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1944 Classic Film Ranked Among the Greatest Crime Movies Was Inspired by a Real Murder Case

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 6:58am

Double Indemnity was a 1944 noir crime film about a woman who teamed up with an insurance salesman to kill her husband in the hopes of receiving a life insurance payment. The film was nominated for 7 Academy Awards and was entered into the National Film Registry in 1992. It was also recently named one of the “10 Greatest Crime Movies Based on Books” by Collider, along with The Godfather and The Shawshank Redemption.

Double Indemnity was based on a James M. Cain novel of the same name. It was inspired by the real murder of Albert Snyder, who was murdered by his wife in 1927. She ended up getting the electric chair in Sing Sing Prison, which was photographed and published in the New York Daily News. Cain attended the trial while working as a journalist covering the story.

Related: 1973 Classic Novel Was Denied a Pulitzer for Being Too ‘Obscene’ So No Prize Was Awarded That Year

In an interview with James Linville, writer Billy Wilder spoke about creating the script alongside Raymond Chandler, admitting that their collaboration didn't go smoothly at first. “Chandler came into the studio, and we gave him the Cain story, Double Indemnity, to read,” Wilder explained. “He came back the next day: ‘I read that story. It’s absolute shit!’ He hated Cain because of Cain’s big success with The Postman Always Rings Twice. He said, 'Well, I’ll do it anyway. Give me a screenplay so I can familiarize myself with the format. This is Friday. Do you want it a week from Monday?' 'Holy shit,' we said. We usually took five to six months on a script. ‘Don’t worry,’ he said. He had no idea that I was not only the director but was supposed to write it with him.”

Wilder continued, “He came back in ten days with eighty pages of absolute bullshit. He had some good phrases of dialogue, but they must have given him a script written by someone who wanted to be a director. He’d put in directions for fade-ins, dissolves, all kinds of camera moves to show he’d grasped the technique. I sat him down and explained we’d have to work together. We always met at nine o’clock and would quit at about four-thirty. I had to explain a lot to him as we went along, but he was very helpful to me. What we were doing together had real electricity. He was a very, very good writer—but not of scripts."

In addition to its movie adaptation, Double Indemnity was also adapted into a radio drama, a television film, and a stage adaptation. The story is considered a masterpiece in suspense by many, with some believing it is the best noir film of all time. As one Reddituser said, "Double Indemnity is one of those movies where I will drop everything that I'm doing of it's on just to catch a few scenes. Every line has meaning, every character is interesting enough to be worthy of a prequel film, and every time I watch it, I think that it should have won for Best Picture that year."

Costco's New Dessert Cups Are a Sweet Summer Treat

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 6:21am

There's something about key lime desserts that just feels like summer. Bright, tangy, and refreshing, they're practically made for backyard barbecues, beach weekends, and lazy afternoons by the pool. Now Costco shoppers can get that flavor in a new grab-and-go form.

The Sweet Craft Dolceria Key Lime Pie Cups were recently spotted in the warehouse. Sold in a six-pack of individual 4-ounce servings for $11.99, the dessert cups offer an easy way to enjoy a classic summertime favorite without committing to an entire pie.

You can see them in this June 22 TikTok from @costcoexperts.

@costcoexperts

🍋 NEW COSTCO FIND! These Key Lime Pie Dessert Cups just showed up at Costco and they look like the perfect summer treat. Sweet, tart, and individually portioned so you don’t accidentally eat an entire pie 😅 #costco #costcofinds #keylimepie #dessert

♬ original sound - Slim 199x

With summer entertaining season in full swing, the individual portions may be one of the dessert’s biggest selling points. No slicing, no serving plates, and no leftovers to worry about. Just grab a spoon and enjoy.

Related: 5 Festive 4th of July Foods at Costco Perfect for Family Fun

The six-pack has already generated excitement online. One commenter summed up the mood perfectly, writing, “Dammit. Honey, we got to make a Costco run!”

The Origins of Key Lime Pie Remain a Mystery Key Lime Pie

Photo by American Heritage Chocolate on Unsplash

That same single-serve format is a fitting way to enjoy a dessert whose own history is anything but tidy. While key lime pie has long been associated with the Florida Keys, its exact origins remain unclear. According to Quaint Cooking, some historians credit a woman known as “Aunt Sally,” who cooked for Key West millionaire William Curry in the late 1800s. Others believe sponge fishermen may have created an early version using sweetened condensed milk and local key limes. Whatever its beginnings, the sweet-tart dessert has become a summertime staple.

Whether you’re heading to a Fourth of July barbecue, spending a day at the beach, or simply craving something bright and citrusy, Costco’s new dessert cups offer a taste of Florida’s most iconic pie. And while its true origins may still be up for debate, its place as a summer favorite isn’t.

Amazon’s 'Powerful' New E-Bike Is 50% Off for Prime Day, and It’s Perfect for Commuting and Weekend Rides 

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 6:15am

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A reliable e-bike can make commuting, running errands, and staying active a lot more fun — but finding one with enough power and range often means spending hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Thankfully, Prime Day is bringing major savings on electric bikes, including one versatile model that's now 50% off.

The Misodo Electric Mountain Bike is currently on sale at Amazon for $360, down from $720. Equipped with a 1,500-watt peak motor, it has the power to tackle hills and uneven terrain while still being practical for everyday rides. It also boasts a range of up to 65 miles per charge, so you won't have to worry about constantly plugging it in. Shoppers were especially impressed by its flexibility, with one reviewer saying its "versatility is what really makes it worth it."

Misodo Electric Mountain Bike, $360 (was $720) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Many entry-level models use 500 to 750-watt motors which work well for casual rides but can lose power on steep hills. The Misodo's 1,500-watt motor offers significantly more power, helping riders climb inclines and navigate rough terrain while reaching speeds up to 25 mph. It also features an LCD display that shows speed, mileage, and battery status at a glance. 

Designed for both everyday rides and outdoor adventures, the bike comes with seven gears for adjusting to different terrain. One reviewer described it as “powerful” and said the overall structure feels “sturdy” and “smooth.” Its 26-inch all-terrain tires, front suspension, and dual disc brakes help create a smoother ride on everything from paved roads to trails. It has a 350-pound weight capacity. 

Another practical feature is its removable battery. A full charge takes about four to five hours and provides an estimated range of 45 to 65 miles, depending on riding conditions. Since the battery can be removed, you can charge it indoors without bringing the entire bike inside.

While this particular Misodo e-bike is new to Amazon and hasn’t racked up many reviews, Amazon reviewers have praised near identical Misodo models as easy to put together. The bike arrives about 95% assembled to streamline the process. "Assembly out of the box was so straightforward, I was riding the same day," a reviewer noted.

Others praised Misodo’s overall value, with one calling it a "great electric bike for the money" and another noting that it's both comfortable and easy to ride. The bike is available in classic black and gray styles.

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Related: Walmart's 'Super Fast' E-Bike Is Over 50% Off During Its Summer Sale, and It’s Great for First-Time Riders

With its powerful motor, long range, and rider-friendly features, the Misodo Electric Mountain Bike  offers plenty of value for its $360 Prime Day price. The sale ends June 26, so shoppers should snag this deal while it’s still available! 

Disney World Just Dropped Festive Hotel Deals—And They Might Be the Absolute Best Value of the Year

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 6:10am

Let's be completely real for a moment: trying to book a Walt Disney World vacation during the spectacular winter season usually requires braced posture and a very deep breath when you click over to the checkout screen.

Between the high demand for Mickey’s festive parties and the premium pricing that traditionally comes with seeing the parks decked out in their holiday best, a November or December getaway can easily drain your travel fund before you even buy a single gingerbread cookie.

But if you’ve been holding off on planning a holiday escape because of the steep price tag, Disney’s latest announcement is the ultimate reason to finally open up your calendar.

As part of its property-wide "Halfway to the Holidays" media push, the resort just dropped a massive slate of room and package promotions for late fall and winter 2026. Because these deals are explicitly structured to slash up to nearly a third off your lodging or bundle in high-ticket park privileges completely for free, theme park insiders are already eyeing this drop as potentially the most lucrative value window of the entire year.

Related: After 10 DIY Disney Trips, Here's Why I Hired a Planner

View this post on Instagram The Streaming Loophole That Scores You Free Park Hoppers

The absolute sleeper hit of this entire promotion relies on a clever connection to your TV subscription. If you are a Disney+ subscriber enrolled in the Disney+ Perks program, you have a golden ticket to the single most aggressive bundle deal on the table. When you book a qualifying four-night, four-day room-and-ticket package, you unlock an automatic 25% discount on your resort hotel stay.

