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Fantasy author Christopher Paolini was a huge reader and fan of magical stories as early as the age of 10. Inspired by Beowulf, J.R.R. Tolkien, E.R. Eddison, and mythology, Paolini wrote his first full-length fantasy novel at just 15 years old. That book was the first book in The Inheritance Cycle series, Eragon.

Paolini's family recognized his talent and the novel's potential immediately and self-published it under their home-based publisher. They toured the United States, having teenage Paolini give talks at libraries, bookstores, and schools, but the book didn't garner much attention. Then, in the summer of 2002, American novelist Carl Hiaasen saw Paolini at one of his stops, and his stepson picked up a copy of the book. Hiaasen's stepson loved the story, and Hiaasen subsequently brought it to the Alfred A. Knopf publishing house. Eragon was then republished in 2003 when Paolini was 19 years old.

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Upon its traditional republication, Eragon was a massive success. The novel spent 121 weeks on The New York Times Children's Books Best Seller list and was the third best-selling children's hardback book of that year. Eragon won the Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award and the Young Reader's Choice Award in 2006. Due to the success of the novel and its sequels, Paolini holds the Guinness World Record for being the youngest author of a bestselling book series.

The novel Eragon follows the titular character, a poor, 15-year-old farmboy who finds a mysterious blue stone in the mountains. The stone ends up being a dragon egg, which hatches and marks Eragon with a silver mark, bonding with him. Eragon names the dragon Saphira, and following a tragedy, the two are thrust into a magical world where they're being pursued by the evil King Galbatorix. Guided by the old storyteller Brom, Eragon learns the ways of the dragon riders. Pairing up with new allies, Eragon and Saphira travel across the land of Alagaësia to join a rebel group determined to overthrow King Galbatorix and restore peace from his tyrannical rule.

The Inheritance Cycle is comprised of several books with the main four in the series being Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, and Inheritance.

Eragon, the other titles in The Inheritance Cycle, as well as other works by Paolini, are out now and available wherever books are sold.

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Related: Best-Selling 2023 Romantasy Hit Is Still Ranked a ‘Most Read Book of the Year,’ According to Goodreads

There’s a phrase you’ve probably heard (and even said) many times: “Marriage isn’t easy.” It’s common because, well, it’s true. Staying committed to someone through many thick and thin moments, hard decisions and sacrifices is far from what we’d put on an “easy” list. 

Asking certain questions before marriage can help you avoid some of those obstacles, but it’s not a one-stop fix. Spouses can disagree and fight—and even need marriage counseling or divorce—for many reasons and at various points in their marriage. In other words, if you’ve been married a long time and you’re having problems—new or old—you’re not alone. Some of those predicaments are bigger issues than others and lead to more serious consequences. 

When you think of obvious marriage killers or reasons for divorce (though it depends on the couple, of course), you might think of cheating, constant bickering or even “empty nest syndrome” (especially if you’re over 50 years old). The #1 silent killer, according to experts, isn’t any of those, believe it or not. 

Ahead, three psychologists share what quietly ruins marriages, hidden warning signs of an unhappy marriage, other subtle marriage killers, how to reconnect with your partner and how to protect your marriage long-term.

Related: Psychologists Warn: These 7 Defensive Phrases Are Red Flags in a Relationship

What Is the #1 Silent Killer of Long-Term Marriages? 3 Psychologists Agree

The main silent killer of long-term marriages is… not talking about problems, whether they're within yourself or your partnership. Simply put, it harms both you and the relationship.

“If you choose to hide those issues, then the issues get worse,” says Dr. Golee Abrishami, PhD, a psychologist and the VP of clinical care at Octave. “Just the psychological weight of carrying an issue can add shame, and that shame can drag you and your marriage down.” 

She’s seen unresolved arguments, unaddressed trauma and family conflict all chip away at a marriage.

Avoiding difficult conversations can “surface as sarcasm, irritability, annoyance or loss of affection,” according to Dr. Amy Rice, PhD, a licensed psychologist and co-founder of Golden Gate Counseling Services. She specializes in marriage, depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationships and other mental health concerns. 

Specific examples of unaddressed problems may include not discussing your sex life and financial decisions, according to Dr. Nicole Prause, PhD, a licensed psychologist who’s publishing research in human sexuality and couples.

Regarding sex, she explains that if one partner in a monogamous relationship loses interest in sex, the couple may not address it out of fear of embarrassment or belief that nothing can be done—and that causes further problems.

“This leaves a sexual partner feeling unhappy and, often, feeling unloved,” she explains. 

Financial secrets can also cause bigger and bigger problems.

“At a small scale, like not admitting to an expensive coffee on Fridays, these are reasonable secrets,” she clarifies. “Unfortunately, these are often held until the debt has reached a scale that it interferes with the ability to cover necessities.” That creates more strain and stress for the spouses.

To be fair, there are plenty of understandable reasons why you might not want to bring up those concerns. Dr. Abrishami lists some, such as getting used to your problems, normalizing negative things and simply being resistant to the conversation. With that said, there are real (and sometimes surprising) benefits to facing challenges head-on. 

“When you let people see what you’re carrying, they often lend a helping hand,” she states. “In couples therapy, I have seen breakthroughs for one partner’s understanding when the other shares something they’ve been managing alone.”

Related: Married for 10 Years? Experts Say This Anniversary Matters Most for Retirement Planning

7 Hidden Warning Signs of an Unhappy Marriage

Other signs of an unhappy marriage certainly exist, too, psychologists say. But before we jump in, let’s be clear: “The warning signs are less about them happening, as these can all happen in relationships,” Dr. Rice states. “[They’re] more about whether the couple can talk openly and kindly about what’s happening and what may have changed.”

So again, they tie into talking about problems that (inevitably) arise.

1. Not fighting

It might be surprising, but it’s true. Regarding her work with couples, Dr. Abrishami says this is “not the brag they think it is.” She explains that avoidance or a lack of engagement can lead to not fighting—and it can contribute to resentment, too.

2. Unspoken resentment

On that note, resentment is both a cause and an effect of an unhappy marriage. 

“It’s hard to respect someone you resent,” Dr. Abrishami says. “You may blame your partner for the outcomes of your life and feel like you had little to no say in how your life ended up.”

3. Constant disagreement

While not fighting isn’t a great sign, neither is a lot of fighting.

“Constant fighting is not a sign of passion,” Dr. Abrishami states. “In a marriage, constant fighting means that you lack perspective for what your partner values… That kind of unconditional love is not fairytale magic; it comes from hard work, awareness and communication.” 

4. Sharing less and less with your partner

It’s OK to not share everything with your partner, but if it turns into lying or not talking much at all, you could be looking at a relationship red flag.

“Every person is entitled to privacy and secret thoughts, but deception and lack of communication tend to compound,” Dr. Prause says.

5. A silent lack of sex

A lack of sex isn’t inherently problematic, but it might invite further conversation.

“A lack of sex can be healthy when discussed and agreed on, but a silent absence of sex where you are not sure what is happening is a good indicator of unhappiness,” Dr. Prause shares.

