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If you’ve scrolled through TikTok or Instagram recently, you may be familiar with the cottagecore aesthetic that has captured the hearts of many. Cozy, dreamy, and whimsical, cottagecore vibes can be found in everything from home decor to clothing and accessories. It’s an aesthetic characterized by nature-inspired pieces, the rural lifestyle, and romantic charm. 

Looking to bring some of that cottagecore energy into your home? Lamps are a great low-lift place to start. Seamlessly blending functionality and style, a nature-inspired lamp can instantly transform your home into a dreamy, magical sanctuary with the coziest ambiance. 

While there are several options that exist, we rounded up three of the cutest lamps from Amazon that perfectly capture the cottagecore aesthetic. Best of all, they start at just $19 and are all under $30! Read on to find a lamp worth adding to your living space. 

Courtesy of Amazon

Mimicking the silhouette of the lily of the valley flower, this lamp features a gorgeous bell-shaped floral lampshade with the ruffled edge flared out. Similar to the way that lilies of the valley delicately hang, the lampshade is tilted down. However, thanks to the 360-degree flexible gooseneck, you can angle the flower lampshade in whatever direction you prefer. Tying everything together and bringing the design to life, the lamp boasts a long wispy leaf where the stem meets the flower and a few delicate ones that look as if growing from the base. 

This lamp is available in eight styles. You can choose from four colors, including white, green, pink, and red, and a lampshade with or without pearls. The base is made of thickened iron, ensuring that the lamp remains sturdy and stable. For a cozy glow, the lamp shade is made of acrylic with a frosted finish, designed to soften the light.

It has three temperature settings to meet all your relaxation needs. With just the push of a button on the cord, you can choose between a white, natural, and warm light to set the mood and create the perfect ambiance. This floral lamp will arrive ready to use, as it comes with a light bulb. Whenever the bulb burns out, you can replace it with any kind that’s compatible with an E26 base.

Made from beech wood with a wood grain finish, this mushroom lamp has a rustic vibe and natural feel that adds to its cottagecore character. Magical and whimsical, this lamp also has a sprinkle of fairycore. It features a round cap adorned with large polka dots, giving it that classic mushroom look. 

Measuring around 4 inches wide and 3 inches tall, this lamp is small but mighty. It’ll fit and blend in anywhere in your living space, while casting a light bright enough to create a dreamy ambiance in any room. This lamp has four dimming modes that you can adjust with just the push of a button. According to shoppers, the highest setting is bright enough for reading, while the other levels are great for relaxing, unwinding, and sleeping. 

As a bonus, you can easily move this lamp between rooms or even bring it while traveling because it doesn’t require a power cord. It’s powered by a 900 milliampere-hour rechargeable battery, providing up to six to eight hours of light! 

“The warm, ambient glow creates a relaxing atmosphere,” one shopper raved. “Whether for reading, cozy lighting, or on-the-go use, this portable lamp is a fantastic addition anywhere!”

Courtesy of Amazon

This vibrant lamp is the epitome of cottagecore. Handmade with natural flowers and leaves, it lends itself to the rural lifestyle. Because these lamps are handmade, they may slightly vary in appearance, making each piece feel unique. The lampshade has a sleek silhouette, allowing the pressed flowers and leaves to stand out on their own. 

With a base made of wood and a lampshade made of linen, it also has a touch of the farmhouse aesthetic. Similar to the lily of the valley lamp above, this one also has three temperature settings (cool, neutral, and warm), comes with an E26 lightbulb, and is powered by a cord.   

You can choose between four styles. It’s available in either a cylindrical or rectangular lampshade with the flower and leaf design, or a cylindrical silhouette with just leaves. The cylindrical lamp with flowers and leaves also comes in a version with a dimmer rather than a three-temperature setting.

A reviewer described this lamp as “stunningly beautiful and gorgeous” and said that it “brightens up the room and makes it feel very cozy.” They also noted that it’s the perfect addition to your home if you’re looking for a “cottagecore fairytale theme.” 

Related: Amazon’s ‘Whimsical’ Turtle Solar Statue ‘Creates a Magical Ambiance’ With Lighted Faux Succulents

Adding a cottagecore lamp to your home can effortlessly perk up your space and instantly transform any room into a cozy haven with its nature-inspired charm. If that sounds like something that your home needs ASAP, don’t hesitate to head to Amazon to snag one of these styles for under $30! 

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Beloved romance author Abby Jimenez is making one thing clear ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month—she does not want to be included on recommendation lists.

The Happy Ever After Playlist author took to social media on Monday, September 7, to explain that she is not actually of Hispanic heritage and Jimenez is her married name.

“This is my annual reminder that I am white, I married a Salvadoran, I am very proud of his heritage but please do not include me on Hispanic rec lists,” she shared. “I do not want to take space from the authors who deserve to be there. Also, you can find me saying this exact thing in articles dating back to 2019.”

Jimenez—who is also known for her appearance on season 4 of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars—added, “For those who don’t know, I was already well known as Abby Jimenez for my appearances on Cupcake Wars and TLC, which is why I chose to write under that name.”

She went on to land on the New York Times best-seller’s list for books like The Night We Met, Say You’ll Remember Me, and Just for the Summer.

“Also, it’s my NAME. Like, legally,” she continued. “I do wish now that I would have used a pen name for privacy and safety, but it never occurred to me that I would end up a famous author at the time and that my name would be so recognizable. My advice? Use a pen name lol.”

According to Jimenez, a few Hispanic authors who deserve readers’ attention are Mia Sosa, Alexis Daria and Adriana Herrara.

Hispanic Heritage Month, which celebrates the history, culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americas, kicks off September 15

To solve tday’s NYT Connections Sports Edition puzzle, you’ll be exploring the Texas metropolitan area, leaders with more than one ring, things associated with a famous footballer and words that have NBA teams inside of them.

Get excited—there’s another New York Times game to add to your daily routine! Those of us word game addicts who already play Wordle, Connections, Strands and the Mini Crossword now have Connections Sports Edition to add to the mix.

