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When you constantly feel like you have a million things on your plate during the day, it’s easy to become overwhelmed or experience burnout. I’ve been guilty of this in the past and decided it was time to focus more on productive ways to make my work life easier. That’s when I heard about trendy topics like task batching on social media. While task batching, at its core, is a really simple concept, it shouldn’t be underestimated.

Grouping similar work tasks into specific blocks of time can actually help you be more efficient and—according to research—help you expend less brain power during your day. Thus giving you less burnout and exhaustion! I decided to try task batching for 30 days to be more productive and, honestly, was surprised by how much I ended up loving it.

What I initially assumed was just another social media trend turned out to be the helpful administrative tool my freelance writing schedule was missing. If you’re curious about trying task batching for yourself, you’ve come to the right place. Below, I’m breaking down what it is exactly, how it’s different from time blocking, the science behind it and all my honest thoughts on my 30-day experiment.

Related: A Productivity Expert Says This Is What Everyone Gets Wrong About the Eisenhower Matrix

The 30-Day Experiment: What Is Task Batching?

If you aren’t familiar with task batching, this productivity technique involves grouping similar tasks and completing them during the same time period. The idea is to help increase efficiency and make your day more organized. Most people will want to use this in a work sense, and it’s especially useful if you’re someone who works from home. Instead of responding to each task as it comes up, you’d set specific blocks of time throughout your day to complete them.

A good example would be checking emails and consolidating your inbox. While people sometimes check their emails as they come in, task batching means you would set specific times during your day (one or multiple) to go through your inbox and pair it with other similar tasks like going through your Slack messages.

You can group similar activities into a timetable or easy-to-follow sheet to make this type of experiment easier. Overall, the idea of task batching is easy to follow. Instead of asking your brain to switch gears so often to different tasks, it helps you expend less mental energy you spend on transitioning between tasks.

For my own experiment, I decided to group my tasks into the schedule below as a freelance writer.

Batch

Tasks

Communication Tasks (8:30 A.M. – 9:30 A.M.)

Emails, Slack messages

Meetings (9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.)

Meetings, calls, collaborative discussions

Creative (10:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.)

Writing, brainstorming, content creation, pitching

Administrative tasks (4:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.)

Expenses, forms, accounting

Related: I’m an Organizational Psychologist—This Is the ‘Shutdown’ Ritual I Swear by Every Night

The Science of ‘Context Switching’: Why Doing It All Is Ruining Your Focus

Research has shown that context switching consistently (going between different tasks) costs a lot of extra time and can decrease cognitive performance. It can also take a toll on your overall productivity. Some psychologists even say that the brain wasn’t designed for heavy-duty multitasking.

According to the American Psychological Association, Robert Rogers, PhD, and Stephen Monsell, D.Phil, conducted an experiment in the 1990s on this topic and found that when people had to switch between two tasks every two to four trials, they were slower on task-switching than on task-repeat trials. It highlighted the “switch cost” or time taken to adjust mental control settings for an entirely different task.

I’ll use my own job as an example for this because it fits perfectly. Sometimes, I’ll be in the middle of writing a story and go to check my emails in the middle of that. I’ll read an email and type out a response, but then I have to switch back into writing mode rapidly to remember my train of thought. According to research, this isn’t the most productive way to work, and this is where task batching can become really handy.

Related: If You Sit All Day, This Is the One Habit a Hepatologist Wants You To Have

Task Batching vs. Time Blocking: What’s the Difference?

It’s easy to confuse task batching and time blocking because they’re similarly related, but there’s a key difference.

Time blocking is a scheduling technique where you divide your day into specific blocks of time, and you assign each block a certain type of work. For example, you may create a schedule for yourself that includes two hours of work from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 AM, and then a lunch break after.

Task batching, on the other hand, helps you to decide what tasks to group together during a certain time rather than focusing too much on the scheduling of it all. Time blocking helps more with time management, and task batching helps you to create more focused blocks of work.

The Honest Results: My Biggest Surprises and Pitfalls After 30 Days

As a freelance writer who juggles a lot of different things, I actually found task batching really helpful. It helped keep me organized in a way I hadn’t been before. I also found that when I set specific times for more creative tasks like writing stories and pitching new story ideas, it was much easier to focus when I wasn’t checking my emails every couple of minutes. Dedicating time in the morning to these types of communication tasks (emails and Slack messages) was life-changing.

As a writer, it’s very easy to get behind on those types of tasks because you’re juggling so much. Before you know it, you’re drowning and miss important communication from certain people. Setting aside a solid block of time for that—and even administrative tasks—helped streamline my day in a big way. As a freelancer, you essentially own your own business and have to stay organized on administrative tasks for tax purposes, so I’ll definitely keep this task batching schedule for the foreseeable future.

The good, the bad and the surprising

As I mentioned above, task batching is a great way to help you focus for longer periods of time and to stay organized. I love setting up specific blocks of time for certain types of tasks—it really did make a big difference in how I work.

The only downside is that many jobs (including my own) require you to be flexible with your schedule and what you’re working on. Sometimes, your boss may ask you to hop on a call while you’re in the middle of a different task batch, and you don’t really have a choice in switching your focus. Even though I don’t work for one specific company alone anymore, I did still find that I had moments where flexibility was key, and I had to adapt my schedule accordingly.

What I was most surprised by, though, was the realization that my constant email checking throughout the day wasn’t helping my productivity. Sometimes, I would stop to check my inbox in the middle of writing a story, and I didn’t notice how much that slowed me down until I stopped doing it.

When utilizing the task batches, I would get a lot more done during my “creative” block simply because I wasn’t distracting myself with other small tasks on the side. Seems simple, but it makes a huge difference!

Related: These 7 ‘Lazy’ Habits Actually Signal High Emotional Intelligence, Psychologist Says

How To Create Your Own Task Batching Routine

• Start with a baseline. Spend a week or so observing your normal work routine and identify areas or blocks of time that could use change.
• Then, think about the different types of tasks you do throughout your day and how you can group related ones together.
• Ask yourself other questions like, “Where do I feel the most distracted?” or “Where do I get interrupted most often?”
• Identify similar tasks, group them together, and assign them specific periods during your day.
• Create a chart (like the one I did above) with the specific blocks of time you want to group your tasks into and follow it throughout your workday.

Up Next:

Related: Why Highly Productive People Block off This One Hour Every Day, Career Coaches Say

Source:

• Multitasking: Switching costs. (2006, March 20) American Psychological Association.

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Purchasing a large bedding bundle as opposed to buying each linen separately can save you a ton of time and energy. Generally, these sets cover all of your bedding bases, and they can provide some fun extras from time to time. If you want to revamp the look of your bedroom with just one click, the Sunham Isabella 8-Piece Comforter Set is a great choice. 

This expansive bedding set is 60% off at Macy’s during the retailer’s Labor Day event. Originally $100, you can now score it for only $40, and it’s currently available in five of the most popular mattress sizes! Shoppers can choose from navy and rich red hues.

Sunham Isabella 8-Piece Comforter Set, $40 (was $100) at Macy’s

Courtesy of Macy's

Shop at Macy's

This comforter set comes with absolutely everything you need for your bed. It comes with a comforter, a bedskirt, two classic pillowcases, two pillow shams, one fitted sheet, and one flat sheet. The only exception to this item list is the twin-sized version, which comes with one less pillowcase and sham for a total of six pieces. The full, queen, king, and California king versions of the comforter set come with all eight pieces. 