Dr. Rice agrees, saying indifference and disinterest in physical affection and intimacy are worth paying attention to.

6. No meaningful experiences or quality time

Typically, partners will want to share novel, exciting experiences with each other.

“If you have absolutely none of these, it may be difficult to maintain a feeling of closeness,” Dr. Prause says.

7. The “four horsemen”

Dr. John Gottman, a well-known psychologist and researcher who founded The Gottman Institute with his wife, identified four communication styles that are likely predictors of divorce. Referred to as the “four horsemen,” they include criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling.

This can show up as sarcasm or eye-rolling, Dr. Rice says, just to name a couple of examples. She considers them “important warning signs to pay attention to.”

Related: How to Spice up Your Marriage in 2026, a Relationship Expert Reveals

5 Other Issues That Can Hurt Long-Term Marriages

It’s important to know other relationship concerns that can hurt marriages so you can be proactive about them. Psychologists share five examples.

1. Being too busy

Have you been spending less time with your spouse? Or when you spend time together, is it less meaningful and focused? Take a minute to pause.

“After a lot of time, that lack of intentionality decreases connection until your connection becomes a memory instead of a happy marriage,” Dr. Abrishami says. “You might think that if you’re busy for the right reasons, you and your marriage will be OK. But what I've seen with clients is that the reason that you’re busy doesn’t make a difference.”

2. Constantly threatening to leave the marriage

While spouses may need to discuss ending the relationship, the frequency is the concern here, according to Dr. Prause. 

“We strongly encourage couples to avoid ever raising dissolution during arguments, because it is harmful to the longevity of the relationship,” she says. “Unless you are in a calm mind and planning to exit, try to avoid using relationship dissolution as a threat during disagreements.”

3. Emotionally disengaging from the relationship

Emotional neglect in marriage is real. It can look like not attending to your partner's feelings or even not sharing the “good” with them. It’s important to share your achievements and seek comfort in your partner, Dr. Rice says.

“When you and your partner are repeatedly turning away from each other, loneliness starts to grow inside the marriage,” she explains.

4. Fear of rejection

This issue can go hand-in-hand with not discussing concerns. Both require vulnerability—something that’s simultaneously scary and worth it.

“Moments of vulnerability are opportunities to connect and strengthen your bond,” Dr. Abrishami explains. “When you’re afraid of being judged or seen differently, that fear of rejection can eject the emotional depth from your relationship. Without depth, your marriage can become shallow and eventually surface-level.”

5. Resentment

Again, resentment can both lead to and be a sign of an unhappy marriage. It’s “a big one,” too, Dr. Rice says, because it often hides behind routines. 

“You and your partner might not even recognize how much it’s built up and the distance it’s created,” she adds.

Related: If You’ve Said Any of These 14 Phrases, You Probably Have a Fear of Abandonment, Psychologists Explain

How To Reconnect and Protect Your Marriage Long-Term

Need some hope and advice after all that? Wondering how to fix a marriage or prevent problems in one? Consider the following tips from psychologists.

Spend intentional time together

Keep the spark alive with consistent dates (they don’t have to be expensive or super long!) and a relationship reset. Pay attention to each other and show affection. 

“Couples can benefit from rebuilding small, consistent points of contact,” Dr. Rice says. “That could start with a ten-minute conversation without distractions, a hug at the end of the day or making time for regular affection, like a good morning kiss, holding hands on a walk or just sitting closely while watching a show together.”

Attend couples therapy

According to Dr. Abrishami, “Everything we talked about today can be addressed in therapy.” In fact, she’s seen it happen, and successfully. 

“In couples therapy, I've seen breakthroughs and repairs to broken bonds,” she recalls. “It’s never too late to start couples therapy, but most people express regret for not starting therapy sooner.”

She explains a skilled therapist can help you cut through the things that blurred your marriage so you can see your partner more clearly and reignite your love for each other.

Have the hard conversations

We would be remiss to not include this tip, especially given that avoiding it is a major silent killer of long-term marriages. 

Dr. Prause adds that working through problems as they arise can lead to fewer, big, “we need to talk” conversations. Then, she shares other tips—and a bit of hope.

“Ensure conversations are honest and non-blaming,” she says. “You might identify what you miss and how you can find your way back to each other.”

Up Next:

Related: If Your Partner Suddenly Stops Caring About These 6 Things, Your Relationship Might Be in Trouble

Sources

• Dr. Golee Abrishami, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and the VP of Clinical Care at Octave.
• Dr. Amy Rice, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and co-founder of Golden Gate Counseling Services. She specializes in marriage, depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationships and other mental health concerns.
• Dr. Nicole Prause, PhD, is a licensed psychologist who’s publishing research in human sexuality and couples.
• The Four Horsemen: Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling, The Gottman Institute

Some songs don’t just top the charts; they become part of music history.

That couldn’t be truer for “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.

Released in 1982, it quickly became one of the most recognizable rock anthems of all time.

With gritty guitar riffs and a chant-like chorus, it was an instant success, shooting to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it spent a total of seven consecutive weeks.

The chart longevity made it one of the biggest hits of the year, as fans connected with its raw energy and rebellious spirit, which also cemented Joan Jett as a rock icon. 

However, the song wasn’t an original, as it was first written and recorded in 1975 by the British Band, The Arrows. 

Jett, then a member of The Runaways, saw the Arrows perform “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” on a U.K. television program. Inspired by the song, she recorded a version in 1979 with Steve Jones and Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols, later returning to the studio with the Blackhearts to record the 1981 rendition that would become a worldwide smash, dominating airwaves around the globe for decades to come. 

In fact, Jett’s version became so iconic that many people didn’t even realize it was a cover. 

Over the decades, “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” has been covered dozens of times by artists across genres. 

While Jett’s version remains the most iconic, pop superstar Britney Spears later added her own twist with a 2001 cover that sparked plenty of debate among rock fans.

Serving as the fourth single from her third self-titled studio album, it introduced the tune to a brand-new generation, though it did not top the charts in the U.S., peaking at No. 13 in the UK Singles Chart.

Spears’ version was even featured in her 2002 film, “Crossroads,” during a karaoke scene, which was fitting, considering Jett's hit has been in heavy rotation in karaoke bars all over the world, largely due to its immortal line, "I love rock and roll, so put another dime in the juke box, baby."

Many other artists have covered the song over the years, including Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton's live version during Cyrus's New Year's Eve Party special in 2023 and Weird AlYankovic's 1982 parody, "I Love Rocky Road."

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts recently announced a series of headlining shows in the U.K, marking the first UK headline tour in 16 years for the rockers.

And they delighted the crowd by performing the hit track during their most recent appearance at the America250PA Commonwealth concert series, proving its staying power—both on the charts and beyond. 

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More than 40 years later, it remains a beloved singalong anthem and a concert favorite, emphasizing the timeless appeal of a no-frills rock classic.

The sound of Duane Eddy's guitar on the radio helped spark a career that left a permanent mark on '70s rock.