So, if you’re looking for some hints and answers for today’s Connections Sports Edition on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, you’ve come to the right place.

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The New York Times

Connections Sports Edition is just like the regular Connections word puzzle, in that it’s a game that resets at 12 a.m. EST each day and has 16 different words listed. It’s up to you to figure out each group of four words that belong to a certain category, with four categories in total.

This new version is sports-specific, however, as a partnership between The New York Times and The Athletic.

As the NYT site instructs, for Connections Sports Edition, you “group sports terms that share a common thread.”

Related: The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You’ll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle

Here are some hints about the four categories to help you figure out the word groupings.

• Yellow: Texas metropolitan area.
• Green: They have more than one ring.
• Blue: Famous soccer player known by one name.
• Purple: Find a team name hidden in the clue.

OK, time for a second hint…we’ll give you the actual categories now. Spoilers below!

• Yellow: DFW TEAMS
• Green: COACHES TO WIN MULTIPLE SUPER BOWLS
• Blue: ASSOCIATED WITH PELÉ
• Purple: ENDS IN AN NBA TEAM

If you’re looking for the answers, no worries—we’ve got them below. So, don’t scroll any further if you don’t want to see the solutions!

The answers to today’s Connections Sports Edition #715 are coming up next.

Related: 15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day

• DFW TEAMS: COWBOYS, MAVERICKS, STARS, WINGS
• COACHES TO WIN MULTIPLE SUPER BOWLS: LANDRY, LOMBARDI, NOLL, PARCELLS
• ASSOCIATED WITH PELÉ: 10, BRAZIL, COSMOS, SANTOS
• ENDS IN AN NBA TEAM: BOOKINGS, JAYHAWKS, PLANETS, WHEAT

Don’t worry if you didn’t get them this time—we’ve all been there.

Up next, catch up on the answers to recent Wordle puzzles.

Related: NYT Connections Sports Edition Today: Hints and Answers for Monday, September 7, 2026

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Summer is ending, but warm temperatures feel like they’re here to stay. If you’re looking forward to long afternoons spent watching outdoor sports or lounging at the park, but looking to stay out of the heat, having a comfortable, sun-shaded place to sit makes all the difference. Nobody wants to deal with hauling bulky chairs or juggling multiple pieces of gear, which is why the Costway Outdoor Folding Double Chair With Umbrella and Table at Target is a must-have.

Right now, this all-in-one setup is just $55, marked down a whopping 77% from its original $230 price tag. It folds down for transport and comes with an umbrella and center table with a built-in cooler compartment, giving you shade and a spot for drinks or snacks without any extra setup. Durable enough for repeat use but convenient enough to toss in the trunk, it’s a summer essential you’ll reach for well into fall.

Courtesy of Target

Between the built-in shade, seating for two, and added surface space, this seat takes the guesswork out of outdoor comfort. The frame is constructed of sturdy steel piping that keeps the setup stable while still being lightweight enough to transport, and each seat can support up to 270 pounds for a total capacity of around 600 pounds. Made from durable Oxford fabric, this portable seating is designed to resist fading and wear over time, even with regular sun exposure. 

When fully set up, it measures about 63 inches long, 22 inches wide, and up to 70 inches tall with the umbrella extended, giving you plenty of room to sit comfortably. The removable umbrella adds adjustable shade coverage, while the center table features an insulated cooler and built-in storage compartments to keep essentials like drinks, phones, and snacks within easy reach.

The folding frame collapses down to a compact size (roughly 39 inches long, 11 inches wide, and 7.5 inches high), making it easy to store in tight spaces like a closet, garage corner, or your car’s trunk. Weighing around 15 pounds, it should be manageable to carry, especially with the included carrying bag that keeps everything contained. 

This folding double chair setup comes in six classic colors, with the cobalt blue being the most affordable at $55. Every option is under $58, so no matter which you choose, you’re still scoring a seriously good deal.

Related: Walmart’s ‘Cushiony’ Folding Cot Bed Is ‘Great for Camping, Travel, or Kicking Back’

This “incredibly comfortable” and “supportive” seat setup has won over reviewers, who said it’s “easy to carry” and “perfect for camping, picnics, and beach trips.” One shopper wrote, “They are sturdy and well-built, which gives me confidence that they will last for many outdoor adventures,” adding that the “built-in umbrella is a game-changer, providing ample shade on sunny days.”

Don’t hesitate to grab the Costway Outdoor Folding Double Chair With Umbrella and Table for your next outdoor adventure while it’s over 75% off. Elevate every activity when you add it to your Target cart today!

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Today’s NYT Strands puzzle is all about the classroom.

Move over, Wordle, Connections, Connections Sports Edition, and Mini Crossword—there’s a new NYT word game in town! The New York Times‘ recent game, “Strands,” is becoming increasingly popular as another daily activity fans can find on the NYT website and app.

With daily themes and “spangrams” to discover, this is the latest addictive game to cross off your to-do list before a new one pops up 24 hours later.

We’ll cover exactly how to play Strands, hints for today’s Spangram, and all of the answers for Strands #919 on Tuesday, September 8.

The New York Times

According to the New York Times, here’s exactly how to play Strands:

Find theme words to fill the board.

• Theme words stay highlighted in blue when found.
• Drag or tap letters to create words. If tapping, double-tap the last letter to submit.
• Theme words fill the board entirely. No theme words overlap.

Find the “spangram.”

• The spangram describes the puzzle’s theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. It may be two words.
• The spangram highlights in yellow when found.
• An example spangram with corresponding theme words: PEAR, FRUIT, BANANA, APPLE, etc.

Need a hint?

• Find non-theme words to get hints.
• For every three non-theme words you find, you earn a hint.
• Hints show the letters of a theme word. If there is already an active hint on the board, a hint will show that word’s letter order.

If that doesn’t help, here’s a hint for today’s Strands game: Reading and writing and ‘rithmatic.

