Parade

Summer cookout season has basically turned into a competitive sport by now. Between backyard barbecues, holiday parties, lake weekends and neighborhood get-togethers, people are stocking coolers, cleaning grills, and trying to make sure they have enough food to feed an unpredictable number of hungry guests. And now, Johnsonville and Sam's Club are leaning all the way into that energy with an oversized new bundle tied to grilling season and the upcoming America250 celebration.

Starting June 1, Sam's Club members will be able to purchase a limited-edition Cele-BRAT-ion box online while supplies last. The massive bundle includes 250 Original Johnsonville Brats, along with a branded apron and grilling tongs, all for $199.97. For anyone planning a summer packed with cookouts, grad parties, family reunions, or backyard blowouts, the box feels less like a grocery purchase and more like a full-season grilling commitment.

😋😋SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter🍳🍔

Whether people are genuinely planning to grill hundreds of brats, are looking to stock up ahead of the summer or simply love the absurdity of the concept, the box feels designed to ignite social media conversations and backyard bragging rights.

The Box Comes With Enough Brats for Practically Everything What's Inside the Brat Box at Sam's Club

Courtesy Sam's Club

At 250 brats, the Cele-BRAT-ion box is definitely not aimed at casual weeknight dinners or the occasional sausage snacker. This is the kind of purchase built for people who host frequently, feed large crowds, and take encased meats very seriously.

The inclusion of branded grilling gear helps deepen the whole thing's connection to America's 250th anniversary celebration in the best possible way. Instead of feeling like a bulk meat order, the package comes across more like a commemorative summer cookout kit. And honestly, the timing makes sense. June is when backyard cooking really ramps up, especially with the year's Fourth of July plans already underway.

Johnsonville's Original Brats also remain the company's most recognizable product thanks to their mild seasoning, versatility and ease of grilling. They work for everything from classic brat buns with mustard and onions to beer brats and tailgate spreads.

Related: The Genius Way To Make Lamb Burgers Taste 10x Better

Bulk Summer Food Bundles Keep Getting Bigger

Courtesy Sam's Club

Warehouse retailers and major food brands have increasingly leaned into oversized seasonal bundles in recent years, especially for grilling season. Large-format food packages naturally create social buzz because they tap into both practicality and spectacle.

That's part of what makes the Cele-BRAT-ion box feel tailor-made for the internet. Even people who would never realistically need 250 brats may still appreciate the sheer novelty of the offering.

For serious grill fans, though, the box may genuinely make sense. Summer gatherings can add up quickly, and buying in bulk ahead of busy weekends is often easier than making multiple grocery runs throughout the season. Either way, this latest Sam's Club collaboration definitely understands its audience: people who believe summer cookout season, especially heading into America250, deserves to go a little over the top.

Related: Sam's Club Just Dropped a Crowd-Pleasing Deli Find That's Almost Too Easy

The Master of Horror, Stephen King, has given his praise for another Netflix show. This time, it's the eight-part thriller, The Boroughs, which dropped as a binge-watch on May 21, 2026.

King shared on Threads that the series is an "absolute delight," and he even said that binging all eight episodes at once is "actually worth it." It's high praise from the man who has even said that some of the adaptations of his own works have been bad.

This isn't the first series on Netflix that has been praised by The Shiningauthor. He also had high praise for The Lord of the Flies, an adaptation of the novel of the same name. This was a series he'd originally been worried about, because of his love for the 1950s novel, but in the end, he was impressed with how the series played out.

The Boroughs is a new sci-fi thriller from the Duffer Brothers. It's not connected to their hit Stranger Things at all, but it does bring a world of monsters to a small retirement community. The series already gained interest thanks to its high-profile cast that includes Geena Davis, Bill Pullman, and Alfre Woodard.

It follows members of a picturesque retirement community that are pulled together when there's an otherworldly threat trying to take the one thing that they don't have: time. The group becomes unlikely heroes of the world, as they shake off their beliefs and expectations and figure out a way to stop the creatures.

King is not alone in his praise for the new series. It currently holds a 96% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The popcorn meter isn't as positive, but it's still on the positive side with a 79% score. Meanwhile, it holds a 71 score on Metacritic.

While The Green Mile author didn't go into the details of what he found as an "absolute delight," others have shared that the cast helped to bring everything together. There is a lot of excitement for a second season, although that hasn't been confirmed just yet. With the hype for The Boroughs, a second season ois likely to happen.

Country singer-songwriter Ella Langley has added another major achievement to her breakout 2026 run after her album Dandelion was named the best-selling album by a female artist in the United States this year so far.

The milestone was shared by Country Wire on Instagram as Langley continues her fast-rising success during The Dandelion Tour. The Alabama-born artist has dominated charts, streaming platforms and social media in recent months thanks to the success of songs including “Choosin’ Texas” and “Be Her.”

The news arrives only weeks after Langley made Billboard history. According to Billboard, “Choosin’ Texas” stayed at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a ninth week while “Be Her” climbed to No. 2, making Langley the first woman primarily known for country music to hold the top two spots on the chart at the same time.

Ella Langley performs during the 2026 Stagecoach Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 24, 2026 in Indio, California.

Photo by Timothy Norris/Getty Images for Stagecoach

The achievement placed Langley alongside some of the biggest names in music history. Billboard reported that only Morgan Wallen had previously managed the feat among core-country acts.

View this post on Instagram

“Choosin’ Texas,” released through Columbia Records, continued to post strong numbers with 26.6 million official streams, 47.8 million radio airplay audience impressions, and 8,000 sales in one tracking week in the United States. The song also earned its 24th week atop the Hot Country Songs chart.

At the same time, “Be Her” became another major hit from Dandelion. The song rose to No. 2 on the Hot 100 while staying beside “Choosin’ Texas” across multiple Billboard rankings.

Langley’s second studio album Dandelion was released on April 10, 2026, after months of anticipation. The record debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and became the largest streaming debut for a country album by a female primary artist.

Before the album arrived, Langley released several promotional tracks that quickly became commercial hits. Forbes noted that the continued popularity of “Choosin’ Texas” helped boost nearly every release connected to the project.

The singer recently extended her chart history again after holding the No. 1 and No. 2 spots on the Billboard Hot 100 for a second straight week. That accomplishment moved her past artists including Ariana Grande, Mariah Carey, The Weeknd and Bad Bunny, who each achieved the chart feat only once.

Forbes also reported that Langley became only the third act ever to spend two separate weeks at Nos. 1 and 2 on the Hot 100 simultaneously. She joined Akon and DaBaby in accomplishing the rare chart run.