The comforter comes pre-stuffed with a hypoallergenic polyfill material, and is described as having a medium weight. Shoppers said that they felt warm while sleeping underneath it, but didn’t feel overheated either.

Shoppers also lauded the quality of the sheets, but what they loved the most is the set’s intricate dark-toned damask print. It’s on one side of the comforter and decorative pillow shams, while the other side features a simple striped pattern that uses complimentary hues. 

Shoppers said that this comforter set “is a great look for any bedroom,” and that “the colors explode at first sight.” They loved its reversible construction, and said that both sides are equally “wonderful.” Shoppers were “extremely pleased” with the quality that this bedding bundle offers, and said it looks “elegant” and “stylish.”  

Related: Macy’s ‘Dainty’ Birthstone Heart Pendant With Diamond Accents Makes a ‘Beautiful’ Gift for Under $100

If you’re tired of your current bedding and want an affordable one-stop shop deal, Macy’s shoppers highly recommended checking out the Sunham Isabella 8-Piece Comforter Set. Everything you need to transform the look of your bedroom is included, and its $40 sale price is unbeatable! Hurry, though, because the sale ends at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

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Bed bugs are among the hardest household pests to eliminate because they hide in cracks, furniture, mattresses and other areas that are easy to miss. That makes the treatment method especially important.

Professional bed bug control generally relies on heat, pesticides or a combination of methods. Heat raises temperatures high enough to kill bed bugs and eggs, while chemical treatments use EPA-registered pesticides applied to hiding places and travel areas.

Neither method is automatically best for every infestation.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends an integrated pest management approach, combining chemical and non-chemical methods when appropriate. The agency also notes that successful treatment depends on finding hiding places, treating all life stages and monitoring afterward.

If you suspect bed bugs, Orkin offers customized treatment plans based on the extent of the infestation and the areas affected. An Orkin Pro can inspect the home and determine whether heat, conventional treatment or another approach makes sense.

What Is the Most Effective Bed Bug Treatment?

The most effective bed bug treatment is a thorough, professionally managed plan that reaches every hiding area and includes follow-up monitoring. Heat and EPA-registered pesticides are both effective options, and many infestations benefit from an integrated approach rather than relying on one method alone.

The EPA says that bed bug control is most effective when multiple strategies are used together. Orkin takes a similar approach. Its residential bed bug service begins with an inspection, followed by a customized treatment plan and scheduled follow-up visits. The company offers both pesticide treatments and heat treatments.

Orkin puts it simply: “One of the most important aspects of this service is a thorough inspection of your home to identify where bed bugs are hiding and breeding.” That inspection matters because missing even a small pocket of activity can allow the infestation to continue.

Heat vs. Chemical Bed Bug Treatment: What’s the Difference?

Treatment

How It Works

Main Advantage

Main Limitation

Whole-Room Heat

Raises room temperatures to lethal levels

Can kill all bed bugs in treated areas

No residual protection after treatment

Liquid/Chemical Treatment

Applies EPA-registered pesticides to hiding and travel areas

Residual products can keep working after application

Often requires multiple treatments

Integrated Treatment

Combines several methods

Addresses different hiding areas and life stages

Requires careful planning and follow-up

The EPA says professional heat treatment can raise rooms or entire homes to temperatures lethal to bed bugs. The agency recommends at least 120°F for 90 minutes to ensure eggs are killed, though professionals may use different temperature/time combinations based on their equipment and protocol.

How Effective Is Heat Treatment for Bed Bugs?

Professional heat treatment is highly effective when technicians bring the entire treatment area to lethal temperatures and maintain those temperatures long enough to reach bugs and eggs hidden in furniture, cracks and other locations.

Heat has one major advantage: it does not depend on bed bugs contacting or ingesting a pesticide. For this reason, the EPA describes heat treatment as “a very effective means to control bed bugs” when performed properly. But it also has limits.

Heat has no residual effect, meaning it does not keep killing bed bugs introduced after treatment. As a result, the EPA recommends rigorous monitoring to prevent future infestations.

Professional application also matters. The EPA warns against trying to heat a home with thermostats, fireplaces or propane space heaters because those methods are ineffective and dangerous. Orkin offers professional heat treatment in some markets and advises having a certified Bed Bug Specialist determine which method fits the infestation.

If you’re considering heat treatment, an Orkin inspection can determine whether the infestation and layout of the home make it a good fit.

How Do Chemical Bed Bug Treatments Work?

Chemical bed bug treatments use EPA-registered pesticides applied to cracks, crevices and other areas where bed bugs hide or travel. Because eggs and hidden bugs may survive an initial application, conventional treatment often requires follow-up visits. The EPA currently lists 300 registered products for bed bug control across several pesticide classes.

Using different modes of action matters because bed bug populations can develop resistance to some pesticides. Orkin says its bed bug treatment programs may include conventional pesticides and typically require several rounds, depending on the infestation.

The advantage of some pesticide treatments is residual activity. A product applied to a crack or baseboard may continue affecting bugs that emerge later. The biggest tradeoff is time. Chemical treatment is rarely a one-visit solution.

Is Heat Treatment Better Than Chemical Treatment?

Heat is faster and can kill every life stage of bed bugs in a properly treated area, while chemical treatments provide residual control and can target areas where heat may be impractical. The better option depends on infestation size, room contents, hiding places and whether follow-up treatment is needed.

Heat is attractive when speed matters and the space can be treated safely. But chemical treatment is often better suited to multi-step control, especially when bed bugs may emerge after the initial visit.

That is why professionals often avoid treating this as a simple either-or choice. The EPA recommends combining methods where appropriate, and Orkin says its treatment plans are customized rather than standardized.

What Should You Do Before Bed Bug Treatment?

Preparation affects treatment success. The EPA recommends removing clutter and drying your bedding/clothing on high heat. You should also inspect furniture and keep clean items sealed until treatment is complete.

Do not rely on bug bombs or repeated DIY spraying. The EPA specifically warns that foggers should not be used as the only treatment because they often fail to reach the cracks and crevices where bed bugs hide.

Professional treatment reduces the risk of misusing pesticides or dangerous DIY heat methods. Because bed bug treatment depends so heavily on where the insects are hiding and how widespread the infestation has become, an inspection is usually more useful than choosing a treatment method based on speed alone.

Orkin’s process starts by identifying where bed bugs are active, then matching the treatment plan to the conditions inside the home.

Orkin offers bed bug inspections and customized treatment plans for homeowners dealing with active infestations. A professional inspection is the fastest way to determine whether heat, conventional treatment or a combined approach is appropriate for your home.

Yes, you’ve seen this dress. Actress Lili Reinhart just shared pics of herself wearing Kate Hudson’s iconic yellow dress from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. And there’s a reason she looks almost identical to Andie Anderson, circa 2003.

Last month, Variety revealed that a sequel to the Hudson-Matthew McConaughey 2000s rom-com is real and happening soon! According to the report, the film is in development at Paramount, with Hudson and McConaughey set to reprise their roles. Hudson, along with Pulp Fiction and Erin Brockovich producer Stacey Sher, will produce the new, as-yet-untitled flick. Neither Hudson nor McConaughey has confirmed their participation in the sequel. 

Even though Reinhart’s nod to Hudson set off a firestorm of speculation that she would star in the sequel, the actress has kept mum. She captioned her Instagram carousel, “You probably think this song is about you…paying homage to Kate Hudson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” but made no mention of a sequel. Coincidence?

View this post on Instagram Why did Lili Reinhart wear Kate Hudson’s ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ dress?