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

In today’s puzzle, there are seven theme words to find (including the spangram). Here are the first two letters for each word:

• DE
• CU
• EA
• GL
• WH
• MA
• BA (SPANGRAM)

Today’s Spangram is a mix of horizontal and diagonal.

Today’s Spangram answer for today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram, and Answers for Tuesday, September 8, 2026, is BACKTOSCHOOL.

• DESK
• CUBBY
• EASEL
• GLOBE
• WHITEBOARD
• MARKERS
• SPANGRAM: BACKTOSCHOOL

Related: Today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram and Answers for Monday, September 7, 2026

Today’s New York Times Connections puzzle explores American muscle, accessories of a silent artist, phrases that end with a word associated with love and words that contain your favorite snacks.

There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as the feeling of completing the daily New York Times Wordle, Strands, Mini Crossword and Connections Sports Edition word games in one fell swoop. But sometimes that can be easier said than done. If you need help with today’s Connections puzzle, keep reading.

Spoilers ahead! We’ve warned you. We mean it. Read no further until you really want some clues or you’ve completely given up and want the answers ASAP. Get ready for all of today’s NYT ‘Connections’ hints and answers for #1185 on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

The New York Times

If you’ve been having trouble with any of the connections or words in Tuesday’s puzzle, you’re not alone, and these hints should definitely help you out. Plus, I’ll reveal the answers further down.

Related: The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You’ll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle

1. Vroom!
2. They don’t speak.
3. Valentine’s Day symbol.
4. Sweets, but the brand name gets a tweak.

Related: 300 Trivia Questions and Answers to Jumpstart Your Fun Game Night

Ready for the answers? Scroll below this image (the image that represents your very appreciated patience!).

iStock

1. CLASSIC AMERICAN PERFORMANCE CARS: CORVETTE, FIREBIRD, MUSTANG, VIPER
2. FEATURES OF A MIME COSTUME: BERET, GLOVES, STRIPES, SUSPENDERS
3. ___ HEART: ARTICHOKE, PURPLE, SACRED, TAKE TO
4. CANDY BARS PLUS A LETTER: DOVES, MARSH, SKORT, TWIXT

How’d you do?

Up Next:

– 15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day
– Hints, Clues and Answers to the NYT’s ‘Mini Crossword’ Puzzle

Did You Miss a Few Days? Let’s Catch You Up With Recent Connections Answers

Related: NYT ‘Connections’ Hints, Clues and Answers Today, Monday, September 7, 2026

Author Sarah J. Maas already had a wildly successful career in the fantasy genre with her Throne of Glass series before she began working on a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The first novel, A Court of Thorns and Roses, was published in 2015, several years after Maas sat down to write the book.

The series, colloquially known to Romantasy fans as “ACOTAR,“ has gone on to be an insanely massive success, the likes of which make it considered a global phenomenon. Thanks in part to BookTok, what users who track their reading on TikTok are known as, ACOTAR is one of the defining pop culture sensations of the last decade. The series has sold more than 13 million copies and still regularly tops bestseller lists even today, such as those on USA Today and the New York Times. Even this week, the book is still in the top 10 of the “Most Read Books of the Week” according to Goodreads.

A Court of Thorns and Roses follows Feyre, a 19-year-old huntress who accidentally kills a magical wolf that was actually a High Fae from the Spring Court in disguise. Feyre is taken away to the faerie realm of Prythian to pay for her crime with her life. In Prythian, she meets the immortal High Lord Tamlin and his emissary, Lucien, and slowly but surely learns more about the faeries and their world, which had previously only been a thing of legend to Feyre. But something is looming over Prythian; an ancient blight is spreading and threatens Feyre, Tamlin, and everything she is only beginning to know about the world she’s found herself a part of.

ACOTAR was followed by the sequels A Court of Mist and Fury in 2016, A Court of Wings and Ruin in 2017, A Court of Frost and Starlight in 2018, and A Court of Silver Flames in 2021. Maas has announced the release of two more sequels, with the sixth installment, A Court of Splintered Harmony, releasing on October 27, 2026, and the seventh, A Court of Forgotten Melody, on January 12, 2027. The series will conclude with an eighth book, which Maas has yet to announce formally.

The first five books of the ACOTAR series and other works by Maas are available wherever books are sold.

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Related: Best-Selling 2015 Global Sensation Is Ranked a ‘Most Read Book of the Year’ on Goodreads

Today’s NYT Wordle answer describes something that can make a dull situation more exciting.

But the day just isn’t complete until I’ve solved all of the free word games from the New York Times, including Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Strands, and Mini Crossword. If you’re stuck on today’s Wordle answer, we’re here to help—but beware of spoilers for Wordle #1907 ahead.

Let’s start with a few hints.

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There are two vowels in today’s five-letter word.

Today’s Wordle begins with a consonant.

There are no double letters in today’s Wordle.

A hint for today’s Wordle is: to making something more energetic or enjoyable.

OK, that’s it for hints—I don’t want to totally give it away before revealing the answer!

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

We’ll have the answer below this friendly reminder of how to play the game.

SPOILERS BELOW—do not scroll any further if you don’t want the answer revealed.

The New York Times

Today’s Wordle answer on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, is LIVEN.

-If you missed it, catch up with the answer to yesterday’s Wordle.

Related: Every 5 Letter Word Wordle Hasn’t Used Yet (Updated Daily)

In 1975, a melancholy ballad by a Brazilian singer-songwriter climbed American radio charts and turned its creator into an international star.

Morris Albert, best known for the soft rock favorite “Feelings,” turned 75 on Sept. 7. The song became Albert’s signature recording, traveled around the world, and was soon interpreted by an extraordinary collection of performers, including Elvis Presley.

Born Maurício Alberto Kaisermann in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1951, Albert began his recording career in his home country before finding a much larger audience with “Feelings.”

“The inspiration, that’s the plain truth, was a woman, a beautiful woman from Rio,” Albert told Revista Istoé in 2004. “Everything I write is something I’ve experienced in life, or seen happen, or wanted to convey. ‘Feelings’ had a muse. I was 19, she was 30, it was a platonic attraction, nothing happened.”

