want something a little more graceful than a blockbuster red.

Erath Pinot Noir, $21.99 at Beverage Warehouse

Beverage Warehouse

Another Oregon standout, Erath offers the juicy side of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Think cherry, cranberry and red plum with floral accents and balanced acidity. It’s medium-bodied enough to feel substantial, but still has the freshness that makes Pinot so dangerously easy to drink. At $21.99, it sits comfortably below the $25 line.

G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso, $16.99 at Beverage Warehouse

Beverage Warehouse

This is the bottle Grimm specifically calls a shelf staple—and with good reason. G.D. Vajra’s Langhe Rosso is a Nebbiolo-based blend from Piedmont, Italy, joined by several other local grapes. It has bright red fruit, tart cherry, plum, fresh acidity and just enough earthy spice to make it a terrific food companion. Grimm’s favorite use case is pizza night. Honestly, we can think of few endorsements more convincing.

The Best Cheap Red Blends for Everyday Drinking

When you want a red that’s easy to pour, easy to pair and easy on the wallet, blends are your best friend. These everyday bottles pack plenty of flavor without demanding too much thought—or more than $25 from your bank account.

Oraison Côtes du Rhône, $17.99 at Beverage Warehouse

Beverage Warehouse

Côtes du Rhône is practically a cheat code for affordable red wine. The Southern Rhône’s Grenache- and Syrah-heavy blends can deliver generous fruit, spice and body without demanding a premium price. Oraison is listed at $17.99 and offers the sort of red fruit, cherry, pepper and licorice profile that works equally well with roast chicken, sausages or a pan of baked pasta.

Sogevinus 850 Douro DOC Red Blend, $12.99 at Beverage Warehouse

Beverage Warehouse

At $12.99, this is the bottle for anyone who hears the term “budget wine” and hopes it actually tastes like wine. Portugal’s Douro Valley is a terrific source of value, and blends from the region can offer dark fruit, spice and structure without the price tag attached to many famous European names. This one is especially suited to casual dinners, burgers and the sort of meals where nobody is taking tasting notes.

Pedra Cancela Dão Seleção do Enólogo Red, $13.99 at Beverage Warehouse

Beverage Warehouse

Dão doesn’t get the same name recognition as Portugal’s Douro, which is precisely why value seekers should keep an eye on it. Pedra Cancela’s blend is made from traditional Portuguese grapes including Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Alfrocheiro, offering ripe fruit, elegant tannins and a savory edge. At $13.99, it is a strong candidate for a roast, braised meal or creamy pasta dish.

The Bottom Line: Don’t Shop by Price Alone

Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images

The secret to finding a great red under $25 isn’t finding the cheapest bottle on the shelf. It’s finding the bottle that gives you the most pleasure for the money.

That distinction is exactly what Grimm looks for. He says shoppers should be skeptical of clever marketing from mass-produced wines and instead look for clues about how and where a wine was made—organic or sustainable farming claims, reputable importers and, whenever possible, a knowledgeable person who can actually tell you what’s good.

“Most importantly,” Grimm says, “ask someone in your local, independent wine store for help!” That’s advice worth raising a glass to.

Source:

• Thomas Grimm is the owner of Grand Vin, an independent wine shop in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a certified sommelier. He curates the shop’s selection with a focus on small producers, thoughtful farming and wines that offer exceptional value. Grimm also leads tastings and events, helping customers discover great wine without the intimidation or snobbery.

Related: I Tried Every Flavor of Elizabeth Banks’ Canned Wines and Ranked Them Worst to Best

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Whether you crushed a work deadline, made it through a Monday, or just want to add a little sparkle to your day, the right accessory can feel like a tiny celebration. If you’ve been looking for the perfect opportunity to treat yourself, the Swarovski Stilla Attract Trilogy Drop Earrings, now on sale for over 50% off at Amazon. 

That’s right — these “stunning” little luxuries could be yours for as low as $57, down from their original price of $119. Shoppers said they’re perfect for gifting, too, so if you’re looking to indulge yourself or a loved one, it’s a great time to pick them up while they’re on sale. 

Swarovski Stilla Attract Trilogy Drop Earrings, $57 (were $119) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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With their trio of clear white Swarovski crystals, these drop earrings are both elegant and versatile. Each earring is just 1.13 inches long, and the crystals are set in rhodium-plated silver for a classic, luminous look. The hinged leverback closure keeps them secure and comfortable, whether you’re running errands or heading out for a dinner date.

Life is made up of small moments, and sometimes the sweetest joy is slipping on something beautiful just because you can. These earrings are the perfect example, and according to shopper reviews, it’s dainty, dazzling, and designed to make every day feel a little more special.

“Stunning. Totally worth the money,” one shopper said. “Got them for my daughter and loved them so much that I got them for myself. Elegant and dainty.”

Swarovski’s craftsmanship shines in every detail. The pavé embellishment adds extra sparkle, while the quality materials mean these earrings are designed to last. When you open the signature Swarovski box, you’ll feel like you’re unwrapping a present from yourself to yourself. Just remember to remove them before swimming, showering, or applying lotions to keep them looking their best.

Best of all, these earrings can go from everyday casual to formal elegance with ease. Pair them with jeans and a tee for coffee with friends, or let them be the finishing touch to an evening look. If you’re searching for a thoughtful, charming gift, they come ready for gifting in that iconic blue box, and there’s even a matching necklace. 

