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Combine support, cushioning, and style in one package and you have the recipe for a pair of Skechers shoes. The brand, known for its many comfort-forward design features, prioritizes fashion and function equally — and that means its sneakers and sandals check every box whether you’re looking for casual footwear or something to wear to work.

The Skechers Flexpadrille Lo So Chic espadrilles are an excellent example. These summery  sandals brim with coastal charm, offering the laid-back appeal of your favorite pair of off-duty shoes coupled with lots of flexibility to keep you comfortable all day long. They’re also an incredible deal at Amazon right now, reduced from their usual $55 to just $30 in select sizes and colors for a limited time.

Skechers Flexpadrille Lo So Chic Sandals, From $30 (were $55) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Take your pick from white, navy, or red, each adorned with breezy, nautical-inspired white stripes. The effect is simultaneously resort-ready and sailor-influenced, meaning you can easily wear these in virtually any coastal environment. They don’t feel overly themed or exaggerated, but instead give a subtle nod to the styles you could imagine wearing by the sea.

A big part of that appeal is the textured espadrille trim above the rubber sole. It has a slightly braided look, which gives the shoe some added character and contrasts nicely with the patterned upper. Because of this easygoing vibe, you could wear these with virtually anything from jeans and tees to sundresses to shorts and tank tops.

Despite the coastal connotations, you don’t have to reserve them just for vacation. The simple slip-on silhouette makes them just as easy to work into an everyday outfit, whether you’re running errands or playing with the dog. The footbed provides a spongy landing that feels “very comfortable,” according to one shopper.

Others praised the design, noting that they can even wear the “supportive and stylish” shoe to work. A reviewer highlighted the lightweight feel as a bonus, especially when working on hard surfaces like cement. Many people also loved the sheer versatility of being able to wear them with so many different outfits.

Shop More Deals

• Vinglam Linen Dress, $27 (was $50) at Amazon
• Lee Ultra Lux Comfort Cargo Shorts, $11 (was $35) at Amazon
• Zeagoo Crochet Cardigan, $23 (was $36) at Amazon

Related: Gap’s ‘Buttery Soft’ $20 Fleece Joggers Are ‘Perfect for Fall’ and Come in 6 Colors

Now’s a great time to perk up your wardrobe with a fun warm-weather shoe. They’ll help you close out the last few weeks of the season in style, add a little splash of interest to early fall looks, and be ready at the first sign of spring. Grab the Skechers Flexpadrille Lo So Chic espadrilles now in your preferred color while they’re on sale at Amazon!

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.

Tiffany Franco is taking a look back at just how far she’s come on her weight loss journey.

The 90 Day Fiancé alum, 33, shared a series of before-and-after photos and videos on Instagram Saturday, August 22, documenting her incredible transformation, including some glimpses from earlier in her journey that she had never posted publicly.

The first comparison featured a photo of Franco wearing a black dress during her time on the TLC franchise alongside a more recent shot of the reality star posing in a turquoise two-piece outfit that showed off her midriff. Other slides captured different stages of her progress, including a bikini photo.

“Haven’t posted a progress pic in a long time, here are some of my before pics/ videos I’ve never shared before,” Franco wrote in the caption.

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A post shared by Tiffany Franco (@tiffanyfranco_)

While she admitted that looking back isn’t always easy, Franco said keeping the old photos has become a source of motivation. “They’re hard to look at sometimes but I’m glad I took them, helps me remember how far I’ve come and helps me keep pushing.”

Fans quickly flooded the comments with reactions to Franco’s transformation and words of encouragement.

“You are a smoke show in any size but I know you feel better. I know the struggle all too well!” one fan wrote.

“Friendly reminder that you were ALWAYS that girl ,” a second said.

A third commented, “You look fantastic. You were always the most beautiful on the show. And natural.”

“I bet Ronald #1 is hitting his head on the wall right now,” a forth said, referring to her ex Ronald Smith.

READ MORE: Jasmine Pineda Breaks Silence on Gino Palazzolo Divorce

Franco previously revealed just how significant her transformation had been while promoting 90 Day: Hunt for Love in May 2025. “I got to almost 300 lbs. … and I realized it’s my relationship, it’s my self-worth. It’s everything all together,” she told Us Weekly at the time. “I said, ‘Enough, I need to do something.’”

Franco underwent weight loss surgery in 2021, which she said helped her initially lose 70 pounds. She later dropped another 40 pounds, bringing her reported total loss at the time to approximately 110 pounds.

But Franco emphasized that surgery was only one part of the process. “The rest was just pure willpower and struggling,” she said.

The reality star first became known to TLC viewers through her relationship with Smith. The former couple, who share daughter Carley, ultimately divorced in 2021. Franco is also mom to son Daniel from a previous relationship.

Music fans might be surprised to learn that some hit songs out there didn’t find big success until a second artist recorded and released a version.

In the 1960s, popular songs were recorded by multiple musical artists over a short period of time before they found success. This was the case with “Needles and Pins,” a track co-written by Jack Nitzsche and Sonny Bono.

The song was first recorded and released by Jackie DeShannon in 1963, on her self-titled album. DeShannon’s version did relatively well, peaking at No. 84 on the Billboard Hot 100 and soaring to No. 1 in Canada, but it didn’t make much of an impact anywhere else.

It wasn’t until the second artist, the band called the Searchers, released their version that “Needles and Pins” became a true hit. The band heard someone else perform the song at a venue, loved the track, and were eager to release it as a single. It came out in January 1964 and reached huge heights all across the world, doing a lot better than the previous rendition.

The single was a No. 1 hit in the U.K., South Africa, and Ireland, while it broke into the Top 20 in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Norway, and Sweden. It made it to the Top 40 in France and Finland. The Searchers’ version basically took over Europe after it came out.

Thanks to the song’s success, the Searchers performed on the prestigious Ed Sullivan Show and it kicked off a string of other hits, including “Don’t Throw Your Love Away,” another DeShannon song called “When You Walk in the Room,” and “What Have They Done to the Rain,” which all came out in 1964.

Related: 1939 Hit Song, Featured in Shawshank Redemption, Became One of the Best-Selling Singles of All Time

All of these songs were also global hits, but they didn’t take over quite as many countries as “Needles and Pins” did. But it wasn’t just the Searchers that found success with the track.

A few years later, Cher recorded a version of “Needles and Pins,” while the band Smokie made it a rock ballad hit in the 1970s. The Ramones and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers also recorded their own takes on the song in the years since.

Related: 1984 Folk-Rock Song, Written by Leonard Cohen, Among ‘Greatest Rock Lyrics of All Time’

America, the legendary British-American folk-rock trio, released the iconic 1972 song “A Horse With No Name,” which has continued to connect with generations of music lovers and remains one of the most celebrated soft rock hits.

Amazon Music released a curated playlist featuring the 100 greatest soft rock songs of all time.

While Toto’s “Africa” dominated the top spot, America’s “A Horse With No Name” secured No. 23, highlighting the song’s enduring and timeless appeal.

Released as part of their self-titled debut album, America, the song was written by vocalist Dewey Bunnell when he was 19.

It was initially titled “Desert Song,” drawing inspiration from Bunnell’s childhood memories of the desert scenery while visiting his father, who was stationed at an Air Force base in California.

America band members Gerry Beckley, David Dickey, Dan Peek and Dewey Bunnell during a performance at BBC Studio

David Warner Ellis/Redferns

“The desert as a topic had been burning in my head after years in the UK,” the lead vocalist told Mojo magazine, as cited by Songfacts. “As kids, my brother and I had spent time in the desert – New Mexico, Arizona, southern California – catching snakes and lizards and poking around. I was also conjuring up another kind of weather, since England was notorious for being rainy.”