Although Albert was originally credited as the sole writer, French songwriter Louis Gasté later sued him, claiming “Feelings” copied the melody of his 1956 song “Pour Toi.” Gasté won the copyright case, and the song is now credited to both composers.

Released internationally during the mid-1970s, the ballad centered on the lingering emotions left after a relationship ends. Albert’s restrained vocal and the song’s sweeping melody proved an ideal fit for the era’s softer pop sound.

The record quickly took off.

“Feelings” climbed to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975 and reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart. It also became a major international success and earned Albert Grammy nominations for Song of the Year, Best New Artist, and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male.

Even amid all of its success, Albert never revealed the identity of the song’s subject.

“This love lingered in my mind for a long time; I couldn’t tell her I loved her, so I wrote it,” Albert said. “I remember it well. I was in a house in São Paulo, preparing the songs for my first LP—it was the vinyl era—I was alone, it was raining heavily outside, I couldn’t sleep. The lyrics came all at once, directly in English.”

The song’s reach extended far beyond Albert’s own recording.

Over the years, “Feelings” was performed or recorded by artists including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Shirley Bassey, Johnny Mathis, and Sarah Vaughan, helping turn the song into a pop standard.

Presley also brought “Feelings” into his orbit during the final years of his career. He rehearsed the song in 1976 while working at Graceland, although his performance wasn’t commercially released as a conventional studio single during his lifetime. The connection nevertheless placed “Feelings” among the many contemporary songs explored by Presley in his later recording sessions.

Albert followed his breakthrough with additional releases, including “She’s My Girl” and “Sweet Loving Man,” but nothing approached the enormous international reach of “Feelings.”

Still, “Feelings” has remained inseparable from Albert’s career for more than half a century. At 75, the Brazilian singer-songwriter is forever connected to a ballad that traveled remarkably far, from the international charts to interpretations by some of the biggest voices of the 20th century.

Related: 1974 Classic Ballad, Once Spent 32 Weeks Charting, Became a Soft Rock Anthem

Willie Nelson has recorded countless country classics throughout his legendary career, but few have endured quite like “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” — a song that Ella Langley later put her own acoustic spin on.

The “Choosin’ Texas” songstress once uploaded a recording of her singing the country ballad on social media, and like many of her other old school covers, Langley’s rendition left fans utterly amazed.

Shared in a 2024 TikTok post, Langley’s cover featured nothing but an acoustic guitar and her effortlessly smooth vocals. She revealed in her caption that the Nelson track was not only one of her grandfather’s favorite songs to play, but it was also one of the first songs she herself ever learned.

This was one of my grandpas favorites to play and sing, and one of the first songs I learned 💙

Fans on TikTok flooded the post with praise, with many commenters offering their stamps of approval on Langley’s “true country” voice.

“You have one of the most traditional country music voices I’ve heard in a long time,” one user wrote, while someone else told Langley, “You should sing this song as a duet with Willie.”

“Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” included on Nelson’s album Red Headed Stranger, was released as a single in 1975, and wound up becoming his first-ever No. 1 hit.

The song has since become one of the defining tracks from Nelson’s catalog, even though he also wasn’t the first artist to record it.

It was originally sung by Roy Acuff in 1947, and had already been covered by several other stars before Nelson, including Conway Twitty (1970), Elvis Presley (1976), Olivia Newton-John (1976) and more. But that didn’t stop the song from becoming widely associated with Nelson, who even earned his first Grammy award with his 1975 recording.

More than 50 years later, it’s regarded as one of the best songs of Nelson’s prolific career. It’s been crowned as the No. 1 Best Willie Nelson Song by Rolling Stone, which also ranks it #27 on the list of the 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time.

Related: 1973 Outlaw Country Ballad, Later Recorded By Elvis Presley, Is Ranked One of the King’s ‘Best Country Songs’

A holiday can turn a routine CVS visit into a last-minute essential—especially when you need extra ice, a pack of batteries, sunscreen, allergy relief, snacks for the road or a forgotten cookout item. CVS is also one of the places people may rely on when they need to pick up a prescription or over-the-counter medicine during the long weekend.

For anyone planning a Sept. 7 stop, it helps to know CVS’ Labor Day hours before heading out. While CVS locations are expected to welcome customers on Labor Day, individual store and pharmacy schedules may not look exactly the same everywhere.

Related: Target’s Antique-Style Kitchen Find Looks Far More Expensive Than It Actually Is

Jumping Rocks / Getty Images

Yes. CVS stores are expected to be open on Labor Day 2026, which falls on Monday, Sept. 7. CVS has said its locations will generally operate under their normal business schedules for the holiday.

That said, a CVS store being open does not necessarily mean every service inside will be available for the same amount of time. The retail section, pharmacy, drive-thru, MinuteClinic and photo counter can all have separate operating schedules.

CVS’ Labor Day hours will vary by location. Most stores are expected to follow their regular hours on Sept. 7, though certain locations may use a modified holiday schedule.

In other words, a nearby 24-hour CVS may remain accessible around the clock, while another store in the same area may close earlier than usual. Pharmacy counters may also have shorter hours than the main store, particularly on federal holidays.

Related: This Versatile Walnut Bookcase at IKEA Delivers a Stylish High-End Library Look for Less

Written for her fourth studio album, Surfacing, Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan was incredibly inspired by musicians who turn to heroin to cope with the pressures of the industry. Most notably, McLachlan was moved by the 1996 passing of Smashing Pumpkins keyboardist Jonathan Melovin, who died of an overdose when he was just 34 years old.

McLachlan has stated she is sympathetic to understanding why artists might gravitate towards heroin use, saying, “I’ve been in that place where you’ve messed up, and you’re so lost that you don’t know who you are anymore, and you’re miserable—and here’s this escape route. I’ve never done heroin, but I’ve done plenty of other things to escape.”