Wally Bryson turns 77 on July 18, marking another birthday for the guitarist whose playing gave the Raspberries their tougher rock edge. His power chords and musical instincts became an essential part of the band's sound, and with moments like his explosive opening riff on their biggest hit, he helped propel the band towards success.

Born Wallace Carter Bryson in Gastonia, North Carolina, he moved to the Cleveland area with his family when he was four. His passion for music sparked not long after, as a moment with his mother changed the trajectory of his future forever.

"I listened to early 1950's radio and after hearing Duane Eddy, asked my mother what that sound was, and she told me it was electric guitar," he recalled. "So, I got a four-string ukulele at age eight and got my first electric guitar at age 12."

By his mid-teens, Bryson was already playing in the Mods, the Cleveland group that later became the Choir. The band built a strong local following and scored a national hit with "It's Cold Outside," giving Bryson valuable experience before he joined the Raspberries at the start of the 1970s.

The group released its self-titled debut in 1972, and "Go All the Way" climbed to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its opening power chords remain Bryson's most recognizable contribution. He later said he had helped create the now-famous intro and believed he deserved a songwriting credit, an issue that became one source of tension within the band.

Bryson also wrote and sang lead on some of the Raspberries' material, giving the group another voice alongside Eric Carmen. The band released four albums in a remarkably short period before breaking up in 1975, but its music helped shape many of the power-pop bands that followed.

Afterward, Bryson helped form Fotomaker with former Rascals members Gene Cornish and Dino Danelli. He later continued performing around Cleveland and recorded with his son, Jesse, as the Bryson Group. Away from the stage, Bryson also worked as a job coach for people with developmental disabilities in Cuyahoga County.

The original Raspberries reunited in 2004, more than three decades after their first run, and went on to play a series of well-received shows through 2009. The reunion also produced live releases that allowed Bryson's guitar work to reach listeners who never had the chance to see the band during the 1970s.

Bryson has remained connected to Cleveland's rock community. In 2024, he became a contributor to the local "Drop the Needle" series, sharing the records that influenced him and recalling his musical connection to guitarists including Pete Townshend.

Now, more than six decades after beginning his career, Bryson celebrates his 77th birthday with the knowledge that his work has inspired guitarists in the same way Duane Eddy inspired him.

Related: '70s Rock Legend, Nicknamed 'The Wild Man,' Turns 78

When the upcoming Excel-class Carnival Festivale officially debuts in 2027, it’s hitting the high seas with music built right into its core. Across the entire ship, Carnival is introducing a lineup of brand-new, totally next-level bar and lounge concepts that bring together live sound, responsive lighting, and interactive technology. The goal? Giving guests a chance to completely find their own rhythm rather than just sitting back and watching a performance.

But what's driving the design behind these new spaces isn't just a desire for fresh decor. According to Zach Sulkes, Carnival’s Assistant Vice President of Beverage Operations, it’s a direct response to a massive shift in how we are vacationing—specifically, the explosive boom in premium, non-alcoholic drinks.

"One of the big changes we've seen that is also very apparent in the domestic US market is people are drinking less alcoholic spirits," Sulkes explained during The Next Course panel. "People are definitely moderating what they drink. Our water consumption is through the roof, our coffee is 100% coffee is through the roof. Energy drinks are through the roof and non-alcoholic cocktails are also through the roof too."

While Carnival's traditional alcohol sales are still growing at a healthy 10% clip on vacation, their non-alcoholic beverage category has officially grown by 15%. To capitalize on that trend, the cruise line recently rolled out its standalone "Cheers! Zero Proof" unlimited daily beverage package fleetwide.

"About six to eight months ago, we started looking at the trends that are happening again in the non-alcoholic space and came up with another one called Cheers Zero Proof," Sulkes noted. "Much lower price point, obviously, because it doesn't include anything alcoholic. It's been hugely successful."

On the Carnival Festivale, that balanced approach is built directly into the experience—introducing hyper-creative venues that celebrate premium mixology and elevated non-alcoholic options side-by-side.

Related: Carnival Announces a Massive Overhaul to Onboard Dining—Here’s What’s Changing

Music-Infused Mixology at Studio 724 Studio 724 on Carnival Festivale

Carnival

The absolute heart of the ship's new nightlife will live inside Studio 724, a two-deck entertainment zone that serves as a first-of-its-kind celebration of the music-making process. Spanning across Decks 6 and 7, this high-energy hub uses interactive technology, synchronized lighting, and animations that actually respond to sound in real time. It’s designed to capture the raw energy of mixing, recording, and listening to music, meaning guests don't just watch the fun—they literally become part of the experience.

Nestled right inside this vibrant neighborhood are two brand-new bar concepts designed to merge live audio with craft drinks:

First up is Mix Bar, a creative, DJ-studio-inspired venue featuring a turntable-themed bar counter. Here, guests can order signature music-themed libations like the "Synth" and the "Hi-Fi," or play producer by interactively choosing different flavor "tracks" to layer together into a custom cocktail.

Seating and bar area at Mix

Carnival

Just down the way is The Spark, a vibrant live-music lounge designed to capture the creative energy of a songwriter's studio. The venue features cocktails inspired by iconic songs, nightly live music performances and a setting that celebrates the creative spaces where musicians and songwriters gather.

Carnival

Sulkes highlighted that creating these custom menus is one of the most rewarding aspects of a new ship build:

"When we get to develop something new… I get to create new cocktails for [these venues]… it's those types of things where you get to really key into what's the flavor profile [and] how can I then accentuate that from a drink perspective."

Related: Carnival Completely Transforms One of Its Best Private Ports Into a Luxury Resort

Coffee by Day, Martinis by Night A first look at Festival Grounds Coffee & Bar, Carnival’s new "Up Hour" dual-concept venue.

Carnival Cruise Line

Because cruise ship real estate is always at a premium, Carnival is also leaning heavily into hybrid spaces that change identities depending on the time of day.

On Deck 8's promenade, the line is introducing Festival Grounds Coffee & Bar. Throughout the morning and afternoon, the space operates as a bustling artisan espresso cafe to handle the ship's heavy coffee demand. But right around 3:00 PM, the venue completely flips its lighting and layout, transforming into a sophisticated, upscale cocktail and martini lounge for the pre-dinner crowd.

"We've realized... the growth in [non-alcoholic drinks] and definitely coffee has been really real," Sulkes shared. "So we need more spaces to sell coffee... it's a coffee bar in the morning and the afternoon, and then it flips, and about three o'clock it turns into a cocktail bar... It really is leading into how do you repurpose [a space]."

Related: Carnival's Next Ship is Getting a First-of-Its-Kind Coffee Hub That Completely Transforms at 3 P.M.

Custom Slushies and Sunset Views at Sunsation Point

The zero-proof strategy takes center stage up on the top decks inside Sunsation Point, the ship's new open-air family waterpark district. The zone features Sunsation Sips, a venue built around a wall of commercial slushie machines turning out frozen piña coladas, daiquiris, and margaritas. To make the space entirely family-friendly, every single frozen machine is 100% non-alcoholic by default, giving kids a fun place to grab a drink. However, parents looking for an actual cocktail can simply request premium "floaters" of high-end liquor over the top of the frozen base.