The release of “A Horse With No Name” proved to be a major success. It peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and replaced Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold” at the top spot.

It was also the band’s first No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, followed by “Sister Golden Hair” in 1975.

With the song’s massive popularity launching America into stardom, Bunnell admitted that they didn’t expect it to become their biggest hit.

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“Everybody had a song called I Need You in mind as the single,” he mentioned in an interview via Louder. “It was initially felt that A Horse With No Name was good but perhaps a little too quirky. At first it felt like a bit of a novelty song. It was a shock that it became so popular.”

Now, “A Horse With No Name” continues to connect with younger listeners and has been featured in various movies and TV shows, including Breaking Bad, American Hustle and Air America, as well as video games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Related: 1991 Rock Song, From One of the ‘Greatest’ Supergroups of All Time Mr. Big, Is Still a Hit 35 Years Later

Every week, it seems like there’s a new meme floating around the internet. And between memes from the Real Housewives of Atlanta to the Zara Larsson interview meme to the SpongeBob “she had no idea they were gonna play in her face” meme, there’s no shortage of memes, funny GIFs and laughs, especially on apps like X and TikTok. The latest meme to float around X and Instagram is of Zendaya. But it’s not from Euphoria or Spider-Man or even Challengers. This one is from Zendaya’s Disney Channel era. 

Zendaya has gone viral plenty of times, whether people are admiring her beauty or using her as a meme. Last year, the actress was going viral for her hat meme, where she wore a big top hat to the 2014 Teen Vogue Young Hollywood party. Just weeks ago, fans were posting Zendaya’s The Odyssey press looks, notably her Matiéres Fécales ensemble styled by Law Roach, where she looks like an absolute angel (very fitting for Athena). 

Related: A24 Film Starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson to Hit HBO Max

Other memes of the actress include videos and GIFs of her Spider-Man: Homecoming press interviews and the iconic video of her dancing with her now-husband, Tom Holland. And of course, we can’t forget about Challengers memes and internet reactions to THAT scene. Now, people are throwing it way back to her Disney Channel days, with a video of her resurfacing now being used as a meme on X and Instagram. So, where did this meme originate? X user @popbackupp posted a video of Zendaya and several other celebrities on the purple carpet of Justin Bieber’s Never Say Never premiere. The video received 49.5 million views and thus, a meme was born. 

Since then, people on X have constantly used GIFs and screenshots of Zendaya from the video for memes. And they’re hilarious! Check out a few of our favorites below. 

me in the mirror after having a breakdown pic.twitter.com/uRKLhdAoPd

— 2HNDSUM (@2HNDSUM) August 21, 2026

Me when I say I’m not going out anymore but end up in a section pic.twitter.com/bvJYPRUsZJ

— $u$u (@prettisusu) August 23, 2026

When they ask do I wanna round up to donate to charity and I say no pic.twitter.com/oNEuaxr7Wp

— Alexis Johnson (@alexisjreports) August 23, 2026

Me approaching my man for a bite of his food after I said I wasn’t hungry. pic.twitter.com/eXQpaC6KRr

— Tracey💫 (@tracey09_) August 23, 2026

Me when I didn’t hear what you said: pic.twitter.com/YbKL0o4Qgh

— ⛧ (@SometxmesYouCme) August 20, 2026

Cuando me tocaba en la fila para pagar y mi mamá no regresaba pic.twitter.com/lP6TZLTBLt

— Yen 🔆 (@ollarvesferye_) August 23, 2026

Getting ready …. To make herstory pic.twitter.com/b7eHDLinES

— ELEAZAR 🇲🇽 24/08 (@azivalex) August 22, 2026

The Zendaya meme getting ready to clock in for another long day of being put to work pic.twitter.com/NZGJsNGrYG

— Jay (@denimjays) August 22, 2026

Zendaya takes over the internet after accidentally becoming 2026’s newest meme. pic.twitter.com/FLAZ3K8xOg

— Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) August 22, 2026

Me texting my friends I’m on my way when I haven’t even left my house and still getting ready. pic.twitter.com/cZKgIprJ9G

— ɴᴀᴅɪ. (@luvherout) August 23, 2026

Me compré una camisa 3 tallas más grande para que se me viera oversized y me quedó bien pic.twitter.com/0jcu6IWYR0

— Mediocre Housewife • 💕🌈 (@nathsparkles) August 23, 2026

Showing up to work 20 minutes late with a coffee pic.twitter.com/eXQpaC6KRr

— Tracey💫 (@tracey09_) August 23, 2026

io quando dico ‘devo smettere di usare cosi tanto il telefono’ e poi faccio altre 4 ore di doomscrolling pic.twitter.com/IQTOEcE7NZ

— regina george but gay (@arianagrimmie) August 23, 2026

Erin Murphy, who rose to stardom on Bewitched, is wishing fellow classic TV icon Barbara Eden a happy 95th birthday.

Murphy, 62, who was just a baby when she took on the role of Tabitha Stephens in Bewitched, played the tiny witch on the show from 1966 to 1972. The series followed beloved good witch Samantha Stevens (played by the legendary Elizabeth Montgomery) as she navigated life and motherhood alongside her non-witch husband, Darrin. Tabitha, with her blond hair and adorable looks, inherited the same sneaky witchcraft skills as her mother, to her father’s dismay. Hilarity ensued!

Eden, who broke boundaries in the fantasy sitcom series I Dream of Jeannie, just turned 95 and is looking better than ever. While she may have ditched her pink satin outfit, she’s got a bright smile on her face in a photo shared by Murphy.

“Please join me in wishing the lovely Barbara Eden a very happy birthday! ❤️ 95 never looked so good! ✨,” Murphy captioned the photo, which showed her alongside Eden.

This will only make classic TV fans want a Bewitched/I Dream of Jeannie crossover more!

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A Potential Bewitched Reboot

One of the most common questions Murphy fields is whether she’d participate in a reboot of Bewitched.

“If they asked me to appear on the show, absolutely I would! I’d love to be included in some way, and I know fans of the original Bewitched would enjoy that fun reference to the past,” Murphy said in a recent interview with New Idea.

That may come in handy, because back in November, Deadline reported that an hourlong reimagining of the classic TV series was in development. A bit different from the original, the new series would follow Samantha and Darrin, who fall in love at first sight.

“But in order to be together, they’ll have to navigate their disapproving parents, walk a tightrope of cultural clashes, and bridge the divides between their families and worlds,” the description continued.

Eden Is Thriving In Her Nineties

Earlier this year, Eden shared a sweet photo alongside her husband, Jon Eicholtz, showing the duo wearing adorable bunny ears for the Easter holiday.

“Happy Easter from us bunnies! We hope it’s been beautiful and full of joy! -B & J #happyeaster #easter #easterbunny #barbaraeden,” Eden captioned the photo, which showed the blonde beauty in blue bunny ears and a red jacket with her hands placed on her husband’s shoulders. Smiling brightly, the TV icon has barely aged a day since her time on the beloved series, which ran from 1965 to 1970.

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Related: Erin Murphy, 62, Who Played Tabitha Stevens on ‘Bewitched,’ Glows in a Gown-And-Pearls Car Selfie

Def Leppard’s 1983 hit “Photograph” never reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, but more than four decades later, the song has earned a place among the greatest rock tracks ever made.

In its Top 100 Rock Songs of All Time ranking, Ultimate Classic Rock placed “Photograph” at No. 31. The song, which appeared on Def Leppard’s 1983 album Pyromania, ranked ahead of many other famous rock recordings despite falling short of the top spot on Billboard’s main singles chart.