But the real magic is the massive, high-value bonus thrown into the mix: Disney is tossing in a complimentary Park Hopper upgrade for your entire party. Given that adding Park Hopper access to a multi-day family ticket block normally adds a staggering upcharge to your final bill, getting that flexibility thrown in for zero dollars is an absolute game-changer for moving between the parks seamlessly. The only catch is that inventory for these packages is strictly limited, and the travel dates are locked into specific chunks—including prime windows like late November (November 15 to 28) and the crucial pre-Christmas rush (December 13 to 24).

Related: Disney World Just Brought Back Free Dining for 2026 and Cardmembers Get First Dibs

Massive Tiered Cuts for Passholders and Locals

If you don't have a streaming subscription, the standalone room-only discounts are equally impressive and span a generous travel window from October 4 all the way through Christmas Eve. Senior Editor Jackie Gaileynotes for The DIS that the sheer scale of the tiered savings makes a luxury stay significantly more accessible, especially for core loyalty members. Annual Passholders walk away with the biggest win of the bunch, unlocking a whopping 30% off select Disney Resort hotel rooms.

For regional travelers who prefer a classic great American road trip over flying, Floridaresidents can capitalize on localized price cuts up to 25% off across key holiday blocks. Even standard, non-affiliated leisure travelers can easily shave up to 20% off their room rates during the exact same autumn and winter dates.

When you pair these dramatic price drops with the built-in, complimentary perks of staying inside the "Disney Bubble"—like bypassing chaotic parking lots via the resort’s free monorail, boat, and Skyliner transit networks, alongside gaining an extra 30 minutes of ride time every morning via Early Theme Park Entry—the math overwhelmingly tips in favor of staying on property. The booking windows are officially open as of June 25, 2026, so if you want to claim a prime room at a Deluxe tier like the Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge without paying peak-season prices, the time to lock in your strategy is right now.

Related: The Multi-Gen Family Guide to Navigating Disney World’s New 2026 Holiday Season

Your Dream Cruise Vacation, Based on Your Birth Month

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 6:10am

Cruising around the world is the best way to expand your horizons. Whether you’re exploring domestic destinations or sailing the seven seas around foreign sites, there’s a cruise destination for you, based on your birth month. Your perfect cruise destination represents the energy of your birth month. Depending on your birth month, your cruise destination might hold fiery volcanoes, staggering fjords, pristine glaciers, or dazzling beaches. Some birth months will feel called to cooler climates while others thrive in tropical paradises. 

What’s your perfect cruise destination, according to your birth month? No matter what destination you’re paired with, you’re destined to have the adventure of a lifetime. Read on to discover where you should cruise to next. 

Your Cruise Destination, Based on Your Birth Month

Check for the month you were born for pro insights.

January: Alaska

January’s perfect cruise destination feels untamed and exciting. People born during this month are a mix of the Saturn-ruled signs, Capricorn and Aquarius. They thrive with the structure that cruises bring, but they also want to go somewhere to see wild sights they cannot get at home. Doing a land-and-sea tour around Alaska is the perfect compromise. January will be drawn to Alaska’s raw beauty. From the gorgeous national parks to glacier viewings to teaming wildlife, Alaska has everything January could hope for in a cruise destination. 

YUM!: Your Perfect Popsicle Flavor, Based on Your Birth Month

February: Norway

A cruise destination should showcase sights and views February has never seen before. This birth month wants an otherworldly experience, since February is a combination of individualistic Aquarius and dreamy Pisces. February will find exactly what they’re looking for cruising around Norway. Depending on when February goes, they could see the beautiful aurora borealis—a.k.a. the northern lights—dancing across the wintery skies. Sailing past Norway’s snowy mountains and fjords will also transport February to another timeline. Plus, February gets bragging points for booking a unique cruise destination.

March: French Polynesia  

Paradise awaits March birthdays when they set sails. March will be driven to book a dreamy cruise destination thanks to being co-ruled by fantastical Pisces and vibrant Aries. The perfect cruise destination exemplifies March’s rich inner world, which March will find while cruising through French Polynesia. Snorkeling through the colorful coral reefs and embracing Polynesian culture is a transcendental experience. Experiencing the lagoons firsthand is a dream March never knew they had. French Polynesia promises delight and intrigue, making it the perfect cruise destination for March.  

April: Thailand

April enjoys exploring lively cities as much as they love laying out on a sandy beach. Since this birth month is a combination of action-packed Aries and easygoing Taurus, April’s ideal cruise destination should be a mix of play and pleasure. Not many cruise destinations strike the right balance of excitement and relaxation, but Thailand certainly does. April will enjoy basking in Thailand’s warm, balmy sunshine as they discover temples, buzzy cities, and crystalline beaches. Thailand offers the perfect getaway with so much for April to look forward to. 

FUN!: This Is Your Perfect Shopping Store, Based on Your Birth Month

May: British Isles

Individuals born in May are looking for a relaxed yet mentally stimulating cruise destination. All May birthdays share Taurus’ steadiness and Gemini’s curiosity, so they want a cruise that feels calm yet intriguing. May will find what they seek while sailing through the British Isles, which typically features sites from Ireland, Scotland, and England. This easygoing cruise will bring May to castles and villages rich with history. May will love spending time enjoying a pint at a local pub or spotting marine life on their cruise. The British Isles’ charm and laidback energy is just what May needs.

June: Mediterranean Sea

June looks for exciting landscapes and cities that offer the comfort of home while searching for their perfect cruise destination. Their Gemini-like wonder and Cancerian need for coziness will bring June to the Mediterranean Sea. This specific cruise destination can bring May anywhere from Croatia, Turkey, Greece, Italy, and more! Regardless of what May chooses, the Mediterranean Sea offers this birth month peace and relaxation. May will enjoy eating amazing food, strolling through local coastal cities, and laying out on the beaches.  

July: Mexico

People born in July look for a vivacious cruise destination with an unbeatable food and atmosphere. They’re heavily influenced by comfort-seeking Cancer and passionate Leo, so July will feel drawn to Mexico. Whether July is stopping at Puerto Vallarta or Cozumel, they will find excitement and joy at every Mexican port. July feels initially drawn to Mexico for its amazing food and tequila. Once they’re there, July falls in love with Mexico’s vibrancy and rich history. July loves Mexico so much they might not want to get back on the boat. 

August: Caribbean

August doesn’t overthink where they want to go. Between their ever-popular Leo energy and inquiring Virgo mind, August already knows what the perfect cruise destination is: the Caribbean. Everyone loves the Caribbean, especially those born in August. People with this birth month don’t even need to bring a friend or partner on their Caribbean cruise. They’ll make new friends on and off the boat. The Caribbean is teaming with life and personality, so August will feel right at home. Whether  they’re adventuring or relaxing, August glows basking in the Caribbean’s sunshine. 

September: Baltic Sea

September’s perfect cruise should be classy, modern, and stylish. People born during this month are influenced by picture perfect Virgo and fashionable Libra, so they’re picky about their cruise destination. Finding the perfect fit isn’t easy, but September will feel more than pleased with the Baltic Sea. This particular cruise destination takes September to swanky Nordic coasts and intriguing Baltic cities. September will experience various cultures while also exploring enchanting cities and fairytale-like forests. Adventuring through the Baltic Sea will be an experience unlike anything September has had before. 

October: Fiji 

People born during October need a much-deserved break from the real world. October always shows up for everyone and everything else due to having an ever-caring Libra heart and determined Scorpio spirit. A tropical oasis is more appealing than an action-packed adventure, so October’s perfect cruise destination is Fiji. Blue skies, clear lagoons, and palm trees await those born in October. October can also explore waterfalls and mountains if they’re feeling adventurous. No matter where they dock, spending a day at any of Fiji's prestigious islands will immediately put October at ease. 

READ: Which Film Matches You, Based on Your Birth Month

November: Iceland

Most go on vacation to relax, but not November. Individuals with this birth month share Scorpio’s intensity and Sagittarius adventurousness. November doesn’t want to be stuck on a cruise ship throughout their entire vacation. They need action, excitement, and intrigue. Luckily, Iceland has it all. The land of ice and fire is beloved for its summertime midnight sun, wintertime northern lights, and cinematic destinations. November comes alive standing by majestic waterfalls and hiking up glaciers. With so much to see and do, Iceland is the perfect cruise destination for November. 

December: Antarctica

What if December’s cruise ship took them to a destination few have the privilege of experiencing? Individuals with this birth month want the best of the best, since they’re influenced by cultured Sagittarius and share Capricorn’s high standards. They don’t want to go somewhere anyone can access. Thankfully, December’s perfect cruise destination is within their reach. Antarctica is the trip of a lifetime. December isn’t afraid to cross the Drake Passage if it means seeing icebergs, penguins, and more in real life. Cruising to the remote seventh continent is something December will never forget.