What came from the inspiration is the powerful ballad, “Angel.” McLachlan called writing the track “joyous” and “easy” and said it came together in just three hours. The song was released as the fourth and final single from Surfacing the year after the album’s release in 1998.

“Angel” peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 19 weeks in the top 10, which put it in the top 20 of the most popular songs of the entire year. “Angel” has charted in multiple countries in the 29 years since its release, including Norway, New Zealand, Austria, France, the United Kingdom, McLachlan’s native Canada, and Norway.

Since 1997, “Angel” has become a song synonymous with grief and loss, notably being featured in commercials with McLachlan for the ASPCA. Additionally, CBC Radio said of the track, “With its sombre melody and heart-wrenching lyrics, Angel quickly became the unofficial anthem of mourning following tragic events, such as the death of Princess Diana in 1997, the 1999 Columbine High School massacre and the September 11, 2001 attacks. Today, it’s recognized as the de facto song of sorrow and healing for both public and private experiences of loss.”

For millennials and others everywhere, the opening notes and lines of “Angel” are practically branded into our brains, and the haunting melody will likely stick with us all for more years to come.

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Related: 1989 Award-Winning Linda Ronstadt Cover Is Still a Beloved Hit 37 Years Later

Salma Hayek is stepping into 60 in her birthday suit. Not a bathing suit!

The acclaimed actress, who recently turned 60, has a resume that includes everything from rom-coms like Fools Rush In to groundbreaking films like Frida. While she may be one of Hollywood’s most stunning stars, she’s also a devoted mom. (And a new grandma to boot, but more on that below!) But the actress recently took to social media to show off some photos from her birthday week. Lying nude on her stomach in the surf on a beautiful beach with her graying hair in the sunshine, the star made it clear she’s thriving at 60. Check out the photos below:

“60 and grateful,” Hayek captioned the photo set.

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Married to billionaire François-Henri Pinault, 64, Salma shared a sweet photo of herself holding her new grandson. Her stepson, François Pinault Jr., just welcomed the baby boy with his wife, Lara Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck, PEOPLE reported.

 Hayek’s daughter Valentina recently turned 18. In a sweet photo carousel that showed the family celebrating the big birthday, Hayek expressed her love for her lookalike daughter on her special day.

“We ate, we danced, we laughed, we loved… and we kept the party going all weekend. Happy birthday mi cielo, celebrating you never feels long enough 🎂💃❤️,” Hayek captioned the post, which was also translated into Spanish.

Hayek previously spoke about her desire to have a big family, and the way it all came together with Pinault, who already had three children, François, Mathilde, and Augustin, when they got together.

“I always wanted to have a lot of children, and I was not able to. My body, as a miracle, had one,” Hayek told Red in 2017. “The huge 

blessing I’ve had is that my husband has three other children. So, I have four. And they are all so different.”

Related: Find Out More About Salma Hayek’s Husband, Mogul François-Henri Pinault

Hayek’s stepson, Augustin, who goes by Augie, was also celebrated by Hayek last year upon his high school graduation.

“Augie!!! We are so PROUD 🥹 of you. Congratulations for becoming the extraordinary young man that you are and managing to still be our lovely boy, and congratulations to Linda, Francois, and all the parents who got our babies up to this point. Easier said than done 🎓#graduation,” Hayek captioned the sweet photo set.

Related: Salma Hayek, 59, Stuns With Gray Roots Alongside Her Lookalike Daughter, Valentina, 18

Kaitlin Olson isn’t letting another Emmy loss get in the way of a good joke.

The It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star poked fun at her awards record on Instagram after attending the Emmys on Sunday, September 6, alongside her husband Rob Mac (real name Rob McElhenney).

“The hair, makeup and wardrobe of a four-time Emmy loser,” Olson, 51, joked in the caption the following day before crediting the team behind her red carpet look.

Olson wore a strapless white gown for the occasion, and her Insta carousel included a red carpet shot showing off the look, as well as photos with Mac and The White Lotus star Leslie Bibb. She hilariously ended the carousel with a childhood photo of herself in clown face paint.

“GORGEOUS !!! 🔥 (you won in my mind where i live in a constant state of delusion),” one fan wrote in the comments.

Another shared, “if it makes you feel better my roommate and i stayed up on EST timezone and waited for your category. you’re the winner in our hearts!!!!!”

“Yall are 18 time Emmy winners in our books!” said a third.

The “four-time Emmy loser” line is technically accurate. Olson has received four career Emmy nominations, three of which recognized her guest performance as DJ Vance on Hacks in 2022, 2024, and now 2026. Her first came in 2020 for the short-form comedy Flipped. This year, she lost the guest actress category to Widow’s Bay star Betty Gilpin.

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

Olson’s work on Hacks has also taken on an especially personal meaning. While filming the show’s fifth and final season, her father, Don, became seriously ill following complications from surgery. Olson balanced filming with traveling to be with him as his condition worsened.

One of his final opportunities to watch his daughter perform came courtesy of Hacks. Don saw Olson’s DJ compete alongside Jean Smart’s Deborah Vance in the comedy’s elaborate Amazing Race-inspired episode before his death in May. “And he loved it,” Olson said to Vanity Fair of her father’s reaction to the episode.

Before becoming an Oscar winner, Sally Field starred in the quirky comedy sitcom The Flying Nun, which made its debut 59 years ago.

On Sept. 7, 1967, during the popularity of Bewitched, ABC introduced the whimsical series as part of the network’s prime-time comedy lineup.

It follows the misadventures of a young nun named Sister Bertrille at the fictional Convent San Tanco in San Juan, Puerto Rico, making it the first and only American sitcom set on the island to showcase a Hispanic community to American prime-time audiences, as mentioned by Remind Magazine.

Behind her innocent and playful appearance, Sister Bertrille possesses a remarkable ability to fly, which often gets her into trouble as she tries to keep the unusual gift from attracting unwanted attention.

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content

The Flying Nun became an immediate commercial sensation during its premiere, but the hype slowly wore off before the series concluded its first season.