“Photograph” peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 on May 21, 1983, after debuting on March 12. It spent 17 weeks on the chart.

Def Leppard posed for a portrait in 1983.

Photo by Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty Images

Ultimate Classic Rock said the track pushed Def Leppard into the mainstream and helped introduce a more polished version of the band’s metal-pop sound.

“Photograph” benefited from an outpouring of MTV airings, but the song’s chewy center and big hooks likely would have found an audience regardless.

Robert John “Mutt” Lange produced the song, and Steve Clark, Pete Willis, Rick Savage, Joe Elliott and Lange wrote it.

The track arrived during an important period for the English rock band. Def Leppard had already released On Through the Night and High ‘n’ Dry, but Pyromania helped take the group to a much larger audience.

The song also helped show the band’s changing sound. It mixed hard rock and metal with a strong pop melody, giving the group a style that could work on both rock radio and MTV.

The “Photograph” music video received heavy rotation on MTV, giving more listeners a chance to discover the band. The video also marked guitarist Phil Collen’s video debut.

While the song has often been linked to Marilyn Monroe because of its imagery, lead singer Joe Elliott explained that it was more broadly about “something you can’t ever get your hands on.”

Producer Mutt Lange also said the song was not about one person in particular, but about expressing “young lust in an anthemic song.”

“Photograph” was followed by another major Pyromania single, “Rock of Ages.” Both songs became No. 1 hits on the U.S. Rock Tracks chart and reached the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100.

The success of Pyromania helped establish Def Leppard as one of the biggest rock bands of the 1980s. The album reached No. 2 on the U.S. album chart and was later certified Diamond in the U.S.

In 2009, VH1 named it the 13th-greatest hard rock song of all time. The song was also included among VH1’s greatest songs of the previous 25 years.

Loudwire placed “Photograph” at No. 1 on its list of the 10 greatest Def Leppard songs in 2015. In 2017, Billboard ranked it No. 2 on its list of the band’s 15 best songs.

Its legacy has also continued through new releases and appearances outside traditional radio. A rough mix of “Photograph” was included among the rarities connected to the 2024 Pyromania reissue.

According to Rolling Stone, Joe Elliott called work on the box set “A labor of love and I loved every minute of it !!”

More than 40 years after its release, the 1983 track still stands as a major part of Pyromania and a key song in Def Leppard’s rise to mainstream success.

Related: 1976 Rock Song, Lasting Over 10 Minutes, Is David Bowie’s Longest Song

When you walk through the grocery store, your financial health may be top of mind these days (groceries are expensive!). Or, maybe you’re hyper-focused on foods to support your heart health, hormones or blood sugar. However, Dr. Brian T. Lee, MD, a transplant hepatologist at Hoag, suggests people think about their livers while choosing their food items for the week. Dr. Lee emphasizes that you need to do more than avoid or minimize alcohol intake to keep it functioning.

“The liver is the body’s metabolic processing center,” he tells Parade. “It helps process the nutrients we absorb, storing some for later and converting others into energy or materials used elsewhere in the body.”

The grocery store is chock-full of items that support liver health, but it also has some foods you’ll want to steer clear of, as Dr. Lee does (for the most part).

“When the body repeatedly receives more sugar, alcohol or calories than it can handle, some of that excess energy can be converted into and stored as liver fat,” he notes. “There is a strong connection between what we consume and our liver health, making it important to understand how everyday food and beverage choices affect the liver over time.”

For this reason, Dr. Lee shops intentionally, loading his cart with fiber and vitamin-rich produce like fruits and vegetables, whole grains and unsaturated fat (think olive oil and avocados). However, there’s one grocery store item he doesn’t buy—at least not regularly. Below, he reveals the foods he avoids when shopping, along with tasty alternatives.

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‘I’m a Hepatologist—This Is the Grocery Store Food I Never Buy’

“I personally minimize sugar-sweetened beverages the most,” Dr. Lee tells Parade.

That means not adding regular soda, sweetened teas, lemonade and many sports drinks to his cart. As tasty as they are, Dr. Lee is concerned about the way they can affect his liver and overall health.

“Sugary drinks are so easy to overconsume, with a large amount of sugar and calories without the fullness of eating solid food,” he says. “The body does not always compensate for liquid calories by eating less food later in the day.”

For instance, a 20-ounce soft drink can contain around 220 calories and 55 grams of added sugar. Compare that to water with a couple of frozen berries, which has no added sugar and few calories. Dietary guidelines state that no amount of added sugar is nutritious, but they advise adults to limit intake to no more than 10 grams per meal. A single soda can have more than five times that, which isn’t good news for your liver.

“High consumption of sugary beverages has been highly associated with the development of liver fat and eventually chronic liver disease,” Dr. Lee says.

He also points out that research suggests a link between the number of sugary beverages you consume and weight gain.

That said, sugar-sweetened beverages aren’t the only source of added sugar. “Added sugars are also a concern and can be found not only in soda and candy but also in breakfast cereals, sauces and flavored yogurts,” he says.

This doesn’t mean you can’t ever have a soda if you want to protect your liver. But moderation is key.

“Keep in mind, a single soda does not cause liver disease,” Dr. Lee notes. “The problem arises when it becomes the main source of hydration.”

Related: Here’s Exactly What Happens to Your Liver When You Eat Bananas

Alternatives To Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

Instead of stocking up on sugar-sweetened beverages like sodas and some iced teas, Dr. Lee loads his kitchen with other liver-healthy alternatives and recommends that his patients do the same. His favorites are:

• Water. Quite frankly? “This is the simplest and best everyday source of hydration,” Dr. Lee says. He says it doesn’t have added sugar or unnecessary calories. If you feel like water lacks fun or flavor, add citrus slices or mint.
• Unsweetened iced tea. Dr. Lee likes the flavor profile and says it comes without the sugar load of bottled sweet tea. “Its main advantage is straightforward by replacing a high-sugar beverage with a flavorful, low-calorie alternative,” he explains.

• Coffee. Dr. Lee points to strong observational evidence that black coffee may promote liver health. “Regular coffee consumption has been associated with less advanced liver scarring and lower risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer,” he says. “This is not proof that coffee directly prevents or treats liver disease, but simply an association. Avoid the syrup, sugar or sweetened creamer.”

Related: ‘I’m a Hepatologist—This Is the First Thing I’d Cut From My Diet To Protect My Liver’

Other Foods To Avoid for Liver Health

Dr. Lee doesn’t just avoid sugary beverages and foods at the grocery store. Some of his other concerns include foods and drinks that make it easy to consume a ton of saturated fat, refined carbohydrates and calories without feeling full. He says we sometimes call these foods “empty calories.”

“For liver health, it’s particularly helpful to limit foods that are ultra-processed, fried or high in saturated fats, like French fries, processed meats and packaged desserts,” he notes. “Refined carbohydrates—white bread or rice and pastries—can also be easy to consume.”

And don’t forget: The liver metabolizes alcohol. “The greater the exposure to alcohol, the greater the risk of liver injury and disease,” Dr. Lee explains.

Related: The Common Supplement Hepatologists Wish People Would Stop Taking So Casually

The Best Diet for Liver Health

Count Dr. Lee among the many fans of the Mediterranean diet.

“It is more of a ‘template’ than a rigid ‘diet,” Dr. Lee explains. “It emphasizes vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, nuts, fish and olive oil, all of which can support a healthy liver.”

Dr. Lee also likes that the Mediterranean diet limits:

• Alcohol
• Added sugars
• Refined grains
• Processed foods
• Saturated fats

“This template can help address excess liver fat, insulin resistance, high cholesterol and risk of heart disease,” he says.