UP NEXT:

Dolly Parton's 4-Section Stoneware Platter Set Is the Definition of Pure Whimsy

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 6:05am

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I should probably start by saying that my love for Dolly Parton knows no bounds. If Dolly puts her name on something, there's a very good chance I'm at least going to take a look. She's one of those rare people who makes everything feel a little warmer, a little kinder and a whole lot more joyful. So when she first launched her housewares collection at Dollar General, I was fully on board. Cute, affordable and sprinkled with her signature charm? Say no more.

But now that her home collection has expanded beyond Dollar General and found its way into Walmart and Target, I'm even more excited. Honestly, the more Dolly, the better. It means more chances to stumble across little treasures that add a bit of personality to everyday life without taking themselves too seriously. Because lately, everyone and everything is taking themselves too seriously. Summer should be fun.

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Dolly Parton The Lakeside Collection 4-Section Platter With Spoon, $27.99 at Target

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That's exactly how I felt when I spotted this Dolly Parton-branded butterfly-shaped serving dish at Target. It comes with its own matching spoon, which somehow makes it even sweeter, and it strikes that perfect balance between whimsical and understated. It's charming without being over-the-top—a little nod to Dolly's love of beauty and butterflies that's just as happy sitting on a party table as it is brightening up an ordinary Tuesday.

Related: Marshalls' New Gingham 3-Piece Comforter Set Feels Like a Breath of Fresh Country Air

This isn't the music icon's only item at Target; she's also selling a stoneware tableware set that has fans reeling. It's a part of her Lakeside Collection, which includes the butterfly serving tray above.

"I love how the butterfly bowl looks," says an enthusiastic Target shopper in their review. "It will be great for a charcuterie or other assorted needs." They do admit the accompanying spoon seems "extra," as they're not entirely sure how it will work with the items they plan to serve on the platter.

Others are saying this pretty, decorative, but functional piece makes the perfect gift.

"This snack/appetizer tray is darling," they wrote. "Made so well and versatile for serving any array of finger foods, dips, candies and more! Beautiful design and crafted very well. Perfect gift idea!"

So there you have it, you now have Target, Walmart and Dollar General to choose from when looking for Dolly Parton-branded housewares. And an entertaining enthusiast always loves options.

Related: Target's 3-Tier Rustic-Modern Kitchen Island Has a Luxe Look Without a Hefty Price Tag

1979 Classic Rock Hit, Delayed by Nearly a Year, Remains a Timeless Anthem 47 Years Later

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 5:50am

In 1979, Cheap Trick had a major hit with the song “Dream Police,” but it was about a year overdue. The song had a delayed release amid the surprise success of the band’s At Budokan album the previous year.

Written by Rick Nielsen, “Dream Police” featured a driving guitar riff, synthesized orchestral strings, and frantic lyrics about late-night paranoia, including a theatrical mid-song spoken word by the songwriter himself. It had all the makings of a hit record.

But during the recording of the Dream Police album in 1978, Cheap Trick went on tour in Japan, causing a frenzy that was captured on a live album. The concerts at Nippon Budokan were so successful that plans for a Japan-only album expanded to an international release. Because of the massive success of the At Budokan album, the release of “Dream Police” was postponed by nearly a year.

Dream Police was ready to go when …Budokan came out,” Nielsen once said, per Classic Rock magazine. “We held it back because Budokan was so successful.”

Once it was finally released, “Dream Police” peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of Cheap Trick’s highest-charting studio songs. A bizarre MTV music video featuring bandmates Nielsen, Robin Zander, Tom Petersson, and Bun E. Carlos gave the power-pop hit new attention two years later.

Nielsen wrote “Dream Police” from the point of view of a paranoid man who believed his dreams were being monitored.

“Lyrically, the song was about Big Brother watching you," the rocker confirmed in the liner notes of the remastered edition of the album, per Ultimate Classic Rock.

Of the music, Nielsen also told Classic Rock, “When I wrote it, it needed more instrumentation, more than just guitar, bass, and drums. So it had that keyboard… It’s an orchestral part that I wrote.”

Session keyboardist Jai Winding was brought in to add layers to the iconic track.

Decades after its release, “Dream Police” is a staple of Cheap Trick’s live set list and remains a beloved anthem. Nielsen, now 77, still channels his paranoid alter ego, while fans chant along to the wild lyrics.  

In 2026, Cheap Trick is on the road for the All Washed Up Tour.

Related: Iconic '70s Rock Band’s Breakout Hit Started Out as a Joke

1977 Classic Ballad, Recreated by No. 1 Hitting Rock Icon, Became a Soft Rock Anthem

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 5:47am

A deeply personal love song has connected with listeners for nearly half a century.

When Dan Hill released "Sometimes When We Touch" in 1977, the heartfelt ballad quickly became the biggest hit of his career. Built around vulnerable lyrics and an unforgettable melody, the song climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the defining soft rock classics of the late 1970s.

Its emotional honesty helped set it apart.

Co-written by Hill and Barry Mann, "Sometimes When We Touch" explored the complicated emotions that often accompany love, intimacy and insecurity. Hill was inspired to write the song when he found himself deeply in love who didn't feel the same way.

"She was interested in another man, so that was breaking my heart," Hill said in a 2017 interview. "So I thought I needed to write a song that would capture her and win her over—that would be so passionate in a sense that she'd see that I'm the only guy for her."

Rather than presenting romance as effortless, the song embraced vulnerability, a quality that resonated with audiences around the world and helped turn it into an international hit.

"It's hard for me to talk about sometimes, but let's just put it this way," Hill told CBC. "You know, I was a typical male, born in the '50s, we're not supposed to express any kind of feeling or emotion. So — sorry — I threw all my emotions into my songwriting. It became an incredibly valuable release for me to be writing about things that I had such powerful feelings about."

The song's success established Hill as one of the era's most recognizable singer-songwriters, but the song’s story didn’t end there.

Over the years, "Sometimes When We Touch" was recorded by dozens of artists across multiple genres. One of its most notable reinterpretations came just one year later in 1978, when Tina Turner recorded the song for her album, Rough. Turner was on her way to becoming one of rock's biggest stars, later earning multiple Grammy Awards and scoring No. 1 hits with songs including "What’s Love Got to Do With It."

Rather than simply recreating the original, Turner brought a different emotional perspective to the ballad. Her powerful, soulful vocal transformed the intimate confession into a song of resilience and reflection, introducing the classic to a new generation while remaining faithful to its emotional core.

The enduring popularity of both versions helped secure "Sometimes When We Touch" as one of soft rock's defining ballads. Whether through Hill's vulnerable original or Turner's commanding reinterpretation, the song has continued to find listeners through radio, streaming services and live performances for decades.

"I had absolutely no idea what a transformative life experience it would become to have a song that was an absolute smash right over the world in every single country," said Hill. "It was just, like, absolute madness."

More than 45 years after its release, "Sometimes When We Touch" remains one of the era's most beloved love songs. What began as Dan Hill's deeply personal breakthrough eventually became a timeless soft rock anthem, proving that great songs can take on new meaning every time they're sung.

Related: 1970 Rock Classic, Reimagined 50 Years Later, Became a Father’s Day Anthem

Andy Cohen Fights Back Tears Honoring 'WWHL' Producer Kyra Samson After Her Death at 28

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 5:41am

Andy Cohen struggled to hold back tears during an emotional Watch What Happens Livetribute to producer Kyra Samson, the daughter of former Miami Marlins president David Samson, who died at 28.

On June 24, David announced that his daughter had died following a nine-month battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. During the June 26 episode of Watch What Happens Live, Cohen took a moment to honor Kyra, who was beloved by her colleagues.

"This is hard for me to get through, but on Tuesday night, our beloved former production manager Kyra Samson passed away from brain cancer," Cohen said, adding, "She was only 28."

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Cohen continued, his voice shaking as he fought back tears. "During her four wonderful years with us, Kyra was known for her sweet smile and gentle demeanor, but she could also be a small but mighty enforcer. To see Kyra on a bullhorn, corralling massive crowds at BravoCon was truly a sight to behold. She's going to be terribly missed by all of us here and no doubt by everyone who was lucky enough to know her. I hope you'll join us in honoring her legacy by donating to The Kyra Fund , which will help provide urgently needed research for people with glioblastomas and hopefully help future Kyras out there...we are sending all of our prayers and love to her family and friends."

The Watch What Happens LiveInstagram tribute was quickly flooded with messages of support from fans and Bravolebrities, including Shannon Beador from The Real Housewives of Orange County and Luann de Lesseps from The Real Housewives of New York City. Journalist Katie Couric also commented, "This is so sad Andy. So unfair."