Outside the charts, Langley has also stayed highly active online while continuing performances on tour.

A recent viral moment came after she shared a TikTok video covering Freddy Fender’s classic “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights.” The clip drew more than 1.7 million views and hundreds of thousands of likes within days.

@ellalangleymusic1

Wasted Days and Wasted Nights

♬ original sound - Ella Langley

Langley’s recent popularity has also translated into award wins. Earlier this year, she dominated the American Music Awards by taking home seven awards. Her growing profile has also led to partnerships with brands including American Eagle Outfitters and Chase Bank.

Born in Hope Hull, Alabama, Langley first gained attention through songwriting sessions, local performances, and viral TikTok clips before signing with Sony Music Nashville and Columbia Records. Her debut album Hungover introduced fans to songs like “You Look Like You Love Me” and “Weren’t for the Wind,” helping establish her as one of country music’s fastest-rising stars.

Now, with Dandelion leading sales among female artists in 2026 and multiple Billboard records already under her belt, Langley’s breakout year continues to grow larger as she travels across the country on tour.

Related: Ella Langley, With Major No. 1 Hit Song, Stuns With Red Carpet Outfit

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

There is nothing like sleeping in a hotel, is there? From the perfectly crisp sheets to the fluffy comforter, hotel sleep just hits different. Don't even get me started on the room-darkening curtains! Well, now you can get a five-star hotel experience every single night with this beautiful and elegant comforter set at none other than Kohl's.

Sonoma Goods for Life's Shilo Ruffle Embroidery Comforter Set gives your bed an elevated, cozy look. Available in two beautiful colors–mineral blue or violet ice–this comforter set looks and feels super luxe. It also comes in twin/twin XL, full/queen and king sizes. While the twin-size set comes with two pieces, including a comforter and one coordinating pillow sham, the king- and queen-sized sets come with three pieces, including one comforter and two matching pillow shams.

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

Sonoma Goods for Life Shilo Ruffle Embroidery Comforter Set, Full/Queen, $119.99 at Kohl's

Kohl's

Shop It!

In addition to the charming ruffle edges of the pillow shams and comforter, each set also features delicate all-over floral embroidery, adding welcome texture and visual interest. This comforter set is perfect for year-round use, constructed from soft, plush polyester.

Related: Kohl's Is Selling a Vibrant 3-Piece Quilt Set Bursting With Tropical Charm

Shoppers love this comforter set, giving it an average rating of 4.8 stars on Kohls.com, with 100 percent of reviewers saying they would recommend it to others. Fans of the comforter set rate it highly for its quality, durability, value and style.

"Best comforter ever," raved one fan in a five-star review on Kohls.com. "I like this comforter set so much, makes me feel like I'm sleeping in a luxury hotel. I really like the soft color very delicate. Feel warm and fresh at the same time depending the weather."

"Very cute, comfortable and soft comforter. Warm for cold nights while not being too overwhelming in the warmer months," said another shopper in a five-star review on Kohls.com.

You can find this three-piece comforter set on Kohls.com and in select Kohl's stores. The twin-sized set retails for $99.99, the full/queen set retails for $119.99, and the king set retails for $149.99.

Related: Kohl's 2-Drawer Nightstand Brings a Touch of French Country Elegance to Any Bedroom

It's been just over half a decade since Paul McCartney delivered a solo rock album, but if the emerging reviews surrounding the venture are any indication, The Boys of Dungeon Lane has been well worth the wait.

With a release date set for May 29, 2026, almost all of the early reviews for the legendary Beatle's new album have been nothing short of ecstatic, with many critics calling The Boys of Dungeon Lane a nostalgic look back to McCartney's early childhood and peak Fab Four days.

The Guardian notably wrote of McCartney and his new album, "His gift for melody still astounds," while also adding, "These are songs written with real purpose and a master’s finesse

"Perhaps his approach was driven by a sense of the clock ticking," the outlet continued. "If you’re going to make an album at 83, you’d better make something that counts, which The Boys of Dungeon Lane does."

Variety shared a similar outlook to the Wings frontman's recent release, noting just how incredible The Boys of Dungeon Lane is when you consider McCartney's age.

"Superlatives are meant to be quibbled over, but here’s one that will be met with a lot of agreement: The Boys of Dungeon Lane is absolutely the best album ever recorded and released by a rock star in his 80s," Variety deemed.

As expected, the prospect of a new album from the 83-year-old McCartney has garnered widespread anticipation from fans of the music icon. Not only that, but The Boys of Dungeon Lane also includes various nods to McCartney's past and present, with several songs referencing his wife Nancy Shevell and a road trip McCartney took with his late Beatles bandmate George Harrison.

Perhaps most excitingly, the album's "Home to Us" features a duet with McCartney and Ringo Starr, marking the first time the two have sung on an album together since Dolly Parton's 2023 Rockstar (which saw the two former Beatles sing "Let It Be" alongside the country music powerhouse).

Veteran Manchester, England post-punk band the Durutti Column are back.

Led by guitarist and sometimes pianist Vini Reilly, the Durutti Column was among the influential acts, including Joy Division, signed to Tony Wilson’s Factory Records and released their debut album, The Return of the Durutti Column, in 1980.

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

Now, 46 years later and 16 since their last studio album, Reilly and company have returned. Their new album, Renascent, is due on July 31. The band is previewing it with the track “Liars,” which is available now on streaming platforms.

On the new set, Reilly is joined by longtime drummer/percussionist Bruce Mitchell and multi-instrumentalist/producer Keir Stewart.

In their early days, the Durutti Column made a name for themselves by combining traditional jazz, folk and classic influences with electronic dance music and samples. The band has undergone multiple lineup changes over the years and at one point was basically a Reilly solo project. Former Joy Division/New Order bassist Peter Hook played bass and performed live with the band for a stint, while Reilly played on fellow Manchurian Morrissey’s 1988 solo debut, Viva Hate.

The band’s influence continues to this day with Harry Styles recently citing the Durutti Column as a major influence on his new album Kiss All the Time. Disco,  Occasionally, while Blood Orange’s  “The Field” includes a sample of the band’s “Sing to Me.”

Styles is also paying honoring the band at this year’s Meltdown Festival, which he is curating. A special live event, For Vini: A Tribute to The Durutti Column will be staged on June 17 in London. Stewart is set to perform with Durutti Column contributors Liz Rossi (violin, piano), Caoilfhionn Rose (vocals, piano) and Sam Morris (French Horn) as they perform material from the band’s 46-year career.