That said, there are other good-for-your-liver diets out there—think DASH, which is similar to the Mediterranean diet but emphasizes lower sodium intake. He stresses that you don’t need to split hairs.

“The honest conclusion is that the best ‘diet’ is a high-quality, minimally processed collection of foods that a person can sustain over time,” Dr. Lee notes. “This is more important than debating small differences between otherwise healthy diets.” 

Up Next:

Related: Here’s What Happens to Your Liver When You Eat Garlic Regularly

Sources:

• Dr. Brian T. Lee, MD, a transplant hepatologist at Hoag
• Count the Added Sugars. FDA.
• Be Smart About Sugar. CDC.
• Sugar-Sweetened and Artificially Sweetened Beverages and Risk of Liver Cancer and Chronic Liver Disease Mortality. JAMA.
• Added sugar intake is associated with weight gain and risk of developing obesity over 30 years: The CARDIA study. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases.
• Coffee Consumption and Improved Liver Outcomes: Clinical, Imaging, and Proteomic Evidence From the UK Biobank. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

In 1967, thousands of young people were preparing to descend on San Francisco when John Phillips wrote the song that would become an unofficial invitation to join them.

Recorded by Scott McKenzie, “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” arrived just as the city was becoming the center of the burgeoning counterculture. Its gentle melody and memorable message helped turn the song into an international hit and one of the recordings most closely associated with the Summer of Love.

Phillips, best known as a member of The Mamas & the Papas, wrote the song with a specific purpose in mind.

“We were doing the Monterey Pop Festival, which I produced with Lou Adler, and the town of Monterey was sort of frightened by the thought of two hundred and fifty thousand hippies coming,” Phillips said in an interview.

He felt compelled to write a song that could promote the event and the spirit surrounding it to help ease tensions.

“I wanted a song that would express the feelings of the people coming to Monterey,” Phillips told The Independent. “The Olympics appealed to me because they had laurel wreaths in their hair. I wrote it in an afternoon, did a rough dub that evening, hired the players the next morning, and finished it the next night. 36 hours and it was done. I’d known Scott since we were teenagers, and his voice was perfect for the song.”

The session also brought another famous musician into the mix.

Phillips produced the recording and played guitar, while Gary L. Coleman contributed orchestral bells and chimes. The arrangement remained deliberately delicate, allowing McKenzie’s warm vocal and the song’s invitation to “wear some flowers in your hair” to carry its hopeful message.

“My heart was in that song and I didn’t have to change my image,” McKenzie said. “I was already leading a pretty loose life. I was wearing flower shirts, weird flowing robes and kaftans, and we picked flowers the day I recorded the song. One girl gave me a garland of flowers and my friends were sitting in the lotus position, meditating, while I was recording it.”

The timing couldn’t have been better.

Released in May 1967, “San Francisco” climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became an even bigger success overseas, reaching No. 1 in the U.K. and several other countries. As young people poured into San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood that summer, the song became an international shorthand for the peace-and-love ideals associated with the city.

McKenzie never duplicated its enormous success, making “San Francisco” the defining recording of his career. Phillips, meanwhile, continued his remarkable songwriting run with The Mamas & the Papas, having already helped create ’60s standards including “California Dreamin'” and “Monday, Monday.”

Fifty-nine years later, “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” remains virtually inseparable from the summer that inspired it. What began as John Phillips’ musical invitation to Monterey became something much bigger: a gentle, enduring snapshot of the optimism that defined one extraordinary moment in 1967.

Related: 1966 Folk Song, Covered by Rod Stewart, Is Still a Powerful Hit 60 Years Later

The Bee Gees had already found fame, but this song gave them an American first.

Fifty-five years ago today, on Aug. 23, 1971, “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” was sitting atop the Billboard Hot 100. Released that May as the lead single from the Bee Gees’ album Trafalgar, the soft rock ballad became the group’s first U.S. No. 1 hit. Billboard later ranked it as the No. 5 song of 1971.

The achievement came after a turbulent period for the group. Robin Gibb left the Bee Gees in 1969 following disagreements over which brother should sing lead. Barry and Maurice Gibb continued briefly as a duo before the group separated. By 1970, all three brothers had reunited, and Barry and Robin wrote “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” during one of their first sessions back together.

Barry later reflected on how success had affected the brothers, saying, “Before we ever became famous were the best times of our lives. There was no competition; it didn’t matter who sang what.”

That history gave the song’s lyrics another layer of meaning. Rather than offering an easy answer to the title’s question, the brothers move through loneliness, regret and the struggle to understand how a once-happy relationship fell apart. Their controlled vocals and close harmonies keep the performance tender even as the words become more desperate.

The song was originally written with Andy Williams in mind as a potential singer. The Bee Gees ultimately recorded it themselves, but Williams later included his own version on his 1971 album You’ve Got a Friend. His smooth vocal style made the ballad a natural fit and showed how easily the Gibb brothers’ songwriting could move between soft rock and traditional pop.

“How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” also earned the Bee Gees a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. The group eventually collected five Grammys, scored nine No. 1 hits and entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

More than half a century later, the ballad remains a crucial part of that history. It was a song about repairing a broken bond, created just as the brothers were learning how to repair their own.

Related: 1965 Iconic Ballad, Covered by Linda Ronstadt, Is Still an Inspirational Hit 61 Years Later

Buc-ee’s is growing, and apparently so is the list of businesses landing in its legal crosshairs.

The beloved travel center chain filed a federal lawsuit against Beaver’s Mini Mart in Beavercreek, Ohio, back on July 28, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Buc-ee’s claims the family-owned store’s name, similar beaver mascot, and branding could lead customers to believe the two businesses are connected.

The two stores, however, operate on very different scales. Beaver’s Mini Mart is a neighborhood shop that has been around for more than two decades and doesn’t sell gas. Buc-ee’s, meanwhile, has become famous for its enormous roadside locations and endless snack selections.

In its lawsuit, Buc-ee’s alleges trademark infringement, unfair competition, and deceptive trade practices.

Buc-ee’s has fought over its branding before

This isn’t the first time Buc-ee’s has taken another company to court over similarities to its branding.

In May, Buc-ee’s sued Georgia convenience store Teddy’s Market over its branding. Among its arguments, Buc-ee’s claimed the names “Buc-ee’s” and “Teddy’s” could cause confusion because both contain six letters, have two syllables, and end with the same sound. That case remains ongoing.

The company’s aggressive approach to protecting its trademarks has even caught John Oliver’s attention. On an August 9 episode of Last Week Tonight, the comedian highlighted Buc-ee’s disputes with smaller businesses and challenged the chain with his own parody merchandise. The show launched “Buc-Off” products featuring Mr. Nutterbutter, a mascot designed to spoof Buc-ee’s famous beaver logo, with proceeds benefiting Hunger Free America. Oliver said the merchandise had already raised nearly $500,000 for the organization. Buc-ee’s has not publicly responded to Oliver’s challenge.

Buc-ee’s is expanding across the country

The legal battles come as Buc-ee’s prepares to introduce its famous beaver to even more customers.

That expansion is already underway. Two new locations opened within days of each other in August, with San Marcos, Texas, welcoming customers on August 12, followed by Buc-ee’s first Arkansas travel center in Benton on August 17. Next up is Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where a new location is scheduled to open November 16.

And Buc-ee’s isn’t slowing down in 2027. New travel centers are planned for Louisiana, Kansas, Tennessee, Florida, Texas, and Georgia, with additional locations expected through 2031.