One former Watch What Happens Live staffer wrote, "Kyra was tiny but mighty, and I was lucky enough to work with her for a short while. My condolences go out to her family. Life is truly too short," while countless fans shared their own condolences, with many opening up about loved ones who had also battled brain cancer.

Earlier that day, Kyra's best friend shared a moving Instagram tribute, calling her "my favorite person to be around" and writing that Kyra "fought so hard, but she never once lost her spirit and her spark."

1989 Megahit Cher Refused to Sing, Then It Became a Pop Music Classic

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 5:31am

It may be hard to imagine now, but Cherinitially had no interest in recording one of her most beloved hits.

When she was presented with the 1989 Diane Warren-penned "If I Could Turn Back Time," the singer and Oscar-winning actress wasn't interested in the song. According to Warren, the icon was very vocal in her refusal to record it.

Warren told The Hollywood Reporter,  “The song she really hated was ‘If I Could Turn Back Time.’ But I held her leg down during a session and said, ‘You have to record it!’“

Cher had a NSFW response to Warren's actions, followed by "You’re hurting my leg! OK, I’ll try it.”

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However, once Cher sang the song, Warren knew she'd changed her mind. She recalled the singer giving her a look that seemed to say, "You were right."

Warren added, "If you look at Cher’s song history, she’s not always the best judge of her own material. I mean, she hated ‘I Got You, Babe.’“

Additionally, Warren told Rolling Stone that she offered to pay for the recording session. “I go, ‘Look, I’ll pay for the tracks. ‘If it doesn’t work, then it’s all my cost.’”

"If I Could Turn Back Time" hailed from Cher's nineteenth studio album, Heart of Stone (1989). It was the album's lead single and a No. 3 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, remaining on the chart for an astonishing 23 weeks in total.

The song marked a major comeback for Cher's music career, which had taken a backseat as she pursued acting. By the late 1980s, she had already established herself as a respected actress with a string of critically acclaimed film performances.

During the decade, Cher earned praise for roles that showcased her dramatic range. She appeared in Silkwood (1983), earning her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, before starring in Mask (1985).

Her acting success reached new heights in 1987 with starring roles in The Witches of Eastwick, Suspect, and Moonstruck. Her performance in Moonstruck earned Cher the Academy Award for Best Actress, cementing her place as one of Hollywood's most accomplished performers.

While her film career was thriving, her music had largely taken a backseat until the release of "If I Could Turn Back Time," which reminded audiences that she remained a pop powerhouse as well. Ironically, the song she was so reluctant to record became the hit that reignited her music career and cemented its place among her greatest classics.

Related: Cher’s Unforgettable 1987 Rom-Com Role Celebrates 38 Years of Pure Icon Energy

Walmart Has the 'Cutest' 100% Cotton Daisy Print Shorts for Just $14 During Its Summer Deals Event

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 5:30am

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If you’ve been looking for a cute pair of shorts that you can easily throw on during hot summer days, the Shewin Cotton Shorts at Walmart are a bestselling option that's now on sale for over 45% off. The versatile closet staple can be easily dressed up or down for a variety of occasions, and they're marked down to just $14 during the retailer's Summer Deals event.  

These stylish shorts are available in sizes small to 4XL and come in 12 styles that will complement any wardrobe, whether your personal style leans classic or trendy. The adorable daisy-printed option is perfect for summer, but you can also shop it in a variety of solid colors and other cute prints at the same price. 

Shewin 100% Cotton Shorts, $14 (was $26) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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No matter which style you choose, the cute shorts offer a fun, summery look that can be worn anywhere, from running errands to going on a casual stroll to attending an outdoor barbecue. They feature a stretchy, elastic waistband with an adjustable drawstring tie that you can tighten or loosen to find the best fit. Featuring a flowy and relaxed silhouette, they're comfy, breezy, and perfect for warmer temperatures. The four roomy pockets — including two on the side and two on the back — are ideal for stashing phones, keys, and other small essentials. 

Made from 100% cotton, the mid-rise shorts are made to feel breathable and gentle against the skin, getting softer with every wash. With a polished look and several fun floral prints and colors to choose from, they're also super easy to style. Pair them with a T-shirt and sneakers for a more casual look, or dress them up with a ruffled sleeve blouse, heels, and jewelry. 

Related: Walmart's 'Buttery Soft' $20 T-Shirt Has the Cutest Ruffle Sleeves and Comes in 7 ‘Pretty’ Colors

The Shewin shorts have earned over 600 five-star ratings from Walmart shoppers, who complimented their flattering fit and elegant, put-together look. One reviewer said they're "the cutest shorts" they've bought this season, while another called them "comfy" and "lightweight." A third buyer added the "adorable" pair is "easy to style with just about anything."

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The Shewin Cotton Shorts are the perfect, casual-chic addition to your summer wardrobe. They're cute, lightweight, and versatile enough to wear for a range of occasions. Grab a pair while they're still on sale for just $14 at Walmart. 

8 Jobs That Were Made for Retirees — Flexible, Low-Stress, and No Degree Required

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 5:21am

Picking up a side job in your retirement may be necessary, but not always for extra cash. Whether you’re looking to supplement your income or give your routine more structure, having a side job in retirement should be enjoyable. Many employers are actually seeking out seasoned workers, no degrees required, to add insight and experience to their teams. 

Returning To Work

A survey conducted this year by AARP found that 7% of retirees surveyed had returned to the workforce. For many, the motivation was financial: 48% of those returning did so to increase their monthly income. Still, 15% of those returning to work did so simply because they were bored. 

Whatever the reason, making the decision to “unretire,” as AARP calls it, should afford you the opportunity to do something you want rather than something you need. No matter your previous experience or education, there are some jobs out there that are just begging for retirees to take them.

Related: Most Retirees Hit a 'Purpose Gap' After Leaving Work— Here's How to Close It

Tutor/Academic Coach

This job isn’t physically challenging, so it’s easier to maintain in the long term. 

In 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported the average pay as $19.27/hr, but it’s likely more now.

You don’t need to have been a teacher or educator to tutor. Anyone with any type of specialty can tutor or consult in a field where they have experience. 

School Bus Driver

If you’re an early riser or looking for work part of the year, driving a bus may fit nicely into your schedule. 

The BLS lists the median national wage at $21.74/hr, but it will vary by region.

You’ll likely need an additional license to drive a school bus, so check whether the district covers it or if you'll have to pay out of pocket. 

Remote Customer Service Rep

Are you computer savvy? If you want to leverage that into extra cash, look for a remote customer service position that lets you work part-time from home. 

The BLS median wage for remote customer service workers is $20.92/hr.

Invest in a headset with a microphone so you aren’t getting a stiff neck holding your phone to your neck. 

Pet or Home Sitter

You could stick to your own town or agree to travel. Many people afford vacations by agreeing to watch another person’s pets or property while they travel. 

BLS lists the 2024 median pay at $16.28/hr, but it’s likely higher now.

Try signing up with a verified site like Trusted House Sitters to protect both yourself and the person hiring you through their vetting process.

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Dog Walker

This is a little more physical, but perfect for anyone wanting more exercise in their routine.

This is the same statistic as a pet sitter, with the BLS listing the 2024 median pay at $16.28/hr.

Check your region to see what the average price is for a dog walker. Metro areas can charge more for the service, and apps like Wag or Rover can help you find customers. 

Tour Guide or Museum Docent

This is a low-stress job that lets you interact with many people and share your knowledge.

The 2024 median income listed on the BLS site is $17.63/hr, but it will likely vary widely by area or specialty.

You may be required to get clearances, especially if the facility serves schools or groups with children. Check to see if that’s paid by the business or if you’ll be required to purchase it yourself. 

Tax Preparer

This is something you can do independently or through a tax preparation service. 

The mean average wage according to the BLS is $27.96/hr.

Tax preparation is very seasonal, so this is perfect for someone who doesn’t want to work year-round but may be saving up for a big purchase, like a trip.

Library Assistant

Libraries are bustling with people and activity, so you can merge your love of books with wanting more social interaction.

Again, the BLS data is from 2024 with a median pay of $18.05/hr, but you’ll have to check your local area. 

Anyone who could bring something extra, like creating an after-school program for teens or weekend activities for families, may have a better chance of snagging one of these positions. Get creative!

Related: 20 Inspiring Ideas to Make the Most of Your Retirement Bucket List

Be Wary Of These Scams

Employment scams have always been an issue, but they’ve ramped up significantly in 2026 with the use of AI, according to AARP

You should never pay to get a check. If an employer is asking you to pay for a clearance or commercial license at a certified location like the DMV or a certified Live Scan fingerprinting facility, that’s going to be trustworthy.