Reinhart wore the butter yellow Carolina Herrera dress for her most recent The Love Hypothesis press appearance. As it turns out, this is only one of many retro looks that are yet to come. 

The actress’s stylist Ib Abdel Nasser told Elle, “Lili will be paying homage to the leading ladies of the Golden Age of rom-coms and romance films throughout the press tour, and we wanted to start off with something super iconic for Brazil since they’re some of the most passionate and dedicated fans!”

Based on the comments on her post, absolutely everyone is loving Reinhart’s glam Andie Anderson aesthetic. Reese Witherspoon’s daughter Ava Phillipe gushed, “Reporting my breath as stolen,” and actress Lucy Boynton added, “Stoppppp.”

But the praise for Reinhart and her legendary look didn’t stop there. Fans flocked to her post, writing, “My jaw dropped”, “Are you kidding me! Nailed it!”, “I need you in more rom coms ASAP,” and “This is everything!”

What other nostalgic movie looks will the ‘Love Hypothesis’ actress recreate?

Even though her stylist revealed that Reinhart will wear more retro rom-com ensembles during the Love Hypothesis press tour, fans will have to wait and see which look she recreates next. The adaptation of the New York Times best-selling romance novel by Ali Hazelwood debuts on Amazon Prime Video September 23. So that means Reinhart has a few more weeks of nostalgic nods left before the film premieres. 

Fifty-two years ago, Dave Loggins released “Please Come to Boston,” becoming his breakthrough hit that would go down in history as a staple of the soft-rock and country-rock genres.

Released in April 1974 as the lead single from his sophomore studio album, Apprentice (In a Musical Workshop), “Please Come to Boston” became a major hit. By June, the song had entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 5 in August. The track also dominated the Easy Listening/Adult Contemporary chart, reaching No. 1 that same month.

“Please Come to Boston” originally gained widespread popularity due to heavy airplay on rock and adult contemporary radio stations. The track’s relatable themes and smooth sound appealed to a wide range of audiences and inspired countless cover versions over the years.

American country singer-songwriter and musician Dave Loggins posed for a portrait on September 21, 1972.

Michael Putland/Getty Images

Throughout its existence, Loggins’ single has been covered by dozens of artists across multiple genres. Some of its most notable renditions have been recorded by major icons like Joan Baez, Reba McEntire, David Allan Coe and even Willie Nelson—whose version appeared on his beloved 1984 studio album City of New Orleans.

“Please Come to Boston” was written by Loggins while he was touring as an opening act for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. He was inspired to pen it during tour stops in Boston, Denver and Los Angeles in 1972, with the lyrics capturing the awe of his first big-city experiences.

The song’s narrative incorporates a fictional lover who remains at home while admiring the traveling musician. During each big stop, the narrator pleads with her over the phone to join him, but she gently refuses each time, expressing her preference for home over his on-the-road lifestyle.

Throughout Loggins’ single, he highlights a familiar struggle: balancing personal ambition with the desire for love and stability. Paired with an acoustic-driven melody, the folk-rock ballad became a bittersweet anthem beloved across generations of music fans.

Over five decades after its release, “Please Come to Boston” continues to resonate with new audiences. On Spotify, the track has accumulated over 17.6 million streams, attesting to its lasting relevance in the digital era.

Related: 1973 Rock Song, Recorded in a Colorado Barn, Became a Breakthrough Hit Despite Never Reaching No. 1

On this day 32 years ago, Weezer released “Buddy Holly” on what would have been the rock icon’s 58th birthday. Today, the ‘50s icon known as the Architect of Rock and Roll would have turned 90, and the alt-rock hit named after him is still a banger. It’s even earned a spot on Rolling Stone’s updated list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

Written by frontman Rivers Cuomo, “Buddy Holly” was another breakthrough hit for the young band, following their debut single, “Undone (The Sweater Song).” The second single released from their self-titled debut album, perhaps better known as The Blue Album, the track peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and reached No. 18 on the all-genre Hot 100 Airplay tally.

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With its energetic fusion of crunchy guitars, catchy melodies, and retro-pop sensibilities, it’s easy to see why. But get this: It almost didn’t make it onto the album.

According to Louder, Cuomo came up with the song’s chorus while walking across the Santa Monica College campus, with the lyrics inspired by an incident in which his Weezer bandmates teased his friend Kyung He, who was also in the college choir. Cuomo ultimately felt that the song was too cheesy for Weezer, as the band wanted to “not be grunge,” but “more like The Beach Boys. But loud.”

The band’s producer, Ric Ocasek, fought for its inclusion, though.

“I remember at one point he was hesitant to do ‘Buddy Holly’ and I was like, ‘Rivers, we can talk about it,” Ocasek explained in the book River’s Edge. “Do it anyway, and if you don’t like it when it’s done, we won’t use it. But I think you should try. You did write it, and it is a great song.’”

Cuomo obliged, and the song became an alt-rock staple. It even birthed its own guitar lick known across the internet as “Weezer rolling,” along with an iconic music video that won four awards at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Alternative Video and Breakthrough Video, and a nomination for Video of the Year.

Directed by Spike Jonze, the video was a clever exercise in pop-culture nostalgia. To capture the retro, throwback vibe of Cuomo’s lyrics, which reference both Buddy Holly and Mary Tyler Moore, Jonze seamlessly combined newly filmed footage of Weezer performing at Arnold’s Drive-In with clips from the classic sitcom Happy Days. The video even featured Al Molinaro reprising his role as diner owner Al Delvecchio.

After its famous video and MTV victories, “Buddy Holly” got the ultimate boost from Microsoft, which unexpectedly included the video with Windows 95, exposing Weezer to millions of computer users. Now, more than 30 years later, the song is still winning over new generations of fans, especially on Holly’s birthday today.

Related: ’70s Rock Legends Announce Massive Edition of 1975 Classic With 92 Unreleased Tracks

In 2006, a new drama about a high school football team in a fictional West Texas town arrived on NBC. It never became a ratings juggernaut. In fact, keeping it on television for five seasons required some creative maneuvering behind the scenes.

Twenty years later, Friday Night Lights has won a much bigger game.

The acclaimed series, which currently holds a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics, was just ranked No. 1 on The Hollywood Reporter’s list of the 10 Greatest Sports TV Shows of All Time.

And THR’s critics didn’t hedge their bets about putting Friday Night Lights in the top spot.

In its new ranking, The Hollywood Reporter argued against the familiar idea that Friday Night Lights isn’t really about football. The publication pointed to the football-heavy pilot and beloved episodes like “Mud Bowl,” while noting that the show managed to be much more at the same time.

THR praised it as one of television’s greatest teen dramas, highlighted Eric and Tami Taylor’s marriage and celebrated the series’ exploration of faith and working-class life.

The publication ultimately described Friday Night Lights as “thrilling, heartbreaking, hilarious” and praised its remarkable ability to continually reinvent itself as young characters came and went.

That’s quite an accolade for a series that repeatedly faced an uncertain future while it was actually on television.

Friday Night Lights premiered on NBC on Oct. 3, 2006, with Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton leading an ensemble cast as Coach Eric Taylor and his wife, Tami. It was inspired by H.G. Bissinger’s 1990 nonfiction book “Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream,” which had previously been adapted into a 2004 movie directed by Peter Berg.

Despite passionate fans and widespread critical acclaim, Friday Night Lights struggled to find a large television audience.

After two seasons, its future was in jeopardy. NBC ultimately struck an unusual deal with DirecTV to co-produce three additional seasons, which premiered on DirecTV’s 101 Network before being rebroadcast on NBC. The series concluded in 2011 after five seasons.

