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Meal prep storage doesn't have to be boring and unstylish. In fact, you can even make it chic with the right food storage containers. Just take a look at this new set available from none other than Martha Stewart. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or trying to cook more at home, these can help you stay on top of your goals and make the cooking process that much more enjoyable.

Martha Stewart's Broadbrook 6-Piece Stoneware Meal Prep Container Set With Lids is a game changer for meal prep. Available at Target, the set comes with stoneware storage containers in three sizes: six inches, seven inches and 8.5 inches. It also comes with three accompanying plastic lids for each container. The set also features a nesting design that lets the containers stack neatly, saving space on your countertop or in your kitchen cabinets.

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Martha Stewart Broadbrook 6-Piece Stoneware Meal Prep Container Set With Lids, Rectangular, $34.99 at Target

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The sleek cream color coupled with the fluted exterior gives this food storage set an elegant appearance that seriously elevates the look of your meal prep or leftovers. This also helps you have a secure grip when handling the containers. Plus, the outside of the food storage containers has a chic, glossy finish that gives them a slight gleam, making them pretty enough to keep on display if you want to.

Related: Kohl's Bright and Cheery 6-Piece Pyrex Food Storage Set Is Perfect for Leftovers

What's more, these food storage containers are made of durable stoneware, so they're built to last. The stoneware also makes the set super practical, making storing, heating, and cleaning a breeze. Oh, and this set can also double as servingware, making it a super-versatile option for your kitchen.

Caring for this set is easy. They are both dishwasher- and microwave-safe. The lids are dishwasher-safe, so long as you keep them on the top rack only. Do not microwave the containers with the lids on!

You can find Martha Stewart's elevated six-piece food storage set on Target.com. The whole set retails for just $34.99.

Related: Tupperware Is Celebrating Its 80th Birthday With the Most Nostalgic 8-Piece Set Yet

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

Is there any shoe that is more classic than the Mary Jane? OK, the loafer, sure, but the Mary Jane just has this nostalgic feel with its timeless silhouette and dainty strap. The style looked just as good on your feet in black patent leather as a little kid as it does in adulthood in a more subdued colorway. Because that's the thing about Mary Janes—they can lean cute and girlish all the way to sophisticated and polished or just contemporary and comfortable.

When you're looking for the latter, no one does Mary Janes quite like Clarks, makers of all things cloud-like and well-cushioned for those who spend a lot of time on their feet.

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Clarks Artisan Leather Lynell Strap Mary-Jane, $100 at QVC

QVC

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Clarks' Artisan Leather Lynell Strap Mary Jane shoe is very much a classic Mary Jane, complete with a nubuck leather upper and the signature adjustable strap across the top of the foot. It has a low heel (just under an inch and a half) so it offers a little height without feeling overly dressy. Inside, there's a cushioned footbed and soft textile lining, while the flexible sole is designed to provide a bit of grip as you walk.

What many people love about Clarks is that it offers medium and wide sizing, making it easier to get a more custom-like fit. And whether you pair these with jeans, linen pants or a dress, they're the kind of shoe that feels familiar in the best possible way.

Related: DSW's Cute $40 Raffia Crossbody Bag Looks Just Like a Vintage Gucci Style Selling For 51x More

At QVC, you can find Clarks Artisan Leather Mary-Janes in three different colorways—taupe, black and navy. Plus, if you're a new QVC shopper and this is your first order, you can get $20 off a purchase of $40 or more with the code WELCOME20, bringing the price down to $80 instead of $100. (Not a bad deal at all.)

Customers are loving these shoes so much, they're leaving five-star reviews on QVC's website.

"Very comfortable," says one happy shopper. "These have a nice arch support. Nude color is perfect The toe is squared for a modern look Mary Jane but versatile with many outfits."

Other folks were just so thrilled to find this exact style in the size and color they needed that has been sold out at other stores.

"Comfortable out of the box and they seem true to size," writes another customer. "They are generous in the toe box, great cushioning and you can adjust the width across your foot with the Velcro strap. I wear a size 10 medium width and purchased the warm taupe ones. Adorable! They are going with me to Europe this summer because they will work with shorts, pants, skirts and dresses. This style, size and color was sold out online at Nordstrom. Glad that I checked QVC. Great purchase."

Definitely order these while you can; use the coupon code for first-time QVC purchases to offset the $10.22 shipping and handling.

Related: Five Below's New 2-Pack of Foldable Storage Bins Comes in the Loveliest Antiqued Floral Design

The television industry remains one of the most chaotic and unpredictable fields of entertainment for more than a few reasons. As is so often the case in life, plans can easily find themselves when it comes to setting up a TV series with regular installments, most especially for those shows with an almost daily presence on our television sets.

In more dramatic instances, these last-minute changes might have stemmed from the abrupt removal of a program's host for one reason or another, be it sickness, personal controversy or backstage network preferences. No matter the exact explanation, these unplanned absences can lead to major behind-the-scenes headaches, forcing series to reshuffle their on-air hosts at the absolute last minute.

Megyn Kelly's Controversy Gets Her Pulled by NBC

Back in October 2018, Megyn Kelly sparked a fair amount of controversy for publicly defending blackface, the stereotypically racist makeup traditionally worn by non-persons-of-color.

According to NPR, Kelly appeared on a portion of NBC's Megyn Kelly Today and divided viewers with the statement, "What is racist? Truly, you do get in trouble if you are a white person who puts on blackface for Halloween, or a black person who put on whiteface for Halloween. When I was a kid, it was OK as long as you were dressing up as, like, a character."

Following these comments, NBC chose to pull Kelly from their scheduling and officially cancel her show. As a last-minute substitute for Kelly's planned time slow, NBC brought in Today's anchors Al Roker, Hoda Kotb and Craig Melvin to replace the polarizing TV personality (via AP News).

Melissa Francis is Fired Moments Before Fox News Goes on the Air

While some TV hosts might find themselves pulled from a series at the last minute, few find themselves dismissed moments before they're actually set to go on the air.

According to TheWrap, such a strange fate befell Fox News anchor Melissa Francis following her unsuccessful contract negotiations with the network. After trying to negotiate a raise to match her on-screen colleagues, Francis was notified that she was being terminated by Fox moments before she was set to appear in a 2021 newscast.

As Francis remembered it, the words “you’ve been canceled” flashed across her Teleprompter, followed by the electricity in her home office being officially shut down. Following this, the network rushed to fill in a replacement program for Francis's original time slot, eventually reaching a $15 settlement with Francis in 2022 (via Los Angeles Times).

Mike Richards' One-Week Stint as 'Jeopardy's Replacement Host

With longtime Jeopardy host Alex Trebek's death in late 2020, the show's producers struggled to find a host with as much natural charisma as the late Trebek. In the end, they briefly settled on executive producer Mike Richards, who had previously acquired a fair degree of hosting experience from his work on Beauty and the Geek, Pyramid and Divided.

After less than a week of taking over the quiz show, however, various controversies came out against Richards, including newfound scrutiny over comments he made at the expense of certain marginalized on his podcast in 2014, as well as wrongful termination and harrasment allegations from The Price is Right models, as reported by People.

After Richards' removal from the show, Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings were brought in as co-hosts, before Jennings take over as sole host in Decembet 2023.

Al Roker is Late to 'Today' After 39 Years of Reporting

For nearly 40 years, audiences tuned in and saw Al Roker's smiling face report on the weather on NBC's Today. One fateful day in August 2013, however, Roker broke his four-decade long work streak by "oversleeping" and missing his weather report, forcing NBC to have co-host Stephanie Abrams fill in for the absent Roker, as reported by Today.

Far from earning any ire from his network colleagues, Roker's fellow hosts playfully teased the veteran weather reporter when he finally appeared on the show, dubbing him "Rip Van Roker" live on the air.

'Good Morning America' Ousts Two Anchors Following Affair Allegations

In contrast to the good-natured ribbing Roker suffered upon his delayed appearance on Today, Good Morning America faced something of a crisis when word came about of show hosts Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes' alleged romantic affair with one another, according to Entertainment Weekly.

As word spread about the two host's reported personal entanglements, ABC decided to pull both Robach and Holmes from their hosting duties on GMA3. After substituting a flurry of rotating panelists on the show, the network eventually settled on Eva Pilgrim and DeMarco Morgan as the show's new co-anchors.

Nick Nolte Cancels His 'Saturday Night Live' Hosting Gig

Saturday Night Livehas seen a few last-minute cancellations over the course of its 50 years on NBC, but without a doubt one of the most anxiety-inducing had to be Nick Nolte abruptly missing out on the show in December 1982 due to apparent illness.