Still, before putting out ANY money for an employment venture, check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and cross-reference it against the company’s official site. Do some digging to make sure you aren’t getting scammed, and never pay up front. 

Even the most seasoned of professionals have been taken in by employment scams, so don’t feel bad. Be diligent and remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is. 

Your experience and job history are worthwhile to many employers and customers. No matter your reason for returning to work, the structure of a job, even a part-time one, can help keep you healthy and active long into retirement.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice.

Don't Sleep on These 12 Trader Joe's July Gems Before They're Gone for the Season

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 5:14am

Summer at Trader Joe’s is always a little chaotic. One minute you’re popping in for bananas and coffee creamer, and the next you’re staring at a tub of Sour Cherry Cotton Candy, wondering if it would be irresponsible to eat the whole thing in one sitting. (The answer is probably yes. Will that stop me? Unclear.)

This month’s lineup is especially fun, with plenty of nostalgic flavors making a comeback in unexpected ways. Creamsicles show up in cookie form, pistachio gets its own creamy gelato moment, and there’s even a new milk chocolate bar loaded with whole almonds and crunchy honey nuggets that looks like it's straight out of a European candy shop. Meanwhile, TJ's continues to deliver on staples that we have been asking for since the beginning of time, as well as brand new Korean potstickers that are about to make your summer dinnertime a snap. More pool time, less kitchen time, am I right?

As always, some of these items are limited-time finds, so if something catches your eye, you may want to grab it sooner rather than later. And like those viral tote bags, once they're gone, they're gone! Here are 12 new Trader Joe’s products shoppers are buzzing about right now.

Related: Trader Joe’s New $10 Home Find Looks Just Like an Anthropologie Piece Nearly 3x the Price

The 12 Best July Trader Joe’s Finds1. Buffalo Sauce with Avocado Oil

Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

Buffalo sauce is usually all about butter, but Trader Joe’s swaps in avocado oil here and somehow still achieves that rich, creamy texture fans crave. The sauce balances heat, tang, and richness, making it ideal for wings, pizza, mac and cheese, sandwiches, or even French fries. It’s dairy-free but still has a buttery finish that coats everything it touches. One Reddit user was immediately sold: “I got this yesterday, had wings, sauce is EXCELLENT, very restaurant-ish.” Find it for $3.49 (8.5 ounces) in the sauces and condiments section.

2. Triple Chip Crispy Cookies

Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

Crispy cookies are having a moment, and Trader Joe’s is leaning all the way in. These oversized cookies get their signature snap from extra butter in the recipe, which also gives them notes of caramel and browned butter. They're loaded with not one, not two, but three different types of chocolate chips: white chocolate, semi-sweet and dark chocolate. The combination of crunchy texture and rich chocolate makes them especially hard to resist. One Reddit fan summed things up simply: “EATING NOW 💯💯💯 note they are a tad sweet but CRUNCHY ❤️.” Find it for $4.49 (8.5 ounces) in the cookies section.

3. Milk Chocolate Bar with Whole Almonds and Honey Nuggets

Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

This limited-edition chocolate bar looks fancy enough to tuck into a gift basket, but thankfully, it’s priced for everyday snacking. Made in Belgium, it combines creamy milk chocolate with whole almonds (which make up a whopping 15% of the recipe!) and crunchy honey nuggets for an irresistible sweet-and-salty combination. A touch of sea salt balances the sweetness, and the bar is randomly scored so you can break off pieces as you go. One Reddit user wrote, “This new chocolate bar hit the shelves at my store, and it's delicious! It's a very sweet milk chocolate and lots of whole almonds and crunchy honey bits.” Find it for $2.99 (6.3 ounces) in the candy section.

Related: We Asked 5 Chefs What Trader Joe’s Products They Love—and We’re Taking Plenty of Notes

4. Sour Cherry Cotton Candy

Trader Joe’s has never been afraid to get a little whimsical, and this bright pink Sour Cherry Cotton Candy might be one of the most fun items on shelves right now. The cotton candy gets its tart flavor from citric acid and natural cherry flavors, while vegetable juice, turmeric, and annatto give it its vibrant hue. Better yet, it comes in a resealable tub, making it dangerously easy to revisit throughout the day. A Trader Joe’s crew member on Reddit raved, “It’s amazing. [It's] authentic cotton candy that made my mouth water. I’d say it’s more tart than it is sour, which I prefer.” Find it in the candy section.

5. Dark Chocolate Mango & Passion Fruit Crème Thin Cups

Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

Chocolate and tropical fruit are an underrated pairing, and these limited-time cups make a strong case for why they deserve more attention. Each thin dark chocolate shell is filled with a layer of mango and passion fruit crème that’s sweet, tart, and surprisingly bright. The cups are small, just a bit larger than a quarter, but that only makes them easier to pop by the handful! Their availability is limited to the summer months, so chocolate lovers may want to stock up. “Addictive!!!! I couldn’t stop eating them,” admitted one Reddit shopper. Find it for $4.29 (7.04 ounces) in the candy section.

6. Strawberry Mini Mochi Gummies

Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

Summer and strawberry candy go hand in hand, and these mini mochi gummies bring an extra-chewy twist to the category. Made in Thailand, they combine the soft, bouncy texture inspired by mochi with sweet-tart strawberry flavor for a candy that’s as fun to eat as it is adorable. Trader Joe’s suggests taking them on road trips, to amusement parks, or tossing them over ice cream for a playful topping. One Instagram shopper warned, “Don’t buy them if you can’t control yourself 😂 I bought 4 bags and had to hide them from sight.” Find them in the candy section now.

7. Passion Fruit Orange Guava Juice Beverage View this post on Instagram

If you've ever ordered a tropical cocktail and thought, "I wish I could drink this at breakfast," this juice is for you. Trader Joe’s POG (short for passion fruit, orange and guava) balances the tanginess of passion fruit with sweet citrus and the floral notes of guava. It's delicious over ice, but shoppers say it really shines in cocktails and mimosas. “I use POG juice for mimosas and cocktails, and this one works perfectly,” wrote one Reddit fan. “A little too sweet for me to drink a whole can straight, but it's delicious as a mixer.” Find it for $4.49 (8.45 fluid ounces) in the beverage section.

8. Orange & Cream Flavored Cookies View this post on Instagram

Orange creamsicles are one of those flavors that instantly transport you back to childhood, and Trader Joe’s has somehow captured all of that sweet citrus nostalgia in cookie form. These crisp cookies start with a buttery, lightly salty dough that’s studded with tangy yogurt chips and orange-and-cream flavored sugar bits. The result is a cookie that manages to be rich, citrusy, and refreshing all at once. Because they’re one of Trader Joe’s newest arrivals, there’s still limited information out there, but shoppers are already intrigued. “Ooooh I can’t wait to try these!” wrote one excited Instagram fan. Find them in the cookie aisle.

Related: Trader Joe’s Announces 9 New Store Locations: Is One Opening Near You?

9. Uncured Bacon Bits

Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

Trader Joe’s is making a strong argument that bacon belongs on nearly everything. These fully cooked, uncured bacon bits are smoky, salty, and ready to sprinkle over salads, eggs, baked potatoes, pasta, or mac and cheese. The brand even suggests trying them on desserts like blondies or vanilla ice cream if you're feeling adventurous. Shoppers seem fully on board. “Soooo good—I put it in salads and on deviled eggs ❤️,” shared one Instagram fan. Find it for $3.29 (3 ounces) on shelves now.

10. The Sheepish Tomato

Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

Don’t let the name fool you. The Sheepish Tomato is anything but shy. This Spanish sheep milk cheese is brined, dried, and aged for several months before being injected with sweet and tangy tomato jam and aged again. The result is a cheese that balances savory, creamy, sweet, and umami flavors all in one bite. Trader Joe’s recommends pairing it with olives, Marcona almonds and Spanish charcuterie, along with a glass of Rioja. One Instagram shopper wrote, “Ooooh can’t wait to pick this up!!” Find it in the cheese case this month.

11. Mandu Korean Kimchi Potstickers

Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

Trader Joe’s frozen aisle has become legendary, and these vegan (!) Korean Kimchi Potstickers are poised to become another fan favorite. The flat, envelope-shaped dumplings are filled with spicy kimchi and glass noodles, then crisp up beautifully in a skillet after just a few minutes. They’re easy enough for a weeknight dinner but flavorful enough to serve as part of a larger Korean-inspired spread. One Reddit user shared their favorite cooking tip: “Put a little bit of oil with a small amount of water in a frying pan with [a] lid on, over medium heat. Flip over to also brown the other side.” Find it for $3.49 (16 ounces) in the frozen section.