Renascent will be released in multiple formats including digital, CD, transparent yellow vinyl, a deluxe LP, a special boxed edition LP with a DVD featuring visualizers for each track, and a limited-edition cassette.

“From the moment we’re born we’re never ever instigative, only ever reactive. It’s like Newton’s law of motion, if you’re not pushing against anything, you lose momentum,” Reilly said of the new album in a statement.

The band’s last album, Short Stories for Pauline, was released in 2012. In 2010, the band released A Paean to Wilson, dedicated to Reilly’s friend and Factory co-founder Tony Wilson.

"Why don't you have a seat over there?" as a former Dateline NBC host once said.

Fans were certainly seated on the morning of Wednesday, May 27 when a teaser trailer dropped for Primetime, a new narrative film centered on Chris Hansen during his To Catch a Predator reign.

And who better to portray him than a red-hot actor whose momentum just won't quit these days? From The Drama to The Odyssey, Robert Pattinson will then be seen next in the newly teased A24 drama-thriller set to hit theaters this fall, per The Hollywood Reporter.

Check out the eerie and uniquely spellbinding YouTube spot below, which only offers glimpses of the reliably superb Pattinson, 40, as the famed TV presenter — who was recently spotlighted in a riveting documentary called Predators, by the way.

Fans have already flooded the YouTube upload's comments section to show their support for what's to come with Primetime. "Wow!, looks amazing," wrote one user, while another person commented, "He's nailed the tone of [Hansen's] voice and everything. This is why robert pattinson is such an amazing actor."

Primetime is directed by acclaimed documentarian Lance Oppenheim (Ren Faire) in his narrative feature debut — which is also Pattinson’s first full feature-producing credit, THR also noted on Wednesday.

The storyline is set in 2006, when most of the To Catch a Predator episodes aired. As certain generations will recall, the show followed Hansen, 66, and his crew working with law enforcement and hiring decoys to trap and arrest alleged pedophiles.

In November of 2006, Kaufman County assistant district attorney Bill Conradt had killed himself in his Texas residence as law enforcement and an NBC camera crew descended on his home as part of a To Catch a Predator probe, per Variety. The operation was met with widespread backlash from locals, as chronicled in the above-mentioned doc Predators. One can't help but speculate if this real-life event could be a centerpiece in the upcoming film Primetime.

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

With gas prices rising and city streets becoming increasingly congested, finding a reliable and cost-effective way to navigate your daily commute is more important than ever. Instead of sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic or hunting for expensive parking spots, an electric scooter offers a refreshing alternative. It can be a convenient, affordable, and fun way to zip through town, bypass gridlock, and save significantly on fuel and auto maintenance costs over time.

The versatility of an electric scooter makes it an ideal choice for a variety of lifestyles, especially for students or those living in urban areas, but top models can cost thousands of dollars. That's why we're so excited to see Walmart's flash deal on the Aovopro ES80 Foldable Electric Scooter for just $158. Down 47% from the usual $299 price, this portable scooter is a reliable and efficient mode of transportation that can get you where you need to go for less. 

Aovopro ES80 Foldable Electric Scooter, $158 (was $299) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

This electric scooter is built for practical, efficient transportation, with a 350-watt motor that can hit a max speed of 19 miles per hour. Its 36-volt battery offers a robust range of approximately 19 to 22 miles per charge, with quick-charge capability that takes between 4 and 5 hours to reach full capacity. 

When it comes to safety and durability, the scooter features 8.5-inch anti-skid solid tires, waterproof construction, and both disc and electric brakes for dependable stopping power. It has a maximum weight capacity of up to 264 pounds. While climbing hills, shoppers noted that it can slow down substantially, but it still has plenty of power to get up inclines. For visibility, this scooter has front LED headlights and rear brake lights. 

Weighing just 26.5 pounds, this electric scooter folds easily for maximum portability. When collapsed, its 45-inch height is reduced to a compact 21 inches, making it easy to store in a car trunk or under your desk at work. 

You can also easily connect the scooter to a compatible iOS or Android device to check features such as your current speed, remaining power, speed control, light operation, and trip tracking with the Aovopro app. The best part? Shoppers said assembly should take less than 10 minutes, requiring only the handlebars to be attached.

Related: Walmart’s $1,100 E-Bike Is Now $300 Ahead of Memorial Day, and It’s a Great Budget-Friendly Way to Get Moving

In the reviews section, everyone from college students to professional messengers raved about this scooter's "remarkable" performance and "super smooth" motion. One commuter said it's a "fun and reliable" way to get to work every day without sitting in traffic. Another shopper mentioned that it's "a great entry-level scooter" because it "works flawlessly" and gets them around "efficiently."

A reviewer who invested in this scooter to travel with and explore new cities said it's "great basic transportation." They also shared that because it's foldable, they were able to transport it easily as a gate-checked item when flying. 

Shop More Deals

• 5th Wheel W16S Electric Scooter, $170 (was $300) at Walmart
• Iscooter Electric Scooter, $200 (was $290) at Walmart
• Aovopro Esmax Foldable Electric Scooter, $297 (was $539) at Walmart

Whether you are racing to make it to work on time or navigating a sprawling university campus, the Aovopro ES80 Foldable Electric Scooter can get you there safely and efficiently. With 2,300 five-star ratings to back up its performance and this $158 deal at Walmart, you can get a high-quality scooter while keeping your budget intact. 

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.

If you've ever crossed paths with someone with a fierce aura, you're sure to feel the heat. While they may be cool, calm, and collected in many situations, when someone dares to flirt with the line they've drawn in the sand between right and wrong, watch out. Jumping to self-defense or to the justice of others, these instinctive personalities will stand their ground. They say what they mean and mean what they say. Read on to discover which four birth months are most likely to carry "don't mess with me" auras, according to expert astrologers.

Which Birth Months Have a Fierce Aura?

Check for your birth month.

January — Resilient, Disciplined, and Not to Be Tested

Those born in January are exceptionally resilient. Born during the darkest days of winter, they know how to persevere against challenging odds. Whether as an ambitious Capricorn or an innovative Aquarius, individuals born in this month embody self-discipline. They hold themselves accountable and expect the same level of responsibility from others. January-borns tend to avoid drama, focusing on what truly matters. However, if someone dishonors their dedication, craft, or commitments, others may be taken aback by their sudden, controlled anger. In such moments, they naturally establish strong boundaries to combat mistreatment and create distance from the problem.