While Nolte was slated to perform as the night's host to hype up on the imminent release of the buddy comedy 48 Hrs., his co-star on the film, Eddie Murphy, ended up performing as the episode's host in lieu of the Cape Fear star.

“I know you folks tuned in to see one of the stars of 48 Hrs. host the show – and, dammit, you’re gonna see it,” Murphy said on stage during the episode's opening monologue (via Ultimate Classic Rock).

Deborah Norville's Shaky Takeover of 'Today'

Among the most baffling TV scandals of all time, Jane Pauley was initially seen as the next big thing on TV, with many dubbing her the official successor to Barbara Walters. Despite her favored place at NBC, however, the network executives gradually began shifting away from Pauley and placing greater emphasis on newcomer Deborah Norville, something that led to increased concerns over Pauley's place on the show.

After Norville was surprisingly selected to become a news anchor on Today in 1989, many critics decried the decision, believing the network was making a calculated effort to push Pauley out from the series. In the end, Norville's time as Today co-host resulted in a serious drop in the show's ratings. Upon entering maternity leave, she would be replaced by Katie Couric, who helped turn the show's ratings around and who would eventually replace Norville on Today.

Matt Lauer is Fired From 'Today'

In the wake of the #MeToo Movement, dozens of prominent celebrities found themselves facing renewed scrutiny over their alleged personal behavior, including Today's long-running anchor, Matt Lauer.

Owing to repeated complaints against Lauer for "inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace," NBC made the shocking decision to remove Lauer from Today before the show was set to broadcast on November 29, 2017 (via The New York Times). Without any proper time to find a replacement, Savanna Guthrie and Hoda Kotb found themselves hosting Today, delivering the shocking news to viewers for the first time as a breaking news story.

Henry Winkler has long been known as one if the nicest guys in Hollywood.

The actor, who became a household name in the 1970s playing Fonzie on the ABCsitcomHappy Days and later won an Emmy for his role in Barry, recently revealed he learned a lesson early on that shaped his entire career. The teachable moment came a year before Happy Days, when he was a guest on an episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

During a June 2026 appearance on Ted Danson’s Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast, Winkler, 80, recalled, “When I first came out here [to Hollywood], the first job I ever got was Mary Tyler Moore, which were the Friends of that time."

“And they called lunch and everybody scattered,” the actor shared. "Now this is my insanity. I, of course, am feeling abandoned. I am standing on a professional set being a professional. Everybody's got a place to go. I will later learn: They call lunch. You go to your room, and you make a phone call. You meet a friend. You have a wurst at the Paramount  commissary.”

Winkler admitted that instead of doing any of those things, he froze.

“I stood there, and it was like one of those shots where the camera is on a crane and it keeps going higher and higher, and the floor is empty, and it's just you,” he continued. "Like, I could have asked somebody, ‘Hey, where does everybody go for lunch?’ No, I just felt sorry for myself. And I swore at that moment as the camera was pulling up on the crane, I will never let another actor feel that way on a set I'm on.”

Ted Knight (left) as Ted Baxter, Ed Asner as Lou Grant, Valerie Harper as Rhoda, and special guest star Henry Winkler in 'The Dinner Party'. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)

Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images

Not only did he take a lifelong lesson with him, but Winkler credited his freshman experience with paving the way for his life-changing Happy Days role, where he had 11 seasons to make other actors feel comfortable on set.

“The first thing was TheMary Tyler Moore Show. And the second thing was Bob Newhart because Mary Tyler Moore's husband, Grant Tinker …they were very loyal, and so then I got hired and then I got Happy Days,” Winkler said.

RELATED: Henry Winkler Addresses Rumors That ‘Laverne & Shirley’ Stars Were a ‘Nightmare’

Shortly after moving to Hollywood, Winkler landed a role in the 1973  Mary Tyler Moore Show episode “The Dinner Party,” playing unexpected dinner guest Steve Waldman. In the episode, Mary has exactly six portions of Veal Prince Orllof for seven dinner guests. She also doesn’t have room at the table for Winkler’s character, who she ultimately seats alone across the room.

In a 2022 interview onThe Jess Cagle Show, Winkler confirmed that everyone on the classic CBS sitcom was very nice to him.

“They were lovely,” Winkler said of the Mary Tyler Moore Show cast, before admitting he also “learned a big lesson” when lunch break was called and everyone disappeared.

“And I thought at that moment, ‘If my career blossoms, this will never happen to a young person who comes to a set I'm on,’” the Happy Days legend said.

As for his nice-guy image, Winkler told People magazine he doesn’t really consider himself to be Mr. Nice. "What I finally realized is I’m not nice," he said. "I'm enjoying being on this earth. I'm grateful, and my gratitude makes me joyful. And that is the truth. I get up that way."

Related: Henry Winkler Handled a ‘Happy Days’ Heckler in a Way That Was Pure Fonzie

Abigail Thorn knew exactly what she was doing when she told AbubakarSalim to take the blame for killing her in the House of the Dragon Season 3 premiere.

“I set him up for that,” Thorn exclusively tells Parade.

Salim plays Alyn of Hull, who kills Thorn’s Sharako Lohar during a brutal confrontation in the House of the Dragon Season 3 premiere. After watching the scene, Salim worried viewers would see Alyn as a monster.

“We watched the playback, and he was like, ‘They’re going to hate me. They’re going to think I’m a monster,’” Thorn recalls. “I was like, ‘Yeah, they will. They will.’”

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Thorn was right to expect a strong reaction.

When Parade later told Salim that he would not be forgiven for killing Thorn on television, he immediately realized she had gotten there first.

“Abigail said this!” Salim responded. “F—k!”

While Lohar’s death was written into the script, Thorn had room to decide how the fierce commander would face her final moments.

“The script is just like, ‘They fight, and she dies,’” Thorn says. “Then I got to decide, in her final moments, what does she feel like, which, as a character, is such a treat.”

Related: 6 Things We’re Most Excited for in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Based on the Book

Rather than have Lohar remain fearless until the end, Thorn chose to expose the frightened person beneath the warrior’s confidence.

“I decided to play it that, in her final moments, she’s scared,” Thorn says. “She’s just a woman who’s scared of dying.”

For Thorn, that decision completed Lohar’s journey from Season 2 and connected her fate to the larger themes of the series.

“It gives her such a lovely arc from Season 2 to now,” she says. “It really speaks to the theme of the show, and the theme of this season, being the cost of war and the cost of vengeance.”

Lohar’s pursuit of Corlys Velaryon has consumed her. Her death reveals the life she might have had if she had not devoted herself to revenge.

“It shows us who she might have been if she hadn’t chosen to pursue this Captain Ahab, Wrath of Khan vengeance mission,” Thorn says. “Could she have just gone to therapy and just been a normal lady?”

The contrast becomes especially clear once the blood and dirt are removed from Lohar’s face.

“When all the blood and filth is washed off her just before she dies, you see this scared little girl who doesn’t want to die,” Thorn says. “It’s such a treat as an actor to get to play that kind of thing.”

Related: ‘House of the Dragon’ Stars Break Down That Disturbing Premiere Kiss: ‘I Threw Up in My Mouth a Little Bit’ (Exclusive)

Thorn knew before joining House of the Dragon in Season 2 that the television adaptation would significantly expand and change Lohar’s story from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood.

“I knew going in, way back in Season 2, that this was going to be her arc,” she says. “Her arc is confronting Corlys.”

Once Lohar attempted to kill Corlys, Thorn believed there were few satisfying places left for the character to go. She could abandon her revenge, repeat the same pursuit or die trying to complete it.

“I thought, no, this is the perfect arc for her,” Thorn says. “She’s all killer, no filler. She does not wait around. She is here to do the epic, cool bits only, and then she’s gone.”

Although her time on the series was brief, Thorn believes Lohar’s focused arc gives the character a memorable ending.

“She leaves you wanting more,” Thorn says. “That is a gift as an actor. It is such a pleasure.”

Related: 'House of the Dragon' Star Harry Collett Reveals the Season 3 Premiere Scene That Had to Be Reshot — and Why Jace's Final Moment Hit Differently (Exclusive)

Kelly Ripaonce got into an argument with a cab driver over something very small.

On the Monday, June 22 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, Ripa and Mark Consuelos were talking about old-school maps, GPS apps and how people used to get around before everyone had directions on their phone.

That led Ripa to remember a cab ride that did not exactly go smoothly.

Kelly Ripa Said Cab Drivers Used to Know Everything

The conversation started after Ripa and Consuelos talked about printed maps and using Waze while driving.

Consuelos said that when he first moved to New York, cab drivers seemed to know how to get anywhere.