For adults looking to enjoy a drink with a view on the upper decks, the cruise line is also debuting the Scenic Overlook Bar on Deck 17. Positioned right at the back of the ship, the open-air venue is designed to be the ultimate escape for traditional sail-away toasts.

"It's called the Scenic Overlook, but I look at it as the Sail Away Bar," Sulkes told the audience at The Next Course panel discussion. "[Located] on the very back of the ship, you're sitting here sailing away… seeing the waves, [and] beautiful sunset[s]… I think it's just a great space."

More Room for a Fan Favorite

While the new concepts are taking center stage, Carnival is using the ship's expanded footprint to fix a long-standing logistical headache for repeat cruisers. The line’s signature vintage-themed Alchemy Bar is famously the most popular bar on any ship by a mile—meaning it is routinely slammed with crowds.

On the Festivale, the design team is finally moving Alchemy Bar out of the tight walkway corners. By relocating it into a significantly larger, open atrium-side space on a completely different deck, they are connecting it directly to an expansive lounge area with plenty of extra seating to ease the nightly traffic jam.

Between the introduction of interactive music bars, flexible day-to-night cafes, and smarter family zones, the new lineup on Carnival Festivale proves that big-ship bar menus are officially evolving to match the tastes of a much more mindful generation of travelers.

Related: Carnival Brings Back Iconic 'Destiny' Name for New 8,000-Passenger 'Jumbo' Mega-Ship

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If your house plants have been thriving but their planters need a little upgrade, consider this your sign to make that jump. Refreshing your space for summer, both indoor and out, doesn't always have to be a full overhaul. Sometimes it's the small changes that really add more flare and personality. For example, upgrading your planters and pots can bring a fun decor element to your shelves and windowsills. 

If you’ve been looking for planters that radiate personality, we've got you covered. Instead of sticking with basic neutral pots, these adorable Walmart planters lean into playful designs that really bring summer trends to life. They're all $10 or less, so scroll on to check them out below.

Mainstays Ceramic Lemon Planter, From $7 at Walmart

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Perk up your plant shelf or windowsill with this summer-ready lemon-accented little planter. At just $5, it adds just the right amount of charm to your home, and would pop out so nicely amongst a sea of green leaves. If lemons aren't your thing, the same item is available in adorable cherry, bow, and bee patterns, all of which are equally sweet-looking. 

Mainstays Ceramic Coral Peony Mushroom Planter, $8 at Walmart

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Mushrooms have become a staple of cottagecore decor, from cozy comforters to little end table lamps, and this planter adds just the right amount of enchantment to your home. Both durable and compact, this planter can be used both indoors and outdoors. As one reviewer wrote, “The pot is super cute and sturdy. It’s a little weighted as it’s made out of stone and not cheap plastic. There's even a hole with a plug for drainage.” 

Mainstays Lennon Black Checkered Ceramic Planter, From $10 at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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The striking black and white checkerboard design on this planter brings a bold sort of playfulness to your plantscape. It's modern, graphic, and crisp, with a high gloss shine that'll make it stand out amongst all your other little pots. Measuring just 6 inches, it can support house plants without overwhelming your space. 

Mainstays Ceramic Cowboy Hat Planter, From $8 at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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If you want to add a bit of country into your home without going too overboard, we're so into this sweet little cowboy hat planter, which is actually available in two sizes: 6 inches and 10 inches. They are blessedly still both in stock, and a real bargain, priced at $8 and $12 respectively. 

Related: Walmart's Modern Farmhouse Nightstand Set Adds 'Lots of Storage' to Any Space

At the end of the day, the smallest changes can totally pull an indoor or outdoor space together. These under-$10 ceramic planters from Walmart are proof. Your home is your oasis — both you and your plants deserve it! 

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By 1983, Journey was one of the biggest bands in America, two years past the album that turned them into arena-rock royalty.

That fame landed the group somewhere unusual. It put them inside an arcade cabinet, as the digitized, playable stars of their own coin-op game.

The game, released by Bally Midway in 1983, stuck black and white photos of the members' real faces onto cartoon bodies. Steve Perry, Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith had each had an instrument stolen and scattered across different planets. Players had to guide each one through a separate mini-game to win it back. Perry crossed a maze of swinging gates to grab his microphone. Schon chased down his guitar. Cain went after his keyboard.

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A Concert Guarded by the Manager

Once all five instruments were recovered, the band boarded a spacecraft called the Scarab and headed to a show at the Galactic Stadium. There the game handed players its oddest job. You controlled the group's real manager, Herbie Herbert, who had to block fans from storming the stage and swiping the instruments all over again. Let them through, and the whole quest reset, harder.

A Real Cassette Inside the Machine

Most cabinets of the era made their sound with cheap synth chips. This one had an actual cassette deck bolted inside. During the concert round it played a looped recording of Journey's "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)," real studio audio pulled straight from tape while players fought off the crowd.

The game rolled out as the band toured the country at its commercial peak, a quarter-eater for fans between concerts. It never ranked with the era's best arcade titles, but four decades later the cabinet is a collector's item, and the album that made the band famous enough to star in it just turned 45.

Related: '90s Punk Rock Band Reunites With Iconic 1999 Arcade Classic as It Makes Long-Awaited Return

The best-selling author behind the memoir Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert, turns 57 today.

The “Queen of Self-Discovery” became a household name thanks to her 2006 memoir, which would go on to become a 2010 movie starring Julia Roberts. Gilbert wasn’t afraid to share how she figured out life after divorce by traveling the world. She visited three distinct places — Italy to eat, India to pray, and Bali to love — and her memoir spent a whopping 200 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.

However, this queen didn’t just show us how she did it. She helped to create a cultural movement, as more women, in particular, looked at traveling the world and focused more on self-care. Of course, the adaptation of the memoir into the 2010 movie helped, but the book started it all, and women haven’t slowed down.

Something that many people may not realize is that Eat, Pray, Love wasn’t the first movie based on something in her life. Gilbert was an award-winning journalist in the 1990s, and while working in New York, she also worked at a bar on the Lower East Side. Her experiences bartending would become the basis for Coyote Ugly, the 2000 movie starring Piper Perbero.

Now, she continues to encourage women to do more and experience life. She even encourages people to rethink the bias around geniuses thanks to her 2009 TED Talk, Your Elusive Creative Genius. It is still one of the most-watched TED Talks of all time, and she continues to speak out about misconceptions and living more courageously.

You won’t just find her in the nonfiction section of the bookstore, either. Gilbert has crafted a corner for herself in fiction with bestsellers The Signature of All Things and City of Girls, where she creates vivid and beautiful worlds to explore.