12. Italian Pistachio Gelato Style Frozen Dessert

Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

Pistachio lovers, this one’s for you. Previously available only as part of a pistachio-and-fior-di-latte duo, Trader Joe’s Italian Pistachio Gelato Style Frozen Dessert is now flying solo. Made in Italy, it’s rich and creamy with a velvety texture and a pronounced pistachio flavor that leans slightly savory. Trader Joe’s suggests enjoying it straight from a cone, topping it with cookie crumbles, or turning it into an affogato with a shot of espresso. Honestly? A spoon and a cool quiet room sounds pretty perfect, too. Find it for $3.99 (16 ounces) in the frozen dessert section.

Related: 5 Best Produce Items To Buy at Trader Joe's (and 4 To Skip)

I Finally Ordered Bouqs Flowers From ‘Shark Tank’—Here’s My Honest Review

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 5:11am

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

In 2014, flower delivery company The Bouqs Co. went on Shark Tank to try to secure a deal. Though Bouqs walked away without an investment from the Sharks, the company forged ahead and is still operating over a decade later. I recently had a chance to order two of their flower bouquets, gifted by the company. My honest review of Bouqs—as someone who often buys cheap grocery store bouquets but has also used expensive online flower delivery services—is that Bouqs really delivers, pun intended.

According to CNBC Ambition, during the initial Shark Tank appearance, John Tabis asked for a $258,000 investment in exchange for a 3% stake in the company that he co-founded with his college friend JP Montufar, a third-generation farmer. All five of the Sharks at the time—Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Kevin O'Leary and Robert Herjavec—passed on the offer. Several cited concerns about the company's ability to sustain its competitive edge in a crowded market, and Corcoran thought the brand name Bouqs was hard to spell.

As of 2026, though, Bouqs is by all accounts thriving with its original business model and its original name (pronounced like "BOO-ks"). And of the floral delivery services I've used, Bouqs had some major advantages in both the overall shopping experience and the end product.

Related: I Finally Ordered Daisy Cakes From ‘Shark Tank’—Here’s My Honest Review

What Is Special About The Bouqs Co.?

Per its website, Bouqs delivers bouquets (aka the "bouqs") directly from the farms. This is intended to cut out any middlemen who could inflate the price, while also helping the blooms spend less time in transit and more time in your home. It also helps ensure that the flowers you pick from the photos online match the flowers you receive in the mail.

I know I've shopped other delivery services before that work with local florists to construct bouquets, and there are so many substitutions made that the final arrangement sometimes looks nothing like what I ordered. The two bouquets I ordered were sourced from Ecuador and Colombia, and they were shipped on May 22 and arrived just five days later on May 27. And as I explain below, they looked just like what I ordered online.

Related: Mark Cuban Called This His ‘Worst Investment’—Shark Tank’s 10 Biggest Failures, Ranked

What Happened to The Bouqs After ‘Shark Tank’?

As Tabis explained during the 2014 Shark Tank appearance, Bouqs had raised significant funding outside of his request to the Sharks, so the company was able to push forward even without support from one of the show's investors. A few years later, Shark Tank's Robert Herjavec called up Bouqs to do the flowers for his wedding to Dancing with the Stars pro Kym Johnson in 2016.

"We originally had a quote for wedding flowers, and it blew my mind how expensive they were," Herjavec told Incabout why he instead went with Bouqs and its farm-to-client business model. Inc reported that Herjavec has also since made an undisclosed investment in the company.

In 2017, ABC News reported that Mark Cuban called missing out on Bouqs "the one [investment] I regret not doing, 'cause that’s a deal I would've loved."

Since then, Bouqs has continued to persevere in the floral space, with an annual revenue of over $100 million, according to Entrepreneur.

Related: I Finally Ordered Pipcorn From ‘Shark Tank’—Here’s My Honest Review

What Can You Order From Bouqs?

Like most flower delivery sites, on Bouqs you can pick from floral arrangement categories like birthday, anniversary, sympathy and more. You can also sign up for a Bouqs subscription and get bouquets starting at $48 with free shipping. You can choose to receive the new flowers weekly, every other week, monthly or every other month.

The subscription's free shipping is particularly alluring, because regular one-off shipping is $25 per bouquet—about a third of the total cost of getting a standard 10-stem, $49 bouquet. The subscription also gives you up to 30% off each bouquet, and you can skip your delivery if you're out of town one month and change the recipient whenever you'd like.

The subscription model for a floral delivery service isn't new, but having one does help Bouqs stay competitive on pricing and overall customer experience.

I Tried The Bouqs Flowers—Here’s My Honest Review

From the packaging to how long the Bouqs flowers lasted, I was impressed at every stage. I'd especially recommend choosing options with hearty stems in your order. Here are some of the main takeaways you should know about:

Bouqs ships their flowers carefully

Courtesy Martha Sorren

Shop Your Own Bouquet

I was very impressed by the packaging for my bouquets—especially for the more delicate flowers.

Courtesy Martha Sorren

As seen here, the fragile ranunculus flowers were wrapped in cardboard to protect them from getting too squished, each of the sunflowers had protective netting to protect the petals and the delicate hydrangea even came with its own miniature bag of water wrapped around the stem to keep it fresh.

You get what's in the photo What's shown on their website vs. what I received in my delivery

Courtesy Martha Sorren

My biggest gripe with other flower delivery services is that they could never guarantee that your bouquet would look like what you picked out, because so much was dependent on local florist availability. Bouqs ships right from the farms, so you get what you picked out online. This 24-stem Queen Bee bouquet ($77) features sunflowers, mini hydrangea, white spray roses and more—all of which showed up in perfect condition.

You can get fragile flowers What's shown on their website vs. what I received in my delivery

Courtesy Martha Sorren

This "Standout" bouquet ($92) comes with 20 stems. I love ranunculus flowers, but they are notoriously fragile—even the bouquets I buy at the grocery store often don't make it the 20-minute drive home without a few of the stems breaking or petals falling off. The fact that these were shipped to me in such good condition was really impressive. They also arrived a bit closed and opened up over the course of a few days, so they looked even better as time went on. A couple of the stems were bent on arrival, and some petals were lost, but the overall arrangement turned out really nice.

They last a long time The ranunculus bouquet and sunflower bouquet on the days I threw them away.

Courtesy Martha Sorren

My bouquets arrived on May 27, and they came with flower food to add to the water to help prolong the freshness.

The ranunculus bouquet faded faster, but still lasted until June 7. I probably could have even squeezed out a couple more days, but the petals were starting to fall off and get all over my counter, so I tossed them after 11 days.

The sunflower bouquet had more greenery and some stronger flowers (minus the hydrangea) that lasted pretty well until I threw them away on June 11—over two weeks after they were delivered.

I'd recommend getting their heartier flowers

Fragile flowers like the hydrangea and ranunculus are pretty, but for the best bang for your buck, I would stick to the bouquets with hearty stems like sunflowers, roses, greenery, etc. The mixed bouquets also give enough variety that you can toss flowers as they fade and still keep a pretty decent arrangement for weeks. I did that with the hydrangea in my sunflower bouquet; it didn't last as long, so I removed it when it wilted and kept the rest of the flowers that were still thriving.

Price-wise, Bouqs is pretty comparable to other online options, but I liked that I was able to pick exactly what I wanted on the website and have that be what showed up at my door. I also liked the overall longevity of the bouquets, which I found to be better than the grocery store flowers I buy that tend to wilt after a week.

If I were paying for the flowers myself, I would maybe look into the subscription service for an every-other-month option to save on the shipping fees and bouquet costs. For instance, that $77 sunflower bouquet costs $54 with the subscription, and you also save on the $25 shipping fee.

Ultimately, flowers are a luxury, so nobody needs a subscription to a bouquet company—but if you're someone who likes always having a floral centerpiece, Bouqs gives you a low-effort way to get those pretty florals for your home.

Up Next:

Related: How the Tin Can Landline Helped My Kids Connect Without Screens

1973 Timeless Classic, Reimagined 17 Years Later, Became an Arena-Rock Anthem

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 5:09am

A song written for a Western film eventually found its biggest audience in packed rock arenas.

Bob Dylan first released "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" in 1973 as part of the soundtrack to Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, where it underscored one of the film's most emotional moments. The sparse, deeply moving ballad quickly became one of Dylan's most celebrated compositions, but its story was far from over.

The song was written specifically for the death scene of Sheriff Colin Baker in the Sam Peckinpah-directed film, with Dylan crafting a simple, universal meditation on mortality rather than a traditional movie soundtrack piece. Its restrained arrangement and unforgettable chorus helped it transcend its cinematic origins, becoming an enduring favorite in Dylan's catalog.