"At least when I first moved to New York, getting into a cab, they knew how to get anywhere," he said.

Ripa agreed that things have changed.

She said that every now and then, a driver will hand over a phone and ask the passenger to enter the destination into Waze.

"I'm like, how do you not know where this is?" she said.

Ripa Remembered One Argument Kelly Ripa at the 2024 TIME100 Gala held at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 25, 2024 in New York City.

Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images

That is when Ripa brought up her own cab story.

"You know, I got into an argument once," she said.

Consuelos did not seem shocked.

"I'm not surprised," he joked.

Ripa explained that she used to have to go to 60th Street and 10th Avenue. Over time, she got into the habit of making the address very clear.

"I used to have to go to 60th and 10th," she said. "And I got into the habit of saying, 'Please take me to 60th and 10th. Six-zero and 10.'"

The Driver Did Not Appreciate It

Ripa said she started spelling out the address because people sometimes misheard her.

"A lot of times they would say 16, 68," she said.

So she would clarify that she meant "six-zero and 10."

One driver, however, did not like the extra explanation.

"The driver said, 'I heard you. You don't have to say it like that,'" Ripa recalled.

Ripa said she asked what he meant.

"And he said, 'You're spelling it out for me,'" she continued.

Ripa told him there was a reason for that.

"I go, 'Yeah, because historically, when I say 60th and 10th, nobody knows what I'm talking about. So I thought I'd spell it out for you,'" she said.

Related: Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Reveal the Surprising Way They Balance Each Other

The Story Came From a Conversation About Maps and Driving

The cab story was part of a larger conversation about how much navigation has changed.

Ripa and Consuelos talked about using paper maps and now relying on phone apps.

Ripa said she appreciates having technology when she needs it, especially because she does not like driving.

"When I do drive, I like a person guiding me there," she said.

Consuelos, on the other hand, apparently does not always listen to Waze.

Ripa joked that he has his own "internal GPS."

"You're always right," she told him. "Seldom are you wrong."

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Noah Wyle may be a TV star, but a new appearance alongside his stunning daughter, Auden, makes it clear he loves being a devoted dad.

Wyle, 55, who rose to stardom in the role of young Dr. John Carter on ER, currently plays Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch on HBO's popular medical drama, The Pitt. While Wyle has earned plenty of prominence for himself, Auden, 20, is a rising star with some serious professional cred to her name.

The young beauty was joined by her dad outside the Vanishing Tour premiere at Lumiere Music Hall in Beverly Hills over the weekend in Los Angeles, California. Wearing head-to-toe leather in a rich oxblood color, Auden showed off her style prowess, as well as her beautiful looks.

Photo by JOCE/Bauer-Griffin on Getty Images

Back in April, Auden made her own stop on the red carpet, attending the premiere of The Wolf And The Lamb at Harmony Gold in Los Angeles, California.

Photo by Paul Archuleta on Getty Images

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What Does Auden Wyle Appear In?

Auden has a key role in The Vanishing Tour, in which she plays a character named Clara. Written and directed by Patrick Meaney, the film is a horror/thriller.

Clearly, Auden had a great time making the project. In her own Instagram post, she shared, "I couldn’t love these people more, what a night. Forever grateful to have been your Clara ❤️🛸."

View this post on Instagram Noah Wyle Was Forced To Get Honest When Asked Whether The Pitt or ER is a Better TV Show

Back in March, Wyle responded candidly when asked in a revealing new interview with the UK’s Times whether The Pitt is as good as ER.

“Getting to The Pitt from a place of experience and wisdom,” he replied, “has made the experience better for me in some ways than ER was, but whether it’s a better show or not, I couldn’t tell you.”

Well, that wasn’t quite a definitive answer, but we’ll take what we can get!

Wyle Doesn’t Think The Pitt Could Have Happened Without COVID

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wyle was working on another TV show he wasn’t very passionate about. Almost daily, doctors would reach out to him on social media, asking if Dr. Carter, his beloved ER character, could tell their family’s stories.

“It made me call John Wells [an executive producer on ER] and say, ‘Hey, if you ever want to scream a jeremiad from the mountaintop, I volunteer to scream,’” Wyle continued in the Times piece.

The actor said that without the COVID period, The Pitt would never have existed.

“Not a chance,” he said. “It was clear [Covid] was going to mark a huge shift in the way that hospitals were functioning and in the stories we should tell about them.”

Wells, of course, went on to create The Pitt and cast Wyle in the lead role.

Related: ‘The Pitt’ Star Taylor Dearden, Daughter of Bryan Cranston, Is So Stunning Out of Her Hospital Scrubs

Lionel Messi is one of the most famous footballers ever, and while his family tends to be lower-key, they're almost as cool as he is—and they're a huge part of his career.

Messi, who turns 39 years old this week in the midst of the 2026 World Cup, is the third of four children: His parents, Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini, share sons Rodrigo Messi and MatíasMessi and daughter María Sol.

The family grew up in Rosario, Argentina, and the children all played soccer together as kids. When Lionel became a budding star for FC Barcelona in February 2001 (when he was just 13 years old!), the entire family moved to Spain to support him temporarily.

Lionel Messi with his family at home in Rosario, Argentina, in October 2003

Photo by El Grafico on Getty Images

“I remember when we left our neighborhood in Rosario, all the neighbors and our friends came out to say goodbye. Everybody was on the street with us. My mother and father, and my two brothers and sister were all getting ready to go in a taxi to the airport, all of them crying," Lionel recalled to FourFourTwo. "It was one of the first times that I’d ever been on a plane."

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Eventually, Jorge and Rodrigo stayed in Spain with Lionel and his siblings María Sol and Matías moved back to Argentina with Cuccittini.

Today, he keeps in close contact with all of his family all of the time.

“We use a webcam to talk to our family back home in Argentina,” Lionel told FourFourTwo. “Even my mom has learned how to do it. I know that every time she sees me playing football on the television, she cries, but every day we talk, and that keeps her happy."

Matías Messi, Rodrigo Messi and Lionel Messi in January 2010

Photo by Rodolfo Molina on Getty Images

While he doesn't see his mom every day, his siblings are embedded in his soccer star lifestyle. Get to know Lionel Messi's siblings and how they've each carved a niche in the football world—even if they've never been eligible for their own Golden Boots.

Related: Lionel Messi’s Massive Net Worth in 2026 Is Soccer-Playing Goals

Lionel Messi's SiblingsRodrigo Messi Lionel Messi's father Jorge Messi and brother Rodrigo Messi in November 2024

Photo by JUAN MABROMATA on Getty Images

Rodrigo Messi has a sense of humor!

He posted a tribute to his brothers in June 2019, captioning a photo with Lionel and Matías, "How beautiful life is when you know that you have by your side people who make us stronger. let's be wherever we are and whenever you want and at the same time so inseparable.. love you @matu_messi10 and @leomessi my brothers."

He added with laughing emojis, "@mariasolmessi You're also a part."

Rodrigo works directly with father Jorge to maintain Lionel's schedule and publicity.

Related: David Beckham’s Mom Is Adorable Meeting Soccer Legend Lionel Messi for the First Time

Matías Messi Lionel Messi's brother Matías Messi in April 2015

Photo by FRANCK FIFE on Getty Images

Matías Messi helps manage the Leo Messi Foundation, which helps provide healthcare, education and sports opportunities to communities in need. Cuccittini also helps with the foundation.

He has a son, Tomy, who takes after his uncle and is a budding soccer star.

View this post on Instagram

Related: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Net Worth In 2026 Is Literally Goals

María Sol View this post on Instagram

María Sol works for Lionel's 525 Rosario production company, Deadline reported, serving as the senior director of brand strategy and creative. She previously worked with designer Tommy Hilfiger's sister Ginny Hilfiger as brand manager of Lionel's fashion line and shop, The Messi Store.

She called The Messi Store role "a dream come true," adding, "Fashion is what I like the most, ever since I was a child, and it was always a dream of mine to be involved with a clothing brand."

Lionel Messi's mother Celia Maria Cuccittini, father Jorge Messi and sister Maria Sol

Photo by AFP Contributor on Getty Images

In addition to her work with her big brother, María Sol has another connection to football: She is engaged to Inter Miami FC's youth team coach Julian "Tuli" Arellano, a childhood friend.

Related: All About Cristiano Ronaldo's Fiancée Georgina Rodríguez

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Summer is officially underway, making it the perfect time to give your outdoor space a little extra attention. Whether you're planning backyard gatherings, relaxing on the patio after work, or simply want your yard to feel more inviting, a few thoughtful additions can go a long way. Decorative solar lights are one of the easiest ways to add charm, warmth, and personality without spending a fortune.