The ABC comedy sitcom aired from Sept. 7, 1967, to April 3, 1970, with three seasons and 82 episodes in total.

During production, The Flying Nun experienced a major challenge, one of which was Field’s pregnancy with her first child.

Since her role was that of a celibate nun, the crew had to hide her growing belly by using strategic blocking, such as placing large props on the set.

Moreover, the lead star was vocal about her hesitation to star in The Flying Nun.

“I didn’t want to do The Flying Nun,” Field confessed to NPR’s Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me! Podcast, “I was, like, 18, 19 years old. Now, I don’t want to be a nun. It was the ’60s. Everybody was eating granola, and taking their clothes off, and doing all sorts of things that I wasn’t doing.”

Moreover, the award-winning actress also spoke about not being fond of the flying aspect of her role.

“I would have rather just been a nun with my feet on the ground,” the actress added. “Because that was scary, and painful and stupid.”

Despite her reservations about the role, The Flying Nun received a modest score on IMDb with 6.5 out of 10, with commenters praising how “adorable” Field was as the character.

“Sally is adorable and the cutest thing. It’s a silly concept done sincerely. It is charming and harmless fun. Three years is more than enough as Sally reaches for greater heights,” one wrote.

Others also mentioned the chemistry of the lead stars, particularly Field and Alejandro Rey, who played Carlos Ramirez.

“The primary reason this series was as immensely popular with young girls as it was was the relationship between Carlos Ramirez and Sister Bertrille (the secret is out — most of the little girls of my era desperately wanted Sister Bertrille to run off with Carlos … and no matter how TPTB tried to dissuade them, that fact never wavered).”

After The Flying Nun, Field appeared in a series of TV shows, earning her multiple awards, among which was her first Emmy for 1976’s Sybil and her first Oscar for Best Actress for Norma Rae.

Related: 1995 Morgan Freeman Film, Ranked Among ‘Most Genius Mystery Movies of All Time,’ Has an 84% Rotten Tomatoes Score

We often talk about butterflies in our stomach. But if you’re one of the more than 1 million people with hypothyroidism, you’re likely more concerned with the one in your neck: Your thyroid.

“Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front part of your neck that regulates your energy levels and metabolism,” Dr. Alex McDonald, MD, a family physician, tells Parade.

Dr. McDonald most commonly sees hypothyroidism (low thyroid levels), and he says women are more likely to live with the condition.

“It is typically not a curable disease, but it is very treatable with a medication called levothyroxine, which is a synthetic version of a thyroid hormone,” he explains. “There are other conditions that can affect the thyroid, like hyperthyroidism—high thyroid levels—and tumors and cancers, but hypothyroidism is what I see most often.”

Dr. McDonald and other doctors Parade spoke with also commonly see people with hypothyroidism taking different vitamins and supplements. Supplements are often labeled as “natural” on the front of a bottle. However, experts are urging people, especially anyone taking thyroid medication, to be mindful that “natural” is not the same as “inactive” or “free from interactions.”

“Supplements contain ingredients that affect how a medication is absorbed,” explains Dr. Uma Darji, MD, a family doctor. “This is really important with thyroid medication because the dose is measured in micrograms and must be absorbed consistently. Even a small change in absorption can affect thyroid levels over time, which can cause a lot of symptoms.”

Doctors warn that it’s crucial not to take one supplement in particular too close to your thyroid medication because it can affect treatment. Unfortunately, many people aren’t spacing out their medications, bloodwork and this supplement well enough. Learn more below.

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Three doctors agree that people taking thyroid medication need to be mindful of the timing of calcium and biotin supplements. These supplements might interfere with thyroid medication and bloodwork.

Backing up, what are calcium/biotin supplements?

“These dietary supplements may contain calcium, biotin or both, along with other vitamins and minerals depending on the specific product,” explains Dr. Shasawat Kumar, MD, a board-certified Internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to LabFinder.com.

Supplements aren’t inherently bad, and calcium and biotin are important minerals and vitamins, respectively.

“Calcium is important for bone and dental health, as well as muscle contraction and nerve function,” Dr. Kumar says. “Biotin, or vitamin B7, is a water-soluble vitamin involved in metabolism.”

Formulations vary. While it’s not always necessary to take calcium, biotin or a supplement that includes both, Dr. McDonald does sometimes suggest it to patients.

“I might recommend taking calcium or biotin if a patient is not getting enough of these through their diet, has lab work that indicates deficiency or if they have an issue with absorption,” he states.

But one component of a calcium/biotin supplement can interfere with thyroid medication absorption, and another can lead to inaccurate bloodwork.

Related: Endocrinologists Are Begging People To Stop Pairing This Common Supplement With Thyroid Medication

Dr. Kumar says calcium is the most problematic component in a calcium/biotin supplement for thyroid medication effectiveness.

“Calcium can bind with or otherwise interfere with levothyroxine in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing the amount of medication absorbed into the bloodstream,” Dr. Kumar explains. “This interaction is particularly well established with calcium-containing supplements such as calcium carbonate. As a result, a person may effectively receive a smaller dose of levothyroxine than intended, potentially leading to a higher TSH and making it appear that their hypothyroidism is not adequately treated.”

Importantly, he points out that “calcium doesn’t ‘destroy’ the medication or make levothyroxine permanently ineffective.”

“The primary issue is reduced absorption when the two are taken too close together,” he explains. “Separating them appropriately can generally prevent this interaction.”

Dr. Darji notes that biotin doesn’t prevent levothyroxine from working effectively.

“Instead, it interferes with the laboratory technology used to measure certain hormones,” she says. “Many laboratory tests use a biotin-based system to capture or detect the substance being measured.”

She adds that too much supplemental biotin circulating in your blood can disrupt that system and produce results that don’t reflect what’s actually going on in your body.

“With commonly used thyroid tests, biotin can cause TSH to appear falsely low while T4 and T3 appear falsely high,” she explains. “This makes it look like the patient has an overactive thyroid or is on too much medication, which is not true.”