Its ratings may have been modest, but the accolades were anything but.

Friday Night Lights won a Peabody Award and multiple other honors, while Chandler and Britton received Emmy nominations for their performances. At the 2011 Emmys, Chandler won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and showrunner Jason Katims won Outstanding Writing for the series finale, “Always.”

Critics were singing the show’s praises almost from the beginning. The A.V. Club gave the series an A upon its debut, noting how immediately different it looked and felt from other television shows. Years later, when the third season arrived, Variety argued that the series had accomplished something even rarer: becoming better than the movie that inspired it.

And the show’s reputation has only grown. In 2013, the Writers Guild of America ranked Friday Night Lights No. 22 among the 101 Best Written TV Series of All Time.

Now it can add another title to the Dillon trophy case: the greatest sports TV show of all time.

Related: 2014 Ethan Hawke Film, The Only Perfect 100 on Metacritic This Century, Ranked as One of the Best Movies of All Time

The simplest songs are often the best. They get in your head and stay there for life.

Such is the case with Melanie’s wonderfully quirky 1971 hit “Brand New Key,” an irresistibly catchy little song about roller skates that came out of nowhere and became the biggest hit of the folk singer’s career.

But Melanie was already a well-known musical entity by the time she recorded the song. The New York-born singer-songwriter had already established herself among some of the most formidable folk musicians of her generation. She had performed at Woodstock in 1969, as one of only three solo women on the bill, and scored international success with songs including “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain),” inspired by her experience at the legendary festival.

Then came “Brand New Key.”

Melanie famously wrote the song in roughly 15 minutes while living in New Jersey, shortly after breaking a lengthy fast with a trip to McDonald’s. Her husband and producer, Peter Schekeryk, immediately recognized something in the playful tune that Melanie herself initially dismissed as silly.

“We pulled in and I got one of those combos and no sooner than had I finished the last bite of burger, that I wrote ‘Brand New Key.’ It just came into my head,” Melanie told The Tennessean. “I had one of those little practice guitars in the van with me and when my husband, who was a record producer, heard me singing, he said, ‘What’s that?’ And I said, ‘Oh, some silly song. I’m just playing around.’ He said, ‘No, no–do that part again!’ And I did, and he said, ‘Melanie, that’s a hit!’ “

He was right.

Released in the fall of 1971 on Melanie’s Gather Me album, “Brand New Key” quickly became a sensation. On Christmas Day 1971, the song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for three consecutive weeks. It ultimately ranked among Billboard’s biggest songs of 1972.

Its popularity extended far beyond the United States. “Brand New Key” also topped the charts in Canada, Australia and several other countries and reached No. 4 in the United Kingdom.

There was something instantly delightful about the song. Melanie’s distinctive voice, the almost nursery-rhyme simplicity of the melody and that unforgettable roller-skate refrain made “Brand New Key” sound unlike virtually anything else on the radio. It sounded fresh and exciting. It was playful and infectious. It made you want to crank the radio and go outside and play on a sunny day.

However, despite its sweet and playful nature, listeners heard something considerably more provocative beneath all that sunny innocence, and controversy arose surrounding the supposedly sexual innuendo in the image of a girl with roller skates and a boy holding the key. Some radio stations reportedly even banned the song. According to Melanie, the lyrics had nothing to do with sex or drugs.

“And I was remembering roller skating,” she told singer Michael Johnathon in 2004. “And I remembered the scent of Astoria, Queens, where I grew up. And I was remembering roller skating and the key that, you know, tightened the skates so you wouldn’t fall and – which I often did.”

It wasn’t Melanie’s intent either to set the stage for future female artists to write boldly about their sexuality. However, she may have inadvertently done just that.

Beneath its childlike melody was a young woman confidently pursuing someone she wanted, an unusual reversal at a time when women in popular songs were more often the objects of romantic pursuit. Whether Melanie intended it or not, “Brand New Key” can now sound like an early glimpse of the increasingly candid female sexuality that generations of women in popular music would come to embrace.

More than two decades after its release, “Brand New Key” found a new generation of listeners when it was prominently featured in the 1997 film Boogie Nights. It has continued to surface in television and movies and popular culture in the years since and is only gaining steam, recently showing up in such prominent TV shows as Family Guy (2022), The Kids in the Hall (2022), and Lanterns (2026). Numerous and varied artists from Olivia Newton-John to The Dollyrots have famously covered the song.

But despite it being her biggest hit, “Brand New Key” was only a small part of Melanie’s expansive career.

Twice named “Female Artist of the Year” by Billboard, she scored an Emmy for songwriting and became the first woman to own a major record label. Prior to her death in 2024 at age 76, Melanie was in the studio recording material for two upcoming releases. In total, the prolific songwriter released an impressive 29 studio albums. But the biggest hit of her career has never really gone away.

Fifty-five years after a peculiar little song came tumbling out in a matter of minutes in a parked van in New Jersey, people are still singing along.

Related: 1975 Bob Dylan Song, Named Among ‘Greatest’ Lyrics of All-Time, Is Still a Powerful Hit 51 Years Later

Dunkin’ Donuts is giving away free Pumpkin Spice Lattes on Tuesday, Sept. 8!

The fan-favorite drink is part of the coffee chain’s recently launched fall menu. The Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte is available hot or iced and features pumpkin, vanilla, and warm fall spice flavors, topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and cinnamon sugar.

Here’s everything to know about Dunkin’s free latte deal—and how to claim yours before the offer ends.

How to get a free Pumpkin Spice Latte from Dunkin’

From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday, customers can get a free hot or iced Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte with any qualifying purchase at participating Dunkin’ locations.

Not every purchase qualifies for the promotion. Munchkins, gift cards and cups of water are excluded from the deal.

RELATED: Dunkin’s Fall Menu Features the Ultimate Influencer Team-Up, Fan-Favorite Items

More Dunkin’ deals ahead

Dunkin’ has several more freebies and promotions coming up. On Tuesday, Sept. 22, the chain is planning a promo-code drop for 1 million free coffees. Also on Sept. 22, customers can receive a free L.L.Bean sweater cup sleeve with a drink purchase at participating Dunkin’ locations, while supplies last. Then, on Tuesday, Sept. 29, Dunkin’ will celebrate National Coffee Day by offering a free medium coffee with any qualifying purchase at participating locations.

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Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, leaving behind his wife, Erika Kirk, and his two young children.

Now, one year after his death, Erika is sharing what she has learned about grief and healing in an emotional opinion piece published in The New York Times.

“For all the things that divide us, grief is a universal language and a defining part of the human experience. At some point, every one of us will love someone we have to say an earthly goodbye to,” she wrote on X along with a link to her op-ed. “I am still learning how to walk through each day carrying the grief I feel for my Charlie.”

She continued, “Some days I have a vague understanding of God’s plan, others I don’t, but I trust Him completely. He is my only strength. I also know grief can be lonely, and sometimes hearing someone else put words to it makes us feel a little less alone.”

In the op-ed, Erika opened up about Charlie’s sudden death and revealed that it was J.D. Vance’s wife, Usha, who offered her the best advice on how to persevere.

For all the things that divide us, grief is a universal language and a defining part of the human experience. At some point, every one of us will love someone we have to say an earthly goodbye to.

I am still learning how to walk through each day carrying the grief I feel for my… pic.twitter.com/6hx6ZR1Tq5

— Erika Kirk (@MrsErikaKirk) September 7, 2026

“You know when you’re on an airplane with your kids, and you’re going to land in 15 minutes, but the kids are going crazy, screaming, throwing things, and then the plane lands, and the kids relax, and everything is fine again? That’s how it will be. Just get through the next 15 minutes,” Erika recalled Usha’s words.