EXPAND: These 4 Birth Months Carry a Divine Life Purpose

April — Quietly Strong Until You Give Them a Reason Not to Be

People born in April are not afraid of ruffling feathers. Whether they are bold Aries or pragmatic Taurus, they possess a quiet strength that communicates their firm boundaries even before they speak. Perhaps it lies in their direct eye contact, composed demeanor, or instinctive responses that require little filtering. They do not beat around the bush. While they can be tough when necessary, they have a soft spot for those they care about most. Their loyalty shines through in their ability to stand up not only for themselves but also for their shy friends and family members.

RELATE?: What Kind of Pet Parent You Are, Based on Birth Month

August — The Commanding Energy in the Room

Individuals born in August naturally command authority. When they enter a room, their bold energy fills the space, even if they try to blend in. Whether they are vibrant Leos radiating confidence or sharp-witted Virgos, people born in this month are hard to intimidate. They observe their surroundings carefully, act decisively when necessary, and maintain a strong sense of self even in the presence of more dominant personalities. Although they often approach life with a lighthearted attitude and find reasons to be silly, boundary-crossing is no laughing matter. This fierce birth month swiftly sets the record straight, often silencing shocked onlookers.

NEXT: The 4 Birth Months With the Most Introverted Souls

November — The One Who Will Say Exactly What You Didn't Want to Hear

November-borns possess emotional depth and philosophical insight. As either passionate Scorpios or adventurous Sagittarians, they enjoy exploring beyond the ordinary and expanding their understanding of the world. They are unafraid to confront taboos and shadows, often encouraging transformation in themselves and others. While they can be kind and gentle at times where compassion is called for, they also express brutal honesty when necessary. They skip pretense and have no interest in maintaining peace at the expense of the truth, and they know how to address problems directly. Although some may find their fierce presence intimidating, it often helps protect against further harm.

UP NEXT:

Less than 25% of Americans meet the Physical Activity Guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity each week. If you’re trying to fit it all in but are crunched for time, it makes sense to try to get the most out of each form of exercise you do. For some, that means planking. 

“Planking is a great way to train trunk and core strength with no equipment required,” Taylor Beebe, CPT, a personal trainer in California, tells Parade. “It’s also a very scalable exercise to tailor to your ability level.” Most people can do a plank in some form, and you can build on a foundation you create, Beebe points out.

Related: The Most Overlooked Pilates Exercise for Better Posture, According to Instructors

It’s easy to track your progress with planking over time, both in terms of how long and comfortably you can hold a plank and your form, Beebe adds. 

You get a lot of bang for your buck with planking, making it a good choice to add into your strength training rotation, explains Dani Singer, CPT, founder of Fit2Go Personal Training. While planking shouldn’t be the only thing you do for exercise and strength-building, trainers say you can get a lot out of incorporating a plank into your daily schedule. Here’s what you can expect. 

🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊

Maskot/Getty Images

What Happens to Your Body When You Do a Plank Every Day

A few things can happen to your body when you do a plank every day.

“Doing them daily builds significant ‘bracing’ strength, which protects the spine during everyday movements like lifting groceries or sitting at a desk,” Singer says. 

That can help to lower your risk of back pain or back injury, he adds.

Planking is a “total body exercise” and can tone up multiple areas of your body, from your shoulders to your glutes, according to Beebe. But doing a plank daily targets your core the most, specifically your inner and external obliques and transverse abdominis, the deepest layer of your abdominal muscles, she explains. The transverse abdominis “acts like a belt” to pull in your waist, Singer says. 

By strengthening your core, you may notice better posture and more defined abdominal muscles, according to Beebe.

As for how long it will take to see changes, it depends. "You'll likely feel taller within two to four weeks of consistent daily planking," Singer says. "This is because you've built a stronger base of support in your core, which allows the spine to stack vertically."

When it comes to defined abs, that will likely take more time. "For visible definition, it typically takes six to 12 weeks of consistency," Singer says. This is "heavily dependent" on your body fat percentage, he points out. Still, you should have a noticeable amount of muscle-building in your abdominal wall within 12 weeks, he says.

Related: ‘I’m a Trainer, and These Are the 3 Exercises I Swear By for a Stronger Core’

How To Start Planking

If you’re new to planking, Singer recommends starting with 20- to 30-second holds for three sets.

“Focus on quality over quantity,” he says. “Once you can hold a perfect plank for 60 seconds, it’s more effective to increase the difficulty, like adding leg lifts, rather than just adding more time.”

Beebe also suggests that people new to planking start with an elevated plank, where the forearms or hands are on a surface that’s higher than your feet. “As you build strength, you can move closer to the ground, in addition to scaling up in duration over time as well,” she says. 

Related: The ‘Forgotten’ Core Muscles Women Over 40 Need To Strengthen—and How To Do It

The Ideal Planking Form, According to Trainers

The right planking form is important to maximize results and lower the risk of injury, according to trainers. 

To start, lie on the ground face-down, with your legs stretched straight below you. Place your hands or forearms beneath your shoulders and push up until your body is elevated and in a straight line.

“I like to cue my clients to think about dragging their elbows down towards their ribcage to lock in the upper body,” Beebe tells Parade. “For their lower body, I encourage them to squeeze their glutes, pull their quads up towards their hips, dig their big toes into the ground and push their heels to the ceiling.”

Singer also suggests thinking about pulling your belly button toward your spine. “Avoid letting your hips sag or your neck scrunch,” he says. “Keep a straight line from your heels to the top of your head.”

Having “whole body tension” helps to create a more stable and solid base, so you can hold the position for longer, Beebe says. 

Try doing this once a day, along with your regular exercise routine. You may be surprised at how much of an impact it has on your body. 

Up Next:

Sources:

• Dani Singer, CPT, founder of Fit2Go Personal Training
• Taylor Beebe, CPT, a personal trainer in California
• Exercise or Physical Activity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 6, 2026

Former Beyond the Gates star Ben Gavin has revealed that his soap journey almost looked very different, as he originally auditioned for a legacy character on a fellow CBS soap opera.

Gavin spoke with The Soap Scene’s Erin Goldsby about his journey on the show, his exit, and the relationships he built while part of the iconic soap opera.

During the conversation, Gavin revealed that he had previously auditioned for the role of Adam Newman on The Young and the Restless in 2019. The role ultimately went to Gavin’s friend Mark Grossman. “One day we both auditioned for Adam Newman. I was there before him,” he shared. “And then in walks Mark.”

The actor recalled how, upon seeing Grossman, he knew that the part wasn’t for him. “I looked at him, and I was just like, ‘You’re gonna get this, dude.’”

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

In the end, Gavin would book the role of Beyond the Gates' original character, Derek Baldwin, in 2024.