Related: ‘I’m an Endocrinologist—This Is the First Thing I Check When Someone Can’t Lose Weight’

If your doctor recommends taking calcium/biotin in addition to thyroid medications, you can. But your physician will discuss proper timing with you because you should take these supplements separately from your thyroid medication and stop using them before bloodwork.

“It is recommended to take calcium supplements at least four hours apart from levothyroxine,” Dr. Kumar notes. “This is particularly important with calcium carbonate, which can significantly reduce levothyroxine absorption when taken together.”

He says you’ll want to stop taking any biotin-containing supplements at least two to three days before thyroid blood testing. Make sure your healthcare provider knows you’re taking the supplement and when you last took it.

Ideally, doctors recommend taking a food-first approach to both calcium and biotin. Depending on your age and sex, you’ll need about 1,000 milligrams to 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day.

Dr. Darji says food sources of calcium include:

• Milk, yogurt and cheese
• Calcium-fortified soy milk or other plant-based beverages
• Calcium-set tofu
• Kale, bok choy, broccoli and turnip greens
• Beans, soybeans and chia seeds

Adults need 35 micrograms of biotin daily, and most of us get it just fine via food, including nuts, seeds, salmon and sweet potatoes.

“Biotin deficiency is rare, as it is found in many foods,” Dr. Darji explains. “Biotin is frequently marketed for hair, skin and nails, but the evidence that high-dose biotin improves these in healthy people is not there.”

Whether you think you need a supplement or not, it’s crucial to consult with your doctor, especially if you’re on thyroid medications. And?

“Always tell your doctor about any supplements and vitamins you are taking,” Dr. Darji reminds us.

Up Next:

Related: ‘I Was Diagnosed With Thyroid Cancer at Age 39—This Was the First Sign That Something Was Wrong'

• Dr. Alex McDonald, MD, a family physician
• Dr. Uma Darji, MD, a family doctor
• Dr. Shasawat Kumar, MD, a board-certified Internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to LabFinder.com
• Hypothyroidism: Diagnosis and Treatment. American Family Physician.
• Calcium. Office of Dietary Supplements.
• Biotin. Office of Dietary Supplements.

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It’s the time of the season to stock up on all of your favorite autumn styles. Treat yourself to a new pair of loafers, ballet flats, and ankles booties that you can sport with a cozy cardigan and a pumpkin spice latte in hand. Luckily, Nordstrom Rack has all of those popular footwear styles and more at unbeatable prices. You can now shop the Clarks Westylynn Ayla Loafers for 33% off in two fashionable materials. 

The loafers originally cost $105, but have been marked down to just $70 ahead of Labor Day. The footwear is being sold in black patent leather and black crocodile-embossed leather, which are both perfect options for everyday wear. The patent hue offers a glossy finish that’s great for fancier occasions, like a professional event. Several color and size combinations are already running out of stock though, so make sure to add it to your cart sooner rather than later. 

Courtesy of Nordstrom Rack

The sizes range from 5 to 11, including wide, medium width, and half sizes. They run true to size, though breaking them in for an hour will help the leather soften and make it easy for you to walk. One shopper said they offered the “perfect fit” and were “comfy from the minute [they] put them on,” so an extended break-in period isn’t necessary. 

Courtesy of Nordstrom Rack

The design features a 1-inch heel that gives you a bit of height while still offering stability while walking. The loafers are made from a leather upper, textile lining, and rubber sole that has minimal traction, so they’re most ideal for casual events. The beauty of the traditional loafer style is that you can wear it with anything — skirts, dresses, slacks, and more. 

Shoppers described the loafers as “gorgeous,” “beautiful,” and “so comfortable” for those with wide feet. If you scuff them or get dirt on them from normal use, just wipe them down with a soft cloth to maintain the quality. You can even invest in a leather protectant spray should you get caught in a puddle or inclement weather.  

• Journee Collection Jessamy Lug Loafer, $29 (was $93) at Nordstrom Rack
• Sorel One Ave Slip-On Sneaker, $55 (was $100) at Nordstrom Rack
• Clarks Solevana Mary Jane Sneaker, $34 (was $95) at Nordstrom Rack

These stunning Clarks loafers have serious potential to become a wardrobe staple, especially if you pair them with frilly socks. They’re classic, classy, and will match with everything. Shop the footwear for 33% off at Nordstrom Rack before they’re gone! 

Related: Nordstrom Rack’s ‘Stylish’ Sorel Mary Jane Loafers Are ‘Instantly Comfortable’ Out of the Box, and 50% Off 

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Today’s NYT Mini Crossword puzzle covers everything from things you fly to show your pride and words that mean you’re not a phony, to golf terms, Amazon devices, figure skating moves and famous ’70s anthems.

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

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

So, if you’re working on today’s Mini Crossword on Tuesday, September 8, and need some help (I’ve been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by “Across Answers” and “Down Answers,” so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!

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

1 Across: The Stars and Stripes, e.g. — HINT: Starts with the letter “F”

5 Across: Wake word for an Amazon device — HINT: Ends with the letter “A”

6 Across: +1 score in golf — HINT: Ends with the letter “Y”

7 Across: Prepare water for pasta — HINT: Starts with the letter “B”

8 Across: Some wall decorations — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”

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

1 Down: Elevator selection — HINT: Ends with the letter “R”

2 Down: Not phony, informally — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”

3 Down: Figure skating jump — HINT: Starts with the letter “A”

4 Down: Half of a portmanteau combined with “-borhood” — HINT: Ends with the letter “Y”

5 Down: “Dancing Queen” band — HINT: Starts with the letter “A”

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

1 Across: The Stars and Stripes, e.g. — FLAG

5 Across: Wake word for an Amazon device — ALEXA

6 Across: +1 score in golf — BOGEY

7 Across: Prepare water for pasta — BOIL

8 Across: Some wall decorations — ART

1 Down: Elevator selection — FLOOR

2 Down: Not phony, informally — LEGIT

3 Down: Figure skating jump — AXEL

4 Down: Half of a portmanteau combined with “-borhood” — GAY

5 Down: “Dancing Queen” band — ABBA

Related: NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Monday, September 7, 2026

Fifty years ago, rock band Santana released “Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile),” a song that became a major international hit.