With Amazon Prime Day running from June 23 through June 26, it's also an excellent time to shop for seasonal outdoor upgrades. Plenty of popular items are already seeing major markdowns, including the Ahaorigin Solar Sunflower Lights. Right now, this eye-catching set is on sale for 35% off, bringing the price down from $40 to just $26.

Ahaorigin Solar Sunflower Lights, From $26 (was $40) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at Amazon

Designed to stand out, these solar lights come in a pack of three bundles. Each bundle features six light-up sunflowers and glowing stems, creating a vibrant display that's much more noticeable than traditional garden lights. Altogether, the set includes 18 sunflower blooms and 54 bright LEDs that add a cheerful glow to your landscape after dark.

The flowers are crafted from layered silk petals that create a realistic look during the day, while the aluminum and stainless steel construction helps provide long-lasting durability. Each bundle measures 29 inches tall and 5.6 inches wide, making them large enough to create visual impact without overwhelming your garden beds or walkways.

These lights are powered by upgraded solar panels that efficiently collect energy throughout the day. After approximately 6 to 8 hours of charging in direct sunlight, they can provide about 10 to 12 hours of warm illumination, helping keep your outdoor space glowing well into the evening.

Durability is another major selling point. The lights feature an IP65 waterproof rating and are designed to withstand rain, wind, heat, moisture, and strong sun exposure. Fade-resistant flower heads, sturdy stainless-steel stems, and reinforced poles help ensure they remain attractive throughout the seasons.

Installation couldn't be easier. There's no wiring required. Simply place the stakes into the ground where you'd like them, and they're ready to go. The built-in automatic on/off function turns the lights on at dusk and off at dawn, making them a completely hands-off addition to your yard.

Their versatility makes them a great fit for gardens, flower beds, patios, walkways, front yards, and backyard landscapes. Whether you're creating a cozy outdoor retreat or adding a decorative touch to a pathway, these sunflower lights bring both illumination and visual interest to the space.

One shopper said they’re “impressed with the quality,” writing, “They are stunning when lit up. I really enjoy looking at them. I was surprised how bright they are and how long they stay on. They look beautiful next to my birdbath.”

Another described the lights as “durable and beautiful,” adding, “They stay bright well into the night and add such a warm, cheerful vibe to my flower beds. The IP65 waterproof rating is a major plus, as they’ve already held up perfectly through a few heavy rainstorms without any issues.”

Shop More Deals

• GoGnome Solar Cat Garden Statue, From $10 (was $20) at Amazon
• Uzexfio Store Outdoor Solar Lights, From $24 (was $40) at Amazon
• Brightown 52-Foot Solar String Lights, From $20 (was $40) at Amazon

Related: Amazon’s ‘Whimsical’ Turtle Solar Statue Is Just $25 Ahead of Prime Day and ‘Creates a Magical Ambiance’

For an affordable and effective way to refresh your outdoor space, the Ahaorigin Solar Sunflower Lights are a fantastic option. With Amazon's current 35% discount ahead of Prime Day from June 23 through June 26, now's a great opportunity to add a little extra color, personality, and glow to your yard.

The average American spends over $1,000 a year on subscriptions, with at least $200 of that being on items they rarely or never use. Companies use deceptive practices to keep you locked into that monthly charge, but you can beat their game. Here’s how to get rid of unwanted fees and free up some room in your budget. 

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How Companies Are Tricking You

Compens.ai reports that the FTC conducted a study of 642 subscription websites and found 76% of them were running at least one dark pattern, with 67% running more than one, making it more difficult for you to cancel their service. 

The US Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the Federal Trade Commission's "click-to-cancel" rule, according to a CNET report, which may make it even harder to cancel subscriptions. But taking the time and effort to dig through your monthly bills and get rid of the ones that drain your account can give you some extra wiggle room in your budget. 

Related: The 6 Hidden Costs of Aging in Place That Most Retirees Don't Budget For Until It's Too Late

Start With These Cash Eaters

It’s not always Netflix or Amazon that sneak up on you. This list is a starting point for common charges eating up your monthly budget. Make sure to check your bank statement, however, to see if there’s anything else you can eliminate. For now, start with these:

1.) Credit Monitoring Services - You may have been given a free year of credit monitoring as meager compensation after a data breach, but services like Experian or IdentityForce will then auto-renew and charge you to maintain them. Sign up with AnnualCreditReport.com for free weekly updates.

2.) “Ad Free” Upgrades - Weather apps, streaming platforms, cloud storage, email hosts, and many other services that used to give you a seamless experience quietly moved behind a paid tier. It’s time to reassess what is actually worth paying for the ad-free experience and what can be nixed altogether. 

3.) Cloud Storage - Did you get a free trial of Google One or test out iCloud and then never cancelled? If you can dump data from your phone, you may be able to downgrade your storage tier and pay less. 

4.) Free Trials That Silently Converted - Like the cloud storage, you may have signed up for the free trial of an app or service and not realized it converted to paid. Grocery delivery is a common example of this. Get rid of any you aren’t using, and set calendar reminders for when to cancel the next free trial.

5.) Reading or Audiobook Apps - These you may be actively using, but there are free alternatives that can save you hundreds, not just on subscription fees but entertainment fees as well. Libby and Hoopla are both free and only require a library card. You can get books, audiobooks, music, movies, TV shows, and more without needing a subscription to any of it. 

6.) Premium News or Newsletters - The “$1 for the first month” offer gets people to sign up as an easy way to read an article, but many often forget to cancel. You could be paying for a news service, like the Washington Post or New York Times, without even realizing it. If you aren’t reading these sources, it’s time to cancel their subscriptions.

7.) Food Delivery - Amazon grocery and Instacart+ charge a monthly fee to waive delivery costs, but other apps like Uber One, DoorDash, and GoPuff can also drain your account with more than just the meals they offer. If your dining habits have changed, reassess how much you pay for these services. 

8.) VPN or Antivirus - When you buy a new computer, these services usually come pre-installed with a free trial. You get so used to using them that you forget they renew at full price after the initial period. There’s plenty of reliable, free software that can protect you without a monthly charge.

9.) App Management Subscriptions - Apps like RocketMoney, Bobby, or Subby are meant to help you track down apps and subscriptions you aren’t using and cancel them, but these also come with subscription fees. If you find one helpful initially, cancel it once you've cleared out everything else.

Related: "I Should've Invested in Apple:" 5 Retirees Share What They Wish They'd Known About Money at 60

How To Find And Kill Hidden Subscriptions

Consumer Affairs recommends scanning the past 60-90 days' worth of bank and credit card statements to find anything hiding in your line items. Once you’ve identified the culprits, head to their official websites or scan your email for cancellation options.

It’s important to note that you should make sure you’re going to each subscription service’s official site to cancel. You don’t want to get hit with a double whammy of giving your info to a scammy site as well as continue to pay for an unused service. If the site asks for financial, payment, or personal data, it may be a scam, and you should leave immediately.

Cutting even a few of these could save you $30-$50 a month. It’s worth taking the time to get rid of these instead of continuing to waste it.

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

• Compens AI — "Subscription Traps and Dark Patterns: How Companies Make It Impossible to Cancel—and How to Fight Back"
• CNET — "Struggling to Cancel Your Subscriptions? Try These 3 Workarounds"
• ConsumerAffairs — "Stop the Sneaky Subscriptions: How to Actually Cancel the Stuff You Don't Use"

In a new update in the Nancy Guthrie case, TMZ has shared some additional details about the notes the outlet received regarding the missing 84-year-old.

Over the past few months, TMZ and other media outlets have received ransom notes demanding bitcoin in exchange for Guthrie. These notes, however, did not include proof of life. As far as the public knows, the ransom money was not paid. Separately, notes were sent requesting one bitcoin in exchange for information from someone claiming to know who is responsible for Guthrie’s disappearance.

On Monday, June 22, TMZ clarified that none of the notes the outlet received confirmed that Guthrie was dead. Moreover, the outlet reported that it has been in contact with the FBI and even offered to pay the one bitcoin in hopes of getting the promised information

"We believed the person who was asking for the bitcoin in return for information was authentic," TMZ writes. The outlet says it reached out to the FBI with plans to film a documentary on the case. As part of its coverage, TMZ wanted to pay the one bitcoin in hopes of getting the promised information, but the FBI reportedly called the idea "interesting" and said it would follow up.

Related: Changes Have Been Made to Nancy Guthrie’s Personal Facebook Account

Per TMZ, that follow-up never happened. The outlet claims that despite reaching out to the FBI again, it has been "ghosted."