Derek was a firefighter in love with nurse Ashley Morgan (Jen Jacob). Throughout his story, Derek would put his job and those he loved above himself, saving cats and ultimately temporarily losing the ability to walk after a workplace incident left him injured.

Derek regained the ability to walk, but instead of coming clean immediately, he kept it a secret, which ultimately spelled disaster for his relationship with Ashley.

From there, Derek helped launch and run the Free Clinic with Leslie Thomas (Trisha Mann Grant) and her daughter Eva Thomas (Ambyr Michelle).

Elsewhere in Fairmont Crest, a mysterious organization run by “The Impaler” was stealing plasma from the hospital and free clinic and selling it on “the red market.”

Derek caught Grayson Perez (Jordi Vilasuso) taking blood from the Free Clinic and immediately confronted him; however, Grayson explained that if he didn’t, Ashley would be in danger. Grayson left the free clinic and went to a warehouse, which Derek followed.

It was there that, through unexpected twists and turns, Derek was shot, saving his friend, Jacob Hawthorne (Jibrie Hordges), and ultimately died in surgery. Marking the first major death of the year for Beyond the Gates.

Gavin has expressed interest in reprising his role and returning to the soap world, but fans will have to stay tuned to see what happens.

Beyond the Gates airs weekdays on CBS with episodes streaming weeknights on Paramount+.

Viewers can catch up on all of the drama from Fairmount Crest from the beginning of the series on Paramount+ or for free on Pluto TV’s dedicated 24/7 Beyond the Gates FAST  channel.

The Young and the Restless airs daily on CBS and streams daily on Paramount+.

Musician Billy Preston became known for a part of his career as a sideman extraordinaire, having worked with George Harrisonand the Beatles. By the early '70s, Preston released some memorable hits as a solo artist that landed him on the charts and cemented him as the first musical act on Saturday Night Live.

In 1974, Preston released the track "Nothing for Nothing", written by him and Bruce Fisher, on the album The Kids & Me. It would become the second biggest hit of his career, with him having released "Will It Go Round in Circles" the year prior. "Nothing for Nothing" would go on to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and would stay in the charts for an impressive four and a half months.

The backstory behind the track's title differs. American Songwriter details that Preston simply liked how the title sounded and thought it would be a good start to develop the track. Meanwhile, SongFacts reveals that "Nothing for Nothing" is based on the phrase "Nothing from nothing leaves nothing." It's a variation of a line from Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" track. He reportedly developed the No. 1 track in the dressing room of a nightclub he was performing at and developed the saloon piano it became known for.

"The saloon piano gave it character," Preston explained, "and I had a feeling it would be a hit because it was a singalong kind of thing."

Preston's "Nothing for Nothing" would go down in history for another reason. In October 1975, Lorne Michaels' Saturday Night Live premiered its very first episode and would change the history of sketch comedy series. It introduced some of comedy's biggest stars like John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Garrett Morris, and Dan Aykroyd.

Amid the memorable sketch comedy acts, laughs, and chaos, SNL also introduced live musical segments performed by some of the biggest names in music. It just so happens that Preston was one of the first music guests on SNL performing "Nothing for Nothing." He would also perform "Fancy Lady, with Jani Ian also being the second performer of the night with "At Seventeen" and "In the Winter."

In 2024, singerJon Batisteperformed a cover of "Nothing for Nothing," portraying Preston in the biographical comedy drama Saturday Night.

Related: 1972 Soul Ballad, Originally Dismissed as a Hit Track, Became a No.1 Heartbreak Anthem

If you’ve ever hesitated to buy a large warehouse-sized dessert because you knew you’d never finish it all, or because you were afraid you actually would, Costco’s newest treat may feel like the perfect middle ground.

The new Samlip Strawberry Fullmoon Chiffon Cakes bring all the fun of a soft bakery-style dessert without requiring freezer space, party planning, or a week of eating leftovers afterward. These individually packaged layered cakes look light, fluffy, and absolutely delightful.

You can see the new dessert in this May 26 Instagram from @whats_in_your_cart:

View this post on Instagram

The Korean-inspired dessert features soft chiffon cake layers filled with strawberry cream filling, creating a texture that feels airy without being overly sweet. In the original post, creator @whats_in_your_cart described the creamy strawberry filling as similar to a buttercream icing while noting that the cakes themselves were moist without feeling heavy.

Related: New Disney Pantry Staple at Costco Makes Family Dinner Way More Fun

That lighter texture is part of what makes these cakes feel especially well timed for summer. Instead of a super-rich dessert that leaves you feeling stuffed after dinner, these are the kind of sweet treat you grab with coffee in the afternoon or pull from the fridge when you want something light after a meal.

The individual wrapping helps keep them fresh longer. It also makes them easy to share, easy to pack for picnics or road trips, and noticeably easier to portion compared to the oversized sheet cakes, cheesecakes, or pies Costco is known for.

Key Details

• 12 individually packaged chiffon cakes
• Strawberry cream-style filling
• Korean-inspired bakery dessert
• Light, fluffy chiffon texture
• Priced at $9.99 per box

According to the post, the cakes were recently spotted at the Costco warehouse in Newark, California, though availability may vary by location.

And as @photogami noted in the comments, “Samlip never misses!”

For anyone who loves strawberry desserts but doesn’t necessarily want a massive bakery cake taking over the kitchen counter, these fluffy little chiffon cakes may end up being one of Costco’s most tempting summer dessert finds yet.

A once close royal relationship may have reached its quiet breaking point behind palace doors, according to a new account from a royal author.

Prince Harry and Kate Middleton were once very close. Harry once called her the "sister he never had." He described her in his memoir Spare as carefree, sweet, and kind.

However, royal author Christopher Andersen wrote in his book Kate!: The Courage, Grace, and Power of the Woman Who Will Be Queen that the Princess of Wales hit her tipping point of no return after Harry spoke to reporters about King Charles' mortality.

Fox News Digital spoke to the author about what appeared to be the end of Harry and Kate's royal relationship. In the interview, the author reflected on the moments that reportedly led to the final breakdown in trust, suggesting there may be little chance of reconciliation moving forward.

Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

"She would not give up," Andersen began. "Even after Harry threw William under the bus in his memoir ‘Spare,’ she was willing to keep trying. And the final break came."

"The final straw came really shortly after the king was diagnosed with cancer, when Harry [essentially] said, ‘I’d like to mend fences because we just don’t know how long [my father] has to live.’ Well, that kind of statement can be very hurtful to somebody who doesn’t really want to consider their own mortality and is battling cancer."