Over the following years, "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" was covered by dozens of artists across multiple genres, demonstrating the remarkable flexibility of Dylan's songwriting. But one version, released nearly two decades later, would introduce the song to an entirely new generation.

In 1990, Guns N’ Roses recorded its own interpretation for the soundtrack to Days of Thunder. The band expanded Dylan's intimate folk ballad into a soaring hard rock epic, driven by Slash’s expressive guitar work and Axl Rose’s unmistakable vocals.

"Bob asked me, ‘When you gonna record ‘Heaven’s Door?'" Rose told an audience during a 2009 performance in Taiwan. "And I said, ‘I don’t know, but we really love that song.’ And he said, ‘I don’t give a f**k. I just want the money.’ True story!”

The recording became an international hit and soon evolved into one of the centerpieces of Guns N' Roses' live performances.

As the band’s popularity exploded during the Use Your Illusion era, "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" became a fixture of arena and stadium concerts around the world. Thousands of fans joined in on the song's instantly recognizable chorus night after night, helping transform Dylan's understated composition into one of rock’s great live anthems while introducing countless younger listeners to the original.

The success of Guns N' Roses' version also highlighted the enduring strength of Dylan's songwriting. Despite the dramatic stylistic differences between the two recordings, both captured the emotional weight at the heart of the lyrics, proving the song could resonate just as powerfully whether performed as a quiet ballad or a full-scale rock production.

"Guns N’ Roses is OK, Slash is OK, but there's something about their version of the song that reminds me of the movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” Dylan told Rock and Roll Garage. "I always wonder who's been transformed into some sort of a clone, and who's stayed true to himself. And I never seem to have an answer."

More than 50 years after Bob Dylan first wrote it, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” remains one of the most covered songs in popular music. What began as a soundtrack recording for a Western film ultimately became an arena-rock anthem 17 years later, demonstrating how a timeless song can continue to evolve while never losing its emotional power.

Related: 1973 Timeless Classic, Reimagined by Iconic Rock Band, Became a No. 1 Hit 25 Years Later

'Get Smart' Actress Dead at 87

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 5:00am

Ellen Weston, a beloved actress who appeared on both Broadway and numerous television shows, has died at the age of 87, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Her friend, producer and manager, Susan Zachary, told the outlet that Weston died on May 28 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

A statement was also shared, where she's remembered as “a rare person who had both right- and left-brain proficiency … she was as skilled at a legal brief as she was with a knitting needle.

“She was our consigliere dispensing advice, wisdom, compassion and care in equal measure — especially when we most needed an ear, a shoulder and a true confidante. She was beyond a loyal friend — she was a fierce advocate for every single one of us.

“She took excellent care of herself, always tastefully put together with gorgeous outfits, the perfect makeup, and more. Up until the very end, she was still dancing and taking new classes; the latest was a pottery class taught by a dear friend that ended a month before her passing.”

Weston began her career on Broadway, landing the role of an understudy in the drama Toys in the Attic, starring Jason Robards Jr. and Maureen Stapleton, following her time at Performing Arts High School, Hofstra University, NYU, and Hunter College. She also played the sister of Sigmund Freud (portrayed by Steven Hill) in A Far Country, as well as replacing Betsy von Furstenberg in Mary, Mary in 1962.

Among her most notable roles, Weston portrayed Robin Fletcher on CBS’ The Guiding Light in 1963-64, along with playing Carol Pearson and Karen Gregory on NBC’s Another World in 1964-65. She also appeared in CBS’ The Young and the Restless in 1978-80 as Suzanne Thurston.

As for her role as Dr. Steele on NBC’s Get Smart, Weston joined the show during the third season. She also had a recurring role on ABC’s S.W.A.T. in 1975 as Betty Harrelson, the wife of Steve Forrest’s Lt. “Hondo” Harrelson. Other show appearances include Run for Your LifeN.Y.P.D.BonanzaThe Ghost and Mrs. MuirMannixBewitched, HawkinsHarry OBarnaby JonesThe Bob Newhart ShowCannonBaretta, and Wonder Woman.

But she wasn't just an actress! Throughout her career, Weston also wrote seven songs with Lesley Gore on her 1972 album, Someplace Else Now, as well as all the songs on her 1975 album, Love Me by Name.

Later in her life, Weston made the decision to go to law school.

Longtime 'Dancing with the Stars' Musical Director & Tony-Winning Orchestrator Dead at 82

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 5:00am

Harold Wheeler, a Tony-winning Broadway orchestrator who also worked for 17 seasons on the hit show Dancing with the Stars, died on Wednesday, June 24, at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 82.

This comes after he battled a "lengthy illness," according to Deadline, with the outlet adding that Broadway producer Lamar Richardson announced the news of his death.

Wheeler joined the Dancing with the Stars family in 2006 and remained as part of the show until 2013. Ray Chew took over for Wheeler after he left.

In 2019, Wheeler received a Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater, while also earning numerous nominations for orchestrations for Broadway productions including The Life (1997), Little Me (1999), Swing! (2000), The Full Monty (2001), Hairspray (2003), and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2005). He had screen credits including The Magical World of Disney and The Jacksons: An American Dream, as well as the Emmy, People’s Choice, Oscar, and Kennedy Center ceremonies.

Wheeler worked with numerous artists, including Bruce Springsteen, having played piano on his songs “Blinded By the Light” and “Spirit In The Night” in 1973.

He also received a 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award from the NAACP Theatre Awards.

Among those who paid tribute to Wheeler following news of his death was former Dancing with the Stars host Tom Bergeron, who shared a message on Instagram.

"In 2005, when you first heard the music of @dancingwiththestars, it was coming from Harold Wheeler and his orchestra. Nothing gave me greater pleasure than making him & his orchestra break up during dress rehearsals. Well, that & basking in the brilliance of their talent. #RIP my friend 😔," Bergeron wrote.

Derek Houghalso posted in honor of Wheeler.

"Harold Wheeler was the original musical director of @dancingwiththestars , and he helped build so much of the magic we all know. From the Oscars to countless iconic shows, he was a legend.
I’ll always remember sending him ideas in my early seasons and that fun moment when Shawn and I tumbled right into his band pit. Harold, thank you for the music, the kindness, and the memories. Rest in peace, my friend," Hough commented.

’80s Rock Band Announces 2026 Tour With Two Rock Legends

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 4:47am

Fans of classic British rock will have a chance to see three legendary acts on one stage this fall. The Fixx has announced a 19-city U.S. tour for September 2026 with former Zombies lead singer Colin Blunstone and Peter Asher of Peter and Gordon.

The newly announced run follows The Fixx's previously scheduled U.S. summer tour in July and August. Together, the concerts will extend the band's busy touring schedule across North America.

In a statement announcing the special tour, The Fixx said, per UCR, “Fans of legendary British rock are in for an exceptional concert experience as the Fixx, Colin Blunstone of The Zombies, and Peter Asher join forces for a once in a lifetime, multi-city tour. This tour promises an unforgettable evening of iconic songs, rich musical history and outstanding performances from three enduring acts whose influence continues to span generations.”

Cy Curnin of The Fixx performs at Majestic Theater on Nov. 10, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan.

Photo by Scott Legato/Getty Images

Tickets for the September tour go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

Formed in London in 1979, The Fixx became one of the defining rock bands of the 1980s with a string of Billboard Top 20 hits. The group is best known for songs including "One Thing Leads to Another," "Saved by Zero," "Are We Ourselves?" and "Secret Separation." 

Other fan favorites such as "Stand or Fall," "Red Skies" and "Driven Out" also helped establish the band's lasting place in rock music.

The band's current lineup features original members Cy Curnin, Adam Woods, Rupert Greenall and Jamie West-Oram, along with longtime bassist Dan K. Brown. More than four decades after forming, The Fixx continues to perform around the world and released its latest studio album, Every Five Seconds, in 2022.

Colin Blunstone will also perform songs from throughout his career. The singer recently completed a U.K. tour and shared what fans can expect during the September concerts: “include songs from my solo career and some Zombies classic tunes.”

Blunstone remains active following the retirement of his longtime Zombies bandmate Rod Argent, who stepped away from touring after suffering a stroke in 2024. Blunstone now performs under the slogan "The Voice of the Zombies."

As lead singer of The Zombies, Blunstone helped create timeless hits including "She's Not There," "Tell Her No" and "Time of the Season." He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the band in 2019 and has also maintained a successful solo career spanning more than five decades.

Meanwhile, Peter Asher rounds out the lineup with a career that stretches back to the British Invasion era. As one half of Peter and Gordon, he scored major hits including "A World Without Love," "I Go to Pieces," "Lady Godiva" and "Woman." "A World Without Love" became a million-selling single after its release in 1964.