Related: This State Is Getting Its First Buc-ee’s Next Week and It’s Bringing Major Changes to the Area

I really didn’t think I was going to like this one as much as I did. I try a lot of viral recipes and food trends, and while some immediately make sense to me, others definitely require a little convincing. Using two giant pieces of raw bell pepper in place of bread? I had questions. Mainly: Is this actually going to feel like lunch? And how on earth am I supposed to take a bite without the entire sandwich ending up pouring out onto my plate?

But when I spotted Cyndi of @themhoffers making her version of the viral bell pepper sandwich on TikTok, it looked so colorful, crunchy and loaded with good stuff that I had to give it a try.

Her version starts with a large bell pepper and homemade everything bagel cream cheese, then gets piled high with avocado, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, turkey breast and ham and crunchy kosher pickles. You put the two pepper halves together, cut the whole thing in half to reveal that beautiful cross-section and dig in.

I definitely had my doubts, especially about whether it would actually be satisfying and whether this trend would be a serious flop. But after trying it for myself, I have a LOT of thoughts about this viral breadless sandwich.

Related: I Tried the Viral British Cheese Sandwich and Found My New Favorite Weekday Lunch

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

My Honest Thoughts: Why the Bell Pepper Sandwich Actually Works

I went into this thinking there was a very good chance I’d take two bites and decide I’d rather just have a regular sandwich. Instead, I ate it and immediately understood the appeal.

The fresh bell pepper makes the entire sandwich feel incredibly refreshing and gives you a serious crunch with every bite. But because you’re loading it with turkey, ham, cheese, avocado, cream cheese and plenty of vegetables, it feels like a sturdy, satisfying lunch rather than a snack pretending to be a sandwich.

@themhoffers

10/10 always good. #bellpeppersandwich

♬ original sound – Cyndi – Themhoffers

I was also convinced it was going to be impossible to eat. It looks like there are a LOT of ingredients packed between those pepper halves, and I fully expected everything to come shooting out the sides as soon as I took a bite.

Surprisingly, that didn’t happen.

The shape of the bell pepper halves actually helps grab and hug all of the fillings inward. Instead of everything sliding around like I expected, the pepper almost creates a little pocket around the ingredients. It was much easier, and far less messy, to eat than it looks.

Honorable mention to the way this viral meal looks, we all know we eat with our eyes first, and this recipe doesn’t disappoint. It is so visually stimulating as well as delicious and refreshing.

Is it the same experience as eating a sandwich on bread? Of course not. But as a fresh, crunchy lunch that happens to be a great gluten-free sandwich idea, I would absolutely make it again.

Related: How to Make Grilled Cheese 10x Better, According to the Experts at Cooks Illustrated

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

The Secret Technique: How To Cut It So It Doesn’t Fall Apart

The way you cut the bell pepper is key here, and after actually eating the sandwich, I understand why.

Start with a large bell pepper and cut it in half lengthwise. Remove the stem, seeds and white ribs, but otherwise leave those pepper halves intact. You don’t want to flatten them out or cut them into smaller pieces.

Those curved pepper halves are actually your friend. Once they’re filled and placed together, they help contain all of the ingredients inside. The natural cup shape gives the fillings somewhere to go and helps keep everything tucked inward as you eat.

Once your sandwich is assembled, push down on the top and, using a very sharp knife, cut the entire thing in half. If you use a dull knife, everything will simply squish out. Cutting the pepper sandwich makes it more manageable to eat, but you also get to see that beautiful cross-section of all the colorful layers inside.

Related: The Super Simple Way to Make the ‘Best Tomato Sandwich of Your Life’

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Ingredients Needed

One of the reasons I wanted to try Cyndi’s version was because this isn’t just turkey shoved between two pieces of bell pepper: this thing is LOADED.

To make it, I grabbed large bell peppers, cut in half and seeded, homemade cream cheese (Cyndi makes an everything bagel cream cheese for hers), diced avocado, green leaf lettuce, tiny tomatoes, halved, sliced cheese, Dietz & Watson Honey Turkey Breast, Dietz & Watson Smoked Uncured Maple Ham and Dietz & Watson Kosher Pickle Chips.

Related: I Tried Making a Copycat ‘Sub in a Tub’, and It’s My New Go-to Lunch

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

It’s basically everything I want on a really good deli sandwich, just tucked inside a super-crunchy bell pepper instead of bread.

Related: The Trader Joe’s Way to Make Sweet Potatoes 10x Better

How To Make a Viral Bell Pepper Sandwich

Start by cutting a large bell pepper in half lengthwise and removing the stem, seeds and white ribs.

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Spread a generous amount of homemade everything bagel flavored cream or spreadable cheese (I used goat cheese for a little extra tang!) inside the pepper halves. Then start layering.

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Add the diced avocado, green leaf lettuce, halved tiny tomatoes, cheese, turkey breast, ham and kosher pickles.

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Don’t be afraid to really fill it up. I initially thought all of those ingredients would make the sandwich impossible to eat, but the curved pepper halves do a surprisingly good job of keeping everything contained.

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Place the second pepper half on top and gently press the sandwich together. Then cut the entire thing in half to reveal all of those beautiful layers inside. That’s the moment.

Related: I Tried the Viral ‘Boujee Lemonade,’ and It’s Like Sipping Sunshine

The Trick That Makes This Bell Pepper Sandwich So Good: Everything Bagel Spreadable Cheese

There are a lot of flavors and textures happening in this sandwich, but the homemade everything bagel spreadable cheese really ties it all together.

The rich, creamy spread is such a good contrast to the super-crisp bell pepper, lettuce and pickles, and the everything bagel seasoning gives you those familiar savory flavors you’d normally expect from a great deli sandwich.

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

It’s also a great base for all of those fillings. You get something creamy, something crunchy, something fresh, salty deli meat, cheese and avocado all in one bite.

If you’re going to try the TikTok bell pepper sandwich, I wouldn’t skip this part. I also think it helps keep the toppings in, sort of as a glue agent. A really flavorful cheese spread took it from a pile of sandwich fillings inside a pepper to something that actually feels thought-out and complete.

Related: The Best Way to Slice a Bagel, According to Ina Garten

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

3 Bell Pepper Sandwich Variations To Try

Once you’ve tried the original, the bell pepper is basically a blank canvas for whatever sandwich combination you’re craving.

1. Spicy Bell Pepper Sandwich: Start with jalapeño cream cheese, then add turkey, pepper jack cheese, avocado, lettuce, pickled jalapeños and a drizzle of hot sauce. I’d keep the pickles in this version, too, because that extra tang and crunch would be so good with the heat.
2. Vegan Bell Pepper Sandwich: Skip the meat and cheese and spread the pepper halves with hummus or a dairy-free cream cheese spread. Load them with avocado, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, pickles and pickled red onions. You could also add sprouts or shredded carrots for even more crunch…truly a taste the rainbow meal!
3. BLT Bell Pepper Sandwich: This feels like it was made for a bell pepper. Spread the halves with mayo, then fill them with crispy bacon, green leaf lettuce, tomato and avocado. The crisp pepper basically adds another layer of crunch to everything you already love about a BLT.

I didn’t expect the viral bell pepper sandwich recipe to win me over like it did. It’s fresh and light, but between the quality deli meats, cheese, avocado and cream cheese, it’s substantial enough to feel like a real lunch. And that crunch? I’m craving one again right now!

Up Next:

Related: I Tried the Viral ‘Coca-Cola Lemonade’, and It’s My New Favorite Mocktail

When it comes to haircuts, there are generally two types of people: those who embrace bold styles without hesitation, and those who tend to err on the side of caution.

There’s nothing wrong with sticking with a style you already know and love, but sometimes, playing it safe can backfire. For instance, celebrity hairstylist Rikke Gajda is revealing a “safe,” short haircut that’s actually aging you, and she shares some tips for what to ask your stylist for instead.