Guthrie has been missing since Feb. 1. Authorities believe that she was abducted from her Arizona home in the middle of the night. Over the past four months, investigators have been sifting through evidence and tips, but Nancy’s whereabouts—and what led to her disappearance—remain a mystery.

Anyone with information about Nancy is asked to call Tucson’s 88-Crime hotline at 1-520-882-7463 or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

READ NEXT: Prayers Pouring in for Savannah Guthrie, Family After Her Latest Post

Flip-Flops are a summer staple. While it may be fine to walk the beaches, one Italian town is warning people to leave them at home, unless they want to pay a fine. If you’re planning on visiting the Cinque Terre National Park in Cinque Terre, a town on the Italian Riviera coastline, it’s going to cost you. Hikers in the park cannot wear flip-flops or sandals. If they do and are caught, they can be fined up to 2,500 euros, which is about $2,900, according to People.

Related: Crocs' 'Unbelievably Comfortable' $25 Flip-Flops at Walmart Feel 'Like Walking on Clouds'

Why You Can’t Wear Flip-Flops Here & Other Park Rules

The rule started in 2019, but people are now being reminded of it again. The hiking trails throughout the park can be slippery. To prevent accidents, park officials warn travelers to wear appropriate footwear. Flip-flops and other sandals don't fall into this category.

While park officials check people’s footwear, they’ll also check whether visitors are following the one-way system. This system is designed to reduce crowding. The Monterosso-Vernazza stretch of the trail is one-way only from 9 am to 2 pm on busy days in April, May, and June. The one-way system was rolled out in 2023.

There’s one other thing to remember if you’re visiting this park. Be sure you pre-purchase your Cinque Terre Trekking Card. This gives you access to certain trails and park services. Ticket prices range from 10 to 12 euros ( $12-$17) depending on the day you go.

Related: Italy's First-Ever Tiramisù Race Will Meander Through a Medieval City and Reward Runners With Dessert

Other Things That Are Illegal in Some Italian Towns

While flip-flops are a no-no at Cinque Terre National Park, there are also some other things you should refrain from doing in other Italian towns.

• Don’t wear clogs in Capri. This was enacted back in the 1960s when wooden clogs were popular. The goal of this law is to maintain Capri’s serene setting. Although the law specifically refers to clogs, it’s believed to apply to any shoes that make excessive noise on cobblestone streets. Tourists who have been caught breaking the law have been fined in the past.
• Taking sand or shells home from the beaches in Sardinia could also cost you. Put in place in 2017, the law fines people anywhere from 500 to 3,000 euros if they’re caught with sand or shells from the beach. In 2021, about 40 tourists were caught and fined for doing so.
• If you were thinking about feeding pigeons in Venice on your next trip, think again. Feeding these birds in St. Mark’s Square or anywhere else in Venice could result in a fine between 25 and 500 euros. The ban was reinforced in 2008 to rescue the pigeon population and maintain Venice's cleanliness.

It's always a good idea to brush up on local laws so you don't find yourself in a legal pickle when traveling to a new destination.

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Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos may host Live with Kelly and Mark together every morning, but their approach to household clutter is not exactly the same.

On the Monday, June 22 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, the married co-hosts talked about America's growing use of self-storage units and quickly realized they fall on very different sides of the issue.

Ripa made it clear that she has a hard time letting go of sentimental items, while Consuelos had a much simpler solution.

Kelly Ripa Said She Saves Sentimental Items

The conversation started when Ripa brought up a report about the rise in self-storage use across the country.

Consuelos suggested people could solve part of the problem by saving less.

"Save less stuff," he said. "Give it away."

Ripa immediately pushed back.

"No, I can't get rid of the turkey handprints," she said. "I'm not gonna do it."

Consuelos joked that some people spend more money renting storage space than the items inside are actually worth.

Ripa understood the point, but said that does not mean the items are worthless to the person keeping them.

"Some of it is priceless, even though it's crap," she said.

Mark Consuelos Has No Problem Letting Things Go Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic via Getty Images

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic via Getty Images

Ripa then pointed out that Consuelos does not attach the same meaning to objects.

"You don't personalize things," she told him. "You have no problem throwing things away. You love it."

Consuelos agreed with giving things away or throwing them out, but Ripa said some items are too personal to be reduced to clutter.

She gave one example from her own collection.

"I have every thank-you note everybody here has ever sent me," she said.

Consuelos suggested she should have them digitized, but Ripa was not sold.

"Digitized?" she asked. "Not personal that way."

Ripa Said the Habit Comes in Handy

Ripa joked that keeping old notes can actually be useful.

She said she has them "neatly organized" and knows where everything is.

That way, if someone ever claims she has never done anything for them, she can pull out proof.

"I can go, 'Oh, yeah? Read these thank you notes,'" Ripa joked.

Still, she said the real reason she keeps things is much simpler.

"It's nice to have, like, to look back on things," she said.

Related: Kelly Ripa Says It May Be Time To ‘Get off the Air’ for a Relatable Reason

The Couple Said They Balance Each Other Out

Consuelos did not seem bothered by Ripa's habit.

In fact, the couple agreed that their opposite approaches work for them.

"We balance each other out," Consuelos said.

"We do," Ripa replied. "I'm a hoarder, and you are not."

For anyone who has ever lived with someone who saves everything or someone who throws everything away, the exchange probably sounded familiar.

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If your main fitness goal is to strengthen your core, boost flexibility, improve posture and feel more energized, Pilates is an extraordinary training modality to consider. This form of "moving meditation” focuses on mindful breathing and total-body tension relief. Plus, it’s easy on the joints, making it an excellent workout for older adults.

You may be surprised to learn that Pilates is also effective for building strong, sculpted abs. You read that right—you don’t have to hit the gym and perform countless crunches or turn to ab machines. Pilates fires up your transverse abdominis and naturally draws your midsection inward. By practicing Pilates regularly, you will flatten your midsection and build a firmer, more toned six-pack.

The good news is you can do these movements in the comfort of your own home without equipment.

“Pilates mat work is built around the transverse abdominis as the foundation. Every exercise asks you to find a deep connection before you move, not as an afterthought. It's not just ‘crunch harder,’ it’s ‘stabilize first, then move with control,’” explains Lily Colins-Sak, certified Pilates instructor and owner of The Daily Pilates. “That’s where two of the core Pilates principles really come into play: precision and control. Rather than moving through reps quickly or relying on momentum, Pilates asks you to slow down and actually feel which part of the core is doing the work in each moment: Is it the deep stabilizers holding you steady, the obliques controlling rotation or the rectus abdominis driving the movement itself?”

That precision is exactly what makes Pilates stand out against classic crunches. You’re not just performing the exercise—you’re learning how to recruit and direct every part of your core with intention.

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Which Core Muscles Are Most Engaged During Pilates Mat Work?

According to Portia Page, certified Pilates instructor, Pilates fires up the entire core, including the internal and external obliques, pelvic floor, diaphragm, multifidus and rotators and transverse abdominis—not just the superficial muscles.

That’s why Pilates core training typically translates so well to how your body performs daily tasks like lifting, carrying and twisting.

“You’ve trained your core to respond with the same precision and control in real life that you practiced on the mat,” Colins-Sak points out.

Related: Exactly How Often You Need To Do Pilates To Reduce Belly Fat, According to Instructors

Signs You’re Effectively Engaging Your Core During Pilates Mat Work

One of the most common misconceptions about Pilates core engagement is that it involves holding your breath or sucking in your tummy. To the contrary, activating your core should feel controlled, supportive and strong as you continue to breathe normally, says Lyndsey Meade, founder of BODY Hot Pilates and certified Pilates instructor.

Below, Meade shares some telltale signs you’re properly engaging your core:

• Your rib cage remains connected instead of flared open.
• Your pelvis stays stable throughout each exercise.
• Your shoulders and neck remain relaxed instead of taking over the movement.
• Your lower back is not over-arched or pressing aggressively into the mat.
• Your breath is controlled and steady.
• Your abs wrap inward and upward around the waist.

“I often tell clients to imagine pulling their hip bones slightly toward each other while continuing to breathe. When the deep core is engaged properly, the movement feels controlled and effortless rather than strained,” Meade explains. “If your neck is doing more work than your abs, or you're holding your breath to get through the exercise, you're likely compensating instead of truly engaging your core.”

Related: The Equipment-Free Move a Pilates Instructor Is Begging Every Woman Over 50 To Do in the Morning

5 Best Pilates Mat Exercises for Sculpted Abs, According to Instructors1. The Hundred

According to Page, the hundred builds endurance in the deep intrinsic muscles.

“[This exercise also] teaches proper abdominal engagement and endurance and uses the breath and arm pattern to help warm up the body and prepare for what’s next,” Page adds.