With all this, she continues to share darker sides of her life, things that she’s struggled with over the years. In 2025, Gilbert released another memoir, titled All the Way to the River: Love, Loss, Liberation. It’s the most raw she has become with her readers, chronicling loss, grief, and addiction, as she shared her hard-fought path to sobriety.

When discussing her latest memoir, she shared that “It’s a lot less nerve-wracking to put the book out into the world than it was to live the story, and then, to write the story. Those were the hard parts.”

Gilbert continues to be a voice for healthy change, courage, and compassion.

It’s been 40 years since The Smithereens released the breakout hit “Blood and Roses.”

Written by lead singer Pat DiNizio, the song from the New Jersey-based band’s debut album, Especially for You, featured a moody, distorted guitar riff and haunting lyrics inspired by loss. It remains an enduring rock classic decades later.

“Blood and Roses” went to No. 14 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in October 1986, but by that time DiNizio had already shed a tear over it.

In a 2015 interview with Forbes, the singer, who died in 2017, admitted he became overcome with emotion the first time he heard the song on the radio.

“It’s an unusual minor-key song that somehow manages to sound uplifting even though it’s got a dark lyric,” he shared. “It was also the first song of ours that I heard on the radio, and that brought a tear to my eye.”

DiNizio recalled that he was at his apartment in New York City when he heard his band's song play on New York radio station WNEW-FM.

“It was [DJ] Scott Muni, and he said, ‘Here are some local heroes and a song rapidly becoming a hit - The Smithereens with Blood And Roses,’” the late Smithereens frontman continued. “You could have knocked me down with a feather duster. I was in shock and just stood there in awe, starting to weep because you work so long for something. To hear the fruits of our labor being played on at the time the nation’s No. 1 radio station was not lost on me. It had a tremendous impact.”

The singer noted that the song soon became a national hit after WNEW brought attention to it.

DiNizio once revealed that the idea for “Blood and Roses” was sparked as he walked home from work on a cold, rainy night.

"I was walking home from my job as soundman at NYC's legendary Folk City nightclub through the freezing rain at about four in the morning when the bass line came to me. The chords and melody came later, built around the bass part,” he shared in the book Best of The Smithereens (Guitar Recorded Versions).

 He also recalled the band’s long road to commercial success after first forming in 1980.

“I don’t think [the fans] are aware of it,” DiNizio once told Pop Entertainment. “I think they get the sense that a band just comes out of nowhere.  You get together and six months later you have a record deal and you’re on the radio.  They don’t really know what goes into it.  You can’t expect them to.”

“In retrospect, looking back at the release of the first album, ‘Blood and Roses’ became a hit within the course of a month or two when it was originally released around April of 1986. It continued to grow,” he shared. “We toured all summer, relentlessly.  It wasn’t until, I would say, the middle of September that year that we achieved a career first – our very first sold-out show. That was the Roxy in Hollywood. You come out with an album, and you’ve had no success whatsoever for the better part of five or six years.  All of the sudden it’s a hit.  And people just think, ‘well, yeah, they’re new…’” 

RELATED: 1986 One-Hit Wonder Was Hated for Not Being ‘Rock n’ Roll-Even Though the Video Starred a Heavy Metal God

Smithereens bandmate Dennis Diken also credited MTV for helping to fuel the song, which came a surprise.

“When you first saw us in 86 thereabouts, and ‘Blood and Roses’ was firing on all cylinders, all the different radio stations and MTV, nobody was more surprised than we were,” Diken told Baltimore Positive in an interview. “Because we were not a hair band, or we were not glamour boys. But I think the music just…resonated with people."

“We stuck to our guns, and it took us a while to get a deal. And ‘Blood and Roses' was not our first choice as a single by any stretch of the imagination,” The Smithereens drummer added. “But it just had a certain purity and a certain groove to it, that it was, it was the right thing at the right time, and we’re so grateful that people latched on to it.”

Four decades after the debut of “Blood and Roses,” the song remains a staple on The Smithereens set list. The legendary band continues to tour with guest vocalists and currently has dates scheduled through November 2026.

Related: 1989 Hit Ranked Among ‘Greatest Mainstream Rock Songs of All Time’ Was Cut From One of the Most Iconic Movie Scenes Ever

Long before he became known for films like The Amityville Horror and Westworld, or as the husband of Barbra Streisand and father of actor Josh Brolin, James Brolin became one of television's biggest stars thanks to Marcus Welby, M.D. Now, the Emmy-winning actor is celebrating his 86th birthday on July 18.

Brolin joined the groundbreaking ABC medical drama in 1969 as young physician Dr. Steven Kiley, starring opposite Robert Young for all eight seasons of the series. The role transformed his career almost overnight. After years of guest appearances on shows like Batman, The Virginian and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Marcus Welby, M.D. made him a household name and launched him into leading-man status throughout the 1970s.

Related: Last Surviving Headliner of Legendary Rock Tour Turns 87

The success came quickly. Brolin won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the show's pilot and went on to earn three additional Emmy nominations for the role. He also received three consecutive Golden Globe nominations, winning twice between 1971 and 1973.

Looking back more than 50 years later, Brolin admitted the recognition still feels surreal.

"I was nominated and won for the pilot of Marcus Welby, M.D., which was so exciting," he told Emmy magazine in 2022. "Nobody had ever heard of me, and here I was being nominated for a pilot! It was a doubly thrilling night."

Related: Last Surviving Original Member of Legendary ’70s Rock Band Turns 82

Even after taking home television's highest honor, he said he remained his own toughest critic.

"I don't even know if I had much to say when I won. It certainly wasn't an earth-moving speech. But I'm my own worst critic," admitted Brolin.

The momentum from Marcus Welby opened the door to a string of memorable film roles, including Skyjacked, Westworld, Capricorn One and The Amityville Horror, before Brolin returned to television to headline the hit ABC drama Hotel in the 1980s.

Related: Hollywood Legend Turns 80 After Hitting a Career Milestone Few Actors Ever Will

Over the decades, he's continued working steadily in projects ranging from The West Wing and Life in Pieces to narrating Netflix's Sweet Tooth and most recently appearing in Netflix's Ransom Canyon.

Despite more than six decades in Hollywood, Brolin says the excitement of stepping onto a new set has never faded.

"I'm not really good at doing the same show over and over again," he said. "There's nothing better to me than getting a plane ticket somewhere and going to work with people you've never met before, weaving it all together and hoping it turns out."

Related: ‘Queen of Motown’ Turns 85

Asked what has kept him going for so long, his answer was simple.

"Every day working on set has been the best day of my life, except for my wedding and the birth of my children. I just love working in this business," said the actor.

Today, Brolin is the last surviving main cast member of Marcus Welby, M.D., a landmark television series that helped define medical dramas for a generation and launched one of Hollywood's most enduring careers.

Related: 1969 Classic Just Named the Greatest Movie Soundtrack of All Time

Soap operas are known for dramatic twists, emotional confrontations and shocking revelations. But sometimes the moments fans remember most are the ones that were never part of the script.