RELATED: Prince Harry Reveals His First Impression of Kate Middleton

The author concluded, "It was hurtful to Kate as well, I believe. And, of course, it just ignited this firestorm of speculation about how sick the king really was at this point."

"Kate pretty much felt that would be it. She wasn’t going to try anymore. So she has not. And as a result, there has been no chance of any … As a matter of fact, I don’t think we’re ever going to see them make amends. At least it’s not on the horizon now."

In 2025, Harry told BBC News, "I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore. I don’t know how much longer my father has."

Kate Middleton and Prince William reportedly remain estranged from Prince Harry. He lives in California with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Related: Kate Middleton Didn’t Push for Prince Harry to Stay in a Royal Role, Author Says

As expected from a series that's been on for as long as Saturday Night Live has, the hit sketch comedy series has seen its fair share of unremarkable hosts.

Whether looking at the show's early years in the 1970s or its more recent iterations, Saturday Night Live has regularly featured celebrities that have failed up to fans' expectations, either handing in a disappointing one-off episode or demonstrating atrocious behavior behind the scenes.

However, every once in a while there comes a star that blurs the lines between these characteristics, displaying poor etiquette backstage with the show's regular cast members, only to appear in an altogether forgettable hosted episode.

According to longtime SNL star Beck Bennett, Elon Musk was a notable example of this.

Appearing on an episode of The Last Laugh Podcast, Bennett revealed that, between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO seemed to be relatively harder to handle than the current president of the United States.

“As far as having billionaire personalities come on the show, Elon Musk was a lot more offensive,” Bennett said. “That was harder to deal with.” 

Comparing the two divisive figures, Bennett said Trump seemed fairly indifferent to the experience of hosting SNL, remaining more or less hands off when it came to his hosting duties on the series back in 2015.

Conversely, Musk remained far more determined to insert his own ideas into his hosted episode, even when they might not have been as an entertaining as the X owner initially thought.

According to Bennett, Musk was also more abrasive in terms of his personality, displaying a rude attitude to the show's cast and crew when it came to their interactions.

“He had very odd ideas, and he was very rude and less predictable to perform with,” Bennett said of Musk. “In a way Trump was a little bit more like, ‘You tell me where to go and what to say, and I’ll tell you if I’m okay with that.’”

You really got to give it up for Flea and Thom Yorke: they know how to get down and funky.

Flea, best known as the off-the-wall bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, played London’s KOKO venue on May 26, performing the jazz-inspired music from his debut solo album, Honora (h/t Stereogum). During the night, the Radiohead frontman joined Flea onstage to play “Traffic Lights,” an uptempo bop off of Honora that features Yorke’s dreamy vocals.

But that was not all — at the end of the night, Yorke returned to join Flea and his band in a cover of Marvin Gaye’s “Got To Give It Up.” Flea and Yorke (who previously played together in Atoms For Peace) turned the song into a jazz improvisation, with Yorke leaning into the falsetto when singing Gaye’s lyrics.

“Got To Give It Up (Pt. 1)” was Gaye’s third and final No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Released in 1997, “Got To Give It Up” was a departure for Gaye. Here was a disco-funk hit from a living R&B and soul icon.

“The reason I did [‘Got To Give It Up’] was that it was the closest I was going to get to disco, despite what some forces wished,” he told music journalist Nelson George in the 80s. “I thought it was ridiculous, and I refused to get into that madness. That was as close as I was coming. I just said I was going to ride out that crazy disco number.”

“Got To Give It Up” solved two problems for Gaye. It gave his record label, Motown, the disco song they badly wanted from him. “Motown was screaming disco at me,” he said in Divided Soul, per Classic Motown, “Disco disco disco disco! I couldn’t be bothered.”

It also filled out his double album, Live at the London Palladium. There wasn’t enough material from the actual London concert, so Gaye recorded the 12-minute “Got to Give It Up” to occupy the entire fourth side of the album.

Despite Gaye’s misgivings about disco, the song went to No. 1 on the Hot 100.

Younger audiences might recognize it as the song at the heart of Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams’ hit “Blurred Lines.” The children of Marvin Gaye sued Thicke and Williams in 2013, alleging that “Blurred Lines” was too similar to “Got to Give You Up.” The two parties went to trial in 2015, with Williams testifying that he didn’t use Gaye’s chart-topper as inspiration for his song.

Ultimately, the jury sided with the Gaye estate, demanding Thicke and Williams pay $7.4 million, according to CBS.

Gaye died in April 1984, a day before his 45th birthday, following a violent confrontation with his father.

Related: 1989 Cover of ‘70s No. 1 Hit Became Band’s First Mainstream Radio Smash

Pierre Deny, who appeared in the third and fourth seasons of "Emily in Paris" as Louis de Léon, died on Monday, May 25, due to complications from ALS.

The news was confirmed by his daughters in a statement obtained by DailyMail.

"It is with deep emotion that we announce the passing of Pierre Deny, which occurred this Monday following a sudden and severe case of ALS," the statement read.

Before his role on the hit Netflix show, the French actor appeared in more than 500 episodes of the soap opera “Demain nous appartien.” He had appearances in other French series, including “Fabio Montale,” “Une femme d’honneur,” and “Cinq soeurs.”

And with that, many celebrities took to social media following the news to pay tribute.

"So sad to hear of the passing of Pierre Deny. I shared some great moments with him on stage in Isabelle Mergault's play. He was a generous actor and a sensitive and funny man. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this painful time 🙏❤️," French singer and actress Sylvie Vartan posted on Instagram.

"Pierre Deny was a magnificent person ... a great artist ... stunning on stage ... I shared with him a passion for soccer that he loved above all else ... he was a true enthusiast, and we were still playing together just a year ago like a couple of kids. He had the joy of the game, the joy of being together, the love of effort, of life ... That goddamn Charcot's disease took him away far too soon ... it's so unfair. Peace to his soul, and all my condolences to his family," film producer Raphael Benoliel wrote on X.

"Pierre, 7 years of filming together, taking the train together, having lunch at the canteen together, sometimes confiding, inviting each other from time to time and congratulating you for your hidden cooking talent, meeting our girls, clapping at the theater, calling each other "Doctor" usually, and I forget. A short decade of shared life that should not have ended so quickly and so brutally. I'm thinking of your daughters and their exceptional courage. Thinking of you, my last visit and your sparkling eyes, rest in peace, Dr. Dumaze 🤍🤍🤍," actress Luce Mouchel shared on Instagram.

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

There’s a 30-year age gap between me and my mom, which means our skincare routines usually live in completely different universes. My approach is quick, lightweight and admittedly a little rushed—I’m the type to throw on body cream while halfway out the door.