1. Lie flat on your back with your legs extended and arms by your sides.
2. Lift your head, neck and shoulders off the mat, setting your gaze toward your hips.
3. Start to pump your arms rhythmically up and down to match your breathing.
4. If comfortable, lift your legs one at a time, eventually extending them to a 45-degree angle.
5. Perform 100 counts or breath, or 10 cycles of 5-count inhales and 5-count exhales. As you inhale, expand your rib cage; as you exhale, gently draw your abs in toward the center of your body.

2. Double-Leg Stretch

“When extending both the arms and legs away from the center of the body, it creates a long lever challenge that requires significant abdominal strength and lumbo-pelvic control,” Page notes.

1. Lie flat on your back on the mat and hug your knees toward your chest.
2. Lift your head, neck and shoulders off the floor.
3. Place your hands on your shins to begin.
4. Take a deep breath in as you reach your arms overhead and extend both legs out to a 45-degree angle.
5. Make sure your core remains engaged and your lower back stays pressed into the mat.
6. Breathe out as you reverse the motion, bringing your knees back to your chest and your hands to your shins.
7. Perform 4 to 6 reps, breathing in as your arms and legs reach out, and breathing out as they come back in.

Related: ‘I’m a Pilates Instructor—These Are the 5 Moves I Give Every Client Who Wants To Lose Weight After 50′

3. Side Plank Hip Dips

The side plank hip dip is one of Colins-Sak’s go-tos for teaching lateral core control. The obliques and transverse abdominis have to work together to drop and lift the hip with control instead of letting gravity do the work.

1. Begin by lying on your side, propping yourself up with your forearm.
2. Extend both legs, stacking your top foot on top of the bottom foot.
3. Brace your core and lift your hips, forming a straight line from your head to your feet.
4. Use control as you slowly dip your hips toward the mat.
5. Then, drive your hips back up to the top of the side plank.
6. Perform 8 to 10 reps on each side.

Related: This Is the Safest Way To Start Pilates After 60, According to Instructors

4. Criss-Cross

“This is where we deepen true oblique work for a sculpted, defined look, while still requiring the TVA to stay engaged to protect the low back during rotation,” Colins-Sak explains.

1. Lie flat on your back with your knees lifted in a tabletop position.
2. Place your hands behind your head, elbows out wide.
3. Curl your shoulders, neck and head off the mat.
4. Extend one leg straight out to a 45-degree angle.
5. At the same time, rotate your torso and bring the opposite elbow toward your bent knee.
6. Perform 8 to 10 reps on each side.

Related: The #1 Pilates Workout Sequence That Builds Strength Beyond the Mat

5. Teaser

The teaser is a signature Pilates move and one of the best tests of core strength, Meade tells us.

“It requires the deep abdominals, obliques, hip stabilizers and postural muscles to work together simultaneously, building both strength and control,” she adds.

1. Begin by lying flat on your back with your legs extended and arms reaching overhead.
2. Press your lower back into the mat and engage your core.
3. Lift your legs to 45 degrees, or to a tabletop position, to modify.
4. Reach your arms forward as you gradually roll your spine off the floor.
5. At the top, balance in the “V” position with your hands reaching toward your legs. Keep your chest tall.
6. Roll back down to the start position with control.
7. Perform 8 to 10 reps.

Find a space in your home or backyard, roll out your mat and get started on these Pilates mat moves instructors swear by. You’ll achieve strong, sculpted abdominal muscles before you know it!

Up Next:

Sources:

• Lily Colins-Sak, certified Pilates instructor and owner of The Daily Pilates
• Portia Page, certified Pilates instructor
• Lyndsey Meade, founder of BODY Hot Pilates and certified Pilates instructor

56 years ago today, Led Zeppelin was in Reykjavik, Iceland, on a massive worldwide tour. It was in this city that the group’s lead singer, Robert Plant, got inspired to write their hit “Immigrant Song.”

Singing about a “land of ice and snow” and “the midnight sun where the hot springs flow,” the song went on to appear in movies like the Jack Black-led comedy film School of Rock and Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok. From the song’s iconic guitar riffs to its aggressive drum fills, “Immigrant Song” remains a fan-favorite to this day.

“We weren’t being pompous,” Plant said about the song in his 1994 book Led Zeppelin. “We did come from the land of the ice and snow. We were guests of the Icelandic Government on a cultural mission. We were invited to play a concert in Reykjavik and the day before we arrived all the civil servants went on strike and the gig was going to be cancelled.”

However, after learning that a university had prepared a concert hall for them, the show still went on.

“The response from the kids was remarkable and we had a great time,” Plant said. “‘Immigrant Song’ was about that trip and it was the opening track on [Led Zeppelin III] that was intended to be incredibly different.”

“Immigrant Song” was performed live for the first time at the Bath Festival in Somerset, England, on June 28, only six days after their show in Iceland. It was released on the record Led Zeppelin III by Atlantic Records on October 5, 1970, four months after the shows.

In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked “Immigrant Song” as one of the top 100 Greatest Metal Songs of All Time. Lester Bangs, a music critic for Rolling Stone, said when the song came out that it “comes closest to being a pulp classic.”

“With its bulldozer rhythms and Bobby Plant’s double-tracked wordless vocal croonings echoing behind the main vocal like some cannibal chorus wailing in the infernal light of a savage fertility rite,” Bangs wrote.

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There's a special kind of betrayal that happens when you do your makeup beautifully, leave the house feeling good and then catch your reflection three hours later to discover two dark smudges under your eyes that weren't there before. "J'accuse!" you might say to the mascara that did you dirty in your time of need.

You're not supposed to have to think about it, and yet it's often the first thing to fail. Heat, humidity, tears, oily lids, a workout you didn't plan for... All of it can turn a clean cat-eye into something that looks like you've been crying in a parking lot.

Waterproof mascara exists specifically to solve this problem, but not all waterproof formulas are created equal, and the category itself has evolved in ways most people haven't caught up on.

There's also a whole separate world of tubing mascaras that some makeup artists now consider superior for certain situations, even though they're not technically marketed as "waterproof."

Figuring out which formula actually fits your lash type, your lifestyle and your specific failure points (oily lids, sensitive eyes, straight lashes that won't hold a curl) makes the difference between mascara that performs and mascara you have to manage all day.

To sort through it all, we talked to two makeup artists who deal with long-wear mascara constantly. Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, celebrity makeup artist who has worked on everyone from Miss America contestants to the cast of Jersey Shore, who specializes in glam that has to survive emotional, humid, sweat-inducing wedding days from start to finish. Manuela Noreña is a makeup artist who works across extreme climates and long events when staying power isn't optional.

Together they break down how waterproof mascara actually works, when tubing formulas are the better choice and which 12 mascaras they'd trust for a day that absolutely cannot go wrong.

Related: 11 Best Mascaras for Older Women To Lengthen Thinning, Aging Lashes, Tested by Makeup Artists

Top Waterproof Mascaras

• Best Waterproof Mascara Overall:Lancôme Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Waterproof Mascara
• Best for Length:Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara
• Best for Volume:Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara
• Best for Short Lashes:Benefit Cosmetics BADgal BANG! Waterproof Mascara
• Best for Straight Lashes:Heroine Make Long and Curl Super Waterproof Mascara
• Best for Sensitive Eyes:Blinc Original Tubing Mascara
• Best Drugstore:L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara
• Best Luxury:Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Waterproof Mascara
• Best Clump-Free:Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara
• Best Tubing Mascara:Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
• Best Long-Lasting:Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara
• Best Natural-Looking:Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Mascara

Do Waterproof Mascaras Actually Last Longer?

In most cases, yes. Noreña explains that waterproof formulas contain ingredients designed specifically to repel water, which gives them better durability in humidity, tears and long days where makeup needs to hold.

"These types of formulas also adhere very well to the lashes and resist friction, helping prevent the well-known 'raccoon eyes' effect," she tells Parade.

D'Amelio Ventre agrees and adds that not every waterproof formula is built the same. Some prioritize curl-holding and length, others focus on volume or smudge resistance, and the best ones manage to do all of this while still feeling flexible on the lashes rather than dry or flaky.

Related:13 Best False Eyelashes for 2026, Tested by Celebrity Makeup Artists

What's the Difference Between Waterproof Mascara and Tubing Mascara?

This is where things get interesting, and where D'Amelio Ventre has a take that might surprise people. Traditional waterproof mascaras use waxes and water-resistant ingredients to hold up against moisture, and they're often excellent for dramatic volume and holding curl, especially for long events.