She also revealed she avoided their bedroom for months, but she now sits with the grief and the memories as they come.

“The first Saturday without a love note from him passed. His 32nd birthday. My birthday. Thanksgiving. When I put the Christmas tree together wrong, it made me realize that being a widow means old traditions will need to make room for new ones,” she added. “The wave crashes on me again and again. Every time, just get through the next 15 minutes.”

Erika now serves as the CEO of Turning Point USA, which will hold a memorial for Charlie at Utah Valley University on the first anniversary of his assassination.

The “Freedom Built to Last” event will take place just a 5-minute walk from where Charlie was shot and killed, and feature speakers such as Glenn Beck.

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Thanks to Dolly Parton’s 2022 bluegrass hit, “Berry Pie”, we already know exactly where the country icon stood on baking: “I like to cook, and I love to bake / Bread and cookies, and pies and cake.” From her Duncan Hines biscuit mixes to brownie mixes to her cookware and serveware collection at Walmart, Dolly’s mark on the kitchen is clear.

If you’d like to bring a little of that Dolly magic into your own home, the Dolly Parton Butterfly Stamp Carbon Steel Round Non-Stick Cake Pan is a great place to start, and it’s currently just $10. The pan features an embossed butterfly design that leaves a delicate textured pattern on the finished dessert, adding extra charm before the frosting or powdered sugar even goes on.

Dolly Parton Butterfly Stamp Carbon Steel Round Non-Stick Cake Pan, $10 at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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The first thing you’ll notice is the rose gold-toned pan’s embossed butterfly pattern, which is pressed directly into the baking surface. Instead of turning out a completely smooth cake, it leaves behind an intricate raised butterfly motif that gives homemade desserts a decorative finish straight out of the oven. Whether you dust it with powdered sugar to highlight the design, drizzle it with a simple glaze, or leave it unfrosted, the texture does most of the decorating for you, making even a basic cake look a little more impressive with practically no effort.

Measuring just under 10 inches in diameter and a little over 11.5 inches wide (including the handles), it’s sized for all kinds of delicious creations. Layered cakes, cheesecakes, coffee cakes, pound cakes, brownies, blondies, cornbread, and cinnamon rolls all bake up beautifully, but it works just as well for savory favorites like quiche, baked macaroni and cheese, breakfast casseroles, baked dips, pot pies, or pasta bakes.

Made from durable carbon steel, the pan is designed to distribute heat evenly across the entire surface, helping batters bake consistently from edge to center. A silicone-based nonstick coating helps cakes release cleanly without pulling apart the delicate butterfly design, while also making cleanup much easier afterward. 

The pan also features a reinforced rolled rim that helps resist warping over time, even with frequent use, and it’s oven-safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Hand washing is recommended to help preserve both the nonstick finish and the decorative embossed pattern for years of baking.

Related: Dolly Parton’s Stoneware Cake Stand Is a ‘Beautiful’ Way to Serve After-School Snacks

Whether you’re whipping up a box mix or trying something new from scratch, the $10 Dolly Parton Butterfly Stamp Carbon Steel Round Non-Stick Cake Pan makes your bake sweet before the oven is even preheated. Grab it for your kitchen at Walmart!

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Whenever fall approaches something in my brain signals it’s time to start baking. Gooey cinnamon rolls, banana bread, cookies—you name it. As someone who loves whip up sweet treats, I’ve collected a lot of bakeware over the years and yet for some reason it never feels like enough. There’s always a new pattern, pan or mold that piques my interest. It probably doesn’t help that I watch a ton of Food Network and they’re always busting out the prettiest pieces in those TV kitchens.

Plus, if I’m going to be spending a lot of time baking in the kitchen, shouldn’t I surround myself with cute things? Ya know, to make things a little more interesting? Yes, that’s my rationale for buying more bakeware and I’m sticking to it.

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Baum Farmhouse Floral 5-piece Oven to Table Set, $42.99 at Costco Baum Farmhouse Floral 5-piece Oven to Table Set

Costco

Whether you’re baking up a batch of brownies or roasting a side dish, Costco’s Baum Farmhouse Floral 5-Piece Oven to Table Set gives you plenty of options. It includes one large baker measuring 15.875 by 9.5 inches, two medium bakers measuring 9.875 by 6.125 inches and two small bakers measuring 6.375 by 4.125 inches. Basically, you’ve got a dish for everything from a family-size casserole to your favorite pumpkin loaf recipe.

It’s made from 100% stoneware and the pieces are oven safe up to 450 degrees, so you can take them from prep to baking without reaching for another dish. They’re also microwave safe for easy reheating and dishwasher safe when your baking is done, which is always a nice bonus. With five different pieces to mix and match, it’s a set that doesn’t just look pretty but is a workhorse, too.

Related: Marshalls’ New 4-Piece Sheet Set Is Hauntingly Cute

Costco customers who have purchased the set are singing its praises.

“Beautiful,” writes a reviewer on Costco.com. “Good quality; great for oven to table then dishwasher!”

If you’ve been skipping the housewares aisles at the warehouse club recently, this is your sign to take a look around. Costco is selling a retro-style drip coffee maker from SMEG, as well as a sweet crescent-shaped five-piece serving set perfect for hosting. And last, but certainly not least, it just stock a set of holiday icon glasses that look just like those trendy Anthropologie styles for less.

Related: Sam’s Club Just Stocked a New Mouth-Watering Baking Must-Have That’s Packed With Fall Flavor

Whether you’re new to Trader Joe’s or an experienced shopper, one thing you learn quickly is that it’s a little harder to acquire a full range of grocery essentials than it is at your average grocery store. And while for some that might be a deal breaker, if you look at Trader Joe’s as a way to complement your weekly grocery haul rather than as a one-stop shop, there’s actually a world of grocery staples you’ll end up not wanting to live without. 

For myself, the freezer section at Trader Joe’s has always been a reliable destination for discovering both new and returning mealtime favorites. With the majority of items retailing for $10 or less, it offers an endless stream of affordable freezer finds that can make weeknight dinners a whole lot easier. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding a family, there are plenty of items worth trying that help streamline the process while still producing a near restaurant-worthy meal.

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To help guide you toward your own weeknight mealtime awakening, we drummed up 10 Trader Joe’s frozen foods worth keeping on your radar this September. Split among Asian-inspired favorites and quick-and-easy frozen pastas, each item serves as either a reliable base to a larger meal or a delicious addition that helps bring an idea together. Follow along for a little inspiration, and let us know which of your favorites we left out.

Trader Joe’s Frozen Asian-Inspired Favorites

My general rule of thumb? Totally judge a book by its cover and snatch up anything that catches your attention. When it comes to Trader Joe’s freezer finds, it’s almost always worth taking the risk, and even if you end up not loving it, chances are it didn’t break the bank in the first place.

1. BBQ Teriyaki Chicken

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

Boasting a 21-ounce bag for just $6.49, Trader Joe’s BBQ Teriyaki Chicken is an easy first choice for a reliable weeknight meal. This classic Japanese-inspired freezer find features marinated BBQ dark chicken meat and a traditional soy-based sauce perfect for incorporating into a larger family meal. Fully cooked and ready to heat and eat, all you need is a side of white or brown rice, sautéed veggies and a side salad or egg rolls, and suddenly you’ve got a complete Asian-inspired meal that comes together in minutes.