A scene from the early 2000s soap opera Port Charles has recently resurfaced online, with viewers rediscovering a hilarious on-set mishap involving Rafe Kovich and Alison Barrington that transformed an otherwise serious moment into an unforgettable blooper.

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In the scene, Rafe (played by Brian Gaskill) and Alison (played by Erin Hershey Presley) are leaving a room when things take an unexpected turn. As the characters exit through the doorway, Gaskill accidentally hits his head on the doorframe.

Rather than stopping the scene, the actors continue on, and the unexpected moment somehow makes the exchange even funnier.

"I had to watch it twice to catch it," one TikTok user commented.

"IT WAS SO LOUD TOO!!!" another commenter said of the loud thud caused by Gaskill's head colliding with the door frame.

"First watch you hear it, second watch you see it," another chimed in.

"I haven’t laughed that hard in a while," another said. "Thank you so much, I really needed that."

Originally airing from 1997 to 2003, Port Charles was a spinoff of General Hospital that followed the lives, romances and mysteries surrounding the residents of Port Charles, New York. The series developed a devoted audience during its run, especially for its supernatural storylines and dramatic character arcs.

While the show delivered plenty of intense moments over the years, this accidental bit of comedy has become one of the scenes fans enjoy revisiting decades later.

The resurfaced clip is also a reminder of why soap opera bloopers remain so entertaining. From forgotten lines to unexpected accidents, these unscripted moments offer viewers a rare glimpse of the performers behind some of television's most dramatic characters.

And in this case, one small collision with a doorframe created a scene fans are still laughing about years later.

Costco has officially rolled out a new chicken tenders meal at food courts nationwide, following a limited test run in select markets that began back in May, according to USA Today. The $6.99 basket comes with five tenders and a generous side of dipping sauce, and according to videos circulating online, the meal clocks in at a hefty 1,640 calories.

It's not the first time Costco's food court has drawn attention for oversized portions. The warehouse chain has long been known for its generous pizza slices and famously unchanged $1.50 hot dog and soda combo, and the new tenders appear to be following that same playbook. Instagram influencer Costcoguide said the portion size is massive, joking that the tenders are practically the size of her own head.

But it's the accompanying dipping sauce that's generated the most buzz. Costcoguide compared the flavor to Chick-fil-A's honey barbecue sauce, while another influencer who posts under the handle Photogami tried the sauce himself and offered his own take on what's in it, guessing it's a mix of Chick-fil-A's honey mustard and their signature sauce, in a rough three-to-one ratio.

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Reactions across both influencers' posts have been anything but unanimous. Some commenters said they were eager to try the tenders for themselves, while others seemed skeptical from the jump, with a few admitting they were surprised to find themselves tempted by a Costco food court item at all.

Once people actually got their hands on the tenders, opinions became even more divided. Several praised them outright, and one commenter guessed Costco may be targeting shoppers looking for a protein-heavy, gym-friendly meal, eventually admitting the tenders "looked yummy" despite their initial skepticism.

Others were considerably less enthusiastic. Multiple people described the tenders as dry and overly salty, and one reviewer said the batch was inconsistent, noting that the first tender tasted great, while the rest came out stringy or oddly dense.

Before she became one of Hollywood's most beloved actresses, Kristen Bellthought she had her future mapped out. She would move to Los Angeles, land the lead role on a television series, and finally feel like she had made it. Instead, she discovered something far more meaningful. She realized that achieving your dream doesn't necessarily bring happiness. Bell discovered that happiness is more about finding your people.

Born on July 18, 1980, in Huntington Woods, Michigan, Bell studied musical theater at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. While she was in college she made her Broadway debut as as Becky Thatcher in the musical The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Her breakthrough came in 2004 when she landed the title role in Veronica Mars. From there, she went on to star in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, The Good Place, Frozen, and, most recently, the Netflix hit Nobody Wants This, earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations along the way.

What has made Bell such an enduring favorite isn't just her talent. It is her candor. Whether she's talking about marriage, parenting, mental health, or the unexpected lessons she's learned along the way, she focuses on being honest. She and her husband, actor Dax Shepard, have been married since 2013, and Bell is also an entrepreneur and Global Advocate for the UN Women's Peace & Humanitarian Fund. One of the stories she often tells about her own career journey makes her the ideal cchoice for today's Quote of the Day.

Related: Quote of the Day: Philosopher Simone de Beauvoir on Life Gaining Value Through Love, Friendship and Compassion for Others

When Bell moved from New York to Los Angeles, she had one goal: become the lead on a television show. She arrived with what she jokingly describes as "the confidence of an overserved freshman at a frat party," convinced success was just around the corner. Instead, she found herself caught in the endless cycle of auditions and Los Angeles traffic, hearing every possible contradiction from casting directors. She was too young. Too old. Too cute. Too plain. Too smart. Too ditzy. "It was as if Goldilocks were every casting director," she said, "and I just couldn't nail it."

Eventually, she started booking guest spots and co-star roles, but the lead she desperately wanted remained out of reach. She even joked that she would negotiate with the universe every night, promising to reduce her carbon footprint if she could just land a starring role.

Then Bell was cast as Veronica Mars. She finally had everything she had dreamed about. She had a good paycheck, the lead role, and the career she had worked so hard to build.But something unexpected happened.

Despite achieving her biggest professional goal, she wasn't happy. "I had it all," she recalled, "and I was lonelier than I had ever been."

Related: Quote of the Day: Philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau—‘What Wisdom Can You Find That Is Greater Than Kindness?’

Everything changed when her Veronica Mars co-star Ryan Hansen invited her to his birthday party. Looking back, Bell realized he wasn't simply inviting her to celebrate his birthday. He was inviting her into his community, his circle of friends, and ultimately into a life that extended far beyond the television set. Those friendships remain some of her closest relationships today.

In hindsight, Bell realized she hadn't really been searching for a starring role at all. She had been searching for connection.

It's a lesson that feels especially relevant today. We spend so much time chasing the next promotion, the bigger paycheck, or the accomplishment that will finally make us feel successful. But as Bell discovered, those achievements can still leave us feeling empty if we don't have meaningful relationships to share them with.

Quote of the day by Kristen Bell

Kristen Bell shared this message during the University of Southern California's 2019 commencement ceremony, where she reflected on the winding path that led her to success and the unexpected lesson she learned after finally achieving her biggest professional dream. Bell encouraged graduated to invest in something even more valuable: the people around them.

"My soul trick to share with you is when you listen—when you really listen to people, when you listen as fiercely as you want to be heard, when you respect the idea that you are sharing the earth with other humans, when you lead with your nice foot forward, you'll win every time."

The advice may seem to be about listening. But it's really about empathy. Truly listening means setting aside your own need to be understood long enough to understand someone else. It means recognizing that everyone you meet is carrying a story you may know nothing about. In a world where so many people are waiting for their turn to speak, Bell reminds us that genuine connection begins when we make another person feel heard.