Related: Amazon’s Toasty $20 Corduroy Shacket Is So ‘Comfortable’ and ‘Perfect’ for Fall Layering

You deserve small luxuries, especially when they’re as stunning (and affordable!) as these Swarovski drop earrings. So don’t miss your change to say yes to a little sparkle, and snag these Amazon Swarovski earrings while they’re 50% off.

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales twice a week.

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Little updates can have such a transformative effect on the home. If you’re looking for a simple yet significant way to refresh your space, an area rug can instantly add color and character without feeling overdone. Hundreds of shoppers love the Mistana Fritch Abstract Rug for that very reason. Not only is it elegant, but the ivory version is also marked down from its usual $238 to just $80 for a savings of 66% during the Wayfair Labor Day sale.

This is an excellent opportunity to save on a classic, thoughtfully designed accent. It’s as much a functional detail as a showpiece, providing comfortable padding underfoot while adding warm, subtle tones to the room. There’s also a beige/brown version available on sale for $98.

Mistana Fritch Abstract Rug, from $80 (was $238) at Wayfair

Courtesy of Wayfair

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At 6 feet wide by 9 feet long, this is the ideal size for so many areas. Maybe you’re looking for something to brighten up the master bedroom or to breathe new life into a living room. With these dimensions, it can also fit nicely into a smaller room that could use a makeover. Because area rugs have a grounding effect, this piece will quickly tie everything together.

Its beauty is all in its details. The vintage-inspired medallion pattern lends it an ornamental quality, with a slightly faded finish that lends the rug its quintessentially weathered-yet-elegant appearance. The effect is timeless, and according to one shopper the restrained color palette is “vibrant and beautiful.” Another person described the effect as “soothing,” noting that the rug’s “plush” feel adds an “inviting” touch to the room.

Related: Wayfair’s ‘Cozy’ 6-Piece Foliage-Inspired Comforter Set Brings the Beauty of Fall Indoors, Now 72% Off

While it stands out aesthetically, the rug is built to last. It’s machine-woven for a clean look, with a low-polypropylene pile that won’t shed even in a high-traffic household. Cleaning the carpet is a breeze, too. Use a mild and clear soap to spot clean spills, and vacuum regularly to keep it looking fresh.

Shop More Deals

• Inbox Zero Ergonomic Task Chair, $47 (was $96) at Wayfair
• Ebern Designs Jalonda Wooden Stand, $180 (was $230) at Wayfair
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U2 has released its contribution to an upcoming tribute album honoring the late Shane MacGowan, offering fans an early listen more than two months before the record’s release.

The band’s cover of “Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah,” originally released by the Pogues in 1988, appears on 20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan, a tribute LP due out Nov. 13 featuring an eclectic lineup that includes Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, the Libertines, Dropkick Murphys and David Gray. The original single never cracked the UK Top 40, peaking at No. 43, though it did become the Pogues’ first song to chart in the U.S., reaching No. 17 on Billboard’s Modern Rock chart.

The Edge spoke about MacGowan’s legacy in a statement tied to the release. “Shane MacGowan was full of contradictions, and that’s where the truth of him lived,” he said, going on to describe MacGowan as someone who blended folk tradition, political memory and gallows humor into songs that “sound like they have always existed.”

Springsteen, who contributed a cover of “A Rainy Night in Soho” to the same project earlier this year, offered his own tribute in a statement, calling MacGowan “raw, hilarious, no apologies, and profound.”

The cover arrives during an unusually active stretch for U2. The band has already released two EPs this year, Days of Ash and Easter Lily, along with the single “Street of Dreams,” the lead track off a forthcoming studio album that will be their first collection of new material since 2017’s Songs of Experience. The upcoming record also marks the return of drummer Larry Mullen Jr., who sat out the band’s 2023-24 Sphere residency while recovering from back surgery. U2 is also set to mark the 50th anniversary of its formation on Sept. 25, though details on how the band plans to commemorate the milestone remain unclear.

Amal Clooney brought a little bridal energy to her latest date night with husband George Clooney.

The couple stepped out in Lake Como, Italy, last week with Amal wearing a strappy white silk dress as she and George headed to an event with friends.

For the occasion, Amal, 48, wore a long white strappy dress, while George, 65, complemented her in a light gray ensemble, per photos obtained by Page Six on Friday, August 28. A small bouquet Amal received upon arriving added an unexpected bridal touch to their coordinated looks.

Lake Como has been something of a family destination for the Clooneys this summer. Earlier in August, the pair brought their 9-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella, along for a charity event at the same hotspot. For that outing, Amal wore a black gown featuring floral embroidery and a bright chartreuse bow.

READ MORE: George Clooney and Wife Amal Face Devastating Uncertainty as They’re Forced to Flee Home

The family’s time in Italy comes after a much more stressful stretch at their home in southeastern France. In late July, George and Amal confirmed they had evacuated their Brignoles residence with their children as wildfires spread through the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.

“At this point we have no idea whether our beautiful home makes it through this terrible moment,” the pair wrote in a letter to Brignoles Mayor Didier Brémond. Despite the uncertainty, they pledged to stand by their community, adding, “We love Brignoles and our friends who live there.” It’s unclear if the home was affected by the fire.

France has become an important part of the Clooneys’ family life in recent years. Although they’ve had homes elsewhere (including George’s longtime villa on Lake Como and properties in England and Kentucky), they primarily reside in France with their children.

The family’s connection to the country became even more official in December 2025, when George, Amal, Alexander, and Ella all obtained French citizenship. The milestone came more than a decade after George and Amal first met in 2013 and married in Venice, Italy, the following year.