2. PaJeon Scallion Pancakes

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

PaJeon Scallion Pancakes are Korean-style pancakes that come packed with scallions, onions, leeks, carrots and king oyster mushrooms. Sold in a 4-pack for roughly $4, they’re designed to be pan-fried until golden brown and crispy, offering a satisfying texture and flavor that feels a bit more substantial than your traditional scallion pancake. Delicious on their own with a dipping sauce or alongside other favorites like fried rice, kimchi, fried eggs and sautéed veggies, they come together in minutes and will never let you down.

3. Pad See Ew

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

Sold in a 10-ounce box for $3.99, Trader Joe’s Pad See Ew turns a traditional Thai street food into an easy mealtime puzzle piece. Translating to “fried with soy sauce,” Pad See Ew is made with wide, flat rice noodles that are fried in a wok with carrots, Chinese broccoli and tofu before being finished with a splash of light and dark soy sauce for a bold, savory, umami-rich flavor. Able to be microwaved in minutes, this totally vegan dish is perfect as a work lunch, dinner entrée or savory side dish, with a world of flavor and texture in every bite.

4. Cha Siu Bao

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

A longtime freezer favorite retailing for $4, Cha Siu Bao is one of Trader Joe’s most reliable Asian-inspired picks. These fluffy, steamed parcels come stuffed with Cantonese-style barbecue pork that’s been doused in a savory-sweet oyster sauce. Light and airy while still surprisingly dense and full of flavor, these tasty buns come fully cooked and flash frozen so that they can be heated in a pinch either in the microwave or a steamer.

Easy to eat on their own but also the perfect side dish to a larger savory meal, all you need is a little crunchy chili onion and your favorite sauces to turn these buns into your go-to freezer meal.

5. Mandu Korean Kimchi Potstickers

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

New to Trader Joe’s and totally worth stocking up on, Mandu Korean Kimchi Potstickers come in a 16-ounce bag for just $3.49. Featuring a flat, envelope-like shape, they are designed to be pan-fried to a satisfying golden-brown crisp and come stuffed with spicy Kimchi and glass noodles to create an easy mealtime solution.

Needing only a few minutes on each side in a hot pan with a bit of oil, they truly fit the mold as a reliable weeknight dinner option on their own or paired with rice and stir-fried veggies for an even more authentic Korean-inspired experience. Add a side mix of soy sauce and rice vinegar for dipping, or douse them in Sriracha for an extra-spicy kick.

Related: 5 Trader Joe’s Frozen Foods That Make Back-to-School Nights So Much Easier

Quick & Easy Frozen Pastas

Sure, boiling water for pasta isn’t hard, but making a full meal out of pasta takes more time, and we know weeknights can get hectic real quick. Luckily, Trader Joe’s has some fun, savory, cheesy options in its frozen section. These frozen pastas are the ultimate dinner hack when you need a hearty meal on the table fast.

1. Gnocchi alla Sorrentina

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

Another longtime favorite that won’t ever let you down, Trader Joe’s Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is an easy $4 pickup imported directly from Italy. Featuring a tasty potato gnocchi doused in a creamy tomato-based sauce with mozzarella cheese, it comes together quickly and offers roughly three 1-cup servings per 16-ounce bag.

Perfect for one or two people to enjoy alongside a side salad and toasted bread, it can be prepared either on the stove in less than 10 minutes or even faster in the microwave. Top it off with oregano and grated Parmesan, and you’ve got the start of a hearty Italian meal.

2. Pasta Primavera

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

A new arrival that hit shelves this summer, Trader Joe’s Pasta Primavera comes in a 16-ounce bag for $4.49. Designed to heat and eat in minutes, this fully-cooked pasta blend comes with long, thin, zucchini pieces, ribbons of red bell peppers and bite-sized broccoli florets to create a hearty, satisfying meal.

Paired with Strozzapreti pasta, which serves as a thin, elongated vessel to soak up all the creamy butter-cheese sauce, it’s just the kind of one-pan meal you can turn into a no-fuss weeknight dinner with ease. Whether you enjoy it on its own or pair it with Italian sausages, grilled chicken or garlic bread, you really can’t go wrong with this popular pasta pick.

3. Mushroom Ravioli with Mushroom Truffle Sauce

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

Truly a gem of a freezer find, Trader Joe’s Mushroom Ravioli retails for $3.49 and produces a creamy, restaurant-worthy meal with almost zero effort. Featuring frozen ravioli imported directly from Italy, each piece is stuffed with a mushroom filling and paired with a delicious mushroom truffle sauce.

Offering an earthy yet rich and flavorful experience, it packs notes of garlic, spices and cream into every bite, beautifully balancing the truffle flavor. Designed to heat in a skillet with just a little bit of water in a few minutes, this freezer staple is a level up from your traditional ravioli, and one you’ll likely be surprised by its wealth of flavor and ability to pair well with your favorite sides.

4. Rigatoni alla Contadina

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

A personal freezer favorite that I stock up on every time I make a trip, Trader Joe’s Rigatoni alla Contadina is the perfect base to an easy weeknight meal. Sold in a 16-ounce bag for $4.49, I’m usually able to get two meals out of each bag, especially when paired with grilled chicken or some form of Italian meatballs. Needing only about 10 minutes to cook in a skillet, the bag comes packed with rigatoni pasta, creamy sauce pucks, asparagus, broccoli and green peas, all combining to create a super satisfying and easy meal.

5. Penne Arrabbiata

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

Rounding out the list with another fan-favorite staple, Penne Arrabbiata is one of Trader Joe’s most reliable mealtime picks. It’s a plant-based dish featuring penne pasta and a spicy tomato sauce, packaged in a 16-ounce bag for just $3.49. Brought to life with notes of garlic, chili pepper and white pepper, it features a mild-to-moderate spice that is not at all overwhelming while serving as a savory base for an easy weeknight meal. Vegan and vegetarian-friendly, this dish is wonderful all on its own, but it’s also ripe for upgrades like freshly grated Parmesan, red pepper flakes, veggies or your favorite protein.

Now that you have a solid list to start exploring, use these freezer staples as a blank canvas to inspire your own easy weeknight meals. With a little bit of experimentation and an open mind, you might even stumble upon a new favorite you never thought of trying before.

Related: Trader Joe’s Limited-Time $4 Breakfast Staple Is a Must-Try Addition to Your End-of-Summer Grocery List

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While it may not feel like sweater weather quite yet, fall temperatures will be here before you know it. Having a few reliable sweaters ready to go can make getting dressed much easier once the temperatures drop, especially when you find a style with thoughtful details that makes it feel more elevated than a basic pullover or hoodie.

One stylish option is the Blu Pepper Contrast Trim Crew Sweater. Right now, it’s on sale for 55% off at Nordstrom Rack, bringing the price down from $79 to just $35. That’s a great deal for a versatile sweater you’ll be able to work into plenty of fall outfits.

Blu Pepper Contrast Trim Crew Sweater, $35 (was $79) at Nordstrom Rack 

Courtesy of Nordstrom Rack

Shop at Nordstrom Rack

The sweater comes in four colors: light taupe, black, mocha, and red. The first three are easy neutrals that pair naturally with classic fall wardrobe colors, while the red option offers a bolder choice when you want your outfit to stand out. One shopper said it’s “great for colder weather,” highlighting the “nice, high-quality fabric.” They added, “This sweater is really cute with the contrasting trim.”