Related: Quote of the Day: Tim McGraw on Why Kindness Is the Key to Greatness

Deeper Meaning of Kristen Bell’s Quote

Bell's quote also drives home the lesson she learned on the set of Veronica Mars. The starring role she had spent years chasing didn't bring the fulfillment she expected. It was the friendships she found there, the sense of community and belonging, that transformed the experience. That's why her advice to "lead with your nice foot forward" isn't just about being polite. It's about approaching the world with generosity, curiosity, and compassion, knowing that the relationships we build often matter far more than the accomplishments we collect.

It's a powerful reminder that success isn't measured only by what's on a résumé. It's also measured by the lives we touch, the friendships we nurture, and the kindness we extend to others. As Bell discovered, landing your dream job may change your career. Finding your tribe can change your life.

Other quotes from Kristen Bell:

"We live in an age of instant gratification, of immediate likes… it is uncomfortable to have to wait to see the dividends of your kindness…"

"The proudest I am of my children ever is when they admit something and say sorry…"

"There is nothing weak about struggling with mental illness."

Next, Harrison Ford Waited 15 Years for His Big Break—His Advice Still Resonates Today

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The heart motif is having a major comeback — and no, it’s not just for Valentine’s Day. From Victorian-era lockets and charm bracelets to modern-day pendants, heart-shaped jewelry is everywhere again as shoppers embrace Y2K-style accessories that feel romantic, playful, and a little nostalgic. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic or simply have a soft spot for sentimental details, this trend is easy to love.

Ready to give your jewelry collection a little love? Anthropologie has a find that’s almost impossible not to fall for. The Short Crystal Pendant Necklace is now $15, down 69% from its original $48 price tag. With its delicate crystal details and classic heart silhouette, it’s a piece that wears its charm on its sleeve — or rather, around your neck.

Short Crystal Pendant Necklace, $15 (was $48) at Anthropologie

Courtesy of Anthropologie

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With a style that shoppers dubbed “sweet” and “simple,” this necklace captures the charm of vintage-inspired jewelry. The whisper-thin snake chain creates a smooth, almost liquid-like line around the neckline, reflecting light with every movement, while the petite heart-shaped cubic zirconia pendant appears to float right in the center. Made of 14-karat gold-plated brass, the design is shiny without feeling overly flashy, making it feel special for everyday and special occasions alike. 

Measuring 15 inches with an extender and secured with a lobster clasp, it sits right at the collarbone for a classic, barely-there look that layers beautifully or stands out all on its own. Choose from classic clear for a diamond-inspired sparkle, emerald green for a rich pop of color, or sapphire blue for a deeper jewel-toned look.

The best part? “It's the perfect necklace to go with just about anything,” according to Anthropologie shoppers. This necklace's simple silhouette makes it easy to style whether you’re getting dressed for a night out, heading into the office, or just adding a little extra polish to a casual look. 

The clear crystal version pairs with everything from a crisp button-down and jeans to a little black dress, while the emerald and sapphire options bring a colorful twist to neutral sweaters, denim, and everyday basics. Whether you wear it solo for subtle sparkle or layer it with other delicate chains for a full stack, this necklace proves that sometimes the smallest details make the biggest statement.

Jewelry lovers said this “beautiful” and “versatile” piece made a great addition to their rotation. “The heart is small, but not too small,” one shopper wrote, calling it “pretty, dainty, and feminine.”

Related: Anthropologie’s $21 Crystal Halo Necklace Looks 'Much More Beautiful in Person'

Don’t go breaking your own heart by missing this deal. Grab the Short Crystal Pendant Necklace for just $15 at Anthropologie while this 69%-off sparkler lasts!

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Chris Howarth was bitten twice by a rattlesnake while visiting family in Oroville, California, initially mistaking the bite for thorns in his mother's garden. The incident quickly turned serious, requiring 54 rounds of anti-venom across two hospitals after the first facility ran out of its supply and Howarth had to be airlifted to Stanford Hospital for additional treatment.

The ordeal left Howarth with a $1.3 million bill before insurance, according to his wife Jenny, who set up a GoFundMe to help cover the family's remaining costs. The fundraiser, which asks for $12,000, has already raised $10,000. Jenny said her husband is still recovering and is around "80%" of the way back to normal, though lingering fatigue has made day-to-day life difficult. The family has also gone without a paycheck for nearly two months, since Howarth hasn't been able to work since late May.

Since the story broke, readers have flooded the internet with reactions ranging from disbelief to outright anger over the cost of Howarth's care.

One commenter, who claimed familiarity with veterinary pricing, pointed out that anti-venom for animals runs a fraction of the human cost, writing that the "dose amount is exactly the same for a human," and calling the discrepancy "theft big time." The comment racked up hundreds of likes.

Others zeroed in on the $61,000-a-night charge at Stanford Hospital. One reader who said they'd been treated there before called it "terribly overrated" and argued it should be "nowhere near that expensive." Another was more blunt, writing simply that a hospital charging that much is really "a business."

Not every reaction was outraged; some pointed out how common rattlesnakes are in the area, with one local noting they avoid a wood pile near their home during warmer months for that reason. Others were lighter, with one person simply asking what happened to the snake.

Nurse influencer Jen Hamilton is turning her difficult situation into something positive for others.

"I had therapy today, and Shamika does not allow me to stay down," Hamilton explained in a Friday, July 17, Instagram video. "Yes, feel those feelings, but get your ass up...And I got to thinking, what is my routine when something really bad happens? It's to take that thing and turn it into something good."

She continued, "I would not wish what I am going through right now on anybody in the world. But, what I'm finding is so common, is how many women had to leave a bad situation. In my situation—yes, it sucks so hard—I am so very blessed to have been the breadwinner so that I can actually leave."

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Hamilton — who recently announced her split from husband Brian — went on to explain that she wants to raise money to help women who are unable to leave their difficult situations.

She called on her 2 million followers for help coming up with a slogan that she hopes to put on T-shirts to fundraise.

The labor and delivery nurse first announced her separation in a heartbreaking social media update on June 13.

"Day 1: absolutely devastated. Please don’t try to reach out to anybody on my behalf. That would make everything so much worse for me. Please just let me grieve," she captioned a since-deleted video. "My heart is absolutely shattered."

She later confirmed that she and Brian, who share two sons, had called it quits after nearly 15 years together.

"Yes, we are separating. This comes with enormous pain for the both of us but also gratitude for the 15 years of shared history, love, and friendship," the former couple said in a joint statement. "What we are committed to is loving each other well through this transition and placing the wellbeing of the family we created at the center."

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If you’re on the hunt for charming kitchen upgrades that aren’t too tough on your wallet, you’d be surprised by the gems you can find at your local Tractor Supply. Known for its extensive lineup of rural lifestyle essentials, the popular retailer also carries plenty of home and kitchen staples, many of which are designed to be both useful and a stylish addition to your space.

Case in point: the Red Shed Egg Salt and Pepper Shaker. Normally priced at $13, it's now on sale for just $6.49, making it an easy addition to any country cottage-inspired kitchen. Designed to look like a whimsical pair of white eggs tucked inside a beige basket, this novelty shaker set adds a farmhouse touch to the table while doubling as a charming countertop accent when not in use.