The stylist, who has worked with Alix Earle, Leah Kateb and Brooks Nader, says women over 50 often think (mistakenly) that one particular type of short haircut will be flattering. However, she’s seen time and time again that it can have the opposite effect.

Gajda breaks down all the reasons this one haircut isn’t ideal for mature women, and explains how you can adapt it to be more flattering. The stylist also offers up some other suggestions for short haircuts that look stunning on women over 50.

Next time you find yourself sitting down in your stylist’s chair at the salon, consider Gajda’s tips your go-to guide for looking fabulous.

Related: Why Your Gray Hair Is Suddenly Frizzy (And a Free Fix From a Celebrity Stylist)

Getty

What Is the ‘Safe’ Short Haircut That’s Actually Aging You?

Bob haircuts will never go out of style, and they certainly work for a wide range of ages and hair types. However, there’s one type of bob that isn’t ideal for women over 50.

“The one-length bob is a haircut that feels chic and safe. But it’s not necessarily the most flattering,” Gajda tells Parade.

Related: 11 Easy Hairstyles for Short Hair, According to a Celebrity Stylist

Why it ages you instead of rejuvenating your face

One-length bob haircuts may feel carefree, but Gajda cautions that they can unintentionally age you.

“As we age, we want anything that can give us a little lift, and this haircut does the opposite. It has one length with minimal layers, and that immediately gives a weighed down illusion. We want to stay away from very structured and ‘strict’ looks as we get older,” the stylist explains.

Related: 7 Best Hair Colors After 50 To Brighten and Rejuvenate Your Face, According to a Celebrity Stylist

What To Ask Your Stylist for Instead

If you love the look of a one-length bob, you can still get the same vibe with slight alterations.

“I would ask for more layers, especially around the face to frame it and bring out your cheekbones,” Gajda says. “This will immediately give a more lifting effect, and the soft layers throughout will give the hair movement.”

Related: Here’s Exactly How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Smoother, Shinier Hair, According to a Trichologist

One Other Short Haircut That Can Be Aging vs. Youthful

Just because one-length bobs aren’t the most flattering for women over 50 doesn’t mean all short haircuts are aging.

“Styling is key to keep it at the younger side,” Gajda says.

However, if you’re hoping to look youthful, you may want to avoid haircuts with very cropped high graduation in the back.

“When you do a very structured and rounded blowout in a cut like that, it ages you immediately. You want to keep it more fun with texture and a little more undone look,” the stylist says.

Related: 14 Best Scalp Serums for 2026, According to a Dermatologist

3 Short Haircuts Celebrity Stylists Recommend for Women Over 50

Here are some styles the stylist actually recommends.

1. Layered shaggy pixie

Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

“This is a great haircut if your hair has become finer with the years. It gives the appearance of fullness and the piecey layers around the crown gives it a nice lift,” Gajda says.

Related: 11 Best Celebrity Pixie Cuts of All Time, According to a Celeb Hairstylist

2. Soft sideswept pixie

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

“This is flattering because it keeps a short haircut feeling feminine and more modern. The soft layers, extra length and movement around the face bring out the cheekbones,” Gajda says.

3. Textured bixie

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

“This is perfect if you already have some natural curl to your hair. The softness and movement keep it young and fresh,” Gajda says.

Up Next:

Related: Shadow Root vs. Root Smudge: Which Is Better for Women Over 50? Hairstylists Weigh In

Source:

• Rikke Gajda is a celebrity hairstylist who has worked with Alix Earle, Leah Kateb and Brooks Nader.

Rob McElhenney knew mixing work and romance could get complicated, but Kaitlin Olson was worth taking the chance.

The longtime couple reflected on how their relationship began when they were stopped for a street interview by the account @meetcutesnyc on Sunday, August 23, and asked how they went from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia coworkers to a couple.

Olson, 51, first met McElhenney, 49, when she auditioned for the comedy, which he created and starred in. As they spent more time together, friendship eventually turned into something more. “We became really good friends, and I thought he was really smart and really talented and really funny, and that’s kind of the, that’s really all you need,” Olson explained.

When asked what advice they would give two coworkers considering a relationship, McElhenney (who legally changed his name to “Rob Mac” in 2025) acknowledged there can be good reasons not to cross that line. “It’s something that is certainly frowned upon and for good reason, and yet it was worth risking it not working to find and be with the love of my life,” he said.

Olson then shared the memorable advice her mother gave her before she took the leap: “My mom said, only do it if wild horses couldn’t drag you away.”

McElhenney has previously acknowledged that he initially resisted pursuing Olson because he was both her costar and boss. The two ended up crossing that line at the 2006 wedding of their It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia costars Charlie Day and Mary Elizabeth Ellis, where they hooked up and officially became a couple. They kept the romance under wraps while working on the show’s second season.

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A post shared by Meet Cutes NYC (@meetcutesnyc)

McElhenney proposed at costar Danny DeVito‘s Malibu beach house in December 2007, and the couple married the following September. They have since welcomed two sons, Axel, born in 2010, and Leo, born in 2012.

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The couple joked in the new interview that they recently got a rare opportunity to spend a week alone when their kids went to camp. “We have not been home alone since they were born,” Olson said, adding that they found themselves wondering, “oh wait, do we actually like each other?”

Luckily, they got their answer. “And it turns out we, we do,” McElhenney said, with Olson adding, “We really do still like and love each other.”

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With summer fast-approaching, refreshing your outdoor spaces with extra seating is likely at the top of your to-do list. If you have a small porch, balcony, deck, or patio, you don’t need massive furniture to make it inviting. A compact conversation set can give you a cozy spot to relax without overwhelming your space, and right now, Target has a fantastic trio with two chairs and a table on sale for just $104!

Normally priced at $240, the Costway 3-Piece Outdoor Conversation Set is marked down by up to 61%. This rattan patio set comes in your choice of five different cushion colors, but the best price is the black option at $104. Beige and gray are available for just a few dollars more at $104 and $105, respectively, while the sets with navy or red cushions are $130. No matter which cushion color you choose, you’re still saving at least 39%.

Costway 3-Piece Outdoor Conversation Set, From $104 (was $240) at Target

Courtesy of Target

Shop at Target

This charming rattan conversation set includes two armchairs and a matching side table. All pieces feature brown polyethylene rattan (PE), a synthetic material designed to mimic the look and texture of natural wicker, while being easier to maintain. Because it’s waterproof and UV-resistant, shoppers attested to how well this “durable” set has held up outdoors, even when fully exposed to the elements. 

Each chair features a sturdy metal frame that supports up to 400 pounds, topped with thick, padded foam cushions that make them extra comfy for lounging. The tempered glass-topped table is easy to clean and gives your patio a designated spot for drinks, snacks, books, or planters. A practical and useful addition to any outdoor space, all three pieces are relatively lightweight and easy to move around when you need to rearrange or clean underneath them.

Related: Walmart’s ‘Adorable’ $18 Pumpkin Glasses Are the Ultimate Summerween Kitchen Find

Shoppers praised this “beautiful” set for being “a relaxing place to sit and chat.” One reviewer called it “stylish and comfortable” patio furniture that’s “perfect for small spaces” like a porch or balcony. Many customers shared that the design is “sturdy,” calling it “easy to assemble and super cute.”

Offering fantastic value at just $104 for two patio chairs and a table, the Costway 3-Piece Outdoor Conversation Set is one of the easiest ways to update a small outdoor area this summer. Snag it at Target now before this deal is gone!

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.

The ‘kind of chic’ trend just keeps on going. And now it looks like country superstar and actress Reba McEntire is joining in on the viral social media fun.