The standout detail is the contrast scalloped trim along the neckline, cuffs, and hem, which gives the relaxed silhouette a feminine finish. It also features a classic crewneck, long drop-shoulder sleeves, and a casual pullover shape. Made from soft, lightweight yarn, it offers a comfortable feel while the scalloped edges keep the overall design from looking too basic.

Related: Amazon’s $8 Long-Sleeve Top Is ‘Perfect for Layering,’ and It Comes in 44 Colors

Available in small, medium, and large, the sweater fits true to size and has a 24.5-inch length for comfortable coverage. Its fabric blends polyester, acrylic, wool, and spandex giving it a mix of softness, warmth, and stretch. To keep it looking its best, the brand recommends hand washing it and allowing it to air dry. 

The sweater can easily move from one setting to another, making it a versatile piece to add to your fall wardrobe. Pair it with leggings and ballet flats for errands, or style it with straight-leg jeans and leather boots for a classic autumn outfit. For a dressier look, tuck it into a flowing lace or satin maxi skirt and add pointed-toe heeled boots. When you’re staying in, it also works with plush sweatpants or knit joggers and shearling slippers.

Shop More Deals

• Max Studio Plaid Short Sleeve Button-Up Shirt, $30 (was $138) at Nordstrom Rack
• Abound Cozy Crew Pullover Sweater, $20 (was $40) at Nordstrom Rack
• Gemma + Jane Fair Isle Button Front Cardigan, $30 (was $99) at Nordstrom Rack

For a wearable sweater that’s equal parts stylish and practical, the Blu Pepper Contrast Trim Crew Sweater is an easy fall staple to add to your rotation. And with Nordstrom Rack’s current 55% discount, you can save more than $40 and pick it up for just $35.

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Audrey Hepburn’s final film, Always, was released in 1989. However, the last time she was nominated for an Oscar came two decades before, for her work in the critically acclaimed thriller Wait Until Dark.

Hepburn was nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award for her role as Susy Hendrix in the 1967 film, which also starred Alan Arkin and Richard Crenna.

Related: 1991 Julia Roberts Thriller Has Just 24% on Rotten Tomatoes — but Made $175 Million at the Box Office

In the movie, Hepburn, who was 38 years old at the time, portrays a blind woman who is terrorized in her New York City apartment by a group of men searching for a lost drug shipment.

To prepare for her role as a visually impaired woman, Hepburn, along with director Terence Young, visited New York’s Lighthouse for the Blind and spent weeks there together. According to the Splice and Splatter podcast, while at the school, both would wear shields over their eyes to learn to navigate without sight, and Hepburn even took Braille lessons.

“Audrey was miles faster than I. She was quickly able to find her way, blindfolded, around the Lighthouse rooms and corridors,” Young said, per Warren G. Harris in the book “Audrey Hepburn: A Biography.” “When it was my turn, every natural disaster took place.”

Despite her unparalleled portrayal of Susy Hendrix, Hepburn had some stiff competition and lost the Oscar to Katherine Hepburn in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Anne Bancroft (The Graduate), Faye Dunaway (Bonnie and Clyde), and Edith Evans (The Whisperers) were also nominated that year.

Following the film’s release, which currently holds an impressive 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, Hepburn took a nearly 10-year break from acting to focus on raising her two sons, Sean and Luca. She returned to the big screen in 1976’s Robin and Maid Marian alongside Sean Connery.

“Miss Hepburn is perhaps too simple and trusting, and Alan Arkin (as a sadistic killer) is not particularly convincing in an exaggerated performance. But there are some nice, juicy passages of terror,” Roger Ebert wrote in his review at the time, giving the film three and a half stars. “And after a slow start, the plot does seduce you.”

If you love Halloween, there’s a good chance your house is already looking a little spooky by the time Sept. 1 rolls around. The porch has its pumpkins, the living room has its creepy-cute touches and maybe there’s even a skeleton or two hanging around to greet your guests. But while you’re busy turning the rest of your home into a Halloween wonderland, there’s one room that’s easy to overlook: the bedroom.

This is the room where you start and end every day, so it deserves a little seasonal spirit, too. You don’t have to go full haunted house, either. A few fun little touches can make the space feel festive without keeping you up at night wondering if that shadow in the corner is part of the decor. Add cozy blankets, subtle autumn colors, cute little pumpkins or, better yet, some friendly ghosts. A spooky sheet set is an especially easy way to get in the Halloween spirit without rearranging your entire room. And we found one at Marshalls that may be just the thing to give your bed a delightfully ghostly makeover.

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Rachel Zoe Toile Ghosts Sheet Set, $12 – $18 (reg. $16.99 – $24.99) at Marshalls Rachel Zoe Toile Ghosts Sheet Set

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Rachel Zoe’s Toile Ghosts Sheet Set features a playful ghost pattern in a traditional toile-inspired design. It’s a fun way to bring some spooky-season charm to your bed without going overboard, whether you’re decorating every room in the house or just adding a few festive touches here and there. Plus, the sheets fit mattresses up to 14 inches deep, so they can work with a range of bed sizes.

Related: Martha Stewart’s 4-Piece 100% Cotton Percale Sheet Sets at Marshalls Are Soft, Breathable and Chic

The set comes with everything you need to give your bed a seasonal refresh. The twin set includes a flat sheet, fitted sheet and one standard pillowcase, while the full and queen sets each include a flat sheet, fitted sheet and two standard pillowcases. In other words, all you need to do is make the bed and let the ghosts do the decorating.

Even better, Marshalls has the sheets on sale right now for more than 25 percent off, so it’s a good time to buy a set if you want to add that seasonal flair to your room.

Related: Marshalls’ Lovely Fall Floral Duvet Set Looks Just Like a Designer Style That’s 3x the Price

Will a third season of Big Little Lies ever come to fruition? Supposedly, according to recent reports.

In the meantime, a literary sequel to the original novel just hit the shelves. Big Little Truths was released August 25, and it was unsurprisingly one of the most highly anticipated releases of the month on Goodreads.

With fresh source material, author Liane Moriarty already revealed that the book would inspire a third installment of the TV show, E! News reports. So when the entertainment outlet recently caught up with newly minted Emmy-winner Shailene Woodley, the topic of Big Little Lies was broached — more specifically, if she’ll return for a third season.

“That’s what I hear,” Woodley, 34, told E! News with a reported coy smile on Sunday, Sept. 6. “So, I’m going to continue throwing that rumor mill out there and feeding it. You know, that it is happening.”

Last month, Moriarty, 59, told the outlet that the show’s producers — Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and David E. Kelly — had read the book and “said nice things.” Though she acknowledged the book-to-screen process and was “absolutely sure there will be huge changes.”

Moriarty also added at the time that “hopefully, hopefully they will start filming sooner rather than later.”

If You Haven’t Read the Sequel Novel Yet…

Before diving into Big Little Truths, you will need to read the first book — whether for the first time or again — before you delve into Big Little Truths. This is a true sequel, picking up 10 years after the events of the first novel. The last we met Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Renata, and Bonnie, their children were just five, and now they’re teenagers trying to navigate the hell that is high school.

Gone are the struggles with playdates. Instead, the women need to navigate more complex issues, including dating, alcohol and everything else teenagers get themselves into. What these women didn’t expect was to have to deal with a severed human finger mystery. Find out more here.

Turner Classic Movies is giving movie lovers plenty to watch this September, but there’s one film in particular that rises above the competition. Fat City, a gritty boxing drama directed by John Huston and starring Stacy Keach and a young Jeff Bridges, still packs a punch more than five decades later—and a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Fat City’s reputation extends well beyond its positive critical reviews, however, as it consistently appears on best-of movie lists, whether curated by fans or filmmakers, cementing its status as one of the most acclaimed films of all time.