My mom, meanwhile, treats moisturizer like a ritual. She applies it morning and night without fail, carefully working it into every inch of skin in an effort to keep dryness and crepey texture at bay. So naturally, we almost never end up loving the same products.

That’s why I was genuinely shocked when we both became obsessed with the same tallow body cream. At first, I was mostly intrigued by the trend itself. Tallow skincare has been absolutely everywhere lately, popping up across TikTok feeds and beauty conversations as the "old-school" ingredient making a modern comeback.

I’ll admit, I was skeptical. The idea of rubbing whipped beef tallow onto my skin sounded a little crunchy-beauty-coded for me. But once I started reading more about why people were so devoted to it, I got curious.

I didn’t expect my mom to love this "weird" skincare trend quite as much as I did, but now we’re both hooked. From rough patches and post-shower tightness to overall softness and glow, this rich cream somehow works for both of our completely different skin needs. Read on for everything you need to know.

Related: Dermatologists Say These 8 Body Washes Are Best for Dry, Itchy Skin

The Mom-Approved Body Butter I've Been Using for 2 Months

Alyssa Rotunno

The product that officially converted both me and my mom? The Primally Pure Blue Tansy Body Butter. And yes, I fully understand that "tallow body butter" sounds like something you’d side-eye at first—but this stuff is genuinely impressive. I've been using it religiously for two months now, and my mom's been on board for four weeks.

The texture is thick and buttery without feeling heavy or sticky, and instead of just sitting on top of the skin, it actually melts in and leaves everything feeling softer for hours. My mom immediately loved how comforting it felt on dry, crepey areas, while I became obsessed with the healthy glow it gave my skin after just a few uses. It’s one of those products that makes your skin feel noticeably better almost instantly.

The formula leans heavily into barrier support, blending grass-fed tallow with mango and shea butters to deeply nourish dry, depleted skin. The secret ingredient is the blue tansy, aka what's responsible for the calming, spa-like feel of the cream.

Rich in soothing antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, it helps take down redness, dryness and irritation while giving the formula its signature blue hue. The cream was created in partnership with Nara Smith and taps into that whole "less but better" approach to beauty—and honestly, after years of overcomplicated skincare routines, a simple body butter that actually works feels perfectly luxurious.

Related: 11 Best Serum Foundations That Give You Glowy Coverage and Better Skin, According to Makeup Artists

Is Tallow Cream Actually Good for Your Skin?

For a lot of people, yes—tallow cream can be incredibly nourishing, especially if your skin is dry or constantly feeling stripped. Because tallow closely mimics the fatty acid composition of our skin’s natural oils, it tends to absorb well and helps reinforce the moisture barrier rather than just temporarily coating the skin. That’s why so many people notice significantly softer skin after using it consistently.

That said, it’s definitely not a universal miracle product. If you’re acne-prone, richer tallow formulas can sometimes feel too heavy, particularly on the face or in humid weather. Body creams tend to be a safer entry point, especially for areas prone to dryness like arms, legs and elbows. But like most skincare trends, the key really comes down to your skin type—and whether your skin thrives with richer moisture or needs something lighter and more breathable.

3 Reasons Why We've Both Loved Using Tallow Skincare

Alyssa Rotunno

1. Combats dry patches

The biggest thing both my mom and I noticed almost immediately was how well this body butter tackled stubborn dry patches. My mom constantly struggles with rough, crepey skin around her arms and legs, while I tend to get random flaky spots after shaving or long, hot showers.

This cream somehow manages to feel intensely rich without becoming greasy, so it actually comforts dry skin instead of just temporarily masking it. After a week or two of consistent use, both of us noticed our skin looked calmer, smoother and far less ashy by the end of the day.

Related: 7 Best Hair Perfumes To Try, According to a Fragrance Expert

2. Our skin has never felt softer

There’s soft skin, and then there’s can’t-stop-touching-your-arms soft skin—and this body butter definitely falls into the second category. The combination of tallow, shea butter and mango butter leaves skin feeling velvety in a way that lasts far longer than a typical lotion.

My mom kept commenting on how much smoother her skin felt getting dressed in the morning, while I noticed that healthy, hydrated glow that usually only happens right after a spa treatment. It gives skin that nourished, well-moisturized look without feeling sticky or overly shiny.

Related: 11 Best Skin-Tightening Moisturizers, According to Celebrity Derms

3. A little goes a long way

One thing both my mom and I noticed right away is that you truly do not need to scoop half the jar out to see results. The texture looks super thick at first, but once it warms up between your hands, it melts into the skin surprisingly easily and spreads much farther than a typical body cream.

I only need a small amount for my arms and legs after showering, and my mom—who is very generous with moisturizer—was equally shocked at how little product she actually needed to feel fully hydrated. Because the formula is packed with rich butters and nourishing oils, it feels concentrated in a way that makes each application actually count.

Pros and Cons of the Tallow Body Cream

Alyssa Rotunno

The biggest pro of this body butter is easily how deeply nourishing it feels without crossing into sticky, suffocating territory. It genuinely makes skin feel softer and smoother for hours, and the rich formula is especially impressive on dry patches. I also love that it gives skin a healthy glow instead of that greasy body-lotion sheen.

This particular tallow body cream is definitely a heavier product, so if you strongly prefer lightweight lotions or live somewhere extremely humid, it may feel a bit rich for everyday use—especially during peak summer. And while the tallow-based formula works beautifully for dry skin, those who are very acne-prone or sensitive to richer ingredients may want to patch test first before slathering it everywhere.

Final Takeaways

What surprised me most about this body butter wasn’t just that it worked—it’s that it managed to fit seamlessly into two completely different routines. My mom treats skincare like a daily commitment, while I’m usually looking for products that feel effective without requiring a whole process, and somehow this checked both boxes.

It feels intentional and comforting in a way a lot of trendy beauty launches don’t, and there’s something refreshing about a product that focuses less on flashy claims and more on simply making your skin feel cared for. If you’re curious about the tallow skincare trend but hesitant to dive in, this feels like one of the easiest—and most luxurious—places to start.

Up Next:

The standard American vacation is undergoing a major structural evolution. For decades, taking a trip meant completely disconnecting from the office, strictly rationing accrued paid time off (PTO) and setting an out-of-office email auto-responder. But as remote and hybrid work models settle into a permanent, stabilized lifestyle, travelers have discovered a brilliant professional loophole: the "workation."