Released on March 26, 1976, as a single from their seventh studio album, Amigos, “Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile)” became a massive success. In Spain, the song climbed up the Spanish Singles Chart, peaking at No. 1 in July. Its chart success was especially incredible given that the single was a five-minute instrumental track.

“Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile)” was co-written by Carlos Santana and keyboardist Tom Coster. The first draft of the song stemmed from an unsettling moment Carlos experienced while watching a close friend go through a severe mescaline-induced hallucination. Inspired by the sight, he picked up a guitar and penned a shelved instrumental piece called “The Mushroom Lady’s Coming to Town”—which contained the final version’s iconic opening guitar riff.

Graham Wiltshire/Redferns

A few years later, while on tour with Earth, Wind & Fire, Carlos revisited the song, playing it in a dressing room before a show. Coster overheard the tune and, recognizing its potential, helped Carlos reshape and develop the piece into what we know today.

“Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile)” is a stunning Latin rock instrumental ballad. Its soaring guitar melody carries so much emotion that it almost feels like a vocal part is present. The song seamlessly blends rock elements with jazz and blues to create a dreamy soundscape that feels as though it tells a complete story.

In 2022, Guitar World ranked their picks of the 50 best guitar solos of all time. “Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile)” secured the No. 27 spot on the list, alongside other jaw-dropping solos like Mike McCready’s lead in “Alive” by Pearl Jam and Billy Gibbons’ riff in “La Grange” by ZZ Top.

Five decades after its release, “Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile)” remains an unforgettable staple of Latin rock music. In the digital era, the track has continued to thrive, racking up over 102 million streams on Spotify alone—a stellar feat for an entirely instrumental single.

Related: 1974 Soft Rock Song, Covered by Willie Nelson, Is Still a Generational Hit 52 Years Later

The Eagles’ 1972 hit “Take It Easy” was born from an unfinished song played in the basement of an Echo Park apartment, where singer-songwriter Jackson Browne was working on music before Glenn Frey helped complete it.

The song, written by Browne and Frey, became the first single released by the Eagles and the opening track of their self-titled debut album. It was released in May 1972 and later reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.

More than five decades later, “Take It Easy” remains one of the group’s best-known songs. Amazon Music included the Eagles recording at No. 22 on its “100 Greatest Soft Rock Songs” list.

The story behind the song began before the Eagles had released their first record.

Photo by Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns

Browne began writing “Take It Easy” in 1971 while working on songs for his first album. At the time, he was living in an apartment building at 1020 Laguna Avenue in Echo Park, Los Angeles, with Glenn Frey and J.D. Souther also living in the building.

According to American Songwriter, Browne had his piano and guitars in the basement. Frey lived upstairs in a small one-room apartment and could hear Browne working on his music below.

That experience had an effect on Frey, who was still developing his own approach to songwriting.

“He had his piano and guitars down there. I didn’t really know how to sit down and work on a song until I heard him playing underneath us in the basement,” Frey noted in album liner notes.

Frey said listening to Browne work showed him that songwriting was not always about waiting for a sudden burst of inspiration. Browne’s careful work on the unfinished song gave Frey another way to think about creating music.

Browne had already written much of “Take It Easy,” but he was having trouble finishing it. Frey heard the song and told Browne that he liked it.

The two eventually worked on the unfinished track together.

Browne had written the beginning of the second verse, including the line about standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona. Frey supplied the next part, including the image of a woman in a flatbed Ford slowing down to look at him.

Frey described his contribution as finishing the second verse rather than creating the song from scratch. Browne had already developed much of the material, including the Winslow reference.

Browne agreed that they should finish the song together.

In a radio interview, Browne recalled how Frey repeatedly encouraged him to complete the song. Browne eventually agreed to let Frey finish it.

“And he finished it in spectacular fashion. And, what’s more, arranged it in a way that was far superior to what I had written,” Browne said.

The Eagles recorded “Take It Easy” with producer Glyn Johns at Olympic Studios in London. Frey handled the lead vocal, while the early Eagles lineup added the harmonies and instruments that helped define the recording.

Bernie Leadon played lead guitar and banjo, while Randy Meisner provided bass and harmony vocals. Don Henley played drums and also added harmony vocals.

Johns made one notable choice during the recording. He asked Leadon to play the banjo in double time. The band initially thought the idea was unusual, but the producer believed it gave the song something different.

“It makes a big difference, and it’s pretty difficult to play,” Johns later recalled, per Songfacts. “But Bernie did it in one take.”

The recording became the first single released by the Eagles. It also opened their debut album, Eagles, which arrived in 1972.

“Take It Easy” entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 79 on the chart dated June 3, 1972. It continued climbing during the summer and reached No. 12 on July 22.

The song also reached No. 12 on the U.S. Easy Listening chart, now known as the Adult Contemporary chart. On the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, it peaked at No. 20 in 2016.

The song’s road imagery also became one of its most lasting features. Don Henley explained that its appeal came from the feeling of movement in both the music and lyrics, connecting the song to the idea of travel, adventure and the open road.

The reference to Winslow, Arizona, became especially important outside the recording itself. The song helped make the Arizona town a destination for fans and travelers.

In 1999, Winslow opened Standin’ on the Corner Park, featuring a statue and mural inspired by the song. A tribute statue honoring Frey’s songwriting contribution was later added in 2016.

“Take It Easy” also continued to live beyond its original Eagles recording. Browne released his own version on his 1973 album For Everyman. Travis Tritt recorded the song for the 1993 Eagles tribute album Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles.

The Eagles went on to become one of the biggest American rock bands, but “Take It Easy” remained closely tied to their beginnings.

Related: 1971 Rock Song, Written in a Hotel Room in America, Is Still a Beloved Hit 55 Years Later