The singer, who’s well known for chart-toppers including her rousing rendition of Bobbie Gentry’s 1969 recording ‘Fancy,’ just jumped on the ‘kind of chic’ bandwagon with an Instagram post that’s getting plenty of attention. 

Earlier this week, McEntire shared a series of snapshots on Instagram, with the caption, “About as chic as a country girl can get.” The first photo is a black-and-white throwback with the title, “Kinda chic to be releasing music for five decades.” Yes, it is, and yes, she certainly has.

Even though she hit her stride in 1990 with the Gentry cover, McEntire’s career started in 1977, with the release of her self-titled debut album. 

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As she celebrates her 50th anniversary in the industry, the CMA Award winner opened up to Billboard, sharing how social media has changed the musical landscape. “It would have been a quicker way of getting in touch with your fans,” said McEntire. She added, “We had a fan club, we had a quarterly newsletter that we put out, and we corresponded by mail. It would have been a totally different, faster way to get in contact with more fans.”

Based on McEntire’s recent Instagram post, it looks like she’s definitely using social media to her advantage now. Along with the first pic, the artist also shared eight more photos from her career. The ‘kinda chic’ titles include country-themed quips such as, “Kinda chic to wear a belt buckle with a dress”, nostalgic notes, “Kinda chic to cut off all your signature hair in the 90s”, a serious statement about her five-decades-long career, “Kinda chic to be a Trailblazer” (with a pic featuring McEntire, Lainey Wilson, and Miranda Lambert), and more!

Fans and a few famous friends flocked to the post to share their thoughts. Actress Cheri Oteri wrote, “Kinda absolutely incredible. You look like you’re in a Charlie perfume commercial here.”

One commenter responded with a play on McEntire’s 1990 hit, “You’re not kind chic, you’re pretty fancy.” 

Others added, “This is the best ‘kinda chic’ post I’ve ever seen”, “Kinda chic to be an icon Reba! Forever grateful I was raised on you”, “Kinda chic that you’re queen of country, Reba” and, “Kinda chic to be a legend.” After 50 years of music, movies, and television appearances, these glowing raves and online applause are well deserved.

We are somehow almost at the end of August already, which means fall is well on its way. Before we know it, we’ll be sipping pumpkin spice lattes, picking apples at the orchard and planning our Halloween costumes. Of course, another fun part of the changing seasons is swapping out your home decor to stay on-trend seasonally. Your kitchen mat is an easy change to make, and these upcoming options available at Aldi on Aug. 26 are stylish, functional and utterly perfect for fall. Even better, each one retails for just $6.99.

Kirkton House’s new collection of comfort mats features vibrant designs that capture the essence of autumn in the absolute cutest way. The mats come in four different styles, including a pretty pear and leaf design (pictured below), an adorable coffee print, a cutesy pumpkin gingham pattern and a trio of pumpkins style. Each one adds a pop of autumnal charm to your kitchen that you’re bound to love.

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Kirkton House 18×30 Comfort Mat Fall, $6.99 at Aldi

Aldi

Each of these comfort mats measures 18 inches by 30 inches, making it a generous size, perfect for the kitchen. These mats will help you stand longer, making them especially ideal for home cooks who spend lots of time on their feet whipping up delicious meals.

Related: Aldi Brought Back Its $5 Bacon Cooker Shoppers Say Is ‘Great for Small Batches’

These charming kitchen comfort mats will hit Aldi stores starting Aug. 26 as part of Aldi’s next selection of Aldi Finds, weekly products that come and go every Wednesday. These specials are limited and only stick around while supplies last. If you see one you love, make sure to get to your local store ASAP so you can grab it before it’s gone.

If you are interested in other Aldi Finds, be sure to check out this striking new autumnal wreath that adds bold style to your front door just in time for fall, this sleek couch table that is perfect for small spaces, this four-in-one kitchen tool that’s a game changer for busy mornings or this two-section basket that makes sorting a total breeze on laundry day.

Related: Target Is Selling a Spot-On Longchamp Lookalike for a Fraction of the Cost

Forty-four years ago this August, pop-synth duo Yazoo released their debut album, Upstairs at Eric’s. On it was “Only You,” an emotional ballad that would become one of the most recognizable synth-pop ballads of the era.

Written by Vince Clarke and sung by Alison Moyet, it reached No. 2 in the U.K. But waiting in the wings was another pop group about to take the song all the way to the top.

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In 1983, “Only You” got a complete makeover, courtesy of an a cappella vocal group called The Flying Pickets. Stripping the song of all its instrumental polish, they transformed the track into a rich wall of soulful harmonies, re-creating its signature arpeggios from raw human breath and vocal cords. It was a radical choice for a pop song in the ’80s, but it worked.

Released in November 1983, the song spent 12 weeks on the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart, with five weeks in the top spot, and became the country’s all-coveted Christmas No. 1. Entirely unprecedented, The Flying Pickets’ “Only You” not only became the group’s first chart-topper, but it eventually became the very first a cappella No. 1 in the U.K.

While the original Yazoo version of the song charted on the Billboard charts—peaking at No. 67 on the Hot 100 and No. 38 on the Adult Contemporary charts–The Flying Pickets’ version didn’t chart in the U.S. at all. Its massive success across the pond and legacy, however, have more than made up for the American slight.

Founded in the early 1980s, The Flying Pickets was formed by a group of professional actors including Welsh actor Brian Hibbard and his co-stars from John McGrath’s socialist 7:84 Theatre Group.

According to The Guardian, they developed their harmony style during a production of the 1981 play One Big Blow, about a miners’ brass band. With minimal props and no set, the production relied on the cast’s unaccompanied vocal talents to imitate the soundscape of a traditional British brass band.

“To amuse ourselves in the tour bus, we used to improvise a cappella harmonies around our favorite songs,” singer and arranger David Brett told the outlet. “When we did this in pubs between shows, the reaction seemed out of proportion to the effort we put into it. We thought we might be on to something.”

They loved performing together so much, they continued the gig outside the theater. Naming themselves The Flying Pickets to reflect their own activist backgrounds in the 1970 miners’ strikes, they launched their first single, “Only You,” followed by their debut studio album in 1984, Lost Boys, which peaked at No. 11 in the U.K.

“[‘Only You’] was our first serious studio recording, and it was certainly a challenge translating a synthesizer hit for voices,” Brett said. “It took ages to piece it all together. The single went nowhere at first, then suddenly it was at No 9. I was in the antenatal clinic awaiting my daughter’s birth when I heard we were No. 1.”

The band had fans across the political spectrum. In fact, Margaret Thatcher, the U.K.’s longest-serving prime minister of the 20th century and leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990, was reportedly an admirer, especially of “Only You.”

“I don’t think Radio 1 knew what a flying picket was, so the name never stopped us getting airplay,” singer Rick Lloyd said in the same Guardian piece. “Somebody told us that ‘Only You’ was Margaret Thatcher’s favorite record.”

He added, “The following year, the miners’ strike happened, and the media cottoned on to what flying pickets were [groups of people who travel from other workplaces to participate in industrial action]. It was funny and pretty subversive, really.”

A song that began as an electronic love tune became an a cappella Christmas anthem performed by socialist actors, and somehow it found a fan in the Conservative prime minister whose government was at odds with the movement they supported.

“I’d always wanted to be in the studio when someone made a No. 1 record,” Lloyd added. “I never imagined it would be us.”

Now, that’s a story.

Related: 19th-Century Nursery Rhyme, by Sarah Hale, Became Fuel for Some of Rock’s Greatest Guitar Solos 

Whether you’ve been with your partner for a few months or married to your spouse for decades, relationship dynamics can be complicated—especially during conflict.