Data shows this trend is experiencing an explosive breakthrough. According to luxury vacation rental platform Wander, in the last month, Google searches for "workations" have skyrocketed by a massive 210% in the United States, with families and digital professionals generating nearly 130,000 queries every single month for "working vacations." Recent workforce studies reinforce the shift, noting that 58% of employees already taken a workcation, working remotely from places besides a home office or coworking space, while more than 80% report that mixing business with leisure serves as a critical tool to combat professional burnout. Rather than waiting for a formal holiday weekend, employees are packing up their laptops, heading to scenic destinations and fulfilling their corporate duties while sitting poolside or overlooking mountain ranges—completely eliminating the need for a blurred digital Zoom background.

Related: Hotels and Rentals Are Out— House Swapping Is In and Honestly I Might Be Convinced to Try it

What Is a Workcation—And Is It Right For You?

At its core, a workation is a trip where you travel to a desirable holiday destination but continue to work your normal, contracted remote hours during the day. It's a strategic style of travel designed to maximize your geography without sacrificing your employment standing. Instead of logging off at 5 p.m. to face a familiar evening commute, a workation allows you to close your laptop and immediately step onto a beach, dive into a pool, or explore local neighborhood dining.

However, executing this balance successfully requires shifting away from the traditional, hyper-active "tourist" mindset. Industry metrics reveal that the most desirable workation duration is between one and two weeks, allowing remote employees to settle into a natural, hyper-productive daily cadence. According to Wander, the trend has become so dominant that travelers are now filtering their lodging choices based entirely on professional utility. To facilitate a seamless trip, properties are increasingly stepping up to provide fully integrated smart-home technology—outfitting dedicated workspaces with enterprise-grade tools like uplifting standing desks, ergonomic seating, 38-inch ultrawide monitors, and high-performance 4K webcams alongside blazing-fast 100+ Mbps Wi-Fi.

Related: Why The 'Fluxury' Trend Is The Smartest New Way To Travel This Summer

5 Expert Rules for a Successful Working Vacation

While logging in from a beautiful glass house in the mountains or an oceanfront deck sounds completely effortless, maintaining a flawless professional reputation on company time requires strict boundaries. To help travelers navigate the logistics, Matt Kowalewski, a travel expert at Wander, shares his top five rules for balancing a corporate workflow with holiday geography:

• Keep your professional priorities straight: "Work is still the priority—Make sure you plan around your work schedule to get everything you need to do finished," Kowalewski notes. "That way you stay ahead and can actually enjoy the location during your downtime rather than having what you need to do on your mind."
• Audit your connectivity before departure: "Check the connectivity before going—Make sure to stay in a vacation rental with good cell service, internet connection, desk, chair and anything else you need to stay productive during your work hours!" he advises. "Checking these factors ahead of time will keep things stress-free!"
• Anchor your day in a dedicated workspace: "Stay focused with a workspace—Make sure to take work calls in quiet places and keep your meetings," Kowalewski emphasizes. "The idea is to be able to enjoy locations without compromising professionalism or productivity. Ideally choosing a location that has a desk for you will keep you on task. When you sit down at a spot designated for work, it will help you stay on task."
• Protect your physical routine: To maintain steady energy levels throughout a long-haul work week, you cannot afford to discard your basic health habits simply because your zip code changed. "Routine—Stick to the same routine that keeps you productive at home. This includes enough sleep, meal times and exercise. If you need 8 hours of sleep at home, you'll still need them while on a workcation."
• Utilize specialized smart-home platforms: Finding the right space is significantly easier when you target accommodations built explicitly for corporate productivity. Platforms like Wander offer specialized search filters including "dedicated workspaces," making it easier for remote workers to find premium homes designed for peak efficiency, whether they’re embarking on a solo deep-work trip or a full-scale corporate retreat.

Related: This Is Summer 2026’s Hottest Carry-On Trend—and It Completely Eliminates Your Biggest Travel Headache

A toddler and a hallway recently combined to produce one of the most gripping pieces of cinema to hit social media feeds this summer. A parent posted a clip to Reddit with a brief explanation: “My toddler and I remake classic movie scenes on a $0 budget -- here's our version of Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

The project started on a whim, yet the footage delivers exactly what it promises. It strips away the polish of  modern Hollywood and replaces it with ingenuity. The tot handles the lead role like a champ, dodging imaginary traps and sprinting away from an exercise ball with absolute dedication.

Commenters loved the clip. “Outstanding! I was on the edge of my seat!.” wrote one viewer. Another chimed about the long-term value of the footage: “This is so cute! This will be a great video for your kid to look back at when they’re older.”

The original poster already has a distribution plan for the archive. “I'm playing all our vids on a loop at his wedding lol.”

The charm lies in the execution: computer-generated imagery and green screens are practically obligatory, but it turns out the cute factor of a kid running down a hallway while trying to make off with a toy is all viewers need.

“Bravo OP. That was amazing. Awesome memories being created there.” a fan posted.

“Thank you! That's what it's all for. I can't wait for him to get old enough for us to sit back and watch these things together one day,” the creator said.

Naturally, the internet had notes for the sequel. “This is awesome. What a fun project. That said, I want a version of this where after he starts running, he gets obliterated by an exercise ball…”

Others focused on the star power of the lead actor, who managed to retain a toddler's nonchalant poise during the high-stakes escape. “The thumb sucking got me to laugh”

“I bet Harrison Ford and George Lucas would get a kick out of this,” a commenter raved. The parent agreed that a Hollywood screening would be the ultimate validation. “I'd pay money to see their reaction lol,” the video creator answered.

Of course, viral fame can bring a new set of anxieties. The conversation took a serious turn when a viewer raised a question regarding digital footprints and childhood privacy. (The family operates a YouTube channel under the handle @FrankandDom).

“I don't believe generally people should post their young children online. That said, making this with your daughter [sic] is very special and she is a great little actress. (To be fair, my dislike of people posting their children online is more against daily life bloggers or tik tokkers and not against people making special projects with their children)”

The tot’s parent didn't shy away from the criticism. Instead, they offered a fans a look into the internal conflict that plagues parents who hit the upload button.

“I understand completely. I struggle with knowing if me posting them is the right thing to do pretty much every time we make a new one. I give myself the slightest bit of grace (maybe I'm just coping?) by thinking that everything here is clearly scripted and edited to only show what I care to show and nothing more. I could be completely misguided and stupid thinking that, though, I admit.”

The fun will continue behind closed doors, but the public portion of these mini-masterpieces might be reaching an abrupt finale.

“We will continue to make these video projects because we enjoy it so much, but the actual posting online (at least on a website like Reddit) may be coming to an end.”