Tubing mascaras work completely differently. Instead of coating the lashes with pigment, they form tiny tube-like polymers around each individual lash. Rather than smudging or flaking off throughout the day, those tubes stay intact until you remove them with warm water.

"I honestly think tubing mascaras are one of the biggest game changers in modern mascara formulas," D'Amelio Ventre says, and uses them on destination brides or weddings in hot, humid climates because they resist transfer underneath the eyes far better than traditional waterproof formulas.

Although tubing mascaras can be water-resistant, for maximum longevity, extreme resistance or a strong curl hold, traditional waterproof formulas still tend to win out, Noreña says. Tubing mascaras, in her experience, lean toward a more natural-looking finish rather than dramatic hold.

As always, the "best" formula depends entirely on what's actually causing your mascara to fail in the first place.

Related: The Best Makeup Trick for Hooded Eyelids, According to Celebrity Makeup Artist Mally Roncal

Is Waterproof Mascara Bad for Your Lashes?

Not inherently, according to both experts. "That is a common misconception," Noreña explains. The real damage comes from how people remove it, not the mascara itself. When the wrong remover is used, people end up rubbing the eye area excessively to get the formula off, and repeating that day after day can cause lashes to fall out over time.

Related: 50 Best Products for Women 50+, According to Parade Editors & Experts

How Do You Remove Waterproof Mascara Without Damaging Your Lashes?

The answer from both experts is essentially the same, and it comes down to one ingredient category: oil.

D'Amelio Ventre recommends saturating a cotton pad with an oil-based eye makeup remover or cleansing balm and pressing it onto the lashes for 20 to 30 seconds before wiping anything away. "Patience is key," she says. Once the formula has had time to break down, gently wipe downward without pulling. For anything stubborn, a clean spoolie with remover can work through the rest without tugging.

Noreña adds that cooking oils and other edible oils should never go near the eye area, since they can be highly occlusive. In other words, save the olive oil for your pasta dishes!

Related: 5 Habits of French Women Over 50 Who Look Ageless

12 Best Waterproof Mascaras, Tested by Makeup Artists

Here's what the experts recommend.

Best Waterproof Mascara Overall: Lancôme Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Waterproof Mascara, $30

Amazon

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D'Amelio Ventre's top pick, and the appeal is in the balance. It gives separation, lift and length without ever feeling stiff or overdone.

"It performs beautifully for bridal makeup because it holds up through humidity and tears while still looking elegant and soft," she says. For a formula that has to look polished in photos and survive an emotional day at the same time, this hits both marks.

Best for Length: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara, $13

Amazon

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D'Amelio Ventre specifically recommends this for clients with shorter lashes. It creates dramatic length while staying lightweight, giving an elongated effect that doesn't feel heavy by the end of the day. The original (non-waterproof) version went viral for good reason, and the waterproof variant brings the same lengthening power with the staying power to match.

Best for Volume: Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara, $29

Amazon

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For anyone chasing bold, dramatic, full lashes, D'Amelio Ventre points to this one. It delivers the glamorous lash look that many brides and clients specifically request for photos and events. If your goal is maximum impact rather than subtlety, this is the formula built for it.

Best for Short Lashes: Benefit Cosmetics BADgal BANG! Waterproof Mascara, $27

Amazon

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The brush is the star here. D'Amelio Ventre loves that it can grab even the tiniest lashes at the root, building definition and lift that shorter lashes often struggle to achieve. For anyone whose lashes are sparse at the inner corners, a brush that can actually reach them makes a real difference.

Best for Straight Lashes: Heroine Make Long and Curl Super Waterproof Mascara, $18

Amazon

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Straight lashes that refuse to hold a curl are one of the more frustrating mascara problems, and D'Amelio Ventre calls this one of the best formulas she's found for it. It locks lashes into place all day, even in humidity, which is exactly the combination that usually defeats curl-holding formulas.

Best for Sensitive Eyes: Blinc Original Tubing Mascara, $26

Amazon

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D'Amelio Ventre's pick for sensitive eyes leans into the tubing technology that makes removal so much gentler. She says this is truly the best waterproof choice for sensitive eyes as it minimizes smudging throughout the day and comes off easily with warm water and gentle cleanser, no rubbing required. For eyes that react to traditional formulas or removal processes, this sidesteps the problem entirely.

Best Drugstore: L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara, $14

Amazon

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This is a longtime favorite for a reason. D'Amelio Ventre notes it delivers strong volume and softness at an accessible price point, proving that drugstore waterproof formulas don't have to compromise on either performance or feel.

Related: 10 Best Drugstore Mascaras for Thinning Lashes, According to Makeup Artists

Best Luxury: Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Waterproof Mascara, $40

Ulta

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D'Amelio Ventre describes this as a beautifully luxurious formula with rich pigment, excellent volume and impressive wear time. For anyone who wants the full experience, from application to all-day performance, this is the splurge that delivers on every front.

Best Clump-Free: Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara, $24

Amazon

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Clumping is one of the most common waterproof mascara complaints, and D'Amelio Ventre points to this one for genuinely clean, separated lashes. It stays defined and polished without becoming heavy or overly layered, even with multiple coats.

Related: 11 Best Natural, Clean Mascaras, Tested by Professional Makeup Artists

Best Tubing Mascara: Tarte Tartelette Lengthening & Tubing Mascara, $28

Amazon

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D'Amelio Ventre loves Tarte's tartelette lengthening & tubing mascara saying it gives beautiful separation and impressive smudge resistance with soft, fluttery lashes.

She also likes Thrive Causemetics liquid lash extensions tubing mascara, Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara and adds that Clinique Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula is an underrated favorite, especially for mature clients or sensitive eyes, since it wears without flaking or irritation.

Best Long-Lasting: Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara, $35

Sephora

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For long events, photography, heat and extended wear, D'Amelio Ventre calls out this formula's staying power specifically. When the day is going to be long and the stakes for how your makeup holds up are high, this is the one she trusts.

Best Natural-Looking: Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Mascara, $20

Amazon

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For anyone who wants definition and lift without looking like they're wearing a dramatic lash, D'Amelio Ventre highlights this formula's ability to stay soft and effortless. "It's especially beautiful for natural glam makeup looks," she says, making it the pick for days when subtle is the goal.

One more tip from D'Amelio Ventre worth keeping in mind regardless of which formula you choose. Curl your lashes before applying mascara. Even the best formulas perform better when lashes are lifted and separated first, and skipping this step is one of the most common reasons mascara underdelivers no matter how good it is.

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Related: 13 Best Eyelash Curlers, Tested by Celebrity Makeup Artists

Sources:

• Lauren D'Amelio Ventre, bridal and celebrity makeup artist
• Manuela Noreña, makeup artist

Dropkick Murphys are having one of those weeks where everything seems to hit at once.

The Boston punk band just released their version of "The Body of an American," a track featured on the upcoming tribute album 20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan, honoring the late Pogues frontman.

The cover leans into the band’s signature mix of grit and Celtic storytelling, paying homage to one of the artists who helped shape their own sound.

For Dropkick Murphys, the song isn’t just another recording. Frontman Ken Casey has long credited MacGowan as a major influence, and the band has been performing the song live for years. Now, it officially joins a tribute project that also includes contributions from artists like Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits and Hozier, underscoring MacGowan’s wide-reaching impact across genres.

That sense of crossover hasn’t stopped there.

The band also has new music heading to shelves this week in a different form: a split vinyl release with Haywire titled New England Forever, arriving in stores June 26.

The project finds both bands covering each other’s songs while contributing originals, creating a back-and-forth tribute to their shared regional roots and working-class punk identity.

Beyond the studio, Dropkick Murphys are also seeing their music move into television. Their track "Dropped On My Head," originally a bonus cut from For The People, has been chosen as the theme for the upcoming crime drama The Westies, a series centered on New York’s infamous Irish-American gang scene.

Meanwhile, the band’s live momentum continues to build.

Earlier this month, Dropkick Murphys joined Springsteen,76, and a lineup of major artists for Music America: The Songs That Shaped Us, a special event celebrating American music history.

Their set included an acoustic version of "The Fields of Athenry," a collaboration with Springsteen on “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” and a group performance of "American Land."

And they’re not slowing down. The band returns to touring in the UK, Ireland, and Europe starting June 25, followed by festival appearances across North America, including Rocklahoma and Vans Warped Tour dates in Mexico and Florida.

Later this year, they’ll join the Power To The People Festival in Maryland alongside Foo Fighters, Tom Morello, Joan Baez and others, before heading to Australia and New Zealand with Rise Against.

Related: Warren G, Nelly, Buckcherry and More Join Throwback Music Event

Everyone remembers their first concert, and for actress and singerRita Wilson, it was a huge one.