When a couple disagrees on something, or if one person does something that upsets the other, emotions tend to run high, which can lead to saying things we regret. And if you’ve ever said something in the heat of the moment that you didn’t mean, you know how harmful that can be to the person its aimed at. It’s hard to unhear or forget certain things a significant other says to you, which can lead to resentment and a breakdown in the relationship.

In fact, there is one “toxic” phrase that relationship psychologists observe a lot of couples using with each other—and they are begging them to stop.

To learn more, we spoke with Dr. Noël Hunter, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder and director of MindClear Integrative Psychotherapy, and Dr. Noosha Niv, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist, the founder of Tools4Families and an associate research psychologist at the UCLA Department of Psychiatry.

Curious to find out the toxic phrase psychologists want couples to stop using, as well as the healthy phrases they think more people in relationships should use? Keep reading.

Related: We Asked 3 Psychologists What Couples Over 50 Fight About Most—It Wasn’t Money

The ‘Toxic’ 7-Word Phrase Couples Should Avoid, per Relationship Psychologists

The toxic phrase that Dr. Hunter and Dr. Niv agree couples should stop using is: “If you really loved me, you wouldn’t…”

A few examples of this phrase include:

• “If you really loved me, you wouldn’t spend so much time with your friends.”
• “If you really loved me, you wouldn’t tell me what to do.”
• “If you really loved me, you wouldn’t have been late.”

Why is “If you really loved me, you wouldn’t…” so toxic?

This phrase “is problematic in a relationship because it sets up your partner to fail,” Dr. Niv tells Parade.

“The expectation that someone can read your mind and know your wants and needs rarely goes well,” she explains. “This belief also assumes that your partner only shows love in the one ‘correct’ way you want to receive it, when in reality, they may love you deeply but have different ways of showing it, have forgotten to do it or never even knew it was important to you.”

Dr. Hunter adds that “setting up binary ultimatums like this may inadvertently create a dynamic where the partner is constantly having to prove their love,” which is not sustainable.

“Everyone is flawed, everyone makes mistakes and people are going to miss the mark from time totime,” she shares. “This doesn’t mean that the person has stopped loving or caring for you. It means they are human.”

Related: These 9 ‘Selfish’ Habits Actually Signal High Intelligence, Psychologist Says

Gorica Poturak / Getty Images

3 Other Toxic Phrases That Psychologists Want Couples To Stop Using

Experts warn against the following phrases as well.

1. “I shouldn’t have to tell you what I need, you should just know”

“Um, yes you should,” says Dr. Hunter. “No one can read another person’s mind, nor should they be expected to. Healthy relationships are all about communication and compromise. Testing someone to see if they can get it right, which is what this line of thinking inevitably is doing, just paves the way to the eventual ending of the relationship.”

2. “You always…” or “You never…”

“These phrases inevitably end with a criticism, which is a key predictor of relationships failing,” Dr. Niv states. “If your goal is to communicate and actually be heard, starting a conversation with a criticism isn’t going to get you there.”

3. “Why don’t you just get help?” or “You need to talk to someone”

“Those who have a partner struggling with mental health symptoms, such as depression, often beg, plead or even give ultimatums to get their partner to get help,” says Dr. Niv.

However, this approach often backfires.

“Decades of research on behavior change show that the more we try to convince someone to do something they’re ambivalent about, the less likely they are to do it,” she explains. “They actually become more resistant to it!”

Related: 13 Ways To Grow Stronger as a Couple—According to Relationship Expert Dr. John Gottman’s Advice

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4 Healthy Phrases That Psychologists Think Couples Should Use More, Especially While in Conflict

Whether you notice you use a lot more negative phrases than you’d like to admit, or you just want to show more appreciation for your partner, here are some healthy phrases to add to your rotation.

1. “I really appreciate…”

“What tends to foster growth within a relationship is to reinforce what you appreciate about your partner rather than constantly criticize what you don’t,” says Dr. Hunter. “People are motivated to do more of something when they receive positive feedback.”

2. “I feel…”

When your partner does something you have a problem with, instead of criticizing them, Dr. Niv says you should start the conversation with something like, “I feel X when you do Y. I’d really like Z.”

“If it’s important to you, communicate what you want and how it would make you feel. Focus on the specific behavior rather than their love for you to minimize defensiveness,” she advises, adding that this approach “is more likely to be heard and get you the result you’re hoping for.”

3. “Let me take some space before I respond to that”

“Taking space is not an affront to the other person,” says Dr. Hunter. “Rather, it is a wise strategy to be sure that you’ve had some time to think things through and regulate before engaging in conflict with another person.”

Instead of talking in circles for hours until a conflict is resolved, it can be worth pausing. Then, take some time to consider: “How much is this worth it? How much is this reaction about me rather than my partner? What do I really want to say and how can I avoid saying something I’ll regret tomorrow?”

4. “What do you need?”

“Our current culture promotes so much focus on self-care, individual boundaries, and ensuring that your emotions and needs are constantly attended to, but falls massively short on building empathy and caring for others,” says Dr. Hunter. “Relationships are about caring and trying to meet each other’s needs. In healthy partnerships, the more you care about the other, the more likely they are to care about you. No criticism or nagging necessary.”

Up Next:

Related: We Asked 3 Psychologists What Quietly Hurts Long-Term Marriages—They All Said the Same Thing

Sources:

• Dr. Noël Hunter, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and founder and Director of MindClear Integrative Psychotherapy.
• Dr. Noosha Niv, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist, founder of Tools4Families and associate research psychologist at the UCLA Department of Psychiatry.

Melania Trump has been noticeably absent from several recent high-profile political events, including the White House Correspondents’ Dinner take two. But now it seems like she’s back on track, making an appearance at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C.

After joking, “I heard you missed me. Here I am,” during a White House Rose Garden speech for her Fostering the Future initiative, Melania has made a point of showing up in a very noticeable way. 

IndyCar driver Graham Rahal, first lady Melania Trump, and IndyCar driver Scott Dixon. (Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images)

On Sunday, she even gave a rare interview to Fox News during the Grand Prix, sharing, “It’s an incredible day, and I think everybody did an amazing job. D.C. and also IndyCar, Fox Corporation. And it is wonderful to have them here. Very exciting.”  

But her on-air appearance didn’t end there. The First Lady got personal, candidly opening up and revealing a very special pastime she enjoyed as a child, “When I was growing up, my father introduced me to the races and to the race cars.”

FLOTUS continued,  “And he owned some incredible cars from Maserati and Cougar and Mustang, Mercedes. So he introduced me to the design of cars and the mechanics and also the speed. And I loved every minute of it.” 

Melania’s father, Viktor Knavs, who was born and lived in Slovenia, has a long history working with cars. Before moving to the United States, he was a chauffeur and traveling car salesman. He came to the U.S. after his daughter married Donald Trump and became a citizen in 2018. 

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend. (Photo by Doug Mills – Pool/Getty Images)

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix was a two-day event, held on the streets of Washington, D.C. from August 22 to 23. The first-ever IndyCar series on the National Mall is one of the celebratory activities for America’s 250th birthday. Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood won the event. 

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While the President’s wife was a noticeable political celeb at the event, she wasn’t the only member of Donald Trump’s family watching the race. Trump’s son, Eric Trump, posted an Instagram clip of his seven-year-old daughter Carolina watching the cars rush past. Eric’s wife, Lara Trump, also added a video of her own (on Instagram), featuring the couple and their two kiddos enjoying the Grand Prix. 

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According to his Instagram Stories, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., was also at the Washington, D.C. event. He and his new bride, Bettina Trump, both shared a clip of the cars and a sweet selfie in the stands.