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First released in New York theaters on July 26, 1972, the film actually made its world premiere at the Cannes International Film Festival earlier that year in May. The response was strong from the start, with The New Yorker calling it a “smash” and viewers praising Huston’s direction and his cast’s raw, authentic performances.

Before Fat City, Huston’s career had hit a rough patch, with a string of flops. But Fat City, a film whose subject matter was familiar territory for the director, put him back in the ring.

“I’ve been a boxer,” he told Interview. “So let’s say I’m a little closer to the material. It’s a very personal story.”

Bridges, on the other hand, was a completely different story.

The 22-year-old actor had already gained major attention and an Oscar nomination for 1971’s The Last Picture Show. But Fat City offered another showcase for the rising actor, and helped convince Bridges that his career was about more than his famous family name.

“After I’d done a few movies, Picture Show and Fat City, I figured they can’t be hiring me now just because of my dad,” he told GQ, referring to the famous Lloyd Bridges. “I must be doing something right.”

Leonard Gardner adapted Huston’s film from his own 1969 novel. Set in the working-class town of Stockton, California, it follows Billy Tully (Keach), a 29-year-old alcoholic and washed-up boxer, and Ernie Munger (Bridges), an 18-year-old novice with natural talent but little ambition. Haunting and melancholic, the movie’s tone was brilliantly captured by Kris Kristofferson’s musical contribution, “Help Me Make It Through the Night.“

Related: 1971 Movie, Directed by Dennis Hopper, Launched a Music Legend’s Acting Career—Just as He Scored His First No. 1 Hit

But unlike the underdog formula later popularized by movies like Rocky, Huston’s sports drama stripped away the genre’s redemption trope to show how victory in the ring doesn’t necessarily mean victory in life.

A modest box-office player, Fat City proved more significant with critics. The film’s strongest awards recognition came at the Academy Awards, where Susan Tyrrell earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Oma, a barfly whose codependent relationship with Billy turns toxic.

But Fat City was really a springboard for its entire cast and crew.

Following her Oscar-nominated breakout, Tyrrell built a prolific career playing memorable, often unconventional characters, later earning a Saturn Award for Andy Warhol‘s Bad and later starring as Ramona Ricketts in John Waters’ Cry-Baby.

Keach continued his esteemed career across film, television, and stage productions, with his most recognized role as the hard-boiled detective Mike Hammer.

Huston continued directing for the rest of his life, making such films as The Man Who Would Be King, Prizzi’s Honor, and James Joyce’s The Dead before he died in 1987.

Meanwhile, Bridges is still going strong.

After Fat City, he starred in The Last American Hero, then Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, for which he was nominated for an Oscar. He finally took home a statuette in 2009 for his role as Bad Blake, an alcoholic country singer in Crazy Heart.

More than 50 years later, Fat City remains one of the most acclaimed films of its era and a fascinating early chapter in the career of the man who would eventually become Hollywood’s most beloved Dude.

Related: 1989 Robert Duvall Hit, With a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, Ranked Among Best Miniseries of All Time

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As cool breezes begin to fill the air, it’s only a matter of time before amber hues and the familiar scents of fall take over our senses. And as we trade in our summer layers for something warmer and cozier, Old Navy serves as a subtle reminder that replacing old favorites doesn’t have to be all that difficult. 

Case in point: the Loose Fit Long-Sleeve Corduroy Shirt, now on sale for $34.99 in a handful of fall-appropriate colors. Perfect for the transitional weeks ahead as a versatile layer to elevate a variety of looks, it’s quickly becoming a fan favorite for its roomy design and resemblance to the Oxford styles of seasons past.

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Loose Fit Long-Sleeve Corduroy Shirt, $34.99 at Old Navy

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Normally priced at $49.99, this stylish shirt is currently marked down for Labor Day, but even if you miss the sale, its quality construction and comfortable fit make the full retail price well worth the investment. Available in four colors, including Howlite, Houndstooth, Horsing Around and Baltic Amber, this style offers plenty of versatility for creating outfits, with a little something for everyone. 

Personally, Houndstooth stands out as one of the better looks of the bunch, with its indigo hue and textured pattern. Perfect for date nights, casual outings with friends, family photos, holiday dinners and more, it can easily be dressed up or down to your liking and paired with denim, chinos or dress slacks.

Related: Sam’s Club’s $15 Fall Layers Are ‘Perfect for Lounging’

Reminiscent of a Throwback Style

Old Navy

Already earning five-star ratings online, this shirt has clearly had no trouble finding a place in shoppers’ seasonal rotations. One fan praised the Houndstooth color as “really nice” and added that its pattern is “very subtle,” while another was especially pleased with the shirt’s “a bit looser” fit. They also said that it feels “exactly how the Oxford shirts were a few years ago.”

Given its loose fit, it makes sense that shoppers would compare it to the Oxford. Old Navy is no stranger to timeless styles like this, and this version clearly taps into the throwback silhouette that has remained a wardrobe staple for years. And with fall on the horizon, it offers seasonally appropriate colors that take a welcome step away from the traditional pinstripe look.

At the moment, the shirt is still available in regular and tall fits across sizes XS through XXXXL. Each color features a classic spread collar, full-button front, chest pockets and a loose fit that hits at the hip. That said, this shirt is 100 percent cotton, so while it is safe to machine-wash, you may want to stick with cold water and tumble dry on low or hang dry to help prevent shrinkage.

If you can snag it today, why not grab multiple colors while they’re on sale? And while you’re there, think about adding Old Navy’s Relaxed Long-Sleeve Plaid Flannel Pocket Shirt and Relaxed Harrington Jacket to your seasonal rotation as well.

Related: Old Navy’s Fisherman-Inspired Men’s Staple Brings Nautical Style to Fall Fits

Another 90 Day Fiancé couple is calling it quits.

Ashley Michelle, from Season 10 of the TLC reality series, announced she was divorcing her husband, Manuel Velez, after four years of marriage on Instagram.

What a shame, tomorrow is our 4-year anniversary, and I’m officially asking for a divorce,” she wrote alongside a throwback photo of their beach wedding. “I have felt unsupported by you for years, and now when I am in my most vulnerable state you have done NOTHING [to] support me. I am DONE. Do not come back to this house.”

The news comes just days after Ashley underwent a tummy tuck and breast lift after losing more than 150 pounds. She hinted at feeling alone following the operation on social media.

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“We were never meant to heal alone. And needing someone behind you doesn’t make the journey any less yours,” she shared. “Support doesn’t make you weaker. It gives you somewhere safe to step into the biggest version of you.”

Ashley and Jesus first met in Ecuador when she was an undergraduate student on a study trip in 2010. She returned to the South American country seven years later, and the couple got engaged within a week. Manuel moved to the United States in 2022 to be with Ashley, leaving behind his two teenage sons. They got married in September 2022.

Fans weren’t too surprised by the divorce announcement, given the couple’s long history of ups and downs, and supported Ashley’s decision.

“So sorry this is happening! You’ve done so much for yourself and him. I always loved how you did everything to make sure he was comfortable and had support here in the States. You deserve happiness and everything good in the world,” one follower commented.

Another added, “You have worked way toooo hard on yourself to accept the bare minimum from any human being, let alone someone who’s supposed to be your biggest support system.”

Manuel has yet to comment on the split, but his last post with Ashley on Instagram is a video of the pair dancing together ahead of the Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime Show uploaded in February 2026.