In a throwback Instagram post published on June 21, the Sleepless in Seattle star revealed the first show that she ever attended was none other than a Led Zeppelin performance, which took place at the famed Kia Forum, also known as the Los Angeles Forum.

"My first concert was Led Zeppelin at the Los Angeles Forum. I went with two of my girlfriends who happened to be identical twins with gorgeous red hair," the Jingle All the Way actress wrote in the caption. "I still remember exactly what I wore."

The photo carousel included throwback shots of Wilson in her younger years, including her iconic bikini photoshoot snap, along with posters from the concert in question. Led Zeppelin played at the Forum on June 3, 1973, and the set included a selection of the British rock band's best hits. According toSetlist.FM, they opened the show with 1971's "Rock and Roll" and closed with 1969's "Thank You."

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As seen in the third slide, tickets for the 1973 concert cost between $4 and $7, and fans were shocked by surprisingly low price, calling the 1970s "the good old days." One commenter said that the cheapest concert tickets they had seen were priced "around 17 dollars in the late '70s."

This week, Wilson is wrapping up her own tour, which saw the "Til You're Home" singer play seven dates across the United States as part of her "The Sound of a Woman tour." The tour kicked off in Boston on June 11 and concludes on June 23 in St. Louis.

"Being out on The Sound of a Woman tour keeps bringing that night back," her Instagram post continued. "So fun to relive core memories."

On May 1, 2026, Wilson released her sixth studio album, Sound of a Woman. Her first album, AM/FM, debuted on May 8, 2012, and the cover record saw success on the charts, landing at No. 62 on the Billboard 200.

Related: 1980 Rock Hit, Named One of the 'Greatest Songs of All Time,' Was Written in 10 Minutes

Jill Smokler, the New York Times bestselling author and founder of Scary Mommy, died today, June 22, 2026, at her home in Baltimore. She was 48. The cause was glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer she had been fighting for more than two years. She is survived by her three children, Lily, Ben and Evan.

Her family announced her death in a statement shared by Scary Mommy, the community she built from scratch and that has outlasted almost everything else she could have predicted when she started it.

"Jill spent her life telling the truth about motherhood," her family wrote, "that it could be wonderful and impossible in the very same breath, and in doing so, she gave millions of women permission to stop pretending and feel a little less alone. She was funny, fearless, generous, and entirely herself. More than anything she built, Jill was proudest of her three children.

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Jill gave millions of mothers around the world permission to tell their truth.

That the truth was sometimes funny, sometimes painful, sometimes both at once, and always real, that was exactly the point. In 2008, there was almost nowhere a mother could admit that motherhood was hard without someone judging her for it. So Jill made the place for all of us.

She named it Scary Mommy, after her son Ben, who while watching a children's movie declared everything in sight "scary," his mother included. Her first post went up on March 21, 2008. The title turned out to say everything we needed to know: "Here goes. Day One."

What started out as one woman writing in her pajamas with three kids under four turned into something nobody ever saw coming. Millions of moms found their way to Scary Mommy because it told the truth, funny, raw, sharp and always real, at a time when the rest of the internet was full of people pretending motherhood looked like a magazine cover. She wrote about the mess, the noise, the boredom, the guilt, the moments of rage, and the love so big it somehow made all of it worth it.

Scary Mommy wasn't just a blog. It was permission: to laugh, to admit it was hard as hell, to tell the truth, and to be a great mother without pretending to enjoy every single second of it. In doing that, she also changed the way mothers talked about their lives in ways that are still being felt today.

That became the foundation of something much larger. Smokler wrote two New York Times bestselling books, starting with Confessions of a Scary Mommy in 2012 and Motherhood Comes Naturally (and Other Vicious Lies) in 2013. Scary Mommy won multiple Webby Awards. 

In 2013 she started Scary Mommy Nation, a nonprofit that paid for Thanksgiving dinners for families who couldn't afford them, eventually helping feed tens of thousands of families across the country, because a community built on honesty, she believed, should take care of its own.

She sold Scary Mommy in 2015, when around 10 million people were reading it every month, and stepped away from the site in 2018. She later started She's Got Issues because, she said, she found herself in the same spot she had been in when she started Scary Mommy: looking for somewhere honest to talk about the next chapter of life and coming up empty. Same instinct. New chapter.

She Gave Millions of Moms Permission to Tell the Truth

Unfortunately, in April 2024, Smokler was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor with no cure, at age 46. She handled it the only way she knew how with honesty, courage and humor.

"Glioblastoma was not on my 2024 bingo card, alas here we are," she posted on Threads on May 3, 2024. "Life changes fast, friends."

She had three surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy. She flew to Germany to take part in an experimental mRNA vaccine trial. She did all of it publicly, on her own terms, the same way she had done everything else. That’s just the kind of woman she was. Brave. The whole time she kept posting, kept writing, kept showing up for the same community she had been honest with since 2008, who were now walking this road right alongside her.

Those who knew Jill, myself included, say she was one of those people who was exactly the same in real life as she appeared to be: funny, restless, brilliant, generous and completely unable to pretend. She was real in the best possible way.

"She taught me that being authentic mattered more than being right," said her brother, Matt Epstein.

Asked once what she would change about herself, Jill said: "The inability to just be content. I wish I had the ability to take a deep breath and enjoy the ride, or even enjoy the quiet, instead of always waiting for the next stage."

I hope her family finds some comfort in believing she can finally take that breath now, and let herself feel proud of all that she built in this life.

Jill Smokler died on June 22, 2026, at her home in Baltimore. She was 48. She is survived by her children Lily, a recent graduate of Boston University; Ben, a student at the University of Pittsburgh; and Evan, who begins at Wesleyan University this fall. She is also survived by her mother, Kathy Epstein; her father, Drew Epstein, and his longtime partner, Sandy Jacobs; her brother, Matt Epstein, his wife Bari, and their children Maxwell and Gabriel; and her best friend, Julie Bender of Olney, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jill's memory to The Brain Tumor Network at braintumornetwork.org.

The community she built is still here. That was always the point. And we will never forget Jill.

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The Summer Solstice, on June 21, 2026, marked the beginning of summer, ushering in months filled with sunshine and positivity. As the new season begins, Jupiter enters Leo, and Mercury retrogrades in Cancer. This combination heightens emotions, sparks drama, and intensifies passions. We can no longer ignore our innermost desires, as the truth comes to the surface despite our best efforts to maintain a facade or hold back our words.

If you're interested in which star signs will be the luckiest, keep reading to discover the summer 2026 horoscope predictions for the two zodiac signs attracting the most positive energy this season.

Which Zodiac Signs Have a Lucky Summer 2026?

Check for your Sun, Moon, and Rising signs.

FUN: Your Classic Summer Movie, Based on Your Birth Month

Leo

The luckiest star sign in the summer of 2026 is Leo. Their passion will be ignited as the planet of expansion, Jupiter, enters their sign. This cosmic influence embodies boldness, heightened ego, and unapologetic self-expression, which means you'll likely experience a surge of confidence. Opportunities will come your way, and people will be drawn to your magnetic energy. Most importantly, you'll feel ready to take proactive steps to align with your deepest values, beliefs, and faith. Unexpected miracles can surprisingly transform your life and awaken your potential.

However, you’ll want to be mindful of walking the fine line between excitement and impulsivity. While your newfound clarity should be nurtured, it’s essential not to take rash actions out of hurt pride. Allow your instincts to sharpen, one step at a time. Throughout the summer, this theatrical star sign can expect to awaken their desires, pursue greatness, and, most importantly, take initiative to align with the highest version of themselves. Your path opens with potential, so have the discernment to filter out what is and isn’t worth your time. All in all, a mindset of abundance will multiply the good things in your life.

CUTE: If You Were Born in One of These 4 Months, You May Be the Family's Favorite Aunt

Cancer

As their birthday season begins, Cancer feels inspired to embrace new beginnings and explore new paths. However, with Mercury retrograde approaching and moving through their sign, they first need to address any unfinished business. Mercury, the planet of communication, clarity, and learning, encourages them to engage in difficult conversations, reflect on their experiences, and consider where they have an opportunity to correct past mistakes. From June 29 to July 23, they'll kick off the summer with this Cancer Mercury retrograde approach: careful and mindful.

However, once Mercury retrograde ends, the rest of their sunny season feels much more ambitious, exciting, and determined. On June 30, Jupiter, the planet of luck, enters their financial sector. After the distractions of retrograde madness fade, they will have a more focused mindset about what they value, where to invest, and how to cut unnecessary expenses. It's time to elevate their career, explore new business ventures, and receive compensation for what truly fulfills their desire to expand.

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