Beyond his work as a performer, Asher built an award-winning career as a producer and manager, working with artists including Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor and Barbra Streisand. He has also toured in recent years with his "Songs & Stories" presentation, sharing music and personal memories from his 2019 memoir The Beatles From A to Zed.

The September package tour will begin on Sept. 2 in Somerville, Massachusetts, before making stops throughout the Northeast, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. The itinerary includes performances in New York City, Washington, D.C., Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Madison, Grand Rapids, Rochester and other cities before concluding on Sept. 30 in Troy, New York.

Prior to the fall dates, The Fixx will spend much of July and August on its summer U.S. tour, with select performances featuring The Smithereens. The band will visit cities across the East Coast, South, Texas, the West Coast, Canada and the Mountain West before beginning the special September concerts with Blunstone and Asher.

The 2026 collaboration brings together three influential British acts whose combined catalogs span the 1960s through the 1980s. Fans attending the shows can expect an evening celebrating classic rock, pop and new wave songs that continue to connect with audiences decades after their original release.

The Fixx, Colin Blunstone & Peter Asher 2026 U.S. Tour Dates
  • Sept. 2 – Somerville, MA – Somerville Theatre
  • Sept. 4 – Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Center for the Arts
  • Sept. 5 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount
  • Sept. 6 – Westerly, RI – United Theatre
  • Sept. 8 – Derry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall
  • Sept. 10 – New York, NY – Adler Hall at New York Society for Ethical Culture
  • Sept. 11 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre
  • Sept. 12 – Washington, DC – Warner Theatre
  • Sept. 13 – Kent, OH – The Kent Stage
  • Sept. 15 – Minneapolis, MN – Uptown Theater
  • Sept. 17 – Waukegan, IL – Genesee Theatre
  • Sept. 18 – Cincinnati, OH – Ludlow Garage
  • Sept. 19 – Madison, WI – Barrymore Theatre
  • Sept. 21 – Grand Rapids, MI – DeVos Performance Hall
  • Sept. 23 – Nashville, IN – Brown County Music Center
  • Sept. 26 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall
  • Sept. 27 – Reading, PA – Santander Performing Arts Center
  • Sept. 29 – Rochester, NY – RIT Performing Arts Center
  • Sept. 30 – Troy, NY – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

Related: ’70s Rock Legend Announced as Special Guest for 2026 Show

Amazon’s Tropical Outdoor Area Rug Is an 'Absolutely Beautiful' Summer Patio Upgrade That’s Now $30 for Prime Day

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 4:45am

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If your backyard could use a bit of sprucing up now that summer’s here, an outdoor rug is an easy way to do so. Blending style and practicality, it’ll effortlessly create a focal point in your home’s outdoor space and turn it into a cozy oasis. This Wondrg Outdoor Area Rug at Amazon is a fantastic option, and it’s currently on sale for Prime Day

This area rug is available in six sizes, ranging from 4 feet by 6 feet up to 9 feet by 12 feet. The smallest rug comes in three styles, including a leaf design and two floral prints. Those normally retail for $46, but they’re now marked down between $30 and $33 for a limited time. If you prefer a size larger, you can snag a 5-by-7-foot rug on sale between $36 and $40. These deals are only available for Amazon Prime members, but you can start a free 30-day trial right now if you aren’t a member! 

Wondrg Outdoor Area Rug, From $30 (was $46) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at Amazon

Featuring bold hues and nature-inspired patterns, this rug will instantly brighten up your home’s outdoor space and bring it to life. Both the floral and the leaf designs have a tropical aesthetic, making your patio, porch, or deck feel like a beachside resort. You can use this rug as a base for all your furniture to tie your space together. Reviewers love the style of this rug, describing it as “absolutely beautiful,” “vibrant,” and “fun.”

Crafted with chenille fabric, this rug has a velvet-like texture that feels incredibly soft underfoot. It’ll keep your bare feet off the ground while giving them a cushy place to rest. Designed to handle areas with a lot of foot traffic, the chenille is shed-proof and doesn’t pill. The backside of this rug is made with non-slip rubber, keeping it stable and preventing it from shifting around as people pass through. Attesting to its high-quality, multiple shoppers raved that this rug is “comfortable” and “durable.”

Wondrg Outdoor Area Rug, From $30 (was $46) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at Amazon

Made to withstand various weather conditions, the chenille fibers have UV protection. It’s fade-resistant, so you can leave it outside all summer long without worrying about its vibrancy. This rug is also water-resistant and can handle light moisture and splashes, making it ideal for poolside use.

This rug has a low-pile profile with a 0.2-inch thickness, allowing your furniture to rest on it without wobbling. The low profile also prevents the strands from trapping dirt and debris, so you don’t have to clean this rug as often as other styles. When it does need a refresh, you either shake it off or vacuum it. If it needs a deep clean, you can toss it into the washing machine. 

This rug isn’t just limited to outdoor use. When the temperatures start to drop, and you stop spending as much time in your backyard, you can bring in this rug and use it indoors as well. If you want to put it away in storage, you can also roll it up with ease and tuck it into a storage closet, thanks to its slim profile and lightweight feel. 

Shop More Deals 

Related: Amazon’s 'Easy-to-Install' $15 Window Bird Feeder Lets You to Get 'Up Close and Personal' With Wildlife

If you want to transform your patio into a tropical oasis, be sure to snag the Wondrg Outdoor Area Rug at Amazon while it’s still on sale for as low as $30 during Prime Day, which lasts through June 26. Remember to start your free 30-day Prime membership trial if you’re not a member yet!

Iconic Voice Behind One of the 'Greatest Power Ballads in Rock History' Turns 65 Today

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 4:44am

One of the most unforgettable voices of the '80s is celebrating a major birthday today.

Terri Nunn, the singer behind the Oscar-winning ballad "Take My Breath Away," was born 65 years ago today on June 25, 1961, in Los Angeles, California. Her father, Larry, was a contract child actor for MGM before he became a painter, according to the VC Star. Nunn, too, started her career in front of the camera; in fact, she auditioned for the role of Princess Leia in Star Wars in 1976.

Even after joining the synth pop band Berlin, which would go on to become a platinum-selling act, Nunn still continued to work as an actress, appearing in TV shows such as Family, T.J. Hooker, and Lou Grant.

Before long, however, Berlin had Nunn's full attention.

As Nunn later told San Francisco Herald, Berlin got its start when her soon-to-be bandmates answered an ad she placed in a musicians' contact service.

"I wanted an original band and they called me, they said, because I said original," she recalled. "And at that time, synthesizer music wasn’t in America. John [Crawford, bassist] patterned it after Kraftwerk in Germany and Ultravox in England. They were the two bands doing synthesizer music and John said, 'I’m going to do that and bring it to America, put a girl’s voice on it, we’ll have something!' So they called me and it was like, f—k, what is this? It was great. I’d never heard anything like it. It gave us a lot of problems because people were like, what? Guitars were in, and power pop; The Knack and The Motels and The Go-Go’s were happening."

Berlin found success with singles like "Sex (I'm a...), "Metro" and "No More Words," but had their biggest hit with the 1986 single "Take My Breath Away," which appeared on the Top Gun soundtrack. Not only was "Take My Breath Away" a top 10 hit around the world, per the official Berlin website, but the song also won the Academy Award and Golden Globe awards for Best Song in 1987. Decades later, Ultimate Classic Rock ranked "Take My Breath Away" as one of the “greatest power ballads in rock history."

Berlin

Photo by Michael Ochs Archives on Getty Images

As Nunn told SPIN in 2023, "Everything changed when that song came out."

"We got to play in countries that we’d never been to before as a band, that had no interest in Berlin before that," she explained. "It opened the door to the world for me, and still does, to this day. It’s a door-opener for my entire life. It is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s a song that keeps going. I don’t understand why one song is forever and another song isn’t. It’s still playing, and people still call me and ask if they can put it in this movie or that TV show. It continues to change my life."

Following the success of "Take My Breath Away," Nunn took a long hiatus from the band to “get a life,” as she put it. During that time, she collaborated with bands including The Sisters of Mercy and Jane's Addiction before resurrecting Berlin with new musicians in the late '90s. But by 2016, Nunn was back with original band members Crawford and David Diamond. In 2019, the reunited group released the album, Transcendance, their first new music in 35 years.

"A band is like a marriage, you hope it’ll last but you don’t know," Nunn told Classic Pop Magazine. "So it’s incredible that we get to enjoy the ride for so long, and such a happy surprise that John and David came back into my life."

Related: 1985 Power Ballad, Originally Rejected by Rock Queen, Became Iconic Band's First No. 1 Hit

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