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Red Shed Egg Salt and Pepper Shaker, $6.49 at Tractor Supply Red Shed Egg Salt and Pepper Shaker

Tractor Supply

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The best purchases are always the ones that make you happy, and the Red Shed Egg Salt and Pepper Shaker is ready to do just that. Resembling a basket of fresh eggs, this ceramic set brings a playful touch to one of the most commonly used items on the dinner table that’s sure to be a hit with guests. 

When nested together, the set measures roughly 5 inches long, 5 inches wide and 4 inches tall, making it compact enough to tuck away between uses while still substantial enough to not get lost among your table decorations. And thanks to its durable ceramic construction, you can use it daily without worrying about everyday wear and tear shortening each piece's lifespan.

Related: Hobby Lobby's Rustic $2 Table Decor Adds Farmhouse Charm to Every Meal

Egg-shaped salt and pepper shakers out of their carton

Tractor Supply

A Unique Gift for Any Occasion

Where this set really shines, however, is in its strong gift appeal. One shopper, who gave it a 5-star review, said that after seeing it for the first time, they knew they "needed a set for our kitchen.” 

They also noted that its cuteness convinced them to get another set for their daughters' play kitchen, while praising it for being “perfect” for dining tables, kitchens, parties or as a thoughtful gift for any occasion. 

“Great gift for a chicken lover,” another shopper responded, also calling it “adorable” and exclaiming just how much they “love it.”

At $6 a pop, you get one salt shaker, one pepper shaker and one holder, each made from durable ceramic that’s easy to wipe clean between uses. That said, this special price means they’re likely to sell out fast, so be sure to snag a set for yourself or a loved one while the price is still right.

And while we’re on the subject of kitchen finds worth racing to check out, you might also want to take a gander at Tractor Supply’s $60 3-in-1 cast iron combo cooker and $35 12-inch cast iron skillet.

Related: Tractor Supply's 'Comfortable' $40 Find Is the Ultimate Patio Upgrade

Fifty years ago, one of the most unforgettable moments in Olympic history unfolded in Montreal, and it wasn't just because of an extraordinary routine. It was because the technology wasn't prepared for what came next.

On July 18, 1976, 14-year-old Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci became the first athlete ever to receive a perfect 10.0 in Olympic gymnastics competition, forever changing the sport. Her flawless uneven bars routine stunned judges, spectators and television audiences alike, but perhaps the most famous reaction came from the electronic scoreboard itself. Built to display only three digits because no one expected a perfect score, it flashed "1.00" instead of 10.00, leaving the crowd momentarily confused before realizing they had just witnessed history.

Looking back nearly five decades later, Comăneci said she arrived in Montreal with modest expectations. "There was no expectation," she told Olympics.com in 2024. "I knew I was good at what I was doing, but I didn't know how good I was compared to others."

Since every gymnast performed the same compulsory routine, she said what separated her performance was what she now calls the "Nadia touch."

“Everybody had to do the same routine by the book,” said Comaneci. “What does it mean to be better because everybody will do the same thing. Like, what can I add to that? I call it the Nadia touch. I added amplitude to every skill, so it looks like in the book, but I just added a little something. It was my personal touch."

"I didn't even think about the score," she said. "I was more into not making a mistake ... That was the only thing that was in my head."

That first perfect score proved to be only the beginning. By the end of the Montreal Olympics, Comăneci had earned seven perfect 10s, won three gold medals, a silver and a bronze, and became the youngest Olympic all-around champion in gymnastics history, a record that still stands because the sport later raised its minimum age requirement from 14 to 16.

The performance instantly transformed the teenager into one of the biggest stars of the Games. Sports Illustrated described her as "brilliant and beguiling," writing that her "precision and daring have never been seen before in an Olympics." The magazine added that she "so captivated the Games" that fans gladly paid far above face value simply for the chance to watch her compete.

Her longtime coach Béla Károlyi believed her greatness extended beyond remarkable athletic ability. As he explained to Sports Illustrated, Comăneci possessed "the physical qualities—strength, speed, agility. The intellectual qualities—intelligence and the power to concentrate," before adding the trait he valued most: "Nadia has courage."

Comăneci's influence reached far beyond the medals she collected. Her artistry, precision and composure helped spark a worldwide surge in gymnastics' popularity and inspired generations of future champions. Five decades later, she remains one of the most recognizable Olympians in history, and the image of a scoreboard displaying "1.00" instead of 10.00 remains one of sports' most iconic reminders that sometimes greatness exceeds even our expectations.

Related: 1951 Classic, Named the 'Perfect Book,' Published 75 Years Ago Today

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There are at-home lounge pants, and then there are presentable-enough-to-go-outside lounge pants, and every well-rounded wardrobe needs at least one of each. If your closet still needs the latter, Walmart is running a great deal on a pair that’s flowy, lightweight, and comfortable enough for summer. The Wqd Crossover High-Waisted Wide-Leg Lounge Pants are now just $10, down from $25, and they come in black, gray, and navy blue, with sizes ranging from small to 2XL.

The pants feature a high-rise crossover waistband that dips into a V shape at the front, along with wide legs that fall loosely. The fabric is designed to feel lightweight, breathable, stretchy, and soft, with two deep side pockets for your phone, keys, or anything else you want close by.

Wqd Crossover High-Waisted Wide-Leg Lounge Pants, $10 (was $25) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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These pants are versatile enough to put on in the morning and keep wearing long after you’ve left the house to run errands. The loose fit gives your legs more room than leggings, while the crossover waistband adds shape without making them feel uncomfortable. They would be perfect for a coffee run, grocery pickup, a casual lunch, or any other plan where jeans feel like more effort than the day requires. They’d also be cozy enough for a long car ride or flight, making them ideal for travel.

“These yoga pants are soft and comfy,” one reviewer wrote, noting that this was their third pair. Another said, “The material is super soft and feels wonderful,” though they mentioned that the sizing was off. Walmart also lists them as running large, so checking the measurements before ordering may help you avoid an exchange.

Related: Macy’s Breezy $40 Striped Linen-Blend Pants Are 'Cute,' 'Flattering,' and Perfect for Summer

For an easy summer outfit, you could pair these with a fitted tank top, a cropped T-shirt, or a lightweight cami, and add slides or sneakers. And since all three colors are neutrals and simple enough to wear with a variety of hues, getting dressed should be a breeze. The pockets also make them convenient when you’re moving around the house, and the wide legs give them a relaxed feel.

Shop More Deals

• Sunbs Wide-Leg Drawstring Sweatpants, $20 (was $36) at Walmart
• Somer Wide-Leg Lounge Pants, $17 (was $29) at Walmart
• Sunbs Wide-Leg Sweatpants, $18 (was $36) at Walmart

At just $10, you could even pick up a second or third color without spending much more. But deals like this don’t always last long, so be sure to snag a pair of the Wqd Crossover High-Waisted Wide-Leg Lounge Pants while they're still marked down this low at